Hyundai Sime Darby Motors Will Launch the 2020 Hyundai Kona and Sonata Online of Facebook on 30th October 2020 at 3.00PM

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors or basically Hyundai Malaysia will be officially launching both the Hyundai Kona compact SUV and the Hyundai Sonata sedan officially online over at their Facebook page on the 30th of October 2020 at 3.00pm Malaysian time. If you happen to be free do head over to the page and watch it, especially if you want to know how much these cars will officially cost. HERE is the Hyundai Malaysia Facebook page and you can watch a teaser video there too -  https://www.facebook.com/hyundaimalaysia/

Proton X50 1.5TGDi Officially Launched - Prices Start at a Low RM79,200!!!

The 2020 Proton X50 Compact SUV has just dropped into town. Officially that is! The prices are actually close to as predicted by Yours Truly. I had thought that it would come in at around RM80,000 to RM105,000 and PROTON actually beat me on both entry level and the high specced 1.5 Flagship variant. The new X50 costs RM103,300 for the 1.5TGDi Flagship, RM93,200 for the Premium, RM184,800 for the Executive and RM79,200 for the Standard. All prices are till 31st December 2020 and is with the Sales Tax Exemption. Good prices actually and it should stir up the below RM100k market segment here. Other brands are going to jump.

Sime Darby Auto Selection Launches Online Used Car Store for the Malaysian Market

Sime Darby Auto Selection is Sime Darby Motor's corporate multi-brand used car dealer. They have now launched their online used car store which is tailored to provide a seamless and easy to use oline used car buying experience. The new online store - simedarbyautoselection.com.my enables visitors to the site to search from a wide range of high quality used cars – from used to nearly new vehicles from the comfort of wherever there are at, at home or in the office or anywhere they may be.

The New Mitsubishi XPANDER is Now Open for Booking - Full Malaysian Specifications Also Revealed - Thoughts and Ideas on What to Do With It If You Buy it

The new 2020 Mitsubishi XPANDER is finally getting its Malaysian launch soon. The compact MPV, with Crossover looks was initially launched over in Indonesia mid-2017 and it finally sees its debut here. The official distributors of Mitsubishi here, MITSUBISHI MOTORS MALAYSIA (MMM), have stated that bookings are now open at all authorised dealerships and they have also revealed full product specifications of the Xpander. Its official launch is targeted for November2020. It will also be locally assembled over at Pekan, Pahang for Malaysia.

The Official Launch of the Proton X50 - Virtual Launch is Tomorrow - 27th October 2020

This is it folks. The eagerly awaited launch of the Proton X50. Not much actual reporting can be done as the launch will be a virtual one over on the official PROTON Facebook page.  As you folks know, this new compact SUV will be packed full of features. It should be quite a good buy with its combination of sporty design, powerful performance, outstanding safety, revolutionary connectivity and total comfort. 

Of course, being Malaysians, the price is the only thing we all want to know. If the price is right, expect more of the X50 to be ordered and on the road. So, this is why I am actually looking forward to this launch, virtual or not. Currently the pandemic lockdown measures have put a dent in my mood to actually do anything but I still have to admit that a game-changer like the Proton X50's launch is still pushing the right curious buttons in me. 

So let's all watch it online here at 10.50am tomorrow, the 27th of October 2020 on ProtonCarsOfficial - 

https://www.facebook.com/ProtonCarsOfficial

Watch it folks. This could be another turning point in terms of what the Malaysian automotive landscape is going to be.

Isuzu Officially Opens a New 3S Dealership in Taiping, Perak

There is a new Isuzu 3S centre in Taiping, Perak. The dealership is operated by GB Motors and it is located along Jalan Simpang which is close to one of the main roads leading to Taiping town. The new outlet will now offers more accessibility and touch points for Isuzu customers  as well as residents and businesses in the Matang region, the area surrounding Taiping. 

Promotion: Limited Units of Renault Captur 1-Month Trial Subscription is On Offer at RM699 - You Get to Try a Captur for a Month with a Low Price

You folks should pray that Renault get more podium positions in this year's Formula 1. In conjunction with Renault’s recent F1 podium (they came in 3rd) at Nurburgring, Germany,you can experience driving a new Renault with the Renault Captur crossover. It now comes with a new limited promotion on the Renault Subscription 1-Month Trial Plan so that you get to enjoy savings of more than 50 percent on the plan. Imagine if they win this year's championship then!

Proton Employee From R&D Department Found COVID-19 Positive - Steps Have Been Taken By the Company to Help Curb Any Spread of the Virus

PROTON has come out with a statement that states one of their employees have been tested positive for Covid-19. The employee is from the Research & Development Department located in Shah Alam and is not one of those that are in the sales, aftersales or marketing departments which have contact with lots of people. 

The Volkswagen Passat R-Line is Now Officially Launched - Priced at RM203K+ Till the End of the Year

Volkswagen Passengers Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has finally launched the new 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line in Malaysia. The launch was done a live telecast on its social media channels as we are still in a pandemic lockdown sort of situation here in the Klang Valley right now. It is essentially a kitted out variant of the Volkswagen Passat Elegance, and is attractively priced at RM203,411.18 (without sales tax). This price is possible because the sportier looking Passat is also locally assembled at the Volkswagen plant in Pekan, Pahang. It does go to show that the way forward to ensure attractive pricing is to locally assemble any car.

VIDEO: The New Proton X50 1.5TGDI Flagship First Drive at the Second Media Preview - Handling and Acceleration Tested

This 1st drive experience video on the upcoming Proton X50 1.5TGDI SUV was uploaded over at the Motoring Malaysia YouTube Channel last week folks! If you haven't subscribed over there you would have missed viewing it as I have only now attached the video here on the blog. Sometimes, there are benefits to subscribe over there and also to go 'like' our Facebook or follow the Instagram page as I have added the link to the video there. This was the 2020/2021 PROTON X50 SUV 2nd Media Preview at Sepang Circuit. It was also our 1st Drive in the X50 1.5TGDI and therefore our first impressions on it. 

BMW 218i Gran Coupe M Sport Launched in Malaysia - Being Locally Assembled, it Looks Like The Entry Level Premium Car to Get Folks!

BMW Malaysia recently unveiled the First-Ever BMW 218i Gran Coupé M Sport over at the Pavillion in Kuala Lumpur. This is the brand's first locally assembled four-door coupé in the compact premium segment here and it is actually quite a good buy. Priced at RM218,800 or now RM211,467 until the end of the year due to government rebates it could be the best premium sports sedan (yes, 4 doors you know and being quite a trad kinda guy, it is a sports sedan) out there at the priced offered. I would be tempted in procuring one if I was in the market for a new car right now.

Das WeltAuto Programme - The Volkswagen Certified Used Car Service Now Has an Improved Website

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) had launched the Das WeltAuto programme last year. To date, it has offered customers a lot more confidence and peace of mind with its certified used cars. You can basically own that Volkswagen you want slightly cheaper and yet it comes with warranty and other authorised purchase goodies. Now, VPCM has introduced a new, more user-friendly Das WeltAuto website that makes comparing vehicles easier than ever - www.dasweltauto.com.my  

Hino Malaysia Launches the New Hino 300 Series Pro Light Duty Truck

Last Thursday, the 8 October 2020 Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (HMSM), officially launched the new HINO 300 Series Pro. This is a new new 300 Series Pro light duty truck essentially replaces the popular 300 series and is the latest entry in the very much contested light duty truck segment here in Malaysia. The new 300 Pro features greater performance especially in terms of carrying capacity as well as having a more standard features to the benefit of the customers.

Mercedes-Benz & Hap Seng Star Launch Malaysia’s First Autohaus with Luxury Lifestyle Boutique

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd earlier today launched the first Autohaus with Luxury Lifestyle Boutique here in Malaysia. The unique Autohaus Luxury Lifestyle Boutique features exclusive Mercedes-Benz design collection and accessories for customers and their Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The new Brand Presence right smack in the heart of Kuala Lumpur reaffirms Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to lead a new era of retail experience. The unique Autohaus strengthens the company’s customer-centric efforts in Malaysia by offering star branded exclusive products to complement the exclusivity and luxury that the brand carries.

Video: Proton X50 1.5TGDI SUV Sepang Circuit Half Track 'Hot' Lap by Ex-Proton R3 Driver Fariqe Hairuman - Second Media Preview of the new Proton X50 SUV

This is a hot lap around half of the Sepang Circuit. Actually, it is more of a 'warm' lap of the South Track (half track) Sepang Circuit in the Proton X50 1.5TGDI Flagship variant compact SUV by Ex-Proton R3 (Motorsport) Driver Mr Fariqe Hairuman. It wasn't stomach churning dramatic or anything as the nasi biryani I had for lunch stayed inside my stomach and did not come out the same way it came in. This exercise was part of the 2nd Media Preview of the new Proton X50 featuring Active Safety & Performance Features. 

Video: Proton X50 1st Media Preview - Initial Review, Our Thoughts and Opinions on Proton's Latest SUV

Here is our video on the Proton X50 after the first Media Preview. Forgive me if I do not sound enthusiastic in the video. It was made last weekend and the reason was that I had not have enough coffee as I slept late, woke up early. Usual weekend stuff. Anyway, got this out for you folks out there! This is our thoughts on the upcoming Proton X50 Compact SUV. Well, actually I was lazy. Enough said!

Naza Kia Will Launch the New Kia Seltos Here Soon - Expect the Compact SUV Segment to Be Highly Contested

The official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, Naza Kia Malaysia, will be launching the All-New 2020 Kia Seltos compact SUV. The new compact SUV is now open for bookings at all Kia showrooms throughout Malaysia if you are interested and it will soon be one of the new compact SUVs that will compete in this hotly contested segment which comprises of both Malaysian, Japanese and Korean made vehicles. This segment is indeed heating up to be the fight to see.

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC is now available in Malaysia for RM363K onwards

A few days ago, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched the new Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC. This is their slightly larger than the GLA-series SUV but smaller than the GLC-series SUV model of SUV. So many SUVs there. Anyway, this new compact SUV is a little larger than the A-class derived GLA so it may suit a lot more people out there. Anyway, this will come in this AMG specified variant (as well as Mercedes-Benz GLB 200, 250 variants) and could be very good to those that find the GLA 35 a tad too basic for their liking....if there ever was such a thing.

TEST DRIVE (with VIDEO) - 2020 Volkswagen Passat Elegance 2.0TSI - One of the Best Under RM200k Sedans On Sale in Malaysia Today

This is our review of the the 2020 Passat Elegance 2.0TSI. The video is the main review and this article fleshes out a little bit more....So do watch it folks! 

This facelifted model actually takes over both the 1.8liter and 2.0liter TSI variants here and is actually even cheaper than the sole 2.0liter variant sold here previously. The 1.8TSI started at RM159K for the base Trendline and RM179K for the Comfortline. So the single 2.0TSI seems to be good value and actually suits Malaysian car buying trends where the highest specification variant seems to be the one that sells the best in the long run. 

Ferrari SF90 Stradale Previewed in Malaysia - The First Series Production Plug-in Hybrid by Ferrari

Naza Italia, who are the official importer and distributor of  Ferrari  in Malaysia, has officially launched the SF90 Stradale. The unveiling of the new Prancing Horse was done in conjunction with the unveiling of the newly renovated Ferrari Petaling Jaya showroom earlier today. This is Ferrari's first series production PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) ever and it is available from the base price of RM 1,908,000.00 (before duties, customization options, taxes and insurance). Of course, be prepared to wait for a little while (as long as eighteen months or more) as it is a Ferrari, and demand outstrips supply.