BMW's South African Plant To Swap 3 Series Production For X3

BMW’s Rosslyn plant in South Africa bids farewell to the 3 Series, more specifically, 3 Series production, after 35-years of operations. Since 1983, the Rosslyn plant has produced a total of 1,191,604 units, over five generations of the BMW 3 Series. Currently, one in four BMW 3 Series Sedans of the
current (F30) generation
 comes from BMW Group Plant Rosslyn.
In the coming months, the Rosslyn Plant will be repurposed to launch production of the
(G01) BMW X3
, while manufacturing of the 3 Series sedan will be shifted to BMW’s plant in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
In November 2015, BMW Group South Africa announced an investment totalling R6 billion towards the Rosslyn plant, to update the plant’s facilities to produce the new BMW X3. In October 2017, an additional R160 million was invested into the Rosslyn manufacturing facility to enhance production line speed.
Stefan Hülsenberg, Director of BMW Plant Rosslyn, explains: “The enhancement has raised the maximum production capacity to 76 000 units, leaving the plant with excellent potential in the future to produce the highest volume ever in its 45-year history. Plans to create a centre of production excellence at our plant are well underway with the largest infrastructure upgrade in the history of the facility now completed and staff upskilled in state-of-the-art technologies.”
The enthusiasm for this 3 Series is also shared by the production staff who would give every model generation nicknames – for instance – the third-generation (E36) model was called “Dolphin” for its elegant contours. Limited edition models of the BMW 3 Series, such as the BMW 333i and 325iS, have also been produced at Rosslyn over the years.


Cara Memilih Minyak Enjin Pelincir Yang Sesuai Untuk Kereta Anda

Bila tiba waktunya, minyak enjin mesti ditukar. Tapi macam mana nak pilih
minyak pelincir
 yang sesuai untuk kereta anda?

Memandangkan terdapat pelbagai jenis minyak pelincir di pasaran dengan pelbagai kelebihan yang tersendiri, pasti urusan memilih minyak yang sesuai ini sedikit mencabar terutama bagi mereka yang kurang arif tentang
penjagaan kereta
.

Minyak pelincir tersebut mempunyai banyak kebaikan dan kegunaannya yang tersendiri. Jika tersilap pilih, ia akan mendatangkan masalah pada enjin anda di masa hadapan. Pelbagai faktor perlu diambil kira untuk memilih minyak enjin yang betul-betul sesuai dengan kereta.

Untuk mencari minyak pelincir yang sesuai, anda perlu merujuk kepada beberapa perkara seperti berikut:

1. Latar Belakang Kereta

Untuk mencari minyak yang sesuai, anda perlu tahu tentang model dan siri pembuatan kereta anda terlebih dahulu. Memandangkan kini dah banyak kereta yang menggunakan enjin yang semakin maju dan padu, semakin banyak minyak pelincir yang diformulasikan mengikut perubahan teknologi pada enjin masa kini.

2. Kawasan Pemanduan

Kawasan pemanduan anda turut memainkan peranan dalam memilih minyak enjin yang sesuai kerana ia mempengaruhi cara penggunaan kereta anda. Keadaan seperti cuaca,
jalan berbukit
, berturap atau berbatu memberi tekanan lebih tinggi pada enjin anda berbanding jalan yang rata dan tenang. Semakin kerap anda menggunakan kereta, semakin keraplah minyak pelincir ini harus ditukar. Tetapi jika anda jenis yang jarang bawa kereta, anda turut dinasihatkan untuk menukar minyak tersebut mengikut tempoh yang disarankan supaya tidak berlaku sebarang kerosakan pada enjin.

3. Jenis Minyak Enjin

Mineral

Minyak pelincir mineral adalah minyak mentah petroleum yang telah ditapis tanpa menerima sebarang penambahan dari segi formula minyaknya. Kebiasaannya, minyak jenis ini dijual dengan harga yang lebih murah kerana tidak tahan lama berbanding minyak pelincir lain.

Semi-Synthetic (Separa Sintetik)

Minyak separa sintetik merupakan campuran antara minyak jenis mineral dengan sintetik beserta dengan bahan kimia tambahan atau aditif untuk lebih tahan kepada proses pengoksidaan serta memberi lebih perlindungan kepada enjin. Berbanding dengan minyak jenis mineral, minyak semi ini memberikan prestasi yang lebih baik berbanding minyak mineral biasa. Pemandu yang lasak disarankan untuk menggunakan minyak separa sintetik atau sintetik sepenuhnya.

Fully Synthetic (Sintetik Sepenuhnya)

Minyak sintetik penuh ini terhasil daripada gabungan polyalphaolefins dan ester serta bahan aditif lain. Penggunaan minyak ini dapat memanjangkan lagi tempoh penukaran minyak pelincir, mengurangkan geseran dan beroperasi dengan lebih baik pada suhu tinggi. Sebab itu harganya lebih mahal berbanding minyak pelincir semi dan minyak pelincir mineral.

4. Additives

Additives (aditif)
 merupakan bahan tambahan yang dimasukkan dalam minyak pelincir untuk membantu membersih, menyejukkan enjin serta memastikan enjin bebas daripada sebarang kakisan. Penambahan additives ini sedikit sebanyak telah membuatkan harga minyak pelincir menjadi sedikit tinggi.

5. Tahap Kelikatan

Semua jenis minyak enjin diklasifikasikan berdasarkan tahap kelikatan minyaknya. Untuk membuat perbandingan, rujuk pada kod yang terdapat pada label minyak enjin tersebut. Kod ini merujuk pada tahap kelikatan dan ukuran ketahanan minyak enjin.

Contohnya, kod 15W-50

15W adalah nombor indeks yang menunjukkan bagaimana minyak ini mengalir dalam suhu sejuk ketika enjin dihidupkan (W bermaksud winter)

50 pula merujuk kepada bagaimana minyak ini mengalir ketika enjin sudah panas

Minyak pelincir dengan kelikatan rendah lebih mudah mengalir dan melindungi enjin ketika waktu sejuk sementara minyak yang lebih likat akan berfungsi dengan lebih baik pada suhu tinggi. Untuk memilih kadar kelikatan yang sesuai dengan kereta anda, rujuk sahaja buku manual yang diberikan oleh pengeluar kereta anda.

6. Kod Klasifikasi Pensijilan Minyak

Untuk mengesan standard pensijilan minyak pelincir pada label, cari akronim seperti ini:

API (American Petroleum Institute)

ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association)

ILSAC (International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee)

JASO (Japanese Automotive Standards Organization)

Jika minyak enjin itu menerima sijil daripada organisasi seperti ini, maknanya minyak ini menepati piawaian yang ditetapkan selain menjamin kualiti dan prestasi minyak tersebut.

Perlukah Saya Tukar Jenama Minyak Enjin?

Kereta ada
masalah
 tak selama menggunakan minyak tersebut? Kalau tiada, teruskan sahaja. Ikutlah jenis minyak yang dicadangkan oleh pengeluar kereta anda. Sekiranya kereta anda masih di dalam tempoh
waranti
, jangan sesekali menukar jenis minyak enjin yang digunakan selain daripada yang dicadangkan bagi mengelakkan waranti anda daripada terjejas.

Namun jika kereta anda sudah agak berusia dan anda hanya menggunakan minyak jenis mineral biasa dari awal usia kereta, mungkin mendakan akan terhasil kerana pelincir sebegini tidak mempunyai bahan pencuci atau detergent untuk membersih dan menolak keluar sisa-sisa minyak lama.

Komponen enjin dalaman bagi kereta berusia juga berkemungkinan telah haus dimamah usia. Jadi anda disarankan untuk menggunakan minyak pelincir yang lebih likat bagi mengurangkan risiko kebocoran. Untuk kereta baharu pula, sebaiknya anda gunalah minyak pelincir jenis sintetik sepenuhnya untuk penjagaan enjin yang lebih maksimum.

Tanda-Tanda Minyak Enjin Perlu Diganti

Enjin bermasalah – berbunyi seperti ketukan,
overheating

Bau terbakar – minyak dalam enjin bocor atau enjin terlalu panas hingga minyak terbakar di dalam sistem
ekzos
.

Minyak enjin berwarna hitam – minyak menjadi hitam akibat kotoran dan bendasing daripada pembakaran dalaman enjin. Periksa juga tahap kejernihan minyak ini ketika anda mengeluarkan dipstick untuk melihat paras minyak enjin.

Lampu amaran minyak enjin menyala – ini memandakan kereta anda kini bergerak dengan kuantiti minyak enjin minimum. Periksa minyak tersebut dan tambahlah sekiranya ia semakin berkurang.

Penggunaan bahan api meningkat – Jika minyak enjin cair dan tidak cukup likat, ia memberikan tekanan ke atas enjin kereta. Enjin perlu bekerja keras untuk menggerakkan kereta ke prestasi yang seharusnya dan tindakan tersebut menyebabkan penggunaan
minyak petrol
 meningkat.

Tukarlah minyak enjin kereta anda sekurang-kurangnya setiap enam bulan atau 5,000 km untuk menikmati prestasi enjin yang lebih baik. Yang paling penting, rujuk buku manual kereta anda untuk mengetahui jenis yang sesuai. Berhati-hati juga dalam memilih minyak enjin kerana kini terdapat banyak minyak enjin tiruan yang dijual di pasaran. Jangan tertipu!


BMW Malaysia Details 5 Series Facelift For 2021 - 530e and 530i M Sport

BMW Malaysia have officially introduced the pair of
new 5 Series
 sedans into the local line-up for 2021. These, of course, would be the much anticipated facelift (or Life Cycle Impulse, LCI) of their G30, which are now available for registration online.

Going forward, the 5 Series range will be relegated to the
530e M Sport
 - a plug-in hybrid that kicks things off
at RM343,000
 - and the petrol-only
530i M Sport at RM396,000
. Do take note, however, that despite their late March introduction, these prices do include the sales and services tax (SST) as deliveries are slated to begin after June 30th, after the exemption/discount period has lapsed.

The updated and more sharply styled front end and headlight array with L-shape daytime running lights on these newer models reflect the revised design that BMW
unveiled internationally back in May 2020
 and has been generally well received as an improvement on the original G30. Its rear end has also seen some revision with a new bumper and a similarly tweaked light signature.

Apart from that, you might be a little hard-pressed to find too many obvious points of differentiation over the
outgoing units
, at least at a glance. Between the incoming 530e and 530i, there are even fewer things to distinguish between them.

Both gain the M Sport kit, as goes their full variant designation, with wider air inlets at the front and the same 19-inch M light alloy Y-Spoke 845 M Bi-Colour Jet Black wheels, M Sport brakes, and adaptive dampers to complement the lower ride height over the non-M Sport models. You’ll notice, however, that only the hybrid 530e M Sport receives gloss black Shadowline trim finishers on the door panel and the air duct past the front wheel.

Adaptive headlights were made standard across the range of all 5 Series variants, and indeed the 530e does feature BMW’s matrix LEDs too. The pricier 530i, meanwhile, does one-up it with the fancier Laserlight illuminators.

While we’re here, taking a peek under the petrol-only 530i would reveal the same BMW B48 engine found in the outgoing version, a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit that produces 252hp and 350Nm of torque that’s sent to the rear wheels. The 0-100km/h sprint takes just 6.4 seconds and consuming a claimed average of 6.7-litres/100km of fuel,

On the other side of the coin, the 530e M Sport also receives the same B48 lump. However, it is tuned to a lower 180hp and 300Nm. But when paired with its 109hp electric motor, the combined maximum output rises to 292hp and 420Nm, reducing the 0-100km/h sprint time to 5.9 seconds while consuming a paltry 2.3-litres/100km on average (claimed). Both feature ZF’s 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission, which remains excellent - surprise, surprise.

You’d also be right in recognising this as the same powertrain figures quoted for the
now-older 5 Series
, and that’s because the mechanical bits haven’t been altered in the least. After all, why mess with a winning formula.

That said, the new 530e does now have an external sound emitter that alerts pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle is travelling in fully electric mode (combustion engine off) at speeds under 30km/h, which the new 530e can sustain for up to 67km thanks to a larger 12kWh lithium-ion battery.

Inside the new 5ers, the two variants get even harder to tell apart. There’s BMW Live Cockpit Professional as standard with a larger duo of screens for infotainment and a digital instrument panel as well as quad-zone climate control. Other small changes include an altered button layout on the 3-spoke M steering wheel, and redesigned seats for improved comfort and ergonomics, upholstered in Dakota leather alongside the new Aluminium Rhombicle trim.

Adding to the older 5 Series’s safety credentials, these LCI variants get BMW’s Driving Assistant as standard, which now includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) - a crucial, even mandatory, feature in any active safety suite, in our opinion.

Over the plug-in hybrid, the 530i M Sport adds even more features such as adaptive cruise control with stop and go, but there’s gesture control for the iDrive infotainment system, a premium Harman/Kardon audio system with 16-speakers and a 464-watt amplifier, the fancy BMW Display Key, and even a sunroof.

All these improvements sound like very worthy additions to the 5 Series’ already impressive arsenal, leaving little to dampen its momentum as a very (if not the most) popular contender in the premium four-door executive saloon category. We’re also glad it still has a pretty face,
unlike some others
.


Audi Patents Process To Etch Symbols Into Car Paint

Audi has developed a process for the partial ‘matting’ of painted surfaces. A special powder roughens the clear lacquer on the surface to a depth of a few thousandths of a millimeter so that individual markings become visible.
The process developed by Audi experts allows desired symbols or graphics to be applied to components after being painted, the process can easily be integrated into normal series production. This option is offered for the first time in the Audi exclusive program in the Audi R8 Coupe and Spyder models.
Prof. Dr. Hubert Waltl, Member of the Board of Management for Production at Audi AG comments, “The method of partial matting is an excellent example of the flexibility of our production. Being able to implement individualization in normal series production is one of the aims of our smart factory”.
Audi’s current process of painting vehicles includes a cathodic dip coating to protect against corrosion, followed by at least three further coats: filler, base coat and the transparent lacquer as the top protective coat.
With the newly developed process, a template of the desired pattern is first placed on the component.  A blasting system then sprays a special powder onto the surface, which roughens the clear lacquer to a depth of just a few thousandths of a mm – less than a tenth of the thickness of a human hair. This creates the effect of a matt and homogeneous pattern. At present, components with a size up to a meter by a meter can be processed in this way.
The Audi paint shop can apply almost any pattern that a customer might desire as long as it does not affect any third-party rights. Customers can also choose their individual lettering and graphics to be applied to the side blades of the R8 Coupe and Spyder. Moving forward, Audi plans to offer this customisation option for other models within the range.


Bangkok 2017: All-New 2017 Porsche Panamera 4S Debuts

According to our Thai sister site
Autospinn
, Porsche's luxury sedan, the second-generation
Panamera
 has landed in Thailand during the Bangkok International Motor Show.
Priced from THB 13.5 million, the model on display is the Porsche Panamera 4S, powered by a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 that does 434 hp and 550 Nm, sending power to all four wheels via Porsche's eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The century sprint is completed in just 4.4 seconds, with top speed rated at 289 km/h.
Exterior, the 2017 Porsche Panamera receives LED headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights up front and LED tail lights at the rear. Quad mufflers come as standard on the Panamera 4S.
Moving inside, Porsche has removed a number of buttons inside, resulting in a simpler-looking dashboard. Controls are done via touch sensitive panels, though some controls remain as a button affair. Similar to the international model, the Thai-spec Panamera also receives the same twin 7-inch HD displays that surround the traditional analogue-type tachometer. A 12.3-inch display takes care of infotainement duties.
Closer to home, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) will debut the second-generation Panamera in theh coming weeks. Stay tuned for that!


Hong Leong Yamaha Motor organises 25th Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) has launched its 25th Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Being no strangers to doing their part in motorcycle road safety, HLYM and their efforts for the past 25 years is nothing short of amazing. The first stop for this year's road safety campaign was organised at the Universiti Teknologi MARA main campus in Shah Alam, Selangor, in collaboration with the Malaysia Motorcycle Scooter Dealers' Association (MMSDA).

According to Hong Leong Industries (HLI) Group Managing Director, Dato' Dr Jim Khor, "At HLI, we prioritise product safety as a key focus area in our sustainability pillar. As a subsidiary of HLI, HLYM’s Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign is core to our social responsibility in advocating and driving awareness of safe riding to our customers."

"At the same time, as a motorcycle manufacturer, we have a major role to play in promoting safe riding awareness within our communities. We hope that this campaign will inspire like-minded industry players to embark on similar programmes for their customers to enhance road safety awareness overall in the country," added Dato' Dr Jim.

Apart from organising various activities like free motorcycle checkups, free helmet trade-ins from participating partners, and even safety riding courses, over 200 authorised Yamaha Quality Service centres will offer free motorcycle service for the first 48 customers each day until the end of the campaign.

Additionally, the Yamaha Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign will conduct its university outreach efforts to several local universities in Johor, Perak, and Kedah this week. Those who participate will also stand a chance to win a brand-new Yamaha EZ115 in their lucky draw contest.

Ride safe and have a blessed Hari Raya Aidilfitri, folks!


Honda City Hatchback 2021 – Model Yang Paling Dinantikan

Selepas
Honda City Hatchback RS 2021
 diperkenalkan di Indonesia baru-baru ini, nampak gayanya tak lama lagi sampai lah tu dalam pasaran Malaysia!

Secara lazimnya, jarang lah kita nak merasa jadi antara negara terawal yang lancarkan model terbaru sesebuah jenama. Model Honda City Hatchback yang merupakan pengganti bagi
Honda Jazz
 untuk pasaran ASEAN ini telah pun diumumkan di Indonesia selepas pertama kali dilancarkan di Thailand pada November tahun lalu.

Menariknya, meskipun Indonesia yang menerima model ini berbanding Malaysia, negara yang popular dengan ayam penyet itu masih belum menerima model
Honda City sedan generasi kelima
 seperti yang ditawarkan dalam pasaran Malaysia.

Formula yang digunakan oleh model hatchback baharu keluaran Honda ini sama seperti konsep yang digunakan oleh
Toyota Vios
 dan
Toyota Yaris
. Dari segi saiznya, ia jauh lebih besar daripada
generasi terkini Honda Jazz
 yang dilancarkan di Singapura.

Dari segi luaran, rupa bentuk City Hatchback ini sama sahaja dengan Honda City sedan yang terkini dalam pasaran Malaysia. Namun oleh sebab ianya hadir dalam bentuk hatchback, ianya kelihatan lebih seksi berbanding model sedannya. Ini adalah pendapat peribadi saya yang meminati kereta hatchback.

Meskipun kelihatan hampir sama, namun bermula daripada bahagian tiang tengah hingga belakang model hatchback ini, segalanya berbeza. Secara ringkasnya, model ini berfungsi sebagai alternatif yang menawarkan 5 pintu bagi model baharu City sedan yang hadir dengan empat pintu.

Honda City Hatchback versi RS pula hadir dengan rupa lebih seksi dan agresif dengan kemasan berwana hitam pada gril, antena sirip yu, spoiler belakang, pembuka pintu, penutup cermin sisi, kemasan diffuser bumper belakang dan juga perumah lampu kabus.

Bahagian hadapannya sama sahaja seperti Honda City Sedan dimana ia menerima lampu hadapan, DRL, lampu kabus serta lampu belakang dalam bentuk LED. Selain itu, kelengkapan standard yang diberikan termasuk rim aloi 16-inci yang dibaluti tayar 185/55R16, sistem kunci pintar, cermin penapis haba serta kamera undur pelbagai sudut.

Bahagian dalaman hatchback ini menerima upholsteri gabungan kulit, baldu dan fabrik selain tempat duduk hadapan larasan manual, butang penghidup enjin, skrin infotainmen lapan-inci dengan sokongan WebLink dan Apple CarPlay, empat pembesar suara serta pendingin hawa zon tunggal. Model RS pula menerima kemasan dalaman bertemakan warna merah-hitam seperti panel kawalan pendingin hawa, benang jahitan pada roda stereng yang dibalut kulit, tombol gear dan juga panel instrumen.

Pada mulanya model ini dilancarkan di Thailand, City Hatchback ini dikuasakan oleh enjin 1.0L Turbo 3-silinder. Walau bagaimanapun, model hatchback yang diterima oleh pasaran Indonesia menggunakan enjin 1.5L Naturally Aspirated i-VTEC 4-silinder yang menjana 121PS dan 145Nm, sama seperti Honda City sedan terkini di negara ini.

Kelihatannya, negara ini juga turut bakal menerima enjin yang sama seperti Indonesia. Melepas lah nak merasa enjin 1.0L Turbo yang mampu menghasilkan 122PS dan 173Nm seperti Thailand. Harap-harap ada kejutan daripada pihak Honda untuk bawa masuk enjin turbo tersebut walaupun peluangnya tipis.

Pasaran Indonesia menerima padanan kotak gear CVT automatik Earth Dreams Honda serta 6-kelajuan manual. Adakah negara kita turut bakal menerima pilihan yang sama? Selain daripada enjin, aspek lain yang ditawarkan pada model hatchback ini di Indonesia sama sahaja dengan pasaran Thailand.

Bagi meningkatkan praktikaliti, model hatchback ini hadir dengan tempat duduk ULTRA yang ditawarkan pada Honda Jazz yang memudahkan model hatchback ini untuk membawa kargo dengan melipat rata kerusi belakang hatchback ini.

Dari segi keselamatan, kita boleh jangkakan bahawa City hatchback ini bakal menerima ciri keselamatan yang sama seperti City sedan terkini yang ditawarkan di Malaysia seperti enam beg udara, Bantuan Kestabilan Kenderaan (VSA), bantuan mula mendaki, pengingat pemakaian tali pinggang hadapan, cagak tempat duduk Isofik, dan juga empat sensor parkir belakang.

Walau bagaimanapun, model hatchback RS yang dilancarkan di Indonesia tidak mempunyai Honda Sensing serta Honda LaneWatch meskipun menjadi varian tertinggi di negara tersebut. Honda City RS di Malaysia dilengkapi
Honda Sensing
 serta Honda LaneWatch. Rugi lah kalau Honda Malaysia tak masukkan ciri ini dalam model hatchback 2021 ini sekiranya ingin dilancarkan dalam pasaran negara.

Dari segi harga, kita gunakan Thailand sebagai pengukur. Di sana, harga Honda City Hatchback bermula daripada RM81,000 sehingga RM101,000 untuk varian tertinggi. Harga yang ditawarkan pada hatchback berkenaan juga lebih tinggi berbanding harga City sedan di Thailand yang berharga daripada RM78,000 hingga RM100,000.

Ketika ini, model Honda City sedan baharu berharga daripada RM74,192 sehingga RM105,951. Jadi anda dah boleh agak-agak lah harga hatchback ini sekiranya dilancarkan di Malaysia kelak.

Adakah anda merupakan antara yang berminat dengan Honda City Hatchback 2021 ini?

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PDRM Seizes Nissan GT-R, BMW M6, AMG A 45 In Weekend Street Race Crackdown

This weekend saw PDRM spring into action, seizing a Nissan GT-R, BMW M6 and AMG A 45 in a street racing crackdown conducted by owners of fast cars on Klang Valley highways.

Looking to curb this recent trend, officers from Bukit Aman’s
traffic investigations and enforcement
 department were stationed at various ‘hotspots’ where late-night dangerous and illegal street races or top ‘speed runs’ were known to take place involving both cars and motorcycles.

Reportedly, in the very early hours of Saturday morning, September 4th, an operation saw 21 plainclothes police officers catch up with a group of drivers at the Awan Besar rest area long the Kesas Highway, where they stopped
for a smoke break
.

The offenders, four men aged between 24 and 35 years old, were arrested and their cars - two Nissan R35 GT-Rs, a W176 Mercedes-AMG A 45, and an F13 BMW M6 were temporarily seized to aid in investigations.

Separately, other officers managed to nab 8 motorcyclists for committing dangerous stunts and manoeuvres on both the Federal Highway and Grand Saga Highway, riding Yamaha Y15, Yamaha 135LC, and Yamaha Legenda 115Z motorbikes.

To ensure the safety of other road users and of the officers themselves, the squad was instructed to adhere to
a “no chase” policy
 when attempting to apprehend these individuals.

Following the documentation process at the Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, and Kajang police stations, all 12 suspects were released but were not allowed to collect their vehicles.

Deputy director of the Bukit Aman traffic investigation and enforcement department, Mohd Nadzri Hussain, said the men are currently being investigated under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987.

“The vehicles would also be sent to the Road Transport Department to ascertain if there are illegal modifications,” he added.


BMW Group Malaysia Opens New 4S Centre In Kelantan

BMW
 Group Malaysia has officially opened a new sales, service, spare parts and systems (4S) centre in Kelantan.
The new facility is called Raza Premium Auto, and is the first official representative of the BMW brand in the state of Kelantan. It is located at Lot 493 & 183, Jalan Kuala Krai, Seksyen 20, 15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan. You may contact them directly via BMW Voice at 1 800 88 3000, Raza Premium Auto at +609-744 5333.
Alan Harris, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “Being the leading premium automaker globally and locally here in Malaysia is much more than just selling and delivering cars. Instead, being committed to introducing new and relevant technologies as well as being responsible to our customers should also be a main priority. Having these values should also be a criteria of being premium.”
The new BMW 4S centre occupies a total built-up space of 7,800 square feet, and will showcase three models in the showroom, and has the capacity of four service bays, a customer lounge area, an Isetta Bar, meeting and discussion rooms, as well as the ability to offer up to three vehicles for test drives at any time.


Toyota Adds Royal Lounge Variants To Alphard/Vellfire Range – Two-Row Seats Business Class Van

The regular Toyota Alphard/Vellfire twins come with three-row seats, with either seven- or eight-seater configurations. Toyota has recently added two new accessories packages called the Royal Lounge and Royal Lounge SP, which converts a regular three-row seat Alphard/Vellfire Executive Lounge’s cabin into a two-row seat only cabin that resembles a Business Class cabin of an airplane.
Now that the vehicle has been converted into a four-seater, the two power-operated rear seats can be reclined fully into a flat bed, just like those Business Class seats on airplanes. And yes, they do come with a massager function, reading lights and you can adjust the seats in many different ways in a similar manner as you would while flying business class – albeit with a touch screen rather than a control pad.
The area vacated by the second row seats have been taken up by a refrigerator, magazine rack, and an entertainment system that included a 24-inch flat screen TV and JBL audio system.
The Royal Lounge SP variant adds a privacy glass whose opacity can be electrically adjusted to three levels – fully transparent, semi-transparent, and maximum opacity.
Curiously, the Royal Lounge and Royal Lounge SP variants are not listed on Toyota’s Japanese website. Instead, the models are parked under Toyota’s accessories brand Modellista’s website.
Prices in Japan start from 13.8 million Yen for the Royal Lounge and 15 million Yen for the Royal Lounge SP. That’s more than two times more expensive than the highest specifications Vellfire Hybrid Executive Lounge (7 million Yen)!
UMW Toyota has yet to introduce the all-new Toyota Alphard, but you can get its sportier twin, the
all-new Toyota Vellfire
 from grey importers from
RM568,000
.


Making Your Car More Efficient - Here's How

With all the talk of electric vehicles replacing our fossil fuel cars, let's try to make them more efficient to keep up with the times and perhaps for some of us our wallets too.

In the mid 1980s to 1990s, the focus of many car manufacturers was to make their cars as clean as possible. Fuel was still cheap, so it wasn't a concern if engines guzzled fuel - hence we got engines like the 13B rotary in
Mazda
's RX-7 and RX-8. But from that time onwards, there was a shifting focus on efficiency as well - which would naturally help reduce emissions as efficiency improved.

That's part of the reason why technologies like cylinder deactivation, direct-fuel injection, and variable timing and lift were developed - all in the pursuit of getting a few more kilometres out of your fuel tank. But while there isn't all that much you can do to a car that would make it more efficient from a mechanical standpoint, there are things you can still do to help with efficiency.

Get Rid Of Weight

One of the problems with newer cars is that they tend to be a lot heavier than their predecessors unless significant steps are taken by a manufacturer to help reduce that weight. That extra weight is a result of improved safety and more functionality packaged in the vehicles - for example, electric seats alone can weigh close to 100 kilograms. Taking as much unnecessary weight out of your car can help - whether that's random gym bags or shoes that you have lying around, or umbrellas and water bottles - or even the spare wheel if you're really wiling to go that far.

Make Sure Your Alignment Is Right

Did you know that when the
Toyota Gazoo Racing
 Vios Challenge took place at Sepang, many teams adapted their alignment and chassis settings to maximize speed down the front straight? The track was so wide and open that peak speed mattered the most, and getting a higher peak speed would mean keeping the tyres as straight as possible - that is, close to zero toe for lower rolling resistance. While we don't recommend it on your car, it does mean that if your alignment runs you can end up with a little less efficiency because there's a higher amount of resistance - so it's best to periodically check that everything is alright.

Pick A Tyre Meant For Efficiency

It's something that people don't really consider, but even the
tyres you have
 on your car can impact how efficient it is on fuel. The width plays a part of course - narrower tyres mean less contact with the road, which means less rolling resistance. But even the construction of the tyre and the compound may mean that energy is lost just rolling that
tyre
 along the road - and that's why a harder compound will sacrifice grip in favour of better fuel mileage.

Pump Up Your Tyres

While we can't recommend you go to extremes - though we have, in certain situations - raising your tyre pressures or at least making sure your tyres are at the right manufacturer recommended pressures will also help you improve your fuel efficiency. An underinflated tyre is a floppy one, and also tends to take more energy to turn and roll as you go about your journey. Keeping your tyres sufficiently inflated can let your car roll further and save fuel.

Try A Higher Octane Fuel

This is a bit of a tricky one because depending on how the math tallies up, a
higher octane fuel
 may cost more to run even if it gets you slightly better fuel mileage. Some cars get more efficiency on higher octane fuel because the engine doesn't need as much fuel to stay cool and reduce the risk of knocking and pinging. This even applies to cars that are designed to run on lower octane fuels like RON 95, because the chemistry and physics of combustion remains the same regardless of your engine's design.

Bonus Option: Turbocharge Your Car

We would regard this as a very controversial and nuclear option, but one you could perhaps consider if you have the budget and the means to get it done right. It's the same principle that downsized, turbocharged engines use to get away with better fuel economy and
road tax
 but it also depends on your driving style and discipline. Turbocharging your engine with the right method of tuning can yield more mid range torque and make it easier to drive at lower revs, which in turn helps you save a bit of fuel. That being said, if you're constantly forcing the turbo to spool up in order to accelerate harder, you end up wasting more fuel instead of saving it.

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

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

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CarlistBid.my
.


The 5-Door Suzuki Jimny Will Debut in Early 2023

It has been said that the Jimny 5-door will make its debut early next year, and boy, we can't wait to see it!

It's pretty safe to say that the 4th-Gen Jimny has been a runaway success, and it seems that Suzuki is not about to let that momentum die as they are about to introduce more doors to the new generation Jimny in the hope that a more practical vehicle will get them
more fans
.

Rumours have been circulating about a new-gen 5-door Jimny for ages now, but it wasn't until the recent spotting of a mule car in India that has given fans goosebumps.

The car was seen in full camouflage, but there's no mistaking that the Jimny has grown longer and now sports two extra doors at the rear. According to Autocar India, the Jimny might even be hiding a facelifted front fascia, and they reckon they will introduce it in conjunction with the debut of the 5-door Jimny.

How near? Well, according to Autocar India, the long-wheelbase Jimny will make its debut at the 2023 Indian Auto Expo early next year, and will go on sale shortly after.

The model spotted in India was also a right-hand drive model, which means we have
every right to be excited about its appearance
. Until now, the made-in-India Jimny was only manufactured in left-hand drive, but this RHD model would mean that we
do not have to rely on Suzuki Japan
 for the Jimny.

The Indian publication also speculated that the longer Jimny would be equipped with Suzuki's new K15C 1.5-litre DualJet engine, which offers a power bump and better fuel economy over the current K15B power plant.

While there might not be a lot of changes inside, we can of course expect more space at the rear as well as the boot, ready for those who need a practical and fun little 4x4 which can squeeze through tight city streets as well as handle the rough stuff.


Fuel Price Update: 19 – 25 April – No Change

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has announced new fuel prices for the next seven days and there is no change in the prices.
RON95 –
RM2.20
per litre (no change)
RON97 –
RM2.47
 per litre (no change)
Diesel –
RM2.18
 per litre (no change)


Next-Generation Honda CR-V To Be A Seven-Seater?

According to a report on
motoring.com.au
,
Honda
 could very well be developing a seven-seater version of the next-generation CR-V, alongside the current five-seater layout.
Currently, the CR-V is only available with five seats and if you’re looking for something with seven, the Honda Pilot which is specific to the American market is the closest model to feature that amount of seating.
In Australia, one of the CR-V’s rivals include the Nissan X-Trail which is offered in both a five- and seven-seater configuration. The X-Trail’s length is just slightly more than the CR-V’s (4,640mm vs 4,590mm) and features a longer wheelbase as well (2,705mm vs 2,620mm).
It has yet to be revealed if the fifth-generation
Honda CR-V
 will utilise the same wheelbase like in the X-Trail whose seating layout is more of a 5+2. We reckon fitting another row of seats into the CR-V might be a tight fit. This could push Honda into producing two different wheelbases instead to accommodate such requirements.
Would a seven-seater Honda CR-V be more attractive or is five seats more than sufficient?


2022 Lexus NX Now In Malaysia In Luxury, F-Sport Variants - From RM371k

Lexus Malaysia is officially bringing in the
all-new 2022 2nd-generation NX
 in both Luxury and F-Sport trim with prices starting from RM370,888.

The NX is the Japanese marque’s second-most compact SUV, sitting above the UX but below the
brand staple, the RX
; let’s not even mention the LX behemoth. Anyway, bookings are now open for its imminent physical arrival.

Bookings Open Now For 2022 Lexus NX

Importantly, this is due to happen prior to the end of the sales tax exemption/discount period that’s ending on June 30th, so the prices listed for both variants - the 2022 NX 250 Luxury and 2022 NX 350 F-Sport - will be revised to a higher figure and take effect on July 1st.

2022 Lexus NX 250 Luxury: RM370,888

2022 Lexus NX 350 F-Sport: RM389,888

The second-generation Lexus NX (AZ20) was first brought out in later 2021 and uses Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, making its shared underpinnings similar to
that of the Camry (XV70)
 and RAV4 (XA50). Both also arrive fully imported from Fukuoka, Japan.

Lexus NX Exterior

In terms of its exterior design, many cues here can be linked to other Lexus vehicles making the 2022 NX blend seamlessly with the rest of the line-up. Obviously, the F-Sport boasts larger wheels and generally a more aggressive aesthetic that’s also reflected inside.

Lexus NX 250 Powertrain

In Luxury trim, the NX 250 receives a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 204hp at 6,600rpm and 243Nm of torque between 4,000 and 5,000rpm. This powerplant is linked to all four wheels via Lexus’ AWD system and 8-speed automatic transmission.

2022 Lexus NX F-Sport Powertrain

Stepping up to the NX 350 F-Sport gets you a beefier engine in the form of a turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol four-pot delivering 275hp at 6,000rpm and 430Nm between 1,700rpm and 3,600rpm, though the rest of the driveline is identical to the 250: AWD and an 8-speed auto.

Lexus NX Interior

The interior is always a highlight of any Lexus and here the dashboard is dominated by a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment screen perched on the centre stack and slightly angled toward the driver with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Other highlights include a 64-colour ambient interior lighting system, an e-latch for effortless one-touch door opening, as well as a choice of Black or Dark Rose interior upholstery and trim colours. The Luxury trim does also get its own exclusive interior shade called Hazel while the F-Sport has an exclusive Flare Red option.

Lexus has very consciously tried to reduce button clutter over the outgoing NX, taking it down from 78 to 45, through the use of touch-sensitive switchgear. This frees up the remaining physical controls to only cater to frequently accessed actions and features.

Safety Features 2022 Lexus NX

On the safety front, each NX is equipped with Lexus’ Safety System Plus (LSS+) suite that includes their Pre-Collision System (PCS…or AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Adaptive High Beam, Lane Tracing Assist, Panoramic View Monitor, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Stop-And-Go.


The Lexus LF-Z Concept Is A Sweet Early Taste Of Its Electric Future

While Lexus’ rivals in Europe were
stumbling over themselves
 to bring a premium ‘ground-up’ EV to market, the Japanese automaker was, and continues to be, in no hurry. Sure, they have little oddities
such as the UX300e
, but that can’t hold a candle to the LF-Z’s lofty ambitions.

Radical as the styling is, the technology behind the car itself is firmly grounded to realistic roadmap, but more noteworthy is what this vehicle symbolises to both Lexus and its parent company Toyota, who as we all know were instrumental in the original proliferation and
popularisation of hybrid cars
 in modern automotive culture.

For one, the LF-Z Electrified is built atop an as-yet unnamed dedicated electric vehicle platform that will be shared between the two brands. There are some crossover-like elements to its design (this is 2021, after all), but the low slung profile and roofline suggests a mix between a hatchback and coupe, making known some of its performance aspirations as well.

The LF name is also an interesting choice here as this designation was previously reserved for the brand’s most coveted model, the V10-powered
LFA
. However, suggesting that this LF-Z is the conceptual progenitor to what could be a successor to that 2010 supercar might be too much of a leap.

Oddly enough, its lack of a traditional combustion engine hasn’t stopped the designers from giving it a pronounced bonnet, which flows into a fascia that seems to be a very interesting and futuristic interpretation on Lexus’ own ‘spindle grille’.

The rest of the LF-Z Electrified concept’s exterior blends sculpted curves with angular creases and a clever use of contrasting colours, telling us that there’s very much to look forward to with regard to the design of future Lexus models. At the rear, though, the concept’s most obvious visual piece here is the single-piece tail lamp incorporated with a visor-like light bar.

Also, as apparently Lexus doesn't think much of people's intelligence, they literally spell out "ELECTRIFIED" to remind everyone (but especially people in the car behind) that you're not in a combustion-powered vehicle. You know, in case it wasn't super obvious enough.

By itself, this has become a woefully derivative trope that’s been done to death on other cars, even ones that have already entered production. Luckily, Lexus has complemented it with a pair of vertical illuminators that run down the centre line. That said, we can’t imagine that roof fin being retained in the final draft.

Stepping inside the concept’s spaceship-like cabin (or cockpit as they would rather you call it) via its coupe-like pillar-less doors is another peek into what will very likely be the standard Lexus interior of the near future.

Predictably, there is almost no physical buttons or control interfaces save for a yoke-style half steering wheel and the usual pedals. Everything else is controlled via touchscreen and, presumably, a combination of voice and gesture control.

Lexus says that artificial intelligence technology will help the car predict and intuitively cater to the needs of the driver and its passengers in much the same way as a “lifestyle concierge” would by proactively providing navigation assistance and adapting to preferences communicated to it via a companion smartphone app.

Not many details are made public (yet?) about the LF-Z Electrified’s powertrain specifications, but Lexus has revealed that a 90kWh battery sits at the heart of it, feeding a powerful 540hp/700Nm single electric motor mounted on the rear axle. A new Direct4 AWD system is also fitted to selectively send drive to the front wheels as well.

Despite this unusual layout for an EV, the Lexus isn’t exactly wanting for acceleration, capable of dispatching 100km/h from rest in a claimed 3.0 seconds before hitting a 200km/h speed limiter - so, still
faster flat out than a Volvo
.

No such word on the finer points of its electric-specific platform, but range is quoted as being around 600km based on WLTP standards while supporting fast chargers up to 150kW, though estimated charging times are not disclosed.


Review: New Nissan X-Trail 2.0L Hybrid – Maintaining The Momentum

After many years of silence, the Nissan brand is all set to bounce back and make its presence felt once again in the Malaysian automotive landscape.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor, the authorised distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia announced that it will launch not one or two, but at least four new models within the next couple of years, with the sole mission of bringing the brand up to speed with its rivals, the big ‘T’ and the big ‘H’.

The new models mentioned above are none other than the new Almera, new Sylphy, a new B-segment SUV, the Leaf electric car, the new Serena Hybrid, and of course, the model we’re looking at here – the new X-Trail.

Unveiled in March, the big news with the new X-Trail is the addition of a 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid variant to the lineup, which brings the total amount of variants to four:

X-Trail 2.0L 2WD – RM133,888

X-Trail 2.0L 2WD Mid – RM145,888

X-Trail 2.5L 4WD – RM153,888

X-Trail 2.0L 2WD Hybrid – RM159,888

About a month after its first public appearance at the Malaysia Autoshow 2019, we had the opportunity to get our hands on the new flagship hybrid variant during a media test drive session from Glenmarie to the Belum Royal Rainforest in Perak.

Even though all of the variants were available, our mission for the day was to sample the new hybrid variant, see what it had to offer, and to find out if it is really worth the extra RM8,000 it asks over the 2.5L variant.

Unlike the Serena S-Hybrid which is a micro hybrid, the X-Trail here is actually a full hybrid despite having the same engine capacity, meaning that the latter can actually be driven from stationary position using only the electric motor unlike the Serena which still needs the engine. You may read more about the differences
here
.

Specifications

Engine: MR20DD 2.0L 4-cylinder petrol with Twin CVTC, direct injection

Transmission: CVT with 7-Speed Manual Mode

Max Power: 144 PS at 6,000 rpm

Max Torque: 200 Nm at 4,400 rpm

Electric Motor Output: 41 PS / 160 Nm

Fuel consumption: 6.2 litres / 100 km

Origin: Assembled in Serendah, Selangor

Exterior

At a glance, you may mistake the new X-Trail for the pre-facelift model because the updates are actually very subtle.

Only if you look closely, you will notice that the front fascia has been tweaked, featuring Nissan’s new V-Motion grille which reminds us of the Navara’s front grille.

Complementing the new grille is a redesigned bumper, new “boomerang” headlights with LED DRLs, new smoked LED combination taillights, as well as a new wheel design. Also new is the Imperial Umber colour option.

Besides these updates, everything remains the same as far as the X-Trail’s exterior is concerned.

If we are to compare its looks with its key rivals like the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5, the X-Trail does look a tad more conservative and dated because we’ve been looking at it for close to five years and it still looks somewhat the same.

There is no denying that it is still a good looking SUV, but it seems to lack the freshness some of its rivals have.

Interior

Unlike the exterior, quite a bit of development and effort has gone into the new X-Trail’s cabin. New features include a new, sportier flat-bottom steering wheel, shift lever, and soft-touch dashboard panel.

A new 7-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, Voice Recognition, as well as offline navigation is also bundled in as standard.

Besides that, an electric parking brake with Auto-Hold function is now standard across the range. Also new is the piano black trim around the air-conditioning vents which gives the cabin a slightly more premium look compared to before.

As for the hybrid variant which we tested, there is intelligent cruise control and also autonomous emergency braking features.

Unlike the other variants which actually have three rows of seats (5+2), the X-Trail Hybrid is strictly a five-seater, as the space for the third row has been compromised to fit the hybrid battery system.

Even the rear seats in the hybrid variant are different from the 2.0 and 2.5-litre variants. While the rear seats in the non-hybrid variants felt stiffer and a bit more upright, the ones in the hybrid version felt softer, and noticeably more comfortable.

Nissan has added extra NVH insulation as well in four areas (floor, rear body panel, rear wheel housing, dashboard), to make the cabin quieter and more refined than before.

As far as standard equipment is concerned, the X-Trail Hybrid here comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 airbags, ESC, around view monitor, Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, powered tailgate with foot detection, active cruise control, forward collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking among others.

Driving it

Our journey from Glenmarie to the Belum Royal Rainforest in Perak comprised a good balance of everything Malaysian roads have to offer, from uneven surfaces, potholes, silky smooth highway stretches, long corners, tight corners, mountain roads, city traffic, and everything in between.

The first thing we noticed was that the cabin is much quieter and more refined than what it was. Further complemented by the super comfortable seats, the X-Trail turned out to be quite an enjoyable vehicle to be in.

Build quality is still not as impressive as the CX-5 or the Volkswagen Tiguan, but we found the X-Trail to be more comfortable than most of its rivals, more spacious than the CX-5, and a lot quieter than the Honda CR-V. In all, the X-Trail’s interior, especially in terms of NVH, has taken a big step forward from before.

With 144 PS and 200 Nm courtesy of the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine, and the electric motor’s 41 PS and 160 Nm of torque, the X-Trail hybrid had adequate power during most driving situations, but every time we put the pedal to the floor during overtaking and accelerating, engine noise also got louder.

The infamous CVT rubber-band effect also became more apparent when we tried to drive the X-Trail hard, but never once did it lose its composure, even when we were throwing it around a few tight bends along the Gerik-Kuala Kangsar stretch.

Yes, there is still noticeable body roll as the X-Trail is a typical top-heavy SUV and the suspension setup is comfort oriented, but it can still be driven hard to a certain extent.

In town, under 40 km/h speed, the petrol engine turns off and the electric motor takes over until the battery runs out of juice. Once the engine kicks in, which you can barely feel, it feels like a typical 2.0-litre SUV.

Despite being powered by a 2.0-litre engine, the additional boost provided by the electric motor makes the X-Trail hybrid the quickest variant in the entire range.

The best part is that it also consumes the least amount of fuel. During our stint with the X-Trail hybrid, we managed to cover close to 750 km with a full tank of fuel.

One feature which took us quite some time to get used to, and bothered almost everyone who drove the X-Trail hybrid for the first time during the preview session was the model’s regenerative braking system, which had minimal brake pedal feel and required us to really step on it hard in order to stop.

Even though we got used to it over time and there was the Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking to ensure that the X-Trail hybrid stops where it should, things would’ve felt better if the regenerative braking system had more feel and felt more natural.

Conclusion

Ever since the third-gen X-Trail made its debut in 2015, it has managed to win the hearts of many Malaysians, and has proved itself to be an ideal and reliable family vehicle.

If we are to compare it with its rivals, the X-Trail is definitely not as quick as the CR-V VTEC Turbo, or as composed and enjoyable to drive as the Mazda CX-5 or the Tiguan, but where it stands out is in terms of comfort, practicality, and safety.

Now, with the facelifted version, Nissan has taken things a step further by introducing a hybrid version which is the most fuel efficient in class.

So, there is no denying that the X-Trail is definitely a better product than before.  However, knowing how competitive the SUV market has become, Nissan should’ve done more with the X-Trail’s design to make it more appealing to new customers as the model’s design has started showing signs of aging.

In all, as it is with all vehicles in our market, whether the X-Trail Hybrid is the right vehicle for you depends on what you’re looking for.

If you want power and pure driving dynamics, maybe you would want to look at a CX-5 or a CR-V, but if your priority is reliability, comfort, and fuel economy, the X-Trail Hybrid might just be the model for you.

Looking for a new Nissan? Get the best deals
here
.

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

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

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


One Man’s Horrible Experience With Buying A Used MPV – But Why Did It All Go Wrong?

Man buys second-hand MPV without due diligence, so if the car breaks down, who's fault is it?

In a serious cases of buyer’s remorse, a Johor based businessman who bought a used MPV two years ago says he will never buy another used vehicle again after suffering massive bills on repairs; almost instantly having issues as soon as he drove it out of the dealership.

The Star reports
, Md Yazid Saidi purchased a used MPV in August 2018 for RM80k realising his family needed more space during travel. However, the initial joy was short-lived as the MPV in question started having issues just two days after delivery to its new owners.

On that particular day, Saidi had planned to leave his home in Johor to pick up relatives in Batu Pahat and then make his way to Terengganu. While passing through Pahang, he had noticed engine oil leaking but continued on his journey, shortly after, the car stalled, presumably by now the engine had suffered major damage. The car was towed back to Johor where it was repaired by the dealer – as it came with a ‘6-month’ dealer warranty.

The car was handed back to Saidi roughly a month later, but yet again the MPV began having issues two months after that. It was at this point – with no warranty in place – Saidi had to fork out a claimed RM15k to repair his vehicle. Apart from the mechanical issues – Saidi had also found out that the vehicle he bought had unpaid summons from the previous owner amounting to RM1,728.

After filing claims with the Johor Baru Consumer Claims Tribunal, Saidi was offered some reprieve as the dealer in question was ordered to pay for the outstanding fines, however, there was no reimbursement for the repairs incurred for the engine repairs as they occurred after the warranty period had ended.

Saidi’s predicament could have been prevented had he been a little more sensible, it’s also worth pointing out what went wrong and how one can learn from his experience so that the same events don’t befall you. And to be fair, as the old saying goes ‘it takes two hands to clap’, hence no one party was solely responsible for the situation but a few simple steps can help eliminate these risks when buying a used car.

And it’s also worthy to note, that the reporting by The Star doesn’t paint a very conclusive picture of the series of events, so it’s best to be taken with a pinch of salt. One has to ask why was this even a news piece?

Was an inspection or in-depth diagnosis done prior to the purchase

Not very many car buyers have the mechanical expertise to judge the intrinsic condition of a used vehicle, with that said, there are simple visual observations one can conduct to ascertain if the car has been cared for properly. If not, your best bet is to conduct a proper diagnostics with a qualified mechanic or specialist of your car’s brand prior to purchase.

We can't stress this enough that having an unbiased third party to advice you on what might be wrong or needs work down the line sure helps you have peace of mind. From what we find in the report, it seems as if Saidi and his family were more excited about the prospect of purchasing a new car that they might have overlooked their own due diligence prior to purchasing.

Was the dealer less than honest, or just too eager to get the sale

Well, we make no excuses – used car dealers just want to sell cars, and there are quite a number of unscrupulous ones out there.

In this case, the dealer might have hidden crucial information if there was something indeed wrong with the car, or in giving the dealer the benefit of the doubt, not known of the car’s fault at the time.

There are two reasons we believe it might have been the latter:

Firstly, the dealer honoured the ‘6 months’ dealership warranty for repairing the vehicle. The car was even towed back at the dealer’s cost. Now whether the subsequent repairs were done to good standards or just a rushed quick fix, is anyone’s guess, but to be fair, the work was completed and the car returned.

Secondly, the owner, Saidi notes that he saw an engine oil leak and continued to drive the car, as it was still moving. Again we don’t know how much oil he saw spewing from his engine, but for an engine to stall just moments later, would lead me to think that the leak was pretty substantial – such as in the case of a damaged oil sump. Most engine or gearbox leaks are normally slow and build up over time, rarely so instantaneous that it causes engine failure. Therefore, this might not be solely the car’s fault.

In any case, this responsibility also falls on the buyer to at least stop and visually check if the car is okay, and not continue the journey if he is unsure of the condition of the car. Stopping the car when he had spotted something wrong would have surely reduced the amount of damage to the engine.

Get yourself a good aftermarket/extended warranty program

Now regardless if the used car dealer offers a ‘6 month’ in-house warranty, it is always wise to get yourself an
extended aftermarket warranty
. An extended warranty not only safeguards owners against unexpected breakdowns or system failures, but it also protects buyers against common problems that may afflict certain vehicle models, especially if these problems affect the engine, gearbox, and steering systems.

Keep in mind that we do not know what make or model the MPV in question is but an extended warranty program will first require the car to conform to the warranty provider’s strict guidelines for eligibility of coverage. Hence, whichever vehicle you buy must first be rid of any faults or issues, borne by the dealer/seller before the car can be covered and delivered.

Always check for summons

In more recent times, with improvements in the Road Transport Department's administrative systems, vehicle ownership cannot be transferred if there are outstanding summons on the vehicle. However, there are certain cases of backdated summons that surface much later on. So it is always wise to quickly run a check online before purchasing any car. This is more important when you are buying directly from a private seller, or even selling your own car. Cars sold by dealers are far less likely to have similar issues as dealers normally conduct background checks before taking on a vehicle.

To avoid cases such as Saidi's, Carlist.my has instituted several buyer protection programs in place to ensure that buyers are getting great condition cars and the best deals all at the same time. To guide buyers to used car dealers, we instituted the Trusted Dealer program; all our Trusted Dealers (look for the green 'like' symbol) are vetted for their track record and must conform to our strict guidelines to ensure quality and transparency with every transacted deal.

Our latest initiative –
Book Now Pay Later
 – ensures the deposits placed by interested customers are 100 percent guaranteed and returnable, should the deal not go through. Every listing with the
Book Now Pay Later logo
 – confirms the dealers adhere to our guidelines to protect the buyer. In addition, for a small fee, the vehicle can undergo a comprehensive inspection prior to purchase.

In times of doubt trust Carlist, don't be a Saidi!

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

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

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


BMW Shows That Joy Doesn't Have To Wait

In a rather clever ad campaign, BMW Korea indulges the dreams of a few kids- the dream to drive. A lot of us can relate to the video; the first time we got behind a wheel, whether legally or not, the feeling of apprehension, the joy of driving. In the video below, the kids try their hand at driving an F30 320d around a test circuit, not unlike the kind you might find at one of BMW's open day events.
Of course as it's revealed later on, the drive is largely an illusion: a pilot sitting in a side-car esque contraption is the one controlling the movements of the car, while an instructor radios the children to give them faux directions. Much like how a kid would mimic your steering movements as you drive, this has a very similar effect- not quite the empowerment you would expect, but then again it's not the best idea to let a kid pilot a sports sedan when they can barely reach the pedals.


New Honda Civic Updated For US Market, Now Standard With Sensing

Honda has updated the tenth-generation Civic with revised styling, a new Sport variant, and Honda Sensing across the range. The update applies to both the sedan and coupe models sold in North America.
Outside, the updated Civic models get a restyled front bumper and skirting, new headlights, and revised front and lower air intakes. The sedan also gets chrome garnish on the bottom half of the rear bumper. Selected variants of the Civic sedan also receive 18-inch alloy wheels.
Additionally, Honda has introduced a new Civic Sport variant, slotted between the LX and EX variant. The new Civic Sport features a piano black lower front fascia, side accents, and for the Sedan, an additional rear bootlid spoiler. Completing the exterior of the Civic Sport is a splitter-style rear lower bumper with a central exhaust, much like the Civic Si. The Civic Sport also receives a new infotainment system with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine paired to a 6-speed manual, with the CVT-type automatic being a cost option.
Last but not least, Honda has fitted the Honda Sensing driving assistance feature to all variants of the 2019 Civic.


Watch These Cute Hatchbacks Battle On Tsukuba Circuit

For fans of JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, watching Best Motoring is almost like a ritual, as Best Motoring is perfect at capturing the essence of the quirky Japanese car culture.
For this particular episode of Best Motoring, six of Japan’s finest race drivers got behind the wheel of six B-segment hatchbacks, including the Nissan March, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Passo, Honda Fit, Fiat 500, and Volkswagen Polo.
Yes, you read that right. They are not racing high performance cars on the Tsukuba Circuit, but adorable, little hatchbacks that people drive around every day.
As with all Best Motoring track shootouts, the starting grid is in reverse order. The quickest car in qualifying will start last. In this case it was the Volkswagen Polo.


All-New 2018 Lexus ES Makes Thai Debut - Hybrid Only, 3 Variants

Lexus Thailand has taken the wraps off the all-new ES executive saloon.
Although the model has several engines to choose from in global markets, only one option is being sold in Thailand - the ES 300h hybrid.
Under the hood, Lexus’ fourth-generation Hybrid Drive System couples an ultra-efficient, Atkinson-cycle 2.5-litre petrol engine with a lighter, more compact, and more power-dense electric motor to further reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and deliver better power and driving performance. The newly-designed compact nickel-metal hydride battery is now small enough to be placed under the rear seats, benefitting both interior space as well as a practical boot volume of 473 litres.
As a result, the combined system output of 218 hp is 13 hp more than before, and fuel consumption has improved from 20 km/l to 22 km/l. The ES 300h can also accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds.

With the new hybrid system, the all-new Lexus ES 300h emits less than 100g/km of CO2, allowing the car to be placed in a lower excise duty bracket from 16% down to 8% in Thailand.
That said, the front-wheel drive ES 300h costs 3.59 million baht in Luxury trim, while the Grand Luxury and Premium variants are sold at 3.76 million baht and 4.19 million baht respectively.


Tesla is coming, yay! But how much are you expected to pay for the cheapest model?

What's the cheapest Tesla you can buy when it comes to Malaysia? We investigate the price of the Model 3 RWD.

So there you have it, MITI has officially announced that T
esla
 is coming over to Malaysia. Just out of curiosity, we decided to investigate what would be the most affordable Tesla you can buy.

To our knowledge, the cheapest Tesla model available is the Tesla Model 3 (rear-wheel drive), which has a starting price of $42,990 USD (RM192k) in the states.

That price however only applies to people that are 15,000km away. Closer to our shores, Teslas can officially be had in Thailand, and for the Model 3,
Tesla Thailand
 has given it a price tag of 1.7 million baht (RM220k).

Right now in Malaysia Tesla's are
only available through grey importers
, and the prices for the Model 3, range from RM195k for a 2021 rear-wheel drive model, all the way up to RM370k for a 2022 long-range model.

We know these prices are somewhat a shot in the dark to estimate what prices the Tesla Model 3 would be for Malaysia, but hey, this is a good indication of what you are expected to pay if you must get your hands on a Tesla.

Considering that there will be no middleman if you were to purchase a brand-new Model 3 from Tesla Malaysia, you can probably expect it to be priced fairly, but ultimately it all depends on government EV incentives and the timing of the introduction of Tesla vehicles.

Quick Specs: Tesla Model 3 RWD

Battery Size: 54kWh (50kWh usable)

Range: 380km (WLTP)

Charging time: 10% to 80% in 30 minutes with 120kW charger, 9 hours with 7kW home charger

Acceleration: 0-100km/h - 6.1 secs


Volvo Ambitious For S90 Spin Offs, Hints At A Sleek Coupe And Drop-Top

A lot of eyes are on
Volvo
 at the moment, perhaps more so in Malaysia. Their second-generation flagship SUV, the
XC90
,
made its local debut
 a mere few days ago, and their
all-new S90
sedan had its international unveil.
From all we currently know about how Volvo plans their rollout, they have historically been quick to follow a sedan with a wagon - what the company is known for producing, and doing so quite well. And indeed a
V90 did make an appearance
 alongside the
leaked scale models of an S90
 seen in China after first seeing it semi-previewed in 2014’s Volvo Concept Estate.
This we expected. But what we did not quite foresee was the confirmation (or at least, a non-denial) of their plans to further their “90 cluster” range (S90, V90…) with the inclusion of a coupe version.
The news was revealed during the S90 reveal event in Volvo’s headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden where, while speaking to AutoExpress, Volvo’s SVP of design, Thomas Ingenlath, spoke about how a coupe was definite possibility, but that it could take a little longer, adding that a car that would very closely resemble 2013’s stunning Volvo Concept Coupe (pictured up top and down below) would arrive around 2020.
Ingenlath said: “First we’ll roll out the 90 cluster, then we’ll roll out the 60 cluster. Then even that new (all-electric) product – and as everyone knows by now, an XC40 as well. All this we want to manage within a four-year period.”
He then added: “The flexibility of SPA would easily allow for something like a coupe. When you talk about S-Class, we need to look at S90 and its competitors. That is as big as Volvo can go.”
We’re not sure if that car would spawn some hotter Polestar versions, although that would be a very interesting but also realistic development. After all, should a coupe version of the S90 were to take production form, it would likely go up against the
BMW

6 Series
 coupe,
Audi

A5
 coupe, or
Mercedes-Benz

E-Class
 Coupe. While no powetrain details were disclosed or even hinted at, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine Volvo choosing its 406hp T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid to slot into it.
Perhaps following a two-door coupe, a drop top version of that would follow suit, succeeding Volvo C70. In any case, a sleek coupe with the S90’s looks does seem promising, even if we’ll have to wait a few more years to see it in the material world.


Toyota Fields Malaysian Representative For Thailand Super Endurance 600 Race

Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia has selected Vios Challenge race driver Mark Darwin to represent Malaysia at the upcoming Thailand Super Endurance 600 (minute) race.
Darwin will join other drivers from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand under the Team Asia banner and drive a specially prepared Toyota Corolla Altis for the endurance race.
The endurance race takes place between 14th to 16th December at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand and race forms part of Toyota’s initiative to develop budding talent in the region by offering drivers greater opportunities to participate in the international arena.
Following the selection in Kuala Lumpur, Darwin left for Thailand to undergo a four-day intensive training stint at the Bira and Buriram circuits.
Darwin will return to the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Racing Festival at MAEPS, Serdang this weekend where he will be looking to break Tengku Djan’s domination in the
Vios Challenge series
.


Review: 2016 Volvo V40 T5 Drive-E – The Undercover GTI

In the early days of Malaysia, social norms of that era meant that very often people buy cars that speaks of their profession.
The capitalist businessman would choose a Mercedes-Benz while the hedonistic tin miner’s son would drive an Alfa Romeo. Meanwhile, those whose job is to heal the sick, design bridges to connect rural areas, and those uphold justice, mostly drive a Volvo for no other brand came close to marrying premium image with egalitarian values.
After all, this was the brand who gave away the rights to a three-point seat belt design patent – the single most important automotive safety device ever invented - for free simply because that was the right thing to do.
And that was the narrative that dominated Volvo’s heritage, both for better and for worse. For the better because it shows what a good guy Volvo was, for the worse because there’s only so many times that you can remind the world of your generosity.
The narrative of Volvo’s egalitarian values often overshadowed Volvo’s long history with ridiculously fast cars.
In truth, slightly over 35 years ago Volvo produced the world’s fastest wagon – the 240 Turbo Estate. With 155 hp, the Volvo wagon was the Audi RS6 of its time, and could go from 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds. Sounds rather pedestrian? Remember that a Ferrari 308 GTB of that era made just 255 hp and had a 0-96 km/h time of 7.3 seconds.
In Europe, the 240 Turbo sedan dominated both the Group A European Touring Car Championship and German Touring Car Championship (DTM), walking over BMW 323i and Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V. It would be half a decade before BMW responded with the M3.
Dubbed ‘flying bricks’ within the motorsports scene, Volvo continued to make fast Volvos up until the 850 era, and then the ‘flying bricks’ hit an economic brick wall. The company lost nearly two decades of progress under Ford’s ownership, and would not recover until China’s Geely came in.
Now, Volvo is a company on a mission eager to regain its lost ground. Forget about the safety conscious image, teak wood-lined showrooms and sofa-like riding cars – yes those are still part of Volvo, but the company is now more Viking and less Abba.
The ridiculously powerful 407 hp
all-new XC90
 (more than the 333 hp Audi Q7 and 313 hp BMW X5 xDrive40e) is a glimpse of what Volvo can do when given a free reign.
At the same time, it would still take some years before the Drive-E engines and Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA), both are gems of Swedish engineering, will be rolled out across the Volvo range.
Which brings us to the V40 seen here. Debuting in 2012, it’s the last vestige of Volvo’s Ford parentage, and therefore the last to be renewed with SPA tech. An all-new SPA platform V40 will not emerge until sometime around 2019.
As a stop-gap measure, Volvo has updated its current V40, which shares the same underpinnings as the
Ford Focus
, with an all-new Drive-E engine and transmission.
What is it?
The new V40 T5 Drive-E is a premium hatchback that competes against the
Mercedes-Benz A-Clas
s,
BMW 1 Series
, and
Volkswagen Golf GTI
.
It replaces the previous 2.0-litre turbocharged five-cylinder
Volvo V40 T5
, which despite having one more cylinder, produced 32 hp less. The 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder V40 T4 has also been discontinued.
Specifications for Volvo V40 T5 Drive-E
Price: RM180,888 without insurance
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 245 hp at 5,500 rpm
Torque: 350 Nm at 1,500 – 4,800 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters
Safety: Seven airbags, electronic stability and traction control, reverse camera, rear-cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring system, autonomous emergency braking (City Safe)
Origin: Locally assembled in Shah Alam
Claimed fuel consumption: 6.1-litre/100 km (combined)
What’s New
This new 245 hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo Drive-E engine replaces the previous T5’s 213 hp five-cylinder unit.
The previous five-cylinder T5’s six-speed torque converter automatic transmission has also been replaced with an 8-speed unit.
The new fuel sipping Drive-E engine also qualifies for tax rebates under Malaysia’s
Energy Efficient Vehicle
 (EEV) program for locally-assembled vehicles. Thus explains the lower RM180,888 price (excluding insurance).
On the outside, there’s nothing to distinguish the previous model from the new.
Inside, the only upgrade is a pair of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel to work the new 8-speed automatic transmission.
Exterior
Our test car is fitted with three R-Design accessories – 17-inch Ixion wheels, rear diffuser and chrome exhaust tips, available for purchase from your Volvo dealer.
The full R-Design package will set you back RM18,640, inclusive of installation charges. It buys the following:
R-Design door mirror cover
R-Design diffuser
Ixion 17-inch wheels
R-Design round end-pipes
R-Design sport steering wheel
R-Design sport pedals
R-Design Exterior Styling which includes: side and rear deflectors and a roof spoiler
Some overseas markets get the privilege of having the new ‘Thor Hammer’ headlamps (similar light pattern as the all-new XC90) in their V40s, but that’s not yet available for our locally assembled V40.
Interior
Inside, the V40 is still like any pre-SPA era Volvo, which is not very flattering. Drivers who are new to Volvo will need a longer time to adapt to the controls for the air-conditioning, Bluetooth telephony and infotainment. This is not to say that it’s not user-friendly, but it’s just not as good as the full touchscreen solution used in the all-new XC90, or the single rotary knob control used by Mazda, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The world has progressed a lot since the ‘floating centre stack’ made its debut in the second generation S40 more than 10 years ago.
On the upside, the fully digital instrument cluster is still one of the most user friendly. It might not be very apparent at a glance, but its simplicity pays dividends in reduced fatigue on long distance drives at night.
Rather than relying on your brain to subconsciously filter out information that are not important, the V40’s instruments panel can be setup to show only what’s important. The virtual needle pointer highlights only the numbers immediately around it, while dimming out others, just like in the latest G12 BMW 7 Series.
The air-conditioning system is one of the most sophisticated installed on a passenger car. Its wide array of air quality sensors rival systems used in a surgical theatre. Owners who are asthmatic or have family members with respiratory illness should definitely consider the V40.
If the vehicle is parked for a long time, and the system determined that the air quality inside the car is poor, the blower automatically activates when a door is opened to fill the cabin with fresh air.
The Intelligent Air Quality System is designed to filter out fine particles, hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides and ground-level ozone. It’s the best cabin to be in whenever haze envelopes our skies.
Like many European hatchbacks in its class, reverse camera is not an option – European automakers have trouble understanding why anyone need reverse camera for a compact car. Personally, I have no issue as the visual graphics and audio parking aid works just as well. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function (below) is particularly useful when reversing out onto a main street.
Legroom in the rear is rather tight, as are headroom, not as spacious a similarly priced Golf GTI, but it’s much better than either the BMW 1 Series or Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Cabin materials are typical Volvo – solid materials that feels like they will survive many years of hard usage, surrounded by thick and heavy doors that feels strong enough to protect a Viking.
The decently-sized boot has a two-tier floor. Flip up the floorboard, and three utility hooks appear. Perfect for the grocery run.
Driving experience
With 245 hp and 350 Nm on tap, nobody will expect the V40 T5 Drive-E to be slow. On paper, it’s significantly more powerful than a Volkswagen Golf GTI – 25 hp more (torque values are identical), and 37 hp more than the Mercedes-Benz A250. Never mind about the all-show-but-no-go 122 hp Mercedes-Benz A180 or even the 177 hp BMW 120i.
But that doesn’t quite tell the whole story because the V40 is also the heaviest of the lot, tipping the scales at 1,525 kg. If there’s any consolation to the extra weight, the V40, despite its age, is still the safest car ever tested by Euro NCAP.
The steering wheel feels a bit too light but that’s easily fixed by going through the vehicle settings menu. Medium was comfortable enough for city driving, while still maintaining sufficient heft to inspire confidence. The highest ‘Hard’ setting is necessary when you are feeling playful.
Like many turbocharged European engines tuned for optimal fuel economy, the V40 T5 can be a tad too jerky in stop-go traffic. The 8-speed automatic transmission’s lock-up clutch is rather eager in engaging but it’s certainly much better than the jerky dual-clutch unit that was fitted in the previous T4 variant.
On the upside, the engine idle start-stop function is quite smooth, smoother than the one used in the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the switch to disable it is located in a more user-friendly position.
Out in the open roads, the V40 does well to cope at high speeds. Hatchbacks, with its one-box body, are inherently prone to road noise, especially in the rear, but the V40’s cabin is quiet enough for relaxed long distance drives.
There are a pair of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, but the transmission responds fast enough, especially when it’s slotted into S mode that there are hardly ever needed even when driving on mountainous stretches.
Peel off the highway to chase the tarmac dragon’s tail, and the V40 shines through. Without the benefit of those electronic trick differentials that Volkswagen fits into the Golf GTI, the V40 is slower when pulling out of corners but more rewarding.
You can’t dive and push your way out of corners in a point-and-shoot manner like in the Golf GTI, but the V40 rewards old-school talent.
Pitch it under trail braking, find the grip in the front axle, you feel the body dips and roll and you need to compensate for the reduced feedback due to the built-in torque-steer compensation geometry in the steering wheel. Like in the
S60 T6 Drive-E
, the V40 T5’s steering wheel can feel rather numb when you are accelerating away from a corner.
Blasting through countryside roads, V40 dips and rises along with the road. It’s slightly more pliant suspension makes it easier to judge the vehicle’s on-limit behaviour compared to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which relies on complex electronic hardware to sort things out, with the driver only in for the ride.
Despite its weight, out in the real world, the V40 T5 feels properly fast enough for anyone looking for an exhilarating drive rather than chasing the stopwatch.
It’s not quite as engaging for the superbly agile BMW 118i, but it’s definitely a lot better than the similarly priced but asthmatic Mercedes-Benz A180.
Ride Comfort
As with many recent Volvos, the V40 rides firm but not harsh. Fans of Volvos of yore might miss the sofa-like ride qualities of earlier Volvos but the trend these days is to move towards firm but controlled damping.
Despite the 17-inch 45-series tyres, the V40 T5 is actually quite easy to live with every day. It’s definitely a lot easier to live with than a Mercedes-Benz A-Class or a non-DCC equipped Golf GTI.
Economy
Across a distance of nearly 250 km, mostly done in urban areas including many hours spent in rush hour traffic, the V40 T5 delivered an average fuel consumption of 9.4-litre/100 km.
It’s within the range of what one would expect from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, but once you are reminded that the engine produces 245 hp, the Drive-E engine is remarkably economical in the real world.
Like all cars distributed by Volvo Car Malaysia, the V40 T5 Drive-E comes with 5-year warranty.
Conclusion
Objectively, the Volvo has almost every facet covered. It’s among the best looking hatchbacks on sale, it’s practical, its safety credentials are beyond comparison, it’s competitively priced, but the ultimate question remains - do you really want to pay nearly RM180k for this when you can get either a
BMW 118i
 for less, or a
Mercedes-Benz A180
 for slightly more money?
Yes, the A180 is frustratingly slow and is terribly uncomfortable, and offers less space than even a Perodua Myvi. The 118i drives a lot better but is just as cramped inside.
But ultimately, we all know that most buyers in this segment are brand snobs. The V40 T5 Drive-E is highly recommended but the allure of either the BMW or Mercedes-Benz badge is hard to deny, never mind if the Volvo is actually the better car overall.
While the V40's interior space is better than either the 1 Series or a A-Class, significant improvements are still needed as neither of its German peers are a good benchmark when it comes to cabin space, especially not in this part of the world where the Honda Jazz rules the hatchback kingdom.
Besides, young families looking for practicality and interior space will settle for an SUV/crossover, and won’t even be looking at a hatchback in the first place.
For the select few who are able to see beyond the badge, the V40 T5 Drive-E offers the same level of exhilarating drive as the Golf GTI (though still not quite as fun as the 118i) but minus the ‘Maybe he hasn’t quite grown up yet’ impression that every Golf GTI owner who holds a corporate level position gets from his peers.
The Volvo also offers the most horsepower for the least money. It’s a performance hatchback for those who prefer to keep their big stick hidden inside their pants.


How To Avoid Being Killed By Your Own Airbags

After the seat belt, the airbag is one of the most crucial passive safety innovations in automotive history.
According to data sourced from the
United States Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
, the National Highway Transport Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that:
as of 2013, 39,886 lives have been saved by frontal airbags
a frontal airbag and correct seat belt usage reduces risk of death by 51 percent in a crash
as of 2012, 2,252 lives have been saved by side airbags
Yet, as the travails of the
Takata fiasco
 have taught us, the airbag is not infallible. The airbag’s effectiveness in a crash is highly dependent not only upon it not being faulty, but also on occupants being properly seated and belted during the crash.
We often see the deployment process of an airbag in videos of crash tests. In these slowed down playbacks, they look innocuous enough, but here’s a factoid to bear in mind, airbags deploy at speeds up to 320km/h. The newer ones are slower, but they still come at you no slower than 200km/h. Let that sink for a bit.
The idea behind this lightning quick deployment speed is because a crash happens in a split second, and the airbag has that split second to transform that empty space in front of you into a fully-inflated air cushion. The flip side, of course, is that the force required to deploy the airbag at that speed can severely hurt someone – decapitate an infant, even.
Be mindful too, that airbags are susceptible to unintended deployment. A sufficiently severe undercarriage impact when going over a pothole, bump, or divider can trigger the airbag sensor.
If the above has caught your attention, read on. Airbags are meant to save lives, but their effectiveness is highly dependent on proper usage. Not that we wish you’d need it, but here are some tips to ensure that during crunch time, your airbag saves your life instead of ending it.
Proper seating position. The most basic chapter of any driving lesson - the correct seating position gives your limbs best possible leverage when controlling your car. In the case of an airbag-equipped vehicle, the correct seating position ensures that the airbag has enough room to deploy without hurting you in the process.
Belt up, everybody, including those seated at the back. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving slowly or only around the neighbourhood. You can’t legislate for the behaviour of other drivers. Just remember, an airbag can kill an unbelted occupant.
Get rid of those seat belt clippers. We don't know why such things are even allowed on the market, but all they do is stop the seat belts from doing their jobs. Of course, if you're in the mood to lose your life, go right ahead.
For pregnant women: Ensure you are strapped to a three-point seat belt. Ensure that the lap belt crosses your body below your belly.
No objects on the dashboard. In the event of a collision, loose objects on the dashboard become dangerous projectiles; when propelled by the force of an airbag, they are outright deadly.
Child seats at the rear. If you absolutely have to put the child seat in front, deactivate the front passenger airbag. Of course, no holding your child on your lap with the vehicle on the move, please.
Avoid resting your head close to areas where airbags deploy. Watch out for that ‘SRS Airbag’ label.
Avoid using coat hangers for vehicles with side/curtain airbags. Yes, inconvenient, we know, but your coat hanger poses severe injury risk when the side/curtain airbags deploy.
Lastly, if your vehicle is equipped with airbag modules supplied by Takata, please contact an authorized service centre of your brand immediately to check if it is part of the ongoing Takata airbag recall.


Get To Know The New CEO Of Proton – Dr Li Chunrong

Towards the end of what was a lengthy and insightful press conference, punctuated by pressing questions about his mid- and long-term plans for Proton and brand of leadership that he will bring to the table.
Dr. Li Chunrong, the first Non-Malaysian CEO of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (PONSB), perhaps feeling like he’s already answered the same question before paused mid-statement and with a slightly louder tone, “I think many of you are thinking, how about this guy, can he succeed?”
He then adds, “Yesterday, I told my boss(es) Dato Seri (Syed Faisal) and Daniel (Donghui) Li, could you please give us management support, if you can give us support, we are more confident we can succeed,”
He proceeds to look in the direction of his bosses, seated to the right of him, “So, Let me pass this request (on) to Dato Seri and Daniel Li.”
At this point, it is worthy to note, that Dr. Li Chunrong had joined Geely roughly one month prior, and was parachuted to Proton, just four days before the
press event
 that officially tied the fortunes (and management strategies) of both Proton and the Zheijiang Geely group.
It was a profound moment, in my opinion, watching the man revert to a very basic yet bold approach, unafraid to speak his mind and ask the right questions to the right people. Fortitude that the company could very well benefit from.
Dr. Li graduated from Huazhong University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Electrical Automation, followed by a Master of Industrial Engineering and Management. He then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA to complete a second Master’s degree in Business Administration. After his second Masters, he went back to his former institution where he finally obtained a Ph.D. of Management Engineering.
After completing his first Master’s, Dr. Li started his career with state-owned Dongfeng Motor Corporation in 1987.
In 1997, he was promoted to Deputy Director of the Board Secretary’s Office, where he served as an assistant to the CEO. During his tenure, Dr. Li was at the forefront of every business that the company was involved in, including overseeing the development of six different joint ventures with international brands, including PSA (Peugeot), Honda, Nissan, Kia, Cummins and Dongfeng’s own range of self-developed brands.
He served for five years before joining as Executive Vice President of Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motors in 2002, a joint venture between Dongfeng, Yueda Group, and Kia Motors.
In 2007, he became Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and CEO of Dongfeng Passenger Vehicle Company, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Group, of which Dr. Li was tasked with starting up. His efforts were crucial in establishing the company’s design, branding, development, and production systems before sales and operations commenced in 2009. Last year, Dongfeng produced over 150k cars, a 50 percent increase from 2015.
Dr. Li then served as Board Director and Executive Vice President of Dongfeng Honda Engine Company before being handpicked by DRB-Hicom Berhad and Geely Holdings to spearhead Proton transformation.
He officially starts work today as CEO of PONSB as it has come to be known.
Acknowledging that selling cars in China might be rather different than selling cars in Malaysia, he is quick to point out, that his main strategy involves first understanding the mindset of the average Malaysian car buyer and improving the after sales experience for existing owners.
He plans to outline a roadmap within 10 weeks, that focusses on eight key aspects on Proton's revitalisation as a brand. This was elaborated in brief to include its R&D efforts and improvements in the supply and value chain.
As far as first impressions go, Dr. Li seems like the right guy for the job.


Di Antara Dua Minda: Proton X50 Premium Atau Flagship?

Proton X50 - kereta nasional kita yang boleh dikatakan setakat ini kereta yang paling dinanti-nantikan, yang paling digembar-gemburkan sejak Proton Saga. Sebuah kereta SUV kompak dari B-segmen yang jujurnya telah menaikkan status dan keinginan orang ramai daripada jenama tanah air ini. Sokong?

Bagi anda yang sudah menerima Proton X50 anda, tahniah kita ucapkan, setakat nie amacam, syok tak? Bagi anda yang dah test-drive dan mungkin masih tertanya-tanya sama ada nak memilih antara varian Premium atau Flagship, ah artikel ini untuk anda, kita kupas satu-persatu perbezaan di antara Proton X50 Premium dan Flagship.

Harga:

Proton X50 Premium: RM93,200 di atas jalan tanpa insurans, dengan diskaun SST

Proton X50 Flagship: RM103,300 di atas jalan tanpa insurans, dengan diskaun SST

Enjin:

Proton X50 Premium: 1.5 liter turbocharged, 3 silinder, multi-point injection yang menghasilkan 147 hp pada 5,500 rpm dan 226 Nm tork dari 1,500 ke 4,000 rpm

Proton X50 Flagship: 1.5 liter turbocharged, 3 silinder, direct injection yang menghasilkan 174 hp pada 5,000 rpm dan 255 Nm tork dari 1,500 ke 4,000 rpm

Perbezaan 27 hp dan 29 Nm tork dari X50 Premium ke Flagship. Sikit ke banyak? Itu, tepuk dada tanya selera. Bagi kami, perbezaan di atas jalan raya tidak besar mahupun ketara, yang pasti tork cukup tidak kira varian mana yang korang pilih. Ini SUV ye, bukan kereta perang!

Kedua-dua varian X50 di atas dilengkapi dengan transmisi dual-klac (DCT) 7-kelajuan dengan mod manual. Konfigurasi pacuan roda depan (FWD) yang boleh dihidupkan secara jarak jauh. Omputih kata engine remote start.

Luaran:

Perbezaan paling ketara di sini di antara varian Premium dan Flagship ialah kombinasi dwi-tona pada bumbung dan juga cermin sisi bagi varian Flagship. Tidak lupa juga lencana TGDi yang tersergam gah pada Proton X50 Flagship anda. Varian Flagship juga dilengkapi dengan bilah pengelap cermin automatik.

Dalaman:

Pada bahagian dalaman pula, perbezaan pertama yang akan menarik mata anda semestinya bumbung matahari panoramik yang hanya didapati pada varian Flagship. Bumbung matahari panoramik ini juga dilengkapi penutup automatik yang cukup tebal untuk menghalang sinar terik cahaya matahari Kalau ada anak kecil, takyah bimbang, dia takkan cair. Satu lagi ciri menarik pada varian Flagship X50 ialah cermin pandang belakang yang auto-kelam.

Keselamatan:

Kuat didebatkan namun ramai yang masih tertanya-tanya sama ada perlu ke sebenarnya sistem ADAS nie?

Pertama sekali, jom kita senaraikan dulu sistem apakah yang dirangkumi ADAS:

Amaran Pelanggaran Hadapan dengan Brek Kecemasan Sendiri (AEB)

Kawalan Kelajuan Adaptif dengan fungsi Stop and Go (ACC)

Kawalan Pelayaran Pintar (ICC)

Bantuan Kekal Lorong Aktif (LKA)

Amaran Titik Buta (BSD)

Amaran Keluar Laluan (LDW)

Amaran Pelanggaran Depan (FCW)

Bantuan Parkir Auto (APA)

Saya tak pasti mengenai awak tetapi bagi saya fungsi Kawalan Pelayaran Pintar ialah sebuah sistem yang akan memainkan peranan penting kepada pemanduan saya terutama sekali di kawasan bandar. Bayangkan ketika kesesakan lalu lintas anda hanya perlu mengaktifkannya dan ia akan mengikuti kereta di depan ada pada jarak yang selamat, berhenti ketika kereta di depan berhenti dan kemudian berjalan kembali ketika kereta di depan menyambung perjalanannya. Mana tak relak kak?!

Sistem AEB ibaratkan menyediakan payung sebelum hujan. Sebaik mungkin, kita tidak ingin menggunakannya kerana fokus kita sepatutnya sentiasa pada kereta dan jalan di hadapan namun kadang-kadang kecuaian boleh berlaku.

Amaran Titik Buta sudahpun menjadi sistem yang ‘mainstream’ sekarang ini, jadi baguslah X50 pun dilengkapi dengannya.

Tiba kita ke soalan paling genting? Varian Flagship atau Premium? Berbaloikah penambahan RM10,100 dari Premium ke Flagship? Jawapan kepada soalan itu hanya korang yang tahu, hanya anda yang boleh jawab.

Walaubagaimanapun jika soalan ini ditujukan kepada si penulis, jawapan dia Flagship kerana sistem ADAS. Ianya sebuah sistem yang boleh membantu kita menikmati pemanduan X50 ini secara lebih, ia akan menyenangkan kita ketika memandu di bandar mahupun lebuhraya, parking pun lebih senang.

Apapun pilihan anda sekalian, ternyata Proton X50 ini telah menaik taraf kualiti pemotoran tanah air dengan harga mampu milik beserta kelengkapan dan sistem yang belum pernah kita jumpa di dalam sebuah kereta lain di dalam segmen ini tidak kiralah jenama.

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