Spotted for Sale: 2006 Mahindra Scorpio 2.0 (M) - Now you can act out your Inspector Sahab dreams properly

This made in India Mahindra is actually pretty cool for the price asked - RM11,000. You get to act out your dream to be a Tamil movie policeman with one of these. Well, it's either you're Inspector Sahab or you're the evil rich landlord with a lot of henchmen that always seem to arrive in a few of these. Do you also realise that every Inspector in the Tamil movie is named Inspector Sahab? Of course lah, 'Sahab' actually means 'Sir'. A polite way to address a ranked police officer.

Proton's "It's In The Drive" Campaign - Test Drive & Win a Suprima S and other prizes

Alright folks. Proton Edar Sdn Bhd, distributor of Proton cars have launched their latest sales campaign. The 'It's in the drive' campaign begins today until the 31st of March 2016. 

This is a roadshow and also a test drive campaign. Malaysians with a valid IC and driving license are eligible to participate in the “Test Drive & Win” contest. This contest will be divided into two eligibility criteria. Customers can head over to any PROTON showrooms nationwide and test drive any Proton models, fill in the test drive form, answer several simple questions and participants will then stand a chance to win a weekly prize. To be eligible to win the Grand Prize, customers who have successfully booked their car during this campaign can stand a chance to win the Suprima S.Selected winners for the contest will have a chance to win weekly prizes which include a 42” LCD TV, electronic gadgets such as mobile phones and iPad minis worth about RM150,000 in total. At the end of the contest, a selected winner will win the Proton Suprima S premium variant for the grand prize.

TRUCK & BUS: Which is more fun to drive? A truck or a bus - Featuring the Scania G460 Truck & Scania Marcopolo Coach

Today I shall try to answer the very important question of whether a prime mover truck complete with a trailer or a bus is a better drive. I am sure this is one question that would never pop into the mind of most Malaysians. But just in case you happen to come into circumstances where the only means of transport is either a bus or a truck, this would answer your question.

A few months ago I was given the opportunity to try both by Scania at their Driver Competitions 2014/2015 at the Sepang Circuit. One was a Scania G460 truck and the bus was a Scania Marcopolo. I have to say that I truly love what I do and the opportunities I get. I mean, who gets to try trucks and buses at race tracks. This was my second excursion in a prime mover truck after I tried a Volvo FM series complete with a tanker load of 10 tons. On a race track in Thailand. Life is pretty interesting sometimes.

What? Ford's seat fabrics used for clothing in Hong Kong fashion show.

Errr...in something that showcases the versatility of Ford's seat fabrics, the Ford Motor Company made its debut on the HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week runway today as part of The EcoChic Design Award 2015/16 grand finale show. Five outfits featured in the show were made entirely from the up-cycling of Ford’s sustainable seat fabrics, which are made from recycled plastic bottles.

"Manchester United For Life” Contest is Back with Chevrolet’s 2016 CNY Campaign

Good news! If you missed on the chance to win stuff in Chevrolet's 'Manchester United for Life' contest held last year you can try again. Chevrolet's authorised distributor, NAZA Quest Sdn Bhd is in a good mood due to the great response of last year’s Chevrolet “Manchester United For Life” contest. So even though the previous contest winner was just announced last December, the 2016 installment is back and a NEW lucky winner will be heading to watch the Manchester United vs. Everton game at Old Trafford on April 2, 2016.

Truck News: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles post sales of 2,623 units for 2015

 Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles post sales of 2,623 units, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Vice President, Commercial Vehicles Albert Yee with the Mercedes-Benz Actros and FUSO FE83PG

Now a bit on some trucking news here in Malaysia. Mercedes Benz Commercial Vehicles, like their passenger vehicle arm, has done well in Malaysia for 2015. As the distributor of Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles and FUSO trucks, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia delivered to customers a respective total of 193 units and 2,430 units. In doing so, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has effectively increased its market share in Malaysia for both European and Asian truck segments. The 2,623 units sold represented a 5.5% increase in their overall sales over 2014.

Spotted For Sale: ANOTHER "Toyota AE86" that you never, ever wanted A.K.A ISWARUENO

Yup. This is another one of those 'AE86' that you never ever want. Like the previous one here, this is not a Toyota but it is another Proton Saga like the one I posted last time. It is actually bad enough that we see old two door KE70 Corolla Liftbacks with the Panda colour scheme and the words Trueno plastered on them but this, is exceptional. Ever heard of a ISWARUENO? Now you have.

The fella over in Kedah is trying to sell this 1992 Proton Iswara as a Proton Iswara 1.3 (M) AE86 Initial D. Fuiyoh. 

Motor Image launches the facelifted 2016MY Subaru XV in Malaysia

(from left) Jun Yong, Emcee of the day; Andrew Lee, General Manager, Motor Image Malaysia; Reza Mutalib, Executive Director, TC Subaru Sdn Bhd; Monika Sta Maria, 2015 Asia's Next Top Model runner up and Subaru Brand Ambassador

Motor Image, the authorised distributor of Subaru in Malaysia launched the facelifted Subaru XV sometime around brunch time today (that's breakfast and lunch time to you folks out there).  The MY16 or model year 2016 Subaru XV features the following improvements that I've laid down below.

New by MINI - The MINI Clubman ALL4

We have a new XL sized MINI variant out. Based on the MINI Clubman but it now has all-wheel drive.  Now we can attack wet mountain roads the way we would use an Audi RS3, Mitsubishi EVO or a Subaru WRX in a MINI. The petrol powered COOPER S Clubman ALL4 version gets a 2.0liter turbocharged with  192hp / 280Nm with either a 6 speed manual or 8 speed steptronic automatic transmission. Needs more power if one wants to chase after the Audi, Mitsu, Scooby mentioned above though. A JCW version should obviously follow soon yes?

TEST DRIVE: 1,000km in a Volkswagen Polo 1.6 Hatchback (Polo Trophy Limited Edition spec)

Long ago, but not too long ago, about early March or April 2014 actually, I was handed the key to the locally assembled Volkswagen Polo 1.6 Hatchback which I promptly tested and reviewed. It was a very accomplished hatchback. I did enjoy its well though out simplicity and I thought that it was one of the most pleasant sub RM90,000 car that Malaysian Ringgit could buy at that time. This time, that same model has now been around for a while and many are seen plying the Malaysian roads.

The Mk 6 Polo has been in its current form since 2008. Of course, by now Volkswagen had face lifted the car as it has been around for a while. Malaysia got the face lift sometime mid last year. And this face lifted Polo Trophy Limited Edition was what I managed to get my hands on. The face lift adds some redesigned bumpers (front more noticeable than the rear), a new Blaupunkt touch screen infotainment unit (which looks better than the one with the tiny LCD readout with a few lines on it) and a new steering wheel (that looks like the one used in the current Golf TSI). 

Proton Test Fired Their New Euro 6 Compliant Engine - Scheduled for production end 2017

Earlier this evening Proton had announced what they have been doing in terms of drivetrain research. They also had the first firing of its latest engine (seen somewhere below, in the jumble of wires and stuff), a 1.5liter Turbocharged Gasoline (Petrol) Direct Injection engine that can produce 180hp and 250Nm torque (this is what is tested and can safely make. What is on the final cars have yet to be specified). Nice figures considering that it is also Euro6 compliant. 

Ford Malaysia announces their new promotion offers in line with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations

Now is quite a good time to buy a new car. Manufacturers are getting into the mood of giving as Chinese New Year is just around the corner. Ford and local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) today announced the ‘Ford CNY Promo’ to kick off Chinese New Year celebrations.

Volkswagen Sri Hartamas 3S Centre opens for business

Earlier today, Volkswagen Malaysia through FA Wagen Sdn Bhd officially opened their latest service centre located in Sri Hartamas. The centre, spanning over 30,000 square feet over three floors has a showroom on the top two floors and a service centre on the lower ground that has 8 work bays to handle most after sales matters for Volkswagen vehicles. 

Twenty Nine 3S & 4 S SUZUKI dealership outlets are now converted as PROTON Edar outlets. - With Analysis

In line with the Proton and Suzuki MoU and License Agreement that was signed last 15th of June 2015, All the twenty nine (29) Suzuki 3S and 4S outlets will be outlets which will have both the PROTON and SUZUKI logos. This was made official after the signing ceromony where most of the outlet operators entered into this new arrangement with Proton.

Proton Chairman Tun Dr Mahathir flags off the cars bound for the new Proton Suzuki 3S/4S Centers.

Shell Helix Motor Oil promotion for the Chinese New Year - Ang Pow galore

For the Chinese New Year, Shell Helix motor oils have a promotion running from now till 29th February 2016 (It's a leap year this year). With every purchase of a 4 liter pack of Shell Helix Ultra, Shell Helix HX7 or a 4liter / 3 liter pack of Shell Helix HX5 passenger car motor oil you can get instant rewards in the form of Lucky Ang Pows containing cash vouchers or free fuel vouchers. 

Motorists can receive these Lucky Ang Pows in two ways.

How a Perodua Axia can sell for RM231,000 over in Singapore.

So the latest thing to go viral is the story about how the Perodua Axia, in RM41,000 specification is sold for RM231,000 or SGD 75,000 in our good old neighbouring Singapore. 

Firstly - it's actually abit lesser now. By a measly two thousand Ringgit due to the current exchange rate of SGD 1 = 3.0578 MYR. But who the heck cares. It does cost RM230,000 due to the weak as hell Ringgit. 

industry news: Volkswagen Group's delivers close to ten million units for 2015

The Volkswagen Group handed over 9.93 million vehicles to customers worldwide in 2015. This is still impressive particularly in view of the continued challenging market situation in some regions as well as that diesel fiasco in the final quarter of 2015. Note that in 2014 the group sold over 10.1 million vehicles. 

ANG-POWS, GOODIES WORTH OVER RM15,000 AND AN ULTIMATE AFTERSALES PACKAGE ON THE RENAULT FLUENCE FOR THIS CHINESE NEW YEAR

TC Euro Cars, who sell Renault cars in Malaysia has started the ‘Usher in the New Year with 5 Prosperity Blessings’ sales campaign on the Renault Fluence. The salecampaign highlights the ‘5inFluence’ aftersales and maintenance package, which offers best-in-class aftersales deals (I don't think I've actually seen any other car company in Malaysia including as much actually). This package deal is available for all Fluence variants (actually two - the Fluence Expression and the Fluence Dynamique) sold in Malaysia, the worry-free ‘5inFluence’ package includes:

2015 is a Record Year for Ford in Malaysia

Ford today announced 2015 retail sales in Malaysia of 12,130 units, driven by an all-time record year for the Ford Ranger pickup.Ford finished the year strong as December sales rose seven percent from the previous month to 889 units. The class-defining Ranger remained Ford’s best-selling vehicle in Malaysia, and the country’s second-best-selling pickup truck overall in 2015, with full-year sales rising seven percent year-over-year to 9,231 units.

Genesis G90 - Hyundai's latest, and greatest flagship

Hyundai has unveiled the Genesis G90. This big boy is Hyundai's luxury flagship that is sold under the separate Genesis brand. The G90 will be competing at the top of the premium luxury car segment with the likes of the BMW 7 Series, the Mercedes Benz S-Class and the Lexus LS400.