Supercars: The Mercedes-AMG GT R photos have been unveiled...it pays homage to the W194 300SL from 1952

Photos of the Mercedes-AMG GT R has been unveiled. You can see that this souped up version of the Mercedes-AMG GT takes after the 1952 W194 300SL Gullwing race car that Juan Manuel Fangio once raced. You can see that in the way the front grille is designed, very much like the 1952 300SL race car with its vertical slats instead of the usual horizontal winged style which is common these days.

Shell charity drive on the 1st to the 3rd of July 2016 - Every 1 litre of fuel pumped at a Shell station, 1 sen will be donated

This is some CSR news that would benefit children in need. In conjunction with this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, Shell will donate 1 sen (RM0.01) for every 1 litre fuel pumped at any Shell fuel station nationwide on 1, 2 and 3 of July (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). The funds collected will be channeled to help improve and transform the lives of disadvantaged children across the country. This is the second year Shell Malaysia is doing this and this year is also Shell's 125th anniversary in Malaysia. So it's a little more special. 

Sport Cars: Lotus 50th Anniversary celebrations - the 3-Eleven at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Lotus Elise Cup 250

Lotus Cars are a bit excited about their two latest cars. One is the Lotus 3-Eleven and the other, the Lotus Elise Cup 250. Both cars have just rolled off their respective production lines over in Hethel, UK. Just in time for the 50th anniversary celebrations of Lotus Cars.

Some tips from Ford on how to survive the holiday season in Malaysia.

Now here in this article are some handy tips from Ford that could be of help in the coming Hari Raya celebrations. Now since the tips are courtesy of Ford Malaysia, they say one should plan one's journey in advance, stop when you're tired and be gentle on the accelerator. However, the BIGGEST tip of them all is you should buy a Ford.

1990s Honda Impreza - Just found these photos from 2010 on my PC

This is a Honda Impreza. No joke. Neither Honda nor Subaru ever made these before. This is just the ingenuity of one of our fellow Malaysian. I actually had these pics taken from mudah.my in 2010 but I promptly forgot about this super modified Honda City who wanted so much to be a Subaru. Scoop, goalpost spoiler and all. It was hidden away somewhere and I managed to find them as I was looking through some older files from my hard drive. Boy. I'd like to give these people another A for effort. And another A for allowing the friendly neighbourhood fiberglass shop to make some money.

Supercars: Ferrari Owners from Japan and Southeast Asia in Northern Japan for the Ferrari Hokkaido Rally 2016

The Ferrari Hokkaido Rally 2016 took place over two separate weekends. The 2nd to the 5th of June 2016 for the Japanese customers and then on the 9th to the 12th of June 2016 for the South East Asian customers. The Ferrari Hokkaido Rally was created by Ferrari Far East as a driving platform for the region and also as part of the 50 Years of Ferrari in Japan Anniversary activities.

BHPetrol Infiniti 2X - Harmony in Performance

When it comes to filling up the cars I run I usually end up going the extra mile when it comes to the choice of fuel to put into the tank of my cars. This is maybe because as a petrolhead, every detail is important. Down to the type of petrol I pump. Aside from the obvious performance gains that you can find in certain brands of fuel, I also take into account whether the fuel used would give me additional mileage with every tankful I fill up. This simple benefit allows me to get added savings too. One such fuel or petrol is BHPetrol Infiniti 2x or just Infiniti for short. 

MotoringMY video: The Land Rover Defender's crawler gear in action - Short Video by Motoring-Malaysia on YouTube

Since this is the month of Ramadan things are a bit slow these days. Not many companies do product launches during this time and not many people like conducting business meetings too. So I have the time to give you a short video showing the capability of the recently discontinued Land Rover Defender. Production of the iconic 4x4 has since ceased since early this year ending a 25 year production run.

Honda will cease production of the HONDA CRZ - Not gonna miss it much actually.

One of the most disappointing Honda cars in recent history has recently been confirmed to be discontinued. According to some the Honda CRZ was being discontinued with the launch of the CRZ Final Label in Japan. Then we received word that Honda was officially ceasing production of this small hybrid sports car. So the CRZ Final Label is indeed the end of this hybrid sports car. The news mentioned that the CR-Z will be discontinued at the end of the year to make room for the Accord Hybrid and Clarity Fuel Cell cars. 

Ford engines throughout the years and how electronics make them better and more efficient

Ford are proud of their latest engine, the EcoBoost. This is especially for the 1.0liter version which has been named "Best Engine" in its class at the 2016 International Engine of the Year Awards. The three cylinder version of the turbocharged Ford engine won based on the drivability, performance, economy, refinement and technology of the engine.

Truck News: Scania's Heavy Haulage Truck, the Scania R580 finds its first customer in Malaysia - Tiong Nam Heavy Transport and Lifting Sdn Bhd

Truck spotters in Malaysia take note. This is the first time someone has bought Scania's latest heavy haulage truck, the Scania R580, or to be really exact, the Scania R580 CA6X4 EHZ. A mouthful. But a very performance packed mouthful. Tiong Nam Heavy Transport and Lifting Sdn Bhd (TNHTL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of public-listed Tiong Nam Logistics Holdings Berhad, has received delivery of a R580 CA6X4 EHZ Torque Converter / Heavy Hauler truck from Scania Malaysia that will add a heavy boost to its logistic services.

Truck News: HINO updates the 300 Series with a facelift and better equipment

HINO is a commercial vehicle brand that is quite well known and reputable here in Malaysia as well as regionally. In order to maintain such a reputation and customer trust a company usually needs to keep ahead of things and keep customers happy. As such, HINO has now facelifted their bestseller, the HINO 300 Series of trucks with better safety features and other equipment. 

The new for 2016 HINO 300 series of Light Commercial Vehicles now comes with a newly designed front grille with new paint. HINO has also enhanced their 4.5 ton and 5 ton LCV models with door visor that can help to prevent the condensation of water vapour inside the truck windscreen. 

The most important upgrades are the 300 Series LCVs are now offered with tubeless tyres for added safety as well as better fuel economy (tubes make tyres extra heavy and increase rolling resistance) and are also offered with reverse sensors which are very important in any commercial vehicle due to a large blind spot. This would be very useful when reversing. 

Prices should remain the same as previously as nothing has been stated. These are value additions that would make driving this truck a whole lot easier. I like the reverse sensors. These would make delivery in urban environments easier.

Head to the nearest HINO’s dealer showroom to have a glimpse on the newly revamped Hino 300 Series truck. You small business could benefit from this newly updated model.

PRESS RELEASE

Another revolutionary for reputable brand in Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) market

HINO Get Better with New Image

HINO safety features enhanced with new LCV ‘facelift’

►        HINO is the first to launch the Light Commercial Vehicle with tubeless tyre

►        Aiming for the safest truck among the LCV line-up

PETALING JAYA: HINO, a brand that aim for customer’s trust and confidence, has launched their HINO 300 Series with new image. Aiming for customer trust and confidence, HINO ‘retouch’ on their bestseller is produce on mission to be the safer light truck on the road and fuel-saving.

Government plan will adopt the target set by the Global Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 by reducing the predicted road deaths in 2020 by 50%. A report by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) shows that, in the absence of a comprehensive road safety program, there will be approximately 8,760 road fatalities in 2015. What is more worrying is they see the number hit 10,716 by 2020.

The concern on this issue also brought Hino to the improvement of their products to upgrade more on safety features, started with their best-selling LCV. So, what’s with product? It came with several upgraded features that could enhance HINO safety assurance yet, comfortable interior feeling to comply with happy and safe driving.

Tubeless Tyres

The new image of HINO 300 Series now gives customer more choice with another safety part as their preference which is the tubeless tyres which will guarantees a better safety and lesser chances of getting involved in an accident. The best part is it contributes to fuel efficiency that can give longer mileage and driving journey through lighter tyre and lower rolling resistance. On top of that, it promises longer lifespan because of the innovation that lower the heat generation. Soon, it will be the important standard item for all the LCV models.

Reverse Sensor

The facelift of Hino 300 Series is enhanced with the technology of reverse sensor which basically assist driver to park and manoeuvre the vehicle effortlessly in any situation and prevent accident during parking.  On top of that, it also help driver to avoid objects while moving in reverse so they can be aware of every objects that is out of their vision, hence, prevent any unnecessary crash and unwanted costs.

Interior Facelift

Giving the new LCV look fresh, it comes with new front grille with new paint.  Other than safety upgrade, Hino also enhance their 4.5 ton and 5 ton LCV model with door visor that can help to prevent the condensation of water vapour inside the truck windscreen.

These add-ons should give the HINO LCV an edge and as for now HINO are continuously improvise their product line-up with safety features. Just smile at the new image of HINO LCV because it is a safer truck on the road.

Visit your nearest HINO’s dealer showroom to have a glimpse on the new LCV retouch.

Volvo Car Malaysia introduces the Volvo V40 T5 with latest Drive-E powertrain - 2.0liter, 245hp & 350Nm

Volvo Car Malaysia have announced that the award-winning Drive-E powertrain is now available for the Volvo V40 T5 here in Malaysia. The V40 basically gets the latest engine that Volvo has to offer and in typical European fashion, the engine and transmission upgrades would come at any time during a model's life cycle. The introduction of the Drive-E engine to the Volvo V40 range completes Volvo’s new powertrain rollout in Malaysia.

PICTORIAL: 1990s Mercedes Benz S320 - Another one of those super duper condition classic Mercedes in Malaysia

Today is another one of those days where I am going to let some photographs do the talking. This is a 1990s W140 series Mercedes Benz S320. The mother of all over-engineered Mercedes Benz. The reason it is in here is because of the condition it is in. It is immaculate. Seriously immaculate but one that is still driven on a weekly basis.

The Proton Perdana is finally unveiled - Prices from RM113,888....

Yup. Finally. After months of speculating and waiting on when would Proton launch the new Perdana they finally have. And it was over at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre where the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak had the honours of unveiling the car. Let's just move on to the car shall we.

SHORT TEST DRIVE: NEW 2016 PROTON PERDANA 2.0 & 2.4 AT THE PROTON TEST TRACK

Prior to the launch of the new 2016 Proton Perdana (launch article is here), I had written earlier that I was invited to try out the new production ready Proton Perdana 2.0 and 2.4liter variants at the Proton semi-high speed oval track. This was another one of those hush-hush sessions where we were not allowed to take any photos. So the photos here are the official press photos. This here is the short drive report for you to digest. The longest and most detailed you would see so far on how this car drives.

Spotted on the Streets: My mid-2000s Ssangyong Rexton has no resale value...what should I do with it?

This is a normal Ssangyong Rexton. It was sold in Malaysia is the mid 2000s. It is powered by a Mercedes Benz 2.7liter diesel engine and 5 speed automatic gearbox. It was quite hardy but it still cost somewhere in the RM138,000+ when it was brand new (circa 2007). And then you know its one of those funny named Korean cars...Ssangyong. So the resale value is pretty much rock bottom. These days you see people asking around RM20,000 for one. So what do you do with a Rexton that has no second hand value? You pimp it out of course.

But I never expected this to come out. 

TEST DRIVE: Volkswagen Vento 1.2 TSI Highline - There and Back Again....as well as a comparison!

Recently a bunch of Malaysian automotive journalists and I went up north to Penang recently courtesy of Volkswagen Malaysia. The reason for this trip was to try out the new Volkswagen Vento 1.2TSI. Now the Volkswagen Vento is actually the Volkswagen Polo Sedan. Volkswagen had decided the name needed to be changed for this facelift. According to them the reason for this was because they had done quite a bit of facelifting underneath the exterior of the car which gets a little bit more chrome trimming, new bumpers, new headlights, new taillights and new cosmetic bits inside (New, more upmarket looking steering wheel especially).

INDUSTRY NEWS: PROTON Officially opens its first 3S showroom in Chile

28th May 2016 marked the day when PROTON officially opened its doors (again) to customers in Chile. Proton had opened its new 3S showroom located in Irarrazaval, Santiago. The centre is located just 15 minutes away from the city centre and is managed by distributors Andes Motor. Andes Motor is a subsidiary of the Kaufmann Group which is a leading distributor of buses, Trucks and luxury cars in the South American country.

Project Kahn's Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 TD4 SE Black Label Edition - Some idea on how to soup up your local Disco Sport

The people at Project Kahn over in the UK have said that they have re-kitted one of the new Land Rover Discovery Sport into something gentlemanly. I think it looks brutish and all aggressive with those large wheels and black out exterior.