Pemilik Supercar Daftar Kereta Di Langkawi – Kenapa dan Bagaimana?

Sebagai sebuah pulau bebas cukai, Langkawi sememangnya menjadi tempat ideal bagi ramai pemilik
supercar
 di negara ini untuk mendaftar kereta mewah mereka di sana bagi mengelakkan kadar cukai yang lebih tinggi.

Pernahkah anda terlihat kereta mewah yang ditinggalkan tanpa penghuni di gudang yang dikawal rapi di sekitar Langkawi? Lebih menyedihkan, ada supercar yang hanya beratapkan zink sahaja dan diletakkan di sebuah rumah kampung di sana. Bagi orang luar, pasti mereka merasakan bahawa penduduk Langkawi kaya-kaya belaka. Walau bagaimanapun, kebanyakan daripada kereta mewah yang ditinggalkan itu sedang menanti tuannya yang berada di Semenanjung yang mengelak daripada membayar ratusan ribu cukai sekiranya mendaftarkan kereta tersebut di Semenanjung Malaysia.

*Kredit foto: Langkawi Supercars

Dengan mendaftarkan kereta mewah di kawasan bebas cukai, pemilik dikecualikan daripada membayar cukai. Sebagai contoh, jika anda membeli sebuah
Aston Martin DB11
 di Semenanjung yang dilengkapi dengan beberapa penambahan, ianya bernilai dalam anggaran RM900,000. Ini baru harga kereta, belum tambah harga cukai. Jika anda mendaftar kereta ini di Semenanjung, kadar cukar yang dikenakan terhadap kereta ini bernilai hampir satu juta ringgit. Pendek kata, harga atas jalan (OTR) bagi kenderaan ini mencecah hampir RM2 juta.

Bagi mengelakkan daripada membayar hampir RM1 juta kadar cukai untuk memiliki kereta tersebut, sesetangah pemilik memilih untuk membeli dan mendaftar kereta ini di Langkawi. Cara ini telah digunakan oleh ramai golongan kayangan di Malaysia. Buktinya, banyak kereta mewah yang ditinggalkan di Langkawi merupakan milik mereka yang bukan menetap di sana.

Oleh kerana kereta didaftarkan di Langkawi, pemilik bebas untuk memandu kereta berkenaan di sekitar pulau tersebut pada bila-bila masa.
Persoalannya, bolehkah kereta tersebut dibawa keluar ke kawasan lain selain daripada Langkawi?
 Jawapannya boleh, tapi hanya terhad kepada 90 hari atau 3 bulan sahaja bagi tempoh setahun. Pendek kata, anda dibenarkan untuk membawa keluar kereta ini daripada Langkawi sebanyak 90 kali dalam setahun bagi tempoh sehari (24 jam) ataupun anda boleh membawa kereta tersebut keluar bagi tempoh 3 bulan terus sebelum memulangkan ia semula ke Langkawi.

Tetapi, untuk membawa keluar kereta tersebut dari Langkawi, pemilik berkenaan dikehendaki untuk menyediakan jaminan bank bernilai 70% daripada harga cukai keseluruhan kereta terbabit kepada pihak Kastam. Sebagai contoh, untuk model Aston Martin DB11, cukai yang dikenakan berada pada tahap RM1 juta jadi pemilik perlu menyediakan dalam RM700,000 jaminan bank untuk diberikan pada Kastam. Selepas tamat tempoh 3 bulan yang diberikan, pemilik dikehendaki untuk memulangkan semula kereta terbabit ke Langkawi.

Malah, ada pengeluar kenderaan mewah yang menyediakan perkhidmatan bagi pendaftaran kereta di Langkawi ini. Anda hanya perlu membayar dalam RM8,000 dan segalanya akan diuruskan bagi pihak anda. Kereta terbabit akan dihantar dari Kuala Lumpur ke jeti untuk dibawa masuk ke dalam feri sebelum dihantar ke Langkawi. Di sana, kereta tersebut akan menjalani pemeriksaan JPJ, Puspakom sebelum didaftarkan. Menariknya, ada servis yang menawarkan penghantaran kereta dari Langkawi terus ke depan pintu rumah anda. Tak perlu lagi pergi ke Langkawi untuk ambil kereta.

*Kredit foto: Langkawi Supercars

Persoalan seterusnya, jika kereta itu hanya dibenarkan untuk dibawa keluar selama 30 hari, apa pula yang terjadi pada kereta tersebut pada baki 335 hari ia ditinggalkan di Langkawi?
 Kebiasaannya, kereta mewah yang ditinggalkan di Langkawi ini dijaga rapi beberapa syarikat yang menawarkan perkhidmatan membersihkan,
menjaga
, membaiki, dan membawa kereta pemilik jalan-jalan bagi memastikan kereta tersebut sentiasa dalam keadaan baik dan mengelakkan flat-tire. Dengan cara ini, pemilik tidak perlu lagi risau dengan keadaan keretanya jika ditinggalkan selama 9 bulan di Langkawi.

*Kredit foto: Langkawi Supercars

Jika pemilik ingin membawa keluar kereta dari Langkawi secara kekal, pemilik dikehendaki untuk pergi ke Kastam dan membayar cukai yang sepatutnya dikenakan keatas kereta terbabit. Ramai pemilik yang membawa kereta keluar dari Langkawi selepas tempoh 3 tahun. Mengapa? Ini kerana kadar cukai akan menurun mengikut umur kereta tersebut. Selepas 3 tahun, kadar cukai akan menurun lebih daripada separuh (55%) daripada kadar cukai yang sepatutnya dibayar. Kalau harga cukai RM1 juta, pemilik hanya perlu membayar cukai sebanyak RM550,000 sahaja selepas 3 tahun untuk membawa keluar kereta dari Langkawi. Dengan cara ini, pemilik dapat jimat RM450,000.

Ini merupakan cara sesetengah golongan kayangan untuk mendapatkan kereta mewah berkuasa tinggi dengan harga yang jauh lebih murah berbanding harga yang ditawarkan di Semenanjung. Sekurang-kurangnya, dapatlah menikmati kereta tersebut selama 270 hari dalam tempoh tiga tahun sebelum membawa ia keluar dari Langkawi dengan harga cukai yang lebih rendah.

Namun jika anda mempunyai empat supercar atau kereta mewah didaftarkan dan ditinggalkan di Langkawi, anda boleh menukar jenis kenderaan anda untuk dibawa keluar dari Langkawi selama tiga bulan untuk setiap model bagi tempoh setahun! Tiga bulan pertama guna kereta pertama, 3 bulan kedua guna kereta kedua dan seterusnya. Indahnya hidup bila kaya!

*Kredit foto: Berita Harian

Sekiranya anda sedang mencari kereta mewah yang murah, elakkan daripada membeli model kereta mewah dengan harga yang tidak masuk akal. berhati-hatilah dalam memilih kerana ia berkemungkinan
kereta klon
! Pastikan anda tidak tertipu.

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Ferrari 296 GTB & F12 Berlinetta flying crash video goes viral

A clip of two very sought-after Ferraris has gone viral after suffering a major crash in Ancona, Italy.

The video showed a
Ferrari 296 GTB
 and
F12 Berlinetta
 going at a rather fast pace before going off the road and flying into the wall of the nearby home where the CCTV footage was obtained. Judging by how high the supercars flew, we can safely say that the cause is excessive speeds with little driving skills.

We can all see that the red Ferrari 296 GTB (with the Assetto Fiorano package, no less) went off the bend first before hitting the grassy embankment area and flying off into the wall. The blue F12 Berlinetta was not that far behind and we're assuming that the driver was following the 296 GTB too fast and too close for comfort, to the point where it too joined the wall crash.

The Ferrari 296 GTB suffered major damages while the F12 Berlinetta caught straight on fire upon impact. Fortunately, no lives were lost apart. Investigations are still ongoing about whether the drivers were racing each other or if the cars belonged to them or were rented out. Either way, it's definitely a sad sight to see.


Ford's Legendary Mustang Mach 1 Returns For 2021

Ford has confirmed the return of the iconic Mach 1 nameplate for the pony car’s 2021 model year update. This more retro-inspired throwback entrant will sit above the 5.0 GT but below its more high performance siblings such as the GT350 and GT500.

However, unlike those latter cars, this upcoming Mustang variant is set to be powered by the staple 5.0-litre naturally aspirated Coyote V8, albeit equipped with some new tweaks and upgrades to boost power. The automotive world had previously suspected Ford would resurrect the Mach 1 name for something a little more next-gen, but that curve ball turned out to be their Mustang Mach E, a wholly different fully electric vehicle.

Aside from sporting what’s arguably the coolest sounding name in Mustang’s history since the original 1969 Mach 1, this new one is said to be conceived as a more enthusiast-focused driving machine in terms of looks, heritage appeal, and handling. Dave Pericak, director of Ford Icons, calls it “the most track-capable 5.0-litre Mustang ever.”

“Mach 1 has a special place in Mustang history, and it’s time for this special edition to claim the top spot in our 5.0-liter V8 performance lineup and reward our most hardcore Mustang enthusiasts who demand that next level of power, precision and collectability,” he adds.

For those not familiar with the name or its significance, the Mach 1 version of the original Ford Mustang of the 1960s took the car from its more high street lifestyle roots and took the car on a path that cemented it as the icon of muscle car Americana we know today.

It’s from the Mach 1 template that the most recognised versions of the Mustang was born - legends such as the Boss 302 and Boss 429 - and that most of the performance innovations brought by Carroll Shelby were implemented, coinciding with the partnership with Shelby American in the late 60s. Actually, I take that back, 'Boss' was the coolest Mustang name ever.

“Mach 1 has always been that bridge between base Mustangs and the Shelby models,” said Ted Ryan, heritage brand manager, Ford Archives. “From a style and handling perspective, the original Mach 1 managed to stand out as unique, even in the Mustang lineup – and as the name implies, it could really move.”

We don’t know exactly what Ford has up their sleeves with the S550-based Mustang Mach 1, but with these testing pics being entirely track-centred, we can safely assume the car will definitely take some lessons from the sharper-edged GT350R.

In terms of looks, every major change seems to be concentrated at the front and rear ends, covered up by copious amounts of black and white camouflage. However, they’re not doing much to keep the 70s nod circular air intakes hidden. The Mach 1 also looks to be sporting some subtle air intake slits just ahead of the bonnet flap.

We also see a large front brake rotor and bright red Brembo callipers teased behind a new style of gloss black alloy wheel. It’s also possible that Ford has opted to remove the rear seats, turning the car from a 2+2 into a strict two-seater to save on weight. After all, the main preview image does indicate a sparse rear deck behind the driver and what looks to be anti-roll bars, though it’s unclear whether this is for testing purposes or is indicative of production spec.

Of course, we can’t wait. Whenever the Mustang is given any kind of heritage-inspired treatment, even if its sharing the limelight with performance upgrades, the resulting car is always pretty special.


Fuel Price Update: 28 Sep - 4 Oct - Petrol Down, Diesel Up

Motorists in Malaysia can expect to pay slightly less for petrol and more for diesel from tomorrow onwards, as the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has just announced the new prices.
Below are the updated prices:
RON95 – RM2.16 (down 3 sen from RM2.19)
RON97 – RM2.46 (down 3 sen from RM2.49)
Diesel – RM2.12 (up 2 sen from RM2.10)


Cara Batalkan Road Tax Dan Tuntut Refund Road Tax Yang Dibatalkan

Tahukah anda
road tax
 kereta (cukai jalan)
 atau dikenali juga sebagai
Lesen kenderaan motor (LKM)
 yang dikeluarkan oleh JPJ Malaysia boleh dibatalkan dan dituntut semula bayarannya?

Masih ada yang tidak tahu bahawa wang
road tax
 tersebut boleh dikembalikan semula kepada pemilik jika
road tax
 itu dibatalkan. Ada beberapa sebab mengapa
road tax
 perlu dibatalkan seperti:

Ingin menjual kereta sedia ada

Ingin menukar jenis atau syarikat insurans

Selaras dengan budaya orang kita, amat jarang sekali orang batalkan
road tax
 kerana ingin menukar
insurans
. Selalunya seseorang itu akan menghabiskan sahaja tempoh sah
road tax
 yang ada sebelum menukar insurans.

Cara Batalkan Road Tax Kereta

Menjual kereta adalah faktor utama seseorang membatalkan
road tax
 kereta. Perlu ke? Jawapannya wajib sebab proses ini merupakan syarat wajib untuk menukar nama pemilik kenderaan. Jika ia tidak dilakukan, proses menukar nama tidak dapat diteruskan.

Berikut merupakan langkah yang perlu anda sediakan untuk membatalkan road tax kereta:

Sediakan salinan kad pengenalan anda (pemilik kereta asal/lama) dan geran original

Kunjungi bank untuk mengambil penyata bank dengan pengesahan cop pegawai bank

Cabut
road tax
 kereta anda

Bawa
road tax
 kereta, salinan geran, salinan kad pengenalan dan penyata bank tadi ke JPJ untuk proses pembatalan.

Jika
road tax
 kereta tersebut tidak dapat dipulangkan atas alasan hilang, anda perlu membayar denda
road tax
 hilang terlebih dahulu. Kemudian, barulah tukar nama kepada pemilik baru dapat dibuat.

Cara Dapatkan Refund Road Tax Yang Dibatalkan

Tahukah anda
road tax
 kereta ini boleh dituntut semula daripada JPJ? Menurut perkongsian seorang pegawai JPJ di YouTube, wang itu akan dikembalikan selewat-lewatnya 3 bulan daripada tempoh permohonan.

Berikut merupakan proses permohonan serta dokumen yang perlu dibawa untuk mendapatkan bayaran balik:

Isi dua keping Borang Pembatalan dan Permohonan Pulangan Balik Hasil LKM (borang JPJK6) – borang ini boleh didapati di laman web JPJ atau di kaunter JPJ.

Sertakan
road tax
 asal kereta, salinan geran, salinan kad pengenalan dan penyata bank ke JPJ.

Bawa salinan slip butiran bayaran balik
road tax
 (dicetak daripada sistem MySikap).

Salinan slip butiran bayaran balik
road tax
 akan diberikan ketika proses menukar nama dibuat. Sebagai contoh, jika harga
road tax
 bernilai RM800 setahun dan pemilik hanya menggunakannya dalam tempoh sebulan, masih ada lebihan baki
road tax
 itu boleh dituntut.

Apabila menukar nama, pemilik akan menerima slip butiran bayaran balik
road tax
 secara automatik berserta nilai bayaran balik yang boleh dituntut. Kaedah ini disarankan bagi mereka yang menggunakan kereta dengan kapasiti enjin yang besar seperti
Toyota Hilux
ataupun
Toyota Estima
.

Itu sahaja proses yang diperlukan untuk membatalkan dan menuntut refund bagi
road tax
 yang dibatalkan. Proses ini juga boleh dilakukan oleh wakil sahaja sekiranya pemilik tiada masa untuk ke JPJ untuk berurusan.


Perodua begins export of Myvi and Alza to Brunei

Perodua
 has exported 310 units of the
Myvi
 1.5 SE and
Alza
 1.5 SE models to Brunei. The vehicles have just arrived at the kingdom and were officially launched at the Brunei Motoring BN – Auto Show 2016.
The two models will be sold in Brunei through GHK Motors Sdn Bhd, Perodua’s distributor in the kingdom. Official pricing of the two models in Brunei have yet to be announced.
According to statistics by the World Bank, Brunei has a population of 417,784 people and in 2015 had a total industry volume of 14,243 vehicles.
Perodua exports to Brunei date back to 1996 with the Kancil. As of 2015, the company has exported a total of 2,300 vehicles there.
Brunei is one of five export destinations for Perodua vehicles, the others being Singapore, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Fiji. The company also exports the Myvi to Indonesia, where it is badged as the Daihatsu Sirion.


Are Pricier Cars Leading To A Bankruptcy Bubble Among Young Malaysians?

It might be a tough reality to face, especially if you’re an enthusiast (at any level, really): are the cars we buy causing our financial downfall and keeping Malaysians forever in the red?

Financial literacy is something that most take years to acquire, and even this is the result of longer-term experience that helps us avoid our past mistakes. After all, it’s not like we’re taught about any of this in schools.

In most cases, it’s things like exorbitant spending beyond our means, whether impulsively all at once or boxing yourself
into a long-term agreement
.

Buyer Beware

Indeed, apart from homeownership, our cars rank pretty highly on the list of common major financial commitments we undertake in our lives, especially due to our tendency to rely on borrowed money to obtain them.

In fact, from the perspective of recurring commitments, we tend to cycle through cars many more times than we do homes, therefore jumping
from one hire purchase loan to the next
. It’s no wonder that many financial ‘experts’ (most commonly the purported or self-styled ones) label it as a less-than-prudent choice.

Still, besides the need for vehicular mobility in everyday life, we’re only human and have our own wants and desires. Should we see a car we like, and we’re at our discretion to buy it over the one that merely fulfills our basic transport needs, we tend to want to sign on the dotted line.

It takes some strong will to turn away from the Proton X50 Flagship that you can technically afford and instead settle for a Perodua Axia E (MT) that’ll get you from A to B just as effectively.

Between the years 2013 and 2017 alone, a little over 100,000 Malaysians had declared bankruptcy with 60% of them aged between 18 and 44 years old, according to the Malaysian Statistical Handbook 2018.

During that time, car sales numbers in Malaysia had their ups and downs but stayed fairly consistent between 550,000 and 600,000 new vehicles sold. Delving a little deeper revealed a consistent increase in demand (and therefore, sales) for pricier cars from more upmarket brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Porsche in both new showroom and pre-owned variety.

Malaysians Won't Settle For Less

Also during this period, Mazda had also seen considerable success in the market as they peddled cars that toed the line between mass market and prestige. Were Malaysians under 50, for some reason, more drawn to spending their hard earned Ringgits on cars they did not need and couldn’t necessarily (or comfortably…) afford?

Supporting this assertion is a report by the country’s Insolvency Department (MDI) that stated that, by December 2018, they were 303,415 bankruptcy cases being handled in total. Of the leading causes stated by the Insolvency Director-General Datuk Anas Ahmad Zakie, hire purchase loans for vehicles ranked 2nd at 24.73%, just behind personal loans in the top spot accounting for 27.76% of bankruptcies.

Under Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2016, in addition to revising the Bankruptcy Act, the government helped implement more stringent
hire purchase approval criteria
 to help curb the high count of defaulters.

However, that did not seem to help the situation too greatly, prompting the Finance Minister at the time, Lim Guan Eng, to publicly address the problem of low financial literacy among the Malaysian youth.

In 2019, the widely criticised Belanjawanku guidelines were published by the Employers Provident Fund (EPF), which sought to provide the Rakyat with a framework from which to plan our financial lives and form/ follow prudent monthly budgets while setting money aside for rainy days and long-term savings.

Without getting bogged down in too many details and for the sake of relevance, it basically allocated 17% of our monthly expenditures for ‘Transport’, under which both public transportation and personal vehicles (including fuel) could fall.

Unrealistic Expectations

They had posited a median income for a young, unmarried adult individual at roughly RM2,500 to RM3,300, meaning they had between RM561 and RM770 to spend on a car should that be their only viable solution, along with running costs, maintenance, and toll charges. That isn’t much, even 6 years ago, especially for
someone living in the Klang Valley
, when the median household income was just RM3,313 as published by Malaysia’s Department of Statistics.

Today, in 2022, things haven’t exactly improved with Malaysia exhibiting marginal increases in mean wages relative to the rate of inflation. Cars have only gotten more expensive and have trended toward larger models, which carry a higher price tag by default.

One need only look to Proton and Perodua for proof with the former automaker’s top 2 models being costing above RM90,000 and the latter’s introduction of the Ativa that, while it is their largest vehicle to date, carries a higher base price than any previous model.

We’re not entirely blameless either, demanding more complexity under the guise of ‘value’ and groan in disapproval when an automaker omits advanced (usually
active) safety features
, insists on a multitude of connectivity options,
remote telematics
, satellite navigation, wireless charging, a fancy speaker setup, and even prioritise a sunroof that will probably never be used.

The ‘good news’ - said with utmost sarcasm - is that Malaysia’s Insolvency Department (MDI) has reported a steady decline in the number of bankruptcy cases since 2019 thanks to various government measures and despite the disruptive force of COVID-19.

In 2021, only 6,554 cases were declared compared to 12,051 cases in 2019. Seems like a good thing, right?

A Blind Eye?

But this outcome has been tampered with seeing how, amidst the pandemic, the MDI had raised the minimum debt threshold for the presentation of a bankruptcy petition to RM100,000, double the RM50,000 that it stood at previously after 2017. Prior to that, it was just RM30,000.

This ‘temporary measure’ remained in force until August 31st, 2021, but was almost immediately implemented into long-term policy via an amendment to the Insolvency Act 1967. The goal post for bankruptcy keeps being moved further back, effectively meaning that one would have to be in more than triple (3x) the amount of debt to be eligible for bankruptcy status from 2020 and beyond compared to 2016. That’s nuts, borderline scandalous.

No wonder the MDI kept declaring the lower and lower bankruptcies over the past few years despite an economic recession in 2020, a sagging unemployment rate, a higher cost of living, and only marginal increases in median Malaysian spending power.

Loan moratoriums
, various EPF special withdrawal schemes, and other government aid programs have helped take some of the sting out of the worst chapters of the pandemic, but perhaps among the most ill-advised, impulsive move to be made from this financial reprieve is to spend it on that unnecessary new car in time for the first in-person Hari Raya we've enjoyed in 2 years.

We wonder what the MDI will publish about bankruptcies in 2022, or will it be swept under the rug by another deflection, increasing the threshold yet again.


China To Have Driverless Taxi Services Soon Thanks to Baidu - Grab Coming Soon?

China's leading AI company,
Baidu
, has been granted the first few permits to offer
driverless taxi
 services within the country, but how does that impact Grab?

Available to the public and to operate soon on the public roads of Chongqing and Wuhan, the Chinese authorities are putting a lot of trust in Baidu's capabilities of expanding its autonomous vehicle offerings and services.

No driver, but still follow business hours

Baidu has said that the fully driverless 'robotaxi' services will be made available within designated areas of Wuhan and Chongqing from 9 am to 5 pm and 9.30 am to 4.30 pm respectively.

For the initial setup, the services will only cover 13 square km in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone, and 30 square km within Chongqing's Yongchuan District. The permits were given to Baidu based on a number of safety testing and licensing steps to ensure that they can operate safely.

These include Baidu's autonomous driving system, monitoring redundancy, remote driving capability, and safety operation system which are claimed to have undergone a total test mileage of over 32 million km.

Grab is also linked to Baidu?

Looking far into the future, it's a possibility that ride-hailing service providers like
Grab
 might get onto the autonomous vehicle bandwagon. Why? Grab and many other companies are part of Baidu's open platform program focusing on the development and adoption of autonomous driving.

Called the Apollo project, Baidu and many other companies like Grab, NVidia, Bosch, Microsoft Cloud, Velodyne, and more are joining forces to allow access to each other's tech in autonomous vehicles.

We're talking cloud services, open software stack, reference hardware, vehicle platforms, and many more. In other words, Apollo is like the Android OS of the autonomous vehicle, and it won't be long before we see its uprising in other countries.

Hopefully, in a good way. Not the 'Terminator' kind. Should we look for our very own 'John Connor' now, just in case?


Cristiano Ronaldo Turns Up For Training In A Lamborghini Urus

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo attends Manchester United training session in a silver Lamborghini Urus, a super SUV worth 170,000 pounds (RM972,000).

The 36-year-old was photographed flashing a thumbs up to the media last Wednesday, while coolly gliding his Lamborghini Urus into
Manchester United's training ground
, Carrington. However, whether he owns that particular Lamborghini Urus is still up in the air as it could be a rental unit as he only recently arrived in Manchester.

Pic credit: Reuters

If he did purchase the Urus, it would have only cost him half of his current weekly salary as the footballer signed a 385,000 pound (RM2.02 million) a week contract with the Manchester club last month. If it is rented, it can be had from a company like Hertz, for around 695 pounds (RM4,000) a day, without insurance.

If the Lamborghini Urus is truly his very own, this would be one of the cheaper cars in his collection as it is widely known that the footballer has an array of exotic supercars, including multiple Rolls Royces, a rare Ferrari Monza, Mercedes G-Wagon as well as a 12 Million USD Bugatti Centodieci.

It has been said that he shipped a number of his cars back to Spain from Italy, but nobody is sure whether he shipped any to the United Kingdom.

Three years after it was introduced to international markets, the
Lamborghini Urus super-SUV
 has hit the extraordinary threshold of 15,000 cars produced. This is the latest in a list of
broken records
, doubled Lamborghini's annual volume the first year (2019) it was fully marketed.

Urus Graphite Capsule

The Urus is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which delivers 650hp and peak torque of 850Nm at 2,250rpm. With 162.7 hp/litre, it boasts one of the highest specific power ratings in its class, as well as the best power-to-weight ratio at 3.38 kg/hp. It accelerates from 0-100 km in 3.6 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 12.8 seconds and achieves a top speed of 305 km/h, putting its performance on par with Lamborghini's sports cars.

Lamborghini Malaysia officially introduced the Urus
back in 2018
 and sells them in few different configurations, namely the Urus, Urus Pearl Capsule and the latest, Urus Graphite Capsule. The Urus in Malaysia will set you back a cool RM 1 Million before taxes and on-road costs.

Importers also want a piece of the Urus action and have
brought in
 some units into Malaysia, with the cheapest going for around RM1.4 Million and the highest at RM2.5 Million.

The Urus is now Lamborghini's best-selling model ever which begs the question, will these super SUVs be the focal point for supercar manufacturers for the foreseeable future? Will it in turn
kill off
 their willingness to build and develop new supercars or hypercars?


Jalan Bentong-Gua Musang Dibuka Semula 5 Oktober Ini – Berlaku Kelewatan, Tapi Dah Selesai

Jalan Bentong-Gua Musang berhampiran Kilang Lee Rubber di Bentong yang runtuh tahun lalu akan dibuka semula kepada orang awam pada Rabu ini selepas kerja pembaikan
cerun
dan jalan siap dilakukan.

Menurut Menteri Kanan Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, kini hanya tinggal kerja membuat garisan jalan dan kerja pembersihan tapak di laluan berkenaan.

Proses Baik Pulih Hadapi Kelewatan

Kerja pembaikan cerun dan jalan itu telah dimulakan pada 20 Januari lalu selepas berlaku runtuhan pada November 2021.

Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat sedikit kelewatan disebabkan
runtuhan tanah
 akibat hujan lebat semasa kerja pembaikan berjalan iaitu pada 18 Mac 2022, menurut Fadillah.

Kenyataan itu dibuat bagi membidas perkongsian Ahli Parlimen Bentong Wong Tack di akaun Facebooknya yang menggambarkan diri sebagai 'hero' yang berulang kali mengetengahkan isu jalan tersebut untuk tindakan pihak berkuasa.

Bagi Fadillah, tindakan tersebut bermotifkan politik dan cuba mendapatkan
'political mileage'
 (manfaat politik) kerana tindakan membaik pulih cerun itu telah dimulakan sejak awal tahun ini.

Fadillah juga berterima kasih kepada kerajaan Pahang yang memberi sokongan padu dalam memastikan kelancaran projek infra rakyat serta
Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR)
 negeri serta daerah yang komited menyiapkan kerja untuk kesejahteraan rakyat.


Flash Floods Bring Klang Valley To Its Knees - Root Causes Aplenty?

Knee-deep in flood water, more like. Some areas were hit even more severely with water levels on roads and walkways approaching waist-level, according to some accounts. Just yesterday evening heavy rain that poured over an expansive portion of Klang Valley's metropolitan areas persisted for what seemed like well over two hours, causing flash floods and transforming the already frustrating sloth-like rush hour traffic to a flooded parking lot for some.
There were postings all over social media detailing the areas to avoid, with cars shown with their tyres submerged by water resembling the familiar ‘teh tarik’ shade of milky brown. Shah Alam and its surrounding areas seem to be one of the most badly troubled with reports of the flooded Bukit Jelutong toll plaza causing a sea of lit brake lights all the way from Setia Alam and beyond.
“Accumulated water, due to heavy rains in the area, could not flow out, and the retention ponds were filled with overflowing access water,” said Selangor exco member in charge of infrastructure Zaidy Abdul Talib told The Star. Also, a Plusline source told the newspaper, the slip road connecting Bukit Raja to Shah Alam was not accessible to traffic. Even KTMB were forced to shut down its Komuter train service at Batu Tiga after its tracks were found flooded.
Those are just two examples of roads and major thoroughfares crippled by a late afternoon downpour. But rain like that has been quite common in the recent weeks and have been an annual occurance around this time of the year, running almost like clockwork to turn sunny skies into a water soaked fog. So why do these flash floods keep on happening? And why do they seem to catch us unprepared?
There are a myriad of possible reasons, likely interconnected, and slightly different based on area. While we can’t confirm a root cause (rain?), we can begin to question why certain locations are much more susceptible to them time and time again.
Is it poorly planned drainage system? Is there too much trash or soil in said drainage system? Is there too much construction work going on everywhere? Should there be more preventive measures? Is it just bad luck? Did Han Solo shoot first?
All pressing questions we need to ask.
It seems almost we are almost too easily afflicted by flash floods when encountered with more-than-usual amounts of rain. One would think that, after decades in a tropical climate defined by its wet season, we would have figured out a way around this annual water influx from above.


Volvo Pure Electric Cars To Go Leather Free As Part Of Their Animal Welfare Ambitions

Volvo electric cars will go leather-free as part of their ambitions to be more ethical.

Volvo has always understood that as a mobility provider, they play a part in climate change and have a responsibility to try and be a brand for positive change.

Well, with their promise
to go all-electric
 by 2030, they are on their way to doing so, but Volvo is not stopping there because Volvo Cars are taking an ethical stand for animal welfare too by going leather-free, starting with the new
C40 Recharge
, an all-new fully electric Volvo model.

Further to that, all subsequent new Volvo full EVs will also be completely leather-free. As a commitment to that, Volvo Cars is working actively to find high-quality and sustainable sources for many materials currently used in the wider car industry.

By 2025, the company is not only aiming to have
electric vehicles
 (EVs) comprise 50% of its sales, but it is also aiming for 25% of the materials used in new Volvo cars to consist of recycled and bio-based content, as it looks to become a fully circular business by 2040. Their suppliers too will have to take part in this climate change initiative, as part of its climate action plans also aims for all of its immediate suppliers, including material suppliers, to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2025.

The company’s move towards leather-free interiors is also driven by a concern about the negative environmental impacts of cattle farming, including deforestation. Livestock is estimated to be responsible for around 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, with the majority coming from cattle farming.

So what kind of interior materials will future Volvo cars use, you may be asking? Well, Volvo has already started working on a synthetic material called Nordico, a new interior material consisting of textiles made from recycled material such as PET bottles, bio-attributed material from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland, and corks recycled from the wine industry. This material will make its debut in the next generation of Volvo models.

Volvo Cars will however still continue to offer wool blend options, but they will be sourced from suppliers that are certified to provide them responsibly, as the company looks to ensure full traceability and animal welfare in its wool supply chain.

“Being a progressive car maker means we need to address all areas of sustainability, not just CO2 emissions,” said Stuart Templar, Director of Global Sustainability at Volvo Cars.

“Responsible sourcing is an important part of that work, including respect for animal welfare. Going leather-free inside our pure electric cars is a good next step towards addressing this issue," he continued.

“Finding products and materials that support animal welfare will be challenging, but that is no reason to avoid this important issue,” said Stuart. “This is a journey worth taking. Having a truly progressive and sustainable mindset means we need to ask ourselves difficult questions and actively try and find answers.”

Volvo Cars are also looking to reduce the use of residual products from livestock production commonly used within or in the production of plastics, rubber, lubricants and adhesives, either as part of the material or as a process chemical in the material’s production or treatment.

For those uninitiated with the
Volvo C40 Recharge
, the fully electric car will be the first Volvo ever in history to be designed from the ground up as a pure EV.

The pure-electric crossover will have a range of 420 kilometres according to the WLTP cycle, a 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds and the ability to be
fast-charged to 80% in about 40 minutes
.

The C40 Recharge is due to be introduced in
early 2022
 and will be built alongside the XC40 Recharge at Volvo Cars' manufacturing plant in Ghent, Belgium.


Nissan NP300 Navara Gets Euro 6 Engine in Europe

Nissan
 yesterday announced that the
Navara NP300
 now receives a new Euro 6 engine and additional safety features in the UK, in line with the Euro 6 emission standards (for light commercial vehicles) that is set to take effect in September in Europe.
The new 2.3-liter dCi turbo diesel engine, which will be available in 160 PS and 190 PS forms similar to the current 2.5-litre engine, emits 159 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which is 8g/km lesser than the preceding Euro 5 engine.
The Nissan Navara Euro 6 also benefits from a reduction in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) thanks to the addition of a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system.
An AdBlue tank has been fitted to the Navara, with a filler flap on the opposite side of the vehicle to the diesel tank to avoid confusion. The tank can be filled from bottles or pumps, for maximum flexibility for the user. It will hold 17 litres of liquid.
Driver assistance messages relating to the AdBlue system have been integrated into the Navara’s colour LCD combimeter, the central information screen set between the two main dials.
A number of other enhancements have been made as well, such as:
Idle-Stop System (ISS) for reduced fuel consumption is now standard on all Navara manual models
All Navara models now come with a colour combimeter, cruise control with speed limiter, Bluetooth hands-free audio and multi-function controls on the steering wheel
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) has increased 25-35 kg, while kerb weight has increased 5-38 kg (both depending on model)
While the updates are only for models in the UK for now, there have not been any official announcements by Edaran Tan Chong Motor, the official distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia on whether the updated Navara NP300 will be making its way here anytime soon.
Looking for a Nissan? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Renault-Nissan Alliance to Revive Mitsubishi Motors

Things have been tough for Mitsubishi Motors. They've suffered significant backlash following an emissions and efficiency scandal, and this has left the company a little weak outside of the ASEAN region. While most companies would be quick to sever their ties with the Japanese company, Carlos Ghosn believes that there is great potential in the revival of this brand- as he mentioned in this
LinkedIn influencer post
. The addition of the Mitsubishi Motors group to the Renault-Nissan Alliance has pushed their figures to 10 million units sold this year alone, putting them in the top 3 automotive manufacturers in the world.
Even with Mitsubishi Motors struggling to find a foothold, their employees and network will not go to waste. Manufacturing facilities can be repurposed and deeper localization can be achieved by the Renault-Nissan Alliance in regions where they may not have as much penetration. Most important of all is Mitsubishi's knowledge and know-how when it comes to the ultra-compact kei-car segment in Japan, as well as their plug-in hybrid technology, their understanding of pickup trucks, and their strength in
South-East Asia
.
By now, it's widely understood that Mitsubishi's problem outside of ASEAN does not lie with their products or network, but rather the trust that customers have in the company. Building that trust back once again is the key to reviving the brand- a brand that has noteably managed to avoid incurring heavy debt and is the perfect candidate for furthering the reach and scale of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.


Taxpayers foot RM1.6M bill for ministers' official cars maintenance

The cost of maintenance and repairs for official vehicles of federal ministers between 2020 and 2022 amounted to RM1.6 million, said Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
.

A parliamentary written reply from the Prime Minister, also the Finance Minister, stated that the cost of vehicle maintenance in 2020 was RM672,000, RM478,991.50 in 2021 and RM450,690.66 in 2022.

There were 32 ministers and 38 deputy ministers in the cabinet when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin took office in March 2020. He was then replaced by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob in August 2021, maintaining the number of cabinet ministers.

“The RM1.6 million was to bear monthly lease payments which includes rental, maintenance and repairs for each of the official cars,” said Anwar replying to a question from Chong Zhemin (DAP member of parliament for Kampar), who had asked for details on maintenance cost for minister’ official vehicles between 2020 to 2022.

Anwar further clarified that the
 switch to Toyota Vellfire 2.5L
 from the Proton Perdana 2.4L as official minister cars at the beginning of April 2021 also resulted in the reduced payments.


Updates For 2017 MINI 3 Door And MINI 5 Door; New Financing Plan Unveiled

MINI Malaysia has added updated features and new styling elements to both the 3 Door and 5 Door variants of the MINI hatchback, whilst rolling out its new Full Circle financing programme from BMW Credit Malaysia.
Overall model mix is trimmed, although the same engine choices remain. The Cooper Chili and Cooper S Wired models have been dropped from the 3 Door line-up, with a streamlined range now featuring the Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW. The 5 Door model is available in Cooper and Cooper S guise.
Powering the MINI family are turbocharged petrol mills from BMW’s B-series engine family, consisting of a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder with 136hp in the Cooper and a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder making 192hp and 231hp in the Cooper S and JCW models respectively. All variants are front wheel drive featuring a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard.
In appearance, both the 3 Door and 5 Door Cooper get high gloss black finish on their grilles and door handles. Lighting is also upgraded with LED headlights and fog lights standard for all variants.
A major upgrade in equipment is the fitment of keyless entry in both the 3 Door and 5 Door Cooper S as well as in the 3 Door-only John Cooper Works. The JCW variant also gets auto dimming rear view mirror together with a reverse camera. All variants receive dual zone climate control as standard.
Finally, an upgraded MINI Connect infotainment system features a 6.5-inch Visual Boost screen and is able, through the MINI Connected Ready App,  to seamlessly integrate with mobile phones.
All variants of the MINI 3 Door and MINI 5 Door are covered by a 4-year unlimited mileage warranty and free servicing. Estimated prices (OTR without insurance) are:
MINI Cooper 3 Door – RM188,888
MINI Cooper S 3 Door – RM229,888
MINI John Cooper Works 3 Door – RM293,888
MINI Cooper 5 Door – RM193,888
MINI Cooper S 5 Door – RM239,888
MINI Full Circle Programme
The MINI Full Circle Programme is a flexible financing scheme suited for customers with a limited ownership duration and mileage in mind. At the end of the financing tenure, customers have the option of returning the car with no further obligations, trade in for a new MINI, take complete ownership of the vehicle with a full settlement, or simply extend the loan tenure.
Through this financing programme, customers can effectively lock in the resale value of their vehicle at the end of the agreed upon tenure. Terms of the financing programme can be customized to the customer’s budget and intended length of usage of the vehicle.


What To Do When Your Car Overheats?

It is perhaps one of the most common of breakdowns that can sometimes happen with little warning. When your car overheats, it means your car’s cooling systems is being overwhelmed by the engine and ambient heat and is not working in its optimum state. What to do?

In most extreme cases, engine overheating can cause permanent damage of engine internal components, engine seizure, or even cause the engine to go up in flames – hence your car’s cooling system is not something to be taken lightly.

Also, overheating can affect both new and old cars – in older cars, overheating can be caused by failing of components such as the water pump and thermostat, in newer cars (with more electronics), overheating can be the cause of failed electrical systems such as sensors and cooling fans.

Therefore, before we understand what happens when your car overheats, let's begin with understanding the major components of your car’s cooling system and their typical faults, that cause overheating.

Image credit:
Samarins.com

Radiator

Image credit:
FCP Euro

The radiator is the biggest component of your cars cooling system, the radiator functions as a heat exchanger to remove heat from engine coolant as it is pumped through it. Coolant passes through small channels within the radiator (typically) from the left to right or vice versa, as the coolant passes across the radiator, it is cooled by air that passes through from the front to the back of the radiator. The air is either blown by the cooling fan(s) or air that naturally passes through the front of your car as you drive.

Typical faults:
 Radiators can rupture or leak after many years of service, typically plastic components used in its construction can get brittle and crack/fail causing leaks (both small and huge). A leaking radiator will cause coolant to be drained, severely affecting the cooling system. Once the systems loses too much coolant, the car will begin to overheat.

In certain cases, radiators can suffer from a build-up of rust or contaminants within its cooling channels. This build-up can cause blockages within the radiator, making it inefficient, thus causing the engine to overheat.

Water pump

Image credit:
Bimmerworld

The water pump is perhaps the second most important component in your cooling system – like the name suggests, the water pump is driven by the engine, and (or via a motor) in newer cars, and pumps water throughout the engine and cooling system.

Typical faults:
 The water pump is another point in the car’s cooling system that can sprout leaks. Here again, excessive loss of coolant can cause the engine to overheat. In extreme cases – typically in older cars – the water pump can jam causing sudden failure. With that said, this can also happen in newer cars with electric pumps that fail over time.

Cooling fans

Image credit:
Truck Trend

Most cars will have one, two or multiple fans to aid the cooling system. In most cases, because water alone is not enough to cool a car down, fans are used to blow cool air across the radiator and engine and remove heat.

Typical faults:
 This is perhaps the most common type of fault besides a leaky radiator that causes a car to overheat. One or multiple fans may stop working over time, this causes engine temperatures to rise, especially when sitting in traffic or when crawling at low speeds. When the cooling fans stop working, other parts of the cooling system are overwhelmed, and this can cause engine temperatures to go up.

Radiator hoses

Your car’s cooling system is made up of an intricate circuit of cooling hoses to cool all the necessary components of the engine. For this, rubber or polymer hoses snake to and from the engine, and into the radiators to provide cooling.

Typical faults:
 Ruptured or cracks in the hoses can cause coolant to leak and evacuate the system. Too little coolant and, you guessed it… the engine overheats.

Thermostat

Image credit:
NAPAOnline

The thermostat is perhaps the most overlooked item in your cooling system – and in many cases can cause major problems if it doesn’t work properly. The thermostat regulates the coolant flow within the cooling system. Think of it as a valve that opens and closes to regulate and ensure the engine is at its optimum operating temperature.

When it’s closed (engine cool) – the thermostat blocks off water that is circulating in the engine from going through the radiator – this allows the engine to warm up to its operating temperature. Once the engine temperature hits a set limit, the thermostat opens and allows coolant to flow through the engine and through the radiator to cool it down again.

Typical faults:
 Thermostats typically jam after years of service. Once jammed, water will not circulate between the engine and radiator as it should. If jammed in a fully-closed position, your car can overheat within minutes of driving.

Cooling system sensors

Newer cars usually employ one or more temperature sensors that feed information to the car’s computer to regulate the cooling system. Unlike older cars, where the cooling systems consist mainly of mechanical components (such as the water pump, and thermostat), newer cars employ electronic water pumps, thermostats and cooling fans. Their functions are controlled by the car’s computer to regulate cooling.

Image credit:
EeuroParts.com

Typical faults:
 Temperature sensors, like most electronic components, can fail over time. When they do fail, they provide incorrect/null readings to the car’s computer which then affect the operation of other items, such as the thermostat. Faults like this will normally throw up an engine fault code which should be looked at the soonest.

Reservoir/Expansion tank

Cooling systems typically require a reservoir tank to store excess coolant and to regulate the flow of water within the cooling system depending on the engine’s requirements.

Typical faults:
 Reservoir tanks are typically made from plastic which become brittle over time. Like any other plastic component, they can crack and/or rupture causing coolant to drain out.

My car has overheated what do I do now?

First things first, don’t panic. Follow these simple steps:

As soon as you see you car’s temperature needle rising higher than usual or if it has hit the maximum range of your engine temperature gauge, chances are it's overheating. Urgently find a safe place to stop the car, and turn off the engine.

Turn on your Emergency Signals and unlock your bonnet.

Before opening your bonnet, observe for traces of steam. If there is no steam or hot vapour coming from the engine bay area, carefully unlatch and open the bonnet.

At this point, it’s best to let the car cool down. This will normally take around 30-45 mins. Leave the bonnet open.

If there are visible coolant leaks, it could be coming out of the radiator or the reservoir tank – take note of this, snap a photo if possible, but
DO NOT
 put your face/hands close to the engine or its components. The cooling system is under immense pressure when overheated, do not attempt to touch anything until the car has properly cooled down.

When you feel the car has properly cooled down, get your key and put the car into ignition mode – if with a key, turn to the second position/notch (for cars with Keyless Start, press the Start/Stop button without depressing the brake pedal) – this will normally bring your car’s instrument cluster to life. Now you’ll be able to check if your car temperature is back to normal or still needs further cooling. The lower, the better.

Now try and diagnose the problem, and see if you can continue your journey…

The first thing to do is check if there’s coolant in the system – you can do this by checking the reservoir tank level or the level within the radiator.

If the water level is low, try topping-up the system with water. If in a pinch, tap water is fine even if you can’t get coolant.

Once the system is topped-off, restart your car and check if your engine temperature is holding. If at this point, the temperature is holding, and there are no major leaks, then the chances are you might have a small leak in your system but you can try to drive the car slowly back to your home or mechanic. Keep a constant eye on your temperature gauge.

If there is water/coolant in the system, but the engine temperature is still rising gradually, the chances are one of the cooling fans are not working properly, try switching on the air-conditioning (AC), and see if the Auxiliary (Aux) Fan starts to spin. If the Aux fan does not come on, turn off the AC and see if the temperature gauge holds steady. If it does, you could probably try to nurse the car home without turning on the AC, but try your best to avoid traffic.

If your coolant system has fluid and the cooling fans are coming on as they should, chances are this might be an issue with your thermostat and/or water pump. In cases like these, it is best to not continue your journey and call a tow truck. You're better off not taking the risk and causing any further damage to your engine.

Do note that symptoms and causes may vary from car to car; this is a limited and simplified guide.

Therefore, if your car is overheating, it’s best to have your car looked at by a competent mechanic before further use, do not postpone any repairs, and do keep using the car simply because you feel it might be a one-off event.

How do I look after my cooling system…

Image credit:
Elf.com

Preventive maintenance is the best way to ensure your car keeps going smoothly and safely. These are simple steps to ensuring your car’s cooling system is working great at all times:

The number one thing you can do is always ensure your coolant levels are at their optimum level. Check this at least once every two weeks.

Change the coolant at the manufacturer specified intervals. This interval can range between every 30,000km to even 60,000km so check your owner’s manual or with the service centre.

Use manufacturer specified coolant or coolant additives only.

Refrain from using mineral water in your cooling system as it contains minerals such as Calcium and Magnesium which can oxidise and cause corrosion over time.

Image credit:
Penrite Oils

Performing a radiator flush (at specified intervals) has its benefits but do check with your mechanic/service centre if required.

Replace your thermostat as specified by the manufacturer. It’s a service item and should be replaced on time.

Perform a visual or diagnostics test (for newer cars) of your cooling fans from time to time. Typically, these items degrade over time, so frequent inspections help in ensuring everything is working fine.

Change the water pump if required or if visible signs of failure begin to show. Check this with your mechanic.


Honda, Kia, Nissan, Perodua, VW Offer Repair Discounts For Flood-Damaged Cars

The recent floods in Penang have caused millions in damage to homes and public infrastructure and displaced hundreds of victims, with the final toll still being added up.
Adding to the losses, are countless vehicles that may have been damaged by floodwater, or worst, fully-submerged in lower lying areas such as basement car parks. It also serves as a reminder that obtaining flood insurance
need not be very expensive
, and yet a prudent measure if we don't want to be slapped with a hefty repair bill.
Fortunately, some carmakers have stepped up to assist owners who have been affected by the flood, and get them on the road again.
Here’s a shortlist of who is helping out and how.
Nissan
20 percent discount on Nissan genuine spare parts.
20 percent discount on labour charges..
Upholstery restoration at RM1,325 (including GST) for affected Nissan sedan models.
Upholstery restoration at RM1,590 (including GST) for affected Nissan MPV / SUV / Pick-Up / Van models.
Three months or 5,000 km warranty on labour and Nissan genuine parts replacement (whichever comes first).
Nissan customer care centre at 1800-88-3838.
Volkswagen
A nationwide programme for all Volkswagen owners affected by the recent flood disaster. In particular, the Northern regions.
30 percent discount off the total invoice (which includes parts and labour).
Flood Relief programme will run until 28 February 2018.
Naza Kia
Discounts of up to 50% for genuine Kia parts replacement as well as discounted labour rates.
Subject to the degree of damage incurred in the vehicle.
This flood relief programme only applies to Kia vehicles uninsured for a natural disaster.
Nine participating service centres across Penang, Kedah and Perak
Perodua
Free inspection service.
Perodua is also offering 20% off selected parts for vehicles are damaged by the floods.
The parts include all electronic items, carpet, vehicle seats, door trims and engine overhaul gasket.
Customer care line at 1-800-88-5555 for towing assistance (terms and conditions apply).
Honda
50 percent discount on affected genuine parts.
Applies to vehicles purchased through Honda authorised dealers, that are uninsured for a natural disaster.
Warranty on replacement parts for six months/ 10,000 km, whichever comes first.
Relief programme valid until 28 February 2018.
Also, if you happen to be caught in a flood prone areas, here are some
handy tips
 to ensure you and your vehicle stay safe.


Tokyo 2015: Daihatsu D-base Concept Previews Next Generation Perodua Axia?

Daihatsu Motor announced today that it will be presenting a new concept mini car called the D-base Concept at the coming 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.
At the moment, Daihatsu isn’t saying much about the car. In fact, the press release materials had only three sentences explaining about the D-base.
It only says that the D-base is a mini car that previews Daihatsu’s next generation family of mini cars, and that it will feature the next development of the company’s e:S (Eco and Smart) technology.
Highlights of Daihatsu’s current generation e:S technology includes an energy efficient engine that uses low friction internal components, engine idle start-stop system, higher 11.3:1 compression ratio, streamlined light weight body and an on-demand alternator that only engages when the vehicle is decelerating – all are rather simple, low-cost solutions.
The e:S technology first debuted in Japan in 2011, in the Japanese-market Daihatsu Mira, whose platform and body structure forms the basis for the Perodua Axia and its Indonesian cousins – Daihatsu Ayla and Toyota Agya, minus the Japanese market-only e:S technology.


Possibly drunk Porsche 911 driver rams into 3 parked cars (at least)

In the very early hours of Saturday, 28th January, several cars at the valet parking area of the IOI City Mall were slammed into by a driver in his
Porsche 911 (992)
 after first crashing into a road divider and losing control.

In a video posted to social media following the collision, the cars damaged appear to include a silver Honda Jazz and Toyota Corolla Cross as well as a white Honda CR-V, among others.

PDRM officers arrived on the scene to control the situation, according to Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof.

The Porsche driver, a middle aged man believed to be drunk at the time, was reported to be travelling from the Le Meridian Putrajaya to Cheras.

With 3 of the 4 car owners having recorded their statements to the authorities as well as blood and urine samples of the suspect taken, the case is currently being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act.

Coincidentally, this particular bit of misfortune had occurred just hours after the 10-day Ops Selamat 19 had concluded at the end of Friday with the total number of accidents during the festive period recorded at over at 1,389 involving 1,711 vehicles according to Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Mat Kasim Karim.


All New 2020 Honda City Has 9000 Bookings

The
2020 Honda City
 has received 9,000 bookings to date with the V variant being the most sought after with 54 percent of the bookings. Unsurprisingly the majority of bookings at 44 percent have come from the Central region of Peninsular Malaysia.

Unfortunately for Honda and the City, it was launched in the time of the X50 - 'the' SUV that has stolen the hearts and minds of Malaysians as well as the thunder from other manufacturers. We're itching to find out how the
Nissan Almera
 is doing sales-wise.

Not all is lost, however, as the City has thus far racked up about 9,000 bookings, 54 percent of which is for the V variant. If all these bookings turn into sales, this will be ahead of Honda's targeted sales of 3,000 units per month that was announced during the launch of the All-New City on October 13.

Just to recap the V variant of the
2020 Honda City
 is priced at RM89,800 (RM86,561.45 with SST Exemption) powered by the new 1.5L DOHC (previously single-cam SOHC) i-VTEC powertrain, which produces a healthy 121PS of power and maximum torque of 145Nm. The engine is mated to a CVT-Type automatic transmission.

The breakdown of the bookings per region is as below:

Central: 44 percent

Northern: 22 percent

Southern: 19 percent

Platinum White Pearl representing 28 percent of total sales seems to be the color of choice. To date, more than 2,400 units of the 2020 Honda City have been delivered to customers nationwide.

“The 5th Generation All-New City is very well received in the market and the bookings has increased by an additional 80% within a month of its official launch. This outstanding Honda model continues to capture the hearts of Malaysians be it working adults, young executives or young families. We are very grateful to have received positive feedback from Honda customers and we would like to thank our customers for their continuous support." said Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Toichi Ishiyama.


Proton & Perodua still meet national car manufacturer criteria - MITI

The
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
 has stated that both
Proton
 and
Perodua
 are still eligible to be treated as national car manufacturers.

MITI's Deputy Minister, Liew Chin Tong, made this statement as a reply to Lee Chean Hung (PH-Petaling Jaya) during a Q&A session at the Parliament earlier this week. Lee's inquiry was regarding the 'special treatment' that is still being given to Proton since it is no longer a 'national car', as reported by
Bernama
.

One of MITI's tasks is to ensure that both Proton and Perodua can still meet the criteria under the National Automotive Policy (NAP 2020) to be classified as national car makers.

MITI also mentioned that any other car manufacturer can also be considered as a 'national car project' and awarded with 'special treatment' like Proton and Perodua if they can meet the same criteria imposed for the two national brands.

Some of those criteria involve a majority of local ownership, local supply chain development, R&D activities, and flourishing the locals with ample job opportunities. Proton, for example, recently launched its latest and
Malaysia's biggest stamping plant
 in Tanjung Malim to boost the production of local parts as well as provide extra jobs for Malaysians.

With that being said, MITI also stated that these criteria from all car manufacturers in the country are constantly monitored and updated from time to time, particularly in regard to the National Automotive Policy 2020.


So you have a baby on the way, or your family size is expanding. You need a car with more seating capacity. But
7-seaters MPV or SUV
 are not just for young families. The need to ferry eldery folks with limited mobility can also be another reason, as
MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles)
, especially ones with sliding doors, offer easier access for the elderly. Let's we looking which 7 seaters cars in Malaysia below.

MPV Buying Guide: Which 7-Seater Suits You Best in Malaysia

However not all 7-seaters SUV/MPV are created equal, and there is not one single MPV that is best for everyone. What's best for one family may not be best for you. It all depends on how do you intend to use the vehicle and what are your expectations from the vehicle.

By definition, all MPVs have 3 row seats - the first being the driver and front passenger, followed by two more rows for rear passengers. The most basic question to ask yourself before buying an MPV is how often and in what situations do you intend to use the third row seats.

Surveys show that most people who buy MPVs rarely use the third row seats. For these group of customers, a smaller and more fuel efficient 5+2 seater might be a wiser purchase.

7-Seater vs 5+2 Seater

The key separator between a 7-seater and a 5+2 seater is its third row seats. A proper 7-seater will have enough legroom in the third row seats to fit adults. A 5+2 seater however, as it name implies, can only fit children. It's possible to fit adults with decent level of comfort, but only for short trips, and by short trips we mean journeys not more than 1 hour.

Models such as the Perodua Alza are considered as 5+2 seater, while models such as the
Honda BR-V
,
Perodua Aruz
,
Proton Exora
, Nissan Serena,
Toyota Avanza
,
Toyota Rush
, Toyota Sienta, and
Toyota Innova are 7-seaters
 (or 8-seater, in the case of the Innova). As for the Proton Ertiga, this model is actually a 6-seater, as the middle passenger in the second row lacks a seat belt or lap belt.

A 5+2 seater is typically smaller, more fuel efficient, plus is easier to park than a 7-seater. However, some models like the Toyota Avanza/Toyota Rush are extremely easy to park despite being a 7-seater, mainly because these models are rear-wheel driven. Most cars are typically driven by the front wheels, to allow for more space inside the cabin. However rear-wheel driven 7-seaters benefit from a very tight turning circle, making them excellent for moving into tight parking spots.

On the topic of parking, the bigger the car, the greater the need for a 360-degree parking camera.

360-Degree Camera

Considering that MPVs are generally larger in terms of physical size when compared to a sedan, having an MPV with 360-degree camera is an added bonus, as parents can check the MPV's surroundings to be sure that their kids are not in harm's way.

The Nissan Serena, Toyota Rush, Sienta, Innova,
Alphard
, and
Vellfire
 all offer 360-degree parking camera.

7-seater SUV or MPV?

Some models like the Toyota Rush/Perodua Aruz blur the lines between SUV and MPV. Both these models are styled like an SUV, but maintained an MPV-like 7-seater interior, minus the fuel guzzling and higher maintenance cost of a four-wheel drive/all-wheel drive mechanicals of a typical SUV.

What's the difference between a Toyota Rush over a Toyota Avanza then, when both serve the same purpose? It's all down to styling preferences. Some buyers prefer the styling of an SUV, but don't want to deal with the higher running cost, keeping the proven durability of the Avanza's drivetrain.

Moving up the price point, there are several 7-seater SUVs to choose from. The Nissan X-Trail is a 5+2 seater while the
Toyota Fortuner
 and
Mitsubishi Outlander
are full-size 7-seater SUVs. However, the nature of Malaysia's vehicle tax system means that SUVs are taxed slightly higher. Therefore, an equivalent 7-seater SUV is always more expensive. The Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Innova are sister cars, but the former is much more expensive.

Also, SUVs typiclly have a higher ride height, making entry and exit from the car difficult for young childern and the elderly.

Ride Height

Ride height is defined by 'ground clearance' - the vertical distance between the car's floor and the ground. Tall-riding MPVs, such as the Toyota Avanza, Toyota Rush, and Toyota Innova are useful in situations where road conditions are poor, or floods are a common occurrence.

However, with a tall-riding MPV, ingress and egress will be more challenging for families with older family members or young kids, as they would need to climb up and into the said vehicle.

For ease of ingress and egress, a low-slung MPV would better suit these families, so models such as the Perodua Alza,
Nissan Serena
, and
Toyota Sienta
 or even an Alphard would be a better fit.

Another benefit of low-slung MPVs is that ride comfort is better than tall-riding models, as low-slung models generally offer car-like comfort levels, while tall-riding MPVs have a tendency of being bumpy through rougher road surfaces.

Ride height is also directly related to ease of loading/unloading of cargo.

Ease Of Loading And Unloading

A vehicle with a lower ride height generally means a lower boot floor, which makes loading/unloading of heavy items easier.

It is also worth noting that most MPVs also generally offer a larger boot aperture than an equivalent SUV. A larger boot aperture makes it easier for parents to load their child’s stroller or luggage.

Note that compared to a sedan, all MPVs (and SUVs) need more space behind the car to open the tailgate. A Nissan Serena has a split opening tailgate, which allows only the upper part of the tailgate to still be accessible in tight reverse parking spots, but note that while it's easier to drop cargo inside, you will still need to open the entire tailgate to unload, else your hands can't reach the boot floor from the opening rear glass.

Access to Third Row

To enter the third row seats, users will have to climb in through the gap between the door opening and the second row seats. Some models like the Proton Ertiga, don't allow the second row seats to tumble forward, but merely tilting the seatback forward thus making access to the third row difficult.

The seat's folding mechanism is also crucial. The Nissan Grand Livina for example, requires users to pull a strap upwards before the middle row seat can be released and tumble forward. An equivalent Toyota Avanza/Rush or Innova however, has a much more user friendly one-touch folding operation.

Folding of Third Row Seats

If more boot space is required, the ease of folding the third row seats is crucial. Some MPVs, like the Toyota Sienta allows the third row seats to be tucked under floor, thus maximizing its usable boot space.

Captain Seats

Continuing on the topic of seats, one term that gets thrown around quite frequently is captain seats. Typically offered only in higher-end models like a Toyota Alphard, captain seats are now available even in the relatively more affordable Toyota Innova 2.0X variant.

With captain seats, the second row's conventional 3-seater bench seats are replaced with pluser two individual seats. Typically this could mean that the model's seating capacity will be reduced from 7 to 6 seats, except for the Innova of course, as the standard model is an 8-seater, with three three-point seat belts in the third row.

The biggest benefit of captain seats is that access to the third row will be a lot easier, as one can walk in between the two captain seats, as opposed to having to fold the second row seats to access the back.

Despite offering better ease of access to the rear, captain seats may not be the best option for some parents. Depending on where you intend to install a child seat, the parent sitting on  one captain will need to stretch further to attend to the child strapped in the neighbouring captain seat. Some models allow the seats to be adjusted laterally, but due to the presence of individual arm rests, there's still a fair bit of stretch to reach the child strapped in the seat beside.

Shoulder room

If you intend to put child seats, body width is something you should be looking into as child seats take up a lot of shoulder room. Unless you have triplets, it's fairly easy to fit three child seats in almost any car. Chances are, your toddlers will be of different age and different sizes of child seats will be used. To ask which car can fit three child seats abreast is not the right question, because child seats so many different sizes. The solution is to shop for a slim-type seat.

As shown in our earlier post, even a
small compact sedan can fit three child seats
, whatmore an MPV.

The easiest way is to measure the shoulder room (measured from the narrowest point of the car's seats) and then shop for the right child combination within it. You can also choose to do it the other way round but it wouldn't make much sense because children will outgrow their child seats in a matter of a few years.

ISOFIX Anchor Points

ISOFIX anchor points for child seats are a good feature to have but contrary to popular belief, ISOFIX do not make a child seat safer than seat belt-anchored ones. ISOFIX makes the installation process easier. In theory, it allows you to move the child seat from one car to another easier. In the real world,
installing an ISOFIX child seat
 can take quite a while, and you will still need to loop the seatbelt around the seat.

ISOFIX child seats are also a lot more expensive compared to regular child seats but like all child seats, they have expiry dates and your kid will outgrow them in a few years time. In some cases, getting multiple but cheaper seats might be a more practical option.

Rear Air Vents

Another important factor when deciding to purchase an MPV is the rear air-conditioning vents. Sure, most modern MPVs offer some form of rear air vents, but not all rear air vents are created equally.

While most respectable MPVs offer a dedicated blower for the rear passengers, the Perodua Alza does not offer rear air vents, instead, Perodua redesigned the front air vents to direct air to the rear passengers.

A Toyota Innova for example, is surprisingly posh inside. You get not just additional blowers for the rear, but separate vents for the second and third row seats. There's also a cooler box in front (upper glovebox), important if you need to keep things like baby milk chilled. There's good dose of soothing ambient lightning.

Rear Seat Entertainment

Some MPVs mentioned in this article are fitted with a roof-mounted monitor that allows rear seat passengers to enjoy watching their favourite shows while on the move.

MPVs that offer such a feature include the Perodua Alza, Nissan Serena, Toyota Avanza, Toyota Alphard/Vellfire. Some as an accessory, others as standard. These days, tablets are so common so the need to spend money on rear seat entertainment is less important now.

Chances are your kid already has way too much screen time, and giving them toys might be a better option.

Sliding Doors

Last but certainly not the least are sliding doors, found on MPVs such as the Toyota Sienta, Nissan Serena, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Vellfire/Alphard.

For the uninitiated, sliding doors can be really useful when parking in tight spots, especially shopping malls as sliding doors do not need as much width as regular doors, making egress and ingress much easier.

Compared to regular hinge doors, sliding doors allow you to simply walk up to your car while carrying your baby, and strapping the baby into the child seat with ease, as opposed to have to bend your body in awkward angles to gain access into the vehicle.

In addition to that, with sliding doors, securing and removing a child seat is much easier, as the door aperture is considerably larger than an MPV without sliding doors.

The most affordable sliding door MPV is the Toyota Sienta, which starts from around RM101k.

Vehicles with sliding doors are typically more expensive because sliding doors are heavy and require power-operated opening.

Luxury Options

But what if you need a touch of luxury in your MPV? Toyota and Honda both offer MPVs with luxurious touch in the form of the
Honda Odyssey
 and Toyota Alphard and Vellfire.

Better known as minivans in other parts of the world, these MPVs with sliding doors offer greater ease-of-use compared to an equivalent sedan, thanks to the large aperture and high hip points of the seats, which allows occupants to just step in and out of the MPV, as opposed to bending down to get inside a sedan.

It is also worth adding that a minivan's larger physical size also means that interior space will trump any equivalent sedan. These days, a Toyota Alphard/Vellfire is viewed no less than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series. Lexus has since announced that it will be introducing a Lexus version of the Alphard.

However, when it comes to ride comfort across all road conditions, a luxury sedan still trumps. A tall riding minivan, no matter how luxurious it is, will experience more vertical and lateral motion compared to an equivalent sedan.

With that said, choosing an MPV boils down to your needs - how often do you use the third row seats? Is ride height a concern?

In today's market, there is an
MPV
 at almost every point point, from the affordable people mover all the way up to a luxury statement. It is worth keeping in mind that purchasing an MPV is not the same as purchasing a sedan, as when purchasing an MPV, practicality and utility comes up top, not driving excitement or outright performance.

Do you want to read more MPV/
SUV models
 comparison? Here you go:-

Honda BR-V vs Mitsubishi XPANDER vs Perodua Aruz vs Toyota Avanza vs Proton Exora - Sub RM100k MPV Battle

MPV Mampu Milik Bawah RM100k – Honda BR-V vs Mitsubishi XPANDER vs Perodua Aruz vs Toyota Avanza vs Proton Exora

MPV or SUV? What Car To Buy Depending On Family Size

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MPV
 choices here. Sure there is one suits you and your family.

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Review: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 - Shifting the Goalposts

We've got good news and we've got bad news. The good news is that the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is finally here, but the bad news is that it's only available in 16-inch to 19-inch sizes. That's not a problem if you own a continental car or a C-segment/D-segment model, but those who run 15-inch tyres may need to find an alternative. Michelin has said they will continue to produce and support the Pilot Sport 3 tyre for the next 2 years or so, beyond which they cannot say for sure if there will be a replacement. Let's face it- as good as the Michelin XM2s are at efficiency, they leave a little to be desired in the wet and dry grip departments.
But on to the Pilot Sport 4s. There's a lot that Michelin has done with this new tyre, and they've drawn on their experience as tyre suppliers for various different race series. Most influential of these series was Formula E, and you can see the similarities in tread pattern and design between the race tyres and these road-going Pilot Sport 4s. In terms of construction differences, the Pilot Sport 4 has a new Aramid-Nylon hybrid belt which provides better dynamic response, along with the aforementioned tread pattern that provides 10% more contact area than the outgoing Pilot Sport 3.
The compound has changed as well, with more 'functional elastomers' (or grippy rubber compound in layman's terms), and more silica as well. Silica (known as sand, and more likely a mixture of silica and silicane) helps to reduce rolling resistance of the tyre while increasing grip during aggressive driving. There's a fair amount of science to it, but what you need to know is it gives you better wet grip and higher braking thresholds. The wider and deeper grooves in the tyres allow for quicker drainage in the wet- and to be fair, wet grip was the Pilot Sport 3's claim to fame. The compound does vary a little between different tyre sizes; those marked with an “ST” label are using a compound developed for the ASEAN region, while those that don’t have the label will use a European compound instead.
For dry grip one can always look towards stickier and grippier tyres like the Yokohama AD08R or the Toyo R888, but for wet grip it used to be that the Pilot Sport 3 would be your weapon of choice. Does the Pilot Sport 4 live up to these expectations? We were provided with two different courses to test the tyre out against the Bridgestone RE003, although arguably neither course nor condition were adequate to truly test the tyres. We’ll disregard the RE003 for the review as they aren’t exactly renowned for their wet grip, and instead we’ll focus purely on the Pilot Sport 4.
The first exercise was a simple wet slalom followed by wet braking, and we were made to run Mercedes-Benz C 200 Coupes. They’re not known to be the most dynamic of cars, but they were adequate through the course- the Pilot Sport 4 bites well and reacts to directional changes as well as you would expect, even when loading and unloading the rear through the slalom. The gravel strewn around the car park didn’t help with traction and provided the odd patch of low grip, but the tyres didn’t seem too unhappy with these arrangements. Braking distances were appreciable, although again the inconsistent surface doesn’t help with results.
Our second course was a pair of slaloms fashioned into something resembling an autocross. This time we were driving current-generation BMW 320ds, which have no excuses in the dynamics department. Again, the Pilot Sport 4 tyres provided the kind of grip and steering response you would expect, but running across water in this kind of tight situation, with the kind of steering input required, is enough to unsettle any tyre. While both exercises were a lot of fun and proved the Pilot Sport 4’s worth on a basic level, they didn’t show us the kinds of things we really needed to see to assess it.
But this isn’t Michelin’s fault. A true tyre test would require days or weeks of testing in a variety of situations and in a variety of locations. Driving through torrential rain would be a prime example, because a bit of damp tarmac isn’t nearly as frightening as a stretch of highway dotted with opportunities to aquaplane. A tight autocross course isn’t going to show off a tyre’s high speed stability, like the kind you need in a long sweeping highway ramp. Even the weak points of the Pilot Sport 3, road noise and tyre temperatures in particular, can only be evaluated on a long drive and on a racetrack respectively.
So we got a glimpse of what the Pilot Sport 4 had to offer, and it does what you ask of it. Even if it was at the very least as good as the Pilot Sport 3 that would be enough cause for celebration, but these tyres are appreciably better than their predecessor. To quote an instructor from the Michelin Pilot Sport Experience, “
…the (Pilot Sport 4s) are almost as good Pilot Super Sports in the dry, and have slightly more wet grip than the Pilot Sport 3s…
”, and if this is any comparison to go by then it’s a tyre that’s definitely worth the money if you’re looking for both wet and dry grip. Perhaps the only things to worry about is how quickly it wears out and how much noise it makes, but these are things that potential Pilot Sport 4 buyers probably wouldn’t be concerned with; after all, it is a performance oriented tyre.
Recommended retail pricing is quite varied across the sizes, as you would expect. For the Pilot Sport 4, 16-inch tyres start at
RM 481
, 17-inch tyres start at
RM 531
, 18-inch tyres start at
RM 852
, and 19-inch tyres start at
 RM 1,229
. If we compare this to Pilot Sport 3s, 16-inch tyres start at RM 466, 17-inch tyres start at RM 515, 18-inch tyres start at RM 827, and 19-inch tyres start at RM 1,219. Across the board it seems that the Pilot Sport 4 is
3% more expensive on average
, with the exception of 19-inch tyres that have barely any difference in price; on the whole it's a very small price to pay for a big improvement, but it is a shame that there is no 15-inch option for the Pilot Sport 4.


Isuzu To Put The New D-Max 1.9 To The Test At Borneo Safari

Fresh from its recent launch, the new Isuzu D-Max 1.9 will face its litmus test when it undertakes the task of conquering one of Asia’s most extreme off-road events – the Borneo Safari.

Apart from mud terrain tyres, uprated suspension, body protection, a winch, and an air snorkel, the new D-Max which will be participating in Borneo Safari this year remains virtually stock standard and resembles models available to customers off the showroom floor.

For over a decade, the Isuzu D-Max 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre have proven to be one of the most capable vehicles in the event having safely and effectively transported members of the media through the rugged terrain despite receiving only minimal modifications to the basic vehicle.

“This year, we bring the challenge to the new 1.9-litre engine to prove just how capable it is over the unforgiving terrain despite its small engine displacement,” said Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia Masayuki Suzuki.

The new D-Max features a new 1.9-litre engine which is the smallest engine in its class, but capable of producing more power and torque than the older 2.5-litre engine, while consuming less fuel and weighing 56kg less.

The new D-Max was handed over to the organizing team of the Borneo Safari in Kota Kinabalu as part of Isuzu Malaysia’s commitment as the event’s Diamond Sponsor to provide media vehicles for the event.

This year’s Borneo Safari, which is the 29th event in its history, will begin in Kota Kinabalu on 27th October and will take a more southerly loop, skirting Beaufort, Tenom, Keningau, and Tambunan before heading back to the city on 3rd November 2019 for the closing ceremony.

Looking for a new Isuzu? Find the best deals
here
.


Porsche Builds Their 1 Millionth 911

Rarely is a production milestone as impressive as it is for a sports car. The 911 has finally hit a cumulative total of 1 million units since the first 911 was produced, and that is a huge achievement for a relatively low volume car. Perhaps it's because the 911 is far more accessible that most other performance products, but the car has evolved a great deal since its humble beginnings as a hotted-up Beetle.
This one millionth 911 in particular is not something you're used to seeing, especially from the 991 generation of 911. We normally see the 991 with the more aggressive Turbo body and large wheels and all kinds of options, but this 991 is perhaps as bare bones and basic as you can get. It's not quite a 911 R, but it is a pretty purist oriented specification. It's a 991 Carrera S with a manual gearbox, painted in Irish Green and with a number of details that pay tribute to the first 911 that rolled off the production line over 50 years ago.
The wood accents in the interior are an interesting touch, although they don't necessarily go well with the modern design of the 991's centre console and infotainment sytem. Perhaps it's a bit of a try-hard attempt, although it certainly is unique among 911s you see these days. Even the wheels are one of the simpler designs available, which ties in with the idea of making this iconic 1 millionth 911 a tribute to the original.
If you're wondering who received this particular 911, unfortunately this wasn't a customer ordered car. Porsche knew this milestone was coming up and booked it for themselves, and the car will go on tour around the world, from Europe to China, before it rests in its eternal home: the Porsche Museum.


Waze Is Now Available On Ford Sync 3 System, But Only For iPhones

Ford and Waze have teamed up to bring the traffic and navigation app to the automaker’s lineup via the iPhone.
To use, customers simply have to connect their Waze-equipped iPhone to the USB port of their Ford vehicle and view the service as it is projected onto the vehicle touch screen.
With Ford SYNC AppLink, users can access the app’s features on a larger display and also have voice guidance through their own vehicle speakers and microphone system.
In addition to the usual stuff like reports on heavy traffic, accidents and fuel prices, Ford’s integration of Waze includes recent app updates such as “Talk to Waze”, which lets you control the app via voice command.
Other key features also include route support for high-occupancy vehicle lanes (carpool lanes), providing additional navigation options and more accurate arrival times.
“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to access the smartphone features, apps and services they care about most in the car, without having to pick up their device,” said Don Butler, executive director, connected vehicle platform and product, Ford Motor Company.
“With Waze, our customers get the benefits they’re accustomed to with the added luxury of experiencing them on a bigger screen.”
To access Waze on AppLink in your Ford vehicle, you’ll need SYNC 3 software version 3.0 or greater installed in your vehicle. You’ll also need iOS 11.3 and Waze installed on your phone.
Available globally through Ford SYNC AppLink, Waze users can simply plug their iPhone into a SYNC 3-equipped vehicle and project the app directly onto their vehicle touch screen.


BMW Unveils All-New X1 For 2022 Alongside Fully Electric iX1

BMW have revealed an all-new generation of their most compact SUV/crossover, or Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) as they might insist, the X1. Aside from a new exterior and interior design, there’s now a fully electric variant called the iX1.

Designated the U11, this 3rd-generation X1
replaces the F48 that’s been around since 2015
, bringing with it a refreshed look that reflects the Munich automaker’s current design direction. Upon this initial announcement, the range consists of the xDrive23i, the sportier xDrive30e M Sport plug-in hybrid, and the all-electric iX3 xDrive30.

New Platform, New All-Electric iX1

Of course there is a substantially larger kidney grille at the nose, but besides this the exterior surfacing has been made a little more squared for a chunkier look that’s amplified by more noticeably flared wheel arches, plenty of gloss black (Shadowline?) trim accents, and flush door handles.

That said, it still overall resembles an X1 so far as its side profile goes while the rear end echoes the 1 Series (F40). Inside is where things get a bit more dramatic where the X1 has clearly been brought up to snuff with its more recent stablemates.

BMW FAAR Platform

It sits upon BMW’s newer FAAR platform as opposed to the F48’s UKL2 underpinnings enabling broader support for electrified powertrains. As before, it will lock horns with rivals such as the
Mercedes-Benz GLA
,
Audi Q3
 and
Volvo XC40
.

With an overall length of 4,500mm, width of 1,845mm, and height of 1,642mm, the all-new X1 is expectedly larger than its predecessor, though not by much. More pertinent is its lengthened wheelbase (by 22mm) and 31mm wider track, all contributing to a more voluminous interior.

Complete Interior Revamp

Greeting the driver and passengers is a completely restyled cabin with an elegantly tiered dashboard as its focal point. Perched above that is the dual-screen iDrive infotainment and digital driver’s display framed within a curved panel.

Presumably, much of the physical controls have been replaced by the iDrive system running BMW Operating System 8. The centre tunnel is also something new from the brand, featuring a multi layer storage area, vertically mounted wireless smartphone charger. A new miniaturised gear shift lever and rotary iDrive controller sit atop a freestanding console.

We’ll expect the powertrain spread to include plenty of returning turbocharged small capacity engines from the automaker’s existing arsenal, albeit with the majority of them standing to integrate a 48V mild-hybrid system to improve efficiency and low-speed responsiveness. All of which would be mated to an 8-speed automatic sourced from Aisin.

The PHEV of the bunch, the X1 xDrive30e, uses a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol paired with an electric motor to produce a stout combined output of 326hp and 477Nm. By contrast, the electric iX1 xDrive30 -  which you can tell apart by its enclosed grille and blue themed accents - is powered by a pair of electric motors for all-wheel drive, delivering a combined output of 313hp and 494Nm, needing just 5.7 seconds to reach 100km/h.

iX1: BMW's Entry EV

It utilises a 64.7kWh lithium ion battery that BMW claims can deliver a range up to 438km based on the WLTP cycle. The iX1 supports AC charging up to 22kW and DC fast charging at a rate of up to 130kW which could theoretically bring the iX1 from 10% to 80% capacity in 29 minutes.

The automaker expects the combustion-powered X1 variants to hit showrooms internationally closer to the end of Q3 2022 with the iX1 and
plug-in hybrid
 xDrive30e to follow around November. Closer to home, we’ll keep our ear to the ground as to when BMW Malaysia might be launching the new model locally.


Football Star Arturo Vidal Crashes His Ferrari 458 In Drunk Driving Accident

As most football fans are aware, the Copa América football competition is currently ongoing in Chile. And one of the native footballers from there is Arturo Vidal who plays not just for the host country but also with Italian club Juventus.
However, the footballer was recently involved in a drunk driving accident that saw his
Ferrari 458
 Italia left in a complete wreck after it crashed into another car on the highway while he was on his way back from a casino with his wife. After being treated for minor injuries, Vidal was escorted by police to the station but has since been released. The other driver also escaped unharmed from the accident.
Based on the photos, we can see the Ferrari is extensively damaged on the left side with the airbags deployed. This isn’t going to be a cheap fix and will most probably be a write-off. A sad way to see the last mid-engined V8
Ferrari
 go.
If the message of drunk driving isn’t clear enough, this accident is another to remind you. It’s real simple to understand: Don’t drink alcohol and drive!
Source:
Carbuzz


Here's Your Chance To Win A Free Set Of Michelin Tyres

From November 6th to December 31st, 2017 – Michelin will be rewarding selected customers with reimbursements on their tyres when purchased through Tyreplus outlets.
Customers need to purchase four Michelin tyres at any Tyreplus outlet within the campaign period, snap a picture of their receipt and complete the slogan “I love Tyreplus because ……….” in 20 words or less to stand a chance to win.
One winner will be selected every week, over the eight week period. The winning Tyreplus outlet will also organise prize presentation ceremonies which will be streamed on Facebook Live at the Tyreplus outlets where the tyres were purchased.
The year-end promotion organised by Michelin Malaysia as part of its continuous effort to engage with loyal consumers who frequent Tyreplus outlets for car maintenance services.
Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Mr. Pascal Nouvellon added, “Tyreplus launched a rebranding exercise in May this year to serve more consumers and provide better products and service performance to improve road safety. The year-end promotion not only allows Michelin to interact with our existing customers at Tyreplus but also to reach out to a wider audience who share a mutual passion for enhanced and safe driving experiences.”
Since its introduction, Tyreplus has grown to be the largest independent car maintenance network in Malaysia, boasting over 50 outlets and growing. The outlets provide ancillary services ranging from tyre replacement, wheel alignment and regular car maintenance.


RON97 Fuel Price Update: 5 – 11 July – 8 Sen Increase

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has announced the price of RON 97 fuel for the next seven days.
The premium grade fuel sees an increase of 8 sen per litre.
That being said, the prices for petrol and diesel effective from 5th July to 11th July are as listed below:
RON95 – RM2.20 per litre (no change)
RON97 – RM2.58 per litre (up 8 sen from RM2.50)
Diesel – RM2.18 per litre (no change)


Australian Police Get Passat Wagons For Police Cars

It's always interesting to see what the cops in different countries get to drive. Of course there are the richer countries who gift their police force with supercars, and some parts of Europe where the police are forced to drive dingy little hatchbacks. In Australia, however, the police usually get some pretty nice cars, including some V8 powered machines that are quick enough to keep up with or take down other vehicles during a pursuit.
The latest addition to their fleet will be the Volkswagen Passat 206TSI wagon. The police force in Victoria will be purchasing 15 of these for use in highway patrol and their specialist divisions. Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine pushing 280 PS and 360 Nm of torque, it's a mighty quick car - and practical too with a seven speed DSG dual clutch transmission. In order to handle the additional electrical load of the police equipment, a 'Proline' police-special package was installed that uprates the alternator, adds a secondary battery, and attaches an auxiliary wiring loom for lights.
But this order of 15 vehicles is only the latest in a line of Passat orders for the Victorian police. Prior to this, they had already put in an order for 265 units of the lower spec Passat 132TSI wagons along with a number of unmarked sedans for covert or undercover operations. This is on top of 202 units of the Passat that they ordered back in 2016, meaning that quite nearly their entire force is operating on Volkswagen vehicles.
Volkswagen Group Australia is hoping that the success of these Passats will also lead to contract orders for their Tiguan 162 TSI Proline, not just for the police but for other emergency services. It's a good commitment on the part of Volkswagen Group Australia, even with the cessation of local production for Volkswagen models, like many other car companies based on Australia.


Shanghai 2019: The Mercedes-AMG A35L Is A China-Only Special

Ah, China. The land of one-off specials designed to meet the wants and needs of a huge market, one that eclipses practically everyone else. Long wheelbase models are de rigueur for automobile manufacturers who set up in China, with Volkswagen producing models like the Tiguan long wheel base, to BMW making a long wheel base 3 Series because legroom is key no matter which segment you're in.
And that mind-set, that desire for legroom, has even made it to the upper echelons of the A-Class model range. At Auto Shanghai 2018, Mercedes-AMG saw it fit to unveil the A35L 4MATIC - a long wheelbase version of the sedan version of the Mercedes-AMG A35 hatchback. The sedan models are more popular than the hatchbacks, especially in Asia, and having a long wheelbase model broadens the appeal.
How much has the wheelbase increased by? A mere 60 millimetres it seems, from 2729 millimetres to 2789 millimetres. All other dimensions are largely unchanged, but this increase in wheelbase allows for more legroom and knee room in the cabin. The interior is also identical to the regular wheelbase variant, which was already known for punching above its weight when it came to design and functionality.
In terms of the mechanicals, it is identical to the regular A35. There's a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-4 up front pushing 306 hp and 400 Nm, putting it up there with the quick sedans. Power is channelled to all four wheels through a 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission. It's a formula that has cleverly placed Mercedes-AMG models above rivals unless they choose to adapt in the next 3 years or so.
Now, some of you are wondering why a customer wouldn't just buy something like a Mercedes-AMG C43 instead of they were looking for more legroom. The first issue would be the price disparity with the C43 being a fair bit more expensive, and the second is that the A35 models just look that much better. The design for this generation of A-Class and its derivatives has certainly raised the bar, with the AMG variants being that perfect blend of modern simplicity and edgy aggression.


VW Plans To Roll Out Autonomous Cars In China With JAC

Volkswagen Group will be introducing autonomous vehicles with its local Chinese partner Jianghuai Automobile Co (JAC) in Hefei, China.
In addition to introducing autonomous vehicles, both companies also plan to offer mobility services that include autonomous mobility services, autonomous fleet management, and robotaxis.
These services are part of a three-way agreement signed between Volkswagen, JAC, and the Hefei city government, as the Hefei city government plans to transform the city into a smart city.
However, no time frame was provided by Volkswagen for the introduction of its autonomous vehicles.
The partnership between Volkswagen and JAC can be traced back to 2017 when both companies established a joint venture to develop and assemble SEAT-branded vehicles and the joint venture’s Sol brand.