COMING SOON! New Peugeot 508 Makes Its International Debut And We’re Heading There! [+Videos]

The new Peugeot 508.
It’s an absolutely stunning car
 and
Piston.my
 has been invited to the international launch and test drive of the new Pug in Monte Carlo! In a few hours we will be leaving on an epic 18-hour journey to the South of France where 22-degree weather and more importantly the new 508 await. Check out the video below to see for yourself what we mean by
stunning…

We can’t wait to get behind the wheel as the excitement builds, and until we get to tell you our take on it, here’s what

AutoExpress UK

had to say about the new Peugeot 508. See you soon folks! –
Chris Wee.

Peugeot demonstrated that it hasn’t lost faith in the large saloon car market with the launch of this new 508. In the face of falling demand for large family cars like the
Ford Mondeo
 and
Vauxhall Insignia

Grand Sport, the
Peugeot 508

seems to have an uphill struggle on its hands. Can its sharp looks and high technology levels make it a viable alternative to its direct rivals, or even the ever-popular
BMW 3 Series
,
Audi A4
 and
Mercedes C-Class
 from the compact executive class? Peugeot certainly hopes so.

The 508 slots into a range that includes the 2008, 3008 and 5008 for buyers who simply must drive an SUV, leaving it free to fulfill the more traditional family car role with more than a little style. The car is arguably the most eye-catching large car to come from the brand in a very long time. Whichever way you look at it, the french carmaker has a very complete range of cars these days and there’s a Peugeot to serve most requirements, from the tiny 108 city car to the huge
Peugeot Traveller MPV
.

(Continued after the photo gallery below)

Now have a look at the 508 in action!

Peugeot 508 Photo Gallery (Images from
AutoExpress UK
)

More on the Peugeot 508…

It’s immediately apparent that the latest 508 has rather more visual appeal than its rather forgettable predecessor. The 508’s nose is dominated by a front grille that’s either slatted or studded, depending on trim level, and flanked by purposeful-looking headlights and blade-like daytime running lights. It’s sporty and distinctive, and fits well with the corporate style seen elsewhere in the Peugeot range.

This family resemblance is also encountered at the rear of the car, where noticeable blisters top the rear wheelarches, and a dark panel that runs horizontally through the bootlid is pierced by the glow of three tail-lamps either side. The 508’s sweeping fastback form is reminiscent of the Volkswagen Arteon, as are its frameless windows, and this gives the Peugeot quite an upmarket flavour.

The interior is no less bold in style. We’ve become used to cutting-edge cockpit design in Peugeot’s SUV range and the 508 offers a similar look and feel. The dashboard has been styled to accommodate a driving position that’s more low-slung and laid back than the one in the 5008 SUV, but shares that car’s small steering wheel, which is intended to be looked over instead of through when you’re glancing at the instruments.

It makes it easy to see Peugeot’s I-Cockpit electronic display, which is standard across the range and can be configured to display an array of information types. Combine this with the row of piano-key buttons for minor controls and the 508 has a real high-tech ambience.

Although the 508 is big on sporty appeal, not all versions have quite the power to live up to the car’s muscular looks. Entry-level Active models only offer a
1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel
engine option, with
129bhp
 and a six-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox. The latter is mandatory with the
158bhp 2.0-litre BlueHDI 160 diesel
 and
1.6-litre 177bhp BlueTech 180 petrol
 engines, which become available on Allure and GT Line models. The most powerful
2.0-litre, 177bhp BlueHDI diesel
 and
1.6-litre, 221bhp BlueTech 225 petrol
 engines are reserved for the GT and First Edition – a flagship offered for a limited period after the 508’s 2018 launch.

Claimed diesel fuel economy figures range from 62.8mpg for the BlueHDi 180 to 74.3mpg for the BlueHDi 130 diesel automatic. The former emits a claimed 98g/km of CO2, which means a 24% Benefit-in-Kind tax penalty for company car users – narrowly beating the 25% figure for the 124g/km BlueTech 180 petrol. The latter will appeal more strongly to enthusiastic drivers, though, with a 0-62mph time of under eight seconds, while the 225 version brings the sprint time down to a little over seven. Even better news is that the latest 508 has the handling to exploit that power, too. It can’t match the BMW 3 Series for sheer joy, but few will complain that the Peugeot is dull to drive.

Expert independent car safety testing organisation
Euro NCAP
 has yet to reveal crash test results for the Peugoet 508. A driver assistance pack of adaptive cruise control with a stop and go function, and lane-positioning assistance is available, and autonomous emergency braking is standard across the range.

On balance, though, the Peugeot 508 still has loads of appeal, with sporty looks and an imaginatively designed interior, and it drives at least as well as its Ford, Volkswagen and Vauxhall rivals. While it might prove difficult to persuade buyers away from their SUVs, the 508 might well attract sales from would-be BMW, Audi and Mercedes buyers.


UMW Announces Toyota Vios With More Features

One of the most popular non-national cars out there, the Toyota Vios has been upgraded with more accessories and refreshed looks, offering better value for money.

For the top-of-the-range Vios TRD, the bodykit now has enhanced sporty looks with new colour-coordinated stripes. The exclusive bodykit, designed by TRD Asia, not only gives a sportier look but also offers functional benefits in the form of improved aerodynamics. The door mirror covers are now finished in black for added stylishness.

For the remaining variants, there is a new design of bodykit with honeycomb design grille that follows the latest styling trends. For the 2018 model, the interior looks have been refreshed with new seat cover designs for GX, E and J grades. The leather seat cover for GX variant is perforated to provide ventilation and improve comfort.

Parking sensors are fitted to the Vios 1.5 TRD, GX and G variants to make parking easier and safer. The rear sensors are useful especially for reversing, while the front sensors will help in getting into tight spots and avoid bumping against other objects which can damage the paintwork on the bumper.

All variants of the Vios are now fitted with a compact Shark Fin antenna on the roof, following current design trends. The Shark Fin antenna for the TRD variant is black in colour to enhance the sporty looks while the other variants follow the body colour. Due to its slim cross-section, this type of antenna has lower wind noise compared to the conventional pole type and does not need to be retracted or removed if the car is passing through an automated car-wash machine.

Scuff plates are also installed on the door sills of all variants to provide protection for the paintwork as well as add a stylish touch. Except for the Vios 1.5 J, the stainless steel scuff plates on all the other variants also illuminate when the doors are opened. The foot lamp illumination has been given a new look with amber colour for the TRD variant and white for other variants.

Advanced accessories such as Panoramic View Monitor, Digital Video Recorder and more advanced DVD-AVN infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and smartphone and internet connectivity are still available for all Vios. For Vios 1.5 J owners who wish to upgrade their infotainment system, there is an optional DVD-AVX system with a 6.2-inch touchscreen that comes with Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI, Voice Dial as well as the Reverse Camera.

The cost of these accessories can be included in the hire purchase (H-P) loan amount if specified at the time the car is purchased. They are fitted at UMW Toyota Motor’s own Accessories Centre by trained installers and come with a warranty against manufacturing defects.

There are six variants available to choose with affordable prices as low as RM74,980 (W/O insurance). From now until the end of February 2018, purchasers of the new Vios can save up to RM2,512 and get an ang-pow worth RM988, plus free accessories. All offers are for selected variants and subject to terms and conditions, while stocks last.

All Toyota models come with a 5-years warranty and unlimited mileage for peace of mind ownership. The warranty is available for the next owner within the first 5 years coverage which further enhances the value of the car.

To find out more about the latest Vios and the special offer for Chinese New Year, customers can visit any Toyota showroom where test-drives are also available, or visit toyota.com.my.


Audi To Offer EV’s Only From 2033￼

After Germany questioned the EU’s support for the regulations, the bloc’s member states postponed a vote scheduled for next week on the law that will ban the sale of new CO2-emitting vehicles by 2035.

However, Audi, they have planned to totally cease production of ICE cars by the end of 2026 but this might see some delays due to the ongoing discussion.

Chief Executive Markus Duesmann said, “turning away from the phaseout risked leaving the industry in limbo. And that would be fatal for the car industry.”

“Audi has made a clear decision: We are phasing out the internal combustion engine in 2033 because the battery-electric vehicle is the most efficient method for individual mobility,” he added.

Feeling pressured by the Germans, the European Union has to make an exemption for vehicles tuned to burn
 synthetic fuels
. This exemption was a proposal given by Germany because the auto industry makes up the largest proportion of its industrial sector.

According to Reuters, in a draft proposal to phase out ICE vehicles, it will require these vehicles to lock out other fuels to limit their net carbon emissions, which e-fuels do with great efficiency.

However, the German officials are still unhappy with the conditions that come along. This is due to the fact that it would require the development of new ICEs tailored to e-fuels, which would be difficult for German automakers committed to ceasing ICE development altogether.

Synthetic fuels are a gasoline substitute made by capturing CO2 from the atmosphere and processing it into fuel using electricity.

“We want climate-neutral mobility”, and to do so means being open to all conceivable technologies, German Transport Minister Volker Wissing told a news conference.

Even the Italian transport minister, Matteo Salvini, claimed that it makes no “economic, environmental, or social sense.” He also once described Vladimir Putin as “the best politician and statesman in the world” this is because Putin thinks that the EU’s agenda doesn’t help the environment, calling it “pseudo-environmental fundamentalism.”

Italy was part of a coalition of countries that suggested delaying the end of sales for fossil fuel vehicles until 2040. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend a German cabinet meeting at the Schloss Meseberg palace on Sunday, where the topic is likely to be discussed.


Rio Ferdinard to better foundation with apprenticeship programme

Famous footballer Rio Ferdinand, has teamed up with Aston Martin to help inspire and develop future generations with the proper skill set. The Rio Ferdinand Foundation or (RFF) works to provide career opportunities to youth in the UK.

It focuses on inspiring young people and providing them with the required tools to tap into their natural talents and reach their potential. And this new partnership with Aston Martin will see one person from RFF join the Aston Martin Apprenticeship Programme each year over the next three years.

The automaker is proud of its programme, which has seen its apprentices rise to leading roles within the company. Andy Palmer, the current President and CEO of Aston Martin, started his own career as an apprentice. This speaks volume about how thorough the company is at imparting the proper knowledge and skills to its employees.

Apprentices are given a full grounding across a range of business areas including Manufacturing, CAD Engineering and Design. They are taught by some of the finest engineers and technicians that work with the company. Earlier this month, 30 new apprentices joined Aston Martin in the hopes of enjoying lucrative careers there.

Speaking of his foundation, Rio Ferdinand, said, “Since setting up the RFF in 2012, it has been a huge source of pleasure for me to see these young people make positive choices and create a good life for themselves and their families.”

In addition to the tie up, Aston Martin has made Rio Ferdinand its brand ambassador, which should help increase its appeal to a wider range of consumers. Ferdinad has been a customer and fan of the company for a long time and his newest appointment could signal more collaborative efforts between him and the supercar maker.


Toyota to preview ultra-compact battery electric vehicle (BEV) it will start selling in 2020

After its pioneering role in mass producing hybrid vehicles in the late 1990s and then taking on a leadership position in the segment, it looks like Toyota plans to do the same for battery electric vehicles or BEVs. With hybrids, Toyota successfully brought the more environment-friendly powertrain into the mainstream, enabling volumes to become larger. This, in turn, allowed economies of scale to kick in and lower production and technology costs, making hybrids more affordable.

At the Tokyo Motor Show this month, the carmaker will display a new, production-ready ultra-compact BEV which it plans to start selling in Japan late next year. The ultra-compact 2-seater is specifically designed to meet the daily mobility needs of customers who make regular short-distance trips, such as the elderly, newly licenced drivers or businesspeople visiting local customers.

The next-generation mobility solution is designed to provide short-distance mobility while limiting impact on the environment. It has a range of approximately 100 kms on a single charge, can reache a maximum speed of 60 km/h and features an extremely tight turning radius.

Development chief Akihiro Yanaka said the BEV, which is less than 2.5 metres long and 1.3 metres wide, can be considered a mobility solution that can support Japan’s ageing society and provide freedom of movement to people at all stages of life.

There will also be a variant for business although it is currently in concept stage and plans for sale have not been announced.

New business model to popularise BEVs

Toyota is also pairing its planned launch next year with a new business model that aims to promote the wider adoption of BEVS in general. This includes examining every step of the battery pack’s life, from manufacture through sale, resale or re-use, and recycling to maximise its value.

In the near term, Toyota will focus on expanded leasing initiatives designed to recapture used batteries for evaluation and re-use as appropriate in pre-owned vehicles, as service parts, or even in non-automobile applications. Toyota is also developing peripheral services for BEVs such as recharging stations and insurance.

The first of BEV models from Toyota which will appear in Japanese cities from next year,

Toyota developing mobility vehicle as ‘last mile solution’ at 2020 Olympics in Tokyo


Driver Drowns As Lorry Sinks Into Sea

At the Lumut Maritime Port in Sitiawan, a 20-year-old lorry driver identified as Aqil Rasydan Razmi drowned after it was reported that he dozed off while operating the vehicle yesterday.

“Initial investigations found that the incident happened in the Lumut Port area involving a lorry. During the incident, workers were unloading stones from the lorry,” said District police chief Assistant Commissioner Nor Omar Sappi.

“The lorry driver is believed to have dozed off, causing the vehicle to move forward and fall into the sea,” he added.

Mohd Azizi Zakaria, the head of operations at the Sitiawan fire station, said they received a distress call at 5:30 in the morning and that the lorry went into the water at a depth of about 11 meters.

The operation, conducted with the assistance of the Pangkor Island station’s Underwater Rescue Team, ended at 10:13 am.

The lorry was pulled from the water using two cranes, and the driver was declared dead at the site.

His remains were taken to the Seri Manjung Hospital for post-mortem examination.


Sime Darby Auto Selection Service Centre for post-warranty vehicles

Sime Darby Motors has been building up its portfolio of automotive and automotive-related brands for many years, and today represents 31 brands in Asia and Australasia. Some 20 years ago, the Sime Darby unit tried to establish a shared approach for its brands but at that time, conditions were different and the idea was not so viable.

Today, that vision has been realised with Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Selangor, where a number of brands are housed with sales and aftersales facilities available. Then
Sime Darby Auto Selection
 was established to offer pre-owned vehicles, with an online channel as well.

For post-warranty vehicles

Now Sime Darby Auto Selection has also opened a multi-brand service centre, as part of the company’s strategy to offer a new aftersales service alternative, at a price point competitive with independent workshops, for post-warranty vehicles.

Located in Glenmarie, Selangor, the service centre offers owners the same quality of service provided by brand-specific authorised service centres. Utilising state-of-the-art equipment, the purpose-built facility is able to service and maintain vehicles of various brands. It has highly-trained and skilled technicians who can provide quality workmanship.

“The opening of this new after-service facility is very timely to meet the changing demands of car owners, who are always on the lookout for alternatives after their car warranty expires. With this one-stop service centre, car owners – especially those with different car brands – will enjoy the convenience of a one-stop service centre that offers high quality service, at an unrivalled price,” said Jeffrey Gan, MD for Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.

“Customers today are more knowledgeable and aware of the changing trends in the market. With the new and innovative Sime Darby Auto Selection Service Centre, we hope to instil customer confidence so that this becomes their go-to centre for all their vehicle maintenance needs,” he added.

Various services available

Apart from basic services such as engine oil replacement, tyre alignment and balancing, air-conditioner and car disinfection service, the service centre also offers repairs, car washes and vehicle inspections.

The 4,117 square foot facility has 6 service bays and an environment for customers to wait comfortably. Those unable to personally send in their vehicles can also arrange for pick-up and delivery service. It operates 6 days a week from Monday to Saturday.

Collaboration with SpareXHub

Meanwhile, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia has also teamed up with SpareXHub to offer vehicle owners an additional avenue to purchase genuine automotive spare parts at competitive prices.  The collaboration with the genuine spare parts e-commerce platform gives customers the ability to source, order and purchase original automotive spare parts of their preferred brands via a one-stop contactless platform from the comfort of their home or office.

Sime Darby Motors offers multiple brands under corporate programme


Refuelling your car? Remember to take these precautions…

Germs are all over the place and they’ve been there all along. Over the thousands of years, the human body has managed to build up defences for some of them or making ‘deals’ that if they don’t kill the human they live in, they can just stay. Medical advances have helped to fight infections too when the defences have failed and we have become sick.

But now we have a new enemy – the COVID-19 coronavirus – which has impacted the whole world, creating a pandemic. It’s not an alien invasion that we have seen in the movies but seems like one with the way it has swept the world and is killing thousands. Worse, it’s an invisible enemy which we cannot see so we don’t know where it is. Droplets of the virus could be on your keyboard, deposited there after you touched a basket at the supermarket and didn’t wash your hands with soap and water after you got home.

A home for germs

Since the virus can be almost anywhere and remains dangerous for hours and even days, precautions have to be taken touching any surface. These include using sanitizing wipes, sprays or gloves as well as hand sanitizers whenever you are away from home (which would be less now). One place where many may forget such precautions is at the petrol station: having pumped petrol countless times in our lives, we just forget that the pump nozzle  handle is a home for germs too.

Many different people grip the handle daily. Some may be sick and leave their germs behind and then if you are unlucky, you pick up the germs and then you get sick as well. Perhaps that is how you got the flu the last time, who knows? But fortunately, until now, the danger has been very low to the extent that the need to protect yourself when holding the handle is not that important. More important is that you avoid inhaling the fumes from the fuel which can be bad for you.

Avoid direct contact with your skin

Now, more than ever, you should take precautions when pumping petrol. If you use a credit card and need to enter a PIN, then you might want to either wipe the keypad first with an antiseptic tissue or use some other object to press the keys to avoid direct contact. The PETRONAS Setel system is a contactless system which activates the pump using the mobilephone and some pumps also have wave capability for credit/debit cards.

Next is holding the nozzle handle and for this, you could use gloves, which you should dispose of after use (to conserve your supply, you could probably just use one glove). Disposable plastic gloves (the thin type) are a risk as they could cause static electricity so use only latex gloves.

Or you could get an unused cloth or paper and use it as a glove. The important thing is just to avoid direct contact with the handle so your hand doesn’t pick up any germs.

The final step, if you feel it is necessary, would be to clean your hands using a hand sanitizer which you should have in your vehicle. Try to avoid touching too many areas in the cabin so as not to deposit anything on them and if possible, use antiseptic wipes to clean them (we’ll talk about that in another article).

Petroleum companies also do their part

The petroleum companies also realise the importance of ensuring that the surfaces and points of contact are kept as hygienically clean as possible for the safety of customers visiting their stations. At BHPetrol stations, for example, the staff frequently sanitize and disinfect many areas and also offer filling services for motorists who prefer not to get out to do it.

You probably use your car much less now with the Movement Control Order in effect, unless you are commuting daily because you are involved in one of the essential services. So consumption would be lower and a full tank will last you much longer than usual. But should you have a need to refuel, do keep in mind our suggestions – to protect yourself and your loved ones.


Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team reveals AMR22 racing car for 2022 F1 season

The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team is the third of the F1 teams to show its new racing car which will be used in the 2022 championship The car retains the overall green bodywork with new sponsor’s logos all over. The sponsors this year include Aramco, the Saudi Arabian oil and gas company which is one of the largest companies in the world.

Designated the AMR22, it is totally new to meet the significant changes in technical regulations for the sport. These include aerodynamic aspects – which are expected to allow for more overtaking – as well as a
switch to larger 18-inch tyres
 that give a new look. However, as the new regulations will be around a while, the design of the car will continue to evolve and might even have changes when the first round starts.

The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team will continue to have 4-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll (whose father is Executive Chairman of the company) as its drivers.

Aston Martin returned to F1 racing only last year
 and after a difficult season, finishing seventh in the world championship. But it is no stranger to GP racing as Aston Martins raced in the top-level category 100 years ago, starting with the 1922 French Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel in the AMR21 during the 2021 season which the team finished overall seventh in the world championship.

Aston Martin says that data from the 2021 season demonstrates that the global platform of Formula 1 is heightening brand desirability and product familiarity for Aston Martin as the sport enjoys growing popularity worldwide.  Its website traffic increased by 15% when there were races on, compared to non-race Sundays. This increased to 25% on weekends where the company supplied the Vantage and DBX as
Official F1 Safety & Medical Cars
.

Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “The return of Aston Martin to Formula One has been a monumental moment for the brand, with transformative impact for our performance credentials and global awareness. Through the race team and our status as the Official Safety and Medical Car of Formula One, we have been able to showcase our product and test new technologies on the world’s greatest circuits.”

Official testing will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit over 3 days on March 10-12. The first round of the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship season will also be at the same circuit on March 20.

F1 tyres to go from 13 inches to 18 inches in 2022 (w/VIDEO)


BMW Malaysia Elevates Premium Car Ownership Experience With “BMW Moments”

BMW Malaysia
 has introduced
“BMW Moments”
 – a one-of-a-kind ownership privileges programme curating all exclusive ownership experiences and services to deliver the comprehensive and complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership Experience.

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia
 (above) said,
“At BMW, we have always been committed to providing our customers with first-class service that delivers the best-in-class ownership experience. We will continuously deliver the freedom to enjoy the promise of Sheer Driving Pleasure with peace of mind through innovative, industry-first products and services for our valued customers. Now, BMW Moments will allow us to better communicate and deliver the Complete BMW Premium Ownership Experience that we have to offer every customer.”

BMW Moments
 represents the range of best-in-class services and privileges that every BMW owner is entitled to. This ranges from providing flexible and innovative financing options; reliable premium care and assistance; to elevating customers’ sheer driving pleasure through an array of exclusive lifestyle privileges; all of which are delivered through three distinctive categories including
BMW Support, BMW Care
and
 BMW Privileges
.

24/7 peace of mind with BMW Support…

Under BMW Support, BMW owners are guaranteed absolute peace of mind with the BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline. The emergency aftercare protection service programme adds a level of safety and convenience on the road for all BMW owners.

Available to customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and just a mere call away, qualified specialists from the call centre will take care of absolutely everything that needs to be done in the event of a breakdown or accident. The program offers lifetime phone assistance and organizational support, as well as comprehensive mobility services in case of an emergency, immobilisation or break down at no cost for new owners.

Warranty programmes for uncompromising driving experience with BMW Care…

As part of the complete premium ownership experience, all new BMW vehicles come with the BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service. The manufacturer-backed warranty will be offered up to the fifth year of ownership with unlimited mileage. By extension, the programme also includes free scheduled service and maintenance for up to 100,000km. The scope of services with the warranty programme is in accordance to the Condition Based Service (CBS) status and includes engine oil service with oil filter and refill quantity, air filter, micro filter, spark plugs, brake fluid and service vehicle checks.

The BMW 2-Year Tyre Warranty programme entitles owners to a comprehensive tyre protection plan that covers tyre damages caused by any sharp objects or by hitting the edge of a curb or pothole. For new cars, a complimentary BMW Tyre Warranty is provided on all four BMW Approved Star-Marked Tyres that come factory fitted with the new BMW car; for aftersales purchases, a complimentary BMW Tyre Warranty is available on any BMW Approved Star-Marked Tyres purchased from any BMW Authorised Dealer.

Engineered in collaboration with leading tyre manufacturers around the world, BMW Approved Star-Marked Tyres are the only tyres manufactured exacting to the performance standards of a BMW vehicle. The precise harmonisation of the wheels, tyres and chassis components are essential to achieving optimum handling and performance. Only tyres bearing the star are guaranteed premium features and properties exclusive to BMW Approved Star-Marked Tyres.

Enjoy innovative financing and the finer lifestyle with BMW Privileges.

Owning a BMW car opens up doors to a suite of benefits and privileges exclusive to BMW owners, under the BMW White Card, BMW White Card Elite, or the BMW Excellence Club for the BMW 7 Series owners. Whether it’s receiving invitations to exclusive BMW events or a host of dining, shopping and lifestyle offerings, the BMW owners club is the gateway to an incomparable premium lifestyle.

BMW Malaysia also makes owning a BMW vehicle an effortless experience with its range of industry-leading financing programmes. Flexible loan tenures and interest rates are available through innovative purchase solutions such as the BMW Full Circle Programme, BMW Balloon Financing and BMW Step Down Financing.

To find out more about BMW Moments, visit
https://www.bmw.com.my/BMWMoments
 or access the world of privileges on the go as a BMW customer via The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App, available on the Apple App Store or Google Play. For information about BMW Malaysia and its range of premium products and services, visit
www.bmw.com.my
.


Toyota GR Supra Jarama Racetrack Edition

The Toyota GR Supra’s fundamental appeal is being a sportscar in its purest form, and a sportscar is at home on a racetrack. Thus it’s only appropriate that the company has developed an exclusive version which it calls the Jarama Racetrack Edition.

Only for Europe

Only 90 units of this version will be available, all for sale only in Europe. The ‘90’ is s subtle reference to the coupe’s model code which is ‘A90’ and the name is, of course, that of a well known racing circuit in Spain. In fact, that is where many of the world’s media had their first experience of the GR Supra two years ago.

The Jarama Racetrack Edition is visually distinguished by its unique Horizon Blue paintwork, contrasting with a matt black finish for its 19-inch forged alloy wheels and visible red-painted brake calipers.

Tuned by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

Under the long bonnet is the original, 340 bhp/500 Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six unit, tuned by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the company’s high-performance unit. The engine output flows through a rapid-shift 8-speed sports automatic transmission. When using the car’s launch control system, 0 -100 km/h acceleration times is claimed to be 4.3 seconds.

‘Golden ratio’

The sports performance and handling are said to be every bit as rewarding as the regular GR Supra, founded on the car’s finely balanced chassis and the ideal ‘golden ratio’ between the wide track and short wheelbase.

A low centre of gravity, a lightweight and highly rigid body and aerodynamically efficient add to the car’s agility and stability. These qualities are optimised by performance-enhancing features including adaptive variable suspension (with NORMAL and SPORT settings), active differential, sports-tuned steering and powerful Brembo sports brakes with four-pot aluminium front callipers and 348 mm vented front discs.

Exclusive interior fittings

In the cabin the car’s special status is signified by a carbonfibre dashboard insert specifying its number in the production run and featuring an outline map of the Jarama circuit, plus the Toyota GR Supra logo. The interior is upholstered in black Alcantara with blue stitching and the seats are power-adjustable and have a memory setting and integrated heating.

Standard equipment which customers will get includes satellite navigation with 3D-mapping, smartphone integration (via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), Supra Connect access to connected services and a 10-speaker audio system. Multimedia functions are controlled using an 8.8-inch TFT touchscreen, or (for certain functions) voice recognition.

The Supra Safety + Package provides a comprehensive range of active safety features, including a Pre-Collision System with a pedestrian detection function and the ability to recognise cyclists during daytime driving; Lane Departure Alert with steering assist; Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go function; Adaptive High-beam System; Adaptive Front-light System, which adjust the headlight illumination in line with the car’s steering angle; and Road Sign Assist.

In Malaysia, the GR Supra is available through dealerships with the
GR Garage
 (currently 5 outlets in Peninsular Malaysia). Prices start from RM589,987 (without insurance) and each unit comes with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty.

The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created


Modern Cars Can Be Stolen By Tapping Into A Headlight Wire

Modern vehicles come with cutting-edge security features that are intended to prevent theft. But according to a recent report, even the most advanced anti-theft safeguards can be evaded by connecting to a headlight wire. A method called CAN injection.

The headlight module of your car is where this keyless auto theft method starts, however, thieves only choose this point of entry since it gives them the simplest access to a car’s CAN bus system. If you’re wondering what a CAN bus system is, it’s the internal computer network that keeps everything running. It’s basically numerous ECUs throughout a modern vehicle that communicate with each other.

Thieves gain access to the CAN bus near the headlight connector by removing bumpers and trim pieces from a car. This allows them to get to the data wires that run through your car. Once inside, they can simply inject commands and disable the alarm system. This allows them to start the engine and drive away without triggering any alarms or alerts.

CTO of automotive cybersecurity company Canis Automotive Labs, Dr Ken Tindell explained how his friend, Ian Tabor, had a nearly new
Toyota RAV4
 stolen last year using this method. According to Tindell’s explanation, a tool has been developed, disguised as a JBL Bluetooth speaker and sold on the dark web that when wired into a vehicle’s control CAN bus, can impersonate the vehicle’s key fob.

There is a ‘Play’ button on the JBL Bluetooth speaker case, and this is wired into a chip. When this button is pressed, there is a burst of CAN messages. These CAN messages contain a ‘smart key is valid’ signal, and the gateway will relay this to the engine management ECU on the other bus.

There is an extra circuit that comes into play and it changes the way a CAN bus operates so that other ECUs on that bus cannot talk. Therefore, allowing the theft tool to do what it was designed to do.

The implications of this vulnerability are significant. Not only does it expose car owners to theft, but it also raises questions about the effectiveness of modern security systems. It is clear that manufacturers need to take steps to address this issue and improve their anti-theft measures.

Modern cars may have a lot to offer in terms of convenience and safety, but they are not immune to theft. Vehicle owners should invest in extra security that is currently available in the market such as a device that will not allow the engine to start unless the key has the correct chip. The chip has specialised coding specifically for the vehicle, so the engine will only start if the code matches what is registered in the chassis.


VW Camper worth RM490,671 to go under the hammer at Goodwood

One of the most valuable Type 2 VW camper vans in existence, which is worth £90,000 or RM490,671 will leave Windrush Car Storage (UK) for Goodwood where it will go under the hammer during the Goodwood Festive of Speed event.

Windrush is known for being a luxury spa for vehicles. There, automobiles are treated with the best care and detail service. Security is tight at the state-of-the-art Cotswold facility to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to these extremely valuable vehicles that are kept in a dehumidified and climate-controlled environment to maintain an optimum condition, which best suit their preservation despite the lengthy storage duration.

This Type 2 VW Camper was subjected to the very same treatment and has been kept in pristine condition at the facility for almost five years after its owner, Steve Quinn completed the vehicle’s meticulous restoration process.

Quinn acquired the rust-free, ex-California VW Camper in 2008. Back then, it didn’t have an engine and was in dire need of a makeover. Now, the vehicle has a new 100bhp 2.0-litre engine as well as a fully reworked interior that features wood paneling for the storage areas and chrome on the bumpers and rims and extensive white and blue paintwork.

There’s also modern tech features that include an Alpine surround sound system, DVD player and an internet connection. Since the completion of the restoration work, the vehicle has only traveled 2,897km, making it an extremely low mileage classic.

Regarding the storage of his beloved VW Camper, Quinn said, “The car was always kept in the very best condition and the team at Windrush even pointed out potential faults to ensure it continued running smoothly. I do love my Camper but it’s time to pass the torch. I’ll certainly be recommending Windrush to whoever is lucky enough to win at the auction!”

The Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place from 29th June to 2nd July and will play host to a number of spectacular motoring events including a vehicle display that consists of a number of
vintage and modern Formula One cars
. Till then, take a look at this impressive collection of pictures of Quinn’s VW Camper.


MINI and BMW prices with Sales Tax exemption

Note: Prices are for private registration and do not include insurance premiums and PUSPAKOM inspection charges. Tax exemption (until December 31, 2020) only applicable to 2020 models – 5% for imported CBU models, 10% for locally-assembled CKD models.

Most expensive BMW model assembled locally – the 740LE xDrive – is almost RM30,000 cheaper when no Sales Tax is included.

Note: Prices are for private registration and do not include insurance premiums and PUSPAKOM inspection charges. Tax exemption (until December 31, 2020) only applicable to 2020 models – 5% for imported CBU models, 10% for locally-assembled CKD models.


F1/Round 3: Preview & Starting Grid for 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix

Race starts at 3 pm in Portugal/10 pm in Malaysia

For the third round of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship, the teams return to Portimao in Portugal and the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, a circuit which is being used for a F2 race for only the second time. Unlike last October, when the drivers raced around a track totally new to them and the engineers had no previous data to refer to, there is now experience and knowledge that will help them optimize the car better and more quickly for the 4.65-km circuit.

Located on a hillside, the circuit has many elevation changes and the gradient changes are far steeper than they appear on TV. Toto Wolff, boss of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Team, does not consider these ups and down a technical challenge to the cars themselves but feels they have a much bigger impact for the driver.

“The simple answer is that elevation change does not impact the performance of the car as much as you might expect. It does put a little more strain through the cars, but they are built to handle heavy kerb strikes and large forces anyway, so a bit of extra compression in the suspension is no bother for modern-day F1 machines,” he explained.

“But different types of elevation change impact the cars in different ways, depending on the circuit and the topography. Some will require tweaks to be made to the car set-up, to really dial the car into the track characteristics and maximize them, while others will require the right compromise to be found,” he said.

The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, better known as Portimao Circuit, is located half an hour outside the city of Portimao at the Algarve in Portugal. It was opened in 2008, with construction completed in just 7 months at a cost of €195 million (about RM960 million).

Better grip this year?

Last year, the track had also been just resurfaced before the race and this reduced grip. It is presumed that 6 months of weathering will improve matters and Pirelli is sticking to the more durable end of its tyre range with the C1-C3 nominated as the hardest to softest tyres the teams can use.

“The track surface is still smooth, making it sometimes challenging for the drivers to find the right level of grip. With a big pit-stop time penalty, it should be a one-stop race on Sunday for the majority of drivers and we can already see that all 3 compounds could play an important role in this – which is why all the compounds were run extensively throughout the practice sessions,” said Mario Isola – Head of F1 And Car Racing at Pirelli.

The championship so far

The third round will start with the championships finely balanced. In the Drivers Championship, reigning champion Lewis Hamilton is just one point ahead of arch-rival Max Verstappen and that lead only came about because Hamilton drove very hard to set the fastest lap, thereby collecting the 1-point bonus for the achievement. The first podium finish for Lando Norris puts the McLaren driver in overall third.

The Mercedes-AMG team has accumulated 60 points after two rounds, 7 points ahead of Red Bull. This is still early in the championship, so the gaps will change over the season. Certainly, the reigning champions will want to widen the gap as quickly as possible but this year, Red Bull may present a stronger challenge to them and slow them from pulling away.

While this is only the second time that the circuit in Portimao is being used for a F1 round, Portugal has been host to the championship since 1958, with the Estoril Circuit being used between 1984 and 1996. However, the Portuguese GP was not included after 1996 and only resumed last year.

The successful drivers and team are therefore of the previous generation, with Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell having won three times each. Williams, a shadow of its glory days, was the most successful team and won 6 times.


Hamilton crowned 2017 F1 world champion

After an eventful race at the recent Mexico grand prix, Lewis Hamilton has won the 2017 Formula 1 world championship. The race was anything but ordinary for Mercedes-Benz after the British driver was involved with an accident with Sebastian Vettel early in the race.

This shunt forced both drivers to scramble to the pits for repairs and to change tyres, which effectively left them in second last and last place. They were well behind the charging pack once they rejoined the race. What matters worse was that Hamilton was eventually lapped, which placed him in an unfamiliar situation.

Though many wrote off Hamilton’s chances of sealing the championship title in Mexico, the Briton proved his tenacity and unwillingness to accept defeat by clawing back up the order. He eventually finished in 9th place while closest title rival, Vettel, managed a more successful 4th place.

Despite finishing well ahead of Hamilton, it wasn’t enough to stave off his pursuit of a fourth world title. The race was eventually won by Max Vestappen with Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen completing the top 3.

Hamilton, who is now part of an elite club of five drivers who have won four or more world titles, was unhappy with how he won the title. Based on an article published by
F1.com
, he stated that felt it was a horrible way to win the title considering the drama that unfolded shortly after the race began.

There are only four other F1 drivers in history that have won four or more world titles, which are Juan Manuel Fanio, Alain Prost, Micheal Schumacher and Sebatian Vettel. It’s a proud moment for the Briton, but we are sure he will be gunning for a fifth title next year.

Source:
F1.com


McLaren Solus GT Hypercar To Debut At Goodwood Festival

McLaren’s track-only Solus GT will make its dynamic debut at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, turning a Gran Turismo idea into reality. This hypercar, known as the Solus GT, has a 5.2-liter V10 with bodywork that appears like it belongs in a futuristic video game.

The Solus GT first made its virtual premiere in Gran Turismo Sport back in 2017. The McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo was what it was called back then.

The Solus is astonishingly similar to an LMP (Le Mans Prototype) car in terms of specifications and technology as there are 264 3D printed parts utilised in the Solus GT.

Numerous characteristics strongly convey the feeling of dream becoming reality such as:

The sliding glass canopy, which curves forward to give access to the single seat in the middle
Aerodynamic pods that encase each wheel
The front splitter, which directs air through ground-effect tunnels and out the back diffuser
The motorsport-inspired intake above the cockpit that supplies the engine with cold air
A twin-element fixed rear wing

Additionally, the car features the recognisable McLaren “hammerhead” nose and teardrop cockpit with a wraparound canopy screen that offers a 180-degree perspective of the circuit.

The seat is firmly locked into place. However, the pedal box is completely adjustable, similar to the LaFerrari or a race-specific car. The Solus GT differs from a Formula 1 car in that the pedals are simple to alter while seated.

The majority of the main controls and a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display are located on the carbon fibre steering wheel. Above the driver’s head are the ignition switches and a fire extinguisher that is connected to the cars plumbing, along with a complete heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

Mclaren’s racing heritage is embedded everywhere in the Solus GT’s specifications, McLaren’s racing heritage. Its carbon fibre monocoque tub blends the company’s expertise from the last 40 years of creating road and race cars with a technological layout that is strikingly similar to previous and current LMP endurance racers. The front and rear impact structures are built from carbon fibre rather than aluminium as they are on the company’s road cars.

The 5.2 litre V10 engine produces more than 840PS and can rev up to 10,000 rpm. All of this is contained into a compact shell that weighs less than 1,000 kg and produces 1,200 kg of downforce. It does 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of 322km/h and is controlled using a seven-speed sequential gearbox.

According to McLaren, the Solus GT is as near to the sensation and experience of driving a Formula 1 car as you can get. You can actually listen to what the screaming V10 sounds like at McLaren’s
website
. Just head on to the “Power” tab and let the sound of music play.

Its debut is a part of McLaren’s 60th anniversary celebration, which also includes a line up of other modern models alongside historic ones. The new 750S mid-engine supercar will make its debut and along for the high-speed fun will be McLaren’s latest hybrid supercar, the Artura. But neither of those cars will be able to match the raw power of the Solus GT.

McLaren Artura

Only 25 of these are being produced, with a price tag that swings around $3.5 million (RM16.3 million).


Haval Malaysia Announces Ramadan 2018 Deals!

Go Auto Sales Sdn Bhd
, the exclusive distributor for
 Haval SUV
 in Malaysia has announced its April promotions which will be available at all Haval showrooms nationwide. The promotion will be offering new customers and current Haval owners who are interested to purchase new SUVs during the campaign period will be enjoying savings up to
RM3000.

“As part of our continuous effort to give Malaysian the opportunity to own an SUV at an affordable and competitive price. We are offering new and existing customers this month with free insurance and rebates with savings up to RM3000 for both Haval H1 and H2 models.”
said
Dato’ SM Azli SM Nasimuddin Kamal, Executive Director of Go Auto Group.

Aside from the current promotion, HAVAL Malaysia will be carrying out a roadshow nationwide in shopping malls and other locations to be closer to the public. To kick-off its roadshow, HAVAL will be having its first
Central Roadshow at AEON Mall Shah Alam from 24 to 29 April 2018
with many activities and promotions available for the public. Other locations for roadshows is planned to be held in Northern, Southern, East Coast and East Regions of Malaysia will be announced later nearing the event date.

For more information, contact Haval Customer Care at 03-5569 7332 or email
customercare@goauto.com.my
. You can also visit
www.haval.my

or its official Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/havalmy

or Instagram page at
www.instagram.com/havalmy
.


Maxx ‘N Go app aims to make vehicle maintenance easier for you

MaxxOil Malaysia, an oil distributor in the region has launched a new app that is aimed at simplifying vehicle maintenance and in turn, making it more convenient for its owners. The app, Maxx ‘N Go was launched at the Royal Chulan, KL by its brand ambassador, Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, YB Datuk Seri Ir. Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The app was designed and made available online in December 2016 and within a span of a few months, about 15,000 downloads were recorded. The app allows users to schedule an on site oil change service according to their convenience. Once they have selected a time and date, a mechanic from a nearby area will pop on over to your selected location and conduct a routine oil change on your vehicle by utilizing Maxx Oil’s products. This negates the need to take your vehicle to a service centre, instead the service centre comes to you. The app’s services are available for use, seven days a week, which is an improvement over what were are currently used to.

Besides regular consumers, Maxx Oil has also partnered with Grab Malaysia, making Maxx ‘N Go the panel’s service provider. As such, Grab’s driver partners can now get an exclusive discount on services by using the app. This will make it more convenient for Grab partners to get their vehicles serviced as and when they find most convenient.

Another tie up involved Maxx Oil and Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Car Dealer & Credit Companies Association (FMC). Through the use of the app, FMC’s car dealers are entitled to receive a special rate in a commission scheme. This places less of a burden on car dealers who need to ensure that vehicles on their lots are serviced at regular intervals. Instead of taking individual vehicles to service centres, well trained technicians will conduct maintenance work on the dearler’s lot.

As of now, the Maxx ‘N Go app services only covers Selangor and the Klang Valley but in a couple of months, users in Ipoh, Penang, Johor and Kelantan will be able to enjoy the same services described earlier. The app is available for download through the Google Play Store for Android devices and Apple’s App Store for iOS ones.


MG Cyberster concept

MG is an old British brand and while many Malaysians may think the brand has faded away, it is actually still around and is owned by SAIC, a company in China. The company is known as MG Motor UK Limited today and has a range of models which it sells in certain markets.

Like other carmakers, MG Motor also has an eye towards the future and it will show what its vision is at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show later this month. The vision will take a 3-dimension form known as the Cyberster concept car which was developed by the team at the MG Advanced Design Centre in London.

It is a 2-door, 2-seater sportscar recalling the brand’s tradition, drawing a number of styling cues from the classic MGB Roadster. There are those classic round MG headlights, coupled with a slim grille design, along with interactive ‘Magic Eye’ headlights that open when switched on.

Other interesting details of the MG Cyberster are the ‘laser belt’ LED strip down the side of the car and the outline of the door, which follows the direction of the LED strip. The tail lamps are of LED construction and are integrated flat into the rear of the car, projecting a digital image that echoes MG’s British heritage.

“Sports cars are the lifeblood of the MG DNA and Cyberster is a hugely exciting concept for us,” declared Carl Gotham, Director of SAIC Design Advanced London. “The Cyberster is a bold statement that looks strongly into MG’s future, touching on our heritage but more importantly building on our cutting-edge technology and advanced design.”

The Cyberster’s, with intelligent all-electric architecture, will have a projected EV range of 800 kms and is claimed to be able to go from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds. It will also feature 5G interconnectivity.

One of the current MG models on sale and (below) two concept cars presented in earlier years.

Mazda’s Kodo Design is 10 years old and continues to evolve


FIA WEC 2018: Cruel Twist Of Fate Robs Malaysian Team Of Podium @ Spa Francorchamps

The 6-Hours of
Spa Francorchamps
 on May 5 for the season opener of the
FIA WEC 2018/19 Super Season
 saw our all-Malaysian team finishing the race at a remarkable P4, despite set backs. Racing under the
Jackie Chan DC Racing x Jota
Team, Nabil Jeffri, Weiron Tan and Jazeman Jaafar (below, right to left) were running a strong P2 in their
FortuneCat#37
 car until the last 65 minutes, when they pitted in for the final driver switch.

During this pit-stop, an unrelated crash occurred in Sector 1, forcing the untimely deployment of the safety car and automatically turning the pit-exit lights red. The team were very close to an almost certain podium debut, if not for the unlucky final pit in; well as they say,
“that’s racing”.

However, the team’s successful climb back to a strong P4 finish scored them valuable World Championship points in the first leg of the
FIA WEC 2018/19 Super Season.

 RACE RESULT

MAY 5, 7.30PM

Finished #P4

 QUALIFYING RESULT

MAY 4, 9.25PM

2:03:023 (#P4)

 FP3 RESULT

MAY 4, 4.40PM

2:03:544 (#P6)

 FP2 RESULT

MAY 3, 10.45PM

2:03:306 (#P2)

 FP1 RESULT

MAY 3, 6.00PM

2:04:134 (#P4)


Nissan’s unconventional test approach

Contrary to  popular belief, some automakers utilize odd methods to determine paintwork durability. Nissan USA, has a miniature car wash about the size and shape of a popcorn machine that serves an important role at its Technical Centre in Michigan, USA.

As its name suggests, it is equipped with a spinning brush that has vibrant blue bristles, which whisk away at paint samples. For illustration purposes, a red 1:16 scale model of the 370Z is passed through the machine to study the damage that a regular car wash would do to the paint that Nissan uses.

In practice, paint is applied to rectangular plates, which are placed into the miniature car wash and tested multiple times to ensure a top-quality finish that lasts. Nissan’s little contraption is said to mimic the real thing, its brush rotates at 180rpm, causing the bristles to pelt the painted samples repeatedly as water jets spray water.

A special layer, called the ‘Arizona Dirt’ is applied to paint samples to replicate real-world grit, and allow for more practical understanding of the abuse that vehicle paintwork have to endure, especially when it comes time to wash them clean.

Testing methodology differ between manufacturers, but at Nissan, a miniature car wash is what they prefer. In reality, car wash centres may not use the best of tools when cleaning customers’ cars, which is why test such as these are conducted. Rough cloths or bristles can scratch clear coats and abrade paint, so durability is important.


Kia Grand Carnival to be launched soon

We’ve known for sometime about the impending launch of the all new Grand Carnival, and now Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, has confirmed that it will be sometime soon as it has just opened bookings for its people carrier.

A refresh of the original Grand Carnival is a welcomed addition to the rather stagnant MPV market, and by the looks of things, it could spice things up quite a bit. The new vehicle, looks very different from the one it replaces as Kia sought to fuse decent looks with family carrying capabilities. Kia says that its engineers spent extensive time designing the interior to offer decent legroom and ample luggage space even when fully loaded with eight occupants.

Other than the extensive redesign both inside and out, some of the more notable features of the Grand Carnical are the leather seats, power sliding door and tailgate, 3rd row passenger easy access system, push start button and HID head lamps with Daytime Running Lights. Kia didn’t skimp on safety either as the vehicle comes equipped with 6 airbags, electronic stability control and hill-start assist system. It also boasts receiving a 5-star rating based on the crash tests conducted by the ANCAP (Australiasian New Car Assessment Program) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffice Safety Administration).

Kia managed to bag a number of awards including JD Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) award, Top Safety Pick from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the 2015 Ward’s 10 Best Interiors award.

Speaking of the new Grand Carnival, Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group Chief Operating Officer, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd., said, “Despite 2016 being a challenging year for Kia in Malaysia, we managed to contain a better percentage than the national total industry volume’s negative growth. For 2017, we have foretasted our sales volume to increase by 25% and the All New Grand Carnival will play a pivotal role in achieving this target.”

Under the hood of the Grand Carnival is a 2.2-litre CDRi turbodiesel engine with a variable geometry turbo. It produces 190bhp and 440Nm of torque, which should prove useful when lugging the family around and especially when its to Genting.

Potential buyers can make their bookings at any Kia dealership in Malaysia including those in Sabah and Sarawak. So, if you are interest a Peter Schreyer people mover, head on over to your nearest Kia dealership.


Proton’s February sales rebound after low numbers in January due to supply shortages

The year started on a low note for the Malaysian car companies as supply issues and the after-effects of the severe floods pushed new vehicle sales down. However, February – normally a low month due to the short working days – proved to be better in spite of the Chinese New Year holidays.

Proton was among the companies that saw sales rebounding, with a 107% increase in sales. The company sold 9,225 units (domestic + export) during the month, which would put it back in second position on the sales chart for 2022. The company estimates that it captured 20.2% in February although for the first two months of the year, the cumulative market share is estimated to be 15.9%.

Top-seller was the X50

The model with the largest sales volume was the
X50
 with 3,002 units delivered, bringing the total over the first two months of 2022 to 5,603 units. This SUV has been exceptionally popular and Proton reports that over 100,000 bookings have been received in 16 months.

Next was the evergreen Saga, with 2,951 units delivered; while this is less than its usual monthly average, the numbers are expected to return to their previous level in the coming months. The Persona, with 1,675 units delivered, was third on Proton’s chart. The Exora, though having been in the market for quite some time, remains the best buy for anyone wanting a C-segment MPV.

While domestic sales still trail last year’s volumes, export sales are trending upwards and have grown by 72.8% in 2022. For the first two months of the year, 323 units have exported, compared to just 187 units in 2021.

All production lines in operation

With all production lines in operation at the factories in Shah Alam, Selangor and Tanjung Malim, Perak, February’s rebound in sales was a direct result of being able to produce more cars. “This was only made possible by the outstanding joint efforts of our vendors and Proton staff, who worked and continue to work ceaselessly to get us back on track. Thankfully, our order bank remains healthy, and we remain hopeful of catching up to our targets for this year,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

“As for the Malaysian automotive industry, the first two months of the year has seen strong demand as evidenced by the growth in TIV compared to 2021. This is good news for both car companies and the vendor community and is also testament to the effectiveness of policies set by the government,” he added.

To better serve its customers and enhance sales growth, Proton continues to grow its sales and service network. The 147th 3S/4S outlet was officially opened in Alor Setar today and is the tenth outlet for EON, a leading dealership. It is also the fifth Proton Platinum Showroom in the country.

A new Proton Platinum outlet operated by EON in Alor Setar.

Addressing customer complaints

“Proton is aware of the issues it faces regarding after sales and parts availability. Our customers have reached out to us, and we deeply regret any inconvenience caused. I would like to reassure them we take every complaint seriously and senior management has identified several bottlenecks and operational issues that require fixing,” Encik Roslan said.

He said that the first step taken to address the availability of parts has been implementation of a mandatory requirement where all dealers are required to have 3 months holding stock of 22 fast-moving parts. “Our central parts centre is also subject to the same requirement, and we hope this will ease waiting times for customers. We are also strengthening the capability and knowledge of our dealers to provide excellent aftersales service to all Proton customers. There is still a lot left to do, but we will give updates on our progress throughout the year,” he added.

Proton Edar to distribute smart New Energy Vehicles from China


VVT-i, i-VTEC, CVVT… and now CVVD from the Hyundai Motor Group [w/VIDEO]

VVT (Variable Valve Timing), VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control), VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence), i-VTEC (intelligent VTEC), Dual VVT-i, CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing) are all familiar valvetrain systems in today’s cars. Now the Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) adds a new one – CVVD or Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD).

The world first technology, first mentioned at HMG’s International Powertrain Conference in October 2017, is being revealed at the Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang in Korea this morning. The Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi will be the first engine to have the technology and it will be used in future Hyundai and Kia models.

CVVD optimizes both engine performance and fuel efficiency while also being eco-friendly. The valve control technology regulates the duration of valve opening and closing according to driving conditions, achieving a claimed 4% boost in performance and a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency, while cutting toxic emissions by 12%.

How CVVD works

Typical variable valve control technologies manage the timing of the valve’s opening and closing (as in CVVT) or control the volume of air admitted by adjusting the depth of the opening (Continuously Variable Valve Lift – CVVL). Previous variable valve control technologies could not regulate valve duration, as the valve’s closing timing was subordinate to opening timing and could not respond to diverse driving situations. CVVD takes the technology in a new direction by adjusting how long a valve is open.

When the vehicle is maintaining a constant speed and requires low engine output, CVVD opens the intake valve from the middle to end of the compression stroke. This helps to improve fuel efficiency by reducing the resistance caused by compression. On the other hand, when engine output is high, such as when the car is driving at a high speed, the intake valve is closed at the beginning of the compression stroke to maximize the amount of air used for combustion, enhancing torque to improve acceleration.

Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi Engine

Unveiled alongside the new CVVD technology, the new Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi Engine is a V4 turbocharged petrol unit with 180 bhp/265 Nm output. Besides using the Group’s new CVVD technology, it also features Low-Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (LP EGR) to further optimize fuel efficiency.

Additionally, the new unit has an Integrated Thermal Management System that quickly heats or cools the engine to an optimal temperature, and a strong direct spray system that achieves 350 bar, surpassing the 250 bar of the previous T-GDi engine. In addition, engine friction is reduced by 34% with the application of low friction moving parts.

“The development of the CVVD technology is a good example how HMG is strengthening our powertrain technology,” said Albert Biermann, President and Head of Research & Development Division at Hyundai Motor Group. “We will continue our innovation efforts to bring forth paradigm shifts and ensure sustainability of our business model.”


Putting the Sport in Touring: Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo Driven!

“What does Sport Turismo mean,” asked my father when I told him I was going to be driving the new Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo during the Porsche Drive of The Year.

I thought about it for a few seconds, and being unable to find a better way of explaining it, I just said:

“It is another fancy word for hatch back or estate, Dad, but it pretty much means the same thing – a car with a sweeping roof line”.

Or is it?

After driving it for an entire week around Peninsular Malaysia, I realized that the Panamera Sport Turismo is anything but, despite the sweeping roof line.

Before the days of SUVs, hatch backs and estates were the go to vehicles for convenience this side of a van, to store whatever it is you couldn’t store in a regular booth.

And many Sport Turismo articles have been written with references to the “shooting-brake” body style.

But how you could you explain the Sport Turismo concept without mentioning the shooting-brake, just look at the Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona Shooting Brake. This is about where it all started for the Shooting Brake themed sports cars.

But quick search on wikipedia will tell you that the shooting-brake was originally “horse-drawn wagons used to transport shooting parties with their equipment and game”.

Today though, the basic idea remains the same – to carry a lot of stuff – except the game now is replaced with the space necessary for family.

However, that still does not explain why Porsche prefers to call it Sport Turismo rather than the Panamera Shooting-Brake.

Lets first go back to the Grand Turismo, a type of car, initially a coupe, that was the perfect mix of luxury, a massive powerful engine, and the ability to traverse continents without the passenger knowing it.

The term then got twisted to prefer marketing departments of different manufacturers and that is how we arrived at the Sport Turismo, cousin of the Grand Turismo, cousin of the Grand Tourer, sometimes simply known as the GT.

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is the cooler, sleeker, roomier and supposedly more convenient cousin to the Panamera sedan.

But to be totally, completely, to the point. It is not thaaaat much roomier than the sedan, in fact, from some points, the sedan is a better car. The Sport Turismo is actually 65kg heavier because of the additional body work around the c-pillar.

But what it is however is a cooler car, it has a lot more road presence simply because of its peculiar looks.

And the fact that it is a massive car, almost ten feet long and six and a half feet wide.

It may be a bulbous car though, but it has some very clever electronics that make its hefty size feel like a hot hatch.

At the heart of the car is a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder twin-turbocharg engine with 330hp and 450Nm of torque.

Arguably that is not a lot of power for a car that costs close to RM1 million, considering that a Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG makes 380hp, but I know that’s like comparing a “spruce goose” to an F-15. Just saying that it doesn’t make that much power.

But it still entertained everyone who drove it.

Driving the Sport Turismo is an experience by itself, one that is not much different from the sedan or the Cayenne.

The dashboard is as wide as the car and the centre console is takes up most of the space with the gear knob and touch-screen switches in the form of a black touch pad.

Confession – I still prefer the buttoned switches of the previous-generation Panamera.

But what I really appreciate about the interior of the car though is it’s:

A) Superb build quality.

B) A beautiful high resolution 12-inch touchscreen display.

C) Rear passenger leg room and amenities.

The Sport Turismo, like its cousin, sits four, but Porsche realized that sometimes family folks, instead of business moguls, buy the ST, so now offer a conventional 4+1 seating concept as standard.

If you’re a business mogul who prefers the four-seater, you just have to tock the box on the options list where it says “individual rear power seats”.

Anyway, back to what makes the ST feel like a hot-hatch. Technology and smart electronic systems.

The size of the car is managed by Porsche’s rear-axle steering system that moves the rear wheels in opposite direction to the front wheels at low speeds – giving the car surprisingly manageable in tight parking lots – and then moves the front and rear wheels in the same direction during high-speed maneuvering, aiding agility and “flickability”. About a year and a half ago, we were given the opportunity to take a ride in the ST around Sepang with Le Mans Earl Bamber behind the wheel, you can imagine what ensued, and that’s where the photo above is from.

But there are other Porsche systems that bring the car to life on tight trunk roads, like the Porsche Active Suspension Management, Dynamic Chassis Control Sport, and a unique air suspension with three-chamber technology.

Managing everything in an onboard computer that calculates the car’s pitch, roll and yaw, calculates the data quicker than u can think and immediately preps the car, giving the driver maximum control at all times.

In the mountains around the Belum Rainforest Reserve in Pahang, the tight winding roads put the ST’s computers to the test.

The rear-axle steering hid the bulk while the electronic suspension kept the car’s body roll in check.

The car didn’t exactly handle as if it were on rails, but considering its size and weight, it handled beautifully.

Better than the Cayenne too, but the ST is low and wide, better handling than the Cayenne is to be expected.

But underneath it all, it was the electronic gremlins doing their thing. The Porsche Active Suspension Management working overtime to reduce body movement and interior comfort.

There is no way a car like the ST is able to accelerate and brake, turn on a dime and catapult out of a corner if it were not for advanced technologies underneath that metal work.

But inside it remains serene, even the sport exhausts have an elegant bellow, high-pitched at the fun end of the rpm meter, and low rumbles at the not so fun side.

You can customise the car according to how you want it, everything from the colour of the stitching to the colour of the rims.

The car we drove during DOTY costs a cool RM1.2 million. It of course came with all the feel-good, look-good, go-fast options.

Our favorite part about the car we spend a week with? The sport chrono package, sport exhaust, 21 inch wheels, and eight-way power rear seats.

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is not here to make up for the standard Panamera lacks, it is here to make an already capable car all the better and is for those who want the space but not an SUV.


Sales & Production Summary – July 2020

Source: Malaysian Automotive Association

♦ With the government exempting Sales Tax and car-buyers able to save money, new vehicle purchases have started rising, with July increasing by 29% over the June Total Industry Volume.

♦ The Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 57,552 units comprised 52,119 passenger vehicles, and 5,433 commercial vehicles (including pick-up trucks).

♦ Compared to the same month in 2019, this year’s volume was 13% higher.

♦ However, cumulative sales after 7 months of 232,245 units are 33% lower than for the same period in 2019 which was 347,171 units.

♦ To achieve the MAA’s 470,000-unit forecast for 2020, the industry must sell an average of 47,551 units, or a total of 237,755 units, in the remaining 5 months.

♦ Production also rose as plants shifted into higher gear and compared to the same month in 2019, the total output was only 3% lower. Cumulative production is, however, 36% lower than for the same period last year.

Source: Malaysian Automotive Association


Evolution of the Honda logo

When Soichiro Honda began making motorcycles, the logo which he chose as a brand mark had wings, and this was inspired by a sculpture of the goddess Nike (the ancient Greece goddess of Victory) which he saw. Over the years, from the 1950s onwards, the Honda Wings would evolve while maintaining the same side view.

For automobiles, which began in 1963, the brand logo did not use the wings as a basis but a simple ‘H’. This was prominently placed on the front of the T360 mini truck, Honda’s first automobile. The shape of the ‘H’ was trapezoid with the top wider than the bottom. It is believed that this was intended to look like ‘reaching for the sky’ – well known of Honda, the ambitious founder.

Apart from a few variations in size, the logo design has remained unchanged for over 50 years. It has been finished in silver (or grey), black on some models and for the Type R versions, the background has been in red. In earlier years, when the brand was still young, the HONDA name was inserted below or within the ‘H’ but over time, this became unnecessary as Honda became well known all over the world.

Here’s a collection of the different badges on grilles over the years, starting from the first one on the T360 in 1963. They are not in chronological order but show the way the ‘H’ has changed from its broad presentation to a tall and slim one today.

After 57 years, the Honda badge maintains the same design, with high-performance Type R versions having a red background.

Visit
www.honda.com.my
 to know more about Honda models available in Malaysia.


Toyota developing mobility vehicle as ‘last mile solution’ at 2020 Olympics in Tokyo

Providing ‘
Mobility for All
‘ is something Toyota Motor Corporation takes seriously. It is demonstrating this in its role as worldwide partner of the
Olympic and Paralympic Games
, specifically the one which will take place in Tokyo in 2020.

Besides various forms of transport that it has developed for different groups at the event, it is developing a special new product known as the Accessible People Mover (APM). This is a mobility vehicle designed expressly for use at the Games.

‘Last mile solution’

The APM will offer a ‘last one mile’ solution that helps transport as many people as possible to events and venues. These include athletes and staff related to the Games as well as all types of visitors with accessibility needs such as the elderly, people with impairments, pregnant women, and families with small children, among others. Part of the fleet of APMs, to number around 200 in total, will be used to support relief activities at events/venues during summer.

There will be two versions – a Basic Model and one with Relief specifications. The Basic Model will be for general transportation and feature 3-row seating. Up to 5 passengers can be carried and when used for passengers in wheelchairs, the configuration can be modified by folding the seats to allow the wheelchair rider in the second row.

Safety, comfort and convenience

With safety in mind, the position of the driver’s seat has been elevated and centrally located in order to allow the driver to see passengers and support their individual needs as they enter/exit the vehicle which is about 2 metres high.

The passenger seats are accessible from both sides of the vehicle, and the overall design considers varying customers’ needs, with safety bars on both sides to help passengers while entering and exiting the vehicle, and fitted with wheelchair anchor plates and ramps to enable the optimal access and transportation of wheelchair passengers.

The Relief specification is similar but has more open space to install a stretcher. In addition, to help convey people in a stable, safe way, a stretcher that can be attached/secured in the vehicle will also be equipped. There will also be space to allow 2 relief staff workers to sit immediately adjacent to the stretcher.

Needless to say, the APM – which has dimensions that are similar to a Toyota Avanza – will operate with zero emissions using a battery electric powertrain that should also be quiet. It can travel at a speed up to 19 km/h and a full charge should provide 100 kms of range.


New Land Rover Discovery Sport launched

The much talked about all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport has been officially introduced to the Malaysian market. Imported and distributed by Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (JLRM), the new SUV has been hailed as the world’s most versatile premium compact SUV, and is the first member of the new Discovery family in Malaysia.

JLRM has made available two variants of the Discovery Sport – the 2.0 litre Si4 Petrol that outputs 237hp and 340Nm of torque, and the 2.2 litre SD4 Diesel that offers 187hp and 420Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to a state of the art nine-speed automatic transmission for comfort, performance and durability in harsh conditions.

Being a Land Rover, the new Discovery is lavishly equipped with innovative features such as a 5+2 seating, powered tailgate and there is a host of optional accessories like Park Assist, Automatic High Beam Assit, Lane Departure Warning, panoramic roof and such.

Expectedly, it also comes with unrivalled all-terrain performance courtesy of 600mm wading depth, optimised approach, departure and break-over angles and the Land Rover signature Terrain Response System that controls the throttle, gearbox, centre-coupling and braking and stability systems to match the demands of any terrain.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport comes with an armada of technologies aimed at comfort and versatility. It comes with a five-year or 300,000km warranty, five-year or 80,000km free scheduled maintenance, and 3-year roadside assistance.

The Si4 Petrol is priced from RM399,000, while the price for the SD4 Diesel will be announced at a later date.


Honda Clarity Fuel Cell does lap of honour at Monaco

During the recent race weekend, Prince Albert II of Monaco chose to drive a Honda Clarity Fuel Cell for the lap of honour for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, which served as the official opening of the prestigious race.

Prince Albert II, accompanied by Princess Charlene and a representative from the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), piloted the Clarity Fuel Cell around the 3.337km circuit.

It’s no surprise that this particular car was chosen for the opening ceremony. Prince Albert II has been an advocate for the environment and its sustainability. One of the key aims of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is to limit the effects of climate change and promote renewable energies.

Though not popular in Asia, the Clarity Fuel Cell is a technological marvel. It features state of the art fuel cell technology that allow it to generate electricity to drive its motor, by combining hydrogen and oxygen. Unlike the harmful gases that are produced during combustion in a petrol engine, the only byproduct of  a Fuel Cell reaction is water. In the Clarity Fuel Cell, the 103kW fuel cell stack is placed in the engine/motor bay instead of under the passenger seats like conventional electric cars. This allows for better cabin space and legroom for occupants.

The car looks and feels like any conventional Honda despite being anything but that. It is a Fuel Cell sedan that can seat five comfortably, and when fully filled with hydrogen, can cover a distance of 650km without needing to stop for a refill.

In the long term, cars like this will be a common sight in Honda dealerships because the automaker plans on offering some form of electrified powertrains in two thirds of its cars sold in Europe by 2025.


Shortage of stocks pushes January new vehicle sales down 38%

Data sources: Monthly reports of Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA)

While 2021 ended on a high note with the highest Total Industry Volume (TIV) of the year, the new year started with a significant drop in new vehicle deliveries due to low stocks as a result of the plants being unable to complete vehicles. This was due to the floods in certain parts of the Klang Valley which has a large concentration of parts suppliers whose factories were flooded, causing supply chain disruptions.

The TIV for January 2022 was 40,581 units, 38% lower than the volume of new vehicles delivered during December 2021 (65,184 units). It was, however, 22% higher than the TIV for January 2021.

Year-end promotions and the ongoing sales tax exemption also saw many buyers taking their vehicles in December, so the spill-over to January was lower than usual.

The companies were also unable to register new electric vehicles for their customers due to a problem at the JPJ which prevented the registration process from being completed as roadtax does not need to be paid from January 1. Presumably, the people who developed the system never expected that one day, the government would exempt certain vehicles from roadtax so no provision was made.

It is only recently that the Transport Minister finally announced that the matter was resolved and EVs can now be registered. The exemption is given until the end of 2025 and applies only to fully electric vehicles (including fuel cell electric vehicles), not hybrids.

As per the announcement during the Budget 2022 presentation last year, all EVs will be exempted from import and excise taxes for BEVs this year and in 2023, and those which are assembled in Malaysia will continue to have this full exemption until 2025.

The MAA expects the February TIV to be at the January level as it is a short working month due to the Chinese New Year holidays, besides having only 28 days.

Assemblers also expect to be able to complete only limited numbers of vehicles due to some suppliers still recovering from the floods, as well as the global shortage of microchips. All it takes is just one part not to be available and the vehicle cannot be completed and therefore cannot leave the plant.

2021 new vehicles sales passed 500,000 mark but still 4% down from year before

Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected and although you may not show symptoms, you could still spread the coronavirus to others. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.


Hyundai Grandeur is second model to be reinterpreted for carmaker’s Heritage Series

Many of today’s carmakers have a history going back decades and over the years, certain models have been regarded as special or significant. Typically, these would be the first global model produced by the company, like
the Pony
 which Hyundai Motor launched in 1975. Eleven years later, in 1986, another model was launched which was of symbolic significance. This was the Grandeur flagship sedan and on the 35
th
 anniversary of this model, Hyundai has developed the Heritage Series Grandeur.

Hyundai’s design team reinterpreted the first generation of the Grandeur (adapted from Mitsubishi’s Debonair) to create a retro-futuristic resto-mod that is powered only by electricity. “As our designers conceive the future, it’s important to look back on what we’ve created in the past and find inspiration in it,” said Hak-soo Ha, Head of Interior Group of the Hyundai Design Centre.

The original Grandeur which was adapted from the Mitsubishi Debonair and launched in 1986.

“With the Heritage Series Grandeur, our designers have reinterpreted an important part of Hyundai’s history as a wonderfully unique blend of vintage and contemporary that reflects the boundless possibilities of our EV era,” he explained.

The exterior design shows most of its retro charm, with tasteful updates such as new side mirrors, covered wheels, slide cladding and pixel-style LED headlights and taillights that hint at the concept’s use of Hyundai’s electric powertrain. Known as Parametric Pixel lighting, this feature distinguishes the sedan the same way as the
new IONIQ 5
.

Though the exterior has classic lines, the cabin is ultra-modern. The designers applied a ‘Newtro (newness + retro)’ concept theme to stimulate passengers’ senses with bronze-coloured lighting that is reminiscent of period audio equipment and a modern audiophile sound system to match. A luxurious feel comes from burgundy velvet and Napa leather.

The front seats are fitted with burgundy velvet, inspired by the original Grandeur, with the unexpected twist of elegantly stitched and laced auburn Napa leather on the back. The centre console armrest contains a hidden pop-out compartment for storing valuables like watches.

The designers also seamlessly integrated the latest technologies alongside retro-cool hardware. Dials and buttons on the dashboard are replaced with an ultra-wide, touch-enabled flatscreen display. However, for the 1980s vibe, there’s a single-spoke steering wheel and jet airplane-style gear selector.

In the 1980s, audio systems were becoming sophisticated, especially at the upper end of the market. For the Heritage Series Grandeur, the designers have incorporated the 4way4 sound system developed in South Korea. This controls 18 speakers to deliver rich sound with magnificent clarity and deep bass, thanks in part to the composition of Grandeur’s centre console and dashboard. These two elements have been designed based on concert hall acoustic theory. The soundbar’s piano function can be played through the audio system when the vehicle is in park.

The bronze-coloured light beam that begins at the left and right ends of the dashboard extends around the cabin, penetrating the B-pillars, casting a flattering hue across the well-appointed interior. ‘Infinity mirrors’ reflect the light, giving the second row an even wider sense of space befitting a luxury saloon of the mid-1980s.

Hyundai’s first global model reconstructed and modernised as the Heritage Series Pony


New Mitsubishi XPANDER to be assembled locally

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) will soon launch an all-new model – the Mitsubishi XPANDER. To have competitive pricing, carmakers must assemble their products locally to get incentives that can lower their cost and enable them to have lower retail prices.

MMM is therefore assembling the 7-seater crossover model in Malaysia, its third model to be assembled locally after the ASX and Outlander (the Triton pick-up truck is still imported from Thailand in CBU form). However, unlike the Outlander and ASX, the XPANDER will not be assembled at the Tan Chong plant in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.

(Indonesian version shown)

New production facility in Pahang

Instead, it will be assembled in Pekan, Pahang, where Mitsubishi Motors’ partner in MMM,  DRB-HICOM, has a manufacturing complex also used by Volkswagen, Isuzu and Mercedes-Benz. According to MMM’s Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi, the new production facility for the XPANDER incorporates Japanese automotive technology.

The plant has an all-new body welding workshop including new welding equipment. Its paintshop utilises advanced painting technology including a 360-degree ED-coating and a robotic spray system. This will provide high quality finishes and extend corrosion resistance. The XPANDER, which will have a 1.5-litre MIVEC engine, will also go  through an all-new tester line to check all safety functions including Active Stability Control (ASC) system.

“The XPANDER is localized to meet the demands of Malaysian customers. It will be priced competitively to cater for families and adventure-seekers who are looking for a more comfortable and practical 7-seater to make their journeys a more pleasant one. Malaysians can expect to place their bookings soon,” Mr. Shinnishi said.

Locally-assembled version of the XPANDER.

As a prelude to the launch, there’s a teaser display of the XPANDER at Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur from today until September 13. Those interested to know more and want to receive updates on the new model’s launch can register their interest at
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
.

Click here for other news and articles about Mitsubishi Motors
.


Only 15 units of MINI Electric First Edition available for Malaysian market

Following the launch of the
MINI Electric
 last month, MINI Malaysia now offers the First Edition and only 15 people in Malaysia will be able to own one. First Edition models are usually produced in limited runs and come with exclusive or unique features.

In the case of the MINI Electric First Edition, priced
from RM238,380.78
, there are bespoke side scuttles and door sills which identify each unit as ‘ONE OF FIFTEEN’. An all-new exterior colour, Yours Enigmatic Black, almost makes it debut with this special edition. 17-inch Power Spoke two-tone wheels come with run flat tyres.

MINI Yours appointments

The interior has MINI Yours Walknappa Leather Lounge Upholstery and Walknappa Leather-wrapped steering wheel. At night, the MINI Yours Illuminated Interior Surface lights up from a choice of 12 ambient light colours. Additionally, the Panorama Glass Roof enhances the sense of openness day or night.

ELECTRIC-specific features

The Electric version has its own specific features such as the Electric Cockpit Fascia, Electric Start/Stop button in Yellow, Electric velour floor mats, an electronic selector lever with Electric design, as well as the brake energy recuperation toggle. The driver can refer to the Head-Up Display or the Digital Instrument Cluster which displays key information like speed, range, state of charge of the battery.

The body colour features its front blade and aero-optimised mirror caps in Energetic Yellow. Alternatively, the First Edition is also available in the popular White Silver with Energetic Yellow accents. The roof for both exterior body colours will be available in black. It is equipped with the Lights Package which includes the Matrix LED headlights and LED rear lights featuring the iconic Union Jack design to remind of its British heritage.

In place of an internal combustion engine is a synchronous electric motor developed by the BMW Group. The front-axle electric motor generates 135 kw/184 hp, drawing energy from a 12-module T-shaped battery pack with a net capacity of 28.9 kWh. Peak torque is 270 Nm which is available from the moment the car moves off, providing zippy performance with a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds.

Up to 270 kms of range

With a single-speed transmission and integrated differential, the MINI Electric First Edition can reach a claimed maximum speed of 150 km/h and depending on driving conditions and style, travel for up to 270 kms on a fully-charged battery pack.

Recharging a fully empty battery pack requires approximately 36 minutes to reach 80% capacity when recharging at a DC charging station. Similarly, the MINI Wallbox Plus provides an 80% charge in just two and half hours. At home, recharging can be done in 12 hours using a household power supply. Of course, most owners would not run the battery till it’s completely empty so the actual time required may not be as long.

All-electric MINI makes its debut in Malaysia, priced from RM218,380


Proton ends first half of 2022 with best sales month

With steady progress towards resolving issues delaying production of new vehicles, Proton recorded its best sales month of 2022 with 14,787 units (domestic + export) registered in June. This volume represented a 51.0% growth over the previous month, taking total sales for the first half the year past 60,000 units. The 60,124 units delivered were an increase of 3.9% over the same period in 2021.

Overall, Proton retains its second position in new vehicle sales in Malaysia and estimates its market share to be 22.6%. The cumulative market share for the year is 18.2%, a decrease of 5.1% compared to the first 6 months of last year. This is based on an expected Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 331,164 units (the Malaysian Automotive Association will announce confirmed data later in the month).

Proton X50 achieves best sales month

Launched in October 2020, the X50 SUV has been remained a strong seller for Proton. It has helped catapult the brand to the position of best-selling SUV brand in the country. June saw the X50 recording its best sales month with 4,473 units delivered nationwide. This volume was clearly ahead of other B-segment SUVs as well as in the overall SUV market.

The X50’s bigger brother, the
X70
, also saw strong sales, especially with the updated model. It achieved its best performance in 20 months with 2,696 units. This volume, according to Proton, puts it at the top of the C-segment SUV list.

Another model enjoying the benefits of a recent refresh is the Saga, with the
2022 model
 introduced on May 12. In June, 5,460 units were delivered, which Proton says puts it back to the top of the A-segment sedan class. During the first 6 months of 2022, the model’s cumulative total has reached 23,484 units.

The evergreen Exora MPV has kept its leadership in the C-segment MPV class and in June, the company delivered 513 units. As for the Persona and Iriz, these two trusty models recorded deliveries of 1,224 units and 421 units, respectively.

Over 150,000 bookings in 6 months

“June was a busy month for the automotive industry with most brands trying to produce as many cars as possible to satisfy market demand. The announcement that sales tax exemption would be removed from July 1 also created a surge in bookings as customers rushed to take advantage of the savings offered. Proton has received more than 150,000 bookings for the first 6 months of the year and when added to carry-over orders from 2021, we  will need to work hard to deliver cars as quickly as possible to eager customers,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Proton.

“Thankfully, the gradual resolution to our parts shortage issues has not only boosted production but also had a positive effect on the aftersales network. As promised, all our 3S/4S outlets now have 3 months stock of fast-moving parts and this is replicated at our parts warehouse. Supply issues for other parts are also being resolved so we are hopeful of delivering a higher level of aftersales service to our customers soon,” he added.

Top exporter

Proton was the first company to export vehicles from Malaysia and today, it is also the top vehicle exporter. While its domestic sales continue to grow, the growth in export sales has also been significant. For the first half of 2022, the total number of vehicles exported was 2,722 units, an increase of 81.2% over the previous year.

The Saga has accounted for 59% of the total volume exported but the X70 and X50 are also growing in demand at a faster pace. As in the domestic market, June also saw both model posting their best-ever export numbers and Proton expects even better numbers in coming months.

Pakistan
 continues to be the biggest export market, taking 1,770 units for the first half of 2022, a growth of 183% compared to the first half of 2021. This was followed by Brunei and Bangladesh with 203 and 194 units, respectively. Local assembly in some countries is helping Proton’s distributors to price the models competitively in their markets.

“Proton’s exports are one of the pillars to drive our future growth and also in line with our promise to the government to help develop Malaysia’s automotive export industry. With the addition of new markets such as
South Africa
 to our portfolio, we target for export volumes to continue on their current growth trajectory and form an even larger portion of our sales in the future,” Encik Roslan Abdullah said.

1989 Proton Saga wins Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional in the UK