2017 MINI Seven Edition Pays Tribute to the Classic Austin Seven

In an effort to pay respects to the popular Austin Seven of the 1960s, MINI Malaysia today introduced a unique, limited edition version of the 5 Door Cooper called the MINI Seven Edition.
Limited to only 30 units, the MINI Seven Edition is clad in Lapisluxury Blue which is part of the MINI Yours personalisation programme, further complemented by a contrasting Melting Silver roof and side mirror caps.
Adding to the whole exterior package are the bonnet stripes and the 17-inch Spectre Grey light alloy wheels; both exclusive only to the Seven Edition.
The car also gets LED headlights, LED Daytime running lights (DRL), as well as LED fog lamps, with the cherry on the cake being the side scuttles and the door sill finishers which bear the logo of the design model, the wordmark “Seven” and the number seven.
Inside, the premium ambience is highlighted by a harmoniously matched selection of colours and materials for the seats and interior surfaces. The trim includes sports seats in the exclusive fabric / leather finish Diamond Malt Brown, another element created exclusively for the design model.
The colour line, Malt Brown, is also made exclusively for the design model and perfectly harmonizes with the other colours used for the interior of the New MINI Seven Edition, such as the interior surfaces in Piano Black.
Another feature of the design model is the MINI Yours steering wheel made “Walknappa” leather with hand-stitched seams in waxed aluminium braided thread. The steering is finished with a union jack signet. The ergonomically optimized armrest is also foldable in various position with integrated storage compartment.
The MINI Seven Edition is also equipped with an 8.8-inch High Resolution Navigation System Professional which gives the driver a 3D design as it leads the way. This is combined with an innovative display concept and numerous functions for navigation, office and multimedia for maximum comfort and information enroute to a destination.
Entering information such as destinations into the navigation system can be made in handwriting with the touchpad integrated into the MINI Controller. The Controller can also be rotated and pressed to access many functions, change various settings and scroll through lists. A high resolution reverse camera is also available to display a clear view of the area behind the car in the MINI Centre Instrument.
And then, we have all the other features like the MINI Seven Entry Strips, MINI Seven Centre Instrument Ring Badging, as well as the Comfort Access with easy opener function, which allows the unlocking of doors and boot as well as starting of engine without the use of the car key.
Under the hood, the MINI Seven Edition comes with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine that delivers 192 hp with torque peaking at 280 Nm, enabling the car to sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. Regardless, the average fuel consumption is 5.5 litres per 100 km.
The 4-cylinder engine in the New MINI Seven Edition is coupled with a 6-speed Steptronic sports transmission which offers even shorter shift times and includes not just a separate gear selector but also shift paddles at the steering wheel.
With ‘Sport’ and ‘Green’ driving modes to choose from via a rotary switch at the base of the gear lever, owners can enjoy the car in two characteristics, differing in terms of acceleration, steering, and shifting.
As far as safety is concerned, the range of features and modern driver assistance systems include Dynamic Stability Control with Dynamic Traction Control, Electronic Differential Lock Control, and the Performance Control, a system that counters any tendency to understeer prior to reaching the threshold level.
Another key feature optional to the New MINI Seven Edition is a Snap In Adapter, which is a secure and stable docking system with integrated charging function for most mobile phones. By connecting with the car’s external aerial, it simply ensures the best possible reception at all times.
The areas of entertainment are also elevated with the Harmon Kardon HiFi Sound System with 12 perfectly positioned speakers throughout the interior.
Last but not least, the MINI Seven Edition comes with the MINI 4 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.
The estimated retail price (on the road for personal registration, without insurance) of the MINI Seven Edition is RM 253,888.00.


It’s Black, It’s White, Michael Jackson Would so Approve the 2017 Toyota Hilux Limited G

So, apparently UMW Toyota Motors have been busy recently, discreetly working on a limited edition variant of
the new Hilux
 which should be arriving soon as it has been spotted completely undisguised.
As posted by the Mecca of Malaysian spyshots,
Funtasticko.net
, the Hilux Limited G appears to have received a generous dose of cosmetic goodies like black trim around the headlights and taillights, a black roof, unique stickers, as well as black accents on the front grille and bumper.
Although we don't have any official information yet regarding the technicalities or the launch date, we anticipate the limited edition variant to be identical to the 2.4G variant in terms of the powerplant and features – since the unit we’re looking here has no LED headlights, suggesting that it is based on the 2.4 and not the 2.8 G.
As for the interior, we can expect some unique emblems of the limited edition added on components like the door sill, the seats, and maybe even the floor carpet.
Well, nothing has been officially disclosed as of now, but one thing is certain - those of you who have been waiting for a “tricked out” version of the Hilux besides the TRD Sportivo can finally rejoice.


BMW Malaysia Celebrates 8th Consecutive Record Year Of Sales - 14,338 Units

BMW have rounded up another stellar year in 2018, achieving its eighth consecutive record sales year with a total of 14,338 vehicles sold across is BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad brands.
This achievement marked a segment-leading growth of 13 percent as compared to the same period in 2017, with a total of 12,681 units sold.
Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia added, “In 2018, BMW Group Malaysia achieved numerous milestones which contributed to the success we celebrate today. Over the course of the year, we introduced 12 new models across the BMW and MINI brands – of which four were electrified vehicles. We also unveiled two new concept vehicles for the first time ever not only in Malaysia but in South East Asia.”
In 2018, the BMW brand alone saw 12,008 new owners in Malaysia, charting growth of over 13 percent compared to 2017 (10,618).
In terms of the sales breakdown by models: major contributors include the 3 Series with  3,363 units (2,149 units of the
330e PHEV
), 2,900 units of the
X5 xDrive40e
, 2,761 units of the 5 Series (1,769 units of the
530e PHEV
) - making up a total of some 9,024 units. The other 2,984 units are made up of sales of other models such as the 7 Series, X1, X2, and X3 SUVs, and BMW’s high-performance M vehicles.
In comparison, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) also pulled off a
record-breaking year,
 with 13,079 units delivered. The figure eclipses the 2017 record by over 1,000 vehicles, largely in part to major product offensive of some 20 model launches.
MINI also recorded a double-digit growth of over 18 percent, having delivered 1,200 vehicles last year, as compared to the previous year (1,011). In 2018, over 90 MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid vehicles were delivered since its introduction in April.
Meanwhile, BMW Motorrad saw 1,130 new owners in 2018, which recorded a growth of over 7% compared to 2017 (1,052).
The growth of BMW in Malaysia mirrors that of the company’s global performance, having delivered a total of 2,652,123 BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad vehicles last year. Globally, the BMW brand delivered a total of 2,125,026 (+1.8 percent) vehicles, while MINI saw 361,531 new owners. BMW Motorrad also achieved record deliveries with 165,566 new owners, an increase of 0.9 percent compared to 2017.


Proton Iriz 2021 Dan Proton Persona 2021 Versi Facelift Bakal Menyusul – Guna Transmisi CVT Atau 4-Kelajuan Automatik?

Projek terbaharu
Proton
 akan datang? Proton Iriz 2021 dan Proton Persona 2021 versi facelift!

Seperti yang anda tahu, kedua-dua model Proton ini telah dilancarkan pada pertama kalinya pada tahun 2014 (Iriz) dan 2016 (Persona). Meskipun rupa parasnya yang agak menawan dengan harga yang ditawarkan, namun
Punch CVT
 yang dibekalkan pada kereta ini menjadi kelemahan utamanya. Ianya agak bising, kurang selesa serta agak mengecewakan ketika dipandu.

Walau bagaimanapun, Iriz dan Persona telah menerima kemaskini terbaharu pada tahun 2019 (MC1) dimana ia memperhalusi pelbagai perincian bagi meningkatkan tahap keselesaan dan NVH yang lebih baik dari model sebelumnya. Bahagian exterior dan sistem infotainment turut menerima kemaskini. CVT yang tidak disukai ramai pemandu itu telah menerima sedikit penambahbaikan dimana ia menjadikan transmisi tersebut lebih baik berbanding sebelumnya.

Beberapa sumber serta beberapa keping gambar spyshot Persona dan Iriz 2021 yang tersebar di media sosial sebelum ini menunjukkan bahawa kedua-dua model ini sudah pun berada di atas jalan raya untuk menjalani ujian. Jadi apa yang baru?

Bagi model Iriz 2021, Projek terbaharu Proton nampaknya ialah menghasilkan Iriz versi crossover! Akhirnya kita dapat juga lihat konsep Iriz Active yang bercirikan crossover seperti yang telah didedahkan oleh Proton sejak tahun 2014 lalu. Selain versi crossover, Proton juga dilihat menguji Iriz facelift 2021 dalam bentuk standardnya.

*Sumber Foto: Astro Awani

Memandangkan bahagian lampu belakang Proton Iriz Crossover diletakkan pelekat camouflage berbanding Iriz biasa yang tidak disorok ketika melakukan ujian di jalan raya, kita boleh jangka bahawa bentuk lampu belakang Iriz crossover ini agak kelihatan sedikit berbeza berbanding model standard. Ia juga hadir dengan rel bumbung, skirt sisi serta fender yang dikemaskini yang tiada pada model biasa.

Menerusi gambar spyshots yang tular, bahagian hadapan kereta ini turut ditampal pelekat camouflage dan itu menandakan bahawa bahagian hadapan kereta ini turut akan kelihatan sedikit berbeza berbanding model terkini. Dikhabarkan bahagian hadapannya akan dilengkapi dengan gril ‘Infinite Weave’ seperti yang diperkenalkan
Proton X70.

Sementara itu, Proton Persona facelift 2021 akan menerima reka bentuk atau susunan lampu LED di bahagian belakang yang baharu. Berdasarkan gambar spyshot, lampu terbabit dilihat berada dalam keadaan smoky atau digelapkan selain hadir dengan rekaan bumper hadapan serta belakang yang agak berlainan.

Walau bagaimanapun, rekaan kluster lampu hadapan serta lampu nyalaan siang LED dijangka tidak berubah. Tapi perubahan boleh dilihat pada gril ‘infinite weave’ pada Persona yang kelihatannya diberikan jalur krom pada bahagian bawah.

Terdapat khabar angin yang mengatakan bahawa kedua-dua model baharu ini akan mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada CVT yang digunakan pada model sebelumnya dan menggunakan transmisi 4-kelajuan automatik seperti pada
Proton Saga
 yang sudah terbukti lebih baik berbanding CVT. Walau bagaimanapun, berdasarkan beberapa sumber yang boleh dipercayai, Proton Iriz dan Persona 2021 dijangka masih kekal dengan transmisi CVT. Nampaknya harapan rakyat Malaysia untuk melihat Iriz dan Persona mendapat transmisi 4-kelajuan automatik mungkin boleh dilupakan.

Bayangkan jika Proton Iriz facelift 2021 ini dilengkapi dengan transmisi 4-kelajuan automatik? Mungkinkah akhirnya dapat bersaing dengan
King Myvi
?

Seperti yang anda sedia maklum, Proton telah melakukan penalaan semula pada transmisi CVT seperti yang terdapat pada model Iriz dan Persona facelift 2019. Bagi model 2021, Proton dikhabarkan telah meningkatkan unit kawalan transmisi (TCU). Meskipun masih kekal dengan CVT, adakah ia lebih baik berbanding transmisi 4-kelajuan automatik seperti yang terdapat pada Saga? Sama-sama kita nantikan.

Bagi ciri keselamatan pula, kedua-dua model baharu 2021 Proton ini telah menerima rating keselamatan 5 bintang
ASEAN NCAP
, sama seperti model Proton yang diuji sebelum ini iaitu X70 dan X50. Oleh kerana Proton menghantar semula kedua-dua model terbabit untuk kembali menjalani ujian keselamatan, ini mungkin bermaksud bahawa kedua-dua model itu telah menerima ciri keselamatan aktif yang terbaru.

Jika kedua-dua model ini dilengkapi dengan AEB, ianya tidaklah begitu mengejutkan memandangkan Perodua Myvi, rival Iriz sudah ada menawarkan ciri tersebut. Setakat ini masih tiada pengumuman rasmi yang dikeluarkan oleh Proton.

Seperti kebanyakan model facelift yang lain, enjin kedua-dua model ini berkemungkinan besar dijangka kekal. Model asas Iriz dikuasakan oleh enjin 1.3 liter VVT berkuasa 95 PS/120 Nm, manakala varian yang lebih tinggi serta Proton Persona menerima enjin 1.6 liter VVT berkuasa 109 PS/150 Nm.

Berdasarkan maklumat terkini yang diperolehi, pengeluaran model Persona serta Iriz MC2 ini sudah dimulakan di kilang Proton yang terletak di Tanjung Malim. Memandangkan kereta baharu ini sering dilihat diatas jalan raya bagi melakukan ujian jalan raya, nampaknya pelancarannya sudah tidak lama lagi!

Nantikan kemunculan Proton Iriz Crossover/facelift 2021 serta Proton Persona facelift 2021 yang bakal menggayakan logo baharu Proton tidak lama lagi!

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Ford Officially Launches the Ford Mustang for Malaysia; From RM488k

We earlier reported that that Sime Darby had
opened bookings
for the Ford Mustang, but the cars have finally arrived and are available for purchase now. There are two variants of the Mustang for now - the full fat 5.0-litre V8 model and the 2.3-litre EcoBoost.
The former has a solid 416 PS and 530 Nm of torque, while the latter has a respectable 317 PS and 432 Nm of torque.
Prices start at RM488,888 for the 2.3-litre EcoBoost and RM598,888 for the 5.0-litre V8.
The 2.3-litre EcoBoost inline-four
That badge alone should leave nothing to question...
The Mustang is an extremely important part of the Ford Motor Company history, being the pinnacle of performance for them short of the Ford GT that has only been present for brief periods of time. The car is as iconic as the brand itself, becoming extremely popular in films and television and virtually defining the American muscle car.
This generation sees the introduction of turbocharging and independent rear suspension to the range, which brings the Mustang well up to current technological standards. The EcoBoost motor is something we have seen evolve over the last few years, applied to most of Ford’s performance oriented products. While they may not have the character of a burly V8 motor, they still offer usable effective performance that works in a larger range of situations.
Perhaps the only unfortunate thing is that our local Mustangs will only be made available with the 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. There is no manual option (for now), but Ford is confident that the transmission can deliver the same fun as a manual with far more convenience. The Mustang is also packaged with 8 airbags and the SYNC2 system, making it just as safe and sophisticated as other luxury offerings.
The Ford Mustang is priced at RM 488,888 for the 2.3-litre Ecoboost and RM 598,888 for the 5.0-litre V8, on the road without insurance. Both models are available in a wide range of colours: Race Red, Oxford White, Shadow Black, Deep Impact Blue, and Magnetic Grey. The 5.0-litre model also has the option of a Yellow Tri-Coat colour. You can view the all new Ford Mustang at
http://www.ford.com.my/cars/all-new-mustang


BMW Malaysia Launches 430i M Sport Coupe - RM454,800

Following a shadowy teaser and
online bookings starting in mid January
, BMW Malaysia have officially introduced the all-new 4 Series into the local range, starting specifically with the 430i M Sport priced at RM454,800 (on-the-road without insurance).

Though technically the top tier high performance M4 Competition was the
first ‘4’ to arrive in the Malaysian market
, this fully imported G22 version is the entrance of the non-M family of the 4 Series proper, the 2nd-generation of BMW’s mid-tier two-door coupe, wedged below the
8 Series Coupe
 and above 2 Series Coupe, succeeding the F32 that was brought here in late 2013.

That said, there’s many traits that are shared with that particular beast born of BMW M. The underlying structure is derived from the automaker’s CLAR platform, which at this point forms the basis of all current-era models save for those with transversely-mounted engines and a predominantly front-drive layout - 1 Series, X1, X2, 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Four exterior colours are available: Arctic Race Blue Metallic, Portimao Blue, Alpine White, and Black Sapphire. However, the main talking point about the 4 Series is its design, particularly its front end snout. Think of it what you will, but BMW seems to happily feed on the reactions to its controversial design. Any publicity, even notoriety, could be what they’re after.

In their press release, perhaps in an attempt to warm us to the reasoning behind why it looks the way it does, BMW aren’t sparing words on the topic, calling the new grille design “bold”, a “strong statement”, and that “the All-New BMW 4 Series is the manifestation of that inquisitiveness that has helped spur us ever-forward in the field of design.” - OK.

The much larger front ‘kidneys’ now resemble a pair of lungs, as has been pointed out many times, and run almost the full height of the fascia itself, featuring an internal honeycomb mesh weave in contrasting aluminium. Being an M Sport model, the 430i also includes larger air intake curtains  on either side of the bumper to give it wider and more aggressive.…um, cheeks.

There’s also BMW Laserlight headlights and LED fog lamps as standard with the remaining black accents finished in high-gloss Shadow Line from BMW Individual.

Along the sides we have character lines to accentuate the athletic profile we associate with a BMW 4 Series along with 19-inch wheels (Style 797 M Bicolour). Meanwhile, the rear is framed by the car’s wide hips to reveal a tail end that echoes cues from the 8 Series, concealing a 440-litre boot within and a pair of chrome exhaust exits below, nicely integrated with its rear bumper and diffuser-like element.

Under the bonnet we have the familiar B48 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, tuned to output 258hp and 400Nm for a 0-100km/h sprint in an impressively rapid 5.8 seconds. As usual, it’s mated exclusively to the excellent 8-speed automatic sourced from ZF and sends power to the rear wheels. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

At a fundamental level, BMW have made driving dynamics a top priority with the new 4 Series by, among other measures, adding new advanced control systems to mitigate wheel slip. Taken as a whole, these have the potential to introduce marked handling improvements over its predecessor by a significant margin, and so far the verdicts on this matter have been pretty unanimously in favour. The 430i’s M Sport suspension sharpens the drive even further, and the standard package includes beefier M Sport Brakes and Variable Sport Steering.

Compared to the F32, this G22 is longer by 130mm with a wheelbase extended by 41mm, making for a larger footprint on the road as well as a more expansive cabin. Those already familiar with the G20 3 Series will quickly recognise this dashboard layout finished in Sensatec with pearl chrome and satin aluminium accents. The interior’s dual tone palette can be had in Black, Tacora Red, or Cognac brown.

Perched on the centre stack is a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display with iDrive angled slightly toward the driver running BMW’s latest Operating System 7 software, paired with a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument display behind the M leather steering wheel. Among some other nice feature inclusions are a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a Qi wireless charging pad, 3-zone climate control, and ambient interior lighting with 11 presets.

All occupants enjoy supple Vernasca leather upholstery, though the front seats are considered ‘sport’ thanks to its extra semi-bucket bolstering. Speaking of which, the rear seats do look large enough to be usable even to adults, and they fold down in a 40/20/40 split to make even more use of that big 440-litre boot.

The 430i M Sport also comes with the Driving Assistant Package which adds an ensemble of driver assist and active safety systems, including Front Collision Warning with Brake Intervention, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, and Rear Collision Prevention.

BMW Malaysia provides all owners of the 430i with their 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme as well as BMW Roadside Assistance.


Bentley's EXP-10 Speed 6 Sports Coupe: The Continental GT's Athletic Little Brother

Meet the world’s prettiest (imho), and most petite,
Bentley
: the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept. It’s also one of the first real surprises to come out of the
2015 Geneva Motor Show
 – nobody really saw it coming. This lower, tighter coupe from the British outfit known for making big and heavy luxury cars is a definite departure for the company.
In Bentley's own words, “It offers thrilling, driver-oriented performance, complete with trademark modern Bentley luxury and effortlessness.”
With the dimensions not as generous as previous Bentleys, this one eschews the 2+2 layout and instead is a simple two-seater. Despite it being easy to spot the styling details that denote its marque, the large meshed grille (with a ‘6’ logo that’s only visible at an angle, a nostalgic nod to Bentley’s heritage), long hood, and muscular haunches that flow over the rear wheels, there’s a lot of new touches here to preview the company’s future designs.
Very obviously, the body itself is more svelte and curvy, the scooped hood has more contour while being more aggressive, the headlamps are sleek new takes on Bentley’s classic double bubble shapes, and the air ducts behind the front wheels are indicators of the EXP 10 Speed 6’s more sporting intentions. Moving to the rear, the shape of the taillights are similar to those we’ve seen on Bentley most recent Continental GT, only halved and expanded width-ways, complementing the similarly shaped exhausts.
Overall, the lower height and tighter dimensions of the car as well as wheelbase pushed toward all four corners give it a very seductive stance.
Bentley has been silent on the actual specifications but speculation points to it having six cylinders to correlate the Speed 6 name. Whether or not Bentley leafs through the Volkswagen Group’s catalogue or, like the Mulsanne, decided to go in-house, is anyone’s guess.
Interiors are Bentley’s wheel house. And as much as we love the prospect of a more sporting Bentley, especially one that looks this gorgeous, the interior is drop dead. Bentley says it features “3D quilting, milled directly in to solid straight-grain cherry wood. Each resulting diamond is finished with a copper centre.”
Modern flourishes dressed in classic luxury. Should this car come to market like we see here - fingers crossed – it’s the interior that will really set it apart. Gone are the perceptions of antiquity that have been Bentley interiors before.


Rebates for Ranger XLT and Focus Sport+ bookings at Ford Go Further Roadshow

The ‘Ford Go further Roadshow’ takes place on the following dates:
13th May to 15th May, at AEON Taiping, Perak.
20th May to 22nd May, at Mines International Exhibition and Convention Center (MIECC).
Ford and Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) invite the public to come and experience the many features and capabilities of Ford
Focus Sport+
 and Ranger XLT. Visitors who place a booking for any of the two models during the roadshow period will be presented with an RM300 ‘Shopping Bonanza’ rebate.


Frankfurt 2017: Audi R8 RWS - Winkelmann Brings Gallardo LP550-2 Formula To Audi

In addition to all the concepts and self-driving cars, Audi has revealed something interesting at the Frankfurt Motor Show – the R8 V10 RWS.
Limited to 999 units worldwide, each R8 V10 RWS, which stands for ‘Rear Wheel Series’, will be hand-built at the Böllinger Höfe R8 factory.
Offered in Coupe and Spyder variants, the R8 RWS shares the same 5.2-litre V10 engine as the other existing versions, producing 540 PS and 540 Nm of torque and paired to the brand’s 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Thanks to the powertrain package and rear-wheel drive layout, the car is able to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds (Coupe) and 3.5 seconds (Spyder), and clock a top speed of 317km/h.
With the quattro all-wheel drive system out the way, the R8 V10 RWS is about 50kg lighter than the regular R8. However, it is still slower to do the century sprint than the latter by 0.2 seconds.
What’s interesting about the R8 RWS is that its chassis setup and control systems actually allow the driver to do controlled drifts.
All he or she has to do is choose “dynamic” mode in the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system, and set the Stabilisation Control ESC to “Sport”. With the ESC ready to intervene reliably at the limit, the electromechanical power steering becomes completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling.
Setting this version apart from the regular R8s are features like the matt black ‘Singleframe’ grille, matt black air apertures, as well as a gloss black and body coloured two-tone upper sideblades. The Coupé also gets an optional red film running over the bonnet, roof and rear end.
Inside, the supercar gets sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara, as well as an emblem indicating the limited number of units (1 of 999).
“The R8 V10 RWS is made for purists,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH. “A limited-edition special model for customers with an appreciation for essential driving enjoyment, the R8 V10 RWS is an absolutely exclusive offer. With its mid-mounted V10 engine and rear-wheel drive, it successfully brings the driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets.”


Jakarta 2017: All-New 2017 Toyota Voxy Introduced - CBU Japan, 2.0L CVT

Toyota Astra Motor, Indonesia's official Toyota importer and distributor has introduced the all-new 2017 Toyota Voxy at the ongoing Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show. The new imported from Japan Toyota Voxy will supersede the older Toyota NAV1, which was a locally-assembled version of an earlier generation Toyota Noah - itself a twin model to the Toyota Voxy. In Japan, the Voxy and Noah, along with the Esquire are triplets of the same model, each sold with a slightly different exterior design and sold at separate Toyota dealer networks - Netz, Corolla and Toyopet dealers respectively.
Available in just one trim, the Toyota Voxy is powered by a 2.0-litre 3ZR-FAE four-cylinder petrol engine that does 152 PS and 193 Nm, sent to the front wheels via a CVT-type automatic transmission.
The Toyota Voxy is positioned above the Toyota Sienta, but below the Toyota Alphard in Toyota Indonesia's lineup, challenging the likes of the Nissan Serena and Mazda Biante.
Equipment wise, the Toyota Voxy is generously equipped with smart entry with push start button, full colour multi-info display, triple zone auto air-conditioning, double moonroof, cruise control, reverse camera, all-round auto power windows, seven airbags, Emergency Brake Signal, Vehicle Stability Control and Hill Start Assist. Similar to the Toyota Sienta, the Toyota Voxy also gets two power sliding doors, on each side of the MPV.
In Indonesia, the Voxy retails at IDR 446,000,000 (~RM143,456).


BMW i4 vs Porsche Taycan - Battle Of The EV Sports Sedans

The BMW i4’s (
and iX’s
)
recent appearance on BMW Malaysia's website
 has led most of us to believe we might be in for quite an electric surprise if these two vehicles make their official entry into Malaysia. Crucially, there will be much anticipation surrounding the i4 – given it’s a four-door high-performance sedan – something BMW does very well.

Though it is still quite a ways off, the earliest market arrivals of the
i4 only happen in Q3 2021
, the i4’s natural competition would include
Tesla Model 3
, as well as the
Polestar 2
 and
Audi e-Tron GT
 depending on market.

In Malaysia however, seemingly the closest competitor the i4 would have is the base model Porsche Taycan, which granted is a more premium car – but share some similarities which include a single motor driving the rear wheels and almost similar battery capacities.

Some specifics of the i4 – such as its total torque figures are still not known – but let’s find out how they match up.

Dimensions

The Taycan is the larger car, it is both longer, wider and more low slung given its gorgeous yet slippery shape. However, the i4 has a longer wheelbase than the Taycan which should aid interior space and legroom.

Power

Porsche Taycan: Up to 408PS with Overboost/Peak torque: 345Nm

BMW i4: Estimated up to 537PS/ torque unknown currently

There’s a little contest as to which might be the faster car, the i4 has over 100PS more than the Taycan and should weigh about the same, if not less. However, don’t discount the
Taycan’s 800W electric architecture
 that gives it sublime endurance in almost any driving condition and weather. The i4 features BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive powertrain which integrates the electric motor, transmission, and power electronics, all accommodated in a single housing making it incredibly compact and powerful.

Battery capacity

Porsche Taycan: 79.2kWh (Performance Battery)/ 93.4kWh (Performance Battery Plus)

BMW i4: 80kWh

Customers of the Taycan can opt to have the Performance Battery Plus which offer more capacity, driving range, and performance. The Taycan also recharges its battery immensely quick thanks to its 225kW max (DC) charging rate. Juicing the i4 is a newly designed high-voltage battery featuring a flat design and optimised energy density, total capacity is rated at 80kWh. The max charging rate is not yet known, but the BMW iX3 which has the same battery capacity is capable of DC fast charging at 155kW.

Driving Range

Porsche Taycan: Up to 408PS with Overboost/Peak torque: 345Nm

BMW i4: Estimated up to 537PS/ Torque unknown currently

The Taycan is claimed to have a combined driving range of between 354 - 431km with the Performance Battery and 407 - 484km with the Performance Battery Plus. BMW claims a driving range of up to 590km (measured according to the WLTP test cycle) for the i4. The increased range could be down to a lower vehicle energy consumption (estimated) 133 Wh/km (Taycan: 201 Wh/km), however, this figure is likely higher in real-world conditions, which will affect the overall driving range.

Price

There are no concrete figures for the i4 currently, but Car and Driver USA estimates a pricetag of between USD50k – USD60k if it intends to compete with the highly successful Tesla Model 3. The base model Taycan starts at USD80k in the USA therefore the i4 is quite a bit cheaper than the Taycan. In Malaysia, the base model Taycan retails from RM584,561.

Separately, a recently
announced policy by MARii
which intends to accelerate the EV business in Malaysia could see better and more competitive prices for EVs and PHEVs. Upon its introduction, the BMW i4 could take advantage of the new policy changes and its incentives to offer a very competitive pricetag. Perhaps in the region of RM400+k?


All-New 2017 Mazda CX-8 Considered For Malaysia, 2.5L NA Only

Contrary to earlier reports, the Mazda CX-8 will not be a Japan-only model after all. This new SUV from Mazda slots into the line-up above the CX-5 but just below the CX-9.
During the
launch of the Mazda CX-5 CKD
, Hiroshi Inoue, President of Mazda South East Asia Ltd revealed that the Mazda CX-8 will be exported after its Japan market launch in December 2017.
According to Inoue-san, a number of markets have requested for the new Mazda CX-8, including Malaysia.
In terms of dimensions, the
Mazda CX-8
 is similar to the CX-9, with the CX-8’s length coming in at 4,900 mm, 175 mm shorter than the CX-9. Apart from that, the Mazda CX-8 is 129 mm narrower and 17 mm lower than the CX-9. Wheelbase is identical for both models.
Despite the similarities in their dimensions, the CX-8 and CX-9 will be differentiated by their engines. The CX-8 is expected to be powered by a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated SkyActiv-G petrol engine, while the
larger CX-9
 gets a turbocharged 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine.
 In Japan, the CX-8 will be powered exclusively by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel SkyActiv-D engine.
Similar to the Mazda CX-9, the CX-8 is also a three-row SUV, but the difference is that the latter is available as a six-seater or seven-seater. If customers opt for the six-seater version of the Mazda CX-8, the second row gets a pair of captain seats with a large storage compartment in between.
Bermaz did not specify a timeline for the upcoming Mazda CX-8, but a debut some time in 2018 is likely.


Just A Matter Of Time – Restoring A Second Hand Car

When it comes to buying a car, there are two obvious paths. You can buy a brand new car from an official manufacturer and get a full service and warranty package that you attend to yourself. The alternative is to buy one that comes used, usually at great financial benefit.

But as far as second hand cars go, there is always some form of wear and tear from age and use that means you have to prepare a little more cash to take care of these potential problems. Having a car’s service history always helps, but even if that’s available there may be some prudence in preventative maintenance.

Given that prices vary greatly between different manufacturers and models, it is also important to get involved with other owners of the car you’re looking at so you can get a grasp of how much it would cost to replace or things to avoid. Also important is to look for any recall notices that may have gone out but haven’t yet been rectified.

Anyway, let’s get down to business. We’ve broken down second hand cars into rough tiers of age – not mileage – because even sitting around in a garage can wear certain components down. Let’s get started!

Between 1 and 3 Years

If you’re buying a second hand car that’s between one and three years old, chances are you won’t really need to do much to get them into good condition. Here are the things you will most likely need to check or resolve with a car of this age range:

Engine oil

Brake Pads

Brake Rotors

Windscreen Wipers

Between 3 and 5 Years

Here is where things may start to get a little tricky. Some cars tend to be a little more hardy in this area so you may be presently surprised to find these components won’t need changing, while some cars may be driven extra hard so these parts will wear out a little more quickly. For this vintage of car, prepare to go through:

Spark plugs

All rubber bushings

Engine mounts

Engine air filter

Cabin air filter

Between 5 and 10 years

Over the next few years of its life, you will find that more and more components will need replacing as they reach the end of their engineered life spans. The pricing for these items can vary quite heavily as they are big ticket components, but you can expect to have to pay attention to your:

Suspension dampers

Fuel pump

ABS pump

Wheel speed sensors

Headlights and/or tail lights

Over 10 Years

Welcome to the twilight zone. This is where there is so much uncertainty as to a car’s condition that you could be facing quite nearly anything – and you’re so far out of warranty that you’re really on your own. When you’re at this point, there’s no holds barred – solutions are going to come in many forms and they may not always be OEM or manufacturer approved.

The engine may need a full rebuild. Ten years is a long time and that’s a lot of cold starts and bearing wear, so either way you will need to get it carefully inspected at a workshop to see the condition of various components. The transmission will almost definitely need a fluid flush, as will the radiator and pretty much every fluid in the car.

We hope this guide gives you a very rough idea of the maintenance costs you can expect to incur if you buy a second hand car – and if you do your research and find these components can fit within your budget, you could still get a pretty decent deal on a second hand car. After all, forewarned is fore armed.


Lexus Confirms All-New Twin Turbo V8, Sparks More LC F Hype

Hidden in an announcement that the
Lexus
 LC will be competing in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring come May 2020, the Japanese luxury automaker has also confirmed the development of a twin-turbocharged engine which will feature in the upcoming endurance racing car.

Mystery still shrouds this new eight-cylinder motor but Lexus did state its application will also extend to production sports cars as well. The most obvious early recipient in this case is, naturally, the LC 500, implying that the venerable (though long-serving) 5.0-litre 2UR-GSE unit is also due to be supplanted and possibly retired.

This will be a slow wind down, however, as Lexus does intend to fully devote the new bi-turbo V8 engine and its development resources to perfecting it for racing before adapting it for the road. Expect the transition away from naturally aspirated V8s to occur in 2021 once its successor has unequivocally proven its worth on the track.

Previous reports suggest a displacement of roughly 4.0-litres and an output somewhere around 600hp, making it a perfect foil to the Mercedes-AMG M178 and the Ferrari F154, finally putting Lexus on equal footing with power and torque while supposedly paving the way for a more focused LC F halo model to enter the fray.

The long-rumoured flagship supercar would be the spiritual successor to the legendary V10-powered LFA and cement the Japanese automaker’s status as a serious contender in the realm of luxury high performance, rubbing shoulders with Aston Martin and Porsche - both of whom also quite recently embraced turbocharging across their portfolio of cars.

Despite competing against other 2+2 grand tourers, the LC 500’s naturally aspirated 5.0-litre engine had always proved a divisive part of its package. Its supporters are adamant that the comparatively unimpressive power and torque figures were a small sacrifice for its uniquely responsive character and invigorating soundtrack.

However, it’s hard to argue that the market has been saturated with turbocharged engines, making buyers accustomed to relying on surging low RPM performance over the high-revving linear delivery of atmospheric alternatives.

Rather than outright replacing the 2UR-GSE, perhaps Lexus could offer it alongside this incoming twin-turbocharged unit, satisfying both camps while retaining the unique qualities of a rare type of engine. Other than Lexus, only the 5.2-litre V10 in the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan come quickly to mind as options for the enthusiast of free-breathing engines.

For the best deals on Lexus cars,
click here
.


Mercedes-Benz Starts Production Of B-Class At Their Rastatt Plant

With a workforce of around 6,500 employees, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt is no small operation. It's the lead plant for the compact cars within the three-pointed star's range, with more than 330,000 vehicles rolling off of their assembly lines in 2017. With such a good track record, it's only fitting to keep them pushing out models, and the latest in their re-tooling schedule is the
all-new B-Class
.
The B-Class was, and maybe still is, a car that's slipped under the radar a little - especially with the previous generation A-Class stealing the limelight in three different bodystyles. That being said, the all-new B-Class is a force to be reckoned with, coming packed with all of the features that makes the A-Class a solid contender in its segment but with a few more considerations for the family.
Just a couple of months ago, production of the A-Class sedan ramped up at Rastatt, which makes them more than ready to handle the B-Class. In addition to being the lead plant, this particular plant utilizes Industry 4.0 solutions to get things done - that is to say, driverless transport systems, paperless operation, and digital quality control systems all contribute to making a better car and a more efficient plant.
And when you think that's a lot to handle, let's not forget that Mercedes-Benz has their EQ sub-brand to consider when it comes to production. Rastatt will be at the top of that list for compact cars, along with the Mercedes-Benz plant in Hambach, France. Big investments are coming their way, and you can be sure they're going to put it to good use.


Volvo Aurizn Design Challenge Calling For Entries

Volvo Car Malaysia has announced its partnership with high-end publishing house
Aurizn
 to host the inaugural
Volvo Aurizn Design Challenge
 targeted at interior design firms to submit renderings of their most creative renderings of home and living spaces.
The partnership between VCM and
Aurizn
 represents the coming together of two companies sharing a common vision on aesthetically-pleasing design. The latest Volvo cars have received international acclaim for the sophisticated designs their exteriors and interiors.
Aurizn
, meanwhile, through its stable of life-style titles, are aiming to recreate the beauty of print publishing on an online platform. Started off with
EvoMalaysia,
 the publishing house has recently rolled out
Estate Malaysia, ID Malaysia,
and
Carat Malaysia
 with the stated aim of adding a further 10 titles to its stable within the next three years.
The final leg of the
Volvo Aurizn Design Challenge
 will be hosted at Bon Estates just opposite Bangsar Shopping Complex. Finalists will be asked to prepare a floorplan of The Estate, a new luxury development slated for completion in 2020 at Bangsar South.
The big prize to be won is a trip to Volvo’s Design Centre in Gothenburg, Sweden and meet with the top designers of Volvo Cars.
Interior design firms can participate in the
Volvo Aurizn Design Challenge
 by posting drawings or renderings of their best projects on their own Facebook pages and tag the official FB pages of
Aurizn
 and Volvo Car Malaysia. Official hashtag of the challenge is #VolvoAurizn.
For more information, visit:
http://www.aurizn.com/volvo-aurizn-design-challenge


B8 Volkswagen Passat – Old VS New: All You Need to Know About the Updates

Volkswagen unveiled the updated B8 Passat in Malaysia about a month ago, with many subtle yet significant updates.

However, when parked next to one another, the new Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance still looks a lot like the outgoing pre-facelift model. So, it isn't really your fault, especially those who are not really into cars, if you can’t tell the difference between the current and the former.

But don’t worry, we are going to break down all the differences between the two models to help you distinguish both them clearly the next time you see one on the road. As a term of reference the Aquamarine Blue Passat is the 2020 version.

1. Exterior Design

On the exterior, changes on the new Passat include a redesigned front grille, a new bumper, tweaked LED headlights with “eyebrow” DRLs, new sequential indicators, as well as redesigned air intakes.

At the back, the tail lights are also new, with arrow-like graphics and sequential turn signals. The rear bumper has also been redesigned.

Last but not least we have the new 18-inch wheels, and the “Passat” lettering which runs across the boot.

2. Interior Features

Inside, key changes include a new steering wheel, the new Discover Pro infotainment system with a larger 9.2-inch touchscreen, voice command, gesture control, and the AppConnect system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The ports have also been changed from USB to USB-C. In addition, the door panels have also been redesigned.

Further complementing the interior is the 12-way powered electric driver’s seat, 3-zone Climatronic air-conditioning system for all passengers, and new power-operated roll up rear sunshades. Boot space on the other hand, stands at 586-litres.

Also new is the 11.7-inch Digital Cockpit which offers a high-resolution, thin-film transistor (TFT) similar to that of a smartphone, which incorporates functions and features in 2D and 3D graphic display for navigation and media. A six-view customizable screen offers a new level of personalization with over 30 combination options.

3. New Gearbox

Powering the new Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance is an updated version of the current 2.0-litre TSI engine that is paired with a new 7-speed wet dual-clutch automatic gearbox, kicking out 190 PS and 320 Nm, which is 30 PS and 30 Nm lesser than the outgoing Passat 2.0 TSI Highline.

Prior to this, the Passat 1.8 TSI came with a 7-speed dry-type dual clutch automatic transmission, while the 2.0 TSI variants came with a 6-speed wet-type dual clutch automatic transmission. In line with the upgrade, there is no more Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) where you could choose between 5 driving modes, or the  XDS electronic differential lock.

Safety and driver assistance

Where safety is concerned, new features include Side Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, as well as the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, which complement other features like the Blind Spot Monitoring System, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Brake Assist (BA), Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS), Hill-hold Control, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, and the Proactive Passenger Protection System.

Variants and price

Prior to the update, the Volkswagen Passat was offered in
three variants
 - Comfortline, Trendline, and
Highline
, with two engine options (1.8 TSI and 2.0 TSI) to choose from, with prices ranging between RM159,990 and RM198,990. Now however, the Passat will only be offered in one variant – the Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance which replaces the outgoing Highline, with an asking price of RM189,012 which is about RM9,000 cheaper.


Can Toyota Top Honda Sales In 2021?

Closing off a stellar month of sales in December 2020 – Honda Malaysia managed to round off yet another year as the Top Non-National carmaker in Malaysia. Its sixth year at the top-spot – though only just! Honda closed off the year with 60,469 units delivered in 2020, UMW Toyota Motors 59,320 units, needless to say, Toyota is not far behind, and they’re going in big, gunning for gold this year in the Non-National segment.

Honda knows it too, and they won’t be resting on their laurels, with the launch of the tech-laden Honda
City RS
, and most of their existing range already refreshed with facelifts (i.e.: the
BR-V
, Civic and
CR-V
) going up against an equally strong lineup from Toyota (read
Yaris
,
Vios
, Avanza,
Hilux
 and Innova) - it’s all to play for in 2021.

The start of Honda’s era

It’s worthy to note that topping sales charts once or twice, is tough, but achievable – especially for a company like Honda. However, to lead for six consecutive years, especially against the world’s biggest car manufacturer – requires quite something else.

Add to that, Malaysia is one of the few markets in the world where Honda leads Toyota, Honda Malaysia’s story over the last few years is one of a great era of products, people, work culture, and determination.

Toyota for decades has led the non-national segment in Malaysia, and before there was such a thing as a Malaysian car – Toyota led outright, vying closely with Nissan. And Toyota’s unassailable lead throughout the years was down to product juggernauts like the Vios, Corolla,
Camry
, and Hilux.

It all started towards the end of 2014...

Toyota rounded off 2014 with 102,035 units sold, Honda managed a mere 77,495 units, and additionally, Toyota increased its market share from 14.1 percent in 2013 to 15.6 percent in 2014.

Reporting for years 2016 - 2018 separates commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles. Data collated through MAA annual sales reports.

However, 2014 would also mark the start of a tidal shift towards Honda. While Toyota only celebrated one major launch in 2014 – the Corolla Altis – Honda was in the early stages of a product salvo, starting with the launch of the Honda City and Jazz in March and June of that year.

With large swathes of the market moving towards SUVs and hatchbacks from three-box sedans, Honda was primed to take advantage of having the perfect products the market wanted.

With the underperforming (XV50) Toyota Camry being overtaken by the hugely popular 9th-gen Honda Accord, the comfortable volume margins Toyota normally had, were dropping away. Alongside, Honda’s new 4th-generation CR-V was cruising in the lead, and Toyota had no answer for it.

The strong momentum from 2014 was carried into 2015, when Honda launched arguably, its game-changing model – the Honda HR-V.

In a market ripe for SUVs, the HR-V’s sublime blend of style, size, and practicality saw it enjoy a stellar reception upon its launch. With Toyota non-existent in the compact SUV market (having discontinued the Toyota Rush) – Honda’s sales skyrocketed.

In just one year – Honda rounded of a total sales jump of 22.5 percent, delivering 94,902 units for the year, surpassing Toyota, (which dipped 8.1 percent in 2015 versus 2014) totalling 93,760 units. The roughly 17,000 unit sales jump was attributed not only to Honda capturing market share from Toyota, but also Proton which dropped 11.8 percent in 2015 (102,175 units).

However 2015, was just the start – 2016 saw the introduction of the hugely popular Honda Civic (FC) – proving not only a huge resurgence in interest for the Civic model but in C-Segment sedans in general, which otherwise showed stagnating sales across all other brands. The Civic (FC) remains unchallenged in its segment to this day. Honda closed off 2016, leading the Non-National segment with 91,830 units sold. Despite a 3.3 percent drop in sales, Honda increased its overall market share to 15.8 percent.

2017 and 2018 saw the total fruition of Honda’s efforts in the years before it. The company finished 2017 with 109,511 units, marking the first time ever the company sold more than 100k units (since its inception in 2003) and the first time ever a Non-National carmaker surpassed 100k sales (passenger car sales) in Malaysia.

2017 was highlighted by the launch of the 5th-generation Honda CR-V and the introduction of the hugely successful Honda BR-V, both of which surpassed all expectations.

2018 carried on in much the same way as 2017, with its product range conquering almost all segments that Honda contested in, they rounded off an excellent 2018 with 102,282 units in 2018.

Despite dipping 6.6 percent from 2017, and falling short of Honda’s own targets (of 109k units), Toyota's approximately 65,500 units in the same year still meant that Honda had a very strong lead.

The last two years...

2019 and 2020 have been a race of attrition for both companies. While Honda still clocked an impressive 85,418 in 2019, it dropped 16.5 percent from 2018, Toyota climbed 5.4 percent to deliver just over 69,000 units.

Since 2019, it would seem, that Honda's sales are getting pinched not just by Toyota, but also
by Proton
, with the perennial Malaysian brand also enjoying a phenomenal revival of its own, no less on the backs of good products such as the Proton X70 and
X50
.

Though only just, Honda just managed to top the Non-National spot courtesy of strong sales in the last 2 months of 2020 – again, the
all-new Honda City
 model is proving the all-important stimulus. the
PENJANA economic package
 has been another crucial contributor.

What has Toyota been up to?

In not so many words – Toyota has woken up and smelled the coffee.

They do not like being number two and have responded with an array of new product introductions, snazzy marketing campaigns, and high-dollar investments in brand building with their
Toyota Gazoo Racing festival
since 2018.

They can also count on a refreshed lineup of cars – In 2018 alone, Toyota launched the Toyota Harrier, Toyota C-HR, Toyota Rush, Toyota Camry and introduced fully-imported versions of the
Alphard and Vellfire MPV
s.

Another key highlight for 2018 was the completion of the company’s RM1.87 billion new
manufacturing plant
 in Bukit Raja, Selangor; which boosts their manufacturing capacity to up 100,000 units a year. The investment will allow for a new raft of CKD vehicles to be introduced, currently, the popular Vios and Yaris models are made here. The Yaris in particular has been a smash hit, which has since overtaken sales of the ageing
Honda Jazz
.

2019 also saw the return of the stalwart Toyota Corolla sedan and hallowed
Toyota GR Supra
 sportscar. Therefore, while Toyota may not have topped the sales charts in the last few years, it has been hard at work changing its brand image from safe and predictable to youthful and sporty.

Besides the headline-grabbing cars – Toyota has also refreshed other models such as the Hilux,
Innova
, and Avanza – crucial contributors to Toyota’s overall volume.

So will Toyota regain the crown in 2021?

In a word, it’s very possible. Having finished off 2020 with the flamboyant launches of the
Vios GR-S
 and rally-inspired
GR Yaris
, Toyota will push forward with more new and exciting products in 2021.

A lot of expectations will rest on the shoulders of the
Toyota Corolla Cross
, the formal introduction of the company’s Honda CR-V challenger is merely weeks away, and has garnered quite a lot of attention leading up to the launch. In a recent company report, we also learnt of Toyota’s plans to introduce a sedan model and another GR model later this year.

The same presentation also confirmed the company will be looking to introduce new CKD hybrid models – for now, all signs point to the Corolla Cross Hybrid leading that charge.

Another subsidiary, Toyota Capital is also betting big on
attractive financing and leasing packages
 such as EZ Beli and
Kinto One
 to boost more sales, which by all accounts, should be an important catalyst for more sales in 2021.

What about Honda?

On the Honda front, with sales of the City up to speed; having already delivered 13,100 units since its launch, Honda will be banking big on its star performer in 2021. Elsewhere, the Civic and all-new Accord remain strong and should see steady sales in the coming months. With the
HR-V
 and BR-V now being attacked by Proton and Perodua with the X50 and
Aruz
 respectively, it’s rough waters ahead for these two models.

With the discontinuation of the Jazz in due time, a lot will hinge on the
City Hatchback
 to plug the Japanese B-segment market, which otherwise will be dominated by the Yaris.

Safe to say, 2021 will be tougher than ever for Honda, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned, one can never count on them to rest on their laurels.


Review: Mercedes-Benz SLC 300 Roadster (R172) – Playfulness With Substance

For some reason, luxury brands see no need to give their cars proper names. Whilst the
Fords
and
Toyotas
 and
Hondas
 of the world crack their collective heads to come up with names like
Mustang
,
Camry
, and
Odyssey
, the people at
BMW
 and Mercedes just throw together collection of numbers and alphabets on the boot lids of their vehicles.
There are systems behind these numbers, of course; in the case of Mercedes-Benz, people know straight up where do the
C-Class
,
E-Class
, and
S-Class
 stand relative to each other. Things get a little more confusing to the casual observer, however, with niche models that carry three-alphabet model names – where do the likes of the
GLA
,
CLS
, and
SLK
 fit in the big picture?
To solve that conundrum once and for all, and also to prep for an unprecedented expansion of its model range, Mercedes announced in late 2014 that it is reorganizing the naming structure for its models. Under this new system, the third alphabet in the model name tells us how high up the food chain a given car belongs.
What was previously the M-Class now becomes the GLE – an SUV positioned on level standing with the
E-Class
. The new naming system also spells the end of the road for the SLK name, which
now becomes the SLC
, a roadster positioned same level as the
C-Class
. Whether an SLE is coming or not is anyone’s guess – we’re not betting against it.
Incidentally, the SLC name itself is not new in Mercedes-Benz history. In the 1970s, this name was applied to the coupe version of the R107 SL-Class, a lineage that eventually led us to the CL-Class coupe and now the S-Class Coupe.
Back to more immediate concerns, the present day SLC is a part of the growing Dream Cars model family by Mercedes-Benz aimed not to sell in any great numbers but still nevertheless crucial in growing the brand’s overall desirability to a larger audience.
Specifications:
Price: RM468,888 (CBU, OTR without Insurance)
Engine: 2.0-litre, Inline-4 Longitudinal, Turbocharged, Petrol
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300 – 4,000rpm
Transmission: 9-speed torque converter automatic, RWD
Safety: 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, Active headrests, Autonomous emergency braking
Origin: Fully-Imported from Germany
Overview
Despite the new name, the SLC is, in effect, a facelift of the third-generation SLK Roadster that was launched in 2011.
Five engine options are available globally, headlined by the new AMG SLC 43 variant powered by a 367hp 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 replacing the hairy-chested 5.5-litre V8 monster found in the outgoing SLK 55 AMG.
For the Malaysian market, the line-up currently consists of the SLC 200 and SLC 300, both powered by Mercedes-Benz’s familiar 2.0-litre M274 four-cylinder turbo. As is the present norm, the different badges point to different engine tunes – 184hp/300Nm for the SLC 200 and 245hp/370Nm for the SLC 300 that we are featuring in this review.
Both engine tunes are paired standard with Mercedes-Benz’s new 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are standard, but unlike other recent Mercedes models, the electronic transmission shift lever is placed along the centre console as opposed to the sometimes confusing column-mounted stalk.
Exterior
The SLK’s overall appearance had not departed significantly over three model generations, and Mercedes certainly saw no reason to tamper with a formula that has yielded two decades of continued success.
Despite the name change, the SLC’s bloodlines are obvious; the proportions are reassuringly familiar – a lengthy bonnet crammed within a small footprint, in turn pushing the passenger cell astern thus compressing the rear overhangs.
Continuing the original SLK’s traditions, the folding roof is metal and power operated. It is, of course, recommended that opening and closing should be done with the vehicle at a standstill, but if you need to move off, the mechanism remains operable at speeds up to 40 km/h.
As with all folding metal roofs, the trade-off for superior refinement over a soft top is an exceedingly bulky mechanism – indulging in open air motoring inevitably wipes out at least half of the available 335 litres of boot space.
Interior
The SLC’s button-stacked centre console immediately communicates its origins as a car engineered for the tastes of 2011 rather than 2017. Having gotten ourselves accustomed to the likes of the W205 C-Class and W213 E-Class, the SLC’s switchgear feels distinctly last generation in its presentation.
We do not find the cabin wanting for quality, however, and material selection is sufficiently tasteful to justify the price tag.
This being a two-seater roadster, compromise in practicality is inevitable. Occupants are not pinched for space, but there is a limited amount of storage bins, trays, and pockets to swallow your small items. You’ve got just about enough room for your phone, Smart Tag, plus may be a takeaway coffee cup.
Driving Experience
If there is one benefit of the SLC’s advanced mechanical age, is that Mercedes has six years’ worth of user feedback and data to call upon in its efforts to fine-tune the product. The overall impression gleaned from driving this vehicle on a mixed route of highways and curved mountain roads from the Klang Valley to Cameron Highlands and onward to Ipoh speak the story of a car that has all its rough edges carefully ironed out to yield a commendably polished product.
The basics were, of course, strong to start with; Mercedes laid this car out right from the onset in a configuration that came with inherent balance – compact dimensions, short overhangs, engine within the wheelbase. The car turns with a sweetly-struck natural poise, its chassis tuning seemingly calibrated to take even the inevitable body flex of a roadster into account. It lacks the free-flowing joy of a
Mazda MX-5
 or the scalpel precision of a
BMW Z4
, but is by all accounts just about good enough to inspire confidence when stitching a few corners together.
There is sufficient pace on tap too; the M274 turbo engine certainly holding up its end of the bargain in giving the SLC 300 legitimate claims of sportiness. Under full bore acceleration, the engine’s strong wave of torque makes light weight of the SLC’s mass, propelling its diminutive frame to extra-legal speeds with great ease.
Helping out, Merc’s new 9-speed transmission is an upgrade from the outgoing 7-speeder in terms of its ability to swap cogs smoothly, though it still seems to lack the intuitive intelligence in the ZF 8HP ‘box used by a number of its rivals. Under most driving conditions, however, it gets the job done and you do get paddle shifters to chip in your instructions to the gearbox.
Comfort & Refinement
Sporty as its intentions may be, a Mercedes-Benz, we feel, should always set about its stuff with comfort at the forefront of its agenda. The SLC accomplishes this. There is the occasional scuttle shake, but damping feels sensible and well-judged; allowing the car to not only glide over ripples and potholes but also turn a corner with composure.
As we’ve said many times, ultra stiff suspension makes you faster only around a track; in the real world, you need pliancy to keep your wheels planted on the road to negotiate those patchy bends.
Roadsters are not meant to be daily cars, but from a driving perspective, the SLC is easy and pleasant enough to live with if you are okay to live with other compromises of the package.
Conclusion
There is never a rational or logical reason to buy a roadster. Besides providing the obvious allure of cruising into the sunset with air in your face, a roadster also needs to exude desirability – sportiness, at the end of the day, becomes just one facet of its appeal.
Mercedes has a long glorious heritage of some of the finest roadsters; the SLK alone was a product refined over the course of two decades before its recent name change. The formula was a winning one – compact in size, but no less luxurious inside than the bigger boys.
The SLC drives well enough that its merits as a product extend beyond just being a moving fashion toy. It’s more ‘show’, yes, but there is enough ‘go’ that we found ourselves enjoying the drive a little bit more than we had expected to.


Volvo Malaysia's CKD electric vehicles have helped them increase 43% in sales

Volvo Car Malaysia is on a roll, recording a 43% increase from 2022. Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric and Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric helped them reach new heights.

Volvo Car Malaysia has accomplished a seventh consecutive year of sales growth, recording a 43% increase from 2022. According to VCM, the growth was spurred on by the strong performance of newly-launched Electric Vehicles and Plug-In Hybrids.

The increase from the previous year is a record high for Volvo Car Malaysia. It was helped along by their most successful month, Decemeber 2022, as VCM closed the year by registering more than 395 units of sales.

The milestones in sales growth are spurred by the launch of its first two locally assembled electric vehicles, the
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
 and Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric.

Launched in March 2022, the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric can be considered as an astounding success, with the company quickly running out of stock and still fulfilling deliveries of cars with a healthy order bank ongoing for the year 2023.

The
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric
 also saw encouraging responses from buyers despite being launched late in 2022, with more than 100 cars ordered online just 10 days after it was launched.

Both cars are assembled in the Volvo manufacturing plant in Shah Alam and are the first two locally assembled pure electric vehicles sold in Malaysia. As mentioned by Volvo Car Malaysia's Managing Director, Charles Frump at the launch of the C40, Volvo wants to be the leading EV brand in Malaysia, which is why they have decided to build their EVs locally.

"The launches of our first two locally assembled electric vehicles have been the catalysts of our sales growth. With an increased market share of our fully electric vehicles globally, we are optimistic the same will apply in Malaysia. In ending a successful 2022, we are excited to drive an all-electric future as we reinforce our commitment to offer Malaysians freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way," said Frump.

Volvo Car Malaysia is committed towards its global ambition of sustainability and on track to becoming a fully electric vehicle company by 2030. Volvo Car Malaysia also aims for 75 per cent of its sales to come from their Recharge Pure Electric lineup by 2025.


Bosch Lubricants – Optimum Engine Protection At Affordable Prices

In 1886, Robert Bosch founded the “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering” in Stuttgart, Germany. This marked the birth of an institution, renowned the world over, characterized by its innovative drive and strong social commitment – what we know today as Robert Bosch GmbH.
In 1897, while the automobile was still in its infancy, Robert Bosch was the first to patent and operate a magneto ignition device (what we know today as spark plugs), the company’s first automotive product – which would start as a small addition to the product catalogue but go on to become a cornerstone of the company’s success and growth.
The history of the automobile and Bosch as a company are deeply intertwined, with an illustrious story spanning some 114-years in the automotive world – Bosch has become a household name around the globe synonymous with quality and innovation.
However, Robert Bosch’s early foresightedness to not solely depend on the automotive industry created a wide array of diversification with regard to the company’s technology solutions - in 1928, Bosch introduced the Forfex hair-cutting machine, its first power tool, and in 1933, its first household refrigerator. Today, the company’s solutions span the automotive, home appliance, manufacturing, and the software industries.
And for the first time in Malaysia, Bosch now offers its own range of engine lubricants. The new lubricant line-up consists of the Ultra X8 & X7, Premium X7 (Fully Synthetic), Mega X6 (Semi-Synthetic) and Super X3 (Mineral) oils.
The new lubricant range boasts optimum protection for vehicles of all ages against engine wear, sludge and harmful deposits. Fulfilling American Petroleum Institute (API) standards, the new lubricant line ensures that your engine stays in optimum condition and performs consistently over a longer period thanks to:
Enhanced lubrication effectiveness
Enhanced viscosity stability over varying temperatures
Enhanced oxidation stability which prolongs service life
Greater cleaning performance – reduced engine deposits
Premium base oil used – Ultra X8 Fully-Synthetic
Improved fuel efficiency – fulfils the stringent ‘ILSAC GF-5’ requirements (applicable for Ultra X8 0W30 & Premium X7 5W30)
The Bosch range of lubricants has been widely used and proven in countries like India and China. It's popular for its wide range of suitability and competitive pricing. The retail price for Bosch’s range of lubricants is listed below:
Personal Experience:
Bosch recently performed a lubricant change on my 1990 BMW (E34) 5-Series which has clocked 198,000+km since new. My initial concerns were how the 26-year old 12-valve, six-pot would respond to a lower viscosity fully-synthetic oil having mostly used semi-synthetic lubricants prior – the car was topped-off with the Bosch Premium X7 5W40 fully synthetic oil.
Initial observations showed the car ran considerably quieter and felt a tad more responsive lower in the rev range. After five weeks and nearly 1,200km of usage – the oil level remains at the optimum level, with no sign of leaks. A change to a darker colour visibly shows it is doing its job of cleaning sludge or contaminants within the engine, it also remains light to the touch - demonstrating good oxidation stability.
To try out Bosch's latest range of lubricants, visit your nearest Bosch authorised service centre or purchase online
here
.


BMW Malaysia Umum Harga Baru Bagi 2021 – Lebih Murah Dengan 2 Tahun Tempoh Jaminan

Bermula 1 Januari 2021, semua kenderaan baru keluaran BMW hadir dengan 2 tahun tempoh jaminan perjalanan tanpa had (Unlimited Mileage Warranty) dengan harga lebih murah!

Tempoh 5 tahun jaminan dan servis yang ditawarkan oleh mereka masih lagi boleh didapati, namun hanya sebagai pilihan, dimana anda perlu membayar lebih untuk mendapatkan tempoh jaminan yang lebih panjang.

Dengan pengurangan tempoh jaminan kepada 2 tahun, harga yang ditawarkan menurun daripada RM12,190 bagi model
M135i
 serta
218i Gran Coupé
, dan sehingga RM44,560 bagi
M8 Coupé dan Gran Coupé
. Walau bagaimanapun, pengurangan harga tersebut bukanlah sesuatu yang tidak masuk akal. Sekiranya anda memilih untuk mendapatkan 5 tahun jaminan, harga yang perlu dibayar sama sahaja dengan harga asal sebelum pengurangan ini.

Sebagai contoh, harga model
X1 (F48) sDrive18i
 dengan tempoh 5 tahun jaminan dan servis bernilai RM208,368. Tetapi, dengan pengurangan kepada 2 tahun jaminan, harga model ini turun kepada RM194,738 (setelah pengecualian SST sehingga Jun 30, 2021), dengan pengurangan harga sebanyak RM13,630.

Bukan itu sahaja, pengurangan harga ini turut membuatkan model seperti
218i Gran Coupé
 jatuh ke tangga harga kenderaan BMW bawah RM200,000 dengan nilai RM199,197 dengan 2 tahun jaminan, berbanding RM211,367 untuk jaminan selama 5 tahun. Dengan pilihan seperti ini, harga model 3 Series paling murah BMW,
320i Sport
 turun kepada RM226,763 (2 tahun jaminan) daripada RM239,883 (5 tahun jaminan). Berikut merupakan senarai penuh harga kenderaan baru BMW untuk tahun 2021:

Dalam kesimpulannya, tiada pengurangan harga yang tidak masuk akal ditawarkan oleh BMW Malaysia. Sebaliknya, mereka memberi anda peluang memilih sama ada harga murah dengan tempoh jaminan pendek atau pun harga asal dengan tempoh jaminan yang lebih panjang. Pendek kata, nak lebih, bayar lebih! Berikut merupakan pakej untuk lanjutan tempoh jaminan serta servis:

Bila difikirkan semula, peluang untuk  memiliki sebuah kereta baru keluaran BMW dengan harga dibawah RM200,000 merupakan sesuatu yang amat menarik. Boleh gugur iman kalau tak kuat ni! Tetapi, pengurangan tempoh jaminan daripada 5 tahun kepada 2 tahun juga perlu difikirkan dengan teliti. Memang harga kereta akan jadi jauh lebih murah, namun anda tidak tahu apa bakal terjadi selepas 2 tahun tersebut. Sekiranya anda bercadang untuk menjual semula kenderaan tersebut selepas 2 tahun, harganya turut akan menurun kerana sudah tamat daripada tempoh jaminan. Untuk memperbaharui tempoh jaminan, kena bayar lagi.

Jadi mana satu yang menjadi pilihan anda? Harga kereta murah dengan tempoh jaminan yang singkat atau harga kekal tetapi hadir dengan jaminan selama 5 tahun?


More caravans on Malaysian roads soon? Do we want this?

MITI, ECERDC and Knaus Tabbert AG want to kick-start the RV industry in Malaysia.

Apparently, the recreational vehicle (RV) industry has the potential to bring in billions of ringgit worth of investments into Malaysia, which is why The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) are looking into expanding its presence here.

As reported by the New Straits Times, MITI deputy secretary general Datuk Sri Norazman Ayob has said that his ministry is working closely with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and ECERDC to attract high-quality investments, such as that of the RV industry to provide sustainable growth for the nation.

He said this at the RV Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) certificate handover to Knaus Tabbert AG, a German company which makes motorhomes and caravans which has officially set up shop in Malaysia.

The VTA approval for roadworthiness will allow for the authorised sales and distribution channel of new caravans under its own category, thus easing its financing and insuring requirements.

Knaus Tabbert AG chief executive officer Wolfgang Speck says the company looks forward to working with ECERDC to set up an RV manufacturing facility in the East Coast region.

For now though, the caravans from Knaus Tabbert will be fully imported, but they are working towards SKD assembly(semi-kocked down) and if there is enough demand, moving on the CKD operations.

"We also look forward to work with Malaysian companies for dealership opportunities and opening more caravan parks in the country to encourage Malaysians to embrace this new lifestyle and take full advantage of the country's beautiful landscape," said Speck.

Knaus Tabbert AG recently received VTA certificates for its Sudwind 500FU and KWE-Sport 500 Q caravans by the Road Transport Department (RTD).

Based on RTD data, there are a total of 742 RV vehicles registered and driven on local roads as of today, which includes, 500 caravan, 115 motorhomes, and 67 trailer caravan.

What do you think? can the RV industry boom here? are Malaysians interested in caravaning?


Sneak Peak of 2018 All-New G01 BMW X3

First released in 2010, the current generation F25 BMW X3 is due to be retired soon, to be replaced by an all-new third generation G01 model before the year ends. It will most probably be launched as a 2018 model.
In line with the newer generation of BMW models, the all-new X3 is expected to see an eDrive plug-in hybrid variant joining the line-up, wearing either the xDrive30e or xDrive40e nomenclature.
Currently, the only plug-in hybrid BMW SUV model is the
X5 xDrive40e
. China also has an X1 xDrive25Le but that model is not available elsewhere.
Unlike the smaller
front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive all-new X1
, this bigger X3 will most probably retain the existing model’s rear-wheel drive/all-wheel drive transmission layout.
BMW has since released a teaser video of the all-new X3 undergoing some final fine-tuning of its vehicle dynamics and its xDrive all-wheel drive system on the frozen lakes of Sweden’s Lapland province, just 56 kilometres away from the polar circle.
BMW explains that area’s minus 20 degrees Celsius temperature, abundance of snow and vast frozen lakes offer an ideal condition for extreme cold weather testing. The even surfaces serve as proving grounds on which steering, suspension and drive characteristics can be meticulously tested and various different technical solutions compared against one another.


Brabus Got Their Hands On A Mercedes-Benz EQS

The
Mercedes-Benz EQS
 just landed on our lovely Malaysian shores, but
Brabus
 had been working hard to add their own touch to the EV - and it works. Boy oh boy does it work!

The Brabus Individualisation Program has brought its A-game '1-Second-Wow' luxury styling directly onto the
Mercedes-Benz EQS
 platform. What was already a car that defines the future of EV for Mercedes-Benz, Brabus took it up a few notches in terms of styling and aero-efficiency.

New wheels, new suspension, new body kit

Brabus went to town with the Mercedes-Benz EQS but not to the point where it looks too crazy. They've basically added its signature Brabus exposed carbon exterior concept together with other bits and pieces that certainly amp up the '1-Second-Wow' factor for the EQS.

You'll see those carbon elements via its new front spoiler, front lip, and trims for the air intakes manning the front. While these make the EQS look very sporty and stylish, they also help with improving its overall aerodynamic efficiency and high-speed stability as well as improving the airstream more directly to its radiators and front brakes.

Rounding off the sides is a set of carbon air deflectors before the Brabus rear diffuser and rear spoiler ties up everything together. All in all, these elements help to provide a 40% reduction in aerodynamic lift and improve the EQS's Cd value by 7.2%. It's not only sleek-looking, it's literally sleeker.

22-inch Brabus Monoblock Z "Platinum Edition" forged wheels

Perhaps our favourite feature has to be its 22-inch Brabus Monoblock Z "Platinum Edition" forged wheels finished in signature black. These help with added stability and reduced weight which are further enhanced with the Brabus SportXtra air suspension module. This setup offers a lower ride height of up to 15mm up front and 25mm at the rear.

When everything is fitted together, the EQS450+ which is said to have a WLTP cycle range of 785km can be theoretically improved by 7%. In other words, a Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ that's fully kitted by Brabus can travel up to 840km. Now that's style and substance, folks.


Renault Sport F1 Drivers Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer Paint The Town Yellow

Ahead of this weekend’s F1 action, TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the sole franchise holder of Renault cars in Malaysia served up a treat as they organised an exclusive meet and greet session with Renault Sport F1 team drivers – Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer.
Besides the obligatory Q & A session and posing for photographs, Renault’s dynamic duo also sportingly participated in two local cultural activities. They tried their hand at making
teh

tarik
 and their skill at handling the bamboo dance, much to the delight of the crowd, which encouraged them on with cheers and applause.
The Renault Sport F1 pre-race event is part of the
‘Renault – Motorsports Is in Our DNA’
 campaign, which was initiated to celebrate the brand’s over 115 years of involvement in motorsports and the return to Formula 1 as a full-fledged works team.
Kuan Kim Luen, CEO, TC Euro Cars, added, “Renault is all about passion for life and we’re delighted to be at the heart of the F1 excitement as the passion for motorsports is also something that is close to our hearts.”


Proton X50 Key Fob Leaked - Remote Start Confirmed?

Our crystal ball tells us that we’re
not that far off
 from the official launch of the Proton X50, probably the single most anticipated new car launch in 2020 and definitely the worst kept secret in the Malaysian automotive scene.

Latest in this ongoing pre-reveal ramp up of the B-segment SUV/crossover, a leaked image of what’s purported to be the X50’s key fob has begun to spread over social media, from Facebook user
Lepat Pisang
, fuelling even more speculation on the new Proton’s imminent arrival.

The key fob itself has its more ornamental side turned up to face the camera where we see the Proton lettering arranged along a faux brushed steel inlay. In fact, the whole thing looks fresh from the factory as it’s still wrapped in its peel-away protective plastic layer. The device looks decently high quality.

Unfortunately, we don’t get to see the business end of the key fob where the lock/unlock buttons are located, but we imagine it to be nearly identical to the one used by Geely in the Binyue, the model the X50 is pretty much a carbon copy of (and locally assembled, let’s not forget).

Should we assume this to be a Binyue key fob with the Geely branding removed, we can then come to assume that some of the car’s more interesting features will also make it to the Proton-badged version thanks to this four-button array.

If true, not only will the X50 have an automated boot release (paired to a powered tailgate), but a nifty remote start feature as well. By long-pressing this button, this would allow the owner to start the vehicle up from a distance, handy for allowing the car’s HVAC systems to either heat up or cool down before the driver and passengers enter.

It’s a cool function to have but definitely not a dealbreaker in our opinion. Doesn’t hurt to have it either, and its addition will certainly allow the X50 to set itself apart even more from the competition. A word to the wise: don't go
paying people to book one just yet
. After all, Proton hasn't even officially announced it. In fact, they haven't even confirmed it will be called the X50.


MINI Malaysia Introduces the MINI JCW Pro Edition

Limited to just 20 units for Malaysia, and with power boosted to 211 hp, the MINI 5-door JCW Pro Edition is dubbed as the loudest and most powerful MINI 5-door.
The car receives the JCW Pro Aerodynamic Kit, which features a front splitter, side skirts, rear bumper and rear spoiler. Complementing the racy style is a set 18 inch MINI JCW Pro Cross-Spoke light alloy wheels finished in Jet Black. The wheels are shod in run-flat tyres which allows a driving range of 80km at 80km/h even with a puncture.
Further visual expression comes in the form JCW Pro Roof Décor, a unique red and black chequered roof graphic which compliments JCW Pro Wing Mirror Caps and Side Scuttles along the flanks of the car.
Extra horsepower is provided by a JCW Pro Tuning Kit which lists an engine management update and a tuned exhaust system to optimise engine response and boost power figures. The output is now 211 bhp, up by 19 bhp from 192 bhp, while torque is increased by 20Nm to 300Nm.
The valve silencer is also offered with Carbon-tailpipe trim and features two switchable modes to compliment the driving style. ‘Sport’ which offers a fruity exhaust note for everyday driving while ‘Track’ which delivers the full shout, crackle and pop treatment for enthusiastic driving. The exhaust flap is operated wirelessly via two clicks of the Bluetooth 4.0 controller.
The new MINI JCW Pro Edition is made available exclusively in Midnight Black Metallic, replete with the MINI 4-Year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service program.
Here’s a itemised list of the accessories of the MINI JCW Pro Accessories excluding installation costs:
MINI JCW Pro Aerodynamic Kit - RM16,283.43
MINI JCW Pro Tuning Kit with Valve Silencer System - RM10,000.00
MINI JCW Pro Carbon Tailpipe Trim - RM3,000.00
MINI JCW 18” Cross-Spoke Light Alloy Wheels in Jet Black - RM14,858.00
MINI JCW Pro Roof Décor - RM650.00
MINI JCW Pro Wing Mirror Caps - RM690.00
MINI JCW Pro Side Scuttles - RM690.00
The retail price of the MINI JCW Pro Edition (on the road, including personal registration, without insurance) is RM 255,888.00


VIDEO: All-New 2015 Toyota Hilux Teased Again For Thailand In New Clip

Through our sister site Autospinn of Thailand, we've gotten wind of a video that has been posted online teasing the highly anticipated Hilux Revo that will be hitting Thai markets very soon, and possibly making its way to Malaysian showrooms shortly after as well. It gives us a clear look at some of the features that sets it apart from its siblings in the range, specifically those headlights.
The much anticipated
Hilux
 Revo will likely sit at the very top of
Toyota
’s pick-up truck range, offering premium features and added comfort. The teaser itself is laced with sci-fi graphics before we are presented with an imposing head-on silhouette of the pick-up in question. This is followed by some glimpses of the new headlamp array which looks to be a LED projector setup that is flanked by LED daytime running lights.
Also gleaned from the short video, and as
we've mentioned before
, there will be a series of events and unveils scheduled to take place across Thailand between May 22 and 24. While we can guess that that is the timeframe to which the Hilux Revo will make its grand entrance, exactly what hoopla that will surround the main launch still uncertain.
Toyota says the Hilux Revo will “revolutionize all aspects of the truck”. While that has a whiff of overstatement to it, we are still excited to see what the range-topper has up its sleeve.


Mercedes Benz CLE: Another Day Another New Mercedes Model

Just two days after T-Class was announced, another new model called the CLE is also coming

Mercedes Benz must be feeling bored/brave at the moment because it feels like every other day, Mercedes is bringing out a new nameplate for a new type of vehicle class.

Just as you think they have made every possible vehicle, from hatchbacks to coupe SUVs, to coupe 4 doors to huge SUVs with coupe-like bodies, they announce another vehicle class to slot in between some of their other models.

The newest Class to come out of Mercedes will be called the CLE, and apparently, it will slot in between the Mercedes C-Class and E-Class.

Traditionally, all CL models from Mercedes Benz usually come with a coupe-like silhouette, especially with that sloping roofline, and according to reports, the CLE will be sold in a few different body shapes, including a coupe, convertible and surprisingly, a shooting brake wagon body style - sounds nice that last one.

The CLE is also reportedly made to replace some of Mercedes' iconic cars which include the C-Class coupe, C-Class Cabriolet, E-Class Coupe and E-Class convertible models.

It has also been said that Mercedes Benz will debut a new engine along with the CLE and as exciting as this sounds, we just can't see Mercedes Benz Malaysia equipping the Malaysian CLE with that four-pot turbo-diesel mild-hybrid engine. Instead, the CLE will most probably come with Mercedes' familiar 4 and 6 cylinder turbocharged engines, with the V8 specially saved for the beastly AMG models.

The Mercedes CLE will also most probably be built on Mercedes' MRA platform and can be configured with either an all-wheel or rear-wheel drive. The MRA platformed debuted with the W205 C-Class in 2014.


Nokia Sells HERE Maps To BMW, Audi, and Mercedes For RM11.86 Billion

Nokia’s HERE maps have been oscillating between possible owners pretty much since Microsoft took the Finnish tech company's mobile division for itself. Seems that it has found an owner. Or, more accurately, three:
Audi
 AG,
BMW
 Group and Daimler AG (
Mercedes-Benz
).
The trio of automakers have
announced a cooperative deal
 to acquire the HERE mapping and location services business from the Nokia Corporation for a reported €2.8 billion, or RM11.86 billion.
The deal was inked between the automakers, who each hold an equal share, for an: “independent and value creating platform for cloud-based maps and other mobility services accessible to all customers from the automotive industry and other sectors.”
The consortium also agreed that neither will seek to own a majority interest. It was reported that, prior this acquisition being made official, other automakers would be or have been approached to invest in this new business interest. Because navigation and mapping technology is quickly becoming a more standardized feature across cars of different ranges, other manufacturers may take up the opportunity. HERE Maps were also recently integrated into certain Jaguar vehicles, such as the 2nd generation XF seen below.
“Our environment is constantly changing. That’s why the information in digital maps has to be continually updated so that maximum utility can be offered,” stated Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG.
“HERE will play a key role in the digital revolution of mobility, combining high definition maps and data from vehicles to make travel safer and easier for everyone,” explained Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.
This knowledge will be to the benefit of all carmakers and their customers. “High-precision digital maps are a crucial component of the mobility of the future. With the joint acquisition of HERE, we want to secure the independence of this central service for all vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and customers in other industries,” stated Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG.
A mapping system as solid as HERE Maps will help bolster the stability and accessibility of the data within the automotive industry, and has the potential to facilitate innovative applications for new products and services. Under Nokia's stewardship, the mapping service was available on Nokia Lumia devices as well as on the web. More recently, it was made available as an
app on iOS and Android
. It's killer feature being the ability to download maps for offline use, granting full navigation features without needing a real-time data connection.
Currently, there are very disparate mapping solutions available in cars and, through that rift, companies like Google, and more recently Apple, have gained popularity with their mapping and navigation offerings through smartphones. Having a solution controlled by the automotive industry will certainly help spur growth and maturity across automakers.
With the shared raw data, theoretically all automakers can offer their customers differentiated and brand-specific features while still gaining the benefits of a centralized and constantly improving information source as well as accelerate their progress in autonomous driving technology, if any.


Volkswagen CNY Open House – Awesome Battery and Tyre Deals

In conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced a nationwide Chinese New Year open house at all authorized dealerships.
The open house takes place on Saturday, 16th February, from 11 am till 5 pm. Visitors will enjoy food,
Yee Sang
, and mini-activities in addition to enjoying ongoing CNY offers of up to RM20,000 off selected models; existing owners can also take advantage of ongoing aftersales offers.
During the CNY open house, Volkswagen is offering an aftersales promotion on battery replacements. All Volkswagen owners who visit will receive a free battery check and enjoy a 20% discount if the vehicle’s battery requires replacement.
Additionally, there is also a tyre promotion where Continental tyres are available from as low as RM184 each come with free installation, balancing, and alignment.


Honda Continues Its Momentum – Retains No.2 Overall Position Behind Perodua

Honda Malaysia has announced that they have sold more than 44,200 units for the first half of 2019. May was the best-selling month for Honda, with more than 10,500 units sold.
As such, Honda has managed to maintain its top spot in the non-national segment and number two overall total industry volume (TIV) for the first half of 2019.
Honda’s biggest contributor to its sales volume is the
City
, which accounted for 34% of the overall sales. The
recently-facelifted HR-V
 is the second best-selling Honda model, capturing 20% of the overall sales volume for Honda. Honda’s other SUV, the
CR-V
, contributed 14% to Honda’s overall sales.
Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said, “I want to take this opportunity to thank all Malaysians for their continuous support and trust in the Honda brand. The first half of 2019 has been challenging but encouraging for us. The Civic reached a milestone of 130,000th units sold while the Jazz delivered the 100,000th unit to its owner. It is truly inspiring for us to see how these two models have become a favorite among Malaysians and we are hoping to achieve more milestones this year. Honda will continue to offer products which are of good quality and advanced technologies as we strive to deliver the best for Malaysians and share the joy of owning a Honda to all our customers.”
Looking for a new Honda? Find the best deals
here
.


Toyota records best-ever 1st quarter, spurred on by new Vios, celebrates by having promotion

UMW Toyota Motor has just had their highest-ever sales registered for a first quarter, with a total year-to-date sales for March 2023 standing at 25,219 units compared to 22,447 units for year-to-date sales in March 2022.

This is a 12% increase compared to the previous year, spurred on by the unveiling and
launching of the 4th generation Toyota Vios
. The new-gen Vios is locally assembled in Bukit Raja and is offered in 2 variants priced from RM89,600 for the 1.5E and RM95,500 for the more highly specified 1.5G. The Vios is keen to take the shine out of its arch-nemesis, the Honda City

According to Toyota, the popular subcompact sedan has been a bestseller in the Malaysian non-national car market since its introduction in 2003.

UMW Toyota Motor President Datuk Ravindran K. said "The All-New Toyota Vios represents our commitment to provide our customers with the best vehicles and ownership experience. The  All-New Toyota Vios is definitely a model that we are proud to put on the road and we hope many  Malaysians will be able to enjoy driving the Vios”.

To celebrate the Ramadan season, UMW Toyota Motors has announced a promotion on selected models worth up to RM 8,000*, 100% loan financing* and a Toyota Service Savers  promotion with monthly instalments from as low as RM22.

Toyota owners can also expect a  seamless car ownership journey with the Extra Mile after-sale services that promises Malaysians  an exceptional car ownership experience.

For more information, visit toyota.com.my or call the Toyota freephone line at 1-800-8- TOYOTA  (869682).