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XPENG, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is making a bold move into the future of transportation, committing 3 billion yuan to the development of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This ambitious investment underscores the company’s vision to transform the transport sector, with CEO He Xiaopeng forecasting that flying cars could soon eclipse traditional electric vehicles in market importance.

Speaking at the China EV100 forum in Beijing, He Xiaopeng emphasised the enormous potential of the flying car industry. While low-altitude aircraft currently represent only a small fraction—3 to 5 percent—of global automotive sales, they already account for 20 percent of sales revenue. He predicts that in the next two decades, the global flying car market could balloon to US$2 trillion, twice the size of the land vehicle market. This projection signals the company’s long-term commitment to the aerial mobility space, positioning itself as a leader in this emerging sector.

XPENG is taking concrete steps to turn this vision into reality. The company is constructing a new factory in its home city of Guangzhou, with plans to ramp up production of eVTOL aircraft. By 2026, the facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of 10,000 aircraft, marking a significant milestone in XPENG’s diversification beyond traditional EVs.

The company’s focus on flying cars comes as part of a broader strategy to navigate the increasingly competitive EV market in China. With EV sales in the country having surged to 11 million units in 2024, Xpeng, like many other manufacturers, is seeking new avenues for growth as the growth rate for new EV sales slows. Analysts predict that the rate of EV sales growth will slow to around 15 to 20 percent in 2025, compelling companies to look beyond electric vehicles to sustain their growth.

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Porsche Malaysia, represented by Sime Darby Auto Performance, has announced the availability of the latest generation of the 911 sports car in Malaysia. The Porsche 911 Carrera and the Carrera 4 GTS can now be ordered, with prices starting from RM1,430,000.

Innovative Performance Hybrid for the 911 Carrera 4 GTS

The new 911 Carrera 4 GTS becomes the first street-legal 911 to feature a lightweight performance hybrid powertrain. The newly developed 3.6-litre system significantly enhances driving performance, allowing the model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds and achieve a top speed of 312 km/h. Meanwhile, the 911 Carrera retains its 3.0-litre twin-turbo boxer engine, now upgraded for greater power and efficiency.

Porsche engineers drew inspiration from motorsport to develop the T-Hybrid system for the Carrera 4 GTS. A newly designed electric exhaust gas turbocharger, equipped with an integrated electric motor, instantly boosts the turbocharger’s speed, ensuring immediate power delivery. The turbocharger also functions as a generator, generating up to 15PS of electric power from exhaust gases. Unlike previous models, which relied on two turbochargers, this new system operates efficiently with just one, providing a more dynamic and responsive experience.

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Honda has taken another step toward reviving the iconic Prelude, unveiling its near-production interior for the first time. First introduced as a surprise concept at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, the Prelude captivated enthusiasts with its sleek coupe silhouette. While its cabin remained hidden behind blacked-out windows back then, Honda has now revealed a closer look at what buyers can expect.

The Prelude’s cockpit carries a sense of familiarity, borrowing heavily from the Civic’s design. However, it lacks the latter’s signature continuous vent layout. In many ways, the dashboard bears a closer resemblance to the Acura Integra, another model that shares its mechanical underpinnings. Unlike the Integra and Civic, which use conventional automatic gear levers, the Prelude adopts a button-based gear selector. Notably, Honda has confirmed that a manual transmission will not be offered.

One of the Prelude’s standout features is its S+ mode, which enhances the simulated shifting characteristics of its eight-speed transmission. This system allows drivers to engage paddle shifters, delivering an experience similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s artificial gearbox, though in this case, there’s a real internal combustion engine at work. Honda explains that the “S+ Shift” mode optimises engine RPM control during acceleration and deceleration, resulting in a sharper and more responsive drive. The driving experience is further enhanced by artificial engine sounds, which are pumped through the speakers.

A recent video from a Japanese YouTuber provided a deeper look at the Prelude’s interior layout. The coupe features two rear seats, but the sharply sloping roofline restricts headroom in the back. However, Honda has compensated for this with a practical approach—the rear seats fold nearly flat, and the Prelude’s hatchback-style trunk opening makes loading bulkier items easier. A cargo cover has also been integrated, which can be folded and stored under the floor.

Additional details highlight Honda’s attention to practicality and refinement. Behind the B-pillar quarter glass, small clothing hooks provide a useful storage option, while the rear seats feature integrated headrests. A compact storage compartment between the rear seats adds to the interior’s versatility. Unlike the Integra, which offers a third seat in the rear, the Prelude maintains a strict two-seat configuration. Aesthetic touches include two-tone upholstery and “Prelude” embroidery on the front headrests and passenger side of the dashboard.

While Honda has yet to release full technical specifications, Japanese reports indicate that the Prelude has a shorter wheelbase than the Civic, but features wider front and rear tracks. It also borrows high-performance components from the Civic Type R, including its adaptive dampers and dual-axis front suspension, designed to enhance handling precision. The driving modes have been expanded to include a GT mode, which complements the standard Comfort and Sport settings.

As anticipation builds, enthusiasts await further details on the Prelude’s final specifications and market launch. Honda’s decision to bring back this legendary nameplate underscores its commitment to blending nostalgia with modern performance innovations.

GWM Malaysia is ushering in the festive season with its “Raya Bersama GWM” campaign, a celebration of unity, joy, and togetherness. More than just a promotional event, the initiative aims to bring Malaysians closer through shared experiences, exclusive rewards, and festive activities.

As part of the celebration, GWM Malaysia has released a special music video, “Kita Ra Raya”, which is now available for viewing. The campaign will also feature a Raya-tastic Open House, running from April 12 to April 27, 2025, at selected dealerships nationwide. Visitors can enjoy festive refreshments and participate in the Book & Win Lucky Draw, with prizes worth up to RM150,000. Additionally, new buyers can take advantage of special Hari Raya promotions designed to enhance their balik kampung journeys.

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Porsche Malaysia, represented by Sime Darby Auto Performance (Auto Performance), has joined forces with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) to launch a nationwide road safety campaign aimed at educating young Malaysians on responsible driving habits.

The initiative, titled “Students Today. Drivers Tomorrow.”, has already reached more than 1,600 students aged 7 to 17 years old as part of a broader effort to instill critical road safety awareness from an early age. With road accidents in Malaysia exceeding 530,000 cases annually, the campaign seeks to address unsafe driving behaviors that put lives at risk.

Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Auto Performance, stated that road safety remains a fundamental aspect of driving beyond the passion and performance of motorsports. He emphasised the importance of shaping responsible future drivers and fostering a safer driving culture by instilling safety values in students, who in turn can influence their families to adopt better driving habits.

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Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled its latest concept car, the INSTEROID, a radical reimagination of its successful INSTER electric sub-compact urban SUV. Revealed in Seoul, INSTEROID pushes the boundaries of automotive design by merging gaming aesthetics with extensive customisation, aimed at engaging a new generation of drivers.

Built as a bold “What if?” design project, INSTEROID takes inspiration from the INSTER, which has gained international acclaim, including being a top-three finalist for the 2025 World Car of the Year award. Unlike its production counterpart, INSTEROID embraces an aggressive, performance-driven design, marked by widened bodywork, aerodynamic enhancements, and motorsport-inspired elements such as track-optimised wheels and a prominent wing spoiler.

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