ICarData: The Best Time To Buy/Sell - Toyota Vios (NCP 150)

Resale value is possibly the third most important aspect of buying a new car besides the original sale price and the overall maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle.

Having a car with strong resale value and good demand in the used car market ensures that the current owner can sell his/her vehicle promptly down the line.

Photo by
Lukas
 from
Pexels

Some cars retain value better than others, hence there's always a timely spot in the car's lifespan for when an owner should sell his/her car, to not lose too much on depreciation, and vice versa, the best time for someone who is looking for a used car should pull the trigger to purchase their next ride.

Up until now, it's been hard for most people to ascertain the average used value for vehicles since the sale price of a used vehicle is dependent on a variety of factors, i.e: overall condition, mechanical soundness, variant type and accessories, location, and overall demand.

However, now with the resources of our in-house developed
iCarData
, we can collate data from literally thousands of used vehicle deals, pinpoint our search down to a single model or variant and observe market trends, and overall demand over a number of years and across geographical locations.

These algorithm-based data take the guesswork out of vehicle depreciation and help customers make better-informed purchase decisions.

In this report, we will be looking at the popular (NCP150) Toyota Vios which was first introduced in Malaysia in 2013. We have taken into account the following to keep our numbers accurate and representative.

Vehicle variant: (NCP150) Toyota Vios "G Variant" (AT) delivered in 2013.

Depreciation is calculated using the original list price of RM85,500.00

Depreciation percentage does not take into account special/seasonal offers or rebates on the original selling price.

The G Variant is used as its the second-highest spec in the range (before the TRD Sportivo variant), and a volume seller which offers a wider spread of data points across the market.

Here's the summarized data for depreciation:

And the graphical analysis below:

Blue line: Average selling price (RM) by year

Grey line: Cumulative depreciation (RM) by year

Orange line: Retained value percentage by year

From the graph above, we see the highest rates of depreciation in the first and second years of the car's lifespan.

Note that the slight spike in resale value in 2015 could be due to release of the updated 2015 Vios, which carried an RM4k premium over the 2013 model, hence used car prices may have increased slightly, as a response.

2016 sees another dip in used prices due to comprehensive model revamp which saw the NCP 150 Vios receive the new 2NR-FE engine and Stability Control across the model lineup. This could explain a slight drop in demand for the older models, and hence selling prices.

Depreciation tends to plateau during the fourth and fifth years and settles in at around 57 percent of the original value. Looking further down the curve, we find that a 2013 model Vios will be valued at approximately RM45k in its sixth year, or around 51 percent original price retention.

From this, we can infer, that the best time for an owner to sell his/her Vios will be in the sixth year of ownership. This because the cumulative depreciation closely approaches that of the retained value sum, any later, and the cumulative depreciation supersedes the former and sellers would recoup less money for their next vehicle purchase. Also, it is wise to retain ownership of the vehicle throughout the course of the manufacturer warranty.

Inversely, the best time for a used car buyer to snap up the Vios would be in the fourth year of its lifespan. This is to take full advantage of the slowing depreciation; buying a used Vios in the fourth year of its lifespan means the used buyer is getting the best deal/ age of car ratio.

For some great deals on the Toyota Vios (NCP150), click
here
.

If you're looking to sell your Vios, we have two solutions for you too. List in on carlist.my or better still use
Carlist Bid
 where we remove all the hassle of selling your car for you as you get searching for your next upgrade.

Which make/ model would you like us to research next? Let us know in the comments.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Revises Pricing Upwards for A-Class, GLA and GLB

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has just announced a pricing revision for the A-Class sedan, GLA and GLB for 2022.

A-Class Sedan

Model

Mercedes-Benz A 200 Progressive Line

Mercedes-Benz A 250 AMG Line

Displacement

1332 cc

1991 cc

Power

163 hp

224 hp

Torque

250 Nm

350 Nm

Recommended Retail Price

(OTR w/o insurance)

RM220,458.79

RM243,857.88

Additionally, the
A 200 Progressive Line
 will now come with ambient lighting as standard. There are 64 colors for you to choose from, creating fascinating colour schemes, including illuminated air vents, doors or even the dashboard.

Safety and convenience have also been given an upgrade, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, KEYLESS-GO Comfort Package and Wireless Charging are now part of the package.

For reference, the 2021 A 200 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Progressive Line was priced at RM210,903 whilst the A 250 AMG Line retailed for RM239,858 respectively.

GLA

Model

Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 Progressive Line

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 AMG Line

Displacement

1332 cc

1991 cc

Power

163 hp

224 hp

Torque

250 Nm

350 Nm

Recommended Retail Price

(OTR w/o insurance)

RM241,379.06

RM271,164.84

In a similar fashion to the A-Class sedan, the
GLA 200
 will now also have ambient lighting as standard together with
Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and Wireless Charging.

The CKD GLA class which made its debut locally in October of last year was previously priced at RM232,379 for the GLA 200, while the GLA 250 AMG Line retailed for RM266,164. Both prices were OTR without insurance.

GLB

Model

Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 Progressive Line

Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 AMG Line

Displacement

1332 cc

1991 cc

Power

163 hp

224 hp

Torque

250 Nm

350 Nm

Recommended Retail Price

(OTR w/o insurance)

RM271,788.37

RM320,965.61

Upon its launch in September 2020, the
GLB 200
 retailed for RM269,118, while the GLB 250 was priced at RM318,009.

For more information or to download the full price list, you can visit
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia: E-brochures

*Recommended retail price is effective until the end of the tax-free incentive period.


Bermaz Auto Alliance Open First Peugeot 3S Centre In Glenmarie

The first Peugeot 3S Centre will encompass sales, service and spare parts. It will also adopt the new Peugeot brand identity.

Ask any 'older' Peugeot owner and the first gripe they'll have about the brand is the after-sales service, especially under its previous stewards.
Bermaz Auto Alliance
 has its work cut out for itself in order to regain customer confidence but the opening of this first 3S centre is a step in the right direction. The after-sales support will also extend to the Citroen and DS brands under the Stellantis Group.

The new service facility in Glenmarie has been designed to provide an enhanced customer experience, equipped with 21 operational service bays with trained and skilled technicians. The service centre will also come with the latest manufacturer’s diagnostic equipment, and maintenance tools. In an era where customers complain when they don't get free breakfast whilst servicing their cars, you will be glad to know that you will be treated to a comfortable waiting lounge with refreshments, a working space and Wi-Fi.

Located at Lot.15, Jalan Pelukis U1/46, Temasya Industrial Park U1, 40150, Shah Alam, Selangor, the service centre is operational from 8.00am to 5.00pm on weekdays and 8.00am to 12.00pm on Saturday.

In order to book yourself an appointment, contact the Service Centre at 03-5021 2300 (ext. 2402/2403). Additionally, you can locate the PEUGEOT 3S Flagship Centre here,
https://peugeot.com.my/find-us.php
. For existing Peugeot owners, the Peugeot Customer Portal is available at
customer.peugeot.com.my
 to make an appointment.

Should you require roadside assistance, you can contact Peugeot 24-hours roadside assistance at 1-800-22-3399.

If you're an existing Peugeot owner, please don't forget to update your information with Bermaz Auto Alliance
here
.


Perodua Hits 40% Market Share Again, Thanks To New Myvi

This is the second time in recent memory that national automaker Perodua has achieved a 40% monthly market share.
Back in
 August 2016
, Perodua managed to achieve 40.5% monthly market share, all thanks to the delivery of the then-new Perodua Bezza sedan. That month, Perodua sold 21,251 units against the industry registering 52,312 units of new vehicles.
For January 2018, Perodua is expecting to achieve this 40% monthly market share success again, registering a sales of 17,693 units over an estimated January's total industry volume (TIV) of 43,930 units.
 “While we defer to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA)’s numbers, we are cautiously optimistic that for January 2018, our monthly market share is the highest ever in our history.
“This was spurred by deliveries of the new Myvi (9,209 units), as well as continued strong demand for our other models,” said Perodua President and CEO Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh.
During this event with the media and business partners, Perodua also took the opportunity to deliver the 18,000
th
 new Myvi to its owner, Mr. Wong Wai Cheng who hails from Negeri Sembilan. Mr Wong chose a Myvi 1.5 Advance in Lava Red.
Datuk (Dr) Aminar reiterated that the demand for the 1.5-litre models have been overwhelming, which accounts roughly 85% of the total new Myvi bookings. He stressed that the production team at the Rawang plant have been working overtime to meet the demand and the waiting period is expected to stabilized within two to three months’ time.
Datuk (Dr) Aminar also said that Perodua is looking to purchase more than RM5 billion in components and parts this year from mainly local vendors. This will further contribute towards the growth of the Malaysian economy. All Perodua models have over 90% local content.
Close to 20,000 units of the new Myvi have been delivered to date since its launch in November. Perodua is targeting 209,000 units of total sales for 2018.


Fuel Price Update: 2 – 8 March – Ron 97 Up 5 Sen, Others Maintain

The Ministry of Finance Malaysia (MoF) has just announced the price of petrol and diesel, valid for the next seven days.
Effective tomorrow March 2nd, only the premium grade RON 97 fuel is affected by a price increase to the tune of 5 sen per litre.
There are no changes to the RON 95 grade petrol and diesel fuel, which the government has set a price cap.
In summary, the prices for petrol and diesel are listed below:
RON95 –
RM2.08
 per litre (unchanged)
RON97 –
RM2.43
 per litre (up 5 sen from RM2.38)
Diesel Euro 2M –
RM2.18
 per litre (unchanged)
Diesel Euro 5M –
RM2.28
 per litre (unchanged)
The MoF released a statement two days ago, stating that the
ceiling price for RON 95 petrol
 has been revised downwards from RM2.20 to RM2.08 per litre.
“The reduction in the price cap for RON 95 is in line with the Pakatan Harapan government’s commitment to reduce the cost of living,” it said.
The ministry said that without the price cap in place, the market prices for RON 95 petrol and diesel is RM2.13 and RM2.38 per litre respectively.


iCarData: The Best Time To Buy/Sell - BMW 330e M Sport (F30)

One of the most popular BMW models of recent times is the F30 generation of the BMW 3 Series, which came with a variety of different powertrains over its near-decade production run. Locally the F30 was offered as a 316i, 318i, 320i, 320d, 328i, and 335i for the pre-facelift variants and was later streamlined to the 320i, 330i, and 330e for the post-facelift model.

Among all of these variants, however, there has been one that has stood head and shoulders above the rest for its sheer popularity, and that’s the
BMW 330e
. A strong reason for its success is owed to aggressive hybrid or energy-efficient vehicle incentives offered by the Malaysian government at the time, which in turn made it a highly competitive mid-sized luxury sedan.

The specific variant of the
BMW 330e
 we’re looking at today is the M Sport, which was the higher of the two trim levels offered and went on sale officially at the start of 2017 for an official retail price of RM 258,800. However, according to our data, there were significant price reductions at the time due to deals and offers which resulted in an average selling price of RM 220,799.98.

Here’s the breakdown:

Vehicle variant: BMW 330e M Sport sold new in 2017

The 330e M Sport
 was one of the most popular variants of the F30 generation BMW 3 Series thanks to the excellent value it provided as a high-performance hybrid sedan. For this comparison, the depreciation is calculated based on the average selling price when new of RM 220,799.98 (vs list price of RM 258,800)

2017 BMW 330e M Sport (F30)

Year

Car Age

(Years)

Avg Advertised

Price (RM)

Retained Value

Percentage

Depreciation

Percentage

Cumulative Depreciation

Sum (RM)

2017

Launch Year

220,799.98

100%

-

-

2018

1

204,310.55

92.53%

7.47%

16,489.43

2019

2

168,814.14

76.46%

23.54%

51,985.84

2020

3

144,140.29

65.28%

34.72%

76,659.69

2021

4

134,575.15

60.95%

39.05%

86,224.83

2022

5

130,841.66

59.26%

40.74%

89,958.32

As often is the case with buying pre-owned cars, you can avoid big hits in depreciation with the trade-off being that you don’t get that brand-new car smell. That being said, you can be even more clever with the age of the car you choose as depreciation doesn’t tend to be as linear as you’d expect.

In the graph below, you can see that in the first year or so, the depreciation isn’t particularly wild for the BMW 330e. Part of this is because many units were sold as pre-owned and were technically already one year old on paper, which in turn influenced their values. This is also why the second year of ownership sees a much larger hit in depreciation.

Beyond the second year, the depreciation tapers off quite significantly, and between the fourth and fifth year you see a 1.69% drop in car value. However, take this with a grain of salt, as used car market prices are currently holding extremely strong. Due to the significantly long wait times that usually come with new cars, the value of used cars have increased in response to the recent higher demand

There is also the coincidental fact that 2019 (the second year of depreciation for the 330e M Sport) was the year that the G20 3 Series was launched, succeeding the F30 3 Series outright. Even so, depreciation for the F30 tapers off fairly significantly after this launch year which indicates strong holding power.

This is even more impressive when you consider the fact that the 330e is a
plug-in hybrid
 model, which means that it has to deal with the Malaysian market’s apprehension towards hybrid vehicles due to fears of maintenance issues and running costs.

With all of this data in mind, the best time to pick up a 330e M Sport would be in the third year of depreciation, and it would be fine to keep it even beyond the fifth year of depreciation as there doesn’t seem to be a significant increase or change in depreciation at that point. That being said, bear in mind that BMW’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle battery warranty programmes span 8 years or 160,000 kilometres, so you may not want to fly too close to the sun before you sell your 330e M Sport on as the next buyer may take this into consideration.

For some great deals on a used BMW 330e M Sport (F30) with a
1 year warranty
& no hidden fees, check out
Carsome
. If you're not happy with your purchase, bring your car back within 5 days to get a full refund. More info
here
.

If you're looking to sell your car, we have a solution for you too. Trade-in your car with
carsome.my
 and get up to an RM1,500 discount voucher for your next upgrade


2015 Volkswagen Sport Coupe GTE Concept Hints At Bigger CC Coming

While all initial guesses pointed to this
2015 Volkswagen Sport Coupe GTE Concept
 taking shape as the next-gen CC,
Volkswagen
 now tells us that, yes, a production model will come of it, but it will be a bit larger than the
CC
, and fit for a segment just above it and the Passat, but beneath the flagship Phaeton.
If that’s the case, it’s not that much of a surprise either: when Volkswagen first premiered the all-new B8 Volkswagen Passat, it did say that it was now time to fight off the likes of the BMW 3 Series with it, rather than play second-fiddle to the segment – VW are making global upward strides.
Volkswagen tell us that apart from previewing a future model, the Sport Coupe GTE is also a preview of a future design language from the company: so expect to see these designs spread across the brand’s global range.
Under the hood sits a 3.0-litre TSI six-cylinder petrol engine which on its own, is responsible for 299PS and 500Nm of torque. Factor in the forces made by the two electric motors (one embedded in the DSG up front, another on the rear axle) and its power source, a lithium-ion traction battery nestled into the centre tunnel, and total system output for the plug-in hybrid is a claimed 380PS.
A century sprint is sorted in 5.0 seconds, while the electric details include a full EV range of 50km, and a total range over a single tank is expected to be in the 1,200km region: claimed consumption is just 2.0-litres/100km.
Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design of the Volkswagen Brand, says, "The Sport Coupé GTE Concept is another milestone of expressive design. Unmistakably reinvented, from the first to the last stroke. A stylistic compass. In this concept car, Volkswagen is not only presenting the new design of a new model, but also initial glimpses of a new design era."
Based on the brand’s modular MQB platform, other tech highlights of the GTE include a showcase of a new Active Info Display: replacing a conventional instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch 3D display screen is one of five digital displays in the concept here.
The other four displays are for the infotainment system: one sits up front, with another three reserved for rear passengers – yes, this is a four-door coupe: one even with a large boot, as Volkswagen seems to be quite proud of.


The CARSOME App: A car ownership app for every driver

Are you ready to step into the easy lane of the automotive world? Because if you are, let us introduce you to the exciting world of the
CARSOME Mobile app
.

The CARSOME app stands to be your ultimate automotive companion. With a range of features that can help you in all aspects of your car ownership journey, the CARSOME app is more than just your typical car-related software.

The app delivers one of the best experiences, conveniences and unparalleled access to the world of automobiles. Whether you're searching for your dream car, seeking expert car servicing, or staying up to date on industry trends, the CARSOME app has you covered every step of the way.

First off, let's talk about the "Browse Cars" feature. Prepare to be astonished as you nibble through one of the largest and most diverse selections of quality car listings.

From sleek sedans, spacious hatchbacks to powerful and sophisticated SUVs, you'll find your dream wheels with just a few swipes. And that's not all! Get a sneak peek into the car's condition with detailed inspection reports.Through the app, you can also book test drives, and be the first to know about exclusive promotions that’ll get you standing up.

Now, let's shift gears to the "Sell Car" feature. Selling your car has never been easier! Say goodbye to the hassle of endless negotiations and uncertain prices.

With the CARSOME app, you can quickly get an instant price estimate for your beloved vehicle and schedule inspection appointments. It's time to bid farewell to your old ride and make room for exciting new adventures!

But that's not all! The CARSOME app goes the extra mile by offering a "Carsome Service Center Appointment" feature. Need to service your car? No worries! Simply make an appointment for a CARSOME Service Center near you through the app. Sit back, relax, and let the experts care for your four-wheeled companion while you sip a cup of joe in the cosy waiting area.

Let's rev up the engines and explore the fantastic "My Garage" feature. This is your personal pit stop for car management. Keep track of your car's estimated value, receive timely reminders to renew your road tax and insurance, and unlock a world of convenience at your fingertips. It's like having your very own virtual pit crew, ensuring your car stays in top shape!

Last but not least, get ready for a turbocharged dose of automotive knowledge with the "News" feature. Stay up to date with the latest industry happenings, car reviews, insider tips, and jaw-dropping videos that will leave you gasping for more. From snappy reviews to mind-blowing tech innovations, this feature will ignite your passion for all things automotive!

So, Malaysians, it's time to hit the app store and download the CARSOME app. Get ready to embark on a thrilling app experience filled with incredible car listings, seamless selling experiences, hassle-free servicing, personalised car management, and a wealth of automotive wisdom.

The CARSOME Mobile app is your ultimate road companion, empowering you to navigate the world of cars like a true champion.
Download now
 from the Play Store or Apple App Store, and let the adventure begin!

All CARSOME Certified cars are quality assured through a stringent 175-point inspection and professional refurbishment. Additionally, each car comes with a fixed price with no hidden fees, five-day money-back guarantee, and one-year warranty. Visit
CARSOME
 today or
download the app
.


Taxi Drivers Gather Outside MyTeksi Office To Protest GrabCar Service

{The image seen above is a file photo)
Dozens of taxi drivers held a gathering outside the MyTeksi office today to show their dissatisfaction over unanswered questions on MyTeksi's GrabCar chauffeured service.
The report from
The Star
 had fuming taxi drivers at the scene, claiming that these private cars, which offer cheaper fares, had taken away most of their businesses. GrabCar is another service offered by MyTeksi and can be accessed via the same smartphone app as well. Other ride-sharing apps include Uber and BlackLane.
Persatuan Transformasi Pemandu Teksi Malaysia (PERS1M) Vice-President Kamarudin Mohd Hussain said the gathering was to obtain a reply over a memorandum issued to MyTeksi on 29 June.
On that day, approximately 300 taxi drivers organised a organised a protest in front of the company’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya yesterday to demand the suspension of the transport-hire mobile application which they say has been compromising their livelihood, pledging to turn off the company’s application and refuse to provide their services to any customer for the next seven days starting from then.
During the protest, a memorandum was submitted and received by MyTeksi marketing manager Vincent Tan. The protest resulted in a traffic congestion along Jalan Kemajuan.
After a few hours, a MyTeksi representative met with the taxi drivers and issued a statement saying the company understood the issues faced by taxi drivers and is open to discussions involving the Transport Ministry and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) as well on matters which include current laws and regulations that govern both ride-sharing services and cabs.
The taxi drivers however, were not satisfied with MyTeksi’s response and lodged police reports.
Mathavan Subramaniam, Secretary of Persatuan Pemandu Teksi Subang Jaya (PPTSJ) said he would lodge a police report against MyTeksi over the refusal to repay promotion money for taxi drivers.
“We still respect the law and don't want to take the law in our hands. We will exhaust all avenue. We will take the matter to court,” he added.


Harga Tayar Kereta Makin Mahal – 3 Kali Naik Tahun Ini

Harga tayar
 nampaknya semakin mahal berbanding sebelumnya apabila dalam tahun ini sahaja, sudah tiga kali harga tayar naik!

Pemilik kereta dinasihatkan agar bersedia kerena harga tayar kereta dijangka akan naik antara 5% hingga 10% daripada harga terkini.

Harga Tayar Naik Lagi

Menurut laporan Kosmo, harga tayar naik disebabkan oleh kenaikan kos pengangkutan dan kos bahan mentah selain nilai Ringgit yang semakin susut.

Penjual tayar tempatan juga telah menerima notis kenaikan harga tayar pada bulan depan daripada pembekal. Ini menjadikan ia kali ketiga harga tayar naik dalam tahun ini selepas bulan April dan Julai.

Tambah mereka, kuasa untuk mengawal harga tayar sekarang berada diluar kawalan peniaga, tidak kiralah harga tayar import mahupun tayar tempatan. Ketika ini, semuanya sudah naik.

Berikut merupakan harga
tayar mampu miik
 terkini dan harga setelah mengalami kenaikan di sebuah kedai tayar di Shah Alam:

Sedan: RM120 sebiji (bakal meningkat menjadi RM140 sebiji bermula bulan depan)

SUV dan MPV: RM250 sebiji (bakal meningkat menjadi RM280 sebiji bermula bulan depan)

Trak Pikap: RM300 sebiji (bakal meningkat menjadi RM330 sebiji bermula bulan depan)

Menurut kedai tersebut, pembeli dari segelap lapisan ekonomi termasuk golongan
T20
 juga sering mencari tayar murah atau tayar terpakai kerana kekurangan bajet.

Kenaikan harga tayar juga dikatakan berpunca daripada bahan pewarna hitam pada tayar atau serbuk yang diimport pengeluar terbesar dari Russia yang dipasarkan pada harga tinggi ketika ini. Ini menyebabkan kira-kira 70% pelanggan memilih tayar dari China kerana lebih murah 20-30% berbanding tayar tempatan.

Walaupun tayar China sering dikatakan tidak berkualiti, namun faktor harga tetap menjadi sebab mengapa ramai tetap memilih tayar dari China. Sebagai perbezaan, berikut merupakan harga tayar berjenama dan harga tayar dari China berdasarkan sebuah kedai tayar di Pulau Pinang:

Sedan: Berjenama (RM150 – RM230), China (RM120 – RM160)

MPV & SUV: Berjenama (RM380 – RM800). China (RM200-RM500)

*Kredit foto: Nastia

Ramai Guna Tayar Sampai Botak

Isu kenaikan harga tayar ini sedikit sebanyak telah memaksa pengguna untuk melanyak tayar mereka sehingga botak dan merekah. Ada juga yang dilaporkan sanggup menggunakan tayar kereta sehingga berusia hampir 7 tahun.

Menurut seorang pembekal tayar, majoriti pelanggan yang datang ke kedainya memilih tayar dari China kerana ia lebih berbaloi meskipun tiada jaminan had kegunaanya. Penukaran tayar baharu pula kebiasannya dibuat secara bergilir-gilir dan ikut bajet pelanggan.

*kredit foto: NRMA

Tidak salah kalau mahu berjimat, namun janganlah terlalu berjimat sehingga mempengaruhi aspek keselamatan pula, tambah-tambah di musim hujan ini. Kalau terpaksa beli tayar China kerana kekangan bajet, kena ‘beringat’ sikitlah ketika memandu.


All-New 2017 Kia Rio Launched, Priced From RM79,888

Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, has launched the all-new fourth-generation Kia Rio in Malaysia. Only one trim level is being offered at launch, with power coming from a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
Despite its similar capacity, this is not a carried over engine from its predecessor. The previous model's 1,396 cc engine was from the Gamma family, whilst the new model's 1,368 cc powerplant is from the Kappa family. The naturally-aspirated port-injected engine produces 100 PS and 133 Nm. Outputs are sent to the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Standard equipment for the Kia Rio includes:
Automatic Projector Headlights with Static Bending Lights
LED daytime running lights
LED rear combination lights
Sunroof
17-inch alloy wheels
Automatic air-conditioning with Cluster Ionizer
5-inch floating-type infotainment system with Bluetooth
Keyless entry with push start button
Space wise, the new Kia Rio features 4 mm more headroom for rear passengers, 8 mm more legroom up front and 4 mm more legroom at the rear. Sholder room is 25 mm more up front and 31 mm more for the rear passengers.
In terms of safety, the 2017 Kia Rio comes with 6 airbags, rear seat ISOFIX mounts, speed sensing and impact sensing auto door locks, ABS with ESC, automatic rain sensor, rear parking sensors with reverse camera, Hill-Start Assist Control and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM).
The 2017 Kia Rio can be had in four colours – Clear White, Signal Red, Smoke Blue and Silky Silver.
Priced from RM79,888, the new Kia Rio is backed by Naza Kia Malaysia’s 5 year unlimited mileage warranty programme.


Ridiculously Awesome: Behind The Furious 7 Stunts (Video)

With Furious 7 hitting theatres, well, today (2nd April) actually – there’s going to be a lot of people going all wide-eyed and possibly drooly in any given mall near you. But the stunts involved, and the team charged with putting it all together, deserves major respect.
There’s a lot that goes into it. The Fast and Furious, as a series, requires some degree of suspension of disbelief (depending on the person), but the stunts have to be grounded in cold hard reality. And the more insane they are on screen, the more real danger is involed the more guts required to make it happen.
Let’s face it, the stunts and action scenes are what keep petrolheads along with the average gal or guy coming back for in this series. Sure, there’s some characters we’ve grown to love and some story arcs we’ve become invested in, which is all well and good, but when the fast cars come out (usually chasing or jumping off something explosive) we know intuitively to lean back, tune out, and soak in the visual spectacle.
Stunt coordinator Jack Gill and his team shot for the moon in this latest instalment, and I’m sure you’ll agree after watching the video below, that the stunts for Furious 7 got turned up to 11 – even compared with the previous movies.
Most of the time, action movies are written off as being simplistic and undeserving of critical acclaim. We beg to differ. The effort and expertise required to pull these sequences off (and with a camera capturing exactly the right thing and that right time) is nothing short of gobsmacking.

And the Oscar for Best Stunt goes to….
Oh wait, that category doesn’t exist yet. Yet.


Tag RFID Touch ‘n Go Berisiko Untuk Diklonkan – Selamat Ke?

Seperti yang anda tahu, sistem di sesetengah komuniti berpagar seperti kawasan perumahan juga menggunakan akses RFID yang boleh diklonkan atau
duplicate
. Persoalannya, bolehkah perkara sama dilakukan pada
tag RFID
?

Jika dilihat di platform jual beli online, pelbagai alat yang boleh digunakan bagi menghasilkan klon akses RFID boleh didapati. Perkara ini sedikit sebanyak merisaukan pengguna bahawa pelekat RFID milik mereka juga berpotensi untuk digodam.

Susulan itu, Carlist.my telah menghubungi
Touch ‘n Go (TNG)
 sendiri untuk mendapatkan maklum balas berkenaan isu sama ada pelekat RFID ini boleh diklonkan atau tidak. Memang benar sesetengah sistem RFID boleh diklonkan, tapi bagaimana pula dengan RFID milik TNG?

Menurut jurucakap yang dihubungi, beliau menjelaskan bahawa setakat ini, masih tiada kes tag RFID diklonkan dan ianya selamat untuk digunakan. Ini kerana sesebuah tag tersebut telah didaftarkan khas pada pengguna, kereta dan dilindungi dengan sistem sekuriti yang ketat, tidak seperti RFID di kawasan perumahan.

Walau bagaimanapun, beliau tidak menolak kemungkinan bahawa cubaan untuk menggodam atau menghasilkan klon RFID ini tidak akan berlaku di masa hadapan. Yang pastinya, setakat ini masih tiada kes dilaporkan berkenaan penghasilan klon RFID mahupun pengodaman terhadap sistem RFID.

Tambahnya, jika anda mempunyai lebih daripada satu kereta, anda perlu membeli tag RFID baharu kerana hanya satu kereta boleh didaftarkan dengan satu tag RFID TNG. Namun begitu, anda boleh mendaftar dan mengaktifkan sehingga 10 tag RFID berbeza untuk akaun eWallet anda.

Tag yang sudah ditampal juga tidak boleh dibuka mahupun dipindah milik kerana tag RFID TNG bersifat unik bagi setiap pengguna dan kereta yang didaftarkan. Bagi mereka yang mahu mendaftar dan mengaktifkan tag RFID untuk rakan/keluarga, ia dibenarkan kerana anda boleh mendaftar lebih daripada satu tag RFID di dalam akaun eWallet anda.  Tetapi,  segala pembayaran tol daripada tag RFID yang didaftar di dalam akaun
eWallet
 anda akan ditolak daripada baki eWallet anda.

Kesimpulannya, meskipun bagi sesetengah pihak tag RFID ini kelihatan murah dan mudah rosak, namun ia dilindungi dengan sistem keselamatan yang membuatkan tag tersebut sukar untuk digodam mahupun diklonkan, tidak seperti RFID di kawasan perumahan. Diharapkan di masa hadapan, TNG dapat membangunkan sistem di mana pemilik eWallet akan menerima notifikasi atas penggunaan tag RFID milik mereka supaya mereka sedia maklum jika ada isu tag klon dan sebagainya.


The new radically designed Toyota Prius is powerful and a stunner

The car that practically popularised hybrid technology, the Toyota Prius has undergone a complete overhaul. It has thoroughly been refined with styling and driving performance turning it into a whole new car.

According to Toyota, The Prius has evolved under the "
Hybrid Reborn
" concept into an exhilarating package with a stylish design. They hope that the new Prius will make people fall in love with it at first sight and continue to love it once they get behind the wheel.

With an aim to remain popular for the next two decades,  the development team decided to start from scratch so that it could be an exhilarating package.

The new Prius with Series Parallel Hybrid (HEV) models will be launched this year, and Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) models will be launched in mid-2023.

Exterior - sportier than ever

Inheriting the signature monoform silhouette of the original Prius, the just unveiled 2023 Prius has evolved into a car that has better proportions through a low centre of gravity and large 19-inch wheels.

The front "hammerhead shark-like" design achieves a balance of functionality and styling, while the rear design offers rear combination taillights that are modern, extending horizontally to the left and right.

Interior - sporty sophistication

Toyota's "island architecture" concept ables the car to be more spacious than ever, with a cockpit that makes it easy to concentrate on driving.

The interior comes with black tones throughout with instrument panel and seat stitching finishes. The interior achieves a balance between sportiness and modern sophistication.

The instrument panel uses Toyota's first illuminated warning system. In addition to providing an ambient light that highlights the interior, this new Toyota Safety Sense-linked feature alerts the driver to detected objects through flashing lights before the audible warnings to create a more reassuring driving experience.

Powertrain - Next-gen hybrid system

The new Prius comes with Toyota's first 2.0-liter Plug-in Hybrid System(PHEV) which Toyota claims to deliver acceleration and quietness that are dramatically improved from the previous model.

The combination of a high-efficiency Dynamic Force Engine and lithium-ion batteries for high output drive achieve maximum system output of as much as 223 PS while maintaining the same level of fuel efficiency as the outgoing model.

According to Toyota, the powerful acceleration of the PHEV, can get the car to complete the 0-100 km/h run in 6.7 seconds.

EV driving range is about 50% higher than the previous model, which means the new Prius can operate on EV mode alone for most daily drives.

For the 2.0-liter / 1.8-liter Series Parallel Hybrid System, maximum system output is 193 PS for the 2.0-liter version, which is "1.6" times higher than the previous model. This version comes with Toyota's famed E-Four system, which offers improved uphill performance on low-friction road surfaces, and greater stability when during those spirited drives.

New modern feature + solar charging

The new Prius is equipped with two 100 VAC / 1,500 W accessory power outlets; one at the back of the center console and one in the cargo space.

Users can select the BEV external power supply mode, which uses power from the battery without having to start the engine, or the HEV external power supply mode, which recharges the battery from the engine if the remaining power is too low.

It also comes with an external electric power supply attachment as standard so that an external power supply is possible with the door windows closed to prevent rain and insects from getting in the car when in use.

The PHEV models are equipped with a second-generation solar charging system that achieves a more efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity.

This generates power equivalent to driving up to 1,250 km per year. Electric generated while parked is used to charge the drive battery, with the system not only supplying electricity for driving but for air conditioning and other functions as well.


What Hidden Charges? Have No Fear, Carlist.my Buyer Protection Program is Here

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to purchasing a used car is whether there will be “hidden” charges by the dealer. Realising this, Carlist.my, in an effort to protect buyers who come to our platform, recently came up with the Buyer Protection Program to keep the process fully secure for buyers.

The Buyer Protection Program with Carlist.my’s 100% Return Guarantee (Terms & Conditions Apply*), aims to help secure the Buyer’s booking fee. Potential Buyer's will feel safe in the knowledge that their booking fee is secure during the transaction process and payment disbursement upon purchase completion. Win-win, no?

Buyer Protection Program

The Buyer Protection Program will not apply when you encounter specific problems such as the ones mentioned below:

Change of decision for any buying/selling process from any one party

Loss or damage caused to the vehicle during the process of car buying/ selling, and/or transfer of ownership

All buyers are reminded to:

Ensure that you and the dealer are confirmed with the car deal and going to proceed with the bank loan application before subscribing to Carlist.my Buyer Protection Program.

Make independent verifications as to whether any summons was issued by the authorities in respect to the vehicle.

Make an independent verification with the authorities as to the accuracy of the details, identification marks, make, type, model, version, year of manufacture and other particulars of the vehicle.

So, how much do you have to pay?

Booking fee (fully refundable)

Vehicle priced less than RM10,000 – RM500

Vehicle priced between RM10,000 and RM150,000 – RM1,000

Vehicle priced above RM150,000 – RM2,000

*Terms and conditions apply

Buyer Protection Program

Buyer Protection Only – RM99

Buyer Protection with 100-point inspection – RM187

Read more about the Book Now Pay Later Program and the Buyer Protection Program
here
.

In addition to the Buyer Protection Program, there is also the Book Now Pay Later initiative.

With the Book Now Pay Later option, you will be placing a booking fee with our verified Trusted Dealer to lock your desired car while your loan application gets processed.

This program actually allows the buyer to:

Engage directly with the Seller to reach a mutual agreement on the vehicle selling price.

Get the car purchase up to speed without having any physical dealings between the buyer and seller.

Lock down a deal by paying an initial deposit to the dealer while getting the loan approved.

Get the booking fee above refunded in case the loan gets rejected, or any other terms applicable under the sellers' discretion.

In case you’re wondering how to go about the program, just look out for listings with the “Book Now Pay Later” badge when you’re browsing for your next car.

Once you find a car listing with the aforementioned badge, discuss with the dealer via phone or WhatsApp to agree on a price, and confirm the purchase.

After confirming the purchase, inform the dealer that you will be subscribing to Carlist.my's Buyer Protection Program. In order to subscribe to the program, all you have to do is fill up a form.

Once the form is submitted, an agent from Carlist.my will contact you to follow up on the verification process, and once that is done, you will have to make a payment to Carlist.my (car booking fee and buyer protection program subscription fee) to secure your payment while waiting for the loan to get approved.

Carlist.my will then verify all the information about the vehicle being purchased, and conduct a 100-point inspection if the buyer opts for the inspection service.

Check out all the cars that are eligible under the Program
here
.

At Carlist we're always striving to look for ways in order to keep both potential buyers as well as used car dealers honest and secure in vehicle purchase transactions. It's easy to brand used car dealers as sleazy but the bigger question is what we do about it? How do ensure the welfare of both parties is taken care of during the process, hence the safeguards and initiatives we've put into place above. Talk is cheap, we prefer to walk our talk.


SPYSHOT: All-New 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Revealed Sans Disguise

Courtesy of a
Carscoops’
 reader, we now have a first look at
Volkswagen’s
 next generation Tiguan
before it makes its Frankfurt debut
.
Taken during a marketing material shoot, the all-new Tiguan thankfully doesn’t differ a lot from the official sketches released with a sharper and more upmarket design, at least from the angle seen from this sole photo.
Traits from Volkswagen’s previous concepts – the CrossBlue and Cross Coupe GTE are seen on what should be the final production model of the
Volkswagen Tiguan
, seen here in a standard five-seater model. However, there are hints that two additional variants; a longer wheelbase seven-seater, and even a coupe iteration.
Here's the current Volkswagen Tiguan, seen from the rear, as a comparison:
The Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform will serve as the underpinnings here with an array of petrol and diesel engines paired to it. Hybrid and all-electric powertrains may also be offered on the all-new compact SUV.


Lego Introduces 1960s Ford Mustang – Small Scale Muscle Done Right

Last week, Lego introduced a new member of its Creator Expert line-up – a 1960s-era Ford Mustang.
Lego remained coy with regards to the exact model year of this Mustang, but the license plate does say 1967.
In terms of size, the Lego Ford Mustang has a length of 34 cm, width of 14 cm, and a height of 10 cm, making it close to the 1:18 scale.
The 1:18 scale does allow Lego to cramp in a lot of details, although the Mustang is not part of the more expensive Technic series. From the outside, the Lego Mustang gets a dark blue body with white racing stripes, an air scoop, and five-spoke wheels.
As for the interior, the little Mustang gets some nice seats, a radio, a gear shift, and a working steering wheel. The attention to detail continues into the engine bay, where the Lego Mustang has a detailed V8 with a battery, hoses, and an air filter.
If that is not enough, the Lego Mustang can be further customized with a supercharger, rear bootlid spoiler, larger exhaust pipes, front spoiler, and a nitrous oxide tank. No, really.
The Lego Ford Mustang is priced at USD 149.99 and should hit retail shelves on 1
st
 March 2019.


RON97 Fuel Price Update: 14- 20 June – RON97 gets 6 sen lower

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has announced the fuel prices for the next seven days.
As of last week, only RON 97 petrol is subjected to a weekly price revision. Prices of RON 95 and Diesel 2M maintain its current pricing.
After a drastic increase of 19 sen on the 7th of June, the premium grade fuel sees a reduction for the week of 14 to 20 June.
That being said, the prices for petrol and diesel are as mentioned below:
RON95 –
RM2.20
per litre (no change)
RON97 –
RM2.60
 per litre (down 6 sen from RM2.66)
Diesel –
RM2.18
 per litre (no change)


Mazda CX-3 Returns 16km/L Under WLTC Test Cycle

The Mazda CX-3's fuel economy has been officially tested and certified under the Worldwide-Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC). The certification applies to the Mazda CX-3 equipped with the SkyActiv-G 2.0 petrol engine.
The Worldwide-Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC) is a test cycle that consists of three driving conditions: urban (WLTC-L), suburban (WLTC-M) and highway (WLTC-H). Compared to the JC08 test cycle, the new WLTP test cycle aims to deliver more realistic fuel consumption reading as the test cycle includes factors such as gear shifting, total car weight with driver and passengers, fuel quality, tire selection and ambient temperature.
Under the JC08 test cycle, the Mazda CX-3 SkyActiv-G 2.0 2WD returned 17 km/L. As for the new WLTC test cycle, the Mazda returned 16 km/L. Looking closer, the Mazda returned 12.2 km/L, 16.8 km/L and 18.0 km/L under the urban, suburban and highway test cycles respectively.
The 4WD variant of the Mazda CX-3 managed 16.6 km/L under the JC08 test cycle. Moving on to the WLTC test cycle, the Mazda CX-3 4WD did 15.2 km/L. Under the urban, suburban and highway test cycles, the Mazda returned 11.6 km/L, 15.8 km/L and 17.4 km/L respectively.
According to Mazda, brochures for the Mazda CX-3 will carry fuel consumption reading under the WLTC test cycle as soon as this coming summer.


In America, A Toyota Yaris Is A Mazda 2 And In Europe, A Mazda 2 Is A Yaris

Apart from the badges, the 2023 Mazda 2 is basically a Toyota Yaris underneath.

When Toyota needed help to build a small compact car for the American market back in 2020, Mazda was there to help them, resulting in a
Mazda 2
 based Yaris.

A year later, it seems that Toyota is returning the favour, and the next-generation European Mazda2 will be a
Yaris
 cloaked in Mazda badges.

While there are no official pictures of the vehicle just yet, automotive publication Motor1.com has managed to capture some shots of the new generation Europan Mazda2 in what seems like a straight-up rebadging job.

Image credit: Motor1.com

As you can see from pictures published by Motor1.com, it appears that the Toyota badge at the rear of the European Yaris has changed into a Mazda badge, despite their best efforts to cover it up with black tape. But the most interesting thing to take away from this picture is the uncovered hybrid emblem at the right side of the tailgate, which is through and through
Toyota hybrid
 emblem.

Image credit: Motor1.com

According to Autodaily.com, in a 2020 Mazda financial presentation, Mazda outlined that it aims to use its partnerships with other manufacturers to grow its range. This includes a plan to offer an “OEM-supplied model based on Yaris THS [Toyota Hybrid System]” in Europe by the end of 2022.

This “OEM-supplied model based on the Yaris THS [Toyota Hybrid System] is probably the car you see in front of your very eyes, and the sighting of it means the launch of it is imminent.

Having a Hybrid Mazda2 would help Mazda meet its European CO2 emissions target, which in turn would also help Toyota as they have formed a manufacturer pool to share their fleet targets.

It's highly unlikely that this Mazda 2 will ever make it to our shores any time soon, as Mazda in June just gave the third-generation Mazda 2 a
significant update
 in Japan, including a new
high compression engine
, increased from 12:1 to 14:1.

It's been said that Mazda will probably skip this Yaris based model altogether for the Asian market as they will probably build an Asian market-specific
Mazda 2
 based on their SkyActiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture, which will probably see the Mazda 2 get a hybrid system as they are set for a major electrification push, declaring plans to introduce 13 electrified models by 2025.


SPYSHOTS: 2016 Mazda CX-3 Spotted Testing In Thailand

The crossover SUV segment is about to get hotter as spyshots of the all-new 2016
Mazda
 CX-3 in Thailand have found their way onto the internet courtesy of
Headlight Magazine
.

Could this mean the highly-anticipated crossover will make its way here soon? Well, of course it will, but with these photos, it's no surprise that our neighbours will be first to it. On the bright side, chats with various SAs at Mazda showrooms tell us that the CX-3, while anticipated to arrive in Malaysia much earlier, may get here much later in the year instead.
Back to the spyshots we have here, and production of the all-new Mazda CX-3 will be at the company’s factory in the Thailand province of Rayong. In these spyshots, we see the crossover’s sleek body shape which although covered up in camo wrap, still shows us the brand’s distinctive front grille along with the front and rear lamps.
Based on what we can see, the lamps themselves appear to be of the LED variety - hopefully the same is retained for our Malaysian-spec cars.
Elsewhere, we see alloy wheels which feature a five twin-spoke design and twin exhaust tips are the rear. Unfortunately, no shots of the interior were spied, but we don't expect to see too many surprises against what were revealed globally, bar some slight changes to specifications that may differ slightly in each market the car is sold.
The source also revealed that Thailand-market Mazda CX-3 will be powered by a 1.5-litre SkyActiv-D engine paired to a SkyActiv-DRIVE six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Where us in Malaysia are concerned, it's anyone's guess at the moment as to which powerplant we could get: petrol is the more likely (2.0L if that's the car), being the tried and tested, but Bermaz (our local Mazda distributors) have been flirting with diesel tech for quite some time now.
As for launch date,
Headlight Magazine
 reports that the crossover SUV will make its Thai debut in about six months, which could mean a 2016 debut for us here in Malaysia.
The Mazda CX-3 will enter the local market to compete against the likes of the Honda HR-V, Ford EcoSport and the Peugeot 208.


New BMW 8 Series Could Debut in 2018. M8 in Discussion.

There have been many hints over the past few months suggesting that
BMW
 is working on the new 8 Series, which will sit on top of the current model lineup.
Even sources close to Munich such as
Automobilwoche
 Germany and
BMW Blog
 reported last month that they are not just rumours, and that the company is indeed reviving the 8 Series, which is expected to fill the gap between the
7 Series
 and Rolls-Royce Wraith in the “150,000 euros-plus” range.
And proving them right was the fact that a prototype was seen being tested last month.
Expected to be based on the current CLAR architecture that underpins the 7 Series and 5 Series, the 8 Series could just be the longest car in BMW’s fleet - longer even than the current 7 Series.
While we expect the 8 Series to be powered by either a 3.0-litre turbocharged B58 engine, or a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, more details have surfaced; saying that the car could be revealed in 2018, and that a cabriolet and an M8 will debut the year after. Yes, you read that right – an M8, powered by a 4.0-litre twin turbo engine capable of kicking out more than 600hp.
It is said that even the preliminary launch dates have been announced, but we are doubtful about that.
With Mercedes-Benz going all out with the S-Class, S 63 AMG Coupe, S Cabriolet and what not, it only makes sense that BMW comes up with a new flagship model like the 8-er and the M8 to give the folks at Stuttgart a run for their money as the 6 Series is too small and the 7 Series doesn’t have a performance-based variant or a cabriolet.
Looking for a BMW? Find one now at
Carlist.my


PROTON ahead of schedule

PROTON on 16 April made a pledge to deliver 60,000 face shields to our frontliners in hospitals all across Malaysia. This was estimated to take 20 days to complete.

Fast forward 14 days, they've under-promised and over-delivered as all 60,000 face shields are expected to be delivered by today.

“PROTON would like to say thank you to our volunteer staff who worked tirelessly to complete production of the face shields ahead of schedule. We would also like to acknowledge, Pos Logistics Berhad, for doing an excellent job delivering them and HICOM-Teck See Manufacturing for donating the material to produce the frame." said Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PROTON.

A second-phase of a further 60,000 face shields will commence on 4 May which is to be distributed to other branches of the COVID-19 frontline such as the police (PDRM), armed forces (ATM) and other service industries.

PROTON expect the production of the second-phase to be completed by 9 May.

We at Carlist would like to extend our gratitude to the volunteers who have stepped forward to assist PROTON in this noble cause. Terima kasih yang tidak terhingga from us to you.


The Finalists For The 2021 European Car Of The Year Awards Are...

The list of finalists for the 2021 ECOTY has been announced and sadly, none of them are sold in Malaysia.

It's that time of the year again where the list of cars in contention to win the European Car of the Year (ECOTY) gets whittled down to the last seven finalists.

From an initial list of 38 to seven, the winner of the 2021 ECOTY will be chosen by a group of 60 jurors, consisting of automotive journalists from 23 European countries.

The final voting for this year's Car of the Year will happen at the end of February. The winner will be announced online on March 1, 2021.

Fun facts: The European Car of the Year awards have been around since 1964, where the Rover 200 became the first-ever car to receive the ECOTY award. Last year, the
Peugeot 208
 won the 2020 ECOTY award.

Without further ado, here are the seven cars in contention for the 2021 European Car of the Year.

1. Citroën C4

2. Cupra Formentor

3. Fiat New 500

4.
Land Rover Defender

5. Škoda Octavia

6. Toyota Yaris

7.
Volkswagen ID.3

So which of these seven caught your fancy? Sound off in the comments.


Review: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E350e (W213) Fuel Efficiency Challenge – Luxury Hypermiling

Here to continue the success story of the E300 W212 Bluetec Hybrid - the model which was responsible for bringing the E-Class back to form a few years ago - the new Mercedes-Benz E350e Plug-in Hybrid made its surprise debut at the brand’s assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang last month.
While we already gave it a go prior to its launch in October, we had the opportunity to get our hands on it once again last month for the E350e Plug-in Hybrid Fuel Efficiency Challenge organised by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
So, since we've got the nitty-gritties out of the way in our
earlier review report
, our mission this time around was simple - to focus purely on saving fuel and win the challenge.
The car
Offered in three trim levels - E350e Exclusive (RM392,888), E350e AMG Line (RM395,888), and E350e Edition 60 (RM408,888), the E350e PHEV is powered by the M274 turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor which produce a total of 286 PS and 550 Nm of maximum torque. Paired to the engine and the electric motor is the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox which sends all the power to the rear wheels.
Capable of accelerating from standstill to 100 kmh in 6.2 seconds, Mercedes-Benz claims that the E350e can travel 33 km and clock a top speed of 130 kmh in full electric mode.
The big news however, is the claimed fuel consumption of 2.1-litres per 100 km, which was the number to beat during the E350e fuel efficiency challenge last month.
The model which we drove was the E350e AMG Line, which shares the same engine as the other variants but gets sportier looking front and rear bumpers, a blacked out front grille, 19-inch split five-spoke alloy wheels, unique side-skirting, sports steering wheel, as well as Metal Weave interior trim with Piano Black finishing.
The challenge
The Mercedes-Benz E350e Plug-in Hybrid Fuel Efficiency Challenge was held last month over a period of three days involving 10 cars and 20 journalists (two per car), where we had to drive from KL to JB on one day to familiarize ourselves with the car, and proceed from JB to Tanjung Jara, Terengganu the next day for the actual challenge.
The total distance we had to travel during the challenge was 488km (JB to Tanjung Jara), including three stopovers and no scheduled refueling or manual recharging of the battery.
The task was simple – to drive from JB to Tanjung Jara within seven hours with the least amount of fuel and as much battery power as possible.
So, armed with a full tank of fuel and fully charged battery, our journey began from JB at 9 am sharp, taking us through a combination of B-roads as well as highways on which we maintained an average speed of 80 kmh throughout the day.
There were four operating modes to choose from – ‘Hybrid’ (default) which uses both the battery and engine, ‘E-Save’ which preserves the battery to allow for all-electric driving at a later stage in the journey, ‘Charge’ which runs fully on the engine and charges the battery, and E-mode where the car runs solely on electricity.
So, determined to win the challenge, our strategy for the day was to keep switching between E-mode in the city, Hybrid when traffic was moving faster, and Charge mode whenever the battery ran out of juice, and ultimately clock as much mileage as we can in E-mode, as the winners were going to be decided by:
Lowest fuel consumption reading (litre/100km)
Total distance travelled in full EV mode
Despite having a plan, we conveniently forgot that in ‘Charge’ mode, the E350e only uses the engine, and sometimes even works it hard at high revs to charge the battery as quickly as possible. We learnt this the hard way only when we noticed the fuel consumption reading dropping very rapidly every time we were in ‘Charge’ mode.
What we should have done was utilize the coasting feature which also charges the lithium ion battery every time we went downhill or applied the brakes. By doing this, we would’ve used less of the engine.
Plus, no matter how hard we tried, we could only go as far as 25 km in full EV mode as opposed to the claimed 33 km. So, by the time we realized that we messed up, we were already more than half-way through the whole journey.
From 4.9-litre/100km in the first checkpoint, our fuel consumption increased to 5.3-litre/100km at the second stop in Kuantan, and we only had two hours left to reach Tanjung Jara.
Assuming that we were going to be penalized for arriving late, we went on to make our second big mistake of the day by rushing things a little and picking up speed, without realizing that the rest of the troop were still behind us.
Only upon reaching Tanjung Jara, as the folks at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia greeted us and told us that we were the first to reach while the rest were still taking their own sweet time from Kuantan, we realized that it was all over.
As expected, we didn’t win anything that day but we were not that far behind the winners.
The best result of the day was 5.5-litre/100 km with 233 km of pure electric driving, while we got 5.8-litre/100km and drove purely on electric mode for 187 km, which would have been further if we were a bit more patient and alert.
The drama aside, what the E350e could do was nothing short of impressive. After 488 km of driving at about 80 kmh, we only used half-a-tank of fuel and still had another 438 km to go, which means that a full tank of fuel can return about 1,000 km.
But then again, the way we drove and the figures we achieved do not represent real world driving. With 286 PS and 550 Nm of torque waiting to be unleashed, how many E-Class owners out there do you think will be cruising at 80 km/h?
Conclusion

As challenging and stressful as the fuel efficiency challenge was, our overall experience in the new E350e was without a doubt, an enjoyable one.
Even after spending close to 16 hours in the car over the three days, we had very little to complain about.
Our only issue was that the new E350e feels a little cramped up inside, especially in the rear where leg room and shoulder space comes at a premium. Boot space has also dropped from 540-litres to 400-litres because of the battery pack.
But besides that, the range topping E350e is a very well-rounded proposition that still carries most of the characteristics that define the E-Class. Now that hybrid technology is in the picture, impressive fuel consumption has also been added into the equation, making the car a worthier package.


PROTON Sells 9,440 Units in May 2021, Down From 15,017 In April 2021

On the back of two consecutive months of strong momentum, where PROTON sold 14,989 cars in March 2021 and then upped the ante by moving 15,017 vehicles in
April 2021
, May 2021's numbers of 9,440 (domestic + export) units must be disappointing for our national carmaker.

But one must put things in context, the automotive industry as a whole receded by approximately 20% in May driven by
chip shortages
 and the multiple forms of Movement Control Orders Malaysia had. The question remains how severely will June be affected with Lockdown 3.0 in place from 1-14 June 2021.

PROTON's market share for May 2021 stood at 20.3% with a total volume up until the end of May of 57,283 units sold. This represents a year-to-date market share of 23.5%, up from 21.4% over the same period last year.

PROTON May 2021 - Individual Model Performance

Model

No. of units sold

Sales achievement for May 2021

Saga

3,786

Highest volume A-segment sedan

Persona

1,303

3rd highest volume B-segment sedan

Exora

399

Highest volume C-segment MPV

Iriz

526

4th highest volume B-segment hatchback

X70

1,523

Highest volume C-segment SUV

X50

1,899

Highest volume B-segment SUV

Total

9,440

*sales of other models not listed added to the total sales figures

The much-beloved Proton Saga remains the sales leader in its segment as it has been for most of the year so far.

PROTON's 'goreng pisang panas' SUV's are also segment leaders, with the value proposition brought to market by the X50 and X70, it's hard not to see why they lead their respective segments. One does need to ask however what is the breakdown of local deliveries vs export deliveries? Out of the cumulative 3,422 units of the X50 and X70 delivered in May 2021, how many were delivered locally and how many export? With some customers complaining that they've been waiting since September 2020, it is a little odd that PROTON has been making export deliveries instead of fulfilling the
local backorder
.

PROTON's overseas efforts do however seem to have gained traction with 669 units of the Proton Saga, Proton X50 and Proton X70 exported in May. As a result of that total export for 2021 is now less than 100 units behind the total for the whole of 2020.

“Car sales in Malaysia dipped in May due to factors such as chip shortages and the implementation of MCO in the middle of the month. Despite most industry players having healthy order books, most brands struggled to meet demand. For PROTON, our numbers were high enough to retain second overall in the sales table and we also received a welcome boost from our export division who set a 98-month high despite restrictions on international shipping,” said Roslan Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, Proton Edar.

With
lockdown 3.0
 now in full effect, car sales will be suspended for at least two weeks but PROTON service centres are operational hence PROTON will be accepting cars from customers who have pre-booked an appointment.

PROTON will also be using this break to retool its sales plan for the remainder of 2021, given that the PENJANA SST exemption has been further extended until 31 December 2021.

“2020 proved to the world that business as usual can be disrupted without warning. To remain competitive in an unpredictable environment, PROTON along with its vendors and dealers need to have the flexibility to pivot quickly to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. As such, we will intensify our efforts to implement a  framework to meet upcoming regulations locally and internationally which is vital for future growth.

“We are also finalising our
model launch plans
 for the rest of this year. The current MCO will push some of these dates back, but PROTON remains committed to meeting our launch targets and creating some excitement for our customers in 2021,” added Roslan Abdullah.


Govt To Defer RM 400 Billion Toll Abolishment

The government has agreed to defer the nationwide toll abolishment until the country’s financial position improves. The abolishment of toll was part of the promise in the 14th general election manifesto of Pakatan Harapan.
A report by
The Edge
 said that the government acknowledged that abolishing the toll nationwide is no mean feat.
Minister of Works Mr Baru Bian said, “After studying and reviewing the factors and implications, the cost required, as I have mentioned previously, is RM 400 billion, so the government has agreed to defer the abolishment until the country’s economy and fiscal position improves.”
Pakatan Harapan has always included the removal of toll through government buy back as one of their main promises in their election manifesto. They believed that the toll concessionaires were receiving huge compensation and thus profits through lopsided agreements with the previous government.
Image credit: Sinchew
On another note of toll collection,
the introduction of radio frequency identification tag (RFID)
 next year could actually increase the collection of toll, or better phrased as “congestion charges”.
Back in late 2015
, the Transport Ministry was setting a target of year 2018 to introduce RFID tag into the road tax sticker, which will then enable electronic road pricing or congestion charges for vehicles entering into the city centre. The expected completion of MRT Line 1 in 2017 and LRT line extensions were necessary to ensure the public has sufficient means of transportation into the city without using their personal vehicles.
Now into Q3 2018, the MRT Line 1 is fully functioning with all respective transfer stations and integrated ticketing have been completed, together with the introduction of the RFID tag in 2019, it is a matter of time before the government returns to the topic of congestion charges in Kuala Lumpur.


Volkswagen To Race Two Unique Classic Beetles At Mille Miglia 2019

Dubbed as the most famous road race in the world, the Mille Miglia is a 1,600 km race across Italy which dates back as far as 1927.
All set to take place from 15th to 17th May, this year’s edition of the Mille Miglia is expected to be a bit more special than usual, as the event will be bidding farewell to the Volkswagen Beetle which is being discontinued later this year.
To mark the end of production of the Beetle, Volkswagen will be lining up two unique classic Beetles at this year’s Mille Miglia – a replica of the 1956 Ovali Beetle, and a modified 1951 “Pretzel” Beetle.
The Diamond Green Ovali Beetle replica, which was built exclusively by Volkswagen Classic back in 2011, is powered by a rear-mounted Porsche engine which generates a maximum output of 75 PS.
The Reseda Green “Pretzel” Beetle on the other hand, has been modified with various Porsche parts and produces 60 PS.
This Beetle has the same set of modifications as the popular “Dapferle” Beetle which raced in 1954 and pulled off a shocking win in the 1300 cc class and finished third in the 1500 cc class.
The two very special “Maggiolino”, as the Beetles are fondly called by Italians, will be among the 430 vintage cars on the Piazza della Vittoria, which will race from Brescia to Rome and back.
In addition to special events like this year’s Mille Miglia, Volkswagen said that the Beetle will also be given a worthy send-off with a “Final Edition”.
Click
here
 for the best deals for Volkswagen.


A Hyundai IONIQ 5 just powered a hotel!

Now there's an idea, an EV that can power up all you would ever need when braving the great outdoors.

We all know that electric cars have this unique feature where they can practically turn themselves into a big power bank, but never in a million years did we think it could be used as a power source to power up a hotel.

This is exactly what Hyundai UK did as they have created the
world's first car-powered hotel
, offering the most unique off-grid experience of 2022.

Situated in Essex, just an hour from central London, Hotel Hyundai is centred around a luxury cabin. Everything from the lights and all amenities is powered by
Hyundai's IONIQ 5
 and its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology.

The IONIQ 5 is able to power the hotel via its V2L feature, which supplies AC power (230V/50Hz) up to a maximum of 3.6kW (or 15 Amps). An adapter from the car provides energy to the hotel, as well as a socket which standard domestic appliances can be plugged into.

According to Grace Dent, curator of Hotel Hyundai, this is not just an exhibition as they are actually iniviting guests to stay at the Hyundai Hotel.

"We're looking for unique, memorable stays more now than ever and this is a delicious blend of innovation, luxury and comfort that gets you thinking. I hope this three-week pop-up hotel is just the start for this concept of a car plugging in and powering a luxury experience like this," said Dent.

With more and more of us wanting to experience the great outdoors but without the discomfort associated with it,
an electric car
 might just be a great tool for those camping trips, as it can pretty much power all of those appliances you have at home.

All we need now is a 4x4 electric vehicle that has a V2L feature, and you'd be pretty much set for an overnight camping trip nearby. Okay, can someone import a Rivian into the country already?

The cool EV pickup truck can even be had with a
"camp kitchen"
 that tucks in between the truck bed and the cabin. The
mid-spec Rivian R1-T
, which retails around RM280k in the States has a quad-electric motor setup that pushes out 754hp and 1,120 Nm of torque. Its 135 kWh lithium-ion gives it 438km of range, which should give you enough juice to go to a nearby campsite.


New Isuzu D-Max Set To Unveil In Two Days

Isuzu Malaysia’s Facebook page has been updating its followers with snippets of their new D-Max pickup.
Spotted ahead of this weekend’s DRIVE Auto Fair 2018 event, we try to dissect what’s under the black veil.
The first photo shows the 18-inch wheel design and side steps. The 18-inch wheel design looks unchanged.
  Could this be a special colour, as it does not look red nor gold in colour.
Upon closer inspection of the image of the covered D-Max, we note that the roof is missing a pair of roof rails, as the fabric and its seam smoothly follows the contour of the roof and to the door edge.
The next photo has some weaving to it, akin to faux carbon fibre. Altering the colour values of the image reveals it is the smart key fob of the D-Max, now in a sporty carbon fibre weave-like pattern.
The final image is in colour, and the features, much easier to spot. The front bumper now sports a heavily highlighted sporty bumper spoiler. The roof rails are again not present at this angle.
Stay tuned to Carlist.my as we report live from the DRIVE Auto Fair 2018 this Friday, where Isuzu Malaysia is set to uncover the new Isuzu D-Max.
This weekend’s DRIVE Auto Fair 2018 event will allow members of the public to shop, test drive and compare more than 20 models from 8 different vehicle brands in one location.
Visitors who register
, perform test drives or place a new car booking purchase during the exhibition also stand a chance to win a brand new car worth close to RM150,000 plus other cool prizes.
Learn more about the
DRIVE Auto Fair 2018 event here!


Roomy, Tank & Thor – Toyota & Daihatsu Launches New Range Of Minivans

Toyota and Daihatsu have simultaneously pulled the covers off a range of new jointly-developed minivans for the Japanese domestic market. The new pair of minivan range are called the Toyota Roomy, Toyota Tank, or Daihatsu Thor, depending on which dealership you visit.
Built to comfortably navigate the tight confines of urban roads, the Roomy, Tank, and Thor follow in the best traditions of Japanese minivans in offering spacious accommodations within a small footprint. They measure about 3.7 metres long and have a turning radius of 4.6 metres.
Despite the diminutive dimensions, however, both the Toyota and Daihatsu variants have the option of being specced with Panoramic View 360-degree camera.
Access to the cabin is via conventional front doors complemented by power-sliding rear doors, and occupants can freely move about between the front and rear seats thanks to the walk-through design of the front seats. Rear seats, meanwhile, offer forward/backward plus reclining adjustment.
Propulsion comes from the 1.0-litre 1KR 3-cylinder engine in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged guises; the NA engine can be specified with a choice between front- and all-wheel drive, whilst the turbo is FWD only. All setups get a CVT as the standard transmission.
Neither companies provided official performance numbers in their releases beyond mentioning that the turbocharged version produces about 140Nm of torque from 2,400 to 4,000rpm. Fuel consumption in the JC08 cycle are as follows:
Naturally-Aspirated FWD: 4.06 litres/100km
Naturally-Aspirated AWD: 4.55 litres/100km
Turbocharged FWD: 4.59 litres/100km
All variants of the Roomy, Tank, and Thor qualify for eco car tax incentives by the Japanese government. These vehicles are obviously developed solely for the needs of the Japanese domestic market, but one might wonder if the folks at Perodua are considering this as a possible basis of a new replacement model for the long-discontinued Kenari.
Perodua enjoys a fruitful technical partnership with Daihatsu, which recently became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota. Whilst not officially confirmed by company sources, the recently-opened
Daihatsu Perodua Engine Manufacturing (DPEM)
 plant is known to be
supplying engines
 used to power the recently updated
Toyota Vios 1.5 Dual VVT-i
.


Pemanduan Defensif Boleh Selamatkan Nyawa – Kurangkan Risiko Kemalangan

Secara purata, sebanyak 17 kematian dicatatkan setiap hari disebabkan oleh
kemalangan
 jalan raya. Menurut pakar, pemanduan defensif mampu mengurangkan kes kemalangan jalan raya sekiranya diamalkan oleh pemandu dan penunggang di negara ini.

Statistik menunjukkan indeks
kematian
 akibat kemalangan jalan raya di negara ini antara yang tertinggi di dunia. Pada tahun 2015, sebanyak 2.55 kematian direkodkan bagi setiap 10,000 kenderaan berdaftar bebanding negara maju seperti UK dan Australia yang mencatakan di bawah angka 2 bagi setiap 10,000 kenderaan berdaftar.

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Jadi bagaimana pemanduan defensif boleh selesaikan masalah ini? Pertama sekali, kebanyakan punca kemalangan di Malaysia disebabkan oleh sifat manusia seperti memandu terlalu laju, memandu di bawah
pengaruh dadah dan alkohol
, memandu dengan berbahaya serta teknik pemanduan yang kurang cekap.

Menurut Timbalan Pengarah Institut Pengangkutan Malaysia (MITRANS) UITM, Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak, konsep pemanduan defensif melibatkan kemahiran yang membolehkan pemandu mengurangkan risiko yang diakibatkan oleh pemanduan secara membabi buta, cuaca buruk serta halangan luar jangkaan di atas jalan.

Ketika ini, banyak institusi latihan dan syarikat swasta yang menawarkan kursus pemanduan defensif mengikut keperluan individu serta bidang kerja mereka. Kalau tak mahu ambil kelas, maklumat serta teori asas mengenai pemanduan defensif boleh didapati dengan mudah di internet.

Secara purata, kos untuk mengikuti kursus pemanduan defensif adalah sekitar RM500 dan kos ini agak mahal bagi sesetengah orang. Kalau tak mahu ambil kelas, ikuti perkara asas dalam pemanduan defensif seperti di bawah.

*Kredit foto: Honda

Perkara Asas Dalam Pemanduan Defensif

Posisi pemanduan yang betul merupakan benda yang paling penting ketika memandu mahupun menunggang motosikal. Posisi yang betul dan selesa memberikan anda kawalan sepenuhnya terhadap pemanduan.

Ketika memandu, pastikan anda sentiasa fokus melihat apa yang berada di hadapan anda. Lebih jauh anda lihat, lebih baik bagi mengelak kemalangan yang berada di hadapan serta kereta yang menukar lorong tanpa signal. Pandang juga cermin sisi dan cermin pandang belakang sekali sekala untuk memastikan anda sentiasa sedar dengan apa yang berlaku di sekeliling kereta.

*Kredit foto: JPJ

Untuk lebih selamat, anda disarankan untuk sentiasa mengalah dan memberi ruang kepada kereta lain untuk menukar lorong untuk memastikan kelancaran trafik. Jaga jarak kereta anda dengan kenderaan di hadapan dengan mengamalkan peraturan 2 saat yang mampu memberi peluang dan ruang untuk anda menekan brek dengan selamat.

Pastikan anda sentiasa mematuhi
had laju
 di sesuatu kawasan. Ada sebab kenapa had laju ditetapkan berbeza di jalan-jalan seperti kawasan perumahan, lebuh raya dan jalan persekutuan. Jangan lupa juga untuk periksa kereta anda dari masa ke semasa bagi memastikan ia sentiasa berada dalam keadaan baik.

*Kredit foto: JPJ

Selain itu, bagi penunggang motosikal pula, penting untuk belajar dan menguasai teknik membrek dengan betul sementara postur badan yang tepat ketika menunggang juga membantu mereka untuk mengawal motosikal dengan lebih baik apabila memasuki selekoh atau mengelak halangan.

Zaharah berkata, jika pemanduan defensif diamalkan oleh pengguna jalan raya di Malaysia, tahap keseriusan kemalangan jalan raya dapat dikurangkan selain membantu kerajaan mencapai matlamat menurunkan kadar kematian kemalangan jalan raya sekurang-kurangnya sebanyak 50% menjelang 2030.

Bantuan teknologi keselamatan yang ada pada kenderaan terkini juga membantu mengurangkan impak pada pemandu dan penumpang sekiranya berlaku kemalangan. Kepada mereka yang sedang mencari kereta, jadikan aspek keselamatan sebagai kriteria utama sebelum membeli kereta.


Honda HR-V Facelift Teased Ahead Of Japan Debut

Honda Japan has released a preview of the upcoming HR-V facelift on its website, ahead of its 15 February debut. The Honda HR-V, as it is known to us, is also called the Vezel in Japan.
The company has not released much information about the facelift, though we can spot that the front of the HR-V has been reworked slightly, featuring a more prominent Honda Solid Wing signature front grille. Additionally, the upper and lower grille deign appears to be refreshed, alongside the new front LED foglights. Elsewhere, we also noticed that the LED headlights appear to be similar to the Civic and City, utilizing reflectors instead of a projector, like the pre-facelift model.
New looks aside, Honda Japan also mentioned that the new HR-V will receive Honda Sensing as standard fitment for all variants.
The Japanese market Honda HR-V is powered by either a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine hooked up to Honda's i-DCD Sport Hybrid system, or a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Under the JC08 test cycle, the Honda HR-V Hybrid is able to deliver up to 27.0 km/L, whilst the regular petrol can deliver up to 20.6 km/L.
Closer to home, Honda Malaysia is expected to introduce the facelifted Honda HR-V later this year, alongside the HR-V Hybrid.


The Toyota C-HR R-Tuned Pushes The Boundaries Of Physics

SEMA is one of those shows that tends to bring out the best and worst in car manufacturers and tuners, but one of the coolest things we've seen for this year is the Toyota C-HR R-Tuned. It's a special one-off model that was made to showcase the potential of this nippy little crossover.
It's not merely engine performance that's been addressed with these modifications. While the original 2.0-litre engine is long gone, sitting in its place is a 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE engine that was used in the older USDM Toyota Camrys, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The compression ratio was dropped to 9.0:1 with minimal additional strengthening as the engine came with steel liners and a forged crankshaft from factory- letting them bolt on a turbocharger to produce over 600 hp. Engine management is handled by AEM, which is one of the best in the business, while additional improvements to the fuelling and cooling systems have been made to support this kind of performance.
The chassis was stripped down to a bare shell and the interior fitted with a race-spec roll cage in order to get the car as light as possible. Motion Control coilovers sit at each corner for better body control- something that becomes especially important with a crossover, and the additioanl stroke length of the high riding body allows for better damping and control.
Rather surprisingly, the C-HR R-Tuned comes with 4-pot Brembo front brakes over 355 mm floating discs- which shows that going to ridiculously large brakes with absurd piston numbers is kind of unnecessary, even from a high end tuning perspective.275/35 R18 Toyo Proxes RR tyres sit on all four corners, providing an insane amount of grip.
The grip is further improved with some mild aerodynamics. The bodywork hasn't been as extensively modified as you would find with a time attack car, but there are still noticeable modifications like a vented carbon fibre bonnet, along with custom front and side air dams and an adjustable front splitter. Most notable is a massive high mounted adjustable rear wing with a gurney flap for maximum downforce.
The result of all this is a car that can sprint to 100 km/h in just over 2.9 seconds, deccelerate at 1.2G and rip around corners at 1.7G. When travelling past 160 km/h, the aerodynamics provide downforce equivalent to around 160 kilograms- not quite Formula 1 levels, but enough to keep the car planted and settled in extreme situations. Expect aftermarket companies too be copying some of the elements of the C-HR R-Tuned for owners to modify their own cars with.


Porsche Debuts Long Wheelbase Panamera – 2017 Porsche Panamera Executive

With a wheelbase that’s been stretched by 150 mm, the Panamera Executive is a long wheelbase variant of the standard Panamera.
Debuting at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2017 Porsche Panamera Executive is available in four variants, all of them all-wheel drive – Panamera 4 Executive, Panamera 4S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, and Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive.
Both the Panamera 4 Executive and Panamera 4S Executive will be powered by a new bi-turbo V6 engine that produces 20 hp more than the previous generation Panamera, developing 330 hp (3,400 – 6,400 rpm) and 450 Nm (1,340 – 4,900 rpm).
The Panamera Turbo Executive gets a 550 hp turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 (770 Nm of torque) while the plug-in hybrid Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive pairs a 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6 with a 100 kW electric motor to produce 330 hp/450 Nm.
The main highlight of the Panamera Executive is of course its rear seats, which is designed to double as a workspace.
The new Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment centres around a pair of 10.1-inch displays integrated in the backrests of the front seats can be detached for a wide range of uses; when needed, they transform the rear of the Panamera into a fully digitalised workplace. The tablets can also be outside the vehicle.
There’s also an optional large rear centre console, which can also be equipped with two integrated folding tables and an inductive antenna connection for an additional smartphone (depending on the markets).
Standard features in the Panamera Executive include a large panoramic roof, adaptive air suspension with an electronically controlled damper system (PASM), roll-up sunblind behind the rear headrests.
The higher range Panamera 4S Executive and Panamera Turbo Executive add rear-axle steering and soft-close doors.
Four-zone climate control, LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and ambient lighting are standard on the Panamera Turbo Executive.


Easy Ride Begins Trial For Robot Taxis

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd together with DeNA Co., Ltd, one of Japan’s largest mobile websites, will begin a field test of Easy Ride - an autonomous taxi service being developed by both companies - on 5
th
 March.
Easy Ride basically offers the service of a taxi, but without the driver. The video from Nissan envisions the usage and coverage of Easy Ride, providing tourists with airport transfers to assisting the elderly and even sending kindergarten kids back home.
The field test will use a few Nissan Leaf ZE0 models modified with autonomous driving equipment to loop around a 4.5 kilometre set route in Yokohama between Nissan’s global headquarters and the Yokohama World Porters shopping centre.
Apart from providing the vehicle and booking solution, Nissan and DeNA will also test Easy Ride’s unique service functions. During the trial, participant’s feedback will be collected through a survey, comprising of questions such as user's experience, usage of retailers and restaurants coupons as well as pricing of the service.
Both companies have also set up a remote monitoring centre to ensure users' peace of mind and efficient fleet operation. Personnel can view the Leaf’s multiple scanning devices remotely for reliable uninterrupted service.
The companies aim to launch Easy Ride in a limited environment at first, and then introduce a full service in the early 2020s.


RON 95 Fuel Subsidy Mechanism Still In Works, Luxury Cars Won't Qualify

One of the most hotly debated announcements during the government's budget announcement was the introduction of a fuel subsidy system for vehicles with engines of 1,500 cc or less in displacement. Unfortunately, as many have pointed out, there are giant holes in the system if it were to be based on displacement.
To clarify, Lim Guan Eng explained his points a little further. "Actually, we are still discussing the benefits (of the subsidy) so that it can be expanded to include the middle class and not just the low-income earners (B40). But I would like to stress here that luxury cars owners should not expect (to benefit)," he said during a press conference following the budget announcement.
The fuel subsidy as it was first announced would be a 30 cent subsidy on RON 95, with a cap at 100 litres of fuel per month for cars and 40 litres of fuel a month for motorbikes - which works out to RM 30 and RM 12 respectively. It's not a particularly huge subsidy, but it's a subsidy nonetheless, and people have been upset that more expensive cars with downsized turbocharged engines would benefit.
For example, a Honda Civic 1.5T would qualify, while a Honda Civic 1.8 would not. A Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI would benefit while the Volkswagen Polo 1.6 wouldn't. The newly launched Mercedes-Benz C200 would get the subsidy, while a Proton Iriz 1.6 would not. Even so, the counter argument is that if you can afford a luxury vehicle, the subsidy is going to be more like a drop in an ocean of expenses.
With the mechanism still up in the air, the second half of the problem still needs to be answered. Implementing this subsidy would require the government to work with multiple vendors and provide a way for the consumer to either claim back their money, or to receive the subsidy on the spot. In either case, it's a lot of messy paperwork and bureaucracy that can make a simple subsidy needlessly complicated.
The government has gotten the ball rolling with stakeholders, meeting fuel companies and dealers to discuss how best to implement the subsidy. The mechanism itself is expected to be implemented around April 1st 2019, or before the end of the second quarter. There's also talk that the subsidy system can be expanded to beyond fuel alone, which is a great thing for the B40 income group.


Volvo Is Greening It's Home City; Wraps A Stellar 'H2' 2020

Volvo has teamed up with its home city, Gothenburg, for the creation of new urban zones that will be used as testbeds for future sustainable technologies. Called the Gothenburg Green Zone, the plan aims to establish an area inside Scandinavia’s largest port city that is completely emission-free, with a variety of climate-neutral transportation modes and a connected infrastructure in line with the city’s ambitions of achieving net carbon neutrality by 2030.

It is also a form for Volvo –
the pride of Gothenburg
 – to payback the city which has helped it achieve considerable success, chief of which, an amazing recovery period following the shock of the COVD-19 pandemic, to wrap up yet another year of positive growth.

The Gothenburg Green Zone

Using a real city as a testing ground will enable Volvo to accelerate the development of technologies and services in the areas of electrification, shared mobility, autonomous driving, connectivity and safety. As part of the testbed, Volvo plans to
run robotaxis
 operated by its fully-owned mobility provider M, within the zone.

Examples of technologies to be tested include geo-enabling solutions and services ensuring that cars in the zone operate in electric-only mode and remain within speed limits, as well as traffic infrastructure that can connect to active safety features in cars and share information between road users. Other potential examples include fully electric mobility hubs; a complete, easy-to-use charging network for electric cars; and autonomous taxis.

Volvo claims the main obstacle to climate transition is not a lack of climate-friendly and smart technologies, but the capacity to implement them. The transformation requires a holistic approach to foster innovation and continuous collaboration between all stakeholders.

Now, however, since Volvo also has an active role in the planning process of this initiative, they can ensure that, from the start, the zone integrates its electrified mobility services and develops them in a live environment, increasing the impact on sustainability goals.

Similar to the City of Gothenburg’s aim, Volvo Cars is continuously reducing its carbon footprint, with the ambition to be a climate-neutral company by 2040. To realise this goal, the company has devised a number of objectives to be completed by 2025.

The Gothenburg Green City Zone initiative starts in Q2 of 2021 and will gradually scale up going forward.

From Uncertainty To Profit In 2020

According to Volvo Chief Financial Officer, Carla de Geyseleer, 2020 was a year of two halves. In addition to the initial effects of the pandemic in terms of human interaction and business activity, Volvo had to contend with plant closures and a dealer network being cut off from customers (as with many other manufacturers). This impacted sales volumes and profits significantly, with the company delivering 269,000 units worldwide in the first six months of 2020.

However, due to the swift control measures in mitigating and recovering from the impact of the pandemic, which included its supply and production chain, and adapting its dealer network for online sales, the company was able to bounce back with the strongest second-half (H2) sales in the history of the company.

Driven by strong demand for Volvo Cars’
Recharge line-up
 of chargeable cars. Volvo Cars sold 391,751 cars in the second six months of 2020, an increase of 7.4 percent compared to the same period in 2019, taking market share in most of its markets.

For the year ended 2020, Volvo delivered approximately 661,000 units recorded, falling just 44k units shy of the sales of 705,452 cars in 2019, the first time the company broke the 700k unit mark in the company’s history.

In China and the United States, its two largest individual markets, the company reported growing sales for the full year, despite both those markets contracting by 7 percent and 15 percent respectively.
Sales in Malaysia
 has been stellar as well.

The share of Recharge cars as a percentage of total sales more than doubled in 2020, compared to 2019. In Europe, sales of plug-in hybrids represented 30 percent of total volume, making Volvo the leading premium plug-in brand measured as a share of its total sales volume.

In 2020, Volvo Cars also saw an accelerated move towards online sales as a result of the pandemic, a development that the company expects to continue in 2021. In 2020, Volvo Cars more than doubled its
number of subscriptions
 sold online versus 2019.


Meskipun tiada jaminan bahawa anda tidak akan menjadi target untuk ditipu oleh sesetengah penjual kereta, tetapi ada tips yang boleh anda ikuti bagi mengelakkan diri anda daripada ditipu ketika proses
jual beli
 kereta berlangsung!

Tips Elak Ditipu Penjual Kereta Sewaktu Urusan Jual Beli

Tidak dinafikan, kereta memang suatu keperluan pada waktu ini. Tetapi, di kala anda terdesak untuk mencari kereta untuk di beli, janganlah sampai beri 100% kepercayaan pada penjual kereta tanpa membuat sebarang usul periksa terhadap kenderaan yang hendak dibeli itu terlebih dahulu. Sesungguhnya mulut manusia itu sangatlah manis. Banyak perkara yang perlu dititikberatkan terlebih dahulu!

Bagi mengelakkan diri anda daripada mudah ditipu oleh penjual, kami ada sediakan beberapa tips penting yang perlu anda ikuti ketika menjalani proses jual beli kereta seperti berikut:

1. Periksa Harga

Perkara yang paling menarik tentang sesuatu kereta mestilah berada pada tanda harganya. Jika harganya too good to be true, mungkin ada udang di sebalik batu. Jadi untuk mengelakkan diri anda ditipu dengan harga tidak masuk akal, semaklah harga kereta tersebut di pasaran terlebih dahulu. Anda perlu berhati-hati sekiranya ditawarkan harga yang
tidak masuk akal atau jauh lebih rendah daripada harga pasaran
 kerana ia mungkin kereta klon. Tambah-tambah dengan alasan penjual seperti pemilik sedang terdesak nak pakai duit ataupun pemilik ingin berhijrah ke luar negara. Tanya pada diri anda, sekiranya pemilik terdesak nak pakai duit, mengapa dia mahu jual lebih murah dari apa yang dia boleh dapat?

Lagi pun tak susah pun untuk anda bandingkan harga kereta-kereta di pasaran pada waktu ini tak kira lah kereta baharu,
kereta terpakai
 mahupun kereta recond. Anda boleh layari lawan web kami di
www.carlist.my
 untuk mendapatkan segala info tentang model yang sedang anda cari. Di sana, anda boleh buat sendiri perbandingan harga model tersebut dengan harga yang sedang di tawarkan di pasaran. Bukan sahaja harga, malah spesifikasi kereta pun turut disediakan.

2. Simpan Bukti

Bagi sesetengah pembeli, mereka lebih suka berurusan secara dalam panggilan telefon kerana ia lebih jelas dan memudahkan. Tetapi, berhati-hatilah kerana kebiasaanya, penjual kereta sering menggunakan kaedah ini untuk menipu dengan menjanjikan segala-galanya untuk anda. Tambahan pula, sukar untuk menyimpan bukti sekiranya segala urusan melalui perbualan telefon, melainkan anda dah rancang untuk rakam terlebih dahulu sebagai bukti sekiranya apa-apa berlaku.

Sekiranya anda berurusan melalui mesej, jangan buang segala maklumat atau info yang diberikan kepada anda tentang kereta atau urusan jual beli tersebut. Seeloknya, screenshot sahaja mesej terbabit untuk dijadikan bahan sokongan sekiranya anda ingin membuat laporan
polis
.

3. Periksa Sijil Pemilikan Kenderaan (VOC)

Jangan sesekali membayar deposit kereta kepada penjual tanpa
memeriksa Sijil Pemilikan Kenderaan (VOC) atau geran kereta
. Untuk pemeriksaan yang lebih menyeluruh, anda memerlukan geran kereta untuk menyemak nama pemilik, nombor casis dan nombor enjin kereta. Mintalah IC pemilik berkenaan untuk membuat pengesahan. Selain itu, pastikan nombor casis serta nombor enjin kereta sama dengan apa yang tertulis pada geran kereta terbabit.

*Kredit foto: Engine Sensors Australia

Jika nombor casis dan enjin pada kereta tidak sama seperti yang tertera pada geran, maknanya enjinnya telah ditukar. Kadang-kala ada pemilik sengaja menyembunyikan perkara tersebut tanpa pengetahuan pembeli. Perkara ini juga lebih mudah sekiranya anda berurusan terus dengan pemilik asal kenderaan, dan bukannya melalui orang tengah. Nak berurusan atau bertanya apa-apa soalan tentang kereta pun lebih mudah. Silap-silap dapat nego harga lebih murah dari asal.

4. Bawa mekanik untuk periksa kereta

Jika belum cukup ilmu di dada, janganlah berlagak pandai pula. Tak salah untuk anda bawa mekanik yang anda percaya untuk periksa kereta terbabit sebelum membelinya. Sesungguhnya apa yang nampak cantik di mata belum pasti cantik pada prestasinya. Kereta ini bukan hanya penting pada luaran dan dalaman sahaja, malah bahagian enjin dan mekanikalnya juga penting. Kalau boleh janganlah sekadar bawa mekanik sahaja, hulurlah sikit upah pada mekanik tersebut. Apalah sangat nilai upah mekanik daripada anda ditipu, kan?

5. Janji manis

Harga murah, low mileage, pemilik asal perempuan, kereta tak pernah kemalangan, urgent buyer siapa cepat dia dapat, dijamin lulus meskipun di senarai hitam dan pelbagai lagi janji manis ini biasanya dilontarkan oleh penjual kereta. Jangan mudah terpedaya dengan kata-kata seperti berikut dan terus depositkan wang anda pada penjual kereta tanpa memeriksa dulu butir-butir penting kereta terbabit. Ada juga jurujual yang menawarkan interest rate yang amat rendah berbanding di tempat lain, diskaun durian runtuh dan sebagainya. Terdapat kemungkinan bahawa kereta tersebut pernah mengalami total lost ataupun kenderaan banjir yang hanya menunggu masa untuk rosak. Jika anda sedang mencari kereta terpakai, ada beberapa tips yang perlu anda ikuti. Anda boleh baca tentang
10 tips yang perlu wajib tahu sebelum membeli kereta terpakai.

Akhir kata, jangan jadikan diri anda sebagai easy target oleh scammer penjual kereta ini. Diharapkan tips ini sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu anda membuka mata yang lebih luas sebelum membeli sesuatu kenderaan.

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The Mazda CX-90 will feature Mazda's most powerful engine ever

The Mazda CX-90 will be offered with an inline-six engine with record-breaking amounts of power.

Ahead of the 31st January world premiere of the all-new CX-90, Mazda has announced that 2024 CX-90 will be offered with the automaker's new  3.3L inline six e-Skyactiv Turbo engine, a highly anticipated mill which apparently has record-breaking amounts of power.

How much power? well, Mazda said the inline can produce 340bhp and 500Nm of torque, which means it is the most powerful engine Mazda has produced.

It was developed specifically to be used on Mazda's large platform cars, which according to the Hiroshima-based company, will give all of those cars an engaging driving experience and a sweet exhaust note.

Mazda is trying their best to make the CX-90 an engaging drive, which is why it will also equip the large SUV with its fabled Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) - first introduced on the MX-5 - offering less body roll through brake technology without harming ride quality.

The CX-90 will also be offered with what Mazda calls a
performance-oriented plug-in-hybrid system
, offering the best of both worlds in terms of fuel efficiency and performance. However, we're not sure what it'll consist of as there are few details about it going around.

The three-row SUV is built on Mazda’s all-new large platform and will be the company’s flagship vehicle that offers wider, longer, and more aggressive proportions than any current Mazda vehicle.