Review: BMW 530i M Sport (G30) – The Fleet-Footed Executive

The
history of the BMW 5 Series
 began in 1972 with the E12 520 and 520i. It replaced the range of New Class sedans that rescued BMW from near-certain bankruptcy in the 1960s and also marked the start of BMW’s now-familiar three-digit model naming convention.
At the time, BMW called its new mid-sizer the 5 Series simply because it was the fifth model to come after the New Class family had rejuvenated the Bavarian car maker; and 5 also happens to be a logical number to designate your company’s mid-sized sedan with.
An interesting piece of trivia, the E12’s lead designer was Paul Bracq, who was also responsible for designing the Mercedes-Benz W114 models that were the
forebears of today’s E-Class
.
Initially, the E12 was offered with a range of four-cylinder engines, and if you still remember how BMW’s model naming convention is supposed to work, there were the 2.0-litre 520 and 2.0-litre fuel-injected 520i.
So, even though six-cylinder engines came into the roost a year later and became the default powertrain configuration of BMW’s mid-sizer for many years, the company’s current staple of 2.0-litre inline-fours actually brings the 5 Series back to its roots.
Even amidst the murmuring of enthusiasts, nobody could argue with the new turbocharged four-pots for their combination of performance, efficiency, and road tax-friendly displacement. Such has been the success of BMW’s downsizing strategy, there are little complaints as the all-new G30 5 Series comes to town with just a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine on offer.
Specifications:
Price: RM388,888 (OTR without insurance)
Engine: 2.0-litre, Inline-4 Longitudinal, Turbocharged Petrol
Power: 252 hp @ 5,200 – 6,500 rpm
Torque: 350 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,800 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed torque converter automatic, RWD
Safety: Lane departure warning, collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian recognition, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning
Origin: Locally-assembled in Kulim, Kedah
Overview
Globally, the G30 5 Series
 is available with a variety of
powertrains with displacement ranging from 2.0 to 4.4 litres
 and cylinder count varying between four, six, and eight. Out of all available engines, the BMW Malaysia product team opted to select
only one to line-up in our market
 and it inevitably is a 2.0-litre inline-4 petrol engine powering the 530i.
But such is progress that with outputs rated at 252 hp and 350 Nm, the present day four-cylinder 530i makes more power and torque than the V8-powered E39 535i. On the road, its 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6.2 seconds is just a tenth of a second slower than time it would take the 3.0-litre twin turbocharged F10 535i to complete the same.
Certainly, where performance is concerned, the 530i is no slouch, but a greater variety of models would have been welcomed, especially with its arch-rival, the
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
, having no less than five variants to choose from, ranging from the
184 hp E200
 right up to the
six-cylinder AMG E43
 and the manic
V8-powered AMG E63S
. For the consumer shopping at the lower end of the RM300k spectrum, the 5 Series does not have anything to offer, and that’s unfortunate.
Initially introduced as a fully-imported model, the G30 5 Series is now locally-assembled in Kulim, Kedah. Being a
locally-assembled energy efficient vehicle (EEV)
, the 530i M Sport retails for RM388,800 on-the-road without insurance, a RM10k reduction from the CBU model.
Equipment-wise, the Kulim-built cars retains features such as lane departure warning, collision warning, parking assistant, and display key, but drops active cruise control. A major shortcoming, however, is the absence of a 360-degree camera system even in the CBU model, a feature which the E-Class makes available in all grades except the base E200. Reverse camera and all-round parking sensors are provided though.
Our test car for this review is from the earlier batch of fully imported cars, but because it retains the same M Sport chassis setup, which includes adaptive dampers, there is no reason to expect any significant differences in the way they drive.
Driving Experience
We already have a positive first impression of the G30 from our experience in
BMW’s international media drive event
 last year, but with the test fleet at Portugal that time comprised exclusively of the 530d and 540i 3.0-litre six-cylinder variants, this is our first go at the car in 530i format.
To be sure, the reduction of two cylinders has not robbed the 530i of any useful real world performance. Strong mid-range torque, coupled with masterful tuning of the superlative ZF 8HP 8-speed auto ensures that the 530i pulls hard and fast, and with barely a hint of hesitation. The four-cylinder engine admittedly lacks the mechanical richness of the inline-six powerplants, but was otherwise responsive to proddings of the throttle and smooth-revving right to the limit.
The chassis itself is a work of art; around corners, the suspension copes superbly with bodily movements, managing weight transfer with aplomb and reigning in body roll with great effectiveness.
Compared to
the preceding F10 5 Series
, itself regarded as the segment’s dynamic benchmark during its time, the G30 somehow manages to feel significantly sharper on the turn and more agile as a whole. Indeed, even the absence of integral active steer (which we experienced during the global press drive) hardly seemed to have affected the G30’s inherent fleet-footedness.
Despite being stacked with technology, the chassis exudes a delightfully analog feel the way dances and flows to your steering and throttle inputs around bends. This is, without doubt, the best handling BMW 5 Series since
the E39
, and that’s no small compliment.
Comfort & Refinement
BMW models from the Chris Bangle era were notorious not only for their polarizing styling but also for brittle ride quality as the chassis engineers struggled to tune the suspension to properly match the stiffer run flat tyres. Recent models have come a long way from that, however, to the point where we often find Bimmers exceeding even Mercedes models for comfort.
The 530i, even in M Sport suspension and low profile 19-inch tyres, feel impressively comfortable. Relative to segment rivals, only air sprung versions of the Mercedes E-Class and Volvo S90 can claim to have a plusher ride than the 530i M Sport.
Road patches occasionally introduce little jiggles into the cabin, but the amplitude and intensity of these disturbances are such one never feels really troubled by it all. Long-wave undulations, on the other hand, are isolated to the point of non-existence.
Indeed, we can’t help but wonder if a less aggressive non-M Sport setup would endow the BMW with truly class-leading levels of comfort.
Lastly, BMW also did a fine job refining the 530i’s auto start/stop system. Not only are resultant noise and vibrations markedly reduced, its calibration is massively improved too. The driver, through finer modulation of the brake pedal, is able to better determine when the system should kill the engine or let it run.
In stop-go traffic, one can apply just enough force to keep the car stationary without triggering the auto start/stop; the driver can then apply firmer force to trigger the engine’s momentary shutdown. The intuitiveness of it is reminiscent of Mazda’s i-Stop – the industry’s best in this writer’s opinion.
Compared to the six-cylinder variants tested earlier in Portugal, the four-cylinder 530i is also unsurprisingly smoother on start-up and engine shut-down.
Economy & Maintenance
All BMW models officially sold in Malaysia are covered by a
5-year unlimited mileage warranty
 along with a 5-year / 100,000km free maintenance plan in which engine oil, oil filter, air filter, micro filter spark plugs, and brake fluid are covered. From your end, you need to fork out for brake pads and wipers.
Tyre replacement costs are mitigated by a
tyre warranty programme
 that protects you against puncture damage for the first two years. Remember that, like all new BMWs, the G30 uses
runflat tyres
; once punctured, they
cannot be repaired and need to be replaced
, and they are costly.
For the amount of performance on offer, and considering that it’s a petrol engine, the 530i is impressively fuel efficient. Over 600km of usage covering urban and highway usage plus a spirited run to Genting Highlands, our test car’s trip computer returned a commendable average of 10.1 litres/100km.
Even if the wealthy 530i owner is not bothered by refuelling costs, he or she is still likely to appreciate the extra distance between visits to the petrol station.
Conclusion
Driving enjoyment is an integral component of the BMW 5 Series DNA; every generation of the 5 Series carries the burden of becoming the segment’s torchbearer of dynamics, and nothing less is expected of the G30 as well.
It might not look it from its evolutionary appearance, but the G30 is a massively-improved car from its predecessor on all fronts – better-refined styling, more agile and engaging dynamically, more efficient on fuel, vastly superior cabin materials, and packed with more technology.
Where it can be improved further is the variety of its model mix – a single 530i M Sport variant, however capable and well-rounded it is, cannot adequately cover the bases of the market. BMW’s success with PHEVs mean that the 530e is likely to join the line-up at a later time, but an entry-level 520i and perhaps the six-cylinder 540i would certainly be welcomed additions .
Against its rivals, BMW’s much-improved cabin construction now puts the G30 on-par with segment standards even if the Mercedes E-Class continues to boast a superior ambiance. There is also the superb value of the Volvo S90 T8 PHEV offering more power, a more sophisticated powertrain, and no less alluring styling at a much lower price.
In the midst of such strong contenders, the mid-sized premium segment is as competitive as ever, with each car making a strong case for itself; but be in no doubt, however, that if you want the best car to drive in the segment, look no further than the BMW 5 Series.


Honda BR-V Facelift Debuts In Thailand

Honda Automobiles Thailand has introduced the BR-V facelift in Thailand, after its debut at the 2019 Jakarta Auto Show in April.
Similar to the Indonesian market BR-V, the Thai market BR-V facelift gets a revised front grille flanked by halogen projector headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights.
The facelifted Honda BR-V also gets new front and rear bumpers, plus redesigned dual-tone 16-inch alloy wheels.
Moving inside, the Thai market BR-V gets a new head unit and two-tone upholstery for the seats and door trim.
Under the hood remains identical, featuring a 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine mated to a CVT-type automatic that sends 120 PS and 145 Nm to the front wheels.
For the Thai market, the Honda BR-V facelift is priced at THB 765,000 for the five-seater variant, while the seven-seater variant costs THB 835,000, an increase of about 2% for both.
Looking for a new Honda? Find for the best deals
here
.


Toyota to Sell Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses Next Year

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that it will officially begin selling its Hydrogen Fuel Cell buses in 2017.
According to Toyota, over 100 FC buses will be introduced mainly in the Tokyo area, ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Developed by Toyota together with Hino Motors, the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS)(1), which was developed for the Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV), has been adopted to provide better energy efficiency in comparison with internal combustion engines, as well as to deliver superior environmental performance with no CO2 emissions or substances of concern (SOCs) when driving.
The bus uses a high-capacity external power supply system, comprising a power supply capable of a 9 kW maximum output and a large capacity of electricity supply at 235 kWh.
An interesting thing about the FC bus is that it can be used as a power source in the event of disasters, such as at evacuation sites such as in school gymnasiums or, where its electricity supply can also be harnessed for home electric appliance use.
The Toyota Group, which said that it considers the use of hydrogen to be a powerful source of energy for the future, has released the Mirai FCV while engaging in the technological and product development of FC buses, fuel cell forklifts, as well as stationary fuel cells for use in homes.
Looking for a Toyota? Find one now at
Carlist.my


BMW i8 Gets Trapped In Flood. Is Pain Electrically Conductive?

There's not much worse than having to wade your car through some flooded roads. Most city cars don't have the kind of ground clearance that would make such a predicament a fun experiment. Less so for a plug-in hybrid exotic like, say, a
BMW

i8
. Much less.
This
RM1.2 million BMW i8
 really isn't designed for this sort of environment, and honestly, is probably where its state-of-the-art hybrid powertrain - with all its electrical components - really does not lend itself well for city driving, but only when its
flooded like this
. Its batteries too, are located low in the car. Great for centre of gravity, bad when encountering water.
We're not sure how this will turn out for the stricken car and its owner but we do wish him or her all the best. At Carlist.my, we've heard stories of other hybrid cars making it out unscathed after a heart-pounding wade through a flooded section of road. Whether that was luck or just circumstance is hard to say.
Its unclear where exactly this picture was taken but we can speculate its in Thailand. Bangkok seems likely as its going through some terrible flooding. But with the way the weather has been going lately even in Malaysia, that scene (minus the car) doesn't really surprise us.
Here's a larger look at the picture:


The Toyota C-HR is The Centrepiece of The Night That Flows

You know those amazing nights out that just seem to stretch on and on and have you hopping from bar to bar or mamak to mamak? Okay, perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but I’m sure most of us have had some pretty neat nights out with
the squad
. At Toyota’s latest event in London, Milla Jovovich took that to its most extreme form with the Toyota CH-R.
This video sums up the experience. Taking place in The Printworks, London, 100 guests were treated to the experience of an incredible night out across multiple countries within the confines of the industrial area.
Guests start in Berlin where they drive along a recreation of the Berlin Festival of Lights, before they transition to a high fashioned catwalk in Italy, moving into a French casino with the extra treat of a taxi ride from a French rally driver, through a loud Spanish club, and finally back in a bar in London.
Of course there’s no actual travelling, but merely the illusion and the experience, but it may seem a little high-concept for most. All we know is the C-HR looks stunning throughout, and we’re fairly certain it’ll look great whether you’re pulling up to Zouk or your favourite midnight Lou Shi Fun stall.


Proton To Reinstall Child Seat Top-Tether In Saga SV Following Previous Omission

National automaker
Proton
 has reportedly agreed to reinstall the top tether as part of a child protection system in their
Saga

SV
 starting this month following the component’s removal from the model earlier this year, writes The Sun.
ASEAN NCAP was investigating a Malaysian-made car earlier this year for an alleged safety violation in which the top tether fixture used for child car seats had been removed for production models after it had obtained its safety rating. Proton clarified first
with a statement
 before stating that it was
a miscommunication
.
Kharil Anwar Abu Kassim, ASEAN NCAP secretary-general, said to the daily that negotiations had taken place between themselves and Proton and that the matter is considered resolved.
"Proton has promised to reinstall the top-tether starting November after we highlighted to them that the particular model underwent Asean NCAP test in January 2013 and received 58% marks for the child occupant protection (COP) for that particular top-tether fitment," said Khairil.
"We were also informed that Proton had received calls from 30 customers who already purchased the said model, for Proton to install the top-tether as soon as possible in their cars.”
He added that ASEAN NCAP would continue to monitor the situation in the coming months to ensure the safety feature remains a permanent feature.
Also read:
Euro NCAP, ANCAP, ASEAN NCAP - What's The Difference?


Rivex Rikeguard: The Antimicrobial Window Tint That All Cars Need

Sanitize your hands, sanitize your steering wheel and all contact surfaces of your vehicle.

In 2020, that’s become a mantra that we’ve all learned to live by in order to keep this pandemic at bay – but what about your car windows? We’re constantly touching them; other people touch them too.

Introducing Rivex Rikeguard, Malaysia’s first antimicrobial film. Rikeguard films are made with antimicrobial agents on their surface, using positively charged metallic particles to attract viruses and bacteria. Upon contact, these particles generate active oxygen, which destroys the protective layers of viruses and bacteria, making them vulnerable and inactive. This neutralizes 99.99% of viruses and bacteria, making the film’s surface safe to touch.

Rivex Rikeguard’s antimicrobial features are certified by the Society of International Sustaining Growth for Antimicrobial Articles (SIAA), a Japanese group dedicated to testing antiviral and antibacterial properties. Its antibacterial effectiveness is also confirmed by the SIRIM standard JISZ 2801:2010 (Report No: R1248/20/B19/73).

Due to its certification and qualifications, Rivex Rikeguard is widely used in Japan where Coca-Cola Japan has applied Rikeguard to over 30,000 vending machines, while a major Japanese rail company has extensively applied Rikeguard to high-traffic consumer touchpoints such as ticket machines and information display screens.

If you would like to get Rivex Rikeguard installed on your vehicle, you can book an installation today at ice-u.com.my. Customers can also take advantage of a special promotion as an add-on to the 4 side windows of their vehicle from only RM1,200, complete with a complimentary Dr. Capsule personal UV sanitizer worth RM298 with their installation.

You can install Rivex Rikeguard on top of your existing tint films – or, if your car is brand-new and devoid of any tinting, you can opt to first install ICE-μ, the premium window film with an outstanding design that lets in light whilst keeping out the heat. ICE-μ solar and security tints come in models that block up to 75% of visible light, 99.9% ultraviolet, and 97% infrared, depending on variant.

If you’re interested in learning more about the new Rikeguard films or Rikeguard technology and promotions, contact official distributors Jasa Sarjana Sdn Bhd at +60 3 5569 2230.


The Free Volkswagen "We Score" App Let's You Stay In Touch With Your Football Team While On The Move

You'll always be updated about your favourite football team with the Volkswagen We Score app.

Wouldn't it be great to never again miss a goal scored by your beloved football team – even when you're driving? This dream scenario for many Malaysian football fans is now a reality as Volkswagen has just announced that they are now giving away free the "We Score" app, which delivers live football updates into the vehicle's cockpit!

Available in the
all-new Golf's
 from the 2020 model year onwards, the "
We Score
" In-Car app is the latest addition to Volkswagen's digital app family where customers can enjoy football related news, tables, and the latest scores while on the move.

VW owners can set three clubs and one national team as favourites. A live ticker (real-time match updates including latest standings) is also available during matches, so you'd never miss another goal while on the road, thanks to push notifications of your favourite teams’ and live results. According to Volkswagen, these are displayed in a way that they do not distract the driver from the road ahead.

However, if you support a lower-tier team like Bradford City who is in League Two, you will not be able to follow them through this app as “We Score” only covers the top two divisions and the main cup competition of the relevant country. The Champions League and Europa League are included, in addition of course to the European Championships.

“We Score” is easily downloadable via the infotainment system in the Golf. After a single registration, the vehicle app can be downloaded. The “We Score” app is supported by the “Discover Pro” and “Discover Media” infotainment systems.

Volkswagen is also a mobility partner of UEFA national team tournaments, including the European Championships which will take place this summer if the global pandemic situation eases up. VW is providing mobility solutions for seven teams that have qualified for the tournament: Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Finland, and Russia. Now go away COVID, we want to have more football, including EURO 2021!

Picture source: Amirul Ahmad Facebook

For those of you who are wondering what's the point of this article when there are no new Golf's around in Malaysia, well, the
Mk8 Golf
 has been seen testing around VW Malaysia's
Pekan plant
 in Pahang for some time now and although there is no concrete indication to when it will be launched we're pretty sure it will be in the near future.

Perhaps they are taking their time because they are assembling the car there, which will make the car a CKD and in turn make it a much more affordable car. Win-win, no?


Auto Bavaria to Provide Official Vehicles for the 2017 UNESCO Forum

Auto Bavaria, the largest authorised BMW dealership group in the country has announced its sponsorship of the first Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Forum for the Asia-Pacific region in 2017, which will take place from March 14th to March 23rd at the Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Hosted by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development  in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) under its Management of Social Transformations (MOST) programme, the forum will be officiated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
How Auto Bavaria will come into the picture is by supporting the event with 50 BMW vehicles, which will be utilised by overseas dignitaries and is the Official Vehicle Partner for the forum.
MOST is UNESCO’s inter-governmental science programme on social transformation which was created with a view to strengthen the dissemination of knowledge to member countries by encouraging evidence-informed approaches through sustained dialogue between researchers and policymakers.
The program works with governments, social and human science communities and civil societies to improve connections between knowledge and action which is key to positive social change.
Themed “Building Inclusive Societies in Asia-Pacific”, the forum will focus on topics ranging from ageing, women, and social innovation, among others.
The handing over ceremony was held yesterday at the Auto Bavaria showroom at Jalan Tun Razak which was attended by the Deputer Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, YB Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Auto Bavaria Managing Director, Jeffrey Gan and Sime Darby Motors Director of Corporate Affairs Datuk Aishah Ahmad.


Diesel Tech Leaders Urge Caution Against Raising Biodiesel Blend

Leading manufacturers of diesel engines are urging caution against any move by the government to promote biodiesel blends beyond B7 grade. Of late, there have been calls from palm oil industry lobby groups urging the government to mandate B10 and B20 biodiesel programmes, likely as a response to falling prices of crude palm oil.
Presently, all diesel fuels sold in Peninsular Malaysia are B5 biodiesels, which contains 5 percent blend of palm oil derived fatty acid methyl esther (FAME). The government is reportedly constructing 15 biodiesel blending facilities in Sabah and Sarawak and the target is to rollout B5 biodiesel nationwide by early 2015.
As long as the percentage of FAME content is kept at 5 percent or less, biodiesels will not cause any damage to diesel engines.
However when news reports of the Malaysian Biodiesel Association urging the government to implement B10 and B20 biodiesel programmes began to surface in February, it raised some concerns within the automotive industry.
BMW Group Malaysia, which sells the diesel-powered BMW 520d, one of the most sophisticated luxury sedans on the market, has confirmed that running conventional diesel engines with B10 biodiesel will cause serious damage to the engine.
Extensive testing by BMW has shown that using B10 biodiesel will result in formation of oil sludge (image below), deposits in the fuel injectors, corrosion of components, oxidation in the fuel tank and blocked fuel filter.
In a reply to Carlist.my, BMW explained that the fatty acid methyl esther (FAME) content in biodiesel boils at high temperatures and gets into the engine oil, which then results in the thinning of motor oil. This in turn leads to oil sludge, reduced lubricity with the risk of severe engine damage.
BMW also found B10 biodiesel leave behind a formation of film on the injectors. This results in invariance of injection, as well as reduced stability of idling cycle, unstable emissions and changed engine acoustics.
Using biodiesels also result in higher levels of water in fuel, which then leads to corrosion of components in the fuel system and oxidation in the fuel tank, which leads to a blocked fuel filter.
BMW also cautioned owners from fueling their cars with B10 biodiesel, as today's BMW engines are enabled to run up to B7 biodiesel only and using B10 blends will void the vehicle's warranty.
The company also disagrees with the overly simplistic notion that increasing palm oil content in diesel is a step towards cleaner exhaust emissions.
"Is biodiesel a cleaner technology? Yes. But only if the fuel specifications are better where the levels of sulphur are low. Then we are able to see the true benefits of a clean fuel," said Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications at BMW Group Malaysia.
BMW is not alone in this. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) also concurs with BMW's findings.
JAMA cited results from a study conducted by the Japan Auto-Oil Programme (JATOP) on the impact of B10 biodiesel blends on diesel engines - "...the double bonds chemical compound found in unsaturated fats of all FAME feedstocks, which leads to poor oxidation stability and easier low temperature solidification, is the key that contributes to the difference (in quality) between FAME and conventional diesel."
JATOP's findings are similar to BMW's - the engines tested all had problems of corrosion in the fuel system, oil sludge, lacquer in fuel injectors, fuel filter plugging, engine oil dilution and degradation, as well as foreign matter adhering on the suction control valve after long parking periods, which in-turn led to idling trouble.
JAMA also added that other than specially modified diesel engines, diesel engine vehicles for the past century have been designed and developed to be used with conventional diesel fuel.
Isuzu is one of the world's largest manufacturers of diesel engines and it too is cautioning against promoting biodiesel blends higher than B7.
When asked about the compatibility of B10 biodiesel with Isuzu engines sold in Malaysia, Isuzu Malaysia said:
"One of the primary concerns about biodiesels of grades B7 and above has been, among others, the high presence of water in the blends of Palm Methyl Ester. Biodiesel is hydroscopic in nature and tends to absorb water from the atmosphere. This can cause deposit formation, microbial growth and degradation of fuel quality. These phenomena can affect the vehicle's engine operation and durability.
"In view of this, Isuzu, as one of the world's largest producer of diesel engines, collaborates with the Japan Automobile Manufacturer's Association (JAMA) that based on test findings, the current acceptable limits of water content in biodiesel is only acceptable to grade B7 only. Further conclusive tests will need to be conducted and proven to be consistent in result to allow for any levels from B7 onwards."
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, which sells the locally-assembled diesel-electric E300 BlueTec Hybrid, the first diesel-electric hybrid vehicle in Malaysia, also confirms that it can use B7 biodiesel but only if it meets the European Union's EN590 standard. Its engines can also run on B100 biodiesel but only if the fuel meets the EN14214 standard.


Volkswagen Golf R-Line Now With Leather Seats, Priced From RM159,888

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has introduced the new Golf R-Line with 'R-Line' Vienna leather seat upholstery. The Golf R-Line was initially launched with fabric seats two months ago.
With this seat upholstery upgrade, the Golf 1.4TSI R-Line is now priced from RM159,888 (without road tax, registration fees and GST), or from just RM1,669 per month.
To recap, the Golf R-Line comes with the 'R-Line' styling package, which includes 'R-Line' front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler, 'R-Line' badges on its radiator grille and side panels  - and now the new 'R-Line' combination-leather upholstery. Tyres in 225/45R17 size wrap around the Singapore-design 17-inch alloy wheels.
Meanwhile, the Golf R-Line’s 1.4TSI turbocharged engine delivers an impressive output of 150 PS and a torque of 250 Nm between 1,500 to 3,500rpm. Mated to the 7-speed dry clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG), the Golf R-Line accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds while returning a very frugal 5.2 litre/100 kilometre combined cycle fuel consumption.
The cabin of the Golf R-Line features a large 12.3-inch Active Info Display and an 8-inch Composite Media infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Other notable interior equipment includes:
Brushed Dark Metal inserts for passenger side dashboard and door trim
Kessy keyless entry with push start button
Polar Night Black inserts on driver side dashboard and centre console
Aluminium sport foot pedals
Frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror
All new Volkswagen Golf comes with a free 3-year maintenance package, coupled with a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty coverage plus 5 years roadside assistance.


Teaser Of DeLorean DMC-12 EV Revealed!

DeLorean will officially unveil the
EV
 DMC-12 on August 18, and through the image released by the company, we expect it to be futuristic.

Remember the piece where we wrote about
how the DeLorean DMC-12 is about to be reincarnated as an electric vehicle?
 Well, it wasn't just fluff, because now, there is a teaser of the new car with an official unveiling date.

DeLorean DMC-12 EV

The DeLorean Motor Company, famous for its DMC-12 time machine, has announced that it is set to officially unveil its new EV model on August 18, at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance - an event often said to be the world's premier celebration of the automobile.

Design Of The DeLorean DMC-12 EV

Simultaneously, DeLorean also uploaded an image of the rear of the EV, which showed that it has much softer lines than the square design that emerged from the 1980s vehicle.

Another piece of design that we have picked up from the image is that Delorean is also expected to have a fully horizontal LED taillight design to the rear just like the ones you see on modern Audis.

Apart from that, no other details about the EV DeLorean have been unveiled, but as previously reported, the design of this new DeLorean was handed over to Italdesign, and it still retains the gullwing door features, albeit with aerodynamic elements.

No information has been revealed regarding the specifications of the electric powertrain that the EV DeLorean DMC-12 will be equipped with, but it is definitely much more powerful than the original 3.0-litre V6 engine that produced 130 hp and 217 Nm of torque.

Back To The Future Remake?

If you've been in space in the last 3 decades, the original DeLorean DMC-12 was a failure as it was produced for two years before the company went bankrupt. Despite being in the Back to the Future (1985) franchise, with revered actors such
Michael J Fox
 dan Christopher Lloyd, the DeLorean just never sold, probably due to mismanagement and all-around poor
performance from its engine and chassis department.


VinFast Launches The VF e34, Vietnam’s First EV - RM124k

Vietnamese automaker VinFast, despite being newcomers to the industry, have just rolled out their first production fully electric vehicle for sale in their home market.

Called the VF e34, this EV crossover, was co-developed in Australia and is coming to showrooms with a sticker price 690 million Vietnam Dong (VND), or around RM124,000 in our money. Not only does that seem like fantastic value, but it’s almost surreal to realise
VinFast is barely even 5 years old
.

Most companies spend all of half a decade in the
research and development
 phase of an entirely new model, let alone an electric vehicle. VinFast certainly aren’t keen on slowing its pace, though, as the brand continues to sell its LUX A2.0 luxury saloon (based on an F10 BMW 5 Series) as well as the LUX SA2.0 (based on an F15 BMW X5).

The VF e34’s specifications seem modest but are pretty impressive for its price and its position in the mid-pack, where it locks horns with contenders such as the Nissan Leaf, Honda e, and Peugeot e208.

According to VinFast, this particular vehicle competes in the C-segment with an overall length of 4,300mm and a wheelbase of 2,611mm. A single electric motor powers the front wheels, delivering 148hp and 242Nm, powered by a 42kWh battery that’s claimed to be sufficient for an average range of 300km.

Unbelievably, they’re also providing it with a 10-year warranty and, as they state in their promotional material, will even provide a 1-to-1 battery exchange if the vehicle’s total charge capacity drops below 70 percent.

Further along its roadmap, they also plan to supplement their
range of electric vehicles
 with the VF32, larger crossover, as well as the VF33, a large luxury SUV, both featuring up to 400hp and a range of 500km and are bound for export markets including the United States.

There’s no solid word yet about an expansion into other ASEAN markets, at least in the near term, though such a move would make a certain amount of sense. Then again, historically, we’re not the most welcoming to brands without a longstanding background, nor are we the most adoptive of electric vehicles, so their hesitation is understandable.

In the meantime, VinFast intends to establish a comprehensive EV charging network within Vietnam, with plans to erect about 40,000 charging ports across 63 provinces by the end of 2021, which is also when deliveries for the VF e34 are due to begin. But hey, at least we’ll
have the MyKar
.

For more latest car news, reviews, car buying guides and videos visit us at Carlist.my
Auto News
.

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Carlist.my.

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.

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 website now.


The Proton X50 Bumblebee Has Landed!

The Proton X50 was ONLY officially
launched
 on 27 October 2020 and already we have a concept workshop in Klang with the first-ever pimped out Proton X50 Flagship! Dare we say it looks better than the original?

I mean would you look at that? A bumblebee matt yellow wrap! Mengancam, no? The yellow accent also runs along the grille just under the Proton logo and further extends to the side mirrors too.

According to the workshop's FB page, the full set of aftermarket accessories include:

Carbon Fibre Front Lips

Matte Carbon Side Mirrors

Fog Lamp LED with Running Signal

Sporty Spoiler

Rear Trunk Bar LED Light with Running Signal

Power Boot

Here are a few more photos of the X50 from different angles;

That aftermarket roof spoiler certainly adds an air of aggression to the rear, complemented nicely with the yellow accents.

As you can tell, the rims have also been replaced with a gloss black aftermarket set, we can't really tell the brand but let us know in the comments if you can.

Even the car remote is not spared the yellow treatment, it does look well done though, at least from the pictures.

We can't tell if anything at all has been done to the interior of the car but maybe that will require us to pay the workshop a visit to find out. They sure don't seem too concerned about the warranty though.

The workshop behind this wizardry is located in Klang, Z City Concept Work - just in case you're thinking of doing likewise to your X50.

This is the before.

*Image credit for all images belong to Kelvin Lim and Z City Concept Work.

For more latest car news, reviews, car buying guides and videos visit us at Carlist.my
Auto News
.

Check out all the best new & used car deals in Malaysia at
Carlist.my.

Sell your car fast with the best offer? Visit us at
CarlistBid.my
.


LANE CLOSURE: Seremban-Port Dickson Highway Undergoes Widening Works

Planning on taking the kids out on a short family trip this weekend to Port Dickson, this school holiday? Then you may want to take note of the following road works going on en route.
PLUS has just announced that a lane closure has been implemented at KM263.2 to KM258.5 (affecting both directions) between Seremban and Port Dickson on the North-South Expressway (NSE), and will be in effect until the 30
th
 of June 2015.
The following time schedule applies:
Monday to Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Friday: 9am to 12pm
The lane closure in the specified area is for the development of a fourth lane on the highway, as such, PLUS is anticipating some traffic disruption throughout the construction period. From an original three lanes, there will now only be two lanes.


LEAKED: All-New Baby Lexus Headed For Geneva Motor Show?

Oops! Looks like
Lexus
 do have an all-new concept model headed to the coming 2015 Geneva Motor Show that’s even smaller than its current baby, the
CT 200h
.
For just a moment, the image you see above and the name LF-SA was tweeted on the Lexus Europe Twitter page before it was quickly taken down. We spotted this report from our friends over at
motoring.com.au
, who also confirmed its arrival with Lexus, who said that they will in fact be previewing the concept model at the Geneva show that will slot in under the CT 200h.
The LF-SA will for now remain a concept, but is an indication of what Lexus plans to bring to market to compete with the likes of the
Audi A1
,
Volkswagen Polo
 types. Motoring.com.au continued to report that the Lexus LF-SA will likely share platforms and dimensions with a Toyota Yaris (a.k.a. Vios hatch), or the even smaller Toyota iQ.
What the coming model also suggests is the fact that, when put into production, the marketed version of the LF-SA is poised to become the most affordable Lexus to date.


2017 Porsche Panamera Teased Ahead of Paris Debut

Porsche’s diversification of its model range beyond pure-bred sports cars to include vehicles such as the
Cayenne SUV
 and Panamera fastback wasn’t universally well-accepted by critics. These models were controversial at best and were routinely accused of diluting the brand.

The numbers speak for themselves, however. The business case for these models turned out to be sound, and they have filled Porsche’s coffers with much-needed Euros to fund projects such as the
Cayman GT4
 or
911 GT3 RS
.

With the benefit of hindsight telling us that the prospects of these models are in fact no-brainers, Porsche undoubtedly feels vindicated by its seemingly bold decision at the time to venture beyond its comfort zone working and reworking successive generations of the
911
.

Calling up its achievements in building the first hybrid vehicle a century ago, launching the first 911 Turbo in the midst of an oil crisis, to going into rallying Porsche has released a short video on Youtube titled
Courage Changes Everything
 as prelude to the introduction of its all-new second-generation Panamera, slated for global unveiling at this September’s Paris Motor Show.

Official details are limited, but hints picked up from Porsche’s official teaser site talk about a range of Panamera models equipped with intelligent digital functions giving the car a high level of connectivity.

The video itself shows little of the car beyond a pair of illuminated headlights, but a sketch on the teaser site shows an evolutionary silhouette from the present model, whilst a second teaser image show a pair of narrow-slit tail lights connected by a strip in similar fashion to the current 911.


Jakarta 2019: Honda Debuts BR-V Facelift

Initially spotted yesterday by OtoDriver, Honda Indonesia has officially introduced the facelifted BR-V.
Visually, the facelifted Honda BR-V receives a new blacked-out front grille with a lone chrome strip that breaks the monotony. Below the front grille is a new bumper design with redesigned fog light surrounds on each side. The Indonesian-spec facelifted BR-V now receives LED daytime running lights, which was first made available on the Malaysian-spec car.
Towards the side of the updated model, Honda has given the sides a new, thicker side trim garnish. In addition to that, the facelifted Honda BR-V also receives a set of redesigned 16-inch alloy wheels. The rear bumper and rear skirt have also been revamped.
Moving into the cabin of the facelifted BR-V, the biggest highlight is the inclusion of a new 8.0-inch touchscreen head unit, tweeters, and a new dashboard trim design. The Indonesian-spec Honda BR-V has also been fitted with a new single-zone automatic air-conditioning system.
Safety remains the same as before – 2 airbags up front, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ABS and EBD, ISOFIX anchor points, and Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and G-force Control (G-CON) safety features.
Powertrain options have also been carried over, with a sole 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC mill pushing out 120 PS and 145 Nm to the front wheels via a CVT-type automatic or a 6-speed manual.


Ford Malaysia Teases The All-New 2015 Ford Everest On Its Official Website

Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the authorised dealer of
Ford
 vehicles in Malaysia has teased the arrival of the all-new 2015
Ford Everest
 on its
official website
. Making its debut merely days ago at the
Bangkok International Motor Show
, the third-generation seven-seater Everest is expected to make its local debut here later this year and will be brought in from Thailand.
Final specifications of the Malaysian-spec Everest aren’t finalised. The website merely states what is already known to be in the SUV including the i4WD Terrain Management System with four settings (Normal, Snow/Gravel/Grass, Sand, and Rock). Adding to the off-road capabilities is hill descent control and an electronic locking rear differential. If required a towing capacity of 3 tonnes is on hand.
Power plant options include the brand’s 3.2-litre five-cylinder Duratorq TDCi turbo-diesel mill that produces 200PS and 470Nm of torque. A smaller 2.2-litre four-cylinder Duratorq TDCi turbo-diesel providing 160PS and 385Nm of torque will also be available. A six-speed automatic or manual transmission can be paired to both engines but we reckon only the auto box will find its way here.
The cabin will carry Ford’s SYNC 2 infotainment system that features MyFord Touch, allowing select devices to interact with the unit and can be accessed hands-free via voice recognition. Leather upholstery is also mentioned here as well as a panoramic moon roof and for practicality, the third row electric Powerfold seats fold flat at the press of a button to expand the available cargo capacity, with access to it made easy by utilising the Power Tailgate.
Other features include Blind Sport Information System (BLIS) and Cross-traffic alert, Active Park Assist, and rear view camera. As for safety, electronic stability control (ESC) is available with up to seven airbags put in place.
For the Thailand market, prices for the all-new 2015 Ford Everest start from THB 1,269,000 (RM 142,446) for the 2.2L Titanium 4x2 and up to the THB 1,599,000 (RM 179,488) for the 3.2L Titanium+ 4x4.


SPYSHOT: 2015 Toyota Avanza Veloz For Indonesian Market

What you’re looking at here is a
 spyshot
 of the Indonesian-market 2015
Toyota
 Avanza facelift, expected to be launched at the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show 2015 (GIIAS) on August 20, 2015.
Seen here is the sportier 'Veloz' variant, with a sportier looking front bumper and radiator grille. Our Malaysian-market Avanzas, all imported from Indonesia, also adopt the 'Veloz' look, but of course, with features and specifications which differ from the Indonesian-market models.
Originally posted by
Autonetmagz
, the Avanza facelift receives a significant redesign to its front fascia with new headlamps and a new chrome grille. The new bumper also has a larger blackened out section and links the two corner fog lamps. Unfortunately, no shots of the rear were provided.
As a comparison, here is what the current
Toyota Avanza
 sold here looks like:
Autonetmagz
 reports that the variant seen here is the Avanza Veloz 1.3 and not the highest-spec 1.5. Keep in mind that this is for the Indonesian market.
In Malaysia, the Toyota Avanza sold here follows the Avanza Veloz design but with different specifications.


All-New Volvo S60 Unveiled, First-Ever Volvo To Be Built In The USA

Volvo Cars have just unveiled the all-new third generation S60 at the company’s first-ever US manufacturing facility in Charleston, South Carolina.
The launch of the all-new S60 coincides with the inauguration of the Charleston plant, responsible to build the first-ever Volvo in the US.
Like the 60 series and 90 series cars, the all-new Volvo S60 also features the same Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.
As for the powertrain options, the all-new S60 can be had with two twin-charged plug-in hybrid powertrains; a new T6 Twin Engine that is capable of delivering 340 hp and the T8 Twin Engine that delivers 400 hp. Other engines, including the turbocharged T5 and twin-charged T6 petrol engines will also be available at launch.
Volvo mentioned that the key markets for the all-new S60 will be the US and China. Seeing that both markets don’t favour a diesel engine, Volvo has dropped the diesel option for the all-new S60.
Similar to the all-new Volvo V60, the new sedan brethren will come standard with an extended list of safety equipment. One of which is City Safety with Autobrake, currently the only system on the market that is able to recognize cyclists, pedestrians and large animals. City Safety with Autobrake is also able to engage autobraking to mitigate collision with oncoming vehicles.
The optional Pilot Assist system has been improved, now able to take corners better than before. The all-new S60 also includes Run-off Road Mitigation and Oncoming Lane Mitigation.
Inside, the all-new Volvo S60 features the identical tablet-style touch screen Sensus Connect infotainment system as other current Volvo models. The Sensus Connect system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Customers have the upgrade option called Polestar Engineered, developed by Volvo’s in-house electric performance arm, Polestar. Upgrades to the all-new S60 include improved brakes, suspension, engine control unit and wheels. Power is up by 15 hp and 30 Nm compared to the regular S60 T8, bringing the output to 415 hp and 670 Nm.


Recon, Used Car Dealer, Certified Pre-Owned or Private Seller - Which One To Choose?

There are many methods of buying a used car, we explore the different options.

One thing my Dad ingrained in me was when buying an automobile, never buy new. The second-hand market is flush with options much more affordable prices. Keeping that in mind, I was recently in the market for a BMW F10. I had the option of going
Certified Pre-Owned
, Private Seller or Used Car Dealers.

There are pros and cons to each obviously but like my sage old Pops says 'Let someone else take the brunt of the depreciation and you go shop in the used car bin'.

Except buying a used car in 2020 is not as simple as it once was, with so many offering some sort of deal, it can get pretty confusing what to go for. In this piece, we try to breakdown the options you have when you're looking to buy a used car in the hope that it'll make a difference when it comes to decision time.

Recon

Recon
 cars are simply short for reconditioned cars. They are usually imported from other countries and fixed up in terms of faulty parts to suit the laws of the country, such as engine tuning, JPJ regulations and other issues. They are usually brought in through APs (Allowed Permit) at either low or no tax. Recon cars typically give dealers the highest profit margin, which is why you see some of these recon dealers with big glitzy showrooms and near to new used cars. Still, it doesn't necessarily mean that it'll provide interested used car buyers with the best deals.

Certified Pre-Owned

Certified Pre-Owned cars are usually used cars that are backed by a manufacturer or official distributor. They go through rigorous checks by the manufacturer or distributor before rolling onto the certified pre-owned showroom. These certified pre-owned cars are usually relatively new and have a manufacturer-backed warranty for peace of mind. The price of certified pre-owned vehicles is nowhere near the valuation of typically cheaper used car prices. They are usually higher due to the fact that they are backed and supported by the manufacturer and distributor. They are usually the safest bet, but you will have to pay next to new prices for them, which sometimes beats the point of looking into a used car. But then again, you should probably have trouble-free motoring throughout your ownership.

Used Car Dealer

Normal used cars are just simple plain used cars sold by used car dealers. They are usually cars that are circulated locally, taken in either through trade-ins, car bids or cars that have been fixed up to be roadworthy once again. The prices of these used cars are usually the lowest because they do not go through any sort of rigorous checks except for Puspakom inspection worthiness. However, if you do your due diligence, there are bargains to be had from used car dealers. This could also possibly be one of the best deals you can find.

Private Seller

Private sellers are usually ordinary citizens selling their own cars. They sell it privately because they want a better valuation of the car and do not have any outstanding financing to worry about. To say that buying private used cars is the best choice would be a stretch because not all of them are honest about their cars as they are trying to maximise on valuation. Saying that there could be some gems out there however is true so use your best judgment. There's also the process of buying, selling, inspection and name change to deal with personally so it is a bit more work.

To say one is better than the other would be wrong because it all depends on how you approach it and how lucky you are. Which one did I opt for? I went through a Used Car Dealer on Carlist. I've done my fair share of wheeling and dealing so I was confident in my choice and subsequent purchase. Which option would you be most comfortable with and why? Tell us in the comments.


Terowong SMART Kedua Di Lembah Klang Dicadangkan Bagi Atasi Banjir

Susulan
banjir
 yang melanda ibu kota baru-baru ini, Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) ada menerima beberapa cadangan daripada syarikat swasta untuk membina
Terowong SMART
 kedua di Lembah Klang.

Pengarah Bahagian Pengurusan Banjir JPS, Rozman Mohamad berkata pihaknya bersifat terbuka dengan cadangan pembinaan Terowong SMART kedua itu memandangkan pelbagai sistem tebatan banjir dan kolam takungan sedia ada gagal mengatasi isu banjir.

Terowong SMART kedua yang dicadangkan ini juga lebih panjang berbanding Terowong SMART sedia ada, membuatkan kos pembinaannya lebih mahal berbanding sebelum ini. Ketika ini, kerajaan sedang mempertimbangkan faedah kos cadangan itu.

Selain itu, terowong cadangan itu juga mahu dibina menggunakan mesin TBM, iaitu mesin yang digunakan untuk projek pembinaan terowong MRT. Memandangkan kosnya tinggi, ia perlu di kaji terlebih dahulu untuk melihat pulangannya kepada kerajaan.

Untuk rekod, Terowong SMART sepanjang 11.8 km yang telah siap dibina pada tahun 2007 lalu bernilai RM2.2 bilion. Memandangkan terowong kedua ini lebih panjang, jadi harganya sudah tentu akan menjadi lebih mahal.

Sebelum ini, Terowong SMART juga dicadang untuk dibina di
Shah Alam
 sebagai langkah jangka panjang untuk menyelesaikan masalah banjir di sana yang dikemukakan oleh Kementerian Alam Sekitar dan Air (KASA).

Selain pembinaan Terowong SMART, kerajaan juga sedang membina kolam takungan air bawah tanah bersaiz besar seperti di Jepun untuk mengatasi isu banjir. Projek tersebut dilaksanakan kerana ketiadaan ruang untuk membina kolam takungan berhampiran sungai utama di Kuala Lumpur.

Menurut Rozman, projek itu dilaksanakan kerana ketiadaan ruang untuk membina kolam takungan berhampiran sungai utama di ibu negara, memandangkan hampir semua kawasan tebing sungai itu sudah dibangunkan.

Projek tersebut dinamakan Rancangan Tebatan Banjir (RTB) Sungai Bunus, di mana kolam bawah tanah telah dibina di padang PULAPOL (Pusat Latihan Polis) dan dijangka siap pada tahun 2024. Setelah siap, kolam itu boleh digunakan untuk tebatan banjir dan di atasnya boleh digunakan sebagai padang bola sepak.

Dalam pada itu, orang ramai boleh menggunakan sepenuhnya sistem Public Info Banjir yang dibangunkan JPS sejak lebih 20 tahun lalu untuk mengetahui sama ada kawasan mereka berisiko dinaiki air atau tidak sekali gus dapat membuat rancangan susulan.

Sistem tersebut sudah ditambah baik dengan teknologi terkini dan JPS kini bekerjasama dengan Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MetMalaysia) untuk memaparkan radar hujan semasa.


Fuel Up Your “Gaya” with Volkswagen, Free RM1,188 petrol card for all models plus more!

We are heading for another festive season and Volkswagen with its comprehensive portfolio of vehicles has something to suit everyone.
From now until 30th June 2018, Volkswagen will help you fuel up your style and also 'balik kampung' trips by including a free petrol card worth RM1,188 for all models registered during the said promotion timeframe.
On top of that, the Passat model offers customers savings of up to RM15,000. The Vento and Passat models also have a low interest on the financing and thus lower monthly repayment.
The
Tiguan WILD
 includes an accessories package worth RM 5,099.
All models in the Volkswagen range now comes with a 3-year (or 45,000 km, whichever comes first) free maintenance programme, 5-year manufacturer's warranty, and 5-year roadside assistance.
Find out more from our reviews on the almost all the Volkswagen models below:
Volkswagen Polo 1.6- Back to basics
Volkswagen Vento 1.2 TSI- More for less
Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI- No longer playing catch up
Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI- An unassuming sleeper
Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI- Traditional in a good way


Proton Satria 2021 – Kemunculan Semula Yang Bakal Menggegar Pasaran?

Tidak dinafikan, topik perbincangan seperti model kereta akan datang memang suatu topik yang menarik. Kali ini, kami merasakan bahawa
Proton Satria
 sudah bersedia untuk membuat kemunculan semula!

Dalam banyak kes berkenaan penghasilan model kereta baharu, hipotesis boleh dibuat berdasarkan produk, pemasaran atau pelan kewangan syarikat pengeluar. Kadang-kala, ia juga datang dalam bentuk info yang diterima daripada orang dalam.

Walau bagaimanapun, cara yang paling tepat dalam meramalkan kehadiran model baharu daripada pengeluar adalah melalui kejayaan model terdahulunya. Atas sebab ini, jaminan boleh dibuat terhadap penghasilan generasi baharu
Perodua Myvi
,
Honda Civic
 serta
BMW 3 Series
. Kenapa? Sebab masuk akal lah juga untuk pengeluar untuk menghasilkan versi baharu kerana konsep dan pelaksanaan pada versi yang lama disukai pembeli. Tambahan pula, ramalan lebih tepat tentang bila versi baharu sesebuah model bakal dikeluarkan boleh dibuat berdasarkan jangka hayat model semasa.

Dalam sesetengah kes, model sesebuah kereta dilupakan atau digugurkan bukan kerana permintaan daripada pembeli tetapi atas faktor lain seperti berikut:

Sentiment pasaran dan permintaan

Keadaan ekonomi

Peraturan kenderaan

Turun naik mata wang

Arah, tujuan serta kewangan pengeluar

Kos pembangunan

Faktor rantaian bekalan global

Model pesaing

Meskipun mempunyai sumber kewangan serta teknologi yang kuat, tindakan
Toyota
 yang menggugurkan tanda nama popular mereka,
Supra
 selama 17 tahun sebelum membuat kemunculan semula pada tahun 2019 dengan model
A90 Supra
 apabila keadaan ekonomi berada di tahap lebih baik kini dilihat jelas masuk akal.

Model Supra terdahulu, JZA80 amat popular diminati di seluruh negara. Mana taknya, kereta Paul Walker dalam Fast and Furious tu! Tetapi oleh kerana kemelesetan ekonomi yang ditanggung Jepun pada tahun 90an dan awal 2000, model tersebut terpaksa digugurkan daripada dihasilkan oleh Toyota pada waktu itu.

Walau bagaimanaupun, perkara yang sama tidak dapat dilakukan pada model Celica, Soarer, mahupun MR-2. Model Supra hanya membuat kemunculan semula kerana Toyota boleh berkolaborasi bersama BMW, yang telah membangunkan
(G29) BMW Z4
 dan berminat untuk bekerjasama dengan Toyota. Oleh sebab itu, kos pembangunan serta masa penghasilan dapat dikurangkan dan mempercepatkan model baharu Supra untuk membuat kemunculan semula.

Berbalik pada Proton, Satria merupakan salah satu model yang popular serta disukai ramai. Sebagai kereta
hatchback berprestasi tinggi pertama Proton
, tidak mustahil bagi Proton untuk membawa kembali model Satria baharu selari dengan kebangkitan semula Proton yang kini bekerjasama dengan
Geely
. Selain itu, ia turut menjamin kedudukan kewangan yang lebih kukuh serta mendapat akses terhadap enjin milik Geely yang dibangunkan bersama
Volvo
.

Sebelum Proton Satria membuat kemunculan semula dalam pasaran Malaysia, beberapa faktor lain turut perlu diteliti terlebih dahulu seperti berikut.

Perkara yang boleh dijangka pada Satria baharu?

Berdasarkan sejarah, rekaan dua-pintu pada hatchback ini merupakan sebahagian besar daripada daya tarikan yang terdapat pada Satria. Sebelum kehadiran Satria dan Putra, kenderaan berjenis hatchback dan coupe dua-pintu selalunya dikhaskan bagi mereka yang berpoket tebal sahaja ekoran harganya yang mahal. Namun Proton telah menawarkan jentera tersebut dengan harga yang berpatutan bagi kenderaan sporty. Varian 1.3 liter yang digunakan pada Satria menggambarkan golongan pemilik satria yang terdiri daripada golongan muda profesional hingga ke lulusan kolej.

Kali ini, model Satria ini kemungkinan perlu mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada rekaan dua pintunya kerana pembeli yang membeli hot-hatch, tidak semestinya ingin berkompromi dengan kapasiti penumpang. Evolusi ini dapat dilihat pada
Honda Civic Type R
 dan Renault Megane RS yang menawarkan varian dua-pintu dalam generasi sebelumnya, kini mempraktikkan rekaan empat-pintu pada generasi baharu dan masih kelihatan padu!

Siapa yang akan beli?

Gabungan rekaan sporty serta pengenalan varian empat-pintu memberikan Satria peluang terbaik untuk menarik minat orang ramai daripada golongan peminat kereta hinggalah ke golongan ibu yang sering keluar untuk menghantar anak-anak ke sekolah yang mahukan pemanduan yang sporty. Yang paling utama, dah lama kita tak dengar model yang berorientasikan prestasi keluaran Proton. Kemunculan semula model ini semestinya akan menarik perhatian ramai serta bakal mencipta hype yang kuat dan besar. Mungkin boleh cabar Myvi?

Harga?

Berdasarkan populariti yang diterima oleh
Honda Jazz
 serta
Toyota Yaris
, sekiranya Proton Satria baharu diperkenalkan dalam lingkungan harga RM75k – RM85k, ianya bakal berfungsi sebagai alternatif terbaik berbanding kedua model tersebut terutamanya jika Proton Satria baharu itu menawarkan prestasi setara atau lebih baik berbanding Honda Jazz atau Toyota Yaris. Selain itu, versi Satria yang paling digemari iaitu GTi dan versi
Neo R3
 pula berada dalam lingkungan harga RM65k-RM73k. Ini membuktikan bahawa sekiranya harga yang ditawarkan itu sama nilai dengan prestasi yang ditawarkan, ia pasti akan terjual.

Platform?

Secara logiknya, platform P2 terkini yang digunakan pada
Proton Iriz serta Persona
 merupakan kaedah pembangunan yang paling ekonomik kerana ia sudah menjadi pakej yang terbukti. Memandangkan kedua-dua model tersebut telah disesuaikan dengan enjin generasi terbaru Proton (1.6L), model Satria baharu ini mungkin boleh menerima enjin baharu yang lebih berkuasa daripada Geely. Walau bagaimanapun, perkara ini lebih mudah untuk diperkatakan daripada dilakukan.

Platform P2 ini turut direka secara teliti dengan dengan rangkaian teknologi keselamatan yang komprehensif dan daya ketahanan yang lebih kukuh dengan menggabungkan teknologi Hot-Press Forming (HPF) yang akan memberikan tulang yang kuat untuk menjadi hot-hatch yang sporty.

Enjin?

Andai kata kita abaikan enjin yang bersumberkan Honda pada Proton Perdana serta enjin 1.8L Turbo empat silinder Geely pada
Proton X70
 yang menghasilkan 184PS/ 300Nm, enjin yang paling berkuasa ditawarkan oleh Proton pada waktu ini ialah enjin 1.6L Turbo yang terdapat pada
Exora
, yang menghasilkan 140PS/ 205Nm. Secara atas kertas, ianya merupakan sebuah nombor yang baik. Tetapi jika dibandingkan dengan
Golf GTi
, jauh perbezaannya.

Akan tetapi, Geely masih mempunyai enjin 1.5L turbo 3-silinder dengan suntikan terus baharu yang dibangunkan bersama Volvo. Enjin tersebut digelar 1.5L TD yang serasi dengan rangkaian kuasa hibrid dan dibangunkan bersesuaian dengan platform Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) yang turut dikembangkan bersama oleh Geely dan Volvo. Enjin 1.5L TD ini dibangunkan bersama dengan kotak gear dual-clutch 7-kelajuan (7DCT) ringan (hanya 75kg) yang mampu menangani tork maksimum 330Nm.

1.5TD ini memberikan kuasa 180PS dan tork maksimum 265Nm, menjadikannya sebuah rangkaian kuasa yang hebat bila digabungkan dengan transmisi 7-kelajuan DCT dalam chasis yang lebih ringan.

Rupa Bentuk Terbaru Satria?

Kini kita berada di bahagian yang paling menarik, iaitu bahagian untuk berangan-angan. Berdasarkan kriteria yang telah disebut diatas, pasukan kreatif kami telah memberi nafas baharu pada model Proton Satria kesukaan ramai ini dengan penafsiran semula yang luhur terhadap Proton kegemaran kita. Rekaan ini diambil daripada reka bentuk model Satria yang terdahulu seperti Satria GTi, Satria Neo R3 dan Clubsport.

Pelbagai sorotan estetik seperti lengkungan roda suar, tepi kaca belakang yang bulat, spoiler belakang yang jelas dan bahagian hadapan yang ramping telah dimasukkan. Rekaan moden Satria tersebut hadir dengan pakej roda dan tayar yang diilhamkan oleh Iriz untuk memastikan kehadirannya di jalan raya mudah dirasai.

Macam pernah nampak kan? Semestinya! Lampu utama hadapan serta gril telah diambil daripada model terbaru Persona/ Iriz namun telah diolah dengan sedikit kelainan seperti double-teardrop membulat di bahagian bawah lampu sebagai tanda penghargaan pada Satria Neo.

Dari segi bentuk badan, inspirasi diambil berdasarkan bentuk kereta hatchback global yang agak bagus keluaran Proton, Suprima S dan juga berdasarkan model yang mempunyai prestasi yang lebih mantap seperti
Ford Focus ST
.

Adakah Proton bakal mengumumkan kemunculan semula Satria?

Secara jujurnya, tiada siapa tahu jawapan tepat bagi soalan ini buat masa ini. Walau bagaimanapun, negara kita kini mempunyai pemahaman yang lebih meluas tentang apa yang diperlukan untuk menghasilkan kereta yang hebat, apatah lagi kereta berkuasa tinggi. Meskipun peluangnya tipis, namun harapannya tetap ada. Selagi tiada pengumuman rasmi daripada pihak Proton, nampak gayanya gambar render Satria ini sahaja lah yang anda bakal terima bagi tahun ini.

Pada pendapat anda, apakah jangkaan dan harapan anda terhadap model generasi baharu Satria oleh Proton kelak? Kongsikan dengan kami!

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All-New 2016 Kia Sportage Officially Revealed For The First Time

We’ve shown you all the
leaked photographs of it taken last week
 ahead of the car’s grand debut at the coming Frankfurt Motor Show, but here is the all-new
Kia Sportage
 being shown in full, officially by
Kia
 Motors.
It’s nearly a full gallery that’s been spilled online via various Kia official sources, but none of the images we’ve managed to spot so far have shown the car’s interior – we have however been able to get a spyshot of that, so do check out the gallery below for it.
As mentioned, the all-new Sportage will be headed for a global premier at the coming Frankfurt Motor Show in September, so no surprises to Kia wanted to get it all out now through these latest photos.
Styling wise, the all-new Sportage looks to have adopted all the necessary signature styling traits of the brand’s latest and greatest. The tiger nose grille is in place (in a large way), whilst you should also be able to spot the sort of forced-in four-point LED daytime running lights at the two front corners of the car, ala Kia Optima K5.
This is also the first time that we’re getting a clear look at all four corners of the car too, and we’ve got to say that from the rear, this is one properly handsome-looking car!
Two rear taillights look to be joined together by a red strip which doesn’t look to be a part of the lighting elements, but would be nice if it was. It’s a dual tailpipe arrangement around the rear too, tucked underneath some underbody protective plates. The silver-coloured cladding appears on all four sides of the car.
Notably, around the rear of the car, there’s a “GT” badging visible (if you zoom in on a high-res pic), which indicates a special variant of some sort we’re sure, but all of the cars here appear to be wearing the same exterior kit.
We’ve still no official information to share with you yet, but we hear that Kia could be introducing a new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine to the latest Sportage, as well as feature it with an updated 1.6-litre petrol unit, as well as a range-topping 2.0-litre turbo four-pot.
Stay tuned for more details!


Every Toyota Hilux Owner Must Watch This Video Series

More often than not, many important features in a vehicle go unused as we only utilize what we need and forget about the rest.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that many motorists out there are not even aware of the full capabilities of their vehicles.
That being said, Toyota UK recently took the initiative to release a series of video titled “How to drive a Hilux” showcasing a few of the current Hilux’s key features, how to use them, and how they can benefit owners on a daily basis.
Comprising seven videos, the series explains everything between what the Trailer Sway Control does, to properly operating the Hilux’s four-wheel drive system.
Since the model seen in the video has a few similar features with the current Hilux here in Malaysia, you can check the videos out and maybe even learn a couple of things.
How to drive a Hilux: Loading the Cargo Deck
How to drive a Hilux: Using Hill-Start Assist
How to drive a Hilux: Wading through water
How to drive a Hilux: Using the rear-differential lock

How to drive a Hilux: Using the four wheel drive system

How to drive a Hilux: Trailer Sway Control


New BMW Six-Cylinder Petrol to Power M140i and M240i Variants

Not content with having just announced its
most powerful six-cylinder diesel engine ever
, BMW has accordingly upped its ante at the petrol side as well, with an uprated 3.0-litre straight-six mill set to power the new M140i and M240i M Performance variants.
Set to replace the
M135i
 and M235i respectively, the new M140i and M240i is good for outputs of 340hp and 500Nm, putting it on the same performance pedestal as the previous-generation 1 Series M Coupe (340hp/450Nm). The new engine’s peak torque is fed over an impressively wide spread from 1,500 to 4,500rpm.
Developed from BMW’s modular B-series engine family, the new engine is built on all-aluminium construction. Boosting its output is a single twin-scroll turbocharger integrated into the engine’s cast-steel exhaust manifold. The turbocharger additionally features an electrically-controlled wastegate to help minimize emissions.
All variants of the M140i and M240i come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, but can be optioned with ZF’s excellent 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, customers can choose between having drive power sent purely astern or to all fours via BMW’s xDrive system.
Each of the M140i and M240i come with a choice of two bodystyles. The M140i hatchback is available in three- and five-door configurations, whilst the M240i can be had as a Coupe or Convertible.
The M140i 3-door and 5-door as well as the M240i Coupe post identical performance figures depending on driveline configurations. Broadly speaking, the 8-speed automatic versions with rear-wheel drive give the fuel consumption and emission, whilst the xDrive models accelerate fastest from 0 to 100km/h. Convertible models impose a slight penalty as indicated in brackets.
6-speed manual, RWD
0-100km/h: 4.8 seconds (4.9 seconds)
Fuel Consumption: 7.8 litres/100km (8.3 litres/100km)
Carbon dioxide: 179 g/km (189 g/km)
8-speed auto, RWD
0-100km/h: 4.6 seconds (4.7 seconds)
Fuel Consumption: 7.1 litres/100km (7.4 litres/100km)
Carbon dioxide: 163 g/km (169 g/km)
xDrive AWD (Transmission not stated)
0-100km/h: 4.4 seconds (4.6 seconds)
Fuel Consumption: 7.4 litres/100km (7.8 litres/100km)
Carbon dioxide: 169 g/km (179 g/km)
Joining the new 3.0-litre six in the updated
1 Series
 and
2 Series
 model families is the new 2.0-litre B48 four-cylinder engine to replace the existing 1.6-litre Prince and 2.0-litre N20 engines to power the bread-and-butter variants of these models. New variants that join the fray include the 120i and 125i in 3-door and 5-door configurations along with the 220i, 225i, and 230i in Coupe and Convertible guises.
Besides coming in the 184hp (20i) and 252hp (30i) configurations as currently seen in the
updated F30 3 Series
, the 2.0-litre power unit now gets an additional 224hp state of tune to power the 125i and 225i variants. We noticed this power gap in the engine line-up when
reviewing the 330i
 earlier this year. Perhaps this is pre-cursor to a new F30 325i variant in the future?


PEMULIH Package: Automatic Six Month Loan Moratorium, Fuel Subsidies

On the back of the prolonged
MCO 3.0/FMCO lockdown
 or National Recovery Plan (NRP), the government has introduced the wide-reaching PEMULIH stimulus package, worth some RM150 Billion to further stimulate the economy and aid citizens and businesses affected by the loss of earnings and the stagnating economy.

The PEMULIH package is claimed to addresses the grouses of not just the lower-income (B40) group but also medium (M40) and high-income (T20) groups with a moratorium of personal and business loans, income tax exemptions as well fiscal injections for industries such as tourism, creative arts, SME and micro-SMEs that have been hit hard by the pandemic.

With regard to personal mobility, the PEMULIH package crucially offers the following features to help address the challenges faced by the public:

An automatic six-month moratorium will be given to all individual borrowers, applies to all income groups as well as micro-entrepreneurs.

This covers
hire purchase loans for car
s
 and is similar to the
moratorium that was effected between March and August 2020
. There are no pre-requisite conditions – such as loss of job or reduced income -  to qualify for the loan. Borrowers are simply required to contact their lender bank to verify and alter the tenure of their loans, and if required sign a formal agreement.

Maintained fuel ceiling price of RM2.05 for RON95, and RM2.15 for EURO 2M Diesel and LPG

The government has pledged subsidies of approximately RM6 Billion to maintain the retail price of RON95 petrol, diesel, and LPG in line with the
capped prices announced in February of this year
. Therefore, the price of fuel will not rise regardless of global price fluctuations for the public.

The above-mandated features of the PEMULIH packages also go hand-in-hand with other programs such as the i-Citra EPF withdrawals and one-off payments (for households and singles) to further aid the public in this tough time.

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VW Club Malaysia Wishes Everyone a Prosperous CNY

The enthusiastic Volkswagen owners from
Volkswagen Club Malaysia
 have dreamt up a rather creative way of wishing everyone a happy and prosperous year of the Fire Rooster in this video produced by
TGTR
 and Ibrahim Faeisall.
Instead of the ordinary cultural references – VWClub Malaysia have chosen to usher in this new year to the tune of howling exhaust notes and wastegate swooshes. The ‘fireworks’ as they say, are supplied simply by the turbocharged power plants resting under the hood.
The video ends with a salvo of tuned Volkswagens lighting up a dark, rainy night – with members admitting, that regardless of the weather or season, VWClub Malaysia never forget to have fun.


Lasaq, Aruz, Impax - What Should Perodua's Next SUV Should Be Called?

Perodua is expected to preview its new SUV, codenamed D38L, at the upcoming Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) in November.
Ahead of its preview, a quick search on MyIPO (Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia) revealed that the second national car maker has trademarked a few names, including names such as Aruz, Lasaq, and Impax.
These names were registered in 2018, hinting that Perodua could be considering these names for the upcoming SUV.
Which name do you think suits the upcoming SUV? Click on the name that you think the new model should be called.
Car companies often register names ahead of model launches, though it does not necessarily mean that they will adopt these names in upcoming models. For example, Perodua registered various names such as Axeda, Bezza, Ativa, and Myca before settling on Bezza for its first-ever sedan.
To recap, the upcoming Perodua D38L SUV will be heavily based on the Daihatsu Terios that's currently on sale in Indonesia.


Second-hand Sub-RM200k Coupes/ Convertibles For Your Mid-life Crisis

Although coupes are no longer what they used to be, there are some still in the market that can offer that traditional coupe look and feel for a sub RM200k price tag.

There are some pretty amazing and affordable coupes on sale in the used car market today, and while the fear that they might break down is one of the reasons why they are cheap, their impractical design is also another factor that is affecting its prices, making them more affordable and tempting than ever!

Still, if you think you can maintain them and practicality is not on the top of your priority, then perhaps you have access to some of the most exciting and lusted after cars ever to grace this land.

What is a coupe? Traditionally, a coupe is a term given to cars with a sleek sloping roofline, two doors, and two seats upfront. Manufacturers also put two tiny seats in the back of coupes, but we all know the tiny ones are more for kids and animals instead of adults. We'll also throw convertibles into the mix here too.

Coupes are a dying breed, fallen from favour in the new millennium after reaching an all-time high point in the nineties. While the coupe shape is now experiencing a resurgence in four-door cars and SUVs, we all know a true coupe has two doors, rides low, drives well and is pretty cramped in the back.

So without further definitions, let's take a look at some of these sub RM200k coupes because who knows, you might just be flush with cash and having a mid-life crisis!

SL55 AMG R230 (from RM128k)

If a muscle car coupe with a convertible roof sounds appealing to you, then the
SL55 AMG
 should be right up your alley. With a 5.4-litre supercharged engine that pushes out nearly 500hp, this sleek bit of metal from the company that brought you the three-pointed star should get you from 0-100km/h in just 4.3 seconds.

The Mercedes SL (Super-Leicht or in English: Super Light) has stirred emotions since its inception in the fifties, and while the R230 generation is not the lightest out of them all (2000kg), it still has looks that can kill, even till today.

One thing to note, though, those three alphabets after SL55 usually means the car comes with brute force, and that bit of muscle is not cheap to maintain especially for road tax. With a yearly road tax figure of around RM12k, it is not for the faint-hearted, and then there are its typical ABC (active body control) suspension problems which could set you back some money which can probably get you a new Perodua Axia. Slap on some coilovers, and that problem is fixed for good, but you'd still have to pay a yearly road tax worth two kapcais a year. Also, there are no longer hire purchase loans for a car this old, so that is another thing you should consider.

BMW M6 E63 (from RM180k)

Like the SL, the M6 is one of the most iconic coupes ever produced. Since its inception in 1983, the M6 has set the motoring world alight through its sharp handling, distinctive styling and sheer driving pleasure, and it all started with the M635CSi model, better known as the M6 shark.

Believe it or not, the
E63 M6
 was only the second iteration of the M6, introduced after a 16-year M6 hiatus. When BMW brought out the E63 M6 in 2005, they were not messing about and gave it a beautiful sounding 500hp V10 engine but unfortunately paired it with the infamous SMG-III automated manual transmission.

The transmission is actually okay when it is running right, but it does have a few problems, chief of which is its hydraulic pump motor. This part alone could set you back a few thousand ringgit without labour, so a manual one would be best, if you can find one that is. Like the SL, the biggest problem with the car is its yearly RM11k road tax and its cash buy or personal loan acquisition options.

Ford Mustang 6th Generation (from RM213k)

Okay, we know we said sub RM200k coupes, but we couldn't resist including the Mustang in this list as it's only just about breaching the
RM200k threshold
.

When Ford created a right-hand-drive Mustang for the first time in 2015, it practically opened up the world market for the Mustang, especially for those who drive on the left side of the road. This must have been one of Ford's brightest ideas, as it was named the world's best coupe from 2015-2017.

The other feature that made the Mustang more accessible than ever was Ford's 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine in the sports car. It really did bring down the total overall cost of ownership but kept some of its more muscular 5.0-litre brother's performance, and you no longer needed to pay RM11k a year (5.0-litre Mustang) just to keep it legally on the road.

Just like the Germans above, the Ford Mustang is an iconic coupe. It is Ford's longest ever car nameplate and has pretty much remained under the same philosophy of long hood and short deck since its introduction in 1964.

The official introduction of Mustangs by Ford Sime Darby Auto Connexion to the Malaysian market in 2016 opened up the flood gates for this pony, and you can pretty much see them everywhere on Malaysian roads now. It's been said that it's best to avoid earlier models and go for the later ones as most of the niggly problems such as defective wiring harnesses had been sorted out.

Porsche Cayman (from RM98k)

It's pretty unbelievable that you can now buy a Porsche Cayman from as low as
RM98k
, and at this price, it really does bring the Porsche coupe ownership dream closer to many.

The Porsche Cayman is a coupe derived from Porsche's mid-engine two-seater roadster, the Boxster. Named after the Caiman alligator, it shares many of its parts with the Boxster, and the main difference between it and the roadster is the body shape. While the Boxster is only available as a convertible, the Cayman is only available as a coupe, making them distinguishable. It's a coupe version of the Boxster if you must, but the Cayman does have one variant that the Boxster does not have, which is the
GT4
.

While the Porsche Cayman's looks are a debatable part of its characteristic, there's no arguing that it has a fabulous driving experience. Its mid-engined layout offers many different powertrains, starting from a 2.7-litre flat-six all the way up to a 3.4, but newer models 2016 onwards came with a horizontally-opposed flat-4 turbocharged engine of 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre displacements.

3.4-litre Caymans that have been used as track day cars will probably be the most unreliable out of the lot, as they can suffer from oil starvation due to high amounts of G-forces. You can read all sorts of horror stories about this on the internet. Apart from that, they are all pretty solid cars, but a pre-purchase inspection will always negate unwanted future problems. Expect to pay road tax northwards of RM4k for Caymans that have bigger displacements.

Lotus Evora (from RM200k)

The
Lotus Evora
is probably one of the most practical Lotus cars ever offered. It was first launched in 2009 and was the first all-new Lotus for nearly more than a decade. It was built to take on the likes of the Porsche Cayman and 911 and was the world's only mid-engined 2+2, that is until the BMW i8 came along.

The Evora was intended to be a refined version of the less-than-civilized Lotus Elise and Exige, but compared to other coupes of its performance standard, it still felt raw. Although it feels medieval compared to other mid-engined sports cars like the Porsche Cayman, it can be used as a daily driver.

Saying that however, this 'raw-ness' is precisely why people love it in the first place because it really does reward drivers who want that exhilarating driving experience.

With an invigorating high-rpm 3.5-litre engine that likes to scream, the car will surely give you that immersive sports car feeling, especially when its 400bhp is unleashed. The things is though, the car is not all about power and speed because it was built to give you loads of fun around the twisties.

While others can learn a thing or two from the
Lotus
 Evora's lightweight approach, the Evora can probably learn about interior quality from others. Cracked cosmetic roof panels, poor interior fitting and malfunctioning window motor are unfortunately common.

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Passersby Throws Thrash Back Into A Myvi After Its Driver Was Seen Dumping It Out of Her Car

Passersby put rubbish back into a Myvi after its driver was seen dumping it out of her car.

There's nothing more infuriating than seeing a person throw rubbish out of their car without a care in the world.

The anger that arises from it is up there with the likes of when people cut you off in traffic at the last possible second before a turn, entryway or exit.

There are some good and brave Malaysians out there

While some who disapprove of the action sit back, watch and let it happen, there are some people out there brave enough to let the litterer know that their action will not sit well with them - just like the recent incident involving a Myvi driver and some members of the public.

A Perodua Myvi driver who
dumped rubbish just outside of her car
 has found herself in a bit of a debacle when displeased Malaysian citizens returned the rubbish back into his car.

The incident was recorded by a road user who happened to pass through the area before the video clip was spread on Inforoadblock's Facebook page.

The 47-second video clip showed that several items, including clothes, handbags and make-up, were apparently thrown away by the Myvi driver.

Serves you right

It cannot be ascertained why the woman acted in such a manner. Still, it did infuriate passersby, who reacted to her actions where they retrieved the discarded items before dumping them back into the woman's car.

What netizens had to say

Following the FB posting, netizens were was angry with the woman's action, and they supported the public members who threw the garbage back into the Myvi.

“Padan muka, buat hal lagi, ada tong sampah besarkan ,tak pandai buang dalam tong, tak ada sivik punya orang, bagus pak cik tu,” wrote Nur Hazwani Wanie.

“Macam tak logik pun ada, pelik buang sampah banyak sampai macam tu. Memang tak masuk akal manusia macam ni wujud kat sini, tak bertamadun langsung,” said Sukri Mohd Salleh.

It's good to see Malaysians stepping up to these characters who have no care for the country's cleanliness. They care for their vehicle's cleanliness and prefer to make our roads and parks littered with their rubbish.


Fuel Price Update: 21 - 27 Dec - Petrol And Diesel Prices Increase

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has announced new petrol and diesel prices for the next seven days and looks like there is an increase after a few weeks of price drop.
Starting from tomorrow, prices for petrol and diesel will be as mentioned below:
RON95 – RM2.27 per litre (up 2 sen from RM2.25)
RON97 – RM2.54 per litre (up 2 sen from RM2.52)
Diesel – RM2.23 per litre (up 3 sen from RM2.20)


Celebrating 120 Years Of Mercedes – The Girl And The Brand

120 years ago, the name of an eleven-year-old girl became the epitome of cars and the first luxury car brand in the world. On April 2nd 1900, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft decided to call its automobiles Mercédès, after the daughter of Emil Jellinek. The Austrian businessman, who lived in Nice, traded in Daimler vehicles and registered them for racing events.

Mercedes Jellinek (1889 to 1929), on a Mercedes Grand-Prix racing car from 1906.

To this day, Mercedes-Benz is the only automotive brand that bears a female name.

From then on, the curved “Mercédès” lettering adorned the radiators of Daimler passenger cars. The name was registered as a trademark on June 23rd 1902 and legally protected on September 26th 1902.

Since then, the brand name – which was changed to Mercedes-Benz after the merger of the Daimler and Benz companies in June 1926 – has been both an expression of and a commitment to luxury and innovation.

Mercedes-Simplex 40 HP from 1903. One of the oldest surviving vehicles belonging to the Mercedes brand.

The first vehicle with this melodious Spanish name – the Mercedes 35 HP – caused a sensation at the Nice race week as early as March 1901. This was not only because of its highly advanced technology – allowing it to win several races there – but also because of its exceptionally elegant design. The Mercedes 35 HP is regarded as the prototype of the modern automobile - far more advanced than the original
Benz Patent-Motorwagen
 which came just five years before.

The Mercedes-Benz Vision Simplex concept from 2019, built to celebrate the anniversary of the brand name.

With its progressive vehicle architecture and "modern" technology, the 35 HP became a model for the entire automobile industry in the years to come.

Happy Birthday Mercedes!


Slowing Economy Impacting Proton and Perodua Hardest

As Malaysia’s economy slows and consumers hold back on discretionary purchases like a new car, national brands are feeling the ill effects of our weakening economy.
Data from the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research shows that Consumer Sentiments Index has now dropped to an all-time low of 70.2 points. The index has been hovering well below the critical baseline of 100-point
s -
the first time in almost five years - since Q2 2013, and it has not recovered ever since.
Although Perodua’s cumulative sales for 2015 is up 12.3 percent year-on-year, it hides the fact that the company’s sales for the month of September 2015 is Perodua’s lowest in 12 months.
The improved year-on-year numbers for year-to-date September 2015 is mainly attributed to a one-off spike in March 2015, partly due to the pre-GST rush, and clearing of the backlog of orders made in 2014 for the very successful Perodua Axia, which was launched in September 2014.
Perodua’s sales has been falling sharply for three consecutive months already, dropping by nearly 20 percent in just 3 months.
It’s a similar story with Proton, whose sales have also dropped by nearly 20 percent over the last three months.
In comparison, sales of non-national brands have dropped by only 6 percent over the same three-month period.
Within the non-national segment, Honda and Toyota continues to be locked in a tight race for the top non-national brand spot. Honda has already overtaken Toyota in the passenger car segment, with a cumulative sales of 66,411 passenger cars within the first nine months of 2015, versus Toyota’s 42,658 passenger cars.
Overall, Toyota still leads over Honda, with 62,097 vehicles sold, aided by Toyota’s wide range of commercial vehicles like the Hilux and Hiace, segments which Honda doesn’t participate in.
The poor market sentiments are expected to continue into 2016, and car companies will remain weighed down by a weak Ringgit, and increased spending in sales promotions to attract an increasingly cynical buying public.


New York 2017: Honda Clarity PHEV and EV Unveiled

Honda has unveiled the all-new Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and all-electric(EV) versions of its Honda Clarity model, which will join the fuel cell vehicle (FCV) model, to offer three advanced electrified powertrain options

for the North American market.
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid utilizes a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine, paired to an 181hp electric motor producing 314Nm of torque. The electric motor is powered by a 17 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack. The battery pack is has a recharge time of 2.5 hours at 240 volts. Honda claims the Clarity PHEV will return an overall driving range in excess 531km.
.
The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, which is due for sale later this year and is expected to deliver an all-electric driving range rating of up to 67km, the longest of any midsize PHEV. The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is anticipated to earn a combined economy of 105 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent) combined on the 2017 American EPA cycle. To put that figure into clearer perspective, the Clarity PHEV will return a parsimonious 2.4 litres/100km.
The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid features three selectable modes – Normal, Econ and Sport – allowing drivers to switch between efficiency or driving performance. A fourth mode, HV mode – is provided to maintain the battery's state of charge and can be selected in conjunction with Normal, Econ and Sport driving modes.
Full-Electric (EV)
The 2017 Honda Clarity EV is powered by a 161hp (120-kilowatt) electric motor producing 299Nm of torque and draws power from a 25.5 kWh battery pack.
The vehicle can be fully charged in just over three hours at 240 volts. When using DC fast charging, Honda claims the Clarity EV will achieve 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes.
Like the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, the Clarity Electric features three selectable driving modes – Normal, Econ and Sport. The Clarity Electric will launch later this year, starting with a lease program in certain American states.
Fuel Cell (FCV)
First unveiled at the
2015 Tokyo motor show
, Honda began deliveries of the Clarity Fuel Cell (FCV) in December 2016 in select California markets, where a network of hydrogen stations continues to grow, and has already delivered more than 100 vehicles.
The compact fuel cell and integrated powertrain, now comparable in size to a V-6 engine, fits entirely under the hood of the car. The Clarity’s FCV fuel cell stack is 33 percent more compact, with a 60 percent increase in power density compared to its predecessor, the Honda FCX Clarity. Power is rated at 174hp.
All Clarity models also feature Display Audio with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the full suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies.
The Clarity series will contribute to an anticipated five-fold increase in Honda's U.S. sales of electrified vehicles over the next four years, as the company works toward its target of two-thirds of its global automobile sales to come from electrified vehicles by 2030. Honda targets U.S. sales of 75,000 Clarity vehicles in the first four model years.


New Toyota Avanza 1.5X Available For Booking, Priced from RM82,700

UMW Toyota Motor has just announced a new addition to the Toyota Avanza compact MPV line-up, the Avanza 1.5X variant.
Following the popularity of the X variants in the Toyota Camry, Vios and Innova models, UMWT has developed an X variant in the Avanza model line-up.
The execution for Avanza X differs from the other models, as the Avanza X follows a rugged theme. Using the Avanza 1.5G variant as the base vehicle, the front and rear bumpers now have extensions finished in black with silver trim insert.
These extensions are neatly integrated with the black over-fenders, and now creates a visual look of reducing the tyre and wheel arch gap. The bottom of doors are also fitted with side moulding pieces.
The rear pillar and upper sections of the tail gate also receives a treatment of black paint, providing a ‘floating roof’ look.
The X variant also include a pair of reflectors that integrated with the rear lights and number plate trim piece.
There is no mention of changes to the interior.
Also available as optional accessories are a roof ornament and 16-alloy wheels with a multi-spoke design. Buyers can also browse the internet through the optional DVD-AVN touch screen infotainment system which also includes GPS route navigation.
The new Avanza 1.5X, priced from RM82,700 (OTR without Insurance) can be viewed from 24
th
 February onwards when there will be a Toyota Weekender event at all showrooms.
All new Toyota Avanza models come with a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty and their respective Peninsular Malaysia OTR without insurance prices are as follow:
Avanza 1.3E M/T: RM70,200
Avanza 1.5E A/T: RM76,600
Avanza 1.5G A/T: RM79,200
Avanza 1.5S A/T: RM81,500
Avanza 1.5X A/T: RM82,700


LRT And Monorail Fare Hikes Possible By October

The Land Transport Commission (SPAD) will reportedly submit a paper to the Cabinet by as early as next month in regards to a possible fare hike for the LRT and Monorail services for the third-quarter of 2015.
According to
The Sun Daily
, the Land Public Transport officials are readying a proposal, and have been since last week. A main point of the motion is to illustrate the operating costs which have ballooned to over 28 times since 1996, justifying a review of fares and services.
A source told the daily that Prasarana will be spending RM960 million in order to outfit their rail systems with 50 new coaches to replace existing ones as well as new technology upgrades over the next four years.
"Prasarana Malaysia Berhad as the asset owner and operator for LRT and monorail through Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd has been exposed to increased electricity tariff by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, at least three times in the last seven years. There is also the huge cost of procuring new rolling stock in the last 36 months for the existing Ampang and Kelana Jaya lines and together with the extension lines," he said.
The most recent fare revision for Prasarana’s rail services were conducted in 2002. An anonymous government source told The Sun that the proposal will also detail the consequences of the planned fare hike on commuters within the Klang Valley as well as economic shortfalls for the government should the current fare structure remain unchanged.
"We are studying the details and we will present it to the Cabinet next month. Anything that concerns the people especially on fares, SPAD has been instructed not to make any decision about it and to let the Cabinet decide," he said.