BMW Appoints Garmin as Infotainment Module Supplier for Future Models

Popular GPS manufacturer Garmin International announced yesterday that they have been appointed by BMW AG as a tier-one supplier of infotainment computing modules for future BMW models.
It is said that Garmin will be expanding its automotive OEM manufacturing capability and capacity in order to serve BMW production requirements.
“Being selected by BMW AG as a tier-one supplier of OEM infotainment products is a testament to our brand’s growing capability and exceptional product quality in the auto OEM landscape,” said Matt Munn, Garmin automotive OEM managing director.
“We are honored by the confidence BMW AG has entrusted in Garmin as we look forward to delivering high-quality infotainment solutions.”
The Garmin automotive OEM group utilizes the company’s long-standing experience in user interface and hardware design from its automotive, avionics and marine segments to develop integrated vehicle navigation with comprehensive infotainment solutions.
The company’s diverse manufacturing capabilities support a broad range of in-vehicle electronic strategies for the automotive industry including intelligent video driving recorders and computing modules. Garmin has dedicated automotive OEM offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.
For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle.


IGP Says Current Laws Sufficient Following Fatal Myvi Crash Along DUKE

After the fatal crash along the DUKE highway recently that caused the death of an infant and both her parents, there has been public outcry for the compulsory use of child seats to be made law. But the Inspector-General of Police thinks the current laws are sufficient.
Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar feels that the laws currently in place is enough to deter illegal racers, such as the ones that are currently being investigated to be the cause of said accident. The problem, he believes, is not rooted in the weaknesses of legislation, but stricter enforcement to curb illegal and dangerous drivers before they commit their offence.
“Our laws are sufficient. If someone drives dangerously, we can catch them and they can be imprisoned,” the IGP said to the Malay Mail during a press conference at the Central Seberang Perai District Police Headquarters.
Tan Sri Khalid continued, “They (illegal racers) intentionally choose the place where there is no police presence... Their illegal races aren’t planned where we can make preparations to take action against them,”
Because this matter is of such importance, the police is pulling all hands onto deck to investigate and resolve this case that involves a group of six
Perodua

Myvi
 drivers who were illegally racing along the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway when a collision occured with the
Mitsubishi

Pajero
 containing two adults and an infant.
The Malay Mail also reports that the one of the drivers, a 35-year old female driver, claims that the victims were at fault and that the driver of the Pajero swerved into her lane, causing the accident. So far both Myvi drivers that were in custody have been released on bail.
Many people are of the opinion that were the current laws truly sufficient, the life of an infant would have been spared. While we agree that the stopping illegal races - the root of this most recent case - should always be a priority, there doesn't seem to be anything stopping the passing of a mandate for the use of child seats. And the brushing off of the near-unanimous public requests to tweaking our current laws for increased child safety by the Inspector-General of Police will surely do little to calm the waters that this issue has stirred up.
What say you Malaysia? Are our laws good enough, or do we have some ways to go?


Ferrari Goes Turbo On Its 458 Replacement, The 488 GTB: 660 HP!

It’s a new
Ferrari
! This time however, there’s something different about it because ever since the entry level mid-engine V8 Ferrari, the 308 GTB came out forty years ago, every model following it have followed the naturally aspirated route. In the new Ferrari 488 GTB however, turbochargers have been added, the first in the Prancing Horse’s mid-mounted 8-cylinder history.
First things first, the power and there is plenty of that with 660 hp and 760 Nm on tap. A 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 is the provider here and as an added bit of trivia, the ‘488’ name is derived from its eight cylinders and the capacity of each cylinder, which is 488 cc. To put those numbers into perspective, the 458 (562 hp) and its Speciale version (597 hp) are far behind it. Also, the previous mid-mounted turbo V8 Ferrari was the legendary F40.
The gearbox also features Variable Torque Management that ensures smooth torque delivery across the rev range, while specific gear ratios deliver “incredibly progressive acceleration when the driver floors the throttle.”
Translating that into understandable performance, the 488 GTB will hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just three seconds! And if you keep your foot mashed on the accelerator, 200 km/h is achieved 5.3 seconds later, a second faster than the Speciale. Top speed is quoted at over 330 km/h. Around Ferrari’s private test track at Fiorano, the 488 GTB laps it a full second quicker than the Speciale and two seconds faster than the 458.
Ferrari’s Side Slip Control 2 (SSC2) is also present here, being an evolved version of the system, “providing greater longitudinal acceleration out of corners.” This translates to executing powerslides perfectly while remaining in stable control of the car.
Moving on from the performance, we arrive at the 488 GTB’s exterior styling that resembles the previous 458 but with improved aero designs everywhere. At the front, larger air intakes that is divided into two sections by a splitter channels air to the radiators positioned at the sides. Between them, two pylons are combined with a deflector, sending air towards the flat underbody.
Continuing to the rear, a broad, low tail and blown spoiler generates downforce without increasing the drag coefficient of 1.67. This works with an aggressive ramp angle for the diffuser which features active flaps. The LED tail lights have also been redesigned.
As for the cabin, new satellite control clusters, angled air vents and instrument panel promotes a driver-focused cockpit. Other usual elements include the multifunctional steering wheel, wraparound seats, and revised graphics and interface of the infotainment systems.
That is all the information
Ferrari
 have provided for now about its 488 GTB, which will make its full debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March.


2006 Porsche Cayman 3.4 S Coupe - You will WANT to buy this car

It is rare for us to come across an advertisement so creatively written, this seller could sell ice to the proverbial Eskimo.

The car in mention is a
2006 Porsche Cayman 3.4 S Coupe
 for sale at RM88,000.

Now almost every other advertisement you see on Carlist.my for any car really would list the key attributes of the car, highlighting what's good about it and why it is such a steal. Bonus points if it belonged to a Dr. or lady driver.

Not with this Cayman though...

'
It’s a Japanese Cayman S 3.4 987.1, manufactured 2006. Current mileage is under 91k kms. Car is a virgin, meaning never had sex inside before. A bit too cramped for that sort of activity. But for driving activities, it is one hell of a pleasure to drive. The car has been driven as fast as my balls shrank and I assure you, the older I get, the faster they shrink. So, it hasn’t been that fast, really. Car is 100 percent accident-free, verified by two workshops, one, an expensive Porsche specialist and the other, a not so expensive performance car workshop. Repainted a few months ago cos many jokers don’t know how to open their doors properly. Also, clowns who sit on the hood or lean on the car to take pictures without realizing the back of their pants can scratch…*&$#...
'

The seller describes how quite rightly the Cayman or any two-doored Porsche's would be quite a tight fit for carnal pleasures but you should definitely drive her hard around the bends though.

Now if the above wasn't enough to sway your decision, he goes on to add...

'
Everything is stock, cos I prefer natural, like the softness of natural breasts… Sorry, I mean chicken breasts cos they are naturally healthy. The only after-market additions are DRL LEDs and TPMS cos these are safety-related, just like condoms. Most major wear and tear parts have been replaced at proper workshops, not any tom, dick and harry under the cherry tree. I am definitely not a VVIP owner but sometimes a VIP, i.e. Very Indecisive Person, especially when it comes to deciding whether to wash the car every 2 days or every 3 days.

Car is started every 2-3 days and it’s driven once a week, hence a weekend car. The ex-GF called it the parktor car. She’s half right. It’s usually parked at the porch and under a car umbrella, which you’ll get FOC. The only other living thing that touches the car while it’s not driven are the darn cats who just loves to lie on the roof under the umbrella. Can’t blame them, it’s cooling.

If you are familiar with a
Cayman
 (not the islands or the crocodile looking thingy), then you would know what this beauty is all about. If not, check out wikipedia to get the intimate information
.'

A+ for copy but C- for punctuation but this isn't a karangan exam, he got your attention, didn't he? He certainly got ours and that my dear readers is half the sale made.


Mercedes-Benz Brings Two Classics To Pebble Beach

Remember that Vision EQ Silver Arrow
that we just talked about
? Mercedes-Benz saw it fit to bring the original W125 12-cylinder machine to Pebble Beach, in all its record breaking glory. Joining it is the Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster, straight out of the 1930s.
These two vehicles are at opposite ends of the spectrum, but it shows just how broad and storied Mercedes-Benz' model line and history is. The W125, as we talked about briefly before, was a record-breaking machine with a top speed of 433 km/h, courtesy of 736 hp produced by a 5.5-litre V12 engine. This is the first time it's being put on display, being based on the F1 cars of the time. The car has been restored to an extremely high standard, including ice cooling of all things, which allowed for an even more slippery body.
On the other hand, the 500K Special Roadster is a vehicle that few may be familiar with, especially since it's a luxury car from before World War 2. Only 29 of these were ever produced, with a supercharged in-line eight cylinder engine displacing 5.0 litres for a whopping 160 hp at a stratospheric 3,400 rpm. Alright, all jokes aside, it was one of the luxury cars of the time with a pricetag that equalled that of a high-end villa.
It was built in a special department within the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen at the time, and even the more general models were highly sought after - less than 10% underwent bespoke coach building, which would have been the luxury norm at the time. Regard th e 500K Special Roadster as the old-time equivalent of the S-Class cabriolet, and you'll have a rough idea of how special one of these is.


CNY 2017: Honda’s Giving Owners Pure Gold

In conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year ushering the Year of the Fire Rooster, Honda Malaysia is giving owners of its vehicles the chance to win up to RM20,000 worth of gold bars. That’s right, pure gold worth up to RM20,000.
The campaign is currently running and will close on 19 Feb 2017. All Honda owners are eligible to submit one entry, although those that happen to service their vehicles at an authorized service centre additionally get a free gift together with a stack of angpow packets.
Submission of entry is via a single SMS, in which participants are required to answer a simple question, complete a mini slogan, as well as provide brief personal and vehicle details:
Question:
Which of the following Honda Genuine Engine Oil has the lowest viscosity?
SN 10W-30
SN 5W-30
SN 0W-20
SN 0W-30
Slogan:
Honda brings me pure joy because… (not more than five words)
Format to SMS answer and details are as follows:
Honda <SPACE> Dealer Code / State Code <SPACE> VIN OR Car Plate Number <SPACE> New IC Number <SPACE> Name_as_per_IC <SPACE> Answer <SPACE> Slogan.
The dealer code in the above is provided to customers who visit an authorized dealer for servicing. Customers participating without visiting a dealership are just required to key in their State Code, listed as follows:
Customers can choose to identify their vehicle either by its VIN or car plate number. If you choose to use VIN, the image below illustrates where to find it.
Example entries
With dealer code and VIN number - Honda W1234 PMHED163090300535 801213626914 Raja_Nur_Zahirah_Raja_Adam C It provides excellent service
With state code and number plate - Honda SEL NCC1701 330322826689 Muniandy_A/L_Paul_Thiagarajan C It drives brilliantly
If you think that's too much work, here's the full roll of prizes:

Suddenly, that SMS doesn’t feel too long to type does it?


2015 Isuzu MU-X 2.5L 4x4 AT Full Review: Battles Of A Grown-Up Workhorse

Isuzu
 Malaysia is playing to its strengths, as it should. With the
MU-X
, the company looks to tackle the pick-up truck-based SUV segment for the first time in Malaysia, doing so with the underpinnings of a product we know to be tried, tested and a proven workhorse: the mighty
D-Max
.

We’ve covered the MU-X’s release cycle extensively, from the first
Malaysian previews
, to its
official launch ceremony
, to a
quick review
 surmised from a day spent in the hills of Cameron Highlands with it. But how has it held up after the hype has gone from boil to a simmer? Does it bring enough into the ring to put up a fight with the established players?

You can clearly see the pick-up’s influence, but can also identify the new vehicle Isuzu wants the MU-X to be – less utilitarian, more every day and passenger-centric. Despite similarities to the D-Max, the differences are what would endear the car, at least ideally.

The MU-X faces a tough challenge to break out of the D-Max’s shadow and appeal to the wider mass SUV market, albeit those not willing to sacrifice decent off-road ability and robustness. What resulted is an interesting blend of modern comforts with the reliability of the old-school. But has the MU-X passed the balancing act?

Buyer’s Guide

Stiff competition will come from the usual suspects in this pick-up-based-SUV arena: the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport, and the Ford Everest.

At a starting
OTR price of RM151,944 for the 4x2 model and RM164,969 for the 4x4 model
 (with GST inclusive), the MU-X certainly undercuts its closest price competitor, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, particularly at the top-spec level, with the VGT going for RM177k.

Isuzu is banking on this to swing the pendulum in their favour, but doing so without sacrificing the comforts and premium selling points of its competitors.

KEY SPECS: 2015 Isuzu MU-X 2.5L 4x4 (AT)

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder VGS turbo-diesel (4JK1-TCX)

Transmission: Five-speed torque converter automatic with sequential shift mode

Power: 136hp @ 3,400rpm

Torque: 320Nm @ 1,800 to 2,800rpm

Driving The 2015 Isuzu MU-X

PERFORMANCE:
 Despite some lamenting the MU-X not getting the 3.0-litre turbodiesel unit from the D-Max, the 2.5-litre VGS Turbo four pot diesel unit makes a case for itself as being a worthy alternative. Its performance figures might not blow anyone away, but 320Nm is still a generous amount of torque. Enough to propel the MU-X with satisfying grunt, especially when the boost kicks in.

It has no problem climbing hills or pulling away quickly, even when it’s carrying five adults. However, power for the sake of power is always a good thing. We have a feeling, though, that Isuzu deliberately chose this lower tune engine in the name of reliability, feeling we won’t need the extra performance. And actually, we think they’ve made the right call.

RIDE & HANDLING:
 The ride is really quite comfortable and doesn’t jiggle about too much like the ride, say, of a Ford Ranger if you’re not careful about the surface changes. It handles bumps much like a pick-up would, with a noticeable judder across a pot hole, for example. But there’s some extra work put into the MU-X to make sure it’s not jarring or disruptive. You could even call it relaxing.

Heading back after a day of work, the MU-X makes for an unusual but capable candidate for a calming drive back. The engine, despite its vibrations making you fully aware of it being a diesel, is relatively quiet if you keep the revs sedate, the ride is quite good, and there’s a good amount of sound insulation.

You wouldn’t expect a large and heavy SUV to be anything special in the corners. And you’d be right. But the steering, despite its overall lackadaisical response, is quite direct once you learn to dial in the angle sooner.

Driving the MU-X did take a little getting used to, coming from a normal-sized hatchback, but once that small adaptation has run its course, it feels very similar to driving a larger saloon – just one that’s taller.

Living With The 2015 Isuzu MU-X

EXTERIOR:
The first thing that strikes this reviewer about the MU-X is how you can’t quite place how it looks. It’s not an odd or bad looking car – far from it, in fact. But it is at once striking, balanced, deceptively large, and from some angles, quite appealing. It certainly projects a friendly persona.

Isuzu has learned a lot from the many consumer-focused alterations, many being aesthetic, that they have made to the D-Max, and it shows here. The subtle curves running alongside the MU-X, the chromed grille, side mirror LED turn signals, and LED daytime running lights (only on the top-spec 4x4 variant), for example, are contrasted with the ruggedized two-tone bumpers and flared wheel arches to give the MU-X a blend of go-anywhere confidence with about-town class. Overall, a good effort from Isuzu.

INTERIOR:
 Step inside the MU-X and you’re greeted with a leather interior, which is comfortable enough, and a very airy cabin. Upon closer inspection the leather does seem to have been plucked from a lower shelf, and there are areas where Isuzu could have skimped on the hard and hollow plastics – particularly along the door panel, gear-shift surround, and parts of the dashboard. A little soft touch material would go a long way.

With that said, the three-spoke steering wheel is a good size and the multifunction buttons are a much appreciated touch of convenience. There aren’t many things for our fingers to press on the MU-X’s interior, and it’s a surprisingly minimalistic dashboard, but the buttons that are found are tactile and have good travel and padding. Dig a little deeper and the functions for the climate control as well as infotainment are all there and intuitively placed.

Special mention needs to be made of the control dial that switches the four-wheel-drive modes. Clearly Isuzu is aware of such control surfaces, and should use that particular one as a basis for all other buttons and dials for its next iteration of vehicles. It’s modern but rugged, simple, and a joy to use.

Headroom is ample, so is legroom for middle row passengers. Things can get cramped in the back row, however, when the rear-most seats are deployed. Hopefully, the children can squeeze in there and leave the larger seats to the grown-ups.

PRACTICAILITY:
We found the MU-X to fit rather easily into our daily routine. There wasn’t much issue with parking and the rear-view camera did make that easier. Overall it was easy to manoeuvre, even in the somewhat cramped confines of Kuala Lumpur. Fuel economy, too, was a major plus as is the norm with Isuzu engines. The many journeys undertaken during the review period only impacted the fuel gauge by a mere notch or two.

It is still a tall car, however, and getting in and out can be a bit tricky, as demonstrated when this reviewer had to ferry some relatives. They noted the comfortable ride while on the way but did not appreciate the “ungraceful” exit they had to endure after. Perhaps they’re just not used to an SUV.

Should you need to carry a lot of luggage or some furniture, the flat-folding rear and middle seats transform the MU-X to accommodate pretty much any large load you’d attempt to carry without needing to resort to professional assistance.

FEATURES & EQUIPMENT:
 The usual modern touches are included. And again, this comes down to the MU-X straddling that balance, opting for only the more necessary comforts while consciously omitting superfluous “luxuries” that add tend to only add complexity.

As an example, it forgoes the keyless entry system that Mitsubishi has equipped the Pajero Sport with, instead using simple lock/unlock buttons on the key fob that links to the MU-X’s immobilizer system. Why? Perhaps because it’s a simpler solution. And it is.

Instead of a fancy built-in infotainment deck, Isuzu opted to use a touchscreen head unit sourced from Blaupunkt. The Android-based system’s interface has some Isuzu touches, but nothing intrusive, and the experience is less cluttered for it. However, a peeve is that the singular button on the head unit is located on the left side of the screen, not ideal when we in Malaysia drive on the right.

It unit does have a decent resolution screen, good visibility in bright sunlight, and is very responsive no matter whether you choose to stream via Bluetooth, USB, AUX, or listen to the good old FM radio. The included GPS navigation is decent as well, providing accurate turn-by-turn directions and had no trouble plotting routes to various points of interest within the Klang Valley. Maps were clear, roads accurately rendered, and with nearly no confusion with spoken instructions.

The ceiling-mounted pull-out screen is a nice touch, but is merely a projection of what is playing on the main dashboard screen. However, should a video be loaded up, it can be sent to only play to the rear screen as to not distract the driver.

Conclusion

The MU-X has a lot riding on it. Isuzu is banking on it to really make a lasting mark in the SUV space, and to expand its name beyond that of commercial vehicles and recapture the dominance it once had.

The MU-X is a car that cuts through the mumbo jumbo. Sometimes the simple ways do work best, and while it does feel ‘basic’ – and I mean that in a positive way – it doesn’t give the impression of it coming at an expense. It proves over time that there was a complete thought to a particular addition or omission.

Those looking for toys the MU-X is not for, but it would appeal to an owner that wants something that just works. Something that fits in easily into their lives.

It may not be a pack-leader in terms of features or out-and-out specification, but it doesn’t need to be, and there’s nothing we could point to that is a deal breaker of a chink in the MU-X’s armour. It’s a solid, likeable, practical, comfortable, tough-as-nails SUV. And, it comes at a great price.


For A Limited Time Only – Lexus LS 500 Executive Now Comes With Kiriko Glass As Standard

Between now and October this year, Lexus Malaysia will be offering the Lexus LS 500 with a special starting price of RM 799,888 (LS 500 Luxury) and RM 1,080,888 (LS 500 Executive). That’s a very good deal considering that the imported from Japan LS 500, which was previously sold at RM 1,057,000 and RM 1,316,000 for the Luxury and Executive variant respectively (based on January 2019 price list).
Also, the handcrafted Kiriko Glass Package, which was previously offered at RM 126,000, is now offered as a standard feature in the LS 500 Executive.
The Kiriko Glass package trims the door panels with uniquely hand-folded pleated fabric and a pair of Kiriko-cut glass.
The former is inspired by Japanese Origami art and unlike leather, gives the surface a 3-dimensional look that also feels better to touch. The fabric is hand-folded by skilled artisans from Japan’s ancient city of Kyoto.
The Kiriko-cut glass is a Japanese coloured glass craft in which delicate patterns are cut into glass to refract different colours of light. Depending on the viewing angle and time of the day, the look and feel of the Kiriko-cut glass will be different.
Equipment level has also been improved. The Lexus Safety System+ suite of advanced driving aids is now upgraded to include a radar-guided adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function as well as line tracing assist.
Other notable features that set the LS apart from its German peers are the Laser-cut Wood Veneers - also produced by Lexus’ expert Takumi craftsmen, and rear seats that incorporate massaging function developed with input Japanese Shiatsu masseurs (Executive variant only).
The upgraded specifications and special price is only applicable to orders placed on/before October 2019.


Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 Dilancarkan – Kini Dengan Enjin Petrol V6, 397PS, 583Nm, RM259,888

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC)
 telah melancarkan model trak pikap generasi baharu
Ford Ranger Raptor 2022
pada harga RM259,888.

Model generasi baharu Ford Raptor ini dikeluarkan bagi mengukuhkan lagi kejayaan model terdahulu selain hadir dengan rupa yang lebih kacak serta enjin pengecas turbo berkembar EcoBoost V6 3.0 liter yang ditunggu-tunggu.

Harga

Ford Ranger Raptor 2022: RM259,888 (OTR Tanpa Insurans)

Enjin Dan Prestasi - Enjin Petrol Yang Dinantikan

Perubahan terbesar pada Raptor generasi baharu ini semestinya enjin baharu yang kini menggunakan enjin V6 3.0 liter dengan pengecas turbo berkembar yang menggantikan enjin diesel 2.0 liter Bi-Turbo yang digunakan pada
Raptor sebelumnya.

Enjin Petrol ini menghasilkan 397 PS pada 5,650rpm dan 583 Nm tork maksimum pada 3,500rpm dan kesemua kuasa ini dipadankan dengan transmisi 10-kelajuan automatik dengan penukaran elektronik.

Untuk perbandingan, enjin petrol pada Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 menghasilkan lebihan 184 PS serta 83 Nm tork berbanding model terdahulu yang menggunakan enjin diesel yang jauh lebih kecil.

Sementara itu, penggunaan bahan api enjin bagi enjin V6 ini dinilai pada 5 km/l. Penggunaan enjin V6 juga memberikan Ranger Raptor ini watak yang berbeza terutama pada bunyi ekzosnya yang tidak lagi berbunyi seperti trak pikap yang lain

Sebaliknya, Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 menawarkan 4 jenis bunyi ekzos pilihan seperti:

Silent Mode
 – Untuk mengurangkan bunyi bising ekzos ketika di kawasan perumahan

Normal Mode
 – Bunyinya kuat sedikit, untuk kegunaan umum

Sport Mode
 – Bunyi yang lebih kuat, memberikan pengalaman pemanduan yang
sporty

Baja Mode
– Bunyi maksimum, seperti sistem sambungan terus yang direka untuk pemanduan
off-road

Sistem Suspensi Baharu - Lebih Padu

Sistem suspensi kereta ini telah direka bentuk semula sepenuhnya di mana
upper
 and
lower wishbone
 baharu diperbuat daripada aluminium yang kuat dan ringan, sistem anti-getaran, serta pautan
Watts
 yang dibangunkan untuk pemanduan berkelajuan tinggi di jalan yang kasar.

Bahagian terpenting kereta yang berfungsi untuk menahan kesan lompatan dan kesan jalan berlubang adalah sistem suspensi FOX dengan injap Pintasan Dalaman bersaiz 2.5 inci yang membantu mengurangkan getaran.

Ia adalah sistem suspensi paling canggih yang pernah digunakan dalam Ford Ranger Raptor di mana Ford telah mengisi minyak berasaskan Teflon bagi mengurangkan geseran sehingga 50 peratus berbanding Ranger Raptor sebelumnya.

Walaupun suspensi ini dihasilkan oleh FOX, pasukan Ford Performance turut bertanggungjawab untuk menala dan membangunkan penyerap hentak ini dengan menggabungkan kejuruteraan bantuan komputer (Computer-Aided Engineering atau CAE) dan menguji kereta dalam situasi kehidupan sebenar.

Pelarasan injap dan reka bentuk penyerap hentakan telah ditala untuk mengendalikan semua jenis serta keadaan jalan raya dengan mengikut mod pemanduan yang boleh dipilih oleh pemandu.

Luaran - Rupa Lebih Agresif

Reka bentuk luaran trak ini telah berubah sepenuhnya dengan menampilkan reka bentuk yang lebih agresif, terutamanya di bahagian hadapan di mana gril besar dengan tulisan FORD berwarna hitam kini terserlah dengan jelas.

Sementara itu, di bahagian bawah gril hadapan trak ini menempatkan kamera dengan penyembur air. Lampu hadapan pula menggunakan lampu Matrix LED yang dilengkapi dengan sistem
on-off
 automatik dan penyelaras tinggi-rendah lampu automatik.

Lampu Matrix LED bercahaya putih terang namun tidak membutakan pemandu kereta di hadapan serta kereta yang datang. Reka bentuknya juga menarik, terutamanya apabila dikelilingi oleh lampu nyalaan siang berbentuk C.

Di bahagian tepi, rim aloi 17 inci yang dibaluti tayar All Terrain BF Goodrich K02 (T285/70 R17) turut diberikan pada Raptor ini agar ia mudah dikendalikan di jalan raya dan
off-road.

Walaupun pintu belakang (
tailgate
) Raptor ini tidak boleh dibuka jika kereta dikunci, namun pintu belakang Raptor ini boleh dikawal menggunakan satu tangan sahaja. Dengan bantuan
shock-assisted,
 aktiviti membuka dan menutup pintu
tailgate
 menjadi lebih mudah. Di ruangan kargo belakang pula terdapat soket kuasa 12V disediakan.

Di bahagian hadapan, terdapat kamera di bahagian tengah atas cermin kereta yang berfungsi seiring dengan radar yang digunakan untuk mengesan lorong jalan serta objek di hadapan.

Sementara itu, kamera yang dipasangkan di bawah cermin sisi Ford Ranger Raptor ini pula berfungsi untuk memaparkan permandangan 360 darjah pada trak ini yang semestinya memberikan pandangan yang lebih jelas terhadap kawasan persekitaran.

Di bawah cermin sisi pula terdapat dua kamera yang dipadankan dengan kamera di hadapan dan belakang trak. Ini menawarkan pemandangan 360 darjah trak, sekali gus memberikan pandangan persekitaran yang lebih baik.

Dalaman - Seperti Varian Teratas Ranger, Namun Lebih Baik

Kabin trak ini telah direka semula sepenuhnya dengan tempat duduk yang lebih sporty. Tempat duduk hadapan dan belakang Raptor ini direka berasaskan jet pejuang F22.

Kemasan berwarna oren boleh didapati pada panel instrumen, hiasan pada komponen utama dalam kabin, dan pada tempat duduk. Terdapat juga stereng kulit dengan gred premium serta
paddle shifter
 bersalut magnesium di belakangnya.

Bahagian lain kelihatan sama sahaja seperti Ranger, termasuk sistem infotainmen 12.4 inci yang memaparkan pelbagai maklumat daripada sistem SYNC 4 oleh Ford. Ia juga menyokong sambungan tanpa wayar seperti Apple CarPlay dan Android Auto. Walau bagaimanapun, hanya Raptor yang menerima 10 pembesar suara Bang & Olufsen.

Sorotan lain termasuk sistem penyaman udara automatik dengan kawalan dwi-zon, pengecas telefon tanpa wayar, dan juga paparan kamera belakang yang muncul secara automatik apabila anda meletakkan Raptor pada gear undur. Paparan itu juga disertakan dengan garisan yang berubah mengikut pusingan stereng.

Mod Pemanduan

Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 mempunyai pelbagai mod pacuan empat roda, iaitu 2H, 4A, 4H, dan 4L. Ia juga mempunyai
Diff-Lock
 elektrik untuk kedua-dua bahagian. (hadapan dan belakang)

Terdapat juga mod pemanduan untuk pelbagai keadaan jalan untuk dipilih seperti

Normal Mode

Sport Mode

Slippery Road Mode

Mud/Groove Mode

Sand Mode

Baja Mode

Climb Mode
 (hanya tersedia dalam mod 4L)

Ciri Keselamatan

7 Airbags

ISOFIX

Adaptive Cruise Control

Emergency Stop Signal

Lane Departure Warning & Assist

ABS

EBD

ESC

Brake Assist

AEB

Forward Collision Warning

Parking Sensors

Brake Override System

Blindspot Detection System

High Beam Assist

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Manual Speed Limiter

Multi Collision Brake

Active Park Assist 2.0

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

360 Camera

Warna

Arctic White

Conquer Grey

Absolute Black

Blue Lightning

Code Orange

Waranti

Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 ini hadir dengan waranti selama 5 tahun atau 160,000km dengan pilihan tempoh jaminan lanjutan selama 7 tahun.


Launch Imminent For Chevrolet’s New China-Bound LOVA RV In Q4 2015

As we
have reported on
 last month, SAIC-GM – General Motors’ Chinese joint venture – will indeed be launching the LOVA RV under the
Chevrolet
 badge during the fourth quarter of 2015, with very MPV-like characteristics that is officially termed as an urban recreational vehicle.
Chevrolet is aiming the LOVA RV at a decidedly younger crowd, ones that “want to make the most of their leisure time.” To appeal to them, they’ve teamed utilitarian functionality with stylish aesthetic touches such as a front lip spoiler, hood lines, chrome accents, and “eagle-eye shaped” xenon headlamps.
Words like nimble, elegant, dynamic, and contours are used by Chevrolet to describe the LOVA RV – clearly they want this car to be a desirable item and shun any (or most) associations of it being a purely practical runaround. Something hinted at by its 2,550mm wheelbase.
To that end, the LOVA RV’s floating roofline, 360-degree panoramic back window and hidden D-pillar does elevate its styling somewhat. However, Chevrolet going so far as to mention that it carries over the Camaro's masculine rear end styling does come across as an odd descriptor.
Of note, though, is the standard roof rails fitted to accommodate even more cargo should the need arise. The recreational vehicle appeal is helped by this addition, and its one which isn’t common on cars in the LOVA RV’s segment.


KLIMS 2018: Ford To Debut Ranger Raptor – 213 PS, 500 NM

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the official distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia will be introducing the highly-anticipated Ranger Raptor at the upcoming 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS).
The heart of the Ranger Raptor is Ford’s new EcoBlue 2.0-litre bi-turbo commonrail turbochaged diesel engine that delivers 213 PS and 500 Nm. The EcoBlue mill is paired to a 10-speed automatic that sends all 213 PS and 500 Nm to all 4 wheels via Ford’s 4WD system.
But power figures aside, what makes a Ranger Raptor worthy of the Raptor name is its handling prowess. For the new Ranger Raptor, Ford gave it 150 mm wider tracks, a redesigned rear suspension with Fox Racing shocks and coil springs at the rear.
Ford also gave the Ranger Raptor a superior ground clearance over its siblings, towering them with a massive 283 mm ground clearance, a 46 mm increase.
SDAC has yet to reveal the rest of the equipment of the Ranger Raptor, but we noticed that the Ranger Raptor that was on display were equipped with these equipment:
Automatic headlights
Automatic wipers
Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
Power driver seat
Blue stitching on the steering wheel, shift boot, hand brake, dashboard, seats, and centre arm rest
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
285/70R17 BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A K02 tires
Rear disc brakes
Easy lift tailgate
Raptor-specific side steps
Ford Performance scuff plates
Read more:
New Ford Ranger Launched In Malaysia - 9 Variants, From RM90,888


2017 Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine CKD Open For Bookings – 2.0L PHEV, 407hp, RM349k

Having quietly started
taking orders a month ago
, Volvo Car Malaysia now officially announces the opening of bookings for the locally-assembled S90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription at a special introductory price of RM348,888, on-the-road without insurance.
Slightly contrary to what we reported earlier, however, Volvo Car Malaysia will continue to offer both the S90 and V90 in T6 R-Design guise alongside the new T8 flagship variant.
Complete specifications of the S90 T8 will be released during its official launch, but it is known that the
T8 Twin Engine setup
, already present in the XC90, generates total outputs of 407 hp and 640 Nm.
With its hybrid batteries mounted along the centre tunnel, the S90 T8 has a 2.0-litre twincharged petrol engine driving the front wheels through an Aisin-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission. The rear wheels, are independently powered by electric motor. Volvo quotes a 0 – 100km/h time of 4.8 seconds.
Like the XC90 T8, the new S90 T8 will be exported to selected markets in the region. The oldest automotive plant in Malaysia, Volvo Car’s Shah Alam plant is set to play a key role in Volvo’s
global electrification strategy
 that will see all Volvo models eventually feature some level of hybridization.


Rolls-Royce Ups Their Luxury Game With A Privacy Suite

When you're a company like Rolls-Royce, it must be a little difficult to stay ahead of the game. Every feature or luxury you implement will likely be mass market within a decade, and standards are always changing and evolving. But there are some things that you can do with ultra-luxury vehicles that aren't feasible or practical for your mass market car, and that's where Rolls-Royce has decided to go with their new Privacy Suite option.
To be fair, Rolls-Royce is calling it bespoke for their Extended Wheelbase Phantom, but those willing to pay for it will likely be able to receive the same features. The main point of the Privacy Suite is total isolation without reducing functionality, and this is achieved through electrochromatic glass separating the front and rear of the interior, side and rear curtains, as well as greater sound deadening for private conversations.
In terms of features and functionalities, there is the addition of a small aperture between the front and rear which allows for transferring of documents and items, as well as an intercom system for the rear passengers to talk to the front occupants, and a Bespoke Rear Theatre Entertainment system which includes two high definition 12-inch monitors linked to the car's entertainment suite, along with HDMI ports. The Starlight Headliner and bespoke clock are natural additions as you would expect.

These options in particular are currently on display at the Chengdu Motor Show, but you can expect the discerning ultra-wealthy businessman to be specifying their Rolls-Royce with these options in the coming months and years. It's not a particularly new concept, but it is very much one you would want if you aren't keen on interacting with the rest of the world between destinations.


How to check your recommended GE15 voting time via MySPR Semak

Malaysia's 15th general election
 or GE15 is taking place on 19 November 2022, and it's highly recommended that you check your status via
MySPR Semak
.

Since it'll be a Saturday, most of us will most likely make the travel back to our hometowns or designated polling stations on the day itself or the day before. To ensure that the process is as smooth as it can be, MySPR Semak offers some useful information that you can use to your advantage.

*Image credit: Code Blue

Recommended time to vote

The MySPR Semak website will show the individual's recommended time to go out to the voting station within a span of two hours. The one that you see below is a snippet of the individual's information, and the one highlighted in red is the one you should keep your eyes on. To get this, click this
MySPR Semak website link
 and key in your identification number.

Hopefully, a majority of folks who are planning to vote on 19 November 2022 can refer to this to ensure a much shorter processing time from the moment you leave the house up until the vote is cast and you get your finger purpled like Thanos. This piece of info sheet can also be saved or printed for fellow voters to bring to your designated polling station.

Make sure your cars are in good condition

Apart from the usual advice of making sure your Touch 'n Go cards and eWallets are topped up, it's also imperative to you make sure that your cars or vehicles are in optimum condition to travel (which is something that you should be aware on a regular basis, anyway).

We've prepped a simple guide for you to refer to for things like tyre condition, brakes, lights, oil levels, and fluids to check on before making that trip back to your hometown. For more information on this,
CLICK HERE
.


Anthony Loke goes 'undercover', takes LRT ride during rush hour

Anthony Loke
 is back as our Transport Minister and he's already uncovering some truths in relation to the current public transport, particularly the
LRT Kelana Jaya line
.

It seemed that he went on an undercover mission yesterday following an unannounced ride on the LRT KJ line during rush hour. Loke spent two hours on the train in 'incognito mode' from 5-7 pm to see for himself all the complaints the public has voiced regarding the train services under the Prasarana umbrella.

Post-mortem with Prasarana soon

*Image credit: Anthony Loke FB page

The Transport Minister plans to take his findings from his own personal experiences on the LRT KJ line during rush hour and discuss the Prasarana top management within the week. The goal is to improve its overall services and hopefully enhance the quality of public transportation within the Klang Valley.

It was only last month when the LRT KJ line shut down its services for an entire week to resolve some issues related to its Automatic Train Control (ATC) electronics. 16 stations were affected which were also high-volume stops that resulted in many folks having to find other alternative modes of travel to and from work.

What Anthony Loke is doing might seem like a small step for now, but at least he's on the ground to experience for himself and hopefully can conjure up the best forms of solutions to all the problems the 'rakyat' have been facing over the years.


PSA and FCA Join Forces - Can You Name All The Brands Under Their Umbrella ?

After weeks of rumours, deliberation and probably paperwork, the merger of Groupe PSA ( French Multinational Automobile Manufacturer) and FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobile) has finally been officially announced.

This coalition makes the group the fourth largest global automaker by volume and third by revenue. Signed as 50:50 deal, the merger was cited to help minimise manufacturing cost of both groups.

PSA CEO, Carlos Tavares will lead the group as CEO while FCA chairman, John Elkann will continue his role chairman.

Here is the list of brands under the group.

Alfa Romeo

Abarth

Citroen

Chrysler

DS Automobiles

Dodge

Fiat

Jeep

Lancia

Maserati

Opel

Peugeot

Ram

Vauxhall


BMW Safety 360 Campaign to Tour Pre-Schools

BMW Group Malaysia, in collaboration with the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia (PPBM), has kicked off this year’s iteration of the BMW Safety 360 campaign focusing on promoting road safety awareness for children traveling in cars, particularly for the upcoming
Raya
 festive period.
Held at the Citta Mall branch of the Julia Gabriel centre, today’s launch event marked the start of a six-month campaign that will see weeklong programmes held at selected kindergartens and Montessori centres across Malaysia in which a series of road safety-themed activities and talks are delivered to the children who attend these centres and their parents.
Now in its third year running, the BMW Safety 360 programme started off focusing on motorcycle safety in its first year. The second edition of the campaign shifted the programme’s focus to child safety, and this year’s edition picks up on that same theme.
“This year, we are continuing with our work from last year and we want to speak directly to parents and children because we believe that they are the group that urgently needs to be reached out to when raising awareness on road safety issues, particularly on those related to children,” said Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications for
BMW Group Malaysia
.
Serving as messenger of the campaign is May Hwong, Child Passenger Safety Consultant to PPBM. At the launch, Hwong delivered a brief talk on the importance on child safety seats to parents as well as members of the media covering the event.
“It is a fact that car crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injury to babies and young children. While events leading up to the car swerving sharply, braking suddenly, or colliding may be unavoidable, the outcome of how your child survives it can be. Your child must be properly restrained in a safety-approved child car seat while traveling in the car, even if it is for short trips down the road,” Hwong said.
Statistics indicate that child seats reduces the risk of death by 71% among infants and 54% among toddlers in passenger vehicles. Bigger kids aged 4-8 years old can have their chances of suffering serious injury in a crash reduced by 45% when strapped into booster seats as opposed to merely relying on the seatbelt.
Of course, it’s not good enough to merely buckle your children up in car seats. They have to be strapped in securely and kept rear-facing for as long as possible. The video below demonstrates the added protection afforded to a child seated rear-facing in a crash.


Review: Mercedes-Benz E300 Coupe (C238) – When Mid-Life Crisis Is Welcomed

There comes a point in life when your kids are grown up and keeping that big family sedan might not be so important anymore. At the same time, the paradox of life also means that you can never have what you want.
When you were at the peak of your youth, when a sleek two-door coupe looks best on you, all you could afford was that cheap and embarrassing runabout. As your income rose, family responsibility came along. When you finally rid yourself of parenting duties and have reached the peak of your career, financial advisers talk you into fearing retirement. So now you have far more money than before, but you still can’t indulge in yourself any more than when you were young and poor.
Such is the paradox that define most people’s lives, at least for people who live according to the standards set by others. Life becomes something that takes more than it gives.
There is however, a simpler counterargument to that – why think about your fate at 75 when you can’t even be sure that you will live past 50? There are ample scholarly materials on the sharp rise in stroke, heart diseases and cancer among healthy young adults.
So what has all that has to do with this Designo Magno White E300 Coupe seen here? Simple it’s a car for those who had just learned the true meaning of YOLO – you only live once – a bit later in their life.
Why do I mean by a bit later? Because with a starting price of RM 499,888, this is not aimed at the twenty-something crowd.
There’s also a lower power output 184 hp E200 Coupe, which is priced at a more palatable RM435,888, also powered by the same four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injected petrol engine as the E300 but with a lower state of tune.
Overview
The E-Class Coupe is a four-seat, two-door grand tourer that goes up against the BMW 6 Series and the Jaguar F-Type. This all-new model is a big deal because it corrected the biggest criticism laid against the previous generation E-Class Coupe, which was actually a C-Class dressed up as an E-Class and was thus never considered as the real deal.
Thankfully there are no such pretensions with this all-new model as it’s genuinely based on an E-Class sedan.
As far as factory warrantied officially imported vehicles are concerned, the E-Class Coupe’s only real rival in Malaysia is the 3.5-litre naturally aspirated Lexus RC 350 (from RM 528,900), even though in terms of dimensions, the RC sits between the C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe. Likewise the Audi A5 Coupe, which is only available from grey importers.
BMW also sells the 6 Series Coupe but only upon special request, as is its price list. The four-door 640i Gran Coupe however is available for RM788,800 but of course that’s not quite the same.
The Jaguar F-Type is supposed to be a class rival for the E-Class Coupe but over here, the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 Jaguar sells for about RM 900,000, putting it closer to a Porsche 911-chasing 5.0-litre V8 Lexus LC 500.
So if you want proper after-sales support, parts recall monitoring, 24-hour roadside assistance plus benefits of very attractive stepped financing or leasing options (you really need to find out what Mercedes-Benz Agility Financing offers), the E-Class Coupe is the most obvious choice.
Specifications for Mercedes-Benz E300 Coupe
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Power: 245 hp
Torque: 370 Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed torque converter automatic (9G-Tronic), rear-wheel drive
Safety: Six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, ABS with Brake Assist
Price: RM 499,888 without insurance (RM 534,888 for Edition 1)
Origin: Fully imported from Bremen, Germany
Exterior
It’s a looker. Yes, styling is subjective but we have to wonder what kind of a person must one be to dislike the E-Class Coupe’s beautiful lines?
The biggest challenge in designing a coupe off a sedan’s platform is that the constraints in packaging and the need to use common parts will more often than not, result in a compromise, nothing more than a sedan with the rear doors looped off.
Mercedes-Benz however, have done an excellent job on all their recent coupes, from the C-Class to S-Class. They retain their respective model lines' identity but have rear-halves that set them apart as unique, uncompromisingly stylish coupes.
This particular example seen here is a limited volume Edition 1 model, one of only 555 units in the world, goes for an even higher RM 534,888.
The rear LED tail lights are unique to the coupe and not only does they feature jewelry-like details, but the LEDs have been programmed to give an animated display every time the car is locked and unlocked. The Multibeam LED headlamps also give off blue hues everytime you unlock the vehicle.
The doors are pillarless and the windows retract fully, giving it a very clean side profile.
Interior
Inside, the cabin is as what you would expect from any high-end E-Class. The model we tested had AMG Line interior, which features metal-weave and piano black trimmings around the dashboard, two-tone Nappa leather seats and Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Like many high-end Mercedes-Benz, the E300 Coupe is best enjoyed at night, when the full effect of its selectable ambient lighting colour comes into play. Many premium cars have ambient lighting but none can execute the finer details of manipulating the interplay of lights reflecting over the cabin’s surfaces as well as Mercedes-Benz.
The rest of the cabin, including the fully LCD instrument panel, infotainment, controls and switches are as what you will get in an E-Class sedan, which means good tactile feedback on everything that you can touch and feel, but poor user friendliness on the COMAND system's user interface.
This being a coupe, putting on the front seat belts can involve a bit too much body twisting for a forty or fifty-something year old owner's body so Mercedes-Benz have made the task easier with a power-operated seat belt extender.
Driving performance
It’s a cruise ship with wheels, which is both good and bad, depending on what you expect from the car. The keen driver in us was not too impressed with it and by our standards of judgement, the smaller but more expensive bi-turbo V6 C43 Coupe is a much better buy; it handles better and rides more comfortable too.
But we also acknowledge not everyone is as keen as us in chasing the tarmac dragon’s tail and as a grand tourer, the E300 Coupe makes for a respectable presence on the highways.
The torquey turbocharged four-cylinder delivers effortless performance, and throughout our drive, there was hardly a moment where we pushed the throttle pedal past 50 percent travel. Why be in a hurry like the proletariat class? When you are in something this stylish, you are in your own hedonistic world and that also means not having a care of the grouses of the working class who are always in a hurry.
Emotionally, we would prefer to have the knowledge that under the bonnet is a six-cylinder rather than a four and that’s also part of the reason why we prefer the C43. Keen drivers will prefer big engines on a smaller car, but to be honest, it’s more about prestige rather than a lack of refinement from the E300’s four-cylinder.
The chassis setup and the width and length of this car also means that this is not something that you want to hustle with, but to waft along with a dignified elitist character.
Comfort
This is where the E300 Coupe was rather disappointing. For a grand tourer that wears the three-pointed star, it was surprisingly off the mark when it came to comfort.
The Agility Control adaptive suspension has passive selective functions but don’t confuse this with driver-selectable modes, because it has none. It rides 15 mm lower than the sedan and the damper settings are continuously adjusted depending on driving conditions but the driver has no control over it.
Despite the fancy setup. The ride was rather harsh, which we suspect was due to the ultra-thin 35-series run-flat tyres wrapping around the huge 20-inch AMG wheels. They look good but the compromise in ride comfort doesn’t justify it. We believe that the cheaper E200 Coupe, with more reasonably sized 18-inch wheels, might ride better.
Then there was the seats. Despite the Nappa leather wrapping on the Sports Seats, the seats’ odd contours just don’t provide good enough support across all pressure points. And since it’s not perforated, we found our backs sweating more. The experience wasn’t quite what we had expected from a Mercedes-Benz of this range.
On the upside, since this is a low-volume, by order only model, buyers can customize it and we recommend paying extra for a set of more supportive Active Multi Contour seats.
The rear seats are quite spacious by coupe standards. Legroom is decent enough for adults while exit and entry in't too difficult.
Once again, we find ourselves pining for the C43 Coupe, which despite having a racier AMG image, is the more comfortable car than this E300 Coupe.
Fuel economy
If you have to know, the four-pot lump under the bonnet drank an average of 8.1-litre/100 km after covering a distance of over 750 km, with a good mix of urban traffic and clear highways. Pretty impressive for something that pumps out 245 hp.
Conclusion
This is a car that you buy for its looks more than anything else and on that basis, we say that the cheaper E200 Coupe (from RM 435,888), which looks just as good but should ride more comfortably on its more reasonable sized 18-inch wheels, is the better buy.
If you have to have the E300’s additional 61 hp/70 Nm, we recommend that you stick to the smaller 18-inch wheels and pay extra for the more comfortable Active Multi Contour seats. As mentioned earlier, the E300 Coupe is unlike a regular E-Class Sedan and is ordered only upon request so you can customize it to your liking.


VIDEO: Toyota Prius c’s G’s Upgrade Gets The Girl

Cars often get personified by filmmakers, with some comical results after, and
Toyota
 looks to be the latest carmaker to take advantage of the point. Here’s a rather comical on-going campaign in Japan, for the Toyota Aqua’s G’s upgrade package.
The Toyota Aqua, as it is known in Japan, is also known as the Toyota
Prius
 c in Malaysia: the more compact model of the Prius family. This is also the facelifted model, which can only be had in Malaysia via special order – UMW Toyota maintained the Prius c’s availability up to the pre-facelift model only.
Back to the video we have here, and Toyota is promoting its ‘G’s’ upgrade package for the Prius Aqua in Japan. Effectively, the Aqua/ Prius c with the G’s sports package gets an upgrade to its exterior body kit, a sports suspension and additional chassis bracing to improve rigidity.
No changes to the engine are made, leaving the 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric hybrid motor’s power stock out of the box.
On the outside, the G’s upgrade brings out a unique front bumper, side skirts, decorative black extensions to the headlamps, and a unique set of LED daytime running lights. The rear is also improved with a G’s bumper, taillights, side fender garnish, and also a choice of two 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone POTENZA RE050A rubbers.
Inside, the G’s Prius c is updated with several cosmetic upgrades: Alcantara upholstery, leather-wrapped gear lever with a Crystal Red inlay, a G’s engine on/ off switch, sporty aluminium pedals and much more.
But is it enough to get the girl? Watch this hilarious video and find out!
UPDATE:
 Is that Kamui Kobayashi (ex Formula 1 driver) at the white board with the Fuji circuit on it? This video keeps getting better.
[お知らせ]G's AQUAのスペシャルムービー「G's BOOT CAMP」公開中！TOYOTA GAZOO Racingドライバーのあの人も登場していますよ。ぜひご覧ください。G's AQUAについてはこちらhttp://toyota.jp/aqua/grade/grade6/
Posted by
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
 on Wednesday, 2 September 2015


Lamborghini Joins Forces With MIT To Create The Future Of Hypercars

Automobili Lamborghini has signed an agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to collaborate on a project that intends to write an important page in the future of super sports cars for the third millennium
Under the MIT-Italy programme, students and the teaching staff at MIT and Lamborghini engineers will be able to compare notes and work together on mutually interesting, cutting-edge research projects, focusing primarily on new materials in the automotive field, with exchange, collaboration projects and workshops leading to joint research in the chosen fields.
Stefano Domenicali, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini adds, "We want people to think of us more and more as a trendsetter in the super luxury and sports car segment. MIT has always been a pioneer in innovation and we are proud to have signed this general agreement with such an illustrious institution, which will lead to the study of issues of mutual interest relating to the super sports car for the 3rd millennium".
The MIT Experimental Electric Car of 1968
The partnership represents a step into the future for the automotive industry, with the ultimate aim of paving the way for a very ambitious super sports car project for the next generation.


Mitsubishi Motors 3S Centre Opens In Sungai Besi

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, together with authorized dealer Sing Kwung Jidosha Sdn Bhd, celebrated its second Mitsubishi Motors 3S (Sales, Service, Spare parts) Centre in Kuala Lumpur today. This is the 55th showroom for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.
Built at a cost of RM1.5million, the 30,000 square-feet facility houses a fully-equipped workshop, parts storage area and body and paint services for Mitsubishi vehicles. The centre also comes equipped with seven service bays with six hoists and has a maximum capacity to service up to 24 cars a day.
Yang Won-Chul, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, commented, “MMM is proud to celebrate the official launch of Sing Kwung Jidosha, in Kuala Lumpur. Sing Kwung Jidosha had started its business partnership with Mitsubishi Motors since 2013 with their first showroom in Malacca. With Sing Kwung Jidosha’s strong accomplishment in the southern region, we are confident that they will establish an even stronger presence here in Kuala Lumpur”.
Between 21st and 25th September, visitors and customers to the showroom stand a chance to participate in the ‘Count and Win’ contest where participants are supposed to guess the number of balloons in the Triton Adventure X Fullbox. The grand prize includes a travel voucher worth RM1,500 to Bali, Indonesia.
During the same period, Mitsubishi customers will also be offered a free vehicle inspection including checks on vehicle brakes and tire rotations. Customers can also enjoy 15% discount on selected vehicle parts and a 20% discount on labour fee for any Body & Paint repair.


The Audi A4 IntenCity is Coming to a City Near You

Perhaps this could be the beginning of something great, once again. Audi Malaysia has just announced that their A4 IntenCity event, which will be hosted in Setia Alam this weekend (20th-21st May 2017) and will head North to Ipoh (4th June 2017), and culminate in Penang (10th June 2017).
The event showcases the full A4 range in all three variants, following the launch of its singular mid-range variant in the middle of 2016. This means that the A4 1.4 TFSI, A4 2.0 TFSI, and A4 2.0 TFSI quattro will all be on display and available for testing in various Audi driving experiences- something that some of the older folks may remember from the early 2000s when Audi was showcasing their quattro technology. The Tech Pack-equipped A4 2.0 TFSI will also be available for viewing and booking during these events.
But the IntenCity events are for more than just Audi-fans. Those interested are encouraged to bring their whole family along for the fun, as there will be various other activities from physical challenges to virtual reality experiences and plenty of food on offer to keep people fuelled. Hopefully the IntenCity events will mark the return of a stronger brand presence for Audi in the Malaysian market.


Rumour: Geely To Buy 50 Percent Stake in Daimler’s smart

China’s Geely Automobile Holdings is said to be nearing conclusion of talks with Germany’s Daimler to purchase a 50 percent stake in the latter’s struggling smart microcar division, the Financial Times said.
The Financial Times also added that both companies are expected to make an announcement on the matter before April’s Shanghai Auto Show.
Last year, Geely Automobile Holdings’ parent company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group spent USD 9 billion to acquire nearly 10 percent of Daimler, making Geely the largest investor at Daimler.
Currently, smart has three models in its portfolio – fortwo, forfour, and fortwo cabriolet.
While Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz Cars division set a new sales record for 2018 by delivering 2.25 million vehicles worldwide, the smart brand has been a deadweight dragging down the division’s potential.
Margins on smart’s range of microcars are wafer thin and last year, the brand sold just 130,000 cars worldwide, down four percent from 2017.
Source: Daimler's 2018 financial report
Should Daimler agree to the sale and the deal is approved by the European Commission, the brands parked under Geely Auto Group will grow to five. The four existing brands are: Geely, Lynk & Co, Proton, and Lotus. Swedish brand Volvo Cars is parked directly under Geely's holding company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.


2017 BMW G30 5 Series Launches in Singapore

So, our neighbours up north
have already launched the BMW G30 5 Series
 in two variants- the 530i and 520d. As a rather interesting contrast, Singapore has just recently launched the G30 5 Series in their local market as well, but in the 530i and 540i variants. They will not be selling a diesel model there as Singapore is very much against the idea of diesel passenger cars, either through taxation or high pump prices or social stigma- or perhaps a combination of all three.
But we digress. Rather interestingly, Singapore is pushing the
Business Athelete concept
 a lot more than BMW Thailand is, perhaps because it fits in a little better with the rather hectic Singaporean day-to-day life. For a country with a maximum speed limit of 90 km/h and largely urban driving, it makes sense to push the Driver Assistance systems, and so there are steering and lane control assistant systems offered with the car, as well as optional Active Cruise Control and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist.
A quick rundown on the variants: the 530i has a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with 252 hp and 350 Nm, while the 540i has a turbocharged 3.0-litre 6-cylinder engine with 340 hp and 450 Nm. The 530i goes for SGD 280,800 while the 540i goes for SGD 355,800 (although these prices may be pre-COE). That's a hefty price to pay for a 5 Series, but when BMW is one of the most popular brands on the island state of Singapore, this isn't as large of a problem as it seems.


Caltex Techron Enhanced with New Clean & Glide Additives Package

Chevron, local marketers of the Caltex brand recently launched its reformulated brand of fuel. The company’s signature Techron additive package has been blended with the new Clean & Glide technology which contains active ingredients specially formulated to clean and protect metal surfaces within the engine.
By helping to reduce friction and thus wear and tear between key engine components, Clean & Glide technology is claimed to deliver enhanced engine protection, improved fuel economy and maximised power with continued use over time.
Besides stringent laboratory tests, Chevron engineers also accumulated up to 600,000km of real world fleet tests to ensure the fuel's final formula provides optimum results for the everyday motorist.
High-Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) laboratory tests were conducted to test the new formula’s ability to protect metal surfaces. The industry standard diesel lubricity test was modified to safely assess the lubricating properties of petrol.
From these tests, Chevron claims that the newly enhanced Caltex Techron fuel was found to reduce metal wear and friction by an average of 38 percent and 41 percent respectively when compared to its predecessor in a controlled environment.
By extension, this is claimed to enable the new Caltex Techron fuel to instantly reduce friction in the upper cylinder area of your engine and with continued use, it is further claimed that Clean & Glide technology will begin to build–up in your car’s crankcase lubricant to replenish friction modifiers that are consumed during normal operation.
Separate laboratory tests simulating this build-up of Techron additives in the lubricant demonstrated the effectiveness of Clean & Glide technology to improve fuel efficiency by up to 3 percent when compared to the previous formulation.
From the 5th till the 29th May 2016, the “Caltex Fun Truck” contest (also known as “Techron Lab on Wheels Truck”) invites members of the public to join in a fun contest. Simply snap a selfie with the truck and upload it on Caltex Malaysia Facebook wall or on personal Instagram with hashtags #CaltexMYNewTechron and #SpotCaltexFunTruck.
Over a period of four weeks, 5 weekly winners will walk away with StarCash cards worth RM200 and be featured in Caltex’s promotional materials. The Caltex Fun Truck will feature at roadshows at selected Caltex service stations where the Caltex team will demonstrate benefits of the Techron fuel.
The roadshow schedule dates are as follows:
Roadshow Dates
Location
Central
6 May, Friday
Caltex Station SH Lee, Bandar Kinrara, Puchong (9:00am-12:00pm)
Caltex Station Pump My Day, Bandar Sunway (2:00pm-5:00pm)
7 May, Saturday
Caltex Station South Lake, Shah Alam Expressway (9:00am-12:00pm)
Caltex Station Azalin Resources, Taman Kinrara, Puchong (2:00pm-5:00pm)
8 May, Sunday
Caltex Station Denai Petroleum, Shah Alam (2:00pm-5:00pm)
Caltex Station Wibawa Kukuh Sdn Bhd, Bandar Seri Coalfields (9:00am-12:00pm)
North
13 May, Friday
Caltex Station Haisma Enterprise, Seberang Perai (9:00am-12:00pm)
Caltex Station ANJ Point Enterprise, Kulim, Kedah (2:00pm-5:00pm)
14 May, Saturday
Caltex Station Udini Petrol Station, Bandar Jelutong, Penang (9:00am-12:00pm)
Caltex Station Aanys Service Station, Seberang Perai, Penang (2:00pm-5:00pm)
15 May, Sunday
Caltex Station Shoda Niaga Sdn Bhd, Kota Setar, Kedah (9:00am-12:00pm)
Caltex Station Kota Setar Land Sdn Bhd, Daerah Kota Star, Kedah (2:00pm-5:00pm)
South
18 May, Wednesday
Caltex Station Wajar Cerah, Johor Bahru, Johor (9:00am-12:00pm)
Caltex Station RB Pelangi, Johor Bahru, Johor (2:00pm-5:00pm)
19 May, Thursday
Caltex Station Innovat, Skudai, Johor (9:00am-12:00pm)
Caltex Station Azza Petro, Kulai, Johor (2:00pm-5:00pm)
Terengganu and Kelantan
28 May, Saturday
Caltex Station Dina Ceria Enterprise, Marang, Terengganu (9:00am-12:00pm)
Caltex Station HAA Unggul Enterprise, Marang, Terengganu (2:00pm-5:00pm)
29 May, Sunday
Caltex Station Othomats (M) Holdings, Kota Bharu, Kelantan (9:00am-12:00pm)
Caltex Station Barokah Maju Jaya, Wakaf Bharu, Kelantan (2:00pm-5:00pm)


Honda and McLaren Part Ways In F1 – Honda To Power Toro Rosso and Sauber In 2018

Honda and McLaren will conclude their short-lived partnership in Formula 1, which began for the 2015 F1 season and will see through to the end of the 2017 season. As of 2018, Honda will supply power units to a works team which will be formed with the Toro Rosso F1 team. Honda will also supply power units to the
Sauber F1 team
 in 2018.
The deal between Honda and Toro Rosso, as
BBC reports
, is part of a larger agreement that involves the loan of Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz to Renault, and allows Toro Rosso to partner up with Honda in 2018.
The more recent partnership between Honda and McLaren is a far cry from the cooperation both organisations shared in the late 80s and early 90s. Between 1988 and 1992, McLaren-Honda won eight world (driver and constructor’s) championships, 44 Grand Prix wins, and took 53 pole positions. All this in 80 Grand Prix starts.
Honda formally inked a deal with McLaren in May 2013 and announced later that year, that it will base its European racing operations in Milton Keynes, U.K. in preparation for the 2015 F1 season.
New F1 regulations, which introduced a 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged V6 engine with energy recovery systems – was central to the company’s decision to re-join F1.
Honda felt it was a good testbed to further the company's internal combustion engine and hybrid technology, and the applicability of the technology towards its road-going products. Honda also wanted its young engineers to learn the challenges and the thrills of competing at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Honda was in charge of the development, manufacture, and supply of the power unit, including the engine and energy recovery system, while McLaren headed development and manufacture of the chassis, as well as the management of the new team – McLaren Honda.
Honda revealed its F1 power units in October 2014 and went testing in Abu Dhabi in November 2014 in the MP4-29H/1X1. From the start, the Honda power units struggled with reliability and lack of power. At the final pre-season in Feb 2015, the McLaren Honda was the only team that failed to clock more than 100-laps of the Jerez track in Spain.
McLaren Honda scored 27 constructor points in 2015 with the MP4-30 – its strongest showing at Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing in 5th and 9th place. The team had a better showing in 2016, securing 76 constructor points.
The team’s 2017 challenger, the MCL 32 has been beset with more reliability problems this year – managing to finish in the points on just three occasions this year, after 14 Grand Prix starts.
Zak Brown, Executive Director, McLaren Technology Group added, “There has never been any doubt over Honda’s commitment and energy to the mission of success in Formula 1. They are proven winners and innovators. For a combination of reasons, our partnership has not flourished as any of us would have wished. It is certainly not for the want of effort on the part of either Honda or McLaren but the time has come to move ahead in different directions. As fellow racers, we hope to see the great name of Honda get back to the top – our sport is better for their involvement. I know this view is shared by everyone in the sport.”


Rolls-Royce Kicks Off Cullinan's "Final Challenge" Before Global Debut

Three years after the beginning of a gruelling testing programme that has seen it conquer various conditions, Rolls-Royce’s first ever SUV, the Cullinan, will undertake “The Final Challenge” to prove itself in the public eye before it makes its world premiere later this year.
In an unprecedented partnership, Rolls-Royce and National Geographic will work together to publish daily film and photograph updates as Cullinan undertakes trials in Northern Europe, the Middle East and the United States.
The Final Challenge will begin in the Highlands of Scotland and will be broadcasted on social media by National Geographic and Rolls-Royce as it continues its adventure through the Alpine snowfields of Austria, the arid deserts of the Middle East and finally across the toughest terrain in the United States. These will include multiple off-road challenges and miles of rough terrain.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan and crew will be accompanied on The Final Challenge by acclaimed explorer and photographer Cory Richards, National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year in 2012. The National Geographic team will
document the journey
 with daily updates broadcast from the spectacular, far-flung locations he and the crew encounter.
Cullinan is the second Rolls-Royce, after the all-new
Rolls-Royce Phantom
, to sit atop the company’s recently announced all-new proprietary aluminium spaceframe called the ‘Architecture of Luxury’.
The Phantom limousine is powered by a new 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine that outputs 563 PS and 900 Nm of torque, paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It remains to be seen whether this powerplant will feature in the Cullinan too.


Review: Honda CR-V 1.5 TC-P – All-Round Predictability

Predicting the future
 may seem far-fetched to some, but in the case of the range-topping Honda CR-V, it's not quite science fiction stuff anymore.

The aforementioned model comes with
Honda Sensing
, Honda's suite of active safety equipment, featuring a monocular camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror and a millimeter wave radar mounted beneath grille on the front bumper designed to keep the driver safe.

Read more:
Review: Honda Accord 2.4L VTi-L Advance – Living With Honda Sensing

So back to the Honda CR-V.

Mention family SUV and the Honda CR-V is the almost definite choice for many, as the CR-V combines unrivalled practicality, reliability, and residuals - a solid reputation that it established over the last two decades since its inception.

Specifications for Honda CR-V 1.5 TC-P

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, transverse

Transmission: CVT-type automatic, front-wheel drive

Power: 190 hp at 5,600 rpm, 243 Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Weight: 1,549 kg

Safety: 6-airbags, ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Control (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Honda Sensing – Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking Sysem (CBMS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)

Price: RM163,191.00 OTR excluding insurance

Origin: Locally-assembled in Pegoh, Melaka.

Overview

This is the range-topping model in Honda Malaysia’s CR-V lineup, with the key highlight of the model being the availability of Honda Sensing.

Honda Sensing is a suite of advanced driver assistance, which includes:

Lane Departure Warning

Lane Keeping Assist System

Road Departure Mitigation

Forward Collision Warning

Collision Mitigation Braking System

Adaptive Cruise Control

Low Speed Follow

But Honda Sensing aside, another feature we enjoyed using in the CR-V 1.5 TC-P is the Honda LaneWatch camera. As the name suggests, the LaneWatch system utilizes a camera mounted on the left side rear view mirror that projects a video stream onto the infotainment screen when the left signal is activated, thus eliminating blind spots. Drivers can also manually turn on LaneWatch via a button on the signal stalk.

Other equipment, including cruise control, paddle shifters, smart entry with push start button, walk away auto lock, dual rear USB charging ports, and automatic dual-zone climate control are standard across the CR-V range.

Exterior

Now in its fifth generation, the Honda CR-V is now 4,584 mm long, 1,855 mm wide, and 1,689 mm tall. It is also 6 mm shorter in terms of length compared to its predecessor model, but adds another 35 mm in width, allowing the CR-V to offer improved shoulder room for passengers.

Similar to other Honda models with funky design language names, the CR-V you see here embodies what Honda calls ‘Modern Functional Dynamic’. While the looks of the CR-V are completely subjective and up to personal preferences, it's hard to deny that the CR-V offers a rather imposing demeanor over its predecessor.

There’s little differentiating the regular 1.5 TC and the 1.5 TC-P variants, but if you observe closely enough, you’ll notice that the more expensive TC-P variant has a front radar module located just below the Honda emblem and the discreet LaneWatch camera.

Similar to its turbocharged siblings, the 1.5 TC-P also gets LED headlights, LED front and rear fog lights, LED daytime running lights, and 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.

It is also worth noting that the White Orchid Pearl you see on this test unit commands a RM400 price premium over the other colours.

Interior

The interior is where the CR-V truly shines, but also falls short.

Let me explain.

For decades, Honda’s interior has always been its selling point – offering class-leading practicality that no other rivals can defeat.

While the CR-V is truly remarkable when it comes to practicality, the new model appears to have some corners cut in terms of build quality.

We noticed that the centre arm rest of this particular test unit creaking under light pressure, which is quite a distraction, especially when the need arises to rest our arm there.

In addition to that, we also noticed that the plastics used to mold the gear lever made it felt somewhat cheap, quite a letdown in such a nice cabin.

Now, before you folks start wielding your pitchforks, this particular Pegoh-built demonstrator/test drive unit might have gone through a rather tough life, despite only clocking just over 13,000 km.

With that said however, the rest of the CR-V’s cabin was well put together and controls were laid out in an easy to reach manner. When it comes to usability, there’s little to fault here. Take, for example, the centre console storage which is massive enough to swallow an entire handbag.

As a family SUV, it is only natural for the CR-V to offer family-focused amenities, and it delivers.

The rear seats offer great comfort as the cushions are sufficiently comfortable while the seat backs can be reclined. Legroom, headroom, and shoulder room are also generous for most families. Comfort is further supplemented by rear air vents located on the rear of the centre console.

For those who need to load the CR-V up with stuff will be pleased to know that the tailgate aperture is sufficiently wide and low, which eases loading and unloading. 522 litres of boot space is available with the rear seats up, which can be further expanded to a massive 1,084 litres with the seats down.

Driving Experience

Sharing the same 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo mill as the one we sampled earlier this year, but without the extra AWD hardware, the 1.5 TC-P accelerates with more gusto.

The full 234 Nm of torque is available from a low 2,000 rpm, all the way up to 5,000 rpm, making acceleration and overtaking a brisk effort. Similar to the AWD model, the TC-P we sampled here also features Honda’s Earth Dreams CVT, which does a swell job of being efficient.

While the TC-P shares the same 243 Nm of torque as the AWD model, we noticed that acceleration felt more brisk. We reckon this could be due to the TC-P’s lighter weight, as the AWD model weighs in at 1,595 kg, whilst the TC-P weighs in at 1,549 kg.

As for ride and handling, the CR-V handles reasonably well, but ride comfort was marginally behind the Mitsubishi Outlander than we sampled back in September, despite both models riding on 18-inch wheels.

We also noticed that tyre noise was rather apparent whilst cruising at highway speeds, unlike the Outlander's much quieter ride.

Other rivals, such as the Mazda CX-5, offer a more engaging driving experience, though often sacrifice passenger ride comfort in the process. After all, no passenger likes to sway around the cabin whilst the driver is busy tackling corners aggressively.

Conclusion

Buyers of this segment are spoilt for choice, as they can choose between several models – the Mazda CX-5, theVolkswagen Tiguan, and the Mitsubishi Outlander.

We reckon that the range-topping Mazda CX-5 2.2D will be the closest rival to the CR-V 1.5 TC-P, with the added advantage of a torquey engine. The interior of the Mazda, while losing to the CR-V in terms of practicality, feels like a nicer place to be in thanks to snazzier-looking materials. The range-topping Mazda also offers numerous driver assistance systems, part of the i-ActiveSense safety suite.

If comfort is your top priority, then the Mitsubishi Outlander should be shortlisted, as this SUV offers superior ride comfort.

For a relatively fuss-free SUV, there’s little to fault the CR-V 1.5 TC-P. This particular model encompasses everything Honda is renowned for – class-leading practicality, advanced safety technologies, and proven reliability.


Ford Smart Mobility Sees A Future Of Remote Driving And An End To Parking Anxiety

The world is getting more and more connected each day. High speed internet pervades our lives in ways we aren’t always aware of. Naturally, the car would want to get in on the action as well. And more than just hooking up your phone via Bluetooth, Ford’s idea goes beyond, and intends to make the car itself more intelligent without our intervention.
Enter
Ford
’s Smart Mobility Solutions, an initiative set up in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology to research possible solutions to the traffic and congestion woes that plague urban areas as well as the carbon effect it has on the world at large. At CES Asia 2015 in Shanghai, Ford is showing off two of its most promising projects: Remote Repositioning and Parking Spotter.
Remote Repositioning
The experiment that spearheaded Remote Repositioning consisted of a Georgia Tech-owned golf cart, a few cameras placed at strategic points, and a high speed LTE data connection. This allows the cart to be driven remotely by a driver via a station that is similar looking to the kind of racing games found at arcades.
Once perfected, the implications could be far-reaching, allowing for the repositioning of cars from their original location to where they need to be for its next customer/driver, such as in a case for a car sharing program. This alleviates the need for a third driver as well as the cost of that driver’s own transportation to and from the car’s location.
Valet parking could also be drastically altered and streamlined through this technology, negating the need for a large team of valet parkers on standby. A car would simply pull up to the valet station, and once the driver exits, would relinquish control to park itself in a designated space without anyone else entering the car. All this would lead to valet parking services being far cheaper and also more widely available.
Parking Spotter
This one is slightly more ambitious in some ways. Because cars can be fitted with an array of sensors – indeed, many already are – that make it aware of its most immediate surroundings, it can collect data to feed a cloud repository that catalogues parking spaces.
Should a car equipped with these special sonar and radar sensor arrays, one that is parked cars can determine if there are parking spaces in its vicinity. And at speeds of 16km/h or less, moving cars can act as probes to map out available parking bays. Drivers who are then on the prowl for parking spaces can tap into this resource and make a judgement about whether to enter a specific parking lot or to search elsewhere.
“The mobility experiments are great examples of how Ford is rethinking innovation in this technological age,” said Jim Buczkowski, director, Electrical and Electronics Systems, Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company. “Both of these projects as displayed as CES Asia are using existing technologies in new ways, and pushing the limits of what we can do to go further in improving mobility for all.”
In dense urban areas, parking efficiency will increase, congestion will decrease and C02 emissions from cars in gridlocks or parking lot jams will be reduced greatly. However, this future vision hits a proverbial roadblock when competing car companies have their own proprietary system for parking lot searching or a different use for proximity sensing on cars. Unless Ford convinces other manufacturers to throw in with Parking Spotter, this solution might not gain enough critical mass to actually be useful to drivers. After all, not everyone drives a Ford.


Six year old in Langkawi crashes car while on his way to buy toys

A six-year-old boy and his three-year-old brother go for a drive in Langkawi - crashes the car into a lamppost on the way to buy toys at the shops.

While driving laws in Langkawi may not be as strict as in other parts of the country, it's still surprising to see bizarre things happening over there.

A viral bit of news has been going around the web recently about an incident pertaining to a couple of kids going for a ride in their parents' car.

A few videos uploaded onto Honeyzone Langkawi's Facebook page show a Toyota Vios that had crashed and was found out later to be driven by a pair of brothers who were only three and six years old.

The vehicle was driven with the older brother controlling the steering wheel while the younger brother controlled the accelerator pedal.

According to The Star, Langkawi OCPD Asst Comm Shariman Ashari confirmed that the accident happened along Jalan Bukit Tangga, Langkawi, on Tuesday night (May 9).

"He said the boy had apparently tried to drive to a shop to buy toys while his three-year-old brother tagged along for the ride", according to The Star's Report

Fortunately, there were no injuries or loss of life when the car crashed, and the two kiddos seemed fine. There has yet to be any official statement announced by the authorities regarding the matter.

If the parents are found guilty of allowing their kids to drive their vehicle, the 39(5) of the Road Transport Act 1987 may send them to prison.


Chery surpasses 1.1 million units sold in 2022

Chery
 has been on a role for the past six months in a row following a constant monthly sales volume of over 100,000 units.

With 2022 just a couple of days away from ending, the Chery Group sales have officially surpassed the 1.1 million mark, which is an amazing feat if you ask anyone or any company.

Global exports up by 70.9%

We're probably guessing that the 2022 closing sales figure from Chery will be slightly bigger as 1,127,289 units of sold vehicles were actually recorded from January until the end of November. Compared to the same period last year, that's an increase of 32.6%.

Chery also set a new export record for Chinese brand passenger vehicles following its export volume increase of 70.9%. Being the country's top car exporter for the past 19 years in a row, Chery actually broke its own record with over 50,000 units being exported every month for four months.

30,000 CKD units in Malaysia by 2024

Chery is planning to establish its own
CKD operations
 here in Malaysia sometime in 2023. When the factory is fully set up, over 30,000 units of production capacity have been targeted for local assembly for the Malaysian market as well as other ASEAN countries.

The most exciting model that's also in plans for CKD assembly is the Chery Omoda 5 EV. Other models include the Tiggo range of crossovers as the start. With 30,000 units in their plans, we're pretty sure that more models will creep into the major CKD plans right here in Malaysia.


Porsche Puts 911 Speedster Into Production, Just 1,948 Units

Remember a couple of months ago when Porsche revealed the 911 Speedster concept? That concept has finally made it to production, and there will be just 1,948 units of this special edition vehicle made. That sounds like a lot for a limited run model, but the 911 is one of the most popular sports cars on the planet so you can be sure that there will be plenty of units bought up even before the car hits showrooms.
Between concept and production, a couple of things have changed. The tonneau cover roof has been replaced with a more practical mechanism that tucks away underneath the rear cowl - a cowl that's stylized with its double bubble design that really gives this 911 Speedster its defining looks. The window frames remain shortened which also gives the 911 Speedster a unique side profile.
Some components have been taken off other 991-generation variants, such as the rear spoiler and rear apron which come off the GT3 Touring. Parts bin specials are not the best words to use to describe a Porsche, but if a certain component works well for the design brief there's no reason to engineer an entirely new component. The powertrain is off the 991 GT3 facelift (with a couple of emissions tweaks), which means it's a 4.0-litre flat-six engine pushing 510 PS with a redline of 9,000 rpm. A six speed manual transmission is the sole option.
This will be the last of the 991 variants to be developed and put into production, as Porsche already has the upcoming 992 to start rolling out as soon as it can. This 911 Speedster is a fitting send-off for one of the biggest technological leaps forward for Porsche (the introduction of small turbocharged engines across the range), and a strong homage to Porsche's past.
At its core, this 911 Speedster is a 991 GT3 with retro chic, what with its four-wheel steering and the full suite of control systems. It's a 911 Targa in operation, but more akin to a Spyder in design. Will you be one of the 1,948 lucky owners to have one of these in your garage?
For the best deals on Porsche models, click
here
.


Pengimbas Tol (Smart Tag) Dalam Model Perodua Dikaji – Mahu Kolaborasi Dengan Syarikat Tempatan Lain

Baru-baru ini, Menteri Kanan Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof mengesahkan bahawa
kad Touch ‘n Go
 untuk pembayaran tol dijangka ditamatkan pada 2025 dengan laluan
Smart Tag
 bakal dimansuhkan secara berperingkat.

Penamatan penggunaan kad fizikal serta laluan Smart Tag itu bakal digantikan dengan
sistem baharu
 yang membenarkan orang ramai membayar tol lebuh raya menggunakan mana-mana kaedah pembayaran digital sama ada menggunakan kad bank atau sistem pembayaran atas talian.

Bagi yang tidak tahu, model Perodua seperti
Myvi
 dan
Aruz
 didatangkan dengan sistem pengimbas tol terbina siap (Smart Tag). Susulan pengumuman itu, ada pengguna model tersebut yang meluahkan perasaan tidak puas hati kerana sistem Smart Tag yang ada pada kereta mereka berfungsi dengan baik sahaja sehingga hari ini.

Jika lorong Smart Tag bakal dimansuhkan kelak, besar kemungkinan teknologi Smart Tag pada kereta Perodua seperti Myvi dan Aruz tidak akan lagi diperlukan atau digunakan. Jadi bagi mereka yang telah membeli kereta Perodua yang lengkap dengan ciri Smart Tag, ia pasti menimbulkan rasa rugi kerana sistem itu sudah sedia ada di kereta mereka.

Ketika ditanya oleh media ketika sidang media Perodua Outlook 2022 di Kuala Lumpur, Presiden dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin berkata syarikat itu peka dengan isu berkenaan dan kini giat menyeru untuk berkolaborasi bersama syarikat-syarikat tempatan lain seperti Touch ‘n Go, syarikat telco, syarikat tenaga dan syarikat operator lebuh raya.

Kolaborasi atau pembangunan bersama itu bertujuan untuk sama-sama membangunkan dan mengembangkan lagi industri automotif negara di samping memastikan memberi manfaat kepada penggunanya. Tambahnya, beliau mahu pengguna Perodua diberi kebebasan untuk memilih kaedah pembayaran tol mengikut keselesaan mereka.

Syarikat konsesi juga dilaporkan telah mendapat arahan untuk bersedia melaksanakan
Sistem Aliran Bebas Pelbagai Lorong (MLFF)
 menjelang 2025. Sistem MLFF merupakan sistem tol tanpa penghalang, pondok tol dan laluan khusus yang menggunakan struktur gantri yang dilengkapi dengan pengecaman nombor plat secara automatik (ANPR) di lokasi tertentu.

Memandangkan Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM) kini berusaha untuk memudahkan orang ramai membuat kaedah pembayaran secara dalam talian, kemungkinan fungsi pengimbas tol terbina siap ini tidak lagi akan ditawarkan untuk model Perodua berikutnya.


BMW Reveals All-New 2023 7 Series - Adds Full Electric i7, That X7 Face

This is the 7th-generation BMW 7 Series (designated the G70, quite aptly) and just as expected it is equal parts German super-limousine and design experiment. Unlike before, it’s also fully electric. Kind of.

In order to give it the kind of presence BMW feel it deserves,
not that it was ever lacking it
, the all-new 7 Series is also the biggest it has ever been, growing larger and stretching our limits of what we’ll accept in terms of how such a car should look.

Another True Rival To The Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

While its main rival, the
W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
, doubles down on soft edges and elegant surfacing, Munich has seemingly taken the opposite approach and penned one of its most polarising designs yet, adopting the split headlight fascia that only recently debuted on
the X7
 facelift.

Prior to this, this design trait was mainly a staple of the Hyundai Motor Group with several models from the South Korean marque sporting it such as the Palisade, Kona, and even some
from the Genesis stable
.

It’s said that this, along with an even more pronounced kidney grille, was driven by customer feedback in markets such as China and the US, but we can’t quite confirm that nor will BMW outright say it. For better or worse, the 7 Series does at least look unique and differentiated.

It retains a traditional 3-box silhouette with touches clearly taken from
the iX
 and, as before, is built on a heavily altered ‘flex platform’ variation of the company’s staple
Cluster Architecture
 (CLAR), which has been in the works for the past 6 years.

Powertrains: ICE, Hybrid, Full EV

It follows a similar formula to previous 7 Series offerings in terms of a spread of powertrains, though its line of internal combustion engines is joined by a pure electric version that we’ll get into later. As standard, all variants will receive BMW’s newest air suspension tech, active rear-wheel steering, and active roll stabilisation.

All petrol and diesel engines are now supplemented by some sort of electrified component, be it mild-hybrid
or plug-in hybrid assistance
. In Europe markets, BMW has decided not to offer petrol engines at all, giving customers there a choice of EV or a diesel engine, the 740d xDrive, until the PHEVs are ready for delivery - take it or leave it.

This version pairs a turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline-6 with a 48V starter-generator to deliver a combined 295hp and 670Nm that’s good for a 6.3 second century sprint time, which is rather

encouraging given it’s the range’s entry-level variant.

In 2023, BMW will start rolling out the 750e xDrive and the M760e xDrive that both use a new evolution of the B58 inline-6 turbocharged petrol 3.0-litre unit in tandem with a gearbox-mounted electric motor that’s fed by a pretty beefy 18.7kWh battery for up to 90km of pure electric range. The former delivers a combined output of 483hp/ 700Nm and 563hp/ 800Nm, respectively.

The BMW i7, like the iX3 and i4, is not too dissimilar from their ICE counterparts though it sits more closely within the 7 Series umbrella than its other full EV cousins. It’s Munich’s answer to the
Mercedes-Benz EQS
 and, less convincingly, the Porsche Taycan - at least until Audi readies an electric equivalent of the A8.

The BMW i7 Powertrain

Things kick off with the i7 xDrive60 that uses dual electric motors to produce 540hp/ 740Nm and up to 625km on the WLTP test cycle, though a more powerful i7 M70 xDrive with 600hp is coming to sit at the tip of the spear, effectively taking the spot of the demised
V12-powered M760i
. Certain markets will still receive the 760i xDrive, though lacking the sub-M designation and now sporting a lesser twin-turbo V8 instead.

Both are paired with a 101.7kWh lithium-ion battery mounted within the floor pan with support to fast DC charging up to 195kW, giving them a range up to 625km. BMW is still silent on the full extent of the M70 xDrive’s performance capabilities, but the xDrive60 will dispatch 100km/h in 4.7 seconds and is limited to a 240km/h top speed.

BMW 7 Series Infotainment

Inside, the 7 Series features BMW’s latest iDrive 8 interface and hardware in a similar vein to that seen on the iX and i4, utilising a curved panel that houses a 12.3-inch instrument display and 14.9-inch infotainment screen perched over a restyled and more minimal dashboard.

Among the available options is a pretty outrageous 31.3-inch cinema screen with 8K resolution for the rear passengers that’s mounted within the roof when not in use. It supports direct streaming to Amazon Fire TV so you can enjoy the newest season of The Grand Tour reclined in a massaging seat while your chauffeur tackles an interstate journey on your behalf.

There’s no word yet on when the G70 7 Series will reach Malaysian shores, but bearing in mind that even the full range will only be fleshed out in Europe in 2023, the most we can expect for an expedited local launch is one or two variants similar to the recent S-Class’s market introduction.