Lotus Eletre Hyper SUV Debuts In Malaysia, Priced from RM578,000

One year after making its global debut, the Lotus Eletre has arrived in Malaysia. This is the British brand’s first hyper-SUV which also lays claims to being a world first in this category. Apart from being the first of a new breed of fully electric SUVs, the Eletre also bears several firsts for Lotus. It is the first model outside sportscar segments; the first lifestyle EV; and also said to be the most ‘connected’ Lotus ever.

Three variants will be available for the Malaysian market – Eletre, Eletre S and Eletre R – with prices ranging from RM578,000 to RM798,000. There is currently no duty imposed on fully electric vehicles and roadtax is also exempted till the end of 2025. So customers have only to pay for insurance and whatever options they want to include to personalize their Eletre.

Lotus Malaysia says that, up to today’s launch, 140 bookings have already been received and only 60 more customers will be able to get a unit under the 2023 allocation by the factory. Malaysia is the first country in Asia (outside China) where the Eletre is being launched.

The name Eletre (pronounced ‘El-etra’) means ‘Coming to Life’ in Hungarian and some Eastern European languages.

800V architecture
The Eletre is built using Lotus’ highly versatile 800V Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) with an integrated, high-voltage power distribution system. This architecture uses aluminium and high-tensile steel for optimum structural rigidity.

The flat ‘skateboard-style’ battery pack and electric motors are close to the ground to create a low centre of gravity that maintains the dynamic performance that the brand’s cars have been known for.

Two powertrain choices
There is a choice of two powertrains, each with two electric motors – one driving the front wheels and the other driving the rear wheels to provide all-wheel drive capabilities. Both variants are capable of achieving top speeds of 258 km/h and a maximum driving range of 600 kms.

With the Eletre and Eletre S, the powertrain, with a single speed system, can generate up to 603 ps/710 Nm of torque to rocket the SUV from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds.

The Eletre R has a dual-speed system with a powertrain output of 905 ps/985 Nm. Its 0 to 100 km/h time is claimed to be 2.95 seconds, and with a top speed of 265 km/h, it is currently the world’s fastest dual-motor pure electric SUV. When not driven flat out, the range is said to be up 490 kms.

20 minutes charging time
All three variants use a 112 kWh battery pack with a 350 kW charger on-board that enables a rapid charging time of 20 minutes from 10% to 80%. Like all EVs, the Eletre can also be charged from AC outlets (up to 22 kW) but the charging time would be longer.

There are 5 drive modes – Range, Tour, Sport, Off-Road and Individual – which adjust the steering, damper settings, powertrain and accelerator pedal response to give different characteristics.

 The Eletre R gets an additional Track mode which has a lowered ride height and more performance-oriented settings. These include active rear-wheel steering, adaptive dampers, and active anti-roll control. Track mode also includes a fully open active grille and launch control with instant access to the car’s full power.

Lineage with Emira and Evija
The exterior design shows a clear lineage with the Emira and Evija. The rear features a unique floating D-pillar and an innovative ‘air blade’ which aids drag reduction.

A full-width LED light strip that can appear in 4 colours not only indicates battery charge status but plays a role in the car’s theatrical unlocking. This has the exterior lights run through a short sequence, the active front grille ‘breathes’ and the flush door handles deploy..

The Lotus design team created a cab-forward stance with a long 3019 mm wheelbase and short overhangs front and rear. Overall, there is a visual lightness to the car, creating the impression of a high-riding sportscar rather than an SUV.

Aerodynamic efficiency has long been a Lotus specialty, right back to the days when Lotus was racing in Formula 1. A signature element of the Eletre’s design is its ‘porosity’ – the aerodynamic principle of air flowing through the car as well as under, over and around it. Most obvious are two exit vents on the bonnet that channel air from under the car’s leading edge.

Other examples can be found ahead of and behind the front wheelarches, behind the rear wheels, and even at the top of the D-pillar. Together, they enable less resistance in cutting through the air while delivering more efficiency in terms of improved range, speed and performance.

As standard, the Eletre rides on Pirelli P-Zero tyres with 20-inch 10-spoke silver diamond forged alloy wheels. The Eletre S comes standard with Pirelli P-Zero tyres and 22-inch 10-spoke grey diamond forged alloy wheels, while the Eletre R is fitted with the Pirelli P-Zero CORSA performance tyres and 22-inch 10-spoke gloss black forged alloy wheels. Alternative wheels and wheel sizes are also available as options.

New level of luxury for a Lotus
The interior has a performance-oriented and technical design which is ‘visually lightweight’ and uses ultra-premium materials to offer a level of luxury that is new to Lotus. Sustainability has also been a core focus of the design team with the hard materials of carbonfibre that give a premium marble-like finish.

All three versions come with a 5-seat layout, with the optional Executive Seat Pack changing the rear to two individual seats for a 4-seat layout. With both layouts, there’s a cargo volume of 688 litres in the boot, expandable to 1,532 litres by folding the rear backrests down. Under the bonnet, a 46-litre compartment provides storage spaces for cables and small items.

Under a fixed panoramic glass sunroof, the cockpit and high centre console are inspired by the Emira and Evija with the triangular theme seen externally on the grille being replicated in multiple locations around the cabin. The Lotus philosophy of light-weighting – removing material if it’s not needed – is clearly illustrated in the instrument panel.

The floating wing’s central section has been taken out, echoing the design of the rear spoiler. Below the instrument panel a blade of light runs across the cabin, sitting in a ribbed channel that widens at each end to create the air vents. While it appears to be floating, the light is more than decorative and forms part of the human machine interface (HMI). It changes colour to communicate with occupants, for example, if a phonecall is received; if the cabin temperature is changed; or to reflect the vehicle’s battery charge status. Information can also be displayed to the driver via a head-up display featuring augmented reality (AR) technology.

Pioneering intelligent technologies
The infotainment experience is said to set new standards in the automotive world, with pioneering and innovative use of intelligent technologies. It is a collaboration between the design team in England and the Lotus team in China, who have huge experience in the fields of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX).

The new Operating System – Lotus Hyper OS – has state-of-the-art server-level processing power from two Qualcomm 8155 System-On-Chips. Next-generation real-time 3D content and experiences are made possible using ‘Unreal Engine’ technology from the gaming industry. The Eletre also comes standard with 5G compatibility, which enables continuous connection via a smartphone app, and the purchase of new software-enabled features.

The on-screen 3-dimensional world in which the car is viewed, showcases the Eletre as the ‘hero’ and adopts user experiences from the worlds of gaming and mobile technology. While every element of the Eletre can be controlled digitally, certain key controls are still duplicated with analogue switches.

The technical look, compact size and premium feel of the steering wheel is intended to deliver maximum comfort, performance and usability. Visually lightweight, it houses switchgear for the adaptive cruise control and infotainment system.

Technology is used for much more than infotainment on the Eletre. It is also at the heart of the car’s comprehensive suite of intelligent Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), many of which are designed to be futureproof so new features can be enabled via Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. Several utilise the LiDAR system which supports end-to-end autonomous driving technology and is future-proofed for further development, achievable because of the hardware that’s already integrated.

The optional door mirrors are also high-tech and do not use traditional reflective surfaces. Instead, mirror is replaced by an Electric Reverse Mirror Display (ERMD) with 3 different cameras – one for the rearview mirror, a second to help create a 360-degree view of the car from above to aid parking, and a third that’s part of the intelligent driving technologies which work in tandem with the LIDAR system.

Option packs
All Eletre customers have further opportunities to customise and personalise their cars to their requirements using option packs. Currently available are the Dynamic Handling Pack, Ceramic Brake Pack, Executive Seat Pack, Comfort Seat Pack, Carbon Fibre Pack, Extended Carbon Fibre Pack, Interior Carbon Fibre Pack, Parking Pack and Highway Assist Pack. There’s also the possibility of ‘mix-and-match’ as many options from the packs are also available individually.

The Significance Of ‘Handling By Lotus’ In Vehicle Development


School teacher wins a brand new Volkswagen Beetle for producing video of test-drive experience

After a 2-month search, the Volkswagen “
Win the Icon
” contest reached its conclusion and it was Muhamad Rizal bin Sadiman, a 28-year-old school teacher from Perak who won a brand-new Volkswagen Beetle 1.2TSI.

The contest, which ran throughout the months of October and November, received over 800 posts and submissions of photos and videos of Malaysians test-driving their favourite Volkswagen models while documenting their experience. They had also to caption their submissions creatively with the hashtag
#BetterExperiencedThanExplained
.

Encik Rizal submitted a video of himself test-driving the Polo and Tiguan and said: “A Volkswagen is truly better experienced than explained. Safety is a top priority for me as I was involved in an accident two years ago where the brakes failed. In my submission video, I showcased how the Tiguan performs during emergency braking and I am very impressed.”

“The Polo is another favourite as we had one in the family and it is a sturdy pocket rocket. I am so thrilled and excited with this win. I can’t wait to drive my new Beetle around town and to school,” he added.

A scene from the winning video on Instagram

Click here
to watch Rizal’s winning submission on Instagram.

Cult object and design icon, the Beetle has captured the hearts and minds of the people in its 80 years of production. Sadly, after three generations, Volkswagen has decided to cease production of the iconic model, with the last unit being completed in July this year. This makes Encik Rizal of one the lucky few to own a Beetle before all the new ones are sold off. Of course, the Beetle will continue to remain a legend in the auto industry’s history.

How to get a brand new Beetle for free


Mercedes-Benz R107 in pristine condition is up for sale

Collectible classic cars are always in demand especially those that have been persevered for decades but look as though they had just rolled off the showroom floor. One such car is a 1989 R107 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL with only 1538km on the odometer. Considering that this particular Merc is close to 30 years old, the mileage says a lot about how often it was actually taken out on the road.

This right-hand drive example of the R107 is said to be one of the last ones ever built and was replaced by the R129 series the very same year. Launched in 1971, the R107 was based on the E-Class W114 sedan but utilized larger and more powerful engines from the S-Class. It is the second longest running model in the company’s history and was a favorite among those who wanted a refined luxury vehicle but with the brute power of a sports car. This particular car has a 5.0-litre V8 that produces 242bhp.

Built at a time when Mercedes-Benz engineers were obsessed with perfection, this over-engineered vehicle features “Tempomat” cruise control, air-conditioning, green-tinted sun-deflecting glass, heated seats and a separate hardtop . Amazingly, it still has its original tool kit, book pack and two hardtop release handles.

The car is currently being put up for sale by London classic car retailer Hexagon and is touted as the best example of the R107 Merc in the world right now. The car is being offered with a price tag of £94,995 (RM521,969) at Hexagon Classics’ showroom in London. The lucky buyer will definitely be getting his money’s worth with this R107.


McLaren Hyper-GT prototype reaches 403 km/h at Kennedy Space Centre

The dynamic development programme for the fastest and most technically advanced McLaren ever ended with McLaren chief test driver, Kenny Brack, taking the new Speedtail up to its maximum speed of 403 km/h at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, USA.

The final high-speed tests were done on the runway that the space shuttles landed on.

The final high-speed tests in the ground-breaking hypercar’s extensive engineering validation process saw Speedtail prototype designated ‘XP2’ reach its maximum speed more than 30 times on the space shuttle landing runway. The exercise concluded a programme of high-speed running carried out at multiple test facilities worldwide, including Idiada in Spain and Papenburg in Germany.

“It’s fitting that the Speedtail’s high-speed test programme concluded with multiple maximum-speed runs at a location strongly associated with pushing the boundaries of extreme performance and engineering excellence,” said McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt. “The Speedtail is a truly extraordinary car that epitomises McLaren’s pioneering spirit and perfectly illustrates our determination to continue to set new benchmarks for supercar and hypercar performance.”

Blending sleek and seamless beauty with pioneering technologies and truly remarkable performance, the Speedtail sits at the pinnacle of the McLaren Ultimate Series. At almost 5.2 metres long, the carbonfibre-bodied 3-seat Hyper GT is the most aerodynamically drag-efficient McLaren ever and a showcase for the brand’s expertise in lightweight engineering.

1,070 ps, 1,150 Nm, 0 – 300 km/h in less than 13 seconds

The Speedtail’s petrol-electric hybrid powertrain delivers the greatest power and torque of any McLaren road car, with a combined 1,070 ps and 1,150 Nm. The straight-line acceleration and maximum speed of the car set new benchmarks for McLaren, with 0 – 300 km/h achieved in less than 13 seconds and a maximum speed reached of 403 km/h.

The McLaren-developed battery pack has a power density of 5.2 kW/kg, said to be the best power-to-weight ratio of any automotive high voltage battery system. The batteries constantly self-charge when the Speedtail is driven – there is no ‘plug-in’ element – however, a wireless charging pad that trickle-charges and maintains the battery’s status when the vehicle is not in use is also included as standard.

The first of 106 Speedtails that will be hand-assembled to customer order has now commenced at the McLaren Production Centre in the UK, with deliveries scheduled from February 2020. Each customer will pay more than US$2.25 million (equivalent to RM9.32 million today) which is the base price for the car before personalisation.

This is the 800hp McLaren Elva – no roof, windscreen or windows!


First Drive: The All-New Honda City Hatchback – You Won’t Miss The Jazz!

The announcement by Honda Malaysia that it was discontinuing the much loved Honda Jazz was met with shock, sadness and a little anger on the social media sphere.

Since its introduction in 2003, Honda Malaysia has sold over 120,000 units, showing that Malaysians really loved the Jazz.

It is undoubtedly true that the Jazz provided the perfect answer to those looking to commute in an urban environment and to some extent, even inter state travel.

Back in university days, those from regular families would perhaps arrive in a Proton, or opt for public transport. Those from better to do families would arrive in a Jazz. It had that kind of appeal. It not only provided mobility solutions, but defined segments of the community as well.

Enter the all-new Honda City hatchback.

What was Honda thinking you might say. Why discontinue a product that has obviously been selling well and offered bang for the buck?

The Jazz does live on in spirit with the new City hatchback. Simply put, the all-new Honda City hatchback builds on the already proven formula of the Jazz, but switches it up a notch or two more to make an already good product even better.

We got to drive the new City hatchback at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Before you think that the car would undoubtedly perform well around the smooth tarmac of Sepang, the venue was chosen because it offers privacy as the car has not been officially launched in Malaysia as yet.

And we were limited to 110km/h, tested the acceleration, the handling in a slalom course, and the high-tech Honda Sensing technology. Simply put, SIC was transformed to offer as close to real world conditions as possible.

And of course, we also got to spend time in a competitor car, just to see how much better the City hatchback really is. And of course, the new City is leaps and bounds better than the competitor that shall not be named.

We cannot show you photos of the interior of the new City hatchback due to an ongoing embargo, but let’s just say that owners of the current Honda City sedan would find some refreshing updates.

The Honda Sensing technology is also integrated into the City hatchback and performs the same while offering the same slew of technologies like Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning and Auto High Beam.

But what is new for the City hatchback is the addition of the Honda LaneWatch system (for the RS and V variant only). This is not new tech as we have seen it before in the CRV, HRV, Civic and Accord.

But it now uses a wide angle lens that offers a more complete view of whatever is on your left. We tried it and can confirm that it works great. Honda Malaysia had a CRV follow us on the left to prove its effectiveness.

Then came the acceleration test at turn 10 of SIC, which is an uphill climb.

The competitor of another Japanese make suffered here with the engine droning and struggling to lay down power. There was no shove into the seat, just a lot of waiting around for power to be delivered to the tarmac.

We first tried the V-Spec petrol variant, and that too had a little droning, but power was laid down more urgently.

The petrol variant is powered by a 1.5-litre engine producing 118hp and 145Nm of torque. Which is decent for daily commutes and highway driving.

The RS though was something else.

It too is powered by a 1.5-litre engine but this offers something called Sports Intelligent Muti-Mode Drive (i-MMD). This tech utilises two electric motors that are located at each side of the front wheels that are electrified by a battery pack located at the rear of the car.

We all know what a combustion engine paired with electric motors can do. This has resulted in a powertrain that offers a class leading 253Nm of torque.

Honda Malaysia will not reveal the combined power figure but instead will only tell us that the City RS hatchback produces 106hp. This horsepower figures are from the electric motors alone, and not from the engine. Now imagine what a combined power figure might be like.

Back at turn 10 of SIC, the City RS hatchback had that reassuring shove into the seat, a testament to its power, and power delivery was linear with no loss during shifts.

For a car to replace the much loved Jazz, it had to offer versatility and spaciousness. And the City hatchback has a lot of that because it offers something call ULTRA seats – a feature first seen in the Jazz.

Ultra Seats offer different configurations to keep up with the many demands of life. There’s the
Utility
 mode which folds the rear seats flat to expand on the boot space. A rather regular feature.

Then there is the
Long
 mode that folds just one part of the rear seat as well as the front passenger seat to store long items – a regular feature as well.

After that there is the
Tall
 mode and this is where things get interesting because in this mode you can fold the rear seats upwards to create more floor space. This is to store tall items, and you don’t see this feature in other cars.

What is even better is the
Refresh
 mode which turns the interior of the City hatchback into two small beds. You read that right – you can turn the interior into two beds! This is perfect for those with an active outdoor lifestyle as you can go camping and such with the City hatchback.

So you see, the City hatchback continues the legacy of the Jazz and takes it up a few notches. In fact it sprinkles in some refinement and quality as well because the interior feels brilliant and well thought out. Quality is fantastic as well.

There is no indication on pricing as yet as Honda Malaysia will only disclose that once it is officially launched. But bookings are already open, and if you want something that is good for the family and can do just about anything that life demands except for race camels in a desert, then give the new Honda City hatchback a good hard look. As for pricing, don’t expect it to be too far off the price of the sedan.


The Ferrari F8 Tributo has landed in Malaysia!

Naza Italia Sdn Bhd, the official importer and distributor of Ferrari here in Malaysia, has unveiled the latest addition into their growing fleet of exotic and powerful mechanical beings. Dubbed the
Ferrari F8 Tributo
, it will be the replacement for the Ferrari 488 GTB and it promises more than just good looks and improved performance.

According to SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman & Group CEO for Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd, “We are proud to be the first country in Southeast Asia to officially launch the new Ferrari F8 Tributo in conjunction with the 10th anniversary celebrations of Ferrari Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.”

“Naza Italia will host hundreds of Ferrari clients from the three countries over the next few days with a gala dinner, unique track and lifestyle drives and a chance to witness the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Asia Pacific 2019 Race in Sepang.”

This latest 2-seater mid-rear-engined sports car pays homage to the brand’s most powerful V8 engine in history. The 3.9-liter V8 turbocharged engine punches out a heavyweight 710hp at 8,000rpm and 7,700Nm of maximum torque from as low as 3,250rpm.

In other words, this baby will glue you to the seat upon hitting that pedal to the metal. 0-100km/h? 2.9 seconds only! Top speed? 340km/h.

Controlling all that power is no easy task and that is why Ferrari installed its F1 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox to keep both car and driver happy. With a range of electronic updates included, there’s no denying that the F8 Tributo is also about controlling all that power figures at its optimum.

These said features are:

Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE)

F1 Traction Control System (F Track)

Side Slip Angle Control (SSC 6.1)

Frd scm-e suspension

Electric differential

To ensure that this beast delivers all of its power as efficient as mechanically possible, the F8 Tributo features state-of-the-art aerodynamics inspired from the brand’s racing efforts in GT and Challenge championships.

A lot these said features like the front S-Duct were taken straight from the Ferrari 488 Pista and of course their vast experience plus knowledge in Formula 1. In other words, visual changes are not just for looks but enhanced aerodynamics for the ultimate sports driving experience.

The front end comes ready with new LED headlights that are more compact. This allows more work area for Ferrari to further improve their brake cooling intakes by working with the overall airflow moving through the front bumper.

Moving towards the rear, the new design language showcases the rear engine window inspired by the legendary F40 with improved louvres to help with heat dissipation. A larger rear spoiler is now present with the design wrapping around the tail light that gives a much lower vehicle plus the integration of the classic twin light cluster and body-coloured tail from yet another legendary Ferrari V8 model, the 308 GTB.

Looking further at the number, the F8 Tributo is actually longer, wider, and lower compared to the 488 GTB. At its minimum weight of 1,435kg (kerb weight), the recipe for one hell of a sports car is complete to wreak havoc and respect in and out of the circuit.

The interior cockpit-styled cabin space offers a very sporty image of what the F8 Tributo is capable of. Dressed to impress, the driver-oriented look retains that classic appeal thank to newly-designed dash, door panels, and tunnels that complement the latest-generation steering wheel with mounted controls.

Nothing says classy like black with red linings and brushed titanium finishes. For the F8 Tributo, Ferrari really went through all the work to get that balance just right which is indeed a feast for the eyes. Base price? Only
RM1,068,000
 (excluding duty and customization options).


2020 Volkswagen ID.3 makes global debut

Volkswagen has finally entered a new era of environmentally friendly mobility where the
fully electric Volkswagen ID.3
 makes its global debut at the IAA 2019. With high levels of dynamic characteristics and zero emissions, the ID.3 family will come in several models starting with the ID.3 1ST.

Three equipment variants will be initially offered for the ID.3 1ST where they have a maximum driving range of 420km in a single charge. Once the series goes into production, there will also be several other variants with different battery capacities. Spearheading the whole ID.3 family will be a 58kWh and there will also be a smaller and bigger options to fit several markets around the world.

With fast charging capabilities, is it very possible to charge the Volkswagen ID.3 1ST in just 30 minutes to give a range of around 290km (with a charging output of 100kWh). This is quite a significant factor ever recorded in the compact vehicle segment.

The Volkswagen ID.3 is the first VW to be based on their newly developed, modular electric drive matrix called the MEB platform. Available exclusively in their fully electric driven vehicles, the goal of the platform is to provide maximum range while keeping the whole cost, maintenance and affordability down to where most people can afford.

A 200hp electric motor sends all its power to the rear axle which also helps to deliver 310Nm of torque instantaneously. These figures allow the ID.3 to travel at a maximum speed of 160km/h. Different packages and battery sizes will be offered on different variants which are perfect for those who require to travel fast in short distance or cruise long distance.

In terms of design, the ID.3 carries a new design DNA that can be quickly identified as a zero-emission vehicle with iconic marks that rivals the Beetle and Golf. The front end portrays a cool façade that will stand against the test of time with for interactive matrix LED headlights and Dynamic Light Assist main-beam control.

An entirely new proportion can be seen from its side with VW offering a long wheelbase portraying a strong presence even when stationary. Its most striking feature has to be its diamond-shaped “ID. Honeycomb” foil at the C-pillar where they make use of one of nature’s most impressive shapes.

A large dark coloured glass hatch lid and rear window give the new ID.3 a dynamic yet striking rear end where it has been further amplified thanks to the presence of slim LED taillight clusters. The ID.3 also features a panorama sliding/tilting glass roof which offer greater sense of spaciousness as well as ample headroom no matter where you sit.

The interior is just as impressive with features like the optional augmented reality (AR) head-up display, electrically adjustable multifunction steering wheel, Beats sound system package, navigation system, a DAB+ digital radio, seat heating and steering wheel heating, armrests at the front, a Mode 2 charging cable, plus many more.

Safety features include:

Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring

Multicollision brake and Lane Assist lane keeping system

Side Assist lane change system

Park Assist with rear view camera system

Kessy Advanced keyless access system

Park Distance Control + more

Worried about the battery’s life? Feat not as Volkswagen will also be offering a guarantee of eight years or 160,000km on all its ID.3 batteries. How about pricing? VW has stated that the basic price for the series production model in Germany will start at under €30,000 (around RM138,162). Deliveries will begin in the middle of 2020.

Volkswagen ID. R sets new record on Tianmen Mountain


Honda donates $1,000,000 to Nationwide Childen’s Hospital

Honda has announced that it will be giving the Nationwide Children’s hospital in the USA, a $ 1 million (RM 4,288,650) gift package to establish the Honda Center for Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement, which is designed to enhance pediatric mobility. It’s the first of its kind and will provide spine motion analysis, sports performance programs and injury prevention in addition the comprehensive gait analysis.

The state-of the-art facility will feature instrumentation, including advanced video recording techniques and 3D motion analysis cameras, force platforms and electromyography. This will make the automaker a leader in prosthetic and wheelchair development, allowing it to complete its mission of improving the mobility of all children.

Honda’s center will aid in seeking and promoting innovative ways to manage patients with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal cord injury and neuromuscular disease, congenital anomalies and amputations, and any condition which may limit mobility.

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in children, accounting for nearly 10,000 new cases annually. Another 1,500 babies are born with spina bifida each year and 1,500 children are admitted to hospitals with spinal cord injuries. Apart from this, nearly 3 million cases related to sports injuries are reported by pediatric emergency departments in hospitals around the US.

“At Honda, we consider ourselves a mobility company, and we want our products and our philanthropy to focus on the joy and freedom people have when they have mobility,” said Tom Shoupe, senior vice president of Honda of America, Mfg. “Whether motorcycles, automobiles, marine engines, aircraft, or assistive robotics, we have a long tradition of providing mobility products and so it was a natural fit to work with Nationwide Children’s on a center that would work to expand physical mobility for patients.”

Through the use of the facility, more opportunities will be made available for research within pediatric sports medicine, injury prevention and surgical rehabilitation. As additional opportunities are identified, it broadens Nationwide Children’s approach to multidisciplinary research and care.

Honda and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital have had a longstanding partnership dating back more than 30 years. And just recently, the Japanese automaker pledged $750,000 (RM 3,216,488) for the construction of “Determination Way” Nationwide Children’s custom-designed simulated community. This will provide a real-world environment where rehabilitation patients can learn how to manage daily living activities.


ACO Tech rolls out ATLAS next-gen infotainment operating system

ACO Tech, the joint-venture company between Proton Edar, Altel Communications and ECARX Hubei Technology, is the company that is involved in the GKUI software in the latest Proton models. Moving forward, the company has now rolled out its next-gen technology – ATLAS (ACO Tech Local Automotive Services) – an in-vehicle infotainment operating system which has been developed with a RM30 million investment.

Wholly led and developed by a Malaysian team, ATLAS is supported by a complementary mobile application named ATLAS Auto with features that prioritise mobility, convenience, and control. Specifically designed with personal experience in mind, ATLAS offers entertainment with a myriad of content. It is integrated with JOOX, a dedicated music and entertainment platform as well as  entertainment provider SYOK. Adding to audio experience are the latest hits from all Astro Radio brands and podcasts that cover a wide range of topics in multiple languages.

Malaysian-oriented voice-recognition

Built with an AI-powered speech solution that has the enhanced capabilities to recognize Malaysian English at varying tones and speed, ATLAS is able to respond positively to various commands. This is not always the case with voice command systems that may not take into account how Malaysian speak.

Drivers can therefore stay focussed while driving and still manage the navigation, entertainment, communication, and other vehicle functions. There is an intelligent notification feature to alert the driver if there is extremely bad weather that could affect safety, or when a tyre puncture is detected (subject to other systems also being present). The ATLAS voice assistant can also be customised based on the owner’s preference.

Native navigation system

The ATLAS Digital Map is a native navigation system developed by ACO Tech that provides real-time traffic information and has safety-related features. The advanced system is not only able to determine potential traffic patterns to assist drivers to plan their journey, but also able to show weather forecasts and conditions at each point of the route and destination.

Offline map data allows continued route guidance even if the GPS signal is weak or cannot be received, or the vehicle is in an area without internet access. For convenience, the drivers can send  the vehicle’s location or selected Points of Interest (POI) directly from a smartphone to the vehicle.

You may laugh but there are some people who just do not look at their fuel gauge and are surprised when fuel has run out. ATLAS monitors the fuel level and will provide a prompt to refuel when it detects that there is low fuel remaining. If required, it can also provide guidance to the nearest petrol station (subject to other systems being present).

Easier payment from the car

ATLAS will feature ATLAS Pay, an integrated automotive payment system powered by fintech partner Fass Payment Solutions (Fasspay). ATLAS Pay is the first in-car payment in Malaysia and offers the convenience of not having to get out to make payment. It is available in the ATLAS Auto app and will subsequently be integrated with the vehicle’s infotainment system by the first half of 2022. ACO Tech says that, in the near future, ATLAS Pay will be the payment core that introduces its ‘mobility-as-a-service’ vehicle app ecosystem.

The mobile app

ATLAS Auto, a mobile app, will serve as a universal interface to the vehicle. Value-added features such as ATLAS Mall, ATLAS Discover, and ATLAS Vehicle can generate possibilities from brand partners and communities. Available for Android and iOS, it will be available for download from the respect app stores (as well as the Huawei app gallery) from the fourth quarter of 2021.

“ATLAS is intelligent, proactive, and humanised. The eco-system is not only integral in transforming people’s relationship with their car, in-vehicle or remotely; we believe that it underpins the future of automotive user experience and paves the way for autonomous vehicle in Malaysia,” said Li Pu, CEO of ACO Tech.

Full-width displays on dashboard coming soon to more cars


Upgraded Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Johor Bahru enhances retail experience for C&C customers

Cycle & Carriage was the company that brought Mercedes-Benz to Malaysia 70 years ago; in fact, it was one of the first official importers of the German cars in Asia. While it is no longer the distributor in Malaysia, it continues to have a strong and dominant presence in the retail and aftersales side and has continued to upgrade the facilities in its Autohaus network.

Largest Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in the south

The latest example of its investments is in Johor Bahru where its outlet has been upgraded to become the largest Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in the southern region. The built-up area covers 142,000 square feet on a site that is over 224,000 square feet located along Jalan Skudai in the Tampoi area.

As with every Autohaus, the environment offers the luxurious automotive retail experience that would be expected from the brand. State-of-the-art technology and systems are incorporated to presents a retail experience that addresses the customer’s individual needs. Designed with a large open space and supplemented with custom daylight-emitting spotlights allows the customer to experience the true colours of the cars, all intentionally arranged in an arc to maximise visibility of every model displayed. Customers are invited to explore freely and fully immerse themselves in a journey across various touchpoints supported by digital tools and the latest in multimedia.

More than just ‘a point of sales’

The new retail experience allows for more face-time interactions between customers and the service team, making it more than just ‘a point of sales’ and instead, a point of experience. Even beginning the journey of owning a Mercedes-Benz is an experience of its own. Designed as a “black box” concept, the vehicle delivery room enables an experience-oriented journey of the hand-over process that is personal and memorable.

Mercedes-Benz Certified Body & Paint Centre

Besides the enhanced showroom, the Autohaus also has the only accredited and authorised Mercedes-Benz Certified Body & Paint Centre in the southern region. It is equipped with the latest automotive innovation and technologies as well as expertise to conduct structural repairs while upholding global safety standards specified by the manufacturer. With 35 work bays, up to 850 vehicles can be serviced each month, with owners enjoying the convenience of ‘Drop & Go’ and ‘Door-to-Door’ services as well.

“For more than 26 years, Cycle & Carriage has brought the Mercedes-Benz brand and experience to the southern region through our Johor Bahru Autohaus. Today, we unveil the latest manifestation of the Mercedes-Benz’s definition of luxury and all its accoutrements. This milestone could not have happened without the outstanding support from our partner, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, and our remarkable team here. We are honoured to continue being entrusted to complement every vehicle bearing the world-renowned 3-pointed star with our Cycle & Carriage brand of exceptional service to our customers,” said Wilfrid Foo, CEO of Cycle & Carriage Bintang, at the recent opening of the facility.

“The future of automotive retail represented here is a concept that weaves the key elements of our design philosophy – sensual purity and spaciousness; it is more than just architecture. It creates an experience that seamlessly blends simplicity and craftsmanship that are unique to the brand,” said Dr. Claus Weidner, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

Cycle & Carriage Bintang sends the service centre to your home

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.


Review: New Honda WRV – Yes, Perodua Should Be Worried

Back in March of this year, Honda Malaysia announced that it was pulling the plug from its popular BRV model, to the dismay of some. But at the same time, it also announced that it was going to be introducing an array of new models in 2023, including a small SUV.

The company did not mention which model, but it was obvious that it was going to be the WRV, since it was already introduced for the Indonesian as well as the Thai markets. It was only a matter of time before it was introduced in Malaysia.

Besides, to date, Perodua’s Ativa is the sole contender in the small SUV segment. No other car maker, national or non, has a model for that segment. So why let Perodua have all the fun?

Honda has enjoyed fierce loyalty in Malaysia. There’s even a popular Malay term coined specifically for Honda fans, they’re called “Bangsa H”.

So, with that loyalty in mind, Honda is confident of nicking some sales off Perodua. And the WRV is well equipped to do so.

WRV stands for Winsome Runabout Vehicle, and it is the entry level model to Honda’s world of SUVs. As we found out during a recent first drive event, the name truly does match the character of the car.

The first thing that you notice when you see the car is that it is not a very big car. In fact, it is slightly smaller albeit wider than the Perodua Ativa. As far as measurements go, the Ativa is longer than the WRV by 5mm, it is also 27mm taller, and has a wheelbase that is 40mm longer as well. But the WRV is 70mm wider, which translates to more shoulder room.

The numbers seem to suggest that the Ativa is the bigger car here, but that does not necessarily translate to more interior space. But that would be unfair to assume at this point without a wheel to wheel comparison, so that is a bridge we will cross later.

The WRV may be the smallest SUV in Honda’s stable, but it looks quite different from the likes of the HRV and CRV. It has its own design language but there are some similarities such as the grille and the positioning of the rear door handle which is similar to the HRV’s. Just like the latter, the rear door handle is positioned on the upper door frame rather than on the door panel.

We only drove the RS version which came with the chrome grille, 17 inch wheels and a dual tone paint job, though that is only available if you opt for the red colour, which Honda calls the Ignite Red. However, having said that, it is important to note that the WRVs we drove were Thai spec cars. Since the WRV has not yet been launched in Malaysia, it remains to be seen if it will share the same specifications as the Thai model.

Inside, the WRV offers a practical and safe interior. It is not particularly spacious if you’re on the taller edge of the height spectrum. But some of the vertically challenged writers found the interior to be just fine. This writer’s six-foot frame though would have liked more legroom when behind the wheel. However, space was just fine in the front passenger seat, and the back seat space was decent and comfortable too, as we found out during a three-hour drive.

We also found the interior to be well thought out and put together. There’s faux leather on the passenger side of the dashboard while the door panels are made up of regular hard plastics. The seats of the RS variant are wrapped in a combination of synthetic leather and fabric and there’s a generous use of red stitching all over the interior, a feature that is exclusively reserved for all Honda RS models.

On the topic of seats, we do think that the seats could be a little wider at the shoulders, but understandably, that would have meant sacrificing interior space.

Booth space measures in at 380 litres, which is decent and more than enough for four medium sized travel bags or a stroller and some bags for a weekend’s getaway. The WRV does not come with Honda’s super practical Ultra seats, at least not in the Thai spec model. However, the seats can be split 60:40 for added convenience.

On the features front, the WRV offers a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are twin Type A USB ports up front but none at the back. Back seat passengers will have to make do with a regular 12-volt auxiliary power unit. There is also another auxiliary power unit up front which can be used to power dash cams and such.

The meter panel is an analogue unit which flank a 4.2-inch TFT screen that provides all the usual data such as the fuel gauge, fuel consumption figures and trip computer.

Besides CarPlay and Android Auto, the entertainment system consists of six speakers placed all around the cabin. But that’s only for RS models, non-RS models only have four speakers.

And in usual Honda fashion, the RS model comes packed with driving features designed for safety and practicality. It comes with the Honda Lane Watch system and the Honda Sensing safety suite that includes tech like Lane Keep Assist, Road Departure Mitigation system with Lane Departure Warning, Auto High Beam, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and our personal favourite besides ACC – Lead Car Departure Notification System.

As for passive safety, the WRV gets six airbags, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Vehicle Stability Assist, auto door lock and ISOFIX anchors, among others.

On the move, the WRV offers a drama free driving experience. It has a five meter turning radius which makes it easy to maneuver in tight parking lots or during u-turns. Its 220mm ground clearance makes it perfectly adapted to handling potholes and minor floods. And for those who like a quiet interior, we found the interior to be quite serene except at speeds above 140km/h.

However, we did find the CVT gearbox to be quite noisy during acceleration. Power is provided by the same engine that is in the Honda City – a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated unit making 121PS and 145Nm of torque. In terms of power, the WRV isn’t exactly all that powerful but it is definitely better than the 98PS and 140Nm of the Ativa.

But the one area where the Ativa excels at is efficiency. Even though it has a smallish 35 litre fuel tank, but it is capable of an impressive 14.6km per litre. That gives it a theoretical range of about 510km, which is impressive in any book.

And finally, the pricing. Honda Malaysia is already accepting orders the WRV, but it has not officially announced the price. But the Malaysian automotive media are estimating a price that starts at about RM78,000 for the base model and about RM98,000 for the top of the line RS variant.

Considering that the Ativa is priced at RM72,000 for the top spec model, it is unlikely that Honda Malaysia would be able to get anywhere close to that price. So we are guessing that a price that starts from RM88,000 for the entry level and about RM105,000 for the top spec.

We have little doubt that the Honda WRV will be a success for Honda Malaysia, it offers a level of practicality that makes it perfectly suited for city life and perhaps even long distance journeys such as during the Balik Kampung drives. Now all that remains to be seen though is the price, get that right and Honda Malaysia has a definite winner that will keep them busy for a while.

If you’re interested in viewing the Honda WRV, Honda Malaysia is organising a nationwide roadshow where the WRV will be available for anyone to get up close with. Below is the schedule.


Mazda to introduce third premium colour – Rhodium White – with new CX-60

Design has been a major selling feature of Mazda vehicles for some time, with the ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design language being used for all current models. Because Mazda designers believe that colour is an element of form, they have also developed some special exterior colours that accentuate the dynamic and delicate expression of the designs.

The first of these colours was Soul Red, which has a unique mix of translucence and depth. Red has been often used on Mazda models and the colour has deep roots in Japanese culture. It denotes strength, passion and is even used to depict the sun in the Japanese national flag.

Soul Red Crystal (above) is evolved from the original Soul Red which was the first premium signature colour. The second signature colour is Machine Grey (below).

Soul Red evolved into Soul Red Crystal, adding another level of vividness and depth, while Machine Grey was also introduced as another premium signature colour. Later this year, Mazda will introduce the third signature colour – Rhodium White – with the all-new Mazda CX-60 being the first model to have it as an option.

Pure white inspired by Japanese aesthetics

Rhodium White is a pure white inspired by Japanese aesthetics, finding beauty in simplicity and the absence of superfluous elements. Furthermore, the paint’s fine grain accentuates the shadows on the surface of the vehicle complementing the metallic texture of the finish.

Takuminuri
 paint technology

Like the first two colours, Rhodium White was created and applied using Mazda’s unique
Takuminuri
 paint technology, which translates to English as ‘paint by master craftsman’. The technology creates  colours with rich depth and radiance while also reducing the environmental impact of the painting process in keeping with the brand’s long-term Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 vision.

Cutting-edge painting robots use data obtained through simulation painting with Mazda’s best craftsmen to replicate traditional techniques to give mass-production vehicles a precise, high-quality and hand-sprayed finish.

While developing Rhodium White, Mazda was able to take
Takuminur
i to new heights, successfully mass producing an expressive finish using only 3 layers: a clear layer, a reflective layer and the coloured layer. This coloured layer provides a newly developed white pigment that delivers a silky smooth, fine-grain white. As standard practice with white paints, the undercoat tends to show through, and the clear coat is generally thicker than for other tonalities.

More environment-friendly process

Rhodium White, however, uses a newly developed pigment which Mazda was able to reduce the thickness of the clear coat by up to 30%. This contributes to a more efficient use of resources and a reduction of CO
2
 emissions during the production process.

Extremely thin layers

Mazda uses a method in which paint containing ultra-thin, high luminance aluminium flakes are applied meticulously to achieve a uniform thickness and which then dramatically shrink in volume during the drying process for the reflective layer. The result is an extremely thin reflective layer of approximately 0.5 microns or about 7% of the thickness of a typical reflective layer.

In addition, a hand-painted like finish with the aluminium flakes smoothly aligned at regular intervals in the reflective layer is achieved. The entire surface gleams when exposed to light and displays a realistic metallic texture. Individual aluminium flakes are distributed evenly and parallel to the undulations of the body surface, producing a glossy and shaded appearance when touched by light despite the brightness of Rhodium White.


The First-Ever All-Electric BMW i7 Price Unveiled- RM729,800!

BMW Malaysia today announced the official pricing of the All-Electric BMW i7 – the first and highly anticipated all-electric sedan of its class, adding to the BMW Group’s line-up of electrified vehicles for the Malaysian market.

Along with the recently unveiled BMW
750e
 xDrive variations and the BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence this year, the All-Electric BMW i7 debuts in the M Sport variant and is one of the most recent models launched by the premium automaker for the BMW 7 Series lineup.

The i7 showcases the new BMW design language for the luxury class with 544 HP and more than 600 km of driving range (WLTP). The lighted kidney grille frame and split BMW Iconic Glow crystal headlights define the unique presence of the sedan, which is complimented by top-notch amenities and ambience.

The BMW i7 xDrive 60 can be purchased using the Straight Line Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia with monthly payments starting at RM 8,401.00 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a seven-year tenure).

Owners of the BMW i7 xDrive 60 will receive the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes:

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

• BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline

• The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW Privileges Card

• BMW Service Online

The retail pricing of the BMW i7 xDrive 60 with Extended Warranty and Service Package, as well as Sales and Service Tax (on the road, without insurance), is RM 729,800.00.


New 5-door Suzuki Jimny Sold Out!

The
Jimny
 5-door was initially introduced in India at the Auto Expo 2023 in January and will be launched in June this year. India will be the first market where the 5-door Jimny will go on sale and will also be exported from there.

It is driven by a 1.5-liter K15B engine that generates 105 hp and 134 Nm of torque. Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions are used to transmit power to all four wheels.

Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro 4WD system with a manual transfer case and a low-range gearbox with “2WD-high,” “4WD-high,” and “4WD-low” modes is also included. Zeta and Alpha are the two trim levels for the Jimny 5-door.

Since the Jimny’s debut at the Auto Expo earlier this year, Maruti Suzuki has reportedly received around 30,000 bookings. According to Autocar India, the Alpha trim with the highest specifications has been in more demand and would be produced first.

The Jimny’s most popular colour options to date are Bluish Black, Kinetic Yellow, and Pearl Arctic White.

Auto LED headlights, a 9-inch touchscreen, the SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system, Cruise control, and an Arkamys sound system are among the features included with the Alpha model. Six airbags, ESP with a hill-hold assist, hill-descent control, a rearview camera, and ABS with EBD are among the additional safety features it has.

Additionally, according to sources, the waiting period for the manual variants would last up to six months after introduction, whilst the waiting period for the automatic variants may last up to eight months.

Although the selling price has not been made public, there are rumours that the 5-door Jimny will be sold for between RM55,208 and RM66,249 in India.


Proton In 2018 – Part 21: Proton X70 SUV Officially Launched, Prices Announced! [+Videos]

FINALLY! After the longest “long lead-in” teaser in the history of motoring in Malaysia, the Proton X70 was officially launched last night by the father of Proton, Tun Dr. Mahathir himself! 35-years ago he did the same with the Saga, and it was fitting that he launched the latest model, Proton’s first SUV, the X70. Here’s the launch gambit video:

Possibly the biggest surprise was the price announcement that everyone had been waiting for, and as we’d expected, of the 4 variants launched, the introductory variant is priced BELOW RM100,000!

The price announcement was made by Dr. Li Chunrong, the CEO of Proton, along with the ‘special packages’ that will come with the new X70, here’s the video:

Following the launch, and once the thousand-plus attendees had mostly dissipated, Piston.my managed to grab some alone-time with the new Proton X70, and here’s what we thought:

For more info on the Proton X70 launch, check out the press release below the photo gallery!

FULL PRESS RELEASE:

PROTON X70 LAUNCHED

– Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad officially launches PROTON’s first SUV

– Special ownership packages and national price scheme announced

Kuala Lumpur, 12 December 2018

– PROTON officially launched the Proton X70 at a glittering ceremony officiated by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). Full details of the flagship SUV were also revealed at the event including the selling price, service, financing and warranty packages.

The first premium SUV by a Malaysian automotive brand

The Proton X70 is the first vehicle to be jointly developed by PROTON and its partner Geely, and is the first premium SUV by a Malaysian automotive brand. It also introduces PROTON to a new market segment and is the key catalyst for the total rejuvenation of the brand. When developing the Proton X70, both PROTON and Geely collaborated on multiple levels. From the cross deployment of staff in China and Malaysia, to testing in Malaysia’s hot and humid climate to the collaboration between local and international vendors, the goal was to ensure a product that is perfectly suited to the needs of Malaysian and ASEAN car buyers.

To prepare for its introduction, PROTON embarked on a comprehensive marketing plan to build an unprecedented level of excitement amongst car buyers via on-ground events, the launch of an online booking portal and giving the SUV its public debut at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS). These efforts began in September and were further strengthened by social media campaigns that included a naming contest and numerous teaser videos on Facebook and YouTube.

At the same time, significant investments to PROTON’s network were made for the arrival of the Proton X70. Training activities for sales and service staff and the launch of the inaugural PROTON After Sales Service Competition (PASSC) were part of efforts to ensure everyone had sufficient knowledge of the new vehicle. The Company also embarked on an ambitious network expansion plan by inviting new investors to start PROTON outlets and offering generous incentives for existing dealers to upgrade their facilities to 3S and 4S centres. To date 115 plans for such centres have been approved with 71 already launched thus far this year.

“The Proton X70 is the result of more than one year of hard work by PROTON and Geely engineers, designers and hundreds of other people working together to develop the first premium SUV by a Malaysian car manufacturer. PROTON is proud of our achievement and it is our belief Malaysian car buyers will be equally proud to own an SUV that will help to transform the Proton brand. With over 10,000 bookings, it already has a good start so we will work hard to deliver on our product and brand promise,”
 said
Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer, PROTON.

“Deliveries of the Proton X70 will commence over the coming weeks as we want customers to get their cars as soon as possible. Some have had to wait for over six months, having given their name to dealers before bookings were even officially opened, so PROTON is thankful to them for their patience and incredible brand loyalty,”
 he added.

Special packages and one price for all Malaysians

To enhance the ownership experience of the Proton X70, special value added packages were announced at the launch event. Defined as Xtra packages, they affect four distinct areas. The Xtra Service Package offers free parts and labour for the first service as well as free labour for five scheduled service appointments within 100,000km or five years. Next, there is the Xtra Low Financing Package, offering low interest rates that start from 2.34% p.a. for qualified buyers.

PROTON will be the first national automotive brand to offer an unlimited mileage warranty as the Xtra Warranty Coverage Package will cover the Proton X70 for up to five years regardless of mileage. Finally, to ensure owners enjoy a premium connectivity experience the Xtra Data Package offers free internet data for five years (capped at 1GB per month).

“The Xtra packages offered will enhance the experience for owners by offering peace of mind, savings for servicing and financing as well as free data. PROTON will also create history by offering the Proton X70 at one price for one nation. This means East and West Malaysia car buyers will pay the same price for the same vehicle, making PROTON the first automotive brand to offer such a deal. It is our hope that by doing this, PROTON proves that a Malaysian product can be offered at the same price for all Malaysians regardless of where they live,”
 added
Dr Li Chunrong.


Your new Mitsubishi vehicle can now be delivered right to your home

As mentioned earlier by the CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), customers can now have their new Mitsubishi vehicle delivered to their doorstep. The company’s new Home Delivery Service  has been launched and is presently available within the Klang Valley region, with other regions to follow in the near future.

Only for online customers

The service is only for those customers who have booked their new vehicle (and it is registered)  using the Mitsubishi Online Showroom. They need not worry about the risk of vehicle damage while being sent to their homes as it will not be driven and will be transported on a car-carrier.

From now
 till December 31, 2021
, customers who book a Mitsubishi Triton online and after completion of registration will receive a complimentary limited edition North Face jacket. They should use the promo code 4SUREBELI when making their booking.

Another initiative for customers

The Home Delivery Service is a follow-up to MMM’s initiative to provide an online shopping facility to customers. The company was among the earliest to offer such a facility as the COVID-19 pandemic started and restrictions to movements began. With the
Mitsubishi Online Showroom
, customers do not need to go to the showroom to obtain more information and to view the vehicles. They can also request for a test-drive and additionally, begin the purchase process from their home or office by using Booking Assist to place a booking.

Customers can also use Mitsubishi Motors Online to request for a test-drive and a vehicle will be brought to their home or office.

“As Malaysia prepares to transition from the COVID-19 pandemic to the endemic phase, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia makes an effort to ensure that our digital services are improved for customer’s safety and convenience. We want to provide an option for customers to shop online, offering something unorthodox to car ownership. We offer a one-stop digital service from viewing the car 360’ via the virtual showroom, booking a Test Drive 2U, finalizing the sales process online such as Booking, as well as Trade-In and having the new car delivered right to their doorstep,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.

Visit
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
 to know more about Mitsubishi vehicles and the locations of dealers nationwide.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia improves functionality of MITSUBISHI CONNECT MY app


Four amazing cars that were on display at IAA

Frankfurt played host to some of the more interesting reveals in recent years. A number of automakers brought out some pretty interesting and luxurious offerings. H.R. Owen, a leading luxury vehicle dealership is gearing up to have these vehicles put on sale soon.

The company deals with the world’s most sought-after premium car brands which include Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and BAC. Here, were are going to a cover a number of more memorable cars that were unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Bentley Continental GT

The first car worthy of mention is Bentley’s new Continental GT, which sports a smoother and more rounded design, more prominent circular headlights with DRLs and of course an all-new engine. Its an enhanced version of the company’s famous 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine that is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Ferrari Portofino

Like Bentley, Ferrari too had something pretty interesting to show us. It launched the Portofino, an entry level Ferrari and a successor to the California T. It’s a drop-top GT that is powered by a 592bhp engine and a E-Diff3 limited-slip differential.

It is supposed to be lighter than its predecessor, and that coupled with a more powerful engine, means that the Portofino requires just 3.5 seconds to get from 0-100km/h, a mere 0.1 seconds slower than the more expensive and sophisticated GTC4 Lusso.

Bugatti Chiron

Bugatti’s main reason for showing up at Frankfurt was to flaunt its Chiron hypercar at its rivals. The Chiron made the news recently for setting a remarkable pace record by accelerating from 0-400km/h and back to a standstill in just 41.96 seconds.

What’s even more remarkable than this is that the Chiron needed only 3.112km to accomplish this feat. It’s an astonishing vehicle both in terms of capability and styling. H.R. Owen’s Bugatti London showroom will have an example on display for order and for the general public to salivate over.

Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster

Last but not least, Lamborghini was there too, primarily for the Aventador S Roadster. Compared to the standard car, the S version has more power and a four-wheel steering system. Though not revolutionary for the time, the Aventador is still one of the most extreme hypercars on sale today.

Unlike Ferrari and McLaren, Lamborghini vehemently believe that naturally aspirated engines still offer the best driving experience one would want. And until it’s no longer economically viable, they will continue to make these amazing non-boosted vehicles for the elite.


Petronas Dynamic Diesel EURO5 Now Available In Sarawak

In line with the increasing demand for better quality diesel in the region,
PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB)
 recently extended its enhanced PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive to Sarawak, starting with Bintulu and Miri.

Officiated by the Minister of Utilities, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, the new generation sulphur-free diesel, which was introduced in November last year in the Peninsular, is proven to deliver smoother drive and superior fuel economy with cleaner emission.

Speaking at the launch, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said, “Sarawak very much welcomes this new generation of sulphur-free diesel, given that Sarawakians are largely dependent on diesel. This will assure motorists that not only are they driving a cleaner fuel, but also one that is more powerful, giving them a smoother and longer journey.”

The superior quality of the new diesel is achieved through Pro-Drive
,
a combination of reformulated higher quality base diesel from PETRONAS’ refinery and uniquely formulated chemistries designed for today’s advance common-rail diesel engine.

The Pro-Drive technology is made available from PETRONAS’ continuous learnings from its partnership with IVECO, an Italian industrial vehicle manufacturing company, to formulate a winning formula for PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO team competing in the Dakar Rally. The Rally is known to be the world’s toughest and most demanding off-road endurance race and the team’s victory in the 2016 edition is testament to the fuel technology that goes into the PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel with Pro-Drive.

PETRONAS’ Vice President of Downstream Marketing,
Datuk Seri Hj Syed Zainal Abidin Bin Syed Mohd Tahir
 said,
“With the launch, we are availing the new diesel at nine selected PETRONAS stations in Bintulu and Miri by end of March, and are looking into increasing the availability to over 20 stations across Sarawak by this year.”

“We recognise that the state is undergoing rapid development with a few mega projects in the pipeline including the Pan Borneo Highway and demand for quality diesel will grow in tandem. We hope to speed up the availability as fast as possible to cater to this growing demand,”
 he added.

More on Petronas Dynamic Diesel Euro5…

Based on the laboratory tests conducted, the PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive removes deposits and protects injectors thus allowing the fuel to effectively clean the engine, ensuring optimum engine efficiency.

In comparison to other diesel fuels in the market that were tested, results shown that the PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive recorded higher cetane number, which helps to improve combustion resulting in smoother drivability, cleaner emission and lower noise. PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive
 also
has higher heating value, indicating more energy per kilogram fuel to deliver better fuel economy.

Overall, the improved PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive promises to deliver three key benefits for diesel vehicles:

Clean:
 Cleans and protects critical diesel engine parts to prolong engine life

Efficient:
 Improves combustion, optimises engine performance and provides greater fuel economy.

Smooth:
 Easier to start, less vibration and smoother drive for a better journey.

Following the introduction in Sarawak, the PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive is now available at selected 68 PETRONAS Stations including Peninsular Malaysia. For more information about the new fuel and availability, visit
www.mymesra.com.my
.


Video: Beautifully Restored 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Driven!

There’s something truly romantic about driving classic Italians.

Get behind the wheel and almost immediately it feels like there’s an orchestra playing in your head.

Something along the likes of Luciano Pavarotti enthralling you his best operatic performance.

Or Nino Rota serenading you with the theme to ‘The Godfather’.

There’s just something other wordly about the Alfa Romeo that I drove that night:

A beautifully restored 1750 GTV from the year 1969.

I was far from a twinkle in the eyes of my parents that year, but it was a fantastic year in the history of mankind.

1969 marks the year humanity walked on the moon.

And it also marked the year the Italians gave us one of their many masterpieces – this time in the form of the car you see here.

The 1750 GTV (short for GT Veloce) is not a ultra limited-edition model.

In fact, some sources say that Alfa Romeo built between 32,000 to 44,000 of the car before production ended.

That figure is far from making this car a rare classic, in fact take a drive around some old neighbourhoods and you might just come across one.

Or it’s brother – the 2000 GTV.

Well, the 1750 GTV is rather unique because it harks back to cars of old with its slim pillars, its sprightly though not very powerful engine.

But more importantly, it has a design that wrings nostalgia, it shows us how beautiful cars once were.

The owner, a friend by the name of Terence Moses, was gracious enough to let me drive it one night.

It was an occasion like no other – that thin leather padded steering wheel was of just the right size.

Any larger and it would brush up against my thighs.

The twin-dial meter panel doesn’t bother telling you anything other than the speed, engine rpm and engine temperature.

No fussing over other details here.

But in case you are wondering, the fuel gauge and the water temperature gauge is located right under the cassette player.

Of course there’s a bluetooth player in its place now, but the car started life with a cassette player.

Let’s just appreciate that for a second.

I particularly love how the head rests of the seats merge with the rest of the seat when fully down.

That kind of attention to detail is such an Italian feature.

Driving the car had me cooing with joy and made me nervous at the same time.

Nervous because Terence had just told me about some of the issues he faces with the car, and a snappy rear end was one of them.

I wasn’t about to oversteer his car into a bush in the middle of nowhere that night.

But the way the car came together was amazing.

The 1.8-litre engine and that slick shifting gearbox had me wringing up the rev’s every chance I got.

And you just have to love how closely placed classic car pedals are.

And that floor mounted accelerator.

Such simple joys just don’t exist anymore.

And that is why I appreciate classic cars – they are moving history books that remind us about how life once was.

I loved driving this car, I love the passion Terence has for his cars, and I truly hope you love this video as much as we loved putting it all together.


All the locally assembled models in 2022 and where they are produced

It’s now 55 years since the first new vehicle assembly plant began operations in Malaysia. Volvo, together with its local partner, Federal Auto, were the first to introduce a locally-assembled model in 1967 after the government had announced what could be considered as the first national automotive policy in the mid-1960s.

The policy was intended to attract foreign carmakers to assemble some of their models locally and if they did so, they would be given incentives in the form of lower tax rates. This would enable them to sell at lower, more attractive prices compared to the models that were imported in completely built-up (CBU) form.

Swedish Motor Assemblies in Shah Alam, Selangor, was the first assembly plant to start operations, rolling out the Volvo 144 in 1967 as the first locally-assembled model. The plant is still in operation today assembling the latest Volvo models

for the region.

The locally-assembled vehicles were assembled from CKD (completely knocked-down) packs of parts sent from bigger factories in Europe, Japan and North America. To help develop a local automotive industry – an important catalyst for industrialization – the government also listed certain parts for mandatory deletion. Assemblers had to obtain them from local companies, many of which had also been set up in tandem with the new assembly plants.

The parts were items like windscreen glass, paint, tyres, wire harnesses, etc and if the assembler chose to still import them, then there would be a penalty for doing so. Over time, revisions in policies saw an emphasis on getting assemblers to source more parts locally and targets were set for local content.

From manual welding of parts by human workers in earlier years (above), many of the plants today have automated welding processes done by robots. Shown below is the X70 body welding line at the Proton factory in Tg. Malim.

The first batch of assembly plants were opened in two areas – Tampoi in Johor and Shah Alam in Selangor. By the 1980s, other locations were also chosen in Sarawak, Sabah and Pahang. Selangor saw the most activity in the early years and the Klang Valley remains a major automotive hub today. In the 1990s, new plants were opened in Kedah and Proton and Perodua also built plants outside the Klang Valley. Honda and Hino chose sites in Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, respectively.

Source: Malaysian Automotive Association

Porsche Cayenne assembly at Inokom in Kulim, Kedah.

Proton factory in Tg Malim, Perak

CKD and why carmakers choose to use it


Malaysian Man Jailed For Inching Towards Auxiliary Cop Near Woodlands Checkpoint

The act of cutting queues is a common occurrence in our daily lives. However, it is not acceptable and can lead to serious consequences. On March 23 2023, a 36-year-old Malaysian man was caught cutting a queue of cars by overtaking them using the bus lane near the Woodlands Checkpoint.

Mohd Shahrir Johari was spotted trying to filter into the car lane from the bus lane by auxiliary police officer Muhammad Noralif Amir Hamzah, whose job is to control traffic towards the checkpoint. Vehicles that try to cut the queue in the car lane from the bus lane are instructed to make a U-turn and head back towards Malaysia.

In spite of Noralif and his partner instructing Shahrir to make a U-turn, Shahrir ignored them and continued cutting the queue.

Seeing that the Malaysian did not adhere to the given order, Noralif stood before Shahrir’s car to stop him while his partner once again instructed him to make the U-turn. Despite the fact that he was aware that Noralif was standing in front of his car, Shahrir continued to inch towards him.

According to court documents, Shahrir was a driver for his wife’s transport business and provided limousine services to ferry individuals between Singapore and Malaysia. The reason behind his actions is that he was in a rush, being late to pick up passengers.

Noralif’s partner then used his hand to hit the car’s bonnet and instructed Shahrir to stop. However, Shahrir wasn’t taking no for an answer and proceeded to inch towards Noralif until his car came into contact with the officer’s leg. This is just asking for trouble.

Deciding to put a stop to Shahrir’s actions, Noralif’s partner reached his hand through the open window of Shahrir’s car and switched off the engine. Shahrir proceeded to turn on the engine once again after a dispute with Noralif’s partner.

He then continued to inch towards Noralif and the officer was forced to take multiple steps back to avoid being hit. After a brief communication with the officer’s superiors, they allowed Shahrir to drive towards Woodlands Checkpoint.

Not long after that, Shahrir was detained by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers and handed over to the police.

On Thursday, April 13, the Malaysian was brought to court and pleaded guilty to one charge of acting rashly to endanger human life or the personal safety of others. This resulted in four weeks of jail time and a 12-month suspension from driving.

Although no harm was brought to Noralif, the prosecution highlighted that there was “serious potential harm” and that police officers “must be protected from thuggish behaviour”.

According to sources, Shahrir broke down in court when the judge delivered his sentence and said he “respects Singapore law”.


Bentley KL Showcases Luxury, Performance & Craftsmanship In Penang [+Video]

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The world’s finest high-performance luxury Grand Tourer made its first public appearance in northern Peninsular Malaysia at the
Penang Rendezvous
 recently. The new
Continental GT First Edition
 – a series of cars limited by production – represents the ultimate expression of Bentley’s most technologically advanced model. For the full release click to download this:
Bentley KL Showcases Luxury, Performance and Craftsmanship in Penang

Here’s a closer look at the Continental GT First Edition from our friend Bobby Ang @ EVO Aurizn:


The BMW Concept Touring Coupé: Return Of The Clown Shoe

At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2023 opening, the BMW Group presented its BMW Concept Touring Coupé for the first time. The closed two-seater, which was created for a single piece of manufacture, carries on the legacy of iconic BMW classics.

Exterior

From the front, the two-door fastback resembles the recently updated
Z4 roadster
 identically. However, the quarter-front perspective reveals a completely different animal: sleek and powerful, the restyled silhouette proves to be a classic attention-getter.

The coupe has a long roof that blends with a beautifully sculpted, nearly vertical hatch in place of the customary canvas top. BMW chose to call its newest product Touring Coupe even though it is essentially a shooting brake in order to pay homage to the very first touring model introduced in 1971, which was based on the 02 series. For added depth and lustre, small glass shards have been blended into the custom paint.

It is essentially a Z4 M40i with the electronically retractable fabric roof removed to make place for a hardtop with the iconic Hofmeister kink.

The well-balanced two-seater nevertheless has a cohesive appearance despite the fact that the display car has been totally redesigned from the B-pillar rearward. The tail of the coupe appears more attractive and useful than the Z4’s short, crowded back end.

The kidney grilles and tailpipes are coated in matte bronze, as is the signature BMW Hofmeister kink visible in the side profile. With the bulging hatch below and the full-width drag-cutting and downforce-enhancing spoiler that the progressively descending roofline ends in, the car looks quick and furious even when parked.

The 21-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero tyres are mounted on the protruding rear fenders. Up front, it rides on 20-inchers.

Performance

Although its chiselled exterior gives the impression that it might eat an M4 for breakfast, engineering equipped the coupe with a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that produces 340 horsepower and is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission for the European market. The suspension is a carryover item that has not changed.

Interior

The cockpit has leather trim on every wall, as you might anticipate. The tri-tone colour combination combines a brownish grey with a saddle-tone ochre in the middle and striking black accents. The soft cowskin was donated by the renowned furniture maker Poltrona Frau, and the leather is braided in a very intricate pattern that is reminiscent of the baseball pattern used on the original Audi TT roadster.

The special baggage created by the renowned Schedoni leather workshop in Modena for the BMW Concept Touring Coupé exhibits the same high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. The specially constructed set includes a garment bag, two large weekender bags, and one compact weekender bag, and they are all precisely matched to the car.

The question now is, is there enough demand in the markets for a new variation of a model that isn’t exactly flying off the shelves?


More Peace Of Mind For Used-Car Buyers With myTukar Certified

Buying a used car always carries with it a risk. Having been owned and used by one or more people before, its condition can vary. If you’re lucky, the previous owner or owners looked after it well and had it regularly services so it is in good condition. But there are also unlucky used-car buyers who end up with a problematic car and wish that it had been inspected professionally earlier.

myTukar, the digital pre-owned car ecosystem across the Asia-Pacific region, understands this concern of buyers and has introduced myTukar Certified for reassurance. This technology-backed stamp of assurance certification for used cars is fully transparent and backed by detailed information and standardised inspections.

myTukar Certified follows the initiative by Carro, myTukar’s parent company, which had earlier introduced Carro Certified across key markets that include Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan.

“myTukar Certified is an important step forward towards redefining existing industry practices in the used car industry. We aim to alleviate the fears of used-car buyers and are committed to changing the perception of pre-owned vehicles. myTukar Certified ensures customers can buy pre-owned cars that are as good as new without compromising on quality, value, and safety standards,” said the CEO of myTukar, Derrick Eng.

In order to be myTukar Certified, the vehicle will have to undergo a comprehensive evaluation and refurbishment of its mechanical parts and details on key areas (exterior, interior, safety and underbody and also be road-tested. In total, no less than 160 points will be inspected.

The inspection also ensures that there is no mileage tampering, and there will be transparency relating to data about the car’s previous usage history, any damage, accidents, or repairs made by past owners. Buyers will be assured that it has not had major accidents, fire or flood damage.

To show its confidence in the quality of its inspections, myTukar offers a 12-month warranty on the gearbox and engine. This covers the costs of repairs and replacements, including spare parts and repair work. Additionally, there’s also a 5-day money back guarantee with full refund, no questions asked.

“Although pre-owned vehicles are generally accepted to be affordable and sustainable options, buyers are still fearful of the potential problems or issues that may arise in terms of vehicle maintenance and other aspects. myTukar Certified is here to provide customers complete peace-of-mind. With the car’s full refurbishment details up on the website, customers will have full knowledge of the vehicle they are purchasing beforehand. What’s more, with the many new retail experience centres now available nationwide, users are able to visit the physical stores and test the car quality for themselves,” added Mr. Eng.

First company in used car industry to get ISO certification

Click here
 for more videos at The Piston Show.


DBS 770 Ultimate – The Most Powerful Production Aston Martin Ever

In its 110
th
 anniversary year, Aston Martin presents the superlative-laden DBS 770 Ultimate, a DBS model that surpasses all others by being the most powerful production Aston Martin ever. To be limited to 499 units – 300 Coupes and 199 Volantes – the DBS 770 Ultimate marks the end of production of the current DBS which has a history going back to 1967.

As its name suggests, it will be the ‘ultimate’, with extensive design and engineering enhancements. And like all Aston Martins, the scope for true one-of-a-kind personal specification is virtually limitless with a diverse range of bespoke options that Q by Aston Martin provides. These include Q liveries with assorted graphics options, painted wheels to match body or graphics colours, tinted carbonfibre and woven leather seat inserts, trim inlays and a carbonfibre steering wheel.

The Aston Martin quad-cam 60-degree 5.2-litre V12 engine has been retuned to boost power output to 770 ps at 6,500 rpm and 900 Nm from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm. The boost also comes from modified air and ignition pathways together with a 7% increase in maximum turbocharger pressure. Precise tuning of power and torque curves gives the driver exceptional response, outstanding in-gear acceleration and the authentic V12 soundtrack with a maximum speed of 340 km/h.

Power flows through a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and mechanical Limited-Slip Differential  mounted at the rear of the car. In addition, the DBS 770 Ultimate has a unique transmission calibration to enhance shift speeds and driver interaction, contributing to a truly connected driving experience.

To further improve the direct nature of the steering response and increase the level of detailed feedback, the engineers developed a new solid mounted steering column which transmits exactly what the front wheels are doing and give the driver an accurate feel of the available grip.

Integral to achieving the engaging character and heightened steering feel, the front end lateral stiffness has been improved by 25% to provide maximum performance feel and response. This increase has been achieved with an enhanced front crossmember, and thicker rear undertray, which also increases global torsional stiffness by 3% for perfectly balanced driving dynamics.

Enhancements have also been made to the Adaptive Damping System with this car receiving unique damper calibration and software tune focusing on control and composure without compromise to ride quality.

The appearance of the DBS 770 Ultimate has been amplified to present greater assertiveness that distinguishes this final edition of the model. As always, design enhancements are done with functional purpose and in this case, provide increased airflow to the radiators, enhancing thermal management and give greater visual road presence. Drawing increased airflow through the engine radiators, the clamshell bonnet features a dramatic ‘horse-shoe’ engine vent and a new front splitter integrates two new outboard vents.

Further detail design changes include 2×2 Twill Carbonfibre Cantrail, Windscreen Surround, Mirror Caps, and Fender Louvre as standard. A new carbonfibre sill element visually lowers the side profile towards the rear wheel, creating a poised stance that accentuates the muscular physique. A unique design of rear diffuser maintains aerodynamic balance from front to rear giving an unmistakable look.

The unique 21-inch wheel style, available in three finishes, takes inspiration from the Valkyrie and Victor. Pirelli P Zero high performance tyres – 265/35 R21 front and 305/30 R21 at the rear – are standard fitment when the car leaves the factory.

Inside, the DBS 770 Ultimate has been given design treatments that set it apart and yet retain the  instantly recognisable cabin environment of the current DBS. Signifying its halo positioning, the DBS 770 Ultimate comes with Sports Plus Seats trimmed in full semi-aniline leather and Alcantara, featuring a ‘fluted’ quilt and perforation pattern. While Carbonfibre Gearshift paddles are standard, customers can also choose to have. Aston Martin’s performance seat fitted.

A bespoke trim split has been introduced, with contrast colours linked to welt and stitching, along with a tailor-made strap and buckle badge featuring a laser etched DBS 770 Ultimate logo found on the centre armrest. A unique set of sill plaques showcasing the Aston Martin Wings, DBS 770 Ultimate logo and Limited-Edition numbering signify each car as one of the 300 Coupes or 199 Volantes.

“When an iconic model generation reaches the end of production it is important to mark the occasion with something special. In the case of the DBS 770 Ultimate, we have spared nothing in ensuring the final version of our current series production flagship is the best-ever in every respect. Not only is it the fastest and most powerful DBS in our history, thanks to a comprehensive suite of improvements to the transmission, steering, suspension, and underbody structure; it is also the best to drive,” said Aston Martin’s Chief Technology Officer, Roberto Fedeli.

Production of the DBS 770 Ultimate starts during this quarter of the year and every unit already has a customer waiting. The first deliveries are expected to begin during the third quarter of 2023.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage ‘Final Edition’

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 for more videos at The Piston Show.


First Look At Honda Prologue EV To Go On Sale In 2024 (w/VIDEO)

Honda has revealed the exterior and interior styling of its Prologue battery-electric vehicle (BEV) that will go on sale in North America in 2024. The model, with a SUV bodystyle, is one of the two BEVs which the Japanese carmaker will co-develop with GM.

GM will supply its flexible global BEV platform
 powered by its proprietary Ultium batteries, and also build the BEVs at its plants in North America. The second model is planned for launch in 2027, by which time the companies will be looking at the start of ‘global production of millions of BEVs.

The Honda design team based in Los Angeles is responsible for leading the styling of the Prologue. They came up with the ‘neo-rugged’ for the design direction, with some influence from the
Honda e BEV
 model sold in Europe.

To further build the Honda EV brand identity, the ‘H-mark’ badge on the rear of the vehicle is replaced with the full Honda brand name in a stylized typeface that captures the modern and clean design of the Prologue. In addition, to align with Honda’s global EV models, the Prologue will adopt the brand’s e: series name badging.

Measuring 203 mm longer and 127 mm wider than the
latest CR-V
, the Prologue will be positioned above CR-V and alongside Passport. Sitting on a wheelbase of slightly more than 2 metres, the interior should be roomy with ample space for passengers and cargo. As with other recent Honda models, the cabin will be tech-rich with a standard fully digital 11-inch driver display panel and an 11.3-inch audio/connectivity display.

Honda’s research shows that hybrid-electric vehicle customers are among the first to move into full-electric (BEV) products. As such, the company will (in North America) be using its hybrid (or what is referred to as e:HEV in Malaysia) SUV models to ‘prepare’ customers for the transition. The Prologue will be available with all-wheel drive and aimed at active customers who want the versatility of an SUV with the zero emissions benefit of a BEV.

“We are not going to wait until 2024 to attract BEV buyers, because we see a natural progression for a CR-V customer to Prologue with its slightly larger size, larger interior and capable handling,” said Gary Robinson, Vice-President, Automobile Planning and Strategy at American Honda. “We will support that transition now by putting smart strategies in place with the CR-V hybrid, that will enable our customers to transition to a BEV.”

One approach will be a shorter-term 2-year lease for the model which will be available next month. This will enable a customer to easily transition into a Prologue when the new BEV launches in 2024. The company believes that increasing hybrid sales volume will help grow a future BEV customer base.

Honda will introduce 30 new EVs globally by 2030, with a targeted global sales volume of 2 million units. In North America, Honda aims to sell only BEVs by 2040.

Honda’s electrification plans will still include hybrid models, at least until 2035


Revised Toyota Yaris to be available soon

The Toyota Yaris gets its first update with revisions in cosmetics as well as the addition of safety features. Already a leader in the non-national hatchback segment, UMW Toyota Motor expects the updated Yaris to maintain its position.

Cosmetic changes can be seen in the new front grille. The bumper has also been restyled, gaining a more aerodynamic form with an aerokit accessory, with the DRLs repositioned. The headlights have also been restyled to be more eye-catching and have a follow-me-home function.

The follow-me-home function is useful at night as the lights remain on to provide illumination ahead. They switch off automatically after a while, ensuring that the battery is not drained.

Toyota Safety Sense

In the safety department, the provisions for the Yaris are representative of Toyota’s attention to giving occupants the best possible protection. Like the bigger models, the Yaris now comes with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) . This suite of safety systems comes with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Lane Departure Alert (LDA). Both systems use camera and radar sensors to monitor the road ahead.

PCS assists the driver in avoiding an accident by alerting and then taking braking action automatically if a collision is likely to occur. Even if a collision is unavoidable, the speed reduction can help reduce injuries as well as vehicle damage. It is active from a speed of 15 km/h so it is effective in urban conditions.

LDA, which operates from 50 km/h, will be helpful if the driver is drowsy and does not keep the car in its lane, and it starts to deviate dangerously into another lane. There will be a visual alert in the Multi-Info Display and also a beeping sound to alert the driver.

The Yaris also comes with a 3D 360-degree panoramic view monitor giving the driver an all-round view that is displayed on the dashboard panel. The images are created from four tiny cameras and cover the front, rear and sides. It is very useful to spot any hazards, obstacles or even small children nearby.

TSS complements safety systems that include Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill-Start Assist Control, Blind Spot Monitor,  Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), ABS, with EBD and Brake Assist, and Front as well as a Rear Digital Video Recorder.

For connectivity, the Yaris has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to link compatible smartphones to the infotainment system. This means favourite apps can be accessed via the 7-inch touchscreen on the dashboard.

Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) is now made as a standard feature for Yaris (G&E variants). VTS provides real-time tracking of the car which means that if it is stolen, the Control Centre for the telematics service will be able to locate it and inform the authorities. This will enable its recovery more quickly.

The Yaris is assembled along with the Vios at UMWT’s own assembly plant in Selangor.

Bookings accepted from today

Assembled locally, the Yaris is available in various colour choices, with Platinum White Pearl being a new colour. UMWT has a lot of experience with pearl finishes, having been the first company to introduce it when it was available with the Corolla models in the late 1980s.

“The revised Yaris is built to excite and exceed standards,” said the President of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn, Ravindran K. “It’s about giving an already vibrant model a more dynamic and charismatic personality, and this is a strong reflection of Toyota’s global commitment moving forward. We will continue to offer customers vehicles equipped with advanced safety features, unwavered reliability, performance and convenience throughout our product range, but it is equally important that these vehicles must have a strong presence and be exciting to own, experience and drive.”

The updated Yaris will be launched soon but confirmed prices have not been revealed (although estimated prices on the website start from RM71,688) . Nevertheless, they will be exempted from 10% sales tax until the end of this year. Bookings are accepted now at all authorized Toyota showrooms nationwide, or can also be made online.

Two more financing schemes available for new Toyota purchases


7.5% drop in new vehicle sales for November as one month remains to hit 500,000 units for 2022

All data from monthly reports of Malaysian Automotive Association.

The Total Industry Volume (TIV) for November was 58,742 units, a drop of 7.5% from October and 4% less than what was recorded in November 2020.

This decrease was attributed to reduced supplies of certain models due to the global shortage of microchips (as well as some parts), and some members of the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) also believe that customers may have deferred plans to purchase their new vehicles after learning that the sales tax exemption would be extended till June 30, 2022.

Although there are production delays at some plants due to shortage of parts, the total output in November of 58,0-79 units was 6% higher than for the same month in 2020.

The cumulative TIV over 11 months reached 441,136 units – 4% below the volume achieved for the same period in 2020. This means that the  industry would have to deliver 58,864 vehicles in December to hit the forecast of 500,000 units. While the MAA is optimistic that there will be a higher TIV in December, it is hard to predict just how much higher due to the supply issue. Typically, there is a significant jump at the end of the year with promotions and a final push by companies to get the best numbers before they close the year’s books. In 2020, the TIV went from 56,489 units in November to 64,836 units.

Production disruptions reduce Perodua deliveries in November by 27.1%