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Audi A4 is now available in three new variants

Audi has added three new variants to its A4 line-up which are the 1.4 TFSI, A4 2.0 TFSI Tech pack and the range topping 2.0 TFSI quattro. Launched last September, the A4 portfolio initially comprised of the A4 2.0 TFSI and A4 2.0 S Line. The added contenders will provide buyers with more options to choose from and allow the brand to meet the needs of many more buyers.

Considered the entry level variant of the lot, the A4 1.4 TFSI differs a little in terms of styling compared with the standard 2.0 TFSI. It has a different wheel design and comes with xenon plus headlights with DRLs but halogen taillights. Inside, the car is identical to its larger engine sibling with the exception of the steering wheel, which is of a different design.

Under the bonnet is a 1.4-litre engine that produces 150bhp and 250Nm of torque and is mated to a 7-speed S tronic transmission. Fuel consumption is pretty good too, Audi claims that the car should provide a fuel consumption figure of 5.2 l/ 100km on a combined cycle.

Moving up the range is the 2.0 TFSI Tech pack which features the Audi virtual cockpit and Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators in the front. Inside, the infotainment system has the Audi smartphone interface for Apple Carplay and Android Auto as well as a number of others. It’s powered by the same engine as the rest of the 2.0-litre A4 variants but it produces 190bhp and 320Nm of torque.

The third variant, called the 2.0 TFSI quatrro, features the same 2.0-litre engine but is tuned to produce 252bhp and 370Nm of torque. Due to the power, the 0-100km/h time for this variant drops to a mere 5.8 seconds which is close to the sports car territory. Also, its fitted with Audi’s clever all-wheel-drive system (quattro) enabling the car to have better grip especially on roads even in poor weather conditions.

There some subtle cues that enable the car to stand out from the rest of the line-up which include sportier front and rear bumpers, 18-inch 5-spoke cast aluminium wheels, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, sports front seats, Alcantara upholstery, matte brushed aluminium inlays, Audi smartphone interface for apple Carplay and Android Auto, Audi connect as well as other features.

The 1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI Tech pack variants can be ordered in seven different body colours which are Glacier White, Floret Silver, Scuba Blue, Tango Red, Monsoon Grey, Argus Brown, as well as Mythos Black. The 2.0 TFSI quattro can be had in the same range of colours except for Argus Brown, which has been replaced with Daytona Grey. Pricing starts at RM218,900 for the 1.4 TFSI, RM273,900 for the 2.0 TFSI Tech pack and RM314,900 for the 2.0 TFSI quattro.

However, since the cars have just been launched, Audi are offering them at a lowered price to entice buyers meaning, for a limited time only and starting from April 14, the 1.4 TFSI costs just RM199,900, the 2.0 TFSI Tech pack is offered at RM 249,900 and the 2.0 TFSI quattro is priced at RM294,900.

All variants of the A4 line-up come with a 5 year and unlimited mileage warranty. If you are interested, visit your nearest dealership or visit the automaker’s local website to learn more.

New Mitsubishi Triton launched

Mitsubishi has officially launched its new Triton for the Malaysian market. The new pick-up truck boasts a number of improvements over its predecessor which aid safety, performance and reliability.

Compared with the truck it replaces, the new one has a dark chrome grille at the front end, newly designed side steps, automatic bi-xenon HID headlights with integrated DRLs and on one variant, 17-inch dual-tone alloy rims and a front bumper shield extender.

Inside, there’s now a new four-spoke multi-function steering wheel and a new instrument cluster. There’s also leather seats, a 8-way adjustable driver’s seat and reverse camera but are only available in the VGT Adventure variant.

Under the the bonnet is a 2.4-litre MIVEC engine with Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) that produces 180bhp and 430Nm of torque. This engine replaces the older 2.5-litre unit in its predecessor and is said to offer 15% better fuel efficiency. The improvement is due to the use of aluminium alloy for the engine block and the ability of the MIVEC system to control the engine valves with better precision. Mitsubishi has fitted it with a timing chain, which will lower running costs and extend service life.

There two transmission choices, buyers can choose between a 5-speed automatic with manual mode or a new 6-speed manual one. The 4WD system can be toggled while the vehicle is mobile, which should offer better flexibility especially during off-read excursions.

As for its safety features, the Triton has 7 airbags (front, side and curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag) but only if you opt for the Adventure variant. Some variants will come with all the features stated in this article, so before you put your name down for a Triton, make sure its of the variant that you actually want.

The following is a list of variants available and the various corresponding body colours:

Imported from Thailand, the new Mitsubishi Triton is already available for order at any Mitsubishi dealership, so visit your nearest one to know more.

New Audi Q8 and Q4 to complete SUV line-up

Audi is expanding its product portfolio with the addition of two new Q models – the Q8 and Q4. The Audi Q8 will open up a new segment for the German automaker’s top-end models. It is a premium SUV with a coupe-like silhouette but offers decent amount of space and the latest technologies. The Q4 on the other hand, will be responsible for penetrating the compact utility vehicles (CUVs) segment. Featuring coupe-like design as well, the Q4 will slot between the Q3 and Q5 and should complete the Q line up for the German automaker.

“We will integrate two completely new Q‑models into the existing production network and will thus increase our competitiveness in an extremely important segment,” stated Audi’s Board of Management Member for Production and Logistics, Prof. Dr. Hubert Waltl.

Audi’s Q8 will be produced in Bratislava (Slovakia) where the Q7 and Q7 e-tron plug-in hybrid are also being made. The smaller Q4 will be produced in Győr (Hungary) and will be joined by the Audi Q3 once the conditions are favorable but until then, the Q3 will continue to be produced in Martorell, Spain.

Production for the Q8 will begin in 2018 and a year later, Audi will give the green light to start production of the smaller Q4. Expect good things from the German automaker in the next couple of years but we are sure Mercedes-Benz and BMW aren’t going to take this news lying down.

Ford to roll out hybrid pursuit sedan soon

Ford has developed a police spec hybrid pursuit vehicle for Police departments in the US. Called the Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan, the vehicle features clever tech that help it save fuel and put less strain on the car’s engine when it comes to powering the various electronic equipment.

Under the the bonnet is a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and an electric motor which is powered by a lithium-ion battery. Ford says, that the car can run on pure electric power at speeds of up to 100km/h. It will switch between electric, petrol or a combination of both (hybrid) as and when necessary to ensure police officers have the performance needed to respond to emergency situations.

The Blue Oval also says that the car will be able to cover more than double the distance of a regular petrol-only pursuit vehicle but with the same amount of fuel. This can be attributed to the use of a lithium-ion battery pack that helps power the electrical systems and putting less of burden on the engine especially when the vehicle is stationary.

This pursuit sedan is one of 13 electrified vehicles that will be introduced to the market in the next 5 years. Others include a hybrid F-150 pick-up, hybrid version of the Mustang, plug-in hybrid Transit, all-electric small SUV and a hybrid powered self-driving vehicle which has not been named.

“Electrifying our next generation of vehicles is core to our unwavering commitment to sustainability,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “By being a leader in electrified vehicles, we remain committed to delivering cars, trucks and SUVs that are better not only for our customers, but for the environment and society as well.”

Ford has poured $4.5 billion dollars into its alternative energy campaign with the hopes offering general consumers the vehicles that are most useful to them. Though the launch dates of these various vehicles are still far off, the hybrid pursuit sedan will be made available for purchase by various police departments as early as the middle of next year.

Barn-find Merc to fetch top dollar at auction

Today’s news might be of interest to classic car enthusiasts. Going under the hammer of Coys’ international auction, is a 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 which is set to sell for a considerable amount of money. Though the car isn’t rare or incredibly desirable, and the reason why it has gained so much popularity is because it has been left almost untouched since new.

Considered a modern day barn-find, this particular Merc was purchased brand new in 1996 as a birthday present for the owner and was only driven 129km. This was because shortly after it was purchased, the owner seemed to have misplaced its keys. And unlike the average person, she never bothered to order a replacement set. Instead, she had the car stored away in a garage.

It was left in storage for a good 21 years since and has only recently been given some TLC before hitting the auction block. Had the car been used as a daily driver, it wouldn’t have gained this much attention. Such a car could be purchased from a number of UK based used car websites for about RM27,000 to RM39,000. But, since that isn’t the case here, and due to its incredibly low mileage, it should fetch between RM248,000 to RM303,082.

The original keys were never recovered, but the car will come with brand new ones along with the original books, manuals along with other period correct items that were supposed to have come with it when brand new.

The Mercedes-Benz SL500 R129 roadsters were produced from 1989 through 2002, and they came with a number of impressive features such as electronically controlled damping and a hidden automatically extending roll-over bar as well as electric windows and mirrors.

This particular Benz has one of the most powerful and sought after powerplants of the M119 series and also has a number optional extras such as heated front seats, 6 CD multi-changer, upgraded radio and a wood-leather steering wheel.

Volkswagen Tiguan shorlisted for Car of the Year Award

As many of you may already know, the new Tiguan was recently launched in Malaysia, you can find the full article here. Today’s news is once again related to the Tiguan, but this time, this particular VW is one of the three finalists which are in the running to win the “World Car of the Year” award.

The Tiguan is one the German automaker’s most important models currently in its portfolio. Launched in 2007, the name plate has gone on to represent a vehicle that is well regarded around the world. The latest generation Tiguan is available to purchase in 170 different markets and to this day, 3.5 million Tiguans have been sold.

VW has been able to give the Tiguan mild-mannered off-road capabilities while still retaining decent comfort levels and solid German build quality. And whether that’s enough to win the “World Car of the Year” in 2017 remains to be seen, but if you are interested to know more about the VW Tiguan, visit the manufacturer’s local website for further details.

Kahn Design to introduce bespoke Land Rover Defender

Kahn Design is a world-renowned British vehicle designer who takes pride in building some of the most unique vehicles in recent memory. This time around, the design house will be building a one-off version of the Land Rover Defender which will be unveiled at the London Motor Show 2017 in May.

In line with Kahn’s successful track record in vehicle design, the company will pay homage to the off-roader by bringing together subtle influences to recreate a Defender with a modern feel.

Alec Mumford, Chairman of The London Motor Show, said: “It is a pleasure to have Kahn Design at The London Motor Show this year. Creating a truly outstanding tribute to one of the world’s most iconic cars, this immersive display is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser in Battersea Park. It goes without saying the Kahn Design’s unique and bespoke builds optimise the very best of British ingenuity.”

Mr Kahn, chief designer of Kahn Design said: “For The London Motor Show 2016, I designed a vehicle that celebrates the history and unique personality of the Defender. My designs are known for their attention to detail, so I do not want this Defender to be any different.”

Kahn Design have added their touch to a number of supercars and other vehicles by combining luxury, style and performance. Kahn Design has a showroom in Chelsea, London, where potential buyers can go to order their vehicles.

Aston Martin launch Vanquish S Red Arrows edition

If you fancy owning a bespoke Aston Martin, then you are in luck. The automaker will be building a special edition of the Vanquish S, named The Q by Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows edition.

The purpose, is to pay homage to the men and women of the Royal Air-Force acrobatic team – The Red Arrows. Founded in 1965, the team which comprises of nine pilots, showcase their razor-sharp reactions of their jets at airshows both in the UK and abroad.

Aston Martin adopted the Red Arrows paint scheme for the car and it also has white and blue carbon livery detailing to the white ‘smoke trail’ features on the side streak. An exposed carbon fibre roof panel includes an inlaid ‘charge’ pattern which is said to resemble the canopy of a jet. Union Jack enamel wing badges and titanium exhaust complete the exterior package.

Inside, buyers get Pinewood green inserts and green webbing seatbelts. The signature Red Arrows emblem of nine aircraft in classic ‘diamond’ formation is embroidered on the seat backs, along with unique sill and engine inspection plaques. these plaques will bear the numbers 1 to 10 representing each of the 10 cars that will be produced.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team logo is embroidered on the transmission tunnel, and the rear of the cabin is finished in the 2+0 configuration, allowing for rear-mounted stowage of twin racing helmets, both finished in the Red Arrows livery.

In usual Aston Martin fashion owners will also get a number of accessories which include a racing helmet, racing suit, bespoke embroidered bomber jackets, a special luggage set and a 1:18 die-cast of the the car and the Hawk aircraft.

Only nine of these cars will be available for purchase through Aston Martin Cambridge while the 10th, will be gifted to the RAF Benevolent Fund, the charity that has been established to support former service personnel and their families.

The car was introduced at the handover of the former RAF St Athan facility in South Wales, which is soon to become the automaker’s second manufacturing plant in the UK.

Infiniti posts record first quarter in 2017

Infiniti has announced that it has recieved record sales in the first quarter of 2017 by posting sales of 67,367 vehicles worldwide for the entire quarter, which is said to be an 18% percent increase compared to the same period last year. In March alone, the automaker shifted 28,406 vehicles which a 14% increase from last March.

Roland Krueger, President of Infiniti Motor Company said, “It is gratifying to see that customers around the world continue to appreciate the design, performance and quality they expect from Infiniti. The Infiniti team, and in particular our retail partners, can be very proud of the record first quarter and record month, following our record year in 2016. Our momentum is of course led by new products, with the Q30 and Q60 now on sale in key global markets. The momentum continues next week when we unveil the QX80 Monograph full-size SUV design study in New York, and the QX50 SUV crossover concept in Shanghai the following week.”

In the USA, Infiniti had the best quarter by selling 43,561 vehicles which is a 33% increase. Further up north, in Canada, the automaker sold 2,800 vehicles but in March alone, 1,292 vehicles were sold. It was a similar story in China too, with the Japanese giant selling 10,000 vehicles and posting a 4% increase in sales for the quarter. For markets in Asia and Oceania, Infiniti has also achieved record sales in countries such as Australia and Taiwan.

Whether the automaker can maintain this momentum for the remainder of 2017 remains to be seen, and all we can do is wait and see.

Ford to introduce latest Ranger in China

Ford will be introducing its strongest selection of pick-up trucks for the Chinese market. After extensive market research into the needs and wants of the average Chinese customer, Ford determined that despite the perception of pick-trucks being reserved for utilitarian work, exposure to western movies and the internet, that is slowly changing.

The Blue Oval will introduce the stalwart Ranger along side its bigger and meaner sibling, the F-150 Raptor in China. Currently, pick-up trucks make up only 2 percent of the vehicle market, but its market share grew to a respectable 14 per cent last year, prompting Ford to launch another one of its most cherished vehicles in its fleet. Released under the Built Ford Tough tagline, the new vehicles should help Ford’s bottom line somewhat.

“We’re very excited to bring Built Ford Tough, one of the world’s best loved and most successful brands, to customers in the world’s largest auto market,” said Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO. “We see a significant white-space opportunity with Chinese buyers increasingly looking for more capable, more refined and more stylish pickups.”

The Ranger, is Ford’s best selling midsize pick up truck in Europe, South Africa and New Zealand. It is also the second best selling truck outside North America. The F-150 Raptor, is offered in China as a four-door SuperCrew model and combines military grade body construction with advanced Ford technologies.

“The F-150 Raptor has created a lot of buzz among Chinese customers since it was revealed for the first time last year and we are extremely excited to have it arriving in our showrooms in China, ready to be delivered to customers,” said Peter Fleet, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford Asia Pacific.

Ford has sold more than 26 million Raptor trucks since 1977 and it has been America’s top selling truck for 40 consecutive years. The one sold in China features a 3.5-litre Ecoboost engine that is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Brute power and the go anywhere capabilities have made the Raptor a sought after vehicle around the world, and how well it does in China remains to be seen.

Piston.my

English

Audi A4 is now available in three new variants

New Mitsubishi Triton launched

New Audi Q8 and Q4 to complete SUV line-up

Ford to roll out hybrid pursuit sedan soon

Barn-find Merc to fetch top dollar at auction

Volkswagen Tiguan shorlisted for Car of the Year Award

Kahn Design to introduce bespoke Land Rover Defender

Aston Martin launch Vanquish S Red Arrows edition

Infiniti posts record first quarter in 2017

Nissan Celebrates 40 Years of NISMO Performance Excellence

2024 Mitsubishi Xpander Facelift Officially Launched from RM99,980 – Two Variants Available

Stellantis Blames Ineffective Marketing for Bad Maserati Sales

Leapmotor C10 Previewed Ahead of Malaysian Launch

Proton Boosts Vendor Confidence, Speeds Up Next-Gen Car Development

Toyota to Join Supercars Championship in 2026 with V8 GR Supra

Goodyear Malaysia Strengthens Partnership with St. John Ambulance through Tyre Donation

The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is the Ultimate Performance Machine

Lotus Unveils Theory 1: A Bold Vision of the Future for Intelligent Performance Vehicles

Review: Mazda 6 Touring – You Don’t Need An MPV For Practicality

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