2016 Porsche Macan GTS Quick Review – Putting the Sport in 'Sport Utility Vehicle'

It is a strange world we live in today when an SUV is regarded to be the pinnacle of motoring luxury. A world where families prefer an oversized and tall pseudo-offroader for their trip to the neighbourhood shops, and the most desirable cars in the market are those curiosities with an elevated ride and a compromised coupé bodyshell. There is even one that is able to lap the Nurbürgring in under 8 minutes, if that strikes your fancy.
Though there is an SUV for everyone today, the Sport Utility Vehicle genre – rather ironically – is far from having one that is sporty. Yes there are fast SUVs, and plenty that look fast, but they aren’t ‘sporty’. Try as hard as they might, and shoehorn bigger engines as they may, SUVs don’t deliver the exhilaration of driving, that gift of connecting the driver to the road. So can Porsche do any better with their latest SUV number, the Macan GTS?
2016 Porsche Macan GTS Specifications
Engine: 2,997cc turbocharged V6
Max Power: 360hp @ 6,000rpm
Max Torque: 500Nm @ 1,650 – 4,000rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 5 seconds (with the Sport Chrono package)
Top Speed: 256km/h
Combined Fuel Consumption: 9.2L/100km
Date of Malaysian Introduction: 2016
Now we have said it before, Porsche’s SUVs are remarkably good to drive on the road, perhaps the best of the breed. But at the end of the day they are remarkably good as far as SUVs go. For those of  us who like our rides to be agile, responsive to our whims, and connected to the road, Porsche’s elephantine Cayenne and its smaller sibling, the Macan, is still a little too cumbersome, a little too inelegant for our tastes. Both were SUVs that were desperately trying to be something it is physically not capable of being, and isn’t quite there.
So when Porsche rolled out the Macan GTS I couldn’t help stop my eyes from rolling as well. For those of you who don’t know, the
GTS
 moniker in Porsche’s speak today means an
S
 variant that has its ride height lowered, power and torque bumped up, a barking exhaust fitted, and black highlights on the outside. For Porsche the
GTS
 tag is reserved for the sportiest, most driver-involving variation of Porsche’s model range that doesn’t have a direct input from Porsche’s Motorsports division. Each and every one of Porsche’s mainstream model range has one, from the Boxster to the Panamera, so it is only natural there will be a Macan GTS.
As expected, the aforementioned
GTS
 changes are found on the Macan. Power from the Macan S’ 3-litre turbocharged V6 engine has been bumped up by 20hp and 40Nm to a grand total of 360hp and 500Nm. 0 to 100km/h times on the other hand are squeezed from 5.4 seconds on the Macan S to 5 seconds flat on the GTS, while top speed inches up from 254km/h to 256km/h.
It’s not quite as fast as the range-topping Macan Turbo’s 0 to 100km/h time of 4.8 seconds and 266km/h top speed, but the
GTS
is always cantered towards the driver rather than challenging the
Turbo
place in sitting atop the Top Trumps’ pecking order in top speed. Porsche has also reworked the Macan S’ exhaust system, giving it throaty throb at idle and a glorious growl when the engine is stoked.
The interior too is a treat if you prefer your fittings to be motorsports-inspired cool with the GTS guise getting GTS sports seats trimmed in the centre in Alcantara leather. Porsche’s recent of adoption of Apple’s new CarPlay infotainment integration system makes its debut on the Macan range in the GTS. The new touchscreen operated system works superbly well with iOS powered devices, and is just as intuitive to use as expected of an Apple product.
The only part of the
GTS
treatment on the Macan that I don’t quite find quite convincing is its variant specific suspension tuning that lets it sit 15mm lower as compared to the Macan S. Porsche says this is to give it a slightly lower centre of gravity, a sharper edge in terms of handling. But surely that 15mm lower ride height is more of a token change, a pinch out of its towering size, which shouldn’t really count for much when you are talking about an object that stands 1,624mm tall and weighs nearly two tonnes.
Unsurprisingly being 15mm closer to the ground didn’t really change the game, and while an additional 20hp is nice to have, with the extra 40Nm of twist giving the Macan GTS a stronger low-end surge, its power bump didn’t really elevate the Macan GTS bar of performance over its lesser siblings. The Macan S was already blessed with a flawless drivetrain, quick in the straights and good in the corners. The GTS might have a faster turn of speed when you gun, sits little bit closer to the ground. But the changes are as noticeable in the same way a lardy chap is a bit quicker in a sprint race now that he is wearing a lighter sleeveless shirt. So forgive my initial scepticism.
It is only when you show it some corners where the GTS’ newly minted character shines through the woodwork. Handling is what the Macan family does best, but the GTS adds a new dimension to the formula.
To amend their inherent problem of being tall and heavy, most SUVs would have to adopt a stiffer suspension to counter body roll and pitch, in hopes of hiding evidence of its flab, which often results in a character that doesn’t engage drivers. More often than not cornering in an SUV feels as though you are manhandling it, fighting its very nature instead of working with your rhythm and flow. As for the Macan GTS, Porsche’s engineers had reworked the suspension tuning, and has introduced a little more play in the suspension, giving it a more involving character that doesn’t seem to be at odds with you.
Porsche says the Macan GTS’ shock absorbers and anti-roll bars have been tuned to give a ‘tail heavy’ impression to the drive, and you know what? It works. Instead of the usual SUV trait of barrelling into every corner like a barnstorming rhinoceros, the Macan GTS leans in with you, its body responding positively to your inputs. Tip the nose into a corner and you do get the distinct impression that the Macan GTS’ tail is sitting into the bend, pinning its round rump down while leaving you the freedom to dial in fine course corrections up front. It’s hard to elaborate, but the best way to sum it up is that the Macan GTS is a very intuitive SUV to drive.
As it is for a Porsche SUV, drive can be sent to al four the Macan GTS’ paws, though under normal circumstances all of its power gets doled out through the rear wheels. Should the front need to pull the nose into line, the electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch transfer case would be able to direct as much as all of its power to the front wheels. This lends the Macan GTS a very pointy and precise nature, allowing you to carve out neat lines through any corner.
I might have only had a short stint behind the wheel of the Macan GTS, but that was enough for me to confidently say that Porsche has cracked it. The Macan GTS doesn’t try to deliver on the ‘sportiness’ billing by following the simple route of simply adding more power and speed.
‘Sportiness’ is something else, something unquantifiable. It is that ability to deliver excitement and connection with the driver, and by tweaking the Macan’s already impressive formula, and hitting the mark spot on, the GTS is truly the Sports SUV that the whole genre has been lacking. Trust Porsche to hit the right spot.


The Peugeot 3008’s 5+5 Warranty and Free Maintenance is ownership on Easy Mode

The ownership journey of any car can vary from either turbulent, wholly pleasant, or any point in between, but in every one of those cases, it’s usually one filled with some degree of emotion. However, peace of mind is not something that
Peugeot Malaysia
 feels buyers should have to compromise, especially if it overshadows the sensation and excitement of a brand new car.

This is why the
new Peugeot 3008 1.6T Allure for 2022
 (as well as every other model in the line up) comes as standard with a leading warranty and after sales package that puts owners at ease, delivering a 5 year manufacturer’s warranty as well as 5 years free maintenance, including labour, parts, and lubricants.

While other manufacturers don’t quite go as far, the ownership experience for the French crossover is designed to be paved with ease, comfort, and security under new local distributors Bermaz Auto Alliance, whose focus is to ensure worry-free repairs and maintenance performed by highly trained certified technicians, as well as swift customer service throughout - and beyond - your time with the brand.

The 3008 has established itself as a frontrunner in its wildly competitive segment through a combination of innovative technology and design,
an athletically stylish exterior
 that never fails to captivate, and a multiple award-winning powertrain.

Propelling the 3008 is a 1.6-litre turbocharged THP direct-injected petrol four-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, engineered to marry effortless power, efficiency, and refinement. It produces a stout 165PS and 240Nm of torque while returning an average fuel consumption of just 7.9-litres/100km.

Anyone who has experienced the 3008 will most likely be most awed by the cabin, a medley of plush materials, ergonomic principles, and light - in no small part enhanced by the panoramic sunroof.

Facing the driver is the tiered Peugeot i-Cockpit that seamlessly and effectively delivers at-a-glance information while maintaining great all-round visibility, consisting of a 10-inch centrally perched touchscreen and an expansive 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with integrated heads-up display.

Practicality is one of the 3008’s main plusses too with enough boot space to swallow up to 591-litres of cargo space, expandable to an impressive 1,670-litres with the second-row seats folded. The Peugeot is clearly a consummate contender in the SUV space, but one that also ensures customer peace of mind and a worry-free ownership experience for years to come.

For more information on the 3008 or other cars in Peugeot’s Malaysian line up, visit
www.peugeot.com.my
 or visit any of their dealerships nationwide.


Nissan To Suspend Key Project With Daimler

Partnerships need to be beneficial for all parties involved. Reuters has
reported that internal sources
 say Nissan is halting the joint development of luxury cars with Mercedes-Benz for the time being as their luxury brand, Infiniti, hasn't been performing as well as they've hoped. The MFA2 platform was jointly funded by the two companies, but the unrealistic targets set by Infiniti for product volume meant that they could not reach an agreement on the deal.
The two companies have been working together for six years now, but changes in poltical and economic climates as well as unexpected results have seen the conditions change greatly. Some internal sources have said that part of the collapse of this deal can be attributed to Trump's intent on penalizing Mexican imports; the two companies have a shared factory in Mexico where they intended to produce this platform, and having high taxation would heavily hurt sales.
But the more pressing matter is that Infiniti is not doing as well globally as they hoped, especially given their performance in the mid-to-late 2000s. Despite a record sales figure of 230,000 cars globally through 2016, it simply isn't enough to justify the introduction of the MFA2 platform. Their last step forward was the adapting of Mercedes-Benz' A-Class platform for use in the Q30 and QX30, although their planned Q40 and other future Mercedes-Benz based Infinitis have been put on hold indefinitely. The cost to adapt Mercedes-Benz products and technologies has become obstructively high for Infiniti, meaning that they would no longer be competitive in the luxury car market.
But beyond this partnership, the Renault-Nissan Alliance has plenty of other deals to work through. Their acquisition of Mitsubishi Motors is also going to lead some interesting shared products, and the other joint-ventures between Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti will remain. Even internally, Infiniti has some great new engines and technology to put into place with their latest and greatest products- and hopefully it will help to push sales back up to their expected levels.


New Volkswagen Jetta Open For Booking

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has opened its order books for the incoming Volkswagen Jetta.
Slated for launch later this month, the Jetta will be made available in three model variants – Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, with an estimated price of between RM110,000 to RM130,000 sans insurance and registration fees.
Under the hood is a new 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged direct-injection engine that is mated with a 7-speed direct shift gearbox, delivering an output of 150PS and 250Nm of torque between 1,500 to 3,500rpm. The pre-facelift model's engine combined a supercharger and turbocharger, whereas the new unit will rely only on turbocharging alone, much like the
VW Golf (Mk 7) 1.4 TSI
.
The new Jetta has also been officially recognized as an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) courtesy of its start/stop and regenerative braking functions.
The key safety features in the new Jetta include six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS), and hill-hold control.
Volkswagen’s new Jetta will be made available in four colours - Candy White, Platinum Grey, Reflex Silver and Deep Black.


Shell V-Power In Formula One

2015 marks the second year of Formula One’s latest turbo-powered era and when it comes to the fuel used today, it couldn’t be more different to that which ran through the veins of the turbo cars back in the 1980s. The fuel contained toluene, lead and manganese additives, which was a far cry from the product sold at Shell forecourts.
However, Formula One has moved with the times and today’s regulations mandate more representative formulations and far greater efficiency. In fact, the Shell V-Power race fuel used in the V6 Ferrari engine contains at least 99% of the same types of compounds normally used in the Shell V-Power Unleaded road fuels available to Shell’s customers around the world.
The 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged power units, which incorporate revolutionary hybrid engines with Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) have to last a race distance on 30-40 percent less fuel than was allowed up until the end of 2013. This has presented Shell scientists with the demanding task of formulating a race fuel that delivers the right balance of power, performance and energy efficiency. As a result, the new Shell V-Power race fuels, combined with the ERS, make the SF15-T one of the most efficient Scuderia Ferrari Formula One cars ever built. Adding to Formula One’s move towards greater energy efficiency is the fact that regulations demand that all fuels contain 5.75 percent biofuel by mass, an area of intense development area for the Shell scientists.

The sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA,) is serious in its desire to make motorsport more relevant in a world of changing energy resources. For 2015, last year’s already tight limit allowing each driver to use only five power units during the course of the Formula One season has been reduced to just four, even though the number of Grands Prix has increased from 19 to 20. It is the job of the Shell lubricants, including Shell Helix Ultra, to protect the engines within these difficult restrictions but the Shell V-Power fuels also contribute to keeping them in tip-top condition throughout their life.

Shell’s fuels are also formulated to actively reduce friction by introducing Shell’s Friction Modification Technology (also found in Shell Helix Ultra lubricants). It is this technology that has enabled Shell to help power Scuderia Ferrari to 10 FIA Formula One World ChampionshipTM Constructors’ Titles and 12 Drivers’ Titles.
“The technology in Shell V-Power Unleaded for the road comes directly from the work we are doing in Formula One with Ferrari but that’s not the end of the process – far from it. In Formula One you are always pushing for that little bit of extra performance and that’s a philosophy we also apply to our road-going products. At Shell, we never believe our job is done – we always look to improve.”


Cyclist Hit And Run On Jalan Kinabalu: Is It Legal To Cycle On 'Jalan Raya'?

We've seen the images, we've seen the videos and while it is clear who is at fault, is it however, legal for the cyclist to have been cycling on Jalan Kinabalu?

With the increased interest in road cycling in Malaysia, it's no surprise that yet another accident has occurred involving a cyclist and a car.

In an incident on Jalan Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, a cyclist was hit from the back by a red vehicle, which continued to drive away after the collision.

The 33-year-old cyclist, who works at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, suffered light injuries and reported the accident at the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department police station.

This accident gained attention following a viral video that showed that the driver of the red vehicle was clearly distracted, where he slowly veered off to the side of the road before clambering into the back of the cyclist. The driver then acted like nothing had happened and proceeded to drive off afterward.

While the video footage clearly showed that the driver was in the wrong and that there are no two ways about it, it has to be said that the cyclists should also be partially blamed for the accident as he was cycling on a tight and busy road during the morning rush hour.

As said by Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Deputy Comm Datuk Azisman Alias at the beginning of the year, the police do not prohibit cycling activities on the road, but cyclists are advised to choose a suitable location and time for cycling such as in an area with fewer vehicles and not during peak hours where people travel to and from work.

"Aktiviti berbasikal di jalan raya boleh mengganggu kelancaran lalu lintas kerana kenderaan lain turut menggunakan laluan sama dan boleh mengundang risiko kemalangan. Aktiviti itu dilihat mendatangkan bahaya kepada penunggang basikal itu sendiri serta pengguna jalan raya yang lain", said Azisman as reported by BHonline.

While we are totally on the side of the 33-year-old victim, his route choice for what seems like a commute to work is not the wisest, especially when Jalan Kinabalu is known to be one the busiest, tightest roads in the capital.

Being fans of cycling ourselves, cyclists should really consider the route they want to ride on, as it could be the difference
between life and death
. It's better to choose quieter roads, even if it means going the long way around to reach a destination. We're just glad to see that the victim got away with light injuries.

Image credit: M.n. Adzhar Facebook

The police have managed to track down the motorist involved in the accident and have brought him in for questioning to help with their investigation of the hit and run accident. While the police have decided to let the man go after his statement was taken, his vehicle did not leave as they have confiscated it for further investigation.

Just as a reminder, the
Malaysian highway code state
 that cyclist should avoid roads where other vehicles travel at fast speeds. The Malaysian Highway code states under Rule 66 that a cyclist should "Always seek and use the safest route. Keep out of heavy traffic as much as possible. Avoid highways in particular, and fast traffic in general."


30 Years Since Volvo’s 240 Turbo ‘Flying Brick’ Reigned In Europe

Who could forget the iconic
Volvo 240
 of the 1970s? Renowned for its straightforward angular shape and construction that was tougher than brickwork, it was certainly well deserving of its popular nickname here, the ‘Swedish Tank’. Not quite the type of car one would expect to forge a career in motorsports, but race the 240 the Swedes did, and a trackside legend it did become.
Now, before you think that racing a Volvo 240 was some sort of joke that became successful half way through, you couldn’t be further from the truth. By the time the Volvo 240 came to market in the 1970s, there was already a strong following for
Volvo
 cars amongst the rallying community. Volvo cars were respected amongst participants for their robustness and reliability.
The seeds for the 240’s entry into track competition was sown in 1981 when Volvo launched the 240 Turbo, a family car equipped with a robust 2.1-litre turbocharged engine that generated 155hp, and was capable of delivering a 0 to 100km/h time of 9 seconds with a top speed of 195km/h. Impressive figures for a family car of its time, and its estate-bodied counterpart was even recognised as the world’s fastest estate.
A year later the International Group A racing regulations was introduced. The regulations allowed cars for competition to be taken directly from the assembly line, with only a limited number of modifications, and at least 5,000 examples of the model in question were being built each year. On top of those requirements, the model had to have at least four seats with the minimum weight related to engine capacity. These regulations suited the 240 Turbo perfectly.
From Family Car to Race Car
To be comply with the racing regulations, Volvo had to fulfil the homologation requirement of 500 examples of the race car for customers. As such Volvo is said to have built 500 two-door Volvo 240 Turbo Evolution models, though the actual number became a source of controversy and was a hotly debated subject amongst enthusiasts. Nevertheless those special road-going 240 Turbo Evolution models came with a bigger turbocharger with an intercooler, and a rear spoiler. Power output was said to be at 157hp, though the race cars were definitely pushing out way more power than their road-going counterparts.
Though the 240 Turbo was no slouch on the road, the racing version had aluminium cylinder heads and forged pistons, connecting rods and crankshafts. Its fuel injection system used a custom-built K-jetronic system and the Garrett turbocharger was cranked up to 1.5bar. Power from the 2.1-litre engine now stood at around 300hp with top speed raised to 260km/h.
Its new found performance gave these ‘Flying Bricks’ as they were popularly known, the speed and pace to bring the fight to the likes of the Rover 3500 V8 and BMW 635CSi, cars with boasted big displacement engines.
With power taken care of, Volvo’s engineers got around to reducing weight with lighter doors and bonnet that were made using thinner gauge metal than what was being used in the production cars, whereas the rear axle was made to be 6kg lighter. Braking power was taken care of by ventilated disc brakes with four-piston callipers, and thanks to a rapid refuelling system, pit crews were able to refuel the car with 120-litres of high octane race fuel in just 20 seconds.
Volvo Takes on Europe on the Track
Volvo’s official foray into Group A racing began in 1984. While racing was handled by privateer teams, Volvo themselves were responsible for the racing car’s construction and ensuring that the required components were uniform.
In its first year of racing, the participating teams manage to bag two wins, a European Touring Car Championship (ETC) race win in Zolder, Belgium, and another win at the first season of the German DTM at the Norisring track.
The following year, Volvo expanded their racing effort to two teams, both of whom were contracted to operate as a factory team. This decision was intended not only to beat the competition, but also to compete against each other.
The Swiss Eggenberger Motorsports team, which won at Zolder the year before, returned to the ETC under the name of Volvo Dealer Team Europe, and competed with Volvo’s second team in the championship, Sweden’s Magnum Racing. In addition to the ETC campaign, the team of IPS Motorsports competed in the DTM.
The 240 Turbo Group A racers were a formidable force, and by the close of the 1985 season of the ETC, Volvo had already racked up six victories out of the season’s 14 races, with drivers Thomas Lindström and Gianfranco Brancatelli taking the championship. There was also reason to celebrate on the DTM front with Per Stureson of IPS Motorsport to take the championship after one race victory and five podium finishes. Besides ETC and DTM, Volvo also took touring car championship glory in Finland, Portugal, and New Zealand, while a 240 Turbo won the Scottish rally championship.
The story of the 240 Turbo doesn’t end after their stellar season. The 240 Turbo would continue on a stellar racing career, with significant racing success in Europe and Australia. Even though Volvo would officially pull out of racing in 1986, privateer teams continued to race the 240 Turbo right up until 1990. A stellar carrer for a car that nobody would have guess, would be capable of racing, much less winning them.


Ministry Of Transport To E-Hailing Services: Why Suddenly So Mahal?

In the face of public backlash from disgruntled users, Grab and other e-hailing services have been called out by the Transport Ministry to explain recent price hikes.

Once touted as a feasible means of transport alternative to ownership of a personal vehicle,
e-hailing services
 (but let’s be honest, it’s mainly Grab) have been under fire recently for their excessive high prices to the point that
usage of metered taxis
 have spiked.

It’s been an open secret that e-hailing service Grab has been hiking up prices both for peak hour and non-peak hour rides, making any of us think twice about using them to get from A to B, even in a pinch. This same concern was raised ad nauseam when the Singapore-based company
bought out rival Uber’s Southeast Asian business
.

Free from having to wage a price war against their primary competitor, Grab has evidently been executing a plan to squeeze as much out of their users as possible. The Transport Ministry has likely caught wind of this, as we have, at a much earlier date, but have now officially requested an explanation.

According to
Bernama
, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, through the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) said: “A fare increase from RM20 to RM70 in the current situation is certainly a burden to the people, so I think as a policymaker, we will see if any party is taking advantage to make a profit. I’ve asked APAD to review, and to ask the companies to explain what really happened,”

"In a day or two, I expect them to give an explanation so that we can see in terms of what we should do and whether to encourage more competition.”

Reportedly service fares have increased by up to 400 percent during peak hours in addition to the steady increase in base journey pricing. This has fuelled persistent discontent among the Malaysian public, who have called for government intervention.

Wee added that the Ministry will not tolerate any company found to be taking advantage of the increased movement post-MCO by increasing fares or those seeking blind profit through cut-throat pricing that burdens the people.

It’s unclear at this point if APAD or the MOT has any real authority to render upon such services that operate as for-profit businesses. It ultimately falls onto the e-hailing users themselves to vote with our own wallets.


Lynk & Co – New Car Brand Launched By Geely

China’s Geely Auto Group has officially launched Lynk & Co, a new automotive brand catered for the global market catered for the needs and tastes of the connected generation.
Designed and engineered in Sweden, Lynk & Co leverages on Geely’s ownership of
Volvo
 to utilize the Swedish firm’s
Compact Modular Architecture (CMA)
 to underpin its first generation of models.
In establishing its brand identity as a modern tech-savvy marque, every Lynk & Co model will feature electrified powertrains and will have full connectivity as standard.
The brand is also embracing open API software coding to encourage developers to create apps that can be downloaded into the vehicle’s infotainment system.
Besides providing fitment of advanced features, Lynk & Co also seeks to reinvent the car buying and ownership process. The traditional method of configuring a vehicle line-up by trim levels is replaced by a series of ‘fixed-price collections’ that consumers can specify into their vehicle.
Similar to the Tesla Motors business model, Lynk & Co aims to sell its vehicles direct from manufacturer to consumer, offering a high degree of personalization and competitive pricing.
Sales of Lynk & Co are planned to start in 2017 beginning with China followed by Europe and the United States.


Volkswagen Has Created A Powerbank For EV Cars

In what could be one of the most important developments to contribute the EV car ecosystem, and perhaps the future of electrified mobility itself, Volkswagen has just given us the first glimpse of its proprietary mobile charging station for EV cars.
Essentially a powerbank for electric cars – the mobile quick charging station, created by Volkswagen Group Components, offers a flexible and cost-effective option to expand the charging infrastructure wherever it is needed – for example, in public parking lots in the city, on company premises, or as a temporary charging point at large-scale events.
Fully juiced up, the charging capacity of up to 360 kWh enables recharging of up to 15 EV cars, and thanks to quick charging technology the charging process only takes 17 minutes on average.
If the energy content of the charging station is less than 20 percent, the depleted unit is simply exchanged for a charged one. If, however, it is permanently attached to the power grid with up to 30 kW via alternating current, the battery pack perpetually recharges itself.
In case the charging process is powered by renewable energy – such as solar or wind energy – the charging station allows the temporary storage of generated power, thereby achieving CO2-neutral mobility.
Charging stations can be set up at strategic points around a city without any structural changes or major financial outlay, and be accessed by EV users via the internet or mobile apps. Each charging station enables DC quick charging of up to 100 kW. In addition to electric cars, e-bikes can also be charged. Up to four vehicles can be charged simultaneously: two with DC and two with AC connections.
If the charging station is connected to the power grid, the charging station can be programmed for time-independent charging, thereby only drawing power from the grid at non-peak hours to reduce the strain on the power grid.
The mobile charging column is based on the battery pack of the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB). The MEB like the VW’s MQB, is a scalable platform for future EV vehicles, such as the
I.D. Vizzion prototype
.
Because of the modular nature of the MEB battery packs, once a used EV battery is removed from the vehicle, it can subsequently be passed a thorough an analysis process, and then be reused in the mobile charging station.
The first mobile quick charging stations will be set up as early as the first half of 2019 in Volkswagen’s hometown, Wolfsburg, as part of a pilot project, and will support the expansion of charging infrastructure in the urban area. Production of the mobile charging stations is slated to start in 2020.


AirAsia To Offer Electric ‘Air Taxi’ Service With Vertical VX4 Aircraft

Here’s something unexpected: AirAsia is planning to lease 100 electric
vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft
 to perform short distance hop flights through its ride sharing service. But can it be afforable?

The lease itself is part of a deal struck with Avolon who themselves placed a 500 unit order from the startup aircraft manufacturer Vertical Aerospace with one fifth of that allocation bound for Malaysia.

Called the VX4, the unique zero-emissions VTOL aircraft dispenses with the need for a runway and, obviously, takes off vertically via its articulating rotors mounted on fixed wings.

With electric propulsion tech is
supplied by Rolls Royce
 and total output rated at
1 megawatt (or 1,341 horsepower)
, the VX4 is capable of speeds of up to 325km/h and has a claimed range of 160km and can carry 4 passengers as well as a pilot.

Tony Fernandes said in a statement: “I am truly excited about this partnership between Avolon and AirAsia and the potential for zero-emissions ultra-short-haul air travel in Southeast Asia. The digital era is now. In the VX4, we have identified what we believe will be the eVTOL aircraft of choice and we are thrilled to be the launch airline for the aircraft in Southeast Asia,”

“We are also delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with Avolon, which has a proven track record of delivering for its customers and is in sync with our goal to become
the leading one stop travel and delivery platform
 in ASEAN.”

With test flights due to commence as early as April, AirAsia’s newly minted parent company Capital A is optimistic that regulators in Malaysia and Singapore will be quick to approve the VX4 and its new short-distance flights for operation with countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines taking more time.

Fernandes emphasised that these eVTOL flights were meant “for everyone” and not only accessible to the wealthy despite the precedent set by personal aircraft such as private jets and short distance helicopter travel.

Bookings can presumably be made via AirAsia’s mobile app as you would for their
traditional ride sharing service
 and it will be interesting to contrast the price between booking a journey in a car to one where an aircraft descends from the sky.

Lots is still unknown about how exactly this service will work and if there really is a market for it. Journeys will need to be spaced out more widely as the eVTOL aircraft will still need space to land, and given its 160km range it presumably could work more like a (super) short haul airline rather than a ride hailing vehicle.


Tokyo 2017: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross – The Compact Outlander

Unveiled in February at Geneva, Mitsubishi’s latest compact crossover – the Eclipse Cross made its Japanese debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last week.
Measuring 4,405 mm long, 1,805 mm wide and 1,685 mm tall with a wheelbase length of 2,670 mm, the compact SUV is slightly bigger than the ASX in case you’re wondering how big it is.
It is 110 mm longer, 35 mm wider and 60 mm taller than the ASX, but wheelbase length is the same for both.
Inspired by the XR-PHEV concept, the Eclipse Cross’ exterior design; especially the front fascia and the lines of the side remind us of the Outlander SUV, if not the new Pajero Sport not currently offered in Malaysia.
While exterior features of the Eclipse Cross includes LED headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, full-width LED light bar in the rear, and LED high-mount stop on the exterior, goodies in the cabin include a folding head-up display, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a touch pad controller, paddle shifters, 60:40 split folding seats, as well as sonar parking sensors among others.
On the safety front, Mitsubishi has equipped the compact SUV with Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Warning system (BSW) with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, 360-degree camera, and Automatic High Beam (AHB).
Mitsubishi is offering two engine options for the Eclipse Cross - One is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 163 PS and 250 Nm of torque, while the other is a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine developing 150 PS and 400 Nm of torque.
The petrol engine sends the drive to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission (2WD) or a CVT (4WD). The diesel model on the other hand has an 8-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system as standard.
Produced in Mitsubishi’s plant in Nagoya, Japan, the Eclipse Cross’ sales is expected to begin next month.


Orion to Campro – A Brief History of Proton’s Engines

Having witnessed the first cranking of Proton’s new engine yesterday, we feel it’s time to indulge in a little nostalgia and have a lookback at the various engines which our national company had used during its 30 over years in business.
Mitsubishi 4G13 & 4G15
Usage:
First gen Saga (1985-2007)
,
Wira (1993-2009)
,
Satria (1994-2006)
,
Arena (2002-2010)
Mitsubishi’s venerable Orion engine family in its 1.3- and 1.5-litre displacement configurations was the backbone of Proton’s line-up for over twenty years. Early models were carburettor-fed and had only 8 valves. The most common version of the engine had 12 valves as introduced during the 1991 Saga Megavalve facelift. The engine was carried over to the Wira in 1993 with electronic fuel injection introduced from 1998 onwards.

Mitsubishi 4G92
Usage:
Wira 1.6 (1993-2000)
,
Satria 1.6 (1994-2000)
Proton’s first engine with 16 valves. The Mitsubishi 4G92 as introduced in the Wira 1.6 was a major advancement over the 1.5-litre 4G15 used in the lower models. Early versions were reportedly tuned with outputs as high as 118hp, although most official Proton accounts state outputs of just 111hp, which is still impressive for the time. The engine was completely dropped from the line-up in 2000, just before Proton introduced the Waja.
Mitsubishi 4G63
Usage:
Perdana (1995-1998)
Proton’s first venture into the D-segment was powered by an engine that shares its block with the Mitsubishi Evo. But unlike the turbocharged 4G63T used in Mitsubishi’s rally hero, the Perdana’s 2.0-litre 4G63P was a much simpler powerplant, being naturally-aspirated and operating only a single camshaft, although it still had 16 valves and electronic fuel injection.
PSA TU series
Usage: Tiara (1996-2000)
Not a chapter of its own history that Proton is keen to revisit. The one-off Proton Tiara was a hastily rebadged Citroen AX that ran on a 1.1-litre petrol engine from the PSA Group. There were further plans for 1.4-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel variants to follow, but lack of interest in the model killed those ambitions; for the better, perhaps.
Mitsubishi 4G91
Usage: Wira 1.5 (export spec)
The Mitsubishi 4G91 1.5 DOHC engine is a popular halfcut transplant among Wira owners, but there was a very small number of export-spec Wiras that actually rolled out from Proton’s factory with this engine installed.
Mitsubishi 4G93 SOHC & DOHC
Usage:
Wira 1.8 (1996-2000)
,
Satria GTi (1998-2004)
,
Putra (1996-2001)
Introduced in the 1996 Wira facelift, the 1.8-litre 4G93 DOHC is best known for its use in the Satria GTi as well as the Putra. In the Wira, this engine was offered in both SOHC and DOHC setups, the latter configuration famously used to power the limited-run rally homologation spec model.
Mitsubishi 4D68
Usage: Wira 2.0D (1996-2000)
Proton’s first and, to date, only use of a diesel engine that was also introduced during the 1996 facelift of the Wira. Unlike modern turbodiesel engines that we are more familiar with today, this engine was neither turbocharged nor direct injected. Performance was therefore sluggish and the model never really gained traction. A turbodiesel version was also offered for overseas markets but never sold officially in Malaysia.
Mitsubishi 6A12
Usage:
Perdana V6 (1998-2010)
, Waja Chancellor (2005-2010)
The four-cylinder 4G63’s tenure in the Perdana’s engine room was short-lived. Just three years after its introduction, Proton uprated the Perdana to incorporate six-cylinder power, plonking in the 6A12 V6 which boasted the same 2.0-litre capacity. This is the engine which the Perdana eventually became synonymous with. Among performance enthusiasts, conversion to the twin turbo version is a popular modification.
Mitsubishi 4A31
Usage:
Juara (2001-2003)
Whilst the Juara is another chapter in history which Proton would prefer to forget, this engine has the distinction of being the only one in this list to be arranged in a longitudinal configuration. The reason being is that the Juara is Proton’s only rear-wheel drive car to date.
Mitsubishi 4G18
Usage:
Waja 1.6 (2000-2006)
Loosely classified as a member of Mitsubishi’s Orion engine family, the 4G18 is nevertheless significantly different and more advanced than the 4G13 and 4G15 engines mentioned above. It’s a single cam engine with 16 valves and fuel injection. The engine is noted for its long-stroke configuration, which gave it strong low torque and good fuel economy. Also, unlike its 4G13 and 4G15 forebears used in older models which had transmissions placed on the right, the 4G18 in the Waja was installed with transmissions placed to the left.
Renault F4P
Usage:
Waja 1.8 (2002-2006)
The Waja 1.8 was supposed to mark the start of a longer term engine collaboration with Renault that would have also seen a
1.9-litre turbodiesel introduced in the Waja
. Alas, only the 1.8-litre petrol came to fruition and it was a shoddy job too. Integration of the engine to the Waja’s platform was not done properly and the car did not feel resolved as a result.
Renault D4F
Usage:
Savvy (2005-2011)
Although badged as a 1.2-litre, the Savvy’s Renault-sourced D4F four-cylinder engine displaced only 1,149cc, making it technically a 1.1- or 1.15-litre engine. Interestingly, the 1,197cc D4FT engine currently offered in the
Clio GT Line
 and
Captur TCe 120
 models is actually derived from this powerplant.
Campro S4PE & S4PH
Usage:
Gen.2 (2004-2014)
,
Waja (2006-2007)
,
Satria Neo (2006-2014)
,
Persona (2007-present)
,
Saga BLM (2008-present)
,
Preve (2012-present)
The Campro engine first debuted in the Gen.2 before spreading across the Proton range, becoming the backbone engine of the line-up. It was initially launched with 1.6-litre displacement and quickly followed by a 1.3. The engine was noted for having a lively top end, but lacking punch in the mid-range, its torque curve blighted by a famous dip at the 3,000-4,000rpm region. The 1.3-litre Saga BLM launched in 2008 had an IAFM mechanism that is said to mitigate this dip; this feature was later implemented into the 1.6-litre engine of the Persona and Gen.2, although the Waja and Neo curiously never had it. This basic version of the Campro continues to be an important engine in the line-up, powering the Saga, Persona, and Preve.
Campro CPS
Usage:
Waja (2008-2010)
,
Gen.2 (2008-2014)
,
Satria Neo (2009-2015)
,
Exora (2009-present)
What the Campro was meant to be from the start. The Campro name was derived from the Cam Profile Switching ability which the engine was meant to originally have but never successfully integrated until 2008, when the Waja and Gen.2 were both updated to receive this enhanced powertrain. Today, this version of the Campro powers only the Exora.
Mitsubishi 4B10 & 4B11
Usage:
Inspira (2010-2015)
The Proton Inspira, as we all know, is a rebadged Mitsubishi Lancer. Unlike the original, however, buyers of the Proton iteration were given a choice between 1.8- and 2.0-litre powertrains. The 1.8 was initially offered with 5-speed manual and CVT, whilst the 2.0 was CVT only. Readjustment of the line-up saw the 1.8 CVT discontinued, but we know there were plans at one stage for a manual version of the 2.0-litre model, which would have been interesting for the purists.
Campro CFE
Usage:
Exora (2012-present)
,
Preve (2012-present)
,
Suprima S (2013-present)
First introduced in the Exora, the turbocharged CFE engine was Proton’s answer to the Campro engine family’s chronic lack of torque. Fitted with intake-only variable valve timing and port fuel injection, it generates commendable outputs of 138hp and 205Nm. Unfortunately, this engine’s performance potential has never been quite fully realized – the Punch CVT attached to it is too poorly calibrated and blunts the potent outputs. The engine is also meant to go with a 6-speed manual transmission supplied by Getrag – quite why this setup has yet to see the light of day is beyond us.
Campro VVT 1.3 & 1.6
Usage:
Iriz (2015-present)
The latest iteration of the Campro engine family goes back to natural aspiration, but retains variable valve timing technology. Like the basic Campro engine, it is available in 1.3- and 1.6-litre displacements. To date, it is offered only in the
Iriz
.
Honda R20A & K24Z
Usage:
Perdana (2015-present)
The 2.0-litre R20A SOHC i-VTEC and 2.4-litre K24Z DOHC i-VTEC engines are familiar units from the
previous generation Honda Accord
, the car which inspires the new Perdana. The
current-generation Accord
 has dropped the K24Z engine in favour of a new powerplant from the Earth Dreams series engine, but the R20A remains in service. Following the announcement of
seven new engines being developed by Proton
 yesterday, there are rumours that these two engines in the upcoming Perdana will eventually be replaced by Proton’s in-house powertrains.


Kia Optima Sportswagon to make global debut in Geneva

Kia
 is all set to unveil the Optima Sportswagon, it’s first ever D-segment tourer at the upcoming 2016 Geneva Motor Show on 1 March.
Inspired by the 2015 Sportspace concept, the Optima Sportswagon aims to increase Kia’s presence in the European D-segment tourer market, according to the company.
“In Europe, two thirds of all sales in the D-segment, and three quarters of all fleet sales in this class, are made up of tourers, so the Optima Sportswagon is an important conquest product for Kia,” said Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe.
According to Kia, the Optima Sportswagon will be available with a choice of either a 1.7-litre CRDi diesel or 2.0-litre CVVL petrol engine, while the exciting GT models are equipped with the brand’s new high-powered 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine.
In terms of exterior dimensions, the Sportswagon retains the same width (1,860 mm) and length (4,855 mm) as the sedan, and grows by 5 mm in height (to 1,470 mm) to accommodate the expanded boot, which offers 553 litres of cargo space behind the second row of seats – 48 litres more than the Optima sedan.
Inside, most features are retained from the Optima sedan. The Sportswagon comes with a choice of single or two-tone colour interior schemes, Kia’s latest audio-visual navigation (AVN) system with 7.0- or 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, the Android Auto system which can support Android phones running 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher, and Apple CarPlay for iPhone 5 or newer. Kia says that both systems feature voice control and allow the driver to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road ahead at all times.
The touchscreen infotainment system is paired with a six-speaker audio system as standard, while music lovers can also specify a powerful 590-watt Harman Kardon Premium Sound system, with eight speakers, an external amplifier and subwoofer, and Clari-Fi MP3 restoration technology.
Depending on market, other available features will include the 360-degree Around View Monitor, Smart Parking Assist System (SPAS), which parks the car automatically in parallel and perpendicular spaces, and Dynamic Bending Headlamps.
In terms of safety, there is the Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) is fitted as standard, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), High Beam Assist (HBA), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), which warns against other cars driving behind the Optima in car parks while reversing.
In the ride and handling department, the Optima sedan’s fully-independent suspension hardware is carried over, but the spring, damper and alignment settings have been tweaked in the new tourer due to the difference in weight distribution, which is slightly more rear-biased.
Besides that, the front and rear subframe mounting points have been moved further out towards the edge of the vehicle for a smoother ride over uneven surfaces. Last but not least, two additional front bushing mounts have been added to increase lateral stiffness, while more robust wheel bearings complete the front suspension changes.
The Optima Sportswagon will go on sale across Europe in Q4 2016, but there has not been any official announcement on whether it will be heading our way yet. So,stay tuned for more updates.
Looking for a Kia Optima K5 Sedan? Find one at
 Carlist.my
now


Frankfurt 2015: All-New 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Revealed In Four Versions

The second generation Volkswagen Tiguan makes its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show today with three productions versions being introduced along with a plug-in hybrid concept that offers a preview on future developments of the SUV.
The four variants are - a sporty R-Line, a classic on-road model, and an off-road version tuned specifically for off-road use makes up the production versions for the all-new Tiguan. A plug-in hybrid concept comes in the form of the Tiguan GTE.
Being the first
Volkswagen
 Group SUV to adopt the MQB (modular transverse matrix) platform, the all-new Tiguan is longer (60mm more) and wider (30mm more) than the outgoing model, but is lower by 33mm as well, giving it its sleeker profile with a drag coefficient of just 0.31. Now weighing in at 50kg less than the previous model, the cargo space seen an improvement by 145 litres with a boot space of 615 litres when loaded to the back of the rear bench. When the rear seat backrests are folded, it expands to a capacity of 1,655 litres.
The new Tiguan is also designed from the groundup to accomodate a longer wheelbase version aimed at the U.S. and China markets, where such a model is preferred and it will be introduced to other specific markets as well starting in the fall of 2016.
The exterior design of the new Tiguan doesn't differ much the
official sketches released earlier
, with a sharper and more upmarket look to the SUV embodying styling aspects from previous concepts like the CrossBlue and Cross Coupe GTE. This includes slimmer headlights and more angular front bumper that sees the fog lamps respositioned below faux air intakes (not present on the GTE concept).
The rear gets new and wider tailgate design that is flanked by more aggressive and thinner LED taillights. On the GTE concept,the bumper houses trapezoidal-shaped exhaust tips over the twin pipe design of the production versions.
Inside, the cabin has been completely redesigned to reflect that of other Volkswagen models in the lineup. The instrument cluster can now be specified with a digital Active Info Display while the Composition radio system features new connectivity features with in-car online services allowing for automatic accident notification, online traffic and parking space info, and vehicle status report.
The system is part of the second generation modular infotainment matrix (MIB II) system which includes the integration of Apple and Android smartphones via App connect and for tablets using the Media Control app.
Interior space also gains a boost with 25mm added on to the Tiguan's wheelbase allowing for 28mm more knee room for passengers seated in the rear. A new three-zone climate control system, dubbed Pure Air Climatronic ensures that passengers are kept cool and free of airborne pollutants whilst inside. Volkswagen also claim that the panoramic sunroof on its all-new Tiguan is the largest in its class as well.
Powering the next generation
Volkswagen Tiguan
 are eight turbocharged, Euro-6 compliant engines with outputs ranging between 115PS to 240PS, which is not only more powerful but is claimed to be 24% more fuel efficient than in the outgoing model.
Of the eight, four of them are TSI petrol engines (125PS, 150PS, 180PS, 220PS) while the rest are TDI diesel units (115PS, 150PS, 190PS, 240PS). The base engines come in a front-wheel drive format but the other engines are available with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system as standard or as an option.
An updated 4MOTION Active Control allows adjustments to the all-wheel drive system that uses a fifth generation Haldex coupling to distribute torque to all four wheels, for better adaptability to all possible driving conditions. Trailer loads of up to 2,500kg are also within the bounds of the vehicle’s drive system.
On Tiguan 4MOTION versions, the vehicle's ground clearance is 1cm higher at 20cm. Buyers can also specify a special off-road front end package that increases the approach angle to 25.6 degress with the departure angle remaining at 24.7 degress.
Driving assistance systems offered include Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, Lane Assist and the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, all of which comes as standard. Depending on market variants, technologies like adaptive cruise control (ACC), Pre-Crash occupant proctection, Emergency Assist, and Area View can be specified as well.
Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Concept
The production versions introduced are also accompanied by a plug-in hybrid concept known as the Tiguan GTE, which is powered by a 1.4-litre TSI engine with 154hp assisted by an electric motor (powered by a 13kWh lithium-ion battery) integrated into the six-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox housing. Total system output is rated at 218PS with a claimed average fuel consumption (combined) of 1.9 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions figure of 42g/km.
Four modes for the drive system are available - E-Mode, Hybrid, Battery Charge, and GTE. On startup, the Tiguan GTE runs in E-Mode but after achieving a minimum battery charge level, it switches automatically over to the 'Hybrid' mode but the process is reversible for zero-emissions driving as well. A top speed of 130 km/h is possible on the electric motor alone.
Put it in 'GTE' mode and the concept opens up the taps to provide full system power and maximum torque. In this mode, the Tiguan GTE has a top speed of 200 km/h and manages to hit the century sprint in 8.1 seconds.


Hyundai Previews i30 Ahead of Paris 2016

Hyundai says that this new i30 will define the design language and technological standards for their next generation of products- and it's easy to understand why. Hyundai's customers have been known to choose their products over others on the basis of design, thanks in large part to Peter Schreyer, and the i30 introduces the next generation of Hyundai DNA.
It sports a large front grille that they're choosing to call the "Cascading Grille"- something that will be implemented in their other products over time. Beyond that, it's pretty par for the course as a Hyundai product: a little more exotic than the Japanese offerings, with flowing lines that manage to toe the line between interesting and tacky. It's just a shame that we wotn' be getting this hatchback here.
Beyond the alluring design, Hyundai has also gone to work in improving the dynamics and performance of this mid-sized hatchback. Let's face it: the Veloster was a little lacklustre even in its Turbo form, but hopefully Hyundai will have taken it as a learning experience. 53% of this i30's chassis is constructed with Advanced High Strength Steel, paired with steering that is now 10% quicker. Fans of the first generation i30 will remember it as being a particularly nimble car on the road, and hopefully this model will be a return to form.
The powertrain line-up consists of downsized turbocharged engines to enhance efficiency and responsiveness. Customers can choose from 1.4 T-GDI,  1.6 T-GDI and 1.6 U2 e-VGT in Korea, while three petrol engines and one 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine with three outputs are offered in Europe.
The new i30 provides technology with connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging to enhance smartphone operation and functionality while driving. Latest active safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Driver Attention Alert and Blind Spot Detection are also made available to bring the i30 in line with contemporary rivals.


First Impressions: 2022 Hyundai Staria - To Boldly Go Where No Person Has Gone Before

Hyundai Malaysia has just
officially launched
 the 2022 Hyundai Staria, and here's a first impression of the spaceship that is the Staria.

The 2022 Hyundai Staria looks like something that came out of the future. Well, pretty much all Hyundai's at the moment look like something that came out of the future. Still, the Staria in particular really does showcase Hyundai's bravery in producing something that is not contemporary and out of the future where Star Trek's Enterprise would feel at home.

According to Hyundai's distributor in Malaysia, Sime Darby Auto Hyundai, the Staria aims to be at the level of the
Toyota Alphard
. They're not even aiming for the Vellfire crowd but instead straight to the top of the luxury MPV food chain.

Yes, the exterior design might rival one of Malaysia's most sought-after luxury MPVs, but does it have enough substance to eclipse the Alphard? We took a short test drive to find out.

Exterior

The Staria is Hyundai's assault on the Luxury Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) segment. This MPV has an exterior that looks futuristic, inspired by spaceships, they say.

Because of this outlandish exterior design, we expect the 2022 Hyundai Staria to catch the attention of many potential customers, primarily because of its attractive and unique design.

If you purely look at the exterior of the 2022 Hyundai Staria, you will notice that this MPV has
presence
 on the road. Hyundai claims that their luxury MPV has the largest size among the cars in its class. The Staria has a length of 5,253 mm, a width of 1,997 mm, a height of 1,990 mm, and a ground clearance of 186 mm. In every way, the body of the Staria is more significant than the Alphard, staying true to its claims.

At the front, there is a trapezoidal grille flanked by two headlights. These headlights are unconventional as it houses eight LED cube looking things which are actually the MPV's lamps. The top two cubes are the indicators, and the ones below are responsible for illuminating the roads.

Just above the grille and headlights are these wraparound the front end day-time-running lights (DRL) which really does give the Staria this menacing look, especially when it's dark.

The appearance of the MPV has been given an elegant touch through the customisation of surface colours with shades of either tinted brass chrome or dark grey chrome, which you can choose when you buy the MPV (we'll get to it later on why you have the option to choose either colour trims). These chrome finishings are not only pinned to the front grille but also on the headlight frame, outer mirror covers, and car door handles.

There are futuristic-looking 18-inch alloy wheels at the four corners of the MPV that give the Staria a rugged yet elegant look, while at the rear, there are vertical combination tail lights compromised of again many little cubes, continuing the front end's cube theme.

Interior

While the exterior design is strong, the interior is a bit of a hit and miss, in our opinion, but there are enough unique and luxurious features to revel in.

This Staria has been designed with a low shoulder line to give the MPV big windows. The outside view is wide thanks to the combination of panoramic windows, and they're a lovely feature. However, one of the drawbacks of these big windows is that they are more significant than the body, which doesn't allow it to have the conventional tuck inside the body windows if you wish to get some fresh air.

Instead, the middle row windows are simple non-powered windows that you slide back if you want to get some fresh air, while the rear ones are pop-out ones like you would find in coupes. While we consider this a drawback, we understand why Hyundai insisted on these panoramic windows. It gives the passengers a fantastic view of the outside world, but most importantly, makes the cabin feel amazingly spacious.

One of the stars of the interior is the middle row's Premium Relaxation Seats. The seat features a couple of one-touch buttons that automatically recline the seat into a relaxed and comfortable position. One does the auto reclining, and the other one does the auto rewind to put it back into an upright position. In addition, the powered ottoman can be adjusted manually to get you in the best possible comfortable position.

Interestingly, when the seat is reclined, Hyundai claims that adult passengers sitting in the third row can still sit comfortably. They were true to their word once again, as it did not affect the comfort of the third-row passengers when we tested it.

The Staria is also equipped with seats that have three levels of cooling and heating. While the heating is not meant for our climate, the front and second-row passengers can comfortably sit for a long time without feeling warm due to its cooling ability.

The audio equipment in the Staria is no joke because there are 12 speakers made by BOSE focused on pampering the ears of the driver and passengers in the cabin. Unfortunately, we didn't get to test it much, but from the brief experience, it is what you can expect from a fabulous BOSE sound system.

The driver’s seat has a futuristic high-tech look with an advanced 10.25-inch front display screen, touch-based centre fascia and a button-type electronic shift lever. The digital cluster is located on top of the dashboard, providing an unobstructed view for the driver. Hyundai’s smart infotainment system that is equipped with a wide-angle camera also enables the driver and front passenger to view rear passengers in the back seat on display screen.

A 64-color ambient mood lamp provides a lush interior atmosphere. The harmonious direct and indirect lighting can selectively illuminate the cockpit, console, doors and cargo areas

One of the other things that will wow you about the Staria's interior is the extensive use of Alcantara which can be found everywhere, including the door cards, roof and in between the front seats where a unique cubby hole/storage compartment resides.

How it feels to drive?

The 2022 Hyundai Staria is powered by the familiar CRDi 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder, VGT diesel engine as found on the Santa Fe. It is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, also just like the Santa Fe. The highest power generated from this engine is 176 hp at 3,800 rpm, which also has a maximum torque of 431 Nm at 1,500 to 2,500 rpm.

Unlike the Santa Fe, the power figures are lower in the Staria, and according to Hyundai, this detune was done to make way for a comfortable drive. We're unsure if we could tell the difference, but the Staria still pulls like the Santa Fe, usually carried out with the utmost urgency.

It also drives very well, staying flat around corners which is surprising considering it is a tall car equipped with a regular suspension (non-air). While the size of the MPV is enormous, it doesn't feel big to drive, and that's a welcoming feature. As for passenger comfort, the 2022 Hyundai Staria uses multi-link suspension on the rear with a regular McPherson type setup at the front. In theory, the multi-link suspension should make the Staria a pleasant experience for rear passengers, and we're glad to report it is.

The Staria also has the highest level of vehicle safety. It is fully equipped with Hyundai Smartsense, active safety and driving assistance technologies. Included in the Hyundai Smartsense suite are Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM), Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go that keeps the SCC running even when the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

So what's the catch?

All in all, the 2022 Hyundai Staria does give off the vibe that it is a premium vehicle. It is luxurious and upper class and will probably serve many well-to-do families well. It has good amounts of power and an array of SmartSense ADAS safety features, making it a well-packaged vehicle. It drives well too, so it'll be good for the mummies and daddies who might be in the driver's seat.

This over the Toyota Alphard really does boil down to
its price
 and since it's priced cheaper than the Toyota Vellfire, you could consider it as a sweet deal. The 2022 Hyundai Staria in Malaysia is only available on an order basis, which is why you can choose to have either the tinted bronze chrome or dark grey chrome trim we mentioned earlier. According to Hyundai Malaysia, it'll take at a minimum of three months for the car to arrive when everything is confirmed, so it's not as accessible as an Alphard.

Truly, the Staria is an MPV for those who want to be different - for individuals who are fed-up with the Toyota Alphard dominance and wouldn't mind trying something different without thinking of other factors such as re-sale value.

Just like Star Trek's moto, it is truly a car for those who are willing to go where no person has gone before!

The 2022 Hyundai Staria is priced at RM358,888 but if you want the added security of an extended five year warranty, you will need to top it up with RM10k.

-


All-new Toyota Alphard and Vellfire launched in Japan - From RM176k

Toyota Motor Corporation has officially launched the all-new
2023 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire
 for the Japanese market.

The fourth-generation models now come in two versions - petrol-powered ICE and HEV (hybrid electric vehicle). Going into the future, a PHEV version will also be introduced as part of the company's plan toward carbon neutrality.

To elevate both the Alphard and Vellfire, Toyota's development team went with the 'the joy of comfortably mobility' route in a bid to create a space for all passengers can enjoy and appreciate thanks to the TNGA platform (GA-K).

Apart from cabin space, the all-new Toyota Alphard and Vellfire platforms have been redesigned from the ground up from different aspects such as performance, vibration and noise reductions, fuel economy, driving dynamics, design, and more.

Toyota paid close attention to the size constraints of standard automated parking systems to ensure that both of them are optimal in terms of size as well as interior cabin space. Within those limits, Toyota went with the "Forceful x IMPACT LUXURY" design theme to exude a more powerful presence on the road.

For most Alphard and Vellfire owners and enthusiasts, the business end comes from within. By modifying the driving position, they've managed to expand the spaces between the second and third-row seats by 5mm and 10mm respectively. It may not be much, but even a little expansion within a vehicle's cabin can carry a big and positive spacious effect.

Both models now feature the Super-Long Overhead Console for enhanced convenience when it comes to operating interior equipment like lighting, assorted switches, and air conditioning vents concentrated in the middle of the ceiling.

Other highlights include Universal Steps on both sides of the sliding doors, long assist grips on the C pillars, a moonroof with independent shades for the left and right-hand sides, pull-down side sunshades, and more.

Going straight to firepower, the 2023 Toyota Alphard is offered in two different grades (Z and Executive Lounge) and also two different powertrains (2.5-litre petrol engine 2AR-FE and a 2.5-litre Series Parallel Hybrid System A25A-FXS).

The 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain, in particular, offers a maximum power output of 250PS with a fuel economy rating of around 16.5km/litre for the E-Four variants and 17.5km/litre for the 2WD versions.

The same hybrid powertrain can be found in the Vellfire, but it also gets the exclusive 2.4-liter Turbo engine (T24A-FTS) with Direct Shift-8AT with 279PS and 430Nm of torque that is said to produce more torque at low engine speeds and shortened accelerator pedal compared to the previous 3.5-litre V6 engine.

For pricing, the fourth-generation Alphard is priced from 5,400,000 yen to 8,720,000 yen (around RM176k to RM285k). As for the Vellfire, that is priced from 6,550,000 yen to 8,920,000 yen (around RM214k to 292k).


GALLERY: What Remains Of The BMW M3 From Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Due to be released in cinemas by the end of the month (July 2015), Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is set to see Ethan Hunt play out one of his most exciting adventures in the Mission Impossible series yet.
We’ve seen the
trailers of Mr Hunt doing what he does best in the series
, but to car folk, we know you know about the
BMW

M3
 will which be playing a mega role in the movie as well.
Fortunately for us, we’ve spotted this at film-scarred M3 at BMW’s Test Centre in Munich (where we are now to test drive the all-new BMW X1 and 3 Series LCI), witnessing what remains of the mighty M3 from the movie, post filming.
Before noticing the banners surrounding it, we were wondering why in the world was BMW displaying a beat-up M3 for, but it’s clear now. And boy, are we shaking with excitement for the look behind the scenes.
Clearly, the M3 can take a punch or two, but from what we can see, there doesn’t appear to be too many alterations from the original vehicle itself that would make it more, “action film-friendly.”
Inside, we see the foot pedals have all been swapped out, the seats are altered to include a four-point safety harness, and there’s some work done to the centre console where the handbrake lever is, but it’s beyond us what changes have truly gone on underneath the metal.
Do enjoy the gallery below (you’re probably amongst the first in the world to see it, actually – check out those bullet holes!), and take a look at the trailer of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation,
right HERE
.


VW Malaysia Offering Year-End Specials With Exclusive Rebates For All Models

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is running a year-end sale making their cars that bit more affordable.

There's no better time to get a Volkswagen than now, as Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has just announced that they are running a year-end special that make their vehicle ownership even more affordable.

Available for all the models in Volkswagen Malaysia's current line-up, these deals are only valid until 31st December 2021.

For those who love style and performance, the
Arteon R-Line
 4MOTION with class-leading performance now comes with RM2,000 savings.

 The Arteon R-Line 4MOTION is usually priced at RM248,692.27 OTR, excluding insurance.

For those looking for an adventurous SUV that packs a punch and an expansive seven-seater seating configuration, the Tiguan Allspace should serve you well. Besides the RM3,500 eShowroom rebate, customers will enjoy additional RM4,000 savings for the Tiguan Allspace Highline, and RM2,000 for the
Tiguan Allspace R-Line
.

The Tiguan Allspace Highline is usually priced at RM165,030.75, while the Tiguan Allspace R-Line goes for RM209,637.39 OTR, excluding insurance.

For buyers that want a classy sedan, the Passat is for you. You can look forward to RM3,500 eShowroom savings. The elegant Passat also comes with additional RM6,500 savings and one-year free insurance. The sportier variant of the Passat, the R-Line is also offered with an additional RM,5,500 savings and one-year free petrol.

The Passat Elegance has a price tag of RM181,856.64, while the
Passat R-Line
 goes for RM203,411.18. Both prices are OTR, excluding insurance.

All models are eligible for a 0% sales tax exemption, so more savings can be had. Additionally, VPCM provides aftersales support with five years unlimited mileage warranty and three years of free maintenance.


Next Nissan GT-R To Get Le Mans Turbo Hybrid 3.0 V6 Engine, More?

We’ve heard rumours in the past of the next-gen
Nissan

GT-R
 benefiting from hybrid power when it comes around. And now, it looks like we can pin more details to it by taking a closer look at the brand’s latest Le Mans racer: the GT-R LM Nismo.

Ben Bowlby, designer of the GT-R LM, has recently spoken to Top Gear UK magazine, as brought to our attention by our friends over at
motoring.com.au
, saying that lots of what the next-gen road-going GT-R will feature, can be seen in what they’ve primed for LMP1 competition.

As previously detailed for you, the GT-R LM Nismo racer will rather unconventionally be
a front-wheel drive vehicle
 with an engine located ahead of the driver (strange stuff for a typical LMP1 race car) – coincidentally, it’s also where the road-going GT-R has its powerplant.

Under the GT-R LM’s hood sits a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-litre V6, codenamed the VRX 30A Nismo, which is poised to develop some 550hp on its own, before its  Flybrid’ KERS system brings the total system output to 1,250hp.

While 1,250hp isn’t exactly what a road-going GT-R is likely to ever produce (who knows, really), Bowlby points out that, “It's a direct injection engine, and the combustion technology, and integration of turbo and intake system within the head design, is all very interesting and highly applicable to the road.

“If it was a crazy engine (super light with a short life) the reality is that it wouldn't be applicable. But it revs to the same as the road-going car (6,500rpm) and is truly an early ancestor of what will be a future Nissan GT-R engine."

Currently, the R35 features a twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 that develops 530hp and 628Nm of torque.

No doubt then that the GT-R36 will have learnt a lot from the brand’s motorsport activities, but how much else of the next-gen road-car will be adopted from the LMP 1 racer? A lot, says Bowlby.

“There are a lot of little pieces to this that are relevant and will change people's perceptions of the technology that Nissan brings to the road in the future. That is really what it is all about.”

For a glimpse of the future, then, remember to stay tuned to the coming 24 Hours of Le Mans 2015 which happens on the 13
th
 of June 2015, at the famous Circuit de la Sarthe.


508 Malaysian motorists told to u-turn, NO balik kampung!

True to form in Bolehland, 508 Malaysian motorists were told to u-turn after trying to balik kampung during the CMCO.

According to Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob police had inspected 238,500 vehicles at 146 interstate road blocks.

He further added that due to this the authorities will now be allowed to issue compounds to those found committing this offense.

“Last night alone, 508 vehicles were trying to cross the state border with the intention of returning to the village and they were asked to turn back. So, let me remind you, the roadblocks have begun and action has been taken.

"Since yesterday, the authorities were still using discretion such as giving warnings and advice. But today's meeting ruled that the police can start issuing compounds.

“So, I hope it doesn't have to be a compound. That money can be used for something else,” he said at a press conference.

Susah sangat ke nak faham bahasa wahai rakyat Malaysia sekalian? Is this not for our own benefit in the long term? Let's look at the bigger picture here and comply with the directives of the CMCO, the sooner we put this pandemic behind us, the sooner we'll be able to balik kampung with no restrictions.


Proton Iriz To Receive Persona’s Enhancements

As we all know, the all-new
2016 Proton Persona
 is a further development of the
Iriz
 platform. Whilst stylistically differentiated from its hatchback donor car, the new Persona operates identical running gear as well as sporting pretty much the same interior as seen in the Iriz.
Yet, when we put the
new car to the test recently
, it was immediately obvious that the Persona is a far more refined vehicle on the move. Notable improvements observed during our drive include improved calibration of the CVT’s control software, far lower noise levels, and better tactile feel of key switchgear elements.
According to Proton officials, the improvements seen in the Persona were the result of the company’s engineers working on feedback from customers on weak areas of the Iriz. It was additionally confirmed that these enhancements will eventually be implemented back on the Iriz as well.
Speaking at a dialogue session with journalists at Kuantan during the official media drive organized by Proton, Deputy CEO Dato Md Radzaif Mohamed said, “We got feedback from customers, including current customers, on the things that we needed to improve in the Iriz.”
“Some of these improvements, we have incorporated into the Persona, and now we are going to go back to the Iriz. This is our next project that we are going to run concurrently [with other projects] to see how we can bring this much improvement to the Iriz which has been around for the last two years,” he continued.
Dato Radzaif further added that these improvements can be implemented within a reasonably short timeframe. “I think this is something we can do almost immediately having learned from the Persona,” he said.


Geely Haoyue Black & Gold Limited Edition - Proton X90 Launch Pushed To 2023

Geely has unveiled a
Limited Edition
 Haoyue, taking a play from Proton perhaps here? It's called the Geely Haoyue Black & Gold Edition - featuring gold trims and accents on the interior and exterior of the MPV.

Geely Haoyue Black & Gold Limited Edition

Priced at CNY 129,600 (
RM 86k
), the Geely Haoyue Black & Gold Edition gets an entirely black body colour with gold trim placed around everywhere - such as the vertical stripes of the front grille, around the front fog lights, sides and wheels. In addition, a Black & Gold emblem can be found on the back door of this Limited Edition Geely Haoyue variant.

While China enjoys a blacked-out version of this MPV, it seems that we have to wait a little bit longer for a new Proton MPV, as
the X90
 launch will likely be rescheduled to 2023.

The same gold theme is also found in the cabin, with gold trim on the door handles, air conditioning vents, and centre console.

This colour combo gives the Geely Haoyue a more stylish and executive look, sprucing up the MPV's overall demeanour. The Haoyue Black & Gold Limited Edition is based on Geely’s 4.0 “Symphony of Space and Time” design concept which emphasizes luxury.

Same Powertrain?

Despite the new stylish look, what's underneath the bonnet still remains the same, as it features a 1.8-litre petrol engine producing 184 PS at 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm from 1,750 rpm to 4,000 rpm mated to a 7-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission - precisely the same powertrain of the Proton X70 offered in the Malaysian market right now.

Proton X90 Black Edition in the future?

It's no secret that Proton has plans to introduce the Geely Haoyue as their own model, and since Proton has already produced cars under a Black Edition line, it's a no brainer that a
Black Edition X90
 would be possible in the future. Some even speculate that this Limited Edition Haoyue is picked right out of Proton's playbook.

But when will the Proton X90 be launched?

According to a report by The Edge Markets, Proton will probably push back the launch of the X90 to 2023 as it continues to ramp up production in 2022 to fulfil the high order backlog of 60,000 vehicles.

With
many sightings
 of its test mule across the nation, it was initially thought that Proton would launch the new-age X90 this year.

Proton does however have to first contend with its current high demand and unresolved supply chain issues before introducing the Proton X90.


Toyota Avanza Generasi Ketiga 2022 – Tiada Lagi Pacuan Roda Belakang?

Toyota dijangka bakal melancarkan All-New Toyota Avanza (generasi ketiga) di dalam pasaran Indonesia pada tahun hadapan.

Setelah diperkenalkan di pasaran Indonesia buat pertama kalinya pada penghujung tahun 2003, Toyota Avanza dijangka bakal melancarkan model generasi ketiganya bagi menggantikan model sedia ada Avanza pada tahun 2022 nanti. Sudah 10 tahun model generasi kedua Avanza ini kekal dalam pasaran. Dah tiba masanya untuk generasi baru Avanza untuk menyinar!

Generasi kedua Avanza
 yang berada di pasaran antarabangsa termasuk Malaysia kini telah menerima banyak penambahbaikan mengikut peredaran zaman seperti memperkenalkan dua jenis pilihan enjin, iaitu enjin NR naturally-aspirated, empat silinder 1.3-liter dan 1.5-liter dengan
Dual VVT-i
 pada tahun
2015
 dan versi facelift pada tahun 2019 dengan penambahan sistem Android Auto dan Apple CarPlay.

Seorang pereka grafik dari Indonesia bernama Bagas Satria Akbar telah memuat naik gambar render Toyota Avanza 2022 yang telah direka olehnya di laman Instagram peribadinya beberapa hari lalu. Gambar tersebut menunjukkan rekaan bahagian sisi serta belakang Toyota Avanza 2022 ini.

*Kredit foto: @bagasatriakbar di Instagram

Menurut pereka gambar tersebut, render ini dibuat setelah timbulnya khabar angin tentang Avanza/ Xenia/ Veloz yang akan dilancarkan dalam waktu terdekat. Oleh kerana maklumat serta informasi bocor yang diterima tentang Avanza 2022 ini agak minimum, beliau telah mengambil gabungan
Rush
 atau Terios,
Corolla Altis
, dan Avanza atau Xenia generasi sekarang dan hasilnya, The All-New Avanza 2022! Walau bagaimanapun, beliau tidak dapat untuk mencipta satu lagi gambar render yang menunjukkan bahagian hadapan Avanza ini ekoran maklumat yang diterima masih di tahap rendah.

Meskipun kereta ini belum lagi dilancarkan, terdapat beberapa khabar angin yang tersebar tentang kereta ini. Antaranya, model generasi ketiga Toyota Avanza ini dikatakan bakal meninggalkan sistem
pacuan roda belakangnya
 dan beralih ke pacuan roda hadapan bagi memaksimakan penjimatan penggunaan bahan api.

Jika benar ianya bakal diperkenalkan dengan pacuan roda hadapan, maka tiada lagi kelainan pada MPV 7 tempat duduk ini berbanding pesaingnya yang turut menggunakan pacuan roda hadapan seperti
Perodua Aruz, Proton Exora, Mitsubishi XPANDER dan Honda BR-V
. Boleh tahan ramai juga yang berminat pada Avanza kerana pacuan roda belakang yang ditawarkan pada model itu. Kalau tukar ke pacuan roda hadapan tapi lebih jimat minyak, korang okay tak?

Selain itu, ada juga desas desus mengatakan bahawa model terkini Avanza (generasi kedua) akan terus dikekalkan di pasaran Indonesia ekoran permintaan tinggi yang diterima pada jentera MPV pacuan roda belakang itu. Pacuan roda belakang memberikan cengkaman serta mutu pemanduan yang lebih baik terutama apabila membawa muatan penuh dan perkara ini amat sesuai dengan keadaan jalan di kawasan perkampungan di Indonesia.

Oleh itu, Toyota dijangka bakal memperkenalkan model pacuan roda hadapan yang dikatakan sebagai pengganti Avanza itu di bawah nama baharu sementara model Avanza sedia ada akan kekal di Indonesia bagi menerima beberapa lagi penambahbaikan di masa hadapan. Model baharu tersebut juga dijangka bakal hadir dengan pilihan hybrid. Nama ‘Veloz’ disebut-sebutkan sebagai nama bagi model yang bakal diperkenalkan pada tahun 2022 nanti. Bagi mereka yang tidak tahu, Veloz merupakan nama varian tertinggi bagi Toyota Avanza di Indonesia.

Bukan itu sahaja, Toyota Avanza 2022 ini turut digembar-gemburkan bakal dibina menggunakan platform
Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA
) yang sama terdapat pada
Perodua Ativa
. Toyota Avanza juga dikatakan akan memberikan platform DNGA kepada Perodua Alza generasi yang akan datang kerana Jepun telah pun menghentikan penghasilan kembar Perodua Alza iaitu Daihatsu Boon Luminas serta Toyota Passo Sette di sana. Jadi mungkin juga model baharu Perodua Alza nanti akan muncul dalam reka bentuk yang sama seperti Toyota Avanza 2022, satu lagi 'kembar' selepas Perodua Aruz dan Toyota Rush.

Berdasarkan rupa sisi serta belakang Toyota Avanza 2022 melalui gambar render yang tersebar ini, apakah pendapat anda tentang reka bentuk Toyota Avanza ini?

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.

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Understanding The Mercedes-Benz C200's EQ Boost

Since the early days, the 12V network was sufficient to sustain a vehicle’s needs, as it only powers the bare necessities, such as fuel pump, water pump, lights, and radio. Features such as alarm and air-conditioning were optional back then.

Over the last decade, the electrical system in modern cars has gotten progressively complex; driven by modern amenities, including advanced infotainment systems, high-end audio systems, and various sensors scattered around the vehicle.

There is only so much that the existing 12V network can handle – the additional load on the electrical system puts a lot of strain on the traditional 12V network.

Enter EQ Boost – developed to solve the voltage issue by introducing a new 48V electrical system and a starter generator that is integrated into a single unit.

Why 48V?

Simple, as components using the 48V network will draw a quarter of the current when compared to the 12V network at identical power. As such, cables can be made thinner, resulting in an overall lighter vehicle.

The 48V system does not replace the 12V network, instead both systems run in parallel, sharing a DC-to-DC voltage converter. EQ Boost-equipped models still carry the traditional 12V battery, in addition to a new 48V battery, located in the engine compartment near the passenger side firewall.

Apart from the 48V network, the other key component of EQ Boost is the starter generator - which now allows for smoother engine start-stop operation and energy recovery during coasting. Depending on engine types, two different types of starter generators are employed - the RSG (belt-driven starter generator) and ISG (integrated starter generator installed between the engine and transmission).

RSG is used in four-cylinder engines while ISG is fitted exclusively to six-cylinder engines like those used in the CLS 350 and GLE 450.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's EQ Boost-equipped range starts from the new Mercedes-Benz C200, featuring a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that outputs 184 hp and 280 Nm of torque, sent to the rear wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. As mentioned earlier, EQ Boost supplements the engine’s output by another 14 hp and 160 Nm of torque.

The Mercedes-Benz C200 receives these equipment as standard:

18-inch alloy wheels

LED headlights

Artico leather upholstery

Open-pore grey oak wood trim

Audio 20 infotainment system

10.25-inch media display

12.3-inch Digital Instrument Display

Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Blind Spot Assist

Active Parking Assist

Active Brake Assist

Priced from RM259,888 (on-the-road, without insurance), the Mercedes-Benz C200 is also available via Mercedes-Benz Financial’s Flex-C financing program, covering financing, insurance, and service packages. The Flex-C financing program start from RM 2,598 month.

At the moment, the C200 can also be had with interest rate as low as 1.88 percent (3-year tenure).


Toyota Is Sponsoring A Hydrogen Powered Ship

When it comes to cleaner modes of transportation, few companies have as much experience as Toyota. Granted, there are other manufacturers who have fairly solid attempts in this field, but Toyota is the first to actively push cars like the Mirai into various markets, even before a proper infrastructure is in place.
But when the road is not enough, instead of taking to the skies like the HondaJet, Toyota instead chose to venture into the ocean. The Energy Observer is the world's first hydrogen powered autonomous ship, designed to travel around the world using nothing more than hydrogen produced by breaking down seawater. As such, it is quite nearly entirely emissions free, if you don't count the environmental cost of manufacturing components.
The technologies involved can be expanded to more than just ships. There are plans to apply these components to the energy networks of the future, and will come as a result of this six year program. While Toyota did not build the ship, they are sponsoring the ship for its voyage for the forseeable future. Through 2017 it had spent its time in France, but over the next few years it will be travelling around the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, eventually hoping to reach Tokyo in time for the 2020 Olympics.


The Force Is Strong With Toyota’s Year End Deals

UMW
Toyota
 Motor is back with their annual “Best Deal of the Year” campaign, and for 2015 they’ve chosen tie in with the movie event of the year, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It features attractive promotions and prizes based on the movie.
From 1st November to 31st December, customers will be able to participate in the “Buy & Win, Money Can’t BUy Trip” contest, standing a chance to bag the grand prize of a holiday for two to London’s Pinewood Studios.
During this promotional period, customers who participate in the Ultimate Test Drive & Win challenge, held between 1st November and 6th December, will be in the running to win Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie passes simply by test driving any Toyota model.
Additionally, attractive cash rebates and free value-added packages are eligible to those who do purchase new selected Toyota models. These include free accessories and attractive cash rebates for the Toyota
Vios
,
Hilux
,
Altis
,
Camry

Hybrid
,
Avanza
,
Innova
,
Previa
, and
Alphard
.
Special showroom activities will also be held simultaneously with the campaign during selected weekends, offering refreshments and exclusive merchandise on 14-15th November in Peninsular Malaysia, in Sarawak on 21-22nd November, and in Sabah from 5-6th December in all showrooms nationwide. At the showrooms, there will be merchandise giveaways to children and Star Wars themed decorations to be enjoyed.
The campaign will run from 1st November to 31st December 2015, do head over to your nearest Toyota Showroom to not miss out on these attractive year end deals. And may the Force be with you.
For more information, you can visit
www.toyota.com.my/highlights/toyota-year-end-promotions.html


MITI Approves 2 New Airlines To Boost Aviation Industry

In probably the biggest plot twist of 2022 so far is the news that two new airlines will be offering their services in Malaysian airspace, which comes at a time when international travel is
still out of bounds for the majority of us
.

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry has confirmed that two new licenses were approved, joining MAS,
AirAsia
, Firefly, and Malindo, among others, as commercial airline operators. Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the move was to promote healthy competition as well as to help the aviation industry recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Obviously, travel and tourism were some of the most badly hit sectors of the economy following the spread of the virus which resulted in nationwide lockdowns across the world. In early 2022, we’re only starting to see long-range, cross border air travel return to normalcy, though this is still contingent on specific agreements between governments and is subject to change.

Open borders, in the true sense of the term, is still potentially some ways off. However, due to the
sentiment of caution seen in many tourists
 caused by the spread of the Omicron variant, he added that the capacity of passengers are likely to remain low in the short to medium term.

As far as the new airlines are concerned, the approval was given to SKS Airways and MYAirline Sdn Bhd with the former being owned by the Johor-based SKS Group with funding from businessman Alan Sim See Kiong. Rather than compete with the big boys from the outset, SKS aircraft will run flights using twin prop passenger aircraft between Subang to Pulau Pangkor, Tioman, and Redang with additional niche domestic routes potentially on the horizon.

MYAirline, however, is a new player in the ultra-low-cost-carrier (ULCC) category and have been granted a license to fly passengers and cargo services like Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. Owned jointly by Zillion Wealth, Trillion Cove Holdings, and Rayner Teo Kheng Kock, the fledging airline is also funded by Datuk Goh Hwan Hua.

Apart from its financial struts, its leadership team comprise of industry veterans from AirAsia, Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd, the Malaysian Civil Aviation Department, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.

Their plans seem much more ambitious than that of SKS, and as such we don’t quite know what their routes will be or how they intend be competitive/differentiated against established rivals.


Isuzu Malaysia Announces Revised Price For Pick-Ups, SUVs, And Commercial Vehicles

Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd has announced the revised prices for all its existing models in line with the recent announcement on zero-rated GST starting from 1 June 2018.
According to the company, the new prices will be in effect until the implementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST).
Isuzu Malaysia Chief Operating Officer for Light Commercial Vehicle, Masayuki Suzuki says that with the 6% GST removal, it is the best time to make a purchase and customers should take this opportunity to place their bookings.
“There is no better time to own a brand new Isuzu model. We hope that with these new prices and tax structure, our customers will take the opportunity to upgrade while new customers will be attracted to become an Isuzu owner”, he added.
That being said, below is the summary of the new prices:


quattro GmbH Becomes Audi Sport GmbH

Audi’s famed quattro division will henceforth be carrying a new name – Audi Sport GmbH. Led by Stephen Winkelmann, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Audi AG will continue to be based in Neckarsulm, its headquarters since quattro GmbH was incorporated in 1983.
In line with its change of name, Audi Sport GmbH will also be expanding its role to cover customer racing, merchandise, and car customization under the Audi exclusive programme. This is in addition to quattro GmbH’s existing responsibilities in developing and manufacturing Audi’s high-performance RS models as well as
the R8
.
According to Audi’s official statement, the Audi Sport name is said to be inspired by the brand’s ‘long and successful tradition of motorsport’ dating back to the 1930s and going on to the famous successes of the Audi quattro on the rally scene in the 1980s.
Today, Audi continues to maintain an extensive presence in motorsport, participating in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM), Formula E, and GT racing besides also cultivating young racing talent in the Audi Sport TT Cup. Recently, however, the company opted to
bow out on a high from the World Endurance Championship (WEC) programme
 after 18 successful campaigns.
The last five years have been good on the fortunes of quattro GmbH with sales having doubled over that period. The next 18 months will see the launch of no less than eight new models from Audi Sport GmbH.
At present, Audi Sport GmbH employs 1,200 personnel based in Neckarsulm and Ingolstadt. The company has been led by former Lamborghini chief
Stephan Winkelmann since March 2016
.


Tokyo 2015: Honda Step WGN – The Ultimate In MPV Practicality?

At the recent 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, we had a chance to take a closer look at the all-new Honda Step WGN – a three-row seats MPV that features a revolutionary ‘Waku Waku’ tailgate and ‘Magic’ third row seats that ‘magically’ disappears into the floor.
As good as the Step WGN sounds, it’s a bit of a forbidden fruit from Japan– very tempting but you can’t have it. The Step WGN is aimed only at the Japanese market but a small number of them are also exported to Hong Kong.
That’s a shame because the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo powered Step WGN probably one of the most practical MPVs in the world. The versatility accorded by the ‘Waku Waku’ tailgate and ‘Magic Seats’ is very impressive!
Prices in Japan starts from 2.28 million Yen, about 17 percent cheaper than a Honda Odyssey there. The Step WGN can be ordered with either a six (captain seats on the second row), seven or eight seater configuration. It competes with the Toyota Noax/Voxy and Nissan Serena.
Not satisfied with having the biggest cabin in its class, Honda has fitted the Step WGN with a unique ‘Waku Waku’ (Japanese for exciting) tailgate that can not only be opened upwards like a conventional MPV’s tailgate, but also has a smaller sub-door can be opened sideways – perfect for situations where there isn’t enough space to swing the tailgate upwards.
The ‘Waku Waku’ tailgate’s innovation doesn’t just stop there – the tailgate is designed to allow passengers to enter/exit the cabin via the tailgate’s opening, so the third row seats are designed to be tucked away flat into the boot floor, and the tailgate can be opened from the inside of the car, allowing you to step in and out of the car as if the tailgate is a conventional door.
Despite the complicated construction, there are no visible hinges sticking out of the the tailgate assembly. At a glance, everything is finished to appear as a one-piece unit, and the sub-door's hinge is brilliantly designed to be small enough to be hidden away.
Tug the release strap on one of the two 60:40 split folding third row seats, and you will be in awe at how easy it is to fold the seat into the boot floor by using just one hand. The straps are within easy reach by passengers standing outside the tailgate’s opening as well as those sitting inside the car. The tailgate’s inside door handle is also within easy reach of those sitting in the third row.
Driving the Step WGN’s front wheels via the CVT is an all-new 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine that produces 150 PS of power at 5,500 rpm and 203 Nm of torque, sustained from 1,600 rpm to 5,000 rpm. In comparison, the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Accord produces 155 PS at 6,500 rpm and 190 Nm at 4,300 rpm.
Turning circle is a pretty decent 5.4 metre.
There’s also a disabled persons friendly variant that comes with a retractable aluminium wheel chair access ramp with an electric winch, additional grip handles in the second and third row seats, and swivelling seats.
Why Is It Not Sold In Malaysia?
As mentioned earlier, the Step WGN is designed mainly for Japanese families, to be operated in Japanese driving conditions (i.e. very smooth roads, gentle climate, low average driving speeds). Honda’s global MPV is the Odyssey.
That would also imply that homologating the model for sale in Malaysia will be very costly. The model will need to be acclimatised for our local driving conditions, and Honda Malaysia will need to shoulder cost of sending between two to three Step WGNs for crash testing at independent testing facilities in Japan to obtain the necessary certification papers proving that the car meets JPJ’s (UNECE) regulations.
In Japan, documentations provided by the vehicle manufacturer is good enough, thus the company won’t be able to provide certification papers from an independent third party without incurring more cost.
Honda Malaysia also don’t see much prospect in the Serena-class MPV segment, as most the majority of MPV sales are concentrated in the Alza- and Avanza-class segment, where Honda Malaysia is likely to be making a grand entry next year with its
2016 Honda BR-V
.