Top Up Your Touch ‘n Go Cards – No More Cash Lanes On Major Highways Effective Today

All cash lanes on major highways in Malaysia has been converted to only accept electronic payments effective today. With this, motorists can no longer make cash payments as toll operators will now only accept payments made using PLUSMiles, Touch ‘n Go or SmartTag.

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The affected highways are North-South Expressway (NSE), North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE), New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), Federal Highway Route 2 (Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau), Seremban-Port Dickson Highway, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, Linkedua Highway, and the Penang Bridge.
"Starting today, no more cash toll payments will be accepted. PLUS highway users are required to pay toll electronically using PlusMiles card, Touch 'n Go Card or SmartTag," said PLUS Malaysia managing director Datuk Azman Ismail.
To facilitate this migration, sales of Touch N' Go cards and top up lanes will be opened for 24 hours at all toll plazas.


6 Month Moratorium: A Car Loan Holiday Or Delayed Haunting?

As of April 1st, Bank Negara Malaysia’s moratorium on all loans/financing to individuals and SMEs will take effect. The announcement was made on the 25th of March and since then all banks have stated their compliance with the move.

With the exception of outstanding credit card balances, payment deferments will be in place for a total of 6 months, wherein nonpayment of performing loans - including hire purchase agreements (HPA), of course - will be allowed with no action taken or negative impact on CCRIS score.

To car owners, this could be seen as an exceedingly positive outcome, essentially pausing repayments for half a year, allowing us to channel those funds to more pressing needs. Banks swiftly expressed their support in adhering to this imposed financing extension and released their own communication to borrowers.

In order to qualify, bear in mind the loans already have to be performing, denominated in Malaysian Ringgit, and not over 90 days in arrears.

Given that this deferment is automatic and requires no intervention from the borrower, is there fine print that may come back to haunt us for our silent agreement? With that in mind, could it be more financially prudent to continue our loan payments as normal provided we have adequate means?

To find out, we ask some of the country’s most prominent banks just who, what, and how this moratorium will be executed with regard to auto loans. Can we have peace of mind that it is the loan holiday we all want?

What about interest?

This is the main question surrounding the payment deferment and probably the only real thorn left in the side of us tied to a bank to fund our car purchase.

YES - as confirmed to us by Bank Negara and echoed by Maybank, CIMB, and Hong Leong Bank, interest will continue to accrue during this 6 month period as it effectively acts as an artificial extension of your repayment period.

For example, should your loan tenure be 5 years between February 2020 to February 2025. The 6 month moratorium pushes your repayment period to August 2025, though there will be additional interest due at the end of this ‘new’ tenure.

Will interest compound?

NO. Most banks have stated that interest will not be compounded during the moratorium period, nor are borrowers required to make payments (of any kind) on the accrued interest during these 6 months. This also applies to the profit accrued under Islamic Financing. The time will come, though, when borrowers will be given different options to settle the additional interest/profit.

What are my options to settle the accrued interest?

For conventional loans, this could include increasing the repayment rate going forward following this 6 month moratorium, paying a lump sum to normalise interest amount, or to pay a larger sum at the end of the loan tenure.

These options will differ on a case by case basis, regardless if it is a fixed interest agreement or one with progressive release. Regardless, it is handled at the discretion of each bank, so please feel free to discuss these particulars with them as, according to BNM, the handling of accrued interest is under the purview of individual banks.

Should the accumulated interest be an amount you are not willing to part with, whether in one shot or in increments, you can still choose to make regular payments to service the loan as you normally would. However, please take all the necessary steps to properly arrange for your exclusion from the automatic deferment.

What about auto-debit?

According to those same banks we spoke to, all loans currently scheduled for an auto debit monthly deduction will be paused just like those with manual payments.

Of course, if there is no action taken on the part of the borrower, normal repayments will resume at the end of this 6 month period. However, interest will still be accruing on the borrowed amount and the bank may need to revise the auto debit agreement accordingly to reflect the additional interest.

What about new loans?

It really depends how new. Most banks, including the ones we corresponded with, confirmed that as long as you have a performing auto loan (HPA) with a repayment due on April 1st, it qualifies for the 6 month moratorium.

As banks are exempt from the movement control order and operate as usual (albeit with altered working hours), new loans and financing applications can be applied for. However, as the order from BNM only covers loans already active, it comes down to the bank whether repayment can be waived for 6 months (or until the moratorium period ends).

In summary should you be thanking your lucky stars or should you continue financing your loan if you have the means? That our dear readers is ultimately a question for your pockets.

Tepuk poket, tanya berapa?


Shell Introduces New Limited Edition Ferrari Collection, Yours From RM 15.90

Shell Malaysia has brought back its Ferrari car collection campaign with eight Ferrari models up for grab.
Available exclusively at Shell stations nationwide, the new limited edition Ferrari models are priced at RM 15.90 each, with a minimum fuel purchase of RM 30 in a single receipt at any Shell station.
The Ferrari 488 Spider and Ferrari 365 GTB/4 were released on 1
st
 July 2019, the very first week of the campaign. Two models are released every two weeks, and customers can look forward to the Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Ferrari 250 GTO, Ferrari 288 GTO, Ferrari F50, and of course, the Ferrari SF71H, Ferrari’s F1 racer.
A Ferrari collection would not be complete without a hauler truck, and Shell Malaysia also has one for the little Ferraris. The little hauler truck is able to hold the Ferrari models and is priced at RM 99.90, or free if customers purchase the Shell Helix Ultra 4L pack.
Customers will also receive an RM 5 rebate when they spend a minimum of RM 50 with the Touch N Go e-wallet, while a 5% cash back is available with a minimum of three times accumulative spending worth RM 150 via their Maybank Debit Card.
Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd said, “Our customers have always been the heart of our business and we are always looking for ways to make their life’s journeys better. Unveiling this limited-edition Ferrari car collectibles with eight models, is our way of recognising our customers’ passion for collect and play. As they fuel up at Shell, we want them to leave our stations a little happier, by giving them the opportunity to create more memories with family and friends.”


Trade-In Your Used Car At DRIVE, Setia City, 13-14 May

Got a used car to let go? Head over to
Carlist.my MAA DRIVE
, Test & Buy Event 2017
 happening this weekend at the Setia City Convention Centre, 13-14 May 2017, where our panel of the most trustworthy and reliable used car dealers will be present to give your car a free valuation and make you an on-the-spot offer if you’re ready to sell.

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With this specially-setup ‘Trade-In’ section,
DRIVE
 promises to be a one-stop event where consumers can not only view, test drive, and purchase the latest cars, but also sell their existing ones to facilitate the purchase. Need a bank loan on the spot? Representatives from Public Bank will be present at the event venue to assist with application.
All members of the public are welcomed to bring their cars over to the ‘Trade-In’ section for valuation, regardless whether they actually purchase a car from any one of the 15 participating brands at the event.
This weekend’s
DRIVE
 event
 will allow members of the shop to shop, test drive and compare more than 50 models from 15 different car brands in one location. Register your interest
here
 to win a Touch ‘N Go card with RM30 preloaded value. On top of that, the first 400 visitors to register and complete a test drive will receive a Caltex petrol voucher worth RM30.


Volvo XC60 Ad: It’s All About The Journey, And The Destination

Volvo’s latest ad for its XC60 teaches that while it’s important to enjoy and appreciate the journey, sometimes it’s also about the destination.
Set amidst a dark and gloomy evening, an actress rehearses the lines for her next performance – while laying down on the floor, she’s restless, trying to harness every last bit of her talent to immerse herself into her on-screen character.
Events reach a climax when deep within her imagination, she drops her script and is seen free-falling to the ground below, only to be startled by a phone call.
She answers and goes on to explain that she’ll drive herself.
The ad aptly characterises the classy duality of the XC60 – both functional in nature yet instrumental in delivering freedom of the open road, luxurious yet imbued with innovative technology and creature comforts.
The soundtrack “Where Is Home” by Elliphant echoes the similar virtues of finding one’s self amidst the strain and tedium of daily life.
Recently launched in Malaysia
 – the
award-winning
 XC60 proves that the destination is just as important as the journey.
Related:
Review: All-New 2018 Volvo XC60 – Better Than BMW X3 Or Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?


Keeping Your Car COVID-19 Free

Now that our government has made an official announcement that there’s a restricted movement order in place, chances are a lot of you are going to be working from home – whether that’s a good thing or not. That being said, it’s almost inevitable that you will have to use your car to get around and go places, especially if you’re looking to stock up on cooking essentials and other staple home supplies.

What this means is that there is a chance you may come in contact with someone who is a COVID-19 carrier, and if that is the case your clothes and your goods may become contaminated – as will the inside of your car. While we aren’t expected to operate like a military biological warfare unit with surgical grade sterilizing agents, there are a couple of things you can do to keep COVID-19 from festering in your automobile.

Full on body bags?

A more extreme and slightly impractical option is to wrap yourself up in a full body plastic suit and gloves every time you get out of the car and strip it off before you get back in. This will likely be very costly to repeatedly do and you won’t feel very comfortable sweating inside what is effectively a plastic bag.

Alcohol might be the solution

On the harder surfaces and touch points like door handles, dash boards, buttons and the like, you could probably get away with some rubbing alcohol or a spray to sanitize the surfaces. Soap leaves a film behind so you want to avoid using it as it can also damage the surface and requires water to remove. Alcohol usually evaporates cleanly, although leather surfaces may not respond well to alcohol application.

What about nano-mist?

While nano mist type cleaning services are said to cleanse vehicles of odours, mould, and bacteria, there’s no guarantee that it will actually get rid of any viral pathogens. It definitely doesn’t hurt to get it done, but it may not be as effective as you think it will be – not to mention there’s a fair amount of cost involved as well as vehicle downtime.

The power of the sun

Perhaps one often overlooked thing that’s surprisingly effective at killing pathogens in your car is the sheer power of UV radiation from sunlight. If you can leave your car out in the sun, perhaps with the windows down so the tint doesn’t block the UV from getting in, you could probably sanitize a good portion of your car for what is effectively free. UV is effective in a matter of minutes but leave it for a good hour on a sunny day and it will probably help a great deal. Don’t confuse this with UV lamps as consumer grade lamps don’t have nearly the kind of output level that you need.

The best thing you can do is limit your exposure to the outside elements when you do have to go out. Every item you touch could possibly be contaminated so use your time and energy wisely. The vast majority of those infected with COVID-19 will likely be able to recover without adverse side effects, but take a moment to consider your loved ones – both the elderly and the young – who may be more vulnerable to the virus.


Reverse Camera Now Mandatory On All New Cars In The US

While the United States Congress passed the law mandating reverse cameras on all new cars back in 2008, full implementation was delayed until 2014, where the US Department of Transportation gave car manufacturers 4 years to get ready.
As of 3
rd
 May 2018, all new cars sold in the US must now come, as standard, with a reverse camera and display.
The new rule applies to all new vehicles that weigh less than 4,500 kg (10,000 pounds). In addition to the weight, the new rule also applies to both US-manufactured or imported vehicles.
According to Heidi King, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration administrator, "NHTSA prioritizes safety on US roads, and yesterday we reached an important milestone. This technology helps drivers see behind the vehicle, which we anticipate will help save lives and prevent injuries."
The NHTSA also added that accidents caused by the lack of a reverse camera amounts to 210 fatalities and 15,000 injuries annually in the US, with more than 30% being kids under 5 years of age.


Frankfurt 2017: BMW Z4 Concept - Drop Top Beauty

First previewed at the Pebble Beach Concours a month ago, the BMW Z4 Concept makes its first European appearance at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
From the outside, the BMW Z4 Concept gets an elongated hood with a short overhang leading to a sharknose front grille, while strong character lines are found on the sides. Coated in a shade of paint called Energetic Orange, the BMW Z4 Concept will be sharing its platform with the upcoming Toyota Supra.
The interior of the BMW Z4 Concept featured a cockpit that is angled towards the driver. On top of that, the body colour is also reflected in the interior of the BMW Z4 Concept, with the driver and passenger seat featuring contrasting colours.
Codenamed G29, BMW is expected to introduce the new generation Z4 some time next year. Toyota is also primed to introduce its Supra equivalent next year. Both companies will be offering a range of engines for the duo, as
reported earlier
.


10 Things You Need To Know About The Proton X80!

10 things you need to know about the Proton X80 or Geely XingYue!

10 things which need to know about Proton X80:

When Geely unveiled the
XingYue coupe
 looking SUV back in 2019, it got Malaysians hopeful that one day, it will magically transform into a Proton production vehicle. They were so excited about it, they even gave it a local name, the Proton X80.

Since then, pretty much
nothing has happened
, which has killed the vehicle's hype here in Malaysia, but the recent unveiling of a new XingYue variant called the XingYue S has rekindled Malaysia's interest in the car.

With that being said, we thought we would explore some of the reasons why Malaysians would love the sleek SUV, but before that, let's take a look at what the new S variant brings to the table.

The new
Xingyue
 S is not a facelift model but rather a slightly tweaked vehicle that presents a more aggressive look. The grille now features a mesh design instead of the Expanding Cosmos ring, and the lower front side intake, which was blanked off before now features three vertically standing DRLs in lime green colourway. There are also lime green accents at the side of the vehicle as well as in the interior.

Now that's out of the way, let's take a look at why many Malaysians would love it if the Xingyue S transforms into the Proton X80.

1. Design

Styled in the form first established by the BMW X4, the Geely XingYue is a handsome looking SUV. Except for the headlights, exterior wise, it really does look like an X4 from a distance.

Inside, the XingYue has its own personality, carrying the interior design language of Geely vehicles. As we know from the X70 and X50, the interior is excellent and well assembled. As you can see from the Proton makeover picture above, the car would definitely be a head turner.

2. Versatile Platform

Built on Volvo's CMA platform that also underpins the
Volvo XC40
, the XingYue can accept many different powertrains and drivetrains, which is good news for model versatility.

3. Driver-Oriented Model, Kinda

The XingYue is Geely's first
driver-oriented model
. Unlike other Geely models, the XingYue doesn't use a blue Geely logo. Instead, it uses an all-black colour badge, which Geely says will be used on all driver-oriented models. However, many reviewers have stated that the car is more comfort-oriented than anything, which bodes well for Malaysian roads.

4. Good Performance

The XingYue can be had in a few different engine configurations, including a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged unit, the same engine that powers the Volvo XC40. It goes from 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, which Geely claims make the XingYue amongst the fastest in its class.

Pic credit: chinapev.com

5. Four-Wheel-Drive

The XingYue pairs its powerful engine with an on-demand four-wheel-drive system. It uses BorgWarner's fifth-generation electro-hydraulic four-wheel-drive system that automatically switches between two- and four-wheel drive, with a maximum front-rear torque split of 50:50.

6. 8-speed Torque Converter Transmission

The 2.0-litre engine is mated to an 8-speed torque converted transmission, shifting to its highest gear above 80 km/h. What this means is that the XingYue or Proton X80 should be smoother than the juddery dual-clutch X50 and X70, and that extra gear will undoubtedly be beneficial when it comes to fuel economy.

7. Possible PHEV Model?

The smaller 1.5-litre turbocharged engine can be paired with a plug-in-hybrid system which can push output to 255 hp and 415 Nm.

The plug-in hybrid system comes with two different options for the lithium-ion hybrid battery – 11.3 kWh and 15.2 kWh. The former offers an electric driving range of 56 km, while the latter offers 80 km of range.

8. No need for 'Hello Proton', Instead, 'Look At Me Proton'

In keeping with Geely's typically feature-packed offerings, the XingYue adds on to its regular GKUI natural language voice command infotainment to now also offer a facial recognition feature.

Instead of the usual memory-seat and side mirrors adjustment function, the XingYue uses facial recognition to adjust the driver's seat, side mirrors, and infotainment (12.3-inch touch screen). The same feature also continuously monitors the driver for signs of fatigue and distraction.

9. Like the X50, It Will Come With ADAS

In China, the XingYue also comes with a full suite of advanced driving assistance features – adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, 360-degree parking camera, self-parking function - all of it adding up to make the XingYue capable of Level 2 semi-autonomous driving.

Pic credit: Car and Driver

10. Multi-link Independent Rear Suspension

Like the name suggests, a multi-link suspension consists of several links or arms connecting the tire hub to the vehicle chassis. These arms are usually comprised of three arms for holding the wheel from the side, one arm for holding from front and back, and one arm for camber or toe adjustment.

This arrangement provides good wheel control as the suspension moves up and down.The multi-link suspension can also be designed to improve dive and squat during braking and sudden acceleration. In other words, multi-link offers an ideal balance between handling and driving comfort.

10 reasons why we feel Malaysians will love the Proton X80 or Geely XingYue if it ever makes an appearance on our shores. Distinct possibility or wishful thinking? Only time will tell...

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

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Carlist.my.

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

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AirAsia X 'repairs' seats with tape, blames spare parts shortage

Imagine boarding an international
AirAsia X
 flight and finding that the armrests on the economy seats have been fixed using vinyl tape.

That was what was encountered by most of the folks on flight D7 379 from Taipei, Taiwan to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With tickets ranging from RM600-RM1,200, seeing these yellow tapes on a lot of the armrests certainly raised a few red flags.

AirAsia X responds with 'spare parts shortage'

*Image credit: Edward Wong

The FB post that went viral courtesy of
Edward Wong
 got the attention of many individuals that went through similar experiences went travelling with AirAsia X. It has gotten their attention, and made a response for this particular matter.

According to a post by the
Malay Mail
, Alvin Tan, AirAsia X's head of engineering, stated "Due to the shortage of spare parts affecting operators worldwide and taking into account that this is not a safety issue, the vinyl tape — which is commonly used to cosmetic cabin repairs — was used as a temporary measure to prevent flight disruptions and to prioritise getting our guests to their destinations safely and timely. Spare parts orders placed in Aug 2022 have arrived last week and repair work is currently ongoing to fix all of the arm-rests."

*Image credit: Edward Wong

At the end of the day, we can all understand that some things can't be avoided. We ourselves are guilty of some shoddy repair work in our homes and modes of transport (I've used duct tape to fix the torn seat on my scooter in the past), but for AirAsia X, don't make it too obvious with bright yellow tapes. 'Cover line' a bit, use black duct tape next time.

In the meantime, check out the latest 2023 Isuzu D-Max in the video below with the latest addition to our team, Nadia!


MAA President Datuk Aishah Ahmad passes away in Jeddah

Datuk Aishah Ahmad, President of the
Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA)
, passed away on 2 February 2023.

She held the helm of the MAA since the start of 2000 and just finished performing Umrah earlier this week before planning to return to Malaysia on 4 February 2023. Sadly, she passed away in Jeddah yesterday at the age of 71.

Her work in the automotive industry had been a vital one throughout her career and several high-ranked positions, particularly her role as the CEO of Sime Darby Auto Imports, Senior Consultant for Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors, and more.

Our condolences go out to Datuk Aishah Ahmad’s family, relatives, and friends. May Allah bless her soul and place her in Jannah.


Alfa Romeo Unveils Rear-Wheel Drive Giulia Quadrifoglio with 510hp!

It has been a
long time coming
. All those corporate promises from the FIAT Group, all those hopes of a proper comeback, and now it is here, the car to (hopefully) resurrect
Alfa Romeo
 fortunes as a car maker, and what better way to do it than to bring the fight right up to the doorstep of the hegemony of German sedans such as the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with the Giulia.

Sending Message in Power and Style

Launched at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, near Milan in Italy, Alfa Romeo says that the Giulia is the embodiment of the five elements from which it made its name; distinctive Italian styling, state-of-the-art innovative engines, perfect 50/50 weight distribution, unique technical solutions, and the best power-to-weight ratio. Not only that, the Giulia marks the marque’s return to building rear-wheel drive sedans.

Though the Giulia is the brand’s first four-door sedan since
the incredibly sexy 159
, Alfa Romeo wasted no time in establishing their intent for their new baby, which is to be the ultimate performance benchmark. As such, Alfa Romeo chose to unveil the Giulia in its ultimate iteration, the Quadrifoglio, which features a six-cylinder turbocharged all-aluminium engine that was “inspired by Ferrari technologies” and develops 510PS. Though no detailed performance figures and drivetrain technologies were revealed, Alfa Romeo promises a 0 to 100km/h time of 3.9 seconds for the Quadrifoglio.

Being a car of Europe, Alfa Romeo promises that there will be a range of both petrol and diesel engines, all of which will be made entirely from aluminium to reduce weight and help achieve the car’s 50/50 front-rear weight distribution.

Continuing Alfa Romeo’s reputation of impeccable Italian styling, the Giulia’s immaculate proportions are based on the technical architecture of the entire car. As such the Giulia sports all the classic sports car looks, with very short front overhangs, a long bonnet and front wings, a retracted passenger compartment, and muscular rear wings. According to Alfa Romeo, the Giulia sports a “very generous wheelbase” that is said to be the longest in its category.

Put together the Giulia’s smooth clean shape that recreates the “teardrop shaped” profile which is reminiscent of the classic Giulietta Sprint, gives it an immaculate and alluring appearance.

Suspension, Steering, and Handling

One of the hallmarks that made Alfa Romeo so well loved amongst enthusiast was the application of engineering solutions for the sole benefit of handling. And Alfa Romeo aims to revive that reputation with the Giulia. The front suspension of the Giulia is a new double wishbone suspension with semi-virtual steering axis that was developed to optimise the filtering effect and guarantee rapid and accurate steering, Alfa Romeo claims that in any situation and at all speeds, the Giulia offers the most direct steering ratio available that is both natural and instinctive to the driver.

To improve handling and aid in taming all that power from the Quadrifoglio’s powerplant, the Giulia is said to feature Torque Vectoring with a double clutch to allow the rear differential to send torque to either one of the rear wheels. However if you think that having a rear-wheel drive is a little too hairy, Alfa Romeo says that the Giulia will also be offered with a four-wheel drive system.

When it comes to the business of keeping all that speed and horsepower tamed, the Giulia is said to feature an Integrated Brake System, which is a electromechanical system that combines stability control and a traditional servo brake for better braking response.

Weight Watching

Though Alfa Romeo didn’t reveal any hard numbers on the Giulia’s weight, they claim that it will be able to achieve a weight-to-power ratio of less than 3kg-per-hp, thus putting that figure around the 1,500kg region. Alfa Romeo claims that its relatively low weight and 50-50 weight distribution is achieved through the use of carbon fibre in the propeller shaft, aluminium for the bonnet, roof, engine, brakes, suspension components, doors, and fenders. Further weight optimisation measures also include the usage of carbon ceramic disc brakes and seat that feature carbon fibre structural frames.

When Can We Have It?

If reading all this has gotten you excited about the return of Alfa Romeo, it is best of hold your horses. Since Sime Darby relinquished the Alfa Romeo franchise at the end of 2013, nobody has taken up the brand in Malaysia since. So your best choice for it now is to wait up for somebody with the resources and the boldness to step up to the challenge of bringing back the legendary Italian brand, which is going to be a pretty tall order.

That being said, there is a touch of scepticism with the news of the Giulia, considering the lack of hard numbers behind the Giulia’s performance figures or actual dimensions, or the lack of interior details of the Giulia. Perhaps Alfa Romeo isn’t entirely prepared to give the Giulia its prime time, but we certainly hope that they are hard at work preparing it for the real world. Because it has been a long time coming, and for many enthusiasts a name like Alfa Romeo deserves another chance to live again.

In the meantime listen to the glorious noise and the sweet bellow of the Giulia Quadrifoglio from the video, and imagine the return of Alfa Romeo. It is good therapy.


The Urus Effect: Lamborghini Sold More Cars In A Few Months Than The Entire 16 Year Countach Run

Lamborghini sold more cars In the first quarter of 2022 than the entire 16-year Countach run.

It's just simply amazing what an SUV can do for a manufacturer, case in point the
Lamborghini Urus
. The Italian super SUV has
proven to be so popular
 that it has helped Lamborghini post its best-ever quarter yet.

Lamborghini has released its sales figures for the first quarter of 2022, and according to the Sant'Agata Bolognese company, they sold 2,539 vehicles globally, upping their performance by 5% (2,539 vehicles delivered globally) when compared to 2021 and 31% when compared to 2020.

2021 was the year that Lamborghini had an all-time sales record, selling 8,405 units.

Half of Lambo's Q1 2022 sales were of the Urus

According to Lamborghini, around half of Q1 2022 sales were of the Urus, while the other half was split between the
Aventador
 and the Huracan.

What this basically means is that the
Urus SUV is the main reason
 why Lamborghini has been able to reach its record-breaking quarterly number and in the process
surpass the sales
 of the entire 16-year run of the original Lamborghini Countach in just a quarter of a year. Lamborghini built nearly 2,000 units of the supercar from 1974 to 1990.

Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said that "we can count on exceptional appeal worldwide right now. Every month the orders we take outstrip our output".

SUVs are taking over the world!

The Urus’ success cements the reason why every premium manufacturer needs a formidable SUV in its ranks. Even amongst the most focussed and iconic of sportscar companies, it shows that its more affluent buyers place a higher value on the practicality and usability of a vehicle than outright performance and racing heritage.

The Urus is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which delivers 650hp and peak torque of 850Nm at 2,250rpm. With 162.7 hp/litre, it boasts one of the highest specific power ratings in its class, as well as the best power-to-weight ratio at 3.38 kg/hp. It accelerates from 0-100 km in 3.6 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 12.8 seconds and achieves a top speed of 305 km/h, putting its performance on par with Lamborghini’s sports cars.

Lamborghini electrification plans...

Lamborghini's upwards trend might continue to head northwards in the foreseeable future as the company has announced that they are preparing for a new stage in the Lamborghini story, as they move towards electrification with the arrival of a new V12 hybrid model in 2023.


Toyota Corolla Cross vs Honda HR-V vs Proton X50

Meskipun
Toyota Corolla Cross
 ini lebih besar daripada
SUV
 segmen-B, namun ianya lebih kecil daripada SUV segmen-C. Jadi, model ini juga sesuai untuk dibandingkan dengan SUV segmen-B lain seperti
Proton X50
 dan
Honda HR-V
.

Selepas diperkenalkan kepada dunia pada Julai 2020, kini Toyota Corolla Cross akhirnya telah pun dilancarkan di Malaysia semalam. Model ini dibina diatas platform TNGA-C sama seperti
Corolla Sedan
. Meskipun Toyota mengatakan Corolla Cross ini merupakan SUV segmen-C, tetapi model ini sedikit kecil berbanding SUV segmen-C yang lain tetapi masih sedikit besar daripada SUV segmen-B yang lain.

Melalui info tersebut, model ini dilihat lebih berpotensi untuk mencabar kedudukan Honda HR-V serta Proton X50 sebagai SUV segmen-B. Oleh itu, jom kita buat perbandingan antara ketiga-tiga jenis kenderaan ini.

Harga

Model

Harga

Honda HR-V

RM104,000 hingga RM118,582

Toyota Corolla Cross

RM124,000 hingga RM134,000

Proton X50

RM79,200 hingga RM103,300

Perkara pertama yang perlu diambil kira dalam membuat perbandingan mestilah harga kan? Kalau nak dibandingkan harga, semestinya jentera tempatan seperti X50 yang akan menang. Memang patutlah X50 diangkat sebagai antara SUV yang popular dengan harga seperti itu. Meskipun Corolla Cross agak sedikit mahal, tapi masuk akal lah sebab ianya lebih besar berbanding X50 dan HR-V.

Enjin dan Prestasi

Model

Honda HR-V

Toyota Corolla Cross

Proton X50

Jenis Enjin

1.8 Naturally Aspired

1.5 Hybrid

1.8 Naturally Aspired

1.5 Turbo

Silinder

Inline 4

Inline 4

Inline 4

Inline 3

Kuasa (HP)

140

150

138

148 hingga 175

Tork (Nm)

172

190

177

226 hingga 255

Transmisi

CVT

7DCT

CVT

7DCT

Pacuan

Pacuan Roda Hadapan (FWD)

Pacuan Roda Hadapan (FWD)

Pacuan Roda Hadapan (FWD)

Suspension (hadapan / belakang)

MacPherson struts / torsion beam

MacPherson struts / torsion beam

MacPherson struts / torsion beam

Melalui jadual diatas, Honda HR-V menggunakan enjin berkapasiti sama seperti Corolla Cross iaitu enjin 1.8L naturally aspirated. Walaupun kuasa yang dihasilkan oleh HR-V sedikit lebih berbanding Corolla Cross, namun Corolla Cross mempunyai kelebihan melalui jumlah tork maksimum yang dihasilkan dengan 177Nm berbanding 172Nm pada HR-V. Kedua-dua enjin ini dipadankan dengan kotak gear CVT.

Sementara itu, model hibrid HR-V menggunakan enjin berkapasiti sama seperti X50, iaitu 1.5L. Bezanya, enjin yang hadir bersama HR-V ini merupakan enjin hibrid manakala enjin X50 pula merupakan enjin yang disertakan dengan pengecas turbo. SUV popular keluaran Proton ini mampu menghasilkan kuasa dari 148hp hingga 175hp dan tork maksimum sebanyak 226Nm hingga 255Nm mengikut varian manakala HR-V hibrid pula menghasilkan 150hp dan 190Nm tork. Enjin X50 serta HR-V hibrid pula dipadankan dengan dual-clutch transmission (DCT) 7-kelajuan.

Meskipun berlainan segmen, namun Corolla Cross menggunakan suspension jenis MacPherson struts di bahagian hadapan dan torsion beam pada bahagian belakang yang sama seperti X50 dan HR-V. Suspension seperti itu adalah normal bagi SUV segmen-B.

Kalau nak dibandingkan prestasi antara ketiga-tiga SUV ini, Proton X50 jelas mendominasi meskipun hanya mempunyai 3 silinder berbanding Corolla Cross dan HR-V yang hadir dengan 4 silinder. Selain lebihan kuasa yang ditawarkan pada enjin turbo X50 ini, kereta ini juga lebih pick up berbanding HR-V dan Corolla Cross. Lihat sahaja jumlah tork yang ditawarkan pada kuda nasional ini. Sekiranya anda inginkan SUV sporty yang berprestasi tinggi, Proton X50 merupakan antara pilihan terbaik buat anda. Kalau mahukan lebih penjimatan bahan api, HR-V hibrid merupakan pilihan yang lebih sesuai.

Dimensi

Model

Honda HR-V

Toyota Corolla Cross

Proton X50

Panjang (mm)

4,334

4,460

4,330

Lebar (mm)

1,772 hingga 1,790

1,825

1,800

Tinggi (mm)

1,605

1,620

1,609

Jarak Roda (mm)

2,610

2,640

2,600

Saiz Tayar (inci)

17-18

17

17-18

Ruang But (liter)

437

487

330

Walaupun berada dalam segmen-C, namun saiz Corolla Cross ini agak sedikit luar biasa. Panjang keseluruhan kenderaan ini ialah 4,460mm, sekaligus meletakkan model ini sebagai model yang unik kerana berada di tengah-tengah antara kenderaan segmen-B dan segmen-C yang lain. Oleh kerana bersaing dengan SUV segmen-B, jadi masuk akal lah mengapa Corolla Cross mempunyai jarak roda yang lebih jauh dengan 2,640mm berbanding 2,610mm (HR-V) dan 2,600mm (X50).

Selain itu, Corolla Cross juga lebih panjang, lebar dan tinggi berbanding HR-V serta mempunyai ruang but yang paling besar berbanding lawannya. Kalau dah makin besar, takkan ruang but makin kecil pula kan? Fikir logik lah. Berdasarkan dimensi ketiga-tiga SUV ini, Corolla Cross dilihat sebagai pilihan yang lebih selesa sekiranya anda inginkan lebih ruangan sekiranya anda mempunyai keluarga yang lebih besar. Kalau nak banding dengan Toyota C-HR pun, Corolla Cross masih mempunyai ruangan but yang lebih besar. Ruang but pada C-HR cuma 388 liter sahaja.

Keselamatan

Model

Honda HR-V

Toyota Corolla Cross

Proton X50

Beg Udara

6

7

6

Beg Udara (bahagian lutut)

Tiada

Pemandu

Tiada

Autonomous Emergency Braking

Tiada

Ada

Ada

Cruise Control

Ada

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

Adaptive Cruise Control

Lane Keep Assist

Tiada

Amaran

Amaran dengan Active Lane Centring

Blind Spot Assist

Honda LaneWatch (bahagian kiri sahaja)

Ada

Ada

Auto High Beam Control

Tiada

Ada

Ada

Kamera 360 Darjah

Tiada

Ada

Ada

Toyota Corolla Cross 2021 mempunyai jumlah beg udara yang paling tinggi (7) yang hadir bersama beg udara di bahagian lutut pemandu berbanding X50 dan HR-V (6). Jika nak dibandingkan ciri keselamatan pada kedua-dua kereta ini, X50 dan Corolla Cross jelas lebih maju dengan ciri Autonomous Emergency Braking, Active Cruise Control, Auto High Beam Control dan Kamera 360 darjah yang tiada pada HR-V.

Sebenarnya, Honda HR-V juga mempunyai ciri Cruise Control pada jenteranya, cuma ianya bukanlah Active Cruise Control seperti X50 dan Corolla Cross. Dengan Active Cruise Control, kereta akan bergerak mengikut kelajuan yang telah ditetapkan namun akan memperlahankan kenderaan sekiranya ia mengesan kenderaan lain berada di hadapan dengan kelajuan yang lebih perlahan. Bagi bantuan untuk Blind Spot, ketiga-tiga model hadir dengan ciri ini tetapi HR-V hanya mampu memerhati blind spot di sebelah kiri sahaja melalui sistem Honda LaneWatch.

Feature tambahan

Model

Honda HR-V

Toyota Corolla Cross

Proton X50

Panel Instrumen

Analog dengan paparan multi-info

Analog dengan paparan multi-info

LCD digital

Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay

Tiada/ Screen Mirroring

Ada

Tiada/ Screen Mirroring

Pendingin Hawa Automatik

Single-zone

Dual-zone

Single-zone

Pendingin Hawa Belakang

Tiada

Ada

Ada

Hanya Proton X50 varian tertinggi dilengkapi dengan panel instrumen LCD Digital yang lebih bersifat moden. Sementara itu, Corolla Cross dan HR-V masih menggunakan panel instrumen analong dengan paparan multi-info. Namun ada yang lebih sukakan meter analog. Ikut selera masing-masinglah.

Bagi paparan infotainment pula, hanya Toyota Corolla Cross yang hadir dengan fungsi sambungan Android Auto dan Apple CarPlay. Kalau anda lebih sukakan kereta yang mempunyai pendingin hawa di bahagian belakang, maka pilihlah Corolla Cross atau X50 kerana HR-V tiada ciri ini.

Kesimpulannya, jika anda mahukan SUV mampu milik dengan ciri-ciri yang terkini, pilihlah Proton X50. Tetapi jika anda inginkan kenderaan yang lebih besar dan lebih fokus pada keselesaan pemanduan dan penumpang, Corolla Cross merupakan pilihan terbaik. Kalau idamkan kereta hybrid, pilihlah HR-V. Meskipun HR-V antara SUV popular di negara ini, namun ciri-ciri keselamatan HR-V masih tidak setanding dengan X50 dan Corolla Cross. Kalau ada kamera 360 darjah pada HR-V dah ngam dah!

Untuk mengetahui tentang pengalaman kami memandu Toyota Corolla Cross 2021 yang baru dilancarkan untuk pasaran Malaysia, boleh baca
disini.

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Why We Still Love The Toyota 86 And Subaru BRZ

Despite having a classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, many car enthusiasts complain the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are too slow. It’s time to stop.

You just can’t please some people. In this case, “some people” refers to the relatively small subset of car owners known as enthusiasts, and I say this because it is the enthusiasts who are most vocal with their opinions. In an effort to cater to this niche group, Toyota and Subaru joined forces to create the 86 and BRZ twins way back in 2011. It was a sports car that definitely looked the part with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, some really stellar handling dynamics, and a
relatively low point of entry
.

And yet, the enthusiasts found a reason to complain about things. With the 86/BRZ (as we’ll refer to them from here on out), it was the engine that was the problem. Being a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine, it wasn’t the most potent powertrain – 200 PS and 205 Nm of torque – and this was deemed too slow by the pundits. There were calls to
develop a turbocharged version
 or put in a different engine, but Toyota and Subaru refused to yield - at least for the first gen.

There’s a fairly good reason for it too.
Upping the power
 would mean strengthening every other component in the driveline and inevitably changing the driving dynamics of the car. From factory, even on those gripless excuses for tyres, the 86/BRZ was a fantastic car to drive with balance and poise never before seen short of BMW M Cars or Porsche’s range of coupes and convertibles.

While we could dive into what could have been, let’s look at what is.

Torque dips aren’t a problem

One of the quickest issues that came to light was how the 86/BRZ had a massive torque dip between 3200 and 4500 rpm, which many people enjoyed blowing out of proportion. It was made to sound like the 86/BRZ was practically undriveable, but the reality is that if you knew how to work the gears properly and run each gear out to redline (like you should), you would never have the engine speed fall into the torque dip. In simple terms, it trained you to drive better to get the most out of it.

Light and nimble

There are massive advantages to keeping weight low, and the 86/BRZ weighs in at between 1200 and 1300 kg. In comparison, the average Volkswagen Golf GTI could start at around 1300 kg and go as high as 1500 kg – and the difference in weight can be noticeable. Despite being down on power, an 86/BRZ has a power-to-weight ratio that isn’t all too incomparable with a Golf GTI – which is perfectly accepted as being a quick car by a broader community.

Total balance

While the 86/BRZ may not be mind-blowingly fast in a straight line, one of the biggest influences on straight line speed is your speed coming out of the previous corner – and that’s where these coupes excel. Drive an 86/BRZ long enough and you’ll have the confidence to attack and exit corners at much higher speeds being fully in control. This results in a much higher speed by the time you get to the end of the next straight.

Double standards

While enthusiasts are quick to complain about the 86/BRZ, they happily accept the Mazda MX-5 – which really has comparable performance and metrics. This may be a result of the MX-5’s long and cheerful history, but ultimately it shows a double standard as people cannot accept the 86/BRZ for what they are. In a time when rear-wheel drive sports cars are really reserved for those with plenty of money to spare on a second car, the 86/BRZ twins are a cost-effective alternative that can offer you pure driving pleasure without having to sacrifice too much financially.

The price of fun

One of the problems with owning a performance car is that if you truly want to enjoy it, you are going to have to pay for consumables – whether that’s engine oil and other fluids, or tyres and brake pads and brake discs, you can’t run away from the costs of these various items that you will burn through or need to replace more often. The good thing about the 86/BRZ is that the costs are relatively low compared to other performance cars – even if you wanted to go drifting every other month. Cheap tyres are widely available in the sizes that you need, and other consumables aren’t too pricey either.

Ultimately
owning
 one of
these cars
 may take a little bit of getting used to as the straight line speed doesn’t quite match the looks, but the 86/BRZ is a car that will teach you as you go. Not only is it easy to approach for newcomers, it also has high performance potential once you really get the hang of driving it on the limit, as well as a vast aftermarket selection of parts to modify your car in a way that suits you. It may not be the last word in speed, but you will almost certainly not regret having one in your garage.


Test Drive A Mitsubishi And Stand A Chance To Dine With Izzue Islam And Amyra Rosli

In conjunction with the upcoming Raya festivities, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) announced that it will be hosting the 4Sure Best Raya contest.
The contest will see 10 lucky winners being selected among those who test drive any Mitsubishi vehicles at any authorized Mitsubishi Motors showroom, to dine with Malaysian celebrities Izzue Islam and Amyra Rosli.
The 4Sure Best Raya contest will run from today until 2 June. To participate, simply fill up an online test drive form in MMM's website.
Mitsubishi Motors authorized dealers will then schedule a test-drive appointment with the participant, who has to the test-drive any Mitsubishi Motors model in order to win.
The winners, who will be revealed on 10 June on MMM’s official Facebook page, will also be notified via phone call. The dinner with the celebrities will be held on 22 June at venues which will be conveyed to the winners accordingly.
“We have chosen to work with Izzue Islam and Amyra Rosli for the 4Sure Best Raya campaign because Izzue, a famous Malaysian actor and a Triton owner, leads an adventurous lifestyle, embodies confidence in his career and drives the Triton with pleasure. We want our owners to feel that desire when they commute in a Mitsubishi Motors car daily,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.
He added, “Amyra on the other hand is a Malaysian actress and a family-oriented person, who evidently makes the safety of her family a priority. That is something in common with the Outlander as safety is the Outlander's strongest suit, befitting its role as a 7-Seater family vehicle.”
Malaysians may also enjoy
Mitsubishi Motors Raya promotions
 which is ongoing until 30th June.
Click
here
 to get the best deals for Mitsubishi models.


Bangkok 2015: MG’s Return To Malaysia Delayed

The now Chinese-owned MG brand was earlier rumoured to be making a return to Malaysia soon via a local conglomerate, but the plan appears to have been pushed back several years.
Speaking to Carlist.my at the opening of the 2015 Thailand International Motor Expo in Bangkok, Mr. Wu Han, President of the Chinese-Thai joint venture SAIC Motor-CP explained that exports to other right-hand drive markets are not SAIC Motor-CP’s priority at the moment.
“We want to focus in Thailand first,” said Wu Han.
His latest reply is quite a departure from the company’s earlier statements made in 2014, which said that the company’s 50,000 units capacity plant in Rayong will export cars to other right-hand drive markets in the region including Indonesia and Malaysia.
Several years ago, SAIC, which owned the MG brand, had signed an MoU with Federal Auto Holdings to introduce the MG brand into Malaysia, but the MoU has since lapsed and SAIC is rumoured to be speaking to another Malaysian conglomerate on possible tie-ups.
Wu however, denied that SAIC is in talks with any party in Malaysia.
“No, we are not speaking to anyone in Malaysia at the moment,” said Wu.
Speaking on conditions of anonymity, an executive at SAIC Motor-CP explained that the company is quite behind in its sales targets, and that it needs to strengthen its operations in Thailand before focusing on exports.
A report by the Bangkok Post said that the company had earlier aimed to sell 5,000 cars in 2015, but a sudden downturn in the Thai domestic market meant that the company had only sold 1,890 cars in the first nine months of this year.
At the Thailand International Motor Expo, MG launched its latest B-segment model for the Thai market – the MG5.
More like an upper-B-segment model, the MG5 competes with the Honda City and Toyota Vios in terms of price, but offers more metal for the same money – its 2,650 mm wheelbase is 50 mm and 100 mm longer than the City and Vios respectively.
The MG5 is powered by either a 1.5-litre 106 PS naturally aspirated petrol engine or a 1.5-litre turbo 129 PS petrol engine.
There is also the larger MG6, which is available in two body styles – saloon and fastback, and an entry level Perodua Myvi-sized MG3.
The MG6 is powered by a 161 PS 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine while the MG3 is powered by a 106 PS 1.5-litre petrol engine shared with the MG5.


Thailand Grants Volkswagen Approval To Build Production Plant

After months of delay,
Volkswagen
 has finally gained the approval from authorities in Thailand to build its first ASEAN production plant near Bangkok, manufacturing fuel efficient models. This comes following the application submission for the second phase of Thailand’s Eco-car scheme, whose deadline ended on 31 March 2014.
A report from Reuters indicated that the car maker is now assessing the situation and there has yet to be a decision on whether to build the factory. The investment of one billion Euros is to build a plant that manufactures 1.4-litre petrol engine cars, which could see an output of up to 300,000 vehicles per year.
The interest to build a plant in Thailand is also to take advantage of tax breaks where successful applicants of the scheme will get a six year exemption from corporate income tax.
In Malaysia, Volkswagen models currently being produced here include the
Passat
,
Polo
 and
Jetta
. These are done in conjunction with a local partner, DRB-HICOM.


Get Behind The (Virtual) Wheel Of Your Favorite Fast And Furious Cars, For Free

The success of the Fast & Furious franchise has been the subject of debate for film scholars everywhere. It’s actually pretty simple: we like fast cars, driven to the extreme by an equally extreme crew of protagonists. Which is why that recipe mixed in with an already excellent video game is so tantalizing.
Microsoft and its Turn 10 Studios are coming to your rescue if you’ve ever harboured the daydream of living the adventures that Dom Torreto and his buddies have on a quite regular basis, with an expansion to the popular Forza Horizon 2 video game that, oddly and wonderfully, is available as a free download and does not require the ownership of the full game to work.
Like the full game, this pseudo-expansion is set in an fictionalized open world version of Southern France where you are free to roam in a fast car of your choosing. Unlike the full game, however, you are limited to Nice and it immediate areas. There you will be guided by series character Tej Parker (voiced by Ludacris himself) through locating and ‘acquiring’ the necessary cars for the crew’s next big score, which will include at least 11 vehicles from the series that were recreated with painstaking attention to detail, as explained to us in the video below by Dennis McCarthy, Picture Car Coordinator for the Furious 7 film. These include the ’70 Plymouth Road Runner, 70’ Plymouth Barracuda and a 1998
Toyota
 Supra.
In game, there’s a lot of nudges to get you to purchase the full game, which is fair enough considering they’re giving away this huge chunk of game for the low price of zero. If you’re a fan of racing games and own an Xbox 360 or Xbox One, this expansion is a no-brainer. Better grab it quick, though, as after April 10
th
 – the original US release date of the film – you’ll have to pay US$10 for it.


Review: G30 BMW 5 Series 520i Luxury Line – It’s Not Always About Sportiness

When BMW Malaysia first launched the G30 5 Series in 2017, it came in the form of the 530i M Sport, oozing with sportiness thanks to features like the full M Performance exterior package, double-spoke style 664 M alloy wheels, blue M Sport brake callipers, a generous dose of high gloss Black bits, and what not.

Even when the company expanded the 5 Series range for the first time four months later with the 530e plug-in hybrid, the emphasis was still on sportiness, as the model was clad in Sport Line Exterior bits like the 19-inch V-spoke wheels and high-gloss Black front bumper elements among others.

Only during the next 5 Series range expansion in April 2019, BMW Malaysia saw the need to bring in something more subtle and more affordable, in an effort to cater to buyers who didn't want something that was downright sporty.

And this was when the car we’re looking at here – the 5 Series 520i Luxury Line, made its Malaysian debut.  Priced at RM328,888 on the road without insurance, the 520i Luxury Line is the most affordable 5 Series model in the range alongside the 530e Sport which goes for the same price, followed by the 530e M Sport which asks for RM338,888, the RM372,800 530i M Sport, and of course, the RM1 million big daddy M5.

For the 520i Luxury Line, the engine is perhaps the largest distinction between it and the other variants. Powering it is the same B48 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the 530i M Sport, but in a different state of tuning.

This explains why the 520i Luxury Line produces 184 hp and 290 Nm of torque, versus the 530i M Sport’s 252 hp and 350 Nm, and the 530e’s 248 hp and 420 Nm of torque. Coming back to the 520i Luxury Line, sending all of its power to the rear wheels is the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission.

The main trim differences between the 520i Luxury Line and the other variants are as follows:

Chrome Plated Kidney Grille VS the M Sport’s Black Kidney Grille

Chrome Exterior Trim VS the M Sport’s Shadow Line bits

18-inch wheels VS 19-inch M Sport wheels

Sensatec Dashboard

Circular chrome Exhausts VS hexagonal tips

More elegant bumper with generous chrome bits VS M Sport’s sportier bumper

Luxury Line door scuff plates VS M Sport trims

Inside, the 520i Luxury Line features Dakota leather upholstery and a Sensatec dashboard which is not available in any other variant, black high-gloss trim with highlights in Pearl Chrome, front sports seats, a sport leather steering wheel, illuminated aluminium door sill finishers, along with an 11-colour ambient lighting system.

Other features include Comfort Access, automatic air-conditioning with four-zone control, but unlike the 530e, the 520i does not have BMW’s Driving Assistance package and the only driver assistance features we have here are the passive cruise control with braking function, Parking Assistant, and a rear view camera.

That being said, this is what we feel about the 520i Luxury Line:

Our Rating

Design:  3.5/5 – Still handsome, but not as dashing as the M Sport variants

Driving Dynamics: 4/5: Sharp, but more power would’ve been welcome

Comfort: 4/5 – Smaller tyres & suspension setup add to comfort

Space: 4/5 – Cabin feels roomier than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Ups & Downs

Plus: It’s the cheapest 5 Series variant, and it strikes a perfect balance between comfort and a dynamic driving experience

Minus: Lacks driver assistance features, looks quite “uncle-y”.

Verdict

Like any other car, the BMW 5 Series 520i Luxury Line has its ups and downs. On the upside, it has brought the price of the 5 Series down, drives exceptionally well, looks very matured, and somewhat ticks most of the boxes of what one would expect from a car in this price range.

Despite having smaller tyres and a more comfort-oriented suspension setup, the 520i Luxury Line drives just the way you would expect a BMW to – with great agility, responsiveness, eagerness, and composure.

The level of comfort and plushness in the car was also impressive for an entry level variant. In fact, our stint with the 520i Luxury was so satisfying that we didn’t think of the 530i or 530e even once.

However, we can’t run away from the fact that there are still areas in which the car could have been better. For instance, the list of driver assistance features could have been more extensive, and there could have been a bit more power to make things a little more exciting.

But then again, those who want the complete package can always opt for the better kitted 530i or the 530e M Sport can’t they?

While many entry level models out there are merely what we call
“kosong-spec”
 cars with minimal features, the 520i Luxury Line here is actually quite well equipped.

So, if you’re looking for a premium executive sedan that is not visually loud but still classy and matured, equipped with all the necessary stuff, spacious, delivers decent amount of power, and offers a comfortable ride, the 5 Series 520i Luxury Line may just be the right car for you.


Honda wants 30 EVs by 2030! Makes organisational changes to further accelerate electrification

Honda is reorganising and changing its operations to adapt to the electrified era.

Remember when Honda's CEO Takahiro Hachigo said "EVs are not a priority" back in 2019? Well, it seems he has changed his mind as Honda has announced that starting from April 1st this year, the company will make organisational and operational changes to "further accelerate electrification business and realise new value creation."

This new vision by Honda actually started back in April last year when they announced their electrification plans - which will see them roll out 30 EVs by 2030.

Many thought this vision was just a pipe dream, but these organisational and operational changes further solidifies their attempt to make that many EVs in the next seven years.

This is probably Takahiro's aggressive plan to get them up to speed with the rest of the EV world, as their only electrified offering is the
Honda e
, a cute little EV which is sheek, but lacks the range to be a mass seller.

Yes, Honda is working on the ZDX Acura and Prologue, but that's not entirely theirs, as the battery tech comes from GM.

Some say the recently unveiled
Afeela EV concept car
, a cooperation between Honda and Sony is an EV that will be built to compete with the big boys such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, but we're pretty sure Honda wants to take things to a more familiar territory, the affordable segment.

According to Honda, by further accelerating the series of initiatives Honda has been taking to transform itself through electrification and new value creation, Honda strives to remain and become even more recognised as "a company society wants to exist" in the electrified era.


Nissan Navara Facelift Unveiled - New PRO-4X Model Included

Nissan Navara facelift unveiled - also comes with a new variant called the PRO-4X.

After more than five years of being in the market, the current generation Navara (NP300/D23) is getting a facelift, and we suppose it's more of an exercise to keep up with the new direction and family face of Nissan.

Most noticeable exterior changes include a more pronounced front end, including a taller hood, grille a la the Nissan Titan (Nissan calls it the Interlock grille), and headlights with four projector LED cubes in the housing surrounded by C shaped day time running lights.

At the rear, it receives the same facelift treatment continuing the C shaped theme with taillights that have a C light guide design, beefier bumper as well as a redesigned tailgate.

To keep up with the competition in terms of safety, the facelift Navara comes with intelligent forward collision system, intelligent emergency braking, intelligent around-view monitor (360 camera angle) and offroad monitoring system which can help check and detect obstacles.

Some other noticeable parts of the safety gear include intelligent driver alertness, lane departure warning, intelligent lane intervention and blind-spot warning.

Refinement wise, the facelift Navara has been said to be included with acoustic laminated glass to help with diminishing exterior noises. Comfort improvements continue with increased amounts of sound-deadening insulation.

For a better piloting experience, a new Nissan steering wheel and improved styling of the instrument panel highlighting the 8-inch navigation screen and a 7-inch higher-resolution TFT screen has been put in place whereas passengers can enjoy the new rear seats with upgraded seat cushions and back shapes. For added convenience, passengers in the back can also now utilize the new rear armrest with built-in cup holders to store beverages or smartphones.

Under the new rugged and handsome body, a new steering rack has been equipped to help with agility and maneuvering and a new stronger rear axle has been put in place to help with heavier payloads.

As with a lot of facelift cars, the powertrain usually remains the same, and the Navara is no exception and will continue to use the current Renault sourced 2.3-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 190PS and 450Nm of torque.

The
Malaysian Navara
 never received this engine as it used the 2.5-litre engine from the previous generation Navara (D40) which pushed out the same output as the  2.3-litre Renault engine.

Will the Malaysian Navara finally get the smaller Renault engine this time around? Only time will tell, but whatever it is, we're pretty sure that it'll be mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed auto currently seen in the Malaysian Navara.

Part of the facelift launch was also an introduction of the Nissan Navara PRO-4X which comes with its own distinctive, athletic look with a black Nissan emblem, a black front bumper and black grille, door handles, roof racks and running boards accented by 17-inch black wheels and all-terrain tires.

The PRO-4X takes the design up another notch with lively, orange-red accents, a tint inspired by the colour of magma, contrasted with the dark grill, wheels, and mirror caps.

The PRO-4X line also uses a signature orange-red color for the Nissan wordmark on the black emblem, as well as other orange-red accents inside and outside the car.

The new Nissan Navara will be available in eight exterior colours, with two new colours (Orange Brown and a new shade of grey, developed for the PRO-4X grade) available in all markets with light grey, grey and black fabric or leather interior (options and colours will vary by market).

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Mazda Thinks Analogue And Human-Centric, Not Digital Or AI Cars, Are The Way Forward

It’s a question that no car maker wants to answer: if the future is going to be electric and artificial intelligence will replace the driver, then what is going to separate one car maker from another? Unlike engines, all electric motors have more or less the same soul-less character, while software is likely to be commonised, just like our digital devices.
Typical answers range from having a unique user interface to brand appeal and heritage. Basically no different from choosing between a Samsung or an iPhone, both of which will at some point, likely to also put their brands on electric, driverless cars since such cars have less unique mechanical components and are easier to produce.
Nearly every announcement at any international motor show these days is about some kind of electric vehicle. The reason is purely financial. Come 2021, the European Union will start imposing fines on car companies whose average fleet-wide CO2 emissions exceed 95 g/km (actual targets determined by each company's average weight of vehicles sold). Every gram over the target will be fined 95 Euros, multiplied by the number of cars sold that year.
For many, the target is grossly unrealistic and nearly every major car maker is expected to miss the target and will have to pay billions of Euros in fines. Ford and BMW are expected to pay 2.6 billion Euros, Daimler and Hyundai nearly 3 billion Euros, 5 billion Euros for PSA Group, and a massive 9 billion Euros for Volkswagen Group.
Reducing the fines requires car makers to claim the so-called ‘super credits’ from electric cars – thus explains the rush to push out electric cars.
Over in Hiroshima, Mazda is of the opinion that this commonly held prediction of the future is overhyped. Where is the electricity going to come from and how is the power grid going to cope? Most developed countries' power grids have no more than 15 percent in reserve capacity. Even in Japan or Australia, power hungry factories are regularly asked to shutdown during peak winter/summer seasons so the power grid doesn't get crippled as every household turns on their air-conditoning.
Also, the majority of power plants are still fired by CO2 emitting fossil fuels.
Carlist.my sat down with Hidetoshi Kudo, Executive Officer in charge of R&D Administration and Product Strategy to learn about how Mazda plans to remain relevant in this era of electrification and commoditized cars.
Kudo-san pulled out a chart that showed the forecasted powertrain mix for next two decades. By 2030, over 80 percent of motor vehicles will still require some form of combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and regular hybrids included.
To be clear, Mazda isn't against electric cars. Mazda's first battery electric vehicle is slated for launch in late-2019, and a variety of hybrid models will come soon too. Where it differs from other car makers is this - while everyone is throttling down on development with combustion, Mazda is doing the exact opposite, believing that its engines – which will still form the basis of hybrids and plug-in hybrids that will dominate - will be key differentiator it needs to stand out and remain independent in the future.
The
SkyActiv-X engine
, a variation of the HCCI engine concept which Daimler says is not feasible (apparently Mazda didn’t read the news and continued working on it), is Mazda’s latest milestone in proving everyone wrong.
Technical solutions aside, Mazda believes the intense pressure to meet emission regulations has left everyone sidetracked, forgetting why people love cars in the first place.
Digital tools, characterless electric drivetrains and sanitizing the drivng experience has become a necessary evil in order to make cars a viable business in the future.
When cars become a shared commodity, it is reduced to a mere transportation tool, which is already happening today.
Kudo-san also spoke about how Mazda wants to be a company that is not just sustainable, but is also one that brightens people’s lives through emotional cars.
“We have become a society that’s increasingly automated, with more technology, but our stress levels are also higher and people seem to have less joy,” he said.
Humans will throw out a functional commodity the moment a cheaper and better version comes along; a driverless electric cars that you don’t buy but only pay as you use and order via an app, is one example. However humans will also always defend and preserve things that bring them meaning and joy. We continue to value handcrafted analogue watches even though digital watches are cheaper and better.
The phrase “The only cars worth making are those that are fun to drive” was first uttered by former CEO and current Chairman Masamichi Kogai, but it’s now an often repeated rallying call within Mazda.
It might sound foolish to resist the inevitable but remember Ferry Porsche, the creator of the 911’s quote: “The last car ever to be built will be a sports car.”
When Mazda says fun to drive, they are not referring to 1,000 PS or a sub-7 minute lap time on the Nurburgring. Mazda is too small of a company to be able to take on such projects plus today’s climate is not very conducive for such cars.
Instead, it wants to show regular drivers what they have been missing out – the feeling of one-ness with a car, one that triggers smile at 60 km/h as well as 120 km/h, just like a little Mazda MX-5.
“Driving the right car reinvigorates the mind and body,” adds Kudo-san.
Mazda believes that without joy, without happy drivers, the meaning of a sustainable future rings rather hollow and sad. It’s also why Jinba Ittai is such an important philosophy to Mazda.
While everyone else is talking about making the driver redundant, Mazda wants to preserve the joy of driving, and keeping that joy accessible to everyone. The last bit is important. Like many, Mazda is also developing driverless cars, but with a different objective. Rather than replacing the driver, Mazda’s forthcoming Co-Pilot semi-autonomous driving feature is meant to assist elderly drivers, and those with limited mobility, because the joy of driving should be available for everyone.
While everyone else is going digital, Mazda feels it’s necessary to pause and consider that some things are better done by humans. Digital tools should be just that, a tool, not to replace the human but to enhance a human’s creative talent.
The forthcoming Mazda models like the all-new 3, which uses Kodo Design Phase 2 is one example. The way the car’s body manipulates light and shadow can only be achieved by an expert human, because no amount of digital rendering can replicate how natural light bounces off the metal panels. So confident are they in their methods that Mazda is certain that companies who rely too much with digital tools won’t be able to copy their designs.
Mazda entered the 2000s with its Zoom Zoom tagline but 2020 and beyond is all about Sustainable Zoom Zoom, which in its essence is about humanizing Zoom Zoom even further.
Over the next few weeks, we will share more of the treasure trove of learnings that we have gained from our chats with Mr. Kudo. Watch this space for more insights.
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here
 for the best deals on new Mazda cars.


JSPT is offering 50% discount on summonses - from January 10-12

If you have a lot of '
samans'
 from Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), next week will be your best chance to get rid of them, as PDRM is offering a 50% discount on selected traffic summonses from January 10 to 12.

The Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) in a statement, said that the discount is only given to individuals who make physical payments at Balai Polis, Jalan Tun H S Lee, from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

However, looking at the poster, discounts will not be given for offences involving those who have pending court cases,non-compound(NC), heavy vehicle/lorries related, exhaust modification, queue cutting, accidents, overtaking on double lines, emergency lane and red light offences.

"Payment can be made in cash or debit/credit card, however cash payment is encouraged to avoid problems (debit/credit terminal) during payment," according to their statement.

JSPT Kuala Lumpur informed that the discount is only given on summons issued nationwide by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and does not involve summons from other enforcement agencies.


Another Accident In Ulu Yam - Why?

Another weekend, another accident at Ulu Yam, casting the spotlight once again on that infamous stretch of road. But why are there more accidents there than ever before?

A video of several cars in a convoy driving fast and recklessly on Jalan Ulu Yam went viral last weekend as it ended in tragedy when one of them was involved in an accident.

The incident which took place at about 7.40 am, was successfully recorded by a vehicle's dashcam before it spread on Facebook.

Through the recording, you can see that three cars were driving speedily before one of them collided with two vehicles from the opposite direction, a lorry, and another car. The driver of the Mitsubishi Lancer involved tried to overtake a Perodua Bezza but failed and collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction.

According to Superintendent Azman Shariat, Head of the Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), three individuals were injured in the crash, including two Vietnamese nationals who were passengers in the white Bezza.

Following the spread of the footage, netizens were angry with their actions of recklessly driving a car on the narrow village road, with some asking why this kind of accident is frequently happening on this public road?

To get this answer, we must first go back to its origins.

Historically people have been driving spiritedly on this road since way back in the eighties and nineties. Between Ulu Yam, Karak Highway, and Jalan Gombak Lama, you had your options for how you wanted to have fun
on the way up to Genting
.

But as much as people enjoyed driving on it back then, there wasn't nearly as much volume as you see nowadays. Unfortunately, with this increase in volume, there's also an increase in recklessness, so it's only a matter of probability that more accidents will happen on this route.

Until 2014, you would have your groups of weekend drivers on that route, but we're talking maybe three to four groups of four to five cars. Often these groups and drivers would be older gentlemen in their Porsches, Lambos, sports cars, and supercars. They drove fast, but they never really drove hard. They just kind of enjoyed the road and never took it to a competitive level.

In 2015, that was when the big group drives started. It's around the time car groups became popular on IG and FB, and a lot of college kids and young drivers started to get excited about the idea of a weekend drive up to Genting.

Over the course of this year, it went from 15-20 cars to 80 plus cars showing up for morning drives. But for the most part, it was managed well, and these groups kept an accident-free record.

People wanted to drive spiritedly, but they were sensible about it and broke up into smaller groups and had a leader and sweeper type system.

Since then, the number of participants has increased, and more of them turned up with their heavily modified cars and drove unorganised and with little to
no skills
.

Despite this, there would only be one incident a year, which made everyone cool off and relax and come back again. There were so few incidents that it didn't grab any attention and kept the spotlight off the infamous route.

That is until 2017, where big group drives mostly came to a stop because of a massive crash one night (thankfully, it wasn't with any random road user as it was two people who were driving as part of a group). Ulu Yam regulars were smart enough to realise that if they continued, this kind of incident would keep happening, and someone would eventually be
de
ad
.

But by then, newer crowds had already started to become familiar with Ulu Yam, which made it a popular destination for a spirited weekend drive which inevitably made it crowded and full of excited drivers who are mostly first-time fast car owners with cars packing 200-300 whp.

This increase in traffic has also caused the
road to degrade
, which doesn't help with traction.

The closing of interstate travel also didn't help as the road became more crowded than usual as people used Ulu Yam instead of the Karak Highway.

As we said before, the frequent accidents at Ulu Yam are a matter of probability than anything else, as there is a direct correlation between the accidents and its popularity as a weekend driving spot.

What was once considered a nice route to drive on is now a dangerous one, and it's a shame that the road has become notorious for its frequent visitation of overzealous drivers and accidents.

So if you're headed out there for a drive, know your limits, know the limits of your car, respect other road users and be sensible. If you have the money to spend on performance cars or even upgrading your car, we're sure you can afford a Sepang track day, a safe and controlled location for you to test yourself and your machine!


Toyota Corolla Cross Spotted – Launch In Q2 of 2021

The long rumoured Toyota Corolla Cross, Toyota’s
TNGA
 platform based C-Segment SUV has finally hit home soil. This time courtesy of a keen-eyed observer from Facebook we have our first sightings of the Toyota Corolla Cross SUV in West Port.

The three images give us a good glimpse of the exterior of the Corolla cross, a rear shot, which clearly shows the 1.8G badge – leading us to believe these are the range-topping units. The images provide yet further proof that Toyota will go ahead with a launch sometime in Q2 of 2021, as confirmed by UMW Toyota Motors in a recently released corporate statement.

A separate interior shot gives a clear as day look at the clean and functional interior which visibly shows leather seats, a central infotainment touchscreen, and a digital climate control panel.

The powertrain should mirror that of the
Toyota Corolla sedan
, which is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre inline-four engine that produces 139PS and 173Nm of torque – which is paired with a slightly revised CVT-type automatic transmission.

In the case of the Corolla sedan, the “G” variant is supplied with the Toyota Safety Sense package that includes a wealth of integrated safety systems such as the pre-collision system (PCS), lane departure alert (LDA) with steering assist,  lane tracing assist (LTA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM). This remains to be seen on the Toyota Corolla Cross.

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2017 Jeep Compass Makes Global Debut

In an effort to celebrate of the start of production at Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s new Jeep assembly Plant in Goiana, Brazil, Jeep officially revealed the all-new Compass earlier this week.

According to Jeep, the all-new Compass compact SUV, which is a global model, will be produced with 17 powertrain options for consumers in more than 100 markets around the world, which also includes Malaysia.

Expected to go on sale next year, the all-new Jeep Compass features a blacked-out roof, best-in-class 4x4 off-road capability, tweaked interior, enhanced safety features, superior on-road driving dynamics, as well as open-air freedom, hinting at the possibilities of either a panoramic roof or even a cabriolet.

All set to make its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, more details will be disclosed by Jeep closer to the event.
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Proton X50 1.5L TGDi – Packaging Refinement and Power In A Small 3-Cylinder Engine

The Proton X50 seems to dominate the automotive news cycle with everything from the tentative prices to the car’s suite of active safety systems taking centre stage of the discussion posts on social media.

Another topic of hot discussion is the X50’s
1.5-litre TGDi turbocharged engine
. After all, this is the most advanced powerplant to ever feature in a Proton, and the most power-dense, given it produces 177 PS in the case of the 1.5 TGDi from just 1.5-litres of displacement and 3-cylinders.

Needless to say, there’s a whole lot of tech that goes into creating such an engine, and ensuring that it remains reliable for the lifetime of the vehicle.

The powerplant is
co-developed by Volvo and Geely
, the former having ample experience with downsized turbocharging, through its Drive-E engine programs. Another testament of its reliability is the 1.9-million km of real-world testing that has been done by its developers.

In addition, given the relative scale of Geely Automotive’s global business, the new 1.5-litre turbo engine has already seen service in 550 thousand cars worldwide – so we can be assured it works.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the key specs between the two engine variants fitted in the X50:

You’ll note that besides the difference in power figures, the lower powered ‘1.5L T’ variant uses port injection versus the ‘1.5L TGDi’ which uses direct-injection technology. Geely achieved this by having two different engine head assemblies to offer two different engines at varying power levels. But what is the difference between the two?

Port Injection

Port injection is the more traditional design, where fuel and air are injected into the intake port and premixed before it is sucked into the engine for combustion. The benefits of a port injection system are its reliability, lower costs of manufacturing and reduced carbon build-up around the intake valves. However, it isn’t as efficient as direct-injected engines, produces less power (in most cases), and offers less control over the amount of fuel that enters the combustion chamber.

Direct Injection

Direct injection on the other uses high-pressure injectors to inject fuel directly into the combustion chambers. Hence air and fuel enter the engine from different points. Direct injection is able to create more power, offer a more complete combustion process, and gives manufacturers better control over the amount of fuel that enters the engine – aiding fuel economy. The downsides though are that they’re more expensive, and direct-injected engines tend to have higher carbon buildup around the intake valves.

With that said, it is an intelligent way for Proton to offer two different engine variants to cater better to customers with varying requirements from their X50's.

But, why they didn’t they just go with a 4-cylinder engine?

Another topic of frequent discussion is the fact that the
1.5-litre engine
 is a 3-cylinder engine. Now there is nothing new about 3-cylinder engines, car manufacturers have been using them since the 80s, and bike manufacturers, even longer – most people will note that the Perodua Kancil and Kelisa were both powered by 3-cylinder engines, which are still running reliably to this day. Heck even the BMW i8 supercar is powered by a 3-cylinder turbocharged engine.

However, the more informed might note that 3-cylinder engines are not the most refined – in that they produce more vibration especially at idle and low-revs. And as you might surmise, this isn’t good to have in an SUV like the X50.

Why do 3-cylinder engines vibrate so much anyway?

Well, it’s down to their very design. Without geeking out too much, in 4- and 6-cylinder engines, while two pistons travel upwards (typically the first and last) within the engine, the other 2- or 4- pistons respectively are typically travelling downwards within the engine. What this does is almost even out the counteracting forces (upwards/downwards and rotational) within the engine allowing the engine to remain steady within its axis.

In a 3-cylinder engine, which is essentially a 6-cylinder engine cut in half, while the first piston reaches the top of the combustion chamber (TDC) the other two pistons can be on their way down or up (depending on the manufacturer) within the engine. While this does just enough to balance out the up and down forces, it doesn’t balance out the rotational forces caused by the engine’s components, thus a three-cylinder engine always wants to rotate and fall over itself.

In the Proton X50, there are a number of innovations that have been used to mitigate these refinement issues and offer great performance in a small package.

Here a few highlights:

High stiffness engine block and head
: Starting with a good base – the X50’s engine uses a high-stiffness engine block and head design, this pays dividends in having an engine that will last years of service, resist torsional forces across the engine and offer reduced engine vibration.

Good balance:
 In addition to an engine balancer shaft, the X50’s engine also employs a Torsional Vibration Damper (TVD) to absorb the aforementioned twisting forces of the engine during operation. Anti-vibration injectors are also fitted to reduce engine vibration and reduce the characteristic ‘ticking’ noise of direct-injected engines.

A smooth gearshift:
The X50 dual-clutch automatic transmission interfaces with a Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) equipped with a Centrifugal Pendulum Absorber (CPA), as the name suggests, the entire system works to harmonise the forces of the engine crankshaft before power is transmitted to the transmission.  A downside of a DMF setup is a slight delay in gearshift response, however, it pays dividends with silky smooth up- and downshifts, and improved refinement during engine startup.

Silent engine accessories
: A large quantity of the noise generated in a car doesn’t even come from the engine itself, rather the engine accessories such as the alternator, and various system pumps. To mitigate this, the X50’s engine uses a silent high-pressure fuel pump and silent electrical alternator equipped with an Overrun Alternator Decoupler (OAD) pulley system. Unlike traditional alternators, OAD pulleys are equipped with a one-way clutch, which allows the alternator to momentarily decouple from the engine and ‘freewheel’ when engine speeds drop or during initial startup. OADs are commonly found on modern diesel engines because these engines exhibit more torsional forces during operation. Not only are OAD’s more efficient because they can keep spinning even when the engine speeds are dropping, but they also isolate the alternator and engine from ‘knee-jerk’ vibrations caused by sudden changes in engine speeds.

In the development of the X50 engine, special attention has been paid to improve
efficiency
 and increase power at every phase of the engine’s operation. And as they say, the proof is in the pudding, with the claimed 0-100 km/h sprint covered in 7.9 seconds, and segment beating performance as proven by the raft of real-world testing exercises members of the media were treated to recently.

Are we ready to put to bed this three-cylinder being lousy engine debate or at least wait till customer testimonials tell us otherwise?


Fuel Price Update: 19th to 25th January – Petrol 6 Sen Costlier, Diesel 12 Sen

The Ministry of Finance Malaysia has announced the price of petrol and diesel fuel starting tomorrow (January 19th) and will be valid for the next seven days.
All types of consumer fuels are hit with a price increase, the first after the change to a weekly price adjustment based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM).
In summary, the prices for petrol and diesel for the next 7 days are as listed below:
RON 95 –
RM1.98
per litre (increase 6 sen from RM1.92)
RON 97 –
RM2.28
 per litre (increase 6 sen from RM2.28)
Diesel –
RM2.17
 per litre (increase 12 sen from RM 2.17)


Third National Car Will Not Be Funded By Rakyat, Says Finance Minister

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has assured the
rakyat
that the third national car plan will not be funded by the rakyat.
Guan Eng said that if the third national car project is greenlit, it would be funded by the private sector.
“If it comes from private (investments), then there will not be a problem,” he said during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday.
Back in June, during the Prime Minister’s visit to Japan, he reiterated his intention to kickstart another Proton. Proton was Tun Mahathir’s brainchild, though 49.9% of it was sold to Geely during Najib Tun Razak’s administration.
Tun M also wrote a
post
 on his blog lamenting that Malaysians don't deserve an automotive industry, where he mentioned that Malaysia has become a dumping ground for big car companies to dump good quality as well as ‘Milo tin’ cars, thus burying Proton and resulting in Proton being sold to foreigners.
Cover photo via TheStar on Youtube


Aston Martin And Wearnes Join Together To Bring The British Marque Back To Malaysia

In tandem with the premiere of the 24th Bond film, Spectre,
Aston Martin
 announced the appointment of luxury car retailer Wearnes as its official Kuala Lumpur dealer, an important market within the Southeast Asian region.
With the inking of this partnership, Wearnes will be handling all sales, after-sales, marketing, and brand-building duties for Aston Martin in Malaysia. Wearnes had also recently opened a prominent Aston Martin facility in Singapore over the weekend.
The announcement itself was made just before the Malaysian premiere of Spectre, the latest in a line of movies in which Aston Martin’s have had a long and interconnected history. There, guests were treated to the rare V12 Zagato which was on display.
Patrik Nilsson, Aston Martin Asia Pacific Regional Director, said: “Aston Martin is an iconic marque of unrivalled heritage, and we are pleased to have Wearnes on board with us in Malaysia. Both companies were established over a century ago and Wearnes’ expertise in the luxury sector in Southeast Asia will play a key role in the brand’s development in Malaysia,”
“I am thrilled to be here this evening to be amongst the first people in Malaysia to see the latest Bond film. Aston Martin has a long-standing partnership with James Bond, and it is fitting this new chapter with Wearnes starts on the same day as the film’s premiere here in Kuala Lumpur.”
Gabor A. Csurgai, Regional Managing Director of Wearnes, said: “Wearnes is extremely honoured to have this opportunity to work with such an iconic British luxury brand in Malaysia. With over a hundred years of experience in the automotive industry, Wearnes is committed to unparalleled standards of excellence, and this announcement marks a new beginning for existing and potential Aston Martin customers in Malaysia.
Aston Martin’s temporary showroom will be located along Jalan Ampang (No. 204) in Kuala Lumpur while its permanent facility is due to be operational in the near future.
Currently, Aston Martin’s current mode range includes the
V8 Vantage
, V12 Vantage S,
DB9
, the Rapide, and the
Vanquish
.


Mazda Unswayed By Climbing SUV Appeal, Lower Sedan Demand, Misgivings On Diesels

According to
Mazda
, they do not intend on following market trends to the point of having to axe certain models based on fickle trends. Diesel engines, too, are very much the recipient of their continued focus, writes Motoring.com.au.
This stance was reinforced in a comment by President and CEO of Mazda Motor Corp Masamichi Kogai during the Los Angeles Auto Show in context to the slowing demand of sedans and surging interest in SUV’s - large and small - as well as the trust lost as a result of the recent Volkswagen emissions test rigging scandal.
On the matter, Mr Kogai said that there is zero chance that flagship sedan models like the
Mazda6
 will be phased out or have its hierarchy in the company’s priority of vehicles undermined. He added that the company’s SkyActiv-D diesel engines will continue their development and that a new-generation version will make their way into its 2017 models and beyond.
Despite those firm assertions that their current line-up will not be muddied by consumer demand, or that their engine strategy will remain unchanged, Mazda has been forging precautionary inroads into both those subjects.
Just this year, we have seen the
Mazda CX-3
 that’s due to be launched in Malaysia soon, there’s the
Mazda Koeru Concept
 that possibly previews an all-new model (CX-6?) or a next-gen CX-7, and at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show Mazda debuted
the all-new CX-9
. Safe to say, then, that Mazda is very confident with their current SUV trajectory.
On the diesel engine front, Mazda’s SkyActive-D engines have not reached customers in Malaysia, but is planned to be introduced in 2016 as Euro-5 diesel becomes more widespread. However, in markets where SkyActiv-D engines are being sold, they are selling well and garnering positive reactions critically and from owners. Having said that, Mazda and Toyota have announced a
tie-up
 earlier this year that, at the time, was thought to herald the imminent swap between Mazda’s SkyActive naturally-aspirated and turbocharged engine expertise with Toyota’s industry-leading hybrid powertrains.
Earlier this month, Mazda showed the world their
Mazda3

Hybrid
 which notably shares the lithium-ion battery pack and other components with the
Toyota

Prius
.
Kogai said that sedan’s will remain in Mazda’s lineup because of their central importance, especially if their SUVs are to maintain their lauded driving dynamics inherited from expertise gained and refinements made to their current range’s non-SUV model platforms.
"Firstly, we have to make sure we develop great performing sedan vehicles in B, C and D segments. We perfect our driving dynamics with the sedan platform, then we have an SUV top-hat that makes sure the driving dynamics are great when we develop them. I understand SUV demand is growing, but other passenger vehicles are still important."
Mazda3 Hybrid
On the matter of diesel engines and whether their new
SkyActiv-G 2.5T
 that was powers the all-new CX-9 could possibly replace their diesel engine offerings, Kogai said:
"Well, there's nothing that we have actually decided, but we are going to see how the people [customers] feel about this engine with the CX-9, and then look at any variations we'd like to study – and see if there are any other applications we are going to have. It achieves the same torque at the same RPM as our 2.2-litre diesel engine; however, the flavour of the two engines is totally different,”
“The diesel engine offers great fuel economy as well. In that sense, I think it's important for us to continue with diesel engines, and also gasoline engines. As the responsibility of the car manufacturing company we are going to do is to clearly appeal the benefits of our diesel engines – which are clean and also high performance and also the great fuel efficiency that we offer. So by appealing these benefits we are going to make sure to continue to boosting diesel demand,” he said.


smart Malaysia wants to talk about EVs with you

smart Malaysia opens up a Facebook account, a place where everyone can revel in all things smart.

The first smart EV to be sold in Malaysia by Proton is set for early Q4 of 2023, and although it might be some time away, the foundations gearing up for its arrival are already underway.

smart Malaysia's Facebook page is up and kicking, and if you're interested in owning the smart#1 next year, then you should definitely like their page.

According to their first posting, the page was created as a place where everyone can connect and have open discussions about the smart brand. They will be posting exclusive content about their products and their features, as well as hosting discussions on topics about the future of urban mobility while delivering exclusive insights from the world of smart.

They also want Malaysians to start sharing their stories, opinions and experiences about smart, which in turn could help them be better in delivering a great product as well as customer service.

During the agreement signing between smart and Proton for distributorship rights earlier this year, Proton's Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah said that they will be spending their time between now and the launch determining
which features are suitable
 for the local market and we suppose the Facebook page is just one of them doing so.

smart's
new generation of electric vehicles
 is designed by Mercedes-Benz's global design team with engineering led by the smart R&D team. The smart#1 has a starting price tag of RM119,600 in China, which tops out at RM149,300 for the range-topping model.

Proton said they are working on a reasonable price for the smart #1, allowing
many Malaysians to obtain the vehicle
.

All models are fitted with the same 66 kWh lithium-ion battery and are powered by a rear-mounted electric motor that produces 272PS and 343Nm of torque. The smart#1 can go from 0-100km/h in 6.7 secs and has a charging time of seven and half hours to get it from 0-80% (7.5 kW AC wall box). The car can also accept up to 150 kW of DC fast charging, which can juice up the battery in just half an hour.

Proton's Deputy Chief Executive Officer also said they are looking to April 2023 to start accepting bookings for the smart#1.