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Hyundai Motor has elaborated on a step forward in its design philosophy with providing a more detailed blueprint for ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ by unveiling the HDC-2 ‘Grandmaster’ SUV concept and presented a new N Brand Global Strategy with line-up expansion at the 2018 Busan International Motor Show.

Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and head of the High Performance Vehicle & Motorsport Division

Having first introduced the ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ direction with the HDC-1 ‘Le Fil Rouge’ concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, Hyundai further explored and elaborated on the philosophy with its latest SUV concept vehicle, the HDC-2 Grandmaster concept (below). The Le Fil Rouge sedan provided a clear direction for Hyundai’s design philosophy, while the new SUV concept vehicle further proved the versatility of this design language that will be portrayed in future Hyundai vehicles, opening up new possibilities for an even wider spectrum of attractive designs.

Hyundai also introduced the Veloster N (below) at the Busan International Motor Show, laying out the blueprint for its High Performance N Brand. Hyundai will further diversify its N Brand Product Portfolio including High Performance N models, N Line Vehicles with new design and performance enhancing elements and N Option, customization parts by N, which is available for the entire Hyundai line-up. In addition, Hyundai showcased the enhanced Tucson with refined design and enhanced active safety features including a standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA).

Exemplifying the theme of ‘Future Mobility Life’, Hyundai divided its booth into five distinct spaces – Garage N, Hyundai Veloster Street, Design Gallery, Hydrogen Electricity House and the Life Square – all of which aim to highlight Hyundai’s design philosophy and mobility life, as well as to provide valued customer experience.

Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and head of the High Performance Vehicle & Motorsport Division, said “I am thrilled to share our vision for the Brand today with you. We will continue to diversify our products and tailor them to the unique needs and experiences of each customer, so that every Hyundai vehicle provides a fun-to-drive experience throughout everyday life.”

“Today we showcased two concept vehicles as a blueprint for our evolved design strategy,” said SangYup Lee, Vice President and head of Hyundai styling. “Making a big step forward in terms of design with the Hyundai Look strategy, we will move towards becoming a brand that customers can really relate to emotionally. Moving on from being a brand that provides a great value, we will aspire to also become a brand that is widely beloved by our customers”

More…

Veloster N and N Brand Global Strategy…

First introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January 2018, the Veloster N is Hyundai’s second N model, following the ‘i30 N’ launched in Europe last year, and the first model to be showcased to Korean customers.

As part of Hyundai’s High Performance N Business, the Veloster N offers differentiated exterior and interior designs, focusing on fun-to-drive characteristics and providing the best driving performance to drivers, as well as passengers.

Equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged high performance engine and 6-speed manual transmission, Veloster N boasts maximum power output of 275hp and torque output of 36.0 kgf·m.

With launch control function for spontaneous start and rev matching function for dynamic gear change, Veloster N is also a true ‘Cornering Rascal’ ready to take on any difficult corners.

Hyundai’s N Vehicles demonstrate that the thrill of driving should be measured by the driver’s heartbeats per minute (BPM), rather than revs per minute (RPM), emphasizing exhilarating sensations experienced behind the wheel.

Veloster N is a part of Hyundai’s N brand Global Strategy, which aimed to provide a ground-breaking experience for drivers. Hyundai’s N line-up is based on the company’s philosophy of providing high performance driving technology and an exciting driving experience reminiscent of motorsports, granting dynamic feeling and sensation to everyday drivers.

The market response to the first N Model, ‘the i30 N’, has been so positive that the company is even considering increasing the production volume.

Elaborating on the high performance division, Schemera said “Our motorsports vehicles will spearhead the N Brand at the apex of the brand’s hierarchy. Not to mention that the valuable experience and technology derived from our success in motorsports will cascade down to all the future N products.”

HDC-1 Le Fil Rouge and HDC-2 Grandmaster concept: A step forward with the Hyundai Look…

During the 2018 Busan International Motor Show, Hyundai showcased the first SUV concept featuring the Hyundai Look, a demonstration of evolving Hyundai design philosophy.

Debuted at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the Le Fil Rouge concept car highlights Hyundai’s evolved design direction under the theme of ‘Sensuous Sportiness’. Following the concept, the HDC-2 Grandmaster model reinterprets Hyundai’s design DNA, and is designed through harmonization of four key elements – proportion, architecture, styling and technology – thereby bringing emotional value and desirability.

The concept name of Grandmaster is derived from the game of chess. While the world’s finest chess champion is called the grandmaster, the concept vehicle is named to indicate that just as the sum of all chess pieces completes the game of chess, all forthcoming Hyundai vehicles will come to form a harmonious vehicle line-up demonstrating the Hyundai Look while each maintains distinctive character and role.

The beauty is further enhanced by the architecture and styling. The new approach of this ‘Light Architecture’ creates a perfect silhouette to the front and the rear, not to mention its technological innovation, which couples spectacular design with a comfortable experience for drivers and passengers. The design elements of ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ will be applied to Hyundai’s upcoming sedan and SUV models.

Tucson SUV…

The redesigned and enhanced 2019 Tucson features changes inside and out and is an attention-grabbing SUV. Its bold cascading grille and new headlight/DRL design create dramatic impressions.

Also, Hyundai applied an 8-speed automatic transmission and HTRAC all-wheel drive system for improved driving performance as well as better fuel economy.

Incorporating the latest technologies and safety features, the 2019 Tucson meets modern consumers’ daily needs and provides peace of mind with enhanced safety.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Driver Attention Warning (DAW) are equipped on all 2019 Tucson models to further enhance safety. Hyundai’s extra efforts to make the 2019 Tucson safer were recently recognized by top industry experts and consumers alike – J.D. Power named Tucson the Most Dependable Small SUV and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) selected the vehicle as a Top Safety Pick.

Above mentioned features and specification may vary by market.

The enhanced Tucson goes on sale in the Korean market in the third quarter of 2018.

 

Bermaz, the official custodians of the Mazda brand in Malaysia, will be having a roadshow in 1 Utama Shopping Centre starting from today June 27 to July 1, 2018 (Wednesday to Sunday). A wide range of Mazda models will be on display, including the much talked about 2018 Mazda CX-3. The display area will be at the Oval Concourse from 10:00AM – 10:00PM.

Although the new 2018 Mazda CX-3 has yet to be officially launched in Malaysia, interested parties will be treated with an exclusive preview at this roadshow. This will be the first time in Malaysia that the new Mazda CX-3 will be publicly displayed since its international debut in New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) – March 2018. Bookings for the 2018 Mazda CX-3 are also now open.

Also at this roadshow, those who book any model will be entitled to a sign-up gift and everyone stands a chance to win Mazda Official merchandise by joining in an exciting on-site game of “Goal!” since its the World Cup season.

For the estimated price of the new 2018 Mazda CX-3, click to download the links below:

New 2018 Mazda CX-3 GVC (WM) Price List

New 2018 Mazda CX-3 GVC (EM) Price List

For the full specifications sheet, click the link below to download the brochure:

New 2018 MazdaCX-3 Spec Sheet

For more information, visit Mazda Malaysia’s Facebook Page. (https://www.facebook.com/mazdamy/).

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has  signed a Leasing Service Agreement with MyMotor (MYEG Fintech) to introduce Volvo Car Leasing – a service that will let customers enjoy stress-free Volvo ownership, minus the usual financial strain of a hire-purchase agreement.The closed-door signing ceremony was held at the Volvo Car Malaysia headquarters and was attended by Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, and Justin Cheah, Chief Executive Officer of MyMotor.

Volvo Car Leasing, a first for Volvo Cars in the Southeast Asia region, offers customers an opportunity to drive a Volvo, worry-free, with the insurance, road tax, maintenance cost, and warranty covered. Additionally, at the end of the leasing agreement, customers could either choose to select a new model to drive home, purchase the car at market rate or Future Guaranteed Value (FGV), or simply return the car to the dealership.

“Our company philosophy is centred around people, their needs and what they care about. Now with Volvo Car Leasing, our customers are able to choose an appropriate model based on their current need or station in life and change it when the need arises,” said Stegland.

The programme will be available for all Volvo models sold in Malaysia, at all participating dealerships. Customers can drive home a new Volvo from as low as RM2,762 per month which is inclusive of a comprehensive insurance package, road tax, and maintenance cost.

“Every Volvo leased under this programme comes complete with our Volvo Service Agreement Plus (VSA+) which covers a list of service actions including a wide range of wear and tear items, giving the customer peace of mind in when it comes to his or her Volvo ownership experience,” added Stegland.

Volvo Car Leasing also allows customers greater financial flexibility when compared to a typical hire-purchase agreement, freeing up valuable credit to purchase other assets on top of not having to worry about incidentals related to car ownership.

“Based on our calculation, a customer could potentially save more with this leasing programme when compared to a hire-purchase agreement. At the end of the lease, the customer could renew the agreement and drive home a brand-new unit of the same model or opt to upgrade his lease agreement with a different model,” said Cheah.

“In comparison to a traditional hire-purchase agreement, Volvo Car Leasing encompasses most of the cost involved with car ownership. This convenience should also prove to be very appealing to company or fleet purchasers,” Cheah added.

Cheah explained that with Volvo Car Leasing, customer would not have to be concerned about disposing or selling the cars at the end of the agreement – something which is a given when it comes to a hire-purchase agreement.

In conjunction with the launch of Volvo Car Leasing all models will be offered with a promotional rate that is applicable from today till 31 August 2018. Volvo Car Leasing will also be offering free petrol vouchers worth RM300 for all bookings received within this promotional period.

For more information on the available models, applicable rates, VSA+, and Volvo Car Leasing and any current promotions, please visit Volvo Car Malaysia’s webpage at: volvocars.com/my. Alternatively, contact your preferred Volvo dealership for further assistance.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated the largest gathering of Rolls-Royces in the world this past weekend at the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club Annual Rally & Concours d’Elegance. The spectacular setting of Burghley House, one of England’s finest Elizabethan Houses, in Stamford, Lincolnshire, provided the perfect backdrop for over 1000 heritage and contemporary Rolls-Royces.

Dawn ‘Inspired by Music’ was taken for a spin in Rolls-Royce’s anechoic chamber, at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex (full details at the bottom)

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars honoured the occasion with a significant display of Goodwood-built Phantom, Ghost, Wraith and Dawn motor cars. The collection included Wraith Black Badge and several highly Bespoke models. The motor cars were also hosted by a team from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, including craftsmen and women, graduates and apprentices.

Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations, Heritage and Philanthropy, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “We are delighted to support our colleagues at the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club and to present our contemporary Rolls-Royce motor cars at this spectacular event. The Club is a vital custodian of our marque’s remarkable history, and the Annual Rally and Concours d’Elegance provides unique access to some of the most important and rare motor cars in automotive history.”

An increasing number of enthusiasts are choosing to acquire a Rolls-Royce to complement their heritage collections, either commissioning a new motor car or purchasing through the company’s Provenance Programme. This is reflected by the ‘Goodwood Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Register’, which is now one of the fastest-growing sections of the Club.

 

The Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club Annual Rally and Concours d’Elegance took place from Friday 22 June – Sunday 24 June. The Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club caters for anyone with an interest in the motor car products of Rolls-Royce. From just 11 people at the inaugural meeting in 1957, membership is now approaching 10,000, making it the largest club of its kind in the world.

Membership is open to owners and non-owners alike and members are drawn from all walks of life and from most countries of the world. Details can be found at www.rrec.org.uk.

For full details of the Rolls-Royce Dawn Inspired by Music, click this: PRESS RELEASE ROLLS-ROYCE DAWN ‘INSPIRED BY MUSIC’ TAKES TO THE STAGE

BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia has introduced the BMW Full Circle Recharged & MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer – new enhancements made to the Full Circle Programme, the dynamic financing programmes supporting BMW and MINI vehicles in the country.

Introducing the innovative financial programme, Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia (above) said, “Customer-orientation is at the heart of innovations at the BMW Group. From our premium vehicles to our premium services, we are the specialists when it comes to premium individual mobility. The new financial programmes demonstrate this philosophy perfectly. We aim to continue leading the Malaysian premium automotive industry towards the mobility of the future with revolutionary financing and mobility programmes for the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership Experience.”

Tobias Eismann, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Financial Services in Malaysia, meanwhile, said, “To support the high market demand of our hybrid vehicles, BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia is pleased to announce the BMW Full Circle Recharged campaign – an exclusive ownership programme developed specifically for the BMW iPerformance model range; the BMW 330e M Sport, the first-ever BMW 530e Sport, the BMW 740Le xDrive and the BMW X5 xDrive40e M Sport.”

For the best of both worlds, the new BMW Full Circle Recharged campaign complements the Sheer Driving Pleasure and ownership of the BMW 330e M Sport from RM 2,918.00 monthly; the first-ever BMW 530e Sport (below) from RM 3,908.00 monthly; the BMW 740Le xDrive from RM 6,668.00 monthly and the BMW X5 xDrive40e M Sport from RM 4,718.00 monthly. With every successful application under the BMW Full Circle Recharged campaign, new vehicle owners will also receive a complimentary set of BMW Life Recharged package consisting of a Fitbit Charge 2 and a limited edition HoriznStudios for BMW Board Case, 33L (terms and conditions apply).

Combining creativity with vibrant urban lifestyle, MINI sets the trend with unconventional approaches with high levels of individuality and customisation for their customers. This passion is also demonstrated with the new MINI Cooper S Countryman Sports (below) introduced recently. The model is meant for those with a knack for adventure, who live in the moment and live their lives to the fullest.

The MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer programme offers the MINI Cooper S Countryman Sports from RM 2,698.00 monthly together with MINI Urban Essential set, consisting of a Nanopresso to craft daily coffee on the go and a Fitbit Charge 2 for every successful application submitted (terms and conditions apply).

Introduced to give customers greater flexibility and assurance when it comes to financing their BMW or MINI, the Full Circle Programme offers a wide range of settlement options for an all-round ownership, delivering a hassle-free mobility experience whilst at the same time securing the value of the vehicles during the agreed tenure.

Eismann said, “The Full Circle Programme is created from the ground up to be a customer focused mobility solution to give our customers the ultimate peace of mind in their premium ownership experiences. Our Malaysian customers are very advanced in terms of their needs for financial solutions and we are already seeing a shift with trends moving gradually from the conventional, straight-line financing driven solutions where customers finance their car for 5 years or more, towards a more modern lifestyle-oriented driving experience where customers can change their car every 2 to 4 years.”

He added that with the Full Circle Programme, owners can easily experience the benefits of new and cutting-edge solutions without having the hassle to negotiate the trade-in or used car sales prices of their vehicles.

“As the financial division of one the most innovative premium companies in the world, we are here to facilitate and support the mobility movement focused on individual and corporate mobility with tailor made solutions. With the rapidly increasing demands of BMW and MINI vehicles in Malaysia, the guaranteed future value of the premium automakers’ vehicles has improved tremendously over the last quarters, making monthly instalments now even more significantly attractive.” said Eismann.

The Full Circle Recharged campaign commences today and concludes on 31 August 2018 (terms and conditions apply). The recent market developments as well as customers’ trust invested in the brands has enabled the BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia to offer the BMW 318i Luxury (above) with a competitive monthly installment from RM 2,098.00. The BMW 3 Series is the embodiment of a sporty sedan and remains one of the most identifiable models to the BMW range, and the refined monthly installment is only going to bring Sheer Driving Pleasure to aspired owners of BMW faster than ever before.

The excitement from the launch of the All-New BMW X3 (below) is also further sustained for the BMW X Family enthusiasts, where the Full Circle Programme guarantees the future value of the vehicle to be impressively more than 50% in 3 years down the road with a monthly installment from RM 3,808.00.

The BMW Full Circle Recharged and the MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer campaigns are part of the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which include:

  • BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme.
  • MINI 4-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.
  • BMW 2-Year / 24 Month Tyre Warranty Programme for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services.
  • BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline.
  • The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card, MINI Black Card and BMW Excellence Club membership programme.
  • BMW and MINI Service Online.

More details on the Full Circle Programme, the BMW Full Circle Recharged and MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer campaigns can be obtained at any preferred BMW and / or MINI  Authorised Dealership, via email at BMWGroup.FinancialServices@bmw.com.my or by phone at 1800-88-3000.

But there’s More…

RAYA@BMW

This Hari Raya, BMW Group Malaysia will also be celebrating with attractive rebates and competitive financing solutions starting from 1.22% across a wide range of BMW models, along with the BMW i Wallbox and BMW ChargeNow promotions for selected BMW iPerformance models. RAYA@BMW will take place at all authorised dealerships and on the designated dates below, with exciting activities for the family.

Dealers Dates
Ingress Damansara 30 June – 1 July
Ingress Puchong 30 June – 1 July
Wearnes 30 June – 1 July
AB Glenmarie 30 June – 1 July
AB Kuala Lumpur 30 June – 1 July
AB Sungai Besi 30 June – 1 July
AB Johor 30 June – 1 July
AB Penang 30 June – 1 July
AB Balakong 30 June – 1 July

For more details of RAYA@BMW, visit (link) www.bmw.com.my.

 

Stuck in traffic, your spouse decides to take the “quicker” route home but makes a wrong turn instead. “Now we will never get home!” you shout from the passenger seat. The children, safely buckled in the back seat, start to cry. With so many distractions, you’ve just increased your driver’s chances of making a careless – and dangerous – move on the road.

As distracted driving continues to spread around the world, most of the attention has been directed at drivers and mobile phones. But one of the top distractions is sitting just a few inches away – passengers! Most passengers are probably unaware of the effect they have on drivers, but researchers have found that their behavior is just as crucial as the driver’s when it comes to safety.

Ways passengers affect drivers…

An early study showed that drivers with passengers were 60 percent more likely to have a crash resulting in serious injury compared to when driving alone. Passengers influence driver behaviors – both positively and negatively – due to a variety of factors such as the passenger’s age, the relationship of the driver and passenger and even the gender of the driver relative to the passenger.

For example, while women showed lower levels of risky driving in general, the presence of a man in the passenger’s seat was more likely to cause women to practice risky driving than if traveling with another woman. With passengers in a vehicle, drivers also tend to be less observant and less able to anticipate hazards.

“Consider the impact that your presence as a passenger can have on the driver,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, (below) Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion. “Support everyone’s safe arrival by avoiding distracting behaviors and helping the driver stay focused on the road.”

How to be a good car passenger

Passengers help set the tone for the drive – they can choose to be a helpful, calm sidekick or a bad influence. Here are five ways to be a better passenger:

  1. Be a helpful co-pilot…
    Take an active role during the drive by navigating, answering the phone, warning of approaching hazards and keeping the driver company.
  2. Don’t distract the driver…
    If you expect the driver to focus on the road, do your part to minimize distractions. Don’t talk loudly on the phone, constantly change the music or comment on their driving.
  3. Stay awake…
    Sleeping passengers can increase the chances of the driver falling asleep, too. If needed, swap drivers during long journeys so everyone can take a short nap when tiredness sets in.
  4. Keep kids safe…
    Avoid meltdowns by being prepared with a snack, book or other activities for children. Your “precious cargo” – everyone in your car – should be safely secured with seat belts and age-appropriate car seats to minimize distractions and maximize safety.
  5. Speak up…
    You have the right to tell drivers to stop putting your lives in danger if they are driving recklessly or engaging in risky behavior.

Instead of creating or contributing to a problem on the road, you can take more responsibility as an engaged co-pilot. And remember, the next time a driver takes a wrong turn, be the perfect passenger and offer kind words and patient navigation.

Hyundai’s new-vehicle quality was among the best in the industry, as the company ranked as the second-highest non-premium brand in J.D. Power’s 2018 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS)SM. Hyundai was one of the most improved brands, moving from sixth to third overall and reducing problems per 100 vehicles by 14.

In the model segments, the Hyundai Tucson was the highest-ranked small SUV and the fourth-best model overall, while the Santa Fe ranked second in the midsize SUV segment. Hyundai’s cutting-edge Ulsan Plant, which produces Tucson, was awarded the Bronze Plant Assembly Line Quality Award for the Asia Pacific region.

“Customers of the Hyundai brand can feel confident that they are selecting a new vehicle that has one of the best initial and long-term quality rankings in the entire automotive industry,” said Omar Rivera, director, Quality and Service Engineering, Hyundai Motor America. “J.D. Power’s IQS is the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality, and our 2018 ranking is a result of an enterprise-wide commitment to producing vehicles of the highest quality and educating customers on how to use their car’s technologies and features.”

Hyundai’s strong showing in J.D. Power IQS follows its third place non-premium ranking in J.D. Power’s 2018 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Hyundai’s results in both of these studies demonstrate its quality leadership over time. Tucson also ranked highest in its class in that study.

J.D. Power measures initial quality by the number of problems owners experience per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. Hyundai had 74 PP100, outpacing the industry average of 93 PP100.

The 2018 U.S. IQS is based on responses from 75,712 purchasers and lessees of new 2018 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 233-question battery organized into eight vehicle categories designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate the identification of problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded from February through May 2018. For more information about the 2018 U.S. IQS, visit http://www.jdpower.com/resource/us-initial-quality-study-iqs  

Gist…

  • Ranked Second-Highest Non-Premium Brand
  • Improved to Third Overall with Hyundai Owners Reporting 14 Fewer Problems per 100 Vehicles Than in 2017
  • Hyundai Tucson Is the Highest-Ranked Small SUV in Initial Quality
  • Hyundai Santa Fe Finishes Second in the Midsize SUV Segment
  • Hyundai’s Ulsan Plant 52 Wins Bronze Plant Quality Award

The cursor blinks. It awaits manual input because for now at least, thoughts can’t be translated automatically into words. I have a feeling however, it will be thus soon. Anyway, even if it could right now, I doubt anything I’m thinking about the VW Golf 1.4 TSi R-Line would be considered coherent at the moment, and the funny thing is, this was one of the easiest cars from VW that I’ve encountered in recent memory. Allow me to explain…

If you were to trace the lineage of the Golf, back to when it all started in the mid-70’s, it was never intended as a performance car, at all. Iterations of the Golf like the GTi and R were of course the ‘hot’ models in the stable, but in my opinion the regular Golf – like this 1.4 TSi for example – were very much the second ‘people’s car’ from VW, after the Beetle, and thus anyone expecting GTi or R type performance from this car, just because it’s a Golf, are in for surprise. And to me, it was a pleasant one…

Fast-forward more than four decades later and the vanilla-Golf is indeed still staying true to its manifesto, and while the 150Ps may not sound like much, it’s the 250Nm of torque that deserves some mention. It comes in at a low 1,500rpm to 3,500rpm, making it quite excellent for smooth and rapid acceleration as well as roll-on acceleration between 80 – 120kmh, commonly known as the ‘danger zone’ seeing as how that’s the area of speed for overtaking. Here’s how it works…

Again though, this is nowhere near the kind of acceleration and power you’d get from its aforementioned performance siblings, instead it’s smoother and a lot more linear as opposed to fireballs-out-the-flanks frantic. It imparts a more civilized way of driving, and it’s something that’s a lot easier to get used to. Believe me on this, after owning a Golf 1.4 TSi for 30 minutes, you’ll feel it’s been part of your life for years. It’s just that accommodating. Or is it?

Perhaps VW knew this full well, that maybe 90% of those buying this car would use it as a family car, daily-driver and occasional out-of-towner, because they seem to have dialed-in a lot of NVH suppression in this car – in addition to 7-airbags and a host of active and passive safety systems – so apart from superb build-quality, the ride is also amazingly quiet on the inside, and it’s only when you mash the accelerator pedal to the carpet that you can just about hear the intake roar emanating from the engine bay. It’s quite an addictive sound I tell you, and it should please that remaining 10%.

Almost didn’t see that “Mode” button till it was too late! It’s perfectly hidden from the driver’s view when the shifter is in ‘D’

I guess VW also realized that, well, for the aforementioned 10%, a Golf should also be fun, so they equipped this 1.4 TSi with a couple of naughty bits, in the form of ‘drive modes’. Yes, at the touch of a button (suspiciously located hidden from view behind the gear-lever next to the auto engine start/stop override button) ‘Sport’ mode ups the revs, delays the 7-speed DSG shifts and milks that 1.4 TSi engine to an inch of its life. It’s a profound transformation, and while (again) nowhere near its siblings, it still allows this car to be quite a bit of fun, for that occasional solo Sunday drive with the lads.

Born in 1974, and 44 years on, the effervescent Golf is still as fun has it’s always been and always should be. The perfect daily-commuter that won’t burn a hole in your bank account (annual road tax is just RM70!), shod with a wonderful TSi engine that’s both frugal and efficient, yet tractable and energetic, there’s a lot to like about this car, and if you’d like to see the full spec list, click this: VW Golf 1.4 TSi R-Line

Oh yeah, before I forget, here’s that cool digital-analogue instrument cluster I was talking about in the video. It’s quite brilliant actually. And do note, I’d done almost 200km and still had a range of another 390km to go before filling-up. What a car, what a car. I just thought that and it appeared on my screen all by itself. Honest. – Chris Wee.

VW Golf 1.4 TSi R-Line Photo Gallery…

 

FSR Technology, the creator of TuneBoss is giving away a brand-new Yamaha Y15ZR to one lucky customer in a draw planned to take place on the 7th of July 2018. The draw will be done in conjunction with the 2018 Yamaha R25 Gathering happening that day at the Go-Kart Circuit @ MAEPS Serdang (link).

All TuneBoss customers are eligible to enter. To complete the entry, one needs follow the instructions in the “TuneBoss Bike Giveaway” post on Facebook. The winner will be randomly picked by the TuneBoss serial number and the draw will be done live on Facebook.

Proof of ownership is required by providing the receipt, ECU, warranty card and the product box to prevent entry using stolen TuneBoss units. Bt the way, this is not the first time FSR Technology has given away a motorcycle, last year Muhammad Zulhanif Hamidon (above) won a TuneBoss Equipped Honda RS150R in a competition organised by the tech company.

For more information visit (linked) tuneboss.co or call + 603-78315041 or drop a “Private Message” on the TuneBoss Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/TuneBoss.Malaysia/

Direct link to competition post…

https://www.facebook.com/TuneBoss.Malaysia/posts/914116125439658

 

About FSR Technology…

FSR Technology was founded in 2011 by Farhan and Sufian, both electronic engineers. Their vision is to build a company based on “Research & Development” for leading product design. It took them three years for the R&D work to produce TuneBoss ECU which was made possible through self-financing and also supported by a development grant from the Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, an agency under the Ministry of Finance. 

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), Ford Motor Company’s exclusive distribution partner in Malaysia, today announced the opening of its newly upgraded Ford dealer showroom and service centre, Sime Darby Auto Connexion Kota Kinabalu.

Strategically located at Jalan Limau Manis, the 3,216 square-metre facility is designed with Ford’s global Brand@Retail standards, including six additional service bays with vehicle hoists, totaling 13 service bays. The facility also features a dedicated customer service lounge with complimentary Wi-Fi, where customers can enjoy hot beverages and snacks while waiting for their service appointments.

“Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu) is designed to offer an unmatched customer experience, with convenience, efficiency and comfort,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, (below) managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion. “This upgraded facility is part of Ford and SDAC’s network expansion and customer service enhancement plan aimed to offer the very best sales and aftersales services to better serve growing number of Ford customers in East Malaysia.”

 

Staffed by certified technicians, the Kota Kinabalu showroom is equipped with the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment and special tools to provide Ford Authorised Service, and maintains a full supply of genuine spare parts. “The quality of the ownership experience we provide is just as important as the quality of our world-class Ford vehicles,” said Truong Kim Phong, managing director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company. “The newly upgraded Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu) demonstrates our joint commitment to offer Ford customers an even better experience.”

The Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu) is located at Jalan Limau Manis, Off Jalan Lintas, 88450 Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The Showroom is open from 8:30am-5.30pm from Monday to Friday, and from 8:30am-12:30pm on Saturday, while Service Centre opening hours are 8:00am-5:00pm from Monday to Friday, 8:00am-12:30pm on Saturday.

For more information, call the Kota Kinabalu hotlines – showroom 088 425 255, service centre 088 427 666, or visit www.sdacford.com.my.

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