World Car Of The Year 2018 - The Finalists Are In!

Has it been a year already? It's time for another round of the World Car of the Year awards, and the finalists for the overall winner at in. This time around, only one of the cars on the list is not likely to make it to our country, so we can feel a little bit more relevant when it comes to the final results.
As expected, Mazda makes an appearance in the shortlist with their CX-5. The handsome new model has also been launched here, and while it is more of a rework of the previous generation model rather than an all-new car, the SKYACTIV platform on which it sits is still highly competitive by today's standards.
Also in the running to win is the Volvo XC60 that was recently launched, and it would be a strong contender on the basis of design and safety. Volvo's newest models are continuously winning accolades, both from the safety side of things and the overall packaging of their vehicles.
Rather surprisingly, the Toyota Camry has also made it in the running to win it. We're not sure if they're specifically referring to the US-market Camry, but if that's the case then it would probably be on the basis of design.
The Nissan LEAF also makes it to the finals this year, with a completely revised design and technological specs. The LEAF is unique in that it is one of the few cars that is continuously improved year on year as opposed to changes every half generation.
Volkswagen's T-ROC makes it to the list despite its relatively short appearance in the market. This compact crossover is likely to be a huge hit globally as the market for compact crossovers in general is on the up and up.
Land Rover has both the Discover and the Range Rover Velar in the run to win it, although it's the latter that is more likely to make it ahead. The Velar is an all-new product for the Range Rover line and promises to be a blend between the luxury of the Evoque and the all-out robustness of the full Range Rover.
The BMW X3 adds to the list of SUVs, although it is not quite as prominent as the other models on the list. Still though, BMW has done a solid job with the iterative development of the X3 model line.
What list would be complete without rear wheel drive sedans? The Kia Stinger and the Alfa Romeo Giulia both make the list, but only one of these models is coming to Malaysia (at least, from what Naza Kia says). Which of these models is going to take top spot is anybody's guess.


Toll Hike Decision To Come Within Weeks, Says PM

Following recent reports that certain highway
 toll charges could soon be facing a 30% hike
, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has stated that a firm decision on the matter will arrive in the coming weeks.
After the Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting, Najib had confirmed that the matter had been discussed by the cabinet, "But the details and the implementation will be made in the coming weeks," as reported by The Sun Daily.
Earlier, various reports had detailed the government’s proposed increase in toll costs between 20 sen and RM1 for 16 highways.
The Prime Minister also expressed dismay at the leaking of information concerning the matter, referring to the perpretrators as "unethical". He said, "It came out in the social media, and it was hyped up. This is very unfortunate.”
According to a statement by Public Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof, he said, “The ministry will be having a discussion with highway concessionaires before any decisions are made. The ministry calls on the media to not make any speculations on the toll hikes.”


The Tweeting Pothole Tweets City Officials to Get Itself Fixed

Nobody likes potholes. Not only are they a sore sight on the road, they also make a driver’s life bumpy and very unpleasant. That’s even before we get to the damages it can cause on a car or worse, the injuries a motorcyclist might incur because of one.
However, getting potholes fixed can take some time and some urgency is required. Which is exactly what the
The

Tweeting Pothole
 project organised in Panama City, Panama aims to do. Residents there have been dealing with potholes of different magnitudes for several years that it has even become a running joke among the city’s residents, kind of like us here in Malaysia.
To highlight and remedy the bad shape of streets there, one of the city’s most popular news channels,
Telemetro Reporta
, worked together with a local creative agency P4 Ogilvy & Mather to engineer and ingenious solution – an electronic device that sends a message directly to the officials whenever a driver hits a pothole.
As the name suggests, the
The Tweeting Pothole
 is installed in a pothole and is made up of two parts, a small circular pressure sensor and a wireless network module placed nearby. Whenever a car hits a pothole and runs over the pressure sensor, it is activated, sending a signal to the network module which in turn, sends a tweet to the Panama City Ministry of Public Works with an often humorous message and a request that the pothole be fixed.
The devices were scattered around the most heavily used roads in Panama City where there are a high number of potholes.
Telemetro Reporta
 even dedicated a section of the show to highlights the project with reporters interviewing drivers on the road.
The result? A large number of potholes have been fixed as you can see from the video that shows us the before and after effects on the road.
For those fluent in Spanish, you can check out
The

Tweeting Pothole
’s Twitter account at
@Elhuecotwitero
.
Do you think this would be an interesting project to be executed here as well?


The 2021 Lexus IS Has No Business Looking This Good

Out of the blue, the Lexus IS has been given a thorough workover for 2021. It's also been hit with the handsome stick, repeatedly.

At the 7 year mark, most automakers are well into planning the rollout of an all-new model replacement, but this isn’t the case at Lexus, and this isn’t an all-new IS.

Instead, their third-generation compact executive sedan (XE30) has just received a facelift. A substantial one. The kind that puts even most wholly new efforts to shame in the visual department alone. It could be the best looking in its class now, if that counts for much. There's traces of their RC coupe as well as the ES and LS in smaller doses too.

The luxury arm of Toyota hasn’t seen a real need to overhaul and rework every part of their IS in order to meet an industry imposed schedule for when a next-generation model should appear. Rather, the IS, according to Lexus, merely needs tweaking in specific areas to keep it fresh and competitive.

It’s an unusual approach. However, upon these distant first impressions, we’re inclined to agree with their thought process. Just for some perspective, BMW’s current alternative is the G20 3 Series, which was launched in 2018 to replace the F30, which had been in production for 7 years.

This Lexus IS (XE30), really, is only slightly younger than the previous-generation 3 Series. And judging from how much effort the company has poured into this 2021 refresh, they’d surely like to keep it going for a few more good years.

Lexus had previously teased their IS in a single image of its rear end with nothing lit except for its single strip tail lights. We assumed the worst, thinking
“oh no, Lexus has joined the church of the unibrows”
. But looking at the whole car, the rear end design along with the illumination clusters look very well resolved. Balanced yet distinctive.

For this facelift, they wanted to give the IS a more swept-back coupe-like profile despite the car never being designed for it originally. Somehow, it’s come out good with more of its visual weight resting on its rear haunch, though it retains a conventional boot - not a ‘liftback’.

In keeping with this extensive update, and because all its competitors are getting larger, the 2021 IS has grown in both length and width; 30mm on both measurements, though its wheelbase is untouched at 2,800mm.

Noticeably, its wheel arches are also made more flared to accommodate a set of optional 19-inch BBS wheels with the F-Sport package, but lends all variants a more aggressive stance as a side effect. In its sportiest guise, the IS now has a wheel track that’s 50mm wider than before. And yes, you’ll definitely notice.

At the front is perhaps the IS’ most prominent styling triumph. Back in 2013, its large 3D spindle grille design was met with mixed reactions upon its original debut with arguments that it was too large and made the fascia too messy and inelegant.

Fast forward to 2020 and front grilles are indeed getting larger still - just ask BMW. Instead of backing down, the new IS' nose is completely transformed from an acquired taste to an aggressive and characterful centrepiece. This is largely thanks to the headlights and side vents that do a lovely job of framing that wide maw.

Congratulations, Lexus, only yourself and Audi have managed to pull off the 'big mouth' look without making your cars look worse.

There’s much less newness to absorb with regard to the interior, however. Not that it’s a bad cabin, far from it, rather one that isn't anywhere as dramatic as the exterior. We’ve the familiar IS layout carried over with newly updated tech and some subtle ergonomic improvements.

The positioning of the car’s infotainment screen has been changed to be about 3-inches closer to the driver for improved reachability. Entry-level variants receive an 8.8-inch panel while a larger 10.3-inch unit is added as part of the navigation package, though both features support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In the audio department, the Mark Levinson stereo has been improved with 17" speakers (up from 15") and a stronger 1800 watt output. However, it still bothers me that the analogue clock in between the central climate control vents isn’t branded Grand Seiko or Orient Star. I'll take it over a digital readout any day.

If you were looking for yet more changes with regard to its powertrain packages, you’ll be a little disappointed to find that most, if not all, of the outgoing IS’ engines have been transitioned to this 2021 version without modification.

Things kick off, as before, with the IS 300’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, outputting 241hp and 350Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic sending power to the rear. From there, IS 300 AWD variant swaps that out for a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 that delivers more peak power at 260hp but a little less peak torque at 320Nm and pairs with a 6-speed automatic.

The IS 350 receives an uprated version of that V6, producing 311hp and 380Nm and is available with either a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive layout. The former receives the 8-speed auto while the latter gets the 6-speed. Interestingly, in spite of the extra traction, the IS 350 AWD is 0.1s slower in the 0-60mph dash than the RWD version, at 5.7 seconds.

To complement the sportier looks and, at least when equipped with V6 firepower, a sweet soundtrack, Lexus has also beefed up the IS’ chassis and suspension not only to improve sharpness and responsiveness but also to elevate comfort levels and refinement.

New construction methods and materials have resulted in a more rigid unibody structure while new suspension components, such as the new swing valve shock absorbers, save weight and unsprung mass while simultaneously improving ride quality and handling.

Currently, the Malaysian line-up for Lexus sedans only includes the ES and ultra-luxurious LS following the local departure of the GS and IS over the past couple of years, and it isn’t looking too likely that this new IS will mark a return for the model. Still, we can hope.


VIDEO: Need For Speed Returns To Night Racing In Latest Game Teaser

The Need For Speed series has been around the block. Some great titles, some underwhelming ones. The most recent instalment, 2013’s Need For Speed Rivals, was a strong release. After that two year hiatus, EA is now back with a new game – dubbed just Need For Speed.
No colons to a sub title such as Hot Pursuit or Shift or Unleashed, which some might view as a good thing. The newest NFS, when looking at the teaser video below, reminds us that despite the minimalist naming approach, it doesn’t stray too far from what the fan base is used to seeing: fast cars and cops in pursuit. It will feature deep customisation, authentic urban car culture, an open world, and immersive narration.
In fact, it does look like a sequel to the Need For Speed: Underground series. Electronic Arts calls this new game a reboot, so perhaps we’ll see a shift to more realistic simulation-type handling as opposed to the rather forgiving arcade-style. Or perhaps not.
Marcus Nilsson, Executive Producer at developer Ghost Games, says, "Need for Speed is one of the most iconic names in gaming, and we're returning it to greatness in this reboot. Pulling on our 20 years of history, and then taking a year out from releasing a game, we are making the game we’ve always wanted to. We're listening to the fans and delivering an experience that will capture their imagination and unleash their passion for cars and speed."
We look forward to seeing what this reboot has up its sleeve, especially considering how the arena has gotten just a little more crowded now with
Project CARS
. The teaser features a
Toyota

86
,
Porsche

911
 Turbo (type 930) involved in a street race with a
Ford
 Mustang and some other cars. The game, we must say, looks really good – it’s all in-game footage too, mind you. It will be out in the fall on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.


2022 Vigus Pro 4x4 vs 2021 Mitsubishi Triton Athlete - The Difference Between Value vs Premium

What is the disparity between one of the most affordable pickup trucks in Malaysia and one that is fully kitted out? We look at the
JMC Vigus Pro
 vs Mitsubishi Triton Athlete.

The pickup truck segment is one of the most popular vehicle segments in Malaysia. There's a wide variety of pickup trucks that can be had to suit everyone's wants and needs. Pick-up trucks have also come
a long way
 since the nineties. They are no longer made just to serve as an offroad vehicle for workers.

Some of them are kitted out with a premium interior and even come with a host of safety features that would put a family sedan to shame. Options in Malaysia spread from the most
basic of trucks
 to the most luxurious and performance-oriented utes.

If you're looking for a workhorse, there are trucks out there that can be simply bought for their 4x4 capabilities, and if you're looking for a
family chariot with 4x4 capabilities
, there are options aplenty too!

To see how
significant the differences
 are between the most basic of trucks to one that is completely tricked out, we compare one of the cheapest pickups in Malaysia and one that is considered to be premium.

The 2022
JMC Vigus Pro 4x4
 is the latest truck to join the ever-growing pickup truck segment. It's not as flashy as some of the top trucks from Japan, but the Chinese truck does have a few tricks up its sleeve that makes it a good value proposition.

The
2021 Triton Athlete
, on the other hand, is considered one of the finest trucks in the market. It pretty much has everything, including paddle shifters. It's got everything you can think of, including great safety features, which are highly sought after especially if a buyer also wishes to use it as a family vehicle.

For your convenience, we have compiled a table down below comparing them both head-to-head:

2022 JMC Vigus Pro 4x4 vs 2021 Mitsubishi Triton Athlete

Index

JMC Vigus Pro 4x4

Mitsubishi Triton Athlete

MSRP

RM98,888

RM141,500

Engine

2.0-litre Turbodiesel

2.4-litre Turbodiesel

Transmission

8-speed Auto

6-Speed Auto

Horsepower

139

179

Torque (Nm)

340

430

Fuel Consumption

12.8 km/l

11.6 km/l

4x4

BorgWarner 4WD system

Mitsubishi Super Select 4WD-II

Rear Differential Lock

Eaton Diff Lock

N/A

Wheels

16"

18"

Payload (Kg)

850

1000

Bed Dimensions

LxWxH

1,475 x 1,475 x 500

1,520 x 1,470 x 475

Airbags

2

7

Safety

Halogen Headlights

ABS, EBD, ESP, TCS

Hill Start Assist

Hill Descent Control

LED Headlights with Auto High Beam

ABS, EBD, ESP, TCS

Hill Start Assist

Hill Descent Control

Forward Collision Mitigation

Blind Spot Warning with Lane Change Assist

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System

From the table, we can observe that performance-wise, there's no denying that the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton Athlete has more grunt than the 2022 Vigus Pro. Saying that however, the 2022 Vigus Pro does come with an 8-speed auto transmission, which gives the truck brisk acceleration. The 8-speed auto is also made by ZF, which explains why it goes through the gears quite smoothly.

The best part of having an 8-speed auto is its ability to provide the car with good fuel economy, which is why the Vigus Pro has better fuel consumption figures compared to the Triton.

The biggest difference however between the two trucks is how it feels inside and in the safety department.

The 2021 Triton Athlete's interior is leaps and bounds over the Vigus Pro. While the Chinese truck only comes with fabric seats, the Japanese truck comes with a whole host of premium features including leather seats. The premium leather treatment doesn't stop there either in the Triton as there is orange stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever - oh yes, and the door scuff plates are LED illuminated.

Safety-wise,
the Triton
 does come with a host of safety features that make the Vigus Pro's look well not-so-good. But then again, the Vigus does come with a lot of standard active safety features which will help keep you safe on the road.

But when it comes to the offroad, the Vigus Pro does have an old-school trick up its sleeve in the form of an Eaton Differential Lock. There are arguments that a traditional diff lock is better than a terrain response system such as the one included in the Triton, but we haven't had the chance to put them to the test side by side.

If you're looking for a truck that will purely be used
as a workhorse
, then there's nothing wrong with the Vigus Pro. It has a lot of tried and tested mechanical bits under the body which will do its job when the time comes. The interior is not as exciting as the Triton but it has more of a utilitarian feel to it which is starting to disappear in modern utes.

So what are you paying for in tricked-out trucks? The interior and safety features of course because a lot of buyers these days want a pickup truck to be used as a
family chariot
 and they would, of course, like something that is a bit more luxurious and refined.

If you're in the market for a pickup, what are your requirements?


Proton strengthens parts supply in East Malaysia with new Regional Part Centre

Proton
 has officially opened its latest Regional Parts Centre in Kuching, Sarawak.

The new regional parts centre will provide some much-needed support in terms of after-sales services in East Malaysia by reducing the lead time for parts delivery by at least 30%. Faster parts, faster service turnaround, happier customers.

Located in the Bintawa Industrial area, the new parts centre by Proton has the capacity to receive up to six containers of parts at any particular time. As of now, the team there is currently processing an average of 17 containers per month, which is around three months' worth of stock. Direct overseas shipment is also available.

According to Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Proton, "With increasing customer demand over the last four years, Proton’s previous warehouse facilities in East Malaysia were overflowing with parts and running inefficiently due to space limitations. The new Regional Parts Centre in Kuching is three times larger than its predecessor and will function as a parts distribution centre for after-sales parts and components for Sarawak as well as Sabah if the need arises."

“The added space also allows Proton to increase delivery by 50% from 3,000 orders per month to 4,500 orders per month with a maximum capacity of 6,000 orders per month should it be needed. This allows us to achieve more parts throughput and as of today we are quickly clearing backlogged orders from our dealers and customers," added Roslan.


Malaysia Sold 4% Fewer Cars In 2021 vs 2020, Among Slowest Recovery In ASEAN

It was a tough year for automobile sales in 2021, as you might have expected, but new data from the MAA have revealed some interesting insights into how Malaysia is performing relative to our neighbouring countries.

Predicting that sales for new vehicles would substantially increase over 2020’s sharp decline led to a
(revised) predicted TIV of 500,000 units
. However, the year-to-date numbers that ended in November 2021 saw a figure of 441,136 vehicles.

However, by the end of the year, the market did experience a late surge to 508,911 units as December 2021 closed out, exceeding the 500k TIV target. That said, it was still a 4 percent decrease (-4%) over the previous year’s 529,514 units despite the year-on-year contraction being much less than the 12.4% decline in 2020.

YBhg Datuk Aishah Ahmad, MAA President, said that this can be attributed to: "the measures and wisdom of our government in balancing between saving lives and jobs so as not to jeopardise the domestic economy,”

“The extension of the sales tax exemption incentive under PEMERKASA+ package till 31 December 2021, had also helped to sustain the demand for new passenger vehicles”, she added.

It is true that 2021 saw more days spent in ‘lockdown’ than in 2020 with increased government-imposed closures in businesses and interstate (sometimes inter-district) travel, thereby making for a very tepid response from the buying public that, coupled with the non-operation of showrooms and service centres, contributed greatly to the slight but continuing decline.

Regionally, it was Indonesia that saw the largest uptick in vehicle sales. As of end-November 2021, The Association Of Indonesia Automotive Industries (GAIKINDO) reported a 66% year-to-date TIV improvement compared to 2020 (474,898) with 790,524 vehicles sold.

Like us, Thailand also saw a slight decline (-3%) over their total 2020 sales numbers with a TIV of 668,109 vehicles, as reported by the Thai Automotive Industry Association (TAIA), compared to 688,507 vehicles in 2020.

Elsewhere in ASEAN, and apart from Myanmar which saw a brutal 46% TIV decline over 2020, the market seems to have had a dose of Indonesia’s optimism with positive numbers reported by Singapore (+7%), Vietnam (+3%), and, impressively, the Philippines with a 23% percent increase over the previous year.

While Thailand shared a similar situation with Malaysia in terms of new vehicles sold, they performed significantly better than us with regard to vehicle production numbers, managing to churn out 1,531,337 vehicles in 2021 over 1,284,001 vehicles in 2020. That’s a 19% increase year-on-year and a very clear sign of an automotive industry in strong recovery.

That said, Malaysia did not perform as well with a contraction of 0.4%, leading to a production count of 427,485 units compared to 429,294 units in 2020.

It should be a much different story this year, however. MAA has published a TIV forecast of 600,000 units by the end of 2022, which would be an 18% increase over the numbers achieved in 2021.

Alongside much fewer pandemic-related disruptions, the Malaysian government has continued to
extend the SST exemption (or discount) for passenger vehicles
 until June 30th, 2022. Also, there has been a massive incentivisation effort to promote the adoption of fully electric vehicles, which enjoy a waiver on import and excise duties alongside a 100% road tax exemption.

Also, the Malaysian government had projected positive GDP growth of 5.5 to 6.5% in 2022. The growth is expected to be driven primarily by an
expansionary Budget 2022
along with normalisation in economic and social activities.


Volvo Cars Begins Production of New XC60 on 90th Anniversary Date

Volvo Cars has commenced production of its new XC60 mid-size SUV three days ago in its plant in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The reason why April 14 was chosen as the date to roll the new SUV out of the production was because it was the same date Volvo’s first ever car, the OV4, was produced 90 years ago.
While the first Volvo sold a total of 275 vehicles in its life time, which was modest even in those days, the new XC60 replaces one of the best-selling model in Volvo’s 90-year history.
First
revealed at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show
, the new XC60 carries its predecessor’s mantle to push the boundaries of safety, this time being able to autonomously steer itself out of trouble.
Being built on a shortened version of the SPA platform that underpins the
XC90
, the new XC60 unsurprisingly offers the same range of
2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E engines
 that are actually already
available in the outgoing model
.
The range kicks off with two diesel and two petrol engines; the D4 and D5 oil-burners offer 190 and 235hp respectively, whilst the turbocharged T5 and twincharged T6 petrol variants ramp things up to 254 and 320hp respectively.
Topping the range off is the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid variant with 407hp and capable of hitting 100 km/h from rest in 5.3 seconds. These numbers are preliminary, however, and Volvo has not disclosed either top speed or acceleration times for the lower models.
The current XC60 is Volvo’s best-selling vehicle, accounting for 30 percent of the company’s global sales. Whilst based on the Ford EUCD platform, the XC60 has been continuously improved by Volvo to the point where it now sports a completely different range of engines from its original launch configuration.


Range Rover Velar Open For Booking - Malaysian Debut In Q2 2018

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia, the authorised distributor of Land Rover vehicles in Malaysia announced today that the 2018 Range Rover Velar will reach Malaysian shores early Q2 of 2018.
Named after the Range Rover’s prototype that was produced 1969, the Velar is a new mid-sized SUV which sits between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport.
Key features of the Velar include aluminium-intensive monocoque body, full-LED headlights; flush deployable door handles, and a low drag coefficient of 0.32 which makes it the most aerodynamically-efficient Land Rover ever produced.
Inside, the luxury mid-size SUV comes with the new Touch Pro Duo infotainment system which features two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens that form the centrepiece of the minimalist cabin.
Powering the Velar is a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines both available in either 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre V6 configurations.
D180: 2.0-litre diesel, 180hp, 430Nm
D240: 2.0-litre diesel, 240hp, 500Nm
D300: 3.0-litre V6 diesel, 300hp, 700Nm
P250: 2.0-litre petrol, 250hp, 365Nm
P380: 3.0-litre V6 petrol, 380hp, 450Nm
There is no official indication on which engine will be offered in Malaysia, but the 2.0-litre petrol P250 looks like a certain bet. It this setup, the Velar is claimed to be able to do 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and achieve a top speed of 217 km/h. Fuel economy in the combined cycle is rated at 7.6 litres/100km with CO2 emissions at 173 g/km.
Ensuring it maintains Land Rover’s tradition of accomplished all-terrain capability, the Velar has all-wheel drive as standard, with the Terrain Response 2 programme available as an optional add-on. In water crossings, the Velar is able to wade through water 650mm deep. The chassis also incorporates air suspension, stability control, roll stability control, and hill descent control.
Designed and engineered at Jaguar Land Rover’s development centres in the UK, the Velar, which will be manufactured at the company’s Solihull production facility, is now open for booking at all Land Rover showrooms nationwide.


2023 Honda ZR-V To Launch In Europe, China As Hybrid Corolla Cross Rival

Honda has a new C-segment contender to add into their mix of SUVs, and this one has been given
the name ZR-V
. Will it also come to Malaysia?

For some context, the ZR-V isn’t exactly a car we have not heard about before. Though it was previously speculated to be the name of a
more compact B-segment crossover
 for the ASEAN market to rival the Daihatsu Rocky (and Perodua Ativa, by extension).

Instead of lobbing this nameplate as a ruggedised, higher-riding reinterpretation of the Jazz, the Japanese automaker has decided to go the upsized route.

This incoming ZR-V is also a car that we have also seen before in completed production form as a US-specific model. Back in early April, in a confusing move, Honda USA previewed a larger C-segment SUV but
named it the HR-V as it would be known regionally
.

This is akin to BMW renaming the 5 Series to 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz calling the S-Class the E-Class, all of a sudden and only for a certain country or region, such as ASEAN. Makes no sense, right?

It shares underpinnings with the 11th-generation Civic, inheriting its longer wheelbase and some of its suspension components. It’s got some design cues and body lines that echo the sedan as well.

However, from what we understand, the ZR-V that will be known as a 2023 model year vehicle in Europe and China is the same car US customers will know as their HR-V.

Slotting in below the CR-V
 in terms of sheer bulk, it’s clearly going after
the Corolla Cross
, a big seller for Toyota in North America. If and when it does arrive in other regions such as Southeast Asia (as the ZR-V), you can bet that this rivalry will only continue.

For its European introduction, the new Honda SUV will be powered exclusively by Honda’s hybrid e:HEV powertrain similar to that found in the City RS. However, it will likely use a larger 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine to juice up its electric traction motor.

We’re expecting output to stand around 180PS and 315Nm of torque for some pretty brisk performance for a powertrain that’s lauded for its fuel economy. Buyers in China, meanwhile, will get the option of a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo petrol four-pot.

Inside,
like the Civic FE
 it’s based on, the ZR-V should also sport very similar cabin dimensions with matching dashboard and trim, albeit with added headroom owing to the SUV shape.

Of course, we have no clue about its potential Malaysian introduction but speculate at it happening only well after the new model’s European debut in latter 2022 or early 2023.

Local buyers are still patiently anticipating the launch of the 3rd-generation HR-V which has been all but confirmed to be scheduled to hit showrooms in the second half of 2022. Ahead of this, we’ve been seeing plenty of the
all-new HR-V on Malaysian roads
 as it undergoes pre-launch testing.


Malaysia's Tallest Highway Now Open In Penang

After six years of construction, Malaysia's tallest
highway
 is finally open!

After being embroiled in various issues and controversies, the Bukit Kukus Twin Highway in Paya Terubong is officially opened to the public, making it the tallest highway in Malaysia, exceeding the height of the Rawang-Serendah Highway bridge (Rawang Bypass) with a height of 58.2 meters.

Photo credit: The Star

The 5.5 km highway which cost RM545.6 million to build connects three main routes, namely Paya Terubong (Jalan Thean Teik) - Bukit Jambul and Balik Pulau - Jalan Tun Sardon.

Penang's Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow, said that after six years of facing various challenges, the Bukit Kukus Twin Highway has finally opened.

“The project has been delayed several times due to landslide incidents, Covid-19 pandemic constraints and several technical issues involving additional work. At last, it is finally open, and we hope it will help alleviate some traffic in the area," said Yeow.

Photo credit: The Star

The project which was funded by the
Penang
 City Council (MBPP) was conceptualised to accommodate the state's rapid development due to the increase in traffic in the area.

Due to the nature of the terrain, the project employed consulting services from experienced companies, including appointing geologists who study slopes specifically.

The route is an alternative road for residents in the Paya Terubong and Air Itam areas to connect with the Bukit Jambul, Bukit Gambir, Balik Pulau and surrounding areas.

The project once sparked controversy when part of the structure under construction collapsed and killed nine victims in an incident in October 2018.


Mazda RX-Vision GT3 Concept: So Much Fun, So Much Pain

Quit playing games with my heart….Oh, my heart.

You can now drive a cutting-edge 570PS rear-drive Mazda super sports car. “Arigato, Mazda!” Except this isn’t in real life, rather within the digital confines of the Sony Playstation 4 game Gran Turismo Sport. Bummer.

It’s the latest
concept
 car to be made available for the popular racing simulation game, bearing a striking resemblance to the Mazda RX-Vision, a real life concept that was revealed back in late 2015.

Players can download the car and start racing via the game console starting May 22nd, and with it being named RX-Vision GT3 Concept, of course you’d expect nothing less than a digital representation of one of Mazda’s most wildly anticipated new models.

Ever since the actual RX-Vision concept was revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show, which was a little less than 5 years ago, fans have had their heads spinning at the prospect of a true successor to Mazda’s RX sports cars coming down the pipe; one that would also simultaneously resurrect the screaming Wankel rotary engine, dubbed SkyActiv-R.

A streak of rumours have swirled about this all-new engine and its troubled development. Insider information supposedly painted a heroic undertaking by Mazda’s powertrain skunkworks toiling to overcome the inherent weaknesses of this unique high-revving engine type while retaining its beloved characteristics, all framed through the window of modern day emissions regulations and fuel economy.

Mazda has now confirmed that the SkyActiv-R would indeed be the name given to a working version of the next-generation motor, picking up where RX-8’s 13B RENESIS left off. In GT Sport, the RX-Vision GT3's engine features a 4-rotor design and, as mentioned earlier, produces peak power of 570PS (562bhp) at a properly heady 8,900rpm.

Torque is quoted at 539Nm at 6,500rpm which might be enough to cement that it’s naturally aspirated, unlike the twin-turbocharged 13B unit from the RX-7. This is confirmed in-game where there isn’t a hint of turbo whistle, leaving only the screaming F1-like soundtrack (back when F1 cars sounded good) through a pair of side exit exhausts. The RX-Vision GT3 concept sounds epic, make no mistake.

Speaking of that name, this car has obviously been designed to have its digital representation follow real-life FIA GT3 regulations. As such, it’s a very light (virtual) machine, tipping the scales at just 1,250kg thanks to space age materials and a cabin void of any creature comforts.

We imagine the engine itself is situated low and as far back from the front axle as possible to keep that centre of mass nice and tight. Its gearbox, which seems to be a race-spec sequential box, is probably placed near the rear axle for ideal weight distribution - though, Mazda confirms it’s slightly rear-biased at 48:52.

It sits incredibly low to the ground and looks even more aggressive than the RX-Vision concept from 2015. Obviously, because it’s been given a proper race car makeover. Just look at that huge carbon rear wing.

Literally nothing else is revealed, except for the fact that we see it wearing a set of Michelin racing slicks. Evidently, there’s no countryman loyalty to Bridgestone, Falken, Yokohama, or Toyo.

In a way, it’s awesome that the Hiroshima-based automaker has given the world a chance to experience the RX-Vision in racing form - it’s as impressive and beautiful as we were expecting (and this is just in a video game!). But, will we ever see it in the flesh?

Mazda has so far neither confirmed nor denied a production successor to the RX-8 and this Vision Gran Turismo car is about as close as we’ve come to anything truly in the affirmative. However, given the current global situation and Mazda’s commitment to ecologically-minded automotive solutions, it’s very possible that this is as
‘real
’ we’ll ever get. Is this as far as it goes?

I hope not.


RFID Cetus Kesesakan - Lebuhraya PLUS Belum Bersedia Guna RFID?

Terdahulu,
Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan (PLUS)
 mengumumkan akan beralih kepada sistem pembayaran transaksi tol RFID secara berperingkat bermula 15 Januari. Pengenalan penggunaan
RFID
 di Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (PLUS) telah menyaksikan kebanyakan plaza tol mengalami kesesakan seawal pagi ketika orang ramai sibuk mahu ke tempat kerja.

Sebagai contoh, trafik di tol Bandar Seri Putra, Bangi dilaporkan sesak teruk didakwa berpunca daripada penggunaan Identifikasi Frekuensi Radio (RFID) di tol berkenaan. Menurut Aiman, seorang penduduk di kawasan berkenaan, lorong RFID itu telah dibuka menggantikan satu-satunya lorong Smart Tag yang ada sedangkan masih ada 4-5 lorong
Touch ‘n Go
 yang lain.

Tindakan itu seolah-olah memaksa pelanggan yang menggunakan Smart Tag untuk beralih ke RFID meskipun menurut Pengarah Urusan PLUS, Datuk Azman Ismail, pengguna masih boleh menggunakan kad Touch 'n Go dan SmartTAG sehingga penghujung tahun 2023. Tapi jika satu-satunya lorong Smart Tag ditukar menjadi RFID, macam mana nak guna Smart Tag?

Difahamkan, keadaan sesak itu juga menyebabkan pengguna jalan raya mengambil masa kira-kira 30 minit untuk melepasi tol berkenaan. Sementara itu, keadaan sama juga turut dilaporkan berlaku di Tol Sungai Besi apabila keadaan trafik sesak kira-kira 10 kilometer menghala ke Kuala Lumpur.

Melalui tinjauan Carlist.my di media sosial, rata-rata pengguna jalan raya tidak berpuas hati dengan pembukaan lorong baharu RFID yang menjadi sebab kesesakan jalan raya.  Menerusi aduan pengguna, terdapat beberapa kenderaan terpaksa mengundurkan kereta kerana sistem RFID gagal mengesan pelekat yang ditampal pada kenderaan mereka.

Senarai Kelemahan RFID Berdasarkan Rungutan Pengguna:

Tag hanya kesan melalui jarak dekat

Tag tertutup dengan logam tidak dapat dikesan RFID

Mudah rosak dan tertanggal

Gangguan informasi jika lebih satu cip RFID melalui satu alat pembaca

Jika terdapat pertindihan antara dua frekuensi daripada pembaca yang berada dalam satu kawasan, ia memberi data salah kepada computer

Gangguan jika terdapat frekuensi dipancarkan oleh peralatan lain yang bukan diperuntukkan untuk RFID

*Sumber: Utusan Malaysia

Susulan itu, Timbalan Presiden Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, berkata PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) perlu bertanggungjawab menyelesaikan segera pelbagai isu berkaitan penggunaan Identifikasi Frekuensi Radio (RFID) di lebuh raya bagi mengelakkan pengguna hilang keyakinan terhadap teknologi itu.

Tambahnya, isu utama iaitu masalah pengesanan pelekat RFID di lorong disediakan hingga menyebabkan kesesakan, menunjukkan PLUS belum betul-betul bersedia melaksanakan penggunaannya.

Menteri Kanan (Kerja Raya), Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, sebelum ini berkata pihaknya sudah memanggil PLUS dan TNG untuk memastikan semua isu berkaitan pelaksanaan RFID diselesaikan secepat mungkin. Kementerian akan terus memantau dan memastikan kedua-dua syarikat itu dapat menyelesaikan sebarang isu berhubung penggunaan lorong RFID.

Sementara itu, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) mengakui kelemahan teknologi RFID yang gagal berfungsi dengan baik menjadi sebab kesesakan jalan raya berlaku di beberapa plaza tol baru-baru ini. Menerusi laporan Utusan Malaysia, jurucakap PLUS berkata pihaknya mengambil maklum masalah berkaitan sistem imbasan yang tidak berfungsi dengan elok sehingga palang gagal dibuka.

Sambil itu, jurucakap PLUS turut menjelaskan bahawa pihak teknikal PLUS akan mengambil tindakan susulan dengan kadar segera bagi memastikan pengguna RFID dapat menggunakan lebuhraya PLUS dengan lebih selesa.

Menurut jurucakap terbabit, sekiranya rangkaian jaringan utama mengalami gangguan, PLUS masih mempunyai satu lagi rangkaian sokongan untuk memastikan sistem terus berfungsi. Ini merupakan pelan kecemasan bagi mengelakkan imbasan tidak berfungsi dengan baik terutama sekiranya berlaku masalah capaian internet.

*Kredit foto: Malaysia Gazette

Oleh itu, PLUS menyeru kepada pengguna lebuh raya agar tidak risau untuk menggunakan RFID di
Plaza Tol PLUS
 kerana kakitangan tol akan menggunakan peranti mudah alih untuk mengimbas tag RFID bagi membantu pengguna lebuh raya yang mengalami masalah pengesanan di lorong RFID.

Sekiranya tag masih tidak dapat dikesan, kupon untuk diagnostik pengesanan penuh di pusat fitmen Touch ‘n Go yang terdekat akan disediakan. Namun jika tag RFID masih mempunyai isu pengesanan selepas ujian, Touch ‘n Go akan menggantikan tag RFID secara percuma.


How Honda Dummy-Proofs The FK8 Civic Type R’s Short Shifting 6-Speed Manual Transmission

As you might have already know, the all-new FK8 Civic Type R is available only with an ‘old school’ three-pedal 6-speed manual transmission, an increasingly rare option these days.
While most other manufacturers have abandoned the conventional dry single clutch manual transmission in favour of faster shifting and more user-friendly dual-clutch automatics, Honda is sticking to tradition and in doing so, giving the soon-to-be gone forever manual transmission an extension of life.
However, Honda’s decision to offer the FK8-generation Civic Type R exclusively with a short-shifting, close ratio 6-speed manual transmission has more to do with cold engineering logic rather than nostalgia.
According to Hideki Kakinuma, the Assistant Large Project Leader for all-new Civic Type R, with whom
Carlist.my
 was able to speak to on the sidelines of the
Civic Type R’s debut in neighbouring Indonesia
, the decision to choose a manual transmission over a faster shifting dual-clutch automatic (DCT) was simply because a DCT was just too heavy.
Even after considering some tradeoff in slower shift time, the FK8’s development concluded that it is the lighter 6-speed manual that’s a better fit in meeting the Civic Type R’s three objectives for dynamic performance – mechanically simple, lightweight and fun to drive. Absolute speed was not the overriding goal. The fact that it broke the Nurburgring lap record for front-wheel drive cars was just a bonus.
Our editor Kon was recently given the privilege to drive the
FK8 Civic Type R at the Lausitzring
 circuit in Germany and one of the observations made by him was that the car’s transmission gates are positioned very close to each other and even for someone like him who drives a manual transmission car daily, it’s quite easy to misshift from 5
th
 to 6
th
 if one is not careful. You certainly don’t want to be known among your friends as the guy who blew up a VTEC Turbo engine because you were dumb enough to shift from 5
th
 to Reverse.
Unlike other similar gated manual transmission cars where Reverse is on the right-side, the Civic Type R has no lock-out ring or loaded spring mechanism to prevent anyone from misshifting from 5
th
 to Reverse.
We posted the question to Kakinuma-san, who told us that such mechanisms are not necessary because the Civic Type R’s transmission already has a dummy-proof design built in to it that makes it impossible for the driver to shift into Reverse while the car is in motion.
(
Kon says:
  From my short experience with the FK8, I found that when that when the car is stationary, one is able to direct the gear lever directly from 5th straight to Reverse without springing it back to neutral. I did not try this out with the vehicle on the move, of course. As Hans said, wouldn't want to be remembered as the guy who blew a Type R's gearbox in an international press drive.)
Without going into too much details, Kakinuma-san explained that this is a purely mechanical solution. Without having to push or pull the gear lever (or any lock-out ring) up or down, it is a lot easier to park the Civic Type R or make three-point turns on tight streets.
Like the
three-tipped centrally mounted exhaust
 that controls exhaust noise without requiring any moving/electronic parts, this clever design is just one of the many tiny but intelligent design details that goes into the FK8 Civic Type R.
The FK8 Civic Type R retails in Indonesia for IDR 995,000,000 (about RM320,000). Distributor Honda Prospect Motor has managed to secure just 50 units of the Civic Type R for 2017, many of it already have a ready buyer waiting.
So is it coming to Malaysia? Honda Malaysia refused to be drawn in to any discussion on the topic but considering that the model is already launched in neighbouring countries like Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia, and the fact that Malaysia is the only country outside of Japan to ever sold the FD2 generation Civic Type R sedan, we are confident that the model will be making its Malaysian debut sometime next year.


Carlos Ghosn on RNA Acquiring Mitsubishi, and Other Things

We're living in a time when CEOs are not afraid to speak their mind, on record, about their business decisions and their plans for the future. This transparency makes it easier to gain perspective on their choices- especially when they may seem a little odd at first. Carlos Ghosn recently spoke at a debate with the Art et Métiers students in Paris, and the highlights are shown in the video below.


Proton Confirms 3 New Models Launching In Next 2 Years

Proton confirms that it will be launching three new models in the next two years but which will come first?

At yesterday's launch of the
2022 Proton Saga facelift (MC2)
, CEO Li Chunrong took the opportunity to speak on the state of the Malaysian automaker’s future vehicle roadmap, which has certainly changed since it was last seen by the public in 2019.

3 All-New Cars, 24 Month Deadline

It’s nearly impossible to fully quantify the disruptive impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the automotive industry as a whole, but it definitely derailed Proton’s plans to introduce
‘1 New Model Every Year’.

This, compounded with the rising costs of raw materials and a persisting global semiconductor shortage, has contributed to the necessary shifts in their short-to-medium term outlook.

Though Li did not go into detail about which three models Proton were looking to launch, he did mention that their introductions will be spread across a two year period. This means that they could surface anywhere from late 2022 at the earliest to mid-2024 at the latest.

The likeliest model to kickstart this trio of launches
is the rumoured X90
, a bigger 7-seat brother to the X70 to cap off Proton’s range of SUVs. Not only has this been spotted (albeit in heavy camouflage) plenty of times on Malaysian roads, but has debuted
as close as the Philippines
, known as the Okavango. In its home turf of China, it’s known as the Haoyue.

B-Segment, C-Segment, Or Larger?

It’s also likely that the Malaysian market will receive the car in a very similar spec to our ASEAN neighbour, sharing the same upmarket leather interior and 1.5-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid 3-cylinder petrol engine that outputs 190PS and 300Nm of torque.

Following that, perhaps it’ll be a smart move to (finally) introduce a proper replacement to Proton’s very dated B-segment sedan duo, the Saga and Persona. The obvious badge-engineered solution to this
is the Geely Emgrand
, a handsomely styled and decently equipped but still budget-oriented model that’s sure to invigorate buyers, built on Geely’s new BMA platform.

In the Philippines where the car was launched earlier this year, it’s powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s good for 102PS (or 114PS in China) and 147Nm and mated to a CVT gearbox.

In third and potentially last in chronological terms, it isn’t clear what the Malaysian marque will turn to next. We do know that there are plans being made to sell the fully electric smart #1 through Proton Edar’s dealerships though it is unlikely to be badge-swapped.

Another potential contender for a 2024 launch is the overdue replacement to the Exora, which rumoured
to be based on the Geely Jiaji
, a large-ish MPV that was launched in China back in 2019.

There’s also the matter of a rumoured return of the Proton Perdana as rebadged Geely Preface. While this would definitely tickle some nostalgia feels, it’s uncertain if there is enough demand for a more upmarket D-segment saloon to justify its return.

Over the past couple of years, if you were itching for some new models from Proton just as they were optimistic about revealing them, the next 24 months should prove to be quite interesting.


BMW Launches All-New 2018 X3 In Indonesia

For BMW, their X models have been a huge hit in the Indonesian market. Last year saw 45% of total BMW vehicle sales in the country being X models - a 21% increase over the previous year - and it is for that reason that BMW Indonesia decided to make 2018 the "Year of the X". The first X model launched this year for Indonesia comes in the form of the all-new X3, which we are expecting to see in our market very soon.
The X3 is offered in a singular xDrive20i variant, which comes with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine that puts out 184 hp and 290 Nm of torque, along with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. Pricing for the X3 starts at Rp. 1,009,000,000 (roughly RM 285k) off-the-road, which we can only assume means without road tax or registration or insurance.
When it comes to equipment, the Indonesian X3 is far from bare. The Luxury Line is the singular trim level at launch, with 19-inch alloy rims and chrome treatment all round. The interior recieves leather and oak trim, as well as pearl chrome finishings. What's interesting is that the X3 is packaged with a 10.25 inch monitor in the centre, with the BMW Navigation System Professional that allows for voice commands
in Bahasa
.
The car is locally-assembled in Indonesia - down to the engine itself - by PT Gaya Motor, which is BMW Indonesia's strategic partner. With this, they hope that they can meet the high demands for BMW X models and deliver models to consumers quickly.


The Shifting Tides of Toyota : Back To The Cool Ways

Let's face it; everyone used to buy Toyota's because of its bombproof reliability, good resale value and excellent aftersales services. No one actually bought one because it was cool - well, there were a few people in Malaysia, but they purchased dem Toyota's from the grey importers.

Why were they not cool?

To determine this, we first needed to define what 'cool' means? According to Webster's Dictionary, 'Cool' can mean many things. It can be defined as 'moderately cold, lacking in warm' or 'free from tensions or violence' to mention a few. The closest definition of cool that fits in this situation is "excellent, fashionable, hip" and you would have to agree that Toyota cars were anything but in the late nineties to the early noughties?

In Malaysia, between the death of the Altezza and birth of the GT86, their cars were really like white bread. They sold cars like the very beige Vios, Uncle Camry and agricultural Hilux. They were all fine cars, but they didn't spark excitement or emotional involvement. These cars even made the Prius look cool, and that's saying a lot!

Toyota boss Akio Toyoda noticed this and got defensive when people and journalists called his cars boring in 2017. It was a wake-up call and one that woke the sleeping giant up from its slumber. Since then, a lot has changed.

The Supra is back, the Gazoo Racing brand was created, and Toyota won nearly every other major race event around the globe in 2019.

These achievements needed to transcend beyond just being a branding exercise, and you know what, it just might have. Mazda who makes driver-centric and lively cars have been known to benchmark BMW for driving dynamics.

We reported (insert link here) some time ago that this is no longer the case and that Toyota's new TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) platform is the one to keep an eye on. The article even goes on to say that Toyota's crossover vehicle the CH-R is a better car to drive than a MINI, complementing the whole package, including the TNGA platform.

Now that Toyota had the driving bit sorted, all it needed to do was create cool looking cars and powerful bombproof engines like they used to.

We think they have somewhat achieved that. In Malaysia the Yaris has become hot property due to its youthful and futuristic design, the Camry has turned into a 'Gucci' of a car, and the Hilux is now a bit less agricultural. They even brought back the Corolla nameplate in Malaysia, a name that sells a vehicle every 15 seconds globally.

Speaking of globally, Toyota is trying their best to bring back their cool engine days too, and the recent GR Yaris is an excellent example of what they are trying to do. Who wouldn't want an all-wheel-drive 257hp hot hatch anyways? If that's not cool enough, the fact that the ponies come out of a 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine should be.

Although some of their new cars are still a bit like marmite (you either love it or hate it), they all have this cool presence about them now. Undoubtedly the best looking car in their arsenal is the Supra, and the Camry which has that sleek, sexy thing going for it. It's just unfortunate we are only limited to specified vehicles in Malaysia because you should see some of their new vehicles globally, they are definitely something to gawk at - now that is cool!

Here are just some of them;

The American market Toyota Tacoma TRD

The Japanese market Toyota Century

The UK market Toyota Yaris Hybrid GR Sport

The American market Toyota Highlander


2017 Volkswagen Golf – Nov 2016 Debut Confirmed, Extensive Update Of Golf 7

A new Volkswagen Golf will be revealed this November, Volkswagen announced in a brief statement released through the company’s global media portal.
Described as a ‘major update’, this new Golf is likely to be a major overhaul of the
current Golf 7
 that was launched in 2012. Volkswagen invested too heavily on the MQB platform to ditch it after only five years, anyway.
In keeping with Volkswagen practice, however, the new 2017 Golf will likely be deemed as the eighth-generation Golf, much like how the Golf 6 was effectively a major overhaul of the Golf 5.
Since the original Golf was launched in 1973, Volkswagen has sold over 32.5 million vehicles carrying this nameplate over a period of 42 years.
The first Golf was kept on the market for nearly a decade, but subsequent model generations had progressively shortened model life cycles; the shortest-living member of the lineage was the Golf 6, which sold for only four years from 2009 to 2012.
The Golf 8’s impending introduction means that the Golf 7 leaves the market with five years under its belt. It is likely, however, that the Golf 8 will be soldiering on for a longer period as the company recovers from ‘
Dieselgate
’.
Much of the Golf 8’s development would have been completed before the affair erupted in Sept 2015. The full effects of VW’s involvement ‘Dieselgate’ will only be felt in the coming years, which is when they ideally would want to start working on the Golf 9.


Spyshot: New Toyota Yaris Caught In Malaysia, Launching Soon?

Visitors visiting the Toyota booth at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (2018 KLIMS) would have noticed that UMW Toyota Motor brought out two units of the new Vios. But curiously enough, the new Yaris was nowhere to be seen.
Fret not, as the new Toyota Yaris has been caught undergoing homologation as our friends over at
Funtasticko
 just published spyshots of the new hatchback.
The Yaris you see here was introduced in Thailand as a facelift back in September 2017, updating the five year old model with a new interior and exterior design. Thailand receives a 1.2-litre 3NR-FE engine, taking advantage of the country’s Eco-car incentives.
Other markets including Singapore and Indonesia receive a larger 1.5-litre engine lifted from the Vios, outputting 105 hp and 140 Nm. Like the Vios, the Yaris is expected to feature a CVT-type automatic transmission.
Thai market Toyota Yaris
If priced right, the upcoming Toyota Yaris should give the Honda Jazz, Proton Iriz, and Perodua Myvi a run for their money when it arrives. We predict that the new model will be launched some time in 2019.


10,380 Unit Kenderaan Proton Terjual Pada September – Proton Saga Model Terlaris Di Malaysia

Proton
berjaya mengekalkan kedudukannya sebagai pengeluar automotif kedua terbaik di Malaysia setelah berjaya menjual 10,380 unit kenderaan pada bulan pertama selepas PKP (September).

Pada masa yang sama, pegangan pasaran dianggarkan sekitar 23.9% yang bersandarkan kepada anggaran jumlah keseluruhan industri (TIV) sekitar 43,500 unit. Secara keseluruhan, pegangan pasaran bagi 2021 berada pada 23%, jika dibandingkan dengan angka penutup sebanyak 20.7% tahun lalu.

Prestasi memberangsangkan Proton ini dipacu oleh jualan
Proton Saga.
 Sebanyak 3,907 unit sedan segmen-A itu dijual bulan September sekaligus menjadikan Saga sebagai peneraju segmennya dan juga model terlaris secara individu pada bulan lalu.

Tidak dilupakan, kedua-dua model
SUV
siri-X Proton juga masih kukuh dengan beberapa peningkatan dari segi penyerahan kepada pelanggan yang setia menunggu. Kedua-dua model tersebut mengungguli segmen masing-masing dengan 2,431 unit
Proton X50
 diserahkan pada bulan September sementara jualan
Proton X70
 sebanyak 1,577 unit. Secara keseluruhan, 27,312 unit SUV Proton telah dijual pada tahun 2021, bersamaan 37.4% jualan keseluruhan tahunan syarikat sebanyak 73,017 unit.

Sementara itu, kedua-dua model baharu keluaran Proton,
Persona
dan
Iriz 2022
 yang baru dilancarkan juga mencatatkan jualan bulan pertama yang memberangsangkan. Meskipun penghasilan kereta terkesan dengan kekurangan bekalan komponen, Proton masih mampu untuk menyerahkan 1,440 unit Persona dan 749 unit Iriz, yang juga menampilkan varian
Iriz 1.6L Active
.

Menurut Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah, meskipun situasi bertambah baik, tetapi kekurangan
bekalan cip dan komponen lain
 adalah isu yang tidak akan selesai dalam masa yang singkat. Proton harus berhati-hati apabila membuat anggaran jualan kerana kapasiti produksi tertakluk kepada perubahan semasa.

Bagi baki 3 bulan sebelum tahun 2021 melabuhkan tirai, Proton akan menumpukan perhatian untuk menyerahkan sebanyak mungkin kenderaan kepada pelanggan yang telah memuat tempahan. Menyelesaikan masalah
permintaan yang tertangguh
 akan membolehkan lebih banyak jualan pada tahun hadapan dan membantu Proton untuk maju kehadapan dengan perancangan untuk meluaskan lagi rangkaian produk yang boleh diberikan kepada pasaran tempatan dan eksport.

Berikutan semua negeri berada pada
Fasa 2
atau lebih dalam Pelan Pemulihan Negara, semua rangkaian jualan dan pusat servis Proton telah dibuka di seluruh negara. Pembukaan tersebut akan dikawal dengan SOP ketat dan hanya pelanggan yang telah mendapat vaksinasi penuh dibenarkan untuk ke bilik pameran untuk melihat dan
pandu uji
 semua kenderaan keluaran Proton.

Roslan turut memberitahu bahawa Proton dan wakil jualannya telah membuat pelaburan besar untuk menambah baik rangkaian jualan dan servis sejak beberapa tahun lalu. Pengeluar automotif tempatan ini telah adaptasi prosedur operasi baharu bagi menyesuaikan diri dalam situasi pandemik untuk memberikan pengalaman terbaik kepada pembeli.


2020 Mitsubishi XPANDER Calls The Toyota Avanza 'Tak Cantik'

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia at about 2.00pm yesterday took a potshot at the Toyota Avanza in another video to highlight their very stylish XPANDER.

We'll let you enjoy the video below!

Now if you remember this isn't the first time that a competitor has taken a shot at Toyota, Honda did it earlier in the year with the
Honda City
. Then Toyota 'sort of' replied in their
Malaysia Day ad
 taking the high road.

Now in this season of giving, Mitsubishi pulak bagi satu kat Toyota.

With over 4,000 bookings so far since booking was open on October 22 for the XPANDER and over 500 units delivered we can understand why Mitsubishi may be a little smug.

It's cheeky and we're hoping this time Toyota replies in kind (hopefully in a more direct manner) because it sure is fun to watch!


Mazda’s CKD Blitz For 2016 – Diesel Mazda 2, Mazda 6, & CX-5 FL From March, Plus CX-3

Mazda certainly one brand to watch out for in 2016. Word has it that the company is busy preparing for the next phase of its push towards expanding its range of locally-assembled models. Several diesel-powered models - Mazda 2, Mazda 6, and CX-5 facelift are said to be slated for local assembly between March to mid-2016, followed by the CX-3 in late-2016.
At last week’s
launch of the fully-imported Mazda CX-3
, Datuk Ben Yeoh, CEO of Bermaz Motor said there are
plans to expand
 Mazda’s line-up of locally-assembled models and diesel-powered variants in 2016 but he stopped short of revealing any specific timeline.
Currently Mazda Malaysia - a joint venture between Berjaya Auto’s Bermaz Motor and Mazda Motor Corporation - produces the Mazda 3 and CX-5 at the Berjaya-Sime Darby-owned Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah.
According to a report by RHB Research Institute, Mazda Malaysia is expected to locally assemble the Mazda CX-5 facelift in early 2016. The CX-5 facelift that is currently on-sale Malaysia is of the 2.5-litre petrol variant and is imported from Japan, while the ones currently produced at Kulim is of the pre-facelift 2.0-litre petrol variant.
The report also added that a diesel-powered CX-5 variant will be phased-at the Kulim plant in by mid-2016, along with the diesel-powered Mazda 6.
Globally, both the CX-5 and Mazda 6 are also available with a 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D diesel engine.
RHB also said that the Mazda 2 diesel will be assembled in March 2016. Globally, the Mazda 2 is also available with a 1.5-litre SkyActiv-D diesel engine.
The Mazda 2 models currently on sale from Bermaz are imported from Thailand, and is powered by a 1.5-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine.
The locally-assembled CX-3 will be their final move for 2016 but it is not known yet if a diesel CX-3 is part of the plan.
Currently the CX-3 is imported from Japan at zero import duty under the Japan-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement. It however is still slapped with an 80 percent excise duty for vehicles under 2,000cc (CX-3’s engine capacity is 1,998cc).
While interest in the Mazda brand is high, its sales volume is still well behind that of other leading non-national brands in the country.
As of October 2015, Mazda had sold 11,659 vehicles (data from Malaysia Automotive Association), putting it in fourth place in the non-national brands league, well behind third placed Nissan’s 38,459 vehicles. Mazda’s lead over fifth-placed Ford is only a marginal 1,248 vehicles.
A narrow line-up of competitively priced locally-assembled models is one of the causes, as well as Bermaz’s relatively smaller dealer network – something which Bermaz is busy working on.
With so many locally-assembled models coming in 2016, consumers can look forward to more competitively priced Mazdas. Malaysia has provisions for rebates in excise duties for locally assembled cars, depending on their amount of local content and R&D work done locally. It also opens up the possibility of obtaining further incentives under our National Automotive Policy’s Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV) programme.
Below is the breakdown of Mazda’s sales by model, for the first-half period of financial year ending April 2016.


CMCO, Waktu Operasi Mamak Dan Perkhidmatan Penghantaran Makanan Dilanjutkan

CMCO dilanjutkan bagi negeri Selangor, KL, Johor, Kelantan dan Pulau Pinang sehingga 28 April dan bagi anda yang rindu nak sahur di mamak, say no more kerana kerajaan telah membenarkan operasi kedai makan, warung, gerai serta perkhidmatan penghantaran makanan dilanjutkan sehingga jam 6 pagi sepanjang bulan
Ramadan
.

Menteri Kanan Pertahanan Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob berkata keputusan itu dibuat bagi memudahkan mereka yang berpuasa untuk mendapatkan bekalan makanan untuk waktu sahur, terutama bagi golongan bujang.

*Kredit foto: Malay Mail

Sebelum ini, kedai makan dan restoran diberikan kebenaran beroperasi dari jam 6 pagi sehingga 12 tengah malam sahaja. Jika semua kedai makan tutup pada jam 12, maka sukar bagi warga bujang untuk mendapatkan makanan sebagai sahur.

"Selepas mengambil kira semua pandangan serta keperluan orang bujang mendapatkan makanan bersahur, maka mesyuarat bersetuju semua restoran, warung, gerai kedai makan atau kedai kopi serta perkhidmatan makanan dilanjutkan sehingga selepas waktu sahur iaitu sehingga jam 6.00 pagi," jelasnya dalam sidang media harian
Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP)
 semalam.

Meskipun kedai makan serta restoran telah diberi kebenaran untuk beroperasi sehingga 6 pagi, setiap premis wajib mematuhi segala
prosedur operasi standard (SOP)
 yang telah ditetapkan oleh kerajaan sebelum ini.

Selain daripada kedai makan dan restoran, Sidang Khas Majlis Keselamatan Negara turut bersetuju untuk memberi kebenaran kepada majlis berbuka puasa serta aktiviti beribadah seperti solat terawih dilakukan ketika bulan Ramadan. Aktiviti solat sunat terawih di masjid dan surau juga perlu patuh terhadap SOP yang telah ditetapkan oleh kerajaan.

"Untuk majlis berbuka puasa sama ada di pejabat atau dalam dewan, di kawasan PKPB perlu 50 peratus daripada kapasiti sebenar manakala PKPP (Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Pemulihan) 100 peratus mesti mempunyai penjarakan sosial," katanya lagi.

Walau bagaimanapun, awal pagi tadi kelihatan masih banyak kedai makan yang tutup meskipun telah diberikan kebenaran untuk beroperasi. Mungkin kerana pengumuman mengejut kerajaan ini sehinggakan pengusaha kedai makan tidak bersedia untuk melanjutkan waktu operasi mereka.

Diharapkan hari-hari selepas ini, semakin banyaklah kedai makan yang beroperasi sehingga jam 6 pagi. Makan-makan juga, yang penting, SOP kena jaga!

Sementara itu, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Pulau Pinang, Kelantan dan Sarawak kekal berada dalam dalam kawasan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bersyarat (PKPB) berikutan bilangan kes jangkitan COVID-19 yang masih tinggi serta zon merah yang banyak.

Ismail Sabri berkata, sebanyak 10 negeri dan wilayah lain pula berada dalam Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Pemulihan (PKPP) iaitu Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu, Pahang, Sabah, Putrajaya dan Labuan.

Pengekalan dan penukaran status bagi negeri berkuat kuasa mulai 15 April hingga 28 April kecuali di Sarawak yang bermula esok hingga 26 April nanti.

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
.

Get the latest new car promotions at
New Car
 website now.


What's Your Flavour? New Images Of Chery QQ Ice Cream Revealed

Chinese automaker Chery
 has revealed some initial images of the final production version of their 3-door micro EV, the adorably named QQ Ice Cream. Aimed at the urban masses, the electric runabout is setting its sights on such rivals as the
Wuling Hongguang MINI EV
.

The QQ Ice Cream, despite its palette of exterior pastel shades, doesn’t seem to give variants or their colours corresponding ice cream flavoured names - something of a missed opportunity, if you ask us.

Vanilla Ice?

That said, it is the first vehicle to emerge from Chery’s new iCar Ecology sub-division, which has inked collaboration agreements with electronics and technology vendors such as Haier and AliBaba Cloud to develop an ecosystem of services beyond the traditional automotive industry.

Having made its public debut earlier this year at a number of motor shows around the country, the QQ Ice Cream seems ready to be offered in showrooms. The car measures a mere 2,980mm long, 1,496mm wide and 1,637mm tall with a wheelbase of 1,960mm.

Peppermint Pistachio?

According to its listed specifications, even with space for four (cramped) occupants, the car will weigh between 699 and 743kg, depending on trim level and equipment. Despite its very small size, Chery has managed to squeeze some interesting styling cues onto the QQ Ice Cream’s limited canvas.

The square shape might not prove to be the most aerodynamic, but it certainly helps to maximise interior space while giving the car a distinctive look, as does the two-tone paint scheme. Good luck finding tyres to fit its tiny 12-inch wheels, though.

Yam Yam?

In case you were wondering about the car’s electric powertrain, motive force is derived from a ‘TZ160XFDM13A’ 27hp electric motor that drives the front wheels with energy stored in a lithium iron phosphate battery pack of yet-unspecified capacity.

That’s quite a bit more powerful than the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV, so we expect its battery to be a fair bit beefier than its competitor’s 13.8kWh unit.

Chery pegs range at around 175km for each full charge while top speed is a pretty respectable 100km/h -
more than enough to get you around town
, but dangerous enough to cause serious injury if it collides with a larger vehicle.

If there is an accident, it’s pretty obvious the QQ Ice Cream will come out on the losing end of that impact, and we can’t imagine the car being packed to the gills with safety tech or features, active or passive.


Lexus LM 350 Imagined – Over-The-Top Toyota Alphard

Set to be revealed at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show, the Lexus LM will most likely be the company’s first-ever luxury MPV - just like the LS sedan which stands for Luxury Sedan and LX is short for Luxury 4x4.
Lexus has yet to reveal details about the upcoming LM, but it will most likely be built upon the Toyota Alphard Royal Lounge – a two-row, ultra-luxurious four-seater version of the popular people mover.
Although the company has yet to reveal details about the upcoming luxurious MPV, they have trademarked the LM name in major markets. In Malaysia, a
quick search
 with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) showed that Lexus trademarked the LM 350 and LM 300h names last year.
As such, we took liberty to graft the teaser that Lexus dropped onto the Toyota Alphard, possibly hinting as to how the LM 350 could look like.
The Toyota Alphard Royal Lounge can be further customized with a small refrigerator, 24-inch LCD TV with JBL audio system, and a magazine rack. The passengers at the rear can control the TV via a built-in touchscreen control panel. Controls for the power windows are located nearby as well.
Although the four-seater Lexus LM sounds impressive, a more practical 7-seater version is also likely on the cards.
In terms of powertrain, it is possible that the new LM 350 variant will be powered by a natural-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, while the LM 300h will be powered by a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.
Considering that the seven-seater version of the Toyota Alphard is priced from RM 443,000, the price jump for the Lexus LM remains to be seen.


PLUS expects 2 million vehicles to hit the road this Raya

PLUS expects two million vehicles to hit their highway network this upcoming Raya holiday. Check out the dates below for when heavy traffic is expected.

Traffic is likely to increase during the Hari Raya holiday, especially on major highways and roads leading to popular destinations. Traffic jams are common during this time, particularly in urban areas, as people try to get home or travel to their holiday destinations.

With this in mind, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) are predicting for approximately two million vehicles to hit the highway network on peak days during the Raya holidays.

Those high days expected to record the highest amount of traffic have been predicted to be on April 20 to April 21, April 24 to April 25, 29 April to 1 May and 4 May to 7 May 2023.

According to PLUS, there will be a 20% increase in traffic compared to volume on normal days.

"PLUS recommends that people who use our highway network to plan their journeys well and return to their kampungs early to avoid being caught in traffic surges on peak days".

"To manage the increase in traffic during Hari Raya, PLUS has prepared and organised various strategies to help people enjoy a safer and more comfortable journey on our highways."

"These strategies include aspects of highway safety, traffic and congestion management, traffic distribution, traffic management at toll plazas, facility management at rest areas, traffic information dissemination and so on," said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.

As usual, PLUS will also issue a Travel Time Table (TTA) for travel on the North-South Highway, so look out for it in the near future.


What Advice Will You Give A First Time Flyer - AirAsia Asks Twitter

AirAsia, @airasia asked its Twitter followers, What advice will you give a first time flyer? The response might not have been what the admins of the account were expecting.

Look, we know first-hand that being the manager/ executive of a social media presence as high-profile as @airasia is not easy. It's challenging on the best of days, but if said account poses a question like the above publicly, one must wonder what sort of responses the admins were hoping they would receive?

Given the recent troubles of AirAsia with AirAsiaX and its debt restructuring resulting in many Malaysian
'creditors'
 being owed money, to the recent ticket
price hikes
 and
mismanagement during Hari Raya Aidilfitri
 it's little wonder that when the question above was posted on
Twitter
, many Malaysians took it as a sign of an 'open-goal' and proceeded to let AirAsia know what advice they would really give a first time flyer - many sharing the sentiment that their primary advice would be to '
Avoid AirAsia at all costs
'

We've taken the liberty of compiling some of the more
interesting
 responses below.

What advice will you give a first time flyer? Let us know in the comments or chime in on the conversation online
here
.


Porsche Open Track Day: Where Learning Is Actually Fun

The thematic and often-quoted Spider-Man phrase - “With great power comes great responsibility” is a
mantra
 that does not only apply to superheroes but also humans of all walks of life, and that includes sports car owners.
While superheroes have their mentors and trustworthy assistants to guide them on using their powers responsibly and being in total control at all time, sports car owners hone their driving skills and learn how to master their cars at track days and driving experience events.
Speaking of which, one brand that has been avidly organizing track days for its customers in Malaysia in an effort to give them the platform to improve themselves, is Porsche with its quarterly ‘Porsche Open Track Day’ event at the Sepang International Circuit.
“It is not only a way of showing appreciation to our customers, but also an opportunity for them to realise and maximise the full potential of their cars and to experience a day of adrenaline-pumping driving," said Arnt Bayer, Chief Executive Officer of SDAP.
That said, the final round of this year’s Porsche Open Track Day took place on a bright Sunday morning last month, where owners as well as a few members of the press were offered the opportunity to enjoy an exhilarating day of track driving in all the lovely cars you see in the photos here.
Organised in collaboration with Michelin and Mobil 1, the Porsche Open Track Day is open for any Porsche owner out there. All he or she has to do to be a part of the event is contact SDAP and sign up for a nominal fee.
With close to 50 cars participating in last month’s session, customers started arriving as early as 7.30 am, where SDAP’s technical team was ready to begin checking every car present to ensure that they were fit to be driven on the circuit.
And while they were busy with the cars, guiding us through the day were the Porsche certified driving instructors, all of whom are professional drivers with ample racing experience.
One of them was Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race driver Will Bamber, who shared his knowledge and track experience during the one-to-one coaching session on the racetrack.
We also had local stars like Admi Shahrul, who was one of the drivers for the recent Sepang 1,000 km race-winning Proton R3 Racing Team.
Some participants were lucky as they got the opportunity to go on taxi rides with Will Bamber in the Cayman GT4 Clubsport, which is a track-ready version of the 2-door mid-engined sports car. Many said that it was definitely the highlight of the day as they could not only experience the sheer performance of the car, but also got to witness the mighty impressive driving skills of Mr.Bamber.
Our rides for the day were the Porsche 718 Boxster S and the 718 Cayman. The Cayman comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 300 hp and 380 Nm of torque, while the Boxster S is powered by more powerful a 2.5-litre turbo engine kicking out 350 hp and 420 Nm of torque.
With an instructor in each car, the four members of the press took turns to drive the Cayman and the Boxster S one after another for three or four laps per run for about three hours with small breaks in between. In total, we managed to cover between 12 to 16 laps each throughout the whole session.
It might not sound like much but the truth is that one can learn so much from the instructors in that period, such as:
Features in the cars driven
The circuit
Sitting position
The right way of holding the steering
Following the racing line
Braking - How to do it and when to do it
Cornering - Approaching / exiting / do's and don'ts
Overtaking safely
Giving way to faster cars
Steering correction
Truth be told, the things listed above are only the tip of the iceberg as there is still so much to learn. For us, the valuable lessons which we learnt on that day were:
Stay within your comfort zone. Do not push yourself or the car beyond that just because someone else is going faster, as different people have different limits.
Focus on aceing only one sector of the circuit every time you attend a track day, until you have the whole circuit memorised.
Practice, practice, and practice.
Have fun. Focus on improving yourself. Don't turn track days into "penis-measuring contests" as more often than not, there will be someone faster than you.
As for the owners, most of them looked like they already had the circuit programmed in the back of their heads, gunning it in their machines ranging from 911s from a decade ago to the current 911 GT3 RS. They also had the option of getting an instructor to hop into the car and give feedback and tips on improving their skills.
As the session was edging closer to the end, winners of the Time Trial Programme which was ongoing throughout the day were awarded with trophies, memorabilias, and most importantly - a spot on the "wall of fame". The fastest lap time of the day was 2 minutes and 15 seconds, clocked by a gentleman piloting his 911 GT3 Cup.
The media car was also there on the time board, somewhere at the bottom. We shall not go there, shall we?
So, as we were having our farewell chat with the folks of SDAP and Will Bamber, he said, “ The Porsche’s Open Track Day is honestly one of the best experiences available to hone your speed and control behind the wheel. I am very thrilled that SDAP offers such rare programmes to their customers, with professional driving instructors on hand throughout the day to provide one on one training and useful tips to enhance driving in a safe and controlled environment.”


Prasarana Trials LRT Feeder Vans To Wangsa Maju Station

The coverage of public transportation remains an important vein for every nation’s urban centres, but there is a limit to where train tracks - on, below, or above ground - can reach. Even for buses, not all areas are within reach.

As operator for RapidKL light rail and bus networks, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad knows this problem well and are now trialing LRT feeder vans that will hopefully give more Malaysians easier access to the existing public transportation infrastructure.

These feeder vans in particular were selected over small buses due to their smaller footprint, allowing them to travel up narrower roads or ones that are more sparsely paved. The fleet comprises of a handful of the Toyota HiAce and Hyundai Grand Starex that have been given a two-tone pink/white exterior and with a capacity of 10 occupants.

The trial began on November 16th and will run for 4 months. For now, the feeder vans will operate for the T252 route between PPR Sungai Bonus to the LRT Wangsa Maju station (refer to the route map below).

They will operate daily between 6am and midnight with an estimated interval of 20 minutes. Passengers will need to pay a fare of just RM1 using either their Touch n’Go card, a concessions card, or the My30 unlimited travel pass.

Hopefully sooner rather than later, Prasarana will begin to trial these feeder vans at more locations, perhaps ones that are more rural than the nooks around the Wangsa Maju LRT station.

The real-time locations of these vans can be looked up on Google Maps or Moovit smartphone applications. Alternatively, this can also be accessed via the MyRapid Bus Kiosk portal at (https://myrapidbus.prasarana.com.my/kiosk).


Shanghai 2019: Mercedes-Benz Drops Concept GLB Teaser

At the upcoming 2019 Auto Shanghai, Mercedes-Benz will showcase the new Concept GLB, previewing a new SUV that will slot between the GLA and GLC.
Prior to the unveiling, Mercedes-Benz has dropped a single teaser photo of the concept’s interior.
The lone photo provided by Mercedes-Benz gives us a good look at the interior new MFA2-based crossover, which includes the signature dual 10.25-inch displays with Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). The design of the steering wheel and air vents further cement the fact that the new GLB will share a lot of hardware with other MFA2-based models, such as the new A-Class and CLA-Class.
In addition to that, the interior of the Concept GLB appears to feature a generous dose of wood trim, though it remains to be seen if this feature is carried over to the production model.
Considering that a lot of the interior bits are carried over from other MFA2-based models, it would be safe to assume that mechanical bits of the new GLB will be shared with its stablemates.
The 2019 edition of the Auto Shanghai will start from 16
th
 April.


Malaysia To Implement End-Of-Life Vehicle Policy By 2025

Another year, another proposal to implement the
end-of-life vehicle policy
, and this time around, the
Malaysian government
 is looking to implement it by 2025.

The policy development was announced by our Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, during the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia which represents the ELV Research Consortium, as well as Malaysia Automotive Recyclers Association (MAARA).

Old cars cause dengue outbreaks?

According to a report posted by The Star, Dr Adham stated "The excess of dilapidated vehicles, which also have resulted in dengue outbreaks, occur because there is yet a policy that decides on the proper action that needs to be taken, with emphasis on the method of proper disposal."

He also added that Malaysia is looking at other countries which have succeeded in implementing the ELV recycling procedure like Singapore and Japan. It seems that the ELV program has the potential to export around 70% of its dismantled items overseas, and also potentially create a revenue reaching RM10 billion through recycling or upcycling.

New ELV proposal looking at cars over a decade old?

As of May 2022, the latest data from the Transport Ministry showcased around 33 million registered vehicles in the country. Out of that staggering figure, 19 million are cars that are at least a decade old.

The last time this ELV issue came to light, MIROS carried out a public survey in regards to scrapping vehicles that have exceeded a certain age. It was between 15 to 20 years old last year, and now they're looking at 10?

We're pretty sure that there will be a lot of backlash (again) regarding this matter, especially coming from those who opted for the nine-year car loan. Once the car loan has been fully repaid, it's going to be a sucky feeling for them to only enjoy their payment-free car just for a year.

What's your take on this?


Malaysia Targets 38% EV Market Share Growth By 2040

Malaysia
 is set to grow its overall
EV market share
 to 38% by the year 2040 under the newly-launched Low Carbon Aspiration 2040 initiative.

Unveiled by our beloved prime minister,
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob
, this new initiative will be parked under the National Energy Policy 2022-2040 which was also announced earlier this week.

PM to chair a newly-formed National Energy Council

To ensure that all 12 strategies and 31 action plans identified under the National Energy Policy 2022-2040 will come into fruition in line with Malaysia's five-year plans, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri himself will be chairing the newly-formed National Energy Council.

The council will involve all the relevant ministries and agencies. Apart from pushing up the use of public transport to 50% by 2040, the Low Carbon Aspiration initiative will also see the expansion of the country's EV market share to 38% as well as alternative fuels (B30 biodiesel) for heavy vehicles.

MAA wants EV incentives for up to 10 years

The
Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA)
 has proposed the idea of extending the current EV incentives for up to 10 years. An extension on the current import and excise duty exemptions for EVs under the 2022 Budget has proven to be effective with more and more BEV passenger cars seen on the roads today.

MAA also reported that a total of 274 EVs were sold in Malaysia last year from the country's total industry volume (TIV) of 508,911 units. The proposal to further extend the EV tax breaks will not only encourage more EV adoption but will also work in line with the newly-unveiled Low Carbon Aspiration 2040 initiative.


Tokyo 2015: Mazda’s RX-Vision Concept Keeps Our Rotary Engine Dreams Alive

Lots happening at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show and just as they have
teased previously
,
Mazda
 unveiled a curvaceous coupe that sports a much-awaited next-generation rotary engine.
According to them, that engine – which they have dubbed SkyActiv-R -  is the symbol of the company’s “never-stop-challenging” spirit. To fans, we love it for many other reasons. Hopefully, the phrase rings to their ear as “never-stop-making.”
But the thing is, Mazda says that the RX-Vision Concept is merely a vision that it one day hopes to bring make. So while the
RX-8
’s successor (a front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car with KODO design proportions) may well be forthcoming, the jury is still out as to whether the RX-Vision Concept is actually it.
It is a lovely coupe, though. It definitely evokes plenty more of the RX-7 than its immediate predecessor. Impossibly low-slung and with a hood so long the pedestrians you crash into can sleep on it all the way to the hospital.
Details are rather scant at the moment, such as performance figures, engine technology, and body materials. Hopefully Mazda will come to reveal the soon enough.
An interesting point of note: In the interior shots of the car, the gear lever does look like it could be a manual but upon closer inspection there doesn’t seem to be a third pedal. Of course, Mazda could be preparing a special double-clutch transmission for its next RX model. But hopefully they’ll include a good old manual shifter too.


Peugeot Unleashes 875hp Super Racer, Just For Gran Turismo 6

Tasked by the Gran Turismo 6 PlayStation franchise,
Peugeot
 has just unveiled a monster 875hp virtual racer for the video game.
The French creation you see here is dubbed as the Peugeot Vision Gran Turismo. And just like the real-world Koenigsegg One:1, this virtual racer puts up a horsepower for every one of  its kilograms: the 875kg car makes 875hp virtual horses to match. The result is said to be a 0-100km/h sprint in 1.73 seconds: a pace only possible in the Gran Turismo 6 video game for the PlayStation 3.
Making the 875hp is a 3.2-litre turbocharged V6 engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and an all-wheel drive system to presumably stop the car from endlessly spiralling out of control every time you press the throttle.
If you want to have a go at driving this, make sure you’re ready with your PS3 and GT6 game, because a free download will be made available soon.
Want to know more? Watch this:


Frankfurt 2017: BMW i3 Facelift – New 184hp i3s; Lets You Drift!

BMW has unveiled a facelifted of its electric-powered i3 hatchback ahead of its first scheduled public appearance at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Along with the usual stylistic updates, the range is additionally refreshed with a new i3s variant offering additional performance over the standard model.
The base i3 retains the existing synchronous electric powertrain setup with maximum outputs rated at 170 hp and 250 Nm, enabling it to accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds – the performance of an F30 320i minus the fuel consumption. Top speed is limited to 150 km/h.
The i3s, in comparison, ramps its numbers up to 184 hp and 270 Nm, cutting its century sprint time to just 6.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 160 km/h. To accommodate its increased performance, the i3s is fitted with sports suspension with specially-developed springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars. The i3s sits 10 mm closer to ground and has 40 mm wider tracks than the regular i3.
Both the i3 and i3s have their motors fed by a
94 Ah / 33 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion traction battery
 with cruising range of up to 200 km in daily use. A 38hp flat-twin petrol engine from the motorcycle division is available as an optional upgrade extending the vehicle’s cruising range by an estimated 150 km.
Comprehensive revisions to the electronic stability control software are claimed to improve handling confidence and directional stability of the i3. Snow and wet weather traction is said to be improved, and the system is said to even allow mild levels of drifting. Drifting an i3? Really?
In appearance, the updated i3’s styling revisions are focused at giving the newer car greater visual width. All-LED illumination is standard; the front fog light now converted to an LED strip for the turn indicators instead. Blue highlights on the double kidneys are removed, whilst the bumpers now sport sharper, more defined lines. A two-toned paint job featuring black contrast finish on the A-pillars and roof are now standard.
Additional touches of sportiness in the i3s come in the form of additional black finishing on both bumpers and high gloss black surrounds applied to the double kidneys – visually enlarging them and giving them a more prominent appearance. The i3s is shod in 20-inch alloy wheels that are 20 mm wider than the standard model’s.
Following its world premiere at Frankfurt in September, the refreshed BMW i3 and i3s will be available at selected markets across the world from November 2017 onwards.


Volkswagen Malaysia Launches New 3S Center In Langkawi

Volkswagen
 Malaysia made the announcement that, in collaboration with their Langkawi operations partner Goh Brothers Motor Sdn Bhd, the launch of their newest 3S facility had taken place. The event for its upgraded service center's launch in Pusat Bandar Kuah was graced by the Chief Minister of Kedah, Dato’ Sri Mukhriz Mahathir.
The new center will cater to the sales, service and spare parts (3S) needs of Langkawi’s customers of Volkswagen Malaysia’s vehicle portfolio. Goh Brothers Motor Sdn Bhd presently operates seven dealerships, with a concentration on serving the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Going forward, they plan to open a 4S Center in Batu Caves within the year.
Volkswagen Langkawi’s newly upgraded center covers an area of 9,370 square feet and is able to accommodate 5 vehicles within its 3 service bays. It comes equipped with a lounge that offers free beverages, a service concierge, and free wireless internet access to guests.
Mr. Armin Keller, Managing Director, Volkswagen Group Malaysia, said “This new facility is a testament to our commitment to the market and compliments our promise, ‘Always by your side’, that showcases the journey with our customers throughout the entire product life cycle. We are glad that our esteemed partner, Goh Brothers Motors, is helping us bring this promise to life by extending our brand experience from the mainland to the island.”
Langkawi’s new Volkswagen 3S center can is located at Lot 1874, Jalan Penarak, MK Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah. They also can be contacted via their toll free line at 04–9667222.


Save the date! RHB DRIVE: Premium & EV Roadshow 2023 is happening June 2-4, powered by Carlist.my and Wapcar!

Carlist.my and Wapcar are super proud to be hosting
RHB Drive Premium & EV Roadshow 2023
, happening at the
Piazza, Pavilion Bukit Jalil from 2nd to 4th June, 10am to 10pm.

This is your golden opportunity to get up close and personal with the hottest premium and fully electric cars on sale in Malaysia today from the world’s top automakers such as
BMW, MINI, GWM, BYD, Volvo, and more!

Get to know these amazing cars more intimately and enjoy exclusive deals and promotions from our partner RHB Bank, who have introduced a revolutionary Green Financing package optimised specifically for EV ownership.

All of this will be happening under the vibrant canopy of the Piazza at Pavilion Bukit Jalil where you can really appreciate the intricacies of these cars.

Over the 3-day roadshow, there will also be exciting lucky draws, prizes to be won, exclusive deals for vehicle bookings, attractive financial offers from RHB, and fun family games to be enjoyed!

Here is but a taste of the kind of captivating vehicles you can expect to discover for yourself at the RHB Drive Premium & EV Roadshow 2023.

BYD Atto 3

There is no other fully electric vehicle that has caused quite as much a stir as the Atto 3. BYD is perhaps the most technologically sophisticated and highest volume EV manufacturer to emerge from China, and being the first model introduced into Malaysia by carries quite a bit of weight.

Priced starting from RM150k, it’s within the range of most prospective buyers eager to dip their toe into the electric lifestyle. And what they’ll soon find out, as we did, is a car that is surprisingly resolved, well-built, and well-designed. We were very impressed overall with special mention to how its 204hp electric motor and instant torque made the Atto 3 feel exceptionally zippy while driving.

BYD are very much known for their battery tech, particularly the integrity and energy density of their ‘blade’ style cells. In standard range guise, the Atto 3 offers an impressive 410km from its 49.9kWh capacity while the 60.5kWh Extended Range takes its endurance to an impressive 480km as tested on the NEDC cycle.

ORA Good Cat

No other car is quite creates quite as unique an impression as the ORA Good Cat, whether you happen to see it on the move or while stationary. The car is curvaceous, sleek, intriguing, and more than a little adorable all at the same time.

However, the Good Cat backs up all this style with ample doses of substance with a cabin that is spacious and plush, a responsive electric motor driving the front wheels, and up to 500km of range (NEDC) from its 63.1kWh, giving it true everyday ability as both a city runabout and a longer-distance cruiser.

Volvo C40 Recharge

If you're looking for something unique and stylish without compromising on quality, the Volvo C40 Recharge is a great choice. This sleek Swedish coupe-SUV recently entered the market and combines a 78kWh battery with dual motors, offering an impressive 408PS and 660Nm of power for seamless performance.

It’s probably the most understatedly handsome of all the EVs currently on sale, owing Volvo’s own restrained Scandinavian style and that sloping roofline. Its cabin is equally elegant and packed with tech that’s tastefully integrated. The C40 oozes quality, the kind you need to see and feel in person to appreciate.

BMW iX

The iX is one BMW that doesn’t need much of an introduction. Since its Malaysian introduction, buyers have flocked to this advanced flagship EV from the famed Munich automaker.

It represents the brand’s commitment to electric mobility offering their most advanced technology, combined with impressive performance and a luxurious driving experience that still distinctly BMW for its dynamics and driver involvement.

One cannot ignore its imposing design either which, after all said and done, cuts a dash unlike any other car out there. In fact, we’d dare to say that the iX can draw the eye just as effectively as most rarified Italian exotics.

If there were one car we suggested you discover in person, it would be the iX. Pictures don’t do it justice, and neither will glimpsing it from afar. The car has a certain air and presence to it, like it’s more of an object carved from high polish ceramic than a car.

__________________________

All these cars and many others will be
 yours to discover
 at RHB Drive Premium & EV Roadshow 2023, happening at Piazza, Pavilion Bukit Jalil from June 2nd to 4th June!