Singapore is the first export market for the Perodua Aruz, joining the Myvi and the Bezza in the island republic. Imported and sold by Perocom Auto Pte, Ltd., Perodua’s distributor since 1997, the Aruz is priced at S$92,999 (equivalent to RM286,409), inclusive of Goods and Services Tax and a Certificate of Entitlement (COE).
First Perodua 7-seater in Singapore
As the first 7-seater offered by Perodua in Singapore (the Alza has not been sold there), the Aruz offers three rows of seats and the second and third rows can be folded and set in various configurations. This will provide extra flexibility in carrying cargo and people.
Standard equipment for the version exported to Singapore (Aruz X) includes LED headlamps, 17-inch 2-tone alloy wheels, keyless entry and pushbutton engine start, and an infotainment system with a touchscreen which also doubles up as a display for the rearview camera.
As in Malaysia, the Aruz sold in Singapore has an all-aluminium 4-cylinder engine with a 1.5-litre displacement and Dual VVT-i in the 16-valve cylinder head. With Eco Idle and a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission, the fuel consumption is claimed to be up to 15.6 kms/litre.
“The arrival of the Aruz in Singapore marks the first 7-seater offered by Perodua in the island nation,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad. “With nearly 58,000 units sold in Malaysia since its debut in 2019, the Perodua Aruz was Malaysia’s best-selling SUV overall in 2019 and 2020. We are looking forward to sharing the Aruz’s space, safety, versatility, durability, practicality and fuel efficiency with our southern neighbours.”
Perocom Auto also imports the Myvi and Bezza and previously sold models such as the Kancil, Kembara, Kelisa, Viva, Axia and earlier generations of the Myvi.
Perodua’s export markets
Besides Singapore, Perodua also exports to Brunei, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Fiji. Its vehicles are also exported to Indonesia where they are sold under the Daihatsu brand and the model name of Sirion. This is significant as it means that the Japanese carmaker considers Malaysian-made quality as being of a standard high enough to put its own badge on the car.
The Myvi made in Malaysia is sold as a Daihatsu Sirion in Indonesia.
To know more about the Aruz and other Perodua models in Malaysia, visit www.perodua.com.my.
Hyundai Motor’s futuristic looking MPV, the Staria, has gone on sale in Korea with exports to other markets starting in the second half of this year. While the rest of the world will regard it as a MPV, the Korean carmaker refers to it as ‘a model for its future Purpose-Built Vehicles’ which furthers Hyundai Motor’s transformation as a Smart Mobility Solution Provider.
The overall design has a monolithic form running from front to rear. The designers are said to have been inspired by the curve of light that illuminates the Earth’s horizon at sunrise when viewed from space.
It has very clean surfaces and at the front is a bold, wide radiator grille with a unique pattern. It is embellished with horizontal daytime running lights (DRLs) and a positioning lamp, together running across the width of the vehicle, complemented by a Its clean silhouette is further accented by a pair of low-set headlamps.
An interesting approach is the use of the same body colour for all frontal parts to maximize the vehicle’s modern and pure style. One variant will feature tinted brass chrome treatment, applied to the Hyundai emblem, grille, headlamp bezels, front and rear bumpers, wheels, side mirrors and door handles to emphasize the vehicle’s premium and modern look.
Inspired by Korean architecture
Lowered beltlines and panoramic side windows improve overall visibility and create a feeling of openness for the occupants This sense of spaciousness — inspired by traditional Korean ‘hanok’ architecture — allows passengers to feel as if the outside scenes are an extension of the vehicle interior.
The design theme carries over to the rear, where a wide window is framed by elongated vertical tail lamps. On the STARIA Premium versions, there’s Hyundai’s unique Parametric Pixel lamp design and garnish on top. The rear bumper is lowered for easy loading and unloading of cargo.
Diesel engine still available
Though there is often talk of the diesel engine fading away, Hyundai Motor appears to believe it is still desired in some markets and include a 2.2-litre diesel engine as one of the two powertrain choice, the other being a Smartstream G6DIII 3.5-litre MPI petrol engine.
The diesel engine can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission, while the Smartstream engine will be available only with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Both powertrains have low noise, vibration, and harshness for comfortable motoring.
Depending on the market, the Staria will be available with seating for 2 to 11 persons and will have variants that come with upgraded features and exclusive finishes for a more luxurious look and feel.
Innovative space utilization
The innovative interior space utilization is made possible by the MPV’s 3273-mm wheelbase with an overall length of 5253 mm and width of 1997 mm. Its overall height of 1990 mm is optimized for passengers to conveniently enter and exit the vehicle and is high enough for an average school-aged child to stand upright and move with ease. The cargo space availability varies depending on how the seating configurations are arranged, with maximum cargo space of up to almost 5,000 litres available.
‘Inside-out’ design methodology
‘Inside-out’ design methodology was used to provide interior spaciousness and usability. The layout is simple with cruise ship-inspired design architecture. The driver’s seat has a futuristic high-tech look with an advanced 10.25-inch front display screen, touch-based centre fascia and a button-type electronic shift lever. The digital cluster is located on top of the dashboard, providing an unobstructed view for the driver.
The 7-seat Premium variant comes with Premium Relaxation Seats in the second row that recline electronically and also have sliding capabilities for easy reach or to maximize cargo space. With the 9-seater, individual seats in the second row can swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row for discussions while on the move.
Additional variations to come
“We are thrilled to introduce Staria which represents our latest effort to spearhead the evolution of mobility, and to address emerging lifestyle needs as we adapt to new ways of living,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice-President and Global Chief Marketing Officer. “Staria is a step forward in connecting us more closely with our environments so that we can get more out of our everyday lives and do more for ourselves in transit.”
He added that, moving forward, Hyundai plans to launch Special Vehicle line-ups of the Staria such as limousines, ambulances and campers. In addition, eco-friendly variants are also in the pipeline for future introduction.
It was a momentous day for Malaysian motorsport today as local rally legend Karamjit Singh announced his return to active racing.
Karamjit was in the news recently when a local news site reported about the difficulty he faced off the dirt road. Sponsorship dried up and even the local rally championship winded up, and soon after, Covid decimated the world, and any remaining dream of rallying.
The local daily report, which was written by Frankie D’Cruz for Free Malaysia Today , was strongly titled – “Where’s the respect for rally superstar Karamjit Singh?” (click here to read the article), and was equally hard hitting.
The article highlighted the sad state of local motorsport athletes, and the seemingly failure of powers to be of their recognition of putting the country on the world map.
Particularly painful was a report that was carried by multiple media platforms about Karamjit having to turn to e-hailing to make ends meet. This was despite the Youth and Sports Ministry verbally informing Karamjit that he would receive RM5,000 a month for being a world champion. This was back in 2005.
A lot of promises had been made, but none were delivered.
Ultimately what got Karamjit back behind the wheel of a race car, and more determined than ever to succeed, is a local private security company – Cisco.
After reading about Karam’s story in the FMT article last December, Cisco Managing Director Rabin Nijhar (above, left) decided to reach out to Karamjit. What started as a simple job offer quickly evolved into a dream to restore Karamjit’s position as Malaysian Rally Champion, and Cisco Racing was born.
This also means that Karamjit would return to rallying for the first time since 2018, and will partner his long time navigator Jagdev Singh for the first time since Jagdev put away his navigation charts in 2015.
“ After 2020, I was looking for an exciting opportunity when I came across Karam’s story, and we at Cisco were in a unique position to help. As we come out of the Covid Pandemic, Malaysia needs a comeback story to rally behind, and I believe that Karamjit Singh is that story. We are excited to bring Malaysia together to support a true national icon,” said Rabin about how the idea was first mooted.
In a press release distributed by Cisco, Karamjit was quoted as saying, “ I’m very passionate about rallying, it’s been my job for nearly thirty years. I’ve been driving professionally since 1988, it was only up until recently that I’ve had trouble finding sponsors but the fact is, I can’t live without rallying. It is my passion and I just want to rally as much as I can and I am really looking forward to this event and getting back into the groove. I’ve missed rallying so much. ”
And Jagdev said, “ I am absolutely thrilled to get back into the car with Karam and must thank Cisco for giving us the opportunity to get back into competition. Karam and I go back a long way and we first partnered back in 1997, representing Proton and Malaysia in the Asia Pacific Rally of China. Since then we have done many rallies together both locally and internationally, winning nearly every event we entered. I’m certainly looking forward to the first event in June and will put in 100% towards securing a win for us on our return! ”
Cisco and Karamjit Singh are eager to hit the track in the upcoming Malaysian National Rally Championship due to be held on the 26th and 27th of June this year in Sepang.
In an exclusive private interview after the launch, we asked Karam what the difference was between the Karamjit of today and that of 10 years ago. His answer was a simple, “I am faster now than I was then”. Watch the exclusive interview at our Youtube channel, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified every time we upload a new video about the local motoring scene.
For more than 4 decades, the Porsche Turbo has been the top of the company’s range, offering superlative performance and optimum driving dynamics. The latest generation 911 Turbo S is now officially available from Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), priced from RM2,235,463 (with 50% exemption of sales tax until June 30, 2021).
New 6-cylinder boxer engine
The latest model has a new 3.8-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine with two VTG turbochargers, and delivers 650 ps/800 Nm. Based on the 911 Carrera engine generation, it features a completely redesigned air-cooling system; new, larger turbochargers in a symmetrical layout with electrically adjustable wastegate flaps, as well as the use of piezo injectors, which have significantly improved the vehicle’s characteristics with regard to responsiveness, power, torque, emissions and revving ability.
With 8 gears in the PDK optimised for the turbocharged engine, the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time is said to be two-tenths of seconds quicker than before but the top speed is still 330 km/h. Thanks to the enhanced Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive system, the transfer case can distribute significantly more torque, with up to 500 Nm being transferred to the front wheels.
Modified track widths, further developed aerodynamics and new mixed-sized tyres contribute to the agility and sportiness of the new 911 Turbo S. The track is now 42 mm wider at the front axle and 10 mm wider at the rear axle.
The body dimensions have also been increased significantly in line with the enhanced driving dynamics, with an added 45 mm above the front axle (1840 mm) and an increase of 20 mm in overall width above the rear axle (1900 mm).
Adaptive aerodynamics
Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) adapts the aerodynamic characteristics even more precisely to the driving situation, speed and selected driving mode. This resolves the age-old aerodynamic configuration dilemma: the contradiction between a low drag coefficient for maximum speed and low consumption, and high downforce for better driving dynamics.
The comprehensive expansion of PAA makes it possible to achieve a much larger spread between the aerodynamic configurations for optimum driving dynamics and minimum drag. The adaptive aerodynamics now include controlled cooling air flaps at the front and a larger rear wing for even more downforce.
The active cooling flaps, together with the variable front spoiler lip as well as the larger extending and tilting rear wing which delivers 15% more downforce, offers 3 active aerodynamic components, depending on the speed and driving mode. In the newly available Eco configuration, the rear wing is retracted over a large speed range so that the vehicle can be driven with minimum drag.
Wet Mode
Also new is a ‘Wet mode’ which enhances driving stability in wet conditions. The extended but not yet tilted rear wing combined with the completely retracted front spoiler lip shifts the aerodynamic balance towards the rear axle when the Wet mode is activated. This results in a higher rear-end and driving stability for greater safety on wet road surfaces.
In the event of full braking at high speed, the new airbrake function will be activated automatically. The front spoiler and rear wing are moved to the Performance position for higher drag and increased downforce to reduce the braking distance and improve driving stability during braking.
For the first time, the 911 Turbo S is factory-fitted with mixed tyres in two different sizes: 20-inch tyres with unique 255/35 dimensions at the front, and 21-inch 315/30 tyres at the rear.
High quality sporty finish
The interior has a high-quality and sporty finish. Standard equipment includes a full leather interior and carbonfibre trim in combination with Light Silver accents. The 18-way adjustable sports seats have stitching that pays homage to the first 911 Turbo (type 930). High quality graphic elements and logos in the instrument cluster complete the characteristic Turbo S features.
The centre screen of the PCM is now 10.9 inches and can be operated quickly without distraction, thanks to its new layout with significantly reduced number of controls. Other features on board are the GT sports steering wheel, the Sport Chrono package with newly integrated Porsche Track Precision app and BOSE Surround Sound system.
“The Porsche Turbo designation is synonymous with outstanding performance, even when it was first introduced. The forefather of all Turbos (the 930 generation) was indeed a technical revolution in car production and has been improved time and time again. This is even more so with the new 911 Turbo S. While it performs at the level of a supercar, the daily driveability remains outstanding. It is this flexibility to react to different situations that makes the 911 Turbo S a personal favourite of mine. Combining unprecedented power, driving dynamics and comfort with efficiency builds a bridge from tradition to innovation with this new generation,” said Christopher Hunter, CEO of Sime Darby Auto Performance.
Honda Malaysia today concluded its ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign celebrating the achievement of 1 million vehicles sales with the presentation of the final three ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition models to the lucky winners. The presentation ceremony was done together with the brand partners for the campaign – CUCKOO, Shopee and Watsons.
“Thanks to the excellent leadership of my predecessors, the strong commitment of our Honda associates and dealers as well as the support from the Malaysian government has led Honda Malaysia to achieve many remarkable milestones. Today, I am very privileged to be here celebrating this outstanding achievement with all of you and presenting the final three ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition models to the lucky winners from our brand partners,” said Madoka Chujo, Honda Malaysia’s new Managing Director & CEO.
The three exclusive models
The three exclusive Honda models were the BR-V, HR-V and latest City and the winners were Mohd Aisamuddin bin Mohd Azilah, Muhammed Faisal Adnan and Megawati binti Affendi, respectively.
Additionally, Ahmad Sirwan Bin Mat Tuselim who was the customer who made the 1 millionth vehicle purchase – a Civic – was presented with a token of appreciation worth more than RM8,000 from Honda Malaysia together with the three brand partners.
Ahmad Sirwan bin Mat Tuselim (centre) , the 1-millionth customer, with Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo (right) and President & COO, Sarly Adle Sarkum (left).
Exclusive features inside and outside
Four other models – the Civic, CR-V, Accord and Jazz – were presented to winners earlier at a Grand Finale held at the Bukit Jalil Stadium outside Kuala Lumpur. Each of the models had exclusive features such as a Dual Tone Exterior, Front Fascia with Red Highlights, Sporty Red Line Side Mirrors, Black Painted Alloy Wheels with Red Highlights and ‘1 Million Dreams’ Signature Emblems on both front fenders of the cars.
Inside the Special Edition models were ‘1 Million Dreams’ Embossed Leather Headrests on the front seats as well as a Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel with Red Stitching and Centre Mark. Each winner also received a ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition Leather Key Pouch.
The ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign, which included a number of activities, started on February 25, 2021 and submission of entries closed on March 24. Members of the public were invited to participate in the activities to obtain entry forms and those who had registered on the Honda Touch app got 5x more entries. Besides requesting for a test-drive at any authorised Honda dealership, there were 5 other ways for them to obtain entries. According to the company, over 155,600 entries received in just one month.
To know more about Honda products and services in Malaysia or to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit www.honda.com.my.
Making the purchase and ownership of cars as convenient as possible is important to retain customers so they continue with the brand the next time they replace or get an additional car. For many companies, providing convenience has been through making retail outlets 3S – offering sales, service and spare parts. In this way, they are a one-stop centre for all the customer’s needs, from the time of purchase through owning the vehicle.
Sime Darby Motors has gone further by not only having 3S outlets but also clustering them at one site so that customers can choose from a wider range of models from different brands without having to go to different locations. The site is the new Sime Darby Motors City located in the township of Ara Damansara within the Klang Valley, near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (formerly Subang International Airport) which is claimed to be the largest automotive complex in Southeast Asia.
It is the realisation of an idea which has been considered for at least the past 30 years, perhaps gaining more relevance as the number of brands increased from the early ones such as Ford and BMW to now include Porsche, Hyundai, Jaguar, MINI, Motorrad (BMW motorcycles), Land Rover and Volvo. Though operational for over a year now, the official opening of Sime Darby Motors City has taken place only today due to COVID-19 pandemic and Movement Control Orders which restricted public events.
6 showrooms plus pre-owned business unit
The complex of 6 flagship showrooms and service centres is built on 8.6 acres of Sime Darby land adjacent to the highway to the airport. The built-up area is considerable – 1.3 million square feet – with up to 8 levels, some of which are for the service centres. It has a Green Building Index (GBI) certified facility built with sustainability in mind and incorporates technologies to cultivate a paperless organisational culture.
There is also an indoor facility with space for almost 100 vehicles that are managed by the Sime Darby Auto Selection unit dealing with pre-owned vehicles. Sime Darby Motors City also has mobility collaborations with SOCAR (a car-sharing network) and myTukar (an online used car trading platform).
Auto Bavaria has this special area for handover of new vehicles to customers.
First automotive facility with IoT
Each showroom has its own identity in keeping with the brand image, and aftersales services are provided with the highest standards, both in terms of equipment and personnel. Sime Darby Motors City is Malaysia’s first automotive facility that deploys Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, enabling improved service capacity, and supporting the company’s growth by accelerating efficiencies to deliver world-class services to its customers.
“As one of the key players in the automotive industry, Sime Darby Motors has always been committed to pursuing excellence as we strive to provide world-class services to our customers. The launch of Sime Darby Motors City is a testament to this steadfast commitment,” said Andrew Basham, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors.
At the heart of the facility’s digital infrastructure is its Vehicle Tracking Management system which utilises a camera-based parking guide and customisable signages to ensure a higher level of guidance, security and convenience for the customer. It also allows for quicker collection of vehicles upon completion of service. Internally, the facility’s digitalised infrastructure communicates the status of each vehicle in real-time, ensuring greater efficiencies are achieved.
IoT-powered Automated Number Plate Recognition cameras have also been installed as part of a contactless self-check-in system, enabling customers’ appointment data to be accessed, upon their arrival. Concurrently, a service advisor will be alerted and automatically assigned to the customer, allowing for a seamless experience. The deployment of these technologies will be rolled out progressively throughout Sime Darby Motors City.
Customers visiting showrooms and service centres can relax and have snacks and drinks or even do work in comfortable surroundings.
RM570 million was spent on building Sime Darby Motors City so it is not a project that may be replicated in other parts of the country. “We have no plans for another similarly sized complex but we could explore other approaches in future,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail and Distribution for Malaysia, Sime Darby Motors.
Future-ready for EV era
With an eye on the future of the business, Sime Darby Motors City is future-ready as the automotive industry continues to evolve towards EV. It is equipped with specialised EV-certified technicians and designated areas for EV charging, storage and repairs, which are currently available at Auto Bavaria, Auto Hyundai, Auto Performance and Swedish Auto, all of which have brands that offer electrified models.
Sime Darby Auto Performance, which represents the Porsche brand, has installed Malaysia’s first fast Direct Current (DC) high-performance charger, operational since September 2020, within its Porsche Centre. Capable of delivering a maximum of 175 kW, it is able to provide a nearly full charge within 36 minutes, which is at least 8 times faster than the fastest Alternating Current (AC) charger available at 22 kW.
Grand Launch Weekend
This weekend (April 16 – 18) will be a good time to visit Sime Darby Motors City as there will be a ‘Grand Launch Weekend’ event with attractive deals at all the showrooms. However, it is recommended that those going there contact the showroom they wish to visit so that an appointment can be made. This is to adhere to the government’s COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures on crowd control and physical distancing.
At the uppermost end of the car market, ‘best’ is rather subjective and those who spend a million ringgit and more would consider that what they have purchased is ‘the best’. Nevertheless, each carmaker in that sector would present its car as being the best and Bentley declares its Flying Spur as ‘the best luxury sedan in the world’.
The Flying Spur is now available through the officially importers for Malaysia, Bentley Kuala Lumpur, and is available in both 4-seat or 5-seat configurations. The basic price starts from RM839,000 excluding taxes and registration, and a typical customer would obviously pay a higher price.
Driver-centric experience
While most Bentley customers in Malaysia are likely to be chauffeur-driven, the company’s research shows that an increasing number of its customers prefer to drive the car themselves. In fact, global research (including two customer clinics in America and China) indicated that over 40% of customers travel with rear seat passengers at least once a week.
For this reason, Bentley’s engineers focussed on offering a more driver-centric experience, with a class-leading portfolio of intelligent and intuitive equipment and technology tailored to the driver and also the passengers.
V8 that can become an I4
Under the bonnet is Bentley’s 4.0-litre, twin turbocharged V8 engine, an alternative choice to the iconic W12 unit. With turbocharging, it produces 550 ps/770 Nm with responsiveness and a top speed claimed to be 318 km/h.
When the driver is not blasting along at high speeds, the engine can save fuel by literally halving its displacement and running on 4 cylinders. It does this by shutting down one bank of cylinders under light-load conditions, when torque demand is below 235 Nm and the engine speed is below 3000 rpm.
The transition from V8 to what is essentially an inline four is imperceptible to the occupants and can be executed within 20 milliseconds (a tenth of the time it takes to blink). The result is savings of up to 16% in fuel consumption, allowing a longer range and less stops to refuel if driving very long distances.
Advanced chassis
The latest Flying Spur has powertrain and chassis advancements; Adaptive Air Suspension, Torque Vectoring by Brake, Drive Dynamics Control, and Electric Steering, all of which are standard features. The technically advanced, adaptive chassis can feature Bentley’s pioneering 48V electric active anti-roll control system (Bentley Dynamic Ride) and Electronic All-Wheel Steering are available as options.
Recognisable as a Bentley
The bold exterior design is new and modern but still recognisable as a Bentley. It has increased road presence and stronger, more muscular lines that sweep the full length of the car. Compared to the second generation, the latest one has a wheelbase that is 130 mm longer, benefitting interior space and comfort.
For the Flying Spur V8, there are seven Bentley paint finishes to choose from and for those who want even more exclusivity, there is an extended range of over 60 colours, including Mulliner and personal commission.
Cabin with fine materials and craftsmanship
The interior has comfortable, spacious seats available in 5 hide colours, with Bentley’s ‘Wing’ theme across the lower console and fascia. Sweeping horizontal veneer flows across the dashboard and into the doors, emphasising the spacious width of the cabin. Besides Crown Cut Walnut as standard, there are 7 other veneers to choose from, plus a High Gloss Carbonfibre technical finish.
The industry-first Bentley Rotating Display is also available on the new Flying Spur V8. When the engine start button is pressed, the veneer section in the middle of the dashboard rotates to reveal a 12.3-inch touchscreen, displaying three, customisable digital tiles. The second side of the display reveals three elegant analogue dials showing outside temperature, a compass and a chronometer. A complete digital detox can be selected on the third side, to simply enjoy the seamless wood veneer fascia continuing around the cabin.
Needless to say, the range of equipment is extensive and can be supplemented with options like Rear Seat Entertainment tablets, Naim for Bentley audio system and even the luxury of an onboard 2-bottle drinks cooler. A completely new design means that the cooler is packaged into a much smaller space than the previous generation of the Flying Spur, resulting in less intrusion into the 420-litre boot space.
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.
