Lotus Cars Malaysia, the exclusive franchise holder for Lotus in the country, has revised the pricing of the fully-electric Eletre Hyper-SUV and the premium Emira sports car due to recent developments in the ringgit’s value against major foreign currencies.
For the mid-range Eletre S, the suggested retail price is now RM698,000 (up from RM648,000), and for the range-topping Eletre R, it’s RM838,000 (up from RM798,000). These prices are applicable in both Peninsular Malaysia and Langkawi. The base Eletre’s pricing will be announced later as this variant won’t be available until at least 2025.
Geely has introduced its new model, the Panda Knight, in the Chinese market. As of the launch, the Panda Knight is available in a single-model variant.
It draws design inspiration from the Panda Mini and features a slightly extended body. It measures 3135mm in length, 1565mm in width, and 1655mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2015mm. Essentially, the Knight can be described as an off-road variant of the Mini, retaining the standard Mini EV body.
To enhance its off-road capabilities and rugged appearance, the Knight comes equipped with various features, including a side ladder, dual-colour luggage racks, blackened wheel arches, and 14-inch aluminium alloy rims.
In terms of its front design, the Panda Knight retains the signature large, round headlights that are characteristic of the Panda series. These headlights give the car a distinct appearance and contribute to its unique identity.
The Audi Q3 was introduced back in 2011 as a subcompact luxury crossover SUV for those who wanted an SUV but found the Q7 to be way too big and the Q5 to be better suited for families.
The Q3 went up against the likes of the BMW X1, Lexus UX, Mini Countryman and to some extent, even the Range Rover Evoque.
When first introduced, there were many criticisms levelled against it, alleging that it lacked space and imagination. And not having enough power.
But since its introduction, over a million units have found a home worldwide. Proving those criticisms to be unwarranted.
Closer to home, the Audi Q3 has enjoyed brisk sales as well. Whether bought officially or from parallel importers, it is easy to find a Q3 on the road as you go about your business in major Malaysian cities. And it is easy to understand why as well.
Over the years the car has grown in size, offering more interior room a comfortable interior and dare we say it – decent power. But other than all of that, it has even become quite efficient despite some models offering all-wheel-drive capabilities which inadvertently equals to increased fuel consumption.
The Audi Q3 Sportback that you see here though takes it all up a couple of notches and even warrants the use of the word stunning; a combination of the sports coupe bodyline and the intense blue colour which Audi calls Turbo Blue.
The colour does seem to suite the overall character of the Q3 Sportback. Afterall the Sportback is meant to appeal to those who wanted all the functions of a compact SUV but with a tinge of style and aggression sprinkled in either to match their age or personalities.
One thing for sure though, everywhere the Q3 Sportback went, people noticed. This was evident by the cringed necks as observers struggled to get one final look or with gawking looks and pointed fingers at traffic lights.
The Q3 Sportback is undoubtedly stylish and that’s saying the least.
But the Q3 Sportback is not exactly new. It has been in the market since 2020, launched by Audi Malaysia right before the pandemic at an eye watering RM360,223.60 with the Audi Assurance Package that provides for a five year warranty and three year maintenance package with unlimited mileage.
As what we have discovered before in our previous reviews of Audi cars in Malaysia, the fact that Audi cars are fully imported units means they are taxed heavily in every way possible. Hence the prices. And the lack of overall demand does not warrant a local assembly program – not yet at least.
You could buy a used one or an imported unit but that would deprive you of access to the official service centres and official Audi spare parts. Besides, a quick check on some of the leading used car websites shows there’s only a handful of units.
So why would you bother with an Audi Q3 Sportback then?
Because in all intents and purposes, the Q3 Sportback is a really nice car to drive and to cocoon yourself in on a day-to-day basis. Let us explain why.
But before that, let’s just make one thing clear, the interior – especially the back seats – are not very big. As we found out after latching on a child seat, there’s not much legroom for a three-year-old seated in his chair. And as soon as a six-footer takes the driver’s seat, there’s very little space left at the back seat directly behind the driver.
But that’s about it though. That is the only complaint we have about the interior. But that can be forgiven if you don’t have a family to transport and don’t intend on using the back seats much either.
Up front, the multi-function, flat-bottomed S-Line steering wheel greets you as soon as you take a seat. It has well placed buttons and dials that have a firm click and feel like they will last a long time.
Directly behind the steering wheel lays a 12.3-inch TFT digital meter panel that gives you multiple readouts and is capable of displaying the navigational map, the music and all of the onboard data, all at the same time.
This is part of the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus system and it is one of the best in the industry. The screen refreshes at a rate of 60 times per second; so fast that the human doesn’t even see it refreshing. Instead, what you see is an ultra-sharp display of all the important readings.
On the left of that is the Audi MMI system that is accessible via a 10.1-inch screen. Here you get access to all of the onboard systems such as Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The software that governs everything is arguably the best in the industry as well. The fact that it is simple and controls are not hidden deep in its programs makes it easy to use even when driving. Car makers like Mercedes, BMW and even Lexus could take a card out of Audi’s software book.
Besides all of those onboard gizmos, the real fun is how the Q3 Sportback drives.
Powering the car is the Volkswagen group’s famous 2.0 TFSI engine that can be found in cars like the Golf. However in the Sportback, the engine has been tuned to make 180PS from 3900rpm and 320Nm of torque from just 1400rpm.
It does the charge to 100km/h in about 7.3 seconds and maxes out at 220km/h. This is decent enough for your day to day business. And if you are the type that likes to attack some corners, the quattro all-wheel-drive system lets you dig deep for traction.
But you can’t rely on the suspension to match your intent though as it is comprised of a regular multi-link set up at the back and MacPherson struts up front without any adaptive capabilities.
If it were adaptive, it would respond to the selected driving mode and would have stiffened up in Dynamic mode for better control. In Comfort mode it would have calmed down and soaked up the roads for max interior comfort.
However, the Sportback is better suited for long distance drives, highway cruises, urban commutes and does an excellent job at isolating the cabin from the outside world. This results in a comfortable and even silent ride quality, which is what ultimately the Q3 Sportback is designed for.
The Audi Q3 Sportback is a fun car designed for daily drives with a focus on comfort, practicality and a tinge of power. It’s Sportback roofline gives an impressive 530-litres of luggage capacity which makes it ideal for small families as well.
Perhaps the only stumbling block may be the price. And the fact that competitors like the BMW X3 are newer and can be had from just about RM329,000. It may seem difficult to justify the asking price of the Audi Q3 Sportback, but there is no doubt that it has quite a lot to offer, but it all comes with a hefty price tag.
Unscrupulous repossession syndicates are taking advantage of police reports to artificially increase the prices of repossessed vehicles and provide potential buyers with a false sense of security regarding legal matters. This unethical practice was uncovered through various advertisements on social media platforms where repossessed vehicles were being offered for sale.
According to NST, these ads highlighted that the vehicles came with police reports, suggesting that they could be used without encountering any issues with law enforcement.
Typically, repossessors file a standard report with the police when attempting to recover vehicles from loan defaulters. This report primarily serves as a reference for the bank and includes essential details like the time and location of repossession, as well as the storage facility where the vehicle will be kept. However, these syndicates have devised a deceptive tactic, coercing loan defaulters into filing reports using a customized template.
Automobili Lamborghini is lending support to Ducati in its dedication to enhancing motorcyclists’ safety. Ducati played a pivotal role at the Demo Event held at the Lausitzring race track in Germany, organized by the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC). This event showcased the efficacy of motorcycle-car connectivity systems that have been developed as part of the consortium’s research.
The Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC) is an international association of prominent two-wheeled vehicle manufacturers committed to incorporating motorcycles into the future of connected mobility to enhance motorcyclists’ safety. Car manufacturers have long been researching and developing Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communication technologies. CMC’s aim is to include information sent by motorcycles, which have distinct needs and dynamics, and standardize this data when integrating the technology across the entire motorcycle and car fleet.
Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of the esteemed Peugeot brand in Malaysia, is presently running an enticing promotion aimed at providing customers with added value and peace of mind.
This special offer encompasses a comprehensive 7-year warranty, ensuring an extended period of coverage and reliability. Alongside this, customers will enjoy the benefit of a 7-year Free Service Maintenance plan, encompassing essential maintenance needs and servicing, further enhancing the ownership experience.
The upcoming new generation of the Panamera is in the final stages of testing just before its official launch. Engineers are conducting thorough evaluations in and around Barcelona, Spain, to fine-tune the sports saloon. These tests are the culmination of a comprehensive testing process that took place across four continents.
The Panamera has undergone various tests, including high-altitude evaluations in the US to assess drivetrain performance under low-oxygen conditions, as well as testing the engine-cooling system and air conditioning in extreme heat. Scandinavian tests focused on performance in extremely low temperatures, while South Africa’s challenging road conditions were used to evaluate the car’s capabilities.
Lastly, in Asian megacities with high humidity and heavy traffic, the Panamera faced demanding stop-and-go conditions. These tests ensure that the new Panamera is ready to deliver top-notch performance and reliability when it hits the market.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has broadened its offerings in Malaysia with two new variants, the Ioniq 6 Lite and Ioniq 6 Plus, joining the previously launched Max RWD and Max AWD variants introduced in July. This expansion provides more options for Malaysian customers interested in the Ioniq 6 range.
The new Lite and Plus variants of the Ioniq 6 are single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles. Their 53 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery feeds a 111 kW motor that produces the same 350Nm torque figure as the Max RWD, sprinting both Lite and Plus variants to 100km/h from a standstill in just 8.8 seconds.
Range is 429km on the stringent WLTP cycle, and thanks to the 800-volt architecture shared with the Max variants, the Ioniq 6 Lite and Plus can also charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, given the maximum of 350 kW DC. In fact, when plugged in to less powerful chargers, the Lite and Plus have shorter charging times than the Max variants – 10% to 80% takes 58 minutes at 50 kW DC while 0% to 100% takes 5.5 hours at 11 kW AC.
The Lite and Plus variants share much of the Max variants’ equipment, including seven airbags (including a front-centre airbag), Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), two seamlessly connected 12.3-inch screens, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless phone charging and a power tailgate.
Malaysia’s aspirations to establish itself as a prominent player in the electric vehicle (EV) sector face a challenging landscape, with neighbouring countries like Thailand and the Philippines leading the charge in EV adoption.
To bolster its EV industry, stakeholders stress the importance of collaboration with ASEAN neighbours, focusing on comprehensive, long-term policies, and incentives. This approach aims to boost EV sales and contribute to renewable energy (RE) goals, aligning with the government’s aim to have RE account for 17% of total energy by 2040.
In a significant ruling, the High Court has found the Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ) negligent for failing to maintain accurate vehicle registration records. The case was initiated by a doctor who unwittingly purchased a cloned 2013 Toyota Vellfire three years ago.
According to FMT, the doctor sued the Penang JPJ director, the JPJ director-general, and the federal government after JPJ seized her car 10 months post-purchase, claiming that the chassis and engine numbers had been tampered with.
The court has awarded Dr. Hema Thiyagu RM139,000 in damages, equivalent to the car’s purchase price, after determining that JPJ had breached its statutory obligations.
In her suit, Hema alleged that JPJ failed to explain how it did not detect tampering during her vehicle’s registration process. Her lawyer argued that JPJ was negligent in permitting the registration of the car’s chassis and engine numbers under a different vehicle.
Justice Anand Ponnudurai, in his judgment, stated that the JPJ director-general is responsible for maintaining an accurate vehicle register, particularly for cloned cars. He noted that JPJ should have promptly seized the vehicle upon discovering it was cloned.
He further pointed out that JPJ had evidence suggesting the Vellfire might be cloned as early as December 6, 2019, but took no action. Consequently, he found the Penang JPJ director and the JPJ director-general to have breached their statutory duties.
As a result, Dr. Hema was awarded RM139,000 in damages and RM10,000 in costs, to be paid by the federal government.
