Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia is gearing up for the 2023 Sepang 1000 KM Endurance Race (S1K) with a focus on defending the overall title they secured the previous year. The team plans to enter a Toyota Vios in the MTC Class, with drivers Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel and Naquib Azlan returning to the competition. Additionally, dealer team Wing Hin Motorsports will participate with two Toyota Yaris cars in the MTC Class, driven by Boy Wong and former Gazoo Racing Rookie Class driver Amer Harris.
The S1K event will also feature the third edition of the Gazoo Racing (GR) Vios Enduro Cup within the SP2 Class. This cup has gained popularity as a season finale for drivers already engaged in the GR Vios Challenge and GR Vios Sprint Cup. The GR Vios Enduro Cup attracts a diverse range of drivers, including teenagers, a father and son duo, a husband and wife team, and several female drivers.
Stellantis Group is undergoing a significant transformation in its Peugeot operations in Malaysia, shifting from its current partnership with Bermaz Auto Bhd to establish its own national sales company. Under this restructuring, Stellantis will directly handle distribution and sales in Malaysia, while Bermaz Auto Bhd’s role will be scaled down to that of a super dealer from its previous position as an exclusive distributor.
Ital Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the official importer and distributor for Ferrari cars in Malaysia, has launched its first showroom in the country. Strategically located in the heart of the Malaysian capital at Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur, the new showroom is designed to cater to the growing needs of new and seasoned Ferraristis in the region alike, in line with the signature Ferrari Showroom Experience.
The Ferrari Ital Auto Malaysia showroom encompasses 3,826 square feet of prime real estate, with two vehicle display bays providing the stage for the latest Ferrari models to be showcased at all times.
Ital Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the official importer and distributor of Ferrari cars in Malaysia, unveiled the Ferrari Roma Spider at their recently revealed showroom in Kuala Lumpur. As the latest addition to the iconic line of Prancing Horse Spiders, the Roma Spider pays homage to the carefree lifestyle of the 1950s and 60s, offering customers the option of a soft top—a first for a front-engined Ferrari in 54 years since the 1969 365 GTS4.
The soft-top design of the Roma Spider reflects a novel and modern approach, emphasising the car’s exuberant character. It comes with extensive personalisation options, featuring sophisticated, bespoke fabrics and contrasting stitching. The soft top can be deployed in just 13.5 seconds, operable at speeds of up to 60 km/h. Its compact design not only allows for a larger boot but also enhances the car’s overall versatility. A patented wind deflector integrated into the rear bench backrest contributes to in-car comfort without occupying additional space.
Retaining the excellent dynamic characteristics of the Ferrari Roma, the Spider boasts a best-in-class weight/power ratio, thanks to its soft top and all-aluminium chassis, housing a potent 620PS, 760Nm of torque twin-turbo V8 engine. The engine, part of the award-winning V8 turbo family, is coupled with Ferrari’s renowned 8-speed DCT, known for rapid shift times, comfort, and mechanical efficiency.
The Ferrari Roma Spider offers not only ease of driving but also exceptional dynamism and responsiveness, making it an ideal companion for both out-of-town weekends and extended journeys. It maintains the exhilarating Ferrari V8 soundtrack, coupled with features enhancing versatility, including a category-topping boot size, wireless connectivity via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and Wi-Fi.
Designed under the leadership of Flavio Manzoni, the Ferrari Roma Spider aims to extend the concept of “La Nuova Dolce Vita” for elegant, carefree driving ‘en plein air.’ The sophisticated fabric soft top preserves the coupé’s proportions seamlessly, and the exterior design focuses on clean lines and absolute symbiosis between elements. The proportions and volumes align with Ferrari’s front-engined GT tradition, complemented by modern touches for contemporary style.
The cabin of the Ferrari Roma Spider follows the dual cockpit concept, providing separate spaces for the driver and passenger. The symmetrical layout creates an organic distribution of spaces and functional elements, ensuring an immersive driving experience. High-tech features include a digital instrument cluster, optional passenger display, and a central 8.4” display for infotainment and climate control functions. The steering wheel’s Human-Machine Interface (HMI) incorporates touch controls for a refined driving experience.
Aerodynamics played a crucial role in the Ferrari Roma Spider’s development, considering the impact of the fabric soft top on bodywork geometries. The active spoiler, concealed in the rear lid, adjusts to three different positions, optimising downforce based on speed and driving conditions. Attention to aerodynamic comfort with the top-down minimises turbulence and wind noise in the cabin.
The car’s dynamics benefit from the Side Slip Control System (SSC) and Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, providing precise handling and traction performance. The Manettino offers five positions, including the new ‘Race’ position, enhancing driving fun. The chassis, derived from the Ferrari Roma, incorporates new components, ensuring exceptional torsional rigidity and beam stiffness.
With a focus on client service, Ferrari offers an extended seven-year maintenance program for the Roma Spider, covering regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life. This exclusive service ensures peak performance and safety over the years and is also available for pre-owned Ferraris. The Ferrari Roma Spider is available in Malaysia, starting from RM3,200,000.00, inclusive of duties and taxes.
The first-ever SUV in Ferrari’s 75-year history was revealed in September 2022. Now, thanks to Ital Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the official importer and distributor of Ferrari cars in Malaysia, it finally entered the Malaysian market. Ferrari has taken time to ensure that the driving dynamics and performance allow the Purosangue to have the Prancing Horse on its bonnet.
To achieve its ambitious goals for the Purosangue project, Ferrari developed a completely different layout. The mid-front-mounted engine has the gearbox at the rear, adopting a transaxle layout. The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) provides an all-wheel-drive transmission, resulting in a 49:51 weight distribution optimal for a mid-front-engined sports car.
The Purosangue’s engine, adapted from the 812 Superfast engine (F140IA), is the most powerful ever developed by Ferrari for a 4-seater car. It features a 65° angle between cylinder banks, a 6.5-litre capacity, a dry sump, and high-pressure direct injection. Tuned for high torque at low revs, it produces 80% of maximum torque at 2,100 rpm, peaking at 716Nm at 6,250 rpm, with a maximum power output of 725PS at 7,750 rpm.
The 8-speed, oil-bath dual-clutch transmission has a compact layout with reduced height, contributing to enhanced handling. The transmission’s gear shift times are reduced, with new gear ratios having shorter spacing, and a longer top ratio for greater highway economy.
Aerodynamics played a crucial role in the Purosangue’s design. The bodywork underwent aero development similar to other Ferrari sports cars, with features like an air curtain to aerodynamically seal the front wheels and manage turbulent transverse air flows.
The car’s aero design focused on the centreline section, reducing drag and achieving a seamless profile between the bonnet and windscreen. Elements like the suspended spoiler and nolder on the boot lip contribute to managing flow separations and pressure fields, ensuring stability.
The Purosangue features an advanced chassis with a spaceframe made of high-strength aluminium alloy for reduced weight. The carbon fibre roof is standard, providing rigidity similar to a glass roof but weighing 20% less than an aluminium roof with soundproofing.
In terms of dynamics, the Purosangue adopts the latest control systems, including independent 4-wheel steering and ABS ‘evo’ with the 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor. The active suspension system, making its world debut, effectively controls body roll and tire contact patch over high-frequency bumps, delivering performance and handling response consistent with other Ferraris.
The cabin accommodates four generously sized seats, and the driver benefits from a commanding view. The interior architecture follows the dual cockpit dashboard concept, offering a digital interface with a 10.2-inch display. For the first time in Ferrari’s history, the cabin has four separate and independently adjustable seats, integrating comfort-focused components and variable density foams for unprecedented occupant comfort. The Purosangue’s interior combines sportiness and luxury in a layout inspired by the SF90 Stradale.
The interior of the Ferrari Purosangue introduces a range of innovative features, showcasing the brand’s commitment to luxury, sustainability, and customisation. Owners can opt for a floor trim made from high-strength fabric used in military uniforms, ensuring exceptional toughness and durability.
A new dark brown semi-aniline leather adds an elegant and contemporary touch to the interior. The availability of a carbon fibre weave with integrated copper wire provides a sophisticated take on traditional carbon fibre elements. The SUV boasts the largest boot volume ever seen in a Ferrari, complemented by an electrically activated rear hatch for convenient access.
Sustainability takes centre stage, with 85% of the launch trim produced from recycled materials, including a special version of Alcantara made from 68% post-consumer recycled polyester. Owners have extensive customisation options, including the ability to personalise the roof, a first for Ferrari. Furthermore, the Purosangue features an air quality sensor, a groundbreaking addition to the Ferrari range, ensuring a clean and healthy environment inside the cabin.
Ferrari’s unparalleled quality standards and increasing focus on client service underpin the extended seven-year maintenance programme offered with the Purosangue. Available across the entire range, the latter covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life. This scheduled maintenance programme for Ferraris is an exclusive service that allows clients the certainty that their car is being kept at peak performance and safety over the years. This very special service is also available to owners of pre-owned Ferraris.
All Ferrari owners in Malaysia can perform regular maintenance (at intervals of either 20,000 km or once a year with no mileage restrictions) with Genuine Spare Parts at Ital Auto’s Official Aftersales Centre in Glenmarie, Kuala Lumpur. As part of the Official Dealership Network, the centre is fully equipped with Ferrari Diagnostic equipment and is manned by highly-trained personnel, including Certified Master Technicians with over 10 years of experience in servicing Ferrari vehicles.
Want one? Well, if you have deep pockets, the Ferrari Purosangue is available in Malaysia from RM5,000,000.00 inclusive of duties and taxes.
