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The Movement Control Order (MCO) will be introduced again in Malaysia from January 13 and is set to run for 2 weeks until January 26 2021. Whether it will be extended will be decided at a later time. However, the MCO will not apply to every state and the strictest conditions will apply to Pulau Pinang, Selangor, WP Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan, Melaka, Johor dan Sabah.

Inter-district travel will not be permitted (there will be roadblocks) and the range of travel will be a maximum of 10 kms from the home. Only two persons from the same household can travel in the vehicle for the purpose of buying essentials or food.

Kedah, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu will be under CMCO, while Perlis and Sarawak will be under RMCO, during the same period.

During the MCO, employees of most sectors, except those in essential services, are required to work from home, but 30% of employees in a company (in the management category) are permitted to work in their office if they wish. Employers are allowed to determine those from a support group who can also come in to work.

Movement is limited and people are urged to remain at home as much as they can. However, as before, they can still travel to supermarkets and restaurants to buy essential items and food. Dine-in will not be permitted, so either pick up your orders or use a food delivery service. Hawkers will still be allowed to do business but in all cases, social distancing and other SOPs the public should be familiar with will apply. Please observe them.

Roadblock
As before, interstae travel will not be allowed and the maximum range for travel is 10 kms from the house to buy essential items or food.

Those who have special need to travel to hospitals or medical facilities may do so, and scheduled operations are still allowed to carry on. However, SOPs must be strictly observed.

Social activities in MCO states are banned, which means any event with public gatherings, including wedding receptions and group sport activities. Seminars and conferences are also not permitted. This means that Thaipusam festivities and processions are not allowed in all states, except for Perlis and Sarawak.

However, recognizing that being isolated at home could be detrimental for mental health, people are allowed to leave their houses to carry out recreational activities only with members of their households. If exercising, it is important to be at least 2 metres apart and if company is needed, only one other person should follow. Cyclists are also asked not to cycle in groups.

StayAtHome

2021 sees the ranges of two of Lexus Malaysia’s popular models – the RX300 and ES250 – gaining additional versions. These are the new RX 300 Luxury Special Edition and ES 250 Limited. Orders are accepted at all 6 authorised Lexus outlets nationwide from mid-January, with sales beginning in February  2021.

Without insurance premium, the RX 300 Luxury Special Edition is priced from RM421,909.50, while the  ES 250 Limited is priced from RM327,510.50. As the government has extended the exemption of sales tax under the PENJANA program, the savings (5% of the sales tax amount) will be available until the end of June 2021. You also get a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

ES 250 Limited

“The Lexus RX and Lexus ES have suitably played a key role in the Lexus family by developing a strong interest  in the Lexus brand. They have continuously delivered an overall package that not only impresses from its design, but the high level of quality finish, equipment and luxurious drive have made these the best-selling models in the Lexus stable,” said President of Lexus Malaysia, Ravindran K.

The new RX 300 Luxury Special Edition that joins the line-up alongside the Premium and F Sport variants has an exclusive bodykit which give a sportier outlook while providing aerodynamic benefits. The front bumper design is new along with that of the side skirts and rear bumper diffuser.

RX 300 Luxury Special Edition

Those buying the RX Luxury Special Edition can choose from 4 main colours – Sonic Quartz, Sonic Titanium,  Graphite Black Glass Flake and Red Mica Crystal Shine, while ES 250 Limited Edition buyers have a choice of Sonic Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake or Deep Blue Mica, Depending on the exterior colour, the  interior colour theme will be either Topaz or Black.

Bamboo wood trim
For the new ES 250 Limited Edition, there is an inlay of bamboo wood trim in the  doors, dashboard, centre console and steering wheel. While offering a unique texture and a fine finish to the luxurious interior, the bamboo trim perfectly illustrates the role of the Takumi craftsman who painstakingly sculpts and finishes each piece by hand.

Bamboo trim in ES 250 Limited.

Lexus upholds its duty to be environmentally responsible and the bamboo used is hand-picked from sustainable forests in  Kochi in southern Japan.

Powertrains
Powering the sleek coupe-like ES 250 is a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine (2AR-FE) with Dual VVT-i and ACIS-III, a variable acoustic induction system for higher torque. With a compression ratio of 10.4:1, the engine produces 204 ps/247 Nm. Power delivery to the wheels goes through a 8-speed automatic Super ECT transmission with AI Shift.

ES 250

For the RX 300, the powertrain is the 8AR-FTS 2-litre 4-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger. This proven engine produces a maximum of 235 ps/350 Nm, thanks to ESTEC (Economy with Superior Thermal Efficient Combustion) technology as well as D-4ST Direct Injection. Power goes to all 4 wheels through a compact and lightweight 6-speed automatic transmission, Super Electronically Controlled Transaxle with AI (Artificial Intelligence) Shift.

RX 300

Lexus Safety System +
Both the Lexus models come with Lexus  Safety System + (LSS+), a package of active safety systems that help the driver to avoid an accident. These include a Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and Adaptive High-Beam System. The lighting system also has the world’s first BladeScan where blade-shaped mirrors in the headlights spin at high speed to vary the spread of light away from other road-users while providing optimum illumination of the road ahead.

“The Lexus RX and the Lexus ES have proven to be capable, sophisticated and impressive performers in their segments and they continuously exceed expectations by delivering a level of distinctiveness that cannot simply be ignored,” said Deputy Chairman of Lexus Malaysia, Akio Takeyama.

To know more, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.

4-seater Lexus LM350 MPV coming to Malaysia in 2021

COVID-19

Social distance

To know more, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.

With tightening regulations iyn Europe, carmakers have no choice but to switch their ranges to electrified powertrains. Subaru has already begun offering two electrified models – the XV e-BOXER and Forester e-BOXER – and will add a fully electric model before the middle of this year.

The model will be about the size of the Forester and will sit on a platform shared with Toyota. The news underlines Subaru’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint in Europe and satisfy a growing demand for alternative powertrains. It also signals the brand’s second electrification step in Europe.

e-BOXER accounts for 60% of sales
So far, since being introduced, the two e-BOXER models already account for 60% of Subaru sales in Europe. The e-BOXER powertrain combines a 2-litre direct injection horizontally-opposed petrol engine with an electric motor. A lithium-ion battery unit is mounted within the boot floor and allows for pure-electric driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h.

Forester e-BOXER
XV e-BOXER

Paired with an updated Lineartronic transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical All Wheel Drive, the e-BOXER powertrain provides achieves smooth and linear acceleration with highly responsive torque.  Power-split adjusts according to the driving condition and alternates between 3 driving modes: EV driving, Motor Assist driving and Engine driving.

In EV Driving mode, the vehicle is powered by the electric motor and can travel for a distance of about 1.6 kms at speeds of up to 40 km/h. This is suitable in urban conditions with stop-and-go traffic where a 10% improvement in fuel economy is claimed compared to the 2-litre variant with just a petrol engine.

During Motor Assist Driving, at medium speeds, the motor and the engine work together to improve power and performance. For higher speeds, the Engine Driving mode is utilised, and this operates with just the engine alone. Depending on speed and driving conditions, the engine will recharge the battery pack.

The Subaru Way
In designing the e-BOXER powertrain, the engineers stuck to the ‘Subaru Way” where it is arranged in a symmetrical layout. The electric motor assist and battery pack are aligned longitudinally with the heavy motor placed near the vehicle’s centre of gravity. The battery and other components are positioned above the rear axle which plants the car on the road giving noticeable handling improvements and achieving a balanced weight distribution.

First details and pictures of the new Subaru BRZ

To know more, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.

Jeep is a highly recognisable brand globally although it has not had much of a presence in Malaysia. Perhaps that’s partly because we were not associated with America much, being a British colony, and where 4×4 vehicles were concerned, it was the Land Rover that has had a long presence on our roads. Most Malaysians know Jeep for its original Wrangler that was based on the World War II vehicle although the range today is much wider.

The only time that Jeep had a lengthy period of sales in Malaysia was in the 1990s when an MBf automotive unit took on the franchise. It sold the Jeep Cherokee (which was also assembled locally in Johor) and then tried to sell the bigger Grand Cherokee. The Cherokee sold reasonably well but then came the financial crisis of the late 1990s and Jeep was one of the casualties. The moment the numbers dropped below 4 digits, the Americans who were here to support marketing packed up and went home, and Jeep didn’t bother to renew the contract. DRB-HICOM had a go some years back but with the way the models were priced, most people preferred the more established alternative SUVs in the market.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

First time with 3 rows
So Malaysians don’t know much about Jeep and won’t know much about the range to know that the Grand Cherokee has 4 generations since 1993 and this week, the fifth generation has made its debut. Besides being a full model change – meaning a complete redesign – the new Grand Cherokee has a wider range with the addition of the Grand Cherokee L, a longer version which has 3 rows of seats, a first for the model.

The platform is a totally new one and has been specially developed for the new generation. Like the Cherokee, the Grand Cherokee has also had monocoque construction or what the Americans like to call unibody, which is just like a passenger car’s. Many of the full-sized (large to us) SUVs in America continue to have body-on-chassis construction which is similar to pick-up trucks.

Weight-saving has been a priority for the engineers and besides using high-strength steel for 60% of the structure, aluminium is also used in many areas. These include the bonnet, rear door and front subframe.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Passenger car-type bodyshell
The unibody construction allows the Grand Cherokee to have a more passenger car-like feel, and multi-link independent suspension is used all round. For those who want more comfort, air suspension is also available and allows variation of the ride height to tackle more difficult terrain.

Powertrains are typically large, with displacements of 3.6 litres and 5.7 litres, both with 8-speed automatic transmissions. Like Land Rover, Jeep also draws heavily on its 4×4 heritage and for the Grand Cherokee, there are three 4×4 systems available. To reduce fuel consumption, the systems are able to disconnect the front axle automatically when the situation permits.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

New seating structure
As mentioned earlier, the Grand Cherokee can now have up to 3 rows of seats to accommodate up to 7 people. The additional row is being offered as customer feedback indicates demand for it. This required a new seating structure to be developed for the Grand Cherokee L, apart from the new platform.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Up front, the dashboard layout has been entirely changed, with a 10.3-inch frameless digital meter panel ahead of the driver, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen display panel in the middle for infotainment. There’s the option of a larger 10.1-inch screen for the top variant as well as a 950W/19-speaker audio system custom-tuned by McIntosh Laboratory. As with most new vehicles nowadays, there are multiple connectivity choices including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and UConnect 5.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

New generation of interiors
“The objective for the interior design team was to create a unique statement for 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. We viewed the overall design process through a wide lens that allowed us to use a new generation of Jeep interiors,” said Chris Benjamin, Head of Jeep, Chrysler and Advanced Interior Design, FCA. “While the Jeep Grand Cherokee interior has been synonymous with sophistication, our approach to the three-row version was to showcase distinguished details, handcrafted materials and modern amenities that pair seamlessly with its tailored exterior.”

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The new Grand Cherokee L will be the first into the showrooms during the second quarter of 2021, while the 2-row and 4xe hybrid versions will come later in the year. For the immediate future, the Grand Cherokee L will only be available in North America and will not be exported to Europe, Middle East and Africa until the end of this year.

LEGO releases first ever Jeep SUV model

While Formula E is known as the leading all-electric single-seater championship run globally, the organisation running it has also had a parallel esports competition. Last year, it had the Formula E Race at Home Challenge in support of UNICEF and building on the success of that event, it will run the Formula E Accelerate esports championship in 2021.

“We have evolved our esports product for both gamers and fans. The added element of energy management and Attack Mode translates the real-life Formula E racing experience into the virtual world more accurately than ever before and tests the sim racers’ ability to master electric racing,” said Hannah Brown, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer of Formula E.

Blending real and virtual worlds
Over 6 events, 24 rising stars from the world of motorsport and esports will compete against one another in a simulated racing experience using rFactor2 software. Blending the real and virtual worlds, each competitor will score Formula E Accelerate points for a real-life Formula E team. The virtual racers will also receive expert tips, mentoring and other talent development opportunities from the team they are attached to.

Competitors will need to contend with new energy management and Attack Mode features during the online e-Prix. Prior to the competition, there will be online qualifying open to the public with at least the top 3 quickest times on the Berlin Tempelhof E-Prix circuit earning places on the Formula E Accelerate virtual grid.

€100,000 prize pool
Everyone who participates in all 6 races will receive a share of a minimum prize pool of €100,000 (about RM493,000) with the overall winner earning a test drive in a Formula E Gen2 car.

Formula E drivers also participate
There will be two additional virtual races, each featuring 12 real-life Formula E drivers, one per racing team, during Round 4 and the Grand Final of Formula E Accelerate. Points from these races will be added to the overall team standings.

The first round starts on January 28 and the championship will run up till March 25 this year. Each 25-minute Formula E Accelerate race will be broadcast in a 90-minute programme, featuring Formula E drivers, Team Principals and other special guests. All races will be live on Formula E social and streaming platforms.

“Formula E continues to create opportunities for fans and the next generation of racing drivers to get involved with the sport, and Formula E Accelerate will see a number of improvements that bring us closer to the real-life experience since our last event,” said Stoffel Vandoorne, ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge Driver Grid winner.

“Having won the ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge, I learnt how competitive and demanding it is to race at such a high standard on a regular basis. This time there will be an extra challenge, having to contend with the introduction of energy management and Attack Mode – something even I haven’t tried yet – so it will be interesting to see how drivers manage,” he added.

To know about other promotions, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.

Mercedes-Benz EQ Team prepares for second year of Formula E racing

There are many Car of the Year (COTY) events all over the world today and there’s even a World Car of the Year. The one that started it all was the European Car of the Year (ECOTY), which began in 1964 as a collaboration between automobile magazines of a number of countries.

Unlike COTY events in other countries and regions, the ECOTY has just one winner each year. “The object of Car of the Year is to find a single, decisive winner. The voting process is designed for that purpose, and not to provide a scale of merit of all competing cars. There are no categories, sub-divisions or class winners,” according to the ECOTY website.

The nominees are models sold in at least 5 European countries with an expected annual volume of 5,000 units. A shortlist of 7 contenders will be established by voting from a multinational jury. Technical innovation and value for money are said to be particularly important factors.

(Top row) Skoda Octavia, Toyota Yaris, CUPRA Formentor; (Above) Volkswagen ID.3

This year, the seven models on the shortlist for the 2021 Car of the Year are:

  1. Citroen C4
  2. Cupra Formentor
  3. Fiat New 500
  4. Land Rover Defender
  5. Skoda Octavia
  6. Toyota Yaris
  7. Volkswagen ID.3
Fiat New 500, Citroen C4, Land Rover Defender

The Volkswagen ID.3 is the only EV in the shortlist this year. It is one of the models in the German carmaker’s all-electric range. 10 years ago, EV models were more individual and the first one to win the ECOTY was the Nissan LEAF in 2011, followed by the Opel Ampera (GM Volt) the following year. But then car companies began to have EV or hybrid variants in a model line (eg the Hyundai IONIQ) so the distinction is somewhat blurred now. Last year, the Peugeot 208 was the winner and it has variants with internal combustion engines as well as electric powertrains.

In 2011, the Nissan LEAF was the first EV to win the European Car of the Year

A final voting round at the end of February will determine the Car of the Year for 2021, with the winner announced on March 1. Normally, the announcement would be made in Geneva, at the motorshow but with the pandemic and also the sudden cancellation of the event last year, it is now announced online.

Launched just under a month ago, response to the new Toyota GR Yaris and Vios GR-Sport (GR-S) have been exceptionally positive and strong, with orders exceeding expectations.

The response to the GR Yaris isn’t surprising, though, and mirrors the situation in some other markets where it has gone on sale. Toyota will produce only 25,000 units of the GR Yaris for worldwide sale and approximately 200 have been allocated for the Malaysian market. Apart from having specifications that give it high performance, the hatchback model is a ‘Homologation Special’ which makes it immediately ready for use in any international FIA-sanctioned motorsport competition. Of course, regulations would require appropriate safety equipment to also be installed.

Toyota Vios GR-Sport
Vios GR-Sport (click here to find out more)

Racing car for daily use
The Vios GR-S is the latest variant in the Vios range with performance-oriented features and suspension tuning. It has been developed exclusively for the Malaysian market and offers a racing car character with comfort for the daily drive.

The GR Yaris, priced from RM286,896 and the Vios GR-S, priced from RM95,284 (both prices excluding insurance and with sales tax exemption), are available only at authorized Toyota dealerships with the GR Garage. These dealerships also offer the GR Supra, GR items for enhancing the appearance and performance of Toyota models, as well as aftersales support.

“We are delighted by the response to the new GR models although this has also been the same in other markets for the GR Yaris. The model is competition-ready as it has been developed from the start to meet international FIA regulations, so all an owner really needs to do is install the required safety equipment and he or she is ready to go racing! As the car is road-legal, those who do not use it for motorsport can still enjoy the high performance provided by the 261 hp 1.6-litre turbo unit which is currently the lightest and smallest engine in production,” said Akio Takeyama, UMW Toyota Motor’s Deputy Chairman and Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer.

GR Yaris (click here to find out more)

Performance Package with GR Yaris
For the Malaysian market, the GR Yaris will come with a standard Performance Pack as well. Additionally, UMW Toyota Motor is offering an ‘Early Bird Package’ (limited to the first 65 bookings) which consists of an exclusive helmet bag, a GR Yaris scale model and participation in a GR Yaris Driving Experience in 2021 to learn to enjoy the GR Yaris to the fullest.

“While 2020 has been a challenging and difficult year, we are happy to be providing some excitement in the Malaysian market as a prelude to a better year ahead. Our Toyota line-up has been broadened with additional models and variants to meet every type of requirement. As always, we offer the best value for money and we also make it easier to purchase a new Toyota with a choice of financing schemes,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

To know about other promotions, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.

The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created

 

The EQ range of Mercedes-Benz cars is not just about a new range of all-electric vehicles but will also bring much new and more advanced technologies, especially since the platforms can be entirely new and not adapted from conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines. This gives designers and engineers a truly ‘clean sheet’ or perhaps ‘hard disk’ from which to develop new models.

A new technology which will be one of the major highlights for the EQS flagship model is the new MBUX Hyperscreen, a visually impressive display panel which extends almost the entire width of the interior. In addition to its sheer size, the large, curved screen panel, running from the left to the right A-pillar, guarantees a ‘wow’ effect.

Mercedes-Benz MBUX Hyperscreen

Adaptable to users
Artificial intelligence (AI) and learn-capable software enables the control and display concept to adapt to its user and make personalized suggestions for a variety of functions from infotainment, to comfort and even vehicle functions. 8 CPU cores, 24-gigabyte RAM and 46.4GB per second RAM memory bandwidth are some of the MBUX technical specifications.

With the new zero-layer feature, the user no longer has to scroll through sub-menus or give voice commands as the most important applications are always available in a situational and contextual way at the top of the driver’s field of vision. This alleviates the driver from needing to make numerous operating steps. The MBUX Hyperscreen not only benefits the driver as it is also an attentive assistant for the front passenger, who has their own display and operating area.

The Hyperscreen is the latest advancement of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) which has greatly simplified the operation of the latest Mercedes-Benz models. It was introduced with the A-Class in 2018, and there are now more than 1.8 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars on the road equipped with MBUX worldwide. A few months ago, the second generation of this learn-capable system debuted in the new S-Class, and Mercedes is now taking another big step forward in the form of the new EQS and the optionally available MBUX Hyperscreen.

Mercedes-Benz MBUX Hyperscreen

“With our MBUX Hyperscreen, a design vision becomes reality,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group. “We merge technology with design in a fascinating way that offers the customer unprecedented ease of use. We love the simplicity we created with a new level of MBUX.”

“The MBUX Hyperscreen is both the brain and nervous system of the car,” explained Sajjad Khan, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG and CTO. “The MBUX Hyperscreen continually gets to know the customer better and delivers a tailored, personalized infotainment and operating offerings without the occupant needing to click or scroll anywhere.”

Electrifying appearance, emotional visualization
Surrounded by a continuous plastic front frame painted in Silver Shadow, the MBUX Hyperscreen is an example of digital/analogue design fusion. Several displays appear to blend seamlessly, resulting in an impressive, curved screen band, while analogue air vents are integrated into this large digital surface to connect the digital and physical world. The integrated ambient lighting installed in the lower part of the MBUX Hyperscreen makes the display unit appear to float on the instrument panel.

Mercedes-Benz MBUX Hyperscreen

The front passenger also has a personal display and operating area to help make road trips more enjoyable and entertaining. The passenger display allows for individualized content with up to 7 profiles. If the passenger seat is not occupied, the screen becomes a digital decorative part. In this case, animated stars (ie the Mercedes-Benz pattern) are displayed.

The bright and clear display uses OLED technology for the central and front passenger sections. This technology features individual image pixels that are self-luminous; image pixels, when they are not used, remain switched off, which means that they appear deep black. The active OLED pixels radiate with a high colour brilliance, resulting in high contrast values, regardless of the angle of view and light conditions. All of the graphics are styled in a new blue/orange colour scheme throughout. The classic cockpit display with two circular instruments has been refreshed with an all-new digital look.

Mercedes-Benz MBUX Hyperscreen

Several displays appear to merge seamlessly, resulting in an impressive 141-centimetre wide and curved screen band. The area that passengers can experience is 2,432.11 sq. cm. The large glass cover display is curved three-dimensionally in the molding process at temperatures of approximately 650°C. This process allows a distortion-free view of the display unit across the entire width of the vehicle, irrespective of the display cover radius.

Thanks to its clear design, the MBUX Hyperscreen is intuitive and easy to operate. One example of this is the EV display, important functions of the electric drive such as boost or recuperation are visualized in a new way, with a spatially moving clasp, making it tangible for the user. A lens-shaped object moves between these clamps, which follows gravity and thus is able to impressively depict the g-Force.

Personalized suggestions
Infotainment systems offer numerous and extensive functions, typically with several operating steps often required to control them. In order to reduce these interactive steps even further, with the aid of artificial intelligence, Mercedes-Benz has developed a user interface with context-sensitive awareness.

Mercedes-Benz researched the usage behaviour of the first MBUX generation, and learned that most of the use cases fall in the Navigation, Radio/Media and Phone categories. Therefore, the navigation application is always at the centre of the screen unit with full functionality for ease of use. Over 20 further functions – from the active massage program to a birthday reminder, and suggestions for a to-do list – are automatically offered with the aid of artificial intelligence, if they are relevant to the customer.

Mercedes-Benz MBUX Hyperscreen

“With MBUX, our goal was to create the most desirable automotive infotainment system. We have transferred the bipolarity of our design philosophy Sensual Purity to MBUX – that is, on the one hand the sensual beauty and on the other the ‘wow effect’ of the uniquely intuitive operation. We have invented a new interface that brings design and technology together. The MBUX Hyperscreen was born as a digital piece of art, a futuristic, luxurious sculpture and also a huge technological challenge,” said Wagener.

Nowadays, size matters.

Well, at least for customers who need All that Space not just for a comfortable drive but also able to flash that made in Germany pride while carrying your family of seven along.

However, it is no secret that one need to splash the cash to be able to afford a full-blown German-made SUV, a seven-seater nonetheless.

Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Porsche will definitely burn a hole in your pocket (unless your pants are made out of kevlar that is) hence you have no choice but to turn to other options that might just get you there without having to sacrifice too much.

Meet, the All-New Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace R-Line (which we were given a chance to test out recently).

For those who seek that straight edge, high-tech, no-nonsense, proper, and made in Germany SUV that will cost you just RM200,000.

Here are five (5) things you need to know about one of the latest offerings by Volkswagen Malaysia.

1. Design

The overall look of the Tiguan Allspace R-Line is ravishing, especially those aggressive front bumpers and side skirts with a touch of black trims.

Those 19 inches sporty wheels just extend how good it looks on the road along with the unique design front and rear LED and Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Compare to the standard Tiguan, the Allspace is 200mm longer and 100mm longer wheelbase which resulted in  230L of boot space that can be increased up to 1,775L with the 2nd and 3rd row folded.

2. Performance

Although a full-fledged 7-seater, the Allspace R-Line comes with a 2.0L turbocharged engine that generates 220hp and 350Nm of torque which is paired to a 7-speed transmission 4Motion All-Wheel Drive.

The gearbox also offers four driving modes to match your needs in.

3. Interior

It looks good on the outside but also makes you feel good on the inside.

Especially the 9.2″ full colour touch-screen that combines your entertainment systems, navigation, and connectivity.

The display also shows selected smartphone apps that can be easily access using MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto.

The 2nd row is just filled with space with a lot of legroom that will assure a lot of comfort for every family members however, the 3rd row (as with other SUV’s) is a bit tight and cramped for adults.

4. Top-notch safety features

The Tiguan Allspace R-Line comes pack with the best safety features you can think of from Hill Descent Control, Automatic Post Collision Brake System (stops you from subsequent impact after involved in a crash), Drive Alert System, 6 Airbags, ISOFIX, Electronic Stability Control, and a Rearview Camera.

Even the seat grabs you in its place to make you feel as if you are driving in a safety net, especially for someone who is 1.75m and 88 kg, the seating ergonomics is on point.

5. The price

 

The Tiguan Allspace R-Line will only cost you RM209,575 and if you compare it to other carmakers that also reside in the Land of Ideas, the Allspace is much more value for money.

Not to mention, a cheaper option, the Tiguan Allspace Highline is price only at RM165,000.

The Allspace R-Line fulfills your every need not just as a family-friendly 7-seater SUV but also able to deliver 220hp when you need them.

Volkswagen Malaysia also offers 3-years free maintenance with 5-years unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance, hence you can enjoy the car without any worry, and I personally think the Tiguan Allspace R-Line is an excellent deal.

 

 

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