This Beautifully Detailed Lego Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Deserves to Be Made

In recent times Lego has taken to creating blocky tributes to iconic cars such as the Volkswagen Kombi van, the Mini Cooper, and the Ferrari F40, each one of which features a fairly accurate Lego representation of their real-life counterparts. But for some it isn’t nearly as accurately represented as they would like, especially for Lego enthusiast Malte Dorowski, who has created this beautifully rendered and finely detailed Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 in Lego.
Being 1/15 in scale to the real deal, the Lego 911 GT3 RS 4.0 is made from more than 1,500 individual Lego pieces, most of which are used to achieve Dorowski’s level of attention to detail. In this particular model, 16 pieces from Lego’s Minifigurines collection were used to build car’s roll cage, whereas the steering wheel alone is made from 9 Lego bricks, and each wheel and tyre assembly comprises of 13 bricks.
Speaking to
Petrolicious
, one of the challenges of making a 911 for Dorowski was rendering its curvy shape. Unlike previous official cars from Lego, the 911 has a very curvaceous body, something which is hard to pull off in an elegant manner with Lego blocks – Google up Lego Volkswagen Beetle and you will have a pretty good idea why is that so.
But Dorowski isn’t one to let such limitations get in the way of his passion for the Stuttgart brand, and has since produced a number of Lego reinterpretations of some of Porsche’s most iconic cars such as the 935/78 Moby Dick, the 956/962, and even the Porsche-Diesel tractor.
Though Dorowski’s 911 is a one-off, there is a slight chance that you might be able to one day buy it off the shelf, by voting for
his entry in the Lego Ideas site
. If there are enough votes collected, Lego would consider turning his creation into an official Lego kit. In the meantime you can view his other ingenious creations
here
.


Review: 2017 Isuzu MU-X Type S - The Sensible Choice

Truck-based SUVs may not offer the comfort of car-based SUVs, but they do offer a unique preposition.
At the moment, the segment is occupied by the Isuzu MU-X, Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is still on sale, but will be phased out without a successor in sight.
Compared to their car-based counterparts, these truck-based SUVs offer superior off road capabilities coupled with unrivalled durability. However, ride comfort is often compromised when it comes to these large SUVs.
Isuzu Malaysia
introduced
 the enhanced MU-X Type S back in late 2016 as the company’s flagship model, priced at almost RM182k OTR.
Specifications:
Engine: 2.5-litre 4JK1-TCX VGS Turbodiesel
Power: 136 PS @ 3,400 rpm
Torque: 320 Nm between 1,800 rpm – 2,800 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic, Four-wheel drive
Safety: Dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), ISOFIX anchor points
Origin: Fully imported from Thailand
Price: RM181,840 (OTR with insurance)
Overview
In essence, it looks like the Isuzu MU-X is an Isuzu D-Max with a rear boot tacked on plus some seats added in. However, it isn’t that straightforward. Isuzu has done a lot to separate the D-Max from its MU-X.
Power is derived from a 2.5-litre VGS turbodiesel that's shared with the Isuzu D-Max. Power figures quoted by Isuzu isn't earth-shattering, but the keyword here is that Isuzu engineers have tuned the engine to offer superior reliability. Power is delivered to all four wheels via a five-speed automatic, though for town and highway driving, the drivetrain should be set to two-wheel drive mode.
Our Isuzu MU-X came in the range-topping Type S trim, which adds keyless entry and start, a new 8-inch infotainment system, new illuminated e-Lumax meter panel, leather upholstery with piano black interior trim and all round body kit. These kit add another RM16,288 to the base MU-X, bringing the total price of the Isuzu MU-X Type S to RM181,840.
Exterior
Whilst the Isuzu MU-X may not feature fancy LED headlights of the Toyota Fortuner, or large alloy wheels of the Ford Everest, we reckon that the design is rather muscular. We like the swollen wheel arches of the MU-X, which we feel gives the MU-X added road presence.
Our test unit came in Cosmic Black, complete with bodykit all round. For us at least, the bodykit, especially towards the rear, makes the MU-X look rather gaudy. The faux twin muffler configuration does not do the MU-X justice, we believe.
Tacky bodykit aside, the rest of the Isuzu MU-X Type S is identical to the model we tested a couple of years ago, down to its projector headlights, LED DRLs and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Interior
Being a truck-based SUV, the best way to describe the interior is that it’s utilitarian. Hard plastic may be found throughout the cabin of the Isuzu MU-X, but build quality plus fit and finish is top notch. During our time with the MU-X, the interior did not rattle or squeak. Everything was put together very well.
Leather upholstery comes as standard fitment across the range, though the range-topping Type S receives what Isuzu calls Ivory Premium Leather Seats. While these seats certainly improves the showroom appeal of the MU-X, long term wise, stains could be an issue on light coloured leather upholstery.
In the centre of the dashboard is a new 8-inch infotainment system that features USB and AUX input. Compared to the one we reviewed earlier, it appears that this infotainment system is a step down in terms of features.
Frankly, if a luxurious interior is what you’re after, rivals such as the Toyota Fortuner or Ford Everest will suit you better. However, if what you seek is an interior that stands up to abuse on a daily basis, then the Isuzu MU-X is right up your alley.
We also love the way the third row seats fold flat, something which the Toyota Fortuner couldn’t achieve. It is also worth noting that the third row seat is slightly higher than the second row seat for that stadium seating effect. Leg room at the third row is also sufficient for young ones.
Driving Experience
The Isuzu MU-X isn’t out there to win any awards when it comes to driving performance. But with that being said, we can’t help but to notice that the Isuzu does chew up highway kilometres with ease. Set the cruise control at your desired speed, and you’re good to go.
Ride comfort is commendable for a truck-based SUV. The Isuzu MU-X rides rough roads with ease, as its long travel shocks and thick sidewalls does an excellent job of soaking these up. We reckon that the MU-X rides more comfortably than the Toyota Fortuner. Noise suppression is also commendable, as the engine note is only noticeable when given the beans.
With that said, the Isuzu MU-X is not a vehicle you would take through corners enthusiastically. The high center of gravity means that you’ll be pinned on the sides of your seats as body roll is present on the MU-X.
Torque delivery is smooth from its 2.5-litre unit, and coupled with a jerk-free five-speed automatic, driving the MU-X doesn’t get tiring.
Fuel Economy
We would be lying if we said we are not impressed with the fuel economy of the Isuzu MU-X. During our weekend with the SUV, we took it to Kampar and Ipoh for some food hunting, before driving back on the North South Expressway. By the time we returned the MU-X, the trip computer was reading an estimated fuel consumption of 13.3 km/L. Impressive for a 2.5-litre SUV weighing in at over 2 tonnes. In total, we covered well over 500 km without needing to refuel.
Conclusion
Looking at its key rivals and back at the Isuzu MU-X, we believe that the Isuzu MU-X offers the best overall package. Although the Toyota Fortuner offers a more upmarket interior coupled with a moden exterior, the 2.7-litre petrol engine fitted to the range-topping Fortuner SRZ is its weakest point, offering poor fuel economy and lacklustre performance. On the other hand, the Ford Everest is a decent choice, but marred by a price tag that is well beyond the reach of many.

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Given Isuzu’s excellent track record with powertrain reliability, the MU-X is a compelling option for those looking for a truck-based SUV to carry their family around. The Isuzu MU-X Type S ticks the right boxes, including reliability, handsome looks, safety and durability. If that is not enough, Isuzu Malaysia is backing the MU-X with a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty to sweeten the deal.


Peugeot Electrifies The All-New 208

All set to make its global debut at the upcoming 2019 Geneva Motor Show next month, Peugeot has revealed the all-new 208.
Built on the completely new CMP modular platform, the big news with the all-new 208 is that it will be offered with three different energy source options – a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, 1.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine, and for the first time, an electric powertrain.
Paired to these engines depending on variant is either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The electric variant, which is called the Peugeot e-208, is powered by a 100 kW electric motor developing 136 hp and 260 Nm of torque. It comes with three driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) and two braking modes (Moderate, Augmented).
There is also a 50 kWh large-capacity battery which gives the e-208 a maximum range of up to 340 km. According to Peugeot, this battery is guaranteed for 8 years or 160 000 km for 70% of its charge capacity.
Recharging can be done in three ways using either a conventional domestic socket (16 hours), a wall box (5 hours), or a public terminal (30 minutes). The e-208 can also be remotely charged if programmed via the Connected Navigation screen or using the MyPeugeot smartphone app.
Longer, wider and lower than the current model, the all-new 208 is available in five spec levels: Like, Active, Allure, GT Line and GT.
Key exterior features of the new 208 includes a pared-back windscreen, a long, sculpted bonnet, extreme-angled quarter light, glossy black wheel arch flaring, 17-inch wheels with customisable inserts, full LED 3-claw headlights, as well as a rear diffuser.
The e-208 on the other hand has a few unique features to separate it from the other versions, like the body colour-coded radiator grill, Dichroic Lions (the Lions appear to change colour as a function of the angle of view), and “e-208” badges.
Inside, the all-new 208 benefits from Peugeot’s i-Cockpit system, which features a seamless 3-tier ergonomic structure.
Key features include the 3D instrument panel display information that can be read at two levels, touch screen available in 5, 7, or 10-inch versions, a 3D heads-up display, and a dashboard with a “carbon” finish, and Peugeot Mirror Screen function with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Last but not least, key safety and driving aid technology include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane positioning assistance, Full Park Assist, Automatic Emergency Brake Assist, Active lane keeping assist, Driver Attention Monitoring,  Automatic headlight dipping, Speed limit recognition and recommendation, Extended traffic sign recognition, Active Blind Spot Monitoring, as well as electric parking brake.


The Next BMW M4 Will Be RWD, Have AWD and Manual Options

We knew this day would come, but we didn't think it would be so soon. The ultimate division of the manufacturer that build the Ultimate Driving Machines - better known as M Division of BMW - has confirmed that the next BMW M4 will be an all-wheel drive (AWD) machine, but will still have the option for a manual gearbox. This information comes from the folks over at
Road & Track
, when they spoke to Klaus Fröhlich, head of the board of development at BMW, during the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.
There's a lot of pressure on M Division as many critics still have mixed feelings about the M vehicles from the last decade or two. Some still consider the E46 M3 CSL as the benchmark, despite paling in comparison on the performance front next to its successors. While there's strong acknowledgement that dual clutch gearboxes are the best for setting lap times, it is the manual gearbox that remains the most enjoyable from a driver's perspective - and as such, there is a constant push to keep that option available for the M3 and the M4.
But of course, this isn't a cost effective option to continue. With M cars becoming more and more powerful, the manual gearboxes in turn have to be stronger to take the performance, and with such limited production numbers it can be highly expensive to produce these gearboxes for a single application. Currently, the hardiest manual gearboxes in the BMW model lineup come from the 330d, with a torque limit of 1,000 Nm, but they also have ratios that aren't exactly designed for revving out.
And revving out an engine is a characteristic of an M car that the division has sought to preserve - despite the shift to turbocharging. Many have said that the introduction of turbocharged engines to the BMW M range has taken away some of the soul, but the engineers counter that it has made the front end lighter and more nimble, and of course the work that has gone into the engine has allowed it to maintain that high-strung nature of the naturally aspirated engines of old.
That being said, one unavoidable trend is the introduction of AWD, which may again lead to controversy. The reality is that every manufacturer has started to offer AWD in their performance vehicles, Jaguar included, and that's best rationalized by 0 to 100 km/h times and overall grip levels. When dealing with so much torque, two wheels alone cannot handle the level of stress and so it's far more effective to spread it across four wheels.
Unfortunately, most drivers have this illogical view that AWD naturally means understeer. That's not really the case, as any vehicle exceeding the limit of speed entering a corner is going to understeer. The tuning of the torque split between front and rear axles can have a profound effect on how the car behaves as you wind on the throttle, and that's something that M division has worked hard to dial in - as evidenced by the current generation BMW M5 that hardly understeers when provoked in a corner.
Is the world ready for an AWD M4 or M3? In certain parts where snow and inclement conditions are common, it would definitely be welcome and make the car a far more usable proposition on a day to day basis. But in doing so, it would mean proving that Audi's belief in quattro was right all along, and that can be a bitter pill to swallow for BMW die-hards. Thankfully, these modern AWD performance cars will usually have a rear-wheel drive mode for those who want to do some mad skids.


34 Roads To Be Closed This Sunday For KL Marathon

A total of 34 major roads around the capital city of Kuala Lumpur will see closures to accommodate the 2015 Standard Chartered KL Marathon this coming Sunday, October 4
th
.

According to
Bernama
, Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Legal staff officer DSP S. Markandan said closures would begin as early as 2am to leave ample time for preparations to ensure the event proceeded smoothly. The Marathon is expected to draw 35,000 people in participants alone.

"Jalan Raja/Jalan TAR and Jalan Raja/Jalan Hishamudin will be closed on Saturday (Oct 3) at 10 pm for preparations while Jalan TAR/Dang Wangi will be closed two hours later at 12 midnight.

"The Akleh and Duke highways will be closed at 2 am on Sunday," Markandan told reporters.

The affected roads include: Jalan Raja (Dataran Merdeka), Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Semarang, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan TAR, Jalan Ampang, Jalan P.Ramlee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Perak, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Jelatek, Akleh Highway, Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), Duke Highway, Jalan Kuching, Segambut Roundabout, Jalan Duta, Jalan Langgak Tunku, Jalan Tun Ismail, Jalan Sultan Salehuddin, Dato Onn Roundabout, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Mahameru, Jalan Damansara, Jalan Cenderawasih, Jalan Lembah, Jalan Tangling, Jalan Perdana, Hishamudin Roundabout, Jalan Hishamudin, Jalan Mahkamah Persekutuan and Jalan Leboh Pasar Besar.

The race on Sunday will be starting in two locations, Dataran Merdeka and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (near Sogo) and will end back at Dataran Merdeka.

Markandan added that there will be 410 police personnel stationed to coordinate traffic flow and monitor the closed roads starting from 15 minutes before the first flag off at 4.30am.

Motorists coming from Kepong can use Jalan Kuching and Jalan Tun Razak as alternative routes while those driving from Jalan Duta can use Jalan Mahameru, the Pahang Roundabout or Jalan Dewan Bahasa to do the same.

Citizens are advised to use public transportation in order to travel and around Kuala Lumpur while the event is ongoing.

Photos from KL-Marathon.com


Nabil Jeffri and Teammates Pull Off A Remarkable Finish At Le Mans

Despite a technical setback in the second lap that placed them last and 3 laps behind their nearest rival in class at the end of the first hour, the all-Malaysian driver line-up of Nabil Jeffri, Jazeman Jaafar and Weiron Tan made a heroic comeback throughout the entire race duration, remarkably finishing at 10th overall and 6th in the LMP2 class at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The trio in car 37
 is also the leading finisher of Jackie Chan DC Racing team, comfortably ahead of other teammates in car 38 and car 33. Car 34 unfortunately retired before the start of the 13th hour.
"Although we didn't finish on the podium, I am happy and satisfied with our maiden attempt at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This is truly an unforgettable learning experience that pushed us to our limits.”
“We're ready to take on new challenges at our next race at 6 Hours of Silverstone," said Nabil Jeffri.
With this outstanding performance, the Jackie Chan DC Racing team now stands at second place overall in the LMP2 class of the World Endurance Championship. The trio had a successful outing at their first FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) race in Belgium last month finishing fourth in the LMP2 class.


MARii, PEKEMA’s Nationwide Charging Network Starts With First Five

Last month, the Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders Association of Malaysia (PEKEMA) banded together with the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) to work towards rolling out a country-spanning network of DC fast-charging stations (DCFC).

Their goal is to surpass the 1,000 mark for individual
charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025
, independently bolstering the infrastructure necessary for the nation to successfully adopt these battery-powered post-combustion means of personal transport, but all good things have to start somewhere.

With their ambitious goal set a few years away, the coalition has already set up 5 charging station locations in Malaysia - 4 of which being in the Klang Valley and the other in Sarawak. Of these, only
Vision Motorsports
 beat them to the rollout with their 40kW 100A DC and 22kW AC chargers erected and running by late 2019.

Joining the list under this MARii and PERKEMA alliance is:

Hamza Motors in Kg. Sungai Penchala, Kuala Lumpur

Zaibar Automobile in Shah Alam, Selangor

Utama Motors along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

SRS Automobile in Kuching, Sarawak

Of those additional four charging locations, only Utama Motors utilises the slower 40kW DC charging rate where the remaining 3 get access to a slightly speedier 60kW. All 5, however, support the more standard and leisurely 22kW AC charging.

Even so, ‘charging speed’ here is used rather loosely as none of these charging stations will be able to charge up a modern EV with a high-capacity battery in the time it takes to have a cup of coffee. It will be considerably quicker than plugging the car into a wall outlet or home charger but won’t help much if you’re in a hurry.

That said, it should be commended that the network (so far as the 5 stations recently established) is open to the public for any EV owner to use without charge. However, seeing as how they are located within business premises, there is a soft limit to when exactly they will be available.

Only Hamza Motors offers the public charging facility 24 hours a day with a security guard on duty. For the rest, normal business hours apply.

Going forward, as their charging network expands, there will come a time when they will need to monetise access to these stations, to which MARii and PERKEMA will roll out various services and companion partnerships to manage this ecosystem of chargers and EV drivers.

Over the next several years, they plan to spread these 1,000-strong charging stations across highways, urban centres, and most high income neighbourhoods throughout the country.

*All photos courtesy of MYEVOC FB


Honda Civic And Jazz Honoured In 2016 Women’s World Car Of The Year Awards

The
Honda Civic
 has added yet another accolade to its list, this time winning the Family Car category of the 2016 Women’s World Car of the Year award. The smaller
Honda Jazz
 also won in the Budget Car category.
The awards, now in their seventh year, are the only global car honours voted for exclusively by female automotive journalists.
Judged by a panel of 17 female journalists from 14 countries, including two from New Zealand, the judges consider criteria women utilise when buying a car - safety, value for money, aesthetic appearance, storage space, child friendliness, ease of driving, colour, sex appeal and environmental footprint.
Each member of the global judging panel submits their personal nominations. This year’s awards saw 294 cars nominated. The nominated cars are then reduced to a shortlist of 32 cars in six different categories.
Honda is the only manufacturer to take multiple category titles.


Volvo S60 T6 Drive-E Launched In Malaysia at RM280,888

Roughly a year after the introduction of the facelifted Volvo S60, Volvo Car Malaysia has introduced a new variant that will join the ranks as the flagship of the S60 range, the S60 T6 Drive-E. The focal point of the new car is of course the power plant that earns it T6 stripes.
Just like the
XC60 T6 SUV
, the S60 is now supplied with a supercharged and turbocharged, direct-injected 1969cc transverse-mounted inline-four yielding the following numbers and performance figures:
Power: 306bhp @ 5700rpm
Torque: 400Nm between 2100rpm and 4800rpm
Max Speed: 230km/h
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 5.9 seconds
Consumption: 6.7litres/100km (combined NEDC cycle)
CO2 emissions: 157g/km
Power is transmitted to the front wheels via an Aisin eight-speed conventional auto. Service intervals have been set at 20,000km intervals. Being a Volvo, the suite of active and passive safety systems are extensive as you might expect:
In addition to active systems such as ABS, EBD, stability control, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and Pedestrian and Cyclist detection with autonomous braking. The S60 T6 adds on this to include Lane Keeping Aid (LKA) and Volvo Park Assist Pilot.
The former adds to the system presently available in the XC60 T6 by offering up steering corrections when the array of cameras and sensors compute that the driver is straying into an adjacent lane. The system fitted to the XC60 T6 previously only offers a warning. It does this by torqueing the steering wheel instead of utilising the brakes to alter the directions of the cars heading like some other systems. The Park Assist Pilots as one might surmise is an aid when parallel parking. Previously, these systems were only available in the Volvo XC90 SUV.

The S60 T6 comes in five exterior colours - Ice White, Seashell, Ember Black, Saville Grey and Bright Silver priced at RM280,888 (OTR with insurance)
First Driving Impressions
A quick (five minutes to be exact) drive offered us a quick glimpse into the dynamic capabilities of the new S60 T6 Drive-E. Weighing in a 1649kg, it’s some 159kgs lighter than its XC60 T6 sibling which many will concur, is already a rapid machine. In the S60 T6, this sensation is amplified making the 5.9second 0-100kph time seem every bit as believable as the brochure suggests.
As it happens, the 0-100kph time is just 0.1seconds off the claimed century sprint of a BMW 330i M Sport taking the S60 T6 deep into sports saloon territory.
The Roots-type supercharger interfaces with the engine right from idle to 3500rpm before the turbocharger kicks in and supplements power all the way to the car’s limiter – on the road at least, the supercharger’s quick response delivers a very meaty low-end, much like a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated mill, before the turbocharger brings on the bulk of power right after 3500rpm. There is no supercharger whine, turbo-lag or punctuation in the power delivery as one might come to expect with such a complex system – the end result is a seamless wave of power across the rev range.
The eight speed gearbox is mostly refined under normal traffic and highway speeds. The shifts are precise and the overall operation smooth. Between the short bursts of accelerations we were allowed, the response was quick but more time is needed to explore the system, perhaps on a more challenging road.
The brakes felt a tad soft by the time we were handed the keys, perhaps due the constant bashing it received prior but nonetheless felt strong when leaned on to cull speed. Steering effort otherwise feels nicely weighted and the subsequent response from the front axle is rather quick. The car you see here is fitted with optional 18-inch wheels which adds a quantum of stiffness to the ride quality, the standard offer 17-inch items will be better suited for people who prefer a Volvo with a relaxed demeanour. Few will argue however that it doesn't deliver on style and substance in equal amounts.
This is one S60 that needs to be let loose on the open road - stay tuned for the upcoming in-depth review soon...


Geneva 2018: Porsche To Debut New Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Weissach’s Porsche motorsport department will be unveiling its most track-focussed 911 model, the facelifted GT3 RS with its motorsport tuned chassis, at the upcoming 2018 Geneva Motor Show.
Following the launch of the
911 GT3
 and the
911 GT2 RS
, this latest release will see Porsche present its third GT road-approved sports car within a year.
The GT3 RS is powered by a four-litre, naturally-aspirated flat-six that has been fettled to deliver 520 hp (20 hp more than the previous GT3 RS and the current gen GT3), that revs out to 9,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a specially calibrated seven-speed PDK gearbox.
The new 911 GT3 RS is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, and reach a top speed of 312 km/h.
The chassis - specifically the rear-axle steering system - has been further refined for better driving dynamics and precision. Elsewhere, ball joints on all chassis arms, lifted straight from Porsche’s motorsport programme, is claimed to provide even greater precision than conventional elastokinematic bearings.
The GT3 RS also wears 20-inch lightweight wheels with newly developed 265/35 sports tyres at the front and 21‑inch wheels with 325/30 tyres at the rear axle for improved traction and precision.
Porsche's motorsport department has also created an optional Weissach package for further weight reduction of the GT3 RS. The package features additional carbon components for the chassis, interior, and exterior, as well as optional magnesium wheels. In its lightest configuration, this package reduces the weight of the 911 GT3 RS down to 1,430 kgs.
The new 911 GT3 RS will be available in Germany from mid-April 2018.


2022 Honda Integra Revealed: Huh? There's Another Integra? Not The One From Acura?

2022 Honda Integra revealed in China and it's not the one that Acura will be making.

Just as we thought we'd never see the Integra nameplate back on a Honda as it will be
resurrected
 as an Acura, Honda China surprisingly introduces a four-door Honda Integra sedan.

At first glance, it does seem similar to the
newly launched Civic sedan
, but the Integra is distinguished by a more
aggressive
 front end, featuring a thinner headlight and grille combo as well as a different bumper that has smaller and sleeker air intake funnels.

The rear features an L-shaped LED light that looks neater than the Civic's, while the bumper is fitted with an air diffuser, vertical reflectors, and twin exhaust pipes. This newly unveiled Integra also receives a new 18-inch rim design and can be had either in yellow or blue.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has listed the Integra's dimensions as 4,689mm long, 1,802mm wide and 1,415mm high, making it just a tad longer and wider than the Civic.

No interior photos have yet to be shared, but it is believed that it'll be the same as the Civic's, so expect a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touch screen and air conditioning funnel with a honeycomb design.

There's still a mystery regarding the Integra's
pedigree
 as no performance information is available yet, but its 240 Turbo badging at the rear will probably mean it'll carry the 182 PS 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder engine,
available for the Civic globally
.

The Integra will go on sale in China in the fourth quarter of this year and will be produced in Guangqi Honda in Guangzhou.


VIDEO: Clarkson, Hammond & May Live - Top Gear Trio Reunite For International Arena Tour

Good News! The Top Gear boys are back. So this is what the trio-formerly-known-as-the-Top-Gear-UK-presenters are up to next: a Top Gear Live-esque series of arena tour shows called Clarkson, Hammond & May Live. Fine, it’s not TV, but it’s the Jezza, Hamster and Captain Slow back together again!
News about this most recent project starring the former Top Gear presenters is just starting to roll out, with some video teasers hitting Youtube. In one, it looks like the boys are picking up right where they left off, with Clarkson ‘accidentally’ dropping a James' piano from a crane onto a car (not a Morris Marina) in a nod to a running gag on Top Gear.
Since it’s an arena show – and if you’re not familiar with Top Gear Live – you can expect lots of explosions, pyrotechnics, stunts, and a bevy of gorgeous cars while the presenters juggle the role of an entertaining master of ceremonies.
The show tour will kick off in Belfast’s Odyssey Arena between 22-24 May 2015, then it’s on to Sheffield before heading south to Johannesburg, South Africa. The final leg would be ending in Europe, hitting Norway and Poland before a finale in London’s O2 Arena between the 28-29 November.
The show that’s closest to us would be the ones in Australia. That’s right, the trio will have two shows – one between 18-19 July and the other between 25-26 July. Specific locations have yet to be announced for this leg but it’s likely that these will be spread out over two cities. So, if you’ve ever wanted a chance to a guest at the Top Gear studio, this would be the next best thing. You can check out the official website
here
.
And, for your enjoyment, these are the teasers that have been posted so far:
The boys introduce the new tour series in their typical eloquence.

So many cars to load and not enough truck.
Dropping May's piano from a crane because why wouldn't you.


Video: All-New 2016 Kia Sportage – Beauty Shots

Here’s another look at the all-new Kia Sportage, which will go on sale in Europe in the first quarter of 2016.
To recap, the all-new Kia Sportage will come with a choice of three engines for the European market - 1.6-litre T-GDI turbo petrol (177 PS and 265 Nm), 1.6-litre GDI naturally aspirated petrol (132PS and 161Nm), 1.7-litre CRD-i turbo diesel (115 PS) and a 2.0-litre CRD-i (136 ps with 373 Nm torque, or 184 ps with 400 Nm).
Dimensions have also been increased – wheelbase is now 40 mm longer (2,670 mm) while length is increased by 40 mm to 4,480 mm. Boot capacity is also increased from 465-litres to 503-litres (calculated using VDA method).
Kia also adds that the all-new Sportage is also quieter, measuring just 36 decibels when equipped with a gasoline engine (2 dB lower than the outgoing model) and 44 decibels for diesel models (down from 46 dB). Road noise is further reduced – from 66 to 63 dB.
European market models will come with a full suite of active and passive safety features – autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, high beam assist, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, six airbags, electronic traction and stability control.
More on the all-new 2016 Kia Sportage:
All-New 2016 Kia Sportage, Full Details Released: Gets 1.6 Turbo And DCT Transmission
2016 Kia Sportage Interior Revealed In New Official Photos


Porsche Unveils The 911 Speedster Concept

Long, long ago, when Porsche was but a nascent company, there was the 356 Roadster. It was a proof of concept of sorts, designed for racing and eventually forming as the basis for all 911 models to come. While Porsche as a company has evolved a great deal and diversified their model range in a great number of ways, they are not blind to the past and have great respect for history.
Which is why it's unsurprising that to celebrate the 70th anniversary, Porsche has launched the 911 Speedster concept. It's an open top machine - not a convertible, per se - and it's not one that's designed for outright performance. While it may be similar in vein to the 911R and the 911 Touring in that it takes a 991 GT3 chassis and powertrain, there's more to it than just performance.
Subtle differences to the roof and the rear cowl are what results in a truly unique roofline for the 911 Speedster concept. Smaller window frames, gold-coloured lettering, and a transparent plexiglass frame that lights up with Porsche's 70th anniversary logo are all part of the extensive minute details.
The fuel tank neck is repositioned to the middle of the bonnet, and every luxury is stripped out of the car in the name of weight savings. Certain elements on both the exterior and interior are clearly taken from the past, while some are comfortably from the present. It provides a pseudo resto-mod look for the car that's seemingly lacking in most modern vehicles.
Over the years, the Speedster form has popped up in a number of 911 models, briefly produced before fading away into obscuirty again. With the last Speedster being produced on the 997 chassis back in 2010, we can only hope that this generation or the next will see a return for the removable-roof special.


Ford Ranger Rear Box Step And GWM POER Rear Step-Up Ladder - Easier To Reach And Climb Up Into Pick-up Trucks!

The new generation Ford Ranger Wildtrak and GWM POER P12 come with ingenious steps that aid access into the truck bed.

Pick-up truck manufacturers are finally, we hope looking at smart solutions to make cargo beds a bit more accessible to their owners.

While it's easy to just
plonk cargo on the bed
 through the flip-down tailgate, pick-up truck owners will attest that they have to be a ninja to get into one or even take items out of the truck bed.

Traditionally, pick-up truck manufacturers have provided
some sort of step to help
 with the ingress into the truck bed, and usually, this involves integrating a step at the rear bumper, where the middle part is lower than then the rest of it.

But the problem with this is that it only works if the tailgate is not flipped down because if it is, that step aid is pretty much useless as there is no access to it. A way around this problem is to use the tyres as a step, but it's still not the easiest thing to do as tyres on pick-ups are usually huge.

Recently, however, we have seen a couple of trucks for the Malaysian market with some ingenious features that seem to resolve this problem.

GWM POER P12

When we got the chance to
 preview the GWM POER P12
 at Go Auto's HQ in Glenmarie, we were highly impressed with the truck's rear step-up ladder, which is integrated into the tailgate.

It's such a simple and functional idea that solves the truck bed access problem without interfering with anything else, especially the look of the truck. All you have to do is unlatch the tailgate and drop it down, and pull the mini ladder out of the tailgate. The ladder, which sits about a foot off the ground really does make life easier.

2022 Ford Ranger Wildtrak

While GWM went to the trouble of adding a ladder into the tailgate, Ford went with a simpler idea to help with truck bed access.

During the recent
launch of the new generation Ranger Wildtrak
, Ford was keen to tell everyone that they had been observing how customers climbed up into the truck bed. This was their inspiration for creating an integrated side-step behind the rear tyres to help provide a strong and more stable way to access the cargo bed.

While Ford's idea is simple yet effective, we're not sure if we are a fan of the look as it makes the area unclean as there is a big gaping hole.

If we had to choose which one we would prefer, we would of course, go for the hideaway ladder in the POER, as it is neatly hidden away when not in use - but then again, the fact that the POER's ladder needs to be pulled out, makes Ford's rear box step more functional as it can be easily used all the time.

Both step-up features however will provide owners of the trucks better access to the truck bed, and with this in mind, be helpful no matter how you look at it. It's better to have something rather than nothing.

Which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments.


Beijing 2016: VW T-Prime GTE Concept Previews Brand’s Future SUVs

Volkswagen
 has officially unveiled the
T-Prime Concept GTE
 at the ongoing
Auto China 2016 in Beijing
 today. The concept, which previews the new Touareg, features a plug-in hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive technology.
Inside, the concept’s cabin reflects the desire for the digital capabilities of a new era. It features a lot of fun to have a world of displays and controls that consist exclusively of touchscreens, gesture and voice control, touch-sensitive surfaces and shifting “by wire” that can always be used intuitively. Volkswagen said that it wants to offer an exciting SUV in every relevant market segment, and that the product campaign will starts later this year with the global market launch of the new Tiguan which will also be offered with an extended wheelbase in certain markets.
With the new T-Prime Concept GTE, Volkswagen is now responding to the trend where the demand for large SUVs is on the rise. According to VW, forecasts for China predict 18 percent growth in the UV segment between 2017 and 2023; while Europe and Russia might see 26 per cent growth.
That said, Volkswagen expects its annual volume of the T-Prime Concept GTE SUV will reach the milestone of two million unit sales around 2020.
The concept car is powered by a 375 horsepower plug-in hybrid drive, incorporating an electric motor, turbocharged gas engine, and battery, which can charge externally or during the drive. With a sufficiently charged battery (14.1 kWh energy capacity) this SUV—like all Volkswagen GTE cars—always starts in the practically silent electric E-Mode. It permits up to 49km of zero-emission driving in the city.
Paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, the T-Prime GTE accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in 6 seconds and has a top speed of 240 km/h.
“With the new T-Prime Concept GTE, we are once again showcasing how Volkswagen can ideally master the whole range of differentiation possibilities, even within the individual SUV model series. On the one hand, this concept shows the authentic Volkswagen SUV design of the modern era; but at the same time it takes entirely new approaches,” said Klaus Bischoff, the chief designer.
Besides the T-Prime GTW, models like the Phideon, the second generation Tiguan, and the BUDD-e zero-emission van are also on display at the VW booth in Beijing
Looking for a Volkswagen? Find one now at
Carlist.my


BMW Outsources X1 Production to VDL Nedcar, Holland

BMW today announced that as of August 2017, it will begin manufacturing the X1 at the VDL Nedcar plant in the Netherlands, supplementing existing production capacity in Regensburg, Germany.
The move, which was jointly announced today by the BMW Group and the VDL Group, is in line with strong global demand for the X1 which required additional capacity to supplement production at the BMW Group plant in Regensburg, where the second generation of this successful model has been manufactured since July 2015.
However, as busy as it is with the production of eight different models built on a single line, the main volume of the BMW X1 will still be produced in Regensburg.
The BMW X1 will be the fourth BMW Group model to roll off the production lines at VDL Nedcar after the 3-door Mini Cooper, Cooper Convertible, and the Countryman.
In March 2017, VDL Nedcar will also start production of the new Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4, MINI’s first plug-in hybrid, and the sporty MINI John Cooper Works Countryman with 231 hp.
As for the Malaysian market, the X1 is currently being locally-assembled in Kulim, Kedah, with CKD packs sourced from the Regensburg plant. It is also worth mentioning that the BMW X1 has received EEV (energy efficient vehicle) status here.


Hari Raya luxury car rental craze returns once again for 2023

This year is no different, as people flock to luxury rental car companies to rent out the most blinged-out vehicles they can afford for the upcoming Hari Raya.

While the Hari Raya celebration follows nearly a month-long period of fasting which encourages spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and empathy, some just can't resist flexing on the big day, especially when it comes to cars.

It is quite common for people to "flex" or show off their wealth and success during Hari Raya, and one way of doing this so is by having a flashy or luxurious car, which can be seen as a status symbol.

To facilitate this action, some have even gone as far as spending RM8,000 a day just so that they can get their Raya Car. According to Kosmo, it's not only just a few that are doing this cause several car rental companies around the Klang Valley are fully booked for Raya.

Among the high-end luxury vehicles being rented are the usual suspects like Mercedes-Benz and BMW,  but people are stretching as far as Lamborghini, McLaren, Ferrari, Ford Mustang as well as Nissan Skylines to get their Raya car fix.

According to AHMJ Luxury car rental company, the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire luxury MPVs are the most popular cars, cause 100 of their luxury MPVs have already been booked for two to seven days.

According to the report in Kosmo, AHMJ's Managing Director, Azam Junuh said all of his company's luxury rental cars have already been booked by urban dwellers who want to
return to their Kampung this Hari Raya
.

"The MPVs are being rented to bring large families on a long journey back to their Kampung."

"There are individuals who are willing to pay up to RM4,999 a day just to drive a Lamborghini Huracan, while RM3,999 for a Nissan Skyline R35 GTR," he said.

Another luxury rental car company said that all of their luxury cars had been booked, and people were willing to spend up to RM7,999 a day for a Lamborghini Aventador and RM4,999 for a Lamborghini Huracan or Mercedes-Benz G63.


Vehicle End Of Life Policies Don't Make Sense In Malaysia

Every few years, some part of the government tries to introduce a scrap policy for old cars. It never makes sense - and even worse, they're completely tone deaf.

One of the more troubling pieces of automotive news to pop up recently is the fact that MIROS is surveying public opinion on vehicle
scrapping after a certain age
. Yes, we're talking about taking a car that happens to be 15 to 20 years old (or more), and crushing it - and maybe you'll get a pittance in return for destroying a perfectly functional car.

The Background

This is not the first time the government has tried to introduce a scrap policy. Over a decade ago it was first proposed, and come 2014 the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) actually tried to put forward such a scheme. They continued pushing this agenda, even with the change in government - where it was quickly shelved following public protest.

Obviously, the angle they're attempting now is to tie vehicle safety with age, and in many cases, crash testing shows that older cars just aren't as safe as their newer counterparts. Unfortunately, the data in isolation is usually pretty useless, because it doesn't take into account driving behaviour and actual car condition as being the key indicators of accident potential - beyond just safety in an accident.

The Reality

What do we mean by this? A reasonably well maintained Proton Saga from the 1980s will be much safer than a one-year-old Perodua Axia with bald tyres. In fact, this was proven when a delusional Axia owner crashed in Penang back in 2016, blaming the fault on Perodua when in fact he had four extremely bald tyres with absolutely no grip.

This scenario applies to many, many vehicles - especially when you see high-end luxury cars wearing cheap, second hand, or off-brand tyres that are obviously dangerous in wet weather conditions. Despite this glaring oversight, the government continues to put the blame on older cars in an attempt to get them off the road. No ABS system in the world is going to overcome sheer stupidity and bad tyres in wet weather.

The Agenda

But why this push to get older cars off the road? MAA and the Malaysian Automotive Institute (MAI) have openly declared that it's a bid to push
Malaysian's Total Industry Volume
 (TIV) for car sales up. They have also openly said that in doing so, the government can collect more taxes from the Malaysian people. Let's think about that for a second.

In the majority of cases, if someone is driving an extremely old car - and it's their sole vehicle - chances are, they can't afford something new. Yes, there will be some who drive an older car for nostalgic or sentimental reasons, but the lion's share of "old car owners" so to speak will do so out of necessity rather than choice.

The Logical Fallacy

If this is the case, the government really isn't going to be collecting much more tax when you push TIV up, because most of those sales will be at the lowest end of the market where the cars are cheap, and the tax is practically nonexistent. This, of course, is assuming that people can even afford to buy a new car.

In 2016, MAA proposed that a Cash for Clunkers scrap scheme be introduced to "help" old car owners upgrade to something newer and encourage the purchase of new cars. The absolute insanity of this and the tone-deafness of the statement shows that these people have never truly studied the market - and you can tell when they suggest giving an RM5,000 rebate if you scrap a car "of 10 years old or more".

Does that sound right to you? As of 2021, even a 2011 Perodua Viva is worth just under RM9,000. A Perodua Myvi sits at the RM12,000 mark or so, a Toyota Vios at the RM24,000 mark or so, a Honda Civic at the RM35,000 mark or so, and a BMW 320i sits at RM40,000 or so. Apparently, the MAA believes that any of these cars should only be worth RM5,000 and aren't fit for road use.

The Bigger Problem

In their statement in 2016, it was even said that banks should make vehicle loans easier to obtain in order to promote new car sales. Have we not learned from loan-related crises in other countries? Does the fact that the majority of bankruptcy cases in Malaysia are people between 35 and 44 years old defaulting on car loans not suggest something?

Malaysia is home to something truly unique (and absolutely stupid): the nine-year car loan. Let's be completely frank here - if you have to take a
NINE YEAR LOAN
 to pay off a car, you are usually in a situation born out of absolute necessity. Not only are you paying an absurd amount of interest, but you also increase your risk dramatically and you completely destroy any chance of settling a loan balance, even if you were to sell the car outright.

Forcing people to take insane loans all in the pursuit of "pumping up those numbers" is an incredibly irresponsible line of thinking. If a car is perfectly functional, there is no reason to take it off the road and subject people to extra financial stress.

The Halfway House Solution

One other proposal put forward is the idea of annual vehicle checks for vehicles beyond a certain age, which is something done in certain other countries. This isn't an altogether bad idea if it wasn't for the fact that we don't have the resources or the experienced personnel to execute this kind of assessment.

This also opens up another avenue for corruption, which we know is a common problem here. Pushing people to the edge makes them more desperate, especially if they know that failure to pass a vehicle check means losing their source of transportation, which may also be their source of income.

If the government was willing to give an RM5,000 rebate for people to buy new cars, they should be able to give that same money to people for the betterment of their vehicles. RM5,000 is more than enough to make sure an old vehicle gets up to standards for safe driving - a set of decent tyres, brake pads, fluids, replacement bushings and absorbers, and so on.

The Money

And as for the bottom line - the extra money that the government wants - so to speak? That should come from growing our vehicle export volume. Yes, the government doesn't get a one-shot tax payment on the sale of a vehicle, but with the growth of export volume comes more jobs in the automotive sector, more components imported (and taxed) or locally produced (and taxed).

That's real growth, both sustained and sustainable. That's foreign investment in our country, that's increasing our status and positioning as an exporter and supplier within the region. That's increasing faith in our automotive industry - just as Thailand has done, and how they have become the ideal choice for foreign automaker investment in our region. It's never too late for us to do the same.

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Nissan is the Latest Brand to Launch An Online Showroom in Malaysia

In view of the Movement Control Order (MCO) being further extended to 28 April 2020, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd. (ETCM), the authorised distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, has announced the introduction of its Nissan Online Showroom.

According to the company, the online showroom is an alternative solution that addresses consumers’ enquiries relating to vehicle purchases from the comfort of their homes.

Meanwhile, ETCM continues to temporarily close its Nissan showrooms nationwide as the health and safety of employees and customers are of utmost priority.

Consumers who are unable to visit Nissan showrooms can now easily browse through all Nissan models and latest promotions at the brand’s official Malaysian website.

The website is further enhanced with the introduction of the new Nissan Online Showroom which enables consumers to submit an online form for further sales enquiries or request for vehicle booking arrangements in just a few simple clicks.

Within 24 hours of submission, a dedicated Nissan sales representative will be in contact. Additionally, doorstep test drive appointments can be made post-MCO.

All vehicle registrations and deliveries will resume progressively after the MCO is lifted.


2023 Proton Exora – Apa Yang Baharu?

MPV tertua Proton,
Exora 2023
 telah dilancarkan dengan sedikit pembaharuan kecil. Apa yang baharu pada model ini berbanding sebelumnya? Macam sama je?

Proton Exora itu menerima pembaharuan keempatnya setelah 13 tahun berjuang dalam pasaran Malaysia. MPV Mampu milik ini kembali ditawarkan dalam 2 pilihan varian:

1.6T Executive CVT: RM62,800

1.6T Premium CVT: RM69,800

Harga yang ditawarkan kali ini juga adalah RM3,000 lebih mahal daripada Exora RC yang dilancarkan pada tahun 2019. Jadi apa lagi yang baharu selain harganya?

Exterior

Di bahagian luarannya masih lagi kelihatan seperti Exora yang sama seperti sebelumnya, bezanya hanyalah pada logo Proton baharu berbentuk bulat yang digunakan di bahagian gril hadapan serta di bahagian belakang kereta.

Interior

Bahagian interior pula menyaksikan varian Premium kini hadir dengan tempat duduk yang dibalut dengan
leatherette
 penuh berbanding
semi leatherette
 seperti model terdahulu. Walau bagaimanapun, bahagian lain di dalam kabin masih sama seperti sebelum ini,

Ciri Keselamatan

Bagi ciri keselamatan, ESC kini diberikan secara standard untuk kedua-dua varian, tetapi hanya Premium sahaja yang mendapat kamera undur. Walau bagaimanapun, MPV keluarga ini masih kekal dengan dua beg udara keselamatan sahaja.

Enjin

Dukacita dimaklumkan pada mereka yang mengharapkan agar
enjin 1.5 TGDI
 diletakkan pada Exora 2023 kerana Exora masih lagi hadir dengan enjin 1.6 turbo yang menghasilkan
140 PS
 dan
205 Nm
 tork dan dipadankan dengan transmisi CVT.

OCH Baharu?

Antara isu yang sering diperkatakan tentang Exora adalah masalah
Oil Cooler Hose (OCH)
 yang kerap pecah. OCH merupakan komponen yang menjaga transmisi dan minyak enjin kereta daripada panas melampau. Jika OCH pecah, minyak akan bocor menyebabkan enjin dan transmisi kereta gagal berfungsi dengan baik dan boleh merosakkan enjin.

Walaupun isu ini dilihat penting dan kritikal, namun pelancaran Exora 2023 ini langsung tidak memetik berkenaan isu ini. Setakat ini, tiada sebarang maklumat dikeluarkan berkenaan OCH Excora 2023 ini.

Adakah OCH Proton sudah diganti dengan OCH yang lebih baik berbanding sebelumnya? Sejujurnya, kami pun tak tahu!


Toyota Vios Challenge Racers Graduate, First Race In August

The twenty-four novice drivers who signed up for the Vios Challenge have completed their 6 training sessions, and they are now armed with new driving skills and a certificate of competency from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Japan. Among the graduates who received their certificates were actors Fattah Amin, Diana Danielle, Shukri Yahaya and Janna Nick, singers Geraldine Gan and Danny Koo, blogger and model Venice Min and beatboxer Shawn Lee.
Their first race will be at Batu Kawan, Penang. The course in Batu Kawan is a specially-designed 1.656 km circuit that is shaped after a racing steering wheel in a clockwise direction. There will be nine turns with the longest straight slightly over 156 meters in length. While it's a relatively small and tight course, that is part of the fun and excitement of a street circuit: drivers will find it more difficult to overtake and it will require far more strategy than racing on a wider track.
There are many reasons to be excited for the the Vios Challenge. One-make races allow for great racing as everyone fights on a fairly even playing field, and there can be no arguments over the performance of a car and few excuses to be made. The cars in question are fairly well prepared, offering a pretty good entry into the world of racing.
Perhaps best of all is the fact that a number of these races will take place on street circuits- circuits that few to no people have driven before. Compared to other forms of racing, the RM 90,000-odd asking price is a bargain considering the additional equipment and provided tyres.
Disclaimer: I am aware that my hand position is incorrect at certain sections of the track. Apologies for that.
At the drivers' graduation ceremony, we were given a few laps around Sepang's North Track in the Vios Challenge cars. In our short stint, we found the car to be very easy to drive. Clutch action was light, and gear shifts were easy without the risk of mis-shifting.
Power delivery is decent for a lightly-modified Vios, and handling is backed by sticky Toyo T1R rubbers, TRD suspension kit, TRD clutch and LSD, TRD tower bar and lower brace bars and TRD brake pads. This allowed the Vios Challenge race car to take corners with ease. We were able to enter corners with confidence.
From a technical perspective these cars may not seem to be modified far beyond their stock standard state (10% increase in power output, suspension, brake pads, a gentle LSD), but there has to be balance between making these cars quick and keeping them reliable at the same time.
The Toyota Vios has always had fairly appreciable handling dynamics and reasonable performance (especially in manual form) so it was a good place to start off from. At the end of the day, if it's a one make race it doesn't matter whether you're racing a Lamborghini Huracan or a Perodua Kancil- everyone should be on a level playing field and it's down to driver skill and experience.
In order to create a level racing field, the Vios Challenge will feature 3 racing classes where 10 of the fastest racing record will be moved into the elite Super Sporting Category; the Sporting Category will feature 17 racers and the remaining 10 in the Promotional Category. Each category will have 2 heats with points being awarded for top positions in each heat.
The first Vios Challenge race will kick off on the 12th and 13th of August at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang. Besides the race, there will also be numerous activities and displays, along with a special showcase of the upcoming Toyota C-HR. Entrance to the festival is free and open to all members of the public.
Editor's Note: Story written in collaboration with Aswan.


Refreshed 2015 Suzuki Swift Opens For Bookings In Malaysia

Suzuki
 Malaysia has just announced on its social media page that bookings for the new 2015
Suzuki Swift
 are now being taken, and more recently, has supplied us with a few more details to share with you.
Previously, we showed you a unique Suzuki Swift spotted at the Empire Shopping mall, sporting a few traits (front bumper, rear bumper, side skirts) from its hotter Swift Sport cousin. Speaking to a sales consultant there, we were told that was a GLX (top-spec) model. We spoke to Suzuki Malaysia about it, and their reply was that the unique bits there were purely a dealers’ initiative to decorate a car – nothing official to see there.
*Note: This post has been updated with the latest information from Suzuki Malaysia about the new Swift.
Following an invitation to witness the launch of an updated Swift for 2015 (one that got postponed) later, here then is Suzuki Malaysia showing us something more official.
Their call to accept pre-sales orders here shows a new Suzuki Swift no doubt. Three variants have been detailed for us, and they are listed as follows, with their estimated OTR prices + GST, but without insurance:
Suzuki Swift GA: RM59,000
Suzuki Swift GL: RM65,000
Suzuki Swift GLX: RM73,000
As expected, this is a very mild update to the existing third-gen Swift we first saw launched in 2013.
Suzuki Malaysia has shared with us a gallery of the new top-sped Swift GLX (see below) but have also detailed the remaining variants for us. Here's a look at what the highlights of each variant are:
Suzuki Swift GA:
 Available in only one body for now (Bayside Blue) the GA is the Swift's latest base version for Malaysia, typically featuring minimal kit, for a lower price point. It's features are considerably less than the other two variants, so buyers may expect 15-inch steel wheels and a tyre repair kit (that's all Suzuki Malaysia has told us for now). Just like the other variants, however, the Swift GA features a slightly updated front bumper design.
Suzuki Swift GL:
 The mid-spec Swift (previously base) also gets the new bumper design which here, adds a sleek silver garnish, side body turn indicators and an upgrade also to 16-inch alloy wheels. The interior gets the familiar basic audio system and manual air-conditioning controls. Colour options include Supreme Red, Olive Grey, Bayside Blue, Superior White, and a new Lagoon Turquoise colour (as pictured above).
Suzuki Swift GLX:
 At the top of the range, the GLX gets all that's good to a Swift, but new here are a setd of daytime LED lights, retractable side mirrors with indicators (not new), 16-inch alloy wheels with a unique design, and keyless entry with engine push-start (not new).
What's most appealing about the RM73k-estimated GLX is that Suzuki Malaysia has fitted for the first time a full-on touchscreen headunit to the Swift, inclusive of a navigation system. The infotainment is supplemented by a six-speaker audio system, and automatic air-conditioning.
There are no changes to the powertrain department to speak of, so expect the same 95PS, 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine and four-speed slush box from the existing pre-facelift model.
Other information:
Included in the price of the Suzuki Swift variants are a five-year/ 150,000km (whichever comes first) warranty. Also, all three variants will share common active and passive safety features, which here are: dual SRS airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, and Electronic Brake Force Distribution.
Suzuki FUN365 Roadshows:
If you're looking to catch the new Suzuki Swift, you may do so at the following Suzuki Fun365 roadshows happening are various locations nationwide:
Sunway Pyramid: 25 - 28 June, 2015
Gourney Plaza, Penang: 2 - 5 July, 2015
City Square, JB: 24 - 26 July, 2015
Mydin Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu: 30 July - 1 August, 2015
Low Yat Plaza KL: 3 - 9 August, 2015
Mid Valley Megamall: 12 - 16 August, 2015


Tokyo 2015: Daihatsu D-base Showed Off, One Step Closer To The Next Axia

After making the announcement that it will be presenting a new mini concept car at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show,
Daihatsu
 has shows us their new D-base in the flesh.
Much is still not known about the nitty gritty when it comes to the car, but what we do know – and have since the teaser – was that it previews the next-generation of Daihatsu’s family of mini cars.
Precisely the cars, the engines, and the design that will trickle down into vehicles that
Perodua
 will use in their future models. We could potentially be seeing the next-generation
Axia
 or the cues that we’ll become much more familiar with in the next
Myvi
.
The D-base will also feature a further development of the company’s e:S (Eco and Smart) technology that includes an energy efficient engine built with low friction internal components, engine idle stop-start system, streamlined lightweight body, among other rather simple, low-cost but nonetheless worthwhile solutions in the pursuit of greater operational economy.
The e:S technology first debuted in Japan in 2011, in the Japanese-market Daihatsu Mira, whose platform and body structure forms the basis for the Perodua Axia and its Indonesian cousins – Daihatsu Ayla and
Toyota
 Agya, minus the Japanese market-only e:S technology.


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia issues recall for Triton

Latest in the trend of airbag related recalls from a number of manufacturers is Mitsubishi, as they have discovered that the airbag inflators in their Triton model line may be defective. Models manufactured from 2006 to 2014 are at risk- roughly 35,115 units through this period. The specific models involved are the Triton 3.2-litre, Triton Automatic and Manual Transmission 2.5-litre and Triton VGT 2.5-litre.

As is the case in other airbag related recalls, the issue is that the airbag deployment may release metal fragments that may cause injury or death. It is therefore imperative that a customer check if their model is affected and returns to a Mitsubishi service centre to replace the airbag module.  Owners are also encouraged to check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at the Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia official website.

Running simultaneously is a recall campaign for defective turn light switches on some Mitsubishi vehicles that were manufactured during that period of time. The oxidation on the terminals results in owners being unable to turn on their lights. All costs involved in replacing parts and labour will be borne by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, and letters to owners notifying them if their model is affected will be sent out soon. Appointments are required in advance for an owner to receive their replacement parts.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia would also like to remind owners of Lancer sedans that were manufactured between September 2004 and April 2006 to check if their car has been affected by the recall issued earlier in the year. They can see if their vehicle is affected on the Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia website.


Perodua, MIDA Brings Malaysia’s Auto Suppliers Into The Digital Age

Perodua has been making moves to dramatically upgrade their numerous supply chain manufacturing vendor partners
through digitalisation
, automation, and the adoption of Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) standards.

This process has been underway since 2020 by way of a partnership with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), and at their headquarters in KL Sentral, showed the fruits of their effort from 3 companies that have participated in the pilot ‘1st round’ of the programme.

Perodua, MIDA and IR 4.0

There, a further selection of 5 ‘2nd round’ vendor partners were also introduced into the fold and presented their plans toward digitalisation and its revolutionary
implications to efficiency, output
, and future-preparedness they expect to achieve from their participation in the programme.

Going forward, the MIDA-Perodua Digital Transformation Ecosystem will be expanding to include many more of Perodua’s vendor partners and hopes to include industries outside the automotive sphere to collectively bridge the technological gaps in the country’s manufacturing industry to be competitive on the world stage.

MIDA-Perodua Digital Transformation Ecosystem

Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, said: “Local companies play a major role in building the nation’s industry ecosystem–geared to support large companies and MNCs. The initiation of the MIDA-PERODUA collaboration in 2020 was crucial to ensure steady development of our local player’s capabilities in the automotive industry.

Under MIDA’s initiative to facilitate these companies to adopt digitalisation and Industry 4.0, we have been successful in contributing immense growth in PERODUA’s manufacturing volume, through the empowerment of its industry partners and service providers.”

Meanwhile, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Perodua’s President and CEO said “programme is aligned with the Government's efforts to enhance local technology ecosystem development activities in terms of supply and value chains, research and development activities, and innovation and commercialisation,”

The implementation of Industry 4.0 is not only for the automotive supplier’s benefit but the impact of this programme will contribute greatly to the nation’s digital transformation agenda. The programme also can fast-track Malaysia’s industries, from small to large, as it provides both funds and guidance. PERODUA’s role has always been to develop the automotive ecosystem and this programme is another example of our commitment towards this objective,” he added.

No statements were made about exactly how this has or will contribute to Perodua’s climbing annual production targets, but with the local automaker
collecting over 200,000 bookings
 by the end of June 2022, they’ll likely need every productivity advantage they can get in delivering those vehicles promptly.


First Drive: 2020 MINI Cooper SE – Realistic Electric Mobility

With the 2020 MINI Cooper SE being launched today, we give you the rundown of what it feels like to drive and more essentially is it still a MINI?

For the last half decade or so, the narrative surrounding electric cars has been about the big numbers – performance figures, driving range, and so on. There has been a big push to try and prove that electric cars can be as fast and as practical as their conventional counterparts, and it’s safe to say that companies like Tesla and Porsche have proven just that.

But that alone isn’t going to convert customers. Electric charging infrastructures still play a very large role in the widespread adoption of electric cars, and there are a whole host of other problems from ecological impact to consistency in performance. Perhaps most of all, one of the often overlooked aspects is the simple matter of integration.

As the topic of electric cars and conventional cars is so divisive, so too has been the direction of styling and positioning and ergonomics to really set apart the experience, but is that necessarily the best direction to go in? MINI seems to think otherwise, because with
their Cooper SE
 one of the goals was to make the experience as similar to that of a conventional MINI Cooper S as possible.

We’ll get the numbers out of the way first. The 2020 MINI Cooper SE takes the majority of its powertrain from the BMW i3s, meaning it gets 184 hp and 270 Nm of torque. The range sits at a modest 235 to 270 kilometers per full charge, which obviously makes it better suited to intra city and town driving rather than long-distance hauls – at least without a fast charging network.

And yet from the moment you get into the driver’s seat and start it up, there’s barely anything to tell you that you’re in an electric car – apart from the lack of engine noise. The majority of the switch gear and displays look identical to other MINI models, and you really wouldn’t have any difficulty transitioning to the Cooper SE from anything else.

Unlike the BMW i3s, the 2020 MINI Cooper SE is front-wheel drive with its batteries stored in the floor of the car. Keeping the weight low in the car helps to maintain that zippy, go-kart like agility that MINI models are known for, and you find it with the Cooper SE as well despite its higher kerb weight – some 145 kilograms more than the equivalent Cooper S.

Even with that extra weight, getting off the line is brisk as electric cars are with a 0 to 60 km/h time of just 3.9 seconds, and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h, further reinforcing the idea that the 2020 MINI Cooper SE isn’t quite meant to take on open de-restricted highways. It’s a city car through and through.

One common feature in electric vehicles is made available, and that’s having adjustable levels of regenerative braking. It’s a simple two-level system that works via a toggle switch on the centre console, allowing for either a more conventional feel (like a conventional car where it doesn’t slow down as hard when you lift off the accelerator) or more one-pedal-operation like other electric cars where they slow down quite drastically as you come off the accelerator.

Our time with the 2020 MINI Cooper SE was brief and mostly along mildly congested Miami roads, but as the hours slipped by it was easy to forget that we were in something that used a battery instead of fossil fuels. It felt practical and at home – perhaps more so in eco-conscious California – and just straight-up fun. Approachability was the name of the game – no intimidating functions or settings to deal with, and no snobbery intended.

The 2020 MINI Cooper SE isn’t the first electric vehicle that aims for mass-market appeal, and it certainly won’t be the last, but it’s a sign of the times when a company chooses to integrate something so radically different in their model range, but in such a seamless fashion that choosing it over a conventional car becomes less of a thought-provoking decision. It delivers on all the promises that MINI makes of their vehicles, and it does so while reducing your carbon footprint.

With the
local launch
 of the all-electric 2020 MINI Cooper SE, you can expect to see some early adopters enjoying all-electric mobility, and one hopes that our charging infrastructure develops and expands as quickly as those in some of the Scandinavian countries and more progressive American states. It would be interesting to see how the MINI Cooper SE fares on our roads – but given our experience, it wouldn’t be surprising if it did well.


Kia EV6 or Hyundai IONIQ 5? We Compare Both!

The Hyundai IONIQ 5,
launched in late March 2022
, and the incoming Kia EV6 are set to rock the EV scene in Malaysia just as they have abroad. But which is the better car?

Being derived from the
shared E-GMP (Hyundai Electric Global Modular Platform)
 architecture and developed alongside each other, it’s natural to expect them to be quite similar. At some fundamental levels they clearly are but also plain is the divergent paths Kia and Hyundai took to make the best EV they could.

Kia EV6 vs Hyundai IONIQ 5

Make no mistake, these are highly impressive machines that almost seem like quantum leaps in technology, design, and engineering if your reference point was either of these South Korean brands’ cars from 10 or even 15 years ago.

Unquestionably, the EV6 and the IONIQ 5 are two of the most interesting and impressive electric vehicles launched recently, sweeping numerous award wins including
European Car of the Year
 (Kia).

Despite both Hyundai and Kia offering
fully electric versions of multiple models
 for the better part of the past decade, it’s these two cars that have caused the tidal shift of perception toward the sister automakers.

Suddenly, it’s no longer the Teslas or the Volkswagens or Mercedes-Benzes of the world that people realise they should be paying attention to with the future of vehicles. Instead, the biggest splashes have now been stirred by the South Koreans.

Price - EV6 to mirror IONIQ 5?

The fact that the IONIQ 5, distributed by Hyundai Sime Darby Motors, has made its Malaysian debut relatively quickly since the car was revealed to the world is quite encouraging. Obviously, the implementation of the new policy to encourage EV adoption has had a big impact, driving prices down significantly and launching market demand upward.

The IONIQ 5 Lite kicks things off at RM199,888, but this can go up to RM259,888 for the range-topping Max variant with the main variable being battery capacity (which equates to range) and electric motor configuration.

2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Lite: RM199,888

2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Plus: RM229,888

2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Max: RM259,888

In the other corner, coming from new Kia distributors Bermaz, the EV6 is expected to
make landfall in the second half of 2022
. HSDM’s first strike came as little surprise but now should directly inform how its sister car needs to be positioned.

In most other countries, the Kia emerged with a slightly higher base price but this gap became more and more slight depending on how they were configured. Malaysia-spec cars are notoriously absent of these more granular options, unfortunately, but it would be surprising if the EV6 did not follow the IONIQ 5’s local pricing pretty closely.

Design - Retro IONIQ 5 vs Sporty EV6

Immediately there are very apparent visual differences to the point that they might have been deliberately contrasting. While the Kia is somewhat more conventional with its more flowing lines and sub-SUV proportions, the Hyundai
is unashamedly angular, almost geometric
.

Both are 5-door vehicles with a clear bonnet at the front despite having no ‘engine’ in the conventional sense.

One looks sleek with a shape that is clearly aerodynamically informed, the other is bolder, harder-edged, even retro - the IONIQ 5’s look is mainly a callback to the Hyundai Pony, the first mass-produced South Korean car.

In pictures, the EV6’s proportions can make it look like the larger vehicle overall but in reality, the IONIQ 5’s small hatchback silhouette masks its size. The Hyundai boasts a longer wheelbase as well as being taller though the Kia is longer overall.

Wheelbase

Height

Width

Overall Length

Hyundai IONIQ 5

3,000mm

1,605mm

1,890mm

4,635mm

Kia EV6

2,900mm

1,550mm

1,890mm

4,680mm

Powertrain - 800-volt Electrical Architecture

Here’s where the E-GMP platform DNA is most apparent since the EV6 and IONIQ 5 have an identical 800-volt electrical architecture with support for single or multiple electric motors, bi-directional charging (V2L), and up to 350kW DC charging as well.

Both cars start with a single motor rear-drive configuration with an electric motor at the rear, supplied by a 58kWh battery. In the yet-to-be-launched EV6 (locally), this is represented as being equivalent to the IONIQ 5 Lite, however, in certain markets such as Australia, this smaller battery pack is not offered.

In the Hyundai, this is capable of
384km
 (WLTP) on a single charge while that sole motor delivers 170PS and 350Nm for a 0-100km/h sprint of 8.5 seconds. Stepping up to the IONIQ 5 Max, and this should be mirrored or very similar to the top-spec EV6, it’s equipped with all-wheel drive via dual electric motors with a combined output of 305PS and 605Nm, trimming that sprint time to 5.2 seconds.

Here, the car’s larger (Long Range) battery option comes as standard with 72.6kWh, leading to a rated range of
430km
. A slightly larger 77.4kWh (Extra Long Range) battery also exists in other markets, so the ball is in Kia’s (Bermaz’s) court to bring it to Malaysia.

In terms of performance, the EV6 in peak GT trim has the capacity to decisively stomp the IONIQ 5 with the 77.4kWh battery able to be paired with a 580PS, 740Nm dual-motor setup, capable of launching it to 100km/h
in a supercar-beating 3.5 seconds
.

Perhaps due to its slippery shape, the EV6 is also capable of breaching a claimed 510km on a single charge if the largest battery is paired to the single motor drive unit. However, without any official confirmation of local specifications, it’s impossible to know how they would stack up in a Malaysian context.

Variant

Battery Capacity

Layout

Power

Torque

Range

IONIQ 5 Lite

58kWh

RWD

170PS

350Nm

384km

IONIQ 5 Plus

58kWh

RWD

170PS

350Nm

384km

IONIQ 5 Max

72.6kWh

AWD

305PS

605Nm

430km

Our best guess would be to say that, upon launch, Kia will at least offer a direct and equivalent variant of the EV6 to the Hyundai IONIQ 5.

Tech & Features - Welcome To The Future

If plugged into a DC charger that’s able to match the maximum 350kW charging rate that the IONIQ 5 supports, a 10% to 80% top-up can be achieved in just 18 minutes, and the same will apply to the EV6.

Using more conventional 11kW public stations or a home-installed wallbox via the onboard AC charger will of course take much longer with Hyundai stating 5 hours with the 58kWh battery and 6.1 hours for the 72.6kWh battery.

In addition to the ‘wow factor’ elements of the unique user interfaces offered by both models, all of which are presented on twin 12.3-inch displays, though the EV6's does resemble a more typical layout, all variants of the Hyundai and Kia will come with class-leading levels of the advanced suite of driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Included in all variants of the IONIQ 5, for example, is Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Active Cruise Control, High Beam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Driver Attention Warning. There’s no reason to suppose that the EV6, upon its launch, will offer anything less comprehensive.

Continuing from the mention of the bi-directional charging built into the E-GMP platform, a key feature offered in both cars is V2X (capabilities that enable stored energy in the batteries, via the on-board inverter, to act as an independent power supply).

We look forward to welcoming the Kia EV6 to Malaysia!


Hyundai Almost Goes Full Racetard With The Santa Fe N Performance

We’re not sure who’s asking for a racer boy Santa Fe, but that isn’t stopping Hyundai from trying that look on for size.

We’ve seen Hyundai’s N performance arm go from nothing to being rather respected despite only having two cars to show for it: i30 N and Veloster N. There is more coming down the pipe, for sure, but the South Korean automaker is also keen to proliferate the ‘sporty’ motif to other models in their line-up, with the most recent being the
Santa Fe
 in its 2020 facelift form.

The bulky 7-seat SUV seems an unlikely candidate, obviously, but instead of making a full-fledged performance model, Hyundai has lavished it with a pretty extensive cosmetic treatment. And as far as we know, they have no intention of going any further.

The company is also quite shy about this more tricked out Santa Fe as these N Performance Parts are supposedly only available in its home market, and that’s likely to stay that way given how guarded Hyundai has been over the past few years.

There’s quite a lot to unpack about these images and the changes they’ve made to the Santa Fe’s stock look. Starting with the wheels, they are massive 21-inch rollers that hide red brake callipers, riding on high performance Michelin tyres, kicking off this two-tone colour scheme of black and dark copper shades.

This is most prominently on display on the front grille, where the facelifted nose receives plenty of copper on black accents. In this very dark body colour, the window has also been given a very dark tint for good measure, but above that, we see the classic identifier of ‘active lifestyle’: a roof rack.

At the rear, there are a pair of split boot spoilers and quad exhaust exits (what a beast?) that are framed by even more copper accents just above the diffuser element which is finished in (fake?) carbon fibre, which is no doubt only for show.

Surprisingly, the interior was also revamped by N Performance, and though it’s harder to tell with these pictures, we do spy quilted leather seats in a very sporty red on black scheme as well as a chunkier centre armrest wrapped in Alcantara. The grippy suede-like material has also been applied to the seat side bolsters and to most of the dashboard but has curiously avoided the steering wheel, where we typically expect to find it.

Hysterically, the plastic trim behind the front seats has been swapped out for carbon fibre finished seat backs, and there are even individual entertainment screens for second-row passengers replete with an N Performance-themed interface.

All that said, this Santa Fe still could be powered by a four-cylinder turbodiesel, though we do appreciate Hyundai’s restraint here. A full-on high-performance Santa Fe is a perversion we prefer not to see and it’s something that we believe Albert Biermann, Head of the N division, finds equally abhorrent.


Toyota Avanza Facelift Launched In Indonesia

PT Toyota-Astra Motor, sole manufacturer and distributor of Toyota vehicles in Indonesia has launched the facelifted Toyota Avanza and its upmarket variant, the Veloz.
Indonesia’s best-selling MPV, which has sold over 1.7 million units in Indonesia since its introduction in 2003, now in its latest iteration, seeing a styling update and gaining more features.
The biggest changes are at the front, where the Avanza now receives a more sculpted front bumper, neatly integrated with the wider and taller grille assembly. The headlights now feature split-level LED items which visibly draws inspiration from the larger Toyota Vellfire model.
Along the flanks reshaped front fenders offer up a wider look and stance to the overall vehicle. The new Avanza receives updated alloy wheels too. Round the back, the taillights have also received an update and are adjoined by a chrome strip that is meant to accentuate the width of the MPV.
The biggest differentiators between the Avanza and Veloz variant are the sportier front bumper, side skirts, and rear bumper. The Veloz also gets different alloy wheels and an additional tailgate garnish.
In terms of added features, the new Avanza gains smart entry (some variants receive a push start button) and powered folding mirrors. All Veloz variants receive the Follow Me Home function too.
All variants have been updated with a 6-speaker audio system; certain variants of the Avanza and all variants of the Veloz also get a touchscreen head unit.
Safety features include 2-airbags, ABS, and front passenger seat belt reminder.
In terms of the mechanicals – the Avanza’s electronic power steering system and suspension systems have reportedly been tweaked for better comfort levels and drivability. The new car also receives additional soundproofing at the rear, floor, and front dashboard sections for better refinement.
In terms of powertrains, both the Avanza and Veloz are offered with two four-cylinder engine choices: a 1.3-litre (95 PS and 120 Nm) and a 1.5-litre (104 PS and 136 Nm). With the Avanza, the 1.3-litre engine can be paired with a five-speed manual or a four-speed auto, whereas the 1.5-litre is exclusively mated to the manual transmission. The Veloz can be had with the manual and automatic transmissions across both engine choices. The Malaysian market will likely only offer the 1.5-litre engine mated with a four-speed automatic gearbox.
The new Avanza starts off at IDR 191.1 million to IDR 221.2 million. The Veloz ranges between IDR 215.6 million and IDR 239.4 million.
In Indonesia, the Avanza is produced by Daihatsu and sold alongside the company’s
Xenia small-MPV
. The Daihatsu version features a bumper that has been redesigned, slimmer faux air outlets, as well as a more rectangular reflector strip on the rear.


ETCM Opens New Nissan 3S Centre In Taiping

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd has officially launched a new
Nissan
 3S Centre in Taiping, marking its 19
th
 3S facility within Malaysia and the second 3S Centre to be launched this year.
As part of its network expansion to ensure customer ownership expectation levels are high and continue to be met at all levels, with the flagship Glenmarie 4S Centre due to be launched soon as well.
The new ETCM Taiping 3S Centre has a total area covering 17,846 square feet and is located strategically to provide service to many communities in the surrounding areas. The one-stop nature of the 3S centre offers potential and returning customers the ease of being able to test drive and purchase their next car or get them service and obtain spare parts.
All-told, ETCM had inject about RM800,000 into renovation work for the newly-designed facility. Its layout allows for a showroom area that can display up to eight vehicles within Nissan’s line-up. The service centre accommodates eight bays with the capacity to service up to 30 cars each day.
Among its key staff there are six highly trained and certified technicians and 14 Nissan sales professionals.
During the opening ceremony, Dato’ Dr Ang Bon Beng, Executive Director of ETCM said, “Taiping’s growth has been remarkable. Under the Northern Corridor Economic Region development, we have seen it thrive and attract not just tourists, but local and foreign investors as well. And with the rise of business opportunities and better infrastructure, a demand for passenger and commercial transport vehicles is also on the rise, hence it is crucial for us to make our presence felt in Taiping - and our responsibility to support Nissan owners and the community here with a Nissan 3S Centre.”


A Bench That You Can Ride For Shopping - Is This The Future Of Mobility?

A bench that you can ride around the city for shopping? Is this the future of mobility? It just might be!

The way that we
navigate our cities is changing
. People are increasingly walking, cycling, and riding scooters to reach their final destination. There is also a growing need for street furniture where residents and visitors can relax while they reach their next destination.

With this in mind - design students Corentin Janel and Guillaume Innocenti have come up with an intriguing concept – a rideable bench called “TOD”, short for “talk or drive” which won the recent
Ford
 Fund’s Smart Mobility Challenge – a contest aimed at harnessing the best solutions of
tomorrow’s mobility
 with today's youngest and brightest minds.

The Ford Fund Smart Mobility Challenge will now award GBP 12,500 for its creators that will go towards turning the project into a reality. Organised by Ford Fund, the company’s corporate foundation and philanthropic arm, and the Royal College of Art, in the UK, students participating in the challenge came up with ideas that offer a sustainable urban mobility solution and benefit the community.

Amko Leenarts, director of design, Ford of Europe added, “A rideable bench is a great example of how design can help form the fabric of cities, as it’s something that’s fun, practical, and multi-functional. It’s a clever way to make mobility part of the city, encourage people to interact and enable people to experience cities in a totally new way.”

TOD as it’s called is designed as an adaptable system with a static mode and mobile mode. In static mode, it is a bench that can be extended to accommodate three people. Accessories such as chairs and corners can easily be added using a plug-in-style kit system, while a flat square can be connected to two benches to form a picnic table.

In mobile mode, the sit-on scooter is for up to two people, with a maximum speed of 20 km/h. A hatch in the middle provides space for luggage while stretching bands on the back and sides enable users to transport small and long items. Users can locate and book a bench or sit-on scooter using the dedicated app.

TOD’s design idea bested a number of truly remarkable ideas that were also presented during the contest. Though the other entries might not have won overall, they will still receive funding through the contest to turn their ideas into proof of concepts or prototypes. Here are some highlights:

Energetic Exchange (Germany): An idea to turn battery charge in private vehicles into a source of currency, enabling users to pay for the next phase of their journey or for goods and services.

MobilityHUB (Germany): A warehouse that gathers various forms of micro-mobility into one accessible location.

NetCare (Spain): An app that helps families monitor and care for their elderly and dependent members.

Spectrum (UK): A proposal to set up inclusive supermarket checkouts for people with autism, creating a private area without music and with silent scanners to reduce the possibility of sensory overload.

CareMiles (UK): A support charity that provides door-to-door empathetic transport for patients needing to attend medical appointments.


VIDEO: Man Tries To Steal A Porsche Convertible By Cutting Open Its Roof

This is a problem that I think everyone at one point or another had anticipated. Convertible cars are  fun in that they allow you access to fresh air and open skies, but a lot of them have soft tops made of some form of cloth or fabric - usually vinyl.
A synthetic water-repellent material, but in plain English, its cloth. And cloth isn’t every durable against a sharp knife, as the Porsche’s owner found out.
The video was shot somewhere in an uncrowded portion of Mayfair, London around 7.45am, where the red
Porsche

911
 (930) was parked. The would-be thief took out his knife and began hacking and tearing at the car’s roof and before long had himself a gap big enough to squeeze inside.
The Porsche’s alarm system started blaring, likely from him trying to hotwire it’s ignition. No luck there, so after some seconds weighing alternative ways to start the car, the thief gave up and exited from his makeshift sunroof. Once he was out, he strolled away from the Porsche like it was a routine, disappointed but still in high spirits.
Just 20 minutes later, local police were called to the scene of a grey
Porsche Cayenne
 that had been damaged from signs of forced entry not far from there, the suspect matched the description.


Early Proton Persona Customers Enjoy 3 Years Free Service

As part of an incentive program for early adopters of the Proton Persona, Proton is offering a 3-Year Free Service program that applies to any Persona purchased in August or September 2016. The program is quite extensive, covering both parts and labour for the car- an invaluable package to have to ease any ownership experience.
The Persona, as we covered earlier, is based off of the Iriz platform and powered by the 1.6-litre variant of the Campro VVT engine, paired with either a CVT or a 5-speed manual gearbox. The same kinds of safety specifications that applied to the Iriz are reflected in the Persona, with ESC being common across the range and a minimum of two frontal airbags. The launch of the Persona is slated for the 23
rd
 of August- just under 2 weeks away.


Tesla Tops 2021 EV Sales In Singapore, MG Tied For 2nd With Porsche!

Our neighbouring island nation to the south recorded its most successful year yet for the
sale of fully electric vehicles
, partially thanks to government policies and incentives to encourage EV adoption.

In fact, 2021 was also the most successful year for EVs globally with some 6.6 million of them being sold worldwide according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), and this in spite of a persistent semiconductor shortage.

Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) did not publish official numbers for EV sales but did show that there were 2,942 electric vehicles registered under private ownership at the end of 2021. Compared to that same figure from the end of 2022 - 1,217 units - that’s an increase of 1,725 units.

Probably to nobody’s surprise, Tesla topped the EV charts with 924 vehicles sold there. This dwarfs the joint
second-place finishers Porsche
 and MG (wow, remember them?!) at 129 units apiece. This was followed by BMW with 121 units and Hyundai with 108 units.

Keep in mind, though, that in addition to Tesla’s being a poster child of the electric car movement, only the less expensive
Model 3 is
officially
 available for sale to Singaporean
 buyers. However, they should be seeing the arrival of Model S, X, and Y before long.

By comparison, the only EV offered by Porsche is the Taycan in its many variations, which does mean an expectedly lower sales volume due to the gulf in price. That said, car ownership, in general, is pretty costly there.

We’ve already mentioned how Singapore is uniquely suited for EV ownership given how limited the road network is and how one is never too far away from
some form of charging station/point
. Even electric cars with a middling range are unlikely to run into issues, such as the MG ZS EV’s claimed 335km (NEDC) from a 44.5kWh battery.

Back to Malaysia, 2022 is shaping up to be a very active year in terms of electric vehicles as well with numerous models being scheduled for launch here to take advantage of similar policies and incentives as outlined by the government in
last year’s Budget tabling
.