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: