2014 Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-In Hybrid Review In Sweden

You might be wondering what we’ve been doing driving the all-new
2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
 S 500 Plug-In Hybrid in Sweden, with the car itself having little chance of making an official launch here in Malaysia. Yes, it would be as expensive as you’d expect, and seeing as how owning a
Mercedes-Benz
 is more important than a
Mercedes-Benz
 Plug-In Hybrid here, chances are at best, slim.
However, the reality for the Stuttgart-based carmaker is that in a matter of 10 years from the point of this article being written, nearly every one of their passenger
vehicles will offer a plug-in hybrid variant
 – in line for a global debut next will be the more affordable
C-Class C 350 Plug-In Hybrid we saw on our trip
 and then on, it’ll be four months at a time that the German carmaker will launch its planned remaining plug-in vehicles, all the way into 2017.
Closer to home, having seen Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) been able to locally assemble its
S 400 Hybrid
 here to make the most of the
local auto policy’s excise duty exemptions for CKD hybrids
, maybe there’s room in Malaysia for a more approachable/ affordable vehicle – something like a CLA 200 Plug-In Hybrid, perhaps?
A solid business case for MBM already exists, and its customers are only to gain – remember the
S 400 Hybrid had nearly half its price knocked off
. But of course, this all depends on national policy-makers maintaining such a stance for locally-assembled hybrids in the future. Malaysia has been poised as a regional hub for hybrids and electric vehicles, but who knows.
As it stands, we’re a long way away from something like the CLA 200 Plug-In Hybrid specifically, but the general idea of the technology’s arrival is to give you the option to own a vehicle that won’t need a single drop of fuel where routine commutes are concerned (to work, etc.), and not bother you with having to calculate your vehicle’s possible driving range before planning any out-of-town visits.
Plug-In Hybrids pair the best bits of a true hybrid and an electric vehicle. True hybrids like the Toyota Prius depend largely on its petrol power- and drivetrain to recharge its batteries, while it’s no surprise that full electric vehicles have a limited driving range before going empty and needing a stop at a power outlet to recharge.
A Plug-In Hybrid can recharge its batteries from either a charging station or via its powertrain, and can choose between driving in full-electric mode, pure petrol, or combine the two for a massive total system power output, and much further driving distances.
In the greater scheme of things, this sort of warrants our trip to Malmo, Sweden, where the business begins for Mercedes-Benz with the
S-Class S 500 Plug-In Hybrid
 in review.
Here’s to hoping that one of these actually makes their way to Malaysia.
So, what is it?
The S 500 Plug-In Hybrid is very different from other hybrid Mercedes-Benz vehicles we’ve seen – such as the S 400 Hybrid we have in Malaysia. Apart from being able to charge its batteries via plugging it into a wall socket, there’s also a much larger and more powerful lithium-ion traction battery and 85kW electric motor. Spatially, the new motor compromises the S-Class’s boot space, which has now shrunk to 395 litres of usable space, from the original 510 litres. However, there are quite a lot of returns to make up for the lost space.
A REAL S 500?: For starters, you may expect that to match the S 500 badging, Mercedes-Benz would’ve strapped on a V8 for the occasion. In reality, there’s just a 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 in there, and I know what you’re thinking: “Even the S 400 Hybrid gets a 3.5-litre V6!” Don’t be fooled – the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid has all the necessary performance to boast.
The 333hp engine is complemented by an 85kW electric motor for a total system output of 442hp and 650Nm of torque – compared to the regular S 500 V8’s 449hp and 700Nm. The Plug-In’s 5.2-second century sprint isn’t all that far off the regular S 500’s 4.8-second dash either.
Claimed fuel efficiency figures for the two-tonne S 500 Plug-In Hybrid luxury saloon is a bold 2.8-litres/100km, and to comply with coming European legislations, it’s also listed with a tree-hugging 65g/km of CO2 emissions – achieved on the current NEDC test cycle.
The high-voltage 8.7 kWh lithium-ion battery is said to pack 10 times more power than what’s available to the S 400 Hybrid and S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, and can drive the 2.2-tonne car on pure electricity for up to 33km – to give you a bit more of a perspective of that, the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid has a range of 50km, and weighs 1.5 tonnes.
How does it work?
Based on the 240V, 13A power supply available in Malaysia, we’re told that recharging the batteries from empty to full would take roughly two hours and 45 minutes to achieve. Of course, with an internal combustion engine and various energy regeneration methods, you don’t ever have to plug it in for a charge if you insist as such.
The 85kW electric motor is located within the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission and displaces the torque converter, while the lithium-ion battery sits above the rear axle – as mentioned, this compromises boot space (510 litres to 395 litres of space).
First impressions:
Moving on towards what the eyes first see, and there’s an immediately noticeable problem beyond all the regular charms of an S-Class. Stepping around to the rear, you may notice something a bit peculiar about the charging socket’s location: it’s smack in the mid-section of the bumper, over to the right side where we imagine there being too much potential for minor scuffs or worse.
Calming our disbelief, Mercedes-Benz’s designers points out that the first obvious reason for its positioning is that they couldn’t have the charging socket placed right next to the fuel-filler for safety reasons. Secondly, having the plug-in socket on the opposite side of the fuel filler means that drivers would have to step over the cable to get to/from the driver’s door – this means to trouble owners, which Mercedes-Benz says it won’t do. Having it anywhere in front of the car would mean unnecessarily lengthy wiring, so it’s a no go for that as well.
Resorting to place the socket on the rear bumper, Merc’s engineers tell us that if damaged, the plug itself is inexpensive to replace, and there’s absolutely no chance of a short-circuit frying any of the electrical components. We could think of a few other positions worth considering, but Benz engineers remind us that is a modular system that needs to inexpensively to installed on every other passenger vehicle in their range. Keeping the design applicable to all models (FWD, RWD, AWD etc.) makes the most business sense. In any case, you’d be relieved to know that there’s quite an extensive six-year factory warranty on all electrical components of the car.
Driving Hybrid
THE S-CLASS: If you needed one, a brief summary of driving an S-Class typically consists of a very luxurious and cushy ride, a lump of acceleration without too much of the forward forces affecting your stay, and class-defining tech to keep you busy and entertained well into your years of ownership.
The huge proportions of an S-Class aren’t noticed at all from the driver’s seat. Being more familiar with right-hand drive vehicles and Malaysia’s matching road rules, we barely broke a sweat adapting to Denmark and Sweden’s narrow city streets, insane amount of cyclists, and entering roundabouts to the right, with your eyes focused on the left. There’s superb surrounding visibility and confidence of where the four corners are at all times with this limousine.
Introductions to the S-Class itself aside, it’s time for some electric driving, and ‘completely seamless,’ is how we’d best describe Mercedes-Benz’s electrifying of the S 500. There are four electric driving modes and three transmission habits you could choose from, but leaving everything in auto mode (HYBRID) doesn’t make driving the Benz feel any way out of the ordinary.
DRIVING MODES: The four modes include HYBRID (effectively the auto mode), E-MODE (pure electric driving), E-SAVE (full petrol driving) and CHARGE (prioritises charging the batteries).
As mentioned, you could keep it in its HYBRID mode, and let the car’s GPS-based decision-making systems decide where and when to best deploy its petrol or electric power, or combine the two for maximum efficiency throughout your journey.
GPS-BASED CHARGING: For example, if you use your car’s navigation to get you from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, the car will on its own fix to use its electric power in the city to save fuel where stop/go driving is predominant, switch the engine on and charge itself back up along the highway via regenerative coasting or braking, and make sure you have enough electric power again for the next spot of stop/go city driving.
Likewise, this sort of decision-making is used for negotiating hills and slopes (terrain) too – the electric motor is switched on to boost engine power up a hill and minds to charge the batteries on the way down. Where applicable, traffic conditions are another influencing factor of when the car decides to use between combustion and electric power.
HAPTIC FEEDBACK PEDALS: Of course, all this automatic energy-saving is easily overridden by you at any point. In the same way that your smart phone lightly vibrates every time you key in an alphabet, the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid issues a buzz when it thinks you can save more fuel – it’s your choice to ignore the alert. For example, when the radar detects a slowing car ahead, a double buzz is issued, suggesting that you should start coasting – this happens faster than you can anticipate. A single buzz is issued to your foot in full electric-driving mode if you step the accelerator pedal too far, warning you that the petrol engine is about to fire-up for more power.
BRAKING: Even the result of depressing the brake pedal is tweaked to make it so that lightly stepping on the brakes doesn’t immediately involve any use of the brake pads, instead relying on the electric motor’s reducing rotation (energy regeneration) to slow the car. You can clearly feel your way to using this method of braking intuitively without wearing your brake pads as quickly as natural.
OBSERVED FUEL CONSUMPTION: With this in mind and the discipline to test the claims, we drove from Copenhagen, Denmark to Malmo in Sweden with fuel consumption averages nearing the claimed 2.8-litres/100km – set in HYBRID (auto) mode and largely depending on the car to do all the thinking. It wasn’t until we decided to test the 3.0-litre Plug-In Hybrid’s claim of having the performance to match a full on 4.7-litre V8 that fuel efficiency went out the window, taking what electric charge there was with it.
PRE-ENTRY CLIMATE CONTROL: When we did make stops for coffee along the way, there was another bit of all-new tech worth a try in Denmark’s freezing temperatures and strong winds. Unique for now to the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid is a feature called Pre-Entry Climate Control – using a Mercedes-Benz app called Connect Me on your smartphone, you could pre-set the car’s cabin temperatures before ever getting inside the car. We were quite appreciative of being able to heat up the AC, armrests (doors, center console) and seats beforehand.
Looking to the future
Believing that full-electric and fuel-cell vehicles suffer from a lack of recharging/refilling infrastructure globally at the moment, Mercedes-Benz is keener than anything to push forward its plug-in hybrid solutions. Fortunately, the cost of these transferable modular hybrid systems aren’t all that much more expensive either, says Mercedes-Benz; in Germany, the regular V8-powered S 500 and its plug-in hybrid counterpart are priced nearly identically.
Another highlight of the Plug-In Hybrid’s future includes wireless charging, something that was even demonstrated to us at the drive event. By simply driving over a flat console placed in the ground of your garage, the S-Class will charge itself. While the technology appears to be ready for mass use, there are still some complications tied to it, such as how these wireless charging platforms affect other electric devices – one scary example being a human’s pacemaker. Mercedes-Benz are taking their time with wireless charging, saying only that it will hit the market sometime in the W222 S-Class’ life cycle.
What they aren’t waiting around for is to get their Plug-In Hybrid variants fired up and in market, a.s.a.p.
*This article first appeared on
Live Life Drive


BMW Malaysia's Interactive Road Safety Video Campaign Lets You Make The Decisions

This Hari Raya festive season,
BMW
 Group Malaysia is using a unique method to remind road users to remain safe on the roads with an interactive YouTube video campaign entitled “Change: Is In Your Hands” as part of its BMW 360º Program.
Leroy Low Tiong Lim, the 2014 BMW Shorties finalist, directed the interactive video which is now live on the
BMW Shorties YouTube page
, allowing viewers to make decisions that have consequences attached to them. You can check out the video here (Kindly play on your laptop and turn on annotations for maximum effect):
“Safety on the road is very much dependent on choices. We choose the technologies that makes us safe in our vehicles and we choose how we behave on the road to ensure we are safe. This is the reason that the element of choice is key in this Public Service Announcement (PSA) video,” said Alan Harris, Managing Director and CEO of
BMW
 Group Malaysia.
“Change: Is In Your Hands” is an interactive story experienced from the first person point of view of a parent in making decisions on the appropriate use of a child car seat (which can
reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and 54% for children between ages one to five)
as well as maintaining focus on the road in a common daily scenario; all of which will lead to different outcomes and eventually conveying the message of ensuring responsible child safety practices is prioritised and to apply the right behaviour while behind the wheel.
By using the interactive features, the video promotes, educates and entertains viewers as they are given the opportunity to choose how the story develops to its end.
Harris said, “The focus of the
BMW
 Safety 360º Program is to create awareness, conversation and action on the need for road users in Malaysia to practice better road etiquette and behaviour to ensure their safety on the road. As Malaysians celebrate the Hari Raya holiday season, we want to address the importance of the safety of our children in our vehicles, an issue that is very important and relevant in light of what has been happening on Malaysian roads over the last few months.”


In Boring News, The SSC Tuatara Is Now The Fastest Car In The World!

TUAAAA-TAAAAA-RAAAAAA. That’s the name of what is now the fastest production car in the world, officially. Besides having an oddly unsexy name, this American hyper-super-mega car is very low and has a very powerful engine. You know, for speed reasons.

It’s also made by a company called SSC North America, which was previously known as Shelby Supercars but has no relation to the legendary Carroll Shelby or his brand or his legacy of cars. I’d guess that only a smaller percentage of any of you have ever heard of them before or know that their previous car, the Ultimate Aero, claimed the same World’s Fastest Car title back in 2007.

In fact, if it wasn’t for the Tuatara name sounding so strange, I would have completely forgotten about SSC developing this car since 2011. By the way, the car is named after a species of small-ish lizards that are endemic to New Zealand. SSC, meanwhile, is based in Washington, a state on America’s northwest coast.

However, in the closed off 11km stretch of arrow straight road in the Nevada desert, the Tuatara reached a top speed of 533km/h, the fastest achieved recorded speed of any car on a public road. To claim the ‘fastest car’ title, though, the car needed to post an average of two back and forth runs, to which it responded with 509km/h, beating the
Koenigsegg
 Agera RS, the record’s previous holder, which set the bar at 447km/h on the same road in 2017.

You might also remember that
Bugatti
 made a fuss last year about their fastest model being the first to breach the 300mph (482km/h) mark. That car later turned out to be the Chiron Super Sport 300+, but due to that run only being recorded in one direction, the Agera RS was not dethroned in the eyes of Guinness World Records.

The Tuatara uses a body that’s mostly made from carbon fibre, centred around a carbon monocoque for maximum structural rigidity. It’s shape was also painstakingly designed to reduce as much drag as possible while incorporating strategic downforce-generating aerodynamics, boasting a coefficient of just 0.279.

An unsung hero in this whole exercise, in my opinion, are actually the tyres. As far as I know, the Tuatara's top speed run was conducted while using a set of standard Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, which carry a Y speed rating denoting safe operation at 300km/h. Bugatti - being Bugatti - commissioned a custom set of these for the Chiron Super Sport 300+ to cope with the higher speeds, but we're not sure if SSC did the same or used off-the-shelf rubber. Imagine a set of tyres running 200km/h past their rated speed and not disintegrating. Incredible.

Mounted amidship is a bespoke 5.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine made with the help of Nelson Racing Engines, producing a mighty 1,750hp and 1,735Nm of torque while running on E85 fuel. All that savagery is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via a 7-speed manual transmission - that's brave. Of course, while the measurement is done and certified, the Tuatara can only officially hold the title once the cars are delivered to customers. SSC plans to only make 100 examples.

There’s obviously a lot of great engineering and fine tuning that went into the Tuatara. The tolerance levels needed to have a car achieve extremely high speeds are absolutely insane, leaving zero room for error. SSC is also still relatively unknown, and the team there also deserves lot of respect for reaching this goal (again) without the bottomless budgets of other firms such as the VW-funded Bugatti.

Hopefully, in the 9 years it spent in development, SSC weren’t just blinded by chasing this singular achievement that they forgot to make the Tuatara a competent super sports car in the more traditional sense.

The whole business of having a car officially recognised as the world’s fastest seems like a waste of time. It’s a title that might have held more significance 20 or 30 years ago, but now it seems like a pointless flex that may or may not be a strong selling point to potential buyers.

A very high top speed is an impressive bragging point, but it’s never the sole reason any car rises to greatness. Rather, it’s usually the icing over an already amazing machine, and this is true for any car that has achieved that immortal status. Just think of past greats such as the McLaren F1, Ferrari F40, Jaguar XJ220, Porsche 959, or Bugatti Veyron - all cars that pushed the envelope of top speed, but that's not why we remember them.

The memory of a one trick pony does not linger for very long, not even if that one trick is an incredibly hard one to pull off. Let’s hope that the Tuatara is also an impressive all-round hypercar as the huge efforts poured into its creation would be wasted if it wasn’t also a great car to drive at a fraction of its top speed. The good news: it probably is.


Guard My Ride Launches Partnership With Rainbow Enterprise Co Ltd

In the world of Malaysian grey imports, there’s no bigger endorsement than one from Rainbow Enterprise Co Ltd. Being Japan’s largest exporter of recon cars, Rainbow Enterprise Co Ltd was required a warranty provider for their vehicles- and
Guard My Ride
 was at the top of the list, given their strong track record and comprehensive policies.
As you know, grey import cars don’t usually come with a warranty program- and given that a car is the average Malaysian consumer’s second largest purchase (next to a house), it is important that they feel safe and secure in purchasing one and know that they have a guarantee should anything go wrong.
Among the various warranty providers in Malaysia,
Guard My Ride
 stood out to Rainbow Enterprise Co Ltd for a number of reasons. The first were that they already had a number of customers who were happy with the services provided by Guard My Ride- which meant that Guard My Ride’s reputation was fairly strong and accepted. In addition to this, the policies that Guard My Ride provides are underwritten by RHB, which adds another level of reassurance.
The comprehensiveness of the claim policy and the speed of claims are also strong rationales for Rainbow Enterprise Co Ltd to go with
Guard My Ride
- the number of parts that could potentially be covered and how fast a customer can go from having their car out of commission to back on the road are highly important for the end user.
There is also the large benefit of having a panel of workshops that specialize in specific brands and marques in order to provide the best service for your car, as well as to provide quick and reliable turnaround. This is integral, more than merely the speed of the claim, to the customer’s convenience and peace of mind.
While the price is a little higher than that of other warranties, the cost is immediately offset by a comprehensive pack of vouchers provided by
Guard My Ride
 which cover a variety of services such as tinting and alignment. This makes the Guard My Ride warranty incredibly competitive within its segment, especially as they have one of the most comprehensive lists of items covered. On the engine alone, there are 40 items that are covered by the PRO warranty, and a total of 148 items that are covered across the car in the event of any issues. The list of items is available transparently on their website, which is right
here
.
For the first 500 cars from March 8th,  Rainbow Enterprise Co Ltd is offering the
Guard My Ride
 warranty program free of charge. Customers are also entitled to receive a number of vouchers that cover a range of items, from balancing and alignment to window tinting, the total of which come to over RM 1,400. Also included are items like a free wash and wax, free headlamp protection film, and 4 litre of free semi-synthetic oil. For now the programs are extended to most dealers within the Klang Valley, but Guard My Ride are looking at expanding to the Northern and Southern regions as well.


Subaru XV GT Edition Launched In Malaysia – From RM130,788

Based on the Subaru XV 2.0i-P, the GT Edition is a special edition variant of the highest specification XV. With a list price of RM130,788, the XV GT Edition costs RM12,000 more than the 2.0i-P.
The additional RM12,000 buys you:
Front bumper with silver garnish lip extension and integrated canards
Side skirts with silver garnish
Roof spoiler
Rear bumper extension
17-inch alloy wheels
GT Edition carpets
Black leather seats with silver and orange stitching
Reverse camera with dual-side (covering left- and right-side, as well as rear, but not 360-degree)
As before, the model is locally-assembled at the Tan Chong Motor Assemblies plant in Segambut, Selangor.
More than just a regular accessorized XV, the XV GT Edition is the result of a collaboration between TC Subaru’s parent company Motor Image Group, engineering company Giken Co. LTD., and ex-Subaru designer Masahiko “Jack” Kobayashi.
Giken is a maker of various industrial equipment, including those used by automotive plants. Like Subaru, Giken has ties with the aviation industry, and is a global supplier of aero parts.
When he was with Subaru between 1993 and 2018, Kobayashi was responsible for the first generation XV, first generation Outback, Levorg, as well as several generations of Legacy and Impreza.
Prior to its introduction in Malaysia, the XV GT Edition has already gone on sale in Thailand and Philippines. The XV GT is exclusive for markets covered by Motor Image Group. After Malaysia, the model will be introduced to Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Motor Image has plans for further collaborations with Giken and Kobayashi, involving the Forester, Levorg, WRX, and WRX STI.
To find the best deals for new Subaru vehicles, click
here
.


Toyota Vios Set To WOW The Public This November

UMW Toyota appears to be planning to host something big November. We have no idea what is coming up but the company has just uploaded three teaser videos of the Toyota Vios performing some precision driving stunts.
The company is keeping its #ViosPulseOfAction plans tightly undercover for now, but assures us that the driving stunts showed in the video are real, and are not computer generated graphics.


Illuminated Seat Belt Buckles Are Skoda’s Bright Idea

The most annoying safety ‘feature’ in modern cars is - bar none - automatic start-stop, but following closely behind that is the incessant beeping that attacks your ears when the car detects that a passenger (usually only on the front seats) has not fastened (or ejected) their seat belt.

In fact, many cars will still continue beeping even when you’ve come to a complete stop and engaged the parking brake. How dumb. It’s all in the name of saving lives, of course, but that doesn’t mean that they’re any less irritating.

Skoda might not have a direct alternative here but have instead patented the illuminated seat belt buckles which they claim will alleviate the frustration of hunting around for them at night or in otherwise dark surroundings.

The Volkswagen-owned Czech automaker says that these illuminated buckles will be introduced into their cars before too long, though they haven’t specified a firm timeline. If we were to guess, it would make sense for it to premiere in their higher-end vehicles such as the Superb and
Kodiaq
.

The buckles themselves look nearly identical to their passive forebears but feature a clear transparent button instead of the usual spring-loaded ejector. Within this are two multi-coloured LEDs that will glow a bright white when the buckle is secured and red when not attached to the belt.

Weight sensors in the seats automatically trigger the buckles to start glowing red before the car sets off and can even detect small children, warning the driver should the
seat belts
 not be fastened or fastened incorrectly.

It doesn’t seem a terribly complicated measure to implement nor does the technology call for anything especially advanced or expensive. Seems like quite an obvious solution if you think about it, and yet it was only brought to light after the introduction of electric cars and autonomous vehicles, and about 60 years since the formal introduction of the automotive-grade seat belt.

Still, don’t expect the insanity-inducing warning noises to stop anytime soon. This new glow-in-the-dark seat belt buckle should at least be a complementary light show alongside the soundtrack of beeps.


Kia Teases Next-Generation Cadenza Luxury Sedan, Optima K5’s Big Brother

Kia
’s preparing to introduce the newest generation of its flagship saloon, the Cadenza. The current version has been around since 2010, prompting the 5th-year upgrade cycle. The Cadenza is also known outside North America as the Kia K7, sitting a notch higher than the
Optima K5
.
The Cadenza also closely related to other Korean luxury sedans sold in the United States, including the Hyundai Genesis and the Hyundai Equus - both of which are now united under the new
Genesis sub brand
.
Seen in these renderings, Kia’s newest Cadenza is an evolution of the Korean automaker’s established design language seen in its current line up and even some of its more recent concepts such as the
SportSpace
 (2015 Geneva Motor Show) and the
Novo
 (2015 Seoul Motor Show).
First impressions of the new Cadenza’s interior also looks encouraging. Kia is clearly going after a light, airy, and spacious interior with some sporty cues thrown in for good measure. They also say that it uses higher quality materials than those found in any of its previous cars.
With these renderings showing up with Los Angeles Motor Show just around the corner, perhaps it might make an appearance there. Officially however, Kia says we’ll have to wait until 2016 to see more of the Cadenza, which will then be on sale within the year in
unspecified
overseas markets. Will Naza Kia Malaysia be expanding their line-up to include a higher-end sedan above the Optima in the near future?


Toyota S-FR Concept Pops Up At Tomica’s 2015 Tokyo Motor Show Catalogue

It looks like Toyota isn’t the only company that is exhibiting the sub-86, S-FR concept car at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, which opens on Oct-28. Takara Tomy, maker of the world famous Tomica die-cast models will also be debuting the world’s first scale model of the Toyota S-FR.
The die-cast S-FR will be among the company’s 44
th
 Tokyo Motor Show 2015 special collection. Below are some of the other models in the collection.
The Toyota S-FR is 2+2 seater rear-wheel drive coupe that is positioned below the Toyota 86. The car that will be put on display  at the coming Tokyo Motor Show is technically still a concept car, but rumour has it that Toyota is ready to put the car into series production very soon, likely to be powered by a 1.5-litre engine paired to a six-speed manual transmission.
Related link:
Tokyo 2015: Toyota S-FR, A Sub-86 Fun Car


Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Unveils New 3S Centre in Telok Gong

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles (MBM CV) together with authorised dealer, Hap Seng Commercial Vehicle (HSCV), recently introduced its newest 3S Commercial Vehicle (CV) Centre in Malaysia.
Strategically located in Telok Gong, Klang, the HSCV 3S Centre (Klang) is fully equipped to facilitate sales, service (repair and maintenance) and financial services for both brands - Mercedes-Benz and FUSO commercial vehicles.
The HSCV 3S Centre (Klang) is a 1 acre premise equipped with facilities capable of servicing up to 200 commercial vehicles per month. The facility is operated by a dedicated administration and technical team.
With the opening of this sixth CV centre, MBM CV and HSCV now have further expanded their presence in Peninsula Malaysia (East and West Coast) and East Malaysia. These 3S CV Centres, located in Kinrara, Kuantan, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Miri, cater to both Mercedes-Benz and FUSO Commercial Vehicles.
Against the backdrop of challenging market conditions, MBM CV managed to record total sales of 2,612 vehicles in 2016 comprising Fuso light duty and heavy duty trucks as well as Mercedes-Benz trucks and vans.


Putin Ditches Mercedes-Benz For A Russian-Made Cortege Limousine

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will no longer be using his armoured Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard Pullman as his official car. According to the Moscow-based RT news channel, Putin has just taken his inaugural ride in his new Russian-made Cortege limousine.
If you haven’t heard of the name Cortege, that’s because it’s not a vehicle manufacturer in a conventional sense. Cortege is a name of a project rather than a company. The project was initiated by Russia’s Central Scientific Research Automobile & Engine Institute (NAMI) with the goal of building a series of vehicles – a limousine, a sedan and an off-road vehicle – aimed primarily at Russia’s political elites.
According to Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Cortege will produce 70 vehicles in 2018, 200 in 2019, and 300 in 2020. There are also plans to offer standard vehicles for sale to the public at a later stage.
The project was co-developed by Porsche and Bosch but not much else is known about the extent of the partnership.
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, development for Russian limousines have halted as political elites in Kremlin ditched their aging ZiL limousines (below) for BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes.
Now that Russia is back in form, Putin understands the symbolic value of a Russian-made limousine and in 2012, had NAMI began work on Project Cortege.
Putin’s previous official car, the armoured W221 generation Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard Pullman was powered by a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12 that produced 517 PS and 830 Nm. It was equipped with run-flat tyres and a completely sealed cabin whose air-conditioning system came with an emergency air supply to withstand against chemical gas attacks. The vehicle’s underbody was also resistant against explosives and had fire extinguishers capable of putting out fires beneath the car. The fuel tank also had special materials that automatically plugs any leaks.
We know all that because the S600 Guard Pullman can be purchased from any Mercedes-Benz dealer, as long as the buyer meets Daimler’s profile vetting and the sale and eventual disposal of the car does not contravene against any European Union regulations. In other words, Putin can buy the car but not a wanted arms dealer. Of course, that hasn't stop
Kim Jong-un
 from getting one for himself.
As for Putin’s latest Cortege, there is no information on the engine’s specifications or the defence systems installed but RT says it will be made public over the next few days. We are certain that it meets the expectations of the former KGB agent.


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Book Now Pay Later

In an effort to make the process of purchasing a used car secure and quick, Carlist.my’s Book Now Pay Later Program was introduced to closely facilitate the sale of used vehicles by the Dealer and the buyer.

With the Book Now Pay Later option, you will be placing a booking fee with our verified Trusted Dealer to lock your desired car while your loan application gets processed.

This program actually allows the buyer to:

Engage directly with the Seller to reach a mutual agreement on the vehicle selling price.

Get the car purchase up to speed without having any physical dealings between the buyer and seller.

Lock down a deal by paying an initial deposit to the dealer while getting the loan approved.

Get the booking fee above refunded in case the loan gets rejected, or any other terms applicable under the sellers' discretion.

In case you’re wondering how to go about the program, just look out for listings with the “Book Now Pay Later” badge when you’re browsing for your next car.

Once you find a car listing with the aforementioned badge, discuss with the dealer via phone or WhatsApp to agree on a price, and confirm the purchase.

After confirming the purchase, inform the dealer that you will be subscribing to Carlist.my's Buyer Protection Program. In order to subscribe to the program, all you have to do is fill up this form.

Once the form is submitted, an agent from Carlist.my will contact you to follow up on the verification process, and once that is done, you will have to make a payment to Carlist.my (car booking fee and buyer protection program subscription fee) to secure your payment while waiting for the loan to get approved.

Carlist.my will then verify all the information about the vehicle being purchased, and conduct a 100-point inspection if the buyer opts for the inspection service.

Check out all the cars that are eligible under the Program
here
.

Buyer Protection Program

As mentioned above, you may also opt for Buyer Protection with a nominal subscription fee.

The Buyer Protection Program with Carlist.my’s 100% Return Guarantee (Terms & Conditions Apply*) aims to help secure the Buyer’s booking fee and enjoy enhanced safety during the transaction process and payment disbursement upon purchase completion.

Buyer Protection Program will not apply when you encounter specific problems such as the ones mentioned below:

Change of decision for any buying/selling process from any one parties

Loss or damage caused to the vehicle during the process of car buying/ selling, and/or transfer of ownership

All buyers are reminded to:

Ensure that you and the dealer are confirmed with the car deal and going to proceed with the bank loan application before subscribing to Carlist.my Buyer Protection Program

Make independent verifications as to whether any summons was issued by the authorities in respect of the vehicle.

Make an independent verification with the authorities as to the accuracy of the details, identification marks, make, type, model, version, year of manufacture and other particulars of the Vehicles

So, how much do you have to pay?

Booking fee (fully refundable)

Vehicle priced less than RM10,000 – RM500

Vehicle priced between RM10,000 and RM150,000 – RM1,000

Vehicle priced above RM150,000 – RM2,000

*Terms and conditions apply

Buyer Protection Program

Buyer Protection Only – RM99

Buyer Protection with 100-point inspection – RM187

Read more about the Book Now Pay Later Program and the Buyer Protection Program
here
.


Golongan ‘Baik Beli’ Menjengkelkan? – “Daripada Beli Itu, Baik Beli Ini”

Kalau anda perasan pada kebanyakan iklan
penjualan kereta terpakai
, pasti akan ada komen daripada orang ramai seperti “mahalnya!” dan diikuti dengan ayat popular seperti “daripada beli ni, baik beli…”

Pernahkah anda dengar terma golongan ‘baik beli’? Sejak akhir-akhir ini, golongan ini semakin berleluasa di media sosial terutama pada
posting
iklan atau penjualan sesuatu barang. Kriteria utama golongan ‘baik beli’ ini adalah dengan memberi komen negatif terhadap apa sahaja barangan yang sedang dijual tanpa mempunyai sebarang niat untuk membeli barang tersebut.

Kritikan pedas terbabit biasanya diakhiri dengan cadangan supaya bakal pembeli membeli sesuatu yang lebih berbaloi daripada membeli barang yang diiklankan. Sebagai contoh, “daripada membazir duit beli ini, lebih baik beli…”

Meskipun ayat terbabit kelihatan ringkas, namun perbuatan seperti ini mampu menyinggung perasaan penjual dan mempengaruhi perasaan pembeli. Malah ada penjual yang melarang golongan ‘baik beli’ ini daripada menyemak di ruangan komen iklannnya.

Dalam bahasa mudah, golongan ‘baik beli’ ini akan memberikan komen serta pendapat mereka yang langsung tidak diminta oleh sesiapa serta memberi cadangan untuk membeli sesuatu yang berlainan daripada membeli apa yang diiklankan.

Secara tidak langsung, perbuatan geng ‘baik beli’ ini telah membuatkan pembeli merasa ragu-ragu untuk meneruskan niat membeli setelah mendengar cadangan tersebut. Jika geng tersebut berjaya menghasut pembeli supaya tidak membeli barang tersebut, geng ‘baik beli’ ini boleh dikira sebagai menutup periuk nasi orang lain.

Bagaimanakah golongan seperti ini boleh wujud? Pertama sekali, golongan ini banyak terdapat di media sosial. Kebebasan bersuara yang ada di media sosial ternyata telah disalahgunakan oleh sesetengah pihak. Kalau dulu, jika periuk nasi seseorang itu ditutup, memang boleh bertumbuklah jawabnya. Zaman sekarang, orang biasanya menggunakan akaun palsu di media sosial bagi memudahkan urusan mengutuk serta memburukkan seseorang.

Sebenarnya perbuatan geng ‘baik beli’ ini tidaklah salah disisi undang-undang, namun jika komen-komen negatif itu dibuat hanya bertujuan sekadar untuk menyakitkan hati orang, ianya merupakan perbuatan yang menjengkelkan. Banyak sungguh masa yang terluang?

Tambahan pula, pada fasa endemik ini, orang ramai mula keluar untuk mencari rezeki bagi menyambung kelangsungan hidup. Ada yang terpaksa menjual beberapa koleksi barang simpanan peribadi kerana kegawatan ekonomi. Mahukah anda menjadi geng 'baik beli' pada mereka yang terdesak untuk hidup seperti itu?

Perkara ini bukan hanya berlaku pada
penjual kereta
, malah penjual lain turut menerima masalah yang sama. Kesimpulannya, adab itu mencerminkan budi bahasa seseorang. Sekiranya anda tidak berminat dengan barang yang dijual, tak perlulah meninggalkan komen negatif sehingga melukakan hati penjual mahupun pembeli.

Tapi jika penjual tersebut tidak jujur dalam meniaga serta
menipu
 pelanggan, yang ini barulah elok untuk dimaki. Jika anda rasa anda tergolong dalam geng ‘baik beli’, diharapkan anda dapat perlahan-lahan menahan diri daripada meninggalkan komen yang tidak sepatutnya di iklan jualan di media sosial.

Kalau berminat, beli. Kalau tak berminat, tak apa.


Proton Dealership Suspended For Bitcoin Usage

Following images of a Proton dealership with a banner advertising Bitcoin payment, the Klang Valley-based dealership has been officially suspended pending further investigations by Proton.
Proton has issued a statement saying it does not recognise such transaction or offer.
The company added that it is open to innovative ways of car sales to keep customers’ interest, but there is a need to caution its sales network in carrying out promotion activities which are not endorsed by the company.
Photo credit :
Lowyat.NET


The Nurburgring Speed Limit Rule May Be Overturned

The decision to put a stop to lap records on the Nurburgring by way of speed limits caused a wave of disappointment among car enthusiasts. Even more so for the PR departments of the manufacturers who wish to go after bragging rights. Seems that the unpopular ruling might be overturned.
According to
Road and Track
 magazine, a senior auto industry source has told them that the current owner and operator of the circuit, Capricorn Nurburgring GmbH, is planning on retracting the speed limit restriction on manufacturer testing.
As we’ve already explained when the
speed limit ruling was imposed
 last month and confirmed by Nurburgring CEO Carsten Schumacher, the decision was triggered after a March 2015 VLN endurance racing accident that led to the death of a spectator when a
Nissan

GT-R
 Nismo piloted by
Jann Mardenborough
 went airborne on the Flugplatz section of the circuit. The driver was uninjured.
The restrictions were applied to certain areas of the track that might result in a similar occurrence, including the portion where the March accident transpired, quashing any future manufacturer-backed record lap runs. Should the speed limit ruling persist, the
Porsche

918 Spyder
 would remain the fastest production street car to officially set a time.
Video from Grid Media.


Perodua Suppliers Association Encouraged By Perodua's Sales Figures

If you haven't heard news of Perodua's strong sales performance by now, you must be living under a rock. Demand for their models is relentless, with a robust model range and well positioned and priced products spurring bookings and sales. If you have a general understanding of the business of building cars - or any manufacturing and assembly process - you will also understand that supplier co-operation is critical in getting cars rolling off the line on time.
The Perodua Suppliers Association (P2SA) is highly encouraged by Perodua's growth of 9.5% through the first four months of 2019, up to 82,700 vehicles from 75,500 vehicles. “As the representative for all 125 automotive component suppliers to Perodua, this outlook works well for the ecosystem, despite the pessimistic outlook of the automotive industry in general,” said P2SA President En Musa Zahidin Tan Sri Ahmad Zaidee.
On average, Perodua models have over 90% local content, which means that trickle-down economics work to great effect. For every Perodua sold, up to 125 different suppliers will be getting a small percentage, and in turn you will be supporting Malaysian employees as well. Perodua assists suppliers as well, in helping to invest in mould and tooling requirements which lowers the overall financing costs for their members.
This was a cost that was never passed on to the suppliers, and with the stress of financing taken off the table it promotes a healthier relationship between the manufacturer and its suppliers. “A prime example of how Perodua assists and supports local suppliers is its investment in the mould and tooling requirements, which has reduced the overall financing costs for our members. This began when the Perodua Axia started production in 2014 and has been done for every other model since,” En Musa said.
To find the best deals on Perodua models, click
here
.


Bosch Continues Strong Growth in Malaysia

The 2015 fiscal year was a good one for Bosch, more so within the Asia Pacific region (which happens to be the largest overseas market for the Bosch group). Total sales were pushed to RM 83.3 billion, which is a 17 percent growth on a comparable basis while 2.8 percent growth when adjusted for fluctuations in exchange rate. Worldwide, the group filed 5422 patents for 2015- which justifies the more than RM 138 million invested purely in our country. In 2014, Malaysia was the third largest in terms of revenue within South East Asia, and 2015 saw us move to second position- just behind Thailand.
Despite this, Malaysia still holds the claim as the largest manufacturing hub in the region. There are currently 2,600 associates at Bosch in Malaysia alone, which represents 38% of the workforce within South East Asia. The sales figure of RM 664 million for the 2015 fiscal year is purely for our local market; it doesn’t include the products exported to foreign countries, and if this figure would be included it would be much, much higher. For example, Malaysia has the largest Bosch multimedia production plant and it supplies the brunt of these units to General Motors in North America.
For 2016, Bosch is confident in their performance despite the slowdown in the automotive sector. Their diverse portfolio is what helps them to maintain their sales, but even so they do not see a potential problem with demand for automotive components. As of now, they supply their Electric Power Steering systems to Proton and BMW, while working with Perodua in the development of the Bezza.
There are plenty of exciting projects on the way as well. Bosch has acquired projects for Connectivity Control Units, and Malaysia has become the designated global R&D facility to build upon this base for the Chinese and European markets. The eCall system relies on the CCU, and it is similar in concept to the OnStar concept found in American cars in that it relays position and time to monitoring centres for accidents. The development of CCU will help to reduce response time in the event of an accident, especially in less urban areas.
Later this year we will also see Bosch launching their ‘Stop the Crash’ campaign, which will be aimed at promoting awareness for Bosch’s active safety technologies in Malaysia. This will no doubt be a push for vehicle stability control systems, along with the lane assist features that Bosch are also developing locally.
Bosch expects worldwide sales growth to be between 3 and 5 percent for 2016, as the shift their focus on the “3S’s”: sensors, software, and services. The aim is to get ahead of the connected services trend that is fast becoming common in modern cars and houses, and build on this from a hardware standpoint.


Six BMW M community members inducted into the Malaysia Book of Records

BMW Malaysia
 celebrates a momentous occasion recently with six
BMW M community
 members receiving titles from the Malaysia Book of Records.

Six BMW M cars set the fastest pace at the M4NTAP Track day, a BMW M community event organised by local car club, M4NTAP. Over 50 BMW cars were present together with 700 members of the public to witness the momentous occasion.

Six awards for the fastest BMW M cars at SIC

The six awards from the Malaysia Book of Records were handed out to six individuals during the M4NTAP Track Day, which were:

Fastest 1M/M2

Jay Choong (F87 BMW M2) - 2:22.154

Fastest Naturally Aspirated M3

Adi Fansuri (E92 BMW M3) - 2:26.743

Fastest Turbocharged M3/M4

Hisham Jaffar (F82 BMW M4) 2:20.549 - fastest BMW at SIC

Fastest Naturally Aspirated M5/M6

Aaron Kow (E60 BMW M5) - 2:32.452

Fastest M5/M6/M8

Mohamad Heikel (F90 BMW M5) - 2:37.674

Fastest Non-M BMW

Adil Adnan (F30 BMW 330i) - 2:31.674

A clean sweep of all award titles

According to Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, "We are constantly in awe by the many remarkable feats that our local community of BMW owners and enthusiasts attempt – in the name of love for the brand, especially for BMW M."

"This is a community that we proudly cherish, support, and continue to serve with excitement, with every new vehicle or programme we introduce. Being awarded an MBOR is no easy feat, and for the six of them to manage a clean sweep of all the award titles truly exemplifies the spirit of The Most Powerful Letter in the World!," added Hans.


Tan Chong Hits 1 Million Car Milestone, Offers New Deal on Almera

It's always nice to hear about production milestones, but when it's a local company that hits one it is extra special. Tan Chong is proud to announce that they hit their 1 Million unit production milestone just last month, and they will also be celebrating their 60th anniversary this year.  As part of Tan Chong’s 60th Anniversary Super Deals campaign, they are offering their best-selling model; the NISSAN Almera 1.5L Automatic, from as low as RM600 a month.
In addition to this, Tan Chong has also kicked off their Nissan UEFA Champions League Campaign for the third year running. It will run throughout the month of March, offering customers who purchase a Nissan, a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to experience UEFA Champions League Semi Final, live in Europe.
Members of the public are also invited to visit Nissan Test Drive Carnival at selected Showrooms and Roadshows to test-drive Nissan’s range of products.
Dates and locations of Nissan Roadshows are as follows:
1st - 5th March IOI City Mall, Putrajaya
8th - 12th March Sunway Velocity, KL
17th - 19th  March Kluang Mall, Johor
3rd - 12th March AEON Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru
14th - 19th March AEON Taiping
9th - 12th March East Coast Mall, Kuantan
17th - 19th March Imago Times Square, KK
Dates and locations of Nissan Test Drive Carnival at selected showrooms are as follows:
10th - 11th March ETCM Kota Bharu
11th - 12th March ETCM Glenmarie
11th - 12th March ETCM Butterworth
11th - 12th March ETCM Johor Jaya
11th - 12th  March ETCM Sandakan
11th - 12th March ETCM Kuching


Bus Lane Jakarta - Solution For Malaysia Too?

A viral video of Jakarta's protected bus lanes has sparked the question of whether it'll be a good idea for Malaysia to have one too.

The general problem with buses in Malaysia is that while they are one of the most accessible forms of public transport, they don't seem to get you
to your destination any faster
 than a private vehicle - as they share the same congested roads with every other vehicle.

In Jakarta, Indonesia however, it seems like they have found a solution for this problem, as the buses there travel in a protected bus lane.

What is a protected bus lane?

A protected bus lane is bus specific lane which allows buses to travel from one place to another without being stuck in traffic. These lanes allow buses to travel free of traffic, making them more efficient, just like rail transport systems such as the LRT and MRT.

Transformative Urban Mobility, an organisation that strives to transform mobility for the better for all,  recently showcased these protected bus lanes in Jakarta on Twitter, which has gained a million views since it was posted.

Malaysian netizens who commented on the video were mainly impressed with the protected bus lanes, where some of them reckon that
this could be a great solution
 to our traffic woes.

So...protected bus lane in Malaysia?

Picture credit: Freepik

Of course, a protected bus lane in Malaysia would help our buses travel more freely, but creating and implementing protected bus lanes in our country is
easier said than done
.

As one netizen commented, "Malaysia is a very car-centric country". If we were to create protected bus lanes, it would mean reducing lanes for other vehicles, possibly
creating more congestion
 for private vehicles. This will not go down well with the majority of motorists in Malaysia as it means they will just face more congestion and longer travel times.

And then there is the problem of those naughty Malaysian motorists who just seem to disregard traffic laws where we can see them travelling in those bus lanes to beat the traffic. If they freely travel in emergency lanes, we're pretty sure they'll do the same in a protected bus lane.

Malaysia is invested in building more roads and train lines

Anyhow, judging by how the Malaysian government is investing in mega projects such as the creation of new MRT and LRT lines as well as new highways in the Klang Valley, it can be said that they believe that trains and more highways are the solutions for our traffic congestion woes.

What do you think? Should the government consider building protected bus lanes? Or is it just not suitable for Malaysia?


The BMW Excellence Club – Open To 7 Series (G12) Owners Only

BMW Group Malaysia has introduced the BMW Excellence Club - an exclusive membership and customer loyalty program which is only open to existing and new owners of the (G12) BMW 7 Series.
The Excellence Club program which complements the BMW WhiteCard Program (exclusive dining, travel, and shopping perks) – enables 7 Series owners to further enjoy tailored concierge programs, bespoke private events, valet services top-tier locations, priority appointments and access to premium hospitality lounges.
Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia, Mr. Han Sang Yun added, “When we introduced the All-New
BMW 7 Series Hybrid
 with eDrive Technology earlier this year, we shared on the idea of the Peak of Living Luxury. This idea centres on experiencing the world of exclusivity with personalized and crafted modern luxury focused on innovation and sophistication beyond Sheer Driving Pleasure."
BMW Malaysia has since organised a series of unique events for their Excellence Club members, including flying seven couples in a helicopter over the Kuala Lumpur skyline at dusk for a dining experience at Mono KL and hosting an ultra-exclusive event with Hugo Boss.
Mr. Han added that BMW and MINI owners, who are entitled to the BMW WhiteCard and BlackCard reward programs respectively, can also look forward to more exciting events in the country in the coming months.


Honda Confirms Four Model Launches For 2017; All-New CR-V And Jazz FL Next?

Honda Malaysia will be launching at least four new models this year, possibly more, officials of the company confirmed at a media gathering held in Petaling Jaya today.
Coming off a successful 2016, Honda Malaysia has hit the ground running in 2017 with the all-new
BR-V launched in January
 and is set to follow with the launch of a
facelifted Honda City
 that has just officially
opened for bookings
.
The remaining two models to be launched have not been named, but are likely to be the facelifted Jazz as well as the
all-new CR-V
.
The much-anticipated Civic Hatchback, which is set for introduction in Indonesia and
Thailand
, is another possible model.
Although we had earlier reported that Honda Malaysia had decided against introducing the Civic Hatchback, company officials speaking at a media Q&A have admitted to ‘reconsidering’ the decision if the market demands it.
Moving forward, the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo powertrain first introduced in the
Civic
 last year will take greater importance in the Honda line-up. We interpret this as suggesting that the upcoming CR-V will be featuring this engine.
Another engine set for introduction this year is the Honda Sport Hybrid powertrain with Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD). We expect this engine to be introduced with the facelifted Jazz. Honda had earlier
teased this possible introduction
 at the 2016 Malaysia Auto Show last year.
Honda Malaysia had enjoyed an
extremely positive 2016
. Despite total industry volume (TIV) falling 13% below 600,000 units, Honda was able to buck the trend and close the year with 91,830 sales, capturing 15.8% of the market.
Bouyed by its success as well as a strong line-up of models, Honda Malaysia announced that it is targeting to breach the 100,000-unit mark for 2017, projecting a TIV of 600,000 units.


BMW i8 Roadster Launched In Malaysia – From RM1.5 million

Following the launch of the
new BMW i8 Coupe
 last month, BMW Group Malaysia has today introduced the i8 Roadster at the on-going Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) 2018 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
While the 2+2 seater i8 Coupe sells for RM1.3 million plus, this strictly 2-seater Roadster starts upwards of RM1.5 million.
The all-wheel drive mid-engine plug-in hybrid sports car is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine the drives the rear wheels via a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission, assisted by an electric motor that drives the front wheels.
All upgrades/improvements made to the new i8 Coupe are also mirrored on the Roadster. To recap, the new i8 series now feature a more powerful electric drive unit. The electric motor driving the front wheels is now rated at 105 kW, 9 kW more than before. The high voltage lithium-ion battery’s gross energy capacity is now 11.6 kWh, up from the previous model’s 7.1 kWh.
With Drive mode set to eDrive, the new i8 now has an electric-only driving range of 53 km, or an eDrive top-speed of up to 120 km/h. When combined with turbocharged petrol engine, the sprint from 0-100 km/h is completed in 4.6 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than the Coupe. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The ConnectedDrive infotainment system has also been upgraded, with graphics and user interface similar to those used in newer BMW models like the 7 Series and 5 Series.
The Roadster weighs 1,595 kg (unladen weight, EU), 60 kg more than the Coupe. In relation to that, the i8 Roadster has a different setup for its suspension, damping, steering and electronic stability control parameters.
The fabric top opens or closes in 15 seconds, and if necessary, can be done at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The roof folds away tightly into a space that in the Coupe, would’ve been taken up by a pair of small rear seats. As such, the Roadster loses the Coupe’s rear seats. However, it makes up for it by offering a rather decent 92-litre storage space, accessible by folding down the seats. This is on top of the 88-litre boot space behind.
Like the Coupe, the doors open upwards gullwing style. This was quite a feat by BMW as the Roadster has a different A-pillar and the door hinges had to be redesigned to work on a Roadster style body.
Our local i8 Roadster is available in the new signature E-Copper metallic colour with Accaro interior, but other exterior and interior colour combinations are also available upon request. The model will be available at authorised BMW i dealerships from 19th September 2018.


2021 Honda City Hatchback & 2021 Honda City RS e: HEV: The Twin Turbo's

Will Honda surprise Malaysians with a turbocharged 2021 Honda City Hatchback?

Through recent releases and updates of cars, it's obvious that Toyota Malaysia is trying its hardest to get back to the
number one spot
 in the non-national car game.

The Toyota
Yaris
 facelift is a solid all-rounder, the
 Vios
 comes with great safety features for its price and the facelifted
Innova X
 and
Fortuner 2.8 VRZ
 can both be considered as value-oriented family options. Just when you think they have nothing else to offer, the
 Hilux
 gets a new powerful powerplant and then comes the Toyota
Corolla Cross
, an SUV that is supposed to soon fill in the big gaping hole in Toyota's line-up, so you could say they are pretty much set up for an all-out offensive.

While their efforts are commendable, it's still hard to see them dislodging Honda as the
champion
 of the non-national car segment, especially when Honda has an ace up its sleeve which they will be introducing this year.

The recent price announcement of the much anticipated
 Honda City RS e: HEV
 was a bit of a let down as we know that Honda was keen to introduce it as a sub RM100k vehicle. We're pretty sure Honda tried their best to make it happen but ultimately they had to price it at RM106k so that they can get the car out in the showrooms. Nevertheless, it is a fair price for such a tech-laden car.

But we believe the upcoming
 2021 Honda City Hatchback
 will be Honda's ace in the hole.

Solidifying the number one spot should be an easy prospect for Honda at the moment because the timing is just right. The Jazz has always been a volume seller for Honda, but considering the facelifted version is now four years old, it hasn't been able to contribute to their impressive non-national sales figures like how it used to.

Since we will not be getting the new Jazz because of where it is made, the
 2021 Honda City Hatchback
 will have to do, but that's not a bad thing because it'll probably follow the Jazz's footstep of capturing many hearts and pockets.

The Honda City Hatchback was unveiled in
Thailand
 last November and debuted with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 120bhp and 173Nm of torque.

While it's being generally assumed that Honda will likely introduce the City Hatchback here with the more familiar 1.5-litre N/A engine, they do have the tendency to surprise everyone which is why we would not discount that it's still possible for the new 2021 Honda City Hatchback to come with a small turbocharged powerplant, probably as a top variant just like the Honda City RS e: HEV.

If they do, Honda Malaysia will have the most powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged engine in Malaysia, giving the Perodua Ativa and Nissan Almera something to think about as well as leaving its main rival, the Yaris in the dust.

Not only would they have the most powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged engines, they will also have two different body styles to capture even more market share. Need more space and practicality? Get the hatchback. Want more tech and sportiness? Get the sedan. If and it is a very big if Honda Malaysia does indeed bring in the turbocharged variant of the hatchback to Malaysia, that would show intent and gusto. It would also be a statement that Honda Malaysia is not giving up on that top non-national carmaker spot anytime soon.

Of course, once again, pricing has to be on point, but considering that the 2021 Honda City Hatchback sells from RM78,000 up to RM100,000 in Thailand (where it is made), we can expect it to be somewhere around there too - oh yeah, we forgot to mention, that's the price with the turbo engine.

Honda Malaysia will surely fight to market it as competitively priced as possible, but the question is, how much are you willing to pay for it? Or is it more of a "just shut up and take my money" basing it on its specification and price in Thailand?

Whatever it is, it seems that the Honda City Hatchback is an opportunity for Honda Malaysia to solidify their place at the top, and hey, we reckon it'll still sell like hotcakes even with the 1.5 N/A engine, but can you imagine if the turbocharged engine is included, now that's the Power of Dreams!

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Singapore 2018: A Closer Look At The All-New Toyota Vios

Late last year,
Borneo Motors launched the All-New Toyota Vios
 - a car that's damn-near identical to the Toyota Yaris Ativ sold up in Thailand, with the biggest difference being the powertrain. The Singaporean variant is packaged with a 1.5-litre petrol engine as opposed to the 1.2-litre petrol engine found in Thailand's Yaris Ativ.
On the whole it's an iterative improvement over the Vios we already have here, and as we mentioned in our previous stories it is likely that this particular Vios will end up in our market as well. The Vios was put on display during the 2018 Singapore Motorshow and we took an opportunity to get a closer look.
Just a quick recap for those who aren't in the know: the Singaporean Vios is available in both E Grade and G Grade, with the same 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine that powers the current Vios on sale here. Engine outputs sit at 105 bhp and 140 Nm of torque, with a CVT-type automatic sending power to the front wheels.
In terms of equipment, the base Vios E gets :
Halogen headlights
Front fog lights
Wing mirror-mounted side turn signals
Electric wing mirrors
Smart Entry and Start
Tilt & telescopic steering weeh
Optitron speedometer with MID
Toyota Telematics System
7 airbags
ABS with EBD
VSC, HAC, Brake Assist
Reverse camera
ISOFIX anchor points
Moving one level up is the Vios G as shown here, which adds :
Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
16-inch alloy wheels
60:40 split folding rear seats
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
Auto air-conditioning
Rear seat centre conole
Toyota Telematics with navigation
Both interior and exterior look fairly similar to the current model, and it's understandable if you find it difficult to tell it apart from what we currently have on sale. It also looks like the materials haven't changed a great deal, meaning Toyota may have a tricky time positioning the Vios against its more sophisticated rivals.
At the very least, there have been noticeable steps taken in improving cabin storage space and practicality. By that we mean there are now two cupholders in front of the shift lever, which isn't a huge difference but is still better than a total lack of space.
As Singapore is a fairly high-end oriented market, it's normal for products to be extremely high spec - the one exception being powertrains as a result of Singapore's COE system that targets higher capacity models. In the case of the Vios there's only so much that can be done in terms of packing it with features.


Volvo is Going after Intoxicated and Distracted Drivers Next. We Support!

As messed up as the year 2020 is, it also marks many important milestones as far as the automotive scene is concerned. Just a couple of months ago, one of the most important features in a car – the safety belt – celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The three-point seatbelt as we know it today was actually created by
Volvo
in 1959 and the manufacturer was so convinced of its safety potential that it made the patent available for other manufacturers, and motorists, to benefit from.

And although we may now take it for granted, modern technological developments such as seat belt pre-tensioners are designed to work in conjunction with the same basic design of the seatbelt, so it remains the single most important safety feature on all modern cars.

Volvo was also the first manufacturer to fit three-point safety belts as standard equipment in its cars from 1963. Now required by law in modern cars, it continues to protect hundreds of thousands of people from death or serious injury in car accidents every year. In fact, Volvo claims that the seatbelt has already saved a million lives, and aims to save a million more

Nils Bohlin, a Volvo engineer invented the first three-point safety belt in 1959. As is the case with being a pioneer, Bohlin's design was largely dismissed despite the data proving its efficacy.

This led to the installation of the three-point safety belt in all of Volvo's cars like the Amazon, which happens to be the first car in Malaysia to come with the feature. Seat-belt laws only came to being in Malaysian in the early seventies. The first Malaysian car that came equipped with front seat belts was our beloved Proton Saga.

50 years have passed, and safety features have evolved so much that cars can pretty much drive themselves today, but the three-point safety belt remains unchanged and remains the first thing you need to fasten before you roll-out.

Unfortunately, as advanced as these safety features have become, the number of accidents on our roads is actually still very high. Let us look at the number of road fatalities in Malaysia over the past six years:

2014 – 6,674 deaths

2015 – 6,706 deaths

2016 – 7,374 deaths

2017 – 6,740 deaths

2018 – 6,284 deaths

2019 – 7,152 deaths

In case you’re wondering why the numbers are at such an alarming rate, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that the top cause of accidents globally is speeding. Taking that in mind, Volvo, in typical Volvo fashion, did something rather drastic earlier this year.

On top of whatever safety and driver assistance features present in their cars, Volvo, in an effort to send a strong signal about the dangers of speeding, has reduced the top speed of all its new cars to
180 km/h
 in 2020. The company also announced that it is looking at how smart speed control and geofencing technology could automatically limit speeds near schools and hospitals in the future.

Just like how the three-point seatbelt received massive criticism from the media and the public back when it was introduced, saying that it is oppressing the driver and whatnot, the brand’s decision to introduce a speed limit of 180 km/h has also received mixed reactions.

While many are arguing that the speed cap will prevent drivers from enjoying the full capabilities of the car, we feel that it is definitely a good idea as 180 km/h is actually very fast for our roads. Plus, you don’t really have to go past 180 km/h to put the cars to the test or have fun, do you?

Just go for a drive along some twisty bits like Ulu Yam, or Kuala Kelawang and see how much speed you actually need to have a good time. You’ll be surprised.

But that is not all. Volvo, as the next step in bringing down the number of crashes on the road worldwide, announced through its latest “A million more” campaign that it will be introducing in-car cameras to prevent intoxicated or distracted driving, which seems to be the main cause of accidents nowadays.

It is said that these in-car cameras will be standard on every single model built on the upcoming SPA2 platform.

While the Swedish marque has not disclosed details like the positioning or final number of cameras that will be fitted in the cars, prototypes that were revealed earlier this year had a camera in each A-pillar, both of which were augmented by an additional sensor.

As complicated as it may sound, the folks at Volvo said that the feature will be setup in a way that it is extremely functional.

Do you think that it is a good idea to fix a camera to constantly monitor your driving behaviour?

While some may argue that this is a bit overboard and that Volvo needs to take a chill pill, we feel that steps like these are extremely necessary, looking at how irresponsible and careless motorists have become.

It would be even better if Volvo can come up with a feature that would make the driver put his or her mobile device down and focus on the road – now that is what we need as soon as possible if we are to save a million more lives.


Five Things You Should Know About The G20 BMW 330i M Sport

A couple of months back, our market was graced with the launch of the all-new G20 BMW 3 Series – available in a singular 330i M Sport variant. Fast forward to now and the locally assembled model has finally been rolled out, going for a highly competitive RM 288,800.

Now in case your memory is a little hazy, we’ve boiled the 330i M Sport down to what we think are its five strongest points.

Striking a balance between agility and comfort

Over the last few generations, BMW has worked hard to develop their 3 Series as a sports sedan – and that’s no mean feat. A sports sedan needs to be sharp and precise when you want it, while being appreciably comfortable in day-to-day living. Each generation sees them widening the breadth of ability of their 3 Series, and this latest generation G20 is a culmination of over 40 years of work.

It’s something that’s better experienced than explained. The supple ride quality when cruising gives way to taut handling and agility when you want it, blending two qualities almost imperceptibly and allowing for two very different characteristics without compromising either end of the spectrum.

Robust turbocharged performance

Turbochargers popped up in BMW’s line-up of petrol engines for but a brief moment in the 1970s, and all but disappeared for the next three decades. When they returned, they came back with a bang – first with the turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six found in the E90 335i, and eventually being applied to everything from 1.5-litre three cylinders, up to 4.4-litre V8s.

These powertrains have provided performance comparable to far larger engines, with the benefit of better driveability, more low end torque, and better fuel economy. What’s not to love? Put the pedal to the metal in the 330i M Sport and you’ll have access to 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque – all from a BMW TwinPower Turbo 2.0-litre engine. More than that, it sips fuel at a rate of just 6.4 litres per 100 km, thanks in part to its quick shifting 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic gearbox. Key metrics are a zero to hundred time of just 5.8 seconds, and a top speed limited to 250 km/h.

Digitally Connected Throughout

Over time, many manufacturers have incorporated various small screens in their instrument clusters for a little more flexibility in displaying information. For this generation of 3 Series, BMW decided to just replace the entire cluster with a big screen that allows drivers to configure what information they see, and how they see it. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional - a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster sits in front of the driver, while a 10.25-inch touch screen is the centrepiece of the dashboard.

But the technology goes beyond the surface. Through the use of BMW Operating System 7.0, owners are afforded a range of features such as the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant that allows for natural language voice control. If you happen to own certain Samsung smart devices, you can use NFC functionality to unlock the car door and even start the car through the use of the BMW Digital Key.

The Nod To BMW M

When you think of the pinnacle of BMW’s achievements, you think of M Division. The highly adept motorsport arm of BMW has had decades of experience making cars go fast, and their experience trickles down to mass market models in the form of M Sport packages. Here, the M Sport suffix denotes 18-inch M Sport alloy wheels, M Sport brakes, and M Sport suspension.

Not only do these changes provide the 330i M Sport with a touch of aggressive styling, they also make the car feel like a proper sports sedan. Sheer driving pleasure has always been a strong goal for the Bavarian brand, and this car delivers it in spades.

Drop dead gorgeous, night or day

The subtle evolution of the 3 Series body style has seen it grow from something more compact and minimalist, to a car with maturity and presence through fluid body lines and distinctive styling elements. The adaptive LED headlights are instantly noticeable from afar, while those slim L-shaped 3D LED tail lights emphasise the width and stance of the G20.

There’s even a range of alluring colours to choose from. Alpine White, Black Sapphire, and Mineral Grey make up the range of monochrome options, while the firey Sunset Orange and stunning Portimao Blue are also made available if you’re looking for something a little more outspoken. The interior material choices come in either modern chic with Black Vernasca leather, or classic luxury with the Cognac Vernasca leather upholstery.

But best of all is the fact that the car is now available with finance rates as low as 0.88% through BMW Group Financial Services’ Balloon Financing Plan, meaning for just 20% downpayment a 5-year loan will run you around RM 3,298 a month. Additional perks include the BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme, the BMW 2-Year Tyre Warranty Programme, BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, the BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App with the BMW White Card, and BMW Service online.


SUV vs Sedan – Yang Mana Patut Anda Pilih?

Tidak dinafikan, kereta merupakan antara jenis pengangkutan yang paling popular di Malaysia. Selain faktor keselesaan, kereta juga menawarkan ciri-ciri teknologi serta keselamatan yang tinggi kepada pemandu serta penumpang. Untuk memenuhi permintaan orang ramai, pelbagai jenis kenderaan telah dihasilkan, antaranya adalah
SUV dan Sedan
.

Di pasaran dunia dan Malaysia ketika ini, permintaan orang ramai terhadap kereta jenis SUV ini semakin meningkat. Lihatlah bagaimana sambutan yang diterima
Proton X50
 dan
Perodua Ativa
 yang dilancarkan sebelum ini meskipun dalam keadaan pandemik seperti sekarang. Antara faktor yang mendorong perkara ini berlaku adalah berdasarkan rupa bentuk, gaya hidup dan SUV boleh didapati dalam pelbagai segmen, menjadikan ia boleh didapati dengan harga mampu milik.

Demam SUV di Malaysia ternyata masih kuat. Mana taknya, dulu SUV seperti
Mitsubishi Pajero
 dihasilkan menggunakan platform Ladder Frame yang lebih kukuh seakan lori menjadikan ia tidak praktikal untuk kegunaan harian. Kini, banyak SUV yang dihasilkan menggunakan casis unibody dan monocoque manakala sistem
4WD juga diganti dengan FWD
 yang memberikan mutu pemanduan yang lebih baik dan lebih penjimatan minyak kerana hanya dua roda yang dipacu.

Malah ada yang sanggup
menunggu sehingga 8 bulan
 hanya untuk mendapatkan SUV popular seperti X50. Bukan itu sahaja, tawaran menarik SUV pada masa ini membuatkan mereka yang sedang mencari kereta Sedan untuk kegunaan keluarga sebelum ini berpaling tadah dengan membeli SUV. Anda perlu ingat bahawa beza SUV dan Sedan ini bukan hanya terletak pada ruang dan praktikaliti sahaja. Ada banyak lagi perkara lain yang perlu anda ambil kira.

Apa itu SUV?

SUV dikenali sebagai
Sports Utility Vehicle
 atau kenderaan utiliti sukan yang direka seperti kereta wagon yang menggunakan casis trak ringan. Ia mungkin atau mungkin tidak hadir dengan sistem pacuan empat roda yang membolehkan ia digunakan di atas jalan raya mahupun off-road. SUV mempunyai ciri gabungan antara trak pikap, Sedan, kereta mini dan Sedan besar.

Bahagian badan SUV dipisahkan kepada 2 bahagian, iaitu bahagian enjin dan bahagian penumpang yang bersambung dengan bahagian kargo. Oleh kerana SUV lebih tinggi daripada Sedan, ia mempunyai pusat graviti yang lebih tinggi.

Apa itu Sedan?

Sedan
merupakan jenis kereta paling biasa di mana kereta ini terbahagi kepada 3 bahagian iaitu enjin, penumpang dan kargo. Ruangan kabin Sedan terdiri daripada dua barisan tempat duduk. Kereta jenis ini juga mempunyai pusat graviti yang rendah serta kebiasaannya mempunyai empat pintu.

Sedan datang dalam beberapa jenis iaitu Notchback, Fastback, dua pintu, Hardtop, Hatchback dan lain-lain.

Perbezaan SUV dan Sedan

Jenis kereta

SUV

Sedan

Jumlah tempat duduk

5 - 6

4 - 5

Bahagian kereta

2 bahagian: enjin + penumpang dan kargo (disambungkan)

3 bahagian: enjin + penumpang + kargo

Ground clearance dan pusat graviti

Tinggi

Rendah

Saiz tayar

17-19 inci

14-17 inci

Penggunaan bahan api

Lebih mahal kerana besar, berat

Lebih murah kerana ringan dan kecil

Sudut pandangan pemandu

Tinggi, luas dan jauh

Rendah, dan terhad

Jalan yang bersesuaian

Jalan rata, jalan bukit, jalan tidak rata, jalan berbonggol

Jalan rata, jalan bukit dan jalan berliku

Kos penyelenggaraan

Kebiasaannya lebih tinggi berbanding Sedan

Kebiasaannya lebih murah berbanding SUV

Perbezaan lain

Dibina untuk menempuhi permukaan jalan yang teruk

Boleh membawa lebih banyak beban, kerusi belakang boleh dilipat

Sukar bergerak lincah, mudah bergoyang ketika melalui jalan berliku kerana pusat graviti tinggi

Reka bentuk yang sporty

Dibina untuk menekankan aspek keselesaan kepada pemandu

Ruang penumpang belakang yang lebih selesa

Lebih mampu milik

Lebih stabil untuk bergerak lincah, tak mudah bergoyang

Kebanyakan SUV mempunyai 2-3 barisan tempat duduk yang memuatkan sehingga 5-7 tempat duduk pada ruangan kabin kereta. Berbeza pula dengan kereta Sedan yang hadir dengan dua barisan tempat duduk yang boleh memuatkan 4-5 penumpang sahaja. Meskipun lebih banyak tempat duduk, namun kebiasaannya, ruang tempat duduk belakang pada kereta Sedan lebih luas dan selesa berbanding SUV kerana tidak bercampur dengan ruang kargo.

Selain itu, bahagian pada badan kereta ini turut berbeza antara kedua-dua jenis kereta ini. SUV mempunyai 2 bahagian sahaja iaitu bahagian enjin dan bahagian kabin penumpang yang bersambung terus ke kargo. Berbeza pula dengan Sedan kerana Sedan terbahagi kepada 3 bahagian iaitu enjin, kabin dan kargo yang berasingan.

Berdasarkan saiz dan rupa bentuk, SUV kebiasannya hadir dengan rupa bentuk yang lebih sporty berbanding Sedan. Saiz SUV juga lebih tinggi dan lebih berat berbanding Sedan menjadikan penggunaan bahan api bagi SUV agak sedikit tinggi berbanding Sedan yang lebih ringan. Oleh kerana SUV lebih tinggi daripada Sedan, ia dapat memberikan pandangan hadapan yang lebih tinggi dan luas kepada pemandu berbanding Sedan yang sedikit rendah dan terhad.

Sekiranya kita mengikut hukum sains, SUV yang lebih tinggi berbanding Sedan mempunyai pusat graviti yang lebih tinggi. Ini menyebabkan sesetengah kenderaan ini sedikit kurang stabil apabila menyusuri laluan yang berliku ketika bergerak laju. Sedan pula tiada masalah untuk bergerak laju di jalan berliku kerana mempunyai pusat graviti yang lebih rendah. Walau bagaimanapun, SUV sekarang lebih mementingkan keselesaan pemandu, malah ada SUV yang menawarkan pemanduan yang lebih baik berbanding Sedan. Kereta SUV juga lebih sesuai untuk melalui permukaan jalan tak rata atau teruk kerana mempunyai ground clearance yang lebih tinggi berbanding Sedan.

Meskipun banyak SUV mampu milik yang ditawarkan di pasaran pada ketika ini, anda perlu sedia maklum bahawa kebanyakan SUV menggunakan tayar yang lebih besar berbanding Sedan. Jika anda sudah terbiasa dengan harga tayar sedan yang bersaiz 14 hingga 17 inci, anda mungkin akan senak perut melihat
harga-harga tayar bagi SUV
 ini yang kebanyakannya bersaiz antara 17-19 inci.

Bukan sahaja untuk tayar, tetapi kos penyelenggaraan keseluruhannya juga lebih mahal berbanding Sedan. Bila saiz tayar dah besar, anda bakal memerlukan brake pad dan cakera brek yang lebih besar dan mahal. Bagi SUV yang hadir dengan sistem AWD, anda perlu tukar minyak pada gandar belakang mengikut jadual yang ditetapkan untuk memastikan SUV anda sentiasa dalam keadaan baik. Walau bagaimanapun, kebanyakan SUV segmen-B dan segmen-C yang ditawarkan di Malaysia kini berada dalam versi pacuan roda hadapan atau FWD yang lebih menjimatkan berbanding AWD.

Ada pelbagai jenis SUV dan Sedan pelbagai jenama yang ditawarkan di negara ini pada waktu ini. Anda boleh mendapatkan perbezaan yang lebih tepat antara model Sedan dan SUV pilihan anda berdasarkan spesifikasi, ciri keselamatan dan teknologi, bahagian (compartments), jarak antara badan kereta dan tanah, penggunaan bahan api, kelebihan, kos penyelenggaraan dan harga.

Pendek kata, meskipun reka bentuk SUV sangat menarik, ianya merupakan kereta yang kukuh, tinggi dan berat yang memerlukan bahan api yang lebih kuat berbanding Sedan. Kereta Sedan pula dianggap sebagai kereta keluarga yang mementingkan keselesaan kepada pemandu dan penumpang kerana mempunyai pusat graviti yang rendah serta talaan suspensi yang lebih seimbang. Sedan juga lebih ringan dan jimat bahan api kerana saiz dan beratnya.

Yang paling penting, kenal pasti dahulu keperluan anda pada masa ini. Bagi anda yang sudah terbiasa dengan kereta Sedan, pastikan anda kaji dahulu segala info mengenai kos pemilikan SUV sebelum menukar kereta. Jangan terkejut pula apabila SUV pilihan anda kelak akan menggunakan lebih banyak bahan api berbanding Sedan sebelum ini. Jika anda mahu mencari kereta untuk kegunaan harian, hal bajet (bayaran bulanan, servis dan lain-lain) merupakan perkara terpenting yang perlu anda ambil kira sebelum membeli.

Belilah kereta ikut keperluan, bukannya ikut nafsu. Tapi kalau anda mampu, tiada siapa yang halang!

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.

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New Audi A8 Makes Surprise Appearance at Spider-Man: Homecoming World Premiere

The world premiere screening of Marvel’s upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming just took place on Wednesday in Hollywood, graced by the superstars who acted in the movie and also other celebrities.
Alongside the many Hollywood stars, the event also saw a surprise appearance by a camouflaged, new 2018 Audi A8 which set to make its global debut in two weeks.
Unlike the usual camouflaged pattern of black and white swirls, the new A8 which arrived at the Spider-Man premiere was wrapped in a new camouflage foil with a Spider-Man design specifically for the appearance on the red carpet event.
According to Audi, the traditional swirl design has been modified to incorporate spider webs on the vehicle doors and within the signature rings.
Even before its official world premiere, the first glimpses of the Audi A8’s can be seen on the big screen in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ where viewers can see parts of the front and side designs in the film.
In addition, moviegoers will also get to see the Audi AI Traffic Jam Pilot in action in the movie when Happy Hogan drives Peter Parker without having his hands on the wheel.
On that note, Audi is set to officially present the new A8 to the public on July 11, 2017 at the Audi Summit in Barcelona, while the ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ movie, featuring the new Audi A8 can be seen in movie theaters beginning July 7.


BMW i3s Price Confirmed For Malaysia – RM278,800

After its initial launch
earlier this year
, BMW Malaysia today released the official retail price of its full-electric (BEV) i3s, at RM278,800. The official price is a smidge lower than the initial estimated price of RM279,900.

The i3s is now available at authorised BMW i dealerships and offered with a 5-Year, unlimited mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service Programme, and BMW (24 month) Tyre Warranty Programme.

The i3s is the most powerful variant of the i3 city car range – which is also available as a Range Extender hybrid in selected markets – but the Malaysian market only receives the BEV version.

The i3s is powered by a synchronous electric motor which delivers 184 PS with a peak torque of 270Nm. Power is transmitted single-speed automatic transmission which powers the rear wheels. The i3s can sprint from 0-100 km/h in a hot-hatch rivaling 6.9 seconds.

Driving the motor is a 33.2 kWh lithium-ion battery located low in the vehicle floor, which provides the i3s with a range of 260km. The (optionally sold) i Wallbox Plus charger is able to recharge the i3s with up to 11kW of power in roughly three hours; good for a driving range of 180 km.

The i3s features sports suspension with custom-made springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars over the regular i3. A selectable Sport mode on the Driving Experience Control switch for a sharper driving experience. The i3s features a 10mm drop in ride height, with an increased track width of 40mm for sportier handling. It is also fitted with ‘Style 431’ 20-inch alloy wheels.

Sustainability is at the heart of the i3s' design and construction. To minimise the effects to the environment, BMW engineers incorporated various natural, renewable resources and upcycled materials in the i3s – such as the instrument panel which is made out of open-pored eucalyptus wood, instead of conventional wood, door lining material which is made out of the Kenaf plant fibres instead of petroleum-based plastics or seat fabrics that are made out of 100 percent recycled polyester.

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


Putrajaya MRT Line Phase 2 to start in March 2023

The
Putrajaya MRT Line
 will have its Phase 2 up and running by March 2023, according to Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd.

What they've also stated is that the 38.7km section under the Phase 2 development has been completed which runs from the Kampung Batu station all the way to Putrajaya Sentral. Now, it's just the completion of the rest of the parts involved to make it fully operational in three months' time.

15 elevated & nine underground stations to be added

Phase 2 of the Putrajaya MRT Line will consist of 15 elevated stations as well as nine underground stations. This will be added to the current 11 elevated stations under the Phase 1 line-up which runs from Kwasa Damansara to Kampung Baru.

Once Phase 2 is up and running by March of next year, passengers on board the Putrajaya MRT Line can transfer onto other existing rail lines at 10 different stations, which include:

Kwasa Damansara (Kajang MRT Line)

Sungai Buloh (KTM)

Sri Damansara Timur (KTM)

Kampung Batu (KTM)

Titiwangsa (Ampang & Sri Petaling LRT Lines, KL Monorail)

Ampang Park (Kelana Jaya LRT Line)

Tun Razak Exchange (Kajang MRT Line)

Chan Sow Lin (Ampang & Sri Petaling LRT Lines)

Sungai Besi (Sri Petaling LRT Line)

Putrajaya Sentral (ERL & KLIA Transit Lines)

Once everything is completed, Phase 1 and Phase 2 will have a combined section that covers a total of 57.7km and 36 different stations. For those who are worried about parking, the Putrajaya MRT Line will also prepare close to 6,000 parking bays for fellow commuters.


Online Booking For New 2019 Proton Iriz Now Opened – Only RM9.99

Proton has opened
online bookings
 for its new 2019 Iriz, where interested buyers can book their desired Iriz for only RM9.99.
Those who take advantage of the RM9.99 offer will also enjoy free road tax for two years. The promotion will start from 10:00am on 1
st
 March 2019 and ends at 11:59pm on 11
th
 March 2019.
Dr Li Chunrong, the CEO of Proton said, “By holding a flash promotion, we want to make the 2019 Iriz accessible to more potential buyers. Aside from the low commitment fee, we are also offering convenience as bookings can be placed online. This is however a limited time offer so we would encourage interested parties to book their units as soon as possible.”
Proton will also be organizing several customer previews at its Proton Edar outlets for customers to check out the new Iriz ahead of its official launch. The first outlet where customers can check out the new Iriz is the Proton Edar 4S centre in Chan Sow Lin, from 2
nd
 to 3
rd
 March 2019.
Powertrains are carried over – a 1.3-litre VVT four-cylinder petrol engine that does 95 PS and 120 Nm and a 1.6-litre that does 109 PS and 150 Nm. The smaller engine is mated either to a CVT-type automatic or a five-speed manual, while the larger engine is a CVT-only affair.
To recap, the specifications of the updated Iriz range can be found below. Prices will only be announced at a later date.

Starting from the Standard 1.3L MT model, it gets:
1.3L VVT engine
ABS, EBD, BA, ESC, TCS
Hill-Hold Assist
Dual SRS airbags
Front parking sensors
14-inch alloy wheels
2 speakers
2 rear USB charging ports (1.5A & 2.1A)
Eco Drive Assist
Shark fin antenna
Fabric seats
Black headlining
Tailgate garnish with Proton lettering
Segmented LCD Multi Info Display (MID)
New manual gear knob
As for the Standard 1.3L CVT, this variant adds:
CVT-type automatic
Rear spoiler
Moving up to the Executive 1.3L CVT, it adds:
7.0-inch touch screen head unit
15-inch alloy wheels
4 speakers
Auto headlights
Smart entry with engine push start button
TFT MID
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
Remote Trunk Release
Rear view camera with dynamic guide lines
Smartphone connectivity
Proton also re-introduced the 1.6L Executive CVT with the new facelift, which adds:
1.6L VVT engine
Auto folding side mirrors
Last but not least is the Premium 1.6L CVT. This variant adds:
4G connectivity
Wifi hotspot
“Hi Proton” voice command
Baidu Maps navigation
Semi leather seats
Rear view mirror with clear plastic bezel
New CVT gear knob


LA 2019: Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion Concept – Coming End 2021

Volkswagen have unveiled the seventh concept car of the ID. Family at the ongoing Los Angeles Auto Show. The ID. Space Vizzion provides a concrete outlook of an upcoming series production version which will be presented at the end of 2021, and launched in different variations in Europe, the US, and China.

Dubbed the ID. Space Vizzion, the electric “Gran Turismo” concept previews the latest generation of VW emission’s free drivetrains and a fresh approach to vehicle design and aerodynamics.

The concept car is based on the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform and is powered by a 82 kWh gross battery capacity which allows a driving range of up to 590 kilometres (WLTP) or 300 miles on the EPA cycle.

With a system output of up to 250 kW (335 hp) sent to all four wheels (4Motion), the ID. Space Vizzion accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.

In the case of the concepts design, VW took advantage of the all-electric drivetrain (which does not require a large radiator at the front) to optimize the car’s aerodynamics and thus increase range.

Airflow apertures have been integrated into the front fascia: the air flows through a horizontal panel between the headlights and is directed to the rear over the low-slung bonnet. There is also airflow into the outer areas of the front bumper, from where it is directed to the rear, too. The airflow apertures on the bumper and the bonnet of the ID. Space Vizzion has been designed as functional features, and as styling highlights of the concept car’s exterior.

Given the relatively compact architecture of the MEB platform and floor-mounted battery, the interior space provided is more akin to that of a long-wheelbase premium sedan.

Volkswagen claims the ID. Space Vizzion defines a new status quo in terms of intuitive control. For the first time, all relevant driving information is shown in an AR head-up-display, instead of the classic cockpit. The fully digitized cockpit features a mini display containing only basic driving information.

All entertainment, comfort and online functions, as well as vehicle settings, are grouped together on a central 15.6-inch touchscreen. The driver also receives key information intuitively from the ID. Light – an interactive light strip between the A-pillars.


Record-Breaking Year For PSA Group In 2017 Despite Opel Vauxhall Buyout

The PSA Group (owners of Peugeot, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall) have capped off a stellar year in 2017, delivering a total of 3.63 million vehicles, up 15.4 percent from 2016. Despite the
Opel and Vauxhall (OV) acquisition
 – the Group raked in profits of EUR3.9 Billion, up 23.4 percent, compared to 2016.
Group revenue rose to EUR65.2 Billion in 2017, compared to EUR54 Billion in 2016, an increase of 20.7 percent, while cumulative revenue across the group was up by 12.9 percent.
Carlos Tavares, Chairman of Groupe PSA Managing Board said: “Peugeot Citroën DS outstanding results, making significant progress for the 4th year in a row, are the proof of our ability to deliver a profitable and sustainable growth. Our agile, customer focused and socially responsible approach is making the difference. The acquisition of Opel Vauxhall is a great opportunity to boost value creation”.
The PCD (Peugeot Citroen DS) Automotive division revenue amounted to EUR40.7 Billion up by 9.9 percent compared to 2016. This increase was mainly driven by the product mix (up 4.5 percent) and the volume and country mix (up 4.9% percent), an improvement attributed to the worldwide market’s response to the Group’s new models, and compensated for exchange rate headwinds and an increase in raw material costs.
Having consolidated Opel and Vauxhall (previously under General Motors) in August 2017, the two companies have delivered their first concrete achievements in 2018, earning EUR7.2 Billion in 2017. This is in line with OV’s ‘PACE’ turnaround plan, first announced in November 2017, which aims to return the company to profitability by 2020, lower financial break-even point to 800k vehicles, and to electrify its entire product range by 2024.
For 2018, the PSA Group anticipates a stable automotive market in Europe, and growth of 4 percent in Latin America, 10 percent in Russia and 2 percent in China.