Toyota Alphard, Vellfire Launched In Malaysia – From RM420k and RM355k

UMW Toyota Motor has simultaneously launched both the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire twins earlier today.
In Japan, both models are available with either a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Dual VVT-i or 3.5-litre V6 Dual VVT-i engine, in 7- or 8-seater configurations. However UMW Toyota Motor have elected to separate the two imported from Japan models by offering only a single engine option each, both with 7 seats.
The more luxuriously equipped Alphard, priced from RM419,900 (on the road with insurance) is powered by a 3.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine, while the sportier looking Vellfire is cheaper, at RM355,000, powered by a smaller 2.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine. It’s the same 2AR-FE engine that powered the previous non-hybrid Camry 2.5V.
The more expensive Alphard is available in two variants – the RM419,900 standard model, and RM519,900 Executive Lounge model, both using the same 3.5-litre engine, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
The 2.5-litre Vellfire is only available in one standard variant, and drive is transferred to the front wheels via a CVT-type automatic transmission.
Key features for the Toyota Vellfire 2.5-litre – RM355,000
2.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine – 180 PS at 6,000 rpm, 235 Nm at 4,100 rpm
Continuously Variable automatic Transmission (CVT)
6-speed automatic transmission
LED headlamps with cornering lamp and daytime running lights
LED front fog lamps
Rear fog lamps
Twin power-retracting moon roof
Leather wrapped black wood grain steering wheel with control switches for audio
Optitron instrument panel with 4.2-inch TFT LCD screen
Cruise control
Keyless Smart Entry with push-start engine ignition button
Power-operated tailgate
Power-operated sliding doors (both sides)
Black leather seats
Power-operated seats in the 1st and 2nd row (Captain seats), with Ottoman massaging function
7-inch touch screen infotainment system with 8 speakers, reverse camera and GPS navigation
10.2-inch rear seat entertainment system
Digital video recorder
Ceiling illumination
Front and rear air-conditioning system
7-airbags, electronic traction and stability control (VSC, TRC), ABS, hill-start assist
Key features for the Toyota Alphard 3.5-litre (standard model) – RM419,900
3.5-litre V6 Dual VVT-i engine – 271 PS at 6,200 rpm, 340 Nm at 4,700 rpm
Leather wrapped brown wood grain steering wheel Beige leather trimmed seats
Beige leather seats
The Alphard 3.5-litre Executive Lounge – RM519,900 – adds the following features
VIP wood grain leather-wrapped steering wheel with control switches for Bluetooth telephony, audio and voice recognition
Ceiling illumination with metallic ornament
Semi-aniline leather seats (beige or black)
Airplane Business Class-style VIP power-operated 2nd row seats with Ottoman massaging function, stowaway table, power-extendable foot rest, control switches for seat adjustments and air-conditioner
8-inch infotainment system with 17 JBL speakers, GPS Navigation and reverse camera
9-inch rear seat entertainment system with Blu-ray
Reading lamps
While the prices might be steeper than an
equally-equipped grey-import model
 of the same manufacturing year, UMW Toyota Motor is keen to stress that the higher prices are justified with its localized GPS navigation system with local maps, English language infotainment system, better after-sales support with 5-year warranty (unlimited mileage), and improved reliability thanks to specific tuning done to the vehicle’s ECU to better cope with our local driving conditions.


Cyclist Found Riding On The Highway Can Be Fined RM5k Or Sentenced To Prison For 12 Months

It seems like every year, PDRM needs to remind cyclists that they are not allowed to cycle on the highway, and this year's reminder comes with an increased fine, going from RM300 to RM2k to RM1k to RM5k.

This reminder directly responds to the recent issue of cycling groups riding their bicycles to the
detriment of themselves
 and other road users, as seen on
social media
.

In September 2020, former Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) Director Datuk Azisman Alias reminded cyclists that they could not cycle on the highway under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act, 1987.

While that reminder has managed to warn some cyclists off the highway, it seems that a stubborn few are still doing so, which is why the newly appointed Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) Director Datuk Mat Kasim Karim has come out, and once again reminded cyclists that they are not allowed to do so and increased the fine at the same time.

"Tindakan akan diambil mengikut Seksyen 54(1) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 kerana menunggang secara melulu yang memperuntukkan hukuman denda RM1,000 hingga RM5,000 atau penjara sehingga 12 bulan."

"Gagal mematuhi papan tanda lalu lintas yang melarang berbasikal di lebuh raya boleh menyebabkan individu itu dikenakan tindakan mengikut Seksyen 79(2) akta sama, manakala Seksyen 112(3) pula membolehkan basikal disita jika melakukan mana-mana kesalahan berbasikal," he said to Harian Metro.

Action will be taken under Section 54(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless riding, which will incur those involved with a fine of RM1,000 to RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months.

Failure to comply with traffic signs prohibiting cycling on the highway can result in the individual being charged under Section 79(2) of the same act. In contrast, Section 112(3) allows bicycles to be seized if they commit any cycling offence.

Apart from that, Mat Kasim also took the opportunity to remind riders that those who were found not to install front and rear lights on their bicycles could be prosecuted according to Rule 35 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959, which carries a maximum fine of RM2,000 or imprisonment for up to six months.

He added that Rule 42, which carries the same punishment, can be imposed if the bicycle does not have brakes and bells as a safety feature and for those who ride in groups that are not in a row (single file).

"JSPT has so far only taken advocacy action against cyclists who cycle in groups on the road. The Police do not want to restrict cycling activities, but riders must comply with the advised safety precautions."

Mat Kasim said, based on the record of 150 accident cases involving cyclists, from January to September this year, 71 of those cases were deaths, while 24 were seriously injured and another 55 were lightly injured.

Therefore, he advised cyclists to always abide by the rules and laws for their safety and other road users.

He also advised riders to choose a
suitable location
 and time outside peak hours and avoid roads that can disrupt the smooth flow of traffic and invite the risk of accidents.

Meanwhile, motorists are reminded to be considerate and careful as cyclists are particularly vulnerable to danger while on the road.

As far as we can understand, the ban only affects highways and does not extend to federal, state and municipal roads in the country. Cycling activities on the highway are
only permitted
 if there is permission from PDRM and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).


'Intoxicated' man crashed into six vehicles on Bukit Jalil Highway

A 40-year-old man was arrested by the police after crashing into six different vehicles on the Bukit Jalil Highway last Saturday.

Driving a black Lexus vehicle, the man basically 'lost control' of his car and lane-filtered between two lanes of cars that stopped at the traffic light. The erratic driving behaviour ended up with the car overturning but not before causing a mixture of minor and major damages.

What's even more disturbing was the fact that the man was seen to be mentally unstable while shouting obscenities upon exiting his overturned car. Suspected to be high on drugs, the police came and calmed the situation down by putting the clearly disturbed man in a straitjacket for the safety of everyone nearby.

The
Malay Mail
 reported that the man was taken to the Kuala Lumpur traffic police station where a urine test concluded that he was positive for marijuana. A sign of mental distress is the more probable cause of all this road rage, especially at 10.30 in the morning.

While significant damages were reported by several vehicles involved in the Saturday mini-mayhem, it was also very fortunate that no lives were lost or even major injuries. It would be an entirely different case if there were motorcycles in between the cars during that particular day and time.


Goodbye Humans, Autonomous Delivery Vans Are Coming

Neolix, a Chinese start-up has started production of the world’s first self-driving delivery vans.
Set to deliver 1,000 units of these driverless delivery vans within the first year, Neolix has some big names as customers, including JD.com and Huawei Technologies.
Founder of Neolix, Yu Enyuan told
Autonews China
, “Driverless cars will change the world, just like the shift from the carriage to the automobile. I have been looking for something that is worth fighting with everything I have and what I am doing now is that.”
According to Yu, he said that driverless deliveries are just the start, as he predicts fleets of autonomous vans acting as 24/7 mobile vending shops.
However, with driverless delivery vans, existing delivery men will be made redundant, as driverless vans do not need salaries and are less accident-prone than humans. The only limitation at the time being is the actual delivery of the package to the recipient, as a human may be needed to deliver the parcel.
With that said, Ford Motor Co is also working on a similar project, as they proposed the idea of using a two-legged robot to handle the delivery job.
Located in the eastern city of Changzhou, Neolix’s production facility has an annual capacity of 30,000 units. That is not all, as the company plans to set up production facilities overseas with its partners once sales increases.


Quick Review: 2020 Porsche Taycan 4S - First Blood For An Electric 911

Regardless of what your views are on fully electric vehicles or, for that matter, the Taycan itself, you can’t escape the fact that this car marks a huge milestone for the Zuffenhausen-based automaker. Having only recently made its
official Malaysian debut
, we find out what it’s like to drive it in its
mid-spec 4S guise
.

An engine-less car emerging from a company that’s known for producing some of the best road machines in the world might be a tough pill to swallow, but then again who better to inject some righteous red-blooded fun into the mostly plain and clinical world of EVs.

The Taycan 4S, which starts at RM725,000, was introduced last month alongside its two siblings, the Turbo and Turbo S. Though technically the least impressive variant for now, Porsche will be introducing the ‘plain-Jane’ Taycan variant in the months to come, akin to a base-model 911 Carrera.

The Great Electric Experiment

Porsche are notorious for taking their time with the development of a new car, tweaking and testing to an almost absurd level before something is deemed worthy of release. Years and years of work have been poured into the Taycan even prior to the
Mission E concept
 of 2015, and you can almost feel it when sitting inside.

The automaker’s exploration into electrification was clear and methodical, evidenced by stepping stones such as the Porsche 918 Spyder, the various plug-in hybrids in their current line-up, and the 919 Hybrid that dominated World Endurance Championship’s LMP class for
3 years in a row
. A lot of that proprietary tech has wound up in the Taycan and the EV-specific J1 platform that underpins it, but more on that later.

The Taycan 4S: First Impressions Matter

With this particular Taycan 4S, I’d probably not choose the baby blue-like Frozen Blue Metallic body colour or these Turbo Aero Wheels, opting for a darker or more aggressive looking combination. While they do measure 20-inches in diameter and fill up the wheel wells quite nicely, the attempt at replicating the RS Spyder style alloys on the 911 Turbo has mostly failed.

That said, you can’t help but notice how low slung and sporty the Taycan’s shape is, doing well to emulate the looks of a stretched 992, the latest car in the 911 lineage. Next to this, the Panamera looks almost Bentley-ish big, which is ironic considering that, even when equipped with the smaller of the two battery sizes offered (at 79.2kWh), the 4S still weighs a bit over 2.1 tonnes.

We also have to appreciate just how much Porsche stayed faithful to the Mission E concept car as so little of that original futuristic design was lost or altered besides the omission of rear-hinged suicide doors.

It’s also a little cliche by now, but the door pulls extend out as you walk up to it with the keyfob to add an extra dose of ‘cutting edge’ flair. In typical Porsche fashion, the doors themselves feel like lightweight granite, as does the rest of the car, which just oozes quality.

The seating position is very low indeed - almost to assure us again that Porsche wouldn’t embark on an EV project without making it feel like a proper sports car. Immediately, all the screens come to life to let you know that the Taycan is already started, displaying a full battery at 100% and 373km of usable range - no customary pressing of the ‘On’ button required.

So far, everything’s quite straightforward and familiar, which is a recurring theme. Notably, the shrunken 992-style gear selector is present here but repositioned from the centre tunnel to just behind the indicator stalk; push it down for the ‘Drive’ and the car creeps forward once you take your foot off the brake pedal. This is almost too easy.

Interior - Like Lightweight Granite, In A Good Way

Back to that driving position; it really is sports-car-like, leaving you without too much room to stretch out while every control surface, which is mostly touch-operated, is raised to cocoon you in an embrace of high tech electric performance - that’s the idea, at least. Just as well, the front and back seats obviously prioritise bolstering and support over comfort and padding.

As you’d expect, everything about this cabin feels exceptionally rigid and unyielding. Nothing unexpectedly jiggles or squeaks in here - this isn’t a Tesla. However, if you’re going to pull the trigger on a Taycan, try to avoid this 4S’ black on black combo and spruce it up with the various two-tone options unless you want a gloomier-than-usual interior.

This is a strict four-door coupe layout, too, meaning only two tag-alongs can fit in the back, who will be met with a pair of surprisingly cozy seats. That’s not to say it’s cramped as there’s a fair bit of legroom and headroom to spare, but this is again where the Taycan displays its sportier leanings, so just don’t expect limousine-like airiness or opulence to match the EV silence.

There are a total of four screens up front which might seem like a usability nightmare, but the interface itself was a breeze to navigate, at least for the basics, and I appreciate that they’re laid out across a dashboard that resembles the classic 911 style with its
emphasis on horizontal elements
.

Because we only had a single day with the car, however, I probably only scratched the surface of all the functions I could toggle. Without doubt, though, the centrepiece here is definitely the curved and near-borderless digital instrument cluster.

Driving It - Almost Too...Perfect

Like I mentioned earlier, take your foot off the brake pedal and the Taycan creeps forward, feed in more pressure and it comes to a predictable smooth stop - normal. The accelerator pedal and steering also work so normally (and feel incredibly natural) that I needed to mentally remind myself that I wasn’t driving a conventional car.

Porsche has really done a remarkable job at fine-tuning the feel of the Taycan to the point that you’re immediately as confident behind its abilities as you would be with a 911 GT3. There’s an otherworldly jet-like hum that the engineers have built into the dual-motor electric powertrain here, which can be amplified by selecting the Electric Sports Sound option within the infotainment menus, lending it a unique soundtrack that’s never excessive but still audible inside and outside the car.

That aural feedback is pretty important to the experience as it would otherwise just be the wind noise and tyre roar to keep you company on the road. Otherwise, EV attributes aside the Taycan drives unbelievably well. In fact, it might be the
most

competent
 road car I have ever driven.

First of all, it’s very assuring to know that the 435hp (530hp on Overboost) and 640Nm are instantly available through all four wheels, but even better than that is knowing the Taycan is sharp and nimble enough to deploy that wherever you choose. Those motors are also the most compact and power-dense fitted to a road-going EV and a direct result of Porsche’s championship-winning WEC racers.

Porsche quotes 4.0 seconds for the Taycan 4S to shoot to 100km/h from rest, which is fast by any modern measure, but its acceleration is continually so effortless and immediate that speed soon became transactional, even boring, that I was much more eager to dig into the car’s slower speed limits. By the way, at top whack, it peaks at 250km/h.

If it wasn’t in the straights, I reckoned that its 2.1 tonnes had to make itself known somewhere else. But as I tried to upset it around some technical sets of bends, the car never relented, seeming to stay one step ahead of every sudden turn I threw it into. Nothing beyond the odd chirp from the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres was heard, but the car never fell out of stride.

Very little understeer or body roll or noticeable structural flex was present, taking every curve with stoic calm. It became clear that I would need to be much more aggressive and going much faster to break the Taycan loose. Otherwise, this thing is on rails. And of course, it’s also ruthlessly quick in between corners. Remember, too, that this ‘just’ the 4S, so how much more brutal could the Turbo S be with its 1,050Nm of torque.

That word comes up again, though:
competence
. Though, rather than just emanating cold-blooded efficiency, the Taycan does deliver a lot of confidence to its driver through incredible steering feel and a chassis that’s always relaying information - as a real sports car would.

Porsche’s implementation of three-chamber air suspension also translates to an incredible mix of luxury and sure-footedness, likely a partial result of its floor-mounted battery array which endows it with an extremely low centre of gravity. Never did I feel the tyres' contact patch with the road not being maximised, but coupled with the magic carpet-like ride and refinement, the Taycan is without doubt the most comfortable and composed Porsche ever built, even on those 20-inch wheels.

Charging - A Power Struggle

By no means was I going easy with the 4S electric powertrain with hard accelerations and sudden braking coupled with plenty of runs through some twisty roads and extended highway driving. Even with that level of disregard for where the next charging station could be, the Taycan finished the day with a little under 55 percent of its charge still left.

Having experienced it over the course of a full day with so much juice left over had me quite impressed with its power consumption. Even with ‘only’ the smaller 79.2kWh battery array, the 4S has more than enough in reserve to handle nearly every driving situation on most days - except, of course, an especially long road trip.

With its 800-volt electric architecture, the Taycan is able to make full use of fast 250kW DC chargers to replenish a near-spent battery to 80 percent in an incredible 20-ish minutes. However, the problem still lies in the scarcity of these stations. So far, Porsche has erected several 175kW charging stations at their own showrooms with more planned for the coming months, but the majority of Taycan owners will still be making use of the more widespread 22kW chargers, which takes
charging times
 from a couple dozen minutes to several hours.

Again, having spent just a day with the Taycan 4S, time was too tight to look into the car’s charging experience and wait times, but given where the infrastructure is at the moment, owners will still need to put more thought and consideration into their journeys and charging schedules than what they might be used to with combustion-powered cars.

Porsche Taycan 4S: Summing Up

The Taycan is one of those rare cars that comes around only once every 20 years or so, maybe even more. Its combined technology, created from scratch and refined through motorsport, as well as the brashness of its message, has clear echoes of the iconic Porsche 959. It's a statement.

Porsche embarked on a project with a goal to merge two opposing ideals - the efficiency and high technology of an EV, with the soul and character of a true sports car - and the Taycan is the result. It might not be a perfect union, but it proves beyond question that no one else is capable of the kind of fine-tuning and obsessive calibration work necessary to make a 2.1+ tonne four-door drive as impressively as the Taycan does.

Like I said in the paragraphs above, it’s the most competent road car I have ever driven. It’s ruthlessly quick and capable of mind-bending dynamics. I almost wish it had more flaws to act as emotional tethers. Given just a day with the car, I might not have fallen in love with it in the same way that I might with a
718 Boxster Spyder
, but there is a huge amount of respect for what Porsche has managed to accomplish.

It also paves the way forward for other Porsche electric cars, making this doubly important for the marque. We already know that a wagon-style Sport Turismo is on the cards, and perhaps a crossover-like variant similar to the
Cross Turismo
 concept from 2018. Crucially, this is Porsche’s first step to a fully electric 911. While that might have made me shudder with dread before, I’m not too worried about such a prospect now, having experienced the Taycan.


Detroit 2018: Infiniti Concept Sedan Teased

Infiniti will debut a new concept car at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January 2018 which previews the next generation of Infiniti’s design language.
Alfonso Albaisa, SVP of Global Design added, "As a new wave of technologies begins to take shape, our Detroit concept car heralds a new generation of Infiniti. A seamless and stunning new design philosophy demonstrating Infiniti artistry in the new age of autonomy and breakthrough drivetrains. In Detroit, shown alongside
Prototype 9
, Infiniti aims to showcase a new elegance, one that strikes harmony and simplicity in a complex world."
According to new Executive Design Director (ex-BMW Design Chief), Karim Habib, the new concept will take the traditional sedan architecture to its next stage of evolution. According to Habib, the concept will have a long cabin, balanced proportions, and muscular stance, ushering in a new era for Infiniti models.
According to Habib, the concept will also utilise “more compact and less intrusive powertrains” – suggesting that it could even be powered by Infiniti’s new
2.0-litre VC-Turbo
 (Variable Compression Turbo) gasoline engine.
The VC-Turbo is the world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine – which can alter between 8:1 (for power) and 14:1 (for high-efficiency) compression ratios.


The Lexus LC 500 Rips Apart Your Childhood Dream Car Posters

If you are in the market for a RM 1 million plus supercar, chances are that you grew up in an era when wallpapers were literally decorative papers glued to walls; an era when the holy trinity of poster-worthy cars consisted of a Ferrari 288 GTO, Porsche 911 Turbo and a Lamborghini Countach.
When you left school and entered the work force, a Lexus was something driven by a middle-aged men who couldn’t fit in a sports car. A Lexus was a respectable car, but not something that you dreamt of as a kid.
Many decades later, after a lifetime of hard work, you are now in a position to reward yourself. Today, the Lexus brand still does not yet hold the same cachet as a Porsche or a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, but there is not a shred of doubt about the legitimacy of an LC 500 as a poster-worthy car. In fact, walking up to one raises our hearbeats more than any other Italian or German exotic.
In stark contrast with its other Lexus-badged siblings, the LC 500 is the rebel of our times. When nearly every performance car ranging from the 'Ring record holding Honda Civic Type R to the iconic Porsche 911 are powered by downsized, green party approved turbocharged engines, the LC 500’s ‘old school’ 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 is Tokyo’s middle finger to the relentless efforts to snuff out the last vestige of motoring pleasure by the European bureaucrats at Brussels. Ironic when you consider that this is the same company that is committed to making a true zero emission car with its hydrogen fuel-cell Mirai, and who’s Prius made hybrids mainstream.
The infinity mirror effect on the tail lamps - Lexus' interpretation of light art
A quick spin in the LC 500 is enough to remind us why many petrolheads still insist on a large capacity naturally aspirated engine over a turbocharged one. The linearity of its power delivery and the accompanying aural effects are almost otherworldly. Yes the sound effects is aided by a sound generator, but this is a mechanical-only setup, making clever use of piping to amplify specific notes and channeling it to the cabin. Rest assured that there is no digital fakery here.
Induction and exhaust notes are selectively amplified and piped to the bulkhead
With 10 ratios packed within its torque converter automatic transmission, the LC 500 pulls from low speeds with no less urgency from its turbocharged peers, but with none the shift-shock. Just a pure clench-your-sphincter-muscles, G-force pinning you to your seat, heart in your throat sensation. The sprint from standstill to the century mark is done in 4.4 seconds.
Like the extremely rare Lexus LF-A’s V10, this V8’s harmonics have been tuned by Yamaha, the same people who make some of the best musical instruments on this side of the Pacific. Every stroke of its polished eight pistons plays a musical note. This is not just an engine, but a musical instrument whereby you change the notes with your right foot.
It snorts and snarls with every flex of your right foot, revving to a high pithed crescendo before crackling down to a rumbly idle. Its character is brutish but not in an American blue collar manner like the Ford Mustang. It's more like a Jason Statham suited up to meet the Queen. Experience it once and it will make you question everything you’ve been lead to believe about Ferrari or even Aston Martin V8s.
The sophisticated valvetrain is also capable of switching to fuel-efficient Atkinson cycle when driving under low load conditions.
But all these count for only half of the LC 500’s appeal. The other half is its aesthetics and the craftsmanship talent that went into putting together an interior this good, all of which are something that the likes of Aston Martin, Bentley, and Porsche would secretly covet.
Pull the bonnet release catch to reveal the beautifully finished engine bay, and you will notice the finely machined and detail painted strut towers on either sides. Instead of spot-welding, self-piercing rivets were used to join the steel with aluminum sections. With their intricate folds, they don’t look too different from arterial valves and muscles that surround the heart, which in this case, is 2UR-GSE V8.
Where a Porsche 911’s design is bound by the need to pay homage to its illustrious predecessors, the LC 500 is all about looking forward. With its motor show stand concept car looks, even the staunchest Euro-phile can’t resist wowing at the LC 500. Hold up pictures of the LF-LC Concept against the LC 500, and you will see that the two are almost indistinguishable.
In fact, the production car looks even better than the concept thanks to a more refined iteration of Lexus’ signature spindle grille and better looking LED headlamps. In our books, Lexus deserves an award just for their ability to create a pair of headlamps that fit within those ultra-thin fenders, while complying with all the necessary regulations. This is a work that’s worthy of a spot in the finest museum of modern art.
Approach the car with the key in your pocket, the flush door handles gently slides out as you approach the car, ala Aston Martin and Tesla.
Pull the frameless door open and you will be greeted with a brown leather and Alcantara trimmed interior. Apart from the infotainment system and instrument panel, you will have to look hard to find any examples of plastics. Even the gear lever is wrapped in fine leather – smooth at the upper section and perforated at the rear to give a different tactile experience while the ultra-fine 2mm sewing margin keeps the stiches concealed - as demanded by Lexus ‘Takumi’ master test drivers.
The bezels around Drive Mode selector are as good as those found in high-end watches. The seats are wrapped in smooth Alcantara, as are the door panels. Except for control switches for the windows and mirrors, there is not a single plastic surface on the doors that your hands will rest on or touch. Turn around and take a closer look: you will notice that the structure behind the Alcantara material is carbon fibre. Look even closer, and you will notice the bolts have the word ‘Lexus’ printed onto them. How’s that for craftsmanship?
The roof is made from carbon fibre reinforced plastics, made from techniques originally developed for the LF-A.
On the move, the LC 500 is every bit a grand tourer. Effortless performance, quiet ride, a well-tuned adaptive suspension that unlike many performance oriented cars in this class, lets you have some fun without sending you to a chiropractor. The steering is lighter than its more race-tuned peers, but is perfect for the LC 500’s more relaxed character.
Priced from RM 940,000 sans insurance, the LC 500 offers an impossibly good deal. The ninety nine percenters won’t have the mental capacity to associate good value with a near-million Ringgit price tag but to the elite one percenters, the LC 500 is the deal of the decade. In fact, Lexus Malaysia’s annual allocation for the LC was snapped up almost as soon as its order books were open last year. A certain royal family, who already have a very impressive collection of cars, was rumoured to be so smitten by the LC 500’s looks and shocked by its good value that they ordered seven units.
The LC 500’s main rival will be the Porsche 911, but only by virtue of its price tag. The Porsche 911 Carrera S starts from RM 970,000, with its 3.0-litre turbocharged flat six pushing out 420 PS. However both cars have very different characters. Indeed, motorsports is the
raison d'être
 for a 911. Regular 911s exist only for Porsche to fund development work for the track-focused 911 GT3 RS and GT2 RS. For Lexus, the LC 500's
ikigai;
 its reasons to exist, is not to set a lap record but to further the cause for automotive art, culture and craftsmanship. A true connoisseur will understand the need to have both cars in their collection.
Specifications for Lexus LC 500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8, 32-valve DOHC, Dual VVT-i with Otto/Atkinson cycle, naturally aspirated
Power: 470 hp at 7,100 rpm
Torque: 540 Nm at 4,800 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed torque converter automatic, rear-wheel drive
Safety: 8 airbags, ABS with BA and EBD, VSC, hill start assist, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, ISOFIX
Price: RM 940,000 (excluding insurance)
Origin: Imported from Japan


New MINI Clubman Sterling Edition Makes Malaysian Debut - 20 Units only, Book Online

MINI Malaysia has introduced a new limited edition variant of the new Clubman called the Clubman Sterling Edition.
An interesting fact about the Clubman Sterling Edition is that it will only be available for booking online at a
special website
 which will go live between 15 and 26 August 2017.
Limited to only 20 units, the Clubman Sterling Edition is clad in Melting Silver body colour with a subtle Matte ‘Black Jack’ mirror caps and roof décor.
This is complemented further by Black Union Jack symbols located at the side scuttles to pay homage to its origins, and the bespoke 18-inch ‘MINI Yours Masterpiece’ wheels in burnish black.
Inside, the cabin comes in a combination of Indigo Blue and Pure Burgundy colours, with the MINI Yours Illuminated Interior, which allows the owner to choose from 12 pre-set colours to the trims.
Also unique to the model are the Chester Leather seats with Indigo Blue upholstery, as well as the steering wheel wrapped in soft Nappa leather and finished in aluminium colour stitching.
The Clubman Sterling Edition also comes with Parking Assist function which automatically steers the new MINI into any parallel parking spaces, a rear-view camera, and the MINI Connected infotainment system which now includes navigation.
Under the hood, the Clubman Sterling Edition is powered by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine as the regular Cooper S Clubman that is paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, producing 192 PS and 300 Nm of maximum torque.
Priced at RM268,888 (OTR without insurance), the MINI Clubman Sterling Edition, which requires a booking fee of RM2,000 from those interested, will be on display at the MINIFest event in Desa ParkCity on 20 August.
The car also comes with the MINI 4 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.
The event will be the first-ever MINI styled marketplace where vendors and owners will be selling fashion, accessories and lifestyle items right from the boot of a range of MINI vehicles.
The festival will also see a host of activities for family and friends to enjoy such as hot air balloon rides, food trucks as well as car boot flash sales.


Geneva 2017: Up and Coming Aston Martin Hypercar to be Called Valkyrie

We're not really sure what happened to Aston Martin in the last few years, but it seems like they have gone from happily coasting along with minor iterative improvements, to making leaps and bounds in terms of design and engineering. Their newest DB11 comes with a force-inducted engine, bringing them well up to current generation requirements while evolving as a product to be more widely acceptable. Of course this also comes as a result of their partnership with Mercedes-Benz which has helped a great deal to improve their interiors.
But on the note of partnerships, Aston Martin also has a running partnership with Red Bull Racing. One of their upcoming projects is an all-new hypercar (perhaps not the most synonymous concept with the British brand), and this is a hypercar that looks to redefine the segment. Previously known as the AM-RB-001, Aston Martin has announced that the working name for the hypercar will be the Valkyrie, based on Norse mythology.
Aston Martin are keen to stress how important and exclusive this hypercar will be, as they did with the Aston Martin Vulcan, although there are very few details about what the Valkyrie will be beyond the initial concept (which is on display at Geneva as well). The idea is that the Valkyrie is quite nearly a racecar in operation, down to a seemingly unconventional seating position if we go by how the bodywork is shaped and sculpted.


Mercedes-Benz Stays Top In Premium Segment - Record Q3 2016 Sales

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) rounded off a record third quarter performance in 2016, extending its lead in the premium car segment, and further galvanizing its position as the undisputed market leader.
After a cracking start to the year at the end of the
first quarter
, and maintaining their momentum through the
first half
 of 2016, MBM now close Q3 with a 10 percent year-on-year growth, delivering a total of 9,047 cars in the first nine months of the year.
Much of the company’s performance is attributed to the diverse product portfolio. In 2016 alone, MBM has introduced 10 new models which include three SUV models in January, the all-new E-Class and a host of additions to the ‘dream car’ range which include the C-Class Coupe and more recent
SLC and C-Class Cabriolet
 model. The
C350e plug-in hybrid
 vehicle also joined the ranks earlier this month, further broadening Mercedes-Benz’s EEV vehicle product offensive.
The C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class sedans sold a combined 6,017 units, making up the bulk of the sales figures. Followed by the range of compact models, with 1,851 units sold.
The breakdown is as below:
Mercedes-Benz Limousine models - contributed 66.5 percent of total sales. (6,017 units)
C-Class: 3,733 units (up 90 percent)
E-Class: 1,463 units
S-Class: 821 units
Mercedes-Benz’s Compact Car range - the A-Class, B-Class, CLA-Class, and GLA-Class - contributed 20 percent to the company’s sales. (1,851 units)
A-Class: 829 units (up 21 percent)
CLA-Class: 480 units
GLA-Class: 473 units
The company’s SUV range – the GLE, GLE Coupe and GLC (1,154 units)
GLC-Class: 964 units
GLE-Class: 190 units
GLE-Coupe: 0 units
The company’s dream car range added another 195 units to the total tally, delivered in Q3 of 2016 alone.
Driven by this growing demand - MBM has increased local production at its Pekan plant, rolling-out 6,424 vehicles in the first nine months of 2016 (up by 15 percent). The locally-produced models consist of the C-Class (five variants), S-Class, and more recently - the GLC-Class. The new W213 E-Class is expected to commence CKD assembly in Q1 2017
It’s worthy to note, that currently – 70 percent of all Mercedes models sold are assembled at MBM’s Pekan Production Plant. Production has been increased three-fold since the plant's inception, from producing 2,188 units in 2005 to 7,710 units as at end of 2015. As of end September – 6,424 units have rolled-out, despite the outgoing (W212) E-Class reaching the end of its production cycle in January.
The Pekan production plant is the only Mercedes-Benz CKD plant in the world currently running a double shift setup. Moving forward, the newly completed MBM warehouse in Pekan is expected to further support MBM’s efforts to manage the growing demand for its vehicles.
On the sales and after-sales front – MBM, who pioneered Autohaus concept currently has the largest premium dealer network in Malaysia, with 29 dedicated dealerships. And as of Q3 2016, MBM has recorded the highest throughput in its history – servicing a total of 79,917 vehicles, an 18.1 percent growth, while still managing the best Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) scores in history.


Paris 2016: 2017 All-New Kia Rio World Debut

The all-new Kia Rio, Kia’s global best seller, makes its world debut today at the Paris Motor Show. The Kia Rio now enters its fourth generation and will build on the outgoing model’s key strengths – sporty design, low running costs and good practicality.
The Rio’s new exterior and interior design was led by Kia’s design centres in Germany and California, in close collaboration with the company’s domestic design base in Namyang, Korea. The new design language is said to be more progressive yet mature looking than the
outgoing model
.
Kia also claims the interior is the most spacious in its class, with 325-litres of cargo space (VDA).
The Rio is powered by a range of gasoline and diesel engines. In particular, the company’s latest three-cylinder 1.0-liter T-GDI (turbo gasoline direct injection) engine. The lighter engine also contributes to nippier handling, according to Kia
The Rio will offer both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and will be the first car in its class to offer Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition.
Globally, the all-new Rio will be manufactured at Kia’s Sohari manufacturing facility in Korea and the new Pesqueria manufacturing base in Mexico. The fourth-generation Rio goes on sale globally during the first quarter of 2017.


2015 Proton Exora Facelift Launched: New Variant Introduced At RM82k

Proton
 has launched a facelifted version of their MPV, the
2015 Proton Exora
. On top of the minor updates here and there, a new range-topping variant of the Exora, dubbed the Super Premium (SP) has been introduced at RM81,888, replaces the previous Prime variant, and gets most of the new items introduced by Proton.
The new Exora SP shares a similar powertrain to the Premium version, which is a 1.6-litre CFE (turbo) paired with a CVT transmission.
Here’s what the new, more affordable, price list looks like:
So, what’s new?
In short, it looks like it’s only the top two variants that get bestowed with most of the new items that include LED daytime running lights (replaces fog lamps), new headlamp and tailight designs, electronic stability control, a total of four airbags (previously two), auto cruise control, leather seats (Super Premium), and audio switches on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
On the exterior, it’s sort of hard to pin-point the updates to the rest on the variants (at least until Proton handover more images, or let us near the car), but from the few exterior images of the Super Premium variant we’ve seen, it looks like there’s a new assortment of body kit slapped on around the car, coloured contrastingly against the primary body colour.
It’s not clear if the remaining variants get the same exterior treatment at the moment, but we imagine not.
For the remaining variants, there’s a nifty rear-view camera, and a rear-view mirror which has the rear camera’s display on it – great, because you even get it in the base Exora, which retails from RM56,888. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear power windows and a slightly updated center console design is also standard stuff for all variants now.
For safety, it’s no ESC and just two airbags for the Exora Executive, and Standard AT/MT variants.
Included in the price, is a three-year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.
Where body colours are concerned, there are two new ones, being Luxury Blue and Indiana Grey, while the previous five (Solid White, Elegant Brown, Cocoa Grey, Genetic Silver and Tranquillity Black) are maintained.
We’ve also been told that test drive units of the new Exora are only available for the Premium variant of the car, while the range-topping Super Premium is only for viewing at authorised Proton showrooms.
Interestingly, Proton tells us that they’ve had a look at the prices for the Exora, and have adjusted/ lowered them in accordance with the government’s recent plans to reduce the prices of cars in our country.
Dato' Abdul Harith Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON, said:
"We wish to inform our customers that we have revisited and studied our price offering, and I am happy to announce further reduction of the price by as much as 5.8% or RM4,710 for selected variants in line with the Government’s plans to reduce the prices of cars.
“In our commitment to continuously improve our range of cars, the introduction of the SP variant will provide our customers not just comfort and safety for their families but also performance to enjoy their journey with the family.”


Proton S50 prototype sighted on Malaysian roads - turbo engine, ACC for B-segment saloon?

Proton will release a new sedan model after all, and it could be as soon as next year to follow the Proton X90. For years Malaysians have defaulted to calling this new model Proton S50, but based on recent trademark filings this is proving to be true and will be based
on the newest Geely Emgrand
.

None of this is especially striking us as surprising, but the recent sighting of a heavily camouflaged test unit shared by
The Ajerul
 has stirred up the hope that the national automaker has not forgotten about the four-door category.

It is unclear whether it will replace the current Proton Persona or the discontinued Proton Preve. The new model will likely have a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine, but details about turbocharging and power output are still unknown.

Recent photos reveal the front-end design, showing a visible monocular camera and a large emblem on the grille
as spotted by our friends at Wapcar
. The emblem size suggests the possibility of housing millimetre wave radar hardware, different from the current bumper-mounted setup in other Proton models.

It is unique for the Proton S50 to have Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), as the original Geely Emgrand does not have this feature. Similar to the Proton X90, the Proton S50 may offer features not found in the Geely donor car. The photos also suggest the possibility of sequential turn signals.

Considering that Proton recently started production of the Proton X90, it is unlikely for the Tanjung Malim plant to introduce another new model so soon, which is why we’re hedging our bets that the S50 is only due for a launch some time in 2024.

In other markets
, the Geely Emgrand is decidedly less impressive on paper, not boasting the active safety and driver assist features we’re predicting nor a turbocharged engine - rather, it makes due with a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit.

While it is far from confirmed that the S50 will feature the 1.5-litre TGDI unit from the X50 under its bonnet, it remains the most likely choice given the automaker’s investment in an engine plant. The turbo engine will also certainly give the other B-segment contenders plenty of reason to be anxious as they will quickly be shown to be embarrassingly underpowered in contrast.

Now that the trio of Proton X-series of SUVs are assembled and the S50 is positioned to kick off their sedan offensive, what’s next? A next-gen Perdana? A reimagined Putra or Satria GTI?


2015 Lotus Evora 400 now in Malaysia – Brand's most powerful production model to date

Lotus Cars Malaysia (Lotus) today took the wraps off the fastest road-going car it has ever produced – the
Evora 400
, which is now officially available in the Malaysian market.
A total of six variants will be offered here, with three being manual and three more being automatic:
Lotus Evora 400 Manual (Base) – RM597,999
Lotus Evora 400 Manual Option 1 – RM624,999
Lotus Evora 400 Manual Option 2 – RM640,999
Lotus Evora 400 Automatic (Base) – RM610,999
Lotus Evora 400 Automatic Option 1 – RM637,999
Lotus Evora 400 Automatic Option 2 – RM653,999
While the base variants (both automatic and manual) come with the brand’s signature paint, cruise control, and a choice of yellow or black brake calipers, Option 1 variants come with either Alcantara or leather interior trim, and the ‘Black Pack’.
In case you’re wondering what the Black Pack is, the roof, sills and centre section of the rear wing will be sporting gloss black finish and dark cabin headlining.
Option 2 variants on the other hand, are entitled to a set of gloss black, forged 10 spoke (19” front and 20” rear) alloy wheels on top of all the goodies that are offered in Option 1.
Being much faster and dynamically more capable than the
previous Evora
, the 400 is powered by a mid-mounted new supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine that kicks out 400hp and 410Nm of peak torque, enabling it to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in an impressive 4.2 seconds, and clock a top speed of 300km/h. Paired to the engine is either a six-speed manual, or a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission.
Also new is the aluminium chassis which incorporates a fresh interior, and a lightweight composite body that has been changed significantly both at the front and rear. Thanks to these new light components, the car’s kerb weight has decreased by 42kg, which translates to all the impressive performance figures mentioned above.
Here to give the
Porsche Cayman
 GT4 a run for its money, the Lotus Evora 400 comes with a limited slip differential, 370mm AP Racing composite two piece brake discs, cruise control, a new exhaust system, and also an altered ECU.
All ‘pumped-up’ about the model’s introduction here,
Lotus Malaysia
 announced that it will be offering a promotion package which includes 3-years warranty, 2-years free service, and a one-time experience at the Lotus Driving Academy, as well as an automatic membership to the distinguished Lotus Official Club Malaysia (LOCM). Further to this promotion, it is said that the first 30 owners will be offered a special promotion price of RM595,999 for the base manual version.
Now, how is that for a deal?
Looking for a Lotus Evora? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Meet Lamborghini's Most Extreme Aventador: The LP750-4 SV

Sant’Agata has taken the covers off its newest and most extreme version of the Aventador supercar at the
Volkswagen
 Group Night, a day before the doors officially open at the 2015
Geneva Motor Show
. The
Lamborghini
 Aventador LP750-4 SV - or Superveloce in Lambo-speak – has been lightened and features a more powerful engine over the standard car, following on from the 2010 Murcielago LP670-4 SV.
Through liberal use of carbon fiber, Lamborghini has been to make the SV lighter at approximately 1525kg, shaving off 50kg over a normal Aventador. Lamborghini says the fixed rear wing, side sills, fenders, and door panels were all made from the featherweight material. Speaking of that wing, it’s part of the SV’s upgraded aero package and increases downforce by 170 percent.
Power still comes from the naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12, but with a reworked valve train and new four-exit exhausts that reduces backpressure. These changes have resulted in an output of 740hp, 690Nm of torque, and the redline increased to 8,400rpm. Drive goes through a seven-speed single clutch automated manual to all four wheels. The extra power and reduced weight enable the sprint to 62 mph to take a mere 2.8 seconds from standstill with speed topping out at 217mph.
Extra standard bits include carbon-ceramic brakes, magneto-rheological dampers, Lamborghini’s dynamic steering system, and forged center-locking lightweight alloy wheels measuring 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear.


New Mitsubishi 3S Centre Launched in Cheras

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), together with its authorized dealer Evatrend, celebrated the opening of the latter’s second Mitsubishi 3S Centre in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur last week.
The 3S Centre, which is located at No. 70, Jalan Midah 1, Taman Midah, Cheras, was built with a total investment of RM 800,000.
With a built up area of 4,908 square feet, the new 3S Centre houses a fully-equipped workshop and a parts storage area for Mitsubishi vehicles.
The facility also comes with a modern facade, fully equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and Special Set Tools (SST).
“We are pleased to note that Evatrend is the first Mitsubishi Motors showroom with our new corporate identity,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.
Speaking at the launch, Low Foi, Chairman of Siang Hin Group, the parent company of Evatrend said, “Our 3S centre is located strategically in Cheras which makes it convenient for customers from neighbouring towns such as Kajang and Semenyih to send their cars for servicing.”
In conjunction of the 3S Centre launch, Evatrend also took the opportunity to display the newly launched Triton to customers and visitors.
With the opening of Evatrend, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is currently represented by 53 showrooms (out of which 47 are 3S Centres) and 52 service outlets throughout Malaysia.  As for East Malaysia, MMM is represented by 14 showrooms (6 in Sarawak and 8 in Sabah).


Mercedes-Benz introduces CKD GLC 250 4Matic – Priced at RM325,888

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has rolled-out its locally-assembled (CKD) Mercedes-Benz GLC 4Matic sports-activity vehicle, circa seven months after the car’s
initial introduction
 (fully imported model) in January this year.
Unlike the imported GLC, the locally-assembled GLC will only be available in one trim level – the AMG Line, priced at RM325,888. The price is RM3,000 cheaper than the similarly specced imported GLC.
Previously, the fully-imported (CBU) GLC 250 4Matic models were available in Exclusive and AMG Line trim levels priced at RM325,888 and RM328,888 respectively. Both have been superseded by this locally-assembled GLC 250 4Matic AMG Line.
The introduc
tory prices are inclusive of Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) incentives, which includes rebates in excise duties. However, the price is still pending final approval from the government. Deliveries of locally assembled GLCs are expected to begin within the next month. The GLC's direct competitor, the BMW X3 xDrive20i, priced at RM296,800 also enjoys similar a
EEV Incentive
.
The GLC 250 4Matic is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine similar to the unit in found in the
W205 C250
 producing 211hp and 350Nm of torque. The engine is paired to a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox. The GLC also marks the first time the 9G-Tr
onic and 4Matic all-wheel drive systems are available in a locally assembled car.
The locally produced GLC 250 4Matic vehicles also boast additional features compared to the previous CBU models. The shortlist is as follows:
Infortaiment Touchpad with controller
Full-LED interior ambient lighting
Added stowage space (Tensioning strap underneath the armrest, seat-back map pockets)
Stainless steel door sills, illuminated “Mercedes-Benz” lettering
The AMG Line Exterior program highlights the following:
Entry/Exit lighting in exterior mirrors with logo projections.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
LED Intelligent Light System
Easy-Pack tailgate
Mirror Package (Electric folding and dimming of interior and exterior mirrors)
20-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels.
Exterior chrome package


Next James Bond Movie “No Time To Die” To Feature The New Land Rover Defender

Besides the gorgeous women, James Bond movies are also known for the cool cars and the funky gadgetry that go into them.

However, for whatever reason, the Bond franchise also has a kink for destroying all the cool cars in the movies.

That being said, the next James Bond movie titled “No time to die” is all set to arrive in cinemas next April, and word is out that the new Land Rover Defender will be making an appearance in it.

Land Rover has released behind-the-scenes footages during filming of the upcoming movie which gives a unique, behind-the-scenes view of stunt co-ordinator Lee Morrison and stunt driver Jess Hawkins at work behind the wheels of the new Defender.

Land Rover said that its design team worked closely with Special Effects and Action Vehicles Supervisor Chris Corbould on the specification of the Defenders in the film.

Based on the Defender X model in Santorini Black, with darkened skid pans, 20-inch dark finish wheels and professional off-road tyres, they were the first Defenders to be built at Jaguar Land Rover’s new production facility in Nitra, Slovakia.

Among the features that made it ideal to be featured in the movie includes the ground clearance of 291 mm, approach, breakover, and departure angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees (Off Road height) respectively, a maximum water-wading depth of 900 mm, as well as the new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system.

Alongside the Defenders, No Time To Die also features the Range Rover Sport SVR, Series III Land Rover, and the Range Rover Classic.

We just hope that all of them will make it out of the scenes in one piece, although it is highly unlikely.

“No Time To Die” is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his fifth film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007. The film will be released globally in cinemas from April 2020.


Goodyear Malaysia Officially Launches Solar Power Initiative to Reduce Carbon Footprint

The Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, Puan Yeo Bee Yin recently officiated the launch of Goodyear Malaysia’s sustainability initiative - the installation of 6,680 solar panels to power up and reduce carbon footprint of its corporate office and production plant in Shah Alam.
The solar panel system is capable of producing 2.5-megawatts of power daily, and it is connected to six Low Voltage (LV) substations located within the plant. These panels will be responsible for powering the manufacturing plant, so will as the office and warehouse buildings.
Each panel is made of 375W Bifacial Monocrystalline Perc Double Glass Solar Modules, capable of reducing electricity costs. The panels are estimated to reduce 1,980,433.37 kilograms of carbon emissions per year across 25 years.
With this technology in place, Goodyear is set to reduce its spending on electricity while also significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
Including this project, Goodyear has invested nearly US$5.7 million into the plant so far as part of its energy and environmental sustainability efforts in Malaysia since 2015. The company said that almost 17% carbon emissions have been eliminated through the effort.
“The solar panels allow us to significantly reduce the amount of electricity that we use. Currently, we are still purchasing electricity from Tenaga Nasional, but once this system is fully optimised, we expect that we will have excess electricity which will be channelled back to the grid,” said Ramon Le, Director of Manufacturing Operations for Goodyear Asia Pacific.


Leaked: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Brochure, Japan Debut By December

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross made its
global debut
 at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. It appears that the Japanese debut will happen in the coming months, thanks to this leaked brochure.
The source added that the Japanese version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will be announced by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in December, before going on sale in early 2018. Europeans can expect to see the new Eclipse Cross first, followed by other regions, including Australia and North America.
Mitsubishi says that the Eclipse Cross is an all-new compact SUV that will join the ASX and Outlander in the company's portfolio. Coming in at 4,405 mm long, 1,805 mm tall and 1,685 mm wide, the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is 110 mm longer, 35 mm higher and 70 mm wider than the Mitsubishi ASX. The 2,670 mm wheelbase is identical for both models.

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Two engines will be made available on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, a 1.5-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine paired to a CVT and a 2.2-litre turbodiesel paired to an eight-speed automatic. 4WD will come as standard fitment, which is further bolstered by Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) and Active Yaw Control (AYC).
Via:
Car Drive


Toyota GR Corolla Unveiled - 300HP, AWD, Carbon Roof, Dual LSD - Civic Type R Killer?

After many teasers and rumours, Toyota has finally unveiled the GR Corolla - and yes it will probably make its way to Malaysia.

Rumours of the GR Corolla
 have been sweeping across the internet for nearly half a decade now, and today, we finally get to meet Toyota's answer to the Honda Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf R and performance cars alike.

Highlights

Unveiled virtually today, Toyota has given its hatchback the GR(Gazoo Racing) treatment which now sees it being equipped with a powerful 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine, all-wheel-drive, triple exhausts (large oval tailpipe in the middle) and an aggressively wide body kit.

Engine

As predicted, the GR Corolla has inherited its little brother's(GR Yaris) G16-E three-cylinder turbocharged engine, which gives it 300hp and 370Nm of torque. For those who know the GR Yaris, you will notice that there is a power increase in the GR Corolla, and that's done to compensate for the GR Corolla's heavier weight. Nonetheless, it's still impressive that the engine can push out 100hp per cylinder.

Drivetrain

Surprisingly, Toyota has said that the GR Corolla will only be available with a 6-speed manual transmission which will help distribute power to all four wheels via its rally-bred GR-Four all-wheel-drive system.

Exterior

As for the exterior, the GR Corolla features wide rally-inspired fenders, a huge rectangular lower grille and functional vertical corner air inlets at the front and triple exhausts at the rear. It also comes with 18-inch wheels and 14-inch slotted brake rotors.

Interior

On the inside, the GR Corolla gets a 12.3-inch race-inspired meter cluster, 8-inch infotainment screen, JBL audio and five seats - which at the rear can be folded down to help with the carrying of track tyres.

Safety

Although it is a performance hatchback, Toyota is all about safety too, so they have included the GR Corolla with Toyota's latest suite of safety systems, the TSS 3.0(Toyota Safety Sense).

This gives the GR Corolla advanced safety features such as:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

Lane Departure Alert

Automatic High Beams

Lane Tracing Assist

Road Sign Assist

GR Corolla Circuit Edition

Just before the unveiling ended, Toyota sprung up a surprise by introducing an extra spicy GR
Corolla Circuit Edition
 which will only be available throughout 2023.

The major differences between it and the regular GR Corolla( GR Corolla Core) include:

Forged carbon fibre roof

Rear spoiler

Vented aluminium bonnet

GRFour dual LSD

Brake callipers with GR logo

Morizo signed shift knob (Morizo being the alias Akio Toyoda when he races)

Availability

Toyota said the GR Corolla will be making its way across the world so perhaps we will get the spiced up
Corolla hatch in Malaysia
 in the near future. Since
Malaysia got the GR Yaris
, it's not such a far-fetched idea that the GR Corolla will make its way to our shores.

Prices of the GR Corolla and its Circuit Edition brother has yet to be announced.


Video: 2016 Proton Saga All But Revealed In Teaser TVC

Proton has released a short but revealing 15-second teaser video that all but unveils its all-new Saga that is slated to be launched later this week.
The video, which appears to have been shot in the confines of an airport hangar, opens by revealing three Sagas parked side-by-side giving a clear view of the overall front and rear profiles of the vehicle.
What follows are some simple but carefully choreographed bits of coordinated stunt driving between the vehicles that give us brief but better views of the car from various angles.
We managed to make four screen captures (scroll below for gallery) at various points of the video to give you a closer look at Proton’s latest baby. The angled view of its side profile gives us a clear look at the 15-inch alloy rim design used by the top spec model as well as the bold character line that runs through the door handles – a sophisticated design cue not often used even among premium vehicles.
Scroll down and watch the TVC or
follow this link to read more
 about the all-new 2016 Proton Saga.


Would You Pay RM4.26mil For A Beetle?

With an asking price that astronomically high, you’d expect it to be attached to either a very fast car, or a very rare car, or one that had a famous owner, or all of the above. Not so in this case, because this Type 1 Beetle isn’t from the late 1930s as the first few ever made. Rather, this ‘classic’ Beetle was made in July 2003.
But why the asking price of one million Euros (roughly RM4.26 million)? This bug is what is called the Última Edición, meaning it’s one of the final examples of the original
Volkswagen

Beetle
 ever made when production officially ended at the Mexico factory in 2003.
Its number 162 in the series, too – not the first or last, but close. The absolute final Beetle (pictured above wearing a sombrero) rests at Volkswagen’s museum.
Back to the car in question, it has no special luxuries, has a black fabric interior, comes in this lovely beige exterior colour and sports a 46hp 1.6-litre air-cooled engine. The Wolfsburg-based
seller
 is clearly is looking for a Beetle enthusiast, but we’re not sure if even the most die-hard of that flock would pay one million Euros for it, 75 times the estimated selling price of Última Edición. But for his sake, we hope we’re wrong.


Fuel Price Update: 9-15 Nov – Petrol Increase Up To 7 Sen, Diesel Up 3 Sen

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has announced fuel prices for the upcoming week from 9 to 16 November 2017.
Expect long queues outside fuel stations tonight as prices will rise up to 7 sen per litre, marking a fourth successive week of price increase.
That said, the fuel price for the next seven days are as follows:
Petrol RON 95 – RM2.31 (up 7 sen from RM2.24)
Petrol RON 97 – RM2.60 (up 6 sen from RM2.54)
Diesel – RM2.20 (up 3 sen from RM2.17)


BMW announces X1 and X4 CKD; price cuts for 3 GT, X3, and 5 Series

BMW Group Malaysia
 has announced new CKD variants of the
X1
 and
X4
 sports activity vehicles, expanding its portfolio of locally-assembled vehicles in Malaysia to ten model lines with a total of over twenty variants of BMW and
MINI
 vehicles.
“The new locally-assembled BMW X1 and BMW X4 are a further testament to our longstanding investment and commitment to Malaysia as a strategic hub for the BMW Group in the South East Asian region,” said Mr Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia.
Currently, in their fully-imported guises, the X1 and X4 each come with the choice of only one petrol-powered variant. The front-wheel driven
X1 sDrive20i CBU
 is priced at RM279,800, whilst the all-wheel driven
X4 xDrive28i
 is offered at RM435,800.
Pricing of the new locally-assembled X1 and X4 variants have yet to be finalized, and will be announced when the cars officially go on sale. It has been announced that the X1 will have a new diesel variant to join the existing petrol model, whilst the X4 will continue to be available in its existing xDrive28i guise.
Furthermore, Mr Han also announced that the pricing reduction on the
1 Series
 and
3 Series
 implemented earlier this year due to
Customized EEV Status Incentives
 is now being followed by downward revisions on three models - 3 Series Gran Turismo,
X3
, and
5 Series
 – for the same reasons.
Besides significant reduction in prices, the F10 5 Series will be getting a boost in equipment levels. All variants – 520d, 520i, and 528i – will be getting the M Sport Package with 18-inch alloy wheels, Keyless Entry, Front Sports Seats, and BMW ConnectedDrive as standard. The 528i M Sport additionally gets a glass roof, rear spoiler, and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Prices of the locally-assembled BMW models before and after EEV incentives are summarized as follows:

Pre-EEV Retail Price
EEV Incentive Retail Price
320d GT
RM296,800
RM278,800
328i GT
RM327,800
RM308,800
X3 xDrive20i
RM325,800
RM296,800
X3 xDrive20d
RM345,800
RM326,800
520d M Sport
RM354,800
RM317,800
520i M Sport
RM367,800
RM329,800
528i M Sport
RM417,800
RM378,800


Spyshot: Geely VF12 Caught, New MPV In The Works?

A recent post by
Autohome
 gave us an early look at another new Geely model, codenamed VF12.
This new model, according to the source, is likely to be another MPV. If the codename sounds familiar, Geely recently teased us with the VF11, which has been renamed to JiaYi.
Up front, it looks like the new VF12’s headlights are inspired by Volvo’s Thor hammer design, albeit with an L shape instead of a T.
 The grille also appears to be of a new design, now without Geely’s ‘Expanding Cosmos’ design language.
As for the sides, the thick camouflage hides most of the VF12’s character lines, though the window profile looks similar to the VF11. The roof of the new VF12 also sports roof rails, unlike the VF11’s sleek roofline.
More details are expected to be revealed over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned.
Photo credit:
Autohome


VPCM Wants to Teach you how to Drive and Promote the Vento 1.2 at Nationwide Roadshow

In an effort to promote the Vento to potential customers and the public, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) announced that it will be organizing the “Vento Turbocharged Tour” which will be held at 11 selected locations across the country.
According to VPCM, the tour will provide participants with the opportunity to test drive the
Vento 1.2 TSI
 and experience the car's turbocharged engine, and also be educated on basic car safety and driving skills.
This includes lessons on proper sitting and steering wheel position, emergency braking, defensive driving skills and slalom courses.
Besides that, members of the public can also participate in various stunt demos sessions.
Speaking of the Vento, the car comes with a 1.2l TSI turbocharged direct injection engine that is paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Offering the highest torque in its class, the Vento is also rated 5-star by ASEAN NCAP for its range of safety features including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which participants can put to the test.
Besides the Vento, other Volkswagen models will also be available for test drive at the tour.
According to VPCM, visitors will also get to enjoy special offers on bookings made during the event.
The “Vento Turbocharged Tour” is free of charge and the driving activities are open to those with a valid driver’s license. Details of the first three Tours are listed below:

Date/Time
Location
18 – 19 March
(10.00a.m – 7.00p.m)
Aeon Bukit Tinggi, Klang
13 – 14 May
(10.00a.m – 7.00p.m)
Mydin Ayer Keroh, Malacca
29 – 30 July
(10.00a.m – 7.00p.m)
Stadium Darul Makmur, Kuantan


Detroit 2019: Infiniti To Preview Concept EV

Infiniti will continue to wow the audience at the upcoming North American International Auto Show 2019 or simply known as Detroit 2019 with a new concept vehicle.
After a series of concept vehicles in
a sedan
 and even
an

open-wheel
 format, Infiniti will be showcasing an all-electric concept in the form of an SUV.
Apart from a styling concept, Infiniti says the new concept will also preview a new electric vehicle (EV) platform.  The company currently has only two ageing self-charging hybrids (V6 and four-cylinder layout) in its electrified powertrain portfolio.
"The concept car we will show in Detroit is the beginning of a new era for Infiniti, and an illustration of where we want to go with the brand. Electrification and other new technologies have given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy," said Karim Habib, Executive Design Director at Infiniti.
Interior of Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept 2018
Infiniti is planning to revamp their product line-up with more focus on electrification. From 2021, new models will offer a mix of pure electric vehicles and e-Power vehicles. Infiniti believes electric motors can deliver vehicles with incredible off-the-line acceleration, while the
unique range-extender hybrid system in the e-Power
 can provide “range confidence” for longer journeys.
This is, however, not the first fully-electric concept by Infiniti. Back in 2012, the company unveiled something called the LE Concept sedan that had proportions and styling similar to a Nissan Sentra/Sylphy.
As with many Infiniti and Nissan concept vehicles, the fully-electric LE Concept never went into production. Shocking, considering the LE Concept was planned to use the already-available Nissan Leaf electric powertrain.
More details on the new all-electric concept will be unveiled during the Detroit 2019 motor show that will commence from the 14th of January and continue up to the 27th.


2017 International Engine of the Year Award Winners Announced, Ferrari Takes Top Honours

The International Engine of the Year Award can be a little strange at times, given that engines span over the course of multiple product generations and that even an old motor can impress. Nissan's VQ series of engines was particularly successful during its time, but now we're starting to see more modern, efficient powerplants making their way to the top of the list. You're not likely to find a basic 1.5-litre mass-market engine taking anything home, but the award does recognize progress in engineering and refinement- and even accomodates the electric powertrain of the Tesla Model S.
This year the results are in, and there are some familiar faces along with some new ones. Along with the overall Engine of the Year award, there are also awards for the best Performance Engine, the best New Engine, the best Green Engine, and the best Electric Powertrain- that is, besides the normal capacity based categorization. Taking the top award for Engine of the Year is the 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 from the Ferrari 488 GTB, which also happens to be the winner for the overall Performance Engine of the Year award.
Taking the New Engine of the Year Award was the powertrain from the Honda NSX, which is a first for Honda. For the purpose of assessment, the NSX was looked at as a full hybrid, and it was awarded marks for clever use of lightweight materials and components in the valvetrain- something that Honda has specialized in from the days of the B18CR and other performance engines that followed.
For both the Green Engine of the Year and the Electric Powertrain of the Year, Tesla managed to claim top spots with the electric powertrain from their Model S. This is unsurprising as the Electric Powertrain category would usually be a subset of Green Engines given their zero emission operations. Tesla will probably continue to dominate this category until another manufacturer can come up with a better alternative in either.
As for the rest of the winners, they are arranged below in order of capacity category:
Above 4-Litre:
Ferrari 6.3-litre V12
3-Litre to 4-Litre:
Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8
2.5-Litre to 3-Litre:
Porsche 3-litre six-cylinder turbo
2-Litre to 2.5-Litre:
Audi 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo
1.8-Litre to 2-Litre:
Porsche 2-litre four-cylinder turbo
1.4-Litre to 1.8-Litre:
BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid
1-Litre to 1.4-Litre:
PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo
Sub 1-Litre:
Ford 999cc three-cylinder turbo


LLM expects 2.3 million cars to hit the road, Karak and Lebuhraya Pantai Timur hit the hardest

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is just around the corner and the
Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM)
 expects that there will be up to 2.3 million vehicles hitting three major highways daily from now until 5 May 2023.

The projections are focused on the North-South Expressway (NSE), Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway, and East Coast Expressway (ECE). Those numbers are expected to gradually grow to start on 19 April 2023, and we can already see and hear reports of congestion.

To ensure a smoother travelling experience for motorists during the festive period, LLM has deployed a few initiatives such as instructing all highway concessionaires to stop all maintenance works which involve lane closures during the time period.

The other usual effort includes issuing the
travel time advisory (TTA)
 as well as the use of electronically-displayed notice boards and billboards to remind road users of things like maintaining the Touch 'n Go or e-Wallet balances while travelling.

As most of you may already know, our Prime Minister announced the free Rahmah Toll initiative where the highway tolls will be exempted for four days from April 19-21 and April 24. This will involve 33 highways across Malaysia.

For those who are celebrating, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and maaf zahir dan batin. To the rest, happy holidays and enjoy the four-day weekend!


Proton Begins 2020 On A High Note, X70 CKD Arriving Next Week

Proton began the first month of the year on a strong note with 8,506 new registrations, representing a 20.2% increase over the same period last year.

This also marks Proton’s most successful January sales in 4 years. Market share was another key area of growth as the company’s position increased by 4.9% to 19.5%, compared to the same period last year.

Despite the short month due to the Chinese New Year holidays, the company performed well within expectations as it continued to hold its No. 2 position.

The Saga continues to be the mainstay representing nearly half of total sales with 3,871 units sold. This represents a 72% increase over the same period last year.

The Persona, Iriz, and Exora also performed well in comparison with January 2019. The Persona in particular nearly doubled in sales with 2,109 units delivered to customers.

This represents an 84% increase in comparison with the corresponding period. At the same time, the Iriz grew nearly five-fold, with 785 units finding their way to new customers. This is an increase of 465%.

Last but not least, the Proton X70 continues to hold station as the segment leader with a total of 1,367 units being registered.

With the locally assembled 2020 version all set to be launched next week, we can anticipate Proton’s sales figures to grow even more within the coming months.

On another note, we will also be taking the 2020 X70 this week on a test drive session to experience all the new features. We're especially excited about the new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, so stay tuned for our review which will be coming soon.


If You Could Only Have One – Fun All-Rounder Cars

We’re strong advocates of splitting your fun cars and your everyday cars, but for some people this isn’t always an option. If that’s the case for you, read on...

The idea of trying to combine your weekend car and your daily is something that we have found doesn’t work in the best of ways. The problem stems from the fact that by nature, the objectives for an everyday car are vastly different from that of a weekend car or a project car. Everyday cars need to be reliable, fuel efficient, cheap to run, practical, and generally easy to drive.

On the other hand, a weekend car just needs to provide driving pleasure. You don’t need to worry about carrying more than one passenger, and you don’t even need to worry about how fast you burn through wear and tear items because it’s not something you will be driving as often. This is why we believe in splitting the duties of a weekend car and an everyday car – but alas, some people don’t have the option or space. If you could have one, these are our picks at various price points.

Suzuki Swift Sport ZC32S - prices starting from RM 59,800

This has got to be on our list for one of the
cheaper fun cars
 that can still very much function as an everyday machine. The Swift Sport is a wonderful little warm hatch that is easy to drive on the limit, but still perfectly docile and livable on a day-to-day basis. The engine isn’t much of a gas guzzler if you drive it like a normal car, but push it hard and you will be rewarded with reasonable performance. The six speed manual gearbox is also a joy to use, with a well weighted clutch and a slick gearshift.

Toyota Altezza RS200 - prices starting from RM 35,000

A slightly older option than the Swift Sport is the
Altezza RS200
 –a car that was designed to fight the BMW 3 Series of the time, and the most potent variant available. While performance figures are adequate for a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine, it is the weight of the car that tends to let it down on the acceleration front. That being said, the chassis balance and handling are impeccable due to the suspension design, and it is more than capable of ferrying four occupants in comfort.

BMW E36 325i - prices starting from RM 9,800

The prices for these cars are
lower than ever
, and if you’re lucky you can even snag a manual example for under RM 10,000. These are a slightly more potent alternative to the Toyota Altezza RS200, and probably the cheapest way to experience the joys of an inline-six cylinder engine. The 325i is just one of the more common powertrains available – go as large as a 328i if you want a little more torque and power.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 - prices starting from RM 106,800

We’re finally reaching the point where the Volkswagen Golf GTIs are
coming down in price
 in the second hand market and becoming more accessible. The seventh generation model marked a huge improvement in ride and handling from the sixth generation, and they are perfectly usable as both every day cars and weekend drive machines. Running costs aren’t astronomical either if you keep them well serviced and avoid trying to push absurd power.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI - prices starting from RM 29,500

We know the Tiguan Allspace just came out – with some pretty attractive pricing too – but spare a thought for the
first generation Tiguan models
 that made it to Malaysia, packing the 2.0 TSI powertrain. These compact SUVs are the perfect wolves in sheep's clothing, with plenty of performance and potential, but a package that offers greater comfort, practicality, and functionality than a Golf GTI.

BMW F30 328i - prices starting from RM 83,200

You might wonder why we’ve gone straight from the E36 to the F30, and the answer is simple – the F30 is the
first of the BMW 3 Series models
 that comes with a fast responding, enjoyable automatic gearbox. The automatic units in previous generations of the 3 Series were slower to respond and a lot less enjoyable than a manual, but finding a manual E46 or E90 3 Series can be practically impossible. As for why we pick the 328i, it’s simply the best balance of performance and affordability.

We know there are plenty of other options that should be on the list, but these six options alone carry a fairly broad range of tastes and requirements you might have for a car. If you have your own picks, let us know in the comments!


Cara Kreatif Mangsa Banjir Selamatkan Kereta

Salah satu cara kreatif selamatkan kereta daripada banjir?

Sebelum ini seorang pemilik Mercedes-AMG A 45S berjaya menyelamatkan keretanya daripada ditenggelami air banjir dengan
menggunakan beberapa timbunan rim kertas A4
.

Baru-baru ini, tular satu rakaman video tentang satu keluarga yang menggunakan plastik kalis air besar untuk membalut kereta mereka, sebagai persiapan menghadapi bencana banjir yang melanda di rumah mereka.

Pemilik sebenar video berkenaan, Siti Zulaikha menjelaskan rakaman video yang tular itu sebenarnya diambil pada tahun 2014. Kenderaan yang dibalut ketika itu merupakan milik ayahnya yang tinggal di Kemaman, Terengganu sewaktu banjir besar melanda negeri tersebut.

Dari beberapa rakaman video yang dikongsikan, kita dapat lihat kereta
Lexus RX 300
 itu langsung tidak terjejas dengan air banjir yang menenggelamkan kawasan rumah ayahnya.

Bahkan kereta tersebut boleh dihidupkan dan bergerak seperti biasa, sejurus adik Siti Zulaikha membuka balutan plastik kalis air yang membaluti keseluruhan badan kereta milik ayah mereka.

Tambah Siti Zulaikha lagi, walaupun ada pihak menyatakan keadaan banjir tidak boleh diramal dan perbuatan membalut kereta menggunakan plastik itu tidak relevan, namun dia menegaskan persiapan ini merupakan salah satu ikhtiar untuk
mengurangkan kerosakan pada kenderaan
.

Nampaknya plastik kalis air ini menjadi tumpuan ramai, terutamanya mangsa banjir yang
kehilangan harta benda akibat banjir kilat
 yang melanda baru-baru ini.

Tinjauan penulis mendapati plastik kalis air bersaiz besar ada dijual di dalam talian dengan harga sekitar RM20 dan ke atas, mengikut saiz dan kualiti plastik.

Memandangkan ini adalah satu alternatif bagi penduduk di
kawasan yang berisiko tinggi terjejas banjir
, cara kreatif ini mendapat sambutan yang menggalakkan daripada orang ramai.

Adakah anda akan mencuba cara ini?


Mk8 GTI Spotted At VW Facility in Pahang, Wait For It Or Get These Instead?

The Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI has been spotted testing around Volkswagen's assembly
facility
 in Pekan, Pahang so is this a good indication that the newest Golf GTI could be a CKD car?

Traditionally all VW Golf's in Malaysia have been fully imported cars so you can see why this bit of sighting is quite the juiciest of news. Volkswagen already assembles the Vento, Passat, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Arteon there so perhaps it was just a matter of time before the VW Golf joins the locally made crew.

It's only logical that one of the most attractive parts of the GTI is its affordability so by CKD'ing the car, it should surely be one of the most competitively priced hot hatches in Malaysia, right?

Previously, when the Golf GTI completely dominated the front-wheel-drive hot hatch market in Malaysia due to not having much competition, it never really had to be so competitively priced, but the resurgent rise of other hot hatches from other manufacturers have probably forced Volkswagen to make it as affordable as possible hence the local assembly.

When the Golf GTI is introduced, it should come with a 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine that will pump out 245 PS, 15 PS more than the current Mk7.5 GTI. Power is sent to a 7-speed dual-clutch 'DSG' gearbox, as before. It should also come with the much talked about electronically controlled front-axle locking differential as standard. The electronic differential offers the GTI precise steering and immense grip in the bends. You can read more about the eighth generation Mk8 Golf GTI
here
.

But what if you don't want a Golf, let alone an Mk8?

Well, fortunately, we have other options available in Malaysia right now that could probably give you the same amount of practicality and adrenaline rush.

Mercedes Benz A250

If you're aiming for a new car, the
Mercedes Benz A250
 would be your best bet. One of the best things about the third generation A250 is that Mercedes was very keen to point out how the ride comfort has been improved in the all-new A-Class, addressing one of the biggest complaints of its hatchback - and they managed to do it.

The interior has been improved too and out went the awkwardly-placed infotainment display, now replaced with suave-looking dual 10.25-inch displays. Infotainment system aside, the all-new generation A-Class raises the bar when it comes to the premium appeal for hatchbacks. Mercedes-Benz has utilized a generous amount of premium-looking (and feeling) materials throughout the interior, from the plush leather seats to the metal air vents - just about everything in the A-Class looks and feels the part.

But if power is your thing, it has that too, with 224 hp and 350 Nm on tap. Acceleration is brisk and strong from the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. Power is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. For the most part, gear shifts are quick and seamless. What about handling you might ask, well, it has that box ticked as well. Adding to the hot hatch experience is the sharp steering and rigid body of the A250. Turn in is sharp and precise, further adding to the sporting credentials of the A250. The rigid body also helps, even when pushed hard through twisty roads. Paired with the lowered sports suspension, the A250 does make for a rather capable and fun machine.

Renault Megane RS

Ahhh, the front-wheel-drive Nurburgring champ, (not really cause that car was modified to hell but still...) the choice for those who want the 'raciest' hot hatch of them all. Powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine which produces 280 PS and 390 Nm of maximum torque (5 PS and 30 Nm more than the outgoing 2.0-litre engine), the all-new Megane RS comes with a choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox, or a 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission.

The addition of the EDC and two extra doors at the rear does make it more practical than ever before but the interior with its simple and functional feel and layout does make it feel a lot less premium than the others. Then again, this is more of a hot hatch that tips towards fun weekends rather than a family car so a different approach to a hot hatch.

It's
4Control four-wheel steering system
 which comes as standard, as well as Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD) does give it a bit of a party trick compared to the rest.

Volvo V40 T5

If you want to be completely different and discreet there's always the Volvo V40 T5. Unfortunately Volvo doesn't sell it as a brand new car but there are some three year old good examples of it in the used car market.

With 245hp and and 350Nm from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, its performance does put it in hot hatch territory - and by the way, it can do the century sprint in 6.3secs. The chassis is well balanced too and can give you the same sort of excitement, perhaps a bit more tempered compared to the other two above but still bucket loads of fun nonetheless.

The only problem with the V40 T5 is its practicality. It has the smallest boot out of the abovementioned cars and rear headroom was traded in for a sleek rear roof line. It'll be okay for kids, but expect older people to complain about it.

There's also a
Polestar Performance Edition V40
, but good luck trying to find one as it was only on a limited run in Malaysia.


Lapor Kesalahan Jalan Raya Melalui Aplikasi e-Aduan@JPJ

Orang awam kini boleh melaporkan kesalahan pengguna jalan raya lain yang melanggar peraturan melalui aplikasi e-Aduan@JPJ.

Untuk menggunakan kemudahan tersebut, orang ramai terlebih dahulu perlu mendapatkan id awam di laman sesawang
JPJ
untuk mendaftar. Orang ramai juga perlu mengaktifkan sistem kedudukan global (GPS) bagi memudahkan pengesanan lokasi.

Cara Membuat Aduan Melalui e-Aduan@JPJ

Aduan yang lengkap mempunyai:

Waktu kejadian

Lokasi

Video atau Gambar

Aplikasi e-Aduan@JPJ tak wujud?

Walau bagaimanapun, carian kami di App Store tidak menemukan sebarang aplikasi yang disebutkan ini. Rupa-rupanya, ianya bukanlah aplikasi baharu namun hanyalah sebagai ciri tambahan di dalam aplikasi JPJ Info, bukanlah sebuah aplikasi baharu.

Walau bagaimanapun, ruangan e-Aduan@JPJ ini hanya boleh didapati di aplikasi JPJ Info untuk peranti Android sahaja buat masa ini.

Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Ops HRA) 2022

Sementara itu, JPJ turut akan melaksanakan
Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Ops HRA) 2022
 bermula 29 April hingga 8 Mei ini.

Operasi tersebut akan dilaksana melalui pendekatan advokasi dan penguatkuasaan dengan objektif utama memastikan persekitaran jalan raya sentiasa selamat dan seterusnya menurunkan kadar kemalangan serta kematian di jalan raya.


Honda Civic Type R Wins A Double At First Round Of 2015 BTCC

The all-new
Honda

Civic
 Type R hasn’t even found its way into UK showrooms yet but at the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) opening round at Brands Hatch Indy, the hot hatch managed to win two out of the three races that took place.
For those uninitiated with the BTCC, we’ll simplify it the best that we can. Basically on race day, three races will be held and points will be awarded for each of them. The progression is as such: a qualifying session determines the starting order for the first race. The results of race one determines the grid order for race two. Race three however, involves a draw. For example if a driver finished sixth in race two and the first draw is ball number six, that driver takes pole in race three. Each race consists of about 16 to 25 laps and can be extended by three laps if three or more laps have been run behind a safety car.
Now that we’ve gotten the details out of the way, let’s get back to the all-new Civic Type R, which managed a double with Gordon Shedden reaching the chequered flag first with Andy Priaulx in his
BMW
 125i M Sport a mere 0.040 seconds behind him. Race three held the same close finish with Matt Neal in his Honda taking top spot ahead of Jack Goff in his MG6 GT by 0.196 seconds. Race one saw Robert Collard’s BMW 125i M Sport in first place at the end of the 24 laps.
An impressive start for the
all-new Honda Civic Type R which made its debut
 at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. In stock format, the Civic Type R produces 310hp and 400Nm of torque. In racing format however, the 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC four-cylinder engine has been tuned to produce 40hp more.


Honda Malaysia To Close Pegoh Plant From 1-14 June During Lockdown 3.0

In compliance with the total lockdown,
lockdown 3.0
 or FMCO taking place from 1-14 June 2021, Honda Malaysia will be closing its operations comprising of their plant in Pegoh (Melaka), sales office and dealer showrooms nationwide.

This is part of Honda Malaysia's efforts to flatten the curve and stem the tide of the rise in COVID-19 cases that Malaysia has seen over the last weeks.

Honda Malaysia expects to resume business operations on 15th June 2021 depending on the status of the FMCO.

After-sales service will operate as usual, Honda is urging customers to download and use the HondaTouch app for appointments at dealerships. The after-sales service comprises of preventive maintenance, Body and Paint and towing assistance.

Honda dealerships however will be operational following the stipulated
SOP operating hours
 under Lockdown 3.0.

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
.

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


New Renault Koleos Now Open for Booking – 2 Variants, From RM180k

Renault Malaysia today announced that the brand’s flagship SUV, the Koleos, has been refreshed with a more distinctive exterior styling and an enhanced interior.

The new Koleos will continue to be offered in two variants:

Renault Koleos (RM179,888)

Koleos Signature (RM189,888)

While the dimensions remain the same as before, (2,705mm wheelbase for a total length of 4,672mm) the new exterior design now makes for a more aggressive and muscular look, with Renault’s Pure Vision LED headlamps available on both variants.

Key enhancements to the new Renault Koleos include:

New front bumper with full-width chrome detailing that extends all the way to the fog lamps on each side with two-tone finishing

New rear bumper that benefits from additional chrome trims and two-tone finishing

New colour options of Amethyst Black, Millesime Red and Ultra Silver in addition to the existing Universal White and Black Metallic colours

New 19-inch alloy wheels for Koleos Signature and 18-inch alloy wheels for the Koleos variant

Both variants are now equipped with the convenient hands-free power tailgate which is height adjustable according to individual needs

Equipped with smartphone replication feature through the 8.7-inch R-LINK2 multimedia system that is compatible with both Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto

Rear passenger seats with a two-step adjustable seat configuration for enhanced comfort

Electric panoramic sunroof that adds a premium touch while enhancing in-cabin ambience (for Koleos Signature only)

Power seats for both the driver and front passengers

Under the hood, the new Koleos continues to be powered by the same 2.5-litre petrol engine as before, mated to an X-Tronic CVT transmission, with an output of 171 PS and peak torque of 226Nm.

The Koleos comes with a five-year full manufacturer’s warranty with unlimited mileage. It also includes a free regular maintenance service package of five years or 100,000km (whichever comes first).

Additionally, bookings made in November will enjoy up to RM15,000 for trade-ins on top vehicle assessment amount.

Customers can also enjoy freedom and flexibility with the new Koleos through Renault Subscription and break away from the need to commit to a long-term loan tenure, rigid lock-ins and avoid concerns on vehicle depreciation costs.

The new Koleos is also available via Renault Subscription with no change to the existing Koleos plan prices:

Fixed Plan:

Switch Plan

The new Renault Koleos will be available at Renault showrooms later this month.


RM20 billion EV investment targeted by 2025

Malaysia is planning to expand its
EV industry
 by attracting RM20 billion worth of investments by 2025.

So far, RM14 billion has been poured into the country's overall EV ecosystem from 2018 to 2022, particularly in some crucial points such as batteries, onboard charging, and the one that got us into that horrible 'range anxiety' feeling, charging infrastructure.

RM40 billion investments by 2030

The Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) together with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is confident that the initial RM20 billion investment mark will be met before proceeding to the even bigger RM40 billion come 2030.

MITI, in particular, will be leveraging the country's position as one of the top electrical and electronics manufacturers in the region in order to further expand Malaysia's EV ecosystem capabilities in the coming years.

According to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, "We have an established ecosystem, backed by solid R&D and standards facilities, through agencies such as SIRIM, as well as an established components' sub-sector that could service the whole EV value chain, comprising semiconductors, sensors, automotive electronics, transceivers, batteries, and auto assembly."

These investments will also hopefully see the expansion of charging infrastructure from 900 charging stations that are currently available now to around 10,000 by 2025. That's just three years down the road, folks. Possible?