Proton, Then, Now and Tomorrow

Hate it or love it, there's no denying it, there's a sense of national pride when it comes to Proton. After all, Proton is more than just a local vehicle manufacturer, as they are the company that kick-started our very own automotive industry.

Today, the company celebrates Proton Saga's 35th birthday, and what a few decades it has been for the entry-level vehicle. It's had its fair share of ups and downs, sorrows and joys, but the most important thing is, the car is still alive and kicking and on to a path that is about to bring it back to its glory days.

In conjunction with this celebration, we thought we would look at Proton's three-decade journey. To mention all the fine details would mean for a very long read, so we figured we would just re-visit the most significant milestones.

The beginning

It's hard to tell the story of Proton without mentioning Tun Mahathir Mohamad because ultimately, he was the one that conceived a vision to create a national car in 1979. A monumental challenge! In 1983, PROTON was formed, laying the foundations to industrialise our automotive industry. Instead of just relying on our natural resources like tin, gas, petroleum and timber, Mahathir wanted us to create something that would industrialise Malaysia for good, and a national car was a result of that. The name Proton actually stands for
P
e
r
usahaan
Oto
mobil
N
asional (National Automobile Company).

The Saga begins...

The Proton Saga rolled out to an eagerly awaiting Malaysia in 1985 and marked the arrival of Malaysia's very own self made car. Gleaned from Mitsubishi’s Lancer Fiore sedan, it had all you can want from a car back in the eighties. It was also the car that allowed many Malaysians to own a four-wheel vehicle. Due to its starting price of RM 17,575, many Malaysians could afford it.

Pic credits:UK Spec Proton

When a local car becomes a foreign car

The fruits of making your own car can be juicy if done right - and in the case of the Saga, it was tasty. In 1989, Proton started exporting the Saga to the United Kingdom and marketed it as a vehicle that had 'Japanese Technology, Malaysian Style'. - haha, Malaysian style, cute. It was so successful in Blighty it broke the record for 'Fastest selling make of new car ever to enter the United Kingdom', exceeding their 12-month sales target by 6 months.

The arrival of the hero

After seven years and over 300,000 vehicles sold, the Saga just didn't cut it anymore so in 1993 the Proton Wira came to the rescue. Again, a car produced in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors, the Wira, was based on the Lancer Mirage. Other than some exterior and interior aesthetic tweaks, the Wira was mostly the same as the vehicle it was based on. It was also the first Proton vehicle to be fitted with an airbag (driver’s side), ABS and rear disc brakes. Believe it or not, until today, the Wira was also the only ever local car to be produced with a diesel engine, there are some still lying around in the used car market if you look for hard enough.

The time Proton wanted some Lotus for dinner

In its quest to go further, Proton decided to buy an exceptionally established sports car maker, Lotus. With a reputation of producing high-performance cars which were rich in racing heritage, it was no longer the pride of Britain, but kebanggaan Malaysia. This acquisition was a shrewd piece of business by Proton as they tapped into Lotus's knowledge and engineering so that they could produce exceptional products such as the Satria GTi, R3 as well as the CAMPRO engine which we will go into later.

All Proton cars after this acquisition came standard with Lotus ride and handling, which gave Proton cars a smooth drive and tight control during corners and challenging situations.

You don't just buy Lotus and not produce anything

Launched in 1998, the (C99) Satria GTi took the successful and sporty looking Satria three-door hatchback and developed it into a tarmac loving bruiser for the common man. Proton’s ownership of Lotus at the time gave them invaluable resources and know-how to take the relatively sedate Satria body and totally re-engineer it into one of the best driving cars in its class at the time. The main highlights were a strengthened and stiffened body shell, suspension that was tweaked by the boffins at Lotus, with the Mitsubishi sourced 1.8-litre 4G93P twin-cam, 16-valve, four-cylinder shoehorned under the bonnet – thereby giving it the guts and ability to be a serious sporting machine!

Pic credit: Huffingtonpost

The new face

Now that they had Lotus and experience under their wing, Proton was confident to go at it alone. This resulted in the Proton Waja in the year 2000, the first model from the young company which was totally designed and manufactured in house. Although the chassis was still a borrowed chassis from Mitsubishi, everything else was all homegrown. The Waja upped the ante by offering a host of safety and comfort features including ABS, traction control, climate control and a driver’s side airbag. Although it is was the prettiest car to ever come out of Proton, it did pretty well in Malaysia sales wise and sold as much as the Saga.

The time is nigh for Proton's very own engine

To be taken seriously in the automotive world, you have to, at some point, build your own engine. In 2004, along with the debut of the Gen 2, a four-door hatchback, Proton introduced to the world the CamPro engine, a powerplant created in conjunction with Lotus. CamPro is short for Cam Profiling. The engine was developed in the Lotus factory in UK and came in either a 1.3L or 1.6L displacement.

Proton's first world car

After a lot of mediocre years, Proton got fed up and wanted to make a car that they could sell worldwide. This car was the Proton Preve, a car that really did seem ready to take on the world. It was designed to come with Proton's new signature look, to be the first domestic car with standard in-car wifi and the first car to attain a 5-star safety rating in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). It was also the first car to come with Proton's CamPro CFE engine which featured a turbocharger.

Proton tries to be exciting again

There were no outright performance variants of the Iriz sold, but it was one of the last few Protons that you could buy with a truly exciting setup. A fairly limited run of 1.6-litre manual variants was made available, and as a warm hatchback it was an incredibly fun and balanced machine. That aside, R3 had an incredibly cool variant set up for touring car racing in Malaysia which pushed close to 200 hp from a fettled version of that 1.6-litre engine, and who can forget MEM’s Iriz R5 which regularly competes in stage rallies in Europe, as well as making an appearance on the Goodwood rally stage. If you find one of these for sale, pick one up quickly. You will not be disappointed.

The new dawn

After so many years of being in a tug of war of producing quality products vs pleasing politicians, Proton finally got a break they needed. In 2017 Zhejiang Geely Holding Group came to an agreement that saw the Chinese carmaker acquiring stakes in both Proton Holdings Bhd and subsidiary Lotus Advance Technologies Sdn Bhd.

Yes, in the beginning, some argued that Proton is no longer a national car because it sold out to the Chinese, but do your sentiments still hold water today? They are starting to get their groove back, a groove that they had 35 years ago. The Proton X70 is proving to be a popular SUV, and the upcoming X50 is proving to be one of the most talked-about local product in a long long time.

Its been a rollercoaster ride for Proton, but they are in a good position now. But to be honest, no matter how you look at it, aren't you glad that Malaysia has not one but two national carmakers? Not many countries can say the same.


Limited Edition 2022 BMW 3 Series Unveiled in Malaysia - From RM262,800

BMW Malaysia has unveiled its latest 'limited special edition' BMW 3 Series - the 320i M Sport and 330i M Sport.

Fitted with new features and additional equipment, these locally-assembled models offer a more enhanced yet premium driving experience for one of the country's best-selling sports sedans within the premium segment.

Limited BMW 320i M Sport Edition

Starting with the 320i M Sport Edition, this model comes together with the M Sport Package which features the new 18-inch M light alloy wheels (double-spoke style 790 M).

To further enhance its overall sportiness, it also comes with the variable sport steering, M leather steering wheel, and Individual Roof-Lining Anthracite. For this bad boy, it is priced at RM262,800 (OTR price excluding insurance).

Limited BMW 330i M Sport Edition

For the limited edition 2022 BMW 330i M Sport, it now features an electrical glass roof together with the Harman Kardon surround sound system for extra driving pleasure.

As for the exterior, BMW Malaysia has kitted it with a new set of 19-inch M light alloy wheels (double-spoke style 791 M). If you prefer this over the 320i, then it can be yours for RM304,800 (OTR price excluding insurance).

As for exterior colour options, both the 2022 BMW 320i M Sport Edition and BMW 330i M Sport Edition are offered in Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey as well as the M Portimao Blue. Interior-wise, there's only the Leather Vernasca Black for the upholstery.


Watch This Brilliant Honda “Paper” Commercial

Yet another fantastic TV commercial from Honda! This two-minute long TV commercial by American Honda Motor Co. will debut in the US today during the NFL games.
Shot using stop-motion techniques, the TV commercial highlights some of Honda’s greatest achievements – from two-wheelers, to marine engines, to its iconic cars, evolution of the Asimo humanoid robot, and even the HondaJet plane.
You could say that Honda makes almost anything that moves – be in on land, air, or water, whether it moves with two wheels, four wheels, wings or even a pair of legs.
Despite the animated-like appearance, the illustrations seen here are all hand drawn – roughly 3,000 of them. Those hands that appear on the commercial, those are real human hands flipping through the paper illustrations!
You can watch the making of the Honda “Paper” TV commercial below.
Below are some other amazing Honda TV commercials from the past.


Taxi Drivers Demand Government Create Unified E-Hailing App, Allow Nothing Else

Dissatisfied with the emergence and disruptive effects of ride hailing services in the past half-decade, taxi drivers are now calling upon the Malaysian government to help level the playing field by developing an app specifically for them.

Specifically, the outcry was channeled via a memorandum by Penyatuan Pemain Industri Pengangkutan Darat Malaysia (PPDM), an organisation that represents the views and interest of taxi drivers in Malaysia, and delivered to the Prime Minister’s office.

In it, they demanded the federal government take charge to correct the disparity and lack of growth in the taxi industry by developing a bespoke ‘e-hailing’ style app. This would not, however, merely compete with current commercial players such as Grab and
AirAsia Ride
, but supplant them all.

In effect, this would mean all future ride hailing bookings (and charges, presumably) will be directed through this one unified app with the aforementioned private companies being reliant upon the government to distribute the spread of customers, routes, and journeys according to their discretion.

By doing this, the government could have the means to deliver better rates to Malaysians who use the app by applying consistent and uniform fares between taxis and other ride hailing vehicles/services, allowing them to compete on service quality and merit rather than market monopoly and marketing budget.

According to PPDM, these private industry players have thus far sapped billions of Ringgit from the taxi industry and, with this unified app, could better channel the revenue and collective profits to
upgrade the quality of taxi services
 in the country in addition to providing improved insurance coverage to the drivers themselves as well as provide scholarships to their children, among others.

Years ago, drastic action was also called upon by a coalition of cabbies when ride hailing apps were starting up in Malaysia. Remember
when Uber was still around
? Back then, they called for the outright ban of such services,
multiple times
, pointing out the lack of safety, potential for exorbitant charges (ironic), and of course the threat it posed to the taxi industry - their livelihoods.

Ignoring that such a sweeping change would take years to fully realise, even if the taxi drivers got everything they wanted in this memorandum, it’s not clear if the end result will improve the transportation situation for Malaysians.

Yes, many complaints are forthcoming that Grab’s current monopoly has caused the price-per-fare to increase consistently, but the solution to this is probably not to introduce harsh government oversight. As is the case in other countries, competition is the crucible for improvement, and as better alternatives emerge, the tussle between services to win over each customer will mean the best quality service will prosper.


Berjaya Corp And Bermaz Take Over Peugeot Distributorship In Malaysia

It is official - Groupe PSA has awarded the distributorship of Peugeot vehicles to Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn. Bhd. (BAASB).

Berjaya Corp is the majority shareholder in BAASB with 51 percent while Bermaz Auto controls 20 percent of the company. The remaining shareholders are not known.

We can expect the Peugeot 2008 to be the first vehicle launched by BAASB. For the uninformed, the 2008 is a B-segment SUV which puts it squarely in the firing line of the
 Proton X50
,
Honda HR-V
 and Bermaz's very own
CX-3
.

Insider info had already hinted that the negotiations did not involve the Citroen nor DS brands and based on today's joint statement that appears true.

BAASB will also hold the rights to after-sales and spare parts of Peugeot, Citroen and DS vehicles. If you're a current owner of the latter two, fret not - you will still be able to get support from BAASB.

Groupe PSA South East Asia senior vice president Laurence Noel said "Our product line-up of award-winning SUVs - Peugeot 3008 and Peugeot 5008 - have garnered a lot of attention here in the past few years, as such we strive to continue the momentum through exciting new models and aftersales initiatives. It is our plan in the near future to introduce our global successes such as the all new
Peugeot 2008
 in Malaysia."

Berjaya Corp Chief Executive Officer, Dato' Sri Robin Tan Yeong Ching said "Berjaya is pleased to be given this opportunity to be part of the new collaboration (via BAASB) with Groupe PSA, one of Europe's largest vehicle manufacturers, listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange. This new collaboration will complement our group's existing automotive business namely, HR Owen Plc and Berjaya China Motor Sdn Bhd. We believe this collaboration between Berjaya Corp, Bermaz Auto and Groupe PSA will bring positive synergistic benefits to all parties."

Dato' Sri Ben Yeoh, Executive Chairman of Bermaz added “We are honoured that Groupe PSA and Berjaya Corp recognise Bermaz Group’s capabilities and expertise in the automobile industry and is delighted to participate in this new collaboration, which is expected to contribute positively to our future earnings base. Peugeot, Citroen and DS are European marque cars well-known for their driving comfort, smooth handling, modern designs, durability and with state-of-the-art technology. Hence, we are elated and looking forward to a successful collaboration with Berjaya Corp and Groupe PSA via BAASB.”

And with that we bid adieu to Naza and we look forward to seeing the all new range of Peugeot cars on our roads soon!


Works Ministry Needs RM3.4 Billion To Repair Federal Roads

How much would it take to repair federal roads throughout Peninsular Malaysia? According to the country's
Works Ministry
, an allocation of RM3.4 billion is needed by next year. Quite a bill for that one, eh?

During a visit to one of the locations in Gerik, Perak, Works Minister,
Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof
, explained that the big budget is needed in order to complete all necessary jobs such as damage repairs, resurfacing, additional layers, and new road construction.

*Image credit: Kementerian Kerja Raya Malaysia

A quote from
The Star
 stated Datuk Fadillah mentioning that "We are aware that many priorities have to be considered before the allocation is given, which in some cases is insufficient like the RM68 million to repair the federal road, FT004 (the East-West Highway)."

Despite the challenges, the Works Ministry is looking into other solutions for both the short and long term to solve these rising matters. These include resurfacing and repairing the damaged roads before moving on to major resurfacing and new road construction works.

*Image credit: Kementerian Kerja Raya Malaysia

As for the FT004 damaged section near Gerik, works involving patching and resurfacing will commence this Saturday (25 June 2022). From what we've read, it's going to be some major work to fix it all up, so those nearby should plan your journey accordingly.


Teksi vs e-hailing – 80,000 Pemandu Teksi Gantung Kunci

Disebalik kemajuan sistem
e-hailing
 di negara ini yang semakin berkembang pesat, ia dikatakan telah menutup periuk nasi sekurang-kurangnya 80,000
pemandu teksi
 yang terjejas dalam persaingan mendapatkan penumpang.

Berdasarkan laporan yang dikeluarkan oleh Utusan,
e-hailing
 seperti
Grab
,
AirAsia Ride
, MyCar dan
inDriver
 telah menyebabkan kira-kira 80,000 daripada 120,000 pemandu teksi terpaksa menggulung tikar kerana tidak mampu bersaing.

Teksi vs e-hailing

Ketika ini, jumlah pemandu teksi yang masih aktif dan bersaing dengan e-hailing di Malaysia dianggarkan seramai 40,000.

Daripada jumlah tersebut, terdapat kira-kira 12,000 pemandu teksi masih menawarkan khidmat di Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor.

Ketika ini, lebih 120,000 pemandu e-hailing sedang giat bekerja di seluruh negara berbanding jumlah teksi yang semakin berkurang.

Penurunan harga tambang perjalanan yang sering dibuat oleh
e-hailing
telah menyebabkan pengusaha teksi sukar untuk bersaing.

Tindakan menurunkan harga tambang teksi mengikut
e-hailing
 akan menjejaskan pendapatan pemandu teksi.

*Kredit foto: Vulcan Post

Walau bagaimanapun, perang harga antara syarikat pengendali operator e-hailing juga menyebabkan nasib pemandu e-hailing juga tidak menentu.

Rata-rata dalam kalangan mereka mengeluh apabila syarikat pengendali didakwa menurunkan kadar tambang semata-mata mahu menarik penumpang.

Akibatnya ramai pemandu mengadu kehidupan mereka tidak keruan kerana pendapatan yang diterima tidak berbaloi dengan sehari suntuk mereka keluar bekerja.

Kegagalan Kementerian Pengangkutan

Menerusi kenyataan Gabungan Teksi Malaysia (GTSM) terhadap Utusan, ini merupakan salah Kementerian Pengangkutan yang gagal mewujudkan ruang pasaran antara perkhidmatan teksi dan e-hailing.

Yang Dipertua GTSM, Kamarudin Mohd. Hussain berkata, walaupun negara sudah memasuki fasa endemik, industri perkhidmatan teksi terus bermasalah sekiranya isu ruang pasaran tidak diselesaikan.

“Dulu ada 120,000 pemandu teksi, namun disebabkan sudah gagal bertahan dalam tempoh dua tahun ini akibat Covid-19, ramai cari kerja lain”, jelasnya.

Menurut Kamarudin, kebanyakan pemandu teksi yang ‘menggantung kunci’ bekerja sebagai pengawal keselamatan, pekerja kilang atau berniaga secara kecil-kecilan.

*Kredit foto: Berita Harian

Industri Teksi Bakal Pupus?

Kamarudin percaya pengangkutan teksi tidak akan lenyap memandangkan ia belum pernah berlaku di mana-mana negara sebelum ini.

Pada 2019, bekas Menteri Pengangkutan, Anthony Loke berkata, daripada 43,000 pemandu teksi yang beroperasi ketika itu, hanya 10,000 pemandu yang menggunakan aplikasi e-hailing manakala yang lain meneruskan kerja secara konvensional.

Malah, katanya, pemandu teksi yang menggunakan aplikasi e-hailing juga boleh mengambil penumpang menggunakan platform perhentian teksi.

Kenapa Tak Jadi Pemandu e-hailing?

Memandangkan perkhidmatan e-hailing lebih popular buat masa ini, mengapa pemandu teksi tidak beralih menjadi pemandu e-hailing sahaja?
Jawapannya, sukar untuk pemandu teksi bertukar kepada e-hailing atas syarat-syarat seperti berikut:

Memiliki kereta berumur tidak melebihi 10 tahun

Memiliki lesen memandu PSV e-hailing

Membawa kereta ke PUSPAKOM untuk pemeriksaan berkala
e-hailing

Fasih dengan penggunaan telefon pintar (Android atau iPhone)


New 2016 Subaru Forester CKD Launched In Malaysia – Introductory Price From RM139,800

Following the success of the assembled in Segambut Subaru XV, Motor Image Malaysia has added a second locally assembled model in its range – the new 2016 Subaru Forester. The model is the same as the facelifted Forester that was launched in Japan not too long ago.
What is it?
The Subaru Forester is a five-seater SUV, powered by a 2.0-litre normally aspirated engine. It’s only available with a CVT-type automatic transmission, and drive is transferred to all four wheels via Subaru’s signature Symmetrical AWD (S-AWD) system.
It competes with the Honda Honda CR-V 2.0 4WD (RM153,300 including insurance), Mazda CX-5 2.0 4WD (RM154,213 including insurance), and to a certain extent, the Nissan X-Trail 2.5-litre 4WD (RM164,148 including insurance).
How much is it?
There are two variants – 2.0i (RM144,948 excluding insurance) and 2.0i-P (RM154,888 excluding insurance) but for a limited time period only, interested customers can buy the Forester from just RM139,800 for the 2.0i model and RM151,800 for the 2.0i-P model.
What are the key features/highlights?
Subaru is a very well established brand, but over in Malaysia, the brand is over-represented by parallel imported boy-racer type WRX so the brand might not resonate much to the average family.
In truth, Subaru makes some of the safest, family friendly cars in the world, and the Forester’s specifications reflects the Subaru’s values.
The Forester is one of those few cars on sale today that does not force buyers to buy the most expensive variant to get basic active and passive safety features. Whichever variant you choose, either the base 2.0i or the higher range 2.0i-P model, the safety features are the same.
Both variants are equipped with seven airbags, electronic stability control (Subaru calls it VDC), ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchors and hill descent control. Not only that, Subaru says the Forester’s high-tensile strength steel and reinforced frame body is able to withstand up to 1.5 tons.
The 2.0i-P model adds the following items over the 2.0i base model.
Automatic LED headlamps (halogens for 2.0i) with swivelling function
Power operated tailgate
Front fog lamps
Steering Responsive Headlight (cornering lights)
SI Drive - Intelligent, Sport and Sport# modes for engine and transmission
Pin Code Access security system
Power adjustable driver’s and front passenger’s seat
Multi-function steering wheel with cruise control
Paddle shifters
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning (single-zone automatic for 2.0i)
Rain sensing wipers
Specifications for both 2.0i and 2.0i-P variants:
Engine: 2.0-litre FB20 series naturally aspirated four cylinder boxer engine
Power: 150 PS at 6,200 rpm
Torque: 198 Nm at 4,200 rpm
Claimed fuel consumption: 7.9-litre/100 km
Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel drive with X-MODE (optimises function of S-AWD, hill descent control, electronic stability control, throttle and brakes for different terrain conditions)
Safety: seven airbags, electronic stability control (VDC), ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchors and hill descent control (HDC)
The fully-imported Forester XT, which is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre boxer engine that produces 241 PS at 5,600 rpm and 350 Nm at 2,400 – 3,600 rpm is also available at RM211,729 excluding insurance.


Honda Malaysia Adds Sensing Tech To Accord 2.4 VTi-L, Drops 2.0 VTi Variant

Honda Malaysia announced today that the Accord 2.4-litre variant will now come with Sensing, the company’s suite of advanced driving aids systems (ADAS). It is the first Honda sedan in Malaysia to be equipped as such, and the second Honda model to do so after the all-new CR-V.
By using a monocular camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror and a millimeter wave radar mounted at the lower air dam of the front bumper, the Honda Sensing feature offers a wide range of collision avoidance and driving assistance features, as listed below:
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
Honda Sensing is only available on the top of the Accord range 2.4 VTi-L Advance variant, which supersedes the previous 2.4 VTi-L variant. It’s priced at RM169,800 (excluding insurance), about RM2,000 more than the previous model.
Apart from the addition of Honda Sensing, specifications for the new 2.4 VTi-L Advance remains the same as the previous 2.4 VTi-L, retaining the Lane Watch camera, multi-angle reverse camera six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).
Separately, the Accord’s variant line-up has now been reduced from three variants to just two. The previously available base model Accord 2.0 VTi has been discontinued. Price for the 2.0 VTi-L remained unchanged at RM149,350 (excluding insurance).
What About The Recently Announced All-New Accord?
Though announced in July, the
all-new tenth generation Honda Accord
 only went on sale in North America in October. Currently, the model is only available in USA and Canada, made only by the Honda of America’s plant in Ohio, and is only available in left-hand drive.
Introduction in other markets, including Honda’s home market in Japan, and other right-hand drive markets like Malaysia, are not expected to begin until 2019, late-2018 if we are lucky.
For more information on Honda Sensing and how it works, refer to our story
2017 All-New Honda CR-V: What Is Honda Sensing?
The video below refers to a Honda CR-V, but the features works the same way in the Accord.


Cars, Girls, Action, Stunts, It's The New Furious 7 Trailer

Here it is folks! This is the official theatrical trailer of the all-new seventh entry in the Fast & Furious film franchise. The aptly named Furious 7 will come to theatres on April 3, 2015 and there certainly is no shortage of action as well.
So what can we expect then? Hot cars? Check! Hot girls? Check! Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson laying the smackdown on Jason Statham? Check! If there’s one thing this movie isn’t short of, that’s action sequences and bonkers stunts. Just wait till you see Dominic Toretto (played by Vin Diesel) jump a car from building to building.
Also of particular interest for those who remember the first ever installment in the film franchise, the return of Race Wars!
As for the plot, Ian Shaw (played by Jason Statham) is seeking to avenge the death of his brother, Owen Shaw, who was killed off by Dominic Toretto’s crew in the previous movie. And in the post-credit scenes of Fast & Furious 6, we witness the death of Han at the hands of Ian Shaw in the street drifting scene.
So mark those calendars for April 3, 2015 for Furious 7. We just can't wait!
On a side note, Universal Studios also released a new poster to go with the trailer, honouring the late Paul Walker. "One last ride."


The 6-Speed Manual 2017 Honda Civic Turbo That You Can’t Buy

Globally, the all-new tenth generation Civic is available in three bodytypes. Us in the ASEAN region get the sedan, Europe gets the
hatchback
, while North America gets both the sedan and hatchback, as well as a coupe.
There are also five engine options – 1.8-litre naturally aspirated (Asia-Ocenia), 2.0-litre naturally aspirated (North America), 1.0-litre turbocharged (Europe), 1.5-litre turbocharged (worldwide), and 1.6-litre diesel turbocharged (Europe).
Depending on markets, the engines are paired to either a CVT-type automatic, a nine-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual.
Today, Honda North America has announced that it will be expanding the availability of the 6-speed manual for both the Civic sedan and coupe.
Previously, the 6-speed manual was only available on the base model 2.0-litre naturally aspirated LX variant. Now, the stick shift option is also available on the turbocharged 1.5-litre mid-range EX-T variant, available for both sedan and coupe models.
The Civic sedan sold in the North American region are manufactured either in Ontario, Canada or Indiana, USA, while the Civic Coupe is manufactured exclusively in Ontario.
Interestingly, pairing the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine with a 6-speed manual transmission has allowed Honda to be less restrictive on the torque, freeing up about 7 Nm more, raising it to 226 Nm when tuned to meet US emission regulations. However, while peak torque is higher, it arrives 100 rpm later than the CVT-equipped models, between 1,800 to 5,500 rpm, versus the CVT model’s 219 Nm between 1,700 – 5,500 rpm.
Power output remains the same at 174 hp, but with the 6-speed manual, peak power output arrives 500 rpm earlier, at 5,500 rpm.
Honda North America says the Honda Civic is currently the best-selling compact car (C-segments are known over there) in the US.
Prices for the US-market Civic Sedan EX-T with a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo and 6-speed manual is USD 21,000 while the Civic Coupe with the same engine and transmission sells for USD 100 more.
If there’s any consolation in us missing out on the 6-speed manual, the Civic sedans sold in our region feature a more rigid chassis, courtesy of a lateral brace behind the back seat, fitted only to models sold in our region. As a result, our Civics don’t have split folding rear seats while the ones sold in North America have.
Read our review of the 2016 All-New
Honda Civic FC here
.


Review: 2017 Mazda 6 GVC – Does G-Vectoring Control Work?

We last
reviewed the Mazda 6 less than a year ago
, but the intervening time since then has seen Mazda enhance the car with its fancy new G-Vectoring Control system, which we will call GVC for short.
Introduced locally in April
, GVC is now standard fit for all variants of the
Mazda 3
, Mazda 6, and
Mazda CX-3
 in Malaysia.
To evaluate the effectiveness of this new system, we revisit the Mazda 6 in its range-topping 2.2-litre diesel format, just as we did in our previous review.
Specifications:
Price: RM215,264.67 (OTR with Insurance)
Engine: 2.2-litre, Inline-4 Transverse, Turbodiesel
Power: 173hp @ 4,500rpm
Torque: 420Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, paddle shifters, FWD
Safety: 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, ISOFIX, autonomous emergency braking, hill-start assist, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert
Origin: Fully-imported from Japan
Overview
The same four-variant line-up continues to form Mazda’s offering of its D-segment sedan with the 2.2-litre diesel model playing the role of range-topper. No new features have been added and the vehicle’s cosmetics remain unchanged as well.
Prices of all variants are unsurprisingly increased, but we suspect the weakened ringgit had as much to do with this as the addition of GVC to the kit count. Across the board, all variants of the Mazda 6 now cost around RM6,500 more than they used to. As tested, the diesel model’s asking price of RM215k with insurance inches it right into
3 Series / C-Class / A4
 territory.
It will take a few sentences to establish what G-Vectoring Control is; we will start with establishing that it is not torque vectoring control nor does not operate with any form of brake intervention commonly employed by many high-performance FWD cars today to rein in understeer. It also does not employ the use of any trick differentials.
A bit of a physics lesson before we go on. Your car’s weight shifts to the back under acceleration and shifts forward under deceleration or braking. GVC harnesses this pitching effect by effecting a slight reduction in engine torque, resulting in a subtle front-ward shift of the vehicle’s weight, in turn pressing the front wheels down harder on the road and making it respond more naturally to steering inputs.
This, Mazda claims, makes the car’s front end more predictable and thus requiring fewer steering corrections on the driver’s part. The nett result, supposedly, is more confident handling and a less tiring drive.
Driving Experience
As it was, the Mazda 6 already had very strong dynamic fundamentals that make it one of the better drives in its segment. Much of our earlier observations on the chassis’ surefootedness and assuring high-speed stability remain valid; as is our praise of the 2.2-litre diesel engine’s almost petrol-like in its willingness to rev.
For the duration of this review, we kept the lane keeping assist system switched off to prevent any interruption of steering inputs. In day-to-day driving, we observed the car to be a lot more tolerant toward aggressive throttle inputs around bends. Especially in the case of the diesel model, the system helps to better harness the engine's 420Nm maximum torque, helping the driver to launch out of corners with maximum effectiveness and minimum fuss.
Although the physics lesson says that weight transfer is being affected in the forward direction, exuberant driving around winding roads gives the feeling of a lighter and more agile front. This, we can perhaps attribute to the front wheels now gripping the road harder and thus responding to steering inputs more directly. For the diesel model which we had earlier observed as seeming the feel heavier in the nose than its petrol counterparts, this apparent lightening of the nose is particularly discernible.
Another area of improvement noted in the GVC car from the earlier model is that external noise levels are seemingly lower at highway speed, suggesting the implementation of an improved insulation package.
Conclusion
On the surface, G-Vectoring Control is little more than a nifty piece of software that retards the engine slightly when you turn the steering wheel. Yet, these few lines of computer coding linking the steering angle sensor to the ECU have resulted in impressive effects.
Whilst the overall effects of GVC are subtle, the added sense of balance and stability to brings to an already excellent car is unmistakable – most notably, it gives the driver far greater confidence to power past the apex. The one caveat we’d put to this system is that because it’s so subtly effective, be more cautious when jumping back to a non-GVC car.


BMW M135i – Final Call To Own A Future Classic?

My colleague, Daniel Wong, follows a simple guideline when shopping for cars – that if there is no replacement for it, it’s almost certain that the car is going to be a keeper. Looking at the demand for the Porsche 993 (last air-cooled 911), FD2 Honda Civic Type-R (last naturally aspirated Civic Type-R sedan), E92 BMW M3 (last naturally aspirated M3), it’s hard to argue against that.
BMW has already confirmed that the next generation 1-series will drop the current rear-wheel drive layout in favour of a more fuel- and space-efficient front-wheel drive layout - already previewed in the
2-series Active Tourer
 and
Gran Tourer
.
Changing the engine orientation from north-south to east-west to drive the front wheels will reduce energy loss in the driveline, lowers carbon emissions and thus, keeps the eco-watchers at Brussels happy.
Sure, the older folks who were brought up to believe in BMW’s mantra of the superiority of the rear-wheel drive layout will kick up a fuss about BMW losing its identity.
But the younger folks who grew up watching front-wheel drive Honda Civic Type-Rs, Volkswagen Golf GTIs, and Renault Megane RSes humiliating other more powerful rear-wheel driven cars don’t hold tightly onto this ‘80s-era BMW marketing talk.
Seeing how good of a job BMW has done with the MINI’s handling, we have no doubt about the brand’s ability to continue producing benchmark-setting cars, even if it’s a front-wheel drive.
At the same time, we also recognise that while there is little difference between the lap time of a front-wheel drive car and a rear-wheel drive car these days, the latter offers a more engaging drive. I am not just talking about hooning around sideways (can’t deny that it’s hugely entertaining), but also about appreciating the better balance when the steering front wheels are relieved from having to pull the rest of the car.
Which brings us to the 1-series LCI that we see here. LCI, or Life Cyle Impulse is BMW’s terminology, for a mid-life update.
The changes in 1-series LCI are very significant by BMW’s standards, which typically keeps the stylistic changes to a minimum. The new model now features a far more pleasing front-end design, and is a big leap away from the frumpy ‘angry bird’ looking design of the previous model.
The taillights have now been made more current by adopting L-shaped LED tubes light pattern. Inside, the cabin remains largely unchanged.
There’s a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine (shared with the MINI Cooper and Cooper 5-Door) for the 116i, but that’s not going to come here, at least not now.
The
local 1-series
line-up consists of only a single variant - a five-door 120i in M Sport trim, powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder 1.6-litre engine from the BMW 316i and the rest of the MINI range (as well as some Peugeot and Citroen models).
But the model that you see here is the crackling M135i, which won’t be put on display at any BMW showroom in Malaysia, but if you want one, a special order can be arranged – price on application (circa RM350k depending on the exchange rate).
BMW’s Six Appeal
Not too long ago, a straight-six engine, along with rear-wheel drive, were hallmarks of a BMW. Blessed with an inherently balanced harmonics with an even number of cylinders cancelling out vibrations on either ends, its smoothness is bettered only by a V12.
But pressure from the European bureaucrats at Brussels means that the days of large capacity, straight-six engines are numbered, in favour of lower CO2 emitting four-cylinder engines.
Indeed, the six-cylinder engine is a dying breed and one wonders what the future holds for this N55 3.0-litre turbocharged unit nestled under the hood of this Valencia Orange M135i. If I have not made it clear enough, here’s another reminder that the next 1-series will be a front-wheel drive, and that means a transverse engine layout, which also means that there is no space for a straight-six.
This M135i is indeed the last of its kind. Despite employing a single twin-scroll turbocharger for its breathing, the engine sings and responds to you like it’s a musical instrument. This is not an engine. This is an organic beast from Bavaria that feeds on petrol and leaves skid marks to mark its territory.
Personally, I am not a big fan of turbocharged engines. Despite what the marketing materials say, there is always some lag in their throttle response. It may not be apparent on highways but flog it along a gymkhana course, or hustle it along a mountainous stretch and the difference becomes clear.
With a naturally aspirated engine, a skilled driver can finely adjust the car’s pitch and yaw by modulating the throttle and the car will respond linearly with your right foot. On a turbocharged car, it is almost impossible to do this.
Hence the reason why all the best engine manufacturers in the world – BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Lamborghini all stuck with naturally aspirated engines for the longest time before being forced by European Union legislations to adopt downsized engines. Lamborghini’s normally aspirated V10s and V12s are the last of its kind.
But BMW is an amazing company that has an uncanny ability to bend the laws of physics – remember how in 1999, the X5 shut the world up about SUVs not being able to handle well? Despite being pushed to adopt turbocharging, this updated N55 engine loves to rev. Keep the floor hinged throttle pedal planted down and it redlines at a very naturally-aspirated-like 7,000 rpm.
Paired with a slick shifting six-speed manual transmission and a so easy to modulate clutch pedal - you should really be ashamed of yourself if you stall this one – the M135i is a pure joy to hustle along these picturesque roads of Lisbon.
The engine produces so much torque – 450 Nm from just 1,300 rpm - that it is perfectly fine to leave the gear in sixth and drive it almost like an automatic in all but slowest traffic. If you feel like having some fun, the engine will oblige with you rowing the ratios more actively.
The transmission doesn’t like to be slammed into gears but adopt the correct techniques of working the gear knob with your wrist and palm – which is how you should drive anyway (as opposed to grabbing the top of the knob) - slide it into position with a measured push, the ‘box will oblige.
BMW says a majority of its customers will go for the 8-speed automatic option, but we say the three-pedal models are the ones that will be a collector’s item in the future.
Take a quick drive in one and you will immediately ignore any thoughts about considering the RM251,888, 280 PS Volkswagen Golf R or the RM343,888 360 PS Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG – the 330 PS M135i’s closest rivals.
Despite sharing the same 2,690 mm wheelbase as the
M235i sedan
 that I drove in 2014, the M135i hatchback felt curiously more stable, although I have to qualify that the M235i drive was done on a damp autobahn. Both the M135i and M235i are fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres as standard (225/40 R18 in front, 245/35 R18 behind).
Hustling along the tight coastal roads of Lisbon, the M135i felt alive, keen to dance but never twitchy, relative to what it is of course.
Drivers have to be mindful that this is still a short wheelbase car, which is good because you are seated close to the car’s polar moment of inertia, but it also means that either ends of the car will rotate around faster, than say, a longer wheelbase 3-series.
The thick-rimmed steering wheel is another BMW signature item and although uses electric power assistance, still feels naturally weighted and does well to communicate with the driver of what’s happening ahead.
My test car didn’t come with a limited slip differential (an optional item), but powering out of corners on dry tarmac, those fat 245mm wide rear tyres never felt in need of more traction.
Despite the ‘M’ moniker, it is no less comfortable than the regular 1-series.
Back on the highway, the M135i is very adept in settling down to a relaxed cruising pace. The suspension was stiff enough to not be overwhelmed when subjected to a series of switchback corners and hairpin turns but is still supple enough to deliver a relaxed drive.
Leave it in sixth, the M135i will cruise in comfort, with the N55 engine spinning just slightly above idle while the cabin remains typically BMW-quiet. The Alcantara semi-bucket seats provide excellent back and lower thigh support, and is a great companion for long distance drives.
All the usual bells-and-whistles for high-end BMWs - i-Drive infotainment control, adaptive cruise control, that excellent heads-up display that changes colour depending on ambient lighting, lane keeping assist, collision prevention assist - are all there.
With Volkswagen Group Malaysia offering the 280 PS Golf R and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia responding with the 360 PS A45 AMG, it is a pity to see that BMW Group Malaysia has put the M135i aside as a special-order only car.
There will always be another Golf R, or another A45, but there will never be another M135i that’s quite like this – three pedals, straight-six engine, rear-wheel drive. It's a purist's car.
Specifications for BMW M135i
Engine: Six cylinders, longitudinal, 2,979 cc, single twin-scroll turbo
Power: 330 PS at 5,800 to 6,000 rpm
Torque: 450 Nm at 1,300 to 4,500 rpm
0-100 km/h: 5.1 seconds
Fuel consumption: 7.5-litres/100 km, claimed
Price: Price on application (special order only)
Read also:

Interview With Calvin Luk - Exterior Designer For BMW 1-Series LCI and All-New X1


Proton Wins Big At 2016 ASEAN NCAP GP Awards

Proton Holdings Berhad has received three awards at the ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix Award 2016 for its Iriz, Prevé and Saga models.
In conjunction with ASEAN NCAP’s fifth anniversary and the
Stop the Crash
Asean
 2016
 event – Proton bagged three ASEAN NCAP GP awards in the following categories:
The Most Affordable 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Car in Malaysia -
Proton Iriz

The Most Affordable 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Car in Thailand -
Proton Prevé
The Award of the Rising Star - Proton Saga.
Chief Executive Officer of Proton, Dato' Ahmad Fuaad Kenali commented, "We are truly humbled and very pleased with this recognition. It is a culmination of the tireless efforts by our team in Proton to give the best value to our customers. Proton takes the safety aspects of our customers very seriously and is honoured that our efforts in this area are recognised today."
The Iriz and Prevé models bagged awards in recognition of its comprehensive list of safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), traction control, brake assist, hill-hold assist, seat belt reminder system and a minimum of 2-airbags fitted across the range. The Hot Press Forming (HPF) steel body structure also provides a stronger protection cell in the event of a crash.
The Proton Saga notched up the Rising Star award for offering similar safety equipment levels (notably ABS,EBD, ESC, traction control and Isofix top-tether seats) as the Iriz and Preve, but at a more competitive price bracket. The Saga’s ASEAN NCAP ratings have improved from a 1-star in 2012 to a 4-star rating in 2016 – further underlining Proton’s commitment to producing safe vehicles for its customers.


Volvo C40 Recharge Launching Soon In Malaysia - 530km Range?

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM)
 is ready to expand its
electric vehicle range
 with the upcoming
Volvo C40 Recharge
.

VCM's second EV offering is already up on its official website showcasing some details of the Volvo C40 together with a link to get the latest news, updates, and order.

Up to 530km NEDC EV range

The first few details that VCM has shared regarding the upcoming Volvo C40 Recharge is its EV range which can go up to 530km according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), a 4.7 second time to take it from 0-100km/h,
100% leather-free interior
, as well a
built-in Google system
.

Based on the 0-100km/h time, the Volvo C40 Recharge variant/s that's going to enter the Malaysian market will most likely carry the same dual-motor P8 AWD EV powertrain as the one currently used by VCM's first EV offering, the
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
.

This also means that the C40 will produce
408PS
 and
660Nm
 of torque. As for the range, the same 78kWh lithium-ion battery from the XC40 is said to be fitted in it where it was previously mentioned that the XC40 carries a 420km WLTP-rated range as opposed to the C40's 530km rated under NEDC.

CKD or CBU?

We're also expecting the upcoming Volvo C40 Recharge to be locally-assembled here in Malaysia. Since some details are already up on VCM's official website, the official arrival and launch should be just around the corner. No word on pricing yet, unfortunately.

Just to put things into perspective, the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is currently priced at RM262,460 (OTR without insurance). That, however, is the 2022 pricing which has been fully booked. 2023 will be a different story.


Mission X - The most beautiful Porsche yet?

In conjunction with the 75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars, the German automaker unveiled the Porsche Mission X.

Paying homage to the brand's great sports car heritage that started out way back in 1948 with the Porsche 356 "No. 1" Roadster, the Porsche Mission X is regarded as the brand's pinnacle when it comes to performance and luxury.

The two-seater measures 4.5 metres long and two metres wide, the Porsche Mission X is basically a compact hypercar with a 2.73-metre wheelbase. That's more or less the same as two other iconic Porsche sports car models, the Carrera GT and this writer's all-time favourite car, the 918 Spyder.

With looks that can cut through the wind like butter, the aerodynamic properties are further elevated with mixed-size tyres - 20 inches up front and 21 inches mounted at the rear. Designed to look aggressive, muscular, and luxurious, the Rocket Metallic paint finish certainly ties everything together into one hell of an electric hypercar.

From the low-slung bodywork to showcased its 1.2-metre height to carbon-weave finishes below the beltline, it's hard to deny the beauty of the Porsche Mission X, even for non-Porsche fans. To make things even more dramatic, it comes with Le Mans-style doors and a glass dome with a carbon fibre exoskeleton as a roof just to name a few.

On the inside, you'll find a driver-focused asymmetric interior with two different-coloured seats in Kalahari Grey and Andalusia Brown made with CFRP shells, six-point harnesses, onboard cameras, and a Record button. Why? Perhaps its performance is so out of this world, the occupants have to look back at the recordings to see just how unbelievable the Porsche Mission X really is.

No word on any power figures yet but if the Porsche Mission X does go into production, it will be the fastest road-legal mission to lap around Nürburgring Nordschleife as Porsche themselves will try to strive for a power-to-weight ratio of roughly one PS per kilogram. That's going to be an amazing day if it does go roll off the production line.


Your Next Car Seats Could Be Cruelty-Free, If They Aren't Already

Well, that's provided that the cars you currently own come with leather seats. Just over a week ago, Land Rover unveiled their new line of leather-free, fully vegan materials developed to outfit their 2020 Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Jaguar I-PACE SUVs - and it may be the beginning of a market trend. The only problem with this idea of moving away from animal-sourced materials is the fact that many of the components in our cars these days are already synthetic, save for luxury vehicles.
Even then, there's a fairly even distribution between real leather and synthetic options, and that's usually because synthetic is both cheaper and more resilient when subject to everyday stresses. On the whole it feels as though this "vegan materials" push is largely confined to the upper echelon of car consumers, those that usually have the ability to design a car to their bespoke specifications.
There's talk of manufacturers looking to increase the amount of recycled materials used in their plastics and other trim components, but let us not forget that way back in the early 2000s, Ford was using recycled denim as sound insulation material. Jaguar constantly reminds the world that their cars feature a high percentage of recycled aluminium. Perhaps the only thing worse than a move for political correctness is one that is already outdated and behind the curve.
Ultimately it feels like a problem that doesn't really need addressing, in the same way that the average luxury car owner has no understanding of the benefits of a rear wheel drive chassis, or 50:50 weight distribution, and so on and so forth. For the vast majority of people who care about where and how their products are sourced, they are also not the same demographic that is not specifying an obscure wood or a specific leather made from a specific animal for the trim.
Naturally, Land Rover says that these cruelty free vegan materials will not require a premium over traditional materials. But we'd also bet our bottom dollar that for the talk of making materials that are less harmful to the environment, the Japanese have already developed far more efficient processes that use less water and less resources to achieve the same results. Perhaps it's time to take a look at how they do things.


TGR Racing Festival Season 5, Round 1: The One Make Toyota Vios Challenge Is Back With A Bang!

The Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival Season 5 has arrived. Young and seasoned drivers put their racing stripes to the test in order to find out who is the best!

Toyotas
once again
 filled Sepang International Circuit as the fifth season, first-round of the
‘one make’
 Vios Challenge series commenced over the past weekend.

As in previous seasons, the
Vios Challenge
 features four different categories, namely Promotional (for celebrities), Rookie (for young talents born from simulator and kart racing), Sporting (amateur) and Super Sporting (professional).

What was apparent over the weekend was the
rise of Rookie
 drivers from last season, as they demonstrated vast improvements, now being able to compete with the more experienced drivers in the Sporting and Super Sporting categories.

“The one-make format of the Vios Challenge, the increasing number of younger drivers, and the emphasis we have placed on the
Gazoo Racing
 Young Driver Development Program has certainly been able to make a significant impact on the track. It levels the competition between the younger and more experienced drivers, rewards skill and racecraft, and promotes an even higher quality of racing on the track,” said UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd President, Ravindran K.

In the Rookie Class, 18-year-old Sharique Zulqarinain rounded up his racing weekend with a double podium finish, with victory in Race 2 and a second place in Saturday’s Race 1. Finishing second was 20-year-old Muizz Musyaffa. Securing third in both Race 2 and 1 was 19- year-old Muhammad Hamdany Abdul Hamid.

In the Super Sporting Class, last season's champion, Tengku Djan Ley had to withdraw from his first race due to health problems, and his place was taken by his own brother, Tengku Ezan to drive the number 12 Prima Pearl Auto Vios.

This paved the way for veteran driver Eddie Liew, who gave a strong performance over the weekend, coming in third in Race 1 and first in Race 2.

Over at the Sporting Class, Crestmax Motorsports Bradley Benedict Anthony was declared race winner with Panglima City Racing Team’s Kenneth Koh and 23 Motors’ Abdul Miqail in second and third places respectively. Race 1 winner Naquib Azlan of Axle Motorsports had also won Race 2, but his hopes of a double victory weekend were shattered when he was later handed a 30-second penalty, effectively dropping him to seventh position overall.

For the Promotional class, despite dominating in Race 1, actor and comedian Zizan Razak faltered in Race 2 as he was involved in a crash as soon as the race started.

Despite being in the last position due to the accident, Zizan managed to claw his way back up to second place and finished there, behind Shukri Yahaya and in front of fellow presenter and comedian Nabil Ahmad.

Round 2 of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Vios Challenge race series is scheduled for June and Toyota hopes that it will once again be able to safely invite the public, after two seasons of the event being held behind closed doors due to the pandemic.

For more information, log on to www.toyota.com.my or visit the Toyota Malaysia and Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia Facebook pages.


Toyota Announces Another Recall To Replace Takata Airbag Inflator Components

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), the distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia has announced a Special Service Campaign (SSC) to replace the airbag inflator in certain Toyota models sold by the company.

According to UMWT, the vehicles involved in this campaign were subjected to a previous Takata airbag inflator recall and repaired between 2014 and 2019.

However, in this current campaign, the airbag inflators will be replaced again with further improved airbag inflator components.

The company said that there are are approximately 41,000 Toyota vehicles manufactured from 2001 to 2013 involved.  The models are

Toyota Vios (produced from May 2003 to Aug 2007, Sept 2007 – July 2013,

Toyota Corolla Altis (produced from July 2001 to July 2007)

Toyota Camry (produced from June 2002 to Dec 2005)

Toyota Yaris (produced from Jan 2006 to Aug 2007)

The company will notify all affected vehicle owners officially and perform the special service at no charge to the owners.

For further information, owners of affected cars can contact any authorised Toyota service centre or call the Toyota Freephone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).

Toyota owners can also visit Toyota’s Special Service Campaign webpage through this
link
 to check whether their vehicle is involved through Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Checker. To those who have uploaded the Toyota Drive Apps, there is also a link to Toyota’s SSC page and the VIN Checker.  Information on other vital SSCs is also available on the webpage.

Looking for a new Toyota? Get the best deals
here
.


Who is hotter? Girl Driving A Truck Or A Girl Driving A Sedan?

Pick up trucks have become so popular that they no longer appeal only to men. Many of you would have definitely seen women behind the wheels of some bad-ass trucks. But have you wondered how a girl with a truck is seen by others?
While some may find it attractive, some might find girls with trucks a tad too rough or adventurous. What about you? Do you find 'truck girls' more attractive than the girls who are driving sedans?
In order to discover what people have in their minds, Isuzu Malaysia sent these hotties - Jazel the 'Truck Girl' and Olivia the 'Sedan Girl' out there to meet a few members of the public and find out for themselves which one of the two is more popular.
Who do you think won? Check out the video below:

Looking for an Isuzu? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Ladies, Let's Talk The Torque - What Is It And Why It Matters To You?

Torque
 is one of the most ‘misunderstood’ aspects of a vehicle, but it’s so important to understand what is it and why it matters especially when you’re in the market for a new vehicle, maybe even an electric vehicle.

Next time you’re at a car dealership and the salesman starts to toss around the ‘torque and horsepower’ lingo, then pauses to mansplain what torque is, you can proudly say: “I know what torque is, thank you”.

So, what is torque?

Don’t you just hate it when people throw around technical lingo to try to confuse you or to sound super smart (when they probably are not)?

Torque is one that falls under this category. Do a quick Google of ‘torque’ and you will be faced with this mechanical definition - “a force that tends to cause rotation” or “the three-litre engine has lots of torque”.

Not very clear is it? However, if you dig further into a few online articles and get through the wordy explanations, you will find that torque basically means how much power it takes for the car to reach a certain speed. So,
the more torque your car has, the greater the acceleration
.

Even better, let me
womansplain
 it to you:

Torque is simply a twisting force that causes rotation.
 It’s the force that propels your lipstick out of its case. And it’s also the force that propels your car when you hit the accelerator.

Like so many other automotive terms, you don’t need to be a car guy, or a guy to appreciate torque because you use it every day!

When you twist open a plastic soda bottle, turn a doorknob or pedal a bicycle, that’s all torque in action.

What does torque mean for an engine?

The more torque an engine has, the faster it can propel itself forward. It can be confused with
horsepower
 (hence, the misunderstood part above), but really, it pairs with horsepower to get a car down the road. Torque is how much the engine can propel you forward, and horsepower is how quickly it can do it.

Let’s take the lipstick situation as an example - you apply torque to the tube as you twist the lipstick up and out of the tube. But you’re in a hurry, so you add horsepower to twist it faster.

Apply more force (twist faster, or apply more torque) and you will change the amount of force input and the speed at which the lipstick leaves the tube. Twist slower, and you’re reducing the force, so the lipstick doesn’t leave the tube as quickly.

Torque + horsepower is the secret to a car’s propulsion. But more torque and/or more horsepower isn’t necessarily the whole story. In an average-sized car with reasonable acceleration, torque is typically a similar number to the horsepower.

How to measure torque?

Torque is expressed in pound-feet (lb-ft) or newton-meters (Nm). The interaction of torque and engine rotation (RPM) determines the engine power. This is what dictates how effectively the car can accelerate at different speeds.

A smaller car will typically have less torque and more horsepower because it doesn’t need all that propulsion to get it up to speed. The 2021 Volkswagen Polo, for instance, has 108 PS and 95 Nm of torque.

However, for bigger cars like the 2022 Volvo XC90, it has more torque than horsepower to get its large 7-passenger frame up to speed on the highway, with 250 PS and 350 Nm.

Why torque matters to you?

1. More relaxed driving experience

If your car has low-end torque, it generally means that you have access to more engine power in lower gears. As a result, you won’t have to down-shift the gears so often when accelerating from low speeds, and the drive will feel more relaxed.

2. Easier to carry heavy loads

Torque is beneficial if you own a truck carrying heavy cargo. Having high torque force as the RPM increases, makes transporting heavy loads far easier and more efficient.

3. Easier for driving up steep inclines

Having extra torque is also what creates enough power to get a vehicle going, particularly when moving up steep inclines. So torque can be useful when
driving off-road and in extreme conditions
.

4. Great for electric vehicles

To create torque in a conventional gas-powered engine, you have to burn fuel to create power, so there’s a little lag between the time you press on the gas pedal and the time the engine gives you a response.

An electric battery
 doesn’t need to burn fuel. You press the pedal, and the car moves forward immediately. You don’t have to fiddle with all those engine bits, so it makes things a lot more immediate.

Now when shopping for your next car, you'll be better informed because you know you can talk torque all day, but you’d rather get behind the wheel and drive.

You’re welcome!


McLaren Makes A 720S That's Just The Right Size For 6 Year Olds

Toy cars are a great way to get kids interested in the world of cars and motorsports, but ever more enticing are cars that kids can drive. McLaren's latest addition to this market is in the form of a 720S 'Ride-On' model, which follows on from the success of their P1TM 'Ride-On' that they released not too long ago. Available in a range of McLaren colours such as Azores Orange or Belize Blue, the 720S 'Ride-On' is priced from just 315 GBP (RM 1,646).
The baby-720S comes with a number of features and accents that are true to the full-sized form. Most notable are the two doors which open up with the same dihedral mechanism. Also present are various carbon styled elements and headlights and tail lights that are instantly recognizable. Propulsion is provided by a small electric motor that is operated by a throttle pedal, replete with engine sounds.
Even more mental is the fact that this car for children even has an infotainment system, with functional buttons and all. Kids can watch movies or listen to music as they drive, with the option of USB or SD card connectivity. Parents can even control the vehicle remotely to keep their children safe if they stray in the direction of danger.
Just like a real car, the 720S 'Ride-On' gets an exclusive launch colour known as Papaya Spark, only available through official McLaren retailers. It will prove to be a great entry point for kids to develop a love for the British supercar manufacturer - let's just hope it doesn't suffer from infotainment issues as well.


Tokyo 2019: The Unnamed Daihatsu That Could Be The Next Perodua SUV

The biggest star of this year’s Tokyo Motor Show as far as the Malaysian market is concerned, was without a doubt –
the 2020 Honda Jazz
.

Besides the new Honda Jazz, most models that made their global debut were either concepts, or cars that were highly unlikely to make it here.

So, as we were walking around the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre, taking pictures of all the unveilings, one particular vehicle at the Daihatsu stand caught the attention of the press, especially those from Malaysia.

While the IcoIco, TsumuTsumu, WaiWai, and WakuWaku Concepts took centre stage at Daihatsu booth, an unnamed, compact SUV which looked like a production-ready, larger, jacked-up, version of the Myvi, was also there, hiding at a corner.

After some digging, we came to learn that it is actually the next generation Daihatsu Rocky, which could just be Perodua’s next SUV which the brand has been developing currently.

Measuring 3,995 mm long, 1,695 mm wide, 1,620 mm tall, with a 2,525 mm wheelbase, the Rocky is 100 mm longer, 105 mm taller, and 40 mm narrower than the Myvi. The wheelbase length is 25 mm longer than the Myvi’s. As for the weight, the SUV weighs 30kg less than the Myvi.

It is not only the size that is very similar, but also the design of the SUV’s rear which is almost identical to the Myvi’s.

Powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, the new Daihatsu Rocky, which is underpinned by the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform, makes 98 PS and 140 Nm of maximum torque. Paired to the engine is a CVT transmission which sends power exclusively to the front wheels.

In terms of features, the vehicle which we’re looking at here comes with LED headlights with DRLs, auto start stop, parking sensors, heated seats, a 360-degree camera, voice command, 17-inch wheels, a two-tone exterior paint job, a large touch-screen infotainment system, as well as a rugged bodykit.

According to some of our friends who went to cover the Tokyo Motor Show with Perodua themselves, the company didn’t say “yes” when they were asked if this model is headed to Malaysia. At the same time, it is said that Perodua didn’t deny it as well.

In fact, we were told that the folks at Perodua gave enough hints to make the Malaysian entourage believe that the new Rocky could be heading to Malaysia as a Perodua.

While nothing is confirmed for now, the unnamed vehicle we are looking at here could just be the D55L we’ve been talking about for some time, so do watch this space for more updates in the near future.


Indonesia Wants A Slice Of The Electric Vehicle Business From Volvo And Renault

Sometimes, there are benefits to being late to the game. Vietnam, for example, had some of the fastest internet in the world when broadband was just about becoming an international standard. They achieved this simply by not having much of a phone or internet network to begin with, which meant that they weren't tied up trying to make use of hefty investments from previous years. All of the money to invest could be used to build the most modern network available for the time.
Now, you might be thinking this has some relevance with Indonesia's automotive industry, but you'd be dead wrong. Indonesia's total industry volume for 2018 stood at 1.1 million units moved, compared to ours at just half. Then again, with a population close to nine times the size of our population, that figure doesn't seem all too high - but we digress. Indonesia's automotive industry has seen its ups and downs for local manufacturing, but it seems that they are hungry for a piece of the future.
According to
Bloomberg
, Indonesia is looking for Renault and Volvo to invest in electric vehicle assembly plants locally. Part of this is due to a local goal to have a quarter of all new cars sold in Indonesia being electric vehicles by 2030, but the other larger benefit to this is that it would make Indonesia a hub for electric vehicle production in the region. The cost of an electric vehicle plant is extremely high as the technologies are still in their nascent stages, which makes it all the more likely for a company to invest in a singular production facility for the region.
The deal is sweetened with projections of 3 million cars sold annually by 2030, which would put electric vehicle sales alone in the region of 750,000 units. That being said, we predict a general slowdown in new car sales as the more disruptive technologies enter the market and consumers are less inclined to own a car, but we will have to wait and see how the market changes in the coming decade or so.
But one of Indonesia's prime advantages is its natural resource of nickel ore, which some Chinese manufacturers have taken advantage of by starting up a battery plant in the country. This would ideally make the country look more feasible to a company looking to set up an electric car shop in ASEAN, and both Hyundai and Volkswagen have already expressed a level of interest in the idea.


2023 Toyota Hilux GR Sport unveiled: Finally, a Hilux that deserves the GR name

Meet the Australian spec 2023 Toyota Hilux GR Sport - the most powerful diesel Hilux ever.

We've all heard of the Toyota Hilux GR Sport, which in the
Thai, Indonesian, and European markets
, is basically only a beefed-up Hilux with some cosmetic upgrades.

Well, in Australia, Toyota has decided to give the Hilux GR Sport bit more than just some body beautification, as they have just unveiled the most powerful diesel Hilux ever, with upgrades on the outside, inside and most importantly, underneath.

Benefiting from GAZOO Racing's experience in motorsport, the new Halo Hilux is built with a Dakar Rally-inspired design, intuitive handling and powerful driving performance.

Engineers from Toyota Australia - recognised as a global centre of excellence for Toyota 4WD vehicles - have been instrumental in the development program, combining their expertise and experience with colleagues in Latin America, Thailand and Japan.

The new off-roader might not be on Ford Ranger Raptor level, but it is the most powerful diesel Hilux ever offered by Toyota in Australia, where power and torque from the 2.8-litre engine have been boosted to kick out  221hp and 550Nm, courtesy of revised turbo and fuel-injection control system.

Yes, that might only be a 10% upgrade in engine performance, but when it is combined with sportier tuning for the automatic transmission, the Hilux GR Sport provides added confidence for accelerating and overtaking in all conditions, according to Toyota.

There are also wider tracks underneath that rugged body - extended 140mm front and 155mm rear - with redesigned wishbones and a reinforced rear axle to cater to the most demanding driving conditions.

If you think it stops there, then you'd be wrong because steering and cushioning the truck are a set of dedicated monotube shock absorbers with higher damping force and heat-dissipation capacity, stiffer coil springs and an optimal front-rear suspension which delivers outstanding handling and increased stability giving precise steering response.

Toyota says the set-up also enables the driver to enjoy the adrenaline of a sporty vehicle without compromising ride comfort for everyday use.

Although the wider track mainly benefits its technical side, Toyota has taken advantage of the wider stance and given the 2023 Hilux GR Sport a strong, stable, and muscular presence with prominent satin-black over-fenders that seamlessly integrate into the bumper.

At the front, the bumper is not all style with no substance as it directly helps with an increased approach angle when combined with the trucks' higher ground clearance.

The new model rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres while the addition of a skid plate, rock rails and red rear recovery points further reinforces its off-road credentials.

The inside too, has been given some nice styling upgrades, as the monochromatic black theme is set off with bright sports pedals and red seatbelts. GR branding is featured inside and out, including on the steering wheel, headrests, red brake callipers, exterior badges - and even embossed into the tub liner.

The launch of the new HiLux GR Sport in Australia is expected during the second half of 2023.


Exhausts: Does Louder Equal More Performance?

A loud car can be either exhilarating or annoying, depending on where you’re seated. However, some owners make the mistake of thinking that louder equals more performance.

Merely
making an exhaust louder
 is easy enough, though that should never be your objective unless you want to embarrass yourself and lose the respect of your friends and family. Making your car sound objectively better might be a longer journey, but worth the effort in the end.

If you enjoy cars that make sound, we understand that how cars offered these days are pretty underwhelming in that respect. The bad news is that it’s only going to get worse as internal combustion engines are phased out
in favour of electric motors
 for the majority of new vehicles, be it powered by batteries or a
hydrogen fuel cell
.

Cars Are Too Quiet?

These days, even cars that aren’t fully or partially electric tend to be pretty silent during normal operation. Unless you put your ear right up to the engine bay, you’re not too likely to hear all that much noise while it's idling. And the same applies to the exhaust pipes.

They might be large and pronounced, dressed in chrome finishers, and even have more exits than the engine has cylinders (such as the
Proton X50 Flagship
), but barely make their presence known outside of low burble.

This seeming shyness, this aversion to noise, is particularly frustrating for owners of cars that were engineered and promoted as something a little more sporty. It might sit low to the ground and have all the visual trappings of aggression, but none of the auditory presence.

Consequently, some of us look for ways to
make our cars louder
 than they were when rolled out of the factory.

Not Loud And Proud

We’re currently living in a time where nearly all cars feature a variety of measures to make sure the characteristics of combustion engines (i.e explosions) are somehow non-existent on a sensory level.

Modern engines are extremely refined with very little vibration coming into the cabin, are fitted with fat catalytic converters, advanced de-pollution systems, and will even turn off if you’re sat stationary at a traffic light.

Turbochargers
, which spin up on hot exhaust gases exiting the combustion chamber, are also prevalent across multiple classes of cars, which allows automakers to downsize engine displacements even more. Despite this having a positive effect on fuel economy, torque and horsepower, it’s a killer for engine noise.

However, even prior to this shift away from natural aspiration, exhaust upgrades were the most popular and most accessible path to a louder car. The main difference here is that, if fitted to a turbocharged engine, they have very little impact on performance.

Sound amplification takes a hit too as there as much of the intensity of the post-combustion air was used to spin those turbines, and that’s before it encounters even more obstructions from the catalytic converter, resonator, and muffler. Imagine trying to talk while blowing into a straw through a cigarette filter. There’s not going to be much noise coming out that other end.

Getting a modern turbocharged car to sound ‘good’ isn’t just about removing the catalytic converter or resonator (which is a legal grey area in Malaysia, but also unsafe) or
installing a less restrictive ‘performance’ version of these components
.

Other factors such as your exhaust diameter, pathing, length, material and overall resonance will play a role in how your car sounds. Since every car is different, this is why aftermarket exhaust makers (the good ones) spend many hours testing different combinations to balance flow characteristics with acoustic qualities before offering a kit for that specific vehicle. Even then, it’s not guaranteed that the noise they land upon will be to your taste.

Back To The Pressure

You might have heard about the term ‘back pressure’ when researching exhausts. A rough definition would be the measure of air pressure in the exhaust system and how much resistance it takes to discharge (push) into the atmosphere.

In short, back pressure affects the rate at which the exhaust gases can be expelled into the atmosphere to make room for freshly combusted air to take its place. Sometimes, automakers or aftermarket tuners will deliberately throw in uncombusted petrol so that it'll ignite in your exhaust system for those pops and bangs. You're not driving in a rally car, you don't have anti-lag, and
you're probably ruining your engine
.

Though it is generally seen as a negative characteristic for an exhaust system to have since it makes it more difficult for the engine to effectively exhale, thereby reducing power. However, it’s particularly detrimental for turbocharged engines since their operational efficiency depends on a large volume of hot gases flowing quickly through its turbine blades, spinning it up and compressing more air into the induction system.

With excess back pressure, the turbocharger will bog down and become ineffective at low engine speeds where air volume is limited,
creating ‘turbo lag
’. Automakers spend a lot of time and energy designing an exhaust system that creates a minimal amount of back pressure while also complying with emissions standards and noise regulations.

Haphazardly undoing their finely tuned work by fitting a custom exhaust system that lacks the same level of testing and adjusting will likely result in a louder exhaust, but a worse performing vehicle.

You might get away with it on a car with a naturally aspirated engine, but the chances of taking a step backward in output and response with one that’s turbocharged are much higher.


Rapid KL Begins Operation Of Higher Capacity Double-Decker Buses

Rapid KL’s Double-Decker stage buses began operations yesterday, allowing a total capacity of 108 passengers per coach.

According to Bernama, Mohd Azam Omar, RapidKL’s chief operating officer said there are currently only five double-decker buses in use during this starting phase. They have been deployed to a certain high trafficked route, which is U80 from Shah Alam to the Central Market Hub.

"This is because the route is one of those with high demand and passenger capacity during peak hours," Mohd Azam said in a statement. He added that the routes and bus count will be expanded to other areas by the end of September.

"With these buses, more seats would be available for each trip compared with a regular bus, and we hope passengers can enjoy a more comfortable and safe ride," he said.

These new double-decker buses are equipped with CCTV cameras on both decks, priority seating, information display screens, and supports the ‘universal access’ concept.

These new higher capacity buses are part of Rapid KL’s goal to increase public transportation usage to 40 percent of the population by 2020. They allow more passengers to commute along the bus route at a given time while maintaining or possibly lowering the total number of buses required on the road.


Detroit 2017: Volkswagen Announces Long-Wheelbase Tiguan

With the 2017 Detroit Motor Show opening its doors to the masses today,
Volkswagen
 has officially revealed the long-wheelbase, seven-seater version of the Tiguan yesterday.
Adding almost 280mm in length from
the current model
 and offering available third-row seating, the Tiguan Allspace, as what the longer version is called, still rides on the MQB platform.
Destined only for the U.S for now and probably China next since it’s the long-wheelbase capital of the world (a LWB version of the previous-gen Tiguan is already available in China), the extended Tiguan is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI four-cylinder engine making 184 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Mated to the mill is an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The company also revealed that there will not be a diesel version of the new Tiguan.
Offering 57 per cent more cabin space compared to the current model, the 2018 Tiguan comes with a digital cockpit display, second-row seats capable of sliding 180 mm, panoramic sunroof, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Sport Monitor, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Other goodies also include Car-Net infotainment and navigation system that offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink, and an optional Fender premium audio system.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia have earlier confirmed with Carlist.my that the brand will be introducing a
locally-assembled all-new Tiguan
 later this year. However it is still unclear if this will be a standard wheelbase Tiguan or a long wheelbase version.


Frankfurt 2017: Mercedes-AMG Project One Is Coming To Malaysia; One Order Already Taken

The spectacular
Project One
 hyper car developed to mark the 50
th
 anniversary of Mercedes-AMG is coming to Malaysia, sources from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia confirmed.
Inspired by technology from Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 exploits with Petronas, the Project One is currently shown in public for the first time at the ongoing IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in concept form.
Mercedes has not committed to any particular timeline to roll out the production version, but a very exclusive limited run of 275 units is being planned. MBM officials confirmed that one very wealthy Malaysian has already placed a firm order for the vehicle. Total number of units allocated for the Malaysian market is not disclosed.
Powering the AMG Project One is an F1-inspired setup that places a 1.6-litre electrically-turbocharged V6 joined to a 120 kW electric motor at the crankshaft and powering the rear wheels via a bespoke 8-speed transmission developed exclusively for this car.
The front wheels too are driven by a dedicated electric motor each side, providing not only drive, but also regenerative braking and torque vectoring. The overall setup is said to produce over 1,000hp and will propel the Project One from rest to 200 km/h in less than six seconds and onwards to a top speed exceeding 300 km/h.
The Project One is expected to retail at € 2.275 million in Europe. That one Malaysian who placed that booking is a very wealthy individual indeed.


The Top 8 Things You Can Do To Save Fuel

More so than the health and societal effects of COVID-19, Malaysia like many other countries in the world is just now beginning to understand the effects this deadly pandemic has had on the economy and financial sectors – which have been vast and far-reaching, to say the least.

Now more than ever, Malaysians have to be frugal with their financial resources before the economy can slowly recover and grow to healthy levels again. More importantly, a penny saved is a penny earned.

But how do you save money with your car?
Can you really save money and be eco-friendly while you drive?

The short answer is
yes
, there’s a lot you can do to save money with your car, and it’s not just with fuel but overall maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle too. So in this report, we have listed the Top 8 things – ranked in order of importance – you can do to travel more efficiently, and save money while you’re at it.

No. 8: Don’t overload, travel light…

The heavier your car, the more fuel it will use to move. So, ensure any extra weight is removed from the car before each trip – this includes roof boxes, roof racks, and even shoes and tools that you will not need on your commute.  Don’t use your car as a storage space!

No. 7:  Timely maintenance… better to be safe than sorry

We have said this before and we’ll say it again, a properly maintained car runs better, cleaner, and far more efficiently than a car that is not cared for. While times may be tough, it pays to do the minimum amount of maintenance to keep your car running smoothly – these include timely oil changes, engine coolant renewals, and brake pad replacement.

No. 6: Always check your tyres

If your tyres are underinflated, not only is it dangerous, but you’ll also use more fuel, which is bad for the environment. Make sure you check your tyre pressure regularly – ideally every two weeks, or weekly if you travel more frequently. A further step is to get the car’s alignment and rotation done every 6 months, to ensure your tyres last as long as they should.

No. 5: Switch off your car when not moving

In cases when you are waiting in the car, i.e: when receiving your “tapau” food or while a family member runs into the store – turn off the engine as soon as you find a safe place to stop. Roll down the window for ventilation and save fuel while you wait.

No. 4: Plan ahead…

Perhaps in recent times, we have not seen too many traffic jams on our roads given the travel restrictions, but it still pays to plan your journey. As most Malaysians get back to work, and more cars get back on the roads, it pays to always plan your journey before you start driving. The easiest way to do this is to switch on your Waze app just before you start driving, to check out the fastest way back home. The less you stop-and-go, the more fuel you save, and the more enjoyable your journey is.

No. 3: Chill out…

Air conditioning can really increase your fuel usage, so where possible try to open windows rather than automatically putting the air con on. So if you’re driving early in the morning, when it’s not too hot, crack open the window for ventilation and keep the air-conditioning off. However, the one exception to this is when driving at speed – then the air-conditioning is actually more efficient than opening a window which will cause more aerodynamic drag. Yes, we know we live in Malaysia and it's hot so this is not always practical, that's why it's number 3 on the list so chill...

No. 2: Ease off the accelerator instead of braking

The first difference between a regular driver and a racing driver is their ability to look ahead when driving. Looking ahead allows you to plan your acceleration and braking better. When approaching traffic lights or a turn-off, if it’s safe, try reducing your speed earlier and more gradually, first by easing off the accelerator, rather than having to brake. If you can avoid stopping completely, you’ll increase your fuel efficiency.

No. 1: Be smooth…

This is by far the best thing you can do to save more fuel while driving. If you’ve got the rest of this list checked off, being smooth while you brake and accelerate will help you save more fuel. Less overzealous acceleration, especially when you’re in traffic at slow to medium speeds can vastly improve your car’s fuel economy. Braking sooner and more gradually not only means your brakes last longer, it also means your engine can settle into an idle with less fuel burnt, maximising every drop.


Isuzu to Produce Next-Generation Mazda BT-50.

Mazda Motor Corporation and Isuzu Motors Limited have concluded a basic agreement for collaboration on the next-generation of pick-up trucks, said both companies in a joint statement to the press. Under the basic agreement, Isuzu will produce the next-generation of pick-up trucks for Mazda based on Isuzu's underpinnings for its next generation pick-up truck.
Currently, the Mazda BT-50 is produced at the Ford-Mazda co-owned AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong, Thailand, alongside the Ford Ranger. The new agreement would mean production of the next-generation Mazda BT-50 would likely move to Isuzu’s facility in Samut Prakan, Thailand, which currently produces the D-Max.
Both Mazda and Isuzu also adds that the two have enjoyed a collaborative relationship within the Japanese market for more than 10-years, with Isuzu producing commercial trucks for Mazda. This agreement reinforces the continuous long-term relationship between Mazda and Isuzu.


Jaguar Planning BMW M3-Rivaling XE-R With 495hp V8

Currently, Jaguar’s BMW 3-Series rival, the XE, offered in its highest S trim, is powered by a supercharged 3-litre V6 engine that produces a power figure just shy of 340 horsepower. Being a Jag, we’ve come to expect a big V8, and it looks like that’s exactly what’s in the pipeline.
Now, the XE-S’s 335hp doesn’t make it a slow car by any means. In fact, its on par with the output of a base
F-Type
. But if a report by
Autocar.co.uk
 is accurate,
Jaguar
 is far from content with letting that being the hottest XE of them all.
Perhaps being the smaller of Jaguar’s sedans, logic might dictate the higher tune of F-Type’s V6 would suffice. But no, Jaguar is planning to shoehorn their brash and brutal 5.0-litre V8 to create an XE-R. This future
BMW

M3
,
Mercedes-Benz

C63 AMG
 rival would certainly pack the requisite numbers, making a hotly contested showdown between the trio inevitable.
Looking back at this engine’s other suitors, we can safely assume it to produce around 488hp, thereby potentially bringing the XE’s century sprint time to under five seconds. Other changes to prep the XE for its R/RS treatment would be a revised suspension and lighter components, while the much praised ZF eight-speed transmission would be tuned for sharper shifts and more aggressive acceleration.
Additionally, this product roadmap could allow JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) to pack in the 550hp V8 from the F-Type R Coupe in an even more potent version, leaving their German rivals far behind in the power game.
The Autocar report also cites that Jaguar officials are steadfastly suppressing a perceived ‘power race’ from brewing, pointing out the efforts in their high performance cars are focused more on handling and agility than pure muscle. It also tells of Jaguar’s top brass being sheepish about the company’s short term high performance offerings, one source said: “We need to get the next year to 18 months over and the new products established. Then our sales volumes will have doubled and we’ll be a different company, with the scope for further investment.”
What isn’t clear is where in Jaguar’s list of priorities an XE-R sits. Surely, new versions of its existing cars and the launch of its upcoming CX-17-inspired F-Pace crossover takes precedence.


The Most "WTF" Moments At The 2018 Goodwood Festival Of Speed

The 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed annual hill climb event in the UK concluded yesterday, and as expected, it was nothing short of entertaining.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the event, held at the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex, England, also played host to Porsche’s 70th anniversary celebrations, where a towering six-pointed sculpture with an iconic Porsche at each end took centre-stage.
Hundreds of iconic racing vehicles from the past, present, and also the future took part in this year’s hill climb shootout, with the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak electric car emerging as the fastest to complete the 1.86 km track, at 43.86 seconds.
Besides the top-scorers, some really wild and whacky vehicles ranging from driverless electric cars to lawnmowers were also on the hill climb track, making viewers and visitors go “what the f…”
They were:
The Range Rover SVR that went on 2 wheels and crashed
Stunt driver Terry Grant, who set the Guinness record for the fastest one mile covered with a car on two wheels in Goodwood in 2011 and 2015, returned to outdo himself once again in a Range Rover SVR this year, but failed. He managed to complete the run in 2:24.5 after crashing once, but it wasn’t enough to break his 2015 record of 2 minutes and 10 seconds.
The lucky NASCAR Toyota Tundra
NASCAR machines and hill climbs are not really made for each other, but that doesn’t stop drivers like Mike Skinner from giving Goodwood a go. Piloting a NASCAR-spec Toyota Tundra pickup, Mike almost lost it during his run but managed to pull an impressive save, and went on to the chequered flag like a boss.
The JB11 Jetpack
This has to be the most “WTF” moment at Goodwood this year. The world’s most advanced jetpack called the JB11, capable of clocking a top speed of 320 km/h at heights of more than 10,000 feet, flew into the Goodwood history books as the first ever jetpack to fly up the estate’s iconic Hillclimb. Flown by expert pilot, David Mayman, this is the first time anyone in Europe and the UK has seen the JB11 in action.
The world’s fastest lawn mower
Built to be the world’s fastest lawn mower, Honda’s ‘Mean Mower’ which is powered by the same engine as the SP1 Fireblade sports bike, was one of the main highlights of this year’s festival. Built by Honda BTCC fame Team Dynamics, the whacky lawn mower is capable of hitting speeds of more than 200 km/h.
The driverless car from the future
Representing the future and autonomous driving, Roborace’s Robocar made history as the first autonomous race car to complete the Goodwood hillclimb. The vehicle used radar, GPS, ultrasonic sensors and cameras to navigate around bales, flint walls and along the winding road on its way up the hill without a human driver.


All You Need to Know About Road Tax, Classic Car Status

The road tax, which is also known by various names around the world, is a form of tax which has to be paid for a vehicle to be used on a public road. It is paid by whoever owns the particular vehicle.

However, the amount of tax imposed varies from one type of vehicle to another. For example, the road tax for a 1.3-litre sedan is different from a 2.0-litre sedan. The higher the displacement, the higher the road tax is for a vehicle. As for electric vehicles, the road tax is based on the output figures.

You can check the road tax amount by looking at your car registration card or Vehicle Ownership Certificate (replacement for Car Registration Card). Or, look at your Road Tax Disc sticker which will display the road tax amount paid.

That being said, let us have a look at the road tax rates for various types of vehicles we have on our roads:

For a company-registered vehicle, a slightly different structure applies, where it is costlier than that of a private vehicle owner.

And then, we have the rather unique
Classic and Vintage Car road tax
. Did you know that if your car qualifies as a Classic or Vintage car as per JPJ requirements, you can get up to 90% reduction in your annual road tax?

According to JPJ, a car is classified as a classic car when it reaches the age of 25 years from the year it was produced, and for a vintage car when it reaches the age of 50 years since the day it was produced.

But it isn’t as easy as that, because there is a long list of terms and conditions which a car needs to meet before it earns the “Classic” or “Vintage” status.

First and foremost, only motorcars that have been registered in Malaysia for 25 years qualify for the application process. Cars that were brought in from another country only qualify after having been registered in Malaysia for two years.

Keep in mind that the owner must already possess more than two cars that are registered under his/her own name.

On top of the age, the car must be stock standard, in mint condition, with 100% original specification and components, and with every single available feature functioning normally. The chassis and engine numbers must be original and legit too.

And then, the owner has to produce a letter of recommendation or certificate from a certified vintage car club to JPJ, showing that the community and the experts have acknowledged that this is a legit classic.

Last but not least, the motorcar must be put through an inspection by a Technical Officer/Motorcar Inspector at your local JPJ.

Successful applicants will be issued with a certificate which is signed by the Director-General of JPJ, for the purpose of reducing the Motor Vehicle License fee; with a 90% reduction for vintage cars and 80% reduction for classic cars.

This certificate must be reissued every 3 years, or when the ownership changes, or when the vehicle registration number is interchanged, whichever comes first. If any of these happen, the owner must re-apply for the status of the car and undertake once again all the steps listed above.

In a nutshell, it is quite a tedious process, and not any 25 or 30 year old car can go get a Classic Car status and get an 80% tax exemption. So, unless you really have a rare and mint old car with you, don’t bother!