June 2017 Vehicle Sales - Market Improves Slightly

Total industry volume for June 2017 improved slightly compared to the same period last year, despite a slight month-on-month drop from May. The total of 50,275 vehicles were sold in June represented a slight 3.3% year-on-year increase, although it was lower compared to 50,600 units in May. For June 2017, a total of 50,275 vehicles were sold, a slight drop from May's 50,600 units. Regardless, year-on-year saw a slight 3.3% increase.
To date, 284,461 vehicles were sold in the country. In the same period last year, a total of 275,385 vehicles were sold, a 9,075 difference.
Perodua continues to hold the top spot, with 17,821 vehicles sold in June alone. This marks a 3.5% increase over the month before, and a 2.4% increase when compared to the same period last year. For the first half of the year, Perodua sold a total of 99,675 units, with the majority being the Axia and Bezza. Perodua
remains optimistic
 that they can achieve their 202,000 unit goal this year. The company is expected to introduce an all-new Perodua Myvi in the coming months.
Honda remains as the nation's number one non-national car manufacturer with 52,527 units sold to date, a strong 32.5% growth versus the same period last year. Last month, Honda sold 8,808 vehicles, a slight drop from May's 9,153 units. However, we can expect Honda's sales to climb as the company recently introduced its all-new 2017 Honda CR-V and hybrid variants of the City and Jazz.
As for Proton, a slight increase of 0.7% was observed, with a total of 7,225 units sold, 49 units more than May. Year to date, the national car manufacturer sold 39,393 vehicles, a 10.3% improvement over the same period in 2016.
Despite June's shorter working month, Mercedes-Benz recorded a 14.5% increase over May, with a total of 1,241 units sold. Within the first six months of the year, the German premium marque sold 6,034 units, a slight drop from last year's 6,094 units.
BMW also sold more cars in June than it did in May, coming in at 925 units. This marks an 8.4% increase over the month before and a strong 21.5% improvement over the same period in 2016. Despite the increase, BMW's figures continues to trail Mercedes-Benz's
Sales for a few companies dropped, likely due to the shorter working month in June with the Aidilfitri celebrations. We can expect figures to climb in the coming months.
With 284,461 new vehicles sold this year, the market has hit 47.4% of MAA's forecase of 600,000 units. Sales are expected to pick up in the coming months, as car manufacturers will be introducing several new models, including the all-new 2017 Mazda CX-5. Deliveries of the new Honda City Hybrid and Jazz Hybrid will commence and Honda Malaysia is set to introduce one more new model before the year ends.


WARISAN wants government to exempt road tax for vehicles under 3.0-litres in Sabah

The WARISAN party are lobbying the Ministry of Transport to exempt road tax on all new and used vehicles with a capacity of 3,000CC and below starting next year in Sabah because road infrastructure in the state is in poor condition.

According to Berita Harian, this matter was proposed by the Secretary General of WARISAN, Datuk Loretto Padua, who has asked for it to be included in the 2023 Budget, which will be presented again by the new government soon.

He also stated that the proposal is also in line with the 'people's agenda' under the Unity Government, supported by Pakatan Harapan (PH), which are trying to solve issues that are pressing the people.

"Along with the tone of the 'people's agenda', I hope that the Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke will consider this request to give immediate relief to the people of Sabah, especially for those who suffer from severe infrastructure problems."

"I and all the Heritage Secretaries from the 25 divisions in the state hope that brother Anthony will give due consideration to these proposals to ease the burden being borne by the people of Sabah," he said in a statement as reported by Berita Harian.

Picture credit: The Vibes

Continuing with the vehicle theme, Warisan also wants the Ministry of Transport to propose to the PM and the Federal Cabinet to provide a 50% insurance subsidy for new and used vehicles with a power of 2,500CC and below.

They weren't finished there either, as WARISAN has also suggested that the government give a 'one off' subsidy of 20% on car spare parts which might have been damaged by the poor roads, such as 'suspension', 'spring' and 'mounting' for vehicles with a power of 2,500CC and below in Sabah.

"I hope this proposal will be incorporated into the 2023 Budget, while the enforcement period of all these proposals can be limited to two years (2023/2024).

"I am also ready to meet brother Anthony at any time to discuss this matter because this is a very critical issue for the people of Sabah, especially those in the interior," he said.

What do you guys think? A fair proposal from WARISAN to relieve some pressure off the people of Sabah?


New York 2018: MINI Goes Back To The Future With An All-Electric Classic

Arguably, one the most interesting cars at the ongoing New York Autoshow is not even new, well, at least on the outside.
To demonstrate the company’s commitment to retaining the brand’s unmistakable character, whilst embracing zero-emissions drivetrain technology - MINI has unveiled an all-electric version of the classic Mini.
The electric ‘classic MINI’ serves as an ambassador for the arrival of
MINI’s all-electric production model
, unveiled in concept form at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The all-electric model is due to be launched in 2019, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the classic Mini.
The all-electric model, based on the MINI 3-Door hatch, is currently in development, and will be produced for the first time at the MINI Plant in Oxford next year.
In 2008, MINI presented the first MINI E – based on the predecessor (R56) model – about 600 examples were produced and used in a field trial under everyday conditions. These trials played a central role in paving the way for the development of the BMW i3, launched in 2013.
Sadly, the classic Mini Electric remains a one-off production. A late and carefully restored example of the classic Mini Cooper served as the basis for this special vehicle.
The exterior red paint is complemented by a contrast white roof and characteristic bonnet strip, with the yellow MINI Electric logo in the brand emblem and on the wheel hubs.
The electric classic remains true to the brand, both in terms of its visual appearance and driving characteristics. The spontaneous power of its electric motor provides a new dimension to the unmistakable go-kart feeling that helped propel the British small car in its original form to worldwide popularity. Little is known about the electric power unit or driving range of the retrospective electric MINI.
Closer to home – the
MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 Plug-In Hybrid
 model will be making its local debut soon. The plug-in hybrid variant of the MINI SUV represents a crucial step for the company, in gearing towards electromobility.
The Countryman PHEV is powered by a 1.5-litre engine, paired with an 88 hp electric motor, developing up to 224 hp and 385 Nm. The power unit is paired with a hybrid-specific all-wheel drive system. The vehicle is able to drive at up to 125 km/h in purely electric mode, and has an electric driving range of up to 40 kms.


Grab Users Can Now Ride in a Tesla Model S

Popular ride-sharing service provider Grab announced today that it is now offering Malaysians a chance to ride in the Tesla Model S all-electric car, thanks to a collaboration with GreenTech.
Available for booking via debit or credit card for only RM15, Grab said that the Tesla Model S will only be available at selected locations and times due to its exclusive nature.
Interested? This is how you can hitch a ride in the Model S:
        Step 1: Download Grab app from Apple App Store/Google Play Store.
        Step 2: Select Tesla Model S icon on Grab app.
        Step 3: Key in the desired pick up & drop off location. Click Book Now.
        Step 4: Enjoy the ride
The locations where the Tesla will be available is as mentioned below:

Friday:
Jalan Raja Chulan / Jalan Ampang / Jalan Tun Abdul Razak

Saturday:
Mont Kiara / Sri Hartamas / Bangsar

Sunday:
Bandar Utama / TTDI  / Mutiara Damansara
Promotion Conditions:
Campaign period: 14 Oct – 16 Oct 2016, from 10am – 6pm.
This promotion is only valid for these locations: Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tun Razak, Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas, Bangsar, Bandar Utama, TTDI and Mutiara Damansara.
Only valid for debit/credit cards.
Fix fare of RM15 per ride.
A maximum of 5km for each successful ride.
The promotion is only successfully redeemed once a relevant in-app and/or SMS message is received (after successfully being allocated a car by the system).
Each successful booking will get one ride.
A total of 3 passengers are allowed for each ride.
All bookings must be made via the Tesla Model S special icon available in Grab (MyTeksi) App.
Not valid with other promotions.
Not valid for airport trips.
Promotion will not be applicable for recycled mobile numbers that were previously registered with MyTeksi. Please contact us at 1300-805-858 if you suspect that this may be the case.


Break The Night With OSRAM’s Night Breaker® Unlimited Or Cool Blue® Hyper+

Germany’s world-leading headlamp manufacturer, OSRAM, have two new automobile headlamp products designed just for you. Be it the more contemporary OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER® UNLIMITED, or the stylish and youthful Cool Blue® Hyper+, there’s more variety and more quality for everyone.
OSRAM Cool Blue
®
 Hyper+
Designed for the more adventurous you that demands to stand out in a crowd, the OSRAM Cool Blue® Hyper+ features a wider and longer beam pattern than its competitors. It is offered in a hyper-white colour temperature up to 5,000k, which takes a bluish tone. The beam itself is brighter than any standard headlamp, and is a great accessary that helps create that individual look for your car – an easy choice for the car enthusiast in search of his or her own unique identity.
OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER® UNLIMITED
If the outstanding appeal of the Cool Blue® Hyper+ headlamps are too much for you, the OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER® UNLIMITED offers a much more conservative approach, whilst maintaining all the high qualities. The headlamps project a light beam that is up to 20% whiter than any standard lamps, whilst maintaining a pleasant appeal to drivers. The NIGHT BREAKER® UNLIMITED also offers up to 40mm longer light beam compared to other lamps, ensuring better illumination of the road, and therefore reducing potential driver fatigue.
NIGHT BREAKER® UNLIMITED gets up to 110% more light on the road compared to other standard lamps, helping drivers be constantly aware of road conditions, and easily detecting any road hazards in order to react to any imminent danger more quickly.
OSRAM BREAK THE NIGHT ASIA
For more details on either the OSRAM Cool Blue® HYPER+ or the OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER® UNLIMITED, head on over to:
http://www.breakthenight.asia/


How To Avoid Road Rage

Did you know that 18 per cent of the 13.3 million registered drivers in Malaysia will at some point be on the gruelling end of a road rage incident? According to a five-year research carried out by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), nearly 2.5 million drivers on the road will encounter road rage, but why is it happening in the first place?

According to the report, the main causes road rage are due to unmannerly acts of queue cutting, not using indicators when changing lanes or before turning, double and triple parking as well as refusing to give way.

It also said that Malaysian drivers were three to four-time angrier than drivers in the United States, Great Britain, New Zealand, Turkey and Spain.

Arguing who is to be blamed for the road rage usually leads to more arguments, so instead of pointing fingers lets be proactive and look at some ways we can all avoid having 'our blood go upstairs' on the road.

Get out of the house earlier

Aggresive driving is a nice way to describe someone who drivers dangerously on the road. These aggresive drivers usually tailgate, drive at excessive speeds, weaving in and out of traffic as well as running through stop signs and traffic lights. Simply put, its someone that violates traffic laws and proper driving etiquette. You know from experience that one of the reasons you drive like a bat out of hell is because you're rushing, so make sure you get out of your house with plenty of time to spare so that you can be a bit more relaxed on the road.

Anticipate congestion

If you're new to our concrete jungle which is Kuala Lumpur we can understand why you might not be prepared for its congestion. But if you've lived your whole life in the Klang Valley you must know by now that roads in our capital and around it are extremely congested. Drivers with low tolerance for traffic delays may respond badly to traffic, so if you are one of those people, avoid driving during peak hours congestion or simply use e-hailing.

Isolate yourself

A driver can feel detached from the outside world when they are in the insulated comfort of their own vehicle. To further this isolation and perhaps add some form of detachment (not too much that you are unaware of other road users) you should consider tinting your car, this helps you feel more like an observer of your surroundings rather than a participant. You know what they say, the difference between a good neighbour and a bad one is a good fence. You'll also get a cooler cabin too, so win-win.

.

Love each other better

The erosion of disregard for others as well as authority is starting to take its toll on the road. We share this world with others so we must learn how to be civil and tolerant where we need to be. If we all take consideration of each other on the road, we can all get along better. Perhaps we might even be able to reduce congestion as everyone will get along better on the road and traffic will run smoothly.

Don't retaliate

Ever heard of 'people get a rise out of your reaction?' Well this is true and is the classic behaviour of a bully. If you do not retaliate, the bully usually tends to get bored and leaves you alone. So we suggest you be the better and higher person and avoid reacting to a road bully. Do not retaliate and he will probably move on with his/ her miserable life.


More Roadblocks In PJ During MCO – Likely To Extend Beyond April 14th

For those of you who live in the PJ – that is, on the side closer to Kepong – you are going to face a number of new roadblocks and full on road closures that are designed to control the flow of traffic and limit the distance travelled. From midnight on April 10th, Mutiara Damansara and Damansara Perdana will have their entry points from the Penchala Link and LDP closed off. Yes, this includes IKEA as well.

Coming out of the area will still be possible, although there will be roadblocks to check the purpose of travel for those using the roads. Keeping everyone at home at this point in time is critical to slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, and a key part of that is also limiting the flow of traffic unless absolutely necessary.

But the main takeaway point is this – with these new road closures and roadblocks in place, we can expect the MCO to be extended beyond April 14th. The Ministry of Health is supposed to make an announcement tomorrow regarding any extension of the MCO, but with these plans in place it is more probable than not.

That being said, there is a possibility that businesses will slowly be allowed to operate in a limited capacity even with the extension of the MCO. As hardware stores have been given permission to open two days a week, we can expect the government to extend this to other kinds of retail outlets or businesses.

With the MCO likely to extend to the end of the month, we urge everyone to stay safe and limit your outdoor excursions to a minimum. If we all pull our weight, we can help to isolate those who are unfortunate enough to get infected and slow the rate of transmission.


Subaru Launches S209, Finally Makes It Available Outside Of Japan

Perhaps one of the most frustrating things for Americans - specifically those hailing from the United States of America - is the highly restrictive set of regulations surrounding imported cars. It's very difficult for a private owner to get their hands on limited edition models, as there are strict minimum age rules and the like. And one of the special edition models that has never been brought into America, let alone officially exported from Japan, is the Subaru STI-crafted-S-line performance model.
Over the years there have been many different S models, ranging from the S203 that was based off of a Subaru Version 8 WRX STI, to the S402 that was based on the previous generation Legacy Wagon. As is the case with most of these special, limited edition models, there are plenty of tweaks to justify the exclusivity over the more mass market variants - although the biggest problem is that little of the world gets to experience this sort of car.
That is, until now. Subaru has just launched the S209, the latest in the lineage of S models, and they chose Detroit to do it of all places. This is great news for Americans (and the rest of the world) as it means that Subaru is willing to share these limited run models instead of hogging them all for themselves in Japan. While earlier S models took their inspiration from rally, the more modern Subarus aren't as active outside of (you guessed it) America, so influence instead comes from the WRX STI Nürburgring Challenge racecar, which dominated the SP3T class during last year's 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
Let's talk performance. While the rest of Subaru's models are moving on to the FA20 and its turbocharged, direct injection derivatives, the S209 still falls back on the 2.5-litre EJ25 boxer engine. There's always been a bit of debate as to which engine is better between the 2.0-litre EJ20s and EJ25s (the Japanese models would usually get better developed EJ20s), but when reinforced properly the EJ25 is capable of plenty of performance:  341 hp on 18 PSI of boost, courtesy of a larger HKS Turbocharger. Internals have been replaced by forged items, and tuning has also improved mid-range torque for better all-round performance.
Other supporting modifications for this performance include a higher flow fuel pump and injectors, a more efficient intake and exhaust system, as well as an intercooler water spray that can be operated by steering wheel mounted paddles. These are pretty generic modifications that go hand in hand with any increase in power in order to ensure the car functions within a safe set of parameters. Naturally the ECU is now a special unit from STI that will no doubt fetch ridiculous money as a spare part.
The transmission in the S209 is particularly neat, as it features shorter ratios than the normal WRX STI models. This is a strange choice for a turbocharged vehicle, but it makes sense as even though the turbocharged boxers have a breadth of torque in the mid range, they still perform best when wound out to redline. The Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD) and SI-Drive systems have been recalibrated, with Sport# (Sport Sharp) being reserved for pure acceleration runs, and Sport being the mode of choice for track work. There are also limited-slip differentials at the front and rear, giving the car better traction in all situations.
The bodywork naturally becomes more aggressive, as is par for the course for S models. The overall body is wider by 43 mm courtesy of wider wheels and fenders, with 19 by 9 inch forged BBS alloy wheels at each corner, wrapped in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600A tyres in a massive 265/35 R19 flavour. The 6-piston front and 2-piston rear Brembo setup hasn't been changed save for upgraded pads with better fade resistance. Vents in the front fenders channel air to the engine's heat exchangers, while vents in the rear fender are employed to reduce air turbulence and drag. There's also a massive spoiler out back and flat underbody trays for maximum aerodynamic effect.
Balancing out the performance and the looks is the handling. Some S models in the past have even come with quicker steering racks, but in the case of the S209 there are Bilstein dampers and stiffer coil springs, a larger 20 mm rear anti roll bar, as well as reinforcements and braces across every point imaginable. These braces are unique in that they have pillow ball bearings in the centre allowing for flexibility, which in turn lends compliance when not driving on the limit.
To top it all off are a couple of extra STI and S209 badges around the exterior and interior, as well as an Ultrasuede wrapped steering wheel. What's tricky is deciphering what Subaru means when they say that "only 200 units of the STI S209 will be built, earmarked exclusively for the U.S.". This is peculiar in the sense that it would be a model only for the Americans (a strange role reversal) and only in left-hand drive - but there's also the possibility that Subaru has pulled a quick one and are developing an S209 that'll be a Japan exclusive (yet again) with an FA20DIT (their newest powerplant).


Government To Bank In Fuel Subsidies For B40 Motorists Directly

It's been on the back burner for a while now, but the government seems to have finally arrived at a delivery solution to the fuel subsidy for the B40 (bottom 40) income demographic.

As reported by
the Malay Mail
, the subsidy will be banked in directly to the bank accounts of those who qualify for the subsidy.

Fuel subsidy for B40

The only issue now is that this is still a method that is executed after-the-fact - that is to say that all motorists will pay the same price for petrol at the pump, but those who qualify for the subsidy will be reimbursed at a later date. For those wondering how this can be executed, the government currently banks in the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) cash aid scheme to 90% of the B40 group.

As for the actual mechanism at the pump, there is still talk of whether a card will be used to register fuel usage by someone who qualifies for this subsidy. The metrics to determine the amount of subsidy provided have also yet to be determined.

For the remaining 10% of the B40 group that doesn't yet receive subsidies and cash aid as they have no access to bank accounts, the government is trying to work together with banks in order to help open accounts for those living in rural areas.


This Armless Professional Drifter Drives His Skyline Using Only His Feet

Follow your dreams and never let anything get in your way. We reckon that’s the motto that Bartosz Ostalowski lives by because not only is he a professional drifter, he executes his craft using just both his feet.
Born in 1986, Ostalowski unfortunately met with an accident back in 2006 which saw him lose both his arms. However, that didn’t dissuade him from his love and passion for cars as Ostalowski soon returned behind the wheel driving solely with his feet – one for the pedals and the other for steering.
Where some of us struggle to even drift a car with all four limbs, Ostalowski competes in drifting competitions across Europe in a modified
Nissan

Skyline
 R34 customised with an automatic transmission to make drifting possible for him.
Just from the videos themselves, it is amazing to watch him at work, making his Skyline dance at will, sliding from corner to corner while doing so on wet roads.
If there’s ever an inspiration that we should never allow adversity to deter us from our goals, Bartosz Ostalowski is just that.


The All-New Audi A3 Sedan Vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan VS BMW 1 Series Sedan

Audi has just pulled the covers off its all-new Audi A3 sedan, the sexy new entry-level sedan is longer, wider, and roomier than the model it replaces, and offers updated drivetrains and latest generation connectivity systems.

The entry-level sedan segment has become a hotbed of activity for premium automakers, especially in markets such as China and North America where traditional sedan models are still popular.

So we thought this would be an opportune time to compare the new Audi against its rivals from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, namely the
A-Class sedan
 (sold here) and the (China and Mexico market-specific)
BMW 1 Series sedan
 - just to see how they measure up.

Dimensions

The Audi A3 Sedan comes in as the longest and widest of the trio – a major emphasis of the new car’s design has been head and shoulder room on the interior. As for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan, it delivers the best height and wheelbase, the benefits of these two aspects will most likely be felt at the back. A major drawback of the first-generation CLA sedan was the rear headroom and legroom, Mercedes-Benz has noticeably remedied that with the A-Class sedan.

As for the BMW 1 Series, given that it's specific to the Chinese and Mexican market, BMW has paid special attention to the rear legroom and bootspace – hence it’s got the second-longest wheelbase of the three and the largest cargo volume by far amongst the three.

Platforms

As for the platforms, the Audi A3 sedan sits on the MQB platform, which also underpins the 8th-generation Golf. Also note, the A3 sedan is 15cm longer than the hatchback version also launched not too long ago. The A-Class is based on the MFA2 (Modular Front Architecture) platform which is shared with the hatchback model. Interestingly, the 1-series despite being based on BMW’s UKL2 platform, the same as the hatchback model, its closest relative is actually the 2 Series Active Tourer, which has an identical wheelbase.

Engines and gearboxes

The new A3 Sedan is available with a choice of two TFSI engines and one (2.0-litre turbodiesel) TDI engine for now. The petrol version is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, direct-injected and turbocharged engine that outputs 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque. This is comparable to (165 PS/250 Nm) 1.33-litre turbocharged engine available in the A200, but it pales in comparison to the (227 PS/350 Nm) 2.0-litre turbocharged mill in the A250 and the BWM 125i sedan’s (231hp/350Nm) 2.0-litre turbocharged four-banger.

Previous generation Audi RS3 sedan and the current generation Mercedes-AMG A45S 4Matic

However, this is just the first rollout of powerplants. Don’t discount Audi from introducing a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged variant like the (255 PS/370 Nm) mill available in the A4 2.0L TFSI, and the howling S3 and RS3 variants to combat the Mercedes-AMG A35 and A45 models respectively.

As for the transmissions – the A3 is offered with a 7-speed dual-clutch S Tronic gearbox, the A-Class sedan also features a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The BMW, on the other hand, is fitted with the seminal, and excellent ZF 8-speed automatic.

All the variants of the three models discussed here send power to the front wheels. However the Mercedes-AMG models offer the company's 4Matic AWD system, and the A3 will likely offer a Quattro AWD version in due time.

Interior and infotainment

The interior of all three cars are meant to characterise modern luxury and simplicity. The A-Class has been a segment leader thanks to its futuristic styling, impressive material usage and trademark build quality, but the all-new A3 is definitely taking the fight to it.

The angular dashboard architecture is focussed towards the driver. The centre console houses a 10.1-inch MMI touch display screen relaying important navigation and multimedia info. As standard, it includes handwriting detection as well as natural language control. Another 10.25-inch instrument cluster behind the steering wheel is digital even in the basic model. Elsewhere, the A3 cabin should carry Audi’s trademark premium feel and build quality. As for the BMW, its features share the same interior architecture as the (F40) 1 Series hatchback model.

The A-Class features the company’s ground-breaking MBUX infotainment and connectivity suite of functions which is augmented by a voice-controlled AI system. The A3, on the other hand, receives the Audi MMI Navigation Plus, which offers a multitude of Audi connect services as standard, including online traffic information, news, and photos. The Navigation Plus (depending on variant) is 5G LTE capable and offers WIFI smartphone compatibility.

In both the Audi and Mercedes-Benz, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is offered. Keeping in mind that the BMW is only designed for selected markets, it is understandable that it doesn't feature the latest BMW Live Cockpit Plus system, however, it's still equipped with an 8.8-inch central display with the iDrive touch knob and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

When can I buy one?

We don’t have to hold our breaths for the 1 Series sedan, as we've said, it's only for the Chinese and Mexican markets. The A-Class sedan, introduced here in April 2019 is the current top-dog given it’s one of the newest models in the Mercedes stable, and offers three variants starting with the A200, the mid-range A250 and potent Mercedes-AMG A35 model.

Audi Malaysia still does sell the (well, now previous generation) A3 1.4-litre TFSI (150PS/250 Nm) sedan variant priced at RM239,180. If you are curious when the all-new model will arrive, well no one knows, but if Audi Malaysia indeed decides to introduce it, you can place your bets that it will happen only next year. As for Germany, deliveries of the A3 sedan start in June 2020.


Alphard Dipandu Secara Merbahaya Di Lebuhraya Karak - Pemandu Direman 3 Hari

Pemandu Toyota Alphard
viral
 yang memandu kereta secara merbahaya di Lebuhraya Karak pada 1 Mei, 2022 direman selama tiga hari.

Berdasarkan video di bawah ehsan Harian Metro jelas kelihatan perbuatan memandu secara merbahaya pemandu Alphard itu.

Ketua Polis Daerah Gombak Asisten Komisioner Zainal Mohamed Mohamed menyatakan yang hasil semakan saman ke atas
Toyota Alphard
 berkenaan juga mendapati terdapat
56 saman
 direkodkan yang masih belum dijelaskan.

Menurut Ketua Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik Selangor, Superintendan Azman Shari’at perintah tahanan reman sehingga 4 Mei diperoleh ketika suspek dibawa ke Mahkamah Majistret Shah Alam jam 10 pagi pada 2 Mei, 2022.

Beliau turut menambah yang suspek akan disiasat mengikut
Seksyen 42(1) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987
.

Ujian air kencing suspek menunjukkan hasil negatif dan suspek juga telah dibawa ke Hospital Selayang untuk pengambilan sampel darah bagi ujian alkohol.

Malangnya ujian IQ dan EQ belum lagi menjadi ujian wajib di Malaysia bagi menentukan sama ada seseorang itu patut memandu atau tidak lebih-lebih lagi apabila memandu kereta yang besar seperti
Alphard
.

Diharapkan yang kes ini dapat menjadi pengajaran kepada semua, kita semua berkongsi lebuh raya, jadi bertimbang rasa, bersabar dan semoga semua selamat sampai ke destinasi masing-masing.

Tolong jangan memotong di lorong kecemasan, jangan halang laluan pengguna jalan yang lain dan jangan sekali-kali lakukan brek secara mengejut.

*Kredit semua gambar JSPT PDRM Facebook


Continental Named 2017 Tire Manufacturer Of The Year By Tire Technology International

Continental has been awarded the ‘2017 Tire Manufacturer of the Year’ by UK-based trade journal Tire Technology International, in conjunction with the Tire Technology Expo 2017, in Hanover, Germany.
The award was judged by a panel of 27 judges, including experts from Europe, Japan, India and the United States, which recognised the investments that Continental has initiated over the past twelve months.
Nikolai Setzer, member of the Executive Board of Continental AG added, “We are very excited about this award because it appreciates several technology projects and innovations that we have already realized, working consistently within the scope of our Vision 2025 long-term growth strategy.”
Among the achievements that swung the award Cotinental’s way, were the High Performance Technology Center in Korbach, Germany; the Taraxagum project that involves setting up a research center in Anklam, Germany, for the industrialization of natural rubber from dandelion roots; and production of the first ever truck tire with tread made of dandelion rubber.
In 2016 for the first time ever, Continental produced a worldwide total of more than 150 million passenger car and light truck tires, while at the same time achieving a much better regional balance between European, the Middle East and Africa, The Americas and APAC in terms of production and sales.
Continental was also previously named the Tire Manufacturer of the Year in 2014. Continental saw out stiff competition from other major tire manufacturers such as Hankook, Michelin and Yokohama in the hotly contested award.
Tire Technology Expo 2016
 from
UKIP Media & Events
 on
Vimeo
.
Meanwhile, Bridgestone was awarded 'Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year' for the company’s 'Examation' tire assembly system; Versalis/Genomatica won the 'Environmental Achievement of the Year award' for their long-term project to create renewable butadiene and Sumitomo Rubber Industries (producers of Falken tires) won the Tire Technology of the Year category for a record third time, for its 'Advanced 4D Nano Design' technology.


New vs Used Cars - All You Need to Know for Your Next Car Purchase

Buying a new car is an exciting experience, even when the car itself might be a little bland. Then again, there’s always the lure of what could be within reach
on the used market
. It’s a game of trade-offs - pros and cons - but which is the right move?

First of all, it’s important to understand the variability of the used market and compare that to the relative security (or predictability) associated with a factory-fresh, showroom condition car.

Many people would rather not even have to concern themselves with factors such as vehicle condition, number of owners, or a detailed service history. However, ensuring that you do not make the mistake of buying something riddled with problems, being this fussy is a must when selecting the used car.

We won’t dive into all the different ways you can avoid buying a lemon on the pre-owned market, but are here to help you decide if you should go down the new or not-so-new route when buying your next car.

New vs Used Car: Availability

This one is pretty obvious but well worth mentioning now given how much the
global semiconductor shortage
 has impacted vehicle production and delivery/wait times.

The great thing about a used car is that it’s real, it exists, it’s ‘in stock’ whereas a brand new car is most likely to need some wait time for it to be ready for delivery. In 2022, it’s quite rare these days for a dealership to have a large reserve of cars in inventory.

At the height of this industry-wide affliction, it’s commonplace to have to wait a minimum of 6 months to a full year before your car is ready for its new home.

New Car

Used Car

Availability

Uncertain

Ready stock (actual car)

Wait time

Weeks, months, even years

Virtually none

Exposure to supply chain disruption

Yes

No

New vs Used: Vehicle Condition

A new car is a new car in the literal sense, as in there should only be a few kilometres on the odometer accrued over the distance it drove from the
factory floor where it was assembled
 to the transporter truck (or from the transporter truck to the showroom delivery bay).

There’s an entire universe of variability when it comes to used cars which makes ascertaining its true condition a little tricky. Not counting some unscrupulous measures made to obscure a car in poor health as one with a stellar record, overlooking some important signs could mean the difference between ‘bargain’ and ‘endless money pit’.

Unlike what you may have read on other used car classifieds sites or publications, not every car fits the description of “1 careful lady owner”, “accident-free”, and “previous VVIP owner”.

New Car

Used Car

Exterior

New

Dependent on previous owner(s)

Interior

New

Dependent on previous owner(s)

Wear and tear

None

Dependent on age, mileage.

New vs Used: Car Prices (and Financing)

Of course, you’re paying the most for a brand new car. Depreciation only sets in after you, its first owner, drives the car home and it only increases from there. The longer you own it, the less it will be worth over time.

This, in contrast, is major appeal of a used car. Having the first owner take the depreciation hit means that you can then own a car you thought was unattainable before at a much reduced price. Granted, it is older, so again choosing the right car based on its condition is crucial.

In terms of financing, banks are generally much more inclined to furnish a hire purchase loan with a lower interest rate for new cars since they are much more of a ‘known quantity’: freshly assembled and manufactured under high tolerances and purchased by upstanding individuals seeking a medium-to-long term transportation solution.

Used car buyers, like the vehicles themselves, can vary wildly from one who is discerning and responsible to one that is simply looking for the cheapest thing on four wheels within a certain budget. All these and more point to the possibility of less than reliable debtor.

Consequently,
annual insurance premiums
 will be higher if nothing else but for the fact that a new car’s insured value is higher, corresponding with its price.

New Car

Used Car

Price

Higher

Lower

Financing Options

Yes

Yes (under 10/12 years)

Loan percentage (Hire Purchase)

Higher

Lower

Interest Rates (Hire Purchase)

Lower

Higher

Insurance (based on value)

Higher

Lower

‘Upgrade’ Temptation

This one really only applies to used cars. When shopping within budget for a new car, for example a B-segment sedan such as a Honda City, there’s always that temptation to see what else you can get for the same amount of money on the used market.

In this case, you could easily find slightly older (perhaps a even previous generation) Honda Civic or a vehicle similarly in a larger size bracket or prestige level - such as a new Honda City to a used Volkswagen Vento.

You could spend hours poring through endless classifieds and the different pre-owned options available for a modest amount of money. Dig deep enough you’ll definitely be shocked at what you find.

New vs Used: Car Maintenance

Unfortunately, the freedom to send your car to any of the thousands of independent workshops across the country for servicing or repair is not really an option for a new car buyer provided said car is still covered under warranty.

At the risk of voiding that important manufacturer-backed warranty, these brands insist on having all mechanical and electronic components checked, replaced, or fixed at their network of dealer-operated service centres.

Fortunately, more and more automakers are adopting the practice of including free servicing during the warranty coverage period, though others leave their customers at the mercy of these 3S centre’s billing department.

More autonomy is afforded to the used car buyer, then, who can shop around for the best workshop based on reputation, service quality, and/or pricing, as well as location and convenience. The new car buyer might not be burdened by choice, but is more or less shackled to the dealer network for maintenance and repairs.

New Car

Used Car

Servicing

Dealer, 3S Centre

Owner’s choice

Location

Dealer network

Anywhere

Price Negotiation

None (or very limited)

Possible, Expected

New vs Used: Car Warranty

We touched on this in the above few paragraphs but its importance on a typical buyer’s purchase decision cannot be overestimated - some even jump to an unfamiliar brand of vehicle if their warranty package is sufficiently compelling.

The standard duration is rising from 3 years to a point where automakers are pressured by the industry and the customer base alike to offer no less
than a 5-year warranty
.

It might not seem overly necessary to some given the fact that a brand new car (from a reputable automaker) isn’t too likely to experience a long list of issues, but like insurance, you’ll be extremely glad it’s there in the event you do need it.

As you may know, a manufacturer-backed warranty can be expected to cover the labour, replacement and repair of a very large majority of damage or malfunction encountered with the vehicle under the circumstances of ‘normal use’.

Basically, if you ‘didn’t do it’ with regard to something breaking down, you’re likely going to be covered by the warranty.

On the other hand, a used car doesn’t have a warranty. However, most new car warranty policies are transferrable and tied to the car and not the legal owner. Should you buy one that has had its manufacturer warranty elapse, you’re more or less on your own.

That said, there are 3rd party warranty providers such as longtime Carlist.my
partners Warranty Smart
 that offer coverage on many vehicles for a reasonable annual fee.

New vs Used: A Summary

In our opinion, there is definitely a case to be made for either a new car or a used car, both paths have their advantages and disadvantages, which on balance favours either type as illustrated below:

New Car

Used Car

Availability

✘

✓

Vehicle Condition

✓

✘

Price

✘

✓

Maintenance

✘

✓

Warranty

✓

✘

We definitely cannot fault anyone for choosing a new car for the more carefree, less involved ownership experience nor can we knock anyone for choosing the price appeal of a used car over some loss of certainty over its past.

It really does come down to your own preferences, priorities, and what type of car buyer you are.

If you think a used car is the right choice for you, check out quality used cars on
Carlist.my
 &
Carsome
.


Perodua Introduces Two-Tone Colour Myvi Advance And Cheaper ProGanti-Branded Spare Parts

Perodua has introduced a new two-tone colour option for the Myvi Advance variant. Price at RM55,118.00 (on the road with insurance), the 1.5-litre Myvi Advance Two-Tone comes painted in Metallic Ebony Black and Electric Blue.
In addition to that, Perodua is also offering discounts for the regular single tone colour Myvi SE and Myvi Advance, offering savings of up to RM3,800. The offer lasts until 5-July.
The company also announced that the current 1.3-litre Myvi Premium X Automatic and Premium XS Automatic will be discontinued, leaving only two 1.3-litre variants on sale – Standard Manual and Standard Automatic.
Perodua is also introducing a new line of affordable alternative service parts brand dubbed ProGanti. Presumably, this range of ProGanti-branded spare parts are cheaper original equipment parts, as ProGanti parts will be sold alongside genuine Perodua spare parts.
“As an introduction, we will introduce the 6 most common service parts under ProGanti which tested and distributed by Perodua. The ProGanti parts come with 6 months warranty. We will further add the number of parts to 30 items by year-end,” said Perodua President & CEO, Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh in a press statement released earlier today.


Are Polyurethane Bushes Worth The Money?

Bushings are a wear and tear item, just like any other - and there's the option to replace worn units with OEM rubber or PU. Which is better?

Just what are bushings, exactly? Well, if there's a part that moves on your car, chances are it will have to swivel or rotate while being in contact with another part of your car. If you create a solid link between this moving component and your car, you will get an incredible amount of vibrations being transmitted into the cabin - more than you'd ever expect.

That's why we have bushings. Bushings are basically little rubber insulators that sit between two parts in a car that move relative to each other - yes,
even your engine mounts
 can be regarded as bushings. In many cases, the bushings from factory are designed to be relatively soft to take up as much vibration and harshness as possible, leaving you with a more comfortable drive.

The only problem is for more aggressive driving, and for our exceptionally nasty roads, it can sometimes mean that the stock standard bushings wear out fairly quickly. Replacing them can also be quite an expensive endeavour if you have to do so repeatedly, so there is the possibility to go to a slightly different material: polyurethane.

Also known as PU, polyurethane bushes tend to be a fair amount stiffer than the
regular bushes
 from factory. What that translates to in terms of the driving experience is a car that reacts more quickly to inputs and has more precision with placement, thanks to the lower amount of flex in the system. The less flex there is between components, the faster the reaction.

The downside is, as you would expect, more harshness and vibration coming through the cabin. In this day and age you can get PU bushings in various stiffnesses and even a blend of PU and rubber that creates a sort of in-between. The real question to ask yourself is whether these PU bushes are worth the money.

This also happens to be a not-so-straightforward question, because OEM bushes and PU bushes aren't that far apart in terms of pricing. In some cases, you can even locally manufacture PU bushes for your specific requirements if you provide them with an existing sample, and end up saving a fair amount of money. Of course, quality and lifespan may vary - but it can be a viable option in a pinch.

Are there more extreme options beyond PU? Of course there are - in some racecars and very aggressive road cars, they will often go as far as solid-mounting the engine and using solid bearing mounts for things like lower arms, suspension joints, and so on. This provides the ultimate form of response, and has absolutely no compromise if you're on a bumpy road.

In a nutshell, which is the better option? It really depends on how you drive the car and what you regard as important. To say PU bushes are not worth it, would simply be saying you don't value the longevity and handling advantages over comfort and refinement. There's nothing wrong with that - but to be honest, with our Malaysian roads you can find yourself running through OEM rubber bushes excessively quickly.

Also worth asking is how aggressive of a driver you are and what is the purpose of your vehicle? Is it just a pasar, city run-about? If so OEM rubber bushes will serve you fine, it is more than adequate. If however, you're a bit more of an informed and aggressive driver, you understand 'feedback', you track your car and you're searching for more rigidity and tautness then you can consider poly bushes, just beware of what you may be giving up in return for that handling advantage.

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.


Used Car Guide: BMW 5 Series (E39) – Timeless Beauty

The original E12 5 Series introduced in 1972 was the model from which
BMW’s current model naming nomenclature
 is derived. So named because it was the fifth model from BMW’s ‘New Class’ model line, the mid-sized 5 Series nevertheless became the basis of BMW’s model hierarchy – the compact 3 Series and larger-sized 7 Series limo were later additions to the range.

Through its multiple reincarnations, the
5 Series
 had consistently reinvented itself as a segment leader in offering an unrivalled driving performance among its peers. Today, the 5 Series is seen by many as a highly aspirational vehicle. New or used, a BMW 5 Series is a car that many enthusiasts seek to reward themselves with.

A high point of the 5 Series lineage was the fourth-generation
E39 model, produced from 1996 to 2003
. Highly regarded by
BMW
 enthusiasts, the E39 was the bridge between the
rudimentarily mechanical E34
 and
electronically advanced E60
. Despite being 20 years of age, it is also exceedingly good-looking. A pre-owned E39 today represents an attractive, attainable, and deliciously salivating preposition for any BMW enthusiast.

Specifications

Engines: The E39 came with a wide range of six- and eight-cylinder petrol engines, but the most commonly available variants in Malaysia are the following:

520i: 2.2-litre, M54 Inline-6 Double VANOS, 168hp, 210Nm, 2000-2003

523i: 2.5-litre, M52 inline-6 Single VANOS, 168hp, 245Nm, 1996-2000

525i: 2.5-litre, M54 inline-6 Double VANOS, 189hp, 245Nm, 2000-2003

528i: 2.8-litre, M52 inline-6 Single VANOS, 190hp, 280Nm, 1996-2000

530i: 3.0-litre, M54 inline-6 Double VANOS, 228hp, 300Nm, 2000-2003

Transmission: All E39 variants sold in Malaysia through official channels came with 5-speed automatic transmissions as standard. Units with manual transmission can be found if you look hard enough, but they are either parallel imported or converted by their owners.

Origin: Locally-assembled at Shah Alam.

Overview

First shown at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show, the E39 made its way into Malaysia the following year. Both design- and engineering-wise, the E39 was a massive advancement from the preceding E34 model. Power came from a pair of six-cylinder engines from the M52 Single VANOS engine family, displacing 2.5 litres in the 523i and 2.8 litres in the 528i.

A highly-sophisticated vehicle even by today’s standards, the E39 came fitted with advanced features such as electronic stability control and was one of the earliest cars in the market to offer Steptronic manual control for its automatic transmissions.

Major advancements were made in the E39’s body construction, which featured almost complete usage of light alloy in its construction, achieving between 40 and 50 percent increase in stiffness over the E34 with minimal weight penalties. The E39 also marked a switch in steering system from the old-fashioned ball-and-nut system to a more contemporary hydraulic assisted rack-and-pinion setup. Interestingly, due to packaging reasons, V8-powered versions of the E39, including the M5, had to carry over the E34’s steering and front axle.

The E39 received its midlife facelift in 2000. Besides an uplifted appearance, the updates also introduced new Double VANOS engines from the M54 family to replace the existing M52 series. The new engines offer similar levels of power from slightly reduced displacement which, in Malaysia, translates to lower annual road tax. The revised line-up consisted of the 2.2-litre 520i and 2.5-litre 525i. Above them, a new 3.0-litre 530i range-topper was added to the roster.

There are also very small numbers of the 523i and 528i with Double VANOS engines.

Maintenance

The E39 suffers from the common BMW stigma of being a car that is expensive to maintain. Well, it’s no Toyota, but what would you say if we tell you that a normal lube change, recommended at 7,000km intervals with semi-synthetic oil, will set you back for only RM250 inclusive of labour?

Major servicing is recommended annually or after every 30,000km. For RM750 inclusive of labour, you get a full service of your transmission together with new plugs, air filter, and air-con micro-filter. Note that although all E39 automatics utilize ZF 5-speed transmissions, the transmission variant differs between Single and Double VANOS models. They require different fluid grades. If your mechanic mixed them up, good luck.

Remember also that this is a vehicle that pre-dates the current trend of downsized engines. On one hand, it means you get to enjoy the sweet and smooth revs of BMW’s legendary inline-six engines; on the other hand, it also means your annual visits to JPJ will promise to be painful. Set aside the following amount every year for road tax:

520i, 2,171cc – RM551.00

523i/525i, 2,494cc – RM874.00

528i, 2,793cc – RM1,612.50

530i, 2,979cc – RM2,077.50

What to Watch out For?

As you would expect for a car its age, there are quite a few things to watch out for before putting money down for your dream E39.

Rust:
 E39s never rust. BMW used a highly-advanced galvanizing process to build the E39’s bodyshell; its rust-proofing is therefore very robust. If you see an E39 with rust on its body panels or chassis, it’s a sign that the vehicle suffered a major accident and was not properly repaired. That being said, parallel-imported units from the UK do suffer from rust on its suspension arms – a problem that is easily fixed.

Electronics:
 Contrary to popular belief, the E39’s electronic architecture is actually very hardy; but if you are unfortunate enough to pick up one infested by electronic gremlins, good luck. Weak point in this area is the transmission control unit as well as the EWS2 or EWS3 immobilizer systems, the latter which can be bypassed by a competent mechanic.

Interior:

The E39 has a very well-built cabin and should not give off rattles. That being said, the plastic parts do peel off due to effects of our hot and humid weather.

Chassis:
 The E39’s reputation for dynamic prowess precedes it, but that competence requires some tender loving care to upkeep. Fluid leaking from the steering rack is common, but is a serviceable condition. Bushes and ball joints of its intricate suspension setup also require change after a number of years, but do note that oversized rims beyond 17 inches accelerate wear and tear in this area considerably.

Engine & Drivetrain:
 All engines of the E39 run on timing chains, so no costly timing belt changes to worry about. Reliability-wise, the 520i is also found to be the least problematic. Oil consumption is a common occurrence regardless of engine and the coil packs are known to be a weak point of all engines, leading to misfiring. Be wary of engines that have clocked mileage in excess of 250,000km.

From the Used Car Lot

There are currently about 70 units of the E39 listed in Carlist.my with prices starting from as low as RM19,000 rising to as high as RM43,000. Despite offering the least in performance, the 520i holds its value best compared to the other variants (we couldn’t find one asking for less than RM28,000), ostensibly due to the lesser road tax it incurs compared to its 2.5- and 2.8-litre siblings.

A good performance compromise would be the 2.5-litre 525i of the 2000-2003 vintage. This variant offers comparable outputs to the 528i at a fraction of the road tax; best of all, it sports the more attractive facelifted appearance with LED tail lights and the original Angel Eye position lamps. Most of these cars are listed in the RM25,000-RM40,000 range.

Keep in mind that even the newest E39 on the street is as old as a Form 1 kid. Financing for these cars will be hard to come by, so buyers ready to pay cash will find themselves in strong negotiating positions. For less than immaculately-maintained units, set aside anywhere between RM7,000 and RM10,000 to have all major wear-and-tear items replaced or refurbished.

Find more E39 BMW 5 Series at
Carlist.my
.

Information in this review is compiled with input from Bluegreen Motor Werks, a specialist third-party BMW workshop based in Petaling Jaya. If you are in the market for a pre-owned BMW, this workshop offers the useful service of a detailed pre-purchase inspection for a very reasonable fee. Situated just off the Federal Highway near the Freescale plant, the workshop's personnel can be contacted at 010-288 3689 or 016-338 8910.


We Can FINALLY Reload Our RFID With Credit/ Debit Card!

But it is still in a testing phase as PLUS is currently testing an RFID reload method using debit and credit cards.

As we all know by now, PLUS is preparing to
dwindle down Touch 'N Go and SmartTAG lanes
 at toll plazas along the North-South highway to implement more RFID lanes.

They are doing this in the hope that it will
make it easier for users
 to travel and speed up toll payments.

The
only way
 to reload your RFID account currently is through Touch 'N Go's proprietary e-Wallet app, but this might change soon as it seems that they are currently testing additional payment options using debit cards as well as credit cards.

A pilot test is currently underway at
selected toll plazas
 - however, it is not specified at which location.

By adding another reload method using debit or credit cards, it will further simplify the payment process - as there is no need to reload via an app. Not only will it make life easier for users, but it will also provide an alternative reload method.

However, the mechanics of it has not been explained. If we still have to link it through the e-Wallet app, then it will defeat the purpose of having an alternative reload route, but if we can have it like how most of Europe has it, where it deducts credit from your bank account that is directly linked to your debit or credit card, then that is great news.

With this new development, we look forward to the updates of the debit and credit card reload method, and whether or not it will truly make our lives easier.


What Does The Klang Valley Look Like During A Restricted Movement Order?

With the restricted movement order in effect from now until the 31st of March, many Malaysians are hopefully staying at home to avoid exposing themselves to COVID-19. Some of you may be curious as to what the roads look like with forced work-from-home in effect, and we decided to drive around the Klang Valley to look at the traffic conditions.

While we don’t recommend doing this (you really shouldn’t be out and about), we took precautions and made sure we didn’t stop unnecessarily along the way. You can’t be a cause of transmission or transmit if you’re not actually coming into contact with surfaces or people that could be carrying the virus.

Brickfields still seemed to have a couple of cars strewn around at the edges, but while you normally expect traffic to be bumper to bumper, we instead found nearly nothing in our way. Streets, sidewalks, and businesses were empty as well with the exception of essentials like banks and post offices.

Heading into town, we drove past Central Market and hardly had to stop at a single traffic light as traffic was so smooth. It’s a little strange seeing this part of town so empty – even during our infamous long holidays, numerous businesses are still open and tourists are definitely out and about, but not so with this Restricted Movement Order in place.

Even the main intersection between Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ampang was incredibly empty for what was effectively weekday lunch rush prime time. Traffic that built up at the lights were just three cars deep instead of the 15 to 20 car queues we’re used to seeing.

Heading onwards to MRR2, apart from minor choke points entering and exiting the highway we found significantly reduced traffic volume. There were still enough cars to occupy all three lanes on the ring road, but you could maintain a decent cruising speed and good distance from the cars ahead and next to you rather than the mad-dash stop start scramble you normally find.

We took a quick detour to take a look at the Gombak toll as there were reports of jams and traffic build up last night as many people panicked that the order may stop them from going back to their kampungs completely. By midday today, there were still a few cars heading out onto Karak highway and coming back into the Klang Valley, but far from the traffic you normally see during balik kampong periods.

Another infamous point we ran through was the interchange along the MRR2 which connects Bandar Sri Damansara, DUKE 2, and the LDP. This incredible example of awful road planning usually has five lanes of cars trying to squeeze into two – weekday or weekend. Today it was as smooth as you could hope for.

Passing the Kepong toll, we were now back in prime territory for traffic – the various Damansaras along the LDP are notorious for feeding and taking high volumes of cars. Again, with most businesses being forced to stay shut, a significant reduction in traffic was the result.

While it’s great and easy to get around the Klang Valley and many other parts of the country right now, it’s a sober reminder that our country is going to go through a pretty tough time – and with a little hope and determination we can definitely pull through as a country. As long as everyone does their part, we can beat COVID-19 and get through whatever 2020 is going to throw at us.


2020 Carlist.my Car Of The Year Award – Here Are Your Winners

The Carlist.my People's Choice Award Car Of The Year (COTY) celebrates yet another year of amazing cars, and here are your winners for 2020.

Despite the slowdown caused by the pandemic, the Carlist.my COTY, one of Malaysia’s longest-running annual car awards, has successfully been completed with great response from the Malaysian public.

The COTY nominations are derived from each of the respective brands' popularity based on brand mentions and car buying data throughout the year. Each category will be presented with the top three car models for consumers and the public to vote on.

Separately, the COTY also houses the Editors' Choice Awards which recognises the best cars on sales, as rated by the Carlist.my editorial team. In all cases, the voting process across all categories are well documented and scrutinised by our internal team of auditors to ensure data accuracy and fair evaluation process.

As this People's Choice Awards and Editors' Choice Awards are non-profit initiatives, the publishing rights are given to all participating brands and media publications free of charge. Vanzo, Monster Energy, Aylezo, Project A and Point S were the sponsors and partners for this year’s voting contest.

Competition Mechanics

There are a total of 18 categories for People’s Choice and 5 categories for Editors’ Choice this year. The consumer voting period started back on the 8th of December 2020 until the 28th of December 2020 with prizes worth more than RM25,000 to be won. The winners of the categories were announced on Carlist.my's Facebook page on the 15th of January 2021.

People’s Choice Awards - Car of the Year 2020 Finalists

Compact hatch

The compact hatch segment features cars with excellent value for money, superb practicality, and fuel-efficient and reliable powertrains.

Mid-Range Hatch

The mid-range hatch segment finalists are judged based on the space, premium features, technology, and affordability

Premium Hatch

In the premium hatch segment, it’s all about style, driving dynamics, and performance

Compact MPV

Appealing to small families, the compact MPV finalists all offer great value for money, affordable and reliable motoring, and great cabin space.

Mid Range MPV

Mid-range MPVs have to impress with top-notch design and packaging, great powertrains, and hard to beat prices.

Premium MPV

The premium MPV segment awards finalists with sublime comfort, premium interiors, steadfast build quality, and potent powertrains to carry passengers.

Compact Sedan

Compact sedans are awarded based on creative design, great value for money, and innovative powertrains that offer excellent fuel economy.

Mid-Range Sedan

The mid-range sedan segment ups the ante with more style, more performance, better interiors, and awesome connectivity and convenience features.

Executive Sedan

Finalists in this category were chosen for their sleek design, composed driving dynamics, and great build quality.

Premium Compact Sedan

Performance, driving exhilaration, style and pizzaz is what it takes to win in this category

Premium Luxury Sedan

Industry captains, executives, and business people all want prestige, top-notch equipment, performance, and safety features in cars in this segment, and that’s how we graded the finalists.

Crossover

This category awards cars with a nice composed driving experience, great value for money, and design and proportions that please the eye.

SUV

This SUV segment is all about design, utility, reliability, and packaging – our finalists have them and then some.

Premium SUV

Tech, safety, car-like driving dynamics but with the adaptability and space of an SUV. Here are the best in 2020.

Aspirational Car

This category is for the dream cars and dreamers! Be the talk of the town with any of these cars parked in your driveway.

Pick-up

One of the most competitive segments out there, the pickup truck segment is graded based on value, durability, off-road ability, and convenience and safety features for its buyers.

Green Car

Big or small, all these cars care for the environment and sip fuel at the pumps.

Budget Car

Big in features, easy on the wallet, these are the best bargains for a new car available.

2020 Carlist.my Editors Choice Awards

Newcomer Of The Year

This is awarded to the vehicle that made the biggest impact on the automotive market in 2020.

Best All-Rounder SUV

Regardless of segments, the experts choose the best family SUV that ticks all the boxes at the right price.

Diesel Engine for the Year

This awards the most innovative and fuel-efficient oil burner on sale today.

Petrol Engine of the Year

In addition to innovation and efficiency, this award also evaluates performance.

Hybrid/EV Powertrain of the Year

Awarded for being a technological tour-de-force of new-age powertrain engineering.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Betters Own Record Again, Now Fifth Consecutive Record Year

Thanks to an active schedule of new product launches that totalled 20 vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) managed to hit a new sales record of 13,079 units, over 1,000 units better than last year’s record.
Since 2014, MBM has been on a continuous streak of breaking records. The sales of over 13,000 units in 2018 is almost double the sales performance in 2014, the year the W205 C-Class was introduced.
Among the key new products that were launched in 2018 are:
All-new
CLS-Class
New
 range of S-Class
All-new A200
 and A250
New sedans and coupes of
C200
, C300 and C43
All-new
Mercedes-AMG G63
Leading the sales figures is the sedan range (C, E, and S-Class) that contributed 7,910 units (+12%). While the company did not divulge individual segment sales figures, we believe the C-Class contributed over 60% of that figure.
The SUV model range meanwhile contributed 2,613 units (+0.5%), mainly by a rather flat but strong demand of the
GLC-Class
.
Based on Carlist.my's intelligence, sales of over 2,500 units also means the GLC-Class surpasses the sales of E-Class to be the next best-selling model in MBM line-up.
The strategy to
locally-assemble the Mercedes-AMG
 43-series has proven to be a major success, a move to create the products retailing at a lower price point and better availability of stocks. Mark Raine, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at MBM was proud to announce that the company managed to sell 550 units of the high-performance Mercedes-AMG models, a 114 % increase over 2017.
Record sales figure were also supported by the assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang, where the plant churned out a best-ever production figure of 9,854 vehicles (+6%). Locally-assembled models made in Pekan are the C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, and GLC-Class plus the aforementioned Mercedes-AMG C43 and GLC 43 performance models.
Even with the range of compact cars (A, CLA, and GLA-Class) nearing the end of its current design life, MBM managed to import and shift 1,875 units, a slight dip of just 7.7% versus the previous year.
While it is rather a straightforward process to launch new vehicles and put them on the road, MBM also places heavy emphasis on upholding the best customer experience. With a strong network of 35 dealerships nationwide, a total of 148,800 vehicles (+16%) were serviced throughout the year.
MBM also achieved the highest Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) after-sales score in history, demonstrating the brand’s excellence in
managing high levels of customer satisfaction
 together with high sales volume.
Mercedes-Benz also has the largest premium dealer network in Malaysia. Last year, the company also opened two dedicated
Certified Pre-Owned
 centres, with the largest housing over 100 near-new vehicles.
MBM President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner said, ”Offering a seamless customer experience to our valued customers is a core value that we uphold and we believe this is important to ensure sustainability and business. The mantra has always been about ‘Putting the customer at the centre of our activities'.”
New Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan
On its outlook for the year ahead, Dr Weidner said, “2019 will be another exciting year for Mercedes-Benz with refreshing innovations and new benchmarks to elevate the customer experience.”
Earlier today, Daimler announced that on a global level, Mercedes-Benz sold approximately 2.3 million cars worldwide in 2018, a modest 0.9% increase compared to 2017.


Carlist.my & Roda Pusing Collaborate For Video Productions

Videos have become an increasingly important medium of the digital age; it is an area which we from the
Carlist.my
 team have plans for further growth as we seek to increase the value and relevancy of our content for your consumption.
We have gradually stepped up our efforts in video production over the past couple of years, but moving forward, we are looking to spice things up a little further in a collaborative effort with our Malay-speaking friends from
Roda Pusing
.
Over the next few months, members of both the
Carlist.my
 and
Roda Pusing
 teams will appear in a series of jointly-produced videos covering a variety of topics, discussions, and reviews.
Videos produced under this collaboration will be hosted on all official channels of both publications. The videos will be presented exclusively in
Bahasa Melayu
, the national language of Malaysia.
In addition to the collaborative videos, both
Carlist.my
 and
Roda Pusing
 will continue to produce their own respective video projects as when the respective teams see fit.
Whilst not mutually affliated,
Carlist.my
 and
Roda Pusing
 have worked together often in recent times. This writer was invited as guest speaker on a talkshow format attempted by the latter earlier this year. The two publications also worked together on a special
preview video of the Volkswagen Passat B8
 that also featured Chris Wee from
Autofreaks
 and Keegan from
Malaysian EVO
.
The first video produced under this collaboration will be a comparison pitting the Kia Sorento 2.2 Diesel against the newly-crowned
ASEAN Car of the Year
, Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv-D. The video is in its final stages of editing and will be published shortly.


Feature: When Worlds Collide – Mercedes-AMG C63S Coupe and Mercedes C350e Tested on Sepang

When Mercedes-Benz invites you out to Sepang International Circuit, there’s usually
something

interesting
 to see. On the menu for the day were two specific cars, and they couldn’t be further apart in terms of purpose. The first was the Mercedes-AMG C63S Coupe, which was being officially launched on the day as well, while the second was the Mercedes-Benz C350e hybrid that was
launched a few weeks back
. Due to time restrictions the circuit was divided in half and groups of drivers would cycle between the two cars on either side of the circuit.
The first car for our group was the C63S Coupe; with only one car available it meant that we would have a single half-track lap out before rotating to the next driver in the queue. That’s hardly enough time to get used to the car (as you very well should do before you start driving flat out on the track), but it’s a lot better than not driving it at all.

Anticipation has a habit to set you up…
While sitting in the pits and waiting for our turn, we were treated to a cacophony of V8 noise as the car rumbled in and out of the pit, joined by an AMG GT and a C63S sedan that were providing taxi rides. It was a welcome reminder that few engines can match a well built, large capacity V8 in terms of sheer excitement. Inline-6 engines may be smoother, but the V8 has an unmistakable, undeniable presence (even with a pair of turbochargers bolted on).
When it finally came to our turn, the level of anticipation was at an all-time high. Riding shotgun was Peter Hackett, a seasoned racecar driver and Mercedes-Benz driving instructor who has handled their driving events in ASEAN for the better part of a decade. A quick seat adjustment and we were off, trying to roll out of the pits in a sensible manner. With 510 PS and 700 Nm of torque on tap, this was no easy feat; most of the other participants were flooring it out of the pits, traction control system working overtime to keep the car from lighting up the rear tyres.
Mercedes is fairly adamant about keeping all the electronic aids on, and this makes a huge amount of sense when dealing with a car like the C63S Coupe. The torque delivery is brutal, as it is from any turbocharged high performance car in the last half decade. A number of drivers felt that there was a bit of ‘turbo lag’, when it reality it was the stability system intervening and briefly cutting power to prevent the car from spinning out. Many advanced driving instructors will give you the same advice when you’re behind the wheel of a car with this much torque: use the stability control warning light as a guide. If your driving is triggering it, it means that your inputs are still too rough; modern performance car stability control systems usually let you get very close to the limit without intervening.

Go Go Gadget
Driving the car up to the limit means being as precise and smooth as possible with steering and throttle inputs. Turns 1 and 2 require constant throttle and patience, regardless of what kind of car you’re driving. It is turn 3 where the powertrain begins to show just how hard it can bite: rolling on the throttle towards corner exit, I’m treated to a flashing stability light and an almost imperceptible delay in power delivery. “You still have too much steering lock on,” Hackett tells me as I push through it- a reminder that I need to straighten the wheel more quickly while I squeeze the throttle.
Braking points for this session are a little early, no doubt to preserve the brakes. With hardly any rest time between drives, the brakes were considerably less sharp than we’ve come to expect from an AMG model. Climbing up through turn 4 and dropping over the crest into turn 5 and 6, my session was already at an end. I didn’t learn as much about the car as I hoped to, but I did have a newfound appreciation for a line of cars that I had only regarded with passing interest before. While these new turbo 4.0-litre V8s may not be as raw or outright mental as the old 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8s, they are incredibly fun to drive.
Waiting for the rest of the group to finish their turns, I took some time to peer around the interior of a C63S Coupe that was sitting on display. While it wasn’t apparent to me while I was on track, there is very little lost between this range-topping model and the regular C-Class or the C-Class Coupe. That’s not to say that the C63S Coupe has a poorly equipped interior, but rather that we’ve taken for granted how highly specified Mercedes-Benz products are, even at the lower end of the range. The units on test and display were Edition One models, meaning they came with a pair of nicer bucket seats and some other aesthetic differences.

Second Wind
After lunch, a few of us were lucky enough to squeeze in a pair of extra laps with the C63S Coupe- this time on the full track. It was unexpected, but completely welcome. Hackett was riding shotgun once again, giving us braking and acceleration cues to help us get the most out of the car. This time out I had a little more confidence to push the car and enter with a little more speed, but perhaps this is where the C63S Coupe begins to show its flaws.
There comes a point where ‘having fun’ and ‘going fast’ become mutually exclusive concepts. You can’t hide the 1800 kilogram kerb weight of the C63S Coupe no matter how hard you try, and matters aren’t helped by the Continental rubbers; with this much power and weight you need something a lot stickier to make the car more driveable and the powertrain more usable. The chassis does the best job it can at managing weight transitions in high speed corners like 5 and 6 or 12 and 13, but there’s always the nagging feeling that the car will start to push wide on a whim.
The problem with a powertrain with so much torque is that you need to be very patient with the throttle. You cannot make up for low entry speeds by accelerating harder in the corner, because you’ll probably end up spinning the car (if not for the electronic intervention). The C63S Coupe forces you to get your braking points, entry speeds, and turn-in points right, and then it needs you to maintain that speed all the way through to corner exit.
To show just how difficult the car can become without electronic aids, Hackett decided to fiddle with the stability control settings in a couple of the lower speed corners. As far as I can tell this isn’t a conventional practice, but I was glad that he felt we were at least competent enough to experience the car as it would be, without subtle safety nets. Coming out of turn 9, I was once again a little too eager with the throttle and the tail stepped out for a brief moment. It wasn’t a huge misstep on my part, perhaps a few percent more throttle, but it was enough to unbalance the car. I could only wonder what would happen had I mashed the throttle indiscriminately.
When I came back into the pits, I felt a tad bit worse than I had when I set out. A large part of me enjoyed driving the car, but it also showed me that I still have a lot to learn when it comes to car control. The way that Mercedes-AMG tuned the stability systems has resulted in a car that’s seemingly easy to drive quickly, but the truth is that it would be practically undriveable to most without the suite of electronics keeping the car in check.

The Body (Partially) Electric
Over on the other half of the circuit, we were tasked with driving the C350e to experience its various features and strong points. It’s difficult to believe that the C350e could possibly be interesting after giving the C63S Coupe a quick run around the South Track, but bear with us for a bit. As we mentioned in our launch article, the C350e is a plug-in hybrid that is capable of a good many things that we didn’t think possible for a hybrid vehicle (much like the BMW 330e).
Taking the cars out onto the track, we were first given the opportunity to experience the haptic feedback system for the throttle pedal when in all-electric mode. This is one of my personal favourite features of hybrid vehicles: taking off silently and effortlessly without the use of an engine. The electric motor alone is capable of accelerating the car up to 130 km/h, or for 31 kilometres (but not both simultaneously).
The haptic feedback system creates resistance in the accelerator pedal to indicate the point beyond which the engine will fire up. It’s done so that if a driver really needs full power to overtake someone quickly, he or she can simply put the pedal to the metal and the system will fire up the engine for the full 600 Nm of torque- but if they merely want to accelerate briskly on electricity alone they have a well-defined limit to how far they can push the pedal.
We were also made to try out a hard launch, and this is where the C350e is really surprising. It’s a poorly kept secret that hybrid cars (the Toyota Prius included, as utilitarian as it is) are capable of taking off extremely quickly courtesy of their electric motors. With full torque from 0 rpm and electronic control over slip, hard launches can be executed with surprising speed and can easily catch more powerful cars off guard. With the C350e, there are 600 Nm available as a combined output- and the turbo 2.0-litre engine makes that peak torque figure from just off idle. This means that you have 340 Nm from the electric motor shoving you from a dead stop, before it builds to the full 600 Nm the moment it’s off idle- and that’s only 100 Nm less than the C63S Coupe. Granted it won’t pull to higher speeds like the C63S Coupe will, but it certainly puts on a good show if you ever find yourself at a traffic light.

Future Perfect
 If there is but one gripe we have with the C350e, it would be in the execution of the different transmission modes and the switching between them. In addition to the normal ‘Sport’ and ‘Comfort’ modes, there are also 4 different transmission settings. ‘Hybrid’ is as you would expect, having both engine and motor working in tandem. ‘E-mode’ is an all-electric mode that forces the car to rely solely on electric power so long as it has charge. The tricky and somewhat superfluous modes are ‘E-save’ and ‘Charge’- the former aims to maintain the battery level by minimising power draw, while the latter cuts draw from the battery completely and propels the car on engine alone in order to charge the battery. With so many settings to choose from on the fly it can be a little difficult and distracting to use.
But on the whole, the C350e is a very impressive product. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, or even luxury hybrids sans plug-in, have managed to create a niche in themselves and inadvertently established themselves as top-of-the-range (at least in our market). Couple that with the fact that they are priced even more attractively than their pure-petrol powered brethren and it is an extremely difficult proposition to ignore. They are efficient without noticeable compromise in dynamics or performance; that in itself is the strongest justification for purchasing one.

Work and Play
Our day out at Sepang gave us a fairly varied range of experiences, and one can’t help but appreciate the juxtaposition between the C63S Coupe and the C350e. These are two cars that come with top-of-the-line technology in their respective areas of development, and would also make for an entertaining 2-car-garage. The C350e is the perfect car for your day-to-day commute, allowing you to clear your carbon conscience while still providing solid performance for the days when you’re in a hurry.
For the weekends, you would have the C63S Coupe- a car that feels great when driven moderately quickly (though not so much at the very limit). But in a car like the C63S, you’re not in any particular hurry either: the V8 provides you with the perfect background music for when you roll up to your favourite brunch spot, and the wide torque band means you can leave it in a high gear and just ride the boost out to higher cruising speeds. It’s performance of a lazy nature, rather than the high-strung, aggressively tuned sports cars we’ve become accustomed to- and that’s the kind of performance that anyone can use and appreciate.


BMW Is Bringing Back Their Film Series, Clive Owen Returns as Well

Over the last few years, BMW Malaysia has supported various local filmmakers in the development of their creative ability with the Shorties program, but older BMW fans may remember another film series that quite nearly defined BMW. Fifteen years ago, BMW launched a series of short films called 'The Hire', starring Clive Owen as a quiet, mysterious driver for hire. The great thing about this was the variety of directors involved, and each film had a very diffferent theme and feel to it, with the only common threads being Owen, BMWs, and whole lot of action.
Fans of the original series can rejoice, as BMW Films returns again next month with The Escape. Once again, Owen reprises his role as the driver, starring alongside big screen names such as Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds), John Bernthal (The Walking Dead), and Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring). Neill Blomkamp will be directing, and given his expertise with intense action in his past projects (District 9, Elysium, Chappie), we can expect some truly fantastic scenes. It's not yet revealed what Owen will be driving in this movie, although it's clearly one of BMW's sports sedans. Perhaps we will see more interesting applications if the series continues, given BMW's much broader product portfolio nowadays.
In the mean time, let's take another look at one of the more intense films from the original series; this one is called The Ticker and it follows Owen as he pilots a Z4 along some twisty canyon roads while being pursued by some unhappy fellows in a helicopter.


Consumer protection regulation requires workshop operators to display mechanics' qualifications

Workshop operators are now required to display a list containing the names of mechanics and their qualifications for consumers to access.

According to Bernama, this regulation, part of the Consumer Protection (Workshops Information Disclosure) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, came into effect nationwide on July 1, according to Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.

The objective of this requirement is to provide consumers with the necessary information to make informed decisions when selecting workshops with qualified mechanics. Workshop owners are encouraged to either hire mechanics with proper qualifications or support their existing mechanics in obtaining the required certifications.

Additionally, operators must clearly indicate the category of spare parts used, whether they are new, used, or reconditioned. This transparency ensures that consumers are aware of the type of parts being used for repairs or modifications to their vehicles.

The amendment, gazetted on June 22, 2022, was initially set to be enforced on July 1, 2022. However, it was postponed for a year until July 1, 2023, allowing affected parties to prepare for the changes.

The enforcement of the Consumer Protection (Workshops Information Disclosure) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 is now in full effect nationwide as of July 1, 2023. Any violations of the regulations may be subject to action under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599).


Nissan Navara Facelift 2021 Bakal Dilancarkan Di Malaysia – Varian PRO-4X Curi Tumpuan

Selepas model
Nissan Navara versi facelift
 dilancarkan di pasaran Thailand tahun lalu, kini tiba giliran Malaysia untuk menerima model generasi ketiga Navara yang telah dipertingkat.

Generasi terkini
Navara (NP300/D23)
 bakal menerima pembaharuan setelah lebih lima tahun berada dalam pasaran negara ini. Perkara ini dapat disahkan melalui beberapa keping gambar yang tular di media sosial yang menunjukkan sebuah treler membawa beberapa model facelift Navara di negara ini.

Berbanding dengan model sebelumnya, model facelift ini banyak memberi penambahan baharu yang membuatkan model ini tampak lebih tegap dan selesa di samping menerima beberapa ciri keselematan yang baharu.

Paling ketara, model facelift ini bakal menerima wajah baharu dengan kedudukan bonet yang sedikit tinggi dan diapit oleh gril seakan-akan Nissan Titan (Nissan memanggilnya sebagai ‘Interlock Grille’). Lampu hadapan turut direka semula dengan menggunakan empat projector LED dan dikelilingi oleh lampu DRL bebentuk C. Lekuk di perumah lampu kabus turut direka semula dengan rekaan berbentuk C memberikan rupa yang lebih garang.

Bahagian belakang trak ini turut mendapat pembaharuan. Rekaan lampu bebentuk C turut diadaptasi di bahagian belakang jentera ini. Bumper belakang juga kini lebih tegap dengan kehadiran pemijak untuk memudahkan pengguna. Bahagian tailgate kereta ini direka semula dengan tulisan Navara di bahagian bawah serta logo di tengah-tengah.

Dari segi keselamatan, Navara turut tidak ketinggalan untuk menambah ciri keselamatan seperti sistem pelanggaran hadapan pintar, brek kecemasan pintar, kamera 360 darjah dan off-road monitoring system yang membantu mengesan halangan.

Selain itu, ciri keselamatan model facelift ini turut ditambah baik dengan sistem Intelligent Driver Alertness, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Lane Intervention dan Blind-Spot Warning. Barulah boleh bersaing dengan ciri keselamatan pada
Isuzu D-Max
 baharu yang bakal dilancarkan di Malaysia nanti.

Tahap keselesaan kenderaan ini dinaikkan dengan penambahan penebat bunyi bersama kaca akustik yang digunakan pada cermin hadapan dan tepi. Penambahan tersebut dikatakan mampu memberikan pemanduan yang lebih senyap dan selesa tanpa gangguan bunyi luar. Penumpang di bahagian belakang turut menerima penambahan perehat tangan dengan dibina bersama pemegang cawan bagi menambah tahap keselesaan.

Untuk pengalaman pemanduan yang lebih baik, stereng baharu yang ditemani panel instrumen dengan skrin tujuh inci yang lebih besar dan beresolusi lebih tinggi telah dimasukkan ke dalam model ini. Sistem infotainmen Navara kini menggunakan unit Nissan Connect dengan skrin sesentuh lapan inci dan sambungan Apple CarPlay.

Bahagian bawah badan jentera yang sado ini telah dilengkapi dengan steering rack baharu untuk membantu meningkatkan ketangkasan dalam mengawal kenderaan. Bahagian axle belakang baharu yang lebih kukuh turut digunakan pada model facelift ini bagi membantu membawa beban yang lebih berat.

Seperti kebanyakan model facelift yang lain, prestasi enjin kebiasaannya kekal. Kelihatannya Navara tiada pilihan lain selain menggunakan enjin Renault 2.3L diesel turbo yang memberi kuasa 190PS dan 450Nm Tork seperti yang ditawarkan di Thailand.

Walau bagaimanapun, Nissan Navara di pasaran negara ini tidak pernah menerima enjin tersebut. Sebaliknya, Navara di sini menggunakan enjin 2.5L daripada generasi terdahulu Navara (D40) yang memberikan output yang sama seperti enjin Renault 2.3L itu. Ini kerana enjin Renault 2.3L itu menggunakan bahan api gred Euro 5 dan ke atas sementara Malaysia masih menggunakan diesel Euro 2M.

Adakah kita bakal menerima enjin Renault yang berkapasiti lebih kecil kali ini? Hanya masa yang boleh menentukan. Pada waktu ini, kita cuma boleh tunggu dan lihat. Walau apa-apapun, kami pasti model Navara facelift ini bakal hadir dengan transmisi 6-kelajuan manual atau 7-kelajuan auto seperti yang terdapat pada model terkini Navara di negara ini.

Pelancaran model facelift ini turut bakal memperkenalkan varian Nissan Navara PRO-4X yang hadir dengan rupa yang lebih seksi dengan lencana Nissan, bumper serta gril hadapan, pemegang pintu, rak bumbung, dan pemijak tepi yang hadir dalam warna hitam. Rim hitamnya bersaiz 17 inci dan dibalut dengan tayar all-terrain. Varian Navara PRO-4X juga lebih menonjol dengan tulisan Nissan berwarna merah pada emblem hitamnya di dalam dan luar kenderaan.

Nissan Navara versi facelift ini tiba dengan 8 pilihan warna luaran, dengan penambahan dua warna baharu (Orange Brown dan warna kelabu metalik untuk varian PRO-4X)  bagi pasaran umum. Walau bagaimanapun, pilihan warna mungkin berbeza mengikut pasaran. Model Navara yang ada di pasaran Malaysia sekarang pun hanya ada lima pilihan warna.

Mampukah Nissan Navara facelift 2021 ini menandingi pesaingnya seperti
Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hilux serta Mitsubishi Triton?
 Sama-sama kita tunggu dan lihat.

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