The Putrajaya MRT Line is expected to fetch around 200,000 passengers

The long-awaited full operation of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Putrajaya Line is coming closer by the day, and when it is in full swing, it is expected to fetch around 200,000 passengers within two years.

The line is expected to be
fully completed this March
, and Transport Minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook is optimistic about its operation.

He said to Bernama that the MRT Putrajaya Line Phase Two is now 99.9% complete, and he hopes it attracts more members of the public to use the service.

"We hope it can reach 200,000 daily passengers within a two year period, that is our hope, but like any MRT or LRT (Light Rail Transit) service, it will take time to reach that target.

"Like MRT Satu and Kajang Line (MRT Kajang Line), we started with a low number, but since then, it has reached about 200,000 passengers. It took about two years to reach that number," he said.

The starting frequency will see a five-minute interval between each train. The Putrajaya MRT Line project cost RM30.53 billion, covering 36 stations and involving 49 train sets.

Anthony Loke also took the opportunity to say that he is looking into upgrading the Titiwangsa station, as it is part of the route and is one of the main transport hubs connecting several modes of transport, namely the monorail, Ampang LRT route, MRT2 (Putrajaya route) and MRT3 which will be built.

"Initially the station expansion was planned together with the construction of the MRT3, but I told the MRT Corp that maybe we need to look at this and do it earlier, before the (MRT3) construction," he said.

The full operation of MRT Putrajaya Phase Two will also make it easier for the public to access Kuala Lumpur Hospital, especially when it is equipped with a 400-meter 'walkalator'.

107 intermediary buses are also provided to support the MRT2 service, hopefully encouraging the public to use the facility.

The ministry will also examine various approaches to improve the first and last-mile system, including the proposal to introduce vehicle sharing in collaboration with e-hailing companies which will hopefully result in cheaper fares.

Asked about the latest status of MRT3, Loke said his side was waiting for project approval and tender approval from the Ministry of Finance.


Coldplay Taja Kapal Interceptor 005 Untuk Bersihkan Sungai di Malaysia

Interceptor 005 AKA Neon Moon 1, sebuah kapal
autonomi
 yang bertindak sebagai alat pembersih sungai dengan mengutip sisa plastik di sungai Malaysia dijangka akan mula beroperasi pada pertengahan tahun ini selepas ditaja oleh Coldplay!

Sebuah kumpulan muzik dari Britain, Coldplay telah mengumumkan kerjasama mereka dengan The Ocean Cleanup, sebuah NGO dari Belanda dalam usaha mencegah sisa pencemaran sungai daripada masuk ke laut.

Coldplay dilaporkan telah menyumbang RM3.2 juta (AS$777,000) untuk membina kapal yang kini berada dalam proses pembinaan di Klang dengan kerjasama firma Finland, Konecranes. Meskipun Coldplay belum lagi pernah membuat persembahan di Malaysia, namun Malaysia bakal menjadi negara pertama yang bakal menerima Interceptor 005 tajaan mereka!

*Kredit foto: The Ocean Cleanup

Walau bagaimanapun, ini bukanlah mesin Interceptor pertama yang diterima Malaysia. Malaysia telah menerima Interceptor 002 pada Ogos 2019 dan kini ditempatkan di Sungai Klang, Selangor. Tapi untuk generasi Interceptor yang ketiga, Malaysia terpilih sebagai negara pertama yang bakal menerima manfaatnya.

*Kredit foto: The Ocean Cleanup

Bagi yang masih tidak tahu, Interceptor merupakan sebuah kapal yang mampu memerangkap hingga 100 tan sampah terapung di sungai dalam masa sehari. Kapal ini merupakan teknologi inisiatif The Ocean Cleanup yang berazam ingin membendung pencemaran di 1,000 sungai paling tercemar di dunia termasuk Malaysia, Indonesia, Republik Dominica, Vietnam, Amerika Syarikat, Jamaica dan Thailand.

*Kredit foto: The Ocean Cleanup

Jadi bagaimana kapal ini berfungsi? Kapal bertenaga
solar
 ini bakal ditempatkan di sungai tercemar dimana sisa-sisa pencemaran sungai akan dialirkan masuk ke dalam bahagian ‘mulut’ jentera ini. Kemudian, sisa sampah terbabit akan diasingkan daripada air sungai dan dibawa naik ke kapal menggunakan tali sawat.

*Kredit foto: The Ocean Cleanup

Oleh kerana kapal ini berfungsi secara autonomi atau dengan sendirinya, Interceptor ini juga mampu untuk memenuhkan kesemua enam tong sampah yang diletakkan di dalam kapal secara sama rata. Apabila sudah penuh, Interceptor bakal menghantar isyarat kepada pengendali tempatan bagi membawa keluar tong sampah yang sudah penuh itu.

*Kredit foto: The Ocean Cleanup

Generasi ketiga Interceptor ini menerima beberapa penambahbaikan baru tidak seperti interceptor generasi kedua seperti yang digunakan di Sungai Klang, Jakarta dan Santo Domingo. Bagi meningkatkan tahap efisien jentera ini, tali sawat yang digunakan Interceptor 005 kini ialah 2.5 meter, 1.6 kali lebih lebar berbanding sebelumnya bagi mengurangkan aliran obstruktif serta memberikan proses pembahagian sampah yang lebih lancar untuk memenuhkan enam tong sampah yang tersedia. Lihat lah perbezaan generasi kedua dan ketiga ini berdasarkan gambar dibawah.

*Kredit foto: The Ocean Cleanup

Selain kelebaran tali sawat dipertingkatkan, saiz tong sampah yang berada dalam kapal tersebut kini lebih lebar dan besar untuk memudahkan kerja-kerja pembahagian sampah serta memperbanyakkan lagi jumlah kutipan sampah yang boleh dibuat dalam masa sehari.

*Kredit foto: The Ocean Cleanup

Interceptor 005 ini bakal hadir dengan panel solar monocrystalline serta sistem penyimpanan tenaga pintar yang lebih kecil, namun mampu memenuhi 100% tenaga yang diperlukan bagi menggerakkan kapal ini. Selain itu, model Interceptor 005 ini juga menggunakan rangka serta struktur catamaran yang dibina semula dari mula. Rekaan modularnya direka khas bagi memudahkan urusan pembersihan dan mudah untuk digunakan secara global.

Bagi mereka yang masih kempunan untuk melihat persembahan Coldplay di Malaysia, jangan bersedih kerana sekurang-kurangnya idola muzik anda membantu dalam membersihkan sungai di Malaysia. Sebagai peminat Coldplay mahupun penduduk Malaysia, ayuh lah sama-sama kita sokong usaha ini dengan memberhentikan tabiat membuang sampah ke dalam sungai.

Ingin menyertai atau menyumbang bagi program ini? Mudah saja, layari laman web rasmi The Ocean Cleanup di
https://theoceancleanup.com/
 untuk maklumat lanjut.


BMW Engine Oil Service Packages Are Now Available on Lazada

BMW Authorised Dealers are now offering BMW Engine Oil Service Packages on e-commerce platform Lazada, to provide customers with easier access to Original BMW Engine Oil and Service as part of the initiative to further enhance the BMW premium ownership experience.
The Engine Oil Service Packages are offered from RM450 onwards, for specific models of the BMW 3 Series (E46 and E90), and BMW 5 Series (E60). The packages include Original BMW Engine Oil, BMW Oil Filter, and labour.
For a peace of mind ownership experience, owners can utilise their BMW Engine Oil Service Packages via three easy steps:
Purchase the BMW Oil Change Service via any of the participating dealers on Lazada.
The BMW authorised dealer will call owners within one business day to schedule an appointment.
Drive in on the day of appointment for the BMW Oil Change Service.
The Packages are valid with participating BMW Authorised Dealers including:
Central region
Auto Bavaria Glenmarie
,
Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur
,
Auto Bavaria Sungai Besi
,
Ingress Auto Damansara
Northern region
Auto Bavaria Penang
,
Lee Motors Auto Care: Alor Setar
,
Tian Siang Premium Auto: Butterworth
,
Tian Siang Premium Auto: Ipoh
Southern region
Auto Bavaria Johor Bahru
,
Seong Hoe Premium Motors Melaka
,
Wearnes Autohaus Tebrau


Review: Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 – An Affair That BMW Fans Will Want To Risk

This is Mercedes-Benz’s latest four-door coupe offering – the CLS 450, the third generation model of the ‘Coupe Leicht Sport’ family. It’s meant to compete with the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (discontinued locally) but the group of people that should be most excited for the all-new CLS 450 are BMW fans.
Why? Installed under the CLS 450’s curvaceously wide and expansive bonnet is a straight-six engine – something which BMW is famous for but due to our prohibitive taxes, six-pot engines are not offered by local BMW dealers unless you buy an M4, or open your cheque book for a special request order.
A straight-six is to BMW what a V12 is to Lamborghini, or a flat-four is to Subaru, and in some cases, a flat-six to Porsche. Historically, Mercedes-Benz have produced some notable straight-six engines but none were deemed to be as good as BMW’s, at least not until the debut of the M256 straight-six powering this CLS 450 (and the S450L too).
Prior to this, Daimler’s accountants have in the last two decades elected a V6 over a straight-six. The commonality of parts between a V6 and a V8, the latter installed inside a large number of Mercedes-Benz models, helped keep cost low. But apart from advantages in packaging, a V6 is always a compromise simply because the ideal bank angle for a V8 won’t be ideal for a V6. Plus, having an uneven number of pistons in constant up-down motion also means that it’s never as smooth as a V8 or a straight-six.
But in the last five years, something triggered the minds of Daimler’s accountants. Ever tightening emissions regulations means that the market share of V8s continue to drop while Daimler is now producing more inline four-cylinder engines than ever before, which also means that making a straight-six off an inline four-cylinder block might be more economical than making a V6 off a V8.
The fact that a straight-six requires less complicated turbo piping, intakes and exhaust manifolds, and half as many camshafts are added bonuses.
The M256 made its Malaysian debut in the new
S450L
 but where you really want to experience this gem of an engine is in a much more expressive CLS 450. The S450L is about insulating you from the outside world but this CLS 450 takes more liberties in piping the engine’s characterful intake and exhaust notes into the cabin.
Our time in this particular CLS 450 was no more than twenty minutes, split between the customary photo shots and a short drive around the coastal roads of Cherating, shared with Top Gear Malaysia’s Darly Loy. As such, we won’t go too much into the details.
Before that, here are the vital stats:
Specifications for Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4Matic Edition 1
Engine: 3.0-litre straight-six, turbocharged, mild hybrid
Transmission: 9-speed torque converter automatic (9G-Tronic), all-wheel drive
Power: 367 hp at 5,500 – 6,100 rpm (excluding ISG’s 22 hp)
Torque: 500 Nm at 1,600 – 4,000 rpm (excluding ISG’s 250 Nm)
Price: RM 698,888, excluding insurance
Origin: Imported from Sindelfingen, Germany
This particular car is an Edition 1 variant, so it gets additional goodies like Copper Art interior with black nappa leather upholstery, copper coloured accents, IWC analogue clock, and a unique diamond-effect grille.
Approaching the car, this all-new CLS-Class is incrementally better looking than its two predecessors, which were equally attention grabbing but never benefited from the haute couture-like styling touches that this all-new model has.
Climbing inside the CLS 450, the interior is similar to its sister-car the E-Class, which it shares the same platform with, except for the lower roofline in the rear, and Edition 1 leather upholstery fitted to this particular unit. While its predecessors seat only four, all CLS models now sits five.
A quick glance at the fully digital instrument cluster – with EQ logo plus Power and Charge indicator bars - identifies this CLS 450 as a hybrid. However unlike the E350e, this CLS 450 doesn’t carry the ‘e’ suffix in its name, simply because this is just a mild hybrid rather than a plug-in hybrid.
A mild hybrid simply means that unlike a full-hybrid Toyota Camry Hybrid or Honda City Hybrid, the CLS 450 cannot accelerate from standstill in electric power alone, and unlike the plugin-hybrid E350e, you can’t plug it into a power socket to top up the battery for longer electric-only driving range.
Instead, it uses a small 250 Nm/ 22 hp EQ Boost Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) motor that doubles as a starter motor and an alternator.
During coasting, the generator recovers energy, which is then stored in a 48V battery, which will then power a variety of on-board electrical systems like water pumps and air-conditioning compressor, thus reducing load on the engine and therefore (marginally) less fuel consumption. During acceleration, the ISG will deliver additional boost. Under ideal conditions, the ISG will shave 0-100 km/h acceleration time to 4.8 seconds.
The conventional 12V battery will still remain, powering lights, cockpit, infotainment displays and control units.
Note that the ISG’s outputs should not be numerically added to the engine’s torque and power figures, as they peak at different rotational speeds. It also explains why the driving experience isn’t anywhere near the 500 Nm + 250 Nm sum suggests. You will however feel the extra bit of assistance, giving the engine a healthy torque spread throughout the rev range.
With the technical bits done, we drove out of the car park and it didn’t take more than 50 metres before we asked ourselves if the car had a BMW straight-six in front, and that’s a good thing, a really good compliment!
For decades, BMW fans here have been left wanting for a straight-six powered model and here we are, driving a locally-registered, warrantied by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia straight-six engine that drives like a BMW. Oh the irony!
Accelerating out of a junction, the CLS gave out a masculine grunt reminiscent of BMW’s glorious past, and what a treat it was. The effortless manner in which it pulls ahead, the linearity of its power delivery despite being turbocharged, the aural sensation it delivers into the cabin, it reminded us of the best of BMW’s straight-six engines found in the 40i series models that local BMW dealers don’t carry.
This CLS 450 doesn’t carry an AMG badge but the driving sensation was so good, and the exhaust note was on par with a V6-powered 43-series AMG! The M256 is easily one of the best engines I have driven in recent time.
Ride quality isn’t Mercedes-Benz’s forte, at least not with the current generation of cars. The truth is that many non-air suspension equipped Mercedes-Benz models today have fallen short when it comes to striking the right balance between comfort and performance. These days, an equivalent BMW or Volvo tends to ride more comfortably than the equivalent non-air suspension variant Mercedes-Benz but not this CLS 450.
The CLS 450 rides on regular steel springs with passive adaptive dampers (Sport+, Sport, Comfort modes on the AMG Dynamic Select doesn't alter the suspension), but our butt tells us that it rides more comfortably, with better body control than the last E-Class we drove, the E350e with Air Body Control. Intellectually, we know that doesn’t make much sense, but if you want to know how our butts felt, that’s the honest answer. Given our short time with the car, we could be wrong but the roads around Cherating are not the smoothest stretches of tarmac either.
When Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched the all-new CLS-Class back in August, they used the tagline ‘Risk An Affair.’ They might have something else in mind but for many purist drivers faithful to BMW’s glorious old school straight-six engines, the M256 is certainly a temptation they cannot resist.
Better still, this engine is also available in a higher state of tune (435 hp/520 Nm), in the form of the 53-series AMG models – available in Malaysia in the
CLS 53
 (from RM 878,888), and the soon to be launched
E53 sedan and coupe
 (estimated from RM 740,000).
A more conclusive review will be published once we get more time behind the CLS 450’s steering wheel.


2022 Toyota Veloz Launched As A More 'Atas' Avanza In Thailand. Same For Malaysia?

For MPV buyers in Thailand, it’s all about the 2022 Toyota Veloz that has just made its market debut there. Not only does it build on those foundations with more upmarket appointments and a heftier standard equipment list, for a higher price, but it seemingly
supplants the Avanza altogether
.

In Thailand, there is no Innova purchasable from Toyota with prospective MPV buyers given the choice between the Innova, Sienta, and now the Veloz, which sounds like a pretty good fit for the Malaysian line-up as well. That being said, we all know how much the Thais
love their pimped-out HiAces
.

The Veloz, despite the name change, can’t change its stripes nor its roots as the Avanza that first sprung to cater to the Indonesian market. This generation adopted the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) shared with the Perodua Ativa and possibly
the rumoured next-generation Alza
.

Prices have not stayed level, though, and to accommodate its elevated status and beefier standard spec, the range kicks off at 795,000 baht (roughly RM102,800) for the entry-level Smart variant. Above this is the Veloz Premium at 875,000 baht (roughly RM113,000).

To put that into some perspective, though the Avanza has been missing from UMW Toyota Motor’s stable since its
brief run in 2019 in post-facelift guise
, it was lobbed for RM80,888 for the 1.5E went up to RM87,888 for the range-topping 1.5S+.

So yeah, a big jump in price.

Still, some effort has been made to give the exterior some extra oomph with squinty LED headlights and taillights, 16-inch alloy wheels, as well as a bolder fascia overall that’s matched to a rather prominent shoulder crease line and wheel arches.

Powering this 2022 7-seater Veloz MPV is the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 2NR-FE four-cylinder petrol as the Myvi and Aruz, outputting 106PS and 138Nm fed to (unlike before) the front wheels via a conventional 4-speed automatic instead of the newer D-CVT.

If you’re in the market for the most passenger carrying capacity for the least money and are used to the paltry performance of cars like the current Toyota Rush
or Mitsubishi Xpander
, the Veloz is about par for the course.

What sets it apart is the higher-grade appointments. It’s doesn’t offer Maybach levels of opulence but the blend of clean ergonomic lines and well thought out materials does elevate it over the Avanza
and Daihatsu Xenia
.

Silver trim accents are aplenty, a 9-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), an integrated Qi wireless smartphone charging pad, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, and even a 360-degree camera for deft urban manoeuvring.

This is bolstered by the standard fitment of the Toyota Safety Sense suite that adds Autonomous Emergency Braking, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Blind Spot Monitoring. Predictably, this is all reserved for the high-spec Veloz Premium.

With the Malaysian stable of MPVs from Toyota lacking some variety since the disappearance of the Sienta and Avanza, perhaps the Veloz would serve as a worthy new entry alongside the Rush and Innova. Local buyers might justify that higher price considering its comprehensive equipment list….and that Toyota badge.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Launches New Online Shop

The new Mercedes-Benz virtual showroom makes it easy for you to buy a Merc from the comfort of your sofa.

The COVID-19 infested world has changed the way people buy things, as such many businesses including cars have had to
adapt to the current times
 to remain approachable and relevant.

With this notion in mind, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has just launched a new e-commerce platform, which acts as a virtual showroom that allows customers to browse their dream cars online.

Now available for both new and
Mercedes-Benz Certified pre-owned cars
, customers can use this feature to instantly search for stock availability, calculate financing options and directly request a quote from their preferred dealer.

According to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, the e-commerce platform is part of its comprehensive strategy to further enhance its position in the current luxury and performance segment. Amidst a challenging year ahead, the company intends to build a strong momentum by offering desirable and innovative products by leveraging its strength as a luxury brand and grow local economic value.

Dr. Claus Weidner, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia said, “2020 placed great demands on us as a society. Despite the challenges, the situation also presented us with an opportunity to be more resilient and agile in this new technology-led environment. While our customers' safety is our top priority, we explore innovative ways to optimize our offerings. The virtual showroom is an example of our pursuit in continuous digitalization effort to bring the best experiences for our customers.”

The new virtual showroom serves as an avenue to engage with all existing and future customers so that they can start their vehicle ordering process from the comfort of their homes. Interested customers will be informed of stock availability within the search criteria at the selected dealership.

To access the new virtual showroom, interested parties can visit www.mercedes-benz.com.my.  Upon model selection, users can ask to “Request for Quote”  and  “Contact Me”, where a quote will be generated for the specific vehicle along with a dedicated sales agent assigned. Its Financial Services Widget also provides customers with a monthly finance quote based on the actual car price.


S**t Malaysians Say At Roadblocks - MCO 3.0

The police have been encountering all manner of reasons being used by motorists as an excuse to
travel inter-district
 – bordering from the reasonable to the downright ludicrous. Bernama reports that as of now, the police have been empathetic enough to let them turn around but warn that they will start to act without compromise and issue compounds if this behaviour continues.

Petaling Jaya District Police Chief ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said that since a number of major roadblocks were set up on May 9th, many stubborn motorists still try to travel interstate with excuses that are not valid given the severity of the pandemic.

Among the stupid excuses police have been told for travelling inter-state:

Buying goods and/or groceries -
Kena beli screwdriver Encik untuk DIY

Going to market -
Ayam kat Tesco lagi segar, ayam kat mini mart tak sedap nak masak rendang

Shopping for Hari Raya -
Baju raya kat Jalan TAR murah - Isteri saya nak warna pink

Sending clothes to friends -
Nak hantar baju kat rumah kawan

Delivering cookies to relatives and friends -
These are Raya cookies for my friend

Visiting vehicle workshop -
Mau check kereta Tuan, pomen cakap mentol lampu sudah bakar

Checking on a rented home -
I'm going to check on my rental house to make sure it's still there

While the above aren't actual conversations, the reasons are actually true. We're sure however you know or can imagine Malaysians providing these reasons at roadblocks.

Thus far, police have been allowing drivers to turn back without issuing compounds but this treatment won’t continue for long. He added that police would open additional routes to facilitate the movement of goods and services during the workday but strict inspections would continue as per the SOP.

Separately, the police have also warned against drivers who plan to produce fake documents to travel. Police warn that this amounts to forgery and advise Malaysians to call off any plans like this unless they want to face the full measure of the law. These cases will not be taken lightly.

This is a response to some cases of motorists using reproduced PDRM or MITI letters that were found to be scanned, digitally edited (in certain cases with forged signatures) and reprinted for use.

As per the SOP, motorists travelling inter-state for work or economic activities are required to produce original MITI documents, accompanied by official letters from their employers. All other reasons for inter-state travel require a PDRM letter which is verified by the police for authenticity before being issued.

Following
yesterday’s announcement
 - a nationwide
MCO 3.0
 will be enforced starting May 12th - June 7th, 2021. This bars any and all interstate travel excepting travel for emergencies, medical reasons,
work
, economic reasons, vaccination appointments and for long-distance couples.

As a note to all our readers – we understand that this pandemic has been tough on all members of the public, but do note, these restrictions are in place to keep all Malaysian safe, because what is Malaysia without its people. This is a humble request to find every possible measure to stay at home and stay safe. We can and will get through this together. #kitajagakita

For more latest car news, reviews, car buying guides and videos visit us at Carlist.my
Auto News
.

Check out all the best new & used car deals in Malaysia at
Carlist.my.

Sell your car fast with the best offer? Visit us at
CarlistBid.my
.

Get the latest new car promotions at
New Car
 website now.


Perodua Sales Goes Sky High As Recovery Continues

Perodua vehicle deliveries continued to improve for three consecutive months by 102% to 14,160 units in September from 6,988 units in August as the supply situation gradually improves.

"The automotive supply chain has shown improvements but have yet to reach their full potential. We are continuously working with our suppliers and dealers to further improve productivity and safety," said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato' Zainal Abidin.

He explained that despite the gradual growth in
production
 and sales, Perodua has ensured that vehicles produced were accompanied by strict quality surveillance measures in Perodua's operations. This is to ensure customer satisfaction and the production of
well-built
 vehicles.

"We would like to thank our customers for their patience as we are now increasing production," said Zainal.

From the perspective of vehicles sold year-to-date, Perodua has sold 119,093 vehicles between
January and September
 2021 compared to 145,012 units in the same period of 2020.

Compared to the second quarter of this year to the third quarter, sales declined by 44.6% to 21,803 units between July and September from 39,381 vehicles registered between April and
June this year
.

That plummet in sales was due to the second nationwide movement restriction (
MCO
), which began on 1 June 2021 and ended in stages starting 16 August 2021.

The outlook for the
fourth quarter of 2021
 provides a better forecast than the previous two quarters, especially given the significant increase in the reduction of COVID-19 cases nationwide and the vaccination rate approaching 90 percent of Malaysia's adult population.


All-New Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan Detailed, End-2018 Debut

Mercedes-Benz has detailed its upcoming A-Class Sedan ahead of its end-2018 debut. The new premium subcompact sedan will be shown to the public for the first time at the upcoming Paris Motor Show from 4th to 14th October 2018.
The all-new A-Class Sedan is the third model to be built on the company’s updated MFA platform, after the A-Class Hatchback and China market A-Class L Sedan. The key difference between the hatchback and the Chinese A-Class L Sedan is the latter's 60 mm longer wheelbase. Outside of China, the A-Class Sedan will have a shorter 2,729 mm wheelbase, identical to the hatchback.
Dimensions wise, the all-new A-Class Sedan comes in at 4,549 mm long, with a width of 1,796 mm and a height of 1,446 mm. Its 420-litre boot is identical to the Chinese A-Class L Sedan.
Like the A-Class hatchback, the sedan features the same low front bonnet flanked by a pair of halogen headlights with integrated LED DRLs, though the Multibeam LED headlights are available as an option. 16- to 19-inch wheels are available for the all-new A-Class Sedan.
Inside, the A-Class Sedan shares the same dashboard as its hatchback sibling, including the excellent Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. The infotainment system comes with dual 7-inch displays as standard, while the dual 10.25-inch displays are optional. Support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also built into the system.
At launch, the all-new A-Class Sedan will receive two powertrains, namely:
A200 with a 163 hp and 250 Nm turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic.
A180d with a 116 hp and 260 Nm turbodiesel paired to a 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic.
The company also stated that even the base model is feature laden, as it comes standard with the Mercedes-Benz user Experience (MBUX) infotainment system and advanced driving assistance like Active Brake Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.
Similarly, the all-new A-Class Sedan benefits from active safety equipment first seen in the S-Class, allowing the compact sedan to drive semi-autonomously in certain conditions by utilizing an improved camera and radar systems.
Closer to home, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is considering to introduce the
all-new A-Class Sedan here,
 though remains to be seen if the new A-Class Sedan will replace the CLA-Class.


0% GST Price To Remain For Volkswagen Models Until November, While Stocks Last

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today announced an extension of the tax holiday for its range of models with the Price Protection Scheme.
The Scheme covers all Volkswagen models registered from now till 15
th
 November 2018, while stocks last.
In response to the upcoming implementation of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) on the 1
st
 of September 2018, any difference in the vehicle price based on the current 0% GST prices will be absorbed by VPCM.
The Scheme is applicable to all Volkswagen models sold in Malaysia, both locally assembled and imported.
Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM said “The response in the past three month since the announcement of 0% GST has been overwhelming and we have been trying to keep up with the demand for stock.”
“The introduction of this Price Protection Scheme is a way for VPCM to assure our customers that we have their best interest at heart, so we urge customers to place their bookings now and enjoy the extended tax holidays”.
All Volkswagen models come with 3 years free maintenance, 5 years manufacturer’s warranty and 5 years roadside assistance.


Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, Now In Malaysia From RM 1.1 million

Love the AMG GT coupe but wished it was a bit more usable? Well Mercedes-Benz has done to the AMG GT what Porsche did to the 911 with the Panamera, and what you see here is the end result.
The AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is now available in Malaysia. Three variants are available:
GT 43 4Matic+ (367 hp/500 Nm): RM 1,098,888
GT 53 4Matic+ (435 hp/520 Nm): RM 1,298,888
GT 63S 4Matic+ (639 hp/900 Nm): RM 1,798,888
The most powerful 63S variant is powered by the same 4.0-litre biturbo V8 as the AMG GT, paired to a 9-speed multi-clutch AMG Speedshift transmission driving all four wheels.
The lower range 53 variant uses a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder while the 43 uses a V6 of similar capacity.
Although the four-door coupe variant’s front-end looks very similar to the AMG GT two-door coupe, there are no interchangeable body panels between the two. The four-door AMG GT coupe's rides on the same platform as the
CLS
 and its chassis has no relation to the AMG GT, in the same way a Porsche Panamera has no relation to the 911, despite being styled to look like a stretched four-door version
The model can be ordered as either a five- or four-seater, with the former adopting regular folding bench seats while the latter configuration comes with an option of two individual seat types – a standard individual seat and a ‘High Class Rear Seats’ package that adds a touchscreen on the rear-centre console. The screen allows rear occupants to control ambient lighting and air-conditioning.
Behind, the boot has a 395-litre capacity, with an additional 60 litres available beneath the boot floor. On the five-seater variants, the rear seat folds to increase boot capacity to 1,324 litres.
With this being a more comfort-biased model when compared to the two-door GT model, all the driving assistance function options available in the S-Class are also available in the GT 4-Door Coupe.
Find the best deals for new Mercedes-Benz cars
here
.


2015 Kia Cerato Koup Turbo Previewed @ 1 Utama, Est. From RM150k

Liked what you saw from the
2015 Hyundai Veloster Turbo
? Well,
Naza Kia
 Malaysia has duly responded with its own turbocharged coupe, in the form of the 2015
Kia Cerato
 Koup Turbo.
Yes, folks, stop rubbing your eyes, the Cerato Koup Turbo is actually here to take over from the long-gone Forte Koup 2.0L, and will be headed to a showroom near you. Naza Kia Malaysia has confirmed that the car will be launched in Malaysia very, very soon, and has given it an estimated price of RM150k – a price that’s highly likely to undercut the Veloster Turbo’s starting price of RM153k.
*Read our Quick Review of the Cerato Koup Turbo here
Performance:
Powered by a similar 1.6-litre T-GDI (turbo-gasoline direct injection) from its Hyundai cousin, the Kia Cerato Koup Turbo does however make more power, being rated for 204PS and 265Nm of torque, leaving it with an officially top speed of 222km/h, and a 0-100km/h sprint in 7.4 seconds.
Unlike the local-spec Veloster Turbo, the Cerato is equipped with a standard six-speed torque converter automatic transmission – the same kind you get from a regular Kia Cerato in Malaysia.
Speaking to Naza Kia Malaysia’s team, we understand that the Cerato Koup does also benefit from larger brakes and a reworked suspension, in line with Koup Turbo’s athletic nature.
KEY SPECS: 2015 Kia Cerato Koup Turbo 1.6 T-GDI
Price: RM150k estimated
Engine: GAMMA 1.6-litre T-GDI (Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection)
Transmission: Six-speed torque converter automatic
Power: 204PS @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 265Nm @ 1,750 to 4,500rpm
0-100km/h: 7.4 seconds
Top speed: 222km/h
Exterior Styling:
The Veloster of course has one extra door for rear passengers, courtesy of its 2+1 configuration, whereas the Cerato Koup features a full-on coupe body style, with just two doors, slooping roofline, and frameless doors.
Anyhow, the Cerato Koup introduces a much newer exterior design language from Kia, with its narrower signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, and large front bumper-grille combo with redesigned fog lamps. HID projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights are specified as standard.
Other key traits about the vehicles exterior include 18-inch alloy wheels in a five, twin split-spoke design, an electric-powered sunroof, a sporty rear diffuser, a boot-lid spoiler, and twin exhaust tailpipes.
Interior Design:
A quick glance at the dashboard reveals nearly no changes between this and your regular Cerato. However, with all four-door Cerato variants recently moving on to feature eight-inch LCD touchscreens, it looks like the new Koup has settled for the older two-DIN 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD with rear-view camera display.
Elsewhere, the front seats are a combination of leather and fabric upholstery, while the rear seats are fully wrapped in perforated leather. The steering wheel features the same cruise control, audio and Bluetooth control buttons, with of course the company’s Flex Steer button, which lets you choose from three different steering weights: Sport, Normal, Comfort.
Apart from the accommodation of lengthier doors and redesigned rear seat access, the Kia Cerato Koup remains largely identical to the regular Cerato in the inside.
But speaking of its new coupe accommodations, Kia has included various comfort items such as the seat-belt extenders for front drivers (something every coupe driver will appreciate), and as we’ll elaborate on in the review section of this article, rear passengers really have a lot to appreciate in the back.
Safety features:
Typically generous with its list of active and passive safety features, Naza Kia Malaysia has equipped their Koup Turbo with as much goodies as its normally-aspirated siblings feature.
Six airbags, ABS, EBD and Brake Assist are a given, further bolstered by Kia’s enveloping Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) umbrella, of which includes: Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill-Start Assist, Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock and Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock.


Here Are All The Game-Changing EV Manufacturers Trying To Conquer Future Mobility

The next 10-years will see more innovation and game-changing technology than in the last 100 years of the automobile. Overdrawn, and slightly unnecessary arguments of whether hybrids and battery electric vehicles are the best way forward have been pretty much nullified. EVs are here and here to stay.

While we can still debate the larger discussion regarding EV charging infrastructure and the entire ecosystem of power generation (to charge these EVs) – the inherent simplicity and effectiveness of a hybrid or EV will more than likely spur its popularity and future success. After all, these were why internal combustion vehicles mobilised an entire globe in the century before now – it was easy and relatively cheap to fuel cars up and keep them going.

The evolution of the car has been an amazing and romantic story. However, the next generation of vehicles will also come from an entirely new variety of automakers.

With other advancements in connectivity, autonomous driving, integrated safety, and digitalisation – cars will evolve into performing a multitude of functions in our daily lives. Though they will still be as important to take us where we want to go, it would be a far cry from the ownership experience of the yesteryears.

However, it isn’t traditional carmakers that have been driving this change at breakneck pace – the future of mobility has given life to an entirely new breed of disruptive automotive manufacturers, who unlike classic players like Mercedes-Benz and Toyota – started from a blank canvas of ideas and envisioned unique products and solutions.

The 2020 BMW iX3 EV powertrain

So in this report, we have listed the most popular EV manufacturers taking the fight to the ‘ol-skool big boys.

Karma Automotive

Karma Automotive was actually born out of the ashes of the Fisker Automotive company. When the company started by Henrik Fisker went bust in 2014, it was bought out by Chinese parts supplier Wanxiang Group. The deal included previous patents and designs, a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and facility in Delaware. The company was rebranded as Karma Automotive in 2015, drawing its name from Fisker Karma, the luxury plug-in hybrid sedan initially launched by Fisker.

Today, the Fisker Karma (vehicle) has been comprehensively updated – albeit sporting much of the design language of the original – and renamed the Revero. The Revero is a range-extender hybrid that is powered by a BMW 3-cylinder engine powering an on-board electric generator. The electric drivetrain; (juiced by a lithium-ion battery) sends power to two motors on the rear axles which supply 536 hp, and 745 Nm of torque and gives the Revero a 0-60 mph time of just 4.5 seconds. The pure electric range is approximately 128 km or around 580 km with the range-extender. Other highlights of the Revero include selectable energy recovery response and a suite of active driver safety systems.

Fisker Inc.

However, Karma is only half the story, because Henrik Fisker kept the rights to his name and started Fisker Inc. just two years after inking the deal to sell his older company. Fisker Inc. was established in 2016, and unveiled its first SUV, the Fisker Ocean in January 2020. The company skipped the standard automotive process of making a show car – and will instead reveal a fully running production prototype sitting on the actual electric platform.

The all-electric Ocean is powered by an 80 kWh lithium-ion battery pack giving it a claimed range of between 400-480 km on a full charge. Dubbed the world’s most sustainable vehicle – the Ocean employs a number of recycled materials, such as nylon for the carpets, and recycled polyester for parts of the interior. The Ocean also features a full-length solar roof for further energy generation. The Fisker Ocean is targeted to begin production at the end of 2021 – with the first high-volume deliveries projected for 2022. Alongside, Fisker is also developing an all-electric sports sedan called the Emotion.

Rivian

Rivian is a full-fledged automaker founded in 2009 by MIT engineering PhD graduate, RJ Scaringe. Rivian’s philosophy revolves around how an EV vehicle can offer the same type of off-road ability and usability as say a traditional Jeep Wrangler or Toyota Land Cruiser. Rivian currently employs a staff of 500 across its five locations which span California, Chicago, and the UK. These facilities range from design and R&D centers,  a Powertrain, Controls and Integration centre, and a 2.6 million sq. ft production facility meaning they operate very much like a traditional automaker despite their infancy.

Rivian has launched two full-electric adventure vehicles – one a truck, the R1T and the other a 3-row 7-passenger SUV, called the R1S. The R1T pickup and the R1S SUV will be delivered to customers starting this year. Rivian claims its quad-motor (one at each wheel), will deliver up to 750 hp, accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and offer a range in excess of 640 km.

Bollinger Motors

If Rivian is the is the definition of a future off-roader EV, the Bollinger Motors’ models are the perfect antithesis – combining cutting-edge EV technology with a rugged and classical body style aping that of a Land Rover Defender. Bollinger’s ‘E-Chassis’ forms the basis for its two models, the B1 a hardcore electric SUV, and the B2 a pickup truck. The tough ladder chassis houses up to a 180 kWh hour battery, and supplies power to two motors at the front and rear axle. Bollinger’s are the only Class 3 (almost fail proof electronics) electric vehicles, and given their simplicity, battery size, and power, it makes the B1 and B2 among the most capable off-road vehicles on the planet.

Highlight figures include 614 hp, a whopping 905 Nm of torque, a 2-speed high and low range gearbox, front and rear locking differentials, 15-inches of ground clearance and 10 inches of wheel travel. They are not messing about!

China BYD

China BYD is a green energy tech company vested in battery technology, automotive production, solar panels, finance, and sustainable commercial vehicles such as buses, forklifts, and even bicycles. BYD was established in 1995, and in case you are wondering what those three letters abbreviate, it’s “Build Your Dreams”. As far as their automotive business is concerned a broad range of internal combustion (IC), hybrid and battery-electric passenger vehicles. BYD has ranked first in China’s EV sales for six consecutive years (2014 to 2019).

Currently, BYD produces a range of vehicles from city cars, small crossovers, an MPV, and premium midsized plug-in hybrids and battery electric SUVs. Last year they BYD caused quite a storm at the Shanghai Auto Show when they revealed the E-Seed GT Hybrid concept. Little is known about the powertrain except that its capable of a 600km NEDC range, and will hit 100 km/h from standstill in 2.9 seconds.

Tesla

Well, we all know this one. From its rather humble beginnings – Tesla has grown not just into a successful car company, but an idea farm of our wildest imaginations. With a range of cars ranging from the Model S, Model 3, Model Y, Model X, the wild Cybertruck , the Roadster, and even a fully electric prime hauler (known as the Semi) – Tesla is proving that electric power has a place in every segment of motoring.

Their wildest car yet is the Tesla Roadster, an all-wheel drive 4-seater sports car with… wait for it, 10,000 Nm of wheel torque. Quoted 0-100 km/h time of 1.9 seconds and an 8.8 second quarter-mile time (402 meters) makes it the fastest accelerating production car in the world, and among the fastest ever on four-wheels with a top speed of over 400 km. With the exception of perhaps the Koenigsegg Gemera, there’s nothing that comes close.

The future is electrification and it is now?


Geneva 2019: The AM-RB 003 Will Be A Baby Aston Martin Valkyrie

A lot of the attention on Aston Martin these days is surrounding the Valkyrie, but even with their halo car mid-way through development, they're already getting started on the next big thing. Following in the footsteps of McLaren as the market for smaller, more "accessible" supercars is stronger than ever - people want left-field alternatives to Ferraris and Lamborghinis - their AM-RB 003 may be just want the people need.
It was previously known as Project 003, not that you would know what that means. The first two letters in the name refer to Aston Martin, naturally, while the second two refer to Red Bull - which is in reference to the involvement of Red Bull Advanced Technologies. It will be limited to just 500 units world wide, so while it may not be as insanely exclusive as the Valkyrie, it's still about as exclusive as a Toyota Yaris GRMN.
Much of the styling follows that of the Valkyrie albeit scaled down. There's plenty of channelling under the body which naturally provides an insane amount of downforce when controlled properly. The entire rear wing is variable airfoil that blends smoothly with the body, which would be an industry first. Light weight elements are still a big showing here, although again it's not quite as extreme as the Valkyrie.
The largest and most immediate difference would be the powertrain. While the Valkyrie has a confirmed four-digit horsepower rating from its hybrid system and massive 6.5-litre V12 engine, the AM-RB 003 will use a more modest turbocharged V6 engine that's still in development by Aston Martin. The chassis and bodywork is largely carbon as is the case with the Valkyrie, with the emphasis of road legality without compromising performance or aerodynamics.
As is the case with the Vanquish, details of the AM-RB 003 will be released progressively as the project continues. From the renders, however, we can expect it to be fairly similar in nature to the Valkyrie in its end product, but with the aforementioned approachability that comes with the less high-strung engine and such modern conveniences as "smartphone connectivity" and functional audio. Oh, and it comes with Le Mans style doors too.


Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ Concept To Be On Display In Malaysia

Less than a week after formally introducing the EQ brand in Malaysia – Mercedes-Benz’s umbrella brand for electric mobility – Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has posted a mildly cryptic post on its official Facebook and Instagram channels conveying the message “#SwitchtoEQ coming soon.”
The visual material showed only the lower half of an unidentified vehicle but it isn’t too difficult to guess what it is. The unusual looking wheels is a clear giveaway that this is not a production vehicle but a concept vehicle.
The cropped teaser image was edited from this original image, which shows the
Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept
, an all-electric SUV that first premiered at the 2016 Paris International Motor Show. Daimler have since confirmed this concept electric SUV will into production sometime in 2019 and that it will be sold under the EQC nameplate.
It will be the first Mercedes-Benz product to be launched under the EQ brand, which is analogous to BMW’s i brand. A smaller all-electric hatchback, already previewed at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, will also go on sale in 2020 under the
EQA
 nameplate.
Closer to Malaysia, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has begun promoting the
EQ brand
 in phases. Currently, all its plug-in hybrid Mercedes-Benz models wear the EQ Power badge. The difference between EQ and EQ Power is analogous to BMW’s differentiation for its i and iPerformance brands.
We can’t confirm this yet, but it is quite possible that this will be the first time the Generation EQ Concept/EQC is brought to the Asia Pacific region.
Judging that archrival BMW Group Malaysia had recently presented the Concept 8 Series at its BMW Luxury Excellence Pavilion showcase in February, a first for any country in the ASEAN trade bloc region, we won’t be surprised if Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is planning a similar initiative with the Generation EQ.


The Power Of Advertising - Honda Pokes Fun At Toyota Once Again

Honda Malaysia once again pokes fun at Toyota, this time around, it's the 2022 All-New City Hatchback's turn to subliminally pick fun at its main rival and then some.

It's a well-known fact that competition is good for business. It forces companies to be at their best and drive each other to think outside the box.

For some brands, part of the fun stems from a rivalry, poking fun at the competition through advertising. Whether it's through a discreet pass or throwing blatant jabs, competitive advertising is a common tactic used worldwide, and it's a shame we don't have more of it in Malaysia.

But looking to buck that trend, we present Honda's recent advertising campaigns for their new generation City duo, the
Sedan
 and
Hatchback
.

When Honda launched the City Sedan in 2020, they included the
Toyota
 Camry, Vios and Perodua Bezza in their promotional video.  It was all just a bit of fun to show that the City RS e:HEV had more torque than any of them - including the Camry, which has a 2.5-litre engine.

This time around, it's the 2022 City Hatchback's turn to take the mickey out of its competition.

The obvious poking is mainly targeted towards its main rival, Toyota and it mostly happens every time the "Hatch Matters" line pops out on screen. While it's not clearly visible what car it is poking fun at, the
lime green colour
 really does give it away.

The first jab is of course to promote the 2022 City Hatchback's remote engine start and climate pre-conditioning feature (RS and V variant), which is a first in class. The second is the 2022 City Hatchback's ULTRA Seats, which really does give the car more versatility over its rivals as it can flip up to provide ample space at the rear.

The jabs then move on to vehicles not in its class as the V City Hatchback variant comes with LaneWatch, which a
certain crossover
 from another brand does not have - even in its top variant form.

Honda's LaneWatch is basically a video-based blind spot monitor that uses a camera located below the side mirror to display an expanded rear view of the roadway through the infotainment screen. The image appears when the turn signal is activated, or a button on the end of the stalk is pushed.

The punching above its weight message continues after that, once again showing off the capabilities of Honda's i-MMD Hybrid powertrain (RS only) with 253Nm of torque. It overtakes a particular sedan which we can barely make out to be the
bigger brother
 of the Toyota it is poking at.

Once again, this is a charming and witty advert by Honda Malaysia, which we hope sets off a trend of friendly rivalry between manufacturers in Malaysia. It's entertaining and should not be taken too seriously, and is fun to watch.

As they say in a game of chess, your move!


Could This New "Halo" Concept Save More Lives In F1?

Following the recent
death of IndyCar driver Justin Wilson
 recently, Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, appears once again to be considering closed cockpit race cars.
It’s against the Formula, so to speak, with Formula 1 racing (and several other race series) dictating an open cockpit sport, but with safety ever the concern, it only make sense that the Formula is reworked.
It’s no secret that with open cockpits, drivers are more susceptible to dangerous debris and items that may hit them where it matters most. In 2009, Felipe Massa almost met his end, when a small suspension spring no larger than the size of your fist fell off Rubens Barrichello’s car, and struck the trailing Massa in the head. Despite the use of a helmet, Massa’s injuries nearly took his life, and caused him to miss the remainder of the season with Ferrari, and struggle his way back into F1 the following year.
More recently, open-cockpit F1 saw the death of Jules Bianchi, a rising star in the sport who succumbed to his injuries following a freak accident with a track-side crane. Then, even local hero
Alex Yoong echoed sentiments of dismay
 at open-cockpit racing.
Today, with the FIA calling for closed-cockpit race cars, teams are working on several potential solutions: the latest of which comes from the Mercedes-AMG F1 team, dubbed as the “halo” concept.
Not entirely closing off the cockpit, but providing some protection none the less, the halo concept does appear to provide some protection for drivers, obviously so from larger objects that could come into contact with them – such as a tyre, or other pieces of large bodywork.
There are however some obvious issues. One, drivers may not fancy having a piece of the halo position right in the middle of their forwards sight, no matter how thinly you design it – Mercedes could argue that it shouldn’t deter any vision ahead, and that you could get used to it.
The second obvious issue is that while larger items could be deterred, it’s not 100% free from smaller objects contacting drivers’ heads from stranger angles. It makes us wonder if something like this could have protected Felipe Massa from his incident back in 2009.
A final issue is of course the halo concept’s effect throughout a race: how would it perform aerodynamically? Also, what about something far simpler, like if something like a plastic bag or other garbage got stuck in it? Is that something drivers would really want to deal with at 300km/h?
Either way you look at the new "halo" concept, it's a start we hope ends in safer racing for all.


Daihatsu Debuts Updated 2017 Mira e:S

Daihatsu recently pulled the covers off the updated Mira e:S in Japan. The new model, according to Daihatsu, is able to deliver up to 35.2 km/L.
The company is offering a total of six trim levels of the new Mira e:S, each variant can be had with the choice of 2WD or 4WD, bringing the total variants to 12. All variants of the new Mira e:S is powered by a 658 cc KF series three-cylinder engine with 49 PS and 57 Nm. The only transmission offered is a CVT-type automatic.
If you're wondering if the power output is sufficient for the Mira e:S, keep in mind that the weight of the new model starts from a modest 650 kg. The range-topping Mira e:S G SA III tips the scales at 740 kg. In comparison, the Perodua Axia, in its most basic form, tips the scales at 820 kg. Thanks to its lightweight nature, Daihatsu said that the new Mira e:S is able to deliver up to 35.2 km/L under the JC08 test cycle.
Much of the weight saving, which Daihatsu says is up to 35 kg, comes from the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA). Other weight saving measures include new interior and exterior parts, which saved another 45 kg. Daihatsu has been liberal with the usage of resin to further reduce weight. The company used resin to produce the front fender, fuel lid, radiator support, tailgate and fuel tank. The resin fuel tank is only applicable for front wheel drive models. On top of that, Daihatsu also used thinner glass to shave some weight.
Halogen headlights come as standard fitment, but the Mira e:S G SA III and X SA III come standard with LED headlights. All variants of the new Mira e:S also receive LED taillight, designed to reduce engine load.
Daihatsu also revised the handling of the new Mira e:S. The electric power steering and spring rate of the new model have been retuned to deliver better ride comfort. For the Mira e:S G SA III and X SA III, these variants receive specially tuned front dampers by Kayaba.
Safety wise, the updated Daihatsu Mira e:S gets Daihatsu's third generation Smart Assist III, with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning and Automatic High Beam. In addition to that, SAIII variants receive all round parking sensors. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC) is standard across all variants of the new Mira e:S. Two airbags are standard across the range, though the G SA III variant receives additional side airbags.

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Prices start from JPY 842,400 for the entry level Mira e:S B, going all the way up to JPY 1,339,200 for the top-of-the-line Mira e:S G SA III. Daihatsu says that a total of nine body colours are available, which includes Sky Blue Metallic, Splash Blue Metallic, Lemon Squash Crystal Metallic, White, Pearl White 3, Bright Silver Metallic, Black Mica Metallic, Plum Brown Crystal Mica and Magenta Berry Mica Metallic.
Via:
Car Watch


How to Deal with Car Accidents – Brought to you by Tune Protect

Every one of us who are driving a vehicle out there are exposed to the risk of getting involved in an accident. As we mentioned in the
previous article
, as careful as we are, many factors can put us in the situation.
That being said, if at all you are involved in a road accident, do you know what to do?
Do you know what should be done if you are injured, or if you have damaged your vehicle or another person's vehicle in the process?
The following guideline, which will take you through the dos and don’ts during an accident, will come in handy, especially if you're new on the road.
What do you do in the event of an accident?
If you ever meet with an accident, whether it’s you at fault or the other party, just don’t panic! This is what you need to do so that the process runs smoothly:
i.
At the accident scene:
Take down the other vehicle’s registration number, make, model, and colour. If it’s a hit and run, you can do a JPJ search later to ascertain their identity.
Snap photos of the damaged vehicles, front and back. Look out for the exact location of the incident together with road name and nearby landmark.
Exchange particulars with the third party driver(s) including name, phone numbers and if possible, their IC number. Should the other party appear unsafe, especially if they are hostile towards you, skip this part!
Call either your insurer’s roadside assistance service (if provided) or Accident Assist for assistance. If necessary, a tow truck shall tow your vehicle to the nearest panel workshop.
Make a police report at the police station within 24 hours (any delay will be fined). It’s advisable that both parties make police report together, especially to ensure that the party at fault really makes a report.
ii.
Make a police report
Be ready with your IC and driving license.
A police officer will interview you. Be prepared to report exactly what happened, with precise details such as the road name, landmarks, time of accident and vehicles involved. The police officer will write your statement in the system and print a copy for your record. Your case will then be assigned to an investigation officer / sergeant to investigate who was at fault.
The investigation officer will then direct you to the next section where photos of your damaged vehicle needs to be taken.
Request for a copy of police report, investigation result and the photos of the damaged vehicle from the counter, which would be ready for collection within 1-2 weeks. A reference number for your report will be given and you can check the status by dialing in the designated phone number. Do note that there is a nominal fee payable during collection.
iii. Claiming from the insurance company
- Notify your insurance company on the accident as soon as possible. Your insurance policy states the period to report an accident and otherwise, your claim will not be entertained.
- Send your vehicle to the panel workshop for repair, approved under Persatuan Insuran Am Malaysia Approved Repairers Scheme (called PIAM Approved Repairers Scheme (PARS). If     it is a major damage, the vehicle should be towed to workshop. Damage to your vehicle will be assessed by assessors from the insurance company.
- There are two types of insurance claims that you could make in the event of an accident. Depending on the nature of the accident, the claims involved are either:
1. Claimed from your own insurance company
If the investigation result shows that you are at fault, you will lose your no-claim discount (NCD) which you get every year if there is no claim incurred in the preceding year.
2. Claimed from the other party's insurance company
If the investigation result shows that you are not at fault, your NCD will not be affected as the party at fault will lose their NCD.
- If you are injured, get medical attention immediately and keep a copy of your medical report.
- Pass the police reports, investigation result and photos of  the damaged vehicle to the panel workshop for insurance claim processing.
Keep note!
When you make an own damage claim under your comprehensive insurance policy, your insurer may include these charges:
- Excess:
 Portion of total repair cost that you need to bear per the terms & conditions of your motor insurance policy.
- Endorsement 2(f) (private cars only):
 You will bear RM 400.00 for each claim you make, if, at the time of the accident, your vehicle was driven by someone:
who is under the age of 21 years old
who is a holder of a Provisional Driving Licence (L-Licence)
who is a holder of a Probationary Driving Licence (P-Licence)
who is not named in the motor policy
who is not named in the motor policy under the age of 21 years old who holds either a Provisional Driving Licence (L-Licence) or the Probationary Driving Licence (P-Licence).
- Betterment
: For vehicles of more than 5 years old, betterment may apply. It occurs when an old part is replaced with a new OEM part while repairing. This is in line with the principle of indemnity where you will have to bear the difference in costs as you are in a better position after the accident with the new part. Should your insurance company apply betterment, it will be in accordance with the standard scale of betterment adopted by the industry.
Your insurance policy doesn’t really cover everything
Do note that even the comprehensive motor insurance does not cover everything. You may need to add-on or buy another insurance coverage to fully cover your losses. Here are the items which your motor insurance doesn't cover:
Your own death or bodily injury due to motor accident.
Liability against claims from your passengers.
Theft of non-factory fitted vehicle accessories e.g. car stereos, leather seats, sports rims etc.
Consequential loss, depreciation, wear and tear, mechanical or technical breakdown failures or breakages.
Loss/damage arising from an act of nature e.g. flood, landslide.
Now that you have a clearer idea on what to do in case of an accident, there will be no need to panic. Plus, you prevent yourself from being manipulated by irresponsible parties who are always present at accident scenes to confuse and con victims.
This series on Car Insurance 101 is brought to you by
Tune Protect
.


New 2019 Proton Saga Launched, 3 Variants, From RM 32,800

For those unfamiliar with the automotive industry, it takes roughly four years for an all-new product to be developed from scratch. Four years of design, testing, development, and preparation for production – not to mention an immense amount of money. For Proton to have developed an all-new model following their partnership with Geely, it would have left them stagnant for nearly half a decade – and so they did the best with what they had.
Of course the star of the show has been the X70, the first SUV for the Proton brand, but this year has seen a complete refresh of their model range. From the Iriz to the Exora, every model has been revised and updated in various ways to fall in line with the X70 and present a unified front to a consumer base that’s hungry and excited for Proton’s return to form.
The last to receive the treatment is the Saga – a model that launched the Proton brand all the way back in 1985. In its third model generation, this latest facelift brings a lot of meaningful changes in departments that consumers have highlighted in the past. Protons’ products are already known for their solid underpinnings and handling, but that alone doesn’t make for a holistic product.
What’s new?
There are now three variants of the Proton Saga – Standard MT, Standard AT, and Premium AT – all being powered by a
1.3-litre four-cylinder VVT engine
 that pushes
95 PS
 and
120 Nm
 of torque. The
Standard MT
 gets a 5-speed manual, while the
Standard AT
 and
Premium AT
 variants get a 4-speed automatic – which is a departure from the CVT-type automatic gearbox of the pre-facelift model.
Both Standard models come with 14-inch wheels (steel for the MT and alloy for the AT), while the Premium AT variant comes with
15-inch alloy wheels
, which is a first for the Saga and really provides a sportier look with more filled-out wheel arches. Paired with the updated front and rear end design, it makes for a really handsome looking car.
All variants get halogen lights, an LCD multi-info display, fabric seats, Bluetooth connectivity, as well as at least 1 USB port. Where the differences really come in is with the Premium AT variant, which gets attractive features such as:
LED Daytime Running Lights
Steering Switches for Audio & Hands-Free Telephone
7-Inch Touch Screen Monitor
Smartphone Connectivity
4 Speaker Sound System
2 Additional USB Charging Ports
Electronic Stability Control
Traction Control System
Hill Hold Assist
Front Parking Sensors
Rear View Camera
What does it cost?
Pricing for the new Proton Saga is extremely impressive, with the Standard MT variant as the entry level at just
RM 32,800
. Factoring in the features added at an RM 1,500 value, this is now RM 2,291 cheaper than the pre facelift model. The Standard AT and Premium AT are
RM 35,800
 and
RM 39,800
 respectively, with a price reduction of RM 2,043 and RM 3,747 respectively.
This in turn makes the Premium AT variant the only sedan model under RM 40,000 that offers Electronic Stability Control as a standard feature. This highly aggressive pricing strategy is sure to shake up the compact sedan market, and even choosing between the variants is a tricky choice as only RM 4,000 separates the two AT variants.
For the launch packages, there are some pretty attractive deals as well. A service package is included for the first year, or first three services waiving the labour charge. There is also a low financing rate at just 2.98% P.A., as well as a very attractive insurance package that has a betterment waiver of up to 10 years, agreed value coverage for up to 12 years, all driver coverage at no extra cost, and various other options ticked.
For the best deals on Proton models, click
here
.


What Do You Do With Leftover Engine Oil After Your Oil Change?

How many of us have heard our mechanic say – just as you collect your car after a periodical oil change - “
Boss, minyak lebih saya sudah letak dalam boot… you simpan la
”.

Most times, there should be a few ounces of oil left at the bottom of your typical 4-litre container (for ease of packaging and market requirements) of oil which your car didn’t need.

Nevertheless, why is it there? And more importantly, what do you do with it?

To understand this we must first understand what engine oil does and how much your car needs.

So what does engine oil do?

Well, you probably already know this, but put simply, engine oil is there to reduce friction and protect your engine’s moving parts. That is it. Engine components – such as the crank assembly, camshafts, and valves – move, rotate, or oscillate at very high speeds when you drive, so it is necessary for them to have sufficient oil to lubricate each part, keep them clean, and reduce wear and tear during operation.

Just how much oil is needed is highly dependent on the type of engine (i.e.: petrol, diesel, hybrid, turbocharged, with or without variable valve timing), and its size (displacement and number of pistons). Typically, the larger or more powerful an engine is – the more lubrication it will need, and hence more engine oil.

The majority of cars sold in Malaysia are naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder, and under 2.0-litres in size; typically these engines would need just under 4-litres of engine oil. However, keep in mind that certain engines, such as turbocharged and six- or eight-cylinder engines typically use (far) more engine oil than the aforementioned 4-litres of oil, but we’ll get back to this.

So what happens with that extra bit of oil?

Typically, nothing. In most cases after your service, you might be left with 50-500ml of unused oil, which your mechanic will tell you to keep in case a top-up is required.

Here is the thing though; your engine – if maintained properly and is in good health – is a sealed system. Therefore, there should be approximately the same amount of oil at the end of the service period, as there was on the first day. Meaning that if you do have to use up that excess oil, it probably means your engine has an oil leak, which needs to be looked at. Therefore, in cases like this where you have to periodically top up your oil – we suppose it makes sense to keep the excess oil and top up your engine oil so it is always at the manufacturer's stipulated level.

However, if you are simply keeping the oil, most leading lubricant manufacturers advise that engine oil – if left unopened in the container and stored at moderate temperatures – have a shelf life of approximately two years. This to guarantee the quality of the oil and its many petroleum-based additives.

So if you have a bit of oil left after your service we can assume that it is probably safe (since the container is already opened), will last another year or so. Now for the purpose of this discussion, let’s assume you buy a 4.0-litre oil pack and only use only 3.5-litres – meaning you can only keep that excess 500 ml for another year or so.

And assuming you change your oil (and use the same oil brand and type) at 7,000km intervals as is stipulated for most semi-synthetic oils – this means you can keep and accumulate these leftovers for use at later service – however, you’d need nearly seven services before you accumulate enough to use all your additional oil. However, by now the oil is probably too old – so why would you want to put it in your engine?!

Honda Malaysia service centres actually have a simple solution, they actually measure and pour just as much as your car needs, and crucially only charge you for that specific quantity. This means that they actually charge you less and there’s no wastage. However, a large majority of manufacturers still sell you 4.0-litre packs during your service.

However, this is isn’t the case with larger engines…

Larger displacement engines, diesel, and turbocharged engines typically use between 5- to 6-litres (even up to 8-litres) of engine oil at every service interval. In this case owners have the option of buying either a single 5- or 6-litre pack of oil (which are limited to a few brands and types), or buy two 4-litre packs of oil – which means you have to purchase 8-litres at one go.

In cases like this, it makes perfect sense to keep your leftover oil – let us say your car uses 6-litres and 2-litres are leftover – one only needs to buy another four-litre pack of oil for the next service and you’re good to go. All you have to do is purchase oil that you know will be available and obtainable when the time comes for your next service.

So if no use to me, why keep it?

This is a perfectly valid question – and note that you can’t just throw your old oil in with the garbage and call it a day. Engine oil should be recycled properly and there are companies that licensed to do this.

Therefore, this is what we advise. Once you’re done with your service, keep the excess engine oil for a period of time, store them in a cool and dry place, and if you don’t use it after the next service or the service after that – give it back to your mechanic. It is highly likely, they will find use for it to top up other cars, and if not, they will recycle it the correct way. At the very least, they are the most convenient point of disposal.

Now if you service your car at a service centre and they don’t take it back from you, you can still do the same by simply passing it back to a nearby workshop for them to dispose of.

If I cannot use it in my car are there any other uses for it?

Well, actually yes, there are many practical uses for engine oil around the house. At its core, engine oil lubricates and keeps out moisture, so there’s no shortage of items that need lubrication at home.

Here are a few uses around the house:

Use to lubricate creaky gate, door or window hinges – use an old paintbrush to apply engine oil to creaky window or gate hinge.

Use it to clean your tools – pour your unused engine oil into an old container, and simply dip or drop your DIY tools into the container for a few minutes, remove and wipe dry. Engine oil will ensure your tools are properly lubricated, free from moisture, and shiny to look at.

Use it on wood items – If you have outdoor furniture and/or structures made of wood, you can simply use an old paintbrush to apply engine oil on the wood surface. Give the engine oil some time to seep into the wood, and wipe off the excess. The oil will serve to keep moisture out of the wood surface, inhibit bacteria and fungi growth, and give the wood surface a nice deep shine. Think of it as cheap wood shellac.

Use it for your bicycle or garden tools – Use your engine oil to lubricate your bike chain or power tools such as your lawnmower and power drill. Use an old paintbrush or syringe to lubricate rotating parts.

Engine oil has the added benefit of maintaining its viscosity for long periods, hence it will normally last longer than other lubricants such as WD-40 for uses such as this. Again, always remember to dispose of your used oil carefully.


JPJ’s RFID Embedded Road Tax Implementation Coming “Soon”

The Road Transport Department’s timeline to implement RFID tags on road tax stickers may turn out to be sooner than initially thought. The revelation came after some new information emerged about congestion charges in Kuala Lumpur.
With
DBKL looking at ways to implement congestion charges in the capital city
 with the opening and subsequent expansion of public transport systems such as the MRT, a tidbit of info came to light:
DBKL is planning to implement the same radio frequency tagging system to monitor and charge vehicles that drive into the centre of Kuala Lumpur.
A source within DBKL told The Sun Daily that the nationwide introduction of the Radio-Frequency Identification in road tax would be done “soon”, hinting the stage may already be set for sweeping change.
Related Stories:
VEP Deadline Pushed Back By At Least Four Months To Allow RFID Tag Development
SmartTAG Replacements Well Underway, RFIDs To Reach By 2017


2021 Volvo C40 Recharge - First Volvo Model In History Designed As A Pure EV

In its continued quest towards electrification and a
zero-emission future
, Volvo introduced the C40 Recharge, the first Volvo ever in history to be designed from ground-up as a pure EV.

In a nutshell, Volvo's first pure electric crossover will have a range of 420 kilometres according to the WLTP cycle. A 0-100 km/h arrives in a rapid 4.9 seconds. It will be 100 percent leather-free and have a Google built-in (like finally).

Twin electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle will power the C40 Recharge. The C40 will come with a 78kWh battery, with the ability to be fast-charged to 80 percent in about 40 minutes. This is however expected to improve with over-the-air software updates.

Volvo aims for 50 percent of its global sales volume by 2025 to consist fully of EV's and to that effect we should see the roll-out of several more electric models in the years leading up to that.

“The C40 Recharge represents the future of Volvo and shows where we are going,” said Henrik Green, chief technology officer. “It is fully electric, offered online only with a convenient care package and will be available for quick delivery. Getting a new Volvo was never this attractive.”

As espoused above the Volvo C40 Recharge will only be made available for purchase online. Volvo aims to be a fully electric car company globally by 2030 and will launch a whole range of electric cars in the coming years – all of which will be exclusively only available online.

Owners or fans of the
XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
 will be familiar with the face of the C40 Recharge. The rear is where you will see a striking difference however with a lower roof line and a redesigned rear taillight cluster. Initial impressions do look good. Across the front, the C40 does step up bolder, incorporating headlights with state-of-the-art pixel-technology.

On the inside, one feature that I am raring to see in the flesh, is the backlit dashboard. It's a definite stand-out feature.

Infotainment comes courtesy of a joint development between Volvo and Google. Buyers will have Google apps and its services built-in such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store. Hallelujah!

An unlimited data subscription plan will ensure 24/7 connectivity and over-the-air software updates long after the C40 leaves the factory floor.

The Volvo C40 Recharge will be available in seven colours: Fjord Blue Metallic, Crystal White Pearl, Silver Dawn Metallic, Sage Green Metallic, Thunder Grey Metallic, Black Stone and Fusion Red Metallic.

The C40 Recharge will begin production this fall and will be built alongside the XC40 Recharge at the Volvo Cars manufacturing plant in Ghent, Belgium.


2014 Volkswagen Jetta CKD Quick Review: An Overlooked German Gem?

German cars are renowned for their superior performance, innovation, quality and safety. And up until a few years back, the range of Germany’s finest sold officially in Malaysia commanded some seriously high prices to match. Recently, we’ve begun to notice a new trend develop, with German marques continuing to work down the ladder to make cars that can be offered to a wider audience – not just society’s elite few.
Mercedes-Benz
 has done this, apparent in their all-new range of compact cars (A-Class, CLA-Class and GLA-Class).
BMW
 Malaysia too, has slapped on a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine to their hit-making CKD F30 3 Series, and made it so much more accessible to buy at just RM209k. But while that’s all well and appreciated, you can’t deny another German manufacturer’s attempt at it. And in this part of the world where cars typically cost as much as they do, your best bet for a proper German vehicle is often available on
Volkswagen Group Malaysia
’s catalogue. Rather than take baby steps towards bridging typically-high German price tags and what we can actually afford, the ‘people’s’ carmaker has been working hard at its local-assembly projects; adding more variety of cars, spec-ing them just right, and making them more affordable in the process. As a result, and for the first time here, you will always have a comparable German option for every B, C and D segment entry Japan has to offer.  And here, is their RM130,888
Volkswagen
 Jetta; primed for the C-segment, chiming in for just the sort of money asked of a Japanese
Mazda
 3.
2014 Volkswagen Jetta
 CKD Key Specs:
     Price:
RM130,888,
excluding insurance
     Engine: 1.4-litre TSI twin-charged four-cylinder petrol
     Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox)
     Horsepower: 158hp @5,800rpm
     Torque: 250Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500rpm
     Performance: 0-100km/h in 8.3 seconds
     Fuel consumption: 6.0-litre/100km
What’s new?
 On a trip with Volkswagen this time around, we set off in the
 CKD Jetta
, which if you missed it, was only just launched in Malaysia back in April this year. Mechanically, the CKD Jetta is the same as the fully imported German CBU one, but on the equipment list, there some minor changes which include an updated infotainment system with Bluetooth and SD-card reader, updated automatic air-conditioning, and the omission of paddle shifters. Obviously, the best part of all this is that by being a locally-assembled unit, Volkswagen has been not only able to throw in more equipment, they’ve also been able to slash prices by some RM21k, against the fully-important model.
What’s it like to drive?
 Basically, the driving dynamics or feel of the car hasn’t changed. We didn’t get to sample the car on twisty trunk roads, but driving it on the highway and around the city for a short time, it’s safe to say that this German C-segmenter has a lot of athletic character. The suspension setup is spot on. It absorbs humps and lumps well, while being stable and composed at high speeds and long sweeping corners. The 160hp 1.4-litre twincharged TSI engine delivers power from the low end making it easier to drive compared to most of its rivals, which need to be revved hard because of their naturally-aspirated engines. The gearbox complements the overall driving experience by providing smooth shifts, which are barely noticeable. On the downside however, at high speeds, when you need to overtake someone, you will have to drop one or two gears manually, using the gear lever itself, seeing as how the paddle shifters have been removed.
What’s it like to live with?
 Space is not an issue with the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta CKD. It can easily seat five adults and their luggage for a weekend outing. Inside, from the design to the materials used, it all appears to have a step up in premium quality over its class rivals. The fabric seats are comfortable for long journeys, while the places your body usually comes in contact with are either padded or wrapped in soft-touch materials. That doesn’t mean hard plastics are not present, however. You’ll find them on places that you don’t normally come into contact with. The dashboard however is slightly high and obstructs your view if you are someone who like sit low. The infotainment system is easy to navigate through. Thanks to Volkswagen’s good insulation, the cabin is quiet from wind and tire noise.
Verdict: Should you buy one?
 The Jetta CKD is a well-assembled car and still retains the same quality as the imported ones. With a price of RM130, 888, it is a very attractive alternative to other C-segment cars like the
2014 Toyota Corolla Altis
,
2014 Mazda 3
 and
2014 Ford Focus
. With 160hp and 240Nm, it is even more powerful than its rivals, excluding the
2014 Peugeot 408
 Turbo, which has just 2hp more and same torque as the Jetta. In terms of safety equipment and creature comforts, it is clearly on par with the rest of the pack. But in the styling department, we’ve got to say the Jetta is not amongst the best looking vehicles out there. Regardless, the locally-assembled Volkswagen Jetta is still a proper contender within the C-segment crop of cars, and you shouldn’t overlook this one when making a purchase decision.


Porsche Wows Changi Visitors With #DrivingTomorrow Exhibition

Porsche has been running a unique pop up exhibition since December 2020 at the Jewel in Changi Airport (Level 2), Singapore where the automaker uses a variety of mediums - including an ultra-rare 356 and
Taycan Turbo
 - to tell the story of their journey toward electromobility.

Though many of us might remember the marque most fondly for their howling flat-sixes,
rear-engined super sports cars
, and various victories in motorsport’s many disciplines, Porsche’s origins were steeped in pure technological innovation.

While the company’s flagship four-door also happens to be an EV, their foray into electric vehicles actually began well over a century ago when a young Ferdinand Porsche designed the Egger-Lohner Phaeton C2, otherwise known as the first-ever Porsche vehicle, the P1.

Despite using 19th-century technology, the automobile was incredibly advanced for the time and thoroughly revolutionary in terms of its engineering, putting into perspective the humble beginnings and full realisation of their founder’s vision, in essence, with the
Taycan
.

“The mindset of shaping the future of the sports car, with enthusiasm and conviction, has always propelled Porsche forward throughout our history. The #DrivingTomorrow exhibition is therefore an invitation to join us as we look back at our proudest innovations in electromobility, and unite our traditions with a sustainable future,” said Arthur Willmann, Chief Executive Officer of Porsche Asia Pacific.

Visitors to the #DrivingTomorrow exhibition, which runs until January 16th 2021, will also be treated to a glimpse at the brand’s future-oriented mindset and design process through excerpts from “Porsche Unseen,” a book that opens the gates to previously highly-classified concept studies that were made public just a month ago.

The company’s newest and perhaps most interesting facet within their pursuit to merge sustainability and sporting mobility - dubbed Porsche Impact - is
their eFuel initiative
 to create a climate-friendly synthetic replacement for petrol.

With its C02-neutral plant in Zuffenhausen responsible for the Taycan’s rollout as a philosophical template, this has the potential to create huge long term ripple effects to significantly lower the environmental impact of the millions of existing cars powered by internal combustion while the world transitions to transportation that is based on clean and/or renewable energy.


Tokyo 2017: Toyota Concept-i Is Your AI Partner

Using artificial intelligence (AI), Toyota’s new Concept-i will be able to understand and protect people, on top of offering ‘Fun to Drive’ experience.
At the upcoming 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota will showcase its Concept-i, a model that utilizes AI to understand its occupants. The Concept-i first made a debut at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES2017).
Three key features help the Toyota Concept-i stick out from the rest of the autonomous vehicles.
The first of three - Learn. The Toyota Concept-I uses AI to gauge the driver’s emotion and level of alertness by looking at expressions, actions and tone of voice in a complex manner. The AI then compares information about the driver via social media activity, GPS information and past conversations and estimates what the driver’s preferences are.
Next up is - Protect. The AI gauges the vehicle’s condition and reliability of the driver and deems whether automated driving can be activated or not.
The third feature is - Inspire. Toyota’s AI is able to converse with the driver, creating an “Emotion Map” in the process, mapping the driver’s emotion and GPS data. With this data, the Concept-i is able to suggest new routes as slight detours.
Toyota plans to introduce the Concept-i as a production vehicle by 2020.


Laluan ECRL Di Pahang Dijamin Bebas Banjir

Meskipun
Pahang
sering dilanda banjir, namun pembinaan jajaran Landasan
Kereta Api Pantai Timur (ECRL)
 sepanjang 230 kilometer di Pahang dijamin bebas
banjir
.

Kenyataan itu dimaklumkan Pengurus Pembinaan Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) Wilayah Pahang, Khairi Khalid Abdul Rahman, ketika ditemui pada majlis Aidilfitri anjuran ECRL di Kuantan.

ECRL Di Pahang Dijamin Bebas Banjir, Tidak Seperti LPT

Menurut Khairi, perunding berwibawa telah membuat kajian menyeluruh mengenai reka bentuk dan pihak mereka menjangkakan bahawa landasan di negeri tersebut bebas banjir.

"Selain itu, kami juga sudah membuat kajian dan mengambil kira paras kejadian banjir 100 tahun lalu, jadi ia (landasan) sudah mengambil kira semua sudut," katanya.

Mengulas mengenai kejadian banjir yang pernah berlaku hingga menjejaskan laluan di Lebuh Raya Pantai Timur (LPT) sebelum ini, Khairi berkata, bentuk muka bumi dan kecerunan antara pembinaan lebuh raya dan landasan bagi ECRL adalah berbeza.

*Kredit foto: Berita Harian

"Kalau (untuk) jalan lebuh raya, biasanya ada kawasan turun naik, tapi untuk trek (landasan), reka bentuknya mendatar dan kecerunan juga kurang dari satu peratus," katanya.

Pada 22 Disember lalu, dua kawasan membabitkan tiga daerah di Lebuh Raya Kuala Lumpur-Karak dan LPT Fasa 1 terpaksa ditutup kepada pengguna akibat dilanda banjir.

Laluan ditutup itu membabitkan kawasan kedua-dua hala di KM66.7 hingga KM79.5 antara Bentong ke Karak, dan KM79.5 hingga KM136.9 (antara Karak ke Chenor).

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Pembinaan Landasan Di Pahang Paling Mencabar

Tambah Khalid, proses pembinaan landasan ECRL di Pahang adalah paling mencabar kerana membabitkan 26 terowong dari sempadan Terengganu hingga sempadan Selangor.

"Setakat ini, lima terowong sudah selesai dibina dan pembinaan terowong terpanjang dalam jajaran ini iaitu Terowong Genting sejauh 16.39 km dimulakan bulan ini.

"Untuk (kerja mengorek) terowong Kuantan dekat Jabor pula, kami jangkakan pada Oktober ini boleh selesai, dan selepas itu boleh mulakan kerja lining di terowong berkenaan," katanya

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Stesen ECRL Di Pahang

Cherating

Kuantan Port City

KotaSas

Paya Besar

Maran

Temerloh

Bentong

ECRL secara keseluruhannya yang dibina sepanjang 665 km telah mencatatkan tahap kemajuan sebanyak 28.57 peratus setakat Mac lalu.


Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Completes Asian Cross Country Rally - With Air-Conditioning On!

Mitsubishi Motor’s Outlander PHEV – an updated version of its world’s first plug-in hybrid four-wheel drive SUV – had recently completed the Asia Cross Country Rally 2015 for the third year in a row.
The week-long rally started on Aug-8 in Chiang Mai, and covered a distance of over 2,400 km before looping back to Chiang Mai on Aug-14.
For this rally, this particular No. 112 Outlander PHEV had its electric motors' output was enhanced, generator output raised, capacity of the drive battery. Increased. The standard car’s 2.0-litre DOHC MIVEC however, remained unchanged.
The standard Outlander PHEV uses a pair of 60 kW electric motors at the front and rear axles, driven by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Other modifications include safety braces and harnesses as required by FIA regulations, and uprated brakes and suspension to cope with the rough roads.
The Outlander PHEV was raced by Takatsugu Aoki and co-driver Wuttichai Trithara with the vehicle’ air-conditioning switched on!
Usually, competition cars will have their power-sapping air-conditioning system removed to reduce weight. For the Outlander PHEV, Mitsubishi Motors had intentionally left the standard car’s air-conditioning switched on, not just to demonstrate the durability of the standard car’s components, but also to cool the car’s 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Similar to most hybrids, the plug-in hybrid Outlander PHEV uses a passive cooling system where cool air-conditioned air from the cabin is drawn into a vent located near the rear seats to keep the battery cool.
The Outlander PHEV finished first overall in the T1-3 electric vehicle class and 20
th
 place overall, quite impressive considering that many of the higher placed cars were heavily modified off-road monsters.
The results would have been better had it not for a broken windshield suffered in Leg 2 and a damage to the air-conditioning system’s condenser in Leg 4 that forced the car to drop further behind the standings. At the final stage, the Outlander PHEV clocked the third fastest time.
Technical director Yasuo Tanaka said “Surface conditions were tougher than expected. However the rally car showed plenty of its performance. The motor, generator, battery and other EV components made it through the rally with no issues - proof of its reliability and durability. We will complete a much better rally car and we are aiming for a higher placing for the Baja Portalegre this fall.”
While the Outlander PHEV is not yet on sale in Malaysia, there is one unit of the pre-facelift Outlander PHEV that is registered under Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM). It is used as a company car by MMM’s management, as part of the company's long-term evaluation in Malaysian driving conditions.


BYD to open 40 showrooms in Malaysia by 2024, starting with TREC KL

Sime Darby Motors is looking at opening over
40 BYD showrooms
 here in Malaysia by 2024.

This gigantic plan was announced during the launch of the brand's first and highly-anticipated EV SUV model, the
BYD Atto 3
. An investment amount of RM500 million will be utilised to expand the brand's presence here in Malaysia, starting with its first showroom at TREC KL, Jalan Tun Razak.

Three more in H1 2023, 20 by the end of 2023?

While the first BYD showroom at TREC is scheduled to start its operations sometime this month, three more will pop up across Peninsular Malaysia - Ara Daramansara, Penang, and Johor. These will all start to operate within the first half of 2023.

What's even more amazing is the fact that BYD and Sime Darby Motors are also planning to shoot the number of showrooms to 20 by the end of 2023 with support from dealer partners. It's not an easy feat to pull off but if the BYD Atto 3 can do well here in the Malaysian market, it's plausible, to say the least.

Over 40 showrooms in 2024

If that's not enough to show BYD's commitment to take over the EV segment here in Malaysia, they're looking to double the number of showrooms in 2024. That's over 40 BYD showrooms to cater to those who are interested in the BYD Atto 3, as well as the
BYD Seal and Dolphin
.

The Seal is regarded as a true contender to the models offered by Tesla whereas the Dolphin has a much higher success rate as it might just be the first EV that'll be sold in Malaysia under the RM100,000 mark. If there is any indicator on the question of pricing to make EVs desirable to the mass market, it's definitely under RM100k.


New 2020 Honda Civic is Coming Later Today, and This is How It Feels to Drive it

After making us wait since last September, Honda Malaysia will finally be presenting the facelifted 10th gen Civic in all its glory tomorrow.

Details like the pricing and the list of variant-specific features are still somewhat limited, but that is only until tomorrow’s event.

What we DO know is that the Civic will come with Honda Sensing, which offers a complete package of safety features which include:

Adaptive CruiseControl (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)

Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Auto High-Beam (AHB)

Further complementing the features listed above is the Honda LaneWatch camera. Other standard features in the new Civic are Remote Engine Start, Electric Parking Brake, and a Front Sensor.

It also comes with standard safety features including 6 Airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Multi-Angle Rear-view Camera, and ISOFIX.

On the exterior, new features include 18-inch wheels, Piano Black front grille, redesigned front and rear bumpers, a new rear spoiler, as well as a rear bumper garnish.

Under the hood, there will be no changes, as the Civic will still be powered by the existing 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC engine producing 173 PS and 220 Nm of torque, as well as the 1.8-litre engine which makes 139 PS and 174 Nm of torque.

So, if you’re one of those who hasn’t got behind the wheels of the Civic, here’s a quick recap of how the car feels to drive.

As for the range-topping 1.5 VTEC Turbo, there is not going to be any ‘VTEC opening’ or ‘turbo kicking in’, or anything of that sort with the new Civic.

What we have here is a very refined 1.5-litre engine with a ‘soft’ turbo that makes the car just as capable as a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre sedan, where power delivery is very linear and civilised. At the end of the day, it is still a comfort-oriented car for the masses, but with a dash of sportiness.

As for the 1.8-litre variant, the car is powered by a tweaked version of the 9th gen Civic’s naturally aspirated R-Series engine, which pushes 141 PS and 174Nm of maximum torque.

The only difference here is that it is mated to a CVT gearbox, unlike its predecessor’s five-speed auto. The car feels lively at low rpm during city driving, but while picking up speed, the engine needs to be worked hard.

In terms of ride and handling, the new Civic’s suspensions and chassis are setup more towards comfort, so there is still noticeable body-roll.

But it is still a very enjoyable car to drive, thanks to the well-weighted steering which responds quite precisely to driver input. Noise insulation and refinement have are also quite impressive.

Overall, if we are to compare it with its rivals, it falls behind cars like the new Mazda 3 in terms of outright driving pleasure, but as far as spaciousness, features, and comfort are concerned, the Civic is definitely up there among the best.


Govt Pays TNB RM5.8 Billion To Keep Rakyat’s Electric Bills Steady

Malaysians might have been in for a rude awakening as they received their monthly electric bill if the
government hadn’t stepped in
.

In a generous and unprovoked move, which is always a little suspect in this country, the Ministry of Finance has announced that it will be forking out a total of RM5.8 billion to shoulder/subsidise the increased cost of energy generation needed to keep the lights on. Literally.

Government to subsidise RM5.8 billion of electricity bill

The sum will be paid to utilities provider
Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)
 in return for not raising the current electric tariffs by having to pass the higher cost to the people, at least for the time being.

This should last through the second half of 2022, though the amount isn’t large enough to keep the floodwater at bay as we wade into 2023. Additionally, it has also guaranteed another RM6 billion option in incidental costs to ensure that the electrical grid operates without disruption.

Price of coal main reason for TNB tariff increase

In a statement, the Finance Ministry cited the skyrocketing price of coal as being the chief factor for TNB’s inevitable tariff increase, which has breached USD400 per metric tonne in 2022 compared to early 2021 price of around USD80 per metric tonne.

Inroads and further development will also be made to secure the continued sustainability of Malaysia’s energy supply and electrical grid but revealed no further details of what this could entail.

One thing’s for sure though: our reliance on non-renewable sources such as coal also means we’re at the mercy of market volatility.

For the majority of Malaysians, the increased crude oil prices that have shot up unsubsidised fuel at the pumps are concerning, but only vaguely related to their electricity bill, which will also be on the rise once these sorts of
blanket subsidies come to an end
.

However, after 2022 this could hamper the
adoption rate of electric vehicles
 as the cost of charging at home (with domestic electricity rates) rises, especially as more buyers are expecting large batteries and long-range per charge to be the norm.