Lexus Is Going To Trade Side Mirrors For Cameras On The New ES

We're surprised it's taken this long for manufacturers to catch on, but Lexus is finally offering digital wing mirrors as an option for the upcoming ES replacement model. They're called the Digital Outer Mirrors, and it will be the first of its kind equipped on a mass produced vehicle (the Volkswagen XL1 would be the first vehicle to offer it).
The wing mirrors are replaced with small cameras mounted on the outside of the car, with small screens displaying the feed from these cameras on the inside. While the implementation still needs a little bit of streamlining to not look like something that's more aftermarket, it's definitely a step forward.
There are various benefits to doing this, from better peripheral vision and better field of view, to reduced wind noise and better aerodynamics. Consider that in the rain when your windows get wet, it can be difficult to look at details in your mirror as well - and this is a pretty nifty solution to get around that.
The system goes above and beyond by zooming out or enhancing each view depending on when you signal or put the car in reverse.
The digital mirrors will make their debut on the all-new ES, which is expected to go on sale in Japan in October, following its launch in Thailand and the United States. For the time being, as all new Japanese technologies are, it will only be made available for Japanese models until they feel it can function properly in other regions.


If You Had To: Drive Through Wuhan

These last few days and weeks, there has been one topic that has consistently popped up in conversation. Yes, it’s the 2019-nCoV, better known as the Coronavirus, and the broader topic of the people of Wuhan who are facing some extremely tough times with quarantines and curfews in effect.

The frequency of people donning filtration masks and carrying hand sanitizers around is a clear sign that the general population is starting to take caution and preventative measures, even though we’re miles away from the epicentre of this WHO-declared epidemic. That being said, let’s consider a hypothetical situation where you had to drive through Wuhan. Here’s our top three options for carrying you safely through a potential viral hotbed.

Tesla Model X

Regardless of your opinion of Tesla’s business practices, their vehicles all come with a HEPA filter and a rather nifty sounding Bioweapon Defense Mode. The system actively scrubs air inside the cabin, as well as the ambient air around the vehicle. So effective is this system that in a matter of minutes the air will be about as clean as you could possibly get.

Now, these filters are good enough to even deal with potential chemical attacks and gaseous agents, which also means they will probably be effective enough to take care of any nasty airborne Coronavirus-laden particulates. As for why we’d pick the Model X, it’s simple – the more ground clearance you have, the easier it is to get out of a sticky situation.

Volvo XC60

More than 20% of car parks in Wuhan are supposed to be equipped with electrical charging stations to help keep your Tesla at peak charge, but if you still have a case of range anxiety, then the Volvo XC60 would be an excellent choice. It has onboard air scrubbing systems as well that will take dust and other particulates out of the air, keeping you a little more insulated.

Being a conventional car it will also keep allow you to keep it fuelled at the potentially deserted petrol stations around the city. It’s also undeniable that Volvo has the strongest safety record of all the automotive manufacturers, and sometimes it isn’t a pandemic that gets you but rather a fatal incident on the road.

Pre 1990s Toyota Hilux

As mother always used to say: when the going gets tough, the tough get a Hilux. Oh, your mother never said that? It doesn’t matter, because we’re going to tell you anyway. The most robust pickup truck you can buy in this region is undoubtedly going to be the best choice for if the S really hits the F. Sometimes it isn’t about how fast you can go, but how much punishment you can throw at it.

The other great thing about older pickup trucks with nearly no electronics is you can pretty much douse the entire interior in disinfectant and it wouldn’t bat an eyelid. You could probably keep the entire car filled with industrial grade cleaning agents and wear a wetsuit and the Hilux would still keep on going. With a solid load capacity (especially with a single cab variant) you’ll be able to keep yourself stocked on food rations for weeks or months at a time.

And there you have it. Not the most comprehensive list, but just the top three off the top of our heads that we’d probably want accompanying us if we’re heading into a quarantine zone. For those travelling by air over the next few weeks, remember to stay protected and sanitize your hands regularly – and of course keep the people of Wuhan in your thoughts and prayers.


High Class Hybrids To Look Out For

You're in the market for something a little more luxurious, but you want to save the environment too. What are your options?

Modern hybrids are a far cry from their humble beginnings, and even the high end market segments has jumped into producing hybrid variants of their models for the more environmentally conscious. In many countries these hybrid variants are more expensive, but in Malaysia we have plenty of government incentives that ends up knocking the price down.

So in addition to being better for the planet, these models are also a little cheaper and pack more features than other variants in the range. Call it cannibalism if you will, but it's all the better for the consumers among us. The number of options can be vast, so we've provided a selection of options here from various different luxury car manufacturers.

BMW 330e -
from RM 104,800

This is one of the most common hybrid models you'll find on the road, and for good reason.
The F30 generation
 saw the introduction of the 330e, and pricing was so competitive that people snapped it up as fast as BMW could produce them here. They're powered by a 2.0-litre Twin Power Turbo engine in a 184 hp, 292 Nm state of tune, with an electric motor pushing power up to 248 hp. It's no slouch for sure, and is an affordable point of entry to the BMW range.

BMW 530e -
from RM 189,800

The larger brother to the 330e was brought to Malaysia with the
G30 generation of the 5 Series
, and the principles are the same, as is the powertrain. Of course this larger model comes with a little more luxuries and is more comfort oriented, but ultimately all BMW models have an inherent sportiness to them.

BMW 740Le -
from RM 259,800

Being the largest and
most luxurious BMW model
, the 7 Series doesn't get exempt from the hybrid treatment. Instead of the 2.0-litre mill in the 330e and 530e, the 740Le gets a 3.0-litre turbocharged engine as its petrol powered core, pushing 282 hp and 450 Nm o torque. The electric motor pushes total system output to 389 hp and 600 Nm of torque, and there's an all-wheel drive system as well to help get things going.

BMW X5 xDrive40e -
from RM 173,000

If you're the type to occasionally head off the beaten path, you don't need to worry because BMW also has a hybrid variant of the X5 known as
the xDrive40e
. Despite having 40e in the name, this model runs a 2.0-litre engine like the 330e and 530e, albeit tuned to 242 hp and 350 Nnm of torque. Total system output is 313 hp and 450 Nm of torque with the electric motor supplementing, and the xDrive obviously denotes an all-wheel drive system.

Mercedes-Benz C350 e -
from RM 145,800

This is our
first three pointed star on the list
, and the cheapest Mercedes-Benz model that you can get with a hybrid powertrain. Much like the BMWs, the formula is simple - a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and an electric motor, though paired with Mercedes' own 9-speed automatic transmission. Where the BMW is known more for its agility and sportiness, the Mercedes-Benz models are a little more luxurious and feature equipped.

Mercedes-Benz E350 e -
from RM 223,800

The successor to the E300 BlueTec Hybrid,
the E350e
 is a more modern representation of the technology that Mercedes-Benz can offer. A similar powertrain to the C350e though bumped up in power and torque, the E350e also comes with Mercedes-Benz' more updated interior styling - just one step shy of the MBUX interface that we absolutely adore in more current models.

Mercedes-Benz S400h -
from RM 182,800

Much like the steps up in the BMW hybrid lineup,
the S400h
 is the big daddy for Mercedes-Benz hybrids. Also like the 740Le, the S400h has an entirely different powertrain. It runs a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 CGI engine that puts out 306 hp and 370 Nm, paired with a smaller electric motor which supplements with 27 hp and 250 Nm of torque. It's a more traditional powertrain, but one that also lends the S400h an entirely different character and personality.

BMW ActiveHybrid 5 -
from RM 103,000

A special mention here is a model that is currently extremely rare, but one of the precursors to modern BMW hybrid technology. What was interesting about this model is that it packed a larger 3.0-litre turbocharged engine, similar to the 740Le as it is now, and it was available with the F10 generation of 5 Series.

So if you're on the fence regarding full EV's, hybrids can be a stepping stone onto the road of electrification that is coming sooner rather than later.


The Volvo XC40 Is A Bit Too Successful – 12 Months Waiting Period in Japan, 8 Months In Europe

The Volvo XC40 has just been launched in Malaysia. Only available in a single T5 R-Design variant, the locally-assembled compact
SUV sells for RM255,888
 excluding insurance. Deliveries, however, will only begin in January 2019.
Well it turns out that Volvo may have overdone the XC40, as global demand has far exceeded that of its Ghent plant in Belgium can cope with. Ghent is the world’s only source for completely built up XC40s as well as the completely knocked down (CKD) kits sent to Volvo Car Manufacturing’s plant in Shah Alam. Volvo has another plant in Luqiao, China but that plant supplies cars only to China.
The XC40 was launched in Milan in September 2017 but the model only went on sale in Europe beginning November 2017. Within just one month, the company was swamped with 13,000 orders. By May, the order books had swelled to 80,000, prompting Volvo engineers to scramble for solutions to increase the output at Ghent.
In the UK, the XC40 is Volvo’s most successful new car launch ever, with 2,000 cars being delivered to customers every month. Even at that rate, the waiting period is stretching to eight months. The UK market was also offered 1,000 units of First Edition XC40 models, all of which were sold out even before a single unit had reached a Volvo dealer.
In Japan, where mainstream European cars are quite niche, the waiting period has stretched to a ridiculously long 12 months.
So if you’ve booked your XC40, be patient because people in other parts of the world are waiting just as long as you, if not longer.
Another reason for the XC40’s success is the Care By Volvo subscription plan, which completely transforms the traditional car ownership model. Instead of buying or leasing an XC40, one simply signs up for a subscription plan, as you normally would for your smartphone.
In the US, the Care By Volvo plan offers an XC40 T5 R-Design for just USD 700 per/month for 24 months, with zero downpayment. There are no further hidden charges as the fee includes insurance, regular servicing, roadside assistance and even covers against tyre punctures! The only downside is that annual mileage is capped at 15,000 miles (about 24,000 km).
At the end of the subscription period, the user simply returns the XC40, with the option of signing up for another Volvo. Unlike a leasing plan, the car doesn't get sold at the end of the subscription period. Instead, it stays within the Volvo value chain. The longer term plan is to roll out Care By Volvo for certified pre-owned Volvo cars.


The DASH Highway Is Malaysia's Very Own Spaghetti Junction

The DASH Highway is starting to take shape and when completed, it will be Malaysia's very own Spaghetti Junction.

Spaghetti Junction is a nickname given to complicated, intertwined roads that resemble a plate of spaghetti.

Famously seen in developed countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, the Spaghetti Junction is a way to maximise road connectivity, usually where heavy traffic lies. They usually consist of many different entry/exit points, flyovers and traffic lanes that all intertwine.

Photo credit: Muhd Azran Malek

For those who have never seen it before, you now do not need to leave the country to see one, as the Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Highway (DASH) is Malaysia's very own Spaghetti Junction.

With thirteen interchanges, the DASH
highway
 is set to become the most complicated piece of road in Malaysia, where it connects Shah Alam to Penchala through a 20-kilometre long dual carriageway.

Some Malaysians on social media have commented that they are proud that Malaysia can build such a road, while others have commented that whoever uses Waze/Google Maps will have a field day when coming across the many interchanges.

Photo credit: Muhd Azran Malek

Whether the RM4.18 billion highway will
help motorists
 is still the most important question as construction is still a work in progress. The original estimated completion date was supposed to be in January 2020 after starting in 2016.

According to Prolintas Group of Companies which is responsible for building the highway - travelling time from the start to the endpoint will only take 17 minutes. If this is true it should save commuters a lot of time but at what expense?

The DASH highway will not have
any motorcycles lanes
, but it will have wide road shoulders.

DASH will complete the Klang Valley ring of highways namely The Penchala Link, Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE), Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS), Lebuhraya Kemuning-Shah Alam (LKSA), Federal Highway and Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE).


Honda Malaysia Confirms Takata Inflaters Ruptured In Crash

As of today, Honda Malaysia has completed more than 224,000 units of Takata driver front airbag inflator which translates to 85% completion ratio. The total number of Takata driver and passenger front airbag inflator replacements completed is at more than 445,000 units or 75% completion ratio. That being said, despite over 3,200,000 letters and 3,660,000 SMSes, 71,700 phone calls, advertisements and outreach campaigns, there are still owners who haven't sent their cars for airbag replacements.

Honda has confirmed during an inspection with the Royal Malaysia Police that the Takata single stage (SDI) driver front airbag inflator ruptured in the crash of a 2004 Honda City on May 27, 2018 in Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. The crash resulted in the tragic death of the driver. No official cause of death has been determined.

The vehicle involved in this crash was included in a Malaysian Product Recall announced on May 21, 2015, requiring replacement of the SDI inflator of the Takata driver front airbag. Several notification letters related to the recall were sent out to the then owners of the vehicle based on the information in their database. Honda records indicate that the recall replacement was never completed and the vehicle was not serviced in Honda authorized dealers.

The vehicle involved in this crash has also been included in the Takata single stage (SPI) passenger front airbag inflator recall issued on the same day, May 21, 2015. Honda is communicating with the authorities and out of respect for the family, Honda will not provide any personal information.


Perodua Jual 26,039 Unit Kenderaan Pada Ogos – Meningkat Sebanyak 42%

Pendaftaraan kenderaan
Perodua
 meningkat sebanyak 42% pada bulan Ogos kepada 26,039 unit daripada 18,346 unit pada
Julai
 lalu disebabkan bekalan komponen automotif yang semakin pulih.

Menurut Presiden dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perodua, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Perodua akan berusaha meningkatkan lagi angka tersebut demi mengurangkan waktu menunggu bagi para pelanggannya.

Bezza, Myvi dan Axia Masih Popular

Tambah Zainal, Perodua juga mencapai tahap pengeluran terbaik tahun ini sebanyak 28,036 unit dan jumlah ini telah membolehkan mereka meningkatkan lagi pendaftaran model-modelnya.
Perodua Bezza
 merupakan model paling popular dengan 6,808 unit didaftarkan, diikuti
Myvi
 6,252 unit dan
Axia
 sebanyak 4,857 unit.

Selain itu, MPV mampu milik terhangat ketika ini,
Perodua Alza 2022
 pula menerima 51,000 tempahan setakat ini manakala sebanyak 7,682 unit telah didaftarkan pada bulan Julai dan Ogos lalu sejak model itu dilancarkan pada 20 Julai 2022.

“Peningkatan dalam pengeluaran dan pendaftaran Perodua bulan Ogos disebabkan gangguan bekalan cip semikonduktor dan juga kekurangan pekerja di operasi pembekal kami. Akan tetapi isu-isu ini telah diatasi pada masa ini,” jelas Zainal.

Kaji Cara Atasi Peningkatan Harga Mentah

Zainal turut berkata Perodua sedang mengkaji kesan peningkatan harga bahan mentah pada masa sekarang. Pada masa yang sama, Perodua dan syarikat-syarikat pembekal komponen sedang bekerjasama untuk mengatasi isu kenaikan kos yang sedang melanda.

Jualan Perodua dari Januari hingga Ogos tahun ini melonjak sebanyak 63.7% kepada 171,728 unit berbanding 104,933 unit pada jangka masa sama tahun lepas. Kenaikan jualan ini disebabkan oleh perintah berkurung yang dikuatkuasakan dari 1 Jun 2021 hingga 15 Ogos 2021 untuk membendung penularan kes Covid-19 pada masa itu.

Walaupun Perodua Bezza merupakan kereta paling popular bulan ini, namun jika dikira dari Januari hingga Ogos tahun 2022, Perodua Myvi masih kekal model paling laris Perodua dengan 48,658 unit telah didaftarkan, diikuti Bezza sebanyak 39,642 unit dan Axia sebanyak 37,013 unit,” jelas Zainal.


MCO Phase 2: Even Stricter Restricted Movement #STAYATHOME

From yesterday, April 1st, to the end of the Movement Control Order (as it stands right now), the authorities have instituted tighter rules and restrictions, building upon those already in place since March 18th.

This is to ensure all Malaysians are prevented from needlessly putting themselves in danger of contracting the COVID-19 virus or, potentially even worse, unwittingly infecting others through unnecessary exposure.

For those doing their part to abide by the MCO, there should be no dramatic changes to your home-bound routine. However, several key points are worth keeping in mind between now and mid-April.

As most of us here in the Klang Valley are very much aware of the roadblocks set up, police will now be on the lookout for cars in violation of the “
one person per car
” ruling. Naturally, the reasons for driving around at all will have to be one of necessity, for either for food, medicine, or other essentials.

Furthermore, authorities stationed at roadblocks will also be questioning your point of origin, requiring proof of residence to ensure that citizens are venturing no further than
10 kilometres
 of home base. However, for many of us living in urban areas, we probably already live and work within that radius without even realising it.

For example, 10km is the rough distance between Desa Sri Hartamas and PJ Old Town. You definitely don’t need to travel that far just because you’re hungry during MCO, so don’t be surprised if you’re told to turn back.

Speaking of food, those seeking to stock up on something ready-made or raw ingredients must also remember that, effective April 1st, all markets, eateries, and even petrol stations have been instructed to curb operating hours to only between
8am and 8pm
.

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have also announced that they will be stepping up the total count of overall
roadblocks
 throughout the country. In particular, the Subang area will be under more intense scrutiny.

Being one of the largest and most densely populated residential areas in the country, certain roadblocks there will run around the clock. The 24-hour checking of vehicles will be concentrated around the Seafield, Putra Heights, PJS7, and South Puchong areas.

In order to funnel road users to these road blocks, certain road will have to be temporarily closed. Though these can and probably will change over these next 2 weeks, the blocked roads include:

Kesas Highway (Northeast-bound to Subang Jaya)

Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (Southbound)

Jalan Subang Kelana Link

Persiaran Tujuan

Other road closures are also to take place around the Klang and the Damansara area in order to restrict vehicle movement to only certain routes and localise traffic to within a certain cluster of neighbourhoods.

As Malaysia settles into the 3rd week of the movement control order, give yourself a pat on the back for doing your part in the country’s concerted effort to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and not being like the tiny stubborn minority that only worsens and prolongs the situation.

Photos from Bernama and PDRM.


Thailand To Produce Mazda CX-3 Very Soon

Mazda is expected to start production of its
Honda HR-V
 and
Mitsubishi ASX
 rivalling CX-3 crossover very soon, probably as early as this year, reports Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review.
The CX-3 will be produced at Mazda’s co-owned with Ford, AutoAlliance (Thailand) plant in Rayong, which also produces the Mazda 2 sedan and hatchback, as well as BT-50 models.
The CX-3 is expected to hit Thai showrooms in early 2016 while exports to neighbouring countries (including Malaysia) are being considered.
It is unclear yet if Bermaz will be importing the CX-3 from either Mazda’s plant in Hiroshima or Rayong.
When the CX-3 was launched in Japan in February, President Masamichi Kogai said the company was not considering producing the model overseas. However, strong demand from Japan and other overseas markets have forced Mazda to reconsider its decision, and to transfer some of the production to Thailand.
Mazda’s factories in Japan are said to be operating at 95 percent capacity already and does not have much capacity left to fulfil demand from countries in the ASEAN region.
Sources from Bermaz have indicated that the CX-3 will be launched in Malaysia by November, with an estimated price of RM120,000.
Related:

Mazda CX-3 Estimated To Arrive In November 2015, Tentative RM120k Price


George Russell Picked To Fill Benched Hamilton’s Mercedes-AMG F1 Seat

Following the news that reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will be sitting out this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain due to a recent positive COVID-19 test, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team have revealed a temporary stand-in.

George Russell will be stepping up and into the No.44 car to replace the sidelined Hamilton, though it is unknown whether this arrangement will be solely for this upcoming race or will extend to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit in mid-December and beyond.

Russell is currently driving for the AMG-powered Williams F1 team - who have approved the temporary driver shuffle - and has managed to make an impression as one of the sport’s most talented rising stars. Filling the 22-year old’s vacancy is Formula 2 racer and fellow Brit Jack Aitken.

Toto Wolff, team principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, said that Russell’s impressive performance with the Williams team and larger volume of experience with 2020 season-spec cars was the primary factory behind choosing Russell over the team’s reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne.

No doubt this is a huge opportunity for the young Brit, stepping into the dominant Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance and racing alongside driver’s championship runner-up Valterri Bottas. Coincidentally, the Finn also rose to the Mercedes-AMG seat in 2017 to replace Nico Rosberg after cutting his teeth with Williams over 4 seasons.

There’s speculation that Hamilton, regardless of his recent COVID-19 positive diagnosis, was contemplating a graceful exit from Formula 1 in the coming seasons following his clinching of his 7th driver’s world champion title last month, equalling the bar set by Michael Schumacher.

In a statement by Mercedes-AMG Petronas, the team reports that “Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines.” Of course, we wish him a speedy recovery and a swift return to the track.


Best Deals In Town This Raya 2015

Hari Raya will soon be upon us which means there is a lot of preparations that needs to be done. From decorating the home to buying new outfits, you may even want to consider getting yourself or the family a new car for the balik kHari Raya will soon be upon us which means there is a lot of preparations that needs to be done. From decorating the home to buying new outfits, you may even want to consider getting yourself or the family a new car for the balik kampung journey. Then there’s the food, lots of it.ampung journey. Then there’s the food, lots of it.

This festive season is also the perfect time to purchase a new car with various car makers offering their own Raya deals which include cash rebates, free maintenance, and warranties, or a combination of one or the other.

Rather than combing through the various sites to look for these deals, we’ve decided to compile all current Raya deals being offered in this space so you can browse through them easily and make that value buy just in time to for the Raya celebrations.

We’ll continue to add new Raya deals as and when they pop up so stay tuned to this space.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s Special Raya Promo
 is offering cash rebates of up to RM6,000 on nearly all of its models which include the Mirage, Attrage, Lancer 2.0 GTE, Pajero Sport, and Triton Lite Turbo. As for the Mitsubishi ASX, it receives a five-year free maintenance and warranty while the recently-launched all-new Triton gets two-years free maintenance.

The promotion is valid until 31
st
 July 2015 and while stocks last. For terms and conditions, check out
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia official webpage
.

Volkswagen

You could be saving up to
RM48,000 on selected Volkswagen vehicles this Raya
. From now till 31
st
 July 2015, the Jetta, Tiguan, Passat, Golf, Polo, and Polo Sedan are available with no downpayment and no interest for up to seven years (subject to terms and conditions).

For instance, you can own a brand new Volkswagen Polo Hatchback from only RM999 a month following a repayment period of seven years with expected savings of up to RM22,000. So check out
Volkswagen Malaysia’s Raya promo page
 for more details on other vehicles being offered.

Not only that, the
Volkswagen Sales Carnival
 will take place at The Oval, Setia City Mall from 12
th
 to 14
th
 June 2015, 10am to 10pm. Learn more about your favourite Volkswagen models while having a fun time with gifts and many more.

Audi

Audi Malaysia’s Open Haus™ Hari Raya Aidilfitri Sales Event
 provides customers the chance to drive home a brand new Audi this festive season with four-year free service and four-year warranty across the Audi range of vehicles (subject to terms and conditions).

The offer ends on 31
st
 July 2015 so hurry and take advantage of this offer now.

Peugeot

For those interested to purchase a
Peugeot
, they are offering customers 0% interest rate, three years free roadtax, five years free service (inclusive of parts and labour), and 12 months free instalments. Additionally, you can own a brand new Peugeot from only RM85,888. This offer is valid from 1
st
 June to 31
st
 July 2015, subject to subject to terms and conditions which you can find out more about by visiting
Peugeot Malaysia’s
 webpage.

Ford

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the local distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia is
offering up to RM12,000 on selected Ford vehicles
.

Not only that, current customers can also send their vehicles in for a thorough inspection by Ford-certified personnel. Discounts on parts and labour are also up for offer during the promotion which runs until 31 July, 2015.

Renault

Over at Renault, customers are welcomed to attend various Hari Raya open houses at selected Renault showrooms. There, they can take the opportunity to own a Renault from as low as RM33 a day with five years manufacturer warranty and maintenance. This is subject to terms and conditions of course. For more info and location and dates of the Renault open house, head on over to their
webpage
.

Lexus

With Lexus entering its eighth year in Malaysia, they are
now adding more value to each purchase of a Lexus
. For instance, the ES now comes with a complimentary 5-year/100,000km (whichever first) maintenance program which includes cost and labour.

Other deals include covering the cost of vehicle insurance, road tax, and inclusion of window tint. For more information, head on over to any Lexus showroom to understand the take advantage of these deals which varies from model to model.

Audi

With
Audi
, the German automaker has got some attractive offers for this year’s Muslim festive season. Until 31 July 2015, with the Audi Open Haus promotion, all Audi models across its range (except the Audi TT 2.0 TFSI and Audi Q7) will come with 4-year free service package and 4-year warranty.

The manufacturer’s warranty covers the vehicle for four years or up to 120,000km (whichever comes first). You can head over to
their website
 to find out more about their Raya promotion or to arrange a test drive.

Nissan

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), the sole distributor of
Nissan
 vehicles in Malaysia, is currently having its
Riang Raya campaign
 which will run throughout the months of June and July 2015.

As part of the campaign, six lucky customers will have a chance to win the opportunity to host their own Celebration Party. Also, ETCM is extending its “RM1.00 Promotion Campaign” that allows customers to purchase add-ons for their newly purchased Nissans such as a NISMO aerokit for the
Nissan Almera
.

Toyota

Toyota
 Malaysia is providing cash rebates of up to RM6,000 on selected models. Not only that, customers will receive a free value-added accessory package when they purchase a
Toyota Vios
 or
Hilux
.

Free maintenance packages are also offered on models like the
Camry
 Hybrid and
Alphard
 where buyers of the latter can opt for a low upfront payment should they wish.
Find out more at Toyota Malaysia’s website
.

Chevrolet

This Raya,
Chevrolet is offering many incentives
 when you purchase a brand new car. These include a 0% downpayment, free insurance and road tax, free shopping and petrol vouchers (subject to terms and conditions). Attractive cash rebates are also on offer on selected
Chevrolet
 models as well.

The campaign is valid from 18
th
 June 2015 to 31
st
 July 2015 and includes a special Balik Kampung service promotion that provides a complimentary 40-point service check, free MDi diagnostic scan, and a free Chevy toy bear to keep the young ones entertained during the long drive back to the hometown. For more details, check out
Chevrolet Malaysia’s website
.

Michelin

Before you set off on your 'balik kampung' journey, you should check your tyres to ensure they aren't worn out to prevent any unwanted stops along the way. If you are looking to swap your tyres,
Michelin
 is offering enticing gifts when you purchase four Michelin tyres. For those who purchase a set of four 15-inch tyres, they'll be rewarded with a Michelin-brand car boot organiser while buyers of 16-inch tyres will receive a car camera recorder.


BMW Reveals Range-Topping M550i. No, This is Not the M5

To coincide with the premiere of the new BMW 5 Series G30 range, the company is bringing out the M Performance version of the sedan – the M550i xDrive which will assume the status of range-topper in the new BMW 5 Series line-up.
Powered by a specifically modified 4.4L M Performance TwinPower Turbo V8 engine which produces 462hp and 650Nm of maximum torque, the car is capable of sprinting from naught to 100km/h in 4-seconds and clock a top speed of 250km/h, while consuming 8.9L/100km of fuel (combined).
Delivering all the power from that massive engine to the wheels is handled by a standard-fit Steptronic Sport eight-speed transmission, complemented by the BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system which splits drive power between all four wheels as the situation demands – intelligently and with a rear-wheel bias.
Further enhancing the whole performance package is the adaptive M Sport suspension, along with the standard 19-inch M light-alloy wheels or the optional 20-inch light-alloy wheels, as well as M Sport brakes with brake callipers in Blue metallic and M badging.
On the outside, the M550i gets the M aerodynamic package which includes an M rear spoiler with Gurney flap on the boot lid, special M Performance bars on the front air intake, two ‘Air Breathers’ at the sides, Cerium Grey metallic finish, and of course, an M sports exhaust system with exclusive tailpipe embellishers in Black chrome.
Inside, you get illuminated door sills bearing the inscription “M550i xDrive”, M sports seats upholstered in Black Dakota leather with blue contrast stitching, the latest version of the M sports steering wheel, M design floor mats and special interior trim strips and pedals made from aluminium.
Just like the other models in the latest-generation BMW 5 Series line-up, the BMW M550i xDrive also offers an even wider choice of assistance systems to help the driver, if desired.
These include an evasion aid, crossing traffic warning system and active Lane Change Warning, which uses steering inputs to avert an impending collision. The optionally available Active Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assistant now feature extended functionality. And Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, which allows speed limits to be automatically imported into the cruise control system, likewise represents another step along the road to automated driving for the BMW M550i xDrive.
The above-mentioned are of course, on top of the latest generation BMW Connected system, which links up devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, computers and tablets, as well as the vehicle’s navigation system, via the BMW servers.
The new system also merges the functions and services of the familiar BMW Remote app and BMW Connected app. Plus, users are able to access products such as ParkNow for digitised reservation and payment of parking spaces, not to mention the intelligent On-Street Parking Information feature, which identifies the areas of a town where drivers are most likely to find a free parking spot.
That said, the new BMW M550i xDrive is scheduled to join the existing model line-up in March 2017.


Oops! All-New Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe Leaks Early, 700Nm And All

Set to
reveal in just a few days’ time
, it seems like the cat’s gotten out of the bag a little bit earlier than
Mercedes-Benz
 may have wanted. Leaked here is their Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe (the badging around the rear gives it away).
Having already seen the
four-door C 63
, and the more recently the
C-Class Coupe
 itself, one’s imagination doesn’t have to fire on all cylinders to piece AMG’s hot Coupe together, but still, it’s a treat to see. This image was reportedly leaked during a presentation of some sort.
Primed for direct competition with BMW’s M4 Coupe, the C 63 Coupe takes on a far more rounded approach in design – it’s a lot curvier than the sharp and aggressive M4, but is certainly packing heat. So much heat, that it’s actually quite a bit more powerful than the BMW equivalent: the M4’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 puts out 431hp and 550Nm of torque, while the C 63 S’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 you see here will unleash 503hp and 700Nm of torque.
If or not all that power is capable of turning in a hotter lap than the M4, is certainly up for review.
Examining the photos, it’s not hard to spot AMG’s aggressive exterior kit: wide air intakes up front, twin-bar radiator grille, contoured hood, quad-exhaust system, and more.
While
Malaysians are set to get a hold of the C 63 AMG Sedan
 later this year, we don’t think the Coupe would be ready for deliveries just as soon. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will however have a bunch of new
‘Dream Cars’ to compensate
, though.
For now, these two photos are all you’ll have to hang on to, until Mercedes-Benz’s big reveal, which is to come in just a matter of days. Hang tight, folks, and keep it on Carlist.my.


The BMW X2 Is A BMW Like No Other

It is inevitable, that as the
X3
 and
X5
 both spawned their respective ‘coupe’ derivatives, the
X1’s underpinnings
 was eventually going to be exploited for the same purpose.
The
all-new BMW X2
 is the first ever model of the nameplate and whilst mechanically it is a reskinned X1, BMW is keen to utilize the full might of its competent marketing machine to ensure that, where the consumer is concerned, the X2 is presented as a sufficiently differentiated product.
Although not slated to hit European roads until March 2018, the X2’s global marketing campaign is already going full swing. Even BMW Malaysia’s website is already beginning to accept registrations of interest.
The latest official TVC of the X2 seeks to communicate the message that the X2 is a car for the daring and the different, with motivational catchphrases such as ‘Invent Yourself’, ‘Never Run from Risk’, and ‘Change the Rules’ sprinkled amidst MTV-like scenes and Gesaffelstein’s Opr Original Mix track.
It’s not the kind of commercial you’d imagine BMW attempting to pull off with a model like, say, the
5 Series
, but for something like the X2, it works to attract interest of younger buyers who are less interested traditional BMW qualities of driving dynamics and more attuned with the latest social media trends.
The video also pops up a couple of snapcodes, which unlocks a special lens on SnapChat putting a BMW X2 into your SnapChat pictures and videos.
BMW’s direction with the X2’s marketing campaign is perhaps influenced by Mercedes-Benz’s impressive success in positioning its MFA new generation compact car family as stylish choices for young affluent buyers.
Through the X2, BMW hopes to wrestle some sales back from the
Mercedes GLA
 in a bid to attract a new generation of younger lifestyle-oriented buyers to the brand. At least where marketing is concerned, the X2 is being positioned like no other BMW that has come before it.


Proton Announces 'Even More Value' Campaign: Own A Brand New Iriz From RM326 A Month

Proton
 recently announced its ‘Even More Value’ campaign that will be ongoing from now until the end of June 2015, with special deals and promotions for customers including an extended seven-year warranty on selected new Proton cars.
For those who are looking at purchasing a
Proton Saga
 or
Iriz
, the national car maker is offering a 1.99% interest rate per annum financing option as well. This means you’ll be able to drive home a brand new 1.3-litre Iriz at just RM326 monthly instalments.
Government staff are also able to obtain a 100% financing scheme during the campaign which also has deals and lower interest rates for other Proton cars.
Dato' Abdul Harith Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Proton mentioned, “Proton is the only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to offer a seven-year extended warranty programme in the country. Apart from the low interest rates with lower monthly commitment, customers can also enjoy up to 26% discount on service packages for selected models. These targeted promotions will allow customers of different requirements and income level to enjoy big savings and peace of mind when they purchase Proton cars.”
For further information and to take advantage of this promotion, just head on over to any of the 211 Proton showrooms nationwide.


Renault Showcases Their New Megane R.S. At Rallye Du Var

What better place to showcase the all-new Megane R.S. than on a rally stage? During this year's Rallye Du Var in the south of France, which happens to be the finale for both the French Rally Championship and the Clio R3T Trophy France one-make rally series, Renault will be running their new Megane R.S. ahead of the pack as a pace car of sorts.
The Var region has twisty ribbons of tarmac running through the mountainside, which is the perfect kind of place for a hot hatchback- the more agile, the better. With the new 4Control system that provides rear-wheel steering, the new Megane R.S. should make short work of the tarmac rally stages.
Of course, there are the other qualities of the Megane R.S. that make it well suited to mountain passes- things like a robust turbocharged engine with a wide torque band, excellent suspension setup and handling characteristics, as well as a choice of either a slick shifting manual or the new EDC dual-clutch.


Fancy A Wagon Version Of A Jazz? Meet The All-New Honda Shuttle

Think the already very spacious Honda Jazz or HR-V doesn't pack enough utility space? Meet the all-new Honda Shuttle, essentially a wagon version of the Honda Jazz.
Unlike the previous generation model, which was known as the Fit Shuttle (Jazz is sold as the Fit in Japan), this time around Honda has dropped the 'Fit' name from the all-new Shuttle.
Like the Jazz, the Shuttle builds on Honda's Global Small platform and features Honda's hallmark centre fuel tank layout - an innovation patented by Honda, as well as rear seats that can be flipped up to carry tall items.
However unlike the Jazz and its other sister cars the City and the HR-V, the Shuttle is aimed primarily at the Japanese market only so don't expect to see it here. If you want one, your only choice is to go through the parallel importers channel.
Two engine options are available - a 1.5-litre direct injection DOHC i-VTEC petrol (different from the unit fitted on our local model SOHC multi port injection Jazz) paired to a CVT and a 1.5-litre Sport Hybrid i-DCD paired to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
There's also a 4WD hybrid variant (available for both Shuttle Hybrid and Shuttle 1.5-litre petrol) that transfers power to the rear axle via a viscous coupling.
The hybrid model also uses a pair of amplitude reactive dampers at both ends of the car, which Honda says help realize both excellent occupant comfort and driving stability.
Inside, the Shuttle has a pair of very practical, multi-use baskets on the backside of the seatback of rear seats. It is meant to keep small items which you would otherwise have to leave it either on the floor or the seats. When not in use, these baskets can be folded flat.
Cargo space is 570-litres with the seats up, and can be expanded to 1,141-litres with the rear seats folded down.
There's also a storage box hidden beneath the boot floor. The box is made of a stain-resistant plastic material providing occupants a place to store dirty items such as muddy shoes.
Prices in Japan starts from 1.69 million Yen for the Shuttle 1.5-litre petrol, and 1.99 million Yen for the Shuttle Hybrid.


DD X50 - Siapa Nak Booking Untuk Proton X50?

Tidak ingin ketinggalan akan 'euphoria' dari pelancaran
Proton X50
, JPJ Kelantan semalam telah mengumumkan pembukaan bidaan bagi siri DDX dari 10 Disember ke 14 Disember.

JPJ Negeri Kelantan mensasarkan kutipan bidaan sebanyak RM2 juta dari bidaan ini.

Bidaan boleh dilakukan di portal https://jpjebid.jpj.gov.my atau melalui aplikasi mudah alih JPJeBid bermula 10 Disember 2020 pukul 12.00 tengah malam sehingga 14 Disember 2020 pukul 11.59 malam.

Harga bidaan akan mengikut kategori yang telah ditetapkan iaitu kategori nombor bernilai utama dengan nilai minima RM20,000, nombor menarik RM3,000, nombor popular RM800 dan nombor biasa bernilai RM300.

Jika harga bidaan bagi DDX 50 dan DDX 70 bermula dari RM20,000 kemungkinan besar pemiliknya nanti akan mempunyai nombor plet yang lebih tinggi nilainya dari kereta itu sendiri. Varian tertinggi
Proton X50
 iaitu varian Flagship berharga RM103,300 dan varian
Premium X X70
 pula berharga RM122,800 (harga dengan pengeculian SST sehingga 31 Disember 2020).

*Kredit imej Facebook JPJ Negeri Kelantan

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

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

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


Nissan Slaps Snow Tracks On An All-Wheel Drive Teana Because They Can

Remember Canada, the more polite version of the United States of America? Most of the year, a lot of their great country has to deal with plenty of snow, which is why cars like the Nissan Altima (Teana as we know it) come with all-wheel drive as standard. But sometimes that isn't enough, which is why - for the express purpose of the Montreal International Auto Show - Nissan slapped a snow track system on each corner and turned the Altima into a very quick and comfortable snowmobile.
Yes, we know Nissan are trying to pull a Toyota by making their models look exciting and young again. There's nothing wrong with that, although this isn't exactly and easy project to execute. The widebody is pretty par for the course - nothing your friendly neighbourhood fibreglass guy can't pull off - but it's the geometry that gets a little tricky. To make everything fit under these massive arches, both front and rear subframes had to be spaced by 30 millimetres, while the suspension pickup points were raised by 50 millimetres.
Each track on its own is 1.2 metres long, 750 mm tall and 380 mm wide. Yes, 380 mm is more than double the width of your average passenger car tyre, so you can be assured that this beast of a large sedan can hold its own in the snow. The overall width of the car has been increased by 360 mm, making for a machine that looks as intimidating as it is practical. Nissan likes to call it the Altima-te (a bit of a cringe-y name), although we think if you've gone to the trouble to create something like this, you deserve to call it whatever you want.
There's no doubt that it'll be an interesting piece at the upcoming show, one that is truly reflective of the harsher elements that Canadians have to deal with, although perhaps Nissan needs to look at strengthening the image of the rest of their model lineup, especially in our corner of the world. The company seems to have fallen into a bit of a slump, and hopefully they'll pull out of it with cars that go head to head with the segment leaders.


Spied: 2018 Toyota C-HR Caught In Malaysia

UMW Toyota Motor
previewed
 the Toyota C-HR last weekend during the Carlist.my MAA DRIVE event. From what we understand, the company is looking at a 2018 debut for the new C-HR. However, homologation is now on-track as indicated by this spyshot.
Seen here is a Toyota C-HR with its emblems taped up driving along a highway. We reported earlier that the preview unit brought in by UMW Toyota Motor was an Australian-spec unit, which could be different from the ones we will be receiving. We understand that Malaysia-bound units will receive a 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated mill paired to a CVT-type automatic transmission, sending drive to the front wheels.
Sources say that this particular unit is for internal use.
Could a late 2017 debut be on the cards? Watch this space for more updates.


All-New Volvo V60, Now With New T6 Twin Engine Option

Volvo Cars have just launched the new generation V60, the company’s mid-sized premium estate. The new model V60 was caught undergoing road tests a couple of weeks prior.
Similar to the XC60 and the 90 series cars, the all-new Volvo V60 is also underpinned by the company’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.
At launch, the Volvo V60 is available with two plug-in hybrid powertrain options: the first is a new T6 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid that outputs 340 hp, while the second is the familiar T8 Twin Engine, good for 390 hp. Curiously, the T8 Twin Engine's output is lower than the 90 series cars' 407 hp. Both plug-in hybrid variants are AWD.
For customers that prefer regular petrol engines, the V60 can be had with either a T5 or T6 powertrain, while diesel users have the option of a D3 or D4 powertrain.
The new generation V60 comes standard with a comprehensive list of safety equipment, including City Safety with Autobrake, the only system on the market that is able to recognize pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. Additionally, City Safety is able to engage autobraking to mitigate collisions with oncoming vehicles.
Volvo has also improved the Pilot Assist feature on the V60 to feature better cornering performance. The system is able to support the driver with steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads with speeds of up to 130 km/h.
Similar to its SPA-based siblings, the new Volvo V60 features a similar Sensus infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The tablet-style touch screen is home to the V60’s various controls, including air-conditioning, navigation and connectivity.
Volvo also added that customers can lease the V60 via the company’s Care by Volvo subscription service. The V60 is the second model to be included in the service, with the first model being the new XC40.


10 Things You Should Know About The New 2016 BMW 7-Series (G11/G12)

The all-new
2016 BMW 7-Series (G11/G12)
 is a technological tour de force. From day one, BMW has wanted to create a car for 5-Series or E-Class owners to upgrade to - but one that doesn't mean they should give up the driver's seat, and still, grow considerably in luxury real estate. Yes, this is a full size supremo sports sedan, and no, I'm not telling you how it drives or rides or whether it's comfortable yet (you'd have to wait until the car's official launch later this year for the full report), but I'm showing you 10 videos you should watch, especially if you're an engineer for Lexus, Infiniti, Hyundai Equus and Kia K9. Really.
1. The kidney grilles open and shut like a breathing tarmac eating autobahn super cruising missile does. What this does is that when the car isn't in need of additional cooling, it will shut its grilles to allow for more aerodynamic air flow, reducing fuel consumption. There are no buttons to control the opening and closing of the grilles, so I actually had to wait and try my luck a few times.

2. I can use the Display Key to switch on the climate control in my office and get the car to condition its in-car temperatures beforehand. Comes in handy for us Malaysians.

3. It has Grand Theft Auto view, and you can switch views with a Jedi wave.

4. It can steer all by itself but has a build-in counter measure in case people like myself want to exploit it. The thing is this, there are many cars out there now that has lane guidance control, where the car will gently steer the car to stay in between the lines. And there's also systems like Dynamic Cruise Control where the system allows you to 'lock' a distance with the car in front of you, be it that car was accelerating or decelerating, or even stopping to a complete halt. Now this is where car owners come in and exploit this by turning both 'on' and then leave the driving, and hence, the responsibility and accountability to the car by all by itself. This is ultimately, irresponsible. Hence BMW designed the 7-Series to detect whether your palms are holding the steering wheel - or not. Upon the third warning, (which in this video you can witness, pardon my voice, I had no idea what I'm saying at that point) the system shuts off the driving aids to return me to the wheel.

5. It allows you to stand aside when the car parks itself into really tight spots.

6. The entire control panel and cockpits are full of digital and physical sensory cluster mesh. The BMW adopts a very unique design ethos in the 7-Series, certain buttons you can push, but when you touch, it's something else. Even the LCD panels shown here, unlike the ones in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, it's an amalgamation of physical sculpting and digital info screening.

7. The rear passenger's Touch Command Tablet has a kinetic sculpture-like presentation all by itself when you try to remove it or place it back.

8. The 'Zamzung' tablet allows the rear passengers to control every single thing in the car except driving. Seat massage, windows, lighting choices, music, seat adjustments, entertainment screens etc, basically everything.

9. It's like flying Business Class back there with a full anodized aluminium fold out tray that allows me to consume my caviar topped smoked lobster while I ponder deep into the abyss of why I'm not Patrick Grove.

10. With a push of a button, the Business Class seats transform into First Class seats called Executive Lounge. This will be the first thing I'd do repeatedly if I buy this car.

Check out the in-car footage video when the 2016 BMW 7-Series (G11/G12) steers itself automatically into the parking bay. Brilliant.


Post-GST: Proton Reduces Prices On All Its Models By Up To RM1,475

Following the implementation of the Goods & Services Tax beginning April 1
st
, 2015,
Proton
 has announced the new prices for its models that see a reduction of up to RM1,475 or 3.25% per unit on all its models.
Every model in Proton’s current range of cars will see a reduction in price which includes the
Saga
,
Persona
,
Inspira
,
Satria Neo
,
Exora
,
Prevé
,
Suprima S
, and
Iriz
.
The full list of Proton’s new on-the-road prices post-GST for selected variants is provided below
(click to enlarge)
:


Action-Packed Vios Challenge Over The Weekend

The second round of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Racing Festival was held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) over the weekend. The last race was held at the Batu Kawan stadium in Penang.
Saturday’s first race was the Promotional Class, which saw Shawn Lee leading the rest of the pack, with Shukri Yahaya breathing down his neck. Danny Koo managed to secure the third spot after a brief battle with Fattah Amin.
The race continued with the Sporting Class, with greasy track conditions thanks to the rain. Despite that, Brendan Paul managed to finish first, with Brandon Lim right behind him. Patrick Tam finished in third position after making his way up from fifth spot.
Day two of the Vios Challenge saw the Super Sporting Class kicking things off. Mark Darwin was poised to secure the first position as he managed the quickest qualifying times, but hopes were dashed after he collided with Tengku Djan who was gunning for the top spot. The move sent Mark Darwin into the wall, damaging his car and forcing him to retire.
Drama continued as Tengku Djan had to return to the pits to get his rear bumper removed after the battle between himself and William Ho, though he lost second position after Mitchell Cheah pushed himself into William’s side which broke his side skirt, forcing William to return to the pits.
Ser Ming Hui finished the first race in first place, while the second and third spot went to Syafiq Ali and Boy Wong respectively after Mitchell Cheah was handed a 15 second penalty for jumping the start.
Back to the second race for the Promotional Class, Shawn Lee lost his lead after spinning out less than halfway through the circuit. This allowed his rival Shukri Yahaya to gain a much-needed first spot. Danny Koo maintained his space in second place, while Diana Danielle managed to secure the third spot, her first podium since she started racing. Diana is also the first female driver for Vios Challenge in Malaysia to be on the podium.
In the Sporting Class, Brendan Paul lost his first spot to Patrick Tam right after the start. Surprisingly, Tom Goh had to retire earlier due to a driveshaft fault. This came after the cracked oil sump that ended Tom's race prematurely yesterday.
The second race for the Super Sporting Class was delayed due to the torrential rain that poured over MAEPS. The race only started after the racers were locked three laps behind the Toyota Camry safety car, with Mitchell Cheah ahead of Tengku Djan.
Tengku Djan was gunning hard for the top spot, though Mitchell put up a good fight defending his spot in first spot. Every time Djan tried to attack the apex, Mitchell blocked Djan. Additionally, Mitchell did a swell job of keeping his calmness with Djan breathing down his neck.
By lap 9, Djan tapped onto Mitchell’s rear, sending Mitchell wide. Despite that, Mitchell managed to recover his Vios and did not lose his first spot. Tengku Djan continued to pursue Mitchell, with William Ho chasing the duo.
Djan’s spot at second spot was cut short, as William Ho did a daring move by diving into the final turn, pushing and damaging Djan’s car in the process. That move ended Djan’s race, with William penalized with a 15 second penalty. Despite that, William still managed to secure his third place, as he had a huge buffer between himself and fourth place.
“It was quite a stressful first few laps with Djan behind me. All I had on my mind was to go in the corner slow and come out faster to stay in front of Djan,” he said. His persistence and calmness paid off as he walked home as the champion for the Super Sporting Class.


All-New Toyota Corolla Open for Booking - 2 Variants, Estimated Price RM129k and RM137k

UMW Toyota Motor announced today that the all-new Toyota Corolla is now open for booking, and that it will be launched in Malaysia very soon.
Customers who wish to be the first to own the new sedan may place their orders at any authorised Toyota showroom nationwide starting today, 12th September 2019.
The car will be offered in two variants here, with an estimated price as mentioned below:
Corolla  1.8G – RM136,888
Corolla 1.8E – RM128,888
Completely redesigned and re-engineered using Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA), the new Corolla promises to offer better handling, as well as better driving dynamics and comfort compared to the outgoing Corolla Altis.
Thanks to the new platform, the Corolla has also grown by 10 mm in length and 5 mm in width. Wheelbase length remains the same but the car is now 45 mm lower than before.
The all-new Corolla will also get the latest Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), an integrated safety systems that provide a safer driving experience and other sophisticated features.
Details are still limited but looks like there will only be one engine option – the 1.8 litre 2ZR-FBE 4-cylinder NA petrol engine which produces 140 PS and 177 Nm, paired with a CVT-type gearbox.
That said, watch this space for mode details on the all-new Toyota Corolla.
Looking for a new Toyota? Get the best deals
here
.


BMW G29 Z4 sDrive30i "Malaysia Spec” Previewed, RM456,800

Just three months ago, BMW Malaysia surprised many of us during the launch of the G20 3-Series when it
previewed the upcoming G29 Z4
. However, the unit that was shown to us was a left-hand drive pre-production sample of the M40i variant which will not be sold here.

The variant which we will actually be getting is the one you’re looking at right now – the right-hand drive Z4 sDrive30i, which was on display completely undisguised during the M Track Day event at the Sepang International Circuit last weekend.

From what we can see, key exterior features of the Z4 sDrive30i, which has been open for booking since May, includes chromed diamond kidney grilles and silver wheels, instead of the blacked out ones we’ve been seeing in pictures all this while. In terms of colours, there are four choices - San Francisco Red, Misano Blue, Black Sapphire, and also Alpine White.

Inside, the Z4 has a generous dose of leather upholstery with contrasting stitching, giving the car a luxurious, yet sporty feel. Equipment wise, there is the latest version of BMW’s Live Cockpit Pro instrument panel, and the 12.3-inch central display like the other new models in the stable.

Under the hood, the Z4 sDrive30i gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 258 PS and 400 Nm of maximum torque, which is paired with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission.

The powertrain package allows the car to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, and clock a top speed of 250 km/h.

Yet to be launched officially, the Z4 sDrive30i, which will be the sole variant offered in Malaysia, comes with a recommended retail price of RM456,800.

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


Perodua MyBi – Replika Myvi Extreme 1.5 Versi Lego Dalam Skala 1:1

Sebuah replika Myvi Extreme 1.5 bersaiz sebenar telah dihasilkan menggunakan Lego oleh anak tempatan dan dipamerkan di Publika baru-baru ini.

Seperti yang anda tahu,
Perodua Myvi
 kini sudah mencapai generasi yang ketiga. Walau bagaimanapun, mengapa model Myvi Extreme 1.5 yang dipilih dan bukanlah Myvi generasi baharu?

Myvi Extreme 1.5

Sebenarnya, Myvi Extreme 1.5 ini merupakan Myvi generasi kedua dengan penambahan pada kit badan yang lebih agresif seperti spoiler belakang yang lebih besar dan sedikit penambahan pada bampar hadapan dan belakang.

Selain itu, Myvi ini generasi ini juga turut memperkenalkan kapasiti enjin yang lebih besar iaitu 1.5L DDVT. Ia merupakan enjin yang sama digunakan pada
Perodua Alza
. Cuma bezanya, Perodua Alza bersaiz lebih besar dan lebih berat berbanding Myvi. Kiranya, enjin 3SZ-VE 1.5 liter yang mampu menjana 109 PS dan 141 Nm ini lebih daripada memadai bagi Perodua Myvi.

Replika Perodua MyBi

Untuk memberi penghormatan yang selayaknya kepada jentera paling popular di Malaysia ini, Bryks Art telah menghasilkan replika saiz sebenar Perodua Myvi Extreme dengan warna popularnya, kuning yang diberi nama Perodua MyBi. Replika tersebut dihasilkan menggunakan 1.27 juta Lego sempena pameran
 King Of The Road
 yang berlangsung di Publika pada 26 hingga 29 Mei lalu.

Difahamkan, seramai 15 orang rakyat tempatan terlibat dalam projek yang mengambil masa 2 bulan untuk disiapkan ini. Jika dilihat dari jauh, pasti ada yang menyangka bahawa Myvi yang dipertonton ini merupakan kereta sebenar berdasarkan perinciannya yang amat teliti.

Exterior

Selain daripada logo Perodua yang ditukar kepada logo ‘B’, tiada apa yang berbeza pada bentuk luaran MyBi ini. Segala lampu yang ada seperti lampu kabus, lampu utama dan lampu signal turut dinyalakan menandakan MyBi ini lengkap dengan pendawaian elektrik yang mantap.

Bukan itu sahaja, model Lego ini juga hadir dengan sensor di bahagian belakang seakan-akan Myvi sebenar. Walau bagaimanapun, ada beberapa bahagian yang tidak dihasilkan dengan Lego seperti gandar, rim, tayar, pembesar suara, cermin serta beberapa buah mentol lampu.

Walaupun bahagian tayarnya bukanlah dihasilkan dengan menggunakan Lego, namun angkup brek dan cakera brek di belakang tayar tersebut ini dihasilkan daripada Lego.

Interior

Jika bahagian luaran kereta ini sudah membuatkan anda teruja, lihatlah bahagian interior kereta ini pula. Tempat duduk, stereng, bumbung, konsol tengah, perincian pintu, papan pemuka dan segala-galanya dihasilkan menggunakan Lego juga.

Lebih menarik, stereng yang dihasilkan daripada Lego itu juga boleh dipusingkan sambil ditemani paparan meter dan sistem infotainmen yang turut berlampu.

Tali pinggang keselamatan yang terdapat pada replika kereta ini turut mencuri perhatian apabila turut dihasilkan menggunakan Lego.

Replika Lain

Selain replika Myvi Extreme 1.5 ini, terdapat juga replika-replika lain yang dihasilkan dalam skala 1:4 yang lebih kecil seperti:

MyBi Rocket (Kereta Terbang)

MyBi ATV (Off-Road)

MyBi Tractor (Kerja Perladangan)

MyBi Tank (Ketenteraan)

MyBi Robot (Watak Baharu Transformers??)

Menurut Bryks Art, kesemua replika Myvi ini dihasilkan berdasarkan foto-foto dan
meme
 popular berkaitan Myvi di internet. Jadi tidak hairanlah mengapa pameran ini dinamakan sebagai “King of The Road”.

*Kredit foto: Publika, Mohd Fahmi Jamaludin, Motorsports Malaysia


Review: Toyota C-HR – Drive It To Love It

“It’s overpriced lah.” That is the typical response we get whenever the Toyota C-HR is mentioned, be it a Facebook comment or someone you know.
That's true, in a way. An equivalent Honda HR-V costs nearly RM 30,000 less while the smaller but fully-imported from Japan Mazda CX-3 costs nearly RM 20,000 less than the Thailand-assembled Toyota C-HR. However like everything else on the market, prices are determined by supply and demand. Go ahead, walk into any Toyota showroom and ask if they have ready stock of the C-HR. So yes it's a premium product, but it's a product that's very well received by its target customers.
Still, what is it about the C-HR that justifies the premium price?
For the 2019 model year, the Toyota C-HR received some mild updates both inside and outside, such as redesigned 17-inch alloy wheels, exterior trim pieces, and most importantly, a new head unit that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Overview
With its edgy design and swoopy looks, the Toyota C-HR is one for the fashion-conscious crowd - not as your average grocery-getter.
Compared to its key segment rivals such as the Honda HR-V or the Mazda CX-3, the Toyota C-HR is priced higher, inching into the much-larger SUV segment, occupied by the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V.
However, the C-HR was never meant to compete against regular grocery-getters – instead the C-HR was designed for those seeking to stand out from the crowd, and as an alternative to other lifestyle options, such as the Volkswagen Beetle or even options from MINI.
Specifications for Toyota C-HR 1.8L
Price: RM 150,000 (on-the-road without insurance)
Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder transverse, DOHC, Dual VVT-i
Power: 140 PS @ 6,400 rpm
Torque: 171 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: CVT, front-wheel drive
Safety: 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Origin: Imported from Thailand
Exterior
As mentioned earlier, Toyota has updated the C-HR for the 2019 model year with some small updates.
First up are the alloy wheels, now with a fancier-looking dual-tone finishing that gives the C-HR a breath of fresh air. If the wheels look familiar, we won’t blame you, as the design are is identical to C-HR models sold overseas, albeit without the increase in size from 17-inches to 18-inches.
Next up are the various trim pieces, such as the garnish strips on the front and rear bumpers plus body mouldings on the sides.
Interior
The biggest and most important update we reckon is the new head unit, now with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
This is a big step-up from other Toyota systems (looking at you, Camry) as those systems only support, at best, MirrorLink.
For the uninitiated, MirrorLink works by ‘mirroring’ your phone’s display. In theory, it is a great idea, as drivers can theoretically mirror anything they wish on the head unit. In reality however, MirrorLink has awful compatibility issues and can be rather particular about the USB cables used. On top of all that, MirrorLink requires the driver’s phone screen to be constantly turned on, which in turn will drain the battery over time as the USB port is only capable of supplying 1A of current, which is insufficient to charge the phone while being used.
As for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both systems were developed from the ground-up to keep drivers focused on driving. As such, both Apple and Google have to approve applications that developers want to integrate into these systems.
In the case of the updated C-HR, having both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a blessing. Drivers can jam to their tunes via Spotify and also navigate via Google Maps or Waze.
Driving Experience
Thanks to the all-new TNGA platform and excellent suspension tuning, the Toyota C-HR has more than enough substance to rival the ride comfort in vehicles priced considerably higher.
No, really.
Never mind the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-3, the C-HR's ride comfort can easily rival much larger C-segment sedans or SUVs, thanks to the suspension gurus at Toyota. Roads riddled with irregularities are dealt with easily in the C-HR, which would have otherwise upset the comfort and handling of the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-3.
Granted, the updated Honda HR-V now handles much better than before, and the Mazda CX-3 has Jinba-Ittai stamped onto its handling department, neither of them can match the agility, comfort, and nimbleness offered by the Toyota C-HR.
However, in reality drivers don't go around hooning their Mazda CX-3 or Honda HR-V around bends every other day. Ride comfort in the CX-3 is on the firm side, and the overly sensitive steering and suspension set-up can make long distance driving tiresome. As for the recently-updated Honda HR-V, it gets slightly retuned rear suspension that marginally improves comfort for the rear passengers, though it is still no match for the Toyota C-HR.
Apart from providing great comfort levels, the double wishbone suspension set up also bestows the C-HR with exceptional handling prowess. Chuck the little C-HR into a corner and the Dunlop rubbers provides ample grip, while the suspension is tuned in a way that gives the C-HR a go kart-like driving experience, with superb rear end traction and surefootedness.
While the handling is a high-point for the C-HR, the CVT-type automatic can be a bit jerky at lower speeds. From a dead stop, don’t be surprised if the CVT responds slower than expected, at times with a slight jerk.
Despite that, performance from the 1.8-litre engine was more than enough to propel the 1.4 tonne SUV up to legal highway speeds with relative ease. But putting aside outright performance, the engine can also be rather efficient when driven with a light foot.
In case you're wondering if the 1.2 turbo would have been a
better option
, our recent time spent with a C-HR 1.2 Turbo proved otherwise - for our driving style, the 1.8-litre is more suited as the torque of the 1.2 turbo tapers off after 110 km/h, but the 1.8-litre still has some grunt to offer. The 1.2 turbo only makes sense in countries where cars are taxed based on CO2 output levels, and was not designed for outright performance.
Conclusion
The provision of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is the icing on an already wonderful cake, adding more value to a remarkably well packaged SUV.
But is the Toyota C-HR for you?
Well, if what you look for in an SUV is practicality, then the Honda HR-V should be shortlisted. We’re not saying that the C-HR is not practical, but there are compromises to be made. For example, outwards visibility for rear passengers can best be described as poor, as the window line slopes upwards.
However, if you value stylish looks and want to stand out from the sea of Honda HR-Vs, you can’t go wrong with the C-HR. Put it this way – look at the Toyota C-HR as a more affordable alternative to other lifestyle options, such as the MINI Cooper range and Volkswagen Beetle. In fact, the Toyota C-HR offers superior ride comfort over the MINI Cooper range, as the go kart sensation that MINI injects into their models has a tendency of making their cars a tad bit too twitchy at times.
At the RM 150,000 mark, sure the C-HR is priced more than other sensible options, but versus the aforementioned options, the C-HR becomes a more logical choice. Coupling that with Toyota’s track record of producing reliable vehicles and proven residuals, it is hard to go wrong with the C-HR.
Find for the best deals on Toyota
here
.


BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence CKD Dilancarkan – Berharga RM649K

Selepas dipertontonkan pada umum pada bulan Februari lalu,
BMW Malaysia
 akhirnya telah mengumumkan bahawa model
CKD
 ini sudah mula dijual secara rasmi bermula hari ini.

Sebelum ini,
BMW X7
 ini dianggarkan bakal dijual dalam harga RM708,000. Namun BMW telah mengumumkan harga yang lebih murah bagi versi CKD ini dengan harga RM673,324 atas jalan tidak termasuk insurans atau SST. Berbanding dengan harga versi
CBU
 (RM861,847), harga model CKD ini lebih murah sebanyak RM188K. Bagi jaminan selama dua tahun, X7 dijual pada harga RM648,934.

SUV mewah milik BMW versi CKD ini hanya ditawarkan dalam satu varian sahaja. Meskipun tidak banyak beza dengan model CBU, namun versi CKD ini telah menerima sedikit perubahan pada spesifikasinya. Antara perbezaannya, model CKD kini menerima rear-wheel steering, sebagai tambahan kepada suspensi udara, penyerap hentak adaptif dan penstabil olengan aktif Executive Drive Pro yang turut ditawarkan pada model CBU.

Walau bagaimanapun, BMW X7 versi CKD ini tidak menerima fungsi Driving Assistant Professional. Hanya sistem Driving Assistant standard yang ditawarkan, meliputi AEB, bantuan mengekalkan lorong dan peninjau titik buta, tetapi menggugurkan ciri bantuan ke tengah lorong, bantuan menukar lorong, penghindaran perlanggaran titik buta, Crossroads Warning serta kawalan melayar adaptif.

Jentera ini masih mengekalkan enjin petrol enam silinder berkuasa tinggi yang mampu menjana kuasa maksimum berjumlah 340 PS, serta puncak tork bernilai 450 Nm dan mampu membuat pecutan 0-100km/j dalam masa 6.1 saat. Enjinnya menerima padanan transmisi Steptronic Sport lapan kelajuan manakala kadar penggunaan minyak ialah 9.5 liter bagi setiap 100 km.

Untuk bahagian dalaman pula, kereta ini membawakan elemen trim “Crafted Clarity” buatan tangan yang dipotong dengan berlian, serta pelbagai kelengkapan lain yang meliputi stereng sport berkulit serta kerusi ‘comfort’ yang boleh dilaras secara elektrik.

Selain itu, BMW Live Cockpit Professional dengan Sistem Operasi BMW 7.0 menggandingkan kluster instrumen digital 12.3 inci  dengan paparan kawalan dan fungsi skrin sentuh. Papar Pandu BMW (BMW Head-Up Display) juga diletakkan dalam sudut pandangan pemandu dengan jelas. Varian ini hadir dengan Pembantu Peribadi Pintar BMW (BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant) yang memanfaatkan arahan suara serta Kawalan Gestur BMW (BMW Gesture Control).

Ciri-ciri menarik yang lain merangkumi Karpet Cahaya Aluan (Welcome Light Carpet), penyaman udara lima zon, sistem bunyi keliling dengan 16 pembesar suara oleh Harman Kardon, dan tirai gulung elektrik bagi tingkap sisi. Sistem Rear Entertainment Professional juga disediakan dalam varian ini, dan keluasan ruang dalamannya turut diserikan oleh Panorama Roof Sky Lounge yang bersaiz besar.

Bagi fungi keselamatan pula, X7 hadir dengan Bantuan Mengundur (Reversing Assistant), Amaran Pengeluaran Laluan, Amaran Penukaran Laluan, dan Amaran Perlanggaran Hadapan dengan intervensi brek, Kawalan Luncur Aktif (Active Cruise Control) dengan fungsi Henti dan Mula serta Stering Aktif Integral (Integral Active Steering).

BMW X7 ditawarkan dalam lima kemasan eksterior, termasuk kombinasi warna-warna interior yang terpilih. Warna eksterior Black Sapphire dan Sophisto Grey hadir dalam upholsteri Cognac Leather Vernasca dengan gubahan leliang berwarna hitam, manakala eksterior berwarna Phytonic Blue dan Manhattan Metallic hadir dengan interior hitam berleliang yang bermaterialkan Leather Vernasca. Akhir sekali, Leather Vernasca dalam warna Coffee dengan gubahan leliang berwarna hitam ditawarkan secara eksklusif dengan model Mineral White.

Anda boleh mendapatkan BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence baharu di semua premis wakil pengedar BMW yang bertauliah di seluruh negara mulai 8 Mei 2021.


2020 Mitsubishi XPANDER Now Open For Booking - Full Product Specs Revealed

Full specification of the Malaysian 2020 Mitsubishi XPANDER revealed.

About a month ago, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) gave us a
teaser
 of the Mitsubishi XPANDER in a spectacle which can only be described as an upskirt preview of the hotly anticipated MPV.

Basing the specs on
predictions
 and teasers was always going to be a shot in the dark, but we don't have to guess anymore, because finally, MMM has given us some up close and personal time with the brutish looking MPV, which we can say, feels even more impressive up close.

Firstly, the Mitsubishi XPANDER will only be available in one variant but four different colour options will be available. It will also come equipped with a 1.5-litre MIVEC petrol engine which produces 105PS at 6,000rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. The engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission which has been optimised for fuel economy - so don't expect any drag racing. The XPANDER also rides 205mm off the ground, giving it one of the highest ground clearance amongst its MPV peers.

Exterior wise, the Dynamic Shield front design dominates the look of the car, helping the MPV give off this aggressive yet handsome look. There's substance behind that look too as the XPANDER comes with LED Headlamps, Crystal blocks LED position lamp and L-Illumination LED taillights. These impressive aesthetic features are completed through some 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels which gives it some legit street cred.

Moving to where it really matters, the XPANDER gets best-in-class cabin space with an overall headroom of 1,7300mm and overall length of 4,475mm. Its 2,775mm long wheelbase and 1,750mm width also help the XPANDER give its passengers more legroom when compared to its competitors.

Adding to the XPANDER's impressive interior features are the fold-flat second and third-row seats, making it the only car in its class which is able to do so. This nifty feature also provides owners with more luggage space and a car-like boot which makes it easier to load larger or longer items.

Just when you think the XPANDER could not possibly impress any further, the Mitsubishi MPV is also fitted with under-seat multi-purpose storage, cargo floor box with lid, third-row side pocket and cup holder, centre console box with sliding lid, multiple storage compartments and glove box with a double compartment to store all the items needed for a great family experience.

Furthermore, the compact MPV also comes with four roof-mounted air vents for better air distribution around the cabin promising a faster cooling cabin for those hot Malaysian days. Infotainment wise, the XPANDER comes with a 9-inch Audio System with Apple Carplay and Android Auto ready. There's also a 4.2-inch high contrast meter cluster which shows important information such as engine coolant temperature, cruise control operation indicators as well as car key battery life.

As this will most probably be a family vehicle, safety features are also thought of which include dual SRS airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, Active Stability Control, Brake Assist System, Hill Start Assist, Rest Reminder, Brake Override System among others.

As you all know, the XPANDER will be locally assembled and part of the localisation and assembly of the MPV include ARM (All Round Monitor), which uses multiple cameras around the vehicle to create a 360-degree bird's eye view to aid with parking and manoeuvring. A Driving Video Recorder (DVR) as well as black stylish leather seats complete the Malaysian XPANDER package.

At publishing time we don't yet have confirmation of the price but expect it to come in just shy of RM100k.


BMW Is The First International Automaker To Receive An Autonomous Road Test License In China

With government bodies becoming more and more wary of autonomous vehicle testing (especially with the recent cases of autonomous vehicle accidents), it's becoming more and more important for companies to acquire licenses through the proper channels. This is also especially true in China, where regulations can be extremely strict and finnicky - and yet despite this, China is such a huge market for automakers presently operating there that they will go the distance to meet these requirements.
BMW is one such manufacturer, and they have just announced that they received a license to road test L4 autonomous vehicles in China. The Shanghai Intelligent Connected Autonomous Driving Test License, issued by the Intelligent Connected Vehicle Road Test Promotion Team - consisting of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau and Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission - allows BMW to unleash their autonomous 7 Series test beds on certain designated test sites within Shanghai.
But this isn't their first rodeo. BMW anticipated China's move towards autonomous and integrated vehicles as earliy as 2016, with a full demonstration of L3 highly autonomous driving on a designated highway in Chengdu. As such, their relationship with the Chinese government has generally been favourful and allowed them to continue their work, collecting data and refining their autonomous functions.
Using the license, the R&D team will gather several Petabyte of data based on actual traffic, covering its full complexity. This data will be used to train machine learning algorithms performing adequate L4 Autonomous Driving behaviour. It's all part of BMW's Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT, as autonomous driving will be one of the most important aspects of automotive engineering to develop for the future they predict.


Aktiviti Curi Ekzos Kembali – Proton X70 Jadi Mangsa

Ekzos kereta anda dicuri? Tahukah anda trend mencuri ekzos kereta ini sememangnya wujud di negara ini?

Antara kenderaan yang sering menjadi sasaran penjenayah adalah kenderaan yang tinggi seperti
MPV
 dan
SUV
 kerana ketinggian tersebut memudahkan pencuri untuk masuk ke bawah kereta untuk mencuri ekzos.

Malangnya, SUV terunggul keluaran
Proton
,
X70
 turut tidak terlepas daripada menjadi mangsa sindiket ini. Menerusi perkongsian yang dibuat oleh Robin Sinnappanah di Facebook, resonator paip ekzosnya dicuri di sebuah hospital di Seremban di mana tempat isterinya bekerja.

*Sumber: Facebook Robin Sinnappanah

Orang ramai, terutamanya pemilik X70 serta kenderaan tinggi yang lain semestinya berasa resah ekoran insiden ini. Kebiasaannya, pencuri akan menyasarkan kenderaan berkuasa tinggi yang diparkir diluar kawasan rumah atau premis.

Menurut Robin, beliau menyedari perkara tersebut setelah bunyi kenderaannya bertukar bising, seakan-akan bunyi lori. Dalam bahasa mudah, resonator berfungsi sebagai alat untuk menggemakan bunyi enjin yang kuat, seterusnya membuatkan enjin anda lebih senyap. Harganya boleh mencecah sehingga ratusan dan ribuan ringgit Malaysia mengikut jenama. Memang koyak poket!

Kes kecurian ekzos ni sebenarnya ada dua tujuan utama. Pertama, ekzos yang dicuri boleh dijual di premis besi buruk serta kedai lerai komponen kenderaan. Terdahulu, polis berjaya menahan 3 lelaki bersama 15 ekzos curi di sekitar Lembah Klang pada Oktober tahun lepas. Hasil siasatan, setiap satu ekzos yang dicuri sindiket akan dibeli dengan harga RM350 hingga RM650 mengikut jenis kenderaan.

*Kredit foto Malaysian Gazette

Menurut Ketua Polis Daerah Serdang, Asisten Komisioner Razali Abu Samah, penjenayah yang mencuri ekzos ini selalu menyasarkan kereta jenis Naza Ria dan
Hyundai
 Starex. Tetapi nampak gayanya, trend ini dah mula berjangkit pada SUV terunggul Proton, X70!

Namun kini agak susah juga penjenayah nak jual semula ekzos curi pada pemilik premis besi buruk kerana kebanyakkan kedai besi buruk akan meminta beberapa dokumen sebelum menerima apa apa barang untuk memastikan ianya bukan barang curi.

Tetapi tahukah anda, tabung ekzos ini menjadi sasaran penjenayah kerana dipercayai mampu menghasilkan emas putih apabila dileburkan? Boleh percaya ke? Untuk menghasilkan emas putih, serpihan dalam tabung ekzos yang dicuri akan diproses dan dileburkan.

Lebih menyedihkan, penjenayah selalu mensasarkan kenderaan berkuasa tinggi kerana ekzosnya yang mantap, padu serta mempunyai banyak serbuk emas putih. Menurut polis, terdapat syarikat yang dipercayai pembekal barang kemas yang sanggup membeli ekzos ini dengan kadar RM1,500 setiap satu!

*Kredit foto Sinar Harian

Sebelum ini, pihak polis telah berjaya menumpaskan sindiket curi ekzos di Gombak, Rawang dan Sentul dengan menahan seramai 15 suspek, di mana salah seorang suspek tersebut merupakan pemilik premis besi buruk. Suspek dipercayai menjual ekzos berkenaan pada harga antara RM500 sehingga RM2,000 mengikut jenis. Senang betul dia buat duit!

*Kredit video MetroTV

Suspek yang ditahan mendakwa melakukan kegiatan pada waktu malam dan mensasarkan kenderaan di parkir luar premis dan kediaman. Mereka menggunakan jet tayar untuk angkat kenderaan sebelum memotong ekzos.

Sementara itu, 7 ahli Geng Emas Putih yang berpangkalan di Melaka turut telah berjaya ditahan oleh pihak polis pada tahun lepas. Menurut pihak polis, proses bagi menghasilkan emas putih terhadap kesemua ekzos curi itu dilakukan di luar negara.

*Sumber: Berita Harian

Lebih menggerunkan, setiap ekzos curi yang dijual boleh mencapai harga ribuan ringgit mengikut jenis kenderaan. Dalam tangkapan tersebut, polis menemui 65 buah ekzos curi. Takziah diucapkan kepada 65 pemilik yang kehilangan ekzosnya.

*Sumber: Sinar Harian

Apa yang anda perlu buat sekiranya ekzos kereta anda dicuri? Kalau resonator ni tiada, anda dinasihatkan untuk tidak memandu kerana selain daripada bunyi yang kuat, ia turut kuat makan minyak. Hubungi pusat servis ataupun insurans anda dan mereka akan menunda kereta anda ke bengkel atau pusat servis berdekatan.

Sebagai pemilik X70, wajar untuk anda berjaga-jaga dengan ekzos anda. Dalam keadaan ekonomi yang tidak menentu ini, aktiviti kecurian seperti ini kerap berlaku. Pastikan anda meletakkan kenderaan anda di dalam kawasan rumah atau kawasan parkir yang selamat!

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

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

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


This Is What The All-New Fourth Generation 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Might Look Like

Hyundai is poised to release a new generation Hyundai Santa Fe in South Korea next month. Launched in 2013, the current generation Santa Fe represented a major leap in refinement for Hyundai products and established the Santa Fe as a strong contender in the seven-seater SUV segment (a five-seater version is also available in the US).
The all-new Santa Fe is expected to build on the success of its predecessor by introducing several more active safety features. A Rear Occupant Alert, claimed by Hyundai to be an industry-first, it monitors the rear seats to detect passengers and alerts the driver when leaving the car. The feature aims to avoid potentially fatal situations of young children accidently left locked inside a Santa Fe.
The Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, which warns you of oncoming vehicles when you are reversing out of a tight spot into a busy street, will now be enhanced by an automated braking function.
From the two sketches released by Hyundai, it appears that Hyundai will be abandoning the current generation Santa Fe’s multi-slat grille in favour of a large, crate box pattern grille. The LED daytime running lights will also be separated from the main headlamp while the rear section retains the Santa Fe’s signature C-pillar.
Hyundai did not reveal any further details on the all-new Santa Fe’s powertrain, but more will be revealed as we get closer to the model’s global debut in Seoul next month. The model is unlikely to go on sale in overseas markets until 2019.


Mazda Reaffirms Commitment To Promote Clean Diesel Engines In Malaysia

While others have given up, Mazda stands firm in its commitment to popularize clean diesel engines in Malaysia. The variant line-up of the recently launched all-new CX-5 is a reflection of this – the highest specifications model, with a full suite of i-ActiveSense advanced driving aids system (ADAS), can only be had with a 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D clean diesel engine.
Following Volkswagen’s widely publicized dieselgate scandal, the market share of diesel-powered private cars have dropped significantly in Europe, where diesel engines are most popular.
For the first time in recent years, registration of diesel passenger cars in Europe has dropped below 50 percent as more consumers switch to petrol and petrol-electric hybrids.
Mazda, whose SkyActiv-D clean diesel engines are the only ones in the world that don’t require expensive urea-based Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) aftertreatment hardware, has been an unfortunate victim in the contracting diesel market.
While various European brands including Daimler, BMW and Fiat have also been accused (but never proven) of manipulating exhaust emissions test data, and being part of a Europe-wide collusion to game the regulations, none can be said for Mazda.
Mazda’s diesel engines have been independently confirmed by various bodies to be as clean as Mazda claims it to be, and the company is not part of any industry-wide collusion to manipulate exhaust emission regulations.
Tests by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism have implicated non-compliance by several big Japanese brands, including Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi but Mazda’s diesel engines stand out as the only ones to match up to the manufacturer’s claim.
Closer to home, diesels were never popular among private passenger car owners, and as Volkswagen doesn’t even sell any diesels here, dieselgate is irrelevant to Malaysia. Instead, the concern has more to do with availability of the necessary Euro-5 low sulphur diesels that these sophisticated, modern diesel engines require.
In the passenger car space, Mazda stands alone in pushing the clean diesel agenda. BMW, once a very vocal proponent of clean diesels has since abandoned diesels in favour of petrol-electric plug-in hybrids. Likewise Mercedes-Benz, which at one time sold a diesel-electric hybrid W212 generation E300 BlueTec Hybrid.
When asked about Mazda’s longer term objective for SkyActiv-D in Malaysia at yesterday’s launch of the all-new CX-5, Datuk Sri Ben Yeoh, CEO of Bermaz Motor said, “We appeal to the younger generation, people who are well informed. As you are aware, the current diesel engine that we are selling with the CX-5 is environmentally friendly. It meets the strictest emission regulations. It is in total compliance in both real world situations, and in testing mode. So what we are doing is basically changing the mindset – that diesel engines are polluting and have high pollutants in terms of PMs (particulate matters). But with these new generation diesel engines, it’s relatively clean. And they have very low NOx levels. In fact we don’t even need a NOx filter (SCR).”
Yeoh also added that the many petrol engines on our road are silent polluters, “It has very low PM, no doubt, but the NOx, CO and CO2 content is actually very high because the current regulations don’t require a lot of compliance as far as emissions are concerned. You don’t see it, you don’t smell it, but it’s relatively high in terms of pollutants. So it’s (Mazda’s clean diesel engines) actually evolving into a better environment and we are trying to educate people that Mazda diesel engines are relatively clean.”
Bermaz expects the high specifications diesel variants to contribute incremental gains in sales over the previous model, citing wider availability of Euro-5 diesel and positive influence of early adopters of Mazda SkyActiv-D’s superior fuel efficiency and performance.
Compared to the previous model, this all-new CX-5’s 2.2-litre diesel engine has been improved to run quieter than before. The pistons in the new and improved engine now feature Natural Sound Smoother – a damper inside the piston pin to reduce diesel clatter noise. The improved engine will be progressively rolled out in other Mazda diesel models.
Prices of the
all-new CX-5 start from RM134,205
 for the base model 2.0G petrol GL 2WD. Petrol variants tops out at RM160,596 for the 2.5G petrol GLS 2WD, gaining leather seats, metal and wood trimmings, LED headlamps and tail lamps, and autonomous emergency braking (Smart City Brake Support, SCBS). The range topping 2.2D diesel GLS 2WD and 4WD’s LED headlamps gain adaptive function while safety kit is beefed up by i-ActiveSense. The two variants are priced at RM164,179 and RM174,779 respectively.


Can You Imagine if Stellantis Owned Proton Instead...

Could Proton have survived on its own or be where they are now if they were owned by PSA and not instead by DRB Hicom-Geely?

Three years ago, around February 2017, Geely and PSA (now know as Stellantis due to their merger with Fiat Chrysler) went on a bidding war to acquire a wee little Malaysian automaker called Proton - not so wee to us Malaysians of course but wee globally.

While PSA's (makers of Peugeot and Citroen) main aim was to buy Proton and utilise their Tanjung Malim plant (the plant can produce a quarter of a million cars a year) as part of their SEA expansion plan, an unfamiliar brand called Geely from China wanted to make Proton great again and promised to try their best to make Proton the number one automotive brand in Malaysia as well as a top-three brand in ASEAN.

Malaysians being patriotic as usual of course accepted the bid from the one that promised to make Proton great again, and although they were not that experienced or prominent in the automotive world, they did have one secret weapon, and that weapon was Volvo.

Geely acquired Volvo from FORD motor company for 1.8 billion USD in 2010, and after five years of shuffling, reorganising and developing, they brought out a car in 2015 we all know now as the second generation Volvo XC90.

That car was a revelation. It was the first of the large-sized SUVs to come with a hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which you see more regularly now. When the XC90 made its debut, it really was a bit of a shocker, because Volvo had produced something futuristic. Only Volvo and a parent company that is understanding of its purpose would allow such a creation.

This really did put Geely on the map because if it wasn't for them and their understanding of what Volvo wanted to do, no such innovation would come out of Volvo - that's a dig at you FORD! The belief is, although Geely owned Volvo Cars, they simply didn't meddle with the Volvo team, but instead gave them the funding to go forward.

Although the purchase of Volvo was Geely's move to internationalise themselves, Volvo has never been in better shape. According to Bloomberg Business, "Volvo has an operating profit of $1.76 billion - a record for the 91-year-old company - with revenue of $26.3 billion".

This really did prove Geely's prowess in handling an automotive company, after all, they are the only non-state funded automobile company in China, so they did have to grow the hard way.

Now that Volvo is doing well and underway to become great again, can Geely emulate the same success with Proton? So far, it looks like a good marriage for Proton, and really, it's all thanks to Volvo once again.

Alright, there was a misconception that the Proton X70 was a bloodline of a Volvo car, but in reality, it was mostly a bloodline of Geely's vehicles. Did it matter? No, because everyone was just excited to know that a Proton product had the influence of Volvo.

The upcoming Proton X50 has more of a connection with Volvo than the X70. The CMA platform which the X50 is built upon is a joint venture with Volvo cars and Geely, which explains why there is such a big hype around it. It is the platform that the XC40 is built on.  The more Volvo you can shove in there, the better it seems to be apparently.

The question is, would we Malaysians have been so accepting of Geely had Volvo's name been taken out of the equation? Would people be this excited about the X50 if it was all Geely? Truth be told, it doesn't really matter because we are where we are because of fate and thank God it is the one where Proton has Volvo and Geely on their side.

Can you imagine if PSA had won the bid instead? They would have just used Proton for their factories and forgotten about actually helping Proton grow along the way. They would have probably done things such as rebadging the 208 into an Iriz. After all, Proton would have needed to compete for attention from a company that produced, Citroens, Peugeots, Opels, Vauxhall and more. Priority wise, where do you think Proton would have come in among these 'somewhat' iconic brands?

It is what it is, and we're genuinely happy that Proton is up on the rise because as fellow Malaysians, we too hold the brand close to our hearts but do you think Proton could have grown and clawed their way back from the oblivion without Geely? Would people be excited about their cars like they are now?

Let us know what you think.

It just felt like yesterday that Malaysians associated Chinese car brands with poor quality and cheap thrills, but invertedly, Geely and Proton have helped fix that reputation.


KLIMS 2018: All-New Hyundai Santa-Fe Unveiled In Malaysia, Estimated From RM 188,000

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has just unveiled the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe at the ongoing 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow (KLIMS 2018).
The fourth generation 7-seater Santa-Fe carries the brand’s new identity for its SUV line-up. The cascading front grille blends with stylish ultra-slim DRL cluster at the extreme edges of the bonnet.
The lighting clusters in the middle meanwhile consists of the LED head lamps and turn indicators that are vertically stacked.
A longer wheelbase between the four 19-inch wheels creates a bold stance of the all-new Santa Fe (model code TM) as well as increasing comfort for all occupants. Compared to its predecessor, the fourth generation Santa Fe has stretched the wheelbase by 65 millimetres.
The interior now features more soft-touch materials and added features such as a 7-inch digital instrument panel and another 7-inch floating-type touchscreen infotainment display.
Access to the third-row has been improved courtesy of a one-touch switch that simultaneously folds the backrest and slides the bench forward.
Other key features in the all-new Santa Fe include:
6 airbags
HTRAC dynamic all-wheel drive (2.2 Diesel only)
Rear Occupant Alert
Smart power tail gate
Rear View Monitor
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
HSDM is offering the all-new Santa Fe with a choice of two powertrains: 2.4 MPi Petrol (172 PS / 225 Nm) 2WD and 2.2 Diesel (193 PS / 440 Nm) HTRAC AWD. One key feature of the turbocharged diesel mill is the transmission that now features 8 forward ratios.
MD of HSDM, Mr Low Yuan Lung said, “The many qualities that made the third generation Santa Fe a success was naturally retained. However, there are many new additions and upgrades to the fourth generation Santa-Fe that substantially raises the bar.”
“It is an outstanding testament to Hyundai’s constant improvement on design, safety, performance, spaciousness, user experience, and technology.” added Low.
HSDM was also proud to announce that the vehicle is now open for booking at all dealers with an estimated price of RM 188,000. At the point of purchase, the all-new Santa Fe comes with a five-year or 300,000-kilometre warranty with a free service package of up to 50,000 kilometres or the first 36 months of ownership.