5 Tips Untuk Elak Ditipu Oleh Bengkel Kereta – Ilmu Asas Kereta Yang Perlu Anda Tahu

Sebenarnya, tips paling berkesan untuk mengelak daripada
ditipu
 oleh mekanik di bengkel kereta adalah dengan tidak membawa kereta ke
bengkel
 langsung. Tapi kalau tak dibawa ke bengkel untuk diservis atau dibaiki, macam mana pula nak jaga kereta tersebut?

Apabila kereta anda mengalami masalah atau
rosak
, memang tiada jalan lainlah selain membawanya ke bengkel kereta. Tapi bagi sesetengah pemandu yang tidak begitu mahir dengan selok belok kereta, pasti ada yang risau bahawa mereka akan ‘diketuk’ oleh mekanik yang tidak bertanggungjawab untuk mendapatkan keuntungan berlebihan.

Tujuan artikel ini ditulis bukanlah untuk menyemai sikap buruk sangka dalam kalangan kita terhadap mekanik di bengkel, tetapi ia adalah untuk kebaikan anda sendiri supaya anda tidak akan terperangkap dalam situasi yang tidak diingini di mana anda terpaksa membelanjakan lebih wang untuk membaiki komponen yang masih elok.

Seharusnya sebagai seorang pemandu, anda tidak perlu risau tentang penipuan tersebut memandangkan bengkel merupakan tempat utama yang dikunjungi sekiranya kereta anda bermasalah. Untuk membantu anda supaya lebih yakin untuk melangkah ke bengkel kereta tanpa sebarang kerisauan, anda boleh ikuti beberapa tips berguna di bawah.

1. Teliti Job Sheet

Job sheet atau job order merupakan sehelai kertas yang menghimpunkan segala maklumat tentang komponen yang harus ditukar serta segala kerja-kerja yang perlu dilakukan pada kereta. Selepas sahaja mekanik selesai periksa kereta anda, minta job sheet tersebut dan perhatikan setiap satu komponen serta harga yang dikenakan. Minta penjelasan secara menyeluruh mengenai masalah pada kereta anda.

2. Ambil Tahu Tentang Kereta

Jika mekanik nak menipu sekalipun, mereka hanya akan sasarkan pada golongan yang tidak ambil tahu tentang kereta. Jika anda ada ilmu tentang kereta, susah juga mekanik nak perdaya anda. Sebaiknya, anda perlu mengetahui beberapa penjagaan asas kereta seperti berikut:

Minyak transmisi – untuk gearbox manual, tukar setiap 50,000 km.

Minyak Auto (Auto Transmission Fluid) – tukar setiap 30,000 km.

Fuel filter – tukar dalam 40,000 km sekali.

Oil filter – tukar sekali setiap kali anda tukar minyak enjin.

Penyejuk radiator – tukar setiap 60,000 km.

Timing belt – bergantung pada jenis kereta.

Spark plug – boleh pakai sampai 30,000 km, kalau lebih takut electrode dah nipis.

Pam air – tukar setiap kali kedua tukar timing belt, Contoh, tukar timing belt setiap 80,000 km, tukar water pump setiap 160,000 km.

Penapis udara – kena tukar setiap 20,000 km atau bersihkan saja mengikut jenis.

Minyak hitam – ada dua jenis, sintetik atau bukan sintetik. Kalau sintetik, tukar setiap 10,000 km, bukan sintetik pula 5,000km atau 3 bulan.

Cluth plate – biasanya tukar bila berlaku clutch slipping. Disarankan tukar selepas 100,000 km.

Power steering fluid – Tukar baru setiap 60,000 km.

Bateri kereta – bergantung pada jenis dan cara penggunaan, ada yang sampai 18 bulan hingga 2 tahun.

Cecair brek – ganti baru setiap 60,000 km.

3. Tanya Soalan

Selepas memerhati job sheet serta mendengar penjelasan daripada mekanik, anda disarankan untuk bertanya soalan terhadap mekanik tersebut. Tanyalah apa-apapun tentang kereta seperti apa yang rosak, apa yang menyebabkan kerosakan, apa fungsi komponen tersebut, apakah penyelesaian yang dilakukan, harga dan macam-macam lagi. Jika anda tidak tahu sebelum ini, sekurang-kurangnya kini anda dah dapat ilmu baru yang berguna di masa hadapan.

4. Tandatangan Selepas Segalanya Jelas

Tak salah untuk anda mengambil masa untuk bertanya sebelum menurunkan tandatangan anda tanda setuju untuk membenarkan proses baik pulih dilakukan. Apabila dah jelas segala-galanya dan anda berpuas hati dan faham tentang punca serta penyelesaian masalah pada kereta anda, barulah anda tandatangan job sheet tersebut. Sekurang-kurangnya, jika perkara sama berlaku dalam masa terdekat, anda boleh mempersoalkan mekanik terbabit memandangkan komponen tersebut baru sahaja ditukar dan ia direkodkan dalam job sheet sebagai rujukan.

5. Jadi Pelanggan Tetap

Cari bengkel terbaik dari segi servis dan layanan yang anda pernah pergi dan jadilah pelanggan tetap di sana. Bila anda selalu datang ke bengkel sama, sukar untuk mekanik nak tipu sebab kalau ada apa-apa masalah, anda akan datang ke bengkel tu semula dan persoalkan segalanya. Segala rekod servis juga akan diketahui dengan jelas memandangkan ia dilakukan oleh bengkel sama. Bila anda dah ambil tahu tentang kereta, sukar untuk mereka nak tipu anda.

Dengan mengikuti 5 tips yang dinyatakan, anda sedikit sebanyak telah mempersiapkan diri dengan ilmu
pengetahuan asas tentang penjagaan kereta
. Dengan ini, anda tidak akan mudah tertipu dengan taktik kotor sesetengah mekanik yang ingin menipu anda demi mendapatkan lebih keuntungan. Barulah boleh melangkah masuk ke dalam bengkel tanpa rasa risau! Kongsikan tips ini sekiranya anda rasa ia dapat membantu anda, ahli keluarga serta rakan-rakan di masa hadapan.


Anthony Loke: New Tint Regulations Announced, But..

Transport Minister Anthony Loke has announced the new tint regulations, whereby motorists can now tint their rear windshield and passenger windows as dark as they desire.
However, vehicle owners still need to comply with the front windshield and front windows tint regulation, which needs a minimum visible light transmission (VLT) of 70% and 50% , respectively.
In the past, rear windows had to allow at least 30% VLT.
Vehicle owners that intend to tint their vehicles for either security or health reasons with the darkest possible tint need permission to do so.
According to Loke, those who needs the dark tint will be charged RM 50 as a service fee for each application. On top of that RM 50 service fee is a RM 5,000 permit to fully tint all their car windows. Those who need dark tint due to health reasons are exempted from charges.
Ford Fiesta Panel Van (Legal)
With the new regulations in place, vehicle owners can potentially create a panel van out of any vehicle, be it a sedan or a hatchback, by tinting their rear windshield and windows to the darkest tint available.
Rearward visibility will be a thing of the past if owners insist on fitting on dark tints. In addition to that, motorcyclists will be another issue as vehicle owners won’t be able to see them in their blind spot.


Toyota Hilux - Made In Thailand For Japan

With production for certain models in Japan coming to a halt, what a lot of Japanese manufacturers are having to do is import them from their various other production sites the world over. The latest in this trend is the Toyota Hilux Revo, also known as the plain old Toyota Hilux over here.
This would be the first time since Toyota phased out local Hilux production within Japan and moved it over to Thailand in 2002. The demand for pickup trucks in Japan is picking up (no pun intended) as buyers are finding value in larger vehicles with higher cargo capacities.
Since August, Toyota has been importing the Hilux from Thailand and selling it in Japan for a retail price of around 3 million yen (RM 110,952),
as Bangkok Post reports
. The expected export rate for the Japanese market is roughly 300 units a month.
It also bears to remember that Japan is just 1 of 122 countries worldwide that take their Hiluxes from Thailand. Through 2016, Toyota produced 513,603 pickup trucks across 13 plants globally, and Thailand accounted for 64% of this figure.
Last week also marked a milestone for Toyota, as they had just crossed the 3 million unit threshold for exports from their Thai operations- although generally there has been a little bit of a slump for pickup truck exports given the economic instability of the Middle East (one of Toyota's larger pickup truck markets).
As for Toyota's Thailand operations, they expect to sell a healthy 265,000 units this year- an 8% increase over last year. In addition to this, sales of pickups within Oceania support the continuous production of pickups- more than enough to offset the drop in Middle East sales.


Xiaomi Bina Kilang Kereta Elektrik Di Beijing - Sasar 300,000 Unit EV Setahun

Jenama peranti terkemuka dunia,
Xiaomi
 menandatangani perjanjian kerjasama untuk membina kilang kereta elektrik di E-Town, Beijing.

Menurut CGTN, kerajaan China mengumumkan bahawa syarikat gergasi itu akan memulakan pembinaan sebuah kilang yang mampu mengeluarkan sehingga 300,000 unit kereta elektrik setahun di E-Town.

E-Town, terletak di daerah Daxing, selatan Beijing, merupakan pangkalan utama untuk industri berteknologi maju di Beijing.

Ia kini menjadi hab utama kepada industri terkemuka dalam teknologi pintar, antaranya bioteknologi, robotik dan pembuatan pintar seperti
kenderaan elektrik (EV)
.

*Kredit foto: Beijing Benz

Selain Xiaomi, E-Town turut menempatkan pengeluar kereta lain seperti Beijing Benz dan Beijing Electric Vehicle.

Unit pengeluar kereta elektrik syarikat tersebut, Xiaomi EV telah memperuntukkan 10 bilion USD untuk melancarkan unit kereta elektriknya, yang dijangka akan memasuki fasa pengeluaran menjelang 2024.

*Kredit foto: cnbc.com

Menurut Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Xiaomi, Lei Jun, walaupun baru 11 tahun dalam pasaran teknologi, Xiaomi komited dalam pembangunan EV, sejajar dengan impian China sebagai peneraju
negara bebas karbon menjelang 2050
.

Xiaomi EV akan membina kilang kereta elektriknya melalui dua fasa, selain pembinaan ibu pejabat, pejabat jualan serta pusat penyelidikan di E-Town, yang akan dipantau oleh Jawatankuasa Pentadbiran Kawasan Pembangunan Ekonomi-Teknologi Beijing.

Sebagai jenama barangan elektronik pengguna, Xiaomi memegang wawasan untuk menjadi pengeluar barangan berkualiti dengan harga yang jujur (Honest Price) agar teknologi dapat dinikmati oleh semua.

Sekiranya visi yang sama dipegang oleh unit pengeluaran kereta elektriknya, ada harapan kita akan melihat kereta Xiaomi EV dilancarkan ke pasaran dunia pada harga yang lebih mampu milik, berbanding
kereta EV premium
 di pasaran ketika ini.


Proton Aims To Be Top In Malaysia By 2027

They were the first Malaysian automaker, and they intend to return to the top spot in Malaysia in the next seven years. Can they pull it off?

It’s no surprise that Proton has been doing much better since Geely’s takeover of the company and plenty of funds have been poured into development and refreshing their line-up of vehicles. But even with that in mind, Perodua has managed to out-pace our first national car brand – and incidentally,
Proton
 intends to change that by 2027.

Even though this statement is more recent, it was a part of
Geely’s
 10-year product plan when they took over Proton back in 2017. In essence, by setting this short of a deadline, it means that Proton will have to achieve this goal with the next facelift of many of their models and other launches such as the long-awaited Proton X50.

For those who have a proper understanding of Proton’s products, it will not come as a surprise that Geely’s focus has been on improving the reliability and quality of their models. Protons have historically handled very well in addition to having some pretty exciting designs – but quality control and reliability has been a department in which they have struggled. Since Geely took over, this has definitely become less of an issue.

If we look at last year’s performance, Proton still has a long way to go as they were barely managing half of what Perodua’s total sales volume was for the year. On top of this, there is a lot of pressure to develop successors to the Iriz and Persona that can live up to the expectations of Malaysian consumers, as every model becomes a
do-or-die
 situation for Proton.

We hope that all our local industry players can achieve greater and greater heights, but in our view the biggest indicator of whether a brand has really made it comes from how many units it can shift in export markets – after all, there’s no point being a
jaguh kampung
 all over again.


Facelifted Proton Iriz Launched - From RM 36,700

Shortly after its first
public debut
 at the recent 2019 Malaysia Autoshow, Proton has officially introduced the facelifted Proton Iriz. The Iriz and Persona duo are the first pre-Geely era Proton models to receive an update under the new management.
Proton’s B-Segment hatchback has gone through a salvo of changes – 367 items have reportedly been updated – to offer better value and functionality, and take the fight to its arch-rival, the Perodua Myvi.
There are five variants in total, priced as follows:
Standard 1.3L MT: RM 36,700
Standard 1.3L CVT: RM 39,700
Executive 1.3L CVT: RM 44,700
Executive 1.6L CVT: RM 46,700
Premium 1.6L CVT: RM 50,700
All prices are on-the-road, excluding insurance.
At the front, the most notable cosmetic change is the grille trim element called the Ethereal Bow, first seen on the X70, which now crowns slimmer headlights. The front bumper has also been redesigned. At the rear, the facelifted Proton Iriz gets the same familial feature as the X70, by having the Proton script affixed to the rear tailgate trim. Likewise, the redesigned rear bumper features vertical garnish inserts, at either side of a new central strip on the lower edge of the bumper. The Iriz logo is new too.
On the inside changes are more subtle; the most notable highlight is the new analogue meter cluster with a full-colour multi-information display. There’s also a new seven-inch infotainment unit with the "Hi Proton" voice command (Premium variant only), however, unlike the X70's more advanced system that can control the sunroof, windows, and air-conditioning, the Iriz’s unit is limited to music, weather forecast, and navigation features.
Powertrains are the same as before, albeit with the CVT-type automatic gearbox tweaked for better fuel economy and response. Proton also claims that the chassis has been fettled with to deliver better braking performance and cabin refinement than before.
The 1.3-litre four-cylinder produces 95 PS at 5,750 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the larger 1.6-litre delivers 109 PS at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The sole manual variant gets a 5-speed manual, while all the other variants are equipped with a CVT-type automatic transmission.
All variants are fitted with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, ESC, Traction Control, and Hill Hold Assist. Besides the Premium 1.6L CVT variant - which receives 6 airbags - all other variants get 2 airbags. The facelifted Iriz has been conferred a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating.
The highlights of each variant are as follows:
Standard 1.3L MT
offers:
Halogen headlamps
LED taillights
14-inch alloy wheels
Shark fin antenna
2 Speakers
Two USB charging ports
Eco Drive Assist
Fabric seats
Segmented LCD Multi Info Display (MID)
Front and rear parking sensors
ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, ESC, Traction Control
Hill Hold Assist
Two airbags
Standard 1.3L CVT
adds:
Tailgate spoiler
CVT-type automatic transmission
Executive 1.3L CVT
adds:
Automatic headlamps with follow-me-home function
LED daytime running lights
15-inch two-tone alloy wheels
Keyless entry and start with remote trunk release
Seven-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity
Four speakers
TFT LCD colour Multi Info Display (MID)
Reverse camera with dynamic guide lines
Executive 1.6L CVT
adds:
1.6-litre VVT engine
Auto-folding powered side mirrors
Premium 1.6L CVT
adds:
Black-painted roof
Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel
Semi-leather seats
Rear view mirror with clear plastic bezel
Sporty gear lever
On-board 4G and Wi-Fi hotspot
"Hi Proton" command for navigation, weather, and music
Six airbags
There are five body colours to choose from: Snow White, Jet Grey, Armour Silver, Ocean Blue, and Ruby Red.
Similar to other recently-introduced Proton models, the facelifted Iriz is backed by Proton's 5-year/100,000-km warranty package.
As a value-added proposition, buyers of the facelifted Proton Iriz can enjoy these benefits:
Free 2-year road tax for the first 1,000 registered units
Free 5-year data package with 1GB month data quota (1.6L Premium only)
Interest rates from 2.93%
Free labour for 3 scheduled service appointments (up to 20,000 km)
Insurance coverage package
Click here to check out our first impressions behind the wheel of the facelifted
Proton Iriz
.
For the latest deals on Proton vehicles, click
here
.


BMW Group Malaysia Offers New Five-Year, Unlimited Warranty For All Models

Effective immediately, all
BMW
 vehicles registered from June 1
st
, 2015 onwards will benefit from a new Five Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service program.

Previously, BMW owners in Malaysia were given two-year unlimited mileage warranty and BS+RI (BMW Service + Repair Inclusive) of three years or 60,000km (whichever comes first) package.

In their latest announcement, it was confirmed that all new BMW vehicles, including the BMW M range and i8 hybrid supercar, will be offered with the new package.

Introducing the new offering from the premium automaker, Alan Harris, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said,
“At BMW, we have always made it possible for our customers to rediscover driving pleasure; from fulfilling the higest design and dynamics standards to providing our customers here with the very best opportunities to enjoy the complete premium ownership experience of a BMW vehicle.

“With the new ownership program, our valued customers will be able to further enjoy the best-in-class service for their BMWs on top of an uncompromising driving experience.”

The new five-year unlimited mileage warranty is manufacturer backed, and the program includes free scheduled service and maintenance of up to 100,000km.

However, the new warranty program is in accordance with the BMW Condition Based Service (CBS) status, which includes a service vehicle check, engine oil service, oil filter and refill quantity.

For components covered within the new program, air filters, fuel filters, micro filters, spark plugs and brake fluid are all included – front and rear brakes, inclusive of discs and pads, and windscreen wipers have been excluded.


BMW “ActiveHybrid” is No More, Its “eDrive” Plug-in Hybrids from Now on

For the foreseeable future,
BMW
 will no longer be making new ActiveHybrid variants of their model range. Instead the German car maker will be turning their attention to producing plug-in hybrid variant that carry the “eDrive” name.
According to Marco Möller, product manager of the BMW X5 with eDrive at the international press drive of the
BMW X5 xDrive40e
, BMW is moving away from the ActiveHybrid performance oriented hybrids, and BMW says that they want less performance oriented hybrids, and will instead by using downsized engines that balances power and efficiency, coupled to more powerful electric motors derived from BMW’s “i” sub-brand, to deliver a usable all-electric range and better fuel efficiency figures.
With the launch of the BMW’s first plug-in hybrid variant of their core model, the X5 xDrive40e, the company will be shifting focus onto plug-in hybrids as seen with the 740Le and 330e.
The X5 xDrive40e comes with a charging plug that allows the batteries to be charged from the mains. Fully charged, the batteries are able to provide the plug-in hybrid SUV an all-electric range of 31km, whereas its 83kW electric motor is able to propel the SUV up to 120km/h on its own. This combination of electric range and a downsized engine allows the X5 xDrive40e to boast an NEDC rated fuel consumption figure of as low as 3.3L/100km.
Florian Mume of powertrain research and development further adds that the shift towards plug-in hybrid is largely thanks in part to the improvement of battery technology as batteries are increasing in power density, thus reducing the dependency of the traditional internal combustion engine.
“We have learnt a lot about electric mobility from the ActiveHybrid series, and field trials of the all-electric MINI E and 1 Series ActiveE,” said Mume. “Thanks to the feedback from our fleet testing we were able to ascertain driver behaviour to further optimise our plug-in hybrid drivetrain.”
The ActiveHybrid series first began in 2009 with the debut of the ActiveHybrid7 and X6 ActiveHybrid. Both cars were powered by large twin-turbo V8s with electric motors that provided a significant amount of torque and motor assist, but with very limited or no all-electric range.
The ActiveHybrid line-up was further expanded with the ActiveHybrid5 in 2012 with a smaller 3-litre turbocharged inline-6 engine and better all-electric range. The ActiveHybrid series was perfected with the ActiveHybrid3 that same year with a similar powertrain, but less compromised in rear luggage space as the chassis was designed from the start to account for a battery pack.
Neither the ActiveHybrid7 nor the ActiveHybrid3 are mentioned in the variant line-up of the new 7-series and facelift 3-series range, instead the 740Le and 330e plug-in hybrid variants takes their respective places.


More BMW i Charging Stations Added In The Northern Region

BMW Group Malaysia and Tian Siang Premium Auto today unveiled four new BMW i Charging stations at The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Ipoh, and at Iconic Hotel, Bukit Mertajam.
Mr Raymond Tan, Head of Sales of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The New BMW i Charging Facilities are another step forward for us in fulfilling our commitment to electro-mobility in the country. BMW Group Malaysia has delivered close to 10,000 vehicles year-to-date, with BMW iPerformance vehicles accounting  for 56% of total deliveries.”
“Globally, Malaysia is among the top three markets for BMW plug-in hybrid vehicles deliveries. To facilitate our vision for Future Mobility, we will continuously expand the accessibility of charging facilities to our customers, particularly through our network of authorized dealerships.”
Earlier this year, BMW and Tian Siang Premium Auto opened their
 first BMW
i
 Charging station at Weil Hotel, Ipoh.
Mr Tan Ka Kin, MD of Tian Siang Premium Auto added that his dealership has delivered over 300 BMW vehicles in Perak and over 400 in Penang, of which 60% comprised of BMW iPerformance vehicles.
BMW Group Malaysia and its key dealers also added other new BMW i Charging stations in Malacca city (Hotel Equatorial Melaka and Holiday Inn Melaka by Seong Hoe Premium Motors) and in Kuching’s CityONE Megamall (by Regas Premium Auto Sarawak).
Owners of BMW iPerformance vehicles can utilize both BMW's own ChargNow service, or utilize GreenTech Malaysia's ChargEV service, which now offers more than 270 charging facilities nationwide.


All-New Suzuki Jimny On Sale In Malaysia – Yours From RM 168,000

Suzuki introduced the all-new Jimny in its home market back in July 2018, before rolling the model out to various markets across the world. Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore are amongst the countries within this region to receive the all-new Jimny via their respective official distributors.

The Japanese company exited the Malaysian market after entering a partnership with Proton a couple of years ago. However the partnership was short-lived and the only model to come out of was the Ertiga.

However, that could soon change, sort of.

Hamza Motors will be bringing in the Suzuki Jimny directly from Japan as a reconditioned model, it's not quite a new car, but it is the closest you can get to owning a somewhat new Suzuki.

According to the Facebook posts by Hamza Motors, two variants of the Suzuki Jimny will be available – a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine for the Jimny Sierra or a 660 cc turbocharged three-cylinder for the regular Jimny. Both engines can be had with a five-speed manual or four-speed auto.

In terms of pricing, the regular Suzuki Jimny will be priced at RM 168,000, while the wider Jimny Sierra will be priced at an eye-watering RM 198,000.

Credit:
Funtasticko

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All-New 2016 Hyundai Elantra Debuts In Korea

Hyundai has just taken the wraps off its all-new sixth generation Hyundai Elantra, which will be sold in Korea as the Hyundai Avante.
What is it?
The C-segment Elantra is Hyundai’s answer to the Toyota Corolla Altis, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Jetta.
Hyundai Motor is expecting sales of around 50,000 units this year in Korea, with ambitions to deliver 700,000 units globally (Korea: 110,000 / Overseas: 590,000) to customers next year.
What’s new?
The body is now 20 mm longer and 25 mm wider than the previous-generation Elantra. Its 4,570 mm length is still 50 mm shorter than the Corolla Altis, while its 1,800 mm width is 4mm more than the Corolla Altis. In terms of height, the Elantra’s 1,440 mm is 20 mm less than the Corolla Altis.
Hyundai touts a series of class-leading features in the all-new Elantra - Integrated Memory Seat (IMS), Smart Trunk which opens automatically when the Smart key-holder approaches, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
A premium eight-speaker Harman audio system is also available on some models.
There’s also air-conditioning vents in the rear and the Hyundai says the cabin’s surface is lined with soft-touch, high quality materials.
Engine and Transmission
In Korea, the Elantra (Avante) comes with three engine options – a 1.6-litre diesel VGT, a 1.6-litre GDi direct injection petrol, and Nu-series 2.0-litre MPi Atkinson. Yes, an Atkinson cycle engine, similar to the ones used inside a Toyota Prius.
The 1.6-litre GDi produces 132 PS and 161 Nm while the Nu 2.0-litre MPi Atkinson produces 149 PS and 180 Nm.
There are three transmissions options available - six-speed automatic, six-speed manual, seven-speed DCT, the latter is only available for the diesel-powered variant.
When will it be launched in Malaysia?
Currently, Hyundai is only producing left-hand drive variants of the Elantra for domestic sales ini Korea. Exports are not expected to begin until 2016.


Porsche Reveals Limited Edition 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Mayfair Edition

Ever wondered where how the
Porsche
 911 Targa got its name? The ‘Targa’ points towards Targa Florio, a legendary road endurance race held in the mountains of Sicily where Porsche have won 11 times by the final event in 1977.
In honour of this, Porsche have introduced the
911
 Targa 4S Exclusive Mayfair Edition which pays homage to the race that lead to the German carmaker to create the 911 Targa model in the first place.
Limited to just 10 units in the entire world, the Targa 4S Exclusive Mayfair Edition is built directly by Porsche Exclusive, the brand’s personalisation division that offers an extensive range of customisation options to make each purchase uniquely yours.
The car features classic details like the houndstooth pattern seats and fuchs alloy wheels while under the hood, the regular Targa 4S’ 3.8-litre flat-six engine produces 400PS and 440Nm of torque. Row through the gears well enough and you’ll get to 100km/h from a standstill in just 4.8 seconds with the PDK version accomplishing the same 0.2 seconds quicker.
In the video, past meets present when a 1972 Porsche 911 Targa is placed alongside car #1 of the 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Mayfair Edition where we can appreciate the lineage and styling cues shared between both cars. Style, heritage, and highly exclusive, is this the 911 of your dreams?


Perodua On Track To Achieve 202k Sales Target, 99k Cars Sold In 1H2017

Perodua has sold 99,700 vehicles in the first half of 2017, a slight 2.4% increase over the same period last year. The Perodua Axia was the main contributor to sales.
During the first six months of 2017, all Perodua models were segment leaders. The numbers were:
Perodua Axia - 32,600 units
Perodua Bezza - 28,300 units
Perodua Myvi - 24,000 units
Perodua Alza - 14,700 units
The company's market share was 35.1% for the first six months of the year, a slight drop from last year's 35.5%. Total industry volume (TIV) stands at 284,200 units. This was due to other aggressive sales campaigns by other car makers plus the introduction of new models.
Perodua's President and CEO Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh said, "Despite the improvement in sales, we foresee that the tighter lending guideline is still by far our greatest challenge to overcome as most of our customers are first-time buyers."
He added that the company is cautiously optimistic of achieving its sales target of 202,000 units this year, 2.462% less than last year.
As for exports, Perodua shipped 1,854 vehicles to six counties in the first six months of 2017. The company recently introduced the Bezza in Mauritius and Sri Lanka, with 8 and 79 units sold respectively.
In terms of production figures, Perodua produced 96,600 vehicles from January to June and expects to produce a total of 197,000 vehicles by year end. At the moment, Perodua's production capacity is at 70%.


LA 2017: Nissan Kicks Debuts In North America, 1.6L CVT Only

Nissan has introduced the all-new Kicks at the Los Angeles Auto Show, marking the compact SUV’s North American debut. The new Kicks will be Nissan’s sixth member in the company’s SUV and crossover lineup.
For the North American market, the Nissan Kicks will be offered in seven exterior colours, plus five two-tone combinations with black, white or orange roofs.
Inside, the Nissan Kicks gets a centrally-mounted 7.0-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The more expensive Kicks SR Premium Package adds a new Bose Personal Plus sound system with a pair of lightweight 2.5-inch Bose UltraNearfield neodymium speakers located within the Kicks' driver's seat headrest. Optionally, the Nissan Kicks can be fitted with Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM).
Other standard safety equipment include Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB ), seven airbags and RearView Monitor. The Kicks SV and Kicks SR further add Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
For the North American market, the Nissan Kicks is fitted with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that does 125 hp and 155 Nm of torque. The front-wheel drive-only Kicks is offered with an Xtronic CVT exclusively.
"Pricing for the 2018 Nissan Kicks will be announced closer to its on-sale date in spring 2018, but we are expecting to be among the most competitive in the segment," said Dan Mohnke, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing and Operations, Nissan Division U.S., Nissan North America, Inc.. "Kicks' unique combination of expressive design, excellent fuel economy, intelligent technology and advanced safety features adds up to one thing – exceptional value."
The Nissan Kicks will be available in US dealerships in June 2018.


The Porsche Taycan Proves That Electric Powertrains Aren’t The Problem

When electric cars were starting to enter the market a decade or so ago, they were met with some pretty heavy resistance from traditional car enthusiasts and the market as a whole. Let’s not talk about conspiracy theories of how oil and gas companies are trying to neuter the electric car, but rather how the market has received them.
Initial arguments against the use of electric cars usually centred on a lack of infrastructure. It’s a valid concern – after all, how can you regard an electric car as practical if it takes hours to charge and can only go 150 to 200 kilometres away from your house at a time? Eventually fast charging networks were proposed and built and it eased the ownership experience a little.
But there was still push back from traditionalists. While we can talk about any number of electric car offerings on the market, Tesla is far and away the most vocal, with a range that’s entirely electric. They also have the most vocal supporters, many of whom are also personally invested with Tesla itself (read: shareholders) so it is in their best interest to defend the brand at all costs.
Tesla has tried numerous strategies to win over a wider audience. They have long boasted about their performance figures and how they’re effectively faster than a lot of supercars (especially with the most powerful variants sporting the “Ludicrous” mode), but this has backfired in a way. Critics have pointed out over and over that Tesla vehicles can’t even make it around the famed Nurburgring without overheating and having to stop.
But even so, boasting about performance is nothing new. Unfortunately, Tesla is also the poster child for electric cars, meaning they represent the concept in a way – and in turn, hatred for Tesla has eventually become synonymous with hatred for electric cars. But as we’ve seen in the last two years, many contemporary manufacturers are stepping up and producing electric vehicles that are quite well received by critics and the public alike, and the Porsche Taycan is one such example.
So what makes the Taycan so distinctly different from the Tesla Model S? They’re both electric vehicles with large amounts of power, four doors, and luxury accoutrements. Both have to play by the same rules in terms of practicality and infrastructure requirements. This begs the question: is the problem not with electric cars, but rather with the companies making them?
Porsche has a long and storied history of making cars, sports or otherwise. They, like BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, have both the technical knowledge to design a fast, competent luxurious car, and the production experience to understand how to build it properly and efficiently. They are used to the rigours of proper research and development, so their customers don’t have to become beta testers.
Beyond this, there’s also the fact that Porsche has the cash in hand to bankroll a project like the Taycan. They also have the expertise in platform and chassis development that the underlying processes and components can be used in other up and coming Porsche electric vehicles, making for far better economies of scale. It’s the kind of thing only a full-fledged manufacturer can accomplish.
And ultimately, the most resounding case for Porsche’s success with the Taycan is that it was approached with a complete lack of arrogance. Humility in facing the great unknown, with a determination to solve it, has won many fans and made an electric Porsche an acceptable proposition. Porsche doesn’t pretend to know how to do it or claim it’s easy to execute, and they’re willing to take the time and effort to do it properly.
In the next decade or so, we are going to see a massive number of electric cars being introduced to the market, and the inherent difference between these products and those that Tesla makes is that they will be backed by companies with long-term experience. It’s the way of the future and nobody can stand in the way of progress, but how a company approaches this and how it keeps the customers in mind will ultimately determine whether they can successfully produce and sell and electric car.


GrabCar Apologises For Distasteful “Love Boobs?” Cancer Awareness Campaign

GrabCar has issued an apology over its recent breast awareness campaign, which was met with furrowed brows and heavy criticism due to the liberal use of the word “boobs” in much of its materials and public service announcements.
The campaign also had with it the hastag #GrabitBeatit, leading many to misconstrue the campaigns intentions, denouncing it as distasteful and sexist according to The Malay Mail.
The public were aghast when GrabCar, a unit of the MyTeski cab-booking service, published the message “Love boobs? So does cancer,” on its social media streams as well as offering T-shirts with the slogan.
In response to public reaction, the firm posted statement on their Twitter feed: “Breast cancer is not a trivial issue and we regret that the taglines are not reflective of the seriousness of the issue. We chose a tagline that would capture the public’s attention, because greater awareness can save lives.”
The outrage was further fueled over the internet with the publishing of a video that was endorsed by the GrabCar campaign titled “What if BOOBS don’t exist?”, with some alleging it further objectifies and unnecessarily sexualizes women as well as being counterproductive to the cause of breast cancer awareness in the context of women’s equality.
GrabCar added that the message was only meant to encourage women to be more proactive in their approach to cancer screening and self examination.
The campaign is a regional effort that is also run in MyTeksi’s other countries of operation such as Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, in addition to Malaysia. GrabCar says all proceeds will be channeled to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association.
An RM30 donation entitles one to receive a “Pink Kit” that includes white T-Shirt with the phrase “LOVE BOOBS?” adorned on the chest, badges, and an instruction card for breat self-examination.
Related Stories:
SPAD Still On The Fence On Banning Or Regulating Ride-Sharing Services
GrabCar Driver Arrested By SPAD After Springing Trap Set Up By Taxi Drivers
SPAD Enforcement Seizes Nine Uber, GrabCar Vehicles In Operation


5 Things You Should Know about the Upcoming 2020 Range Rover Evoque

After much anticipation, the all-new second-generation Range Rover Evoque is set to make its Malaysian debut within the next few weeks, and here are a few key things that we know about what’s headed our way.

1. Exterior - Same, but not the same

Even though the all-new Evoque retains its instantly recognisable silhouette, the compact SUV shares a lot of features with the Velar which we tested recently, such as the flush door handles, the slim LED headlights and taillights, as well as the bumpers.

In fact, it looks like a shorter version of the Velar when seen from certain angles. There will also be an optional R-Dynamic package with copper accents.

2. Interior – Is this an Evoque or a Velar?

The Evoque’s cabin has been completely redesigned, looking almost identical once again to the Velar, which is a good thing as it looks much more premium than what it was.

From what we can see, the all-new Evoque comes with the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system which uses a pair of 10-inch touchscreens and a 12.3-inch digital display.

3. Bigger boot

Featuring a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat, the all-new Evoque comes with 1,383-litres of maximum boot space which is 10% more than before.

4. There’s Artificial Intelligence observing you

The all-new Evoque is the first Land Rover model to feature Smart Settings, a system that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to learn the driver’s preferences and use the driver’s preference to automate comfort and driver-specific media settings throughout the drive. The system, using ‘self-learning’ technology also recognises the driver from their key fob and phone and will thereby set their seat and steering column position on approach, allowing for up to eight profiles to be registered.

After a few journeys, the Evoque even remembers the driver’s preferred temperature settings, media preferences, and commonly dialled numbers depending on the time or day of the week.

5. Latest Ingenium powertrain

Powering the all-new Range Rover Evoque will be the brand’s new Ingenium 2.0L Turbocharged petrol engine that is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Further complementing the powertrain package are features like the all-wheel drive system and Terrain Response 2 system which come as standard. Water wading depth has also improved by 100 mm to 600 mm now.

More details on pricing and variants will be announced at the launch which will be happening in early June, so watch this space for the full update.


MAA: Curbing Imports Is Regressive

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the government will be reviewing the National Automotive Policy (NAP), which according to the premier, has allowed foreign products to flood the Malaysian market.
According to Tun Dr Mahathir, the previous government’s NAP has over liberalized the country’s automotive market to the point that it has destroyed Proton.
“Over the past 10 years, the situation in the automotive industry became worse as the government did not monitor the industry and allowed any foreign brands to enter the Malaysian market, resulting in Proton losing market share as it could not compete with other car manufacturing giants overseas,” he said in Parliament.
According to a report by
The Edge Financial Daily
, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, president of Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said the premier’s plan to impose a discriminatory restriction on the imports of foreign vehicles to protect national carmakers, particularly Proton, is a move backwards.
“Imposing restrictive measures is a regressive move for the auto market. I don’t think it is right for the government to put restriction on carmakers, other than Proton, on cars being brought into the country,” Datuk Aishah told reporters after briefing with the Council of Eminent Persons yesterday.
Datuk Aishah commented that creation of NAP was the way forward, as it liberalized the automotive market allowing manufacturers to compete on a level playing field.
Thanks to the NAP that return incentives back to manufacturers, global brands such as Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda, which all operate large assembly plants here in Malaysia, have high incentive-returning local content and cannot be considered as foreign cars.
Regardless of brands and their origins, a car is considered local if it is assembled in the country, Datuk Aishah said.
Tun Dr. Mahathir has been very vocal recently on the revival of a new national car project, making it the third after pioneering Proton in 1985 and Perodua nearly 10 years later in 1994. Datuk Aishah reiterated again that the Malaysian landscape is simply too small to support another national car project.
Over the last 10 years, the Malaysian new vehicle sales or Total Industry Volume (TIV) has been an average of 606,000 units, and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of under 1 per cent . To many global brands, this figure of very low growth can be categorized as a saturated market. MAA also forecasted that in 2020, the TIV is set to be only at 609,200 units.
How about exporting this new national car to increase its scale, perhaps to ASEAN region? Unfortunately, the infrastructure (as well as policies) in Thailand and Indonesia have made these two countries the preferred choice for regional operations.
“Thailand is exporting 1.3 million cars and Indonesia is supplying more than 100,000 cars to the global market. Ever since the government created Proton in 1985, the country’s car exports have been at a mere 20,000 to 30,000 units, which are much less than our neighbouring markets,” she added. Perodua meanwhile has exported over 35,000 Myvi/Sirion models to seven overseas markets since 2006.
The creation of NAP has also led to the development of better export programmes by non-national brands. Volvo Car Malaysia exports various models made in Shah Alam to Thailand, while BMW Malaysia has plans to export their products to Vietnam and the Philippines this year. Bermaz Auto meanwhile generates good revenue from exporting their popular Mazda CX-5 to the ASEAN region.


Thailand Greenlights Mazda’s Hybrid CKD Plans

Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI) has greenlighted Mazda’s 11.48 billion baht investment application for locally-assembled hybrid vehicles.
The BoI is scheduled to have a board meeting with Mazda today, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
President of Mazda Sales Thailand, Chanchai Trakarnudomsuk said that the investment plan will include the assembly of finished hybrid vehicles and five key components: batteries, traction motors, battery management services, AC/DC converters, and inverters.
"Mazda is ready to implement the plan to become a building block for all eco-friendly vehicles. Thailand has to start producing hybrid versions before improving the local industry and marketing plug-in hybrids and battery EVs in the future," he told
BangkokPost
.
Mazda Axela Hybrid pictured
Thai motorists can expect more incentives for hybrid vehicles in the near future as the Thai government is currently working on improving the hybrid vehicle scheme to be fairer and more competitive for manufacturers.
Hiroshi Inoue, the president of Mazda Southeast Asia said, "For Thailand, Mazda is considering the country's power generation structure, 80% of which relies on fossil-based fuels, so the local market cannot support all battery EVs that will consume electricity, which would require power plants to release much more CO2 to generate power."
Mazda aims to offer EV options for all of its models by 2030. The company currently offers the Mazda 3 as a hybrid in Japan, where the 3 is known as the Axela.
Mr Inoue also added that sales in Southeast Asia is expected to increase to 200,000 units by 2023, primarily led by Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.


MCO 3.0 Roadblock On The Federal Highway - Traffic Backed Up For Hours

MCO 3.0 - PDRM earlier today set up a roadblock along the Federal Highway at the arch marking the KL-Selangor border. The four lanes were reduced to two lanes.

Picture credit: @nadiafernz on Twitter

Under this current MCO, you are not allowed to travel interdistrict except for emergencies, death or work obligations. Make sure you have all your relevant paperwork with you if it's for the latter.

According to Petaling Jaya police chief, Mohamad Fakhruddin Abdul Hamid said roadblocks will be set up throughout the MCO 3.0 period and will affect traffic from both directions.

Photo credit: @bharianmy on Twitter

In case you've been living under a rock six districts in
Selangor
 are under MCO from 6-17 May and all of
Kuala Lumpur
 is under MCO from 7-20 May.

Let's do our part and do nothing really, especially if you have no business being out and about, spare a thought for those heading out to get their vaccines, the frontliners, the Malaysians that actually have to be on-site for work. #Kitajagakita

Here's a
video
 snippet of what transpired this morning.

*Cover image credit to Salina Abdullah

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Mercedes-Benz EQS EV To Be Unveiled This July - Range Topping Variant Has 949Nm of Torque

The Mercedes-Benz EQS flagship EV has been spotted in Malaysia and it wants to let you know that July 22 is its big day.

There's no denying it, all the rave at the moment is about
all-electric cars
, and it seems that Mercedes-Benz wants you to know that it too wants to play hard in this exciting new segment.

Going around social media are pictures of a heavily disguised Mercedes-Benz EQS, which on its side writes, "Under Wraps Till July 22". Apparently, it was spotted on the East Coast Expressway.

We suppose this is Mercedes-Benz's way of telling everyone that the car has arrived on our shores and that a preview/launch is imminent.

Mercedes-Benz EQS in Malaysia!

For those unfamiliar with the EQS, the electric vehicle is inspired by the Vision EQS first unveiled in 2019. It is Mercedes' first flagship all-electric member of the new S-Class range and the flagship model of the company's EV brand, EQ. The EQS is the second model to use the EVA platform (after the EQC SUV) and can be had in a 785km
driving range
 (EQS 450+) configuration.

Initially, the EQS was offered as a rear-wheel-drive EQS 450+ variant, which is powered by a single electric motor on the rear axle producing a total of 333PS and 568Nm of torque, and the AWD EQS 580 4Matic which adds a motor on the front axle for a total power output of 532PS and 855Nm of torque.

The variants have grown quickly since then, where Mercedes now offers six different configurations, namely the EQS 350, EQS 450+, EQS 450 4Matic, EQS 500 4Matic, EQS580 4 Matic, and AMG EQS 53 4Matic+.

The base EQS 350 features a 90.6-kWh battery that is good for a  range of 638 kilometres, while all other variants feature a 107.8-kWh battery with varying outputs and range.

The German EV can be juiced up via its 11-kW onboard AC charger or the optional 22-kW add-on. As for fast charging, the sedan supports up to 200 kW of DC fast charging, which Mercedes says can provide up to 300 km of range in just 20 minutes.

The technical specs for all variants are listed down below:

EQS 350(rear motor) - 292PS/565Nm/638km of range

EQS 450+(rear motor) - 333PS/568Nm/785km of range

EQS 450 4Matic(front and rear motor) - 360PS/800Nm/685km of range

EQS 500 4Matic(front and rear motor) - 449PS/855Nm/685km of range

EQS 580 4Matic(front and rear motor) - 523PS/855Nm/676km of range

EQS 53 4Matic+(front and rear motor) - 658PS/949Nm/586km of range

We're not sure what variants Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will introduce, but it makes sense for them to
feel out the market
 by introducing the base variant and the EQS 450+, which has the highest driving range out of the lot.

We'll have to wait for July 22 to get a better idea, but who knows, they might just go all out and introduce the EQS 53 4Matic+ with nearly 1,000Nm of torque.

*All photo credits to Stephanie J Aeria


AD: Wheelcorp Premium Wants You To Drive M Performance This CNY

For the upcoming Chinese New Year, drive home with more style and presence: register a BMW 330e or BMW X5 40e and receive a BMW M Performance bodykit absolutely free.
For a limited time only, authorised BMW dealer Wheelcorp Premium will be giving out these exclusive M Performance deals, exclusive rebates, and irresistible financing rates of 0.88 percent on selected new models.
Let your BMW 330e or X5 40e stand out, with the addition of an aerodynamic front bumper splitter, aggressive side skirts, and race-inspired rear diffuser.
Customers who book any BMW model during the promotion period will also gain entry into a lucky draw competition for a chance to win some exclusive prizes, such as a white gold pendant set, Visconti La Lumiere diamond pen, or even car tinting and coating vouchers worth RM5,000.
The place to be is at Wheelcorp Premium Setia Alam, this Saturday and Sunday (19th and 20th January 2019). Alternatively, drop a line at 012-3998652 for more information.
Register your interest
here
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Volvo XC90 T8 CKD Announced – Unchanged Specs, RM50k Reduction

The second-generation Volvo XC90 created quite a storm in Malaysia when it was
launched locally last year
. Globally, it was one of
Volvo
’s most important models – replacing one of its all-time best-sellers and also playing the role of being the first vehicle to usher in the
new generation of SPA platform-based vehicles
 sporting the firm’s all-new styling language.
Positive international press coverage had already made it one of the most anticipated launches of 2015, but Volvo blew the floor away when it was announced that Malaysian buyers will be getting nothing less than the range-topping T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid variant.
Clincher, however, was the jaw-dropping price. Rewarding Volvo’s commitment to assemble this highly-advanced vehicle locally, the Malaysian Government exempted the first shipment of 100 CBU vehicles from taxes, allowing it to hit the road at RM453,888 with insurance. The allocation was fully sold out in no time, and subsequent buyers have been made to wait for the introduction of CKD units.
The wait of these buyers are about to end soon, however, as Volvo Car Malaysia has officially announced the price and specifications of the locally-assembled XC90 T8 Twin Engine, that is set to commence deliveries in July.
From the CBU model, the XC90 T8 CKD comes with no change in trim or mechanical specification, save for one minor running change detail – the incorporation of gradient-sensing in the car’s security system.
Most important change takes place on the price list, where a RM50k reduction sees the XC90 T8 now hitting the road at just RM403,888 without insurance. Putting this price into perspective, the
Audi Q7
 retails at RM590k, whilst the
BMW X5
 ranges between RM534k and RM574k. We expect, however, that the
soon-to-come X5 xDrive40e
 will match the Volvo much closer in pricing.
To recap, the XC90 T8 is powered by a 2.0-litre twincharged petrol engine which, in combination with a sophisticated hybrid system, creates net system outputs of 407hp and 640Nm, enabling this 2.3-tonne SUV to hit call up 100km/h from rest in just 5.6 seconds whilst emitting 49 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre travelled on the European test cycle. On a full charge of its traction batteries, the XC90 T8 has an estimated electric power-only cruising range of 40km. Read our review of the
XC90 T8 here
.
Commencement of the XC90 T8’s local-assembly programme is aptly timed coinciding with the 50
th
 anniversary of Volvo Car Manufacturing Malaysia’s Shah Alam plant (formerly known as Swedish Motor Assemblies). The plant is the oldest automotive assembly plant in the country and is used by Volvo to export vehicles to neighbouring countries.
The XC90 T8 is the first plug-in hybrid vehicle to be locally-assembled in Malaysia, which also becomes the first country outside Sweden to host a production site for this vehicle. The investments made by Volvo on its Shah Alam plant to improve its existing infrastructure and capabilities will undoubtedly ease the introduction of future SPA-based models from the company.


New Furious 7 Trailer Gives Us Extended Look At Plane Drop Scene

If you’re like us, you probably can’t wait for the seventh instalment of The Fast and the Furious movie franchise, aptly named Furious 7. We’ve watched the
official theatrical trailer
 almost a dozen or more times and am still amazed at the brief scene of Dominic Toretto’s crew parachuting their cars out of a military plane. Well, a new trailer has just been released and offers an extended first look at the heart-stopping scene.

It starts off with Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) a little freaked out at what is about to happen. The plane’s rear cargo hatch opens and one by one, each member of the crew reverses their car out of the plane including the late Paul Walker in a
Subaru

Impreza
. From there, the cars are in free fall except for Roman’s…

Not wanting to give any more of the scene away, watch the rest of the trailer and get hyped up for Furious 7 when it is released on April 3.


Ford and SDAC Celebrates the Year End with Attractive ‘Big Deal’ Cash Rebates Promotion

Ford and local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) today kicked off the Big Deal promotion, offering customers attractive cash rebates on selected models nationwide until 31 December 2016.
The first 200 customers who book and register a passenger vehicle by 31 December will also be rewarded with a special gift.
Cash rebates up to RM15,000 for EcoSport, and up to RM10,000 for the new Focus, Fiesta and new Everest are being offered.
Cash rebates of up to RM3,000 are available with selected Ranger purchases.
“We are excited to again be offering the Big Deal promotion for our most popular Ford nameplates, giving Malaysians an even bigger reason to buy a Ford,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.
The ‘Built Ford Tough’ Ranger pickup offers outstanding ability to wade through water up to 800mm deep, along with outstanding towing and payload capabilities. Ranger’s safety package is also unmatched, including up to six airbags and driver assistance technologies like Lane Keeping Aid and Adaptive Cruise Control. Ford’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and standard ISOFIX child safety mounts.
Combining the agility of a compact passenger car with the flexibility, water-wading capability, superior fuel economy, the EcoSport is also equipped with an array of smart features including Ford’s in-car connectivity system SYNC.
Powered by an exhilarating 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, the Focus is packed with the latest driver assist technologies like Enhanced Transitional Stability, Active City Stop, Active Park Assist system and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert.
Fiesta offers the most comprehensive safety package in its class, including up to seven airbags, and comes packed with smart technologies, including Ford’s SYNC in-car connectivity system that lets drivers make phone calls and control their in-car entertainment system hands-free, using voice commands.
The new Everest features stunning off-road and on-road capabilities, advanced technology, and refined interior comfort for up to seven people. It is also the most powerful SUV in its class and comes with segment-leading safety features, including seven airbags, and was recently awarded a maximum 5-star safety rating by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
For more information about the Big Deal promotion, please visit
www.ford.com.my/bigdeal
 or visit a Ford dealer.


Special Hari Raya Promotions from Ford

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) today announced a number of promotions for
Ford
 owners celebrating the upcoming Hari Raya festivities.
Customers can enjoy attractive cash rebates and monthly repayments for selected models nationwide from as low as RM588 for
Fiesta
, RM908 for
EcoSport
 and RM1,258 for
Kuga
 from now through July 15.
In addition, customers who book any Ford model from now through June 30 can participate in Ford’s Ramadhan Raya Lucky Draw. Five lucky winners will each walk away with a 10g gold bar, while 50 winners will receive a GPS navigation unit. To qualify, customers simply need to complete the contest entry form during the delivery process and submit it at any authorised Ford dealer nationwide.
All current Ford owners can also take advantage of the
‘Ford Riang Ria’
 aftersales promotion, running from now until July 9. Under this promotion, customers who spend RM350 or more on service and/or parts replacement at authorised Ford service centres will receive free Ford merchandise, and are eligible to enter a lucky draw to win a wide range of prizes, including an Apple iPhone 6, iPad Mini 2, and iPod Shuffle. Customers simply need to complete the contest entry form, and submit it along with their original or certified true copy tax invoice.
The company is also offering discounts of up to 20 percent on selected parts including brake and timing belt packages, 10 percent labour discounts on lubricant, brake and timing belt packages, while those who choose the ‘Fuel Saver Package’ can enjoy a 10 percent discount on oil filters.
For additional peace of mind during the festive season, customers can also opt for a free 27-point vehicle health inspection by a Ford-certified technician.
Customers who purchase and register a
Ranger
 2.2L XLT or 3.2L XLT by 30 June can also enjoy a two year or 100,000km extended warranty, under SDAC’s Extended Warranty Programme. This is in addition to the standard three years or 100,000km manufacturer’s warranty currently enjoyed by all Ford customers.
Looking for a Ford vehicle? Find one at
Carlist.my


All-New Lexus ES250 Launched In Malaysia – 2 variants, From RM299,888

Two months after it was
open for booking
, the all-new Lexus ES250 made its official Malaysian debut earlier today.

Imported from Japan, the Lexus ES250 is offered in two variants:

Lexus ES250 Premium – RM299,888

Lexus ES250 Luxury - RM332,888

Both variants share the same powertrain package, comprising a 2.5-litre VVT-iE naturally-aspirated petrol engine that is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 204 hp and 247 Nm of maximum torque.

In term of performance, both variants are capable of doing the century sprint in 9.1 seconds, and achieving a top speed of 210 km/h.

Measuring 4,975 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, and 1,445 mm in height, the Lexus ES250 is now 66 mm longer and 46 mm wider than before.  The 2,870 mm long wheelbase on the other hand, has increased by 51 mm compared to the outgoing model.

While key standard features on the ES250 Premium includes:

Bi-LED Projector headlamps with Automatic High-Beam

LED DRLs

Bulb turn signals

Smart Entry & Start System with Additional Smart Key

Moonroof

Automatic Wipers with Rain Sensor

Blind Spot Monitor

Wood Trim & Leather Upholstery

Auto Tilt & Telescopic Steering With Memory

Digital Combination Meter with 7-inch Multi Info Display

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function

2-zone air conditioning

8-inch Display Screen

NuLuxe Leather Seats

8-way power adjustable front seats

Fixed rear seats

18-inch tyres

The ES250 Luxury gets additional goodies like:

Performance Dampers

Ultra Compact 3-Beam LED Projector Headlights with Adaptive High Beam

LED Sequential turn signals

Power Assisted Bootlid with Handsfree Kick-open Function

3-zone automatic air-conditioning

Side rear door window sun shade

Semi-Aniline Leather Seats

10-way power adjustable front seats

Power reclining rear seats

Emergency Brake Signal with Side Clearance View, Cornering View, See-through View

The all-new Lexus ES range will also receive the Lexus Safety System+ advanced driver assistance package as standard, encompassing a range of features such as:

Pre-Collision System (PCS)

Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)

Lane Departure Alert (LDA)

Pre-Collision Brake Assist

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with Stop and Go

Available in 7 exterior colour options (Sonic Quartz, Platinum Silver Metallic, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Red Mica Crystal Shine, Ice Ecru Mica Metallic, Deep Blue Mica), the all-new Lexus ES250 comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

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


Zero GST, Lower Maintenance Cost For VW Vehicles

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today announced the updated
Service Pricing Guide
 of Volkswagen cars, in-line with the implementation of zero percent GST by the Malaysian government taking effect today.
According to VPCM, the service pricing guide is meant to assist owners in understanding the maintenance cost of their cars and keep them running at their best.
The Managing Director of VPCM, Erik Winter encouraged owners whose Volkswagen cars are due for their service to make an appointment at their respective service centres and to take advantage of the 0% tax holiday.
“Our commitment to our customers extends to our efforts in maintaining a strong level of transparency when it comes to owning a Volkswagen car, hence the availability of the service pricing guide,” he added.
VPCM also stated that it is continuously working on enhancing the ownership experience, and part of this initiative was the introduction of the 3-year free maintenance program in early 2018, in addition to the 5-year manufacturer’s warranty and 5-year roadside assistance offered on all Volkswagen models.


Goodyear's New Tyres Can Charge Your Cars: Meet The BH03 Concept

Making vehicles move takes a lot of effort and the whole concept of making that process more economical is basically to minimize the wastage of energy during the transfer of its stored state to its useful state of created motion. And much of that loss happens through heat transfer to the environment.
Goodyear wants to get some of that energy back - energy inadvertantly expended through the friction of contact with the road - by turning the resulting heat from your tyre's rotation into electricity. The company showed off their BH03 concept tyres at the Geneva Motor Show that they have specifically designed to generate electricity “during normal driving conditions”. This, through a tight integration with in-car electronics, can charge the onboard batteries of EVs and Hybrids while on the move with a small but constant supply of power that can yield extra range over the longer term, making a significant stride in the efficiency equation.
The BH03 uses a thermo/piezoelectric material that converts the mechanical stress into an electrical charge that works together with an “ultra black texture” to absorb as much heat and light as possible.
Goodyear also announced their Triple Tube concept (pictured above) alongside the BH03, which uses three separate tubes under the thread to dynamically alter its grip characteristics depending on the surface conditions and driver preference. Through an internal pump, air pressure would either maximize or minimize inflation at certain points in the cross section to reach one of three settings: ‘Eco/Safety’ maximizes air pressure to decrease rolling resistance, ‘Sport’ would improve grip by adding air to the inboard tube to increase the contact patch, lastly “Wet Traction” will only increase air to the center tube to improve the odds against aquaplaning.
Although these are just concepts for the moment, they aren’t so far-fetched as to seem unfeasible. There’s a good chance that we will see tires with technology along these lines fitted to cars in the near future, and Goodyear clearly wants to be its pioneer.
Video courtesy of Motor+


Porsche 718 Cayman – Now Leaner and Meaner, Coming to Malaysia End 2016

The Porsche 718 Cayman follows in the footsteps of its 718 Boxster sibling by leaning out on the cylinder count and lacing up with more power. Just weeks after the debut of the new 718 Boxster, the Cayman now joins the fray with the introduction of the 718 Cayman and Cayman S models.
The 718 Cayman in powered the same new four-cylinder flat engines with turbocharging as found in the 718 Boxster. As a result, both coupé and roadster have identical engine outputs for the first time.
The 718 Cayman gets the ball rolling with 2.0-litre flat-four, turbocharged to produce 300bhp and a torque rating of up to 380Nm available between 1,950rpm and 4,500rpm. The figures are up 25bhp and 90Nm up over the previous 981–series Porsche Cayman while the claimed (combined) NEDC fuel consumption figures now read 7.4 – 6.9 l/100 km.
The Cayman S draws power from a 2.5-litre flat-four utilising variable turbine geometry (VTG) technology (previously only available in the
Porsche 911 Turbo
) to produce a whopping 350bhp and  up to 420 Nm to the crankshaft anywhere between 1,900 and 4,500 rpm. Additionally a wastegate is used for the first time to manage steady turbo boost pressures. The 718 Cayman S’ combined fuel consumption are claimed at 8.1 – 7.3 l/100 km
When equipped with the PDK gearbox and optional Sport Chrono Package the 718 Cayman sprints from zero to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, all the way to a top speed of 275kph. The 718 Cayman S completes the century sprint in just 4.2 seconds, finally topping out at 285kph.
Further improvements have been honed in the chassis setup of the 718 Cayman, lateral rigidity and wheel tracking have been improved in the completely retuned chassis of the 718 Cayman. The springs and stabilisers have been designed to be firmer and the tuning of the shock absorbers has been revised. The rear wheels are 12.7mm wider than the predecessor and the redeveloped tyres is said to increase lateral force potential and improve dynamic cornering stability.
Driving dynamics options such as the Sport Chrono Package and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) allow for further customisation of the 718 Cayman’s driving characteristics. Add on the optional Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM) which allows for a 10mm lowering of the ride height and in the Cayman S; a 20mm lowering of the ride height for the first time. The Sport Chrono Package is controlled via a switch on the steering wheel and calls up four-different drive modes now namely “Normal”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus” and the “Individual” setting.
The braking systems in both variants have been uprated. The 718 Cayman will utilise 330mm anchors in the front and 299mm discs at the rear such as the units found on the previous (981-series) Cayman S model, while the 718 Cayman S pinches the brakes right off the Porsche 911 Carrera catalogue. Four-piston callipers now reside in the Cayman S clamping on 6mm thicker brake discs.
The appearance of the 718 Cayman has been updated with a sleeker profile all round. At the front, a sharper front fascia accentuated by slim front lights positioned above the significantly larger air intakes, now contain the parking lights and indicators. Bi-xenon headlights are integrated with LED daytime running lights while LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are available as a new option.
Round the sides, striking wings and side sills now compliment the prominent air intake ducts leading up to the rear haunches. An accent strip that runs the length between the redesigned tail-lamps form a prominent focal point round the back. The tail-lights themselves boasts ‘3D’ technology where four brake spots seemingly appear to float freely.
Inside the cabin, the upper regions of the dash panel including the air vents are new. The new sport steering wheel echoes 918 Spyder’s design while connectivity options are better than ever with the inclusion of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) as a standard feature.
The 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S is scheduled to be launched in Malaysia by the end of 2016.


The Proton X50 Now Has A Wireless Charger Option

Too lazy to carry a charging cable for your phone? Proton has the answer for you.

We'll be the first to admit that when we first heard that the Proton X50 was getting a wireless charger, two things crossed our minds: when did the
Proton X50
 become a PHEV, and how did Proton develop wireless charging technology so quickly when other automakers still haven't rolled it out to market? Of course the more sensible explanation is that the wireless charger is of the Qi type, for smart devices.

Yes, the
Proton X50
 is now offered with an optional Qi system with 10 watts of output. How much does it cost? Just RM 450 - probably the same as a Belkin unit you could find outside. The charging unit installs in the storage space below the climate controls and connects directly to the 12-volt power socket - a pretty neat solution.

It's one of the first standalone items for the Proton X50, which is rare even among other models in our market. The unit comes with a one-year warranty and can be installed in
any version of the X50
, whether you're opting for the entry level variant or the range topping direct-injection model.

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Haval Set To Open Assembly Plant In Russia By First Half Of 2019

Haval is set to open its first Russian plant in the first half of 2019. Haval is a sub-brand of Great Wall Motor Co., the largest manufacturer of SUVs and crossovers in China.
The company’s new plant is located in the Tula Oblast region of Central Russia, capable of building up to 150,000 vehicles annually. The plant was originally scheduled to start production this year, but was delayed.
According to Autonews China, the new plant will be building Haval-badged models, including the H7 and H9.
Great Wall’s exports to Russia have remained low over the past couple of years due to the country’s struggling economy and import tariffs, shipping only 1,138 vehicles to the country in the first six months of 2018 alone, a challenge which the new local plant could mitigate.
Other Chinese car manufacturers, including Chongqing Lifan and Chery Automobile suffered the same fate.


Elon Musk ABANDONED Tesla - KoGuan Leo

Some strong words have popped up regarding the infamous
Elon Musk
 and his current position as the CEO of
Tesla
.

KoGuan Leo, the third-largest individual shareholder in Tesla and also an Indonesian multi-billionaire has taken to Twitter (oh, the irony) to 'vent out' his 'frustrations' regarding the current state of Tesla as well as its current CEO, Elon Musk.

Tesla has no working CEO?

Elon abandoned Tesla and Tesla has no working CEO

Tesla needs and deserves to have working full time CEO

What Tesla BOD should do, do nothing? Elon will find his own successor under BOD independent supervision
https://t.co/AJSvij9ncP

— KoGuan Leo (@KoguanLeo)
December 14, 2022

While it is true that Elon Musk has been particularly busy since his acquisition of Twitter, it seems that his latest endeavours and antics have affected Tesla in a way that according to Reuters has stated: "frustrating investors as the company's shares wallow at over two-year lows".

Musk apparently disclosed another $3.6 billion in stock sales just last week on top of the $40 billion+ deal he used to take buy off Twitter. Meanwhile, the introduction of big discounts on Tesla models in the US last week also saw Tesla stocks dropping a further 9%, which has caused concerns for the company's investors, including KoGuan Leo.

Elon Musk to find his own Tesla successor?

*Image credit: Electrek

KoGuan Leo's Tweet stated that the company's board of directors should 'supervise' Elon Musk in finding a successor for his CEO position at Tesla. A reply by Leo to one of Tweet's comments states a further explanation on his Tweet, which goes:

"I am multi-billionaire before I invested in Tesla, will continue to be if Tesla goes to zero. I plan to invest more bc Tesla will be the biggest company with or without Elon. As his fanboy, I invested bc of Elon. Of course, I prefer Elon to be CEO but he abandoned Tesla."

There might be a chance that Tesla's BOD might order a buyback on the shares that Elon Musk has sold off. One of KoGuan Leo's latest Tweets stated that he has raised $500 million to buy an additional 3 million Tesla shares as planned.

In the meantime, Musk himself has stated that he's open to the idea of finding a CEO for Twitter after Tweeting "I will resign as CEO as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job! After that, I will just run the software & servers teams." Who knows, perhaps he'll come around to save his beloved tech company.


BMW Deletes Range Extender Option For New i3 On The Back Of Improved EV Range

When the BMW i3 was launched in 2014, it was touted as an all-electric vehicle, except that it wasn't always the case, depending on specification. Depending on specifications, the i3 was initially launched with no more than 200 km of driving range, although several upgrades have been rolled out since then.
Objectively, anything above 130 km is sufficient for most users' daily needs but range anxiety is a concern for anyone switching over from a regular petrol/diesel-powered car. This was addressed by BMW with an optional 647cc two-cylinder petrol engine lifted off a BMW scooter and installed under the i3's boot floor.
In Europe, more than 50 percent of i3 models were ordered with this range extender option, thus making the i3 a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) rather than a pure battery electric vehicle (BEV).
With the new and improved i3 models however, improved battery technology has allowed BMW to increase the new i3 (170 hp) and i3s’ (184 hp) driving range to reach up to 359 km and 345 km respectively (New European Driving Cycle).
The improved driving range now makes the range extender engine option redundant, and since November, BMW has deleted that option from its European dealers.
However, the range extender engine option will remain available for buyers in USA (70 percent of buyers tick the range extender option) and other markets where demand is still high.
Speaking to Automotive News Europe, Robert Irlinger, Head of BMW i said, “Thanks to a more powerful battery with a greater range, the take rate for the range extender dropped to 25 percent from slightly above 50 percent here in Europe with the 60-amp-hour i3. We believe that with the 120-amp-hour version it will fall further. So, we will take the range extender out of the portfolio here (Europe) starting in November. It will remain in other markets such as the US, however. There the distances are longer, and the infrastructure is less developed on average, so the take rate is much higher at 70 percent (of total i3 sales).”
Currently, the BMW Group’s BMW i and MINI E sub-brands collective sells five models – i3, i3s, i8 Coupe, i8 Roadster and MINI E. The
forthcoming iX3
 will go on sale in 2020. Among these models, only the
i8 Coupe
 and
i8 Roadster
 are available in Malaysia.
By 2025, the number of BMW i and MINI E models available from Group will increase to 12. As for how many of these will carry BMW badges, Irlinger said, “We have announced four BMW electric models and one Mini; that means there are seven battery-electric models still to come. When you look at the distribution of our volumes across the brands, you can get a rough idea of what the ratio (of BMWs versus other models in the group) will be. We will try to cover the segments according to customer demands as much as possible.”


Most Wonderful Of Wagons - Explaining Why We Love Them

You don't necessarily need to love wagons in order to be fully embraced by the community of car enthusiasts, but you need to have a soft spot for them at least. I can’t quite explain why - I'll still try - but it’s almost an unspoken requirement that signals good taste and a level set of priorities.

An SUV?
Unfortunately
, that’s a signal of poor taste and a mismatched set of priorities, generally speaking. Like the modern-day mud-shy SUV, the ‘driver’s wagon’ is quite a new entry into the automotive vocabulary, though station wagons as a body style have existed for a very long time.

You probably are getting more for your money with a wagon, though, as the average SUV/crossover also costs more than the average sedan/hatch in the same segment while not really offering a marked improvement in usable space or practicality, so you’re actually shelling out extra cash for the privilege of owning an objectively ‘worse” car, as I'll outline below.

This is also why I reckon Proton should shake things up a bit and follow up their X70 and
X50 SUV
s with a Perdana wagon. Car Of The Year winner, hands down.

I covered this in a
previous write-up
 but having a vehicle that’s bulkier and higher off the ground just makes it less aerodynamic (more drag), gives it worse handling and worse fuel economy - unless you plan to go off-road. You probably won’t, let’s be honest. It’s a moot point anyway since most SUVs and crossovers are equipped with front-wheel drive, which are about as useful off-roadng as wearing flip flops while rock climbing.

That being said, I do see myself one day owning an SUV, but only in addition to another ‘normal’ car. The
Suzuki Jimny
 has been on my shortlist for a long time and not just because it matches my name. It’s a genuinely interesting and practical little thing that’s got acres of charm and character. It even comes with real off-road ability and pedigree. Would I have one over a wagon? Probably not.

Especially
fast wagons
, we can’t resist those. Just imagine the best four-door saloon you can, with a great engine, intoxicating soundtrack, fabulous handling, aggressive but understated looks, but only way more practical and a little more elegantly shaped with an extended hatchback. Great combination. Near unbeatable, actually.

In case you haven’t yet noticed, there are no longer any wagons left on the new car market here apart from the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo. There is the MINI Clubman, technically, but I would classify that more as an extended hatchback.

Wind the clock back far enough and you could find the odd fluke, but none of them ever found much traction with Malaysian buyers and never lasted very long in showrooms. The
gorgeous Volvo V90
, launched in 2017, was, for us, The Last of the Mohicans. That, and the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake (the only version worth buying).

In foreign markets, particularly Europe, buyers absolutely love wagons, which keep automakers sufficiently incentivised to churn out more of them - they just don’t make their way down to Malaysia. At least, not directly or officially.

If you’re a lover of wagons to begin with, you’ll know that there are still plenty out there beyond our borders. To whet your appetite, let’s run down some of the most mouth-watering high performance wagons to ever exist (in no real order). And if you’re still unconvinced, hopefully you’ll start to understand why they are pretty close to the perfect car to own as well as being unquestionably cool.

Audi RS4 Avant

This is the car that really cemented the wagon obsession for me, and maybe a lot of you too. The B7 RS4 sported a glorious 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 and drove exceptionally well at a time when fast Audis were a bit of a lumpy mess.

The following B8 generation carried over the engine but perfected the ‘inconspicuous but aggressive’ aesthetic. Present day RS4s are as practical as ever with 1,510 litres of space with the rear seats folded and now use a 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 which is more potent but lacks the same charisma.

BMW E61 M5 Touring

With just 1,065 of these Tourings built, they’re probably the rarest and most coveted version of the 21st century BMW M5s, guaranteeing its place as a future classic. Prices for mint examples are only going to keep increasing.

This beauty is powered by the same orchestral 5.0-litre S85 V10 found in the super saloon, but with so much extra boot space that you could even fit your in-laws back there - and/or their luggage. Even until now, BMW seems to be real stubborn about making another M wagon, which only ups the E61’s value.

Volvo V70R

Speaking of final editions, this second-generation V70R was both the final time that Volvo ever made a true performance wagon and the last time they’d stick their R badge on any car (R-Design does NOT count). Our colleague Adam
owns its immediate predecessor
.

Nobody does wagons better than these Swedes, so armed with all-wheel drive and a 5-cylinder turbo engine, it also shares two main ingredients with the legendary Audi Quattro. Though quick and competent, it was just as comfortable and refined as a Volvo should be.

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake

The final peg in the big German triumvirate here, Mercedes-Benz is probably the most prolific purveyor of wagons, especially ones endowed with their AMG brand of high performance. For at least a couple of generations now, the marque has consistently offered V8-powered wagons (called an Estate) of their C-Class and
E-Class
.

With this CLS (offered from 2012), however, the body style is dubbed Shooting Brake and even manages to upstage the four-door coupe form in terms of style and looks. The AMG 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 sends all its power rearward too for proper tyre vaporising action. Your dogs can come too, thanks to that huge boot.

__________________________

There’s something here; something about wagons that other cars just cannot replicate. It’s the combination of a car that’s fast and sleek but also capable of hauling an impressive load of cargo that makes things click. It soon dawns upon us poor wagon lovers that this is the perfect form factor for a car, offering everything we could love about these machines with so much more versatility and so little compromise.

Even if I wanted to find a new wagon right now, it saddens me that the options for the Malaysian buyer have totally dried up. For the determined, there are other means of sourcing these cars by way of importers and special orders, though that will take up additional effort, time, and substantial expense.

However, if you’re willing to forego the privilege of being a car’s first owner, it is definitely possible to find some very tempting deals on the used market. We’re Carlist, after all, so we’ll be compiling the best pre-owned
wagons
 you should keep a lookout for. Stay tuned!


The Volvo EX90 Is Set To Be Volvo's Safest Car Yet

The upcoming
Volvo EX90 EV SUV
 will be the brand's safest car yet thanks to a host of
safety features
 including LiDAR.

Set for its official debut on 9 November 2022, the EX90 full-electric model will be replacing the outgoing
Volvo XC90
 PHEV model as the brand's next all-electric flagship SUV. Volvo also stated that the EX90 will be the start of a new era for the brand, and here are some things to expect.

Sensors, cameras, radars & LiDAR

In a bid to further amp up its game in the safety department, the Volvo EX90 will come with a host of safety sensors, cameras, radars, and most importantly, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). To expand on this, the next-generation EV SUV from Volvo will come with a set of eight cameras, 16 ultrasonic sensors, and the LiDAR unit for enhanced safety levels not just for the occupants, but other road users.

Volvo has done its research when it comes to safety enhancements, and it is said that the upcoming EX90 can help to reduce accidents that result in serious injury or death by up to 20%. Another impressive estimate is a 9% improvement in overall crash avoidance. If you do the math on the millions of accidents around the world each year, 9% is a lot and that's good news for everyone.

Pedestrian detection up to 250m distance, day or night

The LiDAR sensor itself will be embedded in the roofline of the EX90 where it'll be standardised for all future Volvo models. This tech can help to detect pedestrians up to 250m ahead even while the car is being driven at night and at highway speeds.

For smaller items like a rogue tyre in the middle of the road, the sensor is able to pick up its presence from a 120m distance no matter day or night. The entire safety suite can step in to assist the driver and like having a mind of its own, create a better understanding of when it's needed to step in and help in the best possible manner.

'Driver Understanding System' to help avoid accidents

Taking a step closer to Volvo's future of zero collisions, they will also introduce a 'driver understanding system' in the Volvo EX90. This real-time interior sensing system can help to detect if the driver is not 'optimal' for driving and take the necessary steps to avoid any unwanted accidents.

Two cameras will be used to pick up signals from the driver's eye-gaze patterns. An audio warning system will alert the driver depending on how much visual distraction the cameras pick up from looking at your phone to higher levels of cognitive distraction.

Together with its capacitive steering wheel, the Volvo EX90 even has the ability to safely stop by the side of the road and turn on its hazard lights if it detects that the driver is not responding to any of its warning signals.

You know they're not playing around when the brand's head of Safe Vehicle Automation said "We believe the EX90 to be the safest Volvo car to ever hit the road." Stay tuned to its official global unveiling on 9 November 2022, folks.


7 sebab kenapa SUV tak sedap - Jangan ikut orang & menyesal!

Kenapa trend sekarang ramai sukakan
SUV
sebagai kereta idaman? Adakah kerana kedudukan pemanduannya yang tinggi? Ataupun kerana karakternya yang besar dan teguh di jalan raya?

Jangan Beli SUV! Tak sedap macam..

Sebelum anda membeli SUV, penting untuk anda pertimbangkan dari segala aspek tentang mengapa anda perlukan SUV berbanding kereta saloon biasa seperti
sedan
.

Jika anda hanya mahukan kereta keluarga yang selesa, SUV tidaklah sebagus kereta sedan. Sebelum anda diracuni kawan-kawan untuk membeli SUV, ini adalah 7 sebab mengapa SUV mungkin bukan pilihan yang sesuai untuk anda:

Harga SUV lebih mahal

Jika anda membeli SUV hanya untuk digunakan di dalam bandar, adakah ianya pilihan yang tepat? Bergantung kepada saiz SUV, kebanyakan SUV ini secara amnya lebih mahal berbanding kereta sedan biasa.

Sesetengah SUV dibina untuk kegunaan lasak, dan ia dilengkapi dengan sistem AWD, rangka badan yang kuat, enjin yang berkuasa, transmisi dan brek yang lebih baik menjadikannya lebih mahal daripada sedan yang direka khas untuk pemanduan lebuh raya dan bandar. Jadi mengapa tak beli sedan atau hatchback sahaja?

Jarak Kelegaan Tanah Yang Tinggi

Jarak kelegaan tanah yang lebih tinggi pada SUV berbanding sedan merupakan salah satu sebab utama mengapa ramai yang memilih SUV berbanding kereta yang lebih rendah. Kedudukan pemanduan yang lebih tinggi memberikan pandangan yang lebih luas ketika memandu selain mampu meredah banjir kecil tanpa sebarang kerisauan juga adalah sebab mengapa SUV menjadi pilihan.

Walau bagaimanapun, jika anda memerlukan kereta untuk membawa ahli keluarga seperti ibu-bapa yang sudah berumur, kedudukan SUV yang agak tinggi mungkin akan mendatangkan kesukaran kepada mereka untuk keluar dan masuk kereta. Walaupun perkara ini kedengaran remeh, namun ramai yang telah menjual kereta kerana tidak sesuai dengan keadaan ahli keluarga mereka.

Kos pemilikan, alat ganti dan tayar yang lebih mahal

Selain daripada harga SUV, penting juga untuk anda membuat kira-kira tentang kos pemilikan sebuah SUV seperti kos servis, kos alat ganti, cukai jalan serta penggunaan minyak.

Disebabkan rata-rata SUV lebih berat dan menggunakan enjin yang lebih berkuasa untuk menggerakkan kotak bermotor itu, penggunaan minyaknya juga lebih kuat berbanding kereta biasa. Jika SUV yang anda idamkan itu menggunakan enjin yang lebih besar seperti 2.0 liter seperti Subaru XV, kadar cukai jalannya juga akan meningkat mengikut kapasiti enjin serta jenis kereta.

Kos tayar juga sering dilupakan apabila berkira-kira untuk membeli SUV. Untuk SUV yang rata-ratanya menggunakan tayar yang besar, kosnya juga akan bertambah berbanding tayar sedan biasa. Sebagai contoh, tayar prestasi yang padu seperti Bridgestones Potenza Sport untuk Proton X50 yang menggunakan rim 18 inci bernilai RM959 setiap satu. Kalau didarab dengan empat, nilainya sudah mencecah RM3,836 hanya untuk tayar sahaja. Lebih memedihkan, tayar prestasi juga mempunyai jangka hayat yang singkat.

Gaya pemanduan tidak sesedap kereta sedan

Kedudukan pemanduan yang tinggi bermakna SUV juga mempunyai pusat graviti yang lebih tinggi. Ini bermakna kedudukan di dalam sebuah SUV tidaklah seindah yang disangka memandangkan SUV mempunyai kadar body roll yang lebih tinggi, tambah-tambah ketika SUV itu dipandu laju ketika berada di selekoh.

Untuk perbandingan, sedan mempunyai jarak kelegaan tanah yang lebih rendah. Ini memudahkan sesiapa sahaja yang mempunyai masalah kesihatan terutama masalah lutut atau kaki untuk keluar dan masuk dari kereta.

Selain itu, keadaan sedan yang lebih rendah dan ringan memberikan pemanduan yang lebih lincah dan selesa ketika di selekoh. Tak percaya? Tanya pada hukum fizik. Pusat graviti adalah tempat kebanyakan berat kereta berada dan itulah yang akan membuatkan kenderaan anda mencengkam jalan. Semakin rendah pusat graviti, semakin tinggi kestabilan kereta.

SUV besar dan berat, namun kebanyakannya tiada fungsi 4WD

Sebelum membeli kereta, saiz kereta juga memainkan peranan tambah-tambah jika anda sering menggunakan kereta sebagai pengangkutan utama di tengah-tengah bandar. Meskipun kabin SUV mungkin lebih luas kerana saiznya, tetapi kereta besar agak kurang praktikal dan sukar dikendalikan di bandar terutamanya di kawasan yang sempit. Ini boleh menjadi punca kesesakan trafik di kawasan sekolah dan kawasan parkir.

Selain itu, kebanyakan SUV moden hanya membawa watak SUV kerana reka bentuknya, bukan kerana fungsi dan nilai praktikalitinya. Sudahlah berat dan besar tanpa sebab, ditambah pula dengan hanya 5 tempat duduk dan ruang but yang sempit seperti Hyundai Kona yang hanya menawarkan 374 liter. Tambahan pula, kebanyakan SUV moden ketika ini tidak hadir dengan pilihan 4WD dan hanya menawarkan pacuan roda hadapan. Jadi apa motif beli SUV tanpa ciri sebuah SUV jika ia sama sahaja seperti kereta sedan?

Suspensi SUV lebih kukuh, kurang keselesaan

Perlu diingatkan, SUV ialah kenderaan utiliti sukan. Ia dibina untuk menjadi lebih lasak, lebih besar dan lebih berkuasa daripada sedan. Walaupun beberapa SUV baru-baru ini lebih tertumpu pada kualiti tunggangan bandar, namun pada asasnya, SUV berorientasikan pemanduan lasak untuk mengendalikan jalan yang teruk dan
off-road
 juga.

Oleh itu, SUV dibekalkan sistem suspensi yang lebih kukuh dan keras untuk menampung segala keadaan yang pemanduan yang lebih lasak. Suspensi yang keras membuatkan anda kurang selesa di dalam kereta yang tinggi. Namun jika suspensi dilembutkan, keadaan di dalam kabin SUV akan terasa membuai dan boleh memabukkan pemandu atau penumpang. Secara amnya, kualiti tunggangan lebih selesa dalam sedan.

Reka bentuk SUV kurang aerodinamik

Walaupun reka bentuk ini perkara subjektif, namun dari segi rupa dan faktor aerodinamik, sedan lebih menyerlah kerana karakternya yang lebih mesra angin dan lebih seksi. Oleh kerana saiz dan reka bentuk SUV yang besar dan tinggi, sukar untuk SUV menandingi rupa bentuk sedan dengan rupa SUV yang kelihatan seakan sebuah kotak bergerak.

Sedan juga lebih dipercayai di jalan raya kerana faktor aerodinamiknya. Aerodinamik merujuk kepada cara udara bergerak di sekitar objek, menurut National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Disebabkan faktor aerodinamik dan jarak kelegaan tanah yang lebih rendah, sedan lebih stabil dipandu ketika bergerak laju. Walaupun SUV zaman sekarang lebih premium dan semakin futuristik dari segi rekaannya berbanding dulu, namun ia tetap tidak boleh menandingi sedan dari segi rupa profilnya.

Kesimpulan

Kesimpulannya, SUV tidaklah seindah yang disangka. Jika anda mahu menukar kereta daripada sedan kepada SUV, ada baik dan buruknya. Penting untuk merujuk jadual di bawah sebelum anda pertimbangkan sama ada patut beli SUV mahupun sedan.

Kelebihan SUV

Kekurangan SUV

Jarak kelegaan tanah yang tinggi memudahkan pergerakan ketika banjir dan memberikan pemandangan yang lebih luas

Pusat graviti juga tinggi membuatkan kereta kurang stabil ketika di selekoh atau ketika bergerak laju

Kebanyakan SUV zaman sekarang lebih lengkap dengan ciri praktikaliti dan ciri keselamatan yang menyeluruh

Harganya yang lebih mahal berbanding sedan

Bentuk SUV yang besar dan eksklusif memberikan gambaran yang lebih premium dan eksklusif

Besar dan berat, rekaan kurang aerodinamik

Casis dan suspensi yang lebih tahan lasak

Suasana kabin yang kurang selesa berbanding sedan ketika kereta bergerak

Kadar penggunaan bahan api SUV moden kini lebih kurang sahaja dengan kereta sedan biasa

Cukai jalan SUV 2.0 liter lebih mahal daripada sedan 2.0 liter kerana jenis kereta

Rim lebih besar, enjin yang lebih berkuasa

Kos pemilikan seperti kos servis, alat ganti dan tayar yang lebih mahal

Berdasarkan kebaikan dan kekurangan SUV berbanding sedan yang telah dinyatakan, adakah anda masih merasakan bahawa SUV adalah pilihan yang lebih sesuai untuk kegunaan anda? Kongsikan dengan kami tentang pilihan anda di ruangan komen.