Auto Shanghai 2023: Great Wall Motor wows crowd with NEVs and electrification push

Great Wall Motor (GWM) is showcased their commitment to electrification at the Auto Shanghai 2023 exhibition. With the unveiling of a range of new energy vehicles from its five major brands: HAVAL, TANK, ORA, POER, and WEY, GWM is positioning itself as a significant player in the xEV market.

With advancements in technology and infrastructure supporting the adoption of electric and electrified vehicles, it's an exciting time for the automotive industry, and GWM's commitment to electrification is a step in the right direction.

GWM invited over 300 media and distributors from more than 60 countries to experience their intelligent NEVs and technologies at the Auto Shanghai 2023 exhibition. This event provided a unique opportunity to showcase their commitment to sustainable transportation and the future of the automotive industry as they see it.

GWM HAVAL introduced its all-new star product lineup and the new energy SUV dubbed Fierce Dragon MAX, which made its world premiere in the Chinese market. The first of its kind, it boasts the revolutionary Hi4 (Hybrid Intelligent 4WD) technology and features a fresh design concept that radiates a futuristic allure.

GWM’s new pickup, a 6x6 version of GWM POER was also launched together with the large high-performance hybrid pickup, the POER Shanhai PHEV/HEV, proving GWM’s commitment to new energy pickup solutions as well.

Additionally, GWM's ORA brand released two pure electric models while GWM TANK, on the other hand, showed off two NEVs: the TANK400 PHEV made its world debut and the larger TANK500 PHEV opened its worldwide pre-sale, marking the brand's entry into the high-end intelligent NEV market.

Moreover, GWM WEY released their first MPV model, the WEY Gaoshan PHEV, and showcased the Lanshan PHEV, a six-seater electric SUV.

Parker Shi, Vice President and Head of the International Market at GWM, said: "GWM will rely on the forest ecosystem to accelerate technology iteration and product upgrading, and provide global users with more high-quality and intelligent new-energy products" in line with their intelligent NEV’s philosophy of ‘Greener, Higher, and Safer.”


Mazda CX-30 Confirmed For Malaysia, CKD Plans Mulled

Following our
earlier report in April
, Bermaz Motor has now confirmed that the first ever Mazda CX-30 will be launched in Malaysia.
Bermaz declined to confirm if the CX-30 will follow the direction of the CX-5 and
upcoming CX-8
 – of being locally-assembled rather than imported from Japan.
However we understand that Bermaz is currently pursuing the path of increasing its mix of locally assembled SUVs, a segment which is growing faster than others. It's also part of the reason why the
all-new Mazda 3
 is no longer assembled in Kulim but imported from Japan.
Positioned between the CX-3 and CX-5, the CX-30 is aimed at the Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, and Subaru XV. The model will be powered by a 2.0-litre mild hybrid engine paired to a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Mazda have yet to confirm any further details as the model will only go on sale later this year, with Europe being the first market to receive it. The only public appearance of the model so far was during March’s Geneva Motor Show.
As such, we don’t think that the CX-30 will be introduced in Malaysia within this year. A local launch in 2020 seems more likely and if the model is going to be locally-assembled, a longer lead time is to be expected.


2021 Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition Launched - RM42,300

If you missed the Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Editions 1100 sold-out units, don’t worry - you can now buy the Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition.

Carlist.my was one of the first and few to get our hands on the Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition. You can read how much I enjoyed it
here
 or watch our review of it
here
.

So is the Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition any different from the Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition?

The answer is largely no, it isn’t except for new leatherette seats with R3 emblems and yellow stitching on the interior. That is the biggest difference.

The Saga R3 does however get a ‘sporty’ sticker running along its left and right flank with the number 82 on it. This is an homage to Team Racing R3’s Saga race car number. As this is a Limited Edition, this will serve as further proof to buyers down the road that this is an ‘original’ Saga R3 Limited Edition and not a copy ori lah.

Another aesthetic difference between this Saga and Saga 35th Anniversary is the addition of yellow buttons on the steering wheel to further accentuate its R3-ness. You also get carpets with yellow borders.  Two bespoke R3 yellow windshield sun visor strips on the front and rear windshields complete the look.

We count one R3 emblem on the right rear of the car complemented with a Limited Edition emblem on the left. There is also an R3 Limited Edition emblem just above the glove compartment inside the car. A further reminder you’re in an R3 Limited Edition Proton Saga.

The Saga R3 Limited Edition sits on 15-inch twin-five spoke alloys finished in matte dark grey, shod on 185/55 profile tyres. It carries forward the bunga raya themed design which was first introduced on the 2019 Proton Saga facelift albeit in a different colour.

Entertainment is via a 7.0-inch Android-based head unit that comes with Bluetooth and MirrorLink.

The engine remains the same 1.3-litre four-cylinder that kicks out 95 PS paired to a 4AT gearbox from Hyundai. There is NO increased power output, NO handling upgrades otherwise to this Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition.

The Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition is priced at
RM42,300
 (after the PENJANA Sales Tax discount of RM500) which is RM3000 more expensive than the current Proton Saga 1.3L Premium Edition that retails for RM39,300 but similarly priced to the Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition that sold for RM41,335 fully kitted out.

The Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition only comes in Quartz Black and bookings are now open at all authorised Proton dealers nationwide.

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

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

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


PDRM Sets Up Nationwide Safety Programme To Curb Festive Season Crimes

During festive seasons are also when the frequency of certain crimes increase. There are upshots in house break-ins, vehicle thefts, and property damage, to name but a few. As such, police personnel nationwide have set up a “Balik Kampung Safety programme” to curb such occurrences.
"House owners heading out of town and leaving their house vacant are advised to fill up the 'Balik Kampung Information Form' and submit to the nearest police station,” said Shah Alam police chief ACP Shafien Mamat, who added that burglaries and motorcycle thefts to be the top crime activities here, according to
The Sun Daily
.
During a press conference at the Shah Alam police headquarters, he told reporters: "We will then file the information based on the forms and scrutinise which area to do mobile patrolling,”
"Police patrols will be conducted to ensure the safety of the vacant houses during the festive season."
Finally, Shafien said the necessary forms can be obtained through a download via the PDRM website or, alternatively, from the nearest police station.


Proton Announces RM 200 Million Investment For Tanjung Malim

It's an entirely new plant within their massive existing facility.

We've talked at length about the differences between fully importing, locally assembling, and locally manufacturing a car. In
Proton
 and Perodua's case, much of the car is manufactured locally - and part of that manufacturing includes the stamping of body panels. To keep up with demand and prepare themselves for future models, Proton has announced an RM 200 million investment in their Tanjung Malim facility.

The investment will go towards a new stamping plant that will handle the models they have now, as well as anything else they plan to launch. This is on top of the RM 1.2 billion that they have already spent getting their plant ready for the
X70
 and
X50
, among other models. This new plant is expected to be done by the third quarter of next year.

“While we are happy with our progress so far, Proton must continue to look to the future. This new addition is part of our strategy to ensure that we can grow continuously as well as increase our model footprint when we have to. This means having the ability to build more variants, but more importantly to be able to build them to the highest standards as well as to incorporate new technology.” said Proton CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong.

“We are very clear about the direction and growth for Proton. While Malaysia will always be our primary market, we must be able to compete beyond our shores. This facility is one small part of the journey. It is especially important for us because it means we can do far more localisation going forward. This will have a spillover effect which will see us engaging with more vendors and further growing the local automotive ecosystem."


2014 BMW 5 Series 520d Full Review: The Ever Maturing Athlete

The
2014 BMW 5 Series
 has been in the market for some time now, and unsurprisingly, it’s
recently been given a facelift
 to keep things up for the Bavarian company. Locally, BMW Malaysia offers us three variations of its
5 Series
 (codenamed F10), in the forms of the 520d, 520i, and the range-topping 528i M Sport.
By now, you must be familiar with what’s been on tap here
since 2010
, but as mentioned, there’s been a new round of updates for the 5 Series range that includes new Adaptive LED headlights, an ECO PRO coasting function, turn indicators on the wing mirrors, a swanky LCD instrument cluster, a touch pad for the iDrive and a Route-Ahead Assistant.
But are these enough to keep the F10 – particularly the 520d we have here – fresh in contention with the likes of its fiercest rivals, the
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 and the
Audi A6
?
Buyer’s Guide:
If you’re set on a BMW 520d and haven’t yet spent much time around or in one, keep in mind that despite the stage it sets for itself as a premium contender, it is a base variant of a model that’s been around for some years.
Outside, the car gets on well with its distinctive and contemporary design that’s been tweaked (new headlamps, tail lights, and wing mirrors with turn indicators), but its interior does look a little bit dated – apart from the LCD instruments which liven things up a bit with vibrant and interchangeable displays.
Elsewhere, there is the matter of a diesel clatter that’s very apparent even inside the cabin at any given throttle input, even more so outside the car. But as the story goes with oil burners, there is a lot of fuel savings to be had.
But are these things enough to charm you away from the likes of similarly-priced
Mercedes-Benz E 200
 and the
Audi A6 2.0 TFSI
?
SPECS: 2014 BMW 520d
Price: RM354,800
Engine: 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo Diesel
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Horsepower: 184hp @ 4,000rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 1,750 - 2,750rpm
0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds
Fuel consumption: 4.5l/100km, (6.3l to 8.0l/100km observed)
Driving a 2014 BMW 520d: Sheer pleasure guaranteed?
For the most part, yes, all the classic BMW traits are there: the 520d can get on really well whenever the mood strikes you for a bit of fun. It’s steering is weighted perfectly, and there’s a strong initial surge of power from its 2.0-litre turbo diesel. It’s all part of a sportiness that doesn’t compromise ride comfort.
PERFORMANCE:
 Unfortunately, while maximum torque is available at a very early 1,750rpm, it falls off noticeably quickly at 2,750rpm - even with ZF’s trusty eight-speed transmission doing all it can to shift you along. The accelerative force in the 520d starts to droop after the 120km/h mark, then on gently making its way up to any further speed.
HANDLING:
 It’s become a bit pointless for us to assess the dynamic nature of BMWs anymore, really. In short, they’re always going to be a bit more fun than expected. But given that this premium sedan weighs a bit more (even more than its 5 Series siblings, courtesy of its heavier diesel engine), you can’t go expecting it to perform like the sharper and more nimble
3 Series
.
Getting out of town is where the 520d shines through and through. The ride comfort on long highways is excellent, and lets the engine stretch its legs nicely, without any unsettling feeling at speed. Very little exterior noise gets in, and, of course, having a very efficient turbo-diesel mill doesn’t hurt at all. Speaking of which…
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
 It doesn’t take much effort to achieve great fuel efficiency in the 520d. It’s so good to the point of you not really needing the ECO PRO mode to revise your throttle response and gear shifts, and take away your air-conditioning every time you stop and the engine switches off automatically.
In a mix of urban and highway driving, keeping it in either the Comfort or Comfort+ modes is enough for you to see low or sub 7.0-litre/100km figures – and mind you, this is a large 5 Series sedan we’re talking about, not a lightweight Nissan Almera.
Living with a 2014 BMW 520d: The refined and robust athlete
The new bits of the facelifted 5 Series don’t separate this car too much from what was before, so you can expect the 520d here to largely represent what we already know, with a few new touches.
CREATURE COMFORTS:
 Inside, the first two notably new items that’ll grab your attention are likely to be the full LCD instrument dials, and the iDrive Touchpad on the center console. The 10.25-inch LCD instruments look good, and work well to freshen up the cabin’s appeal with varying displays to match your driving mode – a good shift from the old analogue dials that were bold, but boring.
The touch-sensitive iDrive controller on the other hand has a few cool tricks about it like a character recognition feature, but like us, we suspect you won’t naturally find much use for it. Don’t get us wrong: it works well for using the car’s built-in navigation, but given the increasing popularity and usability of Waze and Google Maps, your mobile phone is likely to be the preferred option.
CABIN:
 In our humble opinion, there isn’t much visible excitement to be enjoyed with the 520d’s cabin – it looks dated and too familiar already, more so when compared to
Stuttgart’s equivalent
. That said, where comfort and convenience is concerned, it still scores top marks. Traffic noises are blocked out very well, and your body is constantly cushioned well by plush leathers and a good ride.
DIESEL CLATTER:
 There’s nothing new about the local bunch of BMW diesel mills and the way they popularly clatter along a bit louder than you might appreciate. BMW’s attempts to insulate the cabin from this noise is admirable, but the fact remains that it’s just too loud to tame – at even the lowest revs, you will take notice of the engine’s note; more so when you work it for speed. Outside the idling car, it isn’t at a pleasant volume for your neighbours either.
VISIBILITY:
 If you’re not familiar with driving larger sedans, the 5 Series does feel like a very long and wide car to drive. And it doesn’t help that there aren’t any camera aids either (neither 5 Series variant gets a rear-view camera). There are surrounding parking sensors, but negotiating tight places in this does take some getting used to.
Competing with a 2014 BMW 520d:
2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E 200
:
 With no official diesel variant to count against, MBM has only a petrol E 200 for the same kind of money you’d spend on the 520d. What you’d get in the Stuttgart solution is a whole different package that focuses on pure driving comfort, luxurious appeal and decadent poise. With the same sort of power output figures, it’s the BMW that will offer better driving dynamics and handling, any day. But which is the more luxurious option? The E-Class wins that bout, hands down.
Choosing between the two comes down to what you want from your premium mid-size sedan: pulse-racing sportiness, or absolute luxury? Pitting the 520d or 520i against the E 200 directly, it’s this writer’s personal choice to spend the RM360k on the luxury of the E 200 as a premium sedan.
2014 AUDI A6 2.0 TFSI
:
 Having never had the chance to drive the Audi A6 personally, the best we can manage is an on-paper comparison. To start things off, the base 2.0T A6 (petrol) does cost a bit more than the E 200 or the 520d. With its FWD layout, we can’t say it offers the same sort of excitement you’d get in the BMW, but the spec sheet continues to show that it does have some impressive equipment in the way of its infotainment offerings.
It’s also the only option of offer variable dampers which soften or stiffen the ride as you like, and a few more options than the BMW can’t boast. More importantly, it is priced at nearly RM20k more though, which brings BMW’s 520i (petrol) into play, while Merc’s more powerful E250 also becomes a consideration.
Verdict: Here’s what we think…
Discounting all other available options in the market, you can’t go wrong with a 5 Series. It has all the necessary presence, it drives just the way we like it, and at RM354,800, there isn’t a more affordable solution. However, the 520d does have its fair share of setbacks, which include not completely living up to the typically dynamic and performance-minded nature of a BMW – faulted by a few unavoidable extra pounds, and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel that you may expect too much of.
So, do we recommend the 520d? It’s an undeniably good pick for all its fuel economy and Bavarian presence, but
Mercedes-Benz’s new E-Class
 makes a pretty solid case for itself as well: being the newer and more luxury-minded package. The right choice really depends on your expectations of a premium sedan.


The Honda City Sedan facelift features minimal changes

Honda City Sedan facelift will be launched in India soon, featuring minimal changes.

There have been rumours that Honda is about to reveal a Honda City sedan facelift in India, with many publications getting hold of rendered images prior to its launch.

Well thanks to scoop specialist, Headlightmag.com, we can now actually see some real-life photos of the vehicle.

Picture credit: Headlightmag

As with a lot of Honda facelifts, changes to the City sedan are minimal, featuring a redesigned front bumper as well as a slimmer chrome strip that stretches from one headlight to the other. Look quickly, and you wouldn't even notice the redesigned chrome strip.

Speaking of looking at the car quickly, if you do take some time, you will notice that the grille design has also changed, no longer featuring a honeycomb-type design. Judging by its looks, this is probably a top-spec model, so we're not sure what the lower variants will be getting.

Honda, however has maintained the sharp and stylish headlights with nine LED elements as before, and we can safely assume that all variants will maintain this look.

Picture credit: Headlightmag

At the rear, the City sedan facelift seems
similar to the current model
, and the same goes for the wheels, which look like the wheels on the current model.

Picture credit: rushlane.com

The same could be said about the interior, as it looks very similar to the current model although the refreshed model might come with more added features, such as wireless charging, ventilated seats, a new infotainment system featuring better Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity.

When it does eventually come to Malaysia, you can probably expect the same powerplants being offered currently, which include a 1.5-litre NA and a 1.5-litre hybrid.


Transport Minister To Push On Public Transport Maintenance

Malaysia's transport minister,
Wee Ka Siong
, will be putting more focus on
public transport facilities
 maintenance after having reviewed a rise in complaints about damages.

More complaints have gone viral on various social media platforms which have led to a lot of folks blaming the Malaysian government. Some issues have been an ongoing matter and even disregarded entirely, but Wee has vowed to rectify the matters including minor issues.

Public transport facilities will be maintained

Wee also stated that he has ordered a town hall session with
Prasarana Malaysia Berhad
 together with all of its rail station managers to resolve these ongoing issues that have been in the limelight for a while now (for some years like the escalator at the Taman Sri Rampai LRT station).

According to a quote posted by
The Malay Mail
, Wee stated that "Ensuring facilities at the stations are well maintained is the responsibility of the station management involved. They are the ones who must ensure the maintenance culture is there."

Apart from facility maintenance, Wee is also pushing on the commuters' safety, which is why the frequency of LRT trains will be pushed to eight minutes in the coming months.

A special committee has been established by Prasarana to figure out all trains that require damage repairs and what caused them, particularly pertaining to the brake caliper damage and hydraulic liquid leakage. Once the matters are dealt with, that will go down to only three minutes' waiting time.

For now, the public can enjoy the
free public transport services
 under Prasarana (LRT, MRT, RapidKL) for one month as announced in a bid to 'advocate and promote the convenience of public transport'.


Even for RM355k, the newly launched Toyota GR Corolla's arrival should still be celebrated

Out of all the cars introduced today at the opening of Toyota's Gazoo Racing Festival, the Toyota GR Corolla is probably the most exciting car out of the bunch. And it has arrived
pretty much on schedule
.

The GR Corolla is the second Gazoo Racing sports car built from the ground up, whereas the rest are vehicles built in collaboration between Toyota and other auto manufacturers.

For a little reference, the GR Yaris, a car that shares the same powertrain and clever GR-FOUR four-wheel drive system, was offered here for much less: RM299k back at its 2020 launch.

It's price starting at RM355k is also very interesting. It's not cheap by any means but it is considerably less than what our neighbours in Thailand have been paying since the car made its
ASEAN debut there in latter 2022
.

It’s built upon the the hatchback bodystyle of the 12th-generation (E210) Toyota Corolla which until now has been denied to us. However, the brand has made some significant enhancements that also happen to alter it cosmetically by quite some margin.

Under the bonnet of the GR Corolla is the same powerplant found in the GR Yaris, the G16E-GTS 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine. However, to give it the same amounts of performance as its little brother, the engine has been further enhanced to boost power output to 300 PS at 6,500 rpm and 370 Nm between 3,000  and 5,550 rpm.

Just like the GR Yaris, the GR Corolla is available exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission (iMT) and the famous GR-Four all-wheel-drive (AWD) system developed through TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s involvement in the World Rally Championship.

Its 0-100km/h sprint takes just 5.2 seconds, or so officially claimed - exactly level with the GR Yaris’ advertised numbers. That said, these acceleration times seem to vary between regions, so take that with a grain of salt.

To enhance its grip and stability even further, the GR Corolla comes with a Torsen limited-slip differential on the front and rear axles. At the four corners, the GR Corolla is equipped with 18-inch black ENKEI alloy wheels, fitted with 235/40 high-performance Yokohama ADVAN Apex tyres.


From Board Room to Race Track - Toyota Boss Goes Racing

The first-ever Toyota Vios one-make race challenge ended last weekend with great fanfare. It was Toyota's first motorsports event in a long time, now under the umbrella of Toyota Gazoo Racing - the company's motorsports arm. Held at the 1.65 km street circuit at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang, the race is separated into three classes - Promotional, Sporting and Super Sporting.
Sporting Class is where the main racers will compete against each other. Those who have managed to conquer the Sporting Class will then be racing in the Super Sporting Class. The third class is the Promotional Class, where invited celebrities will be challenging each other.
Celebrity drivers in the Promotional class include Geraldine Gan, Danny Koo, Shawn Lee and Venice Min.
To keep the competition equal and participation cost low, all participants of the Vios Challenge will be driving identical race-spec Vios Challenge cars - still with a stock-standard 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. Modifications are only limited to the TRD exhaust system, TRD clutch and LSD, TRD suspension, TRD brake pads, roll cage, TRD tower bar and lower brace bars, Enkei RPF1 wheels and Toyo tires, plus a TRD body kit.
For many petrolheads, the bigger surprise of the day was seeing the name Akio Takeyama pasted on one of the race-prepared Vios. For those unaware, Takeyama is the Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor. We are used to seeing him in business attire so when he turned up in a racing suit and clutching a helmet, he created quite a stir at the pit area.
Unfazed by the challenge of racing in a street circuit, Takeyama is keen to show the face of the new Toyota, embracing its new 'All About The Drive' tagline. Over the weekend, he swapped his usual shirt and tie attire and his chauffeured Lexus LS for a Toyota liveried racing suit and a stripped out race-spec manual transmission Toyota Vios.
Takeyama competed under the Promotional class category, and had just finished 6th in this class, not a bad for a middle-aged man getting out of his comfort zone.
After his race, we sat down with the deputy chairman and asked him a few questions.
Takeyama-san is not the first management-level person in Toyota's history to don a racing suit, as the current president of Toyota Motor Corporation, Akio Toyoda, is a familiar sight in motorsports events in Europe and Japan, and had even competed in the gruelling 24 Hours of Nurburgring under a pseudonym, Morizo Kinoshita.
Following the departure of Dr. Ulrich Bez from Aston Martin, Akio Toyoda remains as the only car company boss in the world to actively participate in motorsports events.
However, we don't recall any other car company boss in Malaysia that is of Takeyama's level who are directly participating in their own company's motorsports events.
So we had to ask Takeyama-san on his unusual decision to participate in the Vios Challenge.
Mirroring Akio Toyoda's philosophy of using motorsports to develop better products, Takeyama-san explained that as a manufacturer, UMW Toyota knows its cars very well. By participating as a driver in Vios Challenge, Takeyama feels that this will spur the company to develop better products.
"It is important for the mechanics, designers of the vehicle, and the driver to talk to each other. Through this discussion between drivers and mechanics, we want to make better, more creative products for the future," said Takeyama.
With that said, the risks associated with racing is always present. We also asked Takeyama-san whether his colleagues were shocked about his decision to join the Vios Challenge race.
"To be frank, it was Sean Leng (UMW Toyota's Head of External Affairs & Reborn Department) who proposed this idea to me. At first, it was a big question mark, but eventually we knew that the proposal was a right decision," said Takeyama, who gestured a thank you towards his right-hand man Sean, who currently oversees all Toyota and Lexus' public relations activities.
Still in his racing suit, we probed a bit further on Takeyama-san's first racing experience.
While Akio Toyoda had the legendary late Hiromu Naruse as his instructor, Takeyama-san had special help in the form of a professional driver from TRD Japan. Considering that this is his racing debut, and on a rather tight, concrete barrier-lined street circuit with no run-off zone, Takeyama's 6th place finish proved to be a respectable result for both he and his instructor from TRD Japan.
Last but not least, we queried Takeyama-san about the future of Toyota Gazoo Racing.
He revealed that discussions actually started two years ago and the first race was supposed to start in 2016, but preparation took time and delayed Toyota Gazoo Racing's debut here until 2017. Following a successful first showing, Takeyama added that UMW Toyota would like to continue promoting Toyota Gazoo Racing for as long as possible, with the intention of enlarging its customer base.
"As manufacturer, we would like our customers to experience "Fun To Drive," he said.
To participate in the Vios Challenge, one would need a national racing license issued by AAM. The Vios Challenge race-spec car will cost you RM90,000. The price includes the a set of FIA-approved racing suit, as well as six sessions of racing school training for novice drivers. The car however, is not street legal, as with most race-spec cars.


Hyundai Dealership Opens In Bandar Bukit Raja, Klang

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM), together with dealer MN Automart has opened the latest Hyundai 3S Centre, located in Bandar Bukit Raja, Klang to better serve its customers. The new facility, along with another dealership located in Port Klang, are crucial touchpoints of the brand in the Klang vicinity.

Carrying the Hyundai Global Dealership Space Identity (GDSI) identity, this new 3S centre promises an up to date showroom and customer experience as well as a comfortable customer lounge with free Wifi connectivity. This is Hyundai’s 9th GDSI outlet in the Klang Valley.

MN Automart’s facility is located at No.3, Jalan Astaka 4/KU2 (18.54 mi), Bandar Bukit Raja, 41050, Klang; the Sales centre opens from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and from 10 am to 5 pm on Sundays and public holidays. The Service centre operates from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.

Call for 03-84081812 for sales and general enquiries, and 03-84081813 for service enquiries.


Review: 2017 Honda Civic (FC) 1.5 VTEC Turbo – If You Can Have Only One Car….

Six months ago, we test drove the then recently
launched FC generation Honda Civic
 and came to a very easy conclusion that nothing else in the C-segment class matches the Civic’s well balanced package. Yes, the Mazda 3, Ford Focus and even the Volkswagen Jetta are pretty competent in some specific areas but all else considered - interior space, ride and handling, comfort and utility – the Civic’s distinction is undisputed.
At the same time, we are also aware that our driving experience, while extensive, is not necessarily comprehensive. We were driving around Kota Kinabalu and shared our driving time with several different drivers, and drove only on countryside roads. We didn’t drive the car at night, in bad weather, or covered long distances for hours on end – which we know many of you do.
To find out if the Civic lives up to its hype when one uses it as a daily car, we revisited the top of the Civic range 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine-powered TC-P variant.
Here’s a quick recap of what the Civic 1.5 TC-P offers:
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged transverse four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC VTEC Turbo
Power: 173 PS at 5,500 rpm
Torque: 220 Nm between 1,700 – 5,500 rpm
Transmission: CVT-type automatic with paddle shifters, front-wheel drive
Safety: 6 airbags, electronic stability control (VSA), emergency stop signal (ESS), anti-lock brakes (ABS), Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Price: RM135,800 with insurance
There’s also a cheaper 1.5 TC variant, which at RM127,800, means that you swap the hi-tech looking LED headlamps and LED front fog lamps for regular halogen projector headlamps and halogen front fog lamps, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning for single zone ones, and the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system loses GPS navigation.
You still however, get leather seats, the same 17-inch alloy wheels, paddle shifters, with the same 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo and CVT powertrain. So although this review is made with the highest 1.5 TC-P unit, the verdict applies to the mid-range 1.5 TC model as well.
A separate review on the base model RM113,800 Civic 1.8S, powered by a less powerful 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine will be published shortly after this.
Overview
On paper, the Civic competes against the Toyota Corolla Altis (from RM117,361), Mazda 3 (from RM107,825), and Volkswagen Jetta (from RM108,990) – all prices quoted are excluding insurance.
The reason we say ‘on paper’ is because in reality, the Civic has little competition. Three out of 5 C-segment sedans sold in Malaysia is a Civic.
There’s also the Hyundai Elantra, Kia Cerato, Ford Focus, Nissan Sylphy and Renault Fluence, but these are very left field choices.
Among the trio of leading alternatives to the Civic, the Corolla Altis is the newest, with the facelift model launched late last year. The Mazda is due for minor update soon, with a new infotainment system and G-Vectoring chassis control technology. The Jetta is the oldest of the lot but it has impeccable road manners and is the most relaxed for long distance drives, assuming you can look beyond the stigmatized brand.
Exterior
By now, everyone would have formed their own opinions on the matter. It’s sharp, it’s distinctive. You may or may not like it, but you won’t mistake it for anything else.
Apart from the tiny VTEC Turbo badge on the boot lid, the only way to differentiate the 1.5 TC and 1.5 TC-P models from the base 1.8S model are the wheels – a different design 16-inch wheels with taller profile 55 series tyres versus the turbocharged models’ 17-inch wheels with 50 series tyres. The Modulo spoiler seen here is an optional extra.
Interior
This is certainly Honda’s forte. Spacious, practical, user-friendly, it’s everything that you ask for from a daily use family sedan. It is without a doubt, the best interior in its class.
If we were to nitpick, the hard plastics on the steering wheel-mounted control buttons needs to go. Softer rubber materials that are easier on the thumbs would’ve been better appreciated.
In terms of premium appeal, you might have been lead to believe that the Mazda 3 has a better interior, partly due to the incessant praises by motoring connoisseurs. While it is true that nobody outside the premium German Big-3 makes interiors better than Mazda, that praise doesn’t apply to the Mazda 3, which being an older model, didn’t benefit from the massive jump in premium touch adopted by the Mazda 6 facelift, CX-5 facelift and all-new Mazda 2 – all of which are already on sale in Malaysia.
Of course, this shortcoming will be fixed very soon when the Mazda 3 facelift is launched here. However, the new Mazda 3 will still have one problem – it’s woefully crammed inside.
As for the Corolla Altis, the new facelift model looks edgy on the outside, but inside it’s still unnecessarily traditional, and doesn’t offer much over the Civic in terms of space, utility and features.
The upper portion of the front seats are narrow to improve outward visibility for rear passengers, but larger frame drivers might find them lacking in shoulder support. For me, I have no complaints, as they are firm enough gave ample support on my back, as well as the lower-thigh, a common weakness in seats in this category of cars.
Hip-point is also rather low. Depending on what sort of a driver you are, that may or may not be a good thing. For less fit individuals, stepping in and out of the car can be a hassle but the low seating position is in keeping with the Civic’s image as a youthful, mass-premium family sedan.
If you are used to Japanese cars, you might find the Civic’s doors to be too heavy as they open and shut with Teutonic weight and assurance that’s more typical of German cars.
Finding a good seating position is easy. You sit low with your legs stretched out – almost roadster-like. The gear shifter is located far ahead enough, at just the right height, while the centre console-cum-centre armrest extending far enough to allow you to comfortably rest your arm for long distance drives. As far as ergonomics are concerned, it’s faultless.
Flip-up the armrest and marvel at what is the best centre console box in its class. It’s deep enough to swallow a pouch or a small bag, never mind the contents of you and your passenger’s pockets. Somewhere within this package, Honda has somehow managed to also fit air-conditioning vents to the rear. And the Germans can still tell us that we can’t have a deep centre console box together with rear air-conditioning…..
Ahead of the gear shifter, the two-tier console has a neat cut-out on the utility box that allows you to route USB charging cables for your mobile device to the USB/HDMI port below. At night, that area is even illuminated by LED. No more fumbling in the dark. Nice!
The instrument panel’s centre binnacle is full-colour LCD, almost like an Audi. It is more year 2020 than 2017, and it even displays turn-by-turn navigation information.
Behind, occupants in the rear will be inconvenienced by a hump on the floor, unusual for a Honda, whose cars usually have a flat floor. In the case of this more driver-focused Civic, the hump was a necessary compromise in order to improve the Civic’s chassis rigidity (now 25 percent stiffer than before). It’s the equivalent of strengthening a structure by giving it a big, strong spine.
It’s also the same reason why the rear seats don’t fold – unlike the Civic sedans sold in the US. Ours have a chassis stiffening brace running across the aperture between the rear seats and the 519-litre boot.
Thankfully, the Civic’s cabin is spacious enough to accommodate these compromises. Sure you can’t fold the seats down to load long items in the boot, but at least rear leg room is unrivalled. For a better view of the outside, you sit higher than the front occupants, but with ample headroom. However with three adults sitting behind, you will still be rubbing shoulders a little.
Driving Experience
In our first impression of the Civic in Kota Kinabalu, we noted that the Civic’s steering is a bit too light for our liking. It’s sharp but it doesn’t communicate with the driver what’s happening at the front axle.
Having spent a bit more time with the car in KL traffic, our opinions have changed. In fact, we will go as far as saying that we wouldn’t want the steering rack to be tuned any differently.
Once the novelty of driving a new car wears off, and you begin drive it you like how you normally would with your current car, driving along the same routes you use every day, you will realize that the steering wheel’s heft is spot-on for the daily grind.
Yes, a heftier steering will be appreciated when you are carving up your favourite twisty tarmac dragon’s tail route but let’s be realistic, most buyers will be using the car for their daily commute and our highways are mostly long stretches of straight roads, which favours a less sensitive steering that doesn’t react unnecessarily to changes in road cambers.
As you understand the car’s dynamics better, the vague steering wheel become less of an issue. Put a bit more mileage between you and the car and soon you will realize if you are in the mood, the car will play along with you. The once-vague steering will soon become rather instinctive and sharp, if you know what you are doing.
For what it is, the 173 PS and 220 Nm pushed by the turbocharged 1.5-litre engine is very impressive. In the real world, it doesn’t leave us wanting for more performance. Paired with the smooth CVT-type automatic transmission, speeds of up to 140 km/h is sustained without much effort.
Ignore what the cynics say. This Honda-developed CVT is the perfect transmission for it. A dual-clutch or a fast lock-up torque converter automatic would’ve exasperated the on-off nature of the turbocharged engine’s torque delivery, resulting in jerkier start-stop driving in the city. The step-less nature of the CVT smoothens out the turbocharged engine’s otherwise non-linear torque delivery.
There’s a pair of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, but never once did we felt a need to use them, as the transmission responds fast enough, and always holds on to the right (virtual) ratio in S mode.
It’s also surprisingly quiet. At 140 km/h, the dreaded CVT drone remained muted and the cabin remained quiet enough, with only minimal intrusion of road and wind noise.
The Brake Hold function also removes another element of stress in urban traffic. Leave it active, and it holds the brakes every time the car comes to a halt, allowing you the rest your left foot while leaving the transmission in Drive. When you are ready to go, simply accelerate as you normally would, and the brakes will disengage automatically.
One only needs to experience the same function in another premium European car to appreciate how much more smoother the Civic’s Brake Hold function is.
Overall, it’s a car that you just get in and drive without thinking much about it, because the car subtly supports your daily driving routine so well.
Comfort
On the move, the Civic’s road manners are more akin to a German car than a Japanese. Damping is firm and it feels well planted on the road.

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December 23, 2015

 Despite running on relatively thin 50 series tyres, it rolls over poorly paved tarmac with ease. On rougher corrugated surfaces, you will still feel the bumps but judder is well insulated away.
As mentioned earlier, cabin insulation is much better than what you would typically expect from a Honda.
At speeds, the Civic chases the horizon with a good level of security, with dampers well-tuned to the sort of undulations typical on our highways. However, occupants in the rear might find the ride to be rather busy. Motion is controlled, but they will feel a lot of busyness in the rear suspension, especially at higher speeds on undulating roads.
Fuel Economy
In city driving, the Civic averaged around 12 km/litre. Out in open roads and highways, fuel efficiency increases to around 14 km/litre, when driven at reasonable speeds.
Conclusion
You may or may not like its looks, but it’s hard to find a more compelling alternative to the Civic. As an overall package, it’s hard to match the Civic’s good blend of youthful image, space, utility, performance, comfort, ease of ownership experience and price.
Unless you genuinely need something with a higher ground clearance or seven seats, the Civic is the one car that’s good enough to meet all your motoring requirements. It’s just a very easy car to live with every day.
The Civic has got all the bases covered so well that its stiffest competitors are not C-segment models from rival brands, but its own
SUV sibling the CR-V
, and to a certain extent, the
five-seater HR-V
 crossover and
7-seater BR-V crossover
.
While the Civic has succeeded in growing the overall size of supposedly diminishing C-segment market, it still doesn’t change the fact that the tide of car buying trend is shifting towards crossovers and SUVs.
However if you love driving, but won’t compromise on utility and reliability and don’t want to look like someone whose life revolves around daycare centres and tution centres, look no further than the Civic.


2022 Toyota Avanza Rendering - FWD And Hybrid Powertrain On The Cards

We take a look at the incoming third generation 2022 Toyota Avanza - an FWD layout and hybrid powertrain are on the cards.

The first generation Toyota Avanza was introduced to the world via the Indonesian market at the end of 2003. Since then, it has had two different iterations, and the launch of the third generation model is expected to
take place in 2022
.

The second generation Avanza which is currently in many ASEAN markets, including Malaysia, received many improvements over time. For the Malaysian market, buyers were given an enhanced NR 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i in 2015, and the
facelifted version
 in 2019 added on the much wanted Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems to the car as well as some new exterior and interior bits.

But enough about the second generation Avanza because we want to explore the
third one
. Unfortunately, Toyota has given no clue to what the mini MPV may look like, but it has not stopped a graphic designer from Indonesia named Bagas Satria Akbar from uploading a rendering of the 2022 Toyota Avanza that he designed. The image below shows the design of the sides and rear of this imagined 2022 Toyota Avanza.

According to the designer, the rendering was made based on surfaced rumours about the 2022 Avanza/ Xenia. Since the leaked information received about this Avanza 2022 is relatively small, he mashed together the looks of the Rush/ Terios, Corolla Altis, and the current generation Avanza/ Xenia together, with the results as above.

However, he was unable to create another image showing the front of the 2022 Avanza as the information is thus far scarce.

Although this car has yet near its launch date, some rumours have circulated about the car, chief among them is that the third generation 2022 Toyota Avanza model is said to leave its rear-wheel-drive drivetrain and switch to a front-wheel-drive system to maximise fuel consumption and space.

If the rumours are true that it will be introduced as a front-wheel-drive MPV, then there will be no difference between it and the
rest of the entry-level 7-seater MPV crew
, such as the Perodua Aruz, Proton Exora,
Mitsubishi XPANDER
 and Honda BR-V.

Apparently, Indonesian Avanza loyalists have not received this rumour well, as many Avanza fans from Indonesia were initially interested in the Avanza because of its rear-wheel drivetrain. But then again, shouldn't they be happy with the outcome of this system change as it results in better fuel efficiency? It is, after all an entry-level MPV and not a lively little roadster.

Apparently not, because they love it as the
rear-wheel-drive
system provides better grip and driving pleasure, especially when carrying a full load. The perfect combination for Indonesian roads many quips.

Due to this, there are also rumours that the latest model Avanza (second generation) will continue to be maintained in the Indonesian market due to the high demand received for the rear-wheel-drive system.

The rumours also suggest that Toyota is expected to introduce a front-wheel-drive model, which is said to be the successor to the Avanza under a new nameplate, while the existing Avanza model will remain in Indonesia and receive some improvements. The new model is also expected to come with a hybrid option. The name 'Veloz' is mentioned as the name for the model that will be introduced in 2022. For those who do not know, Veloz is the highest variant name for Toyota Avanza in Indonesia.

Not only that but the 2022 Toyota Avanza is touted to be built using the same Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform found on the
Perodua Ativa
. The Toyota Avanza will also seemingly provide the DNGA platform for the next generation Perodua Alza as Japan has already stopped producing the
Perodua Alza twin
, the Daihatsu Boon Luminas and the Toyota Passo Sette there. So perhaps we can even expect the new Perodua Alza to appear with a similar design as the 2022 Toyota Avanza, another ‘twin’ after the Perodua Aruz and Toyota Rush.

What do you think of the design of this 2022 Toyota Avanza? It seems a bit more grown-up, doesn't it?

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Ciri-Ciri Baharu Yang Pertama Kali Diperkenalkan Pada Perodua Alza 2022

Tahukah anda bahawa
Perodua
telah memperkenalkan beberapa ciri baharu buat pertama kalinya pada
Alza 2022
?

Betul! Ini bermaksud ada beberapa ciri pada Perodua Alza 2022 yang tiada pada mana-mana barisan model Perodua sebelum ini lantas membuatkan Alza 2022 sebagai model yang sarat dengan pembaharuan oleh Perodua.

Debut Baharu Perodua Pada Alza 2022

Brek Parkir Elektronik

Perodua Alza 2022 muncul sebagai model pertama Perodua yang menampilkan brek parkir elektronik menggantikan brek tangan mahupun brek di bahagian kaki. Terdahulu, generasi pertama Alza meletakkan brek parkir di bahagian kaki. Jika tombol gear diletakkan pada posisi gear P, brek parkir elektronik berfungsi secara automatik untuk mengunci tayar kereta.

Kelebihan:

Kawalan operasi lebih mudah

Teknologi terkini

Lebih kemas dan lebih ruang pada konsol tengah

Kamera 360 Darjah

Alza 2022 juga telah memperkenalkan sistem kamera 360 darjah yang dihasilkan daripada beberapa buah kamera waktu sebenar yang diletakkan di sekeliling kereta seperti:

Bawah logo bahagian hadapan kereta

Di kedua-dua belah cermin sisi kereta

Bawah logo bahagian belakang kereta

Dengan ciri ini, pemandu Alza 2022 boleh mengakses kamera pelbagai sudut seperti bahagian hadapan, keliling (Bird View), sisi dan belakang pada paparan sistem infotainmen bersaiz 9-incinya.

Kelebihan:

Beri penglihatan yang jelas terhadap objek disekeliling kereta seperti kenderaan, tembok atau pokok bagi mengelakkan sebarang pelanggaran

Kotak parkir dapat dilihat membuatkan proses parkir menjadi lebih mudah

Corong Penyaman Udara Di Belakang

Sebagai sebuah MPV 7 tempat duduk, Alza ternyata tidak mengecewakan setelah memperkenalkan corong penyaman udara untuk barisan tempat duduk belakang buat pertama kalinya. Corong di belakang juga hadir dengan butang kawalan kekuatan angin.

Kehadiran corong penyaman udara di belakang ini sedikit sebanyak membantu memberikan pengudaraan penyejukan yang lebih baik di samping memberi lebih keselesaan bagi penumpang di barisan kedua dan ketiga kereta.

Pelbagai Mod Pemanduan

Perodua turut memperkenalkan 3 pilihan mod pemanduan pada Alza 2022 ini seperti:

Normal

ECO

Power

Mod pemanduan itu boleh dipilih dengan menekan butang Drive pada stereng Alza 2022. Butang tersebut diletakkan di posisi yang sama dengan
butang PWR
 seperti yang terdapat pada Ativa dan Myvi, bezanya butang itu kini dilabel sebagai Drive.

Cara pilih mod pemanduan:

Normal: default

Power: Tekan butang Drive sekali sahaja untuk aktifkan dan matikan mod Power

ECO: tekan dan hold butang Drive untuk aktifkan dan matikan mod ECO

Kehadiran mod pemanduan seperti ini sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu pemandu untuk memilih mod pemanduan berdasarkan situasi tertentu seperti ingin memotong mahupun ingin menjimatkan minyak.

Brek Cakera Belakang

Varian tertinggi Alza 2022, AV menampilkan brek cakera belakang buat pertama kalinya bagi menggantikan brek drum. Penggunaan brek ini juga dikatakan memerlukan tenaga dan usaha yang kurang untuk memberhentikan atau memperlahankan kenderaan selain lebih cepat sejuk.

Selain itu, Perodua turut mendakwa penggunaan brek ini juga memudahkan juruteknik mereka melakukan kerja-kerja penyelenggaraan.

Auto Brake Hold

Antara sistem yang amat membantu bagi kereta automatik, iaitu Auto Brake Hold kini boleh didapati pada varian tertinggi Perodua Alza 2022. Ciri ini membuatkan kereta kekal berhenti meskipun pemandu tidak menekal pedal brek. Ciri ini boleh diaktifkan dengan menekan butang Auto Hold di konsol tengah kabin.

Ciri ini amatlah meringankan beban pemandu terutama ketika trafik sesak atau ketika berhenti di lampu isyarat. Brek akan dilepaskan sekiranya pedal minyak ditekan manakala brek akan dikenakan semula secara automatik jika kereta berhenti sepenuhnya selagi butang itu dihidupkan.

Perehat Lengan Di Barisan Kedua Tempat Duduk

Perodua Alza juga telah memperkenalkan penambahan perehat lengan pada barisan kedua tempat duduk penumpangnya. Ciri ini memberikan lebih keselesaan kepada penumpang belakang terutama ketika perjalanan jauh.

Android Auto

Varian H dan AV Perodua Alza 2022 merupakan kenderaan pertama Perodua yang hadir dengan ciri sambungan pintar Android Auto. Walau bagaimanapun, sambungan itu perlu dibuat melalui wayar dan bukanlah
wireless
.

Lampu Signal Jenis 'Sequential'

Dari sudut estetik, Perodua Alza tampil lebih menyerlah dengan lampu signal jenis sequential yang dipancarkan di bahagian hadapan kereta. Walau bagaimanapun, lampu signal di cermin sisi dan dibelakang berfungsi seperti biasa sahaja tanpa sebarang efek menarik.

Kesimpulan

Perodua telah meningkatkan mutu pengeluaran keretanya setelah memperkenalkan beberapa ciri dan teknologi baharu pada Perodua Alza 2022 nanti. Menariknya, ciri dan teknologi baharu yang ditawarkan ini masih lagi berada pada paras harga mampu milik iaitu di sekitar RM62,000 sehingga RM75,000 sahaja. Adakah anda berpuas hati dengan ciri-ciri baharu yang ditawarkan pada Alza 2022?


Volvo Cars Starting Assembly Operations in India This Year

It's a good sign when an automaker begins production and assembly in new markets. This is especially true for one like Volvo, which had been in a bit of a slump for the last few decades. They've developed their product range extensively and the new 90-series models are proving to be a huge hit, with the upcoming XC60 and 40 models also looking to be quite popular when they make it to market. Today Volvo Cars has announced that they will be beginning assembly in India, a sign that the Swedish brand is confident and on track with their expansion.
Volvo Group already has existing infrastructure and production facilities in Bangalore, although these are primarily used for buses, trucks, and construction equipment. To have an assembly plant in India for Volvo Cars means that they can begin to sell Volvo models that are truly "Made in India"- a spin off the "Made in Sweden" tagline that is now used widely in Volvo's marketing materials. The first Volvo Cars product to be assembled in India will be the XC90, followed by other models based on Volvo's SPA platform.
There will be additional models to be assembled in due time and will be announced in the future, but for now the XC90 will be the first and foremost. The Indian premium car market is still relatively small, but is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Volvo currently holds a premium segment market share of close to 5%, and are expecting to double this figure by 2020. Between 2015 and 2016 their sales figures jumped by 24%, and this year has already seen a 35% increase over 2015 in the first 4 months.


Interstate Travel Could Reopen As Soon As March 18

Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor will from today transition into the CMCO joining Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak and Perak which remains under the CMCO. Malacca, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya, and Labuan will move into the RMCO from today whilst Perlis remains in the RMCO.

For states under the CMCO and RMCO interdistrict travel is permitted but not interstate.

Sabah however will only allow interdistrict travel within designated zones.

According to Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, Minister of Health, that might change as early as March 18 if the number of COVID-19 cases drops to manageable levels.

He further added that his ministry would make this recommendation to the government but don't expect a blanket reopening just yet. This is in order to prevent a recurrence of a spike in COVID-19 infections, similar to what happened last year when state borders were reopened.

“We learnt for a year from the movement control order, enforced movement control order, the conditional movement control order and the recovery movement control order.

“So we know that interstate travel restriction is one of the measures needed to reduce case numbers,” he told Malay Mail in an interview yesterday.

Domestic travels bans have also been undertaken in other countries like Australia, China, South Korea and Singapore.

“So we have decided that there will be no interstate travelling until March 18. After March 18, we will see if the data have shown improvement, as we have already succeeded in bringing down the curve at the moment,” he said.

“We will take measures to allow interstate travel based on certain matters and this is important. Secondly, we will ensure that if the public can abide by the SOPs, carry on. Meaning we can allow. Thirdly, if they are using MySejahtera, they can know and identify hotspots. Travellers must be aware of the health status of the areas (green, yellow, red or orange zones) they want to visit.” Adham added.

He further explained that the government is treading cautiously this time and looking to allow “green bubbles” for travel between states under RMCO.

Malaysia has been on a downward trend of below 2,000 COVID-19 cases a day over the past week except for a spike to 2,063 new infections yesterday.


Bermaz’s Kia Revival Plans Goes Big On EVs, Hybrids

Bermaz's Kia revival has an EV and hybrid roadmap in place. It has only been a 3 months since the confirmation that Bermaz Auto (BAuto) had acquired the
distributorship of Kia vehicles in Malaysia
, but only now has their plans for the South Korean brand begun to take shape.

While most of the decisions are probably still being made behind the scenes, some details going into that blueprint have been outlined through an investor report by Maybank Investment Bank published last week.

To
revitalise the Kia name
 in Malaysia, which they only acquired the rights to in April, BAuto is planning an aggressive push towards electrification in a seeming about-face to what the brand was known for under previous distributors, Naza.

In addition to focusing the continuation of mass-market vehicles through local assembly operations, the ‘new’ Kia will also leverage the automaker’s newest and most advanced global models such as
the fully electric EV6
 and the e-Niro, though that’s further into the future.

New models will also be brought in to fill out the Kia range such as much awaited 5th-generation Sportage, its smaller B-segment SUV sibling, the Seltos, which the Malaysian market has had an odd on-again, off-again relationship with.

While it isn’t clear if the Sportage will be cleared for CKD from the get-go, the Seltos and Carnival MPV will be among the first locally assembled Kias to emerge under Bermaz. When it does, however, expect to see the variant list include plug-in hybrids alongside the more predictable set of petrol powered powertrains.

This semi-electric Sportage
, alongside another prominent hybrid from Peugeot and Mazda, will be the spearheads which Bermaz is banking on to reach a that critical balance of premium appeal and value-geared accessibility thanks to an EV policy that, unfortunately, has not fully formed.

If the
regulating bodies
 managed to get their ducks in a row and proceed swiftly in the direction Bermaz is expecting, it could result in them planting a flag on some virgin territory in the Malaysian automotive landscape, leading to some very attractively priced hybrid and electric vehicles.

With the parallel and plug-in hybrid offerings secured and selling at a steady pace, Bermaz could then advance into their next planned stage to introduce fully electric models such as the aforementioned Kia EV6, which is poised be the automaker’s global zero emissions flagship with an advanced 800V architecture, fast-charging capabilities, high performance dual electric motors, and a quoted range beyond 500km per full charge.

There’s still much to sort out beyond the EV6’s launch, however, as the infrastructure and other electric vehicle sticking points still remain at the forefront of Malaysian buyers. To counter this, Bermaz might offer a subscription model to supplement traditional private ownership, while simultaneously fleshing out a robust parts and battery warranty and replacement programme.

Much of their plans still remain a matter of conjecture, but will also crucially depend on the successful first phase following the brand’s official relaunch, and the
same applies to Peugeot
. Unfortunately, we still have precious little about these specifics, and whether their 2021 plans are still salvageable.

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Jaguar E-Type to be ‘Reborn’ at Techno-Classica Essen

With only two more days remaining before Techno-Classica Essen 2017; one of the most revered classic car exhibitions in the world opens its doors, more and more teasers and announcements are coming from manufacturers.
That said, one of the highlights of this year’s show is expected to be the launch of Jaguar’s E-type ‘Reborn’ initiative.
In case you’re wondering, the E-type Reborn is a complete service from Jaguar Classic, which offers prospective customers the unique opportunity to purchase an original and highly collectible E-type direct from the vehicle’s original manufacturer.
It is said that an initial batch of 10 expertly sourced and comprehensively restored examples of the iconic E-type are now offered for sale direct from the new Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility in the UK.
The launch of E-type Reborn is a first for Jaguar, but it extends the successful initiative previously introduced for Land Rover’s Series I and Range Rover Classic models, which will also be on show at Essen.
Every E-type Reborn, which starts with a base vehicle sourced by Jaguar’s E-type experts, is completely restored according to the company’s original 1960s factory specification.
Besides that, unique access to build records and original drawings held by the Jaguar Heritage Trust and the team’s decades of experience in restoration up to concours-winning standard, ensure absolute authenticity.
Plus, only authentic Jaguar Classic parts are used throughout to maximise the vehicle’s quality, longevity and collectability.
Tim Hannig, the director of Jaguar Land Rover Classic said, “The launch of E-type Reborn is a hugely exciting development for Jaguar Classic. The E-type is the most iconic sports car of all time, so we are delighted to be able to give new life to expertly selected examples for discerning customers around the world to own and enjoy.
The first vehicle to go through the complete E-type Reborn process is an Opalescent Gunmetal Grey Series 1 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe. Originally exported to California in May 1965, the car recorded 78,000 miles before being stored in 1983. It retains its original matching numbers bodyshell, engine and gearbox, all of which have been completely rebuilt by Jaguar Classic technicians.
Prices for E-type Reborn restorations from Jaguar Classic are dependent on specification, starting from £285,000.


Lexus Returns To Pikes Peak With RC F Concept GT

Comes June 28
th
 2015 at the fearsome Pikes Peak summit in Colorado, USA, Lexus will return to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb challenge with a RC F GT Concept, with 1998 Le Mans GT2 category winner Justin Bell behind the wheel.
This will be the second Pikes Peak attempt by Lexus. Two years ago, Lexus dipped its toes with an IS F CCS-R, competing in the Exhibition Class, which is more of a demonstration category with no class records.
This year, Lexus will compete in the Production Car Time Attack 1 Class which is aimed at mildly modified production cars. The RC F GT Concept will compete against an equally competitive entry list of 21 cars, including a Jaguar F-Type and a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
Lexus says the RC F GT Concept’s entry into competitive motorsports previews a forthcoming global GT3 motorsports program.
“The continued evolution of the F brand remains a top priority for Lexus, and motorsports provide us an outstanding opportunity to develop more than concepts and components for F brand products. Our niche line of high performance products are geared toward enthusiast drivers, and also make a very strong statement about Lexus’ engineering capabilities. Competition efforts like Pikes Peak help nurture a performance engineering culture and ideology that will have the greatest influence of future F brand products,” said Jeff Bracken group Vice President and General Manager Lexus division.
Competing in the Production Car Time Attack 1 Class meant that the Lexus will only receive minimal modifications to comply with the racing regulations.
Under the hood, the RC F’s standard 5.0-litre 2UR-GSE remains largely unchanged, producing 467+ hp at 7,100 rpm in Pikes Peak tune, slightly higher than the standard car’s 467 hp (US market tune). Also unchanged is the standard car’s 8-speed automatic transmission.
Kerb weight however has been significantly reduced, from around 1,860 kg (depending on trim level) to 1,420 kg. On top of the standard car’s carbon fibre roof and bonnet, the RC F GT Concept sheds further weight by using carbon fibre door panels, front and rear fenders, interior trim and dashboard, as well as polycarbonate windows.


Generate Up To RM320,000 By Installing An EV Charger On Your Parking Lot?

More and more
EV charging companies
 are popping up in Malaysia, but perhaps
ChargeSini
 is offering the most unique feature - by helping to generate income and making some 'mad bread'.

How is that even possible? ChargeSini is just like any other
'pay-as-you-use' service
 and even a subscription plan for charging electric vehicles, but they're currently looking into expanding its charging network to businesses and even residences. EV owners can download its app soon to gain access to its ever-growing network.

Yearly net profit from RM64,000 to RM320,000?

To attract the interest of businesses and private homeowners, ChargeSini is claiming that the parking lots that have been fitted with its EV chargers can generate a sizeable side income between RM64,000 to RM320,000 annually.

ChargeSini is also offering its services to residents living in apartments to 'upgrade' their parking lot into an EV charging bay. We're guessing that for each use, the owner will make pocket a percentage of that profit depending on the type of charger installed at the particular lot. The best part? They'll even contact the apartment's management for you!

AC & DC chargers up to 140kW available

ChargeSini together with Sangitech is offering six different AC and DC chargers ranging from 7kW up to 140kW. Each IP65-certified EV charger comes with a two-year warranty and we're assuming that the bigger the power, the better the chances of you making money every time someone uses it to charge their EVs.

Once the app is ready to launch, ChargeSini claims that there will be around 2,400 public charging points but for now, there are a couple of them listed on PlugShare (located at Raytech Kajang and Bangi). If you have a parking lot located in a prime location, this could be a very interesting side income venture for you.


Polestar 2 EV Production Begins In China In Wake Of COVID-19

While there’s still a rolling stream of announcements that automakers are shuttering operations for their factories and showrooms all over the world (but mostly Europe and the Americas), car manufacturing in China seems to be getting back on its feet - as we
expected they might
.

One of the most notable of those is Polestar, Volvo’s high-performance electrified sub-brand, who, despite also being headquartered in Gothenburg, manufacture all their cars in state-of-the-art facilities in China.

The Polestar 2 was due to begin production in early 2020 but was thought to have been delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the company has confirmed that this schedule is indeed back on track with the first examples of the car already rolling off the production line, seemingly defiant of the global pandemic and capable of high volume output.

Specifically, the car is being built in parent company Geely’s Luqiao location, which is already responsible for a sizeable portion of Volvo XC40s, and ensures that the Polestar 2’s production is given the same premium treatment.

To ensure the health and safety of all staff, however, much stricter measures have been put in place to guarantee that the plant is free of the COVID-19 virus, which also includes securing a supply chain that also adheres to those same high health standards.

“The world is facing enormous upheaval in the face of the coronavirus pandemic,” comments Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. “We start production now under these challenging circumstances with a strong focus on the health and safety of our people. This is a great achievement and the result of huge efforts from the staff […]. I have a huge amount of respect for the entire team – thanks to them!”

As the first fully electric vehicle to emerge from Volvo Cars, the Polestar 2’s rollout is most definitely a landmark event for the Swedish marque, doubly so as the the four-door fastback is aimed at the lucrative premium entry level EV market, directly facing off against the Tesla Model 3 and the like.

Sitting on the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) as the XC40, the Polestar 2 can certainly put up one hell of a fight; at least on paper. The floor-mounted batteries, comprised of 27 lithium-ion modules, are rated to store 78kWh of charge, good for a range of up to 500km based on the WLTP testing cycle.

It packs a wallop in terms of performance as well thanks to its dual 150kW electric motors, providing the car with all-wheel drive and a combined output of 408hp and 660Nm of torque. Polestar claims the car will sprint to 100km/h from rest in under 5 seconds.

By contrast, the Tesla Model 3 in its priciest configuration (at the time of writing) sports a 75kWh battery and an advertised maximum range of 518km. It also claims the acceleration crown too, needing a supercar-like 3.4 seconds to reach 100km/h.

While they could be quite similar in terms of list price, the Swede will also be made available through subscription in certain markets, bringing the upfront cost down significantly.

In the near term, though, only the traditional ownership model will be offered. That said, the first cars are poised to be delivered to as promised in mid-2020 starting in Europe, followed by China and North America.


Review: Updated Lexus NX300 – Lower Prices, But Any Better?

When the Lexus NX was introduced here in 2015 (then known as the NX200t), it offered a great entry point into the Lexus marque, but as time went on, the imported from Japan NX got sidelined by the cheaper, locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, BMW X3, and Volvo XC60.
In order to keep the NX competitive, Lexus Malaysia refreshed the NX line-up, offering the Lexus Safety System+ as a standard fitment across the range.
Better late than never, we reckon.
Specifications for Lexus NX300 Premium
Price: RM 333,888
Engine: 2.0-litre, inline-four, turbocharged, VVT-iW
Power: 235 hp from 4,800 – 5,600 rpm
Torque: 350 Nm from 1,650 rpm – 4,000 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Safety: 8 airbags, ABS with EBD, Traction Control (TRC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill-Start Assist, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lexus Safety System+, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
Origin: Imported from Japan
Overview
New to the Lexus NX range is the inclusion of the Lexus Safety System+, which encompasses:
Pre-Collision System (PCS)
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
Pre-Collision Brake Assist
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
Active Cornering Assist (ACA)
Parking Support Alert
Adaptive High-beam System (AHS)
At the same time, prices have been reduced by about RM 11,000. However, some adjustments have to be made to achieve the lower pricing.
The range-topping NX300 F Sport loses its 10.3-inch display and 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. In its place are a smaller 8.0-inch display and 8-speaker Lexus Premium Audio. On top of that (pun intended), the glass roof option has been removed from the NX line-up.
Exterior
Visually, the updated NX300 is identical to the facelifted model that was introduced locally in January, featuring a mildly revised front end with new triple-beam LED headlights flanking Lexus’ signature spindle grille, and sharper bumper accents.
While some may scoff at the NX’s sharp lines and angles, we appreciate the attention to detail Lexus designers have put into it – look at the NX long enough, and you’ll notice some strong character lines that flow not just along the sides, but also towards the roof of the car, along the A-pillars.
We also enjoy the side profile of the Lexus NX, mixing strong angular lines and suave curves, giving the NX an unmistakable side profile.
Interior
Although Lexus has updated the exterior, the interior remains largely unchanged from the earlier model, save for the addition of the Lane Departure Alert and vehicle distance buttons located on the steering wheel.
Typical of any modern Lexus, the build quality is top notch, and every part feels well put together. Adding to the classy touch is a generous dose of aluminium trim pieces.
The aluminium trim pieces also extend into the meter cluster, which adds a touch of sportiness to the SUV.
However, when compared to some of its contemporary alternatives, the infotainment system on the Lexus NX could have been better.
Navigation around the infotainment system requires the use of a touchpad, which feels rather clunky in this day and age. Adding to the clunkiness is the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Button placement for the infotainment system also could have been better, as the volume knob and source buttons are located in a rather odd position.
Driving Experience
The 2.0-litre 8AR-FTS four-cylinder turbocharged mill that powers the Lexus NX300 is quite a sophisticated unit as it is capable of running on both Otto cycle and a modified Atkinson cycle, thus allowing for the best of both worlds - great fuel economy and yet able to deliver strong performance.
Speaking of performance, we recall one of the key highlights of the Lexus NX during its media preview back in 2015 - the twin-scroll turbocharger.
Setting itself apart from other manufacturers, Lexus went on to engineer and develop its own twin-scroll turbocharger that is fitted to the NX as they said that by doing so, they will have more flexibility and control over various aspects of its performance.
As a result, the power delivery of the 2.0-litre engine is linear, without any hints of turbo lag. In fact, it is safe to say that the NX's power delivery is considerably smoother than most premium models from Germany.
With 235 hp and 350 Nm on tap, we never really felt the need for more power - squeeze the throttle a bit more and the NX accelerates with ease.
Couple with the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic, it makes for a relaxing driving experience in the NX. Even when the need arises to overtake, the gearbox responds quickly with downshifts, without any hesistance.
Ride comfort on the Lexus NX is on the firm side, with some bumps and road irregularities noticeable from the cabin. We won’t say that it is uncomfortable, but it is understandable considering that the NX is able to cope through our stint through some trunk roads with confidence. The NX barely leaned as we drove it through some back roads, though the weight can be felt as we went from turn to turn.
The steering also felt rather vague, though weightage was just about right. Thankfully the accuracy of the steering was rather on-point, making the NX an relatively easy point-and-go SUV.
Refinement is also top notch, as Lexus engineers have managed to isolate the cabin from external noises rather well - tyre and wind noises were well surpressed from the cabin. Granted, hints of engine noise can be heard when the throttle is depressed all the way, but how often does one need to do so in a Lexus?
Conclusion
The premium compact SUV segment is a growing segment – more and more customers are buying into the SUV trend and manufacturers are more than willing to introduce new models to cater to these buyers.
As such, competition is rather stiff in this segment – Audi has the Q5, BMW has the X3, Mercedes-Benz has the GLC range, Jaguar has the F-Pace, and Volvo has the XC60 range.
But unlike the competition, the Lexus NX is built in Japan, while most of the competition are either assembled locally or imported from Europe. If that matters to you, the Lexus NX should be right up your alley.
We are also aware that reconditioned versions of the Lexus NX exist, but bear in mind that reconditioned models are used vehicles with an unknown history and the infotainment system is in Japanese. Reconditioned cars are also not adapted for our climate, plus the lack of a manufacturer warranty should be noted as well.
Although the Lexus NX won’t be the most exciting option out there, we reckon that the NX is the most logical and sensible option, especially now that it offers more safety equipment. On top of that, the NX also offers solid Lexus reliability, decent driving performance, solid residuals, and the overall Lexus ownership experience.
Find the best Lexus deals
here
.


Audi To Show C-BEV Concept At Frankfurt, Possibly Foreshadowing A Q6

The German automakers are ramping up for their big 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show reveals, respectively. One busy bee will surely the four rings of
Audi
, and rather recently some photos have risen from the ether of a low-slung SUV that’s apparently all-electric.
Not only is it an eco-friendly, future-thinking SUV concept, but as
Autocar
 reports, the possible Audi Q6 seen here will have a very close component relation to the
R8
 e-tron’s powertrain.
The concept, they say, goes under the internal codename ‘C-BEV’ and is slated to compete with, among others, Tesla’s Model X – an EV crossover. Once it’s unveil at Frankfurt is over and done with, Audi is reportedly looking to the second half of 2018 for a production release.
Currently, the Audi
R8 e-tron
 has 456hp and 919Nm on tap. Sources say Audi plans to endow the C-BEV with at least 500hp, a 3.9sec century sprint time, and a 250km/h top speed. Not too shabby at all for an SUV.
Unlike the R8 e-tron, however, the C-BEV is purported to have three electric motors instead of the former’s two rear mounted units. In the latter’s case, each rear wheel gets its own motor with the third mounted within the gearbox.
The body itself is constructed with hot-formed steel, aluminium and CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic), within the structure sits a battery pack which could hold as much as 90kWh. With all that energy stored up, Audi expects it to have a range of “at least 500km.”
Autocar expects it to receive unique coupe-like styling cues, and will be a target to rival
BMW
’s
X6
 and the newly launched
Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
, with a claimed “sensational” drag coefficient of less than 0.30.
It will also reportedly inherit Audi’s most advanced connectivity and intelligent driving systems with autonomous driving and parking features. Occupants will enjoy an interior that is planned to be shared with the next-generation A8 saloon that’s due out in 2017.


Mitsubishi XPANDER: Geared Up For The Malaysian Lifestyle

The soon to be launched Mitsubishi XPANDER will be made to suit local tastes but will we buy into it?

All we hear about at the moment is
Proton X50
 this, Proton X50 that, and that's great and all, but not all of us want or need a vehicle that only seats five.

Since family always comes first in this part of the world, it's no surprise that MPVs sell very well here but do we need to spend a large amount of money to get a comfortable and practical MPV to move the family around? No, because there are some affordable options that can pretty much deliver on those two criteria.

For all of you out there who need a bit more space and practicality at an affordable price, be excited, because the
launch
 of the
Mitsubishi XPANDER
 is just around the corner!

Squarely brought to Malaysia to fight against Honda's BR-V, the Mitsubishi XPANDER is a worthy competitor, and we expect no less from the manufacturer that brought us one of the best seven-seater SUVs in Malaysia, in the form of the Pajero as well as the Outlander.

The XPANDER is originally built in Indonesia and has been supplied to other markets such as Thailand since 2018. The XPANDER has proven to be a successful model for Mitsubishi, selling some 256,000 units across Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam since its introduction. Locally the Xpander will be Mitsubishi's first-ever model to be built at the company's new production facility in Pekan, Pahang.

According to Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia's Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi, "The XPANDER is localised to meet the demands of Malaysian customers." This definitely means that the Malaysian XPANDER will be tailored made to Malaysian taste, but to what extent we'll have to wait to find out. This is quite similar to how Honda Malaysia beefed up the BR-V's NVH suppression, making it one of the better BR-V's in the region.

Speaking of the much-adored BR-V, the XPANDER will have its hands full trying to pry people away from the versatile Honda, but it does have a few tricks up its sleeve that trumps the Honda BR-V.

First and foremost is the size. The XPANDER is not only wider than the BR-V, it is also longer and taller, making it generally a bigger MPV compared to its closest rival. This translates into bigger interior space, but before we get to that did we mention that the Xpander also has more ground clearance than the BR-V? It sounds like it'll be easier to drive thanks to that commanding height.

Back to the interior, the Mitsubishi XPANDER is a proper MPV, not a botched one. Its long wheelbase gives the car a true comfortable seven-seater seating arrangement. It also has great boot space, especially when you fold down the third-row seats which sit flush against the floor. Some of its rivals cannot do this making the XPANDER a more practical solution.

Since it will be a CKD vehicle, we expect the pricing to be highly competitive. There is no indication of pricing as of now but full-fledged CKD assembly should signal a competitive price tag, close to that of its biggest competitors – the Honda BR-V, Toyota Avanza, and Perodua Aruz– which all reside within then RM72-RM90k bracket.

MPVs are generally not the best looking cars on the road but when it comes to looks, the XPANDER will win in a beauty contest. With that fierce face at the front, it does look like a baby Mitsubishi Triton which many have come to like and love. The Xpander that Malaysia will get will also be the facelifted version so kudos to Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia for giving Malaysians the latest updated vehicle.

Powering the new XPANDER is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 105 PS and 141 Nm of torque, paired to a 4-speed automatic gearbox - woohoo, not a CVT. Although the engine figures do not look like it will present much grunt, we're sure it will combat that downside by being one of the most reliable and robust engines out there.

Other highlight features of the XPANDER include that mean-looking Crystal LED position lamps, aggressive-looking foglights, LED tube taillights and rear air-cond vents - thank god for rear air-cond vents. From the
teaser car
 that was shown at Mid Valley Mega Mall a couple of weeks ago, the preview unit is also visibly fitted with a reverse camera (just to the side of the boot lid handle), and what resembles a front camera on the lower regions of the bumper.

So is there space for the Mitsubishi XPANDER in Malaysia? We definitely think so!


Spyshots: 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) Facelift Shows Off New Design LED Headlights

An updated version of the current generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class is well underway, with European spy photographers catching glimpses of a barely-camouflaged prototype undergoing validation tests in winter surroundings.
Whilst its front bumper remains heavily shrouded, little else of the car’s exterior is left to the imagination. The pictured vehicle features the classic Mercedes grille with active shutters and sports new design LED headlamps – the LED daytime running strip also seems thicker than the current model.
The tail lights have been revised too, the LEDs re-arranged to form a double-C-shaped illumination signature from the back.
There are no apparent changes to the vehicle’s sheet metal.
First introduced in 2014, the W205 C-Class now enters its third year of sale and continues to become Mercedes-Benz’s best-seller worldwide.
This midlife facelift of the C-Class should be in the final stages of development as Mercedes looks to toughen it against an all-new BMW 3 Series expected to arrive sometime next year.
The W205 facelift is expected to debut later this year in sedan guise progressively followed by its siblings in estate, coupe, and cabriolet body styles at later dates. In conjunction with the facelift, Mercedes is also likely to introduce powertrains from its
new modular engine family
 to the C-Class range - so expect an all-new range of 2.0-litre inline-4 and 3.0-litre inline-6 mills to run the show.
Photos:
 Car Pix


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Brings Concept EQ To South East Asia

It's a little unusual for us to be the first to receive anything new, with the exception of products launched on a racetrack (given that we have the only accessible F1-grade track in the region), such that when we are the first to receive something it's a cause for mild celebration. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, in conjunction with their EQ Brand Exhibtion, managed to bring in the Concept EQ - their take on a holistic electric vehicle for the future.
At its heart, it is an SUV in form, with the kind of proportions and ground clearance that gives it a rugged off-road look - one that ties in nicely with the sentiments of our market. It's also part coupe with its swooping roofline and and an elongated greenhouse roof. From a gleaming black bonnet to the alubeam silver paintwork, the Concept EQ screams "car of the future". 21-inch alloys, minimized body panel joins, hidden door handles, and cameras instead of side mirrors all add to the future-chic aesthetic.
Lighting plays a very big role with the Concept EQ. Everything from the grille (white-illuminated Mercedes-Benz emblem flanked by other lighting elements), to the headlamps and tail lights (LEDs all round), to the peripheral light strip that runs around the edge of the car. Mood lighting changes from a Welcome Scenario to electric-esque blue lighting as the occupants transition from outside to inside.
When we think of electric cars, we don't really view them in a performance context. The greatest benefit of an electric car comes in the form of saving the environment, and the Concept EQ is capable of going up to 500 kilometres on a single charge, with a 70 kWh lithium-ion battery from ACCUMOTIVE. Be that as it may, the Concept EQ is still capable of sprinting to 100 km/h from a standstill in under 5 seconds, with 700 Nm of torque and 402 hp on hand.
On the inside, things are as futuristic as the outside. Everything has been redesigned, conventions are broken, with switchgear that features no switches or knobs, and full floating displays with a myriad of information accessible to the driver in various levels of density and detail. Rose gold, electric blue, and white are prominent colours that feature in the lighting and accents around the car. A 24-inch TFT display supplies the main information to the driver, while various OLED displays embedded in the steering wheel provide additional information.
With four individual seats in the interior, there is more focus on each individual occupant. Visual lightness comes as a result of the additional space and avant-garde upholstery, with PCB-style patterning for the seats. Sound experiences are provided by speakers embedded in each individual seat, with TFT monitors for rear passengers embedded in the back of the front seats.
As for charging, Mercedes-Benz is looking to the future with various Combined Charging Systems providing fast charging. Anywhere from 50 kW to 150 kW charge rates are possible, with even 300 kW planned for the future. At this predicted rate, it would only take five minutes for the Concept EQ to be charged enough for a 100 kilometre range.
The Mercedes-Benz Concept EQ will go into production in 2019.
Check out the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQ at the Mercedes-Benz EQ Brand Exhibition at The Waterfront, Desa ParkCity, in Kuala Lumpur. The exhibition starts from 4 May 2018 and runs till 7 May 2018.


Review: Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic – Exclusivity VS Individuality, Can We Have Both?

We put the all-new 2020 Audi Q3 1.4L TFSI S-Tronic SUV through its paces

Dare I say it; cars were more individual back in the day.

Back then, vehicle development was more centralised. Yes, engines, electronics, and chassis components were still shared around – but the actual execution varied from model to model. Take the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series models of yore – yes, they would share engines, transmission components, and some fundamental chassis bits, but the bodies themselves varied widely in size, design, and construction.

The same is true even if it were a Honda, Mercedes-Benz or a Volkswagen (VW).

This oftentimes would create very unique driving characteristics and feel between them, which even to the most mundane of drivers is tangible and measurable. This is why the Honda Accord would drive differently to a Civic, and hence appeal to a different type of buyer requirements.

In this day and age – it's all about platform engineering. the latest generation of vehicle platforms is shared not just between models of one manufacturer, but perhaps across an entire manufacturer group.

MQB Based Volkswagen Atlas

Case in point is the era-defining Volkswagen MQB platform, which was developed (at considerable costs) for transverse-mounted engines, powering either the front or all four wheels. It is a technical tour-de-force in its own right, and finds its way under the bodies of approximately 48 different models under the VW Group - and there’s more coming!

Everything from the Audi A1, Skoda Octavia, VW Lamando of China, and the Audi Q3 you see here are based on the MQB platform. By massaging the platform – vis-à-vis, by making it wider, or longer – it can be made to underpin a variety of body styles and applications. But, has dynamic individuality gone with the advent of technology?

Overview: 2020 Audi Q3

The second-generation Audi Q3 was introduced here in 2019 priced at just under RM270k for the singular 1.4L TFSI S Tronic variant. This meant we do not get the 2.0-litre TFSI (170 hp/280 Nm) variant which was offered here with the last generation car, for about the same price as the current one.

Power comes from the Volkswagen Group’s longstanding 1.4-litre turbocharged and direct-injected powerplant which delivers 147 hp and 250 Nm. The engine is mated to Audi’s S-Tronic (wet) dual-clutch six-speed automatic, which distributes power exclusively to the front wheels.

Measuring in at 4,484 mm in length, 1,849 mm in width, and 1,585 mm in height, the new Q3 is a sizeable 97 mm longer, 25 mm wider, but 23 mm lower than its predecessor. The wheelbase too, at 2,680mm is 77 mm longer this time around.

Specifications for the Audi Q3 1.4L TFSI S-Tronic:

Price: RM260,555.39 (OTR without insurance)

Engine: 1.4-litre, Inline-4 transverse, Turbocharged Petrol

Power: 150 PS @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm

Torque: 250 Nm @ 1,500 – 3,500 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed (wet) dual-clutch automatic, FWD

Safety: 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Descent Control, Audi Parking System Plus

Origin: Fully-imported from Audi Gyor, Hungary.

Rivals: 2020 Audi Q3

Mercedes-Benz GLA

BMW X1

Volvo XC40

Lexus UX

Exterior: 2020 Audi Q3

The Q3 exudes a rather unassuming yet sporty SUV silhouette. Dressed in its snazzy Pulse Orange colour; serves to highlight its chiselled edges – especially at the front, on the C-Pillar and the beltline.

Although there’s always that familial look to every Audi, it must be said that the Q3 does better this time around to differentiate itself from its larger Q5 brethren, cutting a far more sporty profile that its rounded predecessor, though one could also go up to the Q3 Sportback for the full coupe-SUV treatment.

Some notable aesthetic highlights include the Audi Singleframe grille at the front, which is flanked by LED headlights. The same LED light treatment is carried on the rear. Elsewhere, the Manhattan Grey coloured accents spice up the front, side and rear bumper sections – which are especially nice when contrasted against the bright orange paintwork.

The Q3 is supplied with 5-spoke 18-inch wheels wrapped in 235/55 R18 tyres all around.

Interior: 2020 Audi Q3

The standout feature of the Q3’s interior is its expansive dashboard – in this case, equipped with a 10.1-inch central MMI Navigation Plus touchscreen linked to an MMI Touch system for driver inputs. Another 12.3-inch digital screen resides in the instrument cluster – dubbed the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus, this configurable screen relays important driving data.

Working in tandem, the duo exudes a sublime high-tech look within the cabin. Which otherwise is simplistic in its approach. Especially when bathed in the myriad of ambient lighting colours, the inside of the Q3 is a superb place to be in, regardless if it’s a long journey or a short drive to the shops.

The seats themselves are wonderfully supportive and cossetting, and the steering wheel is placed just where you need it in terms of ergonomics. Familiar Audi interior build quality is felt everywhere from the tactile materials to the fit and finish of the various cabin components.

As far as the interior of the Q3 goes, there’s little to not like – I also especially liked the fact that I could individually ‘child-lock’ the rear doors depending on where my child was seating; yet another feature that is well-thought-out and executed.

As for boot space, the 530-litres available in the Q3 making it the largest and most usable in its class – beating what’s offered in the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40 by 25 litres and 70 litres respectively. Hence, I had no issues placing my umbrella, foldable baby pram, a large suitcase, and the weeks’ worth of shopping at one go; the loading height and boot aperture are all up to par as well.

Driving Experience: 2020 Audi Q3

Within minutes of driving the Q3, everything just feels like home. Given the car’s interior ergonomics, good visibility, and relatively compact size – means it starts to wrap around your driving ability in pretty quick order. With easily judged body edges, and a superb camera system aiding your parking, it’s also easy to get the Q3 in and out of a mall carpark.

I have to confess, that I never drove the Q3 in anger, perhaps a further sign of greying hair and getting older is that I’m happy to meander around at 60 km/h within city limits. This does, however; gives one appreciation for the quietness and refinement of the Q3’s cabin space, surely a by-product of its build quality and body construction.

The few times I did push my foot down to overtake slower cars or when on a hill, the punchy 1.4-litre engine proved adequate and urgent enough. The S-Tronic gearbox works in perfect unison with the engine, giving it spritely acceleration, excellent highway speed cruising, and comfortable low-speed adjustability.

Further benefits to the pint-sized engine its the fuel economy, which returned a healthy 7.9-litres/100 km on the combined cycle, with most of my roughly 300 km driven, executed in the city.

To a certain extent, given the effectiveness of the powertrain, you almost didn’t miss the older 2.0-litre TFSI combo, simply because, while that powertrain had a meatier mid-range, the 1.4 litre’s eagerness still offers 90 percent of that power where you need it the most, between the 1,400 rpm and 3,200 rpm range.

But it must be said, that the Q3 is the least powerful in its class, with its closest competitors, the BMW X1 “20i” and Lexus UX 2.0L outputting 189 hp and 169 hp respectively – we don’t have to mention the Volvo XC40 here because its power output is in another league altogether.

Also note that the Q3 is the most expensive car in its class, which brings us to our original point of discussion.

Conclusion

While the Q3 is a sublime and immensely lovable SUV, the matter of its rivals brings up the question of exclusivity and individuality.

Exclusivity is assured, given the smaller number of new Audis on the road, you can be guaranteed of standing out from the rest of the pack when you’re driving in one of these. It’s a sharp-looking car, has a lovely interior and is superbly packaged.

Therefore, it will always look and feel more special than say an X1 or the upstart XC40 (whose popularity is rapidly rising these days) – that four-ringed logo on the front bonnet also commands a status premium.

The Lexus UX is a bit of a left-field competitor here, given it is not as big as the other cars within the segment and serves more as a lifestyle vehicle with the trappings of an SUV. The Mercedes-Benz GLA, while popular, is smaller and less practical than the Q3.

However, in the case of individuality, it just falls shy in this respect partially because of its cousin, shall we say... the Volkswagen Tiguan. For the most part, the Tiguan offers almost identical performance to the Q3 (the Q3 still has a marginally wider torque spread) and the same surefooted handling as the Q3.

Granted the interior, build quality, and overall execution is far more special in the Q3, but it still beckons the question is it worth the roughly RM100k more Audi asks for the Q3, over what VW ask for the Tiguan?

I suspect, to those who can afford it, this aspect will not matter, because it’s the price of entry into a more exclusive club. So exclusivity, yes, but individuality less so…but, after all, there is no right or wrong answer. Just if you have the pockets to match.