Frankfurt 2017: All-New Suzuki Swift Sport Previewed

Suzuki Motor will officially unveil an all-new Suzuki Swift Sport at this coming September’s Frankfurt International Motor Show.
Expected to go on sale in Europe and Japan later this year as a 2018 model, Suzuki says the third generation Swift Sport has undergone “a complete redesign and will deliver an all-new level of excitement for sport minded drivers across the world.”
Apart from a sole image showing the front of the all-new Swift Sport, Suzuki did not reveal much else about its latest warm hatch. However since we already know how the regular Swift of the same generation
looks like
, it's not too difficult to imagine how the all-new Swift Sport will look like. Further details on the powertrain and other features will only be announced during the opening of the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show on 12-September.
Having said that, we already know for certain that the outgoing generation Swift Sport’s 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine will be retired, and is expected to be replaced by a turbocharged unit, likely to be paired to a six-speed manual transmission.
Like the rest of the Swift variants, the all-new Swift Sport will ride on Suzuki’s latest Heartect platform, which is said to offer an even more engaging driving experience as the driver’s seats can now be positioned lower and closer to the car’s centre of gravity.
The all-new Swift Sport’s more modest siblings of the same generation are currently powered by either a 1.2-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine or a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder.


Possible Flash Floods in Six States Announced by The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS)

The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) has issued a preparedness notice for the possibility of flash floods and thunderstorms in several areas in Johor, Perak, Kedah, Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

Through an official statement, JPS is informing everyone that based on the Malaysian Meteorological Department's (MetMalaysia) rainfall forecast, the Southeastern Asia-Oceania Flash Flood Guidance System (SAOFFGS) system and the JPS flood forecasting model, there is a risk of flash flooding in several locations caused by the upcoming heavy rainfall.

"This notice is issued to allow all residents, especially in areas at risk, to be aware of the possibility of flash floods for that period," according to the statement.

Here is the list of potentially affected areas:

Kedah

Bandar Baharu (Sungai Batu)

Kulim (Terap)

Temerloh (Semantan)

Bentong (Sabai as well as the surrounding areas)

Pahang

Hulu Selangor (Ulu Bernam)

Hulu Langat (Ulu Langat)

Selangor

Jelebu (Kenaboi, Glami Lemi as well as the surrounding areas)

Negeri Sembilan

Kuala Pilah (Langkap as well as the surrounding areas)

Johor

 Johor Bahru (Jelutong, Tanjong and Kupang) and Pontian (Jeram Batu, Sungai Karang and surrounding areas)

Perak

Larut

Matang and Selama (Hulu Selama, Hulu Ijok and Selama)


HSDM Launches The Hotly Anticipated 2022 IONIQ 5 - From RM199,888

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has just launched one of the most anticipated electric vehicles for the Malaysian market, the 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 - priced from RM199,888

Hyundai's flagship EV, the 2022 IONIQ 5, is the second battery electric vehicle (BEV) introduced by HSDM, after the Kona Electric, which made its debut in Malaysia late last year.

Though we're quite accustomed to seeing high-end electric cars take the form of much larger or sleeker-looking vehicles, Hyundai's approach resembles that of Volkswagen's, where a more humble hatchback fits the bill of a perfect daily EV. Despite this, the IONIQ 5 is not a small vehicle as it is larger than a Golf, with a wheelbase that is longer than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class or a Proton X70.

Coming in at 4,635 mm long and 1,890 mm wide, it is 430 mm longer and 90 mm wider than the Kona Electric.

Built on the same platform as the
Kia EV6
, the
IONIQ 5
 packs similarly powerful performance, an electric range from 380km up to 480 km and is able to charge from 10% to 80% in just 47 minutes (with a 50-kW DC Charger). A standard 11kW home AC charger can charge from 0% to 100% in 6.1 hours.

It is offered in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive – completely independent of the specification you choose.

Battery options are available in either a 58 kWh or 72.6 kWh capacities, the latter of which combined with the Max All-Wheel Drive (AWD) provides the longest range. For the 58 kWh 2-Wheel Drive (2WD) variants, you get a pretty standard 170 PS and 350 Nm of torque, while the 72.6 kWh AWD variant has 305 PS and 605 Nm of torque.

IONIQ 5 Lite (2WD): RM199,888

IONIQ 5 Plus (2WD): RM229,888

IONIQ 5 Max (AWD): RM259,888

All variants on a high-speed 350 kW charger system will take just under 18 minutes to reach 80% charge, but we do not have such facilities just yet in Malaysia, but it's good to know that it can be charged faster when faster chargers are available.

Built on Hyundai's BEV (E-GMP Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture, the IONIQ 5 supports both 400-V and 800-V charging infrastructures. The platform offers 400-V/800-V charging capabilities as standard without the need for additional components or adapters.

Safety and Convenience

Active safety and functionality are fairly highly specified and flat across the range of models. For example, the Lite entry-level model is equipped with cloth fabric seats while the rest is laced with leather. The Lite also doesn't come with seat heating/ ventilation and the Premium Relaxation Seats but the rest do. A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard across all the variants, as is your usual host of connectivity options.

The IONIQ 5 also has this feature called Vehicle-to-Load function that can supply up to 3.6kW of power to most electronic devices. This feature practically turns the IONIQ 5 into one big power bank.

Another excellent feature in the IONIQ 5 Max is its solar roof (not available in the Lite or Plus) where it can help give the car extra range. HSDM didn't state how much extra range it could provide, but a bit of digging around led us to the conclusion that it could add up to 5km daily on perfectly sunny days.

Safety systems like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist are common across all variants, though they vary in terms of assistance level. For example, all three variants will get Hyundai's SmartSense safety systems but the Lite variant will not be equipped with a blind-spot view monitor and safe exit alert.

Warranty

All variants come with a standard vehicle warranty of 2 years/ 50,000km and an EV battery warranty of 8 years/ 160,000km

Optional add-on packages

Extended warranty and service packages - RM10,000

	This package will upgrade the standard warranty to 5years/ 100,000km and service maintenance for 3 years/ 50,000km. The EV battery warranty will remain unchanged

7kW AC charging station with standard installation - RM6,000

22kW AC charging station with standard installation - RM7,000


MARii And Perodua Improve Vendors' Productivity Through Simple Devices

An automobile has over 30,000 individual parts, right down to the tiniest screws and clips. In the production of an automobile, a good proportion of parts and components are actually made by specialized part vendors.
The vendors complete an assembly or component at their premises, moving the finished items in bulk to their customers’ plant for final assembly.
Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute
 (MARii), together with Perodua, has initiated a programme to improve the production aspects of the national car company’s vendors.
“The automotive industry can only expand when there is a collaborative effort in the entire automotive ecosystem. The MARii Karakuri programme is an example of a collaborative platform that enables ecosystem enhancement,” said Dato’ Madani Sahari, CEO of MARii.
The MARii Karakuri Programme is aimed to enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of local vendors through the implementation of Karakuri. The principle of Karakuri focuses on simple, easily-implemented automation that relies on natural forces such as gravity and momentum instead of an electrical power supply.
In manufacturing, Karakuri is usually implemented to reduce non-value-added work in a process without the need to invest in more expensive systems. Typically, this applies to tasks that have to do with work transfer, loading and unloading, as well as assembly. The Karakuri approach optimizes energy and working speed, reduces workload, and eliminates redundant work processes to increase productivity, all without depending on a power supply.
Moreover, when a task is taken over by the Karakuri system, the worker can now focus more on value-added work. This will result in higher quality products.
Key areas of improvement that the participants focused on include better ergonomics (making lifting easier and safer), reduced movement, reduced cycle time, better sorting (first-in-first-out), and reduced storage space.
A total of 30 participants from 15 companies successfully completed the MARii Karakuri Programme and were awarded their certificate of completion in a closing ceremony that was held at Perodua headquarters in Rawang.
Companies that participated in the MARii Karakuri programme recorded an average increase in productivity by 30 percent, where the projects were implemented. Companies also reported incurring negligible investment in implementing their Karakuri projects.
MARii and Perodua through Kelab Vendor Perodua (KVP) will place a large emphasis on the Karakuri program. “Karakuri will enable Perodua suppliers to reach the level of global suppliers,” said Dato’ Madani Sahari.
Image from a Toyota plant
Dato’ Zainal Abidin, President and CEO of Perodua added, ”Being a vendor with Perodua is not easy. We at Perodua keep a stock-level of four hours, while the vendors keep about a stock-level equivalent to one work-shift. Keeping stock is waste.”
“In term of delivery performance, I would credit also our vendors are the same level as the ASEAN vendors,” concluded Dato’ Zainal.


The LEGO Ferrari F40 Screams Awesome, Has A Removable V8 Engine

The Ferrari F40 was designed to celebrate the Italian car maker’s 40
th
 anniversary and was the last ever Ferrari automobile personally approved by the company’s founder, Enzo
Ferrari
.
It is considered to be one of the greatest supercars of all time, and LEGO has made a true-to-the-original scaled replica kit of the F40 with the latest addition in its Creator series which you are looking at here.
Firstly, we say that this is one of the most detailed recreation of the iconic supercar in LEGO bricks we’ve ever seen. How detailed? Well for starters, the kit consists of 1,158 pieces that when fully assembled, features a hinged, vented rear hatch, opening doors and hood with luggage compartment and tools, pop-up headlights, cabled door handles, windscreen element with printed A-pillars, steering wheel with Ferrari logo, two red racing seats, and custom-made, molded rim inserts.
If that isn’t enough, the twin-turbocharged V8 engine at the rear is not only detailed but can be removed from the car via a quick release function! When fully constructed, the F40 in a racing-red colour scheme will measure 8cm high, 27cm long, and 14cm wide.
The LEGO Creator Ferrari F40 (10248) will go on sale from August 1 at a price of USD89.99 (RM339) although VIP members can purchase it earlier from July 15-31.
If you are looking for the perfect gift for the car enthusiast in your life or to convert your child into one, this is what you want to get.


Land Rover Defender 90 Launched Locally - From RM839k

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has finally launched the compact Land Rover Defender D90, six months after previewing it locally - priced from RM839k.

The L663 Land Rover Defender arrived in Malaysia late last year
solely in a Defender 110
 five-door guise. Following up on its local success, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) decided to
preview
 the three-door version of the new age
Landie
 in March 2022, which has now been officially launched.

Defender D90 - Most capable Defender to date

The Defender 90 is an all-terrain award-winning model crowned as the most capable Land Rover to date. Featuring a more compact version of Land Rover's all-aluminium monocoque body, the Defender 90 shows us that it is no softy as the new D7x architecture on the Defender is one of the stiffest body structures that the brand has ever produced – three times stiffer than the best body-on-frame designs in the market.

The new Land Rover Defender 90, just like the 110, sports a modern and bold design while maintaining its
highly-acclaimed all-terrain capabilities
.

Defender D90 features

The three-door short-wheelbase Defender 90 has a maximum wading depth of 900mm and is also equipped with a twin-speed transfer box, which provides a boost of speed and control to
power through challenging conditions
 such as steep inclines and declines, unpredictable terrain and off-road driving.

Not only does its electronic air suspension ensure a comfortable driving experience, but it also helps with off-roading as it has an adjustable height to suit different driving purposes.

This includes an access height of 40mm, which is great for car parks with low ceilings, to an extended height of up to 75mm for those that need the extra ground clearance. For extreme off-road conditions, a further extended ride height of 70mm is available, providing exceptional ground clearance and wheel articulation.

Adaptive Dynamics helps the Defender be great on/off-road

But the Defender is not only geared for off-roading as its Adaptive Dynamics feature allows drivers to fine-tune driving characteristics to give anybody behind the wheel the best experience possible when on paved roads. With adaptive dampers evaluating bodily movements up to 500 times per second, Adaptive Dynamics utilises the data to optimise control and comfort instantaneously for the driver.

As seen with the Defender 110, there are two Ingenium engines to choose from, the P300 4-cylinder Petrol (300PS/400Nm) or the P400 6-cylinder MHEV Petrol (400PS/550Nm).

Land Rover’s next-generation Electronic Vehicle Architecture, dubbed EVA 2.0, also supports Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) updates, which helps the vehicle get better with age.

EVA 2.0 consists of a state-of-the-art forward-facing digital camera, advanced ultrasonic sensors and a powerful onboard network which supports a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies.

This includes a 3D Surround Camera that provides 360-degree visibility of surrounding areas as well as an advanced camera system that provides enhanced augmented on-screen visualisation when using Wade Sensing and Land Rover’s ClearSight Ground View transparent bonnet technology to improve visibility.

Official accessories list is humongous - Defender D90

Available in five colours, the new model comes with 170 individual accessories, the most extensive range ever produced for a Land Rover. The accessories include the innovative Exterior Side-Mounted Gear Carrier that offers extra space, as well as a new Above and Beyond Collection of outdoor performance equipment and apparel, complementing the driver’s adventures with the Defender 90.

Price and warranty D90 Defender Malaysia

Priced from RM838,800 and RM1,098,800 for P300 and P400 MHEV, respectively (with 10% SST and excluding Road Tax, Registration and Insurance), the new Defender 90 comes with Land Rover's Care programme, which includes a five-year warranty, five years’ free service and three years roadside assistance.

For more information, log on to
www.landrover.com.my


Hyundai Expanding SUV Line For Europe - Tucson N-Line Teased

Hyundai Motor will expand the range of SUVs in Europe to include variants of its sporty N-Line. The N-Line is a trim package that enlists some stylistic additions of Hyundai's N motorsports inspired models, such as the
i30 N
.
Newly teased images – possibly building up to a 2019 Geneva Motor Show unveil – suggest the Tucson will the first of Hyundai’s SUV models to receive the N-Line treatment. The images point to visual enhancements on the outside and a sportier interior.
Additionally, Hyundai has announced that the Tucson will be receiving diesel-hybrid 2.0-litre CRDi variant, which combines 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with a 16 bhp electric motor, powered by a 48-volt, 0.44 kWh hybrid system. The larger Santa Fe will reportedly receive the same powertrain in due time.
Currently, the N-Line package is available on i30 hatchback for the European market.


Perodua Engages With KPDNHEP In Initiative To Curb Imitation Products And Parts

In a move to stifle the growth of imitation products and parts in the market, Perodua took the initiative by hosting an engagement session with enforcement officers from the Malaysian Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP), at its Sungai Choh headquarters yesterday.
“Perodua is aware of the circulation of non-genuine products and parts that bear Perodua branding in the market, some of which are almost indistinguishable from the originals. These include lubricants, oil filters, shock absorbers and brake pads,” said Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin.
“This is very alarming as they are critical items. Customers may be misled into buying and using such items, which have not been tested by Perodua, on their vehicles. Besides voiding warranties, this could greatly jeopardise the safety and running condition of their vehicles,” said Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin.
Perodua yesterday, together with select service dealers and stockists, delivered a comprehensive briefing to some 120 KPDNHEP enforcement officers in attendance, acquainting them with Perodua’s range of products and parts, where they are sold, the logistics flow and how to tell real and fake items apart.
In attendance as guest of honour was KPDNHEP Deputy Director of Enforcement (Prevention) Tuan Suhaimi Mat Sari.
“Our gratitude goes to KPDNHEP, Tuan Suhaimi Mat Sari and the enforcement officers for participating in our humble initiative. We hope that the engagement session was informative and insightful, and that it will help them in their duties to identify, pin-point and put the brakes on counterfeit Perodua products and parts in the market,” said Dato’ Dr Zahari.
“We urge the public not to be lured by unscrupulous traders selling imitation Perodua items, and to only buy and use genuine products and parts from authorised Perodua stockists or any of our 179 authorised Perodua service centres nationwide.
“Genuine Perodua products and parts are fairly priced and most importantly, they give you total peace-of-mind. As an alternative, we have the ProGanti range of parts that’s easier on the wallet but still tested and approved by Perodua.
“We truly care for you and your car. It is part of the Perodua Experience, which is a testament to our dedication and commitment to always exceed your expectations and retain your loyalty,” he added.
Find for the best deals for a new Perodua
here
.


The 2020 Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition Rekindled My Love For Proton

I didn't expect to fall in love all over again but the 2020 Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition rekindled my love for Proton and here's why...

The first car that I bought with my own hard-earned money was a
Proton
 Satria 1.3 GLi. I called her Raven after Raven Darkholme, who you may know as Mystique from The X-Men. She was that blue, that kind that shines when it catches the light and makes you do a double-take. She had the 4G13 engine, producing between 75-85 hp. She was a manual but most importantly she was bucketloads of fun. Today we scoff at the horsepower in the cars of yesteryear but my Satria taught me how to handle power regardless of how much you had available on tap.

Her biggest repair was a top overhaul that cost me approximately RM600 circa 2012. That was a lot of money back then for a kid that was independent and lacking any financial support from family. Her first and biggest accident coincidentally was not done by me but my girlfriend at that time who is my wife today. She lost her side skirting. I took real good care of her and unfortunately had to sell her just before I left Malaysia for other pastures.

Ever since that fateful day, I've not owned another Proton.

As chance would have it a very good friend of mine who had managed to snag himself a 2020
Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition
 (all 1100 have been sold by the way) asked me if I would like to have it for the weekend. I said YES and by golly was it a good decision! It's the most fun car I've driven this year and that is testament to how good the Saga really is.

With a price tag of ONLY RM39,300, you prime yourself to only accept so much from the car but she just over-delivers and then some.

Handling: 2020 Proton Saga 1.3AT Premium

She handles like a dream, quick and precise steering. You point, she goes. No hesitation, no uncertainty. The steering is also properly weighted with the right amount of feedback.

Entertainment: 2020 Proton Saga 1.3AT Premium

The Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition similar to the
Proton Saga
 AT Premium Edition gets the 7.0 inch Android based head unit that comes with Bluetooth and MirrorLink. I found the app clunky to use but pairing via Bluetooth was a breeze and sound quality was very impressive. Crisp, clear with the right amount of bass. Nicely done Proton!

Engine: 2020 Proton Saga 1.3AT Premium

1.3 litre four-cylinder that kicks out 95 PS paired to a 4AT gearbox from Hyundai. It is the same gearbox you find on the Kia Picanto. I'm not fond of the gearbox especially when the RPM drops to below 2000, it is sluggish and painfully slow to pick-up speed. When you're cruising on the highway however she's a gem of a gearbox. Over the past few days that I had her, she was definitely more suited for the highway than the city, oddly enough. It might have been a tuning issue with my friend's car, I can't say for certain.

Interior: 2020 Proton Saga 1.3AT Premium

A nicely laid out cabin where all the switches are within easy reach. Cubby holes for water bottles and miscellaneous items are sufficient. It was a functional cabin but also one that was very homey. The seats provided more than adequate cushioning and grip. I'm glad that Proton stuck to fabric seats because our weather is really not suited for leather.

Looks: 2020 Proton Saga 1.3AT Premium

My mother was shocked to find out that it was a Proton Saga, she genuinely thought it was a foreign make. I was also tailgated by at least three souped-up Satria's, hassled by a Toyota Camry and honked at by a Honda Civic. I've never been bullied so badly in any other car. Now before you comment that I'm a bad driver, etc, I am not. I was merely minding my own business, driving my family to Klang to visit my parents. I can only surmise that all these other drivers were jealous of how good looking the Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition is.

Conclusion

I will admit that when I first saw the 2020 Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition pictures, I was underwhelmed and disappointed. It felt like a poorly thought of edition, a rush job and maybe it still is but after spending a few days with her, I've come to enjoy her looks, she's grown on me. She's also the only car I've been in, in a long time that had me feeling happy to just cruise in her. No need for speed, no rush to get anywhere. Just sit back and enjoy the ride mate she almost seemed to say each time I took her out. So thank you for rekindling my love for Proton,  Proton Saga 35th Anniversary Edition. Maybe I'll be able to convince my wife to get one...plus it's got a functional 420 litres of boot space.


Video: e-Corner modules lets this Hyundai IONIQ 5 do all sorts of weird things

Technology is getting wild in EVs and the latest innovation by Hyundai lets an Ioniq 5 do all sorts of magical things, including rotating all of its wheels 90 degrees in the same direction.

As
crazy as it sounds
, the application of this innovation has considerable amounts of advantages in cars, including the most obvious one, the ease of parallel parking.

Dubbed the e-Corner, the in-wheel module was fitted to an Ioniq 5 and showcased at the 2023 CES in Las Vegas.

According to insideevs, "the module incorporates an electric motor, electric damper, brake by wire, and steer by wire, making it a complete package that can be fitted to a huge variety of plug-in vehicles without wasting any space, making life easier for engineers."

It's pretty hard to imagine, but a video from Hyundai Mobis, the Korean brand's spare parts and autonomous driving division clearly shows what this innovation is capable of doing.

On top of allowing the wheels of the Ioniq5 prototype to rotate 90 degrees, it can also rotate the wheels to 45 degrees, allowing the car to do an on-the-spot 360-degree spin.

Just like the GMC Hummer EV, the innovation also allows the car to be driven diagonally as well as give it a pivot function which basically allows the car to function like a forklift.

The e-Corner module In-wheel system can also potentially simplify assembly processes for battery-operated vehicles as well as give cars more manoeuvrability.


Feel Intelligent Drive Is Mercedes-Benz' Way Of Taming The Lion

When it comes to luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz is always looking ahead for ways to make the drive that little bit more pleasant. Perhaps it's a little peculiar to focus on the driver in a car like the S-Class, but it is a valid point in other markets where the S-Class is still driven by the owner from time to time.
In this short spot, Mercedes is showing off their Feel Intelligent Drive system. It's one that includes air-conditioning, fragrance, light, music, and seat massage features which are personalized to your taste and make you feel a little better. The best example for this is the metaphorical lion- head of a young company and faced with all kinds of stressors through his day- that is, until he steps into his S-Class for the drive home. In this sense the lion has been 'tamed' by this particular luxury feature.


Subaru Forester GT Edition Previewed In Singapore – Arriving In Malaysia Next Year

Motor Image, the authorised distributor of Subaru vehicles across eight markets in Asia, has unveiled the new Subaru Forester GT Edition at the ongoing 2019 Subaru Palm Challenge in Singapore.

The special edition Forester is the second GT Edition model by Motor Image after the XV GT Edition – created in close collaboration with engineering company Giken Co. Ltd, and Masahiko “Jack” Kobayashi, the former Chief Designer at Subaru Corporation who was responsible for the exterior design of more than 12 Subaru production models including the legendary WRX STI.

The special GT Edition comes with an aero kit which comprises sportier looking front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a roof spoiler, as well as a rear bumper extension.

Also part of the package is a set of 18-inch bespoke alloy wheels, unique leather seats, and a new 8-inch display audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a 360-degree Around View Monitor camera.

Based on the Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight variant, the Forester GT is mechanically identical to the former, underpinned by Subaru’s Global Platform and powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre direct-injected flat-four engine making 156 PS and 196 Nm of torque.

Paired to the engine is Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT gearbox and a Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

In terms of features, the Forester GT Edition gets LED headlights with DRLs, keyless entry and ignition, eight-way powered front seats, dual-zone climate control, 6 airbags, stability control, and Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance package which comprises Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Sway Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), as well as Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

The Subaru Forester GT Edition will make its first public appearance at the Taipei International Auto Show in December 2019, followed by the Singapore Motorshow in January 2020, the Bangkok International Motor Show in March 2020, and the Manila International Auto Show in April 2020.

The Malaysian launch is expected to take place in Q1 2020.

Looking for a new Subaru? Find the best deals
here
.


Pro-Taxi Group President: ‘Please Use More Taxis’

Kamarudin Mohd Hussain, president of Gabungan Teksi, Kereta Sewa, Limosin dan Teksi Lapangan Terbang SeMalaysia (GTSM), said customer demand for metered taxis has spiked since the borders reopened in April.

The above comment isn’t surprising given its source but neither is the claim that taxi usage has been recently climbing
at all hours of the day
.

Taxi usage on the rise?

Of course, the main cause for this increase is the consistently high prices presented to users of
e-hailing services
 such as Grab, particularly for relatively short journeys, leading them to explore alternative means of transport.

One example of such an experience was that of K. Malar, who spoke to The Star saying she was quoted RM28 for a 5km journey from Mid Valley Megamall to her home in Taman United in Jalan Kelang Lama.

Not willing to pay such an exorbitant price, she opted for a metered taxi which ended up costing her RM13 instead, for which she tipped the driver an additional RM2, adding “the next time the e-hailing fares are high again, I will surely take a regular taxi.”

E-hailing fares out of control?

In a similar occurrence, Karen Tan, also speaking to The Star, said she was quoted RM9 for a 3km journey from her home in Happy Garden, Kuala Lumpur which “is an RM5 trip at the most and yet, the fee was almost double,” adding “had I not been carrying groceries, I would have walked home.”

It seems that the average Malaysian, particularly in the Klang Valley, has fallen very much out of love with e-hailing services due to its prices rising to unacceptable levels. Where before one might have been able to easily and fairly cheaply get around while relying on such services, they have now become prohibitively expensive.

In an ironic twist of fate, the same customer base that was quick to embrace e-hailing years ago due to bad experiences with metered taxis is now much more inclined to seek them out for the prospect of a much more reasonable fare.

Addressing the ‘first/last mile' issue, Kamarudin of the GTSM advised people to form an orderly queue “at malls, transport hubs, and LRT stations, urging them to note down a taxi driver’s contact number to book them whenever the need arises for a more personalised and affordable fare.

On the rehabilitation of public opinion of taxis and taxi drivers, he urged Malaysians to “not view us all in a bad light because of one bad experience,” adding “If a taxi driver refuses to use the meter, do not use their service.”

Despite the rise of e-hailing over the past decade, it was reported that some 20,000 taxis were still operating in the greater Kuala Lumpur area. They are metered with fares controlled by the government unlike services such as Grab which uses a dynamic rate based on supply and demand at the sole discretion of the service provider.

Last month, the Transport Ministry called various e-hailing companies to
answer for the outcry of complaints
 it has received from the public over sharp increases in pricing with an uptick of around 400% seen during peak hours in addition to a steady increase in base journey pricing.


Indonesia-Spec 2022 Perodua Myvi Gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

The Myvi is royalty in Malaysia, so why don't we get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but the Indonesian rebadged version of the Myvi, called the Daihatsu Sirion, does.

The feature is improved smartphone connectivity as the touchscreen head unit fitted to the Indo-spec Sirion includes compatibility with both Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto
.

During the launch of the 2022 Daihatsu Sirion, which includes all of the cosmetic and mechanical changes given to the recent
facelift of the 3rd-generation Perodua Myvi
, it was also expected that the equipment levels will be identical to the Malaysian car. But one feature stood out.

Why Myvi got no Android Auto and Apple CarPlay?

Where the 2022 Myvi, even in top-spec AV trim, receives a larger 6.9-inch touchscreen infotainment head unit with Bluetooth audio support, USB and HDMI input, and something called SmartLink (which is basically screen mirroring), it lacks the more user-friendly first-party interface developed Apple and Google specifically for use in automobiles.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have, over the years, become a headlining features when touting the functions of any car’s infotainment system as they can be very practical additions to its navigation and media experience.

But there is at least some reason to stay positive here. As every single 2022 Daihatsu Sirion arrives in Indonesia fully imported from Perodua’s assembly line in Rawang, there’s reason to believe the enhanced multimedia experience enjoyed by Sirion buyers will soon be added to the Myvi here.

Besides our jealousy at a neighbouring market getting first taste of a Myvi feature not available in Malaysia, their Sirion is lacking in terms of equipment levels in other areas.

Perodua Myvi vs Daihatsu Sirion

Though it does get the visual updates and
the D-CVT transmission
 paired to both the 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engines, the cars sold in Indonesia lack the Advance Safety Assist (A.S.A) suite that has become prevalent in Perodua’s cars in Malaysia, which is now grouped under the
Perodua Smart Drive Assist
 umbrella.

These features include Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Front Departure Alert, and on the 1.5 AV, adds Blind Spot Monitoring, Automatic High Beam, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

The question now remains how long will Perodua make Malaysian customers wait for support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Clearly, they have already figured out the supply chain and vendor situation for the Sirion, why isn’t this being rolled out to the Myvi and other models like the Ativa and
incoming next-generation Alza
?


Honda Offering Better Coverage for Customers with Honda Insurance Plus

Honda Malaysia has introduced the enhanced Honda Insurance Plus (HiP) program, a best-in-value automotive insurance plan exclusively for all Honda owners.

Since its introduction in 2002, HiP functions to provide comprehensive protection and coverage to all Honda customers in various situations. The newly enhanced HiP package delivers the benefits of Rescue, Protection and Savings for best coverage and protection of Honda cars and its owners.

The first benefit, Rescue entails the Honda Insurance Plus rescue team which are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The exclusive HiP privileges and services include a 24/7 towing assistance* in case of accidents, breakdowns and floods.

The cars will be sent to any Honda authorised Body & Paint Centre within a 450km round trip from the location while the roadside repair service offers free labour of up to RM200 per event, excluding spare parts. Apart from that, 24/7 roadside repair services are also available during unforeseen incidences such as a flat tyre, running out of fuel or replacing a flat battery. HiP members can also be assured of efficient and hassle-free claim assistance where members will be updated constantly throughout the claims process.

Through the Protection benefit, HiP members are provided with high quality workmanship on all body and paint repairs at all Honda Authorised Body & Paint Centres. Only 100% of Honda genuine body and parts replacements which come with a 6 months warranty or 10,000km mileage warranty are used at these authorised Honda centres.

HiP members whose cars are repaired at a Honda Authorised Body & Paint Centre will receive speedy claim pre-approval for claims below RM20,000. Besides that, HiP members will be given medical assistance such as medical referral and arrangement of appointments, dispatch of medications which are not available locally, and medical evacuation or repatriation if required.

As an additional new protection benefit, a HiP member is now entitled to Personal Accident Coverage of up to RM15,000* in the event of Accidental Death or Permanent Disability in the Named Vehicle Car accident.

Honda Insurance Plus enables members to enjoy the benefit of Savings which received the most enhancement in the overall package. The extended coverage terms and better savings from replacement costs help to ease the financial burdens of HiP members.

The existing HiP 100% insurance payout* based on the agreed value if the car is stolen or severely damaged in an accident for the vehicle age of up to 10 years since its registration is now upgraded to 13 years for all HiP members.

Other newly introduced privileges include Unnamed Driver whereby the HiP provides coverage for all drivers under private registration with no additional names and compulsory excess payment required; flood allowance of up to RM1,500*; special relief allowance of RM1,500* in the event of car theft or total loss and RM1,000* for lost key reimbursement.

Apart from that, HiP members are also entitled to a 100% coverage for 10 years with no betterment fee that allows old parts of a Honda car damaged due to accident to be replaced with new original parts.

All existing and new Honda customers can renew and apply their HiP at any nearest Honda authorised dealers.


First Impression: The Most Important Part Of The Camry Has Been Upgraded And It Now Feels Complete

Has the new engine and transmission made the 2022 XV70 Camry even better?

When the eighth generation (XV70) Toyota Camry was globally launched back in 2017, it really was a far departure from the seventh generation's design. It actually suited the seventh generation's 'New Era' (Emotional & Rational) tagline more than the seventh generation itself.

When it arrived in Malaysia in 2018, everyone was shocked, but not at its stylish and modern design, but at
its price tag instead
 - because the Camry's price tag was closer to the RM200k mark more than ever before.

Although the only distinguishable similarities of the eighth generation Camry and the seventh generation Camry were its front and rear badge and its rear trunk lid, interested buyers were caught off guard by the RM15k price hike, where previously the most expensive Camry could be had for RM175k(
Camry Hybrid
).

Not only did UMW Toyota Motor up the price of the Camry, but they also dropped all other variants and left buyers with one option, the
2.5V
, which was equipped with a tweaked version of the seventh generation's 2.5-litre 2AR engine.

So, the XV70 wasn't really entirely 'All-new', but the 2022 Facelift Toyota Camry has fixed this, as it now features a new powertrain and a few tweaks here and there to the exterior and interior.

The headline of the 2022 Facelift Toyota Camry is obviously the new engine and transmission, where it is equipped with a 2.5-litre Dynamic Force Engine (A25A-FKS) and a Direct-Shift 8-speed automatic.

The A25A-FKS engine and 8-speed transmission is not something that we have not seen before, as it is featured in the current
Lexus ES250
, even though the 2022 Facelift Camry has 209PS/253Nm and the ES250 has 207PS/247Nm.

For those wanting to know how the facelift's output compares to the pre-facelift Camry, the 2022 Facelift Camry has 25PS and 18Nm more than the older vehicle. There's also an 8% increase in fuel efficiency compared to the pre-facelift XV70.

On the design front, the exterior largely remains the same, but a new lower grille ornamentation gives the Camry more of an aggressive look. The middle bit of the grille is now more pronounced, just like the Toyota Altis. The exterior tweaks finish off with a set of new 18" 'twisted dark spokes' Alloy Rims as well as slightly smoked taillights.

On the inside, the two most significant changes are the floating 9-inch infotainment screen and powered rear seats. While the floating infotainment screen is just something that is being followed because it is on-trend, the addition of the powered rear seats is a genius move by Toyota as it adds another dimension to the Camry's rear passenger comfort.

You can now recline the most outward rear seats adding to the seats' already comfortable feel. All of this reclining can be controlled via a touch-sensitive panel on the flip-out centre armrest, which also houses controls for air conditioning temperature, audio system and powered sunshade. Speaking of air conditioning, the Camry now has Tri-Zone climate control, which means the rear passengers can also have their own prefered settings.

The new car also has some new interior trim bits, mainly at the dashboard and centre console, featuring a grey tiger stripe-like design.

With that being said, future buyers would probably want to know how the Camry feels with the new engine and 8-speed transmission.

Where it previously felt asthmatic and flat, the new engine and transmission combo have really given the Camry a new lease of life. It feels awake, sharp and ready to barrel down the road with poise. The engine is quiet, smooth and certainly doesn't lack power.

The 8-speed automatic transmission was also smooth, and it loved to smoothly kick down a gear when we gave the accelerator pedal more than just a soft push when travelling at high speeds. With 25% wider gear ratios than its predecessors' 6-speed auto, it's no surprise that the facelift Camry is an excellent cruiser.

On the handling front, the Camry is still the same as before. It's soft and pliant where it needs to be and capable of tracing along highway bends with composure. We can't say it is the most agile of vehicles, but it does provide
confident handling
 for when you have to tackle those twisty back roads.

We are also pleased to report that its dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC) works smoothly on the highway as well in low-speed traffic. It stops and accelerates smoothly and is a pleasure during traffic jams.

Another welcoming feature that has been refined is the Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist. It doesn't throw extra loud and alarming noises at you, but instead, work quietly in the background to keep your Camry in the centre of the lane. This is a particularly welcoming feature for long drives where perhaps fatigue might have crept in and affected your attention.

All in all, the Camry now feels complete thanks to the new engine and transmission. Where it previously might have lacked in mechanical prowess to match its svelte looks is now a thing of the past. The addition of those powered rear seats also gives the Camry a whole new dimension at the rear, one that'll be deeply appreciated by those who sit at the back. Budget Lexus ES250? We certainly think so!

2022 Toyota Camry 2.5V Specification

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine

Transmission: 8-speed Direct Shift automatic

Max Power: 209 PS at 6,600 rpm

Max Torque: 253 Nm at 5,000 rpm

Safety: 7-airbags, Toyota Safety Sense, PCS, LDA, LTA, DRCC, AHB, VSC, TRC, ABS, BSM, VTS

Price: RM199,109


Lexus RX 350 L Previewed- Now with 7-seats, Priced From RM475,000

After making its debut in Los Angeles just last November, Lexus Malaysia has unveiled the Lexus RX 350 L, an extended RX with an increased seating capacity of 7 occupants.
Priced from RM475,000, the RX 350 L is RM17,200 more expensive than the 5-seater RX 350 Luxury variant that it replaces.
While many brands use the ‘L’ suffix in their model name to designate long wheelbase, the L in the RX 350 L does not increase the 2,790mm wheelbase. Instead, the rear overhang has been increased by another 110mm to accommodate the additional third row with two seats. This makes the RX 350 L measure exactly 5.0 metres in length.
From the side profile, the RX 350 L retains the same profile and blacked-out C-pillars that create a ‘floating-roof’ effect. The edge of the roof has been extended to provide better headroom for the third row occupants.
The rear bumper has also been redesigned, with the exhaust tips removed due to a change from dual exhaust to single exhaust outlet. A satin metallic trim piece adorns the lower portion, running the entire width of the bumper.
Access to the third row of seats is through a one-touch lever that slides the second row seat forward and tilt the seatback.
Occupants at the third row are still treated with great Lexus hospitality. There are large individual cup holders as well as side trim mounted air conditioning vents for both left and right passengers. Rear passengers can control their temperature and blower to their own preference, making the RX 350 L air conditioning a tri-zone system versus dual in the 5-seat variants.
 The second row seats have been raised to allow more foot room for the third row passengers.
The seats of the third row can be folded flat down or raised up at a touch of a button. The switches are also repeated on the second row door panel, so users can raised the seats on the third row without using the switches in the luggage area.
The 7-seater RX 350 L will only be available with the 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 289 hp and 358 Nm. Power is transferred to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Lexus RX 350 L comes with these key features and specifications:
LED headlamps
20-inch wheels with 235/550R20 tyres
LED front fog lamps with cornering function
Adaptive Variable Suspension
Power back door with hands-free activation
Moonroof
Semi-aniline leather seats
12-speaker Lexus Premium Audio
12.3-inch display monitor with Remote Touch Interface
Smart Card Key
Rear door sunshades
GPS Navigation system
Wireless charger for mobile devices
Panoramic view monitor (bird’s eye view)
10 airbags
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
The RX range now consist of (on-the-road price for Peninsular Malaysia, without Insurance):
Lexus RX 300 Premium – RM388,800
Lexus RX 300 Luxury – RM408,400
Lexus RX 300 F Sport – RM422,990
Lexus RX 350 L – RM475,000
Lexus RX 350 F Sport – RM486,300
Lexus RX 450h – RM520,200
The Lexus RX 350 L will be available for viewing in showrooms later in February. All new Lexus models, including the RX 350 L sold by Lexus Malaysia come with a comprehensive factory warranty of 5 years with unlimited mileage. After sales support is available at 7 dedicated Lexus showrooms in Malaysia, including one in Sarawak.


Automakers Feeling The Pressure Of Weak Ringgit, More Are Mulling Price Increase

Both local and foreign automakers are feeling the pinch of the Ringgit’s weaker valuation, being left with little alternative to meet rising operation costs than to increase prices, reports the New Straits Times.
As
reported earlier
,
Lexus
 and UMW
Toyota
 have made announcements that they will raise prices effective January 2016 of between four and sixteen percent. Meanwhile, Honda Malaysia and Perodua have hinted along similar lines.
Marketing director of
Honda
 Malaysia, Akhbar Daniel, told the daily that the Japanese carmaker was conducting an impact analysis before moving forward with a confirmed raising of prices.
“If we were to raise the prices, it should be in early January. But at the moment, we are still analysing the total impact to the business and looking at the right percentage if there is an increase,”
“It is possible that prices will be raised as we have trouble coping with a lower ringgit against the US dollar, despite having 80 per cent local content,”
“As a benchmark, completely-built-up (CBU) cars are impacted directly compared to locally manufactured cars (CKD) cars, so it is expected that CBU cars will be priced much higher than CKD cars,” said Akhbar.
Malaysia’s largest-volume automaker,
Perodua
, did admit that it may have to consider price increases should the Ringgit continue to depreciate against the US dollar. Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, its president and CEO, said this is due to some of Perodua’s components being imported and sold to them in the American currency.
Not all manufacturers are electing to raise prices, however, leaving prospective buyers some reasons yet for relief. As an example,
Mercedes-Benz
 Malaysia has pulled an about-face and announced price reductions for three of its new
C-Class
 models,
as we have previously reported
: C200 Avantgarde, C200 Exclusive, and C250 AMG.
Ford
 Motor Co, too, has said it has no immediate plans to increase prices of its
pick-up trucks
 due to sales through its local counterpart, Sime Darby Auto Connexion, remaining solid.
For the time being,
BMW
 Group Malaysia has announced its decision to maintain prices and absorb the impact of the weakening Malaysian currency
unless the Ringgit takes a further dip
: “Currently, we are not increasing or reducing our price... the group is monitoring the fluctuation of ringgit closely.”
Also in the same status quo camp would be Berjaya Auto Bhd with its line-up of
Mazda
 cars. However, they don’t rule out the possibility of having to should the ringgit breach the RM3.80 to 100-Yen threshold.
“If (the price of) everything starts to increase, it will not be good for the economic environment. (So) we will maintain the current selling price by reducing other expenses,” they said.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, chairman of
Proton
 Holdings Bhd, said they would also maintain its vehicle prices in spite of the higher cost of imported materials caused by the weaker Ringgit. The national carmaker said its prices are also fixed by the government.
“Now with the weakened currency weakened, imported material costs are higher but we still try to maintain the price of Proton cars.”


Audi Sport Unveils Latest Formula E FE05 Racer, Much Faster Than Predecessor

Defending champion Audi Sport has just unveiled their new Formula E racer, called Audi e-tron FE05.
After four seasons of racing, Formula E organizers have revamped the machinery with more power and range, dubbed ‘Gen2’. Audi has prepared meticulously for the new technical and strategic challenge.
The new drivetrain which consists of the motor, inverter, transmission, rear suspension, and control units are now designed and developed by Audi Sport. The motor generator unit, named Audi Schaeffler MGU03, was jointly developed by Audi and its technology partner Schaeffler. They have managed to shave 10% off the weight in the new drivetrain.
All Gen2 Formula E machines draw electricity from identical lithium-ion batteries manufactured by McLaren Applied Technologies. It has an energy capacity of 52 kWh and can be charged within 45 minutes. With the battery pack having double the energy capacity, drivers can now race the same machine for the entire 45-minute race, ending the quirky car-swapping format.
The larger batteries have not made a significant impact on the Audi e-tron FE05’s minimum weight, increasing by 20 kilograms to just 900 kilograms.
The new motor now produces up to 250 kW (340 hp) in qualifying and drivers only have access to 200 kW (272 hp) during the race. The Audi e-tron FE05 does the benchmark 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and estimated top speed is around 240 km/h.
One unique feature of the Gen2 Formula E machine is the lack of the rear wing. Instead, downforce is generated by a very large diffuser at the rear of the race car. Audi Sport driver Daniel Abt said he felt like he was in a science fiction movie and loves the new livery with more red colour on the aggressive Audi e-tron FE05.
Lucas Di Grassi was clearly excited and impressed after his experience with the new Audi e-tron FE05, “You can feel the increase in power immediately, the intelligent brake-by-wire system, the better aerodynamics. The car is massively quicker than last year.”
Audi Sport won last season's team championship with drivers Daniel Abt and Lucas Di Grassi winning two races each
Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, together with Virgin Racing will officially debut their Audi e-tron FE05 machines in under two weeks’ time, at the Formula E’s official pre-season testing that will take place at the Valencia Circuit, Spain.
The first race of the 2018/2019 season is scheduled to commence on 15th December at the inaugural Riyadh E-Prix, Saudi Arabia. Other new entrants which are coincidentally manufacturer-backed are
Nissan
 (taking over Renault e.dams) and
BMW
.
Jaguar
 has been racing in the electric series since 2016.
Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, has announced plans to participate from the 2019/2020 season under the Mercedes EQ Formula E Team.


Five Things I Want In My Next Car- By Alex Yoong

Buying a new car? I’m only mentioning this because I hear there are
loads of Raya promotions
 around. It’s also something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.
It’s time for a new day-car for me to drive around my son and get the usual day-to-day chores out of the way. So with that in mind I thought I’d share the things I’m thinking I need for my next car.
Firstly
, it needs to ride all the speed bumps around where I live well. So something reasonably softly sprung and with a short overhang. My usual car has a ridiculously long front overhang and I’m always scraping the bottom of it over bumps. Don’t you want something stiff and firm, I hear you think? Yes usually, but the state of the roads in Malaysia around my house lately has been rattling my fillings. My bum says to me that it’s time for something soft for a while.
Secondly
, Bluetooth. I like listening to podcasts on my phone and I need a good Bluetooth sound system that plays what I want, when I want. It’s especially good for the long drives down to Singapore when I do F1 commentary for Fox Sports.
Thirdly
, a four door sedan please. I’m not in the mood for a tight fit these days. Too much travelling means I’m always carrying big bags or water skies. I need to be able to put the seats down to fit more stuff in.
Which brings us to
point number four
. How about a manual transmission? I’ve not owned one in years and I think I’m ready for one again. Would be quite fun to practice a bit of heel and toe, don’t you think? I know it’s a dying art, but no harm in keeping it alive. Especially as my son keeps asking what it is and I feel he needs to at least learn how a manual gearbox works.
Finally,
point five
. I get really lazy when I drive. And I fear the manual gearbox will get a bit boring after awhile. So with that in mind, I know I will need a car with a turbo. Something that can pull away from traffic in any gear I’m in. Also with a turbocharger, it makes skipping gears and not needing to change down for a hill a lot easier.
It’s because of my impatience with traffic and getting in and out of the car for quick errands that make me want this. With city driving I hate having to rev the crap out of a car just to get it to move. Subtle stabs of the throttle suit me better.
--
So, that's my take on what I'd like to have in my next car. What features, additions, specifications, characterisitics, or attributes would you want your next car to have? And why?


Haval H2 CKD Launched – New Rims, New Colour, No More Manual

Go Auto, the authorised distributor of Haval vehicles in Malaysia today announced the introduction of the locally assembled H2 SUV, featuring new wheel design and a new colour called the Haval Blue.
The manual variant which was offered at RM89,950 (OTR with insurance) previously, has been dropped. Only two variants are available now:
Haval H2 Comfort Auto – RM98,950 OTR with insurance
Haval H2 Premium Auto – RM101,950 OTR with insurance
Other than a new rim design and colour, the Haval H2 CKD is identical to its CBU version, featuring keyless entry system, push start ignition, a multifunction meter panel, steering wheel control buttons, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a 6-way electrically adjustable driver sea, as well as an adjustable sunroof.
Powering the Haval H2 CKD is the same powertrain package – a turbocharged, 1.5 litre VVT petrol engine that is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox, producing 147 PS and 210 Nm of torque.
On the safety front, there are six airbags (dual front, dual front side and side curtain), reverse sensors and cameras, a tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability programme and a front active headrest.
Available in 14 Haval showrooms nationwide, the Haval H2, which is currently being exported to Batam, Indonesia and also Cambodia, is also offered with a "Buy Back Guarantee" scheme which ensures that owners will receive 50% of its resale value should the H2 is resold to the company within five years.


All-New 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Starts Production At Kecskemet, Hungary

After its public unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 at Las Vegas, USA, Mercedes-Benz has started production of the all-new CLA at their plant in Kecskemet, Hungary.
The Hungarian plant remains the birthplace of the highly emotive CLA-Class four-door coupe, with the first generation rolling out of the assembly lines in 2013.
Advanced production technologies have been updated in the plant, such as the usage of automatic guided vehicles (AGV) to transport entire bodyshells between production stations.
Employing approximately 4,700 workers, the Kecskemet plant produced over 190,000 compact vehicles last year. The plant also produces the all-new
W177 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
 and the CLA Shooting Brake.
Another product from the new-generation A-Class family is the
 first-ever Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan
. This, boxier-looking and more practical A-Class with a boot is being
built in Mexico
 as well as China. Production in Europe is only slated to begin later in 2019, and Mercedes-Benz has chosen a plant in Germany rather than the Kecskemet plant.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is expected to hit key markets from May 2019.


President of Mitsubishi Motors Steps Down

In typical honourable Japanese fashion, the President of Mitsubishi Motors Mr. Tetsuro Aikawa (above, screen grab from Euronews Business) has announced that he is stepping down from his position as President of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, reports Japan’s Nikkei.
Aikawa is taking full responsibility over charges that the company has rigged fuel economy data on some of its Japanese market models. He took the fall not just because of his position as President, but also because he has served at various positions in Mitsubishi Motors’s product development unit, the unit responsible for cooking up the fuel economy test results’ numbers.
Aikawa’s position will be temporarily filled by CEO Osamu Masuko until
Nissan completes its planned purchase of a 34 percent
 equity stake in Mitsubishi Motors, making Nissan the controlling shareholder of Mitsubishi Motors.
However trouble could also be brewing at
Nissan, which has just been fined
 by the Korean government for cheating on its exhaust emission data for its diesel-powered Nissan Qashqai.
Nissan was found to have installed a software that disables its emissions control system once the ambient temperature goes above 35 degrees Celsius, exploiting a loophole in European regulations (Korea accepts European homologation papers for imported cars like the UK-made Qashqai) that allows car makers to temporarily disable the emissions control systems when operating under extreme conditions. 35 degrees Celsius is clearly far from extreme. Most cars’ emissions control systems designed with an upper threshold limit of 50 degrees Celsius.
Europe’s NEDC test cycle only tests vehicles at temperatures between 20 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius.


Run Flat Tyres vs Regular Tyres - Features Comparison

What are the differences between Run Flat Tyres and Regular Tyres? How do their features compare?

Since the beginning of automotive history, tyre manufacturers have spent billions, if not trillions, researching how to provide car owners with the best tyre.

One of the areas that are constantly looked at is safety, resulting in the introduction of Run Flat Tyres or RFT.

What is a Run Flat Tyre?

"Run-Flat Tyre" or RFT for short is a tyre that can practically operate even with the absence of air or inflation. The tyre allows for the driver to continue driving after a puncture to make their way to a workshop or find a safe, level area to change the tyre.

RFT vs Regular Tyres

Regular tyres
 will flatten in the absence of air which forces the vehicle to be immobile. The quickest solution to get the vehicle back up and running is to replace the punctured tyre with your spare tyre. This is where it differs with RFT tyres, as you can still continue driving for up to 80 kilometres on run flat tyres.

Two Types of RFTs

There are two types of RFT technology systems

Self Supporting

Support Ring

The
Self Supporting
 system is where the tyre is built with a reinforced sidewall. This type of tyre has a rigid sidewall that can support the vehicle's weight even in the absence of air. Therefore, this type of RFT tyre will not even look like it is flat even when there it is devoid of air. This type of RFT tyre is more commonly seen on everyday vehicles.

The
Support Ring
 RFT tyre system employs a ring of hard rubber or another structure that can support the vehicle's weight in the event of air loss. This structure aims to ensure that the vehicle can still move even in the absence of air. This type of RFT tyre is more commonly seen on heavy-duty vehicles.

Weaknesses of RFT

Although RFT tyres might seem like they are bulletproof, they are still tyres that inherently carry some weaknesses.

RFT tyres still have the
probability to break
 or explode while in operation due to lack of care, such as being underinflated.

Driving overly fast can also cause it to explode.

If the vehicle is constantly overloaded, it will stress the tyre, resulting in tyre disintegration.

Disadvantages of RFT

Since RFT tyres are more technologically laden compared to regular tyres, RFT tyres are in turn also more expensive.

Since the sidewalls are harder than regular tyres, RFT tyres can be difficult to mount on the rim.

RFT tyres have been known to ruin a car's ride comfort because of the stiffer sidewalls.

Advantages of Regular Tyres

While regular tyres do not provide the added protection that Run Flat tyres do, there are some benefits to using regular tyres.

Regular tyres are cheaper than RFTs

Since they can be made with softer sidewalls, they provide a better ride and is quieter

Since they are not so rigid, regular tyres
do not wear out
 as fast as RFTs

Regular tyres can be fixed easily and cheaply at most workshops

RFT or Regular Tyre?

Whether
you choose
 to use RFTs or regular tyres depends on you as both types of tyres have their advantages and disadvantages. For cars that do not have a dedicated space for a spare, it's probably best to use RFTs, while for those who have a spare tyre, they have the liberty of choosing either.

So which one would you choose? RFTs or regular tyres?


BMW Group Malaysia To Pay For Your Car's GST

No, they are not, at least not permanently. That was just a cheeky marketing line from BMW. According to an announcement made on BMW Group Malaysia’s Facebook page, buyers who buy a BMW 3-series between now until 30
th
 June will have their car’s GST paid by BMW.
In conjunction with the 40
th
 anniversary of the BMW 3-series, BMW Group Malaysia will cover the GST charges for all BMW 3-series models (apart from the M3 of course).
On top of that, buyers can also choose between a low monthly instalment from RM2,348/month or a low interest rate from 2.34 percent.
As
reported yesterday
, all BMWs sold after 1-June 2015 will now enjoy five-year unlimited mileage warranty and a free scheduled maintenance program that covers up to 100,000 km.


All The Cars James Bond Drives In No Time To Die - The Hero Car Is Unexpectedly A Sensible One

From ridiculous to sensible, here are the most noteworthy cars in the latest Bond movie, No Time To Die.

There's no denying it, James Bond movies are always full of action, witty remarks, beautiful landscapes as well as an impressive lineup of cars. Ever since Dr. No in 1962, every Bond movie has more or less featured iconic cars, which some consider to be one of the highlights of a Bond movie.

The latest Bond movie, No Time To Die, is no exception to this formula and features a myriad of vehicles. The cars that appear in the movie include a couple of breathtaking Aston Martins, many new and old generation Land Rovers and a surprising Japanese car.

We will try our best not to spoil it for those who have not seen it, but here is every noteworthy car featured in the latest bond movie, No Time To Die.

1. Aston Martin DB5

The
 DB5
 is as synonymous with James Bond as much as James is. It's actually featured more times than any other actor playing James Bond. Since it is such an iconic piece of Bond movie mania, it is befitting that the DB5 gets to be in one of the most significant action scenes, right at the very beginning of the movie.

Bulletproof glass, machine guns out of the headlights, smoke out the rear, beautifully revving engine, what is there not to like about the DB5!

2. Aston Martin V8 Saloon (Vantage)

Timothy Dalton was the only Bond that used the Vantage until Daniel Craig pulled it out of a dusty garage in London in No Time To Die.

Launched a decade before Timothy Dalton's Bond debut, the V8 Saloon was both the fastest four-seat production car of its day and Britain's first true 'supercar'. The scene was pretty much like the scene in Spectre, where Bond pulled the covers off the DB5.

3. Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

It's pretty hard to say who was using the
Superleggera
 without giving the movie away, but let's just say it was a new age agent. If there were to be so many Astons in a Bond movie, we're pretty sure that they could not omit the
Superleggera
, as it is the flagship of the current Aston Martin range. The DBS does make quite an entrance in the film.

Aston has even made 25 examples of the exact car in the recent Bond movie, each built to the same specification as the film car used in No Time To Die.

4. Land Rover Series III

What Bond would be complete without a Land Rover, and it's surprising to see that the Director used a Series 3 as the car of choice for James instead of the 2021 Defender.

One of the most iconic British motors ever assembled, the Series 3 is definitely timeless, as proven by James in No Time To Die. If it's good enough for 007, we're pretty sure it's good enough for anybody, even if it was just a joyride vehicle in Jamaica.

5. 2021 Land Rover Defender

Craig's Bond has driven several modern Land Rovers, but this time it's the turn of the baddies to be behind one.

Just like the DB5, the
2021 Defender
 plays a significant role in one of the movie's largest action scenes, jumping over small hills, off-road terrain only to be beaten by Bond, who was driving an unexpected non-British vehicle.

6. Toyota Prado J90

The last time Bond drove a Toyota was way back in 1967, in You Only Live Twice. It was a 2000GT, and was pretty much a total surprise. However, this time, the Toyota that James drives is a much bigger surprise as he is dashing away in a
Toyota Prado J90
, escaping from baddies who were driving cars that would be more suited to James.

We suppose it is in line with what Craig's Bond is in the movie, a reliable agent and fxxxxx (you'll have to watch the movie to know what we mean) who just needs a reliable vehicle to do Bond things!


Bantuan PERMAI: Aid For Ride-Hailing, Taxi, and Bus Operators – But For How Long?

In a special address, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has outlined an economic relief package dubbed Perlindungan Ekonomi dan Rakyat Malaysia or PERMAI, to help individuals and certain business sectors weather the economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PERMAI relief package concentrates a further RM15 Billion towards three central objectives:

Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic

Preserving the rakyat’s livelihoods

Supporting businesses

Image credit:
TheStar

The relief package focusses mainly on the healthcare sectors, but also extends on previous packages such as the PRIHATIN and i-SINAR KWSP, as well as targeted
loan moratoriums
 for individuals who have lost a portion or all their income.

The latest PERMAI initiative adds the following relief in addition to the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) first announced last year. The BPN allocated an RM500 one-off payment for over 68,000 ride-hailing drivers, whereas bus and taxi drivers were offered a one-time payment of RM600.

PERMAI now adds the following:

One-time payment of RM500 for approximately 118,000 taxi drivers, school bus operators, tour bus operators, rental car operators, and well as
ride-hailing drivers
.

Tourist guides to receive a similar RM500 one-time payment

Sales and Excise duty exemption for transfer, disposal, and private use of taxis for vehicles owned for now changed to a minimum of five years, down from the previous seven years period.

Finally, the Bus and Taxi Hire Purchase Rehabilitation Scheme. Under this scheme, a 50 percent guarantee on loans will be provided for selected buses such as sightseeing buses and taxis from hire purchase and leasing companies. With this, bus and taxi operators can restructure their loans as well as take advantage of a 12-month moratorium period and lower monthly repayments.

While we applaud the government and its initiatives to provide relief for the
transportation sectors
 hit the worst by the pandemic, we also wonder if the aid packages are a telling signal that the government payout signals a
much longer period for the MCO
, even beyond February 4?

The first of such payouts happened between April to June last year, which allocated RM60 million towards a one-time payment of RM500 for 120,000 ride-hailing drivers across the country. However,
that MCO
 and its longer-term effects lasted closer to six months, so will this round of initiatives be enough to keep the transport industry afloat, as its central objectives state?

Image credit:
TheStar

Granted there are lesser restrictions in terms of business, but the aid package valued at RM15 Billion would have us believe the government is buckling down the hatches for a period longer than 3 weeks.

Updated:

As we wrote this, we now know that the MCO will cover all states excluding Sarawak, bringing to light the gravity of the cases across the country and why we must all play our part in combating the effects of the pandemic.

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VIDEO: McLaren Formula 1 Vs. McLaren 650 S Vs. Honda Civic @ Silverstone

It’s become a bit of a customary affair for the McLaren Formula 1 team to sort of do this now: every year or so, they organise to have one of their F1 racers take on a few road-going vehicles, and smash them around a full Formula 1 circuit.
Of course, a straight fight wouldn’t make sense, with the F1 car clearly being the outright quickest thing around. To make it a fairer fight, the road-going vehicles get a bit of an advantage by being sent off first, with the F1 car being release to race much later. You’ll get the concept as soon as you watch one, if you haven’t yet.
We first saw this way back when David Coulthard, racing for the McLaren F1 team, piloted his F1 car against a Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM racer and a C-Class Sport model. Dramatic, but expected results.
In 2012, McLaren were at it again, this time in Australia, facing the legendary Mick Doohan in a C 63 AMG Black Series, and a V8 Supercar. Gary Paffett, the then McLaren test driver, clearly trampled the competition at Adelaide.
Not shy to attempt the same, the Red Bull F1 team repeated the feat at the Australian GP in 2014. Another brilliantly dramatic ending.
And with the British GP only just coming to a close, it was Jenson Button’s turn to claim his fame, against Kevin Magnussen in a street-going McLaren 650 S supercar. The feat was part of a promotional activity of Esso's.
Given its new partnership with Honda, a Civic Sport (Euro) was thrown in for good measure. Here’s the results of that.
TIP: This video features a 360-degree viewing experience, so given your browser’s compatibility, you’ll be able to drag the camera about to watch the action from all sides.
Here’s also a few video of the other attempts we’ve told you about:


Tukar Nissan Almera Kepada Nissan GT-R Dengan RM3,800 – On Tak On?

Bagi mereka yang ingin menampilkan kelainan pada
Nissan Almera 2020
, mungkin anda boleh pertimbangkan untuk mendapatkan kit badan GT-R buatan Thailand ini.

Walaupun Nissan Almera Turbo bukanlah datang dari keluarga
GT-R
, namun ia tetap dikeluarkan oleh pengeluar yang sama, iaitu
Nissan
. Sebelum anda mengecam perbuatan mengubah suai bahagian luaran kereta ini kepada kit badan GT-R, ketahuilah bahawa kereta ini turut membawakan teknologi
Mirror Bore Coating
 yang diadaptasi daripada kereta sports Nissan GT-R.

Menurut Nissan, enjin 1.0L turbo Almera yang menghasilkan 100 PS serta 152 Nm tork menerima teknologi
Mirror Bore Coating
 yang sama seperti pada enjin VR38DETT
Nissan GT-R R35
 yang membantu mengurangkan geseran antara gegelang omboh dan dinding silinder, seterusnya meningkatkan ketahanan dan pengurusan suhu yang lebih baik.

Alang-alang dah ada teknologi yang sama seperti GT-R, apa salahnya kalau nak tukar kit badan Almera kepada GT-R?

Pada tahun lalu, sebuah kedai aksesori di Thailand telah menunjukkan dua unit Almera bersama kit badan GT-R yang siap dipasang. Walau bagaimanapun, kini anda boleh mendapatkan aksesori ini di Malaysia dengan harga Rm3,800 sahaja!

Bahagian luaran kereta tersebut telah diolah semula menggunakan kit badan yang diperbuat daripada gentian kaca merangkumi bampar depan dan belakang, skirt sisi. Kesemua alatan aksesori ini mudah untuk dipasang memandangkan ianya bersifat
Plug and Play.

Bahagian belakang pula menampilkan empat biji tip ekzos palsu serta spoiler GT yang besar di bahagian belakang yang berfungsi untuk menambah gaya sporty pada Almera. Walaupun tak dapat tiru dari segi prestasi GT-R, dapat ambil rupa sikit-sikit pun jadilah.

Harga yang dinyatakan hanyalah untuk alatan aksesori sahaja tidak termasuk cat mahupun upah pasang. Kedai aksesori tempatan yang mempromosikan kit badan GT-R untuk Almera ini bagaimanapun tidak menyatakan bahawa spoiler GT yang ada dalam gambar sebagai salah satu aksesori yang bakal diterima dalam harga RM3,800 itu.

Hanya bampar hadapan, skirt sisi, bampar belakang serta tip ekzos palsu sahaja yang disenaraikan. Kemungkinan besar anda perlu menambah modal jika mahukan spoiler GT pada Almera anda. Penghantaran boleh dibuat melalui Lalamove dan bayaran tunai, perbankan internet ataupun
eWallet
 turut diterima.

Sanggupkah anda membelanjakan hampir RM4,000 untuk menukar Nissan Almera anda kepada Nissan Almera Turbo GT-R?


Nope! Hyundai Confirms Zero Car Talks Ongoing With Apple

Earlier on Monday, South Korean automotive giant Hyundai confirmed that they are not in talks with Apple as previously reported. This news comes about a month after the company admitted that early-stage discussions were taking place.

Just as quickly as Hyundai shares skyrocketed at the prospect
that a partnership was brewing
 to co-develop the much rumoured Apple Car (codenamed Project Titan), today’s revelation that any potential deal has fallen through has sent the automaker’s stock price tumbling.

Vapourware is a term often used in Silicon Valley circles to describe a software or hardware that has been promoted, advertised, or otherwise hyped up but does not actually exist. In more extreme cases, vapourware exists merely to excite public interest, spin headlines, or deceitfully sway the stock price.

However, this situation is far from being a bunch of hot air. Apple did, and probably still does, need some kind of external aid when it comes to navigating the unfamiliar automotive world. While it’s very likely that Hyundai and Apple were in preliminary talks about
how such a collaboration
 would be executed, the possibility of it materialising was far from a sure thing.

The Cupertino-based electronics powerhouse has always been extremely fussy about
who it partners with
, especially if it concerns intellectual property, greatly preferring to have full ownership of the vertical stack and rely on in-house solutions.

Bloomberg reports that Apple was the one to pause discussions with Hyundai on building an electric vehicle some weeks ago, according to sources familiar with the matter, relegating the automaker into a camp joined by other potential partners that the iPhone maker has seemingly passed on, including BMW and Volkswagen.

Guess Apple will be back to sporadically flirting with various other automakers hoping to find one that fits their bill and, crucially, one that will tolerate the company’s many demands and conditions. Then again, being the world’s most valuable company, they have plenty of time and money to burn on a project that might ultimately be scrapped, even after years of work and billions invested.

Though inking a deal with a full-blown engineering and/or manufacturing partner might take yet more time, a Reuters report last year - citing inside sources - seems to reinforce Apple’s commitment to advancing autonomous driving technology over a presumed iCar.


The BMW M4 GT3 Breaks Cover – Developed In Parallel With Next-Gen M3 and M4

After months of arduous testing and development, BMW has now rolled out its new GT racing challenger the M4 GT3… and by all accounts, it looks menacing.

Last weekend marked the first road and important functions test of the much-anticipated GT3-class challenger which will replace the BMW M6 GT3 from the 2022 season. The first tests are scheduled to take place on the track at BMW Group’s test centre in Miramas next week.

Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW M GmbH: “With every BMW M4, we are taking motor racing technology to the streets. That is particularly true of the new BMW M4 Coupé, which forms the perfect basis for the race car. The straight six-cylinder engine with M TwinPower turbo technology and high-rev concept (developing in excess of 500 bhp) is used in both the production car and the race car.

He added, “Our engineers designed the power unit from the outset with performance characteristics derived straight from the world of motor racing. We are confident that this approach will pay dividends in terms of performance and driving pleasure for both our GT3 customer teams at the racetrack and for our customers who purchase a new BMW M4 or BMW M3.”

The race car and production cars were developed in parallel, and both are now in the midst of an intensive period of testing out on the track prior to the launch of the next-generation M3 and M4, due out in September.

The M4 GT3 will see some competitive racing in 2021, before being deployed as the sole BMW works-GT3 car in 2022. Between now and then, the BMW Motorsport engineers and BMW works drivers still have a lot of development and testing to do.


Manual Transmissions Are Inferior In Every Way, But That's Fine

Sometimes it isn't always about speed and efficiency - sometimes its about the joy of driving in itself.

Seven speeds, eight speeds, nine speeds, ten speeds - perhaps even more. If you haven't caught on yet, we're referring to the number of forward gear ratios that modern automatic transmissions have, in the name of performance and efficiency. It's staggering to think that just a decade ago, a six-speed automatic transmission was considered a luxury, and now almost every BMW model comes with no less than eight speeds.

And that's not the only way transmissions have evolved. Even the kinds of transmissions you get these days have greatly diversified to include dual-clutch transmissions and continuously-variable transmissions. Each kind of transmission has its strengths and drawbacks, and from a technical standpoint, the manual transmission seems to be stuck very much in the past.

The largest leap in the development of manual transmissions for road cars is the inclusion of a seventh forward gear, and even then it is only available for some Porsche 911s and some Corvettes. Fundamentally the manual transmission has not changed in operation or design since the introduction of synchromeshes that helped you shift more smoothly.

A couple of decades ago you could say that a manual transmission was more efficient than an automatic transmission, but only because back then automatic transmissions saw more parasitic losses and had less forward gears available which made the engine strain a little more. As we stated in the opening of this piece, automatic transmissions can already outgun manuals, and fast-acting lock up clutches provide reduced parasitic losses and provide sharper response in automatic transmissions.

You can't even say that manual transmissions are more effective around a race track either, because modern racecars all use a sequential-type transmission that doesn't require a clutch. On the more consumer end of things, dual-clutch transmissions and automatic transmissions are proven to be quicker in all metrics, including lap times.

So why do companies still offer it, and why are manual transmissions regarded as the choice for purists in the automotive sphere? A lot of it has to do with the feeling of control, and a manual transmission puts the driver completely in control of how the car puts power to the wheels. No matter how complex or quick an automatic or dual-clutch transmission is, the driver is still not entirely in control.

Is it a matter of ego then? Perhaps a little, but there are some interesting tricks you can do with a manual that you can't really do with anything that's automated. Clutch control lets you use a bit of engine braking to help slow a car down and preserve the brakes when you're really at it on the track, and being able to modulate the clutch lets you control power delivery during a launch and even mid corner if you're dealing with something a little more old school.

But above all that, there's just a simple sense of satisfaction when you manage to get a shift right. Even years after you first learn how to drive a manual, a perfect gear shift - devoid of jerking or roughness - is a moment of bliss. Whether it's getting the shift right after you hit peak power, or a series of quick blips to downshift through the gears - the shift is a very important part of the driving experience.

Manual transmissions are a dying breed, but it's good to see that some companies still make the effort to offer these archaic options. What used to be standard has become optional and a rarity on top of that. Electric cars are a threat to manual transmissions as well, seeing as they don't need a transmission at all really. Let's hope that we can continue to see manual transmissions for at least the lifespan of the internal combustion engine.


Nurburgring Speed Limits Puts An End To Lap Time Arms Race

The Nurburgring has been a proving ground for manufacturers to test the mettle of their cars against the clock. It’s been a way for engineers to make cars go as fast as possible as well as a tool to market it's driving ability to the customer. But it looks like that’s about to change with speed limits.
It has been reported that Carsten Schumacher, CEO of Capricorn Nurburgring GmbH, said that the speed limit was enforced following an accident on 28 March 2015 in which an onlooker was killed during a VLN endurance race when a factory-backed
Nissan

GT-R
 flipped and crashed into a spectator-filled area.
Those same speed limits for races have been extended to other activities on the Nordschleife, including manufacturer lap record setting - a move that could end the arms race that has seen many manufacturers try to best their rivals' lap time, time and time again.
Other reports have the impression that only certain areas, where cars are known to catch air, have been limited. Likewise, the Doettinger Hoehe straight is believed to have a 250km/h speed limit in place.

Recently, Koenigsegg has been chasing an absurdly fast lap time around the ‘Green Hell’ with its
One:1 hypercar
. That pursuit, which has had to be put on hold, is the central focus of the documentary ‘Apex’, a production on which J.F Musial is the executive producer.
Musial and his team were planning to head down to Germany to film the momentous lap when they got word that the German Motorsports Association (DMSB) had set speed restrictions for manufacturers, dashing the hopes of the Swedish outfit to best the
Porsche

918 Spyder
’s 6:57 lap record.
Here's a video of the 918 Spyder on it's record lap around the 'Ring. If this new speed limit enforcement sticks, the Porsche could hold that record indefinitely, or at least for quite a long time.


The Mega-Rich Of London Might Be Arrested For Posing In Their Loud Supercars

London, the British capital and one of the most important urban metropolises in the world, over the last few years has had a tenuous relationship with the car. Congestion charges, carbon tax, tolls, expensive parking, but now it wants to put a cap engine noise and music.
To be fair, that’s loud engine noise and loud music from car stereos. Particular areas of the city are rife with wealthy residents that seem to have a penchant with annoying their fellow Londoner, particularly along the streets of Kensington and Chelsea.
According to the
London Evening Standard
, the local councils are consulting the authorities on how to crack down on these wasteful and disruptive practices, which they say has “a detrimental effect to the local community’s quality of life".
These supercar owners tend to congregate through certain parts of the London’s most affluent areas to show off their vehicles, usually at night. Some foreign residents would even ship their cars from the Middle East during the summer months.
Should their concerns be turned into a full ruling, it would become a criminal offence for drivers to rev their engines, play loud music and/or rapidly accelerate. Under the possible ruling, driving in a convoy will also be prohibited, as will running the car while stationary.
Councillor Tim Ahern, the council's cabinet member for environment, environmental health and leisure, said: “I know there has been a lot of coverage of expensive cars racing around Knightsbridge and also parking up and revving their engines. We want to take steps to discourage these drivers from their antisocial behaviour.”
Retired teacher Angela Stone, 55, who lives near Harrods, said: “They just go round and round hoping to be looked at. They get out their diamond studded cars and pose in them.
"It’s like an expensive Spanish resort without the sun. It is irritating and completely unnecessary. I do understand how they upset residents.”


Paris 2016: Hyundai RN30 Concept Previews A VW Golf R Fighting i30N

If Volkswagen is known for its R badge, and Ford for its ST, Hyundai wants some of attention too, so they are calling theirs N, probably a homage to Nurburgring. The RN30 Concept seen here is a souped up, motorsports inspired version of the all-new Hyundai i30.
It previews a production version of the i30N, which Hyundai says will go on sale next year.
While the concept car might look a bit too extreme for road use, the highlight of the RN30 is actually under the bonnet. The 2.0-litre turbocharged unit, which will be used by the upcoming i30N.
In its concept car form, the boosted four-cylinder engine produces 380 PS and 451 Nm, courtesy of an enlarged turbo and forged internal components replacing the standard i30’s casted components.
Drive is transferred to all four wheels via wet-type dual-clutch, all-wheel drive transmission. There’s also an electronic limited-slip differential system (eLSD) to keep traction in check.
Like a proper motorsports-inspired car, the RN30 Concept has rev-matching function. The centrally-mounted white ceramic twin exhaust pipes also uses an Electronic Variable Exhaust system for added aural stimulation.
For weight reduction, Hyundai has opted to reduce weight by using what the company calls ‘an all-new high-performance plastic materials,’ developed in collaboration with BASF.
The center of gravity is lowered further by pushing back and lowering the seats.
Compared to the i30, the RN30 is wider and sits lower – 30 mm wider and 84 mm lower.
Leading Hyundai’s N brand offensive is Albert Biermann, formerly from BMW M.
Peel away the RN30 Concept’s loud, outrageous styling, and you will have a rough idea of what the i30N will look like.
Depending on the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine’s final output, and availability of all-wheel drive in the production car, the 2017 Hyundai i30N will compete with either the Volkswagen Golf R or Golf GTI, and maybe even the Ford Focus ST.


New Lexus IS 500 F Sport Is A 472HP V8 Japanese Warrior

Lexus, the premium arm of Toyota, via its USA channels had teased something sporty was incoming (in sedan form, no less). With the unveil of a brand new model line or something similarly ground shaking being unlikely and
the refreshed IS
 being the most eligible recipient, everyone had figured it for a new F Sport variant. No big deal....

Only in our deepest recesses did we permit ourselves to fantasise about a true performance flagship, but during the unveil late last night that is exactly what the brand delivered. This new fast IS, or the IS 500 F Sport Performance in its clumsy full title, is the spiritual successor to the IS F from 2007.

Since the LFA that followed in 2010 and the less well-received RC F in 2014, Lexus has been extremely hesitant to revisit their F performance brand in full but is more than happy to deliver us cars like
the excellent LC 500
.

To no surprise, this IS 500 shares both that naming convention, as well as its 5.0-litre, naturally aspirated 2UR-GSE V8 engine in virtually unchanged tune. Here, too, it’s mated to an 8-speed automatic with drive sent to the rear wheels.

Before I get us too excited, it must be underlined that Lexus has announced this car as being left-hand drive only and therefore exclusive to the North American market as the region represents both the marque’s original stomping ground while also happening to be especially fond of the crossplane V8.

Though the IS’ engine is a far more refined beast than the Coyotes, LSes, and HEMIs common there, an unavoidable muscle car vibe is instantly endowed by stuffing a huge engine in a small-ish body. A vibe we love.

As shy as Lexus are to fully classify this as a full-on performance model, the IS 500 F Sport's 472hp still manages to outgun the newest
RS4 Avant
 (450hp). Granted, the Audi does deliver more torque at 600Nm (and earlier) thanks to a pair of turbochargers. At 535Nm, though, the Lexus isn’t far behind. According to the automaker, a 0-96km/h (or 0-60mph, because America...) sprint time is quoted at an impressive 4.5 seconds, or 0.1s quicker than the LC500.

Besides possibly being the final outing of the same engine, there’s plenty of nods here to that original Lexus F model, the IS F, including the bulged bonnet (raised by 2 inches) and stacked exhaust exits on either side.

The car builds on the dynamic credentials of the IS 350 F Sport, previously the fastest variant available, by coming with a standard Dynamic Handling Package that adds Adaptive Valve Suspension, a Torsen limited slip differential, and bespoke lightweight 19-inch split-10-spoke Enkei wheels. Yamaha’s audio division wasn’t consulted to craft the car’s sonic signature as they were with the LFA, but the IS 500 does feature rear performance dampers engineered by Yamaha Motor.

Thankfully, Lexus doesn’t go overboard by beating you over the head with badges to remind you what car you’re in, and there’s only a light peppering of F Sport or F Sport Performance emblems inside and out. Tasteful. Speaking of which, the cabin itself looks incredibly restrained with very little to obviously distinguish it from any other V6 or turbo-4 powered IS.

In fact, unless you know what to look for, the IS 500 F Sport Performance looks only moderately more aggressive than the IS 350 F Sport. Dress it in a less flashy body colour and it’s easy for most people to miss the protein powder bonnet and quad exhausts. Even the wheels aren’t particularly shouty at 19-inches.

Like the IS F before it, they’ve made another 'sleeper': a high-performance beast minus the fuss and drama that usually comes along with it. You might pull into a petrol station and not even be aware of how much power this Lexus is packing; until that is, it leaves you for dead at the lights. That discreet and unassuming quality makes this car so much more intriguing….and just plain cool.

In 2021, the IS 500 is very much akin to a Samurai warrior - antiquated. Both are creatures of tradition in a time of change and upheaval, and both are unwilling to be distracted by the noise of the crowd. With its normally aspirated V8 and rear wheel drive, the IS 500 wields a katana in the age of gunpowder, fights furiously up close instead of dispassionately at range. Though less effective, it earns all the respect.
Excuse my waxing lyrical.

Lexus not only makes the best looking compact executive saloon car (subjective, I know) in the standard IS, but it now also makes the most desirable new performance four-door out there.
Forget your M3s
 and RS4s and
(rumoured hybrid 4-cylinder) AMG C 63
s, this Lexus is the real deal, and the fact that this might be the final outing of this 2UR-GSE 5.0-litre V8 (or any other naturally aspirated V8) makes its existence all the more tragic and heroic at the same time.

Too bad it’s left-hand drive only.


Spectacular Nissan GT-R50 Conquers Goodwood Festival Of Speed

First teased by Nissan just over a week ago, the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign has conquered one of the most famous hills in motorsport.
The one-off hand-built Nissan GT-R50 was driven by Nissan factory GT3 racers Lucas Ordóñez and Alex Buncombe.
"The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the ideal setting to showcase the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign, which combines power and artistry to celebrate 50 years of inspiring the dreams of our customers," said Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan's senior vice president of global design.
"Just like the prototype itself, Goodwood is a celebration of design, performance, a little indulgence and a lot of love of historic and future automotive creativity. It's the perfect setting to showcase a unique vehicle that will stir the imagination of people to dream even bigger."
The production version of the Nissan GT-R50 could mirror the prototype that was driven up the 1.86 km. The hand-built Nissan GT-R50 is the first-ever collaboration between Nissan and Italdesign, and it marks the 50
th
 anniversaries for both the GT-R in 2019 and Italdesign in 2018.


Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe Revealed

Mercedes-AMG has further extended its product portfolio with the addition of the new GLC 43 4MATIC Coupé.
According to Mercedes-AMG, the GLC 43 Coupe promises to offer the brand's hallmark driving performance and the advantages of an SUV in terms of seating position, interior flexibility and also traction off the beaten track.
Powering the vehicle is a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine that is capable of producing 367hp and 520Nm of maximum torque, paired to a 9G‑TRONIC automatic gearbox. Thanks to the engine and the transmission, the GLC Coupe can sprint from rest to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and its speed is electronically governed at 250 km/h.
Complementing the powertrain package is the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive system which forms the basis for an especially dynamic on-road driving experience.
A significant contribution is also made by the independent sports suspension based on the multi-chamber air suspension system with adaptive damping adjustment.
Additionally, the GLC Coupé also enables occasional off-road excursions to be undertaken: the ground clearance can be increased at the touch of a button, and the pneumatic all-round self-levelling ensures a constant vehicle level at all times.

Design wise, the front view of the GLC Coupé features the diamond radiator grille with chrome pins and a louvre in high-gloss black with insert in high-gloss chrome and AMG lettering in high-gloss chrome.
Compared with the GLC 43, the A-pillar features a flatter slope angle. The squat greenhouse blends in seamlessly with the side of the vehicle to emphasise the coupé silhouette. The interplay between high beltline and wide shoulders results in proportions that lend the GLC Coupé its dynamic looks.
High-gloss black-painted, high-sheen 48.3 cm (19-inch) AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels dominate the side view. The mixed-size tyres in the dimensions 235/55 R 19 on 8.0 J x 19 at the front axle and 255/50 R 19 on 9.0 J x 19 at the rear axle emphasise the powerful appearance. As an option, other combinations and designs are available, right up to 21-inch wheels in a bichromatic design.
The tail end also sports characteristic highlights and exudes sporty, aesthetic appeal with chrome-plated tailpipe trim elements in a four-pipe look. The AMG-specific rear apron sports trim in silver chrome.
Similar to all the other Mercedes-AMG Coupe models, the GLC Coupe also features the narrow, divided tail lights and the sharp spoiler lip.
Inside, the GLC Coupe features a combination of black leather with red stitching, longitudinal-grain aluminium trim, a multifunction sports steering, and a wide range of equipment and gadgets such as a central colour multifunction display with a 5.5-inch screen, an AMG instrument cluster, an ECO display, a race timer, split-folding rear seats, and the Mercedes me connect system.
That said, the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupé will celebrate its world premiere on 28 September 2016 as part of the Paris Motor Show.
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 today