Mazda and Toyota Teams Up Further To Develop Safety and EV Tech

Mazda and Toyota have pledged to deepen their commitments to each other with the signing of an agreement to form a business and capital alliance.
Currently, Mazda and Toyota already have existing partnership in manufacturing and sharing of hybrid tech.
The Japan-only Mazda 3 Hybrid for example, uses the hybrid components that’s shared with the Toyota Prius.
In USA, Toyota sells a B-segment sedan known as the Scion iA, essentially a Mazda 2 Sedan with a different styling. The Scion iA is made by Mazda at its plant in Mexico.
The new agreement will supersede these existing arrangements and the new Mazda-Toyota alliance will expand its existing cooperation to include:
Establish a joint venture that produces vehicles in the United States
Jointly develop technologies for electric vehicles
Jointly develop connected-car technology
Collaborate on advanced safety technologies
Expand complementary products.
Regarding the structure of the newly established alliance, both companies have said that the capital agreement alliance ‘preserves independence and equality for both companies.’
Toyota will subscribe for and acquire shares to be newly issued by Mazda through a third-party allotment, and at the same time Mazda will subscribe for and acquire third-party allocation shares of treasury stock disposed of by Toyota in the equivalent amount in value to the Mazda shares. The value of the shares mutually acquired by both companies will be equivalent.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda said: “The greatest fruit of our partnership with Mazda is that we have found a new partner who truly loves cars. It has also sparked Toyota’s competitive spirit, increasing our sense of not wanting to be bested by Mazda. This is a partnership in which those who are passionate about cars will work together to make ever-better cars. It is also the realization of our desire to never let cars become commodities.”
Representing Mazda, President and CEO Masamichi Kogai said: “Nothing would please me more than if, through this alliance, we can help to energize the auto industry and create more car fans by bringing together two competitive spirits to spur each other on, leading to innovations and fostering talent and leaders.”
Details of the agreement on business alliance are below, as mentioned in the press statements released by both companies.
1) Establish a joint venture that produces vehicles in the US
As part of the new alliance, Toyota and Mazda have agreed to explore establishing a joint venture plant in the US with equal funding contributions. The plant would have an estimated annual production capacity of approximately 300,000 units. Pending approvals and authorization by relevant government agencies, the companies will begin to examine detailed plans with the goal to starting operations of the new plant in 2021. The plant will require a total investment of approximately 1.6 billion U.S. dollars, and will create up to 4,000 jobs. In addition to the collaboration in product and technology areas that the companies have enjoyed thus far, Toyota and Mazda intend to improve competitiveness in manufacturing through this new production collaboration.
At the new plant, Mazda expects to produce cross-over models that Mazda will newly introduce to the North American market, and Toyota plans to produce the Corolla for the North American market.
By producing vehicles in the US, Mazda aims to build a production structure to further grow in North America. These activities will allow the company to more quickly respond to its customers’ needs depending on the region and model.
By further increasing its production capacity in the US, Toyota is to further pursue management that is closer to the region, as a measure to improve its response to the growing North American market. At Toyota’s new plant in Guanajuato, Mexico, which is currently under construction, Toyota plans to produce the Tacoma, instead of the Corolla. There will be no substantial impact on Toyota’s investment and employment plan there.
2) Jointly develop technologies for electric vehicles
With increasing demand and expectations for electric vehicles worldwide, Toyota and Mazda are to explore joint development of technologies for the basic structure of competitive electric vehicles, mobilizing and exchanging expertise freely and actively. These technologies will allow the companies to respond quickly to regulations and market trends in each country. Specific details of the collaboration will be determined as the companies work together going forward.
3) Jointly develop connected technology and collaborate on advanced safety technologies
Toyota and Mazda will work together to jointly develop technologies for onboard multimedia infotainment systems in preparation for increased use of in-car information technologies and the increasing demand for connected technologies. In addition, Toyota will cooperate with Mazda in Toyota’s vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technologies with the ultimate goal of creating a mobile society devoid of accidents.
4) Expand complementary products
Currently, Mazda is supplying a compact sedan to Toyota in North America. In addition, Toyota is to supply a compact commercial “two-box” van to Mazda in Japan. Beyond this, the companies will further explore the possibilities of other complementary products on a global level.
Details of the capital alliance
Based on the agreement, the companies will aim to develop sustainable collaboration, maximizing the synergies of the business and capital alliance by mutually acquiring shares as stated below.
Toyota will acquire 31,928,500 shares of common stock newly issued by Mazda through a third-party allotment (shareholding ratio of 5.05% on an issued share basis after the capital increase; total value of 50 billion yen).
Mazda will, through a disposition of treasury stock through a third-party allotment to be implemented by Toyota, acquire Toyota shares that are equivalent in value to the Mazda shares (shareholding ratio of 0.25% on an issued share basis).
The two companies plan to apply proceeds from the capital increase through the third-party allotment and the disposition of treasury stock through the third-party allotment to fund, in part, capital expenditures relating to the establishment of the joint venture to produce vehicles in the U.S.
Both companies are to consider strengthening their capital alliance further, in line with the progress of their business alliance


Kepentingan Penapis Udara Kabin Kereta – Mengapa Perlu Dijaga?

Jika anda sebagai tuan kereta pun diwajibkan memakai
pelitup muka
 ketika berada di luar untuk menghirup udara segar, kereta anda pun perlukan pelitup mukanya yang tersendiri!

Pelitup muka yang dimaksudkan ini bukanlah seperti pelitup muka yang anda pakai, tapi untuk kereta, ia dikenali sebagai
penapis udara kabin (cabin air filter)
. Bagi yang tidak tahu, penapis kabin dan penapis udara enjin merupakan dua komponen kereta yang berbeza.

Penapis udara kabin berfungsi untuk menapis udara luar yang mengalir masuk ke dalam kabin kereta melalui penyaman udara selain menghalang segala kotoran, debu dan habuk daripada turut serta memeriahkan kabin anda. Hasilnya, kualiti udara serta tahap kebersihan di dalam kabin juga akan meningkat.

Penapis udara kabin ini terletak di bahagian dalam kabin kereta, kebiasaannya di bahagian glove box atau pada
papan pemuka
 di bahagian penumpang hadapan. Seperti penapis udara enjin, penapis kabin ini juga merupakan komponen penting yang memastikan udara kabin kekal bersih, tambah-tambah pada musim
COVID-19
 ini di mana partikel virus telah berada di udara.

Kepentingan Penapis Udara Kabin

Dah nama pun penapis udara, jadi anggaplah ia ibarat pelitup muka yang anda gunakan ketika ini. Penapis kabin berfungsi menapis segala pencemaran dan gas toksik dari udara luar yang tidak boleh dilihat dengan mata kasar sebelum masuk ke dalam kabin. Udara yang bersih amat diperlukan memandangkan ada yang menghabiskan kebanyakan masanya di dalam kereta, tambah-tambah ketika trafik sesak semasa perjalanan pergi dan balik kerja.

Ketika tersangkut di dalam kesesakan trafik, kualiti udara di jalan raya anda amatlah kotor dan berbahaya kerana bahan kimia yang dilepaskan oleh
ekzos kenderaan
 lain di kawasan sekeliling. Di sinilah penapis kabin akan mula bekerja dengan menghalang bahan kimia daripada asap ekzos daripada memasuki kabin untuk memastikan kualiti udara dalaman yang baik bagi penumpang kenderaan.

Mengapa Penapis Udara Kabin Perlu Ditukar?

Penapis kabin yang dibiarkan kotor, tersumbat atau tercemar akan mengakibatkan masalah seperti berikut:

Pencemaran Udara

Kualiti udara luar yang kotor dan tercemar merupakan antara sebab utama mengapa penapis udara kabin ini perlu diberikan perhatian. Jika anda tidak mahu udara tersebut dibawa masuk ke dalam kabin, rajin-rajinlah periksa dan tukar penapis ini bagi menghalang pencemaran udara di dalam kabin. Udara yang bersih dapat mencegah peningkatan masalah kesihatan seperti asma, alahan, resdung dan lain-lain.

Habuk, Kotoran Dan Bakteria Terkumpul

Penapis udara kabin yang tidak berfungsi dengan baik akan menyebabkan udara di dalam kereta menjadi lebih teruk dengan kehadiran habuk, kotoran serta bakteria terkumpul. Tambah-tambah jenis yang suka makan atau
dine-in
 dalam kereta. Bila kabin kereta kotor dan tercemar, maka makin seronoklah keturunan
lipas beranak-pinak
 di dalam kabin anda.

Alahan

Alahan boleh dicetuskan oleh pelbagai jenis alergen seperti hama habuk, debunga, bulu haiwan, makanan, atau kulat. Jika sesiapa yang mempunyai alahan tersentuh atau terhidu alergen ini, mereka akan mula mendapat tindak balas alahan seperti inflamasi pada kulit atau saluran penafasan yang mengakibatkan bersin, hidung berair ataupun kegatalan pada mata.

Penyaman Udara Tak Sejuk

Bila penapis kabin anda tersumbat, penyaman udara anda perlu bekerja lebih keras untuk mengepam udara melalui penapis tersebut. Ini boleh mengakibatkan bunyi bising serta prestasi
penyaman udara yang kurang efektif
. Dengan cuaca panas di Malaysia, pasti kabin anda memerlukan masa yang lebih lama untuk sejuk. Bila penyaman udara perlu bekerja keras, penggunaan
bahan api
 pun boleh meningkat.

Kesimpulannya, meskipun komponen ini kelihatan ringkas, namun ia memainkan peranan besar terhadap kabin anda. Seeloknya, tukarlah penapis kabin kereta anda setiap tahun atau setiap 15,000 km. Jika anda mula merasakan bahawa tingkap kereta mudah
berkabus
, penyaman udara kurang sejuk serta bau yang kurang menyenangkan seperti bau ekzos dari luar, itu tandanya anda perlu periksa penapis kabin anda. Jika ia sudah terlalu hitam dan kotor, maksudnya dah sampai masanya untuk ditukar.


Post SST: Why There Is An Increase Of Price For CBU Models

A few main distributors have updated the prices of their products, reflecting the reintroduction of the Sale and Services Tax of 10% by the government with effect from 1 st of September 2018.
Majority of locally-assembled models, be it mainstream or premium brands see a reduction in price when compared to the GST-era. From what we have gathered, only Volvo have maintained their prices between both phases of taxation.
Locally-assembled models such as the Mercedes-Benz E250 saw a price reduction of RM16,000!
Fully imported models meanwhile see an increase in prices, such as the Honda Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf line-up, the MINI range except for the Countryman, and Toyota C-HR.
We were told the reason for locally-assembled products enjoying a lower on-the-road price is due to incentives given out under the Industrial Linkage Programme (ILP) schemes. With ILP, locally-assembled products with high localization content enjoy a lower computed value, and thus, lower overall sales tax, as the sales tax element is the final taxation after import and excise duties. (Example below)
Local-assembly receives incentives and lower excise duties through ILP. It thus reduces the computed value for sales tax calculation
The Toyota Hilux is locally-assembled in Shah Alam, but why the prices have gone up? As the Hilux is a pickup and classified as a commercial vehicle, the vehicle is already exempted from excise and import duties. Without any excise duties, there are no savings from the ILP scheme.
Thus, the increase in tax rate from 6% to 10% directly affects the higher on-the-road price.
Proton
 and
Volkswagen
 meanwhile continue to offer buyers the price of their products at zero-rated GST.
As for after-sales and servicing, a 6% service tax is applied to labour charges.
Here are the quick links to the new SST-based prices with effect from 1st of September 2018.
Mainstream brands
Honda
Kia
Nissan
Perodua
Peugeot
Toyota
Volkswagen
Mazda (Updated)
Premium brands
BMW and MINI
Mercedes-Benz
Volvo


BMW Issues Recall For Toyota Supra

BMW North America has issued a recall for a
Toyota Supra
 and selected BMWs over a potential loss of braking distance.

According to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA), selected BMW models and the
Toyota Supra
 have been recalled over the loss of the braking assist feature due to a fault in the engine management software.

It is reported that a total of 50,024 units are affected by the recall comprising 13,014 units of the
Toyota Supra
 with the rest being BMWs namely the M340i, M340i xDrive, X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, X3 M40i and Z4 M40i. All affected vehicles are manufactured between 2019 to 2021.

The problem apparently lies with the engine management software that could potentially cause the oil/ vacuum pump to be damaged under certain start conditions. The oil/ vacuum pump supplies the vacuum for the brake assistance. Full mechanical braking remains available though an increase in braking distance can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix is a relatively simple update to the engine management software that will be done for free.

This is the seventh, yes you read that right seventh
Toyota Supra
 recall in North America since the coupe's launch in 2019.


Toyota Australia Cuts Prices For 86, Announces One-Make Race Series

While the Toyota 86 has been relegated to a
special order-only model
 by UMW Toyota (with an unspecified price), the Aussies are getting a better deal.
Toyota Australia has recently announced that it has slashed prices of the 86 by up to AU800, along with a higher level of features - thanks to import duty reductions under the Japan-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
The base model 86 GT manual now gets additional reverse camera and a 6.1-inch touch-screen display audio system, while maintaining its base price of AUD29,900 - similar price as top-level specifications 1.8-litre Corolla Altis sedan (Corolla ZR sedan in Australia). Prices for the 86 GT automatic has been slashed by AUD300 to AUD32,490.
The higher range 86 GTS models has seen prices dropping by AUD500 for the manual model, now AUD35,990, while the automatic model has been slashed by AUD800 to AUD38,490.
Customers can also order a full-size space wheel with a urethane cover at no extra cost.
The 86 is Australia's best-selling sports car, with over 13,000 units sold since June 2012. Australia is also the third biggest market for Toyota's 'back-to-basics' affordable, rear wheel drive, normally aspirated sports car.
Malaysia also has a free trade agreement with Japan, but import duty reductions for Japan-made passenger cars below 2,000cc will only be abolished in 2016.
However don't expect any major changes to prices of Japan-made cars as the current import duty rate is already at a marginal 4.6 percent. The biggest component of our inflated car prices is not import duty but excise duty, which is not within the scope of any free trade agreement. The current excise duty for vehicles below 2,000cc is 80 percent.
 Toyota Australia also announced that it will be introducing a one-make race series next year. Known as the Toyota 86 Pro-Am, which Toyota describes as an "affordable, grassroots motorsport series," the races will be held at 2016 V8 Supercars series events.
The one-make race series will be run by Toyota Racing Australia. Up to five selected professional drivers will mentor and compete against a larger field of amateur drivers who will have to qualify to get onto the starting grid at each round.
The 86 race cars will be based on the GT manual model, with key specifications controlled to ensure their suitability and reliability while keeping costs as low as possible.


2016 Ford Everest Previewed at 1U Roadshow

The Malaysian versions of
Ford’s
 latest large SUV, the Everest, is currently on display at the Ford Going Further Roadshow happening at 1 Utama shopping centre in Petaling Jaya from today until next Monday, 2 May.
Based on the
Ranger T6
’s sophisticated running gear, the all-new Everest is a multi-fold advancement over its rugged but crude predecessor. Power comes from the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder and 3.2-litre five-cylinder engines as featured in the
Ranger
.
Two trim levels are offered for the Malaysian market as follows:
Trend: 2.2-litre, 160PS, 385Nm, 6-speed auto, RWD
Titanium: 3.2-litre, 200PS, 470Nm, 6-speed auto, Part-time 4WD
Official prices have yet to be announced, but a salesperson we spoke to at the roadshow gave us indicated prices of RM200k and RM280k for the 2.2- and 3.2-litre variants respectively.
The 3.2-litre model’s 4WD system features electronically switchable drive modes – 2H, 4H, 4L – and is complemented by a Terrain Management System that allows the driver optimize the driveline settings for Road, Sand, Snow, and Extreme Rocky conditions.
The Everest Trend 2.2-litre comes standard with the following features:
18-inch alloy wheels
Front and rear fog lamps
Halogen projector headlamps, manual levelling adjustment
Dual zone climate control
Rear air-con vents
Cruise Control, Speed Limiter
Ford SYNC with Bluetooth, USB, iPod connectivity
Fabric upholstery
Dual frontal, knee airbags
Parking sensors, rear only
Opting for the 3.2-litre Titanium model adds the following:
20-inch alloy wheels
Auto-leveling HID headlamps
Rear air-con vents with independent control
Ford SYNC 2 with 8-inch colour touchscreen; Bluetooth, USB, iPod connectivity
Leather upholstery and trim
Side and curtain airbags
Parking sensors, front and rear, plus reverse camera
Auto wipers
230V power socket
Electrochromic rear view mirror
8-way driver seat power adjustment
Power folding third row seats
We have yet to been officially informed of a launch date by Ford representatives. To know more about the Everest, read our regional
media drive review of it from Chiang Rai
 last year.


Nissan Celebrates One Millionth Export From Thailand

If you're wondering why a lot of the news these last few days or weeks has been surrounding Thailand, it's because our neighbours up north have been making some pretty significant strides in terms of policy in order to grow their automotive sector. Perhaps one of the biggest milestones a factory or manufacturer can achieve is the millionth car, and this specific achievement is Nissan's Thailand cumulative export figure.
Exporting from Thailand since 1999, the Nissan plants there are responsible for supplying models to the rest of Asia and Oceania. This includes the Philippines, Australia, and Japan - the largest markets which take their markets from Thailand, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Vietnam, New Zealand, Dubai, and Oman. It's taken them just 20 years to achieve this in terms fo exports alone, which is a huge feat worth of celebration.
This is also around 60 years from when Nissan first set up shop in Thailand. Roughly 250 companies exist in their supply chain, and there are nearly 170,000 people in their employ. Their hard work has seen impressive growth - most recently, a 19% increase in exports for 2018 compared to 2017, and ranked fifth in automakers who export from Thailand.
In 2014, Nissan opened a second plant at Bangna-Trad KM. 22, which is the base for local and global export production of the Nissan Navara and a recognized global Center of Excellence (COE) for that pickup. In April 2015, Nissan opened its regional R&D Test Center, located next to the Samut Prakan plants.
There are currently six Nissan models being exported from Thailand: the Almera, March, Navara, Sylphy, Teana, and Terra. This is also important to note as Thailand has sometimes been regarded as more of a hub for exporting pickup trucks and commercial vehicles alone, and this shows that Thai manufacturing is capable of much more than these offroaders.


2017 Mercedes-AMG E63S Launched In Malaysia – From RM 998,888

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has introduced its latest member of the Mercedes Dream Car Collection and the most powerful E-Class ever created – the 2017 (W213) Mercedes-AMG E63S 4Matic+, priced from RM998,888.
The latest generation of the E-Class model’s performance flagship, first unveiled in late-2016 introduces a number of new developments in the powertrain department, equipment levels and connected multimedia applications.
At the business end – the E63S is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that delivers a whopping 612 hp at 5,750 rpm and torque of 850 Nm between 2,500 to 4,500 rpm.
The bi-turbo V8, internally coded as the M178, utilises two twin-scroll turbochargers mounted within the ‘inner-V’ of the engine for better response and better efficiency of the catalytic converters. AMG’s Cylinder Management technology also allows for deactivation of up to four-cylinders depending on driving conditions.
The engine is mated to the AMG Speedshift nine-speed multi-clutch transmission, which has been specially tuned for the E63S model. Certain hardware components have been re-engineered, including a bespoke software program for faster gearshifts. A wet start-off clutch replaces the torque converter in the E63S.
Power is sent to all four wheels through AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system, which allows for fully-variable torque distribution between front and rear axles. Despite being AWD, it is still possible to drift the E63S in the car’s “drift mode”, which can be activated in the "Race" drive program using the shift paddles.
As is commonplace by now, the AMG Dynamic Select drive programs offer four different drive programs "Comfort", "Sport", "Sport Plus" and "Individual" to fine tune the response of the engine, transmission, suspension, steering, stability control and all-wheel drive system.
AMG has also simplified the ‘RaceStart’ for the new model, which now only requires a forceful stomp of the brake pedal and simultaneously mash the accelerator pedal.
The E63S will sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, and keep accelerating to a governed top speed of 250 km/h, 300 km/h is possible with AMG Driver’s package installed. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 8.8 litres/100km with CO2 emissions of 199 g/km.
Visually, the E63S is substantially different from the front to rest of the E-Class range – the aggressive looking front bumper and wider wheel arches are actually 27 mm wider than a regular E-Class, to accommodate the wider track of the wheels. Along the flanks, the E63S is fitted with huge 20-inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels, wrapped in 265 mm (front) and 295 mm (rear) wide tyres front to rear respectively. At the rear, the E63S is highlighted by a lip spoiler on the boot lid and rear apron with a diffuser look.
On the inside – the E63S is fitted with a flat-bottom steering wheel and heavily-bolstered sports seats at the front. Trapezium-grain aluminium elements add further highlight to the interior, while an IWC-designed clock resides in the centre console. Standard equipment also includes the AMG instrument cluster which combines two widescreen multifunction monitors with a uniquely designed graphic display.
As for the limited-run 'Edition 1' models - the exterior is finished in the Designo matte-black paint finish, complemented by matt-finished rims as well. On the inside, drivers are treated to black Nappa leather upholstery and AMG Performance steering wheel, door armrests, centre console and carpets, in addition to subtle 'Edition 1' badging.
Our colleague Aswan was in Portugal to attend the Mercedes-AMG E63's international media drive last year. Click
here
 for his review.


Nissan Navara Earns 4-Star ASEAN NCAP Rating

Nissan’s seminal pick-up truck, the
Nissan NP300 Navara
, has undergone its trial by fire – earning an overall 4-star rating in the New Car Assessment Program for South East Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP).
The NP300 Navara earned a 12.34 score in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), but did not fare too well in the Child Occupant Protection (COP) category – managing only a 2-star rating with 37% compliance.
The 2.5 E Double Cab (MT) variant, benchmarked in the test, is not offered in Malaysia with ABS, EBD or Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Two airbags are offered as standard, as are ISOFIX anchors on the two outer rear passenger seats. However, the variant uses the rear seatbelts instead of a top tether as the child restraint system, which hampered its ratings in the COP category.
Further up in the
NP300 Navara range
, the 2.5 (MT) SE variant offers two-airbags, ABS, EBD, and ESC and standard.


Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan Bakal Bina Hentian Di Jalan Temiang-Pantai

Setelah deretan
saman
 dan makian dilemparkan ke jalan yang mempunyai pandangan ala-ala New Zealand kerana tidak mempunyai kawasan rehat yang sesuai, Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) kini sedang mengenal pasti kawasan untuk dijadikan hentian di
Jalan Temiang-Pantai.

Kenyataan itu dibuat sendiri oleh Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun bagi menjawab sejauh mana cadangan kerajaan negeri bagi membina kawasan hentian di Jalan Temiang-Pantai.

*Kredit foto: Bernama

Hentian R&R Jalan Temiang-Pantai

Menurut MB, sebelum ini satu kawasan berdekatan persimpangan masuk dari Jalan Pantai telah dikenal pasti sesuai dijadikan kawasan parkir, namun berstatus tanah persendirian.

Bagaimanapun kawasan tersebut adalah tanah milik individu dengan keluasan 0.68 hektar. Pada masa yang sama kerajaan akan mengenal pasti tempat lain yang sesuai bagi tujuan tersebut dan akan melibatkan proses pengambilan balik tanah.

Terdahulu, banyak pihak menggesa kerajaan membina tempat parkir atau kawasan R&R di Jalan Temiang-Pantai susulan jumlah pengguna jalan raya di laluan tersebut yang semakin meningkat.

Awal tahun ini, kerajaan negeri telah memohon kepada kerajaan Persekutuan bagi membina tempat meletak kenderaan di Jalan Temiang-Pantai yang menjadi tumpuan orang ramai untuk
bergambar
.

*Kredit foto: Hi Honor

Lebih Banyak Lampu Jalan Akan Dipasang

JKR Negeri Sembilan telah mengangkat permohonan penambahan lampu jalan melalui surat jabatan pada 8 Februari lalu kepada Cawangan Jalan, JKR ibu pejabat.

“Bagaimanapun permohonan tersebut tidak dipertimbangkan kerana skop kerja asal pemasangan lampu jalan bagi Projek Jalan Penghubung Interchange (Persimpangan) Temiang–Pantai tersebut adalah sehingga persimpangan bulatan sahaja,” katanya.

Namun Aminuddin berkata JKR Negeri Sembilan akan mengangkat permohonan baharu penambahan lampu jalan di bawah Program Keselamatan Jalan Persekutuan Semenanjung Malaysia dalam rolling plan (rancangan boleh pinda) akan datang.


50 Percent Discount On PDRM Traffic Summonses – Doesn’t Include Illegal Modifications Summons

The
Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM)
 is offering a 50 percent discount on traffic summon compounds from now until 18th July 2021.

However, Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department Director Datuk Azisman Alias said that the offer does not cover court lawsuits, major offences, heavy vehicle offences and the summons for
exhaust modifications
 issued
earlier this year
.

He added, "During the campaign period, all
summons
 payment counters in the contingent and the District Police Headquarters will be closed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infection during the
Movement Control Order 3.0 period
. The discount offer is in an effort to support the government’s intention towards providing cashless payment services during the COVID-19 outbreak situation”

Members of the public that wish to pay for their summons are encouraged to do so through PDRM's official portal and the MyBayar Saman application (downloadable on the Google Play and Apple App Store).

Azisman further added that the MyBayar Saman application has also been optimised to enable companies and business entities to register as users and subsequently make payments using the application.

Cover image: FB @
PDRM


Top Malaysian Racers Ready To Battle It Out At Inaugural Toyota Vios Challenge

All set to rock Penang on August 12th and 13th, the inaugural Vios Challenge race is anticipated to be one of the more thrilling racing competitions in Malaysia.
Despite being new, the race has already received very positive feedback from big names in the local racing scene like Keifli Othman, Boy Wong, Kenny Lee, James Veerapan, Syafiq Ali, Mark Darwin, Mitchel Cheah, Rocky Seow, Akina Teo and Tengku Djan Ley who are participating in the race.
The local racers gave their comments after their first shakedown session at the Sepang International Circuit last week.
“It is going to be a very close race,” said Keifli Othman, a veteran of saloon and open wheel racing and an early favourite in the Vios Challenge. “The Vios is very responsive and easy to handle so newcomers and seasoned racers will have a lot of fun driving this car in the race,” said Keifli.
Echoing Keifli’s statement, rally ace Kenneth Koh who cut his teeth on international rally circuits but making his debut on a race track in the Vios Challenge was quick to praise the ease of settling into a quick rhythm with the Vios.
“The car is so easy to drive, I got used to it after just a few laps. It is very balanced with the right amount of power, handling, braking and acceleration so I think it is equal for beginners and expert drivers to handle the car,” said Kenneth.
All 40 units of Vios Challenge racing cars have been built to identical specification using racing parts sourced from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) including its exhaust system, suspension and most of the aerodynamic kits. The rims, tyres and fuel are controlled items supplied by the organizers during the race which further restricts the variables that drivers can exploit.
According to another early race favourite Boy Wong who will be racing under Team ST Wangan’s banner, the nature of a one-make race negates the need for any racing strategy. “This is going to be a pure pedal-to-metal race from lights to flag. You won’t have any opportunity to think of strategies in the race. Everyone will be jostling to get ahead of the pack so you either keep up or defend,” said Wong.
“Having driven the Vios, I believe that this car will reward the gentle and smooth driver. If you’re too aggressive, you may lose too much momentum and actually fall behind. The way to drive it is by being smooth through the corners. I think that the driver who realizes this quickly will do very well,” said owner of Dream Chaser Team CY Ong.
“We have not had a race of this nature and competitiveness in a very long time. I’ve waited so long for something like the Vios Challenge to come by and I am getting so excited about fighting it out in the first race in August. I simply cannot wait,” added Keifli.
The Vios Challenge will be the headlining event at the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival that kicks off with the first event on 12thand 13th August at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang.
The Festival will host a myriad of activities including drift shows, celebrity performances, food trucks, test drives, and a showcase of the upcoming Toyota C-HR. Entrance to the event is free.


BMW X5 xDrive40e: Plug-In Hybrid Meets Sports Activity Vehicle, 3.3 Litres Per 100 KM

At the 65th Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013,
BMW
 unveiled a plug-in hybrid concept of its X5, powered by the company’s eDrive system. Fast forward to 2015, they have turned that concept into a production model called the
BMW X5
 xDrive40e.
What is it?
Essentially, it is your run of the mill BMW X5 but now with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is referred to as BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology. Sure, the BMW i8 is actually the first plug-in hybrid production car in the BMW fleet but this represents the first within the company’s core brand.
Powertrain
As we’ve mentioned, BMW’s EfficientDynamics eDrive technology is in play here and comprises of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine that provides 245 hp and 350 Nm torque. Electrification can be found in the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, where a synchronous electric motor (113 hp, 250 Nm) can be found.
BMW’s xDrive permanent all-wheel drive system sends power to all four wheel, even in all-electric mode.
When combined, the maximum system output stands at 313 hp and 450 Nm of torque and will accelerate the the over 2 tonne vehicle to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 6.8 seconds to an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h.
The eDrive system has several modes to choose from: AUTO, SAVE Battery, and MAX. AUTO is the basic setting, allowing both the petrol engine and electric motor to work together as and when required. SAVE Battery, maintains the battery state of charge or builds it up. In MAX eDrive mode, the X5 runs on pure electricity alone, drawing power from its 9.0 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, providing a range of 31 km. It’ll do 120 km/h top speed if that’s of interest to you.
The system provides a combined fuel consumption of 3.4 – 3.3 litres for every 100 kilometres as claimed by BMW.
Exterior
From the outside, the BMW X5 xDrive40e doesn’t differ significantly from a regular X5. The main giveaway is the plug-in charging port on the left side of the vehicle, which can be connected to BMW’s i Wallbox charging station. The “eDrive” logo found on the vehicle’s flanks is also another identifier.
Other exterior highlights are adaptive LED headlights, a selection of 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels should the standard 18-inch ones not suffice. The vehicle can also be ordered with the M Sport package and can be modified with bespoke features by BMW Individual.
Interior
Inside, it is distinctively BMW with the inclusion of the ConnectedDrive system that provides navigation and access to other features of the vehicle including a range of options like Driving Assistant Plus featuring Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Collision Warning with braking function and Traffic Jam Assistant, BMW Head-Up Display, and the BMW Night Vision system.
Safety
The usual plethora of safety systems can be found here including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Dry Braking function, Fading Compensation, Start-Off Assistant; DSC linked to xDrive all-wheeldrive, Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), Hill Descent Control (HDC), and Dynamic Damper Control.


New Nissan Serena Launched In Japan, Featuring Fresh Design And Improved Safety Features

Nissan has just introduced the new Serena MPV in Japan a couple of days ago, featuring a fresh new look both inside and out, and a variety of new intelligent safety technologies as standard equipment.
On the exterior, the new Serena features Nissan's double V-motion design signature which runs through the updated headlights, framing the Serena's bold chrome grille. The front bumper has also been updated, with sharper accents and an integrated chin spoiler. As for the rear, the taillights and bumper have also been redesigned to look bolder and more futuristic.
As for the Highway Star models, the front face exudes a more aggressive demeanor, with the V-motion theme starting lower on the updated bumper, resulting in a larger grille with a unique chrome pattern. Exclusive rear taillights and a redesigned rear bumper further complement the Highway Star's new road presence. The e-Power models on the other hand, receive exclusive 16-inch aluminium wheels.
Inside, the interior receives an updated instrument panel design and new seat fabric, depending on vehicle grade. Optional waterproof seat covers offer an extra layer of protection, keeping spills and dirt from staining the fabric.
As for the powertrain, Nissan continues to offer the Serena in two-wheel- and four-wheel-drive configurations. Petrol-powered models come equipped with either the existing 2.0-liter MR20DD engine; or the MR20DD-SM24 powertrain for S-Hybrid models.
An HR12DE-EM57 e-Power power plant, which includes a small petrol engine that charges a battery pack, is also available for 7-passenger models.
Offered for the first time in a Nissan, the new Serena debuts the Adaptive LED Headlight System, which automatically detects preceeding and oncoming vehicles through a forward-facing camera and is able to individually deactivate each of the 12 LEDs in the headlight unit, reducing high beam brightness in targeted areas ahead.
Other tech features of the new Serena include Intelligent Rearview Mirror, one touch auto-slide door, a third row auto slide switch to make ingress and egress easier, and hands-free auto sliding doors that can be activated by a wave of the foot under the side door.
Where safety is concerned, the new Serena features Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, as well as Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication as standard. The MPV also comes with the latest version of Nissan’s ProPILOT autonomous driving technology.
While the ProPilot system’s speed control has been optimized for smoother braking and a more comfortable drive, the system is now able to maintain the driver’s set speed even on inclined roadways, and balance the powertrain output when returning to flatter road surfaces.
As for the Malaysian market, the new Serena is expected to arrive some time next year. There has not been any official indication on which variant will be offered here but our guess is that it will be the S-Hybrid.
Looking for a new Nissan? Get the best deals
here
.


Petronas Dagangan Berhad, Nestlé and JKJR Join Forces To Curb Microsleep

It is a long drive on the highway or on a quiet stretch of trunk road. Your reflexes jolt your body, arms realign the steering wheel in a quick manner to avoid further driving into the next lane. Without realizing it, you just had a brief, unintended loss of attention due to fatigue.
This phenomenon, also known as microsleeping, is a common experience many of us have encountered on the monotonous long distance drive. Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB), together with Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad and Road Safety Department Malaysia (JKJR) have joint forces to educate the public on the danger of microsleeping through a campaign called ‘Stay Alert, Stay Hydrated’.
This campaign offers the beverage combo comprising a can of 240ml Nescafé and a 600ml bottle of mineral water at only RM3.50. It is available at over 700 Petronas stations with ‘Kedai Mesra’ stores from now until 31
st
 December 2018.
Speaking at the event, PDB’s Managing Director and CEO, Dato’ Mohd Ibrahimnuddin Mohd Yunus said, “Dozing off behind the wheel is a common experience especially those who have to drive long hours. Through this campaign, we hope to remind motorists to always stay alert and hydrated by offering this beverage combo at a discounted price.”
Kumaran Nowuram, Business Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia echoed the statement and added that drivers should take regular breaks. He also reiterated that Nestlé is proud to promote road safety with PDB and JKJR.
According to JKJR, fatalities from road accidents numbered in over 7,000 in 2016. PDB’s collaboration with Nestlé and JKJR is a natural progression from their long-standing partnership in carrying out the annual Coffee Break campaign.
PDB also carries out the Petronas Streetsmart programme, targeting primary and secondary students to educate them on the importance of road safety.


Perodua Achieves EEV Milestone In Malaysia With 500,000 Units Sold

Perodua today announced that it has achieved a major milestone with over half a million Energy-Efficient Vehicles (EEV) produced and sold in Malaysia, cementing its status as the country’s No 1 EEV company.
“Our EEV journey began in 2014 with the Axia, the nation’s first EEV and our first ‘Transformation’ model. We followed up just two years later with the Bezza, our first EEV sedan and then the new Myvi in 2017.
“I am proud but humbled to announce that since their respective launches, 342,600 Axias, 130,000 Bezzas, and over 75,000 new Myvis have found homes in Malaysia to date,” said Perodua President and CEO Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh.
Since the birth of the EEV classification in the 2014 National Automotive Policy (NAP 2014), over 344,000 Axias, 130,800 Bezzas and 75,800 new Myvis have rolled off the production lines at Sungai Choh.
To qualify for EEV status, a vehicle must meet or surpass a set fuel economy figure (measured according to the UNECE R101 standard) for its kerb weight. The Axia, Bezza and new Myvi all have rated fuel efficiencies of over 20 kilometres per litre.
Besides the products, the Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd facility which manufactures the Axia and Bezza, is also Malaysia’s first EEV-certified plant, incorporating energy-efficient technologies to reduce production emissions and set new standards in quality, cost management and delivery.


Honda Confirms City Hybrid, Priced From RM89,200

In a rather surprising move, Honda Malaysia has announced that the new City Hybrid is now opened for bookings at all 91 dealers nationwide. Malaysia is the first country outside of Japan to offer the new City Hybrid.
The new Honda City Hybrid is the company's second hybrid model to be introduced this year after the Jazz Hybrid. The City Hybrid is Honda Malaysia's fifth new model for 2017. The new model will be priced at RM89,200 OTR without insurance.
Powertrain is identical to the Honda Jazz Hybrid, featuring a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine paired to a seven-speed DCT with an Integrated High Power Motor. Combined, the powertrain is able to deliver up to 137 PS and 170 Nm of torque, whilst returning an average of 3.9 L/100 km under the UN R101 test cycle.
The similarities continue inside, as the City Hybrid also comes with the advanced 3D meter design with multi-info display that can show Energy Flow, Sport Meter, Fuel Economy, Drive Info, Customization and ECO Display. Boot space is maintained at 536 litres, even with the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) battery placed underneath. The fuel tank is located centrally to maximize space. Elsewhere, the City Hybrid also comes with:
6.8-inch Display Audio infotainment system
Touch panel air-conditioning
Steering mounted paddle shifters
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
LED tail lights
16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels
Safety in the new Honda City Hybrid encompasses four airbags, ABS with VSA, reverse camera and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).
Four body colours are available, namely Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearl. Warranty is maintained at 5 years with unlimited mileage. The City Hybrid's battery has an 8 year warranty in addition to the standard warranty.
Honda Malaysia expects to sell 250 units of the City Hybrid per month. Interested buyers can check out the new City Hybrid at selected dealerships from mid August 2017.


FOMCA: Hentikan Tuntutan Insurans Kemalangan Tidak Adil

Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) menggesa pihak kerajaan mengambil tindakan berkaitan
tuntutan insurans
 tidak adil yang dialami mangsa kemalangan jalan raya.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif FOMCA, Saravanan Thambirajah berkata, kebanyakan pemandu terpaksa membuat tuntutan daripada insurans sendiri dalam kemalangan, walaupun pihak lain yang bersalah.

*Kredit foto: Berita Harian

“Sekiranya dua kereta berlanggar, kedua-dua pihak mesti membuat laporan polis. Namun hakikatnya, hanya satu pihak membuat laporan polis, manakala satu lagi tidak, seterusnya boleh terlepas daripada dikesan” tambah beliau.

Disebabkan pelaku tidak membuat laporan polis,
mangsa tidak dapat membuat tuntutan insurans pihak ketiga
 dan terpaksa menggunakan insurans sendiri.

“Dalam keadaan itu, mangsa akan kehilangan bonus tanpa tuntutan (NCB) dan ini amatlah tidak adil. Kenapa mangsa perlu melalui kesusahan ini semata-mata kesilapan orang lain?” katanya dalam kenyataan kepada FMT.

Saravanan berkata, satu lagi isu penting melibatkan
pemandu tanpa insurans kereta sah
, yang juga boleh terlepas daripada tanggungjawab bagi tuntutan kemalangan.

Justeru, beliau menggesa pihak polis dan Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) selaku pengawal selia syarikat insurans untuk mencari jalan penyelesaian bagi membendung ketidakadilan dalam tuntutan insurans kemalangan ini.

“Langkah tegas perlu diambil untuk mengekang keadaan ini sebelum lebih ramai pengguna jalan raya yang tidak bersalah menjadi mangsa kelopongan undang-undang dan pemandu yang tidak bertanggungjawab,” tambah beliau.

Terdahulu, FOMCA turut menyelar kenaikan mendadak harga premium insurans kesihatan yang memberi kesan kepada pelanggan insurans, yang rata-rata kehilangan kerja dan punca pendapatan akibat pandemik Covid-19.

Bagi mengetahui cara membuat tuntutan jika dilanggar kenderaan tanpa insurans, anda boleh klik
di sini
.


Mercedes-Benz Electric Trucks Could Hit the Roads as Early as 2020

2020 looks like it’s going to be a big year for Mercedes-Benz as it has announced its intentions to begin mass producing electric vehicles, as well as to start selling electric trucks.
In line with the big mission, the company has announced plans for a 12-month electric truck trial in Europe starting this year as it gets ready to launch headlong into the plug-in urban load-lugger business in three years.
It is said that the German carmaker is in the midst of discussions with 20 potential customers representing various trucking industries to take part in the trial of the 18- and 25-tonne Urban eTrucks to collect real-world data and user feedback to help fine-tune the vehicle before it enters production.
First revealed as a concept last year, the Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck, which can carry 2.8-tonnes payload over a range of up to 200km, will not only be sold in Europe, but also has high chances to make it to other parts of the world such as the Asia Pacific region.
In order to reduce downtime, each truck will also come with a special charger to speed charging of the lithium-ion batteries.
The company predicts that the cost of batteries will continue to come down and their energy density will go up towards 2025, making such trucks increasingly viable.
On another note, a fleet of 150 light-duty electric trucks from Daimler subsidiary Fuso is also headed out to customers in a similar trial. The fleet, which comprises solely of eCanter LCVs, are expected to be tested in Europe, Japan, as well as the United States.
So, regardless of whether Malaysia achieves anything by 2020, Mercedes-Benz looks like it is all set to put its e-vehicles on roads across the globe.


2017 Volvo S90 And V90 Launched In Malaysia, Priced From RM388,888

Volvo Car Malaysia has unveiled its new flagship models, the S90 and V90. These two models are built on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), making the second phase of the company's transformation. These models were earlier spied
here
.
There are two models offered at launch, the
S90
 and V90 in T5 and T6
R-Design
 trim levels. Both models are fully-imported from Sweden at the moment, but plans are afoot to eventually assemble the S90 locally in Shah Alam, Volvo's only assembly plant outside of Sweden.
Engine specifications of the T5 variants are as follows:
2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine
254 hp at 5,500 rpm
350 Nm from 1,500 - 4,800 rpm
Eight-speed Geartronic automatic
Front wheel drive
The more powerful T6 AWD variants, meanwhile, has the following engine specifications:
2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine
320 hp at 5,700 rpm
400 Nm from 2,200 rpm to 5,400 rpm
Eight-speed Geartronic automatic
All wheel drive
In terms of standard equipment, all Volvo S90 and V90 models will receive these equipment
Sensus Connect with 9-inch touchscreen
10 speaker 330W audio system
USB, AUX, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity
Volvo City Safety
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
Pilot Assist
Collision Mitigation
Run-Off Road Protection
Cross Traffic Alert
Hill Start Assist
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
Lane Keeping Aid (LKA)
Rear Collision Warning
ABS, EBD, ESC
6 airbags
ISOFIX anchor points
Those seeking for more driving thrills can opt for the S90 or V90 in the T6 AWD R-Design trim. Here, the duo receive wider tyres, Sport Chassis tuning plus a sportier exterior. The exterior changes include spoiler-integrated fog lights, unique grille with piano black trim front and back and 5-spoke R-Design wheels.
Inside
, the sportier variants will receive R-Design Contour seats, steering wheel with paddle shifters, carbon fibre inserts and Charcoal headlining.
A range of colours are available, including Onyx Black, Ice White, Osmium Grey and Bright Silver. These four colours are applicable to all variants. Mussle Blue is exclusive for T5 variants whilst T6 buyers can opt for the hero colour, Bursting Blue.
Prices start from RM388,888 for the S90 T5, while the T6 R-Design costs RM453,888. The Volvo V90 T5 retails for RM393,888 and the T6 R-Design costs RM458,888. All prices are on the road without insurance, but inclusive of GST.
More is still to come, as Volvo Car Malaysia has confirmed that the T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid variant will be arriving on our shores at a later date this year.


Volkswagen Returns As Official Car Sponsor for Le Tour De Langkawi 2020

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) announced its return to the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTDL) this year as the official automotive partner.

The year’s event, which is the 25th edition of LTDL, will be the Volkswagen’s third time as the Official Car Sponsor since 2016.

As official automotive partner, VPCM will be providing a total of 120 units of the Tiguan Highline, which will be used throughout the race by riders, safety marshals and officials.

The Tiguan, which is Volkswagen’s most successful SUV, combines a 1.4L turbocharged direct injection TSI engine with a 6-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG) to give an output of 150PS and 250Nm of torque.

Erik Winter, the Managing Director of VPCM expressed the brand’s delight to once again be a part of one of the world’s most renowned road cycling competitions.

“We are honoured to be back as part of LTDL this year as the race celebrates its silver jubilee, and we are confident that the Tiguan will be a good fit and support to the operations team in terms of safety, endurance, agility and speed. On behalf of Volkswagen, we wish the participants all the very best for this year’s race.”

Le Tour de Langkawi is a multiple stage bicycle race that has gained multiple accolades and is now recognised as a highlight in the global competitive cycling calendar, attracting the world’s top road cyclists.


Geneva 2018: The Volvo XC40 Is 2018's European Car Of The Year

Just before the launch of this year's Geneva International Motor Show, the 2018 European Car of the Year was announced - and it just so happens to be the Volvo XC40. While Volvo has been on a roll these last few years, collecting accolade after accolade for their great products, the European Car of the Year award was something that has seemingly evaded them - up until now. This will be the first European Car of the Year award for the Swedish brand.
It goes to show just what Volvo is capable of when they are given creative freedom and plenty of cash injection from Geely. Their products are well thought out, well designed, and true to Volvo's core values while being able to compete with contemporary luxury offerings. It's arguable that Volvo's products are the luxury car of the time, and it'll take a while before the Germans can catch up to Volvo's current level of product.
The XC40 didn't beat out competitors by a small margin either. It scored 325 points with 24 individual top votes, while the Seat Ibiza followed up with just 242 points, and the BMW G30 5 Series could only muster 226 points. It was the great features and luxury of the XC40 that attracted the attention of the judges, coupled with captivating design language introduced with the XC90 and XC60, scaling down for the XC40. Powertrains were definitely a big help, and Volvo's current engine lineup is certainly competitive at every level.


MAI To Be Rebranded As MARii - Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute

The Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI), an agency operating under the purview of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), has been rebranded as the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii).
Speaking at a press conference at MARii’s office in Cyberjaya earlier today, CEO Dato’ Madani Sahari reiterated that MARii’s focus will, as before, centre around all things related to the automotive industry, and that the rebranding effort has more to do with keeping pace with current trends in the automotive sphere, which in some circles, has already been referred to as the mobility industry.
Now that in-car internet connectivity - not just for infotainment but also telematics and services - play a greater role in the next generation of cars, and self-driving car services are being prepared for commercial sales, the automotive industry is no longer just about manufacturing cars.
As such, the former MAI’s scope of work needs to be expanded to include serving as a focal point, coordinating centre, and think tank for integration of Robotics and Internet of Things (IoT) into the local automotive sector.
“The automotive sector is one of, if not the main driver of Robotics and IoT, especially within the manufacturing and services sectors of the future. The sheer scale and competitive environment of the sector spurs the need for new technologies that bring a higher value of cost efficiency, productivity and even eco-sustainability”, said Dato’ Madani.
Dato’ Madani added, “We look forward to greater collaborations between MARii and all relevant stakeholders, in creating a technology ecosystem that brings a multitude of new societal benefits at all levels. Together with MITI, MARii aims to unlock new avenues in accelerating the adoption of robotics and IoT within the automotive sector, at the same time aspiring to create technology spin-offs and applications in other areas and fields”.
Over the next 12 months, MARii will still continue to use its old MAI logo and branding in parallel with its new name, as required by the Companies Commission of Malaysia when renaming an existing company.


Honda Malaysia Confirms Takata Inflater Ruptured in Crash

Honda Malaysia has issued a statement confirming the results of their investigation into the death of the driver during an accident on September 24th of 2016. It was found that the Takata single stage (SDI) driver's airbag inflator rupture in the crash, which resulted in the tragic death of the driver. The official cause of death has yet to be determined.
The vehicle in question was included in one of the Malaysian Product Recalls that Hond announced on July 10th of last year, which required that owners replace the SDI inflator. The notification letter was sent out to the owner, but there are no records of the repair having been completed.
On an additional note, the SPI (passenger side inflator) was also required to be replaced in a recall, but did not rupture in the accident and functioned correctly. Honda is working with authorities and representatives of the driver's family, and out of respect for the family, Honda will not be providing any personal information.
It is also worth noting that the Takata airbag recall affects over 620,000 cars in Malaysia, not just those made by Honda.
Honda – 329,059 cars
Toyota – 145,685 cars
Nissan – 110,860 cars
Mitsubishi – 36,010 cars
Mazda – 1003 cars
Subaru - N/A (small number of cars only)
If you're still confused over this whole Takata situation, read our FAQ
here
 to find out more.


BMW M Driving Experience - M For Mindblowing, Motorsports Infused Madness

M, the thirteenth letter in the modern English alphabet. BMW calls it the most powerful letter in the world and rightly so. It is the one letter that triggered the proliferation of the alphabet soup of performance sub-brands peddled by everyone from Audi to Mercedes-Benz to Jaguar and even Lexus.
It’s been a journey for BMW. Those who only know the tri-colour M stripe in its current form won’t be able to fully appreciate how far the brand has come over the last 40 plus years.
In the ‘70s, hardly anyone outside of Europe knew about BMW. The most desirable brand for keen drivers was Alfa Romeo. Both Volvo and Opel were held to a higher regard than BMW. The only acceptable alternative to a Mercedes-Benz was a Jaguar, not a BMW.
BMW’s biggest export market was USA, where its cars were bought by a very small group of enthusiasts loved the 2002tii’s superior handling enough to overlook quality issues like windows that kept dropping into the door sills every time the car took a hard corner, or that a 507 was more expensive than a Chevrolet Corvette but its left-side headlight was higher than the right-side. The rest of America thinks BMW was short for British Motor Works.
It was against this backdrop where the greatest transformation in the history of automotive marketing took place.
A former US Marine pilot Bob Lutz, in his position as Sales Director, put BMW through a rigorous fitness regime. He saw the discipline of the race track as analogous to a military training ground.
“A company is like a human being. As long as it goes in for sports, it is fit, well-trained, full of enthusiasm and performance,” said Lutz when BMW Motorsports GmbH was established in 1972.
At the same time, Lutz’s boss Eberhard von Kuenheim was struggling to build a business case for BMW.
“Quandt wondered what to do with BMW because it was very small. The experts said you can only succeed if you produce 500,000. We didn’t have enough money, capacity, research & development people. When you are small you have only one chance – to produce expensive cars. Higher turnover or higher volume. We went for the premium sector,” explained von Kueinheim in ‘Six Men Who Built The Modern Auto Industry.’
The combined foresight and leadership of von Kuenheim and Lutz was why BMW rebranded itself around the ideals of producing sporty premium sedans.
BMW was certainly not the first to create a performance sub-brand. Ford had been sticking the RS badge on its performance-tuned models for decades before BMW. So did Alfa Romeo with its Quadrifoglio badge.
In true American fashion, Lutz’s genius with was not in creating something entirely new, but from marketing his creation better than anyone else.
Fun fact – in setting up BMW Motorsports, Lutz hired Ford’s Team RS’ racing manager Jochen Neerpasch, who promptly delivered BMW’s first victory in the European Touring Car Championship within its first year with the E9 3.0 CSL, beating his former employer’s once-dominant Ford Capri RS.
But it wasn’t BMW’s race winning ways that established BMW Motorsports, now known as simply BMW M.
What BMW did that others didn’t was consistency, repeating the same message throughout the company. Where others ran its racing operations as a separate activity, BMW bridged the gap between its racing cars and its regular road cars, and Lutz did it not just with cars, but with clever use of branding.
BMW was the first company to use a consistent graphic for its racing team and consumer marketing. Everything from the race car to the transport vehicle, to the key tag, to newspaper/magazine advertisements, had the same tri-colour BMW Motorsports logo - blue, violet and red on a white background. The first logo for BMW M was different, but it had the same tri-colour scheme.
When the first M-badged cars like the M1 and the E28 M535i, and of course the legendary E30 M3 hit the showrooms and motor show stands, everyone knew what M stood for, and nobody confused BMW with British Motor Works.
But what’s the use of having a performance sub-brand selling high performance models if nothing was done to improve the driver skills of its customers?
The BMW Driver Training was the first advanced driving school operated in-house by a car company. Established in 1976, the practice continues until today.
With the cars and the driving school in place, the next logical step for BMW was to merge its driving experience and brand experience activities in one location – and this was the genesis for the BMW Driving Experience Center in Incheon, Korea.
Earlier this year, we were given a rare opportunity to visit the Incheon facility, and to briefly sample a range of M Series models around its 2.6 kilometre track, albeit with our pace controlled by a safety car.
Unlike the track-only BMW Driving Experience Centers constructed earlier in USA and Germany, this Driving Experience Center in Korea is the first to combine both a driving track and a dedicated brand experience centre - BMW doesn't like to call it a showroom because it's focused on branding rather than sales.
Here, visitors are welcomed to browse through BMW models on display without having any sales person walking up to them.
It even holds activities that brings no immediate return in sales but instead seeks to create desire amongst the next generation of customers, like these car crazy Korean kids in the video below (enable Closed Caption option for subtitles).
The center's proximity to Incheon international airport also allows BMW owners to drop off their BMW for maintenance work before catching their flight.
To date, the only other country such a BMW facility exist is Japan. Both Japan and Korea are two of BMW Group’s largest markets in Asia outside of China, ranking among the top ten. Japan sells about 70,000 BMW and MINI brand vehicles annually, while Korea sells about 50,000.
The first order of the day in our half-day long visit to centre was experiencing the track with a fleet of M3 and M4. Of course, everyone were jostling for the M4s.
The objective was not about pushing the cars to its limits, or competing with our peers to set the fastest lap time, so we were given strict instructions to follow behind a safety car ahead.
The M4 drives like everything you expected. Prod the throttle and the beast clears it throat loudly - twin turbochargers force compressed air into six ‘breathing chambers’ to produce 431 hp and 550 Nm. In this era of hypercars, such numbers don’t raise eyebrows the way they used to, but BMW M cars are more about balance and less about winner horsepower wars.
Coming out of the last corner to start our first semi-hot lap, with the Driving Experience switch set to Sport+, a bit more finesse in throttle application is required to keep the rear planted.
With the car pointed straight, I can now punch the throttle as we hurl down the long straight, hitting about 200 km/h before braking for a tight right-hander.
Round the twisty bits, the M4 is ready to dance and despite having a turbocharged engine, throttle response is linear enough for you steer the car with your throttle, up to a certain point that is, as I had intentionally left the DSC in M Dynamic Mode for limited traction control (allows for limited, controlled drifts), because I have no intention of becoming the headline of Korean newspapers.
Before one gets a bit too confident about one’s driving skills, it is worth remembering that the M4 is like that ever eager to please you college girl whom you’ve been paying her expenses for. Don’t for one moment think you are that charming to the car.
All the heroic sideways antics, perfect-10 apex clipping moves, are made possible by the Active M Differential operating under the watchful electronic angels within the Dynamic Stability Control function. It’s not you that’s doing the work, it’s the car. At some point, the laws of physics will take over faster than you can say f**k.
After the M4, we switched cars to the smaller, nimbler M2 Coupe. Instead of 413 hp and 550 Nm, we now have 370 hp and 465 Nm, pushed out by the same twin-turbo six-cylinder setup, but on a slightly different N-series engine as opposed to the M4’s S-series engine.
With a shorter wheelbase, the M2 is a lot more frantic, much more ready to dance. On public roads, that’s not necessarily a good trait but out here within the safe confines of a track, the M2 is so much more enjoyable than the M4.
With less power, the M2 is also a lot less intimidating. However you would need good reflexes if you want to swing the tail a little, which we were not supposed to and being the obedient student driver I was, I merely ‘lost control’ of the car’s rear, sliding from corner to another...which I blamed it on my inexperience in handling powerful rear-wheel drive cars.
One drift too many later and safety car ahead radioed over the walkie talkie, “Watch out for the blinking DSC warning lights. If it blinks it means you are at the limit, back off the throttle.” Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
Between the M2 and the M4, it was the nimbler M2 that was a lot more engaging, and triggered the widest smiles.
Next up was a dry handling course, a gymkhana-like course for the M2. Of course, being the most agile of all M cars, precision driving in the M2 was not too difficult. Once again, the temptation to slide the M2 around the cones rather than cutting a clean line was just too great. There’s no prize for the fastest time of the day anyway.
After that, we moved to a wet handling course, and were given three additional models to try, the M6 Coupe, X6 M and X5 M. I had a go in the M6 Coupe and it was such a handful on a wet surface.
With 560 hp and 680 Nm from the M6’s 4.4-litre twin turbo V8, all transferred to just the rear wheels, it was quite impossible to exploit the M6’s full potential. Full acceleration was nigh on impossible as anything other than the smoothest feathering of the throttle will trigger the DSC, cutting power momentarily, even then, you still have to countersteer to keep the car pointing straight.
Both the X6 M and X5 M were clearly the better choices for the task. Even in such wet conditions, pushing the X6 M and X5 M was merely a simple exercise of pointing to where you want to go, squeeze the throttle and let xDrive do its thing. Purists who argue that M cars should only be rear-wheel driven ought drive the M6 Coupe against these xDrive all-wheel traction M SUVs.
Today, most performance cars have reached an epoch where cars are just producing way too much horsepower, partly because consumers who don’t know any better kept demanding for more power.
Electronic driving aids can only do so much and if we are continue this development path, all-wheel drive is the only way to keep driving forward. So it makes perfect sense for BMW’s upcoming all-new F90 M5 to feature M xDrive.
In the near future, the hierarchy of BMW’s M cars will be defined in finer detail to better differentiate between casual race-ready M cars, semi-serious race-ready M cars, and full race specs M cars.
Peter Quintus, Vice-President of sales and marketing for BMW M explained that unlike their peers (clearly digging at Mercedes-Benz’s AMG and Audi’s RS), M isn’t just about bumping up the horsepower.
“Before any BMW model is given the M badge, the customer must be able to take the car racing. Engine performance, cooling, braking, handling, everything has to be able to cope with the requirements of competition use,” explained Quintus.
This explains the difference between an M240i and an M2, and why some models like the M550d, despite being ridiculously powerful, is not considered an M Series model.
Starting with the recently launched
M4 CS
, BMW will progressively standardize its hierarchy of M cars into M Performance (i.e. M240i), M cars (i.e. M2), M Competition cars (i.e. M4 Competition Package), M CS cars (M4 CS), and GTS race cars (i.e. M4 GTS).
Soon, BMW will be launching an
all-new F90 generation M5
, the first M model with M xDrive, a variant of BMW's xDrive with an added function to switch between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.


VIDEO: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Spy Video Shows It All

Here’s a scoop of another
Mercedes-Benz
 SUV that
may come to Malaysia next year
: the GLS-Class. Unready for a global debut just yet, the GLS-Class here is seen wearing little camouflage, revealing most of its gigantic body for the masses to see.
What is a GLS-Class? Well, like the
GLE-Class which took over from the ML-Class
, and the
GLC which replaced the left-hand only GLK-Class
, the GLS is essentially a GL, renamed to fit Benz’s latest nomenclature strategy, and facelifted to show off the brand’s latest styling direction.
Yes, this one’s just a facelift, though – unlike the GLE and GLC which were completely new models.
The new ‘S’ reflects the SUV model’s close ties with the S-Class flagship, to which the GLS is expected to carry forwards similar powertrains, in the same way the GLC adopts what it has from the C-Class, and the GLE from the E-Class.
Very little else has been made officially public, so we’ll let the speculators have at it for now, while we wait for more official details of the coming flagship Mercedes-Benz SUV.
Enjoy the video below, and don’t forget: if you see a pre-launch spy car anywhere, feel free to email us your photos/ videos directly to
chris.aaron@icarasia.com
.


UMW Likely To Be Dropped From FBM KLCI, Replaced by Hap Seng

The slump in the oil and gas sector plus a declining automotive business has taken a heavy toll on UMW Holdings. According to RHB Research’s latest Malaysia Strategy report for May 2016, the steep drop in market value could see UMW Holdings dropped from FTSE Bursa Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (FBM KLCI) – Malaysia’s headline index that tracks the top 30 stocks in the country by market capitalisation.
According to the ground rules of FBM Index Series, a security will be deleted if its market capitalisation ranking of eligible securities drops to 36
th
 or below, while a security will be added to the FBM KLCI at the periodic review if its ranking by full market value rises to 25
th
 or higher.
Over the last 12-month period, UMW’s market value has dropped by 47 percent.
Hap Seng Consolidated, which RHB says is the largest of the five names on the reserve list, is likely to replace UMW Holdings as a component stock.
Hap Seng Consolidated is a diversified conglomerate whose core businesses include plantations, property development and investment. You readers however, will most likely know Hap Seng for its Mercedes-Benz dealership business.
Automotive is the largest contributor for UMW Holdings’s revenue, contributing over 70 percent of the company’s RM2.2 billion in revenue collected in the first quarter of 2016. UMW has a controlling stake in Perodua, as well as in the distribution of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia.


BMW M8 to Come In 2019

Of the many cars that make up BMW's long and illustrious history, the 8 Series is one that has not made a comeback in recent times. While we would all want to see a modern day incarnation of the original M1, it would probably be easier to bring back the 8 Series as it could be based on BMW's CLAR platform and have a nice big TwinPowerTurbo engine- and you get the point, it's a lot easier to build a sedan or coupe based on an existing platform with existing powertrains.
But BMW has said they are looking into
bringing back the 8 Series by next year
, as a means to fill in the gap between the 7 Series and the Rolls-Royce Wraith. And rather surprisingly, BMW has also confirmed that the M8 is to come the following year, according to the good fellows at
BMWBLOG
. There will be Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe variants of the M8, with the Coupe expected to come in 2019 and the other two coming the following year. While there was once an M8 prototype of the original 8 Series, it was very much an aggressive, bare-bones machine rather than the luxury car we'd expect this up-and-coming M8 to be.
BMW's powertrain options are fairly predictable, so you would probably expect to see a 4.4-litre V8 TwinPowerTurbo engine up front and an all-wheel drive system to get power to the ground, with a top-spec ZF 8-Speed automatic in the middle. While there was talk of the 8 Series (and the M8) replacing the 6 Series (and M6 respectively), this isn't really true. BMW is aiming the 8 Series squarely at the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and Convertible, as BMW had no dog in the fight in that market segment- but at the same time, the 6 Series is likely to be repositioned as a pure 2-seater machine in order to fight the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GT and the Porsche 911.


The Tesla Model 3 Is The New 1967 Volkswagen Beetle

It's either that, or you could say that it should be the new James Bond's Lotus Esprit.

In the 1960s, the automotive industry was really starting to pick up as the world shook off the effects of World War 2 and industrialization really kicked into high gear. In order to be competitive, you had to stand out from the crowd - and the crowd was advancing ever more quickly. Despite all this - and the fact that it was a model over 20 years old - the
Volkswagen Beetle
 managed to win hearts and minds.

And one of those quirky features is the fact that it floated on water. So solid was the construction, so rigid and airtight was the chassis that the
Beetle
 would literally float if you drove it into a body of water. Some accounts say the car could float for over 40 minutes, and journalists would go on to try and disprove this - only to end up proving it true.

But it seems that we have found a worthy modern day challenger to the humble classic Beetle - and it comes in the form of the
Tesla Model 3
. Yes, you could easily raise a pickup truck and slap a snorkle on and you would practically be able to drive with water up to your eyes - but that's not quite in the spirit of the endeavour. This Model 3, however, manages to do just that.

Out in some unknown part of China back in August of last year, you can see the Model 3 practically submerge itself in water as it powers along the road, seemingly unfazed. Unlike a conventional car, an electric car can't ingest water that would potentially destroy the powertrain - or at least, the powertrains are sufficiently insulated and isolated from water ingress.

Now the Model 3 may not be the only electric car - or vehicle - to be able to do this, but it is a sign of the times that electric cars are a little more robust than one would think. Still though, we would probably wait until the car dries out a little before we stick a supercharger into its charging port after this.

Given that we live right in the path of the
monsoons
, maybe a Tesla Model 3 wouldn't be a bad choice for dealing with our flood waters. At the very least, the risk of bricking our engines and having to replace an entire powertrain wouldn't be as high if we're dealing with a bit of flood water.

Click
here
 to see a Tesla swimming!


Review: 2017 Volvo V40 Polestar Performance Edition - Turning It Up To (Almost) Eleven

Volvo’s relationship with Polestar goes back a couple of decades, but the Swedish tuning house has only recently been brought into the limelight as Volvo strengthens their ties with them and provides more manufacturer support. In return, Polestar offers upgrades for nearly every car in their product range (which isn’t too difficult considering the common engine architecture between them). The V40 is one of three models in Malaysia to receive the Polestar Performance Optimization packages.

Hold your horses. This isn’t one of those bright-blue Polestar special edition models that pack far more power than a Volvo has any business having. Those are still a pipe dream for most of us; even if you can afford one, they are exceedingly rare. What we have here is the Volvo V40 T5 Drive-E with the Polestar optimization kit, which includes everything from an uprated suspension system to a more free-flowing exhaust, and even a remap for a minor power gain.

Regard this as the M Sport or AMG Line package equivalent for the V40 if you will. While that may not be as exciting as a full-blown Polestar model (like a full-blown M car or AMG), it’s still interesting to find out just how much more the engineers can get out of a V40 that you can buy at any Volvo dealership.

Specifications

Engine: turbocharged 2.0-litre transverse four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC

Power: 253 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Torque: 400 Nm @ 2,000-3,500 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters, Front Wheel Drive

Safety: Seven airbags, electronic stability and traction control, rear-cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring system, autonomous emergency braking (City Safe)

Price: RM 180,888.00 for the car, RM 59,999 for the Performance Package (without insurance)

Overview:

Let’s get down to business. The regular Volvo V40 T5 Drive-E was
reviewed earlier
, and it is an "Undercover GTI" as Hans puts it. It comes with a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Drive E engine which pushes out 245 hp and 350 Nm of torque- healthy and competitive figures for the hot hatchback class. It also trades the older 6-speed gearbox for an 8-speed unit from Aisin, which promises better efficiency and quicker shift times.

Where Polestar comes in are in the Optimization pieces. There are five different areas in which Polestar works their magic, and these come down to Chassis, Intake and Exhaust, Wheels, Interior and Exterior, and an overall “Optimization” (also known as a remap). The kit costs RM 59,999 all in, which is a hefty price to pay and can be difficult to rationalize when you look at the difference in performance figures. Torque goes up by a healthy 50 Nm through the mid-range, but power only increases by 8 hp at the peak.

Total figures sit at 253 hp and 400 Nm, but trust me when I say that there is more to it. This is Volvo’s first step in developing their performance sub-brand, and despite the relatively minor gains, we should be supportive of the company if we ever hope to see more extravagant tuning options in the future. At the very least we get to experience the most aggressive form of the V40 with a fully functional factory warranty.

Interior

It’s a bit of a stretch to say that the Polestar kit makes a noticeable difference on the inside. The pedal covers are snazzier, as are the Polestar scuff plates on the door sills, but there is little difference between the interior of a regular V40 T5 and that of the one with the Polestar kit. If the kit offered some slightly lower profile, lightweight seats it would be a nice change as well- but that doesn’t quite fit the image that Volvo has developed for itself over the years and it would probably mean compromising some safety aspect as well.

Exterior

The V40 is a fairly handsome car to begin with. Through its various minor facelifts and iterations, it has grown from a fairly innocuous looking hatchback-wagon-thing to something with edge and flair, courtesy of more aggressive bumper design and exterior trim pieces. In my eyes, it’s still the most handsome of the hatchbacks on the road- unique and eye-catching no matter how many times you see it.

The Polestar package changes this in various ways. The new suspension lowers the car and adds a little bit more negative camber, giving it a slight race-car look when paired with the larger 19-inch wheels. Apart from this, however, there is little to give away the fact that it is a Polestar model save for a tiny badge on the back.

How does it drive?

When Volvo phased out the previous V40 T5 in favour of the V40 T5 Drive E, there were a number of minor issues that presented themselves. These can be found in any of the newer Volvo models like the S60 T6; there’s a distinct lack of feedback from the steering, and the transmission doesn’t always want to respond to your inputs. The bad news is that Polestar can do very little to help these problems: they stem from both hardware and software issues and no amount of engineering wizardry can get around it.

The good news is that Polestar has brought life to other areas of the V40 T5 Drive E that you wouldn’t think possible. Modern day Volvos are already know to have fairly appreciable handling characteristics, but one thing they can’t fight is the additional weight of that super strong body structure and all the safety gear. Rather surprisingly, the Polestar suspension helps to get around this problem with effective damping and body control.

You don’t discover this on an open highway or driving at city speeds through the urban sprawl. This is something you find out on twisty back roads, like the one that leads up to Genting through the town of Ulu Yam. Part of the equation are the high-spec Pirelli P Zero tyres, but tyres alone don’t help to manage the large mass through quick directional changes. Even through sudden sharp inputs, the V40 remains unfazed, tightening to the line you select despite the lack of feedback through the steering. Mid corner bumps can unsettle the car a little, but the dead steering system also means there is little tramlining or bump steer coming back through the wheel.

On the other hand, the bump in performance isn’t noticeable when you’re hauling down these kinds of roads. Most of the increase in torque and power comes in at the low end of the rpm range, which is usually accessed when you’re pottering around town. Need to nip ahead of some traffic to get to a junction? Not a problem, with 400 Nm on tap. Gearbox response isn’t the best, as mentioned before, so pick a gear and stick with it for your manoeuvres. You aren’t going to be able to downshift quickly if the situation calls for it, so don’t put yourself in a situation that demands it.

How efficient is it?

One of the benefits of the Polestar Optimization package is that it doesn’t affect your emissions or efficiency ratings, provided you drive it like a sane Volvo owner would. Our tests returned 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres over 400 kilometres of mixed driving, which is fairly impressive considering how hard we were wringing out the engine. Expect anywhere from 9 to 12 litres per 100 kilometres under day-to-day driving conditions.

How comfortable is it?

Large wheels, low profile tyres, and more aggressive suspension. As you would expect, the Polestar parts take a great deal of compliance out of the ride, and it isn’t the most comfortable thing to drive in when dealing with potholes around town. Perhaps a better option would be to opt for the rest of the parts, but go down to a 17-inch wheel with a 50 profile tyre for comfort. 35 profile tyres just don’t cut it in day-to-day living.

Conclusion

If we were just to judge the car on its own, the V40 T5 Polestar Performance Edition is an excellent product. But this is only if we were not to consider how the V40 T5 Drive E feels on its own, and how much the Polestar Optimization parts cost. For most people, the vanilla V40 T5 Drive-E will be more than enough car, with most of what you would expect of a continental car and more than you would expect from a Volvo in terms of performance.

But for those who are looking for that additional edge, to take their V40 a little further than the norm while retaining the factory warranty, then this Polestar Performance Edition model will be the right kind of car for you. You could go out and buy your own aftermarket parts and probably get it better tailored to your needs, but unless you’re hard up on chasing down track times then you probably won’t need that level of precision and control over your suspension.


Volvo Reveals New CMA Platform, Will we see the Return of the S40 in 2017?

With Volvo’s big 90-series and 60-series models being built on their Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), Volvo has unveiled a new platform for their smaller 40-series models, the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA).
Though smaller in size and meant for Volvo’s compact model range, the CMA is not only designed to be flexible to acocunt for several different bodystyles, from sedans, to hatchbacks, SUVs, and even a convertible, but it is also meant to carry the same technologies that is being used on the SPA. Volvo Cars highlights this capability of the CMA as it would offer customers of Volvo’s compact cars the same type of premium engineering technologies as owners of their larger SPA-based models.
These technologies that are adaptable to the CMA includes Volvo’s suite of advanced safety systems, both conventional and plug-in hybrid powertrains, infotainment, climate control, and data networks. The sharing of such technologies is part of Volvo’s vision to achieve no deaths and injuries in its new cars by 2020.
Volvo has also developed a new front-wheel drive Twin Engine plug-in hybrid variant, which will carry the T5 designation, and be used on the CMA platform.
The CMA is part of Volvo’s product renewal and growth strategy, which will see the replacement of every single car in its line-up in the next four years, and (together with the SPA-derived models) contribute to an annual sales volume of up to 800,000 cars. From the CMA's market introduction in 2017, Volvo Cars' entire model line-up will be based on the SPA and CMA platforms.
Volvo says that the first model to be using the CMA platform will be launched in 2017, will this mark the return of the S40 sedan or the introduction of a new V40 or compact SUV?


Rest In Peace: Mazda Has Killed Off The 6 And CX-3

Mazda has officially killed off the CX-3 compact SUV and the 6 sedan beyond the 2021 model year, the company revealed in a brief statement last week. This makes their current forms the final iteration of each, meaning they won’t be replaced by a slightly refreshed 2022 version for next year.

Of course, this only relates to the USA-spec 6 and CX-3 for now, but it is likely the first domino to drop before these two models are axed from other markets around the world. Mazda, however, stated their reasoning behind the decision being related to ‘
evolving customer tastes
’.
 Lol yeah right.

Though that may be true to an extent
for the Mazda 6
 as the larger D-segment sedan game has tailed off in popularity, the small SUV/crossover space that the CX-3 occupies only continues to heat up.

In reality, it’s quite clear that both models are on borrowed time. The CX-3 was never a sales powerhouse, but its lustre has only been diminished by the more attractive, more practical, and
better specified CX-30
, and despite Mazda’s attempts to inject some excitement into the range lately, it just hasn’t found the same level of popularity as its siblings in the CX family.

It’s also getting old as the model debuted in 2015, making next year its 7th on sale. The age issue is even more acute with the third-generation Mazda 6, which was originally launched in 2012. However, the Hiroshima-based automaker has run it through several updates and two major facelifts to keep it
fresh and competitive
. To its credit, the 6 remains a pretty compelling D-segment contender despite nearly a full decade of service, but it’s high time the brand moves on.

You could argue that both cars deserve a proper ground-up successor, and we’re guessing that an all-new replacement to the 6 is already in its later stages of development. Mazda had us drooling with the
Vision Coupe concept
 from all the way back in 2017, and there have been plenty of chatter about a new straight-six engine and rear-drive platform in the works. Lots to be excited for, then.

Should Mazda fancy themselves a legitimate competitor in the premium saloon space, upping their game with a fundamentally more upmarket rethinking of the 6 as their flagship luxury/sport saloon should be their best shot yet at offering
a Japanese rival to the BMW 5 Series
.

On the matter of the CX-3, things are a little murkier. We might be looking at a more extended hiatus for the nameplate as its reintroduction will likely arrive after an all-new Mazda 2 - upon which it will be based - makes its debut. However, things have been pretty quiet on that front as well.

That being said, it’s not like Mazda would be hurting from not offering a CX-3 in showrooms. On an international scale, the larger and more expensive CX-30 seems to be holding its own in the compact SUV space. And with the fully electric MX-30 gaining momentum, there might not be a strong case left for the CX-3’s return.

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2023 Honda City facelift launched in India - six variants, including two e:HEVs

Honda India has launched its latest 2023 Honda City facelift model for the local market.

There are a total of six different variants to choose from, which are divided into two main categories - the 2023 Honda City petrol and Honda City e:HEV. The former carries four different variants with prices starting from ₹1149000 (around RM62,700) while the latter is priced from ₹1889000 (around RM103,200).

Minimal changes, inside & out

No big changes can be found in the 2023 Honda City facelift model for the Indian market but it has been 'refreshed' with some element changes for both exterior as well as interior. The front end sports a sporty diamond chequered grille with a carbon-wrapped lower bumper with the same set of LED headlamps.

Move towards the back and you'll notice the carbon-wrapped rear bumper diffuser to match the front end, as well as the z-shaped 3D wrap-around LED taillamps. Linking everything together is done with the same side profile, but with a new design for its 16-inch alloy wheels.

Moving on the interior, is pretty much the same but those who purchase either the petrol or hybrid variant can tell the difference by the cabin theme (beige/black combo for the petrol variants and ivory/black for the hybrids).

With that being said, the 2023 Honda City facelift does come with a 'contemporary' seat design wrapped in premium leather upholstery, soft-touch materials for the knee pad, door lining, and armrest, plus ambient lighting for the inner door handles, door pockets, and front footwells.

1.5L petrol + CVT or 1.5L hybrid + e-CVT

There are basically two different powertrain options that you can get for the 2023 Honda City facelift in India. The first one is the good ol' 1.5-litre i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine paired to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed CVT that churns out 121PS and 145Nm of torque. Fuel efficiency ratings sit at 17.8km/l (MT) and 18.4km/l (CVT).

The e:HEV variants are fitted with the 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine that acts primarily as a 98PS/127Nm generator for the e:HEV's generation motor ad the traction motor does all the heavy work in terms of propulsion with 109PS and 253Nm of torque. Honda rates the City e:HEV's combined max power at 126PS.

Like other Honda e:HEV models, there is a lock-up clutch that allows the petrol engine to directly drive the tyres at higher speeds for better efficiency. Safety-wise, the Honda Sensing package comes with:

Collision Mitigating Braking System

Road Departure Mitigation System

Lane Keeping Assist

Adaptive Cruise Control with low-speed follow

Auto high-beam

Lead Departure Notification + more


TC Euro Cars Announces Final Call on Renault Captur at RM 98,000

If you're in the market for an entry level crossover, it might be a good time to look at the Renault Captur. TC Euro Cars (TCEC) has announced that this is the final call for their
locally-assembled Renault Captur
 at its introductory price of of RM 98,000 (on the road, with GST but without insurance). This is an RM 11,000 rebate versus the normal sticker price of RM 109,000, and is identical in specification to the fully-imported variant that was available before.
You can get the locally-assembled Renault Captur in four different colours: Flame Red with a Diamond Black roof (additional RM 900, inclusive of scuff plates and trunk tray), Arizona Orange with a Diamond Black roof, Pacific Blue with an Ivory White roof, or Ivory with a Diamond Black roof. Renault has always positioned the Captur as a fun, sporty little crossover and the colour schemes reflect this.
From
our time with the car
, we found the Renault Captur to be a pretty refreshing take on the segment, with a punchy engine and enough features to keep it interesting. It's a little more premium than you would expect and remains competitive in segment, even without the rebate currently offered. It comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.


2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn, A Car That's Claimed To Be Their Sexiest Yet

Rolls-Royce has taken the wraps of its newest ultra-luxury offering, which they have dubbed the Dawn, a four-seat convertible based off of its Ghost and Wraith models. It will be shown at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show next week.
Despite being cut, visually, from the same cloth as the Wraith, Rolls Royce say the Dawn is made up of 80 percent new components. Major similarities with its coupe cousin include its rear-hinged ‘suicide’ doors and front grille.
The Dawn brings with it, like the other cars in the Rolls-Royce stable, some hefty dimensions; a 200kg weight increase over the Wraith coupe at 2560kg and measuring 5285mm long, 1947mm at its widest, 1502mm tall, and with a 3112mm wheelbase.
Rolls-Royce describes the Dawn as “the sexiest” car the company has built, with this particular unveiled example sporting bodywork dressed in “Midnight Sapphire” surrounding a striking “Mandarin” orange interior with woodwork strew over the dashboard and roof lid.
Rolls-Royce has stuck to soft tops as opposed folding metal roofs this time with the Dawn as well, their reasoning, according to them, are of “aesthetics, romance and brand appropriateness," and is claimed to be the most rigid four-seat convertible on the market.
Despite the Dawn’s roof material, they say the interior is just as quiet with it drawn as the fixed-roof Wraith. The retracting mechanism can fold the roof up or down in “total silence” within just 21 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h.
To make sure the Dawn does not fall short of the “magic carpet” ride comfort of its other models such as the Wraith, Rolls-Royce has had to rework the air suspension. A stiffer anti-roll bar has been fitted, and the rear track has been widened by 24mm.
Under that swooping hood sits same 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 that powers the Wraith. It puts out 563hp and 780Nm of torque which enables this 2.5 tonne car to reach 100km/h from a standstill in a scarcely believable 4.9 seconds and onto an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.
The first year of the Dawn’s production have already been sold out and deliveries are expected to start in early 2016.


2017 All-New Mazda CX-5 Tentative Prices Revealed, Starts From RM136k

Bermaz will be introducing the all-new 2017 Mazda CX-5 in the coming months, offering a total of five variants.
The entry level
Mazda CX-5 2.0 GL 2WD
 could see a tentative base price of RM136,405. In comparison, the CX-5's key rivals, including the Honda CR-V and Nissan X-Trail sees an entry price of RM142,200 and RM137,000, respectively.
Moving one level up is the
Mazda CX-5 2.0 GLS 2WD
. Here, this variant could be priced from RM150,291. The high specced CX-5 offers some advanced safety technologies over its sibling, namely Adaptive Front-Lighting System (AFS), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS, Forward direction only), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
The sole 2.5L Mazda CX-5 is likely to be a 2WD-only variant, tentatively priced from RM164,886. Safety equipment is expected to largely mirror that of the CX-5 2.5 GLS.
On top of the petrol-powered variants, Bermaz will be introducing two diesel-powered CX-5 variants - the CX-5 2.2 GLS 2WD and CX-5 2.2 GLS 4WD. Both diesel variants will share identical safety equipment, which adds Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS, Forward and Rear direction) and Driver Attention Alert (DAA).
The 2WD diesel-powered Mazda CX-5 could be priced from RM171,539, while the 4WD model could be priced from RM182,139.
All prices quoted are inclusive of one year roadtax, GST and registration fees. Insurance premium is not included in the prices above.