Perodua D55L Could Offer The Cheapest Ever Turbo Engine In Malaysia

As of late, the airwaves are getting filled with rumours and chatter of Perodua’s upcoming SUV,
codenamed D55L
. The new B-Segment SUV will be the first small SUV for Perodua after a long hiatus. Its last effort, the Nautica was axed over a decade ago (due to lacklustre sales).

The D55L, in contrast, is certain to make a far bigger splash. In a market hungry for SUVs – the success of the
Proton X50
 is a good indicator of this – and there’s much to be excited about.

What we know so far is that the D55L is based on the
Daihatsu Global Architecture (DNGA)
 platform which also underpins the Toyota Raize and
Daihatsu Rocky
. The DNGA – a derivative of parent company
Toyota’s TNGA platform
 promises superb packaging (to offer greater practicality and space in the finished vehicle), greater safety features (both structural as well as active and passive safety) at lower manufacturing costs.

After a variety of spyshots of camouflaged vehicles on Malaysian roads, and Perodua themselves making it known that the original launch plans were delayed due to the pandemic slowdown, we surmise the D55L is not too far away, with some media outlets reporting the launch could happen by end-Feb or early-March.

We also know that the D55L logically should slot in between the Myvi (RM41k - RM53k) and the range-topping Aruz (RM68k - RM74k), so that gives you an indication of the price bracket in which it would sit.

Much of how the D55L will eventually look on the inside and outside can already be seen with its Rocky/Raize siblings, so there’s only a number of questions that’s left to be answered:

Its
name

The final variant and equipment lists

The safety features it will receive

The powertrain spec sheet

And of course, the price (which has been a closely guarded secret)

What’s going to slip under the bonnet of the D55L has been an especially hot topic, because if the rumours are true, then
Perodua
 will soon offer its first-ever turbocharged engine, and it could even be the cheapest ever turbocharged vehicle to go on sale in Malaysia (the RM59.8k Proton Exora is currently the cheapest turbo vehicle on sale).

Not to mention, the first CVT-type transmission in the company's history.

Let’s look at the powertrain for now

Both the Rocky and Raize are powered by Daihatsu’s
1KR-VET
 1.0-litre turbocharged transverse-mounted three-cylinder petrol engine which produces 98PS and peak torque of 140Nm between 2,400rpm and 4,000rpm. While it may not sound like much, a revvy three-cylinder engine with 140Nm on tap from 2,400rpm should be punchy, to say the least.

The
1KR-VE
 by comparison, which features in the
Perodua Bezza
 and
Axia
, is essentially a non-turbo version of the 1KR-VET (hence the ‘T’ at the end) engine that outputs 68PS and 91Nm of torque. Therefore, there is 30PS and approximately 49Nm more in the Raize/Rocky engine, courtesy of turbocharging.

Daihatsu’s automatic transmission, (dubbed D-CVT) adds split gears to existing CVT belt drives and uses both belt and gear drives at high speeds for improved transmission efficiency. According to Daihatsu, “The gear-ratio range has also been expanded to provide powerful and smooth acceleration at low speeds, and fuel-efficient and quiet performance at high speeds.” Therefore we can expect the D55L to perform well in both the city and those long
balik kampung
 trips.

How does it compare to Perodua’s most potent powertrain currently?

Few of us need to be reminded just how fast a
Perodua Myvi
 is. The most potent engine currently on sale currently is the 1.5-litre featured in the current Myvi, so how does the D55L’s prospective powertrain measure up to this proven package.

As we can see, the slight deficit in terms of power the 1.0-litre engine might have against the 1.5-litre mill is more than compensated with the additional torque; delivered as early as 2,400rpm and sustained until 4,200rpm.

This means better acceleration, better response, while still sipping fuel at the petrol pumps. It remains to be seen if the D55L will feature the company's ECO idle-stop but this is very much a possibility.

Why not just throw the Myvi's 1.5-litre engine into the D55L?

This is a perfectly sensible question. The 1.5-litre 2NR-VE is a compact, powerful, and proven package - though it is much easier said than done.

And it boils back down to the DNGA platform - Daihatsu calls it “collective planning and development" through which all vehicle models built on the DNGA platform (of which Daihatsu plans 21 by 2025) are envisioned from the outset to conform to very precise design and packaging requirements.

This means that not just the body, but the drivetrain, suspension, electronics, safety technologies, even the seats are positioned in a way to reduce the need for unique part development and streamline the production process to reduce cost. It's basically a one size fits all.

Changing the engine and therefore transmission would also mean homologating a plethora of other components including the crash structures, this would also increase the cost of the final product.

Therefore it just makes more sense to simply go with the new package, and adapt the D55L for the needs of Malaysian customers.

Ready for some turbo?

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

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

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


Hap Seng becomes first smart authorised dealer - smart#1 to be launched soon?

Looks like the first smart dealership won't be with a Proton-associated dealer, as it has just been announced that
Proton New Energy Technology
 Sdn. Bhd (PRO-NET) has appointed Hap Seng Smart Sdn Bhd to be the first smart dealership in the country.

According to PRO-NET, the appointment comes as part of smart Malaysia’s strategy to bring the EV automotive excellence to the Malaysian market which consists of two components – the appointment of new premium dealers and the establishment of all-new smart Brand Centre or smart Space.

Hap Seng Smart will leverage on the technical expertise of the parent company, Hap Seng Group which has established a foothold as one of the leading automotive dealers in Malaysia with over 50 years of history in automotive retailing.

“This partnership between Hap Seng Group through Hap Seng Smart and PRO-NET reflects not only our confidence in smart’s universal appeal but also shows our commitment to promote a low-carbon mobility future in Malaysia,” said Harald Behrend, Group Chief Operating Officer of Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad and Chief Executive of Hap Seng Automotive Division.

The notable partnership with Hap Seng Smart marks PRO-NET’s entry into Malaysian premium retail automotive market. The first showroom is scheduled to be opened in the fourth quarter at Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur followed by another showroom in Balakong, Selangor.

“Our team is making amazing progress ever since we began the journey last year, and we are very confident that the Malaysian market will embrace the unique, premium all-electric urban mobility experience by smart," added Zhang Qiang, CEO of PRO-NET.

Meanwhile, more dealers are coming on board and the names will be announced soon.


Range Rover Sport PHEV - First Ever SUV To Conquer China’s Heavens Gate

A dizzying 99 turns, with solid mountain rock on one side and certain death by vertical drop on the other. And that’s before Le Mans Class Winning driver, Ho-Pin Tung will attempt to climb the 999 (45-degree incline) steps that lead up one of China’s most famous landmarks – a natural rock arch called Heaven’s Gate.
The challenge begins at the bottom of the legendary 11.3km Tianmen Mountain Road (known as the Dragon Road), the weapon of choice – a showroom standard
Range Rover
Sport
 P400E
 equipped with Range Rover’s ‘Terrain Response 2’ System in Dynamic mode.
The Range Rover Sport P400e is the first model to use Land Rover’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology, combining an 85kW (116PS) electric motor and the 2.0-litre Si4 300PS Ingenium petrol engine to produce a total output of 404PS and 640Nm of torque.
The new PHEV powertrain utilises a 13.1 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery that gives the Range Rover Sport an EV range of up to 50km when fully charged. Land Rover claims the P400E can be fully charged in 2 hours and 45 minutes using a dedicated 32 Amp wall box, or in 7 hours 30 minutes using the 10 Amp home charging cable.
Just how hard was the Dragon Challenge?
Phil Jones, Land Rover Experience expert explains, “This was the hardest Range Rover Sport challenge I’ve ever been involved with because, until we reached the top, we couldn’t categorically say we would succeed. By making it to the summit, we’ve proven the phenomenal capability of the Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid like never before – with a genuine world first.”
The Dragon Challenge is the latest in a series of adventures completed by the Range Rover Sport after the PHEV model made its debut in a race against two-time open-water swimming world champion Keri-anne Payne and endurance athlete Ross Edgley in Devon, UK.
Previous exploits include a record-setting hill-climb at Pikes Peak, USA, a record crossing of the ‘Empty Quarter’ desert in the Arabian Peninsula, and a 2,170m descent of the legendary Inferno downhill course in Mürren, Switzerland.


2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport price unveiled - RM729,800

BMW Malaysia has finally announced the official pricing for the
2023 BMW i7 xDrive60
 all-electric luxury sedan.

Priced at RM729,800 (on the road excluding insurance), the 2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 comes in one variant - the M Sport. We first saw the BMW i7 last year when it first arrived on our shores and it is safe to say that it is indeed the pinnacle of luxury EVs from BMW at the moment.

A number of previews over the past few months were conducted to give the public that further elevates the BMW 7 Series offerings alongside the unveiling of the new BMW 750e xDrive variants as well as the BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence.

With a total power output of 544hp and 745Nm of torque, the 2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport is said to have the capabilities to hit 0-100km/h in just 4.7 seconds as well as a limited top speed of 240km/h.

Paired with a 101.7kWh battery pack, it can travel over 600km with just a single charge (up to 625km WLTP). The new BMW i7 supports both AC and DC charging rated up to 11kW and 195kW respectively. If you're able to get it connected to a 195kW DC fast charger, 10%-80% charge can be achieved in just 34 minutes.

The RM729,800 price tag for the 2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport also comes with the BMW Extended Warranty and Service Package which includes:

BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme

BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline

The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App - BMW Privileges Card

BMW Service Online

To know more about the BMW i7,
CLICK HERE
 or head over to the nearest dealer.


Kia EV9 Concept Di LA Auto Show - Akan Menjengah Pasaran Pada 2023?

Bersempena dengan acara LA Auto Show, Kia membawakan sebuah model konsep
SUV elektrik
 Kia EV9 Concept.

Ia memberikan petunjuk akan model elektrik produksi seterusnya yang bakal diperkenalkan kepada pasaran selepas Niro EV dan EV6.

Dibina atas platform
Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP)
, model ini menggunakan teknologi pengecasan pantas sama seperti EV6, yang mana apabila disambungkan kepada pengecas pantas 350 kW, boleh menaikkan tahap bateri dari 10 ke 80 peratus dalam masa kurang daripada 30 minit. Menurut Kia, jarak gerak dengan bateri penuh boleh mencapai sehingga 480 km.

SUV elektrik ini membawakan ukuran sepanjang 4,930 mm dengan lebar 2,055 mm, tinggi 1,790 mm dan jarak roda 3,100 mm.

Sekali imbas, Kia EV9 Concept ini seakan Land Rover dari hadapan dan seperti menyerupai Jeep atau Hummer kerana rekaan fender yang lebar pada bahagian depan dan belakang. Namun, EV9 lebih bersegi dan nampak seperti mempunyai garisan-garisan tajam pada badan kenderaan ini.

Rekaan Tiger Face yang sinonim dengan jenama itu masih lagi digunakan, tetapi telah berevolusi menjadi lebih moden dan dipanggil sebagai Digital Tiger Face.

Kia EV9 Concept juga turut menampilkan panel solar yang berselindung di sebalik ‘liang udara’ pada hud yang dapat membantu memulihkan tenaga yang hilang, selain menjadi sumber tenaga alternatif sekiranya
stesen pengecasan sukar untuk didapati
.

Rekaan rel bumbung yang tertanam itu dikatakan mampu untuk meningkatkan kadar kecekapan aerodinamik.

Untuk ruang kabin, EV9 Concept menampilkan susun atur tempat duduk dengan tiga mod berbeza iaitu Active, Pause dan Enjoy. Apabila menukar mod, barisan kerusi akan berubah arah dan boleh ditukar mengikut keperluan. Tempat duduk baris kedua akan dilipat rata bagi mod Pause, sementara tempat duduk hadapan akan menghadap ke belakang menjadi sebuah ruang rehat.

Papan pemuka di dalam model konsep ini agak ringkas seperti meja dan di depan pemandu terdapat stereng serta skrin 27-inci yang boleh memaparkan pelbagai informasi termasuk input media.

Penggunaan bahan-bahan yang lebih mesra alam turut ditekankan pada EV9 Concept seperti jaring ikan yang dikitar semula untuk bahagian lantai, balutan fabrik yang diperbuat daripada botol plastik dan gentian bulu yang telah dikitar semula.

Menurut desas desus peminat automotif antarabangsa,
Kia
 akan mengeluarkan enam model EV menjelang 2027 dan Kia EV9 versi produksi bakal menjadi SUV elektrik ketiga taruhan Kia. Khabarnya, EV9 akan mula dipasarkan pada tahun hadapan dan siap sepenuhnya pada 2023.

Entah betul atau tidak, sama-sama kita nantikan ya!


2015 Honda Civic Type R Teased In New Advertisement

Honda
 released a new advertisement on YouTube recently with the theme ‘Keep Up’ and they aren’t joking about it. In the advert, viewers are expected to push their reading skills to the limits to keep up with what’s being shown on screen. And we did try to, until we chanced upon a moment in the video that showed what looks very much like the all-new
Honda Civic
 Type R.
Among the other vehicles shown in the advertisement was the Honda HR-V and Honda Jazz but just after that, the Civic Type R can be seen sliding in for only a brief moment and it shows us what the production-ready model slated to debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March will look like.
Honda have only released a few
teaser shots of various parts of the car previously
.


Nissan Navara Adds VL Plus Variant – 7 Airbags And 360-degree Camera For Just RM6k More

Edaran Tan Chong Motor has beefed up its Navara model line-up with the addition of a new range topping 2.5-litre Double VL Plus A/T variant. Priced at RM 119,869, it’s about RM 6,000 more expensive than the VL variant but the additional money bumps up the airbag count from three to seven, and buys you a 360-degree parking camera.
The 360-degree coverage Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) uses four cameras to provide a live video feed to the display screen, giving the driver a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle’s surrounding. It’s especially useful on a big vehicle like the Navara.
This makes the Navara the third local Nissan model to be offered with I-AVM, after the X-Trail and Serena S-Hybrid.
Inside, the VL Plus variant also gets an upgraded instrument panel, whose multi-info Advanced Driver Assist Display housed between the tachometer and speedometer now provides vehicle speed readings on top of the usual fuel economy and trip distance.
The VL only had three airbags - driver, front passenger, and driver's knee. The VL Plus variant adds curtain and side airbags.
The Navara VL Plus is also available with the Black Series accessories package, which bumps up the price by about RM 3,700 to RM 123,642. It adds:
Matte black front grille
Front bumper
Front and rear overfenders
Headlamp eyelid covers
Matte black fog lamp covers
Side mirror covers
Cargo bed sport bar
Black partial leather seats
Mechanically, the Navara VL Plus is identical to the VL variant. It’s powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine that makes 190 PS and 450 Nm, drive is transferred to either the rear or all four wheels via a 7-speed torque converter automatic transmission paired to selectable Part-time 4WD transfer case.
It continues to ride on the multi-link rear suspension, still the only one of its kind in the segment while the cabin boasts of air-conditioning vents for rear occupants, a unique feature offered only by the Navara.


Honda Civic Remains the King of C-Segment, Here’s Why

Honda Malaysia just announced that the new Civic, which was updated with minor design changes and Honda Sensing suite of safety features, has managed to retain the no.1 spot in the C-segment as of June 2020.  Just what makes the Civic so popular among the rakyat?

Launched in February this year after much anticipation, the Civic has outsold its main rivals - the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, and the Hyundai Elantra with more than 2,900 units nationwide which translates to 70% market share.

While the Central region contributed 44% to the total sales, the Southern Region contributed to 17%, followed by the Northern Region with 15%. Even now, the Civic is receiving positive response from the market with a total of more than 6,500 bookings as of June 2020, with a month-long waiting list.

First and foremost, the Civic’s biggest strength is its competitive pricing versus its rivals:

Honda Civic – From 109,320

Toyota Corolla – From RM123,972

Mazda 3 Sedan – From RM135,070

Hyundai Elantra 2.0 – RM109,888

Kia Cerato 1.6 – RM99,754

The less popular Koreans aside, the Civic is the most affordable among the “big” three, which is already a big plus point. On top of that, what makes it the crowd favourite is the fact that it has quite a bit to offer for that price.

Design wise, the Mazda 3 is without a doubt the best looking model here in our opinion. However, the Civic is not that far behind. Even in its stock form, it looks very youthful and sporty, which is a big plus for young buyers.

The design is further complemented with features like LED Headlights and DRLs, LED Front Fog Lights, redesigned bumpers, a sportier looking black grille, a new spoiler, as well as 18-inch Black Alloy Wheels.

Even inside, the Civic looks quite stylish, and offers decent level of practicality with the new 60:40 foldable rear seats, and 519-litres of boot space.

But that is not all, as the one area in which the new Civic really outdoes its rivals is safety. While the highest specification variant and upgraded version features Honda Sensing which includes:

Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)

Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)

Blind Spot Display

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

LaneWatch

The following are offered as standard in all variants:

Six Airbags

Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)

Agile Handle Assist (AHA)

Hill Start Assist (HSA)

Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Brake Assist (BA)

Auto Brake Hold (ABH)

New Front Sensors and Rear Seat ISOFIX

Under the hood however, nothing has changed compared to the pre-facelift model. Power comes courtesy of a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine producing 104 PS and 174 Nm of torque, or a turbocharged 1.5L VTEC engine making 173 PS and 220 Nm of torque.

Thanks to the low centre of gravity, the new Civic is among the nicer cars to drive in the segment as well. It may not be as sharp and exciting as the Mazda 3, but it is on par, if not better than the rest of the horde.

In conclusion, the new Civic is turning out to be a hit because it is the model that offers the best value for money. Despite being one of the more affordable names in the segment, it offers striking looks, a long list of features, as well as class-leading safety.

Feel like purchasing one? The price now minus SST is as mentioned below:


Tokyo 2019: Mitsubishi To Debut Of Small Electric SUV Concept Car

Mitsubishi has announced that it will unveil a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) compact SUV concept at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show 2019 in November.
The small electric SUV concept is said to combine the company’s electrification and all-wheel drive expertise and technologies, and embody Mitsubishi’s overarching brand message “Drive your Ambition”.
Mitsubishi claims the electric SUV will deliver driving pleasure and confidence over all terrain, and will combine a downsized, lower-weight plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) drivetrain, as well as an electric 4WD system.
The single teaser photo released shows presumably the rear C-Pillar and tailgate proportions which showcase angular and muscular lines, and is highlighted by four turbine-like fixtures both sides rear tailgate. They sit on either side of a clear glass window which covers a barrel like component, possibly from the car’s electrical drive system, within.
The new concept is the latest of a trio of electrified SUV concepts released by Mitsubishi over the past two years; namely the
e-Evolution concept
 (pic above),
GT-PHEV concept
, and
Engelberg concept
.


Spyshot: Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Spotted In Malaysia; Launch Imminent?

Wagons are a niche market in Malaysia, but when they come, they tend to be big and expensive. Few wagons are as big or as expensive as the
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
 which, according to certain sources, might be launched sometime in December.
A reader wishing to remain anonymous has sent us pictures of no less than two units of the Panamera Sport Turismo being loaded onto flatbed car carriers in surroundings quite similar-looking to Glenmarie, in the vicinity of Sime Darby Auto Performance’s HQ and flagship showroom.
Both vehicles wore German number plates, which mean they are unlikely to be parallel imports but may instead be vehicles brought in by Porsche for evaluation, training, or customer preview, or even all of the above, for that matter.
Our source’s pictures are not of the highest resolution, but we are fairly certain that the blue car is the Turbo variant powered by a 550hp 4.0-litre V8 capable of propelling the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds if fitted with the optional Sport Chrono pack.
Other engine options include a 330 hp 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, a
440 hp 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo
, a 462 hp V6 hybrid, and a
550 hp V8 hybrid
. Unlike the regular Panamera which has a rear-wheel driven base model, all variants of the Panamera Sport Turismo are all-wheel drive as standard.
It has to be noted that, owing to their German origins, the vehicles seen in these pictures may or may not be representative of what will ultimately be offered in the Malaysian market.


Chery Finally Discovers This Amazing Thing Called Social Media

Let’s face it – social media has taken over the world. It has become the most preferred mode of communication not only by individuals, but also celebrities, organisations, and everyone in between.
In fact, managing Facebook and Twitter pages for companies has become a full time job in many parts of the world now; that is how important social media is.
And while half the world has already embraced this change of trend and started riding the new wave many years ago, there are still some companies; even huge multi-national ones that have totally missed the bus, running the show in ancient ways, such as Chinese car manufacturer Chery International.
Now, for a company which has its brand present in numerous parts of the world including Malaysia, you would expect them to have a social media page to interact and communicate with their fans and customers, right? Wrong.
Apparently Chery International had discovered social media just recently, and in conjunction with Valentine’s Day three days ago, the brand decided to show its love towards its fans and customers worldwide by officially launching the Chery International Facebook page, Twitter page, YouTube channel, as well as Instagram profile.
With the help of the wide reach and diverse presentation forms of the four social media channels, Chery said that its entry this time is aimed at effectively advancing the brand’s visibility and influence in the international market from brands and businesses aspects by taking the customer demand as the core.
The company also said that it is determined to establish a highly efficient communication mechanism from the customer point of view and to narrow the distance between the brand and customers in a more direct communication form through social media platforms.
Well, better late than never.


Ferrari F8 Tributo Unwrapped - The Fastest V8 Engined Ferrari Ever

Ferrari has revealed the first official photographs of the F8 Tributo: the most powerful V8 car to ever wear the Prancing Horse badge. The word Tributo in its name pays homage to the company’s rich heritage of two-seater, mid-engined (Berlinetta) sports cars.
The F8 Tributo is powered by the same 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 also found in its predecessor, the
488 GTB
, albeit updated to produce 720 PS at 8,000 rpm (50 PS more than the 488 GTB) and 770 Nm (up 10 Nm) from 3,250 rpm. Ferrari has yet to confirm the gearbox on the F8 Tributo, although the 488 GTB sends power to its rear wheels through a 7-speed dual clutch automatic.
The F8 Tributo also boasts the latest version of the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE+) which can be activated in the Manettino toggle’s ‘Race’ position for the first time, a feature designed to make performance on the limit easier to reach and control for a greater number of drivers. It also sports the latest version of the Side Slip Angle Control system, which as you might surmise, allows the driver to go sideways in a safe and controllable manner. Even the steering wheel is smaller now to allow for faster driver input.
In addition, weight reduction measures have cut the car’s dry weight down by 40 kg compared to the 488 GTB.
As with the
special-series Ferrari 488 Pista
, the F8 Tributo’s aero package is directly evolved from the track and it adopts several features from the 488 Pista designed to help manage engine heat, including rearward-angled front radiators and the dynamic engine air intakes positioned at either side of the spoiler, instead of on the rear flanks. Overall, the F8 Tributo benefits from a 10 percent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency.
The Ferrari F8 Tributo will be revealed in all its glory at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show.


Volkswagen Malaysia’s Selayang 4S Centre Launched, Located Along Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur

Volkswagen
 Malaysia and Goh Brothers have launched the newest Volkswagen dealership, this time in the Selayang area to cater to customers, both existing and prospective, in the northern Selangor area. In addition to it being a 4S Centre, it is also the country’s second Volkswagen Technical Service Centre.
Built within 55,000 square feet over five floors, the newly minted Volkswagen Selayang will be able to accommodate owners from sales to after sales, covering general service and repairs, diagnostics, and even major repair work.
The Volkswagen Selayang centre represents a RM3 million investment from Goh Brothers Auto, with estimated breakdown of RM1.5 million being diverted toward the Body & Paint workshop, which also happens to be the only authorised centre in KL North with two spray booths, two accident repair prep bays and precision instruments to ensure through collision repair.
Additionally, a total of RM1 million was spent on tools and other apparatus sourced from Germany such as the Volkswagen diagnostics computer that’s prepared for off-board diagnostic services. It will also be equipped with an Electro Kardiograms (EKG) to measure real-time vehicle issues for offsite research.
The new 4S centre has devoted three of its five floors to house 20 work bays, while after sales services are freely able to expand into the remaining two floors with an additional 18 work bays should the need arise. There will be over 30 experienced and trained staff from the Volkswagen network to diagnose issues and provide a smooth ownership experience to customers.
For storage, the facility also has a 3,000 square foot storage area spread over four floors. Parts will be obtained from the centralised parts centre in Shah Alam, Malaysia and Singapore as well.
Mr Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia said: “Our partnership with Goh Brothers started in 2007 and since then we have come a long way. Our customers are our top priority and investing on infrastructure is one of the ways we can strive to improve our offerings and improve the overall ownership experience. This year has been a year for Volkwagen Malaysia to focus on improving overall ownership experiences for customers. Congratulations Goh Brothers on today’s launch and thank you for your commitment to the brand.”
The Volkswagen Selayang Centre can be contacted at
03-6138-3500
or found at:
Taman Perindustrian Selayang,
Batu 8 1/2 Jalan Ipoh, 68100 Batu Caves,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.


Frankfurt 2017: BMW X7 iPerformance Concept Leaked Ahead of Show

It's no real surprise by now that BMW will be releasing a concept version of the up-and-coming X7 during the Frankfurt Motor Show in a couple of weeks, but it seems that photos of the concept have already been making rounds on the internet. The photos have been tracked back to Wheelsage, but they are far too complex and detailed to be anything but official renders or photos of the BMW X7 concept- in iPerformance form.

Positioning and full on details of the X7 have yet to be released, but given how interchangeable components are between BMW products, you could probably expect to see a range of powertrainers borrowed form the 7 Series, with an all-wheel drive system that's essentially a scaled up version of the one in the BMW X5, or more specifically iPerformance xDrive systems in the case of this particular X7 iPerformance concept.

From the exterior, the car looks extremely sharp and futuristic, with kidney grilles that go perhaps a little too far. But this is the nature of all of BMW's concepts and design studies, where that kidney grille becomes ridiculously over emphasized and tends to dominate the front end. It's unlikely that the actual production model will retain this particular feature, but it's the rest of the lines that matter.

The X7 does not look like it follows on from the X3 and X5 models in terms of overall shape, with the rear end actually bearing a resemblance to products like the Toyota Land Cruiser Cygnus or the Infiniti QX80. The rear end is especially strange, with a shrunken down overall form of BMW's current tail lamp design occupying just a fraction of the space. While it's certainly different in this respect, we hope BMW picks something a little more practical when it comes to the final production model.

As for the rest of the car, it's pretty gorgeous albeit standard BMW concept fare. There's plenty of glass in the roof which should provide a more airy feel, but is ultimately impractical on a production car. The interior is bold and distinctive and yet reminiscent of current BMW products, but don't expect the end result to be too far away from what we already have. In any case, the concept model will be unveiled in the metal at the Frankfurt Motor Show and the production ready model shouldn't be long after, so perhaps we should wait until we pass judgement,


Shell Partners with Krispy Kreme and Boost Juice for its Retail Store

Shell Malaysia has just introduced a fresh new look for its Shell Select store in SH Shell Damansara Jaya. The changes are part of the three-year transformational
Welcome to Shell
programme which focuses to provide one of the best hospitality to road users in Malaysia and the new retail concept is designed as a food oasis for motorists.
Expanding its food and beverage selection, Shell has brought on board the Krispy Kreme and Boost Juice brand which is franchised by the Berjaya Corporation Bhd to compliment its already available quick grab and go coffee and pastry outlet, Deli2go.
"Based on our research, we discovered that at least 76% of a brand is due to the retail experience customers have on-site. Taking into account these findings and understanding the needs of our customers, we have launched the new retail concept for Shell Select at our flagship stations to give motorists a more pleasant experience on-site, as well as choice and value," said Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Azman Ismail.
Apart from the Damansara Jaya being the first station to feature such upgrade, Shell plans to roll out the new concept design to 30 other stations by this year. Partnering with both local and international food and beverage retailers, each station will be personalised with various food assortments to suit its customers' requirement.
Additionally to enhancing 30 of its stores to its new concept, Shell also announces its plans to refurbish an additional 100 existing Shell Select stores to a premium setup with seating lounges, complimentary Wi-Fi  and electronic charging stations.
In conjunction with the launch, customers can enjoy a buy one free one donut offer at Krispy Kreme and a second cup of Boost Juice at a half price at the SH Shell Damansara Jaya station.


PKP Round Two: 6 States Under MCO From 13 January To 26 January

After what felt like a long weekend due to the anxiety created by the impending government announcement, we finally have an answer to what we will be facing at least for the next two weeks!

COVID-19 cases have been creeping up to overwhelming levels recently and this has forced the Government to take
drastic action
 as the national health care system is incapable of handling the increasing number of cases.

To combat daily infection cases that are still above the 2,000 mark after reaching more than 3,000 cases last Thursday, the government is imposing a Conditional Order with three different classifications as below for 14 days, starting this Wednesday:

Bemula jam 12.01 tengah malam, Rabu, 13 Januari 2021 sehingga 26 Januari 2021. Perintah ini melibatkan tiga peringkat pelaksanaan seperti berikut:

a. Pertama,
PKP
 ke atas enam (6) buah negeri iaitu Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya dan Labuan), Melaka, Johor dan Sabah.

b. Kedua,
PKP Bersyarat
 (PKP-B) ke atas enam (6) buah negeri iaitu Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu dan Kelantan.

c. Ketiga,
PKP Pemulihan
 (PKP-P) pula akan dilaksanakan bagi negeri Perlis dan Sarawak dan akan diteruskan sepanjang tempoh tersebut.

Pergerakan rentas negeri adalah TIDAK DIBENARKAN di seluruh negara manakala bagi kawasan PKP, pergerakan rentas daerah juga TIDAK DIBENARKAN.

Susulan larangan pergerakan merentas negeri dan daerah ini, operasi sekatan jalan raya (SJR) akan mula berkuatkuasa pada jam 12.01 tengah malam, Rabu, 13 Januari 2021. Bagi negeri yang dilaksanakan PKP, pergerakan anda adalah terhad di dalam 10 kilometer radius sahaja.

And now Malaysia, it is our turn to play our part, bersama #KitaJagaKita.


Mercedes-Benz Mulling Introduction Of AMG 43 Models In Malaysia

Having blitzed the market with a dozen new model launches this year, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s product offensive is set to continue in 2017 with the possible introduction of the intermediate AMG 43 performance models.
Speaking to the media during the
launch of the Mercedes-AMG C63S Coupe
 at the Sepang International Circuit this morning, MBM Vice President of Passenger Cars, Mark Raine said that success of the MFA-based AMG 45 models gives Mercedes a platform to build on and introduce the AMG 43 range to bridge the gap between mainstream Mercedes-Benz products and the full-blooded AMG 63 range further up.
Available in four body variants of the W205 C-Class, sedan and estate form of the W213 E-Class, the GLC, the GLE, and SLC roadster, the AMG 43 models are all powered by a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine with 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive.
Depending on model, the V6 engine is tuned to produce outputs of either 367 or 401hp. The 367hp setup powers the C43 sedan, estate and coupe;
GLC 43 SUV and coupe
; GLE 43 SUV and coupe; as well as the SLC 43 roadster. The more potent 401hp setup, meanwhile, is featured in the
E43 sedan and estate
.
Against rivals, the AMG 43 models are best described as foils to Audi’s S models and BMW’s M Performance models, both of which are one rung below the full-blooded RS and M models that compete against the AMG 63 models.
According to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia officials, despite shifting market tastes toward downsized four-cylinder turbocharged engines, there remains demand for bigger capacity six-cylinder models of the C-Class and E-Class from more affluent customers, and it is a demand that the company is looking at ways to satisfy in the not too distant future.
Recently, Mercedes-Benz unveiled a
new generation of modular engines
 that include, for the first time in two decades, inline-six powertrains that will first go into the W222 S-Class next year and expected to migrate downward in the line-up.


Isuzu Malaysia Appoints Kenji Matsuoka As CEO, Confirms MU-X SUV

Isuzu Malaysia announced today that Kenji Matsuoka will be appointed as CEO effective 20-April. He will be taking over from Kimitoshi Kurokawa, who will be returning to Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan to oversee a wide network of markets that includes the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Middle East, Latin Americas, Africa and Southeast Asia.
Prior to his appointment in Isuzu Malaysia, Matsuoka was the CEO at Isuzu-Hicom Malaysia (IHM) since 2012. Before that, he spent four years Isuzu Vietnam Co Ltd., serving as CEO. Matsuoka graduated from Mie University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
In a statement released by Isuzu Malaysia, Matsuoka said he hopes to achieve a 20 percent market share for the Isuzu D-Max pick-up trucks in the medium term.
“Our customers have come to realize that our core product qualities of durability, reliability and fuel efficiency offered them reduced running costs without sacrificing performance or dependability. In times like these when everyone is trying to stretch their Ringgit, Isuzu vehicles offer customers with a genuine motoring solutions,” said Matsuoka.
Elaborating further on Isuzu's push to further improve customer satisfaction, Matsuoka said “Without strong back-end support for our customers, we would not be able to sustain a consistent growth for the brand. Therefore, much of our attention will be focused on improving the quality of our after-sales experiences by strengthening our dealer operations and improving spare parts availability through the establishment of a new parts depot in Johor.”
MU-X Coming Soon
Matsuoka also confirmed market speculations that the MU-X, a seven-seater SUV model based on the D-Max pick-up truck, will be launched in Malaysia soon.
The MU-X will compete against Ford's upcoming all-new Everest, Toyota's Fortuner and Mitsubishi's Pajero Sport.


SPYSHOT: 2016 Mazda BT-50 Facelift Front-End Shown Undisguised

What you’re looking at here could very well be the 2016
Mazda BT-50
 facelift with this sole frontal image making its way across various Thailand internet forums.
Based on the image, a new front fascia can be seen which adopts Mazda’s iconic KODO design language with chrome borders surrounding the single-bar grille which has a centrally mounted
Mazda
 badge. Elsewhere, there appears to be redesigned headlights along with larger side mirror indicator signals.
Expect the cabin to receive an update as well, likely to include Mazda’s latest MZD Connect infotainment system seen on the Mazda 2, Mazda 3, and the recently released CX-5, all of which are available in Malaysia currently.
As a comparison, here is the what the current 2015 Mazda BT-50 looks like:
No details on the powertrain have been revealed as of yet but expect the 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 200PS/470Nm sent through a six-speed automatic gearbox to be carried over along with the smaller capacity 2.2-litre units.


Proton Mulling Over Price Increase For 2016

As the Ringgit continues to remain weak against other major currencies, Proton Holdings Berhad has announced that the company is considering to increase the prices of its cars come January 2016.
“We do feel the impact of the fallen Ringgit as many raw materials are purchased in foreign currency. The weaker Ringgit affects the company’s operation cost and the entire eco-system chain from the vendors to us. Hence, we are evaluating our price structure and the percentage of the price increase will depend on the models,” said Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, CEO of Proton.
Proton also added that where necessary, the company has already implemented measures to reduce its operational cost and rationalised its operations, but the weakening Ringgit continues to put pressure not just on Proton, but the industry as a whole.


Ora Good Cat EV pre-booking opens on 11 November 2022

Those who are excited about potentially owning an
Ora Good Cat EV
 can place their pre-bookings starting 11 November 2022.

The announcement was made by GWM Malaysia via its
Facebook
 page stating their participation and presence at this year's Malaysia Motor Expo. Happening from 11-13 November 2022 at KLCC, you can also check out the car live and in person.

Test drive also available?

According to the GWM Malaysia Facebook post, the Ora Good Cat will be available for an 'electrifying test drive experience' this weekend at KLCC. Attendees of the Malaysia Motor Expo can get a taste of the Good Cat, which is said to have an all-electric range of 500km on a single charge.

While the prices are yet to be revealed, it is estimated to be somewhere around the RM150,000 mark. There will be four variants available for the Ora Good Cat - Tech, Pro, Ultra, and Ultra G, but all of them will run the same single electric motor setup that produces 143PS and 210Nm of torque.

500km EV range?

What separates the variants are the battery pack capacities. For the Tech and Pro variants, they'll come with a 47.8kWh battery pack that is said to have a range of up to 400km (NEDC). The Ultra and Ultra G come with a bigger 63.1kWh battery pack that is said to offer up to 500km NEDC range.

Charging-wise for the two former models support 6.6kW AC Type 2 (around eight hours to get it fully charged) and 60kW DC fast charging CCS2 which offer 0-80% in just 45 minutes. The later models with the bigger battery pack will take 10 hours for AC and around an hour for DC charging.

Will the Ora Good Cat be the cheapest EV you can buy in Malaysia in 2022/2023?


Aston Martin DB 9 GT Revealed, Will Debut At Goodwood Festival

The Goodwood Festival of Speed kicks off today and British car maker Aston Martin will be present at the event with this, the
DB9
 GT.
Aston Martin
 say this is the most potent DB9 it has ever devised, armed with an uprated 6.0-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine boasting 547PS @ 6,750 rpm and 620Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a Touchtronic II six-speed automatic transmission and combined, will get the DB9 GT to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds before topping out at 295 km/h. As before, Aston’s three-stage Adaptive Damping System (ADS) offers Normal, Sport and Track modes for different driving dynamics.
On the exterior, the DB9’s recognisable design is retained here but with a few GT badges placed on the car. Other unique additions to differentiate it as a GT is a black painted splitter and diffuser, revised headlight and tail lights, and new ten-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels. The brake calipers are now black anodised and there is a GT engraving on the aluminium fuel filler cap.
Buyers can opt for extra personalisation with carbon fibre tail lamp inserts, side strakes, front splitter and rear diffuser; graphite, diamond-turned ten-spoke alloy wheels and alternative brake caliper colours.
Inside, the DB9 GT gets the brand’s Ami II infotainment package which was first introduced in the Vanquish. The system accepts an array of inputs with enhanced connectivity as well. The car retains its 2+2 seating configuration with the seats having the ‘GT’ embroidery. Also found are iridium trim pack and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.
As a side note, Aston Martin has also revised its other core models, the
Vantage
 and
Rapide
 S for the 2016 model year as well.


What’s Up with Things Falling from the Sky and Crushing Cars Lately?

Concrete boulders, cranes, rocks, pillars, trees, you name it – The number of cases with vehicles getting crushed by these objects are certainly on the rise lately, aren’t they?

Just a few days ago, a woman was fortunate to escape with only an injured arm, after a piece of concrete fell onto her car along the MRR2 near Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS).

The woman was driving along the MRR2 at around 4.30pm on Saturday (Sept 19), when the one square metre-sized piece of concrete fell on her car.

According to Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) chief Asst Comm Zulkefly Yahya, the concrete slab was part of the construction of the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE).

But wait, there is
more
! On Sunday night, just a short distance away from the incident, another car was crushed by an unidentified object, and suffered severe damage to its roof, as it was turning left into Jalan Len Seng, Cheras.

The 55-year-old e-hailing driver was pinned inside the car and had to be extricated by rescuers, but was unhurt in the incident.

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department chief Assistant Commissioner Zulkefly Yahya said they are still investigating the incident, but an initial investigation pointed to the hook of a mobile crane colliding with the car. The mobile crane, however, has not been traced. In addition, no debris was found at the
crash
 site.

Believe it or not, on the same day, another woman, in Jalan SS2/24, Petaling Jaya, escaped unhurt after a portion of a tower crane fell off a trailer lorry and onto her car.

The incident occurred at 5.45pm as the 25-year-old woman was driving home in her Perodua Myvi.

An initial investigation found that the tower crane, which was being transported, had knocked into two telephone poles along the road, causing it to fall off the trailer lorry.

Scary, isn’t it? On the safe side, a stop-work order has been issued on the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) project following the earlier incident, and an investigation has also been initiated by the authorities, including the Works Ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority.

Regardless of the location, one thing is clear – the level of safety is below par. Every single factor that can cause objects to fall or go flying should clearly be considered, and necessary steps have to be taken beforehand in order to prevent incidents such as these from happening.

Do we have to wait for someone to die before ensuring that the level of safety is tip top?

Highway concessionaires aside, let us look at truck and crane operators for a moment.

Since these behemoths are using the same roads as other motorists, necessary steps have to be taken to ensure that everything on board is intact, and nothing goes flying and causes damage to other vehicles around the truck or crane.

Yes, it is good that action is taken promptly after something happens, but what we need more of is preventive measures by everyone and anyone involved in operating these vehicles, and those managing these mega-projects.

Your actions will help us decide whether to look at the road ahead or at the sky for falling boulders the next time we drive on the MRR2.

Separately, if any mishaps such as these happen to you, or your vehicle gets damaged by a natural disaster,
here's what you should do
, and who should be held responsible for the damage.

Keep your heads up!


Tak Berbaloi Buat e-hailing Waktu Puncak – Pengguna Merana, Pemandu Sengsara

Kenaikan tambang
e-hailing
 seperti Grab sejak akhir-akhir ini adalah disebabkan oleh ramai pemandu yang tidak lagi berminat untuk bekerja ketika waktu puncak meskipun tambangnya lebih tinggi berbanding biasa.

Isu hangat ini kerap timbul setelah semua sektor ekonomi dibuka semula menyebabkan
kesesakan jalan raya
 kerana kebanyakan pekerja sudah tidak lagi bekerja dari rumah. Kesesakan melampau ini telah menyebabkan sebahagian besar pemandu Grab mematikan aplikasi ketika waktu puncak.

Insentif Tak Berbaloi Untuk Pemandu

Menurut laporan The Malaysian Insight (TMI), Presiden Grab Drivers Malaysia Association (GDMA), Arif Asyraf Ali berkata meskipun tambang yang dikenakan lebih tinggi pada waktu puncak, segelintir pemandu Grab bertindak mematikan aplikasi Grab kerana insentif tidak lagi menarik dan berbaloi buat mereka.

Secara logiknya, selain kos bahan api dan masa, pemandu e-hailing juga memerlukan mental dan fizikal yang kuat jika terperangkap di dalam kesesakan jalan raya terlalu lama yang boleh menyebabkan kelesuan dan keletihan.

Ini menyebabkan kira-kira 30% hingga 40% daripada pemandu mematikan aplikasi, menyebabkan ramai pengguna terkandas. Angka tersebut menurun daripada 70,000-80,000 menjadi 50,000-60,000 pemandu sahaja buat masa ini.

Tambah Arif, tambang semakin meningkat kerana pemandu kurang, jadi pemandu yang aktif perlu memandu lebih jauh untuk mengambil penumpang. Ia telah meningkatkan kos kerana pemandu perlu menggunakan lebih banyak minyak dan terperangkap dalam kesesakan lalu lintas.

Terdahulu,
Grab Malaysia
 berkata pada pertengahan bulan Mei 2022 sahaja, jumlah pemandu di bawah platform mereka masih dalam keadaan kurang 70% berbanding sebelum pandemik melanda.

Walau bagaimanapun, jika surcaj yang dikenakan terlalu tinggi, iaitu melebihi 200% daripada tambang asas,
lesen operasi syarikat tersebut akan ditarik balik atau digantung
, menurut Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Wee menyeru orang ramai yang membayar harga tambang e-hailing empat kali ganda lebih tinggi supaya tampil membuat laporan rasmi dan MOT tidak akan teragak-agak untuk mengambil tindakan.

Tarik Lebih Ramai Pemandu

Baru-baru ini, Grab telah melaksanakan beberapa langkah untuk meningkatkan bekalan pemandu bagi memastikan tambang mereka tidak terlalu mahal seperti:

Meningkatkan insentif untuk pemandu kembali ke jalan raya pada waktu puncak

Memberi subsidi 100% daripada keseluruhan kos pematuhan peraturan pemandu

Menawarkan bonus sehingga RM300 kepada pemandu sedia ada bagi merujuk dan membantu pemandu-pemandu baharu

Persoalannya, adakah ia cukup bagi memikat semula hati bekas pemandunya untuk kembali bekerja ketika waktu puncak di samping cuba memenangi semula hati penggunanya atas peningkatan tambang?


Review: 2017 Honda HR-V - Versus 2015 Honda HR-V

Approximately two years ago, I had the privilege of sampling the much anticipated Honda HR-V in Thailand, roughly two months before it was due to be launched in Malaysia. All it took was a scenic drive down from Chiang Rai back into Chiang Mai, and a leisurely cruise within the city, roughly one hour of driving - I was smitten.
I was instantly impressed with the composed driving demeanor and edgy styling which blended nice SUV proportions as inspired by Honda’s ‘Exciting H’ design philosophy. The interior too was modern, extremely practical, and felt premium to the touch.
The ‘Ruse Black’ car you see on the left is owned by my family and has been a trusty workhorse for nearly two years now. It was so easy to live with and drive around town that we eventually sold the family’s
BMW (E60) 5-Series
, due to lack of usage.
The Tafetta White unit on the right is a 2017 Honda HR-V which I had the opportunity to test recently.
The big news for the 2017 model is the addition of the larger 17-inch 5-spoke alloys, and if I may say so myself - looks the business. The wheels are shod in Yokohama BluEarth E70 tyres, which have a 55 series aspect ratio versus the taller 60 series (Bridgestone Turanza tyres), which wrap the 16-inch wheels on the 2015 model.
Do note, however, the 2017 model is featured here with the optional Modulo body kit, which sharply enhances the outlook of Honda’s mid-size crossover.
After extensive driving in the 2017 HR-V recently, there was little difference to be felt in terms of ride comfort. The inherent comfort biased tuning of the suspension assured that regarding the bigger wheels and tyres, the driving experience remains mostly the same.
The Yokohama tyres, however, grip much better in the wet and more progressive at the limit in the dry than the Bridgestones, and manages to make the 2017 model a sharper steer.
Power comes from a 1.8-litre (R18) i-VTEC inline-four which outputs 140hp at 6,500rpm and 172Nm at 4,300rpm. The engine sends power to a CVT automatic driving the front wheels.
Performance isn’t blistering as you might expect, but it’s more than adequate to hustle along the highway or around town. The CVT auto is silky smooth in most all daily operation except for when one abruptly lifts off throttle – which induces a slight jerk.
On the economy front, it was surprising to note that the white HR-V returned a modest 8.8-litres/100km after some 500km of mostly urban driving. The figure is reflected on the family owned HR-V which, which frequently averages around 8.6- to 10.4-litres/100km.
Two years on, the 2017 HR-V draws similar conclusions to our
in-depth review
 of the 2015 model. It's well-positioned in one of the most competitive segments currently, which also rivals other crossovers such as the
Mitsubishi ASX
 and
Mazda CX-3
.
In this regard, the HR-V remains a triumph of packaging and pricing - echoed only by its runaway success.
Related links:
Review: 2015 Honda HR-V – How Is It Like Living With One Everyday?
Enhanced 2015 Mitsubishi ASX Review – New Tricks from the Old Horse
Review: 2015 Mazda CX-3 – Not Quite What It Seems


Naza Kia Rewards 62 Customers With RM620 Worth Of Petrol Card Each

Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, welcomed 62 winners of the ‘Fuel Your Freedom, Discover Malaysia with Kia’ Contest who received their prize of RM620 worth of petrol cards at a prize-giving ceremony held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur last Saturday.

Customers who purchased a KIA car from Naza Kia Malaysia’s dealerships nationwide from the period of 15th August to 30th September 2019 were automatically eligible to enter the contest.

The 62 winners were then selected randomly by a judging panel.

R. Devaraju, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings said, “In true Malaysian spirit, Naza Kia Malaysia held a Merdeka and Malaysia Day themed nationwide campaign called ‘Fuel Your Freedom, Discover Malaysia with Kia’ to celebrate our customers’ new ownership experience with KIA and concurrently encourage Malaysians to take a road trip and explore the diversity that makes Malaysia beautiful and unique.”


Volvo Is Making Polestar A Separate Brand For High-Performance Electrified Vehicles

Just two years after acquiring Polestar Performance as a wholly-owned subsidiary, Volvo Cars is pushing its performance arm to spearhead a new range of high-performance electrified vehicles.
Detailed plans are set to be revealed in autumn, but the company’s announcement confirms that consumers can look forward to independent Polestar-branded vehicles that do not carry any Volvo branding.
Buyers sticking to the Volvo brand, however, will continue to be offered the option of various Polestar Engineered enhancement packages.
This realignment of Polestar’s direction comes in conjunction with the setting up of a new management team within the organization. Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President of Design at Volvo will be assuming the position of Polestar CEO.
“Thomas heading up the Polestar organisation shows our commitment to establishing a truly differentiated stand-alone brand within the Volvo Car Group,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars.
Mr Ingenlath will be joined at Polestar by Jonathan Goodman, who will become Chief Operating Officer. Mr Goodman moves from his position as Senior Vice President Corporate Communication at Volvo Cars.
“Polestar will be a credible competitor in the emerging global market for high performance electrified cars. With Polestar, we are able to offer electrified cars to the world’s most demanding, progressive drivers in all market segments,” Samuelsson continued.


2015 McLaren 675LT Teased: Throwback To Le Mans

Every year, we eagerly wait for several motor shows for the latest and greatest the automotive industry can muster up. In that list, the Geneva Motor Show that begins in March 2015, and the folks at
McLaren
 at kicking things off by announcing that its 675LT will make its debut there.
The LT designation at the rear is a throwback to heritage in the form of the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’. That race car from 1997 was part of the FIA GT Championship   at that time and had undergone extensive modification on its engine, weight saving, and most notably, its bodywork, to generate much more aerodynamic downforce.
[UPDATE] Now with added engine noise:
Those characteristics are embodied into the road legal 675LT that joins the existing
650S
 and
Asia-only 625C
. The 675LT is part of the newly named McLaren Super Series which sits above the recently announced
Sports Series
 in the range hierarchy. The supercar will only be offered in coupe bodystyle.
Power output is denoted in the name itself, 675 PS or 666 bhp, making the 675LT the most powerful Super Series offering. More details are expected to be announced leading up to the Geneva Motor Show.


Hyundai Teases Sportier All-New i20, Clearing Path For Next Kia Rio

Hyundai
 has released official sketches of their upcoming i20 hatch, which is now confirmed to make its first official appearance at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show next month. More accurately, there’s just two images for us to dissect.

As with many teaser ‘artists impressions’ of a new car, automakers are prone to some embellishment for effect. However, the degree to which Hyundai has exaggerated the i20’s proportions are approaching hilarious levels.

The car looks much too wide and low to be a little brother to the i30 and the wheels don’t wear tyres necessarily but instead seem to have painted outer barrels. For what will be a price-focused compact urban hatch with rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 208, setting expectations this far afield can be problematic.

Along with their newest generation of cars, the South Korean automaker terms the i20’s styling as ‘Sensuous Sportiness’, and says that it will be the first car with this new design language to be sold in Europe.

It will be replacing the second-generation i20 which has been in production since 2014, and with Geneva being the venue of its grand reveal, an on-sale date window of mid-2020 seems very plausible followed by deliveries starting in latter 2020 or early 2021.

Inside, notably, Hyundai says that dual 10.25-inch screens will dominate the dashboard as a digital instrument cluster and infotainment combo, bringing to mind
Mercedes-Benz
’s own approach. The rest of the cabin, though, remains a mystery.

Though it is very unlikely that the i20 will be arriving for sale in Malaysia, how this plays out will impact its sister car, the
Kia
 Rio, which should mirror its platform, powertrain, and tech features. That said, the Rio should only surface as an all-new model in 2023 or 2024 if they adhere to their current refresh cycle.


There’s A Bit Of Bentley Inside Every Volvo, And Here’s How Volvo Made It Better

As recent as five years ago, nobody would take you seriously if you were to say that Volvo will soon become the benchmark in making the most luxurious automotive interiors. Function over form rather than avant-garde has for many decades, been the de rigueur for Volvo, and then something happened.
Within just one model generation, Volvo has made massive leaps in its products and their interiors are now equal to, if not better than  German peers. Don’t take our word for it, go see it for yourself.
Volvo S90
The all-new Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) Volvo XC90, the first of Volvo’s new generation of SPA-based vehicles was the recipient of the 2016 Ward’s Auto Best Interiors Award. An honour that was shared with the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. Still not good enough?
One year later, the S90, collected the EyesOn Designer Awards Best Human Machine Interface at the North American International Auto Show. Earlier this year, the
XC60
 won the 2018 Good Design Award for Best Automotive Interior.
Much of Volvo’s design-led renaissance can be attributed to Chief Design Officer Thomas Ingenlath, a German national who spent more than a decade leading design work at the Volkswagen Group before joining the Volvo Car Group in 2012.
Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Design Officer
Despite being a German, Thomas was convinced that the world didn’t need yet another German-influenced luxury car brand. The tightly contested luxury car space needs to be rejuvenated with fresh thinking. At the same time, Ingenlath needed a hand, someone to focus on the interior while he worked on the exterior and overall design.
Who did he called? The guy who designed an interior fit for a Queen of course. Queen Elizabeth II’s official car is a Bentley State Limousine – only two units were ever made, both for Her Majesty The Queen.
Robin Page, Senior Vice-President Design
The royal car’s interior was penned by British national Robin Page, a colleague of Ingenlath from the Volkswagen Group. Page was also responsible for the Bentley Mulsanne's interior, which is basically a Rolls-Royce GTI, as well as the Bentley Continental. Design portfolios don’t come any more impressive than this.
Volvo and Ingenlath were clearly shooting for the stars when they poached Page. Did we mention that this was the Queen’s go-to guy when Her Majesty wanted a custom limousine?
As luxurious as the Bentley State Limousine and Mulsanne were, Page wasn’t hired to simply transfer Bentley’s British aristocratic tastes to Volvo. He was hired for his Bentley-level of sophistication and attention to details, but Volvo wanted him to execute these design ideals in a new and uniquely Volvo manner.
While Volvo is not Bentley, the Swedish brand offered an opportunity for Page to rethink what defines a luxury car, a freedom that he didn’t have at a tightly defined brand steeped in heritage like Bentley.
Page used Volvo’s ‘Designed Around You’ philosophy as the starting point for his new creative endeavour, and immersed himself Swedish culture and landscape. He identified several hallmarks of Swedish design culture - finely detailed jewelry, intuitive technology, mood lighting and high quality natural materials – and proceeded to design an interior that incorporated these traits.
He didn’t want to use the same sort of materials used by Bentley, which while posh, was a bit too traditional and more of the same with what’s already done by other luxury brands.
It explained why Page elected to use Orrefors glass crystal as a gear knob for plug-in hybrid Volvos. It’s not just a homage to Sweden’s heritage in craftsmanship but also a great example of creative use of new materials in conjunction with opportunities presented by new technology, which in the case of plug-in hybrid Volvos, was the shift-by-wire gear knob.
Where other brands use high gloss plastics and chrome bezel knobs, Volvo uses diamond-cut patterns, fine enough for a Bentley, but unique enough that it’s distinctively Volvo.
Wood veneers and soft leathers are necessary in creating a luxurious cabin but Page gave these materials a new Swedish twist. Instead of using high gloss walnut wood that’s commonly used by Bentley and Volvo's German peers, he took inspiration from Sweden's iconic wood cabins that dot their countryside and used linear pattern natural walnut driftwood trim.
The result are the very natural looking wood veneers used by Volvo. These are truly one of a kind and not found in other cars. In Page’s opinion, wood veneers should be used to finish a solid surface, not used a 2-dimensional decorative panel.
At the same time, Page took a page from Bentley’s best practices, and replicated the same symmetrical-pattern between left- and right-side of a Volvo’s cabin. None of its same-class German rivals pay this much attention to their wood trims. Most would simply side-stepped the challenge by using veneers with horizontal lines throughout.
Where Page has done a much better job in Volvo than at Bentley was in integrating the infotainment with the rest of the car, removing all unnecessary switches and knobs. Where Bentley’s infotainment screen was oddly hidden behind wood panel, swiveling out when needed but when it’s out, the screen looked too out of place with the rest of car’s classic style design.
At Volvo, Page was given a clean slate and he capitalized on it by creating a more harmonious looking interior, where the wood veneers and leather are in harmony with a large hi-tech Tesla-style touch screen console panel.
He removed as many buttons as he could, integrating all the functions into a large touch screen panel. The result is a very clean looking Tesla-like interior, but made with much higher quality materials.
By having a clean surface devoid of clutter, Page was able to use the expansive surface to ‘pull’ all the elements of his design together, setting a positive tension around the centre of the dashboard, where all the vehicle's functions are controlled. The result is a design that’s far better than any of his previous work at Bentley.
Noticed how the door handle and nicely detailed Bowers and Wilkins speaker on the door panel combine seamlessly into one metallic surface unit, separating wood veneer section from the leather wrapped portion of the door, and then compare that to the door panels of a Bentley Mulsanne, never mind a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class. To not recognize these as testaments of Volvo’s leadership in interior design is to be brand snob that’s still living in the old era.
Step inside a Volvo’s cabin, and you can clearly see where your money is spent.
Page once explained this in an interview with Car Design News, “I spend a lot of time with the team looking at the data and really analysing all our off-sets and gaps so that straight away you get a nice quality premium feel. Then, add in the Scandinavian materials and the kind of essence they are very good at capturing here – that cool unique look – rather than chasing the three brands from Germany, and we can have our own confident direction.”
After nearly two decades of not having any credible alternative to the German trio of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, it is refreshing to see Sweden stepping up to the fore. It’s time that consumers consider a Volvo alongside the traditional German trio.


Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4² Production Comes To An End

It is a sad day today for fans of the Mercedes-Benz G Class as the production of a very special version of the SUV; the G500 4x4
2
 has come to an end.
Unveiled at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show, the G500 4x4
2
, which is basically a shorter and more practical version of the hardcore G63 AMG 6x6, will no longer be available after end-October.
Developed for extreme off-road use, the technical highlight of the G500 4x4
2
 is that it comes with portal axles in contrast to conventional rigid axles, which translates to the wheels not being at the height of the axle centre, but much lower down on the axle heads instead.
Thanks to this setup, the SUV has an impressive ground clearance of up to 450 mm, enabling it to wade water of up to 1000 mm deep.
The on-road performance of the special model is equally impressive as well thanks to the 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine which kicks out 422 hp and 610 Nm of torque.
Complemented by large 22-inch wheels with adjustable damping with Sport mode, Mercedes-Benz claims that the G500 4x4
2
is offers a driving experience that is far more dynamic than what one would expect from a vehicle in its class.
That being said, the special version of the G-Class, which will only be sold for another two weeks, is all set to become a collector’s item in the future.


Proton X70 Launched – 4 Variants, Priced From RM 99,800

Since the
signing ceremony
 between Proton and Zhejiang Geely Holding last July, Geely has
confirmed
 that the first product to come out of this partnership would be based on the Geely Boyue.
Following the announcement,
numerous
 units of the Geely Boyue have been seen throughout the country,
sometimes
 with other C-segment SUVs in tow.
Nearly 17 months after the initial announcement, Proton has finally launched the X70. The initial batches of the X70 will be imported from China, with local assembly at Proton's Tanjung Malim plant expected to commence some time in 2019.
A total of four variants will be available, priced at:
Standard 2WD - RM 99,800
Executive 2WD - RM 109,800
Executive AWD - RM 115,800
Premium 2WD - RM 123,800
All prices are on-the-road, without insurance.
Proton also stated that for the first time ever, prices of the X70 will be consistent between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
All variants of the Proton X70 are powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder petrol engine, outputting 181 hp and 285 Nm. The sole transmission option is a six-speed automatic, sending power to either the front wheels or all four wheels, depending on specification.
Starting from the base Standard 2WD (
RM 99,800
), equipment includes:
17-inch alloy wheels
Halogen projector headlights
Fabric seats
8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with natural language, contextual voice control ("Hi Proton" commands)
Reverse camera
6 speakers
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Rear air vents
Air purifier system
6 airbags
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Traction Control
Hill Hold Assist
Hill Descent Control
Emergency Stop signal
As for the Executive 2WD (
RM 109,800
), this variant adds:
LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
18-inch alloy wheels
Leatherette seats
Power adjustable driver seat
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
360-degree surround view camera
8 speakers
The sole Executive AWD (
RM 115,800
) variant adds:
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Sitting at the top of the Proton X70 range is the Premium 2WD model (
RM 123,800
), which adds:
Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Forward Collision Warning
Adaptive cruise control
Lane Departure Warning
Blind Spot Information System
Intelligent High Beam Control
Brown Nappa leather seats
Power adjustable front passenger seat
Panoramic sunroof
9 speakers, including power amplifier and subwoofer
Setting the Proton X70 apart from its competitors is its
infotainment system
. Unlike other similarly-priced rivals, the Proton X70's infotainment system is able to understand contextual, natural language voice control - just say "Hi Proton," followed by your instructions, similar to the Linguatronic "Hey Mercedes" system found in the W177-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
A total of five body colours are available, which includes Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Cinnamon Brown, and Flame Red. The Executive 2WD model gets four colours excluding Flame Red, while the remaining two models (Standard 2WD, Executive AWD) can only be had with two colours.
In terms of warranty, the Proton X70 is backed by a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty. As for its data connectivity, the X70 is backed by a 5-year data package, capped at 1GB per month.


Mercedes partner up with Google - Finally, Youtube and Maps on Mercedes' high-def screens!

This partnership between Google and Mercedes-Benz will make Mercedes the first automaker to build its own branded navigation experience based on new in-car data and navigation capabilities from Google Maps Platform.

Whether you prefer an Apple or an Android device, there's no denying that everybody prefers to use Google's navigation systems, let it be Google maps or Waze.

For this reason, more and more manufacturers are starting to concede that Google's navigation systems are the best, which is why more and more of them are partnering up with the California-based company.

The latest manufacturer to strike a long-term strategic partnership with Google is Mercedes-Benz, with the move apparently helping them accelerate auto innovation and create the industry’s
next-generation digital luxury car experience
.

This partnership will give the luxury automaker access to Google’s leading geospatial offering, including detailed information about places, real-time and predictive traffic information, automatic rerouting, and more.

By embedding these features into the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), customers will be able to enjoy a superior navigation experience, thanks to easy usability and outstanding graphics on the car’s high-resolution screen.

To help enrich the user experience, the companies will bring the YouTube app into the Mercedes-Benz infotainment system. In addition, Mercedes-Benz will use Google Maps data to enable assisted driving features such as automatic speed adjustments before intersections, roundabouts or curves.

"We invite only the very best partners to enhance our operating system and to add to the Mercedes-Benz customer experience. Google has been a leader in maps and navigation for many years."

"With our strategic partnership, we are excited to create unique services and to elevate the level of convenience for our customers. It will be deeply integrated within our signature Mercedes-Benz user interface and fully connected to relevant vehicle functions like the state-of-charge", said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.


Limited Edition Renault Captur Trophy Introduced – RM107,980

TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the official distributor of Renault vehicles in Malaysia has introduced a limited-edition variant of Renault Captur SUV, dubbed the Trophy.

Available in limited units, the Limited Edition Captur Trophy is priced the same as the base Captur model at RM107,980 (OTR inclusive of SST, without insurance).

The Captur Trophy adds on a number of additional equipment such as the Vibrant Orange Trophy colour, reminiscent of the iconic Megane R.S model, sporty front and rear bumper spoilers finished in gunmetal colour, and 3D ‘chequered flag’ decals along the flanks of the car. The Captur Trophy additionally receives the Hands-free power tailgate function, which has proven popular with Captur customers.

Under the hood, the Limited Edition Captur Trophy features the same (TCe 120) 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which produces 120 PS and 205 Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of TC Euro Cars added, “Taking inspiration from the Megane R.S., the Limited Edition Captur Trophy delivers a new level of sports appeal.”

Additionally, five lucky customers who purchase a brand-new Renault Captur Trophy will get the chance to take the All-new Renault Megane R.S. home for one month. This offer aims to encourage an appreciation amongst customers for Renault’s range of products and offerings.

The new Captur Trophy is also available on Renault Subscription. Under the Fixed Plan, the Captur Trophy is available from RM1,499 monthly for the two-year subscription package and RM1,699 monthly for the one-year plan. These monthly fees are inclusive of road tax, insurance, and regular maintenance fee.

Customers who opt for the Switch Prime Plan will get to enjoy the Captur Trophy as their everyday vehicle, in addition to a total of four months’ access to the Renault family of models such as the Koleos and the Megane R.S.

The Captur Trophy, like other Captur variants, is offered with a 5-year manufacturer unlimited mileage warranty and 5-year/100,000km free maintenance (parts and labour) package.


Moving House is An Exercise in Efficiency, But The Right Car Makes it Easier

There are a good many experiences that you will go through in life as you grow, but one of the most peculiar is the challenge of moving houses. If you’ve ever had to stay in a college dorm or if move to a different town to work, you will understand the rather tricky nature of trying to pack your entire life into a series of boxes and move them great distances. But moving house is a little more difficult than that- chiefly because you usually don’t realize how much stuff you actually have.
The things you touch and interact with day to day will usually be enough to fill up a small car, but try sizing up your collection of books and clothes and photo albums and broomsticks and ironing boards, and you eventually find yourself with far more things that your average hatchback can handle even with the seats dropped down.
While you have the option of hiring a professional mover, you should reserve this for the more serious things like refrigerators and beds. As for the rest of the small items, pack them into cardboard boxes (that you’ve appropriated from the back of grocery stores) and load them into your vehicle of choice. For this exercise, we have the Ford EcoSport- a crossover based on the Ford Fiesta that has a number of useful features to maximize cargo area.
When you’re lifting heavy things, your biggest friend is a low load floor and flat folding seats. The Ford EcoSport has both of these, making it easier to get items in and out without exerting too much effort. The rear hatch swings open rather than opening upwards, reducing the amount of effort required- as well as having the added benefit that you can push the hatch back shut if you find your cargo starts to spill out.
While Ford was keen to promote the EcoSport’s ability to fit an entire washing machine inside the cargo area, it also serves to hold cupboards and boxes fairly well. We couldn’t get our cupboard fitted in vertically, so we flipped it on its side and placed it on the floor, fitting perfectly within the dimensions of the cargo area. On top of this we stacked extra boxes of other items, and of course an ironing board as the cherry on top.
Securing your cargo is also especially important. While things may sit pretty before you set off on your journey, you may find that they don’t always remain still when you’re steering and accelerating; the ironing board in particular was constantly slapping me in the face whenever I braked to negotiate a corner- definitely a lesson learned for the future.
Getting things out is as easy as getting them in, and before you know it the cargo bed is as empty as when you began. As it is with moving house, you will be performing this trip many times, filling and emptying the cargo bed as you go. With the EcoSport it’s a much easier task and you can carry more in a single trip, reducing the number of times you need to travel back and forth.
Even if you’re not moving house or carrying washing machines around, the Ford EcoSport is a pretty versatile car. Over the course of the weekend when it wasn’t being used to ferry housewares, a friend of mine enlisted my help to move his engine and gearbox from Petaling Jaya to Shah Alam, and of course the EcoSport swallowed it up whole with little protest. But that’s a story for another time.


2015 Perodua Myvi 1.5 Advance vs 2014 Proton Iriz 1.6 CVT Premium: The RM60,000 battle

It is common for us motoring journalists to have car-related questions thrown our way on a regular basis, from family members, friends, a friend of a friend, or even a reader who lives a thousand miles away, but regardless of who it is, the questions usually come from someone who intends to buy a car.
More often than not, the question which we end up facing is:
“Bro,I’m torn between car A and car B. Which one would you recommend and why ar?”
And with whatever knowledge and experience we have, we try our best to help our friends make the right decision. In fact, this has become a part and parcel of the lives of motoring journalists all over the world.
That being said, the writer found himself in a situation recently where he had to give his input to help his aunt purchase a car for her daughter. And as expected, the aunt was stressed out.
“Aiyo tambi, I want to buy my daughter a car for about RM60,000 since she is going to college soon. I really like the Proton Iriz, but uncle is saying that the Perodua Myvi is better. To make things worse, this girl doesn’t know what she wants. She says she likes both. I’m so stressed I don’t know what to do anymore lah…”
Now that the writer’s aunt’s problem has become his problem, there was only one way to solve this for once and for all – to put both the
Perodua Myvi
 and the
Proton Iriz
 side-by-side and see
how they fare against one another
.
So, since the budget here is RM60,000, we decided to put the range-topping variants of both models – the Myvi 1.5 Advance and the Iriz 1.6 CVT Premium to the test.
Specifications:
Proton Iriz 1.6 CVT Premium
Price: RM62,480.00
Engine: 1.6-litre, inline-4, VVT
Power: 107hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 150Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Fuel consumption (claimed): 13.5km/l
Safety: 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC, traction control, ISOFIX, Brake Assist (BA), rear view camera, electronic gear shift lock, anti-trap power window (driver only).
Origin: Made in Malaysia
Perodua Myvi 1.5 Advance
Price: RM58,368.50
Engine: 1.5-litre, inline-4, DVVT
Power: 102 hp at 6,000 rpm
Torque: 136 Nm at 4,400 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Fuel consumption (claimed): 12.9km/l
Safety: 2 airbags, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist (BA), ISOFIX, Anti-snatch hook, seatbelt pre-tensioner
Origin: Made in Malaysia
Overview
What we have here are two cars that are ideal for beginners. They are small, affordable, economical, zippy, and are perfect for city driving.  Although both cars offer great value for money, they have their shortcomings as well. These are exactly what potential buyers such as the aunty above need to know in order to make the decision on which is the car that suits them (or their children) the most.
Exterior
Design wise, there is nothing much to talk about here as both the Myvi and the Iriz are on par with one another. Although the Myvi has been around for more than a decade, Perodua has given the model a much needed facelift, comprising a redesigned front fascia, new wheel design, and new colours in an effort to keep the car fresh in the market.
The Iriz on the other hand, is much newer than the Myvi. Hence, you get more contemporary features like a couple of additional character lines, LED combination tail lights, as well as Follow-Me-Home lights.
Size wise, the Myvi measures 3,685mm in length, 1,665mm in width, 1,570mm in height, and comes with a wheelbase length of 2,440mm. As for the Iriz, it is 3,920mm long, 1,722mm wide, 1,554mm tall and comes with a 2,555mm wheelbase.
The Iriz is not only bigger than the Myvi by a small margin, but also heavier. Weighing at 1,185kg (kerb weight), it is about 200kg heavier than the Myvi, which weighs only 980kg.
Another small difference is that the Myvi Advance runs on 14-inch (175/65R14) tyres and wheels, while the Iriz is fitted with 15-inchers (195/55R15).
Verdict: Both cars look just as good but Iriz wins in terms of features
.
Interior
Since both variants here are range-toppers, they get all the bells and whistles the manufacturers could afford to throw in, such as leather seats, touch-screen infotainment system with DVD, USB, Bluetooth, and MP3 connectivity, as well as GPS navigation.
Besides the leather seats, it’s the usual combination of hard and soft plastic material everywhere in both cars. However, the Iriz’s cabin seems to look and feel a tad more premium than the Perodua.
Even if we are to compare the audio system offered in both cars, the Iriz’s infotainment do a better job in entertaining the occupants, as the speakers offer more bass and clarity overall.
As much as practicality and space is concerned, the Myvi has the upper hand with nine cubby holes compared to the Iriz’s seven, a deeper glove compartment, and a well-packaged centre stack that translates to a very roomy interior despite being the smaller car. Even when it comes to the occupants, the Myvi has more head room and also leg room in the rear despite being the smaller car.
In case you’re wondering which car has more luggage space, the Iriz offers 215-liters with the rear seats up, while the Myvi offers 208-liters. However, with the seats folded, it’s a completely different story. Since the Myvi’s seats can be folded flat, you get 595-litres with the seats down. Meanwhile, the Iriz’s luggage with the seats folded into 60:40 configuration stands at only 270-litres tops.
Verdict: If you want space, go for the Myvi. If you want refinement, go for the Iriz.
Safety
Proton wins here, hands down. While the Myvi’s only safety systems are its dual airbags, anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA), the Iriz Premium comes with traction control (TC), ABS with EBD and BA, electronic stability control (ESC), hill-hold assist (HHA) and six airbags.
Verdict: Proton is obviously the safer car here
.
Driving impressions
Both the Perodua Myvi Advance and the Proton Iriz CVT Premium might look similar from the outside and even carry features that are pretty similar to one another, but in terms of driving characteristics, they are quite different.
After spending a couple of days with both the cars, we realised that the Myvi is more about comfort, while the Iriz is more focused towards offering an enjoyable driving experience.
The difference became apparent right from the moment we sat in the car. While the Myvi’s seats provide a rather upright sitting position, the Iriz’s seats are lower, and provide better support. However, due to the lower seats, getting in and out of the Iriz was not as easy as the Myvi, but the Myvi’s seats are a plus point for drivers with a petite physique.
While the Perodua Myvi Advance is powered by a 1.5-litre engine which produces 102hp and 136Nm of torque, the Iriz runs on a 1.6-litre engine that is capable of kicking out 107hp and 150Nm of torque. On paper, the Iriz might sound like a more powerful car but due to the massive difference in weight, the Myvi has a better power-to-weight ratio, which translates to better acceleration and smoother power delivery. Believe it or not, the 1.5 Myvi can sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just under 10 seconds.
The Iriz on the other hand, which is the better handling car due to the lower centre of gravity and the additional weight, takes about 11.1 seconds.
Although the Myvi is the quicker car here, it lacks composure, and the last thing anyone should try to do is throw it around a corner at high speed. The Iriz, however, tackles corners in a more respectable manner, but it lacks the ‘oomph’ to inspire confidence and keep you going, “thanks” to the CVT transmission. In the city, however, both cars are absolute joy to drive, due to their small size and zippy nature.
Verdict: While the Myvi packs more punch, it lacks composure. The Iriz is more fun to drive, but it could use a bit more ‘oomph’
Value for money
Priced at RM58,368 and RM62,480 respectively, the Myvi Advance will most likely be the choice for those who have a budget of RM60,000 and choose not to spend anything more.
However, if you are one of those who doesn’t mind paying slightly more, the Iriz 1.6 CVT Premium is actually a very good alternative to the Myvi, as it is not only newer,  but safer, comes with more features, and is actually more fun to drive.
The Iriz is also the more fuel efficient car here, returning 13.5 kilometers for a litre of fuel, compared to the Myvi’s 12.9 kilometers per litre.
As for the servicing cost,
Perodua has even calculated the servicing and maintenance costs for the Myvi done at their authorised service centres, and for the first 100,000km, the owner only has to fork out roughly
RM2,722
, making it an ideal choice for first-time car owners not wanting to be caught out of luck and cash when it comes time for required servicing. The service interval breakdown is as follows:
20,000km -
RM353
30,000km -
RM182
40,000km -
RM484
50,000km -
RM150
60,000km -
RM384
70,000km -
RM150
80,000km -
RM484
90,000km -
RM182
100,000km -
RM353

The first three services - 1,000 km, 5,000 km and 10,000 km are free. Subsequent services are done at 10,000 km interval.
Proton on the other hand, does not provide its maintenance cost for the Iriz, but it is expected to be a bit higher than the Myvi.
Verdict: Yes, the Myvi is the cheaper choice, but the additional RM4,000 which the Iriz Premium is asking for is well justified with all the features offered (especially safety).
Conclusion
Both cars have their strengths and weaknesses. The Myvi Advance’s biggest strength is that it has proven itself to be a very reliable car. In fact, it is the best-selling car in Malaysia for the past decade. Besides that, it is more affordable than the Iriz CVT Premium, and offers more space.
However, the fact that it is more than 10 years old has made it somehow boring. In terms of the mechanics and the appearance, only minor changes have been applied. In a nutshell, it is still the same car it was years ago, and this might send quite a few potential buyers towards fresher options like the Iriz.
Despite costing a few thousand Ringgits more, there is no doubt that the Iriz offers great value for money. It might not be as roomy or punchy as a Myvi, but it certainly feels plusher, and comes fitted with generous amount of standard equipment, including six airbags. It even offers better fuel economy than the Myvi.
So, if you want to save some cash and play it safe, you can join the millions of the Myvi army on the road. But if you don’t mind spending some additional cash for six airbags, projector headlamps, bigger wheels, and a more engaging drive, the Iriz might be the right car for you.
Looking for a
 Perodua Myvi
 or a
Proton Iriz
? Find one now at
Carlist.my


MOT assembles Digital Advisory Committee to help with digitisation push

Ministry of Transport (MOT) has announced a Digital Advisory Committee (DAC) to help them with their big digitisation push.

It seems that there is a big focus on digitisation over at the Ministry of Transport (MOT), and the latest push to ensure that everything goes smoothly is to ensemble a committee consisting of people with plenty of experience in the area.

According to a posting on Anthony Loke's official Facebook page, leading ICT experts have been identified to assist the Ministry of Transport’s digitisation push.

It says on the posting that the Ministry of Transport is pleased to announce the Digital Advisory Committee (DAC), which will bring together leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) experts from various industries to assist the ministry’s digitisation efforts.

The DAC will provide their expertise to enhance service stability, cybersecurity and user experience for the Ministry of Transport’s digitisation initiatives.

The best thing about the ensembled personnels is that they will serve on a pro-bono basis at no cost to the government.

The five committee members have vast experience in the area of technology and digital transformation with diverse industry backgrounds including from the administrative, regulatory, banking, telecommunication and cybersecurity sectors.

The five members are:

Dato Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi (Chairman), who served as the chairperson and CEO of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from 2011 to 2014.

Chu Hong Keong, who has over 30 years of experience in the banking and telecommunication industry with expertise in banking technology, e-business, digital transformation and fraud management.

Dato Dr. Suhazimah binti Dzazali, who served as the Deputy Director-General (ICT) and the Government Chief Information Officer (GCIO) in the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU).

Fong Choong Fook, the Executive Chairman of LGMS Berhad, the leading publicly listed cyber security firm in Malaysia.

Afzal Abdul Rahim, a technology entrepreneur who currently serves as the Commander-in-Chief of TIME dotCom with experience in telecommunications and data centres.


Ford Patent Filing Reveals It May Make Glowing Cars

Ford
 has submitted a patent application recently. Normal, yes? We’re sure every large company does it all the time. But this one is a bit more interesting – it’s reads like they’re exploring ways to make a car luminescent; to glow. It's a bright idea and could prove very useful for night time driving.
Through an eagle-eyed member of the
FocusRS forums
 in the US called Professor G, the patent submission by Ford of Dearborn, Michigan that was dated June 25
th
 came to light, quite literally. It used words such as “luminescent vehicle moulding”.
We’re no experts in the technicalities of patent lingo but it seemed to detail an inner light source could be used to brighten the outer panels of a car. For the purposes of the patent filing, Ford decided to illustrate their point with a Ford
Mustang
 convertible.
It seems that bits of the plastic trim will be able to be given this glowing treatment, as there’s no clear description of the metal panels having this property, describing the application of photoluminescent coatings that would require only a miniscule amount of energy and electronics to manage.
The only known mechanism for generating light with low energy levels is through LEDs, and perhaps with them covered by layers of moulding, would appear to be completely hidden to the outside observer. Once turned on, the light would permeate the special luminescent coating, thereby lightning up the intended panel.
If true, these panels don’t seem to require factory fitting during the production process, meaning that these glowing panels can be retrofitted to existing Fords.
The possibilities for this technology’s application stretch quite far. Imagine turn signals (or emergency lights) that occupy the entire bumper.
Who knows, you might able to select 'luminescent panels' as options on your next
Focus
 or
Fiesta
.


BMW X2 M35i Makes Malaysian Debut, 306 hp, Estimated Price RM400,000

BMW Malaysia has just announced the addition of a new range-topping variant to the X2 lineup – the X2 M35i.
Built in BMW's Regensburg plant in Germany alongside the X1, the estimated price of the X2 M35i stands at RM400,000.
Powering the X2 M35i is BMW’s most powerful version of the 2-litre TwinPower Turbo transverse engine, producing 306 hp and 450 Nm of torque which is paired to an M Performance-tuned 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and BMW’s intelligent xDrive AWD system.
Thanks to the powertrain package, the X2 M35i is able to sprint from zero to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, with a combined fuel consumption of 7.4l/100km.
The M35i variant complements the
X2 sDrive20i
 (RM328,800, launched in March 2018), which is powered by a transverse 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine and a 7-speed Steptronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox that sends 192 hp and 280 Nm to the front wheels.
The X2 M35i also gets M Sport adaptive suspension with two manually adjustable modes, an M Sport differential, revised steering tuning, bigger brake discs, and redesigned front air intakes.
On the exterior, unique features include Cerium Grey kidney grilles, side air intakes, wing mirrors, an M rear spoiler, M Sport twin exhaust system, and 20-inch M Sport light alloy wheels.
Inside, the X2 M35i is fitted with sports leather seats, an M Sport leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, “M35i” lettering on the inside of the front doors, Harman Kardon 12-Speaker sound system, as well as the Navigation Plus system with an 8.8-inch touch sensitive control display.
Colour offerings for the New BMW X2 M35i include Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Galvanic Gold, Misano Blue and Sunset Orange. Inside, owners have a choice of Black Dakota leather upholstery with Black perforations or Magma Red with Grey-Highlighted perforations.
Last but not least, the X2 M35i comes with BMW Group Malaysia’s 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service Programme, and BMW Tyre Warranty Programme.
Looking for a new BMW? Get the best deals
here
.


Government needs more time to study & review fuel prices

The review on
fuel prices
 will require more time to study and research as stated by Malaysia's economy minister, Rafizi Ramli.

One of Malaysia's all-time favourite questions to ask is currently being researched regarding any and all possibilities of lowering the retail prices for fuel following the country's 15th general election.

Current global crude oil prices going down

According to Rafizi Ramli's statement posted by
NST
, the newly-formed government is considering many factors when it comes to the fuel price reviews such as the country's latest financial capabilities, economic activity allocations, and everything else in between.

Rafizi stated that "This is beyond the issue on the formula, but more importantly is the current economic situation. The question is, the current global crude oil price is hovering between US$83 to US$85 per barrel and some were saying that the crude oil price has dropped over the past four and five months after breaching the US$100 per barrel price level."

"Hence, when the (global crude oil) price has dropped, is it enough for us to lower down the retail fuel price? Of course, for those who understand the oil and gas sector he will be asking the question," added Rafizi.

Current fuel price formula is still relevant

The PKR deputy president also mentioned that the current formula for fuel prices that was introduced by the government several years ago is still relevant to be maintained in today's scenario. Nevertheless, there will still look into the matter based on the country's current financial capabilities.

"We need to take a look on the actual government revenue now and if we review the current RM2.05 per litre price (for petrol), how much additional allocation we need to inject? All these require us more time to study each and every aspect, because when we joined any new organisation or administration either in the government or a company, we don't just step in and remove everything."

As of today, our fuel prices are still lower compared to Indonesia and Vietnam. In fact, Malaysia has to most affordable petrol (RON 95) compared to the other nine countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The estimated subsidy of RM28 billion for 2022 surely helped a lot in this particular matter.