Audi Q7 E-Tron 2.0 TFSI Makes Shanghai Debut, Aimed At Asian Markets

Audi has introduced a new variant of its flagship luxury SUV in the form of the Q7 E-Tron 2.0 TFSI, Ingolstadt’s first TFSI petrol plug-in hybrid with quattro all-wheel drive. It i
s set to make it official premiere at the Shanghai Motor Show and is allocated exclusively for sale in the Asian markets.
We have previously detailed the unveil of a similar
Audi
 product, the
Audi Q7 e-tron Quattro
 during the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. A critical difference between the two models is in their powertrains. Where that had a 3.0 TDI six-cylinder diesel hybrid powertrain, this new model swaps that out for a 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder petrol motor.
Difference Between the Audi Q7 e-tron Quattro: Power and Effiiency
The new Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro’s petrol engine exposes a deciding factor on price, where in Asian markets petrol powered cars and those with smaller displacements are generally offered at cheaper prices than their diesel siblings (with a higher displacement), such as in the countries it will be sold in: China, Singapore, and Japan.
Pairing the petrol and electric motors delivers a combined output of 367 hp and 700 Nm, enabling a 0-100km/h dash achieved in a mere 5.9 seconds, but still consumes a mere 2.5-litres of petrol per 100 km. This compares favorably to the Q7 e-tron Quattro’s diesel figures of 373 hp, 700 Nm and 1.7 litres (wow) of diesel consumed per 100 km. Both use an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Audi Q7 plug-in hybrid-specific thermal management system with integrated heat pump balances external and interior conditions to continually optimise battery load to allow for a best-in-class electric-only range of 53 km.
Hybrid Management
There are four driver-selectable modes:
In EV mode, the car uses its electric motor for propulsion as much as it can and only engages the petrol engine when necessary.
In Hybrid mode, the car is free to choose between electric or petrol power where it feels it would suit it best, either separately or in tandem.
In Battery Hold mode, the system alters parameters under its control to conserve the available electrical energy.
In Charge mode, the battery is being charged by the petrol motor where possible for later use.
The standard MMI navigation system is closely linked to the hybrid drive unit and uses short and long-range navigation data to select the most fuel-efficient combination of drive modes along a given route to a destination.
In markets where road tax structures offer incentives for petrol cars and engines under 2.0-litres, Audi’s move of offering petrol-electric version of its Q7 e-tron could prove to be a wise inroad to lucrative Asian markets. And although the engine is a meager 1984 cc, the combined TFSI technology and electric drive make it a compelling overall package.


BMW 100 Years Anniversary – Mercedes-Benz Museum Opens Doors to BMW Employees

The deep-seated rivalry between Mercedes-Benz and BMW is intense, but ahead of the latter’s
centenary celebrations
 coming up next week on 7 March, the former has announced a classy tribute to its fiercest yet most-respected rival.
For the whole week from 8 to 13 March, employees of BMW will enjoy free admission to the
Mercedes-Benz
 Museum in Stuttgart whilst members of the public arriving in a
BMW vehicle
 get complimentary parking on the hill directly in front of the museum.
Additionally, a complimentary Swabian specialty meal will be served to the first 50 BMW employees who walk the museum’s tour that celebrates Mercedes-Benz’s own 130-year long history that started with Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler invention of the automobile.
"We warmly congratulate the globally renowned company BMW on its anniversary and invite all employees of BMW AG to discover the complete history of the automobile at the Mercedes-Benz Museum," says Ralf Glaser, Head of Press and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Classic.
"The unique exhibition at our museum, which opened at its new location ten years ago, takes visitors throughout the history of the automobile from its earliest beginnings – always in the context of the given historical and cultural background and contemporary innovative developments," he continued


BMW Group Malaysia: Price Hike Possible If Ringgit Continues To Weaken

Prices of
BMW
 vehicles in Malaysia could be increased next year if the ringgit continues to weaken against the euro according to BMW Group Malaysia CEO, Alan Harris.
"If the situation continues (weakening of the ringgit), I do not rule out the possibility of price increases by early next year," Harris told reporters during the
launch of the locally-assembled BMW X6 xDrive35i M Sport
 at new BMW Group Malaysia headquarters in Cyberjaya.
He added that the company would be burdened financially due to the devaluation of the local currency. With the ringgit reaching RM4.90 per euro, it has become a concern to the Group.
"Last year, when ringgit was at RM3.80-RM3.90 to the euro, we did not discuss about currency, but now we talk about RM4.90 per euro and this is a significant devaluation and creates pressure," he said.
Since August 2015, BMW Group Malaysia have successfully delivered a total of 5,610 vehicles in the country, consisting of 4,475 BMW models, 481 MINI models, and the remaining 654 being BMW Motorrad vehicles.


Sambutan Kemerdekaan: Rapid KL Terpaksa Tutup 2 Stesen – Keadaan Terlalu Sesak

Operasi di Stesen
Transit Aliran Ringan (LRT)
 Masjid Jamek dan Bandaraya untuk Laluan Ampang/Seri Petaling terpaksa ditutup daripada menurun dan mengambil penumpang ketika pagi Sambutan Hari Kebangsaan 2022 pada 31 Ogos yang lalu.

Menerusi kenyataan
Rapid KL
 di dalam Facebook, tindakan itu terpaksa diambil kerana keadaan sekitar stesen terlalu sesak dengan pengunjung yang hadir meraikan sambutan kemerdekaan di
Dataran Merdeka.

Operasi Stesen Masjid Jamek, Bandaraya Ditutup Sementara

Menurut Rapid KL, operasi di stesen Masjid Jamek telah ditutup sementara atas faktor keselamatan, namun Platform 2 di stesen terbabit masih beroperasi.

Atas faktor keselamatan juga, tren perkhidmatan itu tidak berhenti untuk menurun dan mengambil penumpang di Stesen LRT Bandaraya yang turut sesak dengan pengunjung di laluan sama.

Sehubungan itu, penumpang bagi Laluan Ampang/Sri Petaling/Kajang yang ingin pulang selepas acara di Dataran Merdeka, telah diminta menggunakan stesen altenatif seperti Stesen Plaza Rakyat, Merdeka dan Sultan Ismail bagi mengurangkan kesesakan di Stesen Masjid Jamek dan Bandaraya.

Stesen Kembali Beroperasi

Di sekitar jam 10 hari yang sama, Rapid KL memaklumkan bahawa Stesen Masjid Jamek dan Bandaraya untuk Laluan Ampang/Sri Petaling sudah dibuka semula kepada umum. Tambah mereka, orang ramai dinasihatkan mengikut arahan petugas stesen untuk perjalanan lebih lancar.

Berikutan sambutan hari kemerdekaan negara yang berlangsung di Dataran Merdeka 31 Ogos lalu, orang ramai dilihat berasak-asak di Jalan Tun Perak di hadapan stesen LRT berkenaan yang ditutup daripada kenderaan, di kedua-kedua arah.

Sejak awal pagi lagi, keadaan di dalam dan luar stesen Masjid Jamek amat sesak dengan orang ramai yang mahu ke Dataran Merdeka bagi menyaksikan acara perbarisan.


Honda Road Safety Campaign Welcomes ALL Vehicle Brands For Free Safety Checks This Raya

Honda
 Malaysia has announced that it will be offering vehicle owners of ALL brands a free 32-point safety inspection this Hari Raya season, via its Honda Road Safety Campaign.
Available at various points throughout the nation (schedule listed below), the free 32-point check has been upgraded from the previous 22-point checks that Honda Malaysia made available for all as well, the last time around.
The locations of these events will be held as follows:
From the 9
th
 to the 11
th
 of July, between 8 am and 6 pm:
Kedah, Petron Jalan Sultanah
Kelantan, Petron Bandar Baru Pasir Pekan
From the 10
th
 to the 12
th
 of July, between 8 am and 6 pm:
Selangor, Petron Sungai Besi Toll (South-bound)
Pahang, Petron Jalan Beserah (North-bound)
Johor, Petron Skudai Toll (North-bound)
Sabah, Petron Ulam North, Kota Kinabalu
From the 10
th
 to the 12
th
 of July, between 9 am and 7 pm:
Sarawak, Giant Tabuan Jaya, Kuching
Those who attend the Honda Road Safety Campaign event locations and get a free inspection will also stand to walk away with some free Honda goodies! On top of this, Honda Malaysia is also offering those who participate in and complete their survey, an exclusive, free, Hari Raya board game as well.
*Click on the image below to see larger version


FK8 Honda Civic Type R: Making Automatic Rev-Matching Work

As you might’ve already read, the FK8 Civic Type R is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission. If you can’t handle three pedals, then you would just have to move along to either the Volkswagen Golf R or Mercedes-AMG A45 – both use dual-clutch automatic transmissions and are all-wheel drive, and probably a little less fidgety for novice drivers.
But maybe that’s the appeal of the Civic Type R. Like the Renault Megane RS (which the Civic Type R was also benchmarked against), the FK8 is one of those cars that you can’t bluff your way through. One has to be a real deal enthusiast to drive one.
As mechanically pure as it is, the Civic Type R does have one feature that make novice drivers more skilled that they actually are – an automatic rev-matching.
Downshift through the closely stacked 6-speed manual transmission, the rev-matching feature, which is active by default, automatically blips the throttle as you row your way down the ratios, smoothening out the transition from one ratio to another.
Yes you can deactivate the feature but doing so requires going through layers after layers of menu in the infotainment system. That’s not a very good idea for a car that’s aimed at purist drivers.
We asked Hideki Kakinuma, the Assistant Large Project Leader for all-new Civic Type R, on what’s the option for drivers who prefer to do their own heel-toe downshifts?
Kakinuma, a specialist in vehicle dynamics who has been involved in numerous Honda performance models including the S2000 and NSX, who was in Indonesia for the launch of the Civic Type R there, found some time to speak to Carlist.my on the matter.
“The driver is always in control,” said Kakinuma, who went on to explain that the rev-matching feature will not get in the way of drivers who which to do their down heel and toe-ing, irrespective of whether the feature is active or not.
As soon as the system detects simultaneous application of throttle and braking while declutching, the rev-matching function will stay in the background.
The video below shows how the rev-matching function in the FK8 Civic Type R works:
The FK8 Civic Type R retails in Indonesia for IDR 995,000,000 (about RM320,000). Distributor Honda Prospect Motor has managed to secure just 50 units of the Civic Type R for 2017, many of it already have a ready buyer waiting.
So is it coming to Malaysia? Honda Malaysia refused to be drawn in to any discussion on the topic but considering that the model is already launched in neighbouring countries like Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia, and the fact that Malaysia is the only country outside of Japan to ever sold the FD2 generation Civic Type R sedan, we are confident that the model will be making its Malaysian debut sometime next year.


ASEAN NCAP Releases Chart To Help Consumers Pick The Safest Car For Their Budget

ASEAN NCAP has released a useful table to evaluate and rank the most affordable cars with the highest safety rating they have given. The ‘Star vs Price Chart’ distils the cars that are available in Malaysia to provide consumers with a better, bigger picture of the where they fit in terms of safety.
“Making safer cars is relatively easy compared to ensuring people to buy safe cars,” said the ASEAN NCAP Secretary-General while meeting at his office on 3 July 2015. “A few years back and today still, pricing plays a major factor when purchasing a car, yet safety concerns are growing especially in Malaysia and Thailand,” he added.
Despite the personal mobility of automobiles that has played a large role in some ASEAN countries, sustainable mobility is a more forward thinking concept to ensure a safer and more environmentally conscious future.
The concept is a fundamental cornerstone to the “Affordable Safety” effort released by ASEAN NCAP in August 2014 during its 1
st
 ASEAN Automobile Safety Forum. In essence, it hopes to ensure that in the future, even the cheapest of cars will comply with increasing safety requirements.
Professor Dr Wong Shaw Voon, Chairman of ASEAN NCAP, predicts that safety will play a much more central role in the car buying decisions of the future, stating that consumers will accept nothing less than a 5-star rating.
The new release of ASEAN NCAP Roadmap 2017–2020 will ensure that ASEAN NCAP achieves its target to be the most influential organization in the region by guiding manufacturers to keep producing safer cars in the future. Currently, the most affordable car in Malaysia (
Perodua

Axia
) comes with 4-Star ASEAN NCAP safety rating, while the most affordable car in Malaysia with a 5-star rating (AOP: Adult Occupancy Protection) is the
Proton

Iriz
.
You can view both charts and compare the Child Occupancy Protection and Adult Occupancy Protection versus price for yourself
here (AOP)
 and
here (COP)
.


Hyundai Unveils Kona Iron Man Edition

Comic Con is a time that many comic and sci-fi fans look forward to, because it’s usually when a lot of great movies are announced and trailers are released, and the internet is generally ablaze with hype. But it’s also a place where auto manufacturers take advantage of the sizeable overlap in markets, between those with a love for comics and those with a love for cars.
In some cases, the overlap is exploited usually with a movie tie-in of some kind. The Marvel franchise has had a long standing relationship with Audi and Lexus, but even Hyundai is getting in on the action this year with their Iron Man-themed Hyundai Kona. It's available only in the United States for now, with no word on whether they'll be producing the model for other regions.
For the unfamiliar, the Kona is Hyundai’s diminutive SUV, designed to compete against the likes of the Renault Captur and the Peugeot 2008, along with the mainstays in the form of the Toyota C-HR and Honda HR-V. In this particular rendition, the Kona is done up in grey and red, with styling to mimic that of Tony Stark’s Iron Man suit. Unlike most tie-ins, however, the Iron Man edition model is going to go into production soon with first units delivered in early 2019.
From the outside, the items that immediately grab your attention are things like the grill and redesigned daytime running lights, the latter of which are shaped like the eyes on the Iron Man suit. A big Iron Man mask motif adorns the roof, while a V-shaped hood garnish and Stark Industries stickering is liberally applied to the car. More physically permanent changes are engraved D pillars and custom 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, there are items like a unique heads-up display and center stack featuring Iron Man graphics, as well as a custom seat design. The instrument panel is also specific to this unique model, adding an extra level of exclusivity. On the whole, the Kona Iron Man Edition follows closely to the Veloster tie-in with the Ant-Man movie franchise, and there will likely be more models to come.


Isuzu ELF Gets a Fresh Heart and New Features

Isuzu Malaysia today announced that the ELF truck range will now be powered by the latest Isuzu commonrail engines.
According to Isuzu, the new engines are not only more powerful, but 7.5 per cent more fuel efficient than the current model as well.
Apart from the commonrail engine, the entire 2017 Isuzu ELF range will also employ the use of tubeless tyres.
The air intake system has also been redesigned to be smaller, and has been moved to a higher position, allowing the vehicle to traverse more confidently through flooded roads or dusty conditions without sacrificing cabin or cargo space.
Isuzu engineers have also been mindful of our ever-increasing dependence on energy. They addressed this issue by increasing the alternator size to provide higher amperage to the battery. These alternators are not retro-fits but are designed and matched to the vehicle’s requirements therefore come with the original manufacturer warranties.
In compliance with the latest JPJ safety regulations, the new Isuzu ELF trucks also come with a headlamp leveling switch mounted on the dashboard. This switch allows the driver to adjust the throw of the powerful headlight beam according to the truck’s load situation.
Other features of the new 2017 Isuzu ELF include the incorporation of a rear fog lamp, roof marker lamp (for 6-wheeler models and above), a new wide convex mirror and an electronically-governed speed limiter. With the implementation of these new regulatory features, the new 2017 Isuzu ELF range will be subject to a marginal five percent price increase across the model range.
On another note, the 2017 NPR models will benefit from new 6-speed gearboxes that feature optimized ratios to match the performance characteristics of the new engine, giving the new trucks better haulage power and higher fuel efficiency.
Together with the latest updates and a host of new safety features, Isuzu Malaysia expects to maintain its domination of the light-duty truck segment with a sales target of 6,000 units, giving the company a dominant 40% of the market share.


Volvo Sets 2020 Sales Record Amid Pandemic

Volvo Car Malaysia ends 2020 with a 3.6% increase in sales breaking 2019's record.

Despite a rather pandemic ridden 2020, Volvo Car Malaysia ended the year with total sales of 1,950 units, breaking 2019's record of 1,883 units thus setting a new record for the highest sales performance since the establishment of Volvo Car Malaysia.

Nalin Jain, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, said: “We are very proud of what Volvo Car Malaysia has achieved despite this turbulent time and challenges that we faced. Through the collective efforts of our dealers and staff, as well as the opportune timing of the government’s sales tax holiday, we were able to finish a challenging year strongly. For us, seeing the results of our efforts has further recharged our drive to bring more premium, safe and sustainable cars to Malaysians.”

The PENJANA initiative by the government definitely helped many automakers including
Volvo
 record their second-highest sales of the month in July 2020.

What about 2021?

Well, Volvo aims to ride on the momentum from 2020 and is entering 2021 with renewed purpose and recharging all areas of its business, to continue to provide more Malaysians with a premium experience and freedom to move in a personal, sustainable, and safe way.

Nalin concluded by saying that “2021 will be a big year for
Volvo Car Malaysia
 as we look to switch all aspects of our business to incorporate more sustainable solutions and also bring in more product offerings to suit the different needs of Malaysians while helping them make more sustainable choices.

“We will continue to push for digital transformation to build a strong digital system to support our customer’s journey seamlessly – from the beginning of the buying process to owning a Volvo and the aftersales care that they need, while upholding our promise of professional service, leading safety technology, and a caring mindset in everything we do.”

What we do know is that we can expect to see the
Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge
 hit our roads soon as confirmed by Nalin during his interview on The Driver's Seat with Carlist.my. It might even be in the first quarter of this year. We wait and see.


Nissan Introduces China-Market Only Lannia Sedan

At today's opening of Auto Shanghai 2015, Nissan previewed its latest sedan model for China - the Lannia, which is a production version of the Friend-ME concept and Lannia Concept introduced in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
The model will go on sale in China sometime around the third quarter of 2015.
The Lannia is designed by Chinese designers at Nissan Design China, aimed at buyers in the twenties and thirties. For now, the Lannia will remain exclusively as a Chinese market only car.
Nissan did not reveal much else about the car, not even basic information on the engine and transmission so there is not much else to do other than to look at the images distributed to the press.


First Officially-Restored Mazda MX-5 Reunites With Owner

Just slightly over a year ago, Mazda announced that they will start to offer restoration services for its iconic MX-5 roadster. After 600 applications by interested owners, Mazda has chosen one 1992 unit as its first project.
Finished in a shade of Neo Green, this 1992 MX-5 V-Special is currently owned by Keiji Nishimoto, a retired tomato farmer. According to him, he applied for the restoration program after he read about it in the newspaper.
Mazda restored both the interior and exterior of the little roadster, bringing it back to its former glory. The restoration team gave the MX-5 a new hardtop, a Nardi steering wheel, and suspension components. The interior of the MX-5 also went through a makeover, now looking like a brand-new unit that just rolled off the production line back in 1992.
Nishimoto also said, "People who like Roadster, please do it, by all means, you may feel that it is relatively high compared to the new car price, but if you can keep on dozens of years from now on, you have to do it. I think that it is worth it."
One of the reasons why the restoration process is pricey is because of the attention to detail that went into the project. Mazda went as far as to work with its supplies to reproduce the period-correct Bridgestone tires for the MX-5. In addition to that, Mazda also managed to get Nardi to reproduced its iconic wood shift knob and steering wheel, various labels, and carpets for the MX-5.
The entire list of reproduced parts can be found
here
, and Mazda says that it is not necessary for MX-5 owners to apply for the restoration service as the parts can be bought from various Mazda dealers.


Highly Anticipated Compact SUVs Arriving in 2020 and 2021

We are almost at the final quarter of the year, and the SUV wars are heating up! Manufacturers are set to go all out in the coming months, as well as next year 2021 in an effort to return to profitability.

While recent weeks saw numerous exciting launches, many are yet to come, especially the crowd favourite - compact SUVs, such as:

2020 Proton X50

Expected to go up against the likes of the Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX, the
Proton X50
 is based on the Geely Binyue, which is offered with either a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-pot or a (174 hp/ 255 Nm) turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder - Proton, we'll take this one please - matched to the same 7-speed dual-clutch automatic featured in the CKD X70.

Expect a comprehensive range of safety systems, the Geely GKUI ("Hi Proton") infotainment system, and other top-notch equipment such as a panoramic sunroof.

2020 Perodua D55L

Known as the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize in Japan, we first spotted the
D55L
 SUV in all its glory at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, where word also got out that the Perodua D55L SUV is slated to be launched in Malaysia sometime in the second half of this year, which is like anytime now.

Under the hood, we expect the D55L, which is underpinned by the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform, to be powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, producing 98 PS and 140 Nm of maximum torque. Paired to the engine is a CVT transmission which sends power exclusively to the front wheels.

2021 Toyota Corolla Cross

The
Toyota Corolla Cross
 is a compact crossover SUV that is a more practical and larger alternative to the C-HR, built on the same GA-C platform as the E210 series Corolla. Positioned between the C-HR and RAV4 within Toyota's crossover SUV lineup, the Corolla Cross was just launched in Thailand, Vietnam, as well as Indonesia, with Malaysia slated to be the next market to get it.

Powered by a 1.8-litre engine with a hybrid system, we can surely expect the Corolla Cross to sell like hot cakes once it arrives here in the first half of 2021.

2020 Kia Seltos

Another contender in the compact SUV segment representing the Korean marque is the
Kia Seltos
, powered by a 1.6 litre Gamma naturally-aspirated MPI four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 123 PS and 151 Nm of torque.

Not much has been revealed about the specs, but the Seltos, which was teased earlier this year by Kia Malaysia, is expected to come with a long list of features, typical of a Kia. The 2020 Kia Seltos should also see a Q3 launch.

2020 Nissan Kicks

Just unveiled in Thailand earlier this year, the
Nissan Kicks
 compact crossover will further intensify the battle of the compact SUVs, giving the Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 a run for their money thanks to its good looks and impressive fuel economy with the e-Power hybrid system.

This 2020 Nissan Kicks E-Power comes with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, coupled to a CVT automatic and an electric motor producing 129hp and 260Nm of torque. Nissan sources say the Kicks has an average fuel consumption of 23.4kpl and CO2 level of 100g/km. To recharge the batteries, the 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 79hp works exclusively as a generator.

That being said, the compact SUV segment is all set for some intense competition once the models above arrive, offering buyers with more than 5 vehicles to choose from. Let us just hope that they are all priced competitively. Out of the lot, which one would you go for?

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

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

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


The Top 5 Coolest British Cars On Carlist.my

Did you know that there are approximately five car manufacturers that are still owned and operated by the British – and two of them won’t even sell you a car with a windshield?

Besides Aston Martin, which is partially owned by a Kuwaiti Investment firm, there’s McLaren, the Briggs Automotive Company (BAC), and Ariel (the aforementioned two without windshields) and finally, Morgan, which is the oldest and proudest, British-owned and operated automobile manufacturer.

Just to be clear, automotive manufacturing is very much alive and well in the U.K., everything from Nissans to Rolls-Royces are still made there – but despite their long and illustrious heritage with the automobile, only a handful are actually owned or operated by the original founding companies.

The Honda Civic Type R is currently made in Swindon, UK and not Japan.

Jaguar-Land Rover is owned by Tata, MG has gone to the Chinese, and MINI by the Germans – we can throw in as well, Vauxhall (owned by GM), Bentley (Volkswagen), and even the transcendent Rolls-Royce (BMW Group). Others such as Triumph, British Leyland, Austin, and Rover have also been in some way sold, defunct, or taken up by foreign ownership in some capacity.

Despite that, there are still massively cool cars coming out of the UK. While they are not produced in such great numbers anymore, the UK and its motoring industry have evolved into a high-tech, and very specialised ecosystem catering more to bespoke automotive engineering and development, nurtured by a talented and experienced pool of automotive minds.

Gordon Murray's upcoming sub 1-tonne T50 hypercar

It is for this reason; a large number of Formula 1 teams are based in the UK, and not Germany or Italy.

So we thought I’d be a cool exercise to find out just how many cool British cars are on sale on Carlist.my – given it has the widest range of used vehicles on the market – we have compiled our Top 5 British cars on sale today. If money was NO object, these are ranked in ascending ‘coolness’.

No. 5: Land Rover Defender 110 2.5L TDI Pickup

The Land Rover series was first introduced through the Rover (then British Leyland Motor Corporation) in 1948. Land Rover remained under British Leyland until 1978, when Land Rover became its own company. In 1988, the company went under the British Aerospace ownership after British Leyland was broken up and privatized. Since 1994, Land Rover has switched hands three times to BMW, Ford, and finally to Tata in 2008.

The Defender is Land Rover’s most prolific model – having been originally inspired by the American Jeep, the Defender, in its many shapes and forms – in short- (90) and long-wheelbase (110) forms – has served in everything from the military, search and rescue operations, as a business workhorse, and as private vehicles for rough-and-tough type owners. The car featured here is a 1992 Defender 110, making it one of the original Land Rovers by the founding company – and who could argue that between its macho looks and go-anywhere credentials – it isn’t massively cool either.

No 4: 1966 Austin Mini Cooper Pickup 850cc

While most people might think Carlist.my is a popular online portal to find deals on new and popular cars – we do still have our fair share of classic and highly collectible vehicles. How about a factory built Mini Cooper pickup for collectable and rare? At the time, this pick-up version of the original Mini (originally built by the British Motor Corporation- BMC) were built to cater for a growing number of small trading and agricultural-based businesses.

At bargain prices – small-time farmers and tradesman could now own a reliable workhorse which suited their cargo and weight requirements better than most large and more expensive trucks at the time. Unfortunately, given most of these pickups served a hard life on less than ideal roads – not a lot of good condition ones still exist to this day, making this particular classic Mini one of the coolest in the country.

No. 3: Aston Martin DBS 6.0L V12

Now let’s put aside for a second the fact that the DBS is powered by a staggering 6.0-litre V12 that makes one of the most symphonic soundtracks to ever come out of a car – where else can you drive the same car that the most prolific silver screen character ever, drives. We are talking about Mr. Bond…. James Bond!

The DBS featured in not one but two Bond films (Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace) starring Daniel Craig and features one of the most beautiful sheet metal to ever come out Aston’s doors at Gaydon, Warwickshire. Ooh, we almost forgot to mention – the unit you see here is equipped with the carbon-ceramic braking system and a six-speed manual transmission… still want that Ferrari?

No. 2: Mclaren 720S

With 710 hp and 770 Nm of torque, with a kerb weight of just over 1.4 tonnes, the McLaren 720S is quite possibly one of the fastest cars in the world. With a 0-100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 340 km/h, only a handful of cars will ever best the 720S on a good road, even lesser when on a track. Because, unlike 99 percent of car companies – the McLaren name was first and foremost, built on the racetracks of the world and not some barn in the early-20th century.

Based in Surrey, England, every McLaren adheres to a very simple design philosophy – make them light, make them powerful, and throw out everything you don’t need to go fast. Moreover, with a well-established Formula 1 race program spanning decades… McLaren has the ability to reverse engineer a lot of its racing tech into its road-going cars, and make them go faster!

No 1: Vauxhall Velox

We are sorry, but we just could not let this little Vauxhall Viva not be the coolest car on this list. I mean just look at it! Forget speed and power – doesn’t that car just want to make you put on a tweed jacket, a top hat, and 'pop round the cornahh for a cuppa?' Vauxhall is a little known brand here in Malaysia, but it enjoys quite a lot of popularity in Europe due to value for money offerings such as the Corsa and Astra models. Vauxhall has its roots as far back as 1903, making it one of the oldest car companies in the world.

The company, like most pre-war manufacturers had early success in motorsports, was converted to assist the country in World War 1 but struggled to survive post-war when there was no demand for their cars. Vauxhall was acquired by General Motors in 1925 and remains in the hands of the American company to this day. The Vauxhall Velox (the name in the ad is incorrect) was first introduced in 1948 as a large family car for a booming middle class at the time. The Velox was proudly designed and developed in Luton, England but also produced in other markets such as Switzerland, Australia, and South Africa, given its value for money price, large size, and straight-six engine coupled to a three-speed synchromesh gearbox. Oh, and it’s got suicide doors upfront, how’s that for cool.

So which is your favorite Brit from the list?


Perodua Aruz - 300 Orders Collected On First Day Of Booking

As of Friday, Perodua has collected over 300 bookings for its first ever seven-seater Perodua Aruz SUV. This was confirmed by Perodua’s new President and CEO Dato Zainal Abidin Ahmad, who took over from Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh in December.
Bookings for the Aruz
 were opened at 11am last Thursday. Speaking to the The Edge at a Perodua vendors’ event in Rawang on Friday, Dato Zainal added further that 60 percent of the bookings are for the higher grade AV variant, which has an estimated price of RM 77,200.
“We plan sales of about 2,000 plus a month [for this year]," he told The Edge.
Dato Zainal also added that the Aruz is not a direct competitor to the Proton X70, which sits in a different segment.
"Our SUV is not really a C-segment vehicle; it is a B-segment car so it is a compact SUV. So I don't think it is a direct competition [to the X70]," he said.
Regarding the timing of the Aruz’s impending launch, which is happening very soon after the Proton X70’s launch in December, Dato Zainal said the close timing was a coincidence.
"We have planned from the beginning to launch [Aruz] sometime in January, and it is so happened that Proton launched [X70] around the same time as well. It is indeed part of our development strategy and it is as per our development schedule," he said.
Perodua has yet to announce on the exact launch date of the Aruz, but it’s likely to be well within this quarter. The seven-seater Perodua Aruz is closely related to the Indonesian market Daihatsu Terios and the
Toyota Rush
. In Malaysia, the latter is assembled by Perodua in Rawang, with both the Perodua and Toyota sharing the same Toyota 2NR-VE Dual VVT-I 1.5-litre engine paired to 4-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Perodua’s version however, has been significantly re-engineered, with its own Malaysia-specific exterior and interior design.


All-New C27 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid For Malaysia - Est RM140k, To Be Launched In May

Edaran Tan Chong Motor, the official distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia has previewed the upcoming all-new Serena S-Hybrid ahead of its local debut. Nissan's latest seven-seater was first publicly shown at the MAI Auto Festival in Bagan Datuk, last month. To be launched in May with an estimated price ranging from just below RM140,000 to RM155,000, there will be two variants - Highway Star and Premium Highway Star.
As before, the latest Serena S-Hybrid, despite the hybrid monicker, is not full-hybrid vehicle. At best, it sits between a micro-hybrid and a mild-hybrid, utilizing a small 2.6 PS/48 Nm starter motor to assist the engine during standing starts. Unlike a full-hybrid vehicle like a Toyota Camry Hybrid, or even a Honda City Hybrid/Jazz Hybrid, the Serena S-Hybrid is not capable of pulling away from standstill in electric power. Claimed fuel consumption for the new Serena S-Hybrid is 14.2 km/L under the NEDC R101 test cycle and it qualifies for Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) incentives.
The model will be assembled at the Tan Chong Motor Assemblies plant in Serendah, Selangor.
Standard features for the entry Highway Star includes:
7 USB charging ports
7-inch multi info display (MID)
7 seater with ‘Zero Gravity’ designed front and second row seats
Power sliding doors on both sides
Dual-access tailgate - which is useful in tight parking spots as it allows the tailgate to flip open in two different lengths.
6.75-inch Clarion head unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support (yet to be installed on the display car here)
The higher range Premium Highway Star adds:
Combination leather seats, either in two-tone Truffle Brown and Chestnut or single-tone black
16-inch alloy wheels
10.1-inch roof-mounted LCD display
Tech-on tray mat for tablets or gadgets
Driving Video Recorder (DVR)
LED roof lamp
Door visor
V-Kool security tint
ThreeBond body coating
Two-tone exterior colours (Imperial Umber + Cashmere Gold, Diamond Black + Tungsten Silver, Diamond Black + Brilliant White)
Visually, the all-new Serena S-Hybrid features the company’s V-Motion front fascia prominently, with a two-tier headlight design with LED positioning lights in the upper portion and LED projectors located below, for the headlamps. The daytime running lights are halogen units placed beside the front fog lights.
Towards the side of the all-new Serena S-Hybrid, ETCM has fitted the Highway Star variant with 15-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels, while the Premium Highway Star gets 16-inch alloy wheels. Elsewhere, gloss black treatment on the A- and D-pillars help give the Serena S-Hybrid a floating roof design.
As for the rear end, the all-new Serena S-Hybrid features a rear spoiler plus various chrome bits that help give the MPV a slightly more upmarket appeal. A centrally-mounted rear fog lamp is found at the bottom of the bumper.
Powering the all-new Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is the tried-and-tested 2.0-litre MR20DD with direct fuel injection, outputting 150 PS and 200 Nm, sent to the front wheels via a CVT-type automatic.
In terms of safety equipment, the all-new Nissan Serena S-Hybrid features:
Six airbags (up from 2 of the predecessor)
Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM, displayed on the 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display)
Intelligent Moving Object Detection (I-MOD)
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
Traction Control System (TCS)
ABS with EBD and Brake Assist
Hill Start Assist
Bookings are now opened for the all-new Serena S-Hybrid, with deliveries expected in May. ETCM is backing the new model with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, on top of the 3-year or 60,000 km free maintenance service. The first 500 buyers of the new Serena S-Hybrid will receive an exclusive gift worth RM500.


BMW Unleashes the 2015 BMW M4 GTS, 500hp – 600Nm – 700 Will Only be Made

Less than two months after the debut of the M4 GTS concept at Pebble Beach
 and
three weeks after the concept's preview here in Malaysia
,
BMW
’s
M Division
 has rolled out their new baby to the world, the M4 GTS. Built to celebrate the 30
th
 anniversary of
the BMW M3
, M GmbH will only be making 700 examples of this road-going racer.
If you are familiar with the concept car, the M4 GTS looks pretty much the same with its sinister matt paintjob, stunning 666 M Styling forged rims in Acid Orange, OLED-equipped rear lights, and the liberal application of carbon fibre all round. What is a surprise is the performance figures.
Using the same 3-litre turbocharged inline-6 engine from the M3/M4, the eggheads at the M Division has managed to turn up the power output from 431hp and 550Nm of torque to 500hp and 600Nm, thanks to the use of water injection. With that much power on tap, all of which is sent to the rear wheels through a standard-fitted 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT), 0 to 100km/h is seen off in 3.8 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than
the standard M4
, and capable of hitting its speed limiter which has been raised to 305km/h.
Even though the engine now delivers 69hp and 50Nm more, M GmbH says that the M4 GTS returns an EU test cycle rated fuel consumption figure of 8.3L/100km, the same as the standard M4.
With more power added, the engineers at M also worked to remove more weight through the use of new carbon fibre components such as newly designed bonnet, roof, boot lid, adjustable front splitter, adjustable rear wing, and rear diffuser. The lightweight rear wing itself is propped up on intricated CNC-machined lightweight aluminium mounts. Weight shaving measures also extends to its exhaust system, which now uses a titanium muffler that is 20 per cent lighter than before, and delivers a more ‘emotionally rich’ soundtrack.
Inside the M4 GTS, M GmbH certainly didn’t hold back in imbuing it with a racing character and finding more avenues to bring the weight figure down. There is now fixed carbon-fibre M bucket seats, a lightweight centre console, lightweight rear seat panelling and boot area partition, and special lightweight door and side panel trim which includes door pull loops. In place of the rear seats, the M4 GTS features an Alcantara trimmed glass-fibre-reinforced plastic shelf and a rear-panel in carbon-fibre sandwich construction, both of which contribute to a 40 per cent weight saving.
With all those weight trimming measures, the BMW M4 GTS weighs 27kg less than your standard M DCT equipped M4.
When it comes to the business of keeping all that power in check, the M4 GTS’s eye-catching rims are wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, which has been adapted specifically for the M4 GTS. To suit the demands of track work, the  M4 GTS is bestowed with three-way adjustable M coilover suspension, with lightweight M carbon ceramic brakes that offers a well-defined pressure point and able to take heavy track abuse.
However for those who wants a more extreme interpretation of the M4 GTS, BMW M would only be too happy to fit the optional Clubsport Package that includes a roll bar in Acid Orange behind the front seats, a race-specification six-point harness, and a fire extinguisher.
If that doesn’t get your interest going for the M4 GTS, M GmbH's boast that this special edition M4 is capable of achieving a lap time of 7 minutes 28 seconds around the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, might do the trick. The M4 GTS is expected to make its public world debut at the upcoming 2015 Tokyo Motor Show later this month.


Review: 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 CKD – Aspiring Ambitions

It is evident that Mitsubishi is on a roll with introduction SUVs. The recently-introduced Eclipse Cross resurrects the nameplate of a discontinued sports car, while the Lancer Evolution could be revived as a sports SUV. With all said and done, there is no denying that the company certainly knows a thing or two about designing an SUV that looks the part.
Enter the Mitsubishi Outlander, a model that is primed to challenge the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail, Volkswagen Tiguan, Renault Koleos and Subaru Forester. No doubt that that the Outlander faces some really stiff competition.
Introduced back in September, the locally-assembled 2.0-litre version of the Outlander is a new variant of Mitsubishi's seven-seater SUV priced more affordably without compromising on safety equipment compared to the existing 2.4-litre fully-imported model.
With a listed price of RM139,988, is the Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0L worthy of your hard earned ringgit over the competitors? We recently sampled the new variant to Janda Baik and back.
Specifications
Engine: 2.0-litre, Inline-Four, Transverse, Naturally-aspirated
Power: 145 PS @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 196 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Transmission: CVT-type automatic, 4WD
Safety: Seven airbags, ABS, Active Stability Control (ASC), Traction Control (TC)
,
Hill-Start Assist (HSA), ABS with EBD, Brake Assist (BA), Rest Reminder, ISOFIX anchor points
Overview
The Mitsubishi Outlander may feature a nameplate that’s unfamiliar with folks here, but its history can be traced back to the Airtrek that was introduce way back in the early 2000s.
The model you’re seeing here is the third-generation Outlander that was first introduced in 2012, which received a heavy makeover in 2015, giving it the exterior we’re familiar with.
The Outlander first arrived in Malaysia in early 2016 as a fully-imported model powered by a 2.4-litre petrol engine; the new 2.0-litre model is assembled locally under contract by Tan Chong Motors Assembly (TCMA) in Segambut alongside the ASX.
By locally-assembling the Outlander 2.0, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia hopes to capture even more market share as the price tag of RM139,988 is rather competitive, seeing that the base model includes seven airbags, electronic stability control, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic halogen projector headlights, automatic wipers, dual-zone air-conditioning plus a head unit with Apple CarPlay.
Exterior
Featuring Mitsubishi’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ design language which encompasses a large chrome grille that flows into the headlights, creating a face that’s actually very photogenic. No, really.
Even the rear end, with its standard LED taillights and just the right amount of chrome highlight gives the Outlander just the right amount of showroom appeal without appearing gaudy in any way. Mitsubishi definitely knows a thing or two about making a handsome SUV, right?
Also standard on all variants of the Outlander sold in Malaysia is the 18-inch alloy wheels, featuring an intricate design unlike its rivals with simpler looking wheels. We reckon the design of the wheels blend in extremely well with the rest of the Outlander.
Interior
Versus its bigger 2.4L sibling, the interior of the Outlander 2.0L is considerably more spartan. The base model makes do without the electric parking brake with auto brake hold, large floor console, paddle shifters, leather upholstery and a sun roof.
Despite the noticeable difference, the Outlander 2.0L still gets some niceties like the JVC head unit that incorporates a reverse camera and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Audio quality from the sound system is also commendable, hitting the right notes during our time with the Outlander.
Elsewhere, we also noticed that build quality of the Outlander 2.0L is on the positive side, as we did not notice any rattling or ill-fitted parts. We also appreciate MMM including a wide angle driving video recorder.
With all said and done, the interior of the Outlander, in both 2.0L and 2.4L flavours, lack rear air vents for the second and third row passengers, despite both models being seven seaters.
Driving Experience
The Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0L shares its 2.0-litre powerplant with the ASX and Lancer, outputting 145 PS at 6,000 rpm and 196 Nm at 4,200 rpm. The sole transmission choice is a CVT that is hooked up to Mitsubishi’s 4WD system that sends power to all four wheels.
These figures are far from groundbreaking, but they do provide the Outlander 2.0L with sufficient grunt for most drivers. The CVT also does a decent job of mimicking a stepped automatic, though at full throttle the droning from the transmission is quite noticeable. That aside, the CVT in the Outlander is also outfitted with a six-step sport mode, which we found to be really useful when climbing up hills.
As mentioned earlier, the Outlander is fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels. Even with such a wheel size, ride comfort is commendable, as the Outlander does a swell job of soaking up most road irregularities. On much more rougher roads however, the ride can get a bit busy for my liking.
The electric power steering on the Outlander 2.0L is on the vague side in terms of feedback, but during our time with the SUV, we noticed that accuracy is decent enough. Even when we were busy tackling corners, the Outlander remained surefooted with minimal hints of body roll. Of course, we would advise against driving too enthusiastically in a family SUV.
Cabin comfort is also worth a mention on the Outlander, as Mitsubishi has done an excellent job of keeping the elements isolated from occupants of the Outlander. That, coupled with the surprisingly quiet engine does make the Outlander an excellent highway cruiser.
Elsewhere, Mitsubishi also made it a point to highlight their 4WD system, with three selectable modes - Eco Mode, Auto Mode and Lock Mode. For most drivers, Eco Mode is the ideal selection as torque is sent primarily to the front wheels. If the system detects that the loss of traction happens in the rear, torque will be distributed there. This mode offers the best balance between fuel consumption and optimizing traction.
Conclusion
With all said and done, the Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0L is a good choice if you're looking for a seven-seater SUV. As an alternative, the Toyota Innova also offers you seven-seater capacity at a much lower price, albeit with a less comfortable ride.
Then there's the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, both of which offers seven seats and rear air vents. On the road, both the Koreans command a RM15k to 20k premium over the Outlander, but compromises on practicality as they do not feature second row seats that tumble forward to ease ingress and egress into the third row seats.
In the styling department, the Outlander, in our opinion, is one of the more matured-looking SUVs out there. Granted, not everyone is a big fan of the excessive chrome on the front end, but there’s no denying that it helps the Outlander to stand out from the crowd.
The Outlander's most direct competition comes in the form of the Nissan X-Trail, but handicapped its offering of only two airbags versus the Outlander's seven. Further icing on the cake includes the earlier-mentioned electronic stability control, Hill Start Assist and reverse camera.
The Outlander's lack of rear air-con vents is a major oversight, particularly in our climate, but we believe that the full suite of seven airbags is far more critical, especially when it comes to a family SUV. When compared to the Korean rivals, the Outlander continues to trump the competition as it offers the best compromise between price and practicality. As for the earlier-mentioned Innova, the Outlander still inches ahead of the Toyota as the former offers a monococque chassis over the latter's ladder frame, bringing to the table superior handling and ride comfort.
So for those shopping for a seven-seater family SUV, the new Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0L should very well be on your shortlist to check out, if not seriously consider.


Honda and Toro Rosso Unveil Their 2018 F1 Challenger - Strong In Pre-Season Testing

Honda and its new partner, Scuderia Toro Rosso, have unveiled their new Formula 1 car, the STR13, fitted with Honda’s newest RA618H power unit.
The STR13 will be piloted by Pierre Gasly (2016 GP2 World Champion) and Brendon Hartley (2017 LeMans Winner) for this year’s Formula 1 World Championship. 2018 will be the first full-season of participation for both drivers after having participated in only a handful of races in 2017.
This is the first time Toro Rosso will have its own engine supplier and manufacturer support, having previously run Cosworth, Ferrari and Renault engines as a customer racing team.
Having
part ways with McLaren
 after three lacklustre seasons, besieged by reliability problems and a lack of performance, Honda has it all to prove in 2018.
Katsuhide Moriyama, Chief Officer for Brand and Communication Operations, Honda Motor Co explains “I am delighted that our new car is here and ready for the start of winter testing, having been designed and built to a very tight schedule,”
He adds, “That is a tribute to the dedication of the Honda and Scuderia Toro Rosso personnel who have already learned to work very well together, developing the STR13 chassis and RA618H power unit package over the short winter months. Now we have just eight days to evaluate our work on the track (at pre-season testing at the Barcelona Circuit), in order to be ready for the coming season.”
The STR13 is built on a Toro Rosso composite monocoque chassis and is powered by Honda’s RA618H power unit which combines a hybrid system with a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 that revs to 15,000 rpm. The engine is mated to an eight-speed sequential (hydraulic) gearbox. Stopping power is provided by some serious Brembo brakes.
The STR13 posted a strong Day 1 of pre-season testing yesterday, with Brendon Hartley ending the day 8th fastest, having completed 93 test laps. The 2018 Formula 1 World Championship heads to Melbourne for the first round on March 25th.


A Quick Ride In The Toyota Vios Challenge Track Car

The Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and the Vios Challenge one-make racing series was
officiated
 today by UMW Toyota Motor at the Sepang International Circuit.
I had the opportunity to have a short taxi ride in the race-prepped Vios around the Sepang circuit, albeit limited to just the north section.
Upon strapping myself into the passenger FIA-approved bucket seat, I noticed that the Vios was relatively silent when compared to a full-fledged racing car. Granted, engine modifications were almost non-existent, with Wing Hin Motorsport fitting in a TRD exhaust system to allow the car to breathe better. According to Toyota, the racing Vios makes roughly 10% more power than the stock model. On paper, the stock Vios 1.5 J (MT) produces 107 PS and 140 Nm.
Off the line, the racing Vios accelerates briskly, thanks to its stripped interior. Wing Hin Motorsports removed all unnecessary hardware from the normal Vios, including sound deadening, seats, spare wheel, carpets and radio. Despite that, the racing Vios still had normal glass windows and door panels intact, instead of plexiglass. On top of the removal of the earlier mentioned hardware, Wing Win Motorsports also installed a roll cage, emergency power kill switch, FIA-approved racing bucket seats and a MoTec dash racing display kit.
Wing Hin Motorsports also added a TRD front strut brace and lower brace bars, and when coupled with the stiffer TRD suspension system, allowed the racing Vios to tackle corners with ease. Body roll is almost non-existent and the Vios remained planted through the corners. The sticky Toyo T1R rubbers fitted on each end of the Vios also ensured that traction would not be an issue. Thanks to all four wheels planted to the ground and relatively modest power output, the driver was able to plant his foot on the throttle most of the time. Driving a slow car fast is very real indeed.
My time in the Toyota Vios was relatively short, but the experience did give a hint of how interesting the actual race would be. One make races comprises of identical cars racing against each other, often with very limited modifications done. With UMW Toyota Motor introducing the Vios Challenge locally, we do hope that this can inject some much needed life into our local motorsport scene.


Peak Hours Fare Hike - No E-hailing, Where Is The Metered Taxi?

It seems like metered taxis are set for a comeback, as e-hailing fares during peak hours are expensive.

According to Combined Taxi Across Malaysia (GTSM) president Kamarudin Mohd Hussain who spoke to The Sun recently, the number of users opting for traditional metered taxis instead of e-hailing has gone up by 40% and is all due to fare hikes during peak hours.

Malaysians are starting to look for metered taxis

"Passengers, of course, will
rejoice whenever e-hailing companies give fare discounts
, much to taxi drivers' chagrin. But at times when e-hailing companies raise their fares too much, passengers will look for taxis," he said.

"E-hailing fares
can be raised
 (to suit the occasion partly) because the government has not introduced controlled fares (for e-hailing services), as it has for taxis."

"It (rush-hour fare hike) stems from the way some companies take advantage of peak hours on the grounds of high demand."

According to the GTSM president, e-hailing fares will continue to rise, and it will probably get out of control when the number of
e-hailing taxis decreases
 even further.

Why are metered taxis cheaper?

"The taxi service is a national land transport service that is fully controlled by the government, including the fares we charge," he said.

As an example, a Grab fare from Bukit Damansara to Bandar Kinrara costs RM35 during off-peak hours and RM47.10 during peak hours. That's a 35% increase in price for the same 10km journey.

As a comparison and according to Kamarudin's calculations on how a metered taxi charges its passengers, a traditional metered taxi would have charged RM11.70 for the same journey as a taxi's starting fare is RM3, with an additional RM0.10 for every 115 metres it travels.

But of course, that is without the convenience of summoning the metered taxi to your exact location as that will probably cost extra.

Kamaruddin agreed that technological advancements, such as
e-hailing services
, can benefit the industry and the country, but when the government fails to carry out its responsibilities to properly regulate e-hailing, the service is detrimental to business as well as taxi and e-hailing drivers.

Fares go up during peak hours, public holidays and bad weather conditions

Consumers Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader said that although Grab fares have not increased permanently for all times of the day, the problem lies in fares becoming ridiculously exorbitant during peak hours, public holidays and bad weather conditions.

"The cost can be double or higher, which is ridiculously exorbitant," he said.

"For instance, someone who needs to get to work by a certain time will have no choice but to travel during peak hours. Or maybe it is raining, and you feel that it is unsafe to go by bike or bus, so you decide to take a Grab car."

He also reckons that Grab fares have become exorbitant because there are fewer drivers.

Photo credit: Vulcan Post

The association president carried on saying that e-hailing providers, such as MyCar, Maxim and InDriver, have reasonable fares, but when a customer tries to book a ride, it takes forever to get one or none at all, which is why Grab has a monopoly on e-hailing services despite the decreasing number of drivers.


Volvo S60L T6 Twin Engine: Plug-In Hybrid Saloon For The China Market

Volvo
 will add another plug-in hybrid to its vehicle line-up with the global debut of the
Volvo S60
L T6 Twin Engine at the upcoming 2015 Shanghai Motor Show next week.
The new model will be the first locally manufactured plug-in hybrid in China at Volvo Cars’ Chengdu Plant.
Under the hood is the company’s T6 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a Drive-E 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine assisted by a 50kW electric motor that is mounted on the rear axle. The engine provides 238hp and 350Nm of torque and when combined with the electric motor’s 68hp and 200Nm, the system is capable of providing an output of 306hp and 550Nm.
As a true hybrid, the S60L is also capable of running on pure electricity alone with the 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack providing a range of 53km. The battery pack can be recharged using a 230V/6A, 10A, or 16A power outlet and will take where a full charge is achieved in 7.5 (6A), 4.5 (10A), and 3.5 (16A) hours respectively.
The Volvo S60L T6 Twin Engine now joins the XC90 T8 and V60 D5 Twin Engine in the company’s plug-in hybrid line-up. However, the S60L will first go on sale in the China market while the V60 D5/D6 is sold in the European market. The XC90 T8 is the company’s global market plug-in hybrid vehicle.


World Premiere: All-New BMW X4 (G02) – New M Sport X Line, 360hp xDrive 40i variant

No, it’s not a facelift (or the LCI as BMW refer to it), which would make sense given that the first generation BMW X4 was launched as recent as 2014. This is the all-new, second-generation BMW X4, codenamed G02, and it’s here to write the next chapter in BMW’s mid-size sports SUV story.
The G02 BMW X4 boasts enhanced driving dynamics, a refreshed design, the latest driver assistance systems, and the addition of two BMW M Performance models join the line-up: the X4 M40i and X4 M40d.
At launch, seven engine variants will be on offer - three petrol, and four diesels. The petrol powered models retain the four-cylinder ‘TwinPower Turbo’ engine, in two power levels, with the addition of the turbocharged inline six-cylinder ‘40i’. The diesel models are offered with two four-cylinder, and two inline-six turbocharged engines.
Here's how the X4 range shapes up:
xDrive20i
: 4-cyl turbocharged, 184 hp @ 6,500 rpm, 290 Nm @ 1,350 – 4,250 rpm, 8-speed automatic
xDrive30i
: 4-cyl turbocharged, 252 hp @ 6,500 rpm, 350 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,800 rpm, 8-speed automatic
xDrive40i
: 6-cyl turbocharged, 360 hp @ 5,500 - 6,500 rpm, 500 Nm @ 1,520 – 4,800 rpm, 8-speed automatic
xDrive20d:
4-cyl turbodiesel, 190 hp @ 4,000 rpm, 400 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm, 8-speed automatic
xDrive25d:
4-cyl turbodiesel, 231 hp @ 4,400 rpm, 500 Nm @ 2,000 rpm, 8-speed automatic
xDrive30d:
6-cyl turbodiesel, 265 hp @ 4,000 rpm, 620 Nm @ 2,000-2,500 rpm, 8-speed automatic
xDrive40d:
6-cyl turbodiesel, 326 hp @ 4,400 rpm, 680 Nm @ 1,750-2,750 rpm, 8-speed automatic
The BMW X4 M40i and M40d come equipped as standard with variable sport steering and M Sport suspension with firmer spring and damper tuning. Their M Sport brakes are specially designed with an extra-large master cylinder to help optimise braking feel. There is also an option of Adaptive M suspension, offered for the two BMW M Performance models
Using lighter materials, such as aluminium, and both high and ultra-high-strength steel in the chassis design and body’s construction, the (G02) X4 weighs up to 50 kilograms less than its predecessor. The car has a significantly lower centre of gravity than the new
BMW X3
 as well.
The X4 has grown by 81 mm in length to 4,752 mm, and 37 mm in width to 1,918 mm while height has been reduced by 3 mm to 1,621mm. Weight balance is a sports-car-like 50:50 between the front and rear axles.
Aerodynamics have been improved too: aerodynamic drag is down by 10 percent, to (Cd) 0.30 – achieved by streamlining the body, incorporating active air flap control, and additional underbody cladding.

At the rear, slim full-LED rear lights are offered as standard, as are twin exhaust tailpipes positioned at both ends of the rear bumper.
The X4 features the latest version of the iDrive operating system, designed to offer easier control of vehicle function including the navigation, communication, and infotainment functions. The Control Display includes a central monitor with a 6.5-inch screen as standard, optionally a 10.25-inch screen with touchscreen functionality is also offered.
The surfaces of the instrument panel and door panelling have been designed to merge smoothly into one another, while the "X" logos embossed into the electroplated surfaces of the front and rear doors add further design detail to the cabin.
Three full-size seats are fitted in the rear compartment of the all-new BMW X4, providing the passengers there with an additional 27 mm of legroom over the previous generation.
The boot now has a capacity of 525-litres which can be expanded to 1,430-litres as required by folding down the 40:20:40 split rear backrests.
Three optional trim lines are offered, namely the popular xLine, M Sport and new M  Sport X Line. 20-inch twin-spoke light-alloy wheels are standard fitment on BMW M Performance models. The M Sport model also comes with M-specific sports seats, and an M leather steering wheel on the inside. Additionally, the xDrive40d and 40i models are fitted with the M Sport differential as standard.
In terms of safety, the all-new BMW X4 is equipped as standard with Cruise Control with braking function as well as Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Collision Mitigation. Additional optional extras include the Speed Limit and Traffic Sign recognition system, Lane Change Warning, and Lane Departure Warning systems.
Other active driver aids include the raft of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), ABS, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Start-Off Assistant, and Hill Descent Control (HDC).


SPYSHOT: Proton X70 MC1 Sedang Diuji – Kembali Dengan Sistem AWD, Guna Enjin 1.5L Turbo

Beberapa foto yang tersebar di media sosial menunjukkan sebuah unit ujian
Proton X70 MC1
 yang membawa 4 orang dikesan sedang diuji di Lebuhraya Karak menuju ke Genting Sempah.

Berdasarkan daripada gambar, langsung tiada pelekat celoreng dikenakan pada model ini. Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat logo
AWD
 di belakang SUV ujian tersebut. Adakah Proton bakal menghidupkan semula varian AWD untuk varian pertengahan Proton X70 seperti kali pertama ia dilancarkan dia Malaysia pada tahun 2018 lalu?

Unit CBU
Proton X70 varian Executive AWD
 merupakan satu-satunya unit X70 yang ditawarkan dengan sistem AWD di pasaran negara ini. Walau bagaimanapun, varian AWD kurang mendapat permintaan daripada pelanggan dan telah dihentikan apabila tiada lagi sistem AWD diperkenalkan pada
X70 versi CKD
 yang dilancarkan pada tahun 2020 akibat permintaan terhadap AWD yang rendah.

Kalau kita lihat dalam katalog Proton ketika ini, mereka masih giat mengeksport Proton X70 bersama sistem AWD ke
Pakistan
. Proton X70 yang agak popular sejak akhir-akhir ini juga dikhabarkan bakal menggunakan enjin yang lebih kecil, iaitu enjin 1.5L turbo tiga silinder TGDI yang sama digunakan pada
Proton X50
.

Di Pakistan, SUV ‘harimau’ ini juga menggunakan kapasiti enjin yang lebih kecil, iaitu 1.5L TGDI yang menghasilkan 177 PS dan 255 Nm tork berbanding enjin 1.8L TGDI yang menghasilkan 184 PS dan 300 Nm tork. Enjin pada X70 di Pakistan itu juga merupakan enjin sama yang digunakan oleh Proton X50 ketika ini manakala transmisinya masih menggunakan klac berkembar automatik 7-kelajuan DCT yang sama-sama dibangunkan oleh Geely dan Volvo.

Apa Yang Baru?

Sekali pandang, model yang X70 yang sedang diuji Proton ini kelihatan sama sahaja dengan model varian Executive sedia ada di pasaran buat masa ini. Rekaan bamparnya dan rim 18-inci juga masih sama. Yang lain pada gambar yang tersebar ini hanyalah pada lencana AWD di bahagian belakang kereta.

Walau bagaimanapun, tiada gambar yang menunjukkan muka depan kenderaan ini. Mungkin ada perubahan minimal pada X70 ini, mungkin juga tidak.

Gambar X70 AWD yang sedang diuji ini menimbulkan persoalan sama ada adakah Proton akan memperkenalkan kembali Proton X70 dengan sistem AWD dalam pasaran Malaysia seperti di Pakistan? Jika benar, besar kemungkinan enjinnya juga akan ditukar kepada enjin X50 yang lebih kecil seperti di Pakistan.

Ketika diperkenalkan buat pertama kalinya di Malaysia, Proton X70 dengan sistem AWD ini turut ditawarkan dengan kamera 360, dua sensor parking dihadapan, lampu utama dan lampu nyalaan siang LED, pengelap cermin automatik, rim 18-inci, tempat duduk pemandu dengan pelarasan kuasa sebanyak enam hala serta sistem pemantauan tekanan udara tayar (TPMS).

Walau bagaimanapun, model AWD tersebut tidak menerima sebarang sistem bantuan pemanduan pintar
(ADAS)
 kerana ia hanya ditawarkan pada 2 model teratas X70 pada ketika itu, iaitu X70 Premium dan X70 Premium X.

Jika sistem AWD dihentikan pada X70 sebelum ini kerana kurang permintaan, adakah kini permintaannya telah meningkat sehingga mahu diperkenalkan semula oleh Proton? Apa-apa pun, nantikan sahaja model facelift Proton X70 yang dijangka bakal dilancarkan pada bulan Ogos tahun ini.


Local Motorsports Events: What's Happening In April, May & June 2021?

Want to be part of and support some local motorsport action? Here is a list of some local events you may be interested in.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many, including those in motorsports. Local race/event organisers who depend heavily on private sponsors were badly affected by their inability to organise track days or time trials.

Since we seem to have a handle on things now better, the government announced on February 12 that both two-wheeled and four-wheel motorsport activities may resume but with strict standard operating procedures in place.

The reinstatement of motorsport activities has really given us some semangat, with many looking to be part of some local motorsport action. With this in mind, we list down some of the upcoming local motorsport events that will be taking place to make it easier for you to either participate or support!

Open For Participation

EVENT

DATE

VENUE

Sepang Di Langgar Todak 2.0 by Todak Motorsport

27/3/21

Sepang International Circuit

SP Auto Tuning Night Track Session V2

10/4/21

Sepang International Circuit

SkillDrvn High Performance Driving Course

TBC upon quota fulfillment

Kegani Racing, Puchong

Monsta8 Training Session

11/4/21

Sepang International Circuit

SuciMuci Time Attack Championship 2021, Round 3

6/6/21

Melaka International Motorsport Circuit

Support

EVENT

DATE

VENUE

Toyota Gazoo Racing Season 4, Race 1

28/3/21

Sepang International Circuit

Malaysian National Rally Championship

27/6/21

KLIA, Sepang

Majulah sukan permotoran untuk negara!

Want to be listed? Get in touch with us!


Review: Nissan NP300 Navara - Better, but not the best yet

‘Pickup trucks’ and ‘comfortable’ were two words that just couldn’t be put together in a sentence for the longest time, but all that has changed now. Slowly but surely, one pickup truck model after another is transforming into pretty refined machines, and among the most recent one to be introduced in Malaysia is none other than Nissan’s good ol’ ‘Mother Trucker’, the Navara.
Since the glory days of the
Land Rover Defender
, pickups have always been downright workhorses, and their characteristics revolved around the sole purpose of their existence – to move things and sometimes, people. So, they only appealed to those who needed their services.
However, towards the end of the 1990s, manufacturers began positioning pickup trucks as something more hip and lifestyle oriented, in an effort to sell them to those who didn’t need them. A couple of good examples of ‘lifestyle’ pickups include the Ford Ranger Splash and the
Mitsubishi Storm L200
.
But the model which took things to a whole new level was the fourth generation
Mitsubishi Triton
. Truth be told, it was nothing like the world had ever seen.  Although it took some time for people to get used to it, many ended up falling in love with it as it looked way ahead of its time, and felt more comfortable than expected.
And so, it began – The trend of people buying pickup trucks for its form instead of the function.
Realising this, manufacturers started giving more priority to the design and comfort aspects of pickup trucks, but it had to be done without compromising the off-roading abilities. This resulted in the birth of a new generation of 4x4s that are better looking and more comfortable than ever before.
Now that pickup trucks with car-like characteristics are all the rage, almost every model in the market is transforming, including the truck you're looking at now - the all-new Navara.
Specifications
Price:

RM109,800
Engine: 2.5-litre, in-line 4-cylinder, DOHC 16-valves with VGS
Max Power: 163hp at 3,600rpm
Max Torque: 403Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Safety Features: Dual airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, VDC, Traction Control, ISOFIX, rear view camera, Hill Start Assist (HAS), and Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Origin: Imported from Thailand
Overview
Fitted with many new features, the new all-new Navara, which is being fully imported from Thailand, is offered in six variants locally, which are:
Navara manual single cab (RM79,000)
Navara

double cab E manual (RM89,800)
Navara SE manual (RM97,800)
Navara SE Automatic (RM102,800)
Navara V (RM109,800)
Navara VL (RM120,800)
(All models are offered with

a

three-year or 100,000 km warranty
)
Powering all variants is the same 2.5-litre YD25DDTi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that is found in the outgoing model, which produces 163hp and 403 Nm of torque. However, the range-topping VL variant gets a tuned version of the same mill which kicks out 190hp and 450Nm of maximum torque. The main highlight about the new Navara is that it uses multi-link coil spring suspension in the rear instead of leaf springs. In fact, it is the first Japanese pickup truck in Malaysia to do so.
Exterior
The biggest difference between the new Navara and the outgoing D40 in terms of looks is that it appears to be less menacing now, thanks to the smaller front grille, and the slightly curvier silhouette.  The new design did not only contribute towards better overall appearance, but also better aerodynamics.
Measuring at 5,255mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,785mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,150mm, the NP300 is just as wide as the outgoing model at 1,850mm, but the overall length has decreased by 5mm. The truck's wheelbase is also shorter by 50mm. The height however, has increased by 5mm.
Dimensions aside, the all-new Navara comes with a few features worth mentioning, such as the halogen daytime running lights, the rear ‘ducktail’ spoiler, the flared wheel arches, a reverse camera, as well as the side steps.
The unit which we tested however came with some additional goodies like the Pro-Form Tango bootlid set comprising a bootlid and a sport bar. The optional kit, which is imported fully from New Zealand, is available for ‘only’ RM7,950.
Overall, the Navara is still boxy, but it looks more modern and still has the ruggedness of its predecessor.
Interior
This is where the Navara has improved the most. Alongside the ‘Zero Gravity’ seats like the one in the X-Trail SUV and the freshly designed dashboard, many components from Nissan’s passenger cars have been put to use in the Navara’s cabin in order to make it more comfortable than before. Did it work? Absolutely.
Yes, hard plastic is everywhere but the cabin doesn’t look or feel cheap at all. The seats provided good level of comfort for occupants of all shapes and sizes. Practicality has also come miles ahead, with the inclusion of features like rear cup-holders, rear air-cond vents, the generous amount of cubby holes and small storage compartments, keyless entry and push-start ignition.
Noise, vibration, and harshness level has improved a lot from the outgoing model, but there is still a lot of room for improvement as the engine noise while driving could still be heard, very loud and clear.
How is it to drive?
As impressive as the aforementioned output figures looked on paper, the Navara felt a tad sluggish compared to its rivals like the Mitsubishi Triton and the Ford Ranger. On highways, we had to work the engine really hard in order to get it up to speed. In the city, however, the amount of power delivered adequate.
One feature that sets the NP300 apart from its rivals is the seven-speed automatic gearbox with manual override feature. Truth be told, the transmission is arguably the smoothest in class at the moment, feeling almost car-like.
In terms of handling, there was still notable amount of body-roll. So, as much as Nissan claims that the Navara is similar to a car, the truck should not be thrown around corners at high-speed.
Comfort wise, there is no denying the fact that the new Navara exceeded our expectations. The Zero-Gravity seats offered good support, and hugged us well throughout our stint with the pickup, even while off-roading. Adding to the comfort were the rear air-cond vents, keeping rear occupants cool at all time.
Speaking of off-roading, the new Navara had no issues in tackling the beaten track. Now that there are additional driving aids like the Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA), off-roading has become a much easier and more enjoyable task than before.
On the road, the Navara still falls short behind the Triton and the Ranger in terms of refinement and handling, but during off-roading is when it really came to life proved itself to be a worthy contender. The new multi-link suspension did a brilliant job in absorbing all the bumps and lumps, and according to Nissan, the Navara can carry up to a ton of load without any issues.
How economical is it?
Throughout our stint with the new Navara, we clocked an average fuel consumption of 9-litres/100km, which was slightly more than the claimed 7-litres/100km (combined), probably because we spent most of our time driving the truck in the city. Nissan also claims that the truck is 11 per cent more fuel efficient than the outgoing model.
In case you’re wondering how much it would cost to service the NP300 Navara, it should cost similar to the outgoing D40 which uses the same engine, for which Edaran Tan Chong Motor has calculated the servicing and maintenance costs for the truck done at their authorised service centres.
For the first 100,000km, the owner has to fork out roughly RM6,794, according to the service interval breakdown as follows:
1,000km - RM177.18
5,000km - RM174.37
10,000km - RM379.11
15,000km - RM231.61
20,000km - RM370.97
30,000km - RM504.19
40,000km - RM1113.90
50,000km - RM379.11
60,000km - RM696.05
70,000km - RM379.11
80,000km - RM1113.90
90,000km - RM504.19
100,000km - RM570.97
Safety Features
Standard safety features in the Navara NP300 V spec include:
Dual airbags
ABS with EBD & BA
Vehicle Dynamic Control
Traction Control
Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS)
Hill Start Assis
Hill Descent Control
ISOFIX mounts
Rear view camera
Keyless entry with Push start ignition
Verdict
Unlike the outgoing model, the new Navara is more about comfort, which explains why the biggest highlight is the inclusion of a multi-link rear suspension, replacing the leaf-spring. In fact, the Navara is now the first Japanese pickup truck to come with multi-link dampers.
Even inside the cabin, comfort has been given the utmost priority. Fitted with Zero Gravity-Inspired seats similar to the ones found only in Nissan passenger cars, dual zone air-conditioning with rear vents, and a more car-like dashboard, the Navara’s interior is almost similar to an SUV. The rear vents and the seats are in fact, features that are first in class.
Overall, the Nissan NP300 Navara is very different from its predecessor. What was once designed to be a true workhorse, has now transformed into a more comfort-oriented pickup truck. However, the vehicle did not compromise any of its off-roading abilities, and still is an ideal workhorse.
Review: 2015 All-New Mitsubishi Triton – 178 PS Of Tax-Free Goodness To Replace Your Sedan
If we are to compare it with its rivals, the all-new Navara
still falls short behind the
Mitsubishi Triton
 and the
Ford Ranger
 in terms of refinement and handling, but it definitely felt more composed than the Isuzu D-Max and the Toyota Hilux.
  That being said, there is no doubt that the Navara has improved by miles from what it was. While it is certainly among the better candidates in the segment, it still has some catching up to do with some of its competitors.
Considering purchasing a Nissan Navara? Find one at
Carlist.my
 now


Geneva 2018: BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe Breaks Cover

BMW has unveiled the new Concept M8 Gran Coupe at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show, a model that we reckon many have been looking forward to.
Sharp-eyed ones amongst you guys might have noticed that this Concept M8 features four doors, typical of BMW models wearing the Gran Coupe name. Now, before you lose your mind, Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design did mention that the car you see here previews the future at a look at an exotic variant of the new BMW 8 Series.
The front end of the BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe is unmistakably BMW, with BMW’s signature kidney grille surrounded by a pair of slim head lights with yellow DRLs. Large air intakes on the lower half of the bumper give the Concept M8 an aggressive appearance, with a pair of air curtains help stabilize the car at high speeds.
As for the rear end, the large integrated duck tail spoiler, quad muffler, and bold-looking bumper inserts does give the Concept M8 Gran Coupe a menacing look.
Unique to this concept is the gold surround on the kidney grille, side vents, wheels, muffler tips, and window trim. BMW also mentioned that the paint, called Salève Vert, is able to change from green to greyish blue in different lights.
The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe will be BMW M’s flagship model when the model is introduced in 2019, to which it will be joined by the regular 8 Series Gran Coupe and 8 Series Coupe to complete the lineup.


The Porsche 911 Turbo S Proves It Can Go Anywhere

All-wheel drive (AWD) technology has long been a hallmark of high-performance Porsche models. First applied in experimental form on the low-volume 959 supercar, Porsche then applied what it had learned to the 911 Carrera 4 (Type 964) in 1988, the first series production Porsche with all-wheel drive. And ever since, all-wheel drive has been engineered into every generation of 911, for over three decades.
But while the primary objective of offering AWD technology is improving driving dynamics and on-road traction, Porsche is also keen on demonstrating how its AWD technology, augmented by its latest-generation Porsche Traction Management (PTM) gives the 911 an uncanny ability to go places most sports cars would shy away from.
In a gritty video by Porsche, we see a 911 go where no car has gone before, spanning the greatest changes in elevation in the UK.
The weapon of choice is the 911 Turbo S (991.2), which starts its journey at Holme in Lincolnshire; at 10 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point in the UK. The Turbo S then heads drive to Glenshee in the Scottish Highlands, taking in a mix of roads and weather conditions, culminating in sub-zero, snow-laden surfaces, and dramatic changes in elevation.
The final stretch would prove most daunting, as the 911 Turbo S would have to drive up the steep ski slope at Glenshee Ski Centre, in the Cairngorms National Park. The goal: to reach the top, some 2,460 feet above sea level.
The only concession to these special conditions was specific, Porsche-approved winter tyres - otherwise, the 911 Turbo S was as it left the showroom floors.
At the heart of the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) is an electromagnetic clutch, with friction plates which are able to distribute engine drive torque from the rear axle to the front within 100 milliseconds. Through this, it is able to maintain the optimum spread of engine power to the wheels.
The fully variable distribution of drive torque between the two axles delays the onset of wheel slip, which in turn reduces the need for intervention of the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system.


Five Reasons To Visit Carlist.my MAA Drive, 13-14 May At Setia City

The much-awaited
Carlist.my MAA Drive, Test & Bu
y Event 2017
 is happening on 13-14 May 2017 at Setia City Convention Centre. With 15 automotive brands present, buyers and enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to view, test drive, and experience a wide variety of vehicles from different brands all at the same location.
Members of the public are invited to
test drive the selection of cars
 at the event on road over a 4.7km test route around the Setia City area. The route is plotted with a good mix of long straights and gentle curves for drivers to properly experience each vehicle’s performance and handling. A closed slalom course allow drivers to attempt slightly more enthusiastic maneuvers within a safe and controlled environment.
The on-road test drive experience and slalom course is open for all vehicle brands participating in
Carlist.my MAA Drive
. Members of the public are also invited to try out specially-prepared challenge courses exclusive to the following brands – Ford, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
The stunts and maneuvers attempted in these challenges are not meant to be attempted on public roads, but are carried out in a safe and controlled environment under the supervision of skilled professional drivers.
Off-Road Terrain Obstacles – Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max
The
Ford Ranger
 and
Isuzu D-Max
 are out to prove their resolute toughness in the specially-built off-road terrain obstacle course. Participants are invited to attempt a total of three off-road challenges that put the claimed ruggedness of these vehicles to the test:
Elephant trail – Navigate extremely uneven terrain on which you may be required to balance the truck on just two wheels at a time!
Ruts & potholes – A test of the vehicle’s suspension articulation traversing deeply-rutted surfaces.
Hilly slope – Learn the right techniques on how to climb and descend steep slopes with safety and confidence.
Mitsubishi Red Peak Challenge
The famous
Mitsubishi Red Peak Challenge
 truck will be present at
Carlist.my MAA Drive
 as well, providing a platform for the new updated
2017 Mitsubishi Triton MIVEC VGT
 to show off its fearsome climbing abilities.
Inspired by Mitsubishi’s victory in the 2014 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Challenge, the purpose-built Red Peak truck features a 25-feet high ramp with a 45-degree incline approaching its summit – an extreme test for any 4x4 vehicle. Would you dare take up the challenge?
Subaru AWD Challenge
Two technical innovations define all Subaru vehicles – the Boxer engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Together, they form one of the most unique engine-drivetrain configurations in the market, and Subaru’s persistence with the setup has endured through the ages.
Subaru’s belief in the all-weather all-terrain superiority of its all-wheel drive system is resolute. The specially-configured AWD challenge pits Subaru’s range of cars including the
XV
 and
Forester
 in challenges that few vehicles in their segments would dare venture.
Toyota 4WD Obstacle Course
Put the Toyota Hilux and Fortuner through the chassis-twisting balance test. Slanted metal ramps are arranged to lift the wheel of the vehicle off the ground requiring the vehicle to balance itself off two wheels at a time progressing through the course. A sure means of testing the rigidity and suspension travel of any vehicle with off-road aspirations.
Volkswagen Driving Experience & Polo ‘P’
Feel the power and dynamic handling of Volkswagen vehicles in the Volkswagen Driving Experience. Emergency braking and brake-steer-avoid exercises allow participants to experience first-hand how composed and secure Volkswagen vehicles feel in emergency situations.
Young drivers are particularly encourage to come over and attend the special Polo ‘P’ programme in which  participants will be taught basic car maintenance, visual checkpoints, proper sitting and steering positions, and defensive driving which includes emergency braking, and a slalom course.
Follow these links to book your slots for the
Volkswagen Driving Experience
 and
Volkswagen Polo 'P'
 programme at
Carlist.my MAA Drive
today!
Also, don't forget to book your test drive of any vehicle make and model present at the event online at
l.carlist.my/drive/
!


The BMW M8 Is On Its Way To Production

If you're wondering when BMW was building an M8, we don't blame you. Everything's been a little confusing as the company has been releasing model after model, variant after variant, and just when we're getting used to the 8 Series' return (essentially the successor to the 6 Series, but adopting the 8 Series namesake), we're presented with news of the M8 nearing production.
The car in question is still going through its final checks and testing, shown here at Estoril circuit in Portugal. The formula is fairly similar to the M5, with a meaty twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 pushing a whopping 600 hp and 750 Nm of torque.
Power goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, but similar to the M5 it can also sent power to just the rear wheels if necessary. It's interesting in the sense that it'll be the first two-door M Car with all-wheel drive.
2019 will see the market launch of the BMW M8 in its coupe bodystyle, while the convertible will be coming after. For those who loved the M6 Gran Coupe, the good news is the new M8 will also have a Gran Coupe body style - just that it won't be available at launch.
As you would expect, the M8 benefits greatly from M Division's tweaks in the chassis and suspension department, and it looks like it's going to be quite the weapon on track or on a highway.


All-New Nissan Leaf Launched In Malaysia – 100% Electric, RM188,888

Following its
first preview
 at last year’s KL International Motor Show, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has today introduced the all-new, second-generation Nissan Leaf in Malaysia.
The Nissan Leaf combines three aspects of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility Suite of technologies: Intelligent Power, Intelligent Driving, and Intelligent Integration.
Intelligent Power refers to its battery-electric drivetrain that is built on a dedicated EV platform and is powered by a 40 kWh battery pack that provides power for a single motor that delivers 150 PS and 320 Nm of torque. The Leaf is claimed to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds; almost as quickly as a Mercedes-Benz C200 (7.7 seconds).
The Leaf has a driving range of 311 km (on the NEDC Cycle) and is offered as standard with a 6.6 kW (Type 1) wall box charger that requires approximately 7 hours for a full charge. With a 50 kW “CHAdeMo” quick-charger, the Leaf can be fully charged in just 60 minutes. CHAdeMO quick chargers are available selected locations such as ABB Malaysia (Subang Jaya), Nichicon Malaysia (Bangi), and PLUS Ayer Keroh R&R (Malacca Southbound).
Intelligent driving, on the other hand, refers to the Leaf’s first-of-its-kind ‘e-Pedal’, it allows the driver to accelerate, decelerate, stop, and even hold the car’s position, all by using the accelerator pedal alone. Nissan designed the e-Pedal with the idea of maximizing EV driving pleasure. When the accelerator pedal is fully released, regenerative braking and friction braking are automatically applied to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
Finally, Intelligent Integration refers to the Leaf’s Bi-directional charging capacities, meaning the Leaf is also able to share energy stored in its battery with their home or business. Bi-directional charging is relatively unknown in Malaysia but ETCM is reportedly working with various government and business sectors in hopes of growing the technology and its applications.
In terms of equipment, the Leaf is fitted with the company’s new diamond 'Holographic' grille, 'Boomerang' LED DRLs, Two-tone coloured roof, and 17-inch diamond-cut ‘Turbine’ alloy wheels. On the inside, highlights include a flat-bottom steering wheel, 7-inch Multi-Info Display (MID), and Alcantara leather seats.
Active safety features offered as standard include Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), 360-degree surround view camera (I-AVM), Intelligent Driver Alertness monitor (I-DA). Six-airbags, ABS with EBD, and stability control are more commonplace safety systems also offered as standard.
The Leaf is offered here in two interior trim colours, Graphite Black and Stone Grey, and the following exterior paint options:
Exclusive two-tone: Pearl White/Deep Blue Pearl (Roof), Magnetic Roof/Super Black (Roof)
Single-tone: Brilliant Silver, Gunmetal Grey, Deep Blue Pearl
The fully-imported Leaf (CBU Japan) is offered here in a single high-spec “Premium” grade priced at RM 188,888 (OTR without Insurance).
Alternatively, customers can even opt for a 3-year (contract) leasing program at RM3,500 per month. The estimated monthly installments for a conventional purchase is estimated at RM3,200 (10% downpayment, 5-yr loan tenure @ 2.6% P.A. interest), hence, the leasing option is competitively priced.
And for customers who might require to travel longer distances, without proper access to charging facilities, ETCM also offers the ‘Nissan Leaf Owners Privilege’ program, where Nissan Leaf owners have access to usage of other Nissan SUV, MPV & pickup vehicles for 23 days/year, for the first three years of ownership.
The Nissan Leaf is offered with a 3-year/60,000 km free maintenance service, 3-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty, and 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty.


Perodua Tweckbot To Offer Free Vehicle Inspections In Sabah This Weekend

Tweckbot, Perodua’s long-running complimentary vehicle inspection service, will be making its final road safety push for the year in Kota Kinabalu this weekend.

A part of the Perodua Road Safety Programme, Perodua Tweckbot will be stationed at ITCC Mall, Penampang on 21 and 22 December from 10am to 5pm on both days to offer free inspections for Perodua vehicles.

Customers who inspect their vehicles with Tweckbot will get a 20% discount voucher redeemable for the purchase of selected parts and accessories at any authorised Perodua service centre*.

The vehicle inspection covers over 50 points including the engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, power steering, clutch, tyres, suspension and electrics.

“Perodua Tweckbot aims to promote the importance of regular vehicle checks, servicing them at authorised Perodua outlets and only using genuine Perodua products and parts, all in the name of safety,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.

“Most of all, it represents our commitment to always provide our valued customers with quality service and workmanship for their total peace of mind,” said Dato’ Zainal.

To date, Perodua Tweckbot has inspected over 8,000 vehicles since its 2011 inception.


Toyota & Kawasaki Teams Up To Build Hydrogen Motorcycle Engines

Toyota
 will be teaming up with
Kawasaki
 to build
hydrogen engines
 for motorcycles in the future.

This collaboration with the world's largest car manufacturer will put Kawasaki on the fast track for its development and infrastructure of hydrogen-powered bikes thanks to Toyota's experience in sustainable ICE alternatives, hydrogen included.

Hydrogen-powered Kawasaki ATV sealed the deal?

The collaboration deal was inked earlier this month when Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, went for a joyride on a hydrogen-powered Kawasaki ATV at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.

Toyota itself has already launched the world's first dedicated (and commercially available) hydrogen fuel cell car, the
Toyota Mirai
. With more than 2,600 sold worldwide so far, their knowledge and experience would be valuable for Kawasaki to speed things up within its hydrogen R&D department.

No more Kawasaki ICE bikes by 2035

This hydrogen-powered engine for motorcycles is just one of many efforts by Team Green following its announcement to completely ditch ICEs across its model offerings by 2035. Announced at EICMA 2021, we can expect to see its first electric and hybrid motorcycle models at EICMA 2022 in a state that's closer to production.

Kawasaki has already previewed its prototypes of both the BEV and hybrid motorcycles back in August during the Suzuka 8 Hours motorcycle endurance race. Will other bike manufacturers follow suit? Better late than never, we suppose.