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Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia Comes To A Close!

The inaugural Vios Challenge season reached its climactic finale in Technology Park Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur on 24^th and 25^th March 2018, bringing with it the thrills and excitement that Malaysians seldom witness on their home soil.

It had been touted as one of the most ambitious racing projects to be undertaken by a single car company but the initiative to introduce grassroots racing to the masses has been exceptionally successful judging by the crowds that came to the event in KL last weekend as well as in the earliest rounds in Batu Kawan, Penang, MAEPS, Serdang and in Medini City, Johor.

The Vios Challenge is the focal point of the weekend where some 40 identically-built Toyota Vios race in three classifications namely Sporting, Super Sporting and Promotional. It is the integral part of the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival where exciting and fun activities such as celebrity appearances, stage games, drift performances, car displays, carnival food and lots more are part of the draw to get families on a weekend outing.

“The Vios Challenge was aimed at bringing motor racing closer to Malaysians. We wanted everyone to appreciate motor racing in a fun yet safe environment and to make it a weekend outing for the whole family. Judging from the happy expressions of the crowds at each venue, I believe we have successfully brought an appealing event to everyone,” said President of UMW Toyota Motor Mr. Ravindran K.

Attendance at each venue has averaged over 21,000 spectators per weekend, making it one of the most popular locals Motorsport events in recent history. Undoubtedly, the quality of racing has been top notch, not only from the crème de la crème Super Sporting class but also from the Sporting and the Promotional classes that have given everyone lots to cheer from the get-go.

The drivers in the Promotional class in particular may have brought their star appeal to the event but their on-track performance has been nothing short of impressive. Shukri Yahaya for instance, is better known for his roles in blockbuster TV dramas. Yet by the final race in the TPM, his lap times in qualifying could have placed him on the second row of the Sporting class grid while actress Diana Danielle, a mother of two who confessed to forgetting how to drive a manual car during her racing school stint, would have made it into the top 10 of the same grid.

“This was our hope when we brought the concept to Malaysia. We wanted to expose motor racing to new participants and allow them to build on their own abilities; making them better racers and better drivers on the road,” said Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Mr. Akio Takeyama.

Mr. Takeyama would be the most qualified to speak on the matter as he himself strapped into a Toyota Vios every race weekend and battled it out with his fellow competitors in the Promotional class. Despite have no racing background, his race craft and car handling at the end of the season has made him a true competitor.

Beatboxing sensation Shawn Lee continued on his winning ways and claimed the series in his Promotional class, suffering only two losses throughout the eight races. However, it was a fellow drift driver in the Super Sporting class Tengku Djan who kept motor racing aficionados on the edge of their seats each time he took to the track.

Djan’s on-track antics and amazing car control was a sight to behold although the hard-charging William Ho made him work very hard for the title. The story of the series must be that of the young sensation Brandon Paul Anthony. The 20-year-old had previously never raced in a Toyota Vios and joined the series only in the second event in MAEPS. He then stormed up the ladder to seal his championship with a flourish in the TPM.

There was plenty of unpolished gems that emerged throughout the season and come the later half of 2018, some others may emerge when Season 2 of the Vios Challenge takes to the circuits.

Volkswagen M’sia Revises Service Maintenance Schedule For More Cost Effective Ownership

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced a revised Service Maintenance Schedule for Volkswagen cars, effective 1^stApril 2018. The revised Service Maintenance Schedule also offers up to 26% savings for Volkswagen owners (calculated based on 5 years or 75,000km).

Florian Steiner, Managing Director of VPCM said that the move is in-line with the company’s continuous efforts to optimize the ownership experience and in giving owners peace-of-mind. “The revised Service Maintenance Schedule, paired with the three years’ free maintenance programme which we introduced on the 1^st of January 2018, makes owning a Volkswagen even more cost-effective,” he added.

A list of the revised Service Maintenance Schedules for all current and previous Volkswagen models sold in Malaysia can be found in detail on the official Volkswagen website. The revised Service Maintenance Schedule is only applicable to models sold by the manufacturer, and does not cover models imported via unauthorized distributors.

This revised Service Maintenance Schedule is implemented, due to extended replacement intervals of certain components. This translates into better savings for the owner. However, Volkswagen technicians will still perform routine checks, as part of the standard service process and will advise accordingly, if any parts replacement is required.

For more information, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.

Why the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Turbo is the new king of wagons!

There’s not much to say about the Porsche Panamera which has not been said already. The world knows of its capability and opulence by now. But did you know that it’s name is short for Panamericana? And that it is named after a popular 1950s endurance race that lasted up to six days in Mexico called the Carrera Panamericana in which Porsche was successful in.

And that the world actually got a first glimpse of a four-door Porsche back in 1988, though it was called the 989 back then instead of Panamera (shown below).

Porsche actually spent three years developing the 989, until a halt work order came in at the end of 1991. The fact that a four-door Porsche like the 989, Panamera and the Cayenne infuriated Porsche purists is well documented so we will not repeat that story here, but the four-door models sold well and Porsche kept the purists happy by producing some mega wild cars like the Carrera GT, GT3 RS and the GT2 RS, all of which stood true to Porsche’s roots.

So the company found a way to make money without losing its core values. Some purists even softened up to the four-doors models when it became clear that the Panamera is Porsche’s answer to those who want a performance car with four-door practicality. Simply put, it had the performance of a true to word Porsche and the practicality of a proper sedan.

But the Panamera has been awkwardly limited as far as practicality goes. Instead, it has focused on being a luxury performance car for four people, or even a car to be chauffeured in. It is for the man who knows and loves his cars, but not attacking corners, he prefers to take the back seat in a car made by arguably the world’s best car maker. The Panamera offered all of that.

So, enter the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo – a Panamera that offers performance that rivals modern sports cars and yet also has the style, character and dare we say it, even the practicality of a sports wagon. And for very long the Audi RS6 was the king of that domain, but there’s a new contender for the title of world’s most practical performance car.

Some even suggest that the Sport Turismo is a better Panamera than the Panamera itself. Perhaps because it offers everything the Panamera does, but adds a huge amount of space, lots of style, and retains the Panamera’s touch of luxury and class. Its versatile; you can choose to drive the car, be driven in it, or pack your entire family in it for a long getaway.

Sime Darby Auto Performance, the company in charge of Porsche in Malaysia, may have just officially introduced the car recently, but a small group of journalists were allowed some time behind the wheel of a Sport Turismo Turbo for a blast around the Sepang International Circuit.

The Sport Turismo Turbo is a big, heavy car, so as far as dynamics go it really shouldn’t do very well on a specialised circuit like Sepang. But hey, we live in an era where we are sending robots to explore mars, so it really shouldn’t be very difficult to make a big, heavy car feel as agile as a ballerina on track. And that is exactly what the Sport Turismo Turbo does quite well.

We witnessed for ourselves as the Sport Turismo Turbo hunted down a lightweight Porsche and passed it as if it were standing still. We may have had two-time Le Mans winner Earl Bamber driving the Turbo, but the other Porsche had a half a circuit’s length head start. Not sure who was driving it though.

To be fair, the Sport Turismo Turbo has some trick electronics and a 4.0-litre V8 engine producing 550hp and 700Nm of torque; a true masterpiece of an engine. But that said, this is also the same car in which you can pack the family into and go on a long drive to Phuket. No seriously, you can, with space for the dog too.

Unlike the standard Panamera, the Sport Turismo actually comes with five functional seats and seat belts. But for those who prefer taking life easy in the back seat, the Sport Turismo can also be had with two electric seats at the back. So it can either be a car for captains of industry, or it can be a car for the family. Either way it is brilliant at what it does.

Earl Bamber was at the Sepang Circuit testing his own GT3 Cup Car in which he races in the Carrera Cup race series. He then took some of us for a ride in the Sport Turismo, and though we were allowed to drive the car for a few laps, it was in his hands features like the Rear Axle Steering could truly be felt as his aggressive driving style truly worked the systems. At turn three of the circuit for example, a fast right hander where the car can carry speeds of over 200km/h, the rear felt as if it were on rails. It felt as if it was shadowing the front end instead of trailing behind it, planted.

Of course the rear axle steering system, a feature that turns the rear wheels in the same angle as the front during high speeds, couldn’t have done it by itself. There’s also the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control that manages the body roll of the car in corners as well as the Porsche Traction Management which is an active all-wheel-drive system that sends and cuts power in individual wheels to help maintain maximum grip at all times.

Besides that the car has other neat tricks as well like an adaptive roof-mounted rear spoiler (above). The spoiler works in three stages depending on the driving situation and vehicle setting. It is a central component in the Porsche Active Aerodynamics, and when it stays in a retracted position of minus seven degrees it helps to reduce drag thus optimising fuel consumption. On track and at high speed, the spoiler moves to the performance position with an angle of plus one degree, this helps to increase stability. It also helps to lower the noise in the cabin when the sliding panoramic roof is open. It does this by inclining to a position of plus 26 degrees, keeping the wind noise away from the cabin.

When a car offers plenty of space for occupants and their luggage, we usually call it a practical car. And if a practical car is also incredibly powerful yet agile at the same time, well that’s what we would usually call a once-in-a-lifetime type of car. And if there was one car which we could drive for the rest of our lives, one car that seemingly had it all and more, well, then it would be the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Turbo. Except that it costs RM1.95 million with taxes but before options.

BIMS 2018: Night-time ICE Car & Truck Modders Show [+Video]

On the first night of every BIMS, this happens! It’s a gathering of the craziest modded trucks (and a few cars too) that you’re ever gonna see, replete with girls on their decks, right behind IMPACT Challenger Hall!

More to come!

VIDEO: BIMS 2018 First Official Public Day @ Bangkok International Motorshow 2018 – Walk-Around Video!

The sights and sounds of BIMS 2018, plus narration and my take on one of the best motorshows in the region. I’m just walking around saying hi to random people, it’s a blast, you really should visit this show sometime. – Chris Wee.

Trivia: BIMS is one of the only motorshows in the world where the cars on display are also for sale. Guess how many cars were sold at BIMS last year? Answer in the video below!

More to come!

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Debuts in Malaysia – Prices Starting From RM990,000

The Porsche Panamera is not new to Malaysia, we see hundreds of them on our roads, and it is near impossible to go about your business in KL without coming across a Panamera, new or old. But the Panamera Sport Turismo is something else and completely new to our market.

Officially unveiled for the local market by Sime Darby Auto Performance, the custodian of the Porsche brand in Malaysia, two variants were introduced – the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo and the Panamera 4E – Hybrid Sport Turismo.

At first glance there is no mistaking the car for anything else but a Panamera, but move towards the rear of the car and the difference is obvious. The Sport Turismo is basically an estate, or hatchback version of the Panamera, but retains, in fact it improves on the practicality aspect of which the Panamera couldn’t really offer in its entirety.

The large tailgate, longer rear doors, increased storage capacity and even a 4+1 seating arrangement is all unique to the Sport Turismo, giving the Sport Turismo added practicality over the standard Panamera. And while the Panamera was a strict four-seater, the Sport Turismo on the other hand is able to seat five people, but there is also an option for four electronically adjustable seats if you so wish.

So what’s the difference between the Sport Turismo and the standard Panamera? Plenty actually, but it all begins aft of the rear doors. As mentioned, the rear doors are longer as is the roof line. The roof line then drops away less dramatically than the Panamera, to give the car the distinguished “shooting brake” design.

There is a roof mounted spoiler at the rear, and this works in three stages depending on the driving situation and the vehicle settings. At speeds of up to 170km/h, the spoiler retracts at an angle of minus seven degrees, this is to reduce overall drag co-efficiency and also to aid with fuel efficiency. In full flight mode of above 170km/h, the spoiler positions itself to an angle of plus one degree. At this angle the spoiler increases aerodynamic efficiency, keeping the car planted to the road thus maximising grip. But in Sport and Sport Plus mode, the spoiler automatically moves to the performance position at speeds above 90km/h. It also works as an air brake in case of emergency braking, and more interestingly, it can also help minimise wind noise when the sliding roof is open at speeds of 90km/h.

Besides that, the booth is much bigger than the Panamera, and because it has a lower rear end, picking up and placing heavy items is not as troublesome. The storage space measures in at 425-litres for the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo and 520-litres for the Sport Turismo. This is 20 litres more than the standard Panamera. When all of the backrests are folded down, the floor is virtually flat, and increases storage to 1,295 litres for the 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, and 1,390 litres for the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo.

On the performance front, the range of Panamera Sport Turismo’s are powered by V6 engines. The entry-level Panamera 4 Sport Turismo is powered by a 3.0-litre, turbocharged V6 engine producing 330hp and 450Nm of torque. It has a top speed of 259km/h and accelerates to 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds. But opt for the Sport Chrono package with Launch Control and the figure drops to 5.3 seconds.

The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is powered by a 2.9-litre, turbocharged V6 engine coupled to electric motors that offers a combined output of 462hp and 700Nm of torque. It has a top speed of 275km/h and sprints to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

And the top of the range Turbo model is powered by a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine producing an eye watering 550hp and 770Nm of torque. It has a top speed of 304km/h and sees off the century sprint in 3.8 seconds, or 3.6 seconds with the Sport Chrono package.

The base price for the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo starts from RM990,000 while the E-hybrid model costs RM1,125,000 before options. For the top of the line Turbo variant, the base price starts from RM1,940,000 before options.

All Porsche cars sold by SDAP come with a four-year warranty and a free maintenance package that includes complimentary service, parts and labour.

UMW Toyota Announces Upgrades for Hilux, Sienta, Alphard & Vellfire

Since being officially imported and distributed in Malaysia by UMW Toyota Motor from 2014, the Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire (from 2016) have been in great demand by those wanting a luxurious MPV from Japan. To date, over 3,000 units have been sold through authorised Toyota showrooms nationwide, accounting for 50% of the premium MPV market.

For the 2018 model year, both models have received upgrades and improvements to make them even better value for money. The new specifications include a new engine and transmission and this new powertrain specification will only be available for units distributed by UMW Toyota Motor and sold by authorised Toyota dealers in Malaysia.

Toyota Alphard…

As before, the Alphard is available in two variants – the Alphard 3.5 Executive Lounge which offers Premium Luxury and the Alphard 3.5 which offers Advanced Luxury. Both variants now come with the new 2GR-FKS 3.5-litre V6 engine and advanced 8-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission.

The powerful new engine has a D-4S injection system for optimum fuel delivery in all driving conditions. This system utilises high-pressure and low-pressure injectors to meet combustion needs throughout the engine speed range. The Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide (VVT-iW) system provides high torque from low to high rpm ranges. It uses the Atkinson cycle to enhance fuel economy and the Otto cycle for power.

Toyota Vellfire…

Like the new Alphard, the Vellfire has also received cosmetic changes which strengthen the distinctive cool and modern looks that give the model its unique identity. For the new model, the upper and lower parts of the three-dimensional two-part structure have a clearer expression at the front, strengthening the body’s overall sense of unity. This accentuates the rearward-flowing dynamic design, and the powerful solid impression of the lower body. 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels with a dynamic new design are fitted.

From the bonnet to the bumper, the structure is integrated into a single ingot-shaped grille design, accentuating the pushed-outwards impression of the centre and expressing modern luxury in a solid form. Fog lamp bezels, positioned low, together with the flared form of the corners, accentuate the wide and low stance. The aggressively shaped triangular fog lamp bezels, following current Toyota design cues, gives the bumper corners a more dynamic impression.

To match the cubic form of the front end of the Vellfire, the upper headLamps incorporate two square projectors. Together with the blue accent of the extension, this creates a cool expression and an advanced tech image. When activated, the turn signals show the direction of the vehicle’s intended movement by sequential illumination.

For the full details on the Alphard & Vellfire, click this: 017_Alphard and Vellfire 2018_ENG

For the price list, click this: Alphard & Vellfire_2018 Price Summary

Toyota Hilux & Sienta…

A host of minor cosmetic and convenience upgrades have been announced for both the Hilux and Sienta, which can be seen in this photo gallery below.

Hilux:

Sienta:

Toyota Alphard, Vellfire, Hilux & Sienta Photo Gallery…

BIMS 2018: Girls, Girls, Girls! The Lovely Ladies Of Bangkok International Motorshow Strut Their Stuff! [+Video]

Here they are! For the first time in history, the lovely showgirls of the Bangkok International Motorshow were given a ‘catwalk’ down the main thoroughfare!

Stay tuned for more to come!

MICHELIN Showcases Its Range Of All-Terrain Tyres At Its First Off-Road Days Event

MICHELIN Malaysia kicked-off 2018 with the MICHELIN OFF-ROAD DAYS event from 20 to 23 March to showcase MICHELIN’s range of SUV and 4 x 4 tyres, including its latest innovation in on- and off-road tyres – the MICHELIN LTX FORCE.

L-R: 1. Mr. Kuang Boon Keat, Customer Engineering Support, Michelin Malaysia 2. Mr. Pascal Nouvellon, Managing Director, Michelin Malaysia 3. Mr. Duy Pham, Marketing Manager, Michelin Malaysia 4. The Michelin Man, aka Bibendum, Michelin’s Mascot

The MICHELIN LTX FORCE features both on-road and off-road capabilities and toughness – from asphalt highways, concrete roads, to unpaved, gravel, sand, and wet mud path. The week-long event saw a diverse group of tyre and car enthusiasts test drive and experience first-hand the adaptability of the MICHELIN LTX FORCE tyres at on- and off-road terrains in the Sepang Circuit.

Consumers were able to experience the tyres’ full potential on various vehicles, including the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Fortuner, as well as witness on-site comparison against other tyres in the market. Themed “By Passion, By Necessity”, the event was aimed at the SUV and 4×4 market segment which is a growing market globally. The theme also addresses the need of today’s drivers who travel for work and leisure, from the daily worker to the avid adventurer.

In Malaysia, the SUV / 4×4 segment accounts for almost 12% of total Passenger Vehicles sold in 2017 – or 61,275 units – according to the Malaysian Automotive Association. Global Insights estimates that the SUV market is expected to grow at a rate of 9.7% by the year 2022, while the Malaysia Tire Forecast and Opportunity Report projects tyre sales to increase by 6.6% the same period.

MICHELIN Malaysia’s Managing Director, Mr. Pascal Nouvellon (above) revealed: “Over the past two years, the SUV tyre segment has outgrown the passenger car tyre segment globally; and will continue to do so for the next five years as more people are seeking safety and versatility in vehicles and would expect the same from their tyres. At MICHELIN, we strive to deliver tyre safety that people deserve – simply.”

The MICHELIN LTX FORCE’s on-road capabilities are enabled by CompacTread Technology, whereby reinforcement between tread blocks increases the contact area with the ground, for better braking and safety; BevelTread Technology, whereby a rounded sloping edge cuts the peaks of noise power at the frequency which is sensitive to human ears, thus providing a peaceful ride; and CushionGuard Technology, which absorbs road imperfections for a more comfortable drive.

Its off-road toughness is enabled by Extended Sidewall Biting Edge, which improves the sidewall’s cut-chip resistance; plus Deep and Open Shoulder Design for off-road traction. True to its tagline “Whatever The Terrain, One Tyre Handles It”, the MICHELIN LTX FORCE is the best option for drivers who seek the best driving experience on all types of roads.

“Off-road technologies behind the MICHELIN LTX FORCE are derived from the World Rally Championship (WRC), one of the world’s most demanding rallies – thus, providing another example of MICHELIN’s “From Track to Street” philosophy. At the same time, on-road technologies improve braking performance on both wet and dry roads, as well as increases durability. Through a series of tests held at the event, consumers could witness the MICHELIN LTX FORCE braking to an average distance of 2 meters shorter versus its competitors on-road, which is a crucial safety feature. Third party studies also revealed that the tyre delivers 35% more mileage” added Mr. Nouvellon.

With the MICHELIN LTX FORCE, customers can be ensured of safety and versatility with excellent on-road grip and great off-road traction, as well as of longevity and durability with better mileage and a tougher design.

MICHELIN LTX FORCE is available in a wide range of fitments – from 15 to 18 inches – at TYREPLUS car service outlets, MICHELIN EXPERT CENTRE and authorized dealers across the nation.