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Nissan, renowned for its innovation in electric vehicles (EVs), is poised to advance electrified mobility with its pioneering e-POWER technology. Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, unveiled the exciting potential of e-POWER to visitors and car buyers at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024.

The e-POWER drive system represents a breakthrough unique to Nissan, utilising a petrol engine and a Lithium-ion battery to power an electric motor that exclusively propels the wheels. Functioning akin to an electric car, e-POWER delivers instantaneous torque and boasts lower tailpipe emissions and running costs compared to traditional combustion engines—all without requiring external charging. Additionally, e-POWER incorporates regenerative braking to help maintain battery levels.

Nissan e-POWER stands out as an innovative and award-winning electric-drive powertrain, integrating an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. Notably, the wheels are solely propelled by the high-output motor, akin to an EV, offering immediate throttle response and impressive torque delivery. Recognised as the “Technology of the Year” by the Automotive Researchers & Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC) in 2021, the e-POWER system underscores Nissan’s commitment to technological advancement.

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Peugeot Malaysia recently celebrated a significant milestone by delivering the first batch of the all-new Peugeot 408 to 9 proud owners in Malaysia. The vehicle handover ceremony took place at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, where the delighted owners received their brand-new Peugeot 408, marking the culmination of their orders placed since mid-April.

The all-new Peugeot 408 has garnered widespread acclaim and sparked considerable interest, with over 300 bookings received and counting since the commencement of order-taking. Impressively, 60% of these bookings are for the GT variant, while 22% are for the Premium variant and 18% for the Allure variant. This overwhelming response underscores the car’s unique position in the market, defying traditional categorisation and meeting diverse preferences.

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Toyota’s motorsport and sports car division, Gazoo Racing, is doubling down on its investment in internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, reaffirming its commitment to maximising the potential of combustion engines. GR President Tomoya Takahashi emphasised the division’s stance, asserting that ICE vehicles can coexist with efforts to reduce carbon emissions. “The enemy is carbon, not internal combustion engines,” Takahashi remarked, encapsulating Toyota’s perspective on ICE vehicles.

Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), Toyota has no immediate plans to introduce a performance EV under the GR brand. This decision raises questions about the fate of the FT-Se concept car, which boasted impressive performance figures but remains without a clear production path.

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Expanding upon the success of the 11th generation Civic, crowned the 2022 North American Car of the Year, the refreshed 2025 Honda Civic introduces more style, enhanced technology, and significantly more power, particularly with the available two-motor hybrid powertrain. Positioned as the flagship model, the new Civic hybrid, available in sedan or hatchback configurations, is anticipated to achieve an EPA combined fuel economy rating approaching 50 mpg1, thanks to its integration of the award-winning Honda two-motor hybrid system.

The 2025 Civic will be offered in four trim levels, starting with the LX (sedan only) and Sport, and featuring the hybrid-powered Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid variants. These new hybrid-electric models are projected to constitute approximately 40% of Civic sales, marking a pivotal step in Honda’s electrification strategy.

The new Civic hybrid-electric trims boast remarkable performance, featuring an anticipated combined 200hp and an impressive 315Nm of torque, making them the most potent non-Type R Civics ever produced. This enhanced power output, coupled with exceptional EPA fuel economy ratings, ensures quick and effortless acceleration. The Linear Shift Control enhances the driving experience by simulating the rev feel of a conventional drivetrain shifting gears under acceleration, resulting in even quicker performance than the outgoing 1.5L turbo-powered Civic.

Honda’s two-motor hybrid system optimises efficiency without compromising dynamic performance or interior space. Tailored for the Civic, this system delivers a sporty driving experience, incorporating two powerful electric motors. Furthermore, the new Civic hybrids offer four levels of regenerative-braking deceleration via selector paddles on the steering wheel, allowing for precise control during deceleration.

To enhance Civic’s renowned fun-to-drive spirit and ride comfort, the ride and handling dynamics of the hybrid models have been fine-tuned with unique spring and damper tuning, along with specially developed tires. Moreover, hybrid trims boast the lowest NVH levels in the Civic lineup, featuring a robust noise reduction package that includes Active Noise Control on all hybrids and wheel resonators on Sport Touring trims.

Continuing its commitment to affordability, Civic LX and Sport trims are powered by a responsive and efficient 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine, while Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid trims benefit from Honda’s potent yet efficient two-motor hybrid system. Drivers can seamlessly switch between selectable drive modes—Econ, Normal, and Sport (Sport and hybrid trims only)—to optimise the driving experience for various conditions. The Sport Touring Hybrid models also introduce a new Individual mode, enabling customisation of the driving experience.

In terms of design, every 2025 Honda Civic receives exterior enhancements, including a more aggressive front fascia and grille, along with darker taillights for a sharper appearance in the sedan model. The more-powerful hybrid-powered trims feature a distinct body-coloured headlamp garnish and front lower spoiler, further accentuating their sporty aesthetic. Additionally, all Sport trims retain dark trim and black 18-inch wheels, with a new machine-finished wheel design exclusive to the top-of-the-line Sport Touring Hybrid.

Introducing four new exterior colours—including Solar Silver Metallic, Urban Gray Pearl, Blue Lagoon Pearl (exclusive to Civic sedan), and Sand Dune Pearl (exclusive to Civic hatchback)—further enhance the visual appeal of the 2025 Civic.

Inside, the Civic’s interior is refreshed, offering a simple yet clean design. All hybrid models now feature a grey interior colour, while the Sport Hybrid includes standard amenities such as a moonroof, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate controls. The Sport Touring Hybrid adds premium touches like leather seating, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, and advanced technology, including a larger 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with a wireless smartphone charger. Additionally, all Civic models come standard with front USB-C ports.

The top-line Sport Touring Hybrid integrates Google built-in for the first time in a Civic, offering access to apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and more on Google Play. This feature enhances the driving experience with personalised and connected functionalities, supported by a complimentary 3-year unlimited data plan.

Safety remains a top priority for Honda, with the 11th-generation Civic equipped with advanced active and passive safety technology as standard across all trim levels. This includes Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, designed to enhance occupant protection in various frontal collisions, along with advanced supplemental restraint systems.

Civic’s driver and passenger front airbags are engineered to minimise the risk of severe brain trauma associated with angled frontal collisions, with innovative designs aimed at reducing rotation. Furthermore, all Civic models come equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, featuring Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) incorporating Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Additionally, all Sport models are now equipped with Blind Spot with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Applications for the Bantuan Subsidi MADANI (BUDI MADANI) Program, targeting private diesel vehicle owners, small-scale farmers, and commodity planters, will commence tomorrow.

Under this program, eligible recipients will receive monthly assistance of RM200, aligning with the diesel subsidy implementation.

Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, the Second Finance Minister, clarified that private diesel vehicle owners meeting specific criteria can apply under the BUDI Individual category. On the other hand, small-scale farmers and commodity planters are eligible to apply under the BUDI Agri-Commodity category.

To qualify for the BUDI Individual category, applicants must be Malaysian citizens who own registered private diesel vehicles with valid road tax. These vehicles should not be classified as luxury vehicles and must be under 10 years old. Additionally, the individual or their spouse’s annual income should not exceed RM100,000.

Applications can be made at https://budimadani.gov.my.

McLaren recently unveiled a strikingly colourful Senna adorned with a special paint job, aptly named the Senna Sempre livery, paying homage to Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna. Although this eye-catching car isn’t available for purchase, Amalgam, renowned for its model-making expertise, offers collectors the opportunity to own a meticulously crafted 1:8-scale replica capturing every vibrant detail.

Amalgam’s latest creation exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship, a hallmark of the UK-based company. While replicating intricate details in small-scale models is impressive, the Senna Sempre’s unique paintwork, including Senna’s iconic dot-matrix face on the rear fenders, showcases Amalgam’s attention to detail.

For McLaren’s MSO team, hand-painting the full-size car posed a significant challenge. While Amalgam hasn’t disclosed its process for scaling down the livery, crafting each 1:8 Senna replica required an astonishing 3,000 hours for design and manufacturing. Additionally, meticulous hand assembly adds another 300 hours to the process. Beyond the captivating exterior, the replica features a meticulously detailed interior visible through its open doors, offering a glimpse of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V-8 engine beneath the cover. Behind the Pirelli-clad wheels lie “massive” McLaren brakes with cross-drilled rotors, further enhancing the model’s authenticity.

McLaren will showcase the special Senna Sempre at the Monaco Grand Prix, alongside Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s McLaren MCL38 Formula 1 cars sporting similar liveries. This particular Senna, a pre-production one-off from McLaren’s heritage collection, serves as a captivating display piece. However, Amalgam plans to produce 30 scale replicas for enthusiastic fans and collectors alike.

If you’re considering adding this exquisite replica to your collection, you will have to invest real-car money, with pricing in the United States starting at $21,385 (RM100,680).

Ever since its grand entrance into the automotive scene in 2019, the Lexus LM has been the epitome of luxury mobility, setting the gold standard in its class. Branded as the ‘Luxury Mover’, the first-generation Lexus LM resonated deeply with discerning consumers seeking a vehicle that not only offered elevated transportation but also embodied comfort and luxury at its finest.

The Lexus LM made its mark upon release in China and several East Asian markets, including Malaysia. Combining flagship limousine qualities with the spaciousness of an MPV, it exemplifies Lexus’s premium luxury brand image.

The Lexus LM’s appeal lies in its design and sophisticated features, extending Lexus’ Omotenashi hospitality principles. Focused on impeccable comfort and passengers’ well-being, it sets a high bar for customers seeking class-leading vehicles to meet lifestyle and mobility needs.

Since its debut, the luxury MPV has achieved impressive sales, with 16,114 units sold globally, including 2,788 units in the East Asian region and 32 units in Malaysia. With the launch of the new flagship model in Malaysia, these numbers are expected to rise.

The new Lexus LM, available in two variants in Malaysia, caters to customers’ needs while enhancing the chauffeured luxury experience. Customers can choose between the four-seater Lexus LM500 or the seven-seater LM350h.

Both variants feature self-charging hybrid electric powertrains, ensuring quiet operation and refined driving performance with high efficiency. The LM500h features a 2.4L, 4-cylinder in-line Turbo Hybrid petrol engine with Direct 4 All-Wheel Drive, delivering 371hp and 460Nm of torque, coupled with impressive fuel economy. Meanwhile, the LM350h comes equipped with a naturally-aspirated 2.5L, 4-cylinder in-line full Hybrid engine, delivering power to the front wheels and striking a balance between driving performance and fuel efficiency.

The new Lexus LM exhibits a bold presence with attention to detail in its exterior design. Standout features include a redesigned frontal appearance with a new Spindle Body grille and 19-inch Multi-Spoke Mesh Aluminium Wheels. It is available in four exterior colours: Graphite Black Glass Flake, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Quartz, and Sonic Agate.

Inside, the Lexus LM offers comfort and opulence, with premium materials and thoughtful appointments. The cabin provides a modern, serene environment with minimalist aesthetics, allowing occupants to utilise the space as a living area or mobile office.

Additional interior features include a built-in thermistor for the steering wheel, an independent glass roof with integrated sunshade, and individual multi-operation panels for rear passengers. The LM500 variant features a 48-inch Ultrawide Display with dual-screen functionality.

The new Lexus LM350h and Lexus LM500h are priced from RM1,228,000 and RM1,468,000, respectively, reaffirming Lexus’s commitment to delivering excellence in luxury mobility.

The Lamborghini 634, codenamed as the successor to the Huracan and set to join the High-Performance Electrified Vehicle (HPEV) lineup, will boast a twin-turbo V8 engine coupled with a hybrid system featuring three electric motors and the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox recently introduced on the Lamborghini Revuelto. Specifically optimised for the new model, this configuration promises a maximum output exceeding 887hp.

This all-new engine marks a clean-sheet design from Sant’Agata Bolognese, aimed at surpassing the performance and driving emotion of the current Huracán range. The twin-turbo V8 inherits the renowned linearity of progression from the Lamborghini V10 while incorporating the high power and specific torque typical of a new-generation turbocharged engine.

With a displacement of 4.0 litres, the twin-turbo V8 achieves an exceptional specific power output of 197hp/litre. It delivers a maximum power of 788hp between 9,000 and 9,750rpm, with a redline set at 10,000rpm—a figure usually reserved for racing engines. The engine also generates a maximum torque of 730Nm between 4,000 and 7,000rpm, offering an exhilarating progression akin to that of a racing engine, thanks to seamless integration with the electric unit.

The rear electric system, purpose-built for the new V8, is positioned between the combustion engine and the dual-clutch gearbox. It incorporates the inverter and the axial electric unit, capable of delivering high torque and power values, with a peak torque of 300Nm and 147hp at 3,500 rpm, all while maintaining compact dimensions and low weight.

A crucial aspect of the design process was defining the sound profile to imbue the new powerplant with a distinctive character, enhancing the driver’s experience. The characteristics of the new V8 culminate in a crescendo, with volume and frequency peaking at high revs, complemented by vibrations transmitted to the chassis by the flat-plane crankshaft, creating a captivating sensory experience.

Scheduled for a 2024 launch, the Lamborghini 634 represents another milestone in the ‘Direzione Cor Tauri’ program, driving Lamborghini towards progressive electrification of the range. This journey commenced in 2023 with the debut of the Revuelto and will continue with the unveiling of the Urus SE in April 2024.

SAIC Motor, the largest state-owned Chinese automaker, has announced a significant advancement in the development of solid-state batteries, which will be available in its electric vehicles (EVs) as early as 2026. This development positions SAIC ahead of other global car manufacturers, making it the first to bring this advanced technology to the mass market. The company’s portfolio includes brands such as IM, Maxus, Rising Auto, Roewe, Baojun, Wuling, Hongyan, Sunwin, and the British brand MG, which is known for models like the Cyberster EV roadster and the EX181 electric hypercar.

The first model to feature SAIC’s solid-state battery will be the IM L6, a competitor to the Tesla Model 3, set to launch in China this October. The IM L6 is advertised to have an impressive range of 998km on a single charge, thanks to its 900V ultra-fast charging solid-state battery developed in collaboration with Qingtao Energy, a subsidiary of SAIC. This move underscores SAIC’s commitment to pioneering cutting-edge technology in the EV market.

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The BMW Group has unveiled the BMW Concept Skytop at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, an esteemed event by Lake Como that highlights historic cars and motorcycles. This unique, open two-seater exudes an elegant, sporty design, merging warm monochromatic colours and exclusive materials with traditional craftsmanship to create a meticulously crafted vehicle sculpture.

The Concept Skytop’s exterior features athletic and organic proportions with a sleek, muscular build. Taut surfaces and minimalistic lines guide the eye towards the rear, creating a dynamic appearance enhanced by integrated winglets replacing traditional door handles and precise lamellas on the light-alloy wheels. Signature design elements include a prominent bonnet and an iconic BMW shark-nose design with an illuminated kidney grille, leading to a retracted rear section.

A striking spline runs from the bonnet through the interior to an aluminium trim on the tailgate, echoing the legendary BMW Z8 roadster. Advanced lighting technology is showcased through custom-developed LED headlights with milled aluminium carriers, consolidating all lighting functions into a single, slim profile. The rear lights’ flat and defined shape complements the vehicle’s clean design. Unique features such as a leather-finished roll-over bar, side fins on the B-pillar, a fully retractable rear window, and removable roof parts that can be stored in the luggage compartment add to its distinctive appeal.

Inside, the Concept Skytop is a testament to luxurious craftsmanship. Brogue-style leather surfaces create a sense of opulence and spaciousness, with the reddish-brown leather contrasting against the muted silver exterior paintwork for a seamless transition between the interior and exterior. Artful details, such as crystal applications embedded in the cockpit, further enhance the luxurious feel. The interior surfaces were crafted at BMW’s traditional saddlery in the Dingolfing plant. Similar to the BMW Z8, the Concept Skytop houses BMW’s most powerful V8 engine, ensuring performance that matches its dynamic design.

The BMW Concept Skytop showcases BMW’s dedication to blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. With its meticulous design and luxurious features, this concept car pays tribute to motor racing and elegant design, standing out as a highlight at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. It offers a glimpse into the future of exclusive and dynamic BMW vehicles, reaffirming BMW’s commitment to innovation and luxury in automotive design.

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