Porsche’s Milestone 991 Series Bows Out With Final Speedster Specimen

Saying goodbye to the
Porsche
’s 991-generation 911 was always going to be a little difficult, but as we edge into 2020, this final farewell has been delayed somewhat by the car’s final examples; those being of the very exclusive (and stunningly pretty) Speedster.

Indeed, the successor to the 991, very appropriately designated as the 992, is already well into its production run and already garnering some very glowing impressions from customers and critics alike, building upon the strengths of direct forebear.

All generational jumps between 911 models can be labelled as evolutionary, but the leap between the 997 to 991 was perhaps one of the most striking. It marked a significant departure from established norms and, among other landmarks, ushered in an era of turbocharging across the range and a shift to fully electric steering over hydraulic assistance.

During its tenure as the torchbearer for Porsche’s signature sports car,  during which the 911 line celebrated its 50th anniversary, the 991 spawned instant classics such as the deliciously analogue 911 R, the Nurburgring lap record-shattering GT2 RS and, obviously, the latest Speedster.

Perhaps even more noteworthy was the far more sophisticated aluminium architecture and construction methods utilised in the car’s third-generation platform, introducing a new level of mechanical adeptness to the 911’s ride and handling.

With this final 991-gen Speedster rolling off the line, Porsche has fulfilled its promised to produce 1,948 units - a nod to the year Porsche’s first 356 sports car was made. This modern day lightweight limited run variant attempts to summon some of that spirit, merging an open-top retro-inspired body and interior with the innards and chassis of a GT3, boasting a high-revving 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six producing 503hp to an enthusiast-friendly 6-speed manual transmission.

All told, Porsche has produced 233,540 examples of the 991 series since production began in late 2011, wherein the millionth car within the 911 family was also sold, unquestionably making the 991 the most successful model generation of the Zuffenhausen icon.

Michael Steiner, Chief Research and Development Officer Porsche AG, commented:
 “Porsche stands for both tradition and innovation. This is reflected nowhere more clearly than in the core of the brand – the 911. The 911 replaced the 356 in 1963 and, in the decades that followed, our rear engine model grew into an unrivalled sports car icon.”

“The 991 generation in particular has set new standards in terms of performance, drivability and efficiency. It fills me with pride, as well as a touch of sadness, to have to send it off into retirement. For myself, I can say that the 991 has given me enormous pleasure,”
 he continued.

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click here
.


Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic Price Announced - RM328,888

If the
RM698k Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
 and
RM388k EQC 400
 are a bit out of your price range, perhaps the RM328,888
EQB 350 4Matic seven-seater
 might be the one for you.

That's right, folks. Mercedes-Benz has officially announced the price tag for the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic at
RM328,888 (OTR excluding insurance)
. If you want to lug around your entire family with ease but still maintain your cool facade whilst saving the world from further petrol fumes, you might want to check out the EQB.

Boot space of up to 1,710 litres

Thanks to the EQB 350 4Matic's long wheelbase of 2,829mm, the first-ever EQB model in Malaysia can easily extend its maximum boot capacity to an impressive
1,710 litres
. If carrying seven humans is of concern, you should also be glad to know that third-row seats can cater to two people of up to 165cm comfortably.

Those with babies have the option to position the children's car seat on the second or even third-row seats which are fitted with ISOFIX points for maximum safety. Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic.

292hp & 520Nm = 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds

The EQB's all-electric powertrain features dual-electric motors that produce
292hp
 (215kW) and
520Nm
 of torque. That means that this beauty can reach 100km/h from a standstill in just 6.2 seconds before arriving at its 160km//h limited top speed.

As for range, its 66.5kWh battery pack offers a WLTP range of
388km
-
423km
 depending on how hard to put the pedal to the metal. Just like the EQC, the EQB supports up to 11kW AC charging, which can be charged from 10-100% in 6 hours and 15 minutes.

It also supports DC fast-charging of up to 100kW and when that is connected, 10-80% can be completed in just 32 minutes.

So which Mercedes-EQ is your top choice? EQA, EQB, EQC, or EQS? Because all of them are officially available for purchase here in Malaysia, baby. For more info on the EQB 350,
click here
.


North-South Expressway Concession Revealed To End On 31 December 2038

According to a statement released by Plus Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) on Friday (17 April 2015), the lower toll rates at the Batu Tiga toll plaza are a result of extensions of the concession period.
In an effort to reduce the impact of toll increase on the public, toll rates on PLUS highways including Batu Tiga were restructured in 1999, 2002 with the latest being in 2011.
PLUS also stated that toll plazas on the Federal Highway Route 2 (FHR2), namely Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau are part of the North-South Expressway (NSE) Concession which has been revealed to end on 31 December 2038. It was also revealed that the previous Concession Agreement would end in 2018.
In the statement, it is said that, “If one were to use on the original Concession Agreement, which states that Concession would end in 2018, the toll rate of Batu Tiga today would be RM2.40 versus the current rate of RM1.10, a rate which has remained the same since 2005. No toll increase was implemented by the Government and/or PLUS on Batu Tiga since 2005.”
The company also stated that it spent RM410 million from 1992 to 1993 to upgrade the Sungai Rasau-Batu Tiga stretch from a two-lane to a three-lane dual carriageway.
Currently, a motorist travelling from Klang to Subang would pay two tolls – RM1.00 at Sungai Rasau and RM1.10 at Batu Tiga.
A
report from The Edge
 said lawmakers and politicians are seeking clarification from Putrajaya on why toll is still being collected on the Federal Highway Route 2 (FHR2), as they claim the agreement to manage it is supposed to end this year.
What do you think the extension of the toll concessions?


BMW Welt Updates Its Displays With the G30 5 Series and BMW Films

With the German launch of the BMW G30 5 Series taking place just last Saturday, BMW Welt saw it fit to put the care on display in a special exhibition that runs on until the end of the year. The exhibition features two cars that visitors will be able to see and experience up close, along with a variety of interactive stations that showcase the various technical features of the new G30.
As the new 5 Series is fairly heavy on tech, the interactive stations allow visitors to feel and understand how the new systems operate, from various touch screens that emulate the experience from within the car, to the BMW Connected mobility assistant, to adjustable mood lighting and even a sample of the optional "Ambient Air" package that perfumes the interior of the G30 when activated.
In addition to the G30 5 Series, there will also be a special exhibit dedicated to
'The Escape'
, which was a short film released in tandem with G30 5 Series and done in the vein of the original 'The Hire' series of BMW Films. Vistors will be able to see the actual car used during the shoot, bullet holes and all, as well as various other props and exclusive insights into the production of this homage of a film. This display, however, will only be running on until February 25th.


Review: Michelin Energy XM2+ Good When New, Still Good When Worn

Michelin recently introduced an updated version of its Energy XM2, dubbed the Energy XM2+.

Right off the bat, the updated Energy XM2+ is visually identical to the older Energy XM2, down to the thread pattern. The only visual difference is a new + symbol on the sidewall.

However, what we cannot see with our naked eye is the new full silica rubber compound of the Energy XM2+. Michelin says that the new full silica rubber compound improves handling in the wet, on top of shortening wet braking distance. Even with its newer, softer rubber compound, Michelin said that the new Energy XM2+ is able to deliver 25% more mileage than its competition.

At the launch event, Michelin Malaysia arranged for members of the media to sample its latest offering against some rival tyres on several specially designed courses.

First up was a gymkhana course that had been artificially soaked to imitate our wet roads. For our first stint, Michelin prepared three units of the Honda City – one with a worn set of Continental ComfortContact 6 (CC6), one with Michelin Energy XM2+ worn down to 15% (which is periculously close to the thread wear indicator), and one with a brand new set of Michelin Energy XM2+.

We started off in the City with the worn set of Continental CC6s. Right off the bat, we noticed that it was hard to gauge the exact point to as where the grip limit of the tyres were, resulting in constant understeering.

Next up, we hopped into the car with the worn set of Michelin Energy XM2+. To our surprise, despite being worn down to the remaining 15%, the Michelin Energy XM2+ felt more communicative and offered more grip than the Continentals. With the Energy XM2+ rubbers fitted on, the City’s handling was more consistent as we were able to feel the tyres losing grip gradually as opposed to the Continentals.

The same can be said for the brand new set of Michelin Energy XM2+, which did not feel vastly different from the worn set, which is a bigger surprise as we’d expect the brand new tyres to perform significantly better. Looks like the new full silica rubber compound is doing its job admirably.

Apart from the short gymkhana course, we also sampled the Michelin Energy XM2+ on a wet braking course against the aforementioned Continental CC6 and the Bridgestone Ecopia EP300. Similar to the prior test, we were allocated cars fitted with brand new and worn tyres from each brand.

According to Michelin's marketing materials, the new Energy XM2+ is capable of stopping the vehicle 3.9 meters shorter than its rivals in the wet. It gets more impressive with the worn tyres, as Michelin claims that the Energy XM2+ can stop the vehicle 4.5 meters shorter than its competition. In addition to that, Michelin also claims that both new or worn Energy XM2+ tyres offer similarly good wet braking performance of between 30.4 - 30.5 meters, irrespective of whether it's new or worn.

What's more impressive is that a well
worn
 Energy XM2+ actually brakes better in the wet than some
new
, premium tyres.

For example, a set new Bridgestone Ecopia EP300 and Continental CC6 tyres take up to 35.2 meters to come to a complete stop, in identical conditions. As expected, wet braking performance is poorer when on a worn set of similar tyres - taking up to 40.9 meters before the City came to a complete stop, some 10 meters more than the Michelins in various stages of wear.

In fact, when braking in the wet with the competitor tyres, the City felt like it was gliding across the water before the tyres regain grip onto the ground. The same can't be said for the Michelins, as the gripped immediately after the brake pedal was depressed.

To keep results consistent and as accurate as possible, each and every car in the braking section were fitted with Vbox data loggers, which monitors the maximum speed achieved just before braking and the total distance needed to bring the City to a complete stop. The tabulated results showed similar numbers for all the tyres, which proved that Michelin's new full silica rubber compound is indeed ahead of its competition.

While the Michelins can perform remarkably well in controlled environments, it remains to be seen how they fare in real life, as our torrential rains can get rather nasty. Sure, the Michelins can sustain its wet braking performance even when worn down to 15%, however, we would still recommend that you change your Michelins once the thread has worn down to the remaining 2 mm.

The Michelin Energy XM2+ is currently available in 32 different sizes, ranging from 14- to 16-inches, making it an ideal replacement for a number of popular cars on the road today.

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Bahaya Tidur Dalam Kereta – Keracunan Karbon Monoksida Membawa Maut

Perbuatan tidur dalam kereta tanpa mematikan enjin amat berbahaya kerana anda terdedah dengan bahaya
keracunan karbon monoksida
 yang boleh membawa maut.

Keracunan karbon monoksida ini bukanlah perkara yang boleh diambil ringan. Sekiranya anda berehat atau terlelap di dalam kereta tanpa mematikan enjin, terdapat kemungkinan bahawa anda tidak akan bangun buat selama-lamanya. Jika anda mempunyai tabiat seperti itu, ada baiknya tabiat tersebut dihentikan serta-merta.

*Kredit video: TV3MALAYSIA Official

Ingat lagi tak kes 3 wanita maut manakala satu lagi kritikal lepas tertidur dalam kereta di kawasan parkir sebuah
stesen minyak
 di Butterworth pada tahun lalu? Karbon monoksida merupakan punca utama kematian tersebut. Sekiranya berlaku kebocoran
ekzos kereta
 ke dalam kabin kereta sewaktu mangsa sedang tidur, gas yang tidak mempunyai bau dan rasa ini akan menerjah menerusi saluran pernafasan dan seterusnya ke saluran darah tanpa disedari.

Gas beracun yang dihidu mangsa ini akan bergabung dengan hemoglobin dan membentuk karbosihemoglobin (hbCO) di dalam darah. Hemoglobin merupakan protein dalam sel darah merah yang berfungsi membawa oksigen ke sel-sel badan. Seterusnya, hemoglobin akan membawa gas beracun yang disedut oleh paru-paru ke seluruh badan. Pembentukan karbosihemoglobin akan menghalang oksigen dan hemoglobin daripada bergabung. Bila tiada oksigen di hantar pada sel badan, organ boleh rosak dan seterusnya menyebabkan kematian.

Bahaya Karbon Monoksida

*Kredit foto: Public Health Malaysia

Apabila enjin kenderaan dihidupkan tanpa bergerak dalam jangka masa panjang, kebocoran gas boleh berlaku daripada ekzos dan masuk ke kabin. Masalah teknikal pada kereta berpotensi untuk menyebabkan gas ini bocor ke dalam kabin ketika pemilik sedang tidur. Ia meningkatkan risiko mati lemas.

Karbon monoksida terhasil daripada pembakaran bahan bakar tanpa oksigen yang mencukupi.

Dikenali sebagai ‘Pembunuh Senyap’ kerana gas karbon monoksida (CO) amat sukar dikesan kerana ia tidak berwarna, tiada bunyi, tiada rasa dan bau serta tidak menyakitkan.

Pengumpulan karbon monoksida (CO) yang disebabkan oleh kebocoran daripada ekzos akan menurunkan paras oksigen di dalam kenderaan.

Peningkatan tahap karbon monoksida di dalam kereta memberi kesan kepada oksigen dalam darah mangsa. Ini mengakibatkan darah membawa lebih banyak karbon monoksida dan boleh menyebabkan kematian secara tiba-tiba (sudden death).

Walaupun dengan tingkap dibuka ketika enjin enjin dihidupkan, karbon monoksida tetap boleh terkumpul kerana kereta tidak bergerak dan ia akan menyebabkan penurunan oksigen dalam darah mangsa.

Gejala Keracunan Karbon Monoksida

Sakit kepala

Pening

Loya

Sakit perut

Muntah

Sakit dada

Kekeliruan

Sekiranya gas beracun ini menyerang mangsa ketika tidur, mangsa tidak akan sedar langsung dengan sebarang perubahan pada dirinya kerana dia sedang nyenyak tidur. Berbanding ketika mangsa sedar kerana sebarang perubahan pada dirinya boleh dirasai seperti pening, loya dan sebagainya.

Tips Mengelakkan Keracunan Karbon Monoksida

Pastikan sistem pendingin hawa dan ekzos kereta anda berada dalam keadaan baik dan diselenggara secara bekala mengikut jadual. Nak lebih selamat, jadikan ia salah satu
penjagaan asas wajib
 bagi kereta anda.

Elakkan daripada mengamalkan tabiat tidur dalam kereta ketika enjin masih hidup walaupun tingkap telah dibuka kerana karbon monoksida masih boleh terkumpul. Seeloknya, keluarlah dari kenderaan dan berehatlah di kawasan yang sesuai.

Jika berlaku kecemasan di mana anda terpaksa berehat atau tidur di dalam kereta, jangan sesekali menghidupkan enjin ketika anda tidur. Sebaliknya, matikan enjin kereta dan turunkan
tingkap
 bagi memastikan aliran udara lancar.

Jangan sesekali meninggalkan anak kecil bersendirian dalam kereta kerana mereka mempunyai risiko yang lebih tinggi untuk lemas berbanding orang dewasa.

Sama-samalah kita sebarkan tentang bahaya tidur dalam kereta tanpa mematikan enjin ini kepada orang ramai supaya perkara bahaya yang boleh membawa kematian ini tidak berulang kembali. Masyarakat juga haruslah peka dan tahu tentang isu ini bagi tujuan mendidik dan juga tujuan keselamatan.


Perodua Axia Turbo Going To Indonesia First? Time To Get Excited For 2023

The Perodua Axia is soon to be replaced by an all-new successor within a year or two and rumours are swirling that a turbocharged engine could be on the cards, but it’ll show up in Indonesia first.

This is according to a report by
Otodriver
 which claims to have knowledge of this from an insider source who said that the car could arrive
as early as March 2023
 since, unlike the Myvi, the Axia is a badge-engineered Ayla developed by Astra Daihatsu and further found sold abroad as the Toyota Agya or Wigo.

An immediate ‘turbo’ connection here comes in the form of the Daihatsu Ayla Turbo which was shown off at the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) in 2018, a running concept vehicle that featured a boosted 1.2-litre engine with 200PS up front.

Its blistering performance was obvious thanks to that high power-to-weight ratio alone but reinforced by the widened stance, lowered suspension, beefier wheels and brakes with semi-slick Achilles tyres, bucket seats, and a full roll cage.

The centrepiece was the engine, of course, which was clearly also used for extensive testing - the collection of closely bunched pipes definitely prioritises function over form despite it being shown off to the public.

Though it was modified, it was based on the existing 1.2-litre 3NR-VE that will apparently also be carried over as a base powertrain option. The insider tip-off indicates that Daihatsu will opt for shoving in the same
1.0-litre 1KR-VET found in the Perodua Ativa
 (and Daihatsu Rocky) for the 2023 Ayla.

It has already proved itself as a pretty stout little unit, delivering impressive everyday performance and fuel economy while being a much more cohesive dance partner to the D-CVT gearbox it debuted locally with.

However, that does beg the question why might the Ayla/Axia be more eligible to receive the 1.0 turbo mill and its 98PS and 140Nm output than
the larger and heavier Sirion/Myvi
?

We’re not doubting that the motor and transmission could feasibly fit into the smaller car’s tighter engine bay, but they would have an easier time with the step-up model especially since it’s already designed to accept the accompanying D-CVT.

Meanwhile, Daihatsu Indonesia’s recent activities indicate a much stronger focus on zero emissions vehicles, electrification, and alternative means of propulsion, evidenced by
the fully electric Ayla EV concept
 shown at last month’s GIIAS outside Jakarta.

Best part, it was also fully functional and looks much more like a showroom-ready product.


Proton Developing Iriz With 1.3L Turbo Engine? Local Website Leaks Photos

Is
Proton
 working on a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine, manual transmission for their all-new
2015l Iriz
? These new images sure suggest as such.

Just a day after its big announcement of a
potential partnership with Suzuki
 that's believed to spawn a new model in Proton's line-up, here's more juicy news from our national carmaker.

Published by local website,
Funtasticko
, here are what appear to be leaked images of a Proton Iriz test unit with a “1.3 Turbo M/T” sticker stamp on the dash.

A second image (below) shows a Proton Iriz test mule with “1.6 CVT 3-Mount” stickered – with the local site suggesting that this could be trials for a quieter CVT-equipped Iriz in response to criticisms surrounding the variant’s excessive transmission whine.

Months ago at the group media test drive of the all-new Iriz, Proton officials told us themselves that yes, a
hotter version of the Proton Iriz will be introduced in Malaysia come 2015
 – words straight from the carmaker’s Chief Technical Officer, Abdul Rashid Musa.

The project is believed to have been in the works since then, with the Proton chief already hinting at items beyond a more aggressive bodykit and sportier alloy wheels.

Back then, Rashid had already mentioned a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine, and reminded us of how the Iriz’s speedo read all the way to 240km/h (something that’s likely to be shared with this hotter Iriz).

RECAP:
Proton To Dabble In Direction-Injection & More Turbo Power

In another report that followed, Proton’s chief was again keen to remind us that the Proton Iriz had lots to gain in terms of powertrain developments, highlighting then that Proton didn’t only purchase a set of Petronas engines back in 2012, but also a total of 117 patents and seven engine technologies.

Rashid then teased the idea of direct-injection, turbocharged petrol and diesel engines weren’t too far a stretch from reality as many would think.

Image Credit:
Funtasticko


Bekas Pereka PROTON Hasilkan Sport Car Versi Malaysia – Aston Martin DB10 Sebagai Inspirasi

Bekas pereka (designer) PROTON yang telah bekerja selama 13 tahun dalam bidang rekaan, Saharudin Busri yang banyak terlibat secara langsung dalam rekaan kebanyakan model
Proton
 telah berkongsi rekaan konsep yang diberi nama Malaysians Sports Car yang menampilkan sebuah kereta sport keluaran Malaysia!

Kereta sport yang direka beliau itu merupakan salah satu daripada kandungan yang disediakan olehnya untuk Design Talk MIMOS Berhad bersama Autodesk Asia secara maya pada September 2020. Kami diberitahu oleh Saharudin bahawa beliau telah menjadikan
Aston Martin DB10
 sebagai inspirasi dan panduan asas secara kasar seperti saiz rujukan dan 'package drawing' dalam reka bentuk kereta ini. Selebihnya, beliau menggunakan ideanya sendiri mengikut visi bayangannya dalam meneliti reka bentuk bagi kereta sport versi tanah air ini.

Jika diperhatikan pada keseluruhan bahagian sisi kereta ini, ianya kelihatan tegap, futuristik, sedikit bersegi dengan garisan tajam dan yang paling penting, ada sentuhan identiti Malaysia pada kereta sport ini. Tahukah anda terdapat beberapa ciri rekaan bunga raya yang melambangkan negara pada rim, lampu belakang serta fender sisi kereta sport ini? Difahamkan, rekaan bunga raya tersebut telah direka bagi memperingati Hari Kebangsaan.

Bahagian hadapan kereta ini pula membawa sedikit imej dari masa hadapan seperti lampu utama LED yang berbentuk V yang nipis dan kecil. Menariknya, barisan atas lampu ini bersambung terus dengan bahagian sisi badan kereta ini bagi menempatkan lampu isyarat. Bahagian bonet hadapan pula menerima dua garian tajam yang membentuk lekuk sambil ditemani oleh air scoop yang dilengkapi dengan kemasan krom pada bahagian tengahnya.

Rekaan pada bahagian sisi kereta ini menaikkan lagi ketegapan pada kereta sport ini. Rekaan yang sedikih ‘meriah’ di sekitar bahagian sisi menonjolkan rupa bersegi serta berlekuk pada kereta ini. Hadir dengan bumbung yang rendah, jentera ini hanya mampu menempatkan 2 orang sahaja. Dah nama pun kereta sport, takkan nak
7 tempat duduk
 pula betul tak? Selain itu, rim berbentuk bunga raya pada kereta ini sememangnya mencuri tumpuan sambil ditemani oleh logo bunga raya di fender sisinya.

Walau bagaimanapun, bahagian belakang kereta kemungkinan akan melahirkan beberapa perbezaan pendapat di antara peminat-peminat kereta sport di Malaysia. Bahagian belakangnya kontot sahaja, namun ia kelihatan sedikit pelik bagi sesetengah pihak. Tapi bila nak difikirkan semula, kalau tak pelik tu tak Malaysia la kan bang?

Bahagian belakangnya tidaklah buruk, namun sedikit janggal bagi sesetengah pihak jika dilihat dari belakang. Lampu belakang LED yang bercorakkan bunga raya yang bersambung pada lekukan di tepi tayar kelihatan sangat menarik di samping lekukan pada bahagian atas yang membentuk seakan spoiler. Tetapi, rekaan diffuser yang menempatkan ekzos pada bahagian bawah pada kereta ini sedikit terkeluar berbanding
DB10
 membuatkan bahagian belakang kereta ini sedikit ‘jongang.’

Walau bagaimanapun, pujian tinggi harus diberikan pada Saharudin kerana telah berjaya untuk menghasilkan rekaan konsep kereta sport versi Malaysia ini. Bukan senang nak hasilkan kereta yang belum pernah ada di dunia ni. Kalau setakat nak render model ubah sikit-sikit tu lain lah. Ternyata pengalamannya bekerja bersama PROTON dahulu digunakan sebaik mungkin olehnya.

Bagi yang tidak tahu, ini bukanlah satu-satunya rekaan yang dihasilkan oleh beliau. Beliau telah menghasilkan banyak rekaan kereta konsep tempatan seperti Suprima X dan Suprima R yang dibina berdasarkan rupa bentuk
Proton Suprima S
. Suprima X dibayangkan sebagai sebuah
SUV
 manakala Suprima R membawa imej
hatchback
.

Model Proton yang dibunuh oleh
Perodua Myvi
 iaitu Proton Savvy pun beliau pernah ubahsuai juga! Menariknya, beliau merupakan ketua pereka bagi model Proton Savvy ketika ia dibangunkan dulu. Boleh dikatakan rekaan ini merupakan imaginasi pereka asal Savvy tentang rupa bentuk model ini sekiranya dibangunkan semula pada masa akan datang.

Bukan itu sahaja, beliau turut menghasilkan sebuah rekaan kereta konsep Aston Martin berdasarkan pengaruh rekaan daripada kereta Hotwheels. Betul tuan-tuan dan puan-puan, Hotwheels!

Antara design-design yang dihasilkan oleh beliau di atas, ada tak mana-mana yang anda berkenan? Ada macam-macam lagi rekaan yang dihasilkan oleh Saharudin. Anda boleh check rekaan lain di laman Instagram serta YouTube beliau, @saharudindesign. Andaikan sekiranya model kereta sport ini dijual di Malaysia, berapa pula harga yang sanggup anda bayar bagi mendapatkan kereta sport seperti ini?

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2023 BYD Dolphin EV launched: Malaysia's best entry-level EV is priced from RM99,900!

Exciting news for electric vehicle enthusiasts in Malaysia as Sime Darby Motors has launched the highly anticipated BYD Dolphin EV, offering an affordable and feature-packed option for those looking to make the switch to emissions-free driving.

The Dolphin EV, which has been garnering attention globally, is now available in Malaysia with a starting price of just RM99,900, making it one of the best-priced EVs in the market at the moment.

The Dolphin comes in two variants, each catering to different driving needs and preferences - the Standard Range and the Extended Range. With its competitive pricing and impressive specifications, the Dolphin is poised to be a game-changer in the EV segment in Malaysia.

The Dynamic Standard Range Variant - RM99,900

The Dynamic Standard Range variant of the BYD Dolphin is priced at an attractive RM99,900, offering a great option for budget-conscious EV buyers. Despite its affordable price tag, the Standard Range variant does not compromise on performance or features.

It comes with a range of 410km, powered by a 44.9kWh battery. The motor produces 94hp of power and 180Nm of torque, enabling a respectable 0-100km/h acceleration time of 12.3 seconds.

The Dolphin Standard Range also features a max DC charging capacity of 60kW, ensuring quick and convenient charging options for users on the go.

The Premium Extended Range Variant - RM124,900

For those seeking more range and higher performance, the Extended Range variant of the BYD Dolphin EV is available at RM124,900. This variant offers an extended WLTP-certified range of 490km, thanks to its larger 60.48kWh battery.

The motor in this variant is more potent, producing 201hp of power and 310Nm of torque, resulting in a swift 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.0 seconds.

The Extended Range variant also boasts a higher max DC charging rate of 80kW, enabling even faster charging times to keep users on the move with ease. Rear suspension on the extended range is also different, featuring a multi-link set-up, compared to the standard range's torsion beam.

Impressive Safety Features

Despite its competitive pricing, the BYD Dolphin doesn't skimp on safety. Both variants come well-equipped with advanced safety features, including:

Autonomous emergency braking

Adaptive cruise control

Rear cross traffic alert and brake

Lane keep assist

Predictive collision warning

Blind spot detection

Lane departure prevention

Other differences between the two variants

Although a lot of the equipment is the same, there are some extra bits of kit on the extended-range variant. These extras kit include:

Extra exterior and interior colours (Surf Blue/Urban Grey paint jobs and blue and black interior)

Panoramic Glass roof

Mobile phone wireless charging

Power-adjusted front passenger seat

Ventilated front seats

Want to try the BYD Dolphin immediately? Here's how:

For those eager to experience the BYD Dolphin firsthand, a public test drive event has been organised at 1 Utama Old Wing open air car park from Friday, 28th July, until Sunday, 30th July 2023. This event offers a perfect opportunity for potential buyers to explore the capabilities of the BYD Dolphin and get a feel for the smooth and silent driving experience that electric vehicles offer.

The test drive event will also have knowledgeable staff on hand to answer any questions and provide detailed information about the Dolphin EV's features, specifications, and charging infrastructure.

In conclusion, the arrival of the BYD Dolphin in Malaysia is a significant milestone in the country's journey towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation. With its affordable pricing, impressive range, and advanced safety features, the Dolphin EV is set to make electric mobility more accessible to a wider audience.

Whether you are a budget-conscious buyer or someone looking for an extended range EV, the Dolphin has something to offer for everyone.

Don't miss the chance to be a part of the electric revolution and experience the future of driving at the upcoming test drive event.


AirAsia has applied to operate flights from Subang airport after SARP approval

Tony Fernandes is a big fan of Subang airport and wasted no time in planning Air Asia's future there after the redevelopment plan gets a green light.

Fresh off the announcement that Subang Airport will go through a regeneration plan, Tony Fernandes has announced that Air Asia has applied for a licence to operate regional flights from the soon-to-be redeveloped airport.

Tony Fernandes has always been an admirer of the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport and considered the airport an asset to the country where he thinks it should be fully utilised beyond its current modus operandi.

"In big cities like Kuala Lumpur, you need to have more airports. I think it is a very bold, brave and right decision for the domestic aviation industry in Malaysia," he told The Edge Markets.

"I imagine it will be more expensive to fly from Subang Airport than the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), but I think it is the right decision," Fernandes told reporters.

"Subang Airport will be a new capacity for us. As such, we do not look at diverting capacity from KLIA 2, but will target new types of passengers." he added.

Tony Fernandes must have been waiting for this moment since 2002, when Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines were asked to shift their operations from Subang to Sepang's KLIA to increase the growth of Malaysia's premiere airport.

Tony Fernandes is currently chief executive officer of Capital A Bhd, the parent company of low-cost carrier AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd. He must be relishing the chance to have access to Subang airport once again after the announcement by the government of Subang airport's redevelopment.

Under the
Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (SARP)
, the airport will be upgraded and redeveloped into a regional aviation hub, which includes reintroducing scheduled commercial passenger and belly cargo flights utilising narrow-body jets up to the size of A320/B737.


VIDEO: Watch This Tow Truck Struggle To Lift A 2,805KG Maybach

This tow truck was trying to do the right thing, trying to relocate an illegal parked car in Vienna, Austria. Unfortunately, the car it was trying to lift onto its flatbed was a Maybach 62 S, which has a curb weight of 2,805kg.
The massive luxury car just proves to be too much for the tow truck’s crane as it struggles to lift it, even after several attempts. In the end, the tow truck operator abandons his effort and leaves the 6.16 meter car in a position slightly further from the curb it was parked beside, potentially blocking more traffic than previously.
Maybe next time, the tow truck operator will return with an even more powerful crane as he has realised that trying to tow a Maybach away is no mean feat.


2016 Toyota Hilux – Prices Confirmed from RM89.9k Onwards [UPDATED]

Official prices of the all-new 2016 Toyota Hilux have been released at UMW Toyota Motor showrooms today. As indicated in our earlier story announcing its estimated pricing, the Hilux full model change will come in six variants powered by all-new 2.4- and 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engines.
Those who placed bookings based on the earlier announced estimated pricing will be pleased to know that the final confirmed prices are slightly lower, with the Single Cab variant dipping below the RM90k with insurance. According to a copy of the official price list obtained by
Carlist.my
, confirmed pricing of the all-new Hilux is as follows:

Estimated Pricing
(Announced 15 Feb)
Official Pricing
(OTR with Insurance)
Single Cab 2.4 M/T 4x4
RM93,000
RM89,900
Double Cab 2.4 M/T 4x2
RM95,000
RM91,900
Double Cab 2.4 STD M/T 4x4
RM105,000
RM99,900
Double Cab 2.4G M/T 4x4
RM115,000
RM109,900
Double Cab 2.4G A/T 4x4
RM125,000
RM121,900
Double Cab 2.8G A/T 4x4
RM135,000
RM133,900
Engines powering the new 2016 Hilux hail from the GD series, Toyota’s latest and most advanced family of turbodiesel engines. Despite their reduced displacement, both the 2.4- and 2.8-litre engines both generate improved outputs over the predecessor’s 2.5- and 3.0-litre mills. According to Toyota, the 2.4-litre 2GD-FTV powerplant is good for 150hp @ 3,400rpm and 400Nm @ 1,600 – 2,000rpm; the 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV engine, meanwhile, produces 177hp @ 3,400rpm and 450Nm @ 1,600 – 2,400rpm.
Equipment levels of the 2016 Hilux are summarized below:
Single Cab 2.4 M/T 4x4
Halogen reflector headlamps – auto on/off, bulb-type DRLs
Black radiator grille
Black side mirrors with manual adjustment
205R16C tyres with steel wheels
Bedliner optional
Security window film optional
2-DIN audio head unit – CD player, tuner, MP3, AUX, USB
Tilt & Telescopic Steering
PVC seats
Electronic 4WD transfer dial
Rear diff lock
3 airbags
ABS, EBD
Immobilizer
Moving up the range, the following upgrades apply:
Double Cab 2.4 STD 4x4 M/T
Side mirror-mounted indicators
265/65 R17 all-terrain tyres with steel wheels
Bedliner standard
Fabric seats
Double Cab 2.4 M/T 4x2
Despite being priced lower than the 2.4 STD 4x4, the sole 4x2 variant of the new Hilux offers better trim. The 2.4 STD 4x4 is obviously positioned as a no-nonsense workhorse for rough use whilst the 4x2 variant here is catered for more urban-biased usage. It comes with the following additional equipment over the 2.4 STD:
Side mirror power adjustment
Power windows – driver-side auto down only
No 4WD, no rear diff lock
Alarm, cabin sensor, speed-activated auto door lock
Double Cab 2.4G 4x4
Chrome radiator grille
Chrome-finished side mirror
Front fog lamps
265/65 R17 all-terrain tyres with alloy wheels
Security window film standard (A/T only)
Monochrome trip computer display
Keyless entry, start-stop button
2-DIN head unit with 6.1” touch screen – tuner, MP3, AUX, USB, SD, Bluetooth, Reverse Camera
Leather-wrapped steering with audio control switches
Drive mode switch – Normal, Eco, Power
Power windows – one-touch up/down with anti-pinch for all windows
Electronic stability control, and traction control (A/T only)
Hill start assist (A/T only)
Reverse sensor
Double Cab 2.8G A/T 4x4
LED headlamps and DRL
265/60 R18 highway terrain tyres with alloy wheels
Optitron instruments
4.2-inch colour TFT trip computer display
7 airbags
As announced earlier today, the all-new Hilux, when launched, will be covered by UMW Toyota Motor's newly-introduced
five-year unlimited mileage warranty
.
Click to enlarge
UPDATE:
 UMW Toyota Motor has released an official statement confirming that order taking of the all-new 2016 Hilux has commenced. OTR prices of all variants in various parts of Malaysia are summarized below.
Click to enlarge


Ford and Volkswagen Will Team Up For A Pickup Truck

It's the hottest news since Toyota unveiled the all-new Supra and confirmed (what people should have really known) that they were platform sharing with BMW.
According to Go Auto
, at the recent Detroit Auto Show, Ford and Volkswagen confirmed that they are going to be working together on a new LCV, or Light Commercial Vehicle - which is just internal speak for a pickup truck.
There's no prize in guessing which of these companies benefits more from the partnership: Ford has the experience when it comes to these particular units, and the Amarok hasn't exactly been present in a lot of markets. That being said, there are big benefits for both companies in terms of technology sharing and achieving economies of scale, as well as better positioning for Volkswagen to export within the ASEAN region.
Those who are a little more power hungry may also be excited to know that there's a 3.0-litre V6 diesel variant of the Amarok, which utterly dwarfs the Ranger Raptor's 2.0-litre turbodiesel inline 4 engine. It's not altogether likely that this strange collaboration between these two major players will yield an even more powerful Ranger, but one can't deny the potential benefits here. The Amarok will also be given room to grow and improve, as it's been put on the back burner like most of Volkswagen's non-core products since the scandals.
Ford, of course, is no stranger to this kind of arrangement. Their long standing relationship with Mazda in the past yielded some of the best Rangers and BT-50s, and this new collaboration gives them a chance to show the world just how much they've learned and grown. The alliance with Volkswagen may eventually extend beyond merely pickup trucks, especially as consumers demand more and more technology from their passenger cars, and splitting the bill can help both manufacturers immensely.


Review: MINI Cooper Countryman (F60) – When You Want A MINI, But You Need A Maxi

We live in a time when many words have taken on new meanings. A wallpaper is now something for display screens instead of walls. A cloud refers to a method of data storage rather than condensed water vapour in the sky. And then you have words like mini, Mini, and MINI – identical spellings but slightly different meanings.
Originated as a shortened form of miniature, minimal or minimum, the word mini now evokes images of BMW’s hipster sister-brand more than anything else.
In this post-British Motor Corporation (BMC) world, there is a distinction between Mini and MINI. Mini refers to the classic British marque that older folks refer to as Morris Mini or Austin Mini, while MINI refers to its modern day equivalent now under the ownership of BMW, and not always built in England.
This MINI Countryman seen here for example, is built in the Netherlands by contract assembler VDL Nedcar. In case you haven’t notice, there is nothing mini about this MINI. So like everything else in our era, it’s not quite as simple as it should.
The large winged emblem that adorns the bonnet is proud of its British heritage but at the same time, it’s not shy to say that it is styled by a Danish (Anders Warming), engineered by the Germans at BMW, put together by the Dutch. It’s a more accurate reflection of how progress is achieved in this era. The saying ‘The sun never sets on the British empire’ no longer rings true.
Fun fact: the Countryman name was originally used on BMC era Mini wagon models - the Austin Mini Countryman (also sold as Morris Mini Traveller), variants which today’s BMW-owned MINI refer to as a Clubman.
Specifications for MINI Cooper Countryman (F60)
Engine: 1.5-litre three cylinder transverse, turbocharged
Power: 136 hp at 4,400 – 6,000 rpm
Torque: 220 Nm at 1,400 – 4,300 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, front wheel drive
Safety: Six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, reverse camera, ISOFIX, ABS with BA and EBD
Price: RM 239,888 without insurance
Assembly: Fully imported from the Netherlands
Overview
The biggest model in the MINI range, the Countryman is a mini-SUV/crossover version of the familiar MINI 3 Door.
Like all MINIs, the Countryman is a lifestyle car, which is just another way of saying that the car is all about style and little else. However even within the context of a lifestyle car, some owners just need a little more space and to sit a little bit taller than others, and that’s essentially the raison d'être for the Countryman.
It’s not a MINI in its purest form but it’s the best compromise between that indie band following and Instax snapping side of the brain and the rational side that needs to figure out how to carry the guitars and amplifiers to the studio.
Like all MINIs, the Countryman doesn’t have any direct rival but if you have to compare, its closest rival is from its sister-brand BMW, the X1 sDrive20i.
As a locally-assembled model, the larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder X1 (from RM 230,800) costs about RM 9,000 less than the imported Countryman, with a lot more features. You have to love the MINI brand a lot to overlook the X1 for this Dutch-made 1.5-litre three-cylinder Countryman.
There’s also the lower roofline but similar class Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 which starts from RM 239,888, also front wheel drive and imported (from Germany).
Exterior
Measuring 4,299 mm long, 1,822 mm wide, and 1,557 mm tall, the Countryman is shorter than a BMW X1, but has a taller roofline. Oddly, it is the taller Countryman that sits closer to the ground - 165 mm versus 183 mm.
Approaching the car, the biggest annoyance with the Countryman is its lack of keyless entry. Despite its price, this is a car that you have to reach for the key fob to lock and unlock the doors. The oval wing mirrors look cute but you have to be extra careful about blind spots and kerbs when parking, as the mirrors' rounded edges can't show much.
On the upside, there is a bit of theatrics when you unlock the car. With the wing mirrors folded out, the puddle lamp underneath it projects a MINI logo onto the ground to greet you. Gimmicky but didn’t we already say that this is a lifestyle car?
Interior
Like all MINIs, the Countryman’s cabin looks good in the day, and even better at night. Step inside, the chrome engine start switch pulses like heartbeat. Flick it to turn on the ignition and the infotainment screen lights up like a jukebox with a range of colour options. Not everyone will like the neon-like glow and ‘60s vibe but didn’t we already said that this is a ‘lifestyle car?’
Headroom and legroom is as good what you would expect from a maxi-sized MINI, but don’t expect any ultra large Honda-style storage compartments. The arm rest flips open to reveal a small storage bin, complemented by a centre console box beneath it. Combined, it offers enough storage for all your essentials – smartphones, keys, Smart Tags - but nothing more than that.
MINIs are not known for their practicality but the Countryman does offer a fairly high level of utility. The boot swallows 450 litres of cargo, expandable to 1,390 litres with the seats folded down. The boot floor also flips up to reveal an additional storage compartment.
We also appreciate the rear seat’s 40:20:40 split folding, which allow for easier loading of long items – a guitar or a keyboard for example – than a typical 60:40 split folding seat.
The seats are fabric, so no points for that, certainly not at this price. The rest of the cabin materials are typical BMW standard and are nice to touch.
Driving experience
This is where the MINI shines. The practical-minded ones might scoff at many of the MINIs gimmicks but every petrol head can agree that a MINI, any MINI, is a hoot to drive. They weren’t lying about go-kart feel driving experience. Yes, this taller riding Countryman doesn’t track as sharply as the MINI 3 Door or 5 Door or even the Clubman, but it still offers bucket loads of fun.
It darts around corners like its tracing imaginary rails. Even changing directions mid-corner doesn’t unsettle in the MINI.
The drive mode selector – Green, Mid, Sport - is done via a selector a ring surrounding the base of the gear lever. On the move, I personally find this setup to work better than BMW’s toggle switches.
The engine might only have three cylinders but it’s spritely enough to still live up to the MINI’s image, so long as you’ve not experienced what a Cooper S is capable of. Still, even when driving up the challenging uphill and twisty stretches of Bukit Tinggi, the Cooper Countryman drives with enough urgency for a majority of the buying public.
We love its handling more than its drivetrain though. Compared to a similar engine but 8-speed automatic transmission BMW 318i, the 6-speed automatic transmission Cooper Countryman lacks the final 10 percent in smoothness and response. It lacks the 318i's wider ratio spread which works very well to mask the tiny engine's limited torque spread.
Comfort
As a Cooper, this Countryman has 56 hp and 60 Nm less than a Cooper S variant, but we always found the Cooper S’ ride to be a bit too jarring to live with every day, and it’s quite debatable if that is a fair trade-off.
Minus the ‘S’ monicker, this Cooper variant has a far more pliant ride, but we are saying this in the context of MINI’s character, so don’t expect the Countryman to cushion you like an equivalent BMW X1. After all, it’s a MINI and that means that the chassis has to mimic a go-kart driving experience, irrespective of its power output levels. It is however, still a bit more comfortable than a Mercedes-Benz GLA 200.
You don’t expect a MINI to give a quiet ride and the Countryman is no different. The whole idea is to maintain a raw driving character, and that includes leaving a certain degree of mechanical noise filtering through the cabin but cabin noise is still comparable to an entry BMW 1 Series.
On the straight highways, the ultra-sharp steering might be quite tiring to drive.
Fuel Economy
Over a distance of nearly 250 km, with a balanced mix of urban and highway driving, the Countryman Cooper averaged a rather Perodua Myvi-like 12 km/litre. Impressive.
Conclusion
The Cooper Countryman is everything that we had come to expect from an upsized MINI, both the good and the bad. It’s trendy and chic, and not everyone will understand its appeal but that’s exactly how MINI wants it because if it’s any more practical, it would have been a BMW X1.
For those who understand what MINI is all about, there is no substitute to what the Countryman offers. For these buyers, the bigger question left is deciding between this Cooper and the upcoming Country Plug-in Hybrid, which judging by BMW Group Malaysia’s past history, should be locally-assembled and therefore cheaper. But not everyone wants a hybrid so it’s a choice between the latest Volts and Amps or the proven conventional engine.


Kia Picanto GT Line Officially Introduced – RM57,888

After its first preview at
KLIMS 2018
, Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia has confirmed the pricing of the Picanto GT Line at RM57,888.
The Picanto GT Line retains the same powertrain as the rest of the range – a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 84 PS and 122 Nm of torque, coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission – but gains added styling elements and convenience features.
Most notable is a sporty body kit with contrasting colour accents, which consists of the front bumper, side skirts, and rear bumper. The GT Line is also fitted with 16-inch wheels versus 14-inches on the KX and
EX
 variants.
The GT Line is also offered with one additional colour option: Aurora Black Pearl.
On the inside, the GT Line features leather front seats, single-zone climate control, cruise control, supervision meter cluster, and a sunroof – a standout feature in its segment.
Additionally, the GT Line is fitted with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).


Motor Expo 2016: New Volvo V40 Debuts In Thailand

Volvo Car Thailand has introduced the new Volvo 40 here at the 33
rd
 Thailand International Motor Expo 2016. Imported from Malaysia, the new V40 is equipped with Volvo’s latest design signature – the ‘Thor Hammer’ motive headlamps, something which was omitted during the last product update where the older five-cylinder engine was replaced with Volvo’s latest Drive-E engine.
Since the Thai-market V40 is exported from Malaysia, it is reasonable to expect Volvo Car Malaysia to introduce the new V40 here very soon.
Before you envy the Thais for getting the new V40 before us, do note that in Thailand, the V40 is only available with a single variant – the 190 hp (300 Nm) T4 variant.
The V40 T5 that’s sold in Malaysia, while it has to make do with the older, pre-facelift model’s pair of headlamps, is powered by a far more powerful 245 hp Drive-E engine. The lesser T4 variant has since been discontinued in Malaysia.
Read also:
Review: 2016 Volvo V40 T5 Drive-E – The Undercover GTI


Lady With A 2015 Ford Mustang Teaches These Guys A Lesson

“
Let me drive, I’ll show you what this thing could do
.” Typical guy thing to say, isn’t it? Well, it’s at least how these guys reacted while on a ‘Speed Date’ with a woman in a 2015 Ford Mustang.
Ford
 recently set out to prank a bunch of typical guys in this clip, by putting them on what they believed were a date with a gorgeous blue-eyed blonde bombshell. After which, said bombshell invites her dates out for a drive in the new car, an equally stunning 2015
Ford
 Mustang.
The actor feigns that she doesn’t know how to drive, leaving the men with the opportunity to either be kind, or be ‘typical’. Too bad if they were ‘typical’, because, little did they know, the lady, who’s involved in the prank, is also a professional stunt driver.
We’ll let you discover what happened next.


Taylor's Racing Team Qualifies for FSAE for Second Year Running

When you talk about top tier race drivers, training begins from as early as they can get into a go kart and head out onto a track. But when does training for a race engineer start? In many cases there are dedicated race engineering or automotive engineering courses that teach students how to function professionally, but it is also practical hands on experience that plays a large part in shaping these engineers. The best way to get a broader range of students interested in racing and motorsports is to offer a program within the school. The Taylor's Racing Team is one such program, with a rotating crew of students as each batch of seniors graduate and the juniors take the helm, operating since 2010 and growing from just 8 engineers to an eclectic mix of engineers, marketing students, and business students.
The greatest achievement for the team last year was to qualify and compete in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia (FSAE-A), where they clinched 3rd in the business presentation category and 25th in the race category out of a total of 35 teams. It's a solid performance for the team's first overseas attempt, and gave them a worldwide ranking of 322 out of 528 teams. This year, the Taylor’s Racing Team will be racing with the improved ‘Epifany’ in EIMA Race and the brand new challenger, the ‘TR16’ with a Yamaha R6 engine, at the Formula SAE-A in Melbourne. Changes over the previous car include improved aerodynamics, revised spring rates, an optimized air plenum, and much more focus on data logging equipment to create measurable performance.
Commenting on this year’s team, chief engineer and lead driver Farah Danial, said, “2016 is an exciting year for the Taylor’s Racing Team. For the first time, we have increased our team to 29 members. The team consists not only of engineering students, but also involves students from Taylor’s Business School, School of Computing & IT as well as the School of Communication. We also manage everything from car design, equipment sourcing, materials and components, scheduling, budgeting, sponsorship to manufacturing and car testing.” Farah is the only female driver in the 2016 Formula SAE-A racing team.


Toyota Gives Daihatsu Copen The GR Treatment, Makes It Even More Desirable

Toyota Motor Corporation yesterday announced the launch of the new Copen GR Sport in Japan.

In case you’re wondering, the Copen GR Sport is basically Toyota’s sportier version of Daihatsu’s (Toyota’s subsidiary) two-seater convertible sports car which is manufactured by the latter.

What Toyota has done is that it has added some cosmetic and chassis upgrades to the roadster, and made it the entry-level model in Toyota’s GR performance cars lineup.

Specifically, Toyota has added a front brace and changed the shape of the centre brace of the Copen, optimised the suspension spring rate for increased body rigidity, fitted a dedicated shock absorber, and retuned the electric power steering, all in an effort to improve the handling of the car.

Design wise, key features include a "Functional Matrix" front grille, a redesigned, more aggressive front bumper, and an electrified folding roof  which comes as standard.

Inside, the Copen GR features special Recaro seats, a self-lighting triple meter display, as well as a special piano black-toned decorative center cluster.

Under the hood, the Toyota GR Copen is powered by a turbocharged 660cc 3-cylinder petrol engine that makes 64 PS and 92 Nm of maximum torque, which is paired to either a 5-speed manual or CVT-type gearbox with paddle shifters.

According to Toyota, the aim with the GR Copen was to create “ever-better” cars by removing the barriers between manufacturers, as the car combines the philosophies of GR with the Copen, a fun-to-drive mini-vehicle.

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


The Toyota Yaris GRMN Is A JDM GR Yaris On Beast Mode

Of course
Toyota weren’t done
 when they released the GR Yaris onto the scene. Instead of the four-wheel drive rally-bred super hatch being the pinnacle of the Yaris’ evolution, Gazoo Racing saw it as a stepping stone. Meet the even angrier, all-new GR Yaris GRMN.

Most obviously, the company
have brought back
 that initial hot Yaris prefix, the second half of which (MN) stands for Masters
(Meisters)
 of the Nurburgring. Yes, they’re quite boastful by the sound of things, which is a trait uncharacteristic of the Japanese people.

Revealed at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, the all-new Yaris GRMN is a lighter, more powerful and track-focused version of the GR Yaris. Toyota themselves describe it as “fully tuned” with “rigorous refinement” at the hands of “professional drivers”.

Unlike the car on which it’s based, it is quite unlikely you’ll see one
rolling on Malaysia’s roads
 with production capped at just 500 units, all of which are destined for sale exclusively in its home market. Yes, this one is true JDM forbidden fruit.

There, prices will start from 7,317,000 Yen (roughly RM261k), which is about 50% higher than the standard GR Yaris. According to Toyota, the significant price bump is justified through a laundry list of performance-related upgrades and alterations, or so we assume.

Thanks to 546 new spot welds and 12 metres of additional structural adhesive, the Yaris GRMN is said to be significantly stiffer than the GR Yaris. Aside from the driver and front passenger getting Recaro buckets, they’ve also thrown out the rear seats with the aim of saving weight (-20kg) and added a cross brace just behind the B-pillar for even more rigidity.

That
turbocharged G16E-GTS 1.6-litre three-cylinder
 upfront is unchanged and produces a little power at 270PS and 390Nm just like the Japanese market GR Yaris. However, they have fitted it to a revised manual gearbox with closer ratios that feeds power through a new mechanical limited-slip differential.

Outside, the GRMN is most visibly differentiated by its unpainted carbon fibre bonnet and roof, but only the very perceptive might notice its 10mm drop in ride height for a lower centre of gravity alongside wider fenders for improved aerodynamics and stability.

The aero package can be bolstered by the carbon fibre rear spoiler, but only if the optional Circuit Package is selected, which is one of the two configurations available to buyers.

Choosing this also yields 18-inch BBS wheels, a unique (though subtle) body kit, and a set of adjustable Bilstein shock absorbers. Meanwhile, a bespoke GR suspension upgrade tuned for loose surfaces, anti-roll bar and undertray can be had with the Rally package.

We expect acceleration and top speed to be pretty closely matched to the GR Yaris given the unaltered engine and their still-similar kerb weights, though we’ve no doubt that the differences will become apparent on a track.

That said, Toyota has yet to release figures that quantify just how much faster or more adept the Yaris GRMN is over the ‘standard’ car, so all we have is conjecture for now.


Toyota’s Buy & Win Contest Winners Presented With Their Brand New Vios J

UMW Toyota recently and successfully held a ‘Toyota Buy & Win’ contest geared towards
Toyota
 customers who placed their orders at the
Toyota WOW Road Tour
.
The Road Tour ran in several venues around Malaysia from May to June and offered activities such as Drift Taxi Rides in a
Toyota 86
,
Vios
, and
Hilux
, together with On-Road Test Drives.
The winners were drawn for the Toyota Buy & Win contest was conducted on August 6
th
 which resulted in three lucky winners returning home with a brand new
Toyota Vios J
 (AT) each.
One of trio of winners purchased the same model, the Vios J, while the other two winners bought a
Vios G
 and a
Camry Hybrid
 respectively. The contest was held at Juru Astro City in Penang, East Coast Mall in Kuantan, Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Sutera Mall in Johor Bahru, Stadium Likas in Kota Kinabalu and Batu Kawa New Township in Kuching.
One of the winners, Ms. Leong Yeen Yin (pictured above), who purchased the Vios J (AT) in Penang said: “I am happy that I won the Buy & Win contest. Due to this, I have encouraged my colleagues to buy Toyota cars too. On top of that, my husband is a loyal fan of Toyota, and has not switched brands ever since owning a Toyota car.”
Businessman Mr. Lau Er Kheng (below), who bought a Toyota Camry Hybrid couldn’t believe he had won the Vios J in the Toyota Buy & Win contest, and was in denial until it was confirmed to him by his Toyota Sales Advisor. Mr. Lau said he will let his family use the new Vios J.


Honda City And Jazz Hybrid: Difference Between Hybrid and Non-Hybrid Models

Honda Malaysia recently introduced two new hybrid models based on the new City and Jazz. Both these models adopt the company’s new Sport i-DCD hybrid set up, featuring a new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine paired to a seven-speed DCT.
From the exterior, as mentioned in our earlier review of both cars, these two hybrid models bear a striking resemblance to its normal petrol siblings, save for some minor changes.
*Petrol Honda City pictured
Visuals aside, the biggest change for both models is actually underneath the sheet metal.
During the media driver organized by Honda Malaysia, we got the chance to speak to Taiki Yanase, Large Project Leader for the new City Hybrid and Masanobu Nakatsu, Project Leader for Hybrid models.
First up is the Honda City Hybrid, or the Grace Hybrid as it’s known back in Japan, Yanase-san explained, due to the extra weight of the hybrid battery, Honda had to re-engineer the City Hybrid's chassis.
Starting with the suspension, Yanase-san explained that the Honda City Hybrid gets firmer springs and thicker rear shock absorbers plus a 15.6% quicker steering gear ratio. Additionally,Yanase-san told us that the Malaysian spec Honda City Hybrid also gained some local suspension tuning to suit our roads.
On top of that, the Honda City Hybrid’s bodyshell has been further strengthened at the rear bulkhead and A-pillars.
All of these enhancements translate into a City that boasts far superior road manners over its regular petrol version. Thanks to these enhancements, Honda Malaysia has managed to strike the fine balance between ride comfort and road handling, albeit disguised in an unassuming Honda City.
Moving onto the Honda Jazz Hybrid, changes are less drastic than the City Hybrid. The Honda Jazz Hybrid here gets a performance rod in the rear torsion beam suspension that improves stiffness, retuned dampers plus a revised steering gear ratio.
While changes are less drastic than the City Hybrid, we noticed that the driving dynamics of the Jazz Hybrid is amongst the best out there, without compromising ride comfort.
Yanase-san further mentioned that in Japan, sales of the petrol Honda Jazz versus the hybrid version is almost 50:50, whilst sales for the Honda City hybrid is 80:20 as the company introduced the hybrid variant earlier.


This Toyota 2000GT Is Looking To Fetch RM4 Million At Pebble Beach

This won’t be cheap. What you’re looking at here is a
Toyota
 2000GT, one of the most coveted collectible Japanese cars in the world and also the country’s first supercar. Scheduled to go up for auction at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, this original, left-hand drive example finished in red is looking to fetch an estimated $800,000 to $1,000,000 (RM3,198,160 to RM3,997,700) with Gooding and Company handling the auction.

The Toyota 2000GT is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat, hardtop coupé grand tourer designed by Toyota in collaboration with Yamaha. Featuring an aluminium body designed with inspiration from the Jaguar E-Type and Lotus Elan, the 2000GT first broke cover at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show and created quite a sensation, elevating Toyota’s status as a carmaker, so much so that the sports car even became the feature car in the 1967 James Bond flick
You Only Live Twice
 where an open-top version was made specially for the movie.

Under the hood, the 2000GT is powered by a 2.0-litre DOHC inline six-cylinder engine featuring three two-barrel Solex 40 PHH carburetors. The engine developed 150hp and was mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. A first for a Japanese car, the 2000GT came with a limited slip differential and all-round power-assisted disc brake as standard. It also featured four-wheel independent coil-spring suspension.

After stunning the world with its looks and technical specifications, the
Toyota
 2000GT then took to the race tracks, winning the Fuji 24-Hour Race in 1967. Even Carroll Shelby entered a pair of 2000GTs to compete in the CP category of the 1968 SCCA production car races.

With such a rich heritage, it’s no wonder the 2000GT is highly sought after. This one here has been in the hands of three collectors before being acquired by someone who restored the car extensively to its immaculate condition. The buyer of the car will receive a comprehensive documentation of the car along with its matching chassis-engine number credentials.

If you’re wondering just how rare a Toyota 2000GT is, there are only 351 ever produced.


Proton Achieves New Milestones In November

With 4,820 new cars sold, coupled with the recent victory at the 2018 Sepang 1,000 KM (S1K) endurance race, November turned out to be a great month for Proton.
The company’s sales in November marked an improvement when compared to the same period in 2017. Proton’s market share is estimated to be at 10.2%, though the exact figure will only be made known next month after the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) releases the industry sales data.
Abdul Rashid Musa, Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar said, “Proton is continuing its zero SST pricing policy for all current models to make it easier for our customers to own a Proton car. We are also making the brand more accessible by participating in local events such as road shows and carnivals, thus providing more avenues to view, test, and buy a Proton car. Unfortunately, there was a supply constraint in November, limiting the number of cars we could deliver. So while our overall sales improved over the same month in 2017, the Company would like to apologise to all its dealers for not being able to meet our commitments.”
In conjunction with their recent victory at the 2018 S1K, Proton will be offering rebates of up to RM3,000 on selected models, including the Ertiga, Iriz, Persona, and Saga. This is part of the company’s “Champion Rebates” promotion.
“Proton’s victory at the 2018 S1K with the Proton Iriz proves the speed and handling inherent in every Proton model. It also demonstrates the reliability of our cars as the winner had to survive 1000 km of hard driving in race conditions. Proton is a believer in the value motor sports delivers to the brand and its products so we will continue to participate in races and rallies in the future with Team Proton R3,” added Abdul Rashid Musa.
Elsewhere, Proton is set to launch the new X70 on the 12
th
 of December at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. “The high-technology features and safety focused engineering of the SUV have been proven by its 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating, being awarded the highest score recorded for its market segment, as well as being granted EEV status by MITI. It has even received accolades prior to its launch, being honoured with the Best Connectivity and Infotainment award at the 2018 Carlist.my Editor’s Choice Awards,” he said.
Last but not least, the company is also offering a free 18-point safety inspection for all Proton models at its authorized service centres. The free vehicle safety inspection will start on the 4
th
 of December and will continue until the end of February 2019.


Review: 2017 Ferrari California T - Stepping Up To Your First Ferrari

Even as a motoring journalist, no matter how many product launches one attends, no matter how many cars you’ve driven before or indeed will drive after, and no matter how many times you may have passed by that instantly recognisable building along the Federal Highway, this is still special.
Today, for the first time, I will drive a Ferrari.
In the wise words of its stubborn, ingenious and charismatic founding father, “If you can dream it, you can do it”.
To be totally honest, he also said that the “client is not always right” and that “aerodynamics is for people who can’t build engines”, which is funny, but we’d have to leave that argument for another day.
Today, I will have to let slide my journalistic objectivity and simply report as a bewildered 8-year old.
Walking across the grey asphalt of the parking lot, the ambient noise is quickly punctuated by the loud bark of a naturally-aspirated V8, somewhere behind the building, perhaps a Ferrari F430 in for a service.
It quickly dawned on me that despite my childish buzz, I only get to play king for a day. Imagine actually having the means to walk into that building, customise and buy your very own Ferrari.
How special would that feel?
People that push past those clear glass doors at Naza Italia are not concerned with variants, in which case, there are none – every Ferrari is customised and finished to individual requirements.
Essentially, where the similarities end, car-to-car, is the engine that powers it and the beautiful body that cloaks it. Even wheels, suspension, and brakes can be customised.
We’ll dwell a little deeper into the options list of our press car, along with the approximations of the costs later in the article.
There is no such thing as facelift model either. Although Ferrari does introduce updates for certain models, as well as new ‘packages’ during the life cycle that may improve a major aspect of the vehicle – it isn’t like the facelifts that we are commonly used to.
Near the end of a model life cycle, run-out specials are introduced, such as the 599 GTO after the 599 GTB, or the 458 Speciale Aperta after the 458 Spider.
Which brings us to the baby of the current Ferrari range – the California T.
The California name at the heart represents a long line grand touring models – beginning with the 250 GT California Spyder of the 1950s. Combining the merits of Ferrari’s driving DNA, along with the usability of a 2+2 seater and the option to drop-the-top when the weather permits make the California T possibly the most usable Ferrari ever made.
The California T also reintroduced turbocharging, something that has been not available on any Ferrari since the hallowed F40, which bowed out in 1992.
Specifications:
Price: RM888,800 before taxes and options.
Engine: 3.9-litre, V8, twin-turbocharged, petrol
Power: 552hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 755Nm @ 4750rpm (7th gear)
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch automatic, paddle shifters, RWD
Safety: 4-airbags, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX, F1-Trac Traction control, Rear Parking Sensors, Reverse Camera.
Origin: Fully imported from Maranello, Italy.
Additional options list:
Yellow brake calipers: RM4,000
Carbon fibre driver zone accessory package plus LEDs: RM9,000
Carbon fibre central bridge: RM9,000
Carbon fibre dashboard inserts: RM12,000
Prancing Horse headrest logo stitching: RM3,000
Sports exhaust system: RM20,000
Scuderia Ferrari logo shields (Front fender): RM4,000
Parking camera: RM15,000
Note that all prices are approximations, and in addition to standard option packages as determined by Ferrari and Naza Italia.
Overview
This is the second-generation model of the modern California, first introduced in 2008. The first generation car featured a detuned version of 4.3-litre V8 also found in the Ferrari F430. For the most part, that car didn’t particularly look great, wasn’t powerful by Ferrari’s standards and production only lasted some five years.
This second generation California not only drives harder and faster – it’s a whole lot sexier now as well.

The proportions follow in the footsteps Ferrari’s front-engine GT models, with a slender waistline flowing front to back. The cockpit rises from the muscular front wings, stretching rearwards towards compact rear-end. The interplay of concave and convex surfaces gives the car an elegant yet powerful exterior - I cannot stress enough, that pictures don’t really do the California’s looks justice.
Penned by Ferrari, in collaboration with Pininfarina. The second generation car features a much cleaner front fascia; a wide front grille, sitting proud of sleek headlamps at the front. Round the back, the sharp-looking rear bumper does away with the diagonal exhaust exits, now replaced with dual exhaust tips at each end and a functional central diffuser.
On a side note, I absolutely love the options of the press car you see here – finished in a menacing shade of black, complimented by similar gloss black alloys wheels, whoever said a Ferrari has to only come in one shade of red.
The architecture of the California has changed too, the front mid-mounted engine rests 40mm closer to the ground (than the last model) and weight distribution is now 47% (front): 53% (rear), delivering better overall balance.
And the pièce de résistance if you will – the folding hardtop roof now folds completely in just 14 seconds.

The California T’s chassis and body shell are also fully made up of aluminium. Twelve different types of aluminium alloys have been used, bonded using aerospace technology, hence torsional rigidity is up, and weight has gone down.
Driving Experience
Despite having a smaller engine than its predecessor – the new V8 engine delivers almost a 100bhp more and circa 290Nm more torque. The power hike comes courtesy of two compact, twin-scroll turbochargers, one on each cylinder bank.
The exhaust pulses are harmoniously channelled towards the turbines thanks to Ferrari flat-plane crankshaft, which provides even firing on both cylinder banks, and lower rotating mass inertia. Ferrari also spent countless more hours on tuning the exhaust harmonics to sing in all its full-blooded glory.
The hardware is modulated by Ferrari’s Variable Boost Management (VBM), a new control system that controls the amount of boost, and hence engine torque, to suit the gear and engine speed. This allows Ferrari to adopt longer gear ratios for better fuel economy, without sacrificing engine response or fuel efficiency.
I could go on about other innovations that endow the California T, or indeed any other Ferrari currently on sale such great ability, but for the most part, all I’m sure you want to know is how this thing drives.
And to understand that – you’d first have to look at the steering wheel!
While it may at first look overwhelming at first, the modern belief is that everything you need to drive is right at your fingertips. And at the right lower section, sits the all-important “Manettino”, which simply translates to mean little switch.
This little switch like most modern performance cars, controls the car’s traction, gearbox and throttle setup - one lever, three modes.
Then if you toggle through the settings of Ferrari’s “SCM 3” magnetorheological absorbers, you’d find two main settings, ‘Normal’ and ‘Bumpy Road’, imagine that – Ferrari sees a road as either smooth or bumpy! In actual fact, is there any other type of road?
It’s hard to imagine that a car with so much talent can be understood and augmented so easily – in particular, it’s this simplicity that makes the car so appealing to drive, and it works too.
Out on regular city roads, once you get used to the California’s rather long front hood, you begin to realise that it’s not much bigger than a Toyota Camry.
Ferrari has quickened the steering rack, stiffened up the springs and fitted new brake pad material that provides more consistent performance in all conditions.
What this equates to is a car that is light, and nimble to drive around town. The brakes are quiet and easily modulated while moving along in traffic. There were a couple of instances, where I figured bumps, and some road elevations would catch out the suspension – but the California simply glides over them with ample poise.
Once I caught an empty stretch of highway and put my right foot down, it quickly became apparent where all those countless development hours, dyno testing and wind tunnel tuning have gone too.
When nearly 552bhp of power flows almost instantly towards the rear wheels, pinning me into my seat and warping my peripheral view of trees and other cars. The noise, though not much more than a subtle rumble under 2800rpm builds its way to a raspy and full-hearted roar as you get past 5500rpm.
The torque delivery is immense, comparable to my experience in an S63 AMG Cabriolet, but more violent. The variable turbo boost ensures acceleration in every gear is almost as rapid as the one before it, and more importantly, delivers torque almost like a naturally-aspirated engine.
Flicking the right paddle shifter sends a very clear indication of the seven-speed DCT disengaging the former gear and engaging the next, as every gear change is accompanied by a brief pause in acceleration before the next gear announces itself with an explosion of pace.
The gear changes aren’t as seamless as, say a Nissan GT-R, but there’s a mechanical clarity to the process, almost like if one could pull off a manual gear change in the same time – and it’s therapeutic, to say the least.
For the most part, if you’re concentrating on the road ahead, then you might have missed the speedometer fly past 175km/h, which seems to be the sweet spot for a cruise in this car. Rarely did I sustain speeds above 200km/h, but that’s not saying the California can’t do that with ease either.
In the corners, the steering is pleasantly chatty, allowing even a novice driver like me to place this car tightly around a corner, or progressively reach the upper limits of grip on a longer bend. The steering effort is nicely weighted in both Normal and Sport mode.
Comfort & Refinement
The California T is meant to be a 2+2 seater, but in my opinion, the rear seats are best used as parcel shelves. The leg- and shoulder room pale in comparison to other bigger drop-top GTs like the S-Class Coupe, or Bentley Conti GT - even children might find it a tight squeeze.
However, the option to fold the rear seats to house bigger luggage such as golf bags does add some measure of practicality to the car. I’m pretty sure no one buys a Ferrari and silently hopes for it to be as practical as a
Honda Jazz
.
Up front, the beautifully finished seats are also rather plush and comfortable – a crucial factor in making the California an everyday Ferrari. The seat’s side bolsters provide ample support around the torso region during hard driving, but don’t impede your movement when trying to move around, which is instantly appreciable.

The fit and finish around the cabin is rather superb. Although, if I was being honest, even a Ferrari is not spared the squeaks and rattles from the convertible top’s linkages and rubber linings. However, if it’s outright opulence and build quality you’re looking for – the Bentley is still where it’s at.
Conclusion
Most people who push past that glass door would already have their minds made up about what their next car is going to be. They’d be sold on Ferrari’s three S’s –Style, Speed, and Status.
Perhaps because every Ferrari is borne by a need to be the best at what it can be - inspire adoration, bewilderment, and jealousy whenever it turns a wheel, and be resigned to the history books. Like the best rock stars, if you will.
Ferrari cars tend to exist outside the realm of objectivity, and instinctively turn you into an 8-year old, the difference is, you’d enjoy one just as much even if you were 80-years old.
The California T exerts this will just as well as any other Ferrari, and it quite possibly the most usable Ferrari ever made.
However, being objective – if you want the ultimate luxury cruiser, get the Bentley Continental GT V8 S convertible, if you want the best of all words, the best equipment, sublime power, and the bargain buy in this lot (fully-loaded at around RM1.55 mil) – the Mercedes-Benz AMG S63 Coupe, but if you want soul-stirring emotion every time you turn the wheel… they make those best in Maranello.


The Speedtail Is The Fastest McLaren Since The F1, And It Has Been Sold Out

Say hello to the McLaren Speedtail, the next chapter in McLaren’s Ultimate Series.
The Speedtail, which happens to be the first ‘Hyper-GT’ from McLaren, can achieve the highest maximum speed of any McLaren to date, reaching 403 km/h – a record which was held for more than 2 decades by the McLaren F1.
It is also the first of 18 new cars which McLaren will introduce as part of its Track25 business plan.
Only 106 units will be created and unfortunately, all are already reserved at a price starting from £1.75 million plus taxes.
The teardrop-shaped cockpit and aerodynamically optimised body are the foundation for the exceptional aerodynamic drag efficiency, with innovative features such as carbon fibre front-wheel static aero covers, retractable digital rear-view cameras (in lieu of mirrors) and patented active rear ailerons furthering contributing to the ultra-low drag achieved.
While every body panel is carbon fibre and has been sculpted to reduce drag, the seamless silhouette is further enhanced by a reduction in the number of shutlines, including a one-piece rear clamshell which disrupts neither the visual continuity of the body or the flow of air over it.
Built around a bespoke McLaren Monocage carbon fibre structure, the Speedtail is powered by a massive 1,050 PS  petrol-electric hybrid powertrain which enables the car to accelerate from 0 to 300km/h in 12.8 seconds, which is about 4 seconds quicker than the P1.
Complementing the powertrain is an aluminium active suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, Velocity Active Chassis Control system, carbon fibre body, as well as a set of bespoke Pirelly P-Zero tyres.
In terms of size, the Speedtail is narrower than the McLaren P1, but it is more than half a metre longer, measuring 5,137 mm from nose to tail.
Weighing 1,430kg dry, the Speedtail’s cabin is also a highlight. Similar to the McLaren F1, the Speedtail is a three-seater,  where the driver is positioned in the middle with seats for two passengers set slightly rearwards on the left and right.
Ahead of the driver is a state-of-the-art control system with HD displays and touch screens that sweep across the dashboard and remove almost every button and switch traditionally found in a car.
The controls to start the engine, turn on the Active Dynamics Panel and engage Velocity mode, as well as those to open the windows and doors are in panels above the driver’s head.
All of these controls, switches, and dials are milled from aluminium, hand-brushed, and polished.
There is luggage space within both the nose and tail of the vehicle and a bespoke luggage set is available to every owner, the carbon fibre, leather, and metalwork on the cases being matched to the interior specification of their Speedtail.
With each Speedtail being tailored to the owner’s individual taste by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), it is virtually certain that no two examples will be identical.
“McLaren has never built a vehicle like the Speedtail before. As our first ‘Hyper-GT’, the Speedtail is the ultimate McLaren road car; a fusion of art and science that combines an astonishing maximum speed with an iconic central-driving position and a truly pioneering approach to bespoke personalisation.”
“A ground-breaking hybrid powertrain sits within a lightweight carbon fibre body reminiscent of sleek ‘streamliners’ that once set world speed records, while the luxurious three-seat cockpit offers a sublime combination of an incredible driving experience, unmatched individualism and innovative materials never seen before in a road-going vehicle,” said Mike Flewitt, the CEO of McLaren Automotive.


Beijing 2016: New Toyota Vios Facelift Previewed In China

Parked at the side lines of Toyota’s range of exhibits at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, this radically re-styled Toyota Vios is a mid-life makeover of Toyota’s B-segment sedan that was launched in 2013.
Not much else is known about the new Vios facelift, and this sole display unit at Toyota’s booth had all its windows blacked out so we can’t tell if the new Vios, due in China maybe later this year, will have a new interior or not.
This upcoming Vios facelift should not be confused with another
upcoming improved Toyota Vios
 that’s coming to Malaysia later this year. That new improved Vios will have not feature any changes to its exterior design, and the only upgrade worth mentioning is a new 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine that will replace the outgoing VVT-i unit. A new CVT transmission will also replace the existing model's 4-speed automatic. The new more fuel efficient drivetrain might even qualify the Vios for EEV incentives from the government, which could lead to a reduction in prices.
The Malaysian market Vios was
recently upgraded
 earlier this year with a new bumper that now features LED daytime running lights as standard.
In China, the Vios is available with two engine options – a 1.3-litre and a 1.5-litre, both with Dual VVT-i valvetrain.
The rather radical styling seen here is likely to be a China-only feature. The ones that are due for our market, probably sometime in 2018, may wear a different grille or front bumper.


Toyota Speeds Up Electrification Plans in China

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has announced that it is ramping up its electrification initiatives in China.
The brand declared that it will be rolling out an electric vehicle in China in 2020, and that it is conducting a feasibility study on fuel-cell commercial vehicles, namely buses to explore the potential usage of fuel cell technology in the country.
The announcements were made following the completion of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing Company (TMEC)’s Hydrogen Station for fuel cell vehicles in Suzhou, near Shanghai, which is currently being tested under a three-year plan using two Mirai vehicles.
Toyota is also proceeding with demonstration tests of fuel-cell vehicles with Mirai in countries such as Australia, the U.A.E., and Canada, aiming to achieve a hydrogen-based society through verification under a range of environments.
"We will use the technology we have nurtured in hybrid electrification to carry out extensive development of new energy vehicles as required by China," said Toyota’s senior managing Officer and CEO of the China Region, Hiroji Onishi.
Speaking of hybrids, development of plug-in hybrid variants of the Corolla and Levin is also underway in preparation for their rollout in China.


Finally, Subaru is Now Known as Subaru

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the company that has been manufacturing Subarus all this while has finally changed its company name to Subaru Corporation with effect from April 1st.
To mark the change, a renaming ceremony was held last week for employees at the company’s Head Office in Ebisu and also at three other domestic facilities.
To add more excitement to the whole occasion, the new Impreza and a life-sized scale model of the 412EPI helicopter (built by the company) were displayed at the Head Office ceremony to symbolize Subaru’s commitment to growth as a distinctive global brand in the automotive and aerospace industries.
Last but not the least, commemorative leaflets and newly produced group collar pins were distributed to employees.
FHI President and CEO Yasuyuki Yoshinaga commented, “This change in company name declares Subaru’s determination to thrive as a brand that delivers value. When customers are satisfied, we see happy faces. We want to encourage even more smiles and create even more Subaru fans. Together with the new company name, let’s all make the Subaru team shine brighter”
“Based on our management philosophy of aiming to be a compelling company with a strong market presence built upon its customer-first principle, we will aim for further sustainable growth by magnifying our efforts to continue bringing our customers the distinctive Subaru value of “Enjoyment and Peace of Mind,” which we have cultivated over many years.”
Besides the name of the group, names of companies affiliated to FHI will also change as mentioned below:
Old name

 New Name
Fuji Techno Services                                      Subaru Techno Corporation
Subaru System Service                                 Subaru IT Creations Corporation
Fuji Heavy Industries USA                             North American Subaru
Fuji Heavy Industries Technology Beijing      Subaru Technology Beijing
Fuji Heavy Industries Singapore                     Subaru Asia


Ford's SYNC 3 Steps It Up With In-Car Connectivity And Entertainment Enhancements

Ford is letting visitors to its booth at the ongoing CES Asia 2015 in Shanghai play around with its newest generation of in-car connectivity and entertainment system, SYNC 3. It’s got a host of new features that Ford is confident will put them in good stead against competitors.
We in Malaysia haven’t yet had the pleasure of experiencing SYNC 2 (or Sync ‘Gen2’ aka Ford MyTouch), so hopefully with SYNC 3 now mature enough for prime time, we will be skipping straight on ahead to the latest version. The
Ford
 vehicles of late have been equipped with the first version of SYNC, and while that is capable enough, it’s high time for an upgrade. SYNC 3 has ditched Microsoft’s software base and is now built upon QNX, a software platform acquired by Blackberry. However, Microsoft’s Azure cloud will supply the necessary backend services.
Let’s take a look at some of the main highlights. First of all, SYNC 3 has an entirely revamped design to complement modern smartphone and computer interfaces. It receives input from a capacitive touchscreen along with a slew of accompanying features. The usual enhancements include much improved performance and enhanced voice recognition with natural language processing. Access to your music is also made easier with the new voice recognition algorithms.
iPhone users will have seamless integration with Siri, bringing the power and functionality of the virtual assistant to their Ford if they so choose. There’s an obvious focus on hands free interaction with SYNC 3, and that carries over to navigation as well, with users being able to describe their destination – be it a specific address or location type (the nearest ATM, highest rated coffee shop) and let the natural language recognition parses the most pertinent information without you having to take your eyes off the road.
Ford’s plans for their SYNC technology go beyond merely navigation and infotainment access in the car, which is why SYNC 3 is a platform onto which developers can build in support for in their smartphone apps. This platform is called AppLink, and should it be built into a smartphone app, would allow functionality catered specifically to a driver’s input options as opposed to that found while using a smartphone normally. For example, voice recognition and/or large easily tapped buttons take precedence over on-screen information density such as that found on a typical smartphone's interface. These features will only make themselves evident when connected to an AppLink enabled console (such as a SYNC 3 equipped Ford), and the apps that support it will be displayed and ready for the driver’s needs.
To keep SYNC 3 constantly up to date, support for automatic over-the-air updates via Wi-Fi is built in. This will enable rapid feature additions, bug fixes, and device/app optimization without having to have the update be installed manually by Ford. All that’s needed is for the SYNC 3 console to be connected to a Wi-Fi network.
“With SYNC 3, Ford is delivering an easier way for drivers to stay connected to their lives on the go,” said Joe Beiser, director, Connected Vehicles and Services for Ford Asia Pacific and Europe. “Plus, with AppLink integration, Ford drivers have more ways than ever to safely use their favorite mobile apps while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
On a side note, it looks like Ford is still a proponent of Sony’s in-car displays and sound systems. No complaints here.
Ford is also field testing enhancements to its Emergency Assistance to the Chinese market. Should the car be involved in a collision where the airbags are deployed or the fuel pump has been shut off, an emergency call will be placed to the authorities on the driver's behalf along with GPS coordinates to a quick response of emergency services. Its unclear how soon, if at all, this service will make its way to more markets.


Daily, Weekly, Monthly - Taking Care Of Your Car

Take care of your car, and your car will take care of you. Preventative maintenance and regular checkups are the way to keep your ride reliable.

Over the course of your ownership with a car, things tend to wear out. They may even wear out to the point of breaking or maybe consumed until reservoirs run dry. Generally, with the scheduled service plans recommended by your car's manufacturer, you will keep your car in decent health.

But your mileage may vary. Your usage, just like the conditions your car goes through, will be different from what other people may face. Maybe you have your car as something you only drive on weekends, or maybe you drive particularly hard and subject your car to a little more stress.

To help you stay on top of your car, we've listed a couple of things you should be looking at - and we've broken it down into daily checks, weekly checks, and monthly checks. Let's begin.

Daily Things

Tyre Condition

It's not something people get in the habit of doing, but just doing a visual inspection of your tyres before you get in can save you a lot of trouble. The problem is that tyre wear can creep up on you and you may go from having some tread to no tread at all - just taking a quick look at all four of your tyres before you get in can be done in under a minute.

Fuel Level

If you have the habit of running your fuel tank down to empty, it's time to kick it. From a financial standpoint it makes no sense because you're always going to have to eventually put fuel in the tank - whether that's today, or tomorrow. From a maintenance standpoint, low fuel levels can wear out your fuel pump and break them prematurely.

Weekly Things

Tyre Pressure

Even if your tyres look fine visually, it's important to check that they have enough air in them. Over time your tyre pressures will be a bit more stable, but you will usually find in the first few weeks and months after filling them up they tend to lose a little bit of air.

Windshield Wiper Fluid

Ever needed to wash off some dirt on the windscreen to find that your wiper fluid was all gone? It's one of the easier things to check with a car as wiper fluid reservoirs require no unscrewing or opening besides flipping the top off. Topping it up is also the easiest and least messy to do.

Lights

Dealing with dim lightbulbs is something you don't really notice until it's too late, so it pays to check them out every week or so - especially the hard to notice ones like those at the back. Signal lights are easy to spot if they die - they tend to flash unnaturally fast when you signal, but your front and rear lights can be harder to spot.

Monthly Things

Oil Level

This isn't something you commonly find to be an issue, but on older cars or cars with a lot of mileage, it may be wise to keep an eye on your oil level. You'll need a rag or some tissue paper to wipe the dipstick and measure the oil level accurately, but it will warn you if your oil is depleting and needs a top-up.

Radiator Fluid

In a technical sense you should never be losing radiator fluid or coolant unless you have a very serious problem with your engine - basically coolant flows in a closed system and only exits if you have a leak. Checking on it periodically may give you a bit of a heads up as to whether you have a serious problem on your hands.

Alignment

Driving day to day, hitting potholes and bumps, can cause your car's alignment to run. Thankfully, the most obvious way to tell your alignment has run is the fact that your car doesn't want to track in a straight line or aggressively pulls in one direction. Do take note that many roads are cambered for safety, so cars naturally pull to the left on highways - ideally you need a long, flat road to see which direction your car floats in.

Wiper Condition

Another one that creeps up on you is how slowly wipers degrade to the point where they're useless. Blades are consumable items like any other - and when you need them the most is when you'll find they no longer work. Scatter a bit of water on your windscreen and run the wipers to see if they can smoothly remove the water - if not, it's time for a change.

Brake Condition

While brakes have an audible warning when your pads have reached the end of their lifespan, at times this is also when they have almost no stopping power left in them. A quick visual inspection would alert you to whether they're on the way out - although it could be a little difficult to see depending on the design of your wheels.

These are just some of the things to look at that can help you keep your car in good working order - and at least things you can do without having to break out a set of tools or risk breaking something in the process.

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