VIDEO: Road trip to Melaka and back in the new 2025 PROTON X50 SUV

This is a review of the new 2025 PROTON X50 compact SUV. This was recently launched here in Malaysia and is the facelift of what is currently the most popular B segment Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in Malaysia. It features a redesigned front and rear end, a redesigned interior with a very large, now HD infotainment screen with a new dashboard design. Most importantly is a new 1.5liter turbo petrol 4 cylinder engine replacing the old 3 cylinder one. The new engine runs through a 7 speed dual clutch transmission to the front wheels and it quite a nippy little SUV. Here, we take it from the Klang Valley to the streets of Melaka, and back. 

Watch the video to see what we think about this popular SUV during the road trip.

2025 Facelifted Proton X70 SUV launched - Many upgrades with better NVH, Fuel economy and upgraded ADAS with Level 2 are some of the improvements

Many, many moons after its debut on 12 December 2018, Proton’s first SUV has finally been facelifted and upgraded. The popular and now facelifted Proton X70 SUV, a C segment sized SUV, has been unveiled at the Marriott Hotel, Putrajaya. This facelift is about time, and adds a nicely revised exterior, new interior styling bits, new equipment and an upgraded ADAS 2 active safety technology too. But those that want added connectivity to their phone, the X70 is now the first Proton with Apply CarPlay and Android Auto to come with the car.

Upcoming Events: MINI Malaysia Celebrates BIG LOVE - Unveiling The New MINI Family at JioSpace, Petaling Jaya on Saturday, 13th July 2024 9.30am to 8.30pm - ONE DAY ONLY

If you are into the current crop of MINI cars, MINI Malaysia invites MINI enthusiasts and anyone interested to experience the future of urban mobility as they show to you the new generation of the MINI family for the first time here in Malaysia. The brand will be hosting an exclusive MINI-styled event celebrating The New MINI Family and they are inviting all MINI enthusiasts (MINIacs) to join in the excitement. ONE DAY ONLY, on Saturday 13th July 2024 from 930am to 830pm at JioSpace in Seksyen 19 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

smart Malaysia updates #1 EV pricing and opens booking of the upcoming #3

 

On the 21st of May 2024, smart Malaysia at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 unveiled the All-New smart #3 SUV Coupe and opened bookings for the lower rooflline, similar in size to the #1 EV crossover hatchback. They also announced new prices for two of the lower priced #1 variants. These now start at RM169,000 before any insurance, a welcome move in the hotly contested under RM200,000 premium EV segment. You can view both the smart #1 and the #3 at the autoshow at MAEPS, Serdang where it is ongoing till 26th May 2024.

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur introduces the new Aston Martin Vantage for the Malaysian market

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur earlier today officially launched the new Aston Martin Vantage in Malaysia. This is latest generation of Aston Martin's sports car and it is the fastest Vantage to ever roll out of the Gaydon facilities to date. The new Vantage combines a finely-tuned front-engine with a race honed rear-wheel drive chassis to achieve what Aston Martin believes is the perfect balance of power and handling. Of course, this is until they come up with another Vantage a few years from now. But, aside from engine performance and handling, one must always consider the fact that sometimes, we want an Aston for how it looks and the new Vantage is a looker. .For a mere RM2,370 million with taxes, and a 3 year factory warranty which is able to be extended up to two decades, it could be a value buy, relatively speaking, of a lifetime.

The All-New 2024 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line now available for RM469,990 onwards - VW's premium SUV is back in Malaysia

Earlier this afternoon, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) officially launched the all-new 2024 Touareg R-Line to the Malaysian market. The locally assembled (CKD) flagship SUV is priced at the recommended retail price of RM469,990, inclusive of Volkswagen Assurance Package (VAP) but before insurance. The Touareg, now in its third generation, is Volkswagen’s first SUV back in 2002 and was last sold here in 2012. So this is a comeback of sorts for the brand in terms of full sized, large SUVs as well as into the premium market. 

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 350 e Plug-in Hybrid is the new C-Class range topper here in Malaysia. Prices estimated to start at RM355k

Yesterday, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia unveiled the latest variant of the best-selling Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan for the Malaysian market. This one is the new range topper here, the 2024 (W206) Mercedes-Benz C350e Plug-in Hybrid with the AMG-Line trim. The new luxury compact sedan is locally assembled at the Mercedes-Benz production plant in Pekan, Pahang. The C 350 e Plug-in Hybrid combines a 95kw electric motor with a traditional 2.0liter petrol engine for enhanced efficiency. It replaces the previous range topper, the conventional petrol powered C300 AMG line, and is estimated to come in at around RM355,000 before any insurance. 

Autogroup International offers right-hand drive GMC Yukon Denali & Luxury 'CEO Private Jet' interiors in Malaysia for those that require armoured SUVs or pickup trucks

 

Autogroup International (AGI), a Sri Lankan based company, is proud to announce the launch of their 2024 range of Armoured vehicles and luxury CEO ‘private jet’ Interiors based on the right-hand drive GMC Yukon Denali XL SUV and right-hand drive GMC Sierra Denali 2500 Heavy Duty Pickup truck which will be available for sale through their local partners in Malaysia. These cars are suitable for VIPs or agencies that feel that they require bullet proof, bomb proof vehicles and also those that require levels of protection from any chemical or biological threat. And as these are usually left hand drive, AGI feels that with their Right Hand Drive conversions, they feel that the highly armoured SUVs have a segment to plug in the Malaysian market.

Ocean Shipping for parts and components for Volvo Cars switch to Renewable Fuels - Fossil CO2 Emissions for this estimated to be reduced by a massive 84 Per Cent

According to Volvo Cars, thousands of containers of production material for Volvo Cars factories are carried across the world’s oceans on container ships. Like most manufacturers do as it is the cheapest way of getting bulk items from one end to another. However, from now, the container ships used by Volvo Cars are made with renewable fuel instead of traditional fossil fuel. Volvo Cars  are the first to announce such a move. The Swedish company will achieve an immediate reduction in fossil CO2 emissions from intercontinental ocean freight by an estimated 55,000 tonnes over a year. Thus, technically saving many manatees, dolphins and polar bears in a single swoop.

PROTON Launches the new Proton S70 1.5T Sedan - Prices and details, Brochure and Photos too. - Link to our video review also.

 PROTON has finally launched the S70 sedan earlier this evening. If you've been following the blog you would have known that I have already driven Proton's newest C segment sedan and you can view all four parts of my initial drive over here in the previous article covering that preview drive. Now, Proton has finally revealed the prices for the four variants that will be offered here and I must say that the packages at launch as well as the prices are actually very tempting. 

Finally! smart Malaysia officially launches smart #1 in Malaysia after many many days, weeks, months of previews

Today, the 21st November 2023  marks  the official launch and price announcement of the smart #1 SUV/Crossover here in Malaysia. This comes after many days of teasers, previews and so on. The brand's first offering was launched by Yang Mulia Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry at an event attended by Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Chairman of PROTON, YBhg. Dato' Hairil Yahri Yaacob, Secretary General of MITI, Tong Xiangbei, Global CEO of smart Automobile, Dr. Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON, En Roslan Abdullah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PROTON, and Mr. Zhang Qiang, Chief Executive Officer of PRO-NET as well as many other guests.

VIDEO - Preview of the upcoming PROTON S70 1.5T sedan - Our thoughts and Opinions after test driving it at the PROTON Test Track in Shah Alam

Sometime in early November 2023 we were invited by PROTON to try out their new C segment sedan, the 2024 Proton S70 1.5T sedan. This is their first all-new sedan since Geely came into the picture. Based on their BMA platform, this B/C segment car is based on the Geely Emgrand but we now think of this as a full C segment sedan as the car is actually nothing like a B segment sized car. It is as wide, and as long as a C segment sedan (think Toyota Corolla size – Corolla has an overall length of 4,630mm while the S70 is 4,638mm on a slightly shorter wheelbase).

Anyway, this video presentation is divided into four videos - Parts 1 to 4

The all-new Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is now available in Malaysia - EQS 580 4MATIC SUV from RM699,888 - Full Details Inside & Roadshow this weekend for you to experience EQ vehicles too

Earlier today, at the Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Mutiara Damansara, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia unveiled the all-new full sized, all-electric luxury SUV variant, the 2023/24 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC SUV. The EQS SUV essentially is the fully electric GLS, or S-Class SUV that will offer seating for seven people in luxurious comfort and also offers connectivity for front and rear passengers. At the moment, there is one variant officially available, the EQS 580 4MATIC which is priced at RM699,888 with 10% sales tax but without insurance (in Peninsular Malaysia).

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Preview and Opinions on the upcoming 2024 smart #1 BRABUS version

 

Here is our preview and first opinion on the soon to be launched in Malaysian 2024 smart #1 BRABUS variant. This is built on the smart #1 Premium variant and adds twin electric motors to give it supercar levels of acceleration 0-100kmh in 3.9seconds. This is our second meeting with this crossover EV. The first was at the Proton Test Track in Shah Alam when it was all stickered up. So we got to drive it then but could not film or take photos of it.

The new, latest and greatest (to date) Porsche 911 GT3 RS makes its debut at the Sepang International Circuit alongside the return of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2023, rounds 9 and 10

The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS had its Malaysian launch at the Sepang International Circuit as part of the return of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2023, rounds 9 and 10 The very track biased, road-legal high-performance sports car still comes with a high revving naturally aspirated engine and the Porsche PDK dual clutch transmission but adds even MORE lightweight components and active aerodynamics as well as having more track oriented (Clubsport) and additional lightweight parts (Weissach) packages which are available on the new GT3 RS for more options, together with specially designed Porsche Design chronograph watch The price for the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS starts from RM 2,630,000. 

smart Malaysia has allowed us to show you the stunning interior of their upcoming (to Malaysia) smart #1 - We have also driven it so our Opinion is here

 Yup. A few weeks after we were invited to a preview of the soon to be launched in Malaysia smart #1 battery electric crossover we can now show you interior shots of the car with what we can say will be the trim that is selected for #1 sold in Malaysia. Barring last minute changes of course. Like I mentioned in the previous post, the smart #1 is a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, so it features so many Mercedes-Benz touches that I feel that this is essentially a rebadged, slightly more entry level variant of the EQ range of electric vehicles that Mercedes-Benz produces. 

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur Introduces Malaysia to the World’s First Super Tourer - The DB12

Yesterday, Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur previewed the DB12 Super Tourer to members of the media, and before we start with the usual details and specifications of the car, I have to say the DB12 is a stunner. In terms of its styling, it takes the best of the classical Aston Martin styling cues and wraps it around a very modern GT styled body which looks better than the one it replaces by a fair bit. I think that grille up front says it all.

smart Malaysia Unveils the smart #1 at EVx 2023 - Details and Some My Thoughts On it and PHOTOS of the #1 from the Media Preview prior to EVx 2023

smart Malaysia made its official Malaysian debut at the Electric Vehicle Expo (EVx) 2023 in Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, where they had an exclusive sneak peek of its all-electric vehicle, smart #1 that was displayed on the show stand of Mercedes-Benz and smart Malaysia, for the very first time in Malaysia. smart, these days is a joint venture electric car designed and manufactured by Mercedes-Benz and Geely. This has been possible when Geely entered into partnership with Daimler (holding company for Mercedes-Benz) in 2019 and from just a very compact city car, smart is still a compact city car, but is now fully an electric vehicle brand.

Perodua Axia E returns as the most affordable new car in Malaysia, but it's actually still based on the previous generation car

 Perodua earlier today launched the previous generation Axia E again. Basically the cheapest new car you can buy in Malaysia, the Axia E is targeted at the lower income group and comes with a price of RM22,000 before insurance. This is definitely the 'menu Rahmah' of the car industry folks. If you're familiar with the term 'Rahmah' here folks. Definitely the RM5 meal equivalent.

smart Malaysia via PRO-NET appoints EON Berhad as an authorised dealer

Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (PRO-NET) has appointed Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad (EON), the automotive retail arm of DRB-HICOM, as an official dealer for smart Malaysia. The addition of EON follows the appointment of a Hap Seng Group company, Hap Seng Smart, earlier this month, with five other dealership appointments to be announced soon.