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Great Wall Motor began pre-sales for the second-generation Haval H9 in August of last year, a rugged, off-road-focused SUV that enters the Chinese market with three distinct trim levels. Prices range from ¥205,900 to ¥235,900, which roughly converts to RM132,600 to RM151,900.

Recently showcased at Auto Shanghai 2025, the all-new Haval H9 is aimed at off-road enthusiasts seeking a robust, medium-to-large SUV. Notably, two exterior variants are offered – one with an external spare tyre and another with an external storage box in place of the spare wheel.

The dimensions of the external spare tyre version are 5070mm (length) x 1976mm (width) x 1930mm (height) with a 2850mm wheelbase, while the external storage box version measures slightly shorter at 4950–5000 mm in length, with similar width and height. Despite the slight differences in length, both variants share the same wheelbase, ensuring similar cabin space.

Engineered for rugged terrain, the second-generation H9 boasts a maximum ground clearance of 224 mm, wading depth of 800 mm, and approach and departure angles of 31° and 25° respectively. This off-road capability is supported by a new exterior design that adopts a boxy silhouette, paying homage to retro SUV styling. Distinctive elements include a square front grille with circular headlamps, side-opening tailgate, vertically-stacked rear lights, roof racks, a panoramic sunroof, and classic door handles.

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Brabus, the German brand globally renowned for its high-performance automotive creations, has officially unveiled its most ambitious project yet — Brabus Island. The unveiling, held during a private, invitation-only event in Abu Dhabi, marks a significant milestone as the company steps into the realm of luxury real estate for the first time in its nearly 50-year history.

Situated in the exclusive Al Seef District of Al Raha Beach, Brabus Island occupies approximately 100,000 square metres of prime waterfront property. Just minutes from Zayed International Airport and the city centre of Abu Dhabi, and an hour’s drive from Dubai, the Island is poised to become a prestigious landmark in the Emirate.

Described as a bold new expression of the brand’s identity, Brabus Island embodies the essence of its design language through architecture, offering a living experience that mirrors the distinctiveness of its vehicles. This transition from automotive design to residential living is viewed as a natural evolution of the Brabus ethos.

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Geely has given us a close-up of the 2025 Monjaro L, known in its home market as the Xingyue L, during a special preview at its test drive facility in China. The updated SUV could signal the arrival of the next-generation Proton X70 in Malaysia, given the close alignment of Geely and Proton’s product strategies.

Physically, the Monjaro L has grown slightly in size compared to its predecessor. The new model measures 4,770mm in length, 1,895mm in width, and stands 1,689mm tall, with a wheelbase stretching 2,845mm. These dimensions place it marginally above the current Proton X70, suggesting more interior space and a bolder road presence.

The exterior design receives a modest refresh. The most prominent change comes in the form of a vertical bar front grille that now protrudes outward slightly, flanked by Geely’s revised silver emblem. The signature LED headlamps and the shape of the front bumper’s air intake remain largely unchanged, but a new set of 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels adds a more premium stance. Geely has yet to confirm whether the 2025 Monjaro will be sold as a new variant or completely replace the existing version, although indications point toward the latter.

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Ferrari has officially revealed its latest high-performance berlinetta, the 296 Speciale, a focused evolution of its mid-rear-engined plug-in hybrid line-up. Designed to elevate the driving experience to new heights, the 296 Speciale is the spiritual successor to a storied lineage of hardcore V8 special series cars, including the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, and 488 Pista.

At the heart of this latest creation lies a significantly enhanced version of Ferrari’s hybrid powertrain. The familiar 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine now produces 690hp, identical to the output found in the track-only 296 Challenge. This is no coincidence—Ferrari has confirmed that the 296 Speciale inherits its engine mapping and boost calibration from the race car, along with several internal upgrades including titanium connecting rods, new pistons, and a lighter crankshaft. Borrowing from Formula 1 technology, the engine also employs a sophisticated knock control system, enhancing performance and reliability under high-stress conditions.

Augmenting the internal combustion engine is an upgraded electric motor contributing an additional 177hp, bringing total system output to 867hp—up from 818hp in the standard 296 GTB. Power is channelled exclusively to the rear wheels through Ferrari’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which retains its original hardware but features recalibrated shift strategies to better exploit the added performance. Despite its race-ready credentials, the 296 Speciale remains a plug-in hybrid, capable of covering up to 24km on electric power alone.

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Isuzu Motors Limited has officially begun production of its first fully electric 1-tonne pickup truck, the D-MAX EV, at its manufacturing facility in Thailand. This marks a significant milestone for the Japanese automaker as it expands its portfolio of carbon-neutral vehicles.

The electric D-MAX, first revealed as a prototype at the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show in March 2023, has now entered mass production. Initial manufacturing focuses on the left-hand drive version destined for European markets, with shipments scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2025. Production of the right-hand drive variant is expected to begin by the end of 2025, with sales in the United Kingdom planned for 2026. Further market expansion will follow, based on regional demand.

Designed to match the capabilities of its diesel-powered counterpart, the D-MAX EV features a full-time four-wheel drive system equipped with newly developed electric axles at the front and rear. This setup delivers the smooth and immediate acceleration characteristic of electric vehicles, while also maintaining low levels of noise and vibration. With its robust frame and body structure, the electric pickup offers a high towing capacity and payload performance, ensuring suitability for both commercial and private use.

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Toyota Motor Corporation has entered into a preliminary agreement with Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company originally founded as part of Google’s self-driving car initiative in 2009, to explore a far-reaching collaboration aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of autonomous driving technologies. The initiative signals a major step forward in the integration of advanced mobility systems, as both companies seek to combine their technological strengths.

Joining the partnership is Woven by Toyota, the mobility and software innovation arm of Toyota. Woven will act as a strategic enabler, contributing its expertise in advanced software architecture and digital mobility solutions. Together, the three entities are aligning behind a shared vision of increasing road safety and expanding access to mobility through the advancement of autonomous technologies.

Central to the potential collaboration is the creation of a new autonomous vehicle platform. The companies will also evaluate how Waymo’s state-of-the-art self-driving technology can be integrated with Toyota’s manufacturing and vehicle design expertise to support the next generation of personally owned vehicles (POVs). This would mark a significant evolution for autonomous driving beyond fleet-based ride-hailing services, broadening its reach into the consumer market. While the exact parameters of the partnership are still under discussion, both parties have expressed a strong commitment to furthering the development of safe and scalable driver-assistance technologies.

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Aston Martin has officially introduced its latest flagship SUV, the DBX S, a high-performance evolution of the DBX range that sets new benchmarks for dynamic capability, design presence and technological innovation. Drawing from its storied tradition of ‘S’ models, the DBX S enters the line-up as a lighter, more powerful and strikingly assertive sibling to the DBX707.

At the core of the DBX S is an upgraded version of Aston Martin’s acclaimed 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Enhanced with turbocharger technology derived directly from the forthcoming Valhalla supercar, including larger compressor wheels and other internal refinements, the powertrain now delivers 727PS—an increase of 20PS over the DBX707. This results in a 0–100km/h sprint time of just 3.3 seconds, while the 0–200km/h time has been reduced by 0.3 seconds. The top speed remains unchanged at 310km/h.

Performance has been further bolstered with a revised exhaust system, amplifying the already sonorous character of the V8. Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s innovative nine-speed wet clutch transmission ensures optimal torque distribution between axles, offering up to 100 per cent rear-wheel torque for a rear-biased driving feel. The DBX S’s gearbox has undergone further calibration, allowing more aggressive downshifts in Sport and Sport+ modes and adjusted upshift points to suit the extended rev range.

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Xpeng displayed the 2025 iteration of its flagship electric SUV, the G9, at the Auto Shanghai 2025, showcasing a total of 66 enhancements over its predecessor. According to Xpeng chairman He Xiaopeng, the updated model is anchored by the introduction of the brand’s next-generation Turing AI intelligent driving system—an innovation that eliminates the need for LiDAR and significantly enhances autonomous driving capabilities.

The new G9 retains the foundational design of the current model, continuing with the X Robot Face 3.0 styling language. The SUV measures 4,891 mm in length, 1,937 mm in width, and 1,680 mm in height, while maintaining a wheelbase of 2,998 mm, making it slightly bigger than the Xpeng G6 that we have in our Malaysian market. Aesthetic updates include new electric suction doors, an automatic tailgate, and updated 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. Xpeng will also offer a special “Black Warrior” edition, finished entirely in black, including blacked-out rims, emblems, and fenders, to cater to buyers seeking a more aggressive appearance.

The 2025 G9 is equipped with Xpeng’s proprietary Turing AI driving system, which replaces LiDAR with a sensor suite comprising 11 cameras, three millimetre-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. This setup reportedly increases visual perception distance by 125% compared to the previous system, while improving object recognition speed by 40%. Both stationary and moving obstacles can be identified with high precision, marking a leap forward in autonomous functionality.

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GWM has unveiled the pre-production version of its new Ora 07 Touring at the Auto Shanghai 2025 motor show, offering a glimpse at the brand’s future direction for its electric vehicle (EV) range. While still in development, the Touring variant hints at a more practical evolution of the sleek Ora 07 sedan.

Stylistically, the vehicle remains largely consistent with the standard Ora 07, a model often likened to the Porsche Panamera due to its silhouette. In keeping with that comparison, GWM’s Touring variant draws parallels with the Panamera Sport Turismo, featuring a more estate-like profile.

The most notable design update is found at the rear, where the conventional sloping roofline has been replaced by an extended D-pillar to form a shooting brake-style silhouette. Another significant exterior addition is the LiDAR sensor positioned above the front windscreen, suggesting the possibility of enhanced driver assistance systems in future production models.

The Touring sits on blacked-out 19-inch alloy wheels, matched with red brake callipers and fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres, further underlining its sporty character.

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GWM Malaysia is preparing to introduce the high-performance Ora 03 (Good Cat) GT to the Malaysian market, following its recent appearance at Auto Shanghai 2025. The sportier and more dynamic version of the popular Good Cat signals GWM’s continued push into the electric vehicle (EV) sector, with the company confirming that bookings will open soon and deliveries are expected in the coming months.

The Ora Good Cat GT made a strong impression following its successful debut in Thailand and is set to bring a heightened level of excitement to Malaysia’s EV landscape. GWM Malaysia sees the launch as a crucial step in strengthening its electrification strategy and expanding its growing range of electric models in the country. Although pricing and full specifications have yet to be announced, expectations are high for the new model to appeal to design-conscious and performance-oriented buyers.

With an emphasis on sportier styling and enhanced performance, the Ora Good Cat GT departs significantly from the standard model. The exterior design features a striking black and yellow dual-tone finish, complemented by carbon-fibre-style accents that give the vehicle a more aggressive appearance. Larger 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with distinctive yellow brake callipers and revised front and rear bumpers further reinforce its athletic stance.

Inside the cabin, the Good Cat GT has been upgraded with premium Alcantara upholstery and GT-branded sports seats, aiming to deliver a more dynamic and premium driving experience. Performance improvements are also notable, with the GT variant delivering 169hp and 250Nm of torque, a significant boost over the standard model’s 141hp output. The model is powered by a 57.7 kWh battery, offering an estimated range of 460km based on the NEDC testing cycle. While this figure is slightly lower than that of the regular Good Cat, the reduction is attributed to the model’s sportier tuning and performance upgrades.

Positioned to compete against rivals such as the BYD Dolphin and MG 4 EV, the Ora Good Cat GT seeks to differentiate itself with its distinctive design and youthful appeal. GWM Malaysia believes the model’s unique combination of sporty aesthetics and enhanced driving performance will allow it to carve a strong niche in the increasingly competitive Malaysian EV market.

Further announcements regarding pricing, detailed specifications, and test drive opportunities are expected in the near future. The Ora Good Cat GT is poised to become one of the year’s most anticipated electric vehicle launches, strengthening GWM’s presence and influence in Malaysia’s rapidly evolving automotive sector.

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