Review: Volvo XC40 T5 AWD R-Design – Rethinking Family Cars

Small and young are not words that are synonymous with Volvo. Indeed, Volvo Car’s record breaking streak over the last three years was achieved on the back of big cars like the 90- and 60-series cars, both of which are aimed at demographics that are more senior.
But there’s only so much that the larger 90-series and 60-series Volvos can contribute. While well received in the USA, these large Volvos are still too cumbersome to drive in congested Asian city streets. Changing lifestyles also meant that more people are avoiding lengthy commutes from far off suburbs to stay in smaller, but closer to the city high rise condominiums – neighbourhoods that favour compact cars.
It’s no longer a question of affordability but practicality. For many people, the decision to not buy a big XC90 or XC60 has less to do with price but size. There are many consumers who want all the features offered in these higher range models, but packaged within a more city street friendly, smaller-sized body.
Every premium brand now has multiple offerings in the small/compact segment. Indeed, growth won’t be found in big cars, but smaller ones. In comes the XC40.
The fact that the XC40 was launched in Japan with a
12-month waiting list
 is a testament that this is the car that Asian metropolises need. It also bagged the
2018-2019 Japan Car of the Year
 award, which is usually not very accommodating to non-Japanese brands.
Launched in Malaysia earlier in October, deliveries of the locally-assembled XC40 will only commence in January 2019, with no changes to the RM 255,888 selling price. This particular test drive unit was imported from Ghent, Belgium (Sweden doesn’t make the XC40) but the ones put up on sale are assembled at the Volvo Car Manufacturing plant in Shah Alam.
Segment rivals include the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.
Specifications for Volvo XC40 T5 AWD R-Design
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder, turbocharged
Power: 252 hp at 5,500 rpm
Torque: 350 Nm at 1,800 – 4,800 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed torque converter automatic, all-wheel drive
Safety: Six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving, City Safety - Autonomous Collision Mitigation and Avoidance, Run-off Road Protection and Mitigation, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Auto Brake, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Lane Keeping Aid (LKA)
Origin: Locally-assembled in Shah Alam
Price: RM 255,888
Exterior
Although it wears the 40-series designation, the CMA-platform XC40 is unrelated to the Ford EUCD platform-based V40.
As a compact SUV/crossover, it sits in the same segment as the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class but since the GLA is so much smaller, the XC40’s real rival is the BMW X1. There’s also the forthcoming Lexus UX, but the UX will mirror the GLA-Class’ size and concept - more hatchback than SUV.
Viewed in person, the XC40 is quite imposing despite wearing the compact class 40-series badge. It’s significantly taller and wider than the BMW X1, with comparable length. There’s a lot of chunky looking design details, giving it a very legitimate urban SUV look. The thick C-pillars, clam shell hood and angular shapes, when combined with two-tone black and Osmium Grey paint, give it a rather robotic image. It would fit well in a filming set of the next Terminator or Transformers.
Parked next to a BMW X1, it’s clear than the Volvo is the one with a stronger character, while the BMW is ironically, staying a bit too much on the safe middle ground.
Interior
The XC40 is a car whose design grabs your attention, but you will buy it for its interior because nothing else, not even SUVs from two segments above it come close to matching the XC40 cabin’s practicality. The brilliantly laid out Honda CR-V’s comes to mind but that’s not a premium product.
The centre console box can’t fit a handbag like the CR-V’s but it’s still big enough for a full size tissue box and comes with an integrated, removable trash bin. The glove box opens to reveal a flip up hook for handbags, which is a better way to carry a prized handbag rather than squashing it inside the centre console box.
There’s also slots under the dashboard for parking tickets or security access cards. Under the front seat is a pull-out tray that fits a small purse. The door pockets are deep enough for large laptops and full size water bottles, placed side by side – something that even larger SUVs from two segments above it struggle with.
The secret? Volvo has repositioned the speakers that would normally reside in the door panels, to behind the dashboard, where a sub-woofer also sits.
All the controls and switches have the same high quality touch and feel as the larger 60- and 90-series Volvos. We especially love the door handles and the knobs for the infotainment and air-conditioning vents.
Behind, the power-operated boot opens not just from touch, but also leg gestures. Simply move your leg in the area between the left exhaust tip and the rear number plate holder, and the boot will open automatically. Of course, the key fob has to be with you.
The two-tier boot floor also flips up to reveal three utility hooks – perfect for wet groceries.
So far so good. Any downsides? Just a few:
This being an entry model Volvo, there are no Bowers & Wilkins audio but you still get a very decent 250W 8-speaker system that also understands voice command. It not quite a contextual, natural language system as the ones used by the Mercedes-Benz's A-Class' MBUX or even Proton's X70, but it's very close to one. There's no need to memorize any specific keywords, simply saying "Adjust temperature to 21 degrees" or "Increase volume" or "Change media to Bluetooth" will do.
The dashboard and doors also misses out on Volvo’s signature Driftwood inlays (available in the more expensive 60- and 90-series Volvos) so the cabin looks rather somber and our local models doesn’t have the bright orange door fabric and carpet option.
The Sensus Connect 9-inch infotainment screen is identical the ones used in the XC90 and XC60, which also means that the screen looks disproportionately large inside the smaller XC40. To accommodate the large screen, the air-conditioning vents have to be made slimmer, with less angle of adjustments too.
Like all recent Volvos, controlling the air-conditioning via a touch screen takes some time to get used to but the controls are actually very intuitive, and Volvo insists that this clutter-free dashboard layout is better for everyone – we think it’s just because Volvo quality knobs and switches are expensive and touch screens are cheaper.
There’s also no 360-degree camera, but neither does the BMW X1 (the smaller GLA-Class has it though). Personally, the lack of a 360-degree camera doesn’t bother me because the XC40’s size is still manageable. It also comes with self-parking feature - works on both perpendicular and parallel parking, if you want to impress your friends with hands-free parking.
Driving experience
On the move, the XC40 is an excellent tool for long distance drives. Quiet at high speeds, surefooted and responsive across a variety of terrain and road conditions, it’s everything you expect a Volvo to be, and then more.
Like the XC60
, the XC40 exhibits a level of agility that you don’t normally expect from a Volvo. Push it hard, you get the sense that the chassis has enough talent to reel in a BMW in the corners, never mind a Mercedes-Benz, but the engineers have intentionally dialed down the intensity to keep it true to its confident but introverted Swedish persona. Volvo doesn’t like Nurburgring race track-tuned dynamics, instead they have a philosophy called ‘Designed Around You.’
It doesn’t encourage you to take corners at high speeds, but if you have to, you will find it to be surprisingly capable. The shorter wheelbase also means that you do feel the car turning around your hips. It’s not quite at BMW or Mazda’s level of agility and it doesn’t pretend to aim to do that.
What it does is that it gives you is a very high level of confidence to simply aim at a corner’s apex, point and shoot your way out, in ways that even a Golf GTI will have to give it a nod of approval, not because it’s faster but because it’s darn impressive for what it is.
On twisty uphill stretches however, you will uncover a slight but noticeable amount of lag in its power delivery. On flat terrain however, it’s uneventfully quick, delivering bursts of power on-demand.
The air-conditioning can sometimes be overwhelmed by our hot climate (probably made worse by the black roof) and a quick access button to disable the engine's auto start-stop function would be appreciated. Right now, you have to swipe the touch screen and go into the Car Functions menu to disable it.
A torque converter-type automatic transmission also means that the XC 40 is a lot smoother than its dual-clutch rivals in stop-go urban traffic.
The IntelliSafe suite of advanced driving aids including the semi-autonomous driving Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control function works surprisingly well in our local traffic conditions, which is not always the case for these European cars. Still, we advise caution against relying on them entirely as these are just driving aids, meant to assist and reduce fatigue, not to replace the driver. Ultimately, the driver is still responsible for operating the car.
Comfort
We will start with the seats. Volvo is known for having the best car seats and the XC40 lives up to that reputation. It may not have full leather upholstery but the half leather, half Nubuck (suede-like) seats feels good to touch and are supportive at all the right pressure points. Personally, this material combination works better in our hot climate than full leather seats.
The newer Volvos have made great steps in cabin refinement this is XC 40 is actually quieter than any of its peers. Even at 150 km/h, the cabin stayed hush.
The ride is very comfortable, even with the R-Design’s sport chassis suspension, there’s still a decent amount of suspension travel to soak up undulations while maintaining a firm level of body control.
Behind, shoulder room can be tight and the transmission tunnel intrudes quite a fair bit into the cabin so it’s best used as a four-seater. If you want an SUV with a flat (or flat-ish) floor that fits five adults, your only choice is still the Honda CR-V – no European alternative has a flat floor.
Fuel Economy
Our test car had less than 1,000 km on the odometer, so it was not surprising that it averaged a fairly thirsty 11.9-litre/100 km across a nearly 400 km distance – with a fair mix of urban, highway and trunk roads.
Fuel efficiency should improve as the mileage piles on and the engine internals settle into a more comfortable gap but we don’t expect it to drop to less than 11-litre/100 km in normal driving conditions. Realistically, you can’t expect an SUV that produces 252 hp/350 Nm to sip fuel like a Honda Jazz.
Conclusion
We love the chunky styling, adored its practicality, and can no longer see another family car in the same way ever again. The XC40 offers the utility of an SUV but retains the agility and composure that's good enough to see off many hot hatches, all while keeping the ride comfortable and the cabin hushed.
It’s almost perfect but there is no such thing as a perfect car. The centre air-conditioning vents needs to improve on its range of angle adjustments and and a quick access button to disable the engine start-stop would be appreciated in our climate, but you can tell that we're nitpicking. Volvo's smaller network of service centres however, is a bigger concern and that affects the after-sales experience but on the upside coverage has been improving.
Overall, you’ll be hard pressed to find another compact premium SUV that offers a better combination of style, safety, comfort, practicality, and performance than the XC40. It really is as Volvo says, ‘Designed Around You.’


New Porsche 718 Boxster Previewed. To be launched in August.

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the authorised distributor of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia revealed the new Boxster 718 for the first time in Malaysia last week at the Porsche World Roadshow 2016 at the Sepang International Circuit.
The two-seat convertible, which is due to make its Malaysian debut in August, is now more powerful yet more fuel-efficient than
the outgoing Boxster
, and continues the tradition of the four-cylinder flat engines that were used in the Porsche 718 mid-engine sports cars that won numerous races back in the 1950s and 1960s.
The main highlight of the new Boxster series is the newly developed 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder flat engines which develop 300hp (Boxster) and 350hp (Boxster S) respectively.
In the S-model, Porsche uses a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, making it the only manufacturer to offer VTG technology in production cars with petrol-driven engines, both in the 911 Turbo and in the 718 Boxster S.
Performance wise, the new 718 Boxster with PDK and Sport Chrono Package sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds (0.8 seconds faster), while the Boxster S with the same equipment completes this discipline in 4.2 seconds (0.6 seconds faster). The top speed of the 718 Boxster is 275 km/h, and the 718 Boxster S has a top speed of 285 km/h.
Outside, the front end of the new Boxster exhibits a much more sculptural form, where the air intakes are larger, and the front end of the car is rounded out by the new design of the bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED day-time running lights. LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are also available as a new option.
From a side view, identifying features of the new model line include new, independently styled wings and side sills. Larger air inlet panels with two fins emphasise the car's dynamic look. The doors are now designed without door handle recess covers.
The redesigned rear body of the 718 Boxster has a wider look as well – especially due to the accent strip with integrated Porsche badge between the tail lights. The entirely redeveloped tail lights are distinguished by their three-dimensional LED technology and four-point brake lights.
That said, watch this space for the launch news in a couple of weeks.
Looking for a Porsche? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Volvo XC40 PHEV, Proton X50 Shares Engine/Transmission Combo!

Isn’t it strange that Malaysia still tends to be let in to the party with regard to new car models and powertrains? The latest example of this is the
Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge
, a plug-in hybrid variant of the Swedish marque’s most compact SUV entrant.

On our shores, the only specification available to buyers is the
T5 R-Design
, which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 252hp and 350Nm that gets sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic sourced from Aisin.

This new PHEV powertrain uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet, paired to a front-mounted electric motor for a combined system output 258hp and 425Nm.

Despite being more potent overall than the larger 2.0-litre mill, the lack of all-wheel drive and additional weight penalty results in less rapid acceleration (7.3 seconds vs 6.5 seconds). Power is stored in a 10.7kWh lithium-ion battery and is good for a claimed 44km of pure electric driving when fully charged.

The T5 Recharge was launched in Thailand earlier this month with all northbound units being built in Shah Alam by Volvo Car Manufacturing, yet these same cars are being temporarily denied to local buyers as we know that we’ll eventually start seeing them in Malaysian showrooms too - later on, we hope.

What’s more is the confirmation from Håkan Sandquist, director of powertrain strategy at China Euro Vehicle Technology (CEVT), that the XC40 T5 Recharge’s 3-cylinder unit and 7-speed wet-clutch DCT transmission is essentially identical to the one used in the Proton X50, specifically the
‘high-output’ direct injection version
 slotted in the Flagship variant.

While that’s a neat familial connection under the Geely umbrella, it further stresses the question of why the
XC40
 T5 Recharge is bypassing the Malaysian market - despite being fully imported from Selangor - to reach the Thai market first despite the additional certification and testing required to run on both regular RON95 petrol and the E10 gasohol in Thailand.

Though unconfirmed, we expect the T5 Recharge plug-in hybrid to arrive sometime in 2021 and bolster (or just accompany) the lone single-variant XC40 T5 R-Design currently sold here. Keep in mind, though, that the Thai market is much more spoiled for choice with regard to trim lines and equipment grades.

There, the XC40 T5 Recharge’s powertrain supplants the outgoing 2.0-litre petrol for an all-PHEV range but is available in a trio of variants kicking off with the R-Design Expression. This one takes a small selection of the sporty bits and has a robust equipment list but misses out on some of the toys of the two higher tier XC40s.

The T5 Recharge R-Design and T5 Recharge Inscription are priced identically but lets you pick your poison between a more aggressive exterior and interior treatment or one that focuses on comfort and luxury. Over the entry-level Expression, highlights include Adaptive Cruise Control, panoramic sunroof, and a 600W Harman/Kardon audio system.

Will we see the same spread if/when the plug-in hybrid XC40 does arrive in Malaysia?


Auto Shanghai 2017: Lexus to Debut New NX

It's amazing how quickly time passes, what with so many new and exciting models being launched over the last few years. Can you believe that the Lexus NX is halfway through its model life? It's about time for a facelift, and the new Lexus NX will be making its global debut at the upcoming Auto Shanghai show towards the end of April. It will also be sitting alongside the LS 500h that made its
global debut in Geneva just a few weeks ago
.
The first urban crossover in the Lexus line-up, the NX also represented a step forward in terms of design and engineering for the brand when it was launched 3 years ago. It was the first to debut with the new 2.0-litre turbo engine that has made its way into a number of Lexus vehicles. More than that, it shows that the RX has grown so large in order to keep up with its segment that the NX has replaced it in spirit of the original Lexus RX models- much as how most cars have grown in size so much that there need to be smaller segments to take over.


Video: 2016 Renault Koleos – Experiencing Its R-Link 2 Infotainment System

The 2016 Renault Koleos launched earlier this year is the second model to bear the name. Like its predecessor, the new Koleos shares underpinnings with the concurrent Nissan X-Trail, leveraging on the superior economies-of-scale provided by the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
Despite the common formula, however, the new model notably exhibits aspirations to elevate its position in the market to occupy a more premium standing, evident by its bold styling and advanced equipment, starting from the 7-inch TFT screen that serves as a virtual instrument cluster with four selectable display configurations.
Central to the cabin is the new R-Link 2 infotainment system featuring an 8.7-inch portrait-oriented screen which recognizes the same tactile functions as a modern day smart phone or tablet, namely pinch-zooming, page scrolling, drag and drop, etc.
The display screen itself is highly configurable in both its appearance and function. Drivers can configure four customizable home pages to provide swift access to their most frequently used functions. The display theme can also be varied between five colours and can be alternated between dark-on-light or light-on-dark configuration.
As expected in the price range, the Koleos provides convenient access via a keyless entry system with walkaway auto door lock. If you’re the type that regular forgets about locking the doors of your vehicle, this is one feature to provide great peace of mind.
The Renault Koleos made its global debut this April at the
2016 Beijing Motor Show
, with
Malaysia being among the first of 80 countries
 to receive the car. It is priced at RM177,917.72 on-the-road with insurance.
A full review of the 2016 Renault Koleos is coming soon on
Carlist.my
. Until then, here's a quick teaser video highlighting the features mentioned above:


Leaked: All-New 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Low Key Shocking

The next-generation C-Class is about a day or so away from its official unveil, but as everything tends to have a habit of doing in this industry, it has
leaked
 ahead of time. This time it’s images, and it sheds light on
where the automaker is taking
 the compact executive saloon with the W206.

Coming to our eyes early from
The Automobilist
 and
CarsInPixels
, these images reveals to us the car’s basic design, which we’re now free to form first impressions on. At first glance, this does look like a more basic Avantgrade variant. Though it lacks the typical badging at the rear end, we’d be surprised if this had any sporty treatment applied.

It’s pretty clear that we’re looking at a C-Class that’s taken a more evolutionary step forward in terms of its design. Unlike before, this isn’t the dramatic step forward we saw between the W204 and W205 generation, though it can’t be argued that this newer car tries to hard to stand out.

Conservative as the exterior seems to be, especially in this white finish, the wheels do look relatively aggressive, yet only does every little to mask the fact that this looks an awful lot like either: (1) a shrunken version of the
W223 S-Class
 or, (2) a larger version of the V177 A-Class sedan.

Things are much more exciting when we start to explore the interior, however. As it was long rumoured, this newest C-Class completely reinvents the brand’s typical dashboard layout a’la the S-Class, just as
we were all getting used to
 their two adjacent widescreens.

Instead, the digital instrument cluster seems to have escaped this reconfiguration unharmed, still sporting its previous dimensions and placement, but is now joined by a portrait-style central panel that’s placed diagonally across the centre stack.

Importantly, the typical rotary controller and physical gear shifter are no where to be seen along the centre tunnel either, implying that they too have been replaced by digital (and contextual) buttons. Unlike the S-Class, the W206 features a more distinctive air vent design, and a trio of these soft-edged hexagons sits perched at the very top of this unusual and futuristic dashboard.

The all-new C-Class is built from Mercedes-Benz’s MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform, which has been improved since underpinning its predecessor. Alongside the advances in structural integrity and weight saving, it will support this C-Class’
heavier focus on electrification
 and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.

Each new variant will be working from a 48V system, essentially making even the most basic permutation of the C-Class a mild hybrid with its own electric generator that doubles as a starter motor. It will also make it easier for more high performance versions of the W206 to utilise powerful electric motors and battery configurations, as might be the case with a four-cylinder hybrid flagship from AMG.

Another potential addition across the range is the company’s newest adaptive damping system, giving Mercedes-Benz a definite edge in ride comfort and refinement over their competitors while making full use of its double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension for agility. Only air suspension remains a costly optional extra, reserved for top tier of the C-Class pecking order.

2020 Mercedes-Benz S 350 d AMG Line (W223)

We’re still yet to see a lot of what the company has in store for this W206, such as Estate version as well as the Coupe and Cabriolet. There’s also a rumoured ‘all-terrain’ version similar to the Audi A4 Allroad, yet all of these might still remain a mystery even after Mercedes-Benz officially takes the wraps off early this week.


Sewa Supercar Untuk Sambut Raya - Kos Cecah RM7,999 Sehari

Kebiasaannya
supercar
 sewa sering dikaitkan dengan peniaga MLM atau sifu saham, namun kali ini, sebahagian kenderaan mewah dan supercar di beberapa syarikat sewa kereta di sekitar
Lembah Klang
 sudah habis ditempah untuk digunakan pada Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Berdasarkan tinjauan yang dilakukan oleh Kosmo, ada sesetengah warga kota yang sanggup berhabis duit sehingga ribuan ringgit dalam sehari hanya untuk menyewa kenderaan mewah dan supercar gara-
gara ingin kelihatan bergaya di hari raya setelah dua tahun terkurung akibat Covid-19.

*Kredit foto: Kosmo

Sewa Kereta Mewah Untuk Sambut Raya

Antara kereta mewah yang sering dicari oleh orang ramai untuk digunakan ketika hari raya:

Lamborghini

McLaren

Ferrari

Ford Mustang

Nissan Skyline

Mercedes-Benz

Toyota Alphard serta Vellfire

Hyundai Starex

Pengarah Urusan AHMJ Luxury Car Rental, Azam Junuh berkata, kesemua kereta mewah sewaan syarikatnya ketika ini sudah habis ditempah oleh warga kota yang ingin pulang ke kampung menyambut hari raya kali ini.

Antara yang kereta sewa yang dinyatakan diatas,
Toyota Alphard
 dan Vellfire muncul sebagai kereta paling popular setelah sebanyak 25 buah kereta jenis ini yang ada dalam syarikat telah habis ditempah.

Kebiasaannya kedua-dua MPV mewah itu disewa untuk membawa keluarga besar pulang ke kampung untuk beraya, tambah-tambah lagi apabila mereka perlu menempuhi perjalanan yang jauh.

Walau bagaimanapun, ada juga kereta supercar lain seperti Lamborghini, Ferrari,
Ford Mustang
, BMW serta Mercedes-Benz yang sudah ditempah untuk digunakan ketika Hari Raya Aidilfitri yang bakal tiba nanti.

Tambah Azam, ada individu yang sanggup membayar sehingga RM4,999 sehari semata-mata untuk memandu Lamborghini Huracan, manakala RM3,999 pula bagi sewaan kereta
Nissan Skyline R35 GTR
.

Tujuan Sewa Kereta Mewah

Kereta mewah ini sering disewa bagi tujuan seperti memenuhi majlis sosial seperti kenduri kahwin dan majlis pertemuan semula bersama rakan-rakan sekolah dan universiti pada hari raya nanti. Namun menurut Azam, ada juga yang ingin menghasilkan
content
 di media sosial.

“Bagi mereka, peluang untuk berhari raya di kampung kali ini tidak boleh dilepaskan, perlu nampak lebih bergaya dan berjaya di hadapan mata kawan-kawan,” ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu, Seorang lagi pengusaha kereta sewa mewah, Ashaari Usamah berkata meskipun sebanyak 30 kenderaan sewa mewahnya sudah ditempah, namun permintaan tinggi terhadap kereta sewa mewah ketika musim perayaan menyebabkan beliau perlu menambah kira-kira 20 buah lagi supercar dan MPV.

Tambah Ashaari, kereta paling mahal yang disewa oleh pelanggannya adalah Lamborghini Aventador yang berharga RM7,999 sehari, diikuti Lamborghini Huracan dan Mercedes G63, masing-masing berharga RM4,999 sehari.

Baginya, orang ramai seolah-olah membalas dendam untuk balik kampung dan sanggup berbelanja besar untuk menyewa kereta setelah lebih dua tahun tidak dapat pulang berhari beraya.

Kereta Sewa Biasa

Meskipun permintaan kereta sewa mewah semakin meningkat, Pengarah Saujana Car Rental, Saiful Ishak mendapati bahawa bukan sahaja kenderaan mewah menjadi pilihan ramai, namun kereta-kereta biasa juga ada yang telah ditempah.

MPV seperti Perodua Alza, Nissan Livina menjadi pilihan ramai sambil diikuti
Perodua Myvi
, Toyota Vios dan Honda City yang turut habis ditempah untuk kegunaan ketika hari raya. Perodua Alza, Myvi serta Nissan Livina juga antara pilihan ramai kerana kadar sewaannya yang murah bermula RM120 sehari untuk kegunaan keluarga.

*Kredit cover photo: Luxury Car Rental Malaysia


Quick Review: The All-New Mazda 3 Is The Sum Of Mazda’s Finest Engineering

It is no surprise that Mazda is moving upmarket – with each new model they introduce, they inch one step closer to challenge the German premium marques with superior build quality and driving dynamics.
Over the weekend, Bermaz held a test drive event for the all-new Mazda 3 at the Sepang Circuit.
The first stint in the all-new Mazda 3 involved us driving the 2.0-litre variant on the track, before changing cars. But we’ll get to that later on.
Right as we exited the pit lane and entered Turn 1, we noticed how easy and natural it was steering the all-new 3.
Point the car into the direction you want, and the front end switches direction with ease, while the rear end, despite featuring a torsion beam configuration, is extremely playful.
Push the Mazda 3 hard enough and it will reward (or punish you, depending on your skills) with some lift-off oversteer. Despite that, everything happened so naturally that it was easy to catch and everything was kept under control.
Then we hopped into the entry 1.5-litre Mazda 3, well aware of the burning question, “Is a 1.5-litre engine sufficient for a C-segment model?”
It certainly is sufficient, as we discovered that acceleration is strong until the 100 km/h mark, but tapers off after 120 km/h, where the 3 struggles to build up more speed.
But where the 1.5-litre Mazda 3 loses in power, it makes up for that with agile and nimble handling.
We experienced that from Turn 1 onwards, as we noted how much lighter the entire car felt. Turn-in is much sharper than the 2.0-litre model, effectively making it a point-and-shoot machine.
As we exited Turn 5 and proceeded to Turn 6, the playful nature of the all-new 3 meant that some lift-off oversteer action was possible, elevating the fun factor of the entry-level model.
Even as we pushed hard into Turn 12, we were amazed by the grip levels provided by the factory tires, which withstood the abuse we threw at it. The Mazda 3 resisted understeer really well, and only broke traction when we deliberately wanted it to break traction.
After the track session, we proceeded to the open air car park area to sample the improved G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus), where Bermaz prepared a previous W176-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class and a F30-generation BMW 3 Series to compare against the all-new 3.
The test course involved an autocross track, where participants can experience GVC in a controlled environment.
Against the harsh-riding Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the all-new Mazda 3 (even when riding on thin 45-series rubbers) offers a more compliant and supple ride. While ride comfort and handling of the F30 3 Series is commendable, the Mazda 3 ups the ante and shows that they can do better, thanks to GVC Plus.
Sure, ride comfort on the F30 3 Series is sublime, but with the addition of GVC Plus in the all-new 3, passengers won’t sway as much, thus allowing for greater comfort levels in the Mazda than the BMW.
At the end of the day, we were genuinely impressed with the all-new Mazda 3.
While almost every car manufacturer is banking on SUVs for their future, Mazda instead pushes the envelope further with the all-new 3, bringing with it an extremely upmarket cabin with high quality materials and a driving experience that rivals what Germany has to offer.
And did we mention how good the hatchback variant looks when finished in Polymetal Grey?
As good as the all-new Mazda 3 is in a controlled environment, how it actually rides on public roads remains to be seen, especially considering that the shock absorbers are on the firm side and the low profile tyres could compromise comfort.
Expect a full review of the all-new Mazda 3 soon.


Third-Straight Record Breaking Year For Mazda

Mazda sold 1,631,000 vehicles for the financial year ending 31-March 2018, representing a 5 percent jump or 72,000 vehicles more than the year before. It’s Mazda’s third-straight year of record setting annual sales as well as its fifth year of uninterrupted growth.
All the main regions posted positive development, led by China’s 11 percent year-on-year increase to 322,000 units and a 4 percent hike in Japan to 210,000 units. North America and Europe each recorded growth of around 1 percent to 435,000 and 242,000 units respectively.
Much of the growth were contributed by the CX-5. In Europe alone, sales of the CX-5 surged by 17 percent. It also contributed to similarly strong numbers in the ASEAN trade bloc, which saw sales up by 11 percent, reaching 116,000 units. Thailand was the region’s strongest performer, with sales up by 31 percent to hit 56,000 units. The all-new CX-5 was launched in Thailand in November 2017, and is imported from Malaysia.
For the current financial year ending 31-March 2019, Mazda is forecasting for another 2 percent growth in annual global sales, reaching 1,662,000 vehicles, contributed mostly by USA (4 percent growth, to 317,000 units) and ASEAN (6 percent growth, to 123,000 units).
Closer to home, Mazda sold 9,730 vehicles in Malaysia for calendar year ending 31-December 2017. It was a 20 percent drop from the year before but this is due to the phasing out of previous generation CX-5, which contributes nearly half of Mazda’s annual sales here, more than anything else.
The locally-assembled all-new CX-5 went on sale in Malaysia in October 2017 but it has since propelled Mazda’s results for the first quarter of 2018 up by a whopping 65 percent, to 3,439 units, making Mazda the fastest growing brand for that three-month period.
Berjaya Auto, which owns Mazda’s distributor in Malaysia (Bermaz Auto) and Philippines (Berjaya Auto Philippines) is due to announce their results for financial year ending March 2018 soon.


Get a Look at the New Toyota Corolla Altis

A few days ago, UMW Toyota
announced that the new Toyota Corolla Altis is now open for booking
. As our market is tied to the rest of ASEAN, the Thai market is also starting to roll out the facelift model, and they've released a video that covers all the important details and features you need to know. It also shows off the ESport variant that we don't get here (yet), but looks pretty cool all the same.
The 2016 Corolla Altis model will feature a revised exterior design and updated standard safety features that now enlists seven-airbags and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) across the range. The new Toyota Corolla Altis comes with a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty, fully-transferable to the next owner if the car is sold off.


Fuel Price Update: 6th July to 12th July – 4 Sen Up For RON97

The Ministry of Finance Malaysia has announced the updated prices of petrol and diesel fuels starting from 6th of July to 12th July.
The price of RON97 petrol will increase by 4 sen to RM 2.53 per litre, while the price of RON95 petrol is capped at RM 2.08 per litre.
The price of diesel will remain capped at RM 2.18 per litre for Euro 2M and RM 2.28 for Euro 5 respectively.
In summary, the prices for petrol and diesel are listed below:
RON95 – RM 2.08 per litre (unchanged, capped)
RON97 – RM 2.53 per litre (up 4 sen)
Diesel Euro 2M – RM 2.18 per litre (unchanged, capped)
Diesel Euro 5M – RM 2.28 per litre (unchanged, capped)


Porsche 911 GT3 Kini Di Malaysia - Harga Dari RM1.77 Juta

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) secara rasmi membawa masuk
Porsche 911 GT3
 terbaru untuk pasaran Malaysia, harga dari RM1.77 juta.

Harga bermula dari RM1,766,244, termasuk pengecualian cukai SST 50 peratus bagi kereta yang diimport sepenuhnya (CBU).

Porsche 911
generasi 992
 ini dipacu enjin 4.0 liter NA enam silinder yang mampu menjana 510 PS dan tork maksimum 470 Nm. Enjin tersebut boleh dipadankan dengan transmisi manual enam kelajuan atau klac berkembar automatik PDK tujuh kelajuan - kedua-duanya ditawarkan pada harga yang sama.

Jika dilengkapi dengan PDK, jentera ini mampu melakukan pecutan 0 hingga 100 km/j dalam hanya 3.4 saat sebelum mencapai kelajuan maksimum 318 km/j, sekaligus menjadikan ia lebih pantas berbanding
911 GT3 RS
 yang terdahulu.

Bagi model manual pula, 911 GT3 ini mampu memecut dari 0 hingga 100 km/j dalam masa 3.9 saat sebelum mencapai kelajuan maksima 320 km/j.

Walaupun badan 992 GT3 ini lebih besar dari 991.2 sebelum ini, timbangan berat tidaklah jauh berbeza berbanding model sebelumnya. GT3 baharu ini hanya seberat 1,418 kg untuk manual dan 1,432 kg untuk PDK.

Ini kerana 992 GT3 menggunakan plastik gentian karbon (CFRP), cermin kereta daripada kaca ringan dan bateri yang lebih kecil. Rim dan sistem ekzos sport juga turut menyumbang lebih 10kg pengurangan berat badan jentera ini.

Sebagai kereta GT yang boleh dipandu di atas jalan raya, 911 GT3 ini turut dilengkapi dengan pelbagai elemen perlumbaan seperti abangnya, 911 RSR. Ini termasuk sistem suspensi
double-wishbone
 pada bahagian hadapan, spoiler ‘leher angsa’ dan diffuser juga dari jentera litar itu.

Menurut
Porsche
, sistem gantungan bebas hadapan berkenaan membolehkan kejituan pemanduan ditingkatkan, serta memberikan permukaan tayar yang bersentuhan dengan jalan lebih konsisten dalam situasi terbeban.

Manakala spoiler dan diffuser adaptasi 911 RSR ini membolehkan janaan
downforce
 50 peratus lebih tinggi buat 911 GT3. Kedua-dua komponen ini juga boleh dilaras untuk meningkatkan
downforce
 sehingga 150 peratus bagi membantu pemandu mengendalikan kelajuan tinggi di selekoh.

911 GT3 Touring

Pakej GT3 Touring
 yang dilancarkan di peringkat global pada pertengahan tahun lalu, menawarkan pakej yang kurang ‘menunjuk’ sebagai alternatif bagi pelanggan yang inginkan pengalaman memandu secara konvensional, berbanding pemanduan litar.

Bagi mereka yang memilih GT3 Touring, spoiler GT ‘leher angsa’ di belakang akan digantikan dengan spoiler adaptif,  serta kemasan perak pada bahagian badan dan logo GT3 Touring pada bahagian belakang.

Bukan itu sahaja, pakej ini juga boleh dipadankan dengan hampir semua kelengkapan yang ditawarkan pada 911 GT3. Antaranya lampu LED dengan Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), sistem lift gandar hadapan, pakej Sport Chrono dan pelbagai lagi.

Ruang dalaman menampilkan rekaan kokpit yang sama dengan model generasi 992, menampilkan takometer analog yang memberikan bacaan sehingga 10,000 rpm dan diapit dua paparan berukuran tujuh inci dengan skrin litar.

Selain itu, ia juga didatangkan dengan skrin sentuh 10.9 inci yang menampilkan Porsche Communication Management (PCM) terkini dan Porsche Connect Plus yang menyokong aplikasi Porsche Track Precision App yang menyediakan data pemanduan dan analisa video.

Melalui program Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, pelbagai penyesuaian (custom) yang boleh dipilih antaranya bumbung dan cermin sisi gentian karbon, lampu LED Matrix, lampu belakang Exclusive, pilihan warna Guards Red atau Shark Blue untuk rim, jam Sport Chrono, serta pelbagai pilihan warna untuk tali pinggang keledar dan trim dalam ruang kabin.

Untuk penampilan lebih eksklusif, Porsche turut menawarkan program ‘Paint to Sample’ di mana pelanggan mempunyai 105 warna luaran untuk dipilih.

Pra-tempahan untuk Porsche 911 GT3 ini sudah pun dibuka di Porsche Centre di seluruh negara.


Martin Winterkorn is Out (Again), set to Resign as Chairman of Porsche SE

Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Porsche SE), the largest shareholder of Volkswagen AG (and not related to Porsche AG the car maker), released a statement that Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn will step down from his position as member and chairman of the company’s executive board.
Winterkorn, who resigned from his post as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management at Volkswagen AG,
amidst the ‘dieselgate’ scandal
,
was reported to still wield some amount of power and control
 over the German giant, through Porsche SE which holds 52 per cent of Volkswagen’s voting stock.
In the statement the company says thatPorsche SE has ‘reached an agreement’ with Winterkorn to cease his role in the company by the end of October 31
st
, though there were no further reasons given about his departure. In his place Hans Dieter Pötsch, the company’s current CFO has been appointed by the supervisory board to succeed Winterkorn position, effective from November 1
st
.

Also read:
How Volkswagen Became a Victim of Realpolitik


What On Earth Is TNGA – And Why Do We Love It?

If you’ve been paying attention to Toyota in the last two years or so, you may have noticed the TNGA acronym show up. But what does it mean?

Toyota New Global Architecture. That’s what TNGA stands for, and it refers to the platform (or backbone) on which most new Toyota models are built on. TNGA made its debut with the Toyota C-HR crossover, and eventually formed the basis of the range-topping
Toyota Camry
. Now it’s here with the Toyota Corolla, and it is as downright impressive as ever.

As cars evolve from generation to generation, they grow in size and strength – and the TNGA is no different in that it provides a much stiffer body with a lower centre of gravity to aid with handling dynamics, while also being stronger and safer as a result. After all, you always want to protect your loved ones and a good, solid chassis is the best place to start. That being said, torsional rigidity and strength isn’t the real crown jewel of the TNGA platform.

What makes the TNGA so special? In the case of the C-HR, Camry, and
Corolla
, the platform comes with MacPherson strut front suspension, and double-wishbone rear suspension – a combination that’s used even at the highest levels of luxury vehicles. The terms may sound a little alien to you, but we’ll try our best to explain them! The front suspension is really simple (it’s just the suspension strut connected to the wheel hub and lower arm), but it is carefully calculated and optimized to give you great steering response and feel.

The rear is where the real magic happens. It’s a little strange to imagine, but the back of the car is where most of the discomfort comes from when you go over bumps and undulations – which is why it’s more important that the back of the car takes bumps smoothly. Double wishbones are pretty complicated, but they are also really good at controlling what the wheels do precisely – which is great for both hard driving and gentle cruising.

With the front and the rear working in harmony, the result is a car that handles with high agility and responsiveness at a level you don’t find even in higher end cars, while also being extremely comfortable to drive. The steering is crisp and precise in your hands, the nose turns in eagerly but not in a way that scares you, and the car stays super flat when you take a corner. You usually need a car’s body to roll in a corner for stability, but the Corolla manages to get away with very little body roll, without causing any funny problems.

The way a car handles is something people rarely consider when it comes to what will probably be the second largest purchase in their life. Handling can be such a subjective topic – but it raises the question of what makes a car handle well, and why it even matters.

When handling is assessed, it’s more than just how fast a car can drive around in a circle (yes, there is an actual test that’s like this). The way a car handles is a whole bunch of different things in a single, interconnected package. From the way the steering feels in your hands, to how smoothly a car turns as you enter a corner, to how a car behaves when you have to brake hard in an emergency – these are all a part of handling too, just a little more based on feel than hard data.

But there is a point where the two worlds converge, and that’s in driver confidence and electronic driving aids. A car that handles well gives the driver confidence when driving in any situation – rain or shine – and the driver will know with certainty how a car is going to behave when they steer, brake, or accelerate. Knowing how a car is going to behave is important when dealing with unexpected situations on the road.

On the other hand, electronic driving aids like Vehicle Stability Control are there to try and save you if your tyres lose grip or the car becomes unstable. If a car handles well, these systems don’t have to intervene until much later – so one of the hallmarks of a great handling car is one that rarely needs to wake up those electronic nannies to stop you from careening off the road.

But what if you really aren’t the kind of person who layan corners or go for a Sunday drive down some twisty back roads? As we mentioned earlier, the other benefit of the TNGA layout is that it is super comfortable as that rear suspension can take the shocks and undulations of the road in stride. Again, this is a place where the Corolla punches far, far, far above its belt and price-tag.

You could read all of this and still not be convinced – and that’s a good thing, because we encourage scepticism in anything that you read or hear. The best way to understand this is to go to your nearest Toyota showroom and test drive the Corolla – or C-HR, or Camry – for yourself. Any of these cars will show you just how great the TNGA platform is, whether you’re driving slow or quick, on smooth or rough roads.

With the EZ Beli Auto Financing Plan that is currently available, you get a 9-year financing plan that progresses in instalment amount as you progress with your career. For the Corolla, you pay just RM 978 for the first three years of the loan. This then goes up to RM 1,418 for the fourth to sixth year, and finally RM 1,858 for the last three years of the loan. Check out the details
here
.

There’s also the Toyota Service Savers campaign that is currently ongoing which lets you pre-purchase your services ahead of time – up to 5 years for a brand-new Toyota Corolla. For the program, you need to fork out RM 3,410 – which lets you save up to RM 511 over the next five years as you get a preferential rate on pricing for parts and other components.

Time for a Corolla maybe?


Zero Emissions Driving Has Never Been This Cool: Meet The Cirin

Well, it’s not exactly the sort of car you would come to Carlist.my for, but hey, this one has us all salivating on this Friday evening. Meet The Cirin: a 3D printed, rubber-band-powered, RC car.
Apart from having a chassis that’s pretty amazeb*lls to look at, its rubber-band power makes it go without having to plug in to a wall for an hour’s charge every 15 minutes or so, or waste expensive nitro running it: just wind it up, and you’re off.
There are batteries in this thing, but it’s plainly to power the two servos (brakes, steering) and WiFi connectivity, but drive is completely of a spinning shaft in the center, driven by the elasticity of a 16-foot long rubber band contained within the carbon fibre tube. And no, you don’t have to wind it up manually – it’s a matter of a power tool to do the job, and you’ll get a range of “500 feet,” so claims
3dprint.com
. If our maths are any good, over a 50-foot circuit, that’s a solid 10 laps!
Because of the lightweight construction, it’s also quick: its top speed nears 50km/h!
In short, we want one. So to the makers, Max Greenberg, Ian Cullimore, could you be so kind as to make this available for sale? We’d be quite happy to ship a couple of pieces over, as we’re sure many others will.


There's a Toyota 2000GT Coming to Pebble

The Toyota 2000GT was a car which proved to the world that Toyota could make a sports car. It was low slung and arguably bore a strong resemblance to the Jaguar E-Type, but it was engineered and developed as Toyota's own. With limited production numbers (only 351 ever produced), the car slipped out of the public eye- despite even featuring in a James Bond flick. In more recent years they have become highly sought after- a piece of Toyota's rich heritage.
Back when it was launched in 1967, the 2000GT was regarded as being technically advanced. The engine, like most great Toyota engines, we developed in partnership with Yamaha. It's a 2.0-litre unit with a mere 150 hp, but for the 1960s it was solid performance. It could also withstand 72 hours of outright abuse on a high speed oval, which was an indication of its prowess. Beyond this, the 2000GT also had fully independent suspension both front and rear, and a limited slip differential.
This particular example is going on sale at the Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auction, but it's a special one. Besides being extensively restored, down to the minute detail, this 2000GT is well travelled. It has driven through the rolling hills and forests of Maine, the coastal roads of South Africa, the Californian city of San Jose, and even the tropical country of Costa Rica. The expected price for this? 600,000 to 700,000 USD, although expect prices to skyrocket as buyers have deep pockets.


BMW Updates 7 Series With New Engines, New Tech, And Outrageously Large Grilles

BMW has discreetly taken wraps off the updated 7 Series, which promises to offer better driving dynamics, a heightened level of comfort, better fuel economy, as well as improved driver assistance and connectivity features.
The big news besides the kidney grilles that are 40% larger than before, is that BMW has updated the 7 Series’ engine range to include a new eight-cylinder engine and an in-line six-cylinder unit with plug-in hybrid system offering extended electric range.
Spearheading the line-up of engines is the 6.6-litre V12 petrol engine in the M760Li xDrive which produces 585 hp and 850 Nm of maximum torque, with a century sprint time of just 3.8 seconds.
And then we have the 750i xDrive which features an updated version of BMW’s 4.4-litre V8 engine which offers a maximum power output of 530 hp (80 hp more than the engine it replaces) and 750 Nm (100 Nm more than before).
The entry level 740i and 740Li, on the other hand, are powered by a 3.0-litre straight six engine kicking out 340 hp and a peak torque of 450Nm.
The new 7 will also be offered in plug-in hybrid versions (745e, 745Le, 745Le xDrive) which are powered by a powertrain package comprising a 280 hp, 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine, and an electric motor rated at 113 hp (84 kW), bringing the total output figures to 389 hp, enabling the cars to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
With the Driving Experience Control switch set to Sport mode in the PHEV versions, total power of 394 hp is available, while the maximum combined torque goes up to 600 Nm.
Capable of doing the century sprint between 5.1 and 5.3 seconds, the BMW 745e and BMW 745Le xDrive models are capable of achieving an electric-only range of up to 57 km.
Besides the above, the new 7 also offers a trio of 3.0-litre in-line six diesel engines delivering 265 hp with a peak torque of 620 Nm.
While a latest-generation eight-speed Steptronic transmission is featured in the BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive versions, the 745e and 745Le xDrive are equipped with a hybrid-specific variant of the eight-speed Steptronic transmission.
Offered in standard and long wheelbase body variants, both versions have grown by 22 mm over their respective predecessors. Besides that, the longer version of the 7 now comes with a 3,210 mm long wheelbase which is 14 cm longer than before.
As mentioned before, the kidney grille is now significantly larger and features an active air flap control with adjustable vanes that only open when the need for cooling air is increased.
The new 7 also features new Air Breathers that optimise the flow of air through the wheel arches, helping to reduce turbulence. Air outlets that are integrated into the side panels now extend much further upwards and their trim strips form a 90-degree angle with the side trim elements.
At the rear, the 3D tail lights are 35 mm slimmer than on the outgoing car. New features include a slim light strip situated below the chrome bar, and the exhaust tailpipes which are now edged in wider chrome surrounds.
18-inch light-alloy wheels are offered as standard, but options up to 21-inches are also available. New to the line-up are 20-inch light-alloy wheels in multi-spoke and star-spoke design, and 21-inch light-alloy wheels in W-spoke design.
Moving inside, the new 7 comes standard with a hands-free phone system and wireless charging. Previously situated under the centre console armrest, the tray for smartphones that support wireless charging is now positioned immediately in front of the cupholders. LED ambient lighting with a choice of six colours is also available as standard.
The rear-seat entertainment system comprises two 10-inch full-HD displays complete with a Blu-ray player. The system allows users to access the entertainment, navigation and online functions of the vehicle from the rear seats.
The viewing angle of the screens, which now have touchscreen functionality, can be adjusted in accordance with the rear seat passengers’ existing seat position.
The car also includes the latest version of the BMW Touch Command unit. This removable tablet with a 7-inch screen can be used from any seat and even outside the vehicle.
Having said that, the new 7 Series will be progressively introduced in various markets across the world from April onwards.


Proton Iriz 1.6L Premium CVT – Review Ringkas Dan Jujur

Minggu lalu, saya berkesempatan untuk memandu
Proton Iriz 1.6 Premium CVT
 yang merupakan varian tertinggi model tersebut dan jujurnya, saya amat berpuas hati dengan kuda sporty keluaran negara ini.

Bagi sesiapa yang meminati kereta hatchback yang sporty dan selesa, Proton Iriz merupakan antara pilihan terbaik yang boleh anda buat pada ketika ini. Dengan harga RM50,700, Proton Iriz ini memang sesuai untuk mereka yang bujang atau mempunyai keluarga kecil untuk bergerak di sekitar kawasan bandar berikutan saiznya yang kecil.

Lagipun tiada beza pun model ini dengan
Iriz R3
 yang baru dilancarkan itu. Sekadar kosmetik sahaja. Berdasarkan pemerhatian saya sebagai seorang pembeli kereta seperti anda juga, berikut merupakan beberapa perkara yang saya rasa penting diberi pertimbangan wajar sebelum kita memilih sesebuah kereta.

Spesifikasi

Enjin: 1.6L, In-line 4-Silinder, 16 Valve DOHC, VVT

Kuasa: 109 PS / 5,750 rpm

Tork: 150 Nm / 4,000 rpm

Transmisi: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Keselamatan: 6 beg udara, Isofix, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Hold Assist (HHA), sensor hadapan dan belakang, Kamera undur, alarm serta Impact Sensing Door Unlock.

Harga: RM50,700

Keselesaan

Zaman-zaman kereta laju ni dah berlalu. Dengan keadaan trafik bandar sekarang yang kebanyakkannya sesak, nak pandu laju-laju pergi mana? Bila dah selalu sangkut dalam kesesakan lalu lintas, faktor keselesaan itu yang paling penting kerana anda bakal terperangkap dalam kereta lebih lama berbanding kebiasaannya.

Yang paling saya suka tentang Proton Iriz ini semestinya tempat duduk hadapan dan belakang dengan balutan kulit yang kemas. Rekaan tempat duduk hadapan Iriz ini ringkas sahaja, tapi kelainan dapat dirasai bila dah duduk di kerusi tersebut. Terasa seakan-akan kerusi itu memeluk tubuh saya dan membuatkan perjalanan jarak jauh lebih selesa. Kalau sangkut dalam kesesakan trafik pun tiada masalah!

Tempat duduk belakang pun best juga. Kedudukan perehat kepada boleh laras tu memang direka betul-betul kena dengan seating position kereta ini. Keadaan ruang kaki dan kepala di belakang pun selesa. Mungkin faktor badan saya yang kurus mempengaruhi pendapat ini. Tapi secara amnya, saya memang berpuas hati dengan rekaan kerusi tempat duduk kereta ini.`

Selain itu, suspension serta binaan kukuh kereta ini juga tidak kurang hebatnya. Selain sesuai untuk jalan bandar, Proton Iriz 1.6 Premium ini turut mampu meredah permukaan jalan tidak rata dengan baik sekali. Taraf kegegaran kenderaan ini agak memberangsangkan. Steady je redah jalan tak rata dan kereta masih berada dalam keadaan stabil.  Berbanding dengan rivalnya,
Perodua Myvi
, Proton Iriz lebih memberi impak secara keseluruhan dari segi keselasaan dengan tempat duduk yang selesa serta bunyi enjin yang lebih senyap.

Prestasi & Keupayaan

Iriz dikuasakan oleh enjin 1.6L VVT (109 PS/150Nm) dan dipadankan dengan kotak gear CVT automatic. Semasa memandu, saya dapati terdapat sedikit delay di saat saya memijak pedal minyak sebelum kenderaan memecut. Namun tempoh delay itu tidak lah begitau ketara dan mengganggu saya. Pada mereka yang kaki pecut, mungkin akan sedikit terasa.

Selain itu, benda yang betul-betul buat saya berminat dengan Iriz adalah kawalan pemanduan atau handling yang ada pada jentera ini. Bawak atas 130km/h pun masih steady tanpa gegar. Kalau bahagian corner tu jangan cakap lah, layan teruk! Senang cerita, handling Proton ni memang power lah. Ia memberi lebih keyakinan pada pemandu untuk melalui jalan-jalan yang mencabar.

Interior

Bahagian dalamannya tidak lah terlalu buruk atau terlalu cantik. Sebagai seorang yang berketinggian 182cm, ruangan kepala serta kaki di ruangan pemandu tidaklah sesempit Ford Fiesta. Panel instrumen yang terdapat pada Iriz ini juga jauh lebih kemas berbanding model sebelum ini.

Kualiti bunyi yang dipancarkan melalu speaker yang dilengkapi pada kereta ini juga tidak kurang hebatnya. Dengan butang kawalan paras bunyi di stereng, anda tak perlu nak alihkan tangan daripada stereng pun. Selain itu, Proton Iriz ini juga turut hadir dengan teknologi ‘Hi Proton’ yang berkemampuan untuk mengawal audio seperti muzik, radio dan navigasi di paparan head unit. Kira cool juga la bila dapat berkomunikasi dengan kereta.

Ia juga turut hadir dengan tiga USB port. Jadi kalau nak jalan jauh tu tak perlu berebut nak cas phone masing-masing dah. Kalau pakai android, korang boleh guna cable usb untuk mirror screen phone pada paparan infotainment yang terdapat pada kereta ini. Pengguna iPhone duduk situ diam-diam. Tapi yang bestnya, kalau beli varian ini, korang akan dapat data percuma untuk kereta selama 5 tahun. Boleh guna untuk nagivasi dan stream lagu. Tak perlu guna phone dah lepas ini. Boleh jimat bateri!

Exterior

Bahagian luaran kereta ini memang sporty. Meskipun mempunyai wajah sama seperti
Persona
, namun Proton Iriz lebih membuat saya terpesona dengan warna dwi-tona, shark fin antenna, dan spoiler mengancam di bahagian belakang. Gabungan warna hitam di bahagian atas dan belakang kereta digabungkan bersama biru menaikkan lagi rupa sporty kereta hatchback ini.

Safety/ Keselamatan

Kalau nak cerita pasal keselamatan, ciri keselamatan asas seperti beg udara keselamatan, ABS dan EBD, Kawalan Kestabilan serta cagak Isofix semua ada pada Iriz ini. Selain ada sensor hadapan dan belakang, ada kamera pandang belakang lagi. Tapi sebagai bekas pemandu Proton Wira, saya lebih selesa pusing kepala dan guna cermin sisi. Mungkin sebab dah biasa.

Kekurangan

Tapi seperti biasalah, kereta ini tidaklah sempurna. Ada beberapa perkara yang saya kurang gemar dengan Proton Iriz ini. Antaranya ialah terdapat sedikit glitch pada paparan head unit kereta ini apabila saya memainkan muzik menggunakan sambungan Bluetooth. Kadang-kala ok, kadang-kadang terpaksa disconnect dan set semula. Leceh sikit lah. Siapa suruh guna iPhone kan? Kalau saya guna Android mungkin tiada masalah ini.

Selain itu, fungsi 'Hi Proton' itu tidaklah secekap Siri di iPhone. Kadang-kala kena cuba dua tiga kali juga sebelum dia faham. Voice command pada Iriz ini juga tidaklah sehebat
X50
 yang mampu menurunkan tingkap kereta. Tapi bagi saya, ianya tidaklah begitu dirasai kerana saya tidaklah begitu bergantung pada sistem arahan suara.

Kesimpulan

Dengan tanda harga seperti ini, saya pun tidaklah meletakkan jangkaan yang tinggi. Namun walau bagaimanapun, setelah seminggu memandu jentera ini, saya amat berpuas hati. Berbanding Myvi, Proton Iriz lebih murah. Meskipun agak tenggelam berbanding Perodua Myvi dari segi jualan, bagi saya Proton Iriz tidaklah seteruk mana dari segi prestasi dan kawalan pemanduannya. Namun pendapat manusia berbeza-beza.

Untuk saya yang berumur 26 tahun, Proton Iriz ini memang sesuai untuk dijadikan sebagai kereta pertama saya. Dengan saiznya yang kecil serta chasis yang tahan lasak, ia mudah dikendalikan di kawasan yang sempit sehinggalah di kawasan yang lasak.

Kebolehan Proton Iriz yang mampu memberi keyakinan kepada pemandu dengan handling yang amat gah patut diberi pujian. Dah la selesa, yakin, murah pula tu. Apa lagi yang anda mahu?


Lexus Rated UK's Most Reliable Manufacturer… Again

Lexus has once again topped the charts as UK’s most reliable manufacturer, leading a field of 159 vehicles models across 31 brands, and ten different vehicle classes in the recent
Whatcar
survey.
The survey covered reliability performance in a variety of areas, including mechanical components, bodywork, and trims.
Participants of the survey were also queried on how long satisfactory repairs normally took and the cost of the repair work. Findings were weighted to take into account the severity and impact of any faults.
Taking the various category results into account, the survey confirmed that, “the most dependable brand for long-term ownership is Lexus, led by the Lexus CT hybrid hatchback model.”


Review: 2021 Proton Exora 1.6L Premium CVT - There's A Reason Why Proton Still Keeps It Around

If you're like us and wondering why Proton is still selling the Exora, then wonder no more because we think we know why Proton is still keeping it around.

The Proton Exora is the longest-serving member of Proton's current range, having been introduced in 2009. Just as a quick recap, the current Exora you can purchase is a
three-times revised
 version of the national MPV.

After the first update in 2011, when the model received its 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, it received a second one in 2017, mainly seeing some exterior updates such as a new Proton logo, blacked-out rear spoiler, new alloy wheels and some other blacked-out exterior pieces that gave it a fresher look.

The third update was
conducted in 2019
, which saw the
long-serving member
 of the Proton family receiving interior updates such as the 7-inch (GKUI) touchscreen infotainment unit with the "Hi Proton" voice command system, new meter cluster design, additional USB ports, new seats, door trim upholstery, and a clear plastic bezel rearview mirror. Note, however, that most of these features are only available on the Premium variant.

It's also important to note that both variants now only offer a maximum of two airbags: the 2015 Premium and Super Premium variants (on sale from 2015 to 2017) offered side airbags, so this can be viewed as a step backward, even at odds with Proton's current strategy, which - in the cases of the X70, Iriz, and Persona - has been to offer excellent safety features across the model range. Also, the Executive variant doesn't include stability control or a rearview camera.

Despite all these "
misgivings
", we still think the Exora can handsomely serve a family minus the expectation of it being the safest vehicle around - and here's why.

Interior and Comfort

The inside of the Proton Exora is a rather pleasant place to be in. The updated interior, seating and upholstery is a welcome addition and, for the money, looks quite stylish and plush. Moreover, it doesn't feel like an outdated MPV, which came as quite a surprise to me.

What does give away its age is the plastics around the dashboard and door panels, and the same can be said about the toggles for the wipers and lights - but hey, it's no deal-breaker.

While the infotainment system, like in the Iriz and Persona, is intrinsically competent, it is not the flashiest around. Still, it does offer Bluetooth and Mirrorlink as well as a rearview camera (in the
Premium variant
), which will do the job of providing convenience for most buyers.

Seating configuration

In our opinion, this is one of the key reasons why Proton has kept the Exora around because when compared to vehicles in its segment and price range, it's pretty hard to beat the Exora's fantastic capability to house seven passengers comfortably.

Out of all other seven-seaters around its price range, it's pretty hard to beat the spaciousness of the Exora. In particular, the third row might not seem befitting to house a couple of adults comfortably on long journeys, but it magically does, especially when you recline the seats a little bit. Yes, someone past 6 feet in height might feel a bit cramped back there, but it'll be fine for the average Malaysian.

However, with the seats reclined in the third row, it does present buyers with the problem of where to put their luggage. Well, we say with a quick investment in a roof cargo box, your luggage woes will be gone - so yeah,
 there are solutions
 for this problem.

How does it feel to drive?

Given the age of the Exora's platform and powertrain, it's surprising to experience that the Exora still drives like a newer more current MPV. Our drive to the east coast and back gave us the chance to drive the Exora on crowded city roads, the twisty highway of Karak, and the backroads of Pahang.

The Exora offers very composed handling and impressive comfort levels.

A testament to its good structural rigidity, the Exora doesn't really wallow that much and tracks straight and confidently at high speeds.

We didn't expect the Exora to be good when fully loaded with passengers and luggage, but the suspension setup is competent, making the Exora a very comfortable place to be in for long drives - more so than the Alza and even the Aruz, in our opinion.

The brakes on the Exora are a little meh, but we have no grouses with the overall braking performance.

While dated and thirsty by current standards, the engine is still a good unit – providing 205 Nm of torque from as low as 2,000 rpm, which is sufficient to get the Exora up to the highway speed limit quite quickly. Mind you, it does this with a whole load of passengers and baggage.

But it's not all hunky-dory because as much as Proton has optimised the software of the CVT-type automatic transmission, such as on the Iriz and Persona, the transmission in the Exora is an older generation unit, so it's
not as refined as the ones in its siblings
. This is particularly obvious during initial acceleration, but it is pretty smooth when you're just cruising around.

Conclusion

So why has Proton kept the Exora around? Because where else
can you find
 this much space, practicality and power for under RM70k? The answer is nowhere else, especially when you consider the comfort level it provides for seven passengers for long journeys. Just buy a rooftop cargo box, and you're pretty much sorted for an affordable family carrier.

Specifications for the 2021 Proton Exora 1.6L Premium CVT

Price: RM 66,800 - OTR without insurance

Engine: 1.6-litre, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder, VVT

Power: 140 PS @ 5,000 rpm

Torque: 205 Nm @ 2,000 – 4,000 rpm

Transmission: CVT-type automatic, front-wheel drive

Safety: Two airbags, ABS with EBD, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)


Elon Musk is new Twitter CEO, automakers stop all advertising spend

Elon Musk buyout and eventual instatement as CEO of social media platform Twitter has raised plenty of concern among automakers given his
ongoing position at Tesla
, their major rival in the EV space.

If we didn’t know any better, we’d say that he’s got them triggered. And who can really blame them. He has known to sound off some eyebrow-raising tweets from time to time and once posted “I hate advertising.”

Since Musk’s first day helming the micro-blogging site, the rumours have been swirling about the man’s agenda pushing within the company in addition to public/leaked information of incoming layoffs and corporate restructuring to make Twitter more profitable, including making the platform a paid-only service.

When it comes to automakers, though, most if not all within their marketing spheres are at least wary of this development. Some major brands and automotive groups have decided to outright withdraw their advertising spend on the platform.

This was unofficial boycott was led by Audi USA, but later expanded to include the entirety of the
Volkswagen Group
 (Porsche, Bugatti-Rimac, Skoda, SEAT, Lamborghini, Bentley, Ducati) who, in a statement to Reuters, said: "We are closely monitoring the situation and will decide about the next steps depending on its evolvement.”

Since these companies are now liable to disclose sensitive information within the platform, one now owned by a rival automaker’s CEO, practices such as private messages and the tweeting about sales, promotions, new model teasers and such will come with an undertone of paranoia.

Fellow American automotive brand Ford has also come out admitting it has halted all advertising spend on Twitter following Musk’s takeover, and the same goes
with General Motors
. A spokesperson for GM said that the company was "engaging with Twitter to understand the direction of the platform under new ownership.”

Stellantis, the 4th largest automaker by volume, has taken a less aggressive stance, saying that it will continue to monitor all social media channels involved with its brands and will stay “vigilant” of any untoward activity or behaviour.

Beyond automotive, there are plenty of other brands that have been observed responding similarly to their involvement with the Twitter platform, ranging from cosmetics to big food.

Currently, it is estimated that advertising accounts for 90% of Twitter’s revenue.


2015 Volkswagen Polo Facelift Previewed In Malaysia: New Face, Kit & Price?

Volkswagen
 Group Malaysia certainly had a few unexpected encounters for us during a special assembly plant tour in Pekan, where surprise, surprise, the new 2015
Volkswagen Polo
 facelift awaits.

Now, make no mistake, this isn’t a launch event. Volkswagen Group Malaysia have been kind enough to invite us to their facility and show us the car. They’ve been kind enough to say that it’s okay for us to show you the car, so here we are.

The pre-facelift Polo 1.6 hatchback has been locally assembled here at the DRB-Hicom assembly plant since early January 2014, when it was first launched at an introductory price of RM85,888. More recently, RM89,888 is what is asked of the car (excluding insurance). Prices for the facelift model you see here are unknown at the time of writing, so do hang tight for that.

Volkswagen’s assembly line has seemingly received kits for the facelifted B-segment hatch for some time now, and production, as you can see, is well underway.

PERFORMANCE:

First previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014, the Volkswagen Polo facelift adopted minor exterior changes, but quite an extensive list of mechanical and tech upgrades. Briefly, the new Polo welcome a whole range of new engine options, including a three-pot 1.2 turbo (TSI) mill which makes up to 110hp.

For Malaysia, it’s a return of the 1.6-litre MPI (Multi-Point Injection) four-cylinder normally-aspirated engine, and a conventional six-speed torque converter automatic – no DSG, dual-clutch wizardry has been employed here. As a result, you get 105PS @ 5,250rpm and 153Nm of torque @ 3,800rpm.

Engine: 1.6-litre Multi-point Injection (MPI), four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed automatic with Tiptronic

Horsepower: 103hp @5,250rpm

Torque: 153Nm @3,800rpm

Performance: 0-100km/h in 11.1 seconds

Fuel consumption: 6.3l/100km claimed

EXTERIOR STYLING:

Overall, Volkswagen hasn’t wandered off too far with its design updates, keeping the Polo’s handsome looks well intact. Around the front, the front bumper has been reworked to reflect the brand’s latest designs, just as the headlamps have been tweaked to now appear split down the middle – higher-grade variants of the Polo are even offered with LED main beams.

In Malaysia, we’re not as fortunate to benefit from projector-type headlamps or LEDs anywhere. It’s the same reflectors with bulbs for us. Around the rear, the taillights feature new graphics as well, but will take a trained-eye to properly distinguish the two.

The Polo facelift also maintains similar wheel designs as before, being 15-inch ‘Riverside’ alloy wheels, wrapped in 185/60 R15 rubbers.

INTERIOR DESIGN:

The most noticeable change on the inside is the introduction of a flat-bottomed, D-shaped steering wheel with audio, voice and cruise control buttons on both sides of the wheel, which replaces the full circle steering of old.

The dashboard has been very slightly tweaked, now featuring a two-tone styling, which the head unit is a retained Radio RCD 320 – something we were impressed to see the Polo get at all, featuring USB, iPod, and SD card connectivity.

The seats remain full fabric, while the steering wheel, gear-knob and handbrake lever are wrapped in leather. Interestingly, the design on the seats are now of a honeycomb design instead of the previous vertical-lined ones.

SAFETY:

Previous, the pre-facelift Polo 1.6 featured some impressive safety equipment, like the Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS), but was disappointingly offered with only two airbags, and no electronic stability program (ESP/ESC) of any sort. The competitively priced Honda Jazz 1.5 V however, features a full six airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist (Honda’s term for the equivalent of an ESP system) amongst other things.

Buyer’s Guide:

Unfortunately, we can’t tell you how much the new Polo 1.6 facelift retails for, because as mentioned, it hasn’t been launched yet. This is a mere preview of the mildly refreshed model at its assembly facility.

Volkswagen haven’t revealed when exactly they plan to officially take the car to market, so if or not we’ll have a similarly priced Polo hatch at RM89,888 in due time? We’ll see.


2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Toyota Corolla vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Mazda 3

The new 2020 Hyundai Elantra will enter the tough C-segment sedan market full of stalwart Japanese models - but does it cut the mustard set by these Japanese Goliaths?

The imminent arrival of the
Hyundai Elantra
 is heating up the competition in the C-Segment sedan market, for it is a looker like no other.

With strong contenders like the
Mazda 3
 and Toyota Corolla all fighting hard to dethrone the Honda Civic which is the number one car in the segment, can the stylish little Korean be significant enough to break the H dominance or at the very least stir the water in what seems like a total domination of cars from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Exterior Design

The outlandish styling and futuristic look of the Hyundai Elantra has raised some eyebrows when it comes to the C-Segment sedan exterior styling department. Its angular lines really do bring a good impression of what futuristic cars might look like.

Whether the exterior design will be a novelty rather than a timeless piece of car exterior design is something that only time can tell, but at this present moment, it's definitely the Elantra that has the most striking design! While the
Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla
 are no ugly ducklings, only the refreshingly good looking Mazda 3 can put up a fight in terms of exterior styling.

Round One goes to the Elantra.

Interior

While we are used to seeing impressively sharp exterior designs coming out of Hyundai, it's actually the interior that has surprised us the most. With improved materials and a better choice of colours, the Elantra does mimic an interior more European than Korean. The cocooning "cockpit-like" feel for the driver is what we are most smitten with.

The Japanese cars have all gone for more of a practical type interior design, which to some is a much better proposition. Honda are the masters of packaging, which is one of the reasons why they are at the top spot in the segment. They just know how to maximise space in tight little cabins - and we feel this trumps all.

Round Two goes to Honda.

C
lockwise from top left: Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra

Performance

When it comes to performance on paper, the Hyundai Elantra disappoints no matter how you look at it. The Elantra is powered by the 'Smartstream G' 1.6-litre, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine which has an output of 123PS and 154Nm of torque at 4,500rpm - which makes it one of the least powerful cars in the pack.

Hyundai did say that the engine is geared towards fuel savings rather than outright performance. There is, however, the first of its kind Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) with 8-speed virtual ratios from the Elantra to think about, but since we have not tried it out we can't say what it is like. The Mazda 3's 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-G engine makes around the same amount of torque at 4,000rpm, while the Toyota Corolla's 2ZR-FE 1.8-litre engine produces 172Nm at 4,000rpm.

There's just no way around it, Honda's 1.5-litre DOHC VTEC TURBO powerplant is the most impressive of the lot. Economical, powerful and refined, it's just hard to beat.

Come on guys; you've got to give Honda a bit more competition in this department.

Round Three also goes to Honda.

Driving dynamics

Since we haven't had a chance to drive the Elantra we can't say much of how it handles, but it's got to be good if it wants to beat the Toyota Corolla. Where the Civic is a more practical feeling car, we can't run away from the fact that Toyota has managed to excel in the departments of ride and handling. That's not to say that the Civic is a slouch, but rather that Toyota's TNGA platform which underpins many of their models is just that much more refined.

It's rare that a mass-market car can handle both tight and twisty sections of road as well as being completely comfortable on a daily commute, but that is one of the strengths of the Corolla. The Mazda 3 feels pretty good in the twisties, but it just can't balance good handling and comfort like the Toyota.

Round 4 sees the Toyota Corolla win in a department where it is usually lacking.

Safety

The Elantra features the complete suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which puts it on par with its rivals from
Honda
 (Sensing), and
Toyota
(Safe-T). The Mazda 3 does come with Mazda's advance safety feature called i-ACTIVSENSE, but it's not as well equipped as the rest.

Round 5 sees a tie between the Elantra, Civic and
Corolla
.

Which is for you?

From what you can see, there's something to like about all of the cars above. It's pretty hard to say which one will be the right one for you because that is subjective. However, it is clear that the Honda Civic is
better
 in a couple of departments which is why it is the current C-segment sedan king.

But if you ever want to stick out in a crowd, the
Mazda 3
 and Hyundai Elantra will do the trick and for those who love a balanced drive of comfort and tight handling, the Toyota Corolla should be in your options.

For this writer, if he had to choose, he would stick with the tried and tested Honda Civic, it's just got too much going for it and for a car that's supposed to function as a start and drive, it is quite unbeatable. Predictable perhaps, but I like my cars like my favorite roti canai. It tastes the same each time and that's just fine.

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

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

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


Honda Civic Type R Breaks Nurburgring FWD Record

When it comes to lap records, none are quite as recognized or sought after as those set at the Nurburgring. While supercars and sports cars may hold the the fastest lap records for the "Ring", one of the most contentious class of cars is the front-wheel drive hot hatchback. We're talking specifically front-wheel driven cars, so models like the Volkswagen Golf R and Mercedes-AMG A 45 are excluded from this comparison.
The record for front-wheel driven cars at the Ring used to be held tightly by Renault Sport with their Megane RS series of cars. The Megane RS 275 Trophy R in particular was the last of the Meganes to hold that record, and the most powerful one yet. In 2015, the Megane RS was ousted by the Honda Civic Type R Hatchback (FK2R), and the following year this record was taken over by Volkswagen with the Golf GTI Clubsport. Coming into 2017, we see that record once again going back to Honda, with the new Civic Type R Hatchback (FK8R)- with a blistering 7 minutes, 43.80 seconds. The FK8R comes with the new 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine that debuted in the FK2R, with a whopping 316 hp and 400 Nm from 2500 rpm.
There is absolutely no doubt that the engineers in Renault Sport are working overtime with the next generation Megane in order to produce another record setting car- but for now, let's look at why the FK8R is noticeably quicker than its predecessor. Perhaps the most important changes are that of dimension, with the track width and the wheelbase of the new FK8R being wider and longer than the FK2R respectively, which gives it more stability and lends itself better to the high-speed track that is the Nurburgring. It's also worth noting that the FK8R comes with multi-link rear suspension as well, as opposed to the torsion beam suspension of the Civic Hatchbacks that preceded it.
The new FK8R is based on the new Civic Hatchback, which is a global product compared to the Europe-only Civic Hatchbacks from before. That being said, it does look a little more like a liftback or a sedan if one were not paying close attention. Some critics may argue that the roll-cage and stickier tyres installed on this FK8R during this record-setting run make it a little unfair, but let's remember that even the Golf GTI Clubsport came with a roll-cage and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres from factory. Whether or not the FK8R employs these is inconsequential as it would only be fair- not to mention the fact that tyres vary from market to market regardless of car, and that most cars setting records on the Ring require a roll cage out of safety.

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It's only a matter of time before someone else takes the title over, but this doesn't really matter. While tuning and development on the Nurburgring is a good idea as it exposes the car to a variety of conditions and speeds that engineers can find a middle ground for, the lap time itself is irrelevant. Conditions at the Nurburgring can be extremely varied depending on time of year, and even if they were consistent it is but a single track. What works at the Nurburgring may not perform as well at Sepang International Circuit, and so on and so forth- so it's best to take these records lightly.


Mercedes-Benz Updates Its SLK-Class Line-up For 2015

The
Mercedes-Benz
 SLK will soon be known as the SLC as part of the company’s new naming nomenclature but that hasn’t stopped the Stuttgart-based carmaker from launching the new SLK roadster in the European market. The 2015 model now comes with new engine and transmission options.
Up first is the entry-level
Mercedes-Benz
 SLK 200, now with a 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder with a third-generation direct injection and multi-spark ignition system. Power output is rated at 184hp with 30Nm more torque than the preceding model at 300Nm.
Next, the new SLK 300 replaces the outgoing SLK 250 and also receives Mercedes-Benz’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot but now delivers 245hp and 370Nm, a substantial 40hp and 60Nm of torque more than before.
The diesel option is now called the SLK 250d (previously SLK 250 CDI) which calls upon its 2.1-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder for 204hp and 500Nm of torque. Although power figures remain the same, fuel consumption is less by 0.4 litres per 100km, now 4.4 litres per 100km and only 114g/km of CO2 produced.
As for transmission options, the SLK 200 comes with a six-speed manual transmission but is also available with the new nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. The 9G-Tronic comes as standard on the SLK 300 and SLK 250d.
Other remaining models in the range include the SLK 350 and SLK 55 AMG. This along with all the above-mentioned SLK models comply with the EU6 emissions standard and come featured with the ECO start/stop function.
Extended standard equipment fitted include LED daytime-running lights, LTE-capable aerial for improved reception and transmission of mobile radio signals.
Standard safety equipment include ATTENTION ASSIST to DISTRONIC PLUS with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS and Adaptive Brake Assist with Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist as additional options.


Capturs Are Getting More Popular In Malaysia, Where Is The Second-Gen Already?

The second-gen Captur is more than a year old now, isn't it high time we got it?

When the Renault Captur was first introduced to the Malaysian market way back in
2015
, who knew they would be as popular as they are now.

Undoubtedly, the rise of the Captur can be credited to the incredible
subscription leasing programme
 that TC Euro Car created, but it still doesn't take away from the fact that so many Malaysians seem to share a
fondness
 for this cute little French compact SUV.

Seeing the demand for these cars today, somewhere in TC Euro Cars, we're sure they must be planning to bring in the second generation Captur, and to be honest, we can't wait for it to arrive.

The second-generation Captur was unveiled internationally in
2019
. It has 85 percent new parts and now sits on the new generation CMF-B modular platform, shared amongst the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.

Apart from the lighter architecture around the axles, hood, and bodywork, Renault also claims that the car has greater acoustic comfort, credited to better insulation around the engine area.

As far as the exterior goes, the all-new Captur now adopts Renault's latest design language with its signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights. LED headlights also come as standard fitment across the range. The taillights are C-shaped, which helps accentuate the car's width. The Captur's distinctive contrasting roof colour remains, which helps familiarise the SUV.

The second-gen Captur also gets two wide air deflectors in front of the wheel arches, limiting air turbulence and improving the Captur's aerodynamic performance. Unlike the predecessor's disc and drum brakes combination, the all-new Captur will now get all-round discs.

Renault has also revamped the interior of its crossover, now with a completely new dashboard design with a floating-style infotainment display called the "Smart Cockpit". The infotainment system runs on Renault's Easy Link software, which includes support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Easy Link infotainment system also includes 4G LTE connectivity and a built-in navigation system by TomTom with real-time traffic updates.

Similar to the 5th-gen Clio, the all-new Captur gets a digital display in the instrument cluster, available in sizes between 7.0- and 10.2-inches.

At its launch in 2019, a range of petrol and diesel engines were made available for the all-new Captur, with varying output levels. For the petrol engines, output figures range from 100 hp to 155 hp, while diesel output figures range from 95 hp to 115 hp.

The most powerful petrol engine is the TCe 130, a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine that does 155 hp and 270 Nm, hooked up to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Compared to the current Captur in Malaysia, that's a bump up of 35 hp and 65 Nm of torque.

As for its safety equipment, the all-new Renault Captur can be specified with Renault’s Easy Drive system, which includes:

Highway and Traffic Jam Companion

Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go

Automatic Dipped Headlights

Active Emergency Braking

Blind Spot Warning

Traffic Signal Recognition with Speeding Alert

Lane Departure Warning

Lane Keeping Assist

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Easy Park Assist

Is it coming this year?


Christmas Comes Early With Wheelcorp Premium - from 0.68% interest for BMW, 0% for MINI

If you’re in the market for a new BMW or MINI, then Wheelcorp Premium is playing Santa Claus by offering you interest rates from as low as 0.68% for BMW and 0% for MINI. There will also be a selection of BMW Premium Selection vehicles for you to choose from.

Now that Malaysia is slowly but surely opening back up again for business, car shopping for many Malaysians is also back on the cards. To this effect, Wheelcorp Premium will be hosting its year-end sales promotion this coming weekend in Setia Alam.

Irresistible deals from BMW and MINI will be on offer with financing options starting from as low as 0.68% for BMW and from 0% for MINI, all happening this
November 13-14
 from
10am to 6pm
.

Now if that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, there will be further cash rebates of up to RM70,000 for the purchase of your new BMW vehicle. Fans of the iconic British brand MINI are also in for a treat as only for these two days, you will be able to purchase yourself a brand new MINI with interest rates from as low as 0%.

The above rebates are of course on top of the current Sales and Service Tax exemptions that are ongoing.

To further add to the festive cheer, lucky customers who purchase a MINI vehicle this weekend through Wheelcorp Premium will be in the running to win an iPhone 13 Pro and Harmon Kardon Aura Studio 3 Bluetooth speaker.

Now that you’ve got a new MINI, maybe you’d like to take it on a staycation? Wheelcorp Premium has you covered there too. A 2D 1N staycation is also up to be won by a lucky MINI customer.

Wait, wait...Wheelcorp Premium will also this weekend be offering a high trade-in value for your current vehicle if you’d like to trade up to either a new BMW, new MINI, or an option from BMW’s Premium Selection of used cars. Rest assured that every vehicle from BMW’s Premium Selection will come with an extended warranty which covers 15 major parts for 12 months.

An array of BMW Premium Selection is lined up for your viewing and test driving pleasure.

So make your way to
Wheelcorp Premium Setia Alam
 this weekend and you may be walking away with a new car, new iPhone and a staycation! Now, how’s that for a weekend well spent!

Get in touch with Wheelcorp Premium
here
 if you have any questions.


Porsche Brings Turbocharging to the Rest of the 911 Carrera and Targa Range

Seeing the world hasn’t ended with the
news of the downsized turbocharged 911 Carrera model range
,
Porsche
 has continued its plan to roll out its new turbocharged flat-six engine range over into the 2016 Porsche 911’s all-wheel drive variants, the Carrera 4 and 4S, Carrera 4 Cabriolet and 4S Cabriolet, and the Targa 4 and 4S.
Like the rear-wheel driven 911 Carrera models, the all-wheel drive models will utilise the same 3-litre bi-turbo flat-six engines, which produces a power output of 370hp and 450Nm of torque for the Carrera 4 and Targa 4. With the addition of modified compressors, a specific exhaust system, and tuned engine management on the Carrera 4S and
Targa 4S
, that power figure is cranked up to 420hp and 500Nm of torque.
With all-wheel drive traction from an electro-hydraulically controlled system, acceleration is expectantly quicker than its rear-wheel drive variants. Added with the bump in power and 0 to 100km/h times are taking a tumble across the range. The 911 Carrera 4 equipped with the PDK and Sport Chrono package is able to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds, 0.4 seconds faster than its predecessor, whereas the Carrera 4S gets there in 3.8 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker. Rated fuel consumption figures too are dropped across the board, though by varying degrees.
Following the all-wheel drive 911 format, the facelift retains the iconic light strip between the rear lights, which now incorporates a distinctive appearance, and rear flanks that are expanded by 44mm. Aside from those two distinguishing details, the facelifted all-wheel drive range of the 911 sports the same nip and tuck work, which includes the new four-point daytime running lights, door handles without recess covers, redesigned rear lid with vertical louvres, and new taillights.
Turbocharging technology isn’t the only thing that has filtered down from Porsche’s quicker models. Its electro-hydraulically controlled all-wheel drive system responds with even more speed and sensitivity thanks to technology lifted from
the 911 Turbo
.
The all-wheel drive system is said to work in harmony with the adaptive PASM chassis (Porsche Active Suspension Management) with its 10mm lower ride height, and retuned shock absorbers which boasts a wider spread of characteristics. Furthermore the Carrera 4S can be specified with an optional rear-axle steering system, the same sort of technology that is now used on the 911 Turbo and
911 GT3
.
Technology aside, the 911 now comes with a steering wheel whose design is inspired by
the 918 Spyder
. Not only that, for models specified with the optional Sport Chrono Package, the steering wheels will come fitted with a switch that consists of a rotary ring similar to that found on the 918’s steering wheel. The rotary ring toggles one of four driving modes, ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport Plus’, and ‘Individual’. With ‘Individual’, drivers can configure the set-up for the PASM, active engine mounts, the shifting strategy of the PDK, and sports exhaust.
In combination with the PDK gearbox, there is an additional mode switch known as ‘Sport Response Button’. What this does when the button is pressed is that the drivetrain is pre-conditioned to deliver the maximum acceleration for 20 seconds. The system would engage the optimum gear, whereas the engine management is adjusted to deliver an even more spontaneous response for a short time.


GALLERY: An Early Peek At The New 2015 Lexus ES In Malaysia

We’re not far from its official local debut, but here we have some showroom pics of the
as-yet unreleased
 new
Lexus
 ES 250.
Right now, Lexus is
taking bookings
. And as you might know, this car was just very recently
launched in Thailand
, and now its Malaysia’s turn.
A special thanks goes out to Alan, a Carlist.my reader, for sending us these pics. Big props to you.
The Lexus ES 250 luxury sedan, when launched, will be selling at a starting price of RM259,200 (OTR with insurance and GST) and will be available in two trims: Premium and Luxury.
Both, of course, will be powered by a 2.5-litre 2AR-FE four-cylinder petrol engine that churns out 181hp and 235Nm of torque.
Enjoy the gallery, folks.


All-New Honda HR-V Teased – Global Reveal In February 2021

Honda has just dropped a bombshell by revealing that the next-generation Honda HR-V will celebrate its global debut in exactly one month (18th Feb 2021) from now.

The third-generation of Honda's
highly successful B-Segment SUV
 model will be highlighted by an all-new design, the latest generation two-motor hybrid drivetrains, and the latest in connectivity functions.

Honda has confirmed that certain markets will receive the Honda two-motor hybrid technology, also known as
Honda i-MMD
 which is also found on the Honda Accord, CR-V (depending on market), and more recently, the
Honda City RS
 also introduced here.

Honda also claims the Honda’s innovative hybrid set-up will offer high efficiency with refined, fun-to-drive performance in the new HR-V. One of the two official teaser images gives us a peek at the swooping roofline of the rear of the car, the other of the e:HEV badge hybrid variants will wear on the rear bootlid.

The current
second-generation Honda HR-V
 was
introduced in Malaysia in 2014
 and has been a stellar performer ever since. The HR-V was a class leader in sales for its segment until the introduction of the
Proton X50
 in September of last year. Will the new one turn the tables on the X50, time will tell.

On February 18, we will have the first look at the new model in the flesh and undoubtedly know a whole lot more about the new model and its powertrains variants.

Honda Malaysia recently introduced some updates for the 2021 model, click
here
 to find out more.


Could New Land Transport Act Ruling Outlaw Uber, GrabCar Services?

Services like Uber, GrabCar, Blacklane, and EasyTaxi could soon see action taken against them if amendments to the Land Public Transport Act 2010 are made.
The report published by
The Sun Daily
 said the suggested amendments to the Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament in October and will grant the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) the authority to regulate these public transport service providers.
The proposed move will also allow SPAD to deal with future apps that enable the charging of passengers using unlicensed vehicles.
Speaking to the daily, Nur Ismal, CEO of the SPAD, said there is nothing wrong with any mobile app offering public transport services but the service is considered illegal when the app despatches a driver without a PSV licence and driving a private vehicle with no valid permit.
SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said the current law does not cover these mobile apps offering public transport services as there is a regulatory gap between the SPAD and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over this ride-hailing concept.
"The proposed amendments will plug the loopholes and address the Uber and GrabCar issues. SPAD is consulting the Attorney-General's Chambers to draft the new law," he said, when speaking to
The Sun Daily
.
However, Syed Hamid reiterated that this proposal to regulate mobile apps is not a move to legalise these transport services using private vehicles.


ASEAN NCAP Set To Crash Test The Proton X70 In China

The upcoming Proton X70 is getting ready for its first crash test in China, more specifically at the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC).
As seen on ASEAN NCAP’s official Twitter, what appears to be a white Proton X70 is being prepared for its first crash test, including a crash test dummy on the right side of the cockpit.
But why China you ask? Simple, the first few batches of the Proton X70 will come directly from Geely's production facility in China. CKD versions of the Proton X70 are expected to arrive later next year.
While left-hand drive (LHD) variants of the Geely Boyue scored a maximum 5 star rating in the C-NCAP crash test a couple of years ago, crash test results for the Proton X70 cannot be compared directly due to different testing methods.
The Proton X70 will be the first product from the post-Geely partnership that was inked about a year ago.
To recap, the Proton X70 is expected to feature a generous list of safety equipment, including:
Adaptive Cruise Control
Lane Keeping Assist
Blind Spot Monitor
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Six airbags
360-degree surround view camera system