Some of us are a superstitious bunch. Whether you are a non-believer or a hardcore believer, there are some belief’s that we hold on to. Perhaps it is something that has been passed down through the generations.
Or perhaps it is because Malaysia is a wonderful melting pot of cultures and traditions which, over hundreds of years, have resulted in our believes being passed on from one culture to another.
I am not sure about you, but I still turn my rear-view mirror the other way if I am driving down a dark road all by myself at night. But that is partly due to the iconic Malay horror movie – “jangan pandang belakang (don’t look back).
And then there is the occasional night drives on Karak highway where I still tend to look out for that rare yellow beetle. But that is folklore, I know. (more…)
The 2025 Mini Cooper JCW E has been revealed through a leak by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ahead of its anticipated debut later this year. This all-electric performance hatchback, previewed by the John Cooper Works E prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, promises significant upgrades in both design and performance.
The JCW E sports a bold and aggressive design, highlighted by a large blacked-out grille that mimics a massive air intake, though a closer inspection reveals a more functional two-bar horizontal opening in the lower bumper. Vertical intakes along the sides are thought to vent the front wheel arches, contributing to both aerodynamics and cooling. To improve stability at high speeds, the car features new side skirts and specially designed 18-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels.
Nissan might be preparing to give its iconic Z sports car an off-road twist, with a recent trademark filing for the “Z Warrior” nameplate in Australia. This suggests a rugged, off-road-focused version of the Nissan Z could be on the horizon, potentially following the path of high-end off-road sports cars like the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato.
Nissan Safari Rally Z
The concept of an off-road Z isn’t entirely new. Last year, Nissan hinted at this possibility with the Safari Rally Z Tribute, a custom build inspired by the Datsun 240Z’s victory in the 1971 East African Safari Rally. Built by Tommy Pike Customs, the Safari Rally Z featured a two-inch lift, 17-inch prototype Nismo Safari wheels, and Yokohama Geolander off-road tyres, along with extra lighting and rugged exterior modifications. Its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 was tuned to deliver over 400hp.
For decades, Volvo had led the way when it comes to technology related to passenger and vehicular safety. The company took safety so seriously that it released the patent for the seat belt which its engineer invented back in 1959, an act that ultimately saved countless lives all over the world.
Volvo is as iconic as some of the most well-known brands, and it does it all in a typical Scandinavian way – understated and un-obnoxious. Those who drove a Volvo rarely drive anything else. And even if they do, they often return to Volvo at one point or another. (more…)
Hyundai Motorsport is stepping into the world of endurance racing, which may not sound like a big deal except that it is doing it with its luxury Genesis brand along for the ride.
The company has hinted that it is not happy be a mere also-ran, it is aiming for overall victories with an LMDh prototype, a car capable of competing in the top-tier GTP class of IMSA or the WEC Hypercar category. This move will also put Genesis in direct competition with some of the most legendary teams in motorsport history—think Porsche, Cadillac, and others.
Though Hyundai hasn’t officially confirmed whether it will race in IMSA, WEC, or both, this represents a major leap for the Genesis brand. Competing in some of the world’s toughest and most prestigious races could significantly elevate Genesis’ reputation as a premium performance marque. If the Genesis name finds itself racing alongside heavyweights like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Cadillac, and BMW, it will earn serious credibility among motorsport fans—a key goal for Hyundai.
“Genesis is proud to announce its ambitious entry into the world of endurance racing through the LMDh program,” Hyundai Motorsport and Genesis stated, as reported by the FIA. “Genesis is actively exploring programs to enhance its high-performance image, and after thoroughly evaluating several options, we determined that LMDh is the most strategic direction for us at this time.”
The LMDh class features the highest-performing prototypes, which compete for overall wins rather than just class victories. This means Genesis will need to develop a bespoke hybrid hypercar from the ground up, not just modify an existing platform.
While other racing categories allow manufacturers to race souped-up versions of their road cars, LMDh requires completely unique vehicles. The car’s chassis must come from one of four approved suppliers—Dallara, Multimatic, Ligier, or Oreca—and it must use a hybrid powertrain that produces 500 kW (671 horsepower), while weighing no less than 1030kg.
Hyundai and Genesis haven’t disclosed an official timeline for their LMDh debut, making a 2025 entry seem unlikely. However, whenever they do hit the track, it will be thrilling to watch Genesis go head-to-head with some of the most storied manufacturers in racing history. Hyundai has certainly come a long way!
