One of the oldest Automotive blogs in Malaysia. Since 2006 and going strong.
Motoring-Malaysia.blogspot.my is an award winning Malaysian motoring / automotive / car news & reviews website or auto blog. It is where we rant and rave about cars, trucks, buses, motoring, motor vehicles and any interesting automotive industry related stuff. Unswayed in our point of view and darn proud of it! It's not about the numbers...it's about passion.
According to Ford, we Asians spend a lot of time in our cars. 1,000 hours in total yearly and some, like those in India spend at least 12 hours in their cars every week. That's a whole lot of time. On average, I think that the average Malaysian who lives and works in the Klang Valley spends as much time too due to traffic jams. In fact, as I write this, Subang Jaya is now suffering from flash floods due to the heavy rain.
Hyundai wins three Red Dot Design Awards with the new Hyundai i20 Coupe, the i20 5 door Hatchback and the all-new Hyundai Sonata. Another feather in the cap for Peter Schreyer, who is currently head of design for Hyundai Motor Group. After making headways with Kia, the designer has now turned his attention towards Hyundai to impressive results.
Volvo Trucks have officiated their second new dealership in Malaysia this year. The new dealership in located in Ipoh and basically charts another milestone in Volvo Trucks' Deaer Operating Standard Enhancement Programme that was first initiated three years ago.
The new dealership is located in a standalone building with a land area of 8,361 square metres and built-up area of 1,160 square metres, the new dealership is a significant upgrade in terms of space and facilities as compared to shop lot units it previously occupied.
McLaren has revealed the first model in something called the Sports Series of cars. The McLaren 570S coupe is part of the sports series, and is now one of the 'entry level' models in the McLaren product line-up. You have the Super Series and the Ultimate Series coming after that.
Anyway, the 570S still has the usual supercar layout and numbers. 570ps and 600Nm torque, 0-100kmh in 3.2seconds and 0-200kmh in 9.5seconds. Top speed is 328kmh.
Last Saturday a few of us got together for our usual round of teh tarik over at Desa Sri Hartamas. This time around two of them brought their new rides. One was a newly registered grey imported Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 and the other was one of those large C7 Audi A6 3.0TFSI. The Golf most of you would know is the range topping Golf whereas the A6 is the mid-tier A6, but as you will find out, a stonking one at that. So aside from the usual banter and exchange of thoughts, it was a night of driving around in some cars too.
Meercedes Benz has revised the ML series of SUV and it is now called the GLE series in the vast range of Mercedes Benz automobiles. New front and rear styling, better emissions (up to 17% better), better fuel consumption and a plug in hybrid model too. The press release is quite interesting, especially right at the end where it explains the new naming of Mercedes Benz automobiles.
In about a week or so, Jaguar will preview this all-new 2016 Jaguar XF at the New York Motor Show on 1st April 2015. I suppose this short article will not capture the attention of many of you readers out there as it isn't bread and butter. This is more like cake. Lovely and moist with a punch of sweetness with a price to match. This is a premium product of course and it is a Jaguar. And Jaguars are cool as a cat these days.
We Malaysians are a poor sordid lot. We get things somewhat slower than other countries. Especially when it comes to Toyota Camry cars. I wrote in April 2014 that the Americans were getting their Camry facelifted. I also stated that it looked fantastic compared to what we are getting. Take a look at the pic below. Look at the lights. Front and rear. We're not getting this more aero looking Camry. Nope.
Ford previews the all new Ford Everest over at the Bangkok Auto Show. Expect it to arrive on our shores by the middle of this year. The Ford Everest is basically a Ford Ranger pick up truck with a full cabin. Specs of the Everest are high and are exactly like the facelifted Ranger previewed earlier.
On the aspect of motor shows, its quite sad that Malaysia does not have one as big as the ones in Thailand or even Indonesia. Actually, Singapore motor show does things better most of the time. Maybe we've got to open up the car market even more for more enthusiastic participants.
Fomoco (Ford Motor Company) has previewed the facelifted Ford Ranger pickup over at Bangkok. The facelifted Ford Ranger gets a new look front end, upgraded power trains and a stylish, smart and functional new interior.
Mazda launched the fourth
generation Mazda 2 here in Malaysia recently. Two variants, one a
hatchback, the other a sedan. Both get the same specs inside and out.
The only difference is a boot and the other a hatch. Both cost
RM88,000 or thereabouts and are seriously well equipped for the
price. What this new Mazda 2 brings to the table are a lot of good
things for supermini buyers out there.
If you compare with the older Mazda 2,
the new one isn't based on the Ford Fiesta. It isn't all cute and
cuddly anymore and is not all spare and very no-frills looking like
the previous generation. What you get is basically a miniaturized
Mazda 3 (or if you want to go all the way, the Mazda 6) in terms of
external looks.
“This is a complete one-off; I wanted to give this Defender a feeling of luxury,” says Smith “So I used a mix of leather and fabric for the seats. I actually used the fabric that I design for Maharam, the American upholstery company. The vehicle features lots of special Paul Smith touches. My designs are known for their attention to detail, so I didn’t want this Defender to be any different.”. This is why this Defender looks like any other Defender instead of being something bonkers (like the one car styling company Kahn Design usually does).
I do wish to see one of these monsters on our roads especially in and around Cameron Highlands. The Land Rover Defender 2.4 TDCI 90 Pick Up Chelsea Wide Track by Kahn Design. Imagine one of these transporting cabbages and broccoli up and down Brincang to Tapah. Cabbages flying everywhere. But what a sight it could be.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has opened its order books now for the refreshed 2016 Veloster Turbo which is expected to arrive on Malaysian shores in mid-April this year. Fully imported from Korea, the Veloster Turbo is Hyundai’s turbocharged version of the unique 1+2 door sporty coupe. It is the first Hyundai vehicle to be fitted with the 1.6-litre T-GDI engine that features a high-compression, twin-scroll turbocharger combined with the GDI system and transmitted to the front wheels via a 7 speed dual clutch transmission. Oh, all of that translates to 186ps and 265Nm torque and a 0-100kmh time of around 8.4 seconds. Prices are estimated to be around the RM150,000 range. Performance and in some ways, price, are not too bad for a brand new entry level 'coupe'.
People of Melaka rejoice. If you intend to purchase or already have a Volkswagen, that is. PRESS RELEASE Volkswagen Group Malaysia Launches 3S Facility in Melaka
Melaka, 18 March 2015 – N3 Auto has launched a brand new showroom in the centre of Melaka, on Jalan Bukit Palah. The 3S facility – Sales, Service, and Spare Parts was unveiled by Mr. Chua Beng Poh, General Manager of N3 Auto and Mr Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia, on Wednesday, March 18th 2015.
UD Trucks, with its long tradition of continuously improving its processes and product development, invited some 200 fleet owners and drivers to experience recent enhancements to the UD Quester, their heavy-duty truck range designed specifically for emerging markets in Asia. Incorporating customer feedback, these changes – which include an easier gear shift; the extra engine brake adjusted to lower speed; and a new application category – Dangerous Goods – were demonstrated at an exclusive test drive event at the Kaeng Krachang Circuit in Phetchaburi, Thailand from February 26 to March 3.
PRESS RELEASE SCANIA AND JKJR - PARTNERS AGAIN TO CHAMPION ROAD SAFETY
Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, 19 March – The Scania Driver Competitions 2014/2015 Malaysia-Singapore (SDC) has, for the 4th time, attained the support of the Road Safety Department of Malaysia or Jabatan Keselamatan Jalanraya (JKJR) as an Official Partner.
In line with JKJR’s vision, mission and objectives, the SDC will once again lead the Malaysian Transportation Industry to elevate the status of truck and bus drivers through their participation in this internationally recognized competition.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has rolled-out the locally assembled (CKD) version of the Hyundai Tucson 2.0L, Hyundai’s mid-size SUV. As with other locally assembled Hyundai, the assembly is done at the Inokom plant located in Kulim, Kedah.
2011 USDM Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart..BUT...it could be the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Mitsubishi Lancer too
This piece of news from caradvice.com.au about the Mitsubishi Lancer interests me. It seems Mitsubishi is not planning a replacement model for the Lancer sedan at this moment and may not do so for the next few years. The decision was made after the deal with Renault to source C and D segment sedans fell through and that Mitsubishi does not have the financial will to do it on their own. The company will focus on building and designing SUVs, hybrids, city cars and electric cars for the moment and replacement for larger sedan models such as the Lancer are shelved.
I
was recently asked by a reader on the possible maintenance costs of running a
first generation Porsche Cayenne (2003-2010) in Malaysia. The first
thing that crossed my mind was money. Lots of money required to do
so. The infamous saying that if you have to ask means you cannot
afford it comes to mind. But then again, this is Malaysia, there
could be a hope in hell with all the Cayennes you see running around
the country. Anyway, I asked a few people, poked around a bit and
found out a bit more about the SUV that basically saved Porsche from
an early death. I have informed the chap and I believe that I should share some of the findings with you folks out there.
The new Volkswagen Passat is the European Car of the Year for 2015. This full sized sedan, the 8th generation Passat was launched last year and has been well received over in Europe. Well, this award solidifies that I suppose.
I had viewed the B8 Passat sometime late last year and the good thing about this new one is that it isn't very uncle-like anymore. It sits low and wide instead of upright and a little dull. It looks genuinely sporty. Much like how Volkswagen removed some of that extra roof height from the Mk6 Golf and morphed it into the lower, sportier Mk7 version.
Mercedes Benz is on a roll with their smallest model, the current A-class.This car, in its premium hatchback form has actually made a whole new group of people Mercedes Benz owners. Sales are up and everything is all fine and dandy. But the best thing about the A-class is that it has given birth to the fancy looking CLA four door coupe-with-the-practicality-of-a sedan-thingy and the GLA Class. The SUV variant of the A-class.
Dunlop tyres had recently launched the Dunlop Formula D05 and the Dunlop SP Sport J5 for the Malaysian market. The D05 is the premium tyre of the two and is considered as a high performance all weather tyre with sizes from 15inch to 18inches whilst the SP Sport J5 is the comfort spec tyre and for the bread and butter segment (12inches to 15inches) of the market.
Hyundai has started selling the facelifted Elantra already. According to Hyundai Sime Darby, there are 14 Improvements and Upgrades of the Elantra Facelift. I've driven this model when it was launched a few years ago. It was not a bad car to drive actually. I only thought the seating position was a bit high and that the center air vents were a little too direct to the fingers (if adjusted to face the driver). I suppose the vent issue has been corrected. The first gripe is very personal and would actually mean something if one wanted to use it to drive fast all of the time (and feel like a race car driver seated low all of the time). So it isn't that big of an issue to most of the general population of Hyundai drivers out there.
Hello folks! Ford has announced that you can view the iconic Ford Mustang over at Publika in Solaris Dutamas over the next few days. This is way ahead of its official launch sometime at the end of this year. A teaser you may say.
The iconic Mustang will be offered in Malaysia in both a fastback and convertible, and with a choice of a 5.0-litre V8, producing 435 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, or a turbocharged, fuel-efficient 2.3-litre EcoBoost® engine, producing 310 horsepower. Quite amazing is the fact that they are actually bringing in the 5.0 V8 even though Malaysian road tax for that engine capacity will cost in excess of RM10,000.00 for private users. Gotta admire their guts for doing so.
This beast just debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 2015. Kahn does the AMG G-WAGEN 6X6 with the Defender. Fuiyooooh. Extra long rear from the extra wheels and note the extra long front too folks. PRESS RELEASE Kahn Design has announced the debut of a coach-built concept based on the Land Rover Defender 110 titled the Flying Huntsman 110 WB 6x6 Concept. The formal unveiling of the prototype, codenamed "Mission 1" will take place at the Geneva Motor Show, at the Kahn Design stand, no. 6338 at 14:45 on the 3rd of March.
Since the early 1900s, automotive coachbuilders have created custom vehicles using pre existing chassis. Whilst names such as Pininfarina, Zagato and Bertone have risen to be globally recognised, in recent years there has been no equivalent in Britain.
At a time when the latest cars are being launched over at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, I'd like to devote some of my time talking about something closer to home and something which most of you still see on our roads - the Proton Perdana V6.
I recently found myself in one of these cars and noted that I have never written anything about this car ever since I started writing stuff about cars. Anyway, the Proton Perdana was first launched in 1995 to some fanfare. It is basically a mid-sized/D segment sedan and when first launched could be had with a 2.0liter 4 cylinder engine that made about 135hp/176nm. The front wheels were driven through a 4 speed automatic transmission with something called fuzzy logic that actually learnt your driving style and adjusted throttle response to suit. There was also a 5 speed manual. But not many bought this option.
Yup. Serial car buyer....no, make it serial Mercedes car buyer Adlis K has since sold off that beautiful 190e 2.3-16 lookalike of his as of a month or so ago. The reason of the sale after a helluva paint job, the refurbishment of those gorgeous 190e Evolution wheels, a change of a whole lot of mechanical parts like the propshaft bearings, mountings and other stuff is the funding of another car. It usually is......with this friend of mine. Much like the sale of his previous W124 200e that looked like a 500e.
The all-new Nissan X-Trail was launched about a month ago here in Malaysia and today, very early in the morning of the third day of the year of the Goat that I have decided to give my opinion on this SUV.
The 2015 X-Trail is based on the latest Renault Nissan common module family platform and would be used by both Nissan and Renault to make lots of cars. Right now I know that this X-Trail is sold as the Nissan Rogue in America and the X-Trail elsewhere. A short wheelbase variant of this SUV is also produced and sold as the Nissan Qashqai or as Clarkson once called it, the Kumquat. Hey, I'm not the only motoring journo who likes giving new names to funny named Nissan if you get my drift. I suppose it has been quite lucky for Nissan Malaysia that they sold the X-Trail as an X-Trail instead of a Qashqai. It'll be a marketing nightmare trying to try sell the product. Cashcow you say?
Hyundai recently launched the latest
and greatest Sonata recently and I managed to have a go in it. The
2015 Hyundai Sonata is all new both above the skin and underneath it.
It was launched sometime last year and I was quite surprised that
Hyundai has decided to bring it in even though it already has the
very good Hyundai i40 on sale here.
In the global scale, the i40 is the
more European tinged car and the Sonata is the more Korean and more
North Americanised (as it is meant for that market) version of the
full sized family sedan or also known as the D segment vehicle. We
somehow manage to get both the i40 and the Sonata with the i40 being
placed as the more premium of the two here in Malaysia. The main
difference is that whilst both are 2.0liter 4 cylinder petrol engined
cars, the i40 gets GDI (direct injection) for its engine and the
Sonata does not. In other words, slightly less tech at a more
affordable price. Covering the lower end of the D segment category.
The Ferrari 488 GTB is about to be launched soon over at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Ferrari says it is not merely an upgraded Ferrari 458 Italia although those who aren't aware will say that it looks pretty much the same.
I suppose it isn't as the heart of this one now gets a 3.9liter bi-turbo V8 that pumps out 670hp and 780Nm torque. Compare this to the 562Hp and 540Nm torque from the 458 Italia and you know it that the 488 GTB is more supercar than before. It has a 7 speed dual clutch gearbox and claims a 0-100kmh time of 3.0 seconds and a 205mph+(330+kmh) top speed (458 Italia gets 0-100kmh done in 3.4seconds and tops out at 202mph if you must know). It also has better aerodynamics too. 50% more downforce than the Italia as well as improved vehicle dynamics from its onboard electronics too.
McLaren will debut another car at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show together with the much awaited production-intent McLaren P1™ GTR. It will be a long tail variant and is actually a competition car that will be competiting in the McLaren Super Series.
The name is based on the McLaren F1 Longtail race variant from 1997. I remember reading a magazine about that car and it was a stunning piece of work. Of course, I was just a greenhorn and just started being a lowly paid corporate slave, er, paper pusher.
PRESS RELEASE A SECOND GENEVA DEBUT AND A NEW NAME: THE McLAREN 675LT
LT model designation – standing for ‘Longtail’ – to join exisitng C and S range hierarchy
LT to be the lightest, the quickest, and the purest version in the range
Introduced by the 675LT which joins 650S and Asia-only 625C in the newly named McLaren Super Series
Global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015 alongside the production-intent McLaren P1™ GTR
Modern day interpretation of the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’– the evolution of a true world-beater
McLaren will look to its heritage when it revives the legendary ‘Longtail’ name given to one of the purest GT sportscars of all time, the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’, for the launch of the new McLaren 675LT at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. This road legal supercar will embody the ‘Longtail’ ethos with a focus on performance optimised aerodynamics, increased downforce, driver engagement, power and reduced weight.
The iconic Longtail name made its debut during the 1997 season of sportscar racing, and saw a legendary model from McLaren on the grids around the world evolve into the most efficient race-focused version seen to-date. Rather than rest on the laurels of the highly-successful examples from the previous two seasons, which included a win on its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995, McLaren moved the benchmark on further – an approach that echoes through the company to this very day. Formula 1™ knowledge and experience, and the know-how gained from the pinnacle of the sport created the purest version of a true world-beater.
The distinctive stretched silhouette of the McLaren F1 GTR became known during the season as the ‘Longtail’. The nickname stuck, and the model demonstrated the ultimate example of one of motorsport’s most successful GT cars.
More details of the 675LT, including its startling performance figures, will be announced in the weeks running up to the Geneva Show.
About McLaren Automotive:
McLaren Automotive is a British manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports cars, located at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, Surrey.
Following the company’s global launch in 2010, McLaren Automotive launched the groundbreaking 12C and 12C Spider and followed this in 2013 with the limited-run McLaren P1™. In keeping with its plan to introduce a new model each year, the company recently unveiled the 650S Coupe and 650S Spider. The brand continues to expand, operating through a dedicated global network of retailers in every major automotive market.
McLaren Automotive Partners
To support the development, engineering and manufacture of its range of innovative and highly acclaimed sports cars, McLaren Automotive has partnered with world leading companies to provide specialist expertise and technology. These include Akebono, AkzoNobel, ExxonMobil, Pirelli, SAP and TAG Heuer.
Designed for the track; Developed for the road
The connection between Formula 1 and road cars at McLaren is a natural process of experience, knowledge, principles and process transfer. Through the integration of 50 years of Formula 1™ racing expertise and knowledge, and over 20 years of heritage in producing landmark sports cars, McLaren Automotive designs, develops and builds a range of technologically advanced and groundbreaking high performance sports cars which are designed to be a no compromise drive on both road and track.
McLaren has pioneered the use of carbon fibre in vehicle production over the past 30 years, and since introducing a carbon chassis into racing and road cars with the 1981 McLaren MP4/1 and 1993 McLaren F1 respectively, McLaren has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis.
Volkswagen Malaysia are quite generous. They just gave away a Volkswagen Scirocco to one of its customer very recently.The winner, Mr Loo Kuok Tung from Subang Jaya, drove home his grand prize – a brand-new Volkswagen Scirocco.
Volkswagen ‘Give Me 5’ contest, was held between 9th to 31st October of 2014 and was open to Volkswagen Malaysia customers. Congrats to the Golf Mk6 owner.
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