1.0-Liter Ford EcoBoost Engine Wins Best Small Engine Award at the 2016 International Engine of the Year Awards event

The 2016 International Engine of the Year Awards saw the Prancing Horse taking overall engine of the year. But that is something most of us peasants could only dream of having. So if you're a down to earth sort of guy and like your engines small, tiny and still able to impress that geek in you then you need to know that Ford's 1.0liter EcoBoost engine won Best Small Engine of the year for the fifth year running.

ROAD SAFETY: HOW TO DRIVE AROUND TRUCKS, BUSES AND LONG TRAILERS - BEWARE OF THEIR BLIND SPOTS AND TURNING RADIUS!!!

The darker parts are the area in which a truck driver CANNOT see you.

A lot of people take driving around trucks, lorries or buses for granted. I think that since I have driven (and also ridden) almost everything there is to drive on Malaysian roads and the fact that the festive season is now upon us (again), I believe it is my duty to tell you a bit more about taking some precaution when you are around these large commercial vehicles. The first thing you must always remember is that these vehicles have A LOT OF BLIND SPOTS.

PROTON BALIK KAMPUNG RAYA PROMOTION HAS STARTED - REBATES, DISCOUNTS AND FREE SAFETY CHECKS

Alright folks, Proton has officially joined the Hari Raya promotions for this year. Customers interested to purchase new Protons during this Hari Raya Puasa festive season will get to enjoy savings of up to RM3,000 on selected 2016 Proton models. You can drive a new Proton Saga home and pay monthly instalments from as low as RM367. 

Latest Sales Campaign by Renault in Malaysia - Promotions, exclusive Renault Sport Formula One prizes and more

TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the official franchise holder of Renault cars in Malaysia, has announced the ‘Renault – Motorsports Is in Our DNA’ campaign. This is to celebrate the brand’s over 115 years in motorsports and their return to Formula 1 as a full works team this year. So until 31 August 2016, this new promotional campaign offers attractive deals on selected Renault vehicles as well as the chance to win exclusive Renault Sport Formula One™ Team prizes including Grandstand passes and a Renault Garage Visit at the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix.

TEST DRIVE: The C7 AUDI A6 1.8TFSI - This is more KL Hilton than the Majestic Hotel

I was recently given a few days with the 2016 Malaysian Specced Audi A 1.8TFSI. This A6 is the updated A6 launched here sometime in August 2015 together with its larger engined sibling the A6 3.0TFSI. This A6 is the seventh generation (also called the C7 A6) of a long line of mid-sized premium Audi cars (this falls close to the D segment size of cars). It has been updated with better levels of equipment inside and has slightly refreshed bits and pieces for the exterior.

Shell V-Power’s new commercial highlights engine protection against gunk & corrosion

Shell V-Power (the Shell petrol brand) recently launched a new television commercial produced with state-of-the-art CGI and a car chase scene could entertain you readers out there for at least...err.. sixty seconds. Well, it IS an advertisement and not a two hour long action movie or melodrama. I just watched this advertisement and it is action packed. You have a BMW and a Transformers-like evil sentient robotic junk-like being. Very apt.

The importance of Child Safety Seats and where to get VERY affordable ones - Fabulous Mom Child Safety Seats

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is just right around the corner and this usually means a long journey back to our hometown for a lot of us. . It’s just natural that everyone is excited during this time but this excitement usually gives them the tendency to rush back to their hometown before the big day. However it is an undeniable fact that accident rates rise during these periods as there are more people on the roads during this time. The risk of someone having an accident is higher with the extra amount of vehicles on the roads

Ferrari’s turbo-charged V8 is the overall winner of the 2016 International Engine of the Year Awards

The 2016 International Engine of the Year Awards was held recently and the overall International Engine of the Year Award had gone to Ferrari for their 3.9liter bi-turbo V8 engine. This is the engine that you'll find inside the Ferrari 488 GTB, 488 Spider and the Ferrari California T (in a slightly different configuration).

Industry News (Regional): TUV sets up Independent Tyre Testing Lab in Indonesia - Progress in Indonesia's automotive sector

TUV Rheinland has opened the first independent tire testing laboratory in Indonesia . Located in Taman Tekno BSD, South Tangerang , the new 530 sq.m lab is fully certified by the Indonesia National Accreditation Body (KAN) and qualified to test passenger car, truck, bus and motorcycle tires to the latest national and international standards.

HYUNDAI SIME DARBY MOTORS offers FREE 12 Point Inspection for ALL CARS at participating Shell Stations in conjunction with Hari Raya celebrations

The Fasting Month is closing in and the Hari Raya will come soon enough.  In conjunction with the ‘balik kampung’ season this Hari Raya, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) is organising its first road safety awareness campaign offering a free 12-point inspection for all cars regardless of brands at selected Shell petrol stations from 29 May to 17 July 2016. 

The Hap Seng Star Balakong Proven Exclusivity Centre launched - Here's the place to get your certified pre-owned Mercedes Benz cars & new ones too

 (From left) Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Vice President, Sales And Marketing, Passenger Cars, Mark Raine; with  Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad Group Chief Operating Officer and Hap Seng Star Chief Executive, Harald Behrend; with at the official launch. 

Mercedes Benz Malaysia and dealer Hap Seng Star have launched the Hap Seng Star Balakong Proven Exclusivity Centre yesterday. The Proven Exclusivity programme basically offers Malaysians a chance to  to own a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz Passenger car in a nearly new condition and at an attractive price compete with a proper Mercedes Benz quality assurances and the same level of customer-sales service that has no difference to that of buying brand new.

Shell Malaysia to introduce Chatime, llaollao and Gindaco outlets to various Shell Select stores

Shell Malaysia has decided to enter into a collaboration with Loob Holding, the Food & Beverage company that markets and sells  Chatime, llaollao and Gindaco in Malaysia. The products mentioned will be introduced at various Shell Select Fuel Stations soon. 

Ford Mustang quietly launched in Malaysia

This had actually sneaked pass most of our radars. Ford Malaysia via local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion launched the Ford Mustang earlier today. The launch was done without much fanfare.

INDUSTRY NEWS: Proton Cars and their Proton Preve gets launched in Chile

A few months ago when Tun Dr Mahathir was still Chairman of Proton he and the then CEO flagged off a cargo of Proton Preve cars that were destined for Chile. I was there at that historic (for Proton) event. Now, months later we now receive news of the official launch (and re-launch) of Proton Cars in Chile and the Proton Preve being the first model to be sold over there since 1998. 

SUPERCAR NEWS: The 458 MM Speciale - The latest in the series of one-off Ferrari cars

This is another reason why we need lots of money. Ferrari has revealed to us another of its one-off special order cars - the Ferrari 458 MM Speciale. Truly speciale.  Especially when viewed from the side as it looks like no other 458 out there.

INDUSTRY NEWS: 11th Batch of Apprentices Graduate from the Mercedes Benz Apprentice Training Centre's Automotive Mechatronic training programme

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recently celebrated the graduation of the 11th batch of the Apprentice Training Centre (ATC)‘s Automotive Mechatronic training programme. Following three years of training, the ATC graduates are now qualified to provide world-class after sales services for Mercedes-Benz valued customers, and will be assigned to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s nationwide dealer network.

CKD VOLVO XC90 T8 Twin Engine launched - The first Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) produced in Malaysia

(L to R) H.E. Mr Bengt G Carlsson, Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia and Mr Lennart Stegland, MD Volvo Car Malaysia

Volvo Car Malaysia today launched the locally-assembled Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine – the first ever Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) assembled in Malaysia. In addition to that, Malaysia will be the first country outside of Sweden to produce the XC90 T8 Twin Engine, thanks to huge investments made by the company to improve current infrastructure and capabilities of the local plant to handle Volvo’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform. This special SUV will also be exported to Thailand, and Volvo is also looking to do the same to other countries in the ASEAN region 

PEUGEOT & NASIM Launch the All-New Peugeot 408 e-THP

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Peugeot in Malaysia has finally launched the all-new Peugeot 408 e-THP here in Kuala Lumpur. The 408 is the 4 door sedan variant of the Peugeot 308 hatchback which was launched sometime last year here in Malaysia. There will be only one variant equipped with the 1.6liter direct injection turbocharged 4 cylinder engine with a 6 speed automatic transmission. It will be priced at RM143,888 on the road with GST.

ASEAN NCAP Q2 2016 results - Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Navara, Suzuki Ertiga, Suzuki Ciaz, Kia Morning, Hyundai EON and Isuzu MU-X

ASEAN NCAP has released the results for another batch of vehicles sold in the ASEAN region. The New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) announced the test results of seven car models that had been assessed in the second quarter of 2016. The models were Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Navara, Suzuki Ertiga, Suzuki Ciaz, Kia Morning, Hyundai EON and Isuzu MU-X. In the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) category, two received 0-Star rating, four received 4- Star and one model received 5 Stars. 

Sports car news: Renault previews a CLIO R.S. 16 Concept car - This one gets the Megane R.S 275 engine and gearbox.

The Renault Clio RS 16 - Renault has come up with a Concept car as part of its Renault Sport’s 40th anniversary and their return to Formula 1. The Renault Sport Clio R.S.16 Concept grafts the Renault passenger car range’s highest-performing engine (found in the Renault Megane R.S 275) into a Renault Clio R.S.