November 2018 New Vehicle Sales – Perodua Achieves 209,000 Unit Target In 11 Months

Thanks to the tax-free holiday period as well as offering products that meet user’s core requirements, Perodua has achieved its 2018
sales target of 209,000 units
 within the span of 11 months.
While the exact year-to-date achievement at 208,841 units, just 159 units short of the exact target figure, the company could have achieved this feat with an even higher sales volume. Production of the Perodua Myvi was suspended for over 30 days between September and October due to issues from a supplier.
With the production returning to normalcy, the brand now commands 38% of the Malaysian market, almost an increase of 3% compared to 2017.
The Total Industry Volume (TIV) for the month of November continues to remain strong, as shown in the data compiled by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). Total sales in November was 48,282 units, just over 1,000 units higher than October's performance.
Total vehicle sales up to November is 550,526 units, a healthy 5.5% improvement compared to the same period last year. With traditionally strong sales in the month of December, there shouldn’t be any difficulties in meeting MAA’s revised TIV forecast of 585,000 units.
The TIV for 2018 could even nudge pass 600,000 units courtesy of strong interest from the recently launched Proton X70 which reported to have collected over 10,000 bookings.
While individual model breakdown is not available, we can surmise that the Mazda CX-5 is the best-selling SUV in the month of November. With over 1,500 units of vehicles sold that are classified under SUV by MAA, they are a clear leader (28% segment share) compared to SUV models contributed by Honda (19%), Toyota (13%), Nissan (8%), and Mitsubishi (5%).
Mazda’s achievement of 14,587 units for the first 11 months also unofficially makes 2018 their best year ever, surpassing their previous best of 14,325 units in 2015. Market share also sees a tremendous improvement to 2.65% compared to 1.7% in 2017.
Stocks of new models (Camry, Vios, Rush) cannot come any sooner for Toyota, as their sales since the end of the tax-free holiday (September to November 2018) averages out at just under 3,900 units per month (compared to 5,800 units in the same period of 2017). Based on the MAA data, sales of passenger car models are at one of its lowest levels as stocks of the Vios and Camry have depleted.
Toyota is still 'king' of the pick-up segment nonetheless, with the Hilux commanding a 53% segment share in the month of November.
Comparing the total sales to full-year of 2017, BMW, MINI, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Kia, Subaru, Peugeot, Volvo, Renault, and Land Rover all have surpassed their last year’s achievements with one month of sales remaining.


REVIEW: Harley-Davidson Dirt, Road, Track Experience - Trifecta!

What's it like to attend the Harley-Davidson Dirt.Road.Track (DRT) media experience in Pattaya, Thailand? A whole lot of riding compressed into one hectic yet eye-opening day.

Organised by
Harley-Davidson
 APAC (massive thanks for the invite), we were there to sample its latest 2022 models, particularly the Pan America 1250 Special, Sportster S, and the model that I personally believe will be a hot-seller, the all-new Nightster.

2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster

There were other 2022 models present on the event grounds located at the Bira Circuit, namely the Road Glide ST, Street Glide ST, and the Low Rider ST. All of these models were recently launched in the Malaysian market, except for the Nightster (but we have a feeling that we won't have to wait very long for that).

There were also some 2021 models to help press members experience the differences. Like the name of the event, the sessions were separated into three - Road mainly for the Nightster and ST models, Track for the Sportster S, and Dirt for none other than the Pan America 1250.

First impressions on the Nightster?

Lucky for me, I managed to get my hands on the Nightster first for the Road portion of the ride. As expected, it was a smooth experience with a good balance between Harley-Davidson's heritage and their future of more modern bike offerings.

The Nightster is a good bike for those looking into entering the H-D brand thanks to its ease of rideability, manageable performance, and of course, the design DNA of retro Sportsters.

In short, it's a lot smoother and safer to ride thanks to its new 975cc Revolution Max engine and electronic riding aids, but it still has that classic torque grunt (not much, but it's there). Just need to know which gears to ride for different riding experiences.

2022 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special

How about the Pan America?

It wasn't long before we were called to participate in the second session involving some dirt, mud, and offroad terrains with the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250. This was a bit intimidating due to the fact that any offroad riding requires a lot of physical strength (which I have neglected since the first MCO).

We got a taste of both the 2021 and 2022 Pan America 1250 Special, and it was indeed a fun experience despite being super physically demanding. I only had a short stint on the Pan America when it was launched in Malaysia last year, and it further cemented the fact that H-D did one hell of a job for its first-ever adventure-tourer.

Capable of some very spirited riding on the road, it was also a formidable choice when it comes to handling offroad terrains. Despite tipping in at 258kg (kerb), the Pan America is powerful, versatile, and intelligent for all riding occasions. Two thumbs up for the Pan Am. It's the smartest bike in the current H-D fleet, and it shows.

2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S

Sportster S in the track?

The last portion involved the H-D Sportster S and the very reason why the event was set at the Bira Circuit. Truth be told, my first experience with the Sportster S last year was a bit of a letdown solely because the ride down from Genting was too short and traffic was annoying.

This time around, the open track showcased what the Sportster S had to offer - plenty of power and surprisingly, a fun bike to ride in the corners. Pushing it harder as one would normally ride on the open road, I was able to understand and appreciate the idea involved in the production of the Sportster S - a sport bike in a cruiser form.

With its Revolution Max 1250T V-twin engine (similar to the Pan America, but tuned to deliver more torque in the mid-range), 121hp and 125Nm of torque were more than enough to fly down the straight before applying the brakes and entering the corners with confidence. It would've been better with mid-mounted controls as the forward foot controls meant that I had to hold on for dear life as that massive torque kicked in.

It's probably the only bike that can handle the pressures of track riding, unless you're into the MotoAmerica's King of the Baggers. If that's the case, some heavy modifications on any of the three 2022 ST models should do the trick. Out of the box, the Sportster S gets a new level of respect from me.

Conclusion on the 2022 models?

In a nutshell, the Harley-Davidson Dirt.Road.Track media experience showed us two different offerings for two different groups of H-D fans. The first group caters to the hardcore fans of the brand. Those that are constantly looking for that iconic 'big engine, big torque' can still appreciate the efforts put into the three ST models and the 1,923cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine.

Then there's the other three with their Revolution Max powertrains - the Pan America, Sportster S, and Nightster. These are the bikes that can pull in some of the newer and younger crowds into the brand, including those who are into riding offroad and track.

It's honestly a good move from
H-D
 as it satisfies the 'needs and wants' of the many and hopefully, retain its status as an iconic motorcycling brand for another century to come.

As a point of reference, below are the prices for the 2022 models in Malaysia.

2022 Nightster - RM93,900

2022 Sportster S - RM99,900

2022 Pan America 1250 Special - RM125,900

2022 Low Rider ST - RM125,900

2022 Road Glide ST - from RM176,900

2022 Street Glide ST - from RM182,900


Bermaz Previews New Mazda CX-5 2.5 CKD

After a temporary hiatus, the facelifted Mazda CX-5 2.5-litre will be resuming its sales locally very soon. Previously, the CX-5 2.5-litre facelift was only available in fully imported form. There were also a small number of CX-5 2.5-litre pre-facelift model that were locally assembled at the Berjaya-Sime Darby co-owned Inokom plant in Kulim.
In addition to that, there was some adjustment to the 2.0-litre CX-5’s model range, which has been rationalised to just one 2WD (front wheel drive) variant, available in Mid and High specs. Four wheel drive is now only available on the 2.5-litre model.
The new facelift model can be identified by its new front grille, LED front headlamps (low beam only) with integrated LED daytime running lights, new LED tail light cluster, slightly different dashboard fascia,additional chrome trimmings in the interior, and a 7-inch full colour touchscreen display MZD Connect infotainment system.
Prices for all models have yet to be confirmed as this is only a preview but we understand from Bermaz that there won’t much changes in prices, especially compared to the pre-facelift locally assembled model.
Key highlights for the new CX-5 2.5-litre include leather-trimmed interior, leather seats, power adjustable driver’s seat, 6-speaker infotainment system with 7-inch full colour touch screen with MZD Connect, six airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, DSC and TCS, automatic air-conditioning system.
For the CX-5 2.0-litre, the High specs models adds the following over the base Mid specs model:
Leather seats (fabric for Mid)
Power adjusting driver’s seat
Front parking sensor
LED headlamps
LED tail lights
LED front fog lamps


BMW M-Owners Malaysia Day Drive - M for Malaysia, M for Motorsport

There ain't no better place to be than in the midst of some 70 BMW M cars in convoy from Auto Bavaria, Ara Damansara to Pavilion on Malaysia Day!

The pops, crackles and bangs from the BMW M-Owners cars served as the backdrop for the loudest Malaysia Day celebration yet in the confines of the sleepy hammock known more commonly to us as Ara Damansara.

It was a Malaysia Day special from the BMW M-Owners club, held in support with BMW Malaysia.

According to Andrew Lim, Head Volunteer of the BMW M-Owners Club Malaysia this Malaysia Day drive was held to bring along all BMW M Owners for a drive as well as to do some charity along the way.

"It is not often you get to see 70 or so M cars in a convoy, we combined our love for all things M today" Andrew went on to add.

It was quite a sight to behold to see a host of M2's, M3's, M4's, M5's and M6's snaking along the Federal Highway in convoy towards the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

The ice-cream on the cake had to be the BMW M4 on display that was designed by our very own Malaysian,  Chan Wen Bin. His award-winning design was realized on a BMW M4, and seeing it in the flesh was something else.

We had the opportunity to catch-up with Wen Bin and ask him some questions:

Q: What was the inspiration of your design for the livery of the M4?

A: The design theme is the fusion of Sim Racing and the real world, as you see can I used the polygon as a design element to represent futuristic and digital, the color itself is BMW M colors to represent BMW Motorsport.

Q: Since you designed your livery on an M4, you must be a fan of BMW, how long have you been a fan for?

A: Since I was a child really, I can't remember how long it's been.

Q: Of all the M cars you see here today if you had a chance to take one home, which one would it be?

A: The M8 Gran Coupe.

Q: What's next in the plans? Any more future BMW designs coming up?

A: I'm looking forward to the opportunity.

After waking up at 0500 today to be Mesmerised by some Monsters on our Malaysian roads, I'm guessing my dreams during my nap will be Memorable. Maybe I'll get to Magically conjure up an M car in my porch. Maybe...

PS: If you're the proud owner of an M vehicle and would like to join the BMW M-Owners club as a member, reach out to them on Instagram @MOwnersMY.

Happy Malaysia Day!


AmGeneral’s “Talk to Us” Campaign to Help Motorists Understand Liberalisation

The recent liberalisation of motor insurance in Malaysia beginning 1 July is said to drive fairer ways of pricing according an individual’s risk profile. As cheaper premiums await more responsible drivers, the move is expected to indirectly promote safe driving.
According to motor insurance giant AmGeneral Insurance Berhad, the liberalisation of motor insurance means that the price of motor insurance products will no longer be controlled by the authorities, but determined by the insurance companies themselves.
It is said that insurance companies are able to charge premiums that are in line with broader risk factors inherent in a group of policyholders being insured; and also sell new products that are not defined under the tariff.
While many of us may have an idea on how the liberalisation will affect insurance premiums, some motorists may not understand things fully.
So, in order to help those who have doubts relating to this matter, AmGeneral has introduced the “Talk to us” campaign, which aims to encourage the public to call their friendly and approachable agents to get all the information they need to choose the best insurance plans.
“Today we are taking the first step in transitioning from what has been a consistent, calm and predictable insurance market into a competitive, vibrant and challenging one,” said Derek Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of AmGeneral Insurance Berhad.
“We are fully committed to continuously deliver our valued services with our two strong brands, AmAssurance and Kurnia through Liberalisation - services we have built over the years for our customers,” explained Grace Quah, Chief Distribution Officer of AmGeneral Insurance Berhad during the kickoff of the Liberalisation campaign.
“As we lay the infrastructure for customer focused solutions, efficient processes and responsiveness, our goals are simple, and that is to deliver the best service, the best value and build lasting customer relationships.”
“We are positioned perfectly to deliver this through our network of 7,000 agents and partners nationwide. Let us embrace the new opportunities made available with Liberalisation and continue to be the Most Trusted Insurer in Malaysia”, says Roberts.


222,203 Kenderaan Perodua Terjual Dari Januari Hingga Oktober 2022

Perodua hanya memerlukan 10 bulan pada tahun ini untuk melepasi paras jualan 200,000 unit kenderaan setelah mencatatkan sejumlah 222,203 pendaftaran kenderaan antara Januari hingga Oktober tahun ini.

Pada perbandingan tahun setakat ini, pendaftaran untuk kereta Perodua melonjak kepada 51.2% daripada 146,951 unit yang dijual dalam tempoh yang sama pada 2021.

Ada jurang pada jualan antara Jun dan Ogos tahun lalu berikutan penutupan yang dikuatkuasakan oleh kerajaan untuk membendung kes Covid-19.

Presiden dan Ketua Eksekutif Perodua, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad berkata syarikat itu menjangkakan momentum pendaftaran akan terus meningkat sehingga akhir tahun ini.

Pada bulan lalu, Perodua telah menjual 25,849 unit iaitu peningkatan sebanyak 5% berbanding 24,626 unit yang dijual pada September 2022.

Tiga model teratas Perodua yang dijual pada Oktober 2022 adalah:

Perodua Bezza
: 6,768 unit

Perodua Myvi
: 6,130 unit

Perodua Axia
: 4,989 unit

Dari segi pengeluaran pula, Perodua telah menghasilkan 22,974 unit pada Oktober menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan kenderaan yang dikeluarkan adalah sebanyak 229,811 unit antara Januari hingga Oktober tahun ini.

Perodua merancang untuk meningkatkan lagi pengeluaran dan jumlah jualan mereka kerana Perodua cuba melepasi sasaran jualan yang ditetapkan sebelum ini bagi tahun 2022 dan ini mampu mengurangkan tempoh menunggu bagi para pelanggan mereka.

Pada Januari tahun ini, Perodua telah mengumumkan sasaran jualan kenderaan tahunan sebanyak 247,800 unit untuk tahun 2022.

Zainal berkata prestasi pengeluaran dan jualan yang lebih tinggi daripada jangkaan telah memberi kesan positif kepada ekosistem automotif tempatan, memandangkan secara purata 95% alat ganti Perodua adalah diperoleh secara tempatan.

“Kadar penyetempatan yang tinggi juga membantu melindungi Perodua daripada turun naik pasaran pertukaran matawang asing pada masa ini. Hasrat kami adalah untuk menambah baik lagi rantaian bekalan automotif tempatan kerana dengan adanya industri ini, ia akan memberi manfaat kepada Perodua dan pelanggan mereka,” kata Zainal.


Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster Confirmed

Lamborghini
 will build a roadster version of its Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce after the company’s CEO Stephan Winkelmann told
Top Gear

at the recent 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Officially, it will be known as the
Lamborghini Aventador
 LP 750-4 SV Roadster and according to Winkelmann, "We will produce a roadster version. Our dealers worldwide are now taking orders."
Like the hardtop version, the roadster will have a limited production run of just 500 examples, which is 100 less than the hardtop. Speaking of the hardtop, all 600 units of that model have already been accounted for.
Under the hood, the Aventador SV Roadster will probably pack the same 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine which develops 740hp and 690Nm of torque, which in the absence of a roof, can be heard more clearly. Expect a near-similar century sprint time to the coupé’s 2.8 second time along with more weight saving components to offset the strengthening needed with the roof removed.


Maxus G90 - The Alphard Killer - Introduced in Australia, But Will Malaysians Get it?

Maxus' smart-looking G90 MPV debuts in Australia, priced from RM164k.

If Malaysia's Weststar Maxus had any sense, then they would follow the footsteps of Australia's WMC Group, who have just imported the Maxus G90 into their country.

What is the Maxus G90? Think about it as a vehicle that is built like the
Toyota Alphard
 with the price of a
Nissan Serena
.

Launched in China on April 2022, the Aussies will be one of the first people in the world with the opportunity to buy this goliath of an MPV.

Manufactured by SAIC Maxus Automotive Co., Ltd, the G90 is the bigger brother of the
ever-popular Maxus G10
, which is widely accepted in our country.

The Maxus G90 is priced in Australia between $54k-$73k(RM164k-RM222k) and is offered in three variants, the Mode, Executive and Luxe. Right now, only a 2-2-3 seating formation is on offer, but an eight-seater model will be available next year.

All variants are equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 214hp and 360Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed Aisin-sourced automatic transmission.

As for safety, the Maxus G90 comes fully decked out, featuring modern safety features such as autonomous emergency braking – front and rear, blind-spot monitoring,lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control as well as front, side and full-length curtain airbags.

If you're wondering why it writes MIFA on the number plates, the Maxus G90 is called the LDV MIFA in Australia, and this was done purely out of copyright infringement involving the Aussie importer.

What do you think? Is it better looking than the Toyota Alphard?


Hyundai Introduces Premium 4WD Tucson Variant

When it comes to modern SUVs, it's no surprise that the majority of owners have no need nor want for a 4WD system. This is evidenced by sales figures that show high-spec 2WD models outselling their 4WD counterparts, and companies have started to take notice by offering higher-spec 2WD models. That's not to say that there aren't a significant minority that would still prefer a traditional 4WD system, and the Hyundai Tucson has this in the 2.0-litre CRDi variant.
But there are still owners who aren't big fans of oil-burning powerplants, and it is for this reason that Hyundai Sime Darby Motors is introducing the 2.0-litre MPi Premium 4WD variant. It runs on the same naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre engine as the 2.0-litre MPi Elegance model, but comes packed with all the high-end features previously found in the 2.0-litre CRDi and 1.6 T-GDi models. The petrol engine produces 155 PS at 6,200 rpm, and 192 Nm at 4,000 rpm, and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The 4WD system is par-for-the-course, with 100% bias to the front wheels during normal driving and up to 40% of the torque sent to the rear when the situation calls for it. A lock mode can force the system to split the torque 50-50 if need be for better traction in extreme situations.
As for the rest of this new Premium 4WD variant, it receives a number of features that were previously only offered in the 1.6-litre T-GDi and 2.0-litre CRDi model. Things like twin LED positioning headlamps with static bending lights, dual zone fully automatic air conditioning, a panoramic sunroof, and a roof rack are all included with the 2.0-litre MPi Premium 4WD. This also pushes it to the top of the range, rather surprisingly.
With this, the number of Tucson variants sits at 4. The entry level Tucson is the 2.0-litre MPi Elegance at RM 126,188, while one step up is the 1.6-litre T-GDi at RM 145,688. The sole diesel model is the R 2.0-litre CRDi, going for RM 155,788, and of course the new 2.0-litre MPi Premium 4WD sits above this at RM 159,888. All prices are on-the-road, not inclusive of insurance.


Toll Hike Emptying Your Wallet? Wake Up Earlier And Use Toll-Free Roads, Minister Advises

According to Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan (who is also the Kota Belud MP), in his defence of government concerning the criticism of the
recent toll hike
, points out that motorists on a budget can and should take toll-free roads, even waking up earlier to avoid the rush hour traffic.
In the category of workarounds, this comes as a rather obvious idea. Of course, taking toll-free roads instead of the highways with their recently-hiked toll rates would save you money, which is precisely the reason why so many roads parallel to highways in the Klang Valley
are now more stuffed with cars
.
And still, even with the slow crawl, a lot of drives are still electing to not take the highways. How about the “waking up earlier” suggestion? Again, not a new idea. Many of us who head to particularly crowded parts of the city (for work, as an example) do make our way there earlier than usual.
“Wherever there are tolls, there are alternative routes. So you can avoid tolls just that you would have to brave the traffic. You would have to invest in more time, waking up earlier. It's about trading off,” said Abdul Rahman.
He said the government had little choice but to allow highway concessionaires to raise the rates, almost in unison on October 15th as the rates as they once stood had not been changed in some time, writes The Malay Mail.
Add to that the increasing cost of operations and maintenance and the weakening economy, the government deemed it fair that consumers bear some of the costs to prevent more taxpayer monies being used for toll subsidy.
“Given the choice no government would want to increase the toll rates… but we have no choice,” he said.


Proton Renews Collective Agreements With Unions

Proton Holdings Berhad has renewed its Collective Agreements (CA) with the company’s union members – replacing previous CAs, which expired in December 2015. The agreement was inked between Proton Holdings Berhad and the Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (“PONSB”) and Proton Tanjung Malim Sdn Bhd (“PTMSB”) workers’ union respectively.
The move is in tandem with Proton’s “One Company Mindset” and “Management-Union as a Team” goals to foster better understanding and collaborations between both entities of the company.
The CAs are renewable once every 3 years, the newest CA aims to provide certain improvements for employees including alignment of a new minimum wage order, employee insurance for personal accident, term life, medical insurance and bereavement benefits.


2017 Mitsubishi ASX Adventure – 60-Unit Special, 2WD Only, RM124k

Our man Eric reporting live from the
Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 CKD
 media drive event has sent back pictures of an interesting side exhibit – the Mitsubishi ASX Adventure, a limited-run 60-unit special of the base ASX 2WD with various bits of cosmetic enhancements inside out.
Priced at RM124,000 on-the-road excluding insurance, the ASX Adventure is priced RM4,900 higher than the regular ASX 2WD which it is based upon.
For the money, the Adventure model gains a new front grille, garnishes on the side, fenders, and rear bumper, as well as upsized 18-inch alloy wheels from the Outlander. Its body is finished exclusively in Sporty Blue paint.
Inside, the ASX Adventure’s cabin gets special blue-stitching on its leather upholstery, silver trim inserts surrounding the air-con vents, and aluminium sport pedals.
The add-ons come on top of standard equipment already provided in the ASX 2WD that includes:
Halogen projector headlamps
Auto wipers
Side mirror: power adjust, power folding, integrated signal lamps
Auto climate control
Touchscreen infotainment
Steering wheel: tilt & telescopic, audio controls
Dual frontal, driver knee airbags
ABS, EBD, Brake Assist
Front & rear parking sensors
Reverse camera
As before, the ASX Adventure carries on the familiar 2.0-litre 4B11 four-cylinder MIVEC petrol engine producing claimed outputs of 150 PS and 197 Nm. This being the 2WD model, drive goes to the front via the Jatco-sourced INVECS-III CVT.


Shell Malaysia Makes The Simple Act Of Fueling Up A Charitable One This Festive Season

Shell Malaysia is making this year’s “balik kampung” journey a more meaningful one for Malaysians as it kicks off its three-day charity drive today. On the 14
th
, 16
th
, and 18
th
 of July, for every litre of fuel pumped at any Shell station nationwide, one cent (RM 0.01) will be donated by the company to five selected charitable organisations to inspire, empower and transform the lives of underprivileged children in Malaysia.
The five charity organisations and the children that are under their car which stand to benefit from the contributions raised are:
The Budimas Charitable Foundation
The Nasi Lemak Project
Yayasan Chow Kit
Persatuan Kebajikan Pendidikan Kanak-Kanak Miskin (Sabah)
Yayasan Kemajuan Insan Sarawak.
Shell aims to raise a minimum of RM500,000 through this campaign which will be distributed to the five selected charitable organisations. The money will be utilised for development programs to supply the children with new skills so that they may develop their fullest potential.
Tuan Haji Azman Ismail, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn. Bhd. and Shell Timur Sdn. Bhd, said “At Shell we make it our mission to make a positive impact to the wellbeing of our local communities. This season, the best gift we can give to the underprivileged children is the gift of a meaningful future. The reality is, to many of them, dreams such as finishing school, getting a job, or using their talents are out of reach given their current circumstances. Through this campaign, we hope to create a platform for Malaysians to inspire them to believe in life’s possibilities because they are not alone and there are a lot of people who care about them.”
That’s not all because a long-term program is being developed by Shell with selected charitable organisations which will allow wider participation in the initiatives from Shell staff, their families, retailers and business partners.
“We believe that every contribution, when joined with the rest of the community, will make a real difference in the lives of these children. We hope that the simple act of filling up your tank will make your travel home more meaningful and also inspire you to share this charity drive with your family and friends,” added Tuan Haji Azman.
Shell is also adding a fun element to raise awareness about Shell’s three-day charity campaign with the #pump141618 online challenge. Many popular bloggers and personalities have already participated in the challenge of “pumping” or doing push-ups for underprivileged children in Malaysia and in turn, are tagging their friends and loved ones to take on the challenge. This charity campaign is also supported by FlyFM, OneFM and HotFM.
Not sure what the #pump141618 challenge is about? Check out some of them here:


All-New Nissan NP300 Navara – Full Specifications Revealed

Following our earlier post on the
tentative specifications of the all-new Nissan NP300 Navara
, Edaran Tan Chong Motor has released more details on its 2.5-litre variable geometry turbo commonrail turbo diesel pick-up truck.
Unlike the outgoing D40 generation Navara, there will be no 4x2 models in the latest NP300 generation Navara’s model line-up. Also dropped is the extended single-cab (King Cab) variant.
In total, the NP300 Navara will have six variants, including one Single Cab variant, all of them 4WD.
The all-new NP300 Navara will be imported from Thailand, while the outgoing D40 Navara is locally assembled.
Refer to the specifications table below (click to enlarge).
Rather disappointingly, many of the unique features that Nissan have been boasting in its pre-launch campaign are only available in the most expensive VL model. Prices have yet to be announced but rumour has it that it will be very expensive, probably above RM120k, but don't blame Nissan for that as it has more to do with the falling value of our Ringgit.
The much talked about 190 PS engine for example, is only available on the VL model. All other variants will get only a detuned 163 PS engine (403 Nm torque) of the same 2.5-litre capacity. That’s even less powerful than the outgoing D40 generation Navara!
The outgoing D40 generation Navara has a 174 PS engine for all 4WD double-cab models.
The similar 2.5-litre engine capacity Mitsubishi Triton trounce it with its 178 PS engine, available as standard for all but the two lowest grade variant.
Although non-VL NP300 Navara models are down on power, they claw back some ground with a marginally torquier engine, 403 Nm at 2,000 rpm versus the Mitsubishi’s 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The wider ratio spread of the seven-speed torque converter automatic transmission should in theory, compensate a little bit on the non-VL models power deficit.
Other unique selling points like LED headlamps, leather seats, and 8-way power operated driver’s seat are also only available on the VL model.
However we do applaud Nissan for fitting electronic stability control (ESC), or as Nissan calls it – Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) on the top four variants. The two lowest E grade double-cab and Single Cab model are aimed purely at commercial users and the omission is understandable.


BMW Malaysia adds X7 M Sport xDrive40i to flagship SUV range

BMW Malaysia has introduced a new variant to their flagship SUV, the 7-searter X7, giving the previous
sole Pure Excellence
 variant a little company, and priced from RM701,000.

This doesn’t alter the actual specifications, though, as they’re both flavours of the locally assembled xDrive40i that features a powertrain that pairs a 3.0-litre (B58) turbocharged inline-6 petrol engine mated with a ZF 8-speed automatic with all-wheel drive. Power and torque remain level at 340hp and 450Nm.

Cosmetic alterations are the name of the game here, as they are with any BMW equipped with the M Sport package. To that effect, BMW has fitted the X7 with 22-inch 758 M Alloy wheels and a more aggressive aero kit.

Personally, we're rather glad that the local X7 offering hasn't yet succumed to the facelift and it's pseudo-Hyundai multi-tier headlight/DRL fascia that's already coming in the form of
the newest 7 Series and fully electric i7.

Behind those wheels are uprated M Sport brakes with its distinctive blue finished callipers to match the blue highlights in the headlight cluster from the BMW Laserlight array.

Inside, the X7 M Sport looks identical to the Pure Excellence variant though we can pick out some of the sportier trim peppered around the cabin. It’s a very subtle contrast as both variants have predominantly black interior colour schemes, at least in these supplied images.

However, buyers will have a choice of specifying their Vernasca leather upholstery in Cognac or Coffee as well as black, which we definitely recommend exploring. Speaking of colours, for the exterior, the X7 M Sport xDrive40i can be had in Black Sapphire, Arctic Grey, Mineral White, and Manhattan Metallic.

Other goodies equipped with the X7 Pure Excellence such as its adaptive 2-axle air suspension, BMW Cockpit Live Professional digital instrument cluster with 12.3-inch central touchscreen, Panoramic Glass Sky Roof, Harman/Kardon surround sound system, and twin 10.2-inch rear seat entertainment screens.

On the safety front, BMW’s Driving Assist with Active Cruise Control + Start & Stop function, Active Protection, and 360-degree camera are all also included as standard.

As with its other models, BMW offers the X7 with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty. However, opting for the 5-year ‘extended’ warranty and service package sends the final asking price to RM728,800.


2023 Subaru WRX Sportwagon now in Malaysia - Yours for only RM285k

The official importer of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, Motor Image has the tendency to surprise all of us, with the latest being the introduction of the WRX Wagon, dubbed by many as the quintessential Japanese sports wagon.

Introduced alongside its Sedan sibling, with no big official launch, the WRX Wagon comes in one variant and can be had from RM285,245 on the road without insurance, making it the cheapest WRX you can buy as the sedan version in either manual or CVT form is a bit more dearer.

For the money you'll be paying, you'll be getting Subaru's famed boxer engine, symmetrical all-wheel drive system, EyeSight suite of driver assistance system and five-year/100,000km warranty.

The powerplant underneath the hood is Subaru's latest FA24F 2.4-litre flat-four turbocharged engine featuring 271 hp and 375 Nm of torque from a lowly 2,000rpm.

Unlike the sedan, the wagon is only offered with an automatic CVT transmission, accompanied by Subaru's critically acclaimed Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with Active Torque Vectoring System ( automatic braking to help with smoother control).

The sedan and wagon WRX are the same from the front end to the B-pillar, but from there on, they both have individual body styles which affect some of their features.

Also, if you haven't noticed by now, the sedan is
styled weirdly like an SUV
, thanks to the body cladding around the car, while the wagon has a more cleaner and elegant look going for it.

Because of its body style, the WRX wagon gains a lot more space in the rear, which will come in handy for rear passenger space and the cargo bay department. Because of this, the wagon comes with 561 litres of boot space, and that can be expanded even more when you fold the 60:40 split rear seats down.

Other notable features include:

LED headlamps with High Beam Assist and steering follow

18-inch wheels with 225/45 profile

LED foglamps

Keyless entry and engine start

10-way powered seats (8 for passenger)

Dual-zone climate control

Rear air vents

11.6-inch portrait infotainment system Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Seven airbags

Full Eyesight Driver Assist system


Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet To Enter Production In 2020

Volkswagen today confirmed that it is all set to produce its first convertible SUV from the first half of 2020 - the T-Roc Convertible.
The company also confirmed that more than 80 million Euros will be invested in the Osnabrück plant, which will allow the comprehensive modernization of production technology, assembly, and also logistics.
With this decision, the brand will be continuing the cabriolet success story of the Osnabrück team and safeguarding employment at the plant.
Following the run-up phase, a production volume of up to 20,000 vehicles per year is planned.
"Volkswagen is evolving into an SUV brand. The T-Roc is already setting new standards in the compact SUV segment. With the cabriolet based on the T-Roc, we will be adding a highly emotional model to the range. I am especially pleased to note that we can count on the Osnabrück team's decades of experience with convertibles,” said Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen.
By 2020, the brand intends to expand its SUV range throughout the world to 20 models. By then, about 40 percent of the vehicles sold by Volkswagen are to be SUV's.
To date, more than 40,000 orders have been taken for the T-Roc since it was launched last year.
The Osnabrück plant on the other hand, currently has about 2,300 employees. In 2017, the plant assembled more than 76,000 units on three production lines.
Since Volkswagen Osnabrück GmbH was founded in 2011, more than 280,000 vehicles have rolled off the assembly lines.


Geely Acquires 7.6% Shareholding in Aston Martin

Geely Holding
 aka Zhejian Geely Holding Group has finally acquired a stake in
Aston Martin
 or
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc
.

They've been at it for quite some time with the idea to fully acquire the iconic brand under its wings, but finally settled for 7.6% of the ordinary share capital. That's still a lot for the
'ultra-luxury British performance brand'
.

Geely to "Engage & collaborate with Aston Martin"

According to Daniel Donghui Li, CEO of Geely Holding Group, "We are delighted to announce our investment in Aston Martin and believe that with our well-established track record and technology offerings, Geely Holding can contribute to Aston Martin’s future success."

"We look forward to exploring potential opportunities to engage and collaborate with Aston Martin as it continues to execute its strategy to achieve long term, sustainable growth and increased profitability," added Daniel in the very brief press release.

Geely tried to 'buy' Aston Martin for RM6.7 billion

Aston Martin has been on Geely's radar for quite some time ever since the company's initial public offering back in 2018. Geely made its offer but was later rejected in favour of Lawrence Stroll's pitch to re-enter Formula 1 and bring the fight into the top motorsports race.

Geely made another offer again in July with a purse of around RM6.7 billion but was later rejected again by Aston Martin. In the end, they settled with 7.6% of the stake, but the price for that piece of pie was never disclosed.


Agent Ethan Hunt's BMW M3 - "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"

Following BMW's high profile debut of the BMW i8 Concept in 2011's “Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,” the Bavarian branding powerhouse is now back again on the latest installment of the Mission Impossible franchise - “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.”

As before, Tom Cruise will reprise his role as Agent Ethan Hunt, and he will once again move around in a BMW, this time an M3 sedan.
The movie will also see Agent Hunt using the car's BMW ConnectedDrive feature to complete his 'mission.'
A BMW Motorrad S 1000 RR is also featured in the movie.
Watch the trailer below


Maxx 'N Go App Introduces New Service Packages and Media Ambassador

First introduced
 in May last year, Maxx ‘N Go, an on-demand car care assistant mobile app, has launched a range of new packaged services to better cater to the needs of their customers. In addition, the company has also tied up with Malaysian filmmaker, Auguste Kwan as a media ambassador to reach its customers more effectively.
The new service packages, dubbed Maxx Saver, and Maxx Hero Roadside Assistance intends to offer more comprehensive coverage, and added peace of mind to customers.
Maxx Saver is a (one-time signup) membership program which allows customers to save up to 25 percent on service charges by purchasing Maxx 'N Go service packages that best suit their vehicle’s needs. The service even offers a package that includes three scheduled services per year, door-to-door, for one flat-rate. The package prices depend on the range of services that are ordered, and type of vehicle.
The Maxx Saver membership comes with complimentary 1-year subscription to Maxx Hero Roadside Assistance which functions as roadside assistance service for customers who encounter breakdowns, such as a dead battery or a flat tyre. Labour charges are waived for Maxx Hero breakdown services.
With regards to the coverage area of Maxx ‘N Go services, Chief Technical Officer, Tengku Djan Ley explained, “We will be expanding our services nationwide. Currently, our focus is in Klang Valley, Penang, Ipoh, and Johor Bahru as demand for our products is highest in these areas. We will slowly spread our wings to other states in Peninsular Malaysia.
He added, “Once we have established our presence in all the states here, we will take our business to Sabah, and Sarawak. There are already requests from several parties there to bring over the products and services. It is a big challenge for us, but we have a great, dedicated team with a structured and organized operation as the backbone.”
In conjunction, Maxx ‘N Go has also inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vision Venturers Management (VVM) Berhad, an investment firm to pave the way for further business opportunities and collaborations.


Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus Gets RM6 Million Upgrade

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, together with authorised dealer NZ Wheels, has unveiled the upgraded Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus.
A total of RM6 million was invested in upgrading the Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus to be compliant with the Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II) autohaus concept, the global Autohaus benchmark of customer experience, complete with the new Mercedes-Benz Corporate Identity (CI).
With a total land area of 320,000 sq. ft. supporting a built-up area of 32,000 sq. ft., the NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus has a total display capacity of 17 vehicles, 30 service bays capable of servicing up to 650 vehicles a month, a dedicated AMG Performance Centre, merchandise corner, as well as a dedicated space for customers to view and test drive an extensive range of certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz cars located adjacent to the Autohaus.
Managed by 70 personnel across sales, technical services and spare parts functions, the full-fledged 3S centre also has an ‘i-Showroom’ feature which includes digital touch screens for customers to gain a better understanding of Mercedes-Benz products, a private Star Lounge, and also an exclusive range of personalised after-sales services which includes pick-up/drop-off of customer vehicles, after-hours drop-off, and fast-lane service.
Located at Lot 1385, Wisma NAZA, Jalan Kapar, Batu 2, Klang, the Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus is one of seven authorised Mercedes-Benz Autohauses in Selangor.
Established in 1994, NZ Wheels also happens to be the third largest Mercedes-Benz authorised dealership in the country.


Toyota RAV4 vs Proton X70 - SUV Warfare From Opposite Sides

The returning Toyota RAV4 never expected to have to lock horns with a Proton, of all things, much less to have it put up such a brutal fight.

As I have expressed in a
previous article
, it’s actually quite tragic that the otherwise excellently engineered and well designed fifth-generation RAV4 is not allowed to reach the sales heights it deserves to. What is arguably the best SUV in its class, globally, is entering a very competitive local marketplace with a significant price handicap.

This has been the case for other car models before, but a gulf this wide is very hard to justify in the mass market category. Practically, the RAV4 doesn’t make a great on-paper case for itself, and SUV buyers are perhaps the most demanding of ultimate practicality from a new vehicle purchase.

It has also put into sharper focus just how much your Ringgit can stretch these days in the SUV space. Again, this is owed to the highly competitive nature of this particular vehicle category, spurring frequent iterations and updates that add new features and alongside new marketing hooks.

As Malaysians have known since its much-hyped launch, the Proton X70 represents a lot of value to the buyer. It’s an SUV that’s size-comparable to the RAV4 both in terms of boot space and room for passengers, and it can be quite generously specified at the high end of the range, even delivering surprisingly decent performance.

To keep the competition a little more level, we’re going to compare the range-topping X70 Premium X (priced at RM115,800 with the SST deduction) and the less expensive variant of the RAV4 (the 2.0L, priced at RM196,436 with the SST deduction).

Round 1: Exterior

This is the most subjective part of both the X70 and RAV4 - any car, actually. Here, the Toyota gets massive points for its design. The flat bonnet and pronounced wheel arches (with cladding and all) looks great. Subtly aggressive, but always with an undertone of utility over style.

I’m no SUV fan in general, but the 5th-gen RAV4 does the most to make me reconsider my position. It looks distinctively Japanese and almost futuristically rugged, if that makes sense, like it could
go anywhere
 even if it’s only 2WD and based on the familiar and talented, but very road-biased TNGA platform.

Win: Toyota RAV4

Round 2: Interior

The RAV4 has a huge advantage here, too, being a Toyota product, and a rather premium one at that. You just know it will be a high quality cabin that’s screwed on really tight with top notch fit and finish. Though it lacks the sheer material luxury of a Lexus, everything will feel solid and sufficiently expensive.

On the (interior) design front as well, the RAV4 starts strong. The bold and somewhat blocky exterior motif is carried into the cabin, giving it an almost Land Rover-ish blend of ergonomics and rugged (there's that word again) flair.

However, the X70 is no slouch in this department either. The Proton is still well built, generally speaking, and even counters the dark leather seats in the RAV4 with a nice brown shade of Nappa that adds to its perceived luxury factor. The Premium X variant also comes with a panoramic sunroof, giving the cabin an even airier, more open feel. However, both trade blows when it comes to dual zone climate control and electrically adjustable ventilated front seats.

Win: Toyota RAV4

Round 3: Practicality

Neither the Proton nor the Toyota are polarising in this respect, offering a lot of room inside and out back, enough for that hypothetical TV advert family to easily fit themselves and their luggage in with relative ease.

Both aren’t too high off the ground either, with the H-points being around the average Malaysian’s hip height, allowing most of us to easily slide into the seats instead of climbing up or bending down to plant our bums.

The RAV4 is longer overall by 80mm and has a slightly longer wheelbase (+20mm) than the X70, so naturally it does offer more cargo carrying capacity as a result. However, it isn’t a dramatic difference.

A whopping 60-litres of extra space separates both SUVs with the rear seats upright - RAV4 at 580 litres and X70 at 520-litres - and they also share little conveniences like a powered tailgate and flat load floor. Nonetheless, that difference in overall cargo room does tip the scales in the Toyota’s favour. It’s clear, though, that both these vehicles were designed with practicality as a high priority, but the RAV4's best-in-class capacity wins the day.

Win: Toyota RAV4

Round 4: Tech Features

This is one area where the Proton X70’s arsenal should match that of the pricier Toyota. Both sides arrive at the technology front with sufficiently large touchscreen infotainment units, but only the Toyota’s is truly worthy of being called user friendly.

That’s not to say that the GKUI interface in the X70 is terrible, but it is much more cumbersome to use even for simple tasks as the touch points are relatively small and there is noticeable input lag which can be frustrating to try compensating for while trying to drive. The supplied Kenwood speakers are also disappointing, sounding rather flat no matter what settings were applied.

By virtue of its support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto alone, the RAV4’s is a much easier system to live with, but it’s also clear that the underlying interface has been developed specifically for in-car use. Menus are intuitive, animation smooth, and the side knobs and shortcut buttons do prove useful. We’d have just wished for a larger screen overall.

Win: Toyota RAV4

Round 5: Safety

Here, the X70 is something of a local outlier, offering safety features that are leaps and bounds more advanced than any of Proton’s previous cars. This is almost entirely thanks to their Geely partnership, of course, and those ties with sister automaker Volvo also does plenty to lift their safety credentials to a world-class level.

In addition to 6 airbags, anti-lock brakes and the assortment of stability + traction control, the X70 Premium X punches above its weight in its updated 2020 guise, offering an impressive list of active safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, and even a 360-degree camera system into the mix.

Like the newest Camry, you could be sure that UMW Toyota would not skimp on the RAV4’s safety sheet, which should read almost identically. In addition to 7 airbags, it offers Autonomous Emergency Braking (Pre-Collision), Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Lane Departure Warning under the Toyota Safety Sense suite. Automatic High Beam and a 360-degree camera are also standard here.

Both the X70 and RAV4 seem to be level-pegging on safety feature count, which is surprising given just how much less you'd need to fork over for the Proton.

Win: Proton X70

Round 6: Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Toyota and Proton take very different approaches to their powertrain packages, and both have their share of strengths and weaknesses. Starting with the Toyota, their Dynamic Force family of engines are amazingly efficient, very refined, and so far have proven to be just as reliable as other legendary Toyota workhorse motors from the past.

That being said, as impressive as it is, it isn’t able to offer up the on-demand grunt that the Proton can muster from its smaller displacement but turbocharged engine. Both should neither feel particularly quick or sluggish, but don’t be surprised if a RAV4 is left trailing an X70 when the lights turn green, where the 2.0L variant’s fuel-efficient CVT is doing it many favours off the line.

Still, we hear the Aisin 8-speed automatic in the RAV4 2.5L has been calibrated even better than in its other applications such as the Peugeot 3008, Volvo XC40, and BMW X2.

The X70’s transmission swap job for 2020 has now saddled it with a new 7-speed dual-clutch to replace the 6-speed torque converter. Setting aside any negative connotations attached to that type of gearbox, it can’t be argued that acceleration is improved by one whole second, reaching 100km/h from rest in 9.5 seconds.

The RAV4, in its entry-level variation, boasts a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder. Power is figured at 170hp and 203Nm, which sound plenty decent. But we’re talking about a car where you’d expect to be filled up with luggage and at least a few of its 5 seats occupied most of the time. And in this case, the Proton’s peak torque of 300Nm (and 181hp) becomes a huge perk.

The Proton could still struggle to to tackle the full haul of a family weekend up Genting, but we suspect the RAV4 will be panting much harder when put through that kind of punishment. Less so for the 2.5L variant, maybe.

Win: Proton X70

Round 7: Warranty

Both the Toyota RAV4 and Proton X70 come with a 5 year unlimited milage warranty with maintenance schedules set for every 10,000km or 6 months, whichever comes first.

Win: Tie

Round 8: Value

The X70 wins. The end.

In all seriousness, if you've been reading the write-up so far, Proton's SUV is the clear winner on pure value for money - there's no two ways about it. Your Ringgit goes much further than it would when compared to the RAV4, so much so that it's almost unfair. Despite the Toyota being a class leader in many more subtle ways, any advantage is quickly bulldozed by that question of price.

Depreciation could be an area where the Toyota claws back some points as it would likely hold its value for longer, but it probably isn't enough to bridge that almost RM100k price gap. To the RAV4's favour, it's also likely to be the more lasting and dependable over the long run (as in beyond the warranty period), so keep that in mind if you're intending to hang on to your next SUV for longer than most.

Win: ....X70, obviously.


Wajarkah Penggunaan LRT 2 Koc Pada Waktu Puncak? – LRT Sesak, Pengguna Terdesak

Rata-rata pengguna
Transit Aliran Ringan (LRT)
 di Lembah Klang kecewa dengan kualiti perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan memandangkan LRT sering mengalami kelewatan serta gangguan teknikal sejak akhir-akhir ini sehingga menyebabkan kesesakan luar biasa di stesen.

Kebanyakan daripada mereka yang penat menunggu di stesen mahukan pihak pengurusan LRT, iaitu Prasarana untuk mengambil inisiatif seperti menambah bilangan tren, menambah bilangan gerabak atau koc kereta api bagi menampung lebih ramai penumpang ketika waktu puncak.

Kenapa Perlu Tambah Gerabak?

Waktu kekerapan tren yang semakin berkurang

Mengelakkan kesesakan di stesen ketika waktu puncak

Mengurangkan kepadatan penumpang dalam gerabak

Berdasarkan perhatian kami, LRT laluan Kelana Jaya masih lagi menggunakan sebahagian tren 2 koc yang pendek walaupun tren 4 koc telah diperkenalkan. Ketika waktu puncak, kapasiti tren yang kecil akan menyebabkan kesesakan di stesen dan juga di dalam kereta api.

Apabila stesen sudah padat dengan lautan manusia, segelintir daripada pengguna terpaksa mencari pengangkutan alternatif lain yang lebih cepat untuk ke tempat kerja seperti
e-hailing
 atau menggunakan bas. Bayangkan jika berlaku gangguan perkhidmatan di mana tren berhenti lebih lama di setiap stesen. Kalau guna tren dua koc, silap-silap tren baru melalui dua stesen, terus penuh.

*Kredit foto: Ayaciksiti94

Kesesakan Luar Biasa Di Stesen LRT

Penggunaan koc 2 gerabak pada waktu puncak sedikit sebanyak telah menyumbang terhadap kesesakan luar biasa di stesen LRT sejak akhir-akhir ini, ditambah pula dengan kebanyakan pekerja sudah kembali bekerja di pejabat.

Penumpang yang menunggu di sesuatu stesen mungkin terpaksa melepaskan tren yang baru tiba di stesen walaupun telah menunggu lama ekoran tren itu sudah dipenuhi dengan penumpang dari stesen-stesen sebelumnya.

Seperti di stesen LRT Pasar Seni, Berita Harian melaporkan bahawa penumpang dibahagikan mengikut laluan LRT dengan kumpulan 20 orang dilepaskan dalam satu masa untuk ke platform menunggu. Walaupun beratur panjang, pergerakan penumpang dari LRT ke
Transit Aliran Massa (MRT)
 dan sebaliknya dilihat lancar.

Kawalan pergerakan penumpang seperti ini pernah dibuat ketika negara dalam fasa Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP). Kaedah ini dilaksanakan kerana platform di atas terlalu sesak apabila terdapat pertembungan di antara penumpang yang keluar tren dengan mereka yang masuk.

LRT Dalam Proses Pemulihan, Kekerapan Tren Berkurang

LRT laluan Kelana Jaya kini sedang dalam proses
penambahbaikan
 dan pemulihan selepas lebih dua dekad perkhidmatannya setelah menelan belanja RM800 juta bagi membaik pulih 28 set tren jenis 818.

Semasa tempoh pembaikan ini, kekerapan tren bertambah sekitar empat minit berbanding 2.5 minit sebelum ini.

Menurut Menteri Pengangkutan sebelum ini, proses ini penting bagi mengelakkan gangguan perkhidmatan kepada pengguna memandangkan prestasi tren jenis 818 telah menurun setelah 15 tahun beroperasi.

Wajarkah Penggunaan Tren 2 Koc Ketika Waktu Puncak?

Secara logiknya, dengan penambahan waktu menunggu LRT ketika ini, tren 2 koc ini dilihat tidak lagi wajar digunakan ketika waktu puncak bagi menampung lebih ramai pengguna dalam satu masa.

Penggunaan tren 2 koc pada waktu puncak menyebabkan suasana di dalam tren itu menjadi padat dan sesak. Pengguna LRT yang harus bersesak-sesak antara satu sama lain juga terdedah dengan risiko dijangkiti COVID-19 memandangkan virus itu masih ada dalam kalangan kita.

Walau bagaimanapun, tren 2 koc itu masih lagi relevan dan boleh digunakan oleh Prasarana, cuma hadkan penggunaannya terutama ketika waktu puncak dan lebihkan tren 4 koc ketika waktu puncak supaya kesesakan di stesen dapat ditangani.

*Kredit foto: Utusan TV

Tambang Percuma Sebulan, Tetapi..

Pemberian tambang percuma pengangkutan awam
 seperti LRT,MRT, KTM dan Bas Rapid KL selama sebulan memang sesuatu yang baik, namun kualiti perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan membuatkan ramai pengguna berasa tidak puas hati.

Persoalannya, adakah pemberian tambang percuma selama sebulan ini dapat menyelesaikan masalah perkhidmatan LRT atau hanya sekadar gula-gula untuk rakyat supaya pengguna lupa tentang betapa teruknya perkhidmatan LRT sejak akhir-akhir ini?

Syed Saddiq juga menyambut baik dengan pemberian tambang ini, namun beliau berpendapat jumlah subsidi RM155 Juta patut digunakan dengan lebih pragmatik dengan:

Menambah koc penumpang

Menambah bilangan tren

Menambah bilangan bas awam

Menaik taraf kemudahan di stesen

Jika pemberian tambang percuma ini memerlukan pelanggan untuk beratur panjang dan menunggu lebih lama untuk menaiki tren, adakah pemberian tambang percuma ini berbaloi untuk memujuk mereka daripada menggunakan kereta untuk menaiki pengangkutan awam seperti ini? Bukankah lebih baik sekiranya dana itu digunakan untuk menambah baik fasiliti di LRT seperti eskalator yang rosak selama berbulan-bulan di stesen-stesen LRT tanpa dibaiki?

Prasarana perlu menambah koc atau bilangan tren secepat mungkin bagi membantu mengurangkan bukan sahaja kesesakan di dalam tren, malah juga membantu mengurangkan kesesakan di stesen LRT serta di jalan raya sekiranya lebih ramai menggunakan pengangkutan awam. Penambahbaikan seperti ini bakal menarik lebih ramai pengguna LRT di masa hadapan.


Volkswagen Malaysia Expands Its IBT Certified Sales Network

Volkswagen Malaysia announced that 58 of its sales consultants were recently awarded with the International Basic Training (IBT) certification. The 58 successful graduates will join 85 other IBT certified sales consultants nationwide.
The IBT includes 15 days of classroom training designed to develop sales competence and to provide knowledge of brand and history, and
Volkswagen’s
technology. Following the conclusion of this training, the candidates would then be examined which consists of written exam, video analysis, and role plays. They are scored by a panel of judges comprising of the region managers and dealer sales managers.
“At
Volkswagen
, we are focused in training and development to provide better career opportunity to our employees. We first introduced the IBT certification in 2013 to further enhance the knowledge of our team of sales consultants. Today, we are very proud of our 58 graduates this year and are confident that their learnings will enable them to better serve our customers,” says Volkswagen Group Malaysia managing director Armin Keller.


Fuel Price Update: 19 – 25 Oct 2017 – Petrol And Diesel Up

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has announced the latest prices for both petrol and diesel. Motorists in Malaysia are expected to pay slightly more for petrol and diesel from tomorrow onwards.
Below are the updated prices:
RON95 – RM2.17 (up 1 sen from RM2.16)
RON97 – RM2.47 (up 1 sen from RM2.46)
Diesel – RM2.11 (up 1 sen from RM2.10)


BFGoodrich Expands Product Lineup With Truck and Bus Tyres

BFGoodrich today announced the expansion of its product lineup in Malaysia with the introduction of the Route Control and Cross Control range of truck and bus tyres.
While the BFGoodrich Route Control is designed for urban usage and can be fitted on both trucks and buses, the BFGoodrich Cross Control is more suitable for trucks as it can be used off-road as well.
According to BFGoodrich, both the Route Control and Cross Control, which are priced between RM409 and RM983 per piece, are targeted towards fleet owners who are looking for tyres that are affordable yet reliable.
In case you’re wondering what size these tyres come in:
BFGoodrich Route Control
 - 295/80R22.5, 11R22.5 and 7.00R16
BFGoodrich Cross Control
 - 7.50R16
Manufactured in Thailand, the BFGoodrich Route Control range of tyres is said to be suitable for almost any type of truck, ranging from light trucks, medium duty trucks, rigid trucks, as well as tractors and semi-trailers. The Cross Control range however, is made only for light and medium duty trucks.
While both tyres feature new sidewall design, the highlight feature include on the Route Control is the ‘V’ tread design, which increases grip and prevents stones and other small objects from getting stuck on the tyres. Besides that, the tyre also offers retreadability as standard, where it can be retreaded once without compromising the level of grip and performance.
The Cross Control on the other hand, was designed with a tread pattern which enhances grip on both wet and dry surfaces even when the tyre is 50% worn out.
Speaking at the launch event, Alexis Richard, BFGoodrich’s truck and bus commercial director said that this is the first time BFGoodrich is offering its range of commercial vehicle trucks in Malaysia, and that more introductions are definitely coming in the coming months.


Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Still Top Dog In Britain And Europe For 2020

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV retains top spot, despite being more than half a decade old.

A few weeks ago, the Mitsubishi Outlander was crowned as Britain's
best selling
 plug-in hybrid SUV for 2020, and it seems that the accolades don't just stop there, as it has just been announced that the Japanese SUV is also Europe's best selling plug-in hybrid for 2020 by JATO Dynamics, a reputable market trends analysis company.

It's been six years since the Mitsubishi Outlander made its, so it's quite surprising that the Japanese SUV PHEV is still
in demand
, especially when you consider that the facelifted version is also three years old.

The SUV is widely accepted as the car that kick-started the uptake of plug-in hybrid vehicles in Britain and has remained at the top of its class ever since its launch in 2014. It even accounted for 50 percent of PHEV sales in Britain at one point, which says a lot about the car. It has also been an extremely popular PHEV SUV in Europe, but the rise in sales from the Volkswagen Passat and Volvo XC60 PHEV will most probably see it be dethroned this year.

The key to its success in the west is down to its clever hybrid system, which produces low Co2 emissions. This enables it to receive low car tax, making it one of the most value buys across Europe.

The Mitsubishi PHEV can be driven either by its naturally aspirated 2.4-litre petrol engine or by its electric motors and batteries alone, or a combination of the two. Just like Volvo's PHEV, the batteries can be charged on the move by the petrol engine, or the car can be plugged into the mains to charge overnight.

According to the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) testing cycle, a worldwide test procedure that provides realistic information on the pollutants and Co2 produced by cars, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can run on pure electricity for 45 kilometres, and return 59 kilometres per litre when it works in tandem between the combustion engine and electric motor.

To ensure that the Outlander stays
on top
, Mitsubishi has just released an official teaser of the new Outlander, stating that the first one has just rolled off the production line at their Okazaki Plant in Aichi, Japan.

The SUV freshly came out of the oven is on its way to the United States for an official unveiling on February 17. Considering that all new Mitsubishis are brutishly handsome to look at, we can't wait to see what the Outlander will bring.


Bangkok 2017: Toyota Hilux Rocco Shown In All Its Glory

Thailand just witnessed the revealing of the facelifted version of the Toyota Hilux (sold as Hilux Revo in Thailand) earlier this month, featuring a few new features revolving around the cosmetics and convenience.
Besides the new looks and features, the big news was definitely the introduction of the new range-topping Rocco variant, which we managed to get close with at the ongoing 2017 Thailand International Motor Expo.
Powered by a 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV turbodiesel engine that produces 174 hp and 420 Nm of torque, the sole transmission choice is a six-speed manual, though buyers can opt to have their Hilux Rocco in 4x2 or 4x4 formats.
On the outside, Toyota has also given the Hilux Revo Rocco a more aggressive look, thanks to the black front grille, front fog light surrounds, bottom front bumper trim, side fenders, side mirrors, door handles, rear bumper and sports bar.
These are of course on top of the Tacoma-inspired front end which is only offered in the 4×4 and 4×2 Prerunner variants of the Hilux in Thailand.
Inside, the model gets a unique meter cluster design with white backlight, leather steering wheel, and dark metallic trim on the dashboard, gear lever and air vents. On top of that, the Hilux Revo Rocco also gets a smart key system.
That being said, the Hilux Revo Rocco, which is expected to come to Malaysia in the near future, is priced between 1.13 million baht and 1.19 million baht in Thailand.


How To Choose And Buy Car Insurance Online In Malaysia?

A simple guide on how to choose and purchase your car insurance online in Malaysia.

If you own a car in Malaysia or anywhere else for that matter, you must have auto insurance to make it road-legal. It's one of the rules of vehicle ownership, which protects you and your vehicle from unforeseen risks or mishaps.

Car insurance is basically a protection plan for yourself and others against losses incurred during those unavoidable misfortunes, such as accidents, theft, and fire.

Under the Malaysian Road Transport Act 1987, it is compulsory for all vehicles using public roads to be insured. However, while auto insurance is a legal requirement, the type of coverage is up to you. Types of auto insurance span from basic coverage such as third party, fire and theft, all the way up to fully comprehensive coverage with add ons such as protection against floods.

While most car owners in Malaysia usually depend heavily on agents to get their auto insurance, there are ways to purchase it
online
 which is essential during a lockdown - similar to the one we're currently going through. But before we go into how you can buy your car insurance online, you should understand the types of coverage out there and which one is for you.

Types of Car Insurance

There are generally three types of common car insurance out there:

Third-Party

This is the most minimum and cheapest type of car insurance. It covers against injuries or deaths caused to another person, as well as loss to a third-party vehicle caused by your vehicle.

This policy provides the most basic level of protection in an accident, but you cannot claim any damages to your vehicle. So basically, this plan protects others from you, but not yourself.

Car owners who usually purchase this type of coverage are those whose cars are not valued highly and no longer under a financing arrangement.

Third-Party Fire and Theft

A Third Party Fire and Theft car insurance is essentially the same as Third Party insurance, but with the added coverage and protection of damages from fire and theft of your vehicle.

It is more expensive than Third Party coverage but does give you a bit more protection. This coverage, however, still does not protect your car from losses in an accident, so perhaps this insurance is good for those who drive older cars and always park them on the streets.

Fully Comprehensive

As the name suggests, this is the car insurance option that gives you the most protection. Unlike the others, if you have an accident, you and your car are insured even if the accident was your fault. This is why this type of insurance is compulsory when you take up a hire purchase agreement, as you are highly protected.

It is also advisable to take this type of insurance policy even if your car is not under a hire purchase agreement, as it gives you total peace of mind on the road. In addition, most insurance companies also give you an option to
add on extra protection
 to your vehicle, including windscreen damage, flood, as well as breakdown recovery services.

How to buy car insurance online in Malaysia?

As we said before, although most vehicle owners depend heavily on agents to sort out their car insurance, it's not uncommon for people to buy it themselves online. This is especially true during times like these, where social distancing is in action due to the pandemic.

Most insurance companies such as
Etiqa
, Zurich, AIG, Alliance and Berjaya Sompo offer online services where you can purchase your car insurance from the comfort of your own home. Still, nobody likes to fork out more than they need to on car insurance, which is why comparison websites are the best way to figure out which one presents the most value.

In 2017, the government liberalised car insurance which gave a bit more flexibility in terms of pricing based on individual risk levels. This is why it's best to shop around for car insurance as many savings can be had.

Comparison websites such as Bjak.my, iMoney.my, comparehero.my and myeg.my gives you a quick glance at insurance quotes from different companies, which helps save a lot of time. They even sometimes include strong points and weaknesses of each coverage, making it easier for you to choose.

The process is as easy as providing details of yourself and the vehicle you would like to insure, whereby a host of quotes will be generated from different insurance companies. They even consider the amount of NCD (no claims discount) you have and factor it into the price.

If you have identified which insurer you would like to go with, you can proceed to buy insurance from the link provided. However, sometimes, the final price doesn't reflect the quoted price.

This is because the quotes given are calculated based on some quick information you provided on the comparison website. When you have actually decided which insurer to go for, usually they will ask for more details which may affect the final price.

Things such as claim history, residence area, type of vehicle, gender and age, as well as occupation all affect your final insurance premium.

Perhaps it's best to use the comparison website just as a guide, and once you have identified which insurer you like, go to their own website and buy it from there instead.

Once you have purchased the insurance, you will usually get an email with a soft copy of your policy, which you can print out. But if you're interested in saving the planet, you can leave it stored on your email and only pull it out when it is needed.

Personally, I have bought insurance from the Myeg website as the final price did not deviate too much from the quoted price. Myeg is also a well-known service provider who can be considered reliable and legitimate.

But if you're uncomfortable with this online insurance purchasing method, you can always call your insurance agent, and we're sure they can sort it out for you, but of course, they charge for their services and it will not be as cheap as purchasing your car insurance online.


Bangkok 2017: Toyota C-HR Hybrid Previewed Ahead Of 2018 Thailand Debut

At the today’s opening of the 2017 Thailand International Motor Expo, Toyota Motor Thailand has opened its order books for the C-HR. Prices have yet to be announced but it is estimated to start upwards of THB 900,000, which is quite competitive considering that a Honda HR-V starts at THB 933,000.
Due to be assembled in Thailand next year, the Thai-market C-HR will be offered with two engines options – a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol and a 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid. The petrol variant will be exported to Malaysia but the hybrid variant will remain only for domestic sales.
Inside, the C-HR Hybrid looks almost identical to the regular model. Among the few notable differences are the slightly different instrument cluster and the gear lever.
In the hybrid variant, the regular car’s tachometer has been replaced with an analogue hybrid status indicator. The gear lever remains the same, but instead of having a Manual mode (to select the CVT’s seven ‘virtual ratios’), it has a B mode (Engine Braking, for driving downhill). There’s also an additional EV Mode button next to the Auto Brake Hold button.
As for the boot space, at a glance the depth of the boot floor looks almost identical to a regular C-HR but we can’t confirm that yet. In any case, the C-HR Hybrid’s high voltage battery is located under the rear passenger seat so we wouldn’t be surprised if its boot space is unaffected.
The C-HR is expected to be launched in Thailand early next year, with exports to Malaysia (1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol model only) likely to commence shortly after that.


BMW Malaysia Teases The iX Electric SUV

Looky looky here, who doesn't love a bit of teasing, cause we do!

BMW Malaysia has just teased the
BMW iX
 on their Instagram page, suggesting that if interest is sufficient, they might just bring in the BMW iX electric SUV earlier than expected.

For those who think this is just a bit of flirting from BMW Malaysia, think again, because BMW Malaysia has a healthy track record of introducing their i sub-brand cars to Malaysia, namely the i3 electric hatchback and the i8 coupe back in 2019.

The BMW iX was first introduced to the world back in November 2020 and will only begin its production at the end of this year. The iX is based on BMW's 2018
Vision iNext Concept car
, which promised to bring forth an all-electric SUV with semi-autonomous capabilities.

The Munich based brand has yet to disclose full details of the electric SUV, but from what little information they have chosen to release, we know that the SUV will have close to 500hp from its front and rear motors (AWD), which will allow it to do 0-100 km/h in under five seconds.

Not surprisingly, there will be battery pack options, with the largest battery touted to have a capacity of over 100 kWh for over 600km of range. To juice up the battery, DC fast charging capability will be standard and is said to be able to load up the iX's battery with enough energy to provide a 120km driving range in just 10 minutes. This is not the iX's full driving range, as a full charge of 11 hours will give you the maximum 600km range.

The fully electric BMW SUV is about the size of an
X5
, and its passenger and cargo space is expected to be similar to BMW's stalwart ICE (internal combustion engine) SUV. The iX's interior design seems to be both modern and simple, and we expect the SUV to come with a host of high-tech hardware, including a sizeable curved touchscreen instrument panel and a hexagonal-shaped steering wheel.

For those of you interested, you may register at
bit.ly/BMWiX2021


2015 Peugeot 508 Facelift Pops Up On Malaysian Website, Launch Imminent?

Right after a
launch of the all-new Peugeot 308
, it’s no surprised that Nasim Sdn Bhd may want to get on with the business of launching its other new models, primarily the
508 facelift
, and the
all-new 408 sedan
.
And if you took a quick gander over at their
local website
, you may spot one of these bad boys already there – yes, the facelifted
Peugeot

508
 has made an appearance. Although, a bit prematurely, as we found out later.
Going through the 508’s list of variants, you can spot the new boy if you pop into the SW version of the car (in may be gone by the time you read this). The main image used, and gallery on the sub-page are accurately the new, facelifted 508 SW. Beauty, is it?
But don’t get your hopes up so soon, because a quick check with reps from within the company revealed that this was a bit of a mistake on the local website’s end, rather than a teaser of the facelift – and we don’t blame them either.
If you haven’t noticed already, Nasim Sdn Bhd has recently re-launched its local website with an all-new design and layout, possibly having to reload every single bit of detailed information to it, and have seemingly made a minor error.
Which also means that you shouldn’t take its current listed price list and spec sheet any seriously.
So when does it really launch in Malaysia?
Anyways, don’t let your hopes down too soon either, because we understand that Nasim have already been working hard to get their facelifted sedan and station wagon here, and are nearly set on a May/June launch date. Stay tuned for more...
Check these out if you want to catch up on Nasim’s latest developments:
2015 Peugeot 308 THP Quick Review: All-New, But All-Conquering?
2015 Peugeot 308 THP Launched In Malaysia, From RM132,888
More Peugeot news


Post-SST: New Prices For Mercedes-Benz Models, GLC Updated With Blind Spot Assist

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has released the updated price list for its long line-up of locally-assembled and imported models following the implementation of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) with effect from September 1st 2018.
With this updated price list, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is also announcing the soon-to-launch new models of the all-new A-Class and the facelifted C-Class. As such, these two models do not have a price list for the entire range of variants.
Prices for the locally-assembled E-Class see a reduction, with the E250 Avantgarde enjoy the largest reduction of RM16,000 to RM362,888.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also took this opportunity to update the popular locally-assembled GLC-class range by including Blind Spot Assist in both the GLC 200 and GLC 250 4Matic. The latter also receives the additional Lane Keeping Assist. With the additional advanced driving assistance systems, the GLC 200 is now priced from RM293,888 (up RM1,000) while the GLC 250 4Matic is priced from RM333,888 (up RM4,000).
Updates to the interior of the CLA 200 and GLA 200 have also been made through the fitment of the Night Edition package. Both these models see white stitching on the dashboard, seatbelts as well as white surrounds on the air conditioning vents. The GLA 200 Night Edition also includes 19-inch AMG multispoke wheels.
Prices of imported models including the
very recently launched CLS-Class
 see an increase.
Updated prices of the Mercedes-Benz models can be found in the table below:


Porsche’s Mission E Electric Hyper-Saloon Will Hit Roads By Decade’s End, Let The Innovation Race Begin

Porsche
 injected new spirit into our imagination with the unveiling of the rather stunning
Mission E concept
, an all-electric sports saloon, during the 2015 Frankfurt Motor show just a few months past.
Since then, it has been labelled many things: Tesla Model S fighter, next-gen
Panamera
, or even a  rethinking of the smaller prospective model, the Porsche Pajun sedan.
While clarification from Porsche as to who guessed correctly hasn’t been forthcoming in settling that debate, the Stuttgart automaker has announced it will put the Mission E into production and will be on the road by “the end of the decade.”
That is a rather vague assertion, and perhaps even not an entirely gleeful one, because the Mission E concept is very much a car (as it was seen a few months ago) of today. By 2020, the landscape of the electric car might have changed drastically, leaving the Mission E as we know it a late arrival. Fortunately, Porsche has proven it can lead the way time and time again.
By the standards of today, the Porsche Mission E’s 600-plus horsepower motor that yields a 3.5 second century sprint time and 500-plus kilometre claimed range sounds only marginally improved over the cutting edge of fast electric cars. Who knows what innovations will reshape the industry in five years time.
Perhaps, then, Porsche will look elsewhere to outclass the competition. During its unveil, it was said that the Mission E will feature an advanced battery that’s capable of a rapid charge to bring the car’s battery from depleted to 80 percent capacity in just 15 minutes.
That seems, if they pull it off, to be a very real game changer for the industry. After all, improvements in speed and power will have to reach a plateau soon - nobody
needs
 a saloon car (electric or not ) that can reach 100k/h from standstill in sub-3.0 seconds.
The real strides in the electric car revolution would have to come from battery technology - decreasing charge times, decreasing battery degradation, increasing power retention over time, bringing down the cost of production, as well making charging stations more widespread and universally compatible to allow smooth mass adoption regardless of make and model.
The
Volkswagen
 Group, Porsche’s parent company, is right to look toward the future of personal transport in the form of alternative energy and propulsion. It is still in the throws of a huge diesel emissions scandal that not only calls into question Volkswagen’s (as well as other manufacturers of diesel engines) transparency, but also raises concern about the viability of diesel and petrol against the increasing demands of international emissions regulation.


MG Cars Set To Return To Malaysia Via Westar Maxus?

After more than a decade of hiatus, MG cars could be making a comeback to Malaysia via local commercial van specialist Westar Maxus, reports The Star.
Citing unnamed sources, the daily said that China's SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, which now owns British brand MG, will be taking a 49 percent stake in Westar Maxus to establish an assembly plant here with investments totaling up to RM1 billion.
If the report proves to be true, it will be the second MG local assembly operation in the region. Currently SAIC has joint venture with Thailand's CP Group, to assemble the MG3 and MG6 models for the Thailand market.
Separately, SAIC has also inked another deal with General Motors earlier this year to setup another operation Indonesia to locally assemble the SAIC-GM co-owned Wuling brand light commercial vans. SAIC is also General Motor's local partner in China.
Previously, there were talks of SAIC joining hands with Federal Auto Holdings Berhad to distribute Thai-made MG vehicles in Malaysia, and a memorandum of understanding was also signed in April 2013. Two years have since lapsed with no updates on the matter and it is understood that the deal with Federal Auto is now off.
The MG brand was last distributed in Malaysia by Brooklands Motors, which winded up its new MG cars business in 2005 (it continued to provide after sales support).
In Thailand, MG sells four models - the MG 6 Fastback (1.8-litre turbo petrol), MG 6 Sedan (1.8-litre turbo petrol and 1.8-litre normally aspirated petrol), MG 3 Hatchback (1.5-litre petrol), and MG 3 Xross (1.5-litre petrol).


2016 Ford S-Max Review – Sports Car Performance, MPV Versatility

As petrolheads, many of us dream to own a sports car of sorts and we work accordingly hard to afford one. Problem however, is that by the time we can afford that sports car, most of us have entered that phase in life called ‘starting a family’ and it is a time when you need ISOFIX anchors and a spacious cabin more than you need 200 horses under the hood.
Life, as they say, is full of compromises; you gain some, you lose some. But what if we tell you that practicality and excitement need not be mutually exclusive qualities? What if we tell you that it is indeed possible to fulfil your needs for a seven-seater without having to sacrifice your fun time behind the wheel?
The above questions were convincingly answered ten years ago when
Ford
 introduced the
S-Max
 MPV. Built on the same platform as a
Ford Mondeo
, the S-Max was a seven-seater without the associated dynamic penalties. Conceived primarily for European buyers, the S-Max officially entered our market in 2011.
The second-generation S-Max entered production last year, and is on the verge of being officially launched in our market. Ahead of its launch,
Carlist.my
 takes one out for a spin.
Specifications:
Price: RM241,778.93 (OTR with insurance)
Engine: 2.0-litre Inline-4, Transverse, DOHC, Turbocharged, Petrol Direct Injection
Power: 240PS @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 345Nm @ 2,300 – 4,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic with paddle shifters
Safety: 7 airbags, ABS, Emergency Brake Assist, ESC, ISOFIX (2
nd
 row), Seat-belt Reminder (all seats), Roll Stability Control, Curve Control, Torque Vectoring, Hill Start Assist, Lane Keeping Alert + Aid, Front & Rear Parking Sensors
Origin: Fully imported from Valencia, Spain
Overview
As with its predecessor, the S-Max shares its platform with the concurrent-generation
Mondeo
. It is an all-new development; unlike the Euro-centric EUCD platform of the previous model, the new CD4 architecture is designed for a global audience.
A key structural alteration from the previous platform is a switch of the rear suspension from Ford’s patented Control Blade configuration to a more sophisticated Integral Link layout that is claimed to give ride and handling characteristics more reminiscent of higher-end premium vehicles.
The engine, Ford’s 2.0-litre 240PS EcoBoost engine, is a carryover item, but its 6-speed wet dual clutch transmission makes way for a conventional automatic gearbox with the same number of ratios.
The S-Max does not have a direct rival in our market, but price-wise, it is closest to the
Honda Odyssey (RM256k)
,
BMW 220i Gran Tourer (RM280k)
,
Mazda8 (RM195k)
, and
Volkswagen Sharan (RM280k)
. Similar money in the grey market buys you a reconditioned two-year-old
Toyota Vellfire
.
Exterior
Despite its all-new underpinnings, Ford took great care to ensure an evolutionary transition from the previous S-Max to the current one. The familiar window line and overall silhouette are notably maintained, ensuring its lineage will not be mistaken by onlookers.
There is, of course, the integration of Ford’s new corporate face to the front fascia. The front fog lights are relocated to a more conventional position, with much of the previous model’s fussy details on the front bumper toned away. Overall, it is remains distinctive and dynamic looking yet at the same time looking stylistically better-resolved than the predecessor.
At night, the S-Max illuminates your path with dynamic LED headlamps that self-adjust their beam distribution according to road conditions, curvature as well as surrounding traffic. Ford claims that the system helps you maximize lighting of the road ahead without dazzling other road users.
For its dynamic styling, Ford’s wheel sizing of 17 inches is a tad conservative and make the S-Max look undertyred. We don’t object to this, however; as we would elaborate later, the S-Max’s ride and handling balance feel perfect with this wheel and tyre combination and we really wouldn’t have it any other way.
Interior
Considering their common underpinnings, the S-Max and Mondeo unsurprisingly share a great deal of common switch gear – steering wheel, instrument cluster, and gear lever, for example, are taken like for like – although Ford designers did put in the effort to reconfigure the layout to give the S-Max a more distinct flavour from its sedan cousin.
Ergonomically, the cabin feels well-sorted, and despite the underlying sophistication of its advanced Ford Sync electronic architecture, operation feels intuitive. Even the voice command operations feel well-resolved and adequately competent in interpreting our audio commands. We particularly like the four-quadrant organization of the touchscreen that is able to simultaneously convey audio and climate control information without looking cluttered.
Even more impressive is the vast availability of small item storage spaces. The cubby holes and storage boxes along the centre console are deep as caverns, and if that’s not enough, there is an additional Volvo-inspired storage tray hidden behind the dash panel and the pair of central cup holders can alternate between two depths to fully swallow a 500ml drinks bottle if needed.
Over at the rear, the five rear seats are effectively packaged and easy to reconfigure as needed. An electric release mechanism allows you to tumble them down at the press of a button; restoring them to upright positions require manual intervention, but it is a satisfyingly effortless process. When folded down, the seats tuck themselves nicely to give you a fully flat cargo floor. Second row seats feature forward/backward adjustability.
Complaints? Minor. The back two seats are not recommended for adult occupants over extended travel. The S-Max’s dynamic silhouette comes at a cost of third row headroom. Our demo unit was troubled by unexplained rattles from both B-pillars, which felt outwardly solid. It was the only quality blight of an interior that otherwise was built with a high level of competence.
Our final complaint relates to the absence of a reverse camera. It is not an acceptable omission for any vehicle aimed primarily at families with young children toddlers. Indeed, we would have traded many of the fancier features such as massage seats and adaptive LED headlamps for this feature.
How does it drive?
Able to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 225km/h; reassuringly stable at high speed; and supremely balanced at the turn with near obdurate resistance to understeer. These collection of attributes would represent a good day’s work in a
bona fide
 hot hatch, but here, they apply to a vehicle that will carry seven people on the move.
Around corners, the S-Max grips the tarmac underneath with commendable tenacity, encouraging you to feed the throttle and carry high speeds with reassuring confidence. It helps too, that the front wheels respond faithfully to steering inputs – you can point the S-Max’s nose with a fair degree of accuracy and be assured that it will follow your chosen line.
Is there a seven-seater MPV that drives better? Yes, and that would be the previous-generation S-Max, which had the benefit of better feedback through its electro-hydraulic power steering compared to the new model’s fully-electric setup.
In other aspects such as road holding, chassis composure, and straight line performance, the new S-Max also does not significantly advance from the high benchmarks set by the predecessor; it merely maintains existing levels. We also should note that acceleration feels marginally less decisive with the new torque converter automatic compared to the previous model’s dual clutch gearbox.
Our final evaluation on the S-Max’s road manners has no buts, no ifs, and no caveats that say ‘for an MPV’. The S-Max drives brilliantly. Period.
How comfortable is it?
There are no significant dynamic penalties that accompany the S-Max’s dynamic talents. Similar to the
Volkswagen Passat
 we
reviewed recently
, the S-Max has a slightly firm primary ride that lets in sharp imperfections at a small degree without being too jarring. Secondary ride is excellent; long-wave undulations are ironed out effectively.
Wind the front windows down, and you’ll notice the usage of double-pane glass for both the front doors. Ford claims this is a deliberate effort to minimize wind noise intrusions, and it works. The S-Max is pleasingly quiet on the move, and road roar is also effectively subdued.
The front seats are excellent, both sides offering full electric adjustment with built-in heating, cooling, and massage function. Lumbar and side support are electrically adjustable as well. Rear seats are less supportive, however, a clear demonstration of Ford’s priorities to make the seats fold away easier as opposed to being comfortable long-distance pews.
How economical is it?
The S-Max’s overall excellence comes with a price and, at RM242k with insurance, it is not exactly cheap.
The number seems expensive at first glance, but a survey of the competition suggests Ford’s pricing may not be as outrageous as it may first seem. Much of the competition sit on the far side of RM250k and Ford has packed a fairly high amount of kit in the S-Max to justify its pricing.
You don’t have to worry about vehicle servicing costs in the initial stages of ownership, but be prepared to visit the petrol station often. Our test car drank fuel at an indicated rate of 12.8 l/100km. Perhaps a seasoned unit with more kilometres in its odometer will see better consumption. Ford’s free service programme covers parts and labour in the first three years or 60,000km of ownership, with maintenance intervals of six months or 10,000km.
Conclusion
If you need an MPV but want a sports car or hot hatch, the Ford S-Max offers a perfect compromise between these extremes. It is a well-packaged seven-seater on one hand yet still offers impressively competent dynamics on the other.
The compromise is that it does not offer as much sheer volume inside as boxier Japanese MPVs. Third row passengers, in particular, will feel pinched for headroom.
It is true that for the price, reconditioned Japanese MPVs offer more interior space and are better-recognized by the masses.
But what if you attach greater priority to your own enjoyment than that of other people’s approval of your choices? The Ford S-Max then becomes the more satisfying choice. It may be time to give up on the Sunday Ulu Yam runs, but the S-Max ensures that you still can have some fun on the way back from your Ikea shopping trips.


Two-Shift Service Centres, Three Parts Centres To Support Subaru’s Growth In Malaysia

After years of sitting out by the sidelines, Subaru is now one of the fastest growing brands in Malaysia, thanks to strong market response to the locally-assembled Subaru XV. Over the last three years, total sales of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia have more than doubled, from 1,084 units in 2013 to 2,539 units in 2015.
The newly launched Subaru Forester, also assembled at the Tan Chong Motor Assemblies plant in Segambut, is certainly going to boost Subaru’s volume even higher. Like the XV, the Segambut-assembled Forester will also be exported to Thailand and Indonesia.
While Subaru is a very well established brand globally, it is a relatively young brand in Malaysia. The lack of competitively priced locally-assembled Subaru models in the past also meant that Motor Image hasn’t been very active until now, and as expected, consumers will have their doubts about the after-sales support provided by the little known here Motor Image.
Not many know that the Singapore-based Motor Image has been entrusted by Fuji Heavy Industries, maker of Subaru cars, to distribute Subaru vehicles in 10 countries for 30 years already. Motor Image's biggest markets are in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Philippines and Singapore – countries where Motor Image is already a household name. It is also present in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
At yesterday's launch of the
new 2016 Subaru Forester
, we asked Glenn Tan, CEO of Motor Image, on the company’s plan to gain consumers' confidence in Motor Image, especially in terms of after-sales support.
“Right now we are have about 30 outlets in Malaysia, not counting our parts hub here in Kuala Lumpur. We are also going to setup a sub-hub in Johor and Penang. With that, we can serve not only the Klang Valley, but also the Northern and Southern region, apart from working with our dealers in East Malaysia to support their after-sales.
“I don’t want customers to just buy a car, I want to also make sure that they are able to conveniently service their car. You are right to say that after-sales is something we need to strengthen, and we are consistently looking ahead. I don’t want to say this just for the sake of saying this, but I want to say that every feedback from the customer is looked into, and we will go right down to the service advisors and mechanics,” said Glenn.
Glenn also added the Motor Image is looking into implementing a two-shift schedule in its service centres, with work starting from early morning to late-evening.
“We need to ensure that we have enough service capacity. I don’t believe that when your car is due for servicing, you need to wait one month for a service slot, so we are trying to make sure that you can get a slot within two days (from the preferred appointment date). You cannot work the mechanics 24 hours, that’s not physically possible so we are looking into extending the operating hours with a two-shift arrangement,” he said.
Glenn also revealed that he is personally involved in the individual country's customer service operations, saying that he just had a meeting with the Malaysian team at Motor Image the day before to find out what went wrong with a case where a customer was made to wait for a long time to resolve a problem with his car.
“In fact yesterday we had a meeting in the office until 10pm, because I am very concerned that if we launched this car and we don’t have enough people to service the car. So I am going to make sure that this doesn’t happen. Our technical team from Singapore will be coming here to train the technicians over the next couple of months, and this will continue on an on-going basis, and when the new technicians come in, we are going to train them as well,” said Glenn.