In the current economic climate, to stay above water is considered a good achievement for some companies. So when Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, a premium brand in a soft market, announced 2016 first half results that bucked the industry trend, it’s no surprise that some sat up and took notice (and probably felt envious).

For the first time ever, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia delivered a record-breaking 6,017 cars to its customers in the first 6 months of 2016, representing a 17% year-on-year growth. June 2016 was its best-ever month with 1,203 cars sold, making 2Q16 its best quarter with a total of 3,359 cars sold.

Of the total of 6,017 units sold, 4,146 (69%) cars came from its Limousine segment with the bulk from the C-Class (2,534 units), followed by the E-Class and S-Class. Even its Dream Cars segment which includes the Coupes and AMG GTS saw 90 units go to buyers.

These numbers keep Mercedes-Benz as the leading premium brand in Malaysia with a 2.5% market share (year-to-date June 2016) with record unit sales for the 16th consecutive month. This positive streak is expected to continue in 3Q16 as the new E-Class was only launched in June. It should also be noted that in the first 6 months, 40% of new Mercedes-Benz cars sold are financed and insured by Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, which services a portfolio of over RM 1.5 billion.

Growth like this requires a capable service network to handle the increase in volume. In 1H16, 2 upgraded Autohaus and a City Service center were launched, with a total investment of RM 18 million. The first half also saw a record number of cars (52,700) serviced at its service network, a year-on-year increase of 18%, while achieving its best Customer Satisfaction Index After-Sales rating in history.

Further,  Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s RM 3 million annual investment in personnel training has thus far produced 770 skilled technicians from its Apprentice Training Centre to feed its service infrastructure.

Growth is always a good thing to achieve but difficult to maintain. And it’s easier to fall from the top spot than to climb there. Its plan to introduce 3 new models, update 3 models, add 2 new engine variants and 1 facelift in 2016 is only partially complete so this should keep Mercedes-Benz Malaysia busy and active the rest of the year.

The post Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Announced Impressive 1H16 Results appeared first on Autoworld.com.my.

There has been a lot of buzz on Perodua’s latest offering and rightly so; it is the local carmaker’s first sedan (their core is hatchbacks, if you didn’t notice). And by now, you would have read various articles about it and perhaps even see it at the showroom (and maybe even booked one). The Bezza buzz was so strong that Perodua received over 4,000 bookings before its official launch last Thursday evening (21 July).

But if you can’t enough of reading about the Bezza or haven’t seen it yet, here’s a summary of the car in as few words as possible:

It’s Local

Although based on the Perodua Axia / Daihatsu Ayla platform, it’s primarily designed by a team of Malaysians with the support of Perodua’s technical partner, Daihatsu Motor Co. The 1.0-litre 1KR-VE with VVT-i and 1.3-litre 1NR-VE with Dual VVT-i are new to Perodua’s line-up and although are from the Toyota/Daihatsu family, are produced locally at Perodua’s engine facilities.

Local content in the Bezza add up to 95% of the car.

It’s Practical

As 4-door sedans should be. The Axia hatchback already makes good use of interior space and the Bezza continues this. The 60:40 folding rear seats offer cabin versatility and the class-leading 508 litres of boot space adds to that. The front seats also recline flat for a +1 lounge mode when the car is stationary. Tandem (front-back hip-to-hip) distance is 910 mm gives passengers plenty of space.

The car also comes with multiple storage compartments, cup holders and even a handy handphone slot and USB charging port at the rear of the centre console (in the 1.3 variants only). There is also an anti-snatch hook placed on the right side of the front passenger seatback which is perfect for hanging handbags or manbags.

It’s Affordable

Prices start at RM 37,300 for the 1.0 Standard G MT (5-speed manual), RM 39,300 for 1.0 Standard G AT (4-speed auto), RM 42,800 for 1.3 Premium X MT, RM 44,800 for 1.3 Premium X AT and RM 50,800 for 1.3 Advance AT (on-the-road including insurance).

The Bezza comes with Perodua’s 5-year or 150,000 km warranty. Maintenance is scheduled for every 10,000 km (or 6-month interval).

It’s Frugal

Certified as an EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle), the Bezza is equipped with engines designed with reduced friction and improved consumption. The 1.0-litre engine produces 50 kW and 91 Nm and features a high-tumble intake port which increases intake air tumble flow via a funnel-shaped intake port to improve combustion efficiency and increase power. Micro-spray injectors are used to optimize fuel combustion. A longer intake manifold also compensates for the engine’s reduced power when on eco mode.

The 1.3-litre engine has an output of 70 kW and 121 Nm. It’s designed with such features as intake and exhaust Dual VVT-i, larger water jackets for cooling and combustion efficiency and Teflon-coated pistons for durability and friction reduction.

Perodua claims the 1.0-litre engine can travel 22.8 km/l (manual) and 21.3 km/l (auto) while the 1.3-litre can do 21.7 km/l and 21 km/l. The 1.3-litre Advance which comes with Eco Idle (auto start-stop) and regenerative braking (energy recovery from deceleration to charge the battery) boasts a fuel economy of 22 km/l.

A big factor to these fuel economy figures is the weight of the car (from 865 kg for 1.0-litre manual to 930 kg for 1.3-litre Advance); high tensile steel (without sacrificing rigidity), low coefficient of drag (0.286), under-floor covers and low rolling resistance tyres (175/65 R14 tyres – Bridgestone Ecopia for 1.3 and Silverstone Kruizer for 1.0) contribute to efficiency.

It’s Equipped

The Bezza is fitted with features normally found in higher priced cars – headlamps with auto-off function, shopping hooks, ISOFIX system, speed-sensing wipers, 2 airbags, ABS with EBD, front seat height adjuster, one-touch power windows with jam protection, front sensors, smart key and keyless entry and push button start/stop. With the exception of the first 6 features listed, the rest are only found in the 1.3 variants.

The range-topping 1.3 Advance adds Brake Assist, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control (which helped it get 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating; the others get 4 stars), Hill Start Assist, Eco Idle, retractable wing mirrors, reverse camera, multimedia system with navigation and smartphone link (Android OS only).

The post Perodua Bezza : What You Need To Know appeared first on Autoworld.com.my.

National carmaker Perodua is positive, albeit cautiously, of its performance for 2016. Speaking to the media of the company’s 1H16 performance, Perodua President & CEO Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh said that the company is confident they will meet their sales target of 216,000 units this year especially with the recent launch of the Bezza sedan and despite the Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA) reducing the projected total industry volume (TIV) from 650,000 vehicles to 580,000 due to the soft consumer sentiment and global economic challenges.

In the first half of 2016, Perodua achieved sales of 97,400 vehicles with the Axia hatchback making up 52% of sales, followed by Myvi (29%) and Alza (19%); June was the best performing month with 20,000 car registered. Vehicle production however, saw a year-on-year decline of 14% to 100,300 units from 116,400 units owing to the soft demand and higher inventory.

Perodua’s current market share stands at approximately 35.5%, an improvement over last year’s 33.7% for the same period, despite market challenges. The market share improvement comes at the expense of other national and non-national marques. Total market share for national marques in 1H16 is approximately 49% (a y-o-y improvement from 47%).

Perodua needs to sell a further 118,600 vehicles in the second half to achieve its sales target. Going forward, key contributors to its sales numbers will be the Bezza sedan and Axia (which has been its best-seller for some time). Both are considered entry-level vehicles which Perodua expects to sell well as consumers tend to “buy down” in a soft market.

Since it started accepting bookings for the Bezza on 16 July (the car was officially launched on 21 July), the company has received an average of 1,000 bookings a day. As of this morning (26 July), total bookings (not sales) for the Bezza numbered 10,115.

According to Datuk Aminar, the company has shored up Bezza inventory to cater to the initial demand and shorten delivery time, as part of its effort to improve customer satisfaction. By 31 July, 9,000 Bezzas will be ready for nationwide delivery. Thus far, 500 Bezza sedans have been delivered to buyers.

Its new engine manufacturing plant in Sendayan which is producing the new 1.3-litre engine for the Bezza (but is also ready to produce the new 1.5-litre engine from the family) has an annual production capacity of 200,000 units based on 2 shifts. It is currently running on 1 shift and the company is looking at eventually making use of its capacity by either introducing new models and/or supplying engines to other marques.

On the after-sales side, Perodua managed to increase the throughput at its service centers by 5% to 1,000,000 vehicles year-on-year, from 965,000. This has led to an increase in intake revenue by 13% to RM 330 million as well as parts and accessories sales by 5% to RM 126 million for the same period. Perodua is continuing its efforts to keep more Perodua owners within the company’s ecosystem by continuously improving their after-sales services.

At the same time, Datuk Aminar took the opportunity to introduce Mr. Masanori Takahashi as the new President of Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd who took up the post on 20 June. Takahashi-san has extensive experience with overseas operations, having been based in the USA, South Africa and India when he was with Toyota Motor Corporation. He was Senior Executive Officer at Daihatsu Motor Corporation prior to joining Perodua.

The post Perodua Positive About 2016 With New Model Offering appeared first on Autoworld.com.my.

BMW Group Malaysia is continuing the brand’s worldwide centenary celebrations with the release of the BMW 528i M Performance Edition. Limited to just 100 units, this premium sports business sedan is priced at RM 363,800 on the road, without insurance. Incidentally, this special edition costs RM 15k less than the regular 528i M Sport and also comes with BMW 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service Program and BMW Tyre Warranty Program.

Introducing the new BMW 528i M Performance Edition, Mr. Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “In the centenary year of the BMW Group, we at BMW Group Malaysia have not only continuously grown our strong portfolio of premium vehicles here in the country, but we are also constantly looking at opportunities to ensure that more of our Malaysian customers are able to enjoy the
premium ownership experience of a BMW vehicle. From new products and new industry leading warranty programs to special benefits and gains from the customised EEV incentive program and now special limited edition cars, we are continuing our 100th year celebrations here.”

The BMW 528i M Performance sports a black kidney grille, a front bumper with the signature M Performance carbon fibre highlights, M Performance carbon fibre rear spoiler and special carbon fibre side skirt films with the signature M Performance stripes to differentiate it from the regular 5 Series.

Things remain unchanged inside with the car still sporting the 2.0 litre TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine found in the 528i M Sport. This engine is paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic and puts out 245 hp and 350 Nm to the rear. Official 0-100 km/h time is 6.2 seconds and top speed is 250 km/h.

Standard kit includes head-up display, keyless entry, 4-zone climate control, adaptive LED headlights, BMW iDrive system with ConnectedDrive and Concierge Service, 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system and 19″ double-spoke alloy wheels.

The post 100 BMW 528i M Performance To Celebrate 100 Years appeared first on Autoworld.com.my.

In its ongoing quest to improve customer ownership experience, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), the sole importer and distributor for Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, has opened another full­-fledged Toyota 3S (sales, service and spare parts) dealership in the coastal area of Kuala Selangor to serve the growing Toyota population there; previously owners had to drive to Klang to visit an authorized Toyota service center.

This new dealership is operated by Target Orion Corporation Sdn Bhd and is located at Lot 675 Seksyen 1, Pekan Assam Jawa 45000 Kuala Selangor, Selangor. Target Orion has been an authorized Toyota dealer for 12 years, starting with a showroom at Bangunan UMNO in Kuala Selangor and subsequently relocated to larger
premises in 2013; it has invested almost RM 10 million to upgrade the outlet to provide customers with high ­quality sales and after-sales services at the location which is along the busy coastal road.

The 2-­storey building sited on 1.8­ acres consists of an integrated showroom with room for up to 5 Toyota display models and a service centre with 10 service bays that can handle up to 17 vehicles daily. A lounge area is provided for customers to wait in comfort while their vehicles are being serviced.

The opening of the 3S dealership was officiated by Mr. Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMWT, Datuk Ismet Suki, President of UMWT and the directors of Target Orion Corporation Sdn Bhd, Dato’ Adam Khan bin Omar Khan and Mr. Justin See Kok Wah. Also present were senior management of UMWT.

“We are always appreciative of the efforts of our authorised dealers to enhance their services in order to provide the best sales and after-sales services to Toyota customers. As a long­time business partner with UMWT, Target Orion Corporation’s investment also assures us that the company views its business as a long­term activity and will therefore keep growing it,” said Mr. Takeyama.

Datuk Ismet commended, “Target Orion Corporation has been UMWT’s business partner since 2004 and has served customers in this part of Selangor well. We are happy to note that they made the decision to upgrade their business from just a sales outlet to a full­-fledged 3S dealership that can provide the full range of sales and after-sales services to customers at one location.”

“Such commitment to the business is praiseworthy and reflects the Toyota “Customer First” philosophy where priorities and value­added services are prepared for our customers’ convenience,” he added.

Target Orion Corporation Sdn Bhd can be contacted at  03­-3289 3636 (Sales) or 03­-3289 6636 (Service).

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MINI Malaysia is offering 20 units of the MINI JCW Pro Edition. Exclusive to Malaysia, the MINI JCW Pro Edition is the fastest, loudest and the most powerful variant of the MINI Cooper S 5-Door.

The MINI JCW Pro Edition is tricked out with the MINI JCW Pro Tuning Kit for enhanced performance. Engine output gets up-rated to 211 hp and 300 Nm from 192 hp and 280 Nm thanks to the tuned valve JCW Valve Silencer (with carbon tailpipe trim) to improve responsiveness. The exhaust silencer system comes in two modes – “Sport” for a full sound for daily driving and “Track” for the ultimate adrenaline kick on the race track. The exhaust flap that unleashes the backfire pops and cracking is operated via a Bluetooth 4.0 controller.

Aesthetically, this premium ‘go-kart’ is dressed in the MINI JCW Pro Aerodynamic Kit for added character. The Aerodynamic Kit comes with front splitter, side skirts, rear bumper and rear spoiler and complements the  exclusive 18” MINI JCW Pro Cross-Spoke light alloy wheels in Jet Black shod with run flat tires.

On top is the MINI JCW Pro Roof Décor, a one-of- a-kind red, black and white chequered roof graphics with a matching scheme on the wing mirror caps and side scuttles.

The new MINI JCW Pro Edition is made available exclusively in Midnight Black Metallic and comes with the MINI 4 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service. There are only 20 units of this Pro Edition and it goes for RM 255,888 on the road, without insurance.

The MINI JCW Pro Accessories (excluding installation) are priced at:

MINI JCW Pro Aerodynamic Kit – RM 16,283.43

MINI JCW Pro Tuning Kit with Valve Silencer System – RM 10,000.00

MINI JCW Pro Carbon Tailpipe Trim – RM 3,000.00

MINI JCW 18” Cross-Spoke Light Alloy Wheels in Jet Black – RM 14,858.00

MINI JCW Pro Roof Décor – RM 650.00

MINI JCW Pro Wing Mirror Caps – RM 690.00

MINI JCW Pro Side Scuttles – RM 690.00

The post Limited MINI JCW Pro Edition Exclusive To Malaysia appeared first on Autoworld.com.my.

Yes, 80,000 km = Eighty thousand kilometers; it’s not a typo error. Caltex Delo 400 MGX is the latest premium diesel engine oil just launched by Chevron Malaysia to address the commercial needs for an oil that meets stringent emissions regulations and with the ability to operate efficiently with low or high sulphur diesel fuels.

Delo 400 MGX is designed to be used with fuels with sulphur content from as low as 15 ppm (parts per million) to 5,000 ppm. Utilizing ISOSYN Technology additives, this oil provides excellent soot dispersancy as well as wear protection and sludge control resulting in less engine wear and oil consumption.

Lennard Kwek, Asia Pacific Marketing Manager for Chevron Lubricants said, “The introduction of the Caltex Delo 400 MGX SAE 15W-40 is proof of our commitment and goal to providing customers with ground-breaking products which not only boost performance but reduce operating costs as well, while keeping their diesel equipment operating reliably.”

Asim Khan, Area Business Manager – Asia Pacific from Chevron Lubricants added, “Many customers serving in the heavy equipment industry are facing challenging situations including owning fleets of varying ages operating in both high and ultra-low sulphur environments. The introduction of Caltex Delo 400 MGX addresses this issues, while adhering to the latest American Petroleum Institute (API) specification as well as many American and European Original Equipment Manufacturers’ approvals, including Malaysia. Furthermore, one of the advantages offered to customers is the synthetic-like performance at the cost of mineral products, which significantly reduces the costs of premium lubrication costs.”

Delo 400 MGX is a multi-grade oil targeted at fleet owners and has been extensively tested in real-world usage thus the confidence of Chevron to claim a 80,000 km oil drain interval. The oil meets or exceeds API SM, Volvo VDS-4, Mercedes-Benz 229.31, Caterpillar ECF-3 / ECF-2, etc. requirements. The long oil drain interval helps to reduce running costs and down-time. Chevron gave a real world example of how the use of Delo 400 MGX helped a company reduce its vehicle fleet’s service interval from 12 times a year to 6 times a year resulting in a lowering of parts, oil and labor costs and improving operations efficiency with less vehicle down-time.

As a multi-grade oil that can be used in both diesel and petrol engines, Delo 400 MGX also solves a fleet manager’s problem in managing a mixed fleet of diesel and petrol vehicles, with just one engine oil.

Currently available only in drum-size packaging (and imported from USA), Caltex Delo 400 MGX is available at RM 9.50 per liter. Chevron plans to introduce smaller packaging at a later date.

The post Caltex Delo 400 MGX Has 80,000 KM Drain Interval appeared first on Autoworld.com.my.

If by now you still haven’t had your Honda’s Takata front airbag inflator replaced due to a shortage of replacement parts or the long wait at the Honda dealerships or service centers, you probably have some unkind words to describe the company. Honda Malaysia wants you to know that it understands your plight and sincerely regrets this inconvenience. The company is actively working on solving this issue.

Its plans include :

1. Service Central Hubs

Honda Malaysia will set up 3 temporary Service Central Hubs to further increase its capacity to replace the Takata airbag inflators. These temporary hubs will begin operations from 1st August 2016 to 30th September 2016 and will be open 7 days a week from 8am to 7pm EXCEPT on the following public holidays – National Day, Hari Raya Haji & Malaysia Day.

The hub locations are:

• Northern Hub : Next to S.M.J.K. Convent Dato’ Keramat School – No. 401, Jalan Dato’ Keramat, 10150 Georgetown, Penang.

• Central Hub : Soo & Sons Metal Works Sdn. Bhd. (Next to Columbia Asia Hospital) – Lot 15 Jalan 13/6, Section 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

• Southern Hub : Oriental Assemblers Sdn. Bhd. – No. 99 & 99A-C, Jalan Tampoi, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor.

These Service Central Hubs will be provide additional service capacity for the Takata airbag inflator replacement activity and help ease service capacity limitations at Honda dealerships (the dealerships also have to deal with regular maintenance and repair requirements of other Honda owners).

You can make an appointment with any of the Service Central Hubs convenient to you by calling the Honda Toll-Free number: 1-800-88-2020.

Due to the multiple recalls for both Takata driver and front passenger airbags inflators, it’s possible that your vehicle is recalled for both Takata airbag inflators replacement. In such a situation, Honda Malaysia will prioritize the replacement of the DRIVER front airbag inflator, based on parts availability and due to the low stock availability of Takata passenger front airbag inflator. Honda Malaysia sincerely apologizes for this inconvenience.

If your front passenger airbag is affected by the recall and hasn’t been replaced and you have safety concerns, it is recommended that you keep the front passenger seat unoccupied for the time being.

2. Mobile Hubs

For added convenience, Honda Malaysia will supplement the Service Central Hubs with 24 Mobile Hubs which will be set up at 21 selected Petron service stations and 3 Honda Family Road Trip locations. These Mobile Hubs will open from 5th August 2016 until 25th September 2016 and will be operational every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3 different locations from 8am to 7pm (please refer to schedules below).

In addition, Honda Malaysia has also formed Mobile Teams to support the Service Central Hubs and Mobile Hubs, and to further expedite Takata airbag inflator replacement activity. The hubs and teams will be staffed by trained Honda associates from Honda’s Melaka plant.

These teams will visit used car dealers to check the status of secondhand Honda cars being sold and replace airbag inflators in these cars, if required, before they are sold to new owners. Buyers of secondhand Honda cars are advised to check your vehicle’s status by keying in your vehicle VIN (chassis number) at www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my.

3. Compensation for “Loss of Use of Car” during Waiting Period for Cars Sold by Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Honda Malaysia understands the inconvenience caused by the Takata airbag recalls and that some customers will experience the loss of use of their Honda cars during the parts waiting period for the replacement parts for Takata driver front airbag inflators. You are advised to register themselves with Honda Malaysia at www.productrecall.honda.com.my for compensation of RM50 per day for “loss of use of car”. The compensation period begins on 28th July 2016 and ends on 31st August 2016.

Upon arrival of the replacement parts for Takata driver front airbag inflators, the registered customers with Honda Malaysia will be notified and advised to replace the airbag inflators within 2 days. The process and further details of the compensation plan are available at www.productrecall.honda.com.my.

Honda Malaysia assures that your safety is its highest priority and the company will continue to do the best to ensure parts availability and sufficient service capacity together with its authorized dealers in Malaysia and hopes for your understanding.

If you have concerns and questions related to this recall, you can visit www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my or call the Honda Toll-Free number 1-800-88-2020.

The post Update On Honda Malaysia’s Takata Airbag Recall appeared first on Autoworld.com.my.

The latest car from Lotus, the new Elise Race 250, is a track-oriented one to showcase the engineering and racing heritage. Fit for many race series around the world, this new Elise was built to withstand the high demands of the track.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, commented, “Lotus was established to build race cars and with 68 years’ experience, no one knows more about extracting the best performance possible. The Elise Race 250 is the fastest, most focused Elise we’ve ever produced and, judging by what it‟s capable of on track, it looks set to become a favourite with our racers around the world.”

The Elise Race 250 is equipped with a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder supercharged engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The car gets 243 hp and 250 Nm of torque to help it slash lap times. As a matter of fact, the Elise Race 250 recorded a 1 minute 33.5 seconds lap time at the company’s test track in Hethel. This puts the car squarely 0.5 seconds quicker than the previous Elise Cup 220 R and represents the fastest-recorded lap time for a Lotus-developed race variant of the Elise.

Its speediness is a result of optimization work by the Lotus engineers. This includes the famous Lotus aluminum chassis which incorporates strong and stiff lightweight extrusions joined by epoxy adhesive to gain strength and torsional rigidity while weighing just 68kg.

Specifically developed by Lotus’ famous Motorsport division, the Elise Race 250 shaved off more weight by replacing the standard battery with a Lithium-ion battery, and saving 10kg. More weight reduction came from carbon fibre race seats (6kg lighter than equivalent composite seats) and ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels.

There is an extreme diet option to cut weight further by choosing the Carbon Aero Pack which replaces the standard front splitter, rear wing, rear diffuser and side floor-extensions with lightweight carbon components and reduces mass by a further 10kg. With these lightweight options, the Elise Race 250 weighs less than 900 kg. As any racer knows, every gram and every millisecond counts.

Other standard track-oriented features of the car include Nitron one-way adjustable dampers, Eibach coaxial coil springs and double wishbone suspension, AP Racing twin-piston front calipers, Brembo single-piston rear calipers, ABS, uprated brake pads, ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels (16″ front, 17″ rear), Yokohama AO48 tires, adjustable front anti-roll bar, FIA-approved carbon fibre race seat with six-point racing harness, A-frame harness bar, FIA-compliant front roll cage, removable steering wheel, polycarbonate rear windscreen, fire extinguisher, battery isolator and front and rear towing eyes. And yes, those are fake headlamps made from a lightweight composite.

The aero package which consists of a front splitter, rear diffuser, floor extensions and a rear wing is designed to generate substantial downforce equal to 66kg at 100mph (161km/h) and 155kg at maximum speed of 154mph (248km/h).

The Elise Race 250 sells for £ 53,500 (inclusive of 20% VAT; £ 44,583 if without) and $ 76,200 in the US (excluding local taxes).

This race care marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lotus factory in Hethel, Norfolk. The purpose-built factory is home to the famous test track on which many of its famous Grand Prix racers ran, and remains today a continuation of founder Colin Chapman’s, legacy to motorsports.

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Amidst a high attrition rate, dashed hopes and disappointments, Northern Ireland’s Kris Meeke won the Neste Rally Finland last Sunday afternoon with a record-breaking drive that set a new record for the fastest FIA World Rally Championship round in history.

Rally Finland, to rally enthusiasts is perhaps better known as the 1000 Lakes Rally, and traditionally has been on the map as a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC). Starting and ending from Jyvaskyla in the Finnish Lakeland in Central Finland, the rally run on smooth and wide gravel. It features many blind crests and long jumps, and it is the dream of many rally drivers, having been dubbed as the “Grand Prix of Rallying”. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators each year. Rally Finland has proven to be difficult for non-Nordic drivers, and since it began in 1951, only five drivers from countries other than Finland or Sweden have ever won it.

Rally Finland is now among the most popular and prestigious rallies in the championship and this year it is the eighth round of the WRC.

Kris Meeke, in a Citroen DS3 won Rally Finland with a 29.1sec victory over Jari-Matti Latvala in a Volkswagen Polo, shattering the Finn’s hopes of a third consecutive success on home ground and established a new speed record while doing so. Meeke’s 126.60kph average speed was 1.2 kph faster than Latvala’s record performance on the same rally 12 months ago.

Thirty-seven-year-old Meeke is the first British driver to win the Finnish classic and only the sixth non-Nordic victor in its 65-year history. He led for almost every kilometre of the four-day gravel encounter in his Team Abu Dhabi Citroën DS 3.

After establishing a solid lead on Friday, Meeke stamped his authority with a stunning display in the legendary Ouninpohja stage on Saturday morning. He distanced Latvala by more than 13sec in the rollercoaster 33km special stage and thereafter could afford to just pace his rival until the finish.

“It’s a little bit crazy!” said Meeke. “Finland is the home of rallying and Ouninpohja is the Holy Grail of stages and to win both the rally and that stage in the way we did is incredible. I enjoyed it like a little kid, just playing and having fun. It has been exceptional.”

Latvala was demoralised by Meeke’s Ouninpohja performance and settled for second to climb to third in the championship. His only error came on the first day when he punctured a tyre after swiping a bank with his Volkswagen Polo R.

Breen, a former WRC junior champion, netted a podium in only his fourth event in a headline World Rally Car. The 26-year-old could not hold back the tears as he crossed the finish of the final stage. “It’s the best day of my life,” he said.

Thierry Neuville held off Hyundai i20 team-mate Hayden Paddon to take fourth by 2.3sec, both drivers unhappy with their car’s handling throughout the rally. Mads Ostberg completed the top six in a Ford Fiesta RS.

Andreas Mikkelsen finished seventh in a Polo R, the Norwegian haemorrhaging time yesterday as he opened the roads in slippery conditions and conceding more seconds after going off the road. WRC 2 winner Esapekka Lappi was eighth with Kevin Abbring and Teemu Suninen completing the top 10.

Ott Tanak’s hopes of grabbing third from Breen ended when he crashed into a ditch on Sunday morning. Sebastien Ogier retained the championship lead despite failing to score after sliding into a ditch.

The championship switches to asphalt next month when ADAC Rallye Deutschland is based in Trier on18 – 21 August.

The post Briton Wins Rally Finland appeared first on Autoworld.com.my.

Petaling Jaya, 1 August 2016 – Here’s a bit of exciting news for Honda fans – Honda Malaysia has just announced that the new 2016 Honda Accord is now open for booking, starting 1 August 2016 onwards at all 88 Honda authorised dealers nationwide. Deliveries are expected to begin after its official launch, scheduled for the third quarter of 2016. Now is the time to quickly get in touch with your favourite Honda dealer and put your name down for one, because like all new Honda cars, the new Accord is likely to end up with a long waiting list.

The ever popular Honda Accord has been a favourite since the first model was launched in 1976. The Accord has grown quite a bit since then, and is a full sized ‘D’ segment car with dimensions bordering on the next higher up ‘E’ class.

Introduced in Malaysia in 2001, the Accord is Honda Malaysia’s flagship model with a cumulative sales figure exceeding 75,000 units as at 30th July 2016. The 9^th Generation Accord which was launched at the end of 2013 accounts for more than 23,000 units on Malaysian roads. The multi-award winning Accord has also won 10 honours in various Car of the Year awards from 2003 to 2015 in Malaysia – a testament of its popularity among Malaysians.

The New Accord will be available in three variants, namely the 2.0 VTi, 2.0 VTi-L and 2.4 VTi-L.

A brand new colour – Obsidian Blue Pearl will be introduced in the New Accord. Other new colours that will be introduced to the New Accord line-up are White Orchid Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic. The New Accord will also be available in Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl.

The New Accord is a face-lifted model, with new front and rear bumpers. From the front, the New Accord is sleek forward with solid wing face design, with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and a new front headlight design. The rear also gets LED combination lamps, while the wheels are treated to a new alloy rim designs.

Honda Malaysia believes that the New Accord will attract many Malaysian consumers, be it existing or potential owners who are planning to upgrade their lifestyle and driving.

The New Accord will be on a road tour from 12 August 2016 to 4 September 2016. Updates on locations of the road tour are available on www.honda.com.my.

Get a closer look at the New Accord at:

Klang Valley –

12 August 2016

* Kuala Selangor, Selangor

13 August 2016

* Klang

14 August 2016

* Petaling Jaya, Selangor

* Putrajaya

East Coast

19 August 2016

* Kota Bharu, Kelantan

20 August 2016

* Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

21 August 2016

* Kuantan, Pahang

Northern

26 August 2016

* George Town, Penang

27 August 2016

* George Town, Penang

28 August 2016

* George Town, Penang

* Ipoh, Perak

Southern

2 September 2016

* Johor Bahru Town, Johor

3 September 2016

* Muar, Johor

4 September 2016

* Melaka Town, Melaka

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Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) has announced recalls for Nissan vehicles distributed by ETCM in Malaysia pursuant to the recent announcement by Nissan Motor Co. Ltd on the same matter.

ETCM and Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Centre (TCEAS) will notify Nissan owners and replace the parts affected by this recall exercise.

a) TAKATA AIRBAGS INFLATOR

After investigation, approximately 110,945 units of Nissan vehicles are involved in the Takata Airbags Inflator including previous Takata recall campaign. The affected vehicles are:

This recall exercise related to Takata airbags DOES NOT affect the Nissan Teana (L33) , new Nissan X-Trail (T32) and the new Nissan NP300 Navara which were launched in June 2014, January 2015 and November 2015 respectively, as well as all other current selling Nissan models.

b) BACK DOOR STAY

ETCM and TCEAS have also been notified by Nissan Motor Co. Ltd regarding the Back Door Stay field action with approximately 22,173 units of Nissan vehicles affected in Malaysia.

The paint coating applied to the back door stay (an example shown on the right) does not comply with design requirements for anti-rust treatment. As a result, the cylinder tube of the door stay may gradually corrode causing the gas in the cylinder to leak out. Over an extended period of time, the back door stay may weaken thus disabling the hold-up function of the back door. Replacement of the defective back door stay will be conducted once improved parts are available in September 2016.

The vehicles affected by this replacement exercise are:

All Nissan customers of the affected Nissan vehicles will be notified directly and by letter through TCEAS. If you have received this letter, you are advised to call the nearest TCEAS outlet for an appointment.

You can also call the Nissan Customer Care Centre Toll-Free line: 1800-88-3838 for further clarification or visit www.nissan.com.my (click on ‘Owners’ tab followed by ‘Recall Campaign’) to find out if your Nissan vehicle is involved in this recall campaign.

All labour and replacement parts for these service campaigns will be at no cost to owners. ETCM reassures that customers’ confidence and peace-of-mind is of utmost importance to the company, and deeply regrets any inconvenience caused. ETCM and Nissan also reaffirm that they are committed to ensure customers’ safety, service and satisfaction are of the highest level, and are working together to promptly address this concern.

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Kuala Lumpur, 02 August, 2016 – The Porsche 718 Boxster, officially launched today by Sime Darby Auto performance (SDAP), the official importer of Porsche in Malaysia, is set to be a really popular model for aspiring Porsche buyers – and more so when they launch the Cayman version.

For the uninitiated, the Boxster is the convertible version with an electrically retractable roof, while the Cayman is the hard top version. Both the new 718 Boxster and soon-to-come Cayman share the same platform and mechanicals.

What is more attractive is that the new 718 series will have down-sized engines, which makes them practical in terms of road tax in the first place, and another piece of good news is that despite the down-sizing, the new power trains are supplemented with turbo-charging, making them more powerful than their predecessors.

Two decades after the first Boxster made its debut, Porsche is restructuring its mid-engine roadsters. The new models are named 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S, paying tribute to the 718 race car, the iconic legend that was born in 1953 and took the 1960s by storm by claiming over 1,000 racing victories across the globe from Sebring to Targa Florio to Le Mans.

“The new 718 Boxster models offer a significant leap in power and performance compared to the previous generation. It is a mid-engine sports car that combines the sporting spirit of the legendary 718 race car with that of the sports car of tomorrow,” said Arnt Bayer, Chief Executive Officer of SDAP at the launch.

The centrepiece of the new model series is the newly developed four-cylinder flat engine with turbocharging. With a 2.0-litre engine, the 718 Boxster develops 300 horsepower, while the 718 Boxster S employs a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, generating 350 horsepower from 2.5 litres of displacement. In the S-model, Porsche also uses a turbocharger with Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG). In fact, Porsche is now the only manufacturer to offer VTG technology in production cars with petrol-driven engines, both in the 911 Turbo and in the 718 Boxster S. Impressive here is the considerable power gain of 26 kW (35 hp) compared to the previous Boxster models and the greater efficiency of the new turbo engines. The new 718 Boxster models have fuel economy improvements of up to 13 per cent.

The rear of the new models, meanwhile, is a strong expression of the superlative sporty performance that they are capable of. The cleanly-defined lines and two slim taillights that are connected by a solid accent trim are all designed to add width and prowess to the sleek overall silhouette of the new 718 Boxster models. A quintessential Boxster characteristic, the fabric roof, can be opened and closed in just 9 seconds up to a speed of 50 km/h. In addition, the latest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) is included as standard. The navigation module is available as an option.Efficient turbo power from four cylinders 
The launch of the new 718 Boxster generation represents the first time that Porsche is implementing sports cars with four-cylinder flat engines since the end of the 1960s. Turbocharging significantly boosts torque. The two-litre engine of the 718 Boxster has a maximum torque of 380 Newton metres (that is 100 Newton metres more), which is available from 1,950 rpm to 4,500 rpm. The 2.5-litre engine of the 718 Boxster S even attains 420 Newton metres (60 Newton metres more) over a speed range from 1,900 rpm to 4,500 rpm.

Thus, the new 718 Boxster models sprint even faster. The 718 Boxster with PDK and the Sport Chrono Package can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds (0.8 seconds faster). The 718 Boxster S with the same equipment completes this discipline in 4.2 seconds (0.6 seconds faster). The top speed of the 718 Boxster is 275 km/h, and the 718 Boxster S has a top speed of 285 km/h.

The Porsche turbo concept is boosting driving performance while improving fuel economy. In the 718 Boxster, the four-cylinder flat engine with PDK has a NEDC fuel consumption figure of 6.9 l/100 km (1.0 l/100 km less). In the 718 Boxster S, the 2.5-litre turbo flat engine with PDK consumes just 7.3 l/100 km (0.9 l/100 km less). In Malaysia, the 718 Boxster models are equipped with seven-speed PDK as standard.

New design emphasizes a sharpened profile 
The 718 model line can be recognised at first glance. The front end of the new roadster exhibits a more sculptured form. The front has a wider and more masculine appearance. The much larger cooling air intakes at the front are a distinct exterior expression of the new turbo engine concept. The front end of the 718 Boxster is rounded out by the new design of the bi-xenon headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), and is integrated with the LED day-time running lights. The LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights are available as a new option.

From the side view, identifying features of the new model line include new, independently styled wings and side sills. Larger air inlet panels with two fins emphasize the car’s dynamic look. The doors are now designed without door handle recess covers. New 19-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Boxster S. 20-inch diameter wheels are available as an option.

The redesigned rear body of the 718 Boxster has a much wider look – especially due to the accent strip with integrated Porsche badge between the tail lights. The entirely redeveloped tail lights are distinguished by their three-dimensional LED technology and four-point brake lights.

Sportier tuning of chassis for greater agility 
In its driving dynamics, the new roadster follows in the tracks of the original 718. The car’s completely retuned chassis enhances cornering performance. The electromechanical steering system is configured to be ten per cent more direct. This makes the 718 Boxster even more agile and easier to steer, both on circuit tracks and in everyday traffic.

Minus ten and minus 20: Porsche Active Suspension Management 
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with a ten millimetre lower ride height comes in standard for both 718 Boxster models. For the first time, the PASM sport chassis with a 20 millimetres lower ride height is available as an option for the 718 Boxster S. The active chassis, which has also been retuned, offers an even broader spread between long-distance touring comfort and dynamic sporty stiffness.

Extensive Sport Chrono Package for dynamic driving experience 
The optional Sport Chrono Package now comprises the Individual programme in addition to the three settings Normal, Sport and Sport Plus. In sports cars with PDK, the Sport Response Button has been added, which is located in the middle of the driving programme switch. Inspired by the racing car, it enables the driver to configure the responsiveness of the engine and the PDK to be very direct.

The interior has new Porsche Communication Management as standard 
Awaiting the driver in the cockpit of the 718 Boxster is the familiar Porsche interior environment, now upgraded with new elements such as the instrument panel. Another central element of the new interior layout is the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) unit with mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and the Sound Package Plus with 110 watts of audio power. The PCM can be extended with optional modules to thoroughly adapt it to personal requirements. For instance, a navigation module with voice control is available, which makes it easy to input driving destinations. In addition, the Connect Plus module is available as an extension of the navigation module; it provides extended online services.

The retail base price for the 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S starts from RM 480,000.00 and RM 620,000.00. All prices stated come with a four-year warranty and free maintenance package. The price stated includes all applicable duties excluding registration fee, road tax and insurance.

718 Boxster: combined fuel consumption 7.4 – 6.9 l/100 km, urban 9.9 – 9.0 l/100 km, extra-urban 6.0 – 5.7 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 168 – 158 g/km; efficiency class (Germany): E-D. 

718 Boxster S: combined fuel consumption 8.1 – 7.3 l/100 km, urban 10.7 – 9.5 l/100 km, extra-urban 6.5 – 6.0 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 184 – 167 g/km; efficiency class (Germany): F-E. 

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The Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2016 will be held this Sunday, 7 August and in preparation for this, roads in Kuala Lumpur will be closed in stages from as early as Friday, 5 August. You can refer to the map and list of the road closure locations below for the closure times.

If you do need to use the roads affected then plan it accordingly.

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Future-oriented mobility extends beyond high performance vehicles. Mobility in the future also evinces exemplary efficiency and new energy sources. Picture a state-of-the-art electric motor and a TwinPower Turbo engine working in perfect harmony to meet an infinite spectrum of driving needs. This is the new BMW 330e – a testament to future oriented dynamic driving with raw power and cutting-edge engineering.

In anticipation of the arrival of the new BMW 330e, BMW Group Malaysia drives the #ElectricDrivingPleasure campaign further, highlighting Malaysians changing lives through innovation, ideas, and solutions.

Personifying the spirit of the campaign this round is Yasmin Rasyid – marine biologist by profession, environmentalist by passion. Yasmin is the founder of EcoKnights – a non-profit organisation devoted to catalysing communities with values that are aligned with sustainability. From community workshops to Project H 2 O, EcoKnights is a true advocate for the environmental cause.

Her story is told by Paul Gan Yew Hoe, finalist of the BMW Shorties competition in 2013 for his film ‘The Boy Who Rocked the World’.

Below is the second short film from the #ElectricDrivingPleasure campaign:

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Bugatti, the maker of super luxurious, super sports cars has reopened its London showroom that has been redone in the new Bugatti brand design. Located in posh Mayfair and operated by Bugatti’s long-term partner, H.R. Owen Bugatti, this is the first dedicated Bugatti showroom in the United Kingdom and the only place in the UK to view and order the Bugatti Chiron.

H.R. Owen is an established group which deals with premium luxury vehicles and related businesses.
The Bugatti showroom on Bruton Street in Mayfair is adjacent to H.R. Owen’s famous Bentley dealership – Jack Barclay and other dealerships of the company.

Dr Stefan Brungs, Member of the Board of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. for Sales, Marketing and Customer Service said, “London is one of the most important locations for Bugatti worldwide. Many of our current customers love this city and have a residence here. The launch of H.R. Owen Bugatti means that we are now able to serve our exclusive clientele in a perfect setting. With the expert and experienced team at H.R. Owen, we know that customers in London and from the rest of the UK will be wonderfully looked after right from the very start of their ownership experience.”

H.R. Owen Bugatti has always been one of the top performers in the super sports car manufacturer’s dealer network. There are currently about 65 Bugatti Veyrons in the UK and thus far about 15 orders for the Chiron have been received.

Anita Krizsan, H.R. Owen Bugatti Brand Director said, “The Chiron is the greatest car in the world, and it is only right that it has a showroom that reflects that. We aim to deliver the most exclusive, most luxurious and most bespoke service of any car dealership in the world. At H.R. Owen we are proud to have been chosen to be the only Bugatti dealership in the UK, and the first standalone showroom in the history of the brand in the country. This is truly a reflection of our standing as the premiere luxury car dealer group in the UK.”

The new showroom features Bugatti’s latest branding, with the legendary Bugatti blue playing a prominent part in the modern and clean styling. It is designed to be the perfect environment to view the new Bugatti and discuss personalisation options with the factory-trained team. It allows customers a private and secluded buying experience, out of view from the outside world.

H.R. Owen Bugatti is furnished with items from the recently-launched Bugatti Home Collection. The specially designed armchairs are made using the finest leather and blue carbon fibre, the same high-spec materials that feature in Bugatti’s cars. As well as the present and future, the showroom will also reflect Bugatti’s history and heritage, with a selection of art installations and sculptures that celebrate the brand beyond the cars. H.R. Owen Bugatti is more than just a car showroom, and is designed to convey a shared passion for the Bugatti brand and everything it stands for.

The H.R. Owen Bugatti in Bruton Street, London is open on weekdays from 9am – 6pm. Viewing on weekends is by appointment only. They can be contacted at +44 (0) 207-907- 8740.

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Subang Jaya, 4 August 2016 – The Toyota Alphard and Vellfire are popular MPVs with Malaysian consumers but the ones you see on the road are mainly reconditioned units from grey market importers. UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), the sole authorised importer and distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, did bring in the previous generation Alphard but stocks were limited. Today, UMWT launched the two popular premium MPVs – the All-new Toyota Alphard and All-new Toyota Vellfire.

The Alphard is the third generation model while the Vellfire is the second generation and is the first time this model is officially sold here. In Toyota’s line-up, the Vellfire sits below the Alphard, which is a more premium vehicle. Since both the models are brought in by the official distributor, Toyota have tuned them for Malaysian driving conditions and fuel quality, which are very different from their country of origin. They are also equipped with infotainment and navigation systems suited for Malaysia so you don’t have to learn Japanese to use one.

At the launch, Mr. Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor commented, “Driving conditions in Malaysia can be quite demanding. The weather conditions are usually hot and most vehicles especially MPVs often travel long distances at high speed. These situations may affect the operating temperatures of the engine and programming of the ECU (Engine Control Unit) is usually adjusted to keep the engine cool.

“Vehicles intended for other countries are being tuned specially for the country and they may not operate optimally in Malaysian conditions. Therefore, in order for customers to have complete peace of mind and satisfaction when driving their Toyota vehicle, I strongly recommend that they purchase the vehicles from UMWT outlet or any authorized Toyota dealers in Malaysia,” he added.

Datuk Ismet Suki, President of UMW Toyota Motor chipped in, “UMW Toyota Motor has been selling the previous generation Alphard in Malaysia. However, we did not promote it extensively as the available stocks are limited and were often taken up quickly. From this encouraging demand, it became clear that the time is right for us to give more attention to marketing the premium MPVs.”

Customers who buy from UMWT will enjoy a vehicle that is optimally tuned for local climate and driving conditions as well as a full 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage and extensive after-sales service coverage with Toyota-trained technicians. In addition, there is also a 10-year guarantee of the availability of Toyota Genuine Parts after the model is out of production so there is peace-of-mind if you plan to keep the vehicle for a long time.

“For every model we sell, we are committed to provide our customers with all the necessary support to ensure that their ownership experience is enjoyable. Therefore, we invested in the necessary equipment to service and repair the models and our technicians received specific training so that they know the vehicles inside out,” Datuk Ismet explained.

The Toyota Alphard and Vellfire might appear similar but they are differentiated by market segmentation and design theme – the Alphard’s theme is ‘Bravely Magnificent’ while the Vellfire is ‘Bold and Fearless’. The Alphard is a premium executive MPV and is fitted with a 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) engine and other advanced technologies for high fuel efficiency and low emissions. Maximum output of 180kW/271PS of power and 340Nm of torque is sent to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual mode.

An ECO mode switch is available to improve fuel economy. There are two variants of the Alphard – the Alphard 3.5 Executive Lounge and Alphard 3.5 and four colours to choose from – White Pearl with Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black and the Alphard-exclusive Luxury White Pearl with Crystal Shine and Glass Flakes. The Alphard 3.5 Executive Lounge is priced at RM519,900 on the road (with insurance) in Peninsular Malaysia while the Alphard 3.5 is at RM419,900.

On the other hand, the Vellfire is powered by a 2.5-litre 2AR-FE 4-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i that produces 132kW/180PS and 235Nm. This engine is mated to a 7-speed CVT (continuously-variable transmission) that is tuned for efficiency, quietness and MPV loads. Colour-wise the Vellfire gets the Alphard’s three colours and the Vellfire-only Burning Black with Crystal Shine and Glass Flakes. The Vellfire costs RM355,000 for personal ownership in Peninsular Malaysia.

Both the 7-seater Alphard and Vellfire come with Active and Passive safety systems such as 7 SRS airbags, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control. The Electric Parking Brake is also a first for these models.

The Alphard 3.5 Executive Lounge, being the more premium model gets wider second row VIP seats with ottoman and stowable table as well as a 9-inch roof-mounted screen with Blu-Ray player. There is also a voice recognition system on the steering for hands-free operation of some features. The other variants get captain seats with ottoman, side table, a walk-through cabin and a 10.2-inch roof-mounted entertainment system. All variants get twin moonroofs, ceiling illumination, 3-zone climate control with nanoe air purification.

The all-new Toyota Alphard and Vellfire will be available at selected Toyota showrooms nationwide from 19 August onwards.

Toyota Alphard (Executive Lounge variant shown)

Toyota Vellfire

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Beginning 6 August, PROTON Holdings Berhad will expand the 7-day operations of selected 3S and 2S service centres as part of its “Customers First” campaign, to improve its after-sales services.

The 7-day operations is to provide convenience and timing flexibility to Proton owners as well as to reduce waiting time for vehicle servicing and maintenance. Previously, selected service outlets operated until 12pm on Sundays but now have their working hours extended to 5pm. The processing of warranty claims can also now be done on weekends.

9 service centres will start with the 7 full-day services inclusive of repairs and warranty claims:

From 1 October 2016, another 14 service centres will join in, followed by 4 more service centres starting 1 December 2016.

The business hours of these outles will be 8 am – 5 pm, Mondays to Sundays but in order to ensure availability of service slots, Proton owners are advised to make an appointment. They will also handle walk-in customers but the wait may be longer in order to first serve those who have made appointments.

In addition to revising the service centre operating hours, Proton has also revised prices of selected parts downwards effective 1 August. The price reduction of parts such as turbocharger, ECU and transmission assemblies by between 12% – 30%  is to encourage Proton owners to use genuine parts, installed at authorised service centres.

More information on this can be found at www.proton.com or by contacting PROTON Customer Care at 1-800-888-398 or emailing customercare@proton.com.

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Fans of Formula One and car nuts can still catch the life-size model of the bright yellow 2016 Renault R.S. 16 Formula One car on display at selected Renault showrooms and roadshow locations from now until 28 August 2016.

In conjunction with this showcase, TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the franchise holder of Renault cars in Malaysia, is also organising weekend activities for the public, including test drives of the full range of Renault cars such as the Captur urban crossover, the Fluence sedan and sporty Clio GT Line hatchback.

Those who complete a test drive will receive instant gifts as well as stand to be one of 10 lucky monthly winners to take home an exclusive Renault Sport Vehicle Scale Model. Other activities during the weekends include colouring and Lego activities for kids.

The ‘Renault – Motorsports Is in Our DNA’ promotion campaign will end 31 August 2016. This campaign boasts attractive deals on selected Renault vehicles as well as the chance to win exclusive Renault Sport Formula One™ Team prizes including Grandstand passes and a Renault Garage Visit at the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix.

The activities schedule is listed below:

For more information about Renault, visit www.renault.com.my or www.facebook.com/RenaultMalaysia.

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The 3 Generation 3 truck tyres recently launched by Continental Tyre Malaysia (CTM) – the Conti Hybrid HS3, Conti Hybrid HT3 and ContiUrban HA3 offer 3 great benefits to commercial vehicle owners.

According to Mr Cameron Wilson, Managing Director of Continental Tyre Malaysia, this new generation of heavy-duty commercial tyres are individually designed and developed to suit different axles and the road conditions in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia. As such, these Generation 3 tyres offer (1) improved mileage performance, (2) fuel efficiency and (3) retreadability.

The Generation 3 tyres are manufactured at the modern Continental Tyre facility in Petaling Jaya using compounds developed for use on Asian roads. As mentioned, these tyres are designed for specific purposes and loads on specific axles of a heavy duty vehicle so unlike passenger car tyres which can be interchanged between front and rear axles, these cannot and should not, unless otherwise specified.

Conti Hybrid HS3 – This tyre is made for use by container hauliers, auto carriers, hazmat tankers, general and  as well as for refrigerated goods carriers on regional roads and major motorways. This steer axle tyre has an improved casing and greater steel cord strength for better sidewall robustness and retreadability. The new and straight outer grooves also provide precise steering feedback while the stone ejection feature and heat endurance is improved over the previous generation tyre.

The new Conti Hybrid HS3 22.5 showed an impressive increase of 20% in mileage performance (lasting a longer distance) and improved fuel economy of up to 6%. Wet performance also remained consistent over the life of the tyre due to improved sipe depth thus making this tyre cost-effective and safe.

Conti Hybrid HT3 – This tyre is designed for the trailer axle and is suitable for the same application and vehicles as the Conti Hybrid HS3. It features an improved tread pattern for optimum, even wear, 25% more steel in the carcass and superior heat endurance and durability thanks to new belt technology and cord construction. The high value casing of this tyre also offers premium retreadability and multiple tyre lives.

Conti Urban HA3 – The tyre is designed especially for buses in an urban environment to tackle narrow streets, curbs and stop-go traffic. The new urban tread compound and greater tread width allows this tyre to give up to 20% more mileage and 2% better fuel consumption over its predecessor. Additionally, the wider tread ribs, high-density interlocking sipes, increased cut resistance and enhanced wet braking performance, give bus drivers better cornering stability in different weather conditions while offering passengers a smoother and safer ride. These tyres are optimised for urban use and sustained highway speeds could cause premature wear.

These 3 new tyres are available in the popular sizes of their respective segments.

At the launch of Continental’s Generation 3 tyres, CTM also introduced the HDR2+ tyre which is designed for regional and long-distance applications catering to the goods segment. Its advanced tread design and specialized wear resistant compound, gives this drive axle tyre 25% more mileage compared to the previous HDR1 and maintaining performance in the wet over the tyre life.

Further, the Generation 3 tyres are also included in Continental’s C3 Conti Casing Warranty which is the company’s confidence and assurance of the quality of its tyres. Essentially, the company provides warranty for 3 ‘lives’ of the tyre (from brand new through 2 retreads), which can span up to 6 years. The tyre retreading can be done at a dedicated section by trained personnel in Continental’s Petaling Jaya plant or authorized Continental retread partners.

These tyres are available at CTM dealerships nationwide i.e. BestDrive, Continental, Dunlop Klinikar, Viking Stores and also via direct sales to fleets.

At the recent launch, Continental also previewed the Conti Pressure Check tyre pressure monitoring system. This tyre pressure and temperature sensor system was recently launched in Bangkok and is expected to launch in Malaysia soon. This system can be paired to a subscription-based 3rd party service to monitor and track your vehicle fleet in real time via web browser, smartphone or tablet, to improve efficiency and reduce operating cost.

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