Review: 2018 Mini Cooper S Countryman – Winds of Change

In the Tamil language, there’s a saying which says “everything in this world including the word ‘change’ itself, could change someday”, referring to how most things around us evolve as time progresses. And the automotive sector is in no way an exception.
Supercar manufacturers are now interested in manufacturing SUVs, and the brand we’re looking at here – MINI is actually not that ‘mini’ anymore, simply because the demands of customers have changed over time.
In the 1950s and 60s, all people wanted were small, affordable and economical cars. Then, as the global economy got back onto its feet, it was more about muscle and luxury. After that, it was all about sportiness in the 80s, followed by downright performance and driving dynamics in the 90s.
As time went on, the dawn of the new millennium also marked the rise of hybrids and eco-friendly cars. And after being obsessed with saving the planet for about two decades, we are now in the midst of an era where versatility is being sought after the most.
So, with that in mind, MINI has unveiled what is by far its biggest and most versatile model yet –
the second generation Countryman
, which we got our hands on in Oxfordshire, England a couple of months ago.
Specifications
Price: TBA
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Power: 192 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 280 Nm @ 1,350 - 4,600 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters
Fuel consumption: 6.6l/100km (combined)
Overview
Sharing the same UKL2 platform with the BMW X1, the new Countryman is an entirely redesigned model, measuring 200mm longer and 30mm wider than its predecessor.
The wheelbase has also been lengthened by 75mm, translating to more room in the cabin.
Having made its global debut last November, the new Countryman is available with four engine choices globally, each available with front-drive or Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel drive technology:
136 hp, 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
192 hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
136 hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine
190 hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine
As for the gearbox, the car has three choices:
Six-speed manual
Six-speed automatic (Cooper)
Eight-speed automatic (Cooper S)
But that’s not all. For the first time in the brand’s history, there is going to be a plug-in hybrid variant - the Cooper S E Countryman ALL4, which will be powered by a combination of the 136 hp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a 65 kW (88 hp) electric motor.
Together, the powertrain package produce a total of 224 hp and 385 Nm of torque, and deliver a fuel economy of 47.62 km/l. It is said that the crossover is capable of providing 40km range in pure electric mode. The best part is that it is coming to Malaysia folks.
Coming back to our stint in UK, the model which we drove was the 2.0-litre Cooper S Countryman ALL4, which is one of the variants likely to be launched here in Malaysia.
Exterior
Looking a tad less radical than the outgoing model, the second-gen Countryman shows signs of maturity no matter which angle you look at it. While some might say that it looks less exciting, we’re choosing to stick with the word ‘matured’ here.
Besides that, there will be tonnes of optional accessories and personalization options for owners to choose from. So, definitely no lack of excitement here as far as we’re concerned. Plus, customizing a MINI is part of the whole ownership experience isn’t it?
Featuring larger LED headlights and a wider grille up front, and a relocated number plate, longer rear overhang and chunkier rear, the Countryman looks more like an SUV than a car now, which is definitely a good thing as that is what the crossover was lacking previously.
Interior
While the new Countryman’s exterior is a case of ‘love-it or hate-it’, there won’t be any dispute with the fact that the crossover’s interior has taken a huge leap forward from what it was.
Further complementing the plusher material, neatly styled switchgear and solid build quality is the increase of space in the cabin.
In terms of features, the car we tested came with multi-coloured ambient LED lights, as well as the new infotainment system which includes an 8.8-inch touch-screen display with sat-nav, crisper graphics, plus a built-in SIM card for real-time traffic data which also allows occupants to have Mobile network inside the car.
In terms of space, there’s more knee room for rear seat passengers, while even tall adults have plenty of headroom. In addition, the rear seats also slide and recline to let owners have more boot space, which stands at 450 litres, and 1,309 litres with the rear seats folded.
Driving it
After driving the new Countryman for about 200km through a good combination of highways, B-roads and even a small-time mild off-road course, the first thing we noticed was that the drive was significantly smoother and more refined, thanks to the new 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine and the seamless eight-speed automatic gearbox.
It did feel less eager than its predecessor though it was anything but dull. Thanks to features like the ALL4 all-wheel drive system and the the suspension setup that still leans more towards the firmer side of things, MINI’s DNA was evident every time we were on twisty bits.
With two driving modes to choose from – ‘Green’ and ‘Sport’, we could always switch between both depending on our mood.
While Green Mode reduces fuel consumption and keeps the car civilized and more suitable for day-to-day use, Sport mode is downright nasty (in a good way of course), where the throttle gets more sensitive, the steering gets stiffer, and the exhaust starts to sing songs of its people with some burbles and pops.
Conclusion
Overall, if we are to describe the second-generation MINI Countryman in one word, it would be “matured”.
Although it looks more like a typical crossover and offers more practicality, refinement and comfort, the MINI DNA is still strong in this one.
All set to make its Malaysian debut in just a few more days, those who feel like giving the new Countryman a go can head over to the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) in Mont Kiara this weekend (15 – 16 April) as BMW Group Malaysia has announced that it will be conducting test drives for the new MINI Countryman as well as activities for the whole family to enjoy at the location for the public.


New Ford Showroom Opens Its Doors In Kuching

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia has just opened the doors to a new Ford dealer facility in Kuching, Sarawak.
Designed to Ford’s global ‘Brand@Retail’ standards, the new facility, located on Rock Road in Kuching, spans 2,033 sq. meters, and features a six-vehicle showroom space and 13-vehicle service bays with vehicle hoists.
Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion adds," Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kuching) is the latest proof point in our network expansion and customer service enhancement plan, helping support Ford’s fast-growing customer base in East Malaysia. Every aspect of this facility has been designed to provide an unmatched customer service and ownership experience, with convenience, efficiency, and comfort.”
The new facility is staffed by certified technicians and equipped with the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment and special tools to provide vehicle service, and maintains a full supply of genuine spare parts.
All Ford Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kuching) employees, including technicians, sales and service staff have received Ford’s hands-on training to develop their expertise and best serve customers’ needs.
The Kuching showroom is located at Lot 19, Block 10, 1 ½ Mile, Rock Road, 93200 Kuching, Sarawak. The showroom is open from 8:30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and from 8:30am - 12:30pm on Saturday. The service centre’s opening hours are 8:00am - 5:00pm from Monday to Friday, and 8:00am - 12:00pm on Saturday.


Daihatsu To Debut All-New DNGA-Based Tanto Next Month

Daihatsu is set to introduce the all-new fourth generation Japan-only Tanto next month, replacing the outgoing model that has been around since 2013.
As before, the all-new Daihatsu Tanto can be had with two distinctive designs – a regular Tanto X and a sportier Tanto Custom RS.
The all-new Tanto will be the third model to be built on new Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, after the
Mira:es
 and Mira Tocot. The DNGA platform is a derivative of Toyota’s own TNGA platform, developed specially for Daihatsu's range of kei cars.
Apart from its new platform, the all-new Tanto boasts a new Miracle Walk-Through Package, allowing owners to walk right into the driver’s seat. This is made possible by the all-new Tanto’s power sliding door and a driver seat that can slide back by a whopping 540 mm.
In addition to that, the all-new Daihatsu Tanto will receive a number of segment-first advanced driver assistance systems, such as Lane Keep Control (LKC), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Smart Panorama Parking Assist.
More details of the all-new Daihatsu Tanto, including powertrain details and output figures will be made known once the model is officially launched next month.


Our Cars Are Not Hacker-Prone, Says Audi And Mercedes-Benz

Following the recent commotion on the security of connected in-car systems by the demonstration by two hackers who
were able to take control, remotely,
 of a
Jeep

Cherokee
 through it's internet-connected Uconnect system, German automakers are standing by their own technology, touting it's much more sophisticated security.
A report on
Motoring.com.au
 shows how the general consensus among manufacturers, specifically
Merdeces-Benz
 and
Audi
, are that the reason why that particular vulnerability remained open and exploitable was because of poor decisions.
Those decisions have resulted in the United States Senate mulling over the passing of a new automotive anti-hacking bill while
Fiat
 Chrysler rushes to deliver a software patch to their vulnerable vehicles, which remains an uphill climb as their system does not allow over-the-air deployable updates.
This means hundreds of thousands of vehicles are still, theoretically, open to hackers who can take control of said cars remotely, even disabling it and steering it if they so choose. The
two professional hackers
 were able to disable the transmission while a journalist was driving the car down the highway, bringing it coasting to a standstill.
The bill would require US-built cars that have any sort of internet connection to have a certain levels of security, which would affect European marques who operate US-based factories. It also mandates real-time monitoring of hacking attempts and a constantly up-to-date list of new threats – kind of like a pre-installed antivirus.
Back to Audi and Merdeces. The report says they insist that their implemented countermeasures ensure such vulnerabilities aren’t allowed to reach consumer vehicles. Furthermore, internet-connected components of the car are hardwired separately from other parts of the car, particularly the electronics that control the mechanicals.
Audi, in particular, pointed to its regular practice of using professional hackers to test the security levels of their electronics to make sure exactly what happened with that Jeep Cherokee could not happen one of their systems.
“We pay companies to take our cars away to hack them, before they get to production. We give them our cars and say ‘Take as long as you want but please try to attack it, in whatever way you can’, said an Audi executive.
Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, are heavily invested in both autonomous and semi-autonomous driving technologies, a field where the consequences of a successful attack would be much worse. However, the Jeep hacking scandal has reportedly not deterred their efforts or resolve.
Speaking about their current in-car systems, a senior Daimler engineering executive said: “There is no way you could hack a Mercedes-Benz from outside the car. The only ways into the core systems are with a normal on-board diagnostic system from the dealership or workshop,”
“You can’t really hack it. You have a control gateway and you have to go through that.”


Mazda Malaysia To Double Production Capacity At Kulim To 45,000 Units In 2017

Mazda Malaysia, the joint venture between Mazda Motor Corporation and Bermaz Motor tasked to locally assemble Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, is expected to double the production capacity at its facility in Kulim, Kedah next year.
Mazda’s facility is located within the grounds of the Inokom plant, which also houses independently managed body shops assembling BMW and Hyundai models.
First opened in 2014, the line RM100 million Mazda-managed portion of the plant had an initial capacity of 20,000 units per year. It currently assembles the Mazda 3 and CX-5, with the latter being exported to Thailand as well.
We understand that previously, the paint shop is shared with other brands operating within the Inokom plant. Following a
five-week plant shutdown
 that saw a temporary drop in sales of Mazda vehicles in July, the upgrade could possibly mean that Mazda will now have an independently-managed paint shop exclusively for Mazda models only.
No longer having its output constrained by a shared paint shop, Mazda Malaysia is expected to double its output to around 43,000 to 45,000 units per year in 2017.
It has been rumoured that the
CX-3, currently imported from Japan
, is being earmarked for local assembly, and that the Malaysia-assembled CX-3 variant will be
exported to the Philippines
.
Diesel-powered variants of the
Mazda 2 and Mazda 6
 are also said to be in the pipeline for local assembly.


COMOS To Start EV Carsharing Service In May With 10 Pickup Locations Within Klang Valley, 5 Being LRT Stations

Trains and buses are about to have their duopoly on mass transit stations broken from May onwards when Comos (Cohesive Mobility Solution) and their fleet of electric cars are made available for rent at a select number of LRT stations (five so far) and key public locations.
According to a report from The Star, there will be 10 pick-up locations within the Klang Valley in the near term: the Bangsar, Pasar Seni, Asia Jaya and Ampang Park LRT stations, together with Medan Tuanku, Lorong Bunus, Lorong P Ramlee, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Jalan Semarak and University Malaya comprising the standalone pickup locations.
There will be 16 fully electric Renault Zoes spread across the aforementioned locations when the service begins, each with an approximate range between 120km to 180km on a full charge. Users can rent an available car for a couple of hours before choosing to drive it back to the original station or drop it off at any of the other nine locations drop pickup points, whichever most convenient, where it doubles up as a charging station.
“You can pick up a car at the Pasar Seni LRT station and drive it to a meeting at CapSquare or to Lorong P Ramlee,” Comos Chief Executive Badrulhisham Mohd Ghazali said.
Rental rates will see customers being charged for every 15 minutes of use with hourly rates expected to be between RM25 to RM30. To be able to use the service, potential carsharers will have to register with Comos and have their accounts linked to their credit card. From then, a special RFID card will be given for the customer to unlock the car once an online booking is made beforehand. A rental session will only end once the charging cable is plugged back into the car, and customers should know that their account will continue to be billed as long as it is remains off the charger.
With their partnership with MyRapid (Prasarana Malaysia Berhad), Comos is working out an arrangement to offer electric vehicles for rental at many more LRT station and plans to expand its service to Penang, Malacca and Johor Bahru, operating a fleet of 1,000 vehicles by 2020.


Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia Announces New Zero Percent Rated GST Prices

Following a number of companies that have decided to change the prices to reflect the impending change in GST rates, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has also done the same for their range of models. The table below lists the current recommended retail price (RRP) of Volkswagen models (with 6% GST) and the new RRP (with 0% GST) valid from the 1st of June 2018.
With limited stocks available, customers should take this opportunity to place their bookings now as come 1 June, they will enjoy prices without GST as well as the current ongoing Raya promotions. VPCM is currently running its ‘Fuel Up Your Gaya’ promotion, where customers can enjoy low interest rates of 0.88% per annum and cash rebates of up to RM15,000 on selected Volkswagen models. Additionally, those who purchase a Volkswagen (till 30th June 2018) will also receive a petrol card worth RM1,188.


Pecah Masuk Bengkel, Larikan 3 Kenderaan Mewah  – Kerugian Hampir RM1 Juta

Sebanyak tiga kenderaan mewah dianggarkan bernilai kira-kira RM940,000 dilarikan daripada sebuah bengkel di Jalan Damansara, Kampung Bukit Lanjan.

Ketua Polis Brickfields Amihizam Abdul Shukor berkata, kejadian itu dilaporkan oleh seorang pengadu selepas mendapati terdapat kesan pecah pada mangga kunci di pintu masuk dan beberapa kereta didapati hilang kira-kira 10.39 pagi.

Pecah Masuk Bengkel, Curi Kereta Pelanggan

Amihizam berkata, suspek dipercayai masuk ke dalam bengkel dengan memecahkan mangga pintu utama sebelum melarikan kereta Nissan Skyline GTR Prestige, Mercedes Benz E200K, dan Toyota Land Cruiser.

Kesemua kenderaan yang dicuri itu merupakan kenderaan pelanggan yang telah siap dibaiki oleh bengkel tersebut, namun masih belum dituntut oleh pelanggan.

Ketika ini, polis sedang menjalankan siasatan untuk mengetahui berapa ramai suspek yang terlibat dalam aktiviti ini.

Rakaman kamera litar tertutup (CCTV) sedang diteliti oleh pihak polis dan kes ini disiasat di bawah Seksyen 457 Kanun Keseksaan/395A Kanun Keseksaan.

Orang ramai yang mempunyai sebarang maklumat berkaitan kes ini diminta menghubungi Hotline Polis Brickfields di talian 03- 2297 9222, Hotline Polis Kuala Lumpur 03-2115 9999 atau mana-mana balai polis berdekatan.


Geely-Proton Partnership: Proton Relocating To Tg Malim; 500k Annual Production Targeted

Proton will begin transferring operations in its historic Shah Alam plant to Tanjung Malim after its
newly-minted partnership with Geely
 takes effect.
According to DRB-Hicom Group Managing Director Dato Seri Syed Faisal Albar, the move will be a ‘full relocation’ of Proton’s operations from Shah Alam to Tanjung Malim and the process will ‘only happen after five years.’
Following the transfer, the 250-acre land will then be acquired by DRB-Hicom at a ‘fair price’ for future development.
The consolidation of Proton’s key operations into its Tanjung Malim facility was one of several terms laid out by the Malaysian Government when dispensing a RM1.25 billion soft loan to the carmaker in April 2016.
Currently, Proton’s annual production capacity stands at 50,000 units from Shah Alam and 150,000 units from Tanjung Malim. The Tanjung Malim plant, which opened in 2004, is designed to make up to a million cars per annum, a potential it has yet to fulfil.
For its part, one of Geely’s stated aims in the partnership with Proton is to make the Tanjung Malim plant a
regional production hub for right-hand drive vehicles
 whilst also becoming part of the group’s vast global R&D network that includes facilities in across China, Europe, and even California, USA.
Mr Daniel Li, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer of Geely stated that Geely is targeting a global production output of three million cars per year by 2020, and foresees a potential contribution of 500,000 units from Tanjung Malim by then. The number, if achieved, will include vehicles exported throughout the ASEAN region.
Whilst there are no plans to retrench any of Proton’s 10,000 staff, it was nevertheless revealed that despite holding a slight equity advantage in the partnership, DRB-Hicom will cede managerial control in the production and manufacturing of Proton cars to Geely. DRB-Hicom will, however, exercise greater control of vehicle distribution that is being handled through Proton Edar Sdn Bhd.
“The fact is that we seriously want to turnaround and give ourselves a big comeback. We have agreed that Geely takes the leadership position in management of production, manufacturing, and operation including sales and marketing,” said DRB-Hicom Group MD Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal.
“At the end of the day, we require talents from Geely to come in and improve Proton,” he added.


CARSOME Completes Its Latest Financing Round Upon Achieving Operational Profitability

CARSOME
, the largest integrated car e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, has announced the successful completion of its latest fundraising round, resulting in a liquidity position of approximately US$200 million (~RM 924.5 million). This achievement strengthens confidence in the company's profitability goals and new ecosystem initiatives.

The fundraising round witnessed active participation from CARSOME's existing investors, including 65 Equity Partners, Seatown Private Capital Master Fund, Qatar Investment Authority, Gobi Partners, and Asia Partners. Additionally, a new investor, EvolutionX Debt Capital, provided a long-term debt facility. EvolutionX is a growth-stage debt financing platform that offers an alternative financing source to technology companies in Asia.

In 2022, CARSOME experienced a remarkable revenue growth of 250 percent, reaching USD 1.5 billion. The newly established
CARSOME Certified
 contributed 35 percent to the total revenue. In Q1 2023, the company achieved operational profitability for the first time, driven by significant trade margin growth, which doubled compared to the same period the previous year.

A notable portion of the trade margin, over 80 percent, originated from transaction margins, indicating a substantial potential for additional revenue, particularly with the company's focus on ecosystem offerings such as Financing, Insurance, and Aftersales. CARSOME Service Centers (CSC), one of the aftersales services, has seen remarkable growth since its launch and is projected to have nationwide coverage in Malaysia by the end of Q3 2023.

CARSOME currently possesses the largest auto digital audience footprint, with over 15 million monthly active users across its content and media ecosystem, including iCarAsia and WapCar brands.

Furthermore, the company's ecosystem companies, operating as independent business units, have achieved over 30 percent revenue growth and contributed to a 60 percent reduction in the Group's Customer Acquisition Cost.

By unifying data throughout the ecosystem, CARSOME can offer personalised experiences and prioritise customer satisfaction, as demonstrated by its high Net Promoter Scores (NPS). As of Q1 2023, CARSOME Certified holds an NPS of 77 points within the used car industry, while the Group's wholesale business garnered an NPS of 75 points, indicating strong customer trust and satisfaction.

The launch of MyGarage within the CARSOME App represents a significant advancement in personalised car ownership experience. MyGarage serves as a comprehensive hub, offering real-time car valuations, service bookings, sales inspections, and will continue to integrate ancillary services such as Financing, Insurance, and Aftersales. This feature aligns with the company's mission of providing customers peace of mind throughout the entire lifecycle of their ownership experience.

Eric Cheng, CARSOME's co-founder and Group CEO, expressed gratitude to all investors for their continued confidence in the company's vision and capabilities, saying: “We have spent the last eight years building a more trusted way for customers to transact within Southeast Asia’s used car industry. Our comfortable liquidity position and strong backing from both existing and new investors place us on solid footing to deliver the world’s first integrated car ownership ecosystem, going beyond just buying and selling cars to include ancillary services across the whole ownership lifecycle. I wish to thank all our investors for their continued confidence in our vision and capabilities as we steer the company toward profitability as a group.”

Juliet Zhu, CARSOME's Group President and CFO, welcomed the new investor, EvolutionX, emphasising the importance of strategic partnerships in different stages of growth: “We’re delighted to have our new investor, EvolutionX, joining us at this stage of our growth. Profitability is just one of the milestones in our long-term capital planning, and we will continue to invite the right partners who can add strategic value at different stages of our growth.”

EvolutionX's investment in CARSOME marks its first in Southeast Asia. Rahul Shah, Partner of EvolutionX, highlighted their focus on supporting category-leading technology companies in Asia's core markets and expressed excitement about CARSOME's pursuit of profitability and sustainable growth.

CARSOME's innovative data and tech-driven approach has been reshaping Southeast Asia's used car industry, delivering trust, transparency, and choice to enhance the automotive ownership experience. With annual sales of over 150,000 cars and a vast base of more than 15 million unique monthly users, CARSOME is well-positioned for an exciting next chapter in its growth journey, leveraging its diverse online and offline channels in the region.


Say Hello To Harald Hoelzl, BMW Group Malaysia’s New MD And CEO

BMW Group AG has appointed Harald Hoelzl to assume the roles and responsibilities as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BMW Group Malaysia effective March 1st, 2018.
Hoelzl first began his career with the BMW Group in 2002 and has served in various functions in the sales, marketing, dealer development, and IT departments.
With an impressive track record, BMW Group AG appointed him as Head of Marketing at BMW Group Central South Eastern Europe in 2011 before leading the BMW Group’s operations in the Czech Republic.
Hoelzl will take on the role from current MD and CEO Han Sang Yun, who in turn, will take on the role as the new President of BMW Group Korea.
In his time in Malaysia, Han led BMW Malaysia to its best-ever performance growth in 2017 and he was also the key driver in growing BMW Group Malaysia’s portfolio of Plug-in Hybrid vehicles to 55% of its total volume delivery in the country, further driving the brand's strategy for Visionary Mobility.
With over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry in his native country Korea, Han Sang Yun was appointed the Managing Director and CEO at BMW Group Malaysia in January 2015.


Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) charge will be expanded in stages, says Loke

The nationwide Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) charge for foreign private vehicles entering Malaysia has effectively been activated, but its expansion will be done in stages.

The move was announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke during a session at the Dewan Rakyat recently.

He said the nationwide implementation of the VEP charge, which started at the Malaysia-Singapore border, will be expanded in stages. Next up will be the Thailand border area followed by the Malaysia-Indonesia border in Sabah and Sarawak

"It will also be implemented at the Malaysia-Indonesia border, but it will take some time to be implemented," said the Seremban Member of Parliament.

One of the reasons for this is due to Act 715 or the Land Public Transport Act 2010, which only covers foreign commercial vehicles.

He said for private vehicles, their entry is governed by existing regulations which require them to apply for an International Circulation Permit (ICP).

While discussing matters involving foreign vehicles in Malaysia, Loke also took the opportunity to mention that the amendments will allow the MOT to subject pirate foreign vehicles in the country to the same licensing regulations governing local vehicles.

"These pirate vehicles will be required to register with and be licensed by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) if they are foreign vehicles. These powers will compel them (foreign vehicles) to abide by the same conditions imposed on local vehicles,” he said as reported by Bernama.


Review: Hyundai Elantra Sport – Finally An Ulu Yam-Worthy Elantra

When someone shops for a new vehicle, chances are they'll be in the market for an SUV, instead of shopping for a three-box sedan as they would a couple of years ago. There is no denying the fact that SUVs are all the rage these days. They offer better outward visibility and road presence as opposed to a regular three-box sedan or hatchback.
While SUVs have some a long way in terms of driving dynamics, and some better than others, one would be hard-pressed to find an SUV that handles better that a sedan.
Naturally, when folks shop for C-segment sedans, the Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic are both popular models. Alternatively, they can also opt for the rather excellent Mazda 3.
But from the land of soju comes a rival in the form of the Hyundai Elantra Sport.
This new entry from Hyundai is no stranger to us, as we’ve sampled it during the Elantra media drive a couple of months ago.
To recap, the Hyundai Elantra Sport features a 1.6-litre T-GDI four pot petrol engine that is good for 203 PS and 264 Nm, mated to Hyundai’s own 7-speed DCT that routes power to the front wheels.
Specifications:
Engine: 1.6-litre T-GDI turbocharged, 16 valves, transverse
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 203 PS @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 264 Nm from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm
Safety: 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), ISOFIX tether points
Price: RM131,488 (on the road without insurance)
Origin: Locally assembled in Kulim, Kedah
Overview
The Hyundai Elantra Sport you see here goes head-to-head against the Honda Civic Turbo. There are other turbocharged C-segment sedans too, including the Volkswagen Jetta (RM 129,578 for the Highline), Honda Civic Turbo (RM 131,880) and Ford Focus sedan (RM 139,888 for the highest spec Titanium+).
Hyundai Sime Darby Motors also offers a cheaper Elantra GLS, powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre MPI engine mated to a 6-speed conventional automatic gearbox to counter the Civic 1.8.
While both Elantra models feature a similar exterior and interior design, the similarities end there.
Exterior
If you seek a sedate looking sedan that just blends into traffic, then the Hyundai Elantra is not the car for you.
Everything about the Elantra’s exterior shouts for attention, including the bright Blazing Yellow you see. Other attention-grabbing bits include the aggressive front and rear ends.
One cool design feature of the Elantra Sport is the intergrated air curtains at each side of the front fog lights, designed to guide air into and around the front wheel well to improve stability.
Elsewhere, the rear end features LED tail lights and a large rear diffuser with integrated rear fog light. A simple twin tip muffler is located on the bottom right of the bumper. The regular Elantra GLS’s muffler is hidden.
Interior
Step inside and the first thing you’ll notice are the bright red leather seats and door inserts. As sporty as HSDM wants the Elantra Sport to be, we reckon that black leather seats would suit the car better. Luckily, black leather seats are a RM1,500 cost option (before 6% GST).
On par with other modern vehicles, the Hyundai Elantra Sport is also equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that integrates both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We’re pleased to report that during our time with the Elantra Sport, Android Auto did not crash or hang, unlike our earlier experience during the media drive.
The Hyundai Elantra Sport also features rear folding seats, a much-welcomed feature for those who frequently carry long items in the cars. Some rivals like the Honda Civic have dropped this feature altogether in the interest of body rigidity, but results in the compromise of practicality.
While the interior of the Elantra Sport is mostly positive, we have to point out that some touch points of the sedan are finished in lower grade plastic, reducing the cabin's excellent appeal. Despite that, overall build quality is good, as there were no rattling noises while driving, even with the Elantra’s mileage surpassing the 10,000 km mark, most of it in the hands of people who don't own it.
Driving Experience
As mentioned earlier, the Hyundai Elantra Sport is equipped with a 203 PS T-GDI engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
This powertrain combination allows the Elantra Sport to be one of the most powerful C-segment sedans in our market, beating the Honda Civic Turbo, 173 PS vs 203 PS, in terms of raw performance figures. Hyundai says that the Elantra Sport does the century sprint in just 7.7 seconds.
In gear acceleration is decent enough from the T-GDI block. Despite having a supposedly fast shifting DCT, in the real world it is not remarkably quicker than a well-tuned torque converter six-speed automatic. Even in Sport mode, the annoying delay to downshift is still evident, although throttle response has been sharpened. Despite all these, the DCT still offers a better experience than the Civic Turbo's CVT.
As for ride comfort, our Malaysia-assembled units shares the same suspension tuning as the Australian market models, which is tuned to be on the firmer side. Still, it is pliant enough to be not crashy or uncomfortable through rougher roads. Steering weight is just about right without feeling over-assisted.
Body control of the Elantra Sport is also good. The Elantra Sport also remains surefooted and planted even when pushed into much more challenging roads. Of course the Mazda 3 is still king-of-the-hill when it comes to driver engagement, but the Korean counterpart isn't too far behind..
Another thing we noticed with the Elantra Sport was the sportier sounding exhaust note, though it was only audible from the outside. The cabin is relatively well insulated from outside noises, but we did notice some tire noise on less-than-ideal road conditions.
Conclusion
The Hyundai Elantra Sport faces stiff competition, but we reckon that the Elantra Sport does have its merits.
Compared to the Honda Civic, the Elantra Sport offers 60:40 split folding rear seats, Blind Spot Monitoring and a DCT that offers a more engaging driving experience. Granted, the Civic does offer a full colour LCD in place of a traditional meter cluster, walk away lock, remote engine start and better interior practicality. With that said, we’d still pick the Elantra Sport’s DCT over the Civic’s CVT anytime, any day.
A more driver-focused alternative in the segment is the Mazda 3. Unlike the Civic and Elantra, the Mazda 3 features a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated SkyActiv-G mated to a 6-speed automatic. On paper the Mazda 3 has a performance deficit when compared to the other two rivals, but behind the wheel, the Mazda 3 really shines. From our experience, the most engaging driver car in this segment goes to the Mazda as it encompasses a great steering rack, a rev-happy engine coupled with a chassis set up that is sublime. Shame about that infotainment though, as it lacks Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
As a whole, the Hyundai Elantra Sport ticks a lot of the right boxes – commendable performance, handsome looks coupled with decent equipment levels without breaking the bank. While the Hyundai Elantra Sport is ready to challenge the best from Japan and Germany, as a consumer, are you ready to commit to an unconventional choice?


GIIAS 2015: All-New Toyota Alphard And Vellfire Debuts In Indonesia

In March, the all-new, third generation (AH30) 2015
Toyota
 Alphard and Vellfire
made its debut in Thailand
 and now, both models have made their debut in Indonesia.
The 2AR-FE 2.5-litre petrol engine makes its way into the Vellfire whereas the Alphard Hybrid gets the 2AR-FXE Dual VVT-i engine taken from the outgoing Camry and Camry Hybrid, sans the newer VVT-iW technology. Meanwhile a 2GR-FE V6 engine fines its way into the top of the line Alphard 3.5-litre.
Where the
Toyota Vellfire
 2.5-litre and Alphard 3.5-litre get a six-speed automatic transmission, the Alphard Hybrid is fitted with a planetary gearset E-CVT automatic.
Being a luxurious people mover, the
Toyota Alphard
 and Alphard Hybrid feature Ottoman seats in the second row, a single moon roof, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 17 JBL speakers, 9-inch infotainment system for rear passengers, 'nanoe' triple zone air-conditioning system, keyless Smart Entry and reverse camera system.
The Vellfire gets the same although the touchscreen infotainment system is replaced with a 7-inch unit with 8 speakers and 10.2-inch screen for rear passengers.


Volvo Car Malaysia Launches Volvo Car Leasing

When Malaysians see the word "leasing", it's usually met with a little bit of uncertainty, apprehension, and a general lack of understanding. Leasing schemes are very popular in many parts of the world, and are especially more important when it comes with higher end products. In many ways, a lot of the current financing plans offered by luxury manufacturers are leasing schemes disguised as hire-purchase models, because that is essentially what most buyers do, albeit in a slightly more convoluted fashion.
As such, Volvo Car Malaysia has launched their new Volvo Car Leasing scheme - an all inclusive service that offers stress-free ownership for a Volvo model from as low as RM 2,762.00. It's the first of its kind for Volvo in the Southeast Asian region, with many benefits for consumers that are usually ignored or hardly highlighted. Everything from cost of registration, insurance, and maintenance is covered by these monthly payments.
At the end of the leasing tenure, customers can choose to purchase the car at a Guaranteed Future Value (GFV), or simply continue the leasing program with a new model. In conjunction with the launching of this program, Volvo Car Leasing is also offering RM 300 of free petrol vouchers for bookings received up until 31st of August, 2018. Below is a full list of leasing options and prices for Volvo models currently on offer.
Even if you're unconvinced by the value, let's address why leasing is a great idea. On average, Malaysians looking at luxury vehicle models rarely keep their cars longer than 5 years - some even opting to sell their vehicles off at the 3 year mark in search of a newer, nicer vehicle. While a leasing program means you don't "own" the vehicle in terms of property, it also means that at the end of a 3 year or 5 year tenure you aren't faced with the challenge of selling off the car. With a leasing program, you don't need to worry about depreciation and settling of loan balances and so on - you simply choose to either buy the vehicle at its depreciated value, or continue the leasing program with a different car.
Add in the fact that the monthly payment you put in is similar to what you would pay for your average car loan, and maintenance is covered by this cost as well, and you have a pretty solid financial proposition. A leasing scheme allows consumers to change cars as regularly as 3 years, without the hassle of seeking loans and being tied down by extensive financial commitments. At the end of the day, the money you would have paid out as part of a leasing scheme is only marginally more than what you would have lost in depreciation by actually buying the car, and therein is the value of such a scheme.


MaxxOil Introduces New Range of NanoPLUS Engine Lubricants

As the name suggests, MaxxOil’s NanoPLUS series boasts the latest technology in lubricant technology which utilises a mechanical element (instead of chemicals which deteriorate over time) to protect the engine’s vital components.
The NanoPLUS lubricants contain billions of nano-particles (4-6 nanometers in size) – called diamonds formulated within the oil to act as tiny ball bearings that protect the internal surfaces of the engine.
This reduces friction between moving and static parts to reduce heat, wear and tear and engine drag thus increasing the engine’s overall potential and efficiency.
Once these nano-particles adhere to the microscopic pores of the metal’s surface – it forms a lower friction layer, called a ‘tribo-film’ to protect the metal surface.
The MaxxOil NanoPLUS range of semi- and fully-synthetic oils conform to current (American Petroleum Standards) API standards set by most Japanese, European and American carmakers and is designed for use by most types of automotive engines.
MaxxOil NanoPLUS is officially distributed by Shift Performance Asia (M) Sdn Bhd, which has had a presence in Malaysia since 2014.
In 2016, MaxxOil ties-up with two-time Formula Drift Asia and Merdeka Millenium Endurance race winner Tengku Djan Ley as the brand ambassador for the NanoPLUS range of engine lubricants.
Tengku Djan is expected to feature in a series of promotional activities in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia to further increase MaxxOil’s regional presence.
The following are the recommended retail prices of MaxxOil’s NanoPLUS series of lubricants:
MaxxOil NanoPLUS 5w30 Fully Synthetic – RM228 / 4Litres
MaxxOil NanoPLUS 5w40 Fully Synthetic – RM228 / 4Litres
MaxxOil NanoPLUS 10w40 Semi Synthetic – RM128 / 4Litres
MaxxOil NanoPLUS 5w30 Semi Synthetic – RM128 / 4Litres


Jualan Kenderaan Meningkat Pada Februari Lalu - 43,722 Unit Terjual

Berdasarkan kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA),
 jumlah jualan kenderaan di Malaysia pada bulan Februari lalu meningkat kepada 43,722 unit berbanding 43,448 unit pada
bulan sama tahun lalu
.

Daripada jumlah unit yang terjual pada Februari lalu, jualan kenderaan penumpang meningkat kepada 38,823 unit pada Februari 2022 daripada 38,554 unit pada Februari 2021, sementara jualan kenderaan komersial naik kepada 4,899 unit daripada 4,894 unit.

Bagi dua bulan pertama tahun 2022, jualan turut meningkat kepada 84,303 unit berbanding 76,840 unit di mana kenderaan penumpang naik kepada 72,491 unit daripada 67,771 unit bagi tempoh sama 2021 dan kenderaan komersial sebanyak 11,812 unit daripada 8,869 unit tempoh sama 2021.

Jika nak dibandingkan dengan prestasi jualan kenderaan pada dua bulan pertama tahun lalu, jumlah jualan yang dicatatkan pada dua bulan pertama 2022 adalah 10% lebih tinggi.

Malah,
jumlah keseluruhan industri (TIV)
 pada bulan lalu juga meningkat sebanyak 8% lebih tinggi berbanding bulan Januari 2022 iaitu pada 40,581 unit.

Menurut MAA, peningkatan ini berlaku kerana kebanyakan syarikat kereta bertindak untuk meningkatkan pengeluaran kenderaan bagi memenuhi pesanan dan tempahan yang tertunggak.

Dari segi jumlah pengeluaran dan penghasilan kenderaan juga menyaksikan peningkatan dengan sebanyak 51,291 unit kenderaan telah dihasilkan pada Februari 2022 berbanding dengan 45,199 unit pada bulan yang sama tahun lalu.

Pengeluaran kenderaan penumpang pula meningkat kepada 47,445 unit pada Februari 2022 berbanding 41,301 unit pada tahun lalu sementara pengeluaran kenderaan komersial sedikit menurun kepada 3,846 unit daripada 3,898 unit sebelumnya.

Dengan peningkatan penghasilan dan penjualan kereta pada bulan lalu, MAA optimis bahawa jumlah jualan kereta pada bulan Mac 2022 akan terus meningkat melebihi angka jualan pada bulan Februari 2022.

Anggaran itu dibuat atas dorongan jualan yang lebih tinggi oleh syarikat pengeluar bagi mengakhiri tahun kewangannya pada 31 Mac 2021 selain tempoh bulan bekerja yang lebih lama.


2016 Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV launched – From RM888,888

Alongside the launches of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 Coupe and iconic G 63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz also rolled out its flagship SUV offering, the GLS 400 4Matic.
The introduction of the latest three models completes the Mercedes-Benz SUV range offerings for the Malaysian market.
Mark Raine, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, added, “The premium SUV range by Mercedes-Benz once again redefines the standard of the local luxury SUV segment with the additional three variants to our extensive portfolio. Each vehicle offers an exciting option to complement the unique lifestyle of our Malaysian customers. Combining ultimate driving comfort, dynamic handling and great agility, our SUVs are here to define a new best class, break conventions and provide our customers with the vehicle to make a statement.”
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is the facelift of the
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
 which was offered here in limited numbers previously. The full-fledged seven-seater GLS 400 is offered with the AMG Line exterior, comprising specific front and rear aprons, side running boards, side flaps painted in the vehicle colour and 21-inch AMG light-alloy wheels.
Inside, the cabin is effortlessly stylish and generously equipped. Fine quality materials and finishes feature throughout, while standard tech ranges from new Apple CarPlay to a Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround system. Boot capacity is an impressive 2,300 litres with the third row folded down.
The new GLS 400 4Matic also includes the extended Dynamic Select transmission modes and the latest version of the Airmatic air suspension system with enhanced 'ADS' damping.
The GLS 400 4Matic is powered by a V6 direct-injected bi-turbo engine and produces an output of 333hp and 480Nm of torque from as low as 1600 rpm, the engine is mated to a nine-speed (9G-Tronic) automatic transmission powering all four wheels.
The GLS 400 is capable of a 6.6 second 0-100km/h sprint all the way to a top speed of 240km/h. The car is now equipped with start/stop function which helps it to a claimed 9.4-9.9l/100km combined economy figure.
The GLS 400 4Matic retail price starts off at RM888,888 with a four year/ unlimited mileage warranty package.


Carmakers Play Their Part in Battling the COVID-19 Situation

In a show of support towards nationwide efforts to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak situation, carmakers and key players in the automotive industry are playing their part by providing support in many ways to the government, the front liners, as well as to the people.

The Naza Group of Companies for instance, just donated RM1.25 million to the Government’s COVID-19 fund a couple of days ago.

Proton on the other hand, also did its part to support Malaysia’s front liners by providing 50 units of the X70 SUV to the Ministry of Health.

It is said that the vehicles will be used to ferry medical workers to and from work, as well as to any hot spots in the country that is in need of urgent attention.

The MBM Resources Berhad (MBMR) automotive group, which specializes in distributorship and dealership of international vehicle brands and automotive parts manufacturing in Malaysia, has also contributed to the cause, by offering a RM300,000 medical donation to support the nation’s healthcare system in the ongoing battle against the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

Channelled through the Sumbangan Perubatan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM), the allotted contribution will go towards the purchase of medicines, medical equipment and other medical necessities to ease the increasing weight experienced by hospitals around Malaysia.

In an effort to make life easier for the people, brands like Honda, Toyota, Lexus, as well as Perodua have announced that the factory warranty of their vehicles will not be affected should the cars experience technical issues during the MCO period.

Besides that, owners of vehicles under these brands which are still under warranty, and are due for servicing during the MCO period don’t have to worry as they can get it done one the MCO is over.


Kuala Lumpur May Open Bicycle Lanes Along MRT Tracks

There might be plans to expand bicycle lanes to reach and connect broader parts of Kuala Lumpur by placing them below Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines.

The New Straits Times reports that as being the hope of mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib. He said, “Under the elevated MRT lane, there are spaces that could be used as bicycle lanes. However, we have to discuss it with MRT Corporation Sdn Bhd, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and Land Public Transport Commission.”

This comes after Datuk Seri Ahmad alluded to the possibility of adding other routes around the city in the future during the April launch of the 5.5km bicycle path that stretches from Mid Valley City to Dataran Merdeka.

He continued, “Another track will be made possible along Sungai Bunus. The distance is yet unknown as the Urban Transportation Department is identifying possible spaces to build the lane. Safety and security should be considered.”

The push for increased bicycle use in the city is not merely for recreation, but specifically to encourage the public to actively consider it as a mode of everyday transportation – to work, for example.

Datuk Seri Ahmad also officiated the 4
th
 Cycle Asia Kuala Lumpur, an international event that will be held from June 12-14 at Dataran Merdeka and is expected to attract locals and foreigners to ride through Dataran Merdeka and along past the city’s heritage buildings and landmarks. So far, 4,000 participants have signed up.

“We hope Dataran Merdeka will be the main public events venue. Last year, 27 million tourists visited the city, which showed an increase of 2 million people from the figure in 2013,” he said.


Selangor To Use Drones To Help Identify Potholes

Drones, lasers and smart dashcams will be used in Selangor to combat potholes.

It seems that Selangor's battle with
potholes
 is going up a notch as the state government wants to
tackle them
 with new-age hardware and software, including drones and lasers.

According to Malaysiakini, "The Selangor state government, through subsidiary company Selgem Sdn Bhd, has introduced a system that monitors and manages road assets more efficiently, said Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari."

This system is part of Selangor's
Smart Road
 Asset Management System, a network created in 2021 to minimise road damage using the latest technology.

Amirudin said the system will use smart dashcams, 360 cameras, drones, as well as light detection and ranging technology in the observation of road data.

"All data is observed and analysed with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which can identify assets on the street as well as electrical equipment and identify damage automatically and digitally. This technology can directly speed up the process of road monitoring and repair", said Amirudin, according to The Malaysian Reserve.

The results of these observations and data analysis are also integrated into a web-based system that is transmitted directly to the Selgem Command Centre,” he said.

Back in 2020, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said that there were more than 50,000 potholes in Selangor, as reported by the mobile navigation app, Waze.

We did not manage to find any recently reported numbers for these potholes, but this move by the state government appears to be a concerted effort in an attempt to do something about the bad road conditions in the state of Selangor. Good luck!


Is The GR Yaris RS Just A Watered Down Hot-Hatch Or A Style Icon To Take On The MINI?

Stop for a while and just look at it, and ask yourself when was the last time you saw something that bold and stylish come out of Japan?

Yes, you could argue the Honda S660 and Mazda 3 are sublime looking in their own aspects, but the GR Yaris ‘RS’ variant just looks more macho doesn’t it…especially in black! And who could argue that with cars like the
Toyota C-HR
 and
Supra
 setting the tone prior to the Yaris, Toyota are on roll as far as design renaissance goes.

So, what exactly have they done to create the GR Yaris RS?

Well, Toyota have taken the same chiselled exterior of the
GR Yaris RZ
 – basically, a hot-blooded hatch conforming to World Rally Car specifications, reimagined it as a road-going special – and given it a more civilised drivetrain.

Now instead of the insane (272PS/370Nm) ‘G16E-GTS’ 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged mill, the RS gets the naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre ‘M15A-FKS’ 3-cylinder which produces a meagre 120PS and 145Nm; marginally more than what a 1.5-litre delivers. The RS also swaps out the RZ’s 6-speed manual transmission and 'GR-Four' sports 4WD system in favour of a CVT-Type automatic with 10-pseudo ratios only powering the front wheels.

Those are the major differences.

But in doing so, have Toyota simply diluted the value of the Yaris GR by taking an otherwise race-bred car and turning it into dolled-up grocery getter or have they just made a modern style icon to rival the likes of the MINI Cooper and Fiat 500?

I’m firmly on the side of the latter. The Yaris RS is such a masterstroke, it might even pay enough of the bills so that we might have the second and third generations of this very special car.

As Toyota put it, the Yaris RS was jointly developed with the RZ from “valuations by non-Toyota professional drivers from the early stages of development. It was developed to respond to driver input on various types of roads around the world, and enable anyone to drive as they wish”. That makes perfect sense because some people might just want it for the way it looks, and have little interest in setting a Nurburgring lap time every other weekend.

However, Toyota has not skimped on the rest car just because it has less power and drives two fewer wheels – the RS retains the lightweight and aerodynamic bodyshell, aluminium hood, back door, and door panels… it even has the same carbon fiber-reinforced plastic roof panel.

The RS also shares the same suspension setup – featuring MacPherson struts up front and double-wishbones at the rear and wears the similar-sized 225/40R18 tyres (though the RZ is supplied with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tyres).

The RS variant will also be manufactured at the same ‘GR Factory’ facility in Motomachi as its fire-breathing RZ, and RC brethren. The full-range of the GR Yaris – the RS, RZ, and RC (race homologation variant based on the RZ- Japan only) – goes on sale in Europe and Japan starting September 2020.

While we do know that some 100 units of the GR Yaris RZ are making their way to Malaysian shores, we can't help but get more excited about the Yaris RS now!


BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo Launched, Priced From RM 450,000

BMW Malaysia has just introduced the all-new 6 Series Gran Turismo, following the model’s regional introduction in Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.
Codenamed G32, the 6 Series Gran Turismo is aimed at people who want greater utility from their car, but at the same time don't want to compromise on driving dynamics by getting a taller SUV, or settle for a conservative looking wagon. It's a cross between a traditional wagon and a coupe. It's a slightly different concept from the previous taller riding 5 Series Gran Turismo.
With the discontinuation of the 6 Series Gran Coupe here, this Gran Turismo model is the closest answer that BMW Group Malaysia has to the recently launched
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
.
At the moment, BMW Group Malaysia will be carrying only 630i GT M Sport variant. It's powered by a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine that delivers 258 hp and 400 Nm, channeled to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The century sprint is completed in just 6.3 seconds.
Up front, the 630i GT features a pair of adaptive LED headlights that flank the signature BMW kidney grille. As for the sides, the trademark Hofmeister kink is found on the end of each rear window, but the key highlight is the sweeping down roofline that merges into the tail section. The rear end also features a rear spoiler that automatically deploys when the vehicle reaches 110 km/h. 20-inch double spoke 648 M alloy wheels complete the exterior of the 630i GT.
List of equipment for the new BMW 630i GT is extensive, featuring:
M Sport Aerodynamics Package
Panoramic Glassroof
Head-Up Display
Sensatec leather dashboard
Black Dakota leather upholstery
Harman Kardon Surround Sound System
Wireless phone charging
BMW Display Key
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Change Warning
Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Collision Mitigation
Crossing Traffic Warning
Speed Limit Info
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go
Colour options include Alpine White, Bluestone, Carbon Black, and Sophisto Grey. Buyers who opt for the Carbon Black or the Sophisto Grey models can spec their 630i GT with the Cognac Dakota leather upholstery as well.
The locally-assembled new BMW 630i GT retails for an estimated RM450,000 and inclusive of BMW's 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program, their 2-Year/24 Month Tyre Warranty Program, BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App and BMW White Card, and BMW Service Online. It is the ninth locally-assembled BMW/MINI model in the country.


Hyundai Ioniq 5 Is Coming In February 2021 - Here Are The Teasers

Despite 2020 being a slow year, Hyundai managed to make some pretty large changes at the company. Their newest EV model is going to take the world by storm.

If you're feeling confused by the naming, here's the breakdown - sometime in the middle of 2020, Hyundai decided to transform the Ioniq from merely a model name to an entire electric-vehicle sub-brand for the Korean automaker. Yes, the Ioniq Hybrid and EV of old is gone - to be replaced by an entire range of
EV
 models.

The first to be launched will come in the next few weeks, and it'll be known as the Hyundai Ioniq 5. In true modern launch fashion, it's the SUV body form that gets the priority - as the Ioniq 5 will be a mid-sized SUV or crossover depending on where you stand.

It will be based heavily on the 45 EV concept car that made its debut in 2019, with sharp edges and lines for that true futuristic look. More important than that is the fact that a five-minute charge on a fast charger will yield 100 km of range, by WLTP standards.

The Ioniq 5, like a couple of electric cars coming to the market, will also feature bi-directional charging whereby you can charge the car (as you would expect), but the car can also supply power from its battery if need be. This power can be used to help get another electric vehicle going, or power a couple of appliances for 24 hours or so, based on 3.5 kW of power.

Sitting on the
E-GMP
 platform that we talked about previously, the Ioniq 5's architecture sings to the tune of 800 volts, with DC charging at up to 350 KW. WLTP standards would rate the range at 550 km with the 73 kWh spec battery, and a flat to 80% charge could just take 18 minutes. The century sprint? 5.2 seconds - thanks to a power output of 308 hp.

In terms of size, you can expect the Ioniq 5 to be a little shorter than the Tucson while being a little wider than the Santa Fe. That's a pretty decent package to run around with for the urban dweller, although whether we will be getting this particular EV anytime soon may depend more on our
charging infrastructure
.


Ford Has Come Up With A Way To Prevent Your Wheels From Getting Stolen

Even though car security systems have become increasingly more sophisticated, thieves are still at large out there taking whatever they can, and one of the most common parts to go missing is none other than the wheels.

Yes, we do have lock nuts which require a special adapter or key to loosen, but even these are not invulnerable. So, to overcome this issue, the engineers at Ford have now developed unique locking wheel nuts using 3D printing technology.

Together with EOS, a leading supplier for high-end solutions in additive manufacturing, Ford has created locking nuts with contours based on the driver’s voice!

Like an iris scan or a fingerprint, a person’s voice can be used as a unique biometric identification.    Engineers record the driver’s voice for a minimum of one second, saying something like “I drive a Ford Mustang”, and use software to convert that singular soundwave into a physical, printable pattern.

This pattern is then turned into a circle and used as the design for the locking nut’s indentation and key.

With the geometry in place, the nut and key are designed as one piece, then 3D-printed using acid and corrosion resistant stainless steel. When finished, the nut and key are separated, with a small amount of grinding required to make them ready for use.

The design also includes second level security features that prevent the nut from being cloned or copied. The unevenly spaced ribs inside the nut and indentations that widen the deeper they go prevent a thief from making a wax imprint of the pattern, as the wax breaks when it is pulled from the nut.

If not using the driver’s voice to create the contours, the nuts could feature designs specific to a vehicle, such as with the Mustang logo, or use the driver’s initials. The design could also take inspiration from a driver’s interest, for example, by using the outline of a famous racetrack.

We hope that when this tech finally reaches Malaysia, it will be affordable because we certainly would like to get some for ourselves.


Mazda CX-5 Takes On The World’s Oldest, Deepest Lake

Leading documentary maker Ed Bazalgette, Mazda, and award-winning British video production company Kingdom Creative have co-created a short film about Lake Baikal, which is the world’s oldest and deepest lake.
More than 650 km long, 80 km wide, and with a maximum depth of close to 2 km, the 25 million-year-old lake is the most voluminous on the planet with more than 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water held within its vast shoreline.
Famed for its unique and complex ecosystem, each year Lake Baikal freezes to create a stunning winter environment, one that recently played host to Mazda Epic Drive Siberia: an adventurous driving event that saw 65 media from across Europe cross the lake in standard production Mazda CX-5 AWDs.
Making four 72km crossings of the lake, Mazda became the first manufacturer to successfully cross this unforgiving yet beautiful frozen water mass.
However, Mazda’s stay in Siberia focused on so much more than just a traditional driving event, working with the Baikalsky Nature Reserve and its Deputy Director Irina Lyasota to ensure its plan did not impact the ecosystem of this UNESCO World Heritage site, Mazda commissioned a unique film that looked at Lake Baikal through the eyes of Irina, a lady who’s passion for the lake and its environment delivers a wonderful perspective of the ecology, history and future of this natural spectacle.
An adventure drive that tested the capabilities of Mazda’s new-generation intelligent all-wheel drive system by crossing the frozen surfaces of world’s largest body of fresh water from shore to shore, this once in a lifetime journey also allowed participants to experience first-hand the wonderful natural beauty of Lake Baikal.


Mercedes-AMG (C190) GTR Black Series Unleased – 730 hp Of Pure Mean

Mercedes-AMG has just pulled the wraps of the meanest and most awe-inspiring version of its GT supercar range with the GT Black Series. The Black Series features the most aggressive design, the most elaborate of aerodynamics packages, improved driving dynamics, and crucially the most powerful engine V8 engine AMG has ever produced.

By far the biggest change of the GT Black Series is inside the engine, where AMG has revamped its V8 engine to use a flat-plane V8 crankshaft, instead of the cross-plane crankshaft fitted to the rest of the GT family.

Without excessive geekery, a cross-plane crankshaft is best known for its smooth operation, reliability, and good engine harmonics – the flat-plane crankshaft is known for its superb low-end torque, balanced engine harmonics, high-revving capability, and most importantly, screamer of a soundtrack. It’s the reason Ferraris have that distinctive ‘scream’ in their V8s.

The new GT Black Series engine may be based on the AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine with dry sump lubrication, but it has been given the new internal code M178 LS2 due to the numerous modifications to adapt for the new crank design.

New camshafts and exhaust manifolds have also had to be adapted to the new engine firing order and to further improve the gas cycle. The turbochargers and intercooler setup have also been modified.

The nett result – a whopping 730 hp at 6700-6900 rpm and a maximum torque of 800 Nm between 2000-6000 rpm.

That big bump in performance gives the GT Black Series a 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, 0-200 km/h in under 9 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h – rivalling stats of the
Ferrari F8 Tributo
, and upcoming (992) Porsche 911 GT2.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via the AMG Speedshift seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is located on the rear axle in a transaxle arrangement for optimal weight distribution, as is the case for all AMG GT models. The transmission has been modified for use in the AMG GT Black Series and adapted to the increased torque of 800 Nm. The previous limits governing shift performance and response time have been extended, making them more suitable for racetracks.

The 'torque tube' is now made out of carbon fibre and, at just 13.9 kilograms, is around 40 percent lighter than its aluminium counterpart in the AMG GT.

As for the chassis – the Black Series offers the same coilover setup and AMG RIDE CONTROL adaptive adjustable damping as the rest of the GT range, but now with manually adjustable camber components and anti-roll bars on both the front and rear axle. A ceramic compound brake system features as well.

As for aesthetics, the Black Series derives aerodynamic and styling elements from the GT3 racecar, significantly larger radiator air inlet, which stems directly from the AMG GT3 racing car. The radiator trim has vertical struts in dark chrome because now the wheel arch coolers are also fed with air directly via the central inlet.

Elsewhere ‘sickle-shaped’ flics direct air around the lower and side regions of the bumper to further optimise airflow and downforce. Additionally, the carbon-fibre front splitter has two manually adjustable settings (Street and Race).

When extended forward (Race position), a front diffuser in the shape of a reversed wing - depending on the driving speed, this element is lowered even further by the rising negative pressure, which significantly accelerates the air flow on the underbody, thereby sucking the car to the road. Another direct derivative from motorsport is the new carbon-fibre bonnet, with two large exhaust air outlets made from black finished carbon surfaces.

At the rear view is characterised by the new rear apron with a large diffuser, two rounded twin tailpipe trims on the outside left and right, side wheel arch ventilation, and the innovative rear aerofoil concept. The two-piece aerofoil (or wing) is designed to manage wind coming from over the roof and sides of the car, and is made out of carbon fibre.

Rounding off the highlights are the AMG 10-spoke forged wheels in matt black, and exclusive AMG Magmabeam special paintwork.

On the inside, the interior has been spiced up with contrasting orange-coloured topstitching on the on the seats, steering wheel, door pull handles and sections of the instrument panel.

The GT Black Series can be optioned with the AMG Track Package with lightweight titanium roll-over protection, four-point seatbelts, and 2 kg fire extinguishers like the
AMG GTR
 and GTR Pro models.


All-New BMW X7 - Pre-Production Begins, To Debut End-2018

First shown as a concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show back in September, BMW has started pre-production of the all-new X7 flagship SUV, codenamed G07.
Production of the all-new BMW X7 has begun at the company’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. Knudt Flor, head of the BMW Group Spartanburg plant said, “We are proud to produce the BMW X7 here in Spartanburg, the home of our X models. This is a very special vehicle and our employees are looking forward to yet a further member of the X family. Together with the BMW X7, a total of five BMW X models will be exported from Spartanburg to all four corners of the globe.”
The all-new BMW X7 will undergo various tests in difficult conditions for 12 months leading up to its end-2018 debut.
Like the BMW X5 and X6, the all-new BMW X7 will be produced at BMW's Spartanburg plant. The pre-production X7 models are then handed over to the development department, who will use the X7 for homologation, registration plus diverse testing purposes including endurance tests and test drives under varying conditions.
The new flagship three-row SUV will be challenging the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and Range Rover.


Toyota Is Bringing The Supra To Goodwood Festival of Speed

After much teasing regarding the Supra, Toyota has decided to tease us yet again in a Twitter post on their Toyota Europe page. It seems that the Supra will be making its way to Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018, and while we've already seen numerous versions of it in various levels of camouflage, and
even a race-prepped variant
, we have yet to see it in the metal. They're already calling it the A90, which follows on from the previous generation's A80 chassis code.
For those who aren't in the know about the Supra, it's basically a coupe that Toyota produced from the 1980s up until the 2000s, powered by a bunch of engines that could produce an impressive amount of power (although the JZ family of engines from the fourth generation remains popular to this day). They were extremely popular among aftermarket tuners and the next generation may be a large step away from what people know of the Supra (given Toyota's collaboration with BMW), but it's certainly a good step forward and a welcome revival.


Is The GT-R The Best Cam Car Out There?

From what we can tell, the 2020 GT-R Nismo looks like a beast - living up to its Godzilla name!

With over 600 horsepower and an array of fancy hardware and software, it can go from 0- 97km/h in 2.48 secs. With that kind of timing, its no surprise that it has been dubbed as one of the most exciting supercars the world has seen.

To shoot a promo video for the car, the person contracted to shoot the video decided to use another GT-R as the chase car, and he said "When I started to think about developing a high-performance camera car, I quickly realized that the Nissan GT-R was the only car that would meet my criteria. It has supercar performance, with outstanding all-wheel-drive handling and stability. It's famously reliable, and it can seat the team I need to operate the camera system. There were no other contenders." said Mauro Calo, a professional precision driver and automotive video expert known for his work on big-budget blockbuster movies and automotive TV shows.

This fast cam car got us thinking. Camera chase cars are so important and can be the difference between a good and lousy promo video. Just check out some of the videos below for the best cam cars that have ever existed, one is even called the "Huracam", that's an ingenious name for a Huracan camera car. Need for Speed even used Mustang and Ferrari camera cars.

Huracam

Mustang & Ferrari


MYPerodua Nation Carnival Is Coming To Setia Alam Next Week

The MYPerodua Nation 2019 will open its doors to everyone from 20-22 September at the Setia City Oval Lawn in Setia Alam, with 25,000 visitors expected over three days – the biggest ever for the event.
“Following successful events in Shah Alam in 2017 and Sungai Petani in 2018, the MYPerodua Nation 2019 carnival promises an exciting and fun-filled weekend for all like never before,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“With attractive offers on new vehicles, including special deals for e-hailing, students and graduates, plus after-sales offers on selected GearUp bodykits and packages, lubricants, parts and accessories, there simply isn’t a better time or place to be or become a Perodua customer than at MYPerodua Nation 2019,” he added.
For customers’ benefit, Perodua’s entire value chain will be there, including Perodua Total Protect Plus, Perodua Pre-Owned Vehicles (POV), GearUp accessories and merchandise, parts, Perodua Genuine Oil and the UFirst loyalty programme – all in one place. Perodua’s financial and insurance partners will also be there to facilitate the purchase process.
Visitors can also make service appointments, inspect their vehicles with Tweckbot, test-drive the latest models, experience Advanced Safety Assist (ASA), take a trip through Perodua’s 26-year history at the Perodua Journey booth and take part in fun competitions, while kids will love the bungee trampoline, clay model colouring, virtual reality racing and drift tricycle activities.
There will also be a variety of performances and special appearances by renowned artistes such as Bunkface, Aman RA, Naim Daniel and more.
Looking for a new Perodua? Get the best deals
here
.


2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS debuts - final 718 model with ICE engine?

The all-new 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS has been unveiled - an open-top counterpart of the very manic
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
.

Featuring the same and very powerful 4.0-litre NA six-cylinder boxer engine as the 718 Cayman GT4 RS (also borrowed from the renowned 911 GT3), the 718 Spyder RS punches out the same yet hefty 500PS and 450Nm of gut-wrenching torque set to deliver exceptional performance paired with an open-top experience.

With the ability to rev as high as 9,000rpm (and paired with the short-ratio seven-speed PDK transmission), the 718 Spyder RS can accelerate hard from 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds. It'll then go as far as hitting its top speed of 308km/h. The 718 Spyder RS is also just as agile thanks to its lightweight construction weighing in at 1,410kg (40kg less than the 718 Spyder & 5kg less than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS).

The aerodynamics of the 718 Spyder RS are carefully balanced to ensure optimal driving stability at high speeds. The front end features a wide air outlet and NACA ducts for brake cooling, while sideblades and a huge rear wing generate some additional downforce for extra control and stability. Plus, they look extremely cool when parked.

The roof, including mechanical components, weighs just 18.3kg. This helps to reduce the vehicle's overall weight and enhancing its power-to-weight ratio even more. The completely removable sun sail and weather deflector weighs 7.6kg less than the previous 718 Spyder and a whopping 16.5kg less than the 718 Boxster.

The chassis of the 718 Spyder RS incorporates components from the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, resulting in roughly the same levels of precision and agile handling. Featuring the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with sports tuning, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), ball-jointed suspension bearings, and a set of 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, the Porsche 718 Spyder RS ensure exceptional control and responsiveness no matter the driving situation but with added comfort.

The interior comes with a grippy RS sports steering wheel covered in Race-Tex material, with a yellow 12-o'clock marking for all you motorsports enthusiasts out there. The standard full bucket seats covered in black leather are constructed from lightweight CFRP (carbon-fibre reinforced polymer) with a carbon-weave finish, providing excellent support when you're ripping it around mountain roads or even the track.

The headrests are embroidered with a 'Spyder RS' logo finished in either Arctic Grey or Carmine Red (same as the seat centres). A total of seven different exterior colours options can be chosen to spec out the 718 Spyder RS, including some worthy mentions like Vanadium Grey Metallic, Arctic Grey, Shark Blue, and Ruby Star Neo.

For those who want to spend a bit more to further enhance its ownership experience, the 718 Spyder RS offers several customization options, including the Weissach Package that features lightweight forged magnesium wheels and a titanium sports exhaust system. We can only imagine the soundtrack of the beast screaming through those titanium beauties.

The public debut of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is set to take place in June at the 75 years of Porsche Sports Cars event in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. After that, the hallowed grounds of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, baby.


How The Perodua Smart Build Has Made The Perodua Ativa (D55L) The Rakyat’s Cheapest SUV

The term
kereta rakyat
 seems to get thrown around pretty often these days. There used to be a time when powered windows were reserved only for premium “continental” cars – but with the most recent bunch of our own homegrown superstars – such as the Perodua Myvi and Proton X50 – is proof that premium features need not have a premium price tag.

For just over RM50k, Myvi customers now have access to active safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), 6-airbags and LED headlamps, and for just over RM100k, X50 customers enjoy full SAE Level 2 autonomous capability, and not to mention a healthy dollop of performance – read 177PS and 265Nm of torque.

Appealing to a cost-conscious buyer base

Note, however, that until recently (2017 to be exact) local automotive policies and the ASEAN NCAP ratings did not require AEB as a pre-requisite for a 5-Star rating. That, however, didn’t stop Perodua from very early on, developing and introducing its Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) safety suite in the third-generation Myvi; simply because it would appeal better to its prospective customers.

One could argue, that the Myvi would have sold in great numbers either way, with or without the additional safety and technology features. Nevertheless, in our market of finicky and cost-conscious buyers, Perodua understands better than most, that offering the best overall value, is what sells cars.

And Malaysian buyers want features to brag about!

Both our local carmakers have been, for years, locked in a tight battle to be the first to market with up-to-date safety and equipment features, and they do it by taking advantage of the many benefits of their localised footprint to keep prices low.

Hence, Malaysian-born cars for Malaysians, with features, rivalling big-name brands, and prices halved or even less i.e.:
 harga mesra rakyat
.

Now the Ativa will take this even further…

In many ways, the Ativa rekindles the spirit of the original Kembara, which at the time allowed a younger, working generation of buyers to get into a higher-riding SUV model for not much more than a passenger sedan, and others the access to 4WD technology to tackle challenging terrains (especially in Sabah and Sarawak), be it for work or personal travel.

With the Ativa, Perodua will offer more features to Malaysian customers than ever before. A B-Segment SUV with Perodua's latest ASA 3.0 safety suite – which includes AEB, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and also Rear Cross Traffic Alert for just over RM70k! Needless to say, many in the automotive sector, including Perodua’s fiercest rival will be wondering how they have managed their production and development costs so well to offer such features at unparalleled prices. We can safely confirm that the Ativa is going to be the talk of the town for a while after
test-driving
 it.

A good restaurant is only as good as the kitchen that puts the food out

So how has Perodua done it? Well, much of it has to do with reducing the costs to design, develop, test, and produce the vehicle.

To oversimplify the subject, the business of selling cars requires that the cost to make the car (plus profits), divided by the number of cars that are sold will equate to the selling price of the car. The maths is true regardless if you are Perodua or BMW. Therefore, lower the costs to make the car, and sell more cars - then you can sell for cheaper.

Of course, to do that, the company would need to lower the costs across its entire ecosystem – from development to its parts suppliers, factory costs, to its logistics and supply chain, dealers, and everyone in between. To equate it to gastronomy: a restaurant will only serve good steaks if all the ingredients that go into the steak i.e.: the meat, the spices, and the kitchen that prepares it, is just as good.

The Perodua Smart Build plan

In a recent press statement, that perhaps went slightly unnoticed – was the company’s new Perodua Smart Build (PSB) concept. PSB highlights the company’s blueprint and action plan moving forward, which not only covers the company’s immediate operations but the entire ecosystems of its vendors and technology partners – and sheds some light on how they have managed to control their costs so effectively.

Here are the main takeaways:

PSB includes nearly the entire Malaysian automotive supplier and dealer ecosystem.

PSB is an evolution of what Perodua and the Malaysian automotive industry were originally set up to do: to create a sustainable and robust automotive ecosystem.

The new PSB is the third generation of Perodua’s transformation plan.

The first transformation plan (in 2011) laid the groundwork for Perodua’s Energy-Efficient Vehicle (EEV) ecosystem, stop defect outflow, and improve quality.

Transformation 2.0 was focused on customer satisfaction, organisational development and the fostering of unity across Perodua’s operations.

Transformation 3.0’, Perodua is working together with its business partners to rationalise the gap in quality, cost, and delivery within the automotive ecosystem and get the industry to be “in the right size”.

Perodua is also working with all its partners to see where existing expertise can be utilised beyond Malaysia.

Perodua staff are now working to design Daihatsu models in Japan as part of Perodua’s effort to export local expertise abroad.

Perodua will continue to leverage its close partnership with Daihatsu to realise PSB's objectives.

Perodua Smart Build is full product development by Perodua and its suppliers, to strengthen the working culture and work mindset.

Through PSB, a number of Malaysian suppliers are already part of Daihatsu’s global supply chain.

How does PSB help keep costs down…

PR-speak aside, if we cycle through the first seven milestones – we can see how Perodua have incrementally improved its products and operations to end up with cars that all Malaysians know and love.

These milestones also highlight the company’s flexibility and ingenuity to move the company holistically and incrementally in the direction that is best suited to take advantage of national automotive policies, regulations, while maximising its local and international partnerships to improve quality and reduce costs.

The latter five objectives, however, sheds some light on how Perodua has managed to lower the costs of developing and producing the (D55L) Ativa. First off, because Perodua and Daihatsu work very closely now, their engineers are actively involved with the design and development of their products right across Japan and Malaysia. This has allowed more precise and time effective development as engineers design features and components from the outset to appeal to Malaysian buyers, and not have to re-engineer parts of the car later on – this saves money and time.

Development costs are also thus shared by Perodua and Daihatsu, and this is a testament to the trust Daihatsu has in Perodua and its engineers. Exactly how much of the development costs were borne by Perodua in the development of the DNGA and Ativa is unknown.

However, following the media preview of the new model yesterday, Perodua CEO Dato’ Zainal Abidin added that besides the overarching value of just developing the platform and car, the sizeable development costs borne by Perodua adds the additional value of enriching both its engineering and vendor competencies at the same time. In line with the PSB’s objectives.

And finally, by improving its vendors, supply chain, and supplier competencies in line with the development of new the new vehicle – Perodua is able to accelerate the localisation of parts, reduce defect outflow, and optimise vehicle production – thereby speeding up its go-to-market strategy, again saving cost and time.

These and many other factors have contributed to the Ativa's amazing features and technologies and that all-important
harga mesra rakya
t pricetag.

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

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Carlist.my.

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CarlistBid.my
.


Isuzu Malaysia Delivers Mighty Bakery’s 100th Truck

Isuzu Malaysia ended 2017 on a positive note with its Batu Pahat-based authorised dealer, Jumbo Arena Sdn Bhd handing over Mighty Bakery Sdn Bhd, the manufacturer of Mighty White confectionery its 100th truck.
The model delivered was the Isuzu N-Series 4-wheeler (NKR55UEEH-E), which now joins Mighty Bakery’s existing fleet of 16 other N-Series which were registered in 2017.
According to Mighty Bakery, the expansion is in line with their business expansion into new markets, to ensure on-time delivery, and also to maintain cost-effective distribution of their product range throughout the country.
The company added that Isuzu trucks became it’s preferred vehicle brand due to two factors - reliability and good fuel economy.
Isuzu Malaysia’s Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Vehicle Division, Mikio Tsukui, said that Isuzu will be a beneficial transportation partner that ensures consistent efficiencies in time and cost, in support of Mighty Bakery’s mission to provide fresh, quality food products to be enjoyed by all.
A symbolic mock key was presented to Rodney Khor, the marketing director of Mighty Bakery Sdn Bhd to commemorate the event which took place at the company’s plant in Balakong, Selangor.


Review: 2017 Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine PHEV – The Future Of Luxury

As electrification is being touted as the future of motoring, plug-in hybrids have emerged as an attractive interim solution. Because PHEVs can be charged off the mains and offer usable all-electric cruising ranges whilst still having a conventional petrol engine, they allow us to enjoy the full benefits of electric motoring without needing to worry about range anxiety.
Battery out of juice? No problem, engine fires up and you’re still on your way. You refuel your car the same way you have been doing all this while.
The biggest problem with PHEVs is cost. These things are not cheap and they require tax breaks in order to be made affordable to the people. The Malaysian Government is happy to provide the necessary tax breaks provided the vehicles are locally-assembled, but only the luxury makes are thus far able take advantage of the available incentives.
The mid-range premium is shaping up to be an interesting PHEV battleground. Mercedes-Benz drew first blood with the
E-Class E350e
. BMW has yet to commit to launching the
530e
 in our market, but such is the success of the 330e and X5 40e to date, it is difficult to envision the car not coming to our shores.
If and until the 530e makes landfall in Malaysia, however, the E350e’s only direct challenger in the field will come from Volvo in the form of the just-launched
S90 T8 Twin Engine
.
Specifications:
Price: RM368,888 (OTR without insurance)
Engine: 2.0-litre, Inline-4 Transverse, Twincharged Petrol, 320 hp, 400 Nm
Motor: 87 hp, 240 Nm
Net system output: 407 hp, 640 Nm
Transmission: 8-speed torque converter automatic, Electric AWD
Safety: Adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping aid, run-off road mitigation, blind spot warning, ABS, EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control, 6 airbags, ISOFIX, integrated booster seats
Origin: Locally-assembled in Shah Alam, Selangor
Overview
The T8’s arrival sees a minor reshuffling of Volvo’s 90-series line-up. Order taking has been stopped for the V90 wagon, unsurprisingly owing to poor demand, even though the model is actually still being built at Volvo’s Shah Alam plant for exports across the region.
For the S90, however, the T5 variant has been dropped, whilst the T6 R-Design AWD will continue on a fully-imported basis at a price of RM453,888.
The S90 T8, meanwhile,
has just been launched
 with a choice of two trim levels starting from the Inscription grade at RM368,888. An additional RM20,000 moves one up to Inscription Plus trim, an upgrade that brings in air suspension and the much-vaunted Bowers & Wilkins sound system that is said to be designed specifically for the S90’s acoustics and optimized to deliver a sound experience to match a concert theatre.
As an introductory offer, orders placed before 31 October 2017 enjoy a reduction of RM20,000 for both grades of the T8.
Contrasting the approach of most rivals, particularly the rear-wheel driven ones that sandwich their electric motors between engine and transmission, Volvo employs a more novel arrangement for its plug-in hybrid setup.
The 2.0-litre twincharged engine from the T6 continues to be deployed in its transverse installation to power the front wheels and is integrated with a starter/generator that recuperates energy and also provides a quick boost on start-up. The electric motor, meanwhile, powers the rear axle independently.
In the absence of a prop shaft, the centre tunnel is then appropriate to mount its 10.4 kWh lithium-ion traction battery. This unique arrangement offers a multitude of packaging benefits, starting with uncompromised boot space and also the ability to offer 60:40 split-folding rear seats. By mounting it low and right along the middle of the floorpan, it also creates a favourable weight distribution to benefit handling dynamics.
Exterior
Volvo’s design renaissance that kicked off with the XC90 continues unabated with the S90. It is a design that is at once sophisticated yet free from unnecessary clutter. It speaks of an underlying confidence in a company once driven to the verge of failure under Ford’s ownership and rediscovered its mojo having been given a new lease of life by current owners Geely.
At first glance, the understated nature of the T8’s Inscription trim seems remarkably similar to the Momentum grade previously offered in the T5 model. Differences take a keen eye to spot, but look out for a sharper multi-spoke rim design, a long chrome strip running along the car’s flanks, chrome inserts on the front bumper, and chrome-lined grille slats.
There is no visual differentiation between the appearances of the Inscription and Inscription Plus variants from the outside unless you can spot the distinctive appearances of the Bowers & Wilkins speakers of the higher grade model.
Interior
Those jumping over from a Ford-era Volvo will find the S90’s cabin a major step-up in class and ambiance. Design-wise, it is an exercise of tasteful minimalism, one that convincingly jives with modern concepts of luxury. The various touch points too are lined with materials that are appealing both visually and to the touch.
A subject of much debate is the portrait-oriented touchscreen dominating the centre stack. It is a move that, at one stroke, increases the perceived sophistication of the dashboard whilst actually lowering precious development time and costs – think about it, no need to spend money to fine-tune the quality and tactile feel of each switch; and there’s no need to develop different switching configurations for different levels of equipment.
As mentioned earlier, Volvo’s central battery placement mean that no sacrifice is necessary with regards to boot space, although it has resulted in a couple of in-cabin compromises. First and most obvious is the comically shallow centre console box that is barely deep enough to take a phone. Then there’s also no room for central rear air-con vents; rear passengers are supplied with cool air from the B-pillar but dedicated climate controls are not available.
Driving Experience
Volvo’s newfound self-assurance mean that its most recent cars are no longer tuned with needlessly stiff suspension setups in misguided pursuits of sportiness. The S90’s setup, whilst dynamically capable, is quite obviously optimized for the driver who prefers secure rather than exciting handling. It holds cornering lines with well-managed levels of body roll, but the chassis is devoid of chatter or any sense of playfulness.
The PHEV powertrain package offer excellent flexibility and feels expertly-tuned; it responds quickly and urgently to heavy throttle inputs, yet at the same time refined enough not to be too excitable in low-speed heavy traffic situations. The twincharged petrol engine, when needed to power the car on its own, revs smoothly through the rev range whilst also offering decent low- to mid-range punch. It is definitely a more appealing powertrain to wield than the Mercedes E350e’s M274 engine.
Comfort & Refinement
The air-sprung S90 T8 Inscription Plus offers a supremely plush ride over most surfaces, but the good news is that the passive setup found in the regular Inscription model isn’t half bad either. There is a feeling of confident firmness in the ride, but without any sense of brittleness that would have ruined its case as a competent daily driver.
Mechanical refinement, too, is excellent; the car’s various moving gear operate with pleasing hushness. Insulation of external noises can be improved, with road noise, in particular, being higher than what we would expect given the car’s clean design and overall smoothness in operation. As things stand, the Mercedes E350e remains quieter on the move, even though the Benz has a rougher engine under its hood.
Conclusion
It’s been too long since Volvo last had a car that could compete against the German luxury sedans on a level footing. The S90, then, is a much-welcomed return to form and what a return it is. Volvo’s new flagship is stylish, confident, and, most importantly, exceptionally well-built and well-engineered.
The lack of dynamic vivacity perhaps dampens its appeal to hardcore enthusiasts, but sportiness is not the only way to skin the fish that is the luxury market. There are plenty of customers who just want a car that is beautifully made, comfortable to go around, and something that they’d be proud to show off to their friends – the S90 fits this bill perfectly.
High pricing of the CBU variants meant that the S90 and V90 when initially launched in our market failed to hit the ground running. The proximity of its launch timing to the G30 5 Series also interrupted Volvo's chance to build any form of early sales momentum. Now with EEV pricing and specced competitively against the establishment, the S90 T8 comes on strong and proudly stands on equal footing against the 5 Series and the E-Class.


Have Yourself a (Virtual) Race Weekend at Paradigm Mall with RACEXP

If you fancy a challenge this weekend, head down to Paradigm Mall as Grass Racing Autosports, in collaboration with Motor Bahn, are organising Malaysia’s first wheel-to-wheel licensed simulator racing competition called RACEXP.

Held at the Upper Atrium, Level UG of Paradigm Mall, RACEXP adopts the RaceRoom racing simulator which features licensed representations of famous circuits, cars, and races from the WTCC, DTM, and ADAC GT Masters Series. The game itself is currently available for download for free on Steam.

RACEXP is open to the public and to participate, visitors would have to pay a participation fee of RM30 and take part in a 10 minute qualifying session. The qualifying session is ongoing till 10pm today (6
th
 November 2015) and will resume from 10am – 3pm tomorrow (7
th
 November 2015).

Each participant will have their quickest lap time recorded, and from there the top 100 drivers would go on to the Quarterfinals where they will compete in wheel-to-wheel racing against one another in designated races. The Quarterfinals is scheduled to start shortly after the last qualifying session from 5 – 9pm tomorrow, and will continue on Sunday (8
th
 November 2015) 11am – 3pm.  From there the top ten will be chosen to race together in the Finals, which will take place on 7pm, Sunday 8
th
 November 2015.

Spectators are invited to watch the race for free as well as browse the event’s 10 Brand Partner’s Booth, with attractive offers on related products. As Mazda is supporting the event as the Official Car, Bermaz Motor has brought out their latest Mazda 2 Sport Hatch, which is on display at the Ground Floor at the G Entrance. The Mazda 2 Sport Hatch comes fitted with a new body kit and is only available for a limited time only.

For more information and details, log on to
www.grassracingautosports.com
,


Mitsubishi Could Rebadge Renault Models in Southeast Asia

Mitsubishi could be rebadging Renault models in Southeast Asia, riding on the back of Mitsubishi's stronger brand presence in this region, reports
Automotive News
. Mitsubishi is the newest member of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
Speaking to
Autonews
, Mitsubishi Chief Operating Officer Trevor Mann said that Renault almost does not exist in Southeast Asia. “If it made sense for Mitsubishi to cross badge a Renault product in Southeast Asia that could be an interesting discussion,” he said.
In Thailand, Mitsubishi has 3 factories that have produced in excess of 3 million vehicles, far more than Renault or Mitsubishi. By tapping into Mitsubishi's expertise, Mann said it could be used to boost Nissan's market share.
An example given by Mann is the Mitsubishi Triton, which is produced in Thailand. He said that Mitsubishi could provide Nissan with the next-generation Navara, which the latter also produces in Thailand. “If you look at our cost performance in that region, we are the benchmark within the alliance. Our cost-base on pickups is better than Nissan's," he added. Mitsubishi's pickup platforms could be used by the alliance for future products.
For those curious, the Tan Chong Group's sister-company Tan Chong Motor Assemblies' plant in Segambut currently assembles the Renault Fluence and Mitsubishi ASX under contract.