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BIMS 2019: 10 Cars To Look Out For At The 40th Bangkok International Motor Show!

The Bangkok International Motorshow 2019 is coming! Set to begin on 26th March 2019 at the IMPACT Challenger Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, it’s the 40th installment of what is widely regarded as the best motorshow in the region. And here, in no particular order are the Top 10 Cars to look out for at BIMS 2019!

(ALL information, spec data and photos that follow are from GPI International, the organisers of Bangkok International Motorshow)

BMW Z4 M40i

Twin Power Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine
360 hp, 450 Nm of torque
8-speed Automatic transmission
Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h in 4.6 sec

MERCEDES-BENZ G63 AMG 2019

V8 twin-turbo engine
577 hp, 627 Nm of torque
9-speed Automatic transmission
Acceleration 0-96 km/h in 6 sec

MERCEDES-BENZ S 500E Plug-In Hybrid

2,996cc V6 twin-turbo engine
Engine output: 333 hp @ 5,200-6,000 rpm, maximum torque of 480 Nm @ 1.600 – 4,000 rpm
Motor output: 116 hp, 480 Nm of torque
Combined output: 442 hp, 650 Nm of torque
7-speed Automatic transmission; 7G-Tronic Plus

HYUNDAI KONA

Electric Vehicle
Official range of 415 km
64 kWh Lithium-ion battery
Produces maximum 201 hp, 394 Nm of torque

SUZUKI JIMNY SIERRA

K15B 1460cc 4-cylinder engine
maximum power of 102 hp @ 6,000 rpm, maximum torque of 130 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
4-speed automatic transmission, 4WD

MAZDA 3 KAI CONCEPT

1,993cc Atkinson-Cycle engine
Engine output: Maximum power 145 hp @ 6,200 rpm, maximum torque of 175 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Motor output (AC Synchronous Permanent Magnet Electric Motor): 184 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm, Maximum torque of 315 Nm @ 0-2,000 rpm
Combined output: 215 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Automatic transmission E-CVT (3rd Generation)

ALL NEW HONDA ACCORD 1.5L Turbo

DOHC 4-cylinder Direct Injection Dual VTC petrol engine
Maximum power of 192 hp @ 5,500 rpm, maximum torque of 260 Nm @ 1,500 – 5,000 rpm
Automatic transmission CVT

ALL NEW TOYOTA SUPRA

Top Grade RZ: 0-liter inline 6-cylinder twin scroll turbo petrol engine
8-speed Automatic Transmission
Maximum power of 340 hp @ 5,000-6,500 rpm , Maximum torque of 500 Nm @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 3 sec
Not for sale

MCLAREN 720S SPIDER

1^st time in Thailand
Maximum power of 720 hp, Maximum torque of 770 Nm
V8 4,000cc engine
Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 2.9 sec, Acceleration 0-200 km/h in 7.9 sec

ASTON MARTIN VALKYRIE AMR PRO

5- liter V12 NA engine
Mid-shifted, Rear wheel drive
Energy Recovery System produces total 1,100 hp and a top speed at 360 km/h
Will be displayed on 7 days
Worth 300 million Baht

MITSUBISHI E-EVOLUTION CONCEPT

Three electric motors operate together with battery located under the floor mid-ship of the vehicle
4WD system with Dual Motor Active Yaw Control
Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) Technology
electric brake calipers

First Sime Darby Auto Performance pop-up store launched in Malaysia!

The very first Sime Darby Auto Performance pop-up store in Malaysia opens its doors to the public earlier today. Located in the heart of Penang, the official custodian of the premium car brand Porsche launched their latest 1,603 square-feet endeavour at the Gurney Paragon shopping mall, Jalan Kelawai. (more…)

2019 Nissan X-Trail FL Hits The Market!

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) recently announced that the new Nissan X-Trail Facelift is now open for booking, and is expected to be launched sometime in April 2019. The new X-Trail Facelift now offers a new Hybrid variant and 3 Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) variants.

The 2.0L (MR20DD) Hybrid with Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control) engine paired with XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), produces an output of 144PS and 200Nm of torque along with the output from the Electric Motor of 41PS plus 160Nm of torque delivers an exhilarating drive, whilst producing the best in class fuel economy of 16.1km/L (based on ECE R101 test mode).

Apart from the new 2.0L Hybrid variant, the new X-Trail Facelift is also available in the following variants; a 2.5L 4WD, a 2.0L 2WD MID and a 2.0L 2WD. All variants of the new X-Trail Facelift are certified Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV). The new X-Trail Facelift comes complete with Nissan Intelligent Mobility advanced safety technologies to enhance intelligent driving, and are available in 3 variants; the 2.0 Hybrid, 2.5L 4WD and 2.0L 2WD MID. These include:

Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (FCW) *
Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) *
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) *
High Beam Assist (HBA)*
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) with Moving Object Detection (I-MOD)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Motion Activated Power Tailgate (that operates by a simple quick kick below the tailgate to open or close)

* 2.5L 4WD & 2.0L Hybrid only

Additionally, a new signature ‘V-Motion’ front grille design, revised signature LED Boomerang Daytime Running Lights and Headlights, Smoked LED Boomerang Tail Lamps, 7” Navi Infotainment System with Apple Carplay™ and Android Auto ready, Flat Bottom Steering Wheel with Controls, Dual Power Leather Seats, Leatherette Dashboard and Knee Pads, and 5” Advanced Drive Assist Display, adding a fresh new high-tech appearance and luxurious touches.

6 SRS Airbags now comes standard on 3 variants of the new X-Trail, and other safety features include Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold function, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Child Seat Retainer with Top Tether (ISOFIX x2).

NEW X-TRAIL FACELIFT	2.0L 2WD	2.0L 2WD MID	2.5L 4WD	2.0L HYBRID
Power (PS/RPM)	144 / 6,000	144 / 6,000	171 / 6,000	144 / 6,000
Torque (NM/RPM)	200 / 4,400	200 / 4,400	233 / 4,000	200 / 4,400
Electric Motor (Max Power PS / Max Torque NM)	-	-	-	41 / 160
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking	-	-	•	•
Intelligent Cruise Control	–	-	•	•
High Beam Assist	-	-	•	•
Lane Departure Warning	-	•	•	•
Blind Spot Warning	-	•	•	•
Motion Activated Power Tailgate	-	•	•	•
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	-	•	•	•
Intelligent Around View Monitor with Intelligent Moving Object Detection	•	•	•	•
Intelligent Ride Control	•	•	•	•
Intelligent Engine Brake	•	•	•	•
Intelligent Trace Control	•	•	•	•
Dual Zone Auto Climate Control Air Conditioning with Rear Vents	•	•	•	•
3rd Row Seats	•	•	•	-
SRS Airbags	4	6	6	6

5 contemporary exterior colours are available: Brilliant White, Tungsten Silver, Titanium Olive, Diamond Black and Imperial Umber (New).

Estimated prices are as follows:

NEW X-TRAIL FACELIFT
X-TRAIL 2.0L HYBRID	Below RM 169,900 (without Insurance)	5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty (includes Hybrid parts and Lithium-Ion HEV battery)*
X-TRAIL 2.5L 4WD	Below RM 159,900 (without Insurance)
X-TRAIL 2.0L 2WD MID	Below RM 149,900 (without Insurance)
X-TRAIL 2.0L 2WD	Below RM 139,900 (without Insurance)

In conjunction with the pre-launch, the new Nissan X-Trail Facelift also comes with a 2-year or 40,000km Periodic Maintenance Service (whichever comes first). Additionally, the first 500 registered vehicles will also receive an exclusive gift worth RM488. Official deliveries are scheduled in April 2019.

Members of the public are invited to join the new X-Trail Facelift Exclusive Preview at Nissan Test Drive Carnivals over 3 weekends of 9^th to 10^th March, 15^th to 17^th March, and 23^rd to 24^th March at selected Nissan showrooms nationwide to experience the new X-Trail Facelift. Additionally, attractive deals are offered and a series of fun-filled activities for the whole family are also available during the carnival.

Customers who are eager to get up close to the new Nissan X-Trail Facelift are also invited to make their way to Nissan Roadshows and Island Displays happening around the country beginning 7^th March 2019 to experience this smarter, safer and sensational SUV. To find out the roadshow and island display scheduled locations, please visit www.nissan.com.my/new-xtrail .

For more information, call the Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at 1800 88 3838.

All terms and conditions apply.

Porsche Drive of the Year 2019: A week of hardcore driving

The first Porsche I ever laid eyes on was a black 964 around the hills of Bangsar. I was probably about four years old; I don’t remember much else except that it completely took my breath away and that it was love at first sight.

Since then, the 911 has been the ultimate everyday supercar for me. A Porsche fan boy, you can imagine what was running through my head when I got a phone call asking if I would like to join the Porsche Club Malaysia for a week long drive around Malaysia. It was going to be a 2200km and I could drive the Cayenne and the Panamera Sport Turismo and mingle with people who buy the GT2RS, GT3RS and the Turbo. And sometimes, that one person would have all three models in his garage.

Naturally I would have preferred a 911 for the road trip, but I was not about to say no, and so I had a few days to prepare for a week of driving.

It has been about 10 years since I last joined the Porsche Club Malaysia for a drive. The last one was a road trip to Rompin for a spot of charity and drag racing on a landing strip. This time however, it was an entirely different trip.

Called the Drive of the Year 2019, PCM Malaysia and PCM Singapore put in a joint effort to organise its first major drive of the year with fuel provided by Shell V-Power Racing. Beginning at the Porsche Centre in Sungai Besi and ending at Puteri Harbour on the first day, the convoy of about 40 Porsches of all models then headed to Tanjung Jara in Terengganu, followed by Belum in Perak, onto Penang Island via Kuala Perlis and back to KL from there.

Some of our rest stops were quite unique, and even included a stop over at the hugely popular RWB Museum in Johor. RWB – Rauh-Welt Begriff – the Japanese customiser who specialises in turning beautiful 964s into wider, lower, and depending on who you ask and dare I say it, rather handsome interpretation of the donor Porsche.

And when we weren’t eating at popular restaurant’s sometimes frequented by royalty, we were turbo-ing down the coastal roads of our country at speeds best kept secret.

We were in the new Cayenne and the Sport Turismo though, so we really were in the most comfortable cars in the convoy. But far from being the most underpowered or slowest with both cars offering 330hp and eye watering acceleration, I really wouldn’t say that keeping up was all that tough. Though the lead group would often reach the destination a good 45 minutes to an hour ahead of us. But driving both cars on highways and by-ways was an experience I won’t soon forget.

Why?

Imagine cars weighing about two tons barrelling down the “kampung” roads with badly patched roads throwing the balance of the car all over the place. The onboard sensors looking out for any obstacle or any dangerous situation that may arise, immediately alerting you to a potentially dangerous situation. And if you do not react fast enough, the Cayenne and Sport Turismo would even apply the brakes for you. But it never got to that, of course ; )

Such bad roads put the suspension to the ultimate test – will the car glide, or will it hop and skip all over the place? The suspension in both the Panamera and the Sport Turismo is of course adjustable. In Sport and Sport Plus mode, selected via a knob on the steering wheel the same size as a old 20 cent coin, the suspension stiffens up, giving you more control of the car, but also shakes things up to a noticeable level in the cockpit as it transfers all the irregularities on the road directly to you instead of soaking it up, which is what it does in normal mode.

Back to the drive.

Tagging along with a group of hardcore Porsche enthusiasts for an entire week is one of those experiences that will stick with you for a while, up there with skydiving even. The cars are almost always the topic of conversation, besides the logistics and itinerary of the drive that is, and in club drives like this it is awesome to mingle with car enthusiasts who are as humble and down to earth as your best friend. Just don’t ask to take the GT2RS out for a drive though.

2019 Proton Persona Previewed! FULL Press Release From Proton

The 2019 Proton Persona was officially unveiled to the Malaysian media at PROTON’s Malaysia Design Centre in Shah Alam, COE, yesterday. The B-segment family sedan has been given an exterior redesign as well as an intelligent head unit identical to the one in the 2019 Iriz and based on the system used in the Proton X70. Both the Persona and Iriz are the first models in Proton’s current range to be updated following the collaboration with Geely and the official launch of both vehicles is currently planned to occur simultaneously by end-March 2019.

The 2019 Proton Persona

Flash booking promotion to start on 12 March…

PROTON will be holding a ‘flash promotion’ for the 2019 Persona. Interested buyers can place an online booking for only RM9.99, which begins on 11 March 2019 and ends at 11.59pm on 22 March 2019. “PROTON aims to make its cars accessible to as many potential buyers as possible. That is why the RM9.99 flash promotion is being offered for the 2019 Persona. The low commitment fee is just one part of the deal. The convenience of being able to place a booking online from virtually anywhere there is a data line is the second part of the equation, making the act of booking a car simple and fast,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON (below, left).

Due to popular demand, the flash promotion offer for the Proton Iriz will also be extended to end on the same day as the promotion for the 2019 Persona. This means customers will be able to place a booking for either car online until 22 March. The first joint customer preview of the Persona and Iriz will take place this weekend 16 – 17 March at Proton Edar 3S centre in Plentong, Johor Bahru. Previously, customer events had been held at Proton Edar 3S centres at Chan Sow Lin and Damansara but they only featured the Iriz.

Restyled to feature family design elements…
Penned by a team led by the head of PROTON Design, Azlan Othman, the 2019 Persona benefits from expertise drawn from other design centres within the Geely group of companies. Working to a design brief with the model slogan Intelligence That Cares the Persona’s design embodies its three USPs of peerless connectivity, practical functionality and proven safety. It also uses styling elements to create a visual link with other Proton models.

The design updates are subtle but make the Persona stand out from its predecessor. At the front, it receives a new outer grille inspired by the “Ethereal Bow” that debuted on the Proton X70 and also features on the Iriz. The radiator incorporates the “Infinite Weave” pattern sculpted into its design and sits on top of a redesigned front bumper. Sleek new LED daytime running lamps (DRL) are housed over a honeycomb mesh backing while a new bumper lower garnish ties together the new design elements of the front bumper and frames the lower air intake more elegantly.

At the rear, the most noticeable changes are the PROTON name proudly spelled out on the trunk lid garnish and a new bumper lower garnish that enhances the rear visual identity. A slimmer spoiler adds a sporting touch while a new bolder flowing typeface for the Persona name badge matches the overall exterior styling theme. A new 15-inch aluminium wheel design and a shark fin antenna provide the final exterior styling touches.

The intelligent car for families…
Similar to its sister car the Iriz, the 2019 Proton Persona features an intelligent head unit that is equipped with an embedded eSIM card and offers apps for music streaming, weather updates, navigation and voice recognition. Access to the system is via a 7-inch full colour touchscreen with 16GB of internal memory. There is also Wi-Fi connectivity and full mirroring capabilities for Android smart phones via an app.

“The Proton X70 introduced the concept of intelligence to our range of cars and the 2019 Proton Persona and Iriz have now received similar features. Their intelligent head unit offers voice command, weather forecast, navigation and music streaming functions and they can all be accessed using the Hi Proton! catchphrase. These are first in class features for cars in the B-segment so we hope to build on the advantage we now have over our rivals,” added Dr Li Chunrong.

Proton Introduces Updated Persona 1.6 To The Media!

It’s here! From its beginnings in 2007, the effervescent Proton Persona has received a major facelift, but not only that, it’s also had a total of 303 improvements from the previous model. Most notably the “Infinite Weave” and “Ethereal Bow” design cues from the Proton X70 have now also been added to this Persona FL.

Available in 4 variants all utilising the same 1.6-litre engine, 3 of the 4 variants are mated to a CVT gearbox, however, one variant will be offered with a 5-speed manual transmission. Which of course begs the question, will this powertrain see its way into the Proton Iriz? Don’t forget during the media preview of the latter, it was noted that the “R” in Iriz was larger and painted red, clearly signifying for something a lot more sporty to come… You can read more about the FL Iriz in this link here.

As far as features are concerned, the 2019 Persona is loaded to the g(r)illes with kit, for example, in the top of the line model, GKUI or voice-command is now standard equipment, and across the range, both active and passive safety systems are very admirable, for example, all variants are equipped with ABS, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, and Brake Assist & EBD, not to mention Hill-Hold Assist and a Reverse Camera with all-round parking sensors. Passive safety wise, all variants get 6-Airbags. This has warranted the 2019 Persona to receive a full 5-Star Asean NCAP Safety Rating.

The Official 2019 Proton Persona Press Release will be in the next installment, so stay tuned!