Suzuki Jimny Bakal Kembali Ke Pasaran Malaysia?

Terdapat kemungkinan bahawa Suzuki Jimny bakal membuat kemunculan semula dalam pasaran Malaysia di bawah pengedar sah Suzuki yang terbaru.

Semenjak Suzuki angkat kaki dari pasaran negara ini, tiada lagi model Suzuki dilancarkan di negara ini. Kali terakhir pun kita dapat merasa
Ertiga
 je. Itu pun
Proton
 yang bawa masuk. Tapi bila kita lihat pada generasi keempat Suzuki Jimny yang telah dilancarkan di Indonesia, Thailand dan Singapura, model ini menerima sambutan baik daripada orang ramai.

Walapun penggemar SUV kompak ini tidaklah begitu besar di negara ini, namun permintaan terhadap Jimny ini tetap ada. Kalau tidak, takkan lah sampai ada pengedar kereta import terpakai gigih
bawa masuk model Jimny ni ke Malaysia
 kan? Apakah
sebab-sebab mereka mahukan Jimny?

Kalau anda nak tahu, terdapat dua varian Jimny yang ditawarkan oleh Suzuki buat masa ini. Model tersebut ialah Jimny dan Jimny Sierra. Bezanya, Jimny merupakan kereta yang diklasifikasikan sebagai ‘kei’ di Jepun yang membawa maksud kereta ringan dan kecil manakala Jimny Sierra pula merupakan versi Jimny yang lebih berkuasa bagi pasaran luar negara. Akan tetapi di pasaran dunia, ia lebih dikenali sebagai Suzuki Jimny. Tapi jangan seronok sangat sebab walaupun Suzuki Jimny ini bersaiz kecil, tapi harganya tidaklah sekecil yang anda sangka. Harga sebuah Jimny di Thailand bermula daripada THB 1.55 juta (RM 199,000) sehingga THB 1.65 juta (RM 212,000)!

Bagi Jimny 660cc Turbo yang ditawarkan di Jepun sebagai kereta 'Kei', jentera ini menghasilkan 64 hp dan 95 Nm Tork. Terdapat pilihan 5 kelajuan manual dan empat kelajuan automatik. Tetapi, Jimny Sierra yang dibina khas bagi pasaran eksport Jepun lebih mencuri tumpuan. Mana tidaknya, SUV kompak ini memang handal kalau nak hadapi pemanduan yang lasak. Tak padan dengan kecil!

Jimny Sierra tampil dengan enjin 4 silinder 1.5 liter dengan pilihan daripada gear manual dengan 5-kelajuan atau gear automatik dengan 4-kelajuan. Jentera ini mampu menghasilkan 102 hp dan 130 Nm tork. Kelajuan bukanlah kekuatan sebenar Jimny, tapi kebolehannya untuk menghadapi jalan off-road sememangnya harus dipuji. Bukan itu sahaja, generasi keempat Jimny ini turut dilengkapi dengan sistem pengiktirafan tanda lalu lintas (traffic sign recognition).

Selain itu, Jimny turut dilengkapi low-range transfer box dengan pilihan 2H, 4H dan 4L serta kawalan bukit. Sistem AllGrip Pro 4WD memberikan kemampuan pemanduan off-road yang lebih baik. Sistem ini mempunyai 3 tetapan iaitu:

2H: Untuk pemanduan di jalan biasa (Pacuan dua tayar, High range)

4H: Untuk pemanduan di jalan off-road (Pacuan empat roda, High range)

4L: Untuk pemanduan di jalan berbatu, kasar, ataupun lumpur (Pacuan empat roda, low-range)

Pendek kata, Jimny ini bukan lah acah-acah SUV, tapi ianya memang SUV. Bak kata pepatah, kecil-kecil cili padi! Kereta ini dibina di atas ladder frame dimana struktur rangka ini memiliki kekuatan yang lebih kuat serta kukuh membuatkan ia lebih stabil untuk menghadapi laluan yang mencabar. Bagi suspension kereta ini pula, ia menggunakan 3-Link Rigid Axle With Coil Spring yang kuat dan stabil serta mampu mengurangkan gegaran dan goncangan pada kenderaan sewaktu pemanduan ekstrem.

Untuk luaran pula, Suzuki Jimny dihiasi oleh gril depan yang garang dan dipadankan dengan bumper anti calar. Penggunaan lampu LED turut memberikan pencahayaan yang lebih terang dan jimat tenaga. Kalau anda gemar untuk masuk hutan atau pemanduan off-road, terdapat pencuci atau washer di bawah lampu utama untuk menghalang lampu daripada sebarang kekotoran/lumpur supaya lampu lebih jelas.

Interior:

1. Ride-In Assist Grip berfungsi sebagai tempat selamat untuk penumpang pegang atau genggam bagi meningkatkan keselamatan dan keselesaan ketika menumpang.

2. Skrin sentuh infotainment saiz 6/8 inci yang dilengkapi dengan USB, Bluetooth, dan boleh dipadankan dengan telefon bimbit.

3. Penghawa dingin automatik

4. Kawalan panel yang mudah difahami dan digunakan

5. Kawalan audio pada stereng membolehkan anda mengawal audio serta menjawab panggilan

6. Balutan kulit pada stereng memberikan sentuhan mewah pada Jimny.

7. Cruise Control bertujuan mengekalkan pergerakan kenderaan anda secara malar tanpa memijak pedal minyak. Ianya aktif selepas melepasi kelajuan 40 km/h.

Bagi faktor keselamatan, Jimny tidak ternyata tidak mengecewakan. Model ini menerima 3 bintang daripada Euro NCAP.  Selain dilengkapi dengan airbag, struktur badan kereta ini lebih efisien dalam menyerap dan mengurangkan efek pelanggaran.  LSD Traction Control pada brek kereta ini membuatkan risiko kenderaan tergelincir ketika brek berkurang kerana mampu memberikan respon yang lebih pantas dengan hanya sedikit tekanan pada pedal brek. Pemanduan Jimny yang stabil di jalan licin dan berbelok disokong oleh ESP (Electronic Stability Programme). Selain itu, Jimny turut dilengkapi dengan ABS, Hill Descent Control (HDC), serta Hill Hold Control (HDC).

Seperti yang anda dah pun tahu, Suzuki dah sahkan bahawa mereka akan menghasilkan Jimny di India. Walau bagaimanapun, mereka tidak merancang untuk melancarkan barisan Jimny di dalam pasaran negara mereka. Jimny tersebut dibina bertujuan untuk dieksport ke pasaran luar. Kalau anda tanya adakah ianya akan tiba ke pasaran Malaysia dengan harga yang lebih murah? Jawapannya tidak jika tiada pengedar rasmi Suzuki di negara ini. Tapi harapan masih ada!

Terdapat juga berita mengatakan Maruti Suzuki yang bertapak di India bakal menghasilkan Jimny yang lebih besar dengan 5 pintu yang bakal dilancarkan pada 2022. Model yang sebelumnya hadir dengan 3 pintu sahaja. Persoalannya, sekiranya Jimny 5 pintu ini dilancarkan kelak, ada harapan ke nak masuk Malaysia?

Khabar angin bahawa terdapat pengedar Suzuki yang baru di Malaysia masih lagi tidak mempunyai jawapan kukuh sehingga kini. Sekiranya Jimny boleh didapati di Malaysia, adakah anda berminat untuk mendapatkannya?

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

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

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


Bookings Opened For CKD 2016 Subaru Forester – From RM149k

Following the success of the locally-assembled Subaru XV, Motor Image will be adding one more locally-assembled model to its line-up – the 2016 Subaru Forester.
Like the XV, the Forester will be assembled at the Tan Chong Motor Assemblies (TCMA) plant in Segambut under contract. The model is expected to be launched later this month.
Powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine and only available with an all-wheel drive, CVT-type automatic transmission, the Forester will be available in two variants – the base model 2.0i (RM149,258) and the 2.0i-P (RM159,046). Prices quoted are on the road with insurance.
The 2.0i-P model adds the following items over the 2.0i base model.
Automatic LED headlamps (halogens for 2.0i) with swivelling function
Front fog lamps
Steering Responsive Headlight (cornering lights)
SI Drive - Intelligent, Sport and Sport# modes for engine and transmission
Pin Code Access security system
Power adjustable driver’s and front passenger’s seat
Multi-function steering wheel with cruise control
Paddle shifters
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning (single-zone automatic for 2.0i)
Rain sensing wipers
More importantly, there are no differences in safety features between the two variants. Both the 2.0i and 2.0i-P are equipped with seven airbags, electronic stability control (Subaru calls it VDC), ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchors and hill descent control.
Owners will also enjoy a 3-year free service package that covers both parts and labour.
The fully-imported from Japan 2.0-litre turbocharged Forester XT (RM214,596 on the road with insurance) will continue to be sold alongside the locally-assembled, naturally aspirated Forester 2.0i and 2.0i-P variants.
The following are the prices of the Forester 2.0i and 2.0i-P’s key competitors:
Honda CR-V
 2.0 4WD – RM153,300
Mazda CX-5
 2.0 4WD – RM154,213
Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4 AWD
 – RM171,644 (imported from Japan)
Nissan X-Trail
 2.5 AWD – RM164,148 (2.0 2WD model is priced at RM141,320)


New Peugeot And Citroen 3S Centre Launched In Alor Setar

Nasim Sdn Bhd, together with Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd have recently extended their dealership network in the northern region with the launching of a new bi-marque Peugeot and Citroën 3S dealership in Alor Setar, Kedah.

The new RM2 million outlet will provide customers in the northern region with Peugeot and Citroën sales, service, and spare parts facilities.

“The launch of this new bi-marque Peugeot and Citroën Alor Setar outlet is the continuation of our expansion plan to increase our network and reach in Malaysia. This also ensures that we are able to cater to the needs and demands of our customers at an accessible location,” said Dato’ Nik Hamdam, Deputy Group CEO of Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings.

The new Peugeot and Citroën Alor Setar outlet, which is furnished with a showroom that can display up to 8 cars, also features a family lounge and customer lounge with Smart TVs, private lounge, and a cafe corner.

Measuring 15,000 square feet, the outlet has the capacity to service an average of 200 to 250 cars per month with its five hoist bays.

Unique to the bi-marque outlet is the full implementation of the new Peugeot and Citroën showroom concept – Peugeot Bluebox and Citroën La Maison.

According to Nasim, the Peugeot Bluebox concept aims to introduce customers to an immersive Peugeot experience that is modern and upmarket, while the Citroën La Maison offers customers an interactive and fluid experience inspired by its warm and contemporary living space.

“We are confident of meeting the expectations of the Alor Setar and overall Kedah market, as the team have been extremely committed on the implementation of the two holistic concepts from Peugeot and Citroën which is sure to add to the brand ownership experience,” added Dato’ Nik Hamdam.

Located at 97 M&N, Batu 1 1/4 Mergong, Seberang Jalan Putera 05150 Alor Setar, Kedah, customers are encouraged to view the impressive Peugeot and Citroën line up, the Peugeot 3008 SUV PLUS and Citroën C3 Aircross SUV.

The showroom is open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Mondays to Saturdays and closed on Sundays and public holidays.


Mercedes-Benz Opens Autonomous and Digital R&D Center In Israel

It may be a little difficult to believe, but one of the top countries for autonomous driving development and in-car digital services is Israel. There is a thriving startup culture and ecosystem, and the government has funded approximately 5,000 start-up companies over the last few years. Just last week, Mercedes-Benz officially opened a new Research & Development Center in Tel Aviv, more specifically in preparation for autonomous driving, security, and connectivity demands of the future.
With a lot of these new R&D centers that car manufacturers are launching, we don't see investment costs being touted as much because of the nature of the work involved; it doesn't require as much physical, destructive testing as it used to. Nowadays the focus is on improving how entertainment sytems work and how cars drive themselves and navigate the environments they are in.
The new digital hub in Tel Aviv has 25 employees that will be contributing to Mercedes-Benz' worldwide activities in mobility services and digitilisation for 2018. There will be plenty of pilot testing for new interfaces and systems, but the hub also serves as a way for Mercedes-Benz to touch base various local partners and universities, as well as high-tech companies- which is what a lot of other manufacturers have been doing recently, such as
Toyota's investment with various startups
, and
Lamborghini's ties to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
.
This R&D centre is one of 25 locations across 11 countries, with over 16,000 employees working towards the common goal of making Mercedes-Benz vehicles more efficient, more connected, and safer. With accelerator programs like The Bridge, Mercedes-Benz has even greater access to smaller companies and startups, and this new digital hub helps a great deal when partnering with Israeli tech companies.


Geneva 2018: Nissan IMx KURO Concept Makes European Debut

Another year, another crossover - but wait, this isn't a new concept; Nissan unveiled the IMx Concept crossover late last year at Tokyo Motor Show. Yes, this has become the vehicle genre of this particular generation of models. The IMx Concept was a glimpse into the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, further integrating an imagined autonomous car future with our daily lives. While we're not likely to see the IDx concept making it to production, the IMx probably will - and this KURO version is an updated variant of the concept with more black trim and a dark grey body colour.
If you thought gesture control and eye tracking was cool, the IMx Concept has brain to vehicle (B2V) technology that interprets the driver's brainwaves in order to tell the car what to do. This sounds a little far fetched but it could very well be the future of autonomous driving and could make the driving experience a lot simpler. The system connects to the driver via a headset, and it can improve response time of the systems by 0.2 to 0.5 seconds - quick enough to avoid a potential accident.
ProPILOT also makes a return with this concept, being a fully autonomous driving mode that even stows away the steering wheel. We've seen this on previous Nissan autonomous concept vehicles, and it's hard to argue against making the cabin a little more spacious for all occupants, driver included. Selecting manual mode sees the controls pop back out to transfer control back to the driver.
The IMx Concept is an all-electric vehicle as well. Nissan says such a concept would be powered by a pair of high-output electric motors at either end, giving it all-wheel drive capabilities, a whopping 429 hp and 700 Nm of torque - the latter figure being more than an R35 GT-R. A high capacity battery that's been re-engineered for higher energy density would give the IMx a range of over 600 kilometres on a single charge.
As for the rest of the design features, they are fairly par for the course for an electric vehicle. Front end design is devoid of any air inlets or openings to remind onlookers that there is no internal combustion engine powering this machine. There is social integration and convenience in the sense that the concept is capable of self parking and self charging, and even returning unused energy back to the power grid.
Even the interior revolves around the idea of openness, in the sense that there is no division between the interior and exterior of the car as you would find in a conventional car. A panoramic OLED instrument panel that wraps around the cabin provides an external view, further enhancing the
al fresco
 feeling. The cabin layout is less cluttered with more reliance on intangible controls such as gestures and eye tracking. In short, it's like every other electric autonomous crossover concept car making its rounds.


Malaysia And Indonesia Sign MOA Towards Development of ASEAN Car

Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) and the Institut Otomotif Indonesia (IOI) have just signed an agreement to foster long-term collaboration in the development of the automotive industry, and with it, towards the development of an ASEAN car.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), focuses on the strategic and working relationship relation between the two automotive institutes in the areas of human capital and supply chain development to enhance capabilities of vendors, market expansion, research collaboration for product technology, including hybrid, electric and next-generation vehicles, process technology, and research on biodiesel.
In March 2018, MAI and IOI organized a joint business matching programme between Malaysian and Indonesian automotive vendors. This programme served as a platform for vendors from both nations to identify potential business partners for greater market access in both countries, plus the necessary technology transfer to enhance their capabilities.
The programme has benefited 10 Malaysian vendors, as they have successfully identified their potential Indonesian business partners from various automotive manufacturing clusters.
The MoA exchange ceremony was witnessed by Darell Leiking, who is the Minister in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia and Mr I Gusti Putu Suryawirwan, Director General for International Industrial Access and Development, Ministry of Industry, Republic of Indonesia.
“This (the MoA between MAI and IOI) is a testament to strong bilateral economic relationships between Malaysia and Indonesia, as mentioned by the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir during his meeting with President Joko Widodo,” said MITI Minister, Mr Darell.
MAI CEO Dato’ Madani Sahari also said that both automotive institutes will continue to support and facilitate partnerships between both nations’ vendors as well as explore potential market opportunities and the transfer of technology.
Earlier in July, DRB-Hicom mentioned that they were
studying on a potential collaboration
 between Malaysia and Indonesia to produce an ASEAN car. Among the major automotive vendors who are a member of DRB-Hicom group include HICOM-Teck See Manufacturing (plastic products), PHN Industry (metal stamping), and HICOM HBPO (front-end modules).


Probe ordered into road accident on NKVE caused by confusing yellow and white lines

Works Ministry have called for a thorough probe into the road accident supposedly caused by the overlapping of lane markings.

Malaysian roads are hazardous and the recent accident involving a white Toyota Velos and Innova, where they crashed into each other because of confusing yellow and white coloured lane markings, proves that more can be done to
ensure the safety of road users
.

It seems that the Works Ministry also agree with this, which is why they have called for a thorough probe into the road accident over the overlapping of lane markings on the North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE).

According to NST, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, said initial reports showed that DASH highway concessionaire had already identified the area of the said overlapping lines even before Chinese New Year.

"This needs to be given serious attention as it involves safety and the lives of road users", said the Works Minister.

He continued by saying that DASH had begun the process of fixing the overlapping lines, and work is expected to be completed in three days.

However, Alexander said drivers must also be mindful, as road safety is the responsibility of everyone!

"At the same time, I hope road users will continue to be mindful when driving as road safety is the responsibility of everyone".

On a positive note, the Malaysian Highways Authority (LLM), PLUS and DASH will also reassess the situation on the NKVE, especially regarding yellow and white road lines, so that they are more orderly and precise and safe for users to travel.

The accident which took place earlier this and was recorded on a dashcam, saw a black MPV trying to overtake a white MPV where the black vehicle lost control after the driver became confused over the overlapping yellow and white lines, before crashing into the white car.


Putrajaya Gets Electric Buses, Other Cities To Follow?

Putrajaya, the seat of Malaysia’s federal government, is set to introduce a public transportation service that we hope will see blossom in other metropolitan areas too: electric buses.
The new buses will ferry passengers around the city’s government administrative centre and is pegged to see active service by September 2016, writes Bernama.
According to Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, 10 electric buses had been shipped in from Japan for trial purposes on the current Nadi Putra bus routes, replacing the usual gas-powered buses in Putrajaya run by the company.
"Besides reducing air and noise pollution, the use of these electric buses are also in line with the aspiration to make Malaysia a 'Green City'.
"This electric bus service will undergo a three-month trial run to ascertain its competitiveness, after which we may change all buses running on gas to electric buses," he told reporters.
Tengku Adnan added that each electric bus has the capacity to transport up to 60 passengers at a time and, remarkably, with just 10 minutes of charge time is able to travel a distance of 30km.


MINI Goes Full Electric With The Cooper SE

Following a couple of pilot programs over the years, it seems that MINI has finally decided to fully commit to an all-electric model, and it comes in the form of their newly unveiled Cooper SE. It is regarded as the first all-electric premium small car, and it will pave the way for many exciting all-electric models to come. MINI has long been known for providing entertainment on four wheels, and to do so within the constraints of a zero emissions powertrain means there's hope for the future.
The performance figures aren't exactly mind blowing at 184 hp and 270 Nm, with a century sprint time of 7.3 seconds, but you can be assured that it's still as usable for zipping around town as its petrol powered siblings. After all, the advantage of electric performance is power on demand, giving it excellent low down pull and mid-range elasticity. The battery gives a range of between 235 and 270 kilometres, without invading luggage space in the boot. Gross energy content stands at 32.6 kWh.
Dynamic advantages for an electric powertrain are also a lower centre of gravity with the heaviest components positioned low in the chassis, which definitely helps with handling. What's more interesting is that MINI chose to retain the front-wheel drive layout of their vehicle, which is intriguing as the BMW i3 is rear-wheel driven. Nonetheless, the advanced slip control systems feature here - technology that has been adapted even for conventional cars within the BMW Group.
In terms of metrics, the Cooper SE isn't all too different from the petrol variants of this three door hatchback. The overall ride height is raised by 18 millimeters, but only to provide the necessary ground clearance for the batteries that are effectively mounted on the floor. The aforementioned luggage room stands at 211 litres, or 731 litres with the rear seats dropped - as per the regular Cooper S. Weight does go up by a dear 145 kilograms, but being a light model to begin with this still allows the Cooper SE to weigh in at 1365 kilograms.
To tell it apart can be a little tricky, but the most obvious giveaways would be the badging. The Cooper SE gets yellow MINI Electric logos around the exterior - but the more eagle eyed will also notice the blanked our radiator grill as airflow is not a necessary requirement for an electric powertrain. Colour options vary depending on the trim level selected, but potential owners have a choice of Moonwalk Grey metallic, White Silver metallic, Chilli Red, British Racing Green metallic, Midnight Black metallic, and even Enigmatic Black.
As expected from any modern premium car, there are a variety of drive modes from the GREEN+ mode for maximum efficiency, to a full on Sport mode. There is even the option for one pedal operation - that is to say that the regenerative braking is ramped up to the point that lifting off the throttle can function just as well as pressing the brakes in terms of deceleration. In a sense this heightens the driving experience as well by making the Cooper SE more responsive to inputs.
When it comes to equipment there's a fair amount of variation, along with the numerous options, but one element that remains constant across all Cooper SE models is the specific instrument cluster designed for electric vehicles. You won't be needing a tachometer or various other gauges, so there was plenty of room for the boffins at MINI to rearrange the dials as they saw fit, for better readability and ease of use.
Given our own local push for electric vehicles and an ever growing network of chargers, it won't be long before you see a model like this make it to our shores. It's certainly a very interesting proposition, and with charge times standing at three and a half hours for a full charge (at a public charging station or a MINI ELECTRIC wallbox), it isn't all too impractical. Find a fast charger and the battery will hit 80% in just half an hour.
For the best deals on MINI models, click
here
.


Pengiring VVIP Perlu Protokol Trafik Yang Lebih Selamat – Elakkan Kemalangan Melibatkan Orang Awam

Baru-baru ini, sebuah kemalangan berlaku di Sarawak akibat tindakan pihak polis yang menghentikan lalu lintas untuk memberi laluan
kepada konvoi VVIP
. Susulan itu, Ahli Parlimen Bandar Kuching, Kelvin Yii telah menggesa pihak berkuasa untuk merangka protokol trafik yang lebih jelas dan selamat ketika mengiringi VVIP di jalan raya.

Protokol trafik yang lebih jelas amat penting untuk memastikan pengguna jalan raya lain tidak diancam risiko kemalangan apabila bertembung dengan pengiring VVIP di jalan raya. Menurut Yii, pihak polis sepatutnya menjalankan tugas dengan lebih baik dalam mengawal arus lalu lintas sebelum melepaskan VVIP tersebut.

Tambah beliau, pihak polis sepatutnya memeriksa keadaan mangsa yang terlibat dalam kemalangan yang berlaku di depan mata mereka terlebih dahulu sebelum membenarkan rombongan VVIP tersebut berlalu pergi.

“Nasib baik kemalangan itu hanya melibatkan 2 kenderaan sahaja dan tiada orang awam yang cedera parah. Ia juga berlaku bukan pada waktu puncak. Jika tidak, ia mungkin lebih teruk atau menyebabkan lebih banyak kesesakan lalu lintas,” jelasnya.

Ahli Parlimen itu berpendapat bahawa sekurang-kurangnya VVIP tersebut boleh keluar atau meminta pengiringnya untuk memeriksa keadaan mangsa yang terlibat, mengambil maklumat yang diperlukan, menunjukkan kebimbangan dan membantu menyelesaikan masalah tersebut.

Walau bagaimanapun, melalui video yang tersebar di media sosial, VVIP tersebut langsung tidak berhenti dan bertindak meneruskan perjalanannya. Menurut Yii, tindakan itu menggambarkan seolah-olah keselamatan pengguna jalan raya lain tidak penting di mata mereka.

Oleh itu, beliau menggesa agar SOP dan protokol bagi pengiring VVIP seperti ini dikaji semula dan diperbaharui bagi mengelakkan hal seperti ini daripada berulang kembali. Tambahnya, ini termasuk juga dengan insiden yang berlaku baru-baru ini di mana sebuah
ambulans telah dipaksa berhenti
 untuk memberi laluan kepada kepada konvoi VVIP.

Tanpa mengira perbezaan status mereka, Yii menegaskan keselamatan dan keselamatan pemandu lain mesti diutamakan bagi mengelak perbezaan kelas atau
double standard
 dalam layanan terhadap orang orang awam.

Selain itu, beliau juga menggesa pihak berkuasa untuk mengalihkan simpang keluar yang berbahaya di lokasi kemalangan itu kerana beliau berpendapat jaraknya terlalu pendek untuk kereta yang datang dari arah bertentangan untuk memperlahankan kenderaan bagi memberi laluan kepada mana-mana kenderaan yang ingin keluar menggunakan jalan tersebut.

“Keselamatan semua pihak mesti diutamakan, dan mereka tidak seharusnya membenarkan jalan pintas sedemikian yang akan membahayakan orang ramai secara amnya,” ujarnya.


AD: Win A Free Holiday By Putting Your Driving Skills To The Test – Isuzu Dura-Miles Challenge 2018

From now till the 31st October 2018, take part in the Isuzu Dura-Miles Challenge 2018 to put the Isuzu D-Max pickup truck and your driving skills to the test for a chance to win the grand prize of a vacation package worth RM3,000.
The Isuzu Dura-Miles Challenge contest consists of two independent parts. The first part is a fuel efficiency driving challenge, the second is a creative photo contest with a designated photo wall.
For the first challenge, participants simply have to visit any participating Isuzu dealership and sign up for the contest. Participants are then handed the keys to an Isuzu D-Max to drive a pre-determined route ranging around 6 – 8 km (depending on the location of the dealership) in the most fuel-efficient way possible.
Test vehicles will be refuelled before and after the test drive to measure the amount of fuel used. Each participant may take part in this contest once per day, and not more than twice a month during the campaign period. The recommended test drive time is between 10:30 am to 4:00 pm.
The second part of the contest involves striking the wackiest pose with the Isuzu Dura Miles photo wall and share their photos on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag: #isuzuduramiles. That’s it.
Here are some handy tips for conquering the Isuzu Dura-Miles Challenge 2018:
Seating position: Seat properly with the steering wheel, brake, and accelerator pedals within ergonomic reach. Seating properly ensures that you have a safe hand at the wheel and steady foot on the pedals.
Go easy on the gas: Modulate the accelerator pedal with as much precision and smoothness as possible, avoid abrupt throttle inputs when driving.
Plan ahead: Plan your stops ahead of time, avoid heavy braking. All Isuzu Dura-Miles test drives involve negotiating busy traffic conditions, so the key is to be as smooth as you can during acceleration and braking.
Go with the flow: Use the vehicle’s momentum where possible (such as when going downhill) to reduce the load on the engine.
Stay informed: Monitor your driving performance using the Isuzu D-Max’s instant fuel economy readings.
The Grand Prize winner of the Isuzu Dura-Miles challenge will walk away with holiday package worth RM 3,000, second and third place contestants for the fuel economy challenge will receive RM 1,000 and RM 500 in cash vouchers respectively.
Isuzu is also giving away a further RM 1,000 in cash vouchers for the ten most creative photos in the photo wall contest.


Post SST: New Prices For Nissan Models, Navara Continue To Enjoy Zero GST

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM), the sole distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, has just announced the new pricing for its Nissan models inclusive of 10% Sales Tax, in line with the Government’s Sales and Service Tax (SST) implementation effective from 1st September 2018.
The updated model line-up list, which only includes locally-assembled passenger cars, see a reduction in SST-based prices compared to GST-based prices. The fully imported Navara pickup meanwhile continue to enjoy the zero-GST prices, until the company exhaust its stocks. No updates yet on the NV200 commercial van and
NV350 Urvan window van
.
In conjunction with the Malaysia Day festive period, ETCM also introduced its ‘Malaysia Day Bonus’ campaign with attractive rebates up to RM 8,000 for selected Nissan models. With the promotion, the popular Nissan X-Trail 2.0 can be had for RM126,800, while the
fully-loaded Navara VL Plus
 can be had for under RM112,000. The campaign is only available for the month of September.
All passenger-car Nissan models with private registration include a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. The Nissan Navara pickup, however, has its warranty coverage capped to 5-year or 150,000-kilometre mileage. Further adding to that, after-sales services by Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn Bhd (TCEAS) are subjected to 6% service tax for labour charges.
New prices (valid for Peninsular Malaysia) for the Nissan models available at ETCM are listed below:


Honda Malaysia Issues Recall For Another 46,710 Vehicles

Honda
 Malaysia has issued another recall for a total of 46,710 vehicles in the country, and is urging affected owners to have their vehicles brought in and inspected by any of its authorised Honda dealerships
The recall surrounds the on-going
Takata airbag inflators global scare
, to which Honda Malaysia wishes to announce that it will replace all affected airbag inflators with newly produced ones. In May, the company issued
a recall for some 87,182 units, for the same issue
.
At the same time, Honda Malaysia has announced that all owners of the brand’s latest range of models haven’t been affected by this recall.
The current recall can be split into two segments: the first 26,186 units being affected by a front passenger airbag inflator, the remaining 20,524 units by driver airbag inflator. Here’s a list of the specific Honda models affected.
Of the 26,186 units affected by a faulty front passenger airbag inflator:
Honda City: Manufactured between 2008 and 2009
Honda Civic: Manufactured between 2007 and 2009
Honda CR-V: Manufactured between 2007 and 2008
Honda Jazz: Manufactured between 2007 and 2009
Of the 20,524 units affected by a faulty driver airbag inflator:
Honda Accord: Manufactured 2003 to 2007
*Don't forget to check the first
recall issued by Honda Malaysia in May, involving 87,182 units.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported yet, as Honda Malaysia continues informing all affected customers by notifications letters.
Again, in an attempt to prevent any harm or injury caused by this matter, Honda Malaysia is urging all affected Honda owners to bring in their vehicles to an authorised Honda dealer for an inspection.
All costs involved in this recall will be borne by Honda Malaysia, and rectification works will be carried out as soon as the parts are available.
Vehicle owners can also check their vehicle’s product update status by calling Honda’s Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020 or by logging on to
www.honda.com.my.


Toyota Hits 10 Million Unit Milestone for Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles have come a long way since their humble beginnings, and ever since Toyota has managed to make it popular and mainstream other brands have followed through to produce their own hybrid models- both in order to meet regulations and to meet the requirements of an advancing demographic. Toyota has stuck with their Hybrid Synergy Drive (or Toyota Hybrid System) technology and developed it through each generation of Prius in order to better deploy it in other models within the Toyota range. As the system becomes more compact and compatible, it can more readily be integrated into other products- a key to reducing emissions on the whole.
What's even more impressive than hitting their 10 million hybrid vehicle milestone in January is the fact that it was only last April that Toyota reached their 9 million hybrid vehicle sales mark. In a little under 1 year, they have produced and sold over 1 million hybrid vehicles- a true testament to their popularity across the world. Toyota estimates that the use of Toyota’s HVs 2 in lieu of conventional gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance has resulted in approximately 77 million fewer tons 3 of CO 2 emissions and has saved approximately 29 million kiloliters of gasoline.
Malaysia alone has contributed roughly 15,000 units to that 10 million unit figure. Between 2009 and 2014, UMW Toyota provided customers here with the third generation Prius and the Prius C, although both models were phased out when the government removed the hybrid incentive and the hybrid vehicles became prohibitively expensive.


Oldie But Goodie: Cars You Can Buy For Around RM15,000

We know, we know.....now is not the time to be looking at purchasing a car.....but one can always prepare for life post-COVID-19.

With Raya and freedom coming up soon we hope, some of us will definitely be looking for a chariot to ride in and if you are the type who likes to buy a car with cash rather than bank loans, here are some to consider for around the RM15,000 budget.

BMW E46 318i (RM14,500)

A BMW under RM15,000? Sure or not? Yes, this is possible and since this one comes with the tried and proven M series engine, it can be reliable. The ones with the N series engine (2001 models and up) are the ones to avoid. Many think that BMW maintenance costs a bomb, but the actual fact is, it is comparable to some Japanese brands. Although the 1.9-litre engine is not the most powerful, the car is still a smooth highway cruiser and can really move around the B-roads if worked. Plus, we think the looks haven't aged that bad

Toyota Unser (RM14,800)

The hard bit to get past with the Unser is its looks, but with the bodykit that this vehicle is equipped with, the car doesn't look half that bad. It even kind of looks like its bigger brother the Prado. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a reliable big family mover, this is the vehicle for you. With the famous Toyota reliability powering this MPV, this is a no brainer for those looking for a car that can ferry people and things around.

Suzuki Alto (RM15,718)

If you want to be different, go for the Suzuki Alto. Yes, a Perodua Axia will be cheaper to maintain and own, but there is always a price for being a hipster. Saying that however, the Alto is not a bad car. It has Suzuki's good reliability underpinnings and Suzuki's funky design as a shell. This one, in particular, has the sporty-looking body kit going for it so it doesn't look too wimpy. This particular example on Carlist also looks pristine so a win all around.

Honda CR-V 2nd Gen (RM14,888)

Oh the Honda CR-V, the compact SUV that most people owned when they first decided they wanted a reliable, stylish and utilitarian SUV. At under RM15k you can now experience the CR-V magic without needing a bank loan. Although you can get the 1st gen for nearly 10k, we recommend going for the 2nd gen as it received a new chassis with increased torsional and bending rigidity and double wishbone rear suspenison. What this means is that it is a better handling car compared to the 1st gen, so touring around Malaysia will be sweet and pleasant. Due to the intelligent i-VTEC, it has excellent fuel economy and with nearly 200Nm of torque, it can pretty much propel you fast anywhere. The 2nd Gen CRV was also named Car and Driver's best SUV for 2002 and 2003.

Mercedes Benz E240 W210 (RM12,800)

For those who are feeling a little brave, there's always the creme de la creme. Although the looks of the W210 is a bit marmite, we still think the car looks the boss on the road. According to forumers, the main problems for the E240 W210 model are; Electronic Ignition Switch (where your keys are inserted to start the car), Console Cluster Pixels (pixelated gear display), Cloudy headlights (can polish one), Brake Light Switch (cheap to replace), Brake lights (half cut got what), Faulty Duo valve (since we dont use the heater, it might not be a problem, fingers crossed). All the problems are not that bad really, especially when you consider you can travel in luxury and comfort for such a small price.


Frankfurt 2017: The Audi Aicon – A ‘Living Room’ Cabin With The Entire Windscreen As A Screen

So, we finally managed to have a closer look at the Audi Aicon concept that was revealed hours ago, and boy was it a sight to behold.
Oozing with high-tech wizardry all over, the four-door 2+2 sedan, which is 240 mm longer than the new A8, features large glass surfaces at the front and rear, curvy windows, darkened side sills, as well as giant 26-inch wheels.
As futuristic as it is on the outside, the real party trick is what lies inside – a living area for a cabin with no steering wheel, pedals, or even a dashboard.
Why the Aicon Concept doesn't have these basic things is because it is a level 5 fully autonomous vehicle which can operate by itself completely

in every driving scenario.
Controlled by Audi’s PIA electronic vehicle assistant which recognises a specific passenger by his phone and activates all of his personal settings like the air cond settings, seating position, interior light theme and the infotainment screen layout, even attending to a video call in the Aicon seems so cool.
What happens is that the entire windscreen becomes a display unit on which the video call (among other details) is projected, making it completely unnecessary to have puny 8-inch screens like the ones we have on our cars at the moment.
There are no buttons, but there are multiple input modes available for engaging with the car. Besides the haptic-manual layer, there are also voice control and eye tracking, in which sensors in the front end of the interior track where the passenger is looking. The passenger locks his onto a control element in the area of the front main display to select it and performs fine adjustments using his hand or voice.
Powering the autonomous car are four electric motors producing a total of 260 kW and 550 Nm of torque, where each drives one wheel, enabling electronically controlled, variable quattro all-wheel drive.
Capable of achieving ranges of between 700 and 800 km on a single charge, the Aicon’s battery can be charged to 80 percent of capacity in less than 30 minutes.
The car is also equipped with wireless charging, which is so smart that it can function without a driver. In an AI Zone, it can pull up to a charging station on its own and charge its battery without any human assistance.


Mitsubishi Offering Great Raya Bonus For Their Outlander And Triton

Raya is coming, and with that comes the Raya deals. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is introducing their Raya Bonus 2018, which will be running on until the 30th of June, 2018. The promotion focuses on their Outlander, ASX, and Triton models, with various options and bonuses available.
In the case of the Outlander, both 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre variants come with an RM 4,000 Raya Bonus. Customers who book and register the 2.0-litre model will get the All Round Monitor and Premium Leatherette Seats thrown in at no additional charge. Prices during the promotional period are RM 139,988.00 for the 2.0-litre and RM 154,988.00 for the 2.4-litre.
For the Triton, the Raya Bonus goes up to RM 12,000 depending on variant if customers book and register during the promotional period. The Triton Athlete, VGT Adventure X, VGT AT GL, and VGT MT all receive RM 4,000 bonuses, while the Triton MT and Quest receive RM 8,000 bonuses, and the Triton VGT AT Premium benefits from a RM 12,000 bonus.
And finally, for the ASX there is an RM 8,000 Raya Bonus for either 2WD or 4WD model, bringing their prices down to RM 134,300.00 for the 4WD and RM 119,100.00 for the 2WD. To find out more about these models and rebates, check out any of the 54 Mitsubishi showrooms around Malaysia.


10 Tips Elak Kecurian Kereta Ketika Lockdown 3.0

Tahukah anda pencuri hanya memerlukan dalam 20 saat sahaja untuk pecah masuk kereta bagi tujuan mencuri barangan berharga ataupun melarikan kereta anda? Oleh itu, kami nak kongsikan tips bagi mengelakkan kereta anda dipecah masuk atau dicuri ketika
Lockdown 3.0
 ini berlangsung.

10 Tips Mencegah Kereta Daripada Dicuri

Kes kecurian kereta di negara ini masih lagi berleluasa. Oleh itu, anda perlu sentiasa berjaga-jaga bagi mengelakkan malang yang tidak berbau. Bagi mereka yang gemar meninggalkan kereta untuk sementara waktu dengan enjin tidak dimatikan serta pintu tidak dikunci, kereta serta barang-barang berharga dalam kereta anda itu telah terdedah kepada
bahaya dicuri
. Meskipun hanya sekejap sahaja ditinggalkan, namun waktu sekejap itulah yang diperlukan pencuri untuk mencuri kereta anda.

Oleh itu, anda disarankan untuk sentiasa berhati-hati dengan keadaan sekeliling sebelum meninggalkan kereta anda. Berikut merupakan antara tempat kecurian kereta ini biasa berlaku:

Tempat letak kereta awam

Kompleks membeli belah

Depan rumah

Di tepi jalan

Tempat letak kereta di kawasan peranginan (hotel, resort)

1. Letak Kenderaan Di Lokasi Strategik

Pertama sekali, sentiasalah meletakkan kenderaan anda di lokasi yang strategik yang mempunyai pencahayaan yang baik. Tahukah anda cahaya merupakan musuh utama pencuri? Aktiviti terkutuk ini lebih selesa dilakukan di kawasan gelap dan tersorok. Seeloknya, letakkan kenderaan anda di bawah cahaya lampu ataupun berhampiran kawasan parkir kereta yang lain. Elakkan daripada meletakkan kenderaan di kawasan sunyi dan tersorok.

Elakkan juga parkir bersebelahan dengan kenderaan bersaiz besar seperti lori atau bas kerana kereta anda akan terlindung dari pandangan dan ia memudahkan aktiviti pencurian. Saranan ini lazimnya merujuk kepada pemilik kenderaan yang tinggal sama ada di rumah flat atau pangsapuri yang tidak menyediakan parkir khas. Jika anda parkir di pusat membeli belah, pastikan kenderaan anda diletakkan dalam jarak penglihatan juruwang di pondok pembayaran atau pengawal di kawasan parkir untuk lebih keselamatan.

2. Jangan Tinggalkan Barang Berharga

Ketika anda meletakkan kenderaan ataupun meletakkan sesuatu barang dalam kereta, penting untuk anda peka dengan keadaan sekeliling. Sekiranya ada terdapat seseorang yang berkelakuan mencurigakan seperti tidak putus-putus memerhatikan anda berdekatan kawasan tersebut, seeloknya letakkan kenderaan anda di kawasan yang lebih selamat. Atau lebih mudah, jangan tinggalkan langsung barang berharga dalam kereta meskipun cermin kereta anda mempunyai
pelindung filem gelap ataupun tinted.

Jika tidak dapat dielakkan, barang berharga di dalam kereta boleh di simpan di dalam but kereta supaya ianya tersorok dari pandangan pencuri. Untuk sistem pemuka audio kereta yang boleh ditanggalkan, seeloknya tanggalkan dan simpanlah di tempat tersorok di dalam kereta seperti di glovebox mahupun but kereta. Meskipun pencuri tahu anda cabut dan sorok faceplate terbabit, tetapi pencuri tak tahu lokasi sebenar faceplate itu. Mungkin ada dalam kereta, mungkin tidak. Jadi tak berbaloi pencuri nak curi sistem audio tanpa faceplate ini.

3. Kunci Pintu Kereta

Jika anda ingin meninggalkan kenderaan anda tidak kiralah untuk tempoh sekejap atau lama, pastikan pintu kereta sentiasa dikunci. Jangan lupa untuk double check pintu kereta anda setiap kali lepas kunci kereta. Selain itu, elakkan daripada mengunci kenderaan anda setelah anda berada jauh daripada kereta kerana khuatir alat kawalan penggera anda sudah kehabisan bateri.

Apabila anda singgah ke kedai untuk membeli surat khabar atau rokok sekalipun, kuncilah kereta anda terlebih dahulu dan matikan enjinnya. Jangan sesekali jadikan kereta anda sebagai easy target kepada geng penyamun ini. Dah lah tak kunci pintu, enjin pun hidup. Memang mengundang pencuri ibarat orang mengantuk disorongkan bantal.

4. Sistem Penggera Berkualiti

Pastikan sistem penggera kereta anda berfungsi dengan baik. Tak salah untuk anda berbelanja lebih bagi mendapatkan sistem penggera yang berkualiti. Biar mahal asal selamat! Memandangkan kebanyakan daripada kita manghabiskan masa di rumah sepanjang
Lockdown 3.0
 ini, jadi jarang untuk kita menggunakan kereta. Sistem penggera ini amat berguna terutama bagi mereka yang meletakkan kereta berjauhan dari rumah. Bagi pemilik model kereta panas seperti
Proton Wira dan Perodua Myvi
, anda amatlah digalakkan untuk memasang penggera pada kereta anda.

Selain itu, bagi kereta yang tidak mempunyai penggera, anda turut boleh menggunakan teknik mengacah pencuri dengan meletakkan lampu kecil yang berkelip di bahagian dashboard kereta sebagai lampu sistem penggera. Bila pencuri dah nampak seakan-akan kereta anda dilengkapi dengan sistem penggera, pasti pencuri akan target kereta lain yang lebih mudah.

5. Panaskan Enjin Kereta

Oleh kerana kereta anda lebih kerap terbiar ketika Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) ini, perbuatan memanaskan enjin kereta sekurang-kurangnya 2-3 kali seminggu ini amatlah berguna. Bukan sahaja bagi mengelak daripada berlakunya masalah
bateri
, brek dan beberapa komponen penting kenderaan akibat sudah lama tidak bergerak, tetapi aktiviti ini juga dapat memeriksa sama ada bateri kenderaan masih ada dan tidak dicuri. Kecurian bateri kereta masih lagi sesuatu yang popular di negara ini. Anda juga boleh memasang klip pada bonet kereta anda untuk membolehkan anda mengunci bonet daripada dibuka.

6. Pasang Kunci Tambahan

Selain mengunci pintu kereta anda, anda juga boleh menambah baik tahap keselamatan kereta anda daripada dicuri dengan memasang kunci tambahan pada kereta. Kunci tambahan ini merangkumi kunci stereng, kunci tayar dan kunci klac. Dengan penambahan kunci seperti ini, penjenayah perlu mengambil masa lebih lama untuk membuka kunci-kunci berkenaan. Selain cahaya, masa juga merupakan musuh utama pencuri.

7. Siap Sedia Dengan Kunci Di Tangan

Kebanyakan kecurian kereta berlaku ketika pemilik tidak berada di kawasan berkenaan. Namun ada juga kes curi yang berlaku di mana pencuri akan mengekori pemilik kereta sampai depan kereta untuk mencuri. Oleh itu, anda perlu sentiasa bersiap sedia dgn kunci di tangan apabila menghampiri kereta. Nanti bila sampai kereta boleh terus masuk sahaja. Bayangkan ada orang ikut dari belakang, masa itu la baru nak terkial-kial cari kunci.

8. Jangan Tinggalkan Wang Kecil Dalam Kereta

Sesetengah pemandu gemar meninggalkan wang kecil di dalam kereta bagi tujuan
pembayaran tol
 ataupun
parkir kereta
. Bagi anda, nilainya tidaklah banyak sampai boleh merugikan anda. Tetapi, bagi pencuri bertaraf rendah, RM5 pun dah nampak mewah. Jangan pula disebabkan RM5 itu dicuri, tingkap kereta anda dipecahkan. Kos nak baiki cermin tersebut jauh lebih mahal daripada nilai wang yang dicuri itu. Tak berbaloi!

9. Pasang GPS Tracker

Berbelanjalah sedikit untuk mendapatkan sistem pengesan GPS pada kereta anda tidak kiralah kereta baharu mahupun
kereta terpakai
. Meskipun kereta murah, bila dah hilang, siapa nak tanggung? Tambahan pula, berapa sen sangatlah harga pengesan GPS ini berbanding harga sebuah kereta. Ada pelbagai jenis pengesan GPS boleh didapati di pasaran buat masa ini. Dengan pengesan ini, kedudukan kereta anda dapat dijejaki dan ini amatlah membantu dalam urusan
pihak polis
 untuk menjejaki kereta tersebut.

10. Arahkan Tayar Pada Bendul Jalan

Akhir sekali, bagi mengelakkan kereta anda dicuri menggunakan
tow truck,
 pihak polis telah memberi galakan supaya pemilik kenderaan meletakkan kereta dengan menyengetkan kedudukan tayar ke arah bendul jalan. Dengan cara ini, pencuri akan menghadapi kesukaran untuk menarik mahupun menolak kereta anda. Pencuri perlu melakukan kerja dengan cepat, jadi kereta yang payah untuk dicuri biasanya digugurkan daripada senarai mereka.

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

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

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

Get your latest
new car promotion
 here also.


Limited Edition Mercedes-Benz G-Class Celebrates Alpine Off-Road Tradition

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a limited run Mercedes-Benz G-Class to commemorate the Schöckl Mountain trail in Graz, Austria – a storied off-road trail popular with local off-road fans, not far from where the G-Class is produced.
Three variants of the G-Class Limited Edition will be made available – namely the G350d, G350d Professional and G500. Limited to just 463 units – each vehicle receives an embossed emblem on the centre console bordered with the lettering "Schöckl proved since 1979" and "Limited Edition 1 of 463".
Another shared feature is the "Limited Edition" emblem on the A-pillar and a backlit inscription on the door sill.
The G350d is finished in Designo Mocha Black metallic paint which features a brushed aluminium protective strip that runs the length of the body. Along the flanks, it features 19-inch 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in titanium grey. A chrome package adds shiny bits on the front grille, interior trim and boot sill. The interior is finished saddle brown Designo Nappa leather and includes Harman Kardon ‘Logic 7’ surround sound system.
The G 350 d Professional Limited Edition is positioned as a robust off-roader. The paint finish of this special model is in china blue. The exterior treatment includes a steel front bumper, protective grilles the front turn signal lamps and headlamps, front mud flaps and roof rack. Exclusive to the interior of this model is the retro fabric covering of the centre sections of the seats, reminiscent of previous G-models.
The standard specification includes heated seats for driver and front passenger. Radio with Bluetooth and navigation, heated windscreen, and Loading Protection package which adds a load protection net and trailer coupling with a 'ball head'.
The G350d is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 outputting 245 hp and 600 Nm of torque – the G350d Professional goes on sale in Germany at EUR103,940, while the G350d is priced at EUR122,918.
The range-topping G 500 Limited Edition is finished in Designo platinum Magno and contrasted with black add-on parts such as the trim insert in the outer protective strip. The grille inserts and spare wheel cover are also painted in Magno black. Likewise, the standard equipment Harman Kardon surround sound system, TV tuner and Loading Protection package.
The interior features include upholstery in black Designo Nappa leather with white topstitching and AMG Performance steering wheel black Designo piano lacquer trim and Dinamica roof liner.
The G500 produces 422 hp and 610 Nm of torque from its 4.0-litre V8 and is priced at EUR140,164 inclusive of taxes.


BMW 3 Series Plug-In Hybrid 330e Coming In 2016, Promises 2.1l/100km, 252hp

In conjunction with the debut of their new
3 Series facelift
,
BMW
 has taken the opportunity to tease that it will be unveiling a new plug-in hybrid version of the car sometime next year.
While the likes of its arch-rival, Mercedes-Benz, seemingly pull away with already having two plug-in hybrids on the road – S 500e, C 350e – BMW are clearly on track to reveal their PHEV 3er in 2016.
Addressing the global unveiling of the new
3 Series
, Dr Ian Robertson of the BMW Group mentioned, “A further milestone will be the introduction of the BMW 330e next year. The new 3 Series plug-in hybrid will raise the bar in its segment.”
*See the new BMW 3 Series Facelift (LCI) in Full Detail, here
He also detailed that the 3 Series plug-in hybrid will boast a fuel consumption figure of 2.1-litre/100km, 49g/km of CO2, and pack a combined output of 252hp and 420Nm of torque for a proper, dynamic, driving experience.
Power will come from a 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower turbo engine which makes 184hp, and the addition of an 80kW electric motor.
Other details shared included that the 330e Plug-In Hybrid will be able to sprint to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds and have a top speed of 225km/h. One pure electric power, the 330e will be able to drive up to a distance of 35km, completely emissions-free.


Honda Malaysia Recalls 2016 HR-V – Replacement Of Front Stabiliser Bar

Honda Malaysia has issued a product recall for 2016 Model Year (MY) Honda HR-V due to the possibility that the front stabiliser bar may break under high stress. 2,814 units are affected by the recall, all other current selling Honda models are not affected by this recall.
According to Honda Malaysia, the stabiliser bar breakage is due to insufficient temperature control during its production process, resulting in the compromised strength of the stabiliser bar and thus, leading to possible breakage when subjected to high stresses.
Breakage of the stabiliser bar can cause the front wheels to be unbalanced, resulting in instability when driving, or the car ‘pulling’ to the left or right, in some cases, even tyre puncture.
As of today, there are no incidences of crashes or injuries related to this issue reported in Malaysia.
Honda Malaysia is taking pre-emptive measures to ensure customer safety. All affected front stabiliser bars will be replaced with brand new components. Currently, Honda Malaysia has 50% of the replacement parts in stock nationwide, and parts availability will be at 100% by mid-November 2017.
All affected customers will be informed via notification letters, which will include details of the product recall.
Customers are advised to send their vehicles to the nearest Honda authorised dealer for inspection and replacement. Alternatively, customers can visit the Honda
parts recall
 web page to check on their vehicle recall status.
All cost related to this replacement activity will be borne by Honda Malaysia.


Honda Civic Sedan Gets No Love In Japan. Hatch, Type R To Remain

In stark contrast with the rest of the world, Honda’s home market of Japan isn’t so hot on the Civic in sedan form, causing the automaker to decide to drop the four-door altogether there.

The falling demand for the 10th-generation Civic (FC) sedan in the Japanese market has been apparent for some time but, as with everything, has been hit even harder due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the last fiscal year, which only just ended, only 1,619 units were sold domestically.

Unfortunately, this newest Civic is following in the footsteps of its immediate predecessor, which was also prematurely axed from the Japanese domestic market following sagging sales numbers toward the end of its life cycle. This partly led to Honda exploring the hatchback form factor in the first place.

With a bold new design, more upmarket interior, and a turbocharged engine, the 10th-generation car marked new ground for the long-running nameplate. There was definitely hope that this newest effort would reinvigorate it in the eyes of the Japanese population, but that doesn’t seem to have played out exactly as Honda envisioned.

A quick glance along Japanese roads makes it quite apparent that the average car buyer there is, for some reason, interested in pretty much every other type of vehicle than a mid-size sedan, gladly choosing instead an MPV or a tiny kei car in addition to the ubiquitous crossover and SUV.

The C-segment Honda sedan, which is also available as a shorter-ended hatchback in Japan, is doing pretty well for itself abroad - nowhere near the volume of Honda’s crossovers and SUVs, naturally, but against its closest class rivals such as the Toyota Corolla and Subaru Impreza in Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America, the Civic is looking pretty rosy.

Personally, I also happen to think the Civic sedan looks so much better and
finished
than the hatch, and that it should be the latter dropping out of favour in Honda’s home market. Oh well.

Manufactured locally in Honda’s plant in Saitama, sold in Japan in both body styles and with an updated design and spec sheet following a 2019 facelift, the Civic is offered there with a sole engine option, that being the 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder VTEC Turbo, which sends power to the front wheels via a Continuously Variable Transmission.

Moving forward, there will no longer there be any Civics rolling off Japanese production lines, though the 10th-generation Civic hatchback will still be available for sale domestically. These cars will be brought in as imports from the automaker’s UK plant in Swindon along with examples of the Type R hot hatch, which are made exclusively in England.

Closer to home, if anything, the 10th-generation Civic has come out of the troubled first half of 2020 stronger than ever with Honda Malaysia delivering 425 units of the Civic 1.8S to the Royal Malaysia Police as their newest fleet of patrol cars.

The 2020 update to the local spec Civic has also been met positively, building on the success of the pre-facelift model by adding 18-inch wheels and the Honda Sensing active safety suite to the range-topping 1.5 TC-P variant.


Shanghai 2017: Mercedes-Benz Set To Launch W222 S-Class Facelift

Mercedes-Benz will be launching its mid-life update for the W222 S-Class at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show, set to happen next week.
Don't let the facelift term fool you, as Mercedes-Benz has done more than just a simple nip and tuck for its luxury sedan. Amongst the highlights include a new range of engines and improved Intelligent Drive.
The outgoing V6 petrol and diesel engines will be replaced by a range of inline-six engines. We
reported
 earlier that Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the new line of engines will debut on the W222 S-Class facelift. On top of that, a new plug-in hybrid variant of the S-Class is planned, with a claimed range of roughly 50 km. Elsewhere, Mercedes-Benz will also debut its new 48‑volt Integrated Starter Alternator and the electric booster compressor at the motor show.
For 2017, the Mercedes-Benz W222 S-Class facelift will receive the company's enhanced Intelligent Drive. DISTRONIC Active Proximity Control and Active Steer Assist have been updated to deliver more support for the driver, now able to adjust the vehicle's speed automatically ahead of curves and junctions. Active Lane Change Assist has also been improved, on top of the Active Emergency Stop Assist.
Since the Mercedes-Benz W222 S-Class's debut in 2013, more than 300,000 units were sold. Last year, the S-Class was the best-selling luxury sedan worldwide.


Full Investigation Into AES Deal – Patriot

The National Patriots Association (Patriot) has called for an investigation over the supposedly one-sided agreement between the previous government and the two concessionaire companies of the Automated Enforcement System (AES).
The president of Patriot, Datuk Mohd Arshad Raji, has demanded to know who the corporate owners of the two AES concessionaires are, namely ATES Sdn Bhd and Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd. He added that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police should investigate reports that the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) was instructed by the previous government to use its (LTAT) funds to pay RM 555 million to the two companies to take over the AES operations.
Last Friday, it was
reported
 that Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that RM 295 million was paid to ATES Sdn Bhd and RM 260 million to Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd did not involve taking over a huge amount of assets, just 40 AES cameras.
Mohd Arshad also added that the use of the LTAT funds was a serious criminal breach of trust as the fund’s primary objective was to take care of the welfare and retirement benefits of servicemen, including providing employment opportunities, resettlement course, and scholarship for their kids.


Traveling to vote for GE15: Tips to get your car ready for that trip back home

With GE15 just around the corner, many of us will be travelling long distances in November to conduct our statutory duties, so it's best we check on our cars to see whether they are fit to go on a long journey.

With the announcement that polling would be held on November 19, the GE15 circus is officially underway, and undoubtedly many of us will be travelling back to our home town on this date to elect our preferred candidate.

With long journeys and major congestion expected to take place around the date, it's best we get our cars in tip-top condition to avoid any breakdowns.

If you have been keeping your car in good nick, it still won't hurt to give it a second look as you want it to be in its best possible condition, especially if it has to go through the expected congested roads in the upcoming weeks.

To help you stay on top of your car, we've listed some things you should be looking at.

1.Tyre condition

The problem is that tyre wear can creep up on you, and you may go from having some tread to no tread at all - just taking
a quick look
 at all four of your tyres before you get in can be done in under a minute.

2.Brake condition

Brakes are one of the critical components in a car that
keeps you safe from harm
. If you're not sure what you are looking at, pay a professional to inspect them for you, but generally you can see how much meat is left on your brakes by just looking at them.

3.Lights

Dealing with dim
lightbulbs
 is something you don't really notice until it's too late, so it pays to check them before rolling out

4.Oil Level

This isn't something you commonly find to be an issue with newer cars, but it may be wise to keep an eye on your
oil level
 before heading out on older cars

5.Radiator fluid

Checking on it periodically is the best way to tell whether you have a serious problem on your hands, so have a few drives before you go interstate and check the radiator fluid levels.

These are generally the more important things to look at before heading out on a long journey. If you want a more thorough list of things to inspect, click
here
, as they might actually be the difference between a smooth journey and an interrupted one.


Toyota Loyal-T Programme For Your Loyalty

UMW Toyota
 with the launching of its Toyota Loyal-T programme is assuring all Toyota car owners that their loyalty will be rewarded.

“We have a big
Toyota
 family with many customers across the whole country, and it has always been our endeavor to ensure that they feel appreciated. Looking back, we have implemented numerous value-added initiatives and improved services to constantly increase customer convenience. These efforts, and many more to come, are a means of saying thank you to our customers for their continued trust in the brand and support, and we would like to now consolidate all of these efforts with the introduction of a loyalty programme to reward our customers directly,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.

With the
Toyota Loyal-T programme
, all Toyota customers can now earn points with
vehicle purchases, vehicle servicing, purchase of spare parts, renewal of vehicle insurance as well as body and paint repairs at any Authorised Toyota Outlets nationwide.

These points can then be exchanged for E-service vouchers, which customers can put to use in future services. The
Toyota
 Loyal-T programme replaces the previous Toyota Merit programme which ended in June.

“Buying a
Toyota
 is just the beginning. Like any relationship, you will go through an introduction, and as you come to know one another better, trust develops, and over years the relationship strengthens. People come and go, but the bond will always remain. This wholesome membership structure for the Toyota Loyal-T Programme recognizes this bond, and it is a sign of our commitment that we will always be there for our customers for generations to come,” added Akio Takeyama,
UMW Toyota Motor Deputy Chairman.

Customers can download the Toyota Loyal-T Programme mobile application either from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.


SPYSHOTS: Could This Be The All-New Fourth-Generation Toyota Prius Undergoing Testing?

The
Toyota
 Prius is currently in its third generation (XW30), long overdue for a replacement and this just might be it. This video which appeared on the forum
Prius Chat
 supposedly gives us a first glimpse at the fourth-generation Prius albeit under a lot of camouflage.
New Toyota Prius Gen 4 in stealth?
 from
Savior1974
 on
Vimeo
.
In the video, we see a drive-by alongside the mysterious Toyota vehicle which sports a similar hatchback design which is highly reminiscent of the
Prius
. According to
Prius Chat
 member savior1974, the vehicle was spotted at a fuel station in Baker, CA during a drive between Las Vegas and California.
You may recall that Toyota recently introduced its new
TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture)
 platform that will underpin a new midsize front-wheel-drive vehicle later this year with other vehicles following suit. The reveal of the platform also pointed at multiple references to an all-new hybrid powertrain.
Even though the camouflaged vehicle sports lines that look a lot like a Prius,
Autoblog
 points out that the black electrical-tape-like camo isn’t the sort typically used for vehicle testing by the Toyota Technical Center, the engineering and research arm of Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing of America (TEMA).
At this time, Toyota have not officially confirmed when it will reveal the all-new Toyota Prius but it is highly expected to present its final design come the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show later this year.


Carlos Sainz Sr Wins The 2020 Dakar Rally In His Trusty MINI

Renowned Rally driver Carlos Sainz and his co-driver Lucas Cruz (ESP) have won the Rally Dakar for the third time, having previously triumphed in 2010 and 2018.

In doing so, they presented MINI with its fifth overall victory at the iconic endurance rally.

For MINI and MINI Motorsport partner X-raid, this was the first success since their winning run together, which lasted from 2012 to 2015.

The Spanish pair, in the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy, finished 6:21 minutes ahead of last year’s winner Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) after roughly 7,500 kilometres through Saudi Arabia, which was hosting the Dakar for the first time.

Dakar record winner Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) and his co-driver Paulo Fiuza (POR) finished third, 9:58 minutes behind Sainz and Cruz, to round off an impressive performance from the two MINI JCW Buggies.

The two MINI JCW Buggy crews each won four stages, while MINI vehicles went fastest on a total of nine of the twelve days. Vaidotas Zala (LTU) / Saulius Jurgelenas (LTU), in a MINI JCW Rally, won the very first Dakar stage on Arabian soil on the opening day.

Seven of the nine MINI crews that started the rally reached the finish in Al-Quiddia (KSA), four of them in the top ten. Orlando Terranova (ARG) and Bernardo ‘Ronnie’ Graue (ARG) finished in the top three on three days on their way to sixth place overall in the four-wheel drive MINI JCW Rally.

Local favourite Yasir Seaidan (KSA) and his co-driver Alexey Kuzmich (RUS) were ninth and finished an excellent second on the closing stage. Jakub ‘Kuba’ Przygonski (POL) and co-driver Timo Gottschalk (GER) had their hopes of a top result dashed on the opening day when a technical issue resulted in them losing six hours. They eventually finished in 19th place, 8:35.18 seconds off the lead.

MINI vehicles topped the overall standings after every one of the twelve legs at the 40th staging of the Dakar Rally. Zala and Jurgelenas got the ball rolling with victory on the opening stage, after which Terranova and Graue took the overall lead on day two.

Sainz and Cruz claimed their first stage win on the third leg. That victory took them to the top of the overall standings – a position they held right through to the finish.

In case you're wondering, Sainz Sr here is the father of the F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr, who will be representing McLaren-Renault in this year's F1 calendar.


Why the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid 2020 Should Be Considered!

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has a winner with the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid! Here's why...

The Nissan X-Trail is currently on its third generation here in Malaysia. The T32 as it is not fondly known has been in the Malaysian market since 2015. The Hybrid version that we will be talking about today however was launched locally in 2019 and never once have I heard it termed as a 'dynamic, driver-oriented SUV', WHY?

I had the recent privilege of taking my family on a road-trip to Telok Cempedak. A 262 km one-way trip. My requirements for a car were spacious enough to carry three including baby seat and luggage, economical, safe, and a decent sound system. Typical requirements really for a family road-trip. I did my research, made some calls, and finally decided on the
Nissan X-Trail 2.0 Hybrid
.

She ticked all the right boxes: 550l's of boot space, lots of rear legroom, hybrid-powered with consumption figures of 16.1km/l, and a 6-speaker audio system with Android Auto.

On the way to Telok Cempedek, trusty ol' Google Maps took us via the winding backroads of Bentong. Now you can imagine my horror, here we were hitting the road for our road-trip and we were being directed via windy, twisty backroads, the kind Uncle YS Khong likes showing us his skills on. Now normally, I would relish the opportunity to be on these sharp, sweeping bends but I was in a Nissan X-Trail Hybrid, an SUV more suited to highway cruising, not canyon carving or so I thought...

120 seconds later though I had the beginnings of a smile forming. The X-Trail was sharp, well-weighted and quick. I dare say it handled better than the Volvo XC60 which while it was a very rapid SUV to drive, did not have the same steering feel as the X-Trail.

144 PS at 6,000 rpm with an additional 41 PS from the electric motor was plenty on these twisties, all channeled to the two front wheels via the 7-speed CVT.

I began braking later and taking the corners faster and the X-Trail did as instructed, no body roll, no floaty rear. She was as sure-footed as any a car I've had the privilege of driving. Her steering got progressively heavier the higher the speed, her brakes stopped or slowed as demanded. She just went where you pointed her and stopped when you asked her. Let's also bear in mind while I was having my fun in an SUV around the bends, my son was fast asleep in his baby seat in the rear.

How did Nissan achieve this? Intelligent Trace Control - this active driver assist feature brakes each wheel individually to help you steer smoothly through the corners and by golly it works!

As much as it has been captivating I'm sure to read my recollection of how well the Nissan X-Trail 2.0 Hybrid in her non-existent Sports Mode (mind-boggling I know) handles, I believe you'll have more fun watching me tackle a portion of the Karak in it.

The only real lag I experienced on the Karak was when the RPM would fall under 2,000, you could feel a noticeable struggle to get it going again but once more, it is the up and down of the Karak and this is an SUV!

Edaran Tan Chong Motor is on to a winner here in my books.

How does she compare against the CX-5, CR-V, Forester, X70 - hmm...maybe that's a video idea worth exploring eh?


Government Spends RM221 Million Annually To Rent Cars

A report from
The Star
 has revealed that the government has been paying Spanco Sdn Bhd RM221.66 million annually to rent a total of 10,963
Proton
 cars for official use.
The private company is currently in a 25-year contract with the government to supply and maintain all the cars rented by the government which expires end 2018.
Currently, seven models of Proton cars are being rented with a monthly fee between RM973.84 to RM3,288.84 depending on the model. This amounts to a total of RM18.47 million for monthly car rentals, the Finance Ministry told Parliament.
The Proton models rented are listed below:
Perdana Executive 2.4
Perdana Standard 2.0
Inspira 2.0
Persona
Preve
Waja
Saga


2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid Previewed At UMW Toyota Motor Line-Off Ceremony

Production of the new
Toyota
 Camry has already begun at UMW Toyota Motor’s Assembly Service Sdn Bhd (ASSB) plant in Shah Alam following a line-off ceremony earlier today that also previewed the new
Toyota Camry
 Hybrid, the first locally-assembled (CKD) Toyota hybrid vehicle in Malaysia.
Launched earlier in Thailand
, the Toyota Camry Hybrid features a two-motor full hybrid powertrain comprising of a 2.5-litre petrol engine that makes 160PS and 210Nm paired to a 105 kW electric motor that delivers 270Nm of torque. Drive is sent through an E-CVT transmission and on to the front wheels, with drivers able to choose from two drive modes: ECO and EV (full electric) mode.
The new Camry Hybrid is expected to be launched in early April and will come with an eight-year warranty for the nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) type traction (hybrid) battery.
(Read more about the eight year unlimited mileage warranty for all new Toyota hybrids)
Among the notable features during our brief encounter with the car include:
Touchscreen infotainment with navigation
On-wheel steering controls for media and mobile phone controls
Cruise control
Keyless operation (entry with start-stop)
Front driver and passenger electric seats
Dual-zone climate control
Blind spot monitor
Vehicle stability control
UMW Toyota Motor has invested nearly RM 180 million from 2010 to 2015 on the Camry CKD project, which will see production of both the new 2.0-litre petrol and 2.5-litre hybrid Camry at the ASSB Shah Alam plant. ASSB has the capacity to produce close to 7,000 units of the Camry Hybrid CKD over the next nine months.
Considering the end of the NAP tax breaks for CKD hybrids in December 2015, which leaves the question on whether production of the Camry Hybrid CKD would continue after the nine months has passed.
As for the 2.0-litre model, two variants will be made available, the Camry 2.0G and Camry 2.0E.
Prices and specifications have yet to be announced but Toyota said the Camry Hybrid will be 'competitively priced, and will be below RM200,000,' at least until the end of 2015.
Here's a snippet of what went down at the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid preview:


Volkswagen Alor Setar Now Upgraded For 4S Operations

Volkswagen Alor Setar, operated by Lee Motors Autohaus Sdn Bhd has upgraded their dealership from a 3S centre to a full-fledged 4S centre with the addition of a Body & Paint facility. This brings the total number of Volkswagen 4S centres in the country to 10.
The new Body & Paint workshop offers services such as accident repair, panel knocking, chassis alignment, and respraying works. The Body and Paint centre includes a spray booth, two preparation bays, a polishing, finishing bay, as well as a two-post hoist bay. The facility uses one of the world’s best water-based paints – Cromax Pro Waterbase – on all its vehicles. Additionally, the facility is equipped with a Car-0-Liner chassis alignment bay; manned by trained panel beaters and painters.
Volkswagen Alor Setar’s building spans over 35,352 square feet: the showroom is located on the ground floor, aftersales service and the new Body & Paint centre are based on the second and third floors respectively. The facility even includes a special CCTV system where customers can watch their cars being serviced from the comfort of the customer lounge.
Volkswagen Alor Setar is strategically located at Aman Central, Alor Setar and operates from Sunday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and is closed on Saturdays and public holidays.


Perodua Has Fulfilled 52% Of Aruz Bookings - Avg 100 Units Delivered Daily

Perodua has fulfilled roughly 13,000 orders, or 52% out of the 25,000 bookings for the Aruz, which the company introduced earlier this year.
According to Perodua President and Chief Executive Office Dato Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Perodua has managed to increase deliveries of the Aruz from an average of 100 units daily to about 110 units a day. He added that the company is working closely with suppliers to further reduce the gap between orders and deliveries.
Perodua’s own calculations have revealed that the company has sold 22,943 vehicles in May, bringing the total vehicles to date to 105,743. This marks an 8.5% jump over the 97,487 units the company sold from January to May 2018. However, these figures are unofficial and are subject to change pending the official data from the Malaysian Automotive Association,
“To our valued customers whose new cars we could not deliver in time for Raya, we apologise most sincerely and humbly.
“Perodua is doing all it possibly can to maximise production and deliveries to shorten your wait, and we thank you very much for your understanding, patience and trust,” he added.
Looking for a new Perodua? Find for the best deals
here
.


VIDEO: Another Road Rage Bully Caught On Camera Near Summit USJ

We’ve seen it time and time again, the blight on our roads known as road rage and here’s another which took place recently in UEP Subang Jaya (USJ) recently.
UPDATE 2:
 The latest update from
SJ Echo
 is Subang Jaya police will now be investigating the owner of the Nissan Sentra involved in the road rage accident reported yesterday who brandished a sickle during the incident. Under Section 6(1) Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958 (Revised 1988), the man can be jailed for up to two years and could receive whipping if convicted, said Subang Jaya OCPD ACP Yahaya Ramli.
UPDATE:

SJ Echo
 reports that the incident has been settled agreeably by both the parties involved (Ford Laser and Nissan Sentra). The driver in the Ford lodged a police report earlier alleging that his car was knocked by the Nissan Sentra and that he was threatened by the Sentra driver with a small weapon (small sickle). The Nissan driver also lodged a police report on the same day. Both have come to an agreement to withdraw their earlier police reports and settled the matter privately and the police will not be pursuing the matter further.
The owner of the video tells us that he isn’t sure what the precursor to this incident taking place was. He merely powered on his dash-mounted camera and recorded what had happened once it caught his eye.

Road rage at USJ 1, behind Summit USJ
Every action film needs a suitable soundtrack! Look carefully, driver of silver car brought out sickle.
Posted by
Ryan Foong
 on Sunday, 28 June 2015
In the video, we see two drivers – one in a Nissan Sentra and other in a Ford Laser, gesturing at one other with their windows down side by side before the Ford Laser drives off. A few moments later, the Ford Laser stops in the middle of the road and the driver in the Sentra gets out of his vehicle to confront the man in the Laser.
He can be seen yelling at the other driver before returning to his car to retrieve what appears to be a weapon (the owner of the video claims it’s a sickle) and gets up close and personal with the driver of the Laser. You can see that he physically harms the other driver in the video as well by grabbing his hair.
Soon, a passer-by who witnessed the incident comes up to confront the Sentra driver, preventing him from leaving the scene quite forcefully by slamming the door shut on his getaway literally. After another brief face-to-face skirmish with the man in the red shirt, the Sentra driver and his passenger depart shortly after, no doubt after details of him have be taken down by other parties at the scene.
We can’t comment on what happened that led to the altercation but always remember that it is best to prevent and avoid additional confrontation in the first place. The driver in the Ford Laser was wise not to initiate anything unlike the Nissan Sentra driver.
However, he should not have lowered his windows that exposed him to more danger as we saw in the video where he was physically assaulted. Instead, you should lower your windows just enough to communicate with the other party. If things do get out of hand, call the police and record down the road rage bully’s number plate and make a police report.
We're not vigilantes on the road so don't take matters into your own hands. Sometimes,
these bullies will get what's coming to them
.


Lotus Cars Might Do Something No Other Traditional Carmaker Has Done Before

Lotus seems to be not just at the cusp of a renaissance of its business but also at the tipping point of becoming one of the most notable sportscar brands of the current era. Despite its chequered history starting in the 1950s – in which it enjoyed prolific highs in motorsports and the silver screen (cue Mr. Bond), to periods of gloom under the ownership of brands that include General Motors, Bugatti and
Proton (yes, this too)
. It would seem that Lotus had little to shout about not too long ago.

Now, however, resting under the
collective might of Geely
, Lotus is not only set to grow its business but create a product strategy that may see it do something many more successful carmakers would struggle to or not even be able to do – totally rebuild itself from the ground up as a no-holes-barred electric sportscar manufacturer.

First, they celebrate one last swansong of its existing heritage with the Lotus Emira

The soon to be launched Lotus Emira will be the last Lotus to be powered by an internal combustion engine. Though details are scarce before the July 6th, 2021 reveal, there will be no hybridisation of the powertrain, and the engine will be derived from a “new powertrain partner” with options that are “new to Lotus.” If we’re ruling out hybridisation, and it’s new to Lotus (unlike naturally aspirated and supercharged, turbocharged not seen since the Esprit) – then there’s only one other option: turbocharged, and we know Lotus’ “sibling”
Volvo, are very good at this
.

The Emira will be based on the company’s brand new “Elemental” platform that features extruded aluminium and Lotus’ familiar bonding technologies to keep weight low, with the bones stiff, offering up that signature Lotus driving dynamics. The Emira’s design is inspired by the Type 131 which is more production-ready than a concept at this point.

Then Emira will replace the
Lotus Elise, Exige, and Evor
a
 – three bread and butter models that despite their relative age remain lauded by enthusiasts and race fans alike all over the world.

The final send-off to internal combustion power marks the new chapter of electric power: Vision80

The Lotus Emira then is a celebration of the seminal lightweight sports car – and few other companies arguably make it as special as Lotus.

In one swoop, Lotus will revitalise its model range and provide the last hurrah that reminds the world of its storied heritage and engineering prowess. The Emira will serve as an entry-level introduction to the brand, while an entirely new range of products – which not only includes sports cars but SUVs and hatchbacks, can be designed and developed to enter profitable new market segments.

Under new owners
Geely
 and Etika Automotive (which took over in 2017) – Lotus etched out a plan called Vision80 (unveiled in 2018) – a 10-year roadmap that will see the company turn into a profitable company, that aims for annual production in the hundreds of thousands before the company celebrates its 80th anniversary.

By 2028 – Lotus wants to be an electric-only car manufacturer – despite its relatively small size and footprint, a 10-year deadline (one which is already four years in) will require an entire revamp of its drivetrain strategy, as well as its production activities and supply chain, though Lotus can leverage heavily on Geely’s wide-ranging supplier network to speed up the process and reduce costs while they’re at it.

How serious is Lotus about going electric?

The biggest and baddest example of how serious Lotus is about electric propulsion has been exhibited with the groundbreaking 2,000PS Evija electric hypercar. Power is delivered from four electric motors with a target top speed of more than 320km/h. Not only will it be the most powerful vehicle in the world (let alone BEV) – it is also among the lightest at approximately 1,680kg.  Thus applying the company’s hallmark engineering principles to an entirely new genre of car.

The Evija, remains in prototype form, and is currently in the final stages of its testing programme, before a tentative production rollout slated for later this year. Separately, the company has also been hard at work completing the state of the art production facility that will build the Evija at its home base of Hethel in Norfolk, UK.

The Evija will be underpinned by the cutting-edge “Extreme” platform, which will be joined by another two platforms. The first is dubbed the “Evolution” which will underpin a new range of lifestyle vehicles that has been reportedly developed with other companies under Geely in China, Sweden and Germany – so that provides a good hint of who is working with Lotus.

Image credit:
Autocar UK

The final platform – will be called “E-Sports” which will be co-developed by Lotus and Renault-owned Alpine which is also in the midst of its own resurrection from a relative niche brand to a mainstream sportscar maker. The E-Sports platform is reported to be flexible and modular – and is expected to underpin everything from hatchback to small sportscars.

Therefore, with four new platforms and synergies forged from far and wide, Lotus are well on their way to creating a comprehensive range of new electrified vehicles for an entirely new range of markets and customers.

Does Lotus have the money and resources to do it?

In a word, yes. Geely is reportedly planning a move to raise USD 1 Billion to grow Lotus' electric business in China, according to Bloomberg. Additionally, the
larger Zheijiang Geely Group
’s new USD 1.3 Billion plant in Wuhan, China, which has 150,000 units capacity annually, upon its tentative completion in 2022 will serve as a
manufacturing hub
, not just for Lotus but other brands under the Geely umbrella as well.

Back home, Lotus announced it was investing another GBP 100 million in its headquarters in Hethel earlier this year. This follows another announcement in 2020, in which Lotus has moved some of its metal and chassis fabrication work to a new facility in Norwich.

According to Managing Director of Lotus Cars, Matt Windle, the Vision80 plan in its entirety will cost more than GBP 2 Billion but is said to have the financial backing from both its principal owners Geely (51 percent) and Malaysian-based Etika Automotive (49 percent).

Lotus may do what others can only dream of…

Lotus’ revamp will not be easy, and it will be hard-fought for years to come.

However, given their sublime prowess in engineering, design, and ingenuity – they are very much like Volvo was just 10 years ago. A well-known manufacturer redolent with heritage, and technological know-how, but without the financial strength and supply chain to truly create the products that would have made it a true competitor to the likes of
BMW
 and
Audi
.

A lot of that has changed under Geely's ownership – having broken the 700k unit annual sales mark in 2019, and holding strong
despite the pandemic in 2020
 (with 661k units) – they’re well on their way to becoming an exciting alternative to other luxury brands.

However, where Volvo’s passenger car beginnings meant that it still had to create cars that appeal to the masses – Lotus’ traditional buyer base has from its beginning, been an enthusiast and gentleman’s racer outfit. Most Lotus owners drive their cars to the track, drive it even harder, and then drive it back home – their
journeys are planned
 and measured – an aspect that bodes very well for a performance electric car.

With most tracks around the world realising the need for fast DC charging on-site – enjoying your emission-free Lotus is as easy as plugging it in. Also with Lotus' hallmark engineering ethos of keeping their cars light and simple – they could be the best electric cars to drive on the track, or anywhere else. Additionally, Lotus’ enthusiasts and traditional affluent buyer base could also be easily converted to become early adopters of an entirely new genre of the sports car.

This is why a large majority of
Porsche Taycan
 owners, in particular, the Turbo and Turbo S variant buyers already have a 911 Turbo or 911 GT model sitting in their driveway, and want to translate that Porsche driving experience into the electric sphere of motoring. Although Porsche is yet another company, despite its rich motorsports heritage, it needs to make incremental and evolutionary steps to not alienate its traditional buyer base.

Lotus will not need to do this – they will be rebuilt as an electric-only brand without the need to make the expensive
intermediary steps of hybridisation
. In many ways, Lotus’ small and flexible footprint, and highly respected presence for over 70 years but without the paraphernalia of a mass buyer base, are the perfect elements for it to become a truly special carmaker of the modern electric era.

Your new company car has well and truly arrived, Mr. Bond!


Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom Roadshow Rides Again

Mazda
 is known for producing some rather likeable cars, and their Zoom-Zoom campaign exposed them to a new swath of fans and potential owners. Now it’s back and you’ll have a chance to get up close and personal with the all-new
Mazda 3
 SkyActiv.
The roadshow will be hitting the Mazda Showroom in Petaling Jaya (along the Federal Highway) followed by a stint in Sunway Pyramid’s Orange Concourse.Visitors will get to experience the car that Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd, official distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, is offering at a price from RM105,000.
The all-new locally-assembled Mazda 3 features a SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder 16 valve DOHC engine with dual variable valve timing and direct injection that outputs 162hp and 210Nm of torque, mated to a SkyActiv-DRIVE six-speed torque converter automatic. Add to that a set of dynamics that’s good enough for a
Koenigsegg test driver’s car of choice
, and that's quite a lot of car.
Here’s the schedule for the upcoming Mazda Zoom-Zoom roadshow:
Mazda Petaling Jaya Showroom (Federal Highway):

7
th
 to 9
th
 August, 2015
Sunway Pyramid (Orange Concourse):
 12
th
 to 16
th
 August, 2015
More information is available at on
Mazda’s website
.


All-New 2017 Mitsubishi Grand Lancer For China And Taiwan

Exclusive only for China and Taiwan, the soon to be launched Mitsubishi Grand Lancer is an all-new Lancer developed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s Taiwanese partner China Motor Corporation. It is based on a heavily reworked platform of the outgoing generation Lancer.
Under the hood is an all-new 4J series MIVEC engine, replacing the outgoing generation’s 4B series MIVEC engine.
Full specifications have to be announced but preliminary information from Taiwanese websites suggests that it will only be available in 1.8-litre capacity, paired to a CVT-type automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
Inside, the dashboard has been redesigned and the instrument cluster now features a full-colour full-LCD display screen, one that’s not too different from the
Volkswagen Passat’s Active Info Display
.
As for safety, there are only two airbags but it does come with electronic stability and traction control.
This is not the first time China Motors Corporation have developed its own Lancer model. The outgoing generation Lancer sold in Taiwan had two versions, both developed by CMC with exterior styling that are exclusive to Taiwan – the Lancer Fortis (top) and the Lancer iO (bottom).
For now, the all-new 2017 Mitsubishi Grand Lancer will remain as a Chinese market-only (including Taiwan and maybe Hong Kong and Macau) model, and is unlikely to be introduced elsewhere.
The Lancer hasn’t been a strong seller worldwide but Taiwan is one of the few bright spots where Mitsubishi Motors have been very strong.
Mitsubishi Motors have previously said that the outgoing generation Lancer will be discontinued this year, and that there are no plans to replace it. The model has since been dropped from Mitsubishi Motors’s model line-up in Japan but it’s still on-sale in ASEAN, including Malaysia.
Several years ago, there were reports of Mou signed between Mitsubishi Motors and Renault to explore potential tie-ups for a C-segment sedan, but that agreement have since been lapsed.
With Mitsubishi Motors now becoming a subsidiary of Nissan and therefore, part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, there is a possibility of reviving that discussion but chances are slim, as Nissan have made it very clear that Mitsubishi’s forte is in
plug-in hybrid technology and 4x4
 vehicles. To produce yet another C-segment sedan in a diminishing market where the Nissan Sylphy and Renault Fluence are already struggling won’t make much sense.
Via
U-Car


Perodua and Petronas sign RM355 million Lubricant Deal

Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd and Petronas Lubricants Marketing today signed a RM355 million deal for
Petronas
 to supply engine oil for
Perodua
 over the next 5 years.
The deal states that Petronas will supply 17 million litres of engine oil to Perodua, which is a 21% increase over the previous contract. The contract is a continuation of an existing ‘genuine oils partnership’ between the two companies since 2003.
In conjunction with the contract renewal, a higher grade engine oil for Perodua, which exceeds the API SM standard, was also revealed during the event.
The SAE 5W-30 semi synthetic oil, which was designed with improved oxidation resistance, higher protection against carbon deposits, better wear protection and increased performance over the oil service life (10,000km/six months), will only be sale from September.
According to Perodua, the new engine oil will not only be available at Perodua service centres, but also at independent workshops and retail outlets. However, we can expect the oil to be priced higher outside the brand’s service centres.
As we can see, this is an initiative by the national carmaker to bring back owners who choose to service their Peroduas at independent workshops instead of official service centres once their vehicles are out-of-warranty.
“We look forward to the introduction of this new engine oil for our customers looking for the best engine protection. We realise that some of our post-warranty customers have moved on to service their own vehicles. That being said, we have invested a lot of resources to improve our operations and we hope that they will give Perodua another chance,” said Dr. Zahari Husin, the Managing Director of Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd.
He added that Perodua targets an intake of 2 million vehicles this year at its 189 service centres nationwide, which is an increase by 40,000 intakes from the 1.96 million intakes that were recorded last year.
Looking for a Perodua? Find one now at
Carlist.my


SDAC-Ford To Launch New Mustang And Ranger Raptor At KLIMS 2018

Two of the most powerful vehicles in the Ford line-up are going to be unveiled at this year's Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS). Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has announced that they will be bringing both the new Mustang and the Ranger Raptor for their display. There's a massive distinction between these two models, but they're both exciting in their own ways.
The Ranger Raptor is a little closer to home for us, as pickup trucks are still a huge market for both commercial and private ownership. The Mustang, on the other hand, remains the most expensive and exclusive model of Ford's global range, short of the Ford GT. So exclusive is this new Mustang that it was flown in by air freight, being the only one in the country, and will be on display for the 10-day duration of the show.
The Ford stand will focus on delivering an immersive customer experience journey through interactive technology. It will enable visitors to engage with the brand through socially shareable content. Interactive experiences include the Virtual Reality Test Drive which educates visitors on Ford’s safety technologies, while the Augmented Reality Experience transports drivers to the various terrains the Raptor is able to overcome through its Terrain Management System (TMS).
Another highlight will be the Self-Guide Audio Tour, where visitors will be able to tour the stand at their own pace with a fully narrated audio guide headset. This “personal tour guide” will inform visitors on the stand’s design concept, educate visitors on the vehicles on display and promotions and happenings. Visitors who make a vehicle booking of the New Ranger and New Mustang at the 10-day show will stand a chance to grab cash vouchers in a wind tunnel machine.
The first 888 customers who register their new Ford Ranger will each receive an electrical goods voucher worth RM1,0001. Customers who purchase any new Ford Ranger variant will also be in the running to win a Ranger Raptor under the ‘Buy A New Ford Ranger, Win A Ranger Raptor' Contest'. On top of that, Sime Darby Auto Connexion will be offering new Ranger including New Ranger Raptor customers up to 2 years free maintenance or up to 40,000km for customers who successfully register their vehicle before 31 January 2019, whichever comes first.
The SDAC-Ford stand (No.1009) is located at Hall 2, Level 1 of the MITEC and is open to the public from 10am to 10pm on weekends, and 11am to 10pm on weekdays from November 23 until December 2. For more information and ticketing info, please visit
www.klims.com.my
.