All-new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Unveiled, Enhanced MBUX Plus Third Row Seating

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new GLE-Class, which has significantly increased in length to accommodate a longer wheelbase as well as third row seating. Previously known as the ML-Class (a nomenclature change in 2015 when Mercedes-Benz grouped all SUVs under the GL-naming, with a third alphabet denoting the size), the GLE-Class competes with other large-sized SUV models such as the BMW X5, Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Discovery as well as the Lexus GX.
The front of the all-new GLE-Class features an octagonal-shaped grille with a prominent, chrome plated bumper underguard. Thanks to plenty of aerodynamic-efficient measures such as underbody panels, wheel spoilers, tailgate seals, and tail lamp lips, the all-new GLE-Class returns a sedan-like Coefficient of Drag (Cd) figure of 0.29, the best in its segment.
Inside, the larger all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class houses a new dashboard design that places the dual-LCD Widescreen Cockpit display as if it is floating on the fully covered upper dashboard. Earlier introduced in the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) is also seen in the all-new GLE-Class, now upgraded with MBUX Interior Assist.
This new function allows intuitive and natural operation of the 12.3-inch screen through hand gestures and movements. The system is able to distinguish the driver’s hand from that of the front passenger, and therefore knows who requires which command- for example, activation of the seat massage function. MBUX also has learning capabilities thanks to artificial intelligence (A.I.)- for example, learning driver’s patterns and behaviours, later prompting driver on that particular habit (e.g. tuning to radio news at 6:00 pm).
Keen observers will also notice newly designed wiper/signal and drive-select stalks on the all-new GLE-Class. Grab handles, a typical feature of off-roaders, surround the Comand control panel and other switches located on the lower centre console.
While not mentioned in the official press release, Mercedes-Benz has also revealed the GLE-Class equipped with the AMG Line. AMG-specific items include front and rear bumpers, radiator grille with single louvre grille and diamond pattern, body-coloured fender extensions, huge 22-inch tyres and wheels (front: 285, rear: 325 widths), and gloss black on elements which were either in satin or bright chrome finishing.
Through the extension of the wheelbase that is now 2,995 millimetres (20 longer than the
all-new BMW X5
), Mercedes-Benz has now incorporated a third-row of folding seats for two occupants. Seats on the second row also enjoy more luxurious features, including powered adjustment for sliding, reclining, and headrest height. Beautifully-made Burmester speaker-covers are placed on the rooflining, together with a panoramic glass roof.
Currently, the all-new SUV is only available with the new single exhaust-turbocharger 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine codenamed M256. Sharing similar performance figures with the
 all-new CLS 450
 (367 hp, 500 Nm), the GLE 450 also has a mild hybrid system that houses an integrated starter/alternator (ISG) between the 9G-Tronic transmission and engine. The mild hybrid system or EQ Boost enhances power by 22 hp over short periods.
Drive to the front and rear axle after the nine-speed transmission is intelligently split by a high-performance electronically-controlled multi-disc clutch transfer case which improves on-road handling as well as making it very capable during off-road driving. Tyre sizes at the front are huge at 275/45R21, while the rears in the photographed example are a supercar-like width of 315/40R21.
Mercedes-Benz also said other engines including diesel and a plug-in hybrid will follow later.
With the electrical system now running at 48 volts, the suspension system has also been redesigned to be a world’s first system that offers individual control of spring and damping forces. Doubted E-Active Body Control, this intelligent suspension system scans the road ahead to adjust the damping for the utmost comfort and handling. On poor road surfaces, the system is even able to recuperate energy!
Safety features in the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class are also all-encompassing, with an improved Active Distance Assist Distronic with traffic jam or slow-moving intelligence.  The Active Stop-and-Go Assist now stays active for stops of up to one minute.
Other active driving assistance systems include Active Blind Spot Assist with Exit Warning, Trailer Manoeuvring Assist, and a new Active Brake Assist at Junction Turn-Off. In the latter, braking intervention is performed if the front long-range radar sensor and stereo cameras detect oncoming traffic when the Mercedes-Benz GLE is turning across the opposite lane.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class will be built at the Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama, USA and will be available for the USA and European markets by early 2019 with China in spring of 2019. The new SUV will also be a major highlight for Mercedes-Benz at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October.


Chris Harris is selling his Smelly Audi S4, We Have a Better Suggestion

To say that renowned YouTube car reviewer Chris Harris is in the enviable position to test drive some of the world’s exciting cars on a regular basis is kind of an understatement. Which begs the question, what would a man of his profession drive? An
Audi S4
, of course, which he has put it up on sale in the UK at
Pistonheads
, accompanied by a rather entertaining ‘review’.
There were several reasons for Harris’ choice, but one of which being the S4’s understated looks, compact shape, and not to mention power output, which can be kicked up to RS4 baiting levels with a simple ECU tuning, as demonstrated in the video below.
If that has pique your interest you would be glad to know that we have found a perfect example for sale on Carlist.my.
This 2011 Audi S4 Avant
 is said to be the only S4 Avant with a manual transmission in Malaysia. Priced at RM270,000 it comes fully loaded with Bang & Olufsen sound system, panoramic glass roof, and carbon interior trim. The owner has also added some impressive upgrades to the package such as H&R springs, a JHM shortshifter, Miltek Exhaust, Stasis Intake, Brembo 4 piston brakes with slotted discs, Volk Racing ZE40 rims, and a REVO Stage 1 ECU chip that brings power up to 389whp on RON95 fuel.
Check this S4 Avant, along with a wide selection of
Audi S4s
 that are available for sale around Malaysia on Carlist.my.


Hotted-up Toyota GR Prius makes first appearance at 100th 24 Hours of Le Mans

Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) has unveiled an ‘upgraded’ version of the Prius in honour of the 100th edition of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Known as the Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition, this concept vehicle is based on the latest generation of Toyota's hybrid hatchback.

While the company hasn't mentioned any changes to its powertrain, the special edition Prius features various upgrades inspired by Toyota Gazoo Racing's World Endurance Championship (WEC) entrant, the GR010 Hybrid.

The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition boasts a lower and more aggressive stance, sitting 30mm lower than the standard Prius, with widened front and rear tracks by 40mm. It rides on 235/50 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires mounted on aerodynamic 18-inch RAYS wheels.

The vehicle includes several exterior enhancements such as a carbon-fibre hood, a more prominent front lip, a honeycomb insert for the front air intake, and four low-set multi-headlamps on each side of the air intake to improve nighttime visibility. These headlamps are adapted from the WEC challenger. Aerodynamic additions to the model include side skirts, canards on the front fenders, and a rear diffuser.

This concept vehicle could serve as a way for Toyota to gauge interest in a sportier production version of the Prius. While Toyota has not previously offered a GR (Gazoo Racing) version of the Prius, it did introduce a sporty-looking GR Sport variant of the previous generation in Japan. There were earlier reports from Japan suggesting that Toyota was planning to unveil a Prius GR Sport based on the Prius PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle).

Toyota is expanding its range of GR cars, with models like the GR Supra, Yaris, Corolla, and 86 in the full GR range, while the GR Sport range includes the C-HR and LandCruiser 300 Series in Australia.

The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is currently on display for fans at the 'Japan, Endless Discovery' exhibit in the Le Mans Manufacturer's Village. The exhibit celebrates Japanese success in motorsports and is a collaborative effort between Toyota Gazoo Racing, Mazda, and the Japan National Tourism Organisation.

While the Prius may not be the first choice associated with motorsport performance, Toyota emphasises that the knowledge gained from hybrid technologies implemented in its motor racing division has been applied to production hybrid vehicles like the Prius hatchback.

This weekend, the Toyota Gazoo Racing team will compete for its sixth consecutive victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, facing competition from new entrants like the Ferrari 499P in the hypercar category.

Although the fifth-generation Prius was unveiled last year, it is not planned for release in ASEAN markets. The new generation offers 2.0-litre hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options, a departure from the previous model's 1.8-litre variants.

The plug-in hybrid option delivers a significant increase in power, with a total system output almost doubling from 122hp to 220hp, resulting in a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds. Toyota also promises the same fuel efficiency as before but with a 50% higher driving range, approximately 60km.

The new 2.0-litre series parallel hybrid system in the Prius maintains the same level of fuel efficiency as the outgoing model, which had a claimed combined cycle fuel consumption of 3.4L/100km.

It offers a total system output of 193hp, comparable to the 2.0-litre hybrid found in the Corolla Cross and significantly higher than the previous model's 120hp 1.8-litre engine. Additionally, the Prius hybrid can be equipped with the latest E-Four all-wheel drive system, an option that was available in the outgoing model in certain markets.

For Malaysians, UMW Toyota have announced to taking a multi-prong approach to reaching carbon neutrality and have teased cars like the Camry Hybrid and fully electric bZ4X - even the Mirai has been spotted on our shores! However, no word yet on this newest generation of Prius.


McLaren reveals track-dedicated 570S GT4 and 570S Sprint

McLaren
has announced that it is adding two new track-dedicated models of the recently-launched Sports Series, called the 570S GT4 and the 570S Sprint.
Developed by the motorsport division of McLaren Automotive and GT racing specialists, CRS GT Limited, the 570S GT4 will now enter an intensive season-long development programme in the British GT championship, while the 570S Sprint, which is unrestricted by racing regulations, will be dedicated for private track usage.
The track-only 570S GT4, which shares the carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis architecture with the other models in the Sports Series, will be the first car in the GT4 category to feature this technology.
The 570S GT4 also features a unique aerodynamic package which includes a GT4-specification high level rear wing, mounted on aluminium pylons, a larger front splitter and reprofiled floor assembly. An additional front centre high temperature radiator sits below a GT3-inspired bonnet with radiator exit ducts. These upgrades have been designed to optimise the aerodynamic performance and cooling of the 570S GT4 to ensure it is able to perform in the harshest race conditions globally.
Both models are powered by McLaren’s 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 M838TE engine which is carried over from the road-going Sports Series model. Mated to the engine is a seven-speed gearbox that transfers all 562hp and 600Nm of peak torque to the rear wheels.
It is said that McLaren GT and CRS GT Limited will work with recently confirmed customer team Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse to race the 570S GT4 in the full nine round calendar, including the famous Spa-Francorchamps.
“The launch of the Sports Series has broadened McLaren to a new audience, introducing technologies to the sports car market and to a new group of customers. The 570S GT4 is doing the same in the motorsport world, and will bring the opportunity to own and race a McLaren – previously limited to a very small number of people – to a much wider group,” said Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren.
Both models are expected to be launched officially within the next few weeks.
Looking for a McLaren? Find one at
Carlist.my


Motor Expo 2016: This Is What The 2017 Honda BR-V Looks Like Inside

As you would have already know by now, the seven-seater 2017 Honda BR-V will launched in Malaysia early next year. Although it is marketed as a crossover, the 1.5-litre front-wheel drive seven-seater BR-V is aimed squarely at the Toyota Avanza, Nissan Grand Livina, and to a certain extent, the Perodua Alza and Proton Exora too.
A pre-production prototype version of the BR-V is
currently on display
 at Honda road shows around the country, at the following locations:
2nd December 2016        AEON Mall, Kota Bahru, Kelantan
3rd December 2016         Giant Kuala Terengganu Mall, Terengganu
4th December 2016         East Coast Mall, Kuantan, Pahang
10th December 2016      Tesco Extra Tebrau City, Johor Bahru
11th December 2016      AEON Bandaraya Melaka Shopping Centre, Malacca
17th December 2016      1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
18th December 2016      Tesco Extra Ipoh Garden, Perak
23rd December 2016      Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
24th December 2016      Imago Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
However, the front-half of the display car’s cabin has been sealed off, and will only be revealed closer to its launch date.
The video below, taken at the Thailand International Motor Expo 2016 will give you an idea on how the BR-V’s interior will look like. Note that the model shown here is a Thailand market model. There could be some minor differences in trims and features shown in this particular car from our forthcoming Malaysian market BR-V.
The dashboard and instrument panel looks very similar to the ones fitted into the Honda City and Jazz, despite the fact that the BR-V is based on a different platform that also underpins the Indonesian/Thai-market Mobilio MPV, as well as the A-segment Brio hatchback and Brio Amaze sedan.
The BR-V is positioned as a budget/affordable seven-seater and its interior clearly reflects this. It’s not exactly spartan but don’t expect it to be as refined as the HR-V, or even the City/Jazz. This is a car that you buy primarily for its seven-seater capacity, and less about its interior refinement.
As far as people carrying duties are concerned, first impressions of the BR-V are good. Leg and shoulder room on all three rows are good, and Honda even claims that legroom in the third row is class-leading – in other words, better than an Avanza or Grand Livina.
More about the 2017 Honda BR-V
here
.


2015 KL City Grand Prix Race Schedule

Next Friday, the KL City Grand Prix will play host to four racing events which will see racers charging down prominent streets within Kuala Lumpur way beyond their posted speed limit.
The four events are: Formula Masters China Series, V8 Supercars, Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, and the inaugural KL City GT Cup. The new line-up sees the race roster receive a shakeup without the inclusion of the
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Audi R8 LMS Cup as previously reported
.
If you’re planning to attend the event, do check out these two important pieces of information beforehand, starting with the event schedule for the weekend (7-9 August 2015):
Next up, the ticket prices are as follows:
So if you want to experience the thrills of a street race within our very own city, get your tickets for the KL City Grand Prix which come with free admission to the post-race concert as well.


Here's A Nissan GT-R That You Can Drive Remotely

To commemorate the release of the Gran Turismo Sport and 20-years of Nissan involvement in the Gran Turismo game series, Nissan has created the ultimate remote-control car - based on a full-sized GT-R Coupe.
Dubbed the G-TR /C - the car is fitted with four robots that operate the steering, transmission, brakes, and throttle. Six computers mounted in the rear of the car update the controls at up to 100 times a second.
The car is controlled by an unmodified 'DualShock4' controller that connects to a micro-computer which interprets the joystick and button signals and transmits them to the GT-R /C's onboard systems. The wireless operation has a primary control range of one kilometer.
To help the operator gauge the car’s on ground vehicle's speed through the corners, a 'Racelogic VBOX Motorsport' sensor was installed to relay speed data to an LCD display in the helicopter cockpit, from where the G-TR /C is controlled.
The GT-R /C is also fitted with two independent safety systems, operating on different radio frequencies, which allow two additional operators to apply full ABS braking and cut the engine in the event of the main operator losing control of the vehicle.
The GT-R /C was put through its paces by GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough around the Silverstone Circuit.
Mardenborough managed a fastest lap 1:17:47, averaging 122 km/h and reaching a top speed of 211 km/h.


Geely’s 600kW Charger Can Give 300km Of Range In 5 Minutes

Geely, or more accurately
 one of its many subsidiaries Viridi E-Mobility Technology or VREMT for short, has announced the ongoing development of a charging technology that will be capable of 600kW. In fact, they say they’re on the cusp of mass production.

This promises much faster energy replenishment in compatible electric vehicles with the company claiming a mere 5-minute charge is enough to provide up to 300km of usable range. By contrast, the most powerful DC rapid charging points we’ve seen so far extend to 350kW, and those are still few and far between.

Geely developing 600kW EV charging infrastructure

Even today, the count of in-production EVs capable of fully utilising a 350kW charger is as few as the charging stations themselves, at least at the time of writing. Only the Hyundai IONIQ 5
and the Kia EV6
, which allow a 350kW DC charge, come readily to mind.

Most rapid charging stations found here in Malaysia are of the more pedestrian 180kW variety, which is quick but by no means in the same league as 600kW. That is, of course, if your EV can accept all that incoming power. Charging is all about the lowest common value, so even the fastest DC charger plugged into a Mazda MX-30 will still be down-regulated to 40kW, the car’s rated maximum.

Naturally, Geely will be deploying these super-fast chargers in China first, primarily serving
the Zeekr 001
 that’s capable of charging at 600kW thanks to a new Qilin long-range battery supplied by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL).

With the Zeekr brand being one of their first customers,
the 009 electric luxury MPV
 will also be fitted with the energy dense battery, though the Ningde-based battery manufacturer seems itching to start supplying a large variety of client automotive brands.


Subaru Is Fine Tuning EyeSight For ASEAN Region, Malaysia Debut Soon

Subaru is set to introduce its proprietary EyeSight feature to the ASEAN region very soon. EyeSight is Subaru’s equivalent to Honda’s Sensing and Volvo’s City Safety – a suite of Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) that prevents/minimize the severity of frontal collisions, as well as accidental deviation from a driving lane/road.
Where Honda’s and Volvo’s solutions use a combination of radars and cameras, Subaru engineers have adopted a slightly different technical route for EyeSight, choosing to rely solely on a pair of stereo cameras mounted behind the rear-view mirror.
Currently EyeSight is only available in USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, China and Australia. In case you are wondering why Subaru’s EyeSight is not yet available in Malaysia when Perodua is already equipping its Myvi with ASA (Advanced Safety Assist), which like Subaru’s EyeSight also relies on a pair of stereo cameras, it is important to note that
Perodua’s ASA
 has a far narrower capability of braking the car to a complete stop in more challenging situations. Of course, this does not take away the fact the Perodua deserves credit for introducing such feature to the masses, even if it's a lower budget version, but consumers need to be aware that you do get what you pay for and more complex solutions take a bit more time to reach the market.
Subaru’s EyeSight can recognize not just cars, but also pedestrians and motorcyclists/cyclists, controlling not just the brakes but also steering. It even recognizes the red colour of traffic lights and brake lights of the vehicle ahead! As such, more complex fine-tuning work needs to be done before it can be rolled out to different markets.
EyeSight has been rated by USA’s IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) as one of the best autonomous braking system available on the market. In a test done in 2013, only an EyeSight-equipped Subaru Outback passed IIHS' tests with perfect scores. Independent tests done in Japan and Europe also revealed similar perfect scores. Normally, not having the added benefit of a radar would've reduced the systems capability but somehow, Subaru engineers are able to use simpler hardware to deliver better results than Honda and Volvo.
As the driving and weather conditions in our region are very different from those found in the aforementioned countries, Subaru needs to adapt EyeSight’s software for our local traffic conditions. Honda Malaysia also conducted similar fine-tuning to adapt Honda Sensing to our local driving conditions before introducing
Sensing
 to the all-new CR-V and new Accord.
“We don’t want to see the car stopping unnecessarily,” explained Tomohiro Ishitobi, Senior General Manager for Overseas Sales and Marketing at Subaru Corporation, at the sidelines of yesterday’s launch of the all-new Subaru XV.
“Every market is different, road conditions, driving situations are different. In those of kind of conditions, everything has to be tested physically. Safety is everything,” said Ishitobi.
“At its first introduction in the late 90s, EyeSight was known ADA – Active Driver Assist, since then we have more than 20 years of experience with such technology,” said Ishitobi.
Ishitobi also added that development work for the ASEAN region is currently being carried out at Singapore, and once completed, the feature would definitely be introduced to countries in the ASEAN region.
He did hinted that the development work is almost complete and even told us “You’ll see it soon,” but did not reveal any further details on introduction timeline, or on which particular model.
Separately, Glenn Tan, Executive Director of Tan Chong International Limited, parent company of Subaru distributor in Malaysia TC Subaru said that when EyeSight is introduced to Malaysia, it will be on a top-end model first before expanding the offering to other models like the XV and Forester.
Glenn explained that introducing EyeSight first with the XV would create inconsistencies in the specifications hierarchy against other more expensive models like the Forester or the Outback, but assured buyers that Subaru is extremely particular about safety and that all critical safety features in the XV are the same those found in other markets.
The XV comes with seven airbags and electronic stability control as standard, and Subaru confirms that the body structure used on the locally-assembled XV is identical to those sold in other markets.
The
all-new Subaru XV
 is assembled at the Tan Chong Motor Assemblies in Segambut and is also exported to Thailand. Prices range from RM142,828 to RM150,248 but for a limited time period, there will be an introductory price of RM118,119 and RM125,868 for the base and high specifications variant restively. The 2.0-litre XV competes against the Mitsubishi ASX 2.0, Honda HR-V 1.8 and Mazda CX-3 2.0.


Nissan Kicks Launched In China - 1.5L, RMB 99k

Around this time last year, we reported that the Nissan Kicks was
making its way to developing markets
. The Nissan Almera based crossover has made its Asian market debut in China, coming in at a price of RMB 99,800 (or RM 63,278.13). This is nearly a year ahead of its official global launch in Brazil last year, and there are talks of the Nissan Kicks possibly being
assembled in Thailand for the ASEAN region
.
For now, specifications may vary greatly. The first launch in Brazil brought about specially tuned engine variants for their market's gasohol (petrol-alcohol blend) requirements. As China has pretty strict engine capacity taxation structures, the launch variant for the Chinese market comes with the HR15DE 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine, as opposed to the HR16DE 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine that Nissan still has in their various products. The engine puts out 124 hp and 147 Nm of torque, paired with either a 5-speed manual or an Xtronic CVT- something we haven't yet seen for our local Almera.
There are also a number of safety and driver assistance features included, which is fast becoming the trend among mass market manufacturers. The Chinese market Kicks get Intelligent Emergency Braking, Intelligent Lane Intervention, Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention and Cross Traffic Alert.
There are also features like  Intelligent Trace Control, Intelligent Ride Control, Vehicle Dynamics Control and Intelligent Engine Brake. We're not sure what our local specs will be if Edaran Tan Chong Motors introduces the Kicks here, but it should follow that of the Almera albeit with a more updated interior.


With the XPander Coming, Mitsubishi Moves to New Parts Warehouse to Meet After Sales Demands

With the highly anticipated all-new Mitsubishi XPander all set to make its Malaysian debut in less than two weeks, the company has started preparing itself to meet growing demands.

Mitsubishi has confirmed that the model will be a locally-assembled (CKD) model and will be the first Mitsubishi model to be built at the company’s new production facility in Pekan, Pahang.

There is no indication of pricing as of now but a full-fledged CKD assembly should signal a competitive price tag, close to that of its biggest competitors – the
Honda BR-V
,
Toyota Avanza
, and
Perodua Aruz
 – which all reside within then RM72k-RM90k bracket.

So, since we're looking at a potentially large volume model, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) announced that the company has recently migrated to a new parts warehouse in Shah Alam, Selangor as part of an expansion plan to meet with increasing after sales demands.

With a storage capacity of up to 40,000 square feet, the expansion will see an improvement in warehouse operations including consolidating all holdings under-one-roof.

This move will speed up the delivery of parts required by all MMM authorized business partners including 52 dealers nationwide.

So, if you’re concerned about the availability of parts for the upcoming XPander, or other Mitsubishi models sold by MMM at the moment, looks like you can relax as it may not be an issue after all.

“The relocation of our warehouse is in line with the continuous growth of Mitsubishi Motors business in Malaysia. The new parts warehouse is located at a strategic location with less road congestion and easy access to Federal and KESAS highway."

"With this accessibility, we will be able to accelerate our parts delivery to MMM’s business partners as we constantly seek to improve customer’s after-sales experience by reducing cost and increasing our work efficiency,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.


2015 Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4 Spyder Makes its Malaysian Preview

Just two months after its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Lamborghini’s new Huracán LP610-4 Spyder has made its second stop on its preview tour of Asia in Malaysia.
Just like the standard Huracán supercar, the Huracán Spyder comes with the same 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 engine, which cranks out 610hp and 560Nm of torque, and coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Power is distributed through the Huracán’s electronically all-wheel drive system which has a base front/rear torque distribution of 30:70 with the capability of sending up to 100 per cent of the torque to the rear wheels.
The roof mechanism on the Huracán Spyder can be folded in 17 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h, and can be specified in three different colours. With the use of the Huracán’s aluminium and carbon-fibre hybrid structure the Huracán Spyder boasts a 40 per cent higher torsional rigidity than its predecessor, the Gallardo Spyder. That being said, the Huracán Spyder weighs in at 1,542kg dry, 120kg more than the normal Huracán.
This gives the Huracán Spyder a 0 to 100km/h time of 3.4 seconds, a 0 to 200km/h time of 10.2 seconds, and a top speed of 324km/h. Compared to the standard fixed top fare, the Spyder is off the pace by 0.2 seconds, 0.3 seconds, and a mere 1km/h, which isn’t far off the standard Huracán’s pace.
The Huracán Spyder also retains the Lamborghini Piattaforma Inerziale system that uses three accelerometers and three gyroscopes to precisely measure the car’s movements on the X, Y, Z acceleration, roll, pitch, and yaw rates. The information from this system is then fed into the car’s stability control, four-wheel drive, dynamic steering, and magneto-rheological suspension.
With production of right-hand drive variants expected to commence in April next year, Huracán Spyders destined for Malaysia will only arrive around April or May. As its specification is yet to be confirmed, JH Italia, the sole authorised dealer for Lamborghini in Malaysia, says that the tentative price for the Huracán Spyder is estimated to be around RM1.35million (before duties).


PDRM Nab No-Mask Petrol Station Live Streamer For Obstruction, Flouting SOPs

On Monday, a 29-year old man received a fine for not
wearing a mask
 while filling up his Proton Saga at a Shell petrol station in Bandar Sri Damansara, which is a violation of standard operating procedure (SOPs).

The individual, identified by news outlets as an insurance agent, upon being confronted by the officer, proceeded to perform a live broadcast over social media to record the situation, which got tense enough for two more officers to assist.

During the exchange, the individual’s argumentative behaviour diminished and he started to accept weight of his circumstances. However, there were some impolite language used to dispute the
compound being given
.

After the fine was issued and the individual left the petrol station, he proceeded to lambast the officers' conduct, protesting his innocence, and even ranted about some anti-vaccine sentiments - all peppered with some foul language - while still broadcasting to Facebook Live. As stated in the lengthy 15 minute 42 second Facebook Live video, this individual has not received a single dose of any
COVID-19 vaccine
 and openly rejects it.

It Was At This Moment He Knew...

Later that evening, at around 10pm, he was arrested at his home not far from the petrol station in question for further investigation, pursuant to allegations of provoking and insulting a police officer and obstruction of a police officer’s duties.

According to Petaling Jaya district police chief, ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid, it was at this time that the man also made another live video that was spread around social media.

Yesterday, July 21st, the police chief stated, the suspect will be brought to the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court for a remand order, and that the case was being investigated under Sections 186, 504, and 505 (b) of the Penal Code. Furthermore, the investigation also involves Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Mask On At All Times?

In October 2020, a similar matter was raised about the necessity of wearing face masks at a petrol station. Penang police chief Comm Datuk Sahabuddin Abd Manan clarified that a mask is not necessary if the “person is alone and the station is not crowded”.

That wasn’t the case with this individual nabbed recently. As evidenced by the video, there were clearly many other customers at that petrol station at the time. In addition, this person did not remain at his car and did not perform the transaction at the pump itself.

Instead, he walked over to the counter and chose to make a cashless payment via Touch n Go around other customers likely to also be waiting in the queue, which is what probably drew the officer’s attention in the first place.

While you are not required to
register your location through the MySejahtera app
 if you do not proceed indoors, wearing a mask while in close proximity of other people at a crowded petrol station is very much in-line with current SOPs, but it is also just common sense.

Additionally, the country is still currently under full lockdown with many areas of Petaling Jaya just coming out of a two-week Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), so exhibiting carelessness about our conduct in public is hardly an acceptable excuse.

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Updated Mazda 3 Goes On Sale in Japan

Mazda Motor Corporation has released an updated Mazda 3 hatchback (known as the Axela in Japan) which goes on sale in Japan today. The updated model line-up now features and expanded diesel engine line-up - with 1.5-litre SkyActiv-D now joining the existing 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D.
Guided by the commonplace, technology ethos of
Jinba-Ittai
, the updated Mazda Axela features an enhanced suite of functions to further highlight the Axela’s dynamic prowess and characteristic driving sensation.
New to the fore are technologies such as G-Vectoring Control and Natural Sound Frequency Control, with the latter fitted to the diesel-powered variants. Equipment and safety kit gets a boost too with an updated Active Driving Display and a Mazda first, Hazard detection technology.
G-Vectoring Control (GVC)
GVC is a control technology that varies engine torque in response to steering inputs in order to provide integrated control of lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces. It optimises the vertical load on each wheel to make the motion of the vehicle smoother and more neutral feeling.
The system is claimed to be effective during collision avoidance manoeuvres and improving handling on slippery road conditions.
SKYACTIV-D (DE) Precision Boost Control
By optimising boost control and making more precise fuel injection possible, engine torque response is optimised even under light-load conditions.
SKYACTIV-D Natural Sound Frequency Control
Mazda studied the relationship between pressure waves (vibrations) resulting from engine combustion, the cause of engine knock, and the resonant frequency of parts (structural resonance). A damper is now incorporated into the piston pin to reduce knock at around 3.6 kHz, which is caused by vibration of the pistons and connecting rods upon combustion.
Mazda found that knock increases around 1.3 kHz, 1.7 kHz and 2.5 kHz because peak engine vibration and peak structural vibration coincide. By controlling fuel injection timing to within 0.1 millisecond, engine vibration is used to cancel out structural vibration, thereby reducing knock and producing smoother engine operation.
Vehicles with the Skyactiv-D 2.2 engine are now also available with i-ACTIV AWD, Mazda’s all-wheel-drive system.
Updated Active Driving Display
Information on the driving environment is displayed in the top half and information on the vehicle below, the display is upgraded to full colour with higher brightness levels, definition and contrast.
Mazda Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR)
A first for Mazda, a forward-sensing camera picks up speed limit signs and the speed limit is shown on the active driving display. A flashing light on the display cautions the driver when the speed limit has been exceeded, optionally a buzzer can also be set to sound. The system also detects "no entry" and stop signs.
Adaptive LED Headlights
High beams are divided into four LED blocks laid out horizontally, each of which can be turned on or off individually. When driving with high beams, the headlights of oncoming vehicles or tail lights of vehicles ahead are detected and the appropriate block of LEDs is turned off.
Smart City Brake System – Forward (SCBS F)
The near infrared laser sensor used with SCBS F has been changed to a forward sensing camera capable of detecting pedestrians as well as vehicles.
The range of speeds at which vehicles are detected has been expanded from 4 - 30km/h previously to 4 - 80km/h. Pedestrians can be detected at 10 - 80km/h.
Machine Gray Premium Metallic, which first debuted on the all-new
Mazda CX-9
 and
MX-5 RF
 has been made available in this updated Japanese market Mazda 3. Nine colour options are available in total, including a new Eternal Blue Mica. Interior updates feature a redesigned steering wheel.
While we must stress that the updated Mazda 3 is a Japan domestic market offering, locally we can look forward to the new range of
diesel
 vehicles that will be launched in very short order.


VIDEO: Watch Mitsubishi Build The Lancer Evolution Final Edition

When
Mitsubishi
 said goodbye to the Lancer Evolution X, along with its nine generations before it, the carmaker announced one last hurrah in the form of the
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition
 that will be sold as a Japan exclusive model only. In a sort of “farewell” video, Mitsubishi have dropped this video that highlights the production process of the Final Edition.
Only 1,000 examples of the
Mitsubishi Lancer
 Final Edition will ever be produced from Mitsubishi’s Mizushima plant, where we see the car’s parts being stamped, welded together, rust-proof treated, and painted. The 4B11T 2.0-litre MIVEC turbocharged engine is sourced from the company’s Shiga powertrain plant, where it meets up with the rest of the car, paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. Power on tap is boosted to 308hp and 429Nm of torque.
The rest of the assembly process is shown as well, with the installation of the suspension that is comprised of Bilstein dampers and Eibach coil springs, Brembo two-piece ventilated brakes, Recaro full bucket sports seats upholstered in black leather with red stitching, and 18-inch BBS alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama ADVAN 245/40 sized tyres. The ‘Final Edition’ badging scattered around the car rounds things off.
We won’t know for sure if there will be an all-new Mitsubishi Evo yet. Rumours point towards a high-performance crossover as a candidate although details on that are inconclusive. For now, let’s get sentimental at the end of the Lancer Evolution era.


'Selangor Ku' Free Bus Ride Service Launched

After Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd today began operation of its free bus service ‘Selangor Ku’ for the state, which involves the three main routes in Selangor.
Launched by YB Dato' Teng Chang Khim who is the Selangor Investment, Industry (SME) & Commerce and Transportation chairman, the service will utilise Rapid KL buses from the Shah Alam depot. The routes covered include Shah Alam, Klang, and Subang Jaya.
The services daily operating hours start from 6am until 9pm with an operational frequency of 15 minutes for all three routes.
For the Shah Alam route, it is between the Section 19 KTM Komuter station and Wisma Jakel in Seksyen 7, covering 20.2km.
In Klang, the free bus services involves a looping route of 8.5km that starts and ends at Wisma Tahfiz.
As for Subang Jaya, the route starts from the Subang Jaya KTM Komuter station and heads towards USJ 6 and Station 7 of the
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)–Sunway Line which began last month
.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Continues Premium Segment Leadership In 1H 2017

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sold a total of 5,913 passenger vehicles in the first six months of 2017, securing its continued sales leadership among premium brands in the country. Despite a slight year-on-year drop from 6,017 vehicles sold over the
corresponding period of 2016
, sales rallied late on in the half to set a new monthly sales record of 1,210 units in June.
“We have had a very successful first half in 2017, ending it with a new best-ever month in June further extending our lead in the premium segment. This was possible due to the comprehensive customer centric strategy, the broad premium product portfolio and superior services. With the good momentum of Q2 and our locally produced products, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is on track for yet another record year in 2017,” said Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Mark Raine.
The locally-assembled core models, namely the C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class, continue to contribute the bulk of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sales. The C-Class tops the list with 2,075 units sold, followed by 1,358 units from the E-Class, and 230 units from the S-Class. Combined, these three models accounted for 3,663 units sold.
Next biggest contributors are the family of SUVs, which sold a combined 1,233 units – more than double of last year’s total of 576. The rapid growth of this particular portfolio is primarily driven by the locally-assembled GLC-Class that went on sale last August.
The MFA-based compact car family, which consists of the A-Class, B-Class, CLA, and GLA, sold a combined 739 units. More impressively, the Dream Cars range, which includes the full line-up of Mercedes-AMG high performance vehicles managed to sell a total of 268 vehicles.
“Our positive growth is a clear indication of customers’ trust in the Mercedes-Benz brand. We take this trust very seriously and remain dedicated to ensuring customers’ expectations are met with unparalleled precision. Specialising in the business of cars and after sales care, we have put in place world-class processes and standards that ensure customers have the Best Products and the Best Customer Experience,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner.


The Blistering Fast ID.R Around The Nurburgring Looks Like Something Out Of A Video Game

After Volkswagen's infamous "dieselgate", where they were caught cheating in official emission tests, they had to do something to rebrand themselves.

The solution was to pull out of motorsport and divert all of their efforts and funds into an electric car division called I.D.

Three years later, the ID.R was born, an electric car with no holds barred and one of the fastest machines you can feast your eyes and ears on.

On the 24th of June 2018, the ID.R made its debut to the public on the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado. It came to try and beat the existing electric car record established in 2016 by Rhys Millen in a Drive eO PP100.

Not only did the ID.R manage to break the electric car record by doing the uphill track in under 8 minutes, but it also shattered the outright record of the track, set by Sebastian Loeb in his Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak, a car tailored made for that track.

With the ID.R's 680 PS output and four-wheel drive, no other car has ever made it to the Pike's Peaks summit faster. It also took on the electric vehicle record at the Nurburgring and once again shattered that record there. The lap, set by driver Romain Dumas, beat the previous EV record-holder, the NIO EP9, by over 40 seconds, coming in at 6:05.336.

These records were all attempted and broken in 2018 and 2019 and this news has come back into light now because Volkswagen said that they would be using this secretive battery tech from the ID.R in their upcoming vehicles, reported Autocar.

"Speaking about the possibilities open to the German carmaker in the development of performance batteries for road cars, Jost Capito, head of Volkswagen's R performance car division, said: "We have different cells and ways of building and all the technical learnings from motorsport. There are different demands on a performance car than a road car, and we're looking at all aspects to see what we can do with the technology. We've seen how it works in the ID.R, and now we want to see how it looks in a road car."

The news of Volkswagen's plans comes swiftly after the unveiling of the four-wheel-drive electric
Golf eR1
.

Although not directly pointing to any future production model, the eR1 is, in Volkswagen's own words, "an ambassador for future performance cars for Volkswagen's R division".

Till then, all we can do is admire the ID.R and here are a couple of videos to show the lightning speed that the car can travel in.


Suzuki To Sell Its 1.5 Percent Stake In Volkswagen AG

The
Suzuki
 Motor Corporation have made arrangments to sell its remaining 1.5 percent stake in
Volkswagen
 AG back to Volkswagen's largest shareholder,
Porsche
 Automobil Holding SE.
This is according to a report by the
Wall Street Journal
, which indicated that the transaction price was not disclosed.
The sale would mean Suzuki posting a special profit of 304 million US Dollars (or RM1.335 billion) for this financial quarter. It said in a statement that the transfer of shares to Porsche SE will occur on Wednesday.
Suzuki held the 1.5 percent stake in the German automaker before the partnership collapsed.
This therefore
ends much of the ties established between the two companies
 which began in 2009 to jointly tackle emerging markets and develop fuel-efficient small cars.
Over the last week since the Volkswagen diesel engine EPA emissions rigging scandal has emerged, Volkswagen stock has lost approximately a third of its value.


Chevrolet Releases Interior Shots Of 2016 Cruze, Shows Off Android Auto Compatibility

Chevrolet
 just announced that its all-new 2016
Cruze
 that will debut on June 24 will have far more capable infotainment system through the built-in integration with Apple CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto.
The automaker has also released some pictures of the 2016 Cruze’s interior showcasing the Chevrolet’s MyLink system hooked up to either an Android or iOS-powered phone. The infotainment unit itself comprises of a 7-inch touchscreen which will feature on the new model. Development is underway for an eight-inch model for the later in the 2016 model year, but for now that unit only supports Apple CarPlay.
“For most of us, our smartphones are essential,” said Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors. “Partnering with Apple and Google to offer CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility across the widest range of models in the industry is a great example of how Chevrolet continues to democratize technology that’s important to our customers.”
To activate the feature once users plug in their phone via USB is to tap the “Projection” icon on the MyLink system’s main display screen. Android Auto requires a smartphone running version 5.0 Lollipop or higher while CarPlay requires an iPhone 5 or newer.
For 2016, Chevrolet says that they will offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in more models than any other automaker. The additional models can be seen in the list below. Note, however, these models are for the US-spec versions of Chevrolet's line-up.


Aston Martin Confirms Valkyrie Will Have 1160 hp, 900 Nm

Is this the age of four-figure horsepower hypercars? It certainly seems like it with Aston Martin's latest news: their Valkyrie hypercar will pack a whopping 1,160 hp from its hybrid powertrain - and 1,000 of those horses will be from the engine alone at a stratospheric 10,500 rpm. The hybrid system, sourced from Rimac, will supplement the additional 160 hp and 280 Nm of torque - most likely to help with low rpm use when that big 6.5-litre V12 isn't running particularly well.
Such is the nature of high strung engines. Even with advances in variable valve timing systems, to make an engine produce power at five-digit rpm figures requires a sacrifice of intake velocity at low rpms. You'll notice old school naturally aspirated racecars tend to have a lopey idle - which is exactly what the Valkyrie would have were it not for the electric motors. It's highly likely that Aston Martin's strategy will be to have the engine kick in once you're up to a reasonable speed.
The overlap between petrol engine and electric motor is strongest at 6,000 rpm, when the total system output is 900 Nm. The engine hits its peak torque at 7,000 rpm with 740 Nm on tap, while the electric motor naturally tapers off. The batteries are charged through an F1-style KERS system which could mean a variety of things, but suffice to say it's an advanced way to keep those batteries at a usable level.
In terms of construction, the engine and gearbox will function as members of the chassis - not unlike older smaller Formula cars. In the 1980s, the Formula Atlantic series saw the Toyota 4A-GE functioning as part of its chassis as well - which forced engine builders to reinforce the block in order to reduce block flex and distortion under load. You can expect Aston Martin to be beefing up the structural integrity of their powertrain considering both the internal and external loads they will be taking.


Toyota Releases 86 Hakone Edition, Green And Bronze Colourways

If you're wondering what a "Hakone" is, you're clearly someone who wasn't a fan of Japanese car culture, Initial D, or Japanese geography in general. Hakone refers to a very specific region and route in Japan, with scenic views and breath-taking roads. It's a route of choice for many weekend drivers who want to stretch their legs in sports cars, and for some reason it's called the Mazda Hakone Turnpike - probably for the same reason Laguna Seca is called Mazda Raceway (they probably sponsored a lot of it).
In any case, so loved is the road that Toyota saw fit to produce a Hakone Edition of their 86, which - to the disappointment of some - consists entirely of cosmetic enhancements. The most striking aspect is the Hakone Green paint job, with 17-inch bronze wheels and a small black spoiler tastefully completing the look.
Mechanically and from a feature standpoint, the Hakone Edition 86 is identical to the regular models. It's the same 2.0-litre boxer engine, with the same option of manual or automatic transmissions. While not being the most mindblowing from a performance standpoint, it has served many driving enthusiasts well over the course of its life.
The inside gets a couple of trim pieces that subtly say "this car is special". Tan and black Alcantara seats, as well as tan stitching on every moving component from the steering wheel to the armrest are the most obvious cues, with a giant tan 86 logo on the dashboard as well. Even the key fob gets a tan cover instead of the regular black leather.
What may be confusing is that the Hakone Edition is the name given to this model for its sales in the United States. Back in Japan, this particular special edition variant was launched back in February and was known as British Racing Green Limited. We suppose that outside of cars and computers, one of Japan's biggest export is their culture itself.
To find the latest deals on a Toyota, click
here
.


New Mercedes-Benz Electric Compact Car To Be Produced In France

In an effort to further expand its capacities for electric cars in Europe, Mercedes-Benz has announced that its Hambach plant in France will produce a new compact electric car, which is most likely the EQA, which was
unveiled in concept form at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
.
Powered by two electric motors - one at the front axle and one at the rear, the compact car has a system output of over 200 kW and achieves a range of around 400 kilometres.
Coming back to the Hambach plant, this is the first time in more than 100 years that the production of Mercedes-Benz is headed to France.
The Hambach site in France, which currently produces Smart cars, features many years of experience in building fully electric cars, which includes the Smart EQ fortwo coupé and the Smart EQ fortwo cabrio.
The plant also obtains all its electrical energy from renewable energy sources and is therefore CO2-neutral, making it an ideal production site for electric vehicles. To date, around two million smart fortwo have rolled off the assembly line in Hambach.
“We want to take advantage of the enormous expertise and prepare the plant for the production of an electric Mercedes-Benz. We are investing a total of around 500 million euros in the Hambach plant and in the product,” said Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the investment will be spent for the construction of new facilities and also flow in the product itself, with state-of-the-art technology a new body shop. The plant will also expand the assembly facilities and reshape the site's infrastructure.
“With the production of a compact electric car in Hambach, we are adding further capacities for our electric initiative at six locations on three continents. The smart plant in Hambach will become a part of our global compact car production network with the lead plant Rastatt, Germany”, says Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain.
With more than ten electric cars lined up to be launched by 2022, Mercedes-Benz is expecting 15 to 25 percent of its total sales to come from them by the year 2025.
Currently, the production network of Mercedes-Benz’s new generation of compact cars includes the plant in Kecskemét, Hungary, the BBAC production site in Beijing, the COMPAS plant in Aguascalientes (Mexico), as well as the Finnish manufacturing service provider Valmet Automotive.


GrabCar Driver Arrested By SPAD After Springing Trap Set Up By Taxi Drivers

A GrabCar driver was arrested outside the Land Public Transport Commission’s (SPAD) office today, after a group of approximately 100 taxi drivers who were protesting the continued operations of the private hire vehicle service used the very same service to lure him to the gathering.
Reported by
The Malay Mail Online
, one of the taxi drivers, Jay Rohezan, used the GrabCar app to hire a car to SPAD’s office during the protest, to prove that the drivers are still operating illegally without a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence.
When the GrabCar driver turned up in a grey Nissan Almera, over 30 taxi drivers who had turned up for the protest then ambushed him. Only after the police and building security officials managed to contain the crowd did two SPAD officers show up and announced that they would arrest the driver and take necessary action against him. The SPAD officers then drove off in the Almera with the GrabCar driver in the backseat.
“They told us that they are going to bring him to the depot or main headquarters and process him. Hopefully, they take a stern action,” Jay explained to reporters, without offering details on why the GrabCar driver was arrested.
In July, SPAD have stated that the
legalisation of private hire vehicle services like GrabCar and Uber
 won’t happen anytime soon, stating that there’s nothing wrong with the mobile apps and their “service matching” businesses, but it is the lack of licences by the drivers that is a source of concern.
The group also demanded the suspension of Uber and GrabCar, which they claim affected their livelihood. Other demands include the exclusion of the 6% Goods & Services Tax (GST) on taxi-related products, reducing the price of natural gas, as well as giving individual permits to drivers.
Image(s) sourced from: Kamles Kumar


Jangan Sekali-kali Lupa Servis Kenderaan Anda

Penyelenggaraan kenderaan merupakan aspek utama untuk memastikan kelangsungan hayat komponen-komponen penting pada kenderaan anda serta memastikannya berada pada prestasi terbaik yang berterusan.
Namun, ada yang memandang remeh perkara ini dan gagal mengikut jadual servis seperti yang digariskan oleh setiap pengeluar. Sikap sambil lewa ini akan membawa kesan dalam jangka masa panjang terhadap kenderaan anda. Juga, dalam kes-kes tertentu, jaminan terhadap kenderaan juga boleh terbatal jika berlaku sebarang masalah yang tidak diingini dan pihak pengeluar merasakan itu berpunca daripada sikap anda yang acuh tak acuh terhadap penyelenggaraan kenderaan mengikut masa yang ditetapkan.
Ini menjadi bertambah penting dalam tempoh musim perayaan. Jangan sekali-kali lupa untuk menghantar kenderaan anda untuk diservis. Berikut beberapa panduan yang berguna sebagai peringatan:
Jangan tunggu sehingga saat akhir untuk menempah slot servis kenderaan anda. Jumlah kenderaan di atas jalan raya kini semakin bertambah, dan setiap pengeluar mempunyai kapasiti yang terhad di setiap pusat servis mereka untuk menampung jumlah ini. Adalah amat penting untuk anda menganggarkan tempoh sesuai bagi menghantar kenderaan untuk diservis jauh lebih awal sebagai persedian musim perayaan.

Rujuk jadual servis seperti yang dicadangkan pengeluar. Menghantar kenderaan untuk servis lebih awal, misalnya berdasarkan jumlah perbatuan atau tempoh masa (yang mana tiba dahulu) sangat digalakkan. Banyak faktor yang menyebabkan tempoh servis kenderaan anda berbeza daripada orang lain. Cara dan jarak pemanduan serta kelikatan minyak enjin yang sudah digunakan mungkin tidak disedari menjadi semakin nipis dalam satu tempoh masa adalah antara yang utama. Jika anda merupakan seorang yang tidak gemar untuk memikirkan hal-hal demikian, adalah lebih elok untuk anda mengikuti jadual yang sudah disediakan dengan cermat.

Memasuki musim perayaan, minta juga pusat servis anda untuk membuatkan pemeriksaan menyeluruh terhadap kereta anda. Misalnya, tahap kesihatan bateri, takat air dan bendalir seperti pada radiator, kecekapan brek dan sebagainya. Ini mampu mengelakkan kesulitan di dalam waktu-waktu puncak, terutama ketika anda dalam perjalanan jauh.
Jadi, jika anda telah lupa untuk servis kenderaan anda, tolonglah periksa secepat mungkin dan pastikan yang kenderaan anda diselenggara untuk mengelakkan apa apa kejadian yang tidak diingini.


Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT C Launched In Thailand

Just a couple of weeks ago, we saw the launch of the Mercedes-AMG GT R over at Sepang. Following on from this, our neighbours up north in Thailand have just enjoyed the official launch of the Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT C,
according to Bangkok Post
. Much like our market, Thailand doesn't receive the regular Mercedes-AMG GT- perhaps due to its similarities to the GT S.
For those who are unfamiliar, the GT R is the most extreme version of the GT lineup, while the GT C is the drop-top variant of the GT S. Both cars are powered by different versions of the 4.0-litre biturbo V8 that Mercedes-AMG has become synonymous with. If it's all a little confusing, let's break it down into simple figures: the GT R packs 585 PS and 700 Nm of torque, while the GT C has 557 PS and 680 Nm of torque.
How much does it cost to own either of these mean machines in Thailand? The GT R goes for a cool 17.4 million Thai Baht (RM 2.2 million), while the GT C is available at 16.8 million Thai Baht (RM 2.12 million). In contrast, the 'regular' GT S goes for 14.9 million Thai Baht (RM 1.88 million). Naturally being the pinnacle of the Mercedes-AMG range, they are capable of commanding such high asking prices. For now, only the GT R and GT S are available for purchase in our market, with no word on the arrival of the GT C.


VIDEO: Fire Truck Struggles to Clear Congested Traffic

Malaysian drivers are known to be a selfish and impatient lot. To their credit, most people are still mindful enough to give way to emergency vehicles such as ambulances and firetrucks, but because most of us have the habit of squeezing our vehicles through every inch of available space, we are sometimes face with the situation of not being able to give way even if we want to!
Such was the quandary that faced the firemen in this video shared by our Fire & Rescue Department’s official
Facebook
 page showing a fire truck with sirens blaring struggling to find a way past congested traffic to attend the emergency which it was summoned to handle.
Chief culprits of the situation in the video were none other than folks who tried to beat traffic using the emergency lanes – meaning there was no space even for well-meaning drivers to make way for the poor fire truck!
Queue cutting and emergency lane violation are two very common bad practices by many Malaysian drivers who seek to gain an advantage over other road users in congested traffic. Besides being rude to others on the road, these drivers fail to realize the knock on effect they create further upstream of traffic due to the bottlenecking that they create.
Lives of other people are often on the line whenever emergency vehicles are called to action, and time is often the essence in these situations. By not getting out of the way quickly enough the next time an ambulance or fire truck screams through, you could well be responsible for preventing timely help from reaching someone in need. Think about that.

Bayangkan sekiranya situasi sebegini yang harus dilalui oleh Anggota Penyelamat hanya kerana SIKAP PEMANDU yang pentingkan diri sendiri dengan memandu di Lorong Kecemasan. Sekadar paparan agar menjadi Iktibar dan UBAHLAH SIKAP kita demi masyarakat bersama... Berkongsi bersama....
Posted by
Jabatan Bomba & Penyelamat Malaysia (Fire & Rescue Department of Malaysia)
 on Sunday, 13 March 2016


Pros & Cons Of Runflat Tyres – A First-Hand Account

I was driving southbound along the North-South Highway from Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur when the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) of our
Mercedes-Benz C350e
 test car flashed its warning – the front left tyre was losing pressure.
I pulled over at the Ladang Bikam rest stop and found that there was indeed a puncture at the sidewall. Seeing that there was still some air left in the tyre, I opted to drive on in hopes of reaching the next rest stop with a petrol station to re-pressurize the tyre. In hindsight, that was bad decision making on my part.
After departing Ladang Bikam, the affected tyre held its pressure steady at 200 kPa for some time, with its front right counterpart at 250 kPa. The rear tyres, in accordance to spec, were inflated 30 kPa denser at 280 kPa.

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After about 25-30km cruising at a lowly 70-80 km/h, the TPMS flashed its warning more vigourously as the front left tyre de-pressurized rapidly. Realizing it was a lost cause to proceed further, I pulled over again at Behrang rest stop and rang Mercedes-Benz's 24-hour customer support for help.
From the list of phone numbers printed on the Customer Care sticker, I managed to get hold of Cycle & Carriage Ipoh, who promptly sent a support car and flatbed tow truck to my rescue. Congested traffic on the highway meant that it was two hours before the CCB crew arrived at my location, but arrive they did, and with the car taken back to CCB Ipoh for a replacement tyre, I was promptly delivered back to the comforts of my home in Petaling Jaya.
The entire episode from my first phone call to CCB Ipoh to the point I stepped into the doorstep of my house lasted three and a half hours – a reasonable timeframe in hindsight, though three and a half hours can be a long time to pass if all you have to do is just sitting there and waiting. Thankfully, there was enough charge in the traction battery that I could sit in the car and idle with the air-conditioning switched on without burning a drop of petrol in the process.
No motoring writer likes sending a test car back on a flatbed, but this episode gave me the opportunity to ponder first-hand the pros and cons of the run-flat tyres which the C350e is equipped with; and because it needs to accommodate a large traction battery, the
C350e
’s boot has no room for a spare tyre, not even a space saver.
The immediate thought that crossed our minds in that long wait for the CCB crew was the inconvenience in not being able to change the flat tyre on our own and quickly get underway. That being said, if the car had been running on regular tyres, we would have been incapacitated on the spot without the ability to reach the rest area – not without significantly damaging those shiny 19-inch alloys at any rate.
When they first came into the market, run-flat tyres were derided for their brittle ride quality – an inevitable by-product of their super-stiff sidewalls. This is becoming a non-issue in recent times, however, as car makers have grown increasingly adept at counteracting the run-flat tyre’s inherent stiffness with careful suspension tuning.
There is also the cost factor to consider with run-flat tyres – they are significantly more expensive than regular tyres to purchase and they cannot be repaired. If you puncture a run-flat, you have to replace it. The super-stiff sidewalls are meant to support the vehicle's weight unaided by air only once - just like a motorcyclist's helmet.
Many of us, this writer included, take pride in our ability to change a flat tyre ourselves. I'd still say it's a good skill to cultivate, but it's perhaps best not having to do it alongside three lanes of speeding vehicles. Indeed, the actual sight of an errant motorist flying past traffic at obscene speeds along the emergency lane on our journey home served as a timely reminder of that.
Car makers and tyre companies now market run-flats as a safety feature, and on the evidence of my recent experience, that has become hard to disagree. They are not meant to be driven over extended distances without air, but the idea is that you should be able to go far enough to reach a safe location to stop. Inconvenient admittedly, but it's the safer option.


Chery Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro ready for Malaysian launch in July

Chery Malaysia is preparing to launch its latest and most anticipated offerings this July - the
Chery Omoda 5
 as well as the
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro
.

Based on what our friends from
WapCar
 reported, the launch comes roughly around 1 year and a half from the brand's re-entry into the Malaysian market which was followed by building its presence back on social media as well as a number of showcases at some of the country's auto shows.

It was only last month during the 2023 Malaysia Autoshow that Chery Malaysia announced that both the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro SUVs will be locally assembled in Kulim, Kedah thanks to its newly formed partnership with Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd.

With a target of producing 20,000 cars per annum, Chery Malaysia plans to rapidly dominate the market via 70 showrooms nationwide as well as plans of using this as its regional assembly hub.

Based on this, the stars of the show for the second half of 2023 will be the two models mentioned above followed by other notable offerings like the Tiggo 7 Pro, and another model that has yet to be named.

Which one will it be? Well, they did preview the very beautiful Haval H6 HEV and Jolion HEV during the Malaysian Autoshow last month. We're guessing that they're following the famous quote from Conor McGregor "We're not here to take part, we're here to take over!"


2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ unveiled - From RM798,888

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has officially launched the 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ alongside another Mercedes-AMG EV model, the EQE 4MATIC+.

Jumping straight to the Mercedes-AMG EQS, future owners will be paying a premium price tag starting from RM798,888 (on-the-road price without insurance) but looking at the design and specs, we're guessing that it's going to be worth it.

Before we jump into the specifics, both the Mercedes-AMG EQS and EQE are fitted with special loudspeakers, shakers, and sound generators in the form of the AMG Sound Experience to offer a truly unique driving adventure and audio escapade in either "Authentic" or "Performance" setting.

Both models are also fitted with AMG-specific electric motors on both axles that offer optimum balance, enhanced power, efficiency, and noise comfort. There's a lot of wizardry in this AMG-specific electric powertrain but Mercedes-Benz Malaysia states that they're guaranteed to deliver a 'powerful yet comfortable drive'.

For the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+, its twin electric motor powertrain with all-wheel-drive is able to produce 658hp and 950Nm of torque. This translates to a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds and a limited top speed of 220km/h.

If for some reason these figures are not enough for all you speed demons, the AMG Dynamic Plus package kicks things up to 761hp and 1,020Nm of torque as well the addition of 'Race Start' mode with boost function. With this, the 0-100km/h is reduced to 3.4 seconds and the top speed is increased to 250km/h.

The exterior design for the EQS has been enhanced with some dedicated AMG design cues in the form of the AMG-specific black panel grille with chrome vertical struts and body-coloured front bumper with AMG A-wing designed front apron that go together with those Digital Light headlamps.

Other features that can be seen from other angles are the rear AMG spoiler lip, panoramic sliding sunroof, and with the Night Package, you'll also get the 21-inch AMG cross-spoke light-alloy wheels and red-painted callipers with AMG lettering to truly make the AMG EQS stand out amongst the crowd.

We don't really have to mention specific details of the Driving Assitance Plus Package which consist of the brand's latest and greatest safety specs, but it's interesting to know that the AMG EQS also comes with rear-axle steering. This offers enhanced levels of agility by allowing a rear-axle steering angle of up to 9 degrees that counters the front wheels below 60km/h and in unison at speeds above that.

There's also the Airmatic air suspension that not only offers superior ride comfort but it can also determine the best ride height in line with the vehicle's speed to maximise its driving range. Speaking of range, its 108.4kWh battery pack offers a WLTP range between 512km to 571km. With 11kW of AC charging, 0-100% charge can be done in 11 hours and 15 minutes. AC charging support goes up to 22kW if any of you are wondering.

The AMG EQS also supports DC charging of up to 200kW and if it's connected to one, a 10-80% charge can be done in just 31 minutes. No time to sit around for half an hour? 19 minutes at 200kW should add around 300km to your range, and that's fast no matter who you ask.

As for the interior, the AMG EQS comes with:

Nappa leather upholstery with AMG-specific seat graphics

Carbon fibre AMG steering wheel with Microcut microfiber

Aluminium shift paddles for recuperation level control

AMG sports pedals, floor mats & door sill trims

MBUX Hyperscreen + more

To know more, head over to the nearest authorised dealer or showroom and get 'electrified' the AMG way.


EV Road Tax Exemptions Finally Happening - Exemptions Until 2025

After several hiccups, Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong has today confirmed that all motor or electric vehicles will be road tax exempted from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025.

This is in line with the Government's
Budget 2022
 announcement. The road tax exemption applies to full EV vehicles, powered by battery or fuel cells but does not extend to hybrids.

Application for the exemption will begin on 15 February 2022.

For those of you who have already paid for your road tax (new or renewed), after January 1, 2022, you will be able to surrender the road tax sticker to JPJ and be entitled to a refund. After which you can subsequently apply for your 'free' road tax.

Members of the public can contact JPJ customer service for further details or information about this incentive.

This announcement comes swiftly on the back of
complaints
 from disgruntled owners of new EVs who were waiting to register their EVs but unable to do so due to JPJ's inability to come to terms or implement the process of the exemption.

If you're wondering how Malaysia calculates EV road tax,
this article
 will shed some light on the numbers!


2017 Maserati Levante Officially Introduced In Malaysia – From RM888,800

Naza Italia the official importer and distributor for Maserati in Malaysia, has formally introduced the luxury SUV for the Malaysian market with a starting price from RM888,800.
The name Levante takes inspiration from a warm Mediterranean wind and leverages heavily on Maserati’s heritage of ageless design, rich heritage, and sporting character. The Levante SUV was
first previewed
 in Malaysia in August 2016.
The Levante is based on the evolution of Maserati’s ‘Giorgio’ sedan platform, which also underpins other Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) models, such as the Ghibli and
excessively teased, Alfa Romeo Stelvio
 SUV.
The Levante is powered by the latest range of the Maserati’s 3.0-litre V6 engines diesel and petrol engines. The Malaysian market receives turbodiesel version, for now, equipped with reduced ‘dwell time’ injectors, capable of 275hp and a whopping 600Nm of torque.
Maserati claim, the Levante Diesel ‘275hp’ will accelerate to 100km/h from standstill in 6.9 seconds all the way to a top speed of 230 km/h, while still managing frugal fuel economy numbers, as low as 7.2 litres/100 km. The Levante adopts the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox with four selectable drive modes.
The Levante offers as standard, the company’s air-suspension, “Skyhook” shock absorbers and Q4 all-wheel drive system. Three customisation packages are offered at the outset; Sport and Luxury and Zegna Edition.
The Sport Package includes exterior and interior design elements that reflect Maserati's racing heritage while the Luxury Pack promises even greater luxurious appointments on the inside and outside of the car. The most exclusive, Zegna Edition pack combines premium Italian leather with bespoke silk from Ermenegildo Zegna, made in Trivero, Italy by the Zegna wool mill with a patented process.
The Levante Diesel includes 3-year ‘Standard Warranty’ coverage with no mileage restriction plus a Maserati Premium Service Plus package, of 3 years/60,000 km whichever comes first.


Proton's Newest MPV Set To Be Unveiled This Week

Proton will be unveiling the 2022 Exora this week, touted to come with more performance!

After updating the Saga, it seems that the Exora is next in line to receive a facelift, as it is the last pre-Geely vehicle in their line-up to have yet to receive a recent refresh.

Publicised through its Facebook page, Proton announced that it would unveil an updated version of its
long-serving MPV
this week.

Judging by the poster on Proton's Facebook page, which shows horses in the imagery and the tagline of "The Performance To Run Free", we can probably expect the 2022 Exora to come with a few more ponies.

We're not sure how substantial the refresh will be, but we doubt there will be a new engine - but if there is, it'll probably be the
1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo unit
 from the X50 and the
X70 MC
1
 (minor change) as it is locally built.

What would make more sense is for Proton to equip the MPV with a tweaked version of the current 1.6-litre turbo engine/CVT transmission setup, with a newly redesigned oil cooler hose, a known weakness of the current Exora.

As for other updates, we can probably take some ques from the recently unveiled
Proton Saga MC2
, which came with new features such as:

Keyless entry

Auto folding side mirror

New round Proton emblem

Red accented Infinite Weave with Ethereal Bow grille

Push start button

Red trim on air conditioning vents, steering wheel, seats, meters and carpets

A floating infotainment unit

Interestingly since its debut in 2009, the Exora has undergone five different updates, including the latest one in 2019, called the Exora RC (running change).

We're not sure what it'll be called this time, but this will probably be the
Exora's swansong
 as it is widely known that Proton is working on its next 7-Seater MPV/SUV vehicle, the X90.


Hyundai Sime Darby Motor teases 3 more models coming to Malaysia in 2023

At the launch of the new Hyundai Creta, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) mentioned that they would be launching a few more cars this year and surprise surprise, they have even updated their social media page with a teaser picture, showing three vehicle silhouettes featuring what looks like to be two SUVs and a sedan.

What are these cars? Our best-educated guess is the Santa Fe facelift, 4th-Gen Tucson, and the Ioniq 5's sleeker sibling, the Ioniq 6.

The facelifted Santa Fe first unveiled mid 2020, sports a very different face with a much more prominent grille. The biggest difference however are those new distinctive T-shaped daytime running light, stretching from the top of the front face all the way down to the main light beams.

The
4th-Gen Tucson
’s exterior and overall design was first hinted at through the company’s Vision T back in 2019 at the Los Angeles Motor Show. It looks properly futuristic but will it be a little brash and scary for real world Hyundai customers to get to grips with?

On the mechanical side, there's a complete overhaul with the Tucson but there are some welcome updates to engines we’re
already familiar with
, starting with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder T-GDi petrol engine, which is offered as a standalone but will also be sold in certain markets as a parallel or plug-in hybrid with up to 230PS and 350Nm.

The Ioniq 6
 on the other hand, needs no introduction, as Hyundai Malaysia has already teased us with a short video showcasing the electric vehicle back in December 2022.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 'streamliner' is a different ball game in terms of design compared to the lovely and muscular-looking Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The range-topping AWD unit comes with twin electric motors and a 74.kWh battery pack that offers 239kW, 605Nm of torque, and up to 610km of all-electric driving range.

A cheaper version of the Ioniq 6 with a slightly smaller 53kWh battery pack will also be offered in the future, just like how the Ioniq 5 is currently available in three different variants priced from RM207k to RM270k.

Are you excited about Hyundai Malaysia's launches this year? It seems like they have something for everyone, from small to midsize SUVs to sleek electric vehicles.


Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia Puts All-New Discovery On Display

Many automotive brands are taking the MAI Autoshow as an opportunity to present their latest and greatest, or upcoming products. Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia is no exception, with the all-new Land Rover Discovery taking centre stage at their booth.
While there is no word on official pricing, there was a small list of specifications for the model that's expected to launch soon. This happens to be a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel variant, which is 1 of 3 different engines available for the Discovery as explained in our earlier article. It's also worth noting the placement of the number plate: it is offset to accomodate a spare wheel on the boot as per its predecessors, but they have maintained this strange placement even though there is no longer an externally mounted spare wheel.
The numbers are ever important- 258 PS and a whopping 600 Nm on tap, with an 8-speed Automatic Transmission channelling power to all 4 wheels. As the Discovery is a more rugged off-road capable product than its lifestyle-oriented siblings, it also has a twin-speed transfer box between the transmission and the wheels.
Most alluring, however, are the looks. LED Headlamps and Hi-Line Tail Lights make the all-new Discovery an incredibly sharp looking car- and definitely something you can pick out in the dark. There are also 21-inch rims all round, which really help to fill out the arches.
When the Discovery is officially launched, it will have to compete with the likes of the Volvo XC90 and the Audi Q7, being a 7 seater in layout and sitting in that luxury premium SUV segment. Naturally its forte will be its ability to handle rough terrain, although the relevance of that in this day and age, for this consumer group, is starting to dwindle.


All-New 2015 Peugeot 308 THP Previewed At Bangsar Shopping Centre

The all-new 2015
Peugeot

308
 THP is
now open for bookings
 with an estimated price of RM135,000 but if you have yet to view the car in the metal, fret not because the C-segment hatchback is currently being previewed at Bangsar Shopping Centre. And we went there to take some live photos for your viewing pleasure.
Riding on an all-new Efficient Modular Platform 2 (EMP2) from the Peugeot-Citroen Group, the 308 THP certainly looks hugely different from its predecessor, appearing larger and more spacious.
From the front, the new front fascia adopts the styling cues of the brand’s more recent introductions like the 508. Notable features include automatic LED headlights (with daytime-running lights) and wraparound rear tail lights. Around the side, 18-inch alloys are seen along with side mirrors with turn signal indicators built-in. A view from the top reveals the large panoramic roof with electric blinds for when you need to see more of the sun.
Inside, the new i-Cockpit cabin is the main highlight with the reduced diameter steering wheel (with on-wheel controls) and high-rise instruments. The front and rear seats are upholstered in Alcantara located at the centre with leather supports on the sides leading up to the headrests. Everywhere else consists of soft-touch materials with chrome-painted pieces of trim.
On the centre console is where you’ll find the push-start button and just beneath it is the electronic parking brake. Controls for the infotainment, air-conditioning, and other settings are handled by a 9.7-inch HD touchscreen display. With Android and iPhone connectivity, the unit is also capable of playing back music through a Arkamys 3D Sound system.
As for boot space, you have 470 litres at your disposal if everything is left at its original position (including the interior boot lid). Fold the rear seats down and remove it however, this expands cargo capacity up to 1,309 litres.
Powering the all-new 308 THP is a 1.6-litre twin-scroll Turbo High Pressure (THP) engine part to the brand’s new Efficient AT6 six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Power figures are 152PS @ 5,000 rpm and 240 Nm torque from 1,450 rpm. Claimed fuel economy figures on the EU combined driving cycle is 15.38km per litre.
We have yet to receive a confirmed launch date for the all-new 2015
Peugeot 308
 THP but if you’re curious about the car, head on over to Bangsar Shopping Centre or scroll through our full gallery here.


Shell continues weekly 'Get More with RM1' promotion

If you find yourself filling over RM 40 whenever you visit the petrol pump, it may be worth your time to visit a Shell station. Until April 30
th
, Shell is having an offer on a number of their products for those who spend over RM 40 on fuel or lubricants in a single receipt.
Buyers are entitled to pick up to 3 products from a range of brands; Lipton, Yeo’s, Gatorade, Seasons, Kit Kat, Oishi, Milo, Revive, Wonda, Tropicana Frutz, 100 Plus, Ranger, Coke, Mountain Dew, and SL Peanut are among the brands that have partnered with Shell for this promotion.
Shell believes that the ‘Get More with RM1” promotion will help motorists to be more efficient with their daily lives, allowing them to stock up on products for their day in an easy and convenient fashion at any of their stations. Motorists may also choose to use 100 Bonuslink points instead of RM 1 in order to redeem their products.


Over 600 summonses issued during JPJ's special ops for modified bikes

The
Road Transport Department (JPJ)
 conducted a special operation on the DUKE Highway earlier this week focusing on modified bikes.

Together with the Department of Traffic Investigation and Enforcement (JSPT) and Department of Environment (DOE), the special operation was carried out for seven hours on 24 June 2023 which involved a total of 75 members of the authorities involved stationed in both directions of the DUKE Highway.

*Image credit: Bahagian Penguatkuasa JPJ Malaysia

Acting on complaints received by the public living in the surrounding areas in regards to illegal racing and other racing activities, the special operation resulted in a total of 691 summonses issued as well as 155 notices for a number of offences that involved:

No driving licence

Expired driving licence

No insurance

Expired LKM

'Fancy' number plates + more

Other offenses include extreme modification of motorcycles which resulted in 56 vehicles being confiscated by the authorities. Efforts to curb such activities and behaviours are said to be ramped up in the near future by the JPJ and PDRM to create a safer road environment for all users.


Nearly Half Of New Porsches Sold In Asia Pacific Were Electric Porsches

Nearly half of new Porsches sold in Asia-Pacific in Q1 2021 were electric Porsches.

Asia-Pacific is starting to become one of Porsche's more robust markets as their 2021 Q1 sales results show that the German sportscar manufacturer has had a 28% increase in growth year on year over the same corresponding period.

In the first three months of this year, Porsche has managed to deliver 827 sports cars but what is surprising is that 47% of them were electric vehicles.

According to their press statement, electrification was a crucial driver for the 1st quarter of 2021 – approximately 47% of all cars delivered were either battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or plug-in hybrids (PHEV).

This result is good news for Porsche as they are on a mission to have half of all new vehicles sold to be electrified models by 2025.

New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia are top markets for Porsche, but "the ASEAN region will remain a key focus area for Porsche," it said in a statement.

Perhaps this is why Porsche is in the beginning stages of
setting up a factory
 in Malaysia, but which cars will be CKD is yet unclear (rumour says it will probably be the Macan and Cayenne).

Interestingly, electric Porsches has also attracted many first-time buyers to Porsche, especially when it came to the
Taycan
.

Deliveries of the fully electric Porsche in this quarter saw 150 units handed over to customers. 60% of Taycan owners were
first-time
 Porsche buyers.

If we look at what Porsche Asia Pacific (PAP) is doing, we bet things can only get better for the Taycan sales-wise, because shortly after the introduction of the Taycan, PAP announced
an EV charging n
etwork
 for the South East Asia crossborder corridor.

The move sees the introduction of 12 new 180 kW DC charger points at six Shell stations located along the North-South Expressway, offering drivers the convenience of travelling between Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia, which only means that we should see more and more Taycan owners go touring with their BEVs.


2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Launches Next Week, MBM Confirms

Mercedes-Benz
 Malaysia has just confirmed that the all-new 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S (yes, the hotter ‘S’ has specifically been confirmed) will be launched here, officially, on the 24
th
 of June.
The hot
AMG GT S was spied on a trailer
 two weeks ago, and now, we’ve been sent an invitation to witness the grand launch. Why so grand? Because it’s a hell of a car, that’s why.
Taking over from the massive SLS AMG as the flagship model in the AMG range, the new AMG GT S is packing some serious heat: a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that develops 503hp and 650Nm of torque. And yes, just like the SLS before it, it’s a full-blown AMG vehicle.
To those who can afford the consideration, Benz’s arch-rival
BMW Malaysia too has launched a similar segment fighter, the BMW i8
, which unlike the fire-breathing AMG GT, is a plug-in hybrid supercar with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor: 362hp and 570Nm is what that beauty has to offer, along with a sophisticated all-wheel drive hybrid system and a claimed 2.1-litre/100km fuel consumption rate.
So, which German street fighter would you have? Or would you rather stick with the conventional, tried and tested Porsche 911?


Toyota C-HR Is Currently The Best-Selling SUV In Japan

Toyota Motor Corporation today announced that it has recorded strong first-half results for the C-HR compact SUV.
With sales topping 79,303 units, the C-HR earned the top spot in the new SUV segment in Japan during the first half of 2017.
In addition, the C-HR’s sales peaked at 13,168 units in April 2017, making it the most purchased vehicle in Japanese market within that month.
Toyota says that among the factors that contribute to the model’s success include its sleek design, Toyota’s TNGA platform which enhances driving performance through a low centre of gravity, and also the impressive fuel economy of 30.2 km/L.
The C-HR was also
previewed here in Malaysia at the Carlist.my MAA DRIVE event
 in May where it received overwhelming response from the public.
Expected to arrive in Malaysia in 2018, the C-HR which we will get will most probably be powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.8-litre engine mated to a CVT-type automatic that sends drive to the front wheels.


Disposing Of Old Vehicles A 'Complex Matter' - Wee Ka Siong

It's that time again when talks on getting rid of
vehicles over 10 years old
 aka
"Lemon Law"
 are gaining traction here in Malaysia. According to our Transport Minister, that is easier said than done.

Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong
 shared his views regarding the issue of road congestion, and his statement all came down to one important key - all of these have to be handled in a holistic way.

Scrap old cars over 10 years old...

According to a recent post by
The Star
, Dr Wee stated "I don’t think everyone would be able to change their vehicle every 10 years; even my late father was driving a 20-year-old vehicle. Most of our parents in the village are still using the Perodua Kancil and Proton Iswara. This is something that we inherited from our family."

"There is more than one approach that we can take to tackle the issue of congestion on our roads; like looking at the best policy to introduce and what intervention we can take. All of these must be dealt with in a holistic way," added Dr Wee.

Tackling congestion in Malaysia

Dr Wee also mentioned that his ministry is working hard on further improving the country's
public transportation
 ecosystem as a reliable alternative method for daily travel. If that can be done effectively, then the public can seriously consider reducing their reliance on driving everywhere themselves.

New Putrajaya MRT line a blessing?

As some of you may already know, the first phase of the
Putrajaya MRT line
 was recently launched covering 12 stops from Putrajaya to Kampung Batu. The second phase will be done in January 2023 when the line will be expanded to cover close to 60km from Putrajaya.

But like most public transportation, the main issues lie in the cost of travel and that dreaded 'first mile, last mile' headache. If the government can solve these matters (or at least make them better), it'll hopefully reduce the traffic congestion. Plausible, or is it all too late?


MOT Tambah 100 Unit Kiosk Baharu JPJ – Jumlah Kutipan Hasil Ditingkatkan

Kementerian Pengangkutan (MOT)
 akan menambah sebanyak 100 unit kiosk baharu di semua cawangan
Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ)
 di seluruh negara menjelang hujung tahun ini.

Selain cawangan JPJ di seluruh negara, Menteri Pengangkutan, Wee Ka Siong berkata pihaknya turut akan meletakkan kiosk yang sama di kawasan strategik seperti stesen
LRT
 dan MRT di sekitar Lembah Klang.

Kegunaan Kiosk JPJ

Pembaharuan Lesen Kenderaan Motor (LKM)

Salinan Lesen Kenderaan Motor (LKM)

Cetakan Lesen Kenderaan Motor (LKM)

Pertanyaan maklumat insurans kenderaan

Pertanyaan maklumat kenderaan

Pertanyaan maklumat lesen memandu

Semakan dan bayaran saman JPJ

MOT juga menyediakan 20 unit van JPJ yang diubah suai menjadi pejabat bergerak bagi urusan di lapangan yang boleh digunakan oleh petugas JPJ bagi menyampaikan khidmat menjangkaui seluruh rakyat umum.

Kemudahan yang disediakan ini memudahkan urusan dan mampu mencapai sasaran kutipan hasil sebanyak RM4.12 bilion bagi tahun 2022.

Bagi memperkasakan Khidmat JPJ kepada Masyarakat, MOT turut melancarkan pengujian sistem elektronik (
e-Testing
) ujian lesen memandu secara automatik bagi meningkatkan integriti dan kepercayaan masyarakat terhadap sistem pengujian lesen memandu.

e-Testing berkenaan merupakan inisiatif bagi meningkatkan lagi sistem penyampaian perkhidmatan JPJ melalui peningkatan keberkesanan sistem pengujian memandu kepada calon-calon.

Pengukuran prestasi calon-calon ujian memandu akan dijalankan secara elektronik (tiada campur tangan manusia) dan keputusan Ujian Memandu akan dijana secara masa nyata.

Tambah Wee, pihak kementerian juga mewujudkan sistem e-aduan@JPJ yang berperanan sebagai salah satu jabatan yang menyediakan pelbagai perkhidmatan kepada pelanggan dan pihak berkepentingan, pengurusan aduan yang efisien adalah antara aspek yang perlu diutamakan.


A Heartwarming Journey With The Proton Iriz Into The Heart of Malaysia

Our friends at
AutoBuzz.my
 have recently produced a beautiful video featuring the Proton Iriz. Now, enough has been written and said about the Proton Iriz and few will be interested to listen to yet another review of Proton's latest entry-level model.
Thus, it is refreshing to see the Proton Iriz presented in a different manner, where the car is not the main focus, but is instead in the background of a story as GC Mah and his co-host Jenn take a drive into the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, to visit an Orang Asli village in Pos Betau, Pahang.
A national car honouring the often forgotten native tribes of our country, can't get anymore Malaysian than that.
Watch the video below.


Toyota Alphard Is Now The Best MPV To Buy

If one were to ask "Which is Malaysian's favourite MPV?" The answer has got to be the Toyota Alphard.
Bear with me first if you'd like to shout Avanza or Alza. The thing is, there's a stark difference between things you want to buy versus things you're forced to buy.
Of course there are cheaper and better things like a RM4.50 'Special' Ramly Burger against that from TGIF which costs 5 times more and tastes 5 times less.
And you know what, we were equally shocked that the much beloved, Dato & Datin riding, rich & famous lugging - epitome of what is essentially a living room on wheels -
Toyota Alphard, now costs the same as a Toyota Avanza
.
As we all know there's a stark difference between the quality of a Toyota Camry against that of the Vios, the same equation happens here too.
These luxury MPVs are just built to last, and eternally reliable and cheap to maintain compared to entry level MPVs.
Would you pick a brand new MPV or an Alphard that falls within your budget? Let us know.


Proton Daftar Tanda Dagang X90, X80 – Bakal Perkenal 2 SUV Baharu?

Merujuk kepada laman web rasmi Perbadanan Harta Intelek Malaysia (MyIPO), Proton nampaknya telah mendaftarkan tanda dagang bagi
Proton X90
 dan Proton X80.

Kedua-dua nama tersebut didaftarkan oleh ejen Azmi & Associates bagi pihak
Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd
 dan permohonan itu telah dihantar sejak 05 Oktober 2021. Tanda dagang itu didaftarkan bagi tujuan pengiklanan, pengurusan perniagaan, pentadbiran perniagaan, fungsi pejabat, pemasaran media sosial, dan penyediaan maklumat perniagaan melalui laman sesawang.

Penemuan tanda dagang Proton X90 ini tidaklah mengejutkan dan sudah boleh dijangka setelah
beberapa keping gambar
 yang menunjukkan sebuah model misteri yang dikatakan model tersebut didapati menjalani ujian jalan raya sambil badannya dibaluti pelekat penyamaran sepenuhnya.

Yang mengejutkan adalah pendaftaran tanda dagang Proton X80 yang turut didaftarkan oleh pihak yang sama pada tarikh yang sama dengan tujuan yang sama. Adakah Proton bakal perkenalkan sebuah lagi SUV dalam pasaran Malaysia? Mungkin SUV hibrid?

Berdasarkan desas desus semasa, Proton X80 berkemungkinan akan dibina berdasarkan model
Geely Xing Yue
, sebuah SUV coupe keluaran rakan kongsi Proton itu. Memandangkan masih tiada petunjuk lain bagi model ini, mungkin juga Proton bakal membawa masuk model lain yang akan diperkenalkan sebagai X80.

Baru-baru ini, tular pula satu video yang menunjukkan
SUV
 baharu Proton yang sedang diuji di jalan awam lengkap dengan pelekat penyamaran telah terlibat dalam kemalangan. Berdasarkan video berkenaan, kereta yang sedang diuji itu kelihatan seperti
Geely Haoyue
, sebuah SUV 7 tempat duduk yang hangat dikatakan bakal menggantikan Proton Exora sebagai Proton X90

Pada awalnya, perakam video telah merekodkan model tersebut kerana teruja dengan rupa bentuknya yang kelihatan cantik. Namun selang beberapa minit, kereta ujian itu didapati telah dilanggar dari belakang. Mungkin kereta belakang terpukau dengan reka bentuk X90? Mungkin juga kereta belakang itu terlalu rapat sebab nak ambil gambar
spyshot
.

Dengan pendaftaran tanda dagang ini, kita dapat jangkakan bahawa Proton X90 yang sering kelihatan di atas jalan raya itu bakal dilancarkan tidak lama lagi. Nantikan!


Life-Sized (FK8) Lego Honda Civic Type R Makes Debut

A team of passionate Lego builders in Australia – led by global expert Ryan McNaught – have built a life-sized version of the FK8 Honda Civic Type R, just in time for upcoming Lego Masters show.
The creation used more than 320,000 Lego bricks and took over 1,300 hours with a team of nine assembling each brick by hand. The project was especially challenging due to the Type R’s intricate surfaces and aerodynamic elements.
A steel frame supports the structure of Lego bricks, all glued together and is built completely by stock standard pieces.  The car ‘comes to life’ with the help of an iPad which turns on the headlights, DRLs, fog lights, hazard lights, brake and reversing lights.
The car was built from the ground up, layer by layer. The most challenging elements of the build were the window wipers due to their fragility, and the back spoiler which needed structure to allow it to float.
McNaught adds, “We’ve loved the challenge of this project. The car is shaped with a considerable amount of curved lines, making it a tough but interesting build. From the working lights and indicators to intricate Lego Honda logos, the detail on the model has been a fun one for us to work on,”
The Lego Type R will be making appearances across Australia in the coming months.
For the latest deals on the (FK8) Honda Civic Type R, click
here
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