Jaguar's gear knob and air vents

These days gimmicks and toys sell cars. Even normal run of the mill cars like the Hyundai Elantra or the Proton Suprima gets auto lights, auto wipers, daytime running lights, a kitchen sink, bidet and even GPS. Everyone is enamored by gadgets in the cars that they buy which is why car manufacturers throw in even more even when we don't need it.

But we'd expect all of these toys and more in our luxury cars. Take for example Mercedes Benz and its new W222 S-Class. It has everything you can think of and more. It has a forward facing radar that can read the road up front and adjust the suspension to suit. It has mood lighting inside. It has a build in air freshener. It has LED headlights. It has all that and more. But, it does not have what Jaguar has. Covered motorized air vents and a motorized flush fit gearknob. Let me show you a few photos of the items below.

Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 - KLIMS13: Updates - Ford bringing in an old lady and a hot Mustang and other news

The thing about an international motor show is there usually are concept cars on display. If there isn't any, then it isn't really an international motor show. Ergo, this time around KLIMS '13 will have Ford display some oldies like a Ford Model A (top)from waayyy back as well as the hot Ford Mustang GT500 (shown below). You can read more about this as well as other interesting displays.

Press Release after the jump.

2015 Mercedes Benz C-Class Exterior Photos Leaked

Some folks over at www.Diariomotor.com have gotten their hands on the exterior photos of the 2015 Mercedes Benz C-class. As expected, it looks like a shrunken down W222 S-Class. You know, the one that was recently launched. As usual, the C-class always looks like a smaller version of the S-Class and this one is no better (which actually means that this is a good thing surprisingly).

Suzuki Swift Sport CVT - THE One to drive if you cannot do the shifting yourself

Fun to drive cars have always been a priority over here on Motoring-malaysia.blogspot.com. We thrive on driving cars that are fun. They may not have to be superfast but they have to have an emotional attachment with the driver when on the move. The thing about 'soulful' cars is there they are usually expensive here in Malaysia as we suffer, yes, suffer from obscene taxes and other whatnots. You need good credit rating with the bank or you must have a really fat monthly salary to indulge in such cars here in Malaysia. But occasionally you have the Suzuki Swift Sport to give you a rush at a price of around RM100,000. Hey, RM100,000 is affordable for a fun car in this day and age. Sad but true.

BMW M235i c photos leaked -

This baby BMW is what a modern BMW E30 3series would look like if it were reborn in this decade. The photos of the BMW M235ic or whatever it's supposed to be called has been leaked. I don't care if it was on purpose or otherwise but it looks good.

Of course, the littlest BMW sedan is now called a 2 series. The 1 Series is a hatchback and everything with totally sportly intentions is evenly numbered - 2, the newly launched 4 series coupe, the 6 series coupe and so forth.

Langkawi & Labuan Registered Cars in Peninsular Malaysia Confiscated

The Star has reported that the Royal Malaysian Customs has begun a clampdown on luxury cars bought in Langkawi and Labuan but used here more than the allowed period. 22 cars with a total value of RM25.8 million have been confiscated by the Customs. The cars were found flaunting Article 21A of the Customs Duty Order (Exemption) 1988 for not paying the duties. Article 21A stipulates that cars bought on the islands of Langkawi or Labuan may not be kept away for more than a month each time, or for more than a total of 90 days a year. The cars, namely supercars and super luxury cars were taken out of the duty-free islands for more than the allowed period.

About time.

Lamborghini Veneno Roadster

This was recently unveiled by Lamborghini - the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster. It is basically the roofless version of the Lamborghini Veneno. Limited to nine units, the Veneno Roadster will cost 3.3 million Euros excluding taxes. Lucky they limited it to nine units as what you're really getting is a very tarted up Lamborghini Aventador chassis with new panels designed by someone from HotWheels or a ten year old kid, or a collaboration of both. But, it looks bloody stunning from certain angles. And bloody grotesque from others too. I also think that it is nicer looking than the original Veneno but still opinion dividing.

 Which is why I've decided to do a short write-up on it in here. Of course, all nine are most probably sold out even as the official press release was issued on the 19th of October 2013. Carbon fibre everywhere. Over the top styling. V12 engined, 2.9seconds to 100km/h. 221 miles per hour. 

Official Press Release of the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster.

More on the 2013 Toyota Vios - It's all a facade actually.

Like the new 2013 Toyota Vios? I'm sure about a hundred thousand of you do. I went to a Toyota Showroom sometime after the new Vios was launched and no one paid attention to the guy driving the German sedan as the sales people were too busy entertaining people who wanted to hand down their cash for the new Vios. There was an elderly auntie with her daughter who kept mentioning that the new Vios was 'Ho Leng ah', or good looking in Cantonese and had the intention of trading in their old Proton Wira Aeroback. Very sensible purchase for old ladies as well as almost everyone else.

 This is fairly understandable as the new Toyota Vios does look good from the outside and also on the inside. But. There's always a 'but' with me these days. All that new fangled sporty styling that Toyota has decided to add to their cars is paying off as the Vios looks all tarted up and sporty. Even the interior looks fabulous. But only till you get up close and personal that is. The new Toyota Vios reminds me of those fake facades or building front that movie studios use. Behind the wall is actually nothing.Or something totally scary like in the cartoon above.

CKD Volkswagen Polo 1.6 Sedan out soon & this is the ONLY Volkswagen you can safely buy.

Took a peek at the Volkswagen Malaysia website earlier and have noted that they've reduced the price for the 2014 Volkswagen Polo 1.6 sedan. The car will soon be sold at an estimated price of RM86,888 from the previous price of RM99,000 or thereabouts. The reason for the drop lies probably with the fact that the Polo Sedan will be locally assembled instead of being imported from India. Good for us isn't it?

It also comes with better specs - a better radio, rear air-conditioning vents, a center armrest, bla, bla,bla, yadda, yadda, yadda. There are more goodies, but in my opinion the price drop is the biggest good thing that happened to the Polo Sedan. Actually I am recommending you people out there who are yearning to buy a VW to get this (quite pathetic) car because it is my opinion that this is THE MOST reliable Volkswagen you can buy in Malaysia at the moment. I'll tell you why.

KLIMS 2013: Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show '13 Update - KL International Automotive Conference Scheduled

In case any of you have been spending time under a rock, under a coconut shell or in a well, we would like to help announce that the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS13) is opening in less than a month. We are feeling the vibe of the awaited KLIMS13 as we approach the show dates from 15 to 24 November 2013 at the Putra World Trade Centre. Lucky visitors will have a chance to win a Toyota Prius or a Honda CRZ.

Aside from showing the latest cars and  automotive concepts to the general public, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), organizer of KLIMS13, in an effort to consolidate a platform for the automotive industry players will be organizing the Kuala Lumpur Automotive Conference (KLIAC) 2013. You can read more about it in the  press release below.

Our Cameron Highlands is globally famous for its Land Rovers - Lots of Photos

Imagine. Over Seven thousand Land Rovers servicing a community of only thirty thousand residents. That's a ratio of 4.2 persons to 1 Land Rover. If you aren't aware of which community I am referring to, it is the one called Cameron Highlands.

Car Mods: 1st Gen Perodua Myvi Tuning Part IV - A Recap & a Rear Anti-Roll Bar Upgrade UPDATED

It has been slightly over a year since I wrote about modding the Perodua Myvi. I have been occupied with other things and I have to admit that I had stopped thinking too much about the little Myvi because of this. Anyway, as a recap, the reason I decided to tweak the Myvi was to make it a better car. Not a sporty one, as the Myvi isn't truly sporty (look at the car's overall shape and suspension setup for Godssake) but one which is slightly improved in most aspects.

Cars we still adore: Alfa Romeo 164

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The Alfa 164 is a truly beautiful car. Produced from 1987 to 1998 it was a 4 door saloon that was designed by Alfa Romeo to go head to head with traditional German executive saloons like the BMW 5 series and the Meredes Benz W124 series. Of course, being an Alfa Romeo, it was drop dead beautiful. I spotted a beautiful example earlier today, an 164 3.0 in full Cloverleaf specification - bodykit and 17 inch telephone dial wheels. I thought I'd say a few words about it. 

Can't afford to go to Italy and visit the Lamborghini Museum? Use Google Maps instead

Can't afford to go to the Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy? Well, you can now view it on Google Maps. The virtual tour of Lamborghini’s museum is available on PC, tablet and mobile via Browser and the Google Map App. The App software is supported by both iOS and Android operating systems. 

PRESS RELEASE: 09/10/2013 Automobili Lamborghini launches exclusive museum indoor view on Google Maps  

2013 Suzuki Jimny - This Cute LIl' 4WD could be launched here soon

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It seems that Suzuki Malaysia will launch the newly facelifted for 2013 Suzuki Jimny here in Malaysia. The car seen here at the recent 2013 NST Motorshow is powered by a 84hp 1.3liter petrol engine. From what I gathered from the staff on duty at the motorshow the Jimny has been through JPJ type approval so it should be launched soon and may have a price tag of between RM85,000-90,000. 

Car Mods Gone Wrong: Spends on chassis BUT....

Today I do not feel like writing something long winded. Malaysian car enthusiasts are a passionate lot but sometimes seriously misguided, weird or simply unfathomable. Take this Seventh Generation Honda Accord for example, it has been in my photo archives for a while but I believe it is time to showcase such bizarre antics to the world so that no one would ever, ever, ever think of doing such a thing again.

The owner had invested a serious amount into the bodykit and chassis strengthening....

Honda release a new Integra, BUT.....

It isn't the Honda Integra as we know it. This has two wheels instead of four and isn't a car. So it's now a Honda motorcycle but it isn't even a superbike. It's one of those maxi-scooters. Sad isn't it?

DTOX - The new Express Oil Change Service Centre in the heart of PJ

I recently received an invitation to visit a newly opened car service centre in Petaling Jaya Selangor. The service centre, called DTOX, which stands for Drive Thru Oil change Xpress, is a first-of-a-kind car service centre in Petaling Jaya which offers a 10 minutes no frills drive-through oil change service.

TEST DRIVE: The w212 Mercedes Benz E250 - All the luxury you need and a little more

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The prices of residential property in and around the Klang Valley is starting to sound ridiculous. A few years ago you could get a double story terrace house in Petaling Jaya for about RM400,000. I recently stopped by a developer's showroom for an condominium project located in Ara Damansara where I currently reside. The thousand and a bit more square foot apartment was priced in the region of Seven Hundred Thousand Ringgit. So from a few short years half a million Ringgit now gets you a studio apartment and nothing much else. So the question you have to ask is that what could I buy with RM400,000.00? A Mercedes Benz actually since a house is out of the question.

Anyway, I recently made myself available for a long test drive of the newly facelifted 2013 Mercedes Benz E-Class. The car I had my hands on for a while was an E250 courtesy of the people who sold me my C180 and I have to say that this car is a proper Mercedes Benz and more. Surprisingly more.

Why the heck would you buy a toy Toyota over a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche........etc..etc...

Toy cars are a great thing. They allow us to buy a detailed replica of the car that we would like to own or to some, a model they already own. It allows men and boys (and sometimes women and girls) to dream about their dream car. It allows them to look at the model and dream a little.

This is a good thing if it were a Ferrari model as you know your dreams and ambitions are for something stupendous and incredible. If you own a Ferrari and you have models of your Ferrari or other Ferraris you want it is alright because a Ferrari is what dreams are made of. It is fast, glamorous, exotic, a babe magnet, a toyboy magnet, you name it.

But if you are a future Toyota Camry owner or a current Toyota Camry owner and you buy a toy of it something is totally wrong with you. Especially the remote control version pictured above.