A Closer Look At BMW's 2019 M4 DTM Engine – 2.0-Litre Four-Cylinder, 600 Bhp

Despite the 50 years that lie between them, these two BMW race engines – the M121 (from the 2002 Ti race car) and P48 (that powers the 2019 M4 DTM) – have a number of similarities: both are turbocharged, inline-four cylinder 2.0-litre engines, both require a heat shield from the heat emitted by the turbocharger, and both use a mechanical fuel injection pump to supply the engine with fuel.
But that's where the similarities end.
With 50 years of technological advancement between them, the P48 pushes upwards of over 600 bhp (at 9,500 rpm) in race trim, from just two litres of displacement, and the whole engine weighs just 85 kgs.
Also, compared to the BMW M121 engine, the P48 engine outputs more than twice as much power, with far less consumption, and has a much longer service life. Note too, that the new four-cylinder ‘
Class 1
’ engines output approximately 100 bhp more than the V8 predecessors they replaced.
The M121 was the company’s first turbocharged racing engine, which, in 1969, earned BMW the European Touring Car Championship with Dieter Quester at the wheel. The pioneering four-cylinder engine produced approximately 280 hp at 6,500 rpm with 0.98 bar of turbo pressure. While the turbine could generate up to 1.76 bar of pressure – BMW’s engineers at the time concluded that the pressure in the cylinders would have been so great that the cylinder head would have just flown off!
Fast forward 50 years, and the P48 engine is able to manage up to 2.5 bar of turbo pressure thanks to specialised sand-casting procedures for the aluminium crankcase and cylinder head at BMW’s Landshut plant.
Components like the ignition distributor, fan, wet oil-sump, and boost valve have all since disappeared from the P48’s engine. The distributor and fan have been replaced by advanced electrical components, while a dry-sump oil lubrication system now circulates engine oil; the M121 had a direct charge air pipe (which meant compressed air could not be cooled before entering the engine), the P48 instead has a compact system to cool intake air.
Auxiliary units, like the starter and generator, are no longer on the engine but are mounted on the transaxle gearbox behind the engine, and a carbon fibre reinforced plastic intake plenum is now in place of a cast-and-weld metal unit. Even the throttle rod – which used a mechanical linkage system to open/close the individual throttle bodies – is now electrically actuated.
However, even the P48 race engine uses a high-pressure direct-injection fuel system similar to road-going BMWs, which is critical to the engine’s overall efficiency.
The BMW P48 engine will make its debut in the BMW M4 DTM when the 2019 season kicks off at the Hockenheim Circuit in early-May. Seven teams will do battle over nine rounds across Europe. BMW’s arch rival Mercedes-Benz has
left the series
 to concentrate on its Formula E campaign, but competition will remain fierce from Audi (and its RS5 DTM racers) and for the first time, Aston Martin.


Beijing 2018: Nissan Sylphy Zero Emission – Grafting A Leaf’s Front Onto A Sylphy

The short-lived Sylphy name might no longer be around in Malaysia but in China, Nissan has just announced an all-electric version of the Sylphy, the Sylphy Zero Emission.
This is not a concept car, but a model that will soon go into series production in China, exclusively for China. The model will go on sale later this year, and prices will be announced closer to its launch date.
Not much info is available apart from its claimed driving range of 338 km (when tested under official Chinese standards) and that the traction battery is located under the seats. Other highlights include a connectivity feature allows the vehicle's audio and video to be remote-controlled from a mobile phone and claimed class-leading legroom.
"The new Sylphy Zero Emission is the next step in our electrification strategy for China," said José Muñoz, Nissan's chief performance officer and chairman of the Management Committee for China, who unveiled the model in Beijing. "The new Sylphy Zero Emission will be Nissan's first mass-production electric vehicle for the China market and one of the 20 electrified models that we plan to introduce over the next five years."
China is currently the world’s largest market for electric vehicles and sales of ‘New Energy Vehicles,’ as electrified vehicles including plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles and fuel-cell vehicles (but not regular hybrids) are known as in China, including electric buses, are projected to hit 2 million units by 2020.
Six major cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou - have already imposed caps on monthly registrations of new internal combustion engine cars. Buyers have to draw lots to register a new regular internal combustion engine car but buyers of New Energy Vehicles face no such restrictions.
On top of that, the next phase of exhaust and fuel economy standards takes into account a manufacturer’s fleet-wide average, and car makers that fall short of it are required to buy ‘credits’ from other car makers who have successfully exceeded the minimum requirements.


Nissan Skyline R32 Menyerupai Kereta Polis Disita Di Art Of Speed

Sebuah
Nissan Skyline R32
 yang bercorakkan
kenderaan polis
 telah dirampas ketika menyertai pameran automotif Art Of Speed Malaysia pada hujung minggu lalu.

Kereta ‘polis’ yang merupakan salah satu tarikan utama pada pameran tersebut telah menarik perhatian ramai termasuk pihak polis sendiri sehingga menyebabkan kereta disita manakala pemiliknya ditahan.

PDRM Serbu Art Of Speed

R32 bercorakkan kenderaan polis ini mula mencuri perhatian ramai setelah tular di media sosial sehingga menyebabkan ramai yang menyangka ia adalah milik PDRM.

Walau bagaimanapun, kereta itu bukanlah milik PDRM, sebaliknya ia dibuat bagi menyertai pameran Art Of Speed yang berlangsung selama dua hari di Taman Ekspo Pertanian Malaysia Serdang (MAEPS).

Menurut Ketua Polis Daerah Sepang, ACP Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof, selepas menerima maklumat, sepasukan polis daripada Bahagian Siasatan Jenayah Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Sepang ke lokasi pameran kira-kira pukul 10.30 malam untuk menjalankan siasatan.

Susulan itu, polis telah menahan seorang lelaki tempatan berusia 45 tahun yang juga merupakan pemilik kereta tersebut. Berikut merupakan antara barang yang dirampas:

Nissan Skyline R32 yang mempunyai lambang dan corak menyerupai kenderaan milik pasukan polis

Kunci kereta

Slip penyertaan pameran

Menurut Wan Kamarul Azran, lelaki yang ditahan bekerja sebagai penjual aksesori kereta dan pemeriksaan lanjut mendapati kereta tersebut mempunyai cukai jalan yang sah dan digunakan oleh suspek.

Menyerupai Kenderaan Polis Adalah Satu Kesalahan

Sebarang pengubahsuaian corak kenderaan menyerupai kenderaan pihak berkuasa seperti penggunaan lambang dan corak tanpa sebarang kebenaran adalah salah disisi undang-undang dan pemilik kereta boleh ditahan dan kenderaan mereka boleh disita.

Setelah keterangan pemilik kereta itu diambil polis, pemilik tersebut telah diikat jamin dan kes disiasat di bawah Seksyen 89 Akta Polis 1967 kerana memiliki barangan yang dibekalkan kepada polis untuk menjalankan tugas.

*Kredit foto: Mynewshub

GTR R35 Rasmi PDRM

Tahukah anda, PDRM juga mempunyai sebuah Nissan GT-R R35 rasmi? Ianya diuruskan oleh IPK Johor Bahru bagi kegunaan polis pengiring istana.

Kereta tersebut dihadiahkan oleh Tunku Temenggong Johor TTJ Tunku Idris buat Sultan Johor Sultan Ibrahim semasa hari keputeraan baginda. Namun kenderaan itu dihadiahkan pula oleh tuanku Sultan kepada PDRM Johor bagi kegunaan polis pengiring. Orang Johor mesti pernah terserempak dengan R35 PDRM ini.


Volkswagen 60th Merdeka Edition Beetle Unveiled – Only 16 units, 1.2L TSI, RM136,888

In conjunction with the upcoming National Day celebrations, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) unveiled a very special model at the ongoing Volkswagen Fest 2017 – the 60th Merdeka Edition Beetle.
Priced at RM136,888, the Merdeka Beetle will be offered in Pure White and White Silver colour options, decked in special livery with the number “60” splashed on its hood and sides similar to the iconic Herbie Beetle.
Features that are unique to the Merdeka Beetle include:
Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
Special exterior livery
5.8" Touchscreen 'Composition Colour' with USB and Bluetooth
8-speaker audio system
‘Pepita’ fabric seat cover
Under its hood, power is supplied by a 1.2L turbocharged TSI engine paired to a 7-speed DSG transmission, producing a maximum output of 105PS and 175Nm of maximum torque.
According to VPCM, only 16 units of the 60th Merdeka Beetle will be made available, and all of them come with five-year warranty, 60-months road tax, and a limited edition Beetle suitcase.
The 60th Merdeka Edition Beetle will be available alongside many of its classic brethren at the ongoing Volkswagen Fest 2017 at the Setia City Convention Centre till Sunday, where Volkswagen enthusiasts from all walks of life will be celebrating their love for the brand.
Over the three days, there will be plenty of activities for visitors and their family members to delight in including food trucks, live music performances, open mic sessions for aspiring artists, free snacks and clown appearance for the kids, nail art for the ladies and a special Sunset Yoga and Zumba session for fitness enthusiasts.


Are We Finally Going To See The End of Touch 'n Go's 25 Year Monopoly?

The government wants more digital payment providers to join highway tolls. Set to end Touch 'n Go's 25-year monopoly.

After mandating that
road users must be given a choice
 to use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, Touch 'n Go or SmartTAG, it seems that the government is keen to provide road users with more options when it comes to highway toll payments.

According to FMT, Works Minister Fadillah Yusof has come out and said that "the government will soon allow the public to pay highway tolls using any digital payment provider, not just Touch 'n Go."

"Soon, it will be up to the public to use any digital mode of payment – whether you want to use Touch 'n Go eWallet, debit or credit card, or Visa or Mastercard or any kind of (electronic) payment system as long as there's a link available on a (particular) highway," he said in an exclusive interview with FMT.

However, the introduction of other digital payment providers lies within the satisfactory penetration rate of RFID (as one RFID tag is required for the purpose) as well as the readiness of highway concessionaires to link up with new payment providers.

The minister said that the government is always trying to
find solutions to problems
, with one of them being the complaint that road users have to reload in advance the physical Touch 'n Go card whether they are using the highway or not.

We suppose by introducing new digital payment providers, this will hopefully eradicate the complaint as people have the option to not pre-load their cards, but instead, link their accounts straight to their debit/ credit cards or even eWallets.

This new move is a welcoming bit of news as it sounds like the government is trying to break down a monopoly, but how it will be done remains a question mark.

Currently, RFID is a closed system where users can only use Touch 'n Go's
 proprietary eWallet app
 to reload their accounts. In order to introduce new digital payment providers, Touch 'n Go would have to open up its system to others, which is highly unlikely in our opinion.

The other option is to allow new digital payment providers their own RFID system, which sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen.

Either way, it'll be interesting to see how this will materialise as competition can only improve the quality of the toll payment system, or can it?

Additionally, Fadilah also said that the Touch 'n Go card will be retired in 2025, and that highway concessionaire should be ready to implement a
multi-lane free-flow (MLFF)
 system by 2025.

The multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) trials will start this year at Besraya KM5.5 (Northbound) and are scheduled to collect data for three months.


All-New Volvo XC60 Adds North American Utility of the Year Award To Its Collection

While
the all-new 2018 Volvo XC60
 will be arriving officially on Malaysian shores tomorrow, the mid-size SUV has just grabbed the 2018 North American Utility of the Year Awards. This is the second time Volvo Cars is winning the award following the XC90's win in 2016.
Only last week, the new XC60 was crowned the 2017
Euro NCAP awards’ best overall safety performer of 2017
, outscoring a comprehensive field of 70 cars representing 30 carmakers across all classes.
The SUV’s winning streak actually began last year itself when it was named
Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY)
 for its balance between comfort, functionality and driveability.
Sticking true to its Volvo heritage, the new XC60 boasts many ground-breaking features that make it one of the safest cars on the market – such as the City Safety system which now comes with Steer Assist.
How this system works is that the XC60 will attempt to autonomously steer itself around an obstacle if it is determined that the AEB system is unable to stop it on time to avert a collision.
Additionally, Steer Assist also ties in with the newly-developed Oncoming Lane Mitigation that pulls the vehicle back into its lane to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming car from the opposite lane. It is also connected with the Blind Spot Indication System (BLIS) to avert collisions with vehicles hiding in the driver’s blind spots.
Customers can also opt for Pilot Assist, Volvo Cars’ advanced driver assistance system which enables the vehicle to steer, accelerate, and brake autonomously on well-marked roads at speed of up to 130km/h.
Built on a shorter version of the brand’s SPA platform, the new XC60 offers the brand’s award-winning T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid engine at the top of the powertrain range, delivering 407hp and acceleration from 0-100km in just 5.3 seconds.
Other powertrain options include the diesel D4 engine at 190hp and the D5 with PowerPulse technology delivering 235hp. The petrol-powered T5 delivers 254hp and the T6 – which has both turbo and superchargers – delivers 320hp and 400Nm of torque.
“We are proud to receive this prestigious award and we are committed to building on the success of our XC60 and XC90 in the US, as demonstrated by the billion-dollar investments in our new manufacturing plant in South Carolina,” said Hakan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars.


Ops Selamat 7/2015 Targets Errant Motorists During Hari Raya Festive Season

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) together with relevant authorities have recently launched the ‘Ops Selamat 7/2015’ in conjunction with the Hari Raya festive season and will be ongoing from 10 July to 24 July, 2015.
With the theme of ‘Rumah Selamat, Selamat Sampai ke Destinasi’, this year’s operation will focus on the enforcement of road laws and the prevention of crime due to police omniprescence.
Within Ops Selamat, other operations will also be executed as well, including Ops Perangkap Had Laju which will be held at places with high accident areas to prevent excessive speeding. Ops Motosikal which cracks down on motorcyclists who ride with expired driving licences, registration issues with their vehicles, and other technical offences.
Motorists who abuse the emergency lanes, overtaking on double line roads, and using their mobile phones will driving will also receive summons with no plea of leniency being entertained.
With road deaths amounting to between 6,500 and 7,000 cases yearly, Ops Selamat (previously Ops Sikap) aims to reduce these figures and accident statistics during the mass ‘balik kampung’ period.


Mazda USA's "Driving Matters" Campaign Gets Emotional With The MX-5

Do you remember your first driving lesson? Or how about your first road trip? More importantly, do you remember the car that accompanied you during all those amazing first times?
Well in this amazing and sentimental advertisement from
Mazda
 USA, we get to see a man’s life path as he transitions from one car to another, each fulfilling a specific role from one life phase to the next. The campaign aims to introduce the brand's new tagline for the U.S. market: Driving Matters™ which replaces the previous Zoom-Zoom.
It all begins with the young man’s driving lessons with his old man in a classic
Mazda 626
 (at least that's what it appears to be). From there, he obtains his driving licence, an exciting time for most youth with the thought of open roads and freedom from having to be driven around before.
Fast forward a few years and we see the young adult who buys himself a second-hand
Mazda MX-5 Miata
 (NA) which becomes his faithful ride throughout his college life where we also meets his soon-to-be wife.
In the next scene, the treasured but beat-up Miata is now replaced with a
Mazda 3
 for the sake of practicality as is the following
Mazda 6
. However, with the arrival of his daughter and a larger family size, the
CX-5
 SUV becomes his car of choice.
Finally, in his middle-ages, he buys himself the car model that carried him through a large majority of his youth, albeit a newer, upgraded model – the new
2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata
.
As the voiceover from “Breaking Bad” actor Aaron Paul at the end says, “It reminds you of when you were you.” Let the nostalgia flood in.


Kementerian Pengangkutan Kaji Isu Alat Ganti Proton X70, X50

Masalah
kekurangan alat ganti
 terutamanya bagi model
Proton X70 dan Proton X50
 yang berlanjutan sejak tahun lalu kini telah mendapat perhatian daripada Kementerian Pengangkutan.

Kementerian Pengangkutan telah mengambil maklum mengenai isu berkenaan setelah menerima kunjungan daripada Persatuan Peniaga Alat Ganti Kejuruteraan Dan Kenderaan Selangor Dan Wilayah Persekutuan (EMPTA) yang menyuarakan tentang beberapa isu yang dihadapi oleh lebih 1,100 syarikat di bawah naungannya yang terlibat dalam perdagangan alat ganti kenderaan.

Antara Isu Yang Dibangkitkan

Pertemuan itu membangkitkan isu seperti:

Kesukaran bagi mendapatkan pensijilan E-mark, Kod HS,

Permohonan Kelulusan Jenis Komponen (CTA)

Kelulusan Jenis Kenderaan (VTA)

Sijil E-mark

Kesemua alat ganti kenderaan yang dibekalkan di Malaysia memerlukan pensijilan E-mark bagi mematuhi peraturan UNECE. Namun menurut EMPTA, terdapat kesukaran untuk mendapatkan sijil tersebut bagi alat ganti X70 dan X50.

Ini kerana alat ganti yang dibekalkan di China tidak mempunyai E-mark kerana bukan dibina untuk Malaysia. Susulan itu, penggunaan alat ganti tersebut pada X70 atau X50 akan menyalahi undang-undang.

Jika pesanan dibuat terus kepada Proton, syarikat kereta nasional itu sendiri sedang menghadapi masalah kekurangan alat ganti buat masa ini.

Bengkel Luar Tak Boleh Baiki X70, X50

Menurut Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, EMPTA turut menyuarakan kebimbangan terhadap penjual dan pemilik kedai alat ganti luar yang tidak dapat membekalkan alat ganti dan perkhidmatan untuk membaiki model Proton X50 dan X70.

Ini kerana kedua-dua model tersebut perlu dibaiki melalui pusat servis bertauliah oleh Proton bagi mengelakkan daripada perlindungan
waranti
 terbatal.

Walau bagaimanapun, pusat servis Proton juga berdepan masalah kekurangan alat ganti yang mencukupi sehingga pelanggan perlu menunggu sehingga berbulan-bulan untuk membaiki kereta mereka.

Terdahulu, Proton telah menyatakan bahawa mereka sedang menguruskan masalah tersebut dan mensasarkan untuk mempunyai stok alat ganti utama yang mencukupi menjelang hujung bulan ini.

Waranti Bersifat Anti-Persaingan?

Wee berkata kementerian turut akan melihat sama ada isu yang diketengahkan ini melanggar mana-mana peraturan persaingan atau mengurangkan hak pembaikan bagi pemilik model ini.

Kementerian Pengangkutan bakal mengadakan sesi perbincangan selanjutnya dengan industri perniagaan dan turut mengalu-alukan lebih banyak sesi dialog bagi membincangkan isu-isu semasa yang timbul berkaitan industri automotif dan alat ganti kenderaan.

Sebagai pemilik kereta, adakah anda merasakan bahawa tindakan untuk menghantar kenderaan baharu di pusat servis bertauliah sahaja bersifat anti persaingan?

Di Eropah, pemilik kereta diberi pilihan untuk menyelenggara kereta di bengkel luar atau pusat servis yang disyorkan pihak pengeluar. Namun alat ganti serta juruteknik yang digunakan oleh bengkel luar perlu diiktiraf oleh pengeluar terlebih dahulu.

Persoalannya, adakah Malaysia turut akan mengikut jejak yang sama?


Poor public transport catalyst for rising car sales

Owning a vehicle has been somewhat of a milestone for most Malaysians. We study, get a job and immediately think about getting our first car or motorcycle.

There are many reasons we still don’t depend on public transport as our sole mode of getting around. Maybe it’s the unpredictable tropical weather or maybe we just like spending hours stuck in traffic. But transportation experts fault our public transport system for the rise in vehicle sales.

As reported by
Free Malaysia Today (FMT)
, two experts claim that our poor public transport system has driven the increase in sales of private vehicles last year. In 2022, the Malaysian Automotive Association reported that  720,658 vehicles were sold which is a 41.6% rise from previous year. If you’re wondering if the COVID pandemic had anything to do with this influx, sales of vehicles were reported to be in the 580,000 to 666,000 range from 2010 to 2018.

Transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan told FMT that people prefer to buy cars despite the cost, because rail services like LRT,
MRT
 and KTM are only accessible to those in the Klang Valley and other specific regions.

He called out the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) for poor planning and being out of touch with the needs of the public. However, he also  noted APAD’s  lack of capabilities and expertise to undertake individual studies for these areas.

“Local authorities should be responsible for public transport planning for cities outside the Klang Valley as they would be aware of the demand in their respective areas,” he said.

Another expert, Wan Agyl Hassan, former head of policy and planning at the Land Public Transport Commision, is of the opinion that there is a lack of integration among the different modes of transport, citing there should be more stations connecting the MRT, LRT and KTM services.

“This is due to bad design and a disregard for the requirements of pedestrians, such as walkways and sidewalks,” he said.

According to Wan Agyl, providing accessible and affordable transportation options and introducing policies to encourage the use of these alternative modes of transport are key in curbing car dependency.

He said that there should be a comprehensive plan for public transport, which takes into consideration the needs of senior citizens, the disabled and underprivileged families too. To achieve that, he said, the general public should be included in the planning process.

Further suggesting that the plan could include dedicated bus lanes, park and ride facilities and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.


What’s The Best Way To Drive An Automatic Transmission?

Automatic transmissions have come a long way since their dark old days. When they first began being offered as options where most cars were manual, they were usually two or three speed affairs with very clunky mechanics and extremely poor efficiency. Nowadays automatic transmissions are extremely complex – far more than manual gearboxes – and can have anywhere from four to 10 speeds, as well as sequential control and various kinds of lock-up clutches.

But we won’t bore you with the technicalities of it all. The main question we’re here to answer today is what the best way to drive an automatic transmission is – and this applies to any automatic transmission, regardless of complexity or design. We can agree that all true automatic transmissions (which come with both gears and a torque converter) will have P, R, N and D at the very minimum. Some will have an M for manual override, S for Sport, or 2 and L for Second and Low respectively.

The reason an automatic transmission has a torque converter to begin with is to allow it to slip between the driven wheels and engine without damaging or wearing out components. That means that when you come to a stop, the engine doesn’t stall – whereas you would normally have to press a clutch to disengage a manual gearbox or the engine will stall out. In a way, this means that you don’t need to put your transmission into N, or Neutral, when you come to a stop – although doing so doesn’t hurt the transmission either and stops you from accidentally creeping forward.

P, or Park, is self-explanatory – a locking gear that stops the wheels from moving while allowing the engine to spin free. R, or Reverse, is also obvious as it allows you to travel backwards. But the problem comes when you look at cars with 2 or L options, because it’s hard to say when you need to use them. The idea behind having these gears is two-fold – it allows you to start off in slippery conditions more easily with 2, as well as allowing you to keep the car in a low gear for climbing steep inclines in L.

But there’s more use to it than that, and you may have seen the signs if you travel down mountain roads on the regular. Gunakan Gear Rendah, or use low gear, is a method of slowing the car down without having to use your physical brakes. In doing so you reduce the risk of overheating and losing your brakes on the way down, which can be very fatal. When you see signs like these, slowing down and slipping the transmission into 2 will help to keep the car rolling downhill at a manageable speed thanks to engine braking. Don’t worry about how it works for now, but just know it’s there to keep you safe.

As for more complex transmissions, having an S or Sport mode is more software than anything, effectively making the transmission hold a lower gear for longer so you get better acceleration. Manual mode gives you full control over the gears to varying degrees of response – some of the fastest being BMW’s ZF automatic transmissions – and you can apply the same theories here as you would with 2 or L – simply select a lower gear with the manual control and you will get your engine braking.

We understand that this is a lot to take in if you’re unfamiliar with the mechanics of an engine or transmission, but rest assured that you’ll hopefully know what to do if you’re presented with a steep incline, slippery conditions, or a steep downhill road. Always be careful to avoid shifting the car into a lower gear when at speed or you could break the engine or the gearbox – or both. As for everything else, leaving it in D, or Drive, is fine.


The Easiest And Cheapest Way To Sell Your Car If It Has An Existing Hire Purchase Loan

The term ‘cash is king’ couldn’t be more true than when selling your car but how to get the cash?

Let’s say you sell your car, and the buyer agrees to pay for the vehicle in cash, the entire process is so much easier. The buyer simply pays the agreed amount to the seller; next comes a simple Puspakom (B5) Ownership Transfer inspection, then to the nearest Road Transport Department branch to transfer the ownership of said vehicle and the keys are handed over.

The total cost, just RM130. RM30 for the inspection, and RM100 for the ownership transfer.

Image Credit: JPJ Malaysia (FB)

However, the process is more tedious when the buyer requires a loan to purchase your car. Now the financial institutions get involved with the deal.

The banks will require the more extensive Puspakom (B7) Hire Purchase Inspection Report - an additional cost of RM60, over the standard B5, not to mention, this normally takes more time. The buyer, on the other hand, would by now have had to obtain approvals for his/her own Hire Purchase loan arrangements, there’s more paperwork involved as well since now another bank is paying off your bank before the deal can go through. Note, however, that this is an ideal case where the sale sum is more than that of the balance of the loan.

But what if the agreed sum of sale is not enough to cover the outstanding loan sum?

For instance, you have agreed to sell your car to your prospective buyer for RM45,000 – but the balance of the Hire Purchase loan for your vehicle is actually RM50k. This is where it gets very tiresome to sell your car.

For starters, you would have to top-up an extra RM5k just to sell your car.

However, there are still some sellers who don’t mind the loss in view of upgrading/changing their vehicle depending on their respective requirements. Hence, if you decide to top-up your own cash to sell your car – you would have to make the aforementioned top-up payments to your bank, get the relevant loan settlement and release paperwork, and have them sent to the buyer’s bank for processing before the deal can be concluded – but there’s a catch!

It’s almost
IMPOSSIBLE
 to do the aforementioned now.

Simply because certain lender banks would require the outstanding loan amount to be settled in full by the
BORROWER
 before the car can be released and sold to the buyer.

This means
YOU
 foot the bill for your loan first and then the buyer’s bank pays you back. In keeping with our above example – that means you pay the RM50k!

Therefore, unless you have that kind of disposable cash lying around, you are pretty much out of options, unless you head to a used car dealer. The same is true even if you sell your car for RM50k, but have an outstanding loan amount of RM40k – the seller still has to settle the outstanding sum to his/her lender bank.

Now, a used car dealer will normally offer a trade-in value of 15-25 percent lower than the prevalent market values simply because they have the capacity to make the full settlement, and also because they know sellers have very limited options at this point.

Also, the used car dealers will have a salvo of processing charges, which will normally be charged towards the buyer as part of the deal amount. These may include:

Invoice fee

Processing fee

Agreement fee

JPJ fee

Puspakom fee

E-Auto fee

Servicing

Service charge

Total charge: RM4,000-RM5,000.

It’s worthy to note that this is not even a car from their inventory, they’re merely acting as a broker for the seller and buyer.

Now, however, sellers have a new option with
Carlist.my’s Essential Services program
. The Essential Services program was envisioned as a further service to private sellers who would like to sell their cars, but don’t have the resources or experience to successfully complete the deal.

All the private seller/buyer has to do is get in touch with our team, provide the relevant info and one-time service payments for a hassle-free sale of their car to another private buyer. The Essential Services Program takes care of the following for the buyer:

Buyer & Seller Agreement

Puspakom Inspection (B5 & B7)

JPJ Ownership Transfer (Car Registration Card)

Hire Purchase - Loan Submission

Insurance Quote & Cover Note (Excluding Insurance Premium)

Issuance of Road Tax (Excluding Road Tax Amount)

The buyer
 simply pays RM1,200 (now for a l
imited time at just RM900
) -
RM200
 Non-refundable advance payment and
RM700
 to be paid off only once your loan is approved.

As for
the seller
, there is a charge of
RM500
 for the Loan Settlement Handling process, meaning Carlist.my will handle the remaining loan settlement charges and paperwork for your car once the buyer’s loan has been approved.

It's worthy to note that there is
NO
 other service like the Carlist.my Essential Services program, especially at those rates.

Another option for sellers who wish to sell their cars is through the
CarlistBid
 auction service. CarlistBid conducts weekly auctions with over 1500 of its Trusted Dealers (with great track records) to get the best possible rates for your car.

We have a proven track record at selling a variety of vehicles at higher prices than prevailing market values. CarlistBid is by far the fastest, safest, and most transparent way of selling your vehicle.


Proton R3 Launches Premium Engine Oil

Proton's motorsports arm,
R3
 has launched a new range of lubricants and merchandise to revive the brand as well as recreate a connection with fans.

Developed together with Petronas, R3's range of premium genuine oils is available in both fully-synthetic and semi-synthetic forms. It is formulated using Petronas' Etro 6+ base oil, designed to fight the excessive heat our climate is known for, plus ensure better performance
for the current generation of direct-injection turbocharged engines. It is rated to meet the highest levels of certification by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

“The launch of our new
R3
 Premium Genuine Oil range and merchandise products is the first step in R3’s rebranding journey. They will be sold to the public via our Premium Merchandise Partners in 20 locations throughout Malaysia. There will be more product launches coming up in the future, including accessories for  Proton car owners, which will help us build our connections with R3 fans,” said Lee Yeet Chuan, Chief Executive Officer, Proton Global Services.

Priced at RM208 for the fully-synthetic and RM158 for the semi-synthetic, there is currently an ongoing introductory offer
price of RM178 and RM128 until 30 April 2022.

You can also cop yourselves the new range of t-shirts and caps - priced between RM49 to RM60 that will also be available at all Premium Merchandise Partner locations.

One has to wonder though is engine oil the best way to reconnect with fans of R3? As a brand does it still hold value? We discuss it
here
 and would love to hear your thoughts too!


Weststar Maxus Adds 3S Centre In Penang, 8th Outlet in Malaysia

Weststar Maxus Distributors Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Maxus range of vehicles in Malaysia, has recently officiated the opening of their Northern hub located in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
The company was encouraged to expand their presence and services in the northern region, with the booming industrial development zones within the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) that includes Kulim High Technology Park, Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone, Mak Mandin Industrial Park, and Batu Kawan Industrial Park.
Speaking at the launch event, Dato’ Nik Hamdan, Group Senior Vice President, Automotive and Defence Division said, “One of the primary reasons why we have opened this facility in Bukit Mertajam is to increase sales of our range of vehicles in a more focused manner, and also to provide quality after-sales service, working alongside with authorized independent service dealers to serve our growing number of customers in this region.”
The company also took the opportuning to unveil the
updated 2018 Maxus V80 van
 at the launching of the new 3S centre, with the northern region expected to increase the total sales by at least 30%.
A total of RM 3.5 million was invested for the establishment of the Bukit Mertajam 3S centre. The spacious showroom floor can display three
G10 MPV
 and two V80 van models, while the workshop has six work bays.
A waiting lounge with food and beverage counter together with a children’s play area ensure customers relax in comfort. 11 well trained and dedicated staff manned the new 3S centre.
The opening of the Bukit Mertajam 3S Centre brings the total number of Weststar Maxus sales and service centres in Malaysia to eight. Datuk Vikram Menon, Executive Director, the Weststar group, also said that the company is planning to expand to East Malaysia, with the support of the upcoming T60 pickup and D90 SUV models.
The T60 pickup premiere at the Auto Guangzhou before going on sale in Q1 2017, which was then introduced in Australia in September.
Weststar Maxus Bukit Mertajam 3S centre is located at No. 9-11A, Jalan Bukit Minyak Utama 2, Taman Bukit Minyak Utama, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang.


Kia EV9 flagship electric SUV revealed - sexiest three-row EV yet?

Kia has released the first images of its latest and upcoming three-row EV flagship SUV, the
Kia EV9
.

Screaming elegance and sophistication at every nook and cranny both inside and out, the Kia EV9 is said to represent a 'pivotal step forward in the company's journey towards becoming a sustainable mobility solutions provider'.

Just like the Kia EV6 that we reviewed not too long ago, the 'Opposites United' design philosophy continues its legacy with the EV9 by blending two opposite elements of nature and modernity. The end result is nothing short of impressive - an EV SUV that is sleek yet boxy, sexy yet muscular, and contemporary yet graceful.

According to Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center, "The Kia EV9 breaks new ground, aiming to redefine standards for design, connectivity, usability and environmental responsibility. The Kia EV9 offers customers an exceptionally high-quality proposition and a fresh EV perspective in the family SUV sector."

The 'Opposites United' design philosophy gave way to the 'Bold for Nature' ideology pillar which played a key role in the exterior design of the Kia EV9. You can see this via its Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, vertical headlamps, Digital Tiger Face, and Star Map LED daytime running lights (DRL).

That polygonal design language flows to the sides and rear via its geometric wheel arches, triangular fender structures, and tapered back roofline that not only looks intimidatingly beautiful but functions as a sleek SUV that offers great aerodynamic efficiency.

Step inside the Kia EV9 and you'll see the next design pillar, 'Tecnology for Life'. Pushing the idea of positive yet intuitive interactions between the vehicle and its occupants was taken to a whole different level with the Kia EV9 which will come in either the six-seater or seven-seater offering.

Those sitting in the first row get to enjoy the same style of seats found in the Kia EV6 for total support and comfort. The second row, however, comes with the ability to swivel 180 degrees - a feature that will allow the occupants in the second and third-row seats to face each other.

Going back to the driver, a pair of 12.3-inch touchscreens integrated with a 5-inch segment display takes the driving experience to greater heights. If it's tech and space you're looking for, it'll be hard to find one that can box in the same ring as the Kia EV9.

Kia has yet to reveal the full specs of the Kia EV9, so we don't really have a clue what it'll be. The only thing that we can base on, for now, is that the Kia EV6 GT-Line here in Malaysia comes packing with dual-electric motors that churn out 320hp and 605Nm of torque mated to a 77.4kWh battery pack that goes up to 506km (WLTP).

Who knows, perhaps the EV9 with its slightly bigger payload will come with the EV6 GT's powertrain - 577hp and 740Nm of torque should get the job done with ease (plus a huge dose of driving bliss). Stay tuned for more info.


Mercedes-Benz S-Class - The Amalgamation Of High Technology, Luxury and Efficiency

The Sonderklasse, or S-Class as we all know it, is without a doubt the pinnacle of motoring luxury, the daddy of all sedans, and of course, the flagship of Mercedes' lineup.

The S-Class has been the standard in motoring luxury since its inception in 1972. It's carried this reputation due to its refinement and the prestige it brings to the automotive world.

Not only has the S-Class debuted many of the world's first, but it has also introduced the company's latest innovations, including drivetrain technologies, interior conveniences, and safety systems. As a result, each model has decisively influenced the automotive engineering of its era.

As an example, the W116 from the seventies brought the world's first anti-lock brakes, the W126 from the eighties influenced others to include driver's side airbags as standard, and the W140 from the nineties brought double glazed windows to vehicles.

These are just some of the features that the S-Class has brought to the automotive world, and the list is pretty exhaustive if we were to continue, but for today we will be focusing on the newly launched 7th-generation S-Class, another vehicle from Stuttgart that resets our expectations of what we thought was possible in a vehicle.

Locally, Mercedes-Benz has sold over 18,000 S-Class’ since its first introduction in the late 1970s. We expect the number to grow even more, thanks to some exciting innovations and technology in the 7th-generation, once again making it the benchmark of luxury limousines.

As with every S-Class, the 7th-generation luxury sedan comes with a host of unique features as well as a world's first.

Starting off with the world's first, the 2022 S-Class features the world's first rear airbags, which are integrated into the backrests of the front seats and deploy in a severe front impact. They deploy gently and protect outer rear seat passengers against contact with the front seats. Mercedes says that the loads on the head and neck are thus reduced significantly.

Together with this added protection for the rear passengers, Mercedes-Benz has also prioritised other occupants in the car, the S-Class also features PRE-SAFE®, a system that prepares the occupants for a side-on collision and reduces the risk of injury.

Like a bodyguard, it pushes the driver or front passenger away from the danger zone towards the inside. The impulse is created by the movement of the seat side bolsters in the front backrests. Beneath the upholstery, a balloon is activated pyrotechnically – similar to an airbag. In the event of an imminent side collision being detected, a gas generator fills the balloon in a short time. As a result, the seat side bolster is drawn inwards and transfers the momentum on the occupants towards the middle of the vehicle.

Now that all passengers have added protection, they can enjoy the blend of premium wood, leather and metals in the interior, but it's the second generation MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) that is the icing on a very luxuriously rich cake.  The infotainment system now features artificial intelligence. Both its hardware and software have made great strides forward.

With brilliant OLED technology displays on up to five large screens, the system makes the control of vehicle and comfort functions even more effortless. It also features a fingerprint scanner just below the central display. When you touch the colour-illuminated button, the system unlocks access.

The possibilities for personalisation and intuitive operation have become even more extensive. This certainly applies in the rear but also to the driver: For example, the new 3D driver display allows a spatial view at the touch of a button for the first time. A real three-dimensional effect is achieved without having to wear 3D glasses.

Also available is the MBUX Augmented Reality Navigation, which connects the virtual world with the real world. The technology incorporates navigation and traffic into live images to ensure drivers reach safely and stress-free.

The voice assistant "Hey Mercedes" is also constantly learning by activating online services in the Mercedes me Service App. Moreover, specific actions can be performed without the "Hey Mercedes" activation keyword. These include accepting a telephone call. The S-Class' voice assistant can also be controlled from the rear.

Using cameras in the overhead control panel and learning algorithms, the MBUX Interior Assist recognises and anticipates the wishes and intentions of the occupants. It interprets head direction, hand movements and body language and responds with corresponding vehicle functions. As a result, the MBUX Interior Assist improves safety. Before the journey begins, it notifies the driver if the camera has detected a child seat on the front passenger seat, where the seat belt is not fastened, for example.

The latest in cutting edge technology doesn't stop there either, as the new S-Class comes with DIGITAL LIGHT headlights, a light module with three extremely powerful LEDs, with light that is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors. This allows highly precise light distribution, making Highbeam Assist over 100 times more precise. As a result, light/shadow graduations and the light distribution of all the other adaptive light functions are realised with considerably more precision, optimising illumination.

The shell of the S-Class is also technically sleeker than ever before. With a co-efficient drag (Cd) figure of 0.22, the S-Class is one of the world's most aerodynamic cars, especially in the luxury sedan segment. Although the frontal area of the new S-Class has increased slightly to 2.5 sq. m., the Cd has been reduced even further compared to the preceding model.

The S-Class has also achieved further improvements in aeroacoustics. The previous generation already excelled with a very high level of interior noise comfort, but the new model is even quieter. The high rigidity of the body shell provides the basis for this noise and vibration comfort, and this is enhanced with fine-tuning. Mercedes-Benz is also using acoustic foam in certain body shell sections for the first time to make the S-Class more refined than its predecessors.

The new S-Class is also one of the most dashing sedans to come out of Germany. It now features a prominent grille that is bigger than before, giving it a lot of road presence. The S-Class is mostly smooth on the sides except for a crease that runs from the front to the rear of the car just underneath the side windows, but it's the pop-out door handles that take centre stage. The rear also now features horizontal taillights, giving it a sleeker appearance.

All of this would mean nothing if the new S-Class didn't come with an impressive heart, so we're glad to report that its powertrain is more efficient than ever.

The Mercedes-Benz S 580e Plug-In Hybrid is offered with a 3.0 litre 6-cylinder engine producing 367 hp at 5,500-6,100 RPM and a maximum torque of 500 Nm between 1,600-4,500 RPM with a 9G-Tronic transmission. The vehicle is capable of performing the century sprint in just 5.2 seconds.

Additionally, the S 580e also offers an estimated 100km pure electric driving range, courtesy of its hybrid electric motor. It only takes two and half hours to get it fully charged.

The company's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and AirMatic air suspension (along with E-Active Body Control) are also standard. The rear-wheel steering system has seen a significant upgrade, increasing its maximum turn angle from 4.5 degrees to 10 degrees, improving the car's turning circle to a very compact 10.9 metres, which rivals most small urban cars.

We know this might sound cliche, but the seventh generation S-Class is a giant leap forward since the model arrived almost 50 years ago. It's just built with every detail and consideration in mind. Even its minimalistic high tech interior approach has a practical sense.

Whether you'll be the one sitting at the rear, or the one doing the driving, the S-Class will indeed aim to please.

For more information on the W223 S-Class or to register your interest, click
here
.


Rolls Royce EV Debut: The Spectre EV has 900Nm of torque and 520km of driving range

Rolls Royce debuts the Spectre, their first electric vehicle. Fastback-shaped Rolls with 900Nm of torque and 520km of driving range.

In the nineteen hundreds, Charles Rolls, the co-founder of Rolls Royce stated that electric power would suit his vehicles tremendously. He foresaw this as electric power would give his cars a noiseless, refined and powerful alternative to the internal combustion engine, which fits in perfectly with the brand image.

Today, more than a century later, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have finally fulfilled the prophecy of its founding father - and that fulfilment comes in the form of the
new Rolls-Royce Spectre
.

When creating the Spectre, Rolls Royce was all in on making an uncompromising luxurious electric vehicle that its customers would recognise as an authentic Rolls Royce, which is why they have used the same platform of the new Phantom and Ghost, which was built from the ground up to support electrification.

Specifications

Although the car has been officially revealed, core specifications are still being worked on, but according to Rolls, the preliminary data shows that the Spectre is expected to have an all-electric range of 520 kilometres WLTP and offer 900Nm of torque from its 430kW powertrain. It is anticipated to achieve 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds. (0-60mph in 4.4 seconds).

Exterior and interior

There are a few main things that Rolls Royce would like point out about the Spectre when it comes to its exterior looks, and it all starts with the headlights.

The Spectre is the first car since the Phantom Coupe to have split headlights, with the DRLs sitting practically at bonnet level and the main beams being in the middle of the front end.

Since it is an electric car it doesn't really need a grille, but being a Rolls Royce which usually has its grille as the car's centrepiece, Rolls have redesigned the grillwork to channel air around it, instead of going into it.

And then there's the Spirit of Ecstacy, the signature ornament at the front of every Rolls. Apparently, Rolls Royce spent 830 hours on redesigning the lady at the front of the bonnet, and although it might not look like it, it does help the car achieve an overall drag coefficient of 0.26, making it the slipperiest Rolls to date.

Another first is the fact that the Spectre comes with aerodynamic 23" wheels, the largest ever to be fitted to a modern Rolls Royce coupe. At the rear the Spectre has this fastback shape going for it, and the vertical taillights are supposed to mirror the prominent grille at the front for cohesion's sake.

Being a Rolls Royce, the suicide doors are of course powered and in between the body cavity sits an umbrella, just like most modern Rolls. Everything else like the interior is business as usual, featuring plush materials, including the starlight headliner.

What the heck is a Planar suspension?

The Planar suspension is a Rolls Royce suspension system with
precisely defined responses
 to driver inputs and road conditions, made possible by the latest software and hardware developments, delivering Rolls-Royce's hallmark 'magic carpet ride'.

In testing Spectre, the process includes extreme driving conditions – development of the motor car began just 55km from the arctic circle in Arjeplog, Sweden, at temperatures as low as -40 degrees centigrade, and it will continue across Southern Africa, in temperatures of up to 55 degrees centigrade.

Yet, 55% of testing is taking place on the very roads that many production Spectres will be driven on. Of particular significance was the French Riviera. It was on the Côte d'Azur that Spectre's digitally integrated evolution of the renowned Planar suspension system was finalised.

The suspension can even attach and detach anti-roll bars

Using a suite of new hardware components and leveraging on the Spectre's high-speed processing capabilities, the Planar system can also decouple the car's anti-roll bars allowing each wheel to act independently, preventing the rocking motion that occurs when one side of a vehicle hits an undulation in the road. This also reduces high-frequency ride imperfections caused by shortcomings in road surface quality.

Once a corner is identified as imminent, the Planar system recouples the components and stiffens the dampers, the four-wheel steering system is then prepared for activation to ensure effortless entry and exit. Under cornering, 18 sensors are monitored, and steering, braking, power delivery and suspension parameters are adjusted so that Spectre remains stable. The result is effortless control.

Market debut

It has taken Rolls-Royce a long time to make an electric car, and the only reason they have not done it any sooner is that only now electric drive technology is advanced enough to fulfil the Rolls-Royce experience according the luxury automaker.

The Spectre is available for commission immediately, with the first client deliveries commencing in Q4 2023. Spectre's pricing will be positioned between
Cullinan
(RM1.8 million) and
Phantom
(RM2.2 million).


UMW Toyota Motor Confirms Plans For Second Plant In Malaysia

Following the scoop by
Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review
 last week, UMW Toyota Motor announced today that it will be investing RM2 billion into a new vehicle manufacturing plant in Bukit Raja, Selangor.
The company did not elaborate on what models the upcoming plant will be producing, other than saying it will focus on producing passenger cars that comply with the government’s guidelines for Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV).
The investment, which includes land, building, and equipment as well as fees for engineering support from Thailand’s Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Engineering and Manufacturing, will be financed by UMW Toyota Motor.
Construction for the 670,000 square metre plant will begin in the second half of this year, and will be operational by 2019, with an initial capacity of 50,000 vehicles per annum. The company did not reveal the maximum production capacity of the Bukit Raja plant, but said that it will expand UMW Toyota Motor’s combined production capacity to between 90,000 and 100,000 units.
Presumably, this will mean that capacity the current Shah Alam plant (67,000 units annually, without overtime or holiday shifts) will be downsized.
The company also adds that when the new Bukit Raja plant is ready in 2019, the Shah Alam plant will be retooled to focus mainly on commercial vehicles, with production of some passenger vehicles transferred to Bukit Raja.
The new plant will be operated by UMW Toyota Motor’s subsidiary Assembly Services Sdn. Bhd. (ASSB).
Despite the seeming lofty production capacity, UMW Toyota Motor says there are no plans to export any vehicles produced at the Bukit Raja plant.
Currently, all Malaysia-assembled Toyota vehicles are built at ASSB’s existing plant in Shah Alam. Built in 1968, it is the second oldest car plant in the country after the Swedish Motor Assemblies plant in Shah Alam, which has been producing and exporting Volvo cars and trucks since 1967.
The Shah Alam plant currently produces the Hilux, Fortuner, Innova, Hiace, Vios, and Camry (including Camry Hybrid). Except for the Hiace (standard wheelbase model), which is also exported to Thailand, all other ASSB-assembled model are exclusively for our domestic market.
Apart from the ASSB assembly plant, UMW Toyota Motor also has three other plants in Shah Alam – Toyota Auto Body which stamps metal body panels, Automotive Industries Sdn. Bhd. (AISB), which makes exhausts and components for instrument panels, and Toyota Boshoku which makes seat frames.


Daihatsu Opposes Takeover Deal - UMW Holdings versus MBMR

New information has come in on the ongoing takeover deal between UMW Holdings and MBM Resources (MBMR).
In an article today by Starbiz, MBMR’s Japanese partner in Perodua, Daihatsu, is not in favour of UMW Holdings taking an overwhelming stake in Perodua.
This was unveiled by MBM’s chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Abdul Halim, who said that he has cited a letter from the Japanese principals stating their opinion on the ongoing corporate developments in Perodua.
“We have been shown a letter by the Japanese shareholder stating that they are not in favour of any one company holding a majority stake in Perodua,” said Datuk Abdul Rahim when contacted.
To recap, UMW Holdings, whose subsidiary UMW Toyota Motor holds distributorship for Toyota (including local assembly) and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia, had on 9
th
 March 2018 initiate a move to take control of Perodua by increasing its stake from the current 38 percent to 70.58 percent.
The conglomerate made an offer to purchase Med-Bumikar Mara Sdn Bhd and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Central Shore Sdn Bhd (CSSB)’s 50.07 percent stake in MBMR, which in turn holds 22.58 percent stake in Perodua, which shareholders in MBMR have rejected.
UMW Holdings had also made a separate offer to purchase the government-owned PNB Equity Resource Corporation Sdn. Bhd.’s 10 percent stake in Perodua for RM117.5 million.
To learn more of this corporate takeover, click on the links below:
UMW Holding's Proposed Takeover Stalled As MBMR Rejects Deal Offer
Toyota, Hino, Daihatsu, And Perodua To Consolidate Under UMW Holdings?


The All-New 2019 Ford Kuga Is Sleeker Than Ever Before

It's not a car that we often think about, but the Ford Kuga has returned for another generation. Formerly wearing the Escape nameplate in many markets (including our own), the Kuga was a step forward for the model that introduced a number of features. This all-new Kuga goes even further, embracing electrification with a range of mild-hybrid to full-hybrid, to plug-in hybrid powertrain options. It sits on the new Ford C2 platform, making it both 10% stiffer and 90 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model.
The focus for the new model is Europe, as during its tenure it was the best selling SUV in the region, and the third best selling Ford model to boot. 19 percent of all Ford sales in 2018 came from the Kuga, which is no mean feat considering many parts of the world prioritize other models over SUVs. Since 2008, more than 1 million Kugas have been sold across three generations of the model since its introduction to the region.
We'll start with the more obvious changes. The Kuga is now 44 mm longer wider and 89 mm longer, with a wheelbase that's 20 mm longer. The overall height has dropped by 20 mm for a sportier look as well, but overall interior space has grown by a noticeable margin. There's a best-in-class rear legroom of 1,035 mm, and a remote release for the second row of seats for better convenience when folding flat.
The features are the standout elements of the new Kuga. Front and centre is a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster for the driver that offers a range of information, complemented by an 8-inch touch screen that functions as the entertainment head unit. B&O provides the sound system for the car, with a 575-watt 10 speaker setup for crisp sound reproduction. Hands free access for the rear boot, as we already have, makes a return for an added breadth of convenience. Phone connectivity is provided for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
In terms of active safety, there are many technologies that Ford is implementing to provide drivers with confidence behind the wheel. Ford Co-Pilot360 is the umbrella under which these features fall, with a new Lane-Keeping System with Blind Spot Assist making its debut. Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection has been upgraded to recognize intersections as well. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Centering all work together to provide a semi-autonomous driving experience. There's even an Evasive Steering Assist function to help guide drivers out of trouble if it presents itself.
The powertrains are where things become a little confusing, as there are so many. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models use the same 2.5-litre Atkinson Cycle 4-cylidner engine. Combine power stands at 225 PS and all-electric driving range is up to 50 km according to WLTP test standards for the plug-in hybrid variant. A full charge with a 230 volt supply will take just 4 hours to charge the plug-in hybrid variant.
There's also the EcoBlue Hybrid variant, which is more a mild-hybrid system than anything, with a 150 PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine paired with a belt-drive integrated starter/generator (BISG). Torque assistance from the small motor helps to fill in the gaps where the diesel engine is a little laggy, and of course operates on a common 48-volt electrical system.
In addition to the hybrids, there is also a regular EcoBlue model that packs a 190 PS version of the 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine, as well as a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine that offers between 120 PS and 150 PS depending on the state of tune. The EcoBoost models have cylinder deactivation as well for better fuel economy when you're not using all of that power. All-wheel drive and a new 8-speed automatic transmission feature on some of the variants as well, though Ford didn't go into specifics.
We're not sure if we'll see this new Kuga coming to our market given Ford's paring down of the range, but if it does we can expect the 150 PS variant of the EcoBoost engine as it's a powertrain that is best suited to our conditions and the expectations of customers.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches upgraded Cycle & Carriage Bintang Georgetown Autohaus

Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad
(CCB), the largest authorised
Mercedes-Benz
 dealer in Malaysia, launched its newly upgraded showroom in Georgetown, Penang today.
The Cycle & Carriage Bintang (Northern) Georgetown Autohaus’ upgrade saw the entire front half of the facility, comprising the sales and after sales offices, being upgraded to meet Mercedes-Benz’s new black CI (corporate image) specifications, as well as the brand’s MPS 2 interior design standards.
Speaking during the launch event, Dato’ Wong Kin Foo, the CEO of CCB said that a total of RM4 million was invested to upgrade the facility, which is a part of the heritage building that is protected by UNESCO.
He added that the Georgetown Autohaus, which is one of four CCB outlets in the Northern Region (Juru Auto World, Bukit Tengah and Alor Setar), was the first dealership to be upgraded in this part of the country,  and that the remaining three will be upgraded over the next two years.
Currently represented in 11 locations nationwide, Wong said that four more upgraded Autohauses will be launched this year, and the remaining outlets will be upgraded by 2019. He also mentioned that a 12
th
 Autohaus is set to be launched in Cheras by mid-2016.
Besides the RM 7 million invested to upgrade the
PJ Autohaus (launched last week)
 and the RM20 million for the Northern market, CCB said that it will invest another RM30 million to upgrade the remaining Autohauses nationwide.
Besides launching the upgraded Georgetown Autohaus, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is also celebrating its 130
th
 anniversary at the facility today.
“We specifically selected the Georgetown Autohaus to have this celebration as we thought that it was only fitting to do so in the heritage city in Penang, which carries a rich history just like the Three Pointed Star,” said Dr.Claus Weidner, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
Looking for a Mercedes-Benz? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Penjual Kad NFC Touch ‘n Go Pada Harga Yahudi Diburu KPDNHEP

Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna (KPDNHEP) sedang mengesan kegiatan penjualan
kad Komunikasi Medan Dekat (NFC) Touch 'n Go (TnG)
 di platform pasaran dalam talian pada
harga yahudi.

Kad NFC TnG dijual pada berlipat kali ganda berbanding harga asalnya,RM10 jika dibeli di lokasi stesen minyak terpilih atau menerusi transaksi dalam talian menggunakan aplikasi
eWallet TnG.

Kad NFC TnG Dijual Terlalu Mahal

Sejak diperkenalkan pada April tahun ini dengan bekalan yang agak terhad, ada pihak yang cuba mengambil kesempatan dengan menjual semula kad terbabit pada harga yang tidak masuk akal.

Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi berkata Bahagian Penguat Kuasa
KPDNHEP
 telah menerima empat aduan rasmi mengenai kad NFC TnG dan mengesan 13 iklan jualan kad berkenaan membabitkan beberapa platform dalam talian.

Berdasarkan siasatan awal, beliau berkata penjualan kad NFC TnG itu turut membabitkan pekerja di kaunter pembayaran sebuah stesen minyak.

"Individu berkenaan didapati menjual sekeping kad NFC TnG yang asalnya berharga RM10 tanpa ada sebarang kredit di dalamnya pada kadar lebih lima kali ganda, menerusi platform pasaran dalam talian," katanya.

Boleh Dikenakan Tindakan

Daripada semakan dan maklumat daripada pengelola platform pasaran dalam talian, sebanyak 11 premis merangkumi kediaman peribadi serta bangunan perniagaan diperiksa berhubung kes berkenaan.

KPDNHEP telah mengeluarkan sebanyak enam notis mengikut Seksyen 21 Akta Kawalan Harga dan Antipencatutan (AKHAP) 2011 kepada pihak terbabit, yang antara lain menuntut maklum balas atau penjelasan rasmi dikemukakan kepada Bahagian Penguat Kuasa KPDNHEP.

"Kegagalan berbuat demikian, pihak terbabit boleh dikenakan tindakan mengikut Seksyen 21(5) AKHAP 2011 kerana enggan atau gagal mengemukakan maklum balas," katanya.

Pihak KPDNHEP dijangka mengadakan pertemuan dengan syarikat TnG minggu ini bagi mendapatkan status kaedah semasa penjualan kad NFC TnG dan status isu kekurangan bekalan kad NFC TnG.

Kad NFC ini membolehkan pengguna membuat tambah nilai pada bila-bila masa dan di mana-mana saja daripada aplikasi Touch 'n Go eWallet yang terdapat di peranti mudah alih.

Malah, pengguna kad dan perkhidmatan itu juga tidak dikenakan sebarang surcaj apabila tambah nilai dilakukan.


BMW Group Malaysia Celebrates Its Dealers

Car brands in Malaysia are only as good as their showrooms and service centres. In the case of many German brands, lately they've been celebrating the achievements and successes of their dealer networks, in tandem with various skills competitions to pit crew against crew. BMW is the most recent of these brands, and at their annual Dealer Awards Night, they took the chance to celebrate and commemorate over 80 dealer representatives and individuals for their outstanding performance in 2018.
There are 20 BMW, 8 MINI, and 10 BMW Motorrad dealerships across the country, from which come a number of personnel across all aspects of the business. With their eight consecutive year of record sales, BMW Group Malaysia wanted to help recognize the very people who made it all possible.
Below are the lists of awards and their recipients:
BMW Aftersales Dealer Award 2018
Head Of Aftersales
Alex Lee Kian An (Millenium Welt Batu Pahat)
Ng Wai Lun (Auto Bavaria Sungai Besi)
Lim Yong Khung (Seong Hoe Premium)
Customer Service Officer
Koo Chea Siang (Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur)
Muaz Bin Mohd Amin (Auto Bavaria Johor Bahru)
Syed Faisal Azwan (Auto Bavaria Sungai Besi)
Mechanics
Thang Chin Fai (Millennium Welt Seremban)
Jacky Liu Jiun Long (Seong Hoe Premium Melaka)
Muhammad Bin Mohd Abu Bakar (Auto Bavaria Penang)
Head Of Parts
Fun Meng Chiang (Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur)
Aizat Fuad (Auto Bavaria Sungai Besi)
Open
Gloria Anak Sigus (Regas Premium Auto Sarawak)
Loganathan s/o Ramaswamy (Auto Bavaria Johor Bahru)
Ryan Tan En Lai (Tian Siang Premium Butterworth)

MINI Issigonis Club Award 2018
MINI Top Dealership Award
Joe Lee (Auto Bavaria Glenmarie)
Choong Chin Seong (Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur)
Nicholas Lee (Millennium Welt Seremban)
MINI Top Sales Manager
Jimmy Lim (Auto Bavaria Glenmarie)
Baljeet Singh (Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur)
Wong Kim Kooi (Auto Bavaria Penang)
MINI Top Sales Advisor
Jack Ng (Ingress Auto Bangsar)
Belinda Ong (Auto Bavaria Glenmarie)
Muhammad Zulhafizi (Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur)
Dianne Sulia (Wearnes Autohaus Tebrau)
Cally Chan (Auto Bavaria Penang)

BMW Vision Club Award 2018
Head Of Sales
Victor Tan (Wheelcorp Premium Setia Alam)
Joseph Chin (Quill Automobiles Petaling Jaya)
Nicholas Lee (Millennium Welt Seremban)
Teoh Boon Chong (Tian Siang Premium Auto Butterworth)
Melvin Chong (Seong Hoe Premium Motors Melaka)
Josephine Tay (Regas Premium Auto Kuching)
Alex Teh (Millennium Welt Batu Pahat)
Sales Advisor
Winnie Lim Siao Huoi (Wheelcorp Premium Setia Alam)
Jamie Hoy Lai Kiein (Ingress Auto Damansara)
Chan Wai San (Auto Bavaria Sungai Besi)
Chong Kean Tuck (Auto Bavaria Glenmarie)
Wendy Lee Yean Chew (Millennium Welt Seremban)
Paul Liew King Choong (Tian Siang Premium Auto Ipoh)
Teh Weng Wah (Tian Siang Premium Auto Butterworth)
Lim Yu Yuan (Lee Motors Auto Care Alor Setar)
Felicia Fong Gheen Wah (Millennium Welt Kuantan)
Tiong Kwan Siong (Regas Premium Auto Kuching)
Alvin Tey Boon Huat (Millennium Welt Batu Pahat)
Top 7 Series Sales
Danny Saw (Tian Siang Premium Auto Butterworth)
BMW Premium Selection
Head of Sales
Mak Jun Hong (Millennium Welt Seremban)
Sales Advisor
Rachel Cheong Shee Loke (Auto Bavaria Glenmarie)
BMW Excellence Club Award 2018
Joe Lee (Auto Bavaria Glenmarie)
Jayden Liew (Wheelcorp Premium Setia Alam)
Turse Zuhair (Auto Bavaria Sungai Besi)
Wong Loke Win (Auto Bavaria Penang)
Bryan Wong (Millennium Welt Seremban)
Ta Ka Kin (Tian Siang Premium Auto Butterworth)
Loy Suan Chiow (Seong Hoe Premium Motors Melaka)
Gavin Tay (Regas Premium Auto Kuching)
Woon Choon Yuen (Millennium Welt Kuantan)
Bryan Wong (Millenium Welt Batu Pahat)
BMW Group Financial Services Dealer Award 2018
Joe Lee (Auto Bavaria Glenmarie)
Wong Loke Win (Auto Bavaria Penang)
Bryan Wong (Millennium Welt Seremban)
Loy Suan Chiow (Seong Hoe Premium Motors Melaka)
BMW Group Financial Services Sales Advisor Award 2018
Ken Chong (Auto Bavaria Glenmarie)
Wendy Lee (Millennium Welt Seremban)
Chua Kok Sing (Auto Bavaria Glenmarie)


Perodua Launches GearUp Ace Bodykit For 2022 Myvi Facelift

Perodua has officially launched the new package of GearUp accessories for the 2022 Myvi facelift, which was
leaked on a test drive unit last month
. And it looks good.

Owners/buyers of the newly refreshed 3rd-generation Myvi will now have a little more customisability options for their new car with the factory-approved selection of original interior and exterior cosmetic enhancements from GearUp.

Myvi GearUp Ace bodykit

However, Perodua has chosen to dub this particular package as the Ace bodykit, implying that multiple other packages are coming later, all of which will fall
under the GearUp family
. As usual, these can be purchased from any authorised dealer.

Or could you also get it from Ace Hardware?

As we’ve covered previously, most of the exterior cosmetics are concentrated at the front where the Ace bodykit essentially gives the 2022 Myvi a different face with large contrasting gloss black inserts now inhabiting an area where you might expect to find an air intake duct, located below the headlight housing.

This treatment also obscures the vertical
daytime running lights
 a little, at least when the car is turned off, and there’s also a more pronounced front lip that gives the 2022 Myvi a slightly lowered look and does away with the standard car’s silver horizontal strip.

Along the side, the Ace bodykit includes a pair of side skirts to maintain that illusion of a more hunkered down hatch - again, finished in partly gloss black.

At the tail end, the 2022 Myvi gets a nice little roof spoiler and a new and more pronounced rear bumper courtesy of the Ace bodykit that adds a little more perceived girth to match the aggressive fascia. Of course, no bodykit is complete without a little fake diffuser action.

Inside, the Ace kit also includes tastefully designed PVC faux-leather seat covers not unlike the ones already offered on other models but with prominent ‘Myvi’ lettering debossed (stamped down) into the centre of the backrest. The seat covers also feature red contrasting elements and stitching along with a strip material that’s meant to look like carbon fibre.

They actually give the cabin a sportier yet more sophisticated look compared to the two-tone bright red seats that are reserved for the Myvi AV. In fact, that’s the only variant these seat covers cannot be fitted to.

What do you think of the 2022 Myvi Ace bodykit from GearUp? Panas, ganas, or both?


2016 New Ford Focus Launched In Malaysia – Priced from RM118,888

Sime Darby AutoConneXion has just launched the new Ford Focus today, with a starting price of RM118,888.
There are 3 variants on offer – the previous Titanium sedan and Sport hatchback has been dropped (Titanium+ and Sport+ retained), but there’s a new Trend hatchback entry variant.
Focus Trend hatchback: RM118,888
Focus Titanium+ sedan : RM139,888
Focus Sport+ hatchback: RM139,888
All prices quoted are on the road without insurance.
Standard specifications:
1.5-litre turbocharged direct injection EcoBoost – 180 PS at 6,000 rpm, 240 Nm sustained from 1,600 – 5,000 rpm
6-speed torque converter automatic
Halogen headlamps
Front and rear fog lamps
MacPherson Strut front suspension, Control Blade Independent rear suspension
ABS, ESP, Hill Launch Assist, ISOFIX, SOS Post-Crash Alert
Overview:
This new Ford Focus is a mid-lifecycle update for Ford’s C-segment model, the Blue Oval’s answer to the
Honda Civic
,
Toyota Corolla Altis
,
Volkswagen Jetta
,
Hyundai Elantra
, and
Kia Cerato
.
This is a segment that is traditionally dominated by the Civic but the Civic will be sitting on the sidelines for now as Honda Malaysia phases in the highly anticipated
all-new Civic
 with a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine, by the middle of this year.
The previous Focus has not been a strong seller locally. While it was fun to drive, interior space was lacking and the 6-speed dual-clutch PowerShift transmission was jerky in traffic.
This new model however, has thankfully junked the clunky PowerShift transmission in favour of a conventional 6-speed torque converter automatic. As a bonus, Titanium+ and Sport+ models get paddle shifters - no more of the silly thumb-operated, gear lever-mounted buttons like in the previous model.
Also new is a 1.5-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine that replaces the previous model’s 2.0-litre naturally aspirated Ti-VCT unit.
With a 180 PS engine and a comprehensive list of safety features – including blind spot monitor with cross traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking (Active City Stop), Ford says the new Focus is not only the most powerful model in its class, but also the safest.
So it’s more than just a mere facelift.
What’s New:
1.5-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine (previous was 2.0-litre naturally aspirated Ti-VCT)
6-speed automatic transmission (previous was 6-speed dual-clutch PowerShift)
Improved electric power-assisted steering – improved comfort, agility, reduced steering effort
Enhanced Park Assist – now with perpendicular parking and park out assist
Improved suspension – 25 percent stiffer, reduced sideways movement, quieter and stronger dampers for improved ride comfort
Enhanced Transitional Stability (ETS) – an addition to the standard electronic stability control feature, predicts and mitigates potential spinouts
Enhanced Active City Stop – now active up to 50 km/h
New trapezoidal front grille
New halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights (previously was Bi-Xenon HIDs for Titanium+ and Sport+)
New tail lights (LED for Sport+)
Ford Sync 2 infotainment system with 8-inch touch screen
3-spoke steering wheel
Increased utility functions – deeper glove box, expanded centre console box
Differences Between Variants:
The base model Trend variant comes with the following features:
Standard tuned suspension
Power adjustable side mirrors (no power folding function)
Manually controlled air-conditioning
Black fabric interior
3.5-inch dot matrix display Sync infotainment system with 6 speakers
Manual adjusting driver’s seat
Polyurethane steering wheel
Dot matrix display instrument cluster
Rear parking sensors
17-inch wheels
The Titanium+ sedan adds the following features over the Trend hatchback:
Side airbags
Curtain airbags
Enhanced Park Assist
Enhanced Active City Stop
BLIS with Cross Traffic Alert
Keyless entry
Front parking sensors
LED daytime running lights
Automatic folding side mirrors with puddle lamps
Automatic headlamps with Follow Me Home function
MyKey
Rain sensing wipers
Dual zone electronically controlled automatic air-conditioning
Covered cup holders, 12V powerpoint in centre console box
Beige leather interior
Paddle shifters
8-inch colour display Sync infotainment system with 9 speakers
Power adjustable driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support
Rear centre armrest with cup holders
Leather wrapped steering wheel
Colour TFT display instrument cluster
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Sunglass holder
Illuminated sun visors
Door sill scuff plates
Ambient lighting and footwell lights
Rear grab handles with coat hooks
Cruise control
16-inch wheels (17-inch for Trend and Sport+)
The Sport+ hatchback is almost similar to the Titanium+ sedan with the exception of the following:
Sports tuned suspension
17-inch wheels
LED tail lamps
Black leather interior
Manual adjusting driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support
We will be putting together our review of the new 2016 Ford Focus in a few days’ time. Meanwhile, you can read our review of the Australian market
new Ford Focus here
.


Transport Minister- No Full Enforcement Yet On Child Seat Ruling 2019

The full enforcement of mandatory child seat usage in passenger cars from 2019 has not been fully decided, reports The Star.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke commented that his ministry will also review the ruling based on their practicality before implementation.
Mr Anthony also explained that the current government are not bound to follow rulings made by the previous government.
“There are a few rulings which have not been gazetted or enforced, therefore we will need to relook into them. The prior announcements will remain as announcements as no actions had been taken to enforce,” said Anthony Loke during a visit to Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (MIROS) yesterday.
To recap, the Transport Ministry, back in 2015,
announced plans to enforce
 the mandatory child seat usage ruling starting from 2019.
Learn more about how important the usage of a child seat is, as well as how easy they are to be mounted in modern cars on sale today.
Video: Isofix child demo installation
Keeping the kids safe in your car


2017 BMW X2 – New X1-Based Crossover Coupe Debuts

BMW has taken the veils off its
much-hyped X2 Sports Activity Coupe
 offering a sportier take of its
X1 entry-level crossover
. Based upon the UKL transverse engine platform, X2 offers BMW’s familiar range of 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplants with the smaller 1.5-litre three-pots set to join the range later.
At launch, the X2 is available with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 192 hp and 280 Nm powering the front-wheel driven sDrive20i variant through a
7-speed dual clutch transmission introduced earlier this year in the X1 and 2 Series Gran Tourer
 models recently.
Diesel power, meanwhile, is offered in two states of tune and is fitted as standard with an 8-speed torque converter automatic and all-wheel drive. The choice is between the xDrive20d with 190 hp / 400 Nm and the xDrive25d with 231 hp / 450 Nm.
Further variants in the pipeline include an all-wheel drive version of the 20i along with 1.5-litre three-cylinder variants that include the petrol-powered sDrive18i as well as the diesel-powered sDrive18d and xDrive18d. Interestingly enough, the 1.5-litre variants are quoted with slightly higher official fuel consumption than the 20i and 20d models.
Both FWD variants with the 1.5-litre engine offer the option of a 6-speed manual transmission, but available with automatic gearbox as optional upgrades. Broadly speaking, all petrol engines get a 7-speed dual clutch whilst the diesels utlize an 8-speed auto.
Performance figures of the X2 are summarized as follows:
Appearance-wise, the X2 re-writes many familiar BMW design cues in a bid to forge its own unique visual identity. Noteworthy touches include kidney grilles that now widen downwards and model badging now placed on the left side of the tailgate. There is also the return of the C-pillar-mounted BMW roundel last seen in classic coupes like the 2000 CS and 3.0 CSL.
Three trim levels are available for selection, starting with a basic model from which buyers can choose to upscale to M Sport or M Sport X grades. The new M Sport X combines the added sportiness of M Sport trim with the ruggedness of BMW’s X models.
The X2 officially goes on sale in European markets in March 2018 in sDrive20i, xDrive20d, and xDrive25d variants. The sDrive18i, xDrive20i, sDrive18d, and xDrive18d variants will join the line-up later in the year.


U.S. Market Volkswagen Passat Gets Updated For 2016

The U.S. market
Volkswagen Passat
 has received an updated for its 2016 model year, offering new styling which is more in line with that of its smaller European sibling, the B8.
Note that the the U.S. market Passat is different from the ones sold in Europe. Our local Passat models are same as the
European market Passat
.
Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the North American Passat features a slightly more aggressive look to it with reshaped headlights that flank the four-bar grille with vertical accents, unlike the B8’s. The bumper also gets updated to further accentuate the fog lamps, linked by a thin chrome strip running across. A domed hood rounds up the list of changes for the front fascia.
At the rear, you’ll find new taillights with a chrome strip linking them and repositioned reflectors resting below them. The bumper also gains a chrome strip running across it, adding to those already found on the window surrounds and door trim. LED lighting is available as an option for both the headlights and taillights as well.
On offer for the first time in the U.S. is the R-Line version of the Passat which graces the sedan with sporty design cues such as black rocker panels, new front bumper with black accents, side skirting, and a rear diffuser. 19-inch anthracite Salvador aluminum-alloy wheels wrapped with 235/40 ZR rated tyres are part of the package as well.
Inside, the Passat gets a makeover beginning with Volkswagen’s second-generation MIB II system mounted on the centre stack. The multimedia unit features a capacitive touchscreen and is available as standard on all models so swiping and pinch-zooming is a given. It even comes with a proximity sensor which detects when a hand is nearby and automatically switches its display to allow easier selection of specific features.
Aside from the usual USB and Bluetooth connectivity, the MIB II system comes equipped with the
Volkswagen
 Car-Net system, which includes App-Connect technology, so Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink is seamlessly integrated.
Elsewhere, the driver benefits from a new instrument panel with two barrel gauges, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and new column stalk design. The cabin also sees two-tone décor panels accompanied by improved chrome and piano black trim. Heated rear seats are also offered here as well as Easy-Open keyless access that opens the trunk by moving a foot near the rear of the vehicle.
Driving and safety systems also get a boost here as well with the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System coming as standard on all U.S. market 2016 Passat models. Other systems include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist); Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert; Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist); and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist). These systems differ from variant to variant.
Volkswagen USA is offering three engine choices for the 2016 Passat with two petrol units – a 1.8-litre TSI and 3.6-litre VR6, with a single 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine on offer.


Playstation To Podium: Nissan’s 2015 LM P1 Line-Up

At the Chicago Auto Show, GP3 race winner Jann Mardenborough was revealed as one of the drivers selected to race
Nissan
’s LM P1 racing car. Concurrently in Yokohama, Spaniard and fellow winner of the Nissan GT Academy Lucas Ordóñez had also been tapped to race the
Nissan GT-R
 LM Nismo along NISMO veteran Michael Krumm of Germany.
Nissan’s GT Academy has produced some remarkable talents; bright sparks that they are confident can compete with the best in motorsport. Its virtual-to-reality approach to discovering and honing driver talent is the first of its kind and Nissan is bringing in two of its most successful graduates to their 2015 LM P1 line-up.
In 2012, Jann Mardenborough was a student in Cardiff on his gap year when he entered the Nissan GT Academy and through the resulting 3 years of his racing career, has won a podium finish at Le Mans in the LM P2 series and is a race winner in GP3, a series known for launching its drivers on an F1 career.
Lucas Ordonez, Nissan GT Academy’s first winner that impressed everyone with his podium result at Le Mans, is also joining the ranks that make up Nissan’s 2015 LM P1 line-up with fellow Super GT racer Tsugio Matsuda. Prior to that, Ordonez will compete in Super GT’s top league GT500 where he will be piloting the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500.
Topping off the already formidable driver line-up Nissan’s 2015 LM P1 campaign is NISMO veteran Michael Krumm. Being the first man to drive the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, he is known for his skill in car development and for his ability to flesh out its full potential. Nissan is confident that its squad of nine drivers straddles the perfect mix of youth and experience as it enters its most challenging motorsport clash of 2015.
"Jann and Lucas have proved their merit as professional racing drivers time and time again, not least with their Le Mans podium finishes,"
 said Darren Cox, Global Head of Brand, Marketing & Sales, NISMO.
"What looks like an overnight success is years of incredibly hard work by Jann, Lucas and the Nissan NISMO team that develop all of the winners of Nissan GT Academy. These guys are proof that if you want something badly enough and are prepared to give it everything you've got, you will succeed. We have the same ethos with our LM P1 program. Drivers like Krumm add that extra layer of experience that is vital in a program like this. We are here to compete at the highest level, and we are not here to make up the numbers. It's no accident that people like Mark Webber are racing at Le Mans. This is where you will find the most competitive racing in the world. It is a tough battlefield, but we can't wait to join the fight."


Malaysia's first and largest muscle car showroom is now officially open for business

History was made last Saturday in Johor Bahru when the country’s first, only, and largest muscle car dealership – 23 Motors Sdn Bhd, was officially unveiled.

Officiated by Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, the Johor Bahru Member of Parliament, 23 Motors Sdn Bhd, which serves as an innovative showroom, as well as a muscle car gallery, stretches across an acre at Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir in, Johor Bahru. It is said that the area is also known as ‘District 23’ among those living in Johor Bahru.

It is said that the facility, which consists of a showroom, a sales gallery, a five-star café, car washing and detailing area, as well as a cozy lounge for customers and potential buyers to sit and relax, is not only the first of its kind in Johor Bahru, but in fact, in whole of Malaysia.

23 Motors Sdn Bhd also has a garage that is part of the whole facility – run by highly trained technicians, and equipped by all the latest and vital tools and technology needed to maintain and service the wide range of muscle cars that are being sold here.

According to Datuk Kaathir Mustaffa, the Managing Director of 23 Motors Sdn Bhd, the company was only established in January 2016, and has received very overwhelming response from enthusiasts, as well as members of the public from all around the region.

In conjunction with the official launch of 23 Motors Sdn Bhd, a total of 12 muscle cars worth RM15 million were auctioned out at the event, which was also graced by the presence of Datuk Ramli Johari, the head of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department of Johor, as well as the Johor Bahru District Police Chief, ASP Sulaiman Salleh.

Among the highlights about the cars that are available at 23 Motors, which comprise mostly of American muscle cars is that there are a few extremely popular cars on display, such as the machines that were featured in Hollywood blockbuster movies like Fast & Furious and the Transformers.

Open from 9am to 9pm on a daily basis, 23 Motors Sdn Bhd is located at No.13A, Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir, and can be contacted via phone at 07-3332323.

Below is the list of the final bidding price of the cars that were being auctioned at the launch of 23 Motors Sdn Bhd last Saturday:

CARS

 MCLAREN MP4 - 12C 3.8L V8 - RM1.15MIL

 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 6.2 V8 - RM 310K

 CHEVROLET CAMARO CABRIOLET 4.6L - RM 300K

 CHEVROLET CAMARO 3.6 - RM 290K

 FORD MUSTANG GT 5.0 V8 - RM 310K

 FORD MUSTANG GT CABRIOLET - RM 300K

 FORD MUSTANG GT500 SHELBY - RM 500K

 FORD MUSTANG 1967 - RM 300K

 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT8 6.2L - RM 600K

 DODGE CHALLENGER 3.6 - RM 340K

 HUMMER H2 6.0 - RM 370K

 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 6.2 - RM 400K

BIKES

 HONDA CBR 1000 FIREBLADE 2011 - RM 50K

 HONDA CBR 1000 FIREBLADE 2011 - RM 75K

 BMW S1000RR - 2011 - RM 60K

*Photos by The Iskandarian Online


The Fastest, Baddest Ferrari Is Now A PHEV - 2020 SF90 Stradale

Last Friday, Naza Italia introduced the most powerful Prancing Horse to Malaysia - the 2020 SF90 Stradale and it's a PHEV.

You like it or hate it but you'll have to get on with the programme. PHEV's are the current, not the future which brings us to Ferrari's first series production PHEV - it promises to turn the page in Ferrari's history - the 2020 SF90 Stradale.

The name SF90 is an homage to Scuderia Ferrari, Ferrari's Formula One outfit, the 90 refers to the 90th anniversary of its foundation which was last year in 2019 and Stradale translates to road. Why Ferrari would decide to link their first significant move into electrification with a team that has been quite dismal in recent seasons is anyone's guess. Apparently it's to underscore the distinct link that has always existed between Ferrari's track and road cars. Okay.

But I digress, here are the SF90 Stradale's topline features:

Turbocharged V8 with three electric motors, two in the front axles and one housed between the engine and gearbox

780PS (petrol engine)

800 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm

The three electric motors contribute a further 220 PS

25km all-electric range - at a top speed of 135 km/h

8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission

4 drive modes - eDrive, Hybrid, Performance and Qualify

0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 6.7 seconds, 340 km/h top speed

All of the above and more is yours for only RM1.908 million (tak kira lagi duties, tax, insurance and of course your customisation options).

Due to the fact that this is a PHEV, you could drive silently through a graveyard and not risk waking the dead in eDrive mode. That does make me a little sad however, we are watching the death of the signature growl from the V10's and V12's of yore. I mean quite honestly, shouldn't everyone hear a Ferrari before they see it? There is no place for nostalgia in 2020 though.

Because the SF90 is a range model, meaning it does not have a limited production run, you actually could get your hands on one should you be able to afford it. This is unlike the 488 Pista where you had to first be a Ferrari owner before qualifying to own a Pista. According to Naza Italia, there are currently about 20 bookings for the SF90 Stradale and Malaysians should be receiving their cars in the first quarter of 2021. What economic slowdown?!

So a Ferrari PHEV. There are more pros than cons to it really as you'll witness in a little video we made
here
.

Now where to cari RM2 million?

Oh yes, one more thing, the Reverse gear is powered by the two electric motors at the front axles and not the 8-speed DCT transmission.  Neat.


Keyless Ignition Claimed ‘Deadly’ In US Lawsuit Involving 10 Major Automakers

Vehicles equipped with keyless ignition systems were the subject of a lawsuit involving ten of the world’s largest automakers by U.S consumers that claim they conceal the deadly risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles, involves the more than five million vehicles within the country sold by these automakers equipped with the feature, which the 28 named plaintiffs claimed to have resulted in 13 deaths, according to a Reuters report.

The issue stems from drivers leaving their vehicles running after taking their key fobs with them, under the assumption their engines would deactivate. They say this can injure or have “deadly” consequences to drivers or passengers who inhale the colorless and odorless gas, especially when these cars are left in attached garages.

Defendants are
BMW
 and
MINI
, Daimler’s
Mercedes-Benz
,
Fiat
 Chrysler,
Ford
 Motor Co, General Motors,
Honda
 (Acura in the US),
Hyundai
 and
Kia
,
Nissan
 (along with
Infiniti
),
Toyota
 (including
Lexus
), and
Volkswagen
.

The lawsuit’s case hinges on the claim that the accused 10 automakers have long known about the usability defects and risks associated with keyless ignition systems, but chose to close a blind eye and claim that their vehicles are safe without issuing any disclaimers or proper education to new customers at the point of sale and proceeding to market the cars and the feature as safe.

The plaintiffs say that automakers could have averted 13 deaths, at least, by equipping keyless ignition systems with a simple engine shut off feature to deactivate unattended engines. In fact, GM and Ford, the Reuters report continues, have even filed for patents for such a system.

"The automakers had actual knowledge of the dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning consequences of vehicles with keyless fobs that lack an automatic shut-off," the complaint said, while adding that since 2009 there have been 27 complaints lodged with the National Transportation Safety Administration over keyless ignitions.

In the United States alone, 430 people a year die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Only Ford, among the accused parties, have given comment on the matter, saying it takes the matter of customer safety “very seriously, and that their keyless ignition system has proven to be “safe and reliable”.

The lawsuit seeks class-action status and an injunction be put into effect, requiring the automakers to install automatic engine deactivation on existing and future vehicles furnished with keyless ignition systems. Additionally, it seeks compensatory and punitive damages.


Leonardo DiCaprio Might Produce Movie On Volkswagen’s Emissions Scandal

Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie production studio Appian Way has teamed up with Paramount Pictures to acquire the rights to produce a movie that’s loosely based on the Volkswagen emissions scandal, reports Bloomberg and several other entertainment news portals.
This does not necessarily mean that a movie on the Volkswagen scandal will be produced yet, only that DiCaprio has acquired the rights to exercise the option to do so. Appian Way has reportedly purchased the movie rights to a proposed book by New York Times’s economic correspondent Jack Ewing.
Ewing is said to be writing a fictional book that centres around a German car maker’s attempts to penetrate into the US car market by rigging its cars with an illegal software.
The last major blockbuster produced by DiCaprio’s studio was ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’


Toyota GR Corolla coming to Thailand in December, Malaysia in Q1 2023

Here’s something to look forward to: another fast Toyota coming to local showrooms. And unlike
the GR Yaris
 that it shares plenty with, this one isn’t a limited run (25,000 units) homologation special. Of course we’re talking about the GR Corolla.

The all-wheel drive mega hatch is essentially a widened, snarling evil twin to the standard 12th-generation E210 Toyota Corolla, albeit in 5-door hatch guise instead of the 4-door sedan that Malaysians are familiar with.

Engineered with the automaker’s Gazoo Racing division, the GR Corolla was first unveiled back in late March and was tipped to be focused on gaining traction in the North American market in part since the region missed out on the GR Yaris.

Having not specified a production cap, Toyota seems happy to manufacture as many GR Corollas as customers are willing to buy.

It essentially transplants the GR Yaris’s 1.6-litre G16E-GTS 3-cylinder turbocharged engine and clever GR-Four all-wheel drive system into the larger C-segment form factor, though power has been further boosted to 300PS and 400Nm. Power is transmitted exclusively via a 6-speed manual transmission.

Aside from its native Japan, subsequent news that it will be also be headed for sale in other right-hand drive markets such as Australia and New Zealand opened the door to the car being sold in Europe and other parts of Asia, including the ASEAN countries. Now, it seems that’s exactly what’s happening.

According to AutoIndustriya based in the Philippines, a Thai media source says that the GR Corolla could see a launch there within 2022 starting with just 10 units, likely coinciding with the Thailand International Motor Expo scheduled for early December.

On our end, Carlist.my can also confirm hearing industry indications that a Malaysian launch isn’t too far behind, perhaps even as early as the first quarter of 2023. However, narrowing down the car’s local debut to a specific month isn’t yet possible, nor is it possible to speculate on the batch allocations.

Aside from the GR Corolla, UMW Toyota is also rumoured to be close to launching the 2nd-generation of their coupe co-developed with Subaru, the GR86, just as many other distributors in the region are pushing to offer the full Toyota GR line-up. The GR Supra is also slated for a local update following its public reinvigoration after the
addition of a 6-speed manual option
.

In an age of SUV ubiquity and EV evangelism, it’s both exciting and heartwarming that so much interest has been shown across continents in exciting cars like these select Toyota models. Of course, we’ll bring you more as new information arises.


New 2015 Chevrolet Cruze To Make ASEAN Debut In August

Chevrolet Sales Thailand have announced that it will be launching the new 2015 Chevrolet Cruze at Thailand’s upcoming Bangkok International Grand (BIG) Motor Sales 2015 event.
Before you start thinking about the all-new Cruze that made its global debut in China last year, we should point out that this is most likely to be nothing more than a facelift of the current generation Cruze.
The sole teaser image provided by Chevrolet (main picture above) seems to suggest so.
Below is the new Chevrolet Cruze that is already on sale in Korea, powered by a new 1.4-litre turbocharged engine.
Chevrolet Sales Thailand also said that the new Cruze will feature a new interior and new in-car infotainment technology.
The company’s short press statement made no mention of any new engines so we don’t think the turbocharged unit fitted to the Korean market Cruze will be offered here.
Currently, the all-new second-generation Cruze (below) is only available in left-hand drive markets, produced in China and USA. The US-market Cruze features a slightly different styling from the Chinese Cruze but both share the same 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine.
The Cruze models sold in ASEAN countries are manufactured in Thailand, and is developed by GM’s Korean subsidiary Daewoo (now GM Korea).
The second-generation Cruze however, rides on an all-new D2XX platform that is reportedly developed by GM’s European subsidiary Opel.