ACOTY 2016 Finalists: Mazda 2, Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta – Hatchbacks For The Young And Trendy

Whilst Malaysia is a largely sedan market, hatchbacks are capturing a growing following, particularly in the B-segment, where a younger crowd makes up the target demographic.
At present, hatchbacks mostly play supporting roles in the line-up, offering the trend-conscious buyers a more stylish alternative alongside a more conventional sedan of equivalent specification.
Out of three finalists nominated in the Compact Hatchback category of the
ASEAN Car of the Year 2016
, two of them – namely the Mazda 2 and Ford Fiesta – have sedan counterparts, whilst the third – the Honda Jazz – shares most of its running gear with another sedan, the Honda City.
The shopping ground of affluent first time buyers as well as those seeking to upgrade from their national cars, this is a highly competitive segment.
Mazda 2
Nominated by:
 24 out of 26 judges
Pricing:
 RM88,115.17 – RM94,110.53
Overview:
 Stylish and fun to drive, Mazda shows that an affordable car can be made to look and feel like a premium one. It is the cheapest car which you can buy with a direct injection engine. Beneath its stylish exterior is a similarly well-crafted interior that not only looks good, but one that is beautifully built as well. Put all these together with an effervescent driving experience, there is a lot to like about the Mazda 2. To let you in on a little secret, there are no fewer than four owners of the Mazda 2 among the Malaysian motoring media fraternity, and that says a lot about the merits of this vehicle.
Pros:
Sexy, stylish exterior.
Cabin fitments feel premium.
Excellent engine and well-sorted dynamics.
Cons:
Interior feels cramped for space, despite being outwardly bigger than a Honda Jazz.
Better-looking LED headlights a costly option.
Read More:
2015 Mazda 2 SKYACTIV Review - There is Something About Mazda
How Efficient Can A Mazda 2 SkyActiv-G Be In The Real World? It’s 35.18 km/litre
Research:
Find out more:
Mazda 2 in New Car Showroom
Cars for sale:
Mazda 2 listed in
Carlist.my
Honda Jazz
Nominated by:
 22 out of 26 judges
Pricing:
 RM73,800 – RM89,400
Overview:
 Loses out slightly in the driving stakes to both other contenders here, but is the market’s most popular choice, and for good reason. Enclosed within the Jazz’s diminutive dimensions is one of the best-packaged cabins in the business. The multiple combinations of its Ultra Seats alone are worth its admission as a finalist, making it the most versatile and practical vehicle among the three finalists of this category.
Pros:
Sharp, distinctive styling.
Excellent cabin packaging and ergonomics.
Unrivalled practicality and flexibility of Ultra Seats.
Cons:
Least exciting to drive in this group.
Only the top spec model is really worth buying.
Read More:
All-New 2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC Quick Review In Thailand
2015 Honda Jazz 1.5 V Full Review - Versatile Virtuoso
Research:
Find out more:
Honda Jazz in New Car Showroom
Cars for sale:
Honda Jazz listed in
Carlist.my
Ford Fiesta
Nominated by:
 17 out of 26 judges
Pricing:
 RM85,500 – RM94,700
Overview:
 It may be the near the end of its model life cycle, but the Fiesta still has quite a bit of sparkle within it. Exterior design still looks contemporary and its chassis feels alive when driven. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost is the engine of choice, a charming and joyful little powerplant to rev to the skies – little wonder it’s a serial winner of the International Engine of the Year awards.
Pros:
Excellent chassis – brilliant ride and handling.
Award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine.
Styling still sharp despite age.
Cons:
Interior feels dated with messy ergonomics.
Questionable reliability of dry dual clutch transmission.
Read More:
2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost Full Review: The Dynamic Everyday Hero
Research:
Find out more:
Ford Fiesta in New Car Showroom
Cars for sale:
Ford Fiesta listed in
Carlist.my
Have your say in the outcome of ACOTY 2016 as well by participating in this
online automotive consumer survey
, the largest of its kind, aimed at evaluating the overall ownership experience of all vehicle brands.


MINI Countryman PHEV Dedicated Website Is Up - Malaysian Debut Soon?

After much anticipation, the arrival of the new MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid is finally upon us as MINI Malaysia has launched
a dedicated website
 for the model.
Besides having all the information about the new Countryman PHEV, the website also allows those who are interested in the crossover, to register their interest via an online form in the site.
Powered by the same 1.5-litre engine as the Cooper which is paired with a 88 hp electric motor, the Countryman PHEV pushes outputs up to 224 hp and 385 Nm.
Capable of travelling up to 125 km/h and up to 40 kilometres on battery power alone, the hybrid Countryman is available exclusively as an all-wheel drive model, with the front wheels driven by the engine and rear powered by the electric motor.
As far as charging is concerned, the crossover can be charged fully through a home domestic socket or a wallbox over a period of 2 to 3 hours.
That being said, key exterior features include “E” emblems on the radiator grille, side scuttles and door sills, 17-inch Light Spoke alloy wheels, hybrid-specific displays on the instrument cluster, a 6.5-inch screen, as well as an eDRIVE toggle switch.


Mazda And Toyota Start Work On New Joint Venture Plant

After announcing their intention to build a new production facility in Huntsville, Alabama back in January, both Mazda and Toyota have started construction of the new facility.
The new plant, aptly called Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, USA Inc (MTMUS) is expected to create 4,000 jobs when it starts production in 2021. The new MTMUS plant is capable of building 300,000 vehicles annually, including the all-new Toyota Corolla and an upcoming Mazda crossover model.
In addition to that, the new joint-venture manufacturing plant also represents a $1.6 billion investment that both companies plan to make with equal funding contributions. The new plant is approximately 14 miles away from Toyota’s Alabama plant.
Kiyotaka Shobuda, Mazda’s senior managing executive officer said, “We are proud to be here with Toyota, with whom we share the bond of pride in manufacturing. We are proud to be breaking ground on a new ‘home’ here in Huntsville – a city that believes in the possibilities of technology and manufacturing, and has striven to realize mankind’s greatest dream.”
Jim Lentz, chief executive officer, Toyota Motor North America added, “It is extremely special to have a partner like Mazda to team up with not only to make the highest-quality cars, but also to create a plant that team members are proud to call their own. As we’ve seen at our Huntsville engine plant, Alabamians are a proud, talented, hard-working group. We are excited to continue our deep investment in the U.S. and Alabama and see nothing but a bright future.”


All-New 2015 Volvo XC90 Pops Up On Local Site As Bookings Open: Launch In August Expected

The all-new 2015
Volvo
 XC90
 has been on a roll lately, snapping up
praise
 from around the globe and now, Malaysians will soon have a chance to own the flagship Volvo, as the order books open.
However, a quick chat with a source at Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) revealed that prices and specifications haven't been finalised just yet, and that acceptance of orders for the all-new SUV model are purely an initiative of eager dealerships filled with excitement of the coming car.
Based on what we understand, a Malaysian-spec range is likely to include the brand’s T8 Drive-E plug-in hybrid powertrain, which combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with turbocharging, supercharging and plug-in hybrid power, to produce 400hp and 640Nm of torque.
We remember
Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, Keith Schafer, suggesting the idea at a
special press conference
 organised by Volvo Car Malaysia some eight months ago, when he said
“Why shouldn’t Malaysians be given the chance to own the best model? It is our job to ensure that our customers get the best car and we will try our best to do that. I think Malaysians deserve to have the best.”
On when the all-new XC90 will get here, Schafer had then provided us a timeline of somewhere near August 2015, and VCM are still trying to keep to their plans, but have made it clear to us that a more definitive answer at this point will be a launch somewhere in the second half of the year.
Also revealed during the press conference held eight months ago was the expected arrival time of the CKD variants, sometime in 2016, which will be introduced after an initial batch of CBU units have been sold.
However, it remains unclear at this point if or not the locally-assembled versions of the XC90 T8 hybrid will receive the current incentives offered by the government for such vehicles - don't forget, NAP 2014 expires at the end of this year, and with it, the excise duty exemptions for locally-assembled hybrids. So too will it expire for other cars like the Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, unless of course local authorities decide to carry forward these terms.
Being on the receiving end of the current excise duty and import tax matters especially here for potential XC90 customers because unlike the previous XC90 which sold in Malaysia for around RM355k, the all-new model is expected to be priced higher than before, given the new vehicle's push further upmarket to become an even more premium SUV.
Two variants that appear to be offered as shown on
Volvo Car Malaysia’s official website
 are the Inscription and
R-Design
, but again, we understand from Volvo Car Malaysia that this is purely a preliminary reveal which doesn't in any way reflect the specifications prepared for our vehicle.


24 Brand New Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks Join Pentas Flora's Fleet

Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd, the country's only and largest privately-owned oil refinery plant in Malaysia recently expanded its fleet with 24 units of brand new Mitsubishi Fuso trucks.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles (MBM CV), the authorised distributor of Fuso trucks in Malaysia, together with authorised Fuso dealer Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd, officially delivered 24 FUSO trucks to Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd last week.
A Fuso customer since 2011, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s recently purchased fleet of Fuso light-duty trucks comprise primarily of the FE71PB and FE83PG series. The FE71PB series is commonly used for short distance distribution and inter-state logistic transportation while the FE83PG series is suitable for unpaved or rougher terrain.
MBM CV’s authorised Fuso dealer Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd will provide extensive aftersales support and vehicle maintenance for Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s Fuso fleet which travel routinely to its branch offices nationwide.
"We are absolutely pleased that Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd has placed their confidence in our highly reliable and economical commercial vehicles and extensive service network. It is a trust that we greatly value and appreciate deeply,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Vice President, Commercial Vehicles, Mr Albert Yee.
"As a company that relies heavily on the transportation of used oil and a one-stop provider for waste management, our trucks needs to be in a tip-top condition. We depend on consistent aftersales service for our fleet that is reliable and most importantly, with absolutely minimal downtime. We are on track for positive growth this year, so it is only natural that we look to MBM CV to deliver the necessary services in expanding our Fuso truck fleet,” said Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd's operation director, David Ng.
Established in 2008, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s primary business is to provide an integrated solution of waste management and recycling used engine and other mineral oils for companies. A member of the EXSIM Group Of Companies, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd is currently on an aggressive expansion drive, with plans to open their 12
th
 factory in Labuan this year. To date, FUSO trucks make up 90% of the company’s 61 units of the commercial vehicle fleet. Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd is set to further expand its fleet by year end.


Honda Europe Developing Ways Of Giving Its Hybrid Batteries A Second-Life

With more and more hybrids and full-electric (BEVs) hitting the roads of the world every day - developing cheaper ways of disposal, recycling, or repurposing them becomes a paramount point of discussion. After all, it is not like we can just dump high-capacity batteries in a landfill and wash our hands.

Therefore, Honda Motor Europe together with partner
Société Nouvelle d'Affinage des Métaux
or (SNAM) are developing ways of giving a second lease of life to its hybrid and BEV batteries as storage units of renewable energy in industrial applications.

Honda and SNAM have worked together since 2013, to ensure the traceability of end-of-life batteries and disposal of them as per European Union environmental standards.

The expansion of their joint venture will see SNAM collect Lithium-ion and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries from across Honda's dealer network (and other Authorised Treatment Facilities) before analysing how suitable they are for recycling and processing them accordingly.

Upon collection, SNAM assesses which battery packs are valid for inclusion in a new energy storage device. These are then repurposed and made available by SNAM for domestic and industrial applications.

When battery cells are damaged and unsuitable for ‘second life’ applications, materials such as cobalt and lithium can be extracted using hydrometallurgy techniques involving the use of aqueous chemistry.

These can be reused in the production of new batteries, colour pigments or as useful additives for mortar. Other commonly used materials including copper, metal and plastics are recycled and offered to the market for use in the production of a variety of applications.

Using a dedicated web platform, Honda dealers can arrange for collection at centralised storage hubs across Europe to eliminate long-term or unsafe storage, and SNAM does the rest.

The agreement applies to large ‘traction’ batteries used to power motors in hybrid and electric vehicles, as opposed to smaller batteries used for ignition in petrol or diesel cars.

Locally, the three major players in the Malaysian market - Honda, BMW, and Volvo also have guidelines in place for the safe disposal of their used hybrid batteries.

Honda Malaysia are currently working with a specialist on the hybrid battery disposal activity.

BMW Group Malaysia noted, "At the moment, we work with an independent partner to help us dispose the Lithium-Ion batteries in a responsible manner here in Malaysia. They are experts in the field." They added that they are very open to working with organisations such as MARii in the future.

Volvo Car Malaysia, on the other hand, ships its used hybrid batteries back to its facilities in Sweden for recycling and disposal as per company guidelines. However, they added that a local partner with the capability to recycle/dispose hybrid batteries as per company guidelines would be much welcomed in the interest of cost.


Siapa Patut Jalan Dulu - Konvoi VIP Atau Ambulans?

Ketika di jalan raya, siapa yang harus diutamakan - konvoi VIP atau ambulans?

Sebagai pengguna jalan raya, biasanya kita akan memberi laluan jika ambulans ingin lalu. Hal ini bagi memastikan setiap urusan ambulans berjalan dengan lancar lebih-lebih lagi jika mereka membawa pesakit ataupun untuk tujuan kecemasan.

Dalam bahasa mudah, ambulans bermaksud urusan kecemasan jadi, laluan untuknya adalah keutamaan utama pengguna jalan raya.

Berlainan pula dalam beberapa hari ini apabila tular video berkenaan konvoi yang menyebabkan ambulans pun terpaksa berhenti untuk memberi laluan kepada konvoi tersebut.

Dah macam pening ni. Apa kata kita rujuk Kaedah 9, Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1959 berkenaan Keutamaan Mengatasi Lalu Lintas Lain yang jelas mengatakan
pengguna jalan raya perlu berhenti dan memberi laluan kepada:

Ambulans

Kereta bomba

Kenderaan kastam

Kenderaan polis

Kenderaan penjara

Kenderaan Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ)

Dengan syarat, kenderaan di atas memberi isyarat kepada pengguna jalan raya dengan membunyikan siren, loceng atau hon dua nada.

Merujuk kepada video yang tular tersebut, kereta polis yang mengiringi konvoi ada membunyikan siren dan tergolong dalam kenderaan yang berhak diberi laluan utama di jalan raya.

Namun, adakah konvoi itu dalam urusan kecemasan? Itu penulis
no comment
.

Tapi komen daripada
Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM)
 ini anda nilaikan sendiri yer.

Ketua Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik Selangor, Supt. Azman Shari'at, berkata anggota polis yang bertugas mengarahkan ambulans KKM terbabit serta sebuah kenderaan 4x4 itu berhenti.

Berdasarkan penilaian, kata Azman, jika kenderaan terbabit tidak diarah berhenti dan diberi keutamaan, ia akan mewujudkan risiko kemalangan dan membahayakan pengguna lain di jalan raya berkenaan.

"Ini memandangkan jarak pendahulu konvoi (
lead vehicle
) yang telah tiba hampir ke persimpangan berkenaan”.

"Tindakan mengatasi trafik tersebut telah diambil oleh anggota trafik berkenaan selaras dengan peruntukan mengikut Kaedah Lalu Lintas No 9 LN 166/1959 dalam Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987," katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

Memandangkan ada beratus seksyen dan pelbagai akta yang melibatkan jalan raya, jadi penulis kurang pasti bagaimana sesuatu keputusan dicapai oleh pihak berkuasa (kadang-kadang memang wajar dipersoalkan).

Namun yang pasti,
kenderaan VIP
 tidak termasuk dalam golongan kenderaan yang berhak diberi laluan utama di jalan raya mengikut Kaedah 9, Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1959.

*Kredit semua foto: Facebook


The F1 Halo Safety Device Has Truly Earned Its Stars By Saving Romain Grosjean In Horrific Crash

Romain Grosjean himself said it was unnecessary and annoying, the late Niki Lauda, a lifelong proponent of better safety standards in Formula 1 said that it destroys the DNA of a single-seater F1 car  – however, last night at 2020 Bahrain GP, the Halo safety device proved to the world why it’s one of the greatest safety innovations in
Formula 1
.

Just seconds after the lights went out at yesterday’s Bahrain GP – Romain Grosjean tangled with Daniil Kvyat sending Grosjean’s HAAS Ferrari F1 car barrelling into a three-deck Armco barrier at roughly 200km. The subsequent impact split the racecar into two. The front half of the car consisting of the carbon safety tub, the Halo device, and crucially Grosjean - pierced through the barrier like a dagger.

I say that again – the entire assembly tore through the reinforced Armco barrier.

Almost as soon as the impact took place, the car erupted into a massive fireball, rising tens of metres into the air as race fuel combusted. The horrific and graphic accident had all the hallmarks of so many tragic crashes that have come before it, and taken the lives of so many talented Formula 1 drivers. The one difference this time: Grosjean emerged from the flames, was able to climb out of his cockpit by himself, and jump over the Armco barrier to safety.

Grosjean today said on his Twitter feed that he is being treated for burns, but for the most part, he is okay.

If not for the Halo safety device – a reinforced curved bar that rises above the driver’s head (and has a centrally mounted spine just in front of the driver) Grosjean's head would have had no protection as he came into contact with the barrier, which almost certainly would have resulted in serious injury or even death.

The Halo safety device withstood the massive impact, preserved the integrity of Grosjean’s survival cell and remained intact giving him an exit path to escape the burning remains of his car with moments to spare.

Image credit: Formula1.com

The controversial Halo safety device (which we suspect is no longer controversial) was introduced in the 2018
F1 season
, following Jules Bianchi’s horrific crash (and subsequent death) at the 2014 Japanese GP. F1’s governing body the FIA, has since made the Halo mandatory on all F1, F2, and F3 racecars. F4 racecars will follow suit in 2021.

The Halo safety device is connected to three points of the vehicle’s frame. The Halo is constructed out of high-strength “Grade 5” titanium and is produced by three FIA appointed third-party companies, to exacting specifications for each team. The Halo itself weighs approximately 9kg but is able to withstand the weight of two African elephants (that’s 12,000kgs) in case you're wondering – and protect the driver’s head from an object/debris at speeds of up to 225km/h.

Image credit: FIA.com

Germany’s CP Autosport, one of the three official Halo suppliers (who supply 9 out of the 10 F1 teams currently) says that the Halo uses aerospace-grade Titanium that uses state-of-the-art pre- and post-machining and welding techniques.

The metal is heat-treated prior to the machining processes, even the welding process is performed in a closed chamber to prevent any foreign objects from interfering with the material. The whole device then undergoes further heat treatment for additional strengthening before it is sent for testing.

The Halo itself is built from five different parts. The half ring at the top is made from two-quarters of the circle. Then there are the two end pieces that attach to the back of the car and the centre pillar in front of the driver.

Main image credit: Formula1.com


Lelaki Ubah Suai Toyota MR2 Coupe Menjadi Ferrari F430 Berdepan Hukuman Penjara

Seorang lelaki di Itali didakwa atas tuduhan pemalsuan dan pelanggaran cap dagangan selepas mengubah suai sebuah kereta
Toyota MR Coupe
 miliknya menjadi Ferrari F430 berwarna merah.

Ubah suai kereta yang melampau sehingga hilang identiti sebenar kereta bukan sahaja dilarang di Malaysia, malah di negara luar seperti Itali juga.

Ubah suai Toyota MR2 Coupe menjadi Ferrari F430

Agensi penguatkuasaan undang-undang Itali, Guardia telah merampas ‘Ferrari’ yang dilahirkan daripada sebuah Toyota itu semasa melakukan pemeriksaan rutin di bandar Asti.

Meskipun kereta itu lengkap semua elemen unik Ferrari F430 termasuk logo kuda pada bonet dan stereng, rim, brek serta lampu depan, namun ‘Ferrari’ itu tetap kelihatan sedikit pelik, seperti sesuatu yang tidak kena. Maklumlah, kereta
convert
.

Laporan daripada media Itali tidak menjelaskan sama ada pemandu berusia 26 tahun itu mempunyai dokumen sah yang diperlukan untuk membuktikan bahawa keretanya adalah Ferrari F430 tulen atau tidak.

Namun pegawai polis di sana telah bertindak memanggil pasukan pakar untuk memeriksa sendiri kereta itu dengan lebih terperinci bagi mendapatkan kepastian.

Pakar telah mengesahkan bahawa kereta itu sebenarnya adalah Toyota MR Coupe yang telah diubah suai sepenuhnya menjadi Ferrari F430 dan kes itu dianggap unik kerana tahap pemalsuannya yang tinggi.

Lebih menarik, pakar tersebut juga menjelaskan bahawa kereta ini lengkap dengan alat ganti dan aksesori Ferrari asli yang membuatkan sukar untuk dikenali dengan mata kasar bahawa ia adalah sebuah Toyota.

Media berita Itali melaporkan bahawa kereta itu telah disita dan pemiliknya dilaporkan kepada Pejabat Pendakwa Raya Asti kerana menggunakan cap dagangan berdaftar tanpa kebenaran.

Seperti yang anda tahu, Ferrari agak tegas dengan penjagaan identiti jenama mereka. Sebelum ini, mereka telah mengharamkan Justin Bieber daripada membeli kereta jenama itu setelah bintang pop itu membuat ubah suai yang tidak dibenarkan pada Ferrari 458 miliknya seperti menukar warna kereta, warna emblem, rim kereta.


Dedicated bus lane on Jalan Ampang to ease traffic congestion: Rapid Bus and DBKL collaborate on trial project

Starting from July 3, a dedicated bus lane will be implemented along Jalan Ampang as part of a joint trial project by Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

The trial will span six months and cover a 3km stretch according to The Star, running from the Risda building to the Jalan Tun Razak intersection during peak hours on weekdays (6am to 9am).

The initiative aims to reduce travel time by 10 minutes and encourage approximately 30,000 daily commuters to utilize the Jalan Ampang route.

Plans are also underway to extend the dedicated bus lane to serve evening peak hours from 5pm to 7pm.

In an interview with StarMetro, Rapid Bus CEO Muhammad Yazurin Sallij expressed the objective of reducing private vehicle usage in Kuala Lumpur from 50,000 to 40,000, while promoting public transport through the dedicated lane.

The fare for bus rides will be RM1.90 per trip, with the option for commuters to avail themselves of the MY50 monthly pass priced at RM50. If the trial proves successful, the dedicated bus lane will become a permanent feature.

During the trial period, 36 buses, including double-decker buses for Route 300 and DS01, as well as nine single-deck buses for Route 303, will be deployed along Jalan Ampang.

Rapid KL also has plans to enhance connectivity by introducing bus services for Jalan Genting Klang, Jalan Kelang Lama, and the Federal Highway.

The initiative aims to address the growing traffic congestion caused by an influx of vehicles entering Kuala Lumpur, with the ultimate goal of encouraging more people to use public transportation.

To facilitate seamless transfers, the Ampang Park LRT station will serve as a central hub for bus connections, allowing passengers to conveniently switch to the Putrajaya Line or Kelana Jaya Line.

Along the Ampang bus route, there will be seven stops, including Risda Building, 3 Towers, Gleneagles Hospital, Great Eastern Mall, Perkeso, Ampwalk Mall, and Proton Edar.


2017 BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) unveiled – Larger Yet Leaner and Meaner

BMW have officially rolled out the Touring version of the recently launched
BMW 5 Series sedan
 – developed specifically for the European markets. This is the second body style to be launched by BMW for the all-new 5 Series range.
The fifth-generation 5 Series Touring’s will make its official debut at the upcoming 2017 at the Geneva International Motor Show – offered with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines; in rear- and all-wheel drive formats.
The range will start off with the 530i Touring, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder which generates maximum output of 252 hp and peak torque of 350 Nm, matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The range topping petrol is the 540i xDrive Touring, which draws power from a 3.0-litre inline-six which produces 340 hp and peak torque of 450 Nm, also connected to an eight-speeder auto, chanelling power to all four wheels. 0-100km/h is achieved in just 5.1 seconds in the 540i variant.
The diesel range includes the 520d Touring, which is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto, powered by a 2.0-litre inline-four producing 190 hp and 400 Nm, while the BMW 530d Touring draws power from a turbocharged inline-six producing 265 hp and peak torque of 620 Nm. The 530d is only available as an auto, linked to a rear or all-wheel drive configurations.
Additional variants with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive will join the line-up over the course of the year.
For the Touring model, special attention was paid to keep weight down, the suspension side members and tailgate are now made from aluminium, which is also employed alongside high-strength steels in other parts of the construction. Rear air suspension with automatic self-levelling is also part of standard specification now.
BMW claim the reduced weight and efficient power plants contribute to an 11 percent lower emission figures than the outgoing model.
The all-new Touring combines practicality with sportiness – the front end, akin to the sedan, is now fitted LED headlights as standard, stretching towards the sides from the pronounced kidney grille.
Along the flanks, the long roofline flows into heavily raked D-pillars, while the rear window is framed by a roof spoiler with integrated auxiliary brake light. Lower down, horizontal body lines, match up with the L-shaped rear lights to accentuate the body’s width.
On the inside, the ‘Control Display’ now comes in freestanding, flat screen form. All seats benefit from greater head-, shoulder- and legroom, while optimised backrest contours, longer seat surfaces and extended knee-room improves comfort for the rear passengers.
Further upgrades to the soundproofing provided by the windscreen, headliner and load compartment raise the acoustic comfort on board the new BMW 5 Series Touring to sedan levels.
The increase in interior width allows up to three child seats to be fixed securely across the rear.
The boot capacity of the new BMW 5 Series Touring has grown, from 570-litre with the (40:20:40 split/folding) third-row up, to 1700-litres when folded down. The permissible cargo load is also up by 120 kilograms, depending on the model variant to 720 – 730 kgs. A separately opening rear window and automatic tailgate are available as an option – allowing for hands-free operation.
The 5 Series touring also packs the latest suite of active assistance systems – ‘Crossing traffic warning’ and ‘Priority warning’, Lane Change Assist and Lane Keeping Assist with active side collision protection, and evasion aid. The new systems provide steering and lane control assistance from walking speed up to 210 km/h.
And the Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function can now factor in speed restrictions detected by the Speed Limit Info system, by simply pressing a button.
Following the world debut, the (G31) is scheduled to go on sale in Europe, beginning June 2017.


Renault-funded Singaporean brainchild luxury EV: Meet the BeyonCa GT Opus 1

Unlike other Chinese EV-centric automakers which are very keen to capture the mass market, newcomer BeyonCa is aiming higher, seeking to carve out a niche for itself competing with luxury marques such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz or....Tesla.

The Beijing-based startup (founded in 2021) only recently got underway but has been bolstered with a new round of capital funding from
even the likes of Renault
. To entice additional investors and the public, their planned debut vehicle, they've revealed the GT Opus 1  - at least in digital form.

Aside from looking pretty and futuristic, combining an aesthetic that reminds us of the Fisker Karma, a bird, and a giant human forehead, the car promises a 'super premium EV' experience exceeds the offerings of today's automotive industry.

The brand itself, and indeed the GT Opus 1, is the brainchild of Soh Weiming, a Singaporean veteran in the automotive industry with prior leadership roles in in Volkswagen China.

He characterises the brand's direction as "an alternative to BBA [BMW, Benz, Audi], focusing on smart premium design and on user services like health." That's right. In addition to getting you from A to B in style and electric efficiency, the GT Opus 1 incorporates artificial intelligence to bring its owners unique healthcare solutions.

Health condition monitoring will be a central feature. The car will also be able to slow down and come to a safe stop in the emergency lane when the driver encounters symptoms of cardiovascular disease, stroke, or driver fatigue. Following this a BeyonCa healthcare services team will dispatch a medical doctor onto the scene.

It's the car perfect for those prone to heart attacks and/or frequent medical emergencies. Is that you?

No, we don't really have further insights into what this could mean either. That said, we should likely be furnished with more information once the car edges closer to completion. BeyonCa is aiming for a 2024 production timeline with 3 to 5 new models to be ready for purchase within the next 5 years.

"My philosophy and understanding has always been this: if you do not go beyond the car in a specific way, it will not be a complete story," he said. "[Our] electric car is not just an electric car."

Of course, these cars will hit the market in China first before venturing into other territories, but this all depends on how viable a health-centric EV proves to be in the real world, even in the competitive tech-driven vehicle space.

Christian Klingler, Co-Founder of BeyonCa, is also expectedly enthusiasti, saying: "BeyonCa has a very clear idea, to define what it means to be a smart, super-premium car brand. We will enhance the characteristics of what makes something premium, including world-class quality,"

"This quality is incredibly important to me throughout my career, and is both seen and felt, like when you first pick up a luxury bag or luggage. It can be achieved only by obsessing over every millimeter of what you are making. This philosophy permeates through BeyonCa, and it is combined with unbeatable world-class design."


Detroit 2017: Audi Unveils Q8 Concept

When it comes to Audi, you can be fairly certain that their concepts are going to make it to the light of day in some form or another. In the case of the Q8 concept it's more than likely we'll be seeing a production ready model in the coming months or years, giving Audi a horse to run in the coveted large coupe-SUV-crossover segment in which we find the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
Audi says that there are elements of the Ur-quattro in the design, but it can be a little difficult to see amidst the aggressive lines and mammoth proportions. It's a big car, and it certainly looks big as well. At 5.02 metres long, it's a full 100 mm longer than the X6, stretch over a wheelbase that's 3 metres long. The taper of the roof is carefully designed so as to not compromise headroom for rear passengers, which is a problem usually found with these coupe-SUV crossbreeds.
As always, the interior of an Audi concept vehicle is set to stun. The Q8 Concept sports an expanded version of the Audi Virtual Cockpit, with touchscreens aplenty and an analogue heads up display with augmented reality functionality. We're seeing more and more use of AR systems in a variety of applications, and it's only a matter of time before it becomes a part of our driving experience as well.
Powering this concept is a hybrid powertrain comprised of the 3.0 TFSI engine we know and love (333 hp, 500 Nm), with a 134 hp electric motor providing supplementary shove. Total system output is 442 hp and 700 Nm of torque, pushing the Q8 Concept to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds and on to a (probably limited) top speed of 250 km/h. Of course this is all just a concept, and in concept the Q8 is to be a plug-in hybrid, but with Audi hinting that the model could seriously make it to market we should take these figures as fairly close to life.
Everything else that the concept brings is mostly in the interest of design studies. There's a novel air suspension system that offers various ride heights, which is nice but not necessarily a feature we'll see in production models. There are systems in place for the hybrid powertrain that give a glimpse of what streamlined hybrid modes may be like for Audi's future products, although again this could change between now and production. The only certainties we have are that there will be an Audi Q8, and that it's going to be big and sleek.


iCarData: The Best Time To Buy/Sell (W205) C250 AMG Line

As Malaysians return to some semblance of normality with the relaxed movement control and reopening of more industries, there’s much catching up to do. However, with any business’ resurgence, in the current economic conditions will depend on their creativity to adapt to the climate and most importantly, offer more value to customers.

This is especially true in the case of the automotive market, vehicle sales will depend highly on how companies attract buying customers with increased value for their money – this doesn’t just mean discounted prices but, better aftersales packages, warranty packages and lower interest rates – this with respect to new cars. As for the used car market, there’s simply no better time to buy a car than now.

With great deals scattered all over the market, it’s easy pickings for someone to buy a used car now at prices 5-10 percent lower than what they were just a few months ago.

Tracking advertised used vehicle prices across the broad market has so far been nigh-on impossible, but, now with the resources of our in-house developed
iCarData
, we can collate data from literally thousands of used vehicle deals, vehicle variants, and locations.

Despite the many factors that need to be considered when buying a used car (i.e: overall condition, mechanical soundness, variant type, and accessories), these price trends, using algorithm-based data, provide an intrinsic view of the organic depreciation of a car, and external forces (such as competitor vehicles) that might affect overall demand and selling price.

Therefore, regardless if it is a mass-selling economy car or premium sedan – it’s all about timing.

Last week we looked at the seminal
BMW (F30) 328i M Sport
, a popular premium sedan known the world over, today, we take a look at its main rival, a sweetheart of the premium sedan scene since it was launched nearly six years back, the W205 C-Class.

First launched in 2014, the W205 C-Class not only highlighted a paradigm shift at Mercedes-Benz – who wanted to break away from its old image of making great but slightly boring cars, and capture a younger market – but also, a monumental resurgence of the brand here in Malaysia. The W205 C-Class was launched in 2014, pretty much at the beginning of huge product salvo from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, which has lasted over 5 years, introduced best sellers across many premium ranges, and usurped BMW’s position as the leading premium automaker in the country thereafter.

Throughout this time, the W205 C-Class has been a stout sales performer, attracting buyers both young and old given its comprehensive variant line-up, sublime design, superb interior architecture, and potent powertrains. The C250, particularly in its AMG Line trim package – which was equipped with sportier exterior and interior trappings - arguably, offered the best of all worlds. In no doubt, those three hallowed letters spelling AMG in its name, bump the desirability factor up considerably.

The C250 AMG Line variant was launched at the tail-end end of 2014, just a month after introducing the core W205 lineup. Here’s a snapshot of the model history:

September 2014: W205 C-Class first introduced. C200 Avantgarde (RM286k) and C250 Exclusive (RM315k) offered at the outset.

October 2014: W205 C-Class AMG Line introduced as a fully-imported model from South Africa (RM340k).

April 2015: Locally-assembled C200 Avantgarde and C250 Exclusive launched

October 2015: Locally-assembled C250 AMG Line introduced at RM288k.

March 2016: Locally-assembled C180 Avantgarde (RM229k) and
C300 AMG Line
 (RM308k)
join lineup
, C250 AMG Line retained.

October 2016: Locally-assembled C350e PHEV launched – RM290k to RM300k.

April 2017: C200 and C250 variants offered with Mercedes-Benz 9G-Tronic C250 AMG Line retains 288k pricetag.

October 2017: C200 AMG Line variant added (RM255k)

November 2018: W205 C-Class facelift launched;
C200
 Avantgarde (RM260k), and C300 AMG Line (RM305k) launched.

As the list shows, there’s no shortage of variant choices W205 C-Class owners. We chose the C250 AMG Line as the variant of choice for our iCarData tracking because it has one of the longest market availabilities, having been around since 2015, and its popularity gives it a larger spread of data points for more precise results.

We have taken into account the following to keep our numbers accurate and representative.

Vehicle variant: CBU W205 C250 AMG Line, delivered between Oct 2014 and September 2015.

Depreciation is calculated using the original list price.

Depreciation percentage does not take into account special/ seasonal offers or rebates on the original selling price.

Depreciation for other variants may differ.

Specifications of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C250 AMG Line:

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged, inline-four, Petrol

Power: 211 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Torque: 350 Nm @ 1,200 rpm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

Safety: Seven airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Stability Control, Forward Collision Alert

Origin: Early models CBU South Africa, October 2015 onwards CKD in Pekan, Pahang.

Price: RM339,888 – CBU, RM287,888 – CKD (OTR without insurance)

Based on
iCarData
, here's the summarized data for depreciation:

 And the graphical analysis below:

Blue line: Average selling price (RM) by year

Grey line: Cumulative depreciation (RM) by year

Orange line: Retained value percentage by year

If you have read our first two iCarData features - on the
Toyota Vios
 and
Honda City
 - you'd find that the F30 3 Series does not retain value in quite the same manner as those two cars. But comparisons between them are from apple-to-apple, because cars such as the 3 Series and C-Class are premium cars which start at much higher price bracket, and are more susceptible to market forces than mass sellers such as the Vios and City.

With that said, the C250 actually offers good value retention in the first three years of ownership. Be mindful that during the course of 2015 and 2016, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia offered newer variants with lower price tags such as the C200 and C180, and yet, the C250 AMG Line held value, due in part to its overall desirability.

The biggest drops come in the third-fourth year, amounting to over 28 percent loss in value, this could be due to the launch of the CKD model which retailed for approximately RM40k less than the initial CBU model. This would have invariably affected the CBU model prices, especially since some of them would have passed the 3-4 year mark of their manufacturer warranties.

This is largely exhibited by the largest single drop, year-on-year, specifically in 2018. Another factor that would have undoubtedly contributed to the drop was the introduction of the facelift model, which packed more features.

However, in the 5th and 6th years (up to 2020), prices achieve more stability, and there is less discrepancy in the CBU and CKD models on the used market. After 6 years, the C250 still offers decent resale value retention, of around 47 percent of the original list price, which is admirable for a premium compact sedan, and somewhat better than the equivalent BMW 328i M Sport offers.

From the data, we can infer that current owners may as well retain ownership of their C-Classes until the end of the warranty period to maximise their ownership experience. Given that the largest drops in depreciation happen in the 3rd and 4th year, which is still too premature for a sale given their vehicle is still relatively new and unused.

For some great deals on the W205 C-Class, click
here
.

If you're looking to sell your C-Class, we have two solutions for you too. List in on carlist.my or better still, use
CarlistBid
 where we remove all the hassle of selling your car for you as you get searching for your next upgrade.

Which make/ model would you like us to research next? Let us know in the comments


Pengguna, Pembekal e-Skuter Perlukan Lesen – Menteri Pengangkutan

Menurut Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, satu peraturan kecil berhubung penggunaan
 e-skuter
 akan diputuskan, termasuk pelaksanaan lesen terhadap e-skuter.

Susulan tular video yang memaparkan para pengguna e-skuter yang menggunakan jalan raya tanpa menghirau keselamatan diri dan pengguna jalan raya lain di Cyberjaya, Kementerian Pengangkutan dilaporkan sedang memperhalusi satu peraturan kecil berhubung penggunaan skuter elektrik, termasuk pelaksanaan lesen.

*Kredit foto: The Star

Lesen e-Skuter

Ketika ini, Kementerian Pengangkutan sedang memperhalusi beberapa dasar dan peraturan kecil bagi memastikan kenderaan mobiliti mikro itu dikawal penggunaannya. Kemungkinan, pelaksanaan
lesen
 akan dikenakan kepada:

Pengguna e-skuter

Pembekal e-skuter

Menurut Wee, pembekal skuter elektrik perlu melalui pengendali lesen dan cukai kerana spesifikasi e-skuter tersebut perlu disemak terlebih dahulu.

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Peraturan Kecil e-Skuter Bakal Diputuskan

Meskipun ada sesetegah e-skuter yang digelar e-bicycle, namun kelajuannya seakan sebuah motosikal membuatkan Kementerian Pengangkutan tidak boleh melihat berpandukan nama sahaja.

Bagi Wee Ka Siong, kenderaan mikro mobiliti terlalu banyak menggunakan nama berbeza, jadi ia memerlukan satu definisi jelas yang akan dibuat melalui peraturan kecil itu.

Tambahnya lagi, penggunaan e-skuter semakin menjadi trend dalam kalangan masyarakat yang memerlukan penyelesaian sewajarnya untuk mengelakkan pengguna terdedah kepada risiko nahas yang lebih teruk.

Penggunaan kenderaan elektrik seperti e-skuter adalah termaktub dalam pindaan Akta 333 Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 pindaan 2020. Pindaan itu merangkumi semua aspek kenderaan yang digolongkan di bawah kenderaan mikro mobiliti yang mempunyai peraturan kecil mengenai spesifikasi kenderaan tersebut.

 “Kita kena perhalusi setiap satu kenderaan itu dan pendekatan sudah dibuat berkali-kali kerana jumlah mikro mobiliti ini amat banyak,” jelas Wee Ka Siong. Pengumuman lanjut berhubung isu ini akan diumumkan tidak lama lagi.

Boleh Ke Bawa e-Skuter Di Jalan Raya?

Bermula 1 Januari 2021,
penggunaan skuter elektrik di atas jalan raya
 atau kawasan selain yang digazetkan di ibu negara adalah dilarang.

Orang ramai dinasihati supaya tidak menyewa dan menaiki skuter di atas jalan raya kerana ia merupakan satu kesalahan di bawah Seksyen 54 Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987.

Penunggang skuter elektrik yang didapati bergerak di atas jalan raya akan dikenakan denda RM300 untuk kesalahan pertama, maksimum RM1,000 untuk kesalahan seterusnya atau penjara tiga bulan.

Kat Mana Boleh Bawa Skuter Elektrik?

Taman permainan

Kawasan pejalan kaki

Kawasan sekitar pusat beli belah di ibu negara

Kawasan yang terasing dari jalan raya


BMW 1 Series Sedan (F52) Rolls Out Exclusively For China; FWD, 136 – 231hp

The China-special
BMW 1 Series Sedan
 is officially launched. Developed specifically for the needs of the Chinese market, the
1 Series Sedan
 is built at BMW’s Shenyang plant, which it operates in collaboration with its local joint venture partner BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd.
Based on the UKL platform, the F52 1 Series Sedan is notable for being the only sedan in BMW’s line-up that powers its front wheels with its engine mounted transversely. Notably, BMW’s press materials mention its ‘almost equally balanced axle load distribution’ as opposed the usual insistence on 50:50 weight spread between its two axles.
External dimensions of the 1 Series Sedan measure 4,456mm in length, 1,803mm in width and 1,446mm in height – it is larger than both the 1 Series hatchback and 2 Series Coupe, but smaller than the 3 Series sedan. Its 2,670mm wheelbase, however, is shared with the 2 Series Active Tourer, the model which it is most closely related to.
Unlike other models in the BMW line-up that are offered elsewhere in the world, the 1 Series Sedan’s range of engines are petrol only, although they still hail from the same B-series modular engine family that perpetuate much of the BMW and MINI range. All engines come standard with automatic transmission.
The base 118i kicks things off with 136hp and 220Nm from its B38 1.5-litre 3-cylinder engine, which is paired with a 6-speed transmission. Above it comes the B48 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, fitted with an 8-speed transmission as standard, in two states of tune – 192hp/280Nm in the 120i and 231hp/350Nm in the range-topping 125i.
Despite BMW’s insistence that the 1 Series Sedan is to be made exclusively for the China market, there remains the possibility that this model will still go on and influence BMW’s global line-up.
For starters, this is a tantalizing model for BMW to pit against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3 Sedan. Secondly, even if BMW stays true to its word of keeping the 1 Series Sedan exclusive to the Chinese market, its engineering underpinnings are readily adapted for use in the next-generation 1 Series hatchback and 2 Series Coupe.


Audi Unleashes Its New 605hp S8 Plus Super Saloon

Audi
 has unveiled its new
S8
 Plus, which it claims to be the most powerful sports sedan in the premium segment. With 605hp and 700Nm of torque on tap (750Nm on overboost), its certainly not lacking under the hood.
Its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the result of a close collaborative effort between Audi and Quattro GmbH, is able to propel the S8 Plus to 100km/h from standstill in just 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 305km/h.
Among modifications made to the 4.0 TSFI range include its unique engine control parameters with speed and charge pressure boosting as well as its reworked exhaust valves and turbocharger geometry to optimize efficiency.
The bi-turbo V8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheel via a quattro drivetrain with a sport differential. Its chassis includes an advanced adaptive air suspension which was tuned specifically to work with the car’s dynamic steering system.
In Germany, the S8 Plus comes with specially designed 21-inch wheels that wear 275/35 tyres. The Dynamic package, which is also a standard addition to the car in Audi’s home country, adds a delimiter which permits the 305km/h top speed as well as carbon-fibre reinforced ceramic brakes and a sports exhaust system.
To complement the S8’s mechanical upgrades, Audi has furnished it with numerous design detailing to elevate it above the crowd: rear lip spoiler, carbon fibre flaps for the side air inlets and front apron blade, darkened taillights, gloss black diffuser insert carbon surround, and dual gloss black tailpipes, among others.
Up front, Audi has fitted the S8 Plus with its Matrix LED technology. They include 25 individual LEDs that can be independently turned on, off, or dimmed as required, illuminating the road superbly without causing glare to oncoming traffic.
Inside, the S8 Plus is dressed in a black full-leather interior with Arras red stitching contrasts. The headlining and rear parcel shelf, however, is finished in black Alcantara. Black piano paint trims the gear lever and centre console.
Also standard fit are interior ambient lighting, the assistance package with Audi pre sense plus, four-zone automatic air conditioning, Bose surround sound audio system and MMI navigation plus with MMI touch.


2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 – To Tech Or Not To Tech?

The seventh generation Volkswagen Golf GTI has been on the market for several years already. By now, many would’ve been familiar with what it is and what it isn’t.
The subject of today’s discussion centres around the RM10,000 Tech Pack and RM3,000 19-inch Santiago wheels options – are they worth the money and how much do they improve/worsen the car’s dynamics?
To recap, the Tech Pack option includes DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) adaptive dampers with three selectable driving modes – Normal, Comfort and Sport, power adjustable driver’s seats, Vienna leather upholstery with the signature red stitching.
DCC is a pretty nifty feature within the car’s suspension that continuously adapts itself to changing road conditions and driving behaviour.
By altering the electrical charge running through the oil-filled dampers, the magneto-rheological fluid (fancy word for oil filled with magnetic particles) within will increase or decrease its viscosity, which would have an effect of loosening or stiffening the dampers rates.
Each damper is controlled by an individual control unit which calculates the optimum settings for each wheel based on the stream of information coming from the GTI’s array of sensors from the steering, wheels, engine and transmission.
Depending on whether the driver has selected Normal, Comfort or Sport setting, DCC will adjust the GTI’s damping accordingly, as well as varying the steering’s power assistance.
Adaptive dampers are great when they work, and a massive headache when they fail, which they certainly will over the course of the car’s lifespan.
As a wear and tear item, you will have to budget for their maintenance, and if you are curious about how much they cost to replace – it’s about RM1,500 to RM2,000 per piece, depending on whether you want to have the work done at an independent specialist, or at a Volkswagen centre. This is not that expensive considering their complexity, and how much a branded set of performance-oriented mechanical dampers will cost you.
To set a baseline for comparison, we jumped into a standard non-DCC-equipped Deep Black colour Golf GTI.
Now the Golf GTI is often said to be the best all-rounder performance hatchback – docile enough to be driven by your grandmother, comfortable enough to drive your in-laws in, and yet still engaging enough to set your pulse racing. At least that’s what the pundits say.
Despite the many praises heaped onto the GTI, oddly, I am quite indifferent to the it: not because of any particular fault within the car, but I just find it to be missing the last few tenths in driver engagement that I would expect from a hot hatch. Capable? Definitely. Stirring the soul? Meh. The three-pedal crackling Renault Megane RS has that covered.
Driving the non-DCC GTI only served to further confirm my own opinions. Inside the cabin, there’s certainly a lot of ergonomic flaws that I can nit-pick on. The cabin might have been a nice place to sit in, if the steering wheel was on the left side of the car, but this is Malaysia, so some things are clearly not the way it was made to be.
The switch to disable the engine’s auto start-stop function is located on the left of the DSG-labelled gear knob, which means that you can’t see it without straining your neck over to the left.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the GTI’s engine idle start-stop function. For a small capacity four-cylinder engine, it operates smooth enough but you certainly don’t want your engine cutting out when you are lining up to pull out of a junction, or inching your way through a traffic jam.
There also isn’t a lot of utility space for you to empty the contents of your pockets into. Smartphones, wallet, house keys, office keys, Smart Tag – it is best that you keep another bag in the car for such items.
The much talked about proximity sensor-equipped 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system might cause a ‘wow’ at first impression, with the function menus popping out when you hover your hand near it, but in reality, it only makes them harder to operate on the move, having to wait for the menus to pop-up before operating the menus. Curiously, both our test cars had rather poor FM radio reception.
Compared to its predecessor, this Mk 7 model feels more grown up. The signature exhaust pop that accompanied every upshift of the 6-speed wet-clutch DSG transmission, that ‘GTI pop’ that’s so synonymous with the Mk6 model is now gone. Whether that is a good or a bad thing depends on your preference. There is a new “brapp” sound in place, but you’ll have to work the revs hard to hear it.
There’s also a general sense of better precision to its steering, which now has a quicker ratio working within a lighter MQB platform that underpins the new GTI.
On the move, the non-DCC GTI rides very poorly. Across long empty stretches of highway at high speeds, the GTI bounced about in a manner that was very un-Volkswagen, which is odd because Volkswagen cars, from its most humble Polo Sedan, to the Passat or even Tiguan, are known to have a very well balanced ride.
Off the highway and into twisty country-side roads, the non-DCC GTI’s limited scope of damping control makes it difficult to find a right driving rhythm that matches the character of these country-side roads.
You then begin to back off the throttle a couple of notches, which is unfortunate because the car clearly has a wider breath of abilities to play with, but the suspension somewhat refuses to cooperate.
That’s a shame because there’s a good vibe permeating through the GTI’s controls. Once on the move, you begin to enjoy the car and forget about the niggly ergonomic flaws in its cabin.
The dichotomy between the non-DCC GTI and Volkswagen’s other regular models made it seem like the engineers at Wolfsburg had either not bothered at all with the standard GTI’s ride quality or had intentionally made it to ride poorer to support the case of adopting the more expensive DCC feature.
Moving on to the Tornado Red DCC-equipped Golf GTI with the optional 19-inch Santiago wheels, you lose the GTI’s signature tartan-like ‘Cloth’ pattern fabric seats in exchange for plusher ‘Vienna’ leather upholstery.
Personally I would have preferred to retain the iconic tartan fabric seats but our small market size means that it is not possible to have separate options for the upholstery and chassis control.
With the DCC in its default Normal setting, smooth highways flatter the GTI’s ride but be extra cautious of potholes when driving within the city.
The roads surrounding our office in Bangsar and the nearby Sri Hartamas are pockmarked with mini-craters. There were several instances when we thought the tyres were going to burst, but thankfully they survived.
The 19-inch wheels look good but those rubber band-thin 35-series tyres wrapping around it are going to take a lot of beating and we don’t think they are worth the trouble. Save yourself the RM3,000 and stick to the far more practical standard 18-inch wheels.
Contrary to what most may think, the DCC’s Sport mode is not the best setting when you want to drive hard. In Sport mode, the suspension’s settings are just too hard for one to quickly string together a sequence of corners.
On anything other than a smooth race track, Sport mode simply makes the car very jittery. The slightest rough patch of tarmac is enough to throw the car off its intended cornering line. On a race track, a stiff suspension with zero body roll is ideal but out here on public roads, some amount of body roll is necessary in helping the driver to gauge the limits of the car.
After several runs along a mountainous stretch, we found that the ideal setup is to leave the steering in Sport, and the suspension in Normal. This gives you a very sharp, nicely weighted steering for optimum control with a suspension that is pliant enough to absorb mid-corner bumps without upsetting your steering.
Both cars use the Volkswagen’s XDS+ electronic differential lock that allows you to accelerate out of corners faster than you normally could. It’s a pseudo-LSD that uses the front brakes to divert torque to either front wheels which has more traction. It works brilliantly but watch out for accelerated tyre-wear!
XDS+ is the one thing that lulls so many poorly trained drivers behind a GTI think that they are very talented. What was previously an exercise of ‘slow-in and fast-out’ (as opposed to ‘fast-in, never came out’), practicing the delicate art of throttle and steering control, adjusting the attitude of the car based on what you feel at your bum, is now reduced to an elementary point-and-shoot exercise. Turn in to a corner, aim, squeeze the throttle and the car shoots away.
The car’s excellent traction lulls you into believing that you have more driving talent than you actually do. There’s a reason why tow truck drivers are said to be very familiar with picking up GTIs.
 At some point the tyres will run out of traction and the car’s ESC will intervene and when it does, it can be rather disruptive.
For a performance oriented car, the ESC clamps the brakes surprisingly hard, which can upset the car’s cornering line. One moment you can be holding your line along a fast sweeping corner but when ESC comes on, you might find the car momentarily pointing another direction. Fast reaction in applying corrective steering is required to maintain your intended line.
Overall, the Golf GTI is still the gold-standard in delivering fun for people of all levels of driving talent. Purists may snigger at it and go for the Renault Megane RS, but the Renault’s breath of capabilities is far too narrow for the masses. And therein lies the Golf GTI’s appeal – it is a hero car for the masses, and the missus is not going to get upset riding inside it, so long as you choose the Tech Pack but drop the 19-inch wheels option.


Multiple LRT Kelana Jaya line stations shut down - chaos for commuters

This evening, thousands of commuters were left in the lurch after finding their nearest RapidKL LRT station shuttered. Confused and frustrated, they were forced to find other means of getting home.

Unlike the
previous disruptions
 that have plagued the LRT Kelana Jaya line as recently as yesterday night, 7th November (and resolved at 6am this morning), this one seems much more severe as public transportation users were not even allowed to access the station entrances.

Following the online chatter that occurred after many found out about yet another service disruption plaguing the Kelana Jaya line, operators RapidKL has issued an announcement that service between the Kelana Jaya station and Ampang Park is not available.

Commuters are encouraged to find alternative means of transport. However, RapidKL says that
free feeder buses (SEWA KHAS)
 are being provided to help with the overflow, ferrying passengers between the parts of the routes that
are still functional: Gombak to Damai, Ara Damansara to Putra Heights.

As of right now, no official clarification as to why the disruption occurred has been provided but we assume it to only be a major mechanical malfunction given the severity and number of stations impacted.

A member of the Carlist.my team fell victim to the disruption but found no feeder bus service provided for the Abdullah Hukum LRT station. RapidKL staff there also said they had not been notified nor did they have information about organising the feeder bus service.

With no alternative, he had to quickly find a ride hailing vehicle. As
prices were increasing
 by the minute and with surging demand given the service disruption, a trip from the Mid Valley to Ara Damansara area costed over about RM47.

In the weeks prior to this, the Kelana Jaya line LRT had been facing noticeable issues causing delays, long intervals between trains, among others.

Update:
RapidKL have confirmed that the malfunction stemmed from the automatic train control system (ATC), which has been facing stability issues since the service disruption on Saturday, 5th November 2022.

No service restoration timeline has been provided as of publication, labelled as 'until further notice'.


Lelaki Buat Wheelie Sambil Bawa Anak Ditahan Polis – 3 Saman Dikeluarkan

Sebuah video berdurasi 36 saat yang memaparkan seorang lelaki melakukan aksi pacak atau
wheelie
 ketika membawa anaknya hanya demi meraih
Likes
 di laman sosial telah menerima kecaman.

Berdasarkan video tersebut, aksi berbahaya itu dilakukan di Jalan Bukit Impian 1, Taman Impian Emas, Skudai, Johor. Ketua Polis Daerah Johor Bahru Utara, Asisten Komisioner Rupiah Abd. Wahid berkata tindakan lelaki yang menunggang Honda EX5 secara berbahaya bersama anaknya dipercayai dilakukan semata-mata bagi meraih perhatian warganet di media sosial.

Aksi tersebut telah dirakamkan sendiri oleh suspek menggunakan telefon bimbitnya. Rakaman dibuat melalui pertolongan rakannya sebelum dimuat naik ke akaun Facebook peribadinya.

Memandangkan video tersebut dengan jelas memaparkan lokasi serta
nombor pendaftaran
 motor terbabit, pihak polis Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Johor Bahru Utara telah menahan suspek pada hari yang sama video tersebut dikeluarkan.

Susulan kejadian itu, sebanyak 3
saman
 telah dikeluarkan kepada lelaki tersebut. Antaranya ialah nombor pendaftaran kenderaan tidak mengikut spesifikasi,
cukai jalan
 tamat tempoh dan kesalahan tidak memakai topi keledar.

Kes ini disiasat dibawah Seksyen 42 Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987. Jika disabitkan bersalah, seseorang itu boleh dipenjara selama tempoh tidak melebihi 5 tahun dan denda tidak kurang daripada RM5,000 dan tidak lebih daripada RM15,000.

Jika disabitkan kesalahan sama untuk kali kedua dan seterusnya, hukuman akan ditingkatkan kepada penjara tidak lebih 10 tahun serta denda tidak kurang daripada RM10,000 dan tidak lebih daripada RM20,000.

Pihak polis juga telah menasihati orang ramai supaya tidak memandu kenderaan dan melakukan aksi-aksi yang boleh menjahanamkan diri dan pengguna jalan raya yang lain. Ingat, anak-anak tak boleh pilih ibu bapa mereka, jadi pilihlah pasangan anda dengan betul!


Honda Civic Hatchback Makes UK Debut. To Be Exported To 70 Countries

Initially slated to make its European debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, Honda UK decided to unveil the Civic Hatchback at its manufacturing base in Swindon earlier today, with production of the car underway and the first units already landing in North America.
It is said that the model will be exported to more than 70 countries around the world, including European markets, North America and Canada. Unfortunately, no announcements have been made on whether the car will be heading to this part of the world yet.
When we spoke to Katsuto Hayashi, the CEO of Honda Malaysia on the company’s position with regards to the Civic hatchback, he said that market situations are very different from one another, and while it’s easy to make a business case for a hatchback model in countries where hatchbacks are more popular, there is little demand for C-segment hatchbacks in Malaysia.
“As you know in Malaysia, the most popular body type is sedan. Only national car makes (Perodua) are popular with hatchbacks. Currently my understanding is that the demand for hatchbacks is not enough,” he said.
So, it is safe to say that
 the chances are rather slim for the Civic hatchback to be launched here
.
Coming back to the UK launch earlier, the car is offered with a choice of two turbo engines, but they are not exactly what we get here. Firstly, there is the 180 hp, 1.5 litre four-cylinder (Our sedans kick out 175 hp). And then, there is a new, 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine which produces 127 hp. The company also said that the car will soon get a 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine.
And offered with the engines mentioned above are either a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission.
Other standard features include a seven-inch infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, forward collision warning, blind spot information system, collision mitigating braking, and split-folding rear seats among others.
Katsushi Inoue, President and COO of Honda Motor Europe said: “As we reveal this new Civic, we look forward with confidence as we expand the role of our Swindon manufacturing plant. Honda has made significant investments in this facility and this next step is an important endorsement of the skills and expertise of our workforce. We’re also setting out a clear and sustainable future role for HUM, broadening our export markets beyond Europe.”
Looking for a Honda? Find one now at
Carlist.my


2,000 JPJ officers to operate during CNY 2023

This year's
CNY festivities
 will see the deployment of
2,000 JPJ officers
 for several operations in the name of road safety.

Malaysia's Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, mentioned that there will be a number of integrated operations taking place throughout the CNY 2023 period. This includes travelling in express buses.

Loke's 'undercover' tactics on express buses

*Image credit: JPJ

Another major part of Loke's plans for these 2,000 JPJ officers to carry out their enforcement duties is discreetly travelling on express buses to ensure that the bus operators are running their business in a safe manner.

The monitoring enforcement will also be carried out at 14 locations along the highways, including over 70 depots and 28 terminals from 18-27 January 2023. This will hopefully reduce the accident statistics which spike during any major public holidays and festivities.

Seven major traffic offences = straight to court

*Image credit: JPJ

Loke also mentioned that there will be a total of seven major traffic offences that will be marked as non-compoundable. This means that if you are caught and fined for any of these offences, it's straight to court instead of just paying the fine.

These offences are:

Cutting queues

Overtaking on double lines

Running through red traffic light

Speeding over the limit

Not wearing seatbelts (or helmets for bikers)

Driving on the emergency lane

Using mobile phones while driving

On top of it all, goods vehicles won't be allowed to travel on four separate dates (20,21,24, and 25 January 2023) with the aim to reduce overall traffic congestion across the country.

It's going to be a long weekend with many of us on the road, so do make sure that both you and your vehicles are in great condition before hitting the road. Happy Chinese New Year and stay blessed.


Nissan’s Survey: Sedans Are Not Dying, Millennials Bring New Hope

Globally, deliveries are of sedans of all sizes and segments have been on a downtrend. Shifting demand towards SUVs is the main reason for the drop in demand for sedans. China and USA are the only two main markets sustaining sedans.
Volkswagen for example, has discontinued the Jetta in all its markets except for USA and China. Honda no longer offers the Accord in Europe while Toyota has simplified its Camry model range – no more distinct model for USA/Middle East/Japan and rest of Asia. The Avensis has also been discontinued in Europe, replaced by a unified, global Camry.
Closer to home, Nissan has discontinued the Teana and Sylphy.
The latest survey by Nissan however, suggests that the demise of sedan have been greatly exaggerated, and preliminary data suggests that the next generation of buyers will provide some much needed boost for sedans.
According to the results of a survey commissioned by Nissan, 75 percent of drivers who don’t currently own a sedan would consider buying one in the future. Among millennial drivers, this rises up to 80 percent. Among the even younger Generation Z drivers, the figure is also relatively high, at 68 percent.
The survey was conducted across 11 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan,
Malaysia
, Mexico, Thailand, UAE and the U.S. About 11,000 drivers aged between 18 to 65 were polled, with 1,000 drivers from each country surveyed.
“Our newest sedans speak directly to the needs of buyers, particularly young people who may be looking to buy their first car,” said Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s corporate vice president of global product strategy and planning. “As some of our competitors walk away from sedans, we’re seizing the opportunity.”
While Nissan has exited the upper-end of the sedan market here, it is poised to launch the
all-new Almera here
 next year. The
all-new Sylphy
 is also poised to revive the nameplate here.
Of course, consumers often say one thing when answering a survey question, and then do something completely opposite when it’s time to put out their money.
Recall also that millennials are the least likely to buy a car. In many developed countries,
many millennials don’t even have a driving license
, as many of them live in cities where parking is expensive and public transport is efficient, and ride hailing is easily available.
Until the market turns around, we are going to see less and less sedans, which only serves to make sports sedans even more collectible in the future. Having said that, the new generation of Almera (Versa in USA), Sylphy, and Teana (Altima in USA) models have a substantially younger image and appear to be on the right path to attract a new group of customers.


BIMS 2020 - 6 Most Awesome Cars From The Bangkok Motor Show

"Build it and they will come". The Thais have bulldozed past expectations and pessimism with the 2020 Bangkok International Motor Show. And there were some amazing machines on display.

The Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) used to be one of those staples in the automotive calendar that us Malaysian journalists would look forward to, usually offering a vastly different experience of cars and car culture/marketplace than what we’re used to in Malaysia despite Thailand being just next door. That we only need a 2-hour flight to reach the Thai capital is also a bonus.

With international travel still barred during this Recovery Movement Control Order, we can only admire from a distance thanks to our colleagues at
Autospinn
. In fact, with high profile Motor Shows overall dropping like flies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re genuinely happy that the organisers behind BIMS 2020 were able to overcome some significant hurdles and pull together what was a very successful and impressive event.

Sure, it’s too bad that we can’t be there to deliver the coverage directly, but regardless, here are the most interesting and most awesome cars at the 41st Bangkok International Motor Show (2020).

Porsche Taycan

Is there anyone who doesn’t yet know about the Taycan? I mean, besides how to pronounce the name how Porsche wants us to. The 4-door EV is Zuffenhausen’s answer to the question of ‘What comes next?’, and this is a rather bold statement of what they’re capable of when they set out to create a world-beater.

They expect to sell a lot of them, too (relatively), hence the car’s cameo at the Bangkok Motor Show where its only previous appearance was in Singapore last year during its regional debut. We’ve also already
spied Porsche’s proprietary 800-volt chargers
 in Malaysia, perhaps hinting that a local launch is incoming.

Toyota Corolla Cross

This is that SUV that caught us all off guard and that’s very likely a RAV4 cannibaliser, but assembled  in Thailand for potential regional manufacturing and pricing/tax perks. As the name makes clear, the Cross is very much related to the 12th-gen Corolla, known to us as the Altis.

The all-new model and nameplate was first introduced just a couple of weeks ago. Before long, however, we expect that a wider rollout is on the cards, Malaysia included, where it would arm Toyota enough to lock horns against other midsize SUV heavyweights such as the Proton X70 and Honda CR-V. Can’t wait to witness that fight!

Land Rover Defender

Without a doubt, this is one of the coolest cars we’ve seen revealed in a good while. Land Rover was under enormous pressure to create a vehicle worthy of replacing the original Defender, which itself was an evolution of the legendarily rugged original series Land Rovers.

With a Thai launch done and dusted, JLR leadership clearly sees promise in the region, but they will have to pick their battles wisely, especially since the all-new Defender is a far more complex off-roading machine and one that can be rather luxurious (as well as expensive) in the right specification.

MINI Electric a.k.a Cooper SE

It was only a matter of time before MINI gave the world a fully electric version of its chic hatch. 'Inevitable' is probably the most accurate word. Here, the car is simply called the Electric, though it was known as the Cooper SE during
our preview drive
, and obviously based on the marque’s 3-door model.

Entering the fray as a premium EV city car, the MINI goes up against the likes of the Renault Zoe, Peugeot e-208, Nissan Leaf, the Hyundai Kona Electric (up next), and the upcoming Volkswagen ID.3. It’s a milestone model for the now German-owned British marque, and one which Malaysians will hopefully get a chance to drive eventually.

Hyundai KONA Electric

Interestingly, Hyundai seems tepid about Kona’s prospects in Southeast Asia. The Thais, for example, are also denied the full Kona range and only receives it in this pricier electric guise. That hasn’t dampened its popularity, though, as the South Korean automaker reports that over 100,000 units of the zero emissions Kona have been sold - mostly in the US and Europe - over its relatively brief existence.

No, we don’t get the Kona in Malaysia, much less the EV version (though that should change soon
thanks to COMOS
). That’s a little silly because the Kona is, by all other accounts, a pretty compelling small SUV/crossover and would probably do very well for itself here positioned beneath the Tuscon. And the same should apply in most markets.

Audi TT RS

It’s a shrunken supercar, this, and unfortunately a breed that's scheduled for extinction. Last year, Audi chose to axe the TT altogether, one of its most iconic models, after this current generation reaches the end of its rope, and this latest RS is as close as it got to greatness.

A small consolation is the faint glimmer of its return, but as an EV. It’ll surely be fast but much less heart-thumping. And once you experience the car’s turbocharged 2.5-litre inline-5, which is a mixture of a glorious V10-tribute soundtrack and Group-B rallying fury, you’ll suddenly understand the magnitude of what will be lost.

Within this rather compact footprint, the TT RS packs an arsenal of 400PS and 480Nm that gets sent to all four wheels via the quattro AWD system, leveraging its S-tronic dual-clutch transmission to rocket you to 100km/h in a Ferrari-chasing 3.7 seconds. All things considered, it’s a bargain. If they don’t sell all of the allocation for Thailand, I’ll sell my own organs to scoop one up.


2017 Volvo S90 For Malaysia – What We Think We Know

For those of you shopping around for a car within the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class range, you might want to know that Volvo Car Malaysia is expected launch the all-new S90 very soon.
Images of a black test car wearing Swedish registration plates (JPJ trade plates are visible on the parcel shelf) have been making their rounds on the Internet.
The all-new S90 will take over from the discontinued S80. It is built on Volvo’s latest Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform and will be powered by a new range of Volvo-developed Drive-E engines (previous Volvo engines were shared with Ford).
While Volvos have in the past not seen as a credible alternative to the established German trio of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, the recent shakeup in Malaysia competitive landscape due to the excise duty exemptions for locally-assembled hybrids/plug-in hybrids have allowed Volvo to leapfrog ahead.
The strong response to the all-new
Volvo XC90 T8
, and how nearly it decimated the
Audi Q7
 and giving a good run to the
BMW X5 xDrive40e
 is a good indicator that after many years of being in the sidelines, Volvo is now back in the game.
Like the all-new XC90, the S90 is expected to be assembled locally at the Swedish Motor Assemblies plant in Shah Alam.
How much?
Prices have not been confirmed yet, but it should be – and the operative word here is ‘should’ - cheaper than the locally-assembled seven-seater XC90 T8’s RM403,888 price (excluding insurance).
Currently S90 T8 has yet to be launched even in Volvo’s home market in Sweden, so it’s difficult to even give an indicative pricing. Only the T5 and T6 petrol, and the D4 and D5 diesel engines are available at the moment. Due to the nature of our auto industry policy, it would we be more expensive for Volvo to introduce a regular T5 and T6 engine-powered S90 than the duty exempted T8 plug-in hybrid.
How it compares against the F10 Generation 5 Series and W213 E-Class?
At 4,963 mm long, the S90 is a huge car. The Volvo is actually 40 mm longer than the E-Class, 56 mm longer than the 5 Series.
Its 2,941 mm wheelbase puts it between the E-Class’s 2,939 mm and the 5 Series’s 2,968 mm.
The list of features available in the Malaysian market S90 have yet to be made official so it’s not possible to compare it against the German offerings yet, but globally, the S90 is available with the optional Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving feature.
It works quite similar to the Drive Pilot feature in the E-Class, but unlike the system used by Daimler, Volvo’s solution does not require the S90 to follow another car in front. The system is able to independently control the throttle and provide gentle steering inputs to keep the car properly aligned within lane markings up to highway speeds of around 130 km/h. For legal reasons, the driver still needs to keep his/her hands on the steering wheel for the function to work.
When will it be launched in Malaysia?
Volvo Car Malaysia is understandably mum on the S90’s launch timing, but we think it’s prudent to expect the S90 to make its local debut sometime between late-2016 and early-2017.
Our friends at Evo Malaysia were privileged enough to be given the opportunity to sample a pre-production version of the S90.
Evo’s review singed out the S90 for having the best interior in the segment, as well as the best four cylinder engines. However they also noted that the car would benefit from having a pair of paddle shifters.
Read the full review at
EvoMalaysia.com
.


Volvo and Uber To Develop Self-Driving Vehicles To Ferry People

Volvo Cars
 and
Uber
 have announced that they are joining forces to develop self-driving vehicles to ferry passengers in the near future.
The two companies signed an agreement earlier this week to establish a joint project that will develop new base vehicles that will be able to incorporate the latest developments in AD technologies, up to and including fully autonomous driverless cars.
It is said that the base vehicles will be manufactured by Volvo Cars and then sold to Uber, who will be contributing a combined USD 300M to the project.
According to Volvo, the new base vehicle will be developed on Volvo Cars’ fully modular Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) that is currently being used on the
XC90 SUV
, as well as the S90 sedan and V90 premium estate. By looking at the images, it looks like the first batch will be based on the XC90 SUV.
Both Uber and Volvo will use the same base vehicle for the next stage of their own autonomous car strategies. This will involve Uber adding its own self-developed autonomous driving systems to the Volvo base vehicle. Volvo will use the same base vehicle for the next stage of its own autonomous car strategy, which will involve fully autonomous driving.
Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars, said: “Volvo is one of the most progressive and contemporary car makers in the world. It is a world leader in the development of active safety and autonomous drive technology and possesses an unrivaled safety credibility. We are very proud to be the partner of choice for Uber, one of the world’s leading technology companies. This alliance places Volvo at the heart of the current technological revolution in the automotive industry.”
Travis Kalanick, Uber’s chief executive, said: “over one million people die in car accidents every year. These are tragedies that self-driving technology can help solve, but we can’t do this alone. That’s why our partnership with a great manufacturer like Volvo is so important. Volvo is a leader in vehicle development and best-in-class when it comes to safety. By combining the capabilities of Uber and Volvo we will get to the future faster, together.”
So, are you ready to board your Uber ride with no driver in the near future?

Find your next Volvo at
Carlist.my


Do You Actually Need Higher RON Fuel In Your Car?

Everyone knows what a RON number is until someone actually asks what it is? And what does it actually do? The typical answer that someone might give is, the higher the RON number, the more power you get from your car. Technically that is correct but there's a lot more to it than just that!

RON is an abbreviation of Research Octane Number, not RON your next-door neighbour. The research bit is important in RON as that is the difference between your car running efficiently or inefficiently. Unleaded fuel carry RON numbers to help identify the petrol's resistance to detonation.

If you run with low octane fuel in your car and you hear weird rattling or pinging noises, it means that the fuel is detonating instead of burning away smoothly. Not only does this mean you are wasting energy, but you are also damaging the engine. A combustion engine loves to burn fuel. It doesn't, however, love the detonation bit, which is why the correct octane is vital for the engine.

Fuel with a higher octane number can be used to help eliminate knocking. Much older cars that were previously designed to run on a lower RON can also run on fuel with a higher RON number, and in some cases this might actually help the engine. The older the car and the higher the kilometre, the greater the propensity for the engine to knock. This is mainly caused by a build-up of contaminants and carbon deposits which, when hot, can cause pre-ignition-detonation, not burning.

So, the one million dollar question is, does a higher RON give you more power? While it might actually help with fuel economy, unfortunately, if the engine is not designed to take initiative of the higher RON fuel, then it's pretty much useless to your engine and you're instead burning a hole in your pocket. Yes, perhaps the cleaning properties of the higher RON fuel might help your engine work a bit better, but most of it is just waste. It's a bit like fishing with dynamite, it's over-kill!

If you have however tuned your car, and the tuner decided that the engine should run with a higher RON fuel, then yes you must use it, but for most of the everyday cars out there, save your money and just fill up your vehicle with RON 95. That is unless your manual states that you should be using RON97 or higher. When in doubt, refer to the manual.


First Look: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Interior

Mercedes-Benz
 has given us a glimpse of what the new
EQE

SUV
 will look like for its interior.

Featuring an avant-garde architecture as well as showcasing a hyperanalogue theme, the
fully-electrified Mercedes-Benz
 EQE SUV is labelled as the multi-purpose variant of the EQE executive saloon model. And just like the saloon, it comes packed with gizmos and gadgets.

MBUX Hyperscreen - one ultimate widescreen

Apart from representing the most spacious interior setup within its electrified class, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV boasts a cabin that is fully digitalised. Its most impressive and eye-catching feature has to be the MBUX Hyperscreen.

It's basically one ultimate widescreen for the entire instrument panel that merges seamlessly under one single glass cover. The vents still carry that iconic turbine design but have been incorporated into the EQE SUV's hyperanalogue theme.

The end result is a centre console and instrument panel that carries a free-standing look that 'floats' within the EQE's interior space. This is further accentuated with vent bands that connect the cockpit to the front doors. Sleek.

Hybrid trim elements using wood & aluminium

Another highlighted feature of the EQE SUV is the combination of warm wood with the 'coolness' of aluminium for its trim. There's also the anthracite 3D relief-look finish trim, which features fine metal pigments as well as a laser-cut trim element backlit with the Mercedes‑Benz pattern.

Mercedes-Benz (or Mercedes-EQ in this particular case) has chosen five coordinated colour combos to further amplify the EQE SUV's generous sense of space. Blending avant-garde into traditional materials and colours is not something easy to pull off, but looking at these photos, we can see that the EQE SUV is going to be something quite unique.

As for the official launch, Mercedes-Benz has stated that the world premiere for the EQE SUV will take place on 16 October 2022. Just a couple of months away, ladies and gents.


Mercedes-Benz Teases More Features of the S-Class Facelift

When it comes to the idea of autonomous drivers, a lot of car enthusiasts tend to scoff and express their displeasure- almost immediately. But what about a car that isn't necessarily meant to be driven? The car in question isn't a supercar or a sports sedan, but rather a long luxury limousine: it's the new S-Class facelift that we'll soon see making its way to markets around the world. And one of the things Mercedes-Benz is keen to highlight with this new car is the inclusion of a whole host of Intelligent Drive systems.
Intelligent Drive refers to a numbr of active systems that help the driver stay out of trouble when on the road. When you're riding in the back seat of an S-Class, you'd want your driver to have the deck stacked in their favour- and these systems both pre-empt collisions and help to avoid or mitigate potential damage. Most evolved of these systems is Active Emergency Stop Assist, which helps to bring the S-Class to a prompt stop when unexpected obstacles present themselves.
But there's more than that. Active Emergency Stop is a system that tries to reduce driver error, but it is the other systems that help to keep the driver's hands off the wheels and pedals. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC keeps the car at a steady distance from the traffic in front, adjusting speed accordingly when it's required on a route specific basis, through the use of a complex radar system. This works in tandem with Active Speed Limit Assist that automatically brings speeds up and down based on local traffic laws.
Active Steering Assist is where we see the beginnings of full autonomy. The system helps to steer the car along the route you've selected, avoiding obstacles and adjusting for bends and corners as well. If you have the will to leave it well and truly alone, it could most likely pilot you all the way to your final destination. Active Lane Change Assist also helps the driver when making necessary lane changes, but the system shows potential flexibility in an autonomous application for when you need to move in and out of the fast lane or need to take an exit.
These systems have been shown in various products from various brands, but the up-and-coming S-Class will sport the most refined and complex iteration of these systems yet. It's good news if you're a driver for one of these behemoths, as it'll make your job a whole lot easier. It will even park itself if you need it to.


Indonesia: Jokowi Wants CKD EVs From Tesla, Not Just Batteries

Not content with Tesla being very interested in Indonesia’s vast natural resources to make batteries for its electric cars, the country seems to be implying that their consent comes at the commitment
to make EVs within their borders as well
.

It had been known that the US-based electric carmaker was close to finalising a deal to begin construction of a battery factory, taking advantage of Indonesia’s nickel and cobalt reserves, ample land area, and relatively inexpensive labour.

Tesla to manufacture EVs in Indonesia?

Following the initial investment proposal in late 2020, negotiations fell silent for a while before it was revealed to have stalled completely early in 2022 before being abruptly restarted again with
a visit from Tesla CEO Elon Musk to Jakarta
. In the months following that, it’s been mostly crickets.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Indonesian president Joko Widodo said that his government is much more interested in forming a “huge ecosystem of electric cars” with representatives also in talks with other automakers such as Ford, Toyota, and Suzuki. Clearly, the country’s ambitions lay far beyond being a source of raw materials.

The president’s interview does, however, echo a previous statement made by Indonesia’s minister of investment Bahlil Lahadalia, who revealed in May that negotiations with Tesla have been ongoing with positive reception to proposed EV manufacturing plant located in Central Java and Batang with an expected annual capacity of 500,000 units.

Since then, there has been no comment from either side about the progress of this proposal or if the discussions have stalled yet again, but we’ll see if Tesla is willing to accept the Indonesian government’s terms to secure raw materials or if the country blinks at the prospect of the high profile EV brand walking away from the deal altogether.

In the meantime, Indonesia does have other pots on the boil such as Toyota’s RM8 billion investment in the country for EV development, a potential Foxconn battery/EV factory coming up, and most recently
Hyundai and LG securing RM3.2 billion
 in financing to build a battery cell plant in the Karawang region, east of Jakarta.


12 Days of Christmas: Our Favourite Green and Red Cars

It's the most wonderful time of the year - according to some, at least - and we've picked our favourite festive car colours to suit the holidays in our first instalment of Carlist.my's 12 Days of Christmas!

It's not just a Malaysian problem - car colour purchase habits worldwide have gradually been trending towards the monochrome and the bland. Yours truly is guilty of this too (one of my cars is white and the other is grey), which is why whenever we see a car in a bright, striking colour, it is truly captivating.

In line with the upcoming Christmas holidays, we decided to pick a couple of shades of red and green that gets our hearts racing. Red is pretty easy to find alluring shades of as every car manufacturer will usually have a colour that fits, but green is something a little tricky even outside of the Malaysian market. Regardless, here are our picks in no particular order:

Signal Green - Porsche 991

It's a classic colour for the Porsche 911, and perhaps one that doesn't translate as well to more modern cars, but Signal Green is a quintessential look for the German frog of a car. There's nothing complex about the colour, nor is there depth, but in its simplicity there is beauty. It also happens to look great with some of the modern RS models.

Soul Red - Mazda 3 Liftback

You know if we're talking about reds, Mazda's iconic Soul Red has to be on the list. It's a paint option that's more expensive than the rest - but for good reason too, because it has an incredible depth to it that works in any kind of lighting condition and across all of their models. We love it on their Mazda 3 Liftback, which happens to be a gorgeous looking car to boot.

Green Hell Magno - Mercedes-AMG GT R

It's not often that an ultra high performance car has green chosen as its hero colour, but for the Mercedes-AMG GT R it was a choice that tied in with its status as the Beast of the Green Hell. The colour in question is known as Green Hell Magno, which is an exclusive matte, metallic looking paint option for the car.

Guards Red - Porsche 991 Speedster

A very special car, with a very common colour - at least one that's common among Porsche 911s. Guards Red is a predictable choice for the high performance coupe and its drop-top siblings, but it is one that works well with the curves and the lines across the body of the car. You can see why it remains one of the staples of the Porsche paint option lineup.

British Racing Green - Lotus Elise

This may be one of the many, many special edition Lotus Elises judging by its livery, but the base paint is a colour known to many car enthusiasts across the world. It's the quintessential British Racing Green, and it has been found on everything from classic Minis to BMWs - of course, we pick one of Britain's best exports with the Lotus Elise.

Rosso Scuderia - Ferrari 488 Pista

What's a list of reds and greens without a Ferrari? Red is to Ferrari as blue is to the sky, and there are an incredible number of shades of red across all of Ferrari's models. Some models even get their own shade, such as the Portofino, but it's Rosso Scuderia on the 488 Pista that really stands out to us. It's a little brighter, a little more vibrant than the Rosso Corsa that Ferrari is commonly known for. The strange thing? Rosso Scuderia means Stable Red while Rosso Corsa means Racing Red.


Special Edition Ford Ranger XLT Launched in Malaysia – Limited Units, RM120,888

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, has unveiled the New Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition exclusively for customers in Malaysia. Only limited units will be available for sale throughout the country.

The New Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition comes in Arctic White and Absolute Black and is fitted with fender flares, a rear view camera and a functional tonneau cover.

To enhance its lifestyle offering, the in-truck infotainment system features an upgraded large nine-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that supports mobile applications such as Spotify, Waze, YouTube and Google Chrome, making travelling more enjoyable and convenient via hotspot connectivity. Trendy geometrical decals on each side complete the truck’s sporty and rugged looks.

Priced at RM120,888 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM126,388 for Sabah and Sarawak (on-the-road, without insurance), the New Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition is currently on display at all Ford showrooms in Peninsular Malaysia.

For East Malaysia, the truck will make its first public appearance at showrooms during the third week of December.

Equipped with Ford’s Duratorq 2.2L turbodiesel engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, the New Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition is capable of delivering 160 PS and peak torque of 385Nm.

The New Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition also comes with a host of smart technologies and safety features, including 4X4 Shift-On-The-Fly, rain sensing wipers, the light and nimble Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), daytime running lights and headlights for better visibility.

Safety and driver assistance features include two airbags, e-locking rear differential, Hill Descent Control, Hill Launch Assist, Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), ISOFIX child seat mounts, Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, Rollover Mitigation, Trailer Sway Control and Adaptive Load Control.

Last but not least, the Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition comes with a warranty of three years or up to 100,000km, whichever comes first.