New 2017 BMW 5 Series (G30) Variants In Europe – 520i, 525d, 540d

The all-new
2017 BMW 5 Series
 gets additional engine options in Europe, with a new entry-level petrol model joining the line-up alongside two new diesel variants. Engines powering these new variants should be familiar to anyone with passing knowledge of BMW’s engine catalogue, all of them already being used in other BMW models.
Of interest to readers from
our market
 will be the new 520i, which gets the same 2.0-litre B48 four-cylinder petrol engine as found in the 530i but tuned to more conservative outputs of 184hp and 290Nm
In a sedan body, the 520i manages to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds whilst returning a rated fuel consumption of 5.8 – 6.2 litres/100km (CO
2
: 124 – 134 g/km).
The 520i Sedan and Touring will be offered in the European market from July 2017 onwards and could potentially be available in Malaysia as well to compete directly against the
Mercedes-Benz E200
.
There is, however, no word of a 525i that could take on the
Mercedes E250
 even though the
Chinese market
 recently launched its own long-wheelbase 525Li with the same B48 mill tuned to 224hp.
Diesel power, meanwhile, gets two new flavours – the 2.0-litre four-cylinder 525d and the 3.0-litre six-cylinder 540d xDrive - to slot in between the existing 520d, 530d, and M550d xDrive variants.
The 525d’s four-cylinder engine is essentially an uprated version of the 520d’s B47 powerplant, punching out 231hp and 500Nm of torque – exceeding the memorable E60 530d, launched here in 2004 with 218hp and 500Nm from its 3.0-litre M57 inline-six diesel.
Completing the expanded range is the 3.0-litre B57 inline-six churning out 320hp/680Nm in the 540d. The B57, it is worth noting, also powers the current 530d with 265hp and 620Nm as well as the M550d where it is slapped with no less than four turbochargers to whack out 400hp and 760Nm.
To recap, the range of
G30 5 Series
 engine variants available globally are as follows:
Petrol
520i – 2.0-litre B48 4-cyl, 184hp, 290Nm
525Li – 2.0-litre B48 4-cyl, 224hp (China-only)
530i - 2.0-litre B48 4-cyl, 252hp, 350Nm
540i – 3.0-litre B58 6-cyl, 340hp, 450Nm
M550i xDrive – 4.4-litre N63 V8, 462hp, 650Nm
Petrol PHEV
530e – 2.0-litre B48 4-cyl, 252hp, 420Nm
Diesel
520d – 2.0-litre B47 4-cyl, 190hp, 400Nm
525d – 2.0-litre B47 4-cyl, 231hp, 500Nm
530d – 3.0-litre B57 6-cyl, 265hp, 620Nm
540d xDrive – 3.0-litre B57 6-cyl, 320hp, 680Nm
M550d xDrive – 3.0-litre B57 6-cyl, 400hp, 760Nm


2022 Facelift Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Launched - Priced from RM150k

Edaran Tan Chong Motor launches the facelift 2022 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid, from RM150k

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), the official distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, has launched the
2022 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid
. The 2022 MPV is a facelift version of the C27 Serena, which debuted in Japan
a few years ago
.

Updated with more premium styling and enhanced safety features, the bulk of the updates for the MPV comprise its safety features, exterior looks and infotainment system.

Variants and Prices

The 2022 Serena S-Hybrid is available in two variants, the 2.0L Highway Star and the 2.0L Premium Highway Star. Both variants come with the same 2.0-litre Twin CVTC hybrid drivetrain with Energy Control Motor (ECO) but with different levels of kit.

2.0L Highway Star -
RM149,888
 (OTR w/o insurance)

2.0L Premium Highway Star -
RM162,888
 (OTR w/o insurance)

Exterior 2022 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid

While the shell has
not really changed much
, there's a refreshed look to the 2022 Serena, thanks mainly to the inclusion of the 'Majestic Chrome Nissan V-motion front grille', which stretches from the headlight area all the way down to the centre intake.

There are also redesigned headlamps, featuring bi-LED lights as well as positioning lights at the brow area. The rear lights have also been given a refresh, featuring a set of curvaceous taillights that help make the car look wider.

ETCM were also keen to point out that the MPV has a new wheelhouse sound-absorbing liner, which has helped make the cabin quieter. Speaking of wheelhouse, the wheels on the base model are silver-coloured 15-inch alloys, while the top variant gets 16-inch alloys finished in black.

The top-spec also gets the
black roof as standard
, while the base model comes with a roof that has the same colour as the body.

The Premium Highway Star variant also comes with hands-free dual power sliding doors, which allows you to open the side doors hands-free.

2022 Nissan Serena Interior

As we mentioned before, the main updates given to the Serena are primarily on the outside and its safety features, but there are some subtle changes on the inside that make it more premium.

As before, the base model gets fabric seats, but what's new in the 2022 Serena S-Hybrid are Nappa quilted leather seats in the top variant. This adds a sense of luxury to the interior, especially when the Nappa leather covers Nissan's famed Zero Gravity seats.

The biggest update however is the bump up in screen size for the infotainment system, going from 6.75-inch to 9-inches. The rear entertainment monitor for rear passengers has also increased in size, moving from a 10-inch unit to an 11.6-inch unit. The base model however gets a 6.75-inch infotainment screen without the rear entertainment unit.

Other noticeable interior features include:

7 USB ports.

7-inch digital speedometer.

Dual-zone auto climate control.

Flat bottom leather steering wheel.

Safety

One of the biggest updates to the Serena is its list of safety gear regardless of variants. All 2022 Serena's now come with:

Forward Collision Warning

Forward Emergency Braking

Blind Spot Monitoring

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

Lane Departure Warning

360 view camera

Moving Object Detection Warning

Driver Attention Warning

6 airbags

ABS, EBD, BA, TCS and vehicle dynamic control

Powertrain

Firepower comes in the same 2.0-litre Twin CVTC hybrid drivetrain with Energy Control Motor (ECO) for improved performance as well as fuel efficiency. This power unit for the Nissan Serena produces
150PS
 at 6,000rpm and
200Nm
 of torque at 4,400rpm with a fuel consumption rate of 14.2km/l (NEDC).

Colours

The Premium Highway Star can be had in Dark Metal Grey, Brilliant White, Radiant Red and Diamond Black while the Highway Star can be had in Brilliant White, Tungsten Silver and Diamond Black

Warranty

All 2022 Nissan Serena's come with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.


Toyota Organizes Esport Racing Weekend, RM60,000 In Cash Prizes

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, the main distributor and assembler of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia today announced its involvement into the world of Esports, a first of its kind by a Malaysian car company!
The company’s first move into the electronic sports is the upcoming
Toyota Velocity Esports Championship
, the biggest national racing event in Malaysia, which will be held at the Sunway Pyramid Blue Atrium from the 21st to 23rd of September.
Those who are interested to become Malaysia’s quickest and fastest racing simulator driver are welcome to participate for free.  Entries are open for up to 400 participants who hold Malaysian citizenship or residency status.
Successful applicants will be racing in PlayStation’s Gran Turismo Sport game. To qualify for the qualifying race of 20 finalists, players will be required to set their fastest lap time in a 30-minute duration using the
Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept
 at the legendary Suzuka Circuit.
The winner of the 10-lap grand final race that consists of the finalist from the qualifying race will receive a grand prize money of RM20,000! Second and third will be rewarded with RM10,000 and RM5,000 respectively.
“At Toyota, we always have our youth in mind. The Esports is on a steep upward curve and has the potential to become one of the top five sports in the world. This rapidly-rising industry is a new and exciting experience especially for the younger generation and with that being said, we at Toyota would like to be at the forefront of this Championship Series,” said Mr. Ravindran K., President of UMWT.
To register and select your qualifying time slot, visit
https://toyotavelocity.com/register/
. The overall
event format and vehicle driving parameters
 are also listed in here. Start practising now as you only have less than four weeks to go!


Our Pursuit Of Power Is Killing The Manual Transmission, Says Boss Of BMW M

Power corrupts. And that seems to be slowly encroaching on the arms race for out and out power, and the rewarding finesse that’s only attainable through a manual gearbox. The way it's looking, BMW's future M cars could go auto-only, and we might be partly to blame.
At least that, in part, is what Frank van Meel, head of
BMW
’s M division, had to say on the matter. There are several factors that are contributing to the decline of the manual, according to a report on
Autocar
. A decline that might lead to it's eventual death.
Van Meel told motoring magazine, “From a technical standpoint, the future doesn’t look bright for manual gearboxes. The DCT and auto ’boxes are faster and they have better fuel consumption.”
Paddle shifters instead of a gear knob. New standard?
Slumping sales figure in comparison to the BMW’s own DCT dual-clutch and automatic gearboxes are also heading the argument against a manual option. It is particularly true for other manufacturers that cater to larger volumes as it makes more financial sense to offer just one transmission type - an automatic - rather than making room in their costs for a manual.
"It’s difficult to say if we’ll stick to the manual, but we still have a big fan community for manuals and we are not going to take away something the customer wants to have,” van Meel continued.
Endangered species: A clutch and a centre-mounted shifter.
There are also technical constraints that factor into the reliability tolerances of a manual transmission. More power and torque leads to a higher chance of a gearbox failure within a shorter timeframe.
Van Meel also spoke of an internal power cap within the engineers at BMW M to roughly 600hp: “For now, 600bhp is the most you can get in an M car,” he revealed to Autocar. “We’re at the limit. If you go on adding more horsepower and torque, it’d probably be over the limits,” Whether the cap only applies to what their own manual gearboxes can tolerate or includes their automatic offerings as well is up for speculation.
Built to celebrate the M5’s 30
th
 anniversary, the 30 Jahre
M5
 (above) had a power output of exactly 600hp (coincidence?), which is a 40hp and 22Nm jump over the standard car. BMW produced just 29 examples of the car for purchase.
With that cap in place, however unofficially, BMW will reportedly leverage the lightweight composite technology it had developed for cars like the i3 and i8, trickling down those innovations to its next generation of M vehicles.
The future generations of the BMW M3 and M4 do have some room to grow as, currently, their 3.0-litre straight-six engines produce 425hp. Perhaps, in addition to the lighter materials, BMW could alternatively add power by offering an electric motor set-up to provide direct drive the wheels, circumventing the transmission altogether, and possibly even creating an all-wheel drive M car.
We'll just have to wait and see.


Experience the MINI Cooper SE, one of the most fun-to-drive EVs out there, at RHB Drive Premium & EV Roadshow at Bukit Jalil this weekend!

The 2023 MINI Cooper S Electric (Cooper SE) is a trendy electric vehicle that combines style, iconic design, and enjoyable driving experience, and there's no perfect opportunity to explore the Cooper SE than at the
RHB DRIVE Premium & EV Roadshow
 happening this weekend!

Designed for urban environments and catering to an active lifestyle, it now comes with an electrified powertrain. With a starting price of RM 191,546, the Cooper SE provides an accessible entry into the MINI brand and is one of the most budget-friendly electric vehicles available in the Malaysian market currently.

The Cooper SE starts with its electric propulsion system, featuring a single electric motor positioned on the front axle. This motor generates 184 PS of power and 270 Nm of torque, providing the Cooper SE with impressive acceleration. It can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 150 km/h. These performance figures are comparable to those of the internal-combustion Cooper S variant, but without the need to visit a gas station.

The powertrain is fueled by a unique 12-module 'T-shaped' battery, which offers a maximum usable capacity of 28.9 kWh. With a full charge, the Cooper SE can travel up to 232 km according to the WLTP rating. This ensures that you have more than enough range to meet all your mobility needs.

Inside the Cooper SE, the timeless MINI dashboard design receives a contemporary upgrade. This includes a revamped three-spoke steering wheel with integrated buttons and redesigned AC vents. The centerpiece is the MINI Navigation 8.8-inch touchscreen, which now features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, adding a modern touch to the interior.

Despite accommodating a compact battery beneath the floor, the Cooper SE doesn't compromise on seating comfort or passenger space. It comfortably seats four passengers and remains agile for navigating city streets. Additionally, the Cooper SE comes equipped with a standard 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a Qi wireless charger for added convenience.

In terms of safety features, the Cooper SE comes with six airbags and a Driving Assistant system that includes standard features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, and Parking Assistant. Furthermore, in a recent update, the Cooper SE now offers additional amenities such as a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and the newly introduced Nanuq White color option.

Experience the Cooper SE up close and personal at the upcoming RHB DRIVE Premium & EV Roadshow this weekend. Discover how you can drive one home with the assistance of RHB Green Financing.

Designed specifically for electric vehicle ownership, RHB Green Financing offers a customized financial solution that sets it apart from traditional fixed rate financing options offered by other banks. With a unique daily rest variable rate hire purchase, you can enjoy competitive interest rates. Moreover, by paying your monthly installments earlier, you can unlock even greater savings.

But the benefits of RHB Green Financing don't end with financing alone. As an added perk, you will also receive a complimentary one-year membership of ChargEV worth RM 240. With careful planning, this membership allows you to potentially enjoy free 'refueling' for an entire year.

Make sure to visit the RHB DRIVE Premium & EV Roadshow from June 2nd to June 4th, 2023, at the Piazza, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, to see the Cooper SE up close. If you want more details,
click here
, or if you'd like to register for a test drive,
click here
.


Safety 360 Campaign by BMW Malaysia Continues at Cooler Lumpur

The Cooler Lumpur festival is an interesting one. It debuted in 2013, and each year it returns with a specific defining theme. The event has always aimed to broaden the city's cultural horizons, build stronger communities, and cultivate the creativity and imagination of people. It's not your average festival, featuring talks and shows that discuss important issues over the course of the weekend. This year's theme is independence- and re-examines what it means to be independent and in control of one's self.
BMW will also be conducting a talk as part of their Safety 360 Campaign that has been going on for the past few weeks. The premium automaker hopes to raise awareness for on-the- road and in-car safety technology and practices among parents and children in collaboration with the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia (PPBM). The event will be held at The Square @ Publika and is open to all families from all over Klang Valley.
Details of the BMW Safety 360° campaign are as follows:
Dates:
 10th & 11th September 2016, Saturday & Sunday
Time:
     11:00AM Arrival & Registration
               11:25AM “Is My Child Safe in the Car?”, Safety Talk by PPBM
               12:05PM Lucky Draw & Trivia Challenge
               12:20PM BMW Child Car Seat Giveaway
               1:00PM Thematic Traffic Safety Children Activities
Venue:
   The Square, Publika Shopping Gallery, 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur


10 Minyak Pelincir Enjin Popular Untuk Kereta Anda – Jenama, Kelebihan Dan Harga

Ada banyak minyak pelincir enjin ditawarkan di pasaran sekarang tetapi tahukah anda bagaimana nak pilih minyak pelincir yang sesuai untuk kereta anda? Kami senaraikan 10 buat pertimbangan anda.

Beli kereta terpakai berkualiti dengan harga paling jujur berserta jaminan 1 tahun di
Carsome.my

Untuk memilih minyak pelincir enjin yang terbaik dan sesuai untuk kereta anda bukanlah perkara yang mudah kerana ia bergantung pada cara pemanduan serta jenis enjin sesebuah kereta juga. Pemilihan minyak enjin yang sesuai akan memaksimumkan prestasi enjin serta memberi perlindungan yang lebih menyeluruh pada enjin.

Memandangkan kami ada kongsikan
perkara penting dalam memilih minyak pelincir yang sesuai
 sebelum ini, kali ini kami akan menyenaraikan beberapa jenama minyak pelincir enjin yang popular di Malaysia berdasarkan jumlah penjualannya di platfrom jual beli online seperti Shopee dan Lazada beserta harga dan kelebihannya.

1. BOLD Semi Synthetic SN 5W-30 Engine Oil Lubricant (4L)

Harga: Sekitar RM60

Bersesuaian dengan semua jenis kereta termasuk model lama

Mencuci dan melindungi enjin di tahap maksimum dan menghalang pembentukan kotoran pada enjin

Dicipta dengan teknologi pembersihan khas sehingga 20% pada enjin

Meminimumkan getaran pada enjin

Sesuai dengan semua jenis pemanduan

2. MIZU Semi Synthetic Lubricant 10W-40 Engine Oil (4L)

Harga: sekitar RM100

Khas untuk kereta keluaran Jepun seperti
Nissan Almera
 dan
Toyota Vios

Juga sesuai untuk enjin kereta buatan Eropah

Membersihkan enjin serta mengurangkan kadar pengumpulan kotoran pada enjin

Memberi ketahanan serta jangka hayat yang lebih panjang pada enjin

Memudahkan enjin untuk dihidupkan ketika dalam keadaan sejuk

Beli
Nissan Almera
&
Toyota Vios
 terpakai berkualiti dengan harga paling jujur berserta jaminan 1 tahun di Carsome.my

3. SEIKI Mineral Engine Oil 10W-30 (3L)

Harga: RM50

Sesuai untuk kereta kecil seperti Perodua Kancil, Kenari, Kelisa dan Viva

Juga sesuai untuk kereta baharu dan lama

Memberikan perlindungan menyeluruh, termasuk ketika dalam pemanduan yang panjang serta dalam suhu tinggi

Membantu membuatkan enjin anda beroperasi seperti baharu

Membersihkan enjin dan menghalang pengumpulan kotoran pada enjin

Beli kereta Perodua terpakai berkualiti dengan harga paling jujur berserta jaminan 1 tahun di
Carsome.my

4. CASTROL Magnatec 10W-40 SN/CF Semi Synthetic Engine Oil (4L)

Harga: RM160

Sesuai untuk kereta keluaran tempatan

Digabungkan dengan teknologi sintetik untuk memberikan perlindungan yang lebih tinggi pada aplikasi suhu tinggi dan rendah

Memberi perlindungan berterusan untuk semua keadaan, gaya dan suhu pemanduan

Sesuai digunakan dalam enjin petrol, diesel dan bahan bakar alternatif (CNG, NGV, LPG) di mana pengeluar mengesyorkan API SN/ CF atau pelincir 10W-40

Mengurangkan kehausan enjin

5. PETRONAS Syntium 10W-40 Semi Synthetic 800 SN/CF Engine Oil (4L)

Harga: RM138

Direka dengan Teknologi CoolTech untuk melawan panas enjin yang berlebihan

Mensasarkan zon panas kritikal pada bahagian enjin yang dipengaruhi oleh haba berlebihan di dalam enjin untuk menyerap & memindahkan haba berlebihan secara berkesan dan mengatur suhu, mempertahankan komponen kritikal enjin dari kerosakan dan kehilangan prestasi

Disyorkan untuk digunakan dalam semua jenis kereta penumpang dan model kereta berprestasi tinggi, model terbaharu yang dilengkapi dengan suntikan bahan bakar, multi-injap,
pengecas turbo atau supercharger
 yang beroperasi dalam keadaan yang paling ekstrem

Cekap dalam mengawal kotoran untuk memberikan pemanduan yang terbaik dan lancar

Sesuai bagi mereka yang kerap memandu

6. PERODUA Fully Synthetic SAE 0W-20 Engine Oil (4L)

Harga: Sekitar RM110

Sesuai untuk kereta ekonomi seperti Axia dan Bezza

Memberi perlindungan luar biasa pada semua suhu enjin

Enjin lebih tahan daripada haus semasa cold-start

Memberikan penjimatan
bahan api
 kepada kereta

Mempunyai kestabilan haba dan pengoksidan yang baik untuk tempoh penggunaan lebih lama

Beli kereta
Axia
 &
Bezza
 terpakai berkualiti dengan harga paling jujur berserta jaminan 1 tahun di Carsome.my

7. HONDA SN 0W-30 Engine Oil Full Synthetic (4L)

Harga: Sekitar RM180

Sesuai untuk semua kereta keluaran
Honda

Menerima kelulusan daripada bahagian Honda Research & Development (R&D) di Jepun

Mempunyai bahan aditif untuk membersih dan melindungi enjin

Membuatkan enjin kereta beroperasi dengan lebih senyap dan lancar

Memberi ketahanan supaya enjin tahan lebih lama

Beli Honda terpakai berkualiti dengan harga paling jujur berserta jaminan 1 tahun di
Carsome.my

8. LIQUI MOLY MOS2 10W-40 Semi Synthetic Engine Oil (4L)

Harga: RM189

Minyak dengan kelikatan separa sintetik untuk pemandu yang mementingkan kos

Mempunyai kelikatan dan kematangan yang stabil dan sesuai untuk enjin petrol dan diesel tanpa gas turbocharging serta caj penyejukan udara.

Bertindak dengan baik dalam suhu rendah

Menghasilkan geseran minimum semasa pemanduan harian bagi memastikan jangka hayat enjin lebih lama

Mengurangkan penggunaan bahan api kereta

9. VALVOLINE Synpower 5W-40 Full Synthetic Engine Oil (4L)

Harga: sekitar RM240

Minyak jenis sintetik penuh berkualiti premium yang diformulasikan untuk prestasi dan perlindungan terbaik dalam semua keadaan

Direka untuk memenuhi standard terkini pengeluar enjin terkemuka

Bahan aditif anti-haus yang inovatif membantu mengurangkan haus pada enjin

Mempunyai bahan pencuci untuk mengurangkan kotoran pada enjin

Mempunyai kestabilan haba dan pengoksidan yang baik

Mengalir dengan mudah pada suhu rendah untuk melindungi enjin ketika cold-start

Sesuai untuk perjalanan dengan kerap

10. BOSCH Premium X7 5W-30 Fully Synthetic Engine Oil (4L)

Harga: Sekitar RM240

Disyorkan untuk kereta sedan premium serta trak ringan yang menggunakan enjin petrol atau bahan bakar alternatif (CNG, NGV, LPG)

Sesuai dengan semua jenis suhu serta cara pemanduan

Mempunyai kestabilan haba dan pengoksidan yang baik membuatkan enjin lebih tahan

Membersihkan enjin dan memberi perlindungan menyeluruh melalui teknologi yang ada pada minyak ini

Menjimatkan penggunaan bahan api

Berikut merupakan antara 10 jenama minyak pelincir enjin popular yang boleh anda dapatkan di pasaran sekarang mengikut kelebihan serta kesesuaian dengan kereta. Harga yang diletakkan adalah dirujuk daripada platform jual beli dalam talian. Harga minyak tersebut mungkin sedikit berbeza mengikut kedai.

Yang paling penting, pastikan anda merujuk buku manual yang diberikan oleh pengeluar untuk mengetahui tahap kelikatan minyak pelincir yang disyorkan untuk kereta anda sebelum membuat pilihan.

Beli kereta terpakai berkualiti dengan harga paling jujur berserta jaminan 1 tahun di
Carsome.my


Paris 2018: Porsche Will Build 1,948 Of These 911 Speedsters

As is the way with Porsche, there will be a limited run of the recently unveiled 911 Speedster Concept that makes it into production. The magic number is 1,948, which is significant for the fact that the original Porsche 356 Speedster received its operating license back on June 8th, 1948 - 70 years before the unveiling of this new concept back in June. The second study of the model was brought to the Paris Motor Show, completed in an alluring Guards Red.

Production for the all-new model is slated to start in 2019, being a development between Porsche Motorsport, Style Porsche, and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. Based on the 991 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, this will be the first model to have the Heritage Design Package on offer.
A number of elements on this model are inspired by racing components on the original Speedster, but the most iconic element of all is the fact that it's a fixed open-top two-seater vehicle. More modern elements would be items like the 21-inch centre-lock cross spoke wheels, along with the carbon fibre body panels that were lifted from a 991 GT3.
The engine is no regular Carrera engine either, being a naturally-aspirated flat-six with a redline of 9,000 rpm, an output of over 500 hp, a titanium exhaust system, and a 6-speed manual gearbox. It's clear to see why Porsche Motorsport still has a hand in developing this unique model.


Honda: The All-New Jazz ‘e’ Hybrid Will Be The Most Comfortable Car In Its Class

As if there isn’t enough to get excited about the all-new
fourth-generation Honda Jazz
, the company has now claimed that the Jazz E (Hybrid) model will be the most spacious and comfortable vehicle in its class.

Building on the Jazz’s familiar trademarks, engineers and designers “considered all elements of the car as one development team, decisions impacting structure, design and ergonomics were made simultaneously, resulting in class-leading levels of comfort and spaciousness”.

Central to achieving this is Honda’s newly developed body stabilising seat frame with supportive mat structure. The new front seat mat structure is placed at both the bottom and back of the seat and replaces the S-spring design of previous models.

The introduction of a wider seat bottom has allowed the seat pad depth to be increased by 30mm with the additional softness immediately noticeable when seated. This new structure combined with the increased padding allows the cushion to flex moderately but, crucially, not to ‘bottom out’ in cases where the car goes over big bumps in the road.

At the back, the structure of the back seat has been designed to increase lumbar and pelvic support to create a body stabilising effect. This helps prevent fatigue on longer journeys and helps retain a stable posture on uneven road surfaces. Honda engineers also repositioned the seat hinges outside of the rear seatback frame, to improve the comfort of the seat pad. Elsewhere, the seat frame pipes have been repositioned to an increased padding thickness of 24mm.

The newly designed seats are tapered towards the top of the seatback to provide the cushion volume needed to fully support and envelop occupants’ backs. This tapering design also provides a wider space between the front seats making it easier for front and rear occupants to communicate.

The lowest point of the seat height is also 14mm closer to the ground (and two degrees more upright than in the previous model), which, combined with more rounded front corner cushions, improves shoulder to seat separation and makes it easier to enter and exit the car.

Honda have also paid special attention to the ergonomics of the Jazz, to this end, they have repositioned the brake pedal deeper inside the footwell for more comfortable pedal operation. In addition, for the Hybrid model, the fuel tank is packaged in the centre of the chassis beneath the front seats – a unique feature in its class – allowing the new Jazz to retain the versatile rear “Magic Seats” that offer both ‘fold-flat’ or ‘flip-up’ seat flexibility, depending on cargo space requirements.

The Jazz E hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine but now combines two electric motors and a small battery to deliver 108 bhp. However, the new model does away with the talented i-DCD dual-clutch transmission, in favour of a single-fixed ratio automatic that is claimed to be smaller than the company’s CVT-type transmission and offers smooth, seamless acceleration.

While the local introduction of the fourth-generation Jazz will still take some time, and there is no confirmation at this point that the hybrid variant will make its way here, we can still expect some of the aforementioned features to be included in the non-hybrid models as well – building on the Jazz’s trademark space, practicality, and occupant comfort.


2016 BMW 7 Series (G11/G12) – 730Li, 740Li arrives in Malaysia from RM600k onwards

The sixth generation
BMW
 flagship, the all-new G11/G12
BMW 7 Series
, is officially launched in Malaysia, available in two variants boasting turbocharged petrol engines, carbon fibre-infused chassis, and a host of other innovations as the Bavarians ready themselves for another slugfest against the all-conquering
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
.

Timing of the all-new 7 Series’ launch in Malaysia also happily coincides with the BMW Group’s centenary year – an occasion which local subsidiary BMW Group Malaysia plans to mark with celebratory events at various customer touchpoints across the country.

Mr. Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “We are kickstarting our celebrations this year by introducing our first car for the year 2016, the all-new BMW 7 Series with a special 100th Year Anniversary Celebrations pricing which is only limited to the cars registered within the year.”

The said 100
th
 anniversary pricing is a RM100,000 reduction to the vehicle’s on-the-road prices.

Built on an all-new modular longitudinal engine platform incorporating many trickle down technologies from the
i
 division, the all-new 7 Series is available to Malaysian customers in two petrol-powered long wheelbase variants (G12):

730Li: RM698,800 (100
th
 anniversary celebration pricing – RM598,800)

740Li: RM888,800 (100
th
 anniversary celebration pricing – RM788,800)

Prices quoted are on-the-road excluding insurance, but inclusive of a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, five-year free maintenance, and
BMW’s Tyre Warranty Programme
.

For the first time ever, BMW is allowing a four-cylinder engine to drive the 7 Series. Both the 730Li and 740Li are powered by BMW’s latest generation modular engines sized to displace 500cc per cylinder. The consumer’s choice is between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre six-cylinder, both boosted by twin-scroll turbocharging and fitted with ZF’s 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission as standard.

730Li: 2.0-litre, 4-cyl (B48) – 258hp, 400Nm, 0-100km/h – 6.3 secs, 5.8 l/100km, 134 g/km CO
2

740Li: 3.0-litre, 6-cyl (B58) – 326hp, 450Nm, 0-100km/h – 5.5 secs, 6.6 l/100km, 154 g/km CO
2

Neither engines are carryover units from the
outgoing F01 model
. Despite making identical outputs from the same displacement, the current 740Li’s straight six manages to be 16% more efficient than
the predecessor engine
. It is, in fact, marginally more efficient than even the outgoing ActiveHybrid 7, which it also outpaces to 100km/h.

The 730Li enjoys even starker improvement in performance. Compared to the naturally-aspirated 3.0-litre engine of the
previous 730Li
, the new 2.0-litre unit access to 29% more torque yet is 33% more efficient.

Key Innovations

In a determined bid to usurp the S-Class’ supremacy in the segment, BMW has armed the G11/G12 7 Series to the teeth with a wide range of technology and innovations.

Carbon Core body
: A mix of carbon fibre reinforced plastic, aluminium, high-strength steel, and magnesium provide the G11 an exceptionally tough yet light weight superstructure.

Executive Drive Pro (740Li only):
Electromechanically-controlled active roll stabilization, enables the 740Li to anticipate road conditions and adjust its suspension to best adapt to conditions.

iDrive with Gesture Control and touchscreen:
 Hand motions can be used to access functions such as volume control and telephone answering.

BMW Touch Command control unit:
A removable 7-inch tablet from the rear centre armrest to access all comfort and entertainment functions.

Panoramic Sky Lounge glass roof (740Li only):
 15,000 LEDs embedded within glass panel of panoramic roof.

BMW Display Key:
 Integrated mini touchscreen on key fob allows checking of fuel level, door lock, windows, service prompts, date & time, and climate control.

Driving Assistant Plus:
 Operational up to 210 km/h, watches out for collisions from four directions and implements active directional control intervention.

Laser headlights (740Li only):
 Twice the range of LED headlights, with high beam range of 600m.

Overview of Variants

Other key features in the G11 BMW 7 Series, starting with the 730Li, are as follows:

Design Pure Excellence exterior trim

19-inch rims: 245/45 front, 275/40 rear

‘Dakota’ leather upholstery

Heads-up display

Front & rear parking sensors (Park Distance Control) with visual display

360-degree camera

Adaptive LED headlights

Comfort rear seats with electric adjustment and massage function

Multifunction instrument panel

Panoramic glass roof

Paddle Shifters

Keyless comfort access, handsfree boot opening and closing

2 USB connections, 2-device Bluetooth pairing

205W Loudspeaker HiFi

Navigation System Professional with 10.25” touch display

Rear seat entertainment with two 10” monitors

The 740Li, for an extra RM190,000, upgrades to include the following:

Design Pure Excellence exterior and interior trim

‘Nappa’ leather upholstery

Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function

Laser Headlights

Comfort front & rear seats

Panorama Sky Lounge glass roof

Harmon Kardon surround sound 600W

BMW hosted us at the G11/G12’s international media drive at Portugal last year. Follow the links below to revisit our pre-launch coverage of the model:

All-new BMW 7 Series (G11) Makes Global Debut

Live From Portugal Global Launch of the All-New 2016 BMW 7 Series (G11/G12)

10 Things You Should Know About the New 2016 BMW 7 Series (G11/G12)

2016 BMW 7 Series (G11/G12) Quick Review in Portugal – One for the Drivers in Us


Shanghai 2019: Aston Martin Premieres Its First Ever Electric Model, The Rapide E

Aston Martin Lagonda has revealed the final production-ready version of its first all-electric production car, the Rapide E at the Auto Shanghai motor show.
The Rapide E, which represents Aston Martin’s first step towards its wider electrification strategy and also the fruition of Lagonda, the brand’s zero-emission sub-brand, will be built at Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art St Athan production facility, which is now the brand’s “Home of Electrification”.
Limited to just 155 units, the Rapide E, which was developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), is powered by an 800 V electrical architecture battery encased in a carbon fibre and Kevlar casing.
The 65 kWh battery pack, which lies where the original Rapide’s 6.0-litre V12 engine, gearbox and fuel tank were located, powers two rear mounted electric motors producing a combined target output of just over 610 PS and 950 Nm of torque.
The rear-wheel drive Rapide E’s twin electric motors also drive through a Limited-Slip Differential, which combined with revised spring and damper rates, retain the same handling characteristics of the petrol-powered Rapide AMR.
Capable of covering about 320 km with a single charge, a one hour charge using a standard 400 V, 50 kW charger is enough for a 300 km range. Using a 800 V outlet and 100 kW charger however, will cut the charging time by half.
Capable of achieving a top speed of 249 km/h, the Rapide does the century sprint under 4.0-seconds, and goes from 80 to 120 km/h in just 1.5 seconds.
These figures are not restricted to a narrow window of battery charge or climatic conditions, instead, thanks to the 800 V architecture, the Rapide E will deliver its performance in a consistent and repeatable way.
According to Aston Martin, the car is even able to drive a full lap of the Nürburgring with no performance derating of the battery or the motors.
On the exterior, key features include a generous dose of carbon fiber, traditional metal vanes which give way to the striking honeycomb front grille, a re-designed more streamlined underfloor, a new, larger rear diffuser, forged aluminium aerodynamic wheels, and bespoke low rolling-resistance Pirelli P-Zero tyres.
Inside, gone are the analogue displays of the past, replaced by a 10-inch digital display which provides key information including the battery’s state of charge, current motor power levels, regenerative performance, and a real-time energy consumption meter.
Extending the experience beyond the car, a dedicated app allows key information from the car to be remotely monitored.
The car’s parking spot can also be seen via the app, with walking directions provided to help re-locate it in busy locations.
Finally, the health and status of Rapide E can also be tracked from the app, providing reminders such as when a key service is due.


BMW 5 Series goes electric with i5 - M60 armed with 620PS and 1,100Nm

BMW has provided additional information on their new BMW i5, which will be unveiled alongside the next generation G60 5 Series. Coincidentally, Mercedes-Benz has also released full details on their new W214 E-Class Sedan.

Munich, meanwhile, isn’t quite as ready to pull the covers off the new 5, and have instead elected to drip feed some extra details of its fully electric variant ahead of its full premiere scheduled for May 24th, confirming that there will be two powertrain options: eDrive40 and M60 xDrive.

However, there may be potential for additional options such as eDrive35 and eDrive50 in the future. While there is no information yet on power outputs, the eDrive40 and M60 could have the same motor setups as the BMW iX SUV, which would mean 326 PS and 630 Nm of torque for the eDrive40 and 619 PS with 1,100 Nm of torque for the M60.

BMW has disclosed the average energy consumption figures for their two powertrain options. The eDrive40 variant has an energy consumption of 19.7-16.0 kWh/100 km, while the M60 is more energy-intensive with a consumption of 21.2-17.9 kWh/100 km.

Additionally, BMW has announced that both the i5 and the next generation 5 Series will debut a new adaptive damper system, which has not been implemented in any other BMW vehicle. This 9th generation Vertical Dynamics Management system is called the Adaptive Suspension Professional option and calculates damping forces based on real-time physical data instead of relying on mathematical models like previous systems.

Whether the i5 be under consideration for those cross-shopping between cars like the Tesla Model S (which might be landing on our shores this year) is hard to say, but we will surely see some rivalry with the Mercedes-Benz EQE which was launched here in December 2022.

Apart from the i5, the ‘regular’ flavour 5 Series variants will also offered, expected to make up the bulk of the model’s overall sales. While the typical turbo-petrol and turbodiesel versions are also due to be detailed come late May, it will be interesting to see how the M5 formula might change as a result of this heavier focus on electrification.

The likeliest move by the brand would be to utilise a smaller M engine, such as the inline-6 cylinder unit in the M2 and M3, instead of a 4.4-litre V8 used in the past 2 generations of M5. Coupled with a beefy electric motor, it’ll surely boast more raw power and torque than the existing car at the expense of weight.


Geneva 2017: Subaru to Debut New XV Crossover

Subaru today announced that the all-new Subaru XV will make its world debut at the upcoming 87th Geneva International Motor Show on the 7th of March. A teaser image, featuring the silhouette of the vehicle now takes center stage.
A
special site
 for the all-new Subaru XV goes live today too, which includes a countdown to when the car will finally be revealed on the Geneva Motor Show’s press day. The site also will feature information updates leading up to Geneva and the following press conference.
Subaru rolled out the XV Concept at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show, which embodied Subaru's next-generation ‘Dynamic X Solid’ design philosophy in a compact crossover model.
The front, sides and rear are joined in the ‘Dynamic X Solid’ surface structure, creating a three-dimensional and solid body that is a new feature of Subaru styling. Prominent feature lines along the flanks, which accentuate the concept model’s dynamism. The rear combination lights share the same motif as the headlights, extended rearwards from the chunky shoulder lines.
Overall, the XV Concept measures 4,520mm in length, 1,920mm in height and 1,570mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2670mm.This makes the concept vehicle 70mm longer, 140mm wider and 45mm lower than the outgoing model, crucially the wheelbase is also 35mm longer – it remains to be seen if the production vehicle will maintain those dimensions.
Separately, U.K. based
AutoExpress
 reports that the all-new XV will maintain its horizontally-opposed boxer engine layout and that drivetrain electrification remains on the cards, alongside the typical petrol and diesel engines. The XV will also maintain its All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) drivetrain, central to the XV’s product lineage.
The all-new XV is expected to go on sale in some markets later this year.


Barbie Embraces The EV Movement - Showcases Barbie Extra Convertible EV At LA Auto Show

Because it's difficult to tell an ICE car from a BEV in die-cast model form, Mattel went all-out at Los Angeles Auto Show and showcased the Barbie Extra Convertible, life-sized and in BEV form!

Underpinned by a
Fiat
 500e, Mattel informs us that the team behind it is comprised of "world-class designers and engineers, many of whom have worked at OEMs around the world."

The Barbie Extra Convertible EV was designed by Judy Choi, Mattel Manager of Product Design and features colorful wheels, a pink and white interior, a pet pool in the trunk and wing-inspired doors - now how's that for style?

The project took two and a half months to complete.

The
Fiat 500
e upon which the Barbie Convertible EV sits has an all-electric range between 185km to 320km depending on the battery size that ranges from 24kWh to 42kWh. It pumps out 83kW (113hp) with a maximum 200Nm of torque. It hits the century mark in 9.3 seconds. Nothing too impressive or ground-breaking as far as EV's go but a step in the right direction for Barbie and Co.

For now, the Barbie Convertible EV remains a prototype. There has been no announcement by Mattel or Fiat regarding a joint venture around building and selling this EV but looking at the buzz it has garnered a business case study might be in the making.

Whilst more a publicity stunt than anything, it is a subtle way of exposing young children/ fans of Barbie to the concept of
EVs
 as well as making Auto Show's perhaps a little more child-friendly. Well done Mattel!

Will we be seeing EVs in X-Men next? Or maybe Transformers? Or better still Paw Patrol?

*Life-sized images of the Barbie Extra Convertible EV credit Carbuzz


BMW Unleashes First Ever M8, 4 Variants With Up To 625 hp

After countless teasers and leaked images, the folks at Munich have finally taken the wraps off the first-ever M8.
All set to make its global debut at BMW’s #NextGen event in Munich later this month, the M8 comes in four variants – M8 Coupe, M8 Convertible, and the more powerful M8 Competition as well as M8 Competition Convertible.
Powering the M8 and M8 Competition is a more powerful version of the 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8 engine found under the hood of the
regular 8 Series
, which is paired to an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission, a rear-biased xDrive all-wheel drive system, as well as an Active M Differential.
While the engine produces 600 hp and 750 Nm in the M8, the M8 Competition variants get even more power – 625 hp and 750 Nm to be exact.
Despite producing the same amount of maximum torque, the M8 Competition models sustain the 750 Nm from 1,800 rpm to 5,800 rpm, which is 200 rpm more compared to the regular M8 torque curve which drops at 5,600 rpm.
The Competition variants also get stiffer engine mounting, standard M Sport exhaust system (optional for base M8), as well as a more performance oriented chassis tuning.
Thanks to the powertrain package, the M8 and M8 Convertible are able to do the century sprint in 3.3 and 3.4 seconds respectively. The M8 Competition and M8 Competition Convertible on the other hand, are able to do the same in 3.2 and 3.3 seconds respectively.
Drivers can choose between three modes - 4WD, 4WD Sport, and also 2WD, a pure rear-wheel drive mode which comes into play when the Driving Stability (DSC) is deactivated.
The DSC system also hooks up with the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and the Active M Differential, and offers the M Dynamic mode.
This mode allows a greater degree of wheel slip and combines with the M xDrive system’s rear-biased setup to deliver an exceptionally sporty drive complete with controlled drifts through corners.
All M8 variants get M-specific adaptive suspension with electronically controlled dampers, an electro-mechanical M Servotronic steering, as well as 20-inch M-light-alloy wheels with a twin-spoke design.
M compound brakes are standard, but there are also M carbon ceramic brakes offered as an option. Also available for the first time is the Integrated Braking system with configurable brake pedal feel, on top of being able to choose between Comfort and Sport brake modes.
On the exterior, key features of the M8 include the double-bubble carbon fiber-reinforced plastic roof, Black Chrome kidney grilles, as well as 20-inch wheels with twin-spoke design for the base M8 and star-spoke design for the Competition models.
Inside, the M8 comes with newly developed sports leather seats with perforated 3D quilting, Merino leather upholstery in two colour options, red accents on the steering wheel and the the centre console, a newly designed gear lever with integrated “waterfall” lighting, and a generous dose of carbon fiber trim.
Other standard equipment include M-specific displays in the instrument cluster, a
new control system
 which allows drivers to customise engine, brake, steering, suspension, and xDrive settings, the latest version of BMW Live Cockpit Pro instrument panel, as well as the new M Mode button to alter the available drive assistance systems.
With the M Mode button, the driver can select between Road and Sport modes with their own style of display. The Competition models on the other hand, get an additional Track mode.
Looking for a new BMW? Get the best deals
here
.


D-Segment Battle: VW Passat 2.0 R-Line VS Honda Accord 1.5 TC-P VS Toyota Camry 2.5V

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has just announced that the new Passat R-Line is now open for booking, making things a bit more exciting and competitive in the dying D-segment. But how does it fare against the kings of the segment like the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord?

In order to find out, let us put these models next to each other and compare what they have to offer.

Price: Winner - Honda Accord 1.5 TC-P

While the Volkswagen Passat R-Line is priced between RM200,000 and RM210,000 minus SST, the Toyota Camry (there is only one variant) asks for RM188,763 without SST.

The Honda Accord 1.5 TC-P on the other hand, is priced at RM187,754. So, if your decision is going to be purely based on price, the Accord wins here.

However, do keep in mind that the
Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance
 is only RM181,856 minus SST. Only the R-Line model is a bit mahal. So, technically, the Passat is both the cheapest and the priciest compared to the Accord and the Camry.

Performance: Winner - VW Passat R-Line

Powering the Passat R-Line is a 2.0 litre turbocharged TSI engine with an output of 190PS and 320Nm of torque, mated to the 7-speed wet-clutch DSG transmission, which is the exact same heart in the Passat Elegance 2.0 TSI.

Between the other two, the
Accord
 trumps the Camry. Not only is the 1.5-litre 4 Cylinder, 16 Valve, DOHC Vtec Turbo (198hp, 260Nm) more potent than the Camry's 2.5-litre 4-cylinder, in-line, 16-valve DOHC with Dual VVT-I and ACIS (181hp, 235Nm), but you will also pay less road tax thanks to Honda's smaller engine displacement.

But, we're just not big fans of CVT transmissions, so the Camry and the Passat do get back some brownie points for having a 6-speed Automatic with Super ECT & Sequential Shifter, and a 7-speed DSG gearbox respectively.

Honda Accord 1.5 TC-P

Toyota Camry 2.5V

VW Passat R-Line

Max power (PS)

198

181

190

Max torque

260

235

320

Transmission

CVT

6-speed auto

7-speed DSG

0 – 100 km/h

9.1 seconds

10.7 seconds

7.7 seconds

Features - Draw

The list of standard features that come with the Passat R-Line includes 19-inch Verona multi-spoke alloy wheels, LED head- and tail lights with sequential indicators,

Inside, the Passat R-Line comes with a thicker flat-bottomed steering wheel, aluminium pedals, black headlining and black Nappa leather upholstery with a carbon fibre-like pattern. In terms of infotainment, the car is fitted with an 11.7-inch digital instrument display, along with the Discover Pro navigation system with a 9.7-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity.

Safety wise, there are six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, stability control, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, a tyre pressure monitoring system and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

The
Accord TC-P
 on the other hand, comes with Automatic LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights, Remote Engine Start, Walk Away Auto Lock, Smart Entry and Push Start, Leather steering wheel, 8-way power-adjustable driver seat, 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat, Wireless Charger, 8-inch Head Unit, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 2 USB Ports, 10 Speakers, and Voice Command.

Taking care of safety are features like the Multi-view Camera System, Cross Traffic Monitor, Smart Parking Assist System, the entire Honda SENSING package (Front Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Watch, Lane Keep Assist System etc), and a Tyre Deflation Warning System.

Even if you don’t pick the higher spec variant, you still get your expected safety features like front, side, and curtain airbags, rear seat ISOFIX, Vehicle Stability Assist, Agile Handling Assist, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, four parking sensors at the front and rear, a rear view camera, and Honda LaneWatch.

Last but not least, we have the
Camry
 which comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes the full suite of advanced driving aids systems - Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Automatic High Beam (AHB). You also get Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), tyre pressure monitor, vehicle stability control (VSC), and seven airbags.

Inside, you get a huge 10-inch full-colour Heads-Up Display and a 9-speaker JBL audio system that also includes a subwoofer, an 8-channel Class-D amplifier providing 800W of power, and Clari-Fi sound processing technology. The leather seats include an 8-way power adjustable, 2-position memory function for the driver.

So there you have it – a quick side-by-side comparison of the new Passat R-Line against the Honda Accord 1.5 TC-P and the Toyota Camry 2.5V which are the most prominent faces of the D-segment.

Overall, all of them have a lot to offer but the question of which one to go for ultimately depends on what you want. Is it Styling? Performance? Safety? Features? or simply the Price?


Diesel Version of the Kia Sportage Makes Malaysian Debut

In addition to the
Sorento HS Turbo Diesel
, Naza Kia Malaysia, the authorised distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia also launched another diesel model today - the Kia Sportage GT Turbo Diesel, joining the Sportage GT Line (RM141,888) and KX Line (RM121,888) petrol variants.
Unlike the Sorento which is powered by a 2.2-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine, the Sportage GT Diesel is powered by a less powerful 2.0-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine which kicks out 185 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Paired with the engine is a six-speed automatic gearbox.
While the petrol-powered Sportage variants are strictly front-wheel driven, the diesel version gets the Dynamax AWD system similar to the Sorento seven-seater SUV.
Capable of covering more than 1,000km with a single full tank of fuel according to Naza Kia, the Sportage GT Diesel does not only come with more power and an AWD system, but also many extras compared to the lower spec petrol versions such as:
HID headlamps
LED DRLs
Ice Cube fog lamps
19-inch wheels
4.2-inch TFT colour LCD meter
Electrochromic rear view mirror
Reverse camera
Dual-zone air conditioning
Leather seats
Powered front seats
Keyless entry with Push Start ignition
Three driving modes
Parking sensors
Cruise control
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Six airbags
Priced at RM159,888 (OTR with insurance), the Kia Sportage 2.0 AWD GT CRDi is available in five colour options - Cherry Black, Mercury Blue, Fiery Red, Snow White Pearl and Mineral Silver, and comes with a five years unlimited mileage warranty.


3 Dashcams That Won't Break The Bank in 2020

We take a look at 3 of the most affordable dashcams on the market in 2020 and why they're great!

If you're looking for the best dash cam for your car, then there is no doubt that the Garmin Dash Cam 66W is the one you want. It has excellent picture quality, speed camera and red light alert, voice command and many other features you'd expect from a premium product.

But not everyone wants or can afford to pay RM1000 for a dashcam. Thankfully you don't have to, cause there are a few dashcams out there that excel at doing what dashcams do best - which is to act as a video black box to capture those crucial moments such as when you get into a collision, which can help serve as evidence either for the police or insurance companies.

Bottom line, who doesn't love bargains, so here are the top 3 dashcams that you can buy in Malaysia without needing to break the bank or having to visit international market places such as Amazon or Ebay.

Veckle Mini 0906 Dual Dash Cam

The days of a sub RM500 dashcam with only a front camera is long gone because the Veckle Mini 0906 dual dash cam comes with a front and rear camera. The best thing about it is, it can be had from as low as
RM430
 if you shop around.

With a front and rear 1080p camera powered by Sony's IMX sensor, you can be sure to catch all important footage clearly. The 0906 also has a trick up its sleeve, called parking mode. The parking mode is quite an excellent feature as it can detect and record any physical movement on the vehicle even when you have left the car unattended. Yes, it will only record in 720p, but at least the Veckle is literally watching your back.

Some have said that the 0906 constantly reboots itself, but it seems a firmware update has fixed this problem. For a 2 channel system with all the features of the Veckle Mini 0906, you would usually need to pay double what it retails for, so the 0906 can be considered somewhat of a bargain.

Sample footage from the Veckle Mini 0906:

Blueskysea B1W

If you think the 0906 is a bit of an overkill for your intended usage, then you can bet on Blueskysea to provide you with the best bang for buck dashcam. For
RM190
, you can't beat the value for money the Blueskysea B1W brings, but then again, don't expect a two-channel type setup like our first example.

It's simple, stealthy, and uses a capacitor design which apparently makes it a bit more durable in a harsh hot climate like ours. Most other dash cams use lithium-ion batteries which can swell in warm weather - ka boom comes to mind. The Wi-Fi on the B1W is also a one-touch button affair and when switched on, it will pair up with an app on your phone where you can tweak its settings.

Sample footage from Blueskysea B1W:

Xiaomi 70MAI 1S

There's no denying that Xiaomi are probably the experts in bringing to market good quality products at incredibly low prices. The China tech firm has a plethora of dashcam offerings, but the most affordable one from their range with good specs is the 70MAI 1S.

With prices starting from
RM169
, the 70MAI 1S is one affordable camera, and if this is your first foray into the dashcam world, this would probably be the best and cheapest way to experience it.

With Sony's image sensor behind the lens, the camera records sharp 1080P footages, and that includes footages at night.  You could also operate the camera by voice command and taking still pictures from the camera is as easy as telling the camera to do so.

Sample footage from Xiaomi 70MAI 1S:


Sections Of Sungai Gombak Bridge Open To Ease Congestion

The new Sungai Gombak bridge that links Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Kuching will be opened
in several parts
 to road users starting from June 1.
Despite it only being operational on a single route direction (Cheras-bound), as Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib revealed to Bernama, it is expect that it will reduce traffic congestion in the country’s most populous city, particularly around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
"This project has become a necessity to reduce congestion at Jalan Raja Laut and the signalised intersection at Jalan Sultan Ismail," he said.
Datuk Seri Ahmad continued that the Kepong-bound phase of the bridge is still under construction and the full bridge is expected to be completed by mid-2016, approximately three years from when physical work began on the bridge on July 18, 2013.
The fully realized bridge over the Sungai Gombak river will have two dedicated car lanes, one motorcycle lane, and two pedestrian walkways that links Jalan Kuching to the north.
Ahmad Phesal also said that work to improve the sidewalks around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman were also underway and due to be complete in two months’ time.


Volkswagen Malaysia Offers Test Drives To Jakel Mall Visitors

During every week of Ramadan,
Volkswagen
 Malaysia is offering visitors to Jakel Mall the chance to experience and test drive models such as the Polo, Polo Seda, Jetta, and Golf R.
Volkswagen’s Raya campaign also allows for would-be customers to enjoy 0 downpayment and 0 interest on a
Polo Sedan
,
Jetta
,
Passat
, and
Tiguan
 as well as
save up to RM48,000
.
Jakel customers will also be rewarded with Volkswagen Raya packets at any Volkswagen dealership. All that’s requires is to retrieve a brochure from any of the brand ambassadors on hand.
So if you’re around Jakel Mall, be sure to drop by to experience your favourite Volkswagen model and enjoy great offers and savings at the same time.
The Raya test drive event details as follow:
Date: June (26, 27, 28) and July (3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12)
Time: 10.30am – 8.30pm
Location: Jakel Mall, Kuala Lumpur


The Honda Type R Family – Its Origins And A Peek Into The Future Of Honda's Performance Cars

"Why don't you raise your target to 100 horsepower per litre?" That was the question posed by Nobuhiko Kawamoto, President of Honda R&D in 1986, to one Ikuo Kajitani, Large Project Leader of the NCE (New Concept Engine) project that later resulted in the VTEC engine.
At that time, it was commonly believed that it was not possible to produce 100 hp per litre from a naturally aspirated engine. Achieving it on a small capacity engine without compromising driveability makes the task even more difficult.
To overcome this, Kajitani looked to his colleagues from motorcycle engines who had been researching into variable valve timing mechanisms.
Variable valve timing for car engines are nothing new. Alfa Romeo had been using since 1980 in the Alfa Romeo Spider but reliability was poor, performance was average, and Alfa Romeo’s system only worked on the intake side.
Back in his office, Kajitani gathered his 100-plus engineers and broke the news to them - 160 hp from 1.6-litres and 8,000 rpm.
"I have decided I'm going to try. It's an important project, but you don't have to participate if you don't want to,” Kajitani told his staffs, who had mixed feelings about the project but the opportunity presented by Kajitani was too good to pass on.
Three years and many broken test engines later, the Honda B16A DOHC VTEC engine debuted in Japan on 19-April 1989 in the Honda Integra XSi and RSi.
Five months later, on 21-September 1989, the VTEC engine was offered on the Japanese market CRX SiR, and by 1990 – VTEC was adapted for the 3.0-litre V6 in the Honda NSX.
Birth of Type R
The next step in promoting VTEC was to put it inside an equally worthy chassis. The SiR badge wasn’t good enough for Honda and so the Type R name was coined - R for Racing Spirit.
NSX-R
Championship White colour, red Honda emblem, semi-bucket red Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel, rebalanced engine, race-tuned suspension, lightened body - all hallmarks of a Honda Type R, began with the NSX Type R, officially known as the NSX-R. The Japan-only model was launched in November 1992, limited to just 483 units.
The 3.0-litre V6 pushed out a claimed 280 PS at 7,300 rpm, capped by a ‘90s era gentlemen’s agreement among Japanese manufacturers but actual output was closer to 300 PS. Torque was rated at 294 Nm at 5,400 rpm.
Initially, the NSX-R had no air-conditioning, spare wheel, or audio system, and had minimal sound insulation – these omissions shaved 120 kg off the NSX-R (1,230 kg).
By 1994, air-conditioning and a Bose audio system were added as an option, along with the Championship White wheels seen on this 1994 model kept at the Honda Collection Hall at the company’s Twin Ring Motegi circuit.
Integra Type R
The next Honda model to wear the Type R badge was the Integra Type R (DC2 facelift), launched in August 1995 as a Japan-only model, priced at 1.778 million Yen.
Europe and USA would get its own Integra Type R later in 1998, but fitted with the pre-facelift model’s quad round headlights.
There was also a rare four-door variant.
The Integra Type R had a B18C 1.8-litre engine that produced 200 PS at 8,000 rpm (over 110 hp per litre), 182 Nm at 7,500 rpm, and weighed 1,060 kg. Honda billed it as the ultimate front-wheel drive sports car.
This particular example had less 1,500 km on the clock and is kept at Honda’s head office in Aoyama, Tokyo.

Civic Type R
The third Type R model was the Honda Civic Type R (EK9), launched in Japan on 22-August 1997, priced at 1.998 million Yen.
Compared to the Integra Type R, the Civic Type R had a smaller B16B 1.6-litre engine that produced 185 PS at 8,200 rpm – that’s 116 PS per litre, one of the highest ever for a naturally aspirated production car. Torque was rated at 160 Nm at 7,500 rpm. It weighed 1,060 kg.
This immaculate example kept at Honda’s Aoyama office had less than 1,000 km on the clock!
Accord Type R
1999 also saw the introduction of a Europe-only Accord Type R. It was powered by a H22A 2.2-litre engine that produced 212 PS at 7,200 rpm, and 215 Nm at 7,600 rpm.
Type R Today
The ‘90s were indeed a glorious era for Japan, but 20 years on, the world that Honda exists today is very different from the roaring ‘90s, where cheap credit was bankrolling the Japan’s car market, and young people dominated the country’s demographics.
Today, consumption tax went from 3 percent in 1989 to 8 percent in 2014, the population is aging, and many households have reduced the number of cars they own to just one.
Honda’s Type R line-up was also reduced from four to just one – the Civic Type R. In a reversal of trends, the present day FK2 Civic Type R is no longer made in Japan, but imported from the UK, and
limited to just 750 units
 as finding more buyers would be too ambitious.
In the past, Honda had stubbornly refused turbocharging (at least for their road cars), as founder Soichiro Honda hated these ‘add-ons,’ preferring the purity of a naturally aspirated engine. In his earlier days, Honda-san also hated water-cooling. He was a bit like a Japanese version of Ferdinand Porsche. But just as Porsche now makes SUVs, Honda too has to evolve. Against today’s stringent emission regulations, turbocharging and hybrids are necessary to stay in business.
So while the EK9 1.6-litre 185 PS Civic Type R had almost 8,500 rpm of naturally aspired banshee screaming VTEC goodness, running on quaintly tiny 195/55 R15 tyres, today’s FK2 Civic Type R has a 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo pushing out 310 PS at 6,500 rpm (redlines at 7,000 rpm), running on 235/35Z R/19 – a size that was unheard of for a Civic 20 years ago. It also costs more than twice as much as the original Civic Type R.
Today’s hypercompetitive automotive industry simply leaves no room for engineers to indulge their enthusiast fans by producing four different Type R models.
The non-premium sports car market has also almost collapsed, not just in Japan, but also around the world. Save for cars like the Toyota 86 and Mazda MX-5 – both not a high volume model - the sports car segment has been reduced to a branding game, and is almost exclusively dominated by luxury and super-luxury brands.
The role of a sports/performance car today is not to indulge a small group of enthusiast drivers, but to serve as a technology demonstrator for the brand, and that usually means a very high asking price.
Their continued existence in the line-up must be justified by their abilities to promote a specific technology that’s relevant to other regular, more family- and environmentally-friendly cars in the line-up.
The all-new NSX and the Civic Type R are the best examples of this.
Speaking on the sidelines of the recent 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, Takahiro Hachigo, President and CEO of Honda Motor told Carlist.my:
“The NSX that we have today is equipped with a three-motor hybrid system. The Civic Type R was realized with what we call a downsized turbo. Therefore you can see that our sports-type cars are at the same time trying to introduce new environmental technology as well as sportiness. So for the time being I would like to focus on further developing these sports models that we introduced this time at the motor show. At the same time, we want to further evolve our environmental technology and consider about what type of sports cars are best for the future. However when it comes to sports cars, the volume – the numbers are limited. It’s not that we can sell a lot of these cars. Therefore the production side will be limited. Meaning that there will be a number of issues such as the tariff, or import taxes of the countries. But Honda would love to supply these cars for all parts of the world and therefore we need your support.”
Hachigo’s answer also indirectly explains why there will never be another Integra or Accord Type R, or even an S2000 anymore. The market can no longer deliver any reasonable demand to support such cars.
As for Honda Malaysia, there is no confirmation yet as to whether will the FK2 Civic Type R be sold here. Malaysia remains the only country outside of Japan to ever sold the FD2 generation Japanese-market Civic Type R sedan via official channels. All other Civic Type Rs sold outside of Japan were of the UK-made hatchback version. So who knows Honda Malaysia might surprise us once again.
The Future of Type R
At a recent visit to the company’s Tochigi R&D Centre in Japan, Honda granted us a two lap drive around a twisty course in an all-electric, all-wheel drive CR-Z equipped with an upgraded version of Honda’s torque vectoring
SH-AWD
 system - Electric SH-AWD with Precision All-Wheel Steer.
The 300-plus PS 4-Motor EV CR-Z that we drove is a detuned version of the 450-plus PS all-electric CR-Z that competed at the
2015 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
 (above) earlier this year, which finished first in the exhibition class, and 11
th
 overall. Honda pointed out that all other cars faster that were faster than the Pikes Peak CR-Z had over 1,500 PS, so the team was very satisfied with the results.
The difference in power output between the Pikes Peak car and this prototype is due to the omission of a secondary traction battery fitted in the front passenger side of the race car.
Instead of a 1.5-litre IMA hybrid system driving the front wheels, this 300-plus PS CR-Z uses lithium-ion traction batteries to drive four electric motors, one for each wheel. Not to be confused with an in-wheel motor system pioneered by Mitsubishi Motors many years earlier, the motors in the CR-Z are mounted in-board.
It’s basically two sets of the Honda (Acura) Legend’s SH-AWD’s Twin Motor Unit (TMU) system integrated within the CR-Z.
The rear axle uses the Acura RLX’s Precision All-Wheel steering system (video explanation below), allowing the CR-Z to independently adjust the toe angle of the rear wheels for optimum cornering.
As this is a prototype, we weren’t allowed to take any shots of the 4-Motor EV CR-Z’s interior.
Instead of a conventional gear lever, this CR-Z’s transmission has only three buttons – P, R and D. The layout is similar to recent Acura models sold in the US.
Push the D button, and squeeze the throttle, this CR-Z shoots away so fast that I had to ease off the throttle momentarily as my body wasn’t prepared for the unexpected rearrangement of my insides.
Round the bends, this thing just bit the tarmac hard and never let go. Turn in, I applied a bit more pressure on the throttle to find its limits, but all the CR-Z did was turned in even tighter, and gripped even harder. With a short wheelbase, the CR-Z is an inherently darty car, but punching the throttle mid-corner did not overwhelm this CR-Z's tyres. Instead, it only showed the impressive abilities of the Precision Steer system, and the all-wheel drive grip.
As it is an EV, all you hear is an eerie silence punctuated by the faint whine of the motors, and some wind noise.
The regenerative braking was very aggressive too. Diving into the corners, I only had to tap the brakes briefly. The car slows down very quickly the moment you lift off the throttle, almost as if it’s being held back by engine braking, but minus the noise.
By the second lap, I had a better understanding of the car's limits and began to push it harder. Through all types of cambered, reducing radii turns, the 4-Motor EV CR-Z’s kept taunting me, egging me to push it harder.
Some of bends were taken at 120 km/h, and still there was not even a chirp from the tyres. Normally, when driving on a track, you have to straighten up the car after exiting a corner before applying full throttle. Not in this 4-Motor EV CR-Z though. The engineer riding shot gun (brave guy) in the car assured me that I can to open throttle earlier than usual and still be able to hold the racing line.
Driving this car fast became matter of: 1. Aim for the line, 2. Be brave with the throttle, and 3. Brace yourself for the g
-force as the car keeps its line as if its held by some
imaginary rails.
My time with the car ended all too soon. If this is going to be the future of Honda’s performance cars, I will gladly welcome it.
Honda also pointed out that rather than screaming VTECs of the ‘90s, the performance car of the future will likely be electric, as demonstrated by the plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 and BMW i8.
Yes the market may be changing, and that’s just how life is, but you can be certain the ‘racing spirit’ will always be cultivated within Honda.
By the way, the 4-Motor CR-Z EV project was the brainchild of two young engineers, part of Honda's ‘Young Engineers Challenge.’ So rest be assured that the company isn’t getting ‘old.’


Will Car Prices Increase Following The Sharp Devaluation Of Our Ringgit?

As of today, the Malaysian Ringgit is trading at RM4.17 per to the US Dollar, reaching a 17-year low.
The lowest record for the Malaysian Ringgit was RM4.71 per to the US Dollar in January 1998. Earlier on Friday, the Ringgit traded at RM2.93 to the Singaporean Dollar, hitting a new record low against the Singaporean currency.
Low earnings stemming from a slump in crude oil prices are drying up the Malaysian treasury, which is heavily reliant on oil exports. The situation is further exasperated by a recent move by the Chinese government to devalue its Yuan to boost exports as domestic consumption slows. The devaluation of the Yuan prompted a further selloff of other currencies in emerging markets.
Malaysia’s grew 4.9 percent in the last quarter, the lowest in two years, down from 6.5 percent in the same period of 2014.
According to Bloomberg, foreign investors have pulled out USD 3 billion from Malaysia in this year alone, with many linking the departure to an uncertain political climate in the country.
While a lower currency value might boost exports, Malaysia is not a primary exporter of manufactured goods, relying more on exports of raw materials and services for growth.
Data from the Japan External Trade Organization showed that contribution of manufacturing to Malaysia’s economy fell from 31 percent in 2004 to 25 percent in 2015. Thus, a low Yuan might work for China but a low Ringgit will not have the same impact for Malaysia.
The automotive industry is heavily exposed to fluctuations in currency, especially the US Dollar. It doesn’t matter if a car is locally-assembled or fully-imported.
Trading of automotive parts and completely knocked down (CKD) kits for locally-assembled cars are mostly done in US Dollars, irrespective of the brand’s country of origin.
A locally-assembled car will still have a large number of high cost imported parts like engine, transmission, and electronic modules. Most of these are purchased in US Dollars.
An executive at a local car plant estimates that about 25 to 30 percent of a locally-assembled car contains imported parts purchased in US Dollars.
At the moment, the general consensus among leading car brands in the country is that there will not be any changes in car prices yet.
A spokesperson for Honda Malaysia said, “At the moment, Honda Malaysia is still maintaining its car prices as adjusted after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation. We will continue to monitor the market situation and currency fluctuation closely.
“Honda’s business is still on track despite the unforeseen circumstances. In the 1H of 2015, our sales have achieved 51 percent of the annual sales target of 85,000 units.”
Honda is currently the top selling non-national automotive brand in the country, with a 13.5 percent market share as of June 2015.
The company’s investments planned for 2015 remains unchanged.
Honda had earlier announced that it will be expanding its dealer network from 79 (75 are 3S centres) to 90, as well five more Body and Paint centres bringing the total to 17 by the end of this year. It is also building more support facilities in East Malaysia.
“The plans of East Malaysia expansion are still ongoing. Recently, Honda Malaysia established an East Malaysia Centralized Distribution Centres (logistic hub) in Sabah and Sarawak. This has marked the first step of our expansion plan into East Malaysia which was announced in March this year.
“We aimed to strengthen our operations, as well as supporting customers and dealers in the East Malaysia region. Therefore, plans to increase the number of dealerships, open a regional office, training facilities and a parts warehouse are also in the pipeline.”
Speaking at the launch of the
Volkswagen Beetle Club
 earlier today, Mr. Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia acknowledged that the recent fluctuations in foreign exchange rate is a challenge for the company but said “It’s a bitter pill to swallow but we will maintain our prices for the time being.”
Although Volkswagen is based in Wolfsburg, Germany, like many car companies it trades mostly in US Dollars. The Beetle for example, is imported from Mexico, as are CKD kits for the Jetta while CKD kits for the Polo and Polo Sedan are imported from India.
BMW Group Malaysia however, trades mostly in Euros and is less affected by the recent fluctuations of the Ringgit against the greenback.
Mr. Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications said, “Prices of BMW and MINI vehicles in Malaysia will remain the same for the time being. As we are a European based organisation, we are more susceptible to the movement of the Euro currency and in most cases, we have a long term plan to create a consistent environment for our business in the matters of currency.
“Through local assembly, we are also able to manage the current situation. As you know, we locally assemble more than 15 variants of over 8 models of vehicles from the BMW Group here in Malaysia with local content of over 30 percent so this helps us not rely on the fluctuations of foreign currencies.”
Related link:
Ringgit Hits RM4.33 To The Dollar, Lowest In 17 Years - Hike In Car Prices Imminent?
Perodua Denies Any Move To Raise Prices Due To Falling Ringgit Value


Lotus Unveils Elise 250 Special Edition, Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Hethel Site

Lotus has a penchant for producing special models to celebrate special occasions at every turn. It's not necessarily a bad thing as it keeps things fresh and unique, much like how MINI seems to create a special edition something-or-other every year or so. In the case of this Elise 250 Special Edition, it is to commemorate the 50th year of the Hethel track's operation- the place where all Lotus products are tested and honed.
This Elise is lighter and quicker than every Elise that has come before it- short of the actual race cars. But of course with suspension and braking components carried over from the Elise Cup 250, you would expect that. There's also the Electronic Differential Lock to give better traction when puttijng the power down at exit- although this flies in the face of Lotus' belief in lightness and simplicity. Generally a limited-slip differential doesn't work with a mid engine car as it tends to generates understeer, but with electronic controls it provides more precision in locking operation to give you the traction when you need it.
At its heart is the supercharged 1.8-litre 4-cylinder Toyota motor that we've come to know and love, singing to the tune of 246 PS. Peak torque of 250 Nm comes in from 3500 rpm and stays until 5500 rpm before the Eaton supercharger cannot spin enough air to keep the intake ports pressurized. With an 899 kilogram kerb weight, however, the Elise 250 Special Edition has a power to weight ratio of roughly 270 hp/tonne. Quickity quick.
Visual cues to differentiate the Elise 250 Special Edition from the rest are probably only going to be immediately obvious to die-hard Lotus fans. Small carbon fibre pieces such as the wing, front splitter, and tailgate are pieces that could just as easily be installed aftermarket- but it's nice to have it come as an OEM piece. Like most lightweight specials, the air conditioning, insulation, and entertainment systems are stripped out- but they can be added back in as optional extras. There are also carbon fibre hard tops, light-weight forged wheels, a black-out pack, and cruise control as optional extras.
The car is limited to just 50 production units, and are likely to be snapped up extremely quickly. Despite the hero colour being the light blue-ish-gray that Lotus seems to love, the car is also available in Classic Blue, Yellow, Red, or White metallic paint finishes.


All-New 2019 Ford Focus Is So Advanced – It Has No Gear Knobs, Its Wheels Skips Over Potholes

This is the all-new fourth generation Ford Focus – the first model to be built on Ford’s latest C2 platform. It’s not on sale yet as it is only expected to hit showrooms in Europe and China later this year, followed by the rest of the world in 2019. Having said that, Ford has revealed enough details about this all-new Focus, sans pricing and official fuel consumption figures.
Globally there are four main variants – the luxury-themed Vignale, a mid-high spec Titanium, followed by a crossover-style Active, and sportier ST-line (replaces the outgoing model’s Sport variant). Some markets will receive a mid-low spec Trend variant. As before, there are three body styles to choose from – five-door hatchback, five-door wagon, and four-door sedan. Details for the performance ST and RS variants will only be announced much later.
Focus ST-Line
Mechanically, it carries over the outgoing generation’s 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine, available in two power output levels – 150 PS and 182 PS. In Europe, the former is paired to a new 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission while the latter is paired to a 6-speed manual.
There’s also a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost (four output levels, from 85 PS to 125 PS) and two more turbo diesels – 1.5-litre EcoBlue (95 PS to 120 PS) and 2.0-litre EcoBlue (150 PS), but we don’t expect these to be coming to Malaysia. The three-cylinder and turbodiesels will only make sense in CO2-taxed markets like Europe.
Focus Vignale
The styling is quite a departure from earlier Focus, with a rather Volvo-esque LED daytime running light pattern. In terms of size, the all-new Focus is 20 mm longer (five-door hatchback), at 4,378 mm long, most of it contributed by its longer wheelbase, which has been stretched by 53 mm. Width is more or less the same at 1,825 mm wide but the roofline is now 30 mm lower, at 1,454 mm to give it an even sportier profile.
Focus sedan
Inside, the most obvious difference in the all-new Focus is that it’s missing a conventional gear shifter. Instead, it uses a shift-by-wire rotary knob which you turn to select P-R-N-D. The parking brake is now electronic. By removing the mechanical controls, the Active Park Assist 2 self-parking feature is now able to control everything – steering, acceleration, braking, gear shift – for a true self-parking feature. The all-new Focus is able to self-park in both parallel and perpendicular parking. A supporting Park-Out Assist is also able to drive the Focus out of a parallel spot on its own.
As for infotainment, gone is the clunky to use old school Nokia-phone style Sync interface. Instead, the Sync 3 infotainment system has a more current free-standing 8-inch full colour touch screen that you can pinch and swipe just like you would with a smartphone. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as voice command for audio, navigation and air-conditioning.
Depending on variant, a 675 Watt ten-speaker sound system from B&O Play is available. It includes a 140 millimetre boot-mounted subwoofer and a mid-range speaker in the centre of the dashboard which Ford claims to have been specifically calibrated to offer one of the best audio experiences in any vehicle, emphasis on any vehicle.
The Heads-Up Display (projected on a pop-up polycarbonate screen) one-ups its rivals by being the first of its type that can be read with polarized sunglasses.
Advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) features have also been expanded and placed under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is now capable of driving itself in stop-go urban traffic, and works at speeds of up to 200 km/h. The ACC’s Stop & Go feature is able to bring the vehicle to a complete halt in stop-start traffic using up to 50 per cent of total braking force, and automatically pulls away if the stopping duration is less than 3 seconds. For stopping durations greater than 3 seconds, the driver can push a steering wheel button or gently apply the accelerator to pull away.
When ACC is activated, the Lane Centering function keeps to the middle of the lane by applying corrective steering, and gives out audible and visual warning if the driver veers off lane.
The adaptive headlamps are not only active but predictive. Unlike its rival’s active cornering lights that relies solely on steering inputs, the Focus’ Adaptive Front Lighting System with Predictive Curve Light uses a camera to read the road conditions ahead, and pre-emptively swivels and adjusts the headlamps’ focus in anticipation of an upcoming curve, junction or roundabout.
Ford Focus Active
The Focus has always been the benchmark in its class for chassis control and the all-new model is expected to continue to legacy. The all-new C2 platform accords the fourth generation Focus with 20 percent more torsional rigidity, while stiffness of individual suspension attachment points is increased by up to 50 per cent, reducing flex for better body control.
Depending on variants, one of two types of rear suspension may be fitted. The lighter 1.0-litre EcoBoost and 1.5-litre EcoBlue will use a torsion beam, which Ford would rather refer to as a twist-beam, but infused with Ford-patented force vectoring spring technology borrowed from the Fiesta ST.
The other models will use independent rear suspension, with a new isolated subframe for the short long arm (SLA) for better control over bumps. For the first time ever, the Focus is now available with adaptive suspension, which Ford refers to as Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD).
The CCD is definitely something we Malaysians are looking forward to. By taking readings every 2 miliseconds, the system is able to detect that one of the front wheels have reached a pothole before working to ‘hold’ the wheel from dropping and hitting the bottom of the pothole. It then sends a signal for adjust the rear dampers accordingly.
The video below demonstrates the function, using a US-market Ford Mondeo, better known in the US as a Ford Fusion.
As our Focus is imported from Thailand rather than Europe, we don’t expect the all-new Focus to be heading here anytime soon. Some additional lead time is to be expected between the Focus’s sales debut in Europe and China later this year and its eventual launch on this world of the world. We anticipate a timeframe of around late-2019 or early-2020 for the all-new Focus’ debut in Malaysia.


2020 All-New (F92) BMW M8 Coupe Launched – 600hp, 750Nm - RM1.45 Million

BMW Malaysia has officially introduced the (F92) BMW M8 Coupé for the Malaysian market, alongside three other ‘M’ division models – the
X3M
,
X4M
, and finally the
M8 Gran Coupe
.

Launched globally in June of last year, the M8 Coupe is BMW’s most luxurious and powerful Coupe model and rivals cars such as the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe, Porsche 911, and Bentley Continental GT.

At the heart of the beast is BMW’s most powerful engine ever, the (S63) 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 that produces 600 hp and 750 Nm of torque between 1,800 rpm and 5,600 rpm. The engine is mated to an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission that distributes power to all four-wheels through a BMW rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, equipped with the Active M differential.

First seen on the (F90) M5 – the system allows the driver to adapt the M xDrive’s power distribution according to their personal preferences: from the 4WD default setting to the 4WD Sport mode and, with the DSC switched off, a rear-wheel-drive-only 2WD mode for use on the track. As is commonplace, drivers can configure the car’s powertrain, suspension, and steering systems between ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport+’ modes.

In addition, the Active M differential in both models handles situation-dependent power distribution between the rear wheels to ensure optimal traction and directional stability. Both models also feature lighter M Compound brakes with blue calipers as standard.

Also unique to the M8 Coupe and Gran Coupe is the M-specific integrated brake system. This innovative technology combines brake activation, brake booster, and braking control functions in one compact module. An electric actuator establishes the required brake pressure.

The powertrain works in perfect symphony to give the M8 Coupe a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3.3 seconds, all the way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

In terms of aesthetics, the M8 Coupe is an extravaganza of sculpted surfaces and sublime proportions. At the front, the M8 features a more aggressive front bumper design (compared to the one-rung lower M850i), flanked by a kidney grille with double slat inserts. The sleek headlights are equipped with BMW’s Laserlight system.

Along the flanks, the aluminium front wings are decorated with the ‘M Gills’; under the wide arches front and rear house 20-inch Double-spoke style 810 M Bicolour light-alloy wheels, wrapped in 275 and 285 mm section rubbers front and rear respectively. At the rear, the M8 features an M rear spoiler, rear diffuser and exhaust system with twin tailpipes and chrome trims.

Other notable design highlights include the carbon roof made of self-coloured carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), and M twin-stalk side view mirrors.

On the inside, the low-slung cabin space house M Sport seats, a full-leather dashboard and trim panels. The rear seats are upholstered in Merino leather as standard. The M8 Coupe offers 420 litres of luggage space, and fold down its 50/50-split rear seat backrest to increase cargo capacity.

In terms of connectivity, the M8 Coupe is equipped with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional running on the BMW Operating System 7.0. It consists of an all-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a high-resolution 10.25-inch Control Display and a full-colour Head-Up Display with additional M-specific displays. Both vehicles can be operated via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant’s latest voice control system.

As for safety, the M8 is equipped with Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, BMW Personal CoPilot driver assistance systems include the Driving Assistant Professional, and Parking Assistant Plus -  which offer functions such as Lane Keeping Assistant with side collision protection, Lane Change Assistant, Crossing-Traffic Warning and the Reversing Assistant.

The M8 Coupe retails for just over RM1,452 million (inclusive of SST deductions) and comes in seven colours: Alpine White, Brands Hatch Grey, Marina Bay Blue, Motegi Red, Black Sapphire, Donington Grey and Barcelona Blue. The interior is furnished with the Merino Leather offering in either Black or Silverstone white colours.

The M8 Coupe you see in the images, however, is the only unit in Malaysia with the BMW Individual Frozen Bluestone matt-finished colour which carries an RM30,000 premium over the standard M8 colours.


All-New 2018 Nissan Leaf Conquers The 3 Highest Peaks In The UK In A Day

A team from Nissan, together with the all-new 2018 Nissan Leaf, were involved in an extreme test of both electric and human endurance in support of an all-electric attempt at the National Three Peaks Challenge in the UK recently.
The National Three Peaks Challenge involves ascending and descending the three highest peaks of Scotland (Ben Nevis, 1,345 metres), England (Scafell Pike, 978 metres), and Wales (Snowdon, 1,085 metres), and driving between all three, in just 24 hours.
With the Leaf offering a larger capacity battery (40 kWh) and longer range (270 km combined), and the UK’s rapid charging infrastructure well developed along the route, two teams joined forces on a warm June day to take on the challenge.
Split into two units of Nissan Leaf, the teams started at 12 pm at Ben Nevis on one of Scotland’s hottest days of the year, with temperatures nearing 30-degrees Celsius. Descending the mountain mid-afternoon, the journey continued south to England, the Lake District and Scafell Pike, which was climbed in the very early hours of the morning with ambient temperatures still topping 20-degrees.
The morning of the second day brought the teams into Wales and towards their final destination of Snowdonia and the final peak – Snowdon.
They arrived at Snowdon with just 14% battery charge remaining, but enough time to ascend and descend the mountain before noon, successfully completing the challenge in a total time of 23 hours and 40 minutes.
Gareth Dunsmore, Electric Vehicle Director, Nissan Europe, commented, “They say there’s never a bad day out of the office and this was one I’ll certainly never forget. Climbing three mountains in a single day and only using 100% electric power to drive between them is the epitome of a sustainable adventure.”
The all-new Nissan Leaf joins just one other 100% electric vehicle – a Tesla Model  S which was known to have completed the difficult challenge in less than 24 hours.
The all-new Nissan Leaf is also the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe for the first half of this year, with more than 18,000 units registered between January and June. Production of the all-new Leaf in Europe began in February this year at Nissan Sunderland UK, where the company also assembles the Qashqai and Juke models, as well as Infiniti Q30 models.


The 570S - Meet McLaren's 911 Slayer

McLaren’s supercar ambitions have always been pretty high, but this unveil of the 570S at the 2015 New York Auto Show might be its boldest unsaid statement yet: it’s out for Porsche 911 blood.
First things first, just look at it. Look being subjective and all, you can’t say with a straight face that this isn’t a pretty car. The 570S will occupy the Sports Series within McLaren’s range, its baby supercar that aims squarely at the market the Porsche 911 so successfully carved out for itself.
McLaren’s 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 makes a return here, detuned from the 650S’s output, and mated to a seven speed SSG double-clutch transmission. From the numbers – 562hp at 7,000rpm, 600Nm, 1,313kg dry weight, 0 to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds, 328km/h top speed – it could be said that it intends to steal some customers away from the 911 Turbo, Audi R8, and Mercedes AMG-GT, with all of them occupying the same rough overall size on the road being no coincidence.
Those wizards up in Woking have been hard at work perfecting that snout and rear end to reflect the brand’s symbol, and we think they’ve done a fantastic job. The interior looks especially well done, a mix of the minimal and thrown in with lashings of luxury materials while carrying over the best-in-the-business cabin airiness that it achieved the first time around with the 12C.
Good times ahead for the entry level supercar market as surely this will not only spawn a good fight, but this is just McLaren’s first step at fleshing out its newly minted Sports Series.


Tokyo 2019: Mitsubishi Unveils Mi-Tech Concept PHEV Buggy With No Doors

Mitsubishi today took the wraps off the Mi-Tech Concept, a small and super-rugged plug-in hybrid electric SUV concept that aims to deliver unparalleled driving pleasure and confidence over any terrain.

Powering the Mi-Tech Concept is a lightweight, compact, new PHEV drivetrain, a four-motor electric 4WD system, as well as advanced driver assist and preventive safety technologies.

On the exterior, the front end adopts MMC's signature Dynamic Shield new front design concept, with a satin plated colour in the centre of the grille, and copper as a secondary colour to accentuate its expressiveness as an electrified vehicle.

T-shaped headlights are embedded in the front end to emphasize a distinguishing outward appearance. On the lower bumper, aluminium skid plates are placed on both sides to protect the body.

On the sides, the highly raised overfenders and large diameter tires project a high level of mobility plus power as an SUV, as well as the stability to thoroughly grip the terrain.

The rear end on the other hand, features a large and bold hexagon carved from metal ingot to emphasize the robustness of SUV, and T-shaped tail lamps that share the same design pattern used on the front end.

Inside, a horizontal instrument panel and functional design makes handling easier. The horizontal theme is further accentuated by copper lines added on the instrument panel and steering wheel.

Keyboard-shaped switches are positioned atop a centre console with a horizontal theme, and the front handgrip also functions as a hand pad to make the switches easy to operate. Functions are presented in a straightforward manner, easy to understand just by seeing them and with a reassuring feel when pressed.

Last but not least, the vehicle comes equipped with a Human Machine Interface (HMI), which displays information detected through sensing technology like the advanced optical sensors, on an augmented reality (AR) windshield.

With vehicle, road, and surrounding traffic conditions shown on the AR windshield, drivers can make accurate, heads-up decisions even in poor visibility.

Also equipped is the Mi-Pilot next-generation driver assistance technology, the concept car extends driver support not only on freeways and ordinary roads, but also on unpaved roads.


Uber VS Taxi: New twist as Khazanah invests in Uber

The never-ending drama between Uber and taxi operators in Malaysia took a surprising new twist earlier today, as state-owned investment arm Khazanah Nasional Berhad confirmed that it has invested indirectly in Uber.
As reported by

theSun

English daily, Khazanah's director Mohd Raslan Md Sharif said the investment arm has taken an indirect interest in Uber Technologies Inc via global growth equity investment General Atlantic LLC.
Obviously unhappy about this, Klang Valley Taxi Drivers Action Committee (JKBPTLK) chairman Zailani Isa Usuludin said that he always had his suspicion of a secret deal behind Uber's presence in the country. He went on to say that he finally understands why the Finance Ministry chose to endorse Uber's services.
It was also reported by
theSun
that Zailani accused the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) of aiding Uber's growth and being unfair to cabbies.
Besides JKBPTLK, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar also slammed MCMC for not taking action against ride-hailing apps such as Uber, as he believes that MCMC is responsible for cyberspace, tech and mobile app matters, which includes the Uber app.
However,
theSun
said that it is yet to get an official response from MCMC on this matter.