Perodua Myvi 2022 Facelift Kini Dibuka Untuk Tempahan – Harga Dari RM45,700 Hingga RM58,800

Baru-baru ini, imej yang memaparkan rupa baharu
Perodua Myvi 2022 Facelift
 telah tersebar di media sosial. Nampaknya tarikh pelancaran model baharu Myvi ini sudah semakin hampir setelah
Perodua
 secara rasminya mengumumkan bahawa tempahan untuk model baharu Myvi ini kini dibuka.

Myvi generasi ketiga
 versi
facelift
 ini telah menerima beberapa penambahbaikan dengan teknologi yang dinaiktaraf, ciri keselamatan pintar yang dipertingkatkan, penjimatan bahan api yang lebih baik, penampilan baharu yang
sporty
 serta pilihan warna baharu.

Menurut Presiden dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, penambahbaikan tersebut mewakili usaha Perodua dalam memenuhi jangkaan para pelanggan mereka yang semakin meningkat dan pada masa yang sama menawarkan nilai yang lebih hebat dengan memperkenalkan standard terbaharu untuk model paling berjaya di Malaysia,
King Myvi
.

Myvi 2022 Facelift ini akan ditawarkan dalam beberapa varian seperti varian 1.5L AV (Advance), 1.5L H, 1.5L X dan dua varian enjin yang lebih kecil iaitu 1.3L G. Kali ini, Perodua telah menggugurkan transmisi
manual
 dalam barisan Perodua Myvi 2022 yang ditawarkan. Semua varian kini hanya didatangkan dalam transmisi automatik.

Perodua juga memberikan kenyataan bahawa Perodua Myvi 2022 ini telah ditingkatkan kecekapan bahan api kepada 22.2km/liter berbanding 21.1km/liter sebelum ini. Perkara itu telah diuji sendiri pada varian 1.3L mereka.

Bagi ciri keselamatan pula, hanya 3 varian teratas seperti AV, H dan X sahaja yang bakal menerima sistem
Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA)
 sebagai standard. Sistem tersebut direka dengan mengutamakan keselamatan pemandu dan pejalan kaki.

Selain itu, warna baharu yang diperkenalkan bagi Perodua Myvi 2022, Cranberry Red hanya tersedia untuk varian tertinggi sahaja, iaitu varian AV. Warna lain ditawarkan kekal sama seperti
Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Lava Red (
tidak tersedia untuk

AV
), Granite Grey dan Electric Blue
.

Myvi 2022 facelift ini bakal dijual pada harga bermula dari RM45,700 hingga RM58,800 (Semenanjung Malaysia, tanpa insurans). Jika nak dibandingkan dengan harga Myvi generasi ketiga yang ada sekarang, harga Myvi 2022 ini lebih mahal RM6,000+ berbanding harga model terdahulu memandangkan beberapa peningkatan yang ada pada kereta ini.

Berminat dengan Perodua Myvi 2022 Facelift ini? Datang saja ke pusat pameran jualan Perodua yang berhampiran atau hubungi penasihat jualan Perodua yang sah untuk mendapatkan maklumat lanjut dan seterusnya menempah Perodua Myvi 2022 Facelift ini.


The Many Shades Of the Proton X50 - Paint Options

There are six different colours you can have on your Proton X50 in, but not every paint option is available for every variant.

When it comes to paint colours, Malaysians have the unfortunate habit of picking monochrome options. Within our content team alone, at least seven of us drive cars that are either black, white, silver, or some shade of grey. Proton recognizes that, which is why of the six paint options you can choose from, Snow White and
Armour Silver
 are available with the entry-level X50 1.5T Standard.

You could also get the entry level X50 in Ocean Blue, but these three paint colours are the limit. Going up one level to the
1.5T Executive
 variant unlocks the Jet Grey and Citric Orange paint options - the former a more modest, possibly more popular choice, while the latter appealing to those who want a little bit of vibrance in their lives. Orange is a colour that's slowly becoming common among Korean and Japanese manufacturers, as well as the occasional German marque too.

The last paint option of Passion Red only comes with either the top-spec 1.5T Premium model, or the full-fat
1.5 TGDi Flagship
 model which introduces the dual-tone paint job across all paint colours as well. The dual-tone paint scheme sees the roof and side mirrors being blacked out as contrast to the paint colours available, as well as helping this flagship model stand out.

So which paint colour would you choose? Let us know in the comments.


What if a Proton X30 was real and looked this sexy?

This car isn’t real nor is the background behind it but instead one created by car render expert
Theophilus Chin
, depicting a possible design for the Proton X30 that features Geely's latest SUV styling known as "Starburst Vision”.

The design language has been seen used in most prominently in their newest SUV models
such as the Boyue Cool and Boyue L
, largely suspected to be the basis for the next-generation Proton X70.

It would make sense for Proton to pursue a smaller SUV to sit under their current entry-crossover, the X50, given the success of the Ativa (despite it also being within the B-segment categorisation).

After its warm reception, other automakers like Honda are following suit and are trying to compete in the sub-B crossover market
in Malaysia with the WR-V
 set to launch as well the Creta from Hyundai coming even sooner to slot beneath the Kona in the Korean automaker’s local portfolio.

The trouble is the lack of a suitable existing donor model for an X30 with the closest equivalent being their Geely GX3 Pro. It certainly would sell well given the large market demand for such a car, especially if priced very sharply.

While Proton plots to strike at a new segment, Perodua is reported to be developing a new model codenamed D66B or the rumoured "Perodua Nexis", which is expected to be a more upscale SUV engineered for the Southeast Asian market unlike the globally available Daihatsu Rocky from which the Ativa is derived.

In reality, it’ll probably a good long while before Proton has the right ingredients to mount a real fight against the Ativa and the incoming WR-V given a sub-B contender isn’t really part of their near-term strategy.

With the imminent full launch of the X90, a 7-seat SUV and the largest model yet offered by Proton as well as the speculated introduction of a B-segment ‘S50’ sedan to follow shortly after based on the Geely Emgrand, they’ve already got their hands full.


2023 Honda BR-V lands In the Philippines - starting from RM87k

The second-gen Honda BR-V has just been introduced in the Philippines. The Pearl of the orient is the third country to receive the seven-seater compact MPV-styled SUV after Thailand and Indonesia.

Unlike
Indonesia
, the Philippines get four variants, which include a manual version. The range in the Philippines includes the S MT, S CVT, V CVT and VX CVT. They are priced between RM87k - RM111k.

Photo credit: Mobil123

Just like other SEA countries which have received the BR-V, they all come with Honda's versatile 1.5-litre naturally aspirated DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine that churns out
121PS
 and
145Nm
 of torque allied to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.

Unlike
Thailand
 however where all variants get Honda Sensing, only the range-topping VX CVT variant gets the full suite of safety systems, which gives the car collision mitigation braking (AEB), lane keep assist, automatic high beam, lead car departure notification, as well as adaptive cruise control.

Standard on all cars are LED headlights, multi-info instrument cluster display, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ABS, EBD, VSA, hill start assist, reverse camera and speed-dependant auto door lock, four airbags and speakers. The VX CVT adds another 2 airbags as well as speakers to its kit list.

Filipinos are also lucky, as the BR-V is offered in five different colours, but only the range-topping crossover will be made available with Honda's Premium Opal White Silver Pearl.

Prices of the BR-V have increased wherever it has been introduced, so we can expect the car to also be costlier when it arrives in Malaysia. Singapore or Malaysia could be next, but the question of when is still up in the air.


Lynk & Co 03 Launched, Racing Version Set To Debut At 2019 WTCR

Lynk & Co’s first-ever sedan was recently introduced at the Fuji Speedway in Japan. It's the first sedan to be introduced by Lynk & Co, a joint-venture between Geely Auto Group and Volvo Car Group.
Like the 01 and 02 SUV models, the new 03 sedan is built on Geely’s CMA platform. Power is derived from a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a similar configuration seen in recent Geely models, including the Binyue and Binrui. The other transmission option is a 6-speed manual, exclusive to the entry-level Lite variant.
According to Lynk & Co, the engine can be had in two states of tune. The entry-level Lite variants get 156 PS and 245 Nm, while every other variant gets 180 PS and 265 Nm.
The more powerful variant completes the century sprint in just 7.9 seconds, similar figures to the Geely Binyue.
The equipment list is also rather exhaustive, as the 03 can be had with these equipment, including:
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
LED headlights
LED front and rear fog lights
Harman Infinity 10 audio system
Built-in digital video recorder
Qi wireless charging
Wi-Fi hotspot
Built-in navigation
Prices start from CNY 116,800 (~RM 70,047) for the base 03 Lite, while the range-topping variant goes for CNY 151,800 (~RM 91,037). China will be the first market to receive the new sedan, and other markets will follow suit over the next couple of months.
CEO of Lynk & Co, Alain Visser said, “Premium, sensual and dynamic in spirit, the 03 exemplifies our bold ideas – it stands out from the crowd, has many surprising features and yet is unmistakably a Lynk & Co. Available this year, first in China, the biggest market for sedan-style cars, the 03 embodies the cultural metropolis’ Lynk & Co cars call home. An ‘always on’ connectivity platform, sharp look and environmental credentials allow all Lynk & Co users to explore more in style and with ultimate convenience.”
In addition to the regular road-going models, Lynk & Co also showcased its racing version, called the Lynk & Co Cyan Racing 03, set to compete in the 2019 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) championship.


MAA Slashes 2021 Total Industry Volume Forecast To 500k Cars

Malaysian Automotive Association has chosen to slash its Total Industry Volume (TIV) forecast for 2021 to 500,000 vehicles. This is especially apt given the state of limbo the automotive industry in Malaysia is enduring at the moment, with nearly all showrooms and vehicle production shut down.

Back in January, the MAA set a predicted annual volume of 570,000 vehicles in anticipation of a recovering automotive market following the industry disruption caused by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, spurred on by the
extended SST exemption period
 to incentivise new purchases.

However, that has now been cut down to a more conservative 500,000 units following the June 2021 new car sales figures having dropped by over 95 percent due to tightening restrictions.

“MAA has decided to revise our forecast for the TIV 2021 after considering many factors especially concerning an assumption on the government’s directive that automotive plants, distribution centres and sales showrooms would not be allowed to operate during Phase 1 and 2 and will only re-open in Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP),” the statement read.

Separately, during a virtual press conference last week, MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said: “Applications to obtain hire purchase (HP) loans as banks are now less stringent during this period of uncertainties as the number of HP loans requested had been reduced. Low HP interest rates will also be enticing to potential buyers now.”

This slowdown comes after
a promising start
 to the year in terms of vehicle sales with the first 6 months of 2021 seeing a TIV growth of 44% to 249,129 units from 173,545 units in the corresponding period of 2020.

This is also reflected in the Total Production Volume in the first half of 2021, which saw a proportionate increase of 45.1 percent (241,288 units) over the same period in 2020 (166,049 units).

As they are not listed as an essential economic activity, vehicle showrooms, used car dealers, and production facilities will have to wait until their respective localities are moved into Phase 3 under the National Recovery Plan before being allowed to resume operations.

Given much of the automotive market is concentrated in the Klang Valley, the rising number of daily infections in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur do not bode well for any near term re-opening, leading to many
outcries of concern
 addressed to the government, warning of seriously dire and longstanding consequences to the industry if the situation is left in the status quo.


Volkswagen Opens Order Books for the Arteon in Germany Just Two Days After its Global Debut

Just two days after
its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show
, pre-sales of the new Arteon started today in Germany.
Available to order and configure at launch is the 280 PS 2.0-litre TSI engine and a TDI biturbo diesel unit producing 240 PS. Both top versions are supplied as standard with a dual clutch gearbox (DSG) and 4Motion all-wheel drive.
According to Volkswagen, the Arteon will be offered a base version, as well as a gran turismo which will be available in two exclusive equipment lines: the 'Elegance' and 'R-Line'.
Based on the different orientations of these three equipment lines, the fastback model can be extensively personalised. The range of optional equipment includes features such as a panoramic tilt/slide sunroof, three-zone automatic air conditioning (Air Care Climatronic including air quality sensor and allergen filter), massage seats in front, heated steering wheel and two-tone nappa leather interior.
Further aspects that would be considered plus points include excellent rear legroom and luggage space of 563 to 1,557 litres. On the purely technical side, the new Volkswagen scores with front-wheel and all-wheel drive, plus digitalised displays and controls.
Further features include an Active Info Display (fully digital and programmable instruments), a head-up display and the new Discover Pro infotainment system with a 9.2-inch glass screen and gesture control.
It is also worth mentioning that the Arteon's innovative driver assistance and convenience systems, such as the latest generation Adaptive Cruise Control and the second generation Emergency Assist,  match its overall concept.
The prices for the Arteon (in Germany) for the 2.0 TSI and the 240 PS TDI start from € 49.325 and € 51.600 respectively.


Frankfurt 2017: Audi’s All About Autonomous Driving This Year

This year’s Frankfurt Motor Show all set to open its doors in just a couple of days and the stage has been set for all the participating manufacturers to strut their stuff.
And speaking of showing off their stuff, Audi has announced that it is going to showcase its autonomous driving technology in all its glory this year – in the forms of the new A8 and two concept cars which will also be demonstrating the brand’s AI technology.
The new A8, which is the world’s first volume-production car to be designed for conditional automated driving at level 3 in accordance with international standards, features the Audi AI traffic jam pilot which is capable of taking over the driving task in slow-moving traffic up to 60 km/h.
The system handles starting from a stop, accelerating, steering and braking in its lane, and if the driver has activated the traffic jam pilot at the AI button on the center console, they can take their foot off the accelerator and their hands off the steering wheel for longer periods.
And then we have two concepts that are much more advanced than the A8. The first is a two-door SUV (autonomous driving level 4) based on the Audi e-tron Sportback concept, which adopts Audi’s intelligent technologies which reduce the driver’s workload and open up many opportunities for spending time in the car pleasantly and usefully.
The SUV coupé, which uses Audi’s next-generation AI system, is actually capable of taking over the driving task at speeds up to 130 km/h and even change lane automatically.
Last but not the least, the second Audi concept car headed for the IAA, which is also the most advanced among the three, is a full-sized sedan (autonomous driving level 5) which offers its occupants entirely new freedoms where they no longer have to concentrate on road traffic. Designed primarily for long journeys, the concept is powered by four electric motors which give it and a range between 700 and 800 kilometers.
In case you're wondering what the different levels of autonomous driving mean:
Level 0: Driver controls everything.
Level 1: Most functions are still controlled by the driver but a specific function (like steering or accelerating) is controlled by the car.
Level 2: Driver is disengaged from physically operating the vehicle but must always be ready to take control of the vehicle.
Level 3: Drivers are still necessary in level 3 cars, but are able to completely shift "safety-critical functions" to the vehicle, under certain traffic or environmental conditions.
Level 4: Vehicles performs all safety-critical driving functions and monitors roadway conditions for an entire trip, but not under all conditions.
Level 5: Fully-autonomous system that expects the vehicle's performance to equal that of a human driver, in every driving scenario.
That being said, the folks from Ingolstadt will also be revealing the new RS4 Avant and a new rear-wheel-driven Audi Sport model in addition to the models mentioned above at this year's show.


Sewa Ambulans Swasta Untuk Rentas Negeri – Kantoi Di Sekatan Jalan Raya

Pelbagai taktik untuk
rentas negeri
 telah dibuat oleh segelintir rakyat Malaysia untuk pulang ke kampung halaman. Tetapi, pernahkah anda terfikir untuk menyewa
ambulans
 swasta bagi ‘melancarkan’ pergerakan rentas negeri?

Tidak dinafikan, orang Malaysia memang bijak-bijak belaka. Sentiasa mengambil kesempatan atas segala kekurangan dalam sistem untuk meloloskan diri. Dalam kes ini, seramai 4 warganegara tempatan sanggup menyewa ambulans swasta bernilai RM1,300 untuk merentas negeri.

Menurut Timbalan Ketua Polis Pahang, DCP Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, sekumpulan
anggota polis
 IPD Temerloh yang bertugas dalam Ops Covid telah menemui sebuah ambulans yang mencurigakan kerana mendapati ada ramai penumpang di bahagian belakang van tersebut.

Dengan bantuan petugas di SJR Kampung Tanjung Belenggu (Jalan Triang), pihak polis telah berjaya menahan ambulans tersebut kerana menimbulkan kecurigaan. Hasil pemeriksaan, polis mendapati terdapat 6 penumpang berada di dalam, terdiri daripada 2 individu bersama sepasang bayi kembar dan 2 kanak-kanak perempuan berusia 4 dan 5 tahun.

Setelah soal siasat dilakukan, polis mendapati bahawa mereka tidak mempunyai sebarang dokumen rawatan serta gagal menunjukkan
dokumen pergerakan yang sah
 untuk merentas negeri. Polis turut mendapati bahawa mereka telah menggunakan khidmat pemandu ambulans sewa itu untuk membawa penumpang bersama anak-anak serta ibunya pulang ke kampung halaman di Gemas, Negeri Sembilan.

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Difahamkan, pihak majikan ambulans terbabit pula hanya sekadar mengetahui pergerakan ambulans tersebut oleh kakitangannya untuk menghantar pesakit ke Gemas, Negeri Sembilan. Oleh itu, tangkapkan telah dibuat dan mereka telah dibawa ke IPD Temerloh atas kesalahan gagal menunjukkan sebarang dokumen pergerakan yang sah.

Menurut Ketua Polis Daerah Temerloh, Asisten Komisioner Mohd. Azhar Mohd. Yusof berkata, 4 individu, iaitu 2 penumpang wanita dan 2 lelaki yang merupakan pemandu dan pembantu pemandu ditahan untuk siasatan lanjut.

Namun kedua-dua wanita terbabit telah diberikan jaminan manakala dua suspek lelaki akan direman setelah ujian
COVID-19
 dilakukan. Tambahnya, kes ini disiasat mengikut Seksyen 270 Kanun Keseksaan dan Seksyen 22(b) Akta Pencegahan dan Pengawalan Penyakit Berjangkit 1988.

Jika anda tiada dokumen pergerakan yang sah untuk merentas negeri, anda dinasihatkan untuk duduk di rumah sahaja bagi mengelakkan daripada dikompaun oleh pihak berkuasa kerana melanggar perintah kerajaan.

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.

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5 Punca Penyaman Udara Kereta Mudah Rosak

Ada beberapa tabiat buruk yang harus dielakkan untuk
memelihara penyaman udara kereta
 anda agar tidak mudah rosak.

Penyaman udara atau aircond antara komponen kereta yang penting kepada kita, terutamanya ketika waktu panas terik. Berpeluh jugalah dalam kereta kalau aircond rosak kan.

Di sini kami kongsikan 5 punca penyaman udara kereta mudah rosak, sekiranya anda ada mengamalkan tabiat sebegini, harap jangan amalkan lagi yer.

1. Buka tingkap ketika penyaman udara dipasang

Antara kebiasaan yang sering kita buat adalah membuka tingkap kenderaan dalam tempoh yang lama, biarpun ketika itu aircond di dalam kereta dipasang. Membiarkan aircond terpasang dan dalam masa yang sama anda membuka tingkap, boleh menyebabkan pemampat atau
compressor
 terpaksa beroperasi lebih daripada biasa untuk mendapatkan suhu yang ideal dalam ruang kabin.

Jika kerap begini,
compressor

boleh menjadi terlalu panas dan gagal berfungsi
, seterusnya penyaman udara akan rosak.

2. Merokok atau vaping di dalam kereta

Jangan biasakan merokok atau menghisap rokok elektronik semasa berada di dalam kenderaan. Tidak kiralah sama ada tingkap tertutup atau terbuka, asap yang dihembus berisiko membawa debu ke bahagian penapis udara.

Ini akan menyebabkan pengaliran udara terganggu dan penapis jadi cepat kotor dengan debu daripada asap rokok tersebut.

Akibatnya, tahap kesejukan aircond dalam kenderaan anda menjadi tidak optimum. Kesannya boleh anda lihat apabila rasa sejuk semakin berkurangan dan lama-kelamaan anda perlu
selenggara aircond
 tersebut.

3. Matikan enjin tanpa tutup penyaman udara

Tidakan ini rasanya ramai yang buat (termasuk penulis) dan tidak sedar akan keburukannya. Sebelum matikan enjin, pastikan anda tutup aircond terlebih dahulu.

Jika tidak, semasa anda ingin menghidupkan enjin, aircond akan terus bekerja secara automatik. Anda perlu tahu bahawa bateri mudah terbeban untuk bekerja keras semasa enjin baru dihidupkan. Umpama terus berlari tanpa warm up dulu, bahaya tu!

Disebabkan prestasi bateri tidak optimum, arus elektrik yang terhasil akan menjadi kurang stabil sekali gus mempengaruhi komponen elektrik aircond kereta.

Kerosakan komponen elektrik seperti fius terbakar, wayar terputus dan sebagainya pula akan memberi impak pada fungsi
compressor
. Apabila
compressor
 rosak, maka terhasillah
udara panas dalam ruang kabin
.

4. Guna pewangi yang kurang sesuai

Ramai yang tidak tahu bahawa pewangi jenis gel boleh berubah kepada gas dan menjadi wap. Kalau tidak percaya, sila lihat pada kandungannya. Semakin lama, semakin berkurangan kan?

Gas atau wap pewangi ini akan memasuki bahagian penapis aircond. Apabila terkena suhu sejuk, wap itu boleh kembali semula kepada bentuk gel. Ini berisiko menghalang penapis dan evaporator atau koil penyejuk (
cooling coil
) dalam aircond, menjadi tersumbat akibat gel.

Sama seperti tabiat merokok dalam kereta, pewangi jenis gel yang tersumbat ini menyebabkan aircond terpaksa bekerja lebih kuat untuk menyejukkan ruang kabin kereta anda. Sebaiknya, gunalah pewangi daripada jenis cecair untuk mengelakkan aircond mudah rosak.

5. Kereta terlalu kotor

Jika anda membiarkan banyak sampah sarap dan pelbagai jenis kotoran bersepah di atas
dashboard
 mahupun di dalam kereta, ia bukan sahaja menyebabkan kenderaan anda nampak kotor, malah debu juga boleh berkumpul dan melekat secara berterusan.

Faktor ini boleh memberi kesan kepada aircond kerana debu dan habuk yang terhasil akan masuk dan keluar daripada penapis aircond, sekaligus membuatkan komponen menjadi kurang sejuk dan mudah rosak.

Selain itu, bau yang dihasilkan
aircond juga menjadi busuk
 kerana bau kekotoran tersebut.

Inilah beberapa tabiat buruk yang perlu dielakkan jika mahu penyaman udara kereta berfungsi baik dan tidak cepat rosak. Apabila sudah rosak, kos yang perlu dihabiskan untuk membaiki boleh menelan belanja ratusan hingga ribuan ringgit tau!

Jadi, beringat sebelum kena ya!


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches the 2023 EQS 500 4Matic CKD, their first locally assembled EV

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has just launched the 2023 EQS500 4Matic CKD, their first locally assembled electric vehicle in Malaysia.

The
launch and significant milestone
 were graced by Minister of International Trade and Industry YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz at Mercedes-Benz Production Plant in Pekan, Pahang.

Priced from RM648,888, the more powerful variant undercuts the pricing of the fully imported EQS 450+ by around RM50k.

Even though the EV is cheaper than the fully imported model, it comes with more features, including a more potent drivetrain system.

Compared to the EQS 450+
, the 500 4Matic variant generates up to 443hp and 855Nm of torque - which is about 114 hp and 287Nm more than its rear-wheel-drive sibling.

This allows the EV to complete the century sprint in 4.8 seconds, making it the fastest-accelerating EQS in the country. However, both variants' top speed is similar, maxing out at 210km/h.

Speaking of rear-wheel drive,
the EQS 500 4Matic
 is equipped with two electric motors, allowing it to have an all-wheel drive system. Completing the spec list is Mercedes' clever adjustable Airmatic air suspension with selective damping as well as rear-axle steering (rear-wheel steering).

The battery size of the EQS 500 is similar to the 107.8 kWh pack found on the EQS 450+, which means it trades off driving range for performance. Nonetheless, the EQS 500 can still achieve an impressive drive range of around 696 km based on the WLTP rating.

As the battery is the same size, the two variants' charging times are no different.

AC charging time 10%-100% SOC (11kW)

10 hrs

DC charging time 10%-80% SOC (200kW)

 31 min

Unlike the EQS 450+, which is kitted with an AMG exterior pack, the 500 comes with an Electric Art design, which gives the car more exterior chrome trims and new 20-inch five-spoke alloy rims.

Just like the 450+, the 500 is also equipped with the iconic EQ radiator grille, along with a panoramic sunroof, to make the cabin feel more spacious. Not to be left out, the luxury sedan also comes with sophisticated DIGITAL LIGHT headlights.

The cabin space in the 500 is also themed under the Electric Art design language, which gives it a luxurious feel as it is equipped with high-quality materials and carpentry. This can be seen through the finish on the dashboard, door panels and seats.

Everything else is similar to the EQS 450+, which means the 500 comes with Mercedes' impressive 64-colour ambient lighting and much talked about 56inch Hyperscreen, which consists of a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch OLED central touchscreen and another 12.3-inch OLED touchscreen all under one piece of glass.

Safety-wise, the luxury electric sedan comes with Driving Assistance Plus Package, which includes Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, extended automatic Re-start in traffic jams, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Steering Assist, Evasive manoeuvre support, PRE-SAFE® impulse side, and rear sensors for the lane departure assistant.

Sagree Sardien, CEO and President of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, said,
"
Mercedes-Benz has reached a new milestone with the rollout of its first locally-assembled electric vehicle EQS 500 4MATIC."

"This supports our global business strategy of offering our customers a comprehensive EQ range and contributing to a higher EV adoption in Malaysia."

As a company, we are committed to our sustainability vision and "Lead in Electric" by evolving our fleet of new passenger cars to be CO₂-neutral over the entire life cycle by 2039 to support our introduction of all-electric vehicles by the end of the decade, wherever market conditions allow."


You Have 2 Days To Settle Your Summonses, Says Police: Ops Warta Kicks Off Thursday

 This Thursday, the 27
th
 of August 2015, is D-Day for the return of Ops Warta, says Bukit Aman traffic chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff.
The top man from Bukit Aman says that the police will be back to its road-blocks and door-to-door nabbing of those with unsettled arrest warrants or unpaid summonses.
As reported by
The Star
, the police chief is quoted to say that, “In May this year, a total of 240,000 arrest warrants were settled of the 1.59 million outstanding warrants.
"Traffic police nationwide will begin tracing and arresting those who have yet to settle the 1.35 million arrest warrants. We will be conducting roadblocks and conducting door to door visits to trace and catch these hardcore traffic offenders.”
"Take advantage of the next two days to settle your summonses."
So then, you’ve been duly warned.
We respect the police chief’s decision to firmly lay down the law, but the fact that these road blocks and “kicking down of doors” will only take place in two days’ time, does that equally mean that errant motorist will be allowed to abuse road rules without concern for roadblocks over the next two days? Let’s hope not.


Ni Hsin obtains VTA approval for EV bikes in Malaysia

Ni Hsin EV Tech Sdn Bhd (NH EV Tech) has received the all-important VTA approval from
JPJ
 for its
EV bikes
 and offerings.

These two EV bikes under the Ebixon EV bikes are the TailG Bold and TailG Torq which will be sold and marketed under personal and commercial categories respectively starting in early 2023.

CKD operations in Seri Kembangan, Selangor

NH EV Tech already entered into an OEM agreement with Dongguan Tailing Motor Vehicle Co., Ltd. (TailG) to manufacture the Ebixon EV bikes in their
MITI-approved
 manufacturing and assembly facility located in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

TailG will handle the manufacturing and deliveries of components, software, and spare parts while NH EV Tech will take care of assembly, testing, quality control, as well as commission for these two EV bikes in the country starting in November 2022.

TailG in business in China since 2004

While this brand or company name might be new for a lot of folks, TailG has been in the business of R&D, manufacturing, sales, and service of new energy electric vehicles in China since 2004. Currently ranked in the top three spots in the Chinese market, TailG has over 7,000 exclusive shops located around the globe.

They also set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance by electric scooter (single charge) back in 2020. The record was set by the TailG Super Power series and the distance? A very impressive 656.8km.

As for the two offerings that'll make their way into the Malaysian market in 2023, they'll feature a
dual swappable battery system
 which is said to offer a range of up to 200km. These units can be easily charged at home or public charger and even swapped at designated battery stations.

50,000 units target in the next three years

According to Khoo Chee Kong, Managing Director of NH EV Tech, "Ebixon EV bikes are designed and developed to reach “near cost parity” with internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles in the Malaysian market, but at a running cost that’s up to 70% lower. Ebixon EV bikes are designed to suit the Malaysian and regional climate, road conditions, and ridership styles while ensuring quality, performance, comfort, handling efficiency, and lastly, affordability."

"We are targeting to sell 50,000 units of Ebixon EV bikes in Malaysia and ASEAN in the next three years. Demand for EV bikes in the region is expected to see explosive growth over the next three to 10 years, surpassing Europe and East Asia," added Khoo.


Volvo Continues To Expand Its Presence With New Setia Alam 3S Centre

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has opened its newest 3S centre in Setia Alam, Selangor with its newly appointed dealer, Motion Beyond.
With the addition of Volvo Setia Alam, VCM has 11 dealerships across the country with five servicing customers within the greater Klang Valley.
“Since we started the transformation plan, we have seen a tremendous upvote from our customers based on the surveys conducted. As a people-centric brand, this is an important indicator that we are heading in the right direction,” said Mr Lennart Stegland, the Managing Director of VCM.
Strategically located at the border between Shah Alam and Klang, Volvo Setia Alam adheres to the latest global showroom and service standards called Volvo Retail Experience (VRE).
Three service bays are complemented by a fully-equipped workshop area and awaiting customers can relax and enjoy refreshments at the comfortable ‘Livingroom’.
Mr Joshua Lee, Managing Director of Motion Beyond said at the launch event, “Both Klang and Shah Alam are matured townships with great market potential for luxury car brands. We are happy to be a part of Volvo Cars and we are confident that Volvo’s new model line-up will appeal to this demographic.”
Mr Lee has close to 15 years of experience within the automotive industry and a respected figure in Setia Alam.
Volvo Setia Alam is located at No. 5-1, Setia Avenue, Jalan Setia Prima S U13/S, Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam and opens from 9:00 am till 7:00 pm on Monday to Saturday, and from 10:00 am till 5:30 pm on Sundays and public holidays.
The service centre meanwhile is open from 9:00 am till 5:00 pm every day except Sundays and public holidays.


The Ora Good Cat Is Coming Soon To Malaysia - The Myvi Of The EV World?

The Ora Good Cat EV will be coming soon to Malaysia, maybe as early as June 2022, and if prices are anything to go by, this EV could be the people's EV.

The Ora Good Cat EV (a vehicle made by Ora, the EV division of the Chinese brand Great Wall Motors) has been spied testing in Malaysia since 2021. However, all the units previously seen were left-hand drive (LHD) versions of the adorable little electric vehicle,
imported directly from China
.

This has changed recently, because, at Go Auto's headquarters in Glenmarie, Shah Alam sits a right-hand drive (RHD) version of the car.

Apparently, there will be a soft launch for the car in the first week of June and so far
more than 100 people had placed a booking
 for the car and the number of interested buyers is growing by the day.

The Ora Good Cat for the Malaysian market is sourced
from Thailand
. It debuted there last November and is being sold between RM105k  - RM132k.

Malaysia will get three variants of the Good Cat EV:

Tech - 47.8-kWh battery, 400km range (NEDC)

Pro - 47.8-kWh battery, 400km range (NEDC)

Ultra - 63.1 kWh battery, 500km range (NEDC)

The Good Cat Tech and Pro variants come with a 47.8 kWh capacity battery, allowing them to travel as far as 400 km (NEDC cycle test). The battery supplies power to one electric motor, which drives the front wheels. The performance figures for the Tech and Pro variants are 143 PS and 210 Nm of torque. It also has a maximum speed of 152 km/h.

As for the Ultra variant, Ora has given it a larger capacity battery of 63.1 kWh, allowing it to travel as far as 500 km on a single full charge. Performance figures are still the same as the Tech and Pro, so it's just a case of giving the car more range.

All Ora Good Cat variants support a 6.6 kW AC charger via a Type 2 connector. It can also be charged with a DC fast charger up to 60 kW using the CCS2 connector, allowing 0-80% charge in just 45 minutes for the Tech and Pro variants and about an hour for the Ultra variant.

According to a source, all Good Cats purchased in Malaysia will come with a home charger, adding to its value for money status.

For now, there is still no indication of pricing, but if we base it on the Thai prices, the Good Cat EV should be the most affordable fully electric vehicle in Malaysia. Will the Ora Good Cat
be the Myvi of the EV World?


All-New Subaru WRX Races To 2021 Debut, Fire-Breathing 400PS STI To Follow In 2022

New leaked info straight from Japan reveal previously hidden details about the return of
Subaru’s performance four-door
. Some of them exciting, others potentially disappointing.

What was obvious over the past decade is the Japanese automaker’s clear pivot toward bolstering their range of SUVs at the expense of previous staples like the Impreza and Legacy. It paid off, of course, as Subaru can now boast of multiple strong sellers in many markets; a charge lead by the XV crossover and
Forester SUV
.

Now that that itch has been scratched, the company is now more freed up to pursue other distractions without quite as much financial pressure. In their line-up at the moment, and besides the high riding options, the most glaring absentee is the WRX, which was last introduced in 2014.

According to Japanese publication
Best Car
, Subaru is indeed in the closing stages of development for a new flagship performance model with a full debut poised for some time in 2021. Like before, it again will attempt to be a more independent model from the Impreza that its predecessors bore a close resemblance to - but this time, not just in name.

It’s pretty much confirmed at this point to be built upon the Subaru Global Platform, the modular architecture that also underpins the second-generation Levorg. This could mean that the new performance sedan will inherit many of the design and ergonomic interior cues from
the wagon
, which is already a huge upgrade over the last WRX in terms of tech, build, and safety, in addition to the
Viziv Performance concept from 2017
.

An 11.6-inch infotainment screen in portrait orientation will take centre stage with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster off to the side. Plenty of Alcantara will be present to offset the more luxurious feel of the leather upholstery and trim inserts, probably.

To little surprise, the report also reveals that it will be larger than its predecessor, a practice that’s become an incredibly common occurrence, measuring an additional 55mm in overall length with a 20mm longer wheelbase, 55mm wider, and 25mm lower than the previous WRX. That said, at least the car’s standard engine is equally upsized at 2.4-litres.

Based on the FA24 shared with the upcoming
second-generation BRZ
 (and Toyota 86), the WRX’s flat-four motor is appropriately turbocharged and to a much higher output than that found on even the current Subaru Ascent, Outback, or Legacy.

Some bespoke tuning has apparently extracted at least 285hp and 412Nm in the lower rung variants, which is a healthy 20hp and 60Nm increase. As usual, power is transmitted to all four wheels via Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system, but the disappointing part, as Best Car’s report goes, is that it again uses a Lineartronic CVT. How unexciting.

Those hoping that Subaru might have taken feedback from the previous version to heart might be upset to learn that their most common complaint was not addressed. Sadly, for those seeking an automatic WRX, the all-new car won’t be featuring a quick-shifting dual-clutch or a torque converter-type transmission. A 6-speed manual transmission will be offered in certain markets, though, so that’s some consolation, as is the inclusion of adaptive dampers across the range.

In rally-nutter STI spec, output from the WRX’s aforementioned 2.4-litre engine swells up to a much more intimidating 395hp while peak torque is quoted as being 490Nm, achieved through new high strength engine internals and a revised engine map, mated exclusively to a 6-speed manual. That’s a near 100hp advantage over the previous WRX STI. No acceleration or top speed figures have been put forward yet, but we imagine its sprint time to easily slip under 5 seconds to 100km/h.

The world will need to be a little more patient for this flagship variant as Subaru is apparently waiting for the standard spec WRX to first clear a path with its planned 2021 rollout, bumping the STI’s debut into 2022. Here’s hoping local distributors Motor Image Malaysia are just as eager as we are to see it in their showrooms, preferably with some gold wheels and a big rear wing.

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.

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Carlist.my.

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.


Tomica FK8 Honda Civic Type R Released In Malaysia

Perhaps one of the most highly-anticipated Tomica models have been released in Malaysia by official Tomica importer Litt Tak Sdn Bhd.

The Tomica version of the FK8-generation Honda Civic Type R was recently released in the Malaysian market, available in white or red with the latter being the ‘’First Release Limited Edition’ model.

Apart from the Civic Type R, the Honda N-Box and Yokohama City Fire Bureau Super Range Mobility Towing Work Vehicle have been released here.

One can purchase Tomica models from the Tomica Centre at Toys “R” Us outlets in:

Mid Valley Megamall

One Utama

Empire Shopping Gallery

IPC Ikano

Tebrau City Johor

Additionally, Tomica models can also be found at various Aeon, Isetan, and Parkson outlets nationwide. Last but not least, Litt Tak also has a Lazada e-store that buyers can browse through.


BMW Add G14 8 Series Convertible – Drop Top Elegance

BMW has pulled the covers off the all-new 8 Series Convertible, the second body style of the
new generation 8 Series
 that was introduced back in June 2018.
As the name suggests, the all-new 8 Series Convertible is a drop top version of the 8 Series, codenamed G14. At a touch of a button, the roof can open and close within 15 seconds, with speeds of up to 50 km/h. Customers can have their soft-top roof either in black or Anthracite Silver.
The soft top does eat into boot space, as the 8 Series Convertible’s boot space comes in at 350 litres, as opposed to the Coupe’s 420 litre boot space.
Also unique to the 8 Series Convertible are the wind deflector and soft top cover with domes and surround stitching, which aren’t available on the 8 Series Coupe.
Two variants were announced – the 840d xDrive and M850i xDrive. In the 840d xDrive, a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel inline-6 pumps out 320 hp and 680 Nm. As for the more potent M850i xDrive, power is derived from a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 that does 530 hp and 750 Nm.
The 840d xDrive completes the century sprint in 5.2 seconds, while the M850i xDrive shaves its 0-100 km/h time to just 3.9 seconds. Both cars have an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
BMW is also offering the M Sport package for the 840d xDrive, adding:
Front skirt with larger air intakes
Unique side and rear skirts
19-inch M alloy wheels
M Sport brakes
M leather steering wheel
M illuminated door sills
The M Sport package is also available for the M850i xDrive, which adds:
Front spoiler extension
20-inch M alloy wheels
High performance tires
M Sport brakes
Cerium Grey exterior trim
Stainless steel mesh design for interior trim strips
Illuminated door sills with model badge
The all-new 8 Series Convertible is expected to go on sale in selected markets from March 2019 onwards.


Proton Honours Malaysian Olympic Heroes

In appreciation of the achievements recorded by the Malaysian Olympic contingent at the recent Rio Olympic Games, DRB-HICOM and PROTON Holdings Bhd presented eight cars to the nation's heroes who succeeded in winning the medals for the country.
A
Proton Perdana
 was presented to Datuk Lee Chong Wei for his achievements as the most successful Malaysian Olympian in history with 3 silver medals. The Malaysian badminton ace has brought home three consecutive silver medals at the Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics respectively.
Other silver medallists include Pandelela Rinong and Cheong Jun Hoong (Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform diving), Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying (Badminton Mixed Doubles), and Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong (Badminton Men’s Doubles); were each presented with a Proton Suprima S 1.6L Turbo Premium.
Azizulhasni “The Pocket Rocket” Awang, the first Malaysian cyclist to win a medal at the Olympics, received the recently launched
Proton Persona
 for his bronze achievement.
Dato' Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM and Chairman of PROTON said, “In this auspicious month of Merdeka as well as in celebration of the forthcoming Malaysia Day, we are truly inspired by these Malaysians who fought for glory at the recent Rio 2016 Olympics. In appreciation of their sacrifices for the country, we are extremely honoured to present the national cars to our athletes to celebrate their achievements at the highest level such as the Olympics.”


2021 Porsche 911 Turbo (992) Is A Little Less Overkill

In a normal world, the Turbo comes first. Then the Turbo S. Not for Porsche and the new 911 non-S Turbo, though. Still a megabeast of a car, though.

In case you were confused, as I was, this is the 911
Turbo
, the latest in the 45-year line of very quick force-induction Porsches. Here, it’s derived from the 992-generation of Zuffenhausen’s iconic rear-engine sports car. But it
isn’t
 the
Turbo S
.

Why does the S come first? I’ve no clue. Porsche seems to want to inject some confusion among both their customers and the average car fan, for some reason, releasing the Turbo S some months back before the non-S ‘vanilla’ Turbo followed suit. Weird.

For the uninitiated, the Turbo S is just a slightly more powerful version of the 911 Turbo, albeit with  most of the optional extras ticked by default. But because of that, this car doesn’t bring anything to the table that’s even remotely surprising or new, unfortunately.

It still looks amazing (and poised and unique and....amazing), as does every version of the newest 911, and like before it serves to reinforce that grand touring and more luxurious aspects of the breed, pairing it with crushing speed and acceleration.

Some may have thought the stage-rushing 992 Turbo S was a little overkill with 650PS and 800Nm, so the non-S Turbo is here to mellow things out with a much more sensible 580PS and 750Nm thanks to a de-tuned version of that same 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six petrol engine hanging behind the rear axle. It's mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that drives all four wheels

Despite its milder flavour, it’s worth mentioning that this new version of the 911 Turbo (992) is roughly equivalent on paper to the Turbo S from the previous 991 generation, meaning the car is able to launch itself from standstill to 100km/h in a mind-altering 2.8 seconds. Top speed, meanwhile, is 320km/h - a little over the speed limit, yes.

However, like all other 911 Turbos that precede it, this newest car does not compromise creature comforts for performance. Then again, it isn’t one of Porsche’s more track-ready versions like the GT2 RS or GT3 (and GT3 RS).

It’s equipped with 14-way electrically adjustable heated leather seats, a 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, a premium Bose audio system, even Adaptive Cruise Control. Those things do mean the Turbo is a little on the heavier side.

Just in case you’re worried about those extra pounds, Porsche even offers the car with an optional Lightweight Design package that shaves off 30kg by, among others, removing the rear seats, stripping much of the sound insulation material, and replacing the front seats with lightweight full buckets.

To match the added lightness, Porsche also offers the 992 Turbo with either a standard chassis setup with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) or a more aggressive Sports package that adds stiffer suspension, a 10mm lower ride height, and a Sports Exhaust system.

Naturally, you could still go to town with the options list - just have your chequebook at the ready - by selecting things like the PCCB carbon ceramic brake package or the PDCC hydraulic anti-roll stabilisation. It can also be had as a convertible so you can have the top down while you eat up cross-continental miles.

Porsche is rolling out the earliest versions of this 911 Turbo in its home market of Germany first before catering to other markets. It should make its Asian (and Southeast Asian) debut either in late 2020 or early 2021, and we’ll have more on that as the news breaks.


Toyota Yaris Ativ coming to Malaysia in 2023 to wipe smile off City's face

The 2023 Toyota Vios might just be the car to propel Toyota to the top of the non-national B-Segment chart.

If you're looking to buy a B-segment sedan, perhaps you should wait a bit longer, as 2023 will see the arrival of the new Toyota Vios in Malaysia, a car which will surely give the Honda City some hot competition.

Called the Yaris Ativ in Thailand
, where it is built, the 4th-gen Toyota Vios utilises Daihatsu's New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, similarly used in popular and successful vehicles like the Perodua Ativa and Perodua Alza.

One of the best things about the 2023 Toyota Vios is its looks. It clearly steals some visual cues from its better-looking brothers, the Corolla and Camry, featuring prominent downward-facing hexagonal grille, slim swept-back headlights housing LED main beams and DRLs, 16-inch wheels, and a more coupe-like roofline.

While the rear of the car looks undeniably better than the current Vios, its taillights are controversially similar to the Honda City, which ironically has also been criticised for looking like the ones of the G20 BMW 3 Series.

To go along with its more upmarket exterior is a new upmarket interior, an area where the Vios has been criticised heavily in the past. The interior design is elegant and classy, and is also the first Vios to come with a digital instrument cluster, electric handbrake as well as ambient lighting. This atmosphere mood lighting can be adjusted to 64 shades.

The new Vios also comes with a new CVT transmission, said to deliver smoothness and good response when cruising and accelerating.

We're unsure whether we will be getting this new CVT transmission when it comes to Malaysia, as it's highly unlikely that we'll be getting the rather lifeless 1.2-litre 3NR-VE naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produces 94PS and 110Nm of torque.

Apparently, this engine was kitted out with Thai spec Vios to comply with the country's Eco Car regulations and the cheaper petrol available at pumps with 20% Ethanol (E20).

The good news is that the Vios In Malaysia will probably come with the 1.5-litre 2NR-VE four-cylinder with 107PS and 140Nm torque, carried over from the current model.

Only the Smart and Premium variants in Thailand gain active safety from Toyota's Safety Sense suite,  which includes advanced safety features such as:

Pre-Collision (AEB)

Lane Departure Alert

Front Departure Alert

Pedal Mis-operation Control

Blind Spot Monitoring (Premium variant)

Automatic High Beam (Premium variant)

Rear Cross Traffic Alert (Premium variant)

The Toyota Yari Ativ is priced from 539,000 baht(RM69k) and goes all the way up to 689,000 baht (RM88k).

Will the 2023 Toyota Vios be the new non-national B-Segment king? Only time will tell, but looking at the design, specs and value proposition, it's got everything it needs to have to be a popular model.


You Can Play Mario Kart In This All-New Mercedes-Benz CLA

At Mercedes-Benz’s booth at the 2019 Mobile World Congress, they showcase the all-new CLA with a twist – it plays Mario Kart.
No, really.
The engineers at the Daimler Research Group took three weeks to adapt a version of Mario Kart called SuperTuxKart, an open-sourced version of the popular game to run on the MBUX system of the all-new CLA.
The game is displayed on the screen on the right side of the driver, as it is a left-hand drive model. Drivers can control the game using the CLA’s steering wheel and pedals. In addition to that, the CLA’s ambient lighting syncs with the signals in the game, and the seat belts will tighten when the driver crashes. The coolest bit is perhaps the air-conditioning that blows cool air to match your in-game speed.
Considering that the project is not an official release, minor bugs were discovered – the game’s framerates were less-than-ideal and the seat belt integration was not working.
All of these were made possible as the new CLA features similar hardware as the Nintendo Switch – both of them feature hardware from nVidia. Without getting into the nitty gritty details, the hardware found in the CLA features a more powerful chipset than the Switch (Tegra X1 vs Tega X2).
According to
The Verge
, Sascha Pallenberg, Head Of Digital Transformation at Daimler said that the CLA is the “world’s fastest Nintendo Switch”. Pretty cool comparison, we must say.
Photo credit:
The Verge
,
MB Passion


Ford Ranger Club Owners Go On An Adventure Through Sarawak

Car club activities are always interesting to read up on, but it's the pickup truck clubs that are the most exciting - especially in East Malaysia. Many groups have taken it upon themselves to combine their get-togethers with a bit of community service, as is the case with the 4X4 Sarawak Jamboree - the largest annual Ford Ranger annual gathering in Sarawak.
This year's adventure saw the owners travel from Sibu to Kapit over the course of four days, in a convoy of 175 vehicles. Newly tarred roads and newly opened pathways allowed for the journey, which would have involved a river crossing just two years ago. Along the way, the owners made visits to Iban tribes in Kanowit, Song, and Kapit.
Immersing one's self in native culture is always a great experience, and the owners in turned helped out with cleaning up Kanowit town. The timber tracks traversed had been abandoned for two years, which called for a bit of ingenuity and an understanding of off-roading. Small tributary crossings on flimsy timbre bridges were also required, adding to the thrill of adventure.
Beyond the trekking, owners had a chance to hunt and fish, as well as partake in barbeques and spend hours by the campfire. This helped to foster a stronger relationship between the owners, and truly encapsulated the 'Ranger Lifestyle' - that is, to have a safe comfortable ride for the everyday, but also having something tough and capable when necessary.


Honda Reveals HR-V Sport With 1.5-Litre VTEC Turbo Engine In UK

Honda UK has revealed details of the new HR-V Sport, a specific grade for the revised 2019 model equipped with the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo petrol engine as well as upgrades to the chassis and suspension.
Upgrades to the exterior design include a redesigned version of Honda’s 'Solid Wing Face’ graphic, with a high-gloss black chrome panel that replaces the darkened chrome of the standard 2019 HR-V. An exclusive black honeycomb finish is also applied to the front grille garnish, which carries over into the fog light surrounds.
LED headlights come as standard and incorporate high and low beams, LED indicators and LED daytime running lights.
At the rear, a black chrome garnish across the tailgate mirrors the trim at the front, while the tail lights are enhanced with a dark ‘smoked’ effect and black inner bars as the standard 2019 HR-V.
Other key exterior features include a slim front splitter, side skirts, plus wheel arch mouldings and a more aggressive rear bumper – all finished in black.
The Sport trim also includes black door mirror caps, dual exhaust pipes and 18-inch alloy wheels in a unique design.
Inside, there are unique new red-and-black combi seats, providing enhanced support in the seat cushion and back rest.
Under the hood, the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine in the HR-V Sport, which was first seen in the latest generation Honda Civic, is offered with a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT transmission depending on market.
When coupled with the manual transmission, the powertrain produces 182 PS and 240 Nm of torque. With the CVT, output remains the same but torque figure stands at 220 Nm.
As part of a package that aims to deliver an optimised balance of body rigidity, suspension control and steering feel, the HR-V Sport is equipped with bespoke 'Performance Damper' technology.
The damper system is integrated at the front and rear of the car and works by counteracting the relative lateral and torsional movement through the chassis. It keeps the car flatter through corners, enhances stability during sudden lane changes, and reduces vibration over uneven roads.
The steering set-up is unique to the model, employing a variable ratio electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion system, which is complemented by Honda's Agile Handling Assist technology.
It delivers a steady response at on-centre and near-centre steering angles, and a smoother response at off-centre steering angles.
That being said, production of the 2019 model year Honda HR-V Sport is set to start in December 2018.


Taping It Shut - Lim Guan Eng Arrived At Istana Negara In This Proton Perdana

A faulty rear door on a rented Proton Perdana Executive that could not be shut closed forced Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to hold the door closed with his hands throughout his 50 minute drive from Subang Airport to Istana Negara.
In two separate posts on Twitter, Lim said that the Perdana was rented by the Penang state government from Jabatan Kerja Raya (Public Works Department) Kuala Lumpur. He posted pictures of the Perdana Executive, bearing registration number XXX IDB 44, with its rear-left passenger door taped shut.
JKR KL's Proton Executive car rented by Pg state gov has defective door.Went 2the Palace pasted up like this.Hope 4 a safer JKR car nxt time
pic.twitter.com/ino42yRbuj
— Lim Guan Eng (@cmlimguaneng)
February 22, 2017

All Proton car owners pls chk yr car door. My official JKR KL car door at the back passenger seat cld not close.Had 2hold it with my hand!
pic.twitter.com/h0DA1Q1UOg
— Lim Guan Eng (@cmlimguaneng)
February 22, 2017
Before you hit out at Proton, we need to mention that many of the Protons owned by the government are not maintained by Proton, but by a third-party organization given the contract to maintain the government’s fleet.
This is not the first time the government’s fleet of first generation Proton Perdana cars have been in the limelight for the wrong reasons.
Back in 2008, the Perdana was put in a spotlight when two state governments – Terengganu and Penang - switched their fleet cars from Proton Perdana to Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Toyota Camry respectively, arguing that the Perdanas were too expensive to maintain, with several government officials complaining that the cars broke down frequently, while one Exco member reported that his Perdana’s bonnet flew open while driving.
Checks by Proton revealed that none of these cars were maintained by Proton, and some of them have unauthorized after-market parts installed on them. There were also cases of the government being billed for repairs made to under warranty cars when Proton could have done it for free.


The Mercedes-AMG E63S Estate Is The Fastest Wagon On The Nurburgring

Of all the performance car sub-genres that exist, perhaps the coolest are the fast wagons. Cars like the Volvo 850R, the Audi RS6 Avant, and the Subaru Legacy S402 come to mind, although to the average car buyer it may seem peculiar that enthusiasts are interested in wagons. The appeal can be broken down into fairly simple terms: they're cars that can fit your family and luggage, but are quite nearly as fast as regular performance cars. The juxtaposition and sleeper status that comes with fast wagons is highly sought after.
Mercedes-AMG has managed to set a record with their latest E63S 4MATIC+ Estate. It's the wagon version of the E63S that
we tested late last year
 and was
launched locally just a while back
. Where is this record, you ask? Well, none other than the Nurburgring Nordschleife- where quite nearly every manufacturer gets into a pissing contest with their performance cars. It just so happens that with a lap time of 7:45.19, this fast wagon sits at the top of the wagon heap. The test was carried out by "sport auto" magazine, which is known for pushing various performance cars around the hallowed track.
For those unfamiliar with the E63S 4MATIC+ Estate, let's list some numbers. It packs a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 pushing a whopping 612 hp to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic gearbox. The century sprint takes just 3.5 seconds from a standstill, which also makes it the fastest in its class. So potent is its performance that it can match full-on sports cars in sheer speed on the track, despite the additional weight.
As a wagon, it has a massive 640 litres of boot space with the seats folded up, which is almost double what a Honda Jazz packs. With the seats down, this goes up to 1820 litres of space. Suffice to say, the E63S 4MATIC+ Estate is an ideal all-in-one car for the discerning car enthusiast with a family to haul around when not attacking corners on a mountain pass or ripping up the tarmac on a local circuit.


Tesla Buys More And More Lithium In China

With this deal,
Tesla
 has procured up to 88,000 tonnes of Lithium Hydroxide.

News has come out of China that Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group Co Ltd has signed a deal to supply battery-grade lithium to U.S. electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla Inc for the next five years.

Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group said that its subsidiary, Yaan Lithium, has signed a deal with Tesla at $630-$880 million over 2021 to 2025, as confirmed by the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Apparently, according to an analyst from Daiwa Capital Markets, the total lithium hydroxide procurement comes to around 63,000-88,000 tonnes.

Tesla earlier this year had already sourced lithium from China's Ganfeng Lithium, one of the world's biggest producers of the commodity.

The Yahua deal underscores Tesla's
"huge demand"
 for battery-grade lithium hydroxide, "particularly given the ramping-up of Model Y production" in Shanghai, the Daiwa analysts wrote in a note.

It appears the demand for Tesla's Model Y has exceeded expectations, as last month, the American EV manufacturer secured permission to start selling the
Model Y
 sports utility vehicle in China.


iCarData: The Best Time To Buy/Sell A (P2-30A) Proton Iriz 1.6L (AT) Premium

We take a look at the resale value of the Proton Iriz 1.6L compact hatchback.

Prior to the launch of the Proton Iriz in 2014, a select group of journalists (me being one of them) were given a rare opportunity to sample pre-production units. This was the first time members of the public had ever laid eyes on the highly anticipated car, much less sit in it and touch it – roughly a month before its launch.

Despite the roughly RM500 million in development costs, and the very good product they had come up with, the look on the faces on everyone from Proton was pensive, maybe even a little unsure. Needless, to say there was a lot riding on this little car.

The Proton Iriz is quite possibly the most important car of a generation for the company, a car that would reignite a spark within the company, and the car that would take on the might of the absolute bestselling car in Malaysia, the Perodua Myvi.

Moreover, in a time before the financial backing of Geely, a dated model lineup (at the time), and lacklustre sales for nearly a decade – if the Iriz had flopped, it would have signaled far worse things for Proton.

However, with 6 years under its belt, the Iriz has performed superbly in the market, it has won the hearts and minds of many owners, and while it still has not outperformed the Myvi in terms of sales, it has more than cemented its status as a potent challenger and continues to grow.

In addition, with the introduction of the
facelift model last year
, Proton has upped the ante in terms of design, equipment, driving performance (here the Myvi is no contest), safety, and connectivity – the Iriz is poised to continue to hassle the Myvi for the foreseeable future.

This gives us a time to look back at the Iriz models from a few years back and see just how they fared in terms of value retention over the years.

We do this using our in-house developed
iCarData
 data tracking system. It collates prices from thousands of used vehicle deals that have been listed on Carlist.my through the years.

Check out some of our other iCarData features on popular models such as the
Toyota Vios
, and also our report on the Iriz’s former rival, the
Perodua Myvi, “Lagi Best”
.

Overview

Launched in the tail end of 2014, the Iriz, was envisioned as a B-segment hatchback Proton could market globally. Given its trendy hatchback style, generous interior space, and competitive safety architecture - it, in theory, could have done battle with the Myvi here, and a variety of competitors in other markets with cars such as the Volkswagen Polo and Honda Jazz.

However, the Iriz has had little success outside of Malaysia (Indonesia being the only other market).

Proton employed Hot-Press Forming to strengthen the bodyshell, offered Electronic Stability Control as standard across the range, and boasted better interior space than the Myvi. Infotainment and equipment were up to scratch, as was the overall build quality.

Two powertrains were offered (and still are) at the offset – the 1.3L (94 hp/120 Nm) and 1.6L (107hp/150 Nm) mated to either a 5-speed manual or CVT-type automatic sending power to the front wheels.

Here’s a snapshot of the Proton Iriz in the Malaysian market:

September 2014: Iriz officially introduced. 8 variants at launch, priced between RM43k for the 1.3L ‘Standard’ (MT/solid colour) to the RM59k for the 1.6L ‘Premium’ (AT/metallic).

May 2015: Proton offers 7-year extended warranty for a limited time on the Saga, Iriz, Preve, Suprima S and Exora models.

November 2016: Proton Iriz ‘Design Series’ introduced, limited run with additional decal graphics, offered on the 1.3L CVT Standard and Premium variants only.

June 2017: Updated Iriz launched. Range trimmed to four variants 1.3L Standard MT, 1.3L Standard CVT, 1.3L Executive CVT, 1.6L Premium CVT. Updates include better NVH components, sound insulation and updated interior equipment. Engine and auto transmission tuned for better response.

February 2019: Proton Iriz facelift launched. Design updates to the front and rear, new 15-inch wheels (depending on variant), new multi-info display for the instrument cluster, new infotainment with ‘Hi Proton’ voice-activated commands, Premium variant gets some interior bits from the X70. One variant added, 1.6L Executive CVT, initially discontinued during the 2017 update.

The model in review is the top-spec Iriz 1.6L Premium CVT, which carried a near RM16k premium over the cheapest Iriz variant, offered competitive features to its closest rival, the (M600) Myvi 1.5L Advance at slightly lower prices. This made it a popular model of the Iriz range with young urbanites and second-car customers looking for premium features on a budget.

Among the highlights of the 1.6L Premium variant were leather seats, six-airbags, Keyless entry and start, powered-folding door mirrors, and Daytime Running Lights (DRLs).

Specifications of the 2014 (P2-30A) Proton Iriz 1.6L Premium (AT):

Engine: 1.6-litre Campro, naturally-aspirated, inline-four, Petrol

Power: 107 hp @ 5,750 rpm

Torque: 150 Nm @ 4,400 rpm

Transmission: CVT-type automatic, front-wheel drive

Safety: Six airbags, Stability Control, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Hill-Hold Assist, ISOFIX

Origin: Locally Assembled in Tanjung Malim, Selangor.

Price: RM58,268 – Sept 2014 launch (OTR excluding insurance)

We have taken into account the following to keep our numbers accurate and representative:

Vehicle variant: (P2-30A) Proton Iriz (AT), metallic paint, delivered between Oct and Dec 2014.

Depreciation is calculated using the original list price.

Depreciation percentage does not take into account special/ seasonal offers or rebates on the original selling price.

Depreciation for other variants may differ, in particular the 1.3L and manual transmission variants.

Based on iCarData, here is the summarized data for depreciation:

And the graphical analysis below:

Blue line: Average selling price (RM) by year

Grey line: Cumulative depreciation (RM) by year

Orange line: Retained value percentage by year

Conclusion

From the data, we observe two periods with high rates of depreciation; the second and third years respectively, with each year subtracting nearly 10 percent of the car's value year-on-year.

While this can be attributed to competitor product launches (such as the 2015 Perodua Myvi), the first-year depreciation of the Iriz is actually better than that of the Myvi 'Lagi Best' which drops approximately RM11k in the first year.

This could be a sign of steady demand, and also continued interest in the car after its launch.

With that said, the Iriz, however, does criss-cross the threshold between retained value and cumulative depreciation within the fifth year of ownership, this is something that doesn't happen with the Myvi meaning that the Myvi's resale value does hold steadier as it gets older on the backs of strong demand both in the new and used car markets.

The fourth and fifth year depreciation of the Iriz does steady, much like the Myvi, but the sharper decline in the second and third years respectively, has done considerable harm to its overall value by now.

The data shows that existing owners can choose to sell their Iriz in the fifth year of ownership if they wish to retain as much value, as has been lost by depreciation, at around 50 percent. Any longer and they stand to retain less value for their following purchase.

Inversely, the fifth year represents the best time for a used buyer to snap up the Iriz, as the vehicle passes this threshold and selling prices dip below half of that of a new car.

This, however, means that the manufacturer warranty would be elapsed, so buyers should be careful with selecting a vehicle with proper service history and good physical condition.

Also, a well-maintained Iriz should offer a fair ownership experience, so a four- or five-year old example should still fit the bill.

For some great deals on the Proton Iriz, click
here
.

If you're looking to sell your Proton Iriz, we have two solutions for you too. List in on carlist.my or better still use
Carlist Bid
 where we remove all the hassle of selling your car for you as you get searching for your next upgrade.

Read also:
2015 Perodua Myvi 1.5 Advance vs 2014 Proton Iriz 1.6 CVT Premium

Which make/ model would you like us to research next? Let us know in the comments.


Apa Itu Kereta Klon? – Cara Elak Daripada Terbeli Kereta Klon

Rambang mata dengan lambakan
kereta mewah
 dengan harga murah yang tidak masuk akal? Hati-hatilah kerana kereta tersebut mungkin adalah kereta klon.

Menurut
JPJ
, kenderaan klon didefinisikan sebagai mana-mana kenderaan motor yang digunakan di atas jalan raya atau mana-mana premis yang menyerupai kenderaan motor yang asal (berdaftar) dari segi jenis, buatan, model dan nombor pendaftaran.

Contohnya, sindiket akan meniru sesebuah kenderaan asli di negara ini berdasarkan model, warna serta nombor pendaftaran untuk diklonkan pada kereta yang sama dari segi model serta warna. Kenderaan klon terbabit kemudiannya akan dijual jauh daripada lokasi kenderaan asal tersebut bagi mengelakkan kebarangkalian kedua-dua kereta ini untuk bertemu.

Kalau nombor pendaftaran pun tiru kereta asal, bagaimana pula dengan
cukai jalan
? Kereta klon ini akan menggunakan sama ada cukai jalan yang dipalsukan atau salinan cukai jalan kenderaan asal. Perbuatan tersebut boleh menyebabkan pemilik kenderaan asal menerima pelbagai surat
saman
 di lokasi yang mencurigakan. Malah mungkin juga di tempat yang langsung tidak pernah dikunjungi pemilik tersebut.

Jika anda menerima saman seperti itu, segeralah laporkan di balai polis terdekat kerana kereta anda mungkin telah diklonkan. Berdasarkan statistik sahaja, dari tahun 2016 hingga Mac 2021, sebanyak 314 buah kenderaan klon berjaya diberkas oleh pihak berkuasa. Macam mana kes kereta klon ini boleh terus berlaku?

Kereta klon yang dibawa masuk ke Malaysia akan dijual dalam harga yang jauh lebih rendah berbanding harga semasa kereta terbabit. Bila dah nampak kereta mewah dengan
harga mampu milik
, ada yang mula tidak keruan. Sebab itulah kereta klon ini masih menerima permintaan di negara ini.

Kes ini juga terus berlaku kerana ada pemilik yang memilih untuk bersekongkol dengan sindiket. Gelap mata dengan tawaran wang ringgit yang diterima, ada sesetengah pemilik yang dengan rela hati memberi kebenaran kepada sindiket untuk menduakan (duplicate) kereta milik mereka.

*Kredit foto: Sinar Harian

Namun berdasarkan JPJ Selangor, ada juga kereta klon yang hadir dengan cukai jalan asli. Caranya, pemilik kenderaan asal yang bersekongkol dengan sindiket akan hadir ke JPJ dengan mendakwa bahawa cukai jalan miliknya telah hilang atau rosak. Pemilik kemudiannya akan menerima cukai jalan baharu dan akan diserahkan kepada sindiket untuk digunakan ke atas kereta klon. Bezanya, harga kereta klon yang hadir bersama cukai jalan asli ini ditawarkan dengan harga yang lebih tinggi.

Sindiket kereta klon ini juga berkebolehan untuk menghasilkan cukai jalan palsu yang seakan-akan sama dengan cukai jalan asli menggunakan teknologi canggih. Namun ada pemilik yang kantoi kerana setelah hadir sehingga 3 kali untuk memohon cukai jalan baharu. Ada juga yang kantoi sebab cuba nak hidupkan semula cukai jalan kereta yang telah terlibat dalam
kemalangan
 dan dikategorikan sebagai
total lost
.

Kereta klon ini majoritinya datang dari Singapura kerana di sana, kereta yang berusia lebih dari 10 tahun perlu dilupuskan. Sebaliknya, kenderaan tersebut akan dibawa masuk ke Malaysia untuk dijual kepada pembeli yang berminat.

Jika anda ditawarkan sebuah kereta mewah dengan harga rendah yang tidak masuk akal, elakkan kereta tersebut kerana ia mungkin kereta klon. Sindiket biasanya menjanjikan pelbagai keistimewaan untuk menarik minat pembeli seperti menguruskan proses tukar nama kenderaan. Sebagai pembeli, penting untuk anda tahu di mana lokasi kenderaan itu dihantar untuk pemeriksaan kerana segala pemeriksaan kenderaan bagi urusan penukaran hak milik perlu melalui proses di
Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Berkomputer (Puspakom).

Jika anda terbeli kereta klon, anda berisiko untuk didakwa atas kesalahan memiliki kereta yang tidak berdaftar dan boleh didenda tidak lebih RM2,000. Bukan itu sahaja, anda juga boleh didakwa kerana menggunakan nombor pendaftaran palsu yang membawa hukuman denda tidak kurang daripada RM5,000 dan tidak melebihi RM20,000, atau penjara tidak kurang dan tidak melebihi lima tahun jika disabitkan kesalahan.

Tak cukup dengan itu, pemilik kereta klon tanpa insurans sah juga boleh didakwa dan jika disabitkan bersalah, anda boleh didenda tidak melebihi RM1,000 atau penjara tidak melebihi 3 bulan atau kedua-duanya sekali.

Cara Nak Elak Daripada Tertipu Dengan Sindiket

Semak dan banding harga semasa model yang mahu dibeli di
carlist.my
. Jika harga yang ditawarkan jauh berbeza dengan harga pasaran semasa, elakkan.

Periksa dan pastikan Nombor Pengenalan Kenderaan atau Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) yang tercatat dalam dokumen sama dengan nombor yang ada pada kereta tersebut.

Teliti dokumen kenderaan tersebut terlebih dahulu dan tidak perlu terburu-buru. Bawa dokumen tersebut ke JPJ bagi tujuan semakan lanjut jika terdapat keraguan terhadap status kereta terbabit.

Elakkan urusan tunai kerana ia sukar untuk dikesan pihak berkuasa.

Kalau malas nak periksa semua itu, guna je
Carlist Qualified
 sebab semua kereta di situ telah diperiksa oleh pemeriksa bertauliah dan hadir dengan waranti selama 6-12 bulan!


Peugeot Unveils All-New 2008, Full EV Variant

The compact crossover segment is one of the most hotly contested markets for manufacturers, and much of the effort that goes into developing new models is focused in this area. As such, keeping models fresh and relevant is more important than ever - and some companies are blessed with the right kind of timing to introduce a second generation. The all-new Peugeot 2008 sits on an all-new platform and features a vastly improved interior among many other standout features that will propel it to the top of its class.
For one, this new model has an all-electric variant known as the e-2008, which packs an electric motor pushing 136 hp and 260 Nm of torque, fed by a 50 kWh battery that provides a range of up to 310 km, according to the WLTP testing standards. This is important as companies are struggling to keep up with the European Union's insane carbon emissions targets, and an all-electric model definitely helps to that end.
As for the other variants, there are the turbocharged PureTech 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol models with outputs from 100 hp to 155 hp depending on the state of tune, along with the BlueHDI 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesels that push out between 100 and 130 hp. Both engines come with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic gearbox depending on the variant, and styling and trim levels see various changes depending on the powertrain as well.
When it comes to the trim levels, there are four: Allure, Active, GT Line and GT - available across all variants, regardless of whether they're packing a petrol engine, a diesel engine, or an electric motor. Only the GT Line and GT models see the most aggressive styling, with 18-inch wheelsm full-LED projector headlights, and a slightly darker interior package that also includes mood lighting for a more youthful appeal.
As is the case with most compact crossovers, Peugeot seeks to break the monotony of boring interiors - although this move is becoming a little cliche. The exterior colours are vibrant as you would expect, but the interior also comes with either Orange or Blue tampo printing door decor, light blue or deep green upholstery, as well as Alcantara, leather, and technical mesh material choices. Higher end models can even change the colour of various decoration pieces around the interior via the touchscreen.
And that touch screen is certainly something. It's massive at 10-inches diagonally and located right in the middle of the dashboard, a nice complement to the Peugeot i-Cockpit 3D system that projects the instrument cluster like a hologram. Indications and warnings are dynamic and change in size and position to grab your attention, in turn reducing reaction times. The rest of the dashboard layout follows the most current Peugeot standards, which is a good thing. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink are all present - to the benefit of the technologically inclined.
Assistance systems are available as expected. Semi-autonomous driving is the name of the game, with functions like Lane Departure Avoidance and adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function if you pick a model with the 8-speed automatic. Park Assist helps drivers get into their parking spots quickly and easily, as well as getting them out. Active blind spot monitoring as well as various warnings for lane departure or brake recommendations (i.e. low-key City Safety) also aid drivers in making it through traffic in one piece.
There's no word on when the 2008 will be hitting our shores, but knowing Peugeot's standing locally, we won't have to wait too long. The current generation 2008 that's offered locally is in dire need of an update to go toe-to-toe with revived and revised rivals, and this all-new model fulfils that requirement exactly.


Toyota’s New Store At The Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Has More Than Cars On Hand

Toyota
 has taken the opportunity to showcase some of its latest models by setting up a newly opened bespoke store in the one of the largest outlet malls in Southeast Asia, the recently launched Mitsui Outlet Park in Sepang.

This ‘store within a mall’ concept represents a new leaf for Toyota to better interact with their customers and fans by increasingly blending the brand into people’s everyday lives. It helps the marque engage at a more emotional level, in a relaxed and premium environment.

Showrooms are limited in the way the transaction is handled, overall. But with this new retail store setup, Toyota is allowed more breathing room to make the experience more suited to each customer, walk-in guest, or sales prospect.

As well, the store also has on offer TRD merchandise to keep with its ‘Garage and Motorsports’ theme.

Of course, there will be the selection of
Toyota Vios
,
Camry
, and
Hilux
 up on showcase, but for a limited period shoppers will have a chance to view a racing
Toyota 86
 which will also be part of the exhibit. The race tuned circuit stormer competed in last year’s Merdeka Endurance Race and will be racing in the Malaysia Championship Series 2015.

Speaking at the opening of the Toyota store at the Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang, Datuk Ismet Suki, President of UMW Toyota Motor said, “We congratulate Mitsui Outlet Park on the opening of their first outlet mall in Malaysia. Like Toyota, Mitsui Fudosan is a leader in its field and shares the same core values of striving to meet the needs of our customers.”

He also said, “Our presence in one of Southeast Asia’s largest outlet malls represents a new approach to better engage with our customers as we strive to maintain our No.1 position in the J.D Power Sales Satisfaction Index.”

The Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang is a joint venture between Malaysia Airports Holdings and Japan’s leading outlet mall operator Mitsui Fusodan. Their complexes offers many genuine upper-middle and high-end branded goods at low prices. The outlet mall here was officially opened on 29
th
 July 2015, but had a soft opening in June.


50 Years AMG: Oliver Weidenmüller - The High-Flying Engine Builder

The heart and soul of every high performance vehicle by Mercedes-AMG is its engine. Every working day, AMG’s cherished engine builders clock in for duty at three different locations across Germany – Affalterbach, Mannheim, and Kolleda - to painstakingly hand-assemble each engine that goes into every Mercedes-AMG vehicle.
The ‘One Man One Engine’ philosophy is more than just a marketing tagline for Mercedes-AMG; it is a statement of passion by the company that harks back to the spirit of its maverick founders –
Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher
 – two former Daimler engineers who invested their own time and passion to build Mercedes race engines even after the factory itself withdrew from racing.
Every day, AMG’s engine builders channel that same passion that had motivated the company’s founding fathers half a century earlier, in the process producing some of the finest engines ever to have graced any automobile.
Whilst AMG is commonly regarded as a tuner for high-performance Mercedes engines, it is, in reality, the lead developer of V8 engines for Daimler AG. It’s a subtle difference in words, but in practice, it means AMG actually designs and builds engines from scratch as opposed to merely fiddle with existing powertrains.
The most famous of AMG’s three facilities, Affalterbach, houses 1,500 employees, including personnel in the design studio, maintenance shop, prototyping, and, of course, the hallowed engine builders – the men and women whose signatures adorn the top of every Mercedes-AMG powertrain; and who put their sweat, blood, and tears when crafting these engines by their hands.
“You’ll never have this somewhere else. No other companies do this ‘one man one engine’ system. It makes some people proud to work on these engines, because you get a special feeling for the engine,” says Oliver Weidenmüller, one of the privileged few men and women who build AMG V8s for a living.
The 36-year-old’s passion for cars was fuelled from his teenage years, during which he started fixing cars beginning with changing tyres before advancing to brakes and subsequently fiddling with engines. “Like normal kids,” he recounts.
To be precise, AMG engines are handcrafted rather than handmade. The engine builders do not, for example, cast the engine block and pistons themselves; they don’t even rotate a screwdriver – not manually, anyway.
Even though the actual work is facilitated by powered tools, the engine builder plays an important role in personally operating those tools in the correct order and pays meticulous attention to ensure that every engine is assembled to the exacting standards demanded by AMG and its clientele. Once production of an engine starts, the builder follows the engine every step of the way until it is signed off. The builder assumes full responsibility on all aspects of the engine’s construction.
It goes without saying that technical competency and experience is a significant pre-requisite before one signs up as an AMG engine builder – Weidenmuller himself had prior experience as a Mercedes-Benz plant engineer in Stuttgart.
Personality traits are prioritized too; even though each engine builder is technically responsible for one engine at a time, teamwork is heavily emphasized in the day-to-day operation of the plant. Every detected fault is meticulously scrutinized upon by no fewer than two pairs of eyes to ensure that no same mistake is ever repeated.
“It’s not a factory here; it’s more a big family who knows each other, and the whole team, the spirit of AMG, what we have here, makes you feel really good,” recounts Weidenmüller on the atmosphere that faces him every day at work.
On job training for an AMG engine builder starts with six weeks of training for new recruits during which they work on the assembly line whilst supervised by a mentor. They are also required to undergo a three-week training programme for every new engine model that comes their way.
“We all want to uphold AMG’s standards. We all want the same quality. Everybody is trained on the same level and taught on the same level, so everybody has the same standards of working,” says Weidenmüller.
A native of Stuttgart, Weidenmüller’s other interest besides cars are extreme sports, with skydiving being one of his favourite hobbies. On days which he takes leave from work to jump of planes, whatever engine that he happens to be working on at the time will be sealed until he returns to complete its assembly.
Weidenmüller’s job of building engines for AMG is a dream of many petrol heads, including a number of us here at this office. Through our brief chat with him, we come to appreciate that behind every signature stamped on a Mercedes-AMG engine, is an actual person with a life to live and stories to tell. Many of them probably face the same daily challenges of working life as we do.
In an age where machines virtually guarantee far more rapid production of engines, Mercedes-AMG’s persistence in the ‘one man one engine’ formula keeps the human touch well and truly alive. No doubt robots can help produce greater numbers, but intangible qualities such as drive, passion, and determination can neither be synthesized nor replicated.
The ‘one man one engine’ philosophy plays a role far greater than just marketing speak or to keep people like Oliver Weidenmüller on the AMG payroll. It demonstrates the continued mastery of man over machine, whilst keeping alive the relentless spirit and passion that served as the driving force of Hans Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher fifty years ago.


More Fully-Electric Audi Models Planned, E-Tron Sportback To Debut In 2019

In the build-up to their first fully-electric model, the Audi e-tron, the company has also announced plans to begin product portfolio expansion that focuses on electric drive.
Peter Mertens, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi said, “The
Audi e-tron
 is definitely a highlight in the history of our company and the starting signal for our electrification strategy.”
The next vehicle that is a fully-electric model that Audi will bring from concept to production is the
e-
tron
 Sportback
, scheduled for 2019.
An electric-powered compact model is also slated for introduction in 2020. This information was mentioned during the launch of the new Audi e-tron.
Audi will present the Audi e-tron GT Concept, a highly dynamic coupe at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. The technology in this vehicle was developed in collaboration with
Porsche's Taycan
 (previously known as the Mission E). Audi says the design and character of the e-tron GT Concept will have their specific design and driving behaviour.
Another joint project of the development departments at Audi and Porsche is the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). It will be the basis for multiple Audi model families with all-electric drive covering the high-volume B through D-segments of the markets and is scheduled to enter the market from end 2021. A major strength of the PPE is that it was developed exclusively for electric drive. This offers advantages with respect to weight distribution, packaging of the systems, and the proportions of the body.
Several Volkswagen Group brands are collaborating on the development of the
modular electrification platform (MEB)
, which serves as the basis for a series of Audi e-models, particularly in the high-volume A-segment. One of these is being developed specifically for the requirements of China, the single most important market.
Audi says by 2025, they will also introduce 12 different Q-models (SUV) that consists of seven fully-electric models and the remaining a mix of plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids. The company also expects sales of fully-electric cars to contribute about one-third of sales in 2025.


VIDEO: Ford Muscle - Focus RS And Mustang GT350R Blasts Around Goodwood

The Goodwood Festival of Speed might be held in the UK, but it isn’t complete without some American flavour.
Ford
 isn’t one to shy away about showing off a little, especially when it has some very desirable, fast, and loud machines in its stable.
This is one of those occasions, and so they've brought the hottest
Focus
, the
new RS
, and most hardcore
Mustang
, the
Shelby GT350R
, to grace Goodwood. The car’s in question we’re driven by some well-known fast drivers, the Focus RS driven by the 'hoonigan' himself Ken Block and the Mustang by Ben Collins, otherwise known as the man who used to be Top Gear’s Stig.
We’ll leave you to judge how these cars look and sound for yourself. In our opinion, the
Shelby Mustang GT350R
 sounds glorious, and well worth upping the speaker volume, if you can, to get an earful of the 526hp 5.2-litre flat-plane crank V8. Such a shame it’s limited to the North American market.
At least the new
Focus RS
 will be sold in many more markets. With 345hp and 440Nm on tap from its 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, it’s certainly not wanting in that respect, and plenty of power to propel the hatchback.
As Mr Block sent it up the hill at Goodwood, he certainly seemed to be having a ball. Rightly so, given his input in the car’s development. There’s even a Drift mode built into the new RS – need I say more?
The slightly unusual engine note heard in the video did cause a couple of raised eyebrows. Rest assured, this is only because the sound for the video was taken from a GoPro mounted at a point not ideal for acoustics, which is unfortunate. Despite this, it actually sounds similar to a WRC rally car - a very good sign.


Langgar Babi Melintas, Nissan X-Trail Bawa Vaksin COVID-19 Terbabas

Sebuah kenderaan
pacuan 4 roda
 milik Jabatan Kesihatan Daerah Pekan yang sedang dalam perjalanan menghantar bekalan
vaksin
 di Pekan, Pahang telah terlibat dalam kemalangan setelah terlanggar babi yang melintas.

Kejadian malang ini berlaku kira-kira jam 9 pagi pada 21 Julai lalu. Sebelum kejadian, sebuah
Nissan X-Trail
 yang dipandu petugas itu diiringi oleh kereta peronda dari Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Pekan untuk menghala ke Klinik Kesihatan Chini bagi menghantar bekalan
vaksin Covid-19.

Walau bagaimanapun, Nissan X-Trail terbabit dikejutkan dengan kehadiran babi hutan yang muncul secara tiba-tiba di tepi jalan sebelum berlari laju untuk melintas jalan. Tindakan pantas babi itu membuatkan kereta milik Jabatan Kesihatan Daerah Pekan itu gagal mengelak dan terus merempuh babi berkenaan sebelum kereta tersebut terbabas ke semak samun di tepi jalan.

Ketua Polis Daerah Pekan, Superintendan Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin berkata, pemandu kenderaan itu yang berusia 46 tahun dan seorang pegawai farmasi berusia 39 tahun tidak mengalami sebarang kecederaan dalam
kemalangan
 di Kilometer 10 Jalan Pekan-Batu Balik itu.

Ekoran daripada hentaman kuat yang diterima daripada babi tersebut, kenderaan pacuan 4 roda terbabit mengalami kerosakan pada bahagian hadapan dan tepi. Nissan X-Trail tersebut juga sudah dihantar ke unit kenderaan Jabatan bagi tujuan pemeriksaan lanjut.

Pemandu kenderaan sentiasa dinasihatkan untuk berhati-hati ketika melalui jalan atau kawasan hidupan haiwan liar seperti tapir dan babi hutan bagi mengelakkan kemalangan berlaku apabila haiwan-haiwan ini melintas jalan. Kemalangan melibatkan kereta dan haiwan ini sering berlaku pada waktu malam ketika hidupan liar keluar mencari makanan. Ini juga merupakan salah satu
punca kemalangan
 yang serius di negara kita.

Mujurlah kemalangan yang melibatkan Jabatan Kesihatan Daerah Pekan ini tidak begitu serius. Berbeza pula dengan kejadian sama yang telah meragut nyawa 3 orang mangsa pada bulan April lalu. 3 mangsa tersebut telah terkorban akibat cuba mengelak mengelak binatang yang melintas secara tiba-tiba di hadapan kenderaan itu.

*Kredit foto: Sinar Harian

Menurut Ketua Polis Daerah Padang Terap, Deputi Superintendan Mulkiaman Manzar, kemalangan dipercayai berlaku apabila sebuah
Proton Wira
 yang dipandu oleh mangsa dan ditemani anaknya dari arah Semeliang menuju ke Kuala Nerang cuba untuk mengelak binatang melintas dan telah menghentam sebuah motosikal yang datang dari arah bertentangan.

Proton Wira
 tersebut mengalami kerosakan teruk pada bahagian bumbung dan keempat-empat pintu manakala motosikal pula rosak teruk pada bahagian depan dan patah kedua-dua belah cermin pandang belakang, Malangnya, pemandu kereta, anaknya serta pemandu motor telah disahkan meninggal dunia di tempat kejadian. Sementara itu, pembonceng motosikal berusia 11 tahun mengalami cedera parah dan menerima rawatan di Hospital Kuala Nerang.

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Sekiranya anda melalui kawasan hidupan haiwan liar, kurangkan kelajuan kereta dan sentiasa berhati-hati dengan keadaan sekeliling. Jika tidak, anda mungkin akan terkejut dengan kehadiran binatang liar secara tiba-tiba. Selain itu, jika anda cuba untuk mengelak binatang tersebut dalam kelajuan tinggi, kereta anda berisiko untuk hilang kawalan dan terbabas ke arah bertentangan jalan ataupun terbabas ke tepi jalan. Anda bukan sahaja berisiko mencederakan diri sendiri, malah anda turut membahayakan pengguna jalan raya yang lain.

Ingat, biar lambat, asal selamat. Berhati-hati di jalan raya!

*Kredit video: Kongsi Segala Info (Facebook)


Rampai Puteri Medical Centre To Give Free Child Seats Throughout November

The Rampai Puteri Medical Centre, a boutique hospital for women and children, has begun its
Buckle Up, Baby!
 campaign
 in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (MIROS) to instil awareness of the
importance of child safety seats
 among parents.
Amongst noteworthy initiatives of the hospital under this campaign, Rampai Puteri has implemented a policy requiring parents to have a child safety seat properly installed in their vehicles before allowing discharge of newborns delivered at the hospital.
To mark the start of this campaign, Rampai Puteri will be giving away free child safety seats to all babies born at the hospital throughout the month of November 2017. Additionally, Rampai Puteri has partnered with two local child safety seat suppliers to offer child seats to the public at discounted prices.
After free child seat programme ends in November, the hospital will also be implementing a loan programme allowing parents to borrow a child seat from the hospital free of charge. A deposit of RM150 will be collected and fully refunded upon return of the seat within a week of discharge. Parents who fail to return the child seat within a week will be deemed to have bought the child seat at that price.
To ensure the success of this campaign, Rampai Puteri has enlisted the collaboration of MIROS to assist in the programme’s implementation as well as to provide technical expertise on the correct usage of child safety seats.
Rampai Puteri’s mandatory child seat policy mirrors practices in certain developed countries in which parents are required by law to show that they have a child safety seat installed in their vehicle before the hospital is allowed to discharge the baby.


2017 BMW 5 Series (G30) To Put Remote 3D View Into Your Phone

The 2017 BMW 5 Series is set to have its global premiere later this year, widely expected to take place at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October.
Ahead of its launch, BMW has teased a nifty little feature that combines the existing 360-degree camera feature already available in the
G11/G12 7 Series
 and allows users to view the car’s surrounding remotely on his or her mobile phone.
In the current 7 Series, the 360-degree camera is built with a powerful graphics engine that is able to generate high resolution projections of the vehicles surrounding from multiple perspectives. In the 5 Series, BMW appears to allow that feature to be accessed from one’s phone, presumably through its ConnectedDrive app.
No further details have been disclosed on this feature other it being officially called ‘Remote View 3D’.


UMW Toyota Offers Up Hari Raya Promotion Deals

From now till the 31 August 2016, UMW Toyota will be offering up some smashing deals on selected vehicles. Customers can now enjoy rebates and discounts on the following cars:
•    Toyota Vios
– RM6,500 cash rebate or 5 years free servicing + cash rebate of RM4,000
•    Toyota Corolla Altis
– RM5,500 cash rebate or 5 years free servicing + cash rebate of RM3,000
•    Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid
– RM4,500 cash rebate or 5 years of free servicing + cash rebate of RM2,000
•    Toyota Innova
– RM2,000 cash rebate
•    Toyota Avanza
– RM1,000 cash rebate
Customers can also enjoy Duit Raya of up to RM3,500 if booking is made by 5th July 2016. The Duit Raya giveaway is applicable for selected variants of the Vios, Altis, Camry, Innova & Avanza. Customers interested in the all-new Toyota Hilux will also enjoy a Duit Raya rebate of RM2,000 if a booking is placed within the same period.
Additionally, for owners of Toyota vehicles, special offers are available on selected Toyota Genuine Parts and Accessories from all UMW Toyota Motor service centres nationwide. Visit your nearest UMW Toyota dealer or
www.toyota.com.my
 for more information. Alternatively, call Toyota Freephone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682) TOYOTA.