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Hyundai Motor Company launched and flagged off the "Far with Zero Worries" IONIQ 5 ASEAN Tour, which covers a 2,751-kilometer route across Southeast Asia. The Flag Off Ceremony took place at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) yesterday, and is planned to finish at the Royal Palace in Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam on November 30th. Today, the convoy has flagged off from Hyundai Sime Darby Motor's headquarters in Ara Damansara (above) on their way up north towards Vietnam.
Earlier today, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) officially launched the Hyundai Creta for the Malaysian market. The Creta compact SUV is only offered in a single Plus variant, which means that it is a feature-packed SUVwhich sits right smack in the very, very competitive B-segment SUV here. The Hyundai Creta is priced at RM149,888, on-the-road before insurance for Peninsular Malaysia. Yes, Hyundai's entry level B segment SUV now costs over RM150k and to help you decide after already noticing that it is very well specced, HSDM are throwing in a free extended warranty of 5 years/300,000 km as well as 3 years/50,000 km free service for our first 150 buyers. Oh, we managed to try it out also as HSDM had a few units for us to jump into on a short test drive around Ara Damansara and the Subang Airport area. So do read on for details on what we think about the car in this launch article.
Hyndai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has announced that they have officially opened the order books for the Hyundai Creta compact B-segment SUV at all its authorised sales outlets throughout Malaysia as well as on its online booking platform Cl!cktoBuy (https://www.hyundai.com.my/clicktobuy/).
From the HSDM provided link, you can see that the Malaysian specified 2023 onwards Hyundai Creta will be front wheel drive and powered by the Smartstream 1.5liter petrol engine that makes 115ps and 143.8Nm torque. Decent enough for an urban compact SUV. It will also be specced with 17inch 215/60 series tyres and able to hit 0-100kmh in 12seconds and hit 170kmh. About right for something that makes that much power.
The Palisade, Hyundai’s luxury SUV recently had its facelift and it is now available in Malaysia. The already premium specced SUV gets with an upgraded front end, a different rear bumper layout and a more luxurious and comfortable interior. Quite fitting for this SUV which has been quite popular as a social media topic due to the fact that Malaysia's constitutional monarch, the Yang DiPertuan Agong has been spotted on many occasions driving this SUV personally.
Earlier today, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) launched the 10-seater variant of their very modern looking Hyundai Staria MPV at the One Utama shopping mall in Petaling Jaya. There are three variants available, the Staria Lite, Plus, and Max, starting from RM179,888.00 onwards.
Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has informed that they will be launching the 10 seater variant for the spaceship inspired Hyundai Staria. While they like to call it a spaceship, I think that it is more akin to the head of a Shinkansen high speed train. But what ever the case, it looks very futuristic and now you can order one with more seats by the fourth quarter of 2022.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has unveiled its latest electric model, the IONIQ 5 Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV), with what they say are innovative and sustainable features that are set to redefine the electric mobility lifestyle in Malaysia. There will be three variants with prices starting at RM199K. The launch seems to say that HSDM is pushing foward with making Hyundai a niche player with unique vehicles that aren't just the norm as well as paving the way for the future.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motor Sdn Bhd (HSDM) today officially launched the full sized Hyundai Palisade SUV. Priced from RM 328,888, it will be available in 4 variants: namely the EXEC 7 and EXEC 8 for the Diesel engine variants, and LUXE 7 and LUXE 8 for the petrol engine variants. The 7 and 8 here takes after the two seating options, which are the seven seater and the eight seater options respectively. It also brings a whole lot of SUV for the money as well as making us have another choice in the market.
I managed to get invited to the preview of the newly launched 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric. It was held last week and while I did not get a chance to drive the fully electrified SUV, I can tell you a bit on what the electric Kona is, its specification (how many variants and all) as well as some personal thoughts. This is the first all-electric vehicle under the Hyundai brand to make its debut in Malaysia. Prices at launch are RM149,888 (e-lite) RM169,888 (e-plus) and RM199,888 (e-max).
The new 2022 Kona Electric will be available in two different zero-emissions battery electric powertrains: a long-range Max version powered by a 64 kWh battery with a maximum range of 484km via its 150Kw (204ps) motor and a 39.2 kWh battery basic version with a driving range of 305km (for the Lite and Plus variants) which has a 100kw 136ps motor, Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test (WLTP) with a single charge and both make 350m torque. It will come in 3 variants - the entry level Lite, the mid-level Plus and the top specced Max. The Max will be the one coming with the larger battery pack.
The Kona, unlike the IONIQ hatchback is not an outright hybrid or electric car design platform. It is unique in the way that there are many similarities with the regular Kona. The electric motor, transmission, convertor all sits where the internal combustion engine would sit. It looks like an engine with the usual plastic engine cover when you pop the bonnet to look at it. It is front wheel drive so everything about the drive train is up front. The battery pack sits under the car in an alloy box. You can actually see the box if you bend over and look beneath the car.(It's that silverish alloy you see beneath the black strip in the photo below). Oh, it also sits with a slightly lower ground clearance of 10mm because of this.
In the case of the battery pack, it does take a little bit of rear floor height. I could tell that the electric Kona has a slightly raised floor. However, no boot space seems to be taken and storage size looks the same.
There is an added weight penalty compared to the standard Kona due to the battery packs (which are module based so you don't have to change the whole thing but only battery modules that require change). On the top specced Max, it is close to 400kg heavier than a regular petrol (or diesel) Kona. However, it makes up for it due to the centre of gravity being lower and the rear suspension set up is of a multi link design. No longer a beam type rear axle setup. So handling should be similar to the the regular Kona with a slightly weight penalty felt when you are pushing it hard.
Although, this should be offset by the almost instantaneous push on an electric motor and 350m torque. This is why the top specced variant gets to 100kmh in under 8seconds. In terms of what I think, I imagine it to be a heavier, more powerful Kona, with tweaks to its suspension system to offset and balance out the weight gain. It should still be quite a nice drive like the regular one.
The Kona Electric we get is the facelifted variant. So the exterior gets some nice design updates where the Kona is less squarish up front with more flowing lines. Among the redesigned bits are new bumpers, lamps, wheel design and colours.. The signature claddings have been refined and now in body colour, thus emphasising the model’s width and stance. Low, U-shaped skid plate and new DRL design also improve the styling of the Kona. Externally, all variants look the same (even the alloy wheels are the same)with the only clues being the front radar in the Max and a more comprehensive sensor array at the top of the windscreen for both the Plus and the Max.
The interior features a progressive design with a new horizontal layout and new ambient lighting technology in the foot area. Ambient lighting illuminates the passenger and driver side footwell. All cars get the same infotainment system with Android and Apply carplay connectivity. The only real difference is that the Max and Plus gets a Heads Up Display on top of the meter cluster and both the front seats in the Max and Plus are electric adjustable ones. The Max gets ventilated and heated front seats as as extra.
So in short, you are paying extra for the performance and range in the max.
Overall, this is a Kona facelift which does not have a petrol engine and of course missing a front grille air intake in the front. It is interesting to those that want to be the first adopters of the latest technology. It is also for those that want a very efficient short distance commuter vehicle. If you intend to drive to some place like Desaru from Kuala Lumpur, some planning is required. This is a car for any where within 200km. Well, you need another 200km to make it back home if you don't charge it up at your destination. It will also be quiet and you'd never ever need to end up at a fuel station again. Or maybe you may need to when these stations have areas for EV charging.
Both the Kona Electric 64 kWh and 39.2 kWh battery variants (electricity consumption: 15.4 kWh/100;CO 2 emissions: 0 g/km according to WLTP) feature an electric motor which delivers a maximum power of 204 PS (150 kW) and 395 Nm of immediate torque, accelerating the Kona Electric to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds – in ensuring that it is fun-to-drive with full power available from the first second.
Hyundai claims that charging the lithium-ion polymer battery from 10 to 80 per cent only takes about 47 minutes using a100kW direct current (DC) fast charger. The Kona Electric features an optional 11-kW three-phase on-board charger. This allows for significantly shorter charging times using public three-phase AC charging stations or with a private compatible wall box at home. Drivers also have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box).
But if the charging capability is actually fast only with the chargers mentioned above. If you charge via the ICCB (which sits in the boot floor), it will take a heck of a long time if you expect a full charge - 31 HOURS. Holy crap. But when you use any wall socket and everything has to be regulated, it is glacially slow. Which is why a home charging station is recommended. Well, the bigger the battery pack, the longer it needs to charge.
Eventually when Hyundai plants a few fast chargers near their dealerships and more EV charging stations which have the rapid chargers, it will get easier. But in the meantime, you buy the Kona Electric, you ought to get the wall mounted chargers. Or just ensure plugging it in overnight for adequate power for your local commutes.
Pricing is estimated to start under RM150,000 to about RM210,000 for the basic model with import and excise duty exemptions. This follows the Budget 2022 announcement last Friday on the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia. But do note that while you may save on any sort of sales taxes upon purchase, and a two year road tax exempt, these Kona Electric will be hit by a road tax of slightly over RM1,000 per annum for all variants.
This is quite a sum as the funny blokes that decided EV tax decided that since the electric motor that the Kona Electric uses the same parts number for both the larger more powerful motor, the powers that be decided that all variants get hit by the same road tax. So if you intend to run the Kona Electric for the long run. It could be a better thing if you just paid more for the extra oomph. That said, if you run the car for 10 years, the almost RM40-50K difference in price should be taken into account if you just run the car in the city.
The Kona Electric is an electric version of the Kona. It is the second electric car from Hyundai after the Ioniq. Sales started in Korea and Europe in 2018, with a market debut in the United States in 2019. Now, we get it here. One of the first fully electric cars that is relatively affordable here in Malaysia (relative to Malaysia, that is).
The Kona Electric will be available for booking with first deliveries scheduled for January 2022.
Kona Electric Max
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HDSM) has launched the facelifted Hyundai Kona compact SUV yesterday (Friday the 16th of April 2021). It features some slightly different exterior styling tweaks as well as some little changes inside together with more advanced features and equipment. But didn't Hyundai just launch the Kona here very recently?
Today, the 12th of April 2021, I was invited to witness the official launch of Sime Darby Motors' automotive facility, Sime Darby Motors City. While operating for quite a while already in the township of Ara Damansara in Petaling Jaya, it was only officially launched today due to the many pandemic lockdown issues the country is facing. So after an actual postponement of an earlier scheduled official opening, Sime Darby officially launched the automotive complex today. The complex houses six flagship centres featuring many brands represented by Sime Darby Motors in Malaysia, namely BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, MINI, Motorrad, Porsche and Volvo. The automotive centre aims to be an exemplary hub for everything automotive for automotive sales industry.
What we have here is the 2021 Model Year Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo compact SUV. We had a go in it just before most of Malaysia was placed under the second Movement Control Order due to the current virus pandemic. It was quite lucky in terms of timing if not this review would not have happened. We had managed to take a short trip down to Ipoh with it and if you are actually lazy to read any further, I can easily tell you that this newly launched (here in Malaysia) C-segment SUV is actually quite good for what it is.
What the Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo is a soft roader meant for urban environments with more ground clearance and all the required chunky-boi looks that make compact SUVs the choice over sedans these days. It also has the poke to move and would also give you lots of enjoyment in terms of having more than adequate performance due to its turbocharged 1.6liter engine.
Alright folks! The All-New 2021 Hyundai Elantra (CN7) C segment sedan has been previewed in Malaysia and we had a chance to attend the media preview. Thanks to Malaysian distributors Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors. So as usual, we made a video about it. These are our thoughts about the actually gorgeous looking compact sedan (which actually isn't so compact these days as cars have gone larger by a fair bit). Malaysia is getting only 1 variant, the 1.6liter normally aspirated SmartStream engined variant with a Hyundai IVT (CVT for you and me) 8 virtual speeds transmission. It is fully imported, open for bookings and whilst prices have not been announced yet it should not be around RM120K but more closer to the RM140k mark as it is fully loaded with a lot of features.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors will be launching the all-new 7th generation Hyundai Elantra (CN7) sometime mid-December 2020. This 2021 model is essentially all new and looks very nice. It will be fully imported in 1.6lirer form and since it is fully imported, prices will be at a premium but it will be specced up in terms of active safety and convenience features too. Oh, there will be a video of the Malaysian preview on our Youtube channel on the new car so stay tuned over there - https://www.youtube.com/motoringmalaysia
Aside from launching the new 2020 Hyundai Kona compact SUV (that article is HERE) via their Facebook page (due to the current pandemic restrictions put in place here in good ol' Malaysia), Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) had also launched the all-new 8th generation 2020 Hyundai Sonata sedan.This D-segment sedan will be Hyundai's most premium offering, is fully imported from South Korea and will come in only one variant - the SmartStream G2.5 version and priced at RM206,888 onwards.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) launched two new models today, the 30th of October 2020, – the all-new 2020 Hyundai Sonata and the actually long awaited B-segment Compact SUV called the Kona. We shall be talking about the new Kona here and the Sonata in another article (which you can read Here). The Kona was launched globally in mid-2017 and it finally makes its way here as part of Hyundai Malaysia's remodeling exercise in terms of its products and customer experience.
