No More Diesel Porsches – Company To Focus On Hybrids and Electromobility

Porsche will no longer offer diesel-powered variants of its line-up owing to a decline in demand for diesel models, instead, choosing to concentrate its
research and investment activities
 in the areas of hybrid technology and electromobility.
Oliver Blume, CEO of Porsche AG adds, “Porsche is not demonising diesel. It is, and will remain, an important propulsion technology. We as a sports car manufacturer, however, for whom diesel has always played a secondary role, have come to the conclusion that we would like our future to be diesel-free. Naturally, we will continue to look after our existing diesel customers with the professionalism they expect,”
Porsche has not had a diesel in its portfolio since February of this year. Porsche's decision is further justified given the success of its hybrid offerings –
more than 60 percent of Panamera models
 sold in Europe are hybrids. In contrast, in 2017, the diesel share of worldwide Porsches was 12 percent.
The upcoming
Porsche Taycan
, set to go on sale in 2019, will be Porsche’s first purely electric sports car – its manufacturing process is CO2 neutral and it is supplied with green electricity via an ultra-fast charging infrastructure spread over Europe. By 2025, Porsche estimates one in two Porsche will be electric drive – either hybrid or purely electric.


MAI Malaysia Autoshow 2017 - To be held at MAEPS, November 2017

The Malaysian Automotive Institute (MAI) have confirmed the 2017 Malaysia Autoshow 2017 will be held at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang from 9-12 November this year. MAI’s flagship event returns bigger than ever this year, taking full advantage of MAEPS’ spacious grounds and strategic location.
CEO of MAI, Dato Madani Sahari added, “The new venue gives the industry more opportunity to brand and market their products and services while providing visitors with more immersive experiences during the four-day event,”
He added, “All the major car brands will be under one roof, with miles of test drove routes for potential customers. We want to utilise both the indoor convention halls for new car launches, display of new cars as well as lifestyle and accessory booths, and the abundance of outdoor space for visitors to enjoy test drives and other family-oriented activities in a scenic location.
In line with the theme “Energy Efficient Vehicles to the Future”, this year’s show will focus on the latest line-up of energy efficient vehicles, and an automated driving showcase.
Participating car companies will line up special deals and packages exclusively at the auto show. While speaking at the press conference, Madani added that banking institutions will also be present, to advise and pre-approve loan packages, further providing a holistic package for interested buyers.
As part of MAI’s career enhancement strategy – higher education institutions and colleges will also be invited to participate, with a separate employment drive for job seekers with participating companies.
Safety, security, and environment awareness programs will be ongoing during the event as well, Asean NCAP, MAI Safe Car and MAI Car Care Week are among the highlights of the four-day proceedings.
More than 150 exhibitors from renowned original and aftermarket equipment suppliers are expected to participate and display their product range. Alongside, other fun activities include a 4x4 offroad obstacle course, food trucks and lucky draws for visitors.
Another highlight of the four-day event is the awards ceremony for the Malaysia Car of The Year 2017 – which will be held on the evening of the opening day (Nov 9), which MAI hopes will further reaffirm buyer’s choices at the event.
Separately, MAI also awarded winners of last year’s contests during the launch event. Dr. Atiqah Farah Zakaria walked away with the grand prize of Kia Rio 1.4X sedan, winning last year’s “Buy a Car and Win a Kia” contest.


VIDEO: Watch The Moment A Driver Sets Fire To A Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 50° Anniversario

Remember that shocking fire that saw the death of a brand-new
Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 50° Anniversario
 in Dubai
 not too long ago? Well, a new video that has been recently uploaded onto the internet has shed some light as to how the incident took place and suffice to say, this isn’t an act you want to follow.

爱耍帅的下场！？注意影片1分30秒地方！.★更多精彩内容尽在以下网址哦^_^★www.share4you.tw
Posted by
Share 4 You
 on Tuesday, 6 October 2015
At that time, Instagram user
victoria.vikki
was reported to have rented the exotic machine, of which there are only 100 examples in the world mind you (the other 100 are coupes), and after a mere 30 minutes of driving the Lamborghini, it caught fire on a stretch of road near the Dubai Marina.
However, this new video shows us just what happened to the Lamborghini during said “30 minutes”, as the car is seen hastily making its way down a street in Dubai, appearing to “race” against a Ferrari 458 Spider as well. As the pair of supercars reach a traffic light and stop, the driver of the Lamborghini begins revving the engine repeatedly (at the 1.30 mark) until flames spit out of the exhaust and latch onto the rear intake grille of the Aventador before spreading to the rest of the car. Certainly the sound of 700PS is a delight to the ears but we don't think revving the car harshly while it is stationary was a wise move on the part of the driver.
After that, well, you can see for yourself, as the flames engulf and destroys the car, beginning with its massive 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine and continuing on to the rest of the supercar. At that point, the total original unit count of the limited-number supercar ends up being reduced by one, resulting in tears being shed with the loss of a very rare Lamborghini.


2015 Mercedes-Benz V-Class V 220 d Launched In Malaysia: From RM435k

Mercedes-Benz
 Malaysia has just launched its latest-gen
V-Class
 in Malaysia, in the form of the V-Class V 220 d. Prices for the largest Mercedes-Benz passenger car start from RM434,888 (OTR with GST, without insurance), and come with a raft of optional items that let you customise the V-Class to match your specific needs.
The high customisation opportunity largely rests on this being a CBU unit (imported from Spain), and presumably, your V-Class will be ordered based on which boxes you tick on the spec list. This also means that the final price you pay may differ largely from what’s listed here – higher, or lower, depending on what you’ll have.
Either way, let’s take a look at what’s being tabled here.
So, what is it?
Not to be confused with the commercial Vito range of vans, the V-Class is very much a passenger car: one you’d mention in the same breath as a Nissan Elgrand or Toyota Alphard, but this one’s obviously a lot more ‘Mercedes-Benz’ than the two.
PERFORMANCE:
Powering the V 220 d is effectively the same 2.1-litre (2,143cc) turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which also powers the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid in Malaysia, albeit tuned for a lower output. Here, the V 220 d makes 163hp and 380Nm of torque. In the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, it’s 204hp, and 500Nm of torque before factoring in its additional hybrid power.
Anyways, the 2.1-litre engine is paired with a seven-speed torque converter automatic transmission (7G-Tronic plus), and just like many new MB models, come with a Direct Select shift lever located behind the steering. The claimed fuel consumption figure for this is rated at 5.7-litres/100km.
Also like its Benz siblings, the V-Class comes equipped with the Agility Select control feature (E-S-M button), which lets you switch between driving three driving modes: Eco, Sport and Manual.
SEATING:
 Effectively, seating options range from the car being able to fit six to eight passengers comfortably, depending on how you specify the interior seating options.
For example, you could have the second row rear-facing seats as a two- or three-seater bench with a two-piece, individually folding backrest, or a three-passenger bench seat with two-piece seat cushion and three-piece backrest is available for both rear rows.
The outer right-hand seat of the three-seater bench can be folded forward or taken out separately. The entire bench can be folded forward to create space for large items, such as sports equipment or newly purchased furniture.
If you plan for whatever reason to use the V-Class for overnight accommodation, the rear-most row can also be equipped with a three-passenger bench seat as a comfort berth. Drawers are located underneath the berth, which can also be used as a second loading level. Cargo can also be stowed under all other bench seats. Moreover, like the individual seats, all bench seats are fitted with integral three-point seat belts.
AVANTGARDE LINE:
 There are two equipment lines available for the V-Class: one being the standard V-Class, the other a V-Class Avantgarde. The latter adds:
Leather seats & steering wheel
Ambient lighting
Wood-look trims
LED High Performance headlamps with Intelligent Lighting System
Separately opening rear window with a second loading level
Additional sliding door on the left
Laminated glass windows for additional noise reduction
Agility Control (adaptive) suspension
On top of this, there are also two wheelbase options for you to consider, with three different body lengths ranging from 4,895 to 5,370mm for you to decide on, but Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) hasn’t come forward with any pricing details for these just yet (nor is any information available on its local website), so you may have to visit an official dealership to find out more.
Exterior & Interior Styling:
Keeping in mind that the V-Class is highly customisable because of them being specifically ordered in smaller numbers from Spain, the people-carrier’s exterior largely depends on which boxes you tick on the spec sheet.
Up front, a two-bar radiator grille with the Mercedes-Benz three-point star in the centre is flanked by the car’s new-design headlamps, which you could optionally have as full LED High Performance Headlamps with Intelligent Lighting System.
In fact, just like the S-Class, you could have the entire car’s lighting go full LED, but will be a cost option to you. Around the back, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s option list also includes its EASY-PACK tailgate feature, which lets you open, close and stop the tailgate all at the push of a button, even from the driver’s seat.
Inside is where your customisation options don’t seem to end. The seats, as you wish to specify, can be had with or without the Fine Nappa leather (we understand that t RM435k list price here has it as standard), and so is it up to you to opt for the three-colour ambient lighting system.
INFOTAINMENT:
 The overall interior carries forward many design cues from what you’ll see in the latest-gen C-Class (W205), such as the free-standing 8.0-inch central display screen, circular air-vents, minimalist-like AC control switches and clever touchpad controls. Of course, the bulk of it is repositioned to fit in the V-Class.
The three-spoke steering wheel is a unique item to the V-Class, and features a similar 12 control buttons on it. The pictures here depict the top-spec COMAND Online infotainment system, but naturally, the higher-spec offering is a cost option. There’s also a more affordable Audio 20 CD system. As standard, the V-Class will also include the brand’s latest touchpad feature.
OTHER EQUIPMENT & FEATURES:
No surprises then, that the V-Class also offers a full suite of Mercedes-Benz’s latest and greatest features. Having covered the infotainment, exterior and interior bits, the V-Class is also big on safety offerings – again, keeping in mind that a vast majority of these are optional, and will add to the price. There are a total of 11 driver assistance systems that are based on the car’s radar, camera and ultrasound sensors.
Crosswind Assist is a standard feature, and so too the Attention Assist. Optionally, drivers may be able to specify the Active Parking Assist feature to help manoeuvre the large MPV into parking spots, while you can also depend on the 360-degree camera, DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST.
A lot of the new V-Class’s development went into reducing NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels, with engineers developing new component concepts and comprehensive insulation to ensure V-Class occupants get the lowest noise level in the segment, so Mercedes-Benz claims. They also claim that the interior noise level has almost been halved against its predecessor.
Buyer’s Guide:
As mentioned already, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s V-Class isn’t being sold in a similar fashion to its sibling models: there are no set variants to choose from, so you’ll pretty much have to pick and choose every bit of your car to come up with the final product. Prices are expected fall in the range of RM434,888, and again, depends on how much spec you’ll have.
"With the new V-Class, we are expanding the Mercedes-Benz premium passenger car range with a saloon for up to eight people. Functionality is a must for the V-Class. It is a versatile, multitalented vehicle which offers value, efficiency and safety at the highest level to suit the lifestyle of the affluent Malaysians.”
 says Mark Raine, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
So, will you be upgrading your Toyota Alphards and Vellfires for this?


Say Hello To The Corolla KE10, The First Ever CKD Toyota Model In Malaysia

In conjunction with the
50th anniversary of CKD operations in Malaysia
, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) actually had a small surprise for those who attended the celebratory event which was held at the ASSB plant in Bukit Raja.
While many of us thought that they were going to preview an upcoming CKD model, the folks at UMWT actually did the complete opposite – they took us down memory lane by exhibiting the first ever Toyota to be assembled locally in Malaysia, the first-gen Corolla KE10.
First marketed in November 1966, the Corolla KE10 was actually developed in Japan as a small practical car for the general city user. Two years later, the model made its way to Malaysia, where it was being assembled by Champion Motor Berhad (renamed as Assembly Services Sdn Bhd in 1975) in Shah Alam.
“We started developing the first generation Corolla in around 1963-64, taking into consideration all aspects of society at the time, such as people’s lifestyles, alongside how technology would advance as Japan’s economic development continued. We thought hard about what kind of technology was required, the costing and production output, and a suitable timeframe in which to develop the Corolla,” said the late Tatsuo Hasegawa, Chief Engineer of the KE10 in an interview back in 2000.
As for the engine, all of the rival European cars at the time had three-bearing engines. However, considering the need for high-speed performance in vehicles back then, Toyota decided to use a five-bearing engine in the KE10 to ensure a more powerful and quiet ride.
The company also installed a 4-speed fully-synchronized floor-shift transmission instead of the then-popular 3-speed column shift which was less responsive, enabling the car to accelerate up to 110km/h in third gear itself.
According to Toyota, these were essential features for sporty European small cars to be able to reach the speeds of larger vehicles at that time. They were also some of the features that made the Corolla a car that was ahead of its time as far as Japanese brands were concerned.
Powered by a 1,077 cc engine paired to either a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic gearbox, the Corolla KE10 was producing about 60 PS and 83 Nm of torque.
In August 1969, the engine was upgraded to 1166 cc, and special twin carburettor K-B (1077 cc) and 3K-B (1166 cc) engines were used in the SL grade models for an extra 13 PS, which produced more power than the Corolla’s main rivals – the Datsun 1000 and the Subaru 1000.
That being said, it wasn’t only the Corolla’s performance which was on par with the European counterparts, but also the design. According to Hasegawa, the Corolla was the first Toyota car to feature curved glass, ahead of the Corona and Crown.
“I decided that the first “plus” for the Corolla would be sportiness. There probably were some people in the company who questioned “why the Corolla?” but as long as no one was bothered by it, I was determined to add a sporty feel to the exterior,” said Hasegawa.
Thanks to the sporty design, European-level performance, and an excellent build quality, the Corolla name became a global hit in no time, becoming one of the most popular car models in history.
So, in case you’re wondering how the Toyota Corolla has remained so popular over the past 40 to 50 years, all the credit goes to this car we’re looking at now, the KE10 which laid the foundation for the ultimate “Kereta Rakyat” before we had our Protons and Peroduas.
“It was built with the general public’s needs in mind, rather than from a corporate perspective. Basically, we racked our brains as to what it was the general public wanted, what they needed, and what would bring them satisfaction as well as some enjoyment, and that is what made the Corolla what it is,” said Hasegawa.
Looking for a new Toyota? Find the best deals
here
.


BMW i3S Launched At Malaysia Autoshow 2019 – From RM280k

BMW Malaysia today unveiled the BMW i3s, its first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) at the ongoing (MARii) Malaysia Autoshow 2019.
The i3S is the most powerful variant of the i3 city car range – which is also available as a Range Extender hybrid in selected markets – but the Malaysian market will only get the full-electric (BEV) version, which retails for RM279,900 (estimated) inclusive of a 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with free scheduled service, and a 2-year tyre warranty program.
The i3S is powered by a synchronous electric motor which delivers 184 PS with a peak torque of 270Nm. Power is transmitted single-speed automatic transmission which powers the rear wheels. The i3s can sprint from 0-100 km/h in a sprightly 6.9 seconds.
Driving the motor is a 33.2 kWh lithium-ion battery located low in the vehicle floor, which provides the i3s with a combined range of 260km. The (optionally sold) iWallbox charger is able to recharge the i3S with up to 11kW of power in under three hours; good for a driving range of 180 km.
The i3S features sports suspension with custom-made springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars over the regular i3. A selectable Sport mode on the Driving Experience Control switch for a
sharper driving experience
. The i3S features a 10mm drop in ride height, with an increased track width of 40mm for sportier handling. It is also fitted with Style 431 20-inch alloy wheels with mixed tyres.
It also features Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, and Dynamic Brake Control, on par with the brand’s more conventional vehicles.
On the inside, the i3S’ interior which is guided by sustainable vehicle architecture uses recycled or renewable materials on over 80% of all visible surfaces within the vehicle. The i3s also comes with the latest generation iDrive operating system, infotainment information is relayed through 10.25-inch central control display, and a separate 5.7-inch TFT instrument display shows other vital driving information.
Body colour options include Fluid Black and Capparis White, as well as Mineral Grey with body highlights in BMW i Blue.


2015 Hyundai Elantra FL Sport Launched: Limited To 999 Units, From RM92k

Hyundai
-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has launched its facelifted
Elantra
 in a new Sport guise, which will be limited to just 999 units nationwide.
Starting prices, OTR without insurance, for the 2015 Hyundai Elantra FL Sport edition begin from
RM91,928.
So what’s new?
As you can tell, the new Sport Edition is adorned with new body kit: specifically, you can spot new front and rear bumpers and side skirts, dual exhaust tailpipes, and some limited-edition stickers – one of a barcode, even, with a serial number that would run from 001 to 999.
*READ ALSO:
2015 Hyundai Elantra Facelift Launched In Malaysia
Inside, there’s a 6.2-inch Audio Visual In-Car Entertainment system that offers DVD and Bluetooth functions – it’s RM300 more if you want the optional reverse camera.
Only two colour options are available for the Elantra Sport Edition: Creamy White, and Phantom Black.
Mr Lau Yit Mun, Managing Director of HSDM, said that the company has received numerous requests from customers to include a sport variant in its Elantra product lineup. “The Elantra is our best-selling model as most of our customers are attracted to the Elegant design of the car, its functionality and its performance.
“However, we do have another group of younger car buyers who do like the features that the Elantra offers but would prefer a sportier look, which is the reason why we are launching the Sport Edition. So we hope with the launch of this new sport variant, we will be able to attract the younger generation of motorists who appreciates a modern sporty design.”
Powering the Elantra will be its 1.6-litre MPI Gamma engine, paired with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, delivering 130PS @ 6,300rpm and 157Nm of torque @ 4,850rpm.
Safety features include Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Hill-Start Assist Control, and ABS braking.
This brings the total line-up of Hyundai Elantra variants to:
Elantra FL 1.6 Elegance   – RM85, 928
Elantra FL 1.6 Sport          - RM91, 928
Elantra FL 1.6 Executive –RM96, 820
Elantra FL 1.6 Premium – RM101, 554
Elantra FL 1.8 Premium – RM115, 616
*On-the-road price indicated excludes insurance and applicable to Peninsular Malaysia only.


Here's What A Proton Version Of The Leaked Geely KX11 Would Be Like

There's much hype surrounding Geely's upcoming SUV, so we decided to render one that fits in with Proton's styling.

For those not in the know, the Geely KX11 is perhaps the most exciting thing to be launched by the Chinese brand in the relatively short time it has been in the international spotlight. The excitement over it is due to the fact that it will sit on the CMA platform that underpins the Volvo XC40, as well as the
Geely Xingyue
 coupe-SUV, and the Geely Xingrui sedan.

As a seven-seater, three-row SUV, however, it's a little bit larger than you would expect of the other models listed here. It truly stretches the limits of the CMA platform, coming in with a wheelbase of 2,845 mm (145 mm longer than the XC40), a length of 4,770 mm, a height of 1,689 mm, and a width of 1,895 mm. It also looks more traditional than the Xingyue that the market's already familiar with, which looks a lot more like a BMW X4.

Engine options will be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, and a
1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
 - which will have outputs similar to what already exists in the Geely lineup, and paired with an Aisin 8-speed automatic gearbox or one of their dual-clutch units.

Would it come to Malaysia, in a form similar to what you see in the renders above, perhaps wearing an "X90" badge to slot above the X70? Sadly, it's less likely to happen because of the way in which this KX11 is to be constructed and the complexity involved. Geely doesn't yet have separate product lines or sub-brands to differentiate their more premium offerings from their mass-market models, so it's understandable.

For the purpose of budget 7-seaters in China and other developing regions, the
Geely Haoyue
 fulfils that role - and arguably that would be a much better bet as a replacement for the aging Exora. Don't count on a luxury seven-seater SUV just yet, but who knows - perhaps with enough time, Proton may grow enough to start pushing higher-end models.

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.

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Proton Pasang Enjin 1.5 TGDI Di Tanjung Malim – Untuk Pasaran Tempatan Dan Eksport

Proton
 telah memperkenalkan kilang pemasangan enjin baharu yang berteknologi tinggi di Tanjung Malim melalui satu lawatan eksklusif bersama media.

Kilang yang telah beroperasi sejak April tahun ini menghasilkan enjin
1.5 TGDI
(Turbo Gasoline Direct  Injection)

yang merupakan kali pertama ia dipasang di luar China dan merupakan salah satu kilang pemasangan enjin yang tercanggih di Malaysia.

Enjin 1.5 TGDI

Enjin tiga silinder yang telah memenangi anugerah ini sudah digunakan pada beberapa jenama di bawah
Geely Group
, dan variannya setakat ini telah digunakan dalam lebih 750,000 kenderaan yang dijual di seluruh dunia termasuk
X70 dan X50
.

Menggunakan penyelesaian seperti pengecilan saiz enjin, sistem termal dan pelinciran yang dioptimumkan,  pengecas turbo inersia rendah, dan GDI yang dihomogenkan, prestasi pasangan enjin ini dengan penggunaan bahan api dan pelepasan yang berkurangan telah memenuhi syarat Euro 6.

Pendedahan Kepada Bakat Automotif Negara

Menurut Proton, kini terdapat 72 alat ganti untuk enjin baharu itu yang dibekalkan oleh 19 vendor Malaysia dan 4 vendor ASEAN. Syarikat itu juga menggunakan barisan alat pemasangan baharu untuk memajukan matlamat pembangunan modal insannya.

Seramai 202 pekerja berusia purata hanya 24 tahun telah diambil untuk bekerja secara langsung di sana bagi mewakili generasi akan datang yang bakal menjadi bakat automotif negara.

Kerjasama Proton - Geely

Menurut Timbalan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Proton, Roslan Abdullah, apabila perjanjian dibuat untuk bekerjasama dengan Geely pada tahun 2017, Proton komited untuk melabur dalam industri automotif Malaysia dari segi kewangan dan melalui pengenalan komponen baharu berteknologi tinggi.

Barisan pemasangan enjin baharu ini memenuhi syarat ini di samping memberi laluan kepada Proton untuk menarik dan membangunkan bakat muda yang akan membantu memacu industri automotif di masa hadapan.

Teknologi Maju, Kualiti Meningkat

Kilang baharu itu mempunyai 88 stesen yang terdiri daripada

17 stesen automatik

15 separa automatik

56 stesen manual

Barisan pemasangan 1.5 TGDI dibina menggunakan etos IR 4.0 yang menampilkan tahap automasi yang tinggi untuk meningkatkan produktiviti.

Terletak dalam persekitaran yang bersih, suhu bilik yang terkawal serta mempunyai stesen anti-statik membolehkan pelepasan elektrik statik untuk melindungi:

Komponen elektronik berteknologi tinggi

Talian pemasangan bergerak pada sistem penghantar yang bukan sahaja lebih lancar, bersih, lebih tahan lama dan lebih murah untuk dikendalikan daripada menggunakan rantai

Pekerja Sudah Dilatih Geely

Semua pekerja di barisan pemasangan telah menjalani latihan yang luas dengan Geely serta pembekal mesin yang digunakan seperti ABB, COMAU, FEV China, FEV India, WiBeda dan Hangxin.

Ia juga menggunakan teknologi Internet of Things (IOT) dalam bentuk alat pengumpulan data intensif dan analisis untuk memastikan kualiti memenuhi piawaian yang diperlukan dan dikekalkan.

Selain itu, 207 kawalan Error Mistake Proofing (EMP) dan 34 kamera pintar resolusi tinggi telah dipasang pada barisan pengeluaran untuk mengelakkan kecacatan proses dan pemasangan serta mengurangkan masa henti dengan keupayaan pengesanan kecacatan dengan kadar segera.

Dengan mengutamakan kualiti, Roslan mahu menunjukkan kepada rakyat Malaysia bahawa Proton mampu membina produk berkualiti tinggi yang boleh dipercayai.

“Selain daripada langkah pemantauan kualiti yang digunakan pada barisan pemasangan, kami juga bekerja rapat dengan rakan sejawatan kami di Geely untuk menyelesaikan masalah dan berkongsi amalan terbaik dalam usaha kami untuk menghasilkan enjin bertaraf dunia,” tambah Roslan.


GE15: PM announces holiday for November 18 and 19, as well as free toll

Government announces public holiday for Nov 18 & 19, and they have worked together with 30 highway concessions to provide free tolls on those days.

After mulling over the idea for days, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob finally announced that November 18 and 19 would be public holidays, to make it easier for Malaysian families to fulfil their respective responsibilities to vote in the 15th General Election (GE15).

He said that the announcement of the two-day public holiday was made due to the possibility of private companies operating on Saturday.

At the same time, the government announced free tolls for 30 highway concessions on November 18 and 19. The PM said the government wanted to make it easier for returning voters to fulfil their respective responsibilities.

"To make it easier for voters to return and vote, as many as 30 highway concessions agreed to
offer free tolls
 for two days to users in conjunction with GE15", said Sabri.

The free tolls starts at 12.01am on November 18 until 11.59pm on November 19.


Geneva 2018: The Toyota Supra Returns

The name and spirit of the most celebrated model in Toyota's illustrious sports car heritage – The Supra – will finally be revived after much anticipation at the Geneva Motor Show in the form of the the GR Supra Racing Concept.
According to Toyota, the compact two-door sports car has a pure front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration, and makes use of advanced lightweight materials in its construction.
While the concept's chassis features lowered front and rear suspension using original equipment (OE) components, grip is provided by Michelin racing tyres wrapped around BBS racing wheels. The braking system uses Brembo Racing callipers and discs.
Visually, the racing concept has a dramatic bodywork design that includes a large rear wing, wide front and rear bumpers, a front splitter, a rear diffuser, side skirts, and door mirror housings.
The hood on the other hand, is crafted from the same material and features louvred air inlets. The windscreen and side windows are made of plastic.
And then, we have the large "90" race number on its doors, which is a historical reference to Supra's codename and a big visual clue to the fact that this concept heralds Supra's return in a fifth generation.
Inside, the cabin is entirely competition-focused and is fitted with a racing dashboard and OMP driver's seat and safety harness. OMP has also supplied the quick-release steering wheel, mounted on a racing column and equipped with a paddle shift system. The doors are lined with carbon fibre panels and the dashboard includes a racing display.
Competition safety requirements are met by a full roll cage and fire extinguishers, and the fuel and brake lines, pedal box, battery and wiring looms are all designed to competition standard.
That said, the GR Supra Racing Concept is to be featured in a new update of the Gran Turismo Sport video game developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., which is scheduled for release in April 2018.


Ford’s BIG DEAL Promotion Offers Up To RM5,000 In Rebates And AirAsia BIG Points

Ford
 Malaysia is making their cars even more tempting and owning one even easier with its BIG DEAL promotion.
For the Ford EcoSport and Ford Kuga, buyers will earn 200,000 AirAsia BIG points - which, if you’re counting, amounts to 4x return trips to Australia. And for the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta, things get even better with cash rebates of up to RM5,000 in addition to the same 200,000 AirAsia BIG points on offer.
Of course, all these models come with a 3-years or 100,000km manufacturer’s warranty plus 2-years or 100,000km extended warranty as well as 3-years or 60,000 free maintenance package.
This deal does run for a limited time only, and is subject to the availability of stock, so you’d better hurry to take advantage of these deals. Check with your nearest dealers today, or visit
www.ford.com.my/bigdeal
 to find out more.


Zahid Hamidi: Jangan Haramkan Motosikal Kapcai

Presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi tidak setuju dengan cadangan
mengharamkan penjualan kapcai
 berprestasi tinggi di Malaysia.

Selain pengharaman penjualan, pengharaman penggunaan kapcai di jalan raya juga tidak dipersetujui oleh Ahli Parlimen Bagan Datuk itu.

*Kredit foto: Berita Harian

Tak Setuju Haram Kapcai

Zahid menyatakan pendiriannya untuk tidak menyokong pengharaman
motosikal kapcai
 di Malaysia kerana beliau percaya beberapa perkara harus diperhalusi terlebih dahulu.

Menurutnya, walaupun kapcai tersebut berprestasi tinggi, namun kadar keberangkalian selamat adalah tinggi sekiranya:

Motosikal ditunggang dengan cermat

Penunggang berhemah

Mematuhi peraturan jalan raya

“Kecuali berlaku faktor luar jangka seperti disebabkan oleh kecuaian pemandu kenderaan lain, kerosakan pada motosikal atau permukaan jalan tidak selamat. Sebab itu penunggang digesa memastikan motosikal sentiasa dalam keadaan baik dan sentiasa berhati-hati di jalan raya bagi mengelak risiko tidak diingini,” tambahnya.

Menerusi hantaran di akaun Facebook beliau, pasaran motosikal di Malaysia dilaporkan antara yang tertinggi di Asean, malah antara yang tertinggi di dunia sebelum pandemik Covid-19 melanda.

Terdahulu, Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani menyarankan motosikal kapcai berprestasi tinggi diharamkan penjualan dan penggunaan di jalan raya selepas tersebarnya video motosikal Suzuki Raider R150 Fi yang mencecah kelajuan 177 km/j melalui ujian di mesin ‘dyno’.

Kesan Buruk Pengharaman Kapcai

Zahid berkata langkah pengharaman kapcai di Malaysia dikhuatiri akan mengganggu industri tersebut yang baru saja mahu ‘bernafas’ semula.

Jika kapcai diharamkan, kesan buruknya pasti akan dihadapi oleh ramai mereka yang terlibat dalam industri berkenaan daripada pengedar, penjual sehingga kepada pekerja.

Tambahnya, sektor berkaitan termasuk perniagaan alat ganti dan bengkel membaiki motosikal juga akan turut terkesan.

“Dianggarkan 11 juta penduduk Malaysia menggunakan kapcai untuk kegiatan harian termasuk ke tempat kerja atau urusan lain. Selain itu, kapcai turut digunakan kerana faktor menjimatkan kos pengangkutan, mengelak terperangkap kesesakan lalu lintas dan kesukaran mendapat parkir,” jelas Zahid.

Ubah Sikap Pengguna Jalan Raya

Menurut Zahid, aspek paling penting dalam menangani isu
kemalangan jalan raya
 membabitkan penunggang motosikal adalah sikap pengguna jalan raya.

Katanya, usaha memperkasakan kesedaran mereka terhadap kepentingan mematuhi undang-undang dan mengutamakan keselamatan ketika menunggang motosikal perlu diterapkan seperti:

Menanam elemen prihatin dan saling mengambil berat dalam kalangan pengguna jalan raya

Tidak pentingkan diri

Penguatkuasaan peraturan jalan raya

Peranan keluarga bagi membendung remaja daripada terlibat dalam aktiviti lumba haram

“Kita tidak mahu sebarang dasar apabila dilaksanakan kurang berkesan akhirnya mengundang kiasan kerana marahkan nyamuk, kelambu dibakar,” katanya.


Proton Will Build Lotus Cars With China's Goldstar Heavy Industrial Co.

Proton
 has signed a cooperation agreement with China's Goldstar Heavy Industrial Co. The agreement will see Proton producing
Lotus
-brand vehicles in the city of Quanzhou in Fujian.
The announcement posted on the Quanzhou municipal's website did not elaborate if the Lotus-brand vehicles referred to are 'genuine' Lotus sports cars that we all know, or are merely rebadged Protons.
At the moment, two Proton models (Persona and Gen.2) are assembled and sold by China's Youngman Automobile Group as the L3 Sedan and L3 Hatchback respectively. Although these cars are branded as a Lotus, it uses a different logo as this Lotus takes its name from another subsidiary of Proton, Lotus Automotive Technology Engineering (the consulting arm) rather than Lotus Cars that makes the iconic Elise, Exige and Evora.
However, the Quanzhou municipal government did reveal that the cooperation will see the construction of a new car and engine production plant, as well as an establishment of an R&D centre.
The announcement did not mention any timelines for the project.


Ex-Perodua CEO Nominated As Director of MBM Resources, Dealership Group for Volvo, Volkswagen, and Perodua

In a recent filing to Bursa Malaysia, Med-Bumikar Mara Sdn. Bhd. has announced its intention to nominate the former president and CEO of Perodua Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh as company director. Med-Bumikar owns 23.72 percent of MBM Resources, which in turn owns 20 percent of Perodua.
MBM Resources is a diversified automotive group with businesses spanning from multi-brand dealerships to automotive parts manufacturing. Its subsidiary Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. is a dealer for Perodua vehicles while Federal Auto (and its subsidiary FA Wagen) operates dealerships for Volvo and Volkswagen.
As for automotive parts manufacturing, the company is best known as a supplier of alloy wheels. It also holds a 42 percent stake in Hino Motors Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., but the company is in the process of selling some of its stake back to Hino, reducing its stake to 20 percent,
MBM Resources is also the second largest shareholder of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), which Datuk Aminar helmed for nine years until December 2018. MBM Resources holds a 20 percent stake in Perodua – equal to Daihatsu Motor’s stake but behind UMW Corporation’s 38 percent.
Med-Bumikar Mara will put forward its proposal to nominate Datuk Aminar as independent non-executive director at MBM Resources’ upcoming annual general meeting on May 29.
For the best deals on new Perodua cars, click
here
.


Nissan GT-R Track Edition Unveiled For Europe

Despite selling it for nine years, Nissan does not seem to have exhausted the tuning potential of its supercar-beating GT-R. A new motorsports-special engineered by NISMO, dubbed the GT-R Track Edition, will hit European roads by November.
Priced at €118,900, the new Track Edition sits above the Premium, Prestige, and Black Edition variants in GT-R hierarchy, but one rung below the flagship GT-R NISMO.
Based upon the 2017 model year GT-R that debuted in this year’s
New York Auto Show
, the GT-R Track Edition derives power from the familiar hand-built 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 which, in this application, develops 562hp and 637Nm.
Notable enhancements to the GT-R Track Edition over the regular model include race-tuned bespoke adaptive dampers from Bilstein designed to optimise straight-line and cornering stability. A new lightweight anti-roll bar has also been added to increase body stiffness and reduce weight. Forged 20-inch aluminium wheels adorn each corner, complemented by an enlarged front bumper.
Outward appearance of the Track Edition models differ slightly from country to country. In Germany, they come standard with carbon-backed Recaro seats and offer a carbon rear spoiler as an option.
The same spoiler is standard in the UK and France along with black and red Recaro seats from the GT-R Black Edition. Customers from these markets have the option of adding on a carbon boot lid and carbon-backed seats.
Each unit of the GT-R Track Edition can be identified by its unique made-from-carbon ‘Track Edition’ badge stamped to its dashboard.
The Nissan GT-R has never been officially sold in Malaysia; the only units on our streets are brought in through parallel importers. If you're a fan of the GT-R and its predecessors, the current R35 generation and its two immediate forebears, the R33 and R34, are currently
on display at ETCM Jalan Raja Laut
 from 23 September 2016 till 2 October 2016.


All-New Toyota Supra Tested In Australia Ahead Of 2019 Debut

Just a couple of weeks prior to its public debut at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, Toyota is wrapping up development work for its new generation Supra in Australia.
The new generation Supra was subjected to Australian road conditions in an effort to fine-tune the new model’s suspension set-up.
Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada and his team from Japan put the Supra through its paces over the course of five days, going to places where Supra customers are likely to travel, including sweeping country roads, twisty mountain climbs, and the Great Ocean Road.
Tada-san’s team was also supported by Toyota Australia’s Vehicle Engineering and Development (VED) group.
Tada-san also said that he had been keen to utilize Australia’s roads to achieve the performance targets for the all-new Supra. "We know your drivers tend to favour strong levels of body control and steering feel, particularly for your undulating road surfaces. It's vital the driver feels confident during rough-road cornering and that the car is very stable under braking. Speedo accuracy is also very important,” said Tada-san.
Tada-san went on to say that Australia offered road surfaces that replicated 80 percent of the world’s roads. "I wanted to involve Australia right towards the end of our development program," he said.
Paul Dimandis, head of the local VED group, said that local testing included overall performance and driveability, ride, handling, stability, brakes, seat comfort, and vibration and harshness on coarse-chip bitumen and gravel surfaces.
"We've taken the Supra prototype across a variety of conditions including popular touring destinations because almost half the people we expect to buy a Supra list their number one hobby as holidays and travel," he said.
Closer to home
, the all-new Toyota Supra is slated to be introduced in Malaysia some time next year.


Frankfurt 2017: Suzuki Brings Out the Swift Sport

There's no car unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show that makes us sadder than the all-new Suzuki Swift Sport, mainly because it's a car we will likely never get since Suzuki's departure from our market. The Swift Sport has been a staple among budding car enthusiasts for generations, being both a great starter car for those seeking to learn and a great weapon on the road or track for the more experienced.
This all-new model marks a large jump forward in terms of powertrain. Suzuki's latest products are starting to come with turbocharged powerplant options, and the Swift Sport is no different. Powering this model is the 1.4-litre BoosterJet engine, tuned to 138 bhp and a whopping 230 Nm of torque. Alright, perhaps that's not quite on par with Volkswagen's 1.4-litre TSI outputs, but it's pretty impressive considering how Suzuki is fairly conservative with tuning.
What is important to remember is that the Swift Sport weighs just 970 kg. It's a full 80 kilograms lighter than the model it replaces, despite the additional hardware required for turbocharging (and there is a lot of hardware). There's also a slick 6-speed manual transmission to keep driving enjoyable, no doubt with ratios a little more stretched than before to make use of that fatter torque band.
On the whole, there's traditional hot-hatchback chassis design with MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam round back. The car is fitted with Monroe dampers from factory, as well as hardier wheel bearings and thicker anti-roll bar joints for robustness over the standard Swift.
As for the styling, this generation of Swift made a rather sudden departure from the curves and creases of the previous model- and the Swift Sport is again no different. The lines may look a little wild at times, with wide hips and angular lights on both ends, but it's likely a look that will grow on us. The 17-inch alloys are a little strange in design, but do fill up those wheel wells nicely.
The interior also benefits from the generation change as well, with a more modern design that more can appreciate. The dashboard has many elements that pop out rather than the rather flat surface of old, providing a proper 3D look for that premium feel. It's a great product, and a shame that we'll probably never see it here under official import.


Government Plans To Add More AWAS/AES Cameras At Accident Prone Areas

The government plans to add more Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) or AES cameras in accident-prone areas, reports
Bernama
.
In a statement made during a press conference in Parliament, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar said the ministry is still reviewing proposals and tentative locations for installation. He added that the costs of installation, maintenance, and operation will be determined at a later stage.
In response to a question by a Member of Parliament, Jaffar said that the government has collected upwards of RM5.7 million from 163,986 summonses between 1st September 2018 and 17th April 2019. Summonses issued prior to 1
st
 September 2019 were
waived
 as the previous government entered a lopsided agreement with two concessionaries that managed and operated the AES/AWAS cameras systems.
Separately, Transport Minister Anthony Loke had
confirmed at the end of last year
, that more Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras will be added along the PLUS highway, especially around accident-prone areas such as the Menora Tunnel in Perak. The announcement was made after an accident involving a cement mixer and an express bus that collided nearby the tunnel, resulting in seven injuries.
AWAS cameras are not limited to ones along the highway but also installed at busy intersections for red-light infringements.


Hannah Yeoh springs into action, visits Sepang International Circuit

Hannah Yeoh has begun her duties as the newly-appointed Minister of Youth and Sports by first visiting the
Sepang International Circuit (SIC)
.

The 'home of Malaysian motorsports' visit was to see for herself the infrastructures currently being provided by SIC as well as hear the challenges being faced by the management team, particularly after two years of inactivity during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Coordination with other parties to improve SIC

*Image credit: Hannah Yeoh FB

Her visit was accompanied by SIC Chairman, Tan Sri Mohamed Azman Yahya, as well as Abdullah Hassan, SIC Board of Directors member. On her official FB page, Yeoh stated that there are several aspects that require coordination from other parties to assist SIC in all of the necessary improvements, KBS included.

She also met with SIC's Racing Technical Academy coach, Josiah Ng, who also happens to be a three-time olympian track cyclist. Starting her role as the new Minister of Youth and Sports by 'listening to briefing and visiting our agencies to understand everything' is pretty much what we need right now in order to improve moving forward.


Tips Penjagaan Kereta: Berapa Kerap Perlu Anda Lakukan Alignment Tayar Dan Kenapa?

Kalau anda seorang pemilik kereta atau pengguna kereta, anda pasti pernah dengar tentang ‘alignment’ tayar atau pernah disuruh untuk untuk melakukan alignment pada suatu tahap kerana stereng kereta mula kelihatan senget meskipun kereta anda dalam keadaan lurus ataupun apabila kereta mula berubah arah ke kiri atau kanan jalan meskipun stereng telah diluruskan.

Jika anda pernah mengalami situasi tersebut, maksudnya alignment tayar kereta anda tidak lagi berfungsi seperti yang sepatutnya. Isu lain yang turut timbul adalah berapa kerap anda perlu servis dan betulkan alignment tayar kereta untuk memastikan ia sentiasa berfungsi dengan lancar dan selamat?

Apa itu alignment tayar (penjajaran roda)?

Alignment tayar ataupun penjajaran roda merujuk kepada pelarasan suspension sebuah kereta. Lebih tepat, ianya merupakan sistem penghubung yang menghubungkan stereng kenderaan dengan tayar-tayarnya dan membolehkan tayar untuk membelok.

Kunci utama proses alignment yang betul adalah menyesuaikan sudut tayar bagi memberi kesan yang lebih baik apabila tayar bersentuhan dengan permukaan jalan. Oleh itu, proses alignment tayar ini merupakan satu penyelenggaraan berkala penting yang tidak seharusnya diabaikan. Selain itu, memilih tayar yang sesuai dengan kereta anda juga penting.

Alignment tayar terdiri daripada pelarasan dan/atau pengekalan 3 aspek utama bagaimana tayar anda berfungsi di atas jalan:

Camber
 - Ini adalah sudut dalaman atau luaran tayar apabila dilihat dari bahagian depan kenderaan. Kecondongan yang terlalu banyak ke dalam (negatif) atau ke luar (positif) menunjukkan alignment yang tidak betul dan perlu diselaraskan. Bushing, bearing atau ball joints yang usang atau rosak juga boleh mempengaruhi tetapan camber.

Toe - Toe bermaksud berapa banyak tayar kereta terkangkang keluar atau masuk apabila dilihat daripada atas tayar. Toe ni terbahagi kepada dua iaitu Toe In (tayar terkangkang ke dalam) dan Toe Out (tayar terkangkang keluar).

Caster - Caster merujuk kepada sudut paksi stereng anda apabila dilihat dari sisi kenderaan anda. Sekiranya anda mempunyai caster positif, paksi stereng akan condong ke arah pemandu. Sebaliknya, caster negatif bermaksud paksi stereng condong ke arah hadapan kenderaan anda.

Ikutkan, terdapat banyak lagi yang boleh diperkatakan tentang alignment tayar ini. Tapi yang paling penting, anda perlu memahami bahawa penyelarasan roda/ tayar adalah aspek penyelenggaraan kenderaan yang tidak boleh sesekali diabaikan. Pendek cerita, macam mana tekunnya anda menukar minyak enjin, begitu juga lah anda perlu ambil perhatian terhadap alignment tayar ini.

Anda juga dinasihatkan untuk melakukan servis alignment tayar di bengkel kereta yang mempunyai peralatan yang sesuai dengan kereta anda. Bagi mereka yang masih menyelenggara kenderaan mereka di pusat servis (3S) berdaftar, berbincanglah dengan penasihat servis anda tentang waktu yang tepat untuk membuat alignment tayar.

Apa terjadi sekiranya anda mengabaikan servis alignment tayar?

Tayar
 bukanlah hanya sekadar donut hitam yang diperbuat daripada getah dan diletakkan pada rim. Sebaliknya, pelbagai kemajuan, kejuruteraan dan ujian telah dilakukan dalam penghasilan tayar dan mereka berfungsi dengan baik sebagai komponen kenderaan yang padu jika dijaga dan diselenggara dengan baik. Secara ringkasnya, semakin bahagia tayar anda, semakin selamat anda.

Kedudukan sudut tayar atau alignment yang tidak betul boleh menyebabkan tayar anda untuk haus dan rosak secara tidak sekata sekaligus menurunkan prestasi tayar dan kereta. Dalam maksud lain, kereta anda tidak akan berhenti, bergerak dan membelok seperti yang sepatutnya.

Secara ringkasnya, alignment yang tidak sekata boleh menyebabkan banyak masalah lain yang boleh memberi kesan kepada bahagian lain pada tayar. Tetapan camber yang tidak betul boleh menyebabkan haus yang tidak sekata pada bahagian luar atau dalam permukaan tayar. Tetapan sudut toe yang tidak betul pula boleh menyebabkan kesan scrubbing atau feathering pada permukaan tayar. Dalam kebanyakan kes (lebih daripada satu), tetapan alignment yang tidak betul boleh menyebabkan kereta membelok sama ada ke kiri atau kanan jalan yang semestinya mendatangkan bahaya.

Adakah penjajaran melibatkan putaran tayar?

Ya, tayar hadapan perlu berfungsi dalam menghentikan, mengemudi dan memecut (sekiranya pacuan roda hadapan) kenderaan, seterusnya meninggalkan kesan haus pada tayar. Oleh itu, penting untuk anda rotate kedudukan tayar anda supaya keempat-empat tayar anda akan mengalami kadar haus yang sekata.

Rotation ini bermaksud untuk menukar kedudukan tayar anda. Terdapat dua jenis rotation yang sering dilakukan:

Menukar tayar kiri hadapan ke sebelah kanan hadapan, tayar kanan hadapan ke bahagian kanan belakang, tayar kanan belakang ke sebelah kiri belakang dan tayar kiri belakang ke sebelah kiri hadapan. Senang cerita, macam permainan musical chair lah dimana semua perlu menukar satu kedudukan ke sebelah kanan.

Jenis rotation lain yang biasa dilakukan ialah criss-cross iaitu: kiri depan ditukar ke sebelah kanan belakang dan sebaliknya.

Walau bagaimanapun, jenis rotation tayar ini bergantung kepada jenis tetapan tayar sesuatu kereta. Berbincanglah dengan juruteknik tayar pilihan anda tentang perkara ini.

Kereta saya bergerak lurus tapi kenapa stereng saya bergegar?

Sebenarnya, ini kebiasaannya tidak disebabkan oleh pelarasan tayar yang tidak betul, sebaliknya ia disebabkan oleh balancing tayar anda yang tidak betul.

Meskipun tayar kereta anda kelihatan cantik dan seakan sempurna, ianya tidaklah sempurna. Perbezaan berat tayar walaupun kecil ditambah dengan roda bermaksud mungkin ada variansi berat bagi pasangan tayar dan roda itu. Walaupun sesuatu tayar itu hanya menanggung beberapa ratus gram extra, tetapi apabila kereta anda berjalan, tayar yang menanggung beberapa ratus gram extra ini akan berputar beberapa ratus kali dalam seminit dan ia menyebabkan daya/ frekuensi berayun yang boleh dirasai sebagai gegaran pada kenderaan atau pada
stereng
 kereta.

Oleh itu, balancing tayar dapat mengimbangi sebarang ketidakseimbangan berat dalam kombinasi tayar/ roda dan sering dilakukan bersamaan dengan penjajaran roda atau alignment tayar. Bagi mengimbangi tayar anda, juruteknik akan memasang tayar dan roda anda pada mesin pengimbang. Mesin tersebut akan memutarkan roda anda pada kelajuan tertentu bagi mengukur sebarang ketidakseimbangan daya, seterusnya membetulkan ketidakseimbangan tersebut.

Bagaimana caranya untuk anda membetulkan berat tambahan pada satu sisi roda dan tayar? Mudah sahaja, tambahkan jumlah berat yang sama di sisi lain (dipasang di roda), sehingga kekuatan masing-masing saling membatalkan.

Dah faham? Berapa kerap pula anda perlu membuat alignment, balancing dan rotation?

Pertama sekali, amat penting untuk anda melakukan semua perkara ini sekaligus. Berapa kerap perlu anda membuat alignment itu bergantung pada cara pemanduan anda. Kalau tak pasti, seeloknya buatlah alignment tayar setiap kali melebihi 8,000km hingga 10,000km ataupun sekurang-kurangnya enam bulan sekali bergantung kepada berapa kerap anda memandu kereta tersebut.

Sekiranya anda kerap memandu kereta di atas permukaan jalan yang teruk dan tidak sekata, anda dinasihatkan untuk melakukan aligment tayar setiap empat bulan sekali.

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Prices Of Toyota and Lexus Models Slashed Across The Board

In a briefly worded statement sent to the press released earlier today, UMW Toyota Motor, the distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia have confirmed that all savings gained from the abolishment of GST will be passed on to customers.
Mr. Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd said any relief and benefit from the new tax structure will be fully passed on to its customers and any price revision will be considered in the best interest of its customers.
Effective 1-June 2018, the existing 6-percent GST will be reduced to zero-percent.
With price lists of all Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold by the company stating the actual value of GST paid, it’s easy to calculate the new prices of Toyota and Lexus models.
Here are the new prices, which will remain as such until the government decides to reintroduce SST (details pending), which it has to at some point in time, so prices are expected to go up again at a later time.
As explained in our
earlier article
, cheaper cars will see less reduction, while buyers of higher range model will benefit from bigger reduction in prices. It's all stems from the base from which GST was calculated from.


Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR Concept – When A Golf R Is A Gap Too Far To Bridge

With 290 PS, this front-wheel drive Golf GTI TCR Concept makes the same power as the all-wheel drive Golf R. The biggest difference between the two is that the GTI TCR is a road legal version of its namesake equivalent from the TCR International race series, while the Golf R gives more consideration for everyday comfort and all-weather performance.
With 290 PS and 370 Nm, the GTI TCR bridges the gap between the standard Golf GTI (230 PS and 350 Nm) and the Golf R (290 PS and 380 Nm). Volkswagen says it’s the fastest GTI of the model range, but we need to point out that it is however, not the fastest GTI ever because that honour goes to the 310 PS and 380 Nm GTI ClubSport S, which is no longer offered for the current Mk 7.5 generation facelifted Golf.
Right now, the car seen here is still a concept but it is very likely to go into production by the end of this year. It was unveiled earlier today at Volkswagen’s annual GTI fans festival, better known as the Reifnitz am Wörthersee in Austria.
The display car seen here in the pictures was equipped with rear diffusers at the lower rear bumper, twin Titan-Abgasanlage Akrapovic titanium exhausts, 19-inch wheels wearing Continental ContiSport Contact tyres, cross-drilled brakes in front and ventilated discs behind, Vmax sports suspension (still with adaptive DCC) that rides 20 mm lower than a standard GTI.
Styling enhancements include TCR lettering on the side skirts and decals cut in the GTI’s signature honeycomb motive. The side mirrors’ puddle lamp also project the TCR lettering onto the ground every time the car is unlocked.
Inside, the sports seats have the GTI logo etched on it and are trimmed in microfibre/fabric materials, while the door inserts and gear knob cover are finished in microfibre. The standard car’s flat bottom steering wheel now has a race car-style red marker at 12 o’ clock.
Under the bonnet, the engine remains the same 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI unit, but with a new turbocharger that goes up to 1.3 bar of boost, as well as two extra radiators. The transmission is still the same DSG 7-speed dry-type dual-clutch automatic transmission but a mechanical locking differential now mediates between the front wheels and the transmission.
Like most German cars, the GTI TCR’s speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h but buyers can have the option to raise this to 264 km/h.
The race specs GTI TCR is sold as a customer racing series car, and makes 350 PS and 420 Nm from the same engine, mated to the same 7-speed DSG transmission. The car is currently raced by team Liqui Moly Team Engstle, which is now the leading team in the TCR Asia series.


FIRST LOOK: 2023 smart #1 EV SUV - "Premium but Approachable"

The
smart #1 all-electric SUV
 will be launched very soon here in Malaysia and we had a closer look at what this beauty has to offer.

To kick things off, we're going to look at the exterior of the smart #1 (pronounced as smart hashtag one). First and foremost, the #1 looks bigger than initially expected based on all the photos we've previously seen online.

That was a welcomed surprise and looking deeper into the design, we can honestly say that it's one of a few EVs that can definitely cater to a wider range of audience, particularly the younger crowds.

For those who don't know, the smart brand is a partnership between Geely and Mercedes-Benz. Geely handles all the mechanical stuff within the vehicle and Mercedes-Benz gets the job of designing the car.

For that, Mercedes-Benz went with the "Sensual Producty" design philosophy in order to create a product that perfectly balances aesthetics and aerodynamics.

The result is quite stunning in the realm that the smart #1 looks premium but at the same time approachable by people from all walks of life. Yes, it is an SUV but it doesn't shout 'family' aloud, which is a good thing if you want the younger generation to adopt the EV lifestyle.

So what does the smart #1 have that's unique within its segment? Well, it's going to be the first within its segment to offer an illuminated front grille as well as a luminous side logo.

It's certainly a nice touch to portray an EV that looks futuristic but at the same time not bombastic enough to drive some of the crowds away. The front LED headlight that spans across the entire front end also looks sleek and classy to the point where some might not even realise that it's an EV - a good thing that we believe makes the #1 that more approachable.

If you're looking for an element that puts the smart #1 ahead of its competitors, just look on the roof and you'll find the panoramic halo roof. This adds even more style to the exterior of the vehicle, but more importantly, a bigger sense of space once for those sitting inside (but we'll get to the interior at a later time).

From the side profile, you'll notice its nicely designed 19-inch wheels that look unique in our eyes. While it might seem big on paper, the dimensions all tie up nicely with the rest of the car.

Even the concealed door handles are finished with a nice touch thanks to the embedded smart logo that can be seen once they pop out the doors. Speaking of doors, what better way to amp up its overall premium-ness than frameless doors, right?

Going to the back end, the dynamic LED taillight ties everything together nicely into an EV package that can be exciting to a wider audience. Personally, we dig the looks of the smart #1. We dig it a lot. And if you have the chance to get a closer look, do so and you might be surprised.


Tokyo 2015: Honda’s Power Bank For Household Electrical Appliances

Many of us carry a power bank to charge our mobile devices. But what do you do when you run out of battery juice for larger devices like a laptop? Imagine if you are a film crew documenting something like the
Borneo Safari
, how do you charge the batteries for your cameras?
You can of course plug it into a generator, but when you have over 250 vehicles participating in the event, finding an available socket to plug into is going to be a challenge. And generators aren’t exactly lightweight or compact. And they are very noisy too – how do you sleep with the generator turned on for your devices to charge overnight?
Honda’s E500 Battery Inverter Power Source prototype aims to solve exactly just that. It weighs just 6 kg, and is small enough to be packed into a camping bag.
In simple terms, imagine the E500 as a power bank with two domestic power socket-type plug points, as well as a port USB port. Regular power banks output in direct current (DC), and thus cannot be used to power household electrical appliances, which require alternating current (AC) power.
The E500 combines the functions of a battery power bank with an inverter, converting the battery’s DC output into AC, allowing it to power regular household electrical appliances.
The USB port outputs 2A of current, enough to charge larger mobile devices like tablets, while the two Japanese format domestic power sockets outputs 100V of voltage and 5A of current, enough to charge laptop, camera batteries, walkie talkies and low power electrical devices.
As the E500 is still a prototype, there were no further details on its battery capacity, price and launch timing.


Toyota C-HR’s Price For Malaysia Estimated At RM145,500, Launch In Q1 2018

After months of previews and teasers, UMW Toyota Motor has finally confirmed that the upcoming Toyota C-HR will be launched in early-2018 with an estimated priced of RM145,500 (excluding insurance). The offered price is limited only to customers who’ve pre-registered earlier.
As speculated earlier, the Malaysian specifications C-HR will be offered with only a single variant – a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated Dual VVT-i petrol engine paired to a CVT-type automatic with seven virtual ratios. It’s only available as a two-wheel drive (front).
Toyota has yet to announce any specifics with regards to the C-HR’s launch timing, but it is said to be within the first quarter of 2018.
Key highlights of the C-HR include:
Halogen projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights and follow-me home function
LED tail lights
Automatic rain-sensing wipers
Keyless Smart Entry with engine push-start button
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Auto dimming rear-view mirror
Black leather seats
7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 6 speakers and reverse camera
7 airbags
Electronic stability and traction control (VSA and TRC)
Hill-start assist control
Blind spot monitor
Rear cross traffic alert
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Colour options include White Pearl CS, Metal Stream Metallic, Attitude Black Mica and two more two-tone paints - Blue Metallic with Black roof, Red Mica with Black roof.
The Toyota C-HR will be imported from Thailand. When it goes on sale in Malaysia next year, it will compete against the Japan-made 2.0-litre
Mazda CX-3
 (from RM135,082). There are also the locally-assembled 2.0-litre
Mitsubishi ASX
 and 1.8-litre
Honda HR-V
, but with a starting price of RM119,100 and RM98,060 respectively (both excluding insurance), neither the Mitsubishi nor the Honda is going to be troubled by the C-HR.


Bangkok 2017: Honda Civic In Rallye Red

At today’s opening of the 2017 Thailand International Motor Expo, Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has introduced a new colour option for the Civic sedan - Rallye Red.
Mr. Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer, Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “The 10th generation of the Honda Civic has received tremendous acclaim since its first launch with an eye-catching, sporty style and the 1.5 liter VTEC TURBO engine. Earlier this year, we launched the all-new Honda Civic 5-Door Hatchback, which is designed to magnify Honda’s well-blended DNA in sport and also reinforce the Honda Civic lineup. Today, the spirit of sport that is reflected in all Honda Civic models is being enhanced with a new variant in a dashing “Rallye Red” color, which will attract those looking for a head-turning new sports car.”
The colour is distinctively different from the Dark Ruby Red Pearl option that’s offered by Honda Malaysia.
Apart from the new colour option, the Thai-market Civic remains the same as before.
Thailand also sells the Civic hatchback, which like the sedan, is also assembled in Thailand. However the Rallye Red paint option is only available for the sedan.


Tokyo 2015: Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept Previews Subaru Global Platform

At the coming 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru willl be presenting this Impreza 5-Door Concept. The concept car will preview an upcoming Subaru hatchback model, the first all-new Subaru model to be underpinned by Subaru's all-new Global Platform.
In May 2014, Subaru announced its “Mid-Term Management Vision “Prominence 2020” which aims to lift Subaru’s global sales from the current 920,000 plus units per year to 1.1 million plus by 2020, while maintaining industry-leading profitability and customer trust.
At the centre of this plan is the Subaru Global Platform, which will underpin every all-new Subaru model from here onwards, including a yet to be named full-size crossover model. All upcoming all-new models will also feature direct injection ‘boxer’ engines.
This concept car, despite its rather nondescript name, will mark the beginning of a new era at Subaru.
Subaru did not reveal much else about the car yet, but said “…the design of this concept model expresses value exceeding its class, from the dynamically sporty feel that heightens the anticipation of driving, essential in Subaru design, to the solid performance functions that heighten the sense of innovation and peace of mind.”


Stand A Chance To Win A Brand New Iriz Or Suprima S At The Alami Proton Carnival 2015

The
Alami Proton Carnival 2015
 takes place this weekend (3-4 October), and if you need another reason to head to the Proton Centre of Excellence Complex in Shah Alam, how’s the chance to win a brand new Proton Iriz and Suprima S sound?
That’s right,
Proton
 is giving the public a chance to win the two grand prizes spread across the two-day event. Other prizes amounting to over RM100,000 include smart phones, digital cameras, LCD televisions as well as other electrical items also await the lucky winners.
To stand a chance to winning either of the two grand prizes, all you need to do is test drive Proton cars on the day of the event.
That’s not all because there will also be live performances during the event (starting at 10am to 7pm) by Malaysian musical celebrities including Amy Search and Ella on Saturday (3 October). On that day, the lucky winner of the
Proton Iriz
 will be announced following a grand lucky draw.
Meanwhile, 4 October sees the continuation of the event with various activities taking place throughout the day before the event draws to close with the giveaway of the second grand prize of a brand new
Proton Suprima S
 to the next lucky winner.
For those seeking to purchase a brand new Proton for themselves, there will be special deals and promotions available that consist of attractive interest rates and financing schemes, and extended warranty coverage.
Proton will also be showcasing its latest technological developments for the general public to experience as well.


Hyundai Elantra gets a facelift - New front and back make the sedan look wider and meaner

The Hyundai Elantra gets a facelift, featuring a new front and rear end which makes the car look wider and lower. Everything else though is pretty much business as usual.

Although the
Hyundai Elantra
 is one of the least popular c-segment sedans in the market today, there are some fans of the Korean sedan out there, who might be interested to know that the 7th-gen Elantra has been given a facelift.

The 2023 version of the C-segment sedan has been revealed in South Korea. The refreshed model receives a reworked front end giving it a fiercer and sharper look.

New lights with a different design is part of the refresh, and to accomodate it, Hyundai had to also give the new Elantra some new fenders to help fit those headlights. Hyundai's signature Parametric grill is still there, but this time the upper and lower grill have been separated, whereas the previous car saw it having it in one piece.

Although the front of the 2023 Elantra seems to looks wider and sportier than before, we actually prefer the current design as it feels more streamlined, but some have said the look was a dealbreaker, which perhaps this new design has remedied.

At the back, the taillights still look the same, but the bumper now comes with a more intricate diffuser design , also making the car look wider and meaner than before.

From the side profile's point of view, the straight and sharp body lines of the Elantra remain unchanged, but there are some new alloy rims to provide the side with a refreshed look.

As for the powertrain option, the Elantra in South Korea is offered in many different configurations, including the 1.6-litre NA Smartstream petrol unit, featuring 123 PS and 154 Nm torque matched with an IVT gearbox. This is unit is the
sole engine and transmission option offered here in Malaysia
.

A more powerful configuration is also offered through the Elantra N Line which is equipped with 1.6-litre turbocharged Smartstream petrol engine producing 204 PS and 265 Nm of torque, along with the option of a six-speed gearbox or seven-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission.

The full-fat Elantra,
the Elantra N
obviously gets the most powerful engine, featuring a 2.0 litre Theta turbo petrol unit with 280 PS and 392 Nm of torque, paired with a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed DCT gearbox.

The cabin design is still the same, with the dashboard featuring a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and 8-inch infotainment system, just like the ones in the Malaysian Elantra.


New Mercedes-Benz S560 Cabriolet Launched, RM1.3 Million Of Open Top Luxury

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today unveiled
the new S-Class family
, which also included the S560 Cabriolet.
Priced at RM1.31 million OTR without insurance, the S560 Cabriolet is powered by a new 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine producing 469 hp and 700 Nm of maximum torque paired to a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic gearbox.
Thanks to the powertrain, the S-Class Cabriolet is able to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and clock a top speed of 250 km/h.
The car also comes with the Airmatic air suspension system which is fitted as standard.
As a member S-Class family, the cabriolet benefits from some of the innovations that have been introduced on the saloon such as the extended Intelligent Drive driving assistance systems, which include the Active Distance Control Distronic system and Active Steering Assist,  the Widescreen Cockpit, new generation steering wheel, the integrated Energizing comfort control (optional), and the latest infotainment system.
Other standard features on the S 560 Cabriolet include:
‘Floating’ Organic LED (OLED) tail lamps
Swarovski crystals in the headlights
New front and rear aprons with chrome finish
Restyled side skirts
Chrome-plated twin tailpipe trims
New 20-inch AMG 10-spoke wheels
Choice of 3 new interior trim lines
Choice of 3 new upholstery
Two 12.3-inch HD displays with 3 display styles
Direct control for Distronic and cruise control on the steering wheel
Linguatronic Voice Control
Burmester premium audio system
Head up display
Latest Comand Online infotainment system
Smartphone Integration Package (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay)
Wireless charging for mobile devices
Unlike the S450L which is being assembled locally in Pekan, Pahang, the S560, like the S63 Coupe and the Mercedes-Maybach S560, is imported from Germany.
Read more about the other models in the updated range of S-Class by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
The Performance Luxury: Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe, priced from RM 1.5 Million
The Ultimate Luxury: Mercedes-Maybach S560 debuts in Malaysia, From RM 1.4 Million
The Modern Luxury: Mercedes-Benz S450L CKD debuts in Malaysia, From RM699,888


2023 Mercedes-AMG S63 unveiled: 800hp and bonkers two transmission setup

The Mercedes-AMG S63 is something else, featuring 800hp from its twin-turbo V8 and electric motor which has its own two-speed gearbox.

The
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
 is usually the defacto luxury vehicle in many people's minds. It's known for its pure elegance, quality and innovative technologies.

We often don't think of the S-Class as a performance vehicle, but Mercedes wants to change that as the 2023 Mercedes-AMG S63 is just something else.

The Mercedes-AMG S63 was built to deliver true luxury and a boatful of performance. AMG has applied all of the technology at its disposal to give petrolheads an S-Class which is just next level.

There are two transmissions underneath the car

The 2023 S63 is the most powerful S-Class of all time. It is equipped with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which by itself produces 612 horsepower. However, at the rear of the S63 is where things get interesting because thanks to an electric motor which is connected to its own two-speed gearbox and battery pack, the S63 can push out 802hp.

All of this combined helps the S63 reach 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds and reach a top speed of nearly 300km/h. To help with fuel efficiency, Mercedes-AMG has given the S63 a 9-speed transmission, but if you're buying an AMG will fuel efficiency in mind, then this is the wrong car for you.

First S-Class to get AMG-specific body kits

Design-wise, the S63 is interesting too, as it's the first S-Class to come with an AMG-specific front end. What does that give the S-Class? of course the lovely slatted Panamericana grille, as well as large intakes, which can be decorated in carbon if you opt for it, by throwing a bit more money at the S63. There's also no three-pointed star emblem on the hood because in its place is the Affelterbach emblem.

If you look at the S63 from the side profile, there's a lot of regular S-Class there, but the S63 does come with AMG-specific forged wheels, 21" at the front and 22" at the rear. But once again, if you want to throw more money at the S63, you can purchase the car with the optional ceramic brakes, 400mm at the front and 380 at the rear.

If you've gone for the carbon pack, which added some carbon trims at the front, you'll also get carbon trims at the side, placed at the wing mirrors and the doors. Speaking of the sides, there are two fuel filler flaps on the car, with one accepting petrol and the other accepting electricity for your 13kWh battery. Yes, the battery is not the biggest in the world, but it can give you up to 30km of pure electric driving range.

The rear look of the car follows a similar theme to the side as there is a lot of regular S-Class there. However, there are a couple of features that put it apart from your civilian spec S-Class, noticeably the S63 badge and AMG-specific bumper with diffuser as well as quad exhausts.

Since there's an electric motor and battery, the boot space has been compromised, but it can still fit up to 300 litres of cargo.

The Inside is like the regular S-Class but a bit angrier

On the inside, the S63 is very much like the regular S-Class but comes with AMG touches. The front seats are the same, but the design, pattern, badges and crest are all AMG-inspired. Likewise, the steering wheel is all AMG, featuring those two rotary dials which can alter driving mode, braking regen levels and suspension settings.

As with most AMG models, you get AMG-specific graphics at the meter cluster and infotainment system. Those who love IWC watches will be glad to know that you can even display an IWC timepiece on the large infotainment screen.

Of course it comes with high-tech AMG handling

But an AMG is all about driving dynamics which is why the S63 is equipped with the latest AMG chassis system, featuring AMG RIDE CONTROL+ and AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL.

The AMG RIDE CONTROL+ is a set of suspensions that are based on air suspension with automatic level control, combined with adaptive adjustable damping and the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL is essentially AMG's active roll stabilization, where instead of using conventional, rigid anti-roll bars, the system compensates body movements electromechanically.

Oh, and there's also rear-wheel steering, which in an AMG was designed to give you better driving performance and leads the car to a virtual shortening of the wheelbase, resulting in significantly more agile turn-in, less steering effort and increased manoeuvrability.

It's going to be expensive, as expected

The S63 is due to hit the road in April 2023, and the price tag in Europe, anyway, should be around the RM1.07 million mark. If the
Mercedes-AMG E63s
 was sold in Malaysia for around RM999k, you should expect the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE to be much more than that.


Caltex Havoline Introduces 5th Generation Fuel Economy Lubricant

Chevron Malaysia Limited today launched their latest fifth generation fuel economy lubricant, the Havoline ProDS Fully Synthetic ECO 5 SAE 5W-30. Formulated to meet the latest and more stringent ILSAC GF-5 standards, the ECO 5 is aimed at offering motorists better fuel economy and reduces a vehicle’s overall carbon footprint.
According to Chevron’s own benchmarking tests against competitor lubricants, the ECO 5 is said to deliver better oxidation control and wear protection under high temperatures, which is ideal in enabling the lifespan on the oil in the engine, while offering better protection, particularly to downsized turbocharged engines, as well as a lower friction coefficient. The new ILSAC GF-5 standards have a significantly higher requirement for turbocharger protection, piston cleanliness, and engine sludge protection, as compared to the ILSAC GF-4 standard.
On top of the ILSAC GF-5 standard, ECO 5 is also made to meet the performance standards of the API SN, API Resource Conserving, General Motors’ dexos 1 licensed, Chrysler MS-6395 specifications, and Ford M2C946-A specifications. Chevron Malaysia Limited says that the ECO 5’s 5W-30 specification aligns with the trends of Japanese and American carmakers.
However for European makes, Chevron has a similar product in the form of the Havoline ProDS Fully Synthetic LE SAE 5W-40, which meets the API SN, ACEA C3, MB-Approval 229.51, Porsche Oil Category A40, BMW Longlift-04 Oil, and dexos 2 licensed standards. While the LE has a slightly heavier grade to meet the trend seen in engines of European car makers, Chevron assures that the additive package in the LE is similar and offers similar fuel efficiency performance.
In conjunction the introduction of the ECO5 and the refreshed looks of the Havoline range, Chevron Malaysia is offering a special bundle pack promotion. Every purchase of Havoline ProDS Eco 5 5W-30 or ProDS LE 5W-40 4-litre pack will come with a 355ml bottle of Techron Concentrate Plus. The bundle packs will be retailing at RM242 each and will be available at selected Caltex service stations, Havoline workshops, and auto supply stores from 15 June to 15 July.


BMW Malaysia Introduces New Owner Privilege Program

BMW Malaysia has introduced a new owner privilege programme, dubbed BMW Moments, which combines exclusive experiences and services to complement the ownership experience of a new BMW.
BMW Moments is made up of three distinct subdivisions: BMW Support, BMW Care, and BMW Privileges, which range providing flexible and innovative financing options, reliable premium care and assistance, and carefully curated benefit and privilege programs for owners.
Under BMW Support, BMW owners are guaranteed round-the-clock support with the BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline. With just a call, owners have access to qualified specialists for assistance in the event of a breakdown or accident. The programme offers lifetime phone assistance and comprehensive mobility services in case of an emergency, immobilisation or breakdown at no cost to new BMW owners.
With BMW Care, all new BMW vehicles come with the BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service programme. By extension, the program also includes free scheduled service and maintenance for up to 100,000km. The scope of services with the warranty programme is in accordance to the Condition Based Service (CBS) status and includes engine oil service with oil filter and refill quantity, air filter, micro filter, spark plugs, brake fluid, and service vehicle checks.
Additionally, the BMW 2-Year Tyre Warranty programme entitles owners to a comprehensive tyre protection plan that covers tyre damages caused by any sharp objects or by hitting the edge of a curb or pothole. The warranty is provided on all four BMW Approved Star-Marked Tyres and extended to include after-sales purchases (of Star-Marked Tyres) from any BMW authorised dealer.
BMW Privileges encompasses a range of membership benefits and privileges exclusive to BMW owners, under the BMW White Card, BMW White Card Elite, or the
BMW Excellence Club
 programmes. Through these programmes, owners have access to invitations to exclusive BMW events or a host of dining, shopping, and lifestyle experiences.
BMW Privileges also includes a range of financing programmes. Flexible loan tenures and interest rates are available through innovative financial packages such as the BMW Full Circle Programme, BMW Balloon Financing, and BMW Step Down Financing.
For added convenience, BMW customers can also access all their membership benefits via the
BMW Group Loyalty+ mobile app
.


PREVIEW: All-New 2022 Honda Civic – A More Than Worthy Successor?

With the eleventh-generation Honda Civic being one of the most hotly anticipated products scheduled for local launch, there’s no way we were going to miss out on a preview at Sepang International Circuit.

There are few products that have commanded as much attention or developed as much hype as the Honda Civic, especially as the current generation has proven to be such a huge hit over the course of its production life. Following a global launch of the
all-new eleventh-generation Honda Civic
 back in April, and
regional launches
 from the second half of 2021, it was only a matter of time before Malaysians would demand equal access to Honda's latest C-Segment product.

Past Performance Doesn’t Predict Future Results

As we wind up to the eleventh-generation model, let’s take a very brief look at the recent history of the Civic. When it comes to the nameplate’s track record over the last few decades, there has been an interesting oscillation between struggle and success dating back to the seventh-generation ES Civic – which was regarded as a heavily cost-cut successor to the Civic it replaced.

The eighth-generation FD Civic proved to be an incredible success, with used car values holding solid even after the better part of two decades thanks to an impressive design and improvements in engineering across the board. However, its successor in the form of the ninth-generation FB Civic was once again viewed as a way to stretch the success of the FD Civic with largely cosmetic differences and didn’t prove particularly popular.

Coming to the
tenth-generation FC Civic
, this is the model that most Malaysians will be familiar with as it’s still on sale today, after taking our market by storm back in 2016 and maintaining its momentum until today. Even amidst last year’s intense pandemic-fueled economic shutdowns, Honda Malaysia managed to find a home for over 12,000 brand-new units of the Honda Civic.

Something Old, Something New

We’ve digressed enough. Back to the topic at hand: a brief, and highly limited preview of the
all-new Honda Civic
 in its RS trim level. There has been so much coverage of this highly anticipated model at a global level that you probably have a good idea of what it looks like by now – region specific trim options notwithstanding.

That being said, it’s even more impressive in the metal – especially when placed side by side with the outgoing Civic FC. There is a distinct step forward in terms of the design language that makes the all-new Civic look like a far more mature product, and one could even venture so far as to say it looks practically European in terms of styling and form.

Honda has definitely learned harsh lessons from the Civic FB, which could easily be traced to the predecessor on which it was based. The underlying platform of the all-new Civic is similar to that of the outgoing model, though an incredible number of targeted improvements has resulted in a product that feels completely new.

More Than Just A Fancy Facelift

On the simpler side of things are improved body rigidity through greater use of structural adhesive, as well as swapping out the front sub-frame and other components for lighter, more rigid items. Stepping it up a notch are revisions to the steering system in terms of weight and assistance, as well as adjustments to rear track width and rear bushings for improved straight-line stability without compromising agility. The most significant difference is a wheelbase increase of 33 mm – indicating this really isn’t just the same repurposed platform.

All of these changes translate to a significantly improved driving experience, with steering that’s more precise and well weighted, as well as better and more predictable body control. In tandem, this gives drivers more confidence when driving spiritedly, and of course, Sepang International Circuit would be the best place to put that to the test.

The tried and tested turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol unit returns with this generation of Honda Civic as well, though figures have been bumped up to 182 PS and 240 Nm of torque, which is 9 PS and 20 Nm more than before. These improvements have been achieved through the addition of variable valve timing to the exhaust side of the engine, as well as a more efficient turbocharger package.

More surprising is the revised transmission, which is still a CVT-type automatic unit. Besides being quieter and smoother than the unit in the outgoing model, it also features quicker and more positive virtual gear ratio selection, especially if you’re in Sport mode. Starting off from a dead stop is quicker and easier, as the extra torque and the more responsive transmission gets you moving with haste.

A Moment For The Driving Enthusiasts

Feel free to skip this portion of our preview if you’re not one to rank driving dynamics highly in the purchase process. For those who do, and especially seeing as we were let loose on Sepang’s south track layout, it would only be appropriate to speak in detail about where the all-new Honda Civic outpaces its predecessor.

The most obvious and immediate change has to be in the steering feel. The fairly quick steering rack returns – just over two turns from lock to lock – but there’s a significant difference in the calibration and fidelity of steering weight and feel, which also changes depending on what drive mode you’re in.

Despite the improvements in overall performance and the more eager transmission, there isn’t a particularly strong translation on the track. Being able to downshift more aggressively as you get on the brakes before a corner is nice, though for the most part there isn’t a wild difference in outright speed or acceleration around the track.

The work put into the suspension definitely pays dividends here with more precise damping keeping the body under slightly more control – though you shouldn’t expect sports car levels of roll control as you can’t get around the fact that it’s a C-Segment sedan. Hitting kerbs on the racetrack is hardly an event as the dampers run through their range of motion without protest.

What We Didn’t Get To Test

With the all-new Honda Civic comes a heavily updated and improved version of the Honda Sensing Package, with the newest feature being the Lead Car Departure Notification System. That’s essentially a fancy way of saying that if the car ahead of you moves off from a dead stop, the system will gently alert you to start moving as well.

Highlighting that alone would be selling the system short, as there have also been changes to the spread and flexibility of Honda’s system, with a wider coverage area for the forward facing camera and radar systems that in turn helps advanced driver assistance features such as Forward Collision Warning or Lane Departure Warning function more effectively.

What We Wish We Could Talk About

For now, Honda Malaysia has implemented a strict embargo regarding any interior details of the all-new Honda Civic until its official launch – and there is plenty to talk about. More than the improved vehicle dynamics, powertrain, and safety systems, the interior of a car can make or break a product in quite nearly any market segment short of commercial vehicles.

Should You Wait For It?

If you’re in the market for a brand new car between the RM 100,000 and RM 200,000 mark, you should absolutely wait for the all-new 2022 Honda Civic to see if it suits your particular needs or lifestyle. As a product, it is possibly the freshest and most welcome change since a certain brand from Hiroshima unveiled their incredibly stylish offerings a few years ago. What’s even better is the fact that Honda Malaysia has now opened the order books, with the official launch slated for Q1 of 2022.


The Rare and Lovely Volvo 262C Just Turned 40

At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1977, Volvo unveiled perhaps the most unexpected model in its portfolio at that time - a two-door coupé version of the 264 called the 262C.
Featuring heavily slanting windscreen pillars and a lower roof, what really made the 262C into what it was could be found in the passenger compartment. This offered an extravagance of leather and hardwood. The seats, headrests, door sides – even the curve handles had been upholstered in leather.
When the Volvo 1800ES was discontinued in 1973, there was no natural successor to the role of top range sports model. Volvo’s CEO Pehr G Gyllenhammar saw this as a problem. It was especially important that there was a model of this kind in Volvo’s biggest export market in the USA and a luxury coupé seemed more right at the time than another sports car.
Volvo’s chief designer Jan Wilsgaard did sketches for the shapes of the prestige car, but no clay model was ever built. Instead, he used a Volvo 164 that had been used to test new interiors. It was taken to the Italian designer Sergio Coggiola’s company in the Italian city of Turin, where the four-door body was rebuilt into a two-door body with a lower roof.
The roof was clad with vinyl and the wide C-pillar adorned with three crowns – Sweden’s heraldic national symbol. The three crowns were replaced with one larger one on the production car, which is one of the very few differences between it and the prototype – except the obvious one that it was based on a 164.
The engine in the 262C was initially a 2.7 litre, 140 hp V6. It was shared with all the other body versions in the 260 series and had been developed together with Peugeot and Renault. Manufacturing took place in Douvrin in France under the auspices of the Société Franco-Suédoise de Moteurs-PRV company. Volvo’s engine designation was B27E and thanks to engine blocks and cylinder heads made from aluminium, it weighed less than 150 kg.
Since it was built in small numbers, the 262C didn’t fit into the Volvo plant in Gothenburg. Instead, final assembly took place at the Italian Carozzeria Bertone, who also built the 264TE limo. Kits were sent to Turin where the bodies were modified, painted and assembled into finished cars. A small badge on the lower part of the front fenders showed that Bertone had built the car.
For the first few years, the 262 was only available in silver metallic with a black vinyl roof. From 1979, it was also available in gold metallic without a vinyl roof. That year, all saloon models in the 200 series also received a new rear with a boot that went down at the rear edge. The tail lights were also new and went around the body corners. In 1980, black and light blue metallic and silver metallic with vinyl roof was phased out. In the USA, the model was sold under the name of the Volvo Coupé from 1980.
The model year that stands out the most was also its last. In 1981, the 200 series underwent a major update with new, more slender bumpers and a new headlight set up. The B27E became a B28E as the engine gained in terms of cylinder volume and had another 14 horsepower added to it. The new colour combination was a two-tone paint job in gold and nougat.
The aim was to manufacture 800 units per year, but expectations for demand had been set far too low. Apart from in 1977 when production started late in the year, and the final model year, production figures was more than double the forecast. When the final cars were sold in 1981, they were already considered to be collectibles. In total, 6,622 cars were built between 1977 and 1981.
It was only in 1985 that the successor to the 262C was presented, Volvo 780. The collaboration with Bertone continued, but the 780 was both designed and built in Italy.


All-New Audi R8 LMS Wins At The 2015 Nürburgring 24 Hours Endurance Race

Audi recently introduced the
all-new Audi R8
 not too long ago and followed it up with the strictly track only,
R8 LMS
. Now, the new racer has managed to snag its first win at the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race.
Piloted by four drivers - Christopher Mies, Nico Müller, Edward Sandström, and Laurens Vanthoor, the
Audi
 R8 LMS car #28 fielded by Audi Sport Team WRT took top spot, a full 40 seconds faster than its nearest competitor, a BMW Z4 GT3 (#25) of the BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS.
The race itself was certainly full of thrills with the lead position swapping hands 35 times a record in the event that has been held since 1970.
Romolo Liebchen, Head of Audi Sport customer racing said, “Sincere congratulations to our winners who never lost their cool even in the face of some minor irregularities and held up to the pressure. The whole squad of Audi Sport customer racing is happy to see the new
Audi R8
 LMS instantly delivering on our promise of it being a competitive, attractive and reliable race car our customers can look forward to starting this fall.”
The Belgian racing team also fielded a second car that came in seventh place while both of Audi Sport Team Phoenix’s R8 LMS racers were forced to retire after accidents involving both their cars.
Powering the R8 LMS is a retuned 5.2-litre V10 engine that produces 585hp, paired to a six-speed sequential shifting transmission. Enhancements in aerodynamics and weight-saving are also undertaken on the car to make it as competitive as it is. However, Audi say about 50% of the GT3 race car is based on its production counterpart that was introduced at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.


Winner Set For 2018 Volkswagen Wörthersee GTI Festival in Austria

One lucky winner recently received the grand prize of an all-expense trip to the Wörthersee GTI Festival in Austria, courtesy of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM). Mohamad Syazwan bin Mohamad Naim won bragging rights as the Golf GTI’s number one fan after battling it out at the Grand Finale in front of a live audience at the recent Volkswagen Tour roadshow at One Utama Shopping Centre. The two other finalists were Moh King Yew, who came in a close second and Abu Ubaidah Amir.
Rick Moh, Abu Ubaidah Amir with Deenan Nadar (Aftersales Director of VPCM) and Grand Prize Winner Syazwan
The
Wörthersee GTI contest ran
 from the 20
th
 till 27
th
 March and garnered over 1,500 submissions. To compete, participants had to register and complete a slogan and answer 10 questions correctly in the fastest time, with the top three fastest participants qualifying to the Grand Finale.
26-year old Mohamad Syazwan is a self-confessed GTI fan, and had spent an entire week polishing his GTI knowledge to prepare for the contest. “It’s been nerve-wrecking week, and I had even stayed up all night before the Grand Finale to make sure I covered everything on the GTI. To win this trip is a dream come true, and I couldn’t be more excited,” enthuses Syazwan, who will be bringing his younger brother with him to Austria.
During the Grand Finale, Syazwan displayed his high level of proficiency by correctly answering challenging questions concerning historical and technical aspects of the Golf and the Wörthersee GTI Festival.
Syazwan did not even need to wait for the choices of answers to be announced, he already knew the answers to some of the historical data!
Erik Winter, the Managing Director of VPCM said that the Wörthersee GTI Contest was a way of celebrating the enthusiasm and devotion displayed by GTI fans in Malaysia. “We are delighted to be able to present this once-in-a lifetime chance to our winner – congratulations on a well-deserved win to Syazwan,” he added.
The GTI Festival is held every May on the shores of Lake Wörth or
Wörthersee
, as it is known in German. What started as a small gathering of Volkswagen GTI owners is now a full-fledged event of modified, classic and vintage Volkswagen cars, attracting over 100,000 fans around the world. This year marks the 37th year of the festival.
Could you have answered these questions correctly? Here are some of the questions presented on Saturday :
When the first Golf GTI was introduced, what was its engine displacement?
In the last four decades, one Golf is sold every....?
Who was responsible for the “golf ball“ gear knob and tartan seat of the Golf GTI?
How many engine options is the Golf available in around the world?
When was the first Wörthersee Festival?