Toyota Vios Challenge - Living a dream come true

                Anyone who has been involved in the local rally scene over the last two decades will be familiar with a figure who would diligently attend every event, usually with his wife and four children in tow.

He was neither an official, a competitor nor mechanic but a true blue rally fan who took spectating very seriously.

“Etched in my earliest memories was when my father used to bring me to the oil palm estates as he watched his favourite sport. The smell of the exhaust fumes, the dust and the sounds of rally cars were probably what got me hooked on the sport,” said Kenneth Koh who took up the sport officially at the age of 17, some nine years ago.

His father was of course Koh Hong Nam who was better known in the fraternity as Ah Lam.

Ah Lam was a racer in his younger days but with a growing family to feed, his passion was then limited to spectating and helping other young drivers develop an interest. On rally weekends, he would drive his entire family to every event just to spectate and the bug was finally passed on to his son.

Kenneth knew that it was inevitable that he would progress from spectating and wiping down rally cars for friends to actually driving a rally car one day.

“I managed to scrape together enough money to participate in my first event. It was a carpark rally that I participated in after my SPM in a Proton Putra 4WD. It was the most awesome experience for me at that time and managed to finish fifth overall. I knew then that motor racing was definitely for me,” said the middle child in a family of girls.

With enough funds borrowed from his school teacher mother, and a car borrowed through his father who was a used car dealer, Kenneth managed to get into his first dirt rally. In his first year, he secured the Junior Champion, 2WD Champion and class championships.

His performance was impressive enough for Proton to notice him and offered him a drive the following year as a junior on the team that ran Karamjit Singh’s campaign.

This eventually led to a drive with the team in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) where he got to race in New Zealand, Australia, Japan and China.

“This was a real eye-opening experience for me as the road conditions here were unlike anything I had seen before. In Malaysia our roads are very technical as it is bumpy, narrow and tricky. There, you practically have to drive 100% all the time as the roads are smooth and fast,” he said.

“The experience taught me a lot about car control and driving with a lot of focus but unfortunately, the team stopped their involvement in the APRC and we had to focus on the local championship. However, I take it as a learning experience as it helped me in my driving and I won the local 2WD class for five consecutive years.”

With his rallying achievements under his belt, it was inevitable that the call of racing on race tracks became stronger and he wanted to expand his horizons to asphalt races.

 Young Kenneth with his father, Hong Nam.

“The Vios Challenge came about at a very opportune time in my life. I had considered circuit racing but have always been turned off by the cost and how much seat time was needed to advance in this discipline.

“Thankfully, I heard about the Vios Challenge and how it would be run on street circuits and this perked my interest.

“It was fortunate that Panglima City, a Toyota dealer in my hometown of Klang was keen to enter a car and I managed to arrange for a drive with the team.

The mutual interest led to Kenneth’s debut on the circuit in the Vios Challenge in Batu Kawan last August and he rewarded the team with podium finishes in both races, placing him in third position in the points standings.

“It was an awesome experience to have made my debut in the Vios Challenge. It would have been more difficult if it were any other racing programme in Sepang or other established tracks as other drivers could have built an advantage from track knowledge but because the Vios Challenge is run on a purpose-built track, it was a level playing field for everyone so skill and car control played a bigger role than familiarity. The car was also new to everyone so nobody had any advantage.

“I think the idea behind the Vios Challenge has worked perfectly. For a company like Panglima City to get involved in any race programme would have cost them so much more and the amount of exposure could be minimal if they did not win outright. But with the Vios Challenge, you can see so many newcomers to the sport and they are not bleeding from the cost. It is really what the country needed to create interest among racers and spectators,” he said.

How does Ah Lam influence Kenneth in his driving?

“I try not to disappoint him. He is not a very expressive person and he lets me learn from my mistakes.

“But what he says, I always take it to heart because he is my Dad. Usually, all he tells me at the end of a race is maybe I can brake a bit later in this corner or you can go faster there. Other than that, he doesn’t judge me or try to teach me.

“But to me, the fact that he comes and watches me already motivates me to do well. It is always at the back of my mind that my dad is observing me and I must not let him down.

“He gives me this inspiration and while he doesn’t praise me when I do well, his handshake at the end of the race speaks mountains for me,” Kenneth said.


Lower prices killing us, say petrol dealers

                PETALING JAYA: Petrol dealers claim many stations may have to close down should fuel prices drop further, citing high losses.

Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Datuk Hashim Othman said the fuel price drop had led to dealers incurring losses of between RM20,000 and RM100,000 each.

“If the drop was only a few sen, we could absorb the losses. But now with the 35 sen drop (for petrol), we’re buying it high and selling it low.

“If this carries on, many of us will have to close down,” he told The Star.

Previously, RON95 and RON97 sold for RM2.26 and RM2.46 a litre respectively, while diesel sold for RM2.23 a litre.

New prices which kicked in yesterday saw RON95, RON97 and diesel being sold at RM1.91, RM2.11 and RM1.93 respectively.

Petronas Petrol Dealers Association president Datuk Abu Samah Bachik feared that stations would close down if prices were to drop another two to three times.

“All dealers in the country are affected, none of us are exempt from this,” he said.

Abu said dealers were in discussion with the Government on how to tackle the problem.

Hashim was previously quoted as saying that dealers were supposed to have at least three days’ worth of fuel stock, adding that operating licences could be withdrawn if these ran out.

This, he said, was because petrol and diesel were considered essential items.

Asked to confirm rumours that dealers were running out of supply, Hashim said on Thursday that this might have been due to motorists holding out from buying fuel until after the new price change.

“Some (stations) do run out of fuel because people aren’t buying before the end of the month. But when the price goes down, everyone rushes to buy,” he said.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hasan Malek confirmed that dealers were seeing high losses.

Asked what the Government would do, he replied, “For the time being we’re seeing what’s happening, but we’re meeting with the oil companies and the dealers (about this).”

Fomca secretary-general Datuk Paul Selvaraj said the changes meant petrol stations had to deal with it, citing the global drop in crude oil prices.


SDAC-Ford improves online booking for service appointments

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, has expanded its online booking tool for managing and confirming service appointments in real-time via the Ford website.

The real-time e-Service appointment booking is currently available at seven authorised Ford Service Centres in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak – namely Ford Ara Damansara, Ford Petaling Jaya 2, Ford Juru, Ford Butterworth, Ford Kuching, Ford Kota Kinabalu and Ford Tawau.

“The expansion of the implementation for the real-time e-Service appointment booking will enable customers to immediately know the available vehicle service time slots at their chosen dealership,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

“In the months to come, we will be looking at fully establishing this real-time e-Service appointment booking throughout our network of over 40 dealerships nationwide.” added Muzri.

Booking a service appointment online is simple.

Customers would just need to visit www.sdacford.com.my and click the ‘Book a Service’ tab, where they would then need to select their vehicle model, choose the state in which they are located in, and select their preferred service centre from a drop-down list.

The available date and time slots will then be shown, and customers can schedule a service appointment up to one month in advance.

Customers will then be asked to fill in their name, contact details and vehicle registration number.

Once completed, a confirmation email of the appointment will be sent.

In addition to booking a service appointment online, customers can also schedule their service appointments by calling an authorised Ford Service Centre directly.

To book your real-time e-Service appointment booking for your Ford vehicle, visit www.sdacford.com.my/book-a-service-form


Sparks from static electricity may have ignited fumes

                PETALING JAYA: Static electricity or frequency from the mobile phone might have caused the explosion at a petrol station, causing a woman to suffer severe burns.

T. Sarishna, 23, suffered burns over 60% of her body after an explosive burst of flames engulfed her while she was in the back seat of her car which was being refuelled. She was using her mobile phone at the time. The incident occurred around 1.25pm on Tuesday in Taman Setapak Indah, Kuala Lumpur.

Petrol Dealers Association Malaysia president Datuk Hashim Othman said static electricity could cause sparks to occur and this could have led to a fire or explosion due to the fumes in the air.

“The same goes for a running car engine which might also emit sparks. This is why drivers should turn off their engines when refuelling, and smoking or lighting a fire is definitely a big no in the premises.

“We have been educating the public about the fire hazards but somehow, this is still happening,” he said.

Hashim said notices of things not to be done at petrol stations were put up beside or on every petrol dispensing machine but some people took no heed.

He also advised people to keep their car doors closed when fuelling to prevent the fumes from getting into the car. He said drivers should also make it a habit to remove their keys from the car ignition when they stepped out.

When asked when would be the right time to use a mobile phone after fuelling due to the tendency of fumes escaping into the car, he said that the fumes would usually be gone when the car started moving.

“If you want to answer a call or reply a messages, do it outside the petrol station,” he said, adding that children should also be taught in school about the hazards at a petrol station so that they could keep an eye on their parents.

A check by The Star with Hospital Kuala Lumpur, where Sarishna is currently being warded, revealed that she is still not out of danger. Hospital officials did not reveal any further information other than the fact her condition was "not stable" yet.

On Friday, a seven-year-old boy sustained severe burns on his face when he played with a lighter in the car while his mother was refuelling at a petrol station in Kelantan.

The Proton Wira burst into flames from within but his mother managed to pull him out of the car to safety.


Toyota doubles down on its hybrid bet in India

                BIDADI (India): Toyota is rebooting its strategy for India, doubling down on a bet that emerging markets will learn to love its hybrids, as long as the price is right.

Renowned for its pioneering Prius, the Japanese carmaker has struggled to sell large numbers of its hybrid Camry sedan since its Indian debut in 2013, partly due to a sticker price of more than eight times the annual income of a middle-class family.

This time, Toyota is determined to do it differently with lower-cost hybrids, said four company and industry executives and suppliers who provided previously unreported details about the carmaker's sourcing, production and pricing strategy.

Central to the strategy is a drive to cut the cost of full hybrid powertrains by making them in India, where the automaker's factories are running well below capacity, and to source key materials within the country.

Toyota Motor is also leveraging its cooperation with partner Suzuki Motor, majority owner of India's biggest carmaker Maruti, to benefit from its low-cost engineering know-how and mild hybrid technology.

"The hybrid bet is a turning point. It will be a litmus test for Toyota's future and success in India," said one person with direct knowledge of Toyota's plans.

A full hybrid can be driven for stretches on electric power whereas mild hybrid technology only supplements the combustion engine to help cut emissions. However, mild hybrids have smaller batteries and cost far less.

Toyota's Indian strategy is at odds with global rivals Volkswagen, General Motors and India's Tata Motors, which are rushing to roll out pure electric vehicles (EVs), and comes in the face of criticism from investors for sticking with fossil-fuel hybrids.

Hybrids are generally cheaper than EVs as they typically have smaller batteries and are not reliant on charging stations, important factors in markets such as India where customers are price sensitive and charging infrastructure can be patchy.

Toyota declined to share details about cost savings, future product launches, car pricing strategies or production plans for full or mild hybrid models in India.

The world's biggest automaker told Reuters it wanted more first-time buyers in India to own full hybrids as a first step towards mass electrification, and that it would continue to increase local sourcing and production to be competitive.

Learning to love mild

Toyota's first new hybrid to hit India's roads will be the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, a compact sports-utility vehicle (SUV) which two people with knowledge of the plan said is likely to be priced at around US$25,000 (RM112,125) - less than half the price of the Camry.

That would pit it against popular midsize combustion-engine SUVs made by Hyundai Motor and Kia Motor in a fast-growing segment that makes up 18% of car sales in India, the world's fourth-biggest auto market.

The full hybrid Hyryder, however, will be 31% more fuel efficient than the Hyundai and Kia diesel models, offering an economy of 28km per litre, a key metric for Indian buyers.

To bring down the cost of the Hyryder, which will be sold by Toyota and Suzuki, it will use a hybrid system originally developed for subcompact cars, or one size smaller, according to a Toyota engineer familiar with hybrid technology.

By combining the hybrid system with a low-cost chassis and some upper body parts from Suzuki, the end result is an SUV on a par with or slightly cheaper than the Prius sedan, which starts at US$25,000 in the United States.

"The high-cost complexity of hybrids is hard to overcome, but it's a good start," the Toyota source, who was not involved in the Hyryder's development, said.

Savings have also come from working with Suzuki on designing and developing the SUV, as well as leveraging the scale and pricing power with suppliers of Maruti, which produced eight of the 10 best-selling models in India in 2021.

Even so, there is a cost differential of US$3,400 (RM15,249) between Toyota's full hybrid and its comparable gasoline car in India, said another source, higher than the typical differential of about US$2,000 (RM8,970) for Toyota in most countries.

To boost sales in India's price-sensitive market, Toyota will also sell Hyryders with a mild hybrid powertrain supplied by Suzuki, a significant departure for Toyota, which has long championed full hybrids.

The shift is a recognition that Toyota has been unable to bring down the cost of full hybrids to the point where they can always compete on price in markets such as India, the people familiar with Toyota's planning said.

It also shows how Toyota is altering its strategy for different markets, depending on what buyers want and are willing to pay.

"As we come down the price points ... we hope to increase our numbers as well as our market share," said Vikram Kirloskar, vice chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the Japanese company's Indian unit.

Toyota's next hybrid for India will be a multi-purpose vehicle, or people-carrier, expected later this year or early in 2023, two sources said.

Building in Bidadi

Another factor affecting the Hyryder's price is taxation. India levies taxes of 43% on hybrids - on a par with gasoline or diesel SUVs and far higher than the 5% tax on EVs.

Toyota is lobbying to get the taxes reduced, sources said. The company said it wants New Delhi to provide support, including taxation, to all green technologies that help India achieve its goal of reducing fossil fuel and carbon emissions.

So far, the government has not shown any interest in extending its fiscal support beyond EVs.

Making hybrid powertrains in India aligns Toyota with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's drive to boost local manufacturing, especially at a time when major car companies such as Ford Motor have left the country.

It also comes as India tightens fuel efficiency and emission targets for carmakers. Selling hybrids will help Toyota meet its regulatory requirements as credits they earn will go towards offsetting the production of fossil-fuel vehicles.

At the Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts factory in Bidadi, an industrial town near Bengaluru in southern India, the Japanese automaker's new Indian strategy is already in motion.

A joint venture between Toyota, its parts affiliate Aisin Seiki Co and India's Kirloskar Systems, the plant is manufacturing E-Drives for the Toyota Hybrid System.

The E-Drive ensures seamless switching between the engine and electric motor, and shifting the manufacture of one of the hybrid system's four key components to India is a major move.

Toyota sees the Bidadi factory as a starting point for building a local supply chain for the EVs it will eventually bring to India.

"We now have the core technology, whether it's an electric vehicle or a hybrid," Kirloskar said.

'It's a huge bet'

The plant can make 135,000 E-Drives a year on one assembly line and could raise that to over 400,000 by adding two more.

About 55% of raw materials by value for the E-Drives come from India, two sources said. Capital equipment, such as tools and dies, are also made there, though rare earth magnets for the motors and some other components are imported.

The cost savings on the made-in-India E-Drives are expected to be in the "double-digits" in percentage terms compared with imported systems, one source said.

Toyota will also export them back to Japan for hybrid cars built there, as well as to countries in South-East Asia.

"India is one of the lowest cost bases for these parts. We are competitive on this," Kirloskar said, adding that he expected about 40% to 50% to be exported, though that could change depending on local demand.

Of the three other main hybrid components, Toyota already makes engines in India but the 1.8 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion batteries and power control units will be imported for now.

Toyota is making the Hyryder at its under-used and revamped plant in Bidadi, which has an annual capacity of 200,000 cars.

More than 50% of Hyryder pre-orders are for the full hybrid, though people aware of Toyota's production plans say this could settle at 30% to 40% with the cheaper, mild hybrid becoming more popular in India - where most cars sell for under US$15,000 (RM67,275).

"Once numbers pick up, the cost will come to a point where hybrids will become mainstream. This will lay the ground for an eventual switch to fully electric or fuel cell vehicles," said one person familiar with Toyota's plans.

"It's a huge bet but we know electrification is the future."


US auto agency will not allow EV owners to pick alert sounds

                WASHINGTON: US auto safety regulators on Tuesday scrapped a 2019 proposal that would have allowed automakers to offer a variety of sound choices for electric vehicles and other "quiet cars."

Electric vehicles are often harder to hear at lower speeds than gasoline-powered engines. Under rules mandated by the US Congress and finalised by NHTSA, automakers must add sounds to hybrid and electric vehicles when travelling at speeds of up to 30kph to help prevent injuries among pedestrians, cyclists and the blind.

NHTSA in 2019 proposed allowing automakers to install a number of driver-selectable pedestrian alert sounds in "quiet cars."

The agency said Tuesday the proposal "is not being adopted because of a lack of supporting data. ... Removing this restriction would allow manufacturers to make more obscure sounds that only appeal to a small minority of (hybrid electric) owners."

At higher speeds, tyre noise, wind resistance and other factors eliminate the need for a separate alert sound, NHTSA says.

Tesla in February recalled 578,607 US vehicles because pedestrians may not be able to hear required warning sounds of an approaching car due to loud music or other sounds played by its "Boombox" feature.

Tesla said the "Boombox function" allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion and might obscure required Pedestrian Warning System sounds.

NHTSA projected the alerts would prevent 2,400 injuries annually by 2020 and cost the auto industry about US$40 million annually because automakers needed to add an external waterproof speaker to comply.

The benefits of reduced injuries are estimated at US$250 million to US$320 million annually.

The agency estimates the odds of a hybrid vehicle being involved in a pedestrian crash are 19% higher than with a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle.

Last year, the number of pedestrians killed jumped 13% to 7,342, the highest number since 1981.

The number cyclists killed rose 5% to 985, the highest number since at least 1975.


BYD launches Dolphin as one of world's most affordable electric cars

                MADRID: Chinese manufacturer BYD has opened the order books for the compact Dolphin, billed as one of the most affordable EVs on the market.

With many would-be electric car buyers lamenting that pure electrics are too expensive, BYD - which stands for "Build Your Dreams" - is targeting the global mass market with an attractive entry price in Europe of €30,990 (RM158,000).

The rather bland-looking five-seater Dolphin features a 44.9 kWh battery and measures a Golf-sized 4.30 metres from bumper to bumper. It can manage up to 340km between charges, the manufacturer announced at the presentation in Madrid. The car debuts later this year.

The front-mounted 70 kW/95hp electric motor gives the Dolphin a top speed of up to 150kph. This makes it less powerful than many city hatchbacks and the Dolphin takes a leisurely 12.3 seconds to reach 100kph.

The battery can be charged at a regular charging point (AC) with 11 kW and takes 29 minutes to charge up from 30% to 80% at a ultra-fast charging station, said BYD.

The maker said the car uses its patented Blade battery, a cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) version which "offers a considerably higher level of safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries."

BYD can also supply an uprated 66.4 kWh battery and motors with 130 kW/177 hp or 150 kW/204 hp which pushes up the range to 427km and the top speed to 160kph.

The Dolphin comes with adaptive LED headlamps, heated side mirrors, 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels, a five-inch digital instrument cluster and synthetic leather seat upholstery.

Prominent inside is the 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay support. The EV also has keyless entry and start, automatic air-conditioning, a panoramic glass roof and a wireless phone charger.


2017 Honda Accord: Better value for the ringgit

                Among the popular Japanese executive D-segment flagship sedans in the country, the Honda Accord is well-known for its driving refinement, premium features, nice handling, as well as smooth and strong powertrain.

The Accord is among the reasons for the rapid growth of Honda Malaysia sales in recent years, resulting in the marque retaining the crown of the top selling non-national marque in the past two years.

Honda Malaysia likes to point out that the Accord is a favourite among Malaysians, with over 75,000 units on the road since its introduction in 2001 in the country.

To recap, the facelifted ninth-generation Accord was launched last September and is available in three variants.

On-the-road prices with insurance are RM144,800 (2.0 VTi); RM153,800 (2.0 VTi-L) and RM172,800 (2.4 VTi-L).

New Accord buyers would be delighted that the price of the 2.4-litre Accord is RM5,000 lower than the pre-facelift unit.

The facelifted Accord received a new front bumper design, stylish LED headlights for both front and rear, plus two-tone black and silver rims.

There is also an infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display unit (located between the central air-conditioning vents).

This system is Apple CarPlay compatible and Android Auto ready, and comes with hands-free telephone control with voice recognition and MirrorLink.

Above this touchscreen display is a Multi Information Display that shows data such as driving range, fuel consumption and audio track playing.

The facelifted Accord offers better value with more features; the entry-grade Accord 2.0 VTi variant gets smart entry, push-start ignition and cruise control while the best-selling mid-grade 2.0VTi-L variant is fitted with auto dim rearview mirror, auto wiper, and front power seats.

Regarding safety kit, all facelifted Accord variants get six airbags, rear seat ISOFIX points, vehicle stability assist (VSA) and hill start assist (HSA).

The top two Accord variants get a multi-angle rearview camera and Honda LaneWatch camera to reduce blind spots.

Equipment that is exclusive to the top-grade 2.4 VTi-L variant include LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, auto levelling headlights, paddle shifters, powered rear sunshade, premium audio system with subwoofer, active cornering lights and hydrophilic door mirrors for better vision while driving in rain.

Drive to Kuantan and Gambang

In order to showcase the best qualities of the facelifted Accord, Honda Malaysia recently organised a drive from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan and Gambang, Pahang for the motoring media.

We were paired with two other writers in a 2.4-litre Accord, and the 400km drive route to Pantai Chendor took us on a mix of small town roads and smooth highways including the Kuala Lumpur - Karak Expressway and East Coast Expressway.

The interior has a premium ambience with nice faux wood panels, black plastic surfaces and comfortable leather upholstery.

There are lots of storage spaces and sockets for electronic stuff, including four door bins, a centre storage bin with an arm rest for front occupants, and two cup holders with a rear centre arm rest.

You will also find ports for 1.0A USB, HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) and a 12V accessory power outlet in the centre storage bin.

Another 1.5A USB port is found on the centre console.

For those who need a nicotine fix, the Accord still comes with a traditional cigarette lighter socket and removable ash containers in the rear door bins.

Our test drive unit also came with Modulo accessories such as a removable boot tray which would be useful for wet clothing or market produce, a boot drawer (rated for 3kg maximum) and side step illumination.

Rear air-conditioning vents help to cool occupants, and 1.7-metre adults will find rear headroom to be adequate.

There’s plenty of rear leg room, befitting a premium executive D-segment sedan.

When driving on roads clogged with heavy vehicles, the 2.4-litre Accord provides plenty of punch and strong overtaking performance.

The 2.0-litre Accord was no slouch either in the power department during high-speed highway runs.

Handling is excellent, and the Accord felt very planted when we took it on a curvy and winding route on Jalan Tras near the durian orchards around Kampung Baru Sang Lee, Bentong.

It also helped that our 2.4-litre Accord was running on grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres sized 235/45 R18.

The Accord’s cabin is also a quiet place with low levels of road, wind and engine noise intrusion, even at the redline when we floored the throttle.

In summary, the facelifted Accord has more lavish equipment than ever.

This makes a great choice for those who enjoy large D-segment executive sedans with high refinement, nice handling, and slick powertrains.

Honda Accord 2.0 VTi (price RM144,800)

- 155ps/190Nm engine
- Front and rear disc brakes
- 225/50 R17 tyres
- Halogen headlights
- Automatic headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- LED front fog lights and tail lights
- Smart entry with Push-start button
- Cruise Control
- Multi-information display with colour
- Dual-zone air-conditioning
- Rear air-con vents
- Black fabric upholstery
- 7-inch touchscreen with MP3/IPod, USB, HDMI features
- 6 speakers
- Six airbags
- Rear ISOFIX points
- Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Electronic brake distribution (EBD)
- Hill start assist (HSA)
- Front and rear parking sensors

Honda Accord 2.0 VTi-L (price RM153,800)

- Automatic wipers
- Auto dim rear view mirror
- Black leather upholstery
- 8-way powered driver seat with lumbar support
- 4-way passenger power seat
- Rear side door sunshade
- Multi-angle rear view camera
- Honda Lanewatch camera

Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L (price RM172,800)

- 175ps/225Nm engine
- 235/45 R18 tyres
- LED headlights
- Auto levelling headlights
- Paddle shifters
- Powered rear sunshade
- Premium audio system with subwoofer
- Active cornering lights
- Hydrophilic door mirrors

Honda Accord 2.0 VTi-L (gallery)Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L (gallery)


BMW Motorrad expands ABS Pro range

                MUNICH: BMW Motorrad is quickly rolling out the availability of ABS Pro as a retrofit option to more models.

From October, ABS Pro will be available as a retrofit option for the S 1000 RR (model years 2012 to 2014).

Respective solutions for the Double R model years 2015 and 2016 are in the pipeline. The retrofittable ABS Pro of the S 1000 RR from model year 2015 will also include the “Race” riding mode.

The slip threshold and brake pressure gradient have been set at a higher level for use on roads with high friction coefficients compared to the “Rain” and “Sport” modes.

The ABS Pro function was engineered for use on public roads, where unexpected dangers can always potentially lie in waiting.

The system provides more safety when braking while cornering. Here the system prevents the wheels from blocking even when the brakes are applied quickly in a banking position; this reduces abrupt changes in steering force on shock-braking manoeuvres and stops the motorcycle from rearing up unintentionally.

ABS Pro as a retrofit option was introduced for the HP4 in October 2014. In June, ABS Pro entered series production in the S 1000 XR as optional equipment ex works. Since August, ABS Pro has been available for the R 1200 GS and R 1200 GS Adventure (optional equipment ex works or retrofit option) as well as the K 1600 GT/GTL (standard equipment).


Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE hybrid unveiled

                AFFALTERBACH: Mercedes-AMG has premiered its first performance hybrid - Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE - which draws on technologies from Formula 1 and expected to enter production soon.

The concept includes a distinctive drive layout with electric motor and battery on the rear axle as well as a high-performance battery developed in-house.

Its combination of 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine and electric motor generates a system output of 620kW (843hp) and a maximum system torque of more than 1,400Nm.

The electric drive's immediate response at the rear axle, rapid torque build-up and improved weight distribution make for a new, highly dynamic driving experience.

As in Formula 1, the battery is specifically designed for fast power delivery and draw, offering an an all-eelectric range of 12km for a practical operating radius in the city or in residential areas.

Featuring AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution and Drift Mode with AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission, the GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE also promises a consumption: 8.6 l/100km.

Mercedes-AMG is breaking new ground in communication on electrification together with brand ambassador will.i.am to collaborate on a new marketing campaign "Everything but quiet".

The GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE gets an expressive design with a low front section, muscular body, squat greenhouse and dynamic fastback highlights the sporty genes of the four-door coupé.

A striking feature is the characteristic front apron, which is based on the design of the two-door AMG GT.

The rear apron comes with integrated plug-in charging flap and the model designation highlighted in red.

With the hybrid, AMG is also introducing externally fluted trapezoidal twin exhaust tailpipes.

As the new flagship of the model series, the GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE is extensively equipped, receiving all the upgrades of the latest model facelift, such as the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension with new damping system.

Also on board as standard are the adapted AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system and the MBUX multimedia system with special hybrid displays.

In the instrument cluster, the driver can read the electric range, the power consumption, the output and torque of the electric motor and the temperatures of the battery and electric motor.

High-quality graphics on the multimedia display visualise the power flow of the entire drive system, rpm, output, torque and temperature of the electric motor, as well as the temperature of the battery.

The GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE's 150kW (204hp) electric motor is positioned at the rear axle, where it is integrated with an electrically shifted two-speed gearbox and the electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential in a compact electric drive unit (EDU).

All-electric driving is possible electric from standstill up to 130kph.

Its AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes are "Electric", "Comfort", "Sport", "Sport+", "RACE", "Slippery" and "Individual"

In keeping with the extreme power values and the associated performance, the AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system with bronze-coloured 6-piston fixed callipers at the front and 1-piston floating callipers at the rear is fitted as standard.


First Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation car begins to come alive

                LONDON: The first Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation car – part of the forthcoming Aston Martin DBZ Centenary Collection – is beginning to take shape.

The meticulous construction process is being undertaken at Aston Martin’s globally renowned Heritage Division headquarters in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.

Now the largest, best equipped and most knowledgeable Aston Martin restoration centre in the world, the invaluable and highly specialist skills nurtured at Aston Martin Works are perfectly suited to the brand’s celebrated Continuation projects.

Built to race against the might of Ferrari in the 1960s, the DB4 GT Zagato was a thoroughbred machine.

Evolved for the rigours of motor racing and blessed with a rare and incontestable beauty, just 19 were built.

Drawing on the unrivalled knowledge and expertise of the team at Aston Martin Works the 2019 DB4 GT Zagato Continuations are to be meticulously crafted, staying true to those original Zagato-bodied DB4 GTs produced by Aston Martin and Zagato in the 1960s.

Each of the 19 DB4 GT Zagato Continuation cars is being built at Aston Martin Works to the highest possible quality using a blend of Sir David Brown-era old world craftsmanship, with the sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements.

A digital body buck has, for instance, been created to allow Aston Martin engineers to examine minute details of the forthcoming Continuation cars in ways that were, clearly, unavailable to the original cars’ makers.

Yet the hand-finished body panels of the new cars, each worked from flat sheets of 1.2mm-thick aluminium and representing hundreds of hours of world-class craftsmanship, are created using techniques that were commonplace almost 60 years ago.

Originally built as an evolution of the short-chassis DB4 GT, the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation follows the same recipe, with those thin-gauge aluminium body panels dressing a lightweight tubular frame in a chassis optimised for track work.

Beneath the Continuation cars’ bonnet will sit a version of the celebrated Tadek Marek-designed straight-six cylinder engine with two spark plugs per cylinder, transmitting its circa 380 bhp to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential, for an authentic and unforgettable driving experience.

This latest continuation car follows the success of the 25 DB4 GT Continuation models that sold to enthusiast collectors in 2017 and precedes what will perhaps be the most ambitious continuation to date: the Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition cars that will come to market in 2020.

“We are bringing all of our hand-craftsmanship and expertise to bear in building these nineteen Continuation cars, sympathetically incorporating the very latest engineering advancements and performance enhancements, but remaining true to the purity and authenticity of the original design," said Aston Martin Works president Paul Spires.

“Paired with the new beauty that is the stunning DBS GT Zagato, the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation cars that are being handcrafted here at Aston Martin Works are a unique and fitting celebration of the brand’s 60-year love affair with this unmatched Italian automotive style icon,” he added.

The DBZ Century Collection will be priced at £6m including taxes.

First deliveries to customers will commence in the third quatre of 2019 for the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation and in the fourth quatre of 2020 for the DBS GT Zagato.


Meet Subaru's Barkleys in 'Dog Tested. Dog Approved'

                WASHINGTON: With the coming of the Dog Year for the upcoming Chinese New Year, Subaru of America has launched four of its "Dog Tested. Dog Approved." advertising campaign.

The four 30-second clips include Car Wash, Drop Off, Driving Lesson and Drive Away, and showcases the Barkleys - a family of Labrador and Golden Retrievers, which recently helped to launch the Subaru Ascent.

The television spots, created by Carmichael Lynch on behalf of the Japanese carmaker, aired during the 24th annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, where the latest seven / eight-seater Ascent sport utility vehicle - the Tribeca's replacement, was seen on the red carpet.

The Japanese carmaker also marked its 14th consecutive year as a proud sponsor and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

“With more than half of Subaru drivers having pets, we believe it is important to celebrate the love of pets shared by our owners,” said Subaru of America senior vice president of marketing Alan Bethke.

n addition to the creative spots, Subaru is partnering with BuzzFeed and Funny or Die on custom content that will highlight #MakeADogsDay later in the campaign flight.

The custom content will include short-form videos created specifically for social platforms to engage with an audience that has an affinity towards pets.

To round out the campaign and extend the celebration of pets, Subaru of America will also be sponsoring this year’s PUPPY BOWL XIV on Animal Planet, marking its eighth year as the event’s Official Auto Sponsor, and airs Feb 4.

“Pets are considered members of our Subaru family and utilizing the Barkleys in our campaigns allows us to connect with our customers in an authentic, fun, and entertaining way,” added Bethke.


Musk suggests Tesla has 250,000 orders for Cybertruck

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc has received 250,000 orders for its electric pickup truck unveiled five days ago, chief executive officer Elon Musk suggested in a tweet on Tuesday.

Musk has been promoting the Cybertruck on Twitter and cryptically tweeting out updates to the number of orders the company has received since the launch late Thursday.

After more than 50 interaction on Twitter since the launch, he tweeted “250k” on Tuesday night in an apparent reference to the number of orders.

The company did not immediately confirm the figure after regular market hours.

Tesla opened preorders immediately after the unveiling and allowed potential buyers to book the truck by depositing a fully refundable US$100, compared with the US$1,000 it charged for booking Model 3 sedans in 2016.

Not all orders translate into sales as many are likely eventually to be cancelled and money refunded to depositors. Tesla plans to start manufacturing the truck around late-2021.

The electric carmaker received 325,000 orders for the Model 3 in the first week of bookings three years ago, and the Cybertruck could rival that figure with two days still to go for its first week of preorders.

The truck, made of stainless steel used in rockets and priced at US$39,900 and above, failed to impress Wall Street last week after its “armoured glass” windows shattered in a launch demonstration and analysts argued the design would not have mass appeal.


New BMW X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition debut

                MUNICH: BMW M has unveiled the new X3 M Competition sports activity vehicle and X4 M Competition sports utility coupe that promise higher levels of raw performance and exhilarating driving thrills.

Strutting bold new appearances with purposeful M specific bodystyling, both vehicles feature the most powerful BMW in-line 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine.

Delivering 510hp and 650Nm of torque, both the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 3.8 seconds – an improvement of 0.3 seconds compared to their predecessors and putting them on a par with high-performance sports cars.

The top speed is electronically limited at 250kph but can be bumped up to 290kph with the optional M Driver’s Package.

The in-line six-cylinder engine now also features the forged lightweight crankshaft of the M3 and M4 models that comes with highly durable and low weight whose reduced rotating masses also benefit revving power.

It also gets a racetrack-proven cooling system designed to enable an exceptionally high level of output and includes two laterally positioned radiators in addition to the central one.

There is also an additional engine-oil cooler and a separate transmission-oil cooler.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via an 8‑speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic.

In addition to fully automatic gear changes, it also enables manual shifting with sequential selection of the drive position.

The M xDrive all-wheel drive system also contributes to the agility, combining the traction benefits of power transmission to all four wheels with the proven dynamic qualities of classic rear-wheel drive.

The electronically controlled M xDrive – which is networked with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system – will only direct part of the drive torque to the front axle when the rear wheels reach the limits of their power transmission capabilities.

At the touch of a button, the driver can dictate not only how the driving stability control works but also the distribution of drive torque between the front and rear wheels.

The standard adaptive M suspension with specific set-up and electronically controlled dampers ensure both a high level of day-to-day comfort and extremely direct road contact, with limited wheel and body movement.

The damping forces are ideally suited to cope with every situation on the road and set individually for each wheel at continuously varying levels by interior electromagnetically controlled valves.

The electromechanical M Servotronic steering and DSC also contribute to the typical M driving experience where M Dynamic Mode allows additional wheel slip to generate the self-steering response that is typical of M, enabling controlled drift manoeuvres when used on the race track.

The highly efficient standard M compound brake system comes with M logo and are finished in blue as standard or in high-gloss black or red on request.

Alloy wheels are the 21-inch type with mixed tyres in 255/40 ZR21 at the front and 265/40 ZR21 at the rear.

Both vehicles also get the enlarged BMW kidney grille with a one-piece frame and headlights that are around 10mm flatter.

A black bar which houses the front-facing iCam lens provides visual separation of the BMW kidney grille, the frame of which is also finished in high-gloss black, as are the M double kidney bars.

The radiator grille also features a vehicle-specific logo: X3 M or X4 M.

In addition to the standard adaptive LED headlights with Matrix function, BMW Laser Light with a range of up to 650m is now also available as an optional extra.

The X3 M Competition gets the full LED rear lights of the refreshed X3 with a black surround and narrower illuminated graphics.

The lower section of the rear apron is M specific and finished in high-gloss black while the large diffuser is flanked by the tailpipe pairs of the M sports exhaust system, which are finished in black chrome.

Meanwhile, the X4 M Competition's rear apron features a wide insert in the shape of a large anvil.

Like the lateral air‑curtain‑panels, which also accommodate the new vertical reflectors, this is finished in high-gloss black.

The two pairs of tailpipes in black chrome also frame the diffuser on the X4 M Competition.

Inside, both vehicles feature M Sport seats with electrically adjustable headrests and illuminated M logo as standard.

Extended Merino leather upholstery is offered in three colour combinations – Black, Sakhir Orange or Adelaide Grey.

The air vents have new galvanised trim and the interior trims are now finished in carbon fibre as standard.

The M leather multifunction steering wheel features contrast stitching in the BMW M colours and an open 6 o'clock spoke.

Standard are a Harman Kardon surround sound system and BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Connected Drive featuring intelligent networking including innovative digital services based on BMW Operating System 7 – such as BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, Connected Music and Remote Software Upgrade.

Their optimised smartphone integration now allows Android Auto to be used with the vehicle’s operating system, in addition to Apple CarPlay.

In addition to the Driving Assistant, the Driving Assistant Professional is available as an option for the first time.

It includes Active Cruise Control with improved functionality in the city, intersection warning with additional city braking function, emergency lane assistant and the improved steering/lane guidance assistant.

The 3D environment visualisation in the instrument cluster provides an overview of which Driving Assistant Professional assistance systems are activated and what functions they offer.


Suzuki Motor says it will buy back VW stake as court settles feud

                TOKYO: Suzuki Motor Corp has announced it will buy back the 19.9 percent stake it sold to Volkswagen AG after an international arbitration court settled a dispute between the automakers over their failed partnership.

Suzuki filed for international arbitration in November 2011, after Volkswagen refused to sell back the shares in Suzuki it acquired in January 2010 for 1.7 billion euros (RM8bil).

The stake was worth some US$3.8bil (RM16bil) at Friday's closing price.

Both companies said they welcomed the clarity offered by the ruling from the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, which partially upheld the German company's counterclaims of breach of contract.

"It used to feel as if a small bone were stuck in my throat," Suzuki chairman and chief executive Osamu Suzuki told a news conference. "I feel so refreshed now."

Suzuki said it foresees no impact on its full-year earnings.

VW said in a statement it would not know the impact on its balance sheet or profits until it has coordinated the sale of the Suzuki shares. "We have already retained an investment bank and will in the next few days consult with the bank and our lawyers over the next steps to be taken."

Suzuki said it expects to buy back its shares at a "reasonable" price, though it did not specify what that price would be.

The two carmakers agreed to tie up in December 2009, pledging to cooperate on technology such as hybrid and electric cars and on expanding in emerging economies.

But the union soured as Suzuki accused VW of withholding hybrid technology it promised to share. VW, in turn, objected to Suzuki's purchase of diesel engines from Fiat.


Nissan Almera Turbo priced from RM80K to RM92K

                KUALA LUMPUR: Prices of the new Nissan Almera Turbo have been revealed today.

The B-segment sedan is offered in three variants, starting with the VL at RM79,906, the VLP at RM85,715 and the VLT at RM91,310.

A 5-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty comes standard on all Almera Turbo variants, along with free 5 times alternating maintenance service (parts and labour included) within 5 years.

Nissan distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor has set up a microsite to highlight the virtues of the Almera Turbo, and is also offering an  opportunity to win Apple iPhones for visitors who test-drive the car. For those who decide to buy and register the car, they may stand a chance to win prizes worth up to RM88,888 in the Buy & Win Contest. Both contests are valid from November to December 2020.

All variants are equipped with a 1.0 litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 100PS (99hp) and 152Nm of torque from 2,400rpm to 4,000 rpm. Fuel efficiency is rated at 5.4L/100km. All variants are paired with an X-TRONIC CVT.

Six colour choices are available: Radiant Red, Monarch Orange, Dark Metal Grey, Brilliant White, Diamond Black and Tungsten Silver.

READ MORE:
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UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge returns

                PETALING JAYA: UD Trucks and its sole distributor and partner in Malaysia, Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd (TCIE), recently kicked-off the annual UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) in search of the ultimate Malaysian truck driver capable of embodying smart logistics for today’s trucking world.

The UDEMC, organised for the fourth consecutive year in Malaysia, is a friendly, educational and motivational truck drivers’ competition that aims to increase skills and competency through training, theory and practical tests.

Throughout the competition, each driver has a chance to demonstrate his skills, knowledge and professionalism through a series of tests.

The three key test areas are pre-drive inspection on truck condition, fuel efficiency and safety driving, and maneuvering and parking skills.

The key purpose of the competition structure is to simulate a general transportation cycle and to visualize profitable operation through avoiding downtime, maintaining low-cost operation, preventing accidents and ensuring shorter trip time through efficient driving.

“Smart logistics, supported by smart transportation means there is efficiency, profitability, sustainability and safety in the moving of goods and these should co-exist in harmony with the environment and society.

"Central to this is the ultimate truck driver who is the enabler and who can best symbolise the spirit of this competition,” said Steve Hedouin, Managing Director, UD Trucks Hub Malaysia.


Toyota to produce electric car powered by BYD batteries in China

                BEIJING: Toyota Motor Corp announced on Monday the launch of a small electric sedan, which will be powered by BYD Co batteries and will be produced and sold in China.

The Japanese automaker said the car would be called the Toyota bZ3. It did not say when the vehicle will be available in showrooms.

It is the second model in the new Beyond Zero (bZ) series of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from Toyota, which has been criticised by activists and green investors for not embracing BEVs quickly enough.

Toyota had planned to unveil the bZ3, which uses BYD's less bulky Blade batteries, at the Beijing auto show in April, but the event was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, said people familiar with the matter.

The bZ3 was developed jointly by Toyota and BYD, Toyota said on Monday. It is a 5-seat sedan with a range of 600km.

READ MORE: Toyota bZ3 highlights


Audi names VW strategy chief Doellner as new CEO

Doellner replaces Duesmann as Audi chief from September.
FRANKFURT: Audi named Volkswagen's strategy chief as its new CEO on Thursday, as the luxury carmaker seeks to catch up with rivals in the dash towards electrification, including in China, the world's top car market.

Gernot Doellner, who replaces Markus Duesmann, will become CEO with effect from September, Audi said, after the luxury automaker's supervisory board passed a resolution on Thursday. Duesmann will step down from his position on Sept 1.

"I'm honoured and excited to be taking on this new role. Audi is a fantastic company with a rich history," Doellner, Volkswagen's strategy chief since 2021, said.

"I look forward to shaping the company's future together with the entire team at Audi."

Döllner holds a degree in mechanical engineering. He joined Volkswagen as a Ph.D. candidate in 1993 and subsequently served in a number of management roles at Porsche AG, including as head of Concept Development and head of the Panamera Series.

Since 2021, he has overseen the Volkswagen Group’s Product and Group Strategy and the General Secretariat.

 Duesmann.


Toyota Vios Challenge 2018 race series (Kuala Terengganu) - Qualifying: Diana Danielle first female to take pole position

                KUALA TERENGGANU: As the second season of the Toyota Vios Race Series readies itself for the opening race, all eyes will be glued on pole sitter Diana Danielle who becomes the first female to take pole position while Shawn Lee (Sporting Class) and Kenny Lee (Super Sporting Class) prepare themselves to hold off the competition.
The race series is being held at this year's Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival in Kuala Terengganu (Day 1 and Day 2) on a 1.65km-long Gong Badak Circuit for 22 laps that will abuse the race car's left tyres from the street circuit's eight right-handers out of 11 turns.

The Promotional Class will be the season opening race with local celebrity Diana Danielle leading the pack as the race series' first female pole-sitter after clinching the fastest time of 1min 18.584sec.

Nabil Ahmad is just less than two-tenths of a second away in second position with a time of 1min 18.733sec, followed by Nabila Razali in third qualifying in third with a time of 1min 19.381sec.

The second race session of the day goes to the Sporting Class with local celebrity Shawn Lee leading the pack in pole position after posting the fastest time of 1min 16.209sec in his class.

Shawn, who was last year's Promotional Class champion, was promoted - along with Shukri Yahya, to the more competitive Sporting Class and also happens to currently trail the pole-sitter with the second fastest time of 1min 16.261sec.

Both racers sit ahead of last season's runner-up Brendon Lim Boon Yew who qualified in third with a time of 1min 16.464sec.
Newcomers to the Sporting Class, 14-year old teammates Hayden Haikal and Oscar Ng collectively sit in ninth position on the grid after Hayden posted their fastest time of 1min 17.54sec.

The third and last race of the day will be the highly experienced and competitive Super Sporting Class which sees last year's season champion Tengku Djan Ley participating from round two of the season onwards.

It would be season repeaters Kenny Lee Wan Yuen who managed to post the fastest time of 1min 15.62sec, followed closely by William Ho in second place (1min 15.975sec) and Keifli Othman in third (1min 16.418sec).


Ferrari Roma driven into compromising position

                PETALING JAYA: It's gotta be painful watching such a beautiful car as the Ferrari Roma get stuck in a narrow alleyway.

That's what happened in this video posted up by SupercarNews on YouTube, which showed a silver Roma wedged in somewhere in Italy, known for many of its small streets.

While everyone of us is not above making stupid mistakes when driving, this situation counts as a big one. And a very expensive one at that.

The scratch marks and possible dents on either side of the car will cost thousands of dollars and weeks in the workshop to fix.

Obviously, the driver of this car had a "width perception" problem in thinking his car could squeeze into this lane. At over 1.9m wide, the Roma is as wide as a 488 Pista. An observant driver would have noticed the tiled surfaces of the road led increasingly towards the walls on each side.

Unfortunately, the 51-second video clip, which has attracted over 670,000 views two days after being uploaded, has left its audience hanging. No word on the Roma's fate.

But one would think the only way to extricate the Roma would be to reverse the car with some force - scratch marks be damned. The driver will just have to bite the bullet and pay for the damage to the car.


Bye, bye i3: BMW to halt production of iconic electric car

The BMW i3 made its debut as a concept at the 2011 IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt. — dpa

MUNICH: It may seem like an odd time to kill off a futuristic small electric car but that is exactly what premium maker BMW plans to do this summer.

The last plug-in BMW i3 will roll off the production line in the Germany city of Leipzig in June, by which time around 250,000 models will have been sold.

The iconic car with its narrow body on skinny tyres was originally meant to remain in the range until 2024 but according to German industry publication Automobilwoche, the decision to halt production sooner was taken last year.

It seems the runabout must make way for a new electric car in the range, one which will launch first in China carrying the i3 badge. Leipzig also wants to make room to assemble the new MINI Countryman, which will be available in pure-electric, plug-in and in combustion-engined form.

The high-roof i3 hatchback was new territory for BMW, an electric runabout with a radical upright design and expensive carbon-fibre parts designed to compensate for the weight of the batteries.

The i3 made its debut as a concept at the 2011 IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt Germany, where it was used to shuttle journalists around the showground.

They were impressed by the silent running and the use of unusual and sustainable interior materials such as hemp mixed with plastic for the door panels. Leather, now taboo in sustainable new rides, was still an option, albeit tanned in a green way by using olive-leaf extract. The fascia was fashioned from environmentally-refined wood from certified cultivation in Europe.

The i3 used a new power-train with a 130-kilowatt (170-horsepower) electric motor running on lithium-ion batteries. A later range-extended model used a twin-cylinder petrol engine from a scooter.

The combustion engine only charged the battery and did not power the wheels directly. Some owners complained that the range-extended i3 still ran out of steam in hilly terrain and the solution was always a compromise.

The i3 was once one of the world's best-selling electric cars but development proved very costly. Rumour has it that the huge expense prompted BMW to drop out of Formula One racing.

The carbon parts proved defective and BMW invested huge sums in getting things right. The car had a good safety rating but the carbon-fibre-reinforced bodywork was vulnerable in crashes and it was a pain to fix, especially if the floor-mounted batteries were damaged.

Despite its unconventional looks, the i3 was popular in Germany and some owners swear by them. Many were bought by car-sharing companies and are still in the fleet.

Michael Specht from Hamburg told the Autobild  that his i3 bought in 2014 was "the best car I ever bought". He has covered around 100,000km since then

Specht calls the runabout a "iPhone 1 on wheels", a reference to its pioneering status but modest range by modern electric car standards. The i3 can manage 120km between charges in electric mode when temperatures are warm and around 90km in winter.

The BMW i3 also needs some tender loving care if it is to last well and Specht charges his example slowly to ensure battery longevity.

A recent workshop check revealed that 85 per cent of the original battery capacity was still available. Specht turned down a chance to renew the cells in 2016. BMW wanted 9,000 euros for the job.

The i3 certainly boosted BMW's green credentials at a time when many other makers looked down their noses at electric cars.

BMW even used 700 used batteries taken from refitted i3s to create an electric storage farm at the Leipzig plant in 2017. This permitted the automaker to offset the intermittent nature of wind power by linking it to the local power grid.


Boxy Renault 4 hits 60 with all-year birthday bash

                PARIS: The friendly little Renault 4L hatchback is one of the best-selling cars ever made, and the French maker is celebrating the model's 60th birthday throughout the year.

Renault has promised a full programme of events on its social media channels and in real-time starting in February. Further celebrations will be announced during the year.

More than eight million of the robust Gallic runabout were sold across 100 countries over the course of more than 30 years. The 4L was also assembled in 27 countries outside France, including Australia, South Africa and the Philippines.

Renault's first front-wheel drive car was easy to drive and maintain and universally affordable. It had a simple dashboard and sliding windows, but the boxy, full-width body offered more space inside than the rival 2CV from Citroen.

Key birthday events include a showcase of heritage models and displays at L’Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Also on show will be the "Parisienne" version of the 4L with its quirky wicker pattern on the bodywork.

Often seen in movies, the 4L will star at the 74th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival (July 6-17) and appear in its own series of short films highlighting the roofless Plein Air version first made for the army and the 4L Fourgonette van, among others.


New Ducati flagship showroom opens

                PETALING JAYA: Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Ducati motorcycles in Malaysia, has officially opened the second largest flagship showroom in Southeast Asia.

“As every Ducati model is designed to exude its own aura and character, we want Ducatistis to be able to have a 360-degree holistic Ducati experience,” said Naza Corporation Holdings deputy group CEO (Automotive Group) Datuk Nik Hamdam Nik Hassan.

Relocated to the entrance of Naza Automall, the iconic red and white colours of the Ducati PJ Showroom can be seen from the Federal Highway and is now open to visitors.

The showroom's opening hours are from 9.00am to 6.00pm from Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00 pm on Saturday and 10.00am to 5.00pm on Sunday.

The Service centre operates from 9.00am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday.

The new RM1.5mil showroom has a built-up area of 16,339 square feet and possesses the Italian motorcycle brand's latest corporate identity.

Within it lies a 5,009 square feet service centre that has eight service bays allowing it to accommodate up to 450 bikes per month.

The showroom has an experiential section with Ducati Apparel Tech and Ducati Accessories as well as a dedicated Scrambler Camp complete with its own Apparel Tech and Accessories areas.

There, visitors can choose from a wide range of ride protection gear such as helmets, jackets, boots and other official Ducati and Scrambler merchandise.

While waiting for a motorcycle to be serviced, patrons are able to relax in the state-of-the-art facility's comfortable waiting area.

Visitors are also able to peruse the brand's offerings which include the Panigale V4 S, 916 Anniversario, Monster 821, Hypermotard 950, Diavel 1260 S and Scrambler models.

“Apart from the opening of the new Ducati PJ flagship, there are expansion plans to elevate the Ducati brand nationwide. This also includes a new dealership in the Southern region by the second half of the year,” added Hamdan.

MotoGP riders Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci were also present at the event after preliminary tests in preparation for the upcoming start to the 2020 MotoGP World Championship season in Qatar on Mar 8.


3M launches Diamond Grade reflective stickers

                SHAH ALAM: 3M Malaysia launched its Diamond Grade (DG3) conspicuity marking following the Road Transport Department's (JPJ) recent announcement that lorry marking reflective stickers are now mandatory for all commercial vehicles.

The stickers are currently available for purchase from 3M authorised distributors and their dealers and by January, 2017, they will also be available at major Puspakom centres nationwide and will be priced per set from RM60 to RM70 (depending on size).

 From left - Lim and Syakir during the launch of their 3M Diamond Grade (DG3) conspicuity marking.

However, the price can be lowered for bulk purchases, according to 3M Malaysia country business leader for safety and graphic business group GT Lim.

The announcement is part of an on-going effort in reducing road accidents involving commercial vehicles and as of January 1, 2017, all commercial vehicles must use SIRIM-certified lorry marking reflective stickers that are in compliance with the Malaysian Standard (MS 828:2011).

To date, Tiong Nam Logistics Holding - a major total logistics service provider, has pledged its entire fleet of more than 2,000 commercial vehicles to be fully-equipped with JPJ-compliant reflector stickers.

"According to JPJ, commercial vehicles must place the stickers at the bottom corners of the rear by January 1 next year", said 3M Malaysia senior application engineer Muhammad Syakir Mahi Din.

The 3M Diamond Grade (DG3) conspicuity marking features a full-cube technology with efficient optics to provide brighter markings for road users as compared to non-compliant stickers.

The vehicle conspicuity markings are available in strong, rigid and durable construction for easy adhesion on both smooth and even surfaces.

Syakir also added that there are fake 3M products that offer less than adequate performance when compared, which comes in smaller sizes, have the the Sirim logo printed on the stickers and quickly wear-out within a few months.

Real (top) vs fake 3M reflective stickersReal (top) vs fake 3M reflective stickers

He added that the proper 3M reflective stickers are larger, perform more brightly, last longer and also displays a sticker from Sirim instead.

"We are confident that the new standard will be adhered with the assistance of strict enforcement from the local authorities such as JPJ and Puspakom," said Lim.

Real (top) vs fake 3M reflective stickers  Real (top) vs fake 3M reflective stickers


Aston Martin DB11 unveiled at new showroom

KUALA LUMPUR: Excitement is in the air for Aston Martin and its Malaysian distributor, Wearnes as it showcased a new showroom and also, the DB11, the car James Bond drove in the film, Spectre.The DB11 goes on sale at a price of RM2mil.Built upon a new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure, DB11 is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in Aston Martin’s history.DB11 showcases a fresh and distinctive design language, pioneering aerodynamics and is driven by a powerful new in-house designed 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine delivering a top speed of 322kph and a 0-100kph time of just 3.9 seconds.“I am delighted to open this luxurious five-car showroom in this remarkable central location here in Kuala Lumpur, and am thrilled by the exceptional reactions to the DB11 here tonight. The Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur team is now very much looking forward to delivering first class sales and after sales experiences to our discerning customers,” said Wearnes Regional Managing Director, Gabor A. Csurgai. Csurgai (left) and Nilsson at the launch event.The state-of-the-art showroom presents the Aston Martin models in a gallery-style space, with a dedicated customer lounge and private rooms where customers can tailor their new car to the exact specification of their selection through the Q by Aston Martin personalisation service. President of Aston Martin in Asia Pacific, Patrik Nilsson said, “Malaysia is a significant market for Aston Martin in the region, and this multi-million dollar investment by Wearnes is a testament to the brand’s strong presence and growth in Asia."I am thrilled to be able to demonstrate the brand’s commitment to the Malaysian market with this landmark new showroom, and following the success of our partnership with Wearnes in Singapore, we are delighted to extend the relationship to Malaysia.”To officially mark the opening of the dealership, Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur held an event for customers and prospects, where DB11 took pride of place on its showroom floor.First local deliveries of the DB11 are scheduled to begin at the end of 2016. The new showroom is located on the Ground Floor, Lot 1.3, Etiqa Twins, No.11, Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.For further information about Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur, please visit: Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur.


Harley-Davidson wheels out the Iron 1200

                PETALING JAYA: Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) has introduced the Iron 1200 model which combines old-school styling trends from the custom-bike scene with the Sportster platform and the punchy performance of the Evolution 1200 V-Twin engine.

It poses with new fuel tank graphics inspired by the Iron 1200 and the Forty-Eight Special for a 1970s look while being powered by a 1,202cc Evolution 1200 V-Twin engine.

The engine boasts of 36% more torque at 99Nm compared to the 883 Evolution engine that powers the Iron 883 - the original urban brawler in the Sportster family.

It comes fitted with a 1.0-inch satin-black Mini Ape handlebar (8.75-inch rise, 32-inch spread and 6.5-inch pullback), gloss-black speed screen and a fast-back Café Solo seat that flows onto the rear fender.

The classic 12.5-litre Sportster fuel tank has three colour options of Vivid Black, Twisted Cherry and Billiard White to go with the multi-coloured striped graphics and the Vivid Black speed screen.

The powertrain has been styled with a popular black upper and lower rocker boxes, black exhaust and muffler shields, and black timer, primary and derby covers while the chrome pushrod tubes and tappets highlight the V-Twin engine shape.

The Iron 1200 is finished with all-black 19-inch (front) and 16-inch (rear) nine-spoke wheels coupled with a solid black belt guard and rear sprocket.

Furthermore, it comes equipped with Harley-Davidson's Smart Security System and anti-lock braking system (ABS) as standard.

The Evolution 1200, on the other hand, features a black top with bright chrome below for the primary, inspection and derby covers as well as the muffler, exhaust shields, lower rocker boxes, pushrod tubes and tappet covers to act as a contrast against the black cylinders.

The 16-inch Black Split nine-spoke cast aluminium wheels wear high-performance Michelin Scorcher 31 tyres.

“With its introduction, we welcome everyone to come over and see it for themselves for a limited time as this particular unit already has its owner," said Ahmad Rano, the Head of Sales for H-D PJ.

Additionally, HDPJ is also hosting their first Anniversary Carnival that is open to the public this weekend with rebates of up to RM28,000 on selected Touring models, interest rate as low as 3.6%, and covered by a two-year factory warranty as well as up to 30% discount on general merchandise and selected parts and accessories.


Google highlights decision-making process of Malaysian car buyers

                PETALING JAYA: Three out of 10 Malaysians are expected to drive a lot less over the next three years as ride-sharing becomes more common and Malaysian public transportation improves, says a Google-Kantar TNS study.

Commuters are projected to use more public transportation options daily with a 40% target by 2030 according to the National Land Public Transport Master Plan.

In 2017, Malaysian car purchases declined by 0.6 percent compared to the previous year, and the Malaysian Automotive Association is forecasting that the total industry volume (TIV) for new cars to grow at around 5% this year before slowly declining to 2.1% in 2021.

The study focused on four key stages of owning a vehicle:

1.Purchase consideration - “I want a new car.”

2.Initial research -- “I want to know my options.”

3. Further research -- “I want to narrow down my options.”

4. Point of sale -- “I want to purchase my final choice.”

Research, which is considered the most important stage, accounts for 34% of consumers saying that they approach the purchase from no prior product knowledge, rely heavily on research before making an investment.

About 96% of Malaysians conduct their initial research online over an average duration of two months before they decide on a car.

It was also found that brand loyalty is high among Malaysians, with eight out of 10 returning to the same brand after considering an average of 2.7 brands before the final purchase.

Other findings saw 37% of respondents saying that they ended up buying a brand they did not initially intend.

Much of the opportunity to influence happens during the online initial research process, with 74% of consumers saying that they were open to considering new brands.

Also, 93% of Malaysian consumers said that the online search was an influential source of information, which helps to greatly inform their purchasing decision with ‘User reviews’ topping the search list, followed by ‘best prices’, ‘professional reviews’, ‘price comparisons’, ‘quality performance’ and ‘offers.’

Online videos are very effective during the further research stage.

As many much as 87% of consumers followed up their initial research by watching review videos and testimonials and said those influenced their final car model choice.

Dealerships remain critical offline touch-points, and online research is crucial for driving consumers there.

Both search and video work hand-in-hand with 1-in-4 consumers going to dealerships after using search and 37% (or roughly 4-in-10) of consumers visited a dealership after watching online videos.

Additionally, an outright 1-in-4 decided to purchase the car directly because of watching an online video about the brand.

“By promoting prices, quality and performance on the right channels and/or stage of the journey, brands can grab attention and steer consumers their way,” said Google Malaysia business development manager Meredith Wallace.


VW accelerates electric push as margin at core brand slips

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen said today it will launch almost 70 new electric models by 2028, accelerating its rollout of zero-emission cars as earnings revealed the operating margin at its core brand had taken a hit from new emissions tests.

The profit margin at its core VW brand slipped to 3.8 percent last year, down from 4.2 percent, as higher investments into electric cars and challenges getting combustion-engined vehicles certified ate into profits, VW said.

Volkswagen released full earnings today after pre-releasing earnings in February, when it said its 2018 group operating profit came in at 13.92 billion euros (US$15.8 billion), 0.7 percent higher than the prior year and below 14.53 billion euros forecast in a poll.

The carmaker’s Audi and Porsche brands made up the lion’s share of VW Group’s operating profit. Before special items, Audi’s operating profit accounted for 4.7 billion euros and Porsche’s 4.1 billion euros. Its VW brand delivered 3.2 billion euros in operating profit before special items, the carmaker said.

As a result of the electric cars model ramp up, Volkswagen expects to build 22 million cars on its electric vehicles platforms PPE and MEB by 2028, up from the carmaker’s previous estimate of 15 million cars.

Volkswagen stuck to its outlook, reiterating that it expects revenues to grow up to 5 percent, and to deliver an operating return on sales at group level of between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent in 2019.


BMW whips up the buzz on 610hp M760Li xDrive

                MUNICH: The new BMW M760Li xDrive flagship is the car that debuted the M Performance TwinPower Turbo 12-cylinder petrol engine.

Introduced at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the M760Li xDrive is now being given an airing by BMW again which has released new images and videos of its most expensive car. How pricey? Well, it starts from €168,090 (RM800,000) in Germany and US$153,800 (RM681,000) in the States.

The 6.6-litre V12 develops output of 610hp at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 800Nm at 1,550rpm and helps deliver a combined fuel consumption rated at 12.8 litres per 100km.

This also accelerates the BMW M760Li xDrive from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.

If the optional M Driver’s Package is specified, the speed limiter doesn’t cut in until 305kph.

 V12 goodness.

Power transfer is via the state-of-the-art eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission as standard.

Its innovative Executive Drive Pro suspension system has active roll stabilisation that minimises body movements, combined with a rear-biased BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system and new 19-inch M Sport brakes.

The system teams up with performance tyres, fitted to exclusive 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in matt Cerium Grey metallic, to give the new BMW M760Li xDrive the best driving dynamics in its class – without impinging on ride comfort.

The extensive package of innovative driver assistance systems includes the Steering and lane control assistant, Lane keeping assistant with active side collision protection, Rear collision prevention and Crossing traffic warning functions.

Meanwhile, the Traffic jam assistant – which involves semi-automated driving – can be used on any type of road.

And the Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function now only requires drivers to press a button to incorporate speed restrictions detected by the Speed Limit Info function.

The new generation of the Surround View system now also includes a 3D View and Panorama View option in the Control Display.

As in all variants of the new BMW 7 Series, the monitor of the iDrive operating system in the new range-topping BMW M760Li xDrive comes in touch display.

This means customers will be able to navigate around the system in the same way as with modern electronic devices.

The iDrive system also features the gesture control system presented in the BMW 7 Series for the first time.

Hand movements detected by a 3D sensor control infotainment functions in an extremely intuitive fashion.

The gestures can be used for a number of functions, including controlling the volume in audio applications and accepting or rejecting incoming telephone calls.


Ducati owners and guests get to meet racers

                PETALING JAYA: Ducati owners and Ducati Malaysia guests were recently feted to a line-up of activities including a meet-and-greet session with the Ducati Corse team at the Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Pix (Sepang GP) 2018

Guests and grandstand winners of the Ducati Ride and Win contest were star-struck as they shook hands with their idols Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo at the Ducati booth.

Donning the Ducati race suits, both Dovizioso and Lorenzo gave out their autographs and thanked the fans for their support.

Winners of the Desmo Race 2018, which was held in July, were also present and posed for a group photo with the Ducati Corse team.

The Desmo Race 2018 was hosted by the Desmo Owners Club Malaysia (DOCM), opened to all owners of the Ducati 848, Panigale 899 and 959, the 1098, 1198, Panigale 1199, 1299 and Panigale V4 to fully exploit the potential of their bikes.

Additionally, motorcycle owners, business partners, contest winners and guests were given rebates on apparel and merchandise to complete the full Ducati experience.

Ducati Malaysia had held the Ducati Ride and Win contest in October to give away free MotoGP 2018 grandstand and hillstand tickets.

The Ducati team has previously won five times at the Sepang International Circuit.

For more information, Ducati fans can visit the Facebook page at  or Instagram page.


Honda Civic Type R takes on VW Golf R

                Hot hatches are for the young and restless with deep pockets. Yes, that is the state of compact sports cars these days - they cost a lot of money.

So, when you have RM300K or more to spare on a performance-oriented hatchback, your options would have to include the Honda Civic Type R (FK8) and the Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7.5).

The Civic Type R is undoubtedly the king of the road in terms of handling and performance in the front-engine front-wheel driven world.

Additionally, its aggressively sharp looks and slightly boisterous exhaust note at idle telegraphs its ‘performance’ nature as it rolls by.

In fact, there’s nothing about it that hints ‘maturity’, ‘sophistication’ or ‘grace’.

It’s all brutish and rather unforgiving in its overall feel.

But pump that clutch, engage that short-shifter and some could already hark back to the untenably fun days of an EK9 with a VTEC engine that shocked many almost to the brink of an eye-popping experience.

It wasn’t all comfort and luxury. No, it had a purpose which was to appeal to the rebel within who wanted power, speed and the accompanying thrills of road challenges.

That was what the Civic Type R was revered for back in the day - it was simply that capable of holding its own against the competition.

Life then was different and as with everything over time, changes happen.

The Civic Type R (FK8) is very different because it not only appeals with nostalgia but also it’s outright performance and proven capability out on the ‘Green Hell’ with a time of 7 minutes 43.8 seconds versus the Golf R’s 8 minutes and 14 seconds. The FK8 is outrageously quick.

Still, both are legendary in their own right.

The Civic and the Golf are known throughout generations of race enthusiasts and now, in 2019, just how does the Civic Type R and Golf R stand against each other?

Honda Civic Type R

If there is a car who wears its heart on its sleeve then it would be the Honda Civic Type R.

One look at it and you know what this car is all about.

It’s difficult not to call attention to itself what with its battle-ready stance, sharp edges and one of the most aggressive wings to come stock out of the production line.

The Civic Type R was the dream machine for boy racers then and it does the same now.

The latest version of the Type R, the FK8, with the 2.0L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission (there is no automatic option by the way) unleashes 310PS and 400Nm of torque and does the century sprint in just 5.8 seconds.

There are no two ways about the Type R, it’s meant for spirited driving and has the spirited design to go with it.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. The design of the car for one can be polarizing. You either like it or you don’t.

There’s a lot of elements which make it busy with its creases, skirtings, bold wheel arches, rear wing and triple tailpipes.

We like the fact that the car’s design honestly represents its intentions but it can be too much for some.

The interior is decked out in a combination of red-and-black, especially the seats with red accents along the dashboard, which is sporty but the red is on the garish side.

However, the seats are comfortable and wrap around you quite nicely when you’re taking fast turns.

The Type R nameplate with a serial number just behind the gear lever is a nice touch.

It is a spacious cabin for a hatch what with the wheelbase measuring at 2,700mm and the headroom is decent too.

It also has an impressive boot space of 420 litres which extends to 786 litres with the rear seats folded.

Driving the Type R, while fun with the amount of power it pushes out, with its manual transmission can be trying when you’re driving around the city.

If there are no traffic jams to deal with, then it wouldn’t be an issue but if you’re living in the Klang Valley, the Type R is not what you would call a ‘daily driver’.

Saying that, shifting gears in this car is a joy. The clutch has just the right amount of weight and the throws are short and decisive.

Plus, in this Type R, you don’t have to ‘heel-and-toe’ as the car does it automatically for you when you’re downshifting.

Having a Brake Hold function in a manual car makes a lot of difference as you can lift your right foot of the brakes when the function engages and just push down on the clutch, get it into gear and go.

Now for the fun part. This car is just raring to break loose and when it does, it does so effortlessly and it is nothing but exhilarating to be behind the wheel.

The Type R has generous amounts of torque which gets you going so quickly that you don’t really notice the turbo lag. And where the drive mode is concerned, Normal is a good place to be as Sport and +R is more suited on windy hill roads or the track.

Also, there is power on-tap on all the gears including sixth which means you don’t always have to downshift to get moving.

The Type R is steady on the straight and handles quite flat around the corners. The only complaint here is that the turning radius is on the large side.

Now the Type R has an impressive list of safety features as it should being a hot hatch. However, it does not come with a reverse camera and parking sensors which is simply puzzling.

The rear-view vision for the Type R is narrow and is also somewhat hampered by the rear wing, which makes the car a bit difficult to park.

That aside, the Type R is a car that has a unique appeal and it does appeal to a fan-base who are very loyal.

And if you consider yourself a fan then the Type R is the car for you.

SPECIFICATIONSHonda Civic Type R

• Price: RM330,002 (on-the-road without insurance)
• Warranty: 5-year with unlimited mileage, Free Labour Service applicable up to 5 times within 100,000km or 5 years (terms and conditions apply.

• Engine: 1,996cc, 4-cylinder, 16 Valve, DOHC VTEC turbocharged
• Max power: 310PS at 6,500rpm
• Max torque: 400Nm from 2,500 to 4,500rpm
• Transmission: 6-speed manual
• Top speed: 272kph
• Acceleration (0-100kph): 5.8 seconds

• Features: LED Headlights, Auto Headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights, LED Front Fog Lights, Type R Rear Wing, 20” alloy wheels, Drive Mode Switch (COMFORT, SPORT,+R), Rev Match System, Walk Away Auto Lock, Smart Entry with Push Start Button, Cruise Control, Dual Zone Air Conditioning, Type R Leather Sport Steering Wheel, Type R Sport Seats with Integrated Headrest and Red Suede Style Fabric, Rear Foldable 60:40 seats, 7-inch Advanced Display Audio, MP3 / iPod, 2 USB and HDMI ports, 8 Speakers, Airbags, Rear Seat ISO Fix, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Auto Brake Hold (ABH), Brake Assist (BA), Hill Start Assist (HSA)

Volkswagen Golf R MK7.5 (three-door)

Volkswagen’s Golf range in Malaysia has been well-received with its value proposition revolving around practicality, comfort, power and driving enjoyment.

Enter the Golf R and because it is performance-oriented, the added power does come at a cost of comfort.

Not to mention, the Golf R that was provided for our test by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia was a three-door variant which was limited to just 10 units for Malaysia and there are some differences to note against its five-door stablemate.

Firstly, at RM268,888 (before registration), the three-door variant was only available in the signature colour of Lapiz Blue.

Also, the same 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged mill with 290PS and 380Nm of torque from 2,000 to 5,400rpm still lives under the hood.

It also maintains the wet clutched-type seven-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) that sends power to the 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD) system to spin the 19-inch Pretoria wheels.

The headlights with Dynamic Cornering Lights as well as the taillights with Dynamic Indicators still make use of LEDs.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in signature R ‘Vienna’ perforated leather and the centre console houses a large 9.2” Discover Pro infotainment system with App-connect and gesture control.

Furthermore, a crisp 12.3-inch Active Info Display instrument cluster is nice to stare at.

Other than the lack of two extra doors, practically everything is status quo, until its owner reaches for the handle expecting the doors to unlock while the key FOB sits in the pocket. Not happening.

Volkswagen’s KESSY system isn’t present, neither is the push-start button, powered seats and exterior mirror memory function.

For those reasons, it had a price tag of RM268,888 (before registration), which was seen as highly affordable for a car with such performance figures and capabilities.

But regardless of its shortcomings, which are seen as liveable by many others’ standards, this three-door variant rode pleasantly.

In all honesty, with keyless-entry and push-start button system becoming common even in sub-RM100,000 cars, these features missing in the Golf R will raise eyebrows.

The Golf R is rather bland-looking and doesn’t shout performance per se, except for its lowered stance, 19-inch wheels with 235/35 series tyres.

Also, there are silver exterior mirror caps, quad exhaust tailpipes and ‘R’ badges on the front grille and boot as well as the gloss-black front brake callipers.

Other than that, it’s almost a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’, posing as something conservative yet capable of waiting for the opportune moment to pounce. And pounce it can.

The Golf R has a very youthful zest to its performance and handling yet capable of remaining conservative enough inside and out for a more mature audience.

The interior is a familiar Golf Mk7 or rather ‘a Volkswagen’ in general, except for satin-finished aluminium accents but the biggest heartfelt departure from the Golf Mk7 was the organ-type throttle pedal.

This was the one main characteristic of a Teutonic vehicle that VW decided to omit.

The interior is dark thanks to the grey headliner, black leather upholstery with perforations and a rubberised dashboard that gets contrasted by satinated metal surfaces and white stitches.

Colour is provided by a large instrument cluster screen that stares back at its driver and an additional infotainment system and eight-speakers.

Thankfully, the powered seats were omitted so that additional passengers could get in without having to wait for the motor to get the seat far forward enough to get in or out.

Although this is Volkswagen’s performance machine, the German carmaker hasn’t gone all out to keep reminding its owner that it is.

Instead, it has provided the Golf R with elements that are associated with luxury to help to soften the already sporty perception of the vehicle with the addition of piano-black finish for the plastics that are best left untouched and untainted by fingerprints.

The glossy plastics not only match the blacked-out interior but also add a conservative element that adequately thumbs down the aggression...until flooring the throttle.

The sports seats do well to cup the body and are somewhat plush for comfort, which is quite surprising for a hot-hatch with such performance figures.

Steering feel is taut with a sporty weight to it when in Race mode and combined with a stiffer than the usual Golf’s suspension along with low-profile 235/35 series tyres, large 19-inch wheels and an AWD system, things are starting to look even more exciting.

The exhaust note gets a little more boisterous and the accelerator pedal got a lot more sensitive for a nearly instantaneous response from the engine.

The level of grip feels ever-present and the handling has a neutral-feel when cutting through tight corners.

The AWD system simply wants to keep the car gripping to the surface like suction cups and helps to keep its driver feeling the notion of safety, security and controllability.

Ultimately, drivers will enjoy this particular R’s communicative behaviour.

Gear changes are lightning quick in this mode and can feel abrupt with a confident engagement.

Downshifting through the gears and the DSG will blip the throttle to prevent the car from pitching forward and overload the front tyre’s grip levels to induce understeer.

While puttering about in traffic, the Golf R is capable of being well-behaved, gently wafting along in heavy traffic passing by other motorists unbeknown to the 290 ‘ponies’ residing under the bonnet.

Because the Golf R is simply capable of fulfilling the needs of a broad audience, many have been naturally smitten by it, including ourselves at CarSifu.

SPECIFICATIONSVolkswagen Golf R (MK7.5) 4Motion

• Price: RM268,888 on-the-road price (inclusive of 0% GST, excluding insurance)
• Warranty: 5-year with 3-year free maintenance and 5-year roadside assistance.

• Engine: 1,984cc 4-cylinder petrol, direct injection, turbocharged
• Max power: 290PS from 5,500 to 6,500rpm
• Max torque: 380Nm from 2,000 to 5,400rpm
• Transmission: Seven-speed (wet) direct shift gearbox (DSG) 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system
• Acceleration (0 to 100kph): 5.1s
• Top speed: 250kph (electronically limited)

• Features: Seven airbags, 4MOTIONallwheel drive system, Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) with Driving Mode Selection, 9.2-inch touchscreen “Discover Pro”Navigation infotainment system with USB and iPod/iPhone interface, 10GB jukebox, SD card slot, AUX-IN, Bluetooth, eight-speakers, App-Connect smartphone connectivity (MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), 12.3- inch high definition Active Info Display,full LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, Dynamic Light Assist(DLA) advanced light beam control, full LED taillights with dynamic indicators, Pretoria Black 19-inch alloy wheels, Proactive Occupant Protection System, XDS+ Advanced electronic differential lock, electronic stabilisation control, manoeuvre braking, driver alert system, rearview camera and ISOFIX
Summary

Both cars are undoubtedly capable runners that will get adrenalin coursing through the veins quickly.

The Civic Type R may have higher performance figures with 20 more horses and 20Nm of additional twist, but it’s the Golf R that has the faster sprint time of 5.1 seconds from 0 to 100kph.

The Type R will try to reclaim its honour, with the air intake and turbo hissing away while the revs climb towards red-line, but all it will see is the Golf R’s rear end pulling away. Such is FF versus AWD.

In terms of driver engagement, the Type R wins hands-down with the short throws of the shifter and the crisp engagement of the gears as it enters the gate to allow its driver to extract as much performance as allowable.

However, this is something only hardcore fans can accept, especially in a world where most drivers are skewed towards automatic transmissions.

Although the Type R’s road-holding behaviour seems second-to-none with a subservient rear end that’s quick to fall in line with the front to give that planted feel when slinging around corners.

It simply sucks itself to the inside of corners when the pedal is applied.

The Golf R is capable of delivering all that, just not as well because it has a stronger semblance of comfort at the cost of its road-holding abilities.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s not to say that the Golf R is significantly worse off, but rather slightly edged out in this respect.

The AWD system does very well to find traction and its driver will appreciate this very much while seeking and navigating through gaps in traffic, but all it has its accelerative qualities to keep the Type R at bay.

Indeed both cars have a harsh side to them, but it’s the Golf R that has a softer side with a smooth dual-clutch transmission for crawling in traffic and a suspension that’s much more compliant compared to the Type R’s.

It was agreed that the Type R just didn’t seem like our ‘cup of tea’ and the way it exuded itself seemed rather unbecoming of ourselves - a little too immature for a pair of middle-aged men.

Not to mention, the Golf R’s cabin looked snazzy with its large screens that deliver crisp images and highly legible information.

The dark interior and plush perforated leather seats added to the effect of a ‘welcoming cabin’ that made the Golf R feel far more appealing (and the decision) - Wolfsburg it is. — RIZAL JOHAN & JAY WONG