Honda CONNECT To Debut In City RS, March Launch Confirmed

Today marks the official introduction of Honda CONNECT to the Malaysian market, representing a suite of technologies that allow greater interface and tighter integration between Honda cars,  smart devices, and the wider internet.

Following an online launch event via live broadcast, Honda Malaysia detailed the various systems and functionality that will be enabled by this technology, revolving around the areas of
Safety, Security, and Convenience
 by leveraging advanced smart Telematics Technology with 24-hour connectivity.

We’ve seen other examples of these from other manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz with
Me Connect
 and BMW with
ConnectedDrive
. However, Honda will be one of the first mass-market manufacturers in Malaysia to comprehensively bring these high level 'Connected Car' features to market, starting in March with the
much anticipated City RS e:HEV
.

Honda CONNECT utilises the onboard computing power and connectivity features within the City RS e:HEV in conjunction with a backbone of internet services to deliver a new dimension of vehicle interactivity - such as Vehicle Diagnostics, Remote Applications, Security Applications, Vehicle Tracking and Support Services - at the touch of a button.

Starting with the safety and security aspect, Honda CONNECT is equipped with Automatic Collision Detection which immediately sends out an emergency alert and provides support to the driver via Honda’s Roadside Assist Call Centre.

Security Alarm Detection works in much the same way for greater peace of mind, allowing the car to be remotely monitored by the owner with any forcible entry into the doors, boot, or bonnet being reported via mobile push notification to the owner as well as Honda’s Roadside Assist Call Centre.

Find My Car, Speed Alert, and Geo-Fencing Alert all utilise the car’s onboard sensors to triangulate its position at all times to allow the driver for easy location in, say, a huge parking facility or be notified if it is being driven outside of a set conditional speed parameter and/or area. This comes in very handy when letting someone borrow your pride and joy, making sure they don’t abuse the privilege.

For added Convenience, Honda CONNECT by adding features such as Remote Vehicle Control, Car Status, and Service Reminder, the latter two enabling the owner to access important vehicle information such as fuel level, battery status, driving behaviour and route information from a dedicated smartphone app. Through this, they can also receive the latest relevant notifications when it comes to vehicle’s maintenance schedule, check service history, parts list, estimated cost, and reserve a service appointment with the nearest Honda Dealer.

Prior to that, Honda CONNECT’s Remote Diagnostic Support can provide technicians with the information necessary to perform an initial assessment on the vehicle to prepare for its scheduled visit. The system is able to detect issues and malfunctions within 11 sub-systems - Anti-lock Brake System, Supplemental Restraint System, Brake System, Engine Malfunction, Charging System, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System, Electric Power Steering System, Lane Keep Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control System, Safety Support and Power System.

Upon detection of an anomaly, it can send out a push notification to the owner via the smartphone app and arrange support from Roadside Assistance upon request.

Commenting on the latest advanced technology, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said: “The technology within Honda CONNECT embodies Honda’s vision of value creation for mobility and people’s daily lives. This innovative technology is set to redefine safety, security and convenience for Honda car owners, allowing them to fully experience and enjoy their Honda car while enabling us to provide round-the-clock support to our valued customers.”


Geneva 2019: Audi Previews Q4 E-Tron Concept, Rear-Biased Quattro Delivering 306 Hp

Six months after the launch of the Audi e-tron, the brand’s first foray into all-electric vehicles, Audi has unveiled the Q4 e-tron Concept at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show 2019. The Q4 e-tron is a smaller fully-electric SUV slotting a few segments beneath the flagship e-tron.
With the designers sculpting the concept car around the compact dimensions of 4.59 metres long by 1.9 metres wide, the Q4 e-tron Concept shares almost the same footprint with the recently announced Polestar 2 by Polestar.
Similar to the Audi e-tron, the Q4 e-tron Concept has muscular wheel arches protruding from the side of the vehicle, influenced by the classic Audi Quattro. The slim camera-based Virtual Side Mirrors are still unique to the bigger e-tron, as the Q4 e-tron uses traditional side mirrors.
A sportier rear profile from the sloping roof to the inward-folding tailgate presently seen on the e-tron is replicated in the Q4 e-tron Concept.
We doubt the oversized 22-inch wheels in this concept will make it into production, as those sizes are only available in the company’s Q8 flagship SUV.
Powering the Audi Q4 e-tron is a pair of electric motors with mixed outputs. Mounted on the front axle is a 102 hp (75 kW) / 150 Nm electric motor that provides traction only when necessary.
During the regular commute, the main propulsion of the Q4 e-tron Concept comes from the larger 204 hp (150 kW) / 310 Nm electric motor. With the electronic control units regulating power distribution between both axles, the electric all-wheel drive is rated to deliver up to 306 hp (225 kW) of combined system output.
Audi estimates, with that amount of power, the Q4 e-tron Concept should achieve the traditional century dash in 6.3 seconds. Top speed is, however, limited to 180 km/h.
Maximum range meanwhile is estimated to be 450 kilometres, thanks to a large 82 kWh battery pack mounted between the two axles. The Q4 e-tron Concept is designed to utilize the Modular Electrification Platform (MEB) that will be used by Volkswagen Group in the future, from compact class to larger medium-sized vehicles.
Inside, the Q4 e-tron Concept only has heavily bolstered sports seats for four occupants. Audi has also incorporated touch-sensitive panels on the steering wheel to select frequently used functions. Thanks to the deletion of the traditional physical shift lever, an abundance of storage spaces can be found in between the two front seats.
Comparing the Q4 e-tron Concept to the
production-ready Polestar 2
, the five-door fastback goes further with an estimated range of 500 kilometres from a 78 kWh battery pack. High-performance is top priority is the Polestar 2 as 0 to 100 km/h acceleration is completed is 4.7 seconds, thanks to an output of 408 hp (300 kW) from the electric motors.
While Polestar has the Polestar 1 Hybrid GT and Polestar 2 compact fastback, Audi has planned for a very strategic, fully-electric product offence, with an e-tron model covering almost all the important sub-segments in the premium category.
Audi e-tron, March 2019
Audi e-tron Sportback, late 2019
Audi Q2 L e-tron (China exclusive), late 2019
Audi e-tron GT, end 2020
Audi Q4 e-tron, late 2020
By 2025, the list will grow to 12 fully-electric vehicles and Audi hopes to achieve roughly one-third of its total sales with electrified models.


Nasim Launches Peugeot Petaling Jaya 1S Centre

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor for
Peugeot
 vehicles in Malaysia, has opened an outlet in Petaling Jaya. This marks the second outlet opened in 2015, with this one in Petaling Jaya being the most recent - following Peugeot Taiping – as well as the sixteenth in the Klang Valley.
Nasim’s 36th facility is a 1S showroom that center occupies 7,560 square-feet  and was built at a cost of RM1 million. It includes amenities such as customer lounges, a discussion area, free Wi-Fi, ample parking bays and even a Peugeot boutique.
“This new outlet is strategically located as the ideal hub to showcase our acclaimed line-up and enhance customer experience. Through our aftersales network expansion and the soon to be introduced Peugeot 308, Peugeot 408 and Peugeot 508, we intend to meet the growing demand and expectations of our Peugeot customers in relation to aftersales and service,” said Dato’ Samson Anand George, Chief Operating Officer of Nasim.
You can find Nasim's new Peugeot Petaling Jaya center at: Lot 1, Jalan 51A/221, 48100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. They can also be contacted at 03-7953-2867.


2018 All-New Renault Megane RS Previewed At Monaco Grand Prix

Renault previewed the all-new 2018 Renault Megane RS at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, with Renault F1 driver Nico Hülkenberg at the wheel. The new generation Megane RS continues the family that started with the introduction of the original Megane RS in 2004.
According to Renault, the new 2018 Megane RS will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Sales are planned to commence in the first quarter of 2018.
From the photos provided by Renault, the new Megane RS will come with abudance of red stitching, from the steering wheel, seats and seat belts.
The company did not mention what engine will be powering the upcoming Renault Megane RS, but confirmed that customers will be able to pick between a manual or dual-clutch EDC transmission.
Come 2018, Renault's hot hatch will be competing against the Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R for the ultimate front wheel drive crowd.


Special Edition Mazda MX-5 Z-Sport Only For The UK

Mazda has revealed the MX-5 Z-Sport, a special edition version of the roadster destined exclusively for the UK.
On sale from the March 2018, this exclusive model will feature a unique deep cherry red fabric roof, 17-inch black BBS wheels, as well as Machine Grey Metallic paint – a colour which was exclusive to the hard-top MX-5 RF before this.
Inside, special features include Sand Leather seats, Z-Sport floor mats and scuff plates, as well as an individually numbered Z-Sport plaque on the dash.
Limited to just 300 cars, the MX-5 Z-Sport is powered by Mazda’s 2.0-litre engine which delivers 160 PS and 200 Nm of torque, and features a limited slip differential, Bilstein dampers and a strut brace.
The second MX-5 to wear the Z-Sport badge, the latest car revisits a name last used on the third-generation MX-5 in 2007, which came with 17-inch BBS wheels, Stone Leather seats and Radiant Ebony Mica paint.
With just 400 examples sold, the 2007 Z-Sport shared the exclusivity of next year’s new Z-Sport MX-5.
Jeremy Thomson, the managing director of Mazda Motors UK said, “The MX-5’s new cherry coloured roof was shown for the first time in public at the recent Tokyo Motor Show where it received a very positive reception. I’m delighted that we can bring it to UK MX-5 buyers as part of the exciting Z-Sport limited edition model.”


Geneva 2018: Toyota Supra Teased Ahead Of Unveiling on March 6th

Toyota has just issued a very brief and short press release on one of their displays at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.
Based on the silhouette of the vehicle from the teaser image and the keywords that include “most iconic sports car”, it looks quite certain to be the next generation Toyota Supra.
The teaser image itself does not reveal much more details, with the angle taken from the rear-right of the vehicle, one can easily recognize a massive GT-wing sitting atop the boot lid.
The boot lid itself is short and has its shape integrated into the rear fenders, which looks all-muscular. The roof also maintains the ‘pagoda’ esque-form. All these design elements are consistent with the
Toyota Supra’s spy shot videos
 and photos that have been circulating around.
More details of this "iconic sports car" will be revealed on March 6th at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.


Fuel Price Update: 7 Sen Drop For Petrol, 6 Sen Drop For Diesel

From 14 June till 21 June 2017, motorists in Malaysia will be able to enjoy cheaper petrol and diesel.
New prices below:
RON95 - RM1.98 (down 7 sen from RM2.05)
RON97 - RM2.24 (down 7 sen from RM2.31)
Diesel - RM1.88 (down 6 sen from RM1.94)
Via:
The Star


Zafrul: 4 Months Left For SST Discount, No More Extension

Prospective car buyers in Malaysia have just four months remaining to take advantage of the ongoing SST exemption/discount for new vehicles, which ends on June 30th, 2022. They're super serious about it this time;
no more extensions
.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz reiterated the narrowing window late last week while presenting the Laporan Kewangan Rakyat (basically a renamed 86th LAKSANA report published by the MOF on a weekly basis since April 2020).

First implemented in June 2020 to spur economic recovery and uptake of new car sales in the midst of a disruptive pandemic, the SST exemption delivers a 100% sales tax discount on locally assembled (CKD) passenger cars while a 50% sales tax discount is given to ones that are fully imported (CBU).

With 2 years of cheaper new car prices across the board, Malaysians have responded with consistently high demand resulting in strong sales performance that would have suffered greatly otherwise, given the circumstances.

According to MAA data, a total of 529,514 vehicles were sold in 2020 which was a significant,
but not catastrophic
, decrease from the 604,281 vehicles sold in 2019. However, because of more time spent in lockdown (MCO), 2021 proved to be
a worse performer
 for the local automotive market with 508,911 cars sold (a 3.9% drop) despite the year being one of consolidation and recovery.

MOF has not disclosed how much sales tax revenue would have made it to government coffers had  SST not been slashed since mid-2020, but we might get a more solid figure on that once the exemption/discount period ends. Four months isn’t a terribly long time, after all, but has to be multiple billions of Ringgit.

Still, despite a sweeping return of SST to new cars, electric vehicle buyers will be able to enjoy new zero-emissions cars
at near tax-free prices
 and even be exempt from paying annual road tax
until 2025
.

In 2022 alone there will be
a surge of new EV models
 offered by both premium and mass-market automakers to take advantage of these new incentives. With new electric models being rolled out by automakers internationally, their ubiquity in local showrooms is likely to compound again in 2023 and beyond.


2015 Perodua Axia Standard G Full Review - Foot Soldier Of Small Fortune

Alright, the
Perodua

Axia
 has been around for a good while now since its launch in 2014. In that span it has helped the Malaysian automaker nearly blanket the country with its small cars given its place as the most affordable car in the country, a mission-continuation that Perodua has carried from the Axia’s predecessor, stretching all the way back to the Kancil.

As a direct replacement for the Perodua Viva, the Axia certainly has more presence on the road and is even comparable in size to the larger
Myvi
 when seen next to each other. There’s only a few inches separating them in length and slightly more in terms of width.

This added size gives the Axia a lot more versatility to the budget-minded buyer and is unmistakably a move by Perodua that emphasises how it has seemingly no qualms whether their cars encroach on each other’s turf - if value can be added, let it be done. We are reviewing the mid-pack variant in the Axia range, the 1.0 Standard G Automatic, and as you’ll find out, it has more to offer than its low price and average pecking order might suggest.

Key Specs

Price
: RM35,527

Engine
: 998cc  3-cylinder 1KR-DE2 DOHC

Power
: 66PS @ 6,000rpm

Torque
: 90Nm @ 3,600rpm

Transmission
: 4-speed automatic

Fuel Tank Capacity
: 33-litres

Fuel Economy:
20.1km per litre or 5.0-litres/100km (claimed)

The Outside

If you’re one of those who found that Perodua’s previous car, the Viva, to be a little too plain from the outside, you’ll be glad to know that with the Axia, they have seemed to have wanted straight lines and squared or rectangular shapes to be eschewed from this car’s exterior quite deliberately. It’s a big improvement in that respect.

There are definition lines running all over the Axia’s front and side, and while that rhythm is toned down somewhat at the rear, it’s safe to say that Perodua paid attention to consensus feedback and wanted to put forward an overall better styled car even at its most base offering.

The Axia we drove for this review was finished in what’s called Cherry Blossom Metallic, and while that shade isn’t the most masculine, from a more objective standpoint, this reviewer did find it showed off the car’s more flattering attributes, especially against the sunlight.

Looking at the Axia from the front, it carries that angled headlamp design from the Myvi, and that diagonal motif is carried by the upper and lower front grills. It’s a purposeful and not overly assertive fascia. The wheels here are, again, purposeful but not bland set of 8-spoke alloys that mesh with the car’s overall design. Subtlety is what was needed for the Axia, and given how little ostentation Perodua applied even to the more expensive SE and Advance variants and kitted out with their GearUp accessories, this seems to be a shared sentiment.

The Inside

There’s an immediate sense space when you first open the door and sit inside the Axia, one that never quite leaves you fully as accepted fact. How can a car this small on the outside feel so airy inside? A mixture of clever packaging, material choices, and an omission of thick trim pieces are certainly at play here.

Facing the driver is a logically placed set of controls and dials, with the central speedometer and oddly recessed left-side tachometer being analogue while the readouts for fuel and gear selection are relegated to a digital readout on the right.

At the centre of the dashboard lies the two central air conditioning vents, below that the CD Tuner stereo that drives audio to a four-speaker system, under which the air conditioning controls are placed. Little to no learning curve is required to master any of the controls as, aside from being quite basic in function, denote their purpose clearly.

Often when it comes to the more affordable end of the market - and in this case we’re at the far corner - the question of build and trim quality invariably comes up. Yes there’s no getting around the fact that the plastics here are hard and it even stepping up to a Myvi brings a noticeable jump in overall plushness. Having said that, given just how cheaply this car can be owned and run, there wasn’t a time when I felt that the justifications were not sound - everything is pieced together well and has a sturdy feel that's on par or even occasionally beyond its price bracket.

The dark coloured seats are fabric but comfortable with the trade off being that the minimal side padding makes for a looser and more unconfined experience while seated. Let’s face it, you probably won’t be taking sharp corners fast enough to require extra side bolstering anyway.

The same goes for the rear seats, there’s not much recession here but just enough to visually distinguish between the left, centre, and right. They are acceptably comfortable, however, for short to intermediate-distance journeys and coupled with the very ample rear legroom allows for enough freedom of movement for skittish passengers.

The Practicality

Have I mentioned how big it is inside? Let me reiterate, then, that the Axia is uncommonly commodious, particularly toward rear passenger space. It is also a taller car than you might first expect it to be, and that only adds to the overall airiness of the cabin. The versatility of this rear passenger area can be expanded to place groceries, or even small furniture, should the need arise.

Open the trunk lid and there is a sufficient - if not generous - amounts of luggage space. Perodua shows off four overnight travel bags fitting side by side in the Axia's promotional materials and I do not dispute that claim, although I would have to be careful to choose luggage that can make the most of the Axia boot which is deep but not far reaching. Most bags would have to rest facing up instead of on their side, I imagine. But, just fold the seats down, and a trip to IKEA in your small Axia just became a possibility.

Prowess As A City Car

Think of the attributes that a city car needs to have make it an ideal runabout and the Axia seems to be made to fit those perfectly - it is small and light, but spacious inside should need to ferry the odd passenger(s) or some cargo arise.

How does it drive, though? Starting with the steering, the turning the Axia’s wheel at a standstill requires more effort than you’d expect from such a petite thing, feeling almost unassisted to those of us spoiled by lighter hydraulic racks and electric power steering. But get going and chucking the Axia around becomes much easier.

Despite it being a very light car, Perodua has done an admirable job at keeping the car well insulated and devoid of much of those crashes and creaks that lead to an unreassuring impression with the car’s build.

At city speeds is where the Axia comes into its own. The 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine has enough grunt at lower revs to pull the car strongly between 30-70km/h, just what you need to thread the Axia through the Kuala Lumpur’s sometimes narrow, sometimes (often?) pothole-ridden lanes.

Speaking of potholes, the bane of every driver in the greater Klang Valley (or Malaysia, for that matter), the Axia does quite well against the general unevenness of our roads. It soaks up the bumps well and doesn’t get unsettled easily, say, even if you come at a speed bump a little too quickly.

When it comes to fuel economy, Perodua touts the Axia as being the one of the most fuel efficient cars available on the market, citing a claimed maximum fuel consumption figure of 20.1km for each litre of petrol - equivalent to 5-litres/100km. However, during the review period, in which the Axia was driven in the city and on highways, the lowest consumption figure I saw was closer to 7.3-litres/100km.

Conclusion

Perodua has over the years developed a very attuned sensibility as to what exactly the needs of the Malaysian people are, and the Axia is a class representation of that. It is an ambitious car in terms of scope: to be very economical, cheap to run, cheap to buy, easy to drive, and spacious for its size.

For all those categories it tries to get right, for the most part, it does. And that's really all there is to say about it. Because at this level of car, you want the most for your money. The most bang for your buck. The car that can wear as many hats without them all toppling over. And at an affordable price.

Now, though, particularly with the more expensive and better-equipped Advanced and SE variants of the Axia, Perodua has successfully moved their base offering up from the trenches of being a pure purchase of necessity to a car that people might actually
want
 to own.

Even with the ‘Standard’ variant Axia, you’ll be getting a lot of car for the cash that can handle pretty much (nearly) everything you can possibly throw at it during your typical urban or extra-urban lifestyle with the exception of blistering acceleration, smoky and slithery power slides, and off-roading.

Which, really, makes it a car that mostly any of us can live with and be perfectly happy in doing so.


Review: 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63S Coupe (C205) – Brute Force In Svelte Clothing

The concept of having big engines powering small cars has been amusing enthusiasts for some time even if it might not be regarded as politically correct this day and age. Still, these concerns did not perturb Mercedes when it plonked a big 6.2 V8 into the C-Class’ diminutive body to give us the first C63 AMG.
The arrival of a new C-Class in 2015 inevitably necessitated the development of a new
AMG flagship
 to go with it. The C63’s popularity ensured the name was preserved along with the V8 engine configuration, but the inevitable downsizing had to happen, with engine capacity reduced from 6,208 to 3,982cc.
A pair of turbochargers make up for the loss of displacement, but is it enough to preserve the brutish charm for which the original C63 was much loved? We drive the
newly-launched AMG C63S Coupe
 to find out.
Specifications:
Price: RM773,888 (CBU, OTR without Insurance)
Engine: 4.0-litre, V8 Longitudinal, Twin Turbocharged, Petrol Direct Injection
Power: 510hp @ 5,500 – 6,250rpm
Torque: 700Nm @ 1,750 – 4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed multi-clutch automatic, RWD
Safety: 7 airbags, autonomous emergency braking, Distronic Plus, Steering Assist, queue assist, blind spot warning, lane keeping assist, Brake Assist Plus, Cross-Traffic Assist
Origin: Fully imported from Affalterbach, Germany
Overview

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As is usual practice in recent times, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia went to town in specifying its AMG-fettled C-Class Coupe for our market. The lower-powered ‘regular’ C63 with 476hp is dispensed with altogether, leaving us with the brawnier 510hp C63S as standard specification. Early takers have the option of topping in an extra RM22k for Edition 1 trim.
That ‘S’ suffix brings with it quite substantial enhancements even if differences are barely discernible from the outside. Its aggressive engine tune comes hand-in-hand with an electronic rear LSD allowing for more sensitive control at its physical limits – a useful trait to cope with its boosted outputs. The base C63 which we do not get comes with a mechanical LSD.
The C63’s suspension setup, which comes complete with adaptive dampers, is unique to itself and its components are not interchangeable with the
regular C-Class
. The four-link front suspension gets model specific steering knuckles whilst the rear axle, which features no less than 12 links in total, are developed from ground up. The body shell too, is further strengthened from the regular model to improve vehicle refinement.
Another crucial enhancement coming standard with the C63S are dynamic engine mounts, which are able to vary their stiffness according to driving requirements – softer for better insulation of noise and vibration, or stiffer for sharper handling and agility. Mercedes claims that it even leads to more direct steering response and feedback.
Lastly, the 7-speed multi-clutch transmission hooked to the handbuilt 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 gets an additional ‘Race’ mode setting in addition to four regular driving modes – Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual.
At RM774k before insurance, the C63S’s asking price nearly doubles that of the C300 Coupe – the costliest variant of the
regular C-Class Coupes
. It is also some RM75k costlier than its sedan counterpart, but a more pertinent comparison is against the BMW M4, which starts at RM27k less but offers far less power – 431hp and 550Nm from its smaller 3.0-litre inline-6 engine.
Exterior
The familiar C-Class Coupe silhouette underpins the C63’s basic appearance, but the details appropriately set the flagship car apart. Actual alteration to the sheet metal include wheel arches flared to cover bigger tyres and axle tracks widened by 64mm up front and 66mm at the rear. The visual effect is that it gives the C63 a noticeably stout and muscular stance in relation to regular versions of the C-Class Coupe.
Further emphasizing its added muscle, the aluminium bonnet is sculpted with a pair of power domes that are not present in the regular C-Class. The front bumper is moulded with wide-spanning air intakes split into three sections by the trademark AMG ‘A-wing’ air deflector finished in black. In typical Mercedes coupe fashion, the large central star dominates the front grille signed off by a small AMG emblem implanted on the single ‘twin-blade’ louvre stretching outwards.
On the familiar C-Class Coupe rear end, the C63 gets its own distinguishing marks in the form of a darkened, more aggressive lower diffuser than the regular models with integrated quad trapezoidal exhaust tips – for show only though, they obscure what actually are just a pair of single tail pipes at either end of the car. A duck-tail spoiler completes the overall look – Mercedes claims that it is aerodynamically functional.
Interior
It says much about Mercedes’ recent strides in interior quality that we struggle to perceive the C63’s cabin as being meaningfully better-finished or a more special place to be in than that of a regular C-Class. This is less a criticism of the flagship but rather high praise for the base model. Such is the high order of quality which Mercedes designed and built the base C-Class cabin upon, we reckon any manufacturer would struggle to improve on it significantly.
The overall layout requires no introduction, but the materials selected are specific to the car and not offered to regular C-Class variants. AMG Performance seats with adjustable side supports are standard provision, seating the front occupants lower whilst also offering a higher degree of lateral support. The dash-mounted analog clock is bespoke from IWC, fitted exclusively in AMG cars.
We do feel, however, that the jet gorgeous turbine-inspired air con vents as seen in the
E-Class Coupe
 tested recently would serve to further elevate the appeal of an already excellent cabin.
Driving Experience
The engine, in true AMG tradition, is built to be core of the driving experience. It reminds you of that intention at each press of the starter button, upon which the 4.0-litre twin-blown bent-eight fires up with a raucous pop – not unlike the Jaguar F-Pace we drove last year; and just like the Jag, there is a button that allows you to dial the exhaust to eleven and enliven the engine’s throaty to further tickle your ears.
510hp and 700Nm. You didn’t need to be born of a different generation to remember that early versions of the Lamborghini Gallardo made do with only 493 to 523hp and 510Nm from its 5.0-litre V10, or that the Ferrari F430 punched out just 483hp and 465Nm. Let this realisation sink in for a moment.
A launch control function enlists the help of computer software to enable a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds. We did not try this feature on public roads out of safety concerns, but it is notable that even with the AMG Dynamic Select set to Comfort mode and all electronic nannies left on, there is enough torque being shoved astern to shred the rear tyres without careful application of the throttle.
In any case, in any setting outside a race track, you are unlikely to ever require the accelerator pedal’s full range of travel. Half throttle is more than enough to leave most road legal cars eating dust. Despite being shoved with air by two turbochargers, the engine’s power delivery is pleasingly linear, allowing easy modulation.
It is usefully flexible at the low end too, able to exert forceful yet gentle pull from pedestrian speeds to enable smooth in-town driving.
Complementing the C63S’s thoroughly charming and highly talented powertrain is a chassis tuned with no small degree of finesse. Granted, it might not match the BMW M4’s razor sharp incision or the
Audi RS5
’s supreme all-weather traction, but the overall setup is feels fluid, progressive, and thoroughly natural.
Steering is not the last word on chattiness, but does a fair job pointing the car’s nose along the chosen path despite having the weight of a V8 resting over its gears. It is, without doubt, a significant upgrade from a regular C-Class Coupe not just in speed, but handling as well.
Comfort & Refinement
Living with an AMG-badged Mercedes inevitably calls for some sacrifices in comfort, but the C63S is actually a passable daily commuter. It is undoubtedly firmer than a regular C-Class, but the suspension actually does a fairly respectable job in isolating road patches and pot holes.
Long-wave undulations are not as effectively dealt with, but the overall compromise is acceptable in the context of the car’s performance brief.
Cabin noise levels are on the high side. Fine if all you hear is the bellowing soundtrack of the V8 up front, but less so over corrugated surfaces where a loud degree of road noise is let in.
Economy & Maintenance
Over a mix of highway and highland driving, the C63 returned a surprisingly thrifty 11.0 litres/100km on the trip computer. We took the test car first to Genting Highlands then on a day trip Malacca without needing to refuel until just before returning to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s brand spanking
new office in Puchong
.
Most passenger cars with half the capacity and cylinders typically manage 9 to 10 litres/100km; most family SUVs edge closer to 11.0. For a 4.0-litre V8 to achieve similar numbers, that’s outright impressive. A starker comparison, the
1.6-litre Mercedes A180
 we reviewed last year recorded 10.7 litres/100km.
Our driving routine arguably did not include much in the way of full bore accelerations, but we certainly weren’t going slow either. I understand there may even be a speeding ticket coming my way soon. A major contributing factor to the C63S’s impressive economy, we feel, is the coasting function which de-couples the 7-speed multi-clutch transmission whenever the driver releases the accelerator at speeds between 60 and 160 km/h.
Conclusion
The C63 is more than just a C-Class with a very powerful engine, as AMG paid just as dutiful attention to the vehicle’s dynamics that this is a car with a chassis that can cope with its performance. It also does a passable (though far from perfect) impression of being a usable day-to-day vehicle.
As AMG celebrates half a century of sprucing up regular Mercs, the C63 is another fine addition to Affalterbach’s salivating portfolio of high performance cars. It carries that fine AMG tradition of marrying the aspirational appeal of a Mercedes-Benz with the muscular performance of its hand-assembled engines.
If you are the hard-core enthusiast-type craving a raw and visceral driving experience, there is no reason to discourage yourself from getting one; but if you are less inclined in accepting some of the compromises which this car inevitably requires, upcoming
AMG 43 series model range
 may prove to offer a more satisfying combination of AMG performance with day-to-day usability
Pictures:
 Eric


Did Honda Thailand Just Hinted That The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Is Heading There?

Earlier today, Honda Thailand’s official Facebook page posted a rather nondescript image that shows the front-half of a Civic coming into view of another driver at a traffic light intersection. The caption, which our ever helpful Google Translate told us it meant, “Wait no longer. The countdown has begun.”
Countdown to what? The Civic has been launched in Thailand since last year.
Some Thai netizens were quick to point out that the number 5 shown on the traffic light’s countdown timer is symbolic to the five doors of a hatchback (the tailgate, because it opens directly into the cabin, is legally classified as a door).
If the speculation is true, then it would mean that this is the first time since the fifth generation (EG) Civic bowed out in the mid ‘90s that a hatchback Honda Civic is returning to the ASEAN region.
Currently, only the
Civic sedan
 is sold in our ASEAN trade bloc market. Europe gets the hatchback while USA gets both the sedan and coupe.
At last year’s
Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show
, a prototype version of the Civic Hatchback was put on display, and Honda Indonesia has reportedly green lighted the five-door Civic for introduction in Indonesia later this year, but there is no confirmation as to whether will the car be assembled in Indonesia or
imported from the UK
, currently the world’s only source for Civic Hatchback.
Considering Indonesia’s hefty import duties for cars originating outside of ASEAN, local assembly sounds more logical.
The decision to introduce a Civic Hatchback in Indonesia is necessary because Indonesia’s odd tax structure slaps a 30 percent Luxury Goods Sales Tax for two-wheel drive sedans with engine capacities below 1,500cc, versus 10 percent for an equivalent hatchback.
This explains why in Indonesia, you will see a lot more Jazz than City, which is priced 35 percent higher than the Jazz even though they are essentially the same car.
Further checks with Honda Malaysia’s CEO Katsuto Hayashi suggests that the Civic Hatchback is unlikely to come to Malaysia, as there is little demand for hatchbacks of such class here, and Malaysia’s tax structure is unlike Indonesia’s.
Thailand on the other hand, has a much bigger car market than Malaysia (about 30 percent bigger), and might have some room for niche Japanese-brand hatchbacks.
Nissan Thailand for example, sells the Pulsar hatchback (despite the same name, it’s different from the European market Pulsar) alongside the Sylphy sedan.
So will the Civic Hatchback find its way to Malaysia? We don’t know yet for sure, but Ford and Mazda are OK with selling both sedan and hatchback variants of the Focus and 3 respectively in Malaysia, so….it’s not impossible.
Plus, Hayashi-san never said that the Civic Hatchback has been ruled out for Malaysia. In fact, what he told Carlist.my last year was, “Selling cars is our business. If there is (sufficient) market demand in Malaysia, we will think about it. Currently I am not sure.”
In Europe, the Civic Hatchback is available with three engine options, all turbocharged - 1.0-litre petrol, 1.5-litre petrol, and 1.6-litre diesel.
Related:

Honda Civic Hatchback – Not Much Chance For Malaysia


Proton Unveils Latest 3S Centre In Jalan Kapar, Klang

Proton today announced the opening of its latest 3S centre in Jalan Kapar, Klang.
Operated by Pantai Bharu Corporation Sdn Bhd, the outlet previously ran on a 1S and 2S basis on seperate premises.
The new outlet has 12 service bays, 8 hoists, 3 delivery bays, and also 70 customer parking bays.
In addition, there is also a waiting area which can hold more than 30 customers,  a play area to keep children occupied, coffee and phone/laptop charging area for customers, as well as free Wi-Fi connection for customers.
“We need to move on and stay relevant. The market is fluid and what works today may not work tomorrow. So the intention to relocate to a new area to provide better customer experience was inevitable,” said Dato Shamshudin Nor, the owner of Pantai Bharu Corporation Sdn Bhd.
To date, Proton has upgraded 87 of its outlets to 3S and 4S centres, which translates to 80% of the targeted 109 outlets, all set to be completed by October this year.
“We are positive that the new and fresh looking facility will attract more customers, and push our sales and service level upwards. We foresee a 100% increase in sales and service with the inception of this outlet upgrade,” said Dato Shamshudin.


Only 5% Of HR-Vs Booked NA Variant - Clear Sign That Malaysians Prefer Turbo?

With only 5% of the 2022 Honda HR-Vs booked being the NA variant, does it serve as a clear indication that when presented a choice, Malaysians would opt for a turbo, and should Honda Malaysia have brought in the naturally-aspirated HR-V variant at all?

Honda Malaysia has a knack for surprise in Malaysia. When information started trickling in about which variants of the all-new 2022 HR-V would be available in Malaysia a couple of months ago, many, including us were surprised that for the first time, the Honda HR-V lineup would comprise all powertrains - naturally aspirated (NA), turbocharged and hybrid.

It was a surprise because our neighbours, such as Thailand (hybrid only) and Indonesia (NA and Turbo), only carried two powertrain variations of the third-generation 2022 HR-V.

At the
launch of the all-new HR-V
 which took place yesterday, Honda Malaysia said that the introduction of all powertrains for the Malaysian market was their way of repaying the faith of Malaysians for the support of the HR-V over the years. They wanted to present Malaysians with all possible options available. It is a
strategy that is specific to the Malaysian market
 as no other ASEAN country would be doing the same.

Only 5% bookings for Honda HR-V NA variant

While this strategy presents a delightful array of options for HR-V buyers in Malaysia, we really wanted to know how the introduction of all powertrains would be received in the bookings department.

During the launch, Honda Malaysia said that there had already been 20,000 bookings of the new HR-V. Out of the 20,000 bookings, 75% were for Turbo HR-Vs, 20% for the Hybrid variant, and ONLY 5% for the NA variant.

According to Honda Malaysia, they actually expected a lower number of interests for the NA HR-V, so it seems they themselves are quite surprised by the reception of the 2022 Honda HR-V 1.5S variant.

When a member of the media asked Honda Malaysia why the NA HR-V was even introduced at all as on paper, it seemed underpowered (121PS/145Nm), Honda Malaysia answered that thanks to its new port injection engine and CVT transmission, the performance of the NA HR-V is actually quite comparable to the outgoing 1.8 engine (142PS/172Nm) from the second-gen HR-V.

We would have to try it out before making any conclusions about Honda's claims. If we follow what is written on Honda Malaysia's presentation slides, the NA HR-V is also the second most fuel-efficient HR-V after the hybrid, gaining it some brownie points.

So maybe there is a case to be made for the NA HR-V's existence in Malaysia, but with only 1000 bookings out of 20,000, it's pretty hard to see for now at least, what that is?

Would you wait, however up to
12 months
 for the all-new 2022 Honda HR-V?


5 Signs It's Time To Replace Your Brake Pads

When was the last time you changed your brake pads let alone inspected them?

One of the most overlooked parts of a car is its
brake pads
. Ensuring that your brake pads are in proper working condition won't just save you money in the long run but will also be crucial in protecting your vehicle as well as your life.

Brake pads work in tandem with brake discs or shoes to slow down your vehicle. Specially engineered pieces of friction material made of either organic, metallic, or ceramic substances press against discs or shoes when the brakes are applied.

If brake pads are neglected, they will wind all the way down to the backplate, which in turn will score your brake disc or shoes, which means you will have to replace them too. It's best to keep on top of your brake pad's condition to avoid replacing other brake system components such as discs and shoes.

But how do you know when is the right time to replace your brake pads? Is it something that only a trained mechanic would know?  The answer is no because there are some clear telltale signs to when you will need to change your brake pads.

Without further ado, here are the top five signs that it's time to replace your brake pads.

1. Brake Pad Indicator Light Comes On

Most modern vehicles are now equipped with brake wear indicators which will inform you that it is time to inspect your brake systems. However, through experience, we have come to realise that the indicator is a very rudimental way of knowing when to replace your brake pads because in some cases, the indicator won't even prompt the system to give you a warning till it's too late. By the time they do give you a warning, it'll most probably be a case of too little too late.

2. Visual Inspection

Sometimes there's just no beating the good old take a look approach. If the brake pad's friction material seems to be thin around a one-quarter inch thick, it's probably a good idea to inspect them further with a professional. This might be difficult for cars with wheels that cover your brake assembly, so you might have to remove your wheels to get a clearer view.

3. Vibration When Braking

Another indication that can help determine it's time to change your brake pads is vibration through the steering wheel when you apply the brakes. This vibration is caused by warped discs, which creates uneven brake pad wear. If this does happen, you'll probably have to change discs and pads.

4. Taking Longer To Stop

The loss in braking performance is a clear indicator that your brake pads need to be changed. If you are experiencing more breaking time to stop your vehicle, it's probably best to get your brake pads looked at.  We say looked at because it could either be that your brake pads are worn down or that brake fluid is low, probably caused by a leak somewhere in the braking system. No matter which one it is, it's still best to get a mechanic to look at it.

5. Noise When Applying Brakes

If your brake pads are near the end of their useful life, they will start to
squeal, creak and moan
. This signifies that your brake pads are worn away, and you should have them looked at quickly before the noise turns into a metallic grinding noise. If it turns into grinding noises, there is probably metal on metal contact, which may damage your other brake system components.

So there you have it, 5 signs that it's time to get your brake pads replaced. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, so periodically visually examine your brake pads. Also, make it a point to have your mechanic check your pads every time you send your car in for service.

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Who Will Buy The Toyota Veloz With The Perodua Alza On Sale?

As I write this, we’re sat in a chronological window between the launch of the
2nd-generation Perodua Alza
 and the imminent launch of
its Toyota-badged twin, the Veloz
. As vehicle sales is a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ proposition, which will win out in the end?

It’s well known Malaysians love a good MPV, especially one that punches above its weight when it comes to efficiently and effectively moving passengers from point A to point B, as inexpensively as possible.

7-Seat MPVs - Spoilt For Choice

The launch of this second-generation Alza has been awaited by family men and women for years following the maturation and, in the face of more capable competitors, the decline of its predecessor’s long career. After all, we’re talking about a car that’s been on sale here since 2009.

Like other Peroduas before it, this all-new Alza is based on an existing vehicle from the Toyota umbrella. In this case, it’s the 3rd-generation Avanza, which is also sold in Indonesia
as the Daihatsu Xenia
 with very similar specifications, equipment, and pricing.

In Malaysia, local distributors UMW Toyota know too well the potential clash that would occur if they started offering an Avanza that locks horns directly with a virtually identical Perodua model, learning from previous experiences:

Alza
vs
 Veloz/Avanza
vs
 Rush
vs
 Aruz

First, there was the Toyota Rush (based on the 2nd-gen Daihatsu Terios), a more expensive but ultimately doomed compact SUV due to the presence of the more sharply priced Perodua Nautica. In retrospect, both models failed to capture a meaningful chunk of buyers in Malaysia.

A few years later there was a close succession of launches between the Perodua Aruz and
a newer-generation Toyota Rush
 with the huge majority of sales going to the former thanks again to pricing and being an undeniably strong value proposition, especially since there has not been any obvious compromise in build quality or equipment levels.

A wiser, more world-weary Toyota has confirmed that the Avanza will not be coming to the Malaysian market despite the nameplate’s lengthy history here. The conflict between the two marques just wouldn’t be worth the risk.

Toyota Veloz May Cost Close To RM100k

Instead of playing that game again, they will instead offer the Veloz, an even better equipped and more luxurious take on the Avanza to the point that it warrants a different model name - think about the dichotomy, or lack thereof, between
the Vellfire and Alphard
.

The thinking would be that, even against the range-topping Alza (2022), the Veloz would stand apart as a more upmarket offering that would have little problem justifying its increased price.

One question remains, though, is that really enough?

No matter how many features the Toyota could feasibly add, of which we already have prior knowledge since the Veloz is positioned similarly against the Avanza and aforementioned Xenia in Indonesia, will Malaysians see that as enough of an incentive? After all, it could still be perceived as an ‘atas’ version of a Perodua….

Does the Toyota badge carry that much weight in our minds? Beyond the RM75k mark, which is where the Alza’s pricing bracket ends, buyers encounter rivals such as the Honda BR-V (which too is due for a successor)
and Mitsubishi Xpander
. Perhaps in a year or two, Hyundai might enter the arena with the impressive-looking
Stargazer
.

2022 Perodua Alza - What Is Missing?

In terms of ticking all the boxes, there isn’t really an area where the Alza is found particularly lacking. It features a comfortable interior, lots of space for passengers and cargo, a decent assortment of multimedia/infotainment features for the price, and even a complement of
active safety (ADAS) features
.

Any real improvement to this (the Alza’s) existing template can only be seen as slight upgrades - cosmetic at best, inconsequential at worst - and unworthy of the additional outlay for the Veloz.

The fact is, both the Perodua and incoming Toyota are so much more similar than they are different. Under the bonnet, for example, we find the same (and familiar) 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 2NR-VE four-cylinder petrol engine producing 106PS.

They will more than likely drive identically and feel, for the most part, the same to sit in over a long trip or city commute.

UMW Toyota are probably all too aware about the predicament they face. However, it still falls upon their shoulders to cleverly navigate past the launch of the Alza and position the Veloz as a more desirable alternative that retains its distinctiveness.

It’s their game to lose.


Over 200,000 People Cheated Roadblocks During Raya Holidays

200,000 illegal travellers during Hari Raya makes life difficult for others now.

It seems that many individuals have abused the trust given to them by the government and PDRM just so that they can scratch the itch of
'Balik Kampung'
.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob reported that 200,000 individuals managed to bypass roadblocks to return to their hometowns during the recent
Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays
.

According to Sabri, there were various methods used to trick the travel restriction during
MCO 3.0
, including forging false travel letters.

"When we implemented the inter-district and interstate travel ban, many were angry. Some even used various methods to return to their hometowns. We understand there were up to 200,000 individuals who managed to get past police roadblocks by giving various reasons," said Sabri

Not only are these people lying to themselves, but they are also risking their family and loved ones. They are also making it difficult for others who legitimately need to travel.

"There are cases where an individual really wants to visit a sick family member. But because the police were being extra careful due to suspicious claims, they may not get permission to travel. We may be able to cheat the police, but not COVID-19," the defence minister said.

These illegal Raya holiday travellers have also contributed to the spike in numbers, according to Sabri.

"In the end, after Hari Raya, we found many clusters, and identified cases linked to it, raya travellers. Some have even spread the virus to family members, resulting in family members dying from the virus."

In accordance with that, the government has decided to reset everything, and for those who are currently using letters from the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) or employers, the approvals letters will no longer be valid from June 2, 2021.

From June 2, 2021, till further notice, those who need to
travel
 for work-related matters will have to re-apply for new approvals from MITI. The effect of this reset has also changed the policy of allowing long-distance couples to cross state or district borders to see each other. From now on, that is no longer allowed.

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Lynk & Co 06: The 'Proton X50' James Bond Would Drive

This Lynk & Co 06 seems so awesome and refreshing. With no limit on budget and no rules on design, this is how far they could push the X50. Think about it.

The Geely (Group) umbrella is already pretty large, but it’s set to get even more expansive once their cars and brands start to really cross-pollinate. Lynk & Co, founded in 2016, is a marque you may not have heard of or know much about, but it’s fairly safe to think of them as the halfway point between Geely (the automaker) and Volvo.

With its roots wedged somewhere between China and Sweden, the premise of the company has also been a novel approach to car ownership and connected mobility, thus they’ve been much more experimental with subscriptions/membership and other flexible car sharing solutions.

The 06, despite its rather nondescript plain Jane name, is anything but ordinary. It was first teased in late 2019 but has only now come fully into the light. From the outside alone, this compact SUV is all about style and expression.

However, given its size and how the company has handled the interior and certain other features, it begins to look more and more like the much more premium version of the Binyue, a model that should soon be very familiar to Malaysians as the Proton X50.

Basically, this is how awesome the X50 could be if there was no cap on its cap budget or selling price. Should Proton ever seek to challenge the Audi Q2 or Mercedes-Benz GLA, something along the lines of this Lynk & Co should be a pretty good opening punch.

Let's deal with the obvious stuff first. Unsurprisingly, the 06 sits upon the CMA platform that’s shared with the Volvo XC40, the Geely Binyue, and pretty much every other Lynk & Co model so far. It also has the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol that’s been the subject of much rumour here in Malaysia, having become more and more prevalent throughout the Geely Group.

Despite the large 19-inch wheels and athletic body lines, the 06 is definitely not a stand-out by sheer size, even by B-segment standards. Perhaps that’ll be most apparent when stepping inside. Greeting you might be a cozy cabin, but one that’s definitely a step above the mid-range.

The dashboard layout is most definitely a snazzier take on the Binyue, everything from the positioning of the infotainment screen to the shape of the steering wheel is clearly a Geely import. Over the Chinese marque’s offering, the fit and finish and material luxury on display in the 06 is definitely a few notches up.

Also of particular of note is what they’ve done to the centre console and gear shift surround, which combines white leather (?) upholstery, backlit glossy piano black accents, and soft touch buttons (also backlit). It speaks to a level of quality and detail in a fashion that even most BMWs would be speechless in the face of. The gear shifter itself has a maritime connection, designed to resemble lever-throttles on boats.

Everything just screams “expensive” and "exciting" at the same time, as if Volvo’s designers took a gap year to become rebellious backpacking free-love hippies, and this is what resulted upon their return.

Look at those combination leather (or synthetic leather) and denim-like fabric seats. Look at that orange contrast stitching. Look at it! What a great combo. That said, it’s not so great on only 2 of each wheel’s 5 spokes.

As most premium SUVs are already going down the route of electrification, the 06 too is ready for that evolution. At launch, the aforementioned 1.5-litre turbo delivers a taut 174PS and 265Nm, mated to a 7-speed wet-type dual clutch transmission.

Later on, a more eco-friendly PHEV powertrain should join the range, using its single electric motor to drive the rear wheels for a pseudo-AWD drive layout with up to 265PS. Conceivably, a fully electric version could also come around to reality given the Volvo XC40 Recharge has already set a template for it.

Those daydreaming about a potential Malaysian-made luxury crossover were so far made to use their imagination to fashion it out of an X50. Lynk & Co have basically created a fully realised version of that here in the 06. It’s got the looks, it’s got the class, and it’s got the tech. All we need is a Proton-like price tag.


How Much Would It Cost To Make a Perodua Myvi GT?

If you’ve been following KLIMS 2018, you’ll know that one of the largest attractions – intentionally or otherwise – is the Perodua Myvi GT. Bear in mind it’s just a concept, although one that’s extremely convincing and appealing even for those who wouldn't traditionally consider a Myvi at all. Historically, Perodua hasn’t had much experience with motorsports or building particularly sporty cars; one might regard the Myvi 1.5 Extreme as the closest thing they ever got to the word “sporty”, but even so it’s not the weapon that people would have hoped for.

In short, Perodua would be in a tough position if they were to make a Myvi GT. Unlike Proton, they don’t have the motorsports experience, and they are hesitant to depart from what they know how to do well. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as that strict sticking-to-your-guns approach has made them hugely successful, regardless of what some people think of their products. The Myvi has matured from being a compact city car to something that can stand up to more traditional offerings – and anyone who has spent a proper amount of time in one can attest to this.

But the Myvi GT remains a highly appealing proposition. As a Myvi owner myself, I know full well what the car is capable of in stock form, and how much further it can be taken with a couple of aftermarket tweaks. Beyond the aggressive looks of the Myvi GT, Perodua also slapped on some aftermarket suspension and big Brembo brakes under 17-inch wheels. The seats are also a welcome change from the bench-like position, even if they are essentially re-upholstered SSCUS semi-bucket seats.

Now, how much would it cost to make one? That’s always been the question at hand, because nothing good comes cheap, let alone free. A RM 10,000 premium over a top-spec Myvi 1.5 AV? Think again. To make a true-to-concept Myvi GT would take a lot more than that, and that’s before we consider a couple of other requirements to make sure the Myvi GT is no toothless tiger.

Let’s take the Myvi 1.5 AV as the base from which we start this little mental exercise. For RM 55,300, you get the full-fat version of the Myvi with all of the bells and whistles. Conveniently, the components we’ll be throwing out aren’t particularly expensive. Those 15-inch wheels can’t be more than RM 1,000 to produce in volume, so we’ll deduct that from the price – call it another RM 600 with the tyres as well. Suspension at all four corners comes to around RM 1,000, so that’s another grand deducted. The brakes aren’t all too expensive either, with disc and pad replacement coming in around RM 350 per corner, so that’s RM 1,400 gone too.

So now we’re down to `RM 52,300. Unfortunately, this is where the price starts to go up – and quickly. For wheels, 17-inch Konig or Advantis do the job perfectly well, retailing for around RM 2,000 a set. In enough volume and with no margins, Perodua could probably source them for RM 1,500 a set – which is a pretty good deal for 17-inch wheels. The tyres are a bit heftier at around RM 750 a tyre for a Michelin PS4 in 225/50 R17 sizing, which comes to a whopping RM 3,000.

The brakes are going to be especially painful to source. There are plenty of aftermarket options, but one good example is Wilwoods which go for around RM 4,200 for the largest front set that will fit very comfortably under 17-inch wheels. The rear set is a good RM 3,400 as well, and both prices would be inclusive of the brackets necessary to mount these brakes to the standard Myvi knuckles. That’s RM 7,600 in total, and with such a small volume to order, there isn’t going to be much of a discount.

Suspension isn’t a huge issue as there are plenty of Malaysian outfits that can get the job done. Pricing for basic height-adjustable suspension is cheap at RM 1,500 or so, although they will need to be dialled in and the downside is a higher service frequency. GAB or HWL can provide such a solution, and they offer performance that’s 60-70% as good as top-name brands – which owners can probably source themselves if they’re chasing seconds on track. Even so, the price now stands at RM 65,900 – and this is before we take a look at aesthetics.

Front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts, can be mighty expensive if not produced in large volumes. Let’s call it a solid RM 3,000 for all the pieces thrown in, along with extra massaging for the fenders to accommodate those large 17-inch wheels. On the inside, the bare minimum to accomplish Myvi GT status would be the seats – a pair of semi buckets with Myvi GT upholstery, along with necessary brackets for installation will come to RM 2,500, but will allow front occupants to stay in their seats during aggressive manoeuvres. The red trim up front seems superfluous, but would hardly cost a thing to add. The steering wheel can remain as it is, as there’s no need to drop well over RM 1,000 on something far too gaudy for what would be the people’s hot hatchback.

And perhaps that’s where the issue lies. This hypothetical Myvi GT has to be more than a look-fast, corner-fast kind of car. It would have to be a true Malaysian hot hatch, one that fills a vacuum left by the Satria GTI oh-so-many years ago. Unfortunately, no current Myvi powertrain has enough performance potential in naturally aspirated form, no matter how much you throw at it in the form of intake and exhaust modifications. Aftermarket camshafts and higher compression pistons? I don’t think so – firstly because Perodua has even less expertise in engine development, secondly because the engine has to last at least seven years and no massaged economy engine will meet this standard, and finally because the long-stroke nature of these engines don’t lend well to high-rpm antics. No, we need a turbocharged engine – and we need to look to Daihatsu for one.

Common sense would say go for the K3-VET from the Daihatsu YRV Turbo that so many Perodua tuners love to transplant into willing bodies, and it’s not a bad choice – although it wouldn’t meet current emissions regulations by a long shot and it’s been out of production for a long, long time. What Perodua could do is build the engine under license, but with a couple of new tuning tricks and a more efficient modern turbo, pushing the output from 129 PS and 170 Nm to between 150 and 180 PS, and 200 to 250 Nm, all without compromising reliability while meeting efficiency targets.

But this wouldn’t come cheap. Case in point: a new Volkswagen 1.4 TSI crate engine goes for around RM 30,000, and we would have to look at new engines because this would have to be a new-from-factory car. Granted, the 1.4 TSI engine is far more advanced than a hopped-up K3-VET, but Perodua would also not have the benefit of economies of scale with producing this engine. A reasonable guess of all costs involved to produce such an engine wouldn’t be far off the RM 30,000 mark either. With a suitable 5-speed manual gearbox, we can add another RM 1,000 to the price. Thankfully, we can make a fair assumption that the standard 1.5-litre mill and 4-speed automatic gearbox would cost around RM 6,500, so let’s knock some of that cost down.

So what does the bill come to? To sum it up -

Base Cost of a Myvi 1.5 AV
: RM 55,300

Things To Remove
:

Wheels - RM 1,000

Tyres - RM 600

Suspension - RM 1,000

Brakes - RM 1,400

Standard 1.5-litre Engine - RM 5,000

Standard 4-speed Automatic - RM 1,500

Total Removed
: RM 10,500

Things to add
:

17-inch Wheels - RM 1,500

225/50 R17 Michelin PS4s - RM 3,000

Aftermarket Suspension - RM 1,500

Aftermarket Brakes - RM 7,200

Bumpers and Sideskirts - RM 3,000

Semi-bucket Seats - RM 2,500

Turbocharged Engine - RM 30,000

Manual Gearbox - RM 1,000

Total Added
: RM 49,700

Total Cost: RM 94,500

That’s what it would presumably cost to produce such a car, and we aren’t factoring in the cost to homologate the car, or to test it, which would need to be factored into the price. Realistically, Perodua could probably squeeze suppliers on margins a little here and there to bring the price down a little further, but we’re talking single percentage points. To be fair, we could cut a few items from the list - the Wilwood brakes could be replaced with the largest OEM set from the Daihatsu/Toyota catalog - and the engine is a very cynical pricing estimate, so perhaps it could be done for
RM 85,000
. But who is going to pay this much for a Myvi?

The answer is me, and probably a handful of other people. Not nearly as big of a crowd as those who would go for things like the Toyota Vios or Honda Jazz, but not an insignificant number of people either. This is where critics will start slinging arguments and call me insane, but let’s lay out the facts and figures. For this amount of money, nothing would come close in terms of performance. Eighty five grand would get you as much stopping power as you could ever realistically need, a capable enough suspension setup to keep the car in check when hauling up and down twisty roads, and a high enough power to weight ratio to make a Volkswagen Golf GTI think twice.

And if we’re going to talk about capability or pedigree, let’s put these two questions to bed. The first can be answered simply: don’t equate your personal limitations to the limitations of the car. The Myvi is a car that is designed to be taken to the market or for the daily commute, so it would stand to reason that it doesn’t immediately seem like a good candidate. But anyone who has truly pushed the limits of one of these will know just how quick they can be in a series of twisty corners.

The second is even simpler to answer. Many would say that the Myvi has no history, no
pedigree
 to speak of. Perodua has no notable motorsport accolades. But what did the Volkswagen Golf have to its name before the GTI was unveiled? What was the Renault Megane known for before the Megane RS become a cult hit? And closer to home, what was the Proton Satria but a three-door hatchback, were it not for the Satria GTI? No hot hatchback in history has ever come from money, nor was one ever designed with the intention of being hot right out of the gate. Perodua is in a position to do something great with the Myvi, and while it would take a lot of arguing and convincing to make it happen, it could very well be something that validates the Myvi as more than a good value for money proposition.

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Honda Malaysia Recalls 24,962 More Units For Takata Passenger Front Airbag Inflator

As part of their airbag inflator recall campaign, Honda Malaysia has constantly provided progressive updates on affected models and the status of replacement inflators. In their latest announcement, a further 24,962 units are affected by the recall- this time for the front passenger airbag inflator module. This batch of models are from the 2012 model year, and below is the breakdown by model.
Model
Year Model
Units Affected
Accord
2012
2,739
Jazz
2012
600
Jazz Hybrid
2012
3,356
City
2012
16,026
Freed
2012
241
Insight
2012
2,000
Honda Malaysia would once again like to stress that any new models sold are unaffected by the Takata recall campaign. As of today, there are no reported injuries or deaths related to the front passenger airbag inflator module malfunctioning.
Affected customers will be informed by letter which will include details of the product update. If you receive a letter, it is highly advisable to go to your nearest Honda service centre to get the module replaced. All Honda authorised dealers nationwide have a level of the new inflators stock available to cater to these newly affected customers. At the same time, Honda Malaysia will continue to urge Takata to speed up supply of parts for affected vehicles.
The replacement works will be carried out once the parts are ready and the cost of parts and labour will be borne by Honda Malaysia. Vehicle owners can also check their vehicle’s recall status either by logging on to
www.honda.com.my
 or
www.productrecall.honda.com.my
 or by calling Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.


SPYSHOTS: All-New 2016 Audi A4 (B9) Shows Part Of Its Exterior And Interior

The fifth-generation
Audi
 A4 (B9) will be revealed later this year with rumours indicating a debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. However, thanks to Chinese website
Autohome

and their leaked spyshots, we now have an early glimpse of the saloon which will go up against the
BMW 3 Series
 and
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
.
In these leaked images, we get a clear look at a portion of the all-new A4’s front fascia which prominently displays the brand’s new design philosophy under the guidance of Audi design chief Marc Lichte. The hexagonal front grille design follows that of Audi’s recent introductions, namely the
all-new Audi R8
 and TT, the second of which
recently made its launch debut in Malaysia
. However, the edgy, angular headlamps are certainly of a new design and differentiates it from the above-mentioned models.
The grainy interior image reveals a brand new dashboard layout which appears cleaner with a minimalist approach as compared to the current A4 model (B8). Strong influences from the
Prologue concept
 cars can be seen as well, most noticeably in the imposing gear selector. Elsewhere, we see a multimedia display screen placed higher at eye level and repositioned air-conditioning outlets.
Underpinning the all-new A4 will be the Volkswagen Group’s (of which Audi is a part of) MLB Evo architecture making it the second Audi model to ride on this platform after the 2016 Audi Q7 which profited from weight savings as a result. Expect the A4 to benefit from this as well.
As far as engines are concerned, Audi recently introduced its
new 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder at this year’s Vienna Motor Symposium
 which has been confirmed to make its way into the next-gen model. Other powerplant options expected to be made available as well include diesel and petrol engines ranging from 1.4- to 3.0-litre capacities. These engines could be paired to a six-speed manual or the brand’s new nine-speed automatic S tronic transmission.
Spanish website
motor.es
 recently leaked what appears to be the 17 possible powertrain combinations that will go into the all-new Audi A4 (B9) which also included an e-tron model, suggesting electrification is a high possibility.
We’ll have to wait until Audi officially reveal the next-generation A4 (B9) where further information will be disclosed then.


New MINI Clubman Unveiled

MINI has unveiled the facelifted MINI Clubman which boasts a suite of subtle styling updates and latest generation convenience and connectivity features.
The biggest design update is the new grille – which is now bordered by a slimmer trim outline that extends across the front bumper. The regular models feature an air inlet which is now separated into six horizontal passages, while the Cooper S and SD variants have a hexagonal grid pattern for the air inlets.
The headlight assembly has also been refreshed - the standard halogen headlamps now have an enlarged reflector, DRLs are now integrated with the parking lights lower down in the bumper, and a new white ring around the headlamp functions as both an indicator and secondary DRL. LED and Matrix LED headlamps, and LED fog lamps are offered optionally. At the rear – the Clubman is now fitted as standard with LED rear lights which can be optionally specified with a Union Jack light graphic signature, just like the MINI 3-Door.
Elsewhere, new body colours and wheel designs have also been added to the Clubman’s catalogue. For the first time, the Clubman is also offered with an optional sport spring kit, which lowers the car by 10mm. Adaptive suspension is optionally available.
On the inside, the Clubman is now offered with a new range of leather trims and interior appointments, while the MINI Yours accessory program allows customers to further customise features such as the steering wheel, seat upholstery, and illuminated interior trims. The Clubman also receives the latest
MINI Connected
 features.
Four diesel and four petrol variants are offered at the outset, inclusive of an AWD (ALL4) variant for the most powerful diesel and petrol engines. As for the petrol powered variants, a 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder is featured in the MINI One and Cooper Clubman – which delivers 100 hp and 136 hp respectively. The Cooper S and Cooper S ALL4 are equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder which produces 192 hp.
The MINI One, Cooper, and Cooper S Clubman are offered with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Cooper S Clubman can also be optioned with a 7-speed dual-clutch Sports transmission for faster shift times. The Cooper S ALL4 is fitted as standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The most powerful MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will be introduced at a later stage. The new MINI Clubman will be progressively rolled out to markets outside of Europe starting next year.
For the best deals on the MINI vehicles, click
here
.


Porsche Unveils First-Ever Cayenne Coupe

For the first time ever, Porsche has introduced a coupe version of the Cayenne, touted by the company as being an even sportier model of its popular SUV. The new Cayenne Coupe is set to go against similar rivals such as the Audi Q8, BMW X6, and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe when it goes on sale later this year.
The sportier Cayenne Coupe’s front windscreen and A-pillars are shallower than the regular Cayenne, thanks to a roof edge that has been lowered by 20 mm. In addition to that, the Cayenne Coupe also gets redesigned rear doors and swollen fenders that adds another 18 mm to its width. The rear number plate has also been relocated, now residing in the bumper.
That aside, the new Porsche Cayenne Coupe also gets an adaptive rear spoiler that is part of the Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA), which extends by 135 mm at speeds about 90 km/h, thus increasing downforce on the rear of the Cayenne Coupe.
Moving inside, Porsche says that the new model comes, as standard, with two rear seats, although customers can opt for the comfort rear seats which seats three, at no additional cost. Speaking of seats, Porsche also said that the rear passengers sit 30 mm lower than in the regular Cayenne, allowing for more headroom despite the lowered roof line.
At launch, two engine choices are available for the new Cayenne Coupe – a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 that does 340 PS and 450 Nm. When fitted with the Sport Chrono Package, the Cayenne Coupe completes the century sprint in just 6.0 seconds. The second engine option is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that does 550 PS and 770 Nm, which enables the Cayenne Coupe to complete the century dash in a mere 3.9 seconds.
Standard equipment on the new Cayenne Coupe include:
Speed sensitive Power Steering Plus
20-inch alloy wheels
Park Assist
Reverse Camera
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Sport Chrono Package
“The Coupé includes all the technical highlights of the current Cayenne, but has an even more dynamic design and new technical details that position it as more progressive, athletic, and emotional,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG.


2020 Honda City Teasers Full of Ballsy Attitude

The 2020 Honda City teasers from Honda Malaysia is full of fight talk, and we love it!

It's well known that Honda Malaysia is busy planning for the launch of the all-new 2020
Honda City
, and if you haven't noticed, there is a lot of fight talk coming out of Honda Malaysia as they prepare to unveil one of their most important models to the Malaysian public.

The all-new 2020 Honda City will be the fifth generation version of the B-segment sedan. It made its debut in Thailand in November last year with a shocking
1.0-litre turbo engine
. Since we follow the Thailand market as close as our own shadows, we can pretty safely assume what the Malaysian specifications of the 2020
Honda City
 will be like.

We can talk about that on another day closer to the launch because at the moment we'd like to talk about the teasers that are coming out from Honda Malaysia. It's been a while since a car company has showed some attitude about a car like this. Are they just supremely confident about 2020 Honda City? Or is it a case of bark louder than bite?

It all started on July 24th when the first teaser of the 2020 Honda City by Honda Malaysia came with the words, "Your Time Is Up". On the same day itself, a video teaser also popped up with a caption saying "The takeover starts now. Don’t blink, you wouldn’t want to miss this." These are pretty aggressive words, ones that show confidence, even a little arrogance.

It was all back to normal from Honda Malaysia's social media pages for about a week with typical postings about the capabilities of the Honda BR-V, Civic and such, but on July 30, all that changed, because another teaser popped up mentioning "No Match" accompanied by a caption saying "Time to expose the pretenders". We can only assume the "pretenders" than Honda Malaysia are talking about is the 2020 Honda City's competitors which include the likes of the 2020 Toyota Vios and 2020 Nissan Almera.

Following the previous pattern, on July 30, they also released a video to compliment the photo posting. This time the caption said, "The difference is glaring, the competition still can't be seen." As much as this is cari gaduh talk, it is quite a clever one to mention that the 2020 Honda City will come with bright LED units that are similarly seen on the City's siblings.

The last posting about the new Honda City came up a couple of days ago, this time describing the rear lights as "The Showstopper". It was coupled with a post caption that said "Keep staring, we don't mind," which we can only assume are for those who will love the appearance of the car's bum.

We were amazed at first with all this fight talk from Honda Malaysia in the beginning, but we're slowly falling in love with it because this is what we need more of. Competition only makes a market place better and a bit of friendly fire will only make things interesting.

The 2020 Nissan Almera on the other hand has been a lot more subdued, it's been spotted testing around Malaysia and we believe strongly that it will come with a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine. Edaran Tan Chong Motors, distributors of Nissan in Malaysia have done well in all this Nissan chaos, you only need to see how they handled the Serena and X-Trail to believe that. This should shape up the market for an interesting contest and although it has taken ETCM the longest of time to introduce the Almera to our market, perhaps they were just waiting for a worthy competitor?

So is Honda Malaysia all hot air? Or will it blow its competition out of the water? With terms like Showstopper, No Match and Your Time Is Up they better be worth the hype!


New 2019 Lexus RC F and RC F Track Edition Unveiled

Lexus’ perennial entry-level two-door sports car, the RC F, has gone through an extensive update and now boasts improved performance, revised styling, and a limited production Track Edition.
Under the hood, the RC F’s 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 is now rated at 472 hp (a gain of 5 hp) and 535 Nm of torque (up 8 Nm) thanks to a revised intake routing and lower rpm trigger point for the secondary intake opening (at 2,800 rpm from 3,600 rpm).
The engine still sends power to an eight-speed automatic transmission, albeit with a higher final drive ratio, now 3.13 versus 2.93 previously, to improve acceleration. The RC F now also includes an electronic launch control function as standard.
In terms of design - up front, the headlights have been updated to a design that features stacked LED lights and integrated daytime running lights. The shape of the signature grille has been altered by adding a lower lip opening that stretches across the bottom of the bumper fascia. At the rear, new taillights integrate neatly into a redesigned bumper to give the RC F a cleaner appearance.
The limited run RC F Track Edition integrates learnings from Lexus’ race teams in the Japanese Super GT and American IMSA series, adding a set of precisely engineered upgrades to give the car better performance on track.
One key area of improvement is the RC F Track Edition’s aerodynamics – at the front, the Track Edition is fitted with a carbon fibre splitter and canards for additional grip and steering precision. At the rear of the car, a fixed carbon fibre rear wing replaces the standard active spoiler. The wing alone adds an additional 26 kgs of downforce without adding aerodynamic drag.
Weight reduction was a key area of focus for the Track Edition. Lexus claims a weight reduction of approximately 79 kgs, largely due to Brembo carbon ceramic brake rotors, and lightweight 19-inch BBS forged alloy wheels that feature a design derived from the RC F GT3 race car.
Additional weight was removed by specifying a carbon fibre roof, hood, boot partition behind the rear seats, and a carbon bumper reinforcement. Many of these carbon fibre pieces are made on the same line that supplied the Lexus LFA supercar.
On the inside, the red leather interior comes standard along with Alcantara seat accents and red carbon trim on the doors and dashboard.
A Titanium muffler and tailpipes round off the list modifications for the Track Edition. There are no changes to the powertrain, delivering the same 472 hp as the standard RC F variant.
However the reduction in weight means RC F Track Edition has among the best power-to-weight ratios in its class, and when coupled the new electronic launch control system, is capable of launching from 0-to-60 mph in 3.96 seconds.
Only two exclusive exterior colors will be available: Ultra White and Matte Nebula Gray.
Both the Lexus RC F and the RC F Track Edition will start production in Q2 of 2019. Pricing and production numbers of the RC F Track Edition will be announced closer sales launch.


Volkswagen Premieres Its Very Orange And Slightly More Rugged Beetle Dune At LA Auto Show

At the ongoing Los Angeles Auto Show,
Volkswagen
 just pulled back the curtain on a new special edition
Beetle
 called the Dune, giving it added ruggedness and transforming it into a crossover model in the process.
Paying homage to the highly recognisable desert Beetles of yesteryear that scaled the dunes of Baja California (or just the usual surf spot), the new Beetle Dune is dressed with numerous off-road accents such as its higher ride height, 18-inch wheels, and ruggedised panels around the wheels, front lip, and rear.
There’s black side trim strips that has stylised Beetle running boards with the “DUNE” badge imprinted that you must have already spied and is available as both in both coupe and cabriolet body styles. There are a total of nine body colours available for the Beetle Dune, with the new options being Sandstorm Yellow Metallic and Dark Bronze Metallic.
Anything’s better than silver on a car so wilfully a throwback to the desert racing days of the Beetle’s past.
Inside, the Beetle Dune retains all the creature comforts one expects from a Volkswagen. The rugged desert motif does not carry over inside, and thankfully so, because there’s leather upholstery, a 400-watt stereo and all the other bells and whistles.
Volkswagen hasn’t strayed far from the norm when it comes to engine choices, and should the owners want to take their new Beetle Dune out onto the rough stuff, they’d be wading into the thick with a choice of three turbocharged petrol engines (producing 105PS, 150PS, or 220PS) and two turbodiesel options (generating 110PS or 150PS) in the North American markets, with availability dependent on market.


Mazda CX-3 Wins 2016 Thailand Car Of The Year Award

The Mazda CX-3 has been awarded the 2016 Thailand Car of The Year Award by the Thai Automotive Journalists Association (TAJA), now in its second year running.
Bangkok Post reports
, the Mazda CX-3 came out on tops, in a group of 10 finalists. In second and third places were the
Honda Civic
 and
BMW X1
 respectively. The rest of the 10 finalists finished in the following order:
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Mercedes-Benz GLE
BMW 7-Series
MG 5
MG GS
Honda BR-V
TR-Transformer 2
The judging panel included over 50 journalists with TAJA accreditation who evaluated the cars in a two-stage scoring activity. Vehicles were judged based on design, performance, safety, technology, practicality, pricing and eco-friendliness. To be selected for judging – vehicles have to be assembled in Thailand; launched between 1st October 2015 and 30th September 2016.
Last year, the
 Ford Everest
 edged out the Mazda 2 and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV respectively to take home the TAJA award.
The Thai market Mazda CX-3 is assembled locally, whereas the
Malaysian market CX-3
 is fully imported from Japan.


PLUS Roadworks At Selected Highways, Contra Flows And Traffic Diversion Put In Place

Projek Lebuhraya Usahasama Berhad (PLUS) will be carrying out pavement works in phases at selected highways as part of its Fourth Lane Widening Project. Due to these activities, PLUS will be activating a contra flow and conducting traffic diversion at selected stretches.

They are as follows:
Contra Flow
Staggered Lane Closures
Motorists are advised to plan their journey as well as follow all traffic signage and instructions given by PLUS personnel at the area.
For further enquiries, please contact the PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000.


2016 Mazda BT-50 Facelift Begins Production In Thailand

Production of the new 2016
Mazda BT-50
 has begun at the company’s manufacturing plant in Thailand, Auto Alliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (AAT). Mazda Motor Corporation plans to introduce the facelift model from the second half of 2015, beginning with Thailand and Australia.
Previously, we revealed a spyshot of the refreshed pickup truck that showed its new front fascia and the changes are the same as those seen in this promo shot released by Mazda.
The front grille loses its honeycomb design and now features a thicker horizontal element with the
Mazda
 emblem rested in the centre. Elsewhere, the headlamps now feature a blackened design while the wheels appear to be inspired by the pickup’s smaller sibling, the
Mazda 2
.
Now photos of the cabin were provided but expect minor updates including the addition of Mazda’s MZD Connect infotainment system seen on more recent models.
Similarly, powertrain options will most likely include a 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 200PS and 470Nm of torque, sent through a six-speed automatic gearbox to be carried over, along with the smaller capacity 2.2-litre units.


Volvo And Geely Announce Possible Merger – New Group Could Be As Big As BMW

Geely Automobile (a subsidiary under the Zheijiang Geely Group) and Volvo Cars have announced plans for a merger to accelerate financial and technological synergies between both companies.

Geely – having led the Chinese car market over the last three years – delivered 1.3 million vehicles in 2019, Volvo on the other hand, surpassed 700k cars in 2019, its highest ever. With Geely aiming to sell 1.4 million vehicles in 2020 and Volvo continuing on its uptrend (and aiming for 800k units) this year – it’s entirely likely that the new joint venture company will see total deliveries surpass the 2.1 million mark, rivalling the global deliveries of the BMW Group, which stood at 2.16 million in 2019.

“A combination of the two companies would result in a strong global group. We look forward to working with Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars, to further investigate this opportunity with the goal to strengthen the synergies within the Group while maintaining the competitive advantage and the integrity of each individual brand,” said Li Shufu, Chairman of Geely Holding Group.

Details are limited for now, but they announced that both companies would create a joint working group to prepare a proposal to their respective boards. A combined company would have access to the global capital market through the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with the intention to subsequently list the company in Stockholm as well.

The new "Geely-Volvo" company would have the scale, knowledge, and resources to be a major player within the global automotive industry, though it has been announced that the venture would still preserve the distinct identities of the Volvo, Geely, Lynk & Co, and Polestar brands.

Greater synergies between Geely and Volvo companies could spell good things for other companies under Geely's fold – which include Lynk & Co, Lotus, the London EV Company (LEVC) – creators of the iconic London Black Cab – and of course, our very own, Proton.

We have already seen this happening at a record pace, with the introduction of the 7-Speed (wet) double-clutch transmission (DCT) in the
Proton X70 CKD
 version.

The X70 CKD is one of the earliest benefactors of the 7-Speed DCT box, co-developed by Geely and Volvo - which also features in the Geely Boyue Pro and Volvo XC40 T5 Twin Engine. In addition to being quicker and more efficient, the 7-Speed DCT box can handle more torque (max 330 Nm). This allowed engineers to bump up the X70 CKD's torque output to 300 Nm through some clever engine tweaking.

Separately, both companies announced plans in October 2019 to unify all Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) development operations under a single banner. The new company will be responsible for developing next-generation ICE and Hybrid powerplants for deployment across Zheijiang Geely Group products.

Unifying their engine business would mean, at present, powertrain choices range from Geely's (134 hp/ 205 Nm) 1.0-litre turbo to Volvo's (608 hp/ 1000 Nm) performance hybrid powertrain featured in the Polestar 1.

In addition to newer engines, the merger could likely give Proton access to newer platforms. At present Geely has already adapted Volvo's Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform for the
Geely XingYue
, hence it would only be a matter of time before this technology trickles down to the group's other brands. The Volvo XC40 is also based on the CMA.

New platforms also mean newer cutting-edge active safety equipment - where Volvo is considered an industry leader - so who knows, we might even see a Proton offered with Active Cruise Control and Active Steering Assist.

Interesting times ahead!


Today In History – One Millionth Volkswagen Produced, 1955

On this day 5-August, sixty years ago in 1955, Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant produced its 1 millionth vehicle – a Beetle.
To celebrate the occasion, Volkswagen threw a party at the company’s Wolfsburg plant. The star of the day was the one millionth Volkswagen car – a gold-painted Beetle with rhinestone encrusted bumpers.
This particular one-off Beetle is currently kept at the company’s AutoStadt Museum in Wolfsburg.
At that time, Volkswagen’s model line-up only of three models – the Beetle, the Beetle Cabriolet (built under contract at Karmann’s plant in Osnabruck) and the Transporter (Kombi).
Over 40 percent of all cars sold in Germany is a Volkswagen.
In 1955, the German-market Beetle was offered in three variants – Standard (3,790 Deutsche Mark), Export (4,700 Deutsche Mark) and Cabriolet (5,990 Deutsche Mark).
The millionth Volkswagen milestone was achieved in just ten years, since production began in 1945, thanks to a 29-year old British Army officer Major Ivan Hirst, who convinced his superiors to not destroy or sell off the Wolfsburg plant, but to allow him to retool it to produce Dr. Ferdinand Porsche’s design.
Hirst was a car enthusiast and was suitably qualified for the job – he was attached to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers unit of the British army.
Hirst saw the potential of the Beetle, not just to the British army which was in need of a simple, light transport, but also as a cheap and durable civilian car to aid Germany’s post-war recovery.
Without Hirst, there would have been no Volkswagen today. In honour of his contributions to Volkswagen and the city of Wolfsburg, a road near Volkswagen’s plant in the city is named after him – Major Hirst Strasse (Major Hirst Road).
Volkswagen would go on to hit its 10 millionth cars milestone eight years later in 1963.
Today, the Volkswagen Group is among the two largest car companies in the world,
often swapping places with Toyota
. Apart from its own namesake brand Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, it also owns Audi, Skoda, Bugatti, Bentley, Porsche, Lamborghini, Scania, MAN, Seat and Ducati.
The oldest surviving Beetle is a 1938 model, and this particular car is now kept at Volkswagen's museum in Wolfsburg. Watch the video below with Jay Leno at the wheel.


Toyota Hilux 2.8L Black Edition Previewed At Carlist.my Drive Auto Fair 2019 – RM139,888

UMW Toyota Motor has unveiled the Toyota Hilux 2.8L Black Edition for the first time at the ongoing Carlist.my Drive Auto Fair 2019.
The Black Edition replaces the previous 2.8L L-Edition variant as the new flagship of the Hilux range and adds a number of aesthetic highlights and additional standard equipment over the 2.4L L-Edition variant.
Under the hood is the (1GD-FTV) 2.8-litre turbodiesel that develops 130 PS and 450 Nm between 1,600 rpm and 2,400 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The drivetrain remains unchanged from the previously available 2.8L L-Edition.
In terms of aesthetics, the Black Edition features a gloss black front grille which is contrasted by a dark grey grille surround, along the flanks, gloss-black 18-inch alloy wheels are complemented by wheelarch over-fenders. The Black Edition also features decals on the sides of the truckbed.
On the inside, the audio system features a 6.75-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity.
In terms of equipment, the Hilux adds the following equipment as standard:
Automatic LED projector headlamps with Follow-Me-Home function
LED DRLs
LED foglamps (front), rear foglamps
Power adjustable wing mirror with turn signal
Optitron meter illumination with 4.2-inch TFT Colour display
Auto air-conditioning with rear air-con vents
Cruise Control
Digital video recorder
Another notable highlight of the Black Edition is the inclusion of the Downhill Assist Control (DAC) as standard.
Don’t miss this chance to get up close and personal with the new king of the Hilux range at the ongoing Carlist.my Drive Auto Fair 2019, from 16th - 18th August at Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam, Selangor.
For more info about the exhibition and test drive booking, click
here
.


Thai Government’s Eco-Car Scheme Will Merge With Latest EV Incentives

The Thai’s government’s recent introduction of EV vehicle incentives will not clash with the ongoing, state-supported Eco-Car project as the two can run in parallel, says the Board of Investment (BoI).
Bangkok Post
 reports that the BoI will merge the two projects and let eco-car makers apply for investment packages for hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles respectively.
While speaking at a seminar organised by the Thai Automotive Industry Association, Chatri Limpongsai, executive director of BoI's investment bureau said, "I believe the new EV packages can attract all existing car manufacturers in the country because the BoI does not require a minimum budget investment, additional safety specifications or a larger production capacity. Each manufacturer can create its own economies of scale.”
Eco-cars are special tax-incentivised category of low fuel consumption cars produced in Thailand. Now in its second-phase, the qualifying criteria include petrol engines no more than 1,300cc or diesel engines no more than 1,500cc, complies to Euro 5 emission standards with CO2 emissions not more than 100 g/km, and fuel consumption not more than 4.3-litre/100 km. In addition to that, manufacturers must invest at least 6.5 billion Baht.
In return, manufacturers will be granted 6-year corporate income tax waiver, import duty exemption on machinery import, plus additional income tax waiver for vendor development initiatives.
The Thai government recently approved a series of
tax incentives
 for EV manufacturing and supply, which applies to passenger cars, pickup trucks and buses, with different incentives rates based on production technology.
The move has prompted
keen interest
 of carmakers who believe the packages are lucrative enough to lure substantial investment towards production on HEV, PHEV and full-electric vehicles.

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 In addition, the Thai cabinet also approved, exemption of duties on imported full-electric vehicles; and steep reduction of excise duties on hybrid vehicles to stimulate local demand.
Additionally, the Bangkok Post reports that Nattapol Rangsitpol, Inspector-General of the Industry Ministry, said “Diesel engines are now obsolete as people are more concerned about the environment. EVs are the answer for the country's automotive industry as demand wanes for diesel and petrol vehicles"
The moves by the Thai government are part of its overarching “Thailand 4.0” vision. In Malaysia, the Malaysian Automotive Institute (MAI) has
announced
 that it expects all new models to be only energy efficient vehicles (EEV) by 2025. This prompts the examination of which country offers more lucrative incentives for carmakers?