Happening from 26th to 29th April 2018, the MAI Malaysia Autoshow is currently going on now at MAEPS in Serdang!
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) took the opportunity to unveil the new Golf R-Line at the show on opening day, completing the new Golf family line-up in Malaysia. The event also marked the Golf R-Line’s first public appearance in the country.
Golf R-Line is priced at RM166,990. Unmistakable in looks, the car is decked in the ‘R-Line’ styling package which includes the ‘R-Line’ front and rear bumper, rear spoiler, ‘R-Line’ badges on radiator grille and side panels, and 17” Singapore alloy wheels.
Perodua introduced their latest best-deal in town in the form of the Bezza GXtra, priced at only RM35,500! It was unveiled and officiated by our Prime Minister himself at the show. Powered by a 1.0L engine, the GXtra replaces the older Bezza Standard G. Available with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto, the GXtra boasts an incredible 22.8km per litre, making it one of the most frugal (non hybrid) cars available in the market.
In a separate hall (Hall C), Go Auto used the MAI Autoshow to preview its new Haval H9 to the public. This colossal 7-seater SUV with more than a passing resemblance to a Toyota Land Cruiser ‘Ninja Turtle’, is powered by a turbocharged dual-VVT 2.0L engine that produces 160bhp and a whopping 324Nm of torque. Its launch date is yet to be announced but the price is expected to be well below RM200,000. I’m guessing about RM160k, maybe.
Over in the 2-wheel segment, Boon Siew Honda officially launched the new X-ADV 750 Adventure (below), the iconic Africa Twin and the gorgeous retro-sports CB1000R (above).
While the CB1000R’s price has not been determined, attendees (especially me) were shocked to hear that the X-ADV 750 costs just RM57,999 and the Africa Twin (below) starts at RM69,999 for the standard and RM75,999 for the DCT (dual-clutch transmission).
These figures are in the region of almost twenty-thousand less than predicted, or what some poor-souls have paid for the bikes in the grey market. Nice one Boon Siew!
And speaking of Honda, in addition to all their cars currently available, HMSB (who had the biggest pavilion by far) displayed the new Civic Type-R, which was garnering the lion’s share of shutterbug and selfie action at MAEPS. Can you see it in the photo above? It’s right there where the crowd is. Really.
Proton’s star of the show in Hall A was a mock-up of the Iriz rally car, and it was very difficult getting this photo above because everyone was bustling around it taking a multitude of shots. Don’t be surprised if you see identical ones on the road next month….
Also in Hall A, the highlight of the Toyota pavilion is of course the new Toyota C-HR compact-crossover SUV, launched earlier this year. The C-HR has been drawing lots of attention along with its siblings the latest L-Edition Toyota Hilux, Vios, Sienta, Innova X and Avanza X.
Of course a car show would not be complete without at least a few classic and old-skool cars in attendance, and thus Kelab Volvo Klasik or Classic Volvo Owners Club put in a good showing also at Hall C, where I was amazed to find not one, but TWO classic 262C Bertone Volvo coupes!
Pictures don’t do these cars justice, you really have to see them in the metal, absolutely incredible.
So if you happen to be free this weekend, head on over to MAEPS in Serdang, and in the meantime, enjoy the gallery! – Chris Wee.
MAI Malaysia Autohow Photo Gallery…
