English Archives

Winning design of BMW M4 GT4 livery contest on show at Pavilion KL this Wednesday

This Malaysia Day on September 16, BMW Malaysia will showcase a range of M models at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. An exclusive M4 will also be unveiled at the venue and this car will have the design by a 27-year old Malaysian, Chan Wen Bin, who won the global BMW M4 GT4 livery contest. Chan beat many other contestants who had submitted their proposals for the contest which started in early July this year.

While a jury that assessed every entry, votes from the BMW Motorsport community on social media also counted towards determining the winner. Juan Diego Sanchez from Spain and Monholo Oumar from France were in second and third place, respectively.

In addition to the pure aesthetic perspective, the jury also placed a great deal of importance on the link between virtual and real-world motorsport when making their decision. With the motto ‘THE FUSION OF REAL WORLD AND SIM RACING’, the entrants were faced with the task of creating a design whose elegance and beauty comes into full effect not only in the virtual world but also in the real world.

“The black overall colour is always classic and elegant for a high-performance BMW coupe,” said Cao Fei a jury member who designed the 18th BMW Art Car. “The subtle blue and red parts scattered around the car are not only lively and chic, accentuating its sporty and exclusive aesthetics, but the colour combination also reflects the very essence of BMW M series, paying tribute to its history and legacy. This livery is truly timeless.”

Chan’s winning design for the M4 GT4 got him a cash prize of US$3,000. He will also have the satisfaction of knowing it will be seen in a real-world race. At the season finale of the DTM Trophy at Hockenheim in Germany on November 7/8, the winning design will be on one of the M4 GT4 racing cars competing.

The design will also appear on the iRacing sim racing platform. The M4 GT4 has been racing on that platform in the virtual world since June, where it enjoys great popularity.

“I’ve been a fan of BMW since my childhood and always dreamed of achieving something with BMW one day,” said Chan who lives in Semenyih, Selangor. “This livery contest was a fantastic opportunity for me to show my passion for BMW and have my design used by BMW Motorsport. I’m over the moon and am delighted to have won this competition! I can’t wait to see the result in the real world. It’s one of my biggest successes in my career as a designer. Thank you so much BMW.”

*The entry by Spaniard Juan Diego Sanchez which won second place.*

*Third place winner Monholo Oumar from France submitted this proposal.*

How iRacing developed the BMW M4 GT4 for sim racing

First RTD Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre For N-S Expressway Opened

PLUS Malaysia Bhd has established an RTD Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre (Highway Enforcement Unit) as one of the ways to improve safety on its highways. The facility, opened on July 1 this year in collaboration with the Road Transport Department (RTD), is located at the old Jelapang Toll Plaza Supervision Building near Ipoh, Perak.

The control centre, located at KM268, on the North-South Expressway will provide faster access onto the highway to manage traffic incidences and improve safety. It also regulates all Highway Enforcement Unit activities at four major enforcement zones.

Since 2018, PLUS has provided four offices for the Highway Enforcement Unit at R&R Pagoh in Johor, R&R Dengkil in Selangor, and R&R Gunung Semanggol, besides the latest Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre, in Ipoh.

“PLUS continuously explores new approaches and ideas to improve safety on our highways to help our customers enjoy safer and more convenient travel. Apart from focusing on engineering and education aspects through road safety advocacy programmes, we also look at law enforcement aspects by collaborating with enforcement agencies such as the RTD to improve safety on the highways,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.

“At the same time, the presence of JPJ enforcement officers on our highway mainline is crucial in addressing issues relating to heavy vehicles such as the use of low-quality rethreaded tyres, overloaded and improperly secured consignment and so on. Based on our data, most of the obstacles found on the highway which consist of tyre fragments, wood, iron scraps or debris and many more originated from heavy vehicles, pose a threat to our customers,” he added.

During the official opening ceremony, PLUS and RTD also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic collaboration involving operations and enforcement to improve safety on the PLUS highway.

According to Dato’ Sri Shaharuddin, RTD’s Director-General, the initiative that has been carried out between PLUS and the RTD is a strategic and smart partnership which is the key to improving the safety and well-being of the people.

“PLUS proves its role as a good ‘Rakan Negara’ in helping RTD to enhance the level of safety and enforcement on the highway. PLUS’ contribution and various initiatives to ensure the safety of its customers have been globally recognized by winning the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in December 2019 and was recently ranked as the number one top performing closed toll highway in terms of safety and comfort by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS),” added Dato’ Sri Shaharuddin.

Click here for other news and articles about PLUS.

Lucid Air to rewrite book on electric cars

Most people would never have heard of Lucid Motors but that’s how the auto industry is these days, with many new players joining it. Lucid, originally known as Atieva and based in California, is one of those start-ups which has focussed on electric vehicles during the 13 years since its founding.

From making EV hardware (batteries and powertrains) for other companies, Lucid has developed its own technology and has embarked on developing and producing its own electric cars. Its first model will be the Lucid Air with up to 4 versions at prices expected to start from US$80,000 (about RM332,000).

“Lucid Motors is driven to make the electric car better, and by doing so, help move the entire industry forward towards accelerated adoption of sustainable mobility. The goal of this relentless approach to developing the world’s most advanced electric vehicle is to benefit all mankind with sustainable, zero emission transportation, and to also attract new customers to the world of EVs,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid Motors.

Using space to create the Air
The Lucid Air is said to be the result of a revolutionary approach to automotive packaging called the Lucid Space Concept. It capitalizes upon the miniaturization of Lucid’s in-house developed EV drivetrain to optimize interior cabin space.

The concept is central to the architecture of the Lucid Electric Advanced Platform (LEAP) upon which the Lucid Air, and forthcoming Lucid vehicles, will be built. It’s a holistic, clean-sheet approach to advanced EV construction, without using existing ‘off the shelf’ solutions so often seen in EVs from legacy automakers.

By simultaneously making smaller yet more powerful electric motors and improving the packaging of the entire electric powertrain, Lucid is able to reclaim that space for passengers and their comfort. This extends the philosophy of hyper-efficiency embedded in the car, from energy to spatial efficiency, to achieve longer range, practicality, higher performance, and luxury.

The Space Concept
The Space Concept also contributes to the subtly different and modern proportions for the Lucid Air, without relying on any traditional automotive design cues, instead delivering a car that can look distinctive on the road.

Lucid designers have also made the Air the world’s most aero-efficient luxury car. Tests in an advanced rolling-road wind tunnel have returned results of a Cd of 0.21. This aspect is particularly important for EVs as wind resistance must be kept to a minimum so as to enable motor output to be used to propel the car.

Advanced lighting
The car’s headlamps employ advanced technology with the revolutionary Micro Lens Array system. This has literally thousands of ‘light channels’ to provide the brightest, most precise and advanced lighting. Digital ‘steering’ of light direction is possible by digitally switching light channels in different directions to give the best spread and coverage.

Lucid will also create special retail and digital experiences for the brand which will be different. These are summed up in the brand tagline of ‘Dream Ahead’, which is also the company’s vision for rejecting the status quo and always pushing the boundaries in EV technology.

Record-breaking performance and range
Initial specifications claimed for the Lucid Air show output of up to 1,080 hp available in a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive architecture. It is claimed to be able to do the quarter-mile (about 400 metres) as quick as 9.9 seconds on a consistent, repeatable basis. To date, no other electric sedan has been able to do a time under 10 seconds, according to the company.

High performance can usually mean less range; at least that is how it has been with internal combustion engines. But for electric cars, advanced technologies are continuously extending the range and up to 832 kms is the claim for the Lucid Air with a full-charged battery pack. The compact 113 kWh extended-range battery pack is developed in-house.

World’s fastest charging EV
When it arrives in the market in 2021, the Lucid Air will be the fastest charging electric vehicle ever offered, with the capability to charge at rates of up to 32 kms per minute when connected to a DC Fast Charging network. For owners charging their car in real-world conditions on the road, that can translate into 480 kms of range within just 20 minutes of charging.

To enter the market sometime next year, the cars will be offered in North America, and some countries in Europe and the Middle East.

Enhanced Premium Package for Porsche Macan

In conjunction with its 10th anniversary, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) is offering Porsche Macan customers a new enhanced Premium Package for the Macan. Available until December 31, 2020, the package has three additional options, worth over RM39,000, that now come as standard.

Extending the standard features list
The complimentary options which enhance comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics are Comfort Access, Park Assist with Surround View and Porsche Active Suspension Management. Other features that are complimentary with the base price of the Macan include Apple CarPlay, BOSE Surround Sound System, Power Steering Plus, 14-way power seats, comfort lighting package and automatic dimming mirrors.

The current model also includes a 3-dimensional LED light panel at the rear and the new fully interconnected Porsche communication management system with a 10.9-inch touchscreen.

The Macan, priced from RM439,351.00 (excluding insurance but with applicable sales tax exemption till the end of this year), is powered by a 2-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with maximum output of 252 bhp/370 Nm. With a 7-gear PDK dual-clutch gearbox, the claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 6.7 seconds with a top speed capability of 225 km/h.

“We are committed to continuously enriching the ownership experience for Porsche customers, and bring fans closer to realising their dreams of owning a Porsche. The introduction of the new enhanced Premium Package for our best-selling model, the Macan, is a great way to introduce more people to the brand, especially given the rising popularity of the Macan and the overall compact SUV segment over the past few years,” said Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of SDAP.

“With the addition of these new features as standard, the Macan is now even more competitively priced as the sportscar in the compact SUV segment, providing pure driving enjoyment with every kilometre behind the wheel,” he added.

Visit Porsche Centre Ara Damansara for more information on new and pre-owned Porsche models.

Reduced Prices for Porsche range in Malaysia

F1 (Round 9): Results And Highlights Of 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix

♦ This was the first race of the season which had spectators watching from the stands. A maximum of 2,880 spectators (including Ferrari Club members who had a special allocation) were permitted into Mugello on each day of the event.

♦ Scuderia Ferrari, celebrating its 1,000^th F1 race, had its two racing cars in the original burgundy colour on the cars of its first race in 1950, and Mick Schumacher drove his father’s 2004 title-winning car on a special lap around Mugello (which is owned by Ferrari).

♦ 15 minutes before the start, Max Verstappen’s car developed a problem. His mechanics fixed it in time for him to start the race. A collision between Pierre Gasly and Kimi Raikkonen had the latter bumping into the Red Bull car and sending it into the gravel at the second turn. End of race for the Dutchman.

♦ Gasly, last Sunday’s winner, also went into the gravel and had to retire, bringing the Safety Car out for the mashalls to clear the debris and cars.

♦ As the Safety Car prepared to enter the pits, another three cars collided on the 7^th lap – Carlos Sainz, Antonio Giovinazzi, Nicholas Latifi and Kevin Magnussen. Track conditions were so bad with broken bits all over the pit straight that the red flags came out. That means the race comes to a stop and the cars must return to the pits and shut down, until allowed to restart.

♦ With the four drivers, plus Gasly and Verstappen, that saw six cars out of the race within the first six laps.

*A multi-car collision in the 6th lap saw red flags coming out, bringing the race to a stop and the car had to remain in the pits.*

♦ From the time the red flags appeared until the cars were released for a restart, some 23 minutes had elapsed. Valtteri Bottas was the lead car in the pack of 13 remaining (Esteban Ocon did not join the restart as the brakes on his car had problems) but by the second turn, Lewis Hamilton shot past him and pulled away.

♦ With a quarter of the race done, Hamilton’s lead from his team mate was around 2 seconds, but Bottas had a strong 9-second lead over Charles Leclerc. Lance Stroll powered by on lap 16 to take third and set his sights on Bottas.

♦ On a day when Ferrari was to be celebrating a milestone, things were certainly disappointing for the tifosi as they saw Sebastian Vettel struggling aong the end-runners and Leclerc also facing difficulties regaining his upper position after his third visit to the pits.

♦ Lap 43 saw Stroll’s race come to an end as he slipped into the gravel, seemingly due to a puncture. For the third time in the day, the Safety Car sped out and red flags appeared to stop the session again.

♦ With 15 laps remaining, only Mercedes-AMG and Ferrari still had both their cars running while the other teams lost one car.

♦ When the race finally restarted, Hamilton managed to stay in the lead while Bottas had to just maintain his pace. Behind him a determined Red Bull,, Alexander Albon, closed in on Daniel Ricciardo, the surviving Renault driver, and got past to a podium position.

♦ Hamilton won again, with Bottas crossing the finish line almost 5 seconds behind. Albon held on to the end, with the reward of his first ever presence on the Formula 1 podium.

*The Mercedes-AMG f1 Safety Car was in action on three separate occasions, right from the first lap. The Ferrari Red colour pays tribute to the 1,000th GP of the Italian team at Mugello.*l

Scuderia Ferrari starts its 1,000th F1 race today

Scuderia Ferrari starts its 1,000th F1 race today

Today, at the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari will start their 1,000th race in the Formula 1 World Championship. The team made their debut at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1950, the second race on the inaugural F1 calendar. In that race, the team’s Alberto Ascari finished second, a lap down on Juan Manuel Fangio, who won for Alfa Romeo. A second Ferrari driver, Raymond Sommer, finished fourth.

Alberto Ascari Ferrari 1950 Monaco F1 Grand Prix. — *Scuderia Ferrari entered its first F1 race at the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix, with Alberto Ascari finishing second overall.*

First victory in 1951
Scuderia Ferrari, also known as ‘The Prancing Horse’, holds a record 237 victories (plus a win for a privately-entered car at the 1961 French Grand Prix). Their first victory was at the 1951 British Grand Prix, which was won by Jose Froilan Gonzalez, while the most recent win was scored by Sebastian Vettel at the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix.

Besides 16 Constructors’ Championships since the inception of that competition in 1958, the team hold numerous other F1 records. They have made 655 consecutive starts, in a string stretching back to the 1982 Italian GP, have 84 1-2 finishes and hold the record for consecutive appearances on the podium with 53 between the 1999 Malaysian Grand Prix and the 2002 Japanese Grand Prix.

*Michael Schumacher, one of the greatest racing drivers, won 5 titles with Ferrari.*

F1 record books also show that Ferrari have had 254 fastest laps and scored 8,318.5 Constructors’ Championship points, while their drivers have cumulatively collected 9,220.27 points in the Drivers’ Championship. They hold the record for victories at a single grand prix, winning the German Grand Prix 21 times and have a record 228 pole positions from the 1,001 Grands Prix entered.

As an engine supplier, Ferrari has 239 victories. This includes the 237 wins for the works team, Giancarlo Baghetti’s victory at the 1961 French Grand Prix in a privately-entered car, and Sebastian Vettel’s win for Toro Rosso at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.

Celebrating the 1000th race
“Scuderia Ferrari’s 1000th Grand Prix is a very important milestone, therefore it had to be marked in a special way. That’s why we decided to run a unique livery on the cars for this event, with the SF1000s taking to the track at the Mugello Circuit in the Burgundy colour first seen on the 125 S, the first racing car to carry the Ferrari name,” said Piero Ferrari, Vice Chairman of the company.

“Only a few months ago, no one could have imagined that our thousandth race could take place at our own Mugello circuit. I am pleased that in the Grand Prix official name, Formula 1 chose to pay tribute to Ferrari, the only team that has always been present in the sport’s 71-year history,” he said.

Click here for news and articles about Formula 1.

F1 (Round 9): Preview & Starting Grid For 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix


Race starts at 3:10 pm in Italy/9:10 pm in Malaysia

COVID-19 has caused loss of lives, hardship, disrupted life and businesses and impacted economies. It has also disrupted motorsports all over the world and as conditions eased, the Formula 1 organisers have rushed to try to run as many rounds as possible before the end of the year. And COVID-19 can also be ‘blamed’ for bringing the 9^th round of the 2020 championship to a completely new venue – Mugello.

First new circuit for F1 since 2016
Located near the city of Florence in Italy’s Tuscan countryside, the Mugello circuit was opened in 1974 and while it has never had a F1 race, it has had at least 30 rounds of the Italian Motorcycle Grand Prix. It is the 72^nd venue to host a F1 round and the first new one in four years, the last being the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan.

Mugello is not entirely new to F1 veterans though, as it was a testing venue until 2012, used mostly by Ferrari which also owns it (since 1988). However, where actual racing is concerned, it will be new to every driver and the teams have had only since last Sunday’s race at Monza to get to know and understand the circuit.

The circuit has a number of steep ascents and descents, long full-throttle sections and some extremely fast corners. Situated in a valley, it subjects drivers to quite a rollercoaster ride, especially at the start of the second sector. There are absolutely no slow corners (even the slowest can be taken in 4^th gear at 140 km/h), and the cornering speeds will subject the drivers to higher g-forces than usual.

Needless to say, the cars and the tyres will also be under tremendous stress but comments from the drivers after practices has been enthusiastic as they welcome the challenges of a new circuit.

“Driving an F1 car around this circuit is unbelievable. In all the fast sections, it’s pretty impressive. I think it’s going to be quite a tough race, physically, as already in the long run we’ve done in FP2 the neck starts to feel it! The lack of run-off areas will also make it difficult, but I guess this is what we like as well,” said Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Unusual layout and abrasive surface
Mugello’s unusual track layout has fairly old, abrasive tarmac and bears some resemblance to Suzuka in Japan. The engineers at the Mercedes-AMG team will therefore use the venue of the Japanese Grand Prix as a reference point for their predictions about tyre life and degradation. Both tracks generate a very high sliding energy and put a lot of stress on the tyres.

To cope with a combination of fast corners and abrasive asphalt, Pirelli is sending their hardest compounds to Mugello, with the C1, C2 and C3 on offer. This is also to shield against the potential for thermal degradation exacerbated by very hot weather. The narrowness of the track and the technical nature of the layout are likely to make overtaking difficult, putting an extra onus on strategy decisions.

*Some spectators allowed in for a change!*

The Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio Della Toscana Ferrari 1000 2020 – which most will refer to as just the Tuscan Grand Prix – will be the 1000th F1 race for Scuderia Ferrari. Last weekend was a blot in the marque’s history book but that’s past and to celebrate this milestone, the two SF1000s took to the track in their special Burgundy livery, the deep red originally seen on the 125 S, the very first Ferrari ever built.

*The F1 Safety Car painted in Ferrari Red as a tribute to Scuderia Ferrari’s 1000th race achievement this weekend.*

“We will honour the achievement with the Mercedes-AMG Safety Car in Ferrari red – our nod to a racing history that brought us some of the greatest moments in Formula One. The men and women of Maranello have a proud history to celebrate and we’re paying respect to those celebrations this weekend,” said Toto Wolff, CEO and Team Principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

Championship positions after Monza
Despite registering his worst result of the season at Monza last Sunday, Lewis Hamilton’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship holds steady at 47 points, with team-mate Valtteri Bottas moving into second position after Max Verstappen recorded his second DNF of the season.

Mercedes-AMG, meanwhile, expanded their lead at the top of the Constructors’ Championship as Red Bull Racing’s failed to score. Their lead is now up to 123 points. Behind them, the battle is rather more intense: McLaren’s best result since 2014 saw them extend their lead in the race for third place, pulling out a gap of 16 points ahead of Racing Point, who in turn have an 11-point advantage over Renault.

Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Edition available for just 60 customers worldwide

Developed alongside the Lexus RC sports coupe, the RC F is one of the older models in the range, having been introduced 6 years ago. A more striking version of the RC, it has wider wheels and tyres, an active rear wing, air scoops, cooling ducts and customers can also choose a carbonfibre bodyshell.

Only 60 units for sale
Its age has not diminished its appeal and for the 2021 model year, Lexus has created the limited RC F Fuji Speedway Edition. Paying homage to the track where the F brand began, the RC F Fuji Speedway Edition will be limited to just 60 units.

This limited edition embodies decades of development on the iconic track. Already having the best power-to-weight ratio in its class, the RC F Fuji Speedway Edition shaves off some more weight. Installed in the car are Brembo Carbon Ceramic brakes, a titanium exhaust and extensive use of carbonfibre aerodynamic elements.

Besides its GT3-inspired looks and a naturally aspirated 5-litre V8 producing 472 bhp/535 Nm, there are upgrades that are said to push its performance to a new level. The sum of the detailed enhancements is claimed to make possible a time of 3.96 seconds from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Lexus engineers worked with the RC F GT3 racing team to create a unique aerodynamics strategy that increases downforce for better grip and control. Even the airflow inside the wheel wells was carefully calculated. Air exits through the fenders, allowing the suspension to perform without disruptive air pressure, simultaneously enhancing handling and stability. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres also have a specially developed compound to maximize grip.

Two colour choices
Only two exterior colour choices are available – Arctic Blast Satin or Cloudburst Gray. Arctic Blast Satin – a Lexus-first – is a unique white paint possessing a semi-matte finish. The paint expresses a beautiful satin lustre like that of a true matte finish, yet is durable enough go through an automatic car-wash.

Inside, the cockpit has exclusive highlighting with Circuit Red leather-trimmed seats and Alcantara accents as well as red carbonfibre ornamentation.

Exclusive MSTR watch by Meister
Each owner of the RC F Fuji Speedway Edition will receive a limited production MSTR automatic movement watch. The timepiece, by Meister, features RC F-inspired elements such as a gunmetal bezel, red stitching on its band, and Fuji Speedway and F logos.

*Opened in the early 1960s, the Fuji Speedway has hosted major motorsports events, including Formula 1. It has been owned by Toyota since 2000.*

New Lexus IS introduces ‘The Lexus Driving Signature’

Perodua resumes free Tweckbot inspections with new safety measures

Tweckbot – the long-running complimentary vehicle inspection service by Perodua – has resumed operations. A team will be station at Tesco Extra Bukit Tinggi Klang in Selangor this weekend (September 12 and 13) from 9 am to 5 pm daily.

The free service will also be available at two other locations in Selangor – Tesco Puncak Alam (September 19/20) and Tesco Extra Ampang (September 26/27), also from 9 am to 5 pm.

“As Malaysia Day nears, we foresee many Malaysians taking vacations or returning to their hometowns. For their safety and peace of mind, it is crucial that their Perodua vehicles are in good working order,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Tweckbot personnel will inspect over 50 points on a Perodua vehicle. These include the engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, power steering, clutch, tyres, suspension and electrical system.

New Normal operating procedures
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to prevent its spread, comprehensive health and safety measures have been adopted for the protection of its valued customers and staff. Dato’ Zainal emphasised that these safety measures will be the new normal operating procedures for Tweckbot moving forward.

All Tweckbot customers will be required to undergo temperature checks and will need to comply with contact tracing protocols as mandated by the government. Tweckbot stations will have a more spaced-out layout with demarcated areas for waiting, consultation and vehicle inspection to minimise movement, and the entire station will be evacuated and sanitised twice a day.

“Our technicians will wear face shields at all times and every vehicle will be thoroughly sanitised before and after inspection. Physical distancing and the wearing of face masks apply at all times,” Dato’ Zainal said.

He added that for the protection of the public, the number of vehicles inspected has to be limited to slots on a first-come, first-served basis.

20% discount on parts/accessories
Customers who inspect their vehicles with Tweckbot will get a 20% discount voucher, redeemable for the purchase of selected parts and accessories at any authorised Perodua service centre (terms and conditions apply).

Visit www.perodua.com.my for more news and to know more about the model range available.

Perodua expands on public protection initiative

Three additions to Mercedes-Benz SUV range in Malaysia

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has introduced the latest Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC Coupe and Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe with the flagship GLS 450 4MATIC to be available in early 2021. The new models join the brand’s SUV range which includes compact GLA, GLC and G-Class.

“The new GLE Coupe seamlessly blends the unrivalled power of an SUV with the agility and elegance of a coupe. Every function and every detail aims to offer an incredibly enchanting experience in its segment,” said Michael Jopp, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
The GLE 450 4MATIC Coupe is priced from RM661,009.42, while the GLE 53 4MATIC Coupe price starts from RM787,357.88, both prices without insurance but with relevant sales tax deducted until the end of 2020.

The GLE 450 Coupe is powered by the 3-litre turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder engine that produces 367 bhp/500 Nm, giving it a claimed acceleration capability of 5.7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. The similar engine size and type in the GLE 53 Coupe generates 435 bhp/520 Nm, which can take off another 4/10ths of a second in the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time.

Both models ride on AIRMATIC air suspension system with adaptive adjustable damping. The system uses highly complex sensor systems and algorithms to constantly adapt damping characteristics to road and driving conditions for optimum comfort levels.

The interior of the new GLE Coupes shares many common features with the other models in the SUV range family with a clear emphasis sportiness while maintain the premium image. Large 12.3-inch screens complement the instrument panel, horizontally divided by a trim element tier, tom provide the driver with all the important information while on the move.

As with all the latest Mercedes-Benz model, the GLE Coupe comes with the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. The latest generation of MBUX has a more intuitive operating structure and high visual quality.

Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC AMG Line
The GLS 450 4MATIC AMG Line is expected to be priced from RM899,888 when it goes on sale in 2021. As it will be after the sales tax-exemption period, the indicated price includes sales tax of 10% (unless there are changes when the new Budget is announced in October).

Described as the ‘S-class among Mercedes-Benz SUVs’, the latest version of the SUV will offer more of everything – space, comfort and luxury. It will come with an in-line 3-litre 6-cylinder engine with electrification by 48-volt technology. Maximum output is 367 bhp/500 Nm which is transmitted to all four wheels by the 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission.

The GLS 450 features an upright radiator grille, chrome-plated underguard with the bone-shaped air inlet grille and two powerdomes on the bonnet. LED lighting technology is used front and rear for maximum illumination at night.

The level of luxury within is enhanced by leather appointments and high quality materials. Styling elements are unified with the dashboard support flowing into the door panels and the integral trim element likewise extending to meet the doors.

Convenience features include electrically-adjustable seats with an EASY-ENTRY system for getting to the third row. The seats in the second row can also be moved forward to give extra legroom to those sitting in the third row.

The MBUX Rear Seat Entertainment System is available for the 7-seater SUV. Like in aircraft, the content on each screen can be selected by each occupant. This personalisation extends to movies, music and the integrated web browser, with two wireless headsets that come with the vehicle.

Mercedes me connect (Mmc)
Mercedes me connect is a connectivity system for Mercedes-Benz owners to stay connected and also remotely manage some functions of their vehicles using a dedicated app. The connected service, available in all the SUV models, enables unlocking their car, starting the engine remotely, getting customer support or even checking the level in the fuel tank from inside the home. Other features are remote vehicle diagnostics, pre=entry climate control, predictive navigation, parked vehicle locator.

Mmc includes an emergency call facility (E-call) that could make the difference between life and death should an accident occur. With a dedicated button on the roof panel of the vehicle’s cabin, drivers and other occupants can make an emergency call to a dedicated emergency response centre. The vehicle’s location will already be known which will help rescuers reach the vehicle faster.

Enhanced insurance and takaful packages from Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia

Piston.my

English

Winning design of BMW M4 GT4 livery contest on show at Pavilion KL this Wednesday

First RTD Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre For N-S Expressway Opened

Lucid Air to rewrite book on electric cars

Enhanced Premium Package for Porsche Macan

F1 (Round 9): Results And Highlights Of 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix

Scuderia Ferrari starts its 1,000th F1 race today

F1 (Round 9): Preview & Starting Grid For 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix

Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Edition available for just 60 customers worldwide

Perodua resumes free Tweckbot inspections with new safety measures

Three additions to Mercedes-Benz SUV range in Malaysia

2025 Chery Tiggo 9 and Tiggo 9 C-DM Officially Launched in China

Proton Business Case Study Challenge 2024 Draws 300 University Students

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 Tyre Officially Launched in Malaysia

Hyundai, Kia and Samsung Join Forces to Develop Next-Gen Infotainment System

Police Call for Public Assistance to Curb ‘Mat Rempit’ Activities

Ford Ranger XLT Plus Special Edition Launched – RM3,000 Fuel Vouchers for the First 20 Online Buyers

Stay in Your Lane: Experts Warn Against Switching Lanes in Stop-and-Go Traffic

P1 Successor Set to Break Cover: McLaren Teases New Hypercar Reveal

BMW Malaysia Showcases Latest Generation 5 Series – 520i M Sport and i5 eDrive40 M Sport

Toyota’s New Four-Cylinder Engine Aims to Surpass the Legendary 2JZ

Archive

MG Unveils Surprise Electric Roadster: The MG Cyberster

2026 Toyota Corolla to Feature BYD Hybrid Tech, Achieving 2100km Range

smart Malaysia Launches smartCO: Community Privileges Programme for smart EV Owners

Electric Vehicle Sales Slump: ACEA Warns of Major Setbacks in Europe’s Automotive Industry

2025 Chery Tiggo 9 and Tiggo 9 C-DM Officially Launched in China

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

The Piston Show