Audi Plots Rejuvenated Line-Up – All-New A8 This Year, Q4 Crossover By 2019

A comprehensive rejuvenation of the Audi model line-up is underway, with a slew of new models set to hit the road between now and 2020, joining the recently unveiled
A5
,
Q2
, and
Q5
 models that will be
progressively rolling out across the globe
 this year.
Leading the charge will be the all-new fourth-generation A8 flagship set to be unveiled later this year, replacing the current model that was introduced in 2010.
Also set for reincarnation is the
A7
, which will be entering its second generation in 2018. Whilst not explicitly mentioned, we expect this will imply an all-new A6, which forms the A7 mechanical basis, is underway too.
But whilst the passenger car line-up sees its aging models replaced, the SUV portfolio gets expanded with the introduction of three all-new model lines. The Q8 flagship that has already been previewed in two distinct concept forms already this year in
Detroit
 and
Geneva
 is due in 2018.
Joining it will be the all-new Q4, a vehicle described in Audi’s words as a ‘sporty compact utility vehicle’. We presume this is a sportier ‘coupe-like’ take of the Q3, which suggests a vehicle to be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s MQB modular transverse platform. This makes the vehicle less of a rival against the
Merc GLC Coupe
 or
BMW X4
, and more likely poised against the upcoming
BMW X2
 instead.
Without elaborating, Audi also confirms no fewer than three electric-powered models between now and 2020.
The company is also continuing its role as lead developer in the VW Group for autonomous driving technology. Its newly-founded subsidiary, Autonomous Intelligent Driving GmbH in Munich, is working on a system for autonomous vehicles in cities.
In car, the new Audi A8 will have access to Level 3 automated driving functions in traffic jams at speeds up to 60 km/h. In
SAE International’s definition
, Level 3 provides conditional automation, in which the car is essentially able to accelerate, brake, and steer autonomously but with the expectation that the driver is always ready to respond to the system’s request for intervention.


Mazda To Emerge A Stronger Automaker From Toyota Tie-Up

At last week’s Tokyo Motor Show,
Mazda
 boss Masamichi Kogai spoke to journalists more candidly concerning its two-way technical
partnership
 with Japanese automotive juggernaut
Toyota
 that’s expected to yield more efficient and better connected cars for both brands.
Additionally there’s also rumours of Mazda leveraging the
Hilux
 for its next BT-50 pickup. But besides all that, the cultural merging of the two companies is where the change is expected to be the most evident, writes Drive.com.au.
According to Kogai: ”They have a far higher technical criteria they set for themselves. So we need to meet that criteria as well, and that is quite a good improvement opportunity for us as well. That is one of the essential objectives we signed the agreement with Toyota,”
The first fruit to emerge from the Toyota-Mazda partnership is the
Mazda3
 Hybrid, which features a battery pack from the
Toyota Prius
.
“The technological capability will be improved and [there is] a lot of other things we can learn from Toyota because they produce and sell models all around the world.”
The two Japanese automakers are currently negotiating the exact terms of their partnership and Kogai did not want to hinder that by going into further details until everything is finalised. However, he did confirm that it would extend into research and development and is expected to be a long-term arrangement.
"Rather than the technologies that Toyota has already developed such as hydrogen fuel cells, there are many areas we can work together in collaboration with each element of technology, like for example battery control and engine control and also infotainment areas. It is very open."


BMW Thailand Celebrates Record Five-Figure Sales In 2017

BMW Thailand is confident of a positive outlook for 2018, having racked up a record year of sales – delivering 11,030 vehicles in 2017 across its BMW and Mini brands.
BMW Thailand delivered 10,020 BMW vehicles in 2017, while MINI chalked up another 1,010 deliveries.
The figures represent a robust 43 percent growth, and the best ever year for BMW in Thailand. MINI, on the other hand, rose by a healthy 11% year-on-year.
BMW's bike division, Motorrad celebrated its sixth consecutive year of double-digit growth with 2,001 motorcycles delivered in 2017, up 10% from the previous year.
Another notable highlight of 2017 is the expansion of the PHEV vehicles sales, up by 269 percent year-on-year.
In a separate but related development, BMW is also planning to
l
ocalise
 the assembly
 of its PHEV batteries in Thailand.
On a global level, BMW Group achieved the best ever annual sales with a total of 2,463,526 vehicles delivered across its BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands. BMW capped off 2017 with global sales of 2,088,283 BMW vehicles delivered, up by 4.2 percent and MINI added another 371,881 vehicles delivered, a growth of 3.2 percent versus 2016.


New Pantai Expressway Will Undergo Road Closure From May 15 To 16

NPE Sdn Bhd has announced that part of the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) will be closed from KM0.6 to KM1.8 in both directions from 10pm on May 15 (Friday) until 5am on May 16 (Saturday).
The purpose of the road closure is to facilitate construction of an overhead bridge by Sunway at KM1.6 of the expressway.
Users of the NPE are advised to seek alternative routes if possible and to take heed of the safety signage including the observed speed limit around the area.
For inquiries, the public can contact the NPE hotline 1300-88-1010.


Volkswagen to Showcase New Premium SUV Concept in Beijing

The Chinese motor shows are always important to
Volkswagen
, and the upcoming one at Beijing is set to show a new showcar in the shape of a full-sized SUV featuring plug-in hybrid propulsion and a highly-digitalized interior.
Whilst Volkswagen’s brief press release contained only ten key facts, a reasonable assumption to make is that the new vehicle, currently referred to as just the Beijing Showcar, potentially previews the next generation
Touareg
, which is due for a full model change and transition to the VW Group’s modular MLB platform.
Preliminary specifications disclosed in the brief reveals a plug-in hybrid drive with net system outputs of 375hp and 700Nm. The vehicle has a pure electric driving range of up to 50km, enabling it to dip below 3.0 litres/100km in the NEDC tests.
On a straight line, the Beijing Showcar is claimed to have a top speed of 224 km/h and is able to complete the sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 6.0 seconds.
Besides previewing the new plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Beijing Showcar is also slated to showcase a new highly digitalized display and control layout. Notably, there is mention of a Curved Interaction Area, which merges the vehicle’s instruments and infotainment displays into one sheet of transparent glass.


Proton X70 Indonesia Debut Postponed

Originally slated
 for a debut at the 2019 Indonesia International Motor Show (2019 IIMS) later this month, it now appears that the Proton X70 won’t introduced in Indonesia so soon.
Speaking to
Kompas
, Rully Septiadi, the Head of Marketing for Proton Edar Indonesia said that Proton will not be participating in the motor show. In addition to that, he said that the X70 won’t be introduced in Indonesia in the near future.
Steven Xu, the Director of International Sales for Proton said that Proton will not exit the Indonesian market and abandon their loyal customers.
Steven also said that Indonesia remains an important market for Proton, as it is the largest market in the ASEAN region. He added that the change in their business position will not affect their decision to introduce new models there, such as the X70, in the near future.
According to Steven, Proton is also in the search for more local distributors to increase their presence in Indonesia.


VIDEO: Porsche 918 Spyder Driven By British Millionaire Crashes Into Crowd, 26 Injured

The scene turned horrific after an ultra-rare
Porsche
 918 Spyder clipped the grass along a prepared empty runway at high speed and veered off into a crowd of spectators at the Hal Farrug airport in Malta, leaving dozens injured – five critically.
Paul Bailey was at the wheel of the vehicle when the incident occurred during a fundraising demonstration drive in conjunction with the Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina motor show. Among those in critical condition include the driver and a six-year old girl.
Clear footage of what happened at the Maltese airport are a little scarce right now, but here's a video we found showing the Porsche just as it lost control. Viewer discretion is advised.
Bailey, a millionaire tycoon from East Midlands in England, is also said to be an experienced racecar driver.
Local newspaper
Malta Today
 reports that a total injury toll was 26, with 19 taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment while the remaining seven sent to Paola Health Centre.
 The incident occurred around 2pm. The Porsche 918 Spyder had lost control while speeding along the taxiway before going through the barriers and crashing into the large crowd of spectators.
President of the Republic Marie Louise Coleiro-Preca, was at the scene shortly after the incident where she spoke to the victims, their relatives, and witnesses. She said to Malta Today:
"I have no words to describe my sorrow at what happened... all we can do is be there for the people affected by this incident,"
“The matter now is under a magisterial inquiry. It would be unethical to comment on it.”
Aftermath at Hal Farrug Airport, Malta.


Volkswagen Year-End Aftersales Promo – 20 Percent Discount On Wipers, Brake Pads, Discs

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has launched a nationwide year-end aftersales promotion beginning immediately and continuing until 31 December 2017. During the promotion period, customers can enjoy up to 20 percent discount on selected genuine VW parts at authorized service centres.
Parts covered by the promo include the following:
Aero wiper blades:
 Boneless-type wiper made of high-quality rubber with pre-tensioned precision flex rails and integrated air spoiler.
Windscreen wiper fluid:
 Removes waxy and oily deposits for cleaner windscreens and better visibility.
Brake pads:
 Fits precisely and retains its frictional properties well. VW’s genuine brake pads are designed for optimal interplay with brake discs and come with full dimensional stability and minimal tolerances.
Brake discs:
 Made of cast iron or high chromium steel for lower noise and brake pedal vibration, ensuring smooth and safe braking. Flow-optimized air ducts on ventilated discs ensure maximum cooling and reliable performance in extreme conditions and high temperatures.


Indonesia Is Trying HARD To Get Tesla, What Is Malaysia Doing?

When someone plays hard to get, we turn things up a few notches to make things more interesting. That is what the
Indonesian government
 is doing right now in hopes that
Tesla
 agrees to build its new factory in Central Java (or Kalimantan), and they're planning to power it using geothermal power. It's getting harder for Elon Musk to say no to Indonesia, eh?

What the Indonesian government is doing right now is promoting the use of renewable electricity supply sources for industrial estates. This move might help to attract more foreign investments, particularly Tesla and other firms who are really into reducing their overall carbon footprint.

*Image credit: Tesla

Tesla to build mega factory in Indonesia?

A recent report posted by
The Star
 stated that Indonesia's Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister, Luhut Pandjaitan, has proposed another 'salt bae' move towards Tesla to build its new
mega factory
 in Batang regency of Central Java. The proposal involves the factory being supplied with green energy. This location was chosen in the proposal as its nearby geothermal sources can be harvested to supply around 400 megawatts of power, which can be used to power the Tesla gigantic plant.

Even the country's president, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, has recently stated the idea of banning the export of renewable energy sources in hopes that it'll make foreign investors more interested in inking deals with them rather than with countries they supply the electricity to. Again, another potential move to get that sweet, sweet Tesla deal signed and sealed.

*Image credit: Tesla

500,000 Teslas made in Indonesia

Luhut also mentioned that Tesla is also interested in the upcoming North Kalimantan Green Industrial Park project, which is currently being constructed and has the potential of being powered with hydro or solar power plants. By the looks of things, they might have enough juice to power that highly probable Tesla factory which is said to have an annual output of around 500,000 units of EVs.

As for Malaysia, Tesla is interested in including its network of rapid charging stations in the country but some folks, however, are stating that this move is just to cater to other neighbouring countries like Singapore which already have the brand's sales operations.

As for the
Malaysian government
, some meetings have been reported here and there (not with Musk because if that has happened, all of us would've seen it all over the news by now), but not anywhere close to what Indonesia is doing right now just to get Tesla to set up shop (a really big one, too).


Audi e-Tron S and e-tron S Sportback Show Just How Sexy Electric SUVs Can Be

Audi is continuing its electric offensive with the new Audi
e-tron
 S and the new Audi e-tron S Sportback.

Where design is concerned, the Audi
e-tron
 S and the
Audi e-tron S Sportback’s
 front and rear bumpers have strong contours, and the air curtains are particularly large and expressive. The diffuser insert at the rear end extends almost across the entire vehicle width.

The fact that the wheel arches on both sides are 23 mm wider gives the car an imposing stance. Silver attachments at the front and rear end that add highlights, as well as the aluminium exterior mirror housings are exclusive features of the S models.

Both cars can also be equipped with Matrix LED headlights as an option – another world first in mass production that Audi introduced with the e-tron Sportback in 2019.

Each light is divided into 1.3 million pixels and can be controlled with great precision, which opens up many new functions. In narrow areas, for example, it shows the car’s position in the lane and thus helps the driver to remain safely in the centre.

Both of the S models are powered by two electric motors on the rear axle and one on the front axle, making them the first mass-produced electric cars in the world to have three electric motors.

In addition to the electric all-wheel drive, the vehicles are equipped with electric torque vectoring with active and fully variable torque distribution on the rear axle.

The new Audi e-tron S and the new Audi e-tron S Sportback also deliver dynamics in a new dimension. In S gear, they provide their full boost performance for eight seconds – 370 kW of power and 973 Nm of torque. The standard sprint takes just 4.5 seconds and acceleration ends at 210 km/h.

In order to improve efficiency, only the rear electric motors are engaged as long as the Audi e-tron S and the e-tron S Sportback are operating in normal driving mode. The front electric motor, on the other hand, flashes into action when the driver demands more performance, or predictively before traction subsides.

Each of the rear electric motors sends the drive torques directly to the respective wheel via a single-speed transmission, as there is no more mechanical differential.

Inside, the cabins of the Audi e-tron S and Audi e-tron S Sportback are designed in dark colors, with electrically adjustable sport seats, leather and Alcantara upholstery, brushed aluminium decorative trims, as well as ambient lighting offered as standard.

Like all full-size class models from Audi, the Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback are equipped with the digital MMI touch response control system with two large central displays, Audi virtual cockpit, MMI navigation plus control, and the latest generation MIB 3 infotainment system.

That being said, the two electrically powered S models will be launched in Europe later this year. As for this part of the world, the models are highly likely to be available in Singapore in 2021, but probably not Malaysia, which is a shame as it would give those who’ve been waiting for an electric SUV another option besides the Mercedes-Benz EQC which is supposed to be launched this year.


Wee should understand the difference between business and economy ticket prices, said Anthony Loke

Transport Minister Anthony Loke goes to war with former Transport Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong over alleged high ticket prices for flights during Hari Raya period.

The Hari Raya holiday season is a popular time for people to travel, as many people have time off work or school to 'Balik Kampung'. As a result, there is usually high demand for flights during this time, which traditionally sees airlines charge higher prices.

Transport Minister, Antony Loke has been
combating this for some time
 as he wants to see fair prices for tickets so that it doesn't become a burden for travellers during the holiday season.

No matter how much he tries, there's always somebody and in this case, former Transport Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is always trying to belittle his effort to keep prices fair.

This is in reference to the statement recently made by Wee, who claims that the price of an economy class ticket for the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau on April 20 has breached RM3k mark.

However, Anthony Loke has denied this, and has justified it by saying that all economy class tickets for the flight have been sold out and currently the remaining tickets are business class, which explains the high price.

"I refer to Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong's statement on Facebook which claimed that the price of an economy class ticket for the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau on April 20 reached RM3,138.

"I have contacted the Group CEO of Malaysia Airlines (MAB), Captain Izham and confirmed that all economy class tickets for the KL-Tawau flight on that day have been sold out. The only remaining tickets are business class," he said.

Picture credit: Permadu Malaysia

Anthony said, the facts about the price of the flight ticket need to be corrected.

He is also confident that Ka Siong, who is a former Minister of Transport, understands the difference between business class and economy class ticket prices.

Therefore, Anthony stated that he will hold a special press conference today at the Ministry of Transport to provide additional facts on flight capacity for the Hari Raya season this year.


Hyundai Previews Its N Performance Sub Brand With N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo

Hyundai
 Motor plans to shed more light on the newly developed high performance sub brand they have been working on, simply dubbed ‘N’, at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. As an extension of that comes the striking N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo you see above.
The car will be introduced at the show, highlighting a merger of sustainable technology with race car design, and is meant to represent the future potential of Hyundai N.
The new N division would build on the Korean automaker’s growing motorsport portfolio, experience, and technology to create performance-oriented and track-ready models for customers who truly appreciate the thrill of driving.
Also at the Hyundai stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Hyundai’s WRC challenger based the new generation i20 will take centre stage as a visual distillation of the new N sub brand’s current capabilities, prior to its Rallye Monte Carlo debut. The
Veloster
-based RM15 concept that was first seen earlier this year will be making an appearance as well.


Ford Announces Year-end and CNY Special Promotion

Ford
 and its local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) are celebrating the year-end holidays and a prosperous Chinese Year of the Rooster with exciting after sales packages and complimentary services on selected Ford models, available nationwide from today until January 31, 2017.
It is said that discounts of up to 20 percent are being offered on select parts, including brake and timing belt packages, 10 percent labour discounts on lubricant, brake and timing belt packages, while those who choose ‘Fuel Saver Package’ can enjoy a 10 percent discount on oil filters.
For additional peace of mind, customers can also opt for a free 27-point vehicle health inspection by a Ford-certified technician to ensure a hassle-free travel this festive season.
Customers who spend RM350 or more on service and/or parts replacement at authorised Ford service centres will receive exclusive Ford merchandise. All walk-in customers will receive a Ford Lucky Packet.
“With the upcoming festive season, Malaysians are preparing to return to their hometowns to spend time with family and friend. We are pleased to extend attractive service and maintenance packages to help ensure the performance of our customers’ vehicles and safe travel,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.


2020 Proton X70 Arrives Malaysian Built, Starting From RM94,800

It’s finally here, the 2020
Proton
 X70, and the first of Proton’s SUVs to be assembled in Malaysia. Since its initial launch, the C-segment five-seater has been flying out of showrooms and a huge hit for the national automaker, rocketing them back into top contention.

Now, with over a year of the X70 under their belt, Proton is ready to give it a more Malaysian spin with all 2020 examples of the X70 rolling off the assembly line in Tanjung Malim instead of arriving fully built from China. So, what’s changed?

We’ll start with the big stuff, but let’s get the omissions out of the way. For 2020, every X70 will be offered exclusively with a 2WD layout due to a lack of demand for the 2019 car’s pricier all-wheel driven variants.

Also gone is the DSI-sourced 6-speed automatic and replacing it as standard across the range is a newly developed (wet-type) 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that’s lighter, more advanced, delivers about a second quicker to 100km/h sprint time from rest (9.5 seconds), and promises improved fuel economy (a claimed 13% reduction). It even The new transmission is also covered by the same 5 year unlimited mileage warranty as the rest of the vehicle.

Starting from RM 94,800 and extending to RM 122,800, the 2020 X70’s variant tiers have also been shuffled from where they were in 2019, though not by much. The Standard 2WD kicks things off with 17-inch wheels and fabric interior upholstery, but on the upside does include a larger 8-inch infotainment display, 6-speaker stereo, rear view camera, and an air purifier system.

At RM106,800, the step-up Executive 2WD (again, gone are all 4WD variants) adds LED headlamps with daytime running lights, larger 18-inch alloys, a power tailgate, a very useful 360 degree camera system, 8-speaker stereo, and the revelatory front ventilated seats upholstered in a faux leather material.

Now we move on to the best specified of the bunch (kinda), the X70 Premium. It sits at the top the range as before, but coming in with a price tag of RM119,800 and offering a generous list of features and equipment.

Though all models come with 6 airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control, the X70 Premium is the price of admission for the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), a suite that includes active safety and convenience features such as Automated Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control (up to 150km/h), and Blind Spot Monitoring, among others.

Again, the familiar design of 19-inch wheels are the clearest visual indicator of an X70 Premium, but peer inside and you might spy the brown Nappa leather seats, a material that’s been treated to be extra soft and plush compared to regular leather for automotive use.

While on the subject of its cabin, the Premium also comes with power adjustment for the front passenger seat and the famed ‘boss switch’ that allows rear passengers to adjust the seat ahead for more legroom.

Elsewhere, a power amplifier and subwoofer combo takes the speaker count to 9 and at the rear, the power tailgate gains a foot sensor which lets the boot be opened by lightly kicking below the bumper area, useful for when your hands are full. There’s also the X70 Premium X (RM122,800) which asks for RM3,000 over the price of an X70 Premium for the inclusion of a panoramic sunroof.

Under the bonnet, every X70 for 2020 features a powertrain carried over from the previous model year, that being a 1.8-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder producing 181hp at 5,500rpm. Due to the new 7-speed DCT replacing the 6-speed auto, an additional 15Nm of peak torque has been extracted from the same engine and is available from 1,700rpm to 4,500rpm. Now, of course, drive for every variant is sent exclusively to the front wheels.

Real world performance should be identical to any X70 you’ve driven prior, especially so since Proton has tuned the dual-clutch to behave rather conservatively even in Sport mode, mimicking the softer and more inconspicuous gear shifts of a torque converter.

As you may have noticed, there’s not all too much different with the Proton X70 for 2020. Apart from a new Space Grey colour for a total of 6 paint options, visible differences are so minor that you could easily miss it for an X70 from its Malaysian debut in December 2018. Though we would have appreciated more eye candy to read into, the fact is that the X70 is still a very recent addition to the market, making a more comprehensive facelift unnecessary . No doubt Proton has plenty of ideas for how they’d like its look to evolve, but we’ll have to wait.

2020 Proton X70 Standard 2WD (Base Specifications)

RM 94,800 (
-RM5,000,
previously RM99,800)

1.8L TGDi petrol - 181hp, 300Nm

7-speed dual-clutch transmission

6 SRS airbags

Halogen headlamps

17-inch alloy wheels

Fabric seats

8-inch infotainment head unit with online navigation

6 speaker audio

Rear view camera

Air purifier system

2020 Proton X70 Executive 2WD (in addition to Standard 2WD)

RM 106,800 (
-RM3,000
, previously RM109,800)

LED headlamps with DRL

18-inch alloy wheels

Power tailgate

Front welcome lamps

Leatherette seats

Power adjustable driver’s seat

Front ventilated seats

8-speaker audio

360 camera system

2020 Proton X70 Premium 2WD (in addition to Executive 2WD)

RM 119,800 (
-RM4,000
, previously RM123,800)

Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

19-inch alloy wheels

Power tailgate with foot sensor

Nappa leather seats

Front passenger power adjustable seat with ‘boss’ switch

9-speaker audio with power amplifier and subwoofer

2020 Proton X70 Premium X 2WD (in addition to Premium 2WD)

RM 122,800

Panoramic sunroof

All prices are on-the-road, without insurance.


Road Bully Tastes Pedestrian Crash Test

We shouldn't judge what's going on here as we have no idea what happened earlier on. But given that they've just came out of a junction and kept left to make the U-turn, perhaps they might have cut off the motorcyclist.
However, no one should resort to violence regardless of how persistent the provocation was, or how easily one's provoked.
And from what we can see from the video, the motorcyclist is clearly acting aggressively, and then going outright bananas later.
We hope the driver brought forth the video recording to the nearest police station after this video ends.
Our advice to both parties?
To the motorcyclist: Don't be stupid.
To the driver: Get a higher resolution recorder.


KL Roads To Shut Down For Asean Cycle Fest This Weekend

The 2015 Kuala Lumpur Asean Cycle Fest is due to hit the streets of Kuala Lumpur over this coming weekend, which also means that several roads within the nation’s capital will have to be closed from regular combustion-powered traffic to accommodate the cyclists.
The closure will take effect on Saturday and Sunday, 7th October and 8th October, and involve Jalan Raja, along Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P Ramlee, Jalan Dang Wangi, and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
During the route launching ceremony at the city police headquarters, city police chief Comm Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa said: "For Sunday, however, there will be road closures from 6.30am to 10am on Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Raja, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin and the National Mosque roundabout. There will be road signs and traffic police officers to ease any traffic congestion.”
He urged all motorists to obey the traffic rules and instructions issued from traffic police personnel when approaching the roads mentioned, writes The Star.
Roughly 90 contestants are expected to be participating in this weekend’s Asean Cycle Fest, which is held in conjunction with the 27th Asean Summit. Dataran Merdeka will also play host to cultural exhibitions and performances.


Caltex Lubricants And Fuels Promo Tie-In With Transformers

Chevron Malaysia Limited, official marketer of the Caltex brand, has launched its ‘
True Power from Within’
 promotion for its fuel and lubricant products tying in with the upcoming release of
Transformers: The Last Knight
.
During the promotional period, consumers who purchase selected Caltex-branded lubricant and fuel products are eligible to participate in contests and stand a chance to win prizes including Vespa scooters, exclusive
Transformers
 merchandise, StarCash, shopping vouchers, and other prizes from monthly draws.
Members of the Caltex Journey Card or B Infinite Card are additionally entitled to special draws with a chance of winning up to 2,000,000 BPoints.
From now till 31 July 20917, customers who purchase selected Caltex lubricants from the Havoline, Delo, and Techron Concentrate Plus range from participating Caltex stations and workshops will receive
Transformers
 movie merchandise in the form of a polo shirt, T-shirt, or microfibre towel.
Lucky draw prizes in store include a Vespa LT150 scooter, five Bose Bluetooth speakers and 10 shopping vouchers worth RM200 each. The lucky draw will be held on 16 Aug 2017, and winners will be published on the
campaign website
.
Between 22 May and 31 July 2017, customers who purchase a minimum of RM50 worth of Caltex Techron fuel get to enter a lucky draw with Vespa Scooters, StarCash, and bonus BPoints for Caltex Journey Card and B Infinite members.
Two lucky draws will be held on the following dates, with these prizes in store:
During this period, customers who fill up a minimum of RM50 also get a free
Transformers
 tissue box (while stocks last). From 15 June 2017 onwards, these customers additionally get to purchase a
Transformers
 Reversible Umbrella for RM39.90 at all Caltex stations.
From now till 3 June 2017, the Caltex Fun Truck will be touring various locations across the country. Last seen at Setia Alam during the
Carlist.my MAA DRIVE
, Test & Buy Event 2017
, the Caltex Fun Truck will be making a further twelve stops at Northern, Southern, and Eastern regions of Peninsular Malaysia.
Members of the public are invited to participate in the ‘Spot the Caltex Fun Truck’ contest by snapping a selfie or group picture with the truck and posting it on either the Caltex Malaysia Facebook wall or on one’s personal Instagram account completing the following slogan in less than ten words, “Caltex brings you true power because …”
Be sure to include the hashtag
#CaltexTruePower
.
Over the three-week period, five weekly winners will walk away with RM200 worth of StarCash and will be featured in Caltex’s promotional materials.


Boxster 25 Years Celebrates One Of Porsche's Most Important Cars

With only 1,250 units being built and based on the 718 Boxster GTS, this special 25 Years version is a new limited edition that commemorates the release of the iconic 986 Boxster from 1996.

If you're familiar with that, you might not immediately notice the visual cues on display here. That's because the Boxster 25 Years is designed as a modern day homage to the Boxster concept car, which preceded the production car's launch by 3 years and was first shown at the 1993 Detroit Motor Show.

(Remember when Motor Shows were a thing? Good times. Also remember when the Boxster was priced LESS than the Cayman?)

The first element that leaps out as a nod to the '93 concept is the unique Neodyme colour that's used to contrast the GT Silver Metallic body that best captures the original look, though buyers can also spec the car in Jet Black and Carrara White Metallic.

This copper-like shade appears on the front and side air intakes as well the specially designed two-tone, five-spoke, 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Bordeaux Red leather interior is another nod to the concept car, as is the fabric soft top finished in a deep red.

Obviously, being based on the 718 Boxster GTS, this limited edition also shares its 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine, which is mechanically unaltered and produces 400PS and 420Nm, mated to a 6-speed
manual transmission
 or, optionally, Porsche's 7-speed PDK dual-clutch. This, combined with the standard Sport Chrono package, allows the car to rocket from 0 to 100km/h in as little as 3.8 seconds.

For a long time, the Boxster might have just seemed like Porsche's entry-level sports car, created to fill a gap beneath the staple 911 while offering a then-new and exciting mid-engine sensation that was more balanced and easier on the inexperienced.

The story of the 986, though, runs much deeper. Introduced in the mid-1990s, the car came onto the scene at a time when Porsche was bleeding cash and in pretty dire financial straits, setting out to be the polar opposite of the slow-selling 968 (notice the reversed internal code).

Where Porsche's previous sub-911 offerings traced their origins to the front-engined 924 from the late 1970s, the Boxster's name left nothing about its intention to guesswork by combining 'Roadster' with 'Boxer', clearly stating that it will be an open-top sports car with echoes of the iconic 550 Spyder and powered by Porsche's signature flat-six engine.

In fact, it would be Porsche's first production water-cooled flat-six and is essentially a lower displacement version of the 3.4-litre unit that made its debut in the 996 a year later. Fast, nimble, and fun, the Boxster was basically everything that customers wanted from an entry-level Porsche, and unsurprisingly the car flew off the showroom floors.

Though its importance is sometimes downplayed, this single car is often (and rightly) credited with saving the company from going bust and - much like the original Apple iMac - set the template of success
and innovation
 that's synonymous with the Porsche of today. It owes a lot to the 986 and the concept car that preceded it.


Tempoh Pembaharuan Lesen Dan Cukai Jalan Dilanjutkan Hingga 31 Disember 2021

Kementerian Pengangkutan Malaysia telah memutuskan untuk melanjutkan proses pembaharuan Lesen Kenderaan Motor (LKM) termasuk Lesen Memandu Malaysia (LLM) sehingga 31 Disember ini.

Menteri Pengangkutan, Dr. Wee Ka Siong berkata, keputusan ini dibuat selepas mengambil kira segala rungutan dan maklum balas orang ramai yang berdepan
kesukaran untuk memperbaharui LKM dan LLM
sebelum ini.

Selaras dengan pelanjutan tersebut, beliau mengesahkan bahawa orang ramai tidak perlu risau kerana tiada tindakan akan diambil oleh pegawai Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) kepada sesiapa yang memiliki lesen memandu serta cukai jalan yang telah tamat tempoh.

Walau bagaimanapun, pemilik lesen yang tamat tempoh sah masih perlu memastikan kenderaan terbabit dilindungi oleh
insurans
 yang sah. Sijil Perlindungan Insurans (e-cover note) yang sah perlu dipaparkan dan ditunjukkan bagi tujuan pemeriksaan oleh penguatkuasa.

Terdahulu, JPJ telah keluarkan kenyataan pada Ogos bahawa semua pengguna jalan raya perlu memperbaharui lesen mereka sebelum
30 September 2021
 kerana pemeriksaan dan penguatkuasaan akan mula dijalankan bermula pada 1 Oktober.

Lesen tersebut merangkumi:

Lesen Memandu Kompeten (CDL)

Lesen Kenderaan Bermotor (LKM atau cukai jalan)

Lesen Memandu Barang (GDL)

Lesen Kenderaan Perkhidmatan Awam (PSV).

Namun ramai yang bising dan tidak berpuas hati setelah berdepan masalah untuk memperbaharui lesen secara dalam talian serta gagal menempah temu janji untuk berurusan secara fizikal di kaunter JPJ. Mana taknya, semua taknak
kena saman
 selepas 30 September 2021 jadi masing-masing pun jadi kelam-kabut.

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Berikutan dengan itu, kaunter JPJ dan
Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Berkomputer (PUSPAKOM)
 akan dibuka dengan kapasiti 100 peratus secara 'walk in' bermula 6 September ini tanpa membuat janji temu sebelum hadir. Individu yang berurusan di kaunter JPJ perlu
lengkap menerima vaksinasi
 dan menunjukkan status risiko rendah di aplikasi MySejahtera.

Selain itu, anda juga digalakkan supaya menggunakan perkhidmatan atas talian menerusi portal mySIKAP JPJ atau portal lain seperti Pos Malaysia,
myEG
 dan PUSPAKOM untuk sebarang transaksi lain. Ini bertujuan untuk mengelakkan kesesakan di kaunter JPJ dan memberi kemudahan kepada orang ramai untuk memperbaharui LKM dan LMM.

Dr. Wee turut menambah bahawa mangsa banjir di Kedah yang kehilangan dokumen JPJ akibat
banjir
 akan diberikan dokumen baharu sebagai ganti secara percuma. Tetapi mangsa tersebut perlu melaporkan hal ini kepada pihak polis terlebih dahulu dan bawa salinan laporan polis bersama ke kaunter JPJ untuk pengesahan.

Berikut adalah bayaran yang dikenakan untuk mengganti dokumen JPJ:

Lesen memandu: RM20

Cukai jalan kereta: RM50

Cukai jalan motosikal: RM20


Malaysia Airlines Guna Bahan Api Sisa Minyak Masak – Diskaun Tiket 15%

Malaysia Airlines Bhd
 akan mengendalikan penerbangan penumpang pertama menggunakan bahan api penerbangan mampan (SAF) yang diperbuat daripada 100 peratus sisa boleh diperbaharui dan sisa bahan mentah seperti minyak masak dan lemak haiwan.

Penerbangan ini akan melibatkan penerbangan antara Kuala Lumpur dan Singapura bersempena dengan Hari Alam Sekitar Dunia pada 5 Jun ini.

Pesawat Yang Terlibat

MH603 Kuala Lumpur (KUL) ke Singapura (SIN) – Berlepas 12:25pm, Tiba 1:30pm

MH606 Singapura (SIN) ke Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Berlepas 2:40pm, Tiba 3:40pm

Penerbangan itu akan dikendalikan oleh pesawat Boeing 737-800, menggunakan gabungan kira-kira 38 peratus SAF dan bahan api jet konvensional.

Kenapa Guna Bahan Api Mampan (SAF)?

Penerbangan ini menunjukkan komitmen Malaysia Airlines itu terhadap tema ‘
Sustainable Tomorrow’
 serta menandakan kemajuan ketara ke arah mencapai penggunaan sumber bahan api yang lebih bersih dan berdaya maju untuk penerbangan biasa menjelang 2025.

Berbanding bahan api jet fosil konvensional, bahan api mampan yang diperbuat daripada 100% sisa boleh diperbaharui dan sisa bahan mentah seperti minyak masak dan lemak haiwan boleh mengurangkan pelepasan gas rumah hijau sehingga 80%.

Diskaun Tiket 15%

Malaysia Airlines menjemput orang ramai untuk mengikuti penerbangan penting tersebut.
Tiket penerbangan
 boleh ditempah mulai sekarang hingga 4 Jun 2022 untuk menikmati diskaun sehingga 15% apabila mereka melakukan penerbangan ini.

Untuk menikmati diskaun, gunakan kod promo ‘SAF2022’ semasa daftar keluar di laman sesawang
www.malaysiaairlines.com
.

Menerusi tinjauan kami, berikut merupakan harga tiket paling murah bagi kedua-dua penerbangan khas ini:

MH603 Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Singapura (SIN) = RM1,040

MH606 Singapura (SIN) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL) = RM513.31

Syarikat penerbangan itu turut menggalakkan orang ramai untuk menempah secepat mungkin kerana tiket dijual dengan pantas.


The World Needs To Care About Tesla’s New Powerwall, Powerpack, and Gigafactory

Although it doesn’t lend itself to effective or inspiring marketing, there is a fundamental problem affecting every industry that has their central focus on batteries (such as electric vehicles) are trying to solve: cost. Tesla is out to solve that as well as revolutionize the way homes and businesses are powered. No pressure.
Batteries cost a lot to manufacture, which in turn dramatically raises the cost of electric cars, which in turn sours the palette of prospective customers, leading to EV sales growing only marginally – much less than it needs to wean us off our dependency on depleting fossil fuel reserves. EVs are expensive and not many people buy them, but to make them less expensive you need supply on a large scale to bring the cost down, which is hard to do without that many customers. Such a paradox.
There are factories out there churning out millions of smaller cells. But with the kinds of batteries large and advanced enough to power vehicles, there hasn’t yet been that kind of production ramp.
Tesla wants to change that, and on the night of April 30th in an event powered entirely by stored solar energy, the company revealed its plans to upend that market direction: Tesla Energy. Here's what it is and what it could mean.
Powerwall and Powerpack
The first response to the world’s energy knot, as Tesla sees it, is to solve the grid-dependent way homes consume electricity. The Powerwall is a home battery system that comes in 7 kWh or 10 kWh capacities and will go on sale for between 3,000 and 3,500 US Dollars. It can store solar energy absorbed during the sun-rich afternoon for use in the mornings and evenings. They can be used as a redundant power source (say, to charge up an EV with free solar energy) or to power a home completely, making it full self-sufficient.
The Powerpack is similar to the Powerwall, only bigger and much more powerful. While the Powerwall is intended for homes and consumer use, the Powerpack is meant to power offices, businesses, industries. Described as an “infinitely scalable system”, the modular cells can be placed in a blocks for capacities from 500 kWh all the way to 10 MWh or potentially higher.
If it sees widespread adoption, the implications of the Powerwall, Powerpack and its follow-ons could be huge. With an efficient and accessible way to store energy, we can focus generating the cleanest energy possible to be stored.
Gigafactory
But before Tesla’s ambitious future for the way we produce and store energy can go into full swing, step one would be the construction of a new facility to manufacture battery cells at a scale beyond anything done before. Currently under construction in Nevada and due to start its manufacturing duties in 2017, the solar and wind-powered plant aims to produce more than 35 GWh of battery cells by 2020, exceeding the world’s battery manufacturing capacity in 2013 through this one facility. And come on, its got the coolest name too.
The world's press are still reeling from Tesla’s Labour Day eve announcement, and while it’s understood that it is a very ambitious undertaking, the significance of the changes this technology could set in motion won’t be fully realized until a few years into the production cycle when more and more battery cells are used to store and distribute clean(er) energy. In addition to the economy of scale that the Gigafactory and the Powerwall/Powerpack brings to the battery and energy industry, it will also mean lower material costs for other automakers who either purchase or manufacture batteries for their own hybrid or fully electric vehicles. Exciting times ahead.
You can watch the full unveil keynote speech by Tesla CEO Elon Musk here:


VIDEO: This Little Kid Is His Dad's Favourite Drift Passenger

While it’s debatable if car enthusiasts are born or are created as a matter of circumstance, one dad’s sure-fire way to pull the odds to his favour is to take his young son along in his drift car. We approve of this brand of parenting.
Let it be clear, we don’t condone people driving in such a manner without the proper precautions. In the case of the father and son duo, it was filmed in a wide empty drift track, performed in a specially modified
Toyota
 AE
86
 with the proper safety equipment such as a six-point harness and roll cage.
Now to the fun, and it looks like that kid is having an absolute blast with his Dad. As soon as the drifting starts in proper, the little boy's tongue comes out, eyes bulge, and the screams of elation become apparent, which also have a undercurrent of terror to them too, kind of like a roller coaster – it’s thrilling, after all.
We’re a little jealous, to be honest. His father has got the cooler hobby than, we’ll wager, most of ours do. It’s not the first time the little boy has been riding shotgun in a drift car either, as his father has brought him at
least

twice
 before.


Michelin Is Now A Part Of Gran Turismo

With brands licensing their cars in various video games and racing simulators, it was only a matter of time before other related industries got into the action. Michelin has jumped aboard the Gran Turismo franchise as an "official tyre supplier" - that is to say that Michelin-branded tyres will be featured in the game during the World Tour live event at the PlayStation Theatre this weekend.
In addition to this, the Brand Central virtual museum section of the game will now include a Michelin portion, showcasing the French company's long and storied history with motorsports and tyre development. Tyres will be made available for racing in the game under the hard, medium, and soft compound options, and branding on track will heavily feature Michelin.
Through its many years of competition, Michelin has collected an immense amount of data. Even during events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the company logs and records every single tyre that's put to pavement in order to better understand the wear characteristics and to develop a better, longer lasting, grippier tyre. Tyre manufacturing has the greatest trickle down effect from motorsports.
“This relationship is a perfect match, connecting the most successful virtual driving experience with the global leader for high-performance tires,” said Scott Clark, executive vice president of the Americas region for Michelin Group, responsible for the Company’s global automotive, motorsports and experiences business segments. “Michelin leads the industry in tire simulation,” Clark said.
“Michelin develops and tunes virtual tires on virtual vehicles before the tires are even produced, with extremely accurate translation to real tires on real vehicles. Combining this technology with real motorsports data will enable Sony to bring more tire strategy into the game, and in the longer term, also helps more people understand the critical role that Michelin tires play in optimizing vehicle performance.”


All-New 2015 Ford Mondeo Launched In Malaysia: From RM 204k

After several
road show appearances
 and
test drive opportunities for the public
, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the official distributors of
Ford
 vehicles in Malaysia, has officially launched the all-new
2015 Ford Mondeo
.
Prices for the sole 2.0L EcoBoost-powered variant start from
RM203,771 (OTR with insurance).
SDAC’s latest announcement finally unveils the full price of the vehicle, and also confirms that the car will be available for at Ford showrooms nationwide. But before you head off on your way to one, here’s a full look at the premium D-segment sedan.
Buyer’s Guide:
Yes, it’s a little bit more expensive than your everyday D-segmenter, but let’s not go discounting the many perks of the all-new Ford vehicle, and what SDAC has generously equipped it with.
As mentioned, RM203,771 is what you’ll have to cough up for it, and yes, that may be priced a bit too close to the BMW 316i from what many may see as a class above. However, those who know the Ford Mondeo for all it is, may speak of it in a more equal standing against the entry 3er.
Four colours are available for the Mondeo, and they include its signature Frozen White, Ruby Red, Panther Black, and Tectonic Silver.
FORD ESP:
 As with all other Ford vehicles sold in Malaysia via SDAC, the all-new Mondeo comes equipped with the company’s Extended Service Plan (ESP), which includes a three-year, or 60,000km (whichever comes first) maintenance programme that covers parts and labour free of charge. The programme covers inspection, maintenance and even free replacements for selected wear & tear items such as spark plugs, shock absorbers, engine belts, brake pads and wiper blades.
KEY SPECS: 2015 Ford Mondeo 2.0L EcoBoost
Price: RM203,771 (with insurance)
Engine: 2.0-litre Ti-VCT turbocharged (2.0L EcoBoost)
Transmission: Six-speed SelectShift torque converter automatic
Power: 240PS @ 5,300rpm
Torque: 345Nm @ 2,300 to 4,900rpm
Fuel consumption: 8.0-litres/100km (claimed)
Top speed: 240km/h
Performance:
Powering the all-new Mondeo is Ford’s turbocharged 2.0-litre (Ti-VCT) EcoBoost engine, which delivers a total of 240PS and 345Nm of torque – obliterating the equally-priced BMW 316i’s 1.6-litre TwinPower’s 136hp and 220Nm of torque. Same money, so much more power.
To find a comparable BMW 3 Series for petrol power, you’d have to look at the RM293k BMW 328i, which offers 245hp, and 350Nm of torque. Even the RM241k 320i only manages 184hp and 270Nm.
The one big difference between this and a full-on 3 Series is that while the 3er is a rear-wheel drive, the Mondeo has all its 345Nm of torque sent to the front wheels, leaving the heft of power for the torque vectoring system to manage.
Drivers will have the option of shifting through the gears via paddle shifters for optimum control of their SelectShift six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, whilst the car is poised to return fuel consumption figures of 8.0-litres/100km.
Exterior Styling:
Needless to say, Ford’s latest D-segment entry is a handsome vehicle, and SDAC has done well to equip the car with a generous and equally impressive amount of kit. Flanking the chrome front grille are full LED projector headlamps which come equipped with Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System that allows for automatic and adaptive adjustability of lighting direction to optimise driver’s view. Daytime running lights are also a standard feature.
Five twin-spoke design 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/50 R17 rubbers are included as standard, while other highlights of the Mondeo’s exterior include power/auto folding wing mirrors equipped with turn signal lights and a puddle lamp, a Ford Follow-Me-Home Lighting system, and more.
Interior Design:
The stylish and leather-packed interior features loads of Ford’s latest tech and design. The dashboard is dominated by a massive eight-inch LCD touchscreen, atop a minimalistic set of controls, including a rotary dial – all of which to manage the second-gen Ford SYNC infotainment and connectivity system.
For your entertainment, a nine-way speaker system is standard issue stuff for you to enjoy your MP3, Aux, Bluetooth and USB connectivity – and don’t forget Ford’s very intuitive Voice Command system.
Further to the infotainment, there’s electronic dual-zone air-conditioning (EATC), 10-way adjustable power seats for the driver and front passenger (driver gets an extra memory function), keyless-entry and engine push-start button, ambient lighting, and of course, a full leather upholstery: leather seats, steering and gear knob.
The eight-inch LCD touchscreen is also used as a display for the rear-view camera.
FORD MyKey
: Remember this bit of trickery? Yes, SDAC has specified its Mondeo with its clever MyKey system, which allows owners of the Mondeo to program various characteristics of the car according to individual key fobs.
For example, if you’re the proud owner of a Mondeo, and you don’t want your son discovering what it’s like to be driving at 200km/h, you could set the key fob to limit its top speed to, say, 110km/h. Likewise, you could also control the maximum volume of the nine-speaker audio system, so that only you get to fully enjoy it. It’s the perfect tool for dads wanting to keep their Mondeo’s maximum potential all to themselves, whilst keeping other drivers at bay with it.
Safety:
SDAC’s list of safety features for the all-new Mondeo also shows no compromise, with the car offering a competitive set of seven airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Assist, and ISOFIX with child-seat anchors.
On top of that, you also get an Electronic Stability Control system, a Lane Keeping Aid, Hill-Launch Assist, and impressively, even Adaptive Cruise Control.


Malaysia Wants To Build A Fantasy 120km Bridge Link To Indonesia

Stop me
if you’ve already heard this
 one: there’s plan to build a 120km
bridge linking
 Melaka and Sumatra. That’s right, across the busiest shipping lane in this part of the world. A
most mega
 of megaprojects.

It all sounds more than a little far fetched, of course, but you know, anything’s possible with a
‘Malaysia Boleh!’
 attitude.

Bridge From Melaka To Sumatra - Sure, Why Not?

The story emerged late last week when Bernama broke the news, in which Ab Rauf Yusoh, chairman of
the Melaka Investment
, Industry, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee spoke keenly on the proposed development.

Specifically, it will connect the two countries from Telok Gong in Masjid Tanah, Melaka on the Malaysian side with Dumai in Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia. The proposal itself has been submitted by the private sector with both countries already having agreed to entertain a detailed feasibility study.

20 Years, RMxxx Billion For?

Yusoh added that its construction, which is estimated to be over a period of 20 years, will have major economic impacts on both countries. Positive impacts, we hope he meant...

During an interview with a radio station in Melaka, he also said: “On the part of the state government, we have brought all government agencies to visit the area where the proposed new route will be built yesterday.”

In addition to the bridge construction itself, the project would involve the construction of other infrastructure including traffic dispersal areas, immigration and customs complexes, and a surrounding industrial area near Masjid Tanah covering around 2,000 hectares.

Concerns have been raised almost immediately calling into the question the need for such a bridge/tunnel combo. At 120km, it would easily rank among the largest/longest manmade structures over sea water.

Again, this is somehow to be built without disrupting one of the world’s busiest and most important shipping lanes.

We shudder to imagine the dozens, maybe even hundreds of
billions of Ringgit needed
 to be set aside to begin such a project, not counting the unforeseen billions required to see it to completion.

Spend On Local Fixes First

Meanwhile, there are daily examples of how Malaysia’s own road network is severely lacking in quality, a result of neglect and poor upkeep, or just shoddy construction. One has to wonder if the economic benefit is worth diverting so much resources when more pressing matters continue to persist.

While Melaka is nicely sandwiched in between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru (and into Singapore), there’s very little of interest near Dumai in Sumatra, which has a population of just 300,000.
Where will all the traffic be coming from?

The nearest major city from there is Pekanbaru, which has a population of just 1.12 million. Further afield there’s Medan with some 2.4 million inhabitants. Unfortunately,  it is also an inconvenient 12 hour drive away. Anyone with sense will just
take a flight to KL
 or elsewhere.

An obvious retort here is to claim that the majority of traffic will be from vehicles transporting goods with the bridge providing an uninterrupted flow of trade between the two countries. However, one still has to wonder if the advantage is significant enough over a fully loaded
cargo sea vessel
.

Either way, with an estimated construction time of 20 years or more, it wouldn’t be ready until 2042 should the project commence tomorrow and who knows when it might actually get off the ground. One only needs to glance at the stalled
KL-Singapore HSR
 project or even the often-delayed Pan Borneo highway to realise that Malaysia hasn’t had the best track record lately.


Ford Software Update Adds Siri Eyes Free To Over Five Million Cars As Old As 2011

Ford
 will be pushing out a software update to its cars, more than five million of them across the world, that will allow units equipped with
Sync
 and MyFord Touch infotainment systems to interface with an iPhone (via bluetooth) using voice commands.
The feature, called Siri Eyes Free has been steadily creeping into newer cars for some time now, and is a precursor (somewhat) to the more integrated offering from Apple in the automotive space:
CarPlay
. But while you’ll probably have to buy a newer car or upgrade your infotainment unit to get a more rounded relationship between car and device, Ford’s software update will allow cars that are as old as 2011 to learn this new trick.
Starting December 3rd, Ford will be pushing the update in stages, and should owners not have a Ford that connects to the internet, dealers will be able to install the update manually. Just in case, do remind them about it.
It is an interesting move for Ford, who has historically have shunned Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay in favour of its own proprietary SYNC in-car operating system and has also avoided smartphone-specific connectivity features up until this announcement. Perhaps we’re seeing the baby steps of a more tech-centric and open Ford.
For the uninitiated, this Ford software update would allow Apple’s voice-command system to listen to input from the driver, allowing him or her to control music playback, phone functionality, weather, reminders and calendar notification, navigation (via Apple Maps), and basic messaging merely by dictating their intentions to the car without taking their hands off the wheel.
The computation would be handled predominantly by the connected iPhone, and it will respond using Apple’s iOS digital assistant, Siri, just as any iPhone user is accustomed to doing. It is certainly a more reliable and smarter solution compared to the generic voice control functions offered in Fords previously.
Ford says the update will be compatible with model from 2011 through to 2016. Once the number of cars with the update reaches a critical mass, it should quell the criticisms levelled against Ford’s “smart” infotainment systems such as unresponsive interfaces, unreliable voice activated features, and convoluted interface design.


2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410 Launched In Malaysia, Priced From RM640,999

Lotus Cars Malaysia has unveiled an even hotter variant of the Evora called the Evora Sport 410. Just over a year ago, the company released the
Evora 400
.
Versus the earlier mentioned Evora 400, the new Evora Sport 410 is 70 kg lighter thanks to extensive carbon fibre utilization.
Power is derived from a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 that does 410 hp and 420 Nm, which sends drive to the rear wheels via a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Lotus says that the manual completes the century sprint in 4.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 300 km/h. The automatic variant completes the same sprint in 4.2 seconds, with top speed rated at 280 km/h.

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February 20, 2017

2015 Lotus Elise GREAT Britain And Exige S Automatic Launched In Malaysia

Buying Guides

October 22, 2020

As mentioned earlier, carbon fibre is used extensively, both inside and outside. The rear diffuser, front splitter, tailgate with integrated rear spoiler roof panel and front access panel is made out of carbon fibre. Michelin Pilot Sport tyres come as standard fitment, with AP Racing brake calipers hiding behind the lightweight satin black forged wheels. Other standard equipment include bi-xenon headlights, LED DRLs, oval exhaust finisher, rear parking sensors and a remote activated alarm system with immobilizer.
Buyers have an extensive list of options to choose from, including:
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres
Alcantara Sparco seats from the Evora 400
Lightweight silver forged alloy wheels
4 speaker 2 DIN audio system with navigation and reverse camera
Sound insulation pack
Air conditioning
Mud flaps
Cruise control
Sun visors
Leather trim pack
Tartan trim pack
Interior colour pack
Comfort pack
Lotus Cars Malaysia said that the new Evora Sport 410 will see a base price of RM640,999 for the manual and RM651,999 for the automatic. Production is capped to 150 units annually.


Alphard Rempuh Viva Isi Minyak Di Petronas

Sebuah
Perodua Viva
 telah dihentam dari belakang oleh
Toyota Alphard
 di Petronas Demak, Sarawak.

Menerusi gambar yang sedang tular di media sosial ketika ini, sebuah Viva didapati telah dilanggar dari belakang dengan kuat oleh Alphard sehingga bahagian belakang kereta Viva tersebut kemik teruk.

Malah impak pelanggaran tersebut telah membuatkan bahagian hadapan Viva terbabit merempuh bahagian kaunter pembayaran sehingga memecahkan tembok stesen minyak terbabit.

Gambar yang tular juga menunjukkan nozel bersama hos
minyak
 yang terputus masih lagi berada di ruangan tangki minyak kereta Viva menandakan pelanggaran berlaku ketika minyak sedang diisi.

Sementara itu, bahagian hadapan Alphard itu juga mengalami kerosakan seperti di bahagian bampar dan bonet, namun ianya tidaklah seteruk Viva yang rosak di kedua-dua bahagian hadapan dan belakang.

Salah Siapa?

Berdasarkan hantaran yang dibuat oleh isteri mangsa, Kamariah Jarawi, pelanggaran tersebut berlaku ketika suaminya sedang mengisi minyak kereta di stesen minyak berkenaan sebelum kereta itu dirempuh.

Meskipun kemalangan ini kelihatan teruk, namun Kamariah menjelaskan bahawa suaminya berada dalam keadaan selamat tanpa sebarang kecederaan kerana beliau tiada di dalam kereta ketika kejadian berlaku.

Menurut Kamariah, pemandu Alphard terbabit mengatakan kemalangan tersebut hanyalah pelanggaran kecil sahaja.

Berdasarkan penilaian anda, adakah pelanggaran ini dianggap pelanggaran kecil?

Walau bagaimanapun, Kamariah berkata tiada siapa mahu melanggar atau dilanggar. Kejadian seperti ini biasanya berlaku tanpa sengaja, yang penting semuanya selamat.

Setakat ini tiada kenyataan rasmi dari pihak berkuasa mengenai kes ini. Untuk lebih selamat, rujuk
tips dan panduan ketika berada di stesen minyak
 bagi mengurangkan risiko kebakaran mahupun kemalangan lain daripada berlaku ketika anda mengisi minyak.


Ride Protect: Apply Car Wax Like A DIY Boss

Having a clean car is great but keeping it clean isn’t always easy, but there’s no better and easier way to add a protective layer over your paint and improve its gloss and clarity than by using a quality wax.

With the right product properly applied, it will give your car a lasting shine and slickness while the hydrophobic properties keep water and other contaminants from sticking to the surface, sort of like a suit of armour. Better still, consistent care can theoretically preserve your car’s paint to look fresh and like-new indefinitely. What’s not to love?

A Nasty Reality

We’ll assume you’ve got your car washed and it is squeaky clean, which is great and a nice first step to keeping your car looking top notch for longer. However, there are so many sources of dirt and contamination that will immediately start to bombard your car’s freshly cleaned paint as soon as you start driving.

Leaked brake and transmission fluid, garbage water, petrol, diesel - all collected in puddles.

Acidic bird droppings and tree sap that can etch itself into the paint surface.

Iron and tar particles being thrown up by other vehicles from the road.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg of a much longer list of contaminants, but just imagine all the gunk that could be lying on our road surfaces and, chances are, your car has had to deal with that being smeared onto its paint to some degree. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Unless your car’s paint is clearly in dire straits, there’s no need to lose sleep over how much nasty stuff is resting on your car. All modern cars have a layer of durable clear coat that rests over the base layer of paint. This layer is what takes the punishment so that the actual colour (basecoat) of your car isn’t impacted.

However, with sustained abuse, how much can the long-suffering clear coat endure before it’s worn down entirely? Having some form of paint protection is essential to keep it fortified, letting that layer of wax or sealant take the punishment instead.

The Sea Of Choice

What Are Waxes, What Are Sealants?

Essentially, there are 3 types commonly accepted forms of paint protection: W
ax, Sealant, and a Ceramic Coating
. That said, the steps and requirements needed to properly apply a sealant are identical to a wax. In fact, sealants are often marketed as ‘wax’ to not confuse customers despite their differences in classification.

Ceramic coatings, while more durable and longer lasting, require more preparation and is less forgiving if applied incorrectly, which is why most are applied by professionals. For those reasons as well as some others, we won’t be covering that category of paint protection today.

Wax:
 Traditionally, a wax has been defined as a protective layer formulated (or based on) from materials that are naturally derived. Carnauba, an extract of palm trees found in Brazil, is well known as a main ingredient for high end automotive waxes due to its smooth and hydrophobic surface characteristics as well as its tendency to boost the clarity, saturation and depth.

Many - if not all - exotics and concours show cars will use a carnauba wax because of its unique look, described as a warm glow. However, organic-based waxes like this aren’t especially durable with a paste or liquid product lasting between 2-6 weeks before a reapplication is called for, especially in tropical climates such as ours. This is why many pure waxes have been fortified with inorganic polymers to increase longevity.

Sealant:
As technology progressed and to get around the shortcomings of naturally-derived waxes, man-made synthetic alternatives were developed. With much improved chemical and high temperature resistance over traditional waxes, they are definitely hardier and more suited to the pure task of paint protection, easily lasting several months and even up to a full year, but have historically not been able to deliver the visual enhancement of organic (specifically, carnauba-based) waxes. However, the most cutting edge in paint sealants technology is getting better at mimicking the sought-after look of high grade carnauba.

Paste, liquid, or spray:
When dealing with a wax or sealant in spray form, the general trade-off is diminished longevity and durability due to it requiring many emulsifiers and solvents to keep it in a thin water-like liquid state, taking down the actual content and concentration of wax or sealant base ingredient. On the upside, application can be much quicker and easier compared to products in a hard paste or creamy liquid. Generally, the thicker it is, the more concentrated the protection is and the more durable and lasting the protection will be.

The Down and Dirty - Just Wash and Apply It, The End:

There’s a lot of noise about how exactly to apply a wax and the potentially dire consequences of messing it up. The truth is, there’s really not all that much to it. Once you’ve established what works best for you, waxing your car can be downright relaxing, even therapeutic.

In all instances, applying a wax needs to be done on a clean car, meaning one that has been freshly washed and dried. Applying on a dirty surface means rubbing in the dirt and contamination already resting on the car, and that’s the easiest route to a scratched-up mess. Secondly, always apply in the shade and on a car that’s already cool to the touch.

We’ll start with spray waxes first (using ‘wax’ and ‘sealant’ interchangeably from here on out). All you’ll need is a medium sized microfibre towel or two. The most direct method would be to spray a few spritzes on the panel before using the microfibre to spread the product and buff it dry, flipping the towel as necessary.

Alternatively, and to conserve product, you could spray onto the towel itself. It’s also important to change towels if you feel it’s heavy and saturated with product, nullifying its ability to buff dry, making this second method a little safer for beginners. If in doubt, always err on the side of using less product rather than more.

The ‘less is more’ approach also applies to liquid and paste type waxes, even more so because leaving an overly thick layer upon application can make the process more difficult than it needs to be. You’ll still need a couple of microfibre towels for later but application should be done with a dedicated applicator pad made from either foam or soft microfibre. These are usually circular for easy handling in your palm, but also to fit into the paste wax tin.

Once you’ve applied a few dabs from the paste medium (or drops of liquid wax) onto the applicator pad, systematically massage the product into the panel, taking your time and using minimal pressure to leave a thin and evenly coated layer. This can be done either in circular or straight patterns, but the name of the game is to leave a thin and even coat.

It’s recommended to work panel by panel, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the product and its behaviour, as every wax product has different recommendations for how long it should be left to cure. Removal follows this step, usually after the wax layer has hazed up and doesn’t smear upon lightly rubbing a finger across a small area. If the haziness is removed to reveal the clear coat beneath, it should be ready for removal.

Again, use minimal pressure and a clean microfibre towel. Some products are inherently more user friendly and will be absolutely effortless to remove while others might call for some elbow grease. Should an area be proving difficult, use a quick spritz of your favourite spray wax or quick detailer to add some lubricity and emulsification to the hardened residue.

With the wax removed and the process repeated on all painted surfaces, your car should be looking like it’s fresh from the showroom - or even better than new. Congratulations, you’ve taken your first step into a larger world….of car detailing.

Brownie Points: It’s All About The Prep

Most waxes will be perfectly fine if applied onto a car that’s freshly washed, but the bond between the clear coat (or painted surface) will not likely be as strong. To ensure maximum durability and gloss, it’s always recommended to perform a paint decontamination as well as a light polish first.

Extracting the maximum potential of any wax or sealant requires application on a ‘virgin’ panel, one that’s free of bonded contaminants, stray chemicals, and even leftover oils from past waxes. If you’re experiencing lacklustre performance from your new wax product, a strong bond may not have been achieved if you’re laying the wax atop a surface that’s already gunked up with other products and contaminants.

Proper preparation is a multi-step process and, depending on the condition of the vehicle, can require special attention to achieve a surface that’s totally clean and pristine that’s ready to accept the new layer of wax protection. We’ll cover this in a future tutorial, hopefully, a video to really get the message across.


Updated Ford Everest Arrives With New 2.0L Turbo Engine, 10-Speed Automatic Gearbox, From RM229k

Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the authorized distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia today announced the introduction of the updated Ford Everest SUV, featuring new cosmetic features, new technology, as well as new powertrain options.
Powered by the new Panther 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine paired to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, the Everest will be available in two variants, with a 3-year/ 100,000 km manufacturer’s warranty:
Everest 2.0L Trend AWD 10 AT –  RM228,888.00
Everest 2.0L Bi-turbo Titanium AWD 10 AT – RM258,888.00
While the Trend variant’s engine comes with a single turbocharger producing 180 PS and 420 Nm, the Titanium variant’s engine features a bi-turbo setup, which churns out 213 PS and 500 Nm. Both variants come with a 4WD system and Ford’s Terrain Management System as standard.
Offered in four colours - Diffused Silver, Sunset, Meteor Grey, and Shadow Black - the Everest comes with a ground clearance of 225 mm which enables it to wade water up to 800 mm deep.
The new powertrain packages replace the outgoing 2.2-litre Duratorq engine which produced 160 PS and 385 Nm, as well as the 3.2-litre engine which was kicking out 200 PS and 470 Nm of torque. Both were paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Standard features include:
Redesigned front grille
Hands-free power lift gate
SYNC  3 infotainment system with improved voice recognition
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 10 Speakers
10-inch full colour touch-screen
Dual four-inch TFT instrument cluster displays
Keyless entry and ignition
18-inch wheels
Xenon headlamps with LED DRLs
LED taillights
Automatic wipers
Dual-zone climate control system
Leather interior upholstery
Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter
Multi-intelligent Instrument Cluster
Electronic Stability Control
MyKey
7 airbags
ESC with traction control
Roll stability Control
The Titanium variant on the other hand, gets extras like:
20-inch alloy wheels
Chrome door handles
Chrome wing mirrors
Panoramic sunroof
Ambient lighting
Automatic powered windows all around
8-way powered front seats
Power-folding third row seats
Front and rear parking sensors
“The new Everest further raises the bar in the SUV segment and will build on its widening appeal in the market,” said Truong Kim Phong, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company.


2014 BMW X4 Quick Review in Spain: Meet The No-Compromise Sports Activity Coupe

Buoyed by the runaway success that is the
X6 SUV coupé
,
BMW
 concurred that there is demand out there for another SUV coupé, albeit a market for a smaller one. Enter the 2014 BMW X4, an SUV coupé based on
the X3
, aimed at a niche of customers who admire the X6 for what it is, but think that it is a little too gargantuan in size and price.
Buyer’s Guide: Should I Buy One?
 If you really do admire the X6 for what it is, a big SUV with a rakish body that has its talents slightly aligned for driving rather than carrying people and cargo, the X4 is something similar but in a smaller package. After our brief drive of the X4 in its range-topping xDrive35i guise, we conclude that it is one of the best SUVs to drive at the moment, if that should matter in your next buying decision. Furthermore the genius behind the X4 is that despite its coupé-connotations, it doesn’t compromise on practicality and it is still nearly as usable as the X3.
Key Specs:
2014 BMW X4 xDrive35i
Price:
TBC
Engine:
3-litre 6-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged
Transmission:
Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Power:
306PS @ 5,800-6,400rpm
Torque:
400Nm @ 1,200-5,000rpm
Acceleration (0-100km/h):
5.5 seconds (claimed)
Fuel consumption:
8.3L/100km (claimed combined)
X6 Inspired Looks In An X3 Mould
Even though the X4 is essentially an X3 with a “coupé” treatment, it doesn’t quite look like a sportier or sleeker spin-off of the X3. Gaze upon the X4 and you will spy a profile inspired by the first-generation X6 - its slant roof and high tailgate, the pumped-up front fenders, and design cues that would later translate onto
the second-generation X6
, such as the crease along the rear wheel arch. However, where the X6’s looks benefited from its width, giving it visual drama, the X4’s narrow track makes it look a little clumsy from the front. The large headlight clusters of the
facelifted X3
, coupled to the inflated M-Sport bodykit fitted to our test cars, gave the X4 a rather odd appearance.
Handling and Performance – Sharper Sporty Traits
In making the X4, BMW took the X3, and lowered its roofline by 36mm, while dropping the seating position for the front and rear occupants by 20mm and 28mm respectively. Other than that, the X4 has the same body and track width, wheelbase, and ground clearance as the X3.You could pass it off an X3 with its roof caved-in and a X6 rump behind, but the experience from behind the wheel tells a different tale that its changes aren’t just skin deep. The X4 strides through the bends with less top-heaviness and more focus than the X3, and its steering feels more precise and quicker than that found on the X3. You still get the impression that you are riding on stilts, with the weighty upper-half bearing down on your every move, but the X4’s demeanour is closer to that of a car than the X3’s. Much of the X4’s sharper persona can be attributed to BMW’s Performance Control torque vectoring feature which comes as standard with the “coupé -X3”. The torque vectoring splits power between the rear wheels to give it the traction and stability in the corners. BMW also says that the new body shell adds rigidity, especially around its back where there seems to be more metal instead of window space. The 3-litre inline-6 turbocharged engine of our test unit was definitely not lacking in power. With 306PS and 400Nm of torque on tap, the 1,815kg X4 can go from 0 to 100kmph in 5.5 seconds, which is quick for something of its bulk and stature. When you aren’t being thrilled by the engine’s performance however, its silky smooth character, couple with the eight-speed automatic transmission, makes it a fine motorway companion. Its massive 18-inch rims however do give off the impression that BMW has no intent for the X4 to be taken off-road. With no proper low-range gearbox or a locking differential, the X4 is definitely catered for the road. Not that this matters to most SUV buyers today.
Practicality - With Little Compromise
Despite its rakish and low roofline, BMW hasn’t forgotten an SUV’s appeal of convenience. Though the slant in the roof does limit the ease of entry into the rear seats by a small degree as compared to the X3, it isn’t cramped when you do. The X4 comes with space and seat belts for three in the back, with the middle perch being slightly recessed in to give the rear bench a “two-seat” appearance. As for the driver’s perch, the X4 adopts the same dashboard that you would find on an X3, though the X4 allows you to drop the seats low until your eyes are just peering over the dashboard. Not that it would be of much use as the whole point of an SUV is to enjoy that commanding driving position. Our test unit came specified with a whole host of driver aids and safety features from BMW’s catalogue such as the heads-up display, lane departure warning, and lane change warning systems which made driving it along narrow Spanish roads all the more relaxing. Open the electrically-automated tailgate and you will find that the X4 comes with a very generous 500-litreboot, which can be expanded to 1,400 litres when you drop the three 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
Verdict
A sporty coupe SUV, which manages to balance the practicality SUV-buyers seek, with a dose of car-like handling; the X4 sounds like a classic example of being a “Jack of all trades, Master of none”, but not quite. For one, it isn’t as compromised as other SUV- coupés such as the
2014 Range Rover Evoque
 which is pretty claustrophobic and miserly on space inside. And when it comes to handling, the X4 trumps its British rival here, with a better steering and chassis. That said the X4’s biggest rival on the horizon hails from Leipzig in the form of the
Porsche Macan
, which has been getting plenty of accolades from pundits aboard, and a f
our-pot entry-level Macan
 poised to bring the fight to BMW. If the
Porsche Cayenne
 is any testament to Porsche's ability to make an SUV drive well, the Macan poses a serious challenge, though its price premium might hobble its chances against the X4. Till our date with the Macan, the X4 remains as the compact SUV with the best mix of SUV-practicalities that has been garnished with a good dose of driving finesse.
*This article first appeared on our sister-site
Live Life Drive
.


OPR dan Inflasi: Pinjaman Kenderaan Semakin Sukar Untuk Diluluskan

Pihak bank
 akan menjadi lebih berwaspada dalam meluluskan pinjaman sewa beli kenderaan berikutan peningkatan kadar faedah pinjaman serta inflasi di negara ini.

Perkara ini sudah pasti memberi kesukaran kepada bakal pembeli kenderaan dalam tempoh masa terdekat ini.

Purata Kelulusan Pinjaman Kenderaan Menurun

Penganalisis RHB Investment Bank Bhd, Jim Lim Khai Xhiang, berkata berdasarkan data, apabila
Kadar Dasar Semalaman (OPR)
 yang menjadi rujukan kadar faedah pinjaman tempatan berada pada 2% antara Februari 2009 hingga Februari 2010, purata kadar kelulusan pinjaman untuk pembelian kenderaan berada pada 60%.

Beliau berkata, bagaimanapun apabila OPR dinaikkan kepada 3% antara Mei 2011 dan Jun 2014, kadar kelulusan purata jatuh kepada 51%.

Menurutnya, OPR yang lebih tinggi berkemungkinan akan diterjemahkan kepada perbelanjaan faedah yang lebih tinggi atas pinjaman sewa beli yang dibuat.

Kenaikan OPR membuatkan
pinjaman kenderaan
 menjadi lebih mahal dan lebih menyukarkan bagi sesetengah pelanggan.

Oleh itu, penganalisis tersebut percaya bahawa bank akan menjadi lebih berhati-hati dalam memberi kelulusan terhadap pinjaman sewa beli kenderaan dan ia berpotentsi membawa kepada lebih banyak penurunan kadar kelulusan pinjaman.

Inflasi Lemahkan Kuasa Beli Pengguna

Selain itu, Khai Xhiang berkata lonjakan inflasi juga boleh melemahkan kuasa beli pengguna.

Jelasnya, inflasi teras Malaysia boleh terus meningkat apabila kerajaan mengambil langkah menyederhanakan tahap
subsidi
dalam tempoh terdekat.

"Pada pandangan kami, kerana pembelian kereta adalah satu keputusan yang dibuat semata-mata mengikut budi bicara, apabila berhadapan dengan kenaikan kos sara hidup dan harga kereta yang lebih tinggi, pengguna yang lebih sensitif terhadap harga mungkin lebih cenderung untuk menahan pembelian yang tidak penting," katanya.


Perodua Axia EV Now A Reality - Daihatsu Shows It Off At GIIAS 2022

This one came up out of left field, but feast your eyes on what
could possibly be Perodua’s first EV
…..in a few year's time, perhaps. It’s the Daihatsu Ayla EV Concept, a fully electric city car that is supposedly fully functional.

Unveiled just outside Jakarta at the 2022 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), it will coincidentally be sharing floor space with a similarly sized but extensively modified
self-driving Proton Savvy
. If you ever wanted proof that the Malaysian automotive scene is much less vibrant, you need only look here. Every year.

Created by PT Astra Daihatsu Motor on their sister version
of our beloved Axia
, this EV concept looks very intriguing if nothing else with its two-tone exterior with neon accents, sized-up wheels, and flush fitment, and cameras in place of wing mirrors (screens inside). There’s something undeniably Volkswagen ID.3 about it too.

Perodua Axia EV - Powertrain

Under that bonnet, there’s nothing left of the car’s internal combustion engine, which in Indonesia is either offered with the 1.0-litre 1KR-DE 3-cylinder that we’re familiar with locally or a larger 1.2-litre 3NR-VE four-cylinder unit mated to a
5-speed manual
 or 4-speed automatic.

Instead, there’s a collection of EV guts - inverters, capacitors, etc - that adjoin with an
80hp
 electric motor to drive the front wheels. Charge is stored in a
32kWh
 battery of some description, probably lithium-ion, within the car. Since the platform was never intended to neatly integrate such a powertrain, we can’t imagine the solution is particularly elegant but merely functional.

We’d be more than happy to deliver more information about the car’s internals to you but for the fact that its makers aren’t really forthcoming about its specifications except to share its battery capacity and electric motor output (but not torque either).

Also, a mystery is an estimate on the Alya EV’s range on a fully charged battery, but in context of a vehicle this tiny and lightweight, 32kWh is a pretty generous amount. The Hyundai Kona Electric in base e-Lite or mid-range e-Plus guise uses 39.2kWh battery that yields a 305km range on the WLTP test cycle.

32kWh Battery. Enough Juice for the Axia EV?

The
MINI Cooper SE 3-door
 that’s sold in Malaysia boasts a lithium-ion battery with a usable charge of 28.9kWh, and though its listed range is at least 235km, it never showed us anything past 150km on its dash for projected endurance during our recent time spent with it.

What this tells us is that, given that the Ayla EV concept is sure to be much lighter than either the Hyundai or the MINI, 32kWh could theoretically take it pretty far before being depleted.

Clearly, the message here is to show what can be done. To prove it possible even within an unideal legacy vehicle platform and compact dimensions. However, it isn’t clear if there is even an outside chance that PT Astra Daihatsu Motor is interested in bringing this to market.

Don’t hold your breath, but motor shows do have a history of spawning show car models that wind up in showrooms years later, particularly with Daihatsu. In 2017 the current Rocky/Ativa was previewed in its early state as the
DN Trec Concept
 at that year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Similarly, the DN-F Sedan Concept, also from 2017 but as GIIAS, is now widely regarded as the progenitor of the
recently released D29A Toyota Yaris Ativ (Vios)
.


Geneva 2019: Honda Compact EV Teased, Retain Plenty Of Concept Designs

Honda has just released a teaser image of their upcoming compact electric vehicle (EV) which is bound for unveiling at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show 2019.
In a single image of the dashboard, the driver-interface features a combination of screens to create a full-width display. We can safely accept this will be the final production design, as all controls look production ready (lighting stalk similar to those found in a Honda City/Jazz).
While Honda did not provide an image on the exterior, the company included a small graphic in the main infotainment screen, showing its charging status.
Upon closer inspection on the silhouette of the compact car, it looks like the compact EV will feature rear doors too, as opposed to the concept’s two doors, which are rear-hinged.
Other highlights that stand out in the silhouette include the bonnet-located charging port and two-tone paint job.
The compact EV, called
Honda Urban EV
, was first displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2017. It was great to see that Honda Design styled the concept based on the first generation Honda Civic hatchback and maintaining its overall design going into production.


Kia's big-sized EV SUV, the EV9 will go on sale this year!

The Kia EV9 is a big, burly, 7-seater EV which will apparently set new standards for driving range.

Like it or hate it, more and more EV vehicles are being produced, and currently, the most exciting electric vehicle we are looking forward to is the Kia EV9.

The Kia EV9 will be the South Korean manufacturer's first full-fat EV SUV, and guess what? It won't come in a year or two, as Kia said the big-sized SUV would be available
by the end of this year
, which means we should get a glimpse of the production vehicle any day now.

The EV9 is a large three-row SUV which will ride on Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP platform, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Hyundai Motor Group hit jackpots when they created the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, so the pressure for the EV9 to be excellent is relatively high.

There are no official technical details for the Kia EV9, but Kia has made claims that their new EV9 SUV was designed to set new standards for range, which we suppose is due to its ability to house more batteries in that big boxy body.

According to Electrek, a website dedicated to EVs, Kia has mentioned that the EV9 could reach 100km/h mph in under five seconds and have a 540km of driving range.

If Kia does create an EV9 GT just like the EV6 GT, we should expect better performance out of it, possibly being able to do the 100km/h sprint in under four seconds. The EV6 GT can do the 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds.

Just like the EV6, the EV9 should be able to support 350-kilowatt fast charging, which should allow it to charge from 10%-80% in 20 minutes or so.

There's no indication of its price just yet, but Motor Biscuit have speculated that it'll be priced starting from $55,000(RM242k) and top out at around $75,000(RM330k).


2022 Honda City Hatchback Malaysian Launch Soon, Bye Bye Jazz

Honda Malaysia has just posted a brief teaser confirming the imminent arrival of the
much anticipated City Hatchback
. Though they remain silent on the details, we suspect there won’t be much waiting around to keep this car away from showrooms.

The Japanese automaker had previously launched the City Hatchback in other ASEAN markets, starting with Thailand
in November 2020
 and followed closely by Indonesia, indicating that a Malaysian debut wasn’t far off.

Clearly, with the final Honda Jazz rolling off the assembly line in Pegoh, Melaka last week, the red carpet was being figuratively rolled out for the City Hatch to take its place.

Since much is still not confirmed about the new car’s specifications, there is still room for Honda Malaysia to surprise us. However, we suspect the Hatch will follow the City sedan’s example in both trim level and powertrain selection, including e e:HEV hybrid if the teaser is to be believed.

This means that, just like the sedan, the City Hatch range will start with a trio of variants: S, E, and V, all powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine producing 121PS and 145Nm.

At the top of the range will be the CIty Hatchback RS e:HEV with
Honda’s impressive i-MMD hybrid powertrain
. It uses the same 1.5-litre engine but uses a powerful electric motor (called the Traction Motor) to drive the front wheels, delivering 109PS and a class-leading 253Nm of torque.

However, what’s unclear is if Honda Malaysia will be launching the RS variant in tandem with the rest of the range. Of course, we hope this to be the case but wouldn’t be surprised if that’s coming a little further down the road.

In terms of design, the City Hatchback reserves any differences to the rear exclusively. With the traditional boot omitted, the hatch is around 208mm shorter from nose to tail. Curiously, it’s 21mm taller than the sedan while remaining just as wide at 1,748mm.

A lot of us will definitely miss the trusty Honda Jazz but with the newest 4th-generation version taking things down
a much more futuristic route
, the City Hatchback makes the most sense for a number of strong volume markets, such as those in Southeast Asia.

We’re looking forward to seeing it in person and comparing it to the outgoing Jazz. The newcomer certainly has some big shoes to fill.


Honda Malaysia Hints At Arrival Of Honda City 2020

Honda Malaysia has dropped the biggest hint yet of the arrival of the All-New (seventh-generation) Honda City 2020 in Malaysia.

With a bold claim stating that 'Your Time Is Up' Honda Malaysia is telling its competitors that its B-segment leader is coming soon! So should the
Mazda 2
,
Toyota Vios
 and
Nissan Almera
 be quivering in their tires? Before we answer that question, however, first let's take a look at what we can expect from the Honda City 2020 from our neighbours in Thailand and India.

Engine: Honda City 2020

A new 1.0-litre 3-cylinder, 12-valve, VTEC Turbo engine which produces a maximum 122 PS at 5,500 rpm and maximum torque of 173 Nm between 2,000 to 4,500 rpm is offered for the Thai market. Honda claims the new engine provides driving performance superior to the 1.5-litre engine of the previous generation and torque equivalent to a 1.8-litre engine.

It is yet unclear at this point if Honda Malaysia will retain the proven 1.5-litre (L15B) four-cylinder engine from the sixth-generation model for the Malaysian market, which is the case in other markets such as India. However, this is a distinct possibility given 118 hp/145 Nm 1.5-litre mill is still competitive against its rivals, and would undoubtedly be cheaper than the 1.0-litre VTEC turbo engine.

In both cases, a CVT-type automatic transmission will prevail, with 7-pseudo ratios (and paddle shifters depending on variant).

Interior: Honda City 2020

The interior has been made even more spacious, with better ergonomics for occupants. The thoroughly redesigned dashboard is offered with a black interior or leather seats with a two-tone ivory/black interior, and a Piano Black console and chrome door handles – depending on variant.

Exterior: Honda City 2020

The exterior is designed to deliver a sportier appearance with sharp character lines – which are married to a more fastback-style silhouette (like the Civic) – and features projector headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED Tail Lights, Chrome Front Grille, Shark Fin Antenna, and newly-designed 15-inch alloy wheels, depending on variant.

Safety: Honda City 2020

The City is supplied as standard with six airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Multi-angle Rearview Camera.

Price: Honda City 2020

TBC but it retails for between RM80,100 to RM102,500 in Thailand.

What engine and specs will the local Honda City receive? Kita tunggu dan lihat!

In the meantime, if you were wondering
how the current City stacks up against the Toyota Vios
...


A Hyundai At The Concours d’Elegance? Who Would’ve Thought

The 40th Annual Concours d’Elegance of America is all set to take place in Plymouth, Michigan this weekend, with a plethora of classic and rare automobiles taking centre stage.
And among all the usual suspects will stand something rather unique this year – the Hyundai Le Fil Rouge Concept.
Unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the Le Fil Rouge is said to be a reinterpretation of Hyundai’s 1974 Coupe Concept, but with a futuristic touch.
It features the brand’s Sensuous Sportiness design theme, which will be applied on Hyundai models in the near future.
The theme features four elements that are integral in vehicle design – proportion, architecture, styling and technology.
On the exterior, the front and the rear pillars, as well as the roof are seamlessly blended into the overarching silhouette of the vehicle, as though it is drawn with a single line.
The exterior and interior are then merged smoothly by the ‘Tube Architecture’, keeping the exterior’s sensuous and sporty character consistent inside the vehicle.
According to Hyundai, the Tube Architecture’s principle is to create the same emotional value inside and outside the vehicle, while also allowing for a lightweight profile.
Key features include a two-way air ventilation system inspired by aircraft ventilation which blows air over the curved surface of the lightweight tube architecture, re-vitalized wood and high tech fabrics, and a floating panoramic display coupled with haptic technology which sits in front of the driver.
This display provides access to intuitive climate controls and other vehicle features.
“As its name implies, Le Fil Rouge (common thread) is a reflection of Hyundai’s belief that the brand’s past, present and future designs are all connected. Building on our long history of creating distinctive and sporty character in vehicles, we will open a new era for Hyundai design,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Centre.


Volkswagen Malaysia Opens House Nationwide to Celebrate Merdeka

From now until the 31
st
 of August, any customer who visits a Volkswagen showroom is entitled to a series of cash rebates on a select range of Volkswagen models. You can get an RM 10,000 rebate on the Vento, an RM 4,000 rebate on the Polo hatchback, and an RM 2,000 rebate on the Golf.
In addition to this, Volkswagen Malaysia will also be having open house events on two separate weekends- the 13
th
 and 14
th
 of August, and the 27
th
 and 28
th
 of August, 2016. During this open house, customers will have a chance to sample Volkswagen’s extensive model range and enjoy activities for the entire family. Those who place a booking for a model on the day are also eligible to enter a special giveaway for electronic gadgets and prizes.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Maintains Top Spot In The Premium Segment

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia delivered 2,945 vehicles in the first quarter of 2017, recording double-digit growth of 11% year-on-year. They remain as the number one premium brand in Malaysia, with a 2.3% market share.

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For the first quarter of the year, the company's locally-assembled sedan models topped the sales charts. Combined, the Mercedes-Benz C-, E- and S-Class saw 1,820 units sold. Breaking the number down, 1,083 units of the C-Class, 610 units of the E-Class and 127 units of the S-Class were delivered to customers. Compared to Q1 2016, sales of the S-Class saw a decline from 195 units.
The company's compact car range, which includes the Mercedes-Benz A-, B-, GLA and CLA Class recorded a total of 434 units.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's SUV range also saw a healthy growth, with 594 units delivered to customers, out of which, 491 units were the GLC. Compared to the same period in 2016, sales figure saw an increase of 274%.
As for their Dream Car range, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia saw 93 units sold, which translates into a 365% growth compared to the first quarter of 2016. Last but not least, the company shifted 4 units of the V-Class.
Vehicle sales aside, the company continued to improve their after sales capabilities. For the first quarter of 2017, their dealer network serviced a total of 30,629 vehicles.
Since its incorporation in 2003, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has invested over RM900 million into production, sales and distribution. Their production plant in Pekan, Pahang currently assembles 11 models, which includes the C180 Avantgarde, C200 Exclusive, C200 Avantgarde, C250 AMG, E200 Avantgarde, E250 Avantgarde, E250 Exclusive, E350e, S400h AMG, GLC250 AMG and the C350e.
Moving forward, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is set to introduce 1 new facelift model, 2 new models, 4 special edition models and 14 new variants later this year.