Volkswagen Group Malaysia announces more measures to handle warranty issues

This is a short bit overhead directly from what was discussed between Volkswagen Group Malaysia and the group that voiced up grievances  - the Vw Dsg 7 Defects Community on Facebook. 

Firstly, VW Group Malaysia will now streamline the whole EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMS PROCESS. The VW Extended warranty process is/was handled by Allianz Insurance and as stated earlier, it is a long an bearaucratic process in handling and approving a claim. People cannot wait too long as this is their only mode of transport etc. etc. And so, VW Group Malaysia will work hand in hand with the insurance provider and also with the service dealers to ensure quicker claims addressing as well as ensuring better customer service experience. In short, less paperwork, blurcase insurance adjusters and better service by service personnel at the service centers. Crack the whip, VW Malaysia. Things must change.

Mercedes Benz S63 AMG coupe previewed

 AMG twin-turbo V8 5.5-liter engine delivering 577 bhp (430 kW) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque. RWD only in right hand drive markets. 4Matic option in left hand drive markets. Why do the people driving on the correct side of the road get left out?

Tun Mahathir: The Raw Hatred For Proton

There is a good write up about Proton by former Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Mahathir over at his blog (this is his mirror site link as the chedet.cc site seems to be down at the moment). He states that a heck of a lot of journalists seem to harp on and on about Proton, that it should be closed and that will reduce the price of foreign cars so that Malaysians can buy them.He also states that Proton has actually paid back all of its loans and Proton did even receive 3 billion Ringgit recently.

That article by Tun Mahathir needs to be read to those Proton bashers. I am not a Proton basher at the moment for the following reasons.

News pursuant to the recent hoo-haa made by some Volkswagen owners as regards warranty issues

Volkswagen Group Malaysia has decided to take more remedial action pursuant to the recent protest by a group of VW owners on the 13th of March 2014. Aside from the earlier announcement that service centers will be opened on Sunday, owners can now look forward to voicing out their EXTENDED WARRANTY grievances when ever they feel like it during 9am to 6pm on weekdays begining 17th of March 2014. 

In short, VGM has a call center so that you can inform them directly on how you are being treated by the service centers as regards the Extended Warranty or whether you have any other complaints to voice out. The hotline (which isn't so hot as it is only during office hours - but a good step) is 1-800-88-8947. Call them to try exorcise your haunted Volkswagen. Do not call a coconut holding shaman as he wouldn't know nuts about how to exorcise your faulty DSG transmission. This is the better way. 

Sunday Car Porn: Gestation of the Mercedes 'Baby Benz' W201 190E in pics.

Mercedes Benz took the end of the 1960s up till 1982 to finally come up with a Baby Benz, the Mercedes Benz 190E (W201 series). Being a very traditional brand who only built high end cars, it took its sweet time in coming up with an 'entry level' car. And that wasn't what really happened too. 

Since Mercedes Benz never built a small car in a long, long while, the 190E was over-engineered and was still priced at a premium compared to a similar sized Ford Escort or even a slightly larger Mazda 626 of its day. It had the same 'thunk' when you closed the doors. It brought along the first production multi-link suspension in a road going car as well as many features that you now see in cars today. It was so good that it stayed in production till 1993 with over 1.8million units built.

A group of VW owners meet up with Volkswagen Group Malaysia to voice out their concerns...and more.

.A large group comprising of various Volkswagen vehicle owners had gathered peacefully yesterday afternoon in front of the Volkswagen Group Malaysia headquarters in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.  The crowd was large, but well behaved and backed by other Volkswagen owners driving their cars honking their horns as the passed by the Volkswagen Headquarters. The purpose of the group was to voice our their lack of satisfaction towards various warranty, reliability and other grievances relating to their cars.

TOYOTA AND HONDA HAND OVER KLIMS13 VISITORS’ LUCKY DRAW GRAND PRIZES

Congratulations to the lucky winners - Mr Lee Min Foong from Perak who won a brand new Toyota Prius 1.8L Luxury and Mr Poopaladurai Selvadurai from Melaka who is now the very lucky owner of a brand new Honda CR-Z. 

On another note, about 302,700 people attended KLIMS 2013 over the 10 days it was open. Not too bad at all.

PRESS RELEASE

Sunday Car Porn: Aston Martin Vantage N430

The limited edition Aston Martin Vantage N430. Recently launched at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and built so that customers can buy into the heritage and pedigree of the Vantage's race history especially at the Nurburgring 24Hour race as well as the 2013 win of the Vantage GTE in the FIA World Endurance Championships.

Spotted For Sale: Nissan "GTR" a.k.a How to oversell your vehicle improperly

My friend Firdaus has pointed me to another great prospect on mudah.my. What we have here is marketed to the buying public as a Nissan GTR. Yes, you motorheads would know it as a bloody fast car but not in any way like this. This one surprisingly looks like a truck. It is a Nissan nonetheless.

Of course putting 'GTR' in every Nissan adds some sort of mileage or marketing stunt. Or so one thinks.

The original advert is here (until mudah takes it down of course)....ad details are below:

Lori nissan 2.0 manual petrol.
Tahun 2002 .
1 owner.
Untuk di jual segera.
Rm22800...boleh runding...
Call zh automobil ent.
013 706253xx.
012 72502xx.

In defense of: A local REBADGED Tiger from a Diamond instead of a Toyota or a Honda or any B segment Car

2.0liter variable valve timing 4 cylinder engine, 148hp (150ps), 197Nm, 200km/h, 0-100km/h in around 10.5secs or faster, multi-link suspension at the rear, CVT (with optional pedal shifters), fully equipped cabin and all for around RM90,000 (and Japanese technology too). The Toyota Vios pictured above has a 1.5liter vvt 4 cylinder engine, 105ps, 141Nm, 180+km/h, 0-100km/h in around 11secs, beam axle rear suspension, ancient 4 speed automatic, even more plasticky materials in the cabin for around RM90,000 if you're crazy enough to buy the TRD specced Vios at RM93,000 or RM88,000 for a G spec model. Madness isn't it? Why are you buying this??????

More Volkswagen Tales of Woe - Facebook community survey results and some comments

There is a Facebook group that was started by a group of Malaysian Volkswagen owners who are extremely disappointed (to say the least) by the supposedly appalling after-sales service quality over at Volkswagen Malaysia. I am not surprised as I have written a couple or so times as regards how unreliable VW cars have been in recent years. you can have a look at the group here.

Geneva 2014: Subaru Viziv 2 Concept - Subaru is showing us again how their future will NOT look like

Here is another concept car from Subaru. They've been showing us the Viziv Concept last year and now this one is called the Subaru Viziv 2 Concept. This concept showcases "environmental friendliness and driving pleasure" as well as "design and utility" at the highest level. What this plug-in hybrid crossover vehicle actually tells me is that THIS IS WHAT SUBARU WILL NOT BUILD FOR US IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Why am I saying so?

Geneva 2014: The Rolls Royce Ghost Series II unveiled

I love how Rolls Royce is marketing this new Ghost Series II. They are claiming it to be an "an oasis of calm in a frenetic business world". Of course, this may be quite true in every sense of the word. 

Press Release

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars UNVEILS GHOST SERIES II TO THE WORLD AT 2014 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Geneva 2014: 2015 Audi TT unveiled

2015 Audi TTS 

The Geneva Motor Show 2014 is on-going at the moment and automobile manufacturers are quite busy previewing new cars over there. Audi has decided to use Geneva as its place to unveil the all new Audi TT. Although this is the all new and improved TT, people who aren't car people may think it is the same car. 

Like recent Audis, the TT has a evolutionary design (which in my opinion needs a little bit of a shake up as it still looks similar to the outgoing one and to other more bread and butter Audis out there) which features the usual large hexagonal grille and LED daytime driving lights (with optional LED main headlights too this time around). The only difference is that the four rings Audi logo now resides on the bonnet instead of on the grille. Ooooo...Audi, what prominent changes you have made to the TT.

2015 Honda Civic Type-R launched at Geneva - Here are some leaked photos

There will be an all new Honda Civic Type-R for all those Honda tuning fans out there. Photos of the upcoming car has already been leaked prior to its official launch at the Geneva Motor Show tomorrow. The car has been confirmed to have something all Honda fans (read as fanatics) have waited for..an official turbocharged Type-R. It's based on the 2 door Civic hatchback and no sign of a 4 door version by the likes of it.

Sunday car pic: Proton Satria Neo S2000 rally

This photo is for Satria Neo owners to dream about when thinking of what the heck should they try to aim for when trying to modify their ergonomically challenged hatchback.

Short Drive: The Mitsubishi Attrage sedan. Does a 1.2 liter three cylinder sedan work?

Mitsubishi Indonesia's idea of what it should be...hmmm.

And so after quite awhile of not writing any car reviews we have one for you readers out there right now. Of course it would be nice writing about the time I drove the Peugeot RCZ (I will, I guess) or the time I where I drove an old Triumph Stag (it happened, but somehow I am not too bothered at the moment too) but I know it makes more sense writing about cars most of you can actually buy, like the Mitsubishi Attrage sedan. 

Now you could actually buy this car but do read on and see if you should (you shouldn't).

Carama Launches Malaysia’s First Car Service Price Calculator

I happened to attend the launch of 'Malaysia's First Car Service Price Calculator' which is located at www.carama.com. There you can reportedly get the estimates for your basic car servicing costs and repairs. Quite easy to use once you have registered and it will give you a rough (I do mean rough) estimate on the cost of repairs and/or servicing. 

There is also an interesting infographic which I have placed below detailing what we Malaysian car owners actually worry or think about when it comes to servicing one's vehicle. It does make some sense and Carama (by Castrol) intends to assist us owners in making finding a proper workshop or mechanic a hassle free experience (or hassle free after you register at the website, that is). Aside fromt he price calculator, Carama ensures its users the chance to tell-all. If one has good experiences at the service center, he or she can actually write a short review so that it can help others. This makes the servicing experience accessible to all. 

Good News Peeps...We Won Best Auto Blog For MSMW 2014!

We won! We surprisingly won. Yours Truly, and this Blog were nominated for the Best Auto Blog at this year's Malaysia World Blogger And Social Media Awards held in conjunction with the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (which is currently ongoing). Somehow, with the help of you readers and a bunch of friends we did manage to garner more than a handful of votes and bloody won!!!!!!!

The reason we asked, pleaded and begged for a few votes is that it would be mighty embarrassing if we ended up with just two votes - my own personal vote and my daughter's, who was thrilled that her dad managed to win something. Which to say the least is truly surprising. We were just expecting not coming in last.

Anyway, kudos to the organisers of the event, Social Media Chambers of Malaysia and My Events International for hosting such a splendid awards ceremony.

Oh, those that have been following Yours Truly on Twitter and Facebook would already know. I apologise if this short piece may seem like me parading around this small victory but heck, it's my victory, I can do whatever I want.

More about cars and motoring later when regular transmission resumes right after some basking in the limelight continues.

All-new 2014 Honda City is making its rounds now

The all-new 2014 Honda City was displayed at Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya over the weekend. I suppose this is a pre-launch roadshow for Honda's B segment sedan...a.k.a the Toyota Vios fighter. It will be priced around RM70,000-90,000 depending on what spec you choose and it will be officially launched here in Malaysia sometime in March.

How does it look in the metal?

Nissan Sentra, New since the year 2000 - If this were a Proton, Malaysians would be screaming murder

Right now I am watching Ultraman on NTV7, having a nice cuppa tea whilst typing this. The Ultraman episode on TV must be quite new (circa 2008) as cell phones, graphics seem up to date. Ultraman still wears a jumpsuit and still has that blinker on his chest. Some things stay the same. Much like the Nissan Sentra 'Sport' sold over here in Malaysia (see above). Soldiering on since 2000.

Last I checked we are now coming to the middle of the second decade of the 2000s and if you checked the Nissan Malaysia website today, you'd notice that they're still selling a car which was first sold in the year 2000. The Nissan Sentra is still on sale over here in Malaysia!!!! If this were a Proton, Malaysians would say that the local car company is trying to kill us all by selling outdated cars, take our money by not giving us any options, continue to make profit by selling us outdated cars and other stuff. But here we have Nissan still giving us the same piece of dull family transport year after year after year. Of course, some may say that you don't see any on the road and that this is just Nissan wanting to clear stock.

Car Mods: 1st Gen Perodua Myvi Tuning Part V - Lightweight Crankshaft Pulley and some Iridium

Okay, let's return to some 1st Generation Perodua Myvi tuning. The 2010 car is now slightly over 35,000km old and still running as it should. It just undergoes regular oil changes and if you note from the earlier posts, the car has had some suspension, brakes and an air filter / cold air intake mod.

The Myvi technically stops faster, corners better and is a little more refined due to the strut bar / rear beam axle anti-roll bar which allows the suspension to be less susceptible to flex. And with those mods, a little more performance from the engine would be nice. So I've basically got a lightweight aluminium crankshaft pulley installed (the polished thingy to the right of the brakes).

CASTROL CARAMA PROMO: Car service issues – Have I been blinded?

This here is something from established petroleum product seller Castrol. I use Castrol sometimes, but not all the time. Let's just see what they have to offer you guys out there, alright?

Castrol Carama

Investing in a car means years of financial commitment. But, your commitment probably does not stop there. Taking care of your car is as akin to taking care of your children – health and safety is a top priority

Every car, regardless if it is old or new must be treated with utmost care to promise long term quality assurance. Regular servicing will help maintain the condition of our car and provide us the extra assurance that our car is road-ready.

Driver of Mini Countryman BMC 699, you Sir, are a moron.

This is valid proof that Mini drivers are total idiots. This happened earlier this evening. A ginormous (by Mini standards) Mini Countryman tries to enter the wrong way down a one way street ( note the traffic light folks), then has the nerve to ask yours truly to move slightly aside so that he can continue down the wrong way and since I did not budge as there would be cars behind me shortly as this way a busy junction he gets angry and takes my photo because I did not yield and was busy taking photos of his car as well. He was trying to right a wrong.

This Has Got To Be The Most Awesome Proton Sales Advert Blurb Ever On Mudah

This was spotted by both my pal Firdaus and I recently and has got to be either the most awesome car sales ad eve pitched or the most psychotic. It would help if you can understand and read Malay as it is seriously awsome. 

The salesman addresses potential customers as  'Chor' which means elder brother in the 'loghat utara' or north Malay slang. He also wants us Chors to be happy even after getting a lashing from your bosses as he just got one too. 

According to him he is an authorised sales representative. And expert up to the levels of an Avatar or a Bumiputra Rocker which is important as he, Ahmad as he is supposed to be called has 105 years of experience. 105 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE? If he started work at 20 he would be about 120 years old. Err........He must be immortal and cannae die.

Long term report - Mercedes Benz C180 CGI BlueEfficiency

If you've been following this blog you'd know that I've been running a 2012 Mercedes Benz C180 CGI BlueEfficiency for a while now.

I collected the car in November 2012 and it has now been over a year of owning this slightly premium sedan. It may be the entry level c-class but I've not been left wanting in any department at all. Of course, if you had to pay over RM214,000 for any car it better not be lacking in certain aspects. 

Spotted: Nissan 'AMG' 130y

....or was is OMG? This clearly shows the owner's vision and that why bother buying a proper Mercedes AMG CLA45 (which is the smallest AMG sedan these days) when all you need is a Datsun, errr Nissan 130y.

What you don't see in the photo is there was smoke coming from only one of its twin tail pipes. OMG is more like it. And the 'y' in the 130y must now stand for...Why? Misplaced passion is why. Save up and keep this car standard. OMG instead of AMG indeed.

Facelifted BMW X3 launched

BMW has launched the facelifted BMW X3. You get the usual facelift features, which are modified lights (with optional LED headlights), grille, front and rear bumpers, external mirrors with indicators for the exterior and according to BMW, better perceived quality and luxury for the interior. Of course, Every big manufacturer comes up with decent upgrades and the obvious better fuel economy and less CO2 emmissions every time a facelift comes for any model.

If any of you are interested, expect a fully imported version of this X3 to be on our shores within the next three months or so. BMW Malaysia is quite fast in getting new models into Malaysia these days.

PRESS RELEASE

Highlights. It was back in 2003 that BMW founded the new mid-size Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment with the launch of the X3. That means the BMW X3 has been a paragon of sporty dynamics, premium ambience and robust agility, coupled with low fuel consumption and emissions, for over 10 years now – racking up sales figures of more than one million units in the process. The second generation of the successful BMW X3 has made a compelling case for itself since its introduction in 2010, boasting the best interior and boot measurements and the greatest versatility in its class.

2015 Subaru Legacy revealed.....

...and in all honesty it should stay hidden. I had wrote earlier that Subaru is actually pulling our legs by giving us very stunning concept cars that we would actually sell a kidney for it but when the production model is unveiled, it usually ends up looking like the chap who serves you food at the local mamak restaurant, complete with body odor.

Now this is very true as the new 2015 Subaru Legacy gets its official pictures (intentionally or unintentionally) released.I mean take a look at the Legacy Concept pictured below, and then take another look at the Legacy above. What sort of legacy is Subaru trying to give its customers (pun intended)? It looks like every generation of the Subaru Legacy keeps getting uglier and uglier or plainer and plainer.

SPOTTED: Mitsubishi Tredia Before and after..or before and never after

.

After (.....after a nuclear explosion)

This is a Mitsubishi Tredia. Or something that was a Mitsubishi Tredia. This 'masterpiece' wasn't completed when this photo was taken. But why would anyone want to complete such a project in the first place? This is one time the 'BEFORE' photo is a million times better than the 'AFTER' photo. Not that the Mitsubishi Tredia was anything to shout about in the first place as it was just a run of the mill Japanese econobox that was supposed to slot between the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Mitsubishi Galant. And if you try to find out what the heck does 'Tredia' mean you'd hit a stumbling block as it does not mean anything at all. So you have a modified Tredia that actually does not mean anything. Note that when the Tredia was new it wasn't drooled over by car tuners. 

So, let's just ask the only logical question..... WHY? 

Before (...so much more sensibly boring)

photo:adlis k / wikipedia

Attention readers!!! Vote for us...Best Auto Blog for the Malaysian Social Media Week 2014

Hello folks. If you are aware, motoring-malaysia.blogspot.com has been nominated for Best Auto Blog in the Malaysian World Bloggers And Social Media Awards 2014 and we're now informing you guys out there that VOTING HAS BEGUN and will end on the 10th of February 2014.

Vote for us and unlike our local politicians (on both sides) who seem to promise one thing and do another, we promise to you nothing but giving you more of what we're good at - an opinion on whatever we think worth giving an opinion on. Simple isn't it?

So register here so that you can vote for this website. Vote! So that we can spread the word to more readers out there!!!!! Thank you.

BMW previews the 4 Series Gran Coupe

BMW has launched a new premium mid-sized car called the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. A 5 door hatchback styled car that fits nicely between the 3  series and the 5 series cars but is sportier styled like a coupe. Hence the name.  It needs to be a biiiiit more coupe-like in my opinion and not just a BMW 3 series with a slightly lower roofline and a fifth door at the rear. The car is set to debut at the upcoming 2014 Geneva motor show. But let's just see what BMW has to say about it. 

PRESS RELEASE

BMW proudly presents the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 8.1–4.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emission: 189–119 g/km), the first four-door coupé in the premium midsize class that represents a consistent extension of the model range. Following the launch of the BMW 4 Series Coupé and Convertible, the Gran Coupé is the third model to join the new BMW 4 Series, which is longer, wider and more dynamic than any of the previous midsize series due to the balanced proportions of the vehicles. The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé combines the sleek look of a two-door coupé with the functionality provided by four-doors and expansive spaciousness, including a wide-access luggage compartment.

TOTAL Lubricants Deliver Cutting Edge Performance to Increase Engine Life and Mileage - and the ROBOCOP Movie promotion

Engine oil provider for FIA Formula One™’s world champion Sebastian Vettel and Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team focuses on producing high quality lubricants that boost engine performance and save fuel

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – January 29, 2014 – TOTAL, the official provider of lubricants and racing fuels for FIA Formula One™ Championship winners Sebastian Vettel and Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team, brings its heritage of providing cutting edge lubricants that deliver superior performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency to the Malaysian market via TOTAL QUARTZ, a range of lubricants specially designed to meet the stringent performance requirements of automotive OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and engine manufacturers worldwide.

According to the World Bank, Malaysia has an average of 361 vehicles per 1,000 people, a figure that increases to 977 in urban areas such as Klang Valley, the highest rate of vehicle ownership in the Asia Pacific region. According to analyst firm Frost & Sullivan, the rate will continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% until 2019, despite the fact that Malaysia is now the second most expensive country in the world to own a car. However, the robust demand for cars is dampened by continuous increases in fuel prices, putting pressure on automobile owners to seek ways in which they can save on fuel while optimising their car’s performance.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese new year and a very happy holidays to everyone too. May the year be prosperous to you, with good health to all you guys out there too.

So you may have your bonus around this time or you may have some ang pau money after this. What should you do with it if you haven't spent it on beer, shandy, vsop whilst blowing over a night's worth of poker, gin rummy, bacarat (if you're James Bond)? How about two nice BEFORE and AFTER photos for you to get going. The car may be a barge...but what a barge it is after a wheel swop. Enjoy.

The 190e gets a new paintjob.

The Mercedes Benz 190e has gotten a new coat of paint since we last saw it here. It now sports a new front bumper too like the original 2.3-16 Cossie. The colour is now something called Smoke Silver and is the one of two original colours for the Cossie. The lights are all new too. Yes, this normal 8valve 2.3 looks like a brand new Mercedes Benz. Fabulous isn't it?

Photos by Adlis K

Spotted: LHD 1st Generation Hyundai Accent

.

Now this is something you don't see everyday. A left-hand-drive 1st generation Hyundai Accent 3 door. The car was spotted at a shopping mall in Kelana Jaya and looked pretty well kept. 

This model wasn't actually sold in large volumes in Malaysia too. I think there were some small numbers imported during its tenure (1994-2000) and no one wanted a small Hyundai in those days (It was the later 2nd gen Accent that sold decently well here in the mid-2000s). In those days everyone bought a Japanese car or a Proton and I have a feeling that this left-hand drive Accent was only brought in a few years back. Of course, any car with left-hand-drive in a right-hand-drive market is pretty unique as you are bound to suffer from the following problems:

Proton R3 launches three models...and NOTHING IS REALLY NEW

Proton has launched three models of the Proton Suprima, Proton Satria Neo and the Proton Inspira at the recent Proton Sales Carnival held at MITC Melaka on the 17th -19th January 2014 and the 24th to the 26th of January 2014 over in Juru, Penang. 

Proton Motorsports, or the R3 division did up the cars which are basically tarted up versions of the Suprima, Satria Neo and the Inspira. The Suprima S was launched in Melaka whereas the other two over in Penang.

The Suprima S is one of those premium specced variant which basically has a newly developed bodykit, new wheels, some springs and a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. And because of this the Proton Suprima S is now reborn as something called the Proton Suprima S Super Premium. In all honestly, it has one ugly bodykit with a front splitter that SHOULD have been less bulky and SHOULD have been painted in the colour of the car's body as then it would not look like an afterthought. It just looks too bulky to look good in black. Someone mentioned the word 'kampung' tuner and I agree to this.

In fact the reason I chose to put the photo of the Suprima S Super Long Winded Name that  is covered with all those models so that you have something more interesting to look at than a car that has an ugly bodykit. Of course this would be available at all Proton sales outlet if you inquire. I suggest you don't bother and just opt for a stock Suprima S instead.

News This Week: NAP2014, RON 95 Petrol, all-new Altis, facelifted Kia Optima K5

Let's just do everything in short little blurbs.

National Automotive Policy
The National Automotive Policy was announced recently and basically there is really nothing for most of us Malaysians to get worked up about. As I've already posted on motoring-malaysia.s Facebook page, the summary is as follows:
NAP2014 in a nutshell...no more cheap imported hybrids after existing stocks run out except for CKD. Which is only one car at this moment- Honda Jazz hybrid.

Info on the Facelifted Perodua Alza

Perodua Alza (base)

This is just for record and so that readers have some clue of what the facelifted 2014 Perodua Alza is about. All variants get new redesigned bumpers and different alloy wheels.

The improvements made towards Malaysia's most affordable MPV (albeit a small one) include the ISOFIX points for child safety seats in the second row of the vehicle and splitting the 3rd row seat in half to allow greater customisation by the users – these 2 improvements are standard for all new variants.

W222 Mercedes Benz S-Class to be launched in Malaysia sometime in March 2014

To those CEOs, Chairmen of large multi-million Ringgit companies and other Captains of Industries (including those shady characters who get money through 'other' sources) take note that the W222 Mercedes Benz S-class will be launched sometime in March 2014. 

The model that would be brought in at the launch is the S400 Hybrid and it is rumoured to be in Semi-Knocked Down or SKD format. This simply means that some assembly of the car would be done at the Mercedes Benz assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang.

More (Closeup) pics of the upcoming Malaysian 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis -1.8E and 2.0G

The all-new 2014 Toyota Altis has just been launched over in Thailand. According to my sources it should be  launched sometime soon. The latest would be sometime February.The earliest, can't say, as the Chinese New Year is fast approaching and it is usually a long holiday for most businesses here in Malaysia. These are more exclusive photos of the actual cars instead of media photos or taken from some sales website.

The pictures show close-up shots of the meter cluster, navigation, engine bay and navigation systems of a bodykit cladded Altis 1.8E and an Altis  2.0G. First up is the Altis 1.8E. If you've seen the earlier pictures here, you'd know that this are more of the same, You see the optional Navigation/Entertainment system, 205/55/16 unknown brand tyres used. The 'source' said Indonesian Achilles. I can't confirm as yet. (Not any 'branded stuff here. Hmmm....). At least the 1.8E gets a leather wrapped steering wheel too.