2024 Mitsubishi Triton debuts with tougher looks and more power - Up to 204PS and 470Nm

Mitsubishi has unveiled its latest pickup truck, the 2024 Triton, at an event in Bangkok, Thailand. This sixth-generation Triton will replace the current model dating back to 2015.

The new Triton will be available globally
 in three body styles: single-cab, club-cab, and double-cab. It comes equipped with a newly developed 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, available in three different power tunes.

The least powerful version generates 150PS of power and 330Nm of torque, while there are also 184PS/430Nm and high-output 204PS/470Nm versions.

The latter features a bi-turbo sequential layout. Although
Mitsubishi Malaysia hasn't confirmed which versions will come to Malaysia
, the high-output model, if available, would bring the Triton closer in power to competitors like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger Bi-Turbo.

The new Triton will offer both a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic transmission, with the automatic retaining the 'Sports' mode from the outgoing model. Depending on the engine tune, the drive can be sent to the rear wheels only or through a four-wheel drive system.

For four-wheel-drive models, Mitsubishi offers two different systems. The Easy Select 4WD system has 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (locked centre differential), and 4L (low-range) modes.

On the other hand, the Super Select 4WD-II system provides 2H, 4H (full-time four-wheel drive), 4HLc (locked centre differential), and 4LLc (locked centre differential with low range) modes, with the last one usable on sealed surfaces.

Mitsubishi has made significant improvements to the Triton's road performance with a newly developed ladder-frame chassis that offers better ride comfort and robustness.

The chassis boasts a 65% greater cross-sectional area, resulting in a claimed 40% increase in bending rigidity and a 60% increase in torsional rigidity. The use of high-tensile steel has helped minimize weight.

The new Triton also features upgraded suspension, retaining the double-wishbone front and rear leaf spring configuration. The front suspension's upper mounting arm has been raised to improve road holding and ride comfort, while the rear suspension incorporates a lighter leaf spring system and thicker shock absorbers.

In terms of design, the new Triton showcases Mitsubishi's Dynamic Shield grille with a split headlight setup at the front, and T-shaped lighting signature tail lights at the rear. The cargo bed height has been lowered, and the rear bumper corner reinforced to serve as a foot space.

Inside, the cabin has been extensively overhauled, following a "horizontally themed" design with geometric shapes and metallic highlights. Safety features include autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Mitsubishi is leading the development of the new Triton as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's leader-follower model, where the next Nissan Navara will share underpinnings but with different styling.


BMW i3S Driven In Lisbon – Future Proof Driving Performance

As they say, sometimes, less is more. Never has something without an engine caused so much excitement, never has something that makes almost no aural noise caused so much exhilaration. And never has a review been such a desperate cry for a car to be made available locally.
But guess what - it might already be here!
First introduced in 2013 – the i3 was BMW’s first mass-produced zero-emissions vehicle which heralded a new age of car manufacturing, not just because of its electric drivetrain and cutting edge carbon fibre passenger cell, but from manufacturing perspective with sustainability at the core of its design.
By embracing an approach that takes into account the complete lifecycle – from raw material production, through the manufacture and operation of the vehicles to their ‘end-of-life’ recycling – the i3 represents the future, not just in terms of urban mobility, but for BMW as a whole.
But what is most interesting about BMW’s new spiffed-up version of the i3, the i3s – is its ability to transform the tedium of your daily commute into a happy-hour of instant torque and sublime handling, and any city, including tight streets of Lisbon into a rally-like Super Special stage.
Overview
Aesthetically, the new i3 has a redesigned front bumper with more horizontal body elements to underline the perception of width. The i3s adds on black inlays at the outer regions of the front bumper and small splitters at both ends. Gone are the eggshell-like foglamp enclosures, now replaced with sleek items, and up top, all i3 models are equipped with full-LED headlights now.
Round the sides, nothing much has changed, the i3s is differentiated here by aggressive-looking 20-inch wheels, wheel arch overfenders – called ‘spats’,  and the A-pillar and roofline are now finished in black.
Round the back – the i3s receives a redesigned bumper with a wider trim inlay to account for the increased track width at the rear (of +40mm) over the standard i3. The i3s also 10mm lower courtesy of sports suspension setup. As far as a trendy and sporty-ish city car goes, the i3s ticks all the right boxes.
On the inside, there are some new colour combos and for the seat covering, including an upholstery option (Solaric Brown) that combines natural leather tanned using an olive leaf extract with a wool-based textile material.
It’s worthy to note that over 80 percent of the surfaces visible to the occupants are made from recycled materials or renewable resources. In addition, BMW is already working on ways to produce body panels from recycled sea plastics, and using recycled textiles for interior insulating material and floor mats.
Perhaps the most notable difference between the regular i3 and the i3s is its power source. The electric motor, supplied by a 94 Ah (27.2kWh) lithium-ion battery delivers a max output of 184 hp (i3 max output 170hp/250Nm), and 270 Nm of torque from “0” rpm. The i3s can also recuperate up to 50 kW of energy while driving.
BMW claims an everyday driving range of 200 km which is ample for most commuters, and can be fully charged in 11.00 hours from a domestic 240 V socket, or just 2 hours and 45 mins with BMW’s 11 kW iWallbox charging unit.
Performance is quite exhilarating - the i3s takes just 6.9 seconds to complete the 0-100 km/h dash, putting it on par with a hot hatch like the Volkswagen Polo GTi, and feels every bit as quick, if not faster. Top speed is rated at 160 km/h, which you might surmise is nothing outstanding, but just how quickly it gets there, is the i3s’ real kicker.
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) management for the new BMW i3 and new BMW i3s has been adapted specifically for its electric powertrain. The Dynamic Traction Control system (DTC) which is available throughout the speed range and in corners enhances agility and even enables controlled drifts depending on the driving surface.
Driving Experience
It’s slightly unnerving that one does not hear and engine note, or any audible sound to tell you that the i3s is ready to be driven. A big column mounted shifter needs to be rotated into “Reverse” or “Drive” and that’s it. Two pedals just like any other automatic vehicle, but yet, there is a moment of hesitation before I depress the throttle.
The electric motor’s whir is heard as the vehicle accelerates. The i3s swiftly gets up to city speeds. The power is seamless and very easily modulated. The i3s is capable of a “one pedal operation” that eschews the necessity to work the car's brakes to slow down.
Just like the
upcoming Nissan Leaf
 which also boasts a 'one-pedal' operation, the i3s’ motor goes from a power phase to a recuperation phase as soon as you lift off the throttle, to convert every bit of kinetic energy, back into electrical energy for the battery. To put into context, this feels very much like engine braking, like most of us would be used to, only more robust.
Four main bars highlight the available battery energy, and even after some 40 km of travelling from the airport into Lisbon town, shows just about a quarter of the battery juice being spent.
Every time a stretch of road would open up, it was hard to resist punching the throttle hard to the floor. The torque delivery is massive, and unrelenting; give the i3s roughly 300 meters of empty road and it will bolt from 30 km/h to 120 km/h very easily.
Never failing to put a smile on your face, the i3s is an absolute gem to drive in the city and on twisty roads. If this is the future or at least a representation of it, then every petrol head, should get very excited.
Bolt off from a traffic light, or zip into a roundabout – you name it, the i3s will deliver with sublime efficiency. On a deserted stretch of road, the 160 km/h top speed is dispatched in seconds, literally, and it’s quite possibly one of the most remarkable cars I’ve driven in my career as a motoring journalist.
The electronic power steering is superb too, given the lightweight nature of the car, and the relatively small 195 mm cross section of the front tyres - it is light and requires very little effort. That’s not to say it wanders when at speed - on the contrary - the steering has this intrinsic clarity and adjustability, almost like the unassisted system you would experience on an original MINI Cooper. It’s simply brilliant.
The carbon-core technology likewise, keeps weight down and endows the i3s with a good amount of rigidity, which helps keep the car delightfully flat and planted through the corners.
Comfort and Practicality
The interior of the i3s is a mix of practical design and chic style – the party-piece “suicide” doors open up to a roomy and airy cabin space. The simple layout of the dashboard is punctuated by two screens: one in place of the conventional meter cluster, which is most useful for gauging the battery charge and speed, and the central 10.25-inch, with a ‘tile-style’ display for infotainment functions, which is easy to understand and use.
Also, the wood trim that runs the length of the dashboard gives the cabin a nice premium feel.
Rear seating fits six-footers with ease, and there is no shortage of cubby holes for storing drinks and other miscellaneous items.
The seats themselves are as supportive as you would expect from a BMW, they could use a bit more side bolstering for spirited driving, but otherwise, it’s easy to get into a comfortable position even for longer journeys.
Conclusion
Despite the local EV charging network very much in its infancy, the decision to market the i3S here would be a wise one. Because more than just being an electric vehicle, it's also a precursor to the next-generation of BMW's vehicles - one that offers zero emissions and zero compromise in terms of driving exhilaration. My profound experience with the i3s would suggest that it’s definitely a car Malaysians would love to own or at least could be interested in.
The i3s' blend of efficiency, funky styling, and premium interior ticks many crucial boxes for the average car buyer. Only with no trips to the pump, one is left with a literally addictive driving experience and plenty of instantaneous torque to turn most road settings into a natural playground. And that’s no bad thing.


Video: Mercedes-Benz C350e (W205) PHEV Explained In Detail

The standard bearer of the Mercedes-Benz
(W205)
C-Class range, the C350e plug-in hybrid, is scheduled to hit showrooms in very short order – ahead of the much anticipated local introduction, here’s an in-house Mercedes-Benz production about the many thingamajigs that give the car its great appeal.
The tech-laden C350e combines a host of new convenience features, such as the cabin-climate pre-conditioning function, Thermotronic three-zone climate control and 360-degree camera view. The C350e is also the first C-Class sold locally to be supplied with the firm’s ‘Airmatic’ active-suspension system.
The video also takes us through the
 C350e’s intelligent hybrid system relies on a host of sensory equipment which work in tandem the route-based drive operation and radar-based energy recuperation functions. The C350e offers four drive modes which augment the performance characteristics of the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and electric motor combo that delivers a total system output 279bhp and 600Nm of torque.
We were treated to a
special preview
 of the locally assembled (CKD) car recently, which will go on sale at an estimated RM299,000, replacing the current top-of-the-line
C300 AMG Line
 - currently priced at RM307,888.


Fuel Prices Set To Change Tomorrow?

It will be the end of the week tomorrow, and as proposed by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, the government will announce the new mechanism on retail prices for fuel prices tomorrow.
In a report by
The Star
, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Cabinet has reached a decision on the mechanism on fuel prices in Malaysia.
“The Cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss the matter and have reached a decision. It (the price of fuel) will be announced tomorrow (Friday),” Datuk Seri Saifuddin said in a press conference.
Early last week, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) proposed to lower fuel prices starting from January 1st thanks to the downward trend of crude oil prices. The ministry also proposed a weekly float system, so that consumers can enjoy the savings sooner. The Finance Minister also dismissed allegations that the government had been imposing a sales tax on fuel, but in fact, had still been subsidizing prices of RON 95 and diesel fuel in November.

Screenshot from The StarTV, dated January 2nd 2019
PDAM also met with PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed to seek approval to raise their sales commission from 12 sen per litre to 15 sen per litre for both types of petroleum products.
MoF has also proposed to
cap the price of RON 95 petrol
to RM2.20 should there be an increase in global crude oil prices.

This price cap is however only temporary until the government has put the
targeted fuel subsidy mechanism
 in place, where trials are scheduled to begin in March.


The First M Car To Be CKD'ed is Coming Soon From BMW Malaysia

The M340i xDrive is about to be the first BMW M car to be locally assembled in Malaysia!

To BMW, M is the powerful letter in the world, M also stands for Malaysia so celebrate because Malaysia is about to get the M340i much cheaper than if it was a CBU.

Being the only variants of the 3 Series range in Malaysia, the G20 330i M Sport and 320i Sport will soon have the G20 BMW M340i xDrive for company.

This will be the first-ever BMW M car to be locally assembled (CKD), and by this, making it an M car that will be at the very least 20 percent cheaper than if we were to get it as a CBU model. Why 20 percent? Continue reading...

Rumoured to be priced around the RM400k-plus mark, the M340i will provide good competition for Mercedes' C43 CKD variant which features a 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 with 362 hp and 520 Nm of torque.

When Mercedes locally assembled the C43 AMG, it knocked about 20 per cent off its price lowering it to RM409k compared to the CBU's RM500k price tag, so expect the M340i to be around 20 per cent cheaper than what it is supposed to be.

For those who are unfamiliar with the BMW M340i xDrive, the car first made its debut two years ago at the
Los Angeles Motor Show
.

Up until last month when BMW introduced the bugs bunny looking
BMW M3
, the M340i was the most powerful variant of the current 3 Series range.

When it first made its debut, the baby M3 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre engine which produced 374hp with a maximum torque of 500 Nm. Currently, the power figures have been bumped up, which now sees the car coming with 382hp with the same amount of torque as the two-year-old debutant.

The BMW M340i xDrive comes standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which in its latest generation features an optimised hydraulic control system for faster gearshifts. Shorter ratios for the lower gears and the addition of a Launch Control function helps the M340i xDrive to a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds – half a second faster than the previous generation (F30) BMW 340i.

Power is sent to all four-wheels through BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system equipped as standard with the M Sport differential. The xDrive system is designed to become increasingly rear-biased when the driver shifts to the 'Sport' and 'Sport+' drive modes.

In terms of the suspension – the M340i comes with M Sport suspension, which lowers the overall ride height a further 10 mm, and comprises 'M specific' absorber kinematics and the new lift-related damper control function. The suspension geometry has also been tweaked for a wider track and better wheel camber angles over the regular variants.

The M340i is fitted as standard with an M Sport brake system which features a four-piston fixed calliper at the front and a single-piston floating calliper at the rear. 18-inch M light alloys feature as standard. Additionally, a suite of optional 19-inch wheels are also available.

In terms of aesthetics – the M340i features a redesigned front bumper, side sills and rear bumper for better aerodynamics, and the unique mesh style front grille inlays, along with mirror caps, air intake struts tailpipe trims, and the model lettering are all finished in Cerium Grey metallic.

On the inside - M-specific upholstery in a Sensatec/Alcantara trim compliments the anthracite BMW Individual roof liner, the M leather-clad steering, and aluminium Tetragon shift paddles. Additionally, the digital instrument cluster bears the lettering "M340i".

Bila exactly launching? Kita sama-sama tunggu.


Honda BR-V Outsold Perodua Alza As Malaysia Records Highest Market Share For Honda Globally

Now this is quite unexpected. The Perodua Alza, Malaysia’s perennial best-selling multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) has just been outsold by the Honda BR-V.
Speaking at a press event in Melaka this morning to commemorate the 600,000th unit produced (a Honda City) at Honda Malaysia’s plant in Pegoh, Melaka, Mr. Noriaki Abe, Chief Operating Officer, Regional Operations (Asia & Oceania) of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and President and CEO of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. congratulated the staff at Honda Malaysia for their success with the Honda BR-V.
Abe then told the press that Honda’s latest seven-seater crossover utility vehicle had overtaken the ‘national MPVs’ to take No.1 position in Malaysia’s MPV and utility segment in February 2017.
“I am glad to see Honda cars being well accepted by Malaysians. This is part of Honda’s strategy in Asia to continue to bring the Joy of Buying to the people in this region,” said Abe.
Since its launch in January 2017, the Honda BR-V has garnered almost 10,000 booking units and more than 5,200 registrations.
Unfortunately, Malaysia’s Competition Act 2010 bars anyone from compiling/comparing vehicle sales data by model, so we won’t know any further details on the gap between the Alza and the BR-V, but we understand that the gap is very minimal.
Since 2012, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) have been barred by the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) from revealing a detailed breakdown of vehicle sales data by model (breakdown by brand is allowed), a transparent move which MyCC argues will lead to higher prices of automotive parts.
At the same event, Mr. Seiji Kuraishi, Executive Vice President, Executive Officer and Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. revealed that in the first two months of 2017, Malaysia took top spot as the country that achieved the highest market share among Honda’s automobile operations worldwide.
According data provided by MAA, Honda’s market share in the passenger car segment in January and February stood at 21.3 and 19.7 percent respectively. Overall market share (including commercial vehicles segment – which Honda has no presence in) stood at 19.2 percent and 18.1 percent respectively for January and February.
Malaysia’s achievement was particularly sentimental for Kuraishi, as he was the second CEO to serve in Honda Malaysia, which was established in November 2000 after taking over the distributorship rights from previous franchise holder Kah Motor.
"Malaysia is one of the countries close to my heart. I was the 2nd CEO of Honda Malaysia, and spent three wonderful years here from 2002 to 2005. It was during my tenure that this Melaka Plant commenced its production and I clearly remember the scenes of opening ceremony held in 2003," said Kuraishi.
Kuraishi said that he is proud to see some of the young Malaysian Honda associates whom he hired over 10 years ago are now managing the company by playing important roles with passion. He credited Honda’s rapid growth in Malaysia to the efforts and understanding of Honda’s philosophy, vision and way of thinking by the Malaysian associates.
Completed in January 2003, Honda Malaysia’s plant in Pegoh, Melaka currently operates two assembly lines, with total maximum capacity of 100,000 units per year.
Line No.1 currently produces the CR-V, Civic, Accord and City. The newer Line No.2 was completed in January 2014 and it currently produces the City (complementing Line No.1), Jazz, BR-V and HR-V.
The Melaka plant is the first Honda plant outside of Japan to use a Smart General Welding machine and space-efficient wall-mounted spray painting robots, under body coating robots, and air recycling booth.
Another subsidiary located within the plant’s premises, Honda Assembly (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., assembles both i-VTEC (1.5, 1.8-, 2.0- and 2.4-litre) and VTEC Turbo (1.5-litre) engines before pairing it to the respective 5-speed torque converter or CVT automatic transmissions.
Located outside the plant is a 2.1 km test track where every Honda vehicle (not just a random selection) assembled in Melaka has to pass a series of dynamic tests – simulated bad road conditions (hump, wave, cobblestone, Belgian road, up-down road, potholes, slippery surface for ABS testing), 140 km/h noise test, transmission test, steering alignment – before they are sent to the Pre-Delivery Inspection centre and subsequently to Honda showrooms nationwide.


RON97 Fuel Price Update: December Month– RM2.50

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has announced the price of petrol and diesel fuel for the next 31 days.
For the final month of 2018, consumers of the premium grade RON 97 fuel can set a lower monthly budget as the price sees a significant decrease of 31 sen per litre starting tomorrow.
In summary, the prices for petrol and diesel for the entire month of December are as listed below:
RON95 –
RM2.20
per litre (no change)
RON97 –
RM2.50
 per litre (decrease 31 sen from RM2.81)
Diesel –
RM2.18
 per litre (no change)
Late last week, the government said it has planned to introduce the new subsidy system for RON95 fuel by the second half of next year and will be implemented in stages. Trials are expected to begin in March.
Under Budget 2019, the
government proposed to subsidize
 RON95 fuel up to RM 30 per month for cars with engine displacement 1,500 cc and below and RM 12 per month for motorbikes under 125cc in engine displacement.
RON95 fuel is also planned for improvement
in stages from July 2019
, upgraded from Euro 2M to Euro 4M (lower sulphur content) specification. The plan is to have all fuel stations supplying only RON95 and RON97 petrol with Euro 4M specifications by January 2020.


Honda Malaysia Launches New Merchandise Line-Up

Honda Malaysia today announced the introduction of a brand new line-up of merchandise which is centred on the theme called “Challenging Spirit”.
The theme is translated on to the new merchandise collection through the motive of The Great Wave, which is stylised in original artistic lines that were hand-drawn.
The Great Wave concept is also applied on a range of carefully selected high quality materials to offer maximum comfort.
In addition, Honda Malaysia is also introducing the “Active Wear” range of products for the first time in an effort to meet the current lifestyles of Malaysians.
The new line-up ranges from lifestyle merchandise such as T-shirts, Polo Shirts, Sweaters, Bomber Jackets, Duffel Bags, Tote Bags, Shoe Bags, Backpacks, Mini Travel Pouches, Caps, Active Wear, Water Bottles and Umbrellas to corporate merchandise such as Racing Shirts.
The new collection is expected to be available in all 91 Honda showrooms nationwide by the end of August 2017.


2022 Lexus NX: Lexus Reveals Second-Gen NX, New Turbo Engine and PHEV Models Part Of The Line-Up

Lexus has introduced the second generation NX and while the exterior seems more of an evolution rather than revolution, everything else is pretty much new, including Lexus' first plug-in-hybrid model.

Lexus has just introduced their new all-new
NX
, the first model of Lexus' next-generation range, which heralds in a new design, new infotainment systems, and a significantly broader range of powertrains.

Since the 2022 NX is part of the next generation range, it expectedly comes with multiple new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid, but most importantly, a brand-new touchscreen infotainment system, which replaces the cumbersome
touchpad
 linked infotainment system of the previous generation.

Riding on the much-coveted
TNGA
-K (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, the new NX is developed under the concept of "Vital x Tech Gear." This concept combines vital dynamism (Vital) with advanced technology (Tech).

Exterior

When it comes to the NX's exterior styling, the looks seem to be more of an evolutionary change rather than a new design, but we can't blame Lexus for this as the NX probably has the best application of Lexus' iconic spindle grille.

The headlights are now a cohesive unit, with the daytime running lights being brought up into the headlights instead of being a separate illumination member. Following the current trend of linking taillights together, the second generation NX now also features taillights with a horizontal bar connecting them to each other.

Then there is the overall look of the new NX. It's more of a sculptured and softer look than an angular and aggressive one seen in the
older version
. There's also a beautiful new bodyline crease that runs from the front fender and kicks up to meet the C-pillar.

However, the most noticeable exterior change comes at the rear as Lexus has decided to ditch its traditional round emblem for a written one. We suppose all new generation Lexus' will follow this treatment under the new generation design, though the round Lexus logo at the grille will remain.

Interior

If the outside is an evolution, the inside feels like a revolution because Lexus has changed one thing that people hated the most in the NX: its unimaginative touchpad infotainment system. The new NX now sports Lexus' latest Interface touchscreen infotainment system, which has been designed in-house.

The huge 14-inch screen you see in the photos is optional, and most will probably get a 9.8-inch screen as it is standard. As you can see, the screen is positioned towards the driver and integrated well into the design of the dash. It just seems to flow nicely into the centre console. The best thing is there are still physical knobs for the climate and music control.

For the rest of the interior, it's pretty much what you have come to expect from Lexus, except for this new feature called Digital Latch. Instead of mechanical latches, the NX gets electronically operated doors where through a press of a sleek button, the door opens. The exterior door handles use a button too, but don't worry, there is a failsafe mechanism just in case the electronics fail.

Although NVH in a Lexus is already considered one of the best around, Lexus were keen to point out that they have improved the NVH in the new NX by stating that airflow and wind noises seeping into the cabin is now 15% less. They have also enhanced the materials used for sound dampening insulation.

Powertrain

Lexus will initially offer the NX with four different powertrains, three of which are new to the SUV. At the bottom of the pile is a 2.5-liter inline-4 paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission found in the NX250. It produces 203hp and 250Nm and will send all of its power to the front wheels (AWD is optional).

Then there's the NX 350, which utilises a new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder making 275hp and 430Nm. This mill will also be paired to an eight-speed auto and it comes standard with AWD.

Next up are the two hybrid models, both of which build off of the NX250's engine. The AWD NX 350h pairs the engine to two electric motors, one of which independently drives the rear wheels. It has a total output of 239hp, and will hit 120km/h in 7.2 seconds, a second and a half quicker than the previous NX350.

The most powerful of them all is the NX450 Plus which is Lexus' first plug-in-hybrid car. Lexus says the NX 450h Plus makes a total of 302hp and has a 0-120km/h time of 6.0 seconds. The NX 450h Plus has a full electric range of 60 kilometres, and it can gain a full charge in two and a half hours on a 240-volt supply when using the optional 6.6-kW charger.

Safety

The new NX adopts the evolved and enhanced Lexus Safety System+, coming with:

pre-crash safety with enhanced intersection assistance

front cross-traffic alert with display animation of the direction of the approaching vehicle

radar cruise control now with an ALL-SPEED FOLLOW FUNCTION which basically provides preliminary deceleration that prevents sudden approach to the preceding vehicle and enhances the sense of security

As usual, the Lexus Safety System + also includes lane departure alert, lane tracing assist, lane change assist, road sign assist, launch delay notification function, and proactive driving assist.

There are also new security, safety and convenience systems, which include:

E-LATCH SYSTEM - Replacing the latch/unlatch mechanism of the door with electrical control by switches delivering a smooth door operation and effortless feeling.

SAFE EXIT ASSIST (WITH DOOR OPEN CONTROL) - When exiting the vehicle, the system uses the sensors of the Blind Spot Monitor [BSM] to detect vehicles approaching from behind, including bicycles. If the system determines that there is a possibility of a collision with an open door or an alighting occupant, the indicator in the outer mirror will light up to alert the driver. The world-first system notifies the occupants with a buzzer, flashing indicator in the outer mirror, display on the meter, and voice notification.

ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED PARK (WITH REMOTE FUNCTION) - The support situations have been expanded to include in perpendicular parking situations, forward parking, backing out of a parking space, and pulling out of a parking space. In addition, by operating a smartphone with a special application installed from outside the vehicle, the driver carrying a smart key can remotely parallel park, and exit the vehicle. The system also supports forward and backward movement when removing luggage from the trunk.

DIGITAL KEY - By installing a special application on the smartphone, the smartphone can be used as a key for vehicles that have this function. If you carry a smartphone, you can lock, unlock, and start the engine without operating the screen, and even if you own several cars that are compatible with the digital key, you can operate them with only one smartphone. Digital keys can be handed over between smartphones, making it easy for family and friends to borrow and lend vehicles remotely.


The 300hp Club – Mercedes-AMG A35 vs Porsche 718 Cayman vs Honda Civic Type R

We're finally in the thick of 2020, and looking at things, it is turning out to be quite an eventful and unforgettable one for us Malaysians to say the least.

Unfortunately, unlike what a lot of us had hoped for, there are still no flying cars but what we do have here, are three very exciting cars that can also “fly”, but on the tarmac.

Say hello to the members of the 2.0-litre 300hp club, comprising three very exciting candidates who are highly capable in their own ways – the
Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC sedan
, the
Porsche 718 Cayman
, as well as the
Honda Civic FK8 Type R
.

While all three cars are powered by 2.0-litre turbocharged engines and produce between 300 hp and 320 hp, they are actually worlds apart in terms of characteristics, but there is also another similarity between them – they are without a doubt, among the most fun cars to drive on our roads at the moment.

So, if money is not an issue, and you’re looking for a super fun and quick car to drive both daily and over the weekend, watch the video above to see what these cars have to offer.

Having said that, let us jump straight into the cars:

The Ultimate Sports Car - Porsche 718 Cayman

Price: From RM540,000

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged, horizontally opposed flat 4-cylinder, petrol

Transmission: 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission

Max power: 300 PS at 6,500 rpm

Max torque: 380 Nm from 2,050 rpm to 4,500 rpm

0 to 100km/h: 4.9 seconds

Top speed: 275 km/h

Configuration: Rear Wheel Drive

Weight: 1,365 kg

The All-Rounder - Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic Sedan

Price: RM348,888

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder, petrol

Transmission: 7-speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch automatic transmission

Max power: 306 PS at 5,800 rpm

Max torque: 400 Nm from 3,000 to 4,000 rpm

0 to 100 km/h: 4.8 seconds

Top speed: 250 km/h

Configuration: All Wheel Drive

Weight: 1,564 kg

The Purist’s Dream – FK8 Honda Civic Type R

Price On Application

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder, petrol

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Max power: 310 PS at 6,500 rpm

Max torque: 400 Nm from 2,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm

0 to 100 km/h: 5.7 seconds

Top speed: 272 km/h

Configuration: Front Wheel Drive

Weight: 1,391 kg

In order to understand the three cars better, we put them through a series of “tests” to see what they had to offer, and how different they are from one another.

The first test was a 250 m acceleration challenge where we got to see how quickly each car covered the distance, followed by a B-road test along the roads of Kuala Kubu Baru and Tanjung Malim, and finally a highway test, where we compared how the cars felt to drive.

In the acceleration test, the A35 AMG Sedan covered the distance the quickest, thanks to the 4Matic all-wheel drive system which kept the car absolutely planted, especially during take-off.

It was followed very closely by the rear wheel driven Cayman which, despite producing 6 PS and 20 Nm less, was only 0.2 seconds slower. Meanwhile, the Civic Type R did it a second slower since the driver needed to do the all the shifting manually.

Following the acceleration test, we headed over to some twisty roads leading to the famous Kuala Kubu Baru dam via Tanjung Malim, where the Cayman and the Civic Type R absolutely came to life and conquered the twisty bits “like a boss”.

Now, make no mistake that the A35 was just as quick, but it just wasn’t as lively. With the super smooth 9-speed gearbox delivering power seamlessly, and the 4Matic AWD system providing constant grip and traction, the car was so composed at all times, and tackled the B-roads so effortlessly that it started to feel a little boring.

Meanwhile, the Cayman was simply unbelievable through the twisty bits. With the pops, bangs, and crackles from the exhausts, the Boxer engine, the Porsche Stability Management system, the stiff dampers, the low centre-of gravity, and the ultra-quick steering rack, it tackled every corner with amazing sharpness without missing a beat.

The Civic Type R on the other hand, we heard the VTEC Turbo engine’s blow-off valve singing the song of its people during shifts, and the exhaust screaming at high revs, making it an absolute riot behind the wheels.

Further complementing the whole experience were features like the helical limited slip differential (LSD), the automatic rev matching, and the adaptive dampers among others, which ensured that the car stayed planted, yet lively at the same time through corners.

While the Mercedes-AMG A35 and the Porsche 718 Cayman had a fair deal of technological intervention especially during gearshifts, the Civic Type R and its manual gearbox was still keeping things traditional, where the driver had to be 100% on the ball to squeeze the most out of the car.

Overall, all three cars were mighty impressive on twisty roads, but the key difference was how they felt. While there was little to no drama in the A35 AMG, it was an absolute party in the Cayman and the Civic Type R.

As for the highway test where comfort, convenience, practicality, entertainment, and driver assistance came into play, the A35 AMG had the most to offer – four luxurious leather seats, MBUX infotainment system with voice command, ambient lighting, a big boot, as well as rear air cond vents, making it the most ideal among the three for long distance journeys.

And then we have the Civic Type R which was even more spacious due to its massive size, which was more comfortable than what we had expected. It is practical too, with plenty of storage compartments. So, if you want to take your family along for a long drive, the two white cars here are what you should go for.

However, if space, practicality, and convenience are not on top of your list, and you’re looking for a true blue sports car that was actually designed to take on the race track, the Cayman here will definitely tickle you in all the right places.

The thing is that the Cayman can still be used as a daily driver, as it has nice leather seats, Bose premium audio, a user-friendly infotainment system, a reverse camera, parking sensors, and TWO boots to store your luggage!

But then again, if you are one of those who are looking for a half-a-million Ringgit sports car, you probably already have a sedan or an SUV parked at home for people moving duties.

So, depending on your wants, needs, and your bank balance, the three candidates here, despite having the same engine capacity and somewhat similar output figures, are worlds apart.

Having said that, which one would you choose?


Spoon Goodies for the Honda Civic Type R

Renowned Honda Tuner, Spoon Sports (Spoon) now finally has a comprehensive list of upgrades available for the FK8 Civic Type R.

Unlike most tuners who usually release the whole package in one go, Spoon has been gradually introducing the upgrades for the Civic Type R over the past few months, ranging from cosmetic bits, performance enhancements, and everything in between.

On the exterior, the list of Spoon goodies available for the Civic Type R include an aero bodykit which comprises unique front and rear bumpers with carbon fibre splitters and diffusers, a larger front grille, wire mesh air intakes which replace the stock fake ones, a carbon fibre roof spoiler, a “Crane Neck” carbon GT Wing, and last but not least – the iconic SW388 five-spoke forged alloy wheels in 18-inch specifications.

There are cosmetic upgrades offered for the engine as well, such as the Spoon cylinder head cover in either red or yellow, and the Spoon radiator and oil filler caps.

As for the performance bits, there is the N1 full exhaust system, an upgraded cooling system comprising a new thermostat and an aluminium radiator, reinforced driveshafts, stainless steel brake and clutch hoses, improved brake pads, lowered springs, as well as racing-grade zero bump steer ball joint kit.

With all the components in place, the folks at Spoon Sports claim that there is certainly improvements in terms of output and the handling of the Civic Type R, but no exact details have been provided just yet.

The complete list of goodies you see above are not only available for sale in Japan, but also in the USA. We have no indication if they are here in Malaysia, but since Spoon Sports is well represented in Malaysia, the brand’s latest offerings should be available here very soon.

So, if you have a Civic Type R and money was not an issue, would you give it the full Spoon treatment, or would you rather keep the car stock? Let us know below!


Worth Every Sen: 4 Cheap Fun Pint-Sized SUVs With Great Capabilities

Cheap older SUVs that can probably do more than the current crop of handbag carriers.

Gone are the days where SUVs are treated as hard tough cars. The
current crop
 are built and designed to conquer the concrete jungle, where bad city roads lead up to shopping malls and offices. It's a sorry state really because a perfectly normal sedan can probably do it better.

Modern
SUVs
 are just jacked up luxury vehicles. They have the ground clearance of an adventure vehicle but do not have any potential to be one.

Although some of them might have the right equipment to tackle off-road adventures, the looks and price of them just won't encourage the owner to do so. Some owners wouldn't even take them to their 'kebun' for that matter because who'd want to stuff their nice and expensive leather kitted SUV with mud infested fruits and vegetables.

So what do you do if you want a cheap hardy adventure SUV to bash around in? Revert back to the nineties of course, and luckily there are some still in service in the used car market, and for around RM20k and under, you can probably get one that can handle the hard stuff as well as that place that millennials call a playground, the shopping mall.

Here are some we found on
Carlist
.

First Generation Suzuki Vitara (from RM8k)

We don't care what anyone says, the Suzuki Vitara is an ICON. As much as it has off-roading prowess, it is also a well-behaved SUV on the tarmac, something that many other SUVs struggle with. With its ability to provide low range gearing, it's pretty much a go-anywhere vehicle. Its used car prices are low too unlike its cousin the Jimny where prices are becoming a bit ridiculous.

With a 1.6-litre engine, the Vitara is not the most powerful car in the world, but because its lightweight, it does move around efficiently. Parts are still cheap and readily available for the much loved Suzuki SUV, but the star feature of the car is definitely its low range gears. With a bit of modifications to the suspension and tyres, some have even taken it proper off-roading whilst being able to bring their family along for some of that real jungle fun.

First Generation Daihatsu Feroza (from RM12k)

Once upon a time, the Daihatsu Feroza was the go-to vehicle for those looking to buy a cheap round town SUV.  What they never realised was that it was built to go further than your daily commute around the central business district. Once again thanks to its low range gearing and light weight, it could tiptoe itself around the jungle. It has a 1.6-litre bombproof and reliable engine that sits on a sturdy ladder frame chassis, and although it's not as comfortable as the Vitara, it does gracefully tackle tarmac demands with poise.

Anything with a low range gearbox is golden for tackling the hard stuff, so many have modified the Feroza to be a proper off-road vehicle. Since it is not the biggest car around, those looking for a bit more space would probably look past it, but then again, you can create more of it by taking its roof off which is probably one of the coolest things ever. All Feroza's can do this by the way.

Mitsubishi IO (from RM18k)

It's a shame that many treat the Mitsubishi IO as a town or 'pasar' car because it has a lot more to offer. Priced a bit higher than the Vitara and Feroza, we can understand why people do not seem to consider it as an option for a fun, cheap adventure car. Still, if you could stomach the slightly higher price, it'll definitely reward you for it.

With an above than average underbody protection for a SUV of its class and time, the IO's boxy yet stylish look definitely has more substance beneath the exterior surface. With a typically reliable 1.8-litre Mitsubishi engine powering the car, it has what it takes to go the distance. Couple that with low gearing, you have here a correct recipe for some off-road fun. Although the IO does look big for a pint-sized SUV, its interior proves otherwise with many criticising the rear legroom.

Perodua Kembara (from RM6k)

We can't finish off this collection without having a local hero, and sadly, the only local hero that is appropriate for this group is the ever hardworking Perodua Kembara. Okay, the Kembara might not have low gearing as well as engine power (1.3-litre) like the rest, but it makes up for it through a locking differential and lightweight monocoque body.

Some love the cheap fun of the Kembara so much, they have even gone as far as modifying the permanent 4WD feature where it can toggle between 2WD and 4WD, improving the fuel economy of the vehicle. The Kembara is the cheapest SUV on this list commanding a price of a new
kapcai
- if that's not value for money, we don't know what is. One of the best things about used Kembaras is that there are plenty of them, so you can be picky and pick whichever one suits your budget or taste.


SEMA 2017: BTR Edition Hyundai Elantra Sport Concept Is All Show, All Go

Hyundai will be showcasing the BTR Edition Elantra Sport Concept at the 2017 SEMA Show, co-developed with Blood Type Racing. This concept adds methanol injection, intake and exhaust modifications and an updated intercooler plus tuned suspension and full aero kit.
Starting from the exterior, the BTR Edition Elantra gets SSR GTX01 19-inch wheels wrapped in Toyo T1 Sports rubbers. Then there’s the Aerotek custom-made front, side and rear lip kit that is track-ready, with a large APR GTC-200 spoiler at the rear. The BASF Glasurit Arancio Borealis paint is done by AutoArt. Diode Dynamics custom headlights complete the exterior of the BTR Edition Elantra.
Under the bonnet lies a Torcon CAI intake and Pierce Motorsports exhaust system. Blood Type Racing also custom tuned the engine management system. Last but not least is the Devil’s Own methanol injection system, though BTR did not specify the Elantra’s final output figures.
The interior gets a re-stitched upholstery matched with diamond-stitched floor mats. A SoCalGarageWorks carbon-fibre steering wheel is also fitted to the BTR Edition Elantra.
Blood Type Racing did not leave out the handling aspect of the Elantra, as they have fitted the concept with HSD coilover suspension, Pierce Motorsport sway bars, strut tower brace and chassis brace. The big brake kit is supplied by Fella.
Sam Lee, product manager, Blood Type Racing said, “The BTR Edition Elantra Sport takes the Elantra beyond its capable OEM-development roots without sacrificing daily drivability. Building upon the well-developed Elantra Sport platform, powertrain and design fundamentals, we’ve given enthusiasts a new vision of where this affordable sport compact wants to go.”


New Colour Option For Honda Jazz, Base Model Jazz S Gets Minor Updates

Honda Malaysia has made some updates to the colour options for their segment-leading Honda Jazz - Carnival Red (R-513) will now replace Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic (B-593M).
Honda Malaysia said it expects to sell 200 unit of the just the Carnival Red coloured Jazz alone every month. Since its launch in July 2014, sales of the Honda Jazz have been averaging at around 1,450 units per month, with a cumulative sales of 26,126 units as of December 2015. Honda says the Jazz is the best-selling model in the B-segment hatchback class.
Meanwhile, the base model Jazz S variant (RM73,800 on the road) has been updated. The front grille is now painted in high-glossed black adorned with chrome plating while the door mirrors are now power adjustable for convenience. The rear number plate garnish is now chrome plated.
“We have observed that the Jazz is attracting a new group of young customers mainly tertiary students and young adults who are looking to own their first car. Research has shown that the colour red was depicted to be fresh, vibrant and young. We are pleased to introduce the Jazz in Carnival Red, which is a perfect combination of fun and practicality, and we are confident it will be able to meet our young customers’ requirements. The vibrant and striking colour complements the versatile lifestyle of the young customers perfectly,” said Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno.
The other colour options available are Tinted Silver Metallic (NH-823M), Tafetta White (NH-578), Modern Steel Metallic (NH-797M), and Crystal Black Pearl (NH-731P).
The move comes after the introduction of Dark Ruby Red Pearl (R-525P) colour option for the City, replacing the model’s previous communication colour Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic (B-593M).


Emergency Ordinance Officially Revoked - 10km Travel Radius Still Enforced?

The official revocation of the emergency ordinance has now passed, so what does this mean for SOPs and emergency laws? Is the 10km travel radius still enforced?

According to the news portal Free Malaysia Today, lawyers have advised that we should continue to obey emergency ordinances on movement control despite the state of emergency ending on August 1.

"The Federal Constitution states that emergency ordinances remain valid for six months after a state of emergency ceases. In addition, the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act remains in force and rules and SOPs, including restrictions on travel and movement, set by the health ministry and the health director-general, still apply".

What this means is that the PDRM and the relevant enforcement agencies can still slap you with a maximum fine of RM10k for individuals and RM50k for companies. This fine was put into action on January 11, 2021, after Malaysia was placed under a nationwide state of emergency, which then resulted in new laws under the emergency ordinances.

Even with or without the emergency ordinance, the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act still needs to be followed, and rules as well as
SOPs
, including:

10km travel radius from your home

no interstate travel

no interdistrict travel

These
stricter
 SOPs were put in place on June 1, 2021 after a nationwide lockdown was announced due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. It's been more than 500 days since Malaysia's Movement Control Order (MCO) lockdown began. MCO officially started on March 18, 2020.

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

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Carlist.my.

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

Get the latest new car promotions at
New Car
 website now.


Volkswagen Driving Experience – Correcting All Your Bad Habits

Take a look at your driving position right now. We can bet that a majority of you won’t even know what is wrong with your driving position. This is the main reason why driving courses are excellent refreshers for everyone, yours truly included.
So when the invitation came for the Volkswagen Driving Experience came, I knew I had to refresh my driving skills, as I admit I was getting a bit rusty. No, really.
This is Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM)’s introductory driving course aimed at owners of the Wolfsburg brand.
Before getting behind the wheel, the common mistake that I mentioned earlier covers seating position, seat height, seat belt, steering and even head rest position. Our driving instructors made it a point to highlight these common mistakes, so what participants won’t repeat them.
One part that I would like to highlight is the head rest position. Contarary to popular beliefs, the head rest is not for drivers to rest their heads on, rather as restraint that prevents rearward movement of front occupants in the event of a collision. The correct way to adjust the headrest is to line up the top of the headrest to the top of your head, not too high or too low.
Another common mistake that drivers do these days is adjusting their seats too low. Ideally, drivers should bring their seat up as high as possible, in order to get better forward visibility. Keeping a four finger gap between your head and the car's ceiling is recommended.
The driving course is split into three segments – Emergency Braking with ABS, Accident Avoidance with ABS and Reaction Lane Change. For those who have not attended any driving courses, the one offered by Volkswagen is a good opportunity to learn and correct your mistakes. For all the exercises, we started off at 50 km/h, gradually increasing to 60 km/h before maxing out at 70 km/h.
Emergency Braking with ABS, as the name suggests, required participants to stomp hard on the brake pedal, as gentle braking will not activate ABS. Without ABS, stomping hard on the brakes will cause the front tyres to lock up, thus making maneuvering near impossible. Fret not, as almost all new cars you can buy today are fitted with ABS, which brings us to the next segment, Accident Avoidance with ABS.
Here, participants had to stomp on the brakes while maneuvering away from an obstacle. In theory, it sounds easy enough, but in practice it was much harder as than it seems. Many partipicants misjudged the obstacle cone, clipping it as they avoided the cone.
Last but not least is the Reaction Lane Change. This exercise simulates an emergency situation that happens too sudden to react and braking is out of the question. The only way is to steer around the obstacle. Here, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system of the Passat comes into play, keeping the large saloon's handling in check. However, ESC cannot defy the laws of physics. If the car's tires are worn or the driver is driving too quick, there's little that ESC can do to mitigate the situation.
As I mentioned earlier, Volkswagen’s offering is good for everyone, be it as a first timer or someone looking to refresh their driving skills. Of course, time will tell to as how much the company plans to charge for this driving course, as it is an invitation-only affair for the time being.


Ex-John Lennon Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Auctioned Off – Just USD 225K

A 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (Pagoda) belonging to Beetles legend John Lennon was recently auctioned off in the U.S. for USD 225K.
Bearing the original U.K. registration numbers GCP 196C, this very special 230 SL was originally delivered to John Winston Lennon (M.B.E) in 1965 and retains the original documentation and logbook documents, even bearing the music icon’s signature on the registration.
In pristine working condition, the 230 SL is powered by a 2.3-litre straight-six engine that sends power to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. With approximately 20,000 kms on the odometer, after nearly 50 years, the car still retains its original chassis plate, engine, transmission, and rear differential – as verified by Mercedes-Benz’s original factory records.
The car was delivered new to its owner in medium blue with a grey leather interior, grey soft top, and factory hardtop cover.
GCP 196C was owned by several British owners before making its way to the U.S. in the mid-1980s. The car has subsequently been owned by a number of collectors and museums before going to auction last week.
Despite its substantial auction price, the transacted value for a car of this much heritage, condition, and prominence was still far off initial price estimates – which ranged between USD 500k and USD 3 million. By comparison, the (Mk4) Toyota Supra used by Paul Walker in the first Fast and Furious movie was auctioned for USD 185K in 2015.
Photo credit:
https://mercedesblog.com


Volvo Malaysia Is Gauging Interest For The All-Electric XC40 Recharge – Coming Soon

Volvo Car Malaysia has begun to register interest amongst its local fans and customers for the Volvo XC40 Recharge, strongly hinting at the possibility that
Volvo’s first-ever Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
 will be introduced here very soon. For now, the small page on their local website serves as a precursor to the eventual introduction of the BEV, and allows the company to gauge interest for its new car amongst the buying public.

As opposed to the
Volvo XC40 Recharge T5
 – the XC40 Recharge is built from the ground up as a BEV and boasts a 78kWh battery embedded low within the centre of the vehicle; protected by a safety cage. The battery power two motors, one at both axles, for a combined power output of 408PS and 660Nm (in P8 form).

The
 XC40 Recharge
 is claimed to deliver up to 418km (WLTP standards) of driving range with a full charge. The battery requires around 40mins to juice up to 80 percent capacity with a 150kW
DC fast charger
 (or around 2 hours for a full charge with DC charger), or roughly 8-10 hours with an 11kW AC Wallbox charger. Performance numbers read 4.9 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint onto a
limited top speed (as all Volvo models are)
 of 180km/h.

The new Android-powered infotainment system offers customers unprecedented personalisation, improved levels of intuitiveness and embedded Google technology and services, such as Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store. As of 2021, the XC40 Recharge will also be able to receive larger over-the-air software and operating system updates.

Courtesy of a
Google based operating software
, the XC40 Recharge will also benefit from a Google Maps based route planner – which includes real-time traffic info and rerouting plus a route based planner which alerts the driver on the state of charge and can make recommendations to nearby charging points along the route.

Having been recently introduced to the Thai market, the XC40 Recharge is priced at THB2,590,000 (approximately RM345k), and is supplied with a 5-year/150,000km warranty, 5-year/100,000km free scheduled service program, free Wallbox EV charger with 2 years warranty (inclusive of installation and a home electrical health check) and free recharging (with ‘EA Anywhere’) for the first two years. Thus offering a comprehensive package for early adopters and users alike.

It remains to be seen if similar programs will be offered for the Malaysian Volvo XC40 Recharge, and more importantly, how the Recharge will be priced against the plug-in XC40 Recharge T5 version which currently retails from RM231,651 with current SST tax exemptions in place.


Zero Percent Interest Rate For Volkswagen Polo, Vento and Golf

Limited to this weekend only, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is offering a rather hard to resist 0% interest rate promotion for the Volkswagen Polo, Vento and Golf.
To support this ‘Octoberfest’ campaign, Volkswagen dealerships around the country will be open until 8pm on this coming weekend (8th and 9th October 2016).
The Volkswagen Polo hatchback is powered by a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine. Prices start from RM76,888 excluding insurance.
The Volkswagen Vento sedan has two engine options – a turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI or a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine that’s shared with the Polo hatchback. Prices start from RM79,888.
Both the Polo and Vento are locally-assembled at the DRB-Hicom complex in Pekan, Pahang.
The Volkswagen Golf is imported from Germany, and is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre TSI engine. Prices start from RM149,888.


2017 Lexus IS Facelift and NX 200t Special Edition Introduced In Malaysia

Lexus Malaysia has officially introduced the 2017 Lexus NX 200t Special Edition (SE) crossover SUV and the newly-facelifted 2017 Lexus IS sport sedan.
Both models come without any increase in prices and in the case of the newly-facelifted IS, three of the four variants are actually priced less than before.
Lexus NX 200t Special Edition
The New Lexus NX Special Edition receives a restyled front end with new LED headlamps and front fog lamps. The NX 200t SE also adds black themed highlights, which include dark film trim, a black spindle grill, and side mirror surrounds, and a larger newly designed black 18-inch alloy wheels.
Equipment levels have been improved – now comes with powered back-door, panoramic sunroof, and smart card key entry system.
The Special Edition commands an RM2k premium over entry level NX200t. The Lexus NX SUV range is now priced as follows –
NX200t: RM318,757
NX200t Special Edition: RM320,813
NX200t Premium: RM350,512
NX200t Luxury: RM372,191
NX200t F Sport: RM398,907
NX300h: RM409,091
Prices stated are OTR inclusive of GST and Insurance.
2017 New Lexus IS
The facelifted 2017 Lexus IS introduces improvements with the aim of enhancing the owner, driver and occupant experience.
The exterior appearance has also been refreshed according to the company’s “Aggressive Design” concept which was adopted for this generation.
At the front, reshaped headlamps are now Bi-LED units (triple lenses on IS 300h) and have a more pronounced look than before. The shape that accentuates the ‘L’ configuration of the daytime running lights which serve as a ‘signature’ for Lexus models. The turn indicators are also the LED type now.
The bumper has been restyled to smoothly integrate the larger air intakes, the new spindle grille angles back at a higher point than before, giving the impression of a lower centre of gravity and to blend with the reshaped bonnet.
Changes to the rear include new triple-layered LED light guides and new rectangular, chrome-finished exhaust tips. Newly designed 17-inch alloy rims are fitted to the IS 200t Premium and IS 300h (now with run-flat tyres as standard) while the IS 200t Luxury and IS 200t F SPORT have 18-inch alloy rims with staggered, wider dimensions at the rear.
One of the highlights of the 2017 model is the wider centrally mounted “EMVN” screen which has been significantly increased from 7 inches to 10.3-inches. This new, high-resolution monitor presents larger and clearer images and has a split-screen view so that different information displays can be presented simultaneously.
An auto Start/Stop system is also now fitted to all variants.
As before, the model line is available with a choice of two powertrains and four variants. Customers can choose from either the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in the IS 200t Premium, IS 200t Luxury and IS 200t F Sport variants or the IS 300h which is equipped with Lexus’ 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine-electric motor hybrid with a net system output of 220hp.
Shared with the NX 200t but rotated 90 degrees for longitudinal installation, the IS 200t's twin-scroll turbocharged powertrain features a highly-advanced VVT-iW valvetrain that is able to switch between Otto and Atkinson combustion cycles depending on the need to prioritize between power and economy. For the same reason, the engine also incorporates both direct and port fuel injection, again to alternate between the two according to driving conditions and throttle input.
The 8AR-FTS engine is rated at outputs of 241hp and 350Nm, which is sent astern by an 8-speed automatic transmission, enabling the IS 200t to sprint from rest to 100km/h in seven seconds flat. In the NX 200t, however, the same engine is quoted for 235hp and 350Nm, and is paired with a 6-speed auto to drive all fours.
The 2017 Lexus IS range is priced as follows –
IS 200t Premium: RM306,327
IS 200t Luxury: RM341,464
IS 200t F Sport: RM376,401
IS 300h: RM423,677
Prices stated are OTR inclusive of GST and Insurance.
All new models sold by Lexus Malaysia come with a comprehensive factory warranty of 5 years with unlimited mileage. The NX 300h and IS 300h also have an 8-year battery assurance program for the hybrid battery pack.


Pre-Owned Wagons Are More Extra Wonderfuller - A Perfect Used Buy?

Wagons. For those who love this form factor of car, there is no substitute. But for Malaysians, getting our fix means digging around harder and longer as they have always been a limited commodity on our roads. There's no such thing as a 'perfect' new car, much less a used one, but these lovely extended hatchbacks are definitely a smart pick.

So few wagons even
made it officially to local showrooms
 and there aren’t any new models to be bought at any price without placing a special order with a willing automaker, and those kind of arrangements do come with plenty of extra expense.

It’s not impossible, though, to find some genuine gems on the used market. If you’re lucky enough, there might be an imported example with a clean ownership record and bill of health, and is actually a bit of a low mileage unicorn as well. Though I have had on-again, off-again luck with used finds, I am now holding out hope to come across a mint BMW 3 Series Touring (F31) in a few years.

However, for the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing specifically on the wonderful wagons that somehow managed to worm their way into Malaysian showrooms (and into our hearts) despite the prevailing wisdom that wagons are doomed to be slow sellers.

These automakers (or rather their local distributors) knew the odds, but nonetheless took that chance and gave us a very interesting selection over the past few years. We applaud their bravery, though predictably many of those naysayers were correct, proving that the market seems continually tepid on the wagon issue no matter when it’s presented.

That does mean that every one of the cars below did not sell in particularly high numbers, meaning they still are relatively rare next to their saloon-bodied counterparts, which does make the search a little more arduous.

That being said, these cars are also more likely to stay on the used market for longer given their narrower perceived appeal and, for the same reason, might even come with a substantially lower price. The brunt of the depreciation will impact first owner, too.

Wagons here, because of their scarcity, are also generally bought by other wagon lovers, who are in-turn car lovers, so you can expect the vehicle in question to be more well looked after inside and out by its previous owner.

If you’re lucky, the car might still be in near-showroom condition thanks to fastidious upkeep and mechanical maintenance, and with rather low mileage, so it’s worth your while to engage in some long-game tactics with your search and be discerning in your selection.

Volvo V90

We’ll kick-off strong with the brand that truly galvanised the form factor as a do-everything machine. At one time, Volvos were so known for these cars that it started to overtake their reputation for unwavering safety. To counter that somewhat, the Swedish marque took their cars into racing, and was notably successful in the British Touring Car Championship.

The most recent culmination of unshakable utility mixed in with a sensible dose of sportiness, the drop dead gorgeous V90 was launched alongside the S90 saloon
back in March 2017
. The range started off with the T6, but it’s the T6 that’s worth keeping an eye out for, which comes standard with the R-Design appearance package, a Nappa leather interior, and a 2.0-litre engine pumping out 320hp to all four wheels.

There’s never been a more stylish car to load up a flat-pack IKEA shopping spree in than the V90.

For the full selection of used Volvo wagons,
click here
.

Subaru Levorg

The Japanese automaker made a rather big noise about the Levorg
coming to this region
, though they couldn’t have been too assured of a sales hit next to its launch partner, the facelifted version of the 1st-generation XV.

The Levorg was essentially a new nameplate for a car that had previously taken the form of the Impreza wagon, retaining the engine range and platform from one of Subaru’s most established models, but repackaging it in a more sophisticated form.

Despite its good looks and tidy all-wheel drive dynamics, the sole engine option here was a respectable but rather lacklustre 1.6-litre turbocharged flat-four producing 170PS and 250Nm mated to Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT.

Its price point was also another hurdle Malaysian buyers felt wasn’t worth the climb. At a touch under RM200k at its 2016 introduction, not even the luxurious interior appointments or safety features could redeem the fully imported Japanese wagon in the eyes of potential buyers, though they might not have realised what they were passing up.

That’s good news to us who prowl the classifieds for this hidden gem.

For the full selection of used Subaru wagons,
click here
.

Mazda 6 Touring

The other Japanese wagon to grace our shores in recent memory came in the form of the 3rd-generation Mazda 6, the D-segment contender to the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Volkswagen Passat and, at the time, Ford Mondeo.

Back in 2013, the Kodo design language was new to us and the 6 was one of the first cars to emerge with the new look, and in
this Touring guise
 helped catapult Mazda into the spotlight as a marque with truly premium aspirations, bolstered too by its upmarket interior and build quality.

The Touring was a stunner and, fully imported from Hiroshima, was priced accordingly at RM194k for a single highly equipped 2.5-litre variant — still managing to undercut the smaller Levorg, mind you. The way it drove could put plenty of Germans to shame, too.

For the full selection of used Mazda wagons,
click here
.

Peugeot 508SW GT

Here’s something unexpected, a sporty-ish wagon diesel. For a few years, local distributor Nasim offered the D-segment contending 508 as both sedan and SW (Station Wagon) forms, going to far as to offer it in multiple variants.

Back in 2012, the ‘standard’ SW was nice enough but the 508SW GT took things much further. True to the variant’s name, the car wasn’t the last word in nimble handling, but made up for it with an unrelenting wave of torque - 450Nm to be exact - from its 2.2-litre four-cylinder HDi turbodiesel.

The 19-inch wheels and exterior treatment also gave the car some real on-road menace and, if you let it, could easily pull into a fast overtake and way past the speed limit. Some tuners have taken this strong motor past 250hp and 550Nm on stock components.

Highway regulars always tend to have to watch their backs for the unassuming fast diesel to shame them in a rolling drag. This Peugeot is a prime example. As the tentative stewardship of the brand shifts from Naza Group to Bermaz (BAuto), there’s some hope that the new
second-generation 508
 will finally make its Malaysian debut.

For the full selection of used Peugeot wagons,
click here
.

Hyundai i40 Touring

Those looking for proof that the span between 2012 and 2017 was something of a golden age for the wagon lover need only consider that we even had a rogue South Korean entrant: Hyundai i40 Tourer.

The i40 itself, which was also available as a sedan, was a bit of an anomaly as it competed directly with the Sonata. Buyers found it difficult to justify its RM160k price tag next to its slighter larger stablemate, and we had trouble explaining why they existed alongside each other at all.

The awkward familial relationship only served to distract from the i40 Tourer’s appeal, though. Its shape was an unexpectedly sleek and handsome one from Hyundai at the time, paired with a roomy cabin, generous equipment levels, impressive safety credentials, and 555-litre boot capacity (1,720-litre with the rear seats folded).

It’s naturally aspirated engine featured direct injection (something which even the newest Sonata here omits) and generates 180PS and 214Nm, which is rather impressive considering its 2.0-litre displacement and four-cylinders. It also drove alright; like a Hyundai.

For the full selection of used Hyundai wagons,
click here
.


Falling Ringgit: Hyundai Raised Prices Of Santa Fe, Elantra and Veloster

It’s inevitable. With the Ringgit losing nearly 18 percent in this year alone, and going past a 17-year low value to trade at RM4.40 to 1 US Dollar this morning, it is only a matter of time that prices of cars will go up.
It doesn’t matter if a car is locally-assembled or fully-imported as even locally-assembled cars contain a fairly high number of high precision components that have to be imported – engines, transmissions, infotainment system, electronic control modules, airbags, and many more.
Checks with Hyundai Malaysia’s website revealed that the seven-seater Santa Fe’s starting price (2.4-litre Elegance model) has now been increased by RM8,480 to RM167,735. The price is excluding insurance.
The highest specifications Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Premium now sells for RM201,134 excluding insurance, up by whooping RM10,589.
The C-segment Elantra’s entry 1.6-litre EX variant starts from RM92,288 (without insurance), up from the previous Elantra Elegance’s RM85,888. Hyundai Malaysia has recently changed its variant line-up for the
Elantra facelift
 and the company has yet to update the e-brochure on its website so we are unsure if the two variants are comparable.
In any case, the highest specifications Elantra 1.8-litre Premium is now RM2,239 more expensive than before, selling at RM118,794.
Meanwhile the Veloster 1.6-litre (non-turbo) Premium now sells for RM135,461 without insurance, up by RM6,395.
Related link:
BMW Group Malaysia: Price Hike Possible If Ringgit Continues To Weaken
Ringgit Hits RM4.33 To The Dollar, Lowest In 17 Years - Hike In Car Prices Imminent?
Perodua Denies Any Move To Raise Prices Due To Falling Ringgit Value
Will Car Prices Increase Following The Sharp Devaluation Of Our Ringgit?


No New Diesel Cars Or Taxis From 2025, Says Singapore LTA

Last week, in a move to encourage the
adoption of electric vehicles
 among the general public and the transportation industry, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority will be banning the registration of new cars and taxis powered by diesel engines from 2025.

Previously, this was set to be enforced onwards from 2030, but the island nation’s government and policymakers have moved the goalpost by a full 5 years, effectively barring anyone from owning or operating a new diesel passenger vehicle.

“These measures will support Singapore’s targets to cease new diesel car and taxi registrations from 2025, require all new car and taxi registrations to be of cleaner-energy models from 2030, and have all vehicles run on cleaner energy by 2040,”
the LTA said.

Naturally, the majority of commercial vehicles used for the mass transport of passenger
or goods/cargo
 such as lorries, buses, and panel vans will still rely need to rely on the diesel engine due to its high torque output and generally superior fuel economy over petrol-powered alternatives, so this smells of a selective culling based on idealism, not practicality.

Singapore also cites reducing emissions and improving air quality as being a factor in their decision here, but given that only 2.9% of privately owned passenger cars are diesels, the impact from ordinary citizens would be quite minimal.

However, with the apparent 41.5% of all taxis running on diesels, robbing taxi drivers and operators of this option could be a huge blow to their business. For the same cost benefits of fuel economy and driving range, there isn’t
an EV
 or petrol-electric hybrid out there that presents the same set of advantages.

In the case of the PHEV, it suffers from a smaller-than-usual fuel tank to make room for its batteries. And meanwhile, fully electric vehicles have much bigger batteries that
need to be charged up
, which could take as little as half an hour thanks to DC fast charging, but the availability of charging stations is never a guarantee.

On the face of things, there isn’t really a plan in place here for Singapore taxis to shift en masse away from diesel power, and remember we’re not even getting into the cost involved in purchasing a PHEV or EV to replace a conventional ICE car, not to mention a whole fleet.

Singapore does plan to install a combined 60,000 EV charging stations across public locations and private premises, but that project is only expected to be complete by 2030, five years after the ‘diesel ban’.

By 2040, the country plans to have “all vehicles run on cleaner” energy, meaning every vehicle on the island will need to have some form of electrification - parallel hybrid or PHEV at minimum, full EV ideally.

It does also beg the question of how the island nation plans to power or upgrade its power infrastructure and expand electricity generation capacity. Becoming an EV-focused country isn’t an easy flick of the switch, and supplying over 60,000 charging stations will require some serious reserves of juice.

Obviously, Singapore’s limited land area and lack of natural resources mean its ‘in-house’ energy options are quite limited. Making matters worse, as of 2020, reportedly less than 5% of its energy production is derived from renewable sources while the other 95% is generated by the burning of landfill waste, natural gas, and coal (nearly all of which is imported, of course).

Who knows, they might need to tap into Malaysia’s power grid for a long-term solution or, failing that, find a way to exploit nuclear fission as that route, while non-renewable, remains the only realistic source of a safe, clean, high output electricity supply.


Isuzu Hicom Malaysia Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Isuzu Hicom Malaysia Sdn Bhd (IHM) commemorated its 10th anniversary last week in a ceremony held in Pekan, Pahang.
Established in 2007, IHM has produced nine Isuzu commercial vehicles to date, ranging from the N-series light duty truck to the F-series medium duty truck.
Isuzu Malaysia Limited’s chairman Susumu Hosoi said that Malaysia is an important market for the Isuzu Group. With proven vehicles, the Isuzu brand has been well received in Malaysia and has achieved the no. 1 market share in the truck category for three consecutive years; attaining a market share of 40%.
IHM’s 10th anniversary is its third milestone event this year, following the completion of the company’s 100,000th in February this year, and the opening of the newest flagship facility in Shah Alam.


2023 Kia Sorento officially launched - from RM211,498

Get ready to bring the whole family on a road trip, as the wait is over for the all-new 6 and 7-seater SUV by Kia.

The new Kia Sorento created buzz when it was
previewed in January
 this year. Today, Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd officially launched the SUV in its fourth generation.

Consumers get to pick between 3 variants and 2 powertrains. The 7-seater 2WD (RM211,498.40) and the 6-seater AWD (RM235,498.40), comes with the 2.5L petrol engine paired with a 6-Speed Automatic transmission. Another 6-seater AWD (RM255,228.80) comes with the 2.2L diesel engine mated with Kia’s new 8-speed double-clutch transmission (8DCT). The petrol engine is able to produce up to 177hp and 232Nm of torque, while the diesel engine packs a punch with 199hp and 440Nm of torque.

Exterior embracing the "refined boldness" concept

At the front of the car, the Sorento boasts a wider ‘tiger nose’ grille, which is a hallmark of Kia's design language. The grille elegantly wraps around the headlamps, which are the new ‘tiger eyeline’ LED daytime-running lights.

One of the most striking changes to the Sorento's exterior is its shortened front and rear overhangs and longer wheelbase, adding length to its appearance. This creates a more dynamic and athletic stance that is sure to turn heads on the road. Overall, the refined boldness design concept of the new Sorento has resulted in a more sculpted and tougher looking Sorento than its predecessors.

Premium interior offerings

As expected in a Sorento, its spaciousness and versatility are retained, while equipped with premium materials and cutting-edge infotainment. Its fourth-generation design boasts metallic trims, leather upholstery, and embossed wood-effect surfaces.

Interior offerings for the range-topping model include premium leather upholstery, 12.3-inch digital driver cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, Bose surround sound system, wireless phone charger, just to name a few. The more affordable option of the SUV comes with fabric seats, analogue dials for the multi-info display and 18-inch rims instead of 19-inch ones.


The Giant Awakens, Quietly - Toyota's Powertrain Offensive To Hit Hard

Known for making good and reliable cars, Toyota doesn’t trumpet their innovations in powertrain development, but other car makers should take note, because Toyota's coming powertrain offensive will hit hard.
General Sun Tzu, one of the most widely studied military strategists of the ancient world, whose 'Art of War' book is still studied in military academies in both the East and the West once said that war is based on the art of deception:
"When we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."
So when Toyota made a public announcement that it will be launching 14 new engines within 20 months, they made sure the information is buried deep within a boring 25 page technical presentation, slipping past the attention of all but the geekiest news editor.
The ridiculously ambitious numbers suggest that Toyota will be launching on average, one new engine every one and a half months.
Not even former Emperor Ferdinand Piech's twelve-brand empire is audacious enough to attempt an engineering challenge of such a grand scale.
When Volkswagen started downsizing its engines, it was done over a three year period, and primarily involved only four TSI engines, and even that the engines' rollout has been marred by serious reliability issues reported worldwide.
The Late Comer Shows The Way
Over the past five years, the dominant trend in engine technology is downsizing. Forced by a relentless push to drive down carbon dioxide emissions from motor vehicles by governments of US and Europe, fitment of turbochargers by manufacturers have been growing by more than 10 percent annually.
As explained in
evo 119
, manufacturers love turbochargers because they allow them to game the mandatory fuel consumption testing, especially those done in Europe, while consumers love their constant wave of torque.
The UNECE R101 test driving cycle, often referred to as the New European Driving Cycle, is characterized by many low load driving periods, where turbocharged engines are operating just below their boost threshold.
This is unrealistic in the real world, and Toyota along with Mazda, are among the last staunch supporters of naturally-aspirated engines.
Mazda believes that the solution is not downsizing but 'right-sizing.' Meanwhile Toyota believes that hybrids are the most effective way to reduce emissions while turbochargers are purely performance enhancing solutions.
For nearly decade, consumers and analysts have been wondering how much longer will these two Japanese icons continue to stay on the sidelines, while everyone else pulls ahead with their new range of downsized engines.
Several years passed before independent testing by ADAC and Consumer Reports vindicated Toyota's and Mazda's stubbornness, with test results showing that downsized engines show good results on paper but offer little or no improvement in real world fuel economy or driving performance when compared to their large capacity naturally aspirated equivalents, prompting regulators to step up their act.
By 2017, the United Nations will be replacing the current UNECE R101 test cycles with the World-Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) method, with the hope of putting an end the current practices of circumventing the test parameters with downsized engines.
Still, consumers have come to appreciate the effortless performance offered from turbocharged engines and the way Toyota sees it - the challenge is to create a truly economical turbocharged engine.
Taking On A New Challenge
In true Toyota fashion, Toyota attacked the problem of unsatisfactory fuel economy in regular combustion engines by identifying the root causes - before following everyone else in resorting to secondary measures of adding turbochargers.
For Toyota, the basics of the engine must be optimised before any further improvement using secondary measures should be considered.
It was quickly determined that the engine's thermal efficiency, the actual amount of work extracted from each drop of fuel, must be raised significantly - from around 30 percent to a more hybrid-like 40 percent.
The project brief given to a newly assembled engineering team, headed by Shoji Adachi, Project General Manager at Toyota Motor Corporation's Unit Management Division, was to create a new range of engines that offers an expanded range of high thermal efficiency zones.
Adachi is a well-known figure in pushing the technical envelope of mainstream engines for mass-market cars, where innovations in cost control is just as important as advanced engineering.
In 1998, Adachi was part of the team who developed the 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, which was later fitted into the first generation Corolla Altis, itself the most advanced family sedan in its era - featuring S-Tdi (S-Toyota Direct Ignition) and a 16-bit microcomputer Toyota Computer Control System (TCCS) engine management system.
Seven years earlier, he was also involved with the 1.6-litre 4A-FE engine, which was known for its early adoption balanced performance by pairing the then sophisticated DOHC 4-valve per cylinder with electronic fuel injection, plus added emphasis on 'sound quality.'
In 2013, President Akio Toyoda, reorganized Toyota's corporate structure and created a new division responsible for end-to-end development of powertrain components, hybrid components, and engines.
The division was given a rather nondescript 'Unit Centre' name, existing alongside Lexus International, Toyota No.1 (product planning, production and sales for North America, Japan and Europe) and Toyota No.2 (product planning, production and sales for China, Middle East, Near East, East Asia, Ocenia, Africa, South and Central America).
Adachi was handpicked to head this new division that is expected to flex Toyota's muscles in engine technology, which had in the past focused more of their efforts on the development of hybrids, at the expense of regular combustion engines.
Unlike many organizations where production engineering and powertrain engineering teams work independently of each other, Toyota's Unit Centre has both engine production and powertrain development teams working on the same floor.
The idea was that with this close integration, the transition from concept to production can be done faster while maintaining Toyota's hallmark standards in quality and reliability.
Building A Two-In-One Engine
"As you might know, improving fuel economy is about extracting more work from each drop of fuel. The goal is to maximise efficiency within the powertrain and produce as much engine torque as possible. How that power is distributed to the wheels is what we call drivetrain efficiency," said Adachi at a press briefing in Japan last year.
"The energy in the fuel needs to be translated into work, and thermal efficiency is the efficiency with which that is done," he added.
"This means of our engines will be at the world's top level in terms of maximum thermal efficiency," said Adachi.
The key to this dramatic increase in efficiency is integrating some of the lessons gained from Toyota's vast experience in petrol-electric hybrids. Toyota's full series-parallel Hybrid Synergy Drive system is at least one generation ahead of its nearest competitors, who can run in either series or parallel mode at any one time but not both, like a Toyota hybrid.
By combining previously hybrid engine specific features like the Atkinson-cycle combustion and large-volume cooled exhaust gas recirculation, Toyota's latest generation VVT-iW engines are able to match the thermal efficiency of many diesel engines, but minus the diesel clatter, high NOx and particulate matter emissions, and tight requirements for low sulphur fuels.
In an Atkinson cycle engine, the compression ratio is less than the expansion ratio, achieved using a unique crankshaft design. But within the automotive world, there is no such thing as a true Atkinson cycle engine.
What Toyota did was to create an intelligent valvetrain system that is able to leave the intake valves open longer than normal to allow for a reverse flow air into the intake manifold as the piston moves upwards, thus reducing pumping losses.
This allows Toyota to create an Atkinson cycle-like unequal size cylinder volume between the compression stroke and the expansion stroke, while still retaining a conventional crankshaft design.
The downside of an Atkinson cycle engine is that it lacks low-end torque. In a hybrid car, this is not an issue as electric motors produce maximum torque the moment they start spinning, thus filling the gaps in the power band.
Without an electric motor, there will be serious reduction in performance and thus explains why this fuel-saving solution was not adapted in Toyota's conventional petrol engines earlier.
To solve this, Toyota started the ESTEC engine project, short for Economy with Superior Thermal Efficient Combustion, headed by Masakatsu Takahashi. The project resulted in the VVT-iW valvetrain, culminating in the 6AR-FSE engine used in the Camry 2.0-litre.
VVT-iW allows for an expanded VVT operating angle - allowing the engine to seamlessly switch between the more fuel efficient but compromised power output Atkinson cycle, and the higher power output but less fuel-efficient Otto cycle.
The only other production engine to have this ability to switch between two different combustion cycles is Mazda's SkyActiv-G engines.
Audi will be introducing a similar Miller cycle (Atkinson cycle with supercharger) engine only in 2016, in the next generation A4.
In effect, Toyota's VVT-iW combines the best of both worlds, but this time minus the added cost of hybrid components.
It allows the new Toyota Camry's 2.0-litre to deliver 7-litre/100km while still producing an impressive 167PS, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in its class.
Its dual fuel injection system, featuring both port and direct fuel injection methods is also the only one of its kind outside the luxury segment. Depending on engine load requirements, the engine computer intelligently switches between either injectors in each cylinder to optimal driving response and fuel economy.
Adding Turbochargers
With the basics of the engine now optimised, Toyota is now ready to add turbochargers. The 8AR-FTS engine in the Lexus NX200t, and its twin scroll turbochargers were developed in-house by Toyota.
Buying turbochargers from a supplier to slap them onto a small capacity engine is the easy solution and one most commonly adopted by other car makers, but Toyota follows a mantra of 'Defend your own castle,' which means to be responsible for one's own fate, set by former chairman Taizo Ishida more than 65 years ago.
The 'Defend your castle' philosophy has lead Toyota to forego short term gains of outsourcing critical work to a supplier, in favour of the slower and more difficult route of learning and developing critical technologies. The company believes that in-house development also brings other benefits like helping their engineers improve their understanding on the basics of the technology that goes into their products, thus putting them in a better position to further develop the technology's potential, which will turn leads to better cost competitiveness.
In the pursuit of better fuel economy, high compression ratio is necessary but it makes the engine prone to knocking, a problem exasperated by turbocharging. To counter this effect, the cylinder heads are cooled by water and the cylinder walls are lined with a jacket spacer.
The end result is a very sophisticated 1.2-litre turbo 8NR-FTS engine for the European market Auris and the 2.0-litre turbo 8AR-FTS engine in the Lexus NX200t, which despite being equipped with twin scroll turbochargers, still reliably runs on a 10.0:1 compression ratio, and produces 238PS, 10PS more than an equivalent TFSI engine in the Audi Q5 and 54 PS more than the BMW X3 xDrive20i.
Warning Shots Fired
Between 2015 and 2016, Toyota will be launching 14 new engines featuring high compression ratio, rapid combustion, Atkinson cycle, expanded variable valve timing operations, low friction pistons, and turbocharging.
To date, eight of them have already been announced, including the aforementioned 2.0-litre 6AR-FSE and 2.0-litre turbo 8AR-FTS, 1.2-litre turbo 8NR-FTS for the European market Auris, a 1.0-litre unit jointly developed with Daihatsu for the Passo/Boon twins, a 1.3-litre VVT-iE unit with electrically operated valve timing mechanism for the European/Japanese market Vitz (Yaris), and a 1.5-litre 2NR-FKE VVT-iE unit for the Japanese market Corolla.
The next generation
Toyota Hilux
, and Fortuner will be offered with two new engines, both also a result of the ESTEC project -
2.8-litre diesel 1GD-FTV and 2.4-litre diesel 2GD-FTV
, with power outputs exceeding the previous model's 3.0-litre and 2.5-litre engines respectively.
Two more new engines for the Hiace commercial van are also in the pipeline.
A keen observer once likened Toyota to a huge oil tanker - it is slow to change course, slow to adopt the latest fad, but once set on a new course, the assault will be relentless and it will mow down anything in its way. We can safely say that this proverbial oil tanker has once again set on a new course. Toyota's competitors have been warned.
This article is first published in the May issue of Malaysian Evo magazine. Find out how you can receive six issues of Malaysian Evo magazine for free
here
.