One of the most established nameplates in the automobile industry, the Nissan Skyline dates back to 1957. Since then, we have had great iterations after great iterations. Who could forget Brian O’Conner’s iconic R34 from 2Fast2Furious?
The Skyline, Supra and NS-X made the holy trinity of JDMs followed by other legends like the RX-7 and Silvia’s. However, JDM enthusiasts, get ready to shed a tear because according to reports, the Nissan Skyline could become an electric crossover SUV.
Nissan Ariya
The Skyline sedan’s progress is reportedly “frozen.” Instead, it has been said that Nissan is creating the next version of the Skyline using the CMF-EV platform or the electric Ariya crossover as its foundation. This just sounds like one of those ideas you get after having one too many drinks.
But apparently, it will have multiple-motor all-wheel drive and produce more than 450hp, though it’s unclear if there will be twin- or quad-motor options.
According to reports, the Skyline EV will be launched in the US but will be restyled as an Infiniti to fit its upscale position. That would make it the same as earlier Skylines marketed in the United States since 2001, such as the G35, G37, and Q50.
2023 Infiniti Q50
The Japanese carmaker Nissan wouldn’t be the first to repurpose a legendary moniker for a crossover. Soon, the Toyota Crown will feature new body designs, one of which is an SUV. The causes are clear-cut as SUVs are in high demand and fit well with the positioning of vehicles like the high-end Crown and Skyline. But why not just come up with something new and leave our childhood alone?
The new hypercar from Bugatti will mark a significant change for the company. Achim Anscheidt, the former head of design at Bugatti, stated that the Chiron replacement will make its debut next year and go into production in 2026.
2023 Bugatti Chiron
Most significantly, the next Bugatti substitutes a V-8 hybrid powertrain for the company’s iconic W-16 engine, probably drawing on the electrical know-how of Croatian carmaker Rimac, who joined Bugatti in 2021.
smart Malaysia has provided a unique behind-the-scenes experience of the highly anticipated smart #1 at its headquaters in Subang Jaya recently.
smart’s first production model in the family of its all-electric vehicles (EVs), the smart #1, was on display at the two-day event. EV aficionados who had been anxiously anticipating this day were the target audience for this event, which was designed to satisfy their enthusiasm and expectation.
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) is rewarding anyone with reliable information on the evasion of customs duties and taxes, as well as the criminals, with 10% of the amount of the seizure.
If the seizure is valued at RM1 million, 10% of the amount, which is RM100,000, would be awarded to the informant. There is a provision for informants, which shall be assessed in accordance with the category.
The products included alcohol, cigarettes, and automobiles, according to Deputy Minister of Finance Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who also indicated that the informant’s name will remain undisclosed.
Maslan stated that the rewards had been given out by JKDM for a long time but had not been publicised and that the information supplied is necessary to stop acts that would hurt the people and the nation.
Recently, seven people have been detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on suspicion of decreasing the charges on luxury automobiles, resulting in the loss of nearly RM33 million in customs tax.
With a target of RM588 million for this year, Negeri Sembilan JKDM has already collected more than RM300 million in revenue as of June 31 this year.
Although electric vehicles offer immediate power and mad acceleration, they can never come close to the raw sound and power of a V8. Specifically, two of the most iconic American muscle cars, the Dodge Challenger and Charger.
Tesla has officially been launched in Malaysia today and the Model Y is the first model to be officially offered for the Malaysian market. According to Tesla (Malaysia), the Model Y is the most affordable SUV by Tesla; designed and built as Tesla’s first mass-market sports utility electric vehicle.
Tesla’s launching in Malaysia is in line with the government’s goal to promote low-carbon mobility and to support the EV industry. Tesla also stated that this is to assist the government’s move to install 10,000 EV charging stations in Malaysia by 2025.
As part of its own initiative, Tesla Malaysia has introduced indoor Supercharger stations with eight superchargers located at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and is said to open as soon as possible, pending a few more approvals. Prior to this, Tesla has already revealed a list of 10 available supercharger locations throughout Malaysia:
Iskandar Puteri, Johor
Negeri Sembilan
Dengkil, Selangor
Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Two locations in Kuala Lumpur
Ipoh, Perak
Perai, Pulau Pinang
According to Tesla Malaysia, more superchargers will be available in the coming future to make trips from Singapore to Malaysia and then to Thailand a seamless journey.
Tesla has also announced that their headquarters for the Malaysian market will be located in Cyberjaya.
Customers can benefit from 100% road tax exemption and individual income tax relief of up to RM2,500 on expenses related to EV charging facilities for the assessment year of 2023.
The Model Y is available to order in Malaysia with prices starting from as low as RM199,000. There are three trims available to choose from:
Model Y(Rear-wheel Drive)
Range: 455km
Top Speed: 217km/h
0-100km/h: 6.9 seconds
Seats: 5 seater
Wheel: 19″/20″
Price: RM199,000
Model Y Long range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive
Range: 533km
Top Speed: 217km/h
0-100km/h: 5 seconds
Seats: 5 seater
Wheel: 19″/20″
Price: RM246,000
Model Y Performance Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive
Range: 514km
Top Speed: 250km/h
0-100km/h: 3.7 seconds
Seats: 5 seater
Wheel: 21″
Price: RM288,000
Tesla has over 1.3 million cars produced in 2022 and over 4 million total cars delivered as of today.
The H850, a highly-tuned thoroughbred variant of the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse, is the most recent product from Hennessey Performance. In addition to being a supercharged stallion, it also features supporting modifications and a complete warranty.
Ford’s brand-new Mustang Dark Horse leaves the factory with a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine that produces 500hp. A Tremec six-speed manual gearbox or a Ford 10-speed automatic can be requested during purchase. The customer also receives large heart-stopping Brembo brakes in any configuration.
Peugeot is not a brand that you would usually associate with commercial vehicles, not in Malaysia at least. But in fact, Peugeot commercial vehicles go all the way back to 1904, and Peugeot commercial vans are a common sight in Europe.
It would require an article by itself just to trace Peugeot’s history of creating commercial vehicles. But the fact of the matter is that Peugeot knows how to make commercial vehicles and they have been at it for a long time.
But there is a spin here, the Landtrek is not a true-blue Peugeot product, it is in fact a Chinese product that is jointly developed by China’s state owned Changan Automobile Group and the PSA Group (Peugeot’s parent company).
Underneath the good looks is actually a Chinese built pick-up called the Kaicene F70 which began life in 2019. Featuring a body on frame build, the Kaicene F70 is designed for heavy duty work and has done well in China where it is a common workhorse.
Pick-up trucks in Malaysia though need to be more than a workhorse, they should have good looks and offer an interior that feels like a car with features and ride quality that can put some modern sedans to shame.
That may sound like a lost to ask but there are pick-up trucks currently available in the Malaysian market that check all those boxes. Trucks like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max are some of those. So how does the Landtrek stack up and can it hold a wheel to the established pick-up truck players?
Design wise, the Landtrek is typically Peugeot with a large vertical grille and a Peugeot emblem that dominates the front of the truck. The DRL’s too are uniquely Peugeot and are designed to look like a lion’s canines.
The back of the truck is nothing fancy, and it is worth noting that the tail gate does not come with an easy lift system, which unfortunately makes it quite heavy to open and close. Do it often enough and you may develop some impressive biceps. And despite what the photos may show, all Landtrek’s sold in Malaysia will come with a bed liner.
Step inside and it is a different world that greets you, one that is also uniquely Peugeot. Current Peugeot owners will recognize the steering wheel and the piano keys at the centre of the dashboard.
The meter panel consist of analogue dials that flank a small 4.2-inch colour display that gives you a digital speed reading as well as access to the car’s settings.
At the centre of the dashboard lays a dominant 10-inch infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Quality is quite decent too and there’s nothing the driver would be left wanting. Not as far as the interior goes at least.
So far, the Peugeot Landtrek is quite impressive. Even the seats are electronically adjustable and are clad is soft leather. It is also needs to be mentioned that the Landtrek is one of the only pick-up trucks in the segment that offers electronically operated seats for both driver and passenger. Usually, it is just the driver that enjoys that feature.
The seats are decently wide too as long as you are not on the chunky side of the spectrum. Thigh support also deserves a special mention as they offer great support.
On the topic of driving the Landtrek, it truly feels like it belongs in the early 2000s. The diesel clatter for one is quite audible. If you are standing at the front of the truck while having a conversation, the engine noise will drown you out. And from the inside, you need to increase your voice to be heard. That is not quite a deal breaker if you are looking for a pick-up to get some work done, but if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in traffic, all that racket might become annoying.
On the move, the ride quality is a nudge on the stiffer side with a tendency of hopping and skipping over bad roads rather than soaking them up. This ultimately gives it an uncomfortable feel by modern standards with some Japanese pick-up trucks supplementing interior features with a plush ride and a quiet interior.
Aside from ride quality, power delivery is as decent as you can expect from a 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine. Power is rated at 150hp and 350Nm of torque which may not seem like much, but it is the same power output as the other 1.9-litre truck in the segment, the Isuzu D-Max Standard variant. So, power may not be all that impressive, and it lacks that shove in the back when you flex your right foot, but there’s a drive mode selector that offers two driving modes – Sport and Eco.
As is typically the case, Sport mode makes the accelerator feel more responsive while Eco prioritises fuel economy, so it dulls down the overall character of the Landtrek. Now this does not magically provide more power, but at least it makes the truck feel more alive than what the 150hp may suggest.
The Landtrek also does not disappoint on the safety front with its six airbags covering almost the entire interior. There’s also ABS and Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, Emergency Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control and Anti-Skid Regulation. That is not to mention Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist and Lane Departure Warning, and that is not the complete safety suite either. So the Landtrek may seem like it is stuck in the past in some areas, but safety is most definitely on par with some modern vehicles.
All in all, the Peugeot Landtrek is a dark horse in a well-established segment, one that is not always easy to impress and tends to prefer the established players over newcomers. But the Peugeot Landtrek will undoubtedly impress those who want a left-wing truck that is out of the norm.
Standing out from the usual crowd of Toyotas, Fords and Isuzus may not actually be a bad thing either since Bermaz Auto are now custodians of the Peugeot brand in Malaysia. And judging by how well the company has done with brands like Mazda and Kia, buying a Peugeot Landtrek may put you in some pretty good company as well. And at a little over RM120,000, it definitely does not sound like a bad deal either, if you can look past some of the annoying bits.
If drivers swipe or touch the display screen to make or receive phone calls, they are not breaking the law as long as they are using hands-free kits or holders for their smartphones.
This is in order with rule 17A of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 which states that the use of a mobile phone while operating a vehicle is prohibited except while using a hands-free kit or holder.
According to Commissioner Datuk Seri Mat Kasim Karim of the Federal Police’s Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, it is against the law for drivers to use phones while their vehicles are moving or while stopped at a stoplight or in traffic congestion. Drivers are seen as still being in “active driving mode” under such circumstances, he claimed.
Following the recent introduction of the new Mercedes GLC and GLC Coupe, the German carmaker today unveiled the AMG versions of those two SUVs. The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and the 2025 GLC63 S E Performance are two of the GLC’s most powerful variants to date.
Mercedes-AMG-GLC43
The GLC43, which combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with an integrated starter generator to create 416 horsepower, continues to be the “base” AMG of the group. The starting generator offers an extra 13 horsepower while operating at lower speeds.
