HOT NEWS!Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced an extension of the tax holiday for its range of models with the Price Protection Scheme. The Scheme covers all Volkswagen models registered from now till 15th November 2018, while stocks last. With the upcoming implementation of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) on the 1st of September 2018, any difference in the vehicle price based on the current 0% GST prices will be absorbed by VPCM.
The Scheme is applicable to all Volkswagen models sold in Malaysia, both locally assembled and imported. However, there is also limited availability of stocks and customers should take this opportunity to place their booking for a new Volkswagen and enjoy the Price Protection Scheme to avoid disappointment.
Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM (above) said “The response in the past three month since the announcement of 0% GST has been overwhelming and we have been trying to keep up with the demand for stock. The introduction of this Price Protection Scheme is a way for VPCM to assure our customers that we have their best interest at heart, so we urge customers to place their bookings now and enjoy the extended tax holidays”.
All Volkswagen models come with 3 years free maintenance, 5 years manufacturer’s warranty and 5 years roadside assistance. For more information, visit www.volkswagen.com.my
Boon Siew Honda (BSH) has just launched a new Honda Automatic Transmission (AT) model called the Vario 150. Boasting a combination of sporty style, high-performance and value-for-money features, the new Vario 150 is a “scooter-cub” bike (a.k.a. skuchai) an ideal option for bikers who seek a competent daily-commuter. In-line with its commitment to bring more joy to the customers, Boon Siew Honda has been continuously working to enhance customer satisfaction and evoke the creation of new value.
BSH noticed a growing popularity for AT models especially among young riders who wish to be pampered with quality features and specifications with an affordable price tag. Having understood the market demand, Boon Siew Honda saw great potential in the AT segment and decided to provide more options to Malaysians by introducing the Vario 150.
The advanced safety features of Honda AT Model provide peace-of-mind, while the automatic transmission makes them easy to handle. Other than the safety features and manoeuvrability, there is also an increased interest towards Honda’s smaller bikes with higher cc amongst Malaysian riders. The Vario 150 is powered by a 150cc liquid cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder engine that produces 13.1 PS at 8,500 rpm and 13.4 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. The 150cc engine is incorporated with eSP technology and advanced Idling Stop System (ISS) to provide an outstanding balance of riding performance and fuel efficiency. Riders will be able to enjoy the dynamic performance of the new AT Model that will exhilarate the riding experience to a whole new level.
The striking Honda AT Model offers many value-added features such as the Dual LED Headlight and LED Taillight, LCD Digital Meter Panel, Honda SMART Key System, Sporty Style Muffler with Aluminum End Cap, 14-inch Sporty Wheel with Wavy Disc Brake, 18-litre Under Seat Compartment and Double Inner Rack. Boon Siew Honda has also taken account of safety concerns into the AT Model design. The new model is equipped with a Combi Brake System (CBS) that helps to balance the braking system across the front and rear wheels to reach to an optimal standard.
Boon Siew Honda is targeting to sell 1,000 units per month and the company believes the standard of the AT segment will be elevated following the launch of this new model. Set to be the trendsetter in the AT segment, the Vario 150 (RM7,199) is available in four colour options, which are Pearl Magellanic Black, Pearl Nightfall Blue, Force Silver Metallic and the Repsol edition (RM7,399).
Available at all authorized Boon Siew Honda dealers from 30th August onwards, the Vario 150 comes with a 2-year or 20,000km manufacturing warranty (whichever comes first). In conjunction with the National Day celebration, a series of exclusive and unique Vario airbrushed with the flags of the nation and 13 states of Malaysia will be hitting the roads across Peninsular Malaysia. These special Vario by Boon Siew Honda embody the patriotic spirit of Malaysians.
For more information, please visit www.boonsiewhonda.com.my or call Boon Siew Honda’s Toll-Free number at 1800-88-3993 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, except for public holidays). You can download the official price list below:
So we received these photos, and just in case you haven’t seen them, this is what could be the the new Proton SUV set to debut in October this year. What do you think?
Not too shabby eh? From what we’ve heard, the new Proton SUV will have “CR-V size and specs but a HR-V price”, which means its introductory level variant will be priced below RM100,000. We shall have to wait and see!
Vehicles in Malaysia will one day be powered by a cleaner fuel alternative; hydrogen, an element found in water. Towards this end, Linde Malaysia, a member of The Linde Group, is gearing up to share its expertise in fuelling solutions to help power Malaysia’s automotive industry with zero-emission hydrogen technology.
“The world’s challenges associated with global warming (caused by CO2 emissions) pose a fundamental threat to the future of our planet. Linde sees hydrogen as an integral part of our renewable energy future in addressing this challenge. With over 25 years of research and development in hydrogen fuelling technologies, Linde has invested significantly at the global level in the future market for hydrogen. There are strong indicators that the market is receptive towards alternative fuels and energy with alternative mobility becoming more prevalent, particularly in Asia,” explained Linde South Asia and ASEAN Regional Managing Director, Rob Hughes.
(Seated, second from left) Linde South Asia & ASEAN Regional Managing Director, Rob Hughes, and (seated, third from left) Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Group Chief Executive Officer, Sharbini Suhaili, during the signing of the Memoradum Of Understanding between Linde and SEB to explore the potential of hydrogen
Malaysia is an attractive place for Linde to invest further, tapping into its richwater resource for the production, storage and supply of hydrogen and other industrial gasses. This is partly due to its abundant water resource, receiving an average of 2500 to 5080 millimetres of rainfall annually. “Technology, innovation and an inventive spirit have been at the core of Linde from the very beginning, making us the technology leader for end-to-end sustainable hydrogen solutions. Linde is no stranger to the automotive industry as we deliver hydrogen fuelling solutions for cars, buses and even forklift trucks. We intend to grow the commercialisation of hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles and boost our efforts with our partners to create infrastructures that enable greater adoption of hydrogen-electric mobility. Linde has seen success with this model across Europe and is now extending its focus here in Southeast Asia,” said Hughes.
More about the technology…
Hydrogen is categorised as a clean fuel, releasing water vapour when converted into fuel. Hydrogen is produced through natural gas steam reforming or the electrolysis of water. Its carbon-neutral nature means vehicles powered by hydrogen have zero-emissions, a solution that directly helps mitigate climate change. Unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen is the most commonly occurring element in nature, which means it is renewable.
Hydrogen-powered cars are equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell and an electric motor. Inside the fuel cell of the car, the hydrogen reacts with oxygen drawn in from the ambient air. Hydrogen molecules separate and create electricity to power the electric motor, and water. The automotive industry stands to benefit from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) because they help reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions which greatly mitigates climate change.
This further supports the nation’s aspirations to reduce carbon emissions as demonstrated by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology, Science And Climate Change’s (Mestecc) recent announcement to introduce an Energy Efficiency Bill in 2019 to help Malaysia cut carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 in compliance with the Paris climate accord.
Hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles have a short refuelling time of only three minutes and the ability to cover 500 to 600 km. This makes hydrogen-powered vehicles comparable to conventional vehicles. The water vapour from the exhaust of a hydrogen-powered vehicle is clean to the point that it is drinkable, demonstrating its zero emissions feature.
Solidifying its commitment to the Malaysian market, Linde will be providing its technological expertise across the hydrogen value chain to Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), following the construction of the latter’s pilot hydrogen production plant and refuelling station, the first of its kind in the state of Sarawak and Southeast Asia. Linde also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the potential of hydrogen and how it can be potentially applied into other aspects together with SEB. The move demonstrates interest in clean fuel alternatives for a more sustainable automotive industry in Malaysia.
To date, Linde has equipped around 150 fuelling stations globally with innovative hydrogen refuelling technology. Linde is actively involved in collaborative partnerships to jointly develop new solutions for hydrogen as a fuel. It is a member of the ‘Hydrogen Council,’ the first global initiative of its kind, launched in January 2017, with the goal of positioning hydrogen among the key solutions of the energy transition to help meet climate goals. The council is made up of 13 CEOs and Chairpersons from various industries and energy companies including Daimler, Royal Dutch Shell, The Linde Group, Alstom, Honda, Hyundai, Kawasaki and Toyota among others.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles (MBM CV), authorised distributor of FUSO trucks in Malaysia, together with authorised FUSO dealer, Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd, officially delivered 24 FUSO trucks to Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd, the only and largest privately-owned oil refinery plant in Malaysia.
“As a long-time trusted partner of the nation’s haulage and logistics industry, MBM CV is pleased to continue our on-going pledge to the Malaysian market. Our commitment in providing trucks of the highest quality, while offering reliability and economic efficiency is of the utmost importance to us and to our customers. We are absolutely pleased that Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd has placed their confidence in our highly reliable and economical commercial vehicles and extensive service network. It is a trust that we greatly value and appreciate deeply,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Vice President, Commercial Vehicles, Mr Albert Yee.
A FUSO customer since 2011, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s recently purchased fleet of 24 FUSO light-duty trucks comprise primarily of the FE71PB and FE83PG series. The FE71PB series is commonly used for short distance distribution and inter-state logistic transportation while the FE83PG series is suitable for unpaved or rougher terrain. MBM CV’s authorised FUSO dealer, Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd, will provide extensive aftersales support and vehicle maintenance for Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s FUSO fleet which travel routinely to its branch offices nationwide.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the latest five FUSO trucks, Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd, Managing Director, Mr Book Lim Guan, said, “In the haulage industry, we understand that customers require vehicles that are safe, durable and perform well under pressure. Peace-of-mind is what customer’s look for, and together with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles, we are proud to deliver the highest level of quality and service to Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd.
Established in 2008, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s primary business is to provide an integrated solution of waste management and recycling used engine and other mineral oils for companies. A member of the EXSIM Group Of Companies, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd is currently on an aggressive expansion drive, with plans to open their 12th factory in Labuan this year. Todate, FUSO trucks make up 90% of the company’s 61 units of the commercial vehicle fleet. Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd is set to further expand its fleet by year end.
UMW Toyota telah mengumumkan penganjuran mereka dalam Kejohanan Toyota Velocity Esports.
Menangi hadiah utama berjumlah RM60,000 dalam permainan Gran Turismo Sport.
Kejohanan sukan elektronik ini akan berlangsung dari 21 hingga 23 September 2018 dan penyertaan adalah percuma bagi 400 orang sahaja!
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) baru sahaja mengumumkan penglibatan terbaharu mereka di dalam dunia sukan elektronik atau ‘Esports’ dengan penganjuran kejohanan Toyota Velocity Esports. Penglibatan UMW Toyota dalam dunia sukan elektronik merupakan pembabitan pertama dari syarikat pengeluaran kenderaan di Malaysia. (more…)
Hot from Auto Express, the new BMW Z4 – which was developed in tandem with the new Toyota Supra – is set to go on sale next spring. Following leaks, teasers and even an early prototype drive, the all-new BMW Z4 has been officially revealed. It debuts at the Pebble Beach Concours event in the United States ahead of sales starting in spring 2019. Here’s its maiden debut at Pebble Beach recently…
Codenamed G29, the new roadster has been developed in a joint project with Toyota, although the two models to emerge from the shared process – the Z4 and the Japanese firm’s Supra – will be substantially different. BMW’s offering will be a convertible only; the Toyota will be sold as a coupe.
The car’s looks and proportions stick pretty closely to those previewed on a concept that was revealed at the same American event last year. There’s a particularly short overhang at the front end, and a visible decrease in wheelbase compared with the outgoing Z4. Here’s another video of its premiere…
The images also confirm that this Z4 has a folding fabric roof (it opens in around 10 seconds), eschewing the aluminium hard-top of the outgoing generation on grounds of complexity, cost and weight. The new car’s total kerb weight is said to be around 50kg lighter than its predecessor’s.
The model unveiled in Pebble Beach is the Z4 M40i First Edition, described by BMW as “a taster of the forthcoming on-road debut of the new roadster”. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, producing 340bhp – enough to take the new drop-top from 0-100kmh in 4.6 seconds.
BMW is being coy on releasing many technical details – they’re being held back until late September – but the firm has confirmed that M40i edition has electronically controlled dampers, upgraded M Sport brakes and an M Sport differential. It also says the Z4 will have a 50:50 weight distribution.
The line-up of powertrains is likely to include a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, possibly in a couple of states of tune, along with at least one more version of the straight six. We’d expected a plug-in hybrid version to follow later in the car’s life, too – and there could even be a fully focused M version of the car, because BMW hopes a more involving dynamic experience will allow the Z4 to grab some sales from the Porsche 718 Boxster.
The cabin shows a further evolution of BMW’s cockpit layout, with a newly designed fully digital instrument panel, and a ‘fared-in’ infotainment system that’s clearly angled towards the driver. The usual iDrive rotary controller is mounted on the centre tunnel beside the controller for what is likely to be an eight-speed automatic transmission. A manual gearbox is likely to be offered too, Auto Express understands, but only with selected engines.
The Z4 is due on sale in the UK next spring. There’s no word on pricing or specs, but we’d expect the range to start with 2.0-litre models at around £30,000, rising to around £48,000 for the M40i seen here.
Ed’s note: Nice one BMW, however, I think it looks a little too much like something Fiat came up with in 2015, the 124 Spider… anyway, please revive the Z8 next! – Chris Wee.
BMW Z4 Photo Gallery (all images courtesy of AutoExpressUK)
The Prancing Horse’s new Special Series model, the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, has been unveiled during the world-famous Concours d’Elegance® at Pebble Beach in California. The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is the 50th drop-top model from the Prancing Horse and a premiere in the US was a natural choice given that, ever since the 1950s, North American clients have always been keen connoisseurs of high-performance convertibles.
The new car sets a new benchmark for Ferrari for spider performance with an unprecedented weight-power ratio of 1.92 kg/cv. A result made possible by the adoption of the most powerful Ferrari V8 engine ever, which was recently named Best Engine in the world for the third consecutive year at the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards. The 3902cc twin-turbo V8 unleashes 720cv and combines that power with increasing torque at all engine speeds for continuous and unending acceleration all the way to the red line. The unique engine sound is now even more riveting thanks to the open-top configuration.
The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider represents the natural development of the defining design of the coupé version. The Ferrari designers’ primary objective was to maintain unaltered the perfect marriage of aerodynamic efficiency, purity of form and racing spirit. This concept is underlined by the characteristic central livery which runs the whole length of the car, expanding towards the rear where it finishes at the end of the rear wing next to the spoiler. This continual expansion of the stripe recalls the movement of the airflow and exalts the lines of the car.
The philosophy that imposed an uncompromising choice of materials for the bodywork is also revisited in the interior solutions, with weight being saved by the use of lightweight, pared-back components. As well as the generous use of carbon-fibre and Alcantara® throughout, the carpets have been replaced by patterned aluminium foot plates and the driver’s-side door handle is now a simple strap.
In terms of engineering, the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is directly derived from the 488 Pista which encapsulates all the racing experience gathered on world’s circuits with the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE. As a result, the new Spider offers the highest level yet of technological transfer from the track to a road-legal drop-top car. The vehicle dynamics honed for this Special Series 8-cylinder convertible deliver a seamless combination of razor-sharp acceleration, braking efficiency, lightning-fast gear shifting, precision steering, grip, stability and superb handling. The result? A completely captivating and unprecedented driving experience. This was achieved thanks partly to the new lateral dynamics control system, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE), which makes on-the-limit driving more intuitive, controllable and predictable.
The car features new diamond-finish 20” alloy wheels with a novel 10-spoke star-effect interpretation of Ferrari’s traditional mid-rear engine berlinetta-style rims. Also available are the optional one-piece carbon-fibre wheels which offer a 20% weight reduction over the standard forged alloys.
Porsche Classichas built a highly desirable collector’s item: the last 911 Turbo with an air-cooled engine – 20 years after the end of series production. The design of the 993-generation 911 Turbo is based on an original body-shell, and the vehicle’s appearance is just as unique as its history: Painted in Golden Yellow Metallic, it references the 2018 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. The black wheels are highlighted by Golden Yellow design accents, while the seats and interior trim are finished in black with Golden Yellow details. Check out the video below!
The bodyshell features the characteristic side air intakes of the 993 Turbo S that were also available as an option for the regular 911 Turbo in 1998. Developing 450 horsepower, the classic sports car will celebrate its world premiere at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion in Laguna Seca (USA) on September 27, 2018. The collector’s item, which is limited to use on private tracks, will then be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta on October 27, 2018. The proceeds will be donated to the Ferry Porsche Foundation, a non-profit organization established this year to mark the “70 years of Porsche sports cars” celebrations.
“Project Gold” showcases the comprehensive skill of Porsche Classic in fascinating fashion”, says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “This project clearly demonstrates our strategic approach. Although we are starting a new chapter in our sports car history with the Porsche Taycan, the story of how the company evolved is no less significant. On the contrary, this Golden Yellow 993 demonstrates how incredibly passionate we are about the tradition of our brand.”
“Project Gold” represents Porsche Classic’s spectacular contribution to the “70 years of Porsche sports cars” celebrations: With this anniversary in mind as well as the forthcoming market launch of the Taycan as the first purely electric Porsche sports car, the experts at Porsche Classic came up with the idea of constructing a completely new vehicle based on an existing genuine type 993 body-shell, showcasing both tradition and innovation. The experts were able to rely on a selection of over 6,500 genuine parts that Porsche Classic offers exclusively for 993 generation models. Overall, the Classic division currently stocks some 52,000 parts, which can be sourced via Porsche Classic Partners and Porsche Centers around the globe to repair and restore classic Porsche cars.
Construction of the unique vehicle took approximately one and a half years. The bodyshell was first put through the corrosion protection and painting process applied to today’s series-production vehicles. The collector’s item was then assembled and tuned by Porsche Classic specialists at the Porsche restoration workshop in Stuttgart. A brand new 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine developing 450 hp was installed, delivering the performance the vehicle originally had when it was in production. The manual transmission and all-wheel drive were also sourced from the Porsche Classic range of genuine parts. The hand-stamped chassis number follows the last series-production model of the 993 Turbo which rolled off the production line in 1998.
The exterior and interior elements were coordinated with the workshop’s dedicated Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur experts who were responsible for creating the 2018 911 Turbo S Exclusive series, which was limited to 500 units worldwide. To complement these elements, the designers at Style Porsche worked on the color gradients and positioning of badges as well as other interior details.
The 993 remains a sought-after collector’s item to this day, and is considered a particularly sophisticated and reliable vehicle. It was the first 911 to feature a redesigned aluminium chassis, giving it exceptional agility at the time. The 911 Turbo version of the 993 was also the first to have a twin-turbo engine, making it the lowest-emission standard automotive powertrain in the world in 1995.
The front section is lower-slung than on the earlier 911 models, thanks to a switch from round to poly ellipsoidal headlights. Hollow-spoke aluminum wheels, a first for any car with aluminum wheels, were another innovation of the all-wheel drive 911 Turbo version. Only 345 units of the 911 Turbo S with its 450 hp performance-enhanced engine were built.
Weststar Maxus telah melancarkan pusat 3S terbaharu mereka di Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang.
Pusat 3S terbaharu ini akan memberi perkhidmatan jualan, servis dan alat ganti kepada pelanggan di kawasan Utara.
Weststar Maxus juga melancarkan van komersial terbaharu mereka iaitu Maxus V80 2018.
Weststar Maxus baru sahaja melancarkan pusat 3S terbaharu mereka yang terletak di Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang. Pusat Jualan, servis dan alat ganti akan memberi khidmat sokongan yang penting terutamanya kepada pelanggan-pelanggan mereka di kawasan Utara. (more…)
