China Should Now Shift Focus Towards Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Tech – Former Top Official

Realizing the short driving range and long charging time for electric vehicles (EVs), Wan Gang in his commentary published in a Chinese daily said China should now shift the focus towards developing EVs with hydrogen fuel-cell technology (FCEV).
In a report by
Bloomberg
, Wan, who is a Deputy Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said the benefits of FCEV include a long driving range, short refuelling time, as well as zero harmful emissions (FCEV just emits water). These factors are crucial in meeting the needs of long-distance buses, taxis, or urban logistics and long-haul transporters.
Wan is the former minister of science and technology and is known as the father of China’s electric-car industry, guiding the country toward EVs starting about 20 years ago.
According to data by
Statista
, Chinese consumers bought a combined total of 579,000 units of EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) last year, a figure that is ten times more than consumers in Japan, Germany, and even Norway.
An FCEV is a vehicle that uses hydrogen gas as fuel to generate electric energy for moving the vehicle. The hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen from the atmosphere in the fuel-cell stack to generate electricity, with only water vapour as emission.
Back in November 2017, Toyota reported that there are only five hydrogen stations in China which are centred in the metropolitan regions and the company added a sixth in Changshu.
In conjunction with the new Changshu hydrogen filling station, Toyota also began a three-year verification-test program that uses the Mirai FCEV and has expanded the scope of feasibility studies to include commercial vehicles such as buses.
Hyundai, meanwhile, has been actively improving and enhancing the hydrogen fuel-cell technology. With the availability of their ix35/Tucson FCEV since 2013,
Hyundai
 is the world’s first automaker to mass-produce fuel-cell vehicles.
The 4-seater Toyota Mirai has a range of over 500 kilometres while the larger Hyundai Nexo has a range of about 660 kilometres. Both vehicles require just five minutes for hydrogen gas refuelling.


New Porsche Centre launched in JB - First Porsche Classic Partner in Malaysia

Porsche Malaysia
 (Sime Darby Auto Performance) has officially launched its latest Porsche Centre in Johor Bahru, Johor.

The latest Porsche 4S showroom which is located at Danga Bay offers state-of-the-art features covering a space of 5,412 square metres and three stories total offering everything and anything related to Porsche in relation to sales, aftersales, and parts, or the more eloquently coined term, "Destination Porsche".

"Destination Porsche" concept, inside and out

Designed to be both luxurious and welcoming, the new Porsche Centre in JB grants great visibility for the interior from the outside. Different modules of the showroom are separated between the new model Highlight display, E-Performance, Porsche Classic, Fitting Lounge, Delivery Bay, and Certified Pre-Owned cars.

Doubling up as a premium space for the Porsche community to organise their gatherings, the new Porsche 4S centre also includes e-sports racing simulators that can be used for a bit of fun for the customers or even prep some laps before heading to the track.

Catering to all Porsche models, modern & classic

For
Porsche Taycan
 owners both current and new, the Porsche Centre JB is also equipped with a 175kW DC fast charger as well as a 22kW AC charging point. Other services available include the integrated Porsche-certified Body & Paint, nine service bays, and the country's first certified Porsche Classic Partner.

The Porsche Classic Partner aims to provide all the necessary technical support for all classic Porsche models, including the procurement of spare parts directly from Porsche AG Classic and even factory-approved restoration service as well as maintenance. This particular section of the showroom is branded under the Classic Module portion, which also carries the heritage-theme brand experience for all Porsche fans of old ages, modern and classic.


Glorious Lightweight Mazda MX-5 Concepts Debut at SEMA

History has shown us that somehow removing the creature comforts – such as the roof and windscreen – from a roadster only seems to make it better. And that is exactly what Mazda North America has done for the SEMA Show in Las Vegas with two design concepts, the MX-5 Spyder and MX-5 Speedster.
For the MX-5 Spyder, Mazda took away its brilliant and easy-to-use soft top, and fitted on a token ‘bikini top’ cover. Its Mercury Silver exterior is complemented by a carbon-fibre aero kit, custom black front grille with lights integrated into it, seated on 17-inch Yokohama ADVAN Racing RS II wheels with adjustable coil overs, and upholstered in a Spinneybeck PRIMA natural full-grain leather interior. All things considered the MX-5 Spyder, with the MX-5’s 158hp/200Nm 2-litre 4-cylinder SKYACTIV engine on board, tips the scales in at 1,043kg.
As for the Speedster, Mazda didn’t bother with all that nonsense of creature comforts and removed the windscreen all together, only leaving a small air deflector. In place of where the folding soft top would be, the Speedster sports beautiful double fairings. Since they were paring back the luxuries, Mazda also sought to pare back the weight as well with the fitment of carbon-fibre doors and seats, along with the fitment of a custom 16-inch RAYS 57 Extreme Gram Lights rims. The Speedster also sits 30mm closer to the ground than the production MX-5 thanks to the use of K&W adjustable coil over suspension. Though using the same 2-litre engine as the Spyder, with such weight paring measures enacted, the Speedster comes in at an impressive 943kg, a whole 100kg lighter than the already light Spyder.
This isn’t the first time Mazda has presented such alluring concepts. Mazda made a similar styled Spyder concept for the 2011 SEMA Show, and presented the windscreen-less MX-5 Superlight Concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Wind the clock back further to 1991 and Mazda was already chopping the top off their first-generation MX-5 to create the ultimate bedroom poster iteration of their iconic roadster.
Sadly 24 years on and none of these topless concepts have remained as flights of fancy, and it would look like it would remain that way. Then again, SEMA is there to show us what can be done. So for those who are intrepid enough, and loaded with the dosh, there’s your inspiration.


Etiqa Launches E-Cleva – Approve Minor Accident Claims In 30 Minutes

Drivers insured by Etiqa can look forward to speedier claims processing with the introduction of E-Cleva, a mobile app that allows for speedy and remote claims approval in as little as 30 minutes
The E-Cleva system allows Etiqa’s claims consultants to interact directly and remotely via a video-call to quickly asses the damage sustained by the claimant’s vehicle or property.
The video-call function works as per any traditional phone conversation but also allows the consultant to view the damage in real time, assess the damage, capture photos or even record a video. Once assessed, the claims consultant can then immediately calculate the cost of repair, and generate a claims offer.
Do note, however, that E-Cleva is suitable only for claims for minor damages; on items like windscreen, or accidents that don't involve a third party or require a police report.
Once reimbursed, the customer is free to have their vehicle repaired at their preferred workshop or alternatively, send their cars to an authorised Etiqa workshop. Customers are encouraged to update Etiqa consultants and send the images of their vehicles once repairs have been completed.
For more serious cases (in which the vehicle or motorcycle has sustained mechanical damage), or accidents which involve two or more parties, claimants would still need to follow the conventional method of making a police report and having their vehicles sent to an Etiqa panel workshop to be assessed and repaired.
In cases where the repair cost exceeds the initial agreed upon claim, customers may still contact Etiqa consultants to review their case and negotiate a higher reimbursement sum.
E-Cleva claims are subject to the vehicle's insurance contract.
Since the soft-launch of the E-Cleva system in May 2018, 87 claim cases were settled in under 30 minutes. Over 95 percent of E-Cleva customers have found the system to be quick, effective and highly-recommendable.
For more information, check out the
E-Cleva website
.


Hyundai Kona Tops Segment in JD Power Tech Survey

The Hyundai Kona has topped the JD Power 2018 US Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study with the highest in overall satisfaction.
The study takes into account owners’ experience, usage, and interaction with driver-centric systems, including infotainment, driving assistance, collision protection, and smartphone connectivity.
For the North American market, the Hyundai Kona comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse camera with dynamic guide lines, Hill Start Assist Control, and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM). A range of advanced safety features can be opted, including:
Lane Change Assist
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning
Blind-Spot Collision Warning
Manish Mehrotra, director, Digital Business Planning and Connected Operations, Hyundai Motor America said, “We are proud to offer advanced safety and convenience technologies across our Hyundai lineup, especially during a time when vehicle technology is becoming an expectation for owners and drivers. Kona’s cutting-edge connectivity and safety features speak to Hyundai’s commitment to providing better technological solutions to enhance the driver experience.”


Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival Returns To Penang Next Week

Penang will once again host the roar of Toyota race cars as the Gazoo Racing Festival returns to the Pearl of the Orient next weekend.

Round 3 of the Gazoo Racing series, the penultimate race which will be held at Stadium Batu Kawan from 15-16 February 2020 is critical in deciding the Super Sporting, Sporting and Promotional class championship.

It is the last race of the season to be contested on a street circuit before moving over to the Sepang International Circuit in April. The first two races of Season 3 were held at the Kuala Terengganu and Bandar Malaysia street circuits.

“Penang can essentially make or break a driver’s championship campaign this season. For some, it will be the last chance to capitalize on their experience competing on a street circuit and hopefully build an almost unassailable lead in the championship. For others, it will be about fighting to narrow the gap in order to keep their championship hopes alive, enough to cause an upset when the racing moves to a permanent circuit,” said Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer Mr Akio Takeyama.

In the Super Sporting class for professionals, Malaysia’s Drift King Tengku Djan Ley currently leads the point standings with 36 points, just 8 points adrift of Laser Motor’s Mark Darwin followed by Kenny Lee a further point behind.

The Sporting class race has been nothing short of a dog fight as S&D Tama Motorsports’ and automotive journalist Tom Goh currently leads the standings with 28 points, just two points ahead of TGR debutante Haji Sutan Mustaffa Salihin. One point behind him is Crestmax Motorsport’s Adam Khalid followed by another TGR newcomer and young driver Bradley Benedict Anthony with 22 points.

Leading the Promotional class for celebrities is television presenter and comedian Nabil Ahmad who has a four point advantage over Season 1 overall champion Shawn Lee at 28 points, and singer Khai Bahar in third position. A total of 10 local celebrities will line-up on the grid in Penang including Diana Danielle; Janna Nick; Shukri Yahaya; Nabila Razali; Wany Hasrita; Ain Edruce; and Syafiq Kyle.

Meanwhile, UMW Toyota Motor President Mr Ravindran K. said the TGR Festival returns to Penang for a third consecutive season with a line-up of exciting activities for spectators and motorsports fans.

“The excitement of the TGR Festival is not confined to thrills and spills on the track, but includes so many activities for the family. It will feature the display and test drive of Toyota’s fleet of new vehicles, a drift performance, a racing simulator challenge, stage games, celebrity performances, promotional activities, lucky draws, the sale of merchandise, and a Super Fans Signing Session for a chance to mingle with the celebrities racing in the Promotional class. Also on display will be the flagship GR Supra!”

For fitness fans, the TGR Festival will also feature a fun run on the track as well as a zumba fitness session on Sunday. Registration is free with goodies limited to the first 500 participants.

A Super GT race car will also be in display in conjunction with the upcoming Malaysian round of the Super GT Championship at the Sepang International Circuit in July.

Other attractions include the display of a fully restored 1968 Toyota KE-10 model, a retro display by the Art of Speed, and a showcase of motorcycles and merchandise by Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Vespa and Moto Guzzi. Children’s activities include a bey blade competition, the sale of Hot Wheels die cast models, and a nerf gun competition.

The TGR Festival kicks off from 9am on Saturday (15 February 2020) to Sunday (16 February 2020), and entrance is free!


New 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222) Variants - S450, S500, S600

As the newly-facelifted
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222)
 makes its way into European showrooms, new variants continue to be added to the range, bringing the total number of engine options to nine petrol and diesel powerplants.
The latest additions include, notably,
Mercedes-Benz’s much-awaited inline-six petrol engines
 to power the S-Class' entry models as well as V12 engines to power the flagship variants. They join the existing inline-six diesel and V8 petrol powerplants that have been announced earlier.
Codenamed M256, the new 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine is offered in two states of tune. There is the entry-level S450 producing 367hp and 500Nm, whilst the S500, a badge that previously denoted a 449hp V8 model, now makes 435hp and 520Nm with two fewer cylinders.
At the other end of the spectrum is a V12 powering the S600 with 530hp and 830Nm to top the ‘regular’ S-Class range. Further upmarket comes the Mercedes-Maybach S650 which ekes out 630hp and 1,000Nm.
This new family of engines marks the first time since the W140’s discontinuation in 1999 that the Mercedes S-Class is offered with the option of inline-six powerplants. To recap, the range of engines thus far announced for the facelifted W222 S-Class are as follows:
S350d:
 2.9-litre inline-six diesel, 286hp, 600Nm
S400d:
 2.9-litre inline-six diesel, 340hp, 700Nm
S450:
 3.0-litre inline-six petrol, 367hp, 500Nm
S500:
 3.0-litre inline-six petrol, 435hp, 520Nm
S560:
4.0-litre V8 petrol, 469hp, 700Nm
S600:
6.0-litre V12 petrol, 530hp, 830Nm
AMG S63:
 4.0-litre V8 petrol, 612hp, 900Nm
AMG S65:
6.0-litre V12 petrol, 630hp, 1,000Nm
Maybach S650:
6.0-litre V12 petrol, 630hp, 1,000Nm
The range of new engines powering the W222 facelift is part of a new powertrain family developed by Mercedes-Benz for its next-generation of vehicles. The engines are mild hybrids, with 48V electrical systems powering an intergral starter / alternator to provide a brief but rapid boost of power at a standing start.
There is, to date, no full hybrid or plug-in hybrid variant announced for the W222 facelift, although we do not expect it to stay this way for long.


Porsche Unveils New 718 T – Stripped Down For Driving Pleasure

Last year Porsche unveiled the 911 Carrera T, with ‘T’ standing for Touring, aimed to relive the charm of the 911 T of yore.
Now, Porsche has applied the same formula to the 718, creating the 718 T. Both the Boxster and Cayman can be had with the T treatment, with weight starting from 1,350 kg, or 1,380 kg for the PDK-equipped model.
Unlike the 911 Carrera T, however, the 718 T receives the base 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four that cranks out 300 PS and 380 Nm, mated to a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK. The century sprint is accomplished in just 5.1 seconds for the manual, while PDK-equipped models are quicker at 4.7 seconds.
Setting the 718 T apart from its siblings are the standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sports chassis, lowering the 718 T by 20 mm. The PASM sport chassis was never offered with the base engine 718 before.
The Porsche 718 T also receives dynamic gearbox mount, Sport Chrono package, short shifter for the manual, and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear locking differential.
Inside, the weight-saving efforts are noticeable – out go the regular door handles, replaced with black door pulls, along with sport seats with electric two-way adjustment, and a large gaping hole in place of where the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system should have been. Of course, one can opt to have the PCM system in place too, at no extra cost.
Buyers who opt for PDK-equipped models will get Launch Control and Sport Response buttons, located on the centre of the Mode switch of the steering wheel.
Speaking of cost, Porsche says that 718 T buyers can enjoy a marginal discount of 5% – 10% compared to a similarly-equipped model. Prices start from EUR 63,047 for the 718 Cayman T, while the 718 Boxster T is priced from EUR 65,070.


Proton Orders Delay Due To Chip Shortage - New Price With SST Announced Soon

Proton has just announced that any new vehicle orders made for any Proton vehicle beginning May 1 will only be delivered after July 1, 2022, due to the global semi-conductor shortage as well as the disruption in supply chain due to Covid-19.

Global Chip Shortage Affects Proton

The global
chip shortage
 is finally rearing its ugly head a little closer to home with national carmaker, Proton announcing that production delays caused by the global shortage of semi-conductors as well as the disruption in supply chain due to the lingering effects of Covid-19 mean that orders for any Proton vehicle placed after May 1, 2022, will only be delivered after July 1, 2022.

Proton SST Price List

This also effectively means that any Proton vehicles sold from today onwards
will be subject
 to the sales and service tax (SST) as any new Proton order will
only be delivered
 after the SST exemption period is over. At time of writing, the SST exemption period is supposed to end on June 30, 2022.

A new price list will also be announced by Proton in due course, once all factors, including SST reinstatement, have been calculated. If you've forgotten, the SST exemption was first announced under the
PENJANA programme
, with 100% exemption for locally-assembled (CKD) cars and 50% for fully-imported (CBU) cars.

As of March 2022, Proton had the highest selling vehicles in its segment to date for the:

Proton Saga (9449 units)

Proton Exora (747 units)

X70 (4238 units)

X50 (7,176 units)

Proton Saga MC2 Launch Affected?

It also remains to be seen whether this latest announcement by Proton will affect the launch of the incoming
Proton Saga MC2
 and Proton
X70 MC1
 that is expected to launch in May 2022.


Motor Image And UMW Toyota Announce Recalls On Subaru And Toyota Models

Following a little hubub on social media, both Motor Image and UMW Toyota have announced recalls regarding a number of components on their models. The common model between the two companies is of course the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86, which share a number of engine components.
The recall is related to a potential failure of the valvetrain system, specifically fracturing of the valve springs. While there may be loose associations to the Kobe Steel scandal that rocked Japan just a few months back, this particular incident hasn't become a widely reported case - perhaps the two brands are looking to get ahead of potential failures.
As Subaru uses the boxer engine in a number of their vehicles, the XV, Forester, and Outback are also affected by the recalls. For now, the recalls are limited to MY (Model Years) 2013 for the BRZ, 2013-2014 for the Outback, 2012-2014 for the Forester, and 2012-2014 for the XV, all of which came with the FA20 or FB20 engine.
Beyond this, each company also has specific recalls. Motor Image has issued a recall for the multi-information displays in the 2018 Outback, which is largely due to a programming issue that results in inaccuracies in readouts for fuel and range. Both the software updates and the valve component replacements will be done free of charge.
UMW Toyota's recall is specifically for the MY 2012-2013 86. Around 120 units of this model were brought in by UMW Toyota, and it is the only model affected by this potential valve spring failure. As for their other ongoing recall, it regards the re-replacement of airbag inflators in the MY 2003 Vios, MY 2001-2003 Corolla Altis, and the MY 2002-2003 Camry.
If your vehicle is likely to be affected, both Motor Image and UMW Toyota will try to reach out to you - of course, there's difficulty if ownership changes hands and records are not updated.  Those with Toyotas can contact any authorised Toyota service centre or call the Toyota Freephone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).
Toyota owners can also visit Toyota’s Special Service Campaign webpage through this link:
toyota.com.my
 to check whether their vehicle is involved, through Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Checker. To those who have uploaded the Toyota Drive Apps, there is also a link to Toyota’s SSC page and the VIN Checker. Information on other vital SSCs is also available on the webpage.


Government Has Yet To Finalize Targeted Petrol Subsidy Mechanism

Deputy Minister in the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDHEP) Chong Chieng Jen has provided a timely update on the status of the targeted petrol subsidy mechanism.
In a report by
The Star
 daily, Deputy Minister Chong said that the Government has not made any final decision on the matter.
"The Finance Ministry has called for an open tender for parties interested to propose the best mechanism for the implementation of the targeted subsidy," he said in response to a question at Dewan Rakyat this morning.
"The subsidy system must be simple to use and can be used by all petrol stations throughout the country," Chong added.
Under Budget 2019, the Government
proposed to subsidize
 RON 95 fuel up to RM30 per month for cars with engine displacement 1,500 cc and below and RM12 per month for motorbikes under 125 cc in engine displacement. Trials were expected to begin in this month, with full implementation by the second half of the year.
It is also reported that the government has set aside some RM 2 billion for the new initiative, which is expected to benefit more than four million car owners and 2.6 million motorcycle owners.
Several proposals have been put forward by consumer groups, including the use of a petrol card to purchase subsidized petrol.


New Vehicle Sales Rebound in March 2016, but Still Down from 2015 Levels

Damp market sentiments that saw underwhelming new vehicle sales in
first two months of 2016
 seems to have eased off a little, with rebounding March sales numbers giving the majority of players plenty of reason to cheer.
Monthly industry volume rose by over 10,000 units (28.8% increase), going from
37,876 vehicles sold in February
 to a nice round 48,800 recorded in March.
Overall year-to-date volume of the first quarter remains down, however, compared to the corresponding period of 2015. Compared to 168,379 vehicles sold in the first three months of 2015, the same period in 2016 saw only 131,267 units sold. That’s a deficit of 37,112 units (22.0%).
1. Most Brands Maintain Existing Market Share
The market size may have changed considerably, but the players are carving roughly the similar proportions of the pie as they have been doing before this. Whether measured over the month or over the entire first quarter,
Perodua
 still
commands just over 30 percent
, with the rest jostling for whatever scraps that remain.
2. Honda Outsells Proton
Outgoing
Honda Malaysia
 CEO Yoichiro Ueno must have departed for India with a big smile on his face. In his send-off month, Honda actually outsold
Proton
, and by a very comfortable margin. The local player still has a slight edge in the quarterly total, but for the month of March, Proton sold 1,883 fewer cars than Honda. Year-to-date, Proton’s lead over Honda is just 448 units.
3. Toyota Brand Losing Its Lustre?
Toyota’
s 37.1% first quarter contraction is the highest among the top five selling brands in Malaysia. That being said, the brand is in transition with the IMV range –
Hilux, Fortuner, Innova
 – set for full model changes and the
Vios
 awaiting its mid-life facelift that will see the introduction of electronic stability control and a new Dual VVT-i engine to make it more competitive against the class-leading
Honda City
.
Still, it is worth noting that the
Hilux
, despite being at the end of its model life cycle and selling only half as many units as it did in March 2015, remains the best-selling pick-up truck in the country. Its dominance has been eroded though, its 1,137 trucks sold in March 2016 accounting for only 29 percent of the pick-up segment, compared to 39.7% in the same month last year. It will be interesting to see if the
all-new model
 comes in and restores the previous status quo.
4. Premium Brands Thrive in Adversity
The majority of brands saw dips in their first quarter volumes and the majority are hit by double-digit reductions. Key luxury brands
Mercedes-Benz
,
BMW
, and
Volvo
 buck the trend rather convincingly, however, recording sales growths of
39.4%
, 33.4%, and 22.1% respectively.
Renault
 also has quarterly growth of 23.9% to celebrate as well, but monthly sales dipped slightly from 33 units sold in February to 26. It has to be noted, however, that at such volumes, a swing of just 10 cars is enough to generate double-digit percentage fluctuations.
Also on the up, but on slimmer margins, are
Mazda
 and
Volkswagen
, which saw their first quarter sales up by 5.3 and 4.1 percent respectively.


Flying Sikh - Karamjit Singh Set To Light Up The Rallying World Once Again

The national rallying hero, Karamjit Singh is set to go racing again thanks to some local support.

At the tail end of last year, FMT writer Frankie D'Cruz wrote about how Malaysia's greatest ever rally driver, Karamjit Singh was left out in the cold after many years of representing Malaysia in the rallying world, but today, the Flying Sikh is set to for a return to the rallying world, thanks to some support from Cisco Security Academy.

Cisco Security Academy, a subsidiary of Cisco Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian licensed security company, yesterday announced the Cisco Racing Racing team powered by Karamjit Singh.

Cisco Managing Director Rabin Nijhar decided to reach out to Karamjit after hearing of his story in FMT.

"After 2020, I was looking for an exciting opportunity when I came across Karam's story, and we at Cisco were in a unique position to help. As we come out of the COVID pandemic, Malaysia needs a comeback story to rally behind, and I believe that Karamjit Singh is that story. We are excited to bring Malaysia together to support a true national icon" said Rabin.

Karamjit and his co-driver Jagdev Singh will return to rallying at the national rally championship in Sepang on June 26-27.

"I'm very passionate about rallying, it's been my job for nearly thirty years. I've been driving professionally since 1988, it was only up until recently that I've had trouble finding sponsors, but the fact is, I can't live without rallying. It is my passion, and I just want to rally as much as I can and I am really looking forward to this event and getting back into the groove. I've missed rallying so much" said Karamjit.

At 58, Karamjit might not be a spring chicken anymore, but he said he was confident that he could still participate at the very top level.

According to his co-driver Jagdev Singh, the ambition to race again came when the dynamic duo was chatting about the current rallying scene over a couple of beverages. "We always chat about how we would love to return to rallying and how we could teach these young kids a thing or two. Now we've been given a chance to smash them, and we are confident that we can" said Jagdev.

When asked what car Karamjit will be participating in, he simply replied a modified Gen 2. "It'll take around RM900k and six months to build a new car, so we're just going to do it in my turbocharged AWD Proton Gen 2. The car is pretty much like a Mitsubishi EVO6 but modified to meet rally standards. I would love to compete in the Iris Proton R5, but we'll go with what we have. The car's drivetrain has a lot of new parts and is currently at the welder's getting some bits and bobs done".

This comeback story is truly a beautiful one. Karamjit has gone through some tough times but he remained ever-resilient and hopeful of a comeback. For a person who appeared forgotten by his country, Karamjit is not bitter at all. In fact, all he wants to do is add to his 500 rallying trophies, but most importantly,
reignite the Malaysian rallying scene
.


Michelin Unveils The LTX Trail, A Tyre For High Rise Vehicles That Is Quieter, Safer and Longer Lasting Than Its Competitors

The MICHELIN LTX Trail showcases its versatility on and off-road with features that give the tyre longevity, safety even when worn, and low noise levels.

MICHELIN Malaysia has recently launched the MICHELIN LTX Trail tyre, its on and off road tyre, designed explicitly for high-rise vehicles.

With the increase in popularity of SUVs and pick-up trucks, MICHELIN has created a tyre that offers extended longevity,
long-lasting
 safety with excellent wet braking performance – even when worn, and lower interior noise levels for a more comfortable ride.

Drivers can expect the LTX Trail to provide 41% longer mileage thanks to its RallyForce2 Tread Compound that provides better durability and maximum service life for both on- and off-road use. In addition, the new tread design with Biting Shoulder that wraps from the tread down to the sidewall will
protect the tyre
 against sidewall aggression, which will ensure greater off-road performance and traction.

Speaking of protection, the LTX Trail also offers
long-lasting safety
, even when worn, through its Variable Thickness Sipes that provide improved contact patch for better handling, grip and braking performance.

According to MICHELIN, when compared to its
premium
 competitors, the MICHELIN LTX Trail can stop 3.1 meters shorter when new, and 4.6 meters shorter when worn on wet roads. On dry roads, when new, it stops 3.8 meters shorter.

As far as low noise level goes, the LTX Trail has a 19.8% lower sound pressure level when compared to its premium competitors, thanks to their Duo-Harmony Blocks, featuring two different block shapes in the tread's centre that spread the noise energy across a broader spectrum, for a quieter and calmer driving experience.

Oliver Biggart, Managing Director of MICHELIN Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei said, "At MICHELIN, we are constantly innovating to enable people to move around more freely, safely; and to live a better life in motion. The new Michelin LTX Trail is a great match for the increasing popularity of SUVs, which is projected to grow 5.6% year-on-year, from 2021 to 2026."

According to Biggart, this tyre is perfect for consumers who own 4x2 and 4x4 high-rise pick-ups, as well as SUVs – such as Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, or Nissan Navara, as these tyres also cater to those whose lifestyle demands the ability to reach on- and off-road destinations, for work or pleasure.

"As the MICHELIN LTX Trail is designed for multi-purpose use, it is recommended for 80% on-road and 20% off-road driving. We are confident that the new MICHELIN LTX Trail will give drivers in Malaysia a safe and comfortable ride on the road, across a variety of terrain – ranging from city commuting, wet road, highway driving, to light and moderate off-road," added Biggart.

In Malaysia, the MICHELIN LTX Trail is now available in 9 sizes, with rim dimensions ranging between 15 and 18 inches, at MICHELIN authorized tyre dealers across the nation.


Highest bid for vehicle number plate ever: Sultan of Johor acquires FF1 for RM1.2 Million, setting new record

Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar paid RM1.2 million for the FF1 number plate.

The vehicle registration number from the FF series received overwhelming response during its bidding through JPJ eBid last May, successfully generating profits exceeding RM35.4 million.

This was announced by the Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, through his official Facebook page recently after presenting the symbolic FF 1 number plate to His Majesty
Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar
, who is the proud owner of this unique special number.

"His Majesty graciously paid the government RM1.2 million for this special number. For the record, the payment of RM1.2 million is the highest value ever collected by the government for the registration of a vehicle number plate!" said Loke.

At the end of May, Loke announced that the registration number series from Putrajaya had achieved the highest collection in the history of JPJ registration numbers, totaling RM34,296,327.

During that time, according to him, the FF 8 registration number received the highest bid value of RM950,000, followed by FF 9 valued at RM911,999. Meanwhile, the FF series registration numbers that also received the highest bids were FF 3 (RM639,000), FF 2 (RM638,000), and FF 7 (RM633,000).

Previously, His Majesty the Sultan of Johor also obtained the registration numbers 'F 1' and 'V 1', each valued at RM836,660 and RM990,000, respectively. Both registration numbers are among the top 20 most expensive vehicle registration numbers to date. It seems that the registration number 'FF 88', valued at RM510,000, has dropped from its previous position in the top 20 chart after the RM1.2 million FF 1 registration number surpassed the previous top spot held by Malaysia 1 (RM1,111,111).


Honda Outsells Proton, Toyota In April 2015

Although the car market is down by almost a third in April 2015 following March's pre-GST buying frenzy, something very seriously wrong is happening at Proton, whose April numbers dropped by more than 50 percent month-on-month.
According to data compiled by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), Proton sold only 4,972 cars last month, 52.8 percent lower than March 2015's sales of 10,528 units.
Even after considering the fact that March's numbers are just a temporary spike, artificially boosted by pre-GST buying rush from consumers, Proton's sales is still a cause for concern as its year-to-date sales is still 23.8 percent lower than the same four month period in 2014.
On the whole,
Malaysia's total new vehicle sales in April 2015
 dropped 32.9 percent month-on-month, while year-to-date sales (January to April 2015) is down 2.4 percent from the same period last year.
As a result, Proton has ceded one spot to Honda. The sales hierarchy now follows the order of Perodua (17,584 units), Honda (6,562 units), Proton (4.972 units), Toyota (4,200 units) and Nissan (2,722 units).
Year-on-year, Honda's sales is now up 27.3 percent, boosted by strong reception for the
City
, Jazz, CR-V, Accord, and also the
HR-V
.


Tokyo 2017: The Toyota Tj Cruiser Mixes SUV and MPV

You may have come to terms with compact crossovers, but are you ready for this? It's the Tj Cruiser, and it's Toyota's take on an MPV-SUV crossover. If you ever wanted something (that seems) rugged but didn't want to have to compromise on the carrying capacity of an MPV, then this car may be for you.
Don't expect to see this sold outside of Japan. That's a shame, because a car like the Tj Cruiser may be just what the market needs in, well, markets with less forgiving conditions. The boxy design works well in this form, accentuating the van-like nature and giving it a utilitarian image.
And yet the interior and subtle touches show that it will likely be a premium lifestyle product, in the same way the FJ Cruiser isn't the car of choice for actual workhorse duties. The T in Tj Cruiser stands for 'toolbox', while the j stands for 'joy'- another very Japanese quirk, but something we can appreciate.
Its large sliding doors and flat-folding floors means it can be extremely useful in a variety of situations, from cargo carrying to people carrying. It's a great blend of practicality and style, and we really hope that an export variant is eventually developed. Toyota says it will likely run on a 2.0-litre engine with a hybrid system working in tandem, and it will probably sit on the TNGA platform.


China Cuts Sales Tax For Small Cars As Economy Slows

The Chinese central government has announced that it will cut sales tax for light vehicles with an engine capacity of 1.6-litres or less by half, to five percent in an effort to boost private consumption.
Passenger car sales have been down for three consecutive months since July. Year-on-year, sales fell 3.4 percent in June, 6.6 percent in July and 3.4 percent in August.
Some are also expecting China’s total industry volume, which totalled 21.98 million vehicles sold in 2014, to fall for the first time in ten years.
Earlier this month, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers have been lobbying the Chinese government to introduce stimulus measures to boost the car market.
The cut in sales tax will take effect today 1-October 2015.
China frequently adjusts sales tax to boost/cool the car market. In 2009, when the global financial crisis was at its peak, China reduced its sales tax for light vehicles (1.6-litres or less) to five percent, before raising it to 7.5 percent in 2010 and subsequently restoring it to 10 percent in 2011.


Tesla Wants To End EV Range Anxiety With A Software Update: Is It That Easy?

Through a Press Conference to be held on the 19
th
 of March 2015, one called for via a tweet, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk said he plans on tackling one of the biggest obstacles facing prospective electric car buyers.
With only 140 characters, the 9am tweet couldn’t communicate much about the nature of how the ‘range anxiety’ problem would be addressed. All we know for sure is that it will be done via a wireless software update that is engaged while the car is connected to the internet, and that it will affect the “entire Model S fleet”.
This counts out the possibility that the announcement would reveal any hardware changes, ‘supercharger’ technology or location upgrades. Whether these software change do indeed live up to the superlative ending of range anxiety remains to be seen, but will likely be a marked improvement. We'll just have to wait and see.


Watch The Ford GT Race Car Get Furious On Track

In June this year, the Ford GT racer was unveiled, which marked the Blue Oval’s return to the highly competitive 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 2016.
However, before the racer made its public debut then,
Ford
 has been busy performing secret shakedowns of the Ford GT race car that you’re are seeing in this video released by them.
Here, we get to watch the blue-white-red GT in action as it is put through its paces, all the while producing glorious sounds from its 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine. And that’s even before we get to how exquisite the thing looks,
even in its production form
.
Competing in the full 2016 schedules of the FIA World Endurance Championship and Tudor United Sports Car Championship, with a total of four GT race cars expected to go up against the
Ferraris
,
Porsches
, and Corvettes at Le Mans.


2016 All-New Toyota Fortuner launched in Malaysia from RM186,900

Alongside with the ever-popular Toyota Hilux, UMW Toyota Motors today also unveiled their all-new SUV the 2016 Toyota Fortuner. There are two variants at the outset, a 2.4-litre diesel shared with the Hilux and a 2.7-litre petrol engine in the flagship variant. The 2016 seven-seater Toyota Fortuner is only available with a six-speed gearbox sending power to all four wheels.
The two variants
•    Fortuner 2.4VRZ (AT) 4X4: RM186,900
•    Hilux 2.7SRZ (AT) 4X4: RM199,900
All prices quoted are on the road with insurance inclusive of GST taxes in Peninsular Malaysia
Overview
Globally launched in 2005, the first generation Toyota Fortuner; facelift and updates aside have been sold in Malaysia for around a decade. The all-new second generation Toyota Fortuner now visibly puts a firm emphasis on style and tasteful execution. Now more Fifth Avenue cruiser than 'journey-man' taxpayer 4x4.
Perhaps a circa 10-year shelf life was a tad long, but then again, the Fortuner never had to contend with a growing number of seven-seater offerings like the
Isuzu MU-X
.
The overarching formula remains the same with the tried-and-tested mechanicals of the Hilux underneath; cloaked in a ‘lifestyle-friendly’ SUV body style.
Toyota claims and in-depth re-engineering process has contributed to well-honed driving nature and enhanced contemporary safety and connectivity features.
Here’s the shortlist of standard specifications:
•    6-speed torque converter automatic
•    80-litre fuel tank
•    Front and Rear fog lamps
•    Independent Double Wishbone – Coil Spring and Stabiliser (Front), Four-Link Coil Spring with Lateral Control Rod and Stabilise (Rear)
•    Part-time 4WD with Auto Disconnecting Differential (ADD)
•    Rack & Pinion hydraulic power steering
•    Ventilated Disc (Front) / Leading-Trailing Drum (Rear)
•    LED Type rear combination lamps
•    Smart entry and Start system
•    Normal, Eco and Power mode
•    Electronic 4WD transfer dial
•    Parking sensor (Front and Rear)
•    ABS with EBD
•    Immobiliser, Siren with backup battery, speed-auto door lock
•    Premium security and solar film
A petrol 2.7-litre engine finds itself in the flagship offering, alongside a host of standard equipment. Below is a list of notable highlights between the two variants:
Fortuner 2.4VRZ (AT) 4x4
•    2393cc (2GD-FTV) inline four-cylinder, longitudinally mounted, DOHC 16V, Common-rail direct-Injected VNT turbocharged diesel – 150PS at 3,400rpm, 400Nm sustained from 1,600 – 2,000rpm
•    17-inch Alloy Wheels – All terrain tyres
•    Halogen projector headlamps, bulb type Daytime Running Lights
•    Backlit meter panel
•    CD Player, Six-speaker audio setup
•    Manual front and rear AC control
•    Six-Way manually adjustable front driver seat
•    Fabric seats (Dark Brown)
•    3 x SRS Airbags (Front driver & passenger, knee)
Optional 8” touch screen DVD player with Navigation and Reverse Camera available for the 2.4VRZ variant
Fortuner 2.7SRZ (AT) 4x4
•    2694cc (2TR-FE) inline four-cylinder, longitudinally mounted, DOHC 16V, dual VVTi petrol – 166PS at 5,200rpm, 245Nm at 4,000rpm
•    18-inch Alloy Wheels – Highway terrain tyres
•    Bi-LED projector headlamps, LED Daytime Running Lights
•    Optitron meter panel with 4.2” TFT display
•    8” touch screen DVD player with Navigation and Reverse Camera, Six-speaker audio setup
•    Leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob
•    Combination leather interior (Dark Brown)
•    Eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat
•    Brake assist (BA)
•    Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
•    Active traction control (A-TRC)
•    Hill-start assist control (HAC)
•    Emergency stop signal (ESS)
•    Trailer sway control (TSC)
•    7 x SRS Airbags (Front, Side, Curtain and Knee)
Roof mounted monitor for second & third-row occupants optional with 2.7SRZ variant
First Driving Impressions
We had a brief chance to sample the all-new Toyota Fortuner prior to the launch today – the test included a tough off-road layout littered with challenging bumps and gaping holes dug in the ground, followed by a quick blast round a straight on Toyota’s test track. On both counts, we sampled only the 2.7-litre petrol variant.
Much like the Hilux, whose chassis mechanical bits underpin the Fortuner, it’s tough and handles the rough and tough with brutal efficiency. Owing to the four-link rear suspension setup, the wheels are allowed impressive amounts of articulation – keeping the body rather flat over the bigger bumps.
The shorter wheelbase (Fortuner 2745mm, Hilux 3085mm) of the Fortuner requires tiny corrections of the steering wheel to maintain a constant heading but otherwise, it’s almost as surefooted as the Toyota Hilux off-road. The A-TRC system’s intervention in more pronounced in the Fortuner to keep the car honest as the tyres struggle to claw into the dirt.
Despite having less torque that the Fortuner’s diesel-powered counterpart (245Nm vs 400Nm in the 2.4-litre) – the engine pulls strongly from the get-go. It gets better on the tarmac, where we got to stretch the cars legs – torque delivery is most linear and the higher horsepower endows the unit with a free-revving nature till its 6000rpm rev limit. The diesel units feel substantially more urgent in the lower revs but once on the go – the petrol powered unit is refined and smooth.
I had a chance to witness the Toyota Fortuner attack a figure-eight on a wet skid pan, besides the obvious VSC system exhibiting its surefooted capability, the more impressive feature was how flat the Fortuner remained under heavy load and ample steering lock. An achievement sighting its relatively high ceiling and ‘flubbery’ tyres.
On the brakes, much like the Hilux, the Fortuner keeps everything in check rather nicely – I would appreciate a touch more feel but otherwise, brake force is sufficient. The cabin remains rather serene on a hustle and even when we were barrelling over logs planted in the ground. Rear seat air-conditioning is a welcome addition at the back, delivering on a cabin space that very comfortable, well-appointed and spacious.


2019 All-New Hyundai Santa Fe: Production Vehicle Images Out

Hyundai, in their domestic market of South Korea, have begun order-taking of the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe model, and with that, two images of the final production vehicle have been released. Hyundai Motor Group just released
 two sketches a week ago
.
Left image: 4th generation Santa Fe sketch. Right image: Image in domestic order taking document
Up front, the new Santa Fe continues with the dramatic styling that was first seen in the Hyundai Kona compact SUV, which is now the family look for Hyundai SUVs.
The front light cluster is two piece design, with the DRL or indicator lights located high up at the edge of the hood and corner of the vehicle. The head lights with high and low beam meanwhile appear to be at the lower section. A large, detailed cascading grille occupies the space in between.
The all-new Santa Fe has grown in length and width, as well as an increase in wheelbase and looks like it is nearly similar in footprint with the new Kia Sorento.
In the single interior image provided in the order-taking document, the interior is in a two-tone brown shade. A free-standing large display infotainment sits close to the driver and front passenger, and with no rotary dial controller or key pad in sight, we highly suspect it is a touch screen interface.
While the order-taking document was written in Korean, we did spot a few English language labelled technologies being highlighted.
The all-new Santa Fe now has options for advanced driving assist systems, such as autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist and high beam assist.
Rear Occupant Alert, claimed by Hyundai to be an industry-first, monitors the rear seats to detect passengers and alerts the driver when leaving the car. The feature aims to avoid potentially fatal situations of young children accidently left locked inside a Santa Fe. The Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, which warns you of oncoming vehicles when you are reversing out of a tight spot into a busy street, will now be enhanced by an automated braking function.
Another interesting safety feature is the Safety Exit Assist. It is designed to prevent accidents when vehicles approach from behind by temporarily locking the doors, so that passengers will exit the car safely.
Three engine choices are listed, with two diesels displacing 2,000 cc and 2,200 cc, and the sole petrol engine is a turbocharged 2.0-litre. Further details will be released when it makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2018.


BYD's EV supercar is so good, it can drive with only three wheels!

At the start of the year, BYD launched its premium EV brand called
YangWang
, and today, they've showcased something particularly interesting about the YangWang U9 EV supercar.

Having made its first official public appearance at the Shanghai Auto Show, YangWang decided that the best way to showcase the U9's superior capabilities is via its next-generation and super advanced suspension system dubbed ‘Disus-X’.

The first few seconds of the video might seem a bit quirky and weird as the YangWang U9 appeared on the stage twerking, dancing, and bouncing away even at a standstill. There was even a moment when the car literally jumped with all four wheels lifted from the ground.

This is all possible thanks to the brand's 'Disus-X' suspension system, which is a combination of YangWang's three key intelligent body control systems that grant crazy movements for the supercar's vertical, lateral, and longitudinal motion control.

These systems are:

Intelligent Damping Body Control System (Disus-C)

Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control System (Disus-P)

Intelligent Air Body Control System (Disus-A)

If a dancing and jumping EV supercar isn't enough to convince, YangWang also showcased the U9's ability to be driven with just three wheels. The same advanced suspension system is able to hold up the corner of the supercar without the wheel and drive along without the brake rotor making contact with the road.

Of course, this feature is there should there be an emergency with one of the wheels. With that being said, the YangWang U9 comes packing with a claimed 1,100hp and 1,280Nm of torque which allows it to push from 0-100km/h in just two seconds. When driven sensibly, one will most likely get an EV range of around 700km per charge.


Watch This Family Drive Through Hell In A Firestorm, Tips On Driving Through Huge Fires [Warning: Explicit Language]

If there is hell on earth, it would look pretty much like the scenes captured in this video of a family escaping the wildfire that swept through 246sq km of forest in California, destroying their home and community in the process.
Though we won’t don’t experience such intense and fast-spreading forest fires on our side of the world, there are tips to be learnt on what you should do if you do find yourself driving through a section of jungle or peat swamp that is ablaze.
Tip 1:
 Don’t stop. If you would have noticed in the video, despite the chaos going around, the driver doesn’t care to stop the vehicle and gawk at the scenery, which is good because smoke can easily overwhelm the car and the driver. In such conditions it is best to keep moving and get as far away from the fire and smoke as possible.
In his harrowing account,
 the driver managed to get out of the house just as the fire was in front of their driveway and drove through 14km of this inferno to get to safety.
Tip 2:
 Keep a steady speed. In moments like this the most important thing is not to panic. Don’t speed because the last thing you want to do is crash into the blazing inferno and strand yourself. The danger is also increased several fold due to the smoke obscuring visibility. Instead keep a calm and steady pace, switch on your lights, watch out for obstacles that might have fallen on the road, and be ever vigilant to take evasive manoeuvres.
Tip 3:
 Keep the windows rolled up. As mentioned before there will be plenty of smoke when vegetation in the vicinity is on fire, so keep the windows rolled up and the air conditioning set to its recirculation mode. This is to ensure the smoke outside doesn’t enter the car as it can easily overwhelm you.
Tip 4:
 If for whatever reason you need to stop, stop behind a non-flammable structure or in a clearing. Besides the fire, radiant heat from the fire is also deadly as cars don’t provide much protection from it. For that it is good to put something between your car and the fire, preferably a concrete structure. If not, find a clearing that is free from any flammable objects such as trees and vegetation.
Tip 5:
 Keep occupants away from the windows, and below the window line. This is to ensure that your occupants won’t be in danger from any falling debris or heat from the fire.
Tip 6:
Don’t leave the vehicle. Vehicles aren’t very good at keeping the heat away, but it is better than getting out and getting trapped in the open. At the very least a car can keep you away from the smoke and much of the radiant heat from the fire.


Drum Brakes Vs Disc Brakes - Not What You Think

It's commonly believed that disc brakes are the superior choice - but you would be surprised that it isn't always the case. Here's why.

As cars have evolved over the decades, they have become both quicker and heavier - which in turn means that braking demands have increased as well. There was once a time when having drum brakes at both the front and rear was a common thing - case in point, the classic Volkswagen Beetle - but nowadays consumers get upset if a car comes with drum brakes at the rear.

The complaints and comments are what led manufacturers to eventually transition to all-round disc brakes on the majority of their models, or at least in the higher-specification trim levels of their entry level models. The only issue is this: drum brakes are actually stronger than disc brakes for an equivalent size. But braking is a lot more than just force - so let's get into it.

Surface Area

Drum brakes, for the same package size, provide more surface area for brake force to be applied which in turn also helps to improve stopping power. That's just the reality of things - and if you want a good example, a rear drum brake (or drum in disc setup) is much easier to do handbrake turns with than a pure rear brake disc setup. Having that higher brake force allows you to lock the rear tyres easier, which in turns lets you slide the car more easily. While this isn't something you would normally do on the road, it is a good demonstration of the strength of these brakes.

Thermal Management

One of the problems with drum brakes is that they are an enclosed system, unlike disc brakes which are fairly exposed to passing air. This means that it is easier to overheat drum brakes, and in some older performance cars, you would even find drum brakes with cooling fins on the housings to help cool them down. Once brakes overheat, they drastically reduce in performance - which you can imagine is a pretty bad problem to have.

Limited Technology

What kind of disc brakes do you want? You can get them in solid discs, ventilated discs, cross-drilled ventilated discs, slotted ventilated discs, carbon-ceramic discs, and anywhere from one piston to eight pistons distributing brake force. Disc brake technology has evolved massively to provide better resilience to temperature, better braking performance, and better longevity - while drum brakes have remained pretty much stagnant.

But...

Here's the real issue, and to understand it you need to have a rudimentary understanding of physics and weight transfer. For the majority of front-engine cars on the road, you will find that the rear brakes are significantly smaller than the front if they happen to be disc brakes. On top of this, you will also find that the brake bias (distribution of force between the front and rear) is towards the front as well.

The reason for all this is because under heavy braking conditions, inertia causes the weight of the car to transfer largely to the front wheels. Because all that weight is acting on the front tyres, you naturally expect there to be big, beefy brakes on the front - and that's definitely where a proper disc brake setup helps, especially with handling the heat generated in these conditions.

But what of the rear? The rear of the car loses as much weight as the front gains, which means the rear tyres don't have as much grip on the road and in turn means you can brake the rear wheels as hard. If you tried to, there's a high chance you may lock up the rear wheels and put the car into a spin. It's for this reason that we feel rear drum brakes aren't as big of an issue as people make them out to be, because the rear brakes are rarely doing the heavy lifting in the majority of cars on the road.

Ultimately, there's still an aesthetic reason for having all-round disc brakes - it just looks nicer. It's also a little more reassuring, but don't expect to gain any stopping power by converting to rear disc brakes, or picking a specific trim level with all-round disc brakes.


Let's Look at Some Renders of the BMW X2

Late last month, BMW showed off their
X2 Concept
 at the Paris Motorshow and it was well received (not that any BMW model is poorly received these days, where niche markets are no longer niche). Remco Meulendijk of RM CarDesign returns with a few renders of the car that's slated to be the baby-X4, or baby-baby-X6.
These renders are based off of the concept model photos that were released earlier, but with more realistic details and filled in lines to better reflect a potentially finished product. The X2 has been
spotted
 winter testing in the wild, although judging from the overall look one wonders how the X2 fits in the X-model series range. While the X4 and X6 are fastback versions off the X3 and X5 respectively, the X2 doesn't seem to have all-too-much of a coupe roofline.


Bridgestone Supplies Audi A7 Sportback with Turanza T005 Tyres

Bridgestone has announced that its Turanza T005 tyre will be fitted as original equipment (OE) on the new Audi A7 Sportback.
According to Bridgestone, the Turanza T005 is a premium touring tyre that combines a high-silica compound that incorporates the company’s own NanoPro-Tech polymer – offering excellent wet while maximizing tread life and fuel efficiency.
The Turanza T005 also offer excellent steering, outstanding response while still maintaining exceptional grip in all conditions, as expected from drivers of a Gran Turismo like the Audi A7 Sportback.
For tyres in 19-inch to 21-inch sizes, Bridgestone has incorporated their B-Silent technology that minimize in-vehicle noise and increase comfort for the occupants. The technology features integration of an open-cell polyurethane foam element to the inner surface of the tyre, resultant in a reduction of tyre air cavity resonance produced by the air vibration.
Christophe de Valroger, VP Original Equipment Bridgestone EMEA, comments on the collaboration, “With the Turanza T005, Bridgestone is continuing to demonstrate an innovative approach to tyre technology and driving safety. The Turanza T005 allows drivers to keep going and stay in control no matter what the driving conditions. As a trusted partner to Audi, we are especially proud to see the Turanza T005 serving as the tyre of choice for the new A7.”
Tyres fitted as OE on Audi vehicles will come with the AO (Audi Original) marking on the sidewall. In just the past year, Bridgestone has fitted tyres to around 300,000 Audi vehicles including the A3, A8, Q2, and Q7. The specific AO marking on the tyre guarantees a perfect match with the new vehicle and ensures that it has been co-developed and evaluated by Bridgestone and Audi engineers.
At launch, the
2018 Audi A7 Sportback Quattro
 is equipped with a 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine that outputs 340 hp and 500 Nm, enabling a 5.3 second 0-100 km/h time.


Govt Targets 10,000 EV Charging Stations By 2025

Without widespread and easily accessible charging stations, the uptake of electric vehicles might not reach its potential even with all the incentives and free road tax introduced starting in 2022, but hopefully, this new initiative will change that.

With fuel prices quickly on the rise, more people are likely going to be taking a keener interest in becoming
EV-adopters
 and ditching the fuel pump for the plug point, so to speak.

As reported by Bernama, the Malaysian government is targeting to have installed some
10,000 electric vehicle charging stations
 by 2025 as part of the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint (LCMB) 2021-2030.

They won’t go at it alone, though, as they intend to seek partnerships with
private sector vendors
 and technology suppliers to achieve this within that intended timeframe. These collaborations will be spearheaded by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), admitted Datuk Lim Ban Hong, the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry.

If that acronym sounds familiar, MGTC is actually GreenTech Malaysia (Malaysian Green Technology Corporation) that’s been renamed - for some reason.

In response to a question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman, Lim told the Dewan Rakyat: “Right now, we have about 300 EV charging stations which were set up under these collaborations, bringing the total to an estimated 600 charging stations nationwide.”

Of course, 600 charging stations are a far cry from their 2025 goal of 10,000, but Lim was confident that the fruits of these upcoming collaborations alongside the formation of an Electric Vehicle Taskforce will be up to the challenge.

“Standards related to the
EV
 industry, such as charging systems, battery disposal activities, battery swapping, wireless charging, and others are also being established to ensure that the EV technology used and developed in the country is standardised, safe and of quality,”

“For example, two major companies from South Korea, SK Nexilis and IMM Technology, have invested in Malaysia to produce electro-deposited copper foil, a component of EV batteries.”

What was not addressed is the monetisation side of these new charging stations, would it follow a similar subscription model as used by chargEV, or might these government-installed chargers be free for the Rakyat to use.

If it is the former, and let’s be honest it probably will be, can we expect the current pricing scheme to be maintained given the
rising price of coal
 and cost of (definitely not zero emissions) electricity production?


Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Challenge Season 2 Kicks Off In Terengganu

When the first race of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Challenge took place last year in Batu Kawan, Penang, it wasn't quite the door-to-door street racing we expected. Drivers were a little apprehensive across all the classes, with a circuit that was just a little too tight to offer opportunities for overtaking, and drivers were a little hesitant to go for gaps when there was a big risk of heavily penalized contact.
But the Vios Challenge has evolved a great deal since, with tweaks to regulations and circuit layouts to offer a lot more room for racing, so to speak. The round at MAEPS in particular was exciting with vast open spaces and elevation changes for a unique and highly challenging circuit. This month sees the beginning of the second season of the Vios Challenge, taking place all the way out in Terrenganu. Looking at the circuit layout we weren't particularly convinced that it would be exciting given its long straights, but we were happily proven wrong.
The weekend (Friday and Saturday in Terengganu) started with some rather interesting qualifying positions. With the absence of Shawn Lee and Shukri Yahaya in the Promotional Class, Diana Danielle took pole position on the grid, with newcomer Nabil Ahmad in second place. Janna Nick had an incident during qualifying and as such had to start at the back of the grid. Khai Bahar and Aiman Tino, both new to the field, qualified fifth and fourth respectively.
In the Sporting Class, Shawn Lee took pole position, with Shukri Yahaya following just 60 milliseconds behind him in second - both in their debut for the category. Following them was Brendon Lim and Kenneth Koh, the latter being a seasoned rally driver and a veteran of the Vios Challenge. Up in the Super Sporting Class, the vacuum left by Tengku Djan has allowed for closer fighting in the field. Kenny Lee took pole, with William Ho taking second on the grid, and Keifli Othman qualifying third.
There is something to remember with these grid positions. While both Race 1 and Race 2 carry points, the first six positions at the end of the Race 1 are reversed for Race 2. That is to say that even if you take top spot in Race 1, you'll be starting from sixth position in Race 2. With that in mind, a lot of teams are playing more for points than for outright podium finishes, as it would be more consistent to stay in third or fourth position for both races than to have to fight back from sixth position to score points for Race 2.
As the afternoon rolled around on Day 1, the first 22-lap race got underway. The Promotional Class, despite having the least seasoned drivers relative to the field, also has some of the tightest racing during the series as drivers are more willing to go for gaps. Diana Danielle had a strong start and maintained her position through the race, keeping around a one second gap from Nabil Ahmad. Early race incidents saw newcomer Nabila Razali retiring early, while Khai Bahar had a poor start and had to fight to make up positions.
11 laps in and Khai also had to retire - although neither Nabila nor Khai had an incident that triggered a safety car. Mid way through the race, Aiman Tino had an incident at Turn 3, which resulted in the safety car coming out. This bunched up the field again and the gap between Diana and Nabil was once again non-existent. However, just as the safety car cleared the track and the race was restarted, Nabil met with the wall at the same turn - ending his race just 5 laps short of the finish. Diana continued on with a convincing lead of 3 seconds, with Akim Ahmad and Janna Nick sharing spots on the podium in second and third respectively.
Next up was the Sporting Class, which proved to be a race that was unusually eventful – although not quite for the first four drivers. Shukri Yahaya had an early race incident that forced him to the back of the field after blowing his tyres, and despite his best efforts he could not make up the position. Shawn Lee, Brendon Lim, and Kenneth Koh maintained their positions through to the end of the race, with a 20 second gap between Shawn and Kenneth – although again, perhaps there may be some strategy at play here.
As for the second half of the field, there was much closer and more aggressive racing, especially at Turn 10, the hairpin before the start/finish straight. Many instances of overtaking and contact took place, with a late race spin that blocked the last four drivers for a few seconds. Nonetheless, no race-ending incidents took place and all drivers managed to see the chequered flag.
The final race for the day saw the most seasoned racing drivers out on track in the form of the Super Sporting Class. For reference, the fastest time in the Promotional Class was a 1:18.584 by Diana Danielle, while the fastest time in the Super Sporting Class was 1:15.620 – a massive difference that is quite nearly the entire length of the start/finish straight.
From the moment the lights turned green, the field stayed incredibly tight and held together through the majority of the race. Early race incidents saw A. Kaathir, Ser Meng Hui, and Firhat Mokhzani retiring early, although they were towards the back of the grid so such incidences didn’t hamper the majority of the other drivers.
Mild position trades occurred, with a few drivers moving up one position over the course of 22 laps. Boy Wong moved from fourth to second, while William Ho managed to get past Kenny Lee to take the chequered flag. Keifli Othman crossed the line in fourth, Mark Darwin in fifth, and Syafiq bin Ali in sixth – with the grid reversing for Race 2 today.
With the point leaders now having to fight their way back from sixth position, it will be interesting to see how the race unfolds today. Stay tuned for results and check the live stream on the
Toyota Malaysia Facebook
 page, as well as @carlistmy on Instagram for updates.


Volvo XC60 Takes Top Honours 2017 Euro NCAP Awards

The 2018
Volvo XC60
 has just been crowned the best performing large off-roader and best overall performer of 2017 in the prestigious Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class safety awards.
The XC60 scored a near-perfect 98 percent in the adult occupant category, 87 percent in child occupant safety, 76 percent in pedestrian safety while securing the top spot in the Safety Assist category with a score of 95 percent, 20 percentage points higher than its closest competitor.
Malin Ekholm, Vice President, Volvo Cars Safety Centre added, “The new XC60 is one of the safest Volvo cars ever made. It is fully loaded with new technology designed to assist drivers, to help protect vehicle occupants and other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, plus mitigate collision risks. We are proud that our ongoing commitment to innovating new safety features has been recognised with another Euro NCAP Best in Class award for Volvo Cars.”
The XC60 also joins the S90 and V90 in making history for Volvo Cars as the first manufacturer to hold all top three car rankings in Euro NCAP’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests – AEB City, AEB Inter-Urban and AEB Pedestrian. The three Volvo cars are the only vehicles to have achieved perfect scores in all three AEB categories.
Other active safety systems fitted as standard to the XC60 include Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and speed assistance.
The Euro NCAP rating applies to all Volvo XC60 2.0-litre petrol and diesel models – namely the D4 (AWD), D5 (AWD), T5 (2WD), T5 (AWD) and T6 (AWD) variants. Euro NCAP has yet to release a rating for the XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid model.
Likewise, the S90 and V90 also scored highly at the Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class awards, achieving 95 percent in the Adult Occupant category and 93 percent in the Safety Assist category.


Could E-Scooters Be The Answer to First/Last Mile Woes?

E-scooters are mostly used for leisure activities in Malaysia, but perhaps it's time for them to serve a bigger purpose.

The Malaysian government is always trying to make public transport better with the latest attempt costing them around RM36 Billion.

While the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is a noble attempt and one of the largest infrastructure projects in Malaysian history, it seems that the foundation in the form of the first and last mile is still insufficient to support it, which deters most people from using it.

Yes, some buses try to connect public transit systems together, but frankly, they are not up to par and not as well connected which hinders most people from using them or the MRT altogether. What we mean by not up to par is that they sometimes do not stop at places that we need them to and this could mean a few km hike to the office and back.

Inspired by one of our colleagues who uses an e-scooter to complete his commute to work and back, we ask the question is perhaps e-scooters a viable solution to the first/ last mile problem? Not only will these e-scooters help lower our carbon footprint, but it will also benefit public transport users by connecting everything together.

We're not suggesting using an e-scooter sharing service like Neuron Mobility and Beam because they are scattered at places that are not convenient for public transports users, but rather purchasing one yourself to help complete that first and last-mile journey. Since it is foldable and not that heavy, it won't occupy that much space on the bus or trains, and you could always carry it around with you when not in service.

With an average range of 16KM, it can definitely help take you from your home to the nearest public transport system where you can then fold it up and keep it tidy while in transit. You can then deploy it once again on the other side of the public transport journey so that you can complete your travel to work.

It sounds easy, but it does require some commitment and sacrifice from yourself. Some of the challenges we can foresee are the initial cost where you will have to purchase an e-scooter. They are on average sold at around RM2k, so not a small price to pay. They require at minimum a 3-4 hour charge but a full 12 hours should give you the maximum possible range.

The biggest challenges of course, are the riding bits. What can seem like small pockets of fun is actually the biggest obstacle. Riding an e-scooter in our harsh climate through the city can seem pretty intimidating. One day it might be really hot where you will get all sweaty, while on another day you might get wet from our famous torrential downpours.

Either way, you are getting wet, but for those who have a showering facility at work, this isn't such a big deal but realistically how many of us have this privilege?

And then there is this bit where you're not allowed to ride on the pavement so you will have to ride your scooter on the road. Anything that involves endangering pedestrians on the pavement ie skateboarding, bicycle riding, or scooter riding is a big no-no in Malaysia, and this includes riding scooters that can go up to 24km/h. It's the same pretty much in any city, with most banning these types of activities on the pavement.

Photo credit: The Guardian

Riding a small e-scooter on the road brings with it its own set of challenges, especially when you're sharing the road with heavy moving traffic. And then there is the non-suspended small wheels that you will be riding on so vigilance when riding must be at its highest or else you will fall over. A helmet and some protective gear is recommended so another set of things to invest in.

But then again, after all these challenges, the e-scooter is most probably the most efficient way to end the first and last-mile problem. Since the bulk of the journey is done through public transport, you only need this little bit of help to complete the journey.

You don't have to share it with anyone, depend on anyone and in the current state we live in, touch what others have touched. The best thing is, after the initial investment, the journey will be free and if that doesn't entice you, surely not having to wait for a vehicle involved in an inefficient system must, as the e-scooter will allow you to be as timely as you want or as efficient as you like.

The e-scooter must seem like a toy or leisure activity machine but then again, it just seems like the perfect tool to solve this first and last-mile problem. What do you think?

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2022 Golf R-Line And Golf GTI Launched In Malaysia - From RM155k

The CKD 2022 Volkswagen Golf R-Line and Golf GTI have officially been launched by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM), coming in at RM155k-RM165k for the Golf R-Line and RM211.698 for Golf GTI.

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

For those of you unaware, this will be the first time that a GTI has been assembled outside of Germany and China. Built at VPM's automotive assembly plant In Pekan, Pahang, the GTI might have taken its time to be introduced to Malaysians, but we're pretty sure that the CKD pricing has helped to assuage the delay.

The Golf GTI takes several design cues from the latest crop of VW vehicles such as the Passat and T-Roc, with the upper line of the grille and headlamps forming a seamless line that runs the width of the front fascia for a low and wide stance. In addition, standard in the CKD GTI is LED headlights.

For the very first time, the radiator grille (which features the characteristic red GTI stripe) is illuminated by a slim LED strip that extends into the headlight modules' LED daytime running lights on the left and right.

Along the flanks, the CKD GTI is offered as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels and red brake callipers.

The thick C-Pillar is another trademark feature of the Mk8 GTI.

At the rear, the GTI's roof spoiler which extends significantly towards the rear, boosts the downforce of the rear axle. Down below, the sporty diffuser distinguishes the GTI from other Golf variants, while the new model's exhaust system has one round tailpipe each on the left and right.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder mill under the bonnet will pump out 245 PS and 370 Nm of torque, 15 PS and 20 Nm more than the current Mk7.5 GTI. As before, power is sent to a 7-speed wet dual-clutch 'DSG' gearbox.

Volkswagen is now equipping the Mk8 Golf GTI with an electronically controlled front-axle locking differential as standard. The electronic differential offers the GTI precise steering and immense grip in the bends.

The CKD 2022 GTI also comes with VW's new Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM) system, which coordinates and activates the functions of the electronically controlled front axle locking differential, the electronic 'XDS+' differential lock as well as the electronically controlled shock absorbers.

The VDM measures the individual wheel damping 200 times a second and then accurately controls all the car's chassis systems to adapt to the road conditions. As a result, VW claim they have almost entirely eliminated understeer in corners – a common issue with high-powered front-wheel-drive cars – giving the GTI a very neutral demeanour in corners.

On the inside, the 2022 Golf GTI no longer features an ignition lock, having been replaced by an Engine Start/Stop button. Additionally, as a completely new feature, the button pulses red once the doors have been opened until the GTI engine is started.

Elsewhere, the digital display starts up as soon as the doors are opened. There are also two-display screens, one 10.25-inch for the digital instrument cluster and a centrally-positioned 10-inch screen that takes care of all the infotainment functions which feature 3D inbuilt navigation, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and seven high-quality speakers.

Other characteristic GTI interior details such as the classic three-spoke sports steering wheel have now evolved into a sports steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls. The driver seat comes with power-adjustable memory feature and lumbar support too. All the seats are decked out in Vienna leather for deluxe comfort.

The all-new 2022 Golf GTI is built for safety as the frame is constructed using a combination of high-quality steel that is extensively engineered to provide maximum occupant protection in the event of an accident

Other key safety features include ESC (Electronic Stability Control); Post Collision Braking System that prevents a second collision; Electronic Differential Lock (XDS) that improves traction and reduce understeer; six airbags for post-collision protection and more.

Colours

It is available in five colours: Kings Red and Atlantic Blue in metallic finishing; Moonstone Grey for non-metallic option; as well as Deep Black and Oryx White with pearl effect at no additional charges.

2022 Volkswagen Golf R-Line

The more affordable Golf out of the two is equipped with a carryover 1.4-litre TSI engine from the Mk7.5 Golf, but instead of a DSG dual-clutch gearbox, the new 2022 Golf R-Line is equipped with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic. Its output also remains the same, featuring 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque.

Being an R-Line, the regular Golf comes with sporty styling and features many similarities with the GTI, but without the hot hatch's signature cues such as the honeycomb grille, red pinstripe and larger wheels (17-inch Valencia alloys). There are also no visible tailpipes (faux exhaust) on the R-Line, and comes equipped with LED Plus headlights and LED taillights.

On the inside, you'll find non-powered fabric seats with R logos on the headrest, a new-generation 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit; a multifunction steering wheel with haptic-touch control; as well as an advanced 10-inch Discover Media infotainment system with navigation. Another new feature is the compact and innovative new-generation gear selector – it is the first Volkswagen model in Malaysia to carry this.

Safety-wise, the Golf R-Line only comes with the regular ABS and ESP as well as six airbags. Surprisingly the R-Line is not equipped with any advanced driver assist systems.

Colour

The R-Line is available in five colours, including two new ones – the matte Moonstone Grey and metallic Kings Red. Other colours are Atlantic Blue in metallic finishing, as well as Deep Black and Oryx White with pearl effect.

Warranty

VPCM supports aftersales care with three years free maintenance, five years unlimited mileage warranty, and five years roadside assistance for both the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI and R-Line.


AXA Affin Launches FlexiDrive – Telematics Based Motor Insurance

AXA Affin General Insurance has launched FlexiDrive - the first of its kind telematics-based motor insurance plan in Malaysia.
Telematics refers to the long-distance transmission of computer data which AXA Affin can use to better understand a person’s driving behavior and determine their motor insurance plan and premiums.
The system works by using a device connected to the car’s battery, it includes a mobile SIM, GPS tracker and accelerometer to send related data to a monitoring facility.
Using this data, the AXA FlexiDrive insurance program offers a Safe Driving Discount where customers can accumulate premium discounts of up to 20% for driving safely. In the event of an accident, an alert is automatically triggered and to inform and guide emergency services to the crash location, and the system also offers enhanced vehicle security and theft recovery.
AXA has also developed the AXA FlexiDrive mobile app to enable customers to view their 'Safe Driving Discounts', receive personalized driving tips, and even check their car battery status.
With motor insurance de-tariffication now in effect, AXA FlexiDrive offers Malaysian drivers greater control over their own motor insurance, enabling them to influence their own premium, improve driving habits, and keep their cars secure.
AXA Affin customers receive these added benefits at no additional premium, besides the standard comprehensive motor insurance premium.


Maximizing Your 15-Minute Showroom Test Drive

One of the most commonly-given advice to car buyers is to test drive the vehicle of their choice before putting money down on it. But there is only so much one can learn in a 15-minute drive around the showroom block – there isn’t the time to thoroughly inspect the car’s various intricacies and different facets of its character when driven in differing conditions.

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Ideally, we’d all like to take our prospective cars back home and live with it for a week or two before making our purchase decision, but no dealership will have enough test cars to go around for such a practice. A short test drive is therefore what most of us will have to make do with, and here are some tips on how you can maximize your time behind the wheel to learn what you can about the car:
1.
Read Up Before You Turn Up:
 With information as widely available on the World Wide Web as it is today, there is no excuse for you to turn up at the showroom armed not even with passing knowledge of the vehicle of your interest. Granted that we are still some way from buying and selling cars online
eBay
 or
Lazada
 style, but the bulk of your research can now be readily completed after visiting the manufacturer’s official website and also reading reviews online. Every car reviewer has a different opinion, so be sure to read from a few sources to get a better picture of what to expect. Take note of points that are highlighted by more than one reviewer.
2.
Bring the Family:
 Single? Married? With Kids? Even if you are buying the car for your own personal use, your family members will be spending a lot of time in it as well – it makes sense to include them in the selection process too. Can the boot swallow a pram? Is there space for all inside? Can everybody get in and out of the car comfortably?
Image:
EvoMalaysia.com
3.
Bring all your ‘barang’:
 What objects do you always carry when you leave the house? Be sure to bring all these items along and see where you can put them in the car. Are the cubby holes big enough to keep your keys and wallet? Where would you stow away your Smart Tag or pouch? For the ladies, where would your handbag go? Just remember to take all your things back after the test drive.
4. Light Up:
 Showroom test drives happen during day time, but owning a car also includes many hours spent in the night. Examine the car's interior lighting layout and imagine if it will be good enough for those situations where you may need some light to search for things in the dark. For cars that still start the old-fashioned way, check that the ignition keyhole has surrounding illumination. If possible during the test drive later, drive under a flyover or through a tunnel with the lights switched on and see if important buttons are adequately illuminated.
5. All the Small Things:
 The smallest things can often lead to the biggest annoyance. Before going for the test drive, take note of all the key features in your current car that you've been accustomed to living with, and check whether they are present in the new one. A good example will be steering audio controls, some cars allow you to flip through your favourite channels by flicking a rocker switch, but not every car has this feature - if your new car omits this, can you live with it? Boot release is another example, some cars provide a handle at the boot, others require you to pull a release in the cabin, which is to your fancy?
6. Find a Good Seating Position:
 Most of us would be keen to hit the road running as soon as the engine is fired up, but it pays to check the range of positional adjustment offered by the steering and seats. Can you find an optimal seating position that will give you the best all-round visibility? Get the salesman to take you through the infotainment and climate control setup as well – are the controls friendly and intuitive enough for use?
7.
Follow your normal driving pattern:
 Yes, we understand the excitement of test driving a new car and the urge to give it the beans at every opportunity; but if you are test driving with the intention to buy, it makes sense to cool off the enthusiasm a little and drive the car as if it is already yours. The idea here is to see how the car fits your normal pattern of driving. Do you like the steering’s weight? Throttle response? Brake response? Gear shifts? How easy is the car to maneuver in tight spaces? That being said, do indulge yourself a little when the road is clear.
8.
Go for a second round:
 There is nothing to say that you cannot test drive a car again. If you are uncertain of the car after one test drive, ask the salesperson if he or she is game for another round, or repeat the process at another showroom. If you are considering between more than one car, do try to test your prospective cars as close to each other as you can, within the same day if possible. The upcoming
Carlist.my MAA Drive, Test & Buy
 event happening on 13 to 14 May is where you will have the opportunity to test drive the latest new cars alongside its competitors back-to-back in one place. No less than 15 automotive brands will be present bringing a wide range of cars for you to test drive on the spot.
9.
No rush to buy:
 Do not be pressured to sign the order form after your test drive. You have no obligation to buy a car after test driving it. After giving the salesperson the appropriate courtesies for his/her service, take some time to reflect on your experience on the day. Once you have given the matter due consideration and certain about your decision, you can commit to your purchase without hesitation.


Guangzhou 2018: Peugeot 508L Unveiled

Peugeot in collaboration with its Chinese partner Dongfeng have unveiled the 508L, a long-wheelbase version of the
508
sedan
 specifically for the Chinese market.
As the name suggests, the “L” in its name stands for “Long”, referring to the increase of the car’s wheelbase by 55 mm, bringing it to a total of 2,848 mm and a total length now reaching 4,856 mm, an additional 100 mm over the standard model. "Luxury" and "Latest Technology” are other aspects which the “L” also represents.
Another crucial difference is the adoption of new doors with framing (the global 508 model has frameless doors) to boost headroom. A more conventional boot design completes the body's changes.
The 508L will be made at Dongfeng’s Wuhan factory, and has been added to the 508’s global body programs – which also includes the
508 station wagon
 – meaning it could be adapted for other markets in the future.
Additionally, Peugeot 508L is based on the connected car solution developed by Huawei and is the first vehicle in the range to benefit from the OceanConnect IoT (Internet of Things) platform.
Peugeot has yet to confirm the powertrains for the 508L, but it could likely be powered by the Peugeot’s range of turbocharged 1.6-litre petrols, 1.5- and 2.0-litre turbodiesels, or a Plug-In Hybrid petrol which is slated to be introduced in Q4 of 2019.


A Warranty Is Your Best Friend When It Comes to Buying a Car

Buying a car can be a scary experience, especially if you get into the world of grey import reconditioned cars or second hand cars. You don’t really know what to expect, and it being such a sizeable purchase, it’s not something you want to jump into without a fair amount of consideration. Some cars may look pristine on the outside, but have a number of small issues that can end up costing you a lot of money in the long run.

This is why some people usually prefer to avoid the hassle entirely and buy a brand new car, one that usually comes with a fairly extensive warranty policy. But why limit yourself, when there’s such a wide selection of cars to choose from once you take the grey import market into consideration? In recent years, more and more companies have popped up to offer warranty plans for grey import cars, but just like insurance plans, they do not all provide the same coverage and are not considered equal.

What some people don’t consider is that a warranty has to be more than just a policy in order to provide you proper peace of mind. The good folks at
Guard My Ride
 have been providing warranties for grey import cars for over 2 years now, having worked closely with dozens of experienced dealers providing warranties for thousands of cars. Their recent partnership with Rainbow Enterprise Co Ltd also shows that they are a trusted warranty provider when it comes to reconditioned cars, and is the largest endorsement of warranty policy. They have also extended their warranty coverage to used cars as well, and with that comes a whole new set of risks.

But those risks are mitigated in part by
Guard My Ride
. In order for a car to be approved for their warranty policy it needs to have been inspected- much like the kind of inspection you would do if you took your own trusted mechanic to see a car- and this means that the car you’re buying is already starting out from a good place. The inspections that are carried out by
Guard My Ride
 are done by their
handpicked panel workshops
 throughout of Malaysia, this alone allows you to trust that the car you’re putting money down for won’t break down on you the moment you leave the dealer. The one shown here is
Mekatronic Auto Sdn Bhd
, which operates out in Kepong and specializes in a range of different high end vehicles.

That being said, even the best mechanics in the world can’t give you a complete guarantee that something won’t fail in the coming weeks or months- sometimes it's just a matter of luck. But that's the whole point of a warranty- to provide coverage when you may be hit with an unexpected issue or defect. But again, this is where the quality and content of a warranty is called into question: the number of parts covered by different policies varies greatly, which means that your issues may not even be covered by the warranty plan you purchase.It always pays to pick the policy with the largest number of covered items, and the
Guard My Ride
 warranty is the most comprehensive on the market with up to five times the number of covered items. On the engine alone, there are 40 items that are covered by the PRO warranty,
Guard My Ride
 never tries to hide their covered items, as all those information can be seen on their website & the booklet that you will be given if you own any of their warranty plans, they placed their utmost priority on trying to be as transparent as possible to all consumers.

At this point you may feel that even the most comprehensive parts coverage means nothing if the workshop the car is sent to isn’t qualified to handle your problems. Much like an insurance policy,
Guard My Ride
 has a very specific set of workshops, handpicked by them through their years of experience from providing warranty, understanding that it is top priority that the panel workshops are well equipped to handle and repair your car- whether it’s a Toyota Alphard or a BMW 5 Series. These aren’t your typical ‘bawah-pokok’ style shops, with many of them having numerous years of experience and specializing in a particular marque or brand or even a certain system. They operate quickly to get your car back on the road as soon as possible and cut down on down-time.

This is all fantastic in concept, but how does it work in practice? The reality of car ownership is that most owners cannot have the luxury of leaving their car in the workshop for days or weeks on end, which is usually the case with many insurance or warranty claims- the long and arduous process of waiting for adjustors to assess your car and for claims to go through usually makes warranty-covered repairs so difficult or inconvenient that some owners don’t bother.
Guard My Ride
 has had enough experience in dealing with this that they’ve streamlined their claims process, so much so that your claim may only take a few hours to process if it’s something simple, to just a few days if it’s a little more complex. To top it all off,
Guard My Ride
 assures that their warranty claims does not come with a processing/excess fee, whenever a claim is approved, the claimed part are to be approved with the labour cost required for its replacement & during breakdowns it only takes a phone call to their office in order for them to begin the claims process as your car is towed to one of their panel workshops where the damage can be assessed; you are also asked for confirmation before inspection work begins if any serious components need to be disassembled. Add in the fact that policies are underwritten by RHB and you have a warranty plan that you can feel confident with when you need to make a claim.

It may be a tad pricier than your average warranty plan, but this is immediately offset by the number of vouchers you will receive that far outweighs the difference in cost- and perhaps more important is the fact that you can rely on the policy provided by
Guard My Ride
 to be transparent, efficient and comprehensive. Is there really a better way to get peace of mind for your car? With everything from a competitive price to a proper panel of workshops that can specifically cater to different marques, the
Guard My Ride
 warranty policy is the best option for your car. So perhaps the next time you buy a car from a dealer, insist on a warranty plan from
Guard My Ride
 if it’s available.


Kia Sorento gets a facelift for 2024 with a sexier front end

The first few images of the
2024 Kia Sorento
 has been released showcasing a facelifted version of the fourth-generation model.

Refreshed for the coming year, the 2024 Kia Sorento features a few stylistic changes for the exterior as well as the interior for the mid-cycle update.

Having said that, the visual updates won't be as drastic but the new front fascia does provide a very different-looking Sorento indeed. First and foremost, the entire front end has been updated in order to incorporate the new T-shaped LED headlights and DRL strips in line with the front Kia logo which has been moved away from the grille and onto the end of the front bonnet.

This offers a more pronounced and complete look for the front grille as well as the lower air intake paired with those separated fog lights, larger side air curtains, and a silver skid plate. Black would've been great but silver works too, we guess.

Other updates that can be seen from the outside are the newly-designed alloy wheels, slightly revised rear taillights with new graphics, repositioned reverse lights, and fog lights under the rear silver skid plate. Take a while to soak these minor changes in because when it comes to design, the folks over at Kia know what they're doing.

Step inside and the changes are not as extensive as the exterior. The facelifted Sorento will feature slimmer AC vents to may way for the larger infotainment touchscreen in the middle. It also looks like the AC controls have been updated with capacitive buttons just like the ones found in the EV6.

So far, only the design updates have been released. More details regarding the facelifted 2024 Kia Sorento will be shared in the coming weeks. For now, we approve the looks with both thumbs high up in the air.