2022 Ford Ranger Launched – 7 Variants Available, Up to 7 Years Warranty, From RM109k

After much anticipation, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) has introduced the 2022
second-generation T6 Ford Ranger
 (P703) pickup for the Malaysian market, priced from RM142,888.

The latest generation Ranger, which replaces the facelifted (P375) model
launched here in 2018
, crucially takes a big leap in design, inspired by Ford’s larger F-150 pickup truck. It also comes with improved equipment and features across the range.

2022 Ford Ranger Wildtrak

2022 Ford Ranger variants and price

The 2022 Ford Ranger is offered in 7 different variants and drivetrain packages:

Wildtrak – one variant, from RM168,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), from RM174,388 (East Malaysia)

XLT Plus – one variant, from RM142,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), from RM148,388 (East Malaysia)

XLT – two variants (AT/MT), from RM124,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), from RM129,888 (East Malaysia)

XL – two variants(AT/MT), from RM108,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), from RM114,888 (East Malaysia)

All prices are OTR without insurance.

Powertrain of the 2022 Ford Ranger

All 2022 Rangers get the current EcoBlue 2.0-litre diesel engine, albeit with some slight modifications to improve cooling. The power these engines can put out varies according to model and whether they come in the single or bi-turbo form.

The single turbo models (XL, XLT) produce
170 PS
 at 3,500 rpm and
405 Nm
 of torque from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm, while the bi-turbo variants (XLT Plus, Wildtrak) push out
210 PS
 at 3,750 rpm and
500 Nm
 between 1,750 and 2,000 rpm.

A choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic can be had (XL, XLT) for the single turbo variants, while the bi-turbo trucks (XLT Plus, Wildtrak) get a revised 10-speed automatic that’s lighter and more efficient than the outgoing model, featuring a tighter set of gear ratios to improve torque distribution and towing ability.

Ford also offers two versions of 4WD systems in the Ranger, the first being with the more familiar on-the-fly manual mode while the other is a more advanced, electronically-controlled on-demand 4WD system via its drive modes.

Interestingly, Ford has dedicated space under the bonnet for the installation of a second battery for use as an auxiliary power source to keep camping accessories running.

Like the current Ranger, the new truck offers a maximum wading depth of 800mm. Depending on the variant, you can have up to 1000kg of payload on the Ranger.

2022 Ford Ranger Exterior

2022 Ford Ranger XLT Plus

Redesigned from the ground up, the new Ranger has been labelled by Ford as the most versatile Ranger to date, designed as an all-rounder lifestyle vehicle for work, family, and play.

The 2022 Ranger has been styled with many new nods to Ford’s larger F-150 pickup truck, and its larger radiator grille clearly identifies it with a horizontal bar that incorporates the Ford badge, which extends across the front to the new “C-clamp” set of daytime running lights.

For the first time, Ford offers the Ranger with matrix LED headlights (Wildtrak) with auto high beam, which also comes standard on the XLT Plus.

The Ranger now looks broader than ever, thanks to the addition of a 50mm track and wheelbase, which Ford says increases the stability of the Ranger, on and off-road, but all other dimensions remain the same. Ford's engineers have also shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame rails to give drivers more comfort and a controlled ride.

From the side profile, there is not much to shout about apart from the more pronounced wheel arches, but at the rear, there is a new tailgate that features the ‘RANGER’ lettering stamped into the metal.

Ford also saw the opportunity to implement an integrated side step behind the rear tyres (Wildtrak) to create a more accessible way into the truck bed.

Interior 2022 Ford Ranger

The 2022 Ford Ranger now features much more premium soft-touch materials within its refreshed cabin, but the highlight of the interior is definitely the 10-inch(XL, XLT, XLT Plus) or 12-inch portrait-orientated infotainment touchscreen (depending on variant) with the latest version of Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment software, which also runs the Rangers' driving modes. All models however do get an 8-inch TFT meter cluster as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support for its infotainment system.

With one press of a button, drivers can go to the Ranger's dedicated screen for all off-road and drive modes, where they can also monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch, and roll angles, as well as other controls.

The screen is also linked to a 360-degree camera in the Wildtrak to make parking and off-road manoeuvres easier. The meter cluster just beyond the steering wheel is also a slick bit of kit as the 8-inch digital instrument panel is reconfigurable to allow more information as you see fit.

There's also an e-shifter now in the Ranger, which Ford says is a first in class. An electric parking brake is also utilised in the Ranger, bringing a techier feel to the Ranger and its interior. Ford has also equipped the Ranger with a wireless charging base for smartphones(XLT, XLT Plus, Wildtrak) but you can still charge your phone through the 12V/240V sockets and the 150W inverter that brings power to the box.

Drive modes

Technology from the Ranger Raptor has trickled down to the Ranger as well with the 2022 models, which is why the Ranger now comes with selectable drive modes. The modes are: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery for on-road, and Mud/ruts and Sand for off-road use. These modes adjust everything from throttle response to traction to give you more control of the truck.

There's also a dedicated off-road screen on the SYNC system, which allows driveline and diff lock settings as well as a front camera view with predictive overlay guidelines. The e-locking rear differential is only available on the XLT, XLT Plus, and Wildtrak.

Safety features in the 2022 Ford Ranger

For the first time ever in its segment, the 2022 Wildtrak will come equipped with Evasive Steer Assist, the system helps drivers avoid potential forward collisions by helping the driver steer with less effort especially when a collision cannot be avoided by braking alone.

The Wildtrak and XLT Plus will also come with:

Post-Collision Braking System

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go (ACC)

Cross Traffic Alert

Reverse Brake Assist (Wildtrak only)

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection

The XLT and XL come with standard active and passive safety features such as ABS, EBD, TCS, and ESC. The XLT however does come equipped with cruise control and lane-keeping aid on top of the regular driving aids and safety features.

To protect the Ranger from damage when going off-road, the new truck boasts a raft of protective underbody shields for the steering, sump, transmission, and transfer case. These shields are made from pressed and folded laser-cut steel.

Colour

The new Ford Ranger will be available in two new colours, Sedona Orange and Luxe Yellow (Wildtrak) - in addition to the existing colours of Arctic White, Meteor Gray, Aluminium Metallic, Lightning Blue, and Absolute Black (depending on variants)

Warranty

All variants of the Ford Ranger are offered with a 5-year/1600,000km manufacturer warranty with an optional extended warranty period of 7 years.

Fans of the Ford Ranger Raptor will have to wait a bit longer, as the much-coveted truck will be launched in the fourth quarter of this year though it did make a sneak appearance today.


All-New 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Exterior Design Cues Revealed

All set to make its debut at the upcoming 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz has released a teaser video of the 2019 CLS; revealing a few of the car’s design cues that preview the brand’s new design philosophy.
From what we can see, the CLS is retaining its signature fastback roofline, giving it a coupe-like shape.
Its front fascia on the other hand features the new, more angular LED headlights inspired by the Concept A Sedan, the ‘diamond’ grille similar to the current A-Class, as well as a more fluid looking hood.
The taillights have also been redesigned to be thinner and more angular. As for the wheels, Mercedes-Benz has kept things simple with a five double-spoke design.
Sharing the same platform as the
W213 E-Class
, the new CLS could come with a host of powerplants ranging from turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesels,
inline-sixes
, and maybe even the 603bhp turbocharged AMG V8 mill.
Inside, the car gets the
same dashboard
 as the E-Class with jet turbine-inspired air-cond vents and the
12-inch display
 which stretches half-way across the dashboard.
No technical details have been revealed yet, but we are sure that the folks at Mercedes-Benz will bombard us with all the details we need about the car once the L.A Auto Show opens its doors in two more days.


Bomba Rescues 6-Year Old Boy Trapped In Car In JB

Sleeping, awake. Engine on, engine off - doesn’t matter. Never leave your child unattended in a car. Ever.

On the evening of July 12th, firefighters from the Larkin Fire and Rescue Station were dispatched to the Bandar Baru Uda area of Johor Bahru to respond to a trapped six-year old boy who had been trapped in a car for about 30 minutes.

According to Bernama, the vehicle belonging to the mother of the boy had locked itself at Jalan Bali 2/5, where they were visiting a neighbour in the area. With the boy asleep, his mother had left the engine idling as she exited the vehicle, closing the door behind her.

However, upon returning to the car after talking to said neighbour, the boy's mother found that the car doors had locked automatically, presumably with the keys still inside. With no way to open the doors from the outside, she called the fire department.

In a statement, Ahmad Nazran Omar, Larkin Fire and Rescue Station operation commander, clarified that the incident happened around 6pm, while the emergency call was received at 6.21pm. "The public tried to help by tapping the car window to wake up the child but to no avail, causing his mother to call the fire department for help," he said.

It sounded like the incident caused quite a stir, given that reportedly a Fire Rescue Tender truck, Emergency Medical Rescue Services (ERMS) Team, and 11 firefighters were deployed to the Bandar Baru Uda area to assist.

Using specialised equipment, the team managed to gain entry into the vehicle in less than 5 minutes, hopefully without damaging any of the car's electronics or anti-theft systems.

At this point, it is not known what make or model the car involved was. It is presumed to have an automatic door locking function, of course, but could have easily also had a keyless entry and push start system as well. Either way, the key fob was left either inside the vehicle or in the ignition itself.

Typically, automatic locks are only activated once the car is already moving, so it will be interesting to see what caused the system to prematurely trigger. Again, we cannot say much unless we know more about the specific vehicle along with additional details about the situation.

However, it is always
never advisable
 to leave your child (or pet) unattended in a car, regardless whether the car is left running or not. It is just not worth the risk of having that control taken away from you (who might not be able to unlock the car later) or them (who are not able to escape the vehicle). Things can spiral quickly into a bad situation.


MBSJ Postpones 2-Hour Parking Limit

It was only last week when the
Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ)
 implemented the
two-hour parking limit
 around several commercial areas in USJ, Puchong, and Sunway. After a few days of confusion (and we're guessing a lot of public complaints), they've decided to postpone the implementation, particularly around USJ 10, SS15, Jalan Bandar Puteri, and Jalan Kenari.

MBSJ's corporate and strategic communication director, Muhammad Azli Miswan, stated in a press release that the reason for this is that the
two-hour parking limit
 move has not been approved (yet) by the Selangor government following its latest inclusion in the Road Transport Order MBSJ 2022 under 'Parking Space Allocation'.

*Image Credit: The Star

MBSJ - Two-hour parking limit postponed

As we've reported before, the two-hour parking limit was designed in order to help reduce congestion in these commercial areas (including the very annoying habit of double-parking). Muhammad Azli also stated that out of the 10,027 parking bays available in these areas, close to 2,000 have already been designated and waiting for approval from the Selangor government.

Hopefully, this delay will give enough time for MBSJ to properly educate the public regarding the two-hour parking limit, as well as clear out any confusion that has surfaced in the past few days since it was implemented (then un-implemented, for now).


New Toyota 3S Centre Opens In Rawang

UMW Toyotsu Motors, a dealer of UMW
Toyota
 Motor, has just opened a new full-fledged 3S (sales, service, spare parts) Centre in Rawang. This is the second such facility to be operated and owned by UMW Toyotsu Motors, following their first in Shah Alam.

Located at Jalan Batu Arang, the new 3S centre will serve Toyota owners in the northern part of Selangor, particularly surrounding the Rawang area.

The new RM34mil facility sits on a 2.5-acre land with a built-up area covering 70,622sq.ft, and offers body and paint services as well as the 3S facilities. Up to five vehicles can be serviced at any given time, all at once, while the team at hand is capable of serving up to 72 vehicles a day.

The latest addition to UMW Toyota Motor’s network of sales and aftersales outlets brings the total number of Toyota facilities in the country to 99.

For more information about UMW Toyotsu Motors Sdn Bhd in Rawang, call 03-6092 8252


Perodua Daftar nama Traz dan Nexis Di MyIPO – SUV Segmen-B Bakal Menyusul?

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd. (Perodua) telah mendaftarkan tanda dagang Traz dan Nexis di portal Perbadanan Harta Intelek Malaysia (MyIPO).

Menurut perkongsian yang dibuat oleh Vanhoe Rage di Facebook, kedua-dua nama tersebut telah didaftarkan di MyIPO sejak 29 April lalu oleh koresponden Eunice Chan Wei Lynn.

Nama Traz dan Nexis itu didaftarkan di bawah kategori Barangan dan Perkhidmatan termasuklah kereta, komponen dan sebagainya.

*Gambaran SUV segmen-B Perodua oleh Theottle

Nama SUV Segmen-B Baharu Perodua?

Selain sibuk mempersiapkan pelancaran
Perodua Alza generasi baharu
 bagi menggantikan
Perodua Alza sedia ada
, wujud juga desas-desus mengatakan Perodua sedang giat membangunkan SUV segmen-B berasaskan model Toyota.

Khabar angin juga mengatakan SUV yang bakal menjadi pesaing
Proton X50
 itu bakal dijanakan oleh enjin Dual VVT-i 1.5L dan hibrid dan digandingkan bersama
Transmisi D-CVT
.

Menurut andaian portal automotif tempatan, model prototaip penuh dengan penyamaran yang diuji di India hasil usaha sama Maruti Suzuki dan Toyota mungkin bakal menjadi SUV Perodua pada tahun hadapan.

Berdasarkan laporan Autocar India pula, SUV dengan kod nama (YFG) bagi Maruti dan (D22) bagi Toyota itu bakal dihasilkan di kilang kedua Toyota yang terletak di Bidadi, Karnataka.

Model ini akan dibangunkan dari pelantar pelantar
Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA
) serta akan dijana oleh enjin Dual VVT-i 1.5L yang mampu menjana 106 PS dengan 137 Nm tork dan digandingkan dengan transmisi D-CVT.

Pesaing X50?

Sekiranya salah satu tanda dagang daripada Traz dan Nexis ini dipilih sebagai nama SUV segmen-B baharu Perodua, ia sememangnya bakal menjadi pesaing abadi bagi Proton X50.

Memandangkan Perodua lebih fokuskan penghasilan kereta mampu milik, jika harga yang ditawarkan pada SUV segmen-B itu tidak melebihi RM100,000, ia sudah pasti bakal menjadi SUV yang hangat di pasaran Malaysia.

Ketika ini, Proton X50 dijual pada harga RM79,200 bagi varian Standard manakala RM103,300 bagi varian tertinggi, TGDI Flagship.

Setakat ini, masih tiada info rasmi daripada Perodua berkenaan SUV segmen-B ini. Sama-sama kita nantikan perkembangannya.


Michelin Brand Experience returns with Pilot Sport 5 and Primacy SUV+

The Michelin Brand Experience returns to the Sepang International Circuit following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

This time around, the main stars of the three-day extravaganza were the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 as well as the Michelin SUV+. We had a go during the first day of the Michelin Brand Experience to, well, experience what both the new Pilot Sport 5 and Primacy SUV+ had to offer.

To highlight the capabilities of its two new tyre offerings, the Michelin Brand Experience was basically divided into four different categories - road comfort test, wet braking, gymkhana, and on-track performance.

The combination of four was selected to highlight not only the comfort of the Pilot Sport 5 and Primacy SUV+, but also how much they've evolved over the years as well as how well they perform in a multitude of different driving scenarios.

We set off on the first part of the day with the noise and comfort test. The testbed was a couple of Toyota Fortuners fitted with the Michelin Primacy SUV+ as well as a set of rubbers from its closest competitors.

It was a short drive around the outside of the Sepang International Circuit, but it was enough to showcase the Primacy SUV+'s comfort and quietness using a sound level meter or decibel meter. At 30km/h, the Michelin Primacy SUV+ was on average 5dB quieter than the competitor. At one point, we even registered closer to 10dB.

It might not look like a lot, especially at such slow speeds, but you can basically imagine the gap in comfort and tyre noise once it reaches highway speeds.

Next, we were brought to the wet braking test segment where we got to test out both the Pilot Sport 5 and Primacy SUV+ in terms of braking performance in the wet. Fitted to a bunch of Mercedes-Benz vehicles (courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia) the test was simple - drive as fast as possible and brake as hard as possible upon reaching the wet portion of the straight.

On average, the brand new set of Michelin Pilot Sport 5 managed to brake to a complete stop at around 25 metres. That's 5 metres shorter than its closest competitor. What's even more amazing was the fact that the tests were replicated using a different set of used tyres for both the Michelin and the competitor, and the result was around 27 metres for the used Pilot Sport 5 and over 36 metres for the used competitor brand.

The same can be said about the Primacy SUV+ which managed to outperform its closest competitor by about 2 metres when tested as brand new and used. Unsurprisingly, the Pilot Sport 5 outperformed its competitors in both the low-speed gymkhana session as well as the on-track high-speed handling segment.

In essence, Michelin was able to 'evolve' the Pilot Sport 4 into the Pilot Sport 5 by offering the same levels of grip and performance for both wet and dry conditions but also increasing its longevity as well maintaining that performance until the end of the tyre's life cycle.

It's a similar story for the Primacy SUV+ and both of them come with the Premium Touch sidewall design to further elevate its style to match with premium vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz models presented during the Michelin Brand Experience.

In short, both the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Primacy SUV+ excel in style as well as substance. If you're looking for a set of rubbers that perform great in different driving conditions but you also want something that looks luxurious, you can't go wrong with these two.


Skuter EV Blueshark Dapat Lesen Pengilangan MITI – Sasar Jual 50,000 Unit Setiap Tahun

Skuter elektrik pintar Blueshark SG3000DT atau dikenali sebagai Blueshark R1 bakal dipasang di Glenmarie Shah Alam tidak lama lagi!

Selepas menerima kelulusan VTA daripada JPJ, kini EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) telah menerima kelulusan sepenuhnya daripada
Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (MITI)
 untuk memasang dan mengeluarkan
skuter elektrik
 di Malaysia.

Blueshark Terima Lesen Pengilangan

Menurut EPMB, anak syarikatnya EP Blueshark Sdn Bhd (EP Blueshark) telah menerima Lesen Pengilangan daripada MITI pada 26 September lalu.

"Kebenaran yang telah diberikan di bawah Akta Penyelarasan Perindustrian 1975 itu akan diguna pakai secara retrospektif mulai 25 Julai 2022," katanya.

Lesen ini membolehkan EP Blueshark mengimport komponen motosikal elektrik dalam bentuk Semi Knocked Down (SKD) dan/atau pemasangan tempatan (CKD) serta dipasang dan dikilangkan di Malaysia untuk diedarkan ke pasaran tempatan dan ASEAN.

EPMB juga mahu mempercepatkan usaha mereka bagi melancarkan 50,000 unit skuter EV Blueshark secara komersial setiap tahun bagi memenuhi permintaan serantau secara segera. Selepas itu, EPMB akan bertindak balas terhadap peningkatan permintaan, dan kapasiti selanjutnya.

Pengerusi EPMB, Hamidon Abdullah menjangkakan untuk memulakan pembinaan kilang pembuatan pada awal tahun 2023 dan menyasarkan untuk menyiapkannya menjelang suku ketiga tahun depan.

Kemudahan pembuatan bukan sahaja akan maju dari segi teknologi tetapi juga akan menggaji sekurang-kurangnya 80 peratus rakyat Malaysia dalam tenaga kerja dan melatih mereka melalui pemindahan kemahiran dan teknologi.

"Dalam tempoh tiga hingga 10 tahun akan datang, negara Asia Tenggara dijangka menyaksikan pertumbuhan ketara yang ketara dalam pasaran EV beroda dua, mengatasi Eropah dan Asia Timur. Dan saya berbangga untuk mengatakan bahawa EPMB akan menjadi peserta terkemuka dalam pasaran untuk meraih potensi pertumbuhan ini," katanya.

JPJ Luluskan Blueshark

Terdahulu, Jawatankuasa Kebangsaan bagi
Kelulusan Jenis Kenderaan (VTA
) dan Homologasi, Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia (JPJ) telah meluluskan VTA untuk model tersebut pada 30 Ogos lalu di bawah Akta Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia 1987.

Kelulusan VTA ini bakal membenarkan motosikal elektrik pertama EPMB ini didaftarkan dan dilesenkan oleh JPJ. Untuk lebih informasi mengenai skuter ini, baca
di sini
.


Proton Expected To Rebadge Suzuki Compact Model Next, Coming Mid 2016

Following yesterday’s
Memorandum of Understanding announcement that saw Proton Holdings Berhad and Suzuki Motor Corporation
 (SMC) ink an arrangement to share technologies for the development of future models, further clarity has been poured over the subject as to what will come of the agreement, courtesy of an official press release by SMC.
Here’s a quote from the release:
“As the first step of the collaboration, SMC will supply KD (Knock Down) components for a model of Suzuki automobile to
PROTON
. PROTON will manufacture at its own plant, distribute and sell such model under PROTON brand through its sales network in Malaysia. The first model will be a compact passenger car, to be manufactured at the PROTON Tanjung Malim plant from around August 2016. Other additional models will be mutually studied by PROTON and SMC.”
In line with what was said at yesterday’s event, a “compact passenger vehicle,” now known to be an existing
Suzuki
 model, is expected to be launched in 2016 as a Proton model. As to what that model will be, no certainty has been spared. But Tun Mahathir, Proton’s chairman, did say at a press conference yesterday that it would be something Proton doesn’t yet offer in its range.
If we had to guess what the fruits of this MoU be, it would be between an A-segment type car (to fight the Perodua Axia), or a B-segment SUV (something along the lines of a Perodua Kembara-type).
The obvious is that Suzuki does have a wide range of compact vehicles for Proton to desire: Celerio/ Alto, Splash, Swift, Ciaz… the list goes on.
*Suzuki Celerio pictured above: currently for sale in countries such as Thailand, India and Australia.
SMC’s press release also spoke about matters beyond the new Proton-badged compact vehicle:
“Furthermore in future, supply of engines and transmissions by Suzuki to PROTON and installation of such engines and transmissions by PROTON for its own models will be also studied.”
It’s no secret that Suzuki doesn’t fall short where its powertrain development is concerned, pushing hard lately with its diesel tech (most recently launching a two-cylinder 0.8-litre diesel engine for India) and it seems as though Proton is keen on benefitting from their expertise.
Question is: would this initiative result in a Proton for you? What type of model would you like to see Proton develop for the future? Tell us in the comments below.


All-New Toyota Rush Previewed In Indonesia

Toyota Astra Motor has previewed the all-new Rush in Indonesia. The new model from Toyota was earlier caught on Jakarta streets a couple of weeks ago. The Rush is a seven-seater two-wheel drive SUV, similar to the Honda BR-V and Mitsubishi Xpander (currently only available in Indonesia).
At launch, Toyota Astra Motor will be offering the Rush in two trim levels – G and TRD Sportivo. Standard equipment across the range includes LED-illuminated headlights and tail lights, keyless entry with push start button and a reverse camera.
Pictured here is the sportier TRD Sportivo model, which can be identified by its TRD-specific front and rear mudguards, front fog light surrounds and dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels. The regular Rush G will get 16-inch alloy wheels.
The all-new Rush has a length of 4,435 mm, width of 1,695 mm, height of 1,705 mm and a wheelbase of 2,685 mm. Ground clearance is a generous 220 mm. The Toyota Rush's nearest rival, the Honda BR-V, comes in at 4,456 mm long, width of 1,735 mm, height of 1,666 mm and a wheelbase of 2,662 mm. The Honda BR-V has a ground clearance of 201 mm.
Six body colours are offered – White, Silver Mica Metallic, Red Mica Metallic, Bronze Mica Metallic, Bordeaux Mica and Black Mica.
Inside, the base Toyota Rush gets digital AC with memory, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, multi info display, seat belt warning for all passengers and three power sockets. As for the Rush TRD Sportivo, this model gets auto air-conditioning, a seven-inch infotainment system and soft touch material on the dashboard.
As for safety, the all-new Toyota Rush gets ABS, EBD, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist and six airbags, a segment first. However, the last three items are reserved for the range-topping TRD Sportivo model.
Power is derived from a 1.5-litre 2NR-VE Dual VVT-i four-cylinder petrol engine that does 104 PS and 136 Nm, similar to the one found in the Vios. The engine can be mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual.
Toyota Astra Motor has not released prices of the new model, though the company did mention that official prices will only be made known in January 2018. Similar to its predecessor, the Toyota Rush is contract-assembled by Astra Daihatsu Motor at the ADM Sunter Plant.


The Volvo EX90 will be 'hardware-ready' for unsupervised autonomous driving

Volvo has released yet another aspect of its upcoming
Volvo EX90 EV flagship SUV
, including the promise of autonomous driving.

What started out with Volvo explaining that their new electrified flagship SUV will offer effortless transitions between driving modes and a very smart centre screen, the press release ended with a very interesting point about the car's capabilities of offering a much higher level of assisted driving.

Volvo EX90 can and will drive for you

We'll get to the other bits and pieces but first, the interesting statement from Volvo.

The Volvo EX90 will be hardware-ready for unsupervised autonomous driving, meaning that in the future the car can ultimately be able to drive for you. Our contextual user interface is designed to make the transition between the different driving modes as predictable and smooth as possible.

This means that the Volvo EX90 will be smart enough to analyse the driving scenario from the inside and out, and follow up with proactive reactions like steering support, driving speed, and even changing lanes. Depending on the situation, the smarts of the car will switch between driving modes but it'll always keep an eye on the road for safety.

A more focused and safe driving experience

More information regarding the Volvo EX90 focuses on offering more tech and functions but at the same time, won't distract the driver with any extra or unnecessary things. And this will be done via its large centre screen.

Things like navigation, media, and phone can be quickly accessed and that includes other controls and functions. The Volvo EX90 will also feature a special contextual bar to suggest the most sensible actions for the driver to take depending on the situation.

A second smaller screen is located behind the steering wheel to offer information that is more driver-focused such as directions, speed, and range. The driver will also be informed about the car's assisted driving mode status by ultimately "making sure you know what to expect from the car – and what the car expects from you".

Stay tuned for its official launch on 9 November 2022.


Works Minister: 'RFID Good, SmartTAG Bad' For Multi-Lane Free-Flow By 2025

Senior Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof has had to defend the decision to
transition to RFID technology
 (again?) at the Dewan Rakyat, repeating the claim that it is faster and more effective for toll payments than the infrared tech used in SmartTAG devices used in vehicles previously.

The main line of questioning came from Sabak Bernam MP Datuk Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh about the use of RFID along all closed tolls along the North-South Expressway (PLUS) and East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2), which doubted its functionality and benefits. But in better news, Fadillah did say that RFID usage has increased by 18% (since its introduction in 2017, hmm....).

In response, the Senior Works Minister said that several short-term measures have been taken to mitigate the congestion issues faced at toll plazas such as stationing toll officers to handle problematic lanes before a queue gets out of hand and maintaining Touch n’Go and SmartTAG lanes.

He also reiterated that the implementation of RFID as the primary means of toll payments is ongoing in line with the goal of having a near-seamless
multi-lane free flow (MLFF)
 highway network by 2025, adding:

“If we look at the existing system, we need to stop to scan the Touch n'Go card before the toll gate barrier opens. Through the use of SmartTAG and RFID technology, 1,000 vehicles can pass through a toll point within an hour, compared to only 450 vehicles (with the use of TnG cards),” he said.

As Malaysian motorists, we are not doubting that RFID technology presents a way to make toll payments more quickly and easily compared to Touch n’Go or SmartTAG, but given the state of its current implementation, external/situational factors are causing the experience to be identical or significantly worse than the older system.

However, nothing on this matter has been properly addressed
until after public outcry
 forces a response from the highway concessionaire, technology/service provider, or the government - never before.

For example issues such as having just one or two RFID lanes versus four or more Touch n’Go and SmartTAG lanes contribute to long queues,
DIY sticker installations
 mean inconsistent detection performance, or not having a Touch n’Go tag reader on RFID lanes as a backup means of payment.

These are all common sense problems that have seemingly been left unattended to, and no amount of talk about multi-lane free flow will convince the Rakyat of RFID’s benefits if they are frustrated by it on a day-to-day basis.


Bina Litar Drag Tanpa Kajian Mendalam Boleh Makan Diri - Bekas Ketua Polis

Kajian menyeluruh dan penilaian mendalam perlu dilakukan sebelum kerajaan membina
 litar perlumbaan drag
 dalam usaha membendung kegiatan
lumba haram
 serta meningkatkan pembangunan sukan permotoran di negara ini, kata bekas ketua polis Kuala Lumpur, Dell Akbar Khan.

Dell yang pernah membanteras perlumbaan haram, memberitahu The Malaysian Insight tanpa kajian mendalam, idea untuk menjadikan kegiatan lumba haram selamat mungkin memakan diri.

*Kredit foto: World Orgs

Idea Bina Litar Drag Boleh Makan Diri

Bekas ketua polis KL itu memberi peringatan terhadap tentang percubaan gagal sebelum ini untuk menghalalkan lumba haram itu kerana ia hadir dengan kesan yang tidak diingini.

Menurut Dell, apabila beliau mencadangkan agar
Mat Rempit
 dibenarkan berlumba di litar yang betul pada 1980-an, ideanya adalah untuk memastikan aktiviti itu selamat. Walau bagaimanapun, pihaknya mendapati selepas perlumbaan halal di litar, Mat Rempit ini akan keluar dan terus sambung berlumba secara haram di jalanan.

“Kami fikir dengan membenarkan mereka melakukannya di landasan yang betul, masalah itu akan diselesaikan tetapi ia tidak menghalang mereka,” kata Dell sambil menyeru agar kerajaan mengkaji isu itu secara mendalam kali ini.

*Kredit foto: The Malaysian Insight

Kesan Buruk Terhadap Lumba Haram

Selain iitu, Dell merasakan bahawa sekiranya kerajaan membenarkan perlumbaan jalanan di Kuala Lumpur, ia boleh mengakibatkan peningkatan dalam perjudian. Sebelum ini, bekas ketua polis KL itu bertanggungjawab mengangkut pelumba haram pada 1980-an sebelum membenarkan mereka berlumba di litar Shah Alam ketika itu.

Baru-baru ini, perdana menteri Malaysia Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob merangka rancangan untuk membina litar perlumbaan drag di setiap negeri di Malaysia, yang didedahkan awal bulan ini. Menurutnya, cadangan kerajaan itu akan dimasukkan dalam Bajet 2023 yang akan dibentang Oktober ini.

*Kredit foto: Berita Harian

Walaupun idea itu ada baiknya, namun ia berpotensi untuk membawa kesan yang lebih buruk terhadap golongan belia negara. Secara logiknya, mereka yang berminat dan baru-baru mencuba untuk menyertai sukan permotoran seperti drag ini akan bermula secara kecil-kecilan seperti
mengubah suai
 motor untuk menambah kelajuan dan mencubanya di jalan raya. Ini secara tidak langsung bakal menyumbang kepada lebih banyak kelahiran Mat Rempit di masa hadapan.


Toyota Hilux, Innova, Fortuner To Be Launched In Malaysia In Q2 and Q3 2016

The much anticipated launch of Toyota’s all-new IMV models in Malaysia – Hilux, Innova and Fortuner, is expected to happen in stages between Q2 and Q3 this year.
This is according to information revealed in the latest Equity Focus report by RHB Research Institute.
IMV stands for Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle, a very large scale multi-continent project started by Toyota in the late ‘90s with the objective of developing three vehicles – a pick-up truck, SUV and MPV – from the same durable ladder frame chassis that’s better suited for the rough road conditions and heavy loading requirements that’s typical in developing markets.
IMV models are produced in South East Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia), Africa (South Africa), and South America (Argentina).
It is not known yet if the all-new 2.4-litre and 2.8-litre GD-series diesel engines will make their debut in the all-new Hilux and Fortuner, as the poor quality of our local diesels remain a concern. Mitsubishi for example, have elected to forgo the 2.4-litre MIVEC for the all-new Triton.
Although Euro-5 and higher quality diesel fuels are available in certain locations, manufacturers have to take into consideration its availability nationwide.
Related:
Looking Ahead – New Car Models Launching In 2016
Meanwhile, look out for good deals on the current generation
Toyota Hilux
,
Innova
 and
Fortuner
 at Carlist.my.


Cloned Car Syndicate Openly Using Social Media To Sell Cars

It seems that cloned car syndicates are getting braver by the minute as they romp through social media with adverts selling cloned cars.

According to Negeri Sembilan Road Transport Department (RTD) Director, Hanif Yusabra Yusuf, compared with before, syndicates are now openly using Facebook and Telegram to market cloned vehicles to buyers, where previously they would be discreet about it.

"In the past, the syndicate operated quietly and secretly, however, people can now easily access information about cloned vehicles sold at low prices through social media," said Yusuf

He added that from 2016 until now, RTD had seized 64 cloned vehicles in the state, based on operations conducted.

"The prices offered for cloned vehicles
are illogical
, starting from RM5,000 to RM20,000 for brands like Honda, BMW and Mini. Usually, buyers are aware that these are cloned vehicles, and the low prices attract them compared to
those in the market
".

"The buyers of the vehicle themselves conspire with the seller of the cloned car syndicate by making a copy of the road tax and grant and then placing the road tax that has been 'duplicated' on the cloned car," he said.

Picture credit: The Sun

The problem with cloned cars is mainly from a safety aspect where insurance will not cover said vehicle nor its occupants or others in the event of an accident.

Cloned vehicle users can be charged in a number of ways, mainly according to the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987, which is to own an unregistered motor vehicle, display a registration number that does not belong to him, display road tax that does not belong to him and has no insurance coverage, he said.

For those who are not in the know,
cloned cars
 are usually two cars with the same registration number. Only one car is legitimate with a valid chassis number and road tax as the records kept by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

The identity of legitimate cars is stolen by criminals and used for other cars to confuse the eyes of the authorities. Often, these cloned cars are brought in through ports or borders of Thailand and Singapore by syndicates.

According to a report compiled by Sinar Harian, the Road Transport Department revealed that 95 percent of cloned vehicles detected through their operations were smuggled in from Singapore, and it was from scrap vehicles that had expired under the country's laws.

The
Honda Jazz
 is usually the car that is highest in demand, especially among young people between the ages of 25 to 45 who buy them for RM10,000 compared to the original price of around RM85,000.


2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid vs 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8V vs 2022 Proton X70 MC1 vs 2022 Honda CR-V Black Edition

Is the well specced and well priced Toyota Corolla Cross duo better than the upcoming Proton X70 MC1 and venerable Honda CR-V in its Black Edition livery?

2022 promises to be an exciting year for C-segment SUV buyers. We've just had
the launch of the CKD Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
, we're going to see an updated Proton X70 (MC1) possibly around August, and Honda launched at the tail end of last year the
CR-V Black Edition
, a blacked-out angry-looking version of the popular SUV.

If you're considering purchasing
any of these vehicles
, you've come to the right place to check out how they stack up against each other. No, it's not unfair to put a hybrid vehicle in this matchup, because it is a C-segment SUV, they fall in the same price bracket and it offers its own pros and cons, we've also, however, included the highest non-hybrid variant of the 2022 Corolla Cross in this comparison to paint a bigger picture.

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid vs 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8V vs 2022 Proton X70 MC1 Premium vs Honda CR-V Black Edition

Vehicles

Toyota

Corolla

Cross

Hybrid

Toyota

Corolla

Cross

1.8V

Proton X70

MC1

Premium

Honda CR-V

Black Edition

MSRP

RM137k

RM129k

RM123k

(Estimate)

RM162k

Engine

1.8-litre ICE

+ Electric Motor

1.8-litre N/A

1.5-litre turbo

(Expected)

1.5-litre turbo

Power (PS)

122 (total output)

142

177

193

Torque (Nm)

ICE engine - 142

E-Motor - 163

(a parallel hybrid has no combined output as the distribution of torque between the engine and the motor is varied so both run in their optimum operating range as much as possible)

172

255

243

Transmission

CVT

CVT

7-Speed Dual

Clutch

CVT

Driven Wheels

FWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Boot space

440 litres

487 litres

515 litres

522 litres

Infotainment

9" Touch

Screen

Apple CarPlay

&

Android Auto

9" Touch

Screen

Apple CarPlay

&

Android Auto

8" Touch

Screen

with Screen

Mirroring

7" Touch Screen

Apple CarPlay

&

Android Auto

Airbags

7

7

6

6

Safety

ABS

Stability Control

Auto Emergency Braking

Lane Keep Assist

Active Cruise    Control

Blind Spot Assist

360 Camera

Auto High Beam

Front Collision Warning

ABS

Stability Control

Auto Emergency Braking

Lane Keep Assist

Active Cruise    Control

Blind Spot Assist

360 Camera

Auto High Beam

Front Collision Warning

ABS

Stability Control

Auto Emergency Braking

Front Collision Warning

Lane Keep Assist

Active Cruise    Control

Blind Spot Assist

360 Camera

Auto High Beam

Front Collision Warning

ABS

Stability Control

Auto Emergency Braking

Front Collision Warning

Lane Keep Assist

Active Cruise Control

Blind Spot Assist

Multi-Angle Camera

Auto High Beam

Front Collision Warning

If we look at the pricing of the Toyotas, it's just amazing to see how well priced the Corolla Cross is. To say that the Honda CR-V has more safety features would be inaccurate because the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and V both have the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driving assistance, which rivals those of the Honda CR-V with its
Honda Sensing
.

We suppose the only thing that the Honda CR-V has going for it over the Corolla Cross duo is its higher power output and lower road tax, but the rest of its features are quite comparable with the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Of course, if it's value for money that you are going for, then there's no denying that the facelift
national SUV
 trumps every single SUV here. It has power, a good amount of features and is priced well - but the question always remains, can it really trump Toyota and Honda's pedigree and build quality?

It's also quite interesting to see that the X70 is the only one with a dual-clutch gearbox with the rest preferring a CVT type transmission. For daily driving, we would definitely take CVTs over DCTs, especially the one on the Honda as it is one of the best we have ever experienced. It's just really smooth and doesn't behave like a typical
CVT transmission
.

The Honda CR-V is also the largest car out of the pack, and it also comes with Honda's clever interior packaging which makes the interior room bigger than it is.

Even when all of this is considered, it's just hard to get away from the fact that the Toyotas are well priced. Yes it might not have a powerful engine like the CR-V, but if speed is your thing then an SUV is probably the wrong type of vehicle for you.

They are all good options in their own right, so the choice is totally down to you and what you prioritise in a vehicle. If you asked me I would opt for the newest of the bunch.


Signs That A New Perodua SUV Is On The Way

The Perodua Full Year Review event which took place today mainly informed us how they sold a record 240,341 number of vehicles in 2019 and that they had surpassed their sales record of 227,243 units sold from 2018.

What everyone wanted to hear at the event though was what vehicle Perodua would be releasing next? Disappointingly no official answers were given. However, if we were to read between the lines of what was presented today, we have an educated guess. Read on...

The first hint was that Perodua's market research further cemented that the SUV market is where the money's at. Secondly, they also looked into world automotive trends, and from there Perodua concluded that small turbocharged engines are the way forward.

They also presented that this year, they will be investing close to RM500mil into one of their factory lines. We can safely assume that this isn't just a maintenance exercise but more of preparation for a completely new model.

This is especially so when Perodua President and CEO Dato' Zainal Abidin Ahmad stated during a Q&A session that Perodua has the capacity to introduce a facelift and new model each year. They already launched a facelifted model this year (Bezza), so that only leaves us a new model for 2020.

The most significant hint was what was on in one of the presentation slides. It showed that after 2019, Perodua would start working on cars built on the DNGA platform.

The DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform is Daihatsu's newest platform. The much loved Daihatsu Rocky was built on that platform, and it comes with a small turbocharged engine. With the SUV market contributing to 24.4% of car sales for the first half of 2019 according to MAA, we're sure that Perodua wants a bigger piece of the pie.

They can't solely depend on the Aruz to lead the charge. The writing is on the wall, and we are pretty confident that at some point in the near future, a new Perodua SUV will be joining the already crowded SUV market.


1000 Porsches Are On Fire On A Ship!

Oops, it happened again - 1000 Porsches are on fire aboard a ship and this isn't the first time either that a ship carrying
Volkswagen Group's
 brand of cars catches fire!

A ship carrying
 Porsches
,
Audis
,
Lamborghinis
,
Volkswagens
 and
Bentleys
 from Germany to the United States has caught fire near the shores of the Portuguese Azores Islands in the Atlantic ocean.

The Singaporean-operated boat departed the German port of Emden on February 10 and was scheduled to arrive in Davisville, Rhode Island, on February 23.

According to Automotive News and Bloomberg, around 1100 Porsches, 189 Bentleys, and approximately 100 Volkswagen
Golf R
,
GTI
,
Arteon
, and ID.4 vehicles were on the ship. A spokesperson for Lamborghini's U.S. declined to comment on the number of cars the company had on board when Automotive News Europe contacted them.

The good news is that all 22 crew members have been rescued and are safely recovering in a hotel in Portugal, but the bad news is that customers who special ordered their vehicles will have to wait a bit longer for their dream cars.

According to Car and Driver, Porsche's Track Your Dream app has released a notice to those who are involved and that some Porsche buyers will need to wait longer than anticipated for their new cars. Other customers such as Matt Farah got a phone call from his dealer who explained the situation.

According to Wall Street Journal, "the large number of
electric vehicles
 on board in the ship is complicating efforts to extinguish the fire. It is unclear whether the blaze was caused by the electric cars, whose lithium-ion batteries have been known to catch fire, but the presence of burning batteries on board means SMIT Salvage, the company contracted to rescue the ship, is facing fire that spreads fast and cannot be fought with water alone, the company’s owners said."

This incident is a big blow to VW Group's inventory in America as most of its U.S. vehicles are made in Germany, with the exception of the Audi Q5, which is made in Mexico.

This is not the first time a ship carrying VW's group of cars has gone up in flames while on the sea, in 2019 the Grande America ship carrying over 2,000 luxury cars, including Audis and Porsches, sank to the bottom of the ocean after catching fire.

When the Grande America sank in 2019, four limited-edition
Porsche 911 GT2 RS
 cars were on board, fresh from the end of its production line. Porsche had at that point ended production of the limited-edition GT2 RS, but they dusted off the shutdown production line and restarted it, just so they could make four new GT2 RS' to get them to their buyers who were willing to spend RM1.3 million on their dream Porsche.


The New Mercedes-AMG C43- 390 Hp, Supersport Display, And Virtual Race Engineer

Mercedes-Benz officially launches the latest model of its most important product in its portfolio, the new C-Class. The model's success is partly down to its wide range of engines, also including two sporty two-door versions plus the Mercedes-AMG 43-series.
"As the most successful model series for Mercedes-AMG, the C-Class family has made a major contribution to our corporate success. One major component in this success story was the implementation of the 43-series models, which have thrilled our customers worldwide since the market launch in 2015.”
“The high demand and positive feedback have encouraged us to sharpen up not only the appearance of the facelift, but also its performance, efficiency and dynamism in true AMG style," says Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
The first update is the heart of the car. The already-impressive and sonorous 43-series 3-litre twin-turbo V6 engine gets an increase in power output, to 390 hp, a 23 hp increase. The horsepower now peaks at 6,100 rpm, versus the 367 hp that was available at a short plateau of 5,500 – 6,000 rpm.
No changes in the torque output, maintaining the figure of 520 Nm that is available from 2,500 rpm to 5,000 rpm.
The transmission in the new C43 carries the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G name. While the name is new, the features in this torque converter transmission (TCT) with nine forward ratios such as very short shift times as well as a double-declutching function in “Sport” and Sport+” drive programs are maintained.
This transmission also continues to distribute traction to a special AMG-tuned 69 percent rear-biased 4Matic all-wheel drive system.
The additional power output did not change the acceleration time, reaching the benchmark 100 km/h from standstill in a very rapid 4.7 seconds.
Up front, the front grille has been updated, now featuring a twin horizontal beam in satin silver over a gloss black mesh-pattern, looking similar to the more powerful 63-series. The most obvious tell-tale sign of the new, more powerful C43 will be the rear design. The rear bumper now adorns two round twin tailpipes with a redesigned diffuser in between them.
Inside the new C43, the fully digital instrument panel measuring 12.3 inches greets the driver. A new “Supersport” display style brings the tachometer to the centre of the digital display, while other important parameters such as exhaust, ESC, suspension, and drive system are placed on the left.
Drivers can control the content in the meter display through the new steering wheel’s Touch Control buttons that respond to swiping motions like the screen of a smartphone, a feature that trickled down from the new S-Class.
Apart from the Touch Control buttons, the new generation AMG steering wheel is designed with a grippy shape, a heavily contoured rim and flattened bottom. Key performance-touches include a galvanized finish on the oversized shift paddles and a sporty red-marking at the 12 o'clock position.
A new occupant-wellness feature called ENERGIZING comfort control is also available in the new C43. It networks together with the various comfort systems in the vehicle and uses specific functions of the air conditioning and seats (heating, ventilation) plus lighting and music moods.
Depending on the mood or requirement of the driver, it generates a special wellness set-up to enhance the occupant’s well-being and performance.
As more and more customers enjoy bringing their Mercedes-AMG vehicles to the racetrack, the new C43 is also available with the AMG Track Pace data logger and virtual race engineer suite.
The system records an abundance of motorsport-performance related data to help the driver improve his/her lap time. Owners can share their experiences and data from the race track with other AMG drivers via Facebook, YouTube or the AMG Private Lounge.
Mercedes-Benz will continue to offer the C43 in the sedan, estate, coupe and soft-top 'cabriolet' body styles.
We have also touched on the new C-class with C200 EQ Boost mild hybrid.
Learn more about this new powertrain here
.


2017 Honda CR-V Breaks Cover

Honda North America took many of us by surprise as it discreetly pulled the wraps off the all-new, fifth-generation CR-V last night.
As rumoured before
, the SUV, which has been completely redesigned and reengineered, boasts bold new styling, a more premium interior, and most importantly the model's turbocharged engine and a host of new features and technologies.
On the exterior level, the new CR-V’s styling heads in a fresh new direction with a sharper front-end design, LED DRL array on all trims, a new grille, new wheel design, muscular fenders, longer hood, longer wheelbase, short rear overhang, and dual exhausts.
And then there are the narrower A-pillars that have improved visibility, the Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate which is a first for Honda, as well as Automatic wipers among other features.
Under the hood, the 2017 CR-V is powered by either a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 190hp or a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated direct injection engine – both paired to a CVT with Honda’s G-Shift control.
Honda says that the new body and chassis design of the 2017 CR-V provides better handling, greater refinement, additional ground clearance and superior overall versatility.
Its front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension utilize specially tuned low-friction dampers, with both FWD and AWD models including tubular front and solid rear stabilizer bars that promote quick turn-in and flatter cornering. Dual-pinion, variable ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS) also contributes to the CR-V's direct and satisfying steering feel.
Inside, the new CR-V claims to have the best rear seat legroom in class, with upgraded materials throughout, including a new soft-touch instrument panel and more intricately stitched seats. A color TFT driver information interface (DII) center meter display adds to the handsome new design aesthetic.
The new CR-V also offers a new generation of infotainment technology such as a 7-inch touchscreen display audio interface with Android or Apple compatible operating system that now features a physical volume knob as well as an available new Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System developed in cooperation with Garmin.
-
Besides that, other comfort and convenience features available on the 2017 Honda CR-V include remote engine start, dual-zone climate controls, heated side mirrors, an Electric Parking Brake (EPB), rear USB charging ports, front passenger seat with 4-way power adjustment and driver's seat with 8-way power adjustment and 4-way power lumbar support and heated front seats.
Where safety is concerned, the new CR-V further expands the Honda Sensing suite, which includes:
Collision Mitigation Braking (CMBS)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Pedestrian sensing capability
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS).
Additional new driver-assistive technologies include:
Blind Spot Information (BSI)
Rear Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM)
Auto High Beam (HSS) headlights
Expected to go on sale in the U.S later this year, we anticipate the new CR-V to be heading to this part of the world as well, but there has not been any official announcement on when exactly that will be.
We are guessing that it is going to be in late 2017 or early 2018. What do you think?
Looking for a Honda? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Melaka, Pulau Tioman, Genting Highlands Bakal Dibuka Kepada Pelancong Mulai 1 Oktober

Kerajaan akan membuka 3 lagi destinasi pelancongan seperti Melaka, Pulau Tioman, dan
Genting Highlands
 kepada orang ramai selepas
pembukaan Langkawi
 kepada pelancong pada 16 September lalu.

Menteri Pelancongan, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri berkata keputusan ini dibuat selepas Mesyuarat Kuartet Menteri COVID-19 di Parlimen melihat perkembangan positif terhadap Projek Rintis Gelembung Pelancongan di
Pulau Langkawi
.

Keputusan ini akan dibentang semula kepada Jawatankuasa Pengurusan COVID-19 yang dipengerusikan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob untuk diteliti. Sekiranya ia diluluskan, ketiga-tiga kawasan yang disebutkan ini akan mula dibuka kepada pelancong mulai 1 Oktober termasuk memperkenalkan
prosedur operasi standard (SOP)
 untuk bercuti di destinasi tersebut.

*Kredit foto: The Star

Ketiga-tiga destinasi pelancongan ini diberi masa 2 minggu sebelum pembukaan untuk membuat persiapan rapi untuk menerima pelancong luar. Ia termasuk juga persediaan dari segi aspek pematuhan prosedur operasi standard (SOP) yang bakal diumumkan dalam masa terdekat.

Tambah Nancy, Kementerian juga akan membentangkan tambahan
destinasi pelancongan lain
 yang bukan hanya tertumpu di kawasan pulau tetapi juga di tanah besar.  SOP yang bakal dilaksanakan khususnya bagi destinasi Melaka akan diperhalusi kerana membabitkan kawasan yang luas.

Selain tiga kawasan tersebut, lebih banyak kawasan pelancongan lain akan dibuka dan diumumkan kemudian. Pembukaan lebih banyak gelembung pelancongan ini mampu menyelamatkan industri pelancongan negara yang terkesan teruk akibat pandemik.

Industri pelancongan dan kebudayaan negara dilaporkan telah mengalami kerugian sekitar RM45 bilion dalam tempoh enam bulan pertama tahun ini akibat penularan pandemik COVID-19. Perkembangan positif yang diterima selepas pembukaan Langkawi amat membantu dalam merancakkan semula ekonomi industri pelancongan.

Untuk rekod, jumlah ketibaan pelancong di Langkawi sejak 16 hingga 19 September merekodkan sejumlah 10,105 pelancong. Seramai 6,622 pelancong tiba menggunakan jalan udara manakala 3,483 pelancong lain tiba menggunakan
feri
.

Terdahulu, Perdana Menteri ada menjelaskan bahawa sesuatu destinasi pelancongan itu akan dibenarkan beroperasi apabila kadar vaksinasi lokaliti mencapai 80 peratus. Peningkatan kadar vaksinasi di negara ini menandakan lebih banyak destinasi pelancongan lain akan dibuka dalam masa terdekat.

Selain itu, Menteri Kanan Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein berkata Mesyuarat Kedua Menteri Kuartet COVID-19 telah setuju untuk memanjangkan waktu operasi restoran,
stesen minyak
 dan kedai runcit bermula dari pukul 6 pagi hingga 12 malam kecuali di kawasan PKPD. Cadangan tersebut akan dibentangkan kepada Perdana Menteri sebelum diberi kelulusan.


The targeted fuel subsidy study nearly complete, mechanism to be presented to PM soon - based on horsepower?

Road Transport Department (RTD) is one of the elements that the government will use in identifying targeted subsidy recipients.

It seems that the study for the targeted fuel subsidy programme is not losing any steam anytime soon as Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub has come out and said that they are almost complete with their study, which they will forward to the Prime Minister soon.

According to Bernama, the database from the Road Transport Department (RTD) is one of the elements that the government will use in identifying targeted subsidy recipients involving petrol.

Salahuddin Ayub said the ministry had discussed the matter with the Ministry of Finance, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and RTD.

"So in terms of the data (targeted subsidy), it is almost complete for us to forward it to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) on how we can implement this targeted subsidy," he told reporters after visiting the People's Housing Project ( PPR) Melana Indah on Christmas Eve.

Salahuddin Ayub also gave an example, where he said that JPJ's database can also be used for RON95 petrol subsidies, as the government can identify those who are eligible to receive it based on the horsepower of the vehicle they own.

He also added that the proposed targeted subsidies programme had been presented during the meeting of the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) chaired by the Prime Minister last Tuesday, but the PM wants to continue with the existing policy, for now,
to not burden the people
.

"The Prime Minister has given instructions for the matter (targeted subsidy mechanism) to be studied. But for the time being, the government is still continuing the existing policy, which is that we do not withdraw (subsidies) or increase any tariffs that we feel could burden the people.

With promises to help lower the cost of living by Prime Minister, it's hard to see the
targeted fuel subsidy programme taking off anytime soon
, but we can never say never as it has been talked about for a long time.


Proton-Suzuki partnership – 29 Suzuki dealerships absorbed into Proton network

The fledgling partnership between Proton and Suzuki gathers pace. Following the MOU signing between the companies last June, Suzuki has swiftly withdrawn from its operations in Malaysia and has ceased local assembly of its popular Swift hatchback at the DRB-Hicom plant in Pekan, Pahang.
Suzuki’s move in withdrawing from the Malaysian market mirrors Mitsubishi Motors’ retreat from our shores after the three-diamond brand had agreed to be the technology partner to get Proton off the ground back in 1985.
The collaboration terms agreed by both companies intends to give Proton access to Suzuki's expertise in small engines as well as
cars competing in the A and B segments
 to be utilized in the former's future product developments.
Mindful of not leaving Suzuki’s current network of dealerships in the lurch as well as the needs of 48,000 Suzuki customers across the country that will continue to require servicing of their vehicles, both companies today announced that 29 Suzuki dealerships across the country will be absorbed into Proton Edar’s network and will begin selling and servicing Proton vehicles with immediate effect.
“The rationalization of SMA’s (Suzuki Malaysia Automobile) operations was originally expected to be completed within a year but it has progressed earlier than planned to realise the next phases of
the partnership
. Today, I am happy to announce that the collaboration is seeing the of many exciting milestones and providing Proton with the advantage of additional dealers network, vendors, skilled manpower, platform sharing, and technology know-how,” said Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, CEO of Proton.
Under the new arrangement, the 29 dealerships will concurrently display Proton and Suzuki branding. After clearing whatever remaining Suzuki vehicle in their inventory, these outlets will henceforth be retailing only Proton vehicles, but will offer servicing, spare parts, and warranty coverage for both brands. There are no plans for existing Proton dealerships, however, to extend service to Suzuki vehicles.
“Existing Suzuki car owners can rest assured their automotive needs such as the after sales services and warranty coverage with the use of genuine Suzuki parts will continue to be managed and covered. They can continue to send their cars to these outlets which are strategically located across Malaysia,” said Mr Masashi Fukuda, MD of SMA.
Moving forward, Dato’ Harith confirmed that Proton plans to launch
at least four new models throughout 2016
. The company hopes that these new models will inject fresh impetus to an aging line-up that struggled to move just over 100,000 cars in the whole of 2015, leaving both its Shah Alam and Tanjung Malim plants (with combined annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles) badly underutilized.
Proton’s newest model, the
Iriz
, has not been selling as well as expected, although demand is said to be steadily increasing. Despite collecting an average of 4,000 – 5,000 orders each month, Proton has only been able to only convert half those orders to sales, with many buyers having the loan applications rejected by the banks.


AD: Get Up Close With The Lexus LC 500 And See Why It's The Most Beautiful Coupe On The Road

It’s a celebration of beauty inside and out. Designed with utmost passion and crafted by the air that it slices through. The LC 500 is about beauty that needs to be appreciated from up close.
Built with the finest materials – revered not only because of it tactility, but because of the masterful hands that built it, in an immaculate white-walled facility resembling a theatre – not a factory. The LC 500 is about quality that needs to be felt.
Perhaps it’s the engineering – the occasion of a finely-tuned 5.0-litre V8 roaring to life, that noise that gives the car soul. The LC 500 is about character that needs to be understood.
If you still need further proof, check out the video below, we’ll let that soundtrack do the rest of the talking.
Don’t miss this chance to see, touch and hear the Lexus LC 500 sports coupe, happening at the following roadshow locations and dates.
Location
Dates
Lexus Johor Bahru
20th August
Lexus Melaka
26 & 27th August
Lexus Ipoh
3rd September
Lexus Penang
10th September
Lexus Kuching
1st October

Picture Credit:
EvoMalaysia.com


Record Breaking 1H 2016 For Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, CKD GLC-Class Coming

The first half of 2016 was another record half-year period for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. The three-pointed star, still the number one luxury brand in the country, delivered a total of 6,017 cars (excluding Mercedes-Benz and Fuso commercial vehicles), the highest ever for a half-year period in the company’s 13-year history in Malaysia (the brand was previously represented by Cycle and Carriage Bintang, which still remains as a major dealer for the marque).
Sales grew by 17 percent over the same six-month period last year. As of June 2016, Mercedes-Benz now controls 2.5 percent of the local car market, making it not just the leading luxury brand in the country, but also the leading European brand in Malaysia.
June was also the best ever month for the company, with 1,203 cars sold, while the same time recording its best ever quarter, with a total of 3,359 cars sold.
As expected, it is the regular bread-and-butter C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class sedans that make up the bulk of the company’s sales, contributing nearly 70 percent of the company’s sales in the first half of 2016.
The breakdown are as below:
C-Class: 2,534 units (up 130 percent)
E-Class: 1,063 units (down 46 percent, due to phasing out of previous generation E-Class earlier this year)
S-Class: 549 units (down 17 percent)
Mercedes-Benz’s Compact Car range - the A-Class, B-Class, CLA-Class, and GLA-Class - contributed almost 20 percent to the company’s sales, (1,278 units)
A-Class: 570 units
B-Class: 38 units
CLA-Class: 341 units
GLA-Class: 329 units
Overall sales of the Compact Car range were down by 5 percent from the same six-month period last year.
The company’s SUV range – the GLE, GLE Coupe and GLC – contributed 576 units.
GLC-Class: 483 units
GLE-Class: 93 units
GLE-Coupe: 0 units
Vicre-President for Sales and Marketing Mr. Mark Raine (left in the cover photo) also revealed that a locally-assembled GLC-Class is in the plans. Currently, the
fully-imported GLC-Class
 is priced at RM328,888 for the GLC 250 4MATIC.
The company’s Dream Cars range – the C-Coupe, E-Coupe, CLS-Class, S-Coupe and AMG GTS – contributed 90 units to the company’s overall results.
The company is also particularly proud that its service centres had serviced a record number of 52,700 cars in the first half of 2016, up by 18 percent when compared to the same period last year.


Damansara Utama Residents Concerned Over Negative Impact Of LRT3 Project

Residents of Damansara Utama (DU) are wary of the upcoming LRT3 project, that it may affect their daily lives and neighbourhood negatively. Their concerns were voiced in a dialogue session between residents and representatives from Prasarana Berhad.
According to
The Sun Daily
, President of the Damansara Utama Residents and Owners Association, Rajes Patel, said they were not consulted beforehand regarding the planned realignment to link Bandar Utama to Klang.
“Indeed, the ones to be most affected would be on Jalan SS21/42A, 21/38, 21/36, and 21/13 since the construction is only a few metres away from their homes,” said Rajes.
Traffic congestion is also a point of contention with residents, who are anxious of both construction-related jams as well as that of the increased vehicle density in the area after its completion.
Security, sufficient parking spaces as well as noise and air pollution are also considerations. Uppermost, however, is the possibility of some homes facing compulsory acquisition.
“This is for houses along Jalan SS 21/42A which may be deemed to be close to the proposed One Utama Station,” said Rajes to the daily, who is coaxing Prasarana to review the project in more detail, taking into consideration the concerns and input of the residents.
“We are not opposed to the LRT3 project in itself, but many residents here will find their lives more difficult if there are no changes to the plans,” he added.
Project director Norlia Noah said: “Nothing has been decided yet. The period between May and August is Prasarana’s public inspection period where public feedback will enable us to adjust the plans accordingly.”
She stated that the plans are currently still in the proposal stages.


Local Councils To Be Empowered To Remove Abandoned Vehicles - Anthony Loke

Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Parliament lobby today, Transport Minister Anthony Loke has proposed to simplifying the de-registration process of abandoned vehicles. He hopes that through this new method, local councils can dispose of these neighbourhood eyesores in a legal manner and swiftly.
Currently, there isn't a straightforward process to de-register a vehicle, which makes it very time consuming and tedious for local councils to remove these abandoned vehicles. Vehicles that have been towed and placed at the depot ended up congesting the said area.
According to Loke, there are about 60,000 abandoned vehicles in the country. The Transport Minister first spoke about this proposal
back in August
.
In a matter pertaining to the Road Transport Department (JPJ), Loke said vehicle franchise holders will need to fork out a nominal fee during the Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) or homologation procedure.
“At present, there are a lot of procedures and inspections involved but the government does not charge any fee. So we will now charge a nominal fee to cover administrative cost borne by the JPJ,” said Loke.
The VTA procedure is only submitted for application of introduction of an all-new vehicle (automobiles, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, etc) and is done on the first units (usually fresh out of the assembly plants).
As it is only submitted once, the popular Transport Minister assured that the fee will not result in a hike in vehicle prices as the VTA covers a blanket approval for that one particular model.
In a flow chart prepared by JPJ, the department targets to complete the entire approval procedure in 20 days and then issues an Approval Certificate for each variant of the vehicle (e.g. Ford Ranger Raptor, Wildtrak, 2.2 XLT Plus, 2.2 XLT, 2.2 XL Manual, and 2.2 XL Automatic).
The procedures that JPJ conducts includes dynamic vehicle testing (braking system in particular), emission certification, component marking, and verifying the
extensive list of UNECE test reports
.
In the abovementioned press conference that was reported by
NST
, Loke also said the Transport Ministry will impose a fee or charge on those who have received approval to use dark glass for their vehicles.
He said exemptions will be given to vehicle owners who are required to have dark glass due to medical conditions.
Loke added, ”There is no automatic approval as they must be eligible first to use the tint and apply for it and pay a fee.”
These were part of the Ministry’s proposed topics in The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2018 that was tabled by the Minister today. If passed, enforcement and implementation can be as soon as January 2019.
Abandoned vehicles photo credit: Liang


2021 Proton Persona Black Edition Launched – RM55,600

Proton has pulled the covers off the Proton Persona Black Edition, a new top-of-the-line variant of its B-Segment sedan. The Persona Black Edition is just one of four new models launched today; others include the
Saga
 and
Iriz
 R3 editions, and the
Exora Black Edition
.

The Persona Black Edition is priced at RM55,600 (OTR excluding Insurance) which carries an RM1,000 premium over the
Persona 1.6L Premium CVT
 model. However, with current PENJANA tax exemptions in place until 30th June 2021, the Persona Black Edition now comes at a more attractive pricetag of RM54,700 (OTR excluding Insurance).

The main highlight of the Black Edition is, of course, its colour; dubbed Quartz Black, it’s a hue that has not been offered since the facelift model was introduced in 2019, but was offered on the pre-facelift version first introduced in 2016 (though that was called Midnight Black).

Other aesthetic highlights include the gold trim strip at bottom of the bumper, the Ethereal Bow and headlamp garnish which extends from underneath the front grille is now finished in gloss black versus the regular chrome finish.

Along the flanks, the wheels are finished with the same gold colour, however, the leading edge of the wheel spokes have been machined polished for a nice dual-tone finish. A gold colour strip also runs the length of the body between the front and rear wheels. Round the back changes are pretty minimal, again, the brushed gold treatment is applied to the nameplate and lower bumper garnish for some contrast.

The biggest change on the inside is the full-leatherette upholstery, versus the part-leather, part-fabric upholstery offered
Executive and Premium variants
 of the regular Persona. The leather door panel inserts also carry a double stitching line now.

Additionally, the centre console, gear console, and A/C vent bezels are also finished in glossy gold colour, whereas the trim surrounding the instrument cluster now comes in gloss black. In the other Persona variants, these are finished in silver.

There are no changes to the drivetrain; as before, Persona is powered by a 1.6-litre VVT four-cylinder petrol engine which outputs 107 hp and 150 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, mated exclusively to the Punch CVT-type automatic in the Black Edition. The infotainment system is also unchanged from before.


We All Wanted The Suzuki Jimny, So How Did We End Up With A Swift Sport?

When the announcements followed up the
rumours of Suzuki’s official return
 to the Malaysian market there was a good measure of excitement and positivity. Although the ongoing pandemic did place a cloud of doubt as to whether their cars could sway us away from Perodua and Proton in such an uncertain financial climate, we reckoned the demand for their cars would win them some success.

This news was followed up by the
establishment of Naza Eastern
, a new subsidiary of a distributorship that only recently was grabbing headlines for the clumsy jettisoning of Peugeot, Citroen and Kia after decades of collaboration. For all of their foibles, the Naza Group did have the experience necessary to competently shepherd Suzuki back onto our shores.

The Unexpected Spearhead

To be honest, pretty much everyone in earshot of this development shared the unspoken consensus that the 4th-generation Suzuki Jimny would be part of their first wave of cars, if not the first. After all, first impressions matter, and the Naza Group hasn't exactly been basking in good PR.

The amount of affection people have for the nameplate in combination with the overwhelmingly exuberant response from the new owners abroad, and critics alike, made it a shoe-in.

At least now we wouldn’t have to contend with grey market examples of the compact off-roader going for astronomical prices, even in used form. The Jimny, now a much more desirable vehicle that has fans across a wide spectrum of the population, would finally be accessible and
(somewhat?) affordable
.

Nope - as that’s when Naza Eastern made clear that the first vehicle out of their showrooms
would be the Swift Sport
. Even more puzzlingly, there was no word on when other Suzuki models would be coming to join it.

Suzuki Got Good

Suzuki is a marque that seems on the fringes of greatness. They first started to specialise in smaller vehicles and the impression I always had of them was one that sort of mirrored Daihatsu insofar as how their cars were positioned and which customers they were taking aim at.

At its height, the competition with Daihatsu for Kei car domination must have been fierce, but from a Malaysian perspective models like the Alto and Swift always seemed to coexist quite peacefully with our Daihatsu half-breeds the Kancil and Kelisa at the time. The same parallel would apply to the Vitara and the Kembara.

In the 2010s, the company began experimenting with larger form factors and even added a degree of upmarket flair to their cars that slowly pulled them onto a larger stage.

Models like the 3rd-generation Grand Vitara, the 2nd-generation Swift, and the Kizashi elevated them within the strata of Japanese cars. They were capable, fun to drive, well-designed, solidly built, and in the latter-most cases, quite refined and almost ‘premium’ in its style and execution.

Though the Kizashi never sold in large quantities and probably lost money for the company, the automaker had now demonstrated their ambition and shown their ability to punch above their weight.

True to this form, they followed up with the Baleno alongside a new family of turbocharged engines, hybrid powertrains, the S-Cross, an all-new Swift, and an in 2018, an all-new Jimny.

Jimny Hype Was Easy Pickings

In the months leading up to its reveal, even spy shots of this thing became big news. More and more, it became clear that Suzuki was making the Jimny that everyone wanted: a compact but fully capable four-wheel-drive off-roader that was simultaneously unique to the market yet also a rolling satire of the SUV trend as well as an antithetical statement about city-dwelling SUVs in general.

Unlike its more rounded predecessor, the new Jimny’s squared-off exterior was a refreshing break from the deliberately sleek designs offered by competitors, yet was also dotted with quirky little touches that evoked the very rare sense of delight. It looked like a miniature Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.

The interior was utilitarian and focused. There was to be no overt concessions to luxury or creature comforts. There was no extended wheelbase version to cater to people who might be turned away by its 3-door form factor, either, and that 'take it over leave it' conviction drew in even more fans.

Fans
 all over the world, Malaysia included. Mere months after its launch and confirmation that the new Jimny was indeed the car that everyone had been so eagerly awaiting, grey market imports started to mushroom in mixed-marque showrooms, asking
for eye-watering amounts of money
.

Unbelievable as it may sound, people did buy them. There wasn’t enough to go around, from what I hear. Even more amazingly, the 4th-gen Jimny, even after 3 years, seems to attract more attention and second glances than much more exotic machines. There’s just something about it that people respond very well to.

Cool because it’s so
straightforward
, desirable because it is
contrarian
, and capable because it is
genuinely capable
. Seems like a great recipe for a local distributor to take advantage of.
It’ll practically sell itself.

What About Everything Else?

Naza Eastern’s hesitance to speak about the Jimny in any public fashion, much less reveal anything beyond the Swift Sport as part of their roadmap, was curious and slightly frustrating.

Loved as the hot hatch it is, its launch pricing of RM140k and a non-negotiable automatic transmission quickly put a damper on the momentum of a full Suzuki return.

Its launch back in April made everyone take notice but it seemed to be riding on non-existent (or poorly informed) demand and we can’t imagine the new distributor bringing in more than a couple dozen examples even if they were optimistic.

The near-silent post-launch atmosphere from Naza Eastern about the Swift Sport is also quite telling, if not wholly foreboding. Was the public response really that flat? Have the cars that were brought here found homes? What happens if things don’t work out? Where do you go from here?

What about the Jimny?

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Porsche 718 Cayman SportDesign Series - 15 Units Only, 5 Sold On First Day, From RM625,000

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the official importer and distributor of Porsche models in Malaysia has unveiled the 718 SportDesign, the second SportDesign series model after the Macan SportDesign.
Limited to just 15 units, five each for three available colours - Racing Yellow, Guards Red, and Carrera White Metallic – only 10 units are left as five were already sold as of today.
Key highlights of the new 718 Cayman SportDesign Series include:
LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+)
Redesigned front and rear skirts
Black accents on the door handles
Sports Exhaust with black muffler tips
20-inch alloy wheels in either Carrera S or Carrera Sport design
SportDesign carbon livery
Black leather interior package
Carbon interior package
GT sport steering wheel
14-way power seats with memory
Bose surround sound system with 10 loudspeakers
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Sports Chrono Package
To recap, the Porsche 718 Cayman SportDesign is based on the regular 718 Cayman, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four that churns out 300 hp and 380 Nm. Just like the regular 718 Cayman, a seven-speed PDK is fitted as standard, which sends power to the rear wheels.
“The 718 Cayman SportDesign Series is aimed particularly at drivers who appreciate a vehicle that is suitable for everyday use but do not want to sacrifice sportiness,” said Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of SDAP.
Priced from RM625,000, the Porsche 718 Cayman SportDesign can now be viewed at all Porsche Centres across the nation. The Porsche 718 Cayman SportDesign is backed by SDAP’s 4-year warranty programme and a 4-year free service and maintenance package.


Geely-Proton Partnership: Volvo Cars To Be Assembled At Tg Malim?

As is to be expected from an announcement of this magnitude, the tying up of
Geely as Proton’s foreign strategic partner
 is lined with more than one intriguing sub-plot. One of the many sub-plots in this instance concerns the potential utilization of Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant for the assembly of Volvo vehicles.
In his speech, Second Minister of Finance YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said, “On top of producing models together at the factory in Malaysia, the Tanjung Malim plant will also be assembling Volvo cars.”
How soon can we expect to see Tanjung Malim-built Volvo Cars then? The answer is not so soon, if at all.
One of the stated aims of the Geely-Proton partnership is for Tanjung Malim to be the Geely Group’s development and manufacturing hub for right-hand drive vehicles. Whilst there is no doubt that the possibility of assembling Volvo Cars were mentioned in the discussion, the path to such an eventuality will be anything but straight forward.
For starters, Volvo is fiercely proud of its existing Shah Alam facility, one of only six worldwide and the only one outside of either Europe or China. Established in 1968, it is the oldest automotive plant in Malaysia with nearly fifty years of history. It is currently the only Volvo plant outside Sweden entrusted to assemble the
second-generation XC90
.
Currently, the plant’s output caters not only for the Malaysian market but is being exported to Thailand as well.
Firm plans are already in place
 for the plant to begin exporting Volvo Cars to Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan by the end of the year.
Volvo had recently invested RM20 million to expand its annual production capacity in Shah Alam from 1,500 to 5,000 units by 2020. By that time, the company is expecting to export 75 percent of its production volume.
Earlier, however, it was
reported (but unverified)
 that Geely had plans to make Tanjung Malim its regional assembly hub for right-hand drive
Lynk & Co
 vehicles that happen to utilize Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform. The CMA platform will also underpin Volvo’s new-generation
40-series compact vehicle family
.
Company representatives of Volvo Car Malaysia have offered no comment to our queries on this matter.


Compact Crossover Conundrum: Proton X50 vs Hyundai Kona vs KIA Seltos

With the imminent launches of the Hyundai Kona, KIA Seltos and Proton X50 the compact SUV segment is about to explode!

In a month or two, Malaysians will be even more spoilt for choice when it comes to compact crossovers. We already have the
Honda HR-V
,
Peugeot 3008
,
Mazda CX-3
 and
Toyota C-HR
 in the market, but the arrival of the two Koreans and the pride of Malaysia will surely shake things up.

We're not even mentioning the
Perodua D55L
 because there is little indication to when it will be launched, but from what we know, it will be joining us early next year if the rumours from the grapevine are accurate - so yeah, choices.

But let's forget about the rest this time around because we want to take a closer look at the Proton X50, KIA Seltos and Hyundai Kona - which one comes out top?

Without further ado, let's take a closer look at what these three cars have to offer.

Clockwise from top: Hyundai Kona, Proton X50 and Kia Seltos

Performance - Tied - Hyundai Kona/Proton X50

As much as we expected the KIA Seltos to come with one of KIA's modern turbocharged engine and 8-speed transmission, the reality is that the KIA Seltos in Malaysia will have the same powertrain from the current Cerato which is a 1.6N/A four-cylinder engine that pushes out 120hp and 151Nm of torque. It also gets the Cerato's 6-speed automatic transmission which, according to KIA, gets the crossover to 175kph top speed.

The powertrain while not the worst, definitely doesn't keep up with the other two. Although not official, the Hyundai Kona could possibly come with a 1.6L turbocharged engine as previewed at the 2018 KLIMS Motorshow. The 1.6-litre T-GDI engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 169hp and 265Nm of torque.

The Proton X50 will most likely come with a three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Good for 175hp and 255Nm of torque, the X50's performance is similar to the Kona. Since the differences are marginal between the Hyundai and Proton, it's hard to say which will come out on top.

Clockwise from top left: Kia Seltos, Proton X50 and Hyundai Kona

Exterior - Winner - Proton X50

The KIA Seltos is boxier compared to the Proton X50 and Hyundai Kona. It is a bit more conservative in design, but simple can be a good thing. The Proton X50 is definitely the sportiest looking out of the three with its slanted rear roofline and small rear windscreen. We wouldn't be surprised if it got its inspiration from the Range Rover Evoque because if you take a quick glance at it, you could mistake it for a baby Rangie.

The Hyundai Kona's exterior design is the most left-wing out of them all with its weird bubble-like shape. However, we're still a fan of its looks, as the front end does look pretty menacing. But in terms of overall looks, we prefer the baby Rangie of course - sorry, we meant Proton X50.

Clockwise from top: Proton X50, Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos.

Interior - Winner - KIA Seltos

The interior in the X50's brother the X70 really is quite amazing, and we expect no less from the X50. Judging from the X70, the X50 will probably have that same plush interior with a premium feel, if not better. From the photos and worldwide reviews, the Hyundai Kona's interior seems nothing special as it aims for a more durable and longer-lasting theme as opposed to luxurious.

As we have said before, sometimes simple is better, but you can be a judge of that because we prefer some interior pizzaz. In our opinion, the KIA comes out on top when it comes to the interior.

From the photos above the KIA Seltos stands out to us in terms of layout and
design
. That black with red accents really does pop. There is an understated elegance to it.

Clockwise from top left: Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos and Proton X50

Price

Despite its lower-tech powerplant, we expect the KIA Seltos to have a  similar price to the X50 (it has been rumoured that it will start around RM85k). It was announced recently that the Hyundai Kona will have a starting price of RM115k which makes it a lot more expensive than its Korean sibling the Seltos, but then again, you are getting a bit more tech from the Kona, so you get what you pay for.

Conclusion

If our 'guesstimate' price for the Proton X50 is correct, then the Proton X50 will represent the best value for money. It just seems to have a better package when all things are weighed in. Then again, for those of you who fancy the road less taken, the Hyundai Kona seems like a good choice.

The KIA Seltos on the other hand has a nice cabin to be in so if that's important for you then maybe consider the Seltos. It's also a very simple car so maintenance should be hassle-free. If you're about the simple life, then it doesn't get any easier than the Seltos.

There is a car for everyone; it's just down to what your budget is and what you intend to use the vehicle for.
Happy shopping
!


DBKL Mulls Congestion Charge For KL, Lesser Parking In 2017

If Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has its way, the cost of driving into Kuala Lumpur will increase significantly within the next few years.
According to a report by The Sun, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz said that DBKL is considering to implement congestion charges in the central business district of KL after the government enhances the public transportation system in the city.
“Maybe after the completion of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT Line 1),” he told The Sun, after attending the opening of 7th World Class Sustainable Cities Conference.
Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan also chipped in to say “The government will also impose plans to make it difficult for private vehicles to enter the city. This includes higher development costs for developers or building owners to build car parks which will contribute to high parking charges.”
Dr Loga also added that among the proposals mulled is a reduction in parking bays in the city, but stressed that this will only be executed in stages, once the public transport system is improved.
“When we finalise the study, we will provide lesser parking bays to make more people use public transport after the government put in rail lines such as MRT, LRT and also other public transport services in a big way,” he said.
DBKL did not explain further on the mechanisms to implement congestion charging in KL but sources contacted by The Sun said that an RFID-based technology, implemented on the vehicle's road tax (to be enforced by JPJ), is being considered.
In Singapore, passenger cars driving into the city centre at peak hours are charged between SGD0.50 to SGD5.00, depending on the routes used.
In London, vehicles are charged a flat rate of GBP11.50 if the drive into the city centre anytime between 0700 and 1800 hours daily.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Officiates First Integrated One-Stop Showroom In Kuching

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia together with its authorized partner Hap Seng officiated its first integrated one-stop centre in Kuching, called Hap Seng Kuching Autohaus.
Hap Seng has invested a total of RM237 million to improve customer touchpoints nationwide. The new Hap Seng Kuching Autohaus was built at an investment of RM53 million. Total built-up area is 18,383 sq m.
The full-fledged 3S centre is located in the heart of Kuching, managed by 40 personnel familiar with sales, technical services and spare parts. The Hap Seng Kuching Autohaus is capable of servicing up to 510 vehicles a month, backed by 16 work bays and a spray booth. On top of servicing Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the new 3S centre is also able to service Fuso commercial vehicles, with two bays dedicated to commercial vehicles.
Similar to other Mercedes-Benz Autohaus nationwide, the Hap Seng Kuching Autohaus adheres to the Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II). At the moment, Hap Seng operates in 11 locations, including three in East Malaysia.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO Dr Claus Weidner said, “The launch of Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Kuching Autohaus signifies our enduring commitment to strengthening our presence in East Malaysia. Our aim is to continuously grow our customer touchpoints to office exceptional experiences, as we maintain our lead in Malaysia’s premium automotive segment.”


Swire Motors Opens Volkswagen’s Third Technical Service Centre

With a total display area that can accommodate 15 cars, and with two vehicle delivery bays, the newly opened Volkswagen Puchong 4S Centre is the largest Volkswagen showroom in the country. In total, the 92,000 square facility, which also includes a body and paint repair centre and a service centre, is the largest in the Southern Klang Valley region.
Built with a total investment of RM20 million, 70 percent of it invested in after sales, the spacious showroom is complemented with a workshop that houses 24 service bays, which can be expanded to 35 in the future, as well as an authorized Body and Paint centre. The centre uses newly-designed stainless steel air blow guns for paintjob with waterborne paints - a new and improved product that requires lesser clear coats and has a cleaner and brighter results as compared to solvent based paint.
Operated by the Hong Kong-listed Swire Motors, whose parent company Swire Pacific owns Cathay Pacific airlines, the cash rich Swire Motors entry into Malaysia will give a much needed boost to the quality of services provided to Volkswagen owners in Malaysia. The company was previously operating from a temporary showroom at another location in Puchong.
Swire Motors is also known as Taikoo Motors in Taiwan, where the company operates Taiwan’s largest network of Volkswagen dealerships. The company also represents many other makes in Hong Kong and China.
Speaking at yesterday’s opening ceremony of Volkswagen Puchong, Mr Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia said, “This is our third Volkswagen Technical Service Centre launched within a span of one year and this is testament that our customers are our top priority. Volkswagen Malaysia works closely with our dealership partners to ensure the right investment on infrastructure is made so together we can strive to improve our offerings and improve the overall ownership experience.  This year will be a year for Volkswagen Malaysia to focus on improving overall ownership experience for our customers. Congratulations Swire Motors on today’s launch and thank you for your commitment to the brand.”
The other two Volkswagen Technical Service Centres are Cergaz Autohaus’s Volkswagen TTDI and Goh Brothers’s Volkswagen Selayang.
Mr Derrick Chan, Managing Director of Taikoo Motors said “Swire Motors is proud to present our largest Volkswagen centre in the Southern Klang Valley. We agree that our customers are our top priority and with that in mind, we have invested in equipping this centre with the right equipment and right people and other necessities in making this a full fledge service centre and more. Our investment today will benefit in the long run and will help in building the Volkswagen brand here in Malaysia. Thank you to Volkswagen for the continuous support and faith in Swire Motors.”
Volkswagen Puchong 4S Centre operates from Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 6:00pm and on Sundays and Public Holidays from 9:00am to 6:00pm for its showroom. For after sales it operates from Monday to Saturday from 8.00am to 8:00pm. Other facilities such as a customer lounge with four computers for customers use, TV with various Astro channels, a café and high speed WIFI is also available.
It is located at Lot 895, Jalan Subang 10, Kampung Kenangan, 47100, Puchong, Malaysia. Customers can make their service appointment by calling 03-8069 9099.


Big Gains For Proton In June, But…..

June 2019 was one of Proton’s best month, as the company sold 7,615 units, capturing 18.1% of the market - the highest market share figure since July 2015.
Taking a closer look at Proton's performance so far, Proton sold, on average, between 2,500 and 2,800 units of the X70 monthly. However in June, sales of the X70 have dropped by more than 30% from the previous month, with less than 1,600 units delivered, suggesting that sales have normalized.
The spike in the X70's sales earlier this year was due to the backlog of deliveries accumulated prior to its launch. March was the best-selling month for the X70, with slightly more than 3,000 units of the X70 being delivered.
The Persona, Iriz, Exora, and Saga, sold almost 6,000 units in June, a slight decrease from the 8,000-plus units Proton sold in May.
As for Proton’s other models – the Perdana, Preve, and Ertiga only contributed to just below 80 units in June. Quite a drop, considering that the figure was sitting at slightly above 400 in January, before gradually dropping month after month. The only spike was in April, when the figure increased to slightly above 200 units.
Despite the reduced deliveries of X70, Proton bucked the industry's downward trend, registering double digit growth when compared to the same month last year.
Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of Proton said, “By achieving a market share of 18.1% in June, Proton continues to show positive sales growth this year despite the tough market conditions following the Hari Raya holidays. Our year to date market share currently stands at 14.7% and is a big improvement of our 2018 figure of 10.8%. For the second half of the year, we will concentrate on continuing to build our sales and exciting the market further by introducing new and updated models as was promised at the beginning of the year.”
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VW Dieselgate: VW Germany To Begin Rectification Works In January 2016

Following a decision by Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority, the Volkswagen Group has announced today that it will begin initiating a recall for 2.4 million diesel-powered Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and SEAT models.
Remedial action on the vehicles will begin in January 2016, at no cost to the customers.
Details on the fix is still unclear but Volkswagen said a technical fix is currently being developed for each affected model, and that it will involve software as well as hardware measures.
“All measures will first be presented to the responsible authorities. Volkswagen will subsequently inform the owners of these vehicles over the next weeks and months,” said the Volkswagen Group.
The company also added that only the four cylinder EA 189 diesel engines are affected.
“The current successor generation of EA 288 diesel engines (in use since 2012) is not affected,” said the company.
Related links:
Volkswagen Malaysia: EA 189 Diesel Engines Not Sold In Malaysia
Leonardo DiCaprio Might Produce Movie On Volkswagen’s Emissions Scandal
Volkswagen AG: Non-essential Investments To Be Cancelled Or Postponed
Volkswagen: Software Update Sufficient For Majority Of TDI Models
Volkswagen AG Announces Action Plan To Resolve 'Dieselgate' Scandal