Proton’s quest to become more export-oriented continues with the addition of another international market for the Proton Saga which is Pakistan. The latest model of the brand’s bestseller made its debut in Pakistan earlier this month, the eighth overseas market where it is offered besides Brunei, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritius and Nepal.
The Proton Saga line-up for Pakistan consists of three versions -, the Saga with manual transmission, Saga with automatic transmission and a better equipped Saga Ace AT.
Additionally, 100 units of the Saga R3 Limited Edition will also be available, and customers can have it with a manual or automatic transmission.
As in Malaysia, the launch of the Saga in Pakistan was done online due to the present COVID-19 pandemic making large gatherings unsuitable.
Present at the launch was the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, Ikram Mohammad Ibrahim. Encik Ikram said that he hoped Proton’s operations in the country will further strengthen economic ties with Malaysia.
Following the launch of the X70 in December last year, the Saga is the second model to be offered in Pakistan. Currently, all Proton models are imported from Malaysia in completely built-up (CBU) form but the company’s partner, Al-Haj Automotive, is preparing for local assembly operations at its new plant in Karachi by the third quarter of 2021.
With a planned capacity of 25,000 units per annum, the plant will enable sales of Proton cars to grow quickly in the market which Proton sees as having much growth potential. “I am thankful to our fellow Pakistanis for making the Proton Saga an instant success in Pakistan. This car will definitely stand out for its reliability, durability and value for money,” said Hilal Khan Afridi, CEO of Al-Haj Automotive, who is confident that Pakistani customers will be attracted to the Proton brand and its products.
100 units of the Saga R3 Limited Edition will be sold in Pakistan.
As the second quarter of 2021 starts off, Proton is looking to increase its international market presence to achieve its long-term goals. Besides the Saga – the volume seller in most markets – the X70 and X50 are also being exported.
“Exports are an important pillar for PROTON and will account for an increasing percentage of our sales volume in coming years. Aside from promoting the features of our products, we also leverage on the high quality reputation of Malaysia’s manufacturing sector, which lends credibility to our own product story. In 2021, aside from exploring new opportunities, we will also ramp-up efforts to re-enter major ASEAN markets such as Thailand and Indonesia,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.
The 2021 Renault Koleos is now available from TC Euro Cars (TCEC), with a choice of three variants – Koleos, Koleos Signature and Koleos Signature Plus. All have improvements in many areas including exterior styling and interior comfort.
Excluding insurance (Peninsular Malaysia registration), the prices range start from RM181,885.68 for outright purchase but customers can also opt for a subscription plan from 1 – 3 years. The monthly instalments of the subscription plan cover roadtax, insurance and regular maintenance services but at the end of the subscription period, the vehicle has to be returned or can be negotiated for purchase at a depreciated value.
Regardless of whether a purchase or subscription plans is chosen, the Koleos comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty or maximum of 150,000 kms travelled after registration.
PureVision LED headlights
The obvious update in styling is in the headlights, which now have a new lighting signature with PureVision full LED units that are standard for all the variants. Renault’s PureVision LED technology provides strong and clear illumination and at the same time, reduces energy requirements by 10% (compared to the previous headlamps used). At the rear, dynamic turn indicators are incorporated in the redesigned 3D-style cluster, giving a strong visual signal when making a turn or lane change.
Five exterior colour choices are available, with Highland Silver replacing the previous Ultra Silver.
2.5-litre engine with X-Tronic CVT
All variants use the proven 2.5-litre petrol engine which delivers up to 171 ps/226 Nm for strong performance. All that output flows to the front wheels through an efficient X-Tronic CVT which can operate automatically or the driver can manually select gears.
The spacious interior space has been refreshed for the 2021 models. There are two interior styles available – the Koleos comes with an elegant black Riviera leather upholstery with dark striped wood trim, while the Signature and Signature Plus come with luxurious new Sand Grey Nappa leather upholstery with natural grain Grey wood trim.
The luxurious front seats of the Signature and Signature Plus variants have ventilation as an adjustable length for the seat. This provides additional support that can reduce fatigue on long journeys. The wide Relax headrests also give more support for the head and neck while the driver’s seat has massage and memory functions.
#EasyLife technologies
The Koleos has #EasyLife technologies which include a powered rear door that can open on its own without requiring the press of a button. Just placing a foot under the rear bumper will set the opening and closing motion in action. This feature is standard for all variants.
Other examples of #EasyLife technologies are the Easy Folding System where the seats fold completely to provide a flat floor. R-LINK2 navigation and multimedia is presented in a customisable 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto making it easy to connect and transfer apps from compatible smartphones.
Additionally, the Signature and Signature Plus variants have an electric panoramic sunroof to let skylight in. Of course, in our hot sunshine, that may not always be desirable but it would certainly be nice to have the night sky overhead while driving.
Although Malaysia is fortunate not to have a history of wars, there have nevertheless been times when our armed forces have been called upon to respond to serious situations affecting the security and peace of the country. At such times, the members of the armed forces have made great sacrifices which we should appreciate.
This year, Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd which markets BHPetrol fuels and lubricants, has initiated the Tabung Pahlawan ATM or Malaysian Armed Forces Warriors Fund campaign together with the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veteran (JHEV) or Veterans Affairs Department.
The fund, officially launched today, aims to collect donations from the public through BHPetrol stations. Collection boxes are places in the BHPetromart stores of 204 stations where the public can easily make their donation to show appreciation. The collection program will run until the end of 2021 and the donations collected will be channeled via the JHEV to retired veterans of the armed forces who may be disabled, as well as dependents who are in need. Cash donations are recognized by the Income Tax department as tax-deductible amounts when submitting annual returns for assessment.
According to Mejar Jeneral Dato’ Dzulkarnain bin Ahmad, donations collected in 2020 amounted to RM8.5 million but there was a target of RM10 million. He therefore hoped that the general public and corporate sector could support the campaign for the Tabung Pahlawan ATM.
Leslie Ng, CEO of Boustead Petroleum Marketing, making a donation to the Tabung Pahlawan ATM.
The campaign for Tabung Pahlawan ATM and collection of donations at BHPetrol stations was suggested by the Ministry of Defence as a platform to channel donations. According to Leslie Ng, CEO of Boustead Petroleum Marketing, this latest campaign is part of its ongoing support for the armed forces, especially the Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) or Armed Force Pension Fund Board which is also a major shareholder of its parent company, Boustead Holdings.
So the next time you are at a BHPetrol station, whether to purchase fuel or to buy stuff at the BHPetromart, spare a thought for the veterans who have helped to protect our nation so you can do so in safety and make a donation. Click here for the locations of the stations where donations can be made.
To know more about other activities of Boustead Petroleum Marketing and its products and services, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.
It was an exciting evening for BMW Malaysia yesterday as the company introduced the first-ever BMW 330Li M Sport, making it the first ever-long wheelbase variant in the company’s compact executive sedan portfolio. Also that evening, BMW also introduced a new variant to the X3 line-up – the sDrive20i
The new BMW 3 Series long wheelbase variant offers an increased overall length of 4,819mm (+110) and an increased wheelbase length of 2,961mm (+110mm) form the main visual differentiator of the BMW 330Li M Sport from the current BMW 330i M Sport, accompanied also by an increased height of 1,441mm (+6mm) relative to the latter.
The front of the new 330Li M Sport is distinguished by the kidney grilles now framed in chrome, while state-of-the-art Adaptive LED Headlights capable of automatically adjusting to varying road conditions.
Other features that complete the exterior are the M Aerodynamics and M Sport Packages, a set of 18” M light alloy wheels in Double-Spoke style 848 M bicolour with mixed tyres and run-flat tyres, double-sided exhaust tailpipe finishers with a trapezoidal design in the rear, as well as the panorama glass roof, and welcome light carpet on both sides.
At the heart of the elongated 3-Series is a four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine capable of a maximum output of 258 hp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 400 Nm at 1,550 – 4,400 rpm. Power is transmitted via a Steptronic Sport transmission. Accelerating from 0-100 km/h is done in only 6.2 seconds, and the new sedan’s top speed is capped at 250 km/h. Fuel consumption is marked at 6.4 litres per 100 km of travel, while carbon emission is measured at 147 g/km.
As for the interior, a modern ambience and luxurious design are paramount, with interior trim finishers in Aluminium Tetragon with highlight trim finishers in Pearl Chrome furnishing the cabin. The new dimensions are reflected in an increase of 4mm in headroom compared to the BMW 330i M Sport, as well as an additional 42mm legroom available for rear passengers – providing unparalleled spatial comfort and luxury. Boot space is measured at 480 litres, improved with the storage compartment package that offers more stowage possibilities.
In the cockpit, drivers are greeted with an M leather steering wheel and M-specific pedals. For greater utility, automatic anti-dazzle function is also equipped for both interior and exterior mirrors, as well as electric seat adjustment with memory function for the driver. Other interior highlights of the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport are velour floor mats, ambient lights with 11 predefined lighting designs, automatic air-conditioning with three-zone control, and a HiFi loudspeaker system for entertainment on the road. The Comfort Access System that also comes standard provides an added layer of convenience for owners of the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport.
The infotainment, navigation and driver display systems in the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport come in the form of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument display, as well as the BMW Navigation System Professional with 10.25” touch sensitive display. Instrument panel in Sensatec and Galvanic Embellishers for controls further lends an exclusive ambience to the interior, integrating functionality and luxury.
To enhance convenience and assistance, the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport comes comprehensively equipped with Cruise Control with braking function, Parking Assistant with rear view mirror, and the BMW Active Pedestrian Safety system. Driving Assistant also comes standard and includes features such as lane departure warning, lane change warning, front collision warning, cross traffic warning and rear collision prevention. The Intelligent Emergency Call functionality also ensures live assistance and support are available at all times.
The First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport comes in two colour offerings – Mineral White and Carbon Black. Leather Vernasca upholstery in Mocha with black stitching complement both the exterior colour offerings.
The BMW 330Li is now in the market for RM300,800.
BMW X3 sDrive20i
The new locally-assembled BMW X3 arrives with new the xLine package, complemented by LED headlights with Extended Contents inclusive of cornering lights. 19-inch light alloy wheels in Y-Spoke Style 694 with runflat tyres also complete the New BMW X3 sDrive20i. Body details are stylishly accentuated in aluminium, as the new SAV also features the BMW Individual Exterior Line and roof rails both in Aluminium Satinated.
Powering the New BMW X3 sDrive20i is the four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine capable of a maximum output of 184 hp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 300 Nm at 1,350 – 4,000 rpm. And is capable of a century sprint in 8.2 seconds, and records a top speed of 215 km/h. Carbon emissions are capped at a lowered 163 g/km and an equally lowered fuel consumption of 7.1 litres per 100 km of travel. Transmission is in the form of an 8-Speed Automatic Steptronic with Automatic Hold Function.
Inside, the New BMW X3 sDrive20i is fitted with interior trim finishers in Black High-Gloss with highlight trim finishers in Pearl Chrome, complete with interior and exterior mirrors that are equipped with the automatic anti-dazzle function.
Comfort in the new SAV is elevated with the sport seats for the driver and front passenger, as well as velour floor mats, ambient lighting, and the three-zone automatic air conditioning system. Drivers will also be able to enjoy electric seat adjustment with memory function, while a 12-Speaker HiFi sound system provides endless entertainment for the road ahead.
In terms of digital assistance, the New BMW X3 sDrive20i arrives fully-furnished with the Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant. A premium navigational and infotainment experience is offered via a 10.25-inch touchscreen control display, complemented by a Sensatec Instrument Panel and controls with Galvanic Embellishers. These features are also offered alongside the BMW Live Cockpit Plus and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
The Intelligent Emergency Call, and the convenient call function with extended smartphone connection also offer safety and convenience to owners of the New BMW X3 sDrive20i. Meanwhile, there is also the Comfort Access System, along with the Storage Compartment Package that equips the new SAV with 550 litres of luggage capacity.
Owners will now be able to have greater digital interaction with the New BMW X3 sDrive20i via the new My BMW App that provides easy access to a wide range of remote services, on-the-go navigation, and e-mobility features. The application will replace the BMW Connected App come July 2021, and is now available for download on both Android and iOS-enabled smartphones.
Colour offerings for the New BMW X3 sDrive20i include Alpine White, Glacier Silver, Black Sapphire, and Phytonic Blue. All exterior offerings are paired with black Leather Vernasa upholstery with black stitching.
The new BMW X3 sDrive20i is now in the market for RM286,674.00.
When Proton formed a technical tie-up with Suzuki, which led to the creation of the Proton Ertiga, the Japanese carmaker decided to show its support for the partnership (small though it was) by withdrawing from the Malaysian market in 2016. It was the same sort of move made by Mitsubishi Motors some 30 years earlier when it was involved with the Malaysian carmaker. The difference though was that Mitsubishi Motors had a stake in the company and could look at a long-term relationship whereas Suzuki was essentially just providing a product that Proton could adapt quickly.
The move by Suzuki disappointed its customers and fans, which had built up over 10 years. Although not all the products sold well, the brand image was strong. For enthusiasts especially, the Swift Sport was a hot little hatchback that offered zesty performance. Sadly, their favourite brand had abandoned the market and those who did own the cars kept them for as long as possible.
First Swift Sport launched in 2007.
Back with a new distributor
Now Suzuki is back, and it’s doing so through a new distributor – Naza Eastern Motors Sdn Bhd. (NEM) which is part of the Naza Group. Interestingly, although Naza has handled many different brands, it has never had a Japanese brand until now.
Suzuki has a wide range of models, from minicars to hatchbacks to SUVs, all small models. It did try to get into a larger sized market with a model called the Kizashi but never succeeded. The Suzuki model which Malaysians know best is the Swift which was introduced in 2005 when Suzuki Malaysia began operations.
Times have changed and while the plain vanilla Swift was popular back then, the market is filled with many more competitors today so NEM has decided to import just the Swift Sport, at least for now. This variant is the more iconic one and will surely have many who are eagerly waiting to get one.
Priced from RM139,900 (excluding insurance), the new Swift Sport is from the latest third generation with a 1.4-litre BOOSTERJET engine. Like many small engines today, this engine has direct fuel injection and turbocharging with intercooling which pushes output up to 140 bhp/230 Nm. The dual variable valve timing is electrically operated on the intake side but has hydraulic operation on the exhaust side.
During development, Suzuki’s engineers virtually eliminated the typical delay in power delivery (turbo lag) by attaching the compact turbocharger directly to the cylinder head as well as incorporating the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head casting. This design ensures optimum gas flow with minimal heat loss through to the turbo unit.
No manual transmission
The power goes to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission which will disappoint enthusiasts. One of the strong attractions of the previous generations was that they were available (in Malaysia) with manual transmissions. This was at a time when companies were beginning to discontinue manual variants of their models due to diminishing demand.
It is likely that NEM did some market studies and found that the volume potential was higher for an automatic transmission variant than for a manual transmission. They could listen to a limited group of enthusiasts who might tell them ‘everyone who buys a Swift Sport will want a manual’ but the reality today is that most people are satisfied with an automatic. At least it’s not a CVT…
With the automatic transmission, the car is claimed to be able to do 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds and reach a top speed of 205 km/h. If you don’t drive with the pedal floored most of the time, you could get 16.4 kms per litre and we learnt that, unlike the previous 1.5-litre engine, this new one can deliver 100% of the rated output with RON95 petrol. The previous engine was apparently tuned to give its maximum output with RON98 which we do not have, and with RON97, dyno testing showed that the output was 1 bhp less.
While the suspension layout is fairly straightforward, careful tuning has been done to give greater driving stability, optimised roll rigidity, and improved dynamic response. The rear suspension was specially designed to ensure good high speed stability and the trailing arm was developed exclusively for the Swift Sport to minimise deformation during cornering. The rigidity of the torsion beam is also tuned to provide optimal roll stiffness.
Suzuki engineers developed a new platform called ‘HEARTECT’ which is said to provide enhanced fundamental vehicle performance due to being light and highly rigid. The underbody’s structure and component layout are incorporated in a highly rigid frame that resists distortion while also dissipating impact energy. More welds are used to increase structural rigidity of the body.
Swift design DNA retained
While the technical aspects have changed significantly since the last time Malaysians had a Swift Sport to buy (officially), the design retains a familiar form that can be traced all the way back to the Concept S of 2004. That shape has evolved over the years but remains recognisable as a Swift. For the Swift Sport, the appearance is more expressive, in keeping with the sport image.
The 2004 Concept S
Black-out roof pillars give the impression of a ‘floating’ roof while dark trim running along the lower sides establishes a low centre of gravity. The handles for the rear doors are up on the roof pillar, an idea which is not unique nor new as it can be found on some other models. It gives a cleaner look to the door panel though some people will get confused not seeing a handle in the usual place.
Sporty cabin
As would be expected, the Swift Sport’s cabin has a sporty flavour with semi bucket front seats that should hug the body well to keep it in place during the spirited driving which an owner is bound to indulge in. The seats have tubular frames set within the side supports of both the seatback and seat base cushion with urethane pads for additional support.
The dashboard has a rather ‘classic’ layout, somewhat different from most of today’s cars. It’s functional with a basic tone of black to create a high contrast interior space. For added sport appeal, the tachometer features a red dial face and the speedometer is coloured silver. A digital multimedia info display between the meters shows, among other things real-time engine output (bhp and Nm), g-forces and turbo boost.
The 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, with red stitching, multi-function switches and paddle shifters, has a D-shaped design with a flat bottom, a feature usually found in sportscars.
The ventilation controls are in the form of large rotary knobs which will be appreciated by drivers as you don’t have to look down at them to make adjustments. Above the knobs is a 7-inch colour touchscreen for the infotainment system which has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink for connectivity.
The Swift Sport has Suzuki‘s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) for collision safety. This makes use of collapsible structures that absorb impact energy in the event of a collision, a frame structure that effectively disperses impact energy, and rigid cabin structure. Six airbags are provided for cushioning at the front and sides.
No driver-assist systems
While we usually read of driver-assistance active safety systems in almost every new model launched today, NEM doesn’t mention this in its materials. This is not to say that the model was developed without such systems as the Swift Sport sold in other markets does have a camera and radar which detect hazards and active systems that will give autonomous emergency braking.
Nevertheless, there is ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program which no car should be without today. There’s also cruise control which is the basic type as it cannot be adaptive without a camera or radar.
As the official distributors, NEM will of course provide all the necessary aftersales support and has one 3S service centre in operation with immediate effect. Presumably, they will have a network in due course and will also provide services to those who already own a Suzuki.
While Suzuki motorcycles were on Malaysian roads in the 1960s, the 4-wheelers appeared in the 1970s, with the early models being the SJ/LJ (above) – a miniaturized Jeep – and the SS80 which was known as the Alto elsewhere. The SJ was a simple vehicle with 4×4 and could go almost anywhere as it was light and small. However, in those days, small vehicles were not in great demand so the Suzukis had limited sales. Later on, with the Swift in the 1980s and then the Vitara, the brand started to gain followers. When Suzuki Malaysia began operations in 2005, it got off to a great start with the positive response to the new Swift which was later assembled locally as well while the Swift Sport was imported. There were other models like the APV, SX4, Kizashi (pictured below) and S-Cross which were sold but the numbers were limited. When Suzuki tied up with Proton, it withdrew its own products from the market as a show of support – perhaps thinking it would have a long-term relationship. But that was not to be after one model (the Ertiga) and the brand remained absent from the market for 5 years.
Honda Malaysia is strong in its gender equality and especially in product planning, teams have been led by women. Now the company can add having its first female Managing Director and CEO, Madoka Chujo to the list. While she is not the first female heading a car company in Malaysia, she is still one of the few to date.
Ms Chujo takes over from Toichi Ishiyama who returns to the head office in Japan. She was previously Vice-President at Honda Canada Inc. since 2019. She has been with Honda Motor Company for 23 years and has held various roles in Japan, China, Spain and Canada. Her expertise and experience are in the area of sales strategy which she applied in her previous positions.
Commenting on her new role at Honda Malaysia, Ms. Chujo said: “Malaysia is indeed an important market in the Asia and Oceania region with Honda Malaysia achieving various significant sales milestones and has become one of the leading automotive brands in the country. I am looking forward and excited for my first assignment as the MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia and, at the same time, I am also eager to explore Malaysia as the country is unique and a melting pot of diverse cultures and people, with enormous potential and of course, a fast-paced work environment.”
During Mr. Ishiyama’s term as MD and CEO, he introduced a number of new models including the latest Honda City. He also maintained the brand’s No. 1 position in the Non-National segment.
Mr. Ishiyama, who was with Honda Malaysia since November 2017, oversaw the continued growth of the company as it passed 900,000 unit sales in 2019 and then reached the 1 millionth sales unit in March 2021 (the numbers are taken from the time Honda Malaysia was established). During Mr. Ishiyama’s term, Honda Malaysia has also continued to maintain its position as the No. 1 Non-National car brand for six consecutive years. The achievements are noteworthy, especially with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic since March last year.
Honda Malaysia has many women who lead product teams developing new models, like Nadzirah Azli, who was involved in the fourth generation of the City.
I would be lying if I said I was not excited about driving the GR Yaris.
“You go la bro, do a written and video review of the drive experience,” said Chips in our Piston/BikesRepublic/MotoMalaya Whatsapp group chat.
I saved the formalities, thanked Chips and dove right in. There was no, “are you sure, bro?”
I love my colleagues, but I love the cars more. There was no way was I going to say no to driving what is arguably the 10 most interesting drivers cars of the past decade. Or maybe 20.
The invite said to be there by 8, the sheer excitement woke me up by 530. I got there by 820. Traffic was bad.
After all the formalities, hellos and a quick breakfast, there it was, the car that had dominated the news for a while, and was deemed as the most exciting hot hatch in a while, and I was unimpressed. I found myself thinking, “damn, it is rather small and unassuming.”
It really is small. Tiny almost. Almost the size of a Mini Cooper 3-door. But wider. Which is not a bad thing. Some of the greatest cars are all short, wide and low. That’s the basics of a great hot hatch. Think Renault Clio V6.
But sit inside and it feels comfortable, with an almost family sort of friendliness to it; the type that feels like you could drive it all day and then some.
And despite all that, there was an aura in the air inside the GR Yaris that set the purpose straight. Telling whoever it is that sits in it that it was something special. This was not a regular Toyota and you could feel it.
Perhaps it was the data logger lookalike head unit that dominated the central dashboard. Or perhaps it was the very obvious focus of the 6-speed manual with an aluminium shifter. Or perhaps it was the plastic laminated sticker that read out the car’s purpose in life – ‘Developed For FIA World Rally Championship’. But the biggest giveaway to the purpose of this Yaris was in its name – Toyota Gazoo Racing Yaris.
“I sat in one of those things,” says my cousin Miki the day after my drive at Sepang.
I drove the Yaris from London to Cardiff, and it was horrid,” he said.
“Yes, but I bet it wasn’t the GR Yaris,” was my answer.
“Of course not, I heard those things are quite special,” was his answer.
He could not be more right. The GR Yaris truly is special. It is also a Frankenstein of sorts as it is the combination of a Toyota Yaris front and a Toyota Corolla back. Hence why it looks so wide at the back, because it is all-wheel-drive, and the wider track helps it go rallying. A perfect canvas for Tommi Makinen’s Toyota GR Rally team to develop a world dominator.
But there is little point in going further here, even if I were to wax lyrical about how much fun the car is to drive, which it really is, on track at least because I haven’t driven it on road – the fact of the matter is that you cannot buy a Toyota GR Yaris anymore. Not a brand new unit in Malaysia at least.
UMW Toyota Malaysia offered only 125 units of the GR Yaris to the Malaysian public, and all of them have been spoken for.
I did question the need to write this article before starting, since you won’t be able to buy it brand new here anyway. But the car is undoubtedly amazing, and deserves an article of its own.
And I totally understand the demand for it, I want one too. I can’t remember the last time I drove something that made me want to do some very illegal things with it. Every couple of years, a manufacturer will release something truly special that will blow away even the most dedicated of passionists – the GR Yaris is one of them.
Visually though there is nothing special about the car – inside or outside.
The uninitiated could easily be fooled into thinking it were a custom Myvi with a wide body kit which had spent time at the chop shop to get rid of the two back doors.
It really isn’t visually impressive. It won’t make your children squeal in delight when they see one, it will make your wife question her marriage to you should you spend over a quarter of a million ringgit in a car the size of a Myvi. It won’t get you the girls.
It will however get you lots of questions from fanboys. Myvi’s will want to race you, the Type R boys will “cucuk” you every chance they get. And the AMG and Golf R boys will have a laugh smoking you.
But that’s okay though, because as soon as you hit the corners, you will have the last laugh, because in the corners is where this Yaris becomes at one with its element.
In fact I dare say that in tight corners and in the right hands, this Yaris will “re-smoke” the AMG and Golf R. Such is its talent and capabilities, but a short wheel-base all-wheel-drive car will always need some experienced, talented hands that know what to do in case things get hairy. And things will get hairy very quickly.
The all-wheel drive system is intelligent, in normal mode, it sends 60% of power to the front wheels, while in track mode it sends 50% of the power to the rear for perfect power distribution, and in sport mode it sends 70% of power to the back wheels, making it a tiny tail happy car.
We did get a chance to feel this layout for ourselves, the sport mode around the gymkhana track which was set up to initiate a slide – a 360 degree donut drift, a slalom course then into a high speed gets the tail out if you pull the handbrake hard enough. Onto another slalom then hard on the brakes.
It was in the track mode that really made me realise that there are certain limitations to the car. Brake hard into a slow corner like turns one, four, nine and 15 of the Sepang Circuit and the rear will threaten to break loose. In fast corners especially turns five and six you have to modulate the pedal and even then there is this niggling sensation that the back just wants to break free.
Power is from a three-cylinder, 1.6 turbocharged engine. It puts out 261PS and 360km/h. Get the shifts right and this Yaris will reach 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds. Top speed is rated at 230km/h.
But it is not how much power it puts out, it’s how it feels doing it.
Floor the pedal and there is no roar or scream that follows the acceleration. It is more of a “whoosh” of the turbocharger. Did you really expect a three-cylinder engine to scream?
I am not mocking the engine here. What Toyota has achieved with a three pot engine makes it the most power three-cylinder engine in the world. Ever! Read that sentence again, perhaps then we can truly appreciate the magnificence of this small car.
Then there is the fact this Yaris is in fact a homologation special – meaning that it was bred for racing. Rallying, to be more accurate.
Toyota built 25,000 units of the GR Yaris, because the rules of homologation says a manufacturer needs to build 25,000 units of a model, and it goes on to say that 2,500 of those can be high performance variants as well. Which suggests that rumours around Toyota building a more hardcore version of the GR Yaris may actually be true. Hello GRMN!
There is no doubt that the Toyota GR Yaris is a special car to drive, though it may not look like it to the untrained eye. This is a car that needs to be driven to be appreciated, and those that know, they know.
My biggest gripe with this car? That UMW Toyota Motor is not able to offer more units than the 125 already sold. That more people are not able to enjoy such a fantastic machine. This is a car that could potentially define a generation, a legend like the Golf GTI and the Renault Megane. And unfortunately enthusiasts will have to turn to the grey import market to buy it, robbing them of official Toyota after sales support.
There is also word from friends who have booked the GR Yaris that their bookings are a money making tool now. Some are getting random phone calls offering to buy their booking for double the booking fee paid. Demand is so hot that at the point of writing, the GR Yaris offers better return on investment than any form of investment type, be it properties, gold, petroleum or energy stock.
A great car it is, one of the modern legends, but it remains to be seen how that three-cylinder engine deals with all that abuse.
And if your wife threatens to leave you because you spent a quarter of a million ringgit on a car that looks like a Myvi, tell her that it is a better investment than the jewellery she forced you to buy her. For now at least.
It should come as no surprise that 93 international journalists on the World Car Awards jury panel voted Akio Toyoda, President & CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation as the 2021 World Car Person of the Year. A real ‘car guy’ who has invigorated Toyota’s image with more appealing products, especially to younger customers, Mr. Toyoda was among 5 finalists for this prestigious award that was created in 2018 to acknowledge and celebrate an individual who has made a significant contribution to the global automotive industry. That contribution could include a significant impact to their brand or company or a significant safety, engineering, design or technical advancement.
A direct descendant of the founders of the company, Mr. Toyoda, 64, has spent years successfully remaking the company. In 2020, under his leadership, Toyota remained profitable, despite COVID-19, thus protecting jobs worldwide. He has maintained Toyota’s pace of steady development for the Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric era, and he has initiated construction of the Woven City, a real-life prototype city of the future. And in between his corporate work, he has also found time to participate in motorsports as a driver.
Akio Toyoda is a direct descendant of the founders of Toyota Motor Corporation.
One of the very few car company Presidents who races and also personally gets involved in testing and development of new models. Autocar UK, which picked him as ‘Man of the Year in 2012’, also described him as ‘today’s equivalent of Enzo Ferrari’.
‘People’, not ‘person’
“On behalf of all 360,000 Toyota Team members around the world, thank you for this tremendous honour! If you don’t mind, however, I would like to change this award from car ‘person’ of the year to car ‘people’ of the year… because it’s the collective effort of all our global employees, retailers and suppliers that has truly made Toyota what it is today! And I for one, couldn’t be a luckier… or a more grateful CEO,” said Mr. Toyoda.
“At Toyota, we are very fortunate that we were able to protect the employment of our team members during COVID-19 and to continue our work to meet the future challenges of our industry. As a company, we are dedicated to providing mobility for all… but we are equally committed to creating new ways to support the well-being of our planet and people everywhere,” he added. “I would also like to thank and recognize the contributions of the entire automotive industry.”
The other finalists
The other 5 finalists were (in alphabetical order) Pratap Bose, Vice-President, Global Design at Tata Motors; Euisun Chung, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group; and Tomiko Takeuchi, Program Manager for the Mazda MX-30.
Previous World Car Person of the Year recipients were Carlos Tavares, CEO of PSA Group (2020); the late Sergio Marchionne, CEO, FCA; Chairman, CNH Industrial; and Chairman and CEO, Ferrari (2019); and Hakan Samuelsson, President & CEO of Volvo Car Group (2018).
Carlos Tavares, last year’s World Car Person of the Year recipient, is also a racing driver.
The World Car Person of the Year award is just one of 6 awards handed out annually by the World Car Awards organization. The awards were inaugurated in 2003 and officially launched in January 2004. They are intended to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize, reward and inspire excellence, leadership and innovation in a rapidly changing automotive industry.
Hyundai owners can now enjoy an enhanced ownership experience with Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors’ (HSDM) new aftersales loyalty programmes – i-Care Plus and a Loyalty Card that offer discounts and freebies.
The Hyundai i-Care Plus programme is for vehicles that are 4 years old or older. For RM20, owners will get 6 discount vouchers which get them a 10% discount on selected parts, and 5% percent discount on labour charges, in addition to two free bottles of engine oil and an oil filter.
Available for a limited time from April 2021, the i-Care Plus vouchers is valid for 35 months from the date of purchase. They can be obtained at any authorized Hyundai service centre in Malaysia.
Exclusive privileges
Those who obtain the Loyalty Card will gain exclusive privileges that include exclusive monthly promotions. For example, during the month of April, there is a 20% discount on KLIMA Fresh and BlueChem products. Other privileges will be birthday month discounts on aftersales services, discounts on Hyundai merchandise and a higher trade-in value for the purchase of another new Hyundai vehicle. Current Hyundai owners can register for their complimentary Loyalty Card at any authorized Hyundai service centre nationwide.
Hyundai i-Care Plus programme provides free engine oil.
Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM, said the new customer loyalty programmes are testimony to the company’s promise in offering distinctive value to Hyundai car owners here, in the spirit of its tagline ‘Geared for Distinction’. “We hope to bring more value and benefits to our customers through such specially designed programmes as we focus on enhancing the customer experience with Hyundai,” he said.
While the Lexus RX is often regarded as the model that took SUVs into the premium segment, its sister model, the Toyota Harrier, also did the same. The only thing was that while the RX was marketed globally, the Harrier was primarily for the Japanese domestic market as the Lexus brand was not introduced there in 1997 when the RX was launched. However, in a number of places, including Malaysia, the Harrier was brought in by private importers and became very popular. It was never officially sold by UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) until 2018 and with the popularity built up over 20 years, it met with strong response with initial shipments from Japan quickly sold out.
First three generations of the Harrier.
Today, the all-new fourth generation is officially launched with a price of RM249,706.50, excluding insurance for registration in Peninsular Malaysia. Only the 2.0 Luxury version is available, and customers can choose from 5 exterior colours (extra charge for White Pearl CS and Precious Black colours).
5-year warranty and aftersales support assured
According to UMWT, Malaysia is one of only two countries outside Japan where the new Harrier is sold officially with full warranty and aftersales support. The 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and assurance of parts and service are something that were not available from private importers which has been a strong selling point for the model. Furthermore, the company also provides owners with Toyota 24 Seven Road Assist for peace of mind.
Like other recent Toyota models, the new generation (incidentally, Lexus no longer shared the model since the previous generation and the Harrier is an independent development), is designed around Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) with the GA-K platform. TNGA’s versatility and flexibility allows it to be used for sedans like the Corolla and also SUVs like the RAV4 and Harrier, and even electrified models like the Prius. Besides creating a highly rigid body structure, the centre of gravity is also lower which enhances stability, handling, agility and ride comfort.
Wider but lower body
The overall size of the new Harrier is almost the same as before but the width has gained 20 mm while an extra 30 mm has been added to the wheelbase, both increases obviously benefitting interior space. Although there is still good ground clearance, as would be expected of a SUV, the overall height is now 30 mm lower.
The profile follows the same coupe-like form with a design concept Toyota calls ‘Dignified Elegance’. The front end has a sharper appearance with the eye-catching slim Bi-LED headlamps on either side. The L-shaped Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) also provide a strong and distinctive visual signature apart from enhancing daytime visibility. The rear has a clean design, defined by a thin LED strip for the full width, while twin exhaust pipes with oval baffles add a sporty touch.
‘Dignified Elegance’
The ‘Dignified Elegance’ concept is also adopted for the interior which gets a more premium feel. The occupants are welcomed with the Illuminated Entry System at the front door sills which is complemented by blue LED illumination inside. Premium materials used include thick black leather with woodgrain and silver ornamentation.
Any driver should be able to get the right and comfortable seating position with 12-way power adjustment for the seat, and for ease of getting in and out, the steering wheel automatically rises out of the way when the engine is switched off and the door opened.
The Automatic Dual-Zone Air Conditioning system has nanoeX technology which generates ions. First introduced with a previous generation of the Camry, nanoeX technology is known to deactivate viruses which is, of course, a very welcome feature in these times. It also keeps the air fresh and clean.
High-tech features
Besides the bright and clear Optitron instrument panel, the driver can also refer to the standard Head-Up Display (HUD) which is projected on the windscreen. Information show includes road speed, gear position, Driving Support System (directions, ACC display, LDA Display, Parking Sensor), audio mode with song titles, and warning alerts. That’s certainly a lot more than the early HUDs which showed only the speed.
The new Harrier has Panoramic Sunroof with electrochromatic glass which can alter the intensity of light passing through at the touch of a switch. The effect is like that of traditional paper windows found in Japan, enhancing comfort. The glass panels cover almost the entire length of the roof so a lot of light can be allowed in when sunlight conditions are not too harsh or at night.
The other high-tech feature is the new Digital Display Rear View Mirror. This shows live images from a wide-angle high-definition camera at the back to give greater night-driving clarity and eliminates glare from oncoming headlights.
Other standard features include a wireless charging pad, USB ports, Kick Sensor Powered Back Door, Electric Parking Brake, and an advanced infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The 8-inch capacitive touchscreen serves the infotainment system as well as shows the images from the rearview camera. Front and rear digital video cameras are also fitted while a Vehicle Telematics System can keep track of the vehicle’s location at all times.
One area that Toyota engineers paid special attention to was reduction of Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH). The new Harrier is claimed to be much quieter than before, thanks to the use of highly-efficient sound-absorbing glass on the windows. Sound-absorbing materials and their placement were optimized to lower NVH as well while sealing at the doors is improved to stop wind noise from seeping in.
New Dynamic Force engine
The Harrier is powered by Toyota’s latest Dynamic Force (M20A-FKS) 4-cylinder DOHC engine with Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) that operates electronically for quicker response. As before, it is a 2-litre engine but now has improved output of 173 ps/203 Nm without turbocharging.
A Direct Shift Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Sequential Shiftmatic, allows the seamless shifting of gears. The driver can choose from three modes – ECO, Normal and Sport – to suit driving conditions or personal preference. ECO and Sport modes will prioritise fuel economy or acceleration, respectively, while the Normal mode offers a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency.
The TNGA chassis has front MacPherson struts with trailing wishbones at the rear, with optimized suspension geometry for balanced and predictable handling, while maintaining a high standard of ride comfort. The 18-inch alloy wheels at each corner are fitted with 225/60 tyres.
Toyota Safety Sense
Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) is the suite of integrated active systems that help the driver to avoid an accident, especially front collisions. Most of the latest Toyota models have TSS but the systems vary depending on the model. In the case of the new Harrier, there is a Pre-Crash System, Lane Departure Alert, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Adaptive Highbeam System. These use a camera and radar to scan the road ahead and identify vehicles and the data is analysed by a computer to determine if there is any danger of a collision. The Pre-Crash system has autonomous capability, meaning that it will activate the brakes if the driver does not take corrective action if a possible collision is detected.
Additionally, there’s a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Braking, and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. The 4-wheel disc brake system is managed by ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist, while Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control will help stabilize the vehicle on slippery surfaces.
Even with the best active safety systems, an accident can still occur and to minimize injuries, there are 7 SRS airbags around the cabin (one for the driver’s knees). These include curtain airbags which deploy downwards over the windows and besides providing cushioning, they also reduce the chance of ejection from the cabin during violent crashes. ISOFIX points are provided in the rear seats for compatible childseats which are now required by law.
