Kereta Terpantas Di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang

Tahukah anda
BAC Mono
 merupakan pemegang rekod pusingan terpantas di
Litar Antarabangsa Sepang (SIC)
 bagi jenis kereta produksi?

Kereta produksi membawa maksud kereta yang dihasilkan secara besar-besaran dan ditawarkan untuk dijual kepada orang ramai serta boleh dipandu di secara sah di jalan raya.

BAC Mono Pegang Rekod Litar Sepang

Ketika program Mono Experience di SIC pada tahun 2018, BAC Mono telah meleburkan rekod pusingan terpantas sebelum ini yang dipegang oleh
Porsche 911 GT2 RS
.

Kereta itu dipandu oleh pelumba Blancpain GT Series Asia, Shaun Thong yang berjaya mencatatkan masa 2:14.617 dan kini memegang rekod pusingan terpantas kereta produksi di SIC yang sebelum ini dipegang oleh Porsche 911 GT2 RS dengan masa 2:18.997.

BAC Mono ini dikuasai oleh enjin 2.5 liter yang menghasilkan 305 hp pada 8,000 rpm dan digandingkan dengan transmisi manual enam kelajuan sequential di mana transmisi semi auto ini boleh menukar gear dalam masa 35 milisaat sahaja.

Kelajuan maksimum ialah 273 km/j dan pecutan 0 – 100 km/j hanya mengambil masa 2.7 saat. Masa terbaik itu telah dicatat ketika fasa perkembangan (
development
) yang dilakukan ke atas kereta asal sebelum ini yang menggunakan enjin 2.3 liter yang menghasilkan output 285 hp.

BAC Mono mempunyai berat sebanyak 580 kg dan ini memberikan nisbah kuasa kepada berat (
power-to-weight ratio
) sebanyak 526 hp setiap tan.

Dalam bidang kereta trek khusus, Mono menampilkan tempat duduk pemandu tunggal untuk keselamatan dan pengagihan berat optimum, manakala stereng dan pedal boleh dilaraskan untuk dimuatkan di dalam kereta.

Outright Lap Record

Outright lap record
 atau rekod pusingan keseluruhan terpantas tanpa mengira jenis kenderaan pula dipegang oleh Mercedes-AMG F1 W08 yang dipandu oleh
Lewis Hamilton
 ketika pusingan kelayakan bagi 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix dengan catatan masa 1:30.076 untuk meraih petak utama.

Jika nak dibandingkan rekod BAC Mono berbanding dengan W08, BAC Mono masih ketinggalan kira-kira 44 saat berbanding kereta F1 yang dipandu Lewis. Ini menunjukkan bahawa kelajuan kereta Formula 1 memang tidak boleh dibawa berbincang.

Adakah rekod BAC Mono ini bakal dileburkan oleh kereta produksi seterusnya? Agak-agak kereta apa yang mampu menggugat rekod BAC Mono di Litar Sepang ni?


Kajian PDRM: Pengaruh Rakan Sebaya, Kerelaan Sendiri Punca Mat Rempit

Penyebab utama individu terjebak dengan aktiviti
merempit
 adalah disebabkan oleh pengaruh rakan sebaya serta kerelaan diri sendiri.

Menurut Timbalan Ketua Polis Daerah Seri Alam DSP Dr Mohd Roslan Mohd Tahir, perkara tersebut disimpulkan hasil daripada kajian yang dilakukan oleh pihaknya selama tiga tahun bagi mengetahui punca sebenar seseorang boleh terlibat dalam aktiviti
lumba haram
.

*Kredit foto: The Sun

Kajian Terhadap Mat Rempit

Menerusi kajian tersebut, seramai 300 Mat Rempit tegar yang berusia 16 hingga 27 tahun telah didekati dan ditemu bual di lima kawasan iaitu:

Di sekitar bandar raya Johor Bahru

Seri Alam

Kulai

Skudai

Iskandar Puteri

Menurut Roslan, selama ini masing-masing menuding jari dan mencari kesalahan. Ada yang menyalahkan kerajaan, keluarga dan masyarakat.

Walau bagaimanapun, beliau berkata 90% daripada hasil kajian mendapati bahawa punca utama seseorang merempit bukanlah disebabkan salah kerajaan, penguatkuasa atau keluarga, sebaliknya disebabkan oleh pengaruh rakan sebaya dan diri sendiri.

Hasil Kajian Dibukukan

Roslan telah melancarkan buku ‘Rempit Barah Dalam Masyarakat – Salah Siapa?’ yang merupakan penulisan pertamanya berkenaan kajian pihaknya mengenai aktiviti Mat Rempit di negara ini.

Buku tersebut menceritakan mengenai Mat Rempit secara keseluruhannya serta hasil-hasil kajian yang telah diperolehi.

Roslan berkata mungkin buku ini tidak akan dibaca oleh Mat Rempit, namun mungkin kawan-kawan mereka akan baca. Jadi beliau berharap ia boleh memberi dorongan dan kesedaran sekali gus mereka yang terlibat tahu apa impaknya pada diri sendiri.

*Kredit foto: Kosmo

Baginya, masalah Mat Rempit yang berleluasa ini boleh ditangai sekiranya badan-badan tertentu pihak kerajaan mengadakan kempen kesedaran secara berterusan.

“Antara penyelesaian kita dapat buat, mungkin pihak berkuasa boleh mengadakan program untuk pemuda melalui kempen kesedaran.
Ibu bapa
 juga perlu memainkan peranan dalam memberi nasihat,” tambahnya.


Honda Sets New Record In ASEAN – Market Share In Malaysia 2nd Highest Worldwide

Honda ended 2016 by setting a new sales record in South East Asia, with actual retail sales of Honda cars within the ASEAN trade bloc reaching 431,832 cars, 7 percent higher than 2015.
In Thailand, Honda overtook archrival Toyota in the passenger cars market for the second year in a row.
Meanwhile in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, Honda recorded its all-time highest annual sales.
Indonesia’s record of 190,229 Honda cars sold, up 14 percent from last year, now accounts for 44 percent of Honda’s total sales in ASEAN. Thailand (25 percent) and Malaysia (21 percent) round up Honda’s top-three markets in the region.
Indonesia is now Honda’s fourth largest market worldwide, behind USA, China, and Japan. Its 18 percent market share is also the highest for any Honda automobile business unit in the world.
Although ranking behind Thailand and Indonesia, Honda Malaysia’s contribution to Honda’s performance in ASEAN is actually just as impressive because the volume is generated from a smaller market. Thailand’s car market is 30 percent larger than Malaysia’s while Indonesia is nearly twice as big.
Malaysia is also the only country in ASEAN where Honda stayed ahead of Toyota not just in the passenger cars segment, but also overall, despite the fact that Honda doesn’t sell any commercial vehicles here. For 2016, Honda Malaysia upped its ante further by becoming the No.1 non-national car brand. Its 16 percent market share is the second highest in the world, behind Indonesia.
Honda Malaysia’s momentum for 2016 was contributed by the all-new Civic, which recorded an impressive 165 percent increase over 2015 sales, while popular existing models such as the HR-V and Jazz saw consistently strong sales in Malaysia.
Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., the regional headquarters of Honda in the Asia & Oceania (A&O) region attributes Honda’s success in the region to strong customer acceptance for the
all-new Civic
, which doubled its sales from 2015, as well as the
BR-V
, which sold 45,000 units, contributing 10 percent of all Honda cars sold in ASEAN last year.
In terms of overall volume, the popular
HR-V crossover
 made the greatest contribution to 2016 regional sales, accounting for 20% of the total with more than 87,000 units sold. The City, a very well received sedan throughout the ASEAN region, and the global Jazz model, remained strong in the region with sales of over 72,000 and 58,000 units respectively, also making a major contribution to Honda’s overall ASEAN sales for 2016.


This Lego Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Is The Only Harley Most Of Us Can Afford

The Lego Group recently revealed its latest Lego Creator Expert model – a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.
Set to go on sale from 1st of August 2019 worldwide, the model, which was developed in collaboration with Harley-Davidson, features 1,023 Lego pieces, and comes complete with solid-disc wheels, a teardrop fuel tank, an integrated speedometer, as well as dual exhaust pipes.
The finished model measures over 20 cm tall, 18 cm wide, 33 cm long, and features several moveable parts for owners to engage.
For instance, when you spin the rear tyre, the pistons in the engine actually move, and sort of bring the Fat Boy to life.
Finished with an authentic dark red and black color scheme with Harley-Davidson logos on each side, the Lego Creator Harley-Davidson Fat Boy is a perfect display piece for any home, office, or anywhere to channel the inspiration to ride.
“Bringing this Harley-Davidson motorcycle to life in brick form is incredibly exciting,” said Mike Psiaki, Design Master at Lego Group.
“The model truly captures the iconic design, advanced engineering and attention to detail of this iconic motorcycle, offering an immersive building experience and a unique collector’s item for Harley-Davidson enthusiasts and Lego fans of all ages.”
“It’s been exceptionally exciting for Harley-Davidson to collaborate with the Lego Group - another brand that champions creativity and expression,” said Heather Malenshek, Chief Marketing Officer at Harley-Davidson.
“Not only do we want customers to be inspired by the end result, we want them to enjoy the building process.”
To celebrate the launch, Lego Master Builders actually created a life-size model of the motorcycle, complete with silver coated parts, Wi-Fi animation control, sound and light effects to imitate a real Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, and 6,000 special Lego elements.
The creation, which took 865 hours to build, is made of 69,569 pieces and will be on display at select Lego stores and Harley-Davidson events for fans to see.


Kia Optima Facelift Spied Testing In South Korea

Among its rivals, the Kia Optima has managed to hold its own in the last few years - but this coming year will likely bring a facelift which will include new powertrains and an updated interior and exterior.
For the first time ever, the facelift model was
spotted on the streets of South Korea by The Korean Car Blog
 - heavily camouflaged, no doubt - but still leaving enough visible to catch a glimpse of some sharper details.
Technology has come a long way since the launch of the current generation Kia Optima, and this means there will be more safety and more features than before. Things like adaptive cruise control are fast becoming a norm in the market, along with additional active safety measures.
Tablet-type touch screens will also be a welcome replacement to the current cramped proprietary design. While it may not be an all-new platform, the new Optima promises to be a well-needed refresh for the brand- especially within the ASEAN region where we don't get some of their more exciting products. The current generation Kia Sportage would be more representative of the brand's current design direction.


MYPerodua Nation Carnival Postponed Due To Haze

Perodua today announced that the MYPerodua Nation carnival has been until further notice, in light of the worsening haze situation nationwide.
The carnival was supposed to take place this weekend, from 20-22 September at the Setia City Oval Lawn in Setia Alam.
“The Air Pollutant Index (API) in the vicinity has been reported to be in excess of 200, which is very unhealthy. Perodua cannot, and will not, put the health and well-being of its valued customers, visitors and staff on duty at risk,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“We apologise whole-heartedly for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by the postponement of MYPerodua Nation. We are studying all possible alternatives and will revert on the event’s status in due course,” he added.


New Look for Tyreplus Outlets Nationwide

Michelin Malaysia today unveiled the new look and corporate identity for its Tyreplus car maintenance centre outlets.
The exercise is said to be in line with Michelin Malaysia’s aim to double its Tyreplus outlets from 50 to 100 by the year 2020, covering all major and mid-sized cities in the country.
The changes include redesigned ‘Tyreplus’ signages at outlets and staff uniforms, as well as upgraded reception areas with waiting rooms at every branch in the country.
Introduced in Malaysia in 2009, Tyreplus offers professional services such as general repairs, wheel alignment, air-conditioning refilling as well as nitrogen inflation.
Besides Michelin, the chain of service centres also offers a variety of major tyre brands as well as lubricants, batteries, suspension and braking systems by Bosch, Mobil 1, Total and Tech for all vehicle brands present in the market.
According to Pascal Nouvellon, Michelin Malaysia’s managing director, Malaysia is one of the first countries in the world to undergo this global rebranding exercise. He added that the Tyreplus network in our country is also one of the fastest growing in the world.
Tyreplus currently has more than 1,600 outlets operating in 26 countries including China, Thailand, Australia, India, South America, and also the Middle East.


MAA Wants Government To Provide EV Incentives For Up To 10 Years

MAA wants the government to extend EV incentives for up to 10 years.

The tax incentives for electric vehicles have caused a
flurry of EVs in Malaysia
, and the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) wants the incentives to continue beyond 2023 to help grow the EV market even further.

MAA: Extend the import and excise tax exemptions for CBU EVs beyond 2023

According to a report by Bernama, Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said the association appreciates the government's efforts to support the EV market, but ending some of the current incentives in 2023 is too early.

"We are requesting the extension of full import and excise tax exemptions for CBU EVs while the market is
gearing up for EV growth
 in Malaysia."

"We hope there will be incentives for up to 10 years," she told Bernama.

Extend EV incentives up to 10 years

While efforts for
CKD EVs are ongoing
, EV sales figures from CBU units are beginning to reflect an increase this year as the incentives introduced during the 2022 Budget are starting to show impact.

The 2022 budget offered
100% import and excise duty exemption and zero road tax for CBU EVs
 until December 31, 2023, and 100% duty exemption for CKD EVs until the end of 2025.

The plea from MAA for the extension is of course their attempt to influence the outcome of the 2023 budget, which is due to be tabled on October 7.

Only 274 EV units were registered in 2021, out of an industry total (TIV) of 508,911 units. Although nothing has yet to be publicised regarding 2022 EV sales, we're pretty sure it has
dramatically increased
, thanks to the introduction of new EVs due to the tax exemptions.


The Honda NSX Is The Official Pace Car Of The 2015 Pikes Peak Hill Climb

On June 28, the 93
rd
 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will take place where drivers will start off at Mile 7 on Pikes Peak Highway with a starting elevation of 2,862m, and climb 1,440m up along a 19.99km route to the finish line at the top of the Colorado highland with an elevation of 4,302m.
The pace car that will lead over a hundred racers up the road will be the all-new, next-generation Acura NSX (better known as the Honda NSX to us). With a
3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain
 developing 550hp and four-wheel drive, we’re certain that the NSX is the perfect choice of a pace car to make the charge up the hill.
Piloting the NSX pace car will be the senior manager of American
Honda
 Public Relations, Sage Marie, who has competed in the competition twice and is an active motorsports participant. Not bad for a public relations person.
Acura will also install 24 cameras along the course to capture the NSX’s first-ever run as the official pace car with a 360-degree series of images of the supercar. Fans can check out the images which will be transformed into an exclusive video, after the NSX heads to the top of the mountain, on several social media channels including
Instagram
,
Twitter
,
Facebook
,
Google+
 and
YouTube
.
The Acura NSX will be one of four models from the brand that will make the Pikes Peak run. Joining it will be the Acura ILX and TLX sports sedans along with a previous generation NSX.


Multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) system for tolls to be implemented by 2025, says Work Ministry

Works Ministry has announced that a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll system is expected to be implemented nationwide in 2025.

With toll queues seemingly getting out of hand these days, the government plans to ensure that the dire situation at toll plazas does not continue, with an apparent fix taking place in 2025.

According to a report by The Star, the Works Ministry has announced that a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll system is expected to be implemented nationwide in 2025.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said studies on its usage would also begin in 2024 and are projected to take between one-and-a-half to two years to complete. They have even allocated RM3.46 billion for the implementation of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system, according to New Straits Times.

"The letter of intent has already been issued to concessionaires to ensure the study can be done smoothly".

"We hope this measure can at least reduce congestion along highways," he said when winding up his ministerial replies on Budget 2023 at the committee stage in Dewan Rakyat recently.

Abdul Rahman recons the MLFF is the future of toll collection, and is in line with the Intelligent Transport System blueprint by the Works Ministry.

The Star also reported that in preparation for the implementation of the MLFF system, the deputy minister said the ministry would also adopt an open payment system for tolls in a future nearer than 2025.

A multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) system for tolls is a type of toll collection system that
allows vehicles to pass through a toll plaza without the need to stop or slow down
. This type of system is designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic flow, as well as to increase convenience for drivers.

Tolls are collected electronically using a combination of cameras, sensors, and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. As a vehicle passes through the toll plaza, its RFID tag is read and the toll is automatically deducted from a pre-paid account associated with the tag.

One of the main advantages of an MLFF system is that it allows vehicles to pass through toll plazas at normal highway speeds, which can help reduce congestion and improve travel times.


Lynk & Co Is Fastest-Selling New Brand, Expanding Into Europe Soon

In the space of three years, Lynk & Co has gone from being an idea from Gothenburg, Sweden, to become the world’s fastest-growing brand.
The brand, positioned above the Geely brand but below Volvo, was launched in late 2016. Lynk & Co delivered 120,414 vehicles last year in China, with a retail network that tallies to 221 stores.
CEO of Lynk & Co, Alain Visser said, “Three years ago Lynk & Co started off as just an idea founded on principles unheard of within the industry. These sales numbers for a totally new brand are exceptional and proof that the focus on a simple experience from start to finish for young urbanites is working.”
“Today we are seeing step-by-step that our mobility offering is truly disrupting the car industry from within. We are proud at the speed of our growth so far and excited by our launch into Europe, the journey is well underway. So continue to expect the unexpected as we are picking up the speed.” Mr Visser concluded.
Since
the launch of the brand
, customers experienced Lynk & Co products through two SUV models- the 01 and the 02. Both models share underpinnings with Volvo SUV models and are currently assembled at Geely’s plant in Hebei province, China.
Recently, a Honda Civic-sized sedan aptly named
 Lynk & Co
03
 joined the line-up.
Lynk & Co also makes its retail experience rather different, offering visitors surroundings that include a café-bar, cinema, and children’s play area.
The focus now shifts to Lynk & Co’s expansion into the European market. The first stores are set to open in 2020 within the continent’s trendiest urban districts- Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Stockholm, London, and Barcelona.
Closer to home, a Lynk & Co 02 model was
spotted being tested around the roads of Klang Valley
, raising many speculations on its introduction into Malaysia.


Chevrolet Complete Care Programme To Promise Improved Customer Experience

Naza Quest Sdn Bhd, the sole importer and distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia, has launched the Chevrolet Complete Care (CCC) programme in a bid to improve the customer experience of the Chevrolet brand in this country.
Covering the overall brand experience in both sales and aftersales, CCC combines a total of five distincts service elements:
5-year / 200,000km Manufacturer’s Warranty
24/7 Chevy Assist Roadside Assistance:
 The Chevy Assist programme offers round-the-clock roadside assistance able to provide minor roadside repairs, on-site towing assistance, workshop referral, and other services. This free round-the-clock roadside assistance can be reached on the toll-free number 1-800-2-CHEVY (1-800-22-4389)
Complete Chevrolet Service:
 Trained service technicians and genuine Chevrolet parts at all authorized Chevrolet service centres.
24/7 Customer Care Assistance:
 A round-the-clock customer support hotline entertaining enquiries on Chevrolet products, services, and latest promotions. The customer care assistance team can be reached by online live chat at any time of the day through the official Chevrolet Malaysia website.
Chevy Link:
 A centralized service operation system processing and coordinating all customer data from pre-sales right up to vehicle maintenance. This facility ensures that all Chevrolet outlets have access to every customer’s information thus providing more effective service.
The CCC programme is designed to be an overall brand experience not just for customers, but anybody seeking to get in touch with the Chevrolet brand. As such, with exception of the warranty package, services offered under the programme are available to all Chevrolet customers.


Most Complaints To Most Seats Sold - Air Asia Sells 500,000 Seats In Just 48 Hours

Air Asia's 5 million free seat promotion is a big hit with 500,000 seats sold in just 48 hours.

Despite being an airline with
the most customer complaints
, it seems that AirAsia's 5 million free seat promotion is still a hit, as half a million seats were sold for both short-haul and long-haul flights in just 48 hours.

This is a
remarkable achievement for the airline
 and the travel industry following almost three years of travel restrictions. In fact, it was a record-breaking sale for AirAsia, surpassing the airline's pre-COVID daily sales record of 230,000 in January 2020.

Air Asia sells 500,000 seats in 48 hours!

According to the Star, the low-cost airline operator said value seekers have been snapping up "free seats" by the minute to their favourite short-haul destinations with the likes of Langkawi, Penang, and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

It also said among the most popular overseas choices included Phuket, Krabi, and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Bali in Indonesia, and Cebu in the Philippines.

Air Asia is in the business of making dreams come true...

Air Asia Group chief commercial officer Karen Chan told The Star that the strong demand reflected a positive outlook for the company going forward.

"We're thrilled to see such strong demand for travel post-COVID and we're confident this is only the start. We're in the business of making dreams come true and it is worth every effort when we see our planes filled with wanderlust and excited passengers once again,"

Promotion on-going for Air Asia Free Seats!

The promotion was created to further stimulate the recovery of the travel and tourism industry in the region. AirAsia launched the sale of the 5 million free seat promotion last Monday, and you still have time to snap them up as it will only end on 25 September 2022 (Sunday).

The free seat offer might not allow you to travel right away as the travel period for the tickets is from 1 January 2023 to 28 October 2023, but it's just a matter of future planning.

Despite being called "free seats", the tickets are subjected to fees and surcharges, but with prices starting from RM23, they still represent good value for money.


Here’s The 2020 Toyota Fortuner, If You’re 'Legender' Enough

Fortune + Legend = Everything

Naturally, with the HiLux being given a refresh for 2020, the very closely related Fortuner sees some welcome changes and updates come it’s way too. True enough, the 7-seater shared a simultaneous reveal this morning alongside the pick-up.

Being geared more towards people carrying practicality, the Fortuner had always brought a little more panache and luxury to the equation, carving out its own unique appeal instead of being content as the SUV twin of the HiLux.

With the Thai-spec versions of the Fortuner being the first ones revealed, it looks as though a new range-topper has joined the ranks in the form of the Legender. Obviously, ’Legendary + Fortune’ is superior to ‘Fortune + Tuner’. Its tagline ‘Wisdom of a Leader’ is also worth deciphering; later on.

As with any facelift, the main draw of the 2020 Fortuner are the exterior updates. On first impressions alone, it improves upon the original 2nd-generation version from 2015 by reducing visual clutter. There’s also new 18-inch wheel designs as well as new LED lamp clusters front and rear.

The base variants do retain more of that pre-facelift DNA and the changes here are more subtle. However, the Legender receives a much more thorough treatment. The front fascia is split between two tiers and almost looks like it came from a totally different model. Toyota Thailand terms it the ‘Prestige grille and bumper’. Okay.

In Legender trim, the Fortuner also wears larger 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels and sequential LED turn indicators. That two-tone motif also carries over to the body colour; no matter which is chosen, everything above the neckline (A-,B-,C-,D-pillars and roof) are finished in gloss black.

The current 2.4-litre turbodiesel is retained for the 2020 refresh, apparently unchanged, and should be carried over to the Malaysia-spec car as well, producing its familiar 150PS and 400Nm. However, it’s possible that the petrol-powered 2.7-litre (2TR-FE) naturally aspirated inline-4 is due to be phased out locally as it also happens to be missing from the Thai range.

Interestingly, the larger 2.8-litre turbodiesel has now joined the Fortuner range in the Legender, bringing along with it the increased power and torque that headlines the 2020 HiLux, producing a maximum output of 204PS and 500Nm alongside improved fuel economy. Toyota claims an impressive 17 percent (or more) reduction in consumption in city driving.

Because of the gutsier engine, the Fortuner’s maximum towing capacity (braked) has also now been increased by 300kg to 3,100kg, just like the 2020 HiLux.

The 2020 Fortuner has also been fitted with some new standard features such as a new ‘Optitron’ illuminated gauge cluster and standard automatic air conditioning. Interestingly, the newer infotainment system’s touchscreen now measures 8-inches instead of the 9-inch unit available here on today’s Fortuner SRZ and VRZ, though it both supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Apparently, only the Legender receives the 9-inch version in Thailand.

Speaking of which, on that range-topping guise, the equipment list grows to include a 360-degree view monitor, hands-free powered tailgate, ambient interior lighting, a wireless phone charging pad and a premium JBL audio system.

In addition to the standard 7 airbags, traction control, stability control, and all-round disc brakes, the Fortuner Legender also receives a fair share of features from the Toyota Safety Sense Suite, including Lane Departure Alert, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and a Pre-Collision System with automatic brake assistance.

Like the new HiLux, the 2020 Fortuner is expected to begin its wider global rollout soon, though not immediately. Expect to hear some concrete details on the pair’s Malaysian introduction within the next couple of months.


BMW i8 Drivers Will Get EV Charging Station Network Via GreenTech Partnership

BMW
 Group Malaysia have joined arms with GreenTech Malaysia to offer a network of public charging stations to
BMW i8
 drivers, letting the plug-in hybrid sports car juice-up more conveniently.
The charging facilities will be built up and rolled out over the coming year and the partnership announcement was officiated during the launch of ChargEV, an effort by GreenTech Malaysia to make electric vehicle (EV) charging stations available to the public.
During his speech at the launch, Mr. Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications, BMW Group Malaysia said, “Technology in the automotive industry is at the tipping point of change particularly in regards to the mobility of the future. The key strategy for the nation to move towards sustainable mobility within the urban environment is through industry wide cooperation and this includes ensuring the necessary infrastructure to support the new technology to increase consumer confidence in the viability of electric vehicles and plug-in-hybrid vehicles.”
It is mobility services such as this that will be pivotal in making driving and owning electric vehicles a comfortable and enjoyable experience, and home charging facilities coupled with an expanding network of charging stations too will be instrumental in EV’s long-term adoption and success, Ambi further added.
By the end 2016, there are plans to have over 300 ChargEV stations across strategic locations across the country: spanning Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, Penang, Langkawi,  Johor, Malacca and others. Planned placement will be in high traffic areas such as shopping locations, hotels, office towers and prominent residential areas and, crucially, along PLUS highways.
By 2020, GreenTech Malaysia aims to have set up over 25,000 ChargEV stations nationwide.
BMW Group Malaysia believes consumer awareness and education will be an important factor in the equation of electromobility adoption. To that end, after-sales support and the involvement of OEMs will be essential in the value chain.


Mazda Takes Top Spot In US EPA Fuel Economy Rankings

The more accurate name for the list is "Manufacturer Adjusted Fuel Economy", and it comes as part of the Light Duty Fuel Economy Trends Report that the US Enviromental Protection Agency releases every year. Manufacturers are assessed by the average fuel economy of all the vehicles that they currently offer over a one year period. If that sounds a little dodgy, don't worry - the fuel economy is independently tested and verified, but the adjustment comes in the form of various equations and methods that the EPA specifies to account for various technologies.
You see, testing the fuel economy of cars based on current standards and methods may not fully exploit the technologies that a car comes with. A plug-in hybrid vehicle may not be tested with a full charge of battery, a car with a stop-start system may not have it active during the test period, and so on and so forth. As a result, the EPA does allow a little bit of leeway with what they deem is a reasonable improvement in fuel economy for these cars.
In any case, Mazda is in top position for this list, and this would be their fifth year in a row at the top. Mazda's vehicles have an average of 29.6 miles per gallon (7.9 litres per 100 kilometres), which is a 0.4 mile per gallon (0.16 litre per 100 kilometre) improvement from the previous year. This figure is only going to improve in the coming years with technologies like SKYACTIV-X and their commitment to electrification going full swing, although there's no doubt that other manufacturers will be catching up quickly.


DBKL Keeps Promise - Cars Towed Away In Mont Kiara

As promised, towing operations around Mont Kiara is underway. 12 cars have been towed so far during the DBKL enforcement action.

A few weeks ago, DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) announced that they would be
carrying out towing operations along Jalan Kiara 1
 to address the problem of vehicles parking there illegally.

It seems they have followed through with their threat, as vehicle owners who have continued to park there illegally were "taken aback" as they saw their cars being towed away by the authorities.

According to The Star, since June 1, DBKL has
carried out a series of enforcement
 in the congested commercial and residential areas of Mont Kiara following the announcement back in July.

Several DBKL trucks have been seen making the rounds at commercial areas such as Solaris Mont Kiara, as well as neighbourhood roads like Jalan Kiara 1 and Jalan Kiara 4 - towing away illegally parked vehicles.

When StarMetro contacted DBKL enforcement director Osman Ismail, who announced the towing operation back in July, he said that "since the start of the operations, DBKL has towed away 12 vehicles for obstructing traffic."

"This is an ongoing operation, and I urge motorists to park at designated parking lots," said Ismail.

DBKL has also backed up the towing operations by deploying its officers around the area to issue summons to errant motorists.


Review: Volvo S60 T8 R-Design - Unsurprisingly Awesome

The Volvo S60 T8 R-Design is The Last of the Mohicans, and you should consider saving it!

High-performance premium C-segment plug-in hybrids are nothing new in Malaysia, and it was actually
Mercedes Benz (C350e)
 and
BMW(330e)
 who were the first ones to introduce them locally.

They came, they saw, but did they conquer? Well, they sold by the boatloads alright, but it still didn't prevent Mercedes Benz and BMW from pulling them out of the Malaysian market. Why you ask? The answer to that lies in the National Automotive Policy and how the government's indecisiveness led to the killing off of these beautiful cars.

Once upon a time, the NAP encouraged the importation of plug-in hybrids by giving them tax breaks. Manufacturers imported all the glorious hybrid cars which then sold for a great price. The incentives were given a stir last year, and until today it is unclear how the government will approach it. This made it difficult for some vehicle manufacturers to import (CBU) their C-segment plug-in vehicles because until the picture becomes a lot more clearer, no manufacturer is willing to invest in them.

The Volvo Commitment

Volvo, on the other hand, has committed to having every new Volvo car launched from 2019 onwards to have an electric motor. This gave them no choice but to import them anyway - and we're glad about this, because the S60 T8 R-Design is one heck of a car.

Volvo Initially launched the S60 T8 R-Design as a CBU model in 2019. This year they released the
CKD version
 which surprisingly demanded the same kind of money the CBU did (rubbish government incentive), but don't let that put you off, because for RM282,540, you're not just buying any sedan, you're purchasing a blisteringly fast car that is the last of its kind and here is why.

Why the Volvo S60 T8 R-Design is special?

Everyone knows that plug-in high-performance sedans are stupidly rapid. Since the Benz and the Bemmers are no longer around, Volvo's S60 T8 R-Design is the last one left standing. In May this year, Volvo announced that it would be capping all of its vehicles to a top speed of 180km/h to reduce road injuries and bring down car-based fatalities. The second phase CKD S60 T8 will have that speed cap, but this first phase CKD S60 T8 R-Design will not and this is why you should buy it because it'll be probably the last fastest stock Volvo around.

We'll get to the fast bit later because what is the use of a fast car if it can't do the other stuff?

Exterior: Volvo S60 T8 R-Design

The S60 T8 R-Design is a luxurious, sporty-looking sedan that matches its aggressive looks with its high performance. The exterior is dressed up in an aggressive R-Design front bumper with a gaping lower intake to show it means business. It's all murdered out on the side, with black window surrounds, side mirror caps as well as a set of stunning 19-inch alloy wheels with black and silver design. The rear, with its aggressive bumper which is accompanied by trapezoidal twin exhaust outlets is not bad either - not bad is probably not doing it justice.

Interior: Volvo S60 T8 R-Design

It can move four adults comfortably or sit about five. The materials used on the interior of the Volvo is nothing short of luxurious, with its R-Design Nappa front seats as well as R-Design pedals giving the interior some attitude. Apart from that, all of the interior has that S90 feel to it except that we thought that the driver and front passenger feels more cocooned in the S60. The driving position is excellent, and you can lower the seat a fair amount to make you feel like you are in a sporty car. The massive Tesla-like touchpad infotainment system is as user friendly as other Volvo vehicles, and the gear lever is ergonomically positioned as the rest of its siblings. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is also crisp and never did it once look dull.

Driving Impression: Volvo S60 T8 R-Design

It's quite amazing really that Volvo has managed to tune the suspension as comfortable as this because usually, cars with 19-inch wheels that have to lumber around a big heavy battery and electric motors are somewhat stiff and bumpy. The S60 seems to manage to soak all the imperfections of the road and travelling through these roads with MRT construction happening everywhere has never been so relaxing. We had to double-check whether the S60 is equipped with a tricked out adaptive suspension and no, it's just a regular shock absorber setup with steel springs. The smooth ride does have a trade-off because there is no Sportiness in the drive. Although it doesn't really wallow around, it just doesn't inspire confidence when going around the corners fast. It's not bad, but it's just not all that fun. You could go into AWD mode to improve it but there's no point really. But then again, we don't think it's sorry for this lack of fun, because we believe its idea of fun is whizzing around town in complete smoothness and serenity.

Purpose: What the Volvo S60 T8 R-Design was built for?

Part of this whizzing around town fun is its traffic light to traffic light performance, and oh baby does it shine! The S60 T8 is a car that has not one, two but three forced elements that help it get to its maximum output of 407hp and 640Nm of torque - these outputs are super fast car territory -think Porsche Panamera, Mercedes C63 and Ford Mustang. Not only is it combining a supercharger, a turbocharger and an electric motor to give you that blistering pace, its also using them to provide you with a 9L/100km fuel consumption even if you drive it like a hooligan. Stupendous is the word that comes to mind when you think about this setup. The power is seamless and always available on tap even when it's switching from electricity to combustion propulsion. The electric drive which is available up to 40km/h and can go up to 30km of range is the best thing in heavy traffic. It helps you switch lanes fast and smoothly.

Conclusion: Volvo S60 T8 R-Design

Ultimately, the Volvo S60 T8 R-Design is a car you must have if you can afford it. Except for the small boot space, there really is no faulting it. It has the best of all worlds. It has pace, it has great fuel economy, and has all the comforts of a Bently - ok, maybe not the legroom, or the fridge or the rear reclining seats, but you know what we mean. It also runs Volvo's hybrid system, one of the best and will probably outlast the rest. And if that doesn't do it for you, we're sure the gobsmacked face of a supercar driver when you go faster than them off the lights will.

Volvo S60 T8 R-Design Specification

Engine: 2.0-litre T8 Plug-In Hybrid Twin Engine Automatic AWD

Power: 407Hp

Torque: 640Nm

Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic

Safety: ABS, BAS, ESC, HAC, 6-airbags, ISOFIX, City Safety (autonomous emergency braking), Lane Keeping Aid, Front & Rear Collision Warning & Mitigation Support

Price: RM282,540


Fuel Price Update: 2 Sen Drop For Petrol, 4 Sen Drop For Diesel

From 29 June till 5 July 2017, drivers in Malaysia are expected to pay slightly less for petrol and diesel.
New prices below:
RON95 - RM1.89 (down 2 sen from RM1.91)
RON97 - RM2.15 (down 2 sen from RM2.17)
Diesel - RM1.84 (down 4 sen from RM1.88)
Via: KPDNKK


Stoned BMW Workers Disrupt Production In Munich

Two production line workers at BMW's facility in Munich collapsed from substance abuse and caused the company nearly a million Euros in losses.
The incident happened on 3 March 2017, in which a report from
Bild
 mentioned that two assembly line workers collapsed towards the end of their shift. Medical personnel was called to the scene.

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 According to the report, both of the workers had consumed substantial amounts of alcohol and one of them was under the influence of a synthetic drug.
This delay caused BMW a financial loss "in the five digits", though Bild reckons that the company actually suffered a loss of upwards 1 million Euros.
One of the workers was fired on the spot, while the other was relocated.


Neta S Promises 1,000km EV Range - No More Range Anxiety!

1000 kilometres EV range. The Neta S promises that range anxiety will no longer be a concern.

If there's one imminent fact about electric cars, is that it always comes down to how far one can drive in between charging. EVs that have a lower range tend to trigger what people now are officially calling 'range anxiety', but that might not be the case for the upcoming Neta S.

Neta S - 1000 kilometres of range

Unveiled at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Auto Show in China, the Neta S is categorised as a sporty-looking NEV (Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle) parked under the Hozon Auto flag (Neta is its dedicated EV brand). If you've never heard about Neta, they're currently offering two models in the Chinese local market - V Pro and U Pro.

And they're doing exceptionally well, too. Back in April 2022, they outsold NIO, Tesla (in China), as well as Li Auto. Their strategy? Each model comes with a
free charging network
 that includes a complimentary home charger and around 2,000kWh per year via the Neta charging networks.

*Image Credit: Weibo有车

Neta S Variants

Going back to the Neta S, it is actually based on Hozon's 'Shanhai' platform which offers a multitude of wheelbases for a number of vehicle models. While there are no official dimensions for the Neta S just yet, there are two versions that were introduced. There's the normal EV version, and then there's the EREV range-extender.

Neta claims that the Neta S EV version can travel up to an already impressive 710km (NEDC). The range-extender model is said to go further up to 1,000km (NEDC). Other impressive claimed features include 13 cameras, 12 ultrasonic cameras, a couple of LIDAR sensors, and more.

Should be an interesting piece of kit, if you ask us.


This Is Not A Volvo Ad, It’s A Beautiful Story

Compared to its German peers, Volvo Car is like a middleweight fighter that’s been thrown into the ring to spar with heavyweight champs. Last year, the Volvo Car Group sold about 530,000 cars globally. That pales in comparison with the gargantuan BMW Group’s 2.4 million cars, Mercedes-Benz’s 2.2 million cars, and Audi’s 1.9 million.
This also means that Volvo needs to be smarter in how it uses its resources, as Volvo Car's marketing budget don’t have as many zeroes as its German peers. They need to be a lot more creative to deliver a greater impact with less.
Volvo Car’s latest short film to promote the all-new XC60 is titled ‘Moments,’ and it certainly tugs our hearts.
The film follows a young girl’s journey to her first day at a new school and shows a glimpse of what life holds for her in the coming years – growing up, travelling the world, settling down and raising a family.
Another story running in parallel to her's is that of a sleep deprived working adult struggling to get through her day. She is late for work, her boss is on the phone (on a handsfree Bluetooth), she was momentarily distracted when her cup of coffee spilled, right at the moment the young girl heading to her first day of school steps off the pavement.
Autonomous emergency braking is nothing new, but the ones used by many manufacturers can only detect vehicles and large animals, and are less effective against pedestrians and cyclists.
Volvo’s City Safety however, is capable of detecting a child as well as cyclists. In the all-new XC60, it also adds ‘steering support’ and ‘oncoming lane mitigation’ which in simple words, helps the driver to apply appropriate steering angle to avoid a collision, while taking into considerations on-coming traffic in the opposite lane.
The five-seater all-new XC60 has just been launched in Europe. It will be progressively launched in other markets worldwide by the end of this year.


Honda Adds More Locations For Airbag Recall Campaign

In an effort to speed up the Honda Airbag Recall campaign, Honda Malaysia has been adding more and more locations at which customers can carry out the airbag module replacement process. The idea is to make it as convenient as possible so that owners do not have to go out of their way to make an appointment or go to a specific service centre.
While there have been mobile units going from neighbourhood to neighbour, Honda is also doubling their efforts in a partnership with PETRONAS in order to allow customers to change the specific parts at a number of Petronas stations across the country. Click
HERE
 to see a list of locations and operating hours for replacement activities across the country in addition to all Honda Authorized Service Centres.
This comes in addition to various service hubs that will be set up at shopping malls, along with the upcoming Honda Family Road Trip (HFRT) events taking place across the country. Progress has been steady over the last few months, with 100% parts availability for the front driver module and roughly 75% of affected units having undergone replacement. Honda customers can check their vehicles recall status either by logging on to
www.honda.com.my
 or
www.productrecall.honda.com.my
 or by calling the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.


Bridgestone Opens First Select Store in Malaysia

Taking an entirely new approach to tyre retailing, Bridgestone Tyre Sales Malaysia has introduced their first Bridgestone Select (B-Select) store in Malaysia. Located in Balakong and wholly owned by Bridgestone’s retail sales partner, Racing Z Tyre Sdn Bhd, the B-Select concept store aims to provide premium service through a customer-friendly environment that is dedicated to “Serving the Best for Your Car”.
Based on a well-established retail model that was first introduced in Australia in 2006, with similar concept stores now open in New Zealand, India, Vietnam, Singapore, and South Korea, the B-Select store sets itself apart by offering a pleasant and inviting store environment where customers are presented with a more user-friendly information and greater transparency in the purchase process.
Beginning with the tyre selection process, B-Select presents clear pricing and explanation on its products, with personnel present to help customers choose a tyre that suits them and their cars best. The store also provides tyre fitment, balancing, and alignment services for all types of vehicles including newer high-end vehicles equipped with Run Flat Technology tyres, all of which are carried out with professional equipment that follows high safety standards.
According to Bridgestone Malaysia’s managing director Jo Takekawa, the B-Select store is more customer-centric with glass panel lounges that allow customers to view their cars, and features a colour coded floor plan to help customers navigate the store safety. To ensure total customer satisfaction, B-Select store personnel will also follow-up on the customer’s purchase even after they have left the store. Bridgestone Malaysia says that they will be expanding their B-Select stores nationwide, with plans to open two B-Select stores annually.
Racing Z Tyre, who has been partnering with Bridgestone Malaysia for the last 15 years, is located at Jalan PDR 5, Kawasan Perniagaan Desa Ria, Balakong.
As part of Bridgestone’s on-going nationwide campaign from now till 31
st
 March 2015, customers who purchase any four Bridgestone passenger or 4x4 tyres from a new B-Select store will also qualify for a Petronas Gift Card with a preloaded value of RM40, or an Alain Belon backpack for free.


VIDEO: China’s Holiday Traffic Is Every Driver’s Maddening Nightmare Come To Life

In Malaysia, we’re
no stranger to traffic jams
. We often have our own ways to circumvent the congestion, whether its secret routes or timing our journey just so. And even if we are caught in a real gridlock, we feel we emerge stronger, talking of them like battle scars.
But even Malaysia’s most sanity-testing jams don’t make for strong comparison against those found in China – the most populous country in the world, with the largest concentration of vehicles in the world, by far.
The jams over there are next-level, the kind involving thousands upon thousands of vehicles sandwiched together that not even dozens of wide lanes can’t contain, as seen in footage like this captured via drone-mounted camera. Honestly, they look eerily similar to apocalyptic city evacuation scenes in movies.
In some of the aerial shots, many cars can be seen with their doors open; drivers and passengers being able to walk about the sea of of stationary cars and trucks scattered in the middle of a highway.
These were taken near and above a toll booth not far from Beijing along the G4 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway during the peak turnaround period, involving millions of travelers returning to China's capital from all corners, by car and by air.
A heavy fog reportedly blanketed the area on Tuesday, further aggravating the traffic problem due to major highways being closed in northern China.

It's the "high wait". Drone footage shows a 10km-long line of cars returning to Beijing after the Chinese New Year holiday.
Posted by
Trending in China
 on Thursday, February 26, 2015
The other video above concentrates on the severe bottleneck at a toll booth caused by only 20 lanes being operational over the typical 50.
China’s National Tourism Administration has reportedly estimated that nearly half of the country’s 1.36 billion population were travelling during the October 1
st
 to 7
th
 holiday period. Best of luck to them all.


New Integra Teaser Shows That It Ain't Gonna Be a Coupe!

After announcing that the fabled Integra will return to the market through an
impressive drone show
 in August, Honda's luxury division Acura has released the first teaser of the iconic model.

Despite only revealing one picture through their website and Twitter account, that picture told us a lot about the new generation Integra, and it seems that the new generation car will not be a two-door coupe, but instead a five-door fastback.

The image mainly revealed the rear end of the Integra, showing what seems like four doors as well as the fastback type roofline and tailgate, which is almost identical to the
Civic Hatchback
 mixed with some Acura TLX-like lighting design.

Although the Integra was famous as a coupe, this is not the first time the Integra has come with a body that has four doors. In fact, the first Integra Type R model was also produced in a four-door version known as the DB8, as opposed to the DC2, which was a coupe.

While this reveal might have got many Integra fans crying in their bedrooms because of the surprising addition of two rear doors, this four-door layout makes more sense for the
entry-luxury compact segment
 in which Acura will be competing in.

This reveal has got us looking forward to hearing many more official announcements about the new Acura in the coming months, as the iconic nameplate is scheduled to make its debut in 2022.


BMW Malaysia Confirms 2015 2 Series Gran Tourer For Local Launch This Year

Seen the
2 Series Active Tourer
 at the
BMW World Malaysia
 event? Like what you saw? Fancy two more seats added to it? Well, you’d be in luck:
BMW
 Group Malaysia will officially debut the all-new seven-seater
2 Series Gran Tourer
 later this year.
We’re reporting to you live from Munich, Germany, where tomorrow, BMW will have us off to Croatia to get a brief drive of the all-new 2 Series Gran Tourer, and to participate in the model’s official media launch event.
As of the time of writing, we haven’t even seen the car (that all happens tomorrow), but we have been assured that the seven-seater, front-wheel drive BMW will be making an official debut in Malaysia later this year – no specific dates were mentioned, but we’ve been told to expect it sometime in the second half of the year.
To give you a bit of a recap, the 2 Series Gran Tourer is 214mm longer and 53mm taller than the five-seat Active Tourer that was just launched in Malaysia. The GT’s wheelbase is also longer by 110mm, logically to make room for the extra two seats in the rear.
Featuring similar sliding second-row seats seen in the Active Tourer, the Gran Tourer will have a third row of seats fit for two, with the capability of folding them completely flush with the cargo floor. There are lots of other clever bits about the Gran Tourer's packaging, of which we'll only be able to tell you more about once we've driven the car. Hang tight for that.
Click here for more details of the all-new 2 Series Gran Tourer
Performance wise, five turbocharged engine variants were made available at its global unveiling, covering three and four cylinder options: 220i, 218i, 218d, 216d, and a 220d xDrive. This is also the first xDrive (all-wheel drive) that BMW has fitted to a transverse-mounted engine.
As for what you can expect in Malaysia, it’s unclear at the moment as to which of these variants will make it over (the Active Tourer is only available as a 218i thus far), so it’s anyone’s guess at the moment.
Upon quizzing BMW Malaysia reps here, we've been told that there has been an encouraging demand for the fully-imported 2 Series Active Tourer since it was launched recently, and that they see no reason why the larger 2 Series Gran Tourer wouldn’t be received in the same light.
Stay tuned to Carlist.my for more. While you wait, feel free to check out our
test drive of the 2 Series Active Tourer in Austria
.


Honda Thailand To Introduce 10th-Gen Accord In Q1 2019 – Hybrid To Follow

The tenth-generation Honda Accord Hybrid will be the first Honda model to be introduced under the Thai government’s hybrid car incentive scheme.
In an article by
The Bangkok Post
, Chief operating officer Pitak Pruittisarikorn has confirmed that the introduction of the Accord Hybrid will follow after the launch of the petrol-powered models in Q1 2019, to take advantage of the acquired government incentives for hybrid-electric vehicles.
On July 25th, Honda Thailand secured government incentives worth THB 5.82 billion for hybrid-electric vehicles, which is under the purview of the country’s Board of Investment (BoI). Honda plans to leverage the incentives over its two plant operations in Ayutthaya and Prachin Buri.
The announcement comes shortly after Honda Thailand
previewed two 10th-generation Accord models
 at last month’s Thailand International Motor Expo 2018, one of which was a hybrid variant.
The Accord Hybrid is powered by Honda's innovative two-motor hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4 engine to an electric motor and generator combo that produces 315 Nm of torque and combined system output of 212 hp. The Accord Hybrid’s two-motor system operates without the need for a conventional automatic transmission.
The Accord Hybrid's powertrain shifts between three distinct drive operations: EV Drive (100 percent electric motor), Hybrid Drive (electric motor and gasoline engine driving the generator motor) and Engine Drive (petrol engine): utilizes power from the engine and electric motors to accommodate the current driving conditions.


All-New 2017 Subaru XV Launched, From RM 142,828

It’s hard to believe that the Subaru XV has been around for a full 5 years, but it’s about time for a proper model change. Being the second model on the Subaru Global Platform at the time (after the Impreza), it also proved to be a hit as the crossover market was just starting to get into the swing of things - the right kind of car at the right time.
This all-new model sits on a brand-new version of the Subaru Global Platform, which is 70% stiffer than the outgoing model. It promises to be both more refined in terms of comfort and have better body control – the latter of which lends itself towards making the car more enjoyable to drive. A quicker steering ratio and a lower centre of gravity also helps in this particular aspect. The ground clearance is maintained at 220 mm, despite these chassis changes.
The all-new Subaru XV still comes with a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre boxer engine, and the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system equipped with X-MODE. The engine itself has been revamped, making it 12 kilograms lighter than before but it is at heart the same direct-injection equipped engine as before. It produces 156 PS at 6,000 rpm, which is 6 PS more than the older engine. The CVT mated to the engine is 7.8 kg lighter than its predecessor, and comes with auto-step shift control and a 7-speed manual mode function.
As for the aforementioned X-MODE, this is a feature that is included for drivers who wish to head off the beaten path- no matter how small that percentage of XV customers is. It is a holistic approach to off-road control, taking care of the engine, all-wheel drive system, brakes, and other functions. There’s also a hill-descent control setting that keeps the driver in control when crawling down slippery steep slopes.
The all-new Subaru XV comes in two variants: 2.0i and 2.0i-P. The 2.0i goes for RM 142,828.00. The 2.0i-P is the higher spec variant, as per before, and goes for RM 150,248.00. For now, there is a special introductory price of
RM 118,819
 for the 2.0i and
RM 125,868
 for the 2.0i-P. All prices are on-the-road, with GST, without insurance.
With the 2.0i, you get:
7 Airbags
ABS with EBD
Active Torque Vectoring
Brake Assist
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
ISO-FIX
An 8.0-inch Display Audio System
Paddle Shifters
Power Folding Door Mirrors with LED Turn Signals
Multi Function Steering Wheel with Cruise Control
Power Adjustable Driver Seat
Smart Entry and Push Start Button
X-Mode
Electric Parking brake
Rear Vision Camera
Reverse Sensors
Front and Rear Fog Lamps
Roof Spoiler
Roof Rails
17-inch Aluminium Alloy Wheels
Going up to the 2.0i-P, you also get:
Dual-Zone Automatic Air-Conditioning
LED Headlamps With Auto Leveliser
LED Daytime Running Lights
Auto Headlamps
Rain Sensing Wipers
Steering Responsive Headlights
Aluminium Pedals
Headlamp Washers
It’s also worth noting that the all-new Subaru XV recently won the Grand Prix Award in the Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP) Collision Safety Performance Assessment with the highest score recorded. This is thanks in part to the new platform that allows for 40% more energy absorption in the event of a collision.
The all-new Subaru XV is assembled in Segambut and exported to Thailand as well. It was just launched for the Thai market at the Bangkok Motor Expo- to see what our neighbours up north are getting, check out our story
here
.


Mercedes-AMG S65 Cabriolet, The Drop Top Powerhouse To Soothe You Past 300km/h

Mercedes-Benz
 has always made its fast coupe and cabriolet versions that wear the S moniker a bit bonkers, pairing huge power with nerve-numbing comfort to fashion a car that’s defined by its polarity.
And its new S65 Cabrio follows this pattern, a precedent set most recently by the AMG version of its S 65 coupe. With its 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 engine churning out a 620hp and 1000Nm of torque, the convertible needs just 4.1 seconds to reach 100km/h from a standstill. Curiously, that’s the same figure for the coupe which weighs a whole 175kg lighter.
That mirrored sprint time matches up with the top speed too, which in its normal spec is electronically limited to 250km/h but can be raised to 300km/h should the owner opt for the AMG Driver’s Package. Mercedes-Benz isn’t disclosing how fast this car can truly reach should it be fully delimited, though, but we reckon it’s immaterial in a car like this.
Wanting this S 65 Cabrio to be a more emotive driving experience, Mercedes-Benz have swapped out the usual torque converter 9G-TRONIC transmission with AMG’s Speedshift 7G-TRONIC transmission which adds that dramatic crackle and pop on gear shifts. Something to remind you that you are travelling along in such a powerful machine, capable of face-ripping speeds - especially with the roof down.
We’re sure that upon first glance on the Mercedes-AMG S 65 Cabrio, the expected visual drama that usually accompanies the more powerful AMG versions doesn’t seem to be all that apparent. And apart from some minor exterior and interior giveaways, you’d be hard pressed to differentiate this one from its lower-tier siblings. There are “V12 BITURBO” emblems on each side, and those are about as obvious as it gets.
Other differentiators are a twin-blade radiator grill, air intakes and front splitter finished in high-sheen chrome, as well as 20-inch wheels that mask an optional set of carbon ceramic brakes.
The AMG S 65 Cabrio comes with a variation on Mercedes-Benz’s AIRMATIC airsuspension, with an added mode to activate a sports suspension setting to go along with the Comfort setting, with revised variable dampers that provide quicker reactions to keep the S 65 Cabrio level through the corners.
The folding metal top has been a Mercedes-Benz trope for nearly two decades now, but in the AMG S 65 Cabrio Mercedes-Benz has gone for a multi-layer fabric roof that can be retracted or extended in just 17 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h.


2022 Honda HR-V Official Specs & Variants For Malaysia Revealed?

Some of you may have visited a Honda showroom last weekend to check out the soon-to-be-launched
2022 Honda HR-V
. Having gathered all the necessary info, we can confirm that Honda Malaysia will be bringing in four different variants for the latest-gen 2022 HR-V.

The
four variants
 are the base 1.5S (non-turbo), two different turbocharged models (1.5 Turbo E & 1.5 Turbo V), and the range-topping hybrid model, the RS e:HEV. There's no indicator on the pricing plans just yet, but our estimated figures stand between
RM120,000-RM140,000
.

This is quite an interesting finding and if it is indeed true, Malaysia will be the only market globally that offers all three engine configurations (NA, turbo, and hybrid). Let's dive into more details regarding the upcoming 2022 Honda HR-V, shall we?

Power & Torque Outputs - 2022 Honda HR-V

From what we understand, the base HR-V model is fitted with the same L15ZE DOHC i-VTEC unit found in the Honda City model that produces 121PS and 145Nm of torque (21PS and 27Nm less than the outgoing 1.8-litre HR-V base model).

The two turbocharged models (E and V) step things up with their L15C3 VTEC Turbo units that produce 177PS and 240Nm (some folks have suggested that it's 181PS, but we'll see during the official launch). If it's 177PS that we're looking at, then that's only 5PS less than the Honda Civic.

As for the HR-V RS e:HEV, its hybrid powertrain is said to produce 131PS and 253Nm of torque. Compared to Honda's other hybrid models offered in the new City and City Hatchback, the HR-V RS e:HEV has around 22PS more.

VARIANTS

1.5 S (NA)

1.5 TURBO (E)

1.5 TURBO (V)

1.5 RS I-MMD (E:HEV)

ENGINE

1.5 i-VTEC

1.5 VTEC Turbo

1.5 VTEC Turbo

Hybrid

POWER

121PS

177PS

177PS

131PS

TORQUE

145Nm

240Nm

240Nm

253Nm

FUEL

5.9L/100km

6.5L/100km

6.5L/100km

4.1L/100km

2022 Honda HR-V Tyre Specs

The bottom two variants get a set of 17-inch six-spoke rollers wrapped with Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2 tyres, while the top two are fitted with a set of 18-inch rims with  Continental UltraContact UC6 rubbers.

All models come with an original-sized spare wheel, apart from the RS e:HEV which gets a temporary repair kit due to the hybrid's battery placement.

Exterior of 2022 HR-V

All new HR-V variants get the same LED auto headlight setup with LED daytime running lights, but the rest depends on which model you're interested in.

The 1.5 Turbo E and V variants get front fog lights and tailpipe finisher (compared to the base 1.5NA S), while the range-topping RS gets those plus a hands-free power tailgate with 'Walk Away' function, and of course, the RS body kit.

HR-V Interior

There's quite a big difference between all four models when it comes to interior equipment. The table below should be easier for you to digest and differentiate between the new HR-V variants and offerings.

INTERIOR SPECS

1.5 S (NA)

1.5 TURBO (E)

1.5 TURBO (V)

1.5 RS I-MMD (e:HEV)

Paddle Shifter

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Remote Engine Start

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Walk Away Auto Lock

                                 Yes with Default Settings

Air-Conditioning

Single Zone

Single Zone

Single Zone

Dual Zone

Steering

Urethane

Urethane

Leather

Leather + Red Stitching

Upholstery

Fabric

Fabric

Leather

Leather + Red Stitching

Sport Pedal

-

-

-

Yes

Meter

4.2"

7" TFT

7" TFT

7" TFT

Auto Front Wiper

-

-

-

Yes

8-Way Driver Power Seat

Manual

Manual

Yes

Yes

Audio System

8" Advanced Touch Display

Speakers

4

4

8

8

USB Ports (Front)

2

2

2

2

USB Ports (Rear)

-

2

2

2

Safety 2022 Honda HR-V

All new HR-V models will get a total of six airbags, apart from the base S variant which will only have four. The good news is that the Auto Brake Hold, Hill Decent Control (HDC), Agile Handle Assist (ASA), and Honda Sensing are available across the board.

Compared to the base S model, the other three get Sport Mode, and only the top two V and RS e:HEV come with the full safety suite that includes the Honda Connect, Lane Watch, Variable Gear Ratio, and Front Sequential Turn Signal.

Can book already?

Honda Malaysia opened the
booking
 for its new 2022 Honda HR-V earlier this month. We're expecting the official launch to happen sometime in Q3 2022, but those who are eager to own one should place your bookings before June ends to benefit from the
SST exemption
.


Audi's Virtual Cockpit Tech Coming To 2016 A3, More Models To Follow

Audi
 is due to introduce a newly refreshed version of their
A3
 next year, and if reports are to be believed, the German automaker is looking to throw in the same all-digital Virtual Cockpit instrument display that we first saw in the
Audi TT
.
Since the introduction of this driver-facing technology – literally – Audi has trickled it to their
A4
,
Q7
 and even the
R8
 supercar. It is highly customisable system, allowing a fully dynamic dash layout that's programmable to suit each driver.
Essentially, it combines the functionality of the instrument cluster with the infotainment controls and car setting toggles into a screen mounted where the traditional hardware gauges usually sit, appearing through a high-resolution screen with processing power supplied by Nvidia.
According to
Motoring.com.au
, this new addition will be available as an option on the upcoming facelifted A3, so says Audi’s head of electronics, Ricky Hudi.
“In the future, there are not so many cars that will not have it integrated, even into the smaller cars. Next year in the facelift of the A3, we will also integrate the virtual cockpit,” said Hudi.
He added that he expects 2016 A3's adoption rate for this new feature to be a significant percentage, but lower than that compared to when the Virtual Cockpit was first introduced in the Q7 or A4. So far, it comes as standard in only the R8.
“The customer who chooses the base A3 won’t choose this option. If they choose a higher engine or a higher, well-equipped car then they will choose it. No doubt. The price reduces very fast with more people using it and the virtual cockpit is an Audi signature now,”
“With a well-equipped A3, like the
RS 3
, why should this customer not be willing to pay another 400 euros for a virtual cockpit? Or a Matrix LED headlight?”
Hudi also said that Audi seems to be leading the pack in these technological solutions, explaining how 18 months after the company had announced the Virtual Cockpit, no other automaker has announced a rival system.
Just like they are seeing happen with the A4, Hudi is also confident that, given time, most buyers will opt to have the Virtual Cockpit installed instead of keeping the analogue dashboard. That same pattern seen with the Audi Q7. Finally, he also disclosed that the Audi
A5
 and
Q5
 will be receiving the feature as well in the near future.


Family in Proton Exora found unconscious after hitting Bentong toll divider

A family of four were found unconscious and subsequently rescued by traffic police officers after
the Proton Exora
 they were travelling in had impacted a toll booth barrier in Bentong on Monday, April 24th at around 2.40pm.

It is suspected that the driver had fainted when approaching the toll plaza while travelling from Tok Bali in Kelantan to their destination in Balakong, Selangor.

The officers noticed the impact while on patrol along the Karak Highway, who proceeded to assist in removing them from the stricken vehicle, aided by members of the public.

The couple and their 2 children were given first aid by medical officers and were sent to Bentong Hospital for further treatment where a doctor’s examination revealed the victims had low blood oxygen levels, contributing to their state when the incident occurred.

The timely rescue and medical attention given to the family were fortunate, as low blood oxygen levels can lead to severe medical complications. While the cause of the driver's fainting remains officially unconfirmed, it's plausible that it was due to exhaustion or a lack of adequate ventilation within the vehicle.

It's crucial for drivers to take breaks during long journeys and to seek medical assistance if they have any underlying health concerns that could impact their driving. This incident serves as a reminder of the critical role of road safety and the necessity of remaining alert while behind the wheel.


Understanding The World’s Most Advanced Plug-in Hybrid SUV – Volvo XC90 T8

It’s not very common for a company to promote an engineer to the position of a CEO. Most CEOs and heads of business units come from either business or accounting backgrounds. There are however a few exceptions.
In Honda, there is an unwritten rule that dictates that only engineers from Honda R&D Co., Ltd. - a semi-autonomous R&D division intentionally kept apart from parent company Honda Motor Co., Ltd. – can be promoted to the position of President and CEO.
So does BMW, whose CEOs past and present were mostly former engineers. One of them (Dr. Helmut Panke) was even a nuclear physicist!
To a keen driver, the technical superiority of products developed by companies helmed by someone with a technical background is obvious.
There is no better brand to illustrate this point than Volvo Car. For much of the ‘90s, the pride of Sweden languished under Ford ownership, where American accounts decided that they knew the business of making and selling cars better than Swedish engineers, and resulted in Volvo’s slow decline.
Now under the custodian of China’s Geely, whose founder Li Shufu is an engineer by training, Volvo Car is prospering under the leadership Hakan Samuelsson, who has held various technical positions at Scania and MAN.
Lead by a boss familiar with technical matters, Volvo bounced back with strong vigor. Volvo is now the only company making twincharged petrol engines (the T6 Drive-E in the XC60 T6), is one of the four companies in the world to know how to build petrol and diesel engines from the same engine block (the others are Mazda, BMW and Jaguar), and the only one to use electric air compressors to combat turbo lag (PowerPulse).
Closer to home, the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid is the flagbearer for the reinvigorated Volvo, and there is no better person in Malaysia to explain about the XC90 T8 than Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM).
Lennart is not your typical business leader, because he actually knows every detail of his flagship product. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director of VCM, Lennart was an engineer heavily involved in electric propulsion projects at Volvo Car’s R&D facilities in Sweden and China.
He was also responsible for the C30 Electric project, a limited production electric-powered C30 sold in Sweden. The experience gained from the C30 Electric paved the way for the development of the XC90 T8.
When it comes to electricfied powertrains, be it hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or battery electric vehicles, it is unlikely that you will find anyone in the country with more experience on the subject than Lennart.
Most Advanced Plug-in Hybrid SUV? How?
Lennart was keen to highlight several features in the XC90 T8 that might not be immediately obvious to consumers, but form the foundation to Volvo’s claim that the XC90 T8 is superior to any other competing plug-in hybrid SUVs on the market – a cheeky dig at the BMW X5 xDrive40e.
Aside from the obvious fact that the Volvo offers seven seats versus the BMW’s five, the Volvo’s 9.2 kWh Li-ion traction battery is located centrally as opposed to the BMW’s under the boot floor installation, and there is a good reason to Volvo’s unique arrangement.
Traction batteries are large and heavy, even more so for a plug-in hybrid, which needs to have a longer electric drive range -  over 40 km in the case of the 2.3 ton XC90 T8, compared to the 2 km plus of a regular hybrid like a Toyota Camry Hybrid.
All other plug-in hybrid models have their heavy battery located under the boot floor. The Toyota Prius v’s (also known as Prius+ and Prius Alpha in some markets) Li-ion battery is installed in a similar location as in the XC90 T8, but being a regular hybrid, the battery is much smaller and presents less restrictions to the vehicle’s packaging.
In Volvo’s opinion, a critical component that weighs 100 kg (114 kg in the case of the XC90 T8) should not be placed in the boot, where it upsets the handling of the car, requiring stiffer suspension, and is susceptible to damage from severe accidents.
Instead, the XC90’s traction battery is mounted centrally, right within the vehicle’s centre of gravity, extending fore-aft for optimal weight balance, well protected from impact from all directions. This design was first introduced in the C30 Electric (below), which Lennart helped to develop.
This is possible because Volvo didn’t merely adapt the XC90 T8’s plug-in hybrid system into a regular XC90. Instead, its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform has been designed from the beginning to support a zero compromise plug-in hybrid vehicle.
All reputable car makers design their traction batteries packaging to be able to withstand severe impacts, but this is Volvo, so you can be certain that they will go a few steps further.
You’ve already read that Volvo is the only car company to design their vehicles to withstand against run-off road scenarios, a very common accident scenario not tested by any government or NCAP organization.
On top of Volvo’s typically rigorous standards for the XC90, the T8 plug-in hybrid variant has to pass several more destructive testing specific to its traction battery. Lennart explained that the XC90’s traction is designed to withstand not just fire but also submersion under water. Of course, at some point, the battery will eventually fail, but the system will automatically disable itself if the vehicle is involved in a serious accident.
Despite all the added measures, the XC90 is still leads its peers when it comes to power output per unit of CO2 emission.
Swedish Grade Durability
There is no argument that complex electronics is more fragile than ‘old school’ mechanical components, but in the same way that few will ever trade the functionality of an iPhone for the durability of a Nokia 3210, the automotive industry just simply can’t go back to building cars the way they used to, especially when strict emission and safety regulations necessitated the adoption of electronic controls.
Maintaining harmony within the XC90 T8’s 9.2 kWh, 96 cells Lithium Manganese Oxide-Nickel Manganese Cobalt/Graphite traction battery is the responsibility of a complex power management algorithm developed by the geniuses at Gothenburg, Sweden.
The pouch-type Li-ion cells are made by Enerdel but cells are integrated by LG Chem into a battery, before fitting them into Volvo’s own packaging design. Tesla uses cylindrical types, while Toyota favours prismatic cells. Each have their own pros and cons.
Li-ion cells hate high temperatures. The software monitors each individual cell’s temperature and to keep them operating below 40 degrees Celsius. To keep the cells within their optimal thermal range, the software constantly adjusts the charging/discharging rate when the vehicle is plugged in or driven.
“Sure we can charge the battery to 100 percent in a much shorter time, maybe even in just 10 minutes, but we can do it for maybe five or six times before the battery is damaged,” explained Lennart.
The XC90 T8’s charger is also unique as it owners can select the input current’s Amperage – 10A, 8A, and 6A. Of course, if you are not in a hurry, selecting the lowest 6A option is preferred.
To keep the battery and electric motors cool, liquid cooling is used. If necessary, the coolant is chilled even further by the XC90’s air-conditioning system.
Lennart went on to explain that if necessary, an XC90 T8 parked under the hot sun might even activate its air-conditioning system to cool the battery, so don’t be surprised if you walked past a parked XC90 and the blower fan activates on its own.
However this is only possible if there is sufficient charge in the battery. While it is possible to drive the plug-in hybrid Volvo using petrol power alone, Volvo strongly recommends that owners to regularly plug their XC90 T8 into a domestic power socket for charging.
When plugged into a domestic power socket, it takes about 3.5 hours to charge the XC90 T8. Using a dedicated wall charger (sold separately) will reduce this to 2.5 hours.
Charging the battery regularly also promotes longer service life, as battery cells maintain their health best when they charged and discharged regularly at a controlled rate.
Although the battery is rated at 9.2 kWh, only 6.7 kWh is usable. The rest of the capacity is kept as a buffer of sorts so at any one full charge-discharge cycle, only about two-thirds of the battery’s capacity is used. Over several charge-discharge cycles, different cells will be used so no two cells will be used consecutively in one cycle. This type of over-engineering also promotes long term durability of the battery.
In other words, the XC90 T8’s traction battery will never drop to 0 percent (note the graph above), and when plugged in, it will not be allowed to be charged to 100 percent (although it might appear as 'full' in the vehicle's display) but in certain driving conditions, like when descending a very long downhill stretch, it might reach 100 percent. If the battery’s state of charge drops below 17 percent, the petrol engine will kick in to charge the battery, and charging will be stopped if charge levels reach about 90 percent.
Electrically driven rear axle
Another impressive feature is the Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD). Most all-wheel drive plug-in hybrids including the BMW X5 xDrive40e have power transferred to the rear axle via a conventional propeller shaft, albeit aided by a motor-generator nestled within their transmission – in Volvo’s design, this particular component is called the Crankshaft Integrated Starter Generator or CISG.
The XC90 T8 is the only model to use an electrically driven rear axle. Not even the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid has it. The next closest model to use such a setup are the BMW i8 and Porsche 918, which have electrically driven front axle (power flow is reversed because their engine is located in the car’s rear).
There are some Lexus hybrid models that have electrically driven rear axles but these are low torque motors and the axle cannot be driven by the engine. The XC90 T8’s system on the other hand, can be driven by both electric and petrol power.
By combining the CISG in front and ERAD in the rear, the XC90 is capable of regenerative braking and electric drive on both axles. Without ERAD, the XC90’s rivals can only do the same on the front axle only.
The reason why few manufacturers want to adopt such an ERAD-like solution is because keeping the two components on either ends of the vehicle in sync is extremely complicated. Ensuring the precise moment at which the clutches engage or disengage without disrupting the driveline, switching between motor and generator functions, petrol or electric power when accelerating or braking on one axle alone is complicated enough, let alone two axles.
Lennart explains that the ERAD can spin up to 12,500 rpm, and has 10 gear ratios, so this allows a for a wide enough range for the ERAD to engage/disengage, even when the driver is accelerating and braking erratically at high speeds. Lennart also added that the process is almost imperceptible to the driver.
The 240 Nm and 60 kW (about 80 hp) ERAD is powerful enough to drive the XC90 up to 120 km/h, but beyond that, a clutch disengages the ERAD to avoid overheating.
Since the centre of the vehicle's structure is already taken up by the centrally-mounted traction battery, there is no space for a propeller shaft and thus, the rear-axle is driven exclusively by the ERAD alone.
What’s Coming Next?
Lennart also briefly explained about CMA – Compact Modular Architecture – essentially a scaled down version of SPA, to be employed in Volvo’s future range of compact models.
SPA currently underpins the XC90 and the soon to be launched in Malaysia S90, while CMA will underpin the yet to be released XC40, a crossover sitting below the XC60.
The biggest difference between SPA and CMA is that CMA is unable to accommodate ERAD as it is more compact, so regenerative braking and electric drive is only possible on the front axle. However the platform is still able to accommodate conventional mechanical AWD functions.
It’s too early to say if the XC40 will be introduced in Malaysia, as the vehicle is now just a concept car, but nevermind about the XC40, as Volvo is still working on obtaining EEV incentives from the government for the S90.
Considering that Volvo is the first car company to setup a vehicle assembly plant in Malaysia, and that Volvo has given Malaysia the privilege of being the only country outside of Sweden to assemble the XC90, denying our loyal Swedish friends the privilege of assembling the world’s most sophisticated plug-in hybrid sedan and crossover would not be sending the right message to the industry.


Volvo Adds T5 Variant To XC90 Range In Malaysia – 254 hp, RM373,888

Volvo Car Malaysia today announced the addition of the XC90 T5 variant to its SUV line up.
Priced at RM373,888 (on-the-road, without insurance, inclusive of excise duty and sales tax), the XC90 T5 is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and 8-speed automatic gearbox as the T8 variant, producing 254 hp and 350 Nm of torque.
However, the T5 doesn’t come with the supercharger and the hybrid system like the one in the XC90 T8, which explains the difference in output figures between the two models.
Other key differences are that the XC90 T5 is fitted with 19-inch alloy while the T8 gets 20-inch wheels, standard leather instead of the T8's Nappa Leather, and a more basic 10-speaker 330 W audio system compared to the T8 Inscription Plus' Bowers & Wilkins 19-speaker 1400 W premium audio system.
Capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, the XC90 T5’s fuel consumption rating stands at 7.9l/100 km (NEDC, combined cycle).
In terms of features, the XC90 T5 will maintain all the IntelliSafe systems available in the XC90 T8 Twin Engine variant, which includes City Safety with Auto Braking, and Pilot Assist, Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system which supports the driver with steering, acceleration, and braking.
However, there are quite a few features in the T8 Inscription (RM403,888) and the T8 Inscription Plus (RM413,888) which the T5 does not get, such as:
Active Chassis with 4-Corner Air Suspension
Head-Up Display (HUD)
Sensus Navigation
Road Sign Information System (RSI)
Orrefors Crystal Gear Lever with Illumination
Nappa Leather upholstery
Power Adjustable Side Support
Power Folding Rear Head Restraints, 2nd Row Outer Rear Seats
Park Assist Pilot, Parallel & Perpendicular Parking
360° Surround View Camera
Inscription Nappa Leather Key Fob
Laminated Side Windows
Inscription Exterior Elements with Chrome Details
Integrated Roof Rails with Bright Finish
Dual Integrated Tailpipes
Active Bending Lights (ABL)
High-pressure Headlight Cleaners
Tailored Instrument Panel
Inscription Textile Carpets
4-Zone Electronic climate control (ECC)
Third Row Air Conditioning with C-Pillar Vents
Panoramic Sunroof
Besides the new T5 variant, the XC90 range also receives a new Maroon Brown interior upholstery option, and three new exterior colour options (Crystal White, Denim Blue, Maple Brown).
According to VCM, the decision to add a new variant to the XC90 line-up came after collecting valuable feedback from customers who wanted more trim level and powertrain choices for Volvo’s best-selling large SUV.
“As a human-centric car company, we are always developing products that suit the current needs of our customers,” said Lennart Stegland, managing director of Volvo Car Malaysia.


Detroit 2018: All-New Third Generation Honda Insight Prototype To Make World Debut

At January's 2018 Detroit Auto Show, Honda will showcase a Honda Insight Prototype that will preview an all-new third generation Honda Insight hybrid, due in 2019.
Unlike the second generation mild-hybrid IMA-powered model, this upcoming third-generation Insight will be powered by Honda's latest two-motor full-hybrid system, and will be marketed as upscale five-seater sedan positioned above the Civic in Honda's passenger car range. The previous generation model was a sub-Civic class B-segment hatchback.
Henio Arcangeli, Jr., Senior VP of Automobile Sales and GM of the Honda in America added, "At the 2017 North American International Auto Show we announced our Honda Electrification Initiative with the intention to make two-thirds of Honda's global vehicle sales electrified vehicles by 2030. With the Insight launching later in 2018 as the fifth electrified vehicle brought to market over the past year, we're demonstrating our commitment to that goal."
The all-new 2019 Insight will showcase a new approach to the styling, packaging, premium features and performance of a dedicated hybrid model, one that will appeal to a wider range of mainstream buyers.
The first-generation Honda Insight hybrid was first introduced in 1999, with a 2-door ‘coupe’ body style with aerodynamics optimised for efficiency and a body made from lightweight aluminium structure. It was also the first Honda vehicle to utilize Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system, then paired to a 1.0-litre petrol engine.
The second-generation Insight (which was sold here), was first introduced in 2009 as a five-seater hatchback, powered by 1.3-litre IMA hybrid system. A larger 1.5-litre was offered in some markets after a mid-lifecycle facelift.
Unlike the previous generations of Japan-made Insight models, this all-new third generation model will be manufactured at Honda's Greensburg, Indiana plant, alongside the Civic and CR-V. Honda has yet to confirm if this all-new model will be produced in Japan.
Slated to be introduced in the second-half of 2018, the Insight hybrid will join Honda’s Clarity series (Clarity Fuel Cell, Clarity Electric, and Clarity Plug-in Hybrid) and the 2018 Accord Hybrid as the fifth electrified vehicle in the Honda (US) range.


2017 All-New Hyundai Elantra Now Available In Malaysia, Priced From RM120k

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has officiated the all-new 2017 Hyundai Elantra in Malaysia. Whilst initially
planned
 for a May debut,
bookings
 were open only earlier this month ahead of today's launch.
Available in three trim levels across two engine choices, Hyundai's base Elantra 2.0 Dynamic will set buyers back for RM119,899. Moving one level up is the Elantra 2.0 Executive, priced at RM124,237. The sole turbocharged Elantra variant, aptly named Elantra Sport costs RM135,404. All prices are OTR with insurance.
The first engine choice is a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre MPI petrol engine that does 152 PS and 192 Nm, mated to Hyundai's six-speed automatic. The hotter Elantra Sport comes with a 1.6-litre Gamma T-GDI petrol engine that is good for 204 PS and 265 Nm. Drive is sent to the front wheels via Hyundai's EcoShift seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The Hyundai Elantra's equipment is listed below.
2.0-litre Nu four-cylinder petrol engine with 152 PS and 192 Nm
Six-speed automatic
17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45R17 tyres
Front MacPherson struts
Rear torsion beam
Six airbags
ABS
ESC
Hill-Start Assist (HSA)
Brake Assist System (BAS)
Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
Chrome radiator grille
Projector halogen headlights with LED position lights
LED tail lights
Fog light
Electric folding wing mirrors with side repeater
Chrome door handles
Suede and leather seat upholstery
Eight-way adjustable driver seat with lumbar support
60:40 split folding rear seats
Supervision cluster
Hand-type parking brake
Electronic-Chromic Mirror (ECM)
Rear console air vent
All round power window
Driver side auto up and down
Seven-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Steering wheel audio control
AUX, Bluetooth and USB connectivity
Smart key entry with push start button
Auto cruise control
Manual air-conditioning
Auto Light Control
Manual headlight leveling
Front and rear parking sensors
Rear view camera
Drive Mode
Smart Trunk
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
As for the pricier Elantra Sport, standard kit includes:
1.6-litre T-GDI (Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection) petrol engine with 204 PS and 265 Nm
Seven-speed dual-clutch transmission
Rear multilink suspension
Metallic silver and black front grille
HID headlights
LED daytime running lights
Rear fog light
Leather upholstery
Dual-zone auto air-conditioning system
Paddle shifters
Rain Sensor
Blind Spot Detection
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors is backing the Elantra with a 5-year or 300,000 km warranty. On top of that, a 24-hour road assist service is also available for new and existing Hyundai customers.


New Honda CR-Z Facelift Revealed For Japanese Market

Recently, images of the
Honda
 CR-Z
facelift were posted online
 but now, Honda has revealed full details on the revised CR-Z, confirming much of what was revealed by the leaked images. This time around, the second revision of the compact hybrid sees changes to its design, along with updates to its hybrid system as well.
Keep in mind that the specifications here are for the Japanese domestic market CR-Z, scheduled to debut in October, and will be available in an Alpha and an Alpha Master Label trim levels with prices starting from 2,700,000 yen (RM94,321). Over here in Malaysia, the
end of the hybrid incentive package for CBU vehicles saw prices for the CR-Z skyrocket, making it pretty expensive to buy a brand new one.
First up, the
Honda CR-Z
 has its rear track slightly widened by 10mm along with a revision of the suspension where the damper and spring rates are tuned towards increased stability. The brakes also get uprated as well with larger discs and calliper piston diameter.
Moving on to the exterior design changes, the new CR-Z receives new front and rear bumpers where both receive a lower lip which extends outwards into the fog lamp enclosures. LEDs are now more commonplace here as well with the headlamps and turn signal indicators utilising them. The aluminium wheels come in 16- and 17-inch sizes.
The cabin gets a minor overhaul here as well. Gone is the traditional manual handbrake, replaced with an electronic parking brake, allowing a more practical built-in armrest (with console storage box) to take its place. A new touchscreen multimedia unit is fitted as well, reminiscent of that from the City and Jazz. Elsewhere, there is now a push-start button and the steering wheel has a S+ boost button as well.
A seven-speaker, 360 watt audio system handles audio playback and can also channel engine sound to the speakers with three options available via the 3-Mode Drive System. If you prefer a quieter driving experience, the system also comes with active noise phase controller.
Safety gets a bump up as well with the inclusion of a city brake active system and updates to the side curtain and side airbag.
Powertrain options however, appear to remain unchanged with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine with an IMA motor, paired to either a CVT or six-speed manual transmission. Although no official power output figures were provided, we can safely assume that the same total combined 136PS at 6,660 rpm and 172Nm of torque from 1,000-3,000 rpm.


5 Sub-5.0 Seconds 0-100km/h Cars That You Can Buy Today In Malaysia

You don't like tinkering, you don't like customizing, you don't like modifications either but you like speed. So if you were shopping for a stock sub-5 second car in Malaysia, what are your options?

Caroll Shelby is one of the most prolific names in all of motoring, the American legend best known for his love of racing and making fast Fords has many legends, one of the more popular ones is the USD100 Bill Game. As the legend goes, Shelby used to stick a USD100 bill (which as you might surmise was worth quite a lot in the 60s) on the car’s windshield and challenge friends and customers to grab it while he accelerated as hard as he could in his iconic Shelby Cobra. If they could grab it, they could keep it.

This was nearly impossible as the G-forces from a full-blown start is so great, it pins the passengers hard into the seat virtually rendering them immobile and unable to reach the note on the windscreen. The fastest 0-100km/h time ever clocked in a (7.0-litre) Shelby Cobra 427 was 4.5 seconds, and it would dip just under 5.3 seconds even on its worst day.

For the longest time, the hallowed sub 5.0 second club was limited to supercars and exotic machinery like the Cobra. However, technological advancements in the last two decades have advanced at such a pace, that performance or sports cars now offer similar performance for a fraction of the price. Here are five sub 5.0 second 0-100km/h cars you could buy and drive on Malaysian roads today.

1. MINI John Cooper Works Clubman (JCW) Clubman – 0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds

Admit it, you didn’t expect a MINI to be on this list right, but yes, thanks to AWD and over 300hp the MINI JCW Clubman will out-accelerate most hot hatches (including the Civic Type R) and slides just under the 5-second mark with a time of 4.9 seconds. Launched here in 2019, the
(F54) MINI Cooper S Clubman JCW
 is one of the quickest MINI models ever made. Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 306 PS and 450 Nm, the
JCW variant
 pumps out 114hp and 170Nm more than the ‘regular’ Cooper S variant giving this unassuming 5-door hatch/wagon some serious performance stats. It’s also the lightest car here promising superb driving dynamics and that trademark MINI fun factor.

2. Kia Stinger 3.3 V6 GT – 0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds

You might be wondering what a Kia Stinger is doing on this list, well for one its century sprint time dips just under the 5-second mark, and you can
technically still buy it
 if you wanted it under
Kia’s new brand owners
. The flagship Stinger GT comes with a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 Lambda T-GDi engine which kicks out 370 PS and 510 Nm of maximum torque. The engine is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission which exclusively powers the rear wheels making its acceleration times even more remarkable since it’s the only 2WD powered car on this list. With the future of Kia’s sublime halo-car hanging in the balance, the Stinger may just prove to be a one of a kind sports sedan and one that is properly fast, even in the most menacing of company.

3. Mercedes-AMG C43 BiTurbo 4Matic – 0-100km/h: 4.7 seconds

The Mercedes-AMG C43 is a true wolf in sheep’s clothing. At the outset, it looks no more special than a ‘regular’ C300 but when you peek under its skin, you find a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 that outputs 390hp and 520Nm of torque. The engine is paired to an AMG Speedshift 9-speed transmission which distributes power to all four wheels giving it sublime traction and acceleration off the line. The century sprint takes just 4.7 seconds, but besides great acceleration – the C43 also excels as an
extremely fun car to drive, very balanced
 in terms of its usability and comfort, and thanks to CKD assembly, reasonably priced too.

4. Volvo S60 T8 Twin Engine – 0-100km/h: 4.4 seconds

What have we not said about the Volvo S60, in short,
we love it
, simply because it is by far one of the most technologically advanced cars ever sold in Malaysia – and
courtesy of local assembly
, one of the cheapest ways to go fast, really fast. Unsurprising really, since the S60 T8 is a car that has not one, two but three forced elements that help it get to its maximum output of 407hp and 640Nm of torque. The S60’s powertrain package combines a 2.0-litre engine that is supercharged, turbocharged and then aided by (87hp/240Nm) electric motor to give you that blistering pace and at the same time, unmatched fuel efficiency. Since 2020, Volvo caps all its cars, regardless of how powerful they are, to a maximum of 180km/h – however, there is no cap on how fast you can reach that speed, and the S60 does that pretty damn quickly.

5. BMW M340i xDrive – 0-100km/h: 4.4 seconds

The M340i might be the
new kid on the block
, but it came with all guns blazing. The M340i features the trademark BMW (3.0-litre) turbocharged inline six-cylinder that outputs 382hp and 500Nm that supplies power to all four wheels through a brilliant 8-speed automatic transmission. The M340i completes the century sprint in just 4.4 seconds, equalling the S60 T8’s time, but with just a traditional internal combustion powertrain further highlighting the
immense power and immediacy
 of the car’s powertrain package. Unlike the S60 though, the M340i is not limited to just 180km/h, it will keep accelerating all the way to 250km/h for far greater thrills.

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