Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Clarifies Position On B10 Biodiesel Compatibility

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has clarified its position regarding the controversial proposed B10 biodiesel (diesel with 10 percent blend of palm oil-derived content), saying that only the locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTec Hybrid is compatible with B10 biodiesel.
Before you start wondering if the company has made a U-turn on its position, no far from that. The company is simply reiterating what it said earlier in a more specific manner.
Earlier in July, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia issued a
statement to the press
 saying:
“After having initially stated that the B10 Biodiesel blend requires further consideration, we are now pleased to inform our customers about the B10 Biodiesel blend suitability for all Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles currently sold by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. Customer safety and vehicle quality is of the utmost importance to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
“We have evaluated carefully the influence of B10 Biodiesel blends on our current diesel vehicles for the Malaysian market and we are now able to confirm its’ compatibility. We have service intervals of 12,000 kilometers to ensure that our customers are not affected by the diesel quality. Our diesel-powered vehicles currently sold in Malaysia were seen to have run both smoothly and safely with the use of the B10 Biodiesel blend.”
In saying “…suitable for all Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles currently sold by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia,” the company is referring to only the diesel-electric E300 BlueTec Hybrid, although the company didn’t explicitly mention it that way.
Apart from Mitsubishi Fuso (despite its name, is owned by Mercedes-Benz) and Mercedes-Benz commercial trucks, there are no other diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz passenger cars on sale in Malaysia.
In an interview with BFM radio two Fridays back, the outgoing President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Mr. Roland Folger said:
“It was an important step to clarify the issue. Whereas in the past, there was also maybe some miscommunication along the lines. When we first came out, we said we need to check whether that (B10 biodiesel) works together because when we specify the diesel for the Malaysian market, and we talked to our R&D colleagues in Germany, trying to find out whether that would work or not, we changed some adaptations, and these adaptations were changed only for this specific vehicle – the E300 diesel hybrid. It was changed to also include B10. But, and this is a word of caution, this is also something that we need to take into consideration that this does not apply to all our diesel versions.
“We will also in the future to always check and verify again whether they can work together – the local regulations together with our specifications that we have. So we are also discussing with the government, in very close discussions.
Should there be any plans to go beyond that stage, it is always up to the government to decide on what they want to do, but that would greatly reduce our possibilities to bring new technology into this country
.”
To sum it up, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia was just being very polite in saying that it was very difficult to get a car adapted to run on a Malaysia-only fuel, and the government cannot expect them to continue doing this for all their diesel-powered vehicles. B10 is the maximum it can go and if the government insists on going to B15 (already proposed), there will be no diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz vehicles for Malaysia.
Related links:
Diesel Tech Leaders Urge Caution Against Raising Biodiesel Blend
Mitsubishi Advises Against Going Beyond B7 Biodiesel

BMW Shows the Ill Effects of B10 Biodiesel, Cautions Against October Introduction


Renault Megane R.S.280 Cup Launched In Malaysia - EDC Auto And Manual, From RM 280k

Following its
 preview in April
, the Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup was officially launched in Malaysia today by TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the authorised distributors of Renault vehicles in Malaysia.
Available in two variants, the price of the all-new Megane R.S. is as mentioned below (OTR without insurance):
Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup (MT) – RM279,888
Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup (EDC Auto) – RM299,888
*There will be an additional RM1,000 for Pearl White, and RM8,000 for Orange Tonic and Liquid Yellow colour.
Powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine which produces 280 PS and 390 Nm of maximum torque (5 PS and 30 Nm more than the outgoing 2.0-litre engine), the all-new Megane R.S. comes with a choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox, or a 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission.
Complementing the powertrain package is Renault’s
4Control four-wheel steering system
which comes as standard, which also happens to be a first in class. Plus, there is also the Torsen limited slip differential (LSD).
For Malaysia, the all-new Renault Megane R.S. is available with the Cup chassis, which incorporates a new Torsen mechanical and limited-slip differential for improved handling during acceleration as well as deceleration.
The different shifters aside, both manual and automatic variants of the all-new Megane R.S. have an almost-identical list of features, which includes:
5 driving modes – Comfort, Normal, Sport, Race, Personal
Multi-Change Down downshifting (EDC Auto variant only)
Launch Control (EDC Auto variant only)
4Control four-wheel steering
Hydraulic compression stops on the suspension
19-inch wheels
Torsen LSD
355 mm front brake discs (+15 mm from previous model)
Brembo brake calipers
Chain-driven timing system
LED headlights
LED R.S Vision fog lamps
LED tail lamps
Fabric sports seats
Wide air intake with Gun Metal Grey satin-finish front blade
3D honeycomb front grille
Wing-mounted air extractors
Newly designed, narrower rear spoiler
Rear bumper with built-in diffuser
Charcoal weaved fabric interior upholstery
Red top-stitching
Aluminium pedals
Ambient lighting
R-Link infotainment system with 8.7-inch touchscreen display
6 airbags
New RS logo
The Megane R.S 280 Cup also comes with a three-year or 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first) and is supported by all 18 authorised Renault Service Centres in Peninsular Malaysia.
Test drives are available at selected Renault showrooms by appointments only, which can be requested via the Renault Malaysia website.
Looking for a new Renault? Get the best deals
here
.


Did You Know That Richard Hammond Never Knew How to Drift?

If you’re a petrolhead who religiously follow shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour, Richard Hammond is a name that needs little introduction. As for those who are less familiar, it is safe to say that the British automotive journalist is among the most popular of his kind in the world.
Now, in most of the motoring TV shows in which Richard was reviewing a kick-ass car, he could be seen pulling amazing stunts with the car – drifting, power-sliding, and everything between.
And for those who have been believing that it was all him, we are sorry to burst your bubbles but apparently our friend right here does not know how to drift.
The truth finally came out in the season finale of Hammond’s latest project alongside James May and Jeremy Clarkson – The Grand Tour which premiered last week, where Hammond admits that, despite what we’ve seen on Top Gear and The Grand Tour all these years, he doesn’t actually know how to drift.
He also revealed that all of the drifting we’ve seen from him has actually been done by stunt drivers and clever editing. So, to learn how to properly drift, he gets help from Michelin.
Michelin’s test driver and expert drifter Jerome Haslin, then gave Hammond a crash course in drifting in a BMW M4, resulting in the co-host finally mastering the art and performing the stunt without the assistance of any professionals.
Now, after watching this video, we couldn’t help it but wonder if the other “icons” of the industry such as Jeremy Clarkson and Chris Harris are really as good as their shows make them look.
What do you think?


Over 6,700 cars sold by UMW Toyota in April - 9% year-to-date increase

UMW Toyota Motor
 sold over 6,700 cars in April 2023 - a modest but welcomed 9% year-to-date (YTD) increase compared to the same period last year.

A total of 6,767 vehicles comprising 6,681 Toyotas and 86 Lexus units were sold last month and despite a slight increase in YTD, UMW Toyota saw a minor 3% decrease in monthly figures compared to April 2022.

Despite this very minor setback, UMW Toyota is still on course in hitting its mid-year target even with the shorter operating month of April due to Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

According to Datuk Ravindran K., UMW Toyota's President, "We remain confident in our ability to deliver strong year-on-year growth. We have also seen promising response to our new models launched in quarter one of 2023, particularly the All-New
Toyota Vios
, and we expect this to contribute to our continued growth throughout the year."

Regarding the
Daihatsu DNGA crash test 'inaccuracies'
, UMW Toyota assures everyone that the new
2023 Toyota Vios
 sold here in Malaysia is still of high quality in terms of standards as well as safety.

"We would like to assure you that the All-New Toyota Vios complies with all safety regulations and there is no compromise to the quality of the vehicle. The safety of our customers and our vehicles are always our top priority," added Datuk Ravindran.

To further push its efforts in terms of sales and brand representation in the country, UMW Toyota is gassing up on two exciting initiatives - Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival Season 6 and Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup 2023.

Race 2 of the TGR Festival Season 6 will take place from 3-4 June 2023 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC). If you love some wheel-to-wheel action from the Vios Challenge as well as some top Malaysian celebrities duking it out on the race track, this is one of the events that you should not miss.

As for the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup, the simulator racing challenge also returns for its sixth year with over 1,000 online competitors signing up to get their hands on the total prize money purse of RM90,000. Getting the young blood into racing through 'video games' is indeed a worthwhile effort to dig out the next local motorsports talents.


Review: Michelin Primacy 4 – Trying To Make Sense Of An Unbelievable Claim

Rules and regulations are the basis of a functioning society but every once in a while, a new technology comes along and forces a rethink of the rules. The first car was invented in 1886 but up until 1896, British law required every car to be driven behind man waving a red flag/lantern. It was one of the reasons why Germany’s nascent car industry leapfrogged Britain’s, even though the latter first invented self-propelled vehicles - steam engines and trains.

When it comes to tyres, the law states that the minimum allowable tread depth is 1.6 mm but no responsible motoring publication will tell you that’s acceptable. A tyre’s wet braking performance diminishes significantly once the treads wear past the 60 percent mark. Risk of aquaplaning – a condition where your tyre floats above a thin film of water on the road – also increases significantly.

Our advice has always been to preemptively change your tyres by monitoring the tread wear indicator – which is typically marked by a tiny triangle on the sidewall, or in the case of Michelin tyres, where the little Michelin Man symbol is pointing to.

That was until Michelin told us that we were wrong - well, sort of. Since 2014, Michelin has commercialized its EverGrip technology that allows – and we know this is hard to be believe - a badly worn Michelin tyre to brake better in the wet than a new premium brand tyre.

Note the gap in wet braking distance between a set of
worn
 (2 mm tread depth left) Primacy 4 tyres and
new
 tyres by other premium brands.

Yes, it sounds unbelievable but such is the progress of Michelin’s tyre technology. Mind you the new tyres compared against is not some dodgy DingDong brand tyres, but are similarly premium European and Japanese brand tyres, with results verified by Germany’s independent TUV Rheinland.

Just to prove a point that the results are repeatable and consistent, a live demonstration was also done during the Primacy 4’s regional launch in Thailand.

The worn Primacy 4 tyre on the left was used in the demonstration on wet braking.

Michelin says the commonly given advice of precautionary tyre replacement is wasteful. It’s not only bad for the environment but adds financial burden to consumers. The company explains that if all tyres are equipped with EverGrip technology, there will be 128 million less tyres discarded in Europe alone annually.

Of course all tyres will wear out and you certainly can’t use it past the 1.6 mm tread wear limit – because that’s the legal limit. It's something that Michelin is lobbying governments of the world to change but that's another story.

The Michelin Primacy 4 is Michelin’s latest comfort-oriented premium tyre. It’s recommended for D-segment and above sedans – the likes of a Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, or even a Mercedes-Benz C-Class or a BMW 3 Series. However since the tyre is available in 15- to 19-inch sizes, it’s also suitable for cars like a Toyota Corolla Altis or a Honda Civic.

It also well-suited for crossovers like a Honda HR-V, or even large minivans like a Toyota Alphard/Vellfire.

This particular review set is fitted on a third generation Toyota Prius, swapping out the previous Bridgestone Ecopia EP200 tyres. As this is not a fuel-saving tyre like the Ecopia, the Primacy 4’s sidewalls are softer and the improvement in ride quality is immediately obvious.

As expected, the trade-off is slightly higher fuel consumption. Tyre sidewall flex is one of the ways a tyre’s kinetic energy is lost and with softer sidewalls, the Primacy 4 has a 7 percent poorer mileage compared to the Ecopia EP200, based on yours truly’s driving habits and travel routes. Keep in mind that a closer alternative for the Primacy from Bridgestone is actually the comfort-oriented Turanza.

The slight increase in fuel consumption is an acceptable compromise because with EverGrip, drivers don’t have to replace it as early as they are normally advised to, thus equalizing any additional expenses in fuel over a fuel-saving tyres.

Where the Primacy 4 trumps best is the substantially more comfortable ride that it offers. The cabin is now so much quieter and ride is a lot more pliant. It’s amazing how much more comfortable a car can become simply by switching to a set of premium tyres.

Driving on wet conditions, road holding is exceptionally good but to be honest, the same can be said with many new tyres from reputable brands. What separates the Primacy 4 from its competitors is Michelin’s promise that the tyre will maintain the same level of performance throughout its service life.

Pushed hard into a corner, the Primacy’s soft sidewalls will flex, reminding you that this is not a Pilot Sports but for all intents and purposes of a daily car, the tyre ticks all the right boxes.

The secret to how Michelin’s EverGrip is able to extend the safe-use limit of the Primacy 4 is by redesigning the tread pattern to have a wider, U-shaped groove, which Michelin says increases water dispersion by a whopping 50 percent. In other words, the grooves are designed expand in width as the tyre wears down to make up for the diffferences in tread depth.

While other tyres will see a degradation in performance as the smaller grooves on the sides called sipes wear away, the Primacy 4’s sipes actually expand as the tyre’s surface wear down, further aiding water dissipation.

Clever manipulation of materials also allows the tyre to better absorb and disperse energy more evenly, because the physics of braking is essentially about how fast a tyre can convert kinetic (moving) energy into something else, usually heat. The more evenly a tyre dissipates the energy, the better it can maximize grip.

But let’s not get distracted with its wet braking performance, because a Michelin tyre wearing the Primacy name needs to, above all else, offer a comfortable ride.

Data supplied by Michelin claims the Primacy 4 is 0.3 dB quieter (while at the same time offering 4 percent better grip) than the previous Primacy 3, which was already among the quietest in its class.

Much of a tyre’s noise is created when the tread blocks expand and contract as the tyre rolls along. The change in air pressure within these air pockets act like a series of miniature air pumps creating noise. The Primacy 4 benefits from the second generation of Michelin’s Silent Rib design, which uses inter-locking bands to minimize tread block deformation.

Every tyre has its pros and cons. The science behind tyre design is all about balancing the individual properties of each material used. There are many one-hit wonder tyres on the market - tyres that are good at doing just the one thing they are advertised, but performs below average elsewhere.

What separates Michelin tyres from others are the all-rounded performance across all measurable metrics. It's a promise given by all Michelin tyres that wear the Michelin Total Performance logo.

Downsides to the Primacy 4? It’s hard to find any because as mentioned, it’s a very well balanced all-rounder. Performance at the upper limits of driving could have been better but if that's your requirement, you should be looking towards the Pilot Sport series.

If we have to highlight any negatives, it will be our lingering doubts with Michelin’s claim of sustained wet braking performance even when worn. Yes, we have seen the data but our torrential rain here can be very extreme. Perhaps it’s best to err on the side of caution and replace the tyres once it wears down to 2 mm rather than the minimum allowed 1.6 mm.

Recommended retail prices ranges from RM344 for 15-inch sizes to RM1,042 for 19-inch sizes.

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Review: 2016 Lexus RX 200t F Sport – Has Lexus Gone Manga?!

Globally, the past three generations of Lexus RXes were hugely successful. In Malaysia however, the RX was a bit of a one-hit wonder. The first generation model was made a lot of money for grey importers but by the time Lexus Malaysia was setup in 2007, the BMW X5 and later the Audi Q5 had carved up the market between themselves.
The smaller, more attainable NX, which starts from just below RM300,000 has reclaimed some ground for Lexus, allowing Lexus to overtake Audi for the third spot in Malaysia’s premium car segment.
This significantly more expensive RX however, which starts at RM388,800, is going to have to work a lot harder to persuade buyers to walk away from the default German Big-3 brands.
Specifications for Lexus RX 200t F Sport:
Price: RM422,990 excluding insurance
Engine: 8AR-FTS 2.0-litre transverse four cylinders Dual VVT-iW, turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, All-Wheel Drive
Power: 235 hp, 4,800 – 5,600 rpm
Torque: 350 Nm, 1,650 – 4,000 rpm
Safety: 10 airbags, electronic stability and traction control (VSC, TRC), Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), hill start assist, ABS with EBD, brake hold, blind spot monitor, 360 degree panaromic view parking camera with rear cross traffic alert, tire pressure monitor
Origin: Fully-imported from Japan
Overview
Lexus has a rather odd way of positioning its SUV models. While the IS, GS and LS models are clearly aimed at the 3 Series/A4, 5 Series/A6 and 7 Series/A8 respectively, the competitive matrix for Lexus’s SUV range is less clear.
The NX for example, is slotted between a BMW X1/Audi Q3 and a BMW X3/Audi Q5 – both in terms of price and size. It’s the same with the larger RX, which straddles between the X3/Q5 and X5/Q7.
The RX 200t F Sport variant tested here asks for an extra RM14,590 over the RX 200t Luxury, but buys you the following features:
Adaptive variable suspension
Drive Mode with additional Sport+ and Customize function
VDIM, which works on top of the existing VSC for a more seamless and faster intervention
360 degree Panaromic View Monitor
F Sport instrument panel - adds a G-force meter and a turbo boost pressure gauge
F Sport leather trimmings in the cabin
F Sport leather trimmed steering wheel with paddle shifters
Aluminium pedals
Aluminium roof rails
Dark metallic painted wheels (20-inch, same size as RX 200t Luxury)
L-motif mesh ‘spindle grille’ at the front
Slightly sportier lower front bumper
Black colour wing mirror casings
All variants of the RX sold by Lexus Malaysia, including the RX 450h hybrid, come with AWD, and all are strictly five seaters.
Exterior
It might look a little over the top, but the added road presence is exactly what Lexus needs right now. This is one car which you can clearly identify as a Lexus from far away, doesn’t matter if it’s night or day.
Against the look-alike models from Audi and Mercedes-Benz, whose products are now merely XS, S, M, L and XL-sized versions of the same formula, Lexus models a refreshingly unique, each with their own distinct identity.
If the RX’s standout looks don’t start conversations, the animated light patterns of the LED turn signals will.
In dark conditions, puddle lights integrated under each door handles (as opposed to under the wing mirror in most other premium cars) light up as you approach the car, which is nice.
The tailgate is power operated, but all RX 200t variants misses out on the ‘Touchless’ feature available in the
RX 350
 – which opens the tailgate simply by hovering your palm over the Lexus badge. Not a big deal because it’s quite gimmicky. The feature is not going to be of much use if you are carrying your groceries on one hand and your baby in another, precisely why Ford (Kuga) and Mercedes-Benz (E300 Bluetec Hybrid) uses feet gesture activated solutions.
Interior
Step inside, the all-new RX’s interior is visually arresting, and feels a lot more special than an equivalent BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz.
We loved the driver-focused cockpit, and the strip of (faux) brushed aluminium highlight running the width dashboard, emphasizing the RX’s width, as well as demarcating the driver’s controls area. The F Sport instrument cluster is a full colour TFT LCD display, similar to the one used in the IS 200t F Sport and the limited production LF-A, but minus the super impressive mechanically sliding cluster ring.
Everything looks and feels good on first impression, but upon closer inspection, you will notice that the brushed aluminium are actually made of plastic.
Step out of the RX and jump into an equivalent Audi or Mercedes-Benz, the superiority of the Ingolstadt’s and Stuttgart’s teams in cabin materials is marginal, but noticeable.
On the upside, the RX’s interior is still more impressive than most BMWs bar the 7 Series.  The Bavarian models are the best to drive but they have the poorest interiors.
Lexus’s signature Remote Touch Interface (RTI) is now improved with ‘Enter’ buttons on either sides. RTi is actually easier to operate than the rotary dial-type controls used by BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz, but because we’ve been so accustomed to rotary dials, new users might find the RTI’s ‘mouse’ harder to use.
Once you’ve familiarised yourself, operating it is easy, even while driving. The 8-inch colour display is positioned low enough to not get in your view, but far in front enough to be close to your field of vision.
However, RTI is also a case of two steps forward and one step backward. While it’s easy to operate, the menu structure is rather counter-intuitive. Setup for FM Radio or Bluetooth handsfree functions for example, are not in the Radio or Phone menu, but buried under the Settings menu.
Oddly, given its premium appeal, the FM radio doesn’t auto-adjust for optimal reception when you drive from one region to another. It’s a minor annoyance but the feature is already available in some lesser Toyotas.
Apart from that, ergonomics are spot on. The seats provide excellent support for long distance drives, and cabin space is ample for five adults to travel in comfort.
The door pocket is extendable to swallow a 1.5-litre water bottle too!
Despite it being an AWD vehicle, the floor at the second row seat is flat, offering rear occupants a lot more space than the German competition.
The car is even smart enough to confirm with you if you have intentionally left the moonroof or windows opened after you’ve shut down the engine. Tilting the moonroof slightly up while leaving the blinds pulled is an effective way to keep the cabin cool in a hot afternoon.
As the boot extends quite deep, folding the seatbacks can be done electrically. The switches are located on the boot and on the lower side of the seats.
Driving Experience
If you live in an urban environment, the RX 200t F Sport is the pick of the range because it’s the cheapest RX variant with a Panaromic View Monitor – an important feature if you are going to drive/park the RX in tight spaces.
The RX is slightly smaller than the seven-seater X5 (xDrive35i only) and Q7, but is considerably harder to park due to the complex interplay of concave-convex surfaces on its bonnet and fenders.
While the more angular shape of the Q7 and X5 makes it easy to judge the edges of the cars, the way the RX’s front fenders and bumper dip sharply out of view before extending outwards means that without the Panaromic View Camera, you will find yourself negotiating a lot of tight spots by faith rather than by sight – not impossible, but unnecessarily difficult.
The thick C-pillar indivertibly results in a huge blind spot too but it’s a good thing that the blind spot monitors work in a very unobtrusive manner.
The single twin scroll turbocharger with active wastegate control 8AR-FTS engine is a gem among the crowd of turbocharged engines. Flex your right foot, and the engine responds almost like a naturally aspirated engine. It revs considerably faster than the similar capacity 2.0-litre B48 engine in the
F30 LCI BMW 330i
 that we recently tried.
For optimal efficiency, clever valvetrain trickery allows the engine to switch between regular Otto cycle and fuel sipping Atkinson cycle on the fly.
Despite having ‘just’ 235 hp on tap, in real world driving, the RX 200t hardly made us felt wanting for more performance. Keeping up with fast moving traffic is effortless. The six forward ratios are well spaced, shifts are quick and hardly necessitated use of the paddle shifters.
Coupled with AWD, the RX hugs the road very well, with excellent body control.
How comfortable is it?
For any Lexus, comfort is a given, and the RX is no different, despite the sportier pretensions of the latest RX.
Wearing huge 20-inch tyres, some amount of tyre roar is to be expected but the cabin remain impressively quiet even at speeds exceeding 160 km/h. The steering also firms up nicely and progressively as you dial in more angles. It not the sharpest or the most communicative steering around, but it exceeds our expectations for a luxury-biased SUV riding on 20-inch wheels.
Undulating surfaces and poorly patched roads don’t trouble the RX’s fine damping. Ride only becomes noticeably stiffer when the Drive Mode is switched to the most extreme Sport+. Even with the Drive Mode switched to Eco, air-conditioning performance remains adequate.
How economical?
Just because the Lexus RX is sold by the same company that sold you your Toyota Camry doesn’t mean that the maintenance is going to be cheap. It’s aimed Germany’s Big-3 and Lexus dealers are not going to charge you any cheaper than the competition.
Over a 600 km plus distance, with a mix of highway and urban traffic, the RX 200t returned an average fuel consumption of around 11-litre/100 km, more or less what we expected for an AWD vehicle of this class. Most of the urban driving are done with the Drive Mode set to Customised - Eco for engine, Normal for air-conditioning and Chassis.
Conclusion
Compared to its very well-built, comfortable but mostly forgettable predecessors, this all-new RX represents a more assertive Lexus. The styling might polarise, but we wouldn’t want to have it in any other way.
Its in-between segments positioning makes it tricky to make any direct comparisons with its German rivals but put it this way - if the Audi Q5 or BMW X3’s cabin are a bit too small for your liking, have a look at the RX before going for the seven-seater Audi Q7 or 5+2 seater BMW X5 xDrive35i.
The RX has a lot going for it. Reasonable pricing for its segment, an almost lag-free turbocharged engine that responds faster than the competition’s, traffic stopping looks, and an impressive cabin. Plus it’s a Lexus, and that usually means a lot less maintenance headaches than its German peers (dodgy history, non-tropicalised grey import Lexus don’t count).
The only reason one would walk away from the RX is because of its badge. For many, Lexus, despite how well established it is in the US, or how well put together it is, still doesn’t resonate as much as a BMW, or an Audi or Mercedes-Benz. This is a segment that speaks to the buyer’s emotions. Pragmatic considerations like reliability often takes the backseat over snob appeal.
For those who can look beyond the badge and appreciates the RX’s values, just make sure you bought one with a Panaromic View Monitor.


Mazda’s CX-3 Expected To Yield Strong Demand Locally, CKD And Diesel Plans On Track

Knock on wood, the heralding of
Mazda
’s newest crossover (and also its most compact yet), the CX-3 - CBU fully imported from Japan - into the Malaysian market could well trigger new possibilities for the brand’s presence here.
At a press conference prior to the
CX-3’s official Malaysian debut
 in Mazda Glenmarie yesterday, several key figures from the Mazda Motor Corporation and their local distributers here, Bermaz Motor, were on hand to answer some pressing questions - to the extent they could without divulging key strategic details, that is.
First of all, Bermaz and Mazda both confirm their interest in locally assembling more vehicles in their lineup here to make it a more affordable proposition, and thereby being able to more easily reach a new strata of customers. Currently, their plant in Kulim, Kedah is tasked with assembling the
Mazda3
 and Mazda
CX-5
, and upon the necessary hoop-jumping, should in the future be able to accommodate the CX-3 and possibly Mazda2 as well. Of course, we’ll have more on this as the information surfaces.
Another bit of info that emerged yesterday were comments that furthers the narrative of the prospective introduction Mazda cars fitted with SKYACTIV-D diesel engines, with a timeline set roughly within 2016. Both Bermaz and Mazda are keen on following through on this plan, but it is strongly dependent on the the more widespread availability of the higher-quality Euro5 diesel throughout the country. For now, it is only available at selected stations predominantly within the Klang Valley.
With the inclusion of those new powerplants, Mazda also alluded to the possibility of multiple variants to accompany additional engine options, which in turn allows Mazda to sell a more varied range of trim levels here, at a more spread-out price range to boot. It would be a shift from the ‘one-variant-fits-all’ approach taken with the current crop of
 Mazda2
’s  and, as it happens, the CX-3 - a situation that’s hamstrung by the fact that Mazda’s recent diesel engines being incompatible with the fuel quality offered at pumps here, leaving buyers the non-choice of just one petrol engine for those cars.
The Mazda CX-3, if you’ve been a keen observer, is also manufactured in our neighbour country of Thailand. However and counterintuitively, the units we receive here in Malaysia are instead imported from the automaker’s Japanese plant in Hiroshima. It was revealed that the Thai factory will not be sending CX-3s manufactured there due to its assembly not meeting the required 40 percent local content requirement for it to be eligible for tariff exemption under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The Hiroshima plant is also more adept with the manufacturing processes and is able to produce CX-3s more steadily and efficiently, a predicament made more workable given Malaysia’s Free Trade Agreement with Japan. Despite the geographical component, it seems a CX-3 made in Japan makes more financial sense than one manufactured in Thailand, at least insofar to them being imported to Malaysia.
Bermaz Motor is clearly quite hopeful on the public receiving the new CX-3 warmly, and expects all 2,000 units allocated for the local market in this first batch to be sold within two months of launch. As we have
reported previously
, this new Mazda will go on sale for
RM135,143
 (on-the-road, inclusive of GST with insurance).
Its main competitors are the
Honda

HR-V
,
Mitsubishi

ASX
,
Peugeot

2008
, and
Ford

EcoSport
. While the CX-3 is leads the pack in price, Mazda is banking on its sharp looks, engaging drive, as well as its more premium build and interior materials to justify its place in the market for the discerning customer.


Volvo XC40 To Launch In Q3- You Will Want To Wait For This

With many consumers pulling-forward their purchase of a new vehicle due to lower prices from the ‘tax-free holiday’ in Malaysia, dealerships are also trying their best to fulfil customer’s request.
A loyal Carlist.my reader and personal friend of the editorial team shared her experience with us when she was just casually shopping for a new car.
Ms Becky shared that a Volvo dealership in Klang Valley has started registration of interest (R.O.I.) of the highly anticipated compact Volvo crossover, the XC40.
The dealership is expecting to launch the new XC40 within this quarter and the line-up will consist of two variants, T4 and T5.
Estimated prices during the R.O.I phase list the T4 at RM250,000 and the T5 with R Design at a higher price of RM280,000. The estimated pricing places the new XC40 just under the starting price of the XC60 T5, while slightly above key rivals BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-class.
Both variants will feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine paired with a 8-speed automatic transmission. Maximum engine outputs for the T4 are 190 hp and 300 Nm of torque while the T5 with a higher state-of-tune delivers a total of 247 hp and 50 Nm more torque versus the T4 tune.
Based on what
we have seen in Singapore early this year
, the T5 R-Design features 20-inch wheels, gloss black trimmings, and a black treatment to the upper-half of the XC40. Interior features meanwhile consist of a sportier seat and steering wheel design and Harman Kardon Premium Sound audio system.
A key highlight in the interior of the XC40 is the abundance of storage spaces. Volvo designers chose a radical new approach of removing the speakers from the door, and developed a world-first, air-ventilated dashboard-mounted sub-woofer, clearing enough storage in the door compartment for a laptop and a tablet, or a couple of water bottles.
They also designed the centre console tunnel with specific areas to store coins, cards, charging cables, and even tissues. There will be space for wireless charging for smartphones as well.
No information is available on the T4 variant, but expect to see safety features such as Lane Keeping Aid and Collision Avoidance Assistance as standard.
Carlist.my will share more information once they are available. To learn more about the new XC40, take a look at other articles below:
Volvo XC40 Receives 5 Stars for Euro NCAP assessment
Volvo XC40 is awarded the European Car of the Year 2018
New Volvo XC40 unveiled, EV in the pipeline


Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept SUV Unveiled

Infiniti has unveiled the QX80 Monograph concept SUV, a design study that will inspire the next generation QX80 flagship SUV. The
recently teased
 QX80 Monograph, penned by Infiniti’s design studio in Atsugi, Japan, is now revealed in all its glory.

Roland Krueger, President of Infiniti adds, ““The QX80 Monograph represents a detailed study into our expertise of exterior design. QX80 Monograph shows our concept of luxury and style on the road, and is an exploration of how we could enhance our future Infiniti offering in the luxury SUV segment.”
The QX80 Monograph is over 5.0 meters long, almost 2.0 meters tall (including roof rails), and more than 2.0 meters wide. The long, straight shoulder line that runs from the grille all the way to the rear of the car further accentuates the overall length.
The front fascia of the QX80 Monograph is designed with large, functional fender vents delivering more air to the engine, flanking an aluminum chin guard. To enhance its SUV credentials, an underbody cover runs the length of the floor, protecting the car’s undersides and aiding aerodynamic efficiency.
A thin strip of aluminum below the grille emphasizes the car’s width and incorporates sleek LED fog lamps at each end for a modern, high-tech appearance.
At the rear, horizontal lines highlight the car’s overall width. The appearance of the sharper, thinner tail-lamps are mirrored with the wide twin-exhausts, which feature a gloss-black aerofoil in between to allow smoother airflow off the back of the car.
Along the flanks, straight-spoke, two-tone 24-inch wheels – are finished in chromium black with contrasting brushed copper elements to complement the scale of the QX80.
The doors open to reveal an integrated, brushed aluminum sill step to ease ingress and egress, while vents aft of the front and rear wheels provide a further distinctive design cue, which also aids aerodynamic function, evacuating turbulent and drag inducing air from the wheel arches.
Also notable is the QX80 Monograph’s blacked-out A-pillar which sits flush with the side windows and windscreen, while the pop-out door handles are also flush with the bodywork. These elements give a cleaner appearance and help to minimize drag and wind noise.


May 2018 New Vehicle Sales – Nissan Outperforms Toyota!

As expected, the total industry volume (TIV) in May went into a dip following cautious sentiments adopted by consumers after the general elections as well as the announcement on the abolishment of GST.
MAA data showed May 2018’s TIV fell 15 percent compared to May last year. However, one must note that last year’s May month was strong due to the build-up to Raya festive period.
Nonetheless, Year-to-day May TIV of 225,212 units declined just 3.8 percent or under 9,000 units compared to 234,180 units last year.
May and June 2017 were strong due to Raya festive period, expect June 2018 to outperform 2017
Apart from the ever unwavering Perodua, Proton and Honda also improved on their May sales versus April. With a sales of 21,980 units, Perodua exceeded the emblematic 50 percent market share by achieving 51.5 percent.
The biggest surprise for May 2018 is the performance of Nissan and Toyota. Nissan registered 2,038 units, bettering Toyota’s uncharacteristically low figure of 2,027 units.
Upon closer analysis, Nissan had a higher than usual delivery of their MPVs, indicating
 a very good debut of their new (C27) Serena S-Hybrid
. Their SUVs also outperform Toyota’s SUV sales. Combining the sales of these two body types, Nissan delivered over 1,200 units while Toyota only garnered 365 units.
Demand for the Toyota C-HR is exceeding supply.
Read more about it here
.
Toyota still has a better passenger car and pick-up sales compared to Nissan.
With the announcement of the zero-rated GST from 1 st June until 31 st August, the tax-free window is expected to boost new car sales significantly. The sudden surge in demands also pressure assembly plants to deliver stocks within this short period of time. Manufacturers ramp up production, only to reduce in September as the Sales and Service Tax (SST) will be reintroduced and vehicle prices are expected to increase.
While premium brands performed poorly in May, expect a surge in the tax-free months as premium brands have the largest values of monetary value deduction.


2015 Mazda CX-3 Officially Launched In Malaysia, Goes On Sale For RM135k

It has finally landed, officially this time. We know you’ve (probably) seen a lot of the Japanese marque’s new baby crossover SUV as of late, but its time to let the speculative hearsay fade and prime our focus here to the launch event at
Mazda
 HQ in Glenmarie, where Bermaz Motor has pulled back the sheets on the Mazda CX-3.
It comes to Malaysia fully imported (CBU) from Japan in a single 2WD variant with a 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol engine and a laundry list of bells and whistles, and its yours for a cool
RM135,143
, quoted for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia as an on-the-road (OTR) price with insurance, inclusive of GST.
Locally, the fresh-faced Mazda CX-3 will see competition primarily from the
Mitsubishi

ASX
,
Ford

EcoSport
,
Peugeot

2008
, and the
Honda

HR-V
 - all of which similarly feature B-segment hatchback platforms underpinning their compact SUV bodies. The CX-3 is the smallest in Mazda’s SUV range, with a body measuring 4,275mm in length, 1,765mm wide and 1,535mm tall, with a kerb weight of 1,211kg. The 2.0-litre engine chucks out 154hp at 6,000rpm and 204Nm of torque, available as early as 2,800rpm.
The CX-3’s petrol powerplant will be mated to Mazda’s SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, which send power to its two front wheels. However, Bermaz has expressed a keen interest in expanding the engine lineup across its range of Mazda vehicles such as the Mazda2, Mazda6, Mazda CX-5, and of course, the Mazda CX-3 to include SKYACTIV-D diesel units some time within 2016 - but I digress.
The CX-3 slots below the larger
CX-5
 SUV and is the latest of Mazda’s CX family to hit Malaysia, at least until their largest entrant, the
recently announced all-new 2016 CX-9
 makes its way over. The unit we see here is dressed in a striking Soul Red paint finish, the same we’ve seen on other current-generation Mazdas. There are four additional colour options for the prospective owner to choose from including Crystal White Pearl, Jet Black, Meteor Grey, and finally Deep Crystal Blue.
In terms of standard equipment, the CX-3 comes pretty much fully loaded with all the kit that Mazda could feasibly squeeze into and onto it, such as a set of 10-spoke alloy wheels that measure 18-inches, LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights, front LED fog lamps, sunroof, reverse camera, leather multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters, black leather upholstery with contrasting red accents and stitching, automatic single-zone air conditioning, a 6-speaker audio setup that’s linked to the MZD Connect infotainment system with a 7-inch central LCD display, head-up display, rain sensing windshield wipers, cruise control, smart keyless entry system, and I-STOP idling stop/start system, which Mazda claims can restart the engine in a mere 0.35 seconds.
There are only a couple of notable omissions that did not make the cut for units sold in Malaysia, namely all-wheel drive and Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE suite, meaning we won’t have such features like Lane Departure Warning, Smart City Braking or Rear View Monitoring. An omission presumably decided as a worthwhile tradeoff to keep the CX-3's pricing relatively competitive.
In terms of safety, the CX-3 comes with six airbags, traction control, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) with brake assist (BA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Hill Launch Assist, and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).
Mazda is also offering an additional Navigation System, accessed through the MZD Connect interface for RM1,270 as well as an optional pre-delivery window tinting treatment called SKYTINT for RM1,900.
As we have covered previously, the CX-3’s handling and drive have been given particular attention, and as a result, acquits itself fairly well in the bends and is more nimble than its higher stance would make one guess. Indeed, Mazda is banking on this fun factor, sharp looks, and premium materials and build as the key differentiators between it and the competition.
The Mazda CX-3 also comes with Bermaz’s free ownership “3+3 Years Free Warranty and Maintenance” Programme.


All-New Lexus LS Priced From THB 11.5 million

The all-new
Lexus LS
 will be launched in Thailand next week at the 2017 Motor Expo. But before that happens, Toyota Motor Thailand has announced the new model’s prices.
Set to be available in three variants – LS350, LS500 and LS500h, the new generation Lexus LS will get a base price of THB 11.5 million for the entry-level LS350 Luxury. Moving one level up to the LS500 Executive, this model will set buyers back for THB 13.08 million. As for the range-topping LS500h, customers can pick between the Executive and Executive Pleat models, priced at THB 14.5 million and THB 15.83 million, respectively.
The base Lexus LS350 is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 that churns out 318 hp and 380 Nm, while the LS500h variants get a similar capacity engine, though outfitted with a pair of turbochargers. Thanks to the twin turbos under the hood, the LS500h outputs 415 hp and a massive 600 Nm of torque. All Lexus LS models feature a 10-speed automatic transmission.
In Thailand, the Lexus LS carries a price tag that is considerably higher than the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as the Thai excise duty penalizes engines larger than 3,000 cc. On top of that, the Lexus LS is also slapped with an 80% import duty. Both the German rivals cost less than THB 6 million.
Similar to Malaysia, Thailand also has tax incentives for hybrid models, in which locally-assembled models can enjoy a 5% excise duty, 10% if CBU.


Mitsubishi Merdeka Promotion is Here - Up to RM6,000 Cash Rebates, Low Interest Rates

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is currently offering attractive promotions in conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka celebrations until 30 September 2020.

Customers looking to trade-in their current car for the stylish
Mitsubishi ASX Compact SUV
may opt for RM8,888 additional trade-in top-up support from MMM authorized dealers.

This promotion also comes with 5-year free maintenance and 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage. The ASX 2WD is priced at RM 111,628 while the ASX 4WD is priced at RM 125,182.

Customers who choose the
Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0-litre
, will get cash rebate up to RM4,000 and 2-year free maintenance. Customers who opt for the Outlander 2.4-litre instead, will get cash rebates up to RM2,000 and 2-year free maintenance package.

The Outlander 2.0-litre is priced at RM 133,491 while the Outlander 2.4-litre is priced at RM 147,762. Similar to the ASX Compact SUV, the Outlander comes with a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

In view of the Malaysian government’s announcement to drop Sales and Service tax (SST) for cars, which sees a 100% sales tax exemption on locally-assembled (CKD) models, customers will enjoy a tax exemption savings worth up to RM8,000 for the ASX Compact SUV, while those who opt for the Outlander seven-seater SUV will enjoy tax exemption savings up to RM4,000.

Customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi
Triton
 VGT Adventure X, Triton VGT AT Premium and Triton VGT MT Premium can choose to either enjoy low interest rates of up to 0.88%, OR cash rebates. The 0.88% low interest rate is exclusive with Maybank or Public Bank hire purchase only.


Mercedes-Benz Updates E-Class Family – Mild Hybrid Added To The Range

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has introduced the refreshed E-Class range here, comprising of the E200 Sportstyle Avantgarde, E300 Exclusive Line, and the E350 AMG Line, The plug-in hybrid E350e has since been discontinued.
The E350 AMG Line is now a mild hybrid. The updated 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that is now hooked up to a belt-driven starter generator (RSG). Combined system output is 299 hp and 400 Nm. The engine alone makes 370 Nm, boosted by additional 150 Nm of boost contributed by the RSG (output from engine and motor peak at different rotational speeds so the figures can't be summed numerically). Sprint from standstill to 100 km/h is achieved in just 5.9 seconds.
In addition to the new engine, the E350 AMG Line now gets the Driving Assistance Package and Dynamic Body Control adaptive suspension.
Apart from the new E350 AMG Line, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also introduced the E200 Sportstyle Avantgarde. Without assistance from the RSG mild hybrid, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine makes 197 hp and 320 Nm.
The Sportstyle package adds:
Chrome strip on the front and rear bumpers
Emblem on each front fender
New muffler trim pieces
Black headliner
Light carbon grain aluminium centre console trim
Brushed stainless steel sport pedals
Sportstyle floor mats
Blind Spot Assist
Last but not least is the E300 Exclusive, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that outputs 258 hp and 370 Nm.
New to the E300 Exclusive is the Lane Tracking package, which includes Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist.
Estimated prices start from:
RM 329,888 for the E200 Sportstyle Avantgarde
RM 379,888 for the E300 Exclusive
RM 399,888 for the E350 AMG Line
All prices are on-the-road without insurance.
As before, all three variant listed above are locally-assembled at Mercedes-Benz’s assembly facility in Pekan, Pahang.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is offering its E-ssential financing service with the E-Class range, which starts from RM 3,998. For a limited time, all Agility financing contracts come with two Complimentary Comprehensive Service Package.


CES 2017: BMW HoloActive Touch Brings The Holodeck Into Reality

Avid fans of the
Star Trek
 franchise would be familiar with the holodeck – a room which simulates realistic 3D environments that the crew of the
Starship Enterprise
 can interact with. We also see a similar concept in the Iron Man franchise, in Tony Stark’s lab, the user is able to manipulate 3D projections like how we currently interact with touchscreens of a phone.
The above science fiction concepts are about to become reality. By building on its gesture control system, BMW will be showcasing its next-generation HoloActive Touch system at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas taking place on 5-8 January.
Similar to its heads-up display system, HoloActive Touch makes use of reflections to generate free-floating images at the centre console area of the vehicle next to the steering wheel, roughly where most central touchscreens are located these days anyway.
A camera monitors the zone for hand movements and pays particular attention to the position of the fingertips. Once a fingertip contacts the generated image, a pulse is emitted and the relevant function is activated.
BMW have used each of the last two editions of CES to showcase its latest advancements in interface development. The gesture control system that we first saw in the G12 7 Series and also fitted in the new G30 5 Series was first shown in CES 2015.
The technology was further expanded upon in CES 2016 with AirTouch that allows the driver to interact with a screen by remote gestures. The pending introduction of HoloActive Touch in CES 2017 therefore becomes a next logical progression – perhaps we can expect to see this technology commercial ready before the end of the decade?


Review: Mercedes-Benz A180 (W176) – Dynamic Entry into Luxury

Looks sell. It is one of the greatest truisms you will encounter in the automotive industry. Reviewers can wax lyrical about a car’s ride, handling, and performance, but you’ll need more than that move any serious volume of metal out of the showrooms if the said vehicle is aesthetically challenged.
This brings us then, to the
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
, a vehicle originally conceived with an innovative packaging sandwich floor concept that enabled big car space and big car safety to be encased within compact dimensions. On paper, it was a commendable formula, and one which
Mercedes
 stuck to gamely for two model generations, but it was not a desirable one.
Although the first two generations of the A-Class sold a combined two million units over one and a half decades, most of these were bought by people, you’d suspect, who reasoned that the A-Class filled a need in their lives – they certainly didn’t go to bed every night dreaming of owning one.
The third generation W176 A-Class was conceived with different priorities in mind than its forebears. It embraces a newfound focus on style and sportiness, with an overarching objective to create a more alluring entry point into the world of Mercedes-Benz ownership.
There is little argument that Mercedes’ fundamental revamp of the template has increased the A-Class’ ‘want’ factor tenfold. It is now a car for the chic and trendy; Mercedes’ in-house data indicates that in Europe, buyers of the W176 are on average 13 years younger than those who bought the previous two generations of the A-Class.
Specifications
Price: RM195,888 (OTR without insurance)
Engine: 1.6-litre, inline-4 transverse, turbocharged, petrol direct injection
Power: 122hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm @ 1,250 – 4,000rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch with paddle shifters, FWD
Safety: 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, electronic stability control, front passenger airbag deactivation, adaptive brake lights, tyre pressure monitoring system, Pre-Safe occupant protection, autonomous emergency braking, and rear-end collision warning
Origin: Fully imported from Germany
Overview
Now at a tender age of four, the W176 has received its
makeover only very recently
. In this review, we feature this new and improved version of the A-Class in its most basic state of existence, the A180 priced at RM195,888 before insurance.
This is far from a bare bones entry-level variant, however. Standard fitment of items such as reverse camera, electric seat adjustment for both front seats, and active park assist ensures that even the most austere A-Class starts off respectably with regards to equipment.
Motive power is provided by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 122hp on tap. Recalibrated software sees the same engine churn out 156hp in the A200, and above it come 2.0-litre mills producing 211hp in the A 250 and a highly tricked out 381hp in the manic A 45 AMG variant.
The most direct rival for the A-Class would be the Audi A3 hatchback which we don’t get in our market. Incidentally, the
A3 1.4 TFSI sedan
 that we do get in Malaysia meets our A180 at eye level with regards to engine output, producing a claimed 122hp and 200Nm. Comparisons will inevitably be drawn with the
BMW 118i
 which, due to its
EEV incentives
, enjoy a considerable price advantage over the Mercedes.
Exterior
Now four years from its launch, the A-Class remains a thoroughly alluring and sexy-looking piece of kit. There is no doubt that its well-styled sheet metal has earned it a whole new generation of fans; many of which perhaps did not previously consider the Mercedes brand beyond its traditional scope of catering for corporate bigwigs or senior managers.
There is therefore very little reason to drastically revamp the way the A-Class looks and Mercedes-Benz, to its good senses, has opted to keep overall alterations to a minimum. The result is what you would typically get in a textbook facelift exercise – new lights, new rims, and reprofiled bumpers, with no changes made to the vehicle’s actual sheet metal.
In A180 guise as tested, it is notable that Mercedes already fits 18-inch rims and xenon headlamps as standard, ensuring that even the most basic A-Class carries a dignified upmarket appearance that is commensurate with its price tag. The intentions are noble, but as we would elaborate later, a slightly more conservative rim size might be a wiser option.
Interior
If you sit inside a recent vintage Mercedes, you would have been wowed by a cabin ambiance and luxury that feels second to none this side of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. Models such as the
W222 S-Class
,
W205 C-Class
, and the soon-to-arrive
W213 E-Class
 present convincing evidence that Mercedes-Benz is returning to the good old days of building cars with cost considerations made subservient to the need of delivering unrivalled quality.
The W176 A-Class is another model that embodies this philosophy. Although its switchgear is evidently shared from the previous-generation parts bin, the cabin as a whole is composed of excellent materials built to a high standard of fit and finish. The only evidence of cost cutting that caught our attention was the plastic panel covering the B-pillar, a surface that gets knocked very often every time one unbuckles a seat belt. A surprising blot in an otherwise flawless copybook.
Ergonomics are good in the sense that crucial control elements are placed within easy reach. Our
resident Papa Bear
 especially appreciated the door-mounted seat adjustment switches, which allowed him to conveniently move the seat rearwards before he plumped his considerable frame into the driving seat.
That being said, migrants from other brands may find themselves faced with a steeper than usual learning curve to master the Mercedes’ unconventional control layout, where the electronic gear lever is steering column-mounted and looks no different from an indicator stalk.
As with the pre-facelift model, space continues to be a major weakness of the A-Class’ interior. The inherent packaging benefits of a transverse engine front-wheel drive architecture is not put to good use, and the thick C-pillar further contributes to an overall impression of tightness at the rear quarter.
How does it drive?
The adoption of more dynamic styling going from the previous to current-generation A-Class is a clear signal of increased sporting intentions from the baby Merc. In that sense, the W176 meets expectations with a chassis that offers commendable body control along with a steering that is both sharp and feelsome.
This being the entry model, one naturally does not expect blistering performance; and numbers like 122hp and 200Nm do not exactly put the A180 anywhere near the top of the automotive food chain. In the real world, the engine’s grunt is just about enough to pull the A180 along, but even in its most aggressive driving mode, throttle response feels blunted by lag – a surprising find for such a modestly-boosted engine.
The A180 puts its power to the front wheels via a Mercedes in-house 7-speed dual clutch transmission for which we have no real complaints. It is largely free of the low-speed jerkiness typically associated with this category of gearboxes, and the transmission control unit was sufficiently intuitive in its selection of the right gear for the right time. Although paddle shifters were provided, we never found the need to use them.
How comfortable is it?
One of the biggest criticisms levelled at the W176 as well as other members of the Mercedes MFA platform-based compact car family has been about a generally poor ride quality throughout the range.
It was noteworthy, therefore, that the international product release that accompanied the A-Class facelift sent out last year specifically stated ‘comfortable as never before’ in its title. To us, it felt like a tacit admission on Mercedes’ part that they may have dialled the firmness a little too far with the A-Class and that lessons have been learned for this facelift.
There is no question that the engineers have added a level of suppleness to the suspension, but make no mistake about it, this is not your dad’s
E-Class
. According to the specs sheet, the A180 in Malaysia is sprung on Comfort suspension setup; whilst it certainly feels more pliant than we recalled of the pre-facelift A-Class, or even the
CLA 200
. Surprisingly, it rides firmer than even the M Sport-sprung
BMW 330i
 we tested recently.
In view of the above, we suspect that the A180’s ride would have benefitted tremendously from the fitment of smaller rims (17 inches perhaps), which would in turn lead to better performance and fuel economy as well. We believe that the A-Class’ chassis is sufficiently stiff that any sacrifice in handling sharpness would be minimal.
How economical is it?
For a 1.6-litre engine of such conservative tuning, the A180 is surprisingly thirsty at the pumps. Over a 330km test route mixed with highway, town, and hard driving, our test car’s trip computer measured a rather high 10.7 litres/100km.
Official numbers from Mercedes indicate that the European test cycle returns identical consumption for both the A180 and A200, both variants rated as ranging between 5.1 and 5.4 litres depending on vehicle features and tyre size.
Conclusion
A flawed beauty. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a thoroughly attractive and alluring vehicle. Age has done nothing to repeal its visual charms. Being seen behind the wheel of one of these certainly broadcasts plenty of positive messages about your goodself to onlookers – that is of a young and successful person with great taste in style.
Beneath the attractive façade, however, is a vehicle that asks considerable compromises from its occupants. Its cabin, whilst beautifully constructed, is pinched for space, and despite substantial improvement from its predecessor, ride quality could be softened even further for it to be a viable for day-to-day usage.
As an entry model to the range, the A180 is a respectable one. The Mercedes-Benz product team checked enough boxes in the equipment list to ensure that owners are not reminded that they have merely settled for the base model, even if its performance is slightly lacking.


2015 Audi A7 Facelift Prices & Spec Revealed For Malaysia: From RM626k

After only just seeing the
facelifted Audi A6 launched here
,
Audi
 Malaysia has now begun to unveil its refreshed
A7 Sportback
 for Malaysia. Without sending any official releases, they’ve rather quietly uploaded the new four-door coupe’s new prices and specifications on their local website.

Straight out of the box, the new Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro is heaps more expensive than its predecessor, commanding a cool
RM625,900 (OTR with GST, without insurance).
 Previously, the pre-facelift A7 retailed at RM584,900 (OTR with GST, without insurance).

That’s an RM41,000 price increase from the pre-facelifted model.

So, what’s new?

EXTERIOR:
 Just like the
Audi A6 we saw launched in Malaysia
 recently, the exterior styling changes include a new singleframe grille design, new LED headlamps and taillights and reworked bumpers.

Of course, LED lighting is now a standard inclusion on the Malaysian-spec car, and while no mention on these documents show pricing for any optional equipment, it’s safe to assume that the Matrix LED headlamps will be available at an additional and optional cost.

The wheels, as you’ll notice, will differ from the standard version to the sportier S line kit, but listed as standard here are new forged aluminium wheels, as a 19-inch five-spoke V design.

INTERIOR:
 As highlighted at its global debut, the new Audi A7 Sportback largely receives updates to the materials used inside the car, as well as a few new interior colours. For Malaysia, the new Valcona leather seats are standard now, with a new three-spoke steering wheel design which have shift paddles as well.

INFOTAINMENT:
 Also reason for the additional RM41k you’ll have to cough up is the updated infotainment kit included here, starting with a larger display screen and MMI navigation plus with MMI touch (touch pad) – previously, the A7 was equipped only with a 6.5-inch display screen and a more basic MMI radio plus system.

The 6-disc CD changer has also been swapped out for a new 6-disc DVD changer, adding to the audio connectivity options that include MP3, WMA, MPEG-4, AAC, and dual SDXC (high-capacity) card readers.

The 600 watts BOSE surround sound system with its 14 speakers and 12-channel amplifier has been left as is, and we aren’t complaining.

The seven-inch Driver Infotainment System is new and improved, and now includes the latest Audi Connect features, such as navigation displays, Google Earth, and WiFi hotspot capabilities.

POWERTRAINS:
 Despite the new engine options, the Audi A7 for Malaysia will continue to use a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine, but has been tuned for more power: 23hp more, to be exact.

In total, the 3.0 TFSI will send 333 hp @ 5,300 to 6,500 rpm and 440 Nm @ 2,900 to 5,300 rpm to all four wheels via its quattro all-wheel drive system. Transmission is courtesy of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (7-Speed S Tronic).

On top of being more powerful than before, the updated 3.0 TFSI is also claimed to be more fuel efficient, returning 7.6-litres/100km against its predecessors 8.2-ltires/100km claim.

S LINE PACKAGES:
 No prices have been listed for what the S line sport packages will cost, but they are available, based on what Audi Malaysia have revealed on their local website. Here’s a quick look at some highlights of what’s available:

Audi Sport cast aluminium wheels in 7-twin-spoke design, size 9 J x 19 with 255/40 R 19 tyres*. From quattro GmbH

S line sport suspension with more dynamic suspension tuning and vehicle lowered by 20 mm compared with dynamic suspension

Door sill trims with S line logo; in conjunction with ambient lighting, door sill trims illuminated and without S line logo

S line emblem on the front wings

Interior, dashboard and headlining in black, with contrasting stitching on sport leather steering wheel and selector lever gaiter; for perforated Alcantara/leather additionally with contrasting stitching on seat upholstery, armrests in the door trims and centre armrest, front; lower part of centre console in leather

Sport seats, front, including electric lumbar support

S line seat upholstery in perforated Alcantara/leather, black with S line embossing on the front-seat backrests

S line multifunction sport leather steering wheel in 3-spoke design Steering wheel grips in perforated leather

Selector lever knob in perforated leather, black

S line inlays in matt brushed aluminium

*Optionally available:

Further wheels in size 19 inch or larger

Adaptive air suspension

S sport seats, front including S sport seats in the rear

S line seat upholstery in Valcona leather, black or lunar silver with S line embossing on the front-seat backrests

S line multifunction sport leather steering wheel in 3-spoke design with shift paddles optionally heated; in black leather (steering wheel grips in perforated leather) and with S line emblem

S line inlays in piano finish, black; fine grain ash, natural brown; Beaufort walnut or aluminium/Beaufort, black

Paint finish in all standard/optional equipment colours and additionally in the special colour Daytona grey, pearl effect

S line Exterior package

Bumpers, front and rear, side radiator grilles, side sill trims and diffuser insert in a striking, sporty design

Diffuser insert painted in platinum grey

Door sill trims with S line logo; in conjunction with ambient lighting, door sill trims illuminated and without S line logo

S line emblem on the front wings

Paint finish in all standard/optional equipment colours and additionally in the special colours Daytona grey, pearl effect and Misano red, pearl effect.

Buyer’s Guide:

Again, we’ll have to wait until Audi Malaysia reveals further details on this so we can better update you, but these brochures reveal pretty much everything you need to know. The order books for the new Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro have been opened for a while now, so happy shopping!


Chery Malaysia Establishes Official Omoda 5 Fan Page In Malaysia - Imminent Launch?

As we reported late last year
, Chery is planning to make a come back in the Malaysian market, and the newly established official fan page for the Chery Omoda 5 on Facebook tells us that they are nearly ready to go.

Out of the blue, Chery Malaysia has created an official fan page for the Omoda 5. This is a clear sign that their B-segment SUV
will soon be launched in Malaysia
. Interestingly, if the launch were to happen in the immediate future, Malaysia would be one of the first international markets outside of China to receive the Omoda 5.

For now, there is no information regarding the price for the Proton X50 and Honda HR-V challenger, but they are being sold in China from RMB 110,000 (RM 73k) to RMB 150,000 (RM 99k).

What is the Chery Omoda 5?

The futuristic-looking Omada 5 is slightly bigger than the Proton X50 and the
new generation Honda HR-V
 according to its official dimensions. However, moving that slightly bigger body around won't be a problem, as the Omoda 5 has a strong performer underneath the hood, with 197PS and 290Nm coming from a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which sends power to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Busy design that works somehow

In terms of its design, there's definitely a lot going on, from contrasting coloured accents to a jumble of character lines. Still, it might be up your alley if you like modern and futuristic B-segment SUVs, especially one that has a colossal wraparound front grille.

The interior is impressive too!

Inside, Chery has seemed to have done some excellent work with the cabin layout and design, looking very elegant and ergonomic with its mix of matte finishes and leather upholstery. This subtlety is very much at odds with the exterior but nonetheless a welcome relief.

There are dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment and digital instrument cluster, which supposedly supports Apple CarPlay. Unfortunately, the rest of the dashboard looks relatively minimal, with only a few buttons scattered about.

Safety

We're not sure what safety features it will come with, but stay tuned for more details as we get closer and closer to the official launch of the newest member of the B-segment SUV crew.


BMW Vision iNext Concept To Enter Production In 2021

BMW just presented its latest all-electric, semi-autonomous crossover concept called the Vision iNext Concept.
Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management at the BMW Group said, “The iNext project will provide our building blocks for the future, from which the entire company and all of its brands are set to benefit. It represents a new era of sheer driving pleasure.”
Boasting the size and proportions of a modern BMW SAV, the Vision iNext’s key exterior features include the Liquid Greyrose Copper paint, large, interlinked double-kidney grille, the iconic side window graphic, illuminated blue accents, integrated glass surfaces, super-slim headlights, a large panoramic roof, 24-inch wheels, touch-sensitive graphic door openers, opposing doors with no B-pillars, and an illuminated rear diffuser.
Inside, drivers can choose to either drive (in “Boost” mode) or be driven (“Ease” mode). While “Boost” mode uses an electric drive system, the “Ease” mode offers the driver and passengers a space in which to engage in a wide range of activities while the vehicle drives itself autonomously.
According to BMW, the cabin is akin to a comfortable and fashionably furnished “living space” on wheels.
Apart from the steering wheel and displays in the driver’s area, there are no other screens or controls to be seen in the BMW Vision iNext.
When driving in “Boost” mood the control display can be operated in conventional style using its touch functionality. But in “Ease” mode, the centre console’s wooden surface assumes this control function instead. Whenever any inputs are made, points of light resembling a comet’s tail will follow the finger.
The concept also comes with an Intelligent Personal Assistant which switches on in response to the prompt “Hey BMW”. The “assistant”, which is interlinked with the BMW Connected infotainment system, smart devices, and smart home networks, enables drivers to perform a multitude of tasks, even like closing the windows of their house, all by voice command.
That being said, BMW said that the series-produced version of the BMW iNext will assume the role of a new technology flagship, with production at the Dingolfing plant slated to begin in 2021.


Video: 2017 Honda City Facelift Exterior Walkaround

As reported yesterday, Honda Malaysia gave us an
early preview
 of the new City facelift, albeit only from the outside.
At the company’s annual media gathering, we were shown a special display unit of the new City in its range-topping V grade, its exterior fully uncovered but doors locked and windows blacked out, leaving a bit of a mystery as to what has been specified for the interior.
Bookings
opened on 1 February 2017
 and thus far, we know Honda will be trimming the line-up from four to three variants with all of them receiving keyless entry and electronic stability control (VSA). The new City is one of
at least four Honda models
 being slated for launch in 2017.
The range-topping V grade shown here exhibits full LED headlights, tail lights, DRLs, front fog lights, and spoiler-integrated third brake lights. Alloy rims are dual-toned, and there is a reverse camera peeking out of the boot lid too.
Take a closer look at these features and details on our brief walkaround video below:


Go For A Spin With The New Need For Speed Soundtrack

Music has always been a big part driving. Your long and short journeys are usually accompanied by familiar sounds and music that you like. The music driving experience had grown so far wide that your driving games are now probably packed with the latest hits of today.
Electronic Arts's racing video game Need for Speed (NSF) has compiled a list of speaker blasting tracks ranging from Grammy nominated record producer, Avicii to the electronic sounds of Major Lazer and original scores from Photek.
Go for a drive with the full NFS soundtrack on its official Spotify account.
Here's the full tracklist.
    * Aero Chord - Break Them feat. Anna Yvette
    * Aero Chord - Surface
    * Alison Wonderland - U Don’t Know (feat.  Wayne Coyne)
    * AVICII - Pure Grinding
    * Battle Tapes - Valkyrie
    * Botnek - Here It Comes (N4S Mix)
    * Botnek & 3LAU - Vikings
    * Clement Marfo & The Frontline - Get Rowdy
    * Congorock & Daddy’s Groove - Black Sun
    * CP feat. Danny Cainco - Don’t Stop
    * Dimension - Move Faster
    * Dirty South - The Unknown feat. FMLYBND
    * Django Django - Shake And Tremble
    * Doomtree - Gray Duck
    * Drenge - We Can Do What We Want
    * Fehrplay - Pyara (Live Edit)
    * Flosstradamus - Don’t Trip feat. Run The Jewels & Sizzy Rocket
    * Genetikk - Wünsch Dir Was
    * Going Quantum - Raw
    * GoMad! & Monster feat. Matt Rose - Under Control
    * GotSome - Vibe Out feat. Wiley
    * HEALTH - NEW COKE
    * Hook N Sling - Break Yourself feat. Far East Movement
    * Hudson Mohawke - Brand New World
    * iSHi feat. Pusha T - Push It
    * Joywave - Destruction (KOPPS Remix)
    * June Miller - Stormtrooper feat. Virus Syndicate
    * Junior Prom - Stand!
    * Kill The Noise - Lose Ya Love
    * Krakota - Ice Hands
    * Lokate - Flow (feat. Doctor & Bay C)
    * Louis Berry - 25 Reasons
    * Lynx - Clap Track
    * Lynx - Into The Light
    * Major Lazer - Night Riders feat. Travis Scott, 2 Chainz, Pusha T & Mad Cobra
    * Michael Woods feat. Sam Obernik - Get Around (Roni Size Remix)
    * Modestep - Machines
    * Muzzy - Insignia
    * Netsky - Rio
    * No Wyld - Odyssey
    * Phace - Imbalanced
    * Raury - Devil's Whisper
    * Refused - Elektra
    * Reso - Callisto
    * Reso - Move It
    * RiFF RAFF - Kokayne (Video Games Clean Version)
    * Rogue - Rattlesnake
    * Royalston - Blight Mamba
    * Run The Jewels - Blockbuster Night Pt. 1
    * Silversun Pickups - Connection
    * Slaves - Hey
    * Speaker Of The House - Modern Slang
    * Swim Deep - Fueiho Boogie
    * The Bots - Won
    * The Chemical Brothers - Go
    * The Glitch Mob - Better Hide, Better Run (feat. Mark Johns)
    * The One And Only PPL MVR - Let's Take This Outside
    * The Prodigy - Nasty (Spor Remix)
    * The Strypes - Get Into It
    * Trentemøller - Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider Go!!!
    * Tropkillaz - Make The Crowd (NFS VIP Remix)
    * Vaults - Lifespan (Spor Remix)
    * Wolfgang Gartner - Turn Up Feat. Wiley & Trina
    * Zeds Dead - Blink feat. Perry Farrell


Furious 8's Release Date Revealed To Be April 2017

Hot off the heels of Furious 7, the sentiment “one last ride” uttered during seventh instalment hasn’t much stuck with cast and crew. So for 2017, there will be a sequel called ‘Furious 8’ as revealed by Vin Diesel during the recent Cinema Con in Las Vegas.
Actually, the exact date that Mr Diesel pointed to was April 14
th
 2017, delivered after an emotional speech at Universal Studio’s presentation during the convention. The name Furious 8 itself isn’t confirmed, though. No other film franchise is more known to use unconventional title naming schemes, for better or worse.
It’s likely that this might be the final film in the series. After the spectacular action of Furious 7, it will be interesting to see how the team plans to top themselves. “We’re going to make the best movie you’ve ever seen,” said the actor shortly after announcing the planned release date. That’s a lot to expect but excusing the actor's overstatement, we’ll most likely be treated to a great spectacle either way come April 2017.
The tragic death of Paul Walker in a 2013 car accident just before filming wrapped loomed over Furious 7’s production and viewing experience. It’s sad to think of a Fast and Furious movie that’s missing the actor’s presence entirely.
It’s unclear who will step up as director for the last "one last ride" of Furious 8. Series veteran Justin Lin has his hands full directing Star Trek 3 while Furious 7 director James Wan hasn’t made any commitments to return and is also reported to be in talks to direct the upcoming Aquaman movie.


2018 Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Goes Official

Jaguar has officiated its most powerful road-going car to date, the XE SV Project 8 with 600 PS on tap. The company
previewed
 the new model roughly one month ago.
The 2018 Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is the second Collector's Edition by Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), following the earlier F-Type Project 7 back in 2014. Jaguar's most powerful road-going car will be hand-built at SVO's Technical Centre in Coventry. Only 300 units will be made available to ensure exclusivity.
Power is derived from Jaguar Land Rover's 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine that does 600 PS. Power is sent to all four wheels via Jaguar's All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. 0-60 mph is achieved in just 3.3 seconds, and top speed is a blistering 321 km/h. An eight-speed automatic comes as standard.
Engine aside, Jaguar has also given the new XE SV Project 8 a number of aerodynamic upgrades, including carbon fibre front bumper, rear bumpers and bonnet, 20-inch forged alloy wheels, adjustable front splitter, flat underbody, rear diffuser and adjustable rear wing. Thanks to all these enhancements, the Project 8 is Jaguar's lightest V8 sedan ever.
Elsewhere, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 also benefits from continuously variable dampers with a 15 mm lower ride height, new carbon ceramic braking system, ceramic wheel bearings and a rear Electronic Active Differential (EAD) with oil cooler.
Inside, gloss carbon fibre trim can be found on the sport steering wheel of the Project 88, instrument binnacle and door trim. Drivers can shift gears using aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by a central Pistolshift level, a first for the XE. On top of that, the Project 8 also receives a dedicated Track Mode that alters the driveline and stability control systems for circuit use.
Jaguar is offering the XE SV Project 8 in two trims. The first is a standard four-seat model with Jaguar's front bucket seats with magnesium frames. Next is the optional two-seat Track Pack that includes lightweight front carbon fibre racing seats with four-point harness fixed to a harness retention hoop that replaces the rear seats. Jaguar added that the XE SV Project 8 will only be built in left-hand drive format.


2015 Peugeot 308 THP Quick Review: All-New, But All-Conquering?

Just prior to the official Malaysian debut of the all-new 2015
Peugeot 308
 THP, Nasim Sdn Bhd gave us a quick shot at their all-new hotshot hatchback.
(Find out more about the 2015 Peugeot 308 launch here)
Primed to face competition from the all-conquering Volkswagen Golf in the local C-segment, the 308 hatchback, like the Golf Mk7, sits on a brand new architecture (EMP2), features a new six-speed automatic transmission, and if you simply look at it, it’s a very, very handsome departure from the previous 308’s looks.
A little over a week before the launch of the new 308, Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributors of
Peugeot
 vehicles in Malaysia, had several media out for a brief drive of the car all the way to Dungun and back to Kuala Lumpur. A relatively brief and packed schedule to keep up with over a day, here are our findings.
Buyer’s Guide:
Only one variant of the 308 is being made available in Malaysia, and that’s the THP 150 version we’ve been driving. Yes, the numbers show that this is the lesser of two 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbo four pots, but pushing 150hp and 240Nm of torque, there’s enough here to give the 140PS Golf 1.4 TSI a run for its money.
Where specifications are concerned, the C-segment Pug is a knockout, destroying the competition with an immense amount of premium exterior and interior features. Value for money? You’re almost guaranteed for it. Here’s the full scoop:
KEY SPECS: 2015 Peugeot 308 THP
Price:
RM132,888
Engine: 1.6-litre Twin Scroll THP (Turbo High Pressure)
Transmission: EAT6 Six-speed torque converter automatic (Aisin)
Power: 152PS @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm from 1,450rpm
Consumption: 6.5-litres/100km (claimed), 800km range from one tank (claimed)
Driving a 2015 Peugeot 308 THP:
PERFORMANCE:
 At the heart of all-new 308 is an engine that’s no stranger to the brand, continuing to rely on the Prince 1.6-litre THP twin-scroll turbo four-cylinder engine which develops 152PS and 240Nm of torque @ 1,450rpm. The unit is lively from a very early point in the rev range.
New to the 308 is an Aisin-sourced Efficient AT6 with Quickshift Technology, or commonly understood as a conventional six-speed torque converter automatic. You can get the shifts sharpened via a sports mode button too, which was quite an effective feature to us on our brisk drive. Strangely, the shift gate pattern felt a little unusual to navigate from P to R, N and D, and it wasn’t as smooth running through either – this could of course all be because the cars we drove were literally out of the factory, with only like 50km on them.
Exploring the throttle doesn’t spring any surprises, and the 308 gets up to speed as you’d expect a 150hp and 240Nm machine to. You’d also be kind to forgive us for not flooring it all the way, given how ‘green’ these engines were at the point of our test.
RIDE & HANDLING:
What we could thoroughly explore and enjoy was how good a chassis there was underneath us. Weighing 140kg less than before because of the clever techniques behind the EMP2 platform’s development, the result isn’t quite yet Golf-beating for handling, comfort and refinement, but it does get very close.
There’s a very communicative feeling from all four seats in the house, but not so much in a way that upsets comfort. The suspension geometry very nicely dampens any harshness uneven roads can throw at you, and it is pure joy to drive the all-new 308 on long highways.
Crossing way over the speed limit is so easy to do, given how well this car cruises at speed – if you drive it with some talent and practised anticipation, just ‘flowing’ your way through curvy roads like the Karak Highway becomes a breeze. Do brace yourself for a bit more body roll than you’d expect from a sporty European hatch.
DRIVING POSITION:
 It’s no surprise that Peugeot’s highly-acclaimed i-Cockpit has made its way into the all-new 308, having been successfully deployed in the 208, and 2008 before it. Now, it’s not that we don’t appreciate the design, but the fact of the matter is that for taller blokes like my six-foot self, the formula of a high instrument panel paired with low, compact steering wheel just doesn’t work. It’s acceptable in the 208, where it is a B-segment hatchback, but in a larger C-segment family hatch?
Fortunately, Peugeot say they’ve reworked it, slightly repositioning some of the elements like the instrument panel to accommodate taller passengers, and the attempt bears a noticeable difference. And if you were under six-feet tall, we imagine this would be brilliant. Just not for me, is all.
VISIBILITY:
 If you haven’t noticed it yet, there’s a massive panoramic moon roof up top, which together with the wide windows, allow a lot of light into the cabin of the 308, giving it a very spacious feel. Visibility is fantastic, apart from the rear windscreen which isn’t just small, but is flanked by D-pillars which appear to wrap around the rear corners of the car, limiting view out the back. For close quarters, you can safely rely on the car’s reverse camera, though.
Living with a 2015 Peugeot 308 THP:
Now, if we haven’t had the chance to say this yet, the all-new 308 is a beauty on the road. The reduced height and increased width of the car speaks volumes for how cool and ‘hunkered-down’ the 308 looks on the road – which made having the 15-or-so units on the road with us on a convoy all the better.
EXTERIOR:
The 31-LED headlamps flank a stylish new front grille, where around the back, the fun boomerang-type rear lights of the 208 has been matured into what you see on the 308 – which sets the theme for the car, doesn’t it? There’s bits and pieces of what we’ve already seen on other all-new Pugs, but they’ve been matured so well to fit on the 308.
Generously, Nasim Sdn Bhd specifies some gorgeous 18-inch Sapphire lightweight alloy wheels, too.
INTERIOR:
 Having already elaborated on the sophistication of the award-winning i-Cockpit above and formed of our opinions of that for you, here’s a look at what else we could get our hands on.
First thing to notice as you settle yourself into the sporty Alcantara upholstery seats is the level of refinement here. Softer materials are used where you will and won’t rest your arms and legs, and there isn’t a boring piece in the car: everything has been sculpted and curved very impressively.
The minimalist approach is well-appreciated by this writer: there’s literally no clutter of buttons or dials. The massive 9.7-inch touchscreen has all its controls within, leaving only seven remaining controls on the dashboard: the door looks, window demister (front, rear), hazard lights, AC recirculation, music volume and CD eject button. And it’s all so sleekly done.
The instrument panel is illuminated very nicely, and the multi-info display screen presents lots of useful vehicle and driving info, clearly.
SPACIOUSNESS:
 Having a go at all four seats in the cabin revealed that for a six-footer like myself, the most spacious and comfortable seat in the house was the front passenger seat. The driver’s seat is plagued by the difficulty of the i-Cockpit, while rear headroom is hair-grazing, and legroom being just enough. As much as we like the ergonomic design and cleverness of the Pug, it just isn’t the most comfortable place to be for anyone six-feet tall, or over.
FEATURES:
 The 9.7-inch touchscreen is a major highlight of the cabin, given how responsive it is to the touch and how good it looks.  The menus aren’t the most intuitive to navigate, but can be gotten used to. A six-speaker Arkamys stereo is specified, and we’ve had no qualms over it in any of the previous models to benefit from the system. In short, there’s loads of tech in the 308 to keep you connected and entertained throughout.
Believe it or not, there is also a massage function for the two front seats! We couldn’t quite understand how the seat’s internal motions were actually massaging us, but we’ll admit to leaving it turned for most of our drive.
DYNAMIC CRUISE CONTROL:
 Nasim tells us that the 308’s DCC system makes it’s a first for the segment, and they may be right – this is something typically reserved for far more premium segments. Also new are the Emergency Collision Alert and Emergency Collision Braking, which we daren’t test on the public roads we were on.
Verdict: Here’s what we think…
The all-new 2015 Peugeot 308 makes a fantastic first impression. It’s a really handsome car, and has been generously specified with loads of equipment to make it good value for your money. Where ride quality, driving dynamics and cabin spaciousness matter, the refined and mature Volkswagen Golf Mk7 is still ahead of the game – and that’s not just against the 308; it’s a clear and outright benchmark for the segment.
Still, the Peugeot 308 has loads to impress us with, and with the Volkswagen brand suffering the kind of reputation it has at the moment, the French carmaker may have swooped in at the perfect time and price point to make a very, very solid case for itself.
The real question is this, though: At some RM15k more, would you be willing to set your heart on this, over the recently launched
2015 Mazda 3 CKD hatch/sedan
? All of Europe’s C-segmenters will have that too contend with, very soon.


Fuel Price Update: 13th To 19th April – 5 Sen Up For RON97

The Ministry of Finance Malaysia has announced the price of petrol and diesel fuels starting from 13
th
 April.
The price of RON97 petrol will increase 5 sen to RM 2.68 per litre, while the price of RON95 petrol will remain at RM 2.08 per litre.
The price of diesel will remain at RM 2.18 per litre for Euro 2M and RM 2.28 for Euro 5 respectively.
In summary, the prices for petrol and diesel are listed below:
RON95 – RM 2.08 per litre (unchanged, capped)
RON97 – RM 2.68 per litre (up 5 sen)
Diesel Euro 2M – RM 2.18 per litre (unchanged, capped)
Diesel Euro 5M – RM 2.28 per litre (unchanged, capped)


5 Things That Make The Toyota Hilux The Ultimate Off-Roader

As much as pickup trucks have evolved, offering almost car-like comfort, refinement, convenience, there is no denying the fact that they are essentially workhorses that are designed and engineered to function in any surroundings.

This explains why manufacturers never compromise on the toughness and the off-road capabilities of pickup trucks, as a big bulk of them still go off-road on a regular basis.

Take Toyota for example – No matter how far ahead the Hilux has come in terms of comfort and refinement, it is still the undisputed king of pickup trucks when it comes to off-roading, thanks to these features:

Active Traction Control (A-TRC)

Aiming to maintain forward momentum to drive through tough situations easily, the A-TRC system detects whenever a wheel loses traction in L4 mode, and immediately brakes that wheel and transfers power to the other wheel on the axle.

Downhill-Assist Control (DAC)

The DAC system here really comes in handy while driving through steep, slippery slopes. How it works is that it controls the brakes independently and makes sure the Hilux doesn’t slide or lose grip and traction.

Rear Differential Lock

One of the most vital components as far as off-roading is concerned, is the Hilux’s rear differential lock. What it does is improve traction on undesirable road conditions by providing equal amounts of torque to both rear wheels.

4WD Transfer Dial

Switching from 2WD to 4WD has never been easier and more effortless. With just a twist of a knob, the driver can switch from 2WD to 4WD and back in the blink of an eye.

Enhanced Suspension

The latest version of the Hilux we have here comes with larger shock absorbers, which have significantly increased the ride comfort and stability. However, the suspension has also been designed in a way that the Hilux now provides improved roll stiffness, off-road traction, and also wheel articulation.

With all of the systems above working hand in hand, complemented by the powerful and reliable 2.4- and 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engines, the Hilux has what it takes to conquer any beaten track that comes in its way.


2023 Toyota Vios (AC100) Launched In Malaysia From RM89k - Expectations Defied?

UMW Toyota Malaysia has just launched the all-new 4th-generation Vios, no doubt one of the most hotly anticipated cars to be introduced locally in 2023.

2023 Toyota Vios 1.5E - RM89,600

2023 Toyota Vios 1.5G - RM95,500

Locally assembled in Bukit Raja and offered in 2 variants priced from RM89,600 for the 1.5E and RM95,500 for the more highly specified 1.5G, the Vios is keen to take the shine out of its arch-nemesis, the Honda City. Then again, it does now also carry a slightly more upmarket price and feature set. Only time will tell if it’ll be the big hit its predecessors were.

Since bookings were opened on February 24th, they say that more than 5,000 orders have been received. So, a pretty warm reception so far.

“We are excited to kick off the year with the launch of the All-New Toyota Vios, which represents our commitment to providing our customers with the best quality vehicles and services. We look forward to a promising year ahead, full of opportunities to drive Malaysia’s economic growth and development,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

The local distributor says that since its initial debut here two full decades ago in 2003, the highly successful Vios has sold over 500,000 units, making it one of the most popular non-national cars to be sold in Malaysia.

We already know the all-new model is quite a bit different under the skin, but the skin itself than is quite a pretty one, adopting a fastback roofline design and visual cues taken straight off the Camry, including a very fetching set of 17-inch wheels. Overall, it’s a more stylish and charismatic proposition than its previous iterations.

Both variants of the 4th-gen Vios are fitted with a 2NR-VE 1.5-litre naturally aspirated Dual VVT-i engine that delivers a respectable 106PS and 138Nm paired with a CVT that offers 7 virtual ratios for a more conventional auto-like stepped shift behaviour.

Of course, the big story here is the fact that the Vios now rides on the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform that’s also used as the basis for the Perodua Ativa, Perodua Alza, and Perodua Axia. And in case you were wondering. Yes, that CVT is essentially the D-CVT found in those other Perodua models.

Thanks to this new underpinnings, the Vios boasts much improved refinement, packaging, and dynamic potential. Dimensionally, it has grown significantly over the car it replaces, adding 70mm for a wheelbase of 2,620mm (20mm more than the Honda City’s), promising a larger cabin feel.

Inside, the Vios has been thoroughly modernised with a semi-digital instrument cluster and 9-inch freestanding infotainment screen with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The mix of materials and a more ergonomic layout is also vastly improved, giving the impression that the Vios is most definitely shedding its past persona for one more upmarket to match its higher price tag. There’s even 64-colour ambient interior lighting!

That sleeker fastback profile not only impedes slightly on rear headroom, but has also seemed to cost the Vios some practicality as its boot capacity has been reduced to 475-litres from just over 500-litres in the older model.

You’ll be reassured to know, however, that both variants of the Vios come as standard with the full complement of Toyota Safety Sense, adding active safety and driver assist features such as Pre-Collision (Automated Emergency Braking), Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Keep Assist, Auto High Beam, and Adaptive Cruise Control in addition to a 3D panoramic view monitor and Blind Spot Monitoring.

Passive safety comes in the form of 6 airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, hill start assist, and all the rest of the usual suspects.

Like all Toyota models, the Vios comes with a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Owners will also enjoy 24SEVEN Road Assist and a free three-year subscription to the Toyota Vehicle Telematics System which monitors the car’s location at all times.