In Pictures: New MIVEC-Powered Mitsubishi Triton  - The Tax-Free No Fear Truck For Your Family

As recent as 25 years ago, pick-up trucks were seen as off limits to many families. They were seen as working tools for tradesmen – plumbers, electricians, traders. They are not vehicles that you would think of driving your kids to school in, or make a
balik kampung
 trip in.
Back in the ’70s, a pick-up truck looked like this:
Later on, manufacturers offered so-called ‘double-cab’ trucks but the rear seats were not exactly meant to ferry your friends or family. Instead, the extra seating capacity is to allow the truck to carry more workmen, who in the past used to ride in the open deck behind.
The big change came in 1997, when the government lifted restrictions disallowing registration of pick-up trucks by private users. With a stroke of the pen, the policy change opened up a new option for consumers.
At this point of time, pick-up trucks remained on the fringes of the market. While private users can now buy them, few are interested to do so, as all the pick-up trucks on the market were still difficult to drive, slow, and uncomfortable.
All that changed when Mitsubishi Motors introduced the L200 in Malaysia in 2001 with a more urban driving-friendly 4-speed automatic transmission – a first for a pick-up truck in Malaysia. It even had a 3.0-litre V6 engine, and a stylish two-tone paint body.
Soon the L200 became the best-selling pick-up truck in the country.
But the biggest change came when the L200 was replaced with the
Triton in 2006
. It had a very unique exterior styling, and special considerations were made to ensure that it drove as comfortably as a regular sedan car.
Prices were also kept low as pick-up trucks, being classified as commercial vehicle are exempted from paying excise duties. For models like the Triton which are made within the ASEAN region with a high level of ASEAN-sourced components, it is also exempted from paying import duties under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA).
Apart GST and road tax, the Triton is mostly a tax-free car.
The ‘Storm Trooper’ face Triton sold for many years before it was replaced with an
all-new Triton in 2015
. In between that period of time, there were many newer competitors muscling into the Triton’s territory but despite it being an aging model, none could quite match the Triton’s superior ride comfort and proven reliability.
The signature J-line at the rear of the cabin allowed the rear seatback to be angled slightly more than other trucks, and when combined with its powerful 3.2-litre turbo diesel, and subsequently VGT engine, made it a popular among many first-time truck owners who realized that the Triton offered better value for money than their sedan.
It is around this generation that the Triton started becoming popular among the active lifestyle crowd, and it’s not that uncommon to see a Triton even in upmarket country clubs, or in homes of wealthy families, for the Triton is now seen as a legitimate alternative to a regular sedan car, especially for those who love the outdoors.
The latest new Mitsubishi Triton have moved the goal post even further. Powered by an all-new lightweight but strong 4N15 turbodiesel engine that produces 181 PS of power and 430 Nm of torque, it offers more pulling strength than a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel-BMW X1 xDrive20d’s 400 Nm. More importantly, the Triton is still able to fit this:
With a wide shoulder-to-shoulder cabin width of 1,430 mm, coupled with its standard ISOFIX anchors, the Triton is spacious enough to fit two large child seats side by side with ease. On the left is a 470 mm wide Britax Safe n Sound Trufix, on the right is a much larger Britax Safe n Sound Unity Infant Carrier which also doubles as an infant carrier.
Far from delivering a bumpy ride, the Triton’s ride comfort will surprise many, as evident by the many customers who have replaced their sedans with a Triton.
Compared to its peers, the Triton’s seats have wide and long cushions and backrests that offer substantially more side support. Thanks to the J-line at the rear section of the cabin, the rear seats are tilted at a 25 degrees, offering a more comfortable ride.
A combination of a highly rigid chassis frame, and generous use of insulation materials have significantly reduced vibrations and noise, as well as flexing in the body, making the Triton’s cabin comfort on par with many passenger cars.
The Triton is also the only pick-up truck in the segment to use a
sophisticated viscous coupling Hybrid Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
 to split power between the left and right rear wheels.
Compared to regular LSDs that can only disengage locking after the vehicle stops, Mitsubishi’s Hybrid LSD system has a key functional difference whereby it is able to self-unlock on the move when road conditions return to normal.
This advantage means that the Hybrid LSD is able to effectively replicate the function of an electronic traction control system using a robust and proven mechanical setup. Also, because it does not rely on complicated electronic control units, Hybrid LSD is not susceptible to delay in responses resulting from electronic glitches – it is a system that kicks in instantaneously and reliably
whenever you need it
.
Under the bonnet is an all-new aluminum turbodiesel engine with Mitsubishi’s signature variable valve timing technology, a world’s first for pick-up trucks.
Inside the cabin, there’s enough amenities to match those offered by many family cars. You get comfortable leather seats, touchscreen infotainment system with reverse camera and Bluetooth, dual zone automatic air-conditioning, and automatic headlamps.
It is also worth noting that the Triton is the first pick-up truck to be equipped with a long list of convenience features that include Push Start Button, Keyless Operation, Tilt and Telescopic leather wrapped steering wheel with Cruise Control and Paddle Shifters – features that are typically only available in higher-range passenger cars.
The most affordable Triton Quest starts from RM73,438 (excluding insurance) but to enjoy all the benefits of Mitsubishi’s 4x4 prowess and the ease of day-to-day driving in one, the Triton 4x4 Automatic is recommended. It starts from RM112,800 but what you really want is the top of the range Triton VGT Adventure X, which comes with a host of stylish accessories. Order it in the striking new Impulse Blue colour and certainly stands out in traffic.
The Adventure X comes with a Shield Extender for the front bumper, new Sports Bar with Full Box, and dual tone colour 17-inch alloy wheels. It also has Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps with integrated LED Daytime Running Lights.
The
Mitsubishi Triton line-up in Malaysia
 is as follows:
Triton Quest 4x2 Manual – RM73,438
Triton 4x4 Manual – RM88,997
Triton VGT 4x4 Manual – RM102,619
Triton VGT 4x4 Automatic – RM109,446
Triton VGT Adventure 4x4 Automatic – RM118,198
Triton VGT Adventure X 4x4 Automatic – RM125,005
Prices quoted are for private registrations in Peninsular Malaysia, inclusive of GST but excluding insurance.


New Vs Old: Proton Persona – What’s Better, What Will We Miss?

Originally the export name of the Proton Wira, the Persona is one of Proton’s better models in recent times. Launched in 2007, the Persona continues to be a popular choice among Malaysians, but its age means that a replacement model is due.
The all-new 2016 Proton Persona has been officially launched, and Proton is conscious of the tough duty it has to replace one of its best-selling models in recent times. Can the new model live up to the well-regarded name? We look at what’s better with the new model, and what we will miss from the outgoing one.
What’s Better?
1.
Safer:
 The same sturdy structure of the Iriz also underpins the all-new Persona, and the folks at ASEAN NCAP deems this good enough to extend the Iriz’s 5-star rating to the Persona as well. Commendably, all variants of the Persona come standard with dual airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, and ISOFIX mounts – meaning you don’t need to pay more for a safer car.
2.
Bigger Boot:
The point of getting a sedan is to have the practicality of a boot, and families will appreciate the capacious 510 litres which the Persona offers under its bootlid. To put that number into perspective, the bigger Preve offers only 508 litres, whilst the outgoing Persona only had 470.
3.
Quieter on the Move:
 Refinement has never been Proton’s strongpoint, and that’s one of the key issues which the engineers sought to address with the Persona. A full assessment on open roads await, but our brief driving impressions around Proton’s test track in a behind-closed-doors session a fortnight ago lend credence to Proton’s claim that this is a more refined vehicle than their previous efforts.
4.
More Efficient:
 Proton’s new VVT engine is appreciably more economical on fuel than its Campro predecessors. Proton claims a 10-15 percent improvement in fuel consumption over the outgoing Persona; believable based on our experience with the Iriz.
5.
Better Thigh Support:
 Regular taxi users will attest to this, but the outgoing Persona had very short seat squabs at the rear, thereby sacrificing thigh support to create the impression of generous leg room. The new model has far comfier seats which hold your thighs up way better. Long distance journeys will be a lot less tiring for rear passengers.
What We’ll Miss
1.
More Balanced Proportions:
 Deriving a sedan off a hatchback platform is often difficult to get right stylistically. The previous Persona got it right in switching to a three-box design from Gen.2 components, but the new one evokes memories of the 2003 Honda City and also sedan variants of the Ford Fiesta and previous Mazda2 sedan. The new car has more intricate and sophisticated little details, but the older one still seems more balanced. It is also worth noting that the new Persona is shorter in overall length, width, and wheelbase, whilst being taller than its predecessor. It further highlights the newer car’s lankier proportions.
2.
Hydraulic Power Steering:
 An unavoidable transition every car will go through; the Persona follows the inevitable switch from the proven but complicated hydraulic power steering arrangement to a newer, more efficient electric-assisted setup. Better fuel economy, easier to maintain, but for keen drivers like us, it also means less intimate feedback from the tarmac.
3.
Gas Boot Struts:
 The older Persona may have a smaller boot, but you get to make more of it thanks to Proton’s generous provision of space-saving, but admittedly costly pneumatic boot struts. The new one gives you more room, but eats more of it too by regressing toward old-fashioned gooseneck boot hinges.
4.
Independent Rear Suspension, Rear Disc Brakes:
 Probably not an issue for most buyers, but the enthusiasts among us will miss the fact that the outgoing Persona offered the highly premium mechanical setup of having multi-link suspension and disc brakes affixed to its rear axle. The new car adopts a more cost effective torsion beam with drum brake setup. That being said, even with rear drums, the new Persona stops more effectively than its predecessor, requiring 3.2 metres less to come to a full stop from 100km/h.
Follow the links below for more information on the all-new 2016 Proton Persona:
2016 Proton Persona Teased In Safety 360 Promo Video
First Impressions: 2016 Proton Persona – Last Chance Saloon
Early Proton Persona Customers Enjoy 3 Years Free Service
2016 Proton Persona Open for Booking
2016 Proton Persona Teased Again Ahead Of Launch
2016 Proton Persona Officially Launched. From RM46,800 to RM59,800


Harga Baharu Kereta Perodua Dengan SST

Perodua
telah mengeluarkan senarai harga baharu bagi model keluaran mereka setelah
pengecualian cukai
 bagi kenderaan baharu tamat pada 30 Jun lalu.

Harga baharu yang dikeluarkan ini menyaksikan penambahan seperti yang dijangka ekoran harganya telah dikira sekali dengan cukai tersebut.

Rujuk senarai perubahan harga bagi kesemua model keluaran Perodua di jadual yang disediakan di bawah. Walau bagaimanapun, harga
Alza
tidak dikongsikan memandangkan pelancarannya sudah tidak lama lagi.

Harga Baharu Perodua Dengan SST

Model

Varian

Harga Dahulu Dengan Pengecualian SST

Harga Baharu Tanpa Pengecualian SST

Perbezaan Harga

Perbezaan dalam %

Perodua Axia

1.0 E (MT)

RM23,367.00

RM24,090.00

RM723.00

3.09%

1.0 G (AT)

RM32,485.00

RM33,490.00

RM1,005.00

3.09%

1.0 GXtra (AT)

RM33,940.00

RM34,990.00

RM1,050.00

3.09%

1.0 Style (AT)

RM37,515.00

RM38,890.00

RM1,375.00

3.67%

1.0 SE (AT)

RM37,515.00

RM38,890.00

RM1,375.00

3.67%

1.0 AV (AT)

RM41,427.00

RM43,190.00

RM1,763.00

4.26%

Perodua Bezza

1.0 G (MT)

RM33,456.00

RM34,580.00

RM1,124.00

3.36%

1.0 G (AT)

RM35,391.00

RM36,580.00

RM1,189.00

3.36%

1.3 X (AT)

RM42,551.00

RM43,980.00

RM1,429.00

3.36%

1.3 AV (AT)

RM48,356.00

RM49,980.00

RM1,624.00

3.36%

Perodua Aruz

1.5 X (AT)

RM68,526.00

RM72,900.00

RM4,374.00

6.38%

1.5 AV (AT)

RM73,226.00

RM77,900.00

RM4,674.00

6.38%

Perodua Myvi

1.3 G (CVT) tanpa PSDA

RM45,700.00

RM46,500.00

RM800.00

1.75%

1.3 G (CVT)

RM47,700.00

RM48,500.00

RM800.00

1.68%

1.5 X (CVT)

RM49,900.00

RM50,900.00

RM1,000.00

2.00%

1.5 H (CVT)

RM53,900.00

RM54,900.00

RM1,000.00

1.86%

1.5 AV (CVT)

RM58,800.00

RM59,900.00

RM1,100.00

1.87%

Perodua Ativa

1.0T X (CVT)

RM61,500.00

RM62,500.00

RM1,000.00

1.63%

1.0T H (CVT)

RM66,100.00

RM67,300.00

RM1,200.00

1.82%

1.0T AV (AVT)

RM71,200.00

RM72,600.00

RM1,400.00

1.97%

Harga model Perodua sedia ada di pasaran telah dikembalikan kepada harga sebelum Jun 2020, iaitu sebelum pengecualian SST dilaksanakan. Kini, keseluruhan barisan
Axia
kembali dijual pada harga dengan SST sama seperti sebelumnya. Kereta baharu paling murah di Malaysia, Axia 1.0 kini naik RM723 dan dijual pada harga RM24,090 (OTR termasuk SST),  sama seperti pada bulan Mei 2020.

Selain itu, sedan mampu milik,
Bezza
pula mencatatkan kenaikan daripada RM1,124 untuk varian asas hingga RM1,624 bagi varian tertinggi. Ketika ini, Bezza varian tertinggi kembali kepada harga asalnya iaitu RM49,980.

Perodua Aruz
 menerima perubahan harga terbesar iaitu peningkatan sebanyak 6.38% iaitu diantara RM4,374 hingga RM4,674 bagi kedua-dua varian kembar
Toyota Rush
 ini. Walau bagaimanapun, ia tidak begitu mengejutkan kerana Aruz menerima penurunan harga terbesar ketika pengecualian SST lalu.

Sementara itu,
Perodua Myvi
mencatatkan peningkatan ketara apabila harga yang ditawarkan lebih tinggi berbanding harga sebelum pengecualian SST. Namun ia dianggap wajar kerana Myvi dilancarkan ketika November tahun lalu sudah menerima peningkatan harga dari RM800 bagi model asas manakala RM1,100 bagi varian tertinggi.

SUV kompak
Perodua Ativa
pula menerima kenaikan harga dari RM1,000 bagi varian X asas, RM1,200 bagi varian H manakala RM1,400 bagi varian AV. SUV ini dilancarkan pada tahun lalu jadi ia tidak mempunyai tanda harga dengan SST untuk membuat perbandingan harga.

Sebarang tempahan kenderaan yang dibuat sebelum 30 Jun masih layak untuk menikmati pengecualian cukai ini selagi kereta tersebut didaftarkan sebelum 31 Mac 2023.


A Closer Look At The Mazda RX-Vision Concept - Previews A Successor To The RX-7/RX-8

For a brand that made its name on the back of Dr. Felix Wankel’s rotary engine, the lack of rotary engine-powered models within Mazda’s global model line-up is a contradiction to the brand’s marketing message – that it was the only manufacturer to be able to make the novel piston-less engines work.
To a certain extent Mazda’s argument is still valid. Audi tried it and gave up with the NSU Ro 80, Mercedes-Benz tested it in the C111 Concept but quickly learned that the engine was too difficult to work with.
For nearly three decades, Mazda was the only Asian manufacturer to ever win the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours (Toyota won the title earlier this year), and it did that with the legendary rotary-powered Mazda 787B.
While later models of Mazda’s rotary-powered RX series cars have proven to be reliable, problems with later generation cars were mostly due to lack of expertise among mechanics trained in conventional piston engines; Mazda can’t change the fact that while rotary engines are compact and powerful, they are inherently poor in efficiency and emissions.
The last rotary engine-powered Mazda was the RX-8 Spirit-R, which bowed out in 2012 as it was getting too costly to clean up the engine’s emissions enough to clear tightening regulations worldwide.
Since then, Mazda has put its RX-series replacement on the shelf but the company had always insisted that it has not given up on rotary engines. They just need to figure out a way to make it cleaner. In the meantime, rolling out SkyActiv piston engines took a greater priority.
Seen here is the Mazda RX-Vision Concept, first shown at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show and as the name suggests, it hints towards the continuation of Mazda’s rotary-powered sports cars’ lineage.
Earlier this month, this sleek two-seater made its regional debut at the Mazda ASEAN Design Forum in Bangkok alongside the
Vision Coupe concept
, the latter previews an upcoming rear-wheel drive full-size Mazda sedan.
Examining the car up close, the car looks bigger than the pictures suggest. The side blades on the front fenders also carry a pair of SkyActiv-R badges, the suffix R of course, refers to rotary.
So far, Mazda have yet to reveal any details regarding the powertrain other than that it will address the three main issues surrounding rotary engines: fuel economy, emissions performance, and reliability.
The concept car’s bonnet is long but unusually low, even when judged by the standards of a concept car or a rotary engine’s compact packaging. Such profiles are usually reserved only for mid- or rear-engine cars, but we know the RX-Vision isn’t one.
Peeking under the body, the RX-Vision has an electric car-like fully-covered and flat underbody complete with carbon fibre panels, with no visible exhaust or mechanical bits. The wheels are made from carbon fibre – an unusual, almost Formula E approach.
All of which leads us to suspect that the RX Vision is a preview to an electric sports car rather than a rotary-powered one.
Mazda has on several occasions, laid several hints that a rotary engine’s strengths are in compact dimensions, mechanically simplicity, and smoother operation which makes it ideal for a range extender – basically a tiny petrol engine that works as a back-up generator to recharge an electric car’s batteries.
Mazda has also made it very clear that between now and 2021,
Mazda’s powertrain strategy
 will focus on increasing electrification, with the first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) model to be launched in 2019.
Next year will also see Mazda pushing out the next evolution of its signature Kodo design language – Kodo 2.0, which emphasizes not just length and depth, but incorporates very specific angles and curves to manipulate light and shadow – effects that cannot be simulated on a computer but can only be achieved after years of trial and error by an expert clay modeler finely adjusting every curve in natural light. It’s a design which cannot be easily copied by others.
The complex play of light and shadow is Mazda’s way of paying respect to the innate creative abilities of master craftsmens. Even in this highly digitized era, some things are still only achievable by an expert human.


Maut Dirempuh Toyota Hilux Ketika Tukar Tayar Di Lorong Tengah – Tips Keselamatan Jika Kereta Rosak Di Tengah Jalan

Seorang lelaki maut manakala rakannya cedera parah setelah dirempuh
Toyota Hilux
 ketika menukar tayarnya yang pecah di Kilometer 8, Jalan Johor Bahru-Ayer Hitam (arah Skudai) baru-baru ini.

Ketua Polis Daerah Johor Bahru Utara, ACP Rupiah Abd Wahid memberitahu kejadian tragis ini berlaku kira-kira jam 11.15 pagi pada 29 Julai lalu di mana kedua-dua mangsa yang berusia 55 dan 40 tahun menaiki kereta
Proton Waja
 dari arah bandar raya Johor Bahru menghala ke Skudai.

Tayar hadapan di sebelah kanan kereta mangsa telah pecah dan menyebabkan mangsa memberhentikan kenderaannya di lorong tengah
jalan raya
. Tanpa melengahkan masa, mangsa terus keluar kereta dan menukar tayarnya di situ sambil dibantu rakannya.

Ketika sedang asyik menukar tayar, kedua-dua rakan ini telah dirempuh oleh sebuah
Toyota Hilux
yang dipandu oleh seorang lelaki berumur 49 tahun yang tidak sempat untuk menekan brek atau mengelak kereta mangsa yang berada di jalan raya.

Ekoran daripada
kemalangan
 berkenaan, mangsa yang berusia 55 tahun itu mengalami kecederaan teruk di bahagian kepala dan meninggal dunia di tempat kejadian, manakala rakannya cedera parah dan telah dibawa ke Hospital Sultanah Aminah untuk rawatan lanjut.

Kejadian ini memang menyayat hati. Walau bagaimanapun, kejadian seperti ini boleh dielakkan daripada berlaku sekiranya anda tahu tips-tips penting yang perlu anda lakukan ketika kereta anda rosak di tengah-tengah jalan raya.

Berikut merupakan 6 perkara penting yang perlu anda lakukan jika terkandas di tengah-tengah jalan raya.

Tips Keselamatan Jalan Raya Sekiranya Kereta Rosak Di Tengah Jalan

1. Jangan Panik

Perkara pertama yang perlu dilakukan ketika kereta rosak di tengah jalan adalah untuk bertenang, tarik nafas, dan hadam situasi yang sedang berlaku. Fikirkan cara terbaik untuk menyelesaikan masalah tersebut. Panik yang melampau boleh membuat anda hilang kawalan diri.

2. Buat Panggilan Kecemasan

Terus hubungi panel insurans anda dan nyatakan perkara penting seperti situasi dan lokasi anda. Kemudian baru hubungi ahli keluarga atau rakan-rakan untuk maklumkan keadaan anda. Anda perlu hubungi panel insurans terlebih dahulu supaya bantuan boleh dihantar secapat mungkin.

3. Jangan Ganggu Lalu Lintas

Untuk menjamin keselamatan anda dan pengguna jalan raya lain, jangan sesekali membiarkan kenderaan anda mengganggu lalu lintas. Dapatkan bantuan untuk menolak kereta anda ke tepi jalan bagi tidak menghalang lalu lintas. Pastikan anda mempunyai seorang untuk menolak, seorang untuk mengawal lalu lintas dan seorang lagi bagi mengawal stereng kereta dan brek. Lagi ramai lagi bagus.

Jangan sesekali menolak kereta melalui bahagian yang mudah kemik ataupun patah seperti spoiler dan bumper kereta. Untuk menolak kereta, turunkan handbrake dan hidupkan kunci bagi membuka kunci stering dan membolehkan anda untuk mengawal kereta. Turunkan juga tingkap pemandu untuk berkomunikasi dengan tukang tolak.

4. Sediakan Kon Atau Jaket Keselamatan

Sediakan peralatan keselamatan seperti kon dan jaket keselamatan yang mampu untuk memantulkan cahaya di dalam kereta anda agar boleh digunakan ketika kecemasan. Dengan ini, pengguna jalan raya lain boleh nampak kelibat anda dengan jelas walaupun pada waktu malam.

5. Perhatikan Keadaan Kereta

Sentiasa peka dengan keadaan semasa kereta anda. Jika kereta anda meragam dan menunjukkan tanda-tanda nak rosak, tukarlah lorong anda awal-awal ke sebelah kiri sekali supaya mudah untuk anda mengalihkan kereta ke lorong kecemasan jika kerosakan berlaku.

6. Trak Tunda Percuma

Anda juga boleh mendapatkan khidmat trak tunda percuma daripada syarikat insurans anda. Bukan itu sahaja, anda turut diberi kebebasan untuk memilih sendiri pusat servis atau bengkel untuk membaikpulih kenderaan anda. Servis ini adalah percuma dan boleh digunakan sekurang-kurangnya 2-3 kali setahun.

Ingat, jangan sesekali letakkan diri anda dalam bahaya seperti cuba menukar tayar atau membaiki kereta di lorong tengah jalan raya. Semoga kejadian tragis ini boleh dijadikan pengajaran kepada kita semua. Sampaikan juga pesan ini kepada ahli keluarga dan rakan-rakan anda.

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Berlumba, Memotong Secara Zig-Zag Boleh Dipenjara Hingga 5 tahun, Denda Hingga RM15,000 – PDRM

PDRM
memberi peringatan kepada pengguna jalan raya agar tidak
berlumba
dan memotong secara zig-zag kerana tindakan undang-undang boleh dikenakan.

Menerusi kenyataan PDRM di Facebook, keseronokan dan keterujaan memandu dan memotong secara melulu boleh membahayakan diri sendiri dan mengancam
nyawa
pengguna jalan raya yang lain.

Boleh Dipenjara Dan Didenda

PDRM memaklumkan tindakan berlumba dan memandu secara berbahaya di jalan raya itu melanggar undang-undang di bawah Seksyen 42(1), Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 iaitu memandu secara berbahaya dan melulu.

Jika disabitkan kesalahan, pemandu boleh dipenjara sehingga lima tahun serta dikenakan denda tidak kurang daripada RM5,000 dan tidak melebihi RM15,000. Jika pemandu adalah pemegang lesen memandu percubaan (P), lesen boleh dibatalkan.

Jika disabitkan kesalahan, pemandu boleh dipenjara sehingga lima tahun serta dikenakan denda tidak kurang daripada RM5,000 dan tidak melebihi RM15,000. Bagi kesalahan kedua atau seterusnya, pemandu boleh dipenjara tidak melebihi 10 tahun dan disaman antara RM10,000 hingga RM20,000.

Selain itu, di bawah Seksyen 42(3) pula menyatakan seseorang yang disabitkan kesalahan akan hilang kelayakan daripada memegang atau mendapatkan lesen memandu untuk tempoh tidak kurang daripada dua tahun.

Untuk sabitan kedua atau seterusnya, hukuman ini akan meningkat ke 10 tahun. Sementara itu, Seksyen 42(4) menyatakan bahawa sekiranya pemandu itu memegang lesen memandu percubaan (P), lesen itu boleh dibatalkan oleh mahkamah.

*Kredit foto: Wales Online

Isu Potong Secara Zig-Zag

Tidak dinafikan, aktiviti lumba haram dan memotong secara zig-zag ini sudah sering kali diperhatikan, tidak kiralah dengan mata sendiri ketika memandu ataupun melalui perkongsian di media sosial.

Walaupun orang ramai menyambut baik hukuman bagi pelumba haram di jalan raya, namun sebahagian daripada mereka mahukan pihak berkuasa mengambil tindakan kepada pemandu yang memandu perlahan di lorong paling kanan kerana pemandu inilah yang menyebabkan pemandu lain memotong di sebelah kiri.

Tindakan memonopoli lorong kanan dengan kelajuan seakan-akan sedang mencari rumah sewa inilah punca jalan raya menjadi sesak dan membuatkan sebahagian pemandu bertindak memotong secara zig-zag.

Orang ramai juga mencadangkan agar anggota polis membuat rondaan di jalan raya dan menyaman pemandu ‘
lane hogger
’ ini daripada bersembunyi di bawah jambatan untuk melakukan
speed trap.


Plug-In Hybrid and Full Electric Mercedes-AMG Road Cars Possible

Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz announced the Mercedes-AMG Project One, a hybrid hypercar project aimed to take on the hybrid LaFerrari, and to a certain extent, the plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 and McLaren P1.
The hypercar is also expected to debut the brand’s F1 car’s EQ Power+ branding for its hybrid powertrain on a road car.
Now, the head of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division has suggested that Mercedes-AMG will attempt to push for a plug-in hybrid AMG model in the near future.
When asked by USA’s Automotive News on the potential of plug-in hybrid AMG models, Tobias Moers, chairman of Mercedes-AMG said, "Yeah, why not? Because we are not able to change the future. We have to adapt to these new requirements and regulations, and we have to move forward and find new innovative solutions.”
He also added that pure electric vehicles will have also have a place in AMG’s future.
"I would be wrong to tell you no," he said. "I don't know when down the road. But we are not changing the future. It is going to happen."
Full electric AMG models are not new. In 2013, the performance division of Mercedes-Benz sold a small number of limited production SLS AMG Electric Drive – an all-wheel drive EV supercar that produces 740 hp and 1000 Nm of torque.
Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz also showcased its
AMG GT Concept sedan
 at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept previews an upcoming four-door coupe version of the company’s AMG GT hypercar.
The concept car also debuted the brand’s F1-derived EQ Power+ hybrid powertrain brand on a road car, suggesting that hybrid, or even plug-in hybrid AMG models are in the plans.
"With the GT concept, it gives you an understanding of how we define the future of performance in our standard platforms -- in our so-to-speak more normal cars," said Moers.


Mazda: No Price Hike Unless Ringgit Breaches RM3.80 TO JPY100

Bermaz, the distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, will not be raising the prices of its cars for now, reports The Edge Financial Daily.
The daily quoted Bermaz’s CEO Datuk Seri Ben Yeoh as saying that the company will try its best to maintain its current prices, but does not discount the possibility of a price hike if the Ringgit’s value drops further, beyond RM3.80 to JPY100.
The Ringgit is currently trading at RM3.49 to JPY100.
Yeoh told The Edge, “[As we move] towards the end of the year, we are trying to hold back for customers. There is no point for us to increase the price under the current economic environment.
“If (the price of) everything starts to increase, it will not be good for the economic environment. [So] we will maintain the current selling price by reducing other expenses.”
Unlike
UMW Toyota Motor
, which trades mostly in US Dollars, Bermaz (and its assembler Mazda Malaysia) trades mostly in Japanese Yen.


Frankfurt 2015: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Makes Motor Show Debut

Revealed to the world just weeks ago, here is the all-new 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe making its grand debut at the on-going 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
It’s a packed event for
Mercedes-Benz
, who are showing off more than a few cars at this year’s show, but to those of you looking forward to the destined-for-Malaysia C-Class Coupe, you’ve come to the right place for the right stuff.
Make no mistake, this is the sportiest body style of the C-Class variants, but you’ll have to look to the 700Nm of torque
C 63 Coupe
 if you want the pinnacle of this for power as well.
There’s little else we can tell you today that we haven’t already covered in our
global reveal of the car in August
, so you’ll have to head on over to that report for the full coverage.
READ ALSO: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Revealed In Full
Four petrol and two diesel powertrains will become available when the car makes its European market debut in December 2015, and here’s how they’ll line up:
First, the petrol variants:
C 180: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo, 156hp, 250Nm
C 200: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, 184hp, 300Nm
C 250: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, 211hp, 350Nm
C 300: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, 245hp, 370Nm
And then, the diesel line-up:
C 220 d: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo, 170hp, 400Nm
C 250 d: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo, 204hp, 500Nm
Further engine variants are expected to be announced in the near future, amongst them of course, a C 450 AMG version like there is with the sedan, producing a fine 362hp and 518Nm of torque from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine.
Styling wise, the C-Class Coupe blends together the front-end design of the regular C-Class sedan, together with the rear-end styling of the S-Class Coupe. In the front, the C-Class coupe is also the first of its kind to get diamond grille design too, while at the rear, the slim taillight design and sloping roof that ends in a rear-hatch spoiler is very much like you’d get on the flagship S-Class Coupe.
What the new shape results in is a very low drag coefficient value of Cd 0.26 (for some variants only), which results in good aerodynamic benefits at speeds above 70km/h.
Also worth mentioning is the car’s new optional air suspension system, AIRMATIC, which will be available in certain markets around the globe.
The standard kit is a steel suspension setup, which can be specified with adaptive/ selective damping, and rides some 15mm lower than the C-Class sedan. The upgrade to the AIRMATIC feature allows for continuously variable damping for the front and rear for either maximum comfort or maximum sport biasness.
Coming to Malaysia?
We are here with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia at the on-going Frankfurt Motor Show, but they aren’t quite ready to tell us exactly when the C-Class Coupe will come to our shores.
But seeing as how the European market launch for the car only happens in December, it looks like the C-Class Coupe will have to wait a few more months before official CBU units can make their ways here. Q1 to Q2 of 2016 would be a safe bet.
This also means that it will miss the boat of
Mercedes-Benz Dream Cars that are expected to be launched here
 before year end. From that campaign, we expect to see cars like the S-Class Coupe, other variants of the CLS-Class, the AMG C 63 and few others.
Stay tuned for more!
READ ALSO: Mercedes-AMG C 63 Debuts @ Frankfurt Motor Show


Geneva 2017: Renault Captur Facelift Images Released

As the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show draws ever closer,
the Renault Group
, have released pictures of one of their most exciting cars planned – the facelifted Renault Captur.
The top-selling B-segment crossover in Europe, selling 215,670 units in 2016, will make its 2017 Geneva debut with an upgraded design, inside and out, and additional equipment over the
outgoing model
.
Personalisation possibilities have been extended with two new body colours, Atacama Orange and Ocean Blue, and a new roof color, Platinum Grey. Buyers can now choose from over 30 different colour combinations to when specifying their Captur. There are six interior personalization packs and five exterior packs now, that extend even up to wheel bolt colours and door panel strips.
The new Captur is equipped with full LED “Pure Vision” headlights, which improves on safety and is more energy efficient. LED daytime running lights are built into the lower bumper in a C-shape, forming the brand’s light signature. The rear lights feature the same signature, visible in day and night.
The new Captur has been redesigned to strengthen kinship with its big brother, the Kadjar. The grille has been upgraded to more closely resemble that of Renault’s other crossovers, notably with a chrome strip. Front and rear, the bumper includes new skid plates. Four wheel types are available for the first three trim levels: two 16-inch and two 17-inch designs.
In the premium variants, the new Captur can be fitted with a fixed glass roof. Available only in two-tone body colour configuration, the new feature improves the ambient light in the cabin.


Proton’s Former CTO Rashid Musa Is Now Proton Edar’s CEO

Proton Holdings Berhad has announced today that it is appointing Encik Abdul Rashid Musa as the new CEO of Proton Edar, the company’s sales and marketing unit, effective 1 February 2017.
Prior to his latest appointment, Rashid was the Chief Technical Officer at Proton.
Rashid has over 27 years experience in the automotive field, with involvement in various automotive projects and organisations. Graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Malaya in 1989, Rashid was involved not just in areas of manufacturing, research & development; and management, but he is also a strong advocate of passenger safety and has given talks in the education of passenger safety and importance of regulations on safe vehicles in the country.
Rashid takes over from Encik Rohime Shafie, who has been assigned to DRB-HICOM as the Head of Automotive in the Automotive Distribution and Manufacturing & Engineering Division reporting to Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, COO, Automotive Distribution and Manufacturing & Engineering, DRB-HICOM.
In a statement to the press, Proton Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said he is pleased to welcome Rashid as the new head of PESB and thanked Rohime for his dedication and commitment while serving Proton and Proton Edar since his secondment to Proton on 20 August 2014.
A long timer at DRB-Hicom, Rohime was serving as the COO of Honda Malaysia, with whom DRB-Hicom is a local partner, prior to his secondment to Proton.
The move confirms an earlier report by The Star, which said that a reshuffling of management is underway as Proton finalises its deal to welcome a soon to be announced
technical partner, which is reportedly identified to be China’s Geely
, which also owns Volvo Cars.
Related:

Geely – Fridge-maker To Car-maker In Just 12 Years, Who Are They?


Volkswagen Might Cancel Planned Investments Into Thailand

To date, the fallout from Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal is mostly irrelevant to consumers in ASEAN, where diesel-powered vehicles are mostly limited to pick-trucks and other large commercial vehicles. Today, we learned from Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review that Thailand could just be the first ASEAN-related casualty.
The financial weekly made a brief mention that Volkswagen’s proposed investment for an eco-car plant in Thailand, reportedly worth between 750 million to 1 billion Euros could be cancelled, or even scaled back.
The recent events involving the illegal software fitted to the Volkswagen Group’s EA 189 engine is expected to place severe financial stress on the company, and Volkswagen Group’s new Matthias Muller has recently announced that
non-essential investments will be cancelled
 or delayed.
Earlier this year, Volkswagen has reportedly
obtained an approval from Thailand
 to build a 300,000 cars per year car plant in Thailand, allowing it to take advantage of incentives provided under Thailand’s Eco-Car Phase 2 plan.
Volkswagen however, did not officially confirm or deny the news reports.
While it might have obtained the necessary approvals, it is not known if Volkswagen will be exercising that option in Thailand.
Under Thailand’s Eco-Car Phase 2 project, eligible manufacturers are required to begin manufacturing by 2019.


Nissan Juke-R Nismo To Be Revealed At Goodwood Festival

This year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the
Nissan
 Juke-R Nismo will be unveiled, claiming supercar-beating performance in crossover SUV body.
Back in 2012 at the Paris Motor Show, the
Nissan Juke
-R was unveiled to the world. Initially not for sale, the car maker has since then announced only a total of 21 units will be produced. As the ‘-R’ in the name suggests, Nissan has managed to shoehorn the GT-R’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine into it, delivering 485hp and 588Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h is accomplished in just 3.7 seconds.
This time, Nissan has called upon its skunkworks division which is more commonly known as Nismo who aren’t new to making
Nissan’s go just that bit faster
. The car maker say that in the latest Juke-R Nismo, they will be “using the latest technology, styling and running gear from Nismo products.” This sole teaser image released does reveal a styling makeover with larger air intakes, a hood that resembles that from the
Nissan GT-R
, and flared wheel arches.
No other details have been provided but with Nismo fiddling around on the already mental Juke-R, expect even more power than before and a lower century sprint time. All done in a crossover SUV body.


Malaysia-Assembled All-New Mazda CX-5 Goes On Sale In Thailand

The all-new Mazda CX-5 has been introduced for the Thai market, imported from Mazda's Malaysia plant in Kulim, Kedah. However unlike Malaysia, Thailand does not offer the 2.5-litre petrol engine. Only the 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel are offered to our northern neighbour.
There are a total of five variants on offer:
2.0-litre C 2WD: THB1,290,000
2.0-litre S 2WD: THB1,400,000
2.0-litre SP 2WD: THB1,530,000
2.2-litre Diesel XD 2WD:  THB1,560,000
2.2-litre Diesel XDL AWD: THB1,770,000
Both the 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated (165 hp/ 210 Nm) and 2.2-litre turbodiesel (175hp/ 420 Nm) have been carried over from the first-generation CX-5, supplied with the six-speed (Skyactiv-D) automatic transmission.
All petrol variants including the entry-level (XD) diesel variant are offered exclusively in front-wheel drive guise, only the range-topping XDL variant sends power to all four wheels.
Similar to the ones sold in Malaysia, all Thai-market CX-5 variants are also equipped with Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control (GVC) driver-assist feature.
The SP and XDL variants crucially add active driver aids such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane-keep Assist (LKA), Smart City Brake Support – Front and Reverse (SCBS), Smart Brake Support (SBS), Driver Attention Alert (DAA) and Mazda’s Radar Cruise Control.
The export to Thailand is a continuation of Mazda Malaysia's
ambitions to grow
 Malaysia into a regional assembly hub for the ASEAN region. In addition to Thailand, Mazda also plans to export to the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Myanmar in the future.


2016 All-New Volvo S90 – It Uses Compressed Air To Beat Turbo Lag

Freed from the stifling bureaucracy of the now-defunct Ford Premiere Automotive Group, buoyed by Chinese money from its new parent company Geely, and no longer forced to use Ford’s components, Volvo is making full use of its newfound freedom to make up for lost time to reclaim its rightful place, and the all-new Volvo S90 shows it.
Younger readers might not associate Volvo with German premium brands, but there was a time when Volvo was the leading premium brand in many countries, including Malaysia.
The all-new 2016 S90 is the latest Volvo flagship model to be built on Volvo’s modular Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) – itself an example of Swedish ingenuity.
Volvo has elected to do an Internet-only reveal for now, as the car will only be making its global premiere at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in January.
Unlike the outgoing S80, this all-new S90 has no intentions of being the nice, humble Swedish guy at the corner of the room. Instead, the S90 is brash (who likens their car’s headlamps ‘Thor Hammer?!’), bold, and does not hide its intentions to push aside Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.
Under the hood, there are enough technical innovations to warrant several separate posts on the powertrain alone, but we will try to summarise it all in a short and sweet manner.
Engines and Transmissions
There are five engines on offer – two diesels (D4 and D5), two petrol (T5 and T6), one petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (T8), all of them using class-leading innovations to extract more horsepower from the same amount of fuel than their German peers.
Similar to Mazda’s and BMW’s modular engine architecture, all these engines share a wide range of components, even among petrol and diesel engines, for optimal manufacturing efficiency. There are even produced on the same line at Volvo’s engine plants. Typically, diesel engines require a different, stronger block due to their higher compression ratio.
Volvo however, uses the same block for all their engines (all 2.0-litre capacity). Even the pistons are similar, with different machining of the piston’s top to accommodate different compression ratios.
Turbochargers, superchargers, electric compressors with compressed air boosting (more on that later), and bespoke engine management software are used to different one engine from another.
The entry S90 model is the T5 variant, which uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.
The T6 adds twincharging – combining a supercharger with a turbocharger – a solution which the once mighty Volkswagen Group abandoned because of cost and manufacturing complexity. Below 3,500 rpm, T6 engine spins both the supercharger and turbocharger for optimal throttle response when exhaust pressure is low. Above 3,500 rpm, the supercharger is disengaged and only the turbo is active.
Both the T5 and T6 use a central mounted spark plugs and direct fuel injectors. Volvo says this central direct injection technique is able to achieve a homogenous air-fuel mixture, and is superior to conventional side mounted direct fuel injection solutions in reducing exhaust emissions (complies with Euro 6 and US LEV III standards).
The T5 engine has a 10.8:1 compression ratio, while the T6 is 10.3:1
Double water jacket reduces knocking, while the oil pump is actuated by solenoids, and is fully variable for friction reduction. The water pump is also electric (400W), allowing precise control of coolant flow for faster engine warm-up and reduced friction.
The 2.0-litre D4 diesel engine uses a two-stage, serial sequential turbo system for better throttle response and fuel efficiency.
The higher range D5 engine adds ‘PowerPulse technology, a world’s first solution that is its debut in the S90. The system works to reduce turbo lag even further by utilising compressed air to spin the turbo when exhaust pressure is not sufficiently high.
PowerPulse works by drawing air from the air filter via a compressor to a pressurised two-litre air tank. When accelerating from low speed, the PowerPulse feeds air into the exhaust manifold to drive the turbo. As the air is drawn from the air filter, the system recharges itself automatically.
Volvo claims the technology allows the S90 to out-accelerate many other competitor diesel-powered models.
There are two transmission options, depending on the engines selected – an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual.
The 8-speed automatic is claimed to offer best-in-class efficiency, and is capable of handling very high torque despite its compact size. The seventh and eighth ratios are overdrive ratios. A lock-up system that uses either a pendulum damper (for diesel) or a super long travel damper (for petrol) allows the transmission to use its lock-up clutch more frequently, at lower engine speeds.
All-wheel drive models will use a Gen.5 Borg Warner coupling that is capable of transferring up to 50 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle. Full all-wheel drive mode is automatically engaged every time the vehicle accelerates away from standstill.
The T8 plug-in hybrid is similarly to the one used in the XC90. A 9.2 kWh Li-ion traction battery mounted in the middle of the car drives a 65 kW electric motor in the rear axle, making the S90 T8 an all-wheel drive car.
Safety
Like the all-new BMW 7-series, the S90 has a semi-autonomous Pilot Assist driving function that allows the car to drive itself at speeds of up to 130 km/h.
The system can be programmed to work at higher speeds, but for safety reasons, and to comply with regulations outlined in the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (the basis for most traffic regulations around the world), the driver still needs to hold the steering wheel.
Once the Pilot Assist detects that the driver’s hand is off the steering wheel (by way of missing torque application on the steering wheel), the system will disengage.
Like the all-new XC90, the S90 comes with City Safety autonomous emergency braking function. Unlike other systems, the one used by Volvo is able to detect cyclists and pedestrians, as well large animals.
More details when the all-new 2016 Volvo S90 makes its debut at the North American International Auto Show in January.


Squealing Much? Maybe It's Time To Clean Your Brake Disc

One of the most annoying sounds that your car can make is a squeal when you apply your brakes. Nothing is more irritating than announcing your arrival through this high pitched noise.

While you can start explaining to people that your car has a race car brake setup, (which often makes this noise due to not having enough heat either on the pads or disc) deep down you know that this is not the case and that something is just not quite right.

If after checking with your mechanic where the trained car doctor says that the pads and discs are fine, then this squealing is probably caused by a contaminated brake disc.

These contaminants are not usually visible through the naked eye because they are microscopic, but if you were ever to use a microscope to look at it, you would see some particles embedded on the friction surface of the rotor.

Before you go all wallet-emptying by purchasing new pads and rotors, why not try to clean them first.

We're here to help you with the how, so read on!

1. Brake cleaner

To tackle the brake disc cleaning process with tailor-made products, get yourself a can of brake cleaner. Most car part shops, Lazada or even Shopee would have them.

A lint-free cloth should also be prepared as you would not want to leave any sort of residue on the brake disc surface after spraying the brake cleaner on, but paper towels can be used as well. Apply brake cleaning fluid liberally around the brake disc area and wipe it down. If you overspray onto the calipers, make sure to wipe them down as quickly as possible. Don't forget the inner side as well as there is brake surface there too.

It's actually best practice to remove the disc from the wheel assembly and clean the discs while off the car, but that takes a different level of know-how and skill so like we said before, work with what you have and know.

2. Vinegar (Yes! Vinegar)

For those of you brave enough with enough skills to remove the brake discs from your car, you can try the household vinegar method. Household vinegar has strong degreasing properties which help remove grease and rust from the brake disc surface. They also help to breakdown hardened sludge which can be easily wiped off afterward. Some prefer to use commercial cleaners like Evapo Rust but vinegar is a much more environmentally friendly way of doing this.

The vinegar method requires you to soak your disc in vinegar overnight. You then use water and a soft surface brush to clean the disc. Some swear by it and have had successful results while others think that it will ruin the braking surface. Whether you wish to try this method is totally up to your discretion, let us know if you do.

If needed, scrub with steel wool or a wire brush, being careful not to score the surface of the rotor. Rinse and wipe dry.

3. Electrolysis (not recommended)

There's also a third method (electrolysis) but it involves electrical current and water so we highly recommend that you stay away from this. The electrolysis method basically turns rust back into iron, making the rotors look as good as new, but anything that involves electrical current and water requires some science on your part.

Aftermath

If this solves your squealing problem, then great, mission accomplished. If it persists, then a more in-depth investigation by a trained professional will have to be carried out.

To take the best care of brake components, you should avoid unnecessary sudden brake usage. Slow down gradually, and it will prolong the parts' life. As often as possible, clean the discs as it will ensure an uncontaminated braking surface. We also recommend not buying cheap brake parts, this is after all the part is tasked with stopping the car and that is not a component you want to be cheap with.


The Toyota Yaris In 2020 Is At Its B-Segment Best

The Toyota Vios has become a fixture, dating all the way back to the early 2000s. It’s presence is one of the single biggest automotive forces that have altered our roads - not just here, but in the wider region. For a lot of buyers, it was the right car at the right time, but it’s also a victim of its success.

Toyota Yaris Taking Back The B-Segment Fight

It’s because the Vios’ image of perhaps being a little tight-collared that the Yaris is able to flourish alongside it, and this newest version is fully capitalising on that contrast in order to position itself as the rebellious younger brother. But it’s a Toyota, too, so you know it’s personality is still grounded.

With its edgy looks, bright colour palette, and optional bodykit, the Yaris strikes the right balance between the straight-laced image of past Toyotas as well as the more daring and mischievous character the automaker now finds itself leaning more toward.

That’s also the same kind of appeal that’s drawing a lot of interest away from its rivals, which have fallen into their own little rut of predictability. Since the departure of the previous Yaris that was brought to the Malaysian market, the Jazz has had the field all to itself, and upon the Toyota entrant’s return, the Yaris has already managed to relegate the Honda to trailing it in sales for most of 2020.

You might be able to chalk up the Yaris’ newfound swagger from being the new kid of the block, but we reckon its charm runs deeper. Aside from its surface attributes, the car is bolstered by an impressive collection of features that contribute to the overall ownership experience.

The small touches add up to a car that delivers a little extra satisfaction when you notice these details. Those doors shut with a solidity typical for a Toyota, the drive is smooth, the ride is refined, the engine is pretty much bulletproof (not literally), and the Panoramic View Monitor delivers a convenience beyond its price point.

Quality of life; that’s perhaps where Toyota has sought the most wins with the Yaris, and they’re not all obvious by browsing the spec sheet or brochure. It’s more subtle, and that’s why this is one of those cars that will really start to ‘click’ upon taking a test drive, when all these improvements and optimisations have a chance to naturally reveal themselves.

With all this taken into account, the puzzle of why the Yaris is selling so well isn’t too difficult to solve; whether it’s to young families, first-time car buyers, or the ones that simply want their car to be fuss-free but also more expressive of their individual taste.

It’s also still a Toyota, after all, and that absolutely carries a considerable amount of sway over a buying decision, which makes the EZ Beli auto financing plan from Toyota Capital so compelling. With instalment plans as low as RM498, it makes the process of owning a new Yaris as easy as possible.

More details here:
https://www.toyotacapital.com.my/featured/ezbeli


All-New 2018 BMW X3 (G01) Debuts; M40i Flagship With 360hp

The all-new third-generation BMW X3 makes its global debut with variants ranging from a rear-wheel driven entry-level model up to a 360hp 3.0-litre six-cylinder M Performance flagship.
Designated internally as the G01, the all-new X3 follows from the current 5 Series and 7 Series models in utilizing BMW’s new-generation CLAR modular platform for vehicles with longitudinally-mounted engines.
Powering the X3 is BMW’s latest-generation B-series modular engine family with the usual mix of 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre six-cylinder variants that should be familiar to most followers of the brand.
The European market launch this autumn starts things off with 190hp xDrive20d and 265hp xDrive30d variants lining up alongside the range-topping M40i variant with 360hp from its uprated 3.0-litre B58 straight-six petrol engine.
A pair of 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrols join the fray later in the year, producing 184 and 252hp in the 20i and 30i variants respectively. All-wheel drive is standard for the X3 in Europe, but outside the continent, BMW is offering the 184hp 20i engine with the option of rear-wheel drive as well. Expect Malaysia-bound variants to draw heavily from this section of the catalogue.
All variants of the X3 come with the highly-acclaimed ZF 8HP 8-speed Steptronic auto as the standard transmission.
Official fuel consumption ranges from 5.0 litres/100km in the xDrive20d to a maximum of 8.4 litres/100km in the M40i variant. Curiously, the rear-wheel driven sDrive20i is claimed to have slightly higher fuel consumption of 7.4 litres/100km compared to 7.2 litres/100km for the all-wheel drive xDrive20i. The more powerful xDrive30i also records 7.4 litres/100km.
Despite sitting on an all-new platform, BMW has opted to persist with a familiar suspension template with the all-new X3, retaining the predecessor’s front double wishbone, rear five-link setup. Optional upgrades include firmer M Sport suspension and electronically-controlled adaptive dampers.
Although most buyers are unlikely to venture far beyond tarmac, BMW has engineered substantial off-roading prowess into the new X3’s DNA. On standard wheels and suspension, the X3 has 204mm of ground clearance and is able to wade through 500mm of water. Approach, departure, and breakover angles are 25.7, 22.6, and 19.4 degrees respectively.
Trim-wise, BMW offers the X3 with a choice of three model lines – xLine, Luxury Line, and M Sport.
As seen in the recent G11 7 Series and G30 5 Series, the new X3 comes with a wide range advanced driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go traffic mode, lane keeping assistant, lange change assistant, priority warning, wrong-way warning, and cross traffic warning. Also handy is BMW’s Remote 3D View function that projects a three-dimensional view of the car’s surroundings.


Volvo SELEKT Program unveiled by Ingress Swede Automobile

Scandinavian luxury awaits and is now more acessible than ever with Ingress Swede Automobile's latest acquisition, the Volvo SELEKT pre-owned vehicle program, located in the heart of Mutiara Damansara.

With a focus on high-quality pre-owned Volvo vehicles that have undergone comprehensive testing and inspection, this program sets a high standard for excellence and safety in the luxury pre-owned car market in Malaysia.

According to Mr. Rabian Ab Rahman, Managing Director of Ingress Swede Automobile:

“As an authorized dealer for Volvo Car Malaysia, we are constantly exploring new opportunities to grow and innovate in the Malaysian automotive industry. We always believe that our success lies in our ability to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the needs of our customers, and that is why we are thrilled to launch the Volvo SELEKT pre-owned vehicle program.”

“This program is not only a fantastic addition to our existing portfolio, but it also aligns perfectly with our long-term vision. The launch of this program is a strategic move that not only enables us to tap into a growing market, but also strengthens our partnership with Volvo Car Malaysia, supports our sustainability goals, and enhances our reputation as a leading provider of premium and luxury vehicles in Malaysia. We are excited about the opportunities that this program will bring, and we look forward to providing our customers with the exceptional service and quality that they have come to expect from Ingress Swede Automobile Sdn Bhd."

As part of the SELEKT program, every pre-owned Volvo vehicle undergoes a rigorous 125-point inspection and testing process to ensure it meets top-quality and safety standards. Buyers can also enjoy a minimum 12-month warranty, 24/7 roadside assistance service, and a guarantee that each vehicle is approved and free of accidents and flood damage, with less than 5 years or 100,000 km of mileage. There are also various financing options available to cater to a diverse range of needs and budgets.

Mr Azeman Akram, Dealer Principal of Ingress Swede Automobile also commented: “At Ingress Swede Automobile, exceptional service and products are provided to its customers. Here are some of the key benefits and highlights of Ingress Swede Automobile’s Volvo SELEKT program:

Careful refurbishment
: All Volvo SELEKT vehicles are meticulously refurbished with only genuine Volvo parts and accessories used during the refurbishment process with the latest software upgrades, ensuring that they are in immaculate condition and ready for their new owners to enjoy.

 Mileage and service history:
All SELEKT vehicles will also undergo mileage and service history verification to ensure the best quality of vehicles offered to customers.

Service packages:
 The Volvo Service Agreement (VSA)-5 or 3 packages are offered to reduce the long- term cost of ownership for new owners. Volvo SELEKT vehicles also comes with a minimum 1-year complimentary maintenance package.

Expert service & support:
 The availability of highly-trained service centre staff in explaining all the features and functions of the Volvo SELEKT vehicles in detail, ensuring that customers have a comprehensive understanding of their new cars.

Prime location:
The Volvo SELEKT program is located in the heart of Klang Valley, making easily accessible for customers.

“Furthermore, the launch of our Volvo SELEKT program is also a significant step towards achieving the company’s long-term sustainability goals. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and service, while also being mindful of our impact on the environment,”

“By offering pre-owned Volvo vehicles that have undergone comprehensive testing and inspection, we are promoting the circular economy and reducing our environmental footprint. This is in line with our corporate social responsibility objectives, and we believe that it will resonate well with our customers who are increasingly conscious of sustainability issues." Azeman concluded.


GST To Be Zero Rated On 1st June 2018- Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance Malaysia has just announced that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be set at zero per cent beginning 1st June 2018.
In a statement released by the Ministry, the reduction of the rate from the current six per cent to zero per cent will be implemented nationwide until a further announcement is made.
Goods and services listed in the GST Exempt Supply Order 2014 remain exempted from GST.
While this news does not affect the price of RON 95 and Diesel fuel, it does reduce the price of RON 97 as this fuel is subjected to six per cent GST.
Assuming that the old Sales and Service Tax (SST) is not reintroduced, could this also translate to lower car prices in the short term, as the prices will be significantly lower with GST being zero-rated? A quick check on a few price lists available online revealed that UMW Toyota and Honda Malaysia online price lists have separated the GST amount.
A customer buying the Toyota C-HR is paying RM8,200 in GST, thus, from June 1st 2018, will the Toyota C-HR be priced to RM137,300? The Honda Jazz 1.5S meanwhile could see a new price of under RM69,000!
We will try our best to update readers on the new price list once they are available from the official distributors and franchise holders.
Learn more about the impact of the abolishment of GST to the automotive industry here:
Nissan- No change in price list as of now (14 May)
Subaru- Announces Price Promise Scheme (11 May)
Tun
Dr.
 Mahathir - GST To Be Abolished (10 May)


KLIMS 2018: Hyundai Showcases Next Generation Powertrains

At the ongoing KLIMS 2018, the Hyundai stand has the largest range of future vehicles on display, with the
all-new Hyundai Santa-Fe 7-seater SUV
 taking the centre stage.
As part of the show’s theme of ‘Beyond Mobility’, local distributor Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) is showcasing an entirely new powertrain here at KLIMS 2018- the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
Hyundai has been actively improving and enhancing the hydrogen fuel cell technology. With the availability of their ix35/Tucson fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) since 2013, Hyundai is the world’s first automaker to mass-produce fuel cell vehicles.
The all-new Hyundai Nexo, with sales that just began in March this year in its home market of South Korea, is the company’s first dedicated hydrogen-powered SUV. The Nexo features the company’s latest generation fuel cell technology that is more durable, lighter, and higher performance.
Thanks to a 163 PS / 395 Nm electric motor, the Nexo accelerates from rest to 100 km/h in just 9.2 seconds. The driving range is very remarkable at over 600 kilometres under the new WLTP test cycle.
Underneath the futuristic exterior design, the dedicated platform integrated three identical tanks with a volume of 52.2 litres per tank. Hyundai says refuelling time is just 5 minutes.
While FCEV is still very much at its infancy stage (Hyundai only targets to sell 600 units of Nexo in its home country annually), the compact Kona Electric is much closer in meeting our local infrastructure and market maturity.
The little Kona Electric (about the same size as a Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008) has a powerful 204 PS / 395 Nm electric motor. When equipped with the larger 64 kWh battery, the Kona Electric is able to complete the century dash in just 7.6 seconds!
Driving range is equally impressive at 482 kilometres. The driver can also choose the degree of regenerative braking through the steering wheel paddle switches. It takes approximately 9.5 hours to fully charge the Kona Electric using a 7.2 kW charger. A high capacity 100 kW DC charger meanwhile can provide 80% state-of-charge in under 60 minutes.


Are Used Car Sales REALLY Not Affected By Lockdown?

During a recent online AGM of the Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia (FMCCAM), Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong reiterated that despite the effects of the pandemic and resultant lockdowns, the Malaysian automotive
industry has largely been unaffecte
d. He said this citing strong numbers of online vehicle ownership transfers in 2020 and 2021.

Dr. Wee added, “Except for the initial lockdown in March 2020, car sales have generally not been affected by the pandemic. I believe online transactions will continue to increase as contactless transactions are the trend now,” The Star reports.

The President of FMCCAM Datuk Khor Chong Boon added that despite the restrictions of the pandemic, car sales have grown 20 percent, as evidenced by the 347,000 online ownership transfers between January and May this year.

He echoed Wee’s statements, “Last year, we achieved our target and saw 601,102 ownership transfers through the STMS and eSTM systems. This would not have happened without the systems as these cases would require 1.2 million trips and extra man-hours if done over the counter,”

What happens now?

Of course, this is very good news – and a healthy automotive market is a boon for the economy, especially in these tough times. However, we have to ask if the current situation is merely a temporary trend or the results of a strong market that can be viewed as sustainable in the long run.

Given Carlist.my's position as the leading buying and selling portal in Malaysia, and our longstanding relationships with thousands of used and reconditioned car dealers across the country – we’re uniquely qualified to provide some commentary on the matter and provide projections on what we believe can be achieved in the near future.

The new car market drives the
used car market forward in 2020
.

Referring back to the Transport Minister’s comments, yes, the used and recond markets enjoyed an extremely strong showing in 2020. This, as the FMCCAM quoted was courtesy of
 the government’s sales tax exemption
 and six months moratorium, which helped spur sales in the second half of the year and outperformed 2019 and even 2020 forecasts.

As more and more people were buying new cars (leading to an excellent recovery of the new car market in the second half of 2020) due to attractive pricing, more used cars hit dealerships which greatly boosted vehicle portfolios at dealerships. As was also noted in the period – many of the cars sold were Japanese or popular local models such as the
Perodua Myvi
 and
Proton Saga
.

The counterargument, however, is if these models did not arrive at dealerships, would the used car market have seen such a significant boost in the latter part of last year. This is especially true for Japanese cars, which tend to be kept by first-time owners for longer periods of time (6-9 years) given their excellent reliability. Therefore, if new cars were not bought, these cars would not have changed hands.

Buying it in the nick of time

Another contributor to the
substantial boost
 in sales volume the used car market enjoyed was down to the timeframe new cars buyers had to dispose of their existing cars. This led to a larger number of used cars being procured at cheaper prices, in a shorter time – so that new car buyers could take advantage of the sales tax exemptions during the limited time period that it was initially offered.

Initially, the
SST exemptions
 were slated to end on 31st December 2020, before being extended to the end of
June 2021
, and now as we all know,
till the end of Dec 2021
. This yo-yoing of the policies created much uncertainty amongst new car buyers (
X50 owners will know this first hand
), leading to many buyers opting to pull the trigger on a new car purchase for fear of not getting the exemptions. This further aided the used car market in capitalising on the healthy surplus of used cars making its way to dealerships across the country.

However, the question now remains, will we still see a stable amount of vehicles change hands between new car buyers down to dealers and to used car buyers when the SST exemptions end in December of this year. Will this upward momentum continue?

Numbers that might not tell the whole story…

In his statements – Dr. Wee noted the laudable efforts made by used car dealers to gravitate from traditional forms of doing business to the online and digital sphere as well as making these changes in record time.

He noted that more and more dealers are readily using online tools such as the Temporary Ownership Transfer System or Sistem Tukar Milik Sementara (STMS) which allows dealers to transfer ownership of used vehicles (for a period of 6 months) without going through the Road Transport Department (JPJ). If the car is not sold in that period, the dealership assumes permanent ownership of the vehicle through the Automatic Ownership Transfer feature until it is sold.

This has greatly streamlined the process for dealers and sellers and enhanced the transparency and accountability of the transaction between both parties. In addition, the eSerahan Tukar Milik (eSTM) allows the vehicle transfer process to be concluded via the biometric features of the MyKad and thumbprint verification between both parties has sped up the transfer and delivery of a used car to its new buyer.

With that said, the over 600,000 ownership transfer of 2020 and approximately 347,000 conducted between Jan and May 2021 may not precisely account for cars that are resold by dealers to used car buyers. This is because the system tracks when a car is first transferred from a seller to a dealer and then from a dealer to a new buyer. Therefore while the numbers are positive, it reliably cannot paint an accurate picture of the cars sitting on dealer forecourts that have not been sold.

Movement of goods…

Again the numbers, which were tracked between May and June of 2021, do not take into account the current FMCO which was enforced on 1st June 2021. Therefore, for better clarity of the overall health of the industry, we’d have to track more numbers as the year progresses.

Other contributing factors are the substantial boom of digital trading solutions and market disruptors such as  CarlistBid - which adds a separate layer of transactions between a seller and eventually used car buyer which the STMS system does not differentiate.

For instance, when using
solutions such as CarlistBid
, a car is first transferred from the seller to CarlistBid in a safe and transparent manner. After which, the car may then be sold onwards to a used car dealer, who then sells it finally to a new buyer. Therefore, there are three transactions on a single car and not the other way around.

This and other factors such as B2B sales – sales of cars between dealers – may yet obscure the lines between what constitutes a proper sale or simply a ‘movement of goods’ between various parties.

Word on the ground

In conversations and feedback from dealers – our findings lead us to believe that business remains tough. The current FMCO has led to more uncertainty as dealers are not allowed to open dealerships, which has led many of them to refocus their efforts on enticing buyers online or digitally.

Of course, having the right product buyers want is key and this period has also required a refocus for some to move from more premium vehicles (that offer better margins but require more time to sell) to bread-and-butter models that keep the business fluid.

Some dealers have also accounted for an increase in cash purchases of vehicles – given more affluent and cash-rich buyers are not utilising their funds on lifestyle activities and travelling – these funds are then repurposed for upgrading their vehicles and/or refreshing to a newer car (albeit used) if the price is attractive.

Of course, the marginal drop in new car prices has also meant that used car prices have dropped to stay attractive within the market, therefore this knock-on effect may have also contributed to an increase in activity over the past two years. The 50 percent SST exemptions which also cover recond imported vehicles have also had a positive effect on dealers that also carry these types of vehicles.

In conclusion

As we’ve mentioned, we applaud the used car market (in its entirety) for showing so much resilience in these times and we do not intend to object or nullify the facts as mentioned by the Minister of Transport or FMCCAM.

However, we do have a responsibility to highlight the frailties or inadequacies of the reporting that could lead people to believe the industry is performing better than it actually is. The accuracy of data after all should represent both the larger picture and the common reality of the activity on the ground.

If we take the first six months of 2020 as a benchmark for progress against 2021 then the picture is definitely rosy. During the first six months of 2020, the automotive industry was operational as a whole for three months.

The MCO 1.0 lockdown started in mid-March 2020 and ended in the first week of May 2020 (economic activities gradually reopened over the month) whereas the
MCO 3.0 and the current FMCO
only began in June. So in essence when you compare active buying and selling data of the first three months of 2020 vs the first five months of 2021 - it's really not rocket science to see which will do better but is that a fair reflection of the overall TIV of the used car industry for 2021?

The answer is no, we need more data to understand or substantiate any claims that the used car industry is doing better in 2021.

Therefore, with more time to do business in 2021, and used car dealership largely remaining operational during the two cyclic boom times of the year (Chinese New Year and Hari Raya), it is a foregone conclusion that 2021 will outdo 2020 in most matrices of measurement.

But the fact remains, what will happen after 2021, a boom or bust?

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

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

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

Get the latest new car promotions at
New Car
 website now.


2016 Kia Sportage Interior Revealed In New Official Photos

Kia
 has released new pictures of its 2016
Sportage
 SUV, this time giving us a clear look at the car’s interior before the real thing is shown to the world in the coming weeks at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Following a
teaser sketch
, then a
leaked image
, then an
officially released
 batch of photos, the Kia Sportage has been getting a lot of attention lately.
The redesigned interior follows the reworked exterior too, taking in more modern cues from Kia's most recent models. As we can see here, the all-black interior has leather seats, as well as a flat bottomed steering wheel like that found in the new
Optima
. The dashboard too, is dressed in black that's either matte or has a glossy piano black finish in some areas, with bits of chrome or metalized surrounds placed strategically. There are also aluminium pedals.
Toward the centre of dashboard, there’s a central infotainment display but despite this the 2016 Sportage’s interior has quite a number of buttons below that. Perhaps Kia isn’t onboard with the minimalistic approach some other automakers have taken, opting for virtual controls over physical ones in most cases.
The spec we see in the pictures is from the GT line of the all-new Sportage, which surely would add some premium touches over the base car. Exactly what those touches are isn’t clear at this point, and we’ll have to wait for the full unveil for that.


UMW Toyota To Build A Second Assembly Plant In Malaysia

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd., the distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia will be building a second vehicle assembly plant in Malaysia, reports Japan’s Nikkei.
The Japanese business weekly adds that the new 30 billion Yen  (RM 110.5 million) plant will come online in 2018, with an annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles, but could be increased to produce 100,000 vehicles per year if necessary.
The plant will be built by UMW Toyota Motor, the distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia co-owned by UMW Holdings and Toyota Tsuho.
Currently, all Malaysia-assembled Toyota vehicles are built at UMW Toyota Motor’s subsidiary Assembly Services Sdn. Bhd.’s (ASSB) plant in Shah Alam. Built in 1968, ASSB is the second oldest car plant in the country after the Swedish Motor Assemblies plant in Shah Alam, which has been producing and exporting Volvo cars and trucks since 1967.
The existing ASSB plant has an annual production capacity of 67,000 units (without overtime or holiday shifts) and produces the
Hilux
,
Fortuner
,
Innova
,
Hiace
,
Vios
, and Camry (including
Camry Hybrid
). Except for the Hiace (standard wheelbase model), which is also exported to Thailand, all other ASSB-assembled model are exclusively for our domestic market.
Apart from the ASSB assembly plant, UMW Toyota Motor also has three other plants in Shah Alam – Toyota Auto Body which stamps metal body panels, Automotive Industries Sdn. Bhd. (AISB), which makes exhausts and components for instrument panels, and Toyota Boshoku which makes seat frames.
UMW Toyota Motor is expected to make an official announcement on the matter within the next week.


CES 2019: Audi To Showcase Immersive In-Car Entertainment

Audi will be previewing a new in-car entertainment format and a unique cinematic experience at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next month, which the company says will turn a car ride into "a digital entertainment experience”.
According to Audi, future models will be connected to the internet, and thanks to autonomous driving technologies, occupants will have more free time in the car. Audi went on to say that the free time can be used to enjoy the next generation of in-car entertainment.
In addition to that, the Ingolstadt-based firm also added that the “Audi Immersive In-Car Entertainment” will be showcased at CES, which is able to offer a cinema-like experience when the vehicle is stationary.
The 2019 edition of CES will happen from January 8
th
 till 11
th
 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre.


All-New 2018 (F90) BMW M5 On Sale In Malaysia- Estimated from RM943k

The sedan that started it all. The BMW M5. A properly sized sedan, comfortable for highway cruising, was blessed with a high revving and powerful engine, upgraded braking performance and sportier suspension tuning by a small group of BMW engineers back in 1984.
The result is a super sedan that is comfortable and dignified enough to be parked at the office tower’s grand foyer, yet more than capable of keeping up with powerful and agile supercars on a weekend drive with the family.
BMW Malaysia today officially announced the arrival of the all-new 2018 (F90) BMW M5 in Malaysia.
With the super sedan packing many standard features, here are a few standout items in the Malaysian specifications:
Roof made from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP)
M xDrive variable torque distribution all-wheel drive including 2WD Mode
20-inch M Double-spoke wheels in dual-tone
Full-colour Head-Up display with M Specific information
Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go function
M-specific exhaust with control valve
The winner of the World Performance Car of the Year Award 2018 continues to have the same 4.4-litre V8 engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo Technology, but is now more potent than ever. The heavily revised (new turbochargers, higher fuel pressure, and new lubrication system) high revving engine now delivers an outstanding output of 600 hp at 5,600 to 6,700 rpm, while the tremendous peak torque of 750 Nm is on tap from just 1,800 rpm and remains constant to 5,600 rpm.
In comparison to the outgoing F10 M5 model, maximum horsepower and torque have been increased by 40 hp and 70 Nm respectively.
Power is channelled through a specially tuned eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic and split to all four wheels via
a new M xDrive
all-wheel drive
 transfer case, a first for the BMW M5 that stretches five iterations.
The rear-biased system operates on an on-demand basis, driving the rear wheels most of the time, only sending power to the front as and when additional traction is required. The system is also calibrated to allow a few degrees of slip for sideways action.
In conjunction with BMW's DSC system, drivers can adjust the threshold of slip before electronic intervention activates. The unique design of the transfer case and multi-plate clutch allows for all 600 hp and 750 Nm to be channelled to just the rear wheels in ‘2WD Mode’, permitting enthusiasts to control their own drift angles and even setting up
a Guinness world record of over 370 kilometres
 of pure opposite-lock sliding.
This combination of astonishing power and maximum traction from all four tyres propels the F90 M5 from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, 200 km/h in just 11.1 seconds.
The F90 M5’s closest competitor, the 2017 (W213) Mercedes-AMG E63S 4Matic+, is priced from RM998,888 and a short comparison of its performance can be found below.

On the exterior, the F90 M5 differs from the standard 530i M Sport with a front bumper that now accommodates even larger air intakes for maximum cooling performance. The wider front fenders (M5 is 35 mm wider than a 530i) feature side gills with M5 designation, with the side profile further accentuated by the M specific side mirrors.
A humbly-sized trunk lid spoiler and a new rear bumper that accommodates two pairs of twin-exhaust outlets with a diffuser in between the outlets complete the F90 M5 rear design.
The new BMW M5 is available in a range of M specific exterior colours, ranging from Marina Bay Blue metallic, Donington Grey metallic, and Singapore Grey metallic.
As standard, the F90 M5 comes with 20-inch light alloy M double-spoke in a dual-tone finish shod with 275/35 tyres at the front and 285/35 tyres at the rear. Behind those wheels are a set of blue painted multi-piston brake calipers with lighter M compound brakes. BMW Malaysia also offers the M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, which are identifiable with their gold paint, as an option.
Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The fascination for BMW M has lived for more than forty years; its legacy carried on and renewed by people who express their passion for motorsports through the driving experience of these exceptional vehicles, and this is evident in the BMW M5 – which has long made history as a powerful premium business sedan. The BMW M5 still dominates the segment it competes in and is a statement of supreme engineering skill and innovative driving intelligence.”
Inside, the red push start button and a newly designed shift lever with Drivelogic rocker switch take centre stage. Being a true M car, two fully configurable M shortcut buttons in red are placed on the steering wheel. Each M button can set a specific profile of the DSC, M xDrive AWD, steering ratio, suspension stiffness, engine response, Drivelogic transmission aggressiveness as well as head-up display content.
Driving information is displayed to the driver via an M specific digital cockpit, while infotainment system consists of a BMW Navigation Professional 10.25-inch wide format display with gesture control.
The F90 M5 comes standard with the new M multifunction bucket seats trimmed with Merino leather which further emphasises the car’s luxurious sporting appeal. The multifunction adjustment front seats also come with the prominent, illuminated M5 designation embossed on each headrest.
Upholstery colour choices are single-tone black or dual-tone Aragon brown with black, both matched with interior trim called ‘Aluminium Carbon Structure’ with dark chrome highlights.
Customers also have an option to further personalize their F90 M5. BMW Malaysia offers these packages as an option:
Performance Pack – Carbon engine cover, seat belts with M stripe and M Sports exhaust system: RM30,000
Driving Assistant Plus: RM15,000
Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound and Rear entertainment system: RM55,000
M Carbon Ceramic Brakes: RM95,000
With a tentative price of RM 942,759.86 (GST at zero-rated), the F90 BMW M5 will be in showrooms nationwide from 1st of June 2018. Similar to the mainstream BMW range of vehicles, owners of the new F90 M5 will also benefit from 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.


2023 BMW XM Debut - BMW's New M Flagship Car Is A Hybrid V8 SUV

The BMW XM is a 2.7 tonne 644hp SUV that'll serve as BMW's new flagship M car.

When you
think of BMW M Cars
, you think of the M3, M5 and even perhaps the M6. Of course, with SUVs dominating the world these days, it's no surprise that everything is SUV oriented, however, never in a million years did we think that BMW would call an SUV their flagship vehicle, let alone M's new flagship vehicle.

M's new flagship car is an SUV

The Bavarian automaker has just unveiled the BMW XM, a 2.7-tonne performance SUV that produces
644hp
 and
800Nm
 of torque from its hybrid twin-turbo V8 engine. It will only be available exclusively as an M car and is meant to serve as M's new flagship vehicle.

According to BMW, the XM, which is due to go on sale in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2023, will debut
BMW's new electrified
V8 power unit, which means that its 25.7-kWh battery pack will give the car an electric driving range of 80 kilometres. BMW also said that a more powerful version of the XM under the Label Red would come later, with a claimed performance figure of 735 hp and 1000Nm of torque.

Bigger than an X5 smaller than an X7

Size-wise, the XM is larger than the
X5
 and
X6
 but smaller than the 7-seater
X7
. At the front of the XM, there's the recognisable oversized
BMW kidney grille
 which is illuminated, and the headlights must be one of the squintiest split headlights we've seen on a BMW.

There's a strong character line at the side of the car, but one cannot help but notice that that line kicks up when it reaches the rear door, which is typical of BMWs that pay tribute to the classic BMW Hofmeister kink.

The XM features vertically stacked tailpipes

The rear of the XM seems plain at first sight, but look closer, and you'll see what BMW calls the "Revolutionary Apron" with vertically stacked, hexagonal M twin tailpipes. To accompany this sporty look is a set of aggressive-looking long and slim taillights which wrap around the sides.

Interior fit for a celebrity

On the inside, the XM will be made up of top-quality materials such as leather, velvet, and carbon fibre. The front area is fully driver-focused, while the M Lounge rear compartment offers luxurious comfort, according to BMW. If the M Lounge rear seats don't give the car's interior the wow factor, then the "Illuminated Sculptural Prism Roof" with ambient mood lighting will surely do the job.

The XM will not come with air suspension, but instead, will feature adaptive dampers and good ol' steel springs. Other standard equipment that gives the XM its zing includes an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, and an electronically controlled anti-roll bar.

The price of the XM will start at a cool RM740k, with the more powerful Red Label version coming in at RM855k. The XM will go up against the likes of the
Audi RSQ8
 and Mercedes-AMG GLE63, and perhaps even the
Aston Martin DBX
 and
Lamborghini Urus
.

Like it or not, this is the future of M Cars, where an SUV is the flagship vehicle.


Proton X70 MC1 2022 Dilancarkan – Bermula RM93,900, Pilihan AWD dan Enjin 1.5 TGDI Ditawarkan

Proton telah melancarkan
Proton X70 MC1
 (
Minor Change
) atau
facelift
 yang kini menampilkan pilihan enjin yang lebih kecil berbanding sebelumnya, 1.5L yang sama terdapat pada Proton X50.

Berikut merupakan varian yang ditawarkan beserta harganya:

1.5 TGDI Standard 2WD: RM93,900

1.5 TGDI Executive 2WD: RM105,500

1.5 TGDI Executive AWD: RM111,300

1.5 TGDI Premium 2WD: RM117,900

1.8 TGDI Premium 2WD: RM121,800

Memandangkan ini adalah versi facelift, tiada perubahan ketara dapat dilihat pada interior dan exterior X70 MC1 kali ini jika nak dibandingkan dengan versi sebelumnya. Berikut merupakan penambahan baharu yang ada pada Proton X70 MC1 kali ini.

Enjin baharu X70 - 1.5 TGDI

Proton X70 MC1 ini telah memperkenalkan pilihan enjin berkapasiti lebih kecil, iaitu 1.5L TGDI 3 silinder turbo yang sama digunakan pada
Proton X50
. Output kuasanya juga sama pada 177 PS dan 255 Nm tork berbanding enjin 1.8L TGDI yang menghasilkan 184 PS dan 300 Nm tork.

Walau bagaimanapun, pilihan enjin 1.8L masih ditawarkan bagi varian tertinggi, iaitu 1.8 TGDI Premium yang hadir dengan
sunroof.
 Kedua-dua enjin tersebut masih digandingkan dengan transmisi klac basah berkembar 7-kelajuan DCT.

Meskipun ia merupakan X70 pertama di Malaysia yang menggunakan enjin 1.5L, ia bukanlah kali pertama Proton memasukkan enjin 1.5 TGDI ke dalam Proton X70 kerana pilihan ini telah ditawarkan oleh Proton menerusi pasaran eksportnya di Pakistan dan Nepal sejak 2020 lalu.

Kemasan Exterior Berwarna Hitam

Antara pembaharuan lain pada exterior kereta ini adalah perincian berwarna pada bampar hadapan dan diffuser di bahagian belakang. Selain itu, cermin sisinya serta kemasan perumah tulisan Proton di bahagian belakang juga kini berwarna hitam.

Sistem AWD

Sistem AWD
 pada Proton X70 juga dikembalikan setelah diketepikan ketika pelancaran model X70 versi CKD yang tidak menawarkan pilihan AWD berbanding model CBU sebelumnya.

Walau bagaimanapun, sistem AWD ini tidak ditawarkan pada varian tertinggi, sebaliknya hanya pada varian Executive AWD, sama seperti varian unit CBU Proton X70 terdahulu.

Penutup Enjin Baharu

Selain itu, Proton telah menggunakan penutup enjin (
engine cover
) versi
foam
yang lebih tebal berbanding penutup jenis plastik yang digunakan pada X70 terdahulu. Bezanya, ia memberikan keselesaan dan kadar NVH yang lebih baik di dalam kabin.

Rim 19-inci SE

Perubahan yang paling ketara pada model X70 MC1 kalini semestinya rim 19-inci ala-ala bunga raya yang sebelum ini diperkenalkan pada model
 X70 SE
 yang terhad kepada 2,000 unit pada 2021. Namun rim ini hanya diberikan pada varian Premium sahaja memandangkan varian Executive AWD hadir bersama rim bersaiz 18-inci.

Untuk pengetahuan anda, rim baharu ini merupakan rim yang sama diperkenalkan pada Geely Boyue Pro yang dilancarkan di China pada sekitar tahun 2019.

Interior

Tiada sebarang perubahan ketara pada bahagian interiornya di mana ia masih lagi mengekalkan interior berwarna coklat bagi varian teratas. Untuk varian Executive, ia hadir dengan interior serba hitam.

Perbezaan pada interior X70 MC1 kali ini hanyalah pada warna bumbung dalam kabin yang kini berwarna hitam. Walau bagaimanapun, varian Premium 1.5L tidak hadir dengan ciri
sunroof
.

Sistem Keselamatan

Keselamatan turut diutamakan dalam Proton X70 2022, yang dianugerahkan penarafan ASEAN NCAP 5 bintang, disokong oleh senarai komprehensif ciri keselamatan seperti enam beg udara SRS, Sistem Bantuan Pemandu Termaju (ADAS), Sistem Pemantauan Tekan Tayar (TPMS), dan kamera 360 dengan paparan 3D untuk tempat letak kereta tanpa kerumitan.

Warna Ditawarkan

Snow White

Armour Silver

Jet Grey

Ruby Red

Cinnamon

Brown

Space Grey,

Berat Dikurangkan

Bagi memastikan enjin 1.5L ini mampu untuk menampung berat Proton X70, berat pada X70 ini telah dikurangkan dengan penggunaan sistem enjin 1.5. Berat X70 1.5 TGDI Standard 2WD hanyalah 1,585 kg berbanding berat X70 1.8 TGDI Premium 2WD iaitu 1,675 kg.

Menurut Proton, perbezaan enjin yang digunakan pada X70 kali ini memberikan perbezaan yang amat kecil dan sesetengah pemandu mungkin tidak dapat membezakan antara kedua-dua enjin yang ditawarkan ini.

Proton X70 telah mengekalkan kedudukannya sebagai SUV segmen C terlaris sejak dilancarkan. Lebih 70,000 unit telah pun terjual dan hari ini, Proton telah mengemaskini

penggayaan dan enjin 1.5L TGDi untuk menawarkan lebih banyak pilihan kepada bakal pembeli.

Proton X70 MC1 ini dijual pada harga bermula RM93,900, OTR, tanpa insurans dan tanpa pengecualian SST yang bakal berakhir pada hujung bulan Jun tahun ini. Secara dasarnya, Proton X70 dengan pilihan enjin berkapasiti kecil ini merupakan tawaran Proton kepada pelanggan yang mahukan Proton X70 yang lebih menjimatkan minyak.

Apa kata anda dengan pelancaran model facelift Proton X70 ni?


Volkswagen Nationwide Hari Raya Open House Is Happening This Saturday

Volkswagen Malaysia today announced that the “Togetherness” Raya celebration will continue with a nationwide Raya Open House which will be happening at all dealerships this Saturday, 22nd of June, from 11am till 5 pm.
Visitors can not only test drive available Volkswagen models, but also take advantage of some of the special sales and aftersales promotions such as:
Ongoing sales promotion
Ongoing Aftersales Promotions
1) Air-cond
Owners are invited to a complimentary air-cond check at Volkswagen service centres, while those who are due for an air-cond service or filter replacement will receive additional 20% discount as part of the air-cond promotion available till the 30
th
 of June.
2) Tyres
As part of the ongoing tyre promotion which has been extended till the end of the year, Continental tyres are available from as low as RM184, and owners will get additional benefits such as free installation, alignment and balancing depending on the different tyre packages.
3) Battery
Those in need of a battery change will receive 20% discount off new batteries starting from RM365, depending on model, under the ongoing battery promotion, which has also been extended till the end of the year.
On top of these promotions, those who place a booking on that day will receive an additional RM2,000 petrol voucher on top of the ongoing promotion of RM1,000 petrol voucher, bringing it to a total of RM3,000.
However, this is only applicable for bookings made on the 22 June and for vehicles registered by 30th June 2019.
Last but not the least, visitors can also feast on delicious Raya delights, durians, and even take part in fun activities for the whole family. Eligible customers can enjoy free Volkswagen Care Plus programme membership as well.
The popular Blue Durian, which is synonymous with Volkswagen’s nationwide Raya Open House, will also be making its yearly appearance on that day, so don’t miss out on selfie opportunities with the blue King of Fruits. Just remember to hashtag #VWDurian and #VolkswagenMalaysia!
Looking for a new Volkswagen, get the best deals
here
.


Ops Samseng Jalanan: 26 Pemandu Ditahan, Kereta Disita – Tak Sempat Lumba Haram

Hasrat nak tayang kereta sambil berlumba haram tidak kesampaian apabila seramai 26 pemandu ditahan manakala kesemua 26 kereta mereka telah disita oleh Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen (IPK) Melaka dalam
Ops Samseng Jalanan
 di Melaka baru-baru ini.

Operasi yang dijalankan Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik (JSPT) negeri berkenaan telah menahan semua pemandu yang berusia antara 20 hingga 38 tahun di sekitar daerah Melaka Tengah dan Alor Gajah. Kesemua mereka berasal dari Pulau Pinang, Pahang, Johor, Selangor, Terengganu, Perak, Kedah dan Melaka.

Menurut Ketua Polis Melaka, Datuk Wira Abdul Majid Mohd Ali, kereta yang ditahan merupakan 16 buah
Proton Satria
 dan 10 buah
Honda Civic
 yang telah diubah suai enjinnya dipercayai untuk tujuan berlumba haram.

Tambahnya, kesemua pemandu tersebut telah ditahan dalam 3 operasi berlainan di Klebang, Sungai Putat serta Alor Gajah. Melalui siasatan awal, kebanyakan pemandu tersebut bukanlah berasal dari Melaka, sebaliknya hanya menjadikan negeri ini sebagai litar lumba haram.

Antara kesalahan yang dicatatkan melibatkan pengubahsuaian enjin, penggunaan nombor plat fancy yang tidak mengikut spesifikasi, ekzos bising, cermin gelap serta tidak mempunyai cukai jalan yang sah.

Salah seorang daripada mereka yang ditahan telah dikenakan saman RM900 atas 3 kesalahan yang dilakukan. Menurutnya, beliau telah membelanjakan kira-kira RM10,000 menggunakan wang insurans serta duit simpanannya untuk mengubah suai Honda Civic miliknya kerana hobi dan minat terhadap dunia permotoran.

Akibat terlalu ikutkan trend disamping memuaskan diri sendiri, kini beliau telah serik setelah penat disaman berkali-kali. Perkara itu diluahkan pemandu terbabit ketika sedang menunggu untuk mengambil keretanya yang telah disita di IPK Melaka.

Sebanyak RM7,800 saman keseluruhan dikenakan terhadap 26 pemandu terbabit telah dikeluarkan oleh pihak polis di bawah Seksyen 64 Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 dan Akta Alam Sekitar manakala kesemua kereta mereka disita untuk tindakan selanjutnya seperti menjalani pemeriksaan sepenuhnya oleh JPJ dan Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS).

Sepanjang Ops Samseng Jalanan ini berlangsung, sebanyak 30 saman bernilai RM11,300 atas pelbagai kesalahan telah dikeluarkan.

*Kredit foto: Sinar Harian, Utusan Malaysia, Melaka Hari Ini