The battle of the B-segment is about to get heated once again with the arrival of the 2020 Honda City.
While the Toyota Vios is having a good time raking in sales with the SST-exempted price, Honda Malaysia swiftly released a teaser of the 2020 Honda City which actually took us by surprise.
Just launched in Thailand and India, it is safe to say that the 2020 Honda City will be launched within the next few months before December during the SST exemption period. Otherwise, why would they tease the arrival of the 2020 Honda City?
Anyways, while the 2020 Honda City comes with a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder VTEC Turbo engine making 122 PS and 173 Nm of torque in Thailand, it is powered by an updated version of the current 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine making 121 PS and 145 Nm in India.
Knowing our market, the 2020 Honda City, once launched, would probably get the same engine 1.5-litre as the one we have now, but don’t take our word for it as nothing is certain for now.
All we know is that this funky red colour you see here, will be available. So, watch this space for more updates on the 2020 Honda City.
Honda Malaysia (or the Company) today announced that its line of Honda Official Merchandise, the ‘TEI’ Series is now available on Shopee for a convenient purchasing experience.
TEI represents ‘Trust, Equality & Individuality’ which is inspired by Honda’s Philosophy and the merchandise series features 21 items in four different collections namely Corporate, Lifestyle, Activewear and Travel.
In conjunction with the launch, Honda Malaysia announced a one-day only, five-pronged attractive deals which are offered on 25th July 2020.
Customers will enjoy RM10 storewide vouchers, Shopee Coins Cashback Vouchers, 10% shocking sales, 10% mall sales* and RM7 deals* for selected items.
The RM7 deals are for selected items with limited quantity, and on a first come first served basis. Items available for this deal are as follows:
Honda Official Merchandise
Crossbody Bag
Umbrella (30”)
Key Ring and Key Pouch Set
Cap
Shoe Bag
Collapsible Water Bottle
Unisex Hoodie (M size)
Don’t miss out on the special deals on 25th July 2020. Customers can click into Honda Malaysia Official Stores on Shopee at or Honda Malaysia Official Facebook page to check out the items available.
With close to 400 horses under the hood right out of the factory, the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 is without a doubt, among the most powerful “everyday” cars we have out there.
And guess what, the 2021 version is officially here and it is even more powerful than it was, but before we get to that, let us get the boring bits out of the way first.
On the exterior, the new GLA 45 now looks more like a full-blown SUV, sporting a curvy silhouette that is complemented by a long bonnet with bulging powerdomes, an AMG-specific radiator grille with vertical slats, LED High Performance headlamps, a front splitter in silver chrome, 19-inch light-alloy wheels (S-Model 20-inch wheels), as well as twin tailpipes.
The GLA 45 4MATIC S on the other hand, gets a pair of larger, oval exhaust tailpipes with a diameter of 90 mm, which feature internal fluting and AMG lettering.
Inside, we have the usual suspects like the MBUX infotainment system, black Artico man-made leather and Dinamica microfiber upholstery, AMG highlights with double topstitching in red, red seatbelts, as well as AMG carbon fibre-look trim element in the dashboard support. The chromed air vents are likewise upgraded with a red ring.
In the S model, we have yellow highlights throughout the interior, AMG Performance steering wheel with a yellow 12 o’clock marking, AMG steering wheel buttons, an AMG logo, plus ambient lighting.
Also standard is the centre console in piano-lacquer look with a touchpad as standard has a further control array with additional switches for controlling the 3-stage ESP, the manual transmission mode, the adaptive damping system AMG Ride Control.
Now, the juicy bits – as revealed earlier, there will be two variants; the GLA 45 4MATIC+ and GLA 45 S 4MATIC+, which come with the most powerful mass-produced 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine in the world.
While the base model delivers 387 hp, the S‑variant kicks out a massive 421 hp. Both come with the AMG Speedshift DCT 8G Dual Clutch gearbox, and the active, fully-variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system that distributes power to the rear axle wheel-selectively by AMG Torque Control. Maximum torque has also increased from 475 to as much as 500 newton metres.
How the AMG Torque Control feature works is that it distributes power to the left and right rear wheels flexibly and at different ratios, according to the given driving situation – resulting in optimum traction, whatever the road surface conditions and whatever course the route takes.
Thanks to the package, the GLA 45 does the century sprint in 4.4 seconds, while the GLA 45 S does it in 4.3 seconds. Both models come with a factory limited speed limit of 270 km/h.
There are six AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs to choose from – “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+”, “Individual” and “RACE” (standard for S-Model, included in the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package for the base model) which allow a wide spread of vehicle characteristics, from comfortable to highly dynamic, where numerous relevant parameters are modified:
The AMG developers have also extensively reinforced the body shell, increasing the torsional rigidity at the vehicle’s front end. In addition, diagonal struts at the front and rear of the underbody further improve rigidity.
That being said, we can expect the new GLA 45 AMG to arrive here by the end of next year or even earlier, but it will definitely be coming here, looking at how successful the existing version is.
Honda Malaysia announced that the new BR-V has recorded more than 1,400 bookings within a month since its launch.
Since the BR-V was first introduced in Malaysia in 2017, it has quickly become one of the most popular 7-Seaters in the market with more than 32,600 units sold.
The New BR-V received high demand from customers in the Central region, which translated to 42% of the total bookings. Of the two variants available, over 85% units of booking were for the V variant, while the E variant made up the balance of the total number of bookings.
More than 24% of the bookings were for Modern Steel Metallic, which makes it the favourite colour among the New BR-V owners.
In case you’re wondering what is new with the BR-V, the exterior has received several upgrades comprising a new front grille, new front bumper with lower bumper garnish, new front fog light garnish as well as a new 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheel design.
It also has a refreshed rear design with a new shark fin antenna and new rear bumper with lower bumper garnish. Interior-wise, there are new leather seats with Red Finishing in the V variant.
Power comes courtesy of a 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC engine coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) that produces 120PS of power. To top it off, the new BR-V is fitted with paddle shifters that offer smoother and more exhilarating driving experience.
The 7-Seater crossover also comes with the biggest trunk space at 223 litres when all seats are up and 539 litres when the third-row seats are folded down. Multiple configurations were also incorporated in the new BR-V, which are the 60:40 One Touch Tilt & Tumble in the second row and 50:50 Tilt & Full Tumble in the third row.
In conjunction with the introduction of the New BR-V, Honda Malaysia also launched two Community Relief Campaigns “Be Kind with BR-V” and “Honda Dealer Donation Drive”, to aid COVID-19 relief programmes as well as to help affected communities in the surrounding areas of Honda dealers.
The ongoing “Honda Dealer Donation Drive” campaign has been receiving favourable response from Malaysians and at the same time, Honda dealers have started to deliver the donations to their surrounding communities which have benefited many individuals and families in the country so far.
Last weekend saw Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) rider Fabio Quartararo take his first ever MotoGP race win in remarkable fashion in Jerez, Spain.
So, to commemorate his first ever MotoGP win which was a long time coming, let us take a look at the stats behind the rider’s 20 races in the premier class which clearly indicate that he could be the next big thing IF he can maintain the momentum.
Fabio Quartararo immediately became a force to be reckoned with upon his move to the MotoGP Championship, taking Rookie of the Year honours last year, and has racked up a remarkable list of stats. The paddock knew it was only a matter of time until he took his maiden victory…
Quartararo’s 20th race over the weekend was definitely one for the history books as he became the first French premier class winner since Regis Laconi at the 1999 Valencia GP, and became the first satellite Yamaha winner in the MotoGP era (the last being Garry McCoy at the 2000 Valencia GP). He is also the eighth youngest rider to win in the premier class at 21 years and 90 days.
His debut season last year, which was also the debut season for Petronas Yamaha SRT, saw him immediately impress at the first round in Qatar, setting the fastest lap around Losail International Circuit – an achievement that he repeated at Le Mans, his home grand prix.
Fabio also became the youngest ever MotoGP pole sitter in Jerez, in what was an historic day for the team, with Franco Morbidelli joining him on the front row of the grid after qualifying second.
After racking up six pole positions, seven podium finishes (five of which saw him on the second step) and breaking 4 lap records (Jerez, Assen, Buriram and Sepang), it was no surprise that he became 2019 Rookie of the Year in Japan with three races still to go and helped Petronas Yamaha SRT take the Independent Teams Championship in just their first year in the category.
The enforced break from racing meant that Fabio had to wait until last weekend in Jerez to take part in just his 20th MotoGP race, where he showed that being away from his Yamaha YZR-M1 for over four months has only sharpened his drive.
Over the course of the weekend Quartararo broke the lap record (which he himself had set the year before) twice on his way to taking his seventh pole position and ultimately his first MotoGP win. It was his eighth podium and boosted his accumulated points total across the 20 races to 217.
Fabio currently sits at the top of the MotoGP World Championship standings after his victory on Sunday.
Yes, we know that it has only been one race and that there is still a long way to go, but this was not an overnight success for Quartararo or the Petronas Yamaha SRT team.
Since the formation of the team, they have been there constantly, fighting in the forefront while trying to find the rhythm. And finally, all the efforts have started bearing fruit.
The million dollar question now is whether the boys at Petronas can keep the momentum going. Let us wait and see how the rest of the season unfolds.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today announced a voluntary recall on models produced between 2011 and 2015 to rectify the hydraulic pressure accumulator within the 7-speed dual clutch gearbox caused by a production deviation.
A total of 12,732 Volkswagen vehicles have been identified to undergo inspection under the recall. The affected models are Beetle, Cross Touran, Golf (Mk6 and Mk7), Jetta, Passat (B7), Passat CC, Polo (6R) and Scirocco. This exercise does not affect Volkswagen models produced from 2016 and newer.
In individual cases, the failure of the component can possibly lead to pressure loss, interrupting power transmission between the engine and gearbox.
The nationwide campaign will be executed in phases in order to manage the number of cases, and notification to identified owners will be conducted by mail with immediate effect.
Alternatively, owners are encouraged to visit the Volkswagen website to check if their vehicle is involved or call Volkswagen customer care at 1800-18-8947 for further information.
Owners may then contact any authorised Volkswagen service centre to book an appointment and have their vehicle inspected and parts replaced, if need be.
VPCM has taken the necessary steps with its dealer partners to ensure parts availability and that the exercise is conducted smoothly and efficiently. All labour and replacement parts for this service will be at no cost to owners.
Additionally, owners will receive a free VCP membership card as a token of appreciation from Volkswagen. An integral part of Volkswagen Cares, Volkswagen Care Plus (VCP) is an exclusive program for owners with vehicles that are 5-years and older.
Member privileges include three 20% service discounts vouchers, free 2 years Roadside Assistance, and 24-hour on-site battery support (terms and conditions apply).
Volvo Trucks announced that its Johor based customer, transportation company Chemtrax Sdn Bhd (Chemtrax), has recently taken delivery of five units of Volvo trucks. Out of the lot, four are FM370 4×2, with one unit of FM440 6×2.
It is said that the purchase is in line with the company’s expansion plans, where the new trucks will be utilized for transporting caustic soda chemical compounds and butadiene gas.
With these new additions, Chemtrax now owns 55 units of Volvo trucks, which makes up about 90% of the company’s total fleet of trucks.
Established in 1998, Chemtrax is one of the leading transportation companies in Malaysia that specialises in the moving of hazardous chemical and gas products such as acids, alkalis, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), water-based chemicals and other flammable and toxic gases.
The company transports these products within Malaysia and Singapore using various types of road tankers such as stainless-steel tanker, special-lined tanker and high-pressured gas tanker to meet the diverse and strict requirements for each hazardous material it transports.
Speaking at the truck handover ceremony, Jaffar Abu Bakar, Group Managing Director of Chemtrax Sdn Bhd said, “We have more than 20 years of experience in handling hazardous materials and have been providing transportation services to companies like Petronas, CCM Chemicals, Kaneka, Solar Gaz and other global companies like IVICT, INEOS and Synthomer. These companies all subscribe to very stringent global standards of safety which we are highly committed to.”
He added that the company’s transport routes consist of both long and short haul deliveries within all over Peninsula Malaysia, as well as to Singapore with around 15 trips daily into the island.
“The hazardous nature of the materials we transport neccesitates us to constantly ensure that safety remains at the forefront of our business. As we are steadfast in our commitment to fully comply to international standards of safety and quality, we do require robust trucks to help us maintain our standards and ensure on-time deliveries to our clients.
So, the new fifth generation Toyota RAV4 SUV shocked the internet when news broke that it is priced from RM196,436, making it the most expensive model in its segment.
Bad, condescending remarks were flying from left, right, and centre all over social media and the internet, about how only stupid people will buy it, and how UMW Toyota have lost their minds, and this was just the tip of the iceberg.
Well, to be frank, even we were a bit surprised with the price, but not to the point of having to senselessly condemn it before even seeing it in the flesh, let alone driving it – which is always the case with most “car guys” you see on car website social media comment sections.
Look at the CH-R for instance – the same amount noise was made when it was released, and guess what? People still bought it, lots of it! It may not be the best-seller in its segment but there are still thousands of units on the road out there, and the owners are happy and have absolutely no regrets.
So, the moral of the story here is that, you say lah what you want to say; those who can afford it will still quietly go and buy it because it is actually a very decent product.
Coming back to the all-new Toyota RAV4 – we were given the opportunity to sample the range-topping 2.5-litre variant (RM215,665 minus SST) when it was launched, just to get a first-hand experience, and frankly speaking, it was not bad at all.
But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let us answer the magic question first – Why is the RAV4 more expensive than the top-spec versions of the Honda CR-V (RM175,900) and the Mazda CX-5 (RM181,660)?
Simple – While the CR-V and CX-5 are assembled locally, the Toyota RAV4 is fully imported from Japan. So, since the duties, taxes, incentives, and what not are different for both, imported vehicles have always been more expensive than CKD units. That’s all.
“Will the RAV4 ever be assembled locally?”
We did ask the folks at UMWT during the launch, and the answer was, well… “We don’t know yet…” as many factors have to be taken into consideration, and many processes need to take place between the manufacturer and the government before a vehicle can be assembled locally, so let us keep our fingers and toes crossed, hoping that the RAV4 will be assembled here and sold at a more competitive price in the near future, shall we?
Now, the second most important question – What exactly do you get for RM215,665?
Besides the different engine and gearbox (which we will get to shortly), both the 2.0 and 2.5 versions of the RAV4 get the same list of features on the exterior, interior, as well as safety, which includes:
LED Headlights & Tail lamps
LED DRLs
Automatic wipers
18-inch wheels
Powered tailgate with Kick sensor (first in class)
580-litres of boot space (biggest in class)
Keyless entry
Optitron meter panel
7-inch touch screen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Dual zone air-conditioning
Combination leather seats
8-way powered driver’s seat
60:40 split-folding rear seats
Wireless charger for mobile devices
3D Panoramic View Monitor
Digital View Monitor
Waterproof boot floor board
Pre-Collision System (PCS)
Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
Auto High Beam
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
ISOFIX
Toyota Premium Security & Solar Film
Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
7 Airbags
Vehicle Telematics System
Sharing the same TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform as the latest Camry, the RAV4 2.5 we’re looking at here is powered by a new naturally aspirated Dynamic Force engine, which is paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that sends power exclusively to the front wheels. Sorry guys, no AWD here.
As far as Toyota models in Malaysia are concerned, this is the first time this powertrain package is being offered here. Please inform your friends who like to take a swipe at Toyota for “always using old engine”.
Offered in 6 colours (Dark Blue Mica, Red Mica, White Pearl CS, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, and Attitude Black), the all-new Toyota RAV4 is offered with a 5 years/ unlimited mileage warranty.
Driving it
While the RAV4’s key rivals like the high-spec Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5 Turbo are turbocharged, the Toyota is naturally aspirated. So, it doesn’t really pounce off the line when you put the accelerator pedal to the floor.
However, the RAV4 is anything but slow. Even though it takes slightly longer than its turbocharged rivals to get up to speed, power delivery is pretty seamless, and before you know it, you’re way past the speed limit. Since it’s naturally aspirated, there is no escaping from the engine noise when you accelerate as well, but it wasn’t THAT loud.
Thanks to the Dynamic Force engine and gearbox that are made from a lot of lightweight material, the TNGA platform, and the fantastically sorted suspension, what we have here is one of, if not the best handling SUV in the segment.
For a vehicle its size, the RAV4 actually feels very light and agile. It also responds to steering input very sharply. Body-roll, weight-transfer, and things along that line that are typical of a top-heavy SUV, are barely noticeable, which makes the RAV4 quite an enjoyable SUV to drive versus models like the CR-V which can behave like a boat around corners.
While the driver is guaranteed a fun time, the occupants are also entitled to an enjoyable experience in the RAV4, thanks to the comfortable leather seats that provide decent support for occupants of all shapes and sizes.
Further adding to the whole experience is a generous list of features which you can check out above, and a spacious cabin which offers generous amount of head and leg space both in front and in the rear.
So, in a nutshell, while the RAV4 is slower than its turbocharged rivals, it is certainly among the best handling models in its class, and also one of the more spacious ones. Design wise, there is nothing much to shout about.
In terms of features, both 2.0L and 2.5L variants get the exact same things besides the engine and gearbox.
So, if power is not on top of your priority list, you can opt for the lower displacement variant and still enjoy all the equipment. Just that it’s the most expensive model in class lah.
Is it worth it? Well, if you have the budget, absolutely. Otherwise, you can always look at its rivals that are more affordable.
The limited edition F-Pace, Jaguar’s best-selling performance SUV, has been introduced into the Malaysian market with a new 2.0-litre, turbocharged 300PS Ingenium petrol engine.
The F-Pace now comes with a new engine that is by far Jaguar’s most powerful 2.0-litre Ingenium Petrol engine in production, kicking out 300PS and 400Nm of torque, and enabling the SUV to do the century sprint in 6.1 seconds while hitting 233km/h of top speed. Paired to the engine is the ZF 8HP45 eight-speed automatic transmission.
A sweetener for the F-Pace impressive features is the state-of-the-art pendulum damper in the torque converter that is extremely effective at absorbing low frequency vibrations. This enables the engine to run at lower speeds without compromising refinement.
The powered-up F-Pace is also equipped with Configurable and Adaptive Dynamics. The Configurable Dynamics which is standard on the R-Sport variant, allows drivers to choose Normal or Sports settings for the throttle response, gearbox and steering, thus creating a very personalised driving experience.
The Adaptive Dynamics on the other hand, modifies the damper response to match the different conditions and driving style. It analyses acceleration, cornering, throttle and brake pedal activity to optimise the suspension settings and maintain the car’s dynamism and comfort. Adaptive Dynamics is available in the highest specifications only.
With only 20 units available for sale, this limited edition Jaguar F-Pace is feature-packed with a range of systems that enhance one’s driving experience, which include the Gesture tailgate, 10-inch Touch Pro, Pro Services and Wi-Fi Hotspot, Lane Keep Assist and Driver Condition Monitor.
In addition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration also come as standard for all three variants.
The Prestige variant, which is the entry-level version, offers enhanced exterior and other convenient features including a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, a 20-inch 5 split-spoke ‘Style 5031’ with Grey Diamond Turned finish alloy wheel, as well as the Rear Seat Remote Release Levers and Power Reclining Rear Seat – all of which add to the vehicle’s unique appeal.
Additional features available in the R-Sport (Mid-Spec) variant include the Adaptive LED Headlamps and Signature Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Auto High Beam Assist (AHBA), Ambient Interior Lighting and Gloss Black Roof Rails.
Exclusively in the F-Pace R-Sport (Hi-Spec) is the Adaptive Surface Response (AdsR), which recognises differences between surfaces to exploit available grip by adjusting engine and brake settings.
The AdSR operates throughout the vehicle’s entire speed range and enables finer optimisation of the vehicle’s systems to make the most of the available traction, helping the driver make smooth progress even in the most challenging road conditions. The R-Sport (Hi-Spec) also comes with 22-inch wheels that will enhance the powerful wheel-to-body ratio of the F-PACE.
Three variants are offered:
Jaguar F-Pace Prestige – RM436,420
Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport (Mid-Spec) – RM470,212
Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport (Hi-Spec) – RM485,433
All Jaguar vehicles distributed by authorised dealers also come with a ‘Jaguar Care’ programme which includes a five-year warranty, five years’ free service and three years’ roadside assistance.
Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has just introduced the new range-topping performance models in the 718 family – the new 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder.
Prices are as mentioned below:
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 – From RM999,000
Porsche 718 Spyder – From RM970,000
Sharing a technical base for the first time, both models feature a completely redesigned 420 hp four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine based on the same turbo engine family in the 911 Carrera model series. Complementing the powerful engine is the dynamic rev-matching function of the six-speed manual transmission.
Thanks to the powertrain package, both models now have a significant increase in power compared to their predecessors – 35hp and 45hp more for the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder respectively.
With a maximum torque of 420 Nm at between 5,000 and 6,800 rpm, the 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4 can accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds from a standing start, with top speeds that break the 300km/h barrier.
New additions include technical highlights such as adaptive cylinder control. In part-load operation, it temporarily interrupts the injection process in one of the two cylinder banks, thus reducing fuel consumption.
On the exterior, the 718 Cayman GT4 features a newly designed single-chamber arch rear silencer which creates space in the rear section for a functional diffuser, a fixed rear wing, and a large front spoiler lip, all of which contribute to 20% more downforce than the outgoing model.
The 718 Spyder on the other hand, comes with new honeycomb air intake grilles that have been designed to increase airflow by reducing obstructions, a front spoiler lip with recessed ‘Spyder’ lettering, and a golf-ball like profiled surface below the front end to guarantee a constantly low drag coefficient.
Unlike the GT4, the 718 Spyder possesses a distinctive rear spoiler that automatically extends at speeds in excess of 120km/h which helps to reduce lift for more driving stability. Thanks to the functional diffuser, it is the first model in the Boxster family to generate aerodynamic downforce at the rear axle. Both models get 20-inch wheels as well.
For the first time ever, the new 718 Spyder makes its debut with the same high-performance GT chassis as the 718 Cayman GT4. Delivering particularly agile handling and good driving stability even at high speeds, the chassis provides the ideal foundation for maximum performance and pure driving pleasure.
The height, camber, toe angle and the anti-roll bars of the chassis for the 718 Cayman GT4 can be adjusted to the demands of each individual race track.
And then we have the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) damping system with sports setup and 30 mm suspension as standard which brings the centre of gravity of these models significantly closer to the ground and improves lateral dynamics potential.
The Porsche Stability Management (PSM) operates with even greater sensitivity and precision here but can optionally also be deactivated in two steps for deliberately sporty handling. Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock further enhances the longitudinal and lateral dynamics, cornering performance and driving pleasure.
The 718 Cayman GT4 can also be equipped with the optional Clubsport package. With its components derived from professional motorsport, the Clubsport package provides additional protection on the racetrack. This includes a rear steel roll bar, a hand-held fire extinguisher and a six-point seatbelt on the driver’s side.
The optional Spyder Classic interior package lends an extravagant look to the interior while also being reminiscent of historic racing cars. The two-tone leather interior in Bordeaux Red/Black gives an especially unique and high quality look and feel to the entire interior of the 718 Spyder.
