All-New Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Open For Booking, Launch In May

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd (ETCM) today announced that the fifth-generation Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is now open for booking.
Slated to be launched in May, the new Serena S-Hybrid is powered by the same powertrain package as before - the 2.0L (MR20DD) Twin CVTC engine and the ‘micro hybrid’ system which utilizes the alternator as a torque assist motor (up to 1.9kW of power), paired with a CVT-type gearbox with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC).
Maximum power output is now at 150 PS at 6,000rpm, with a maximum torque of 200 Nm at 4,400 rpm.
According to Nissan, improvements to the engine such as the addition of the new Dual Arm Tensioner (DAT), which reduces power loss while increasing fuel efficiency, have resulted in the best-in-class fuel economy of 14.2 km/L, earning the new Serena S-Hybrid the Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status.
Unlike Hong Kong and Japan where the Serena is offered as an eight-seater, the Malaysian market will have a more exclusive seven-seater configuration (2-2-3), with the middle row being captain seats.
Maintaining the 4,770 mm length, 1,740 mm width and 1,865 mm height, the Serena is now fitted with 15-inch tyres, versus the outgoing model’s 16-inchers.
An array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) features have been included in the new Serena S-Hybrid, which includes:
Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) which offers 360° bird’s-eye view
Intelligent Moving Object Detection (I-MOD)
Hands-Free Dual Power Sliding Doors
7 USB Powered Ports
Safety features on the other hand include 6 SRS Airbags as standard, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Child Seat Retainer with Top Tether (ISOFIX x2).
Previewed at the MAI Auto Festival last week
, the new Serena S-Hybrid will be available for viewing in selected shopping malls from 3rd April onwards.
At the roadshows, visitors can also download a special augmented reality application (available on Android and IOS) to preview the vehicle in real-time with a digital tour of the All-New NISSAN Serena S-Hybrid.
Details of viewing schedule as follows:
Roadshow details are as mentioned below:


BMW Uses An i3 To Showcase Its ConnectedDrive Intelligent Parking System

Earmarked as the next step in what
BMW
 dubs Connected Navigation, their on-street parking prediction technology wants to meaningfully shorten the search for vacant slots, particularly within cities.
BMW has always been interested in the connectivity between cars and their owners as exemplified with the company’s development of ChargeNow, ParkNow (intermodal navigation), and was even the first company to offer iPod connectivity in cars.
With its partner INRIX, a leading provider of transportation intelligence and connected car services, BMW aims to unveil a research prototype of this Dynamic Parking Prediction technology built into a BMW
i3
 at TU-Automotive Detroid (formerly known as Telematics Detroit) from 3-4 June, which is one of the marquee connected car fairs.
Dynamic Parking Prediction is able to leverage the RTTI (Real-Time Traffic Information) system from BWM’s Connected Navigation technology to predict vacant parking spaces using movement data from vehicle fleets. This would significantly lower the search time needed for on-street parking and would cumulatively reduce traffic caused by the ingress and egress of parkers on narrow roads.
For this project to come to form, several thousand vehicles as part of its test fleet to supply anonymous movement data combined with specially produced digital maps that show all available public parking spaces.
The data fleet-supplied data was both of cars leaving parking spaces and of those who were searching for one. Some clever prediction algorithms enabled it to calculate the current parking options in a given area. This information, in its most basic, easy-to-understand format is then shown to the driver via the dashboard display. The more vehicles there are in the fleet to supply anonymous movement data, the more accurate the prediction engine can work.
“There is a clear demand from customers living in large cities for a system capable of predicting on-street parking availability. Through its collaboration with INRIX, the BMW Group aims to continue setting the benchmark in urban mobility into the future. We are starting from an excellent baseline, since most of our vehicles are already equipped with connected technology ex factory” says Martin Hauschild, Head of Traffic Technology and Traffic Management at the BMW Group.


Mitsubishi Axes Pajero Sales In Japan – Production To Be Discontinued In August

Mitsubishi Motors has announced that it is ceasing sales of its Pajero/Montero 4x4 vehicle in Japan, and that the company will no longer develop the nameplate after the current (V80) generation – which has been around since 2006 – ceases production in August, according to
Nippon.com
.
Not to be confused with the Pajero/Montero Sport – which is a more modern SUV based on underpinnings from the
Triton pickup
 – the ‘original’ Pajero nameplate has been around since 1982. Known for its steadfast reliability and practicality (thanks to third-row folding seats), the Pajero had ample success during the ‘Recreational Vehicle’ boom of the late 80s and early-90s. Sales of the Pajero peaked in 1992, with approximately 84,000 units sold worldwide.
Part of the Pajero’s legend also stems from motorsport – just like the Lancer Evolution models which dominated rally stages across the globe, the Pajero has enjoyed great success on the gruelling trails of the Dakar, winning 12 times out of 26 starts. The Pajero is amongst the most successful platforms to ever take part in the event.
Incidentally, the Lancer Evolution is another iconic nameplate from Mitsubishi that will cease to exist as a bonafide sports sedan, ‘evolving’ instead into an EV Coupe-SUV called the
e-Evolution
, which is still a concept at this stage.
To commemorate the end of its near 37-year lineage, Mitsubishi introduced the Pajero Final Edition last year, specially catered for the European market. Available in 3-door and 5-door variants, the Final Editions were equipped with a number of popular options (such as roof rails and leather upholstery) and stylish aftermarket wheels. Limited to just 1000 units, every car is sold with a serial numbered Citizen wristwatch.
Mitsubishi will continue to sell the Pajero in certain Asian and South American markets, while stocks last.
For the latest deals on Mitsubishi vehicles, click
here
.


Volvo Has An All-Electric XC40 EV Coming Mid October

We’re all familiar with the XC40, Volvo’s smallest model in their current line-up and the first of their compact crossover vehicles – a stark departure from the sedans and wagons that bore the 40 suffix in the past, and highly indicative of the times.

Also known is the fact that Volvo is heavily invested in electrification with a plan to have nearly all their vehicles packing a mild-hybrid, full-hybrid, or full-electric powertrain by the end of 2019, and for half of all Volvo sales being electric vehicles by 2025.

But just as they’ve quietly set Nurburgring records, Volvo has quietly pushed out an all-electric vehicle in the form of the XC40 EV – slated to make its debut by mid-October. Perhaps it isn’t the largest surprise given that Volvo has always stated that their platforms are ready to accept hybrid systems or electric powertrain components.

Details for now are scarce, save for the fact that Volvo has reinforced the space formerly known as an engine bay and has also added reinforcements for the low-mounted battery packs in order to reduce the risk of a puncture and potential fires in the event of an accident, even going so far as to engineer an aluminium crumple zone surrounding the packs.

Also coming will be the latest and greatest electronic driving aids, the fruits of the partnership between Volvo and Zenuity, including camera, radar, and ultrasonic based systems to give the car a detailed view of its surroundings. Autonomous technology won’t quite make an appearance, but given the highly complex sensors and control systems it’s likely that such features could even be retrofitted via software updates.

To find great deals on Volvo models, click
here
.


Bentley Bentayga V8 Introduced In Malaysia – From RM1.58 Million

The Bentley Bentayga V8 has officially made its debut in Malaysia. The “entry-level” super-SUV is priced from RM1,580,000 after duties (before options), and is available for viewing at Bentley Kuala Lumpur.
Billed as the sporting member of the Bentayga family, at the heart of the beast lies a new-generation 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine which develops 542 bhp and 770 Nm of torque, resulting in a top speed of 290 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds.
The performance stats are slightly less than that of the 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged
W12 model
, which was until now, the only power unit offered on the Bentayga. The W12 (which was offered locally on a custom order basis) develops 600hp and 900 Nm of torque. 0-100km/h is despatched in 4.0 seconds dead and it will keep accelerating to 301 km/h.
Power is fed to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox which permanently sends power to all four wheels through a Torsen-type centre differential. The addition of Stop-Start technology which can activated at ‘near-to-stop’ speeds, contributes to better emissions in the V8 model.
The Bentayga V8 is available with Bentley Dynamic Ride – the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilises a 48V system. The system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver superb stability, ride comfort and handling.
In terms of equipment, the Bentayga V8 offers Night Vision, a Heads-Up Display, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Predictive ACC with Traffic Assist. Predictive ACC uses the navigation data, sensors and cameras to predict upcoming corners and speed-limits to properly control the car’s speed.
Another interesting fact of the Bentayga is that it can be ordered in four-, five- or seven-seat configurations. To reflect its sporting intentions, Bentley for the first time offers a high-gloss carbon-fibre finish replacing traditional veneer surfaces; a wood and hide steering wheel; and a new rich red leather, dubbed Cricket Ball.
On the outside is also the first-of-its-kind offering: Bentley’s optional carbon-ceramic brakes sporting red brake calipers (painted in Tornado Red) for the front. Additionally, 11 wheel designs, including an all-new 22-inch five-spoke wheel are included in the Bentayga V8’s catalog.
Customers can choose between three different sound systems for the Bentayga V8: Bentley Standard Audio, Bentley Signature Audio, and Naim for Bentley Premium Audio. The latter is the most powerful system in the segment, with 1,950-watt capacity powering a network of 18 speakers.


Porsche Teases Taycan-Inspired Electric Surprise For IAA 2021

Porsche has coyly started a teaser campaign for their an upcoming unveil set to happen at the IAA 2021 in Germany, at which they plan to pull the wraps off what could be their
second fully electric model.

Unlike most of these slow-drip hype-building processes, this one has not shown up on any of the other official Porsche news sources. Instead,
the Zuffenhausen automaker
 chose to release a single image via one of its Twitter accounts.

All they’re letting the public see is a tiny cropped portion of its headlights for now, and even that is a render. However, the fact that the front illumination cluster so closely resembles that of a Taycan’s, with its slim profile hiding four LED beam housings within, tells us they’re most probably related.

It’s still a matter of conjecture at this stage, but we can probably rule out an electric SUV as the front fascia and attached light cluster is a total mismatch for the development car’s bulkier aesthetic. We’re still certain that an EV version or companion vehicle to the Macan or Cayenne is very much in development, there’s mounting evidence that this is entirely separate.

The car Porsche is teasing here will sit much lower to the ground, but whether or not it will be another four-door saloon or our first glimpse at an electric two-door sports car is anyone’s guess.

An even more interesting prospect to consider is just how long ago it was since their last road-going performance flagship,
the 918 Spyder
. The Spyder was brought out in 2013 but was teased as far back as 2010 and later in 2011 as the 918 RSR Concept, promising to be combining combustion power with electrification to create performance potency that was previously unattainable.

It’s possible that the 2021 Frankfurt Motor Show (or IAA), the same venue where
the Mission E
 (the Taycan’s progenitor) was unveiled in 2015, might be witness to the debut of the next Porsche hypercar - at least its early development or concept form.

Last year’s “Porsche Unseen” campaign
 brought to light numerous secret prototype vehicles that were previously hidden from public view, including the 904 Living Legend prototype from 2013 that bore a front illumination cluster that also resembles the Taycan, minus the vertical strakes.

Elsewhere, the 917 Living Legend echoed so many of the motorsport-derived cues from its legendary 1970s racing namesake while also incorporating that now-familiar front light cluster.

This latest teaser image shows a car that carries alterations to that classic fascia and headlight enclosure combination, but we do see some unmistakable sports-car characteristics here. And that’s more than enough to get us excited.

This year’s passenger car-focused IAA will be held in Munich from September 7th to the 12th with press granted early access on the 6th, so we can expect to see Porsche pull the covers off this mystery vehicle in about 2 weeks.


Jom Beli Kereta Murah Kat Carlist.my - Ada Macam Macam Bawah RM50,000

Memang tidak dapat dinafikan yang tahun 2020 amat mencabar bagi kita disebabkan wabak COVID-19 dan mempengaruhi pendapatan keluarga juga.

Jangan bimbang, kerana kempen “
Beli Kereta Murah
” Carlist.my kembali lagi dengan banyak pilihan untuk mereka yang mencari kereta terpakai dengan harga bajet di bawah RM50,000.

Tetapi, ada juga hikmah di sebalik cabaran yang kita hadapi baru-baru ini – seperti pengecualian cukai jualan (SST) yang sepenuhnya bagi kereta penumpang CKD dan 50% bagi model CBU yang telah menyebabkan harga kereta baru turun, tapi macam mana pulak kalau kita tak mampu nak beli kereta baru?

Cakap sahaja nak kereta second hand apa – Nak MPV? Nak SUV? Nak Mercedes-Benz? Semuanya sudah tersedia!

Untuk yang mencari kereta sedan bersaiz kecil yang masih baru,
Bezza
 kat bawah ni merupakan satu pilihan yang baik – Seorang pemilik, mileage rendah, kereta pun masih tip-top.

Untuk yang dah berkeluarga, ada banyak pilihan
MPV
 juga dalam senarai "Kereta Murah" Carlist.my, macam di bawah ini. Tak sampai RM30,000 pun.

Untuk mereka yang berniaga atau baru mula berniaga, ada banyak pilihan kenderaan pacuan empat roda dalam keadaan baguih seperti
Navara
 di bawah ini. Bukan sahaja murah, malah boleh dapat pinjaman lagi, kerana masih belum berusia 10 tahun:

Bagaimana pula jika SUV menjadi pilihan hati tetapi tiada bajet? Ada ribuan pilihan di sini, dari
SUV
 buatan Eropah, Korea, Jepun, Sweden, dan Malaysia. Pilih sahaja!

Selain model-model yang ada di sini, terdapat lagi ribuan jenis kereta second hand, SUV, MPV, 4x4, kereta klasik, dan macam macam lagi dalam koleksi
Kereta Murah
 Carlist.my, jadi, takyah risau tak cukup bajet, yang sakit kepala nanti nak pilih mana yang nak beli?

Jika berminat jual kereta terpakai anda, layari
Carlistbid
 jugak untuk mendapatkan harga yang berpatutan dengan servis yang cepat dan bagus. Masa ini lah untuk tukar kereta anda dengan kereta yang lebih bagus lagi.


2016 New Mitsubishi Triton – Now With 2.4-litre MIVEC Turbo Diesel Engine

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia have today announced several important updates for its best-selling Triton. The previous model’s 2.5-litre 4D56 cast iron block engine has now been replaced with a lighter, more powerful and more fuel efficient aluminum alloy block 4N15 2.4-litre engine that features Mitsubishi’s signature MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic control system) technology – a first in the pick-up truck segment.

Also added is a new flagship variant for the Triton range – the Triton VGT Adventure X 4x4 Automatic. There also some new features added to the existing Triton VGT Adventure and Triton VGT models, more on that later.

Speaking at the launch of the new Mitsubishi Triton, Mr. Yang Won-Chul, Chief Executive Officer of MMM said, “About 15 years ago, the Mitsubishi L200 was the first pick-up truck in Malaysia to be offered with an automatic transmission. In 2008, the Mitsubishi Triton raised the bar by being the first to offer a 3.2-litre engine, and in 2012 the Triton VGT became the first truck in Malaysia to use Variable Geometry Turbo.”

He added, “In 2015, Triton was the first pick-up truck in Malaysia to be offered with a wide array of passenger car-like features including Push Start Button, Keyless Operation, Automatic Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps with integrated LED Daytime Running Lights, Tilt and Telescopic Steering and Paddle Shifters for manual control of the automatic transmission. The vast improvements made for the new Triton marks yet another milestone for Mitsubishi Motors in Malaysia. The brand has a long heritage of providing Malaysian customers with the best pick-up truck to suit their everyday needs, be it for work or for play, or both.”

There are now six variants of the Triton on offer:

Triton VGT Adventure X 4x4 AT: RM 125,005

Triton VGT Adventure 4x4 AT: RM 118,198

Triton VGT 4x4 AT: RM 109,446

Triton VGT 4x4 MT: RM 102,619

Triton 4x4 MT: RM 88,997

Triton Quest 4x2 MT: RM: 73,438

Prices quoted are on-the-road, without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia.

What’s new?

The current generation Triton was launched in 2015 with a 2.5-litre 4D56 engine that produced 178 PS of power and 400 Nm of torque. It was a tweaked version of the previous generation Triton’s engine. At that time, the limited availability of Euro 5 diesel fuel ruled out the possibility of us having the latest 4N15 engine that was offered to Thai buyers.

Now, the 4N15 engine has been adapted to cope with our Euro 2M diesel (still the norm in rural areas). Mitsubishi also added that engine will still be able to produce the maximum 181 PS and 430 Nm even fueled with Euro 2M diesel. The only difference in performance is in terms of exhaust emissions, which will obviously be lower when it’s running on Euro 5 diesel.

Power: 181 PS at 3,500 rpm

Torque: 430 Nm at 2,500 rpm

Transmission: 5-speed automatic (paddle shifters for VGT Adventure variants) or 6-speed manual

The new Triton’s 2.4-litre MIVEC engine is the first diesel engine in the segment to feature variable valve timing technology, and this particular version developed by Mitsubishi is known as MIVEC. Previously only available in petrol engines, variable valve timing – which allows for more precise control of the intake valves – is now available in the common rail turbo diesel Triton.

Diesel engines are more fuel efficient than petrol engines, and by not requiring spark plugs, it’s also more durable in off-road conditions. However diesel fuels require very high pressure to combust, thus a heavy cast iron block is required to cope with the high compression ratios.

The high pressure also creates several negative side effects including loud clattering noise, and poor NOx emissions. Of late, several companies have been able to side-step the problem of reducing the compression ratio for diesel engines. Mazda is one of them, and this Mitsubishi MIVEC turbo diesel engine is able to run with a compression ratio of just 15.5:1, almost as similar to a petrol engine.

The biggest challenge in reducing the compression ratio for diesel engines is maintaining cold start performance, a problem which Mitsubishi mitigated with MIVEC to maintain precise control on the intake valves.

The lower pressure in the combustion chamber also means that it is possible to use lightweight aluminum alloy material for the engine block.

By using lightweight aluminum instead of a traditional cast iron material, the new engine is about 30kg lighter than before, while at the same time retaining the same level of reliability and robustness that all Mitsubishi 4x4s are known for.

Engine performance has also been improved, with output now rising to 181 PS of power at 3,500 rpm and 430 Nm of torque at 2,500 rpm. That’s 3 PS and 30 Nm higher than before. Peak power now arrives 500 rpm earlier but peak torque is pushed up by 500 rpm.

Mitsubishi also claims that fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 15 percent, depending on driving habits. With reduced kerb weight and increased power output, Mitsubishi adds that overall acceleration and driving performance has also been improved.

Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) has also been improved making the new Triton a quieter and comfortable drive. The use of timing chain also means reduced maintenance cost, and longer service lifespan.

New variant, upgraded features

The newly added Triton VGT Adventure X variant is now flagship of the Triton range. It comes standard with rugged looking accessories like:

Shield Extender for the front bumper

Dark chrome grille

New Sports Bar with Fullbox

Dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels

The new Triton VGT Adventure X will only be in showrooms from 23 September onwards.

The existing Triton VGT AT & VGT MT has also been upgraded. On top of the new engine, both variants now get:

Automatic Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps with integrated LED Daytime Running Lights

Rear fog lamps.

The VGT MT model gets a new 6-speed manual transmission (automatic models retain the 5-speed automatic)

Aimed at business-owners, the Triton M/T 4x4 is powered by the proven 136 PS turbocharged intercooled turbo diesel engine now comes with side-step while the 110 PS turbo diesel Triton Quest 4x2 continues unchanged.

The new Triton retains its predecessors of best-in-class feature of 5.9 meters turning radius.

Safety features remain the same. Reverse camera is available only for the VGT Adventure variant. Dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, and ISOFIX is standard across the range.

As before, all new Triton models are imported as a Completely Built-Up (CBU) vehicle from Mitsubishi Motors’ global production hub in Thailand.

The new Triton comes with 2 Years of Free Maintenance and a 3 years/ 100,000 km factory warranty, whichever comes first.


Geneva 2017: Alpine Release First Images Of The A110 Coupe

Renault's sub-brand, Alpine, have released the first images of the production-ready A110 two-seater sports coupe, ahead of its big reveal at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show. The A110 is perhaps the most exciting launch, from a
salvo of new models
 that the Renault Group have planned at Geneva 2017.
Its name is A110, reflects the timeless principles of compact size, light weight and agility that made the success of the original “Berlinette” sports car, produced by the boutique car manufacturer between 1967 and 1971.
The A110 features a full-aluminium platform and upper body for optimum weight saving and agility. Further specifications of the A110 will be announced during Alpine’s press conference at the Geneva Motor show.


Singapore 2018: Nissan X-Trail Facelift

Tan Chong Motor Sales, the official distributor of Nissan vehicles in Singapore, has just launched the Nissan X-Trail facelift.
The 2.0-litre Nissan X-Trail is updated with a host of new features, including Intelligent Emergency Braking, which is an item under Nissan’s safety suite called Nissan Intelligent Mobility.
Intelligent Emergency Braking uses radar technology, hence 2D-emblem on grille
New features that encompass the mid-life refresh on the popular SUV include:
Intelligent Emergency Braking
Restyled front design, with new V-motion grille
New graphics in the tail lamp and restyled rear bumper
New head lamps with Adaptive Front Lighting system (AFS)
Two-tone 19-inch alloy wheels
Shark fin antenna
Powered tail gate with motion activation
The X-Trail continues to be powered by the direct injection 2.0-litre engine generating 144 PS and equipped with Nissan’s clever 4x4 system, which allows the driver to select front-wheel drive for better fuel efficiency, ‘Automatic’ which shuffles the front-to-rear torque split or ‘Lock’ full all-wheel drive for some challenging terrain.
Inside, a new D-shaped steering wheel is fitted, and better interior panels with double-stitching are strategically placed to improve the cabin’s quality. The new X-Trail continues to offer a third-row, with seating capacity for two. A large panoramic moonroof is also fitted as standard.
Apart from the tail gate being powered, owners can also open the tail-gate hands-free. With a motion sensor mounted below the rear bumper, users just ‘wave’ their feet to open the tail gate.
Priced at SGD 136,800 inclusive of COE, the new Nissan X-Trail is available in six colours, with the new Corona Orange being displayed here.
 We do not expect the new Nissan X-Trail to be available in Malaysia so soon, as Singapore units are imported, while Malaysia units are locally assembled and require some time for suppliers and vendors to have the parts localized.


Mazda Begins Pre-Sales Of The All-New MX-5 In Japan

Following the announcement that production of the all-new
Mazda
 MX-5
has begun in Japan
, Mazda Motor Corporation has now started to receive pre-orders of the new roadster via a dedicated website in Japan with prices starting from 2,494,800 yen (RM 76,706) to 3,142,800 yen (RM 97,232).
Three different trims are available for buyers: S, Special Package, and S Leather Package. All three will carry a 1.5-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine and will send drive to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Seven body colours will be made available, including Soul Red Premium Metallic and Ceramic Metallic.
Sales of the all-new Mazda MX-5 in Japan will begin around June 2015 but we have yet to know when and if it will make its way to Malaysia.


Toyota Discontinues Mark X After 15 Years

It's strange how the Japanese models that are hardly available to the rest of the world through official channels are the ones that get the most attention. For the better part of two decades, the Toyota Mark X has been a car which many have affectionately referred to as a "rear-wheel drive Camry", and they wouldn't be far off. It followed on from the Mark II which stretched back even further through the years, and the Cressida before that.
Across eleven generations, the Mark X has evolved and grown in size and complexity, quite nearly matching the standards of Lexus vehicles. We see them as grey import cars, but for many years they were a sporty alternative for those who wanted a four door family car but didn't want the image associated with a Camry. It is a shame that Toyota never dared to offer it in many other markets, although it's understandable that the car may have simply cost too much to produce.
But it's time to say goodbye to the Mark X, for Toyota has decided to stop production of the vehicle. It simply isn't a strong enough business case anymore as sales are taking a hit - largely due to the stronger demand for SUVs and crossover type vehicles. The world doesn't want a rear wheel drive sedan anymore, and enthusiasts are all the worse for it. To see the Mark X off, Toyota launched two special edition variants: the 250S "Final Edition" and the 250S Four "Final Edition".
These last few models come with a couple of enhancements, in the form of red and black Alcantara and red synthetic leather door trim, as well as different wheels. Red leather stitching on a genuine four-spoke leather wheel, shift boots, door grips, and front console box all help to add to that extra special feel. Both variants are powered by a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 making around 215 PS and 260 Nm of torque - the same engines that powered the Lexus IS250s of this generation and the last.


What Cars Do Most People Really Want To Buy?

What cars do people really want to buy? What is the mass market, city car of the future going to be like?

The last two decades of automotive development have seen such a large shift in terms of consumer expectations and product packaging – are we headed for an inevitable future?

No matter how much car enthusiasts rage against modern technology and autonomous driving, they are the inevitable future. Battery electric vehicles are also an inevitable future – at least
until synthetic fuel
 manages to be produced cheaply enough and in large enough quantity and with carbon neutrality to allow for the survival of internal combustion engines.

But even if you ignore these two seismic changes to the way we utilize our cars and the way cars are propelled, there have already been a lot of changes in consumer trends to suggest that the cars we see today are going to be completely alien to a future generation of car buyers. The three-box sedan form is already seeing a hefty decline in take-up rates, with
crossovers and SUVs
 slowly becoming the popular choice.

Couple this with the fact that a car’s options list and specification sheet is now a much bigger deciding factor when it comes to a purchase decision, and you can start to paint a picture of what the cars of the future are most likely to be. As much as we wax lyrical about the way car handles and feels, these are not really aspects that most car buyers rank highly when considering a car.

So what is the mass market, city car of the future going to be like?

Let’s break down our predictions.

1. It’ll Probably Be A Box

When it comes to cars of the future, there’s no real reason to maintain the traditional two-box or three-box design that we see with most cars today. Part of this design is done to accommodate the powertrain, and some of it is for aerodynamics. With electric motors and batteries, it is much easier to keep the powertrain out of the way and low down in the car, allowing for a much larger cabin. This also means manufacturers could effectively design their cars like minivans for the maximum possible interior space for the smallest possible external dimension.

2. Laden With Features, On Demand, and Modular

Since features and functionality are really what attract people to cars (think items like Bluetooth, navigation, gesture control, smartphone connectivity, and even things like MBUX), there’s no doubt that the cars of the future will come with more features and functions than ever before. But more than this, there may even be a model where users or owners have to
pay to unlock features on a subscription basis
 (already on trial with some manufacturers), and there may be a great degree of modularity to allow for easy updates and changes over a car’s lifespan.

3. Shock Me Like An Electric Eel

As we mentioned earlier, you can absolutely expect that the majority of cars in the future are going to be electrically propelled – especially as countries move to ban the sales of cars with internal combustion engines. The great thing about electric motors is that as soulless as they may seem, they have very good low-end torque characteristics and can get you up to sensible city speeds easily even with extremely small electric motors. You would be surprised but even a 50 to 70 hp motor is more than enough to get around a city.

4. Like A Living Room

There have been a few concept cars over the years that show the interior of cars being able to reconfigure themselves so that the front and rear occupants face each other, providing an extremely large interior room for stretching legs and activities. This is achievable with flat floor architecture and autonomous driving, and for most people, this would be a great feature to have on a commute.

5. No One Master

As ride-sharing and e-hailing pick up on popularity around the world – especially in urban centres – the idea of car ownership is also something that may slowly fade away. You may find that these vehicles are shared by multiple different owners, or that they are only leased out to consumers on a fixed-term basis before being upgraded and repackaged for the next owner. The entire idea of owning a car may very well come to an end if a car isn’t used for most of the time you own it.

But What About The Cars Worth Driving?

Therein lies one of the biggest and most important concepts to grasp when you look at the cars of the future. There is a distinction between the cars that people want to buy, and the cars that will be worth driving and enjoying – and the latter is something that sports cars and well-engineered cars will maintain as an edge. Most car buyers nowadays only need a vehicle for their daily commute and the odd weekend or night time drive, which doesn’t exactly set the heart on fire in terms of excitement.

For that relatively narrow use case, the future of boxy, self-driving, electrically powered, home theatres on wheels sounds like the one that makes the most sense. For the rest of us, there are whatever classic cars remain, and probably whatever sports cars manage to survive the move away from traditional fossil fuels. They definitely won’t come cheap though.


Video: BMW 5 Series vs BMW 5 Series – Comparing The F10 Against The G30

What’s new with the all-new 2017 BMW 5 Series? Plenty, it turns out, despite seemingly only evolutionary changes on the surface. The G30 is the seventh incarnation of BMW’s mid-sized exec sedan carrying on a heritage built from 1972 with the original E12 5 Series.
Through its official channel, BMW has released a short video comparing the G30 side-by-side with its predecessor, highlighting external and internal changes between the two models.
The F10 leaves some pretty big shoes for the G30 to fill; from 2009 to 2016, BMW sold more than 2.2 million units of the F10 worldwide, making it the most successful iteration of the 5 Series ever.
Anticipating similar demand for the G30,
BMW has ramped up its production capacity
. In addition to the mother plant in Dingolfing, Germany, BMW has also contracted the Magna Steyr plant in Austria to supplement overall production of the G30.
The BMW 5 Series is a name plate with a rich history. We recently had the opportunity to
experience its first four model generations
 whilst attending the G30’s international media launch in Portugal.


Mercedes-Benz's V-Class Joins Charlie Brown And Snoopy’s New Peanuts Movie

We’re not sure how much you know of the Peanuts gang, the comic strip, or the Peanuts movie that’s on the cusp of premiering later next month, but
Mercedes-Benz
 Vans will be accompanying the first 3D film of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest, sending them on a tour of the spacious V-Class.

The movie itself opens internationally on December 23rd, and since there are a fair few of them aside from the two main characters - Woodstock, Lucy, Linus, Franklin, Sally, and Peppermint Patty - the V-Class would probably suit well to ferry the whole bunch around.

The new V-Class has also just launched in Malaysia starting from RM435,000 and is a very luxurious people carrier that’s able to seat six to eight passengers comfortably, depending the seating layout chosen. Think Toyota Alphard or Nissan Elgard, but much more…..German.

Here’s our full story on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class V220d’s Malaysian launch.

"We are delighted to accompany the new Peanuts movie with our V-Class. We believe the V-Class perfectly matches this entertaining film for young and old alike. Especially families value the high level of safety as well as the comfortable spaciousness combined with dynamic design", says Nicolai Berger, Head of Marketing Communication and Product Information Mercedes-Benz Vans.


Geneva 2018: Mercedes-Maybach's Digital Light Takes Headlight Technology To The Next Level

Mercedes-Maybach has revealed its revolutionary headlamp technology called the Digital Light at the 88th International Geneva Motor Show.
Featuring a virtually dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels, the Digital Light will be fitted in the updated Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.
According to the brand, selected fleet customers are expected to take delivery of the first vehicles equipped with the Digital Light in the first half of 2018.
”With a resolution of over one million pixels per headlamp, the Digital Light technology does not only create ideal light conditions for every driving situation; it also extends the visual support from our driving assistance systems”, says Ola Källenius of Daimler AG’s Group Research Division.
It is said that there is a chip at work in the new HD-quality headlamp with over a million micro-reflectors, which work together with cameras and sensor systems in the vehicle which detect other road users.
Powerful computers then evaluate the data and digital navigation maps in milliseconds and give the headlamps the commands for best possible adaption of the light distribution in all situations.
The highlight of the Digital Light however, is that it can project symbols onto the road in HD quality.
This not only gives the driver information directly in their field of vision, but also makes it possible for the car to communicate with the driver via symbols projected on the road.
For instance, if the car is in danger of leaving its lane and entering the oncoming traffic, a lane-keeping symbol is projected onto the road.
The symbols that will be available when the car enters production are:
Low-grip surface symbol
Construction-site symbol
Rear-end collision symbol
Lane-keeping symbol
Blind-spot symbol
Speed symbol.


Do Not Stay In A Lorry's Blind Spot!

A
video
 of a red
Proton Saga
 has gone viral after it was dragged by a lorry for quite a distance after being in its
 blind spot
.

There have been many examples in the past plus countless public service announcements regarding the blind spot of large vehicles on the road, but time and time again, cases like this keep on happening. Luckily for the Proton Saga occupants, they live to tell the tale.

*Image credit: DashCam Owners Malaysia

Where are the lorry's blind spots?

A lorry, tanker, and even the cement mixer in the viral video all have
a number of blind spots
 where they can't tell if there's a smaller car or motorcycle within those areas. In this particular case, the blind spot in question is right beside the driver both on the left and right.

There's one more at the front due to the driver's high vantage point (and not being able to see just pass its front bonnet) and more obviously right behind the lorry. It's vital for anyone driving, riding, or even standing around large vehicles to be aware of these blind spots, because if you're not, things can end up just like this Proton Saga, or even worse.

*Image credit: Haulio.io

How to 'navigate' through the blind spots safely?

First and foremost, learn and understand where the blind spots are. The easiest way to tell that is if you can see the driver and the driver can see you, you're good to go. If you're in a position where you're not able to see the driver directly or via its side mirrors, then you're most likely in its blind spot.

It's also imperative for drivers and riders to not move drastically into the lorry's blind spots and risk getting taken out by surprise. Make sure to give ample space when driving in front of the lorry, avoid tailgating, and don't linger too long in its blind spots when overtaking.

In the case of this Proton Saga, some space should have been given to the lorry while turning into the lane, and it would've been much safer to let the lorry go first. You might lose a few seconds, but the more important thing is that your car and its occupants would be safe.


Tokyo 2015: Porsche Rolls Out the Macan GTS Ahead of Schedule

Well this is a surprise. It has been suggested that the international debut of Porsche’s Macan GTS was slated for next month, but it turns out that the Stuttgart-based car maker had jumped the gun and rolled it out here at the Tokyo Motor Show. Considering that Japan is Porsche’s sixth largest market, the decision to roll it out earlier than usual does make some sense.
Just as how the ‘GTS’ variants of the Cayenne, Panamera, Boxster, Cayman, and 911 features an uprated version of the engine used in the ‘S’ variants, retuned with a sportier character with a sportier appearance, it is the same story for the Macan GTS here. Under the hood the Macan GTS utilises the same 3-litre V6 twin-turbo engine as the Macan S, only with the power and torque figures cranked up from the S’ 340hp and 460Nm to 360hp and 500Nm of torque.
Its 0 to 100km/h time takes a 0.4 second tumble to 5 seconds flat, while top speed is bumped up by 2km/h to 256km/h.
Also like the other GTS variants in the Porsche’s current stable, the ride height on the Macan GTS has been lowered by 10mm, and splashed with black exterior accents that is seen on the front headlights, front air intakes, 20-inch rims, lower door side blades, window trim, and the model designation on the boot lid.
The sporty theme continues on the inside with the fitment of GTS sports seats with Alcantara upholstery and GTS logos emblazoned on the headrests. As an option, the interior can be further tarted up with the GTS interior package which adds a red-face centre rev counter, contrasting red stitching, and red seat belts.
Rather than stopping at giving it a new suit and looks, the Macan GTS’ stability management system is also recalibrated for its role. The Macan GTS can also be specified with Porsche’s optional Torque Vectoring system to give it the additional grip on top of the Macan’s all-wheel drive system.  Its air suspension has been fitted with the Porsche Active Suspension Management system that keeps the ride pliant and sporty at the behest of the driver, or at the discretion of the system.


Tesla high-speed crash in China goes viral - 2 dead, 3 injured

A high-speed crash involving a Tesla Model Y in Guangdong, China, has gone viral on several social media platforms.

The scary incident which happened earlier this month was caught by several CCTV cameras. The white Tesla was seen trying to stop in front of a shop before speeding off which ended in a huge crash with a number of incidents in between.

Two deaths + 3 injuries reported

A 55-year-old man was reported by the local media as the person behind the wheel and the family of the person reported that the man had trouble with the car's brake pedal. Two people were reported to be killed in the incident (a motorcyclist and a high school girl) and three other injuries.

Tesla will be providing any necessary assistance in the investigation between the local police and a third-party appraisal agency regarding the matter. Tesla also reported that during the period where the car suffered 'brake failure', the driver allegedly pressed on the accelerator the entire time with no brake application, but there were attempts of engaging the parking brake button.

No brake lights in the video = no brakes applied?

This info provided by Tesla seemed to back up the CCTV footage which showed that the car's brake lights were never on during the high-speed incident, with the exception of the initial brake application at the beginning of the video when the man tried to stop in front of his family's store.

The Tesla Model Y travelled at high speeds of around 200km/h for about 2km before crashing into a building. Despite the two reported deaths and three injuries, the driver survived the entire ordeal. Investigations are still ongoing regarding the possible cause/s.


Singapore 2019: All-New (C8) Audi A6 Launched, 3.0 TFSI

Audi Singapore has officially introduced the all-new eight-generation (C8) A6 at the ongoing Singapore Motorshow. Following its
worldwide debut
 in early 2018, the new A6 now reaches Singapore's shores boasting a more technical looking exterior design, better handling, updated connectivity functions, and a new mild-hybrid powertrain.
Only one variant is offered: the Sport 55 TFSI quattro S Tronic, which is powered by a new generation 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine which outputs 340 hp and 500 Nm of torque.
The engine is coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch S Tronic transmission, which in turn sends power to all four wheels through Audi’s quattro AWD system. The A6 is also fitted with a self-locking centre differential, which can instantly activate the rear driven wheels depending on traction requirements.
A 48V mild hybrid system works in combination with the six-cylinder engine. A belt alternator starter (BAS) works together with a lithium-ion battery with 10 Ah of capacity which allows for highway coasting and an enhanced working range for the start-stop system. During deceleration, the BAS recovers up to 12 kW of energy.
The new A6 will feature four-wheel steering that can dial in up to 5 degrees of counter-steering at slow speeds for better manoeuvrability, or in sync with the front wheels at high speeds for more stability.
The Singapore-market A6 comes as standard with the S Line trim package which includes sportier bumpers front and rear, and some subtle badging. The Singapore market also receives HD Matrix LED headlamps and 20-inch Audi Sport alloys to complete the look.
On the inside, the new A6 features a black-panel design, fitted with the Audi Virtual Cockpit fitted as standard, and a redesigned centre console, headlined by the MMI Navigation plus (with MMI touch response) in charge of the car’s infotainment functions.
Interior appointments on the Singapore market A6 also includes sports seats, trimmed in Valcona leather.
The price of the new Audi A6 starts from SGD 340,800.


UMW Toyota Launches Newly Updated Innova For 2021

UMW Toyota Malaysia has officially launched a newer and more feature-rich version of their Innova alongside an equally
updated Fortuner SUV
. The
6/7-seater MPV
 has been teased for some time, promising a revised exterior and an improved safety suite.

The 2021 Innova, which starts at RM111,622 will definitely be recognised for its larger front grille that’s given a duotone black and chrome finish that matches the door mirrors. Aside from that, the fog lamp and fog lamp bezels have also been redesigned.

2021 Toyota Innova 2.0E - from RM111,622

2021 Toyota Innova 2.0G - from RM121,483

2021 Toyota Innova 2.0X - from RM129,677

As before,
the Innova X
 sits at the top of the range, but now includes an exclusive Enhancement Package that gives it an even bolder appearance. Along with the carried over 17-inch wheels, albeit with a new Dark Grey Metallic colour, these cosmetic additions include new wheel arch mouldings, new bodyside mouldings, and new side skirts that add a touch of sportiness.

Moving on to the rear end, the boot door garnish has been restyled to give the Innova an added sense of width. Only the Innova X receives the additional boot spoiler, though.

Under the bonnet is the familiar 1TR-FE 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder VVT-i petrol engine, producing 139PS and 183Nm that gets transmitted to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic. This sole engine and transmission combo powers all 3 variants of the 2021 Innova.

Inside, Toyota has added some very welcome new features to keep it at the head of the pack. Just like before, each Innova is equipped with 7 airbags, though this year’s version further earns its 5-star ANCAP rating with the standard fitment of Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RTCA) on the Innova 2.0X and midrange 2.0G. That said, buyers of the baseline 2.0E can still spec these up as an optional extra.

Another prominent feature add is the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) which uses an array of cameras around the vehicle’s body to form a 360-degree view of its surroundings to better navigate tight spaces.

As a direct response from customer feedback, not only has all the USB ports been upgraded to include Fast Charging capability, the 2021 Innova has also had its 2 front USB ports repositioned to the dashboard (instead of the centre console) for easier access. Third-row passengers also now have their own USB ports to call their own. No more overly long cables or having to bring your own power bank if you’re relegated to the back-most seats.

This facelift comes in six exterior colours to select from: There are six exterior colour choices – Medium Silver Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, Phantom Brown, Silver Metallic, Super White II and Bronze Mica Metallic (new). For the Innova 2.0X, there is an additional choice of Crimson Spark Red Metallic.

As the cherry on top, like most new cars offered by UMW Toyota, the 2021 Innova comes with a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

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

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Carlist.my.

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


Ford Crashed 350 Prototypes Before Building This NCAP 5-Star Everest

Ford is one of the most responsible car manufacturers in the world. Nearly every recent Ford model tested by Europe’s Euro NCAP has attained the maximum five-star rating, but as
cautioned by Global NCAP
, Euro NCAP’s results have little relevance for models sold outside of Europe as the vehicle body structure might be different, even when referring to the same model. Global NCAP urges consumers to only refer to their respective region's NCAP results as these are the most accurate representation of the models sold in their local country.
Thus, it is reassuring to know that Ford maintains the same high level of safety standards for all its cars sold worldwide, irrespective of whether it’s sold in a developing country with lax regulations or a well-regulated developed country.
Every Ford model tested by ASEAN NCAP so far has attained the maximum five-star rating. The latest is the seven-seater
Ford Everest SUV
.
Meeting the challenge of building a five-star NCAP rating SUV was certainly not cheap. David Attard, Manager of Safety and Body CAE at Ford Asia Pacific recently revealed that despite the wide use of computer simulation tools, a high number of physical testing are still being carried out at Ford.
The Everest’s body structure was developed by Ford Australia.
“The simulation process was supplemented by an extensive physical crash test programme, with more than 350 full vehicle and system level crash tests were conducted,” said Attard.
Attard also explains that the pressure monitors located within each door frame in the Everest are capable of detecting any rapid change in air pressure, which usually means that a severe side-impact collision has happened. The sensors instantly relay the information to the Everest’s central crash computer, which would activate all the necessary passive safety functions within the vehicle – all completed within 35 milliseconds, that’s two-thirds faster than a blink of an eye!
The Thailand-built Everest has already been launched in Thailand, and will be launched in Malaysia in the second-half of this year. Prices have yet to be announced but don’t expect it to be cheap. On the upside, at least you can be comforted to know that there is a strong justification for the high price. Safety don’t come cheap and wrecking 350 prototypes is no small matter.
Read also our review of the
all-new 2016 Ford Everest
.


We Stumbled Upon What Must Be The New Ford Ranger's Launch Date

So we stumbled upon this unlisted video in YouTube, and it seems like a part of what must be the launch gambit for the new 2015 Ford Ranger. As you can see, the cat's out of the bag on the pickup truck's local launch date, even though it looks like some pre-cut.
The Ford Ranger facelift first made its global debut in Thailand during the 2015 Bangkok Motor Show back in March and is said to offer more refinement as well as a range of new features which Ford claims are a segment first.
This includes an improvement to the Duratorq powerplants on offer with both the 2.2-litre four-cylinder and 3.2-litre five-cylinder mills being more efficient than before. A 'high-efficiency' 2.2-litre diesel engine is also part of the engine lineup as is a 2.5-litre Duratec four-cylinder petrol engine was also part of the lineup during its global unveiling. According to Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the local distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia, only the three diesel variants will be available at launch.
Inside, the cabin gets reworked as well to offer a cleaner design as well with the Ford SYNC 2 infotainment system up front and center. A new steering and materials used are also part of the changes here. Driver assistance features like Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid; Adaptive Cruise Control; and Forward Alert are also available although we'll have to wait and see if SDAC will specify them on our local model.
Apart from the standard variants, the
range-topping Wildtrak variant
 is also a definite, but we'll leave it to the launch day on 9 October 2015 for final details.
For now, we took the liberty of preparing a few visual comparisons between the current Ford Ranger and the new one in its
Wildtrak guise
 for you to compare.


Footballers That Drive Ordinary Cars

When times are tough, certain things are looked upon differently. With this perspective change, what was once fair, is now inequitable. A great example of this is how people are comparing a footballers' salary to those who are currently serving in the current COVID-19 frontlines. It just seems unjust that those who are saving lives earn so little for their efforts.

Why do footballers get paid so much money anyway? All they do apart from kicking a ball around tastefully is spend their time ruining cars. One of the things that people loath about footballers is how badly they customise exquisite automobiles. What was once a classy vehicle is now just trashy thanks to them. Here are a few examples;

Stephen Ireland in his mashup Range Rover

El Hadji Diouf's 'blingtastic' Escalade

Mario Balotelli's version of an army vehicle

Imagine the nightmare of trying to sell Cisse's Chrysler 300C

Aubameyang has turned his LaFerrari into OhnoFerrari

But thank heavens they're not all spoilt brats. Some are a bit more sensible like legend Paolo Maldini who was known to drive around in a conservative Fiat 500 for most of his footballing career. Here are also some footballers who have followed in his footsteps.

Bernardo Silva

Club: Manchester City

Nation: Portugal

Weekly Salary: RM 802,050

Vehicle: Smart ForTwo

Worth in Malaysia

Daniel Strurridge

Club: Trabzonspor

Nation: England

Weekly Salary: RM 695,109

Vehicle: Hyundai Sante Fe

Worth in Malaysia

N'Golo Kante

Club: Chelsea FC

Nation: France

Weekly Salary: RM 802,817

Vehicle: Mini Cooper S

Worth in Malaysia

Raheem Sterling

Club: Manchester City

Nation: England

Weekly Salary: RM 1,604,121

Vehicle: Smart ForTwo Grandstyle Edition

Worth in Malaysia: N/A

Thomas Vermaelen

Club: Vissel Kobe

Nation: Belgium

Weekly Salary: RM 422,418

Vehicle: Nissan Figaro

Worth in Malaysia: N/A


Review: 2016 Porsche Macan – A Better All-Rounder Than You Might Imagine

“Sacrilege!!”
“You’re diluting the Porsche brand!”
So cried the critics and enthusiasts in 2002 when Porsche had the audacity to launch the
Cayenne
. The brand that built its name on purebred sports cars was going to make an SUV – a two-tonne-plus utility vehicle to line-up alongside the
Boxster, Cayman
, and
911
.
A decade and a half on and well into its second model generation, the Cayenne has proved to be an extremely successful formula for Porsche. So much so that the idea of a smaller-sized SUV to slot beneath is not only no longer met with the same scorn; it has become a decidedly logical venture. In fact, question has become, what took Porsche so long to come up with the
Macan
?
Specifications:
Price: RM425,000, nett selling price excluding options
Engine: 2.0-litre, Inline-4 Longitudinal, Turbocharged, Petrol
Power: 252hp @ 5,000 – 6,800rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600 – 4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch automatic, paddle shifters, AWD
Safety: 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX, Electronic Stability Control, Lane Departure Warning, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Reverse Camera, Tyre Pressure Monitor
Origin: Fully imported from Leipzig, Germany
Overview?
No fewer than seven powertrain options are available with the Macan. Despite there being officially-christened Macan Turbo variant, all engines are actually turbocharged anyway, as is keeping with the times.
On test for this review is the base 2.0-litre petrol model with 252hp at its disposal. In accordance to Porsche naming practice, this variant is called simply ‘the Macan’ with no official variant designations suffixed to the name.
At a fundamental level, this Macan is built on shared underpinnings with the previous-generation Audi Q5, but barely a third of their components are common. They share identical wheelbases and hard points, but this is no rebadge job – it’s far more extensive than even, say, Audi turning the
Volkswagen Tiguan
 into the
Q3
. Even the engine, despite being the familiar 2.0-litre EA888 motor, receives an exclusive mapping configuration not used by other brands of the VW Group.
A nett selling price of RM425,000 before on-road costs leaves the base Macan a substantial distance from the variants above. The next cheapest variant, the Macan S Diesel, is RM165,000 away whilst the petrol-powered Macan S is a further RM20,000 up. As we will elaborate shortly, that gap is very easily filled up even without jumping up to the next model.
Our test car for this review came with over RM70,000’s worth of options; the more noteworthy ones being:
Metallic paint – RM4,069.45 (are you kidding me?)
Self-leveling air suspension – RM11,986.02
Reverse camera – RM2,230.12
Dynamic LED headlights – RM12,147.72
20-inch RS Spyder Design alloy wheels – RM13,016.85
Sport Chrono package – RM4,884.69
Bose Surround Sound – RM5369.79
Whilst the Macan was originally launched in 2014, it received a round of minor
updates in 2016
 that included changes such as uprated engine outputs, an enhanced Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen, and a distinctive “hovering 4-point” LED daytime running light signature.
Driving Experience
For the purpose of this review, we were given a day out in the Macan test car pictured here, although we also draw upon experience from last year’s
Porsche Adventure Drive in Cambodia
in evaluating the Macan’s off-road capabilities as well as track time in Sepang during the
Porsche Media Academy
.
Not that most owners are likely to bother, but Porsche has engineered the Macan with sufficient substance that its junior SUV is not going to be unduly troubled by a deep rut or roads not paved by tarmac. This is thanks to a good blend of robustness and generous travel from the standard suspension. Of course, as you move up the performance spectrum, expect a corresponding shift in its spread of abilities away from mud and soil toward tarmac and track.

Taking its relative comfort off the beaten path in context, the Macan’s dynamic breadth of talents is spread very wide indeed. Here is a high-riding near-two-tonne SUV that you could conceivably navigate through an estate unharmed and will just as easily keep up with performance cars on a run through Ulu Yam’s back roads.
You may not think that a 252hp four-cylinder motor has any right to call a Porsche home let alone deliver the kind of performance you’d expect of the badge when propelling a two-tonne AWD SUV in the process. Well, you’d be quite surprised – with a clever bit of throttle and gearbox mapping, Porsche is able to make even the base Macan feel alive when driven enthusiastically. Aided by the fast-shifting PDK, the engine makes each of its 252 horse count when the accelerator is depressed, launching the Macan forward with admirable conviction.
More impressive is the calm poise which the chassis handles itself when flung with vigour. The suspension copes well with transfer of its considerable weight, allowing fair management of body roll. Steering is quick and precise, enabling the car to respond to changes in direction with both agility and accuracy.
As we discovered earlier on the track, it is only against something that sits much lower, such as a Cayman, and driven considerable gusto, that the limitations of the Macan’s handling comes in any danger of being exposed.
Comfort & Refinement
Considering the sheer breadth of talents which the Macan has displayed in this review thus far, we might have been persuaded to grant it a few concessions in the comfort stakes. This is a 1.8-tonne SUV with the handling vivacity to menace a sports car – something’s certainly got to give. Right?
Well, whatever dynamic compromises the Porsche engineers negotiated from the chassis, they are not evident. Whilst we won’t be surprised that the sportier grades sacrifice a greater degree of ride comfort, the Macan as tested in its most basic guise here offers very usable levels of chassis pliancy.
Conclusion
In its most basic configuration, the Macan is an exceedingly capable vehicle – one that excels in a variety of roads and also off it. Where its dynamic behaviour is concerned, it manages to both entertainingly sporty and reassuringly usable. Its road manners are fine-tuned well enough for daily urban use – this is a car you can live with on a day-to-day basis and still have a blast with over the weekend.
So complete is the Macan’s package, we can find virtually no holes to poke in its argument - except charging four thousand bucks for metallic paint? Seriously?


Hyundai Reveals All-New 2021 Tucson - Korean Geometry Test

Hyundai
 has pulled the covers off their 4th-generation Tucson, the newest in a line of popular compact SUVs that have always done well for the South Korean automaker's sales numbers. This newest version has upmarket ambitions and is sort of sporty looking. It also desperately wants your attention.

This new Tucson’s exterior and overall design was first hinted at through the company’s Vision T back in 2019 at the Los Angeles Motor Show. It looked properly futuristic but ultimately a little brash and scary for real world Hyundai customers to get to grips with and put money down for.

It was a concept car, after all, and filled that role quite well. There was, of course, all the usual chatter about electrification and autonomous tech surrounding the Vision T, which made the claim that this would soon be further refined into showroom-ready Tuscon even easier to dismiss.

Following a
teaser earlier this month
, we now have the finished production car presented to us. There’s definitely a lot of the concept car's DNA carried over, particularly with regard to that front end, which they term the ‘Parametric Grille’. In fact, there’s a long and tedious list of other terms they’ve made up to explain the Tuscon’s unusual/unique look:

Parametric Dynamic Exterior Design

Parametric Grille

Parametric Hidden Lights

Kinetic Jewel Surface

Sensuous Sportiness

INTERSPACE (So, the opposite of outer space - I get it. Funny.)

Sounds like their marketing team has been working on overdrive, and it honestly serves zero purpose to have these many invented terms to describe what ordinary people can observe and judge for themselves. The company is clearly trying very hard to be taken seriously as some sort of leader in vehicle design, but the irony is that the louder they screech on about it, the less solid their vision seems to be.

Love it or hate it, there’s no arguing that there’s
a lot
 going on with the Tuscon’s exterior. Aside from the front grille and headlight/DRL arrangement, it looks like their designers have spent too much time drawing random lines and creases into the body. Why? It's form without function.

It doesn’t look bad, luckily, and the various angular features do add a certain character and definition - even some ruggedness - to the SUV, and this is only amplified with the right colour combination. That claw-like tail light array and horizontal light bar looks great, too. From the front and rear, there’s no mistaking the Tuscon for any other car on the road, that’s for sure.

However, does it come across as upmarket? After all, that is Hyundai’s bottom line goal for their newest generation of cars.

On to the mechanical bits, and its here where the company’s long-serving powertrain repertoire has received criticism. We’re not looking at a total overnhaul with the Tucson but there are some welcome updates to engines we’re
already familiar with
, starting with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder T-GDi petrol engine, which is offered as a standalone but will also be sold in certain markets as a parallel or plug-in hybrid with up to 230PS and 350Nm.

A newer addition to the range is a new 2.5-litre ‘Smartstream’ naturally aspirated four-cylinder which outputs 190PS and 247Nm and, depending on which spec is chosen, will be offered with all-wheel drive. Transmissions on duty include Hyundai’s own 8-speed automatic or 7-speed dual-clutch.

The Tuscon now also sits larger on the road than the outgoing version, measuring 4500mm from nose to tail (+20mm) with 2,680mm between the front and rear axles (+10mm). Hyundai has also confirmed a more spacious extended wheelbase version in the same vein as the Tiguan Allspace is on the cards.

That being said, the regular Tucson’s cabin is also prioritising a large and airy feel, but in terms of its design is a noticeable departure from both past Hyundais and even their more recent models like the Santa Fe and Sonata.

It adopts a tiered layout with the air conditioning surrounds extending in a curve to merge with the door panels. Gone is any nod to a traditional instrument cluster with the binnacle completely replaced by a flat display that slots above the steering column enclosure.

The centre stack is more pronounced for easier reach where we have a 10.25-inch infotainment display which also doubles as touch toggles for HVAC and other vehicle functions. In higher end variants, there will be goodies such as ambient interior lighting and wireless smartphone charging.

Hyundai is expected to add a very generous list of active safety and convenience features in as many permutations of the 4th-gen Tucson as possible across all markets as part of their global campaign for uniform access to the Hyundai SmartSense suite features. Highlights include: Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Collision Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Smart Remote Parking, and Surround View Monitor.

Naturally, we’ll have more on the all-new Tucson as soon as mass production ramps up. A staggered global rollout is expected to begin later this year and carry on into 2021, which is also when Hyundai is due to shed a lot more light on hybrid variants as well as a sportier Tucson N-Line.


Proton Says Evaluation Ongoing For FSP Bidders

DRB-Hicom Berhad has released a statement stating that the search for Proton's foreign strategic partner (FSP) is ongoing. The company added that they plan to complete the process by the end of Q2 2017.
On top of that, DRB-Hicom confirms that all bidders are still in the running and evaluation is ongoing. DRB-Hicom further adds that the process is complex and it will take some time to decide on the chosen FSP.
Earlier, we
reported
 that Geely has withdrawn from its bid for Proton. “They keep changing [their minds], today it’s this, tomorrow it’s that,” said Geely chairman Li Shufu. Part of Geely's effort was to offer the D-segment Geely GC9 and the Geely Boyue five-seater SUV to Proton. On top of that, Proton would have access to small car engineering thanks to Volvo.
Geely's withdrawal meant that PSA is likely the sole bidder left for Proton. In February, PSA
confirmed
 that they made their offer and was willing to go further. They did not elaborate beyond that. If PSA's bid is successful, the French plans to utilize Proton's Tanjung Malim production facility to expand their presence in the South East Asia region.
The search for Proton's foreign strategic partner is part of the condition of the soft loan handed to Proton to pay its vendors.


What is Lemon Law?

What is Lemon Law? How does it protect you from automakers who won't own up to bad vehicles?

As far as buyers are concerned, when they buy a new car, the vehicle should be in top-notch condition without any problems because it is brand new. Because it is a new car, new vehicle owners should not be worried about the car having any impurities,
mechanical and software problems
, or even flaws.

What if a new car isn't perfect?

Now, as much as we think that when you buy a new car and it rolls off the showroom floor it should be perfect, automakers are not perfect, they are human and sometimes and as humans, they can make mistakes and oversee things.

Everybody makes mistakes, but the problem with automakers sometimes is that they
don't own up to their mistakes
 and just continue selling a car/ model even when there is a known problem.

What is Lemon Law?

For this reason, consumers need something to protect themselves from big and powerful corporations - and thankfully, in some countries, they have the
Lemon Law
.

Originally referred to as defective automobiles that were called lemons, Lemon Law is an American state law that provides solutions for buyers of cars and other consumer goods to compensate for repeatedly defective products to meet quality and performance standards.

While there are many types of defective products, from small electrical appliances to large machinery, the term "lemon" is most often used to describe defective motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles.

Currently,
only Europe and six other countries
, including Singapore, have some form of Lemon Law, but the strongest one still is in the United States.

Has a buyer won a Lemon Law case?

Two of the largest Lemon Law payouts ever witnessed happened in the United States.

In 2005, Marco Marquez purchased a Mercedes-Benz E320 sedan and started to experience problems almost immediately after buying it. Unfortunately, the dealer did not repair the vehicle, and Marquez filed a claim. After a long and arduous court case, he was eventually awarded $482,000 (RM2.1 mil) for damages and legal fees, ten times the worth of the car.

The other big payout involved a Tesla, where Robert Montgomery claimed that his Elon Musk machine had spent most of its time in a workshop rather than on the road. Initially, Tesla ignored requests by Robert to give him a refund, but when Robert took it up with the Lemon law, Tesla agreed to settle for a $126,836 (RM553k) payout, which is around $29k (RM126k) more than the original price of the car.

So as you can see, a Lemon Law imposes upon a vehicle the surety that the product should work as it claims to be and is fit for its intended purpose.

Do countries in Asia have Lemon Law?

Although it might not be called Lemon Law,
Singapore
, the
Philippines
,
China
,
Japan
 and
South Korea
 have similar laws to protect their consumers, including vehicle purchasers. Malaysia does not have one, but we do have a generic form of consumer protection called, Consumer Protection Act 1999.

Under this act, it says that companies should provide consumers with products that are fit for the purpose of use. The Protection Act does not directly address cars, but a car is a product, right?


Closure Of Nine Rest And Service Areas On North-South Expressway Between May 20, 21

Travellers on the North-South Expressway May 20 and 21, 2015, take note, PLUS has announced that several rest and service areas will be undergoing maintenance work and will therefore be required to be temporarily closed.
For northbound traffic, the affected rest and service areas (RSA) include Ayer Keroh, Ayer Keroh Overhead Bridge Restaurant, Rawang, Sungai Perak, Seremban, and Gunung Semanggol.
For southbound traffic, the affected RSAs include Tapah, Seremban, and Gunung Semanggol.
Here’s a list of the rest areas in question as well as a breakdown of the affected closure times:
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Gunung Semanggol southbound (KM194.6) –
7.00am to 5.00pm
Seremban southbound (KM274.4) –
8.30am to 5.00pm
Ayer Keroh northbound (KM205) –
9.00am to 4.00pm
Rawang northbound (KM440) –
9.00am to 6.00pm
Sungai Perak northbound (KM249.3) –
8.00am to 4.00pm
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Seremban northbound (KM272.2) –
8.30am to 5.00pm
Ayer Keroh Overhead Bridge Restaurant northbound (KM210) –
9.00am to 4.00pm
Gunung Semanggol northbound (KM196) –
7.00am to 5.00pm
Tapah southbound (KM331.2) –
8.00am to 5.00pm
Also note that petrol stations on those rest and service areas will still be operational. So keep safe on the highway and plan ahead to divert your stopping for a breather to another RSA.


Toyota Innova Hybrid 2023 Keluar 17 November? – Ada Sunroof, Platform TNGA

Toyota Indonesia memang sudah berkongsi gambar teaser Toyota Innova 2023 ini di Facebook mereka, tapi ini kali pertama model ini dijumpai tanpa sebarang pelekat celoreng.

Berdasarkan gambar spyshot yang dikongsikan oleh Kompas.com. varian yang dijumpai sedang melakukan ujian jalan raya itu adalah Toyota Innova 2023 versi hibrid.

Spyshot Toyota Innova Hibrid 2023

Media sosial Toyota Indonesia telah mengesahkan bahawa model 2023 MPV 7-tempat duduk itu akan hadir dengan tenaga baharu (hibrid), namun penampakan ini mengesahkan bahawa varian hibrid ini bakal hadir dengan sunroof.

Logo hibrid di bahagian pintunya juga jelas kelihatan seperti model hibrid Toyota yang lain. Rupa hadapannya pula hadir dengan fril hexagon dengan rekaan lampu yang lebih tirus bersama kemasan bampar hadapan berbentu H yang memanjang.

MPV ini juga menjadi Innova pertama yang dibina menggunakan platform TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture berbanding IMV chassis yang diasaskan dari Hilux seperti model sebelumnya. Oleh itu, Toyota Innova 2023 bakal hadir dengan pacuan roda hadapan (FWD) berbanding pacuan roda belakang (RWD).

Sekiranya model ini menggunakan enjin 1.8L yang sama seperti Toyota Corolla Cross hibrid di Malaysia, enjin Dual VVT-I empat silinder itu menghasilkan 98 PS dan 142 Nm dan apabila digandingkan dengan motor elektrik, ia menghasilkan 122 PS dan 163 Nm.

Ketika ini, Toyota Innova sedia ada dijua di Malaysia pada harga RM133,880 hingga RM141,880. Sekiranya model hibrid akan diperkenalkan, ia sudah pasti akan menjadi varian tertinggi Innova nanti jika mengikut pada harga Corolla Cross hibrid yang lebih tinggi berbanding varian petrol biasa.

Menurut laporan Kompas.com, Toyota Innova 2023 ini bakal dilancarkan pada 17 November 2022. Untuk harga di Indonesia, Toyota Innova 2023 versi hibrid dijangka bakal dijual pada harga lebih kurang RM138,000. Tapi bila masuk di Malaysia, agak-agak berapa pula harga MPV ini nanti?

*Kredit foto: Kompas.com


Continental Develops Magical A-Pillars

Continental has just released information on their latest technology, the Virtual A-Pillar. As vehicle crash safety standards get more and more stringent, the vehicle’s A-pillar, which are the main support pillars that form the occupant ‘protection cage’, gets thicker.
A thicker A-pillar, whilst provide life-saving structural rigidity during collisions and roll-overs, has a negative effect of increasing forward blind spots. Pedestrians, cyclists, as well as other road users become more vulnerable as they are easily obscured from the driver’s view.
Dr Karsten Michels, head of Systems and Technology (Interior) at Continental said, “Increasing the safety of all road users, from drivers to pedestrians, is the motivation force behind the Virtual A-Pillar. By pairing and implementing advanced technology in the vehicle, Continental has created a solution that eliminates forward blind spots of the A-pillars, helping reduce a critical safety hazard experienced by so many road users.”
Continental’s solution not only uses flexible, curved OLED displays to create an ‘invisible’ A-pillar, but also has an advanced driver’s head tracking device. Surround view cameras feeds live images to be displayed at the A-pillar-mounted OLED displays.
The head tracking device alters the images to offer a dynamic perspective for the driver, giving the driver an experience more like looking through an extended ‘window’ rather than at a live video feed.
Continental has not provided information on the introduction timing or which manufacturer will be offering the Virtual A-Pillar.
Recently, Audi and Lexus introduced virtual side mirrors to their
e-
tron
 SUV
 and
ES sedan
respectively. With the addition of Virtual A-Pillars, the interior of our future cars will have up to nine different digital colour screens!
Instrument panel (Virtual Cockpit)
Navigation, camera, display audio, vehicle settings
Air conditioning and other comfort features
Head-up display (HUD)
Digital rear view mirror
Virtual Side Mirrors (two)
Virtual A-Pillars (two)


Introducing The Landtrek, Peugeot's New Pick-Up Truck

While everyone is busy publicising about how Naza is supposedly wooing Suzuki to become their official distributor here in Malaysia we'd like to shine the light another one of Naza's related brands and how they have just unveiled a Pickup truck.

Called the Landtrek, this is Peugeot's version of how a modern pickup truck should be, moving away from their previous pickup efforts like the saloon (504 pickup) and hatchback (207 Hoggar) based pickup vehicles.

Most likely conceptualised through their partnership with Chinese automobile manufacturer Changan Automobile, the Landtrek is a handsome remix of the Changan Kaicheng F70 truck, and a better rebadge effort than the Mercedes Navara project.

With some of the uber-cool and modern Peugeot saloons and SUV interiors part of the rebadging efforts, we must say that it looks like it could be one of the most elegant pickup truck interiors we have seen.

The exterior also has many cues from the current Peugeot design language, and we feel that they have done an excellent job of making the truck look like it is their own and not a reworked F70.

Surprisingly, the headline engine is a 2.4-litre petrol turbocharged powertrain, rated at 210hp and 320Nm of torque. It can be mated either to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. There is also a 150hp and 350Nm powertrain available, but will only be exclusive to the manual version. All versions are available in 4x2 or 4x4.

Might it be available in Malaysia? We can but hope!

Or we might get another Peugeot Traveller situation where it was rather suddenly sold in Malaysia.


Samsung SDI To Build RM7 Billion EV Battery Plant In Negeri Sembilan

Samsung SDI
 Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SDIEM) is developing an RM7 billion EV battery plant in Negeri Sembilan, and that's no joke.

Looking to pioneer
EV battery
 cell production in Malaysia, Samsung SDIEM plans to have its second plant up and running in 2025. The news was announced by our prime minister,
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob
, during the new
Perodua Alza
 launch.

Samsung SDI to develop EV battery plant in Malaysia

800 million battery cells production capacity

This will be a major step for the country's EV production portfolio as Samsung SDI is targeting to create around 1,300 job opportunities for this upcoming plant. A lot of manpower is needed with plans to have the capacity to produce a whopping 800 million battery cells every year.

Datuk Seri Ismail also stated that this project will be a part of the country's goal of becoming a carbon-neutral nation by 2050. This has already been mentioned in the 12th Malaysia Plan.

So far, Samsung SDI (South Korea) has pumped RM3.8 billion into its Malaysian unit (Samsung SDIEM). They're halfway there already, folks.


Apple's new CarPlay Feature Wants To Eradicate Car Keys

Apple's new iOS14 negates the use of car keys, when will Android follow suit?

It was just a matter of time before a tech company found a way to replace the good old humble car key and at yesterday's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), American tech giant, Apple announced that it has figured out a way to do so.

It seems that Apple's ambition to build their own vehicle has turned into something else, and with the preview of their updated iOS14, they also announced that the new software would be able to unlock a car via the car's Apple infotainment system, CarPlay.

For now, it operates via Near Field Communication (NFC), but Apple has said that it will be working on a broader band to help with more extended range.

At the WWDC expo, a video by Emily Schubert, Apple's senior manager of car experience engineering demonstrated how it would work. We could tell you how, but the HD video down below should give you a much better understanding of the system.

The Apple Car key will be debuting in the American market in the 2021 BMW 5 series. Interestingly, Apple also pointed out that 97 percent of new cars in the United States carry Apple's CarPlay. While we don't think they have such a big monopoly here in Malaysia, there is a significant amount of vehicle owners who have CarPlay in their vehicles. So Android, when?


Ford Shows How To Pack Things In A Pick-Up Truck Like A Pro

We all know that packing and transporting goods becomes a breeze with a pick-up truck, but how many of us actually make the most of the truck bed capacity every time load up?
Plus, a poorly-packed load can also be dangerous as things that are not secured properly can cause damage to the truck as well as others.
With that in mind, Ford Asia Pacific has shared a series of videos with a few simple tips on how to organise the space available on a Ford Ranger.
Titled ‘Packing for Utility’, 'Packing for Adventure’, and 'Packing for Work', the videos show how to organise and transport items properly for those who need to move household items,  for adventure junkies who often embark on camping trips, and for those who carry items for work purposes on a daily basis.
The videos don't only show how to organise things on the load bed, but also how to pack and arrange small and loose items, how to secure the load safely, and how to do these things neatly.
So, the next time you come across a situation in which you have to fill up the space on your Ranger’s load bed, make sure you remember to check these videos out.


Another Ferrari Bites The Dust: 458 Speciale Splits In Half In Sarawak

That’s a close one! A
Ferrari
 driver avoided death today when his Ferrari 458 Speciale crashed into a drainage railing near Jalan Tabuan Court, Kuching, Sarawak. We've been told that this is only one of two Speciale units in Sarawak.
Pictures of the crash which took place at 11am has since gone viral over social media. However, details on how the accident occurred have yet to be revealed but the Fire and Rescue Department officers at the scene reported that the driver survived the crash and suffered no injuries, which is very good news.
Several news sites report that the Ferrari was driven by the son of a prominent property tycoon in the state.
However, the bad news is the level of damage the 458 Speciale has attained with the front of the car split in half by the stationary railing, ending just before the passenger cell. We can see that the air bags were deployed, no doubt a playing a role in the ensuring the driver escaped without serious injuries. The rear of the car doesn't look like it's been damaged as heavily as the front with the engine compartment still intact. The underbody of the car though, would certainly be damaged as well.
Here’s the Ferrari before it met with the fateful accident:
The Ferrari 458 Speciale is a limited-production version of the
Ferrari 458 Italia
. Under the hood is retuned version of the 4.5-litre V8 engine from the Italia which now produces 597hp and 540Nm of torque. Along with the power boost, the 458 Speciale is also lighter and benefits from many advances to increase its handling performance including the introduction of the Italian car maker's Side Slip Control system (SSC) that has received an updated version in the all-new
Ferrari 488 GTB launched in Malaysia recently
.
It is very unfortunate to see such a rare exotic reduced by another example (this looks like a write-off to us) but it is good to know that the driver escaped unharmed, a testament to the safety systems developed in modern cars of today.


Lotus Celebrates 20 Years of the Car That Saved the Company

It might have a body made of fibreglass, been named after the chairman’s daughter, and packed a tiny 4-cylinder engine with humble power outputs, but the Elise was the car that saved Lotus and come to define the small lightweight sports car genre.
The Elise
was conceived at a time when the brand was siring a range of less than desirable models such as the Excel and the front-wheel drive Elan, with the flagship Esprit mid-engine supercar growing very long in the tooth.
For a brand that made its name in pioneering race-winning technologies and revolutionising the Formula One world,
Lotus
' new small sports car had to return to the heart of its founder’s ethos of “simplify and add lightness”. In 1995 Lotus unveiled the first Elise, a small two-seater sports car that weighed in a featherweight 725kg, from a time when the lightweight sports car, such as the Mazda Miata weighed 940kg, so even by the standards of the day, it was light to begin with.  So even if it had a 120PS 1.8-litre Rover K-series engine mounted in the middle, the little Lotus could sprint from 0 to 100kph in under six seconds, which was pretty spritely.
Weight was key to the Elise, and even though fibreglass was the material of choice for its body, the Elise had solid underpinnings, with the use of the first extruded and bonded aluminium chassis in the industry. This kept the body rigid and the weight low. As such the Elise was praised by many in setting the benchmark for ride and handling, becoming such a success that it revitalised the company’s fortunes for a brief period. Eventually the Elise platform gave rise to several iterations such as the intense Exige, the insane 340R, the track-focused 2-Eleven, and the less-than-appreciated Europa. And the Elise is still one of company’s the most popular Lotus models, with the 40,000
th
 Elise rolling off the factory floor recently, it being
the first Elise 20
th
 Anniversary Special Edition model
 rather fittingly.
Though Lotus revised the Elise with the Series 2 of 2001, to meet impending new European crash safety regulations, the lightweight structure still weighs in at just 68kg in its current form. While aluminium doesn’t sound like the modern lightweight exotic material to build your sports car from, be mindful that McLaren’s advanced one-piece moulded carbon-fibre MonoCell on the 650S tips the scales at 75kg, or that it is only slightly heavier than the Alfa Romeo’s much touted about 65kg carbon-fibre monocoque. Not bad figures for a car hailing from the 1990s.


Buy A Volkswagen With A Matching VW Plate Today!

Good news for future Volkswagen owners, as Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia (JPJ) has opened registration for VW plates.
For potential Volkswagen owners, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a Volkswagen vehicle with a matching VW plate. Keen potential owners are advised to head down to the nearest Volkswagen dealership to place a boooking.

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At the moment, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is offering a trade-in program for the Jetta and Passat, which is ongoing until the end of this month. On top of that, the company is also offering an early bird promotion for the upcoming
Tiguan
. Last but not least is the Volkswagen Polo, now offered at RM69,888 for a limited time.


This Is The Last Volkswagen Beetle Produced, And You Can’t Buy It

On Wednesday, the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico – the world’s only source for the Beetle, bade farewell to the last Volkswagen Beetle.

Painted in Stonewashed Blue, the North American market specification Beetle was the last produced and it will not be sold. Instead, it has been sent straight to Volkswagen’s museum In Puebla.

First introduced in 1938 as the Type 1, Volkswagen has since sold nearly 21.5 million Beetles worldwide, spanning three model generations.

Closer to home, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is now offering
75 units of the Beetle Collector's Edition
 at RM 164,390. Decked with RM 12,000 worth of accessories, the Beetle Collector’s Edition also comes with a serial plate number.

Tomorrow (Saturday), hundreds of Beetle owners will congregate in Putrajaya in an attempt to break the current Malaysian record of the largest Beetle gathered at one location. If you own a Beetle, regardless of which generation or what condition it's in, you are invited to participate.

Like many other car segments, the Beetle has to contend with the new reality of the car market, which is increasingly dominated by crossovers/SUVs.

With the Beetle no more, the excess capacity will be taken up by a new crossover positioned below the Tiguan. Rumoured to be sold as the Tarek, the yet to be confirmed crossover is said to be a variation of China’s Volkswagen Tharu, and the model will first go on sale in USA/Canada sometime around 2020. Sales in other markets have yet to be confirmed.


Project CARS Trailer Revealed, In Stores May 8

Project CARS, the racing simulation game that has been teased and glimpsed for a while now and was initially slated for a November 2014 release, will in a few days, on May 8, finally be made available
(Xbox One, PS4, PC)
. But first, there’s a lovely trailer for our enjoyment.
For a game that’s treading on familiar territory (see Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport), Project CARS has set the bar pretty high for itself and is bent on bringing something new to the table. Boasting about its unique physics engine, extremely detailed vehicle models, dynamic weather, and overall stunning graphics, Project CARS wants to beat the genre's mainstays at their own game (literally). If publisher Bandai Namco and developer Slightly Mad Studios can pull it off, all of these ingredients should add up to one giant-killer of a racing game. But will it?
We certainly hope so. Anything to inject new life and light to cars and motorsport can’t be a bad thing in our book. The game will offer 110 courses and 30 courses for players to choose from as well as 65 cars available at launch, including the usual assortment of supercars, but also open-wheel racers and go-karts! Slightly Mad Studios has an ambitious DLC rollout strategy that adds a new free car every month, starting with the Lykan HyperSport.
Very few, if any of us, will ever get to race the kinds of cars we dream about. So, as video games become more detailed and immersive, we have an increasingly convincing alternative to keep our fast driving tendencies at bay and off the highways.


Tol Percuma, Diskaun Tol Sempena Raya – 30 Lebuh Raya Terlibat

Perdana Menteri Ismail Sabri Yaakob telah mengumumkan
tol percuma
 dan diskaun tol sebanyak 50% dan 30% bagi 30 lebuh raya yang terlibat sempena sambutan Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Menurut PM, tol percuma dan diskaun itu melibatkan jumlah sebanyak RM77.11 juta dan ia akan ditanggung bersama oleh kerajaan dan syarikat konsesi.

*Kredit foto: Bernama

Tol Percuma Hari Raya 2022

Pemberian tol percuma melibatkan lebuh raya milik
PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS)
 yang menghubungkan jaringan lebuh raya utara – selatan dan Anih Berhad (ANIH) yang menghubungkan lebuh raya pantai timur (LPT).

Tambah PM, ia akan bermula pada jam 12 tengah malam pada 30 April 2022 (Sabtu) sehingga jam 11:59 malam pada 1 Mei 2022 (Ahad) kepada semua kelas kenderaan

Tol percuma juga diberikan kepada pengguna yang pulang semula ke kediaman masing-masing bermula 12 tengah malam 7 Mei (Sabtu) hingga 11.59 malam 8 Mei (Ahad) untuk semua kelas kenderaan.

*Kredit foto: Harian Metro

Lebuh Raya Terlibat (Tol Percuma)

Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (PLUS)

Lebuhraya Utara Selatan Hubungan Tengah (ELITE)

Lebuhraya Seremban – Port Dickson (SPDH)

Lebuhraya Butterworth – Kulim (BKE)

Laluan Kedua Malaysia Singapura (LINKEDUA)

Jambatan Pulau Pinang (JPP)

Lebuhraya Pantai Timur (LPT) 1

Lebuhraya Pantai Timur (LPT) 2

Lebuhraya KL – Karak (KLK)

PM turut menjelaskan tawaran diskaun tol antara 30% hingga 50% akan diberikan kepada lebuh raya selain PLUS dan LPT pada tarikh dan masa sama bagi semua kelas kenderaan.

*Kredit foto: Gamuda

Diskaun Tol 50%

Lebuhraya Shah Alam (Kesas)

Lebuhraya Damansara – Puchong (LDP)

Lebuhraya Cheras – Kajang (GRANDSAGA)

Lebuhraya Sungai Besi (BESRAYA)

Lebuhraya Baru Pantai (NPE)

Lebuhraya Bertingkat Ampang – KL (AKLEH)

Lebuhraya KL – Putrajaya (MEX)

Lebuhraya Duta – Ulu Kelang (DUKE)

Diskaun Tol 30%

Projek Pengurusan Air Banjir Dan Terowong (SMART)

Lebuhraya Koridor Guthrie (GUTHRIE)

Lebuhraya KL – Kuala Selangor (LATAR)

Lebuhraya Lingkaran Luar Butterworth (LLB)

Lebuhraya Kemuning – Shah Alam (LKSA)

Lebuhraya Lingkaran Kajang (SILK)

Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muad’zam Shah (JPP2)

Lebuhraya Lembah Klang Selatan (SKVE)

Lebuhraya Skim Penyuraian Trafik KL – Barat (SPRINT)

Lebuhraya Kajang – Seremban (LEKAS)

Lebuhraya Pintas Selat Klang Utara Baru (GRANDSEPADU)

Lebuhraya Senai – Desaru (SDE)

Lebuhraya Persisiran Pantai Barat (WCE)

Keputusan kerajaan ini juga mengambil kira impak pandemik kepada sumber pendapatan sebahagian besar
Keluarga Malaysia
 sebelum ini dan bagi mengurangkan bebanan pengguna lebuh raya, terutamanya golongan berpendapatan rendah.

“Diharapkan dengan pemberian tol percuma dan diskaun tol sempena perayaan Aidilfitri pada tahun ini akan memeriahkan lagi sambutan Aidilfitri bersama orang tersayang,” jelas PM.