Hyundai Veloster Turbo open for booking with a targeted mid-April launch - At last!!!!

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'.

News: Volkswagen Group Malaysia Launches 3S Facility in Melaka

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.

Trucking News: UD Trucks incorporates customer feedback, demonstrates enhanced features in UD Quester

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.

Trucking News: SCANIA AND JKJR - PARTNERS AGAIN TO CHAMPION ROAD SAFETY

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.

Locally assembled Hyundai Tucson for the Malaysian market

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.

Tucson NU 2.0 Sport

Mitsubishi has not developed the next generation Lancer as yet

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.

First Generation Porsche Cayenne as a used purchase- Can you afford to maintain it?

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 Volkswagen Passat B8 is the European Car of the Year 2015

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.

TEST DRIVE: Mercedes GLA200 - ride comfort is back for the Mercedes A-class platform

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.