Nissan Elgrand: Classy, Different and Forgotten - A Hidden Gem?

Bored of the Vellphard duo? Why not buy a Nissan Elgrand?

After many years of only considering
hatchbacks
,
coupes
,
sedans
 and
SUVs
, there comes a certain point in a person's life where a
multi-purpose vehicle
 (MPV) becomes not only more appealing but also necessary. What was once frowned upon due to its boxy shape, grown-up styling, and not-so-sexy vibes have quite miraculously turned into something attractive.

This change of vehicle perception usually occurs at life's junction where your family starts to grow beyond two children. To add to this, you also seem to find yourself ferrying your parents around more than usual to add to the lack of seat woes.

With these considerations and problems at the back of your head, you automatically gravitate towards a vehicle that has more than four comfortable seats so that the whole family can come along for the ride.

Yes, while the most prominent and luxurious large MPVs like the T
oyota Vellfire/Alphard
 and Kia Carnival are the obvious choices for this task, some individuals just
want to be different.
 Case in point, me.

So what are you left with? Of course, if you want to go left field, there's always the
Honda Odyssey
, a brilliant MPV loved by many - but what if you want to go even further afield?

Then, you should definitely feast your eyes on the Elgrand, a luxurious MPV from Nissan that drives better than your Alphard/Vellfire duo.

Why does the Elgrand drive better than the Vellphards? We'll get into that a bit later, but first, let us reacquaint you with the Nissan Elgrand.

The Nissan Elgrand is a luxurious MPV manufactured by Nissan since 1997. It is currently in its third generation (E52) and has been in international markets since 2010. Like the Vellphards, the Elgrand first appeared on our shores courtesy of importers.

Seeing how there was a slight demand for the vehicle, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), Nissan's official distributor in Malaysia, launched the third-generation Elgrand in 2012 and interestingly followed it up with a facelift model in 2014.

Only one type of variant was offered by ETCM, which was a 3.5L V6 that sold for RM388,000.

For reasons relating to slow/ low sales demand, ETCM officially discontinued the Elgrand somewhere between 2016/ 2017. So once again, it has come full circle, as we are left back at the beginning of its existence in Malaysia, through importers.

This time, however, importers have decided to bring in the 2.5-litre version of the Elgrand as well, making it a more appealing proposition due to its lower road tax. The 2.5-litre Elgrand can generally be had for
around the RM150k mark
.

Space-wise, there is not much difference between the Elgrand, Vellphard and Honda Odyssey, as they all pretty much have plenty of room inside. This enables the MPVs to house a couple of leather-laced captain seats in the second row and three seats in the back row with plenty of legroom.

But what is different with the Elgrand compared to the rest of its competitors is that it has its own unique character. The Elgrand is praised by its fans for its comfort, style and driving performance.

The concept behind the E52 Elgrand is dynamism and luxury, and you can feel it manifest at the exterior, through the interior and the way it drives.

In my opinion, exterior-wise, the Elgrand is probably the most exciting and sporty-looking MPV out of the luxo-barge bunch. The third-generation Elgrand retains the original Elgrand identity but has more of a menacing look. While the tiered headlights and integrated chromed-out front grille give the Elgrand some presence, the rear with its connected taillight design gives the Elgrand a futuristic look.

However, the pièce de résistance of the Elgrand's exterior design is its low and wide-body impression, giving the MPV a really athletic and masculine look. It sort of looks like a muscled bodybuilder.

Entering the interior space, the luxurious atmosphere of the Elgrand is evident. All seats including the second-row captain seats are wrapped in plush and soft comfortable leather, in addition to the armrests, a must for a luxury MPV.

However, both captain seats are only manually adjustable, but a bit of arm work to adjust seats has never caused any muscle soreness - plus, fewer things to go wrong, right? It does have convenience features such as powered sliding rear doors and window blinds, making it a great vehicle that operates as a family mover.

However, although the simple yet luxurious interior might seem like one of its best points, one of the best bits about the Elgrand is actually the way it drives. Remember earlier when I said that the Elgrand has a "low and wide-body impression"? Well, it's not really an impression as the MPV is low and wide.

The uniqueness of the Elgrand is its low body shape compared to other MPVs. With a lower centre of gravity, the Elgrand offers good handling and stability. Okay, it does still lean a little bit around the corners as it is still an MPV, but it does feel more planted to its competitors.

Suppose you have enough money to buy the Elgrand with the award-winning 3.5-litre VQ35DE engine (yes, that's the same engine found on the Nissan 350z, albeit with 280PS/ 344Nm of torque), you will find that you've got quite a bullet train at the tip of your fingers. But for those who will most probably opt for the more road tax-friendly 2.5-litre mill (170PS/ 245Nm of torque), you can still enjoy the handling. At the very least, the Xtronic CVT transmission is smooth so that you can cruise all day comfortably.

Safety-wise, it only has the
regular active safety
 features like traction control, ABS and brake distribution, but the addition of the 360 camera is a godsend as it helps you manoeuvre around parking lots a bit easier.

Look, we're not saying that you should buy an Elgrand over the rest because there are a lot of
factors to consider
, but the Elgrand is a viable option if you are bored of the typical choices that you can see all over our roads. It's unique, handsome, comfortable, luxurious, and a good drive, so pretty much all boxes ticked if you are looking for an MPV that is different yet dynamic at the same time.


Hidu Gam Dalam Kereta Sambil Bawa Anak 4 Tahun - Polis Siasat Suami Isteri

Sepasang suami isteri yang baru sebulan mendirikan rumah tangga telah dipanggil polis setelah kantoi
menghidu gam
 ketika memandu
Proton Iswara
 di Melaka.

Lebih mengejutkan, lelaki yang memandu Iswara terbabit menghidu gam tanpa segan silu sambil membawa isteri serta anak perempuan tirinya yang baru berumur empat tahun di tempat duduk belakang.

*Kredit Video: Majoriti

Polis Tahan Pasangan Hisap Gam Dalam Kereta

Menurut Ketua Polis Daerah Melaka Tengah, Asisten Komisioner Christopher Patit, polis telah mengesan pemandu yang juga menantu kepada pemilik Proton Iswara dan dua penumpang iaitu isterinya yang berusia 23 serta kanak-kanak perempuan berusia empat tahun, lalu dibawa ke IPD Melaka Tengah untuk tindakan lanjut," katanya.

Berdasarkan beberapa klip video yang tersebar di media sosial, lelaki tersebut dilihat leka menghidu gam ketika memandu meskipun bersama ahli keluarga.

Berdasarkan suara yang diperoleh melalu rakaman video, isteri lelaki terbabit juga dikatakan turut sama menghidu gam bersama suaminya, meskipun perbuatan itu tidak begitu jelas kelihatan di dalam video yang tersebar.

Walau bagaimanapun, isterinya menafikan ada menghisap gam, malah ujian saringan air kencing yang dijalankan ke atas kedua-dua mereka juga didapati negatif.

Kedua-dua mereka kemudian dibebaskan sejurus soal siasat selesai dijalankan dan satu kertas siasatan dibuka mengikut Peraturan 17 LN 166/59 Kaedah-Kaedah Lalulintas 1959.

Hukuman Tak Cukup Berat?

Pada awalnya, kerajaan telah menetapkan hukuman selama 3 hingga 10 tahun dan denda tidak lebih RM20,000 sekiranya seseorang itu
memandu di bawah pengaruh
 dan menyebabkan kemalangan, kecederaan atau kematian.

Lesen memandu mereka juga akan digantung untuk tempoh tidak lebih 5 tahun. Jika disabitkan kesalahan yang sama buat kali kedua, lesennya akan digantung selama 10 tahun.

Walau bagaimanapun, peningkatan jumlah kemalangan dan kematian yang disebabkan oleh pemandu yang mabuk atau khayal telah membuatkan kerajaan menguatkuasakan
Akta Pengangkutan Jalan (Pindaan) 2020 pada 23 Oktober 2020
 yang mengenakan hukuman lebih berat seperti di bawah.

*Kredit video: TV3

Hukuman Memandu Di Bawah Pengaruh Alkohol/Dadah sehingga menyebabkan kematian:

Bagi Sabitan Pertama

Penjara minimum 10 tahun atau maksimum 15 tahun

Denda antara RM50,000 hingga RM100,000

Hilang kelayakan lesen bagi tempoh minimum 10 tahun

Bagi Sabitan Kedua

Penjara minimum 15 tahun atau maksimum 20 tahun

Denda antara RM100,000 hingga RM150,000

Hilang kelayakan lesen selama 20 tahun

Hukuman Memandu Di Bawah Pengaruh Alkohol/Dadah sehingga menyebabkan kecederaan:

Bagi Sabitan Pertama

Penjara minimum 7 tahun atau maksimum 10 tahun

Denda antara RM30,000 hingga RM50,000

Hilang kelayakan lesen minimum tujuh tahun

Bagi Sabitan Kedua Dan Seterusnya

Penjara minimum 10 tahun atau maksimum 15 tahun

Denda antara RM50,000 hingga RM100,000

Hilang kelayakan lesen selama 10 tahun

Setuju atau tidak, segelintir pemandu di Malaysia ini hanyalah
one accident away
 daripada kantoi dengan pihak berkuasa kerana memandu di bawah pengaruh alkohol atau dadah. Pada pendapat anda, adakah hukuman baharu ini sudah cukup berat untuk mendisiplinkan para pemandu?


Geneva 2018: Mitsubishi To Debut Facelifted Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will debut two new models at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, namely the e-Evolution Concept and this, the facelifted Outlander PHEV, which is expected to hit European markets by Q3 of 2018.
With cumulative sales of over 140,000 units worldwide, the Outlander PHEV has become one of MMC’s most successful models.
First launched in 2013, the facelifted Outlander PHEV now boasts a number of updates – a complete redesign of its powertrain, sharper driving dynamics, a more refined interior, and subtle design changes, which Mitsubishi claim - make it both a better EV and SUV at the same time.
The biggest highlight is a new 2.4-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine which replaces the previous Otto cycle 2.0-litre. It allows for higher torque, smoother operation, and overall higher efficiency.
The internal combustion is aided by two electric motors at the front and rear axles, of which, the rear motor output is increased by 10 percent, while the generator output is also increased by 10 percent.
Elsewhere, the (Lithium-ion) battery capacity, has been increased to 13.8 kWh, from 12 kWh, while the battery output has been increased by a further 10 percent.
There are two additional drive modes, "Sport" which sharpens the car's dynamics, and "Snow" for snow-covered or slippery surfaces, which joins current “Normal” and “4WD Lock” drive modes.
Aesthetically, the Outlander PHEV is fitted with new LED headlamps, a redesigned front grille, new front (centre cover) skid plate, and redesigned fog-lamps bezels. The Outlander will also feature new multi-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, and a redesigned rear spoiler.
On the inside, the Outlander will feature a new ‘quilted’ leather upholstery, updated seats with better hip-support, revised switchgear, and instrument panel, and the addition of rear air-con vents.


Aksi 'Superman' Atas Motor Boleh Didenda Hingga RM15k, Penjara 5 Tahun

Mana-mana mat motor yang disyaki melakukan aksi '
Superman
' di atas motosikal boleh dikenakan tindakan mengikut undang-undang.

Aksi Superman yang dimaksudkan ialah di mana penunggang motor akan baring di atas tempat duduk motosikalnya ketika bergerak laju untuk mendapatkan lebih efek aerodinamik walaupun aktiviti itu sangat berbahaya.

Aksi Superman Langgar Undang-Undang

Menurut perkongsian PDRM di
Facebook
, perbuatan aksi lagak ngeri dan berbahaya ala “Superman” yang dilakukan oleh penunggang motosikal khasnya anak muda di atas jalan raya adalah demi mencari kepuasan hidup.

Walau bagaimanapun, aktiviti ini bukan sahaja boleh mendatangkan bahaya pada diri sendiri malah mengundang kecelakaan kepada pengguna jalan raya yang lain.

Tindakan tersebut nyata melanggar undang-undang di bawah Seksyen 42(1) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 iaitu memandu secara melulu dan membahayakan.

Sekiranya didapati bersalah, pengguna jalan raya boleh dipenjara selama tempoh tidak melebihi lima tahun dan dikenakan denda tidak kurang daripada RM5,000 dan tidak melebihi RM15,000.

Seseorang yang disabitkan di bawah seksyen ini juga hilang kelayakan daripada memegang atau mendapatkan lesen memandu selama lima tahun dari tarikh sabitan.


Bina Tram Di Melaka Jika Menang PRU – Wee Ka Siong

Sistem pengangkutan tram mungkin dapat direalisasikan di Melaka menurut Wee Ka Siong.

Walau bagaimanapun, rancangan untuk memajukan pengangkutan awam di Melaka termasuk pembinaan sistem tram ini hanya dapat direalisasikan jika wujud kestabilan dan keserasian di antara kerajaan Persekutuan dengan negeri.

Realisasi Hasrat Kerajaan Melaka Jika Menang PRU

Presiden MCA itu berkata keserasian itu hanya akan wujud jika calon muka baharu yang bertanding atas tiket Barisan Nasional (BN) pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-15 (PRU15) diberi mandat oleh pengundi di parlimen Tangga Batu, Alor Gajah dan Kota Melaka.

Tambah Wee, idea memajukan sistem pengangkutan awam ini adalah cadangan daripada kerajaan Melaka sendiri.

Sebagai
caretaker
kerajaan berkaitan pengangkutan, beliau berpandangan bahawa hasrat kerajaan Melaka ini akan diteruskan kerana ia sesuatu yang telah dibincangkan.

"Kita perlukan mandat yang lebih besar untuk mendapatkan kepercayaan pengundi agar perkara ini dapat direncanakan dengan lebih baik," jelas Wee.

Wee berkata program transformasi perkhidmatan bas henti-henti juga akan direncanakan semula selain memperhalusi
 projek Keretapi Berkelajuan Tinggi (HSR)
demi kebaikan rakyat Melaka.

"Sebab itulah penting untuk rakyat guna undi dan beri sokongan kepada parti yang sama kerana perancangan agenda pembangunan yang baik adalah berlandaskan keserasian antara kerajaan pusat dan negeri memandangkan ini menjamin kesinambungan dasar dan hala tuju bersama," katanya.

Jika sistem tram ini dilancarkan di Melaka tidak kiralah siapa pun yang menang pilihan raya nanti, harp-harap nasibnya tidak sama seperti perkhidmatan
Monorel di Melaka
yang pernah menjadi tarikan pelancong suatu ketika dahulu kini hanya mencacatkan permandangan ekoran terbengkalai tanpa beroperasi.


Singapore To Launch Battery Swapping Stations For Electric Scooters

Singapore's Land and Transport Authority (LTA)
 has awarded sandbox pilots to two companies,
Gogoro
 and MO Batteries, to deploy battery swapping stations for
electric scooters
 in the country.

The sandbox pilots were given to Taiwan's Gogoro and Singapore's MO Batteries to lead the charge in the electric motorcycle charging industry. Gogoro, which is highly regarded as the tech leader in the battery swapping ecosystem, has partnered up with Jardine Cycle & Carriage to operate its battery swapping infrastructure as well as the exclusive distributor of Gogoro’s electric scooters in Singapore.

Better sustainability for food delivery & logistics

According to Horace Luke, founder, chairman, and CEO of Gogoro, "Gogoro battery swapping provides a sustainable path for urban fleets that are safe, reliable, scalable, and always available. We are partnering with Jardine Cycle & Carriage Group to introduce this new sustainable business model for food delivery and logistics fleets in Singapore today and in other cities across the region in the future."

Gogoro's presence in Taiwan has already accounted for a quarter of all quick commerce deliveries for food deliveries and online purchases plus nearly 100% of all electric deliveries. In other words, whatever Gogoro has been doing in Taiwan seems to have worked brilliantly and they're looking to replicate that success in Singapore soon via Gogoro's range of Smartscooters, GoStation battery swap facilities, and smart batteries.

12-month trial for both Gogoro & MO Batteries

Singapore's MO Batteries will partner up with SingPost and Prosegur to run its own sandbox pilot program which will include a total of six electric motorcycles, 30 swappable batteries, 14 chargers, and two battery swapping stations.

Gogoro, on the other hand, will run a slightly bigger operation with 20 electric bikes and two GoStations that'll provide 100 swappable batteries. Trials in the country will begin in the next few weeks and will run for a total of 12 months. As for Malaysia, MO Batteries have also stated that they'll enter our shores in early 2023.

Not a bad way to boost and encourage the use of electric motorcycles, eh?


Rolls-Royce Dawn Debuts in Malaysia

Rolls-Royce’s uber-luxury four-seat cabriolet, the Rolls-Royce Dawn, sees its first light in the Malaysian market today. Anticipating growth in the luxury goods sector – the Dawn sets the defining tone for the brand which hopes to garner interest amongst a younger generation of affluent customers.
Dato’ Michael Ong, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur added during the launch, “Through the years, we have seen the Rolls-Royce brand transform with a younger generation of entrepreneurs aspiring to own a Rolls-Royce. Ghost and Wraith reset perceptions of what a modern Rolls-Royce should look like. We are proud to partner with Rolls-Royce as we embark on this new journey.”
The Dawn from the outset may look like a convertible-version of the Rolls-Royce Wraith, however, 80 per cent of the body panels are unique, as are the tyres which are a special fitment for this model. It isn’t even called a convertible, as Drophead is the traditional way Rolls-Royce refer to their soft-top models.
Rolls-Royce claim only the doors and rear bumper are common to the Wraith – from the front, a rising hip-line demarcates the flanks of the car from the steeply raked windscreen, this beltline also flows around the passenger cabin creating a cosseting, horse-shoe shaped, acreage of extravagance.
Inside, open-pore Canadel panelling trace the innards of the cabin, while the wood on the rear deck flows down in-between the rear seats, creating a “Waterfall” effect. Being a Rolls-Royce, every element of the car is customisable.
The party-piece folding soft-top retracts and extends within 20 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h. Special attention was paid to deliver extremely quiet operation and NVH levels while on the move. This is referred to by Rolls-Royce as —ahem— the “Silent-Ballet”. The canopy which is among the largest to be fitted to any car, smaller only to that which is fitted to the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead.
Of the many superlatives associated with any Rolls-Royce, here are some specifications of the Rolls-Royce Dawn to pour over:
Engine:  6.6-liter twin-turbo direct-injected V12, 563bhp at 5250rpm, 780Nm @ 1500rpm
Performance: 0-100kph 5.0 seconds, 250km/h top speed
Weight: 2560kg
The price of any Rolls-Royce is highly dependent on the specifications of the customisation options, however, Rolls-Royce Malaysia estimates a starting price of RM4.0 million for the Dawn. As they say, no two Rolls-Royces are ever the same.


Ford Malaysia confirms June arrival of 2.0L diesel Ranger Raptor

Next-Gen Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel to debut this June due to popular demand.

Ford Malaysia seems to want to conquer the performance truck market, because almost
eight months after the introduction of the Petrol Ranger Raptor
, Ford is about to debut its diesel brother, which will practically make them the company to go to when it comes to muscled-up trucks.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, is more than thrilled to announce the arrival of the highly anticipated
Next-Generation Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel
.

According to them, this is a response to the demands of Raptor fans across the country, as the new diesel engine variant provides another option to meet the diverse needs and preferences of Malaysian consumers.

“Since we launched with the V6 engine last year, the Next-Generation Ranger Raptor has been much sought after. Many Malaysians have been asking for different drive trains. We are responding by adding the formidable, tried and tested 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel engine variant to offer another ownership option for Raptor lovers and other high-speed off-roading enthusiasts,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director of Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.

The 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel truck will be officially launched at MRANTI Open Space (West Entrance), opposite Pavilion Bukit Jalil, from 9 to 11 June 2023. The launch will also kick off a roadshow tour, open to the public, where customers can get up close and personal with the diesel-powered Ford Ranger Raptor.

For early bird bookings, the first 300 customers nationwide will receive a fitted Digital Video Recorder (DVR) with their Next-Gen Ranger Raptor 2.0L. Additionally, customers who book at the official launch event will enjoy an exclusive Raptor Winter Vest upon vehicle delivery. Furthermore, the first 300 bookings will also enjoy an additional RM500 discount on a Ford Ranger Getaways.

The Next-Gen Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel promises to deliver exceptional performance and off-road capabilities, catering to the demands of adventure-seeking enthusiasts. It comes with a tried and tested 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine from the previous generation Raptor, featuring a power output of up to 210 PS and 500 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm.

That's about 100 PS and 80 Nm of torque down when compared to the petrol variant, but still, a formidable force to be reckoned with. As with its 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 brother, the Bi-Turbo Diesel Raptor will come with the same bold exterior and interior styling, integrated technologies, and advanced safety features.

Designed with Ford's Performance DNA at its core, the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor sets new standards in the off-road truck segment. It recently showcased its capabilities by successfully completing the SCORE International Baja 1000, one of the toughest off-road endurance races in the world.


Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan Under Consideration For Malaysia

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan, a four-door sedan derivative of the A-Class hatchback, currently confirmed for sale only in China with other markets being in the future, could be making its way to Malaysia.
Currently, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s (MBM) compact car range consists of hatchbacks (A-Class and B-Class), SUVs (GLA-Class) and a four-door coupe (CLA-Class). Sedans however, are the core products for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, contributing 64 percent (4,322 units) of MBM’s total passenger car sales in the first half of 2018 (6,790 units), so it was only logical to expect MBM to follow-up with a compact sedan.
At this morning’s press conference on MBM’s
business performance for the first half of 2018
, Carlist.my asked Mark Raine, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, whether the Malaysian premium car market has the appetite to sustain a sedan model from the Mercedes-Benz compact car range, Mark said, “Definitely,” but stopped short of explicitly referencing the A-Class Sedan, or if this model will replace the CLA-Class.
The premium compact cars range, as the A-, B-, GLA- and CLA-Class cars are referred to as by MBM, contributed 15 percent of MBM’s total passenger car sales in the first half of 2018.
The A-Class Sedan has a 2,789 mm wheelbase, 60 mm longer than the all-new A-Class hatchback (due to be launched in Malaysia later this year), and 90 mm longer than the current four-door coupe CLA-Class.
The boot has a cargo volume of 420 litres, compared to the hatchback’s 370 litres (forthcoming all-new model), and the CLA-Class’ 470 litres.
The model will first go on sale in China later this year under the A-Class L nameplate, and will be produced locally at the Beijing-Benz Automotive Co. Ltd. plant in Beijing, China.
The Chinese market model will be powered by a relatively tiny 1.33-litre aluminum turbocharged four-cylinder, with two output levels – 134 hp and 161 hp. A more powerful 188 hp 2.0-litre turbo will follow at a later stage. All engines are paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic driving the front wheels.
Daimler has since confirmed that another version of the A-Class sedan tailored for needs of consumers outside of China, will be announced sometime in the second half of this year.


2017 Volkswagen Polo ALLSTAR – From RM72,888

The first of a series of ALLSTAR special edition models from Volkswagen, the accessorized Volkswagen Polo ALLSTAR comes with RM6,000 worth of exclusive accessories such as leather seats with embossed ALLSTAR logo, aluminium pedals, rear spoiler, black door strips, ‘ALLSTAR’ scuff plates, emblems and carpet mats.
Currently on display at the Carlist.my MAA DRIVE Test and Buy event that’s happening at the Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam, Shah Alam, the special edition Polo ALLSTAR starts from RM72,888.
Mechanically, the Polo ALLSTAR remains unchanged, retaining the standard Polo’s 1.6-litre naturally aspirated MPI engine paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission.  The engine produces 105 PS of power and 153 Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel consumption of 6.3-litre/100 km.
The Polo ALLSTAR will soon be followed by the Vento ALLSTAR later this month, as well as the Jetta ALLSTAR in June.
The Carlist.my DRIVE Test and Buy event invites members of the public to shop, test drive and compare more than 50 models from 15 different car brands in one location.


2015 BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer Revealed: Meet The Seven-Seat FWD MPV

Having already unveiled a five-seater version mid last year, called the
2 Series
 Active Tourer (
coming to Malaysia soon
), here is
BMW
’s latest iteration of its entry into the MPV market, now with seven seats and a tweaked name: the all-new 2 Series Gran Tourer.
Sharing the same platform that underpins the shorter Active Tourer, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer gets its architecture stretched out and heightened to a length of 4,556mm and a ride height of 1,608mm – Active Tourer is 4,342mm long, and 1,555mm tall. Widths for both vehicles are 1,800mm. The wheel base of the GT has been extended too, going from the AT’s 2,670 to 2,780mm.
The 2 Series Gran Tourer is also the BMW brand’s second go at a front-wheel drive vehicle and a more family-friendly MPV. But that doesn’t mean you’d be short of any BMW-esque driving dynamics and DNA. And, if you insist on at least some rear-wheel action, there will be an xDrive model available in a diesel guise at its market launch: 220d xDrive.
Inside, the cabin allows for the seating of seven, with the third row seats fully able to fold down and be tucked away into the loading floor. The sliding second row of seats are of a 40:20:40 split arrangement, which slid forward for maximum cargo capability takes the rear space from an original 645 litres to 805 litres of space. A push of a button around the back folds the middle seats flat, exposing 1,905 litres of boot space.
A new model line has been added to the 2 Series Gran Tourer on top of the existing M Sport, Sport and Luxury Lines: Advantage. The Advantage Line adds items like a Park Distance Control, Cruise Control with Braking function and more.
Five turbocharged engines have been primed for entry, being an assortment of BMW’s three and four cylinder diesels and petrols. The two petrols called to are the 220i four-pot, and the 218i three-cylinder. The trio of diesels include a 218d, 216d (three-cylinder), and the 220d xDrive model.
Back home, BMW Malaysia
will launch the all-new 2 Series Active Tourer in due time
 (we expect sometime end Q1/ early Q2). It’s newer, bigger cousin, the Gran Tourer, will first be making a motor show debut at the coming Geneva Motor Show.


Singulato Is The First Chinese EV Brand To Buy Tech From Toyota

Toyota has made headlines in the last few weeks for
opening up their patents for free
 usage as well as agreeing to sell their electric vehicle and hybrid technologies to other brands. This has in turned lowered the cost of entry for companies to enter the EV or hybrid space, and in turn allows for cleaner vehicles on the whole. The first Chinese company to take advantage of this is EV startup Singulato, which looks to get a mini EV to market as soon as it can.
But as you would expect, there is a business edge to this decision for Toyota. This partnership will give Toyota preferential rights when purchasing green-car credits - a very important aspect of the automotive manufacturing business in China. Green-car credits are necessary in order to offset emissions of other vehicles a company may have on sale, and they can be purchased from other manufacturers as well. In doing so, taxation and fines can be avoided or nullified.
What Singulato is essentially doing is purchasing the tech and the rights to produce the Toyota eQ - an all-electric mini car that was sold briefly in 2012 - and uprating the components to meet the requirements of a modern EV. Their target for release is 2021, with a more affordable price point and a longer driving range to make it more palatable to consumers. Of course the materials and other touchpoints will vary greatly from the Toyota design, but it's the technology and the broad strokes that are important.
How much Singulato is paying for the rights remains to be seen. In addition to the eQ-based car (to be called the iC3), Singulato also has plans to unveil an all-original EV known as the iS6 later this year. The iC3 is slated to be a connected car, which is an absolute requirement in this day and age, as well as possess low-level autonomous driving ability. Even moving as quickly as they can, Singulato expects to roll out the iC3 sometime in 2021.
The partnership between the two companies is more important than appears on face value. There are over 50 EV startups operating in China, some such as Nio being far more known and popular, and as such the competition is fierce. Having a partnership with Toyota, along with Intel and Japanese trading house Itochu, gives Singulato a leg up over its rivals and lets it get its products to market more quickly.


Geely Previews New Electric Semi-Truck - The Homtruck

Geely has just introduced their ultimate commercial vehicle, an electric semi-truck called the Homtruck!

We all know by now that Geely is one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in the industry. They make just about everything from
affordable cars
 to
high tech electric vehicles
.

In spite of all of this, no one would have seen this coming, as Geely has just announced that they will be making an electric semi-truck called the Homtruck. This is the Chinese auto giant's attempt to bring electric vehicle technology to the commercial vehicle market.

There are only a few companies participating in this EV truck segment, namely
Tesla
,
Rivian
 and the Warren Buffett-backed
BYD
. To be developed by Farizon Auto, which is Geely's commercial vehicle subsidiary,  the company said it's planning to roll out the electric truck by 2024 and is aiming for markets outside of China too.

CEO Mike Fan said in an interview with CNBC that the Homtruck "will be product designed and developed for the global market". He added by saying that the truck's primary target market will probably be Europe,
Korea
, Japan, and North America.

According to Geely, the truck will also have a couple of powertrain options, including pure electric and methanol hybrid. Methanol power cells is a technology that Geely has been investing in for several years now which indicates that they will probably utilise it in the Homtruck.

The Homtruck will also be designed for
battery swapping
, which would prove to be useful for long-haul commuting. The futuristic features don't stop there either, as the truck according to Geely, will be developed to include partial driverless features with more advanced systems by 2026.

Within a growing number of selected routes, the Homtruck will be able to utilise Level 4 hands-off autonomous drive functions and introduce convoying features for longer journeys that allow the trucks to communicate with each other and maintain safe speed and distance that will lower operator stress levels. Hardware sensors such as lidar, millimetre-wave radar, ultrasonic radar will be standard equipment along with 5G and V2X communication.

"I'm sure regulations and standards of autonomous driving are in the process of formation," Fan said to CNBC.

According to Farizon Auto, the Homtruck will be made with tech that helps it connect to the logistics network's big data platforms to help drivers obtain the most optimal orders in real-time, analyse and track deliveries, and calculate operating costs along the routes.

The Homtruck's 'brain' can utilise vehicle sensors to analyse traffic data in real-time and receive route recommendations. In addition, the energy management system can also manage the Homtruck's power or fuel supply to achieve the most optimal economic performance and recommend optimal refuelling or recharging routes to the driver.

Farizon has also thought of driver comfort and has designed a cockpit that applies the home concept and optimises space to create a driving and a living area. The design includes a bathroom complete with a shower and toilet, single bed, refrigerator, tea maker, kitchen, and even a small washing machine.

The ergonomic seat design and high-definition camera help ensure drivers are well-rested and well-focused, whereas an intelligent AI assistant coupled with full 360-degree cameras help to keep the driver aware of any issues around the vehicle whilst in motion or whilst stationary.

Is this the semi-truck of the future? It definitely looks the part!


Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition lands in Malaysia - from RM978,000

The new Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition has finally arrived here in Malaysia, and what a sight to behold.

With a price tag that starts from RM978,000 (excluding taxes, duties, and options), the Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition marks a new breed of premium vehicles following the brand's return to the world's greatest four-wheel motorsports, Formula 1.

The Vantage F1 Edition is the best Vantage model you can get right now with significant improvements and enhancements added exclusively for the F1 Edition. In order for the Vantage to deliver its maximum as the Official Safety Car of F1, it had to be fast and agile. The result? A road-legal replica that also happens to be the fastest and most powerful Vantage money can buy.

Power comes from a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that was enhanced to produce an additional 25PS making the total output 535PS. Torque remains at 685Nm with better tractability and in-gear urgency, especially when working together with its eight-speed automatic transmission (which has also been optimised in terms of torque cut during upshifts and reduced shift times).

The Vantage F1 Edition's chassis also get some race-inspired treatment with reworked damper internals for better vertical body control, increased spring rate as well as lateral stiffness for increased traction in the corners, enhanced driver feedback, plus many more.

Even the tyres have been upgraded from 20 inches to a set of 21's wrapped with Pirelli's 255/35ZR21 upfront and 295/30ZR21 handling the rear. Developed specifically for the Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition, these new additions offer better feedback, greater confidence even when driving on the limit, and some great fun slaying the apexes in the track.

Other features include

Comprehensive aero kit (provides an extra 200kg downforce)

Aston Martin Racing Green colour scheme

Jet Black or Lunar White paint options (satin or gloss finish)

Obsidian Black Leather

Phantom Grey Alcantara upholstery & trim

Lime Green, Obsidian Black, Titanium Grey or Spicy Red contrast stripe & stitching + more

The Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition is available in either the Coupe or Roadster model. The latter can be distinguished by its standard vaned grille, 2x2 Twill Carbon Fibre exterior detailing, dedicated Roadster graphics, quad-exhaust system, and a new set of Satin Black 21-inch alloy wheels.

Price starts from RM978,000 for the new Aston Martin F1 Edition for those who are interested (price excluding duties, taxes, and options).


Toyota Shows Us How a Crash Test is Done

During the Toyota Technology Trip earlier in the year, where we
tested the fourth generation Toyota Prius
 and were briefed on various new safety initiatives and features from Toyota, we were also given the opportunity to visit Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical centre. It’s a facility that’s been around since the late 1960s, and from it came a great deal of Toyota’s safety technology and equipment. Higashi-Fuji is a fairly remote area, away from prying eyes, but even then most of the serious testing at the facility is conducted indoors.
Despite having to depart from our hotel early to make it to the facility on time, the program for the day seemed to be exciting. Rolling through the facility car park revealed an impressive number of sports cars, from Toyota GT86s to Fiat 500s- no doubt the personal cars of the engineers at the facility. When we were told that there would be no photography allowed during this portion of the trip, we didn’t know how serious they were; our mobile phones were confiscated and we were instructed to leave all photography equipment in the bus.
Of the many things housed in Higashi-Fuji, our tour focused on two main areas. One of these was the virtual reality driving simulator that Toyota uses to determine how drivers interact with their environment: where they look, how they move, and how they react to changing situations. It sports a 7-foot wide dome that sits on top of a platform which moves laterally and longitudinally to simulate motion, and even tilts to simulate cornering forces. It’s an impressive display of engineering and development of safety based on driver interaction, and Toyota will no doubt use it to test various anti-collision systems in the future.
But more exciting than this was a real life crash test. It’s rare that Toyota even lets people visit their centre, hence the high security, but to witness a crash test as it happens is a unique experience. The tests being conducted were specific to the current generation Prius, and the one we were to observe was something that isn’t strictly part of new car assessment programs for safety standards. In this test, the subject vehicle is kept static while a 2.5-tonne trolley is accelerated to 90 km/h to collide with the subject at a 15 degree angle, on a 35 percent overlap.
After a trio of lecture-like presentations (a brief journey back to college days), we were herded into a dark warehouse of sorts and directed up onto a viewing platform. In the middle of this warehouse, like a sacrificial goat, sat a pristine white Prius- entirely unaware of its impending doom. It’s a massive facility: even the lane used to accelerate the trolley up to speed stretches out of the main testing area, far out of sight. In the distance we can see various other cars half-cloaked in camouflage- although undeniably European products. If Toyota is benchmarking their products’ crash safety against the Europeans, this is definitely a good sign.
Up in some distant control room above the testing floor, the engineers prep for the crash test. Warning bells begin to ring and the distinct sound of something very quick and very heavy rolling along begins to grow louder. The testing trolley streaks into the room and collides with the Prius with a sickening crunch, sending the poor Prius hopping a fair distance away. The airbags have been deployed, the crash test dummies have been stirred, and a Prius has met the end of a fairly brief life. High speed cameras capture the crash blow-by-blow, but from where we stand it's over in the blink of an eye.
Within moments, a scrum of Toyota engineers comes scurrying out of the background, rushing over to the Prius to check for any potential hazards. A few of them sweep away some debris, while various parts are cordoned off. The Prius is checked for any fluid leaks as a result of the crash- something important when aiming to reduce the risk of potential fires during accidents. When the engineers were satisfied, an all-clear was given and we were allowed to walk on over and see the crashed car up close.
For hybrid vehicles, there have to be extra measures taken in crash safety. While the safety cell can stay intact, the hybrid electrical components must also not be damaged to the point of causing potential electrical hazards. The battery in particular must not be ruptured, and the engineers have specific methods to test whether the system is properly intact. They do this in addition to checking the deformation on each individual door, and downloading the data from the various crash test dummies in the car.
Thanks to various new car assessment programs, cars these days are safer than ever. Consumers have become increasingly informed on the importance of crash safety, and this means that manufacturers have to develop their products to stand up to these particular tests. While we weren’t provided with much more information about the findings, other than observing that the crumple zone and airbags worked, we can see that the Prius can take a proper hit without endangering its occupants.
The kind of investment that goes into this facility is tremendous, but it shows Toyota’s commitment to furthering the development of safety technology. To think that they began their journey with simply developing crumple zones and anti-lock braking systems at a time when people regarded their cars as “tin cans”, to the kind of world-class safety standards they have today- it’s definitely something they should be proud of. Perhaps in the future, autonomous driving may bring an entirely different set of challenges when it comes to safety- but whatever they may be, Toyota will likely be ready.


Jaguar Previews I-PACE Concept in Virtual Reality

Times are a changing. Jaguar has decided to preview their new I-PACE concept in the medium of virtual reality, making it the first of its kind in history. The only physical version sits at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but the virtual reality experience was expanded across the globe.
This unique and world-first 'social VR' reveal is believed to be the largest live and connected VR event of its type to date. Throughout the day more than 300 guests were transported into a specially created life-like virtual space, into which, two of the car's creators, Ian Callum and Ian Hoban were projected.
The event happened simultaenously in London as well, where groups of 66 guests took part in the experience. The new and exciting VR platform pushed the boundaries further than ever before, with the inclusion of social interaction and a live presenter broadcast into a single VR world, so groups in both LA and London were able to communicate and interact with one another. Essentially, the event was one part reveal of the I-PACE concept, and one part showcasing of HTC's virtual reality equipment.
For Jaguar, the I-PACE is an important model as it marks their foray into the world of purely electric propulsion. Initial specifications are said to be electric motors at both the front and rear, with a system output of 400 PS and 700 Nm from zero. The century sprint is an estimated 4 seconds, while a 2 hour charge is set to last for around 354 kilometres. It's developed from a completely blank slate, with only the latest and greatest technologies available for emissions free motoring. It will be revealed to the public in full on Wednesday, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.


RON97 Fuel Price Update: September Month – RM2.65

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has announced the price of petrol and diesel fuel with the update-cycle now set to 30 days.
Price of the premium grade fuel reduces to RM2.65 per litre after raising 4 sen for a very short period of two days to coincide with the last two days of August, as well as zero-rated GST.
September 1st 2018 marks the re-introduction of Sales Tax, and it looks like the government has assured the consumers that there will be no price hike (or reduction) on RON95 and diesel 2M with this new monthly update cycle as opposed to the previous weekly cycle.
That being said, the prices for petrol and diesel for the entire month of September are as listed below:
RON95 –
RM2.20
per litre (no change)
RON97 –
RM2.65
 per litre (down 4 sen from RM2.69)
Diesel –
RM2.18
 per litre (no change)


Buying A Second-Hand Alfa Romeo - Bodoh Ke?

Is it such a crazy idea to want to own a used Alfa Romeo? Well, coming from a current old Land Rover owner, no! But for most, this is a minefield that they would rather not traverse.

One of the main reasons why most find Alfa Romeo ownership a scary prospect is down to the perception that they are unreliable. This is especially so when they are
not brand new
. The other reason why people tend to look the other way when it comes to Alfa Romeo in Malaysia is that there has been no official support for Alfa's here since 2013. The last Alfa Romeo that was launched in Malaysia by Sime Darby Auto Italia was the Giulietta in 2012.

If you've been a Japanese car person your whole life, this might be some fair points, especially when you are used to the reliability and dependability of the Japanese cars and its distributors. But for those who have always been fans of German cars, you'd be surprised, because Alfa Romeo is not that far behind in terms of vehicle reliability.

According to a survey carried out by the
Telegraph
, Audi's have an engine failure rate of 1 in 27 cars. In the same survey, they pinpointed that Audi's are the second most unreliable cars in the UK, with only MG beating it to the top spot.

A separate survey by another
UK publication
 found that Audi came 28th out of 36 for reliability sitting only four spots in front of Alfa Romeo. In fact, the same survey proved that German cars are not as reliable as one thinks, so why has Alfa Romeo been singled out more than the rest of its European counterparts? The simple reason is, apart from the obvious point of them making 'slightly' unreliable cars is that most who have commented on how unreliable Alfa Romeo's are have never owned one, rather similar to Peugeots, especially here in Malaysia.

We're not saying that you should believe that Alfa Romeo's are reliable, factoring in repairs, cost of the parts and frequency of failures are all challenging for Alfa Romeo owners, but are they as bad as some think?

Well, if you hunt around the web for
AROC
 (Alfa Romeo Owners Club Malaysia) you'd quickly find out that things are not that bad as the AROC group is completely smitten with their Alfa's.

The club was actually formed informally back in the eighties when even the police force used Alfa Romeo's as their squad cars. Whether they bought an unadulterated joy or not is a different matter, but it seems that most of them have enjoyed their ownership experience probably thanks to the strong support of the community which have helped them through the typical Alfa Romeo gremlins.

We're not that surprised really that they love their Alfa's because even the infamous Jeremy Clarkson said that you are not a real petrolhead till you have at least owned an Alfa Romeo at one point in your life because their cars are fabulous.

Cars such as the classic
156, 146 and 155
 are all fabulous and are still available on the market. We suppose the only reason why more people have not bought the up to date models such as the
Giulietta
 or
Giulia Quadrifoglio
 are the high prices for them in Malaysia, compared against cars such as the
M3 Competition
 that is cheaper.

But then again, you'll only be buying another German car, not a suave, luxurious, soulful Italian car with character. The interior of Alfa Romeo's all feel like they came from an art-studio and their engines are one of the most distinctive and pleasant rumbles your ears can ever experience - especially that famous V6 Busso engine behind the front nose.

So, if you can live with and rectify problems such as suspension noises, door alignment issues and electrical gremlins maybe you are cut out to own an Alfa Romeo after all - because once you have sorted these problems out, you'll have a car like no other.

Just as a thought, apart from the door alignment issues, the other common problems sound similar to those of a German car, so really, are Alfa Romeo's that bad?

Share with us your experience with your Alfa Romeo. Let's hear the happy stories and dreadful ones too.

For more latest car news, reviews, car buying guides and videos visit us at Carlist.my
Auto News
.

Check out all the best new & used car deals in Malaysia at
Carlist.my.

Sell your car fast with the best offer? Visit us at
CarlistBid.my
.


Aylezo Speedzone: Let’s settle this behind the wheel

Finally, a one stop shop go-kart arena where you can blow off some steam.

Legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna once said that "go-karting is one of the most breathtaking sports in the world. More than F1, it is properly good racing"..

Current F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton started his career through karting, the current record holder for most F1 wins, Michael Schumacher began his domination from the kart tracks, and many more exceptional drivers like Max Verstappen and Mika Hakkinen all have a history with go-karts - so yeah, go-karting is a breeding ground for champs and a great place to sharpen those driving skills.

It's such a great platform and learning centre that even accomplished drivers often return to their roots in karting and pit their skills against the next generation of talent to stay sharp, maybe that's why Fernando Alonso has a private go-kart track in his own backyard.

That’s not all go-karting is for though because it is also the right place for you to hone your driving skills as well as crush your appetite for the need for speed, plus being an excellent place for you to blow off some steam.

With that in mind, it was time for Team Carlist to take to the tracks and off we headed to Aylezo Speedzone in Putra Park Glenmarie. A one-stop-shop for some go-karting thrills as well as food, drinks and lepak.

Built by Sarawakian and international GT Racing driver, Zen Low with a mission to provide a have-it-all-go-karting experience, Aylezo Speedzone has a whole bunch of other amenities surrounding the go-kart track, including a car wash, cafe, drift course, soon to open bar as well as our very own CarlistBid inspection centre.

It’s attracted many car clubs to its premise as it is a win-win situation for them, where petrolheads get to race on the go-karts while family members can tuck into some food and drinks at the Vroom Vroom Motorsports cafe.

The karting track is one of the most exciting tracks we have been on, it’s got 13 tight and technical corners, sure to challenge the non-experienced and even well-seasoned drivers. Every kart has a timing chip on it for bragging rights.

The karts themselves are in very good condition so that you can utilise it to its full potential. 210cc 6.5HP four-stroke engine, that is capable of reaching up to 70kph thanks to a custom lightweight racing chassis customised by the man himself, Zen Low. What summore you want?!

The best part of the Aylezo Speedzone facility is that it can be tailor-made for certain purposes, including team-building, private barbeque parties, birthdays, product launches and pretty much anything you can think of within its space. They also sometimes hold endurance races as well as time attacks, attracting some of the finest drivers around Malaysia. For two-wheel fans, they can also host a mini GP bike race by altering the track layout.

If you are zen and have no steam to blow off, we're pretty sure the Aylezo Speedzone can help you sharpen your driving skills - learn to anticipate turns, use the apex, improve your throttle and brake timing - all skills that will make you a better driver on the road.

For more information about prices and availability, visit
https://www.aylezospeedzone.com/


2019 Audi A4 S Line Competition Pack Previewed, Q3 Release In Germany

Audi has previewed a more striking look for their A4 mid-sized sedan. The new look features the redesigned front bumper and grille as well as rear bumper, together with a new ‘S line competition’ equipment package that is making its debut in the A4 model.
Several designs of the company’s new ‘Singleframe’ grille now differentiate between the trim levels. In the ‘S line’ package, the grille painted in gloss black will feature slats with a 3D look. Lower corners of the bumper also feature a new U-shaped design, as opposed to the
 ‘half-H’ motif with silver highlights of the current model
.
The rear bumper’s new design now integrates wide trapezoidal exhaust outlets at both corners as opposed to cut-outs for round exhaust tailpipes. The space between the two exhaust outlets has been textured with a diffuser-look. A gloss black trim surrounding this lower portion further emphasizes the dynamism of the design.
Meanwhile, the ‘S line competition’ has ‘selenite silver’ highlights on the horizontal bars as well as the overall surround of the front grille. The U-shaped lower corner trim pieces are also more visible as they are now painted in the same silver as the grille. The company logo's four rings will also appear on the lower section of the rear door, in either silver or black, depending on exterior colour. The wheel designs have also been updated and Avant (wagon) models will also receive an RS spoiler on the tailgate.
In the interior, the ‘S line competition’ builds on the ‘S line’ black interior package, supplementing it with RS carbon inlays and black partial leather sports seats.
Audi will commence pre-sales of the 2019 A4 from the third quarter of this year, in its home market of Germany first.
Back in Malaysia, local distributor
Audi Malaysia offers the 'S line' package on only the 2.0 TFSI variants
. Customers can further add the Tech package which consists of the Virtual Cockpit digital display, matrix LED head lamps and smartphone interface.


AC Schnitzer (G29) BMW Z4 Unleashed – The Supra’s 400hp Roadster Cousin

Perennial BMW tuner, AC Schnitzer, has unleashed its upgraded version of the (G29) BMW Z4.

Based upon the BMW Z4 M40i – which famously shares its engine and underpinnings with the
(A90) Toyota Supra
 – the AC Schnitzer Z4 has been given some performance tweaks; to now develop a whopping 400 hp (60 hp more than the standard car).

Elsewhere, AC Schnitzer has also developed sports rear tailpipe exits (two at each corner), finished in either "Sport Carbon" or "Sport black" for the exhaust system.

To handle the additional power, AC Schnitzer offers a height-adjustable RS coilover suspension system. The adjustable absorbers are designed with high residual spring travel for additional day-to-day comfort, while still allowing for ample tension/compression adjustment for more spirited driving. Customers can choose to lower their car between 15 - 25 mm (front and rear) using the AC Schnitzer sports spring set.

The aesthetic updates include AC Schnitzer front splitter, side skirts, and 2-piece rear spoiler which functionally improve downforce while adding to the car’s overall aggressive stance. Additionally, bonnet vents are also offered for better engine cooling. A Suite of AC Schnitzer emblems further demarcate this Z4 from the factory standard car. Along the flanks, customers can choose between the AC Schnitzer AC1- or AC3-style alloy wheels measuring 20-inches in diameter all round.

For the interior, AC Schnitzer offers an aluminium shift paddle set, aluminium pedals, aluminium footrest, and aluminium keyholder.


Eric Cantona Kicks Off CARSOME Autofair in Malaysia

It was a day to remember for football fans who scored a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend their Saturday with
CARSOME
’s brand ambassador and football legend Eric Cantona, who was in town making a special guest appearance at the CARSOME Autofair event.

Hailed as ‘King Eric’, the 56-year old’s charismatic presence drew a massive crowd to the Autofair event, and several lucky winners managed to bring home exclusive merchandise signed by the football legend himself. In addition, the recently crowned CARSOME brand ambassador also hosted various car bidding sessions with CARSOME dealers and customers.

The excitement did not stop there, as some Malaysians drove home their dream cars from the CARSOME Autofair event. Held from 10 to 11 September at the
CARSOME PJ Automall
, customers were able to browse from a large selection of up to 200 quality pre-owned cars while enjoying discounts of up to RM10,000.

Commemorating its seventh anniversary, CARSOME is also giving away up to RM7,000 cashback to seven lucky CARSOME Certified car buyers throughout September.

To qualify for the cashback, customers must complete their CARSOME Certified car purchase within the promotion period, fill in a form, and correctly answer a quiz that will be sent to them via text or email.

For more information, please visit CARSOME’s
official website
.


Toyo Proxes TR1 Launched – Priced From RM 199

Toyo Tyre Malaysia has introduced the new Proxes TR1 range of tires, developed as a successor to the Proxes T1R range.
According to the company, the new TR1 combines elements from the Proxes Sport and Proxes T1R, with aggressive thread design on the tyre’s shoulders that was inspired by the Proxes T1R, while the long slant grooves and open lateral slits for improved water drainage was inspired by the Proxes Sport.
Unique to the new Toyo TR1 is a thread wear indicator that uses five stars to provide users with a visualization for wear progress. The thread wear indicator starts with five stars, with the amount of stars gradually decreasing as the tire’s wear progresses.
Toyo Tyre Malaysia also claims that the new TR1 boasts a 16% improvement in wet handling and braking performance over the Proxes T1R.
The Toyo Proxes TR1 is available in 24 sizes, ranging from 15- to 19-inches, with recommended retail prices ranging from RM 199 to RM 800 per tyre, depending on the size.
In conjunction with the launch of the Toyo TR1, customers that purchase a set of four tires in May 2019 will receive a Targus bag worth RM 109, while stocks last.
Customers can get the Proxes TR1 at any of the 74 Toyo Centres nationwide.


McLaren Teases Another Senna, Looks A Lot Smaller And Squarer

McLaren has released a teaser image on an upcoming model. With the large rear wing and rear bumper-diffuser, it certainly points to the design of their
track-focused limited-production McLaren Senna
.
With the body form of the Senna being so square and some Lego bricks stacked in the background for scale, it looks like a Lego version of the Senna is arriving in stores soon.
Similar to the usual pre-launch teaser campaigns, this particular Senna in Lego form is plastered with camouflage with the Senna 'S' logo.
McLaren and Lego have previously replicated two models in the simple-to-assembly interlocking brick form: the McLaren P1 and the
McLaren 720S
.
McLaren also partnered up with Lego last year to build a full-scale model of the 720S using 280,000 bricks at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The Lego McLaren Senna is expected to go on sale next month, under the Speed Champions collection that usually retails for under RM 80.


Speed, Space, Seats, And No Pollution – Is Tesla’s Model X Truly An SUV Without Compromise?

American electric car company Tesla Motors yesterday took the wraps off its
long-awaited Model X
, an SUV that’s the third car in its history following the Roadster and
Model S
. It’s a new market that Tesla is aiming at, and one that hasn’t had a compelling electric entrant. Does the Model X have what it takes?
The Model X’s development was stretched several years, and Tesla said it took pains to make sure it was ready before finally unveiling it. The question is - was that wait worth it?
First of all, what is it? The Model X is an SUV, although it appears to not have much by way of ground clearance. As such our guess is it will be mostly relegated to city driving and perhaps some dirt or snow-covered roads.
But its not like other SUVs. Yes the electric powertrain is the key differentiator, but also since it is essentially a Model S underneath, the X shares the same powertrain that's capapable of
crazy levels of performance
 which – in top spec 762hp P90D guise with the Ludicrous Speed mode option fitted and enabled - makes this SUV a match for a Porsche 911 Turbo with a century sprint time of just 3.2 seconds.
There are two electric motors on the Model X, one feeding each axle for all-wheel drive, and taking energy from a 90kWh battery pack that is good for a claimed EPA-estimated range of 402km (250 miles) under normal driving.
And we’re sure by now you’ve noticed those doors. Tesla coins them as “Falcon Wing” doors, and its one of those features that most sneered off as merely the 2012 concept’s attention-grabber party trick and would never make it to production. Well they were wrong, and the doors are here.
Providing access to the second and third row seats (it is a family car that can seat seven adults, after all), the Falcon Wing doors operates via two hinges that lift up and over. While demonstrating them on stage,
CEO Elon Musk
 had two other vehicles park up very closely next to the Model X and showed how they need very little space to open.
There are three sensors (
capacitive, inductive, and sonar)
to adjust the angle and height to avoid obstacles while opening. Other than that, they just look amazing and also cleverly resemble Tesla’s ‘T’ logo when both are opened.
Tesla is also touting the Model X as being the safest SUV out there For one, as there is no engine the Model X features a spacious front truck that, aside from the boost in practicality, acts a large crumple zone in the event of a crash. It is also less likely to roll over than other cars as the floor-mounted power cells creates such a low centre of gravity. The battery support structure, meanwhile, provides increased side impact protection.
At least on paper, the Model X does seem offer everything it claims, and offer it in style. Should the big boys in the SUV space be worried? After all, an Achilles heel of many (if not all) conventional SUV’s are their big engines and fuel consumption, problems that Tesla’s cars are immune to. Even so, the Model X offers that in addition to power and performance that, in this space, can only be caught up to by nothing outside of the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S or Bentley Bentayga.
All that being said, the Model X isn’t what you’d call ‘cheap’ with prices starting around 130,000 US Dollar mark (approximately RM570k, excluding taxes of course). To that end, Tesla plans to introduce a more affordable mass market vehicle called the Model III by 2017 which they say would cost $35,000 (approximately RM136k).


Jaguar Land Rover to hold roadshow as tribute to the Defender

The Land Rover Defender is one of those quintessential vehicles for the off-road enthusiast. Much like Jeep, Land Rover continued to produce the model that quite nearly defines them- but earlier this year the production of the Defender ceased. Over the 68 years of production, Land Rover produced over two million Series Land Rovers and Defender units.
Constructed from aluminium during a time when steel was in short supply, the Defender began its humble life as an agricultural machine. But it fast became popular in a range of applications, being appropriated for use as a fire engine, cherry pickers, and the like. It was used by farmers and royalty alike, making it a proper vehicle for the people.
To celebrate the history of this icon, Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) is holding a roadshow from the 23rd of April 2016, travelling across 14 locations between the Klang Valley and Penang. On display at the roadshow will be a pair of Land Rover Defenders, each equipped with Final Edition Defender Accessories packages. One will be geared more towards adventure, while the other is aimed at an urban design.
The Land Rover Defender Rover Team schedule is as follows:

Penang (Saturday, April 23, 2016)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm       Heritage Row
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm          Gurney Plaza

Penang (Sunday, April 24, 2016)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm       Queensbay Mall
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm          Penang Times Square
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm          New Lane Hawker Centre

Klang Valley (Friday, April 29, 2016)
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm       Taipan, Subang
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm          Sunway Mentari
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm          Oasis, Ara Damansara

Klang Valley (Saturday, April 30, 2016)
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm       Sunway Giza Mall, Kota Damansara
3:00 pm to 5:30 pm          The Curve, Mutiara Damansara
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm          Desa Park City Waterfront

Klang Valley (Sunday, May 1, 2016)
11:00 am to 2:00 pm       Yellow Brick Road, Jalan Batai, Bukit Damansara
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm          Lucky Garden Bangsar
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm          Bangsar Village 2

For more information on the Land Rover Defender Rover Team roadshow, please visit the website:
www.landrover.com.my
.


Bangkok 2018: BMW Unveils The M850i xDrive Coupe

BMW Group Thailand took the opportunity to launch the new flagship M850i xDrive coupe at the Thailand International Motor Expo 2018.
Up front, the new BMW M850i features the slimmest head lamps of any BMW model to date. Blue accents inside the head lamp point to BMW's Laserlight technology.
The brand’s signature kidney grille flares outwards as well as descends downwards to emphasize the coupe's low centre of gravity.
Powering the BMW flagship coupe is a new generation M Performance twin-turbocharged V8 engine, displacing 4.4 litres. Maximum outputs are 530 hp peaking from 5,500 rpm to 6,000 rpm and a tremendous torque amount of 750 Nm available from 1,800 rpm to 4,600 rpm.
Similar to the high-performance BMW (F90) M5, drive from the glorious-sounding V8 engine is sent to all four wheels via the intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive system. The rear-wheel bias of the xDrive system and the rear locking differential ensure maximum agility and precision.
The benchmark zero to 100 km/h acceleration is completed in a mere 3.7 seconds.
Stopping power in the M850i is equally impressive with the front brake discs measuring 395 millimetres, which are grabbed by 4-piston calipers painted in blue. Large 20-inch wheels fill the arches assertively.
The interior of the new flagship coupe is crafted to the highest quality with a full leather-covered dashboard. A fully digital instrument panel measuring 12.3 inches and a 10.25-inch central control display are controlled by the new BMW Operating System 7.0.
Meanwhile, glass is applied to the iDrive controller, ignition button, and the volume control. An illuminated ‘8’ can be seen through the glass surface of the gear selector.
In terms of advanced driving assistance systems, the M850i coupe is fitted with Person Warning with City Braking Function, Lane Departure Warning, and Blind Spot Detection with rear cross-traffic warning.
The new BMW M850i xDrive is priced from 12,999,000 Thai Baht (RM 1.647 million), which is slightly cheaper than the BMW M5 which is priced at 13,339,000 Thai Baht.


Beijing 2016: MG Set For Return To Malaysia – Turbocharged GS Aims For Honda HR-V

After more than 10 years of absence, the now Chinese-owned British brand MG is set to make a comeback to Malaysia under a soon to be announced local distributor.
Speaking at the sidelines of the ongoing 2016 Beijing Auto Show, a source familiar with the matter confirms that the Shanghai-based SAIC Motor, which owns the MG brand, is In advance stages of negotiations with an unnamed party to re-introduce the MG brand in Malaysia.
Back in 2013, Federal Auto Holdings Berhad, which operates Volvo, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi dealerships in Malaysia, announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SAIC, with the intention of reintroducing MG to Malaysia but Carlist.my understands that the deal is off and that SAIC is currently speaking to another party.
MG cars were last sold in Malaysia sometime around 2005, when the brand was represented by Brookland Motors.
SAIC currently has an assembly plant in Rayong, Thailand that produces the Perodua Myvi-class MG 3, the MG 5 which is priced like a Honda City but is a larger car, only slightly smaller than the Honda Civic-like MG 6. All Thai-assembled MG models are currently only for sale in Thailand.
However Carlist.my understands that despite our close proximity to the Thai plant, the MG cars bound for Malaysia are likely to be UK specifications cars, imported from SAIC’s plant in China.
The 1.5-litre MG 3 has been ruled out for Malaysia as it doesn’t have an automatic transmission, and is only available with a 5-speed automated manual transmission.
Instead, MG’s re-entry into Malaysia will most likely be spearheaded by the MG GS crossover seen in these pictures, which is aimed at the
Honda HR-V
 and
Mitsubishi ASX
, and to a certain extent, the smaller
Mazda CX-3
.
Engine and transmission options for the Malaysian market have not been finalized but globally, the GS is available with two direct injection turbocharged petrol engine options – 1.5-litre TGI is paired to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual clutch automatic (2WD only), while the 2.0 TGI is paired to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic, available as a 2WD or 4WD.
The 1.5-litre TGI engine produces 166 hp at 5,600 rpm and 250 Nm from 1,700 to 4,400 rpm. The 2.0-litre TGI produces 218 hp from 5,000 to 5,300 rpm and 350 Nm from 2,500 to 4,000 rpm.
In terms of size, the GS is larger than both the Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX, but sitting inside, it’s no more spacious than either Japanese models, especially when compared against the very efficiently packaged HR-V.
At 4,500 mm, the GS is 204 mm longer than the HR-V. It’s also 83 mm wider and 70 mm taller than the HR-V.
We expect an announcement on the matter to be made later this year, with an expected launch timing of around 2017.


ETCM Announces New Nissan X-Trail Revised Tentative Price, Same As Outgoing Model

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has announced the tentative price for the
new Nissan X-Trail
which is due to be launched within the coming months.
The revised tentative price is about RM5,000 cheaper than the (also tentative) price which was announced last month during a media preview session where we also
sampled the new X-Trail Hybrid
.
The tentative price is as mentioned below:
There will be four variants compared to the current three, with a newly added 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid joining of the existing 2.0-litre 2WD and 2.5-litre AWD.
The 2.0-litre models are powered by the same four-cylinder petrol engine as the current X-Trail, offering 144 PS and 200 Nm of maximum torque.
The 2.5-litre model on the other hand, is also powered by the same engine as before, producing 171 PS and 233 Nm of maximum torque. Both 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre models get the Xtronic CVT.
The new hybrid variant features a 2.0-litre petrol engine that does 144 PS and 200 Nm, mated to an electric motor that contributes another 41 PS and 160 Nm. According to ETCM, the X-Trail Hybrid is able to return a fuel consumption of 16.1 km/l under the UNECE R101 test cycle and all variants of the updated X-Trail are EEV certified.
Starting with the 2.0-litre 2WD, updates include:
New V-Motion front grille
Revised headlights with LED DRLs
Revised LED taillights
7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display
Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
Flat-bottomed steering wheel
Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold
4 SRS airbags
Moving up to the 2.0L 2WD Mid variant, these equipment have been added:
Lane Departure Warning
Blind Spot Warning
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Motion-activated power tailgate
6 SRS airbags
As for the 2.5L 4WD variant, it gets these additional features:
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking
Intelligent Cruise Control
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with Auto and Lock modes
High Beam Assist
Last but certainly not the least is the X-Trail Hybrid. This variant gets all the equipment of the 2.5L 4WD, except the third-row seats, making the hybrid variant strictly a five-seater model.
Available in five colours options (Brilliant White, Tungsten Silver, Titanium Olive, Diamond Black, Imperial Umber, the new Nissan X-Trail comes with a free 2-year or 40,000 km (whichever comes first) Periodic Maintenance Service package in conjunction with the launch. Deliveries are scheduled to start later this month.


Toyota updates the Harrier and gives the 2022 model more safety features

The Toyota Harrier 2.0L Luxury, which was
first introduced in early 2021
 has received an update, and for RM274,000 OTR without insurance, you can now get a Harrier with more safety features.

According to Toyota, the 2022 Toyota Harrier comes with improvements that cater to the needs of an evolving market and for an additional RM15k
over the 2021 Harrier 2.0L Luxury
, the  SUV is now kitted up with more safety features.

Key improvements include a new panoramic view monitor and an updated Toyota Safety Sense(TSS) system

The panoramic view monitor, which is essentially a 360-degree field of view parking system, helps the Harrier be current as most of its competitors, if not lesser cars also come with this system these days. To facilitate the new feature is a new 8" infotainment head unit, featuring a single rotary dial as opposed to the dual rotary dial found on the 2021 car.

The new TSS system might seem similar to the old one, but they are now enhanced with more detection. The Pre-Collision Brake system can now detect pedestrians, bicycles, and oncoming traffic and the Lane Departure Alert also comes with road edge detection. The Dynamic Radar

Cruise Control has also been enhanced as it can now adjust the SUV's speed through corners.

Suppose you feel like the upgrades are minimal. In that case, Toyota has you covered because for an extra RM3k, you can now purchase the Toyota Harrier Luxury SE, which adds a unique red metallic colour to the exterior and some brown trimmings on the inside.

As before, the 2022 Toyota Harrier is powered by Toyota's (M20A-FKS) Dynamic Force 2.0L four-cylinder NA engine, which pushes out 173PS and 203Nm of torque between 4,400rpm and 4,900rpm. In addition, the engine is partnered up with a Direct-Shift CVT transmission that offers 3 modes – Eco, Normal, and Sport.


Perform Your Own 5-Point Inspection At Home This MCO

Many of us may have been neglecting our vehicles during this MCO as we are not allowed to travel further than 10km from our homes, and even then only when necessary.

However, even though service centres and workshops are closed, there are several things that you can do to ensure that your vehicle remains in good condition during the MCO, such as performing a 5-point vehicle inspection at home.

So, let us jump straight into the things you need to check as part of the 5-point inspection:

1. Fluids

Keeping the fluids at the optimum level will help your car drive better. There are five types of fluids that you need to pay attention to - engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid and windshield washer.

The most critical is the engine oil. Components within the engine spin thousands of revolutions a minute, and it’s the engine oil that keeps everything moving smoothly. To check if there is sufficient engine oil, most cars have a dipstick in the engine bay which is usually yellow in colour and the handle looks like a ring. Ensure the engine is turned off, pull the dipstick out, wipe off any oil with a clean cloth, and repeat this one more time for an accurate reading.

And then we have the radiator coolant, which prevents the engine from overheating by channelling heat from the engine to the radiator. Coolant is usually stored in a white see-through plastic container towards the front of the engine bay to make it easier to visually check how much coolant is present.

Another essential fluid is the brake fluid, which is responsible for moving the various components of your vehicle’s brake system. Checking the level of brake fluid is simple. Look for a white canister towards the back of the engine bay, closer to the cabin. Usually the cover is identified by a circle in a parenthesis. If the canister is see-through, it’s easier to visually inspect it, otherwise, you could just remove the cap to see how much fluid is inside. Ensure that the engine is turned off and that the vehicle has had time to cool down before removing the cap.

Let’s not forget about the power steering system. Most modern cars are equipped with a hydraulic-assisted steering system that makes steering a lot easier at any speed. To check the power steering fluid, look for the reservoir in the engine bay. It’s usually easy to spot because more often than not, the cap is labelled with the words “Power Steering”. Otherwise, look for the steering wheel icon. Some cars have a semi-transparent reservoir for you to easily check on the amount fluid left, whilst others have a dip stick installed inside the cap.

Last but not least, there’s the windshield washer fluid. Make sure it’s topped up so your windscreen remains clean to give you a clear view of the road ahead.

2. Battery

The car battery has a vital role in running the electrical components in our cars. Other than starting our car regularly to ensure the alternator recharges the battery, we should always ensure that battery clamps are tight, clean and free from corrosion.

Physical examination of the car battery is essential to identify any cracks. Firstly, you can check if there is any bulge on the surface of the battery. Next, check the battery clamps for any signs of corrosion.

Keep track of when you changed the battery by writing it down in your owner’s manual. Alternatively, if you have a voltmeter at home, it is advisable to check the battery voltage occasionally. Anything below 14v when the engine has started means you have a weak battery. It’s also a good idea to get your alternator checked at a later date if you’re getting a reading lower than that.

3. Lights

The next thing you need to check are the lights. Ensure the headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signal lights are all working before you head out from home. A trick to checking the rear lights is to park close to a wall and use the rear-view mirrors to see if they work properly. If any of your lights are dim, it could be an indication of a bulb reaching its end, so it’s best to get that bulb replaced at the nearest SC once the MCO is lifted.

4. Tyres

The tyres of your car are akin to shoes and when they are in good condition, it ensures your safety and those on the road. The first thing to look out for are any cuts, tears or bulges. At the same time, look out for tyres that are flatter than the others. If this happens, you should inflate the tyres. But do so only if you absolutely have to head out for essential goods.

The next thing to look out for is your tyre pressure. Ideally, you can check the tyre pressure with a pressure gauge. The correct tyre pressure setting can be found in your car manual or on the driver’s door frame. The recommended tyre pressure is different for each car – there’s no one-size-fits-all figure. Using an underinflated or overinflated tyre is dangerous as it will cause uneven wear and result in you changing your tyres sooner.

Another important thing to be aware of are your tyre’s treads. Every tyre is equipped with treadwear indicators between the centre grooves. Designed to help you monitor tread depth, these indicators are spaced evenly and positioned parallel to the grooves. If the tread is flushed with the indicators, it’s time to replace the tyre.

5. Wiper blades

Windshield wipers are vital to keeping you safe on the road. As we use them, the wiper blades will gradually become hard and brittle, causing streaks that reduces visibility on your windshield when in use. To check if your wiper blades are functioning perfectly, you can switch on the wiper washer function, as soon as you notice the wipers are not providing a clear sweep, but leaving streaks or emitting squeaking noises, it means you should have your wiper blades replaced after the MCO is over. Other than lifting up the windshield wipers when parked under a hot sun, you can also gently wipe the blade with a damp paper towel to remove any loose dirt or oil to extend the life of the wiper blades.

And that’s about it folks. The primary reason for performing this 5-point vehicle inspection is to ensure every vital component of your car works properly to keep you, your family, and others safe on the roads, regardless of the MCO or otherwise.


BMW Malaysia Launches Easy Drive

As we head out of this decade, we are seeing great steps forward when it comes to finance and e-commerce solutions of consumers across all industries. The automotive industry is no different, with brands launching their own flexible payment plans for both sales and aftersales, as well as leasing options. BMW Malaysia has just launched Easy Drive, which is a customer-oriented mobility solution.
In simple terms, it's a flexible financing solution. Initial downpayments can be between 10% and 30%, with a loan tenure of three to four years, and a mileage option of 20,000 or 25,000 km annually. Based on these parameters, a monthly instalment plan and guaranteed future value will be established and agreed upon, which in turn protects customers from unexpected depreciation. That guaranteed future value also serves as final payment for the loan.
At the end of the tenure, customers can choose between four options. The first is to trade the car in and upgrade to another BMW or MINI model, which allows them the option of newer or different vehicles. The second is to return the vehicle with no worry about the reselling process and no further obligations. The next option is to settle the final payment, which in turn transfers the car to the customer and makes them the owner. And the final option is to extend the contract term to enjoy the car for another couple of years.
Top up and additional RM 110 to the monthly instalments and customers will get the Easy Drive Prime package, which adds a few goodies and three year coverage of the Ultimate Protection Programme Elite which is a more holistic insurance plan underwritten by Allianz General Insurance, covering special relief, scratch and dent, compassionate flood cover, and more.
Yes, it sounds like the financing programs offered from other brands, which all suspiciously sound like a lease. Unfortunately in Malaysia, lease programs aren't viewed favourably by the public even though they make the most sense when one considers the actual running costs of the car and the headache of disposing of the car at the end of a loan term or when an owner wants to swap models. With time, Malaysians may just see the value in leasing instead of buying.


Bermaz Motor Announces Updated Mazda CX-5 And CX-9

Bermaz Motor, the official importer and distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia has announced that the CX-5 and CX-9 will be receiving updated equipment.
For the Mazda CX-5, a power tailgate now comes as standard on the GLS variants, including the 2.0L, 2.5L, and 2.2L diesel variants of the CX-5. The power tailgate offers hands-free access to the rear for easy loading and unloading with a push of a button on the key fob. For added peace of mind, the power tailgate also features an anti-pinch function.
As for the Mazda CX-9, this fully-imported SUV is now equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a 360-degree view monitor. In addition to the earlier mentioned equipment, the Mazda CX-9 will also be equipped with ventilated front seats.
The Mazda CX-5 variants will be priced at, inclusive of 10% SST:
2.0 GL : RM132,389.59
2.0 GLS : RM148,214.45
2.5 GLS : RM160,004.00
2.2 GLS 2WD : RM164,693.85
2.2 GLS AWD : RM174,479.90
As for the Mazda CX-9, the new prices are as follow:
2.5T 2WD : RM288,610.40
2.5T 4WD : RM305,610.40
Elsewhere, Bermaz has also released the updated prices for Mazda models to reflect the inclusion of the 10% SST.
The updated pricelist also indicates that Bermaz Motor has streamlined the Mazda 2 lineup, whereby the High Spec variants of the B-segment model now come exclusively with LED headlights, while the halogen units are found only on the Mid Spec variants.
Additionally, the Mazda Biante has also been dropped from Bermaz Motor's lineup.


Audi Teases the All-New A8 in this Spiderman Spot

While Spiderman has his spidey-sense, the
all-new Audi A8
 has a few tricks of its own. Audi has been keen to highlight how the A8 has semi-autonomous driving features, and what better way to show this than with a student driver behind the wheel- except this student driver is none other than Peter Parker. Younger, newer drivers tend to be a little less observant of hazards on the road- something you learn to pick up on with experience- and the Audi A8 helps in this sense by warning the driver of hazards ahead.
There's also the Audi AI system that takes over the car for the driver in certain situations, and self-parking systems. Audi has had a long standing relationship with the Marvel Cinematic universe, what with their R8s and Q7s starring in a number of the films, so it's no surprise that they would showcase the A8 in conjunction with the Spiderman franchise.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia announces Q1 2016 Results

The first quarter of 2016 has been good for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. On the whole there has been a solid improvement in sales, with a market share increase of 0.5% to a total of 2.3% overall- which also makes it number 1 in the premium segment. Growth has been steady in this regard, from just 1.0% market share at the beginning of 2015.
It isn’t merely products that contribute to this improvement in performance, as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has also sought to strengthen their dealer network with the addition of three new showrooms. Aftersales has been revamped as well: lavish lounges, express service, door-to-door pick-up services and drop-off services are all now available to Mercedes-Benz owners. There has also been investment in human capital as a select number of staff have undergone training to become
Product Experts
.
Through 2015, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia delivered a total of 10,865 cars to their customers. Through the first quarter of 2016, they have managed to increase performance by 41%, from 1,886 cars to 2,658 cars delivered. Their range of products is larger than ever, with the introduction of new SUVs and compact models to fill their range.
On closer analysis, this growth isn’t as simple as it seems. Their compact car range has seen a 59% increase to 664 units delivered through the first quarter- and among the models within this class, there has been a consistent positive change.
Moving on to their limousine (sedan) models, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has quoted a 26% improvement over last year. But if we break this down to individual models, the C-Class shows a massive increase in sales with 1,359 units moved, while both the E-Class and S-Class are down by 75% and 28% respectively. The drop with the E-Class is partly because an
all-new E-Class
 is already on the way.
Also supplementing sales figures is their new range of SUVs, with 170 units moved through the first quarter. From these figures alone we can assume that Mercedes-Benz is either attracting a less traditional group of customers, or their current customer are exploring less conventional luxury offerings.


Subaru Announced Price Protection Scheme For Impending Sales And Service Tax

With the recent announcement from
Mahathir regarding the roll-back on GST and re-inclusion of Sales and Service Tax (SST)
, we can naturally expect car prices to go back up to their pre-GST levels. Politics aside, the introduction of GST brought a number of car prices down and owners who put money down on a car at that price may not have done so if it was slightly more expensive.
As a result, TC Subaru has announced a Price Protection Scheme which provides assurance to customers against price movements on Subaru vehicle bookings, up to the 100th day of the new government installation (18th August, 2018). Unregistered and new bookings of Subaru vehicles are to be stabilized in price in the event of any upward movement in price due to the new taxation before registration, and should the price drop as a result of SST implementation, TC Subaru will compensate customers with service vouches with a limit of RM 3,000.
In short, if you've booked a car and put full money down upon receiving it after the price rises, you are not expected to pay the difference. If the price happens to drop and you have already put money down over the next 100 days, you will get a service voucher up to RM 3,000 to cover the discrepancy in value. And if you haven't paid the full amount after booking a vehicle but the price drops, you will only need to pay the new value after SST.


Honda BR-V Surpasses Honda Malaysia’s Booking Target Fivefold

Honda Malaysia announced today that the newly launched all-new BR-V has received over 4,000 bookings, barely 3 weeks since its
official launch
 in Malaysia.
The number of bookings achieved for all-new BR-V surpassed the company’s monthly sales target of 800 units by fivefold, or equivalent to the total sales target for 5 months. Despite the staggering demand, Honda Malaysia assures the expected delivery period for the All-New BR-V remains at 1 to 2 months.
Honda is able to maintain this waiting period due to the ability to adjust its production schedule based on current demand at its manufacturing plant in Pegoh, Melaka. The plant currently works on two production lines.
Of the 4,000 bookings, The 'V' variant, which we
recently reviewed in Thailand
, leads the number of bookings at 83% of the total number of units booked while the remaining 17% accounts for the 'E' variant.
As a goodwill gesture of appreciation, Mr. Katsuto Hayashi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia embarked on a special project to  personalise  his very own hand drawn Honda BR-V card to be delivered to all Honda customers in conjunction with their birthdays.


The Aygo X Prologue Is Toyota's Reinvention Of The City Car, And It's Awesome

The Aygo X Prologue is merely a concept, but this is the sleek and ruggedised look Toyota believes can help it reinvent the city car segment after so many contenders in the space have been axed. And thanks to a roadmap that keeps it powered by a conventional combustion engine, this fashionable urban runabout is likely to cost less and be more practical than an equivalently sized
(or smaller) EV
.

A quick glance at the Aygo X and there’s little to quell the bold, eye-catching visual appeal it exudes. As sharp and stylish as it is, this ‘concept’ seems deceptively thought out, even ‘finished’. Should this ever make it to the production level, it’ll likely have many fans waiting for it to roll off that factory floor.

Collectively penned by the staff at the Toyota Design and Development Centre in the south of France, there’s a certain European flair to this particular design that’s not quite present in their other designs. The company hasn’t confirmed a timeline with the Aygo X, but it wouldn’t take too much tweaking to make this feasible to include in showrooms.

Quite recently, Toyota was caught admitting to having been working on a next-generation city car, which was to be based on the TNGA GA-B platform shared with
the European-spe Yaris
, albeit shortened and perhaps given a wider track, and this concept seems fits the mould like a glove.

Ian Cartabiano, president of Toyota's European Design Centre in Nice, France, said: "Reimagining the A-segment means offering something new to the customer, and I love that [the Aygo X] has some of those crossover cues but looks more fun to drive and is definitely more on the urban side.”

Despite specifications shrouded in mystery, as does the interior, there are only so many options available to Toyota while keeping the Aygo’s tiny dimensions. Fittingly, the likeliest candidate for an engine happens to be the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder that’s slotted into the entry-level Yaris, meaning a
CVT will transmit drive
 to the front wheels with an optional 5-speed manual offered as well.

The front fascia is one we haven’t seen from Toyota, with its curved LED light bar (or daytime running lights) running a curved arc across its front end to connect its C-shaped headlights, forming a sort of ‘smile’. There’s a skid plate for that crossover look - though purely cosmetic - in addition to side air inlets and a central mesh that’s dedicated to cooling its internals given the absence of a conventional grille above.

It sits on hefty 19-inch alloys which, amazingly, do not look overly huge on a vehicle that’s only a little taller and longer than the most recent production Aygo at 1,500mm and 3,700mm, respectively. A noticeable increase of 90mm (to 2,340mm) in wheelbase was necessary to give the vehicle extra room for passengers.

Sitting on 19-inch alloys, it resembles a Yaris on steroids. Taller than the Yaris, the Aygo X Prologue is also a little longer and taller than the current Aygo, at 3,700mm and 1,500mm respectively. Designers have also increased the wheelbase by 90mm to 2,340mm, which will obviously increase the interior space.

In profile, you’ll notice mounts for “action cameras” within its door mirrors (probably a bad idea), and the more sloped roofline does put one in mind of
the GR Yaris
treatment, especially when paired with the flared fenders and wider stance it’s been given. At the rear, the boot hatch is framed by a contrasting design element that links the raised tail lamps but is otherwise more minimal. The two-tone colour, by the way, is also pretty gorgeous.

The production-ready model will take shape by the end of this year or early 2022 and Europe will be the first market to receive the Aygo X with rare chances of it coming to Southeast Asia given the only previous whiffs of it locally were the handful of badge-engineered Aston Martin Cygnets.


Hyundai Creta Compact SUV Is Here To Fight The Honda HR-V

Hyundai
 has finally taken the covers off its long-time coming Creta: a compact SUV with a view to fight the
Honda HR-V
,
Ford EcoSport
 and
Mazda
 CX-3 types.
For now, the Creta will be on sale only in India come July 21
st
, but is a model that Hyundai will be offering in other markets as well. For China, specifically, a similarly-sized model, known as the ix25, has been on sale there since 2014.
The ‘Creta’ name will be used throughout all markets except for China, but we’ll have to wait a little longer before learning which markets the compact SUV will actually be available in.
Speaking at the showcase of Creta, Mr. BS Seo, Managing Director & CEO, HMIL said, “The CRETA is the most awaited and aspirational SUV of the year and would be a revolutionary product in the Hyundai portfolio. The global SUV CRETA will herald a new chapter in Hyundai Motor India’s success story and will set a new benchmark in the SUV segment of India with unmatched capabilities. With Hyundai’s strong vision for India, we will strengthen our commitment to the Indian market with the launch of CRETA.”
The Creta uses the brand’s latest ‘Hive Structure,’ which is said to be a robust, yet lightweight body structure with dynamic handling and safety. The body is also said to offer “outstanding NVH” levels for a cosy ride.
Exterior wise, Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language is featured, just as it is in the China-market ix25. Feature wise, Hyundai India will have some premium fitments to specify, beginning with a set of projector headlamps with LED positioning lamp, and 17-inch Diamond Cut alloy wheels.
Interior images are limited for now, but we understand that highlights include a five-inch AVN touchscreen display with a six-speaker system, smart key with push-start button, and six airbags.
For safety, up to four airbags can be equipped, with ABS, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management and hill-assist control is available, along with a reverse camera system. Not too shabby an offering at all.
Power wise, the India-market Creta will have a choice of one petrol (1.6-litre, 123PS), and two diesel engines (1.4, 1.6-litre, 128PS), which can be paired with either a six-speed manual or torque converter automatic transmission.
That's about all the details and images we have for you at the moment, so hang tight while we source more for you.
In the meantime... How would you like the Hyundai Creta to become available in Malaysia? Or are the Honda HR-V, Ford EcoSport and coming Mazda CX-3 good enough for you?


VIDEO: He's Surfing Waves On A Dirt Bike, And It's Epic Beyond Description

When you see something awesome, you don’t really need that much of a primer to pique your interest, isn’t that right? Such as a man riding a dirt bike over some pristine blue water. Water.
We’ve got a few reactionary words to dispense, so may as well dish them out now. First of all, just wow. This is the sort of thing that occupied the secret agent fantasies of a typical overhyped little boy, but come to life.
This wave-riding dirt bike is built for
DC Shoes
 (they’re always on the prowl for the most insane marketing angle) and ridden by stunt biker for the stars: Australian, Robbie Maddison. Maddison’s resume includes work on James Bond film Skyfall. They calling it “Robbie Madison’s Pipe Dream
We don’t really know much about the bike or why it exists (do we need practical reason?), but it took two and a half years of development to really get it seaworthy like you see in the video. From what we can gather the bike isn’t really floating but rather is relying on its speed to skip across the water. Snowmobile riders occasionally dabble in this dark art, too, but given their much higher weight, can only maintain their run for so long.
This dirt bike, however, can evidently go for much longer and is much more manoeuvrable – with Maddison even able to ride a few surf waves on it. We suspect, though, that should he let up on the gas and slow the bike-ski down, he’d sink. Easy solution: keep the engine pinned.
You can also watch a little behind-the-scenes footage that explains a little more about the bike-ski's development below.