Renewing Driver's License and Road Tax - Malaysians Facing Problems!

Many Malaysians are rushing to renew their road tax and driver's license before the September 30 deadline but are facing problems with websites crashing due to high traffic.

The announcement last week of the
discontinuation
 of the
moratorium period
 for the renewal of Competent Driving Licences (CDL), Motor Vehicle Licences (MVL or Road Tax), Goods Driving Licences (GDL) and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licenses have seen many Malaysians rushing to renew their road tax and driver's license.

While there are a few options to renew your road tax or driver's license, the short period that the government has set out has caused chaos across the board, with many not being able to renew their road tax and driver's license due to operation shortcomings and websites crashing due to high volume of traffic.

Let's check out some of the complaints posted online regarding this matter.

Over the counter at JPJ offices, UTC and Pos Malaysia

Many have tried to renew their road tax and driver's license the old school way - by doing it over the counter, but to do this, they must first make an appointment through JPJ, Pos Malaysia or UTC websites.

The problem they face is that appointments are hard to come by as they are all usually taken up within 15 minutes of the appointments being made available on the respective websites. Further complaints include that the websites cannot accommodate the amount of traffic incoming, causing it to hang.

MyEG

Those who have tried to renew their driver's license via MyEG are also facing problems. Many are posting online that they cannot renew their driver's license because MyEG does not have a photo of them in their system.

While this might not be a problem for those who have used MyEG previously, many first-time users will face this problem as MyEG would not have a copy of their photos. Apparently, you can take a picture and upload it to the website as long as the background is white, but most of the time, the photos have been rejected by the MyEG website.

It has also been reported that those who have successfully renewed their road tax via MyEG has yet to receive a physical copy of their road tax, but this has been an ongoing problem since the beginning of the pandemic, which will worsen now due to the number of Malaysians renewing their road tax simultaneously.

mySIKAP

The story is much the same through JPJ's official online site, mySIKAP, as users are also facing the same problems as those trying to do it on JPJ's online concessionary, MyEG.

The bulk of the problem once again is down to a picture record, and in an attempt to solve it, it seems that Malaysians are being given a run around by JPJ before they are told that they will need to come in to update their picture record.

The problem stems from the fact that JPJ will send out an appointment that is to be confirmed via email, but the email never reaches the customer. We assume the problem stems from JPJ's 50% operating capacity as well as working hours. It could also be due to the fact that they are fully bogged down due to the influx of motorists trying to renew their road tax as well as driver's license.

The government should really take a look at what's happening on the ground and reconsider the cut-off date for renewal because, after nearly a year and a half of Malaysians not renewing their road tax and driver's license, we're sure it'll take more than a month and a bit for everyone to get themselves up to date.

It is, after all, the third quarter of the year, so why not just give everybody till the end of 2021 to get up to speed?

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F1 2017: Honda To Supply Power Units To Sauber F1 Team In 2018 Season

The Honda Motor Company has announced it will be supplying its power units to the Sauber F1 Team as a customer, starting from the 2018 season of the FIA Formula (F1) One World Championship.
Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal of the Sauber F1 Team added, “It is a great honor for the Sauber F1 Team to be able to work together with Honda in the coming seasons. Our realignment is not just visible through the new ownership but also now with our new technical partnership with Honda. We have set another milestone with this new engine era, which we await with huge excitement and of course we are looking for new opportunities. We very much look forward to our partnership with Honda, which sets the course for a successful future – from a strategic as well as from as technical perspective.”
The Swiss-based racing outfit approached Honda with an initial proposal, which was formally inked during the recent Russian Grand Prix. Honda has also pledged to speed up development of its energy management technologies and overall competitiveness of its power units.
The Sauber deal comes as the McLaren Honda F1 team’s 2017 season has been beset by reliability issues and a car that is glaringly off the pace when compared to front-running teams such as Ferrari and Mercedes.
The 2017 Sauber C36 was developed from the ground up as an all-new car, guided by the 2017 regulations of wider tyres and new aerodynamics package. The Sauber C36 runs a Ferrari engine for the 2017 season.


Kia Malaysia Introduces First of Its Kind Trade-in Program

Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, has introduced the Kia Value 5 trade-in program in an effort to maintain the future value of Kia vehicles.
According to Kia, how the program works is that after five years of Kia ownership, customers will be eligible to trade-in their vehicles and get a new Kia car with a guaranteed value.
“As the only mass model brand in Malaysia giving this opportunity to our customers, it is also the first ever Guaranteed Future Value program without any exclusive tie-up with financial institutions,” said Dato Samson Anand George, Group Chief Operating Officer, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd.
At the introductory stage, starting from November 1, 2016 until December 31, 2016, only customers who purchase the All-New Kia Sportage and the All-New Kia Sorento at their KIA authorised sales outlet will be entitled to the Kia Value 5 program.
In conjunction with the Australian Open 2017, Naza Kia Malaysia is organising Kia Lucky Drive to Melbourne, Australia from November 1, 2016 until November 30, 2016 in which one lucky winner will stand a chance to experience the Australian Open 2017 live.
Looking for a Kia? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Bangkok 2017: Toyota Vios Facelift Up Close

The facelifted Toyota Vios was
launched in Thailand
 in January, bringing forth a conclusive design update of the current generation model, which was mechanically updated in 2016 with a new engine. The ongoing 2017 Bangkok Motor Show now gives us a clear look at the upcoming model,
slated to be launched
 in Malaysia later in the year.
The facelifted Vios remains mechanically unchanged to the outgoing model, powered by an aluminium-built 1.5-litre (2NR) four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i technology, which is good for 107PS and 140Nm. all variants of the new Thai-spec Vios facelift come fitted with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven virtual ratios.
Aesthetically, the new Vios comes with a thoroughly revised front fascia, combining the aggressive looking bumper design with sleek front grille proportions. The headlights have been updated too, featuring LED position lights and halogen projectors. There are LED DRLs positioned at the sides of the front bumper now. Round the back, the tail lamps have also been updated, now featuring C-shaped graphics. Dual-tone 16-inch alloys also feature in the range-topping “S” variant.

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 Inside, the changes are more minimal, but Thai sold models feature varying colour schemes according to variants.
The safety suite of the facelifted Vios features electronic stability control along with dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, and brake assist as standard, across the board.


Bargains galore at Motor Image Subaru, the XV from RM89k

Limited numbers of the Subaru XV are now made available at slashed prices, but not just any Subaru XV, the units on offer are specifically the ones used during the awe-inspiring demonstrations performed by World-renowned stunt driver Russ Swift.

Unregistered units of the Subaru XV manufactured between year 2014 and 2015 will be offered at the following prices.

From RM89,828  on-the-road price without insurance (Peninsular Malaysia)

From RM92,890 on-the-road price without insurance (East Malaysia)

The low-mileage examples (Under 400km) have been used either display units, test drive cars, ferry cars for guests and some were piloted by Russ Swift himself.

All units will be closely inspected and remedied for any wear and tear issues, promising buyers a good-as-new vehicle. All cars are offered with commonplace factory warranty for 5 years/100,000kms from the point of vehicle registration.

Head on down to your nearest Motor Image
Subaru dealership
 as the offer is valid while stocks last.

On top of that, Carlist.my is currently running a
Book dan Menang
 contest, where one lucky Subaru buyer stands a chance to win RM10,000 in cash when he/she makes a booking for a Subaru via Carlist.my.


What Is The Perodua Ativa’s (D55L) D-CVT And Why Is It Better?

For those who might not be keyed in on such things, Toyota (who owns Daihatsu) makes some of the best - if not
the best
, period -
Continuously Variable Transmissions
 (CVTs) in the world, the crowning jewel of which is the Direct Shift-CVT.

First
introduced in 2018
, these Direct Shift-CVTs attempts to, and mostly succeeds in solving the most common criticisms of this type of transmissions, chief of which is the sluggish performance from standstill compared to torque converter-type and dual-clutch automatics. It accomplishes this by incorporating a physical first gear that would bypass the usual belt and pulley, hence its name, which is sometimes haphazardly abbreviated as
'D-CVT'
. Guess the more accurate 'DS-CVT' wasn't catchy enough.

That’s where the confusion might set in, as that transmission (called the K120) is still sitting pretty at the top of Toyota’s hierarchy of CVT tech which, given its higher cost and more ‘premium’ feature set, is reserved for its more high profile cars fitted with its Dynamic Force family of engines in certain variants of the Corolla, Camry, C-HR, and RAV4.

In Malaysia, since UMW Toyota has
axed the 2.0-litre variant of the RAV4
, the only remaining vehicle currently on sale with this Direct Shift-CVT is the
Lexus UX
. Hopefully, that void will be filled pretty soon with the local arrival of the
Corolla Cross later this year
.

Despite identical initials,
this is not
 the D-CVT (Dual-Mode CVT) fitted to the Daihatsu Rocky or Toyota Raize, and therefore the Perodua Ativa either (read our
first impressions here
). Though they do utilise some similar engineering, they are vastly different in terms of the main problem they’re designed to solve.

Where the Toyota Direct Shift-CVT aims to blur the line between itself and a modern-day conventional torque converter automatics by improving response, refinement, and allowing quicker shifts’ between its 10 preset forward ratios, the D-CVT coming in the Ativa is more focused on fuel economy.

Instead of a totally linear distribution of a belt-drive, the D-CVT adds a split set of gears connected to the input and output shafts of the pulley that can be engaged or disengaged via a clutch pack to better adapt to different situations.

At low engine RPMs, this transmission operates as a typical CVT would with the belt drive fully engaged. However, to reduce the rotational velocity of the belt drive when driving at higher engine speeds, which is when the dreaded CVT drone is most pronounced, the gear drive ‘split mode’ is engaged via the clutch pack to lighten the burden and provide a more ‘
direct
’ and effective transfer of engine power to the output shaft with reduced frictional losses, resulting in lower noise levels and improved fuel economy.

To the driver, and compared to conventional CVTs, the D-CVT mimics the larger spread of gears similar to the contrast between a 6-speed transmission and an 8-speed unit, but in a more lightweight and compact package that’s ideally suited to smaller vehicles and mated to smaller engines such as the
1KR-VET
 turbocharged 3-cylinder motor in the Perodua Ativa.

It’s a pretty ingenious solution to address some of the same issues that Toyota’s Direct Shift-CVT solves without adding too much additional complexity (and therefore cost) into the equation. This Dual-Mode CVT design can also remain quite compact and lightweight to make it an ideal fit for the
Japanese Kei cars
 Daihatsu is known for, up to even compact B-segment SUVs like the Ativa.

That being said, being Perodua’s first foray into CVTs, the majority of the local automaker’s existing customers will need time to acclimatise to this transmission’s different, more linear, behaviour as opposed to the stepped gears found in conventional (torque converter-type) automatic transmissions.

Thankfully, due to its Japanese engineering background and proven track record in, among others, the Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky, the D-CVT will very likely be a much more pleasant experience compared to the early Protons fitted with CVTs from Punch Powertrain, which ended up souring the first impressions of many Malaysians to this type of transmission.

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Upgraded Toyota Hilux, Fortuner, Innova New Variant Now Open For Booking

UMW Toyota Motor Malaysia has announced that new variants of the Innova, Hilux, as well as the Fortuner – all of which are assembled at the company’s assembly plant in Shah Alam are now open for booking.
Toyota Fortuner
For the Fortuner, the range has been expanded with the addition of two new diesel variants which sit between the top-of-the-line Fortuner 2.7 SRZ 4x4 petrol and the entry-level Fortuner 2.4 4x4 diesel.
Fortuner 2.4 4x4 (retains specs of previous 2.4 VRZ model)
Fortuner 2.4 VRZ 4x2 Diesel (new)
Fortuner 2.4 VRZ 4x4 Diesel (new)
Fortuner 2.7 SRZ 4x4 Petrol (same as before)
Powered by a 2GD-FTV 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine producing 150 PS and 400 Nm of torque, the two new variants’ list of features are similar to the 2.7 SRZ high-spec model, which includes:
Bi-LED headlights with DRLs / LED combination taillights
18-inch alloy wheels
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
7 airbags
Automatic air-conditioning
Leather seats
Powered back door
LED-type fog lamps (new)
Cruise control (new)
Downhill Assist Control (DAC)
Rear disc brakes
Optitron instrument panel with 4.2-inch colour TFT-LCD screen
Eight-way powered driver’s seat
Eight-inch touchscreen
Reverse camera
Also new are the optional TRD Sportivo bodykit, a panoramic view monitor, as well as a blind spot monitor.
Toyota Hilux
The best-selling pickup truck in Malaysia doesn’t get any new variants, but standard equipment have been improved. New features include:
Cruise control
LED foglamps (2.8G only)
Automatic air-conditioning
USB charging ports
Rear air-cond vent
Vehicle Stability Control
Hill-start Assist Control
Action Traction Control
Downhill Assist Control
7 Airbags
Toyota Innova 2.0X
The Innova now gets a 2.0X variant which is the flagship of the range. Featuring a crossover-ish sense of styling, the new variant gets whatever that is offered in the 2.0G, plus a few exclusive items such as:
LED lights
Premium combination leather package
6-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat
Captain’s seats for the second row and larger alloy rims
The entire Innova range now qualifies for the maximum 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating as all variants – including the new Innova 2.0X – are fitted with:
7 SRS airbags
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
ABS with EBD and BA
The prices of the new variants are yet to be announced, but all models are offered with 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage, subject to terms and conditions (Hilux warranty is 5-year warranty with 150,000km mileage).


ETCM offers flood relief programme to Nissan customers caught in Klang Valley flash floods

Following the flash floods that hit the Klang Valley just last week, Edaran Tan Chong Motors (ETCM) has launched a program to help those owners who were affected- whether it’s as minor as an ECU that needs to be dried out, or as major as an engine overhaul and interior reupholstering.
The breakdown of the program is as follows:
1. 25 percent discount on Nissan genuine spare parts on affected Nissan vehicles.
2. 25 percent discount on labour charges on affected Nissan vehicles.
3. Free towing on affected vehicles of up to RM150.
4. Upholstery restoration with special rate at RM1,590 (including GST)
The program will run on until the 30
th
 of June 2016, and ETCM is hoping that affected owners can send their cars in as quickly as possible to begin restoration work.


VW Jetta Mk6 To Live On In China Under A New, Separate JETTA Sub-Brand

The Volkswagen Jetta as we know it is no more. The model line has been discontinued across all markets except North America, which sells an all-new Mexico-made, MQB platform-based Jetta Mk7 but that model is made exclusively for the North American market.
Just when we thought the Mk6 Jetta has been retired for good, Volkswagen China announced yesterday that it is launching a new China-only JETTA brand (now in capitals), aimed at consumers in lesser developed Chinese cities.
That’s right, the Jetta nameplate has been elevated to the status of a car brand. Two models – a sedan and an SUV - will be launched, both made by FAW-VW, one of the two local joint ventures operated by Volkswagen there.
The sedan is of course, a modified version of the Mk6 Jetta while the SUV is clearly based on the Seat Ateca, a sister-car to the Volkswagen Tiguan. Production will begin in Chengdu in the third quarter of this year.
Jürgen Stackmann, Member of the Volkswagen brand Board of Management responsible for Sales, says: “With JETTA, we are closing the gap between the established VW lead brand in the top volume segment and entry-level mobility, which accounts for about one third of the Chinese market and is served mainly by local brands. This way, we will significantly increase our market coverage.”
Explaining the decision to make the Jetta nameplate into a brand, Stackmann said “In China, the Jetta plays an extremely valuable role for us as a Volkswagen model. It has brought mobility for the masses, just like the Beetle once did in Europe. Developed by Volkswagen and built in China, the Jetta China has placed China on four wheels. To this day, it is one of Volkswagen’s most popular models in China – a real icon. This is why we are transforming a model into a brand for the first time in the history of Volkswagen and establishing a separate model and brand family.”
The JETTA brand will have its own dealer network that’s separate from the namesake Volkswagen brand. The brand aims to have about 200 JETTA dealers by the end of this year.
“With the introduction of JETTA, the Volkswagen umbrella brand will be able to position itself even more clearly as “top of volume” with its vehicles and to further sharpen its profile. In addition, with this offering specially tailored to the needs of the Chinese market and developed together with FAW-Volkswagen, Volkswagen is forging ahead with the further regionalization of the market,” added Stackmann.
In other words, JETTA allows Volkswagen to expand into the lower priced segments without adding more drag to the Volkswagen brand, allowing the latter more freedom to pursue a higher, more premium image (but still more affordable than an Audi).
The Jetta as we remembered it to be.
Much of the development in China’s car market – still the largest in the world with 28 million cars sold last year – is centred on more developed coastal cities. However, a large portion of sales are now coming from the lesser developed inner cities in the western region of China, most of which are contributed by cheap domestic Chinese brands.
With the markets in developed Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou reaching saturation point, these so-called Tier-3 to Tier-5 cities in the inner regions of China offer tremendous growth potential for foreign brands like VW looking for their next phase of growth.


Stay Calm And Mind The MCO - State of Emergency Called Upon Only To Help Make Things Better

The good news is, the State of Emergency will not incur martial law.

After what felt like a turbulent morning due to the shocking announcement that Malaysia will go into a state of emergency, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's words at 11.00 am have reassured us that the state of emergency is merely here to help the health care system and will not affect everyday life.

Of course, the biggest relief came when Muhyiddin said that there would be no curfews or military rule in the country during this state emergency.

"The government will continue to function despite the emergency. The emergency proclaimed by the King is not a military coup and curfews will not be enforced," Tan Sri Muhyiddin said.

Due to last up until Aug 1, the state emergency basically restricts any form of politicking, including Parliament or state assembly sittings for the emergency duration.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that the emergency order would also mean that the King can make the necessary decrees to tackle the pandemic, including ordering private healthcare facilities to be taken over by the government if public hospitals are stretched.

If things improve and COVID-19 cases go down in numbers, the emergency can be withdrawn earlier than Aug 1 based on the King's judgement where he will seek advice from an independent committee, consisting of government and opposition MPs, as well as health experts.

But enough of that, because all that is important at the moment is that we try to help the health service and break the chain, so let's recap what we can and cannot do during this
MCO 2.0
 period.

Starting from midnight tonight, here are the rules that we must adhere to.

Johor, Melaka, Selangor, Penang, Sabah
 and the
Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya
 and
Labuan
 will be under the Movement Control Order until Jan 26.

In this period, the habitants in these mentioned states are not allowed to participate in social activities, including mass gatherings similar to measures during the first
MCO
 in March 2020. Interdistrict travel is also not allowed, and movement will only be limited to within a
10km radius
.

Two persons
per household are permitted to carry out necessities purchases from supermarkets and grocery stores. There's also this ruling where only two people are allowed per vehicle.

Perlis and Sarawak are the only two states that will have a relaxed order, as they have been classified as
Recovery MCO
.

Restaurants in states under full MCO are not allowed to provide
dine-in
 services; only
takeaways
 are allowed. Supermarkets, clinics and hospitals, pharmacies and banks will continue to operate but under close observation.

As for
religious activities
 in full MCO states, only a maximum of five people in places of worship is allowed. States under RMCO may continue as normal.

One of the biggest contrasts between the upcoming MCO and the original one from last year is that
outdoor exercise
 is allowed. Jogging and cycling is permitted, as long as it is kept to one person at the most.

A further detailed breakdown of the SOPs will be announced by Senior Minister, Ismail Sabri, which will probably clear up any confusion.


Tempahan Kereta Tertunggak Di Malaysia Melebihi 500,000 Unit

Tempahan tertunggak kereta di Malaysia ketika ini dipercayai mencecah lebih 500,000 unit berbanding 267,000 unit yang diumumkan oleh Kementerian Kewangan pada 20 Jun lalu.

Penganalisis HLIB Research, Daniel Wong, berkata jumlah
keseluruhan industri (TIV)
 untuk tahun ini diunjurkan meningkat ekoran jangkaan penghantaran tempahan tinggi yang berterusan pada bulan mendatang.

Penghantaran Tempahan Tinggi Disebabkan Tempahan Tertunggak

Wong turut menyatakan jangkaannya itu disokong oleh tempahan tertunggak yang besar untuk pengeluar peralatan asli (OEM) utama seperti Perodua, Proton, Honda, Toyota serta jenama lain.

Disebabkan itu, beliau berkata Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) turut meningkatkan jangkaan TIV kepada 630,000 bagi 2022 berbanding 600,000 sebelum ini.

"Kami menganggarkan tempahan tertunggak industri ketika ini melonjak kepada lebih 500,000 unit berbanding 267,000 unit yang dinyatakan semasa pengumuman Kementerian Kewangan mengenai pengecualian Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan (SST) berakhir untuk tempahan baharu menjelang 30 Jun 2022 masih terpakai untuk penghantaran kenderaan sebelum 31 Mac 2023," katanya.

Meskipun jangkaan pemulihan TIV berterusan sehingga akhir tahun dengan disokong oleh paras tempahan tertunggak yang tinggi, Wong berkata pihaknya masih mengekalkan penarafan 'neutral' bagi sektor automotif dan menjangkakan TIV akan menjadi perlahan pada 2023.

Jualan Industri Meningkat 33%

Perodua mengekalkan kedudukan utamanya dengan penguasaan pasaran sebanyak 38.4%, manakala tempahan tertunggak terkini mereka mencecah lebih
243,000 unit.

Model terbaharu mereka, Perodua Alza 2022 telah menerima lebih 30,000 tempahan dan Perodua komited untuk menyiapkan 26,000 unit sebulan bagi memenuhi tempahan tertunggak menjelang 31 Mac 2023.

Sementara itu,
Proton
 pula menjangkakan untuk meningkatkan penghantarannya pada separuh kedua 2022, sekali gus membolehkan pengeluar kereta nasional itu mencapai sasaran jualan antara 136,000 hingga 150,000 unit.

Ketika Ini, tempahan tertunggak Proton melebihi 150,000 unit dibantu oleh permintaan yang menggalakkan daripada pengguna. Proton juga komited untuk memenuhi tempahan tertunggak bagi model sedia ada sebelum memperkenalkan model Geely baharu pada tahun hadapan.

Industri automotif menjual 331,386 unit bagi tempoh Januari hingga Jun tahun ini, melonjak 33% berbanding 249,178 unit yang dicatatkan tempoh sama tahun lalu. Angka tersebut disumbangkan oleh:

Kenderaan penumpang: 293,540 unit

Kenderaan komersial 37,846 unit

MAA menyemak naik unjuran
TIV bagi 2022 kepada 630,000 unit
 bersandarkan jangkaan pemulihan ekonomi Malaysia yang berterusan selepas merekodkan prestasi memberangsangkan pada suku pertama 2022.

Unjuran angka TIV lebih baik tahun ini juga akan dipacu oleh pengenalan model baharu dan kenderaan elektrik penuh yang ditawarkan pada harga berpatutan dan kompetitif yang bakal terus menarik minat pelanggan.


Nine Tritons to Carry Mitsubishi Flag at Borneo Safari 2016

With this year’s edition of the Borneo Safari just around the corner, all the participating manufacturers are in the midst of adding the final touches to their machines that will be taking part.
That said, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) announced that it will be joining in the fray with four Triton 4X4 pick-up trucks, with two of it being the
New Triton with MIVEC Turbo Diesel
Engine.
Unlike last year where MMM participated with only one unit of the Triton, it has upped the ante this year with three more units.
Out of the four
Tritons
, one will be a corporate vehicle piloted by local motorsports talent Leona Chin, plus a media vehicle which will be handled by members of the press.
It is said that an additional five Tritons belonging to private owners will also be joining the convoy, bringing the total of Mitsubishi Triton vehicles participating in the Borneo Safari to nine.
The participating Tritons are being outfitted with the compulsory equipment such as winch, protection bars, recovery points, extreme tires, suspension and also snorkels.  According to MMM, the tires for the Triton are also sponsored by global tire company, Giti tyres.
The Borneo Safari will take place from 30 October – 6 November in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, covering 1000 km of some of the most challenging and varied off-road terrains in the world.
Looking for a Mitsubishi? Find one now at
Carlist.my


Thankfully, No Flying Cars For Malaysia. Minister Confuses Flying Cars With VTOL Vehicles

After enduring nearly two months of confusion, we can now breathe a sigh of relief as Malaysia is not attempting to produce any flying cars.
The idea of a Malaysia-made flying car was mooted by Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Redzuan Md Yusof early this year. In his numerous interviews with the press, Redzuan repeatedly mentioned the term ‘flying car,’ claiming that a prototype had already been developed at the cost of RM 1 million.
As expected, the announcement quickly descended into a public relations mess as citizens expressed their disbelief with the initiative.
The minister however, stood firm and earlier this month challenged the public to visit the LIMA 2019 maritime and aviation exhibition in Langkawi to view the prototype for themselves.
The ‘prototype’ was indeed put on display at LIMA, but it turned out to be a scale model. It’s certainly not a flying car but a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle.
To be clear, a flying car will have to, as its name suggests, the ability to both fly and drive on the road. To be able to drive on the road the vehicle will of course, need to have tyres, or wheels of some sort, which the scale model doesn’t have.
Instead, the scale model clearly depicts a VTOL vehicle, which depending on your perspective, can be best explained as a scaled down electric-powered helicopter or a scaled up drone with passenger carrying capabilities.
Volocopter air taxi concept, funded by Daimler
More importantly, the strategic partner that developed the concept Aerodyne refuted the idea that its Vector display concept was for a flying car. Instead, Aerodyne told Bernama that its Vector is a point-to-point air transportation system.
Aerodyne said a working prototype will be ready by June. It should also be noted that Aerodyne never said that the display was a prototype. It was the minister who said that. It is a lesson in public relations - on why you shouldn't allow a third party, especially a government official, to set the tone for your company's communications.
It was very unfortunate that the minister’s public relations blunder has casted a bad light on Aerodyne’s efforts, which should be applauded by all Malaysians. There’s nothing unusual about a local company wanting to develop a VTOL vehicle as such concepts are already being explored by brilliant minds all over the world.
Daimler had recently invested USD 30 million in German VTOL air taxi startup Volocopter while Uber had established the Uber Elevate division to produce a working VTOL vehicle concept, to be used as a self-flying air taxi. To avoid complications with air traffic controls, these VTOL air taxis will fly autonomously along a specific route, hence the explanation by Aerodyne that it’s a point-to-point air transportation system.
Terrafugia flying car
Flying cars are not impossible. There have been working examples of flying cars since the 1920s. However the final results are at best, interesting curiosities.
This is because light planes take off at around 100 km/h while a car’s aerodynamics need to work in an opposite manner from plane in order to make the car stick to the ground at high speeds. Ignoring this basic fundamentals of aerodynamics and attempting to make a flying car is just foolish, resulting in a car that’s barely manoeuvrable on the road, incapable of decent speeds with lacklustre flying range.
Which is why the brilliant minds at Daimler (which used to make airplane engines) don’t bother with flying cars but instead invests in Volocopter’s VTOL air taxi concept. Notice in the video below that never once did the term ‘flying car’ was used.
Now that we have established that VTOL vehicles have nothing to do with cars, we hope that MITI can announce the
new National Automotive Policy
 soon and not get sidetracked by a completely irrelevant topic. Flying vehicles of any type are under the purview of aviation authorities.


Volvo Stops Car Deliveries/Sales In Russia. First Of Many Automakers?

Both Volvo’s passenger car and commercial truck division have released statements confirming that they would cease all business in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine until further notice.

This would involve the halting of all
vehicle sales
 (Volvo Car AB), deliveries and shipments bound for Russia as well as, in the case of truck-maker Volvo AB, manufacturing within its borders.

“Considering the potential risks associated with trading material with Russia,” Volvo said, “including the sanctions imposed by the E.U. and U.S., Volvo Cars will not deliver any cars to the Russian market until further notice.”

Volvo is therefore the first to impose such a sweeping halt as other sanctions aimed at Moscow take effect, mostly from the United States and the European Union, but it is very likely to be the first of many. Volvo’s expressed disavowal of Russia’s military actions is especially noteworthy given the Swedish automaker is
owned by a Chinese conglomerate
.

President Xi Jinping of China, while not voicing his support of the conflict, is in opposition to the aforementioned sanctions by the US and EU in reaction to the invasion. He has also been one of the few heads of state that has maintained a close political relationship with Vladimir Putin.

In 2021, Volvo Cars sold around 9,300 vehicles in Russia, which is only approximately 1% of the total passenger cars sold there last year across all automakers. Its sudden absence from the market will likely not impact buyers there, but it shouldn’t be long before other automakers follow Volvo’s lead.

One example of this is General Motors, which sold around 3,000 vehicles last year (a mix of Chevrolets and Cadillacs). They have also confirmed a ceasing of business there, citing external factors including supply chain issues.

Petrochemical giants Shell
 and BP have also abandoned all their Russian operations, investments, and contracts, including those pertaining to major liquefied natural gas plants, leaving behind projected revenues that measure in the tens of billions of dollars for 2022.

This is a major blow to the Russian economy whose largest export is crude oil. According to The Moscow Times in 2019, the country’s Natural Resources and Environment Ministry estimates that the combined worth of its oil, gas and natural resource production amounts to 60% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Russia’s stock market has expectedly plummeted following the Ukrainian invasion with much of the financial world rescinding its business dealings with Russian banks, slowly isolating the country on multiple fronts as its military advances on Ukrainian soil.


2017 All-New Volkswagen Tiguan- From RM 149k, Coming This April

It's no secret that the Volkswagen Tiguan has been on its way here for a while, but Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has finally previewed the car today without any camouflage on.
The singular powertrain offering for our local Tiguan will be the 1.4 TSI paired with a 6-speed wet-clutch DSG that sends power purely to the front wheels. There will be two variants available: the Comfortline, and the higher-spec Highline. The Tiguan will be assembled at Pekan and benefits from EEV incentives.
The pricing is highly attractive for these two models. While there can be no firm pricing until its launch in April, VPCM estimates that the Tiguan Comfortline will go for RM 149,000, while the Tiguan Highline will go for RM 169,000.
For early birds, there will be an extra RM 7,000 taken off the price as well, but even without the early bird offers the Tiguan is highly competitive within its segment provided that it can come in at the estimated price.
Let's run through the specifications quickly. The model on display here is the Highline, but if you opt for the lower priced Comfortline you will get:
17" Montana Alloy Wheels
Park Distance Control
Automatic Rain and Light Sensors
LED Tail Lamps
Black Roof Rails
Fabric Interior
Multifunction Colour Premium Display
8" Touch Screen with Bluetooth, SD Card, USB and Aux-In functionality
8 Speakers
Paddle Shifters
If you opt for the top-spec Highline as shown here, you will also get:
18" Kingston Alloy Wheels
Park Assist 3.0
Full LED Headlamps and DRLs
Silver Roof Rails
Electric Tailgate
Leather Interior
12.3" Active Info Display (an LCD screen that replaces the instrument cluster)
3-Zone Climatronic Air-conditioning
Navigation
Interior Ambient Lighting
Rear View Camera

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 As you can see the spec list between the two sports some fairly major differences, although it's unlikely that you'd be left wanting for more if you pick the Comfortline instead. The new Tiguan sits on the MQB platform that also underpins the 7th generation Golf, which means it is poised to be quite an impressive product.
The new Tiguan is also wider, lower, and longer than the outgoing model- perhaps a little sleeker and a little less utilitarian, but we like the styling direction and the incorporation of the more current Volkswagen design elements.


VIDEO: New James Bond Trailer Reveals A Lot More Aston Martin DB10 Action

Following a very enticing but largely ambiguous first teaser, the 24
th
 James Bond film, called Spectre, now has more of its plot and characters revealed with the second trailer. However, we are most grateful for the extended look Bond’s new
Aston Martin
 DB10.
We’ve seen it on some amateur footage
during the filming stint in Rome
, and even a
behind-the-scenes look
 at the production team filming those very scenes, but those still left us wanting a more detailed, more thrilling look at the car. And that’s what we have now.
The new trailer is masterfully done, revealing just right amount of story without sullying the experience when we do catch the full movie later this year. We see Bond in Mexico City, meeting old enemies, and more intrigue than the usual fare.
Back to the car, we see a lot of it. A number of jumps and customary chase scenes involving a
baddie in a Jaguar C-X75
. Also, the in-movie reveal with Q explaining to James – “0-60 in 3.2 seconds. A few little tricks up her sleeve.”
Tricks; including what looks to be either a rear-facing flame thrower, or even cooler, an afterburner to get out of those tight spots quickly. Very Batmobile-like. Without falling back into the gadget-fest that pre-Casino Royale Bond cars were known for, this new Aston Martin looks to strike the right balance. As we’ve said before, we can’t wait.


Festive Travel Tips from Ford – 24 PLUS Highway R&R Stops Listed

Every year without fail, the festive periods see massive spikes in the number of road users plying long distance routes heading to visit loved ones back in their hometowns. Forced to cope with sudden increases in traffic volumes, highways and trunk roads across the country become clogged up and the result is delays for everyone.
If you’ve been wondering recently that the problem has been worsening, you’re not alone in harbouring such thoughts. In a recent survey of Malaysian drivers commissioned by
Ford Motor Company
, 55 percent of respondents said that they spent more time in gridlocks compared to a year ago.
Here are some tips proposed by Ford to help make your already tiring journey a little bit easier and safer:
Plan Your Travels:
Seasonal traveling time advisories issued by highway authorities a few weeks before the start of holidays can help you avoid the worst of congestion.
The tech savvy ones among us can call on the help of Waze and Google Maps to help us navigate based on live traffic data.
Remember, getting stuck in a traffic jam wastes fuel unnecessarily.
Drive Smoothly:
Smooth throttle inputs not only ensure a more comfortable trip for your passengers, but also optimizes your fuel consumption. Avoid full throttle acceleration unless absolutely necessary.
Reckless speeding endangers the lives of yourself and other people around you. Maintain a sensible speed relative to vehicles around you.
Rest Areas:
Malaysia’s highway network has very well-equipped rest areas throughout. The bigger ones offer extensive facilities such as eateries, ATMs, washrooms, and prayer rooms.
Stop at the nearest rest area as soon as you feel fatigued.
If possible, plan your stops at regular intervals. Stopping too frequently delays your journey unnecessarily, and the excessive number of starting and stopping adds to your fuel consumption.
For those of you using the PLUS Highway, the following list of rest areas should prove helpful in your journey planning:
Northbound (from North to South):
KM 81.1 (N) – Gurun
KM 196.0 (N) – Gunung Semanggol
KM 249.3 (N) – Sg Perak
KM 332.3 (N) – Tapah
KM 440.0 (N) – Rawang
KM 23.5 (Elite) – Dengkil
KM 272.2 (S) – Seremban
KM 205.1 (S) – Ayer Keroh
KM 146.6 (S) – Pagoh
KM 74.6 (S) – Machap
KM 5.7 (S) – Gelang Patah
Southbound (from North to South)
KM 80.6 (N) – Gurun
KM 194.6 (N) – Gunung Semanggol
KM 249.3 (N) – Sg Perak
KM 331.2 (N) – Tapah
KM 398.8 (N) – Ulu Bernam
KM 23.1 (Elite) – Dengkil
KM 274.4 (S) – Seremban
KM 209.9 (S) – Ayer Keroh
KM 135.5 (S) – Pagoh
KM 74.7 (S) – Machap
KM 4.9 (S) – Gelang Patah


2015 Ford Everest Makes Its ASEAN Debut In Production Form

Ford’s
 new
Everest
 SUV has made its return to the ASEAN region at the 2015 Bangkok International Motor Show, this time not as a concept, but as a production model. Unlike the previous generation Everest, Ford says that the new Everest shares very little with the Ranger pick-up truck, and it is far from utilising a
Ranger
 frame with a different body on top, as it was with its predecessor. Being a completely ground-up development, the Everest is a body-on-frame SUV with seating for seven, and is said to be more cantered towards occupant comfort whilst maintaining its rugged and capable nature.
Differences that lie beneath the skin of the new Everest, as compared to the Ranger, includes the use of a more comfortable and sophisticated independent rear coil sprung suspension with a Watt’s linkage for the Everest, as well as employing the use of a Terrain Management System.
Instead of a simple toggle to engage the low- and high-range gearbox and differential, the Terrain Management System takes over the task of managing the car’s parameters. With the system, drivers can switch between four settings, “Normal”, “Snow, Gravel, Grass”, “Sand”, and “Rock”, which would adjust the Everest’s throttle response, transmission, traction control, and intelligent four-wheel drive system accordingly. However if you still insist of keeping its mechanicals set to your preference, the Everest’s electronic locking rear differential can still be activated at the press of a button.
More Than a Truck
Whilst it may not boast the kind of features that is fitted to the facelifted Ranger, the Everest isn’t short on its share of unique features such as:
Curve Control
 – Reduces engine torque and applies four-wheel braking if it detects that the driver is entering a corner too quickly
Active Park Assist
 – Autonomous parking feature that uses the Everest electric power steering to steer the Everest into a parking spot, only requiring the driver to shift the gear selector, brake, and accelerate.
Roll Stability Control
 – Uses gyroscopic sensors to detect fast cornering or sharp swerving, selectively applying individual brakes to reduce the likelihood of a rollover.
Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert
 - Uses sensors to keep you aware of vehicle approaching in your blind spots, in both on the road, and coming out of parking situations.
Its refined passenger-oriented cabin comes with neat features such as an Active Noise Cancellation system with three interior microphones to pick-up interior noise, dual-zone climate control with air conditioning vents in every row, a flexible second-row seats with 60-40 split and power-folding third-row seats with 50-50 split, an 8-inch touchscreen fitted to a 10-speaker sound system with an integrated subwoofer, SYNC2 with voice control, a dual-panel powered moonroof over the first and second rows, and seven airbags.
Diesel Power only
Like the Ranger pick-up truck, the Everest will come in two guises. Topping the power offering is the 3.2L 5-cylinder Duratorq turbocharged diesel that produces 200PS and 470Nm of torque, and the 2.2L 4-cylinder Duratorq turbocharged diesel that makes do with 160PS and 385Nm of torque. Both engines can be paired with either a six-speed automatic or manual.
Bookings Open in Thailand
Bookings for the Everest is now open in Thailand with prices starting at THB 1,269,000 (RM 142,446) for the 2.2L Titanium 4x2, and up to THB 1,599,000 (RM 179,488) (for the range-topping 3.2L Titanium+ 4x4), with customer deliveries set to start in Thailand in the third quarter. According to Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the Everest will be making its Malaysian introduction around August, along with the facelifted Ranger.


2023 Tesla Model Y officially launched in Malaysia - 3 variants, from RM199k

Tesla has officially landed in Malaysia and to hit the ground running, they've launched the
2023 Tesla Model Y
.

Its very first public appearance here in the country will be this weekend at Pavillion KL, where the very first Tesla Supercharger station will be made available at the premium outlet's basement parking lot in the near future.

Going back to the Model Y, there will be three different variants on offer as we've reported before (
CLICK HERE
 to know more). The base RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) model with its single electric motor setup kicks things off with a price tag of RM199,000.

This is then followed by the two dual-electric motor variants, the Model Y Long Range and Model Y Performance. These are priced from RM246,000 and RM288,000 respectively. There are additional options that you can choose such as exterior colours, rims, Enhanced Autopilot, and the Full Self-Driving Capability.

There's also another reason why the launch was held at Pavillion KL. Tesla Malaysia has already installed the country's first indoor Tesla Supercharger station which consists of eight stations with a maximum power output of 250kW.

When connected to the Tesla Model Y, five minutes is enough to add 120km of driving distance. Set to be operational soon for all Tesla EV owners, Tesla Malaysia is also planning to build 10 more stations across the country for its initial stage.

Five of those will be placed within the Klang Valley area and the rest will be spread across the northern and southern regions. To know more about the Tesla Model Y, it'll be on showcase all weekend at Pavillion KL Centre Court.


VIDEO: BMW M3’s Mission Impossible Stunts Looked Real Because They Were

The fifth instalment of the Mission Impossible action spy film series is about to be released in theatres. Titled Rogue Nation, it sees Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, back for more high-stakes action. There are car chases too, as per the usual, and the studio has given us a look at how they were filmed.
To give Rogue Nation a grittier, more believable feel, director Christopher McQuarrie wanted to build on certain elements of previous film, Ghost Protocol. Namely, the inclusion of real stunts versus computer generated alternatives.
Cruise is known for his fondness of performing his own stunts, and the actor took to the sequences with gusto. The studio, Paramount Pictures, also wants to highlight this element of film realism and embedded the slogan, “Why do these stunts look real? Because they
are
real,” into their featurette.
The driving stunts, particularly those seen in the trailer were mostly shot through narrow Moroccan streets with Cruise at the wheel and co-star Simon Pegg sitting alongside, with the
BMW

M3
 actually taking the battering with both actors inside. Good thing they have multiple stunt cars
- we even
looked at
 one up close
.
Speaking of that M3, in some sequences we can spot the differences in rims. Perhaps the filmmakers felt the more common
3-Series
 wheels better coped with the bumpy Moroccan roads compared to 18-inchers normally fitted to the M3. Either way, they got the job done, and the stunts look great.


2017 Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Turbo Launched In Malaysia; 177PS, RM146k

The earlier-teased
Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI
 is now officially launched in the Malaysian market, uprating the C-segment SUV’s performance to match turbocharged peers such as the Volkswagen Tiguan and soon-to-come Honda CR-V 1.5 VTEC Turbo.
Following this launch, the Tucson is now available locally with a choice of three variants:
2.0 Elegance:
 RM133,888.00
2.0 Executive:
 RM146,888.00
1.6 T-GDI:
 RM149,890.47
Prices quoted are on-the-road with insurance.
Whilst the
naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre models
 produce 155PS and 192Nm channelled to the front wheels by a 6-speed conventional automatic transmission, the new Tucson 1.6 T-GDI generates a comparatively higher 177PS @ 5,500rpm and 265Nm @ 1,500 to 4,500rpm, sent also to the front wheels by a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.
Recapping on equipment levels, the existing 2.0-litre variants offer the following items:
2.0 Elegance
dual frontal airbags
electronic stability control
hill-start assist
halogen projector headlamps
rear fog lights
leather upholstery
steering-mounted controls
touchscreen
USB/Bluetooth
reverse camera
17-inch alloy wheels
2.0 Executive
side and curtain airbags
emergency video recorder(Executive only)
driver-side electric seat adjustment
smart keyless entry
auto cruise
satellite navigation
electronic parking brake
rear air-con vents.
New features to the
Tucson 1.6 T-GDI
 include LED headlamps with static cornering lights, powered tailgate, and front parking camera.
Standard rim sizing measures 17 inches like the 2.0-litre models, but 19-inch wheels are available as optional upgrades along with exterior bodykit and interior leather upholstery package in either red or white colour.
For aftersales, all variants of the Tucson are covered by a 3-year / 50,000km free service package together with Hyundai’s 5-year / 300,000km warranty; 24-hour road assist service is also available for all new and existing Hyundai vehicle owners.


Hyundai Elantra N debuts and guns straight for Type R territory

Following the introduction of the
2023 Hyundai Elantra facelift
 in February, Hyundai presented the updated
2024 Hyundai Elantra N
 version.

Presented at the Auto Shanghai 2023 motor show, the car carries the Avante name but don't be too confused as the Avante name is used for the Elantra back home in South Korea. For the rest of the world, it should be the Elantra and we can expect the N version will be identical.

Speaking of which, the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N comes with all the styling updates from the facelifted model but takes things up a few notches with some N-specific parts. The most noticeable upgrade is the set of 19-inch wheels and of course, the black badges.

The front end has also been given the Hyundai N treatment via a redesigned bumper with more colour coordination with the rest of the car. That red stripe is slightly more outstanding compared to the non-N Elantra as it goes around to the sides and rear, which is indeed a good overall look when paired with the very sleek-looking front lighting system.

For now, we're only able to see the exterior of the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N but it should be that drastic in terms of differences with the non-N version. What we're most curious about now is the powertrain.

The previous Elantra N comes in hot with a 2.0-litre Theta turbo petrol unit with 280 PS and 392 Nm of torque, paired with a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed DCT gearbox. We're hoping that Hyundai will bring some upgrades to bring the fight right into the Type R territory.


At RM115k Like Thailand, Would Malaysians Buy The 2022 Honda BR-V?

The second-generation Honda BR-V has now made its on-sale debut in Thailand following its initial ASEAN launch in Indonesia close to a full year ago. Armed with a refreshed design and Sensing active safety as standard, its 915,000 baht (or RM114k) starting price is a little worrying,
as we've previously speculated
.

Much about the all-new BR-V has already been discussed, such as the fact that, like the all-new City generation that’s now in showrooms, it can be thought about as rather thoroughly refreshed versions of their predecessors with platform and powertrains carried over lock stock.

2022 Honda BR-V For RM114k. No Thanks?

In the case of the
B-segment 7-seat contender
, its biggest leap forward is its much improved exterior design (subjective, yes) that looks generally classier and more mature. Inside, it benefits from a slightly extended wheelbase to boost cabin space even more - not that it was lacking before.

Length: 4,490mm (+34mm)

Width: 1,780mm (+45mm)

Height: 1,685mm (+19mm)

Wheelbase 2,695mm (+40mm)

Its feature set and standard equipment have also expanded significantly, and depending on how Honda Malaysia plays its hand, could have big implications for how well it’s received locally when our turn comes.

Even the baseline model is relatively loaded up with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail lights, LED daytime running lights, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Oh, and
Honda Sensing is also included
.

That’s the first time we’ve heard about that a B-segment Honda in this region offering non-negotiable active safety. Kudos for the inclusion, but does it warrant that steep a price bump?

2022 Honda BR-V: High Spec Only For Thailand

See, the BR-V costs between the equivalent of RM114k
and an eye-watering RM121k in Thailand
 with the Honda Sensing safety suite being the tentpole new feature and price justification. We can rule out any mechanical upgrades being a contributing factor since the engine/transmission package is pretty much unchanged.

Its relatively minor dimensional (overall length, width, height) increase is also negligible as it’s commonplace for every car, especially ones designed with versatility in mind, to be larger than the model it replaces.

Still, that starting price is around RM25k north of what a local buyer here expects to pay for an older model (but still brand new, technically, in Malaysia) BR-V 1.5 E and, in Thailand, a whopping ~RM40k more expensive
than the City Hatchback
, a car that’s built on the same platform and is powered by the same engine.

There’s a specific reason for that, though. See, unlike the majority of other models in Honda’s Thai selection,
the BR-V is fully imported from Indonesia
 instead of being locally assembled. This is puzzling as Honda was happy to let its predecessor roll out of their Ayutthaya plant north of Bangkok for years and years.

Being CBU and not CKD
, it’s subject to a bunch more taxation (just like in Malaysia) that would make it dearer on the wallet anyway. So, instead of going the
‘kosong spec’
 route to bring it closer to pricing parity with its rivals, the automaker decided to offer BR-V buyers as much standard equipment as they could cram in.

2022 Honda BR-V: Will It Win Over Thai Buyers?

It’s not just us who are alarmed by the BR-V’s steep pricing in Thailand - they are too. At least Honda won’t have to worry about too many challengers there as
there’s just the Mitsubishi Xpander
 and the Toyota Veloz.

The Mitsubishi, even in its most expensive GLS-LTD variation at around RM99k, might manage to hold its own in terms of mechanical specification and cosmetics flair but can’t really keep up with the BR-V in terms of tech and safety. Like the Honda, the Xpander too is fully imported from Indonesia but foregoes such luxuries to strategically retain shaper pricing.

The Veloz, known to us for being the higher-priced, better equipped, and jacked-up doppelgänger to the second-generation Perodua Alza, tries to be a fence-sitter. In Thailand, it predictably slots above the Xpander with a starting price of ~RM103k but is equally hamstrung by its CBU status.

Only the Premium variant can be legitimately compared to the new BR-V as that offers Toyota Safety Sense, more sophisticated cabin appointments, and modern connectivity options to match the Honda, but the penalty for that is a price tag of around RM108k.

Still, that’s some RM6,000 less
for the top-rung Veloz
 compared to what Thai buyers would be paying for a baseline BR-V 1.5E in Thailand. Meanwhile, the step-up 1.5EL is approximately RM13,000 more than the Toyota there. Suddenly the Honda proposition isn’t smelling too rosy.

2022 Honda BR-V: Could Be Cheaper In Malaysia?

Once it (hopefully) does hit Malaysian showrooms, we reckon the next-generation BR-V will indeed be more expensive than the current one we have now,
possibly bringing local pricing to start at RM100k or more
 just to account for the general tide of increased vehicle prices (due supply chain bottlenecks, more expensive raw materials) and buyer expectations for more features.

However, how high it might go will largely depend on whether the BR-V will be locally assembled in Pegoh, Melaka, or, like Thailand, be fully imported from Indonesia. If it's the latter, prices could mimic Thailand’s, but its success here could still be salvaged depending on the direction Honda Malaysia takes.

Keep it cheap-ish by cutting features and standard equipment, or position it as an ‘upgrade’
 from even the Xpander and the Veloz - both of which are CKD anyway - by packing it with all the bells and whistles?

Though we’d like to think that Honda Malaysia will move heaven and earth to offer the best cars for the most accessible prices to us, the regional bigwigs didn’t bother to make the concession for local assembly in Thailand, a much larger vehicle market. The precedent has already been set.

And unlike Thailand, Malaysian buyers do have an established larger selection of compact 7-seat MPVs to choose from, especially with the imminent launch of the aforementioned Veloz and the disruptive
arrival of the all-new Alza
.

In view of an escalating competitive landscape, a fully imported BR-V priced out of bounds
is perhaps a fight Honda Malaysia might be better off walking away from
.


Perodua Maintains Strong Sales From January Through April 2019

Through the month of April alone, there were over 7,700 Myvis, 5,900 Axias, 4,200 Bezzas, and 1,100 Alzas sold. To put that into perspective, that is over 200 customers putting money down on brand-new Myvis every single day, which is mind boggling when you really think about it. Perodua's sales momentum has stayed strong through the first four months of the year - a surprising fact considering that it was previously through their surges in sales were from the launch of the all-new Myvi and the tax holiday through last year.
But no, it seems that Malaysians still have a happy appetite for Perodua's well packaged products - so much so that sales from January to April of 2019 are 9.5% higher than the same period in 2018. That's 82,700 units, for those who are counting. While the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) hasn't yet released total industry tally data, Perodua believes their market share stands at a staggering 43%.
What does it take to move over 82,700 units? Roughly RM 1.8 billion alone in component purchasing, which of course trickles down and along the economy benefitting not just supplies directly, but their raw material suppliers, employees, the families of their employees, and the towns these factories are set up in. This also puts Perodua on target to their expected purchasing target of RM 5.4 billion this year.
As for the Aruz, which wasn't mentioned earlier, it is still performing as healthily as you would expect given its pricing. 9,800 units have been delivered since the 31st of January, with nearly 20,000 recorded bookings since launch. April alone so 3,200 units of the Aruz being moved, so you can see Perodua is working as hard as they can to fulfil those bookings. But of course, the star of Perodua's range continues to be the Myvi, which has seen 115,000 units moved since the third generation was launched back in November of 2017.
Find the best deals for a new Perodua
here
.


Audi To Present Newest Illumination Tech At Frankfurt

For the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, or IAA as they call it (which stands for Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung),
Audi
 is preparing to show the world its newest advancement in automotive lighting technology.
It builds on the Matrix OLED system they unveiled in 2013, an advancement that further opens more avenues for creative design opportunities to accompany the overall technological refinement. Audi is also building that into production tail lights, also planning to show that off on a concept car at Frankfurt this year.
Most of us are very familiar with the acronym LED or ‘light emitting diode’, but the O prefix stands for ‘organic’. In each OLED unit, two electrodes have multiple very thin in-built layers of organic semiconductor materials.
A low voltage of between three or four volts activates the electroluminescent layers that emit different colours based on the molecular composition of the light source. Traditional LEDs are point light sources that are comprised of semiconductor crystals, while OLEDs are flat light sources.
Being as such, these light beams cast no shadow, don’t require reflectors, cooling, or any other optical focusing elements, making the spatial overhead very low when implementing the technology for automotive use, such as for a headlight. Their efficiency and light weight and maintenance-free is also a boon.
With progress on OLED technology moving rapidly, turn signals and brakes lights will be inheriting this technology as well. In due time, the glass sheets that encase the organic material will be replaced by lighter and more compact plastic film that can better lend themselves to three-dimensional forming processes and a wide variety of design possibilities.
The illuminated sub-surfaces of an OLED panel have very defined boundaries between each other, and it’s one of the distinguishing features of Audi’s own spin on the technology, resulting in the Matrix OLED that supplements Audi’s Matrix LED and Matrix Laser lighting technologies.


Cermin Berkabus? – Apa Fungsi Jalur Melintang Pada Cermin Belakang?

Pernahkah anda memandu dengan keadaan cermin yang berkabus? Ada cara untuk
hilangkan kabus pada cermin kereta anda
.

Ada banyak perkara yang boleh menyebabkan
cermin kereta
 anda berkabus. Sebagai contoh, sekiranya pendingin hawa anda rosak dan ketika itu hujan lebat di luar, udara luar sejuk yang bertemu dengan udara suam di dalam kereta akan menyebabkan cermin kereta berkabus. Cermin kereta berkabus akan membantutkan penglihatan pemandu dan berisiko untuk terlibat dalam kemalangan.

Sebagai penyelesaian, ada yang bertindak mengelap cermin dengan kain lap, tisu mahupun baju sendiri. ‘Desperate problem call for desperate solution,’ bak kata mat salleh. Sebelum anda menanggalkan baju untuk mengelap cermin bagi mendapatkan penglihatan yang lebih jelas, gunakan sahaja fungsi pemanas cermin pada kereta.

Untuk menghilangkan kabus pada cermin belakang, cari butang yang seperti di dalam gambar dan tekan butang tersebut untuk aktifkan pemanas cermin belakang anda. Kebiasaannya, logo pemanas cermin ini berbentuk segi empat bersama tiga anak panah di bahagian tengah.

Jika anda perasan, kebanyakan kereta mempunyai jalur melintang pada cermin belakang. Jalur ini bukanlah hiasan semata-mata untuk membuatkan cermin anda kelihatan menarik. Jalur melintang tersebut merupakan jalur pemanas atau digelar defogger. Jalur tersebut diperbuat daripada filamen elektrik yang berfungsi untuk memanaskan cermin sekaligus melesapkan kabus di cermin anda.

Dengan cara ini, anda tidak perlu lagi untuk kelam-kabut untuk mengelap cermin belakang ketika memandu. Kalau ada penumpang tu tak mengapalah, boleh juga mereka tolong. Tapi kalau anda memandu berseorangan, macam mana tu?

Kebiasaannya, pemanas ini lebih kerap digunakan di kawasan beriklim sejuk berbanding kawasan tropika. Tapi tidak bermakna anda perlu mengabaikan ciri ini. Bukan apa, ianya memudahkan anda juga. Kalau sebelum ni tak tahu, sekarang dah tahu. Sebarkan pada yang tidak tahu agar tiada yang bersilat untuk mengelap cermin belakang ketika memandu pada masa hadapan.

Selain itu, cermin hadapan pun ada defogger juga. Tapi ianya bukanlah di dalam bentuk jalur seperti cermin belakang. Sebaliknya, defogger ini berbentuk lubang seakan-akan rongga pada bahagian bawah cermin sepanjang dashboard kereta anda. Dengan cara ini, penglihatan anda tidak akan terganggu dengan jalur-jalur melintang seperti yang terdapat di cermin belakang kereta anda.

Untuk menghilangkan kabus pada cermin hadapan, aktifkan mod kitaran udara luar dengan menekan butang berlogo seperti di didalam gambar. Dengan cara ini, udara segar dari luar akan masuk ke dalam kereta sekaligus memberikan udara kepada cermin hadapan kereta anda. Kemudian, aktifkan butang ‘floor and demister vents’ bagi menghalakan udara ke cermin hadapan bagi membasmi kabus.

Sedikit info tambahan, selain cermin belakang, pernahkah anda perasan bitnik-bintik hitam di penghujung keseluruhan
cermin kereta
 anda? Titik-titik tersebut bukanlah hiasan semata-mata. Ia mempunyai fungsi lain.

Apabila cermin kereta dibengkokkan ke dalam bentuk terakhir ketika berada di dalam proses pembuatan, titik-titik hitam tersebut dipanaskan bagi membolehkan kaca menjadi lebih lentur. Titik tersebut cenderung untuk menjadi panas lebih cepat daripada kaca yang membantu menyebarkan haba dan menghalang tingkap daripada pecah ketika proses pemanasan.

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Bankrupt Sri Lanka Almost Out Of Fuel

Sri Lanka is in crisis as they are down to their very last 15,000 tons of petrol and diesel.

When Sri Lanka installed a new prime minister in May, he warned that the country would soon run out of fuel. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said back in May that the government needs US 75 million (RM329.23 million) in foreign exchange to
pay off debts
, including oil shipments.

Well, the day of crisis has arrived as a top government minister said that the country is down to its last 15,000 tons of petrol and diesel and will only use them to keep essential services running in the coming days.

Picture credit: CNN

According to The Star, the island is under its worst financial crisis in seven decades. As a result, foreign exchange reserves are at record lows, leaving it scrambling to pay for essential imports, including fuel, food, and medicine.

"We are struggling to find suppliers. They are reluctant to accept letters of credit from our banks. There are over $700 million in overdue payments, so now suppliers want advance payments," said Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, as reported by The Star.

"We have about 9,000 tons of diesel and 6,000 tons of petrol left. We are doing everything we can to get new stocks, but we don't know when that will be."

People are already waiting in long queues outside pumps, but they are unlikely to get fuel as the government will focus on issuing the remaining stocks for public transport, power generation, and medical services, Wijesekera said.

In a desperate move, Sri Lanka announced that it would send its ministers to Russia and Qatar in an attempt to get cheap oil prices a day after the country stopped selling fuel to the public.

Since the beginning of the year, diesel prices have risen almost four times, while gas prices have nearly tripled. According to Wijesekera, there will be an uncertain delay in sending new oil supplies.

He urged vehicle owners not to queue until the government introduced a token system for a limited number of vehicles on a daily basis.

In the meantime, the government has asked about one million public employees to work from home until further notice.

Why is Sri Lanka in such bad shape?

According to the BBC, Sri Lanka is in crisis as its foreign currency reserves have virtually run dry, and it can no longer afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel.

The government blames the Covid pandemic, which affected Sri Lanka's tourist trade - one of its biggest foreign currency earners. It also says tourists have been frightened by a series of deadly bomb attacks on churches in 2019.

However, many experts say economic mismanagement is to blame.


LA 2017: New Mazda 6 – 2.5 Turbo, 6-Speed Manual, But Not Both Together

A heavily-facelifted version of the Mazda 6 makes its
debut at the 2017 Los Angeles International Motor Show
. Updates to the car include the introduction of a new 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol variant, improved cabin materials, as well as thoroughly revised chassis dynamics for better ride comfort and refinement.
Implementing new design cues as previewed in the
Vision Coupe concept
 shown at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, the evolved Mazda 6 sports a newer more pronounced grille that emphasizes a lowered centre of gravity and widened stance. LED headlamps are standard, and new rim designs in 17- and 19-inch diameters continues Mazda’s curious practice of offering rim sizes two inches apart.
Inside, a heavily redesigned cabin carries over only its steering wheel and small trim pieces from the current model. The fully revamped dashboard stretches horizontally to give an added sense of width. The seats too, have been redesigned, the ones in front being wider and inserted with high-density vibration-absorbing urethane foam for better long-distance comfort.
Also new to the Mazda 6, at least where the North American market is concerned, is a high-spec Signature trim which sees the car finished with premium materials such as Nappa leather, UltraSuede NU, and Sen wood accents.
Introduction of the new high-grade Signature model is said to be inspired by the successful implementation of this trim level with the US-spec
CX-9
. According to Mazda, the CX-9 Signature trim sold more than double the projected amounts and was even successful in luring existing consumers of established luxury brands.
In the engine room, Mazda brings its new
turbocharged SkyActiv-G 2.5T
 powertrain from the
CX-9
 into the 6, thus blessing the D-segment flagship with outputs of 250 hp and 420 Nm. The engine is paired with Mazda’s 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmission as standard.
As explained in our past stories of the CX-9, the SkyActiv turbo engine adopts a unique Dynamic Pressure Turbo system that instead of needing complicated variable geometry vanes, varies the pressure of exhaust pulses going into the turbocharger with a valve akin to how you’d accelerate the flow of water out of a
garden hose by squeezing it
.
Alternatively, the existing 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine continues to be offered as an option, but significantly upgraded with reduced internal friction and thus improved efficiency and refinement. As a notable segment rarity, the 2.5 NA engine is offered with a choice between 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.
Unique to the North American market, Mazda has equipped the automatic versions of the atmospheric-breathing SkyActiv-G engine with cylinder de-activation that shuts down the outer two cylinders when cruising at steady speed between 40 and 80 km/h. A centrifugal pendulum embedded in the torque converter of the 6-speed automatic transmission serves to counteract unpleasant vibrations when the engine is firing on only two cylinders.
Further finetuning an already well-engineered chassis, Mazda engineers have provided the 6 with additional structural reinforcements, thicker sheet metal at the rear wheel wells, reinforced chassis bracing, and even thicker rear suspension trailing arms for better quietness and refinement. Additionally, the steering rack is now rigidly-mounted to the chassis for heightened response and feel.
Other features on offer in the new 6 include 360-degree camera, reconfigurable 7.0” TFT virtual instrument cluster, 8.0” Mazda Connect infotainment, radar-guided cruise control, and heads-up display projected directly to the windscreen.
The newly re-engineered and refined Mazda 6 is expected to go on sale in the North American market from Spring 2018 onwards.


Hyundai Elantra Facelift Launched – From RM 109,888

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motor (HSDM) has officially introduced the Elantra facelift, with prices starting from RM 109,888 for the lone 2.0 Executive variant.
Yes, HSDM has dropped the naturally-aspirated 2.0 Dynamic and turbocharged 1.6 Sport variants of the Elantra, now offering the facelifted model exclusively with the 2.0 Executive variant. The sole variant is locally-assembled at HSDM's facility in Kulim, Kedah.
As before, the facelifted Elantra sports a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that does 152 PS and 192 Nm, paired to a six-speed automatic.
Standard equipment on the updated Elantra includes:
6 airbags
ABS with EBD
Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
Automatic projector halogen headlights
LED daytime running lights
17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tires
Leather upholstery
3.5-inch mono LCD Supervision display
7-inch touchscreen head unit
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Rear view camera
The facelifted Hyundai Elantra is available in five colours – Fiery Red, Fluid Metal, Phantom Black, Polar White, and Teal Blue. For a limited time, the facelifted model can be had with Stargazing Blue and Sparkling Metal.
A 5-year or 300,000 km warranty (whichever comes first) is included on all new Hyundai vehicles. In addition to that, HSDM is also offering a 24-hour road assist service to new and existing Hyundai owners.
Looking for a Hyundai Elantra? Check out the best deals
here
.


Could The Johor Royal Family Receive A Ferrari LaFerrari Soon?

Tunku Idris, who is the Tunku Temenggong of Johor recently posted this photo of a blue Ferrari LaFerrari along with the caption “Soon.” on his official Instagram account, possibly indicating that the highly exotic hybrid hypercar could very well be on its way to the Johor royal family.
This is certainly exciting news because only 499 LaFerraris will ever be built and should it become the latest addition in the royal family’s fleet of lust worthy vehicles where part of it was seen
exiting the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur not too long ago
.
Focusing our attention back on the Ferrari, and it is one stunning machine. The 6.3-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine produces 789hp and 700Nm and is supplemented by a HY-KERS unit for a total output of 949hp and 900Nm of torque.
With a top speed exceeding 350 km/h and a century sprint time in under three seconds, the LaFerrari has has lapped the Italian carmaker’s Fiorano Test Circuit with a time of 1:19.70 which is faster than any other road-legal car Ferrari has ever produced.
Other exotic machinery that the Johor royal family own include a Bugatti Veyron, McLaren P1, and many more.


Frankfurt 2015: Brabus Lays Its Hands On The Mercedes-AMG GT S, Now Produces 600HP, 750Nm

“You can never have enough power, especially in a sports car.” That’s Brabus’ philosophy and it continues with their new tuning kit for the
Mercedes-AMG GT S
, which will make its world premiere at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
With a simple ECU retune using Brabus’ aptly-named PowerXtra B40 – 600 performance kit, the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine in the stock GT S gets a new injection and ignition mapping while the boost pressure is moderately increased. As a result, 600hp at 6,400 rpm and a peak torque of 750Nm at 4,800 rpm, is now made available to the driver, representing a 90hp/100Nm increase.
This bumps the performance of the GT S noticeably with the century sprint accomplished in just 3.6 seconds (0.2 seconds faster) and a higher top speed of 325 km/h (15 km/h more). This significant gain in power doesn’t come at the expense of Mother Earth either because the Brabus-tuned version complies with the same strict emissions standards as the production car.
Aside from the ECU tuning, a Brabus quad sports exhaust is also available for both the standard GT and GT S models. Weighing about 40% less than the stock exhaust thanks to a combination of titanium and carbon in its construction, the exhaust also optimises the power delivery of the V8 engine.
Being the humorous people that Brabus are, electronically controlled butterfly valves located on the exhausts are operated from the cockpit. In its “coming home” setting, the noise emitted is even quieter than that of the production exhaust, useful when you’re trying to get the car home late at night.
However, if you want to wake the neighbours up, open up the valves and they’ll be able to experience the full aural force of the eight-cylinder engine, which of course, sounds sportier and more powerful than the stock exhaust.
Complementing the performance enhancements are changes to the exterior and interior as well. Carbon fibre is the primary material used on the exterior visual upgrades with a Brabus front spoiler (with daytime-running lights) that reduces lift at high speeds and feature new side air intakes that route cool air more efficiently.
Along the side are new air outlets that bear ‘Brabus’ badging that light up in blue when the keyless-entry remote or a door handle are operated. Rocker panels located near the rear wheels also optimise airflow while giving the car sleeker visual stance.
Moving on to the rear, a Brabus-made rear spoiler and diffuser is fitted where the latter features cutouts for the four tailpipes. Rounding up the visual enhancements are Brabus Monoblock F “Platinum Edition” cross-spoke wheels with 20-inch ones at the front and larger 21-inchers at the back, available with a mirror-polished, brushed or titanium-coloured finish. New springs accompany these tyres, lowering the ride height by 15mm.
Inside, Brabus have applied unique touches to as part of the tuning kit with carbon scuff plates with stainless-steel inserts and a backlit Brabus logo, whose color changes between red and white, and matte anodized or chrome-plated aluminum pedals. The aluminium paddle shifters are also repositioned to a more ergonomic position on the steering wheel as well.
Further bespoke options are available for the upholstery with different materials and colours available for choice, as well as inlays for the dashboard, center console and door panels.


Shanghai 2017: Volvo To Build Its First Series Production EV In China

Volvo Cars has announced today that it will be building its first electric vehicle (EV) in China in 2019, adding that the model will be exported globally from China.
The unnamed EV will be based on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, the same platform that is expected to underpin the firm’s upcoming XC40 compact SUV, likely to be released in as early as late-2017.
While this is the Volvo’s first series production EV, this is not the first time Volvo has dabbled in EVs. Back in 2011, the company did produced a small number of C30 Electric for limited customer trials in Europe, USA and China. The experience gained from the C30 Electric paved the way for the development of Volvo’s current plug-in hybrid models. The XC90’s centrally-mounted traction battery design for example, was a further
development of the C30 Electric’s design
.
This upcoming EV however, will be a series production model and unlike the lease-only C30 Electric, this new EV will be sold to customers.
In making his announcement at the Auto Shanghai 2017, Hakan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars said, “Volvo Cars fully supports the Chinese government’s call for cleaner air as outlined in the latest five-year plan. It is fully in-line with our own core values of environmental care, quality and safety.”
The CMA-based EV will be soon be joined by a larger EV model that’s based on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) - the platform that currently underpins the XC90 and the recently previewed
all-new XC60
.
Volvo has three manufacturing facilities in China in Daqing, which makes its 90 series cars (S90 and XC90, V90 is not available in China), Chengdu, which makes its 60 series cars (XC60, S60, V60), and Luqiao, which will make its 40 series cars (V40).
The Daqing plant has just recently began exporting a long wheelbase variant of the S90 sedan, the S90L to USA. Sales of the China-made S90L will begin in the second-half of 2017.


2015 Volkswagen Polo Trophy Launched In Malaysia From RM90k, Limited To 100 Units

In conjunction with Volkswagen’s hugely successful outing in the World Rally Championship (WRC) arena,
Volkswagen
 Malaysia, graced by the presence of the Volkswagen WRC driver, Jari-Matti Latvala along with his co-driver Miikka Anttila have launched the new Polo Trophy in Malaysia, priced at RM89,888, and limited to just 100 units.
The Trophy is based on the locally assembled
Volkswagen Polo
 with the familiar 1.6-litre MPI four-cylinder petrol engine developing 105PS and 153Nm of torque, sent through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.
What distinguishes the Polo Trophy from a standard one are a series of visual enhancements, most noticeably the stickers located on the hood and sides of the car. Adding to that are wing mirrors finished in black and the Trophy gains a black spoiler as well.
The cabin remains largely unchanged save for the upgraded multimedia unit which now comes equipped with satellite navigation. Tinted windows comes as standard as well.
Present at the launch was Volkswagen Group Malaysia Managing Director Mr Armin Keller who said, “We are proud to have with us today Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila at the launch of this limited edition Polo Trophy designed especially for Malaysian and WRC fans.”
During the launch, Latvala swapped out his usual Polo R WRC race car for a more conventional daily drive Polo, where they experienced the precise driving skills of the 30 year-old. Additionally, he responded to a challenge by viral drift princess Leona Chin on her Facebook page in a head-to-head in a gymkhana course where both demonstrated who can outrun the other better and faster in the Polo.
The launch of the limited edition model coincides with the Volkswagen Polo Rally Weekend at the Setia City Convention Centre car park, where visitors could go for a ride with two of Malaysia’s top female drifters – Chin and Azrina Jane Abdullah. They can also get up close with the Polo Trophy and enjoy up to RM30,000 in savings for the Golf GTI, Golf R and Scirocco R till 30 September 2015.


Are bigger wheels and tyres really better?

For most car owners, slapping on a set of aftermarket bigger, fancier wheels are the first thing to do when trying to personalise or improve our cars.

After all, who doesn't want just a little bit more of that elusive "street-cred" when cruising down the road, or when parked at your favourite
mamak
.

Image credit:
wheels.xxxautohaus.com

But, as with anything in automotive engineering, there's always an optimal point in the middle and trade-offs at either end of the spectrum. In short, there are probably a thousand reasons why that particular wheel (you plan to change) was fitted to your particular car.

Manufacturers calculate hundreds of parameters before choosing a particular wheel and tyre package for any car model - the most important aspects of those being dry and wet road grip, dry and wet braking, high-speed stability, comfort and refinement levels, steering geometry, and cost. Also, all of these come before the actual aesthetics of the wheel and tyre package.

So it is unwise to think that simply fitting on bigger wheels and tyres are going to improve on all parameters, all at once.

While there are benefits to fitting bigger wheels, there are drawbacks that you will need to take into consideration before heading to the tyre store.

In addition, there are other factors also at play when moving to aftermarket wheels, which include the overall weight, width, and wheel offset (which make the wheels stick further in/ out of the sides of the car, and the effects they have on the overall steering geometry - so to be concise we are going to assume that weight and offset are constant and only address the additional diameter and width of the aftermarket wheels.

Dry and Wet Handling and Braking

Dry and wet handling is probably the biggest changes you will feel when upsizing your wheels. It's important to note that manufacturers normally choose tyres with larger sidewalls for better comfort and impact absorption, but they also tend to deform more when in a corner and under braking. Hence, going to a larger wheel size (1-2-inches), and hence smaller tyre aspect ratios should sharpen up the handling and offer better feedback to the driver.

However, this also makes the car more "darty" and responsive to the road which will undoubtedly require more inputs and steering effort. On the upside, you will see improved sportiness and braking in dry conditions.

In the wet however, it can be the opposite - tyres with fatter sidewalls actually deform more and hence bite the road surface better in the wet, it is much the same with wet braking too. Therefore, while handling and braking in the dry may improve, you might be still better off in the wet with a smaller rim and tyre package.

Of course, one also needs to take into account the overall performance characteristics of the tyre when it comes to dry/ wet handling. Some tyres - such as the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 - can really offer improvements across the board, but they don't come cheap.

TyreReviews
 has performed a comprehensive test on the current subject that we highly recommend you check out.

Overall refinement and comfort levels

This is perhaps the most important parameter when going to a larger wheel size. Thinner sidewalls as you might surmise offers less impact absorption hence you are going to feel more of the bumps, hardness, and ruts of the road. Though certain tyre and wheel packages can still offer a good balance despite the bigger wheel size so there are safe ways to upgrade your rim size without all the drawbacks, as we will get into.

Another factor to consider is tyre roar and the effect it has on the overall refinement of a vehicle. Going a size or two up, might also require wider rims and tyres, so this usually attributes to more road noise and tyre roar. Again, tyres do play a big part here, but what you need to know is that almost all of the time, a larger wheel and tyre package is going to cause more roads noise. Now you might not think it will make much of a difference - but sometimes even going from an interior with 68dB to 69dB of road-noise, can have a large effect on how comfortable your daily commutes are going to be.

Other Considerations

Upsizing your wheel and tyre package can also result in a different rolling circumference - basically, how far the wheel travels with every rotation - so this can cause small errors in your speedometer readings, there are great websites like
willtheyfit.com
 that help you calculate most of these parameters before deciding on aftermarket wheels and tyres.

It's also important to note that bigger wheels normally are heavier, so this can also affect the acceleration, braking and steering setup, which in turn may contribute or detract from the overall performance of your car.

Of course, there are many lightweight wheels that can be larger but lighter than your stock ones but again, these do not come cheap and will need to be part of your consideration.

So how do you play it safe...

There are ways of playing it safe when upgrading the wheel and tyre package of your car.

Generally, moving a size up - like say from 16- to 17-inch rims - is safe. You'd obtain the looks without too much of the relative drawbacks, but do research many options and tyre packages before settling on a particular set.

Going up two sizes, let's say from a 16-inch to an 18-inch is less recommended. Unless you take into account the entire package and have also taken into account the overall suspension setup, it's a challenge to negate the aforementioned negative effects the bigger wheel size will have on the performance of your car.

In some cases, you can upgrade the rim size more than an inch if it's still within the confines of the manufacturer's design. Take for instance a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI, which is supplied as standard with 16-inch wheels, but Volkswagen also offer optional wheel packages of up to 18 inches depending on the market. Perhaps in cases like these, one can afford to go with 18-inch wheels since the suspension setup may have been designed to accept larger wheel and tyre packages within the catalogue.

The same could be true for other premium and sports car models.

With that said, don't go fitting 20-inch wheels to your Honda Civic (FC) to mimic the (FK8) Type R because this won't go as well. The FK8 Type R received a
plethora of chassis and aerodynamic work
 to accommodate those wheels.

In short, do your research well, get input from owners who have upsized their wheels before planning your own modifications.

Image credit:
redbull.com

And most of all, please do not be fooled into thinking "stancing" your car out is going to make it faster or drive better... that's just not going to happen!


Hyundai Creta Announced: Coming To Fight All HR-V, CX-3 and EcoSport Compact SUVs

In October 2014,
Hyundai
 launched the ix25 SUV exclusively for the Chinese market after a production version of it was debuted at the Chengdu Auto Show two months prior with prices starting at 119,800 yuan (RM71,093)
Now, the ix25 compact SUV will serve as the base for an all-new Hyundai ‘Global SUV’ model as revealed by Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL). Its name? The Hyundai Creta and it will be launched first in India during the second quarter of 2015 before being sold in other worldwide markets.
However, the Hyundai Creta will join a highly competitive compact SUV segment which consists of participants like the
Mazda
 CX-3,
Ford
 EcoSport, and
Honda
 HR-V.
With the ix25 as a base, powerplant options for the Creta could include two four-cylinder petrol engines in 1.6- and 2.0-litre capacities that generate 123hp/151Nm and 158hp/192Nm respectively. Transmission options mated to these engine include either a six-speed manual or automatic. The smaller capacity 1.6-litre ix25 model makes do with front-wheel drive while the larger 2.0-litre model gets either front- or all-wheel drive.
As for the proportions, the ix25 measures 4,270mm in length, 1,780mm in width, and 1,630mm in height. Wheelbase stands at 2,590mm. Expect the Hyundai Creta to be somewhere along these dimensions as well.
Just to compare, here are how the Creta’s competitors measure up against it:
Honda HR-V
: 4,294mm length; 1,772mm width; 1,605mm height; 2,610mm wheelbase
Ford EcoSport
: 4,273mm length; 1,765mm width; 1,675mm height; 2,519mm wheelbase
Mazda CX-3
: 4,275mm length; 1,765mm width; 1,550mm height; 2,570mm wheelbase
Should the Hyundai Creta make its way to Malaysia, it will further expand the compact SUV market that is
currently being dominated by Honda and its HR-V
.


Kelonggaran Terhadap Individu Lengkap Vaksin Di Negeri Fasa 1 PPN – Boleh Dine-In, Bersukan Bermula 20 Ogos 2021

Perdana Menteri Sementara, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mengumumkan bahawa sidang khas
Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN)
 telah bersetuju untuk memberikan
kelonggaran dalam sektor sosial dan ekonomi
 kepada individu yang telah menerima vaksinasi lengkap bagi negeri-negeri di Fasa 1
Pelan Pemulihan Negara (PPN).

Pertimbangan itu dibuat mengambil kira perkembangan positif kadar
vaksinasi
lengkap populasi dewasa di seluruh negara yang telah melebihi 50 peratus. Sebelum itu, penting untuk anda tahu bahawa seseorang individu itu hanya akan diiktiraf sebagai individu
lengkap suntikan vaksin
 sekiranya telah memenuhi kriteria seperti berikut:

Vaksin Pfizer, AstraZeneca dan Sinovac –  selepas hari ke 14 suntikan dos kedua

Vaksin Johnson & Johnson dan CanSino – selepas hari ke 28 suntikan

Kemudahan dan kelonggaran tambahan yang dibenarkan bagi sektor sosial secara amnya adalah seperti berikut:

1. Aktiviti dine-in di restoran dan kedai makan kini dibenarkan bagi negeri-negeri Fasa 1 PPN dan seterusnya.

Aktiviti dine-in di restoran atau kafe di premis club house adalah dibenarkan.

Pengusaha premis kedai makan disarankan supaya menyediakan lebih banyak ruang tempat makan di bahagian luar premis bagi pengudaraan yang lebih baik kerana risiko penyebaran COVID-19 adalah jauh lebih tinggi di dalam premis berbanding di luar.

Pemilik premis kedai makan perlu pastikan para pelanggan yang memasuki premis untuk dine-in MESTI menunjukkan sijil digital vaksinasi COVID-19 (digital certificate COVID-19 vaccination) yang menunjukkan bahawa individu tersebut telah menerima vaksinasi lengkap.

Bagi pasangan yang telah menerima vaksinasi lengkap dan ingin membawa anak-anak berusia 17 tahun dan ke bawah untuk dine-in di premis kedai makan, pastikan anak-anak anda mematuhi SOP yang ketat.

2. Aktiviti sukan, rekreasi dan riadah tanpa sentuhan fizikal dan bukan berkumpulan (outdoor) juga dibenarkan bagi negeri-negeri Fasa 1 PPN dan seterusnya serta terpakai di dalam daerah yang sama sahaja.

Aktiviti sukan dan rekreasi ini dibenarkan dengan mematuhi penjarakan fizikal dan dilakukan di kawasan terbuka (outdoor) termasuk separa terbuka bermula jam 6.00 pagi hingga 10.00 malam.

Aktiviti yang dibenarkan adalah seperti jogging, senaman, taichi,
berbasikal
, skateboarding, memancing, ekuestrian, memanah, mendaki, tenis (single), badminton (single), golf, permotoran dan seumpamanya.

Aktiviti perkelahan dan perkhemahan juga dibenarkan. Penyertaan anak-anak berusia 17 tahun dan ke bawah adalah dibenarkan dengan pematuhan SOP yang ketat.

Operasi bilik persalinan atau bilik mandi di premis club house adalah tidak dibenarkan. Ini bagi mengelakkan perkumpulan selepas bersukan.

Sidang Khas MKN juga bersetuju memberikan kemudahan tambahan dalam sektor perdagangan dan pengedaran bagi Fasa 1 PPN dan seterusnya seperti berikut:

1. Operasi
Pasar Malam
 dan Pasar Minggu adalah dibenarkan

Pihak penguatkuasa yang berkenaan serta pemilik premis perlu memastikan pelanggan yang memasuki premis mesti menunjukkan sijil digital vaksinasi COVID-19.

*Kredit infografik: Bernama

Segala kemudahan tambahan untuk sektor sosial dan ekonomi di negeri fasa 1 PPN ini akan berkuatkuasa bermula 20 Ogos 2021. Segala perincian bagi kemudahan yang diumumkan ini akan dikeluarkan oleh MKN dalam masa terdekat.

Walaupun kelonggaran ini telah diberi, orang ramai disarankan mengambil langkah berjaga-jaga yang ketat mengikuti segala SOP yang ditetapkan seperti cadangan daripada DG Hisham:

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