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Mercedes-Benz has officially announced that a smaller version of the iconic G-Wagen is in development. The confirmation came during an investor-relations presentation, though the German automaker has yet to disclose details regarding powertrains, design, or a release timeline.

Speculation has been mounting that the “Baby G-Wagen” will feature an all-electric powertrain, potentially utilizing technology derived from the current electric G-Class. However, Mercedes-Benz has not confirmed whether the smaller off-roader will be EV-exclusive.

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Unless you have lived under a rock the whole time, you are most likely familiar with Rauh-Welt Begriff (RWB). But, just for the sake of it, let us refresh your memory. 

RWB, or Rauh-Welt Begriff, is a Japanese automotive tuning company specialising in Porsche models. Founded in the 1990s by Akira Nakai, RWB is renowned for its distinctive wide-body kits and aggressive, race-inspired designs. 

Nakai, a self-taught mechanic, gained global recognition for his unique approach to modifying Porsches, particularly older 911 models, blending Japanese craftsmanship with a raw, hand-built aesthetic. Each RWB build is tailored to the owner’s preferences, often featuring exaggerated fenders, custom wheels, and a lowered stance. The brand has a cult following and is celebrated for its artistry and individuality in the automotive world.

You will not simply see any of these on the roads because of how unique they are. Most are kept as showpieces or only displayed during car exhibitions. Recently, RWB Collective Malaysia allowed us to get up close and personal with a few of the models from their collection. 

Hosted at Tanamekar, PJ, RWB Collective showcased four unique models that are for Malaysia starting with the Hyakka Ryoran, Yugata, Mirai Yosouzu and finally the Yamato Nadeshiko. These are not new creations as they have been around since 2014.

The Hyakka Ryoran

The Hyakka Ryoran, based on the Porsche 993, is the fourth RWB in Malaysia. This was completed by Akira Nakai in 2015 and the name translates to “ A Profusion of Flowers,” which symbolises beauty and elegance. 

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The BMW Group is ushering in a new era of electric mobility with its sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology. At the Tech Days event in Landshut, the company provided insights into the development and production of high-voltage batteries and electric drive systems, all of which will benefit the upcoming Neue Klasse models. The first Neue Klasse vehicle is set to enter series production later this year at Plant Debrecen in Hungary.

Key Technological Advancements

  • Energy Master Intelligent Control Unit: Developed and produced at Plant Landshut, this unit manages energy distribution, power supply, and battery operation.
  • High-Voltage Battery with Cylindrical Cells: A new battery design promises a technological leap, offering a 30% increase in charging speed and range.

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Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad (Allianz General) and BikesRepublic.com partnered to introduce the first-ever Allianz-BikesRepublic.com Malaysian Motorcycle of the Year (MMOTY) Awards. The inaugural event was recently held at The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur in Subang, setting the stage for what is expected to become an annual recognition of the best motorcycles and key industry players in Malaysia.

Allianz General served as the title sponsor for the MMOTY Awards, marking its expansion into motorcycle industry recognition after more than a decade of involvement in the Vehicle of the Year (VOTY) Awards. According to Allianz General CEO Sean Wang, the event aims to honour motorcycle manufacturers’ achievements while providing riders with greater insights into the diverse range of motorcycles available in the market.

A total of 12 motorcycle awards and four industry awards were presented at the event. The most prestigious title, Malaysian Motorcycle of the Year Overall Champion, was awarded to the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX, which also secured victories in the Touring Bike of the Year and Malaysian Motorcycle Personality of the Year categories.

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GWM Malaysia is thrilled to announce the winners of the ‘Drive Further, Win Bigger’ GWM Haval H6 HEV Fuel Efficiency Challenge. These winners have pushed the limits of their own vehicles to achieve top mileage by driving on one full tank. The champion of this challenge, Koh Hui Min from Kelantan has achieved an outstanding score of 1,204 km. This remarkable feat highlights the GWM Haval H6 HEV’s exceptional fuel efficiency over long distances. 

Here are the top six winners who successfully pushed the limits of the challenge:

  • Koh Hui Min (1,204 km) 
  • Lee Keat Teng (1,127 km) 
  • Hasif Radzi (1,120 km) 
  • Teh Harn Jian (1,102 km) 
  • Tan Cheng Yang (1,101 km) 
  • Mohd Syarizal bin Mohd Noor (1,077 km) 

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BMW Group Malaysia continues to drive the future of electrified mobility with the expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) charging network in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. In collaboration with multiple Charge Point Operators and strategic partners, this initiative underscores the company’s commitment to ensuring seamless EV ownership and user experience across Malaysia.

New EV Charging Facilities

In 2024, BMW Group Malaysia successfully introduced four new EV charging facilities in Putrajaya in partnership with Gentari and DC Handal. Additionally, two new charging stations have been established in Kuala Lumpur through collaborations with ChargeEV and ChargeSini.

The latest BMW-supported public charging locations include:

  • IOI Putrajaya Management Office, Putrajaya (DC Handal)

    • One 22 kW AC Charger – RM0.90/kWh
    • Six 240 kW DC Chargers – RM1.50/kWh
  • Pulse Grande Hotel, Putrajaya (DC Handal)

    • Two 47 kWh DC Chargers – RM1.00/kWh

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Bosch Mobility Aftermarket (MA) has introduced its latest range of cutting-edge products, reaffirming its commitment to enhancing vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. The unveiling event provided industry professionals with valuable insights into the evolving automotive aftermarket sector while offering a platform for networking and knowledge exchange.

The launch served as an opportunity for dealers to engage with Bosch’s product experts, explore new market trends, and discuss best practices for serving customers. Attendees were able to witness live demonstrations of Bosch’s latest offerings, highlighting their superior quality and enhanced performance.

Dillion Goh Kian Chiang, Country Business Director of Bosch Mobility Aftermarket Malaysia, emphasized Bosch’s dedication to innovation and quality. He noted that the company’s latest initiative, “Driver’s Choice: Ask for Bosch”, underscores its commitment to delivering only the best to its customers. “We are thrilled to unveil these cutting-edge products to our valued stakeholders, empowering them further with industry-leading quality and expertise. With a legacy spanning over 100 years, Bosch remains committed to providing the highest quality components and the latest technological advancements,” he said.

New Product Lineup

Bosch introduced eight new products, each designed to optimize vehicle efficiency and reliability.

  • ClearAdvantage TL Wiper – Built for greater durability and adaptability, this wiper is designed specifically for new Japanese-made vehicles. It ensures a quiet wiping action in all weather conditions.

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If there is one thing that is true about the EV charging infrastructure in Malaysia, it is that it is not expanding quickly enough. 

But helping to quicken the process is Electron, Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s division whose sole purpose is to identify locations and set up chargers. 

The newest location is at the BHPetrol station in Jalan Genting Klang 1. 

Operational since January of 2025, the new station joins two other high-capacity chargers set up at a BHPetrol station by Electron, the other two being the BHP Karak – KL highway and the BHP R&R Ladang Bikam stop over in Perak. 

All chargers at the above three locations offer a 200kW DC charging capacity with dual charging CCS2 points. If both points are operational at the same time, the output drops to 100kW, but if you get lucky and you are the only one charging, then you get the full 200kW. 

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Volvo is preparing to unveil its latest electric sedan, the ES90, on March 5, 2025, marking a significant step in the company’s push toward software-defined vehicles. Designed to evolve over time, the ES90 is built on the SPA2 platform and the Superset tech stack, allowing for continuous updates that enhance safety, performance, and connectivity.

The ES90 is Volvo’s most advanced car in terms of core computing power. It will be the first model to feature a dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin configuration, delivering 508 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This computing power orchestrates critical vehicle functions, including AI-driven active safety features, sensor processing, and battery management. Compared to its predecessor, the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Xavier, the new system provides an eightfold increase in AI computing performance. This improvement enables Volvo to expand its deep learning models from 40 million to 200 million parameters over time, further refining safety and autonomous driving capabilities.

As part of Volvo’s Safe Space Technology, the ES90 is equipped with an extensive sensor array designed to enhance safety in all driving conditions. The vehicle integrates one LiDAR, five radars, eight cameras, and twelve ultrasonic sensors, providing a 360-degree view of its surroundings. These sensors work in combination with an advanced driver monitoring system inside the car, ensuring that potential hazards are detected and addressed in real-time. The system is designed to function effectively even in low-light conditions, taking proactive measures to prevent collisions.

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The Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system, set to be introduced by PLUS Malaysia Bhd, is a private initiative by the highway concessionaire, according to Deputy Minister of Works Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

He stated that once the Central Tolling Company (CTC) Appointment Agreement (AA) between the government and the proposing company, KJS-SEP JV, expires on December 16, 2024, the concessionaire will have the right to implement the system independently. While concessionaires are permitted to implement their own MLFF systems, the final decision remains subject to Cabinet approval and direction.

According to Bernama, Ahmad also highlighted the necessity of cross-ministerial collaboration in the project’s development, involving key agencies such as the Ministry of Transport (MOT), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), and the Public-Private Cooperation Unit (UKAS). His remarks were made during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) regarding inter-ministerial cooperation for the MLFF pilot test scheduled to begin in April next year.

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