New 2017 Aston Martin DB11 Powered By Mercedes-AMG 4.0 V8

Through its synergy with
Mercedes-AMG
, Aston Martin has introduced a new engine variant for its DB11 grand tourer powered by Affalterbach's famed 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8.
After successfully introducing the DB11 in 2016 with a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, Aston Martin has gone down the downsized turbocharging route to offer competitive products in markets where car taxation policy is structured around engine capacity, such as China, or even Malaysia, for that matter.
The new 4.0-litre variant, which will be sold alongside the 5.2-litre V12 (600bhp and 700Nm) model, produces 503bhp and 675Nm of torque and is capable of propelling the DB11 from 0-100km/h in just 4.0sec on to a top speed of 300km/h.
The 4.0-litre AMG V8 engine, codenamed M178, also sees duty in the Mercedes-AMG GT family, with outputs ranging from 456hp in the AMG GT right up to 577hp in AMG GTR. AMG engines are known for their robust build quality, given AMG's 'one man-one engine' principle – every unit is signed off by its builder with a metal plaque that is fixed onto the engine cover.
Aston Martin has visibly carried the treatment over to the DB11 V8, but, instead of the AMG engine builder's name, the plaque brandishes the name of the inspector who conducts the final inspection at Aston Martin's home in Gaydon. U.K.
However, Aston Martin has tweaked certain components such as the air intake, exhaust and wet sump lubrication systems. Aston Martin were also given freedom by AMG to create new ECU software and reprogram the engine and throttle mapping to deliver the all-important Aston Martin feel and sound.
Aston Martin’s engineers also designed new engine mounts, which together with the bespoke, ‘slimline’ wet sump system enables the V8 to be mounted lower within the engine bay for an optimised center-of-gravity.
The V8 engine is also lighter and more compact than the V12, which contributes to a saving of 115kg and a kerb weight of 1760kg.
The lower weight and better weight distribution have also enabled engineers to further enhance the handling characteristics of the DB11 – suspension bushing, suspension geometry, anti-roll bars, springs, dampers and ESP software are all newly-developed.
There are subtle visual differences between the two variants that include a unique alloy wheel finish, dark headlamp bezels and a pair of bonnet vents instead of the quartet featured on the V12. These vents come in a choice of black or titanium finish mesh, again different from that fitted to the twelve-cylinder variant.
Inside, both V8 and V12 customers have the same standard equipment levels and the same extensive choice of colour and trim options.
The new V8-powered DB11 made its debut at the ongoing Goodwood Festival of Speed. The V8 DB11 is on sale now with a price starting at EUR 184,000 in Germany.


Singapore 2019: Peugeot 508 GT Previewed

Just under a year after its
global debut
, a left hand drive sedan version of the all-new Peugeot 508 has been previewed at the ongoing Singapore Motor Show. Its first official appearance in the ASEAN region.
In its second-generation, Peugeot’s D-Segment contender boasts a radical new design, new engines, and a substantial leap in technology and build quality.
The 508 was inspired by the Peugeot Instinct concept, from which it derives vertical opalescent LED daytime running lights and the wide and sleek stance of the front end. Peugeot also opted to move away from the conventional four-door proportions of the outgoing car, in favour of a five-door fastback coupe body style. At the rear, the car’s width is further characterised by a glossy black horizontal strip which is flanked by three-dimensional Full LED rear lights.
In terms of dimensions, the new car measures 4.75 meters, 8 cm less than the predecessor and some 11 cm less than
Volkswagen’s Arteon
, making it among the most compact saloons in its class. The width, at 1.84 meters is 2 cm wider than the outgoing model, and the new car also sports a low-silhouette, measuring just 1.40 meters in height, approximately 6 cm less than the predecessor.
The Peugeot 508 is underpinned by the Peugeot’s EMP2 platform, which achieves a weight-reduction on average of 70 kgs less compared to the previous model. Peugeot also implemented a new body-welding technique which is strengthened with structural adhesive, to provide greater body rigidity and acoustic insulation.
Globally, there are two petrol engine variants offered with the 508, based on a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, in two power levels: PureTech 180 and 225, which refer to their power outputs of 180 PS and 225 PS respectively, although there’s no confirmation on which unit resides under the hood of the preview car. Power is sent to the company’s ‘EAT8’ 8-speed automatic transmission, which was co-developed with Aisin.
On the inside, the Peugeot 508 features the latest version of the Peugeot i-Cockpit, which is highlighted by the new compact steering wheel, a large 10-inch wide HD touch-screen, and head-up display unit with a 12.3-inch digital screen. In terms of connectivity, the new Peugeot 508 offers MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
The ‘wide-opening’ panoramic sunroof and a premium audio system by Focal are other highlights of the new car’s interior. The Peugeot 508 also includes the i-Cockpit Amplify system, which augments the car’s ambience settings, such as the lighting, audio, and seat massage functions to offer greater comfort to passengers.
The 508 also comes packed with the company’s latest driving aids. The common array of Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring system, and Traffic Sign Recognition is further updated with Active Safety Brake which works at speeds up to 140 km/h, and a Night Vision system, a first for the segment.
We have previously reported that the Peugeot 508 is slated to be
launched in Malaysia
 in 2019.


Audi’s Super Bowl Ad Might Trigger Your Male Ego

One of the most watched sporting events in the world, the Super Bowl American football match is all set to take centre stage in just another 3 days, and as expected, TV ads from huge companies are flooding Youtube at the moment.
One of the recent ones to get our attention was the ad by Audi, called “Daughter.”
The ad basically tells the emotional story of a young girl competing in a downhill cart race in her home town as her father looks on. As she races around the track, her father contemplates whether his daughter’s worth is measured by her gender.

He wonders, “What should I tell my daughter….that she will automatically be valued less than every man she’ll ever meet?” As he stands hopeful on the sidelines, watching her outwit her adversaries to win the race, he finds a new-found confidence, celebrating her victory and the tangible hope for equality in her bright future. The commercial concludes with a powerful message on “equal pay for equal work,” and that “progress is for everyone.”
Audi says that this year’s ad delivers a message of pay equality in the workplace, in line with its commitment to supporting pay equality, inclusivity, and the growth and development of all employees.
The company has publically pledged to support ongoing commitment to women’s pay equality in the workplace and to foster a work environment that drives equality for all employees. Audi also instituted a graduate internship program where 50 percent of enrollment must be female establishing greater equality for our future workforce.


Renault Koleos Open for Booking in Malaysia – From RM172,800

TC Euro Cars, sole-franchise holder of Renault cars in Malaysia, have begun taking orders for Renault’s flagship SUV, the Koleos - priced at RM172,800. The introductory price comes ahead of the official launch due in September.
The second-generation Renault Koleos shares much of its underpinnings with the
Nissan X-Trail
, first unveiled at the
2016 Beijing Auto Show.
 The car sits on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s jointly developed CMF-CD modular platform. As a result, the Koleos shares a similar footprint to Nissan’s popular mid-sized SUV.
Quite unlike the
first-generation car
, the all-new Koleos features a robust and muscular new design – part of a refreshed corporate profile that was initiated with the Renault Clio back in 2012.
The Renault Koleos is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine outputting 168bhp and 226Nm. Renault claims a large portion of that of torque (up to 200Nm) is available from as low as 1,800rpm. The engine is mated to an X-Tronic CVT automatic transmission. The locally specified Koleos is only available as a front-wheel drive.
 The comprehensive list of feature highlights include:
Full-LED Pure Vision headlights with dynamic with C-shaped daytime running lights
18-inch alloy wheels (225/60/R18 tyres)
Combination leather interior
Dual-zone climate control
8.7-inch R-LINK 2 Infotainment system, 7-inch TFT colour screen instrument display
Interior ambient lighting
Keyless system with ‘walkaway lock’ as standard
Arkamys 3D 8-speakers sound systems
Blind Spot warning (BLIS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS and EBD, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) as standard.
Six-airbags
The Renault Koleos comes with a five-year comprehensive manufacturer warranty with unlimited mileage. The all-new Koleos is available in four colours - Meissen Blue, Universal White, Black Metallic and Grey Metallic.


KL-Padang Besar ETS To Start Running On July 10

Following the
inspections by SPAD
, the Electric Train Service (ETS) that stretches from the capital in Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar close to the Thai border will begin service from Friday, July 10.
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai told reporters after finishing a test run of one of the brand new electric trains between Batu Gajah to Kuala Kangsar that there would be trains departing for the northernmost route twice daily, according to report by
The Star
.
"We have ordered 10 sets of the electric trains, and once they are ready, the frequency will increase," he added.
Fares from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar will be priced at RM81.


SST To Be Implemented In September 2018

The government of Malaysia has confirmed that Sales and Services Tax (SST) will be reintroduced in September this year.
Speaking at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting earlier today, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad told the assembled press that SST will be imposed come September, but added that the legislation will first have to be enacted in Parliament before passing it to the public.
There is no confirmation yet if SST will return to its previous 10 percent rate. However The New Straits Times have previously quoted Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng as saying:
“The SST, to be re-introduced later, will be set at 10 per cent as stated in the Pakatan Harapan election manifesto,” said Lim.
“If, however, there is a change, we will make an announcement,” he added.
Come 1-June, the existing 6 percent GST will be made zero-rated, effectively making the three-month period from June until September a tax-free period for all consumer products and services.


2017 Perodua Bezza Updated, Price Unchanged

The
Perodua Bezza
 may be the company's newest member, having been around since July 2016. But that has not stopped Perodua from updating its first-ever sedan.
For 2017, the Perodua Bezza Premium X and Advance will receive new chrome platinum finish on the air-conditioning controls, replacing the silver trim on the old model. The range-topping Bezza Advance will also come with new leather seat design.
Visually, the updated
Perodua Bezza
 receives a slightly revised rear bumper design. Now, the lower half of the bumper now sports a diffuser-like design, aimed to cover up the underneath of the Bezza.
Perodua did not mention whether or not equipment levels will be updated. All variants is expected to be offered with dual airbags, ABS, EBD and ISOFIX. The Bezza 1.3 Premium X adds front fog lights, front parking sensors, headunit with Bluetooth and USB and smart keyless entry. As for the range-topping Bezza 1.3 Advance, it should continue to offer side skirting, leather upholstery with leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, infotainment system with Smart Link, rear view camera, Auto Start Stop, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, hill hold assist and brake assist.
The Perodua Bezza is powered by a duo of aluminium engines, namely a 1.0-litre KR-VE and 1.3-litre 1NR-VE. The former outputs 68 PS and 91 Nm, whilst the 1.3-litre unit does 91 PS and 121 Nm.
As before, Perodua is offering five variants of the Bezza, namely the 1.0-litre A/T and M/T, the 1.3-llitre Premium X A/T and M/T and the 1.3-litre Advance A/T.


Klang Valley Enters Phase 3 Of NRP From October 1st

Prime Minister Dato Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob annnounced yesterday that the Klang Valley (Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya) will enter Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan, making the most populous region in Malaysia’s stint in Phase 2 some 20 days following its
Phase 2 transition
 on September 10th.

The announcement included Melaka, which will also enter Phase 3, and Kedah, which will move into Phase 2 from October 1st, joining Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Johor, and Sabah. This leaves no state in
Phase 1 according to the NRP
.

Mainly, what this means for citizens and residents within Phase 3 is the resuming of all economic activities, including ones that remained prohibited under Phase 2, including sports events, cinemas, live performances, theatre, amusement parks. Spas, beauty salons, and other grooming-related businesses are also allowed, but on an appointment basis only.

That being said, nightlife activities such as pubs and clubs are still on the no-no list for the time being, but given how quickly the Klang Valley stayed in the previous phase, Phase 4 might not be too far off.

As of September 29, states within the Klang Valley has cumulatively tallied over an 81% fully vaccination rate of its total population while its adult (18+) population is over 100% fully vaccinated according to MKN data, closely followed by Labuan (98.5%) and Negri Sembilan (97%) - both of which are in Phase 4.

Of course, interstate travel is still not allowed apart from within Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya. Malaysians are also still allowed to pursue leisure tourism to the
travel bubble destination of Langkawi
.

National Recovery Council chairman and former PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has stated that the government expects interstate borders to be
reopened as early as mid-October
 following the prime minister’s announcement that this move will be made once the count of fully vaccinated adults breaches 90%.

Contrary to previous reports
, the addition of Pulau Tioman, Genting Highlands, and Melaka to this travel bubble green list has now been put on hold due to nationwide tourism and travel seemingly coming just around the corner.


New 2016 Proton Perdana Teased During First Public Preview: Launches In Q1 2016

This is it! Here is our first look at the new 2016 Proton Perdana after Proton Chairman, Tun Dr Mahathir graciously teased bits of the car to us during his arrival to officiate the Alami Proton Carnival 2015 at the carmaker’s Centre of Excellence Complex in Shah Alam.
Yesterday, we were
treated to a “preview”
 of the second phase, second generation Proton Perdana, which was under wraps. Now, we have more of an idea what the new car will look like after being shown a glimpse of the car’s significantly modified front and back as well.
(Read our first "preview" of the new 2016 Proton Perdana here)
That small bit which were shown of the car’s front, reveals headlights designed to be more in tune with Proton’s recent offering, the Iriz, with sleeker more angular units compared to the first phase model (referred to by many as the Accordana). Just below it, we find new blacked out fog lamp enclosures and smaller fog lamps themselves, dropping the chrome bits surrounding it. Elsewhere, front parking sensors are retained here as well, while bolder, and what looks like 18-inch wheels are fitted.
Even with the changes at the front, the large gaping space that is seen on the first phase model, hosting the front grille and Proton badge, appears to remain in place. Whether the front changes mentioned above are limited to only a bumper change, we’ll have to wait till the car is officially revealed to find out.
Moving on to the back, our first look at the taillights reveal that it is of a totally new design and features light bar elements in them. The centre white-out portion that houses the reverse indicators, meet up with a chrome bar running across the car’s boot. Continuing downwards, reverse sensors are seen before we meet up with one of two rear reflectors, decked out with chrome surrounds. Chromed trapezoidal exhaust tip are positioned just below them as well and we expect a twin exhaust tips (one located at each corner) as well.
As for the car’s profile, a new cloth wrap placed over the vehicle today accentuates a bit more of the car’s design. Things that we already know are the new side mirrors which resemble nothing like those seen in the
local movie
Kapsul
, protruding door handles, and a shark fin roof antenna.
This time, the car’s almost fastback-like profile shines through, revealing a very upright rear end with a prominent boot spoiler clearly seen. Barely visible are chrome surrounds located on the windows as well. Other details include a red paint finish, similar to that found on the Suprima S.
w
Dimension-wise, the car measures 4,999mm in length, longer than the eighth generation Honda Accord on which the car's platform is adopted from. We've already been told on other aspects of the car by Azlan Othman, Proton’s Head of Design, telling us that the Honda 2.0-litre R20A3 in-line four-cylinder and 2.4-litre K24Z2 in-line four cylinder petrol engines will serve as the powerplant for the new Perdana as well. He added that 80% of the car's design will be significantly different from the car it is based on as well, which as we can see, is quite clearly evident though we'll wait till the car is revealed in full to see what's what.
The new 2016 Proton Perdana will be the first new model introduced by the local carmaker in Q1 2016, and as of now, no tentative prices have been announced. The car is currently on display to the general public at the Alami Proton Carnival 2015 albeit under wraps for now so if you'd like to have a guess and give your imagination a workout, do come and have a look. Every predecessing Perdana model is also on display, sans any wrapping for you to see as well.


2017 All-New Kia Grand Carnival Launched, CBU Priced From RM165,888

Naza Kia has officially launched the all-new 2017 Kia Grand Carnival, after
previewing
 the new model at the 2016 MAI Malaysia Autoshow.
The company is offering two variants of the Grand Carnival, both powered by a 2.2-litre CRDi turbodiesel that churns out 193 PS and 440 Nm that sends drive to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. An 80-litre fuel tank comes standard.
Stadard equipment for both variants include:
6 airbags
ABS
EBD
ESC
HAC
ISOFIX child seat anchor points
The entry-level Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDI KX receives these kit:
Projector halogen headlights with LED DRLs
Front fog lights
LED rear tail lights
Rear fog light
All round tinted glass
Power folding side mirrors with LED turn signal
Shark fin type antenna
Supervision cluster 3.5" TFT OLED dislay
4.3" infotainment system with rear view camera
6 speakers
Manual air conditioning
Fabric upholstery
Second row seats with 40:20:40 split folding
Third row seats with 50:50 split folding
Rear air vents for second and third row seats
Remote key
Manual sliding door
Gas-lift tailgate
Active Eco Function
Speed-sensing auto door lock
Impact-sensing auto door unlock
18-inch Clear Silver alloy wheels
Moving one level up is the Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDI EX, which adds these kit:
Black high glossy type front radiator grille with white chrome
Roof rack
Tri-zone automatic air-conditioning with Cluster Ionizer
Leather upholstery
8 way power adjustable front driver seat
Smart key system with push start button
Power sliding doors
Smart Power tailgate operation
18-inch Machine Finish alloy wheels
Naza Kia says that the Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDI KX will be priced at RM165,888, whilst the 2.2 CRDI EX will be priced at RM185,888. Both prices are on-the-road with insurance and GST. A 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage comes as standard. A total of three colours are available at launch, Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl and Titanium Brown The company is keen to push sales up by 25% with the introduction of several new models this year, including the Kia Grand Carnival.

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 At the moment, the 2017 Kia Grand Carnival is sold as CBU. In the near future, Naza Kia will CKD the model, which is currently in advanced stage of planning.
Earlier, Naza Kia previewed the base Grand Carnival 2.2D, which was priced at RM153,888. However, the said model has been effectively replaced by the Grand Carnival 2.2 CRDI KX and 2.2 CRDI EX.


Nail-Biting Finish For Race Fans Concludes Round 2 Of Vios Challenge

Clear sunny weather conditions continued to bake the asphalt of the 1.99-kilometre street circuit at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS). The layout that was used in November’s Vios Challenge round remains unchanged, as both fans and drivers loved the technical layout that promised plenty of action and overtaking opportunities.
Super Sporting Class
You can always count on the professionals to put up a spectacular show and that was precisely what they gave race fans when Race 2 had to be stopped just two corners immediately after the start of the race when Kegani Racing’s William Ho overturned after coming into contact with Telagamas Toyota’s Freddie Ng.
Alif Hamdan, making his debut in the Toyota Vios Challenge driving for Team Laser Motor Racing, had his entire front bumper ripped off while trying to avoid William’s free-rolling Toyota Vios.
William Ho waved at fans as he crawled out of the wreckage and walked away unhurt from the incident. The race was delayed by 30 minutes as officials worked to remove the heavily damaged Kegani Racing Team Toyota Vios that was blocking the track and to rectify the damaged barrier.
At the restart, Freddie Ng who lined up from second made a brilliant getaway to get ahead of leader Kenny Lee, with Brendan Paul Anthony in hot pursuit in third place.
Kenny Lee piled on the pressure trying to find a way through and eventually forced Ng into making a costly mistake two laps later when hit the concrete barrier, coincidentally at the very exact corner (turn 2) responsible for the run-in between him and William Ho.
The race then slowly settled into the steady-state rhythm with Kenny Lee finishing ahead of Brendan Anthony and Race 1 winner Boy Wong in third position.
Sporting
Class
Patrick Tam of Team Nanoplus led Race 2 from start to finish. But it wasn’t a cruise to victory as a late introduction of the safety car brought second place Distinctive Model’s Clement Yeo into attack mode.
Clement Yeo had earlier been fending off a challenge from Prodigy Racing’s 14-year-old Hayden Haikal. Hayden Haikal’s attempt to passed Clement at turn 10 resulted in contact to both of them, with Hayden losing the most as only conceded track position to Eric Yong but also Race 1’s winner Kenneth Koh but was later served a 10-second time penalty.
Koh’s third place was, however, short-lived when he was called into the pit to repair a damaged rear bumper resulting from the earlier contact with Hayden. Eric Yong took the final podium position, finishing just 0.25 seconds behind Clement Yeo at the end of the 18 lap race.
Promotional Class
Racing in the Promotional class also brought out the best in the celebrities who put on a thrilling race for the fans, with singer Aiman Tino clinching his first race victory and second consecutive podium finish over the weekend following yesterday’s third-place finish.
Although the 20-year-old was placed third position on the grid, he again repeated his remarkable start to lead the race into the first corner, with fellow singer Akim Ahmad in close pursuit and Akio Takeyama in third. In chase and fourth place was race 1’s winner television host and presenter Nabil Ahmad and actress Diana Danielle in fifth.
“Like yesterday, my focus has always been on trying to get a good start,” said Aiman. “I felt a lot of pressure with Akim, Takeyama and Nabil chasing me down but I was able to keep my cool and gradually extend my lead in the race.”
The top five positions remained unchanged for three laps until Takeyama was handed a 10-second penalty for a starting offence, and later involved in an incident when Nabil’s overtaking move sent him into the concrete barrier, bringing out the safety car. Nabil crossed the finish line in third place but was subsequently served a 20-second penalty classifying him sixth. That promoted Diana into third place for her second podium finish.
The two-day Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival concluded with an array of activities for fans and spectators that included the preview and public test drive of the all-new Toyota Rush, test drives, promotions, and celebrity performances. A revamped paddock area also brought fans even closer to their favourite drivers.
Other activities included a fun run around the street circuit, a concert by the Promotional Class celebrities, a pit walkabout, the appearance by the world famous Baby Shark mascot, display and sales of merchandise booths, simulator racing challenge anchored by Shawn Lee, and a drift performance by professional Japanese drifters from Toyo Tyres.
Also organized was a Mural competition that was won by a group of college artists who called themselves Yaulacap, beating eight other participants to take home a prize of RM3,000.
Round 3 of the Toyota Vios Challenge and Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival will take place at Stadium Batu Kawan, Penang, from 22nd to 24th February 2019.


Autonomous Driving, Porsche Style - And The "Mark-Webber-Function"

You wouldn't expect Porsche to be particularly fond of the idea of autonomous cars, but they seem to be taking it in stride - at least according to Lutz Meschke, Vice President of the Executive Board. The more obvious traits of autonomous driving can be appreciated by any- such as autonomously piloting the car in traffic jams or self-parking which frees up time for the owner to do other things like have virtual meetings.
Their most current version of the system is found in their Panamera and Cayenne, known as the InnoDrive. It creates a semi-autonomous driving experience through the use of radars and other sensors as well as highly precise 3D route data from the navigation system. The biggest leap for their autonomous systems will be in the Mission E at the end of this decade, but that isn't the most interesting idea they have rolling around.
What is rather cool is their idea of a Mark-Webber-Function, which is named after Mark Webber of course. Taking a leaf out of Audi's autonomous circuit-lapping cars, the Mark-Webber-Function would be used to pilot a car around a racetrack as fast as the racing driver himself, showing occupants the right braking points and lines to take. It would allow owners to get up to speed with an unfamiliar racetrack by replaying exactly how Webber would drive, or perhaps even Walter Rohrl if they preferred his driving style instead.
But the way Porsche intends to deploy these autonomous, digitalized products are more on a pay-per-use basis. For example, if an owner wants a few extra horsepower for a track day, or adaptive headlights for long distance night driving, they would pay and download these particular items- but for that specific use. Similarly, for this Mark-Webber-Function, Porsche expects owners to pay 4 digit figures per use at a racetrack- so don't expect it to come with every car.
If you're questioning how effective a sales model this is, Porsche already has something similar with their situational insurance policies available to customers online since September of this year. Known as Porsche Shield, it allows customers to book additional insurance as and when they feel its necessary- and the same concept could be applied to various features of a car. Still though, treating a car like a video game with downloadable expansion packs is a little different from situational insurance, but at least the framework is in place.


Porsche Taycan Road Tax – How Is It So Expensive?

With the launch of the Porsche Taycan, we got an insight into how electric car road tax is calculated… but how is it so expensive?

The Malaysian government is going to have an interesting task ahead of them. Electric cars are coming, whether we like it or not, and our
road tax
 system has been based purely on displacement – i.e. a 1.3-litre car gets charged significantly less road tax than a 6.2-litre car. Part of this is simply because it’s a form of revenue for the government and helps with maintaining our roads (albeit really horribly), but another large part of it is a form of luxury tax.

We’ll get back to luxury tax in a bit. In other countries, roadtax is based on emissions – cars that pollute more generally have to pay more tax, which is a pretty significant reason for automakers to fight so hard when it comes to getting emissions down. This translates easily to electric cars, as figuring out how much an electric car pollutes is simply based on how much energy it needs to travel a specific distance, and how clean that electrical energy is through the means of productions.

Over here, short of overhauling our entire road tax system, the Malaysian government decided to go with performance figures and loosely base it off what is known when it comes to petrol engines. There is a pretty large flaw in this calculation, but again we will discuss this later on. For now, the basic calculation is as follows:

Kilowatt Range

Horsepower Range

Price

< 50 kW

<67.05 hp

RM 20

50kW – 60 kW

67.06 hp – 80.46 hp

RM 44

60 kW – 70 kW

80.46 hp – 93.87 hp

RM 56

70 kW – 80 kW

93.87 hp – 107.28 hp

RM 72

80 kW – 90 kW

107.28 hp – 120.69 hp

RM 160 + RM 0.32/0.05 kW above 80 kW

90 kW – 100 kW

120.69 hp – 134.1 hp

RM 224 + RM 0.25/0.05 kW above 90 kW

100 kW – 125 kW

134.1 hp – 167.63 hp

RM 274 + RM 0.50/0.05 kW above 100 kW

125 kW – 150 kW

167.63 hp – 201.15 hp

RM 524 + RM 1.00/0.05 kW above 125 kW

> 150 kW

> 201.15 hp

RM 1,024 + RM 1.35/0.05 kW above 150 kW

For reference, the road tax on a Nissan Leaf comes in at around RM374 for its 110 kW/147.51 hp output – although there’s currently a discount on it. The
MINI Cooper SE
 that was recently launched sees a road tax of RM724, for its 135 kW/181.04 hp output. Here is where we start to see a little bit of a discrepancy compared to conventional cars, where both naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants are taxed far less than their power outputs based on their displacements. Even a
Subaru BRZ
 at around 200 hp would only cost you RM380 in road tax for its 2.0-litre engine.

That’s why there is such a big uproar surrounding the taxation of the
Porsche Taycan
 across all its variants. For those who haven’t seen it yet, the tax rates are as follows:

Model

Calculation

Roadtax

Porsche Taycan 4S (390 kW/523 hp)

RM 1,024 + 240 kW x RM 1.35 x 20

RM 7,504

Porsche Taycan 4S Battery Plus (420 kW/563 hp)

RM 1,024 + 270 kW x RM 1.35 x 20

RM 8,314

Porsche Taycan Turbo (500 kW/671 hp)

RM 1,024 + 350 kW x RM 1.35 x 20

RM 10,474

Porsche Taycan Turbo S (560 kW/751 hp)

RM 1,024 + 410 kW x RM 1.35 x 20

RM 12,094

Yep, that’s a lot of money. That being said, it is peculiar that the amount of road tax you have to pay for your Taycan isn’t too far off what you’d have to pay in something like a Porsche Panamera Turbo or a BMW M5. Well – sort of. A top spec Panamera runs with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 that will cost you RM6,630 in road tax, while a
BMW M5
 sees you paying around RM8,500 for its 4.4-litre V8 biturbo engine.

Both performance levels aren’t too far off what the Taycan is making, so in a sort of twisted way you can see that the road tax isn’t altogether ludicrous. As many have pointed out, if you can afford to take ownership of a Taycan, you can probably afford the road tax. That and the fact that maintenance costs are significantly lower for an electric car.

There are two arguments that have to be addressed here. The first is that many have pointed out how flawed this approach is if the government is really looking for widespread electric car adoption, as has been the case in many other countries. In other countries, electric car owners even get incentives when they purchase their vehicles to make the deal that little bit sweeter, and they pay almost no road tax. With road tax values for electric cars being higher than conventional cars, you start having a problem.

The second is that you can expect higher outputs to have significantly more tax, because that’s the function of a luxury tax. The vast majority of electric cars are not going to have over 150 kW of power – in fact, in the future you will probably see most electric cars coming in at around 90 kW to 100 kW of output, which is about the range of outputs from a Perodua Myvi to a Honda City.

So to EV or not?


Too Many Useless T&C for AirAsia X 'Travel Vouchers' Compensation?

It was back in June when
AirAsia
 stated that they've
'paid back'
 almost all customers affected by
flight cancellations
 during COVID-19 with travel vouchers equivalent to the amount owned. But is that really the case?

Malaysia Now
 reported that it's no rainbows and unicorns when it comes to customers who have received the said travel vouchers in lieu of cash refunds or compensations. Why? Well, a number of difficulties popped up when they read the 'Terms & Conditions' of the travel vouchers. In other words,
very mafan one
.

Only for a fixed list of destinations?

While AirAsia has been receiving a lot of heat due to its inability to offer cash refunds, the travel vouchers that they've issued in compensation can only be used for certain payments and trips to a 'fixed list of destinations'. That, obviously, added more fuel to the fire.

The travel vouchers were credited into the passengers' accounts following AirAsia's High Court-approved debt restructuring move last March. It turns out that there's a fine print on the use of said vouchers for three and only three particular destinations at first - New Delhi, Seoul, and Sydney.

More destinations will be added like Tokyo, Sapporo, Osaka, Hawaii, Perth, Melbourne, Auckland, London, Istanbul, and Dubai. Even then, it still sounds like they're trying to profit from these travel vouchers by limiting the number of destinations that can be used with the compensatory travel vouchers.

Change of expiry dates without informing the customers?

One of the customers complained that she was given two credits in her account due to her flight from Singapore to KL getting cancelled back in May 2020 due to COVID-19. Malaysia Now also reported that only one credit was converted to a travel voucher and she could only use it to travel to the destinations listed above.

With only SGD160 (around RM514) worth of credit available in the account, the customer has no other choice but to spend more money to travel to the listed destination in order to make use of the compensation provided by AirAsia.

The customer also claimed that her credit expiry date was changed to a different date, even though AirAsia X itself stated that the travel vouchers are good for five years from the date they were issued to the customers. The online credit? Only two years.

*Image credit: Business Today

Another customer unable to redeem the voucher's full value

Another Malaysian was left frustrated as she was unable to use her full voucher amount of RM3,728.92. While she was fortunate enough to be able to use the voucher to head to one of AirAsia's locations on the list, she found out that it can only be used to cover the 'basic fare' of the flight.

The good news? She was able to use RM3,558 from her credit but was left with RM170.92 hanging and she considered it to be too little to be used for anything else. Her Twitter post went somewhat viral and was filled with other dissatisfied AirAsia customers complaining about their own situations regarding the carrier's poor attempts in handling refunds, issuance of vouchers, and more flight cancellations.

AirAsia sold 500,000 seats in 48 hours

Despite all the complaints that can be found online, AirAsia managed to sell over half a million seats in just 48 hours thanks to its latest '5 million free seats' promotion. It's good value-for-money stuff as customers only had to pay for fees and surcharges, but it's like rolling the dice - take your chances and you might win. There will be losers, though.


Honda Malaysia Partners With Maybank To Offer Better Financial Solutions

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd has shook hands with Maybank over an agreement to better integrate each other’s operations to combine automotive manufacturing and sales with a comprehensive range of financial services.
With the aim of enhancing operational efficiencies for
Honda
 dealers, service centres and - most importantly - customers, Maybank divulged details of the newly inked deal on Monday, May 11 that would cover manufacturing, distribution, retailing, and after sales services for its Malaysian dealers and customers, offering the gamut of expertise from Maybank’s financial solutions portfolio such as stocking financing, hire purchase, credit card merchants, cash management, distributor-supplier financing packages and their proprietary MaxiPlan.
The joint-effort would relieve dealers of the tedium involved with having to deal with arranging and monitoring financing to get to the customers so that they can focus on developing their business and increase sales.
“Maybank will also provide clients of Honda Malaysia with access to personal and business insurance coverage as well as online banking services,” Maybank said.
Hamirullah Boorhan, Maybank’s head of community financial services said that the move was spurred on by a growth of 10.3 percent in its automobile financing franchise industry compared to a mere 4.4 percent the year prior.
“This has been achieved by maintaining superior asset quality with our impaired loans ratio being the lowest in the industry,” Hamirullah continued.
Maybank is also already the leader in floor stocking financing in Malaysia. These realizations opened the bank’s eyes to the opportunity to become the leader automotive financier in Malaysia as well. And with its partnership with Honda inked, more automakers might decide to have partnership with its own choice of bank to provide the financial backbone necessary to have its focus fixed on selling cars and serving individual customers.


Detroit 2018: Lexus Brings Out The LF-1 Limitless, Positioned Above RX

The year is 2018. Lexus has finally decided to enter the world of crossovers. The luxury car world is rife with these things, and Lexus has just unveiled the LF-1 Limitless at the North American International Auto Show, adding to this ever growing list. It's positioned as their flagship crossover, which they feel is an entirely new segment, and also because they regard their RX and NX as crossovers too (they're more full-on SUVs to be honest, the definitions change every few years).
The LF-1 Limitless is a very muscular, beautiful looking concept. It's got shooting brake proportions, but it's not as low as a regular wagon would be. It's our favourite kind of crossover, a mash-up between the sporty, sleek wagon form and the utilitarian ride-height of a full-on SUV. The bonnet stretches far ahead of the cockpit, making it feel a little more like a grand tourer than an outright passenger car. It is the most current iteration of Lexus' design evolution, featuring their latest and greatest technologies and innovations.
As you would expect, a design like this is more likely to come from Lexus' design centre stateside than back home. CALTY, their design arm in the United States, has been responsible for crowd-favourites such as the FT-1 Concept and the current Lexus GS. Japan doesn't have as much of an appetite for SUVs or crossovers in the luxury segment, so it would have been more appropriate to have it designed in a market it is destined for. Genchi genbutsu (tackling a problem locally), so to speak.
There's a spindle grill. There are 22-inch wheels. There are bulging rear fenders and doors that are tucked away neatly into the bodywork. There are air vents to channel air out of the bodywork and reduce presure, and there's a split rear spoiler up top. Yes, it may just be a concept, but Lexus has a habit of incorporating a lot of their concept elements into their road-going models. The interior, well, is beautiful as any Lexus you can find in a showroom today.
Wooden interior trim coupled with ambient lighting creates an old-meets-new kind of setting for passengers, while the dashboard is fairly minimal and driver oriented. The LF-1 Limitless is a 2+2 seater, as is the norm for edgy-looking crossovers these days. There's also talk of autonomous driving capabilities, as the LF-1 Limitless has steer-by-wire systems and various other autonomous-ready controls for hands-free operation.
There's no word on what's going to power the LF-1 Limitless, although Lexus says it could be anything from a fuel cell, to a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, a full-on gasoline, or even all-electric. That's basically saying it could be anything except a diesel engine at this rate, although they did mention that by 2025 every Lexus model would be either completely electrified, or have some kind of hybrid system.
Compared to the current RX, the LF-1 Limitless is 124 mm longer, 91 mm wider, and 85 mm shorter, with a wheelbase that's 164 mm longer. This would put it higher up in the Lexus range than the RX, although there can't be many parallels drawn nor is there much extrapolation evident from the RX model line. The LF-1 Limitless is likely to sit in a class of its own, with its 2+2 seating arrangement and size - though not quite as outright huge as a GX.


2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 launched in Malaysia - From RM22,000

The all-new 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 has officially landed in Malaysia with prices starting from RM22,000.

Designed to be the perfect all-rounder with a dash of the retro-inspired facade, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is built on the award-winning 350cc J-series platform - a combination of the agile Harris Performance chassis and the 350cc single-cylinder banger that churns out 20.2hp and 27Nm of torque.

According to Mr. Rewi Hamid Bugo, Chairman of Didi Group mentioned, "Hunter is a brand-new model which is one of the most affordable motorcycles in Royal Enfield’s Line-up. Hunter which is very friendly to first-time buyers and youngsters due to the price and ease of riding especially in the urban environment We have no doubt believe this model will do well in Malaysia and be much loved by our local riders."

There are two different variants to choose from - Metro Rebel and Metro Dapper. If you prefer the Hunter in a more contemporary look, the Metro Rebel offers dual-colour liveries with 17-inch cast alloy wheels and rounded tail lights.

The Metro Dapper, on the other hand, comes with a choice of several tank colours and graphic options that are labelled as more 'distinctive and disruptive'.

Other highlights include:

Dual disc brakes (300mm front, 270mm rear)

Dual channel ABS

Digital-analogue instrument cluster

800mm seat height + more

Bookings are now open for the new 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 with prices set at RM22,000 for the Dapper Series and RM22,200 for the Rebel Series.


Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister,  passes away at 61

Yesterday, Malaysia received the unfortunate news of the passing of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. His daughter, confirmed his passing on social media last night.

“It is with sorrow that we announce the death of our family’s head, Salahuddin Ayub, at 9.23pm on July 23, 2023,” said Siti Fatihah Salahuddin said on her Facebook page.

The 61-year-old Minister suffered a brain haemorrhage on Saturday night, July 22, and subsequently underwent surgery on Sunday morning at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, Kedah.

The press secretary of the minister stated that Salahuddin's remains will be taken to his mother's residence in Tanjung Piai, Johor.

Throughout his career, Salahuddin was renowned for his involvement in the Payung Rahmah initiative and the ongoing efforts to develop a targeted subsidy system.

Notably, in May before his passing, he revealed plans to initiate targeted fuel subsidies for diesel starting in 2024. The main aim of this initiative was to reduce wastage in subsidies and ensure that financial assistance is directed to those motorists who genuinely require it.

For the smooth implementation of these targeted fuel subsidies, Salahuddin stressed the importance of creating an integrated database that would involve the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Finance Ministry, Transport Ministry, as well as the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry.

The passing of Salahuddin will lead to a by-election for the Pulai federal seat in Johor. He initially won this seat in 2018 and managed to retain it in the previous year.


2022 Toyota bZ4X Launching Soon In Thailand - EV Price Leaked At RM213k

Consistent with rumours from earlier this year, Toyota’s first fully electric vehicle, the bZ4X, will be arriving in Thai showrooms soon with a very tempting price thanks to
EV-friendly subsidies/incentives
.

According to a report from
Brand Inside
, information about the bZ4X’s pricing was either deliberately or accidentally posted to a social media page belonging to Thailand’s Excise Department as part of the meeting minutes of measures to further support the adoption of electric vehicles (specifically document No. 8/2565 on June 22nd, 2022).

Within that, details about the Toyota bZ4X are visible, namely its tentative pricing of 1.865 million Baht. However, it goes on to further reveal its post-subsidies price (and excluding VAT) of 1.715 million Baht, which based on the current exchange rate is equivalent to roughly RM213,246.

bZ4X priced at RM213k

This information should not be taken as certainty that the fully electric Toyota will be hitting showrooms with such a starting price but does give very strong indications of where that number could end up and, in turn, allows us to speculate about both a Malaysian launch under local distributors UMW Toyota and a general idea of how much it would cost.

Furthermore, according to the same (leaked?) document, the bZ4X slated to hit Thailand is confirmed to be equipped with a 71.4kWh battery which should give it a range of 500km between trips to the plug.

bZ4X Thailand specifications to mirror Malaysia?

Granted, that is the only configuration yet stated by the automaker since its first reveal. What isn’t known is whether the units headed to our ASEAN neighbour are the dual-motor all-wheel-drive or single-motor front-drive version, or both.

Toyota is regarded as a pioneer and leading manufacturer of hybrid vehicles and those powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, but the bZ4X, as mentioned, is their first fully electric vehicle built from the ground up.

It uses the automaker’s e-TNGA platform co-developed with Subaru, who is introducing a sister model
called the Solterra
. Separately, its underpinnings will also be used for
the more upmarket Lexus RZ
.

With the bZ4X’s launch seeming rather imminent in Thailand, we’ll be keeping our ear to the ground about the possibility of the car making its way south to Malaysia as well, hopefully,
sooner rather than later
. If and when that occurs, its immediate mainstream competitors will be the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and the incoming Kia EV6.


All-New 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (C118) – Swipe Hand To Turn On The Lights

Mercedes-Benz is set to unveil the all-new, second generation Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class at next week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Codenamed C118, the all-new CLA-Class is the second of the new generation of Mercedes-Benz compact cars family, after the all-new W177 A-Class.
The all-new four-door coupe-sedan will ride on the same MFA-II platform as the A-Class, but is rumoured to feature an upgraded MBUX infotainment system, with details to be revealed at next week’s CES.
So far, Mercedes-Benz has only showed us the outline of its latest compact coupe-sedan, so we still don't know how different this all-new model will look.
What we know for sure is that the car will be offered with a new Interior Assistant feature. In a short teaser video released by Mercedes-Benz, it was demonstrated that the passenger-side dome light responds to hand gestures. A simple swiping motion of the hand in the direction of the front passenger seat turns on the dome lights, which then dims off again when driver’s hand is moved away.
The video also showed that the all-new CLA-Class will have an identical interior to the A-Class hatchback, but that’s to be expected.
As before, the CLA-Class will most likely share the same powertrain as the A-Class hatchback, which for this generation, ranges from a 1.3-litre (163 hp/250 Nm) in the A200 to the 2.0-litre four-cylinder (224 hp/350 Nm) in the A250, both turbocharged.
Later, the coupe-sedan CLA-Class will be followed by an
A-Class Sedan
, Mercedes-Benz’s answer to the Audi A3 Sedan.
The A-Class Sedan will be offered in two slightly different dimensions. A longer wheelbase 2,789 mm (60 mm longer than A-Class hatchback) model has already been announced for China, but specifications for the standard wheelbase A-Class Sedan that us in the rest of the world will be getting, has yet to be announced.
As for the GLA-Class crossover, the last member of the compact cars range to be renewed, there is no news about this model’s replacement yet, so it’s likely to continue in its current form for at least another year.


New Nissan Z Sports Car Is Just Around The Corner

Although Nissan's recent announcement about their plans to cut their annual costs by 3 billion dollars sounds like the company is backing into a cave, today's previewing of the new Nissan Z car makes that recent cost-cutting news looks like that there are some significant moves within Nissan and that they plan to make exciting cars once again - thank god!

There are many Zed car fans out there, and this teasing will surely excite them. What remains unknown is whether the two-door sports car will be a completely new vehicle or a facelift version of the 370Z. From the looks of the silhouette - as that was the only thing that was shown, many have said that it looks like a facelift, but a heavy one at that.

If the DRLs are anything to go by, it seems like the headlights of the new Z will be slightly oval rather than that funky angular headlight that is currently on the 370Z. The roofline also looks similar to the 370Z, which is a significant indication that the car is a massive facelift instead of a completely new vehicle.

Nissan has yet to confirm when this new Z car will be hitting the showrooms but with Nissan announcing that they will launch 12 new vehicles in the next 18 months, can we say the Z car will be available next year? Possibly.

Engine wise, an Australian renowned portal reckons that they will put a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 said to pump out 400hp and 475Nm of torque. They also mentioned that all that power would be sent to the rear wheels, like all Z cars. If this turns out to be accurate, imagine all the fun you can have from that engine in a compact sports car like this. Fancy a drift then?

The new Z car was teased in a video presentation in Japan at the end of the company's annual financial report. Enjoy it below!


MAA: Government‘s Inability To Address Delay In Approval Of Car Prices Hurting Auto Sector

The Ministry of Finance’s refusal to make decisions with regards to approval of tax incentives for qualified locally-assembled vehicles is the reason behind the repeated delays in launching several key models, said Datuk Aishah Ahmad, President of Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA).
Speaking at a press conference at MAA’s office earlier today, Datuk Aishah explained that the delay is affecting locally-assembled models that are applying for tax incentives under the Industrial Linkage Programme (ILP). The incentive is not new, and have been around even during the time of the previous Barisan Nasional-led government.
“It’s because of the Industrial Linkage Program (ILP) for Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEVs). First we will have to apply to MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) to ask for approval on the ILP. That has taken a long time, sometimes the delays can reach up to five or six months. There are some members who are still waiting, from May until now they still have not gotten the prices,” said Datuk Aishah.
She went on to explain that decisions that were previously made at the Ministry of Finance’s (MoF) level are now being channeled back down to the Automotive Business Development Council (ABDC).
The council is not new, having existed since the days of the previous government administration. It is made up of representatives from Customs, MITI, MoF, Marii (formerly known as MAI, Malaysia Automotive Institute) and MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority).
“The delay is because the Ministry of Finance now does not want to make decision. Everything is channeled back to ABDC,” she added.
“We have voiced this out, it is very difficult because we cannot get prices and we cannot launch our models,” she said, adding that many models that were shown at the recent Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show were supposed to be launched during the event, but could not be done because the price lists have not been approved.
Datuk Aishah did not single out any specific model that were affected by the delay but it is common knowledge that the most affected model was the
new Honda HR-V
, which was previewed in July and after repeated delays, only went on sale today. The locally-assembled HR-V was particularly affected because the expanded HR-V range includes a hybrid variant, which qualifies it for lower excise duties under ILP.
Many non-hybrid but locally-assembled models are also equally affected. The new
Mercedes-Benz S450L
,
Toyota Rush
,
BMW 630i Gran Turismo
 - none of these have a confirmed price list and sales advisors can only give an estimated price, which partly explains why although these models have been launched since last year, you hardly see any of it on the road.
Making matters worse is the fact that Jabatan Audit Negara is auditing various automotive assembly plants, and until the audit is completed, no government official wants to make any decision.
“They (Jabatan Audit Negara) are supposed to come back with the feedback, I don’t know whether [it can be completed] by the end of this month. So everybody, government officials are now holding back, they don’t want to make the decision on their own. It has to be a committee decision, it’s not helping the industry,” she said.
When asked if the change in government was the cause of the problem, Datuk Aisah was very clear in her assessment: “It’s due to the change in government and people are holding back in terms of making decision.” She added that many government officials are now choosing not to decide on anything even though the matter is directly under their purview and jurdisdiction, as everyone wants to play safe.


Volvo Opens Its Doors In Batu Pahat, Johor

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) together with its newest dealer, AJ Premium Motors have launched Volvo Batu Pahat. The full-fledged 3S (Sales, Service and Spare Parts) facility will cater to customers in the Southern Region and offer greater access to the Volvo brand.
Volvo Batu Pahat is the ninth Volvo dealership in Malaysia, and part of VCM’s sales and aftersales transformation programme, with more dealerships slated to open within the year.
Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia added, “There is growing interest for our models in Malaysia and we are actively setting-up dealerships in strategic areas around Malaysia to better service this need. It is an absolute requirement for all new dealerships to adhere to the Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) standards, consistent with our dealership standards in Europe – it is not just an aesthetical guideline but also dictates the level of service rendered in our dealerships,”
True to VRE standards, the 3S centre will feature a Scandinavian-inspired ‘living room’ where customers can enjoy a cosy ambience filled with warm lighting and clean air. The 3S centre is equipped with two bays for its service operations.
Volvo Batu Pahat is located at Lot.1005, Jalan Kluang, 83000 Batu Pahat, and opens from 9:00 am till 6:00 pm on Monday to Saturday and from 11:00 am till 5:00 pm on Sundays and Public Holidays.


Food Delivery Riders To Go On Strike TODAY (5 August 2022)

Get those woks and frying pans out today folks,
food delivery riders
 are going on a strike today (5 August 2022).

With higher costs of living, unfair compensation, and more work to be done than ever, the
delivery riders
 are indeed feeling the pressure. Riders on social media have been sharing the strike which will last for 24 hours with accompanying hashtags like #OffSatuHari, #24HourNoShift, and #NaikkanFare.

The strike today is planned to create awareness among the companies that employ them by claiming that they're earning less despite completing more deliveries, especially for deliveries that take a longer time and distance to complete.

*Image credit: Malay Mail

Fair wages to compensate for time and effort on the road

Fazal Kamarudin, the founder of Ehailing.fm, commented "We have to understand that riders are facing various challenges such as having a limited amount of time to complete some deliveries. If they don't perform the delivery on time, they will see their ratings drop and could affect future earnings. What they are asking for is fair wages to compensate for their time and effort on the road."

It has been estimated that around 40% of the riders will partake in the protest, while others are still grinding it out to earn their daily wages. Foodpanda has been actively working to mitigate the situation, while Grab and other companies have yet to comment regarding the protest.

*Image credit: Allo.my

Standard delivery rates proposed

Abdul Hakim Abdul Rani, the vice-president of the Malaysian P-Hailing Riders’ Association, stated "First of all, we would like to clarify that we are not the ones who initiated the protest. But we support this effort because we understand what the riders are going through."

The NGO that supports these delivery riders has also proposed a standard rate of RM5 for the first 5km of the delivery. For every kilometre after that, an RM0.80 charge should be applied, which should help the riders to be more compensated in the particular segment of the gig economy.


Stellantis Now Has A Logo

Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reveal the logo for Stellantis - the name of their 50-50 merger which is expected to culminate in the first quarter of 2021.

FCA has under it  Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Ram and Maserati whereas PSA will bring with it Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall. All 13 brands will apparently be kept alive under this merger according to PSA CEO Carlos Tavares.

What does it herald for the brands under
Stellantis
? My more informed colleague Jim has painted a picture for your reading pleasure
here
.

Suffice to say if the French, Italians, and Americans can get their
merde
 sorted out, this soon to be fourth-largest automotive giant has a fighting chance going on heritage alone.


Lebuhraya Central Spine Road (CSR) Siap Tahun 2026 - Dari Kuala Krai, Kelantan Hingga Ke Daerah Bentong

Pembinaan Lebuhraya
Central Spine Road
 (CSR) antara Kuala Krai, Kelantan hingga ke daerah Bentong dijadual siap sepenuhnya pada 2026, menurut Menteri Kanan Kerja Raya Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Projek keseluruhan Lebuhraya CSR sejauh 350 kilometer tanpa tol dengan kos keseluruhan bernilai kira-kira RM8.7 bilion itu melibatkan enam fasa dengan empat daripadanya sejauh lebih 200 km terletak di dalam Pahang manakala selebihnya terletak di Kelantan.

Fasa Pertama, Kuala Krai ke Jambatan Sungai Lakit sejauh 47km

Fasa Kedua, Jambatan Sungai Lakit ke Gua Musang sejauh 59km

Fasa Ketiga, Gua Musang ke Kampung Relong, Pahang 92.5km

Fasa Keempat, Kampung Relong ke Raub 50km

Fasa Kelima, Raub ke Bentong 54km

Fasa Keenam, Bentong ke Simpang Pelangai 47.5km

Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat sedikit kelewatan disebabkan
pandemik Covid-19
 dan isu utiliti di beberapa kawasan, namun Fadillah berkata projek itu sudah mendapat semula momentum untuk kembali merancakkan pembinaannya supaya dapat disiapkan mengikut rancangan.

Fasa 5 yang terlibat seperti Seksyen 5C dari Kampung Asap ke Kampung Sertik sepanjang 5.78 km yang dibina pada 5 Nov 2015 dan siap pada 30 Okt 2018 serta Seksyen 5D iaitu
Bentong Bypass
 sejauh 22.72 km yang siap pada 20 April 2021 selepas pembinaannya bermula pada 18 April 2016 telah dibuka untuk digunakan oleh umum pada Oktober tahun lalu.

Kedua-dua seksyen itu melibatkan kos sebanyak RM631.98 juta dan antara pembinaan terlibat ialah pembinaan jalan baharu empat lorong dua hala, membina
overpass
 (laluan atas) di Kampung Lebu, sembilan jambatan, bulatan di Mempaga dan dua persimpangan bertingkat di Lebuhraya Kuala Lumpur-Karak dan Kampung Benus.

Pembukaan
Bentong Bypass
 dapat mengurangkan
kesesakan
 di jalan persekutuan sedia ada di bandar Bentong selain meningkatkan kebolehcapaian serta menjana ekonomi di kawasan Pahang Barat termasuk sektor pelancongan dan industri kecil dan sederhana,” katanya.

Berhubung rancangan asal CSR yang menuju ke Simpang Pelangai, Bentong bagi memudahkan perjalanan ke selatan tanah air melalui Negeri Sembilan tanpa memasuki Kuala Lumpur, Fadillah berkata ia akan diteruskan secara berperingkat bergantung kepada kelulusan peruntukan.

Menurut Fadillah, peruntukan bagi pelaksanaannya (ke Simpang Pelangai) tidak termasuk dalam Rancangan Malaysia ke-12 (RMK12) namun ia termasuk dalam Pelan Pembangunan Rangkaian Jalan Raya 2030 dan mungkin diterima pada Rancangan Malaysia seterusnya.

Selain membantu meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi, pembinaan
lebuh raya
 itu juga membantu mengurangkan kesesakan jalan raya khususnya di bandar Bentong pada musim perayaan dan cuti sekolah ekoran pertambahan kenderaan menuju ke Kelantan.

Pembinaan jalan ini juga membantu memudahkan penduduk sekitar kerana
Bentong Bypass
 memendekkan perjalanan dari Kampung Mempaga ke pekan Bentong kepada 12 kilometer atau 20 minit sahaja berbanding laluan sebelum ini 30 kilometer yang boleh mengambil masa 45 minit.

Pada November 2020, kerajaan memaklumkan lebuhraya CSR ini dijangka bakal siap sepenuhnya pada tahun 2025. Namun disebabkan pandemik, projek ini telah tertunda selama setahun.


Nissan Unveils Updated Navara Off-Roader AT32 – Nope, It’s Not Coming Here

Nissan has unveiled an updated version of the Navara Off-Roader AT32 for the European market.

Created through an ongoing partnership between Nissan and Icelandic off-road experts Arctic Trucks, the updated Navara Off-Roader AT32 uses full underbody shielding which has been upgraded to a lightweight aluminium material.

Prior to this, Nissan and Arctic Trucks have already introduced a Navara Off-Roader AT32 which was launched in April 2019. This time, Nissan says that the truck is tougher and more fuel efficient.

The improved shape ensures a more comprehensive protection of underbody components. Nissan claims that the truck is capable of handling the most challenging landscapes and adventures.

In addition, new 31.6' Nokian tyres have been fitted. This improves fuel economy and emissions, and enhances on-road handling without compromising its off-road ability.

The special satin black alloy wheels are fitted with dual valves to allow the fast and accurate adjustment of tyre pressure when moving between different terrains.

Other key features carried over from the previous Navara Off-Roader AT32 include bespoke all-terrain wheel arch extensions and all-terrain optimised Bilstein performance suspension.

The model is also finished off with special badging on the front wings, arch extensions, side steps, wheel centres, tailgate and mud guards, continued from the last updates.

For owners who need to venture even further off the beaten track, optional accessories include an electronic lock for the front differential to boost traction in extreme conditions.

An air intake snorkel is also available, which increases the Navara's maximum wading depth to a massive 800mm.

Despite its off-road prowess, the Navara Off-Roader AT32 keeps the advanced on-board technologies from the N-Guard model on which it is based, including Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Intelligent Emergency Braking and Intelligent Around View Monitor.

"The Nissan Navara Off-Roader AT32 was a sell-out success and proved incredibly popular with adventurers seeking elegance and toughness," said Manuel Burdiel, General Manager Europe, LCV Sales and Business Development.

"We have upgraded the Off-Roader AT32 so it can maintain its position as the ultimate Navara while bringing new efficiency and becoming fully WLTP compliant. It's the perfect blend of in-car technology, comfort and extreme off-road performance."

All set to go on sale from February 2020 across Europe, the Navara Off-Roader AT32 is highly unlikely to make it here, but it can sure inspire Malaysian Navara owners who are looking for ideas on how to modify their Navaras to make them tougher.


2016 Toyota Sienta To Be Priced Between Avanza And Innova

Late last year, we reported that the
Toyota Sienta is headed to Malaysia
. Since then, PT Toyota Astra Motor, as Toyota’s Indonesian sales office is known, has confirmed that the Sienta will be launched at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2016 in April.
As expected, there is still no official confirmation from UMW Toyota regarding the Sienta’s entry into Malaysia, but chatter on the street suggests that the 1.5-litre seven-seater MPV will be heading here sometime between late-2016 to early-2017.
Specifications of the Sienta, be it the Indonesian market or Malaysian market variant have yet to be confirmed but we are quite certain that it will share the same Indonesia-made, 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i NR-series engine with the Indonesia-made Avanza.
According to a report by Indonesia’s
Kompas.com
, quoting PT Toyota Astra Motor’s Vice President Mr. Henry Tanoto, the Sienta will be slotted between the 1.5-litre Avanza and the 2.0-litre Innova, both in terms of product positioning and price.
“This is not just a Multi Purpose Vehicle, we refer to it as a Multi Activity Vehicle,” added Henry.
In Malaysia, the highest grade Avanza 1.5S Automatic is sold at RM83,210 while the cheapest Innova 2.0E Manual is sold at RM103,210 but this variant is aimed mostly at fleet operators. The cheapest automatic transmission Innova 2.0E is priced at RM107,738 - a more reasonable ceiling price for the Sienta.
However the current Innova will be replaced with an
all-new model
 before the year ends, and we expect the all-new model to be slightly more expensive, pushing its entry price past RM110,000. The increase in price is to be expected – the all-new model is after all a far more refined car than the model it replaces.
In short, we expect the Sienta to be priced between RM85,000 to RM110,000.
The image used here is of the Japanese market Sienta, which is powered by a different 1.5-litre 1NZ-FXE petrol-electric hybrid engine that’s shared with the Prius c. There’s also an option of a 1.5-litre high-efficiency Atkinson cycle 2NR-FKE engine shared with the Japanese-market Corolla.
The Indonesian and Malaysian market Sienta are expected to look a bit different from their Japanese market counterparts.
More on the Toyota Sienta:
Toyota Sienta Coming To Malaysia In 2016?
Toyota Sienta To Launch In Malaysia In Late-2016?


Bangkok 2017: The Honda Civic Hatchback In The Flesh

Besides the
fifth-generation Honda CR-V
 which was recently launched in Thailand, Honda’s large stand at the 2017 Bangkok Motor Show also allows us to get up close with some of their other models as well, such as the much vaunted Honda Civic Hatchback.
The well-received Civic hatchback has garnered bookings of more than 35,000 units globally within a year of its launch. Based on the formidable underpinnings of the
sedan model
, the Civic Hatchback’s combination of sporty design and well-designed versatility is proving to be a hit in the European market and closer to home in Thailand as well.
The Thai-assembled Civic hatchback is priced at THB 1,169 million (RM148k), and as our sister site
Auto Spinn
 recently confirmed, will be
exported to other markets
 in later stages.

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 The Civic hatchback is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with Honda's famed VTEC technology, the engine delivers 173hp at 5,500rpm and maximum torque of 220Nm between 1,700 and 5,500rpm. The engine is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
Visually, the Civic hatchback gets a sportier front bumper with larger fog lamp enclosures and more aggressive front skirt design. The grille is finished in high-gloss black, versus the chrome units on the sedan. The Thai market is also offered with a Black Midnight Burgundy Pearl highlight colour exclusive for the hatchback model.


Pemandu Potong Barisan Paling Ramai Terima ‘Surat Cinta’ JPJ

Seramai 252 pemandu telah menerima saman atau ‘surat cinta’ daripada
Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ)
 Melaka di atas kesalahan
memotong barisan
 dalam Op Rentas Sempadan Wilayah Selatan.

Menurut Pengarah JPJ negeri, Muhammad Firdaus Sharif, kesalahan memotong barisan dari arah kiri jalan adalah penyumbang terbesar terhadap jumlah saman dikeluarkan sepanjang tiga hari operasi dijalankan.

*Kredit foto: The Star

Potong Barisan Paling Ramai

Daripada 956 buah yang diperiksa di tiga lokasi utama iaitu Cheng Height, Bertam Malim dan Padang Keladi, sebanyak 662 kenderaan telah diambil tindakan.

Tambah Firdaus, kesalahan memotong barisan sebelah kiri juga merupakan kesalahan tertinggi dikesan dalam Op Sempadan membabitkan kolaborasi JPJ Negeri Sembilan dan Johor.

“Trafik sesak kerana jumlah kenderaan meningkat pada cuti hujung minggu, jadi ramai pemandu yang bertindak memotong barisan kerana tidak sabar,” katanya.

Memotong barisan adalah salah di sisi undang-undang dan tindakan boleh diambil di bawah Akta Pengangkutan Jalan (APJ) 1987, menyaksikan pesalah boleh disaman sebanyak RM300.

*Kredit foto: Kosmo

Saman Lain Yang Direkodkan

Firdaus berkata, sebanyak 502 saman telah dikeluarkan untuk kesalahan lain, antaranya:

Tidak mematuhi lampu isyarat merah (121)

Tidak memakai topi keledar (15)

Tidak memakai tali pinggang keledar (26)

Memotong di garisan berkembar (3)

Menggunakan lorong kecemasan (2)

Menggunakan telefon bimbit (5)

Membawa lebih muatan (131)

Membawa muatan bahaya (1)


Review: 2016 Mercedes-Benz E200 (W213) – Continuing The Momentum Of Excellence

Mercedes-Benz is on a roll. Building on the success of the S-Class and
C-Class
 launched in 2013 and 2014 respectively, the brand from Stuttgart completes a renewal of its holy trinity of core models with the coming of a new E-Class that was
shown to the world for the first time in January
 and has quickly
made its way onto Malaysian shores
.
The latest W213 is the fifth model to carry the E-Class designation after the much-lauded W124 embraced the nomenclature toward the end of its model life-cycle. Prior to that, Mercedes-Benz’s mid-sizers simply wore three-digit badges that denoted their engine capacities with an ‘E’ suffix placed at the back for variants that had fuel injection.
It’s been two decades since the E moved to the front of the badge; and the E-Class has quickly embodied the spirit laid down by greats such from the W114 to the
W123
 and the W124. These notoriously over-engineered vehicles have distinguished themselves with flawless service to their happy and affluent owners – they are not only luxury vehicles, they are loyal companions that never break down.
Can the promising W213 uphold these cherished values whilst staying relevant to the more sophisticated themes of today?
Specifications:
Price: RM395,888 (CBU, OTR without Insurance)
Engine: 2.0-litre, Inline-4 Longitudinal, Turbocharged Petrol
Power: 184hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000rpm
Transmission: 9-speed torque converter automatic with paddle shifters, RWD
Safety: 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, Electronic Stablity Control, ISOFIX, Autonomous emergency braking, Pre-Safe, Adaptive Brake Lights
Origin: Fully-Imported from Sindelfingen, Germany.
Overview?
Mercedes-Benz is performing a staggered introduction of the W213 E-Class range in Malaysia.
Local-assembly is expected to commence next year
, but for the moment, the cars come fully imported from Germany.
Complete range of the W213 CBU line-up will feature three engine variants, all powered by the 2.0-litre M274 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol in states of tune ranging from 184 in the E200 Avantgarde to 245hp in the E300 AMG Line. Midway between them is the 211hp
E250 available in both Avantgarde and Exclusive trim lines
.
Further tweaking of the line-up is possible when locally-assembled variants come into play, but expect the same combination of engines. The E350e petrol plug-in hybrid is a possible variant that may be introduced to take advantage of EEV incentives.
Even further down the road, we expect the entire engine range to be overhauled to feature engines from
Mercedes’ new €3 billion modular engine family
 that includes an all-new 2.0-litre inline-4 to replace the M274 and may be even a 3.0-litre inline-6.
The M274 itself remains a relatively new powerplant, having debuted in the W212 facelift back in 2013. In the W213, the numbers remain unchanged, but a new in-house built 9-speed automatic transmission replacing the previous 7-speeder helps improve acceleration and economy.
To recap, equipment levels available in the E-Class are summarized below:
E200 Avantgarde
Paddle Shifters
Apple Carplay, Android Auto
18-inch alloy wheels
Aluminium cabin trim
Front Seats: Heated, lumbar support
Park Pilot (side, perpendicular reverse-in, and perpendicular front-in)
Reverse camera
E250 Avantgarde &
E250 Exclusive
Adaptive High Beam Assist
19-inch alloy wheels
Panoramic sunroof
360-degree camera
Keyless entry
Black ash wood trim (AV)
Brown ash wood trim (EX)
Artico leather upper dash (EX)
E300 AMG Line
AMG Sport body kit
Sporty grille with large central star
19-inch 5-spoke AMG wheels
Burmester surround sound
AMG floor mats
Our test car for this review is the E200, but it’s not a car entirely representative what’s available in the market. The vehicle is one of several advance units brought in by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia for pre-launch testing and evaluation purposes. To summarize, it is an E200 dressed with the kit level of the E300 AMG Line.
Exterior
Past three incarnations of the E-Class have typically followed more differentiated styling than other members of the family. The W203 C-Class and W220 S-Class of the early 2000s, for example, looked a lot like each other, but the contemporary W210 E-Class wore markedly different styling.
With the W212 facelift, Mercedes began a journey to more closely integrate the E-Class’ design with the rest of the range, culminating in the W213 here that bears strong resemblances to both the W205 C-Class and W222 S-Class. These days, most of us would probably need a double take to conclusively tell a
W205 C-Class
, W213 E-Class, and W222 S-Class from one another.
The LED daytime running lights, however, provide a subtle nod to past members of the E-Class lineage. Unlike the C- and S-Class that sport a single LED strip, the E-Class has dual LED daytime running light strips in each headlamp, giving nod to the classic four-eyed look that has become the E-Class’ trademark over the last two decades.
Viewed head on, the new E-Class’ cross-section is actually smaller than its predecessor – width and height are both marginally reduced by 2 and 6mm respectively. Those minor shortfalls are however offset by substantial gains in both length and wheelbase that sees the new car stretching past the 4.9m length threshold.

W212

W213
Length
4,879 mm
+44mm
4,923 mm
Width
1,854 mm
-2mm
1,852 mm
Height
1,474 mm
-6mm
1,468 mm
Wheelbase
2,874 mm
+65mm
2,939 mm
Those are sizeable dimensions can potentially make navigating through narrow spaces a stressful and intimidating experience. Thankfully, the engineers were able to keep the turning circle small, and the 360-degree camera fitted into our test car proved extremely useful in tight spaces. The system self-activates when any of the surround parking sensors are triggered by an object in sufficient proximity. For some drivers, we reckon this feature is perhaps less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
Those less confident with your own parking skill will be perhaps intrigued by the latest Park Pilot system fitted as standard in all variants. Able to handle parallel parking as well as perpendicular parking front in and reverse, Mercedes’ system goes one step further from others available in the market – in addition to helping you with steering, the system actually takes over operation of the accelerator, brakes, and even transmission the drive once the preferred bay is selected. Very impressive and very nice to show off, but it is perhaps still best to learn to park the vehicle yourself if you own one of these. The car’s bulk is quite manageable with the help of the 360-degree camera, which we must also commend for exceptional crispness of its images.
Interior
Recent Mercedes-Benz cabins have been nothing short of spectacular in the quality which they built with and this newly-minted E-Class shows no letting up of those lofty standards. In both material selection as well as fit and finish, the E-Class exhibits the same meticulous attention to detail that was evidently showered upon the latest C- and S-Class models.
Quality of switchgear is similarly beyond reproach; all controls return excellent tactile sensations when operated. Layout is decent too, major controls are within easy reach and good adjustability of both seat and steering meant finding a good driving position was easy for this 170cm-tall tester. Mercedes-Benz’s column-mounted gear stalk continues to be a point of contention in this office, however, it’s too easily mistaken to be a signal stalk by unfamiliar drivers.
Many reviewers these days lavish praise at BMW’s iDrive system for being the gold standard in infotainment setups, but the E-Class’ latest Comand setup works well enough upon familiarization. The dual touchpads on the steering wheel – right controls the MFD on the instrument display, left controls the central monitor – allowed easy enough browsing of the layers upon layers of menus and sub-menus on the move without distracting too much of your attention off the road.
As standard for the Malaysian market, the E-Class gets the fully digital cockpit setup in all variants. This configuration features two adjoining 12.3-inch hi-res screens dominating the dashboard – one serving as a virtual instrument cluster, the other as the central infotainment monitor. The driver can choose between three display themes, and cycle between multitudes of information vying to be presented on the instrument cluster. On both screens, we were thoroughly impressed by the crisp rendering of the vibrant display graphics. Overall, it is a very sophisticated and upmarket looking setup that further elevates the E-Class’ already towering showroom appeal.
Utility of the cabin is well-considered, the centre console being well-organized to offer generous amounts of small item storage – both the forward and aft storage bins are well tunnelled out to swallow your phones and keys. Seats offer excellent support too, ensuring that the E-Class will continue to excel in its time-honoured duty of being a tireless long-distance cruiser.
Driving Experience
Once upon a time, a 200 badge on the back of a Mercedes E-Class denoted lethargic performance; today, thanks to 184hp and 300Nm under the hood, a baseline E-Class needs only 7.7 seconds to reach 100km/h from rest. It manages to be 0.2 seconds faster than its predecessor for the benchmark sprint; consequently, also beating the BMW 520i and
Audi A6 1.8 TFSI
 by the same margin.
Delivery of power has a surprisingly sporty taste too; whilst the 9-speed transmission’s natural instincts are to keep revs low and upshift as early as possible, the engine pulls revs with an encouraging note whenever you choose to flex the muscles of your right foot.
The new 9-speed automatic transmission is a major improvement over the previous 7-speeder. It benefits from a wider spread of ratios to more effectively exploit the engine’s generous torque spread. Control software is well-calibrated too, selection of gears are sufficiently intuitive that the pair of paddle shifters on our test car were rarely troubled.
Sportiness has never been in the E-Class’ bloodline and accordingly, the W213 does little to redefine new benchmarks in dynamism. The steering is surprisingly quick and sharp, albeit bereft of chatter; whilst the chassis maintains sufficient balance smoothly shift its weight about around corners.
Its rear-wheel drive architecture mean that the E-Class is inherently better-balanced on the turn than a front-wheel driven Audi A6, but a F10 BMW 5 Series remains more communicative and incisive at the limits. It is nevertheless competent enough, we trust, to keep the
new G30 BMW 5 Series
 on its toes.
Comfort & Refinement
Appropriately matching the sumptuous finishing throughout its cabin, the E-Class displays commensurate levels of rolling refinement. External noises are expertly insulated giving us the opportunity to properly enjoy the crisp sound produced by our test car’s Burmester speakers.
Ride quality, however, is not as entirely plush as we expected it to be. Whilst comfortable enough for the most part, sharp edges are not as effectively ironed out as one would expect of this segment. The feeling is that the E-Class, when setup as per our test car, is a little firmer than it need be. Marginally softer suspension along with slightly thicker tyres would perhaps be perfect.
Fuel Economy
An average of 9.5 litres/100km clocked over a 720km route that took this car to locations as far as Malacca, KLIA, and Genting Highlands mixing highway, urban, and mountainous roads represent a very decent return for a mid-sized luxury sedan.
Pleasingly, thanks to a decently-sized fuel tank, we did not need to think about refuelling until about 650km into our stint. For regular long-distance travellers, this translates to fewer stops needed at the petrol station.
Conclusion
Evaluated on its own, the new E-Class offers us much to like. Even in E200 form, we have a car that is not found wanting for performance. As a matter of fact, this car is found wanting in very few areas and excels in many. It is competitive on the equipment front and peerless in its interior fit and finish. Showroom appeal is hitherto unmatched in its class.
For improvement, we’d prefer a slightly better resolved ride quality; we are also not big fans of the column-mounted electronic gear lever, but we suppose that is something which owners eventually adapt to. Styling-wise, we’d also like to see clearer design differentiation from the C- and S-Class as before.
The best traditions of the E-Class encapsulated in a stylish modern package. The W213 is perhaps not the sportiest mid-sized luxury sedan in the market, but it continues the E-Class’ finest traditions of being luxurious yet dependable companions over long-haul journeys.
One thing’s for sure, a tough fight awaits BMW’s new G30 5 Series.


McLaren's Menacing P1 GTR Set For Geneva 2015 Debut

The
McLaren
 P1 is very fast. Actually, its very, very fast. The time, energy, expertise, and technology that went into its development is mind boggling. Its unquestionably one of the most important cars, not to mention hypercars, to enter production over the last few years.
After previewing the Design Concept and initial specifications at 2014’s Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, McLaren has revealed its finished P1 GTR.
As with racing variations of already outrageous machines, the headlining changes that were made largely concern powertrain and weight. McLaren hasn’t deviated much in that respect; the P1 GTR is a lighter, more powerful version of the P1 hypercar.
The 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 has been optimized for track use and is now producing 789 hp, an increase of 62 hp from the standard P1’s 727 hp. Output from the other half of this hybrid powertrain, the electric motor, has also increased from 176 hp to 197 hp to bring the combined power to 986 hp.
All that power won’t have to contend with much weight as McLaren claims to have shaved 110 lbs (or about 50 kg) from the curb weight over the standard P1 through the removal of non-essential elements and lighter components that include a new Inconel and titanium alloy exhaust system that saves 6.5 kg, replacing the glass roof and engine cover with carbon fibre, and polycarbonate side windows to name just a few.
The front track has been widened by 80mm and the suspension lowered by 50mm with its new chin splitter and there are centre-locking 19-inch motorsport alloy wheels sitting on Pirelli slick tires. In contrast to the road-going model, the P1 GTR features a fixed rear wing that’s positioned more than 400mm above the rear bodywork. McLaren claims that this revised aero package is capable of increasing downforce by more than 10 percent or 660kg while travelling at 150 mph.
Ownership of the P1 GTR will be an end-to-end experience made to tailor each car to its driver beginning at the McLaren Technology Center where seat fitting, custom livery design, and driver fitness assessment will take place. Track sessions at Silverstone in the UK and Circuit de Catalunya in Spain follow.
Prior to all that, the P1 GTR will be shown in this commemorative #06R Harrods-sponsored McLaren F1 GTR livery at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, where it will share floorspace with the upcoming McLaren 675LT, before joining the road-going P1 in McLaren’s newly christened Ultimate Series.


Porsche pays tribute to the 356 with the Vision 357

Ever heard of the
Porsche 356
, the brand's first-ever sports car envisioned by Ferry Porsche? How do you pay tribute to something that magnificent?

As the brand approaches the 75th-year anniversary of the 356, they've come up with this - the Porsche Vision 357. A car that conforms to no rules with the sole purpose of paying homage to the legendary 356.

Monolithic form in the present day

The hardworking folks at the Style Porsche Team gave birth to the Porsche Vision 357 without imposing any current regulations when it comes to designing a series model. By bringing back the 356's monolithic form into the present day, it's a mashup between tradition and innovation - something that Ferry Porsche himself might've been proud of.

According to Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche, "We created a very special birthday present in the form of the Porsche Vision 357, one which uses the 356 as a basis to underscore the significance of our design DNA. The design study is an attempt to combine the past, present and future with coherency, featuring proportions that are reminiscent of its historical archetype and details that visualise the outlook for the future."

Beating with the heart of a 718 Cayman GT4 RS

While the form of the Porsche Vision 357 extensively uses the 356 as its main design DNA, the beating heart hiding underneath all that smooth and sleek exterior is taken directly from the
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
.

The 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated straight-six engine is said to produce 500PS and 450Nm of torque paired with a redline of 9,000rpm. Quite a masterpiece, the Porsche Vision 357, one that will be in the special "75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars" exhibition at this year's VW Group 'Drive' Forum event in Berlin.

The longer you look at the Vision 357, the more you'll notice its many outstanding design details that combine the brand's past, present, and future. Things like the windscreen design that seems to wrap around the A-pillars which sort of portray a helmet visor, rear grille pattern, and more.

And with this particular writer who's suddenly into grey, the combo of Ice Grey Metallic and Givola Grey Metallic is the sweetest icing on the cake, especially dressed over a set of 20-inch magnesium wheels covered in carbon fibre hubcaps. Simply outstanding, wouldn't you agree?


Op Selamat 18: Saman Memandu Melebihi Had Laju Paling Tinggi - 240,421 Kes

Memandu melebihi
had laju
 merupakan kesalahan tertinggi yang dicatatkan melibatkan enam kesalahan utama dalam tempoh 10 hari
Op Selamat 18
 dilancarkan dari 29 April hingga 8 Mei lalu.

Sebelum Op Selamat 18 dijalankan, PDRM telah menyatakan bahawa sebanyak
enam kesalahan utama tidak akan dikenakan kompaun
, sebaliknya perlu menyelesaikan saman itu di mahkamah.

Kamera AwAS Kesan 35,618 Kesalahan Memandu Melebihi Had Laju

Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) telah mengesan sebanyak 35,618 kesalahan memandu melebihi had laju melalui kamera Sistem Keselamatan Kesedaran Automatik (AwAS) dalam Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Ops HARA) setakat pada 5 Mei lalu.

JPJ di Facebook telah memaklumkan sepanjang tempoh itu, sebanyak 4.7 juta kenderaan telah dikesan dan direkodkan melalui kamera AwAS di lebuh raya di seluruh negara sepanjang tujuh hari operasi berkenaan dijalankan bermula 29 April.

Sebanyak 1.5 juta kenderaan telah melalui kamera AwAS di lampu isyarat dengan 10,355 kenderaan direkodkan melanggar lampu isyarat merah.

Kesalahan tidak mematuhi had laju dan melanggar lampu isyarat melalui kamera AwAS ini merupakan antara kesalahan utama dalam tempoh Ops HRA 2022 yang akan dikenakan tindakan mahkamah dan tidak boleh dikompaun.

Sekiranya disabitkan bersalah, pesalah boleh dikenakan denda sehingga RM2,000 di bawah Seksyen 79 Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987.

Pengguna jalan raya yang melakukan kedua-dua kesalahan ini (melebihi had laju dan melanggar lampu isyarat merah) juga akan direkodkan dengan tindakan sehingga empat mata demerit berjadual di bawah
Sistem Pemberian Mata Demerit Kesalahan Jalan Raya
 (Kejara) bagi setiap kesalahan mengikut Subseksyen 40(1) atau Subseksyen 79(2) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan.

Sistem mata demerit ini akan memberi kesan kepada penggantungan atau pembatalan lesen memandu.

Sebanyak 45 kamera AwAS telah beroperasi sepenuhnya membabitkan 29 kamera bagi tujuan memantau kesalahan melebihi had laju dan 16 kamera bagi kesalahan tidak mematuhi lampu isyarat merah.

Jumlah Saman Dikeluarkan Mengikut Kesalahan Sepanjang Op Selamat 18

Memandu melebihi had laju: 240,421 kes

Melanggar lampu isyarat 4,375 kes

Memotong barisan: 3,582 kes

Menggunakan alat telekomunikasi ketika memandu: 1,991 kes

Memotong di garisan berkembar: 1,202 kes

Memandu di lorong kecemasan: 804 kes

Jika dilihat dari segi perbezaan jumlah saman yang dikeluarkan, kesalahan memandu melebihi had laju sahaja sudah menguasai hampir keseluruhan saman yang dikeluarkan ketika Op Selamat 18 ini.

Operasi selama 10 hari ini telah merekodkan sebanyak
166 kematian
 di seluruh negara. Memandangkan saman had laju paling banyak dikeluarkan, jom kita lihat semula had laju jalan-jalan di Malaysia yang perlu dipatuhi oleh pengguna jalan raya.

Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai perbezaan had laju di jalan raya di Malaysia, rujuk di sini.


The Most SUV Looking MPV Has Arrived - 2022 KIA Carnival Now Open For Booking

Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd, the
new distributor
 for the KIA brand in Malaysia, has just announced that the All-New 2022 KIA Carnival is now officially open for booking. For those who like to see it, the 2022 Carnival will be previewed at the upcoming Carlist.my "Drive" Auto Fair at Setia City Convention Centre from the 3rd to 5th December 2021.

The
fourth-generation Carnival
 boasts a design evolution that now brings with it SUV-inspired design elements giving it a stronger, more stylish presence to the mid-sized MPV segment.

KIA calls it a 'Grand Utility Vehicle', a wholly made-up term but one that at least describes the Carnival quite accurately, especially given that it is the automaker's flagship MPV.

The Carnival now features a shorter front overhang and bonnet that's been slightly extended thanks to the A-pillar having moved more rearward, giving it a slightly more SUV-like profile. This is a very intentional design choice, of course, given the popularity of anything SUV these days.

There's also the 'floating roof' effect happening with the 2022 Carnival thanks to some black finished vertical pillar surrounds emulating an uninterrupted glasshouse. Towards the rear, the silver-accented chrome fin that adorns the C-pillar is inspired by the new Sorento and is definitely an eye-catching piece of design.

Perhaps the most eye-catching ornament of this 2022 Carnival is that front grille. This is yet
another variation
 of their 'tiger nose' grille design. The daytime running lights are also attractive with their angular straight lines.

Another interesting design is the location of the high-beam lamps, as they are integrated into the corner of the tiger-nose grille, with the low-beam lamps sitting separately, at the outer edges of the front of the car. Finally, the DRLs that wrap around the Carnival's turn signal lamps and then plunges downwards is also another new exciting bit of design for the 2022 Carnival.

At the rear, the Carnival boasts a wide, distinctive new design emphasized by the sleek combination lamps integrated into a full-width light bar. Above the light bar is a chrome line, which starts at the base of the new signature C-pillar and wraps around the base of the rear screen. Further enhancing its SUV-inspired design, the Carnival is finished off with a metallic lower skid plate, similar to what is offered at the front.

While the exterior design exudes a handsome silhouette, the interior's classy design gives the Carnival
another level of sophistication
. The centre fascia laced with a high-gloss black surface is paired up with chrome garnishes that run the dash's length to create a sense of space and openness in the cabin. In addition, the slim metal air vents blend well with the design ethos and give the MPV a modern design.

Unfortunately, for now, the MPV is only offered as an 11 seater, which means they do not come with captain seats in the middle row, as seen in other markets.

Nonetheless, the 2022 Carnival comes with a host of power-assisted doors and functionality, including Smart Power Sliding Doors, Smart Power Liftgate, Smart Key with one-button open/close functionality for rear sliding doors and liftgate.

Other interior features include a whoppingly extensive 12.3-inch high-resolution LCD Touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless smartphone charging, multi-Bluetooth connectivity, and up to seven USB ports round up the Carnival's convenience features.

As for safety, the 2022 KIA Carnival comes with a host of standard and advanced safety features, including 7-airbags (Front Driver & Passenger, Driver Knee, Side and Curtain), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Multi-Collision Brake Control (MCB), ISOFIX Child Restraint Anchor Points and Top Tethers as well as Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA).

The 2022 Carnival comes with KIA's venerable 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 199 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 440 Nm of torque from just 1,750 – 2,750 RPM.

The 2022 All-New KIA Carnival is currently imported from South Korea.  The colour line-up includes Astra Blue, Silky Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Panthera Metal and Flare Red.

The price for the 2022 KIA Carnival will be announced at a later date. However, the vehicle comes with a 5-Years warranty + 5-Years free Maintenance according to manufacturer's standards, inclusive of labour, parts and lubricants. Both warranty and free maintenance have a coverage period of five years and a mileage limit of 100,000km, whichever comes first.


PLUS Increases Its Electronic Toll Payment Promotions: Discounted SmartTAGs and Preloaded TnG Cards On Offer

Come 1 June 2015, the Mambau and Lukut toll plazas on the Seremban – Port Dickson Highway (SPDH)
will go fully electronic
. With the implementation imminent, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is increasing its PLUSMiles Touch ‘n Go card and SmartTAG promotions.
Highway users will be able to purchase preloaded RM5 PLUSMiles Touch ‘n Go cards at a promotional rate of RM5 (card is free) at the Mambau and Lukut toll plazas.
Customer service centres at Seremban and Senawang toll plazas will offer the Touch ‘n Go card as well. Not only that, the public are also able to purchase SmartTAGs there at a promotional rate of RM104.95 (inclusive of 6% GST).
PLUS will be offering a toll rebate of up to 20% to highway users paying toll electronically at the aforementioned toll plazas (
refer here
). They’ve also stated that SmartTAGs and Touch ‘n Go lanes can accommodate 1,000 and 550 transactions respectively in an hour. Cash lane, on the other hand, can only accommodate 400 transactions per hour.
So, if you’re a frequent user of the SPDH highway, be prepared and take advantage of this promotion before electronic toll payment is implemented in June.