Go Auto Rumoured To Launch A Car In 2021, Will It Be The Haval H6?

Haval H6 to be launched in Malaysia in 2021?

Go Auto, the authorised distributor of Haval vehicles in Malaysia has been pretty quiet since the preview of the
Haval H9
 SUV way back in Jan 2019, but that's all about to change apparently.

If rumours through the grapevine are anywhere near to be true, it seems that they will be busy once again, as there are plans to introduce a new vehicle to their current car line-up this year.

Currently,
Go Auto
, has the Haval
H1
, H2 and H9 as part of their range, but if sources are correct, they will be adding another vehicle to this ensemble, which we guess will be in the form of China's number one SUV, the Haval H6.

The simple logic behind this educated guess is that the Haval H6 has just been introduced in Thailand, and if we look at the current trend, many cars that are made in
Thailand
 will eventually make their way to Malaysia.

It wasn't that long ago (September 2020), that Great Wall Motors (GWM), the parent company of Haval announced that they would be taking over General Motor's plant in Rayong, Thailand. At this plant, they will be making cars for the ASEAN region above all else.

Yesterday, through a live stream, GWM officially launched the Haval brand in Thailand, headlined by the introduction of the Haval H6 SUV and the ORA Good Cat BEV, electric car.

Since the introduction of a Haval electric car in Malaysia is a bit of a far fetched idea, it must be the Haval H6 that will soon make its way to Malaysia.

The Haval H6 has been the number one SUV in China for three years in a row now, eclipsing the sales numbers of the
Geely Boyue
.

There are two options of what can be had under the bonnet, with the first one being the Haval 2.0-litre turbo-four cylinder engine, mated to a Getrag-sourced six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The drivetrain produces a respectable 195hp and 315Nm of torque.

The other is Haval's new kid on the block, in the form of a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, capable of 166hp and 285Nm of torque. Although the smaller engine is down on power, it has been said that it will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which will make it smoother and livelier.

Safety-wise, it is expected that the SUV would come with all the mod cons, including modern safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, brake assist, front and rear parking sensors, hill descent control, reverse camera, and more.

According to those who have had the chance to drive the SUV, the interior is a nice place to be in, as it has a lot of head and legroom and some nice comfort and luxurious touches. As for the drive, it doesn't seem to be the sportiest of vehicles and is catered more for comfort.

The Haval brand in Malaysia lacks acceptance in the central regions, but they do love their Haval up north. One of the key reasons for this is that Haval's present a lot of bang for the buck, which it seems is appreciated better up north.

When the car will be introduced is still a mystery, but according to our source, Go Auto plans to launch a car latest by the end of 2021.

The acceptance of Chinese cars are on the rise thanks to the genesis of Proton's SUVs, so perhaps, Go Auto will have a proper go at selling the Haval H6 and providing some competition for the Proton X70.


Dapat Kelulusan i-Sinar - Untuk Beli Kereta Ke?

Tidak dapat dinafikan yang impak daripada pandemik COVID-19 ini masih dirasai ramai sehingga ke hari ini tapi bagi segolongan rakyat Malaysia, sudah ada yang ingin memanfaatkan kelulusan daripada i-Sinar untuk membeli kereta baru.

Program i-Sinar oleh Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) bertujuan meringankan beban aliran tunai bagi kita yang amat terkesan akibat pandemik ini serta memenuhi keperluan keluarga dalam menghadapi masa yang sukar ini.

Akan tetapi, di dalam sekurang-kurangnya dua group Facebook, si penulis terjumpa ahli group dengan posting mencari kereta setelah lulusnya permohonan i-Sinar mereka.

Bagi saudara ini katanya,
Alhamdulillah rezeki tuhan nak bagi... Misi mencari E36 manual below 15k OTR 2.0 / 2.5

Saudara ini turut menjelaskan di bahagian komen yang dia tidak menyangka pun akan lulus permohonan beliau.

Di sini kita bukanlah pakar kewangan mahupun ekonomi tetapi bukankah lebih bijak jika duit itu dilaburkan atau disimpan untuk kegunaan esok hari? Siapa tahu sampai bila kegawatan ekonomi ini akan berlangsung?

Malangnya sentimen ini bukan terhad kepada satu group ini sahaja, malah di group menjual/ membeli kereta yang lain jugak sama.

End of the day, tepuk dada, tanya selera tapi jangan gelojoh hari ini hanya untuk berlapar esok. Kereta ini satu liabiliti dan ianya mungkin pelik kepada anda mendengar ini daripada sebuah laman automotif yang juga menjual kereta tetapi kita juga pemilik dan peminat kereta. Last-last beli sadai pun tak guna jugak kan?

Kalau memang nak beli tu, then at least ikut
petua
 ini daripada rakan sejawat saya.


MINI Gets A New Logo For 2018

What's in a logo? We've seen various different brands go through logo evolutions over the last few decades, but MINI is one company that's fairly new since its revival. The latest iteration of its logo is more minimalist than before, featuring a monochrome design. It's no longer 3-dimensional, although it expresses some elements of the previous textured logo with the new flat design.
Historically, the logo of the Mini has had similarities to other brands under the British Motor Corporation (BMC), but in 1969 the model got its own unique design that lasted for decades until the brand was taken over by BMW - it was more in the shape of a shield than the rounded designs we associate with the car now. There was only a mild redesign towards the end of its life in 1990, when the badge was once again rounded with wings.
Under the BMW group, the MINI logo was refreshed and featured chrome and texture, as mentioned before. It has been such for 15 years, and has remained through various model evolutions over the last decade and a half. From March 2018, all MINI models are going to wear this new simplified, minimalist version of the logo instead.


The World Car of The Year is Back, Tiguan, Q5, and F-Pace Are Overall Finalists

It's that time of year again- time for the World Car of the Year awards. This year's a little peculiar as the three finalists for overall World Car of the Year are all SUVs, which is perhaps a sign of the times. The awards ceremony will be taking place at the New York International Auto Show, with the winners being announced in a couple of days. So far the top three finalists for the Overall World Car of the Year award are the Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q5, and Jaguar F-Pace.
Then again, it's not difficult to see why these models are such strong contenders for the title. The Audi Q5 is a handsome looking car from the folks at Ingolstadt, carrying on the success of the Q5 name into its second generation and featuring a number of long-overdue improvements- perhaps the beginning of another great era for Audi. The Jaguar F-Pace, despite feeling like it's been around for more than a year, is the first step for the British brand in diversifying their product portfolio, and it's definitely a solid attempt.
On the other hand, there's the Volkswagen Tiguan. Much like the Audi Q5, it's going into its second generation- but this time around, there's a larger effort on the part of Volkswagen. The first generation Tiguan was a lovely car, but it was also similar to the Golf in many ways save for the ride height and a slightly redesigned interior. This second-generation Tiguan is a proper change over its Golf sibling, despite sitting on the same MQB platform. It's an excellent package and product.
As for the rest of the nominations, there are five other categories to compete in: World Urban Car of the Year, World Luxury Car of the Year, World Performance Car of the Year, World Green Car of the Year, and World Car Design of the Year. The nominations are as follows:
World Urban Car of the Year
• BMW i3
• Citroen C3
• Suzuki Ignis
World Luxury Car of the Year
• BMW 5 Series
• Mercedes E-Class
• Volvo S90/V90
World Performance Car of the Year
• Audi R8 Spyder
• McLaren 570S
• Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman
World Green Car of the Year
• Chevrolet Bolt
• Tesla Model X
• Toyota Prius Prime
World Car Design of the Year
• Jaguar F-Pace
• Mercedes S-Class
• Toyota C-HR


RFID Electronic Toll Collection To Be Introduced As Early As Jan 2018

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags will be used for electronic toll collection starting as early as January 2018, according to a report by
The Star Online
.

The RFID tag system is part of the Government’s larger strategy to fully implement the Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection systems by 2020.

According to him, RFID tags are currently being trialed by the police, Fire and Rescue departments and ambulance services – which are exempted from toll charges.

According to the same report, Malaysian Highway Authority director-general Datuk Ismail Md. Salleh added that the MLFF system was currently being studied as it involves other aspects, such as law enforcement.

The MLFF system will be tested on single lanes first, later expanded to include more lanes in stages. The reports added that existing toll barriers will not be removed until the MLFF is determined to be robust and reliable.

Main image credit: Sinchew.com.my


Toyota Launches 2.0-litre Supra In Europe – Cheaper, Lighter, Better Handling

One year on from the
A90 GR Supra’s world debut
, Toyota has announced that it is further extending its sports car range with a new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in Europe. The new engine is the same as the one powering the Supra 2.0 SZ-R variant which is available in Japan.

Offered in addition to the B58 3.0-litre, straight-six turbo unit, this new powerplant, which is also from BMW, aims to deliver improved dynamic benefits as well as bringing GR Supra to a wider customer base.

The new 2.0-litre engine is an in-line, four-cylinder unit fitted with a single twin-scroll turbocharger and coupled to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, delivering 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque with a top speed of 250 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.2 seconds.

According to Toyota, the new 2.0-litre engine, which is about 100kg lighter and more compact than the 3.0-litre unit, improves the car’s inertia characteristics and chassis balance for even sharper handling.

“To achieve agile steering and stable cornering, we worked very hard to reduce the new car’s weight, while aiming for a 50:50 weight balance,” said GR Supra Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada.

Notably, the new 2.0-litre GR Supra achieves the same “golden ratio” for optimum handling performance, a quality defined by the ratio between the car’s wheelbase and track dimensions. For all GR Supra models, this ratio is 1.55, within the ideal range.

At entry level, the new 2.0-litre GR Supra will come with standard features including 18-inch alloy wheels, a four-speaker audio system with 8.8-inch display and sports seats upholstered in black Alcantara.

Toyota Supra Safety will also be provided, equipping the car with a Pre-Crash Safety with Braking Function, Pedestrian and Cyclist detection with Braking Function, Lane Keep Assist [LKA] with Active Steering, Road Sign Assist and an Intelligent Speed Assist.

The Connect pack adds a navigation system and connectivity for links to useful on-line services, while the Sport pack introduces an active differential, adaptive variable suspension and sports-quality brakes to increase the car’s performance driving potential.

The Premium pack provides high-quality comfort and convenience features, including a 12-speaker JBL premium sound system, head-up display, wireless smartphone charger, black leather upholstery and power seat adjustment with memory setting. It also takes in the elements of the Connect pack, plus additional storage and lighting features.

At launch the new 2.0-litre GR Supra, there will also be an exclusive, limited edition Fuji Speedway version, with a unique white metallic paint finish for the bodywork with contrasting 19-inch matt black alloy wheels and red door mirror housings.

In the cabin, the Fuji Speedway Supra will feature carbon fibre dashboard trim inserts and striking red and black Alcantara upholstery.

Where equipment specifications are concerned, the Fuji Speedway also comes with all the features of the Connect and Sport packs (detailed above).

This Fuji Speedway edition is built for the launch of the 2 litre with production strictly limited to just 200 examples in Europe.

That being said, production of the new 2.0-litre GR Supra is set to commence in March.


The Toyota Ownership Options You NEED to Know About!

Apart from excellent reliability as well as providing one of the best after-sales experiences, Toyota’s are the go-to car for those who love hassle-free motoring. Agree?

It's simple really; they build cars to improve people's lives, whether through the comfort of their vehicles, efficiency of their powertrains, solid build quality, affordable pricing or providing owners with the convenience of knowing that their cars have tremendous resale value.

With the ownership experience potentially providing years of trouble-free motoring, the most challenging part of owning a Toyota is actually choosing the best way to purchase it.

So what is the best way to own a Toyota?

Let it be for those who need a Hilux for those adventure excursions, a Camry for family/business trips, or a reliable roundabout car like the Yaris for graduates to move around in.

Typically, everyone goes for financing due to its flexibility - and thankfully, Toyota's financing offerings are one of the most varied packages around - tailored for all sorts of circumstances.

For Everyone

The innovative financing plan (EZ Beli)

We start off with EZ Beli, the latest innovative auto-financing plan from Toyota Capital. Just like their cars, it's a hassle-free monthly instalment scheme that makes car ownership that more affordable. It's a well thought out 9-year auto financing plan that changes its instalment fees in three different tiers.

Lowest and competitive monthly instalment for the first 3 years

Slight increase in Tier 2 (Year 4 - 6) in line with your career progression

Flexible option for Tier 3 (Year 7 - 9): continue repayment OR trade-in for a new Toyota

It's actually a great offering for those who want to have the best savings for the first three years of your car ownership. The slight increase in the second tier only adds a little bit more to the instalment, excellent for those who would still like to keep the car for up to six years. The last tier is where the payment is at its highest, but then again at this point, most people usually upgrade or switch to another Toyota, so why not use the same financing option again for an upgrade?

It's quite clever actually and well thought out. For those who would like this payment scheme with shariah compliance, there is also the EZ Beli AiTAB.

Graduates and Shariah Compliant Islamic Financing

Special Term Islamic Financing for Graduates (Maybank MVTF-i)

For graduates who want to go down the auto financial plan route with added Islamic values, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) is working with Maybank Islamic Berhad, to provide a special financing package to graduates for purchase of a new Toyota Vios, Yaris, Rush or Avanza.

The Murabahah Vehicle Term Financing-i (MVTF-i) is an auto financial plan working in accordance with the Murabahah principles. It will provide an additional financing option to the graduates besides the Islamic Hire-Purchase (HP) financing in accordance with Al Ijarah Thumma Al-Bai (AITAB).

The financing is available to graduates (degree-holders) who are aged between 21 and 30 years old and are currently employed. They should be earning at least RM3,000 a month and have been employed for a minimum of 6 months. For those with less than 6 months of employment, their parents can act as guarantors (subject to Terms & Conditions).

Shariah Compliant Financing (Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad)

Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, now offers two more Shariah Compliant Term Financing schemes to Toyota customers, which are Vehicle Financing-i and Vehicle Financing-i GradHitz.

The Vehicle Financing-i is available for all customers aged up to 60 years old with a minimum income of RM2,800 or more. Vehicle Financing-i GradHitz, a special package tailored for newly employed young graduates, aged below 30 years old, requires a minimum qualification of diploma or degree from a recognized institution under Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) to enjoy up to 100 percent margin of financing.

100 percent Financing

For those who need 100 percent financing (Bank Rakyat AN-Naqlu 2)

Generally available for those between the ages of 18 - 65, the An Naqlu 2 is a 100 percent auto financing package by Bank Rakyat for those who wish to finance their car fully.

Available between a four to nine year tenure, the AN Naqlu 2 not only allows you to own a Toyota, but the chance to own it by being Shariah-compliant. There is also a graduate offering where the person has to be between 20-30 years old, at minimum a diploma holder and must be employed for 30 days. For those who have had less than three months service length, a guarantor is needed.

Frontliners and Government Officers

A special financing package for our heroes, the Frontliners and Government officers.

As a sign of appreciation and to give back to our Frontliners and Government officers, Toyota is offering 5 percent rebate off their Vehicle's OTR Price for all Government staff.

Available for all of their models except for the Hiace and Hilux SC, the special offer will be activated upon the verification of government employment letter where they will then receive the rebate. The offer is available up to 31 Dec 2020.

Frontliners and Government officers are also welcome to apply for any auto loan with Toyota Capital Malaysia (TCAP) under the Jom Drive programme with minimum application documents for fast approval.

For more information on all the Toyota financing options available above, click
here
.


Renew Your Etiqa Takaful Car Insurance Online In Less Than 3 Minutes

When it comes to renewing your car insurance, the method has always been rather conventional and traditional.

Car owners have to communicate, preparing the right documents, submit and wait for the approval of the finally renewed cover note.

But as we are in the golden age of the internet and mobile technology, things have become way more convenient and instantaneous.

Take Etiqa Takaful for instance – the Shariah-compliant plan which covers your vehicle for loss, theft or damage, with optional add-ons for total peace of mind.

On top of benefits such as:

10% rebate on top of your NCD when you renew online

Reimbursement with a value you agree with

All authorised drivers automatically covered

24/7 emergency hotline

Cash back when you make no claims

You can now get an additional 10% rebate on top of your NCD when you renew online.

Just with a few details such as your vehicle registration number, your IC number, and the location of the car (postcode), the quotation will be ready in less than 3 minutes.

The best part is that you are entitled to the 10% rebate mentioned above the moment you renew online.

Etiqa Takaful’s renewal microsite even has the option for you to chat in case you have any questions of queries on the services and products offered.

That being said, Etiqa Takaful is not only offering you one of the best Shariah-compliant car insurance plans around, but also among the fastest and most convenient methods to renew them.

Click
here
 for more info on Etiqa Takaful and other services provided.


Volkswagen Offers Rebates and Special Discounts As Part Of Their Raya-Raya Campaign

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) goes all festive through their Raya-Raya Campaign and gives the Tiguan Allspace Highline some new bits of kit.

Volkswagen is in a festive mood because as part of their Raya-Raya campaign, they will be giving their customers some Raya money in the form of cash rebates and discounts on genuine aftersales parts.

From now until 31st May, Volkswagen customers will enjoy an RM1,000 duit raya rebate off selected models. The Passat Elegance comes with free 1-year insurance while the
Passat R-Line
 comes with 1-year free petrol. Both Passat variants come with additional RM3,500 online savings when customers book via the Volkswagen eShowroom.

The celebrations are extended to the
Tiguan Allspace Highline
, which has received some new updates. The 2021 Tiguan Allspace Highline is now offered with new 18” Nizza alloy wheels, USB-C charging sockets, a new radio update with voice control and new LED taillights with 3D effect. The Tiguan Allspace Highline customers will also enjoy an RM1,000 duit Raya rebate along with RM3,500 online savings.

The Aftersales Raya campaign is ongoing until the 13th of June, and as part of the celebrations, Volkswagen owners who send in their cars for service will enjoy 20% off Volkswagen genuine engine oil. Those who spend a minimum of RM1,200 will receive a complimentary car care kit consisting of wax polish, wax shampoo, glass polish, plastic care, and leather care solutions in 50ml bottles.

Owners will also receive complimentary Volkswagen Raya packets. A new addition to the Aftersales Raya campaign is the promotion on wiper blades where owners will receive a 20% discount on all wiper blades, from now till 30th June, available at service centres nationwide.

VPCM is also pleased to announce a new insurance partner under the
Volkswagen Insurance Plan
 (VIP), AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad. Affin joins existing partners Allianz General Insurance Berhad, Etiqa General Takaful Berhad and Zurich Takaful General Insurance Berhad.

As a privileged VIP policyholder, benefits include prioritised claim approval, roadside assistance with 24-hour emergency towing, and assurance that repair work is conducted at authorised Volkswagen body and paint centres in accordance with Volkswagen repair standards with only genuine parts used.

Additionally, there are no excess fees, no betterment costs and an agreed insured value for vehicles up to 10 years old. This is applicable to all Volkswagen models regardless of vehicle age.


Audi Shows The Joys Of Christmas Shopping With Their RS3 And RS7

We don't have as much of a crazy Christmas shopping culture here, but over in the USA it can be a pretty hectic time of year for parents as they rush out to buy toys and gifts for their children and loved ones. Audi has distilled that experience down to a quick 2 minute spot, featuring their RS3 and RS7 models.
The 2 drivers duke it out to find the last remaining parking spot, and when they reach the rooftop they are all but exasperated. We won't spoil the ending for you, but if you've ever had to spend hours wandering around a mall carpark on a busy weekend... this video is for you.


Tarmac, Cones and Whole Lot Of Jinba Ittai – Experiencing MazdaSports Day

The sun beats down on the blacker-than-black tarmac, traffic cones lay scattered which to the common eye may seem like a failed attempt at a parking test, but they’re definitely there for a purpose. Closer to me, a Mazda CX-3 lies at the ready to teach us something called Jinba Ittai.
Jinba Ittai literally translates to mean ‘oneness between horse and rider’, a guiding principle which is often used by Mazda to describe the connection between man and machine.
More than just marketing jargon, Jinba Ittai refers to the intuitiveness and clarity in how a Mazda performs dynamically, such that it feels like an extension of your thoughts are being transferred to the road.
Like horse and rider, JInba Ittai doesn’t just refer to the vehicle’s engine or suspension but starts with how one sits in the car, and how our bodies interact with the car's controls. Mazda places extreme importance on getting the basics right – to the extent of studying the muscle movements when steering or shifting a gear, before deciding on a how to design a car’s cockpit.
As Mazda put it, they don’t set out to build cars that may look competitive on a brochure,
they build cars for people that love to drive
.
This is the first time Mazda Malaysia has organised their MazdaSports Day, a chilled-out weekend much like the
MazdaSports
 Academy
 event organised recently. The only difference is the MazdaSports Academy emphasizes more on defensive driving techniques and understanding how vital active safety systems such as ABS and Stability Control work.
The MazdaSports day is open to anyone who would like to come to an experience the range of Mazda's models in a safe yet spirited manner, or, for owners who would like to experience their own cars on a cone strewn gymkhana course.
Which brings us back to the Soul Red Mazda CX-3 GVC. Laid out over an entire section of carpark are cones which highlight a tight technical course, and while you may think a crossover SUV isn’t probably the ideal vehicle to attack the course with, I can assure you it’s more than up to the task.
Mazda Malaysia’s Jinba Ittai instructor (yes, that’s a real position) Ian Khong, explains that the course has been laid out to test the car’s balance, traction, steering precision, and highlight the benefits of
Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control
 or GVC, which works by modulating the engine’s response to augment the vehicle’s weight balance and G-Forces.
Note that GVC doesn’t act on the brakes like most torque vectoring systems do. The system the system works by smoothening out rough throttle inputs so that the vehicle enters a bend with more poise and balance, and reduces G-Forces that act on the occupant's body.
Sadly not that I noticed all this happening as I botched the start of my run, and was trying to make it up by barrelling down a slalom section with my right foot hard to the floor. Still, the CX-3 does a sublime job of gripping the sandy surface and reigning in any unwanted torque steer.
Slalom despatched with, I race towards a section of cones resembling a chicane; here, the stability control systems is put through its paces. The toughest section, came after, where we make a 180-degree turn and blast our way towards another chicane. All throughout this section, the CX-3 remains planted and poised, the steering feels almost like an extension of your limbs and responds with quick action and minimal steering effort. All this from a small SUV.
Despite its higher centre of gravity, than say a Mazda 2, the CX-3 doesn’t roll excessively into corners; it responds best to smooth throttle and steering inputs (which I mostly didn’t have). Once you’ve tucked the nose towards the apex, power out and let the 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine do the work. With 156 hp and 204 Nm from as low 2,800 rpm, it doesn’t take long for the CX-3 to start picking up speed.
In the future, Mazda Malaysia plans to organise their MazdaSports day on a regular basis, starting with quarterly events where drivers can get acquainted with Mazda vehicles, and discover, if they haven’t already, the mystique and charm of owning a car with copious amounts of JInba Ittai. Follow their
Facebook page
 for regular updates of what’s going on.


Carlist.my DRIVE Auto Fair 2021 - 17,000 Visitors, More Than RM23 Million In Sales

Carlist.my's recently concluded DRIVE Auto Fair 2021 from 3-5 December 2021 saw 17,000 visitors across the three day car expo with 512 test drives completed, 204 bookings made and sales totalling up to more than RM23 Million!

With life finding a way and us the rakyat venturing out a little further than we did last year, Carlist.my's DRIVE Auto Fair was a success with 204 bookings made across the 12 participating brands.

Participating brands included Isuzu, Mazda, Kia, Peugeot, Nissan, Volkswagen, MINI, BMW, Toyota, Proton, Subaru and Carsome. There was also a selection of pre-owned vehicles from Wheelcorp Premium, Carsome, Bermaz Auto and Volkswagen.

Held in Setia City Convention Centre, the event saw 17,000 visitors across three days.

A 4x4 obstacle challenge by Isuzu and Nissan as well as drift taxi rides by Carlist.my Ambassador, Zen Low saw visitors queuing up, excited to give both a try.

A Tesla Model 3 at the Carsome booth further added electricity to the event.

KY Gan, Managing Director of Carlist.my said "DRIVE Auto Fair 2021 took many hours of planning and many sleepless nights, organising an event around a pandemic is not an easy undertaking but we had the support and endorsement from the brands that came on board, Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) as well as the 17,000 visitors that visited us across the three days. We thank the brands and Malaysians for their faith in us and we look forward to going bigger and better in 2022."

Bring on DRIVE Auto Fair 2022!


The Fast & The Feminine: Celebrating Women In Motorsport

Motorsport is generally thought of as a man’s domain, but that’s a stereotype for a bygone age, and has no place in today’s thinking. The reality is that the doors are open for women in all aspects of motorsport which, in all its forms, has benefitted greatly from the contributions of women who played an active role both in the past and in the present day. Within the sport, they are just as tenacious and lauded as the boys are, and for International Women’s Day 2015, we thought we’d take some time to shine the spotlight on a fair few.
Women In Formula One
This pinnacle of motorsport is one of the toughest there is to enter, much less thrive in. It’s a crucible that separates the weak from the strong willed. Women have and continue to play active roles here over the decades, both on track and behind the scenes.
Monisha Kaltenborn
Monisha Kaltenborn isn’t a racing driver, but she probably deserves more recognition than a lot of them as the team principal of Sauber Formula One. In 2012, she was handed the mantle by team founder Peter Sauber following the retirement of the man himself, making her the first woman to hold that role in the sports’ history. Prior to this, the Indian-Austrian was the head of the team’s legal and corporate concern and the CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG.
Susie Wolff
Susie Stoddart has been a test driver for Williams Formula One since 2012. The Scotswoman has had extensive racing experience, competing in Formula
Renault
, Formula Three, and having raced in German DTM for
Mercedes
 for seven seasons before her role at Williams, where her husband, Mercedes F1 Executive Director Toto Wolff is a shareholder. Williams announced that she will be staying with the team through the 2015 season, having consistently posted lap times that are competitive with her teammates Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas.
Carmen Jorda
Twenty-six year old Carmen Jorda joins the
Lotus
 Formula One team as a development driver for the 2015 season. Having been racing since the age of 10, and with three GP3 seasons under her belt, she’s determined to make the most of the opportunity. To that end, her priority centers around honing her skills through the team’s simulator program at Lotus’s Enstone facility and an intensive fitness regimen to remain prepared should she be called on to drive the Lotus E23 Hybrid somewhere further along the season.
Simona de Silvestro
In February 2014, Sauber Formula One announced the appointment of Simona de Silvestro as an ‘affiliated driver’, entailing heavy involvement with the simulator program, test track preparation, and physical training to prepare her for a 2015 debut. The Swiss native has been competing in open-wheel racing in the United States since 2008 and racing in the IndyCar series between 2010 and 2013. However, the Sauber team - under boss Monisha Kaltenborn (yes, the same) - entered contractual disputes with the racer, ending her ambitions of racing with the them.
Claire Williams
The Williams Formula One team has a very obvious and strong connection to the Williams family, particularly to its team principal Sir Frank Williams who has been at the helm since its debut season in 1977. They must be doing something right, with a strong performance in 2014 that saw the team take 3rd in the constructor’s standings. After joining the Williams team as a communications officer in 2002, she rose through the ranks, becoming head of communications and eventually director of marketing and communications. Right now she is deputy team principal, a post she has held since 2013.
Women In Other Motorsports
The spectrum of motorsport is wide and varied, certainly not limited to Formula One, and by no means does it imply any less difficulty or dedication to excel in. Here too, women have shaped its history and continue to define its trajectory.
Michèle Mouton
You’ve probably not heard of Michele Mouton despite her prolific racing career. She is the only woman to have competed in the World Rally Championship, driving for
Peugeot
,
Fiat
, and
Audi
 (driving their legendary Audi Quattro) spanning an eight-year career in the sport wherein she took four rally wins and was runner-up champion in the 1982 season. The Frenchwoman has also raced in the Le Mans 24 Hour, having won the two-liter prototype class. Mouton is currently President of the FIA’s Women in Motorsport Commission, whose mission is to “create a sports culture which facilitates and values the full participation of women in all aspects of motorsport.” Small wonder that Niki Lauda refers to her as ‘superwoman’.
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick is an American racer that is regarded as one of the most successful women in American open-wheel motorsport. Having started in kart racing, she eventually dropped out of school to focus on her racing ambitions. She raced in Formula Ford before embarking on her IndyCar career in 2005 which ended in 2011 after 115 races. In 2012, she moved to NASCAR where she has competed in over 60 races so far.
If that doesn’t prove it, we don’t know what will. The ambitions of a female individuals is not, and should not, be fettered by the archetypal associations with motorsport and masculinity. This field takes hard work, cunning, intelligence, charisma, and courage – attributes that does not discriminate between genders.
From the Carlist Team, Happy International Women's Day 2015.


BYD Dolphin EV coming in 2023 - price under RM100k?

BYD
 is set to make some waves in the Malaysian EV segment, but it looks like they have bigger plans come 2023 with two more EV models - the Dolphin and Seal.

The
BYD Atto 3 compact SUV and BYD e6 crossover/compact MPV
 will apparently break into the Malaysian market in December 2022 with an estimated pricing between RM150k to RM170k. That's already a pretty cool price range, but these 'marine-inspired' models which are based on the new BYD e-platform 3.0 might just turn the tide in the market of affordable electric cars.

The BYD Dolphin, in particular, has the potential to break the RM100,000 EV pricing barrier with plans from Sime Darby Motors to bring it into Malaysia within the second half of 2023. If that's somewhat true, this B-segment EV hatchback might just persuade more folks to jump onto the EV bandwagon.

BYD Dolphin aka "EA1" aka "Atto 2"

Looking at the BYD Dolphin, we feel like it has the potential to become a great EV success story if the price is right. Just like how Perodua stormed the block with the first Perodua Myvi in 2005, this five-door compact hatchback has the recipe to dominate the overall EV market in Malaysia, provided that it comes with a super-competitive price tag.

With the BYD Atto 3 expected to be somewhere between RM150,000 to RM170,000, the BYD Dolphin's entry-level specs should place it much closer to the RM100,000 mark or even under it. To put things into perspective, the Atto 3 has 210hp and 310Nm of torque with an NEDC range between 410km to 480km depending on the battery size.

The Dolphin? 174hp and 290Nm for the top version (or 94hp and 180Nm for the base model) with a range between 301km to 405km (NEDC). The overall dimensions of the Dolphin closely fit the B-segment hatch here in the country, apart from its slightly taller figure and longer wheelbase. Top speed? Between 150-160km/h, depending on the variant.

174hp electric motor + 400km range?

When it comes to power figures, the BYD Dolphin is fitted with a single electric motor that is said to produce 174hp and 290Nm of torque. Paired with a 44.9kWh Blade EV battery pack from BYD themselves, the Dolphin also has an NEDC range of just over 400km. In other words, more than enough to tackle your daily journeys.

When connected to a 7kW AC charger, getting the top-spec BYD Dolphin fully juiced up requires a sensible time of around six and a half hours. If you're connected to a 60kW DC fast charger, 30 minutes can get it up from 30% to 80%. Again, great numbers for your day-to-day driving scenario.

Judging by the price differences between the Atto 3 and Dolphin in China, there's a possibility that we might just be able to get an entry-level EV under the RM100,000 mark. If this is not possible come 2023, there's also another Dolphin variant with slightly lower specs of 94hp and 180Nm with smaller battery packs of 30.7kWh. NEDC range? Around 301km.

For now, most folks are looking at the RM150,000 range for a decently priced EV, but if the goal is to get the majority to convert from ICE to electric, that RM100,000 ballpark will surely put it into hyperdrive. And the first one to do so has the potential to strike a massive gold mine.


Renault Teases R.S. 2027 Vision Concept Ahead of Shanghai Debut

All set to make its global debut at the Auto Shanghai 2017 later this month, Renault released a teaser image of the R.S. 2027 Vision Concept earlier today.
From what we can see, the teaser image reveals absolutely nothing about the car’s technical directions, but details like Renault’s signature LED light as well as the front wing of the car can be seen.
The concept, which explores the brand’s vision of how Formula 1 might be in the future, also expresses Renault’s intention to be in the competition for the long-term.
The French carmaker also stated that it is eager to play a major role in shaping Formula 1’s evolution and to put drivers very much back at the heart of the sport.
That said, the R.S. 2027 Vision also probes areas in which new technologies might be carried over from motor racing to road vehicles for the benefit of customers, and vice-versa.
The R.S. 2027 Vision will be unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2017 on 19 April with Cyril Abiteboul, the managing director of Renault Sport Racing and four-time Formula 1 World Champion Alain Prost


BMW 1 Series Sedan Launched In Mexico, No Longer China-Exclusive

Initially developed and sold as a China-only model, the BMW 1 Series Sedan has officially gone on sale in Mexico.
For the Mexican market, the BMW 1 Series Sedan is available across two variants. The first is the 118iA Sedan, powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that does 136 hp and 220 Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to the front wheels.
The second engine choice is the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that forms the 120iA Sedan, capable of delivering 192 hp and 280 Nm. The 120iA Sedan features an 8-speed automatic.
Both the BMW 118iA Sedan and 120iA Sedan are available with the Sport Line package. Equipment such as LED headlights, split folding rear seats and a panoramic sunroof are only available on the more expensive 120iA Sedan.
Prices start from MXN 489,900 (~RM 98,146) for the BMW 118iA Sedan, while the 120iA Sedan will set buyers back MXN 569,900 (~RM 114,168).
Seeing that the BMW 1 Series Sedan has finally found its way out of China, could BMW offer the affordable sedan across more markets?


Daydreaming About Weekend Cars While We’re Stuck Indoors

If you’re a car enthusiast through and through, chances are this restricted movement order is driving you a little insane. With roadblocks and checkpoints set up everywhere to make sure you’re not just travelling around, being able to stretch your legs (and enjoy your car) is almost completely out of the question. We’re coming to the first weekend under this order and while this usually means we’ll be heading out for spirited Sunday morning drives, it poses a risk that isn’t worth taking.

So let’s think about what weekend cars would be great – some real driver-focused cars you can purchase second hand to use and enjoy and modify as you please. Half the fun is the anticipation of it all and when this order eventually lifts, you may just find the courage to pull the trigger on a car you’ve been thinking about. Here are our picks:

2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI RM 58,500

For both Subaru and Mitsubishi, the WRC dream has come to an end. Neither company is producing homologation models for their rally cars any more – Mitsubishi because they’ve killed their Lancer Evolution line completely, and Subaru because they’ve withdrawn from competition. But you can own a Subaru Impreza WRX STI that the WRC car of the time was based on for just under RM 60,000 – and you’ll get a pretty solid example as well. A turbocharged 2.0-litre boxer engine, a six-speed close ratio manual gearbox, and all-wheel drive… what’s not to want?

2005 MINI Cooper S Manual – RM 55,000

While this isn’t the fire-breathing JCW model, it still makes a good 170 hp and 220 Nm of torque from its supercharged 1.6-litre engine. This particular unit is one of the rear manual-equipped cars which is excellent to drive and incredibly fun on a twisty trunk road. Compact dimensions and a relatively low kerb weight at 1,200 kilograms all help to make a car that can sprint from corner to corner, with go-kart like steering response that makes it both easier and more enjoyable along these twisty roads.

2008 Honda Civic FN2 Type R – RM 79,888

On the pricier end of things is the Honda Civic FN2 Type R – one of the rare ones that’s listed on our website. This model was a UK and Europe only special, powered by a slightly different version of the K20A that’s in the FD2 Type R Civic that Malaysians know and love. Still though, with prices of the FD2 Type R exploding, it may be the right time to grab one of these FN2 Type Rs if you want to enjoy the last naturally-aspirated high-performance Honda engine ever developed.

Well, those are just three of our choices for a weekend car but we’d love to hear yours in the comments. There’s no wrong answer – after all, a weekend car is for you, and you alone to enjoy.


Pasang RFID Sekarang Dan Berpeluang Menang Tol Percuma Setahun – Touch ‘n Go

Beli, aktifkan & gunakan tag
Touch ‘n Go RFID
 baharu sebanyak 5 kali (minimum) dari 10 September hingga 18 November 2022 dan anda mungkin berpeluang untuk memenangi
tol percuma
 selama setahun!

8 pemenang bertuah akan dipilih setiap 2 minggu menjadikan seramai 40 orang pemenang keseluruhan akan menikmati setahun tol percuma serta kredit
eWallet
bernilai RM250. Berikut merupakan tempoh kitaran kempen ini:

10 September 2022 – 23 September 2022

24 September 2022 – 7 Oktober 2022

8 Oktober 2022 – 21 Oktober 2022

22 Oktober 2022 – 4 November 2022

5 November 2022 – 18 November 2022

Tol Percuma Selama Setahun

Peraduan ini hanya terbuka kepada warganegara Malaysia berumur 18 tahun dan ke atas dengan kenderaan persendirian kelas satu yang berdaftar.

Pengguna RFID sedia ada tidak layak untuk memasuki pertandingan ini kerana ia hanya terbuka kepada pembelian dan pengaktifan
tag RFID
 ketika tempoh peraduan sahaja.

Pemenang akan dihubungi melalui e-mel oleh pasukan Pemasaran TNG (tngmarketing@touchngo.com.my) pada e-mel anda yang didaftarkan ke akaun Touch ‘n Go eWallet anda.

Touch ‘n Go tidak akan meminta butiran perbankan peribadi atau eWallet anda seperti nombor akaun perbankan, nama pengguna, nombor PIN, nombor OTP atau kata laluan anda.

Hanya Untuk RFID Sahaja

Tol percuma ini bakal dikreditkan khas bagi setiap penggunaan RFID sahaja di mana pemenang perlu masuk dan keluar melalui lorong yang dilabel sebagai "MyRFID" di semua lebuh raya yang menawarkan penggunaan tag RFID Touch 'n Go sahaja.

Walau bagaimanapun, pemenang perlu memastikan Touch ‘n Go eWallet mereka mempunyai dana yang cukup untuk melalui tol kerana pembayaran tol akan ditolak terlebih dahulu daripada eWallet sebelum dibayar semula oleh Touch ‘n Go.

Anda boleh beli Tag RFID di:

Fitment Centres:
https://rfidregister.touchngo.com.my/fitment-centres

Portal Touch ‘n Go RFID:
https://rfid.touchngo.com.my/buy-rfid-tag

Aplikasi eWallet Touch ‘n Go

Stesen Shell dan Petronas terpilih

Pusat perkhidmatan & jualan: Nu Sentral & Bangsar South

Lazada & Shopee


The Porsche 911 Turbo S just blistered the Pikes Peak production vehicle record

Porsche retakes the throne at Pikes Peak. Beat the old record by nearly 25 seconds.

When a Bentley Continental GT beat the production car record at Pikes Peak in 2019, it dethroned a
991 generation 911 Turbo S
 off the royal seat.

Despite Bently being a member of the large Volkswagen family which also has Porsche in it, the Stuttgart-based automaker was never going to sit back and let Bently have the record for long, because as of 27 September 2022, the production king of Pikes Peak is once again Porsche.

When GT3 Cup racer David Donner, '000' editor Pete Stout and Porsche collector Jim Edwards arrived at Pikes Peak in 2022, they had one common goal and that goal was to put back the 911 as the King of Pikes Peak.

Not only have they succeeded in dethroning the Bently, but they also pushed the car to the limits, which saw the
992 generation 911 Turbo S
 be the first street-legal vehicle to complete the famous hill climb in less than 10 minutes(9-minutes 53.5 seconds to be exact).

This is nearly 25 seconds faster than the record-breaking Bently, which set the standard by recording a 10-minute and 18.4-second time.

According to Donner, the current
911 Turbo S
has all the right attributes for a record-breaking run. With its combination of huge power, traction and low weight, it afforded Donner the right balance between grip and acceleration to navigate Pikes Peak.

"There's no question that having all-wheel drive benefitted the run. You could just hammer it out of the turns and the car would just hook up", said Donner.

Thanks to a new Pikes Peak program that allows certified course times to be recorded outside races, the time will stand in the records book.

The 911 Turbo S used for the run is almost as identical to the ones you can buy at showrooms. The only difference between the 000 car and the ones in the showroom is a roll cage, sports seat, fire system and tweaks to the ECU and exhaust system. It's unclear if the team had meddled around with its 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine but a standard version can push out 640hp and 800Nm of torque.


What We Hope For In The Revised NAP 2020

Our National Automotive Policy that was launched earlier in the year was a bit of a rush job – but they’ve been given a chance to do it over.

Thanks to some pretty large political shifts in our country earlier this year, a number of policies suffered as collateral damage – and of course, one of the most important to us is the National Automotive Policy. This particular guideline has been the boon or bane for many an automaker’s existence and operations in Malaysia over different points in time.

The problem with our NAP is that it changes so rapidly that there can be no longevity or assurance for automakers in order to get them to invest in our country – whether that’s in terms of networks and setting up a local brand presence, to as intensive as manufacturing and assembly. Many, many, many companies in the past have simply taken a look at our intensely volatile guidelines and decided to piss off to Thailand, Indonesia, or the Philippines – literally anywhere else in ASEAN that would give them a solid, persistent answer.

In any case, there’s new stirring that there will be some revisions to the NAP 2020 to accommodate, well, the fact that COVID-19 has thrown a massive monkey wrench in the works. With massive declines in overall sales and TIV, the government decided to reopen most economic sectors through May, and we have started to see a recovery though not quite at the rate that would see us hitting our previous targets for 2020.

As a temporary measure, the government also announced the exemption of sales tax on vehicles – 100% on CKD models and 50% on CBU models, until the end of the year. There is expected to be a surge in sales that usually follows a slump, as is the case with every decision to change our taxation policies that sees people waiting it out, but there can always be more that the government can do to help get the industry up to speed again.

While we could easily say that abolishing import duties and taxes as a whole should be the direction to take, we also know that this is an unrealistic want. The Malaysian government collects a massive amount of money from the sales of vehicles, and removing that source of income would have a huge impact and see taxation ramped up in other sectors. But what we do want to see, as does the majority of automakers here, is more transparency and a proper guideline when it comes to duties and taxation.

The reality is that while we are no longer seeing Proton and Perodua enjoying favourable duty and taxation rates on their vehicles and components, they do benefit from a provision known as the ILP, or Industrial Linkage Program. The ILP takes into account local investments by an automaker, everything from factories to manufacturing plants to RnD, and in turn an automaker will get additional incentives that help to bring the prices of their vehicles down.

The problem with this system is that the actual value of the incentive package is provided on a case by case basis, with very little transparency and in turn making it nearly impossible for some automakers to know what they need to do. It’s like trying to sit for an exam with an unknown syllabus – you can’t possibly expect to perform well.

In addition to that, the government seems to be preoccupied with the starting of a third national car project, which is something that many experts have deemed unnecessary. If that’s the way they want to become a regional automotive leader, it definitely isn’t one that’s going to be easy or quick given the sheer amount of time it takes to even produce something that can be exported. If the goal is to push for being strong regionally, then it all comes down to incentivizing production for exports and helping our existing local brands expand production and develop demand in other markets.

What we truly want to see is a properly thought out road map that will benefit both the major industry players that have helped to grow our local automotive industry, as well as consumers who will be purchasing the vehicles and having to own and run them. There needs to be more focus on our electric vehicle charging infrastructure to prepare for an onslaught of EVs and PHEVs, there needs to be serious development when it comes to automotive vocational programs, and above all there needs to be better transparency with duties and incentives so that we can retain and expand foreign investments in our automotive sector.


VIDEO: ISOFIX Child Seat Installation Demo

The
importance of child safety seats
 is often preached upon, but sadly
seldom practiced
 in our country. Every day on the road, we still see too many people who do not buckle up on the move along with kids seated on the laps of adults.
You may think the strength of your arms is sufficient to hold your child in place during a collision, but as the laws of physics would have it, in a 50km/h collision, a 10kg is thrown forward with a force equivalent to a 300kg projectile. Good luck holding on to that.
Statistics indicate that child seats reduce the risk of death by 71% among infants and 54% among toddlers in passenger vehicles. Bigger kids aged 4-8 years old can have their chances of suffering serious injury in a crash reduced by 45% when strapped into booster seats as opposed to merely relying on the seatbelt.
The necessity of child seat usage in cars is therefore not in dispute, though there remains the question of proper installation; a poorly-installed child seat is as effective as not having a child seat.
This is where the usefulness of ISOFIX mounts come in. By providing standardized mounting points and having the seat locked directly to the vehicle’s chassis, ISOFIX provides parents with a child safety seat solution that is safe, secure, and easy to install.
We are not dismissing non-ISOFIX seats, however. A properly-installed non-ISOFIX seat can be just as effective in a collision; albeit without the convenience of just being able to snap all latches with an audible click.
In our effort to spread further awareness on the importance of child safety seats,
Carlist.my
 has teamed up with Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Malaysia to produce a video demonstrating the installation procedure of ISOFIX child seats.
In the video, this writer had a crack at installing a child seat himself. Guiding him in his efforts were Ms May Hwong, a consultant of CPS Malaysia, who gave feedback and highlighted common mistakes in the installation process. The video was filmed with the writer not previously having any practice in installing a child seat.
The newly-formed CPS Malaysia is a coalition of various individuals and organizations with the common goal of championing the agenda of child safety through various programmes and activities. Through these activities, the organization aims to increase awareness of the subject among Malaysian parents.
Making a special contribution to the video was BMW Group Malaysia, which provided the video's filming venue in the company's own training centre, a demo vehicle, as well as three sizes of child seats. This collaboration is in line with the company’s active stance in promoting child safety as part of its Safety 360 campaigns.
BMW Group Malaysia had kicked off this year’s iteration of its Safety 360 campaign earlier this year at the
Julia Gabriel centre in Citta Mall
. Next up, the six-month campaign continues at the
Cooler Lumpur festival
 that will be held in Publika this coming weekend on 10-11 September 2016.


VPCM Introduces Trade-Up Program, RM 3,000 Rebate On New Model

In a sort of way, this is a bridge between leasing and buying a car - but is it enough to attract Malaysian Volkswagen owners?

Hire-purchase
 loans are a way of life here, but this isn't the case in many other countries. No, when it comes to new cars there is a not insignificant number of consumers in western countries that would prefer to lease rather than buy - especially if they know that they are going to get a newer model in a couple of years. The idea of leasing still hasn't quite caught on locally, but Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia may have found something to bridge the gap with Das WeltAuto.

The Trade-Up campaign looks to current owners of the Touran, Cross Touran, Sharan, Passat CC, and Passat B7, with the aim to get them into a brand-new Volkswagen. Trading in your older model for any new Volkswagen model will see an additional RM 3,000 rebate - and this applies to all models, including the Arteon R-Line, Tiguan Allspace, and Passat Elegance.

All models are accepted for trade-in and undergo a strict 113 point check conducted by Volkswagen certified technicians. Cars that are taken in will be sold with a 1-year additional warranty and 1-year roadside assistance for better peace of mind, and these vehicles are inspected to ensure they are accident free, completely serviced, and fitted with genuine parts.

In a way, this is very similar to how a lease operates as you are looking for a new model at the end of your contract - but at the same time, it doesn't quite have the commitment requirements, mileage caps, and so on that a lease would have. Das WeltAuto is available at eight Volkswagen dealerships: Volkswagen Puchong, Volkswagen Gombak, Volkswagen Glenmarie, Volkswagen Tebrau, Volkswagen Alor Setar, Volkswagen Juru, Volkswagen Ipoh, and Volkswagen Skudai.


Audi Teases Q8 Ahead Of Beijing Motorshow

We've been seeing various
Q8 concept vehicles
 over the last two years or so, and Audi previously said that they would officially unveil the Q8 this June, but it seems that they're beginning to a tease an SUV model that most definitely looks like a Q8 on their Facebook page.
While only the vague lines are highlighted, it would most likely be the Q8 given that it's the project closest to fruition. With these teasers, there are indications that Audi may instead choose to unveil the Q8 at the upcoming Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in just a few days' time.
Further hinting that this is, in fact, the Q8, is the fact that Audi has extensively touted its ties to the original Quattro, in various different ways. In this Facebook post they talk about how the genes are related, which is the biggest clue as to what the thinly disguised model is.


BMW Finally Outs The All-New M2 (G87) - Still The Perfect Baby M Car?

It's amazing how the first BMW M2 still looks and feels so fresh, but for 2023 the Munich automaker has launhed its much anticipated successor. After months of drip-feeding
and leaks
, here is the G87 M2.

At first glance and as expected, the styling cues first seen
in the M240i (G42) from 2021
 have clearly been further amplified, for better or worse. It's more aggressive, yes, but seems to lack much of the aesthetic finesse and restraint that made the older model such a hit.

The M2 won't be coming from a German assembly line, though, but rather off one in Mexico alongside rest of the 2 Series Coupe range. Underneath that long bonnet we find a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-6 producing a mighty 460hp and 550Nm of torque, outgunning the F87 by about 90hp.

Drive, as it should, goes exclusively to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission (ZF-8HP), but BMW is making a 6-speed manual an optional extra, which at 4.3 seconds is 0.2s slower in the 100km/h sprint. Top speed is 250km/h but can be raised to 285km/h with the M Driver's Package.

The all-new M2 is also special in that it's the M division's final creation to feature a pure combustion powerplant, and fittingly it comes on the year of
BMW M's 50th anniversary
. Going forward, it's all going to
be electrified to some degree
, so perhaps this car is worth appreciating despite its....looks.

In fact, the automaker's exterior design has been (and will probably continue to be) a major point of debate among enthusiasts and industry observers alike. Each time the public seems to wince a little at the newest BMW to be unveiled, they seem to double down on their contentious styling direction.

Here the operative word is 'swol' with the bodykit expanding to engulf the M2's widened track with admittedly mixed results. BMW are keen to point out its near perfect 50/50 weight distribution while its 54mm of extra wheelbase means rear seat passengers aren't quite so hemmed in.

The M2's cabin looks much more up to date, of course, adopting the look and feel of cars like the new 4 Series. Stand-out elements include the curved freestanding 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment display combo, much like the older MBUX systems that Mercedes-Benz has since moved on from starting with the S-Class
 and C-Class
, among other models.

BMW Malaysia has been pretty
quick to announce the local arrival
 of high profile models following their international debuts so perhaps it won't be too long before we see one on our shores.


Review: 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line - "True Tesla Killer"

The
2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line
 has made some sensational waves around the world, and we finally got our hands on one to experience what all the hullabaloo is all about.

With high demands and long waiting periods, there are many reasons why the Kia EV6 (plus a few more EVs) has been dubbed the
"Tesla Killer"
. And what's not to love? Sexy looks? Check. Exhilarating performance? Check. Features that were initially thought to be 'gimmicks' but are actually impressively useful? Big-time check.

Exterior - Sporty, curvy, sexy

The test unit that we got from the good folks of Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn. Bhd, the official distributor for Kia here in Malaysia, was dressed in the Aurora Black Pearl colourway. In the bright sun, the Kia EV6 sparkled and dazzled in a way that truly highlights its sexy curves and muscular figures. Truly a head-turner, this car.

You might already think that this particular EV looks good in photos, but that feeling is further amplified upon seeing it in real life. The overall dimensions of the EV6 certainly portray a big presence on the road but without comprising its stature as a sleek yet eco-friendly SUV. In fact, it's not that much different from our colleague's Land Rover Disco II (apart from it being way taller).

Perhaps our favourite angle has to be from the rear where its curved LED tail lights with a duckbill-like figure elevate the sportiness and futuristic facade that sort of resembles the Aston Martin DBX. Everything sort of ties together from front to back, including the tail light lines that connect to the side skirts.

As for the 20-inch wheels, they looked great when we previously saw the Kia EV6 finished in the Moonscape grey colour option, but they still stand out in the best possible manner when paired with the Aurora Black Pearl. If we could only use one word to describe the Kia EV6's exterior, it's without a doubt "stunning".

Performance: Pulls like a rocket ship

The powertrain for the Kia EV6 GT-Line comes in the form of a dual-electric motor setup with an all-wheel-drive system that produces 320hp and 605Nm of torque. 0-100km/h on paper is said to be done in just 5.2 seconds. Top speed? Apparently limited to around 185km/h, but we've been told by a friend who also happens to own one that it'll do faster than that.

That's fast for a lot of modern-day sports cars, and we just had to find out for ourselves (just the acceleration part, no top-speed runs). Just make sure that the steering position is set to your liking before the start of the drive (obviously). For us, the best steering position seemed to be slightly blocking the top part of its beautiful 12.3-inch instrument cluster. Slightly annoying, this part.

In all honesty, we had so much fun testing out its acceleration off the line that we forgot to time any of the runs. Running it in Sport Mode can literally snap your head to the headrest. Luckily for us, the Kia EV6's Relaxion Seats had enough support to ensure that we didn't get whiplashed.

Considering that it is an EV with a decently-sized battery, it is a heavy thing weighing in at over two tonnes. To make up for it, the suspension has been set up to be more on the stiffer side which is great for highway use and the twisties, but it's a bit bumpy when you're going at a slower pace. Don't be fooled though, this thing was buttery smooth when going at highway speeds.

The braking is probably the one thing that future owners need to get used to due to its weight. For an EV with decent regen-braking capabilities, it doesn't feel remotely squishy. In fact, the braking feedback was quite decent. Getting acquainted with how the brake behaves and reacts together with the right level of regen-braking should take some of your time as a new owner, but you'll get accustomed to it relatively fast.

Got any range anxiety or not?

The range can supposedly go up to a max of 506km (WLTP cycle) but based on how the car has been driven prior to it being handed over to us for review, the EV6 calculated that we had about 420km to play with when the 77.4kWh battery pack was fully charged. To us, it was more than enough for our camping excursion outside of the hustling and bustling of the Klang Valley.

Range anxiety was never present during our time with the Kia EV6 because it felt like the battery percentage was trickling down at a very reasonable rate (almost too slow at some points) considering that we had a few 'spirited' drives and even an overnight stay by the beach.

After all that, we only ended up using around half of its battery capacity which also included extensively using its Vehicle-2-Load (V2L) function to power up or air fryer to cook dinner, hooked our visual entertainment setup to watch the World Cup live, and even slept in it with the AC blowing while the car was in Utility Mode. And mind you, these were all done on the beach and not plugged into any charging point or wall socket.

The charging part can be done using a maximum of 11kW AC charger which helps get it charged from 10-100% in 7 hours and 20 minutes. Since Malaysia is already starting to offer 350kW of DC charging (which the Kia EV6 definitely supports), 10-80% can be completed in just 18 minutes if you're connected to one.
Laju? Laju.

V2L function - It's not a gimmick!

Speaking of the V2L function, the Kia EV6 comes with an adapter to mount on its charging port to power any electrical device with a maximum output of 3.6kW. We cooked up some lovely nuggets and fries for our dinner by the beach using the air fryer and even had our very own entertainment setup to watch the World Cup matches that night.

While all of these were running, the battery barely dropped its power and another cool thing about the V2L function is that if there's another EV in need of emergency charging power, you can also use the V2L adapter to help out. With more and more EVs hitting the open road today, we believe that this particular feature would be vital in emergency situations like the EV battery running out while driving. Sharing is caring, and the EV6 is open to sharing.

As for the Utility Mode which clearly stated that the Kia EV6 can be used to go on camping trips, you don't even need a tent to sleep in. Just turn the Utility Mode on which only power some vital features like lights, radio, and AC, lay down the Relaxion front seats to almost horizontal, and sleep the night away in comfort, even if it's in the middle of nowhere.

There's also a three-pin plug point located at bottom of the rear seats if you want to include a movie night into the whole experience (or football in our case). Netflix and chill in an RM300k EV? Oh so possible with the Kia EV6.

Interior - Big outside, 'cosy' inside

Those sitting at the front on those Relaxion Seats would feel like royalty in terms of space, support, and very decent infotainment setup thanks to the EV6's twin 12.3-inch displays and a 14-speaker Meridian premium sound system (amazing sound quality). Leg space is in abundance thanks to the floating centre console due to the Shift-by-Wire tech, which was also a huge plus.

It's a bit of a mixed review for the ones sitting at the back, though. For those who are under the 170cm height limit, sitting in the rear seats is likely to be quite comfortable with its flat floors but since the battery packs are also at the bottom, the floor levels are a bit higher than what most folks are used to.

It's still pleasant for the normal Asian height, but anyone who's beyond the 170cm mark might find a slight lack of support behind the thighs. Two very tall adults instead of three sitting at the back might be more suitable as they can stretch out their legs on those flat floors. For kids? Heavenly.

Conclusion - Worth the RM300k price tag?

Priced at RM300,866 (on-the-road excluding insurance), the 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line is indeed a huge sum to pay for most folks. However, there are a lot of savings that you may uncover from not spending any money on fuel in the long run. The initial setup like a home charger might be needed since it's a fully-electric car, but it's a small price to pay for a car of this calibre.

As I've said in the past, the current EV ecosystem in Malaysia is only suitable for those with money and time to spare, but that will no longer be the case in the near future. For now, the Kia EV6 is certainly at the top of the EV wishlist. In my personal opinion, it's either this or the
Hyundai Ioniq 5
 within the RM350,000 mark. Both are winners in our book.

The problem now is that I've fallen head over heels for the Kia EV6 and I don't have RM300k to actually buy one. If there's ever a way to convert an ICE purist over to an EV, the Kia EV6 GT-Line is a powerful tool that can be used to seal the deal successfully. Beauty paired with strength and a whole lot of intelligence mixed in between. Nothing in the world is perfect, but this? Almost. And that's one hell of a compliment.

For more info on things like specs and safety features of the Kia EV6,
CLICK HERE
. Better yet, watch our own experience camping with the lovely EV in the video, below!


ETCM Nissan Recalls Grand Livina, X-Gear and Navara D40 Over Front Passenger Airbag Inflator

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM), the sole distributor and assembler of NISSAN vehicles in Malaysia, together with Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Centre (TCEAS) announced a recall campaign extension for its customers to replace the
front passenger airbag inflator
 module.
After investigation, approximately
98,216 units
 of NISSAN vehicles have been identified for Takata
Front Passenger Airbag Inflator
 replacement as stated below:
This recall does not include the Nissan Navara NP300 (D23) that was launched in November 2015. Other current selling Nissan models are not affected by this recall as well.
Customers of the affected NISSAN vehicles will be notified by letter through TCEAS and are advised to call the nearest TCEAS outlet for an appointment. Selected TCEAS outlets have extended its operation hours and are now open 365 days, making it easier for customers to service their vehicles on weekends and public holidays, as well as to alleviate the capacities for the replacement activity.
All labour and replacement parts for this recall campaign will be at no cost to owners.
Customers may call the NISSAN Customer Care Centre at the Toll-Free line: 1800-88-3838 for further clarification or
visit the recall campaign website
 to find out if their NISSAN vehicle is involved in this recall campaign.


Honda Malaysia's Hybrid Models Exceed 1,200 Bookings

Honda Malaysia has announced that the new Jazz and City Hybrid have collectively recorded 1,200 bookings as of 30 September.
The company has managed to hit its combined sales target of 3 months in just 2 months. Bookings for the Honda City and Jazz Hybrid were opened about two months ago. Originally, the sales target was 250 units and 150 units respectively.
Looking closer at the figures, the Honda City Hybrid garnered 61% of the total bookings, while the Jazz Hybrid accounted another 39%. Additionally, the new hybrid models are more popular with folks in the central region with a total booking percentage of 53%.
To date, Honda Malaysia has sold in excess of 500 units of the new City Hybrid and more than 330 units of the Jazz Hybrid. This has allowed the company to secure its lead position in the below RM200,000 hybrid segment for the past 2 months.
Honda Malaysia is the pioneer in introducing hybrid technology in Malaysia back in 2004 with the introduction of the Civic Hybrid. The second generation Civic Hybrid was introduced in 2007. On top of that, the company is the first manufacturer to locally assemble a hybrid with the then-new Jazz Hybrid in 2012.


‘Tis The Season Of Unsurpassed Joy And The Best Deals

There is no better time to own your dream BMW than now. In this season of giving and renewed hope, take advantage of great deals from BMW Malaysia courtesy of special year-end offers and the government-mandated Sales and Service Tax (SST) exemptions that are in place until the end of the year.

Purchase your dream luxury continental before 31st December 2020 to enjoy special rebates and 0 percent financing interest rates on selected models so you can drive your way into the new year with unsurpassed joy and style. These year-end offers cover a wide range of BMW models ranging from the bold BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe to the all-conquering BMW M8 Coupe.

From growing families to executives at the top of their game, BMW has an array of cars in their arsenal to suit everyone’s needs. Here are a few of the attractive year-end deals by BMW Malaysia.

BMW 530e M Sport

Going green has never looked so good. The transcending 5 Series executive sedan combines dynamic performance with hybrid efficiency for the best of all worlds. It is a car for people who have discerning taste and even more specific requirements of style, practicality, and power.

With a 2.0-litre engine and PHEV hybrid system that generates a combined output of 252hp and 420Nm the 530e M Sport is pretty much suited for everything; from your board lunches to the spirited weekend drive. The 530e M Sport’s XtraBoost feature, on the other hand, temporarily raises its power output to 292PS – giving you that extra boost of speed just when you need it. Decked out in the M Sport package, the 530e M Sport characterises one basic statement: I mean business.

However, it’s not all about power, the 530e M Sport is just as adept being a comfortable and efficient sedan for the whole family – with a 9.2kWh Lithium-Ion battery, the 530e M Sport is able to deliver up to 43km of zero-emissions travel range depending on driving conditions (at speeds up to 140km/h). This means fewer trips to the pumps, and more time experiencing joy on the open roads.

Retail price with SST Exemptions: RM333,692 (Savings up to RM5,107)

From 0 percent financing interest or RM3,080 monthly

Additional rebates of up to RM40,000

Now with 6+2 PHEV Battery Extended Warranty

BWM X1 sDrive18i

The BMW X1 premium-compact SUV has forged a status of sublime practicality, premium style and great value for money. The xDrive18i is for perceptive buyers with efficiency and value in mind. Powered by BMW’s latest 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, it develops 140hp and 220Nm of torque. The X1 sDrive18i proves that one can have superb fuel efficiency without the drawbacks of reduced power.

The superbly designed and crafted interior offers a nicely elevated driving position and superb visibility for all its passengers. The rear is especially spacious for your loved ones with up to 56cm of legroom making it a relaxing place to be in on long journeys, even for taller passengers. A beautifully designed exterior, on the other hand, fuses BMW’s trademark design elements and proportions for a purposefully modern SUV.

Retail price with SST Exemptions: RM208,368 (Savings up to RM7,431)

Financing as low as 1.88 percent or RM2,176 monthly

Additional rebates of up to RM5,000

Driving joy awaits, but not for long - current offers apply until the 31st of December 2020, so test drive your preferred BMW today and drive into the new year in style!


Tesla CEO Elon Musk Prematurely Reveals New Model Plans, Jabs At Apple For Being A ‘Graveyard’

Tesla, the American electric car manufacturer, has had an eventful October so far with the introduction of its long-awaited
Model X
 SUV – the company’s first model car in 3 years. But that isn’t stopping its
outspoken CEO
 from inflating the buzz around it, albeit prematurely.

In a response to a Twitter user’s question (which was promptly deleted) as to whether Tesla will offer its
‘Falcon Wing’ doors
 in future models – specifically the more affordable Model III – Musk let fly that there will be a crossover variant called the Model Y.

So now we can definitely maybe say the Model Y will indeed receive those eye-catching rear doors.

The CEO, in an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt, also revealed his view on the issue of Apple hiring Tesla engineers, presumably for its own automotive projects. Naturally, they aren’t very gracious, as
Business Insider
 found out.

“They have hired people we’ve fired. We always jokingly call Apple the ‘Tesla Graveyard.’ If you don’t make it at Tesla, you go work at Apple. I’m not kidding,” Musk says.

He continued by agreeing how it (building a car) was “the next logical thing” for the tech giant to pursue, but dismisses the possible threat toward Tesla as being unfounded.

“Did you ever take a look at the Apple Watch? (laughs) No, seriously: It’s good that Apple is moving and investing in this direction. But cars are very complex compared to phones or smartwatches,” Musk added.


New Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Launched In Japan

The new Toyota Land Cruiser 200 has just been launched in Japan. The facelifted seven-seater full-size SUV now includes a new panoramic multi-terrain monitor that not only gives a 360 degree view of the vehicle’s surroundings, but also a world’s first ‘under floor view.’
The most obvious difference with the new Land Cruiser 200 is a new three-bar radiator grille and LED headlamps.
Inside, the instrument panel has been updated with a new six-meter layout.
The new panoramic multi-terrain monitor has been updated with the world's first use of an under floor view function, allowing drivers to check the positioning of tyres and safety conditions under the vehicle. The shape of the road surface ahead of the vehicle and the inclination of the vehicle can be checked intuitively via a front view rotating display―another world-first feature.
There’s also Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert to assist drivers when reversing out of parking lots.
A higher specifications version Toyota’s Active Safety Sense advanced driver’s assistance feature – Toyota Safety Sense P, also makes its debut in the new Land Cruiser 200.
Unlike the Safety Sense C package which debuted earlier in the Japanese market Corolla, Safety Sense P adds pedestrian detection function to the Pre-collision System. Also new is a millimetre-wave Radar Cruise Control system that is able to maintain a pre-set distance with the vehicle in front, and Automatic High Beam function.
Engine and transmission remains unchanged – the 4.6-litre V8 1UR-FE petrol engine is paired to a six-speed permanent four-wheel drive automatic transmission. Overseas models will also get a 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel, now revised with new injectors, engine mapping and a diesel particulate filter.
Prices in Japan starts from 4.7 million Yen.
The Land Cruiser 200 is not officially available in Malaysia, but several units had been brought in by UMW Toyota, most of them under special order arrangements for government agencies in Sabah and Sarawak. There are however plenty of grey imported units - we found 560 units listed on
Carlist.my
.


Proton Debuts New Look At Its First Upgraded 4S Centre

Proton today unveiled the brand’s new look of their 3S and 4S centres. According to the company, the new look of a predominantly teal-coloured frontage with a contrasting mix of grey and white interior represents a global lifestyle, technology-driven, youthful exuberance, and caring attitude.
The refreshed Proton look was also a part of the new elements in the upgrading of the Setia Gemilang Auto to a 4S centre that is located in Subang, Selangor.
CEO of Proton, Dr Li Chunrong, officiated the opening ceremony and highlighted the importance of the upgrading exercise, “We care for our customers’ needs and we want to emphasise that customer satisfaction remains our key priority. Most importantly, we want to convey the message of a brand new Proton moving forward.”
The upgraded Setia Gemilang Auto 4S centre covers a land area of 2 acres. At the entrance, there are parking lots for up to 50 customers. The showroom floor meanwhile is able to accommodate 11 display cars as well as a 30-seat customer lounge with café and internet facilities, together with a kid’s corner. Customers can also renew their insurance at the service counters.
At the workshop section, a total of 14 service hoists are fitted, with at least six designated for express service work scope.  A dedicated body and paint section is also available at this upgraded 4S centre, with 12 work bays plus a spray-painting booth.
Director of Setia Auto Gemilang Sdn. Bhd., Mr Andrew Quek Tze Kean mentioned, ”Today is one of the happiest days of my life, as finally, the Setia Gemilang outlet has been successfully upgraded to meet to Proton 4S requirements. A lot of work has been put in to ensure what we witnessed today, materialise. I thank my team for the effort and great work, and Proton for their continuous support,”
“I am excited about this new development and I hope this welcomes many more business opportunities for sales and service growth,” added Mr Andrew Quek.
The launch of Setia Auto Gemilang 4S centre was part of Proton’s direction to upgrade its outlet nationwide to a total of 109 outlets of 3S and 4S status in preparation of the coming new
SUV model scheduled for launch in late September to early October
.
To further mark the momentous occasion, Setia Gemilang Auto also handed out mock keys during a simple delivery ceremony to 10 of its new customers.
Those who are interested to experience the new-look 4S centre can visit Setia Gemilang Auto Sdn. Bhd. at Lot 7959, Jalan Batu Tiga (Off Jalan Subang), Subang, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor.
From now until the end of the month,
 Proton is treating customers with various promotions
, with the highlight of the chance to purchase a brand new Proton Saga for under RM30,000.


No more theory tests for PSV and GDL vocational licences

Good news for those who are looking to apply for the PSV and GDL
vocational licences
, no more theory tests!

Applicants for both the public service vehicle (PSV) licence and goods driving licence (GDL) are no longer required to take the theory test. Only the completion of theory classes is enough before the licences can be issued,
The Star
 reported.

Why was this move announced? Our current Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, said it's to help and improve the procedures of applicants for the vocational licences. According to Loke, "We are making these improvements following feedback from e-hailing drivers who have to spend time attending classes and also sit for the test, which they had done earlier to obtain a driving licence."

Before everyone celebrates, those who are applying for a bus PSV licence and articulated lorries GDL licence are still required to go for training and pass the practical test before the licences can be issued (for obvious reasons, of course).

Another fun part is that all theory classes for all categories under the vocational licence can be conducted online. Just be aware that the sites that do offer these services must comply with the rules and regulations set by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).


BMW Is Calling In Hans Zimmer To Develop The Sounds Of Their EVs

By now it's no secret that electric cars are going to face some fairly serious social issues, what with them being so quiet. Unfortunately, that translates to the inside as well, as very rarely do drivers get to hear much of the powertrain beyond a whisper and the gentle hum of the motors. For many, this is a good thing and an added level of refinement, and from an engineering standpoint it makes the job of quietening the cabin a lot easier.
But for those who view driving as an emotional experience, the note of the engine is a fairly major part of the joy of driving. BMW is still willing to cater to this ever-shrinking group, and as such they have contracted Hans Zimmer to work with their own in-house acoustic engineer, Renzo Vitale, to produce what is known as BMW IconicSounds Electric. Hans Zimmer is well known for his numerous Hollywood soundtrack productions, and is a long time lover of BMW's products.
The first example of a model with the IconicSounds Electric functionality was the
Vision M NEXT concept
 that was just unveiled last week, but there are likely to be more models to come and perhaps even and implementation in the most current line of electric vehicles from BMW. The idea is to provide emotional sound for the drivers who value this particular experience, and doing so will take a lot of work to pull it off without sounding entirely artificial.
The work in electric vehicle acoustics has been developed at BMW for the past 10 years, starting with the MINI E test fleet that was largely focused on alerting occupants to a running powertrain. Most currently, owners of the BMW i3 can purchase acoustic pedestrian protection as optional equipment.
For the best deals on BMW models, click
here
.


This Is The All-New 2020 Toyota Yaris, And It Is So Advanced It Can Park Itself

Toyota has just unveiled the all-new 2020 Yaris to the world, and looking at what it has to offer, it is nothing short of impressive.

Scheduled to go on sale in Japan early next year, the all-new Yaris is completely new from ground-up, featuring Toyota’s TNGA platform, newly developed engines, new transmission, a new hybrid system, new suspensions, as well as a long list of standard features.

The all-new Yaris is also Toyota's first compact car to adopt the TNGA platform (GA-B), on which Toyota will base its compact cars for developed countries in the future.

In addition to the light yet rigid body and low centre of gravity, the 2020 Yaris is offered with four different powertrain package options:

A new 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine with a Direct Shift-CVT

1.5-litre hybrid system with electric four-wheel drive system

1.5-litre Dynamic Force engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox

An updated 1.0-litre petrol engine with a compact and lightweight CVT

Out of the four, the main highlight is of course the hybrid variant, which is offered with an electric four-wheel drive system, which is a first as far as Toyota’s compact cars are concerned.

And then we have the newly developed 1.5-litre three-cylinder Dynamic Force engine which is paired to a newly developed Direct Shift-CVT unit.

Last but not the least, there is the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine which has been enhanced with increased tumble flow, higher EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) rate, and reduced friction to achieve nimble driving and low fuel consumption. Paired to this engine is another newly developed CVT which is smaller and lighter than previous models.

Powertrain aside, another highlight of the all-new Yaris is that it is the first Toyota to come with Advanced Park advanced parking support system, the latest version of Toyota Safety Sense, Turn Tilt Seats (equipped by Toyota for the first time), and Display Audio (standard on all models).

Besides the Display Audio, the all-new Yaris also comes standard with a Head up Display (HUD), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Voice Recognition, as well as dual digital TFT meters.

Offered exclusively in the hybrid variant however, is a 1500W power outlet. With the accessory, electricity from the vehicle can be used to power electrical devices and appliances using the same type of electrical outlets found at home.

Additionally, the vehicle can even serve as an emergency power generator in cases such as blackouts.

Design wise, Toyota said that the all-new Yaris was designed to appear as if it's ready to take off at a moment's notice.

Featuring a very bold and expressive design language, the car comes with sharp headlights, while the rear features combination taillights that are integrated into the rear windscreen, giving them a three-dimensional form.

As for the car’s interior, there is a generous dose of high quality material, a soft instrument panel, as well as a wider console and increased storage space.

So, to recap, the all-new Toyota Yaris will be available in three trim levels – 1.0-litre, 1.5-litre, as well as 1.5-litre hybrid – with 12 exterior colours to choose from, including 6 two-tone schemes.

Looking for a new Toyota? Find the best deals
here
.


Kerajaan Lulus RM300 Juta Untuk Sambung Bina Lebuh Raya Rakyat Sepanjang 10km Di Kelantan

Kerajaan Persekutuan telah meluluskan peruntukan berjumlah RM300 juta dalam pelaksanaan Lebuh Raya Rakyat di Bukit Tiu ke Kampung Berangan Mek Nab sepanjang 10 kilometer (km) di Kelantan.

Projek tersebut telah pun diluluskan di bawah projek pembangunan Rancangan Malaysia Ke-12 (RMK-12) sebelum ini. Lebuh raya ini akan mula dibina pada April tahun ini dan dijangka siap pada April 2025.

*Kredit foto:Sinar Harian

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Ekonomi), Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed berkata, Kerajaan Persekutuan dan kerajaan negeri sudah mengadakan perbincangan mengenai hala tuju projek berkenaan dan pada tahun lalu mencapai persetujuan untuk menjalinkan kerjasama.

Kerajaan pusat telah bersetuju untuk menyambung dan mengambil alih projek tersebut dari kerajaan negeri. Dalam persetujuan itu, Kerajaan Persekutuan bersetuju menyambung serta menyiapkan lebihan jajaran sepanjang 10km kerana kerajaan negeri sudah pun menyiapkannya sebanyak 35%.

Ketika ini, projek pembinaan lebuh raya ini sedang diperingkat penilaian Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR).

Dalam perkembangan lain, Mustafa memberitahu bahawa terdapat sedikit kelewatan sebanyak 15% daripada jadual yang ditetapkan dalam pembinaan projek Lebuh Raya Kota Bharu – Kuala Krai membabitkan pakej 2B (dari Ketereh ke Kok Lanas).

Antara punca kelewatan pembinaan lebuh raya sepanjang 6.2km adalah disebabkan oleh pelaksanaan
Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP),
 masalah kewangan dan isu pemilikan tanah. Pada awalnya, projek ini dijangka siap pada Mac tahun ini namun kini ia dijangka siap pada Oktober tahun ini.

Pembinaan projek ini akan dipantau oleh Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) dan setakat ini tidak ada isu yang berbangkit mengenai kos tambahan bagi menyiapkan projek ini. Mustapa berkata, berdasarkan kos awal, ia membabitkan perbelanjaan sebanyak RM200 juta, namun setakat ini hanya RM168 juta.

Projek Lebuh Raya Kota Bharu – Kuala Krai membabitkan jajaran 67.56km dengan anggaran kos keseluruhan RM2.7 bilion dijangka siap pada 2025 dan akan bersambung dengan
Lebuhraya Central Spine Road (CSR)
 yang bermula di Kuala Krai. Pembinaan Lebuhraya CSR dari Kuala Krai, Kelantan hingga ke daerah Bentong dijadual siap sepenuhnya pada 2026.

Pelaksanaan projek lebuh raya di Kelantan bakal memberi impak yang besar kepada rakyat Kelantan terutama dalam mengatasi masalah berkaitan kesesakan jalan raya setiap kali
musim percutian atau perayaan
 selain menjadi pemangkin pertumbuhan ekonomi negeri tersebut.

Projek seperti ini juga dikatakan sebagai sebahagian daripada usaha Kerajaan Persekutuan meningkatkan hubungan antara bandar dan seterusnya merapatkan jurang pembangunan antara wilayah sebagaimana yang menjadi salah satu tumpuan dalam RMK-12.


The First A90 Toyota Supra Begins To Leave The Magna Plant

Production of the highly-anticipated A90 Toyota GR Supra has finally started at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria.
The first Supra that rolled off the production line was also fitting for the occasion- a special edition that combined matt grey paintwork with red door mirror covers and matt black alloy wheels, while the red interior was accented with carbon fibre trim pieces.
Apart from the highly valuable ‘20201’ VIN number stamped on the body of the vehicle – “2020” for the year, “1” marking the first production unit of the line – Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, has also placed his signature on the engine cover.
Toyota wanted to commemorate the revival of the
 Supra nameplate
 after 20 years with something special, so the very first production unit of the fifth generation Supra was put on auction in the USA. The winning bid was for USD 2.1 million, and Toyota donated all proceed of the sale to the American Heart Association and the Bob Woodruff Foundation charities.
The lucky new owner meanwhile will receive a full VIP race track experience that includes a fully customized professional racing suit, two VIP passes to a NASCAR race weekend plus the chance to drive the pace car and do hot laps with two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip.
Magna Steyr will also produce the
all-new BMW Z4
 alongside the Toyota Supra, as both products are results of a joint development between the two auto giants.
Both vehicles have the same BMW B58 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed sports automatic transmission within the same 2,470 mm wheelbase. The majority of the chassis components such as the brakes, suspension control arms, and wiring architecture are also shared between both models.


Toyota Vios Challenge Returned Last Weekend To The Tune Of 2 Million Viewers Online

The Toyota Vios Challenge returned after a seven month hiatus - viewed by 2 million fans online.

Bound by the 'no spectator' SOP in an effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the
Toyota Vios Challenge
 race that took place last weekend at the Sepang International Circuit still received a warm response, despite fans only being able to watch it live on Toyota Malaysia's official website and Facebook.

The
second race of the 2021 season
 still proved to be as popular as ever, despite its lack of a live audience and managed to record over two million views online.

The race recommenced after a seven-month hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rainy weather which made the track slippery, caused several accidents, however, it clearly did not dampen the spirits of the drivers who tried their best to record the best results for their respective teams.

The Super Sporting class was dominated by the Faour M7 Japan team, driver Syafiq Ali emerging the winner of the race category, closely followed by Round 1 winner Mitchell Cheah. Syafiq's teammate Faidzil Alang had to settle for third.

The Sporting class, which was mainly raced in the wet, saw Crestmax Motorsport driver Adam Khalid as champion, rising from 15th position to become the overall weekend winner. In second and third place were Mirza Syahmi Mahzan and Eric Yong of the Aylezo Motorsport team.

The Rookie class saw young Amer Harris dominate the circuit in front of Mika Hakimi and 14 -year -old Putera Adam. This was the second podium result for Amer after finishing third on Saturday.

Syukri Yahya continued his dominance in the
 Promotional Class
 division despite the long seven-month break, as he managed to finish in the number one spot, two days in a row. It was a slightly disappointing weekend for Nabil Ahmad and Zizan Razak, who came in in second and third place, respectively.

The third round, which is also the last race of the
Toyota Vios
 Challenge season, will be held in November at the Sepang International Circuit, but this time under the spotlight of nighttime racing!


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Launches 2020 C 200 AMG Line – RM 252k

Variety is the spice of life, and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has added a bit more diversity to their C-Class range with an AMG Line-equipped C 200 for 2020.

Of all the models that Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) sells, the C-Class remains the most popular. During the initial launch of this generation of C-Class, there was a huge variety of powertrains and options but the introduction of the facelift saw some streamlining along with the addition of new technologies and features.

Six years in, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is still willing to introduce another variant in the form of the 2020 C 200 AMG Line – well, new for this facelifted CKD generation of C-Class models. There are some updates in the form of a newer 2.0-litre engine that pushes 204 hp and 300 Nm of torque, sending drive to the rear wheels through the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic gearbox we know and love.

But really, the focus of this new variant is on the interior and exterior changes. There’s no doubt that the AMG Line packages help to add a welcome touch of sportiness and aggression, and on the inside there is ARTICO leather upholstery, galvanised steering wheel paddle shifters, and AMG sport pedals.

The outside sees a new diamond radiator grille with a chrome Mercedes star and pins dotted across the fascia. With the front apron, the AMG Line option adds a sporty air intake and chrome trim element, which mirrors the rear with a diffuser-look rear apron finished in black. 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels sit on each corner.

Also new is the Mercedes me connect, which ups the level of connectivity that Mercedes-Benz models have and is slowly being rolled out across various products in the range. The system allows owners to check on the status of their car remotely, as well as to unlock or start the engine entirely through their phone, as well as to get customer support, an emergency call system, remote vehicle diagnostics, predictive navigation, and a parked vehicle locator.

Safety here may be last, but it’s definitely a strong suit for the C-Class as the 2020 C 200 AMG Line comes with Active Brake Assist, PRE-SAFE, and Blind Spot Assist. The first and last items are the core of any good active safety system – basically preventing forward collisions and keeping you informed of objects in your blind spot – but PRE-SAFE is a highly underrated seatbelt pre-tensioner system that Mercedes-Benz has had in their cars for almost two decades, reducing the risk of injury in the event of an impending accident.

Buying one of these new models will set you back by RM 251,587.39 – on the road, without insurance, but only until the end of the tax free incentive period, which means it’s probably a good time to put your money down on one.


All-New Subaru Forester Launched In Taiwan, Malaysia Debut In Q2 2019

Motor Image, the distributor of Subaru vehicles in Taiwan has introduced the all-new Subaru Forester in Taiwan. The model was first shown at the 2018 New York International Auto Show back in March.
The all-new Subaru Forester is powered by a 2.0-litre direct-injection boxer engine that outputs 156 PS at 6,000 rpm and 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm, mated to a CVT-type automatic, now with seven virtual ratios. Power is sent to all four wheels via Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system.
Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the all-new Forester is the first Subaru model to feature Subaru’s Driver Monitoring System, which uses facial recognition software to identify signs of driver fatigue.
Elsewhere, selected variants of the all-new Subaru Forester are also equipped with the company’s EyeSight driver assistance system that includes automatic pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle start alert, lane departure and lane sway warning. Additionally, the all-new Forester can also be had with Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection (SRVD), Auto Hold, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
X-Mode also makes a return on the all-new Forester, allowing drivers to switch driving modes depending on road conditions. X-Mode optimizes control of the engine, all-wheel drive system, brakes, and other functions to improve driving performance on challenging terrains.
For the Taiwan market, the all-new Subaru Forester is available in four variants:
Forester 2.0 i-S
Forester 2.0 i-L
Forester 2.0 i-S EyeSight
Forester 2.0 i-L EyeSight
Closer to home, Motor Image has stated that the all-new Subaru Forester will be launched in Malaysia by Q2 2019.