Land Rover Teases Range Rover Velar, Positioned Between Evoque and Sport

The Range Rover range (always a funny phrase) has evolved a great deal since the introduction of Land Rover's luxury model in the 1970s. At the top of the line is the fully fledged Range Rover, which has grown bigger and more powerful and more luxurious over the years. In 2006, the Range Rover Sport was introduced in order to provide consumers with the option of a smaller Range Rover, as the original model had grown so large. The Sport was cheaper, yes, but in many ways it has diverged in purpose from the Range Rover over time.
And then came the Evoque, which arguably kept Land Rover alive for at least a decade. A completely new, completely fresh model from the British brand (based off of a Ford Mondeo platform no less), it was chic and stylish and compact which appealed to a younger generation of buyers. At the time there was nothing quite like it, at least at the perceived level of prestige that comes with the Range Rover name.
But coming at the start of March (and possibly to feature at the upcoming Geneva Motorshow) is an all-new product from Land Rover: the Range Rover Velar. "Velar" itself was first used in the prototype of the original Range Rover, although how that ties in with this up-and-coming model is difficult to say. The model is to sit between the Evoque and Sport variants, although when phrases like "avant garde", "glamour, modernity and elegance", and "pioneering consumer technology " are thrown around in press materials, you can probably expect the Velar to lean more towards the Evoque than the Sport.


Want To Drive A Volvo For A Week This Raya? Share A Tip With #NasihatVolvo

In conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya festivities,
Volvo
 Car Malaysia is giving you the chance to win an eight-day free test drive of one of their latest models.

Five lucky winners will stand a chance to Balik Kampung this Raya season with either the all-new 2015
Volvo XC60
, or the sporty 2015
Volvo V40 hatchback
, and yes, it’ll be for eight days long!

Full details are available at https://www.nasihatvolvo.com/, where they’ve provided three simple steps of contestants to fulfil.

Langkah 1: Step 1

Tulis leteran/nasihat perjalanan daripada ibu anda – pastikan ianya menarik! (
Share your mum’s best advice on travelling for you – make sure it’s exciting!
)

Langkah 2: Step 2

Paparkannya di ruangan komen video Balik Kampung Bersama Volvo di Facebook, melalui Twitter atau Instagram dengan hashtag #nasihatvolvo
(Post your submission in the comments section of our Balik Kampung Bersama Volvo video on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram with the hashtag #nasihatVolvo
)

Langkah 3: Step 3

Pastikan bahawa profil/akaun anda adalah terbuka/”public” supaya kami boleh membaca penyertaan anda. (
Make sure your social media profiles are set to “public” so Volvo can see your entries.
)

Go on then, what are you waiting for?

In the meantime, here’s a rather cool, festive and Raya-themed video from Volvo Car Malaysia.


The Toyota Corolla Cross G Variant Is Sold Out And Here's Why!

Can you believe it, the Toyota Corolla Cross G variant is already sold out!

It's only been a week and a bit since the launch of the Toyota Corolla Cross in Malaysia, and already we've been told that the first batch of the G variant CBU cars (750 units) is sold out.

Are we surprised? Are you surprised? How did it sell out so fast?

Good media reviews

The official media test drive for the much-anticipated SUV was also carried out a week ago, and the general reviews of the car were excellent. Our colleague who
went for the drive
 commended the SUV for having active safety features as standard and praised its fun driving characteristics. He summarised it by saying that the Corolla Cross is "a pretty fun little thing to chuck around. Even at slower speeds".

Good price point for a
CBU
 with reasonable amount of goodies

The Corolla Cross G variant is built in Thailand, which means it does not need to add any import duties to its price. Although the base-spec 1.8G A/T doesn't come with all the bells and whistle of the V-spec, it is reasonably equipped. Its price tag of RM124k can also be considered reasonable for a CBU vehicle. Okay, the car is RM6k more than the top-spec Honda HR-V 1.8L RS, but its list of equipment can rival the HR-V with a hit-and-miss on a couple of things such as LED headlights. It does however feel more up to date, unlike the HR-V, which is already seven years old. If you compare the price with the RM144k Mazda CX-30, the Corolla Cross can be considered a bargain.

Toyota's EZ BELI makes it affordable

If you haven't heard about Toyota's magnificent
EZ BELI
 financing plan, then you're missing out because, through this method of vehicle financing, the Toyota Corolla Cross can be had from as low as RM998 a month. If you add an extra RM59 on top of it, your regular servicing is also taken care of.

Sounds good, and worried you have missed out?

No worries, because although the Toyota Corolla Cross G variant is sold out at the moment, you will get a chance to purchase it soon in CKD form (by the end of the year). That's right, the Toyota Corolla Cross will have a CKD version, built-in
UMW Toyota's new plant at Bukit Raja
. This means that the CKD Corolla Cross G variant will have a lower price tag compared to its CBU sibling, as it takes full advantage of tax incentives set out by the Malaysian government for locally assembled cars.

Still not convinced of the 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross? Perhaps the first impression video down below will change your mind.

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

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

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

Get the latest new car promotions at
New Car
 website now.


Geneva 2018: Lexus UX Unveiled!

Lexus has just released an image and a video for their latest model which competes in the compact SUV segment.
The Lexus UX urban compact crossover seen here carries the usual Lexus hybrid model pointers, such as blue front emblem, hybrid emblem on the lower door section and a blue power button in the interior.
Image is a screen capture from the YouTube video, as Lexus did not provide additional exterior photos
Note too on the more aggressive F Sport front grille, dual-tone side mirrors and F Sport emblem on the front fender.
Lexus says the bold and stylish design of the UX combine powerful bodywork with a condensed appearance. An all-new platform gives the UX remarkable body rigidity and a low centre of gravity for the agile handling of a hatchback.
Image is a screen capture from the YouTube video, as Lexus did not provide the interior photos
The interior meanwhile blends designs from the bigger Lexus RX and the sporty Lexus LC. Mounted on top of the air conditioning vents is a large display in 16:9 format. The meter hood meanwhile adopts the dual rotary-select switches, originated from the Lexus LFA supercar, and now in the Lexus LC 500 and LS 500 models.
The large front seats look like sport designs, with the extended shoulder support to keep the occupants in place while cornering.
Full details of the Lexus UX will be available on 6
th
 of March.


Yamaha RXZ Dijual RM60k Dalam Masa 24 Jam – Betul Ke Bohong?

Dalam masa sehari sahaja
Yamaha
RXZ terpakai ini diiklankan di media sosial, ia telah dibeli oleh pembeli dari Kedah pada harga RM60k. Tetapi sejauh mana kesahihan cerita ini?

Baru-baru ini, media sosial telah digemparkan dengan sebuah iklan jualan sebuah motosikal Yamaha RXZ biru berharga RM62k berserta helmet Bell berwarna oren yang berharga RM65k. Menurut Joe Shaari (broker yang membantu menjual motor tersebut), pembeli ditawarkan diskaun sekiranya membeli kedua-dua barang tersebut sebagai kombo pada harga RM122k.

RXZ kayangan ini berada dalam keadaan 90% New Old Stock (NOS). Bagi yang tidak tahu, Yamaha RXZ ini mula dilancarkan pada pertengahan tahun 80-an dan sudah ditamatkan pengeluarannya sejak 2011 lagi. Memandangkan model ini masih ada ramai peminat, jadi mungkin sebab itu harganya naik melambung. Maklumlah, barang
rare
!

Susulan harga yang tidak masuk akal itu, posting iklan tersebut telah menerima banyak kecaman netizen. Tanpa diduga, dalam sehari sahaja iklan itu dikongsikan di laman Facebook Joe, RXZ itu telah dibeli oleh pembeli yang berasal dari Kedah dengan harga RM60k. Menerusi perkongsian Joe di Facebook, beliau telah memuat naik gambar bukti resit pembayaran yang berharga RM60k.

Dengan bukti pembelian ini, maka terbuktilah Yamaha RXZ ini begitu dipandang tinggi oleh peminat-peminatnya sehingga ada yang sanggup membelanjakan RM60k untuk motor
terpakai
seperti ini. Bak kata orang, setiap orang ada minat yang tersendiri. Ada yang sanggup beli kereta
Hot Wheels
 sampai ribu-ribu, ada yang sanggup beli kasut berharga puluhan ribu dan macam macam lagi. Tetapi sejauh mana kesahihan cerita ini?

Seperti yang dijangka, posting kedua Joe itu lebih banyak mengundang cemuhan dan kecaman. Ramai yang meminta broker itu untuk kongsikan gambar pembeli baharu sebagai bukti memandangkan resit boleh disunting atau edit. Bila ada orang sanggup beli dengan harga yang tinggi, pasti ramai yang tertarik nak tahu siapa pembeli tersebut, kan? Malah ada yang turut meminta Joe untuk menunjukkan
geran
motor tersebut yang telah siap ditukar nama.

Walau bagaimanapun, Joe telah menjelaskan bahawa tiada motif untuk dia menunjukkan muka pembeli atau pun geran motor kerana orang tetap tidak akan percaya. Berilah apa-apa bukti sekalipun, pasti akan ada benda yang dipersoalkan.

Sementara itu, ada netizen yang telah memuat naik gambar yang menunjukkan broker tersebut pernah menjual motor yang sama pada tahun lalu pada harga RM38k. Jadi adakah aktiviti jual beli RXZ yang sama ini hanyalah wayang tahunan broker tersebut?

Bagi menjawab tuduhan terbabit, Joe menjelaskan bahawa penggunaan hashtag (#RXZBiruSoldTahunLepas dan #RM38k) tersebut hanyalah bertujuan untuk menyedapkan posting itu. Tambahnya, jika RXZ ini terjual pada harga RM38k tahun lalu, pasti cerita ini akan tular seperti sekarang. Menurutnya, yang paling penting RXZ itu telah terjual.

Bagi sesetengah netizen, ini merupakan salah satu taktik pemasaran untuk bermain dengan harga. Kalau nak ikutkan, barang itu tidaklah mahal mana. Tetapi bila ada orang buka harga seperti itu, nanti orang lain yang ada barang sama pun turut serta ingin menjual RXZ mereka pada harga yang sama seperti itu.

Walaupun teruk menerima kecaman, broker motor terbabit tidak peduli dengan segala cemuhan yang diterima kerana dia tidak rugi 1 sen pun. Mana taknya, jika cerita ini benar, beliau telah menerima 2% keuntungan sebagai broker daripada harga jualan tersebut.

Kesimpulannya, betul atau bohong itu hanya mereka yang terlibat dengan aktiviti jual beli ini sahaja yang tahu. Sejauh mana pun kesahihan cerita ini, tahniah diucapkan kepada para pembeli dan penjual kerana berani membeli RXZ terpakai dengan harga sebegitu rupa. Siapalah kita untuk menghakimi minat seseorang kan?

Sanggupkah anda membelanjakan RM60k untuk sebuah RXZ terpakai?


February 2019 New Vehicle Sales – Lower Sales, But Big Gains For Proton And Toyota

Although the market experienced a strong start in January, new vehicle sales took a slight drop in February with only 39,838 vehicles registered, a 17.8% drop from the month prior.
The contraction was due to the short working month brought about by the Chinese New Year festive holidays and new vehicle sales is expected to pick up its momentum from March onwards.
Despite the drop in total sales, SUVs bucked the trend, primarily driven by the Proton X70. The SUV segment saw a 88.6% increase over the same period last year, with 22,212 SUVs finding new homes, versus 11,777 units in 2018.
Perodua, Honda, and Proton experienced a drop in sales in February. Month-on-month, Proton's contracted by 23% but this only temporary as the drop was due to the phasing out of the Iriz and Persona, both of which will be replaced by facelift models later this month.
Deliveries of the China-made Proton X70 (local assembly to begin only in October) continue to be healthy, having delivered its 8,500th unit in just 100 days after its launch. Year-on-year however, Proton's cumulative sales for the first two months of 2019 increased by 41%.
Toyota also bucked the downward trend to register a massive 49.7% jump month-on-month, delivering 4,690 new vehicles in February, versus the 3,133 units in January. The big increase is contributed mostly by the all-new Vios, which have been very well received and production at the new Bukit Raja plant had increased by nearly 50 percent to 3,001 units in February.


Cheaper toll rates at LEKAS & Besraya for 2023

It's 2023 and the
Kajang-Seremban Expressway (LEKAS)
 plus the
Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya)
 decided to welcome the new year with cheaper toll rates.

Those who missed the announcement made by Public Works Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, should rejoice in the fact that the lower toll rates have already started on 1 January 2023 at exactly 12.01 am.

Structure & toll rates reorganisation 'for the people'

*Image credit: The Star

Bernama
 stated that this move was part of the 'reorganisation of the structure and toll rates for the two highways involved'. In other words, it's an RM0.15 reduction for Class 1 vehicles that pass through the Loke Yew and Mines toll plazas on Besraya.

As for the LEKAS highway, the previous 0.1811sen/km for the closed toll system imposed on Class 1 vehicles has been reduced to 0.1666sen/km. The open toll system at the Ampangan toll plaza remains the same.

To sum it up, Class 1 vehicles passing through any of the Besraya toll plazas will only have to pay RM1.85 one way instead of RM2.00 while those travelling through the entire length of the LEKAS highway will only have to pay RM7.80 instead of RM8.30 (also one way).

More toll discounts in the future?

*Image credit: The Rakyat Insight

Nanta also mentioned that the toll restructuring move was also carried out to assist the folks here in Malaysia with the problems related to the rising costs of living.

More steps will be taken as part of the government's plans to reduce toll rates for a total of six highways as announced back in October by our previous prime minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.


Carlos Ghosn To Step Down As Nissan CEO; Hiroto Saikawa Takes The Rein

Carlos Ghosn’s long-running reign as Chief Executive Office of Nissan Motor Co is set to end on 1 April with current co-CEO and representative director Hiroto Saikawa set to take over the role, according to an official announcement by the company.
Saikawa’s promotion to the role is at the recommendation of Ghosn himself, who will continue to chair Nissan’s Board of Directors.
Ghosn stated, "I am confident that the management team I have developed at Nissan over the past 18 years has the talent and experience to meet the company's operational and strategic goals. Having recently taken on
new responsibilities at Mitsubishi Motors
, and taking into consideration the upcoming Nissan general shareholders meeting, I have decided that the time is right for Hiroto Saikawa to succeed me as Nissan's CEO."
At present, Ghosn is CEO of both Renault and Nissan in addition to also being Chairman of Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors.
Nissan acquired a controlling stake of Mitsubishi Motors
 last October. Whilst relinquishing his role as Nissan CEO, Ghosn intends to maintain his position as chairman of all three companies and continue to function as CEO of Renault.
Saikawa has a long history with Nissan, joining the company in 1977 and steadily rising through its ranks. He has served a variety of senior management positions for Nissan across the world, including Chairman of the Management Committees of the Americas and Europe, as well as the Executive Vice President of Purchasing.
After serving as Nissan’s Chief Competitive Officer from April 2013 to October 2016, Saikawa was promoted to be Nissan’s co-CEO and representative director. He had served on the Renault Board of Directors from 2006 to 2016 and is also the current Chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).
"I would like to thank Mr. Ghosn and the Nissan board for entrusting me with this new responsibility. Under Mr. Ghosn's chairmanship and with the support of the excellent leadership team that has been built at Nissan, my focus will be delivering our company's continued performance and development and on continuing Nissan's contribution to the success of the Alliance," Saikawa said.


[UPDATED] - Covid-19: Carmakers and Their Businesses for the Next 14 Days

Following the announcement of a controlled movement order from 18 – 31 March 2020 by our Prime Minister a couple of days ago, carmakers have issued their respective statements to enlighten the public on how they will be complying with the Government’s directive.

So, in case you’re unsure if showrooms and service centres will be open, or what to do if anything happens to your vehicle over the next two weeks, keep calm, and just keep on reading as we have compiled all the statements that have been issued by the manufacturers:

Mercedes-Benz

All Mercedes-Benz authorized dealers nationwide will be closed until the 31st of March 2020, but 24 hours Roadside Assistance will remain operational for emergency breakdowns and technical

issues. The company's local production facility in Pekan, Pahang will remain closed, and all routine service and maintenance and/or repairs will not be carried out at dealerships. Customers with bookings will be contacted to reschedule.

Renault

All Renault showrooms and service centres will be closed during the nationwide movement control order from 18 to 31 March 2020. However, customers who require on-the-spot breakdown assistance will still be supported. Every TCEC employee still on essential duty will undergo daily health screening to ensure their safety and consequently enhanced peace-of-mind for customers.

For any assistance, customers can still contact 1800-18-8663 or connect with TCEC via chat, which will be supported by a team working from home Monday – Sunday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.

With the availability of Renault E-Store launched last month, customers can continue to buy or subscribe for a Renault vehicle in spite of the recently announced nationwide movement control order. From application to payments, customers can complete the entire process online at any time, without ever having to leave their homes. Through the E-Store, customers can select the Renault of their choice, upload their documents and make their payments online at
renault.com.my

Furthermore, TCEC is offering the option of door-to-door delivery of each customer’s new or subscribed vehicle, which will be sanitised prior to the handover. However, to exercise extra caution while the country’s movement control order is in place, deliveries will only take place after 1 April 2020.

Proton

All customer facing activities such as sales and after sales will cease as all Proton outlets will be temporarily shut. Concurrently production activities at Proton’s Tanjung Malim and Shah Alam plants will also cease in unison as the company has systematically shut down all operations in an effort to help with the control of the spread of the coronavirus.

For emergency cases such as breakdowns or accidents, please contact Proton’s Customer Care hotline 1-800-888-398 for urgent assistance (available 24-hours). For inquiries and complaints, please send an e-mail at
customercare@proton.com
.

Perodua

Perodua will suspend all operations at their head office, manufacturing facilities, sales and service centres as well as Body & Paint outlets nationwide from 18-31 March 2020, or subject to any new announcement by the government from time to time.

Due to this, new vehicle deliveries, servicing and Body & Paint services are expected to resume only after the Movement Control Order is lifted. Related outlet personnel may contact customers during this period to provide explanation and clarification. If you experience any issues with your vehicle during this time, you may call Perodua Auto Assist toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-88-5555.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be temporarily closing all authorised dealerships and service centres from the 18th to the 31st of March. However, their Customer Care team will still be available during this period on the toll free number 1-800-18-8947.

VW’s Roadside Assistance service will remain operational for owners, and in case of an emergency, owners can call 1-800-18-8947.

Toyota & Lexus

UMW Toyota has announced that all authorised Toyota and Lexus Dealers will temporarily cease its usual day-to-day operations but remain contactable to all customers effective 18 March through the end of the month.

Assembly Services Sdn. Bhd.’s manufacturing operations will also be suspended on 18th March onwards. At the moment, there are no plans for any specific manufacturing suspension outside Malaysia, resulting from the situation in Malaysia.

The fourth and final round of Season 3’s Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge Championship scheduled to take place on 18-19 April 2020 at the Sepang International Circuit will also be cancelled.

For any further information or assistance, please contact Toyota FREEPHONE at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682) or Lexus FREEPHONE at 1800-88-LEXUS (53987).

Nissan

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) sales showrooms and Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn. Bhd. (TCEAS) service centres will close its business operations temporarily.

During this period, ETCM sales advisors will be contacting new Nissan customers to reschedule their vehicle delivery appointment to April onwards, while TCEAS service advisors will advise their customers via call, SMS or DriveOn app to reschedule service appointments.

ETCM and TCEAS will resume business operations tentatively on 1st April 2020. For more information, members of the public may send an email request via ‘contact us’ at
www.nissan.com.my
.

Honda

Honda Malaysia will close business operations temporarily from 18th - 31st March 2020. The business operations involved comprise Honda Malaysia’s plant in Pegoh (Melaka), sales office and dealerships nationwide. The company will resume business operations tentatively on 1st April 2020.

Hyundai

All Hyundai sales and service centres nationwide including the brand's Customer Care Centre will be closed from March 18-31, 2020.

Should you require any assistance during this period, kindly reach out to their Sales and Service Managers via phone, email, or online platform as they will be operating from home. Hyundai Roadside Assist will still be in service. Kindly contact 1-300-13-2000 for roadside assistance.

Mitsubishi

All Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia showrooms and service centres will be temporarily closed from the 18th to 31st of March 2020. Their customer careline will also be temporarily suspended during this period. While enquiries can be e-mailed to contactus@mitsubishi-motors.com.my, the Mitsubishi Assist 24 hours call centre can be contacted at 1-800-88-2166 or 03-2161 0246 in case of an emergency.

Volvo

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) will be temporarily suspending business operations at all its authorized dealerships from March 18 to 31.

Customers however, will still have access to VCM’s 24-hour roadside assistance service, which can be reached at 1800-88-1728.

Mazda

All Mazda dealerships, showrooms, and service centres will be temporarily closed from the 18th - 31st of March. In case of an emergency or a breakdown, customers can contact the Zoom-Zoom line at 1-800-22-8080 or its 24-hour roadside assistance service at 1-800-18-8011.

Other brands

For information on brands that are not listed above, just keep an eye on their official websites or social media channels for they are actively communicating with customers through their official Facebook and Instagram pages.


“And The Lights Go Out” – This Is Your 2020 F1 Calendar

The Formula 1 calendar, just like most other international sporting events across the world has had to make major changes amid the disruption caused the COVID-19 pandemic. F1’s organiser in trying to salvage the season with the remaining weekends of the year, and also in trying to do it as safely as possible for all involved, has elected to run back-to-back races ta certain venues while cancelling other to quicken the logistics exercise between races.

Unfortunately, this has meant we won’t enjoy the Australian, Singaporean, Dutch (returns after 35 years), Japanese, and French Grand Prix, as well as the hallowed Monaco GP. A few others – such as the Chinese, Canadian, and first-ever Vietnamese GP have had yet to be rescheduled due to the outbreak.

With that said, if you were fortunate enough to catch the firecracker of a season opener at last weekend’s Austrian GP which ended with the youngest Brit to ever step onto a Formula 1 podium; beating the current record holder (and defending F1 World champion) by just 0.2 seconds in a sensational two laps thrash to the finish line.  You’d think there is much more to expect from the remainder of the 2020 season.

The best part is they are going to do it all over again this weekend.

Therefore, here is the finalised 2020 F1 season calendar as it stands

Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring: 3rd July - 5th July

Steiermark Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring: 10th July - 12th July

Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring: 17th - 19th July

British Grand Prix – Silverstone: 31st July- 2nd July

70th Anniversary Grand Prix – Silverstone: 7th Aug – 9th Aug

Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Catalunya: 14th Aug - 16th Aug

Belgian Grand Prix – Spa Francorchamps: 28th Aug - 30th Aug

Italian Grand Prix – Spa Francorchamps: 4th Sept - 6th Sept

Russian Grand Prix
–
 Sochi Autodrom: 25th Sept - 27th Sept

United States Grand Prix

– Circuit of the Americas: 23rd Oct - 25th Oct

Mexican Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez: 30th Oct - 1st Nov

Brazilian Grand Prix

– Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace: 13th Nov - 15th Nov

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

– Yas Marina Circuit: 27th Nov - 29th Nov

The following races have yet to be rescheduled:

Bahrain Grand Prix, Bahrain International Circuit (Original date: March 20th-22nd)

Vietnam Grand Prix, Hanoi (Original date: April 3rd-5th)

Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai International Circuit (Original date: April 17th-19th)

Canadian Grand Prix, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Original date: June 12th-14th)

With McLaren and Red Bull seemingly taking the fight to Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari bringing forward a host of upgrades in the upcoming races, it’s all to play for in 2020. Despite its earlier challenges, the 2020 season could be one of the closest and most spectacular seasons given its short timeframe and far-more levelled playing field than in previous years. We say bring it on!

Oh, and if you were wondering how just how scintillating young Lando Norris’s last 2 laps were, pushing both his car and himself to chase down the current F1 World Champion, here’s some epic onboard footage.


Turbocharger vs Supercharger – Which Is Superior?

Turbocharger vs supercharger, there are two major kinds of forced induction in the automotive world – but determining which is superior is a little more tricky than you would think.

Of all the developments that the internal combustion engine has gone through over the decades, it is arguably forced induction that is one of the most important. Originally developed as a way for aircraft engines to continue producing power at higher altitudes where the air is thinner, closer to earth it has applications both in efficiency and high performance.

But
not all forced induction is the same
. There are two main methods: supercharging, and turbocharging. Both have the same goal of cramming more air into the engine than it would normally be able to take in, in order to burn more fuel and make more power. That being said, they go about doing this in two very different ways.

You see, cramming extra air into the engine takes energy, and that energy has to be taken from some other part of the engine. There are modern forms of forced induction that use high voltage battery power, a-la-Formula 1, but these are meant more to supplement larger forms of forced inductions attached to the engine.

In the case of supercharging, that extra energy is taken directly from the crankshaft of the engine. That spinning of the crankshaft – which is also what generates the power that is sent to the wheels – is used to spin something else that pumps extra air into the engine. There are a couple of different designs, from twin screw to roots, to even centrifugal designs that look a lot like turbochargers, but they all take their energy from the crankshaft.

As for
turbochargers
, they get their energy from the exhaust gas of the engine. It’s similar to how a hydroelectric dam or windmill works – the gas in the exhaust passes through the hot side of a turbocharger and spins a small turbine which is connected to the cold side of the turbocharger. Another turbine there then sucks air in and crams it into the engine in the form of boost.

Each form of forced induction has its benefits and drawbacks, and for that reason you see it in different applications. There are also different ways in which they deliver that extra air and power, which can be extremely polarizing among car enthusiasts.

The main benefit of supercharging is the fact that it delivers its extra air instantaneously – in fact, as long as the supercharger is spinning at any point, it is providing additional air. This means that for a driver, the engine feels extremely responsive and torquey, reacting almost instantly whenever you press the gas pedal. In that regard it works better for cars where you need that razor sharp response, like with mid-engine cars where you can drastically change the attitude of a car mid-corner using the throttle pedal alone.

However, there are obviously some drawbacks. Even with more innovative designs that allow for aggressive ramp rates in terms of supercharger speed compared to engine speed, the end result is that a supercharger still has a pretty low ceiling for how much additional air it can provide. Two other massive drawbacks are the fact that by attaching it to the crankshaft you create a parasitic loss, and that superchargers generate immense amounts of heat which leads to all kinds of other issues like excessive crankshaft bearing wear and heatsoak.

On the other hand, turbochargers can provide extremely large amounts of additional air – as long as you have the exhaust gas flow to get them spinning. That’s part of the reason you could see four digit horsepower figures from the turbocharged 1.5-litre Formula 1 engines in the 1980s, and how they can create some truly impressive power figures when sized and tuned properly.

What turbochargers can’t get around is the delay between resting and generating boost, the proverbial term for cramming more air into an engine. Since a turbocharger relies on exhaust gas flow to spin, if you lift off the throttle at any point you immediately decrease the amount of exhaust gas flow supplied to the turbocharger, and it slows down drastically. Getting it back up to speed takes time, and this delay can make a car feel more difficult to drive and imprecise if a driver can’t anticipate the delay.

So far things have been kept fairly simple, but the reality is that turbocharger technology has come a long way – not so much the case for superchargers. Turbocharging sees so much use in OEM factory cars as well as the aftermarket that there is a much bigger push to improve them in terms of response and efficiency, which is why the traditional drawbacks of a turbocharger aren’t really as prominent.

There is also a change in mindset with how turbochargers are applied and implemented, in conjunction with improvements in engine exhaust gas flow and efficiency. In the old days, turbochargers were relatively large compared to the engine size, which meant they needed more engine speed and exhaust gas flow to start working, with significantly more lag.

Nowadays the turbochargers you find on cars like the
Volkswagen Golf GTI
 are sized just right for the displacement – while they don’t produce massive amounts of power for the engine size, they do respond extremely quickly to driver inputs and there is a significant decrease in perceived turbo lag, as well as massive amounts of torque from low to mid-range engine speeds.

It’s because of this that turbocharging is simply the superior form of forced induction, especially as manufacturers and tuners alike have come up with innovative ways to reduce turbo lag and make turbocharged engines more responsive and drivable. With the right sized turbocharger for the application, you can have an incredibly potent powertrain that responds quickly to your inputs when you are in whatever target rpm range you have chosen.

If we ever get to the point where
electrically assisted turbochargers of sufficient sizes
 are made available to the aftermarket, you are going to see some immensely powerful, incredibly responsive tuned cars that could easily get to supercar levels of speed. All of the power with none of the lag. That being said, a supercharged performance car in this day and age is a rarity - which makes them perhaps a little more special.


Proton Receives Over 10,000 Bookings For The New Saga In A Month

Proton recently announced that the total bookings placed for the 2019 Saga which was launched on 6 August have now exceeded 10,000 units.
Out of the lot, over 1,000 were received via Proton’s online booking platform where customers can book a unit for just RM9.99. Due to the overwhelming response, the company has extended the closing date for online bookings to 17 September.
The Saga aside, the company also announced that its upward sales growth is continuing for 2019, as a total of 9,127 units have been registered as of August 2019.
The figure represents a 17.6% share of Total Industry Volume (TIV) for the month, pushing the company’s overall market share for the year up to 15.3%.
Year-on-year, sales growth now stands at 36% during a period when the TIV has shrunk by 5.8% compared to 2018.
The company also said that it is on track to exceed its 2018 overall sales figure of 64,744 units, with total sales at the end of August now standing at 61,396 units.
If the trend continues, Proton will exceed its total sales for 2018 before the end of September itself.
Looking for a new Proton? Get the best deals
here
.


2015 Mazda CX-5 Facelift CBU Spotted In Showroom, 2.5L Duo From RM173k

Just as facelifted
Mazdas
 before
it have done
, here is the refreshed
2015 Mazda CX-5
 sneaking its way into a showroom – this time, it’s the
Mazda 3S Centre in Setia Alam
. Special thanks to Sandie who was extremely helpful in showing us around.
And if you’re wondering why these retail prices are as high as they are, it’s plainly because these are fully-imported units (CBU) unlike the currently-available locally-assembled units where a 2.0-litre version is also available. Prices for the pre-facelift model ranged from RM126k to RM170k.
Here, we’ve been informed of a tentative price list for the pair of CBU 2.5-litre units (no mentions were spared for any potential 2.0-litre facelift models), and it will range from an unusually high
RM173k to RM183k (OTR with insurance, as below).
CKD units are of the facelifted CX-5 are expected at a later date, with a 2.0-litre option as well.
Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv-G 2.5L 4X2: RM172,562
Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv-G 2.5L 4X4: RM182,837
But don’t go feeling the pinch as hard, just yet – it looks like Bermaz Sdn Bhd, the official distributors of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, have been typically generous with specifying their new CX-5.
Both 4X2 and 4X4 models have been specified with nearly identical equipment and features, inside and out – the RM10k difference between them should be justified by their two- and all-wheel drive configurations.
(*Left is pre-facelift, right is new model)
As standard, here’s a highlight list of the new CX-5’s cool features:
Bi-xenon headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
Daytime running lights
17-inch alloy wheels
Electric sunroof
Leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel
MZD Connect infotainment system
Nine-speaker Bose sound system
Smart Engine Push-Start Start System
And a list of the standard-included safety features:
Reverse camera
Six airbags
ABS, electronic brake-force distribution with brake assist
Tyre pressure monitor
Dynamic stability control (DSC) + Traction Control system
Mazda i-STOP: Engine start/stop technology
Electromagnetic Parking Brake
Feel better yet? Well, Bermaz is far from done. Unlike the
recently introduced Mazda 6 SkyActiv 2.0L
 which didn’t come dressed up in the model’s facelift bits (only 2.5 got the exterior upgrades), both CX-5 facelift versions get the full benefit of a new look.
Starting with the exterior, the front fascia has been tweaked with a bolder, chrome-plated front grille with reworked headlamps that incorporate LED daytime running lights. It’s bye-bye honeycomb mesh grille, and the case is the same for the fog lamp surrounds: which now feature two horizontal slats running across.
Inside, it’s no surprise to see Mazda’s popular MZD Connect infotainment system march its way into the first of the brand’s SkyActiv models, rotary control dial in tow on the centre console. Just as we saw on the new Mazda 6, the updated CX-5 features an electric parking brake system, which frees up more space on the center console too.
Elsewhere, Bermaz has been generous enough to specify a full-leather interior for its best-selling model of late, along with loads of other premium trim materials, from the chrome embelishments on the dash high-gloss woodgrain detail on the doors. And check out the boot, now equipped with Honda CR-V-esque backrest release levers!
Subtly, the facelift CX-5 that was first
shown at the 2014 New York Auto Show
 was also treated to certain chassis refinements that contribute to improving ride quality and reducing exterior noises, while the all-wheel drive system has also been reworked for better fuel efficiency. We can’t confirm at this point if or not these features were included to the CX-5 units we have in Malaysia, so best wait till we can hear from Bermaz.
If you've got the time, feel free to head on over to the Rebcomaz Auto Sdn Bhd Mazda 3S centre in Setia Alam to see the car for yourselves.


CarTell Speedfest 2023 is coming on May 27th!

Calling petrolheads and car enthusiasts of all ages and walks of life, Carlist.my and Velocity Motor Show are proud (but mostly super excited) to announce:
CarTell Speedfest 2023.

A much bigger, brasher, louder and more exciting expansion to last September’s CarTell Track Attack Vol.I, you’re not going to want to miss it!

Happening on May 27th, CarTell Speedfest will be a morning-to-midnight celebration of all things high speed, high revs, and automotive lifestyle at the North Paddock of Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Returning with the same up-close, adrenaline pumping on-track action, CarTell Track Attack Vol.II will open the circuit to 100 cars for an 8-hour time attack orchestra of screaming engines only limited by the grit of their drivers, forming the centrepiece of CarTell Speedfest.

Just off the track, the Velocity Motor Show will be flexing their muscles to bring you an exhibition of some 200 of the finest modified and customised cars in the region for the public to admire.

The bass also will be pumping at a specialised Car Audio Competition section where the most extreme in-car sound systems will be blasting their beats for bragging rights and much more to keep the party rolling.

Alongside this there will be musical acts, a variety of exciting activities, prizes to be won, and so much more. Again, you won’t want to miss what will be one of largest and most vibrant events on the Malaysian automotive calendar in 2023!

Of course, everyone is welcome to attend. More information, alongside the opening of registration for Track Attack Vol.II participants, will be coming a week from now, on March 8th. Stay tuned!


BMW Engine Plant Opens In Kulim, Export To Vietnam and Philippines In The Plan

The opening of the Sime Darby Auto Engineering (SDAE) engine plant in Kulim, Kedah today marks a new milestone for both BMW Group Malaysia and its partner Sime Darby Motors. Located within the premises of the Inokom plant, where BMW’s vehicle assembly facility is also located, the engine plant is the first of its kind for contract manufacturer Sime Darby Motors, and will support BMW Group Malaysia’s future export plans to Vietnam and Philippines.
Built by Sime Darby Motors with a total investment value of RM132 million, the 8,500 square metre plant has a capacity to supply up to 10,000 engines per annum (single shift) to the BMW Group Malaysia, most of it will go into BMW and MINI models assembled at an adjacent facility while the rest will be exported to Vietnam and Philippines. Construction and plant setup was completed in April 2018, before ramping to full-scale operations earlier this month.
Prior to this, all locally-assembled BMW and MINI models use engines imported either from Germany or Austria.
Currently, only the B48 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines is assembled at Kulim. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder B47 turbodiesel will join in June, purely for export as BMW/MINI no longer sell any diesel-powered models here. Production for the B38 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol will commence in August 2018, followed by plug-in hybrid variants of the B38 and B48 (combustion engine component only).
The plant is the second BMW engine plant in the region after Rayong, Thailand.
Ms. Ilka Horstmeier, Senior Vice President, Production Engines and Electrified Powertrains, BMW Group said, “Today is a very special day: together with SDAE we have managed to establish a new engine assembly for BMW engines in Malaysia. Our strong cooperation with our reliable partner comes to fruition with the assembly of 3- and 4-cylinder petrol engines, alongside 4-cylinder diesel engines, as well as the 3- and 4-cylinder combustion engines for the Plug-In Hybrid electric vehicle.”
Echoing her sentiments, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, Chairman and Non-Independent Non-Executive Director of Sime Darby Berhad said, “Sime Darby Motors’ vision is to be the preferred contract assembly partner for the most dynamic automakers in ASEAN. We aim to produce more than 50,000 vehicles (including Mazda and Hyundai vehicles produced at the company's Inokom plant, where SDAE is located) as well as the engine parts and components for the vehicles by the year 2020. The new SDAE Engine Assembly Facility opened today takes us one giant leap forward in making this goal a reality.”
Equipped with the newest innovation for engine assembly including EST tightening equipment, Dosing and Bonding Technology (DoboTech) equipment, engine engraving, engine oil filling and test machines for hydraulic valve play compensation, leak tests as well as hot and cold testing, the new facility employs an additional 60-person workforce demonstrating a commitment to increasing employment opportunities and career growth prospects within the local job market in the Kulim Hi-Tech area.
Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “Malaysia has long played the role of a strategic partner to the BMW Group in South East Asia and this significance is reflected in our business performance here which mirrors our achievements worldwide. In the first quarter of 2018, the BMW Group is already on target for an eighth consecutive year of record sales with a delivery of 604,629 vehicles worldwide, a 3% growth as compared to the same period in 2017.”
Hoelzl added, “The positive performance worldwide echoes in Malaysia, where BMW Group Malaysia has already successfully achieved a 15% increase in the deliveries of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles in the country, delivering 3,000 vehicles in the first quarter of 2018.”
SDAE also pointed out that the BMW engines assembled at Kulim have to meet the same demanding standards set by BMW's main engine plant in Munich, and the production is supervised by BMW associates from Steyr, Austria, where BMW’s largest engine plant is located.
Everyday, about 30 percent of the engines are pulled out of the line for a variety of quality audits, including a tortuous 48-hour non-stop dynamic performance test, after which the engine is disassembled for inspection and will not be installed in a production car.


Police Investigating Man’s Boast Of Using Policemen As His Personal Driver

The Royal Malaysian Police is investigating into a video circulating on social media showing a local Chinese man, boasting of having police officers as his chauffeur, clearing the busy traffic for him.
According to WorldOfBuzz.com, the video was originally uploaded by someone named Edmund Gan, claiming that his car has been sent for servicing, and that he has the privilege of having police officers sending to work in a police car, with sirens blaring to clear the traffic.
The uploader has since been taken down the video but a copy of it is being hosted at China Press’s Youtube channel.
The 54 second clip was taken inside what appears to be a Proton Inspira police car, with its sirens blaring.
The man in the video was heard speaking briefly in Chinese, “It’s quite fast, quite fast,” before panning his smartphone to show busy traffic yielding to the police car. The police car then deactivated its siren, and then man said “No need to be stuck in traffic,” before ending the video.
A report by local Chinese daily Kwong Wah Yit Poh said that the police is investigating into why the man was being driven in a police car, adding that the police force wishes to thank the public for alerting them on the issue.
At the same time, there are some doubts about whether is that a fake police car (McDonalds Drive-Thru sticker on a police car?).


Isuzu To Take Over GM South Africa’s Commercial Vehicle Manufacturing

General Motors (GM) announced today that it is restructuring its business in two of its key international markets – India and South Africa.
In South Africa, GM will phase out the Chevrolet brand by the end of this year, as well as exiting from its pick-up truck and lorry manufacturing joint-venture with Isuzu, Isuzu Truck South Africa, which GM had a 30 percent stake in.
The restructuring will see GM selling its 30 percent stake and its Struandale plant to Isuzu. The Japanese commercial vehicle specialist will also purchase GM’s Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre and assume control of the Parts Distribution Centre.
The Struandale plant currently produces the Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Utility (a passenger car-based truck similar to Aussie ‘utes’, Isuzu D-Max and Isuzu lorries.
Meanwhile in India, GM will cease sales of Chevrolet vehicles by the end of 2017. However GM India’s manufacturing facility at Talegaon will continue to produce the Chevrolet Spark (sold in India as Beat) for export to Mexico and other countries in South and Central America.
“As the industry continues to change, we are transforming our business, establishing GM as a more focused and disciplined company,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “We are committed to deploying capital to higher return initiatives that will enable us to lead in our core business and in the future of personal mobility.
“Globally, we are now in the right markets to drive profitability, strengthen our business performance and capitalize on growth opportunities for the long term. We will continue to optimize our operations market by market to further improve our competitiveness and cost base.”


MITI: AP Policy For Used Cars To Be Retained

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has said that the government will still retain the approved permit (AP) policy for the import of used (reconditioned) cars.
This comes after Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed told
The Malay Mail
 and
The Star

after the breaking of fast with students hosted by MITI. Mustapha said that abolishing the policy is a complex exercise to undertake and its abolishment is currently still being studied.
The importation of recondition cars by parallel/grey importers relies on issuance of the so-called Open APs issued by MITI. Open APs differ from Franchise APs, which are given to the authorised distributor/importer of car brand to import new cars into the country.
“At the moment, the policy still applies. We have yet to resolve a few things,” he said.
The government has identified the export of vehicle components as a potential contribution to the growth of the country’s automotive industry over the exporting of vehicles.
“As the Malaysian market is relatively mature, it is quite difficult for us to achieve a 10 per cent growth. We feel that there is greater potential in exporting automotive components as several Malaysian companies had already succeeded in doing that,” Mustapha said.


Fuel Price Update: 10 - 16 August - Petrol And Diesel Up

Fuel prices have gone up again, as announced by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK). This marks the third time fuel prices have increased over the past two weeks.
New prices (per litre) are listed below:
RON95 - RM2.12  (up 5 sen from RM2.07)
RON97 - RM2.39  (up 7 sen from RM2.32)
Diesel - RM2.06  (up 1 sen from RM2.05)


MaxxOil Malaysia Launches Maxx 'N Go Car Service App

Local lubricant distributor MaxxOil Malaysia has launched a car service mobile app – called Maxx ‘N Go, aimed at providing more convenience to busy car owners, by taking the service centre to their doorstep.
The Maxx ‘N Go app (downloadable on Google Play and Apple App Store) has been available December 2016 and has garnered over 15,000 smartphone downloads. Much like other digital commerce apps – Maxx ‘N Go uses the user's GPS location to book or pre-book appointments for an oil change service.
Once a booking is confirmed, users would be given a list of trained technicians who are nearest to their location and able to respond in a timely manner.
The list of services includes routine engine oil and oil filter change, and a free 15-point check of the car’s important working systems. The only charge applicable is for the Maxx Oil lubricant pack, which ranges between RM138.00 and RM243.00, inclusive of oil filter charges. Users can either pay by cash or credit card upon completion of the job.
National Shuttler, Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei signs on as Maxx 'N Go ambassador
There is no formal warranty for the services rendered by MaxxOil, but customers experiencing any issues or dissatisfaction with the workmanship are welcomed to contact the company through the app or the Maxx 'N Go hotline at (+60) 11-2088 8888
The Maxx ‘N Go service covers most areas within the Klang Valley and Selangor currently and is expected to expand to include Ipoh, Penang, Johor and Kelantan within the next two months. The Maxx ‘N Go service is available seven days a week; a service will typically take between 30-45 mins.
MaxxOil has also teamed up the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Car Dealers & Credit Companies Association (FMC) and Grab Malaysia ride-hailing service. Through the Maxx ‘N Go app, FMC members will be able to service their cars within the dealership itself. Grab’s driver-partners, on the other hand, can get an exclusive discount by using the app to service their cars.


Acer Unveils Level 4 Self-Driving Car

Acer has recently unveiled its self-driving car at the Taiwan Automotive Technology Innovation Summit 2018. The car was developed in collaboration with Taiwanese car manufacturer Yulon Group and its subsidiaries.
The Level 4-ready Acer self-driving car is based on the Luxgen S3 electric vehicle platform, with Acer’s autonomous driving system that includes sensing, decision-making, and control. Additionally, Acer’s self-driving system utilizes AI and a sensor fusion algorithm fed with data from real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning, cameras, Lidars, MMW radars, and ultrasonic sensors.
Vehicle control decisions are done via AI models based on data including image recognition, 3D Lidar obstacle detection, high-precision maps, and real-time positioning that helps the car to brake, steer, cruise, or park. Additionally, a cloud management system is used for car sharing purposes, allowing users to manage scheduling, monitoring, and reporting.
To recap, Level 4 automation sees the car taking control of all aspects of driving, though a driver might be needed on certain road type or geographic area.
Level 1 - Car is able to control steering and speed, but not both simultaneously.
Level 2 - Car can steer, accelerate, and brake under certain circumstances. Lane change still requires driver's input.
Level 3 - Car can manage most situations, but driver must take over under certain circumstances.
Level 4 - Car takes control of all aspects of driving, driver intervention might be needed on certain road types.
Level 5 - Full automation. Driver only needs to enter destination.
“Both the automotive and ICT industries are going through a paradigm shift; automation, connectivity, electrification, and ‘servicification’ are key trends of future development,” said Edward Lin, Associate Vice President, Value Lab, Acer Inc. “In the realm of smart transportation, Acer already has a foothold in electronic ticketing, smart parking, connected car, and traffic prediction, and we’re excited to work with Yulon Group to venture into self-driving cars.”


Malaysia’s First Petronas AutoExpert Centre Opens In Shah Alam

Petronas has launched Malaysia’s first Petronas AutoExpert service centre at the Tiong Nam Industrial Park, Section 15, Shah Alam, yesterday.
Aimed at offering high-quality products and car maintenance services to customers, the Petronas AutoExpert service centre offers Petronas' fluid technology and technical expertise under one roof.
Managed by local partner Autohaus, an experienced full-fledged auto service provider, the outlet launched yesterday, which boasts 14 service bays, will be the first of many to come.
According to Petronas, 100 centres are expected to be established in Malaysia, followed by more in 30 countries around the world within the next five years.
Every Petronas AutoExpert service centre will be manned by specially trained mechanics utilising the latest tools and technology to conduct vehicle inspection, engine diagnostics, oil change, and more.
Independent workshops which join the Petronas AutoExpert network, such as Autohaus here, will have access to Petronas’ systems and tools that can help facilitate a more efficient service.
This will also enable them to provide better all-round solutions scheme including training, marketing support, effective trade programmes, and consultancy for future business development, as well as leveraging on Petronas’ reputation as a global brand.
“Having the PETRONAS AutoExpert service centre allows customers to enjoy PETRONAS’ technical expertise under one roof at their convenience. Again, we are geared to ‘move like never before’ by offering value added services that are usually associated with under-warranty care only, accessible to all drivers and passenger car types world-wide,” said Petronas Vice President of Marketing, Downstream Business, Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.


New And Improved Version Of Isuzu D-Max Arctic AT35 To Make UK Debut in October

We may have a handful of different editions of the Isuzu D-Max but none are quite as capable as this version here - the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35.
Built together by Isuzu UK and Arctic Trucks – the guys who built the extreme Toyota Hilux which Jeremy Clarkson and the gang drove up to the North Pole, the first AT35 built was based on the previous generation D-Max a couple of years ago.
While many thought that it was going to be a one-off project, the two companies have collaborated once more, transforming the current-gen D-Max into off-roading monsters.
All set to be officially launched on 1st October 2017, the new D-Max Arctic AT35 is equipped with a brand new 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine producing 164PS and 360Nm of torque. Key benefits include a 3.5 tonne towing capacity and a 1 tonne payload, as well as meeting Euro 6 standards.
Isuzu says that the 1.9-litre turbo engine makes the truck more refined, quieter and more fuel economical than the previous model D-Max.
Available as a double cab with a choice of manual or automatic transmission, features on the D-Max Arctic AT35 include keyless entry and push button start system, a 7-inch multifunction colour touchscreen, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay & Android Audio, satellite navigation and a shark fin antenna. Black wheels will be fitted as standard, while silver wheels are available as an option.
In addition to the above, further exclusive Arctic Trucks upgrades have been made to distinguish it from the rest of range such as tinted windows, tailgate damper, Arctic Trucks branded embroidered headrest, carpet mats, door still covers, as well as badges on the instrument panel and door panels.
Made for the UK market, the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 will be available in seven colour options - Splash White, Cosmic Black, Obsidian Grey, Venetian Red, Tundra Green, Titanium Silver and Nautilus Blue.


Formula 1: This Is Your 2021 Team And Driver Line-up

We are on the cusp of what could be the closest fought Formula 1 Championship of the modern turbo-hybrid era. With all 10 teams seemingly better prepared for this year’s challenge than they were in pandemic-stricken 2020, pre-season testing has shown that title defenders Mercedes-AMG will have it tougher than ever in 2021.

With a packed 23-race F1 calendar
 set for the 2021 season, including the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, every team will have their jobs cut out for them in this crucial but transitional year before a monumental change in rulesets take effect in 2022.

Alongside, the introduction of budget caps and sliding-scale aerodynamic testing hours are aimed to give smaller teams the necessary resources to catch up to the front runners, and make the racing even closer.

When 'the lights go out' - its all to play for in 2021, so here's your lineup of cars and drivers:

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

Though the current-champions got off to a rocky start in pre-season testing, Mercedes said that they are satisfied with their pre-season testing programme. Though we know it's always a case of improving on perfection with regards to how untouchable Mercedes is on the grid (and their ability to sandbag opponents), this season will be its toughest yet.

Chassis: W12

Power unit: Mercedes

Drivers: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas

McLaren F1 Team

2021 marks the return of a partnership between McLaren and Mercedes after these two powerhouses of F1 parted ways in 2014. The MCL35M proved sublime during pre-season testing even though the team had to adapt an entirely new engine to the previous (MCL35) chassis. All eyes will be on McLaren as they try to improve on last year’s 3rd position in the constructor’s standings

Chassis: MCL35M

Power unit: Mercedes

Drivers: Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris

Red Bull Racing

Red Bull has emerged as the team to beat after pre-season testing. With a flawless test program at Bahrain and the cars seemingly whipping out the fastest lap times on a whim, this just could be Red Bull’s year to the big dance. A major contributor to the car’s overall pace has been its phenomenal aero updates and the monumental improvements Honda has achieved with the power unit.

Chassis: RB16B

Power unit: Honda

Drivers: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez

Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow

Ferrari comes into 2021 with a comprehensively revised aero package, upgraded rear suspension and a more powerful engine. Pre-season testing has been positive but it remains to be seen if Ferrari will rejoin the top-flight teams in 2021.

Chassis: SF21

Power unit: Ferrari

Drivers: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz

Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team

Though the AMR21 suffered from some engine and electrical problems in pre-season testing – the team have said they have found a way past the teething issues and will be charging hard with “newcomer” Sebastian Vettel behind the wheel.

Chassis: AMR21

Power unit: Mercedes

Drivers: Sebastien Vettel and Lance Stroll

Alpine F1 Team

Though Alpine had no major highlights during pre-season testing, the team pretty much achieved all its objectives and has good reason to believe its Renault-engined A521 is up to the task. The team was also hard at work testing out different aero packages to fine-tune its setup and strategy.

Chassis: A521

Power unit: Renault

Drivers: Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon

Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda

AlphaTauri has emerged as a possible front-runner in the 2021 season. With a well-oiled team, superb aero improvements made in the off-season (proven during pre-season testing) and sporting the latest-generation Honda engine, the team could emerge as the best of the midfield or take the fight directly to the top 3 teams.

Chassis: AT02

Power unit: Honda

Drivers: Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda

Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen

No other team racked up as many laps in pre-season testing as Alfa Romeo. Though development work has been modest in the off-season, the team can feel confident about the overall reliability of its Ferrari-engined C41 car and its experienced driver lineup.

Chassis: C41

Power unit: Ferrari

Drivers: Kimi Raikonnen and Antonio Giovinazzi

Williams Racing

Williams has had some challenges with its aero package (especially in windy sections of a track), but with power coming from a monstrous Mercedes power unit and uber-fast George Russel at the wheel, they can still count on some good finishes in the season.

Chassis: FW43B

Power unit: Mercedes

Drivers: George Russel and Nicholas Latifi

Haas F1 Team

With no major developments planned for the 2021 season, this will be a year of attrition for Haas, who will be looking to make the most of out every start - though the team can still count on performance improvements of its Ferrari power unit. 2021 also sees the return of a hallowed surname with Haas.

Chassis: VF-21

Power unit: Ferrari

Drivers: Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin


Bookings for BYD Atto 3 EV hits 1,000 units in 10 days

Bookings for the
BYD Atto 3 EV SUV
 have hit 1,000 units since its 'grand launch' earlier this month.

It looks like BYD SD Motors Malaysia (BYD's official distributor) and its massive marketing campaign has done wonders in not only bringing the crowd to Bandar Malaysia, but also capturing their interests (and booking fees) by letting them experience first-hand what the BYD Atto 3 has to offer.

'Grand Launch Special' promo a success

*Image credit: BYD Cars Malaysia

Apart from selling its first EV SUV from RM149,800 to RM167,800, BYD Malaysia also threw in a 'Grand Launch Special' package to help seal the deal by including a free portable home charger, V2L extension cable, and public charging credit worth RM1,000.

The car itself was a clear crowd-pleaser with a nice and very approachable design, decent colour options, and interior features that are unique compared to other EVs in the market to date. Surf Blue and Parkour Red seem to be the hero colours, followed by Boulder Grey, Sky White, and Forest Green.

410km for Standard, 480km for Extended (NEDC)

*Image credit: BYD Cars Malaysia

There are two variants to choose from when it comes to the BYD Atto 3 - Standard Range and Extended Range. The former is fitted with a 49.92kWh BYD Blade battery pack which offers an NEDC range of up to 410km while the latter packs a bigger 60.49kWh pack that grants up to 480km (also NEDC).

Power-wise, all units come with the same front-electric motor setup that produces 203hp and 310Nm of torque. 0-100km/h can be achieved in 7.3 seconds for those of you who are wondering more about performance.

To know more about the BYD Atto 3 EV SUV,
CLICK HERE
 for our launch story + all the specs inside and out. Alternatively, check out Jim's video following its official launch here in Malaysia, below.


5 Jenis Tayar Kereta Terbaik 2021 – Mana Satu Pilihan Anda?

Pemilihan tayar kereta yang sesuai sedikit sebanyak mampu meningkatkan taraf pemanduan.
Pemilihan tayar
 yang salah boleh meninggalkan kesan pada gaya pemanduan seperti tayar terasa keras ketika memandu, bunyi tayar yang bising serta penggunaan bahan api yang berlebihan.

5 Jenis Tayar Kereta Terbaik 2021

Korang tahu tak dalam pasaran sekarang, terdapat banyak tayar tidak berkualiti yang dijual dengan harga yang mahal. Oleh itu, jangan tertipu! Mahal tak semestinya bagus dan sesuai untuk anda. Setiap jenama tayar mempunyai pelbagai jenis dan fungsinya yang berbeza. Fahami jenis-jenis tayar terlebih dahulu supaya dapat mengoptimumkan pemanduan dan perbelanjaan anda.

Tak tahu nak menilai tayar kereta? Mudah saja. Penilaian anda haruslah berpaksikan 5 keutamaan iaitu kos tayar, keselesaan, ketahanan, prestasi, dan penjimatan penggunaan bahan api. Pilihlah tayar berdasarkan keutamaan anda pada kenderaan yang dipandu.

Oleh itu, kami sajikan antara cadangan jenis tayar kereta yang terbaik sebagai pilihan anda berdasarkan kenderaan harian yang kita pandu atau sering lihat di jalan raya seperti
Perodua Bezza
,
Perodua Myvi
,
Proton Iriz
,
Proton Saga
 dan
Honda City.

1. Tayar Mampu Milik

Tahukah anda, tayar mampu milik ini merupakan antara jenis tayar yang popular dalam kalangan pemandu? Mana taknya, tayar mampu milik ini sentiasa dalam keadaan ‘ready stock’ dimana anda tidak perlu menunggu. Dah la murah, ditambah lagi dengan kebolehan tayar yang lebih menyeluruh dan seimbang. Patut la ramai cari!

Walaupun kebolehannya lebih menyeluruh, namun kebolehan tersebut berada di taraf sederhana sahaja, bersesuaian dengan harga yang ditawarkan. Sebagai contoh, ianya sederhana dari segi pemanduan rancak dan lasak, penggunaan bahan api serta jangka hayat tayar itu sendiri.

Tayar Mampu Milik

Saiz (Inci)

Jenama

Anggaran harga

13

Falken SN832i

RM100 – RM125

14

RM140 – RM180

15

RM180 – RM 220

16

Dunlop Formula D06

RM 220 – RM240

17

RM250 – RM380

2. Tayar Tahan Lama / Lasak

Nama pun tayar tahan lama, sudah semestinya tayar ini direka khas bagi penggunaan lasak dan memberi jangka hayat yang lebih panjang pada tayar. Selain itu, tayar ini juga mampu menjimatkan penggunaan bahan api. Hal ini membuatkan ramai berminat dengan jenis tayar ini.

Tetapi, walaupun tayar ini tahan lama, namun ianya mungkin tidak akan memberikan anda keselesaan dalam pemanduan serta pengendalian yang terbaik. Sanggupkah anda untuk memakai tayar yang tidak beberapa selesa tapi untuk jangka masa panjang?

Tayar Tahan Lama / Lasak

Saiz (Inci)

Jenama

Anggaran harga

13

Goodyear Duraplus 2

RM145

14

RM150 – RM200

15

Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2

RM180 – RM 220

16

RM 220 – RM240

17

Goodyear Excellence

RM300 – RM500

3. Tayar Selesa

Berdasarkan pada nama jenis tayar ini, semestinya tayar ini memberikan keselesaan pada pemanduan. Ciri tayar ini lebih lembut berbanding tayar lain kerana ia direka khas untuk memberikan perjalanan yang lancar dan selesa. Bila tayar lembut dan empuk, pemanduan anda menjadi lebih senyap dan selesa.

Yang pasti harga tayar selesa ini lebih tinggi berbanding tayar mampu milik. Kalau nak selesa, terpaksa la belanja lebih! Bukan itu sahaja, tayar jenis ini tidak berapa sesuai untuk pemanduan lasak dan rancak di samping mempunyai jangka hayat yang agak pendek, namun ianya juga bergantung kepada cara pengunaan anda.

Tayar Selesa / Lembut

Saiz (Inci)

Jenama

Anggaran harga

13

Continental CC6

RM135 – RM180

14

RM170 – RM200

15

RM180 – RM 275

16

Michelin Primacy 4

RM370 – RM470

17

RM390 – RM510

4. Tayar Eco

Tahukah anda, tayar ini direka khas untuk memberikan penjimatan minyak pada kenderaan anda? Sebab itu nama dia tayar eco! Tak cukup dengan itu, tayar ini juga boleh dibeli dengan harga yang lebih murah berbanding jenis tayar yang lain.

Tetapi, keadaan tayar yang keras mungkin akan memberikan bunyi bising ketika memandu. Kekerasan tayar tersebut turut boleh dirasai pemandu. Walaupun jimat minyak, namun tayar ini tidak sesuai untuk pemanduan lasak di samping mempunyai jangka hayat yang sederhana sahaja, tapi kena tengok caa anda memandu juga la kan.

Tayar Eco

Saiz (Inci)

Jenama

Anggaran harga

13

Bridgestone EP150

RM135-RM155

14

RM140 – RM190

15

Bridgestone EP300

RM160 – RM 280

16

RM 200 – RM300

17

RM380

5. Tayar Berprestasi

Tayar ini sering menjadi buruan pemandu yang gemarkan pemanduan yang lebih rancak serta lasak. Mana tidaknya, tayar ini mampu memberikan kawalan pengendalian yang lebih sporty. Tayar ini mampu memberikan cengkaman terbaik dalam apa jua cuaca.

Oleh kerana tayar ini sentiasa memberikan cengkaman terbaik, tayar ini sering menghadapi masalah seperti cepat haus. Bila dah cepat haus, mesti kena selalu tukar. Nak tukar pula, tayar berprestasi berharga agak mahal pula. Bukan itu saja, keadaan dinding sisi tayar yang keras kadang kala menghasilkan bunyi bising seterusnya mengurangkan keselesaan.

Tayar Berprestasi

Saiz (Inci)

Jenama

Anggaran harga

13

Dunlop SP Sport J5

RM110-RM135

14

RM120-RM165

15

Bridgestone RE004

RM220 – RM250

16

RM330 – RM370

17

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

RM400 – RM510

Berdasarkan jenis tayar yang diberikan, penting untuk kita faham tentang jenis-jenis tayar, permukaan jalan dan cara pemanduan. Ini bagi mengelakkan pembelian tayar yang tidak sesuai yang mampu menggugat pemanduan anda. Pemeriksaan tayar berskala seperti tekanan angin, penjajaran tayar serta bunga tayar perlu dilakukan bagi memastikan tayar anda sentiasa dalam keadaan tip-top!

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

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

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

Get the latest new car promotions at
New Car
 website now.


Hire Purchase 101

Essentially, a hire purchase (HP) is an installment plan which allows you to own that expensive something that you have always wanted. It is usually taken out as a contractual agreement between an individual and a lender (banks) so that a person can possess and have control of an asset over a term. To make it simpler, it's like a rent-to-own scheme.

The hire purchase financing option was developed by the Brits in the later half of the 19th century to help people with cash shortages to make expensive purchases like a kitchen stove, car or piano.

In its modern-day application, HPs are more commonly used as a form of car loan. In Malaysia, HP is the most used method to purchase cars. The agreement usually lasts between 3-9 years where at the end of it, the borrower will finally get to own the vehicle.

Unfortunately, during these long years, the individual doesn't actually own the vehicle, they are merely renting the car from the owner, which in this case is the bank. Although the borrower has to insure, pay road tax or be liable for anything that happens to the vehicle, the legal owner of the vehicle is still the bank.

If all installments are paid throughout the term, and no discrepancies are found, then the car will legally be the owners at the end of the agreed upon number of years.

A few factors determine the amount you pay for each installment. A more extended contract over a longer period of years means smaller monthly payments, but the total amount you pay will be higher due to that niggling thing called interest. You could also lower the sum of each installment by putting down a larger downpayment. Some banks offer more competitive interest rates than others, so it is wise to shop around for which banks offer the least amount of interest. The interest rates also vary differently between new, recon and used cars. There are also some schemes that help young first-time buyers, so do your research.

In short, understand the terms and conditions of your HPs, make a commitment and stick to it. You know yourself best, so if you are undisciplined kind when it comes to finances then maybe HPs are not for you. The choice is yours and yours only, but do shop around for the best terms and interests.

Pros

Effortless to arrange

Fixed monthly payments

Fixed interest rates

Long term lengths up to 108 months

The vehicle belongs to you after final payment

No annual mileage restrictions like some leasing options

Discount for early settlement

Helps bump up your credit rating if you complete the HP agreement

You don't have to part with a large amount of cash in one go

Cons

The vehicle is at risk of repossession if monthly payments are not made

Compound interest if agreed upon monthly repayment is not fulfilled

You do not own the vehicle until your final payment

Hire Purchase is expensive if you plan on taking more than a five-year tenure

Finance is subject to status and not guaranteed (based on credit rating)

More pros than cons then, but again we reiterate do your research, both on the Hire Purchase and yourself.


Get Some ‘Real Deals’ with Mitsubishi

With Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) set to
increase the prices of their models in the first quarter next year
, due to the weakening ringgit, there isn’t a better time to get yourself a brand new Mitsubishi than now. MMM has kicked off their “Mitsubishi Real Deals” campaign, which will be giving out attractive offers on selected models for bookings made before 31
st
 December 2015.
Attractive offers that are available for Mitsubishi’s all-new Triton pick-up truck range includes cash rebates, as well as additional extras on selected models. The details to which are as follows:
As for the ASX compact SUV, MMM are offering up to RM5,000 cash rebate and 5-Years warranty. Furthermore the ASX is available in the 2WD GL-spec, which is priced at RM104,792.
The 2WD GL is the latest addition to the ASX line-up which includes the RM112,571 ASX 2WD and RM125,040 ASX 4WD.
MMM are also offering cash rebates for their passenger car line-up with the RM115,582 Lancer GTE having up to RM3,000 cash rebates, whereas the RM63,741 Mirage and RM72,853 Attrage come with up to RM6,000 and RM7,500 cash rebates respectively.
Lastly MMM will be offering the RM
M172,211 Pajero Sport VGT SUV with a cash rebate of up to RM5,000.


2019 Nissan X-Trail Hybrid Previewed And Our Short Driving Impression

Two days after the announcement of the new Nissan X-Trail by Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), the company held a preview session for members of the media at its Glenmarie 4S Centre earlier today.
There are now four variants, with a newly added 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid joining of the existing 2.0-litre 2WD and 2.5-litre AWD.
The Nissan X-Trail Hybrid model will be positioned as the flagship variant in Malaysia, with the price estimated at
RM 169,900
. It delivers a combined system output of 179 PS, better than the 2.5-litre and yet returns a fuel efficiency of 16.1 km/l (R101).
Meanwhile, other variants of the new X-Trail are tentatively priced as below:
2.0L 2WD – RM 139,900
2.0L 2WD MID – RM 149,900
2.5L 4WD – RM 159,900
What Is New
The facelifted Nissan X-Trail gets the usual scope of styling updates that includes reprofiled bumpers, new V-Motion front grille, new lights, and new rim design.
It is under the sheet metal that Nissan has spent more resources on. Ride, handling, and cabin quietness have been set as targets for improvement and the new X-Trail has more insulation and noise suppressing materials placed at strategic locations.
Moving to the interior, the new X-Trail gets a new flat-bottom steering wheel, shift lever, and soft-touch dashboard panel. An electric parking brake with Auto-Hold function is also standard across the range. New piano black trim around the air-conditioning vents make the cabin darker.
A new 7-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is also bundled in as standard.
The Hybrid and 2.5-litre variant also receive intelligent cruise control and autonomous emergency braking features. Lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert functions are available from the 2.0 MID variant.
We have covered a more detailed breakdown of specifications in our earlier article here
.
A total of five colours are available, with Imperial Umber (a dark maroon hue) being the latest addition. Black is the only interior colour available across all variants.
Engine And Transmission
The highlight of the new X-Trail is the Hybrid variant. The self-charging hybrid powertrain features the familiar 2.0-litre MR20 engine paired with Nissan’s innovative ‘one-motor-two-clutch hybrid system’.
Nissan has designed the 41 PS / 160 Nm electric motor to be ‘sandwiched’ by two clutches. This allows the X-Trail Hybrid to start-off in full electric (EV) mode, as well as blending engine output with electric motor output. A CVT-type transmission is used to provide drive to the front wheels.
The 0.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is located directly behind the non-sliding second-row seats, thus making the Hybrid a strict five-seater. The combined system output of this hybrid powertrain is 179 PS and fuel consumption is rated at 16.1 km/l, a 20% improvement versus the regular 2.0-litre non-hybrid X-Trail.
First Driving Impressions Of The X-Trail Hybrid
The X-Trail Hybrid felt livelier coming out of junctions and traffic lights compared to the 2.5-litre variant. Much of the credit goes to the quick ‘boost’ assistance by the 160 Nm electric motor.
Driving on poor road conditions around the vicinity of Glenmarie immediately highlighted the significantly quieter cabin. Engine sound is much better cancelled out, and the suspension also provided better comfort over the irregular road levels.
Under 40 km/h speed, the petrol engine turns off and the electric motor takes over until the battery ‘runs out of juice’. Having said that, the occurrences of electric-only propulsion are minimal during the short ‘drive around the block’.
Overall, first impressions of the new X-Trail Hybrid are very positive, with impressive power delivery from the hybrid system and a quieter cabin with better ride comfort.
Test drives are available from tomorrow onwards at selected ETCM dealerships in conjunction with the Test Drive Carnival. (Glenmarie, Butterworth, Kuantan, and Johor Jaya)
The new X-Trail range is backed by a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, and in the Hybrid variant, coverage also includes the specific electrified parts and lithium-ion battery.
In conjunction with the opening of the order books, the new Nissan X-Trail also comes with a free 2-year or 40,000 km (whichever occurs first) Periodic Maintenance Service package. Additionally, the first 500 registered vehicles will also receive an exclusive gift worth RM 488. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in April 2019.


Toyota Alphard Hilang Selepas Disewakan Melalui Trevo

Seorang lelaki telah berputih mata setelah
Toyota Alphard
 bernilai RM361,723 miliknya hilang selepas disewakan menerusi aplikasi Trevo.

Menerusi perkongsian Nor Azam Budin (mangsa) di media sosial, beliau turut mendedahkan sisi gelap aplikasi sewa kereta tersebut melalui pengalamannya sehingga menjadi punca kereta yang dihadiahkan kepada isterinya dibawa lari pengguna tidak bertanggungjawab.

Kredit foto: Nor Azam Budin

Toyota Alphard Dilarikan Penyewa

Selepas mangsa menyenaraikan keretanya sebagai
kereta sewa
 dengan kadar sewaan bernilai RM700 sehari, beliau telah menerima tempahan daripada pelanggan berminat yang mahu menyewa kereta itu pada 29 hinga 30 Jun 2022.

Menurutnya, segala urusan pengambilan dan penghantaran kereta sewa itu dilakukan sendiri oleh pihak Trevo, namun kereta yang disewakan itu gagal dipulangkan kepadanya pada masa dan tarikh yang ditetapkan.

Menurut Trevo, suspek telah meminta wakil pihak Trevo untuk membatalkan pengambilan kereta itu di aplikasi kepada mangsa kerana suspek berkata beliau sendiri yang akan memulangkan kereta itu kepada mangsa.

Suspek telah menghubungi wakil Trevo dan memaklumkan bahawa Alphard tersebut telah diserahkan kepada penyewa lain yang berada di Banting. Selepas itu, suspek tidak lagi berjaya dihubungi sehingga ke hari ini.

Susulan itu, Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Brickfields telah membuka kertas Siasatan Jenayah Komersil IPD Brickfields berkenaan kes ini. Orang ramai dinasihatkan tidak menimbulkan sebarang spekulasi berkaitan ini.

Sisi Gelap Trevo

Menurut mangsa, beliau menyesal kerana menyewakan keretanya kerana kereta yang disewakan seperti ini tidak akan ditanggung oleh pihak
insurans
 sekiranya sebarang kejadian tidak diingini berlaku. Mangsa turut kesal kerana perkara penting seperti ini langsung tidak dinyatakan oleh pihak Trevo, termasuk di bahagian soalan lazim mereka.

Selain itu, mangsa turut berkongsi sistem keselamatan Trevo yang cincai seperti pengesahan pengguna yang diklasifikasikan sebagai tidak boleh dipakai.

Menerusi dokumen tambahan yang disediakan Trevo bagi tujuan laporan polis, mangsa mempersoalkan mengapa Trevo boleh mengesahkan identiti penyewa yang mengenakan cermin mata hitam ketika bergambar selain rupa suspek langsung tidak menyamai kad pengenalan yang dipegang olehnya dalam gambar itu.

Mangsa turut menjelaskan pihak polis turut menunjukkan laporan pada 25 Jun di mana terdapat individu yang menggunakan kad pengenalan individu lain dalam mencuri Toyota Hiace. Modus operandi kes tersebut sama seperti Alphard yang hilang ini. Kebiasaannya, suspek akan menghubungi pemilik asal kereta menerusi aplikasi dan meminta pemilik untuk ‘deal tepi’ dan menawarkan bayaran lebih.

Ganjaran Wang Tunai Jika Jumpa Kereta

Pihak Trevo telah menawarkan jalan penyelesaian jangka pendek dengan memberikan ganjaran wang tunai bernilai RM5,000 sebagai tambahan kepada ganjaran RM3,000 yang diberikan sendiri oleh mangsa kepada sesiapa sahaja yang boleh membantu mengesan lokasi Alphard tersebut.

Selain itu pihak Trevo juga akan menyediakan kereta ganti untuk kegunaan mangsa buat masa ini. Jika Alphard itu gagal dijumpai, ganti rugi juga akan disediakan. Diharapkan perkongsian mangsa dapat membuka mata lebih ramai pemilik kereta supaya tidak melakukan kesilapan yang sama di masa hadapan.


2018 All-New Nissan Leaf Teased Again – World Premiere In September

The all-new Nissan Leaf will finally premiere on 6th September in Japan and will be simultaneously showcased online on Nissan’s Youtube channel.
Nissan’s latest video also confirms that upcoming full-EV will pack the latest in active safety systems and use premium materials for better comfort levels.
The Nissan Leaf which has been previously spotted
undisguised
 will integrate many new technologies such as the
e-Pedal
, which allows one to drive the Nissan Leaf with just one pedal.
The Nissan Leaf is the best-selling EV vehicle in the world, shifting over 280,000 units worldwide between 2010 and 2017.


New vehicle sales dropped 10% in October - MAA

MAA
 has released its latest report regarding the total volume of
new vehicle sales
 in October 2022 - a 10% drop compared to the previous month.

It was expected that the figures would maintain around the same levels in the final quarter of 2022, but the drop to 61,002 units sold in October compared to September's 67,698 units showcased a slight decrease in new vehicle deliveries by manufacturers.

Year-to-date 50% higher compared to 2021

While the total new car sales volume has gone a bit slower in the previous month, manufacturers are still fulfilling all the bookings that were made prior to 30 June 2022 as well as catering to all new orders received after the tax holiday cut-off period.

Despite this slightly slower rate, the year-to-date sales figure from the beginning of the year until the end of October 2022 is considerably higher at 577,902 units - 50% higher compared to the same period in 2021 which was only 383,589 units.

Looking forward to November, MAA expects the figures will most likely maintain around the same mark as October. Shortage of chips and several components still continues to affect certain manufacturers in the country, but at a much smaller scale.


2014 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L V-Cross Quick Review: A Civilized Workhorse

The second-generation
2014 Isuzu D-Max
 was launched in Malaysia last year, with the intention of building on the praises of its predecessor as a very capable and durable workhorse. Also,
Isuzu
 wanted the new
D-Max
 to appeal to not only contractors and off-road enthusiasts, but also regular people – in particular, the average sedan driver. Hence, the Japanese truck was more refined and comfortable for daily usage, making it conform not only to rugged adventurers and transporters, but to those who wish to use it on a daily basis. At the time of its introduction, the second-gen
Isuzu
 D-Max was only offered with a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine, and after our test drive of the truck last year, we actually quite liked the modern design and overall driving experience it had to offer. Another thing that impressed us was the good fuel consumption that the truck offered, without having to sacrifice performance.

Fast forward to just days ago, and Isuzu Malaysia launches the new 3.0-litre
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross
 model in three variants, and we were invited to sample all three variants of the new 3.0-litre Japanese workhorse.  But first, here is quick run-down of the new 4X4’s prices (OTR with insurance): 2014 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 3.0L Manual –
RM101,344
 2014 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 3.0L Auto –
RM107,460
 2014 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 3.0L Safari Auto –
RM118,486
Key Specs: 2014 Isuzu D-Max 3.0L
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder VGS Turbo Intercooler
Transmission: Five Speed Manual/ Five Speed Automatic With Sequential Shift
Power: 177hp @ 3,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 1,800-2,800rpm
So What’s New?
 The highlight of this new truck is its engine – a new turbocharged inline-four diesel engine featuring VGS turbo and electronic Commonrail direct injection. The 2,999cc diesel mill outputs 177hp and 380Nm of torque, the latter of which comes in at a low 1,800rpm. In order to improve performance and drivability, the gearbox ratios have been tweaked. The underpinnings of the new V-Cross variants however, are exactly same as the 2.5-litre models, including the suspension setup. On the outside the regular 3.0-litre D-Max V-Cross manual and auto look almost identical to the 2.5-litre model apart from a few badges. The flagship V-Cross Safari variant however looks much more aggressive than the rest of Isuzu’s D-Max line-up, thanks to the Venetian Orange Mica paintjob, the dark coloured unique sport rims, cargo bed cover and matt grey coloured claddings that contrasts well with the bright paint.
The only feature that is new on all the V-Cross variants compared to the 2.5-litre models is the automatic air conditioning. Besides that, the auto and manual 3.0L D-Max variants are similar in to its lower displacement siblings in terms of creature comforts, safety and equipment, which includes electronic stability system, two airbags and steering wheel with controls. Reserved for the top of the line V-Cross Safari are the leather seats, and 6.2-inch infotainment system with navigation and reverse camera.
How does it drive?
 We got the chance to sample the new Isuzu 3.0-litre D-Max V-Cross with both manual and automatic transmissions, as well as the top of the line V-Cross Safari. The engine is very torquey, and power is delivered in a linear way. There is no need to push the engine hard as the power comes in very early in the rev band, which led to a very relaxed and calm driving experience. In traffic jams, it is a breeze to drive, while overtaking at highway speeds is just as easy. Plant your foot to the floor, and as soon as the turbo kicks in, the torque just pulls you away effortlessly. Both the manual and automatic powertrain packages felt very refined and easy to use. We feel this is one of the most refined and powerful diesel powertrains fitted to a pick-up in the market today.
The new 3.0-litre V-Cross model rides just as well as the 2.5-litre models. The suspension deals with road imperfections and potholes in a supple way, resulting in a comfortable drive. During our drive, we felt the V-Cross Safari rode slightly better than the other 3.0-litre models and by discussing this with the people at Isuzu, we came to know this could be due to the added weight of the rear bed lid at the rear, since leaf spring rear suspensions are designed to ride better with added weight. Thanks to the nicely weighted steering, the D-Max handled high speeds very well. We also got the chance to do some slight off-roading, which proved that the pick-up is just as competent as its predecessor.
Should you buy one?
 Overall, all the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 3.0-litre variants are very impressive machines. They are well packaged with high performance and good dynamics, along with Isuzu’s praised durability and robustness. This pick-up truck will satisfy all your needs, but considering the 2.5-litre D-Max’s capability to be adequate for almost all purposes, is the higher priced V-Cross the one to get? Not only do the higher displacement V-Cross models carry a higher price tag, but keep in mind that they also increase your yearly roadtax costs. For those of you that don’t mind paying extra for the added performance, this Japanese workhorse must be in your list of trucks to consider. And if you think the regular V-Cross feels too similar to the 2.5-litre model, then the kitted up V-Cross Safari will satisfy your need for uniqueness.
*Interested in trying out the new Isuzu D-Max V-Cross? Head over to
Isuzu's website
 to book a test drive.
*This story first appeared on our sister-site
Live Life Drive
.


Lexus Malaysia Opens Booking For 2018 NX and RX 350L

For 2018, Lexus Malaysia is starting the year strong with two new versions of their most popular models being made available for booking. One of these models is the recently unveiled 2018 RX 350L, which sees in the inclusion of a third row for a total seating capacity of 7. Coming as more of a revision is the 2018 NX, which comes in a variety of trim levels and with both turbocharged and hybrid powertrain options.
The RX 350L is very much similar to the RX that we know and love, and its powered by a naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 which churns out a solid 294 hp. There's also an 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers power to all four wheels, capable of sending up to 100% of the power output to the front wheels and as much as 50% to the rear.
Again, the main point of this L model is that it can not transport up to 7 occupants. For now this is the only variant on sale, but in due time Lexus Malaysia may offer a range of different other powertrain options for their 7 seater model.
In the case of the NX, this 2018 model features some mild facelift updates on the exterior, while performance is fairly similar to the NX we are familiar with. The naming convention has changed a little, with the NX 300 being what was previously known as the NX 200t, along with the NX 300 Hybrid.
For those who are unfamiliar, the NX 300 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre straight four, pushing an impressive 235 hp, while the hybrid variant gets a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre straight four and a pair of electric motors for a combined system output of 194 hp.
Both the RX and NX are fully imported from Japan and come with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. To find out more, you can head to your nearest Lexus Centre today. Pricing is as follows, on-the-road and inclusive of GST, but not insurance:
2018 Lexus NX
Peninsular Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
NX 300 Urban
RM 311,900
RM 315,377.80
RM 315,377.80
NX 300 Premium
RM 329,800
RM 333,277.80
RM 333,277.80
NX 300 F SPORT
RM 387,900
RM 391,377.80
RM 391,377.80
NX 300 Hybrid
RM 397,800
RM 401,099.60
RM 401,099.60
2018 Lexus RX
Peninsular Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
RX 350L
RM 475,000
RM 477,755
RM 477,755