English Archives

Ford Ranger FX4 introduced to Malaysian market

Ford has introduced a new variant of their ever popular pick-up truck in the Malaysian market, called the Ranger FX4. The vehicle is said to have been inspired by the needs and wants of the enthusiast community and as such features an updated grille and visual graphics.

The FX4 is fitted with an exclusive new front grille with a mesh pattern, matte decal design on the bonnet and blacked-out fog light bezel that add to its menacing appeal. Under the bonnet is the same 2.2-litre Duratorq diesel engine that produces a decent amount of horsepower and torque for a vehicle of its size.

Ford has fitted 18-inch Stark Gray painted wheels and a black sports bar to complement the overall theme of the graphics. On the tailgate, there’s a blacked-out decal that spells out the word RANGER, which contrasts with the vehicle’s body colour.

Inside, the same exterior colour combination has been incorporated into the cabin, The leather seats complement the dark interior and offer a sense of refinement to this off-road vehicle.

Like the rest of the line up, the FX4 features Ford’s SYNC in-car connectivity system as well as safety tech that include Rear Park Assist with reverse camera, Electric Power Assisted Steering, Hill Descent Control, electronic locking rear differential and Electronic Stability Program.

The FX4 comes with the same water wading capabilities as the rest of the variants which is a respectable 800 mm deep and features a ground clearance of 230 mm as well as having the ability tow a payload of of up to 3,500kg.

“Our customers in Malaysia already know the Ranger for its raw capability, advanced technologies and rugged, tough appearance,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion. “The Ranger FX4 builds on this foundation with a bold new look and premium features that we think they will love.”

Ford’s Ranger FX4 can be had in either Aluminum Metallic or Meteor Grey body colours and is available to order at RM121,888 at any Ford dealership nationwide. Visit the automaker’s local website to learn more about this new variant.

New Kia Rio makes its debut at New York Motorshow

Kia has unveiled the 2018 Rio at the New York Autoshow and the new B-segment car aims to build upon the success of its predecessor. Featuring an all-new design, the new car is aimed at consumers wanting decent fuel efficiency, new tech and advanced safety features in a reasonably priced cheerful car.

A collaborative design effort between three of the automaker’s teams – European, US and Korean design houses, the new Rio has crisper lines and smoother surfaces lending to a more sporty look compared to its predecessor. Taking centre stage is the latest tiger-nose grille and newly designed headlights that stretch toward the fenders. Unlike the previous car, the fog lamp surrounds have been moved outwards and the a lower window line around the cabin have increased visibility somewhat.

The new Rio Sedan is considerably larger than the outgoing one, measuring 4,383mm long and sporting a wheelbase of 2,581mm. The hatchback is 4,064mm long but both variants feature more upright A-pillars than the cars they replace. The all-new platform uses high strength steel for increased durability, safety and torsional stiffness while reducing weight. Through the use of body sealing and bonding adhesives throughout the body construction, Kia says that overall noise, vibration and harshness have been reduced.

The overall silhouette looks simple yet functional with a lower and wider stance providing for a more sporty outlook. The rear, features shorter overhangs and thinner tail lights. The car is fitted with 15-inch wheels but when ordered in EX trim, it features more sporty alloy ones. The entire range comes with redesigned suspension geometry while utilizing a fully-independent MacPherson Strut front and torsion beam rear axle.

Inside, the cabin has been reworked and as such is more more spacious, has an improved instrument panel and fitted with better quality materials. The contours of the dashboard is said to mimic that of the car’s exterior. The centre console has a bi-level tray which provides enough space to store portable devices such as a smartphone and tablets.

Thanks to the larger dimensions, the cabin is more spacious than before which gives rise to better head, leg and shoulder room for occupants. The front seats have been redesigned and as such offer better comfort without compromising on leg space for the rear passenger. The boot space is 388 liters for the Sedan and 493 liters for the hatchback variant.

As for tech, the car has Bluetooth hands-free functionality, a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio and a rear-view camera system. The EX trim car gets a seven-inch floating touchscreen interface, UVO3 voice recognition infotainment system and smartphone integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

This new Rio has the same 1.6-litre GDI engine as its predecessor that puts out 130bhp and 161Nm of torque. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, which are available for both sedan and hatchback variants.

On the safety front the car features six airbags, side-impact door beams, Electronic Stability Control, a four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)4.

No word yet on when the new Rio will make it into our market but that shouldn’t take long considering the popularity of Kia models in Malaysia.

Proton Perdana wins Malaysian Good Design Mark Award

The Proton Perdana has won the Malaysian Good Design Mark award by the Malaysian Design Council (MDC). It was given to the Perdana for the Public Areas and Transportation Products category. The award was presented by YB Datuk Wira Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation to PROTON Deputy Chief Executive Officer, YBhg Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed at the event in the Shah Alam Convention Centre.

The award is a design recognition proagmme by the Malaysian government under the MDC. The objective is to recognize local industries that excel at providing quality and innovative products through research and development. The car was chosen for the award due to its overall design and capabilities which were developed and manufactured in Malaysia.

“We are encouraged to receive the recognition from the Malaysia Design Council for the Perdana. A great deal of effort has been put into developing the car and I dedicate this recognition to those talented men and women who had invested their “talent” into the Perdana project. Proton still has a lot of areas that it can improve on and this award will provide further impetus for Proton to work harder to provide better designed and engineered cars to its customers,” said Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Kenali, Chief Executive Officer of Proton.

Based on the eighth generation Honda Accord, the Perdana which was launched on 14th June 2016 is Proton’s D-segment offering for the Malaysian market. It features the same powertrain and suspension setup as it’s Honda equivalent but has a redesigned exterior and interior.

This isn’t Proton’s first time winning such an award, the Satria Neo and Persona won similar awards by MDC in 2007 and the Iriz did the same in 2014. So, if you are interested to know more about Proton’s current offerings, visit the automaker’s website or your nearest showroom.

BMW introduces the M4 CS

BMW has introduced a new variant of their M4, called the BMW M4 CS. It’s a special edition M car that is positioned above the standard M and the Competition versions. It sits at the top of the M4 range and is poised to offer drivers racing-like character but in a fully road-legal car.

Built in Munich, the M4 CS’s bonnet and boot are made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic or CFRP, which is a lightweight but extremely rigid material. Similar to the standard car, the front end has LED headlights, a large front apron with three section intakes that offer cooling to the engine and braking system.

Unique to this variant is the front splitter made from carbon-fibre, which should lower the weight even further. At the rear is the rear diffuser borrowed from the M4 GTS and the same is true for the exposed carbon-fibre Gurney spoiler lip on the boot lid. It’s rear taillights incorporate OLED (Organic Light Emitting Dioede) technology which is a feature that is only found on the M4 CS and GTS variants. Lastly, the M wing mirrors and flared wheel arches and complete the muscular look of the car.

It rides on lightweight alloy wheels which are 19-inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres that are considered semi-slick road legal tyres but offer excellent grip on race tracks. Alternatively, buyers can have their M4 CS equipped with Michelin Sport road tyres if they don’t plan on exploring the limits on a racetrack.

Under the hood of this beast, sits a turbocharged straight-six 3.0-litre engine that has been tuned to offer 10bhp more than the one in the M4 with the Competition package, with a total of 460bhp. The engine features two mono-scroll turbocharges, charge air cooler, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS fully variable camshaft timing.

Mated to the engine is a 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) with Drivelogic. The engine and transmission combination allow the M4 CS to cover the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds and reach a stop speed of 280km/h.

The car features the adaptive M suspension setup similar to that found on the M4 with the Competition package and is optimised to offer a good balance of road and track performance. The control systems such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Adaptive M Suspension and Active M Differential have been modified to suit the M4 CS, giving it the best on and off track performance that the M division could muster. The electromechanical steering’s behavior and suspension setup can be changed by adjusting the drive modes which are Comfort, Sport and Sport+.

In typical BMW fashion, the inside is covered with leather and Alcantara which offers a decent blend of luxury and sportiness. The overall layout doesn’t differ much from the standard car and features automatic Climate Control, BMW infotainment system and a sophisticated navigation system.

There’s no word yet on when the M4 CS will be made available for Malaysia but in Europe, the car should go on sale soon at a price of EUR 116,900 or RM 551,854. However, don’t expect the same price tag once the vehicle hits our shores as the various taxes will definitely drive up the price up somewhat.

Porsche announces record sales quarter

Porsche has had a good start to 2017, it has sold 60,000 vehicles worldwide so far this quarter. This is a 7% increase in sales compared to the same period last year and is considered the best quarter of the company’s history. China and Germany were the main markets that contributed to the increase in sales volume this year but the models that saw the most growth were the Panamera and Macan.

“Porsche has made a successful start with the new Panamera – this trend now needs to continue throughout the rest of the year”, said Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “Our attractive model range gives us an outstanding basis to achieve this”. Porsche presented no fewer than three new models at the Geneva Motor Show: the new Panamera Sport Turismo, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid and the 911 GT3″.

In China alone, Porsche sold a total of 18,126 vehicles which exceeded last year’s figure by 10%. In Europe, the sportscar maker saw a 7% increase in sales which means it delivered 19,084 customers.
Porsche sold a total of 7,160 vehicles this quarter in Germany, a 19% increase compared to last year. The 911 range contributed to 1,600 sales and the Panamera bolstered the company’s sales even further.

Sales volume increased in the USA too with 12,718 vehicles sold to date which is a 4% increase. For the Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East markets, Porsche sold 25,506 vehicles which is a 6% increase compared to the same period last year. But in general, Porsche stated that it found sales figures of the Panamera particularly pleasing because it was a 12% increase compared to the same period last year with a total of 3,630 vehicles delivered, sales for the 718 range saw a 4% increase with a total of 6,060 vehicles sold. About 24,797 Macan vehicles were sold in the first quarter of this year which is a 15% increase.

The start to 2017 has been good for Porsche and if it continues the same momentum throughout the year, expect more record breaking sales figures to be posted in 2018.

Volvo to build first electric car in China

At the Shanghai Motorshow, Volvo announced that it will be building its first all-electric vehicle in China. It will be based on the automaker’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which is catered to smaller cars. The car is slated for release sometime in 2019 and will be exported to countries around the world.

Volvo’s decision to produce its new electric vehicle is China indicates that the automaker’s intentions to capitalize on the countries hunger for electric vehicles and those of neighboring countries. Volvo already has three manufacturing facilities in China, which are Daqing (manufactures 90 Series models), Chengdu (manufactures 60 Series models) and Luqiao (manufacturers 40 Series models).

“Volvo Cars fully supports the Chinese government’s call for cleaner air as outlined in the latest five-year plan. It is fully in-line with our own core values of environmental care, quality and safety,” said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars. “We believe that electrification is the answer to sustainable mobility.”

At the moment, China is the world’s biggest market for electric vehicles and it might get a lot bigger due the government’s ambitious initiatives to tackle congestion and air quality issues in its cities. This might work out in Volvo’s favour as the automaker targets to sell a total of 1 million electrified vehicle which include electric and hybrid offerings by 2025.

The Swedish automaker is also developing a fully-electric car on its Scalable Product Architecture, which is a platform that is used to build a range of Volvo models. Besides this, in the near future, Volvo also plans on offering plug-in hybrid versions of every model that it makes. This might seem like a tall order for some, but Volvo has already established a beachhead in China, which should make things a little easier for it.

Porsche and Microsoft sign gaming partnership

Porsche is starting to take the virtual world more seriously as its marketing tool. The sportscar maker has signed a six year deal with Microsoft at the New York International Motorshow, which will see both companies collaborating in projects that cover racing games and electronic gaming competitions. As such, in future games from Microsoft’s Forza franchise, Porsche vehicles will receive more prominence than if ever did before. This will especially be evident in the gaming series Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon.

This partnership will allow Porsche to delve deeper into the eSports arena, which are competitions designed for gamers to compete against each other in their preferred gaming genre. This is especially true with Forza Racing Championship (ForzaRC), which is the leading eSport racing series backed by the world’s largest racing community.

ForzaRC, Porsche’s prime focus for now, is based on the current Xbox racing game Forza Motorsport 6 which already includes more than 20 Porsche vehicles since 2016. For 2017, ForzaRC will feature a motorsport championship too, where gamers from around the world can compete on the world stage. If you are interested, registration opened on 12th April 2017 at http://www.forzarc.gfinity.net/ and qualification will take place online beginning May 1st.

“By having Microsoft as our partner, we have the opportunity to take the pleasure of driving a Porsche and making it an experience in the virtual world”, says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “Racing games and eSports connect the real and virtual worlds and enable us to gain further access to the young target group. It means that they can develop a passion for Porsche even before buying their first sports car.”

As icing on the cake for the newly signed partnership, a new Porsche package can now be downloaded for Forza Horizon 3. It contains a total of seven current and historical Porsche vehicles,that are the 550A Spyder, 718 RS 60 Spyder from 1960, 911 Carrera RS 2.7 from 1973, 911 GT2 (type 993), Cayman GT4 and the 911 GT3 RS as well as the new Panamera Turbo.

So, if you own an Xbox, are into the Forza franchise and a die hard Porsche fan, you should be very happy with this partnership. You can expect to see a number of interesting projects from both companies in the near future.

Bridgestone wins GM’s Supplier of the Year Award

Bridgetone Corporation, the world renowned tyre maker has bagged an award from General Motors for Supplier of the Year during the 25th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony in Florida. This is the second time in a row that Bridgetone has received this award but its the company’s 15th such award overall.

Winners of this award are chosen based on performance criteria in Product Purchasing, Indirect Purchasing, Customer Care and Aftersales and Logistics. The judges are from the global team of GM’s purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing and logistics executives.

“I am proud of the effort and dedication that earned Bridgestone this honor for the 15th time,” said Mike Martini, president, original equipment, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tyre Operations. “This award is a testament to our product, engineering and manufacturing performance at Bridgestone, and belongs to the dedicated teammates across our global organization who bring value and innovation to partners like GM.”

Bridgestone Corporation’s headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan. And it is one of the world’s largest tyre and rubber company. Besides manufacturing tyres, it is also involved in manufacturing a broad range of products which include industrial rubber, chemical products and sporting goods. Bridgestone products are sold in over 150 countries across the globe including our own.

StreetDrone unveil platform for developing autonomous transporation

Owning an electric car has become trendy over the past few years. These are environmentally conscious car buyers who are looking for vehicles that are able to help them fulfill their daily activities but are considerably green and don’t leave a massive carbon footprint.

Now however, there is an overflowing interest in autonomous vehicles. Contemporary cars and SUVs that are able to traverse city streets unaided by a human driver, maneuver past obstacles, slow down and speed up as well as anticipate an impending emergency situation and apply brakes where necessary -all on its own.

These systems are expensive to develop and deploy. That is why only more established vehicle manufacturers with huge budgets, are able delve into the murky waters of autonomous transportation of the future. Now, thanks to a company named StreetDrone, any manufacturer, big or small, has access to such technology.

StreetDrone, a UK based company, has teamed up with Renault to develop an autonomous vehicles that is affordable enough for small automotive firms to use as a platform for developing autonomous technology. The base car is a Renault Twizy EV, and with it, the company fits their latest hardware to govern the movements of the car. The OS that runs on the hardware is the company’s StreetDrone OS which allows the car to talk to connected and autonomous software.The finished vehicle is called the StreetDrone One.

Developers, can develop coding that can can be installed in this vehicle, to test and improve new autonomous functionality. This will provide small firms the head start they need in their R&D programmes aimed at developing sustainable future autonomous transport.

Mark Preston, CEO of StreetDrone says “We know that the greatest innovations in self-driving technology need to come from a wide-base of companies and developers, not from the privileged few that are wealthy enough to be able to test innovation in the real world. StreetDrone ONE means that everyone can become a part of the autonomous revolution.”

If the programme does become a success, it would mean that companies like Apple, Google and Intel, no longer have the advantage of their bank accounts to develop the best autonomous vehicles for the average car buyer. That’s good news for us consumers because this would mean that in the not so distant future, we will have a variety of vehicle manufacturers that are able to provide cutting edge technology for the autonomous transportation market.

Perodua posts records sales for 2017

This year is shaping up to be a great one for Malaysia’s second largest local automaker. Perodua has recorded decent sales figures this quarter by registering nearly 50,300 vehicles so far which is an increase of 6.5% compared with last year’s 47,200 units. The company now commands a 35.9% market share with a total of 140,000 vehicle being sold so far this year.

In March alone, Perodua sold 19,500 vehicles compared with 17,300 vehicles it sold last March, which is a 13% increase. The company attributes its sales success this year to the launch of the face-lifted Axia and a number of aggressive sales promotions for various Perodua models.

“On our after sales business, with both service intakes and parts and accessories sales seen growth in the first quarter. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we expect sustained growth in our after sales business,” Perodua President & CEO Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh said.

The Malaysian automaker’s parts and accessories division has also posted a rise in revenue. It said that revenue rose to a notable 5% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year by raking in RM65 million. It’s body and paint business on the other hand, saw a much higher increase in revenue at 17% compared to the same period last year. This has led to the automaker’s CEO acknowledging that the decision to delve into the body repair and paint business 7 years ago, was a savvy business decision on the part of Perodua.

In the first three months of this year, Perodua has produced 49,218 vehicles which is slightly higher than that recorded last year with 48,300 vehicle rolling of the production line. The slight increase was said to be due to the high-demand for the automaker’s B-segment sedan, the Perodua Bezza and the face-lifted Axia.

Things weren’t all rosy for Perodua though, it recorded a decrease in exported vehicles for the first quarter of 2017 with 941 vehicles shipped to six countries compared to 1,600 vehicles in 2016. Despite this, Perodua’s CEO is still confident that the company will hit the 5,000 units export mark in 2017, which was the same target set last year.

“We aim to steadily grow our regional reach as we further improve our operations to become globally competitive. Overall, we are cautiously optimistic of achieving our sales target of 202,000 units for the year. We also foresee that despite the challenges in the automotive industry, there will be modest growth for the industry this year,” said Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh.

Despite the current economic situation, Perodua has defied the odds by posting better and better sales each year. It has launched a number of value added vehicles recently, which have enticed many Malaysian car buyers to flock to Perodua dealerships around the country.