Hyundai IONIQ Wins A 2016 Red Dot Design Award for Outstanding Vehicle Design

The newly revealed Hyundai IONIQ  has been recognized for its outstanding design in the coveted Vehicle category, becoming the sixth Hyundai car to receive a Red Dot title in the last three years. The IONIQ is the world’s first eco-friendly car to offer a choice of three alternative-fuel powertrains (full electric, hybrids and plug in hybrids). 

Tun Dr Mahathir Resigns as Chairman of Proton as well as the Chairman of Group Lotus

Tun Dr. Mahathir pictured here with Dato Harith (who is also reported to be leaving as CEO of Proton)

PROTON Holdings Berhad has officially announced the resignation of Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Chairman of PROTON, effective immediately. Concurrently, Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun would also step down as Chairman of Group Lotus plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PROTON. 

Ramblings on a Wednesday night - Spare Parts aren't cheap these days...except for....

I may not be as good as a BMW, but my spare parts are damn cheap!

It's been a slightly slow week for me in the automotive scene. I had other things to do and not much had gotten my attention. So today I'd just like to share a little bit of my thoughts on spare parts for car.

The Chelsea Truck Company Black Hawk Wide Track by Kahn Design

A Jeep Wrangler with the volume pumped up to eleven is what this is. Not much to say about this Chelsea Truck Company Black Hawk Wide Track except that it is done to satisfy the whims and fancies of those who want something brutal looking done to the old, trusty Wrangler. I don't think this is all about looks as at least the Chelsea Truck Company uses off road capable tyres. Not just for on the road posing only.

If you're in the UK you cn buy this for a smidgen under £50,000. Actually a whole £1 less than £50,000 that is.

Spotted for Sale: Toyota Wish TRACK CAR - Fuiyoh!!!!! Yeah Right

Here we have something that has been advertised as a track car. Here in Malaysia if a car is stated as a 'track car' it usually means that the car is one of those hatchbacks, coupes or sedans that have been specially done up to go for racing at either Sepang or the Pasir Gudang circuits. When so advertised, they are usually not street legal and is made up of cars that have been deregistered due to heavy mods or cars from neighbouring countries that are declared as scrap but kept in one piece.

The Nissan GT-R you've never wanted - UPDATED with more pics 29 March 2016

My friend, car enthusiast and occasional poster in here, Firdaus Asri, had sent me this photograph of something trying to be a Nissan GT-R.

Sime Darby Auto Connexion offers Ford Ecosport, Ford Fiesta 1.5L Titanium sedan and Sport hatchback with attractive rebates

Ford Ecosport

Somehow car companies are giving a lot of rebates at this point of time. This time we see Ford distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) offering attractive cash rebates of up to RM6,000 and low monthly repayments for selected Fiesta and EcoSport  variants nationwide, from now through 30 April 2016. 

Nissan Indonesia sells the styling looking CrossOver called the Juke...we get a joke

Here is another article to get your minds thinking a little. Last time I wrote about Perodua/ Daihatsu not giving us what Indonesia gets. This time it is Nissan Malaysia. 

Now Nissan Indonesia's idea of what an urban crossover vehicle that is chic, cool, hip, modern, hipster, tumblr, uber, rad and phoar is so much more chic, cool, hip, modern, hipster, tumblr, uber, rad and phoar compared to what Nissan Malaysia has in store for us. Take a look at what is offered by Nissan Indonesia above, and what Nissan Malaysia is offering us below.

Happenings: Shell Helix teams up with Sin Leong Seng Motor to maintain welfare centre's vehicles in Kajang

Shell Lubricants, via the Shell Helix brand has teamed up with one of its distributors Sin Leong Seng Motor Sdn Bhd in helping Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Kajang Selangor (PKIK), an association which assists children and adults with learning disabilities.

Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI upgraded for Malaysia

Volkswagen Malaysia has announced the upgraded 2016 Golf with new and added features at a lower price for the Malaysian market. There will be two variants – the Golf Highline which will be priced at RM159,888* and the Golf Comfortline priced at RM 149,888* (prices do not include registration and insurance).

Truck News: The Volvo Trucks Asia Pacific Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 is officially announced

As I've mentioned earlier,  Volvo Trucks' annual Fuelwatch Challenge is about to begin and now the official announcement from Volvo Trucks' Asia Pacific has been released. The 2016 Fuelwatch Challenge will again take place where Drivers across the region compete in their respective country editions of the Fuelwatch Challenge to be the top driver in their markets and a chance to contend for the prestigious title of the region’s most fuel-efficient driver at the global final in Sweden this time around.

News: MAA will organise the MY AUTO FEST from 20-22 May 2016 at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA)  will be organising a sales and promotion oriented auto exhibition called "My Auto Fest" at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) from 20 - 22 May. The purpose of the event was that many of MAA's car company members felt that they should organise sales-oriented and promotion event to encourage better auto sales leading up to the  Hari Raya festive  season.

Test Drive: Renault Captur TCe 120 EDC - Renault's is out to capture the compact crossover market

The Renault Captur that I tested here is a something we call a Compact Crossover or a B segment SUV. Like most small SUVs in this category, it is based on a B segment sized car. It is actually based on the fourth generation Renault Clio compact car which has been made slightly longer, wider and taller.  Here in Malaysia, there is one model in the Captur lineup, the Captur TCe 120 EDC.

Updates on reviews in the near future - Ford, Renault, Peugeot & Mercedes Benz

It has been a busy few weeks for Yours Truly. However, I would like to inform that there will be several test drive reviews that would be published in the near future. I will be writing about the following cars and the drive experience of each vehicle. It was a nice experience in each of the vehicles. 

Full Test Drives include:

Truck News: Scania Malaysia delivers two units of Scania P360 LA 4x2 MNA trucks to Circular Agency Sdn Bhd

From left to right, Ganesh Nallu Kumaran, Sales Executive at Scania 

Malaysia; Tom Kuiphuis, Pre Sales Director at Scania Southeast Asia; handing the trucks 

over to Dato' Lee Hau Hian, Managing Director of Batu Kawan Berhad and Mr. Tan Boon 

Chye, General Manager of Circular Agency Sdn. Bhd. & North-South Transport Sdn. Bhd.

CSW_3537 – Scania Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and Circular Agency Sdn. Bhd. at the truck 

handover ceremony.

Scania Malaysia recently delivered two units of Scania P360 LA 4x2 MNA trucks to Circular Agency Sdn Bhd (CA). The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Malay-Sino Chemical Industries Sdn Bhd, which is part of the Batu Kawan Berhad group. The keys to the Scania trucks were handed over by Pre-Sales Director of Scania Southeast Asia, Tom Kuiphuis to the Managing Director of Batu Kawan Berhad, Dato’ Lee Hau Hian. 

The Group B Rally Car that every one has overlooked at one time or another - The Citroen BX 4TC

Group B Rallying was the maddest and craziest the World Rally Championships had ever been. The Group B rallying lasted from around 1982 to 1986 where drivers got killed and spectators too. The cars were ridiculously overpowered. In those days, Group B cars had little restrictions on technology, design and the even the number of homologated cars that would have to be sold to the public was less (about 200 cars or so, usually manufacturers ended up making less but got away with it). Very low weight was allowed with high-tech materials permitted, and there were no restrictions on boost (unlike the group A cars that actually form the basis of WRC rallying to this day). This usually resulted in the power output of Group B specials hitting 500bhp in 1986, the final year of Group B. Every big manufacturer wanted in on it as it was interesting. Performance and power without limits. 

Truck News: 2015 Diamond FUSO Contest Finale winner wins a Mercedes Benz GLA200 & this year's contest has already started!!!!

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia celebrates customer loyalty with 2015 Diamond FUSO Contest. Commercial Vehicles, Vice President, Albert Yee (left) presents the final grand prize, a Mercedes-Benz GLA 200, to Ng Fook Min from Huan Sin Cycle Motor Sdn Bhd receives the prize on behalf of Metfab Engineering Sdn Bhd.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd, authorised distributor of FUSO trucks in Malaysia, has announced the 2015 winner of its popular Diamond FUSO Contest. Last year, over 2,500 entries contested for a chance to win the grand prize worth RM236,888 - a Mercedes Benz GLA200 SUV.

Truck News: Volvo FuelWatch Challenge 2016 is about to begin!

Volvo Trucks' annual Fuelwatch Challenge is about to begin!

The Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 is a competition organized by Volvo Trucks annually for its customers (truck owners/operators) especially for their truck drivers. The competition is a platform to explore the drivers skill and impart information/knowledge to help achieve maximum truck performance with minimum fuel usage (very economical driving techniques). The competition also aims to foster safety awareness among the drivers both during his course of work and otherwise. This will help companies reduce wastage and to reduce truck operating costs wherever we can and also increase road safety awareness among those who use the highways and roads so much more than most of us.

Compact SUVs are usually based on compact hatchbacks. Are they worth the extra money?

Here is something to get you folks to start thinking a little.

Compact Crossover vehicles - These are B segment SUVs. Small, compact and usually based on a small B segment sedan or hatchback and made larger. Usually manufacturers widen the chassis a little, raise it a little, slap on some larger tyres and slot in a larger engine too. Sometimes, stretch the chassis a little. But it is essentially the same car underneath.

Volkswagen Malaysia's stock clearance for 2014/2015 models

Clearance going on at Volkswagen dealers nationwide.....

TRUCK NEWS: Volvo Trucks Malaysia have a promotion on their Imported Volvo Battery while stocks last

Volvo Trucks Malaysia are having a great promotion now (while stocks last) for their Imported Volvo Battery. The package consists of the following:

Proton Perdana launch is bound to be very soon - Brochure out at the website and a clearer pic by Yours Truly!!!

The 2016 Proton Perdana launch is imminent. The pre-launch Brochure is out on their website. And also in  here. And I have adjusted the image and made it clearer for you a little. So you can see how it really looks. But don't you worry. It will be launched very soon. 

So how do you think it looks? Not bad eh?

Spotted For Sale: 1964 Mercedes Benz 220S - Oh, the Horror!!!!

The first word that came to my mind when I saw this was...why? What we have here is an abomination of sorts. A classic collectible Mercedes Benz Fintail that has its heart transplanted to a twin turbo Japanese engine together with a cobbled up interior. Take a look at that transmission tunnel/center console. Taken straight from the donor Toyota car with some D.I.Y panels to put some gauges here and there. Even the doors have some funky mdf (aka plywood) board to hold some speakers.

Short Test Drive: 2016 Ford Focus 1.5 Ecoboost Titanium+

Yesterday I attended the launch of the new 2016 Ford Focus somewhere in Kota Damansara. This is now a heavily revised third generation Ford Focus before I say anything else. It was a surprisingly short event due to the fact that some of us were given the opportunity to take the car out for a spin in it. I was put into a full specced Ford Focus Titanium+ sedan with two other journalists and we were asked to head to four locations located throughout Klang Valley where we would be tested on stuff the new Focus has built into it. At the same time, we would actually take turns driving the car silly.

New Ford Focus launched in Malaysia - Filled to the brim with technology

Ford just launched the new Ford Focus here in Malaysia. This is essentially a facelift of the current Mk3 Focus but it features quite a number of major changes compared to the earlier car.  The changes include slimmer headlights, a new trapezoidal grille, more prominent character lines in the front fender and bumper making it similar to that of the Mondeo and keeping things in line with the current Ford design identity. But inside and underneath, Ford has really upgraded the Focus. This car has tons of new features and even a total engine and transmission change! Call it the Mk3.5 as it truly is a major facelift.

Short Test Drive: 2015 Proton Perdana 2.0 - I get to try out this Civil Service only model and more thoughts on the upcoming model

Lunch today was memorable. It was memorable because the food was good as was the company. I also managed to try out a 2015 Proton Perdana 2.0P. Most of you readers out there would know this second generation Proton Perdana as the badge engineered 8th generation Honda Accord and one that is exclusively used by the Malaysian Civil Service, Government officials including Ministers and senior management of DRB-Hicom and Proton. 

MOTORSPORTS: Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific 2016 starts off in Suzuka, Japan

Here are some stuff on the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific 2016. First race was last weekend over in Suzuka, Japan. The Ferrari Challenge is a one make challenge (Ferrari obviously) and you would see the latest mid-engined V8 Ferrari cars dueling it out. These days it is the 458 Italia and the 488GTB. 

Happy Birthday BMW - My short message & BMW's next 100 years

Yesterday BMW celebrated their 100th year in existence. Happy belated birthday BMW. Sorry I was busy driving running some errands in a Mercedes Benz. Sorry, couldn't help it.... But your cars and motorcycles are very nice to drive nonetheless.

New Contest from Proton - Have the longest single/family owned Proton and win the upcoming Proton SAGA!

New Contest from PROTON! Proton is now searching for the longest single owned or family owned Proton vehicle in immaculate condition and with high mileage. The Grand Prize is one of the soon to be launched all-new Proton Saga. There will be ten consolation prizes ranging from refurbishment worth RM1,000 to RM5,000 as well as the winners getting a chance to visit Proton's manufacturing facility. 

Daihatsu Indonesia gets to sell the Copen Coupe....Why don't we get it here?

I wrote in 2010 that I thought it would be good if Perodua rebadged the then Daihatsu Copen into a Perodua. It would be a breath of fresh air in Malaysia as there would be a very affordable coupe for us Malaysians to have a go with. Well, it has been 5 and a half years since and during that 5 over years Perodua has now become the number one selling car brand in Malaysia, dethroning Proton. And nothing has changed.

Spotted for Sale: 2005 Mitsubishi Colt Turbo - An alternative Junior Hot Hatch

This is a fairly interesting alternative for those interested in an affordable junior hot hatch. A 2005 Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart 1.5 MIVEC Turbo going for RM33,800. This was ridiculously expensive for a small car when it was new due to its fully imported nature. The base normally aspirated Colt 1.5 MIVEC already had a list price of around RM120K so this one is at least a good RM20K more when it was new. Even so, there were those that bought it. But I think most bought them after Mitsubishi Malaysia threw price rebates into the package. There were also some WALD badged imports - this was the time when some grey importers tried to be smart and CON-vinced the government to issue them tuning APs turning everything from a Toyota Wish , a Mitsubishi Colt or a Volkswagen Golf into a WALD branded car.

Mercedes Benz A-Class facelift launched - Four models launched, up from Three previously

Whilst members of the media attended the launch of the Mercedes Benz A-Class yesterday morning , I ended up viewing the cars later in the evening together with invited guests and customers for the launch party over at the newly opened Mercedes Benz Cycle & Carriage Bintang City Store at TREC, KL. I got home pretty late last night which is why you only saw an update of the cars on the Facebook page with the prices. Too busy mixing with people who were enjoying the live band, DJ music, food and drinks. The company was pretty good too.

TRUCK NEWS: TCIE hands over a UD QUESTER 8X4 Truck to Sun Tang Trading

Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd (TCIE) sold a UD Quester to Sun Tang Trading in a key handover ceremony which took place in Cameron Highlands. The Cameron Highlands based trading company has ordered one new unit of a UD Quester 8x4 rigid cargo to meet the growing demands of trading and transportation in the agricultural industry. 

Sportscar News: Kahn Design Vengeance

Kahn Design has revealed their coachbuilt or bespoke rebuild of an Aston Martin DB9 called the Vengeance over at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show recently. It harks back to the days where coachbuilders take a chassis of a car, then outfit and rebody it with whatever they or their clients fancy.

All-New Ford S-MAX launched in Malaysia - Possibly the fastest MPV you can buy in Malaysia today

The all-new 2016 Ford S-MAX has been launched in Malaysia. Ford and local distributor has officially launched the all-new S-MAX MPV. It will be priced at RM234,988.00 on the road without insurance. 

Supercar News: Ferrari at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show - GTC4Lusso, California T Handling Speciale & More

GTC4Lusso unveiling

At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari unveiled the new GTC4Lusso (this is a reworked Ferrari FF with a new name and lots of improvements), displayed the California T with the new Handling Speciale Package which sharpens the handling of the Cali and a California T Tailor Made which shows off what you can do with a Cali if you do not want the normal but already very nice stuff in it as well as the F12, 488GTB and other cars too.

News: Mercedes Benz with Cycle Carriage Bintang unveiled their new City Store at the TREC Kuala Lumpur

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Mark Raine (left) and Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad, Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Wong Kin Foo. In front of the new Mercedes Benz City Store at TREC KL

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and authorised dealer Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad today set a new standard in automotive retailing with the opening of the all-new Mercedes-Benz City Store. This concept is new and it is the first of its kind Mercedes-Benz City Store. 

Porsche 911R unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show - A return to purity

You know after all the chasing for more power, bigger spoilers front and rear, the fastest ever shifting double clutch gearbox ever, the most aero shape ever, the fastest and most capable sports car ever etc. etc. bla, bla, bla, we suddenly get a surprise by Porsche. A pure, normally aspirated manual transmission Porsche for people to buy. No flappy pedals here folks. You have to row that shifter like in the good ol' days.

News: Renault Captur now priced lower - from RM117,200!

The Renault Captur is now available from RM117,200 on the road inclusive of GST but without insurance (Peninsular Malaysia price/Private registration).  Renault franchise holder and distributor TC Euro Cars are making this good looking compact crossover more competitive in terms of pricing in the very tight mini SUV cum CrossOver cum premium junior hatchback cum small sedan sector. 

First Batch of PROTON cars to Chile- The restart of exports by PROTON to other countries & other technical details

Today marks PROTON cars re-entry into the Chilean automotive market. The last Proton car exported there was a batch of Proton Wira sedans back in 1998. This time, under a new initiative by Andes Motor, a subsidiary of the Kaufmann Group who are a distributor of heavy vehicles, trucks and buses in Chile.

Say Hello to the Volkswagen Phideon - A China only flagship which replaces the Phaeton there

Volkswagen is replacing the Phaeton. But only in China. The Phideon, name taken after the Roman Goddess of Fertility, Fides is a German designed exclusive for the China market replacement for the long running Phaeton. The thing about the market in China is that Volkswagen sells in vast numbers and what ever you say about the brand anywhere else makes to relevance. DSG failures there, Volkswagen gives you ten years warranty. Want a very long wheelbase Passat, they give you something called a Mangosteen. I mean Magotan. They sell over two million cars over there yearly. Or thereabouts. Our market is tiny. Really tiny.