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WEEKEND SPECIAL – BIKES: Naza Premira Launches Three New Vespa Models! Sprint, Primavera & 300 GTS Supersport [+Video]

Naza Premira Sdn Bhd, official distributor of the Vespa brand in Malaysia today launched three highly anticipated Vespa scooters; Vespa Primavera 150 MY’18, Vespa Sprint 150 MY’18 and Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport to Malaysians.

The Vespa brand is an expression of a unique and distinctive lifestyle, and its timeless success is tied to its extraordinary history and iconic growth. Embodying the brand’s interpretation “Not for Everyone”, Vespa scooters are made for those who appreciate the true meaning of life, of all genders. Here’s the video of the launch that happened earlier today…

“The new Vespa Primavera, Sprint and GTS Super Sport were crafted to perfection with style, comfort, safety and sturdiness in mind which makes them perfect for manoeuvring through the congested Malaysian traffic,” said Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings. “Naza Premira has been appointed the official franchise holder for the Vespa brand in Malaysia in 2010. Since then, we have placed over 11,000 stylish scooters on Malaysian roads, and expanded our reach to Vespa fans with a network of 30 dealerships nationwide today. This year has been a fruitful year for us as we have achieved close to 70% of our sales target of 1,125 units. With the introduction of these three new Vespa models, which are also Vespa fan favourites, we are confident that we will be able to achieve our target by the end of the year,” he added.

The Timeless Classic… Primavera!

The revolutionary Vespa Primavera is the first version of the iconic Vespa scooters, first introduced in 1968. Small, nimble and propelled by a perky engine, the legendary Primavera represents the dream and freedom of the youths and is one of the most successful scooters in Vespa’s history.

Today, the Vespa Primavera embodies all the values that made it successful, inheriting the freshness and ‘joie de vivre’ of its predecessor. Young, innovative, technologically avant-garde, agile and dynamic, the 2018 Vespa Primavera was made for the stylish young free-spirited Malaysian with a love for riding.

Distinguishing it from previous versions, the new Vespa Primavera has a distinctive “tie” featured on its front and a chrome crest on its front mudguard. The scooter is also fitted with 12-inch aluminium alloy wheel rims distinguished by a striking new five-spoke design; the largest in Vespa’s history to ensure greater stability, safety and hold on all road surfaces. It is also equipped with new LED lighting technology on both the tail light and front light for added safety.

The Vespa Primavera is now available in a new range of youthful and vibrant colours; Beige Metallic, Nero Vulcano and Monto Bianco. Coupled with its timeless style, the scooter is the perfect match for your pastel-coloured luxury sneakers and the boxy, ladylike bag that is taking over fashion runways this season.

The heart of the Vespa Primavera is a modern one-cylinder four-stroke 150 cc i-get engine designed to provide a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. Delivering a power and torque of 9.5 kW at 7,750 rpm and 12.8 Nm at 6,500 rpm respectively, the new Primavera is perfect for travelling on congested city roads and open-road stretches. Additionally, its powerful engine is environmental-friendly with extremely low fuel consumption.

Vespa Primavera owners can opt to customise their scooters according to their taste with a wide range of stylish accessories that improves riding comfort such as the top box, backrest, top fairing and chrome-plated front and rear luggage racks. Electronic anti-theft device and the mechanical saddle – handlebar anti-theft device are also available to provide riders with a peace of mind. The Vespa Primavera starts at RM15,600.

The Youngest and Sportiest… Sprint!

The Vespa Sprint is the most modern interpretation of the sports version of a Vespa. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the youthful scooter is crafted to achieve high level of stability and handling that translates everyday travel into fun. Designed for the independent, dynamic and adventurous wanderer, the new Vespa Sprint is the ultimate road companion for the sporty Malaysian urbanite with its small build, extreme agility and safety features.

Made entirely of steel, the Vespa Sprint is fitted with 12-inch aluminium alloy wheel rims and adopts upgraded LED lighting technology for both its front headlight and rear light which boosts the rider’s safety. The youthful and sporty scooter also spots a new “tie” featured on its front, distinguishing it from its predecessors.

With the ability to seamlessly steer through city traffic, the new Vespa Sprint is driven by a modern environmental-friendly one-cylinder four-stroke 150 cc i-get engine which delivers power and torque of 9.5 kW at 7,750 rpm and 12.8 Nm at 6,500 rpm with new levels of stability and reliability.

The Vespa Sprint also comes with a wide range of accessories for customisation including a dedicated top box, backrest, customised windscreen with Vespa logo and front side and rear chrome mudguards, further complemented by two-colour aluminium alloy wheels and “Sport” graphics. For added peace of mind, electronic anti-theft device and mechanical saddle – handlebar anti-theft device are also available for the Vespa Sprint. With four colour options; Blue Matt, Monte Bianco, Rosso Dragon and Grigio Titantio, the Vespa Sprint starts at RM 16,400.

The Most Powerful and Elegant… 300GTS Supersport!

Donning the largest body in the Vespa line-up, the Vespa GTS Super Sport inherits the legacy of the legendary “Vespone” and moves elegantly around the city and on adventurous voyages driven by its powerful engine. The Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport is the most aggressive version among the GTS series, exuding confidence, style and status which perfectly complements the personality of those born to take the lead. Its sporty elegance is further accentuated with its aesthetic features such as the new cravatta and dedicated graphics, and its signature black saddle.

Embodying the harmonious combination of style, comfort, safety, and sportiness, the GTS Super Sport is ready to take on all journeys on all types of roads. Powered by the 300 cc single cylinder Quasar engine, the sporty scooter delivers a maximum power of 15.6 kW at 7,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 22 Nm at 5,000 rpm, ensuring a quick throttle response and brilliant performance. It also comes standard with double channel ABS system, the exclusive ASR traction control system; a benchmark of the Piaggio group, safe electric side-stand and standard anti-theft immobiliser in the ignition key.

Vespa GTS Super Sport owners can also customise their scooters with a wide range of accessories such as a painted top box, leg cover, outdoor vehicle cover and saddle-handlebar anti-theft. For added convenience, the GTS Super Sport is also equipped with an electric remote opening system on its saddle, bike finder and USB port for easy charging of smartphones and other electronic devices. Starting at RM28,000, the Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport comes in two chic colours; Red Matt and Grigio Titanio.

The Malaysian fan favourite models Vespa Primavera 150 MY’18, Vespa Sprint 150 MY’18 and GTS 300 Super Sport are now available for viewing at all authorised Vespa dealerships and outlets nationwide.

Volvo Car Malaysia Introduces All-New XC40 SUV! [+Video]

Stunning. Photos really don’t do this SUV any justice whatsoever folks. First-off, in terms of physical size, the XC40 was built using Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), and this in itself should allude to the fact that the XC40 is not a large SUV. In fact, it’s about the size of a Honda HR-V or BMW X1. Here’s the walk-around video…

Despite its compact exterior dimensions though, the XC40’s CMA build-philosophy seems to have pulled-off that all-so-important “small on the outside, big on the inside” trick quite well. Just from casual observation, it’s clear there’s a lot of room within the cabin, which by the way, is beautifully crafted and put-together.

There’s only one variant on offer, the XC40 T5 R-Design, which is powered by a turbocharged, petrol-driven 2.0-litre Drive-E powertrain that churns out 252bhp and 350Nm of torque, allowing the XC40 to sprint from a standstill to 100kmh in just 6.4 seconds. More sedate driving will see it return a combined fuel-consumption figure of 7.7L/100km. For the full specifications, click this link. (The full press release is below the photo gallery)

Priced at RM255,888 (OTR w/o insurance), the all-new XC40 will be at all VCM’s dealerships starting 6th October 2018. Stay tuned for the full review coming soon!

Introducing the new Volvo XC40
GENTING HIGHLANDS – Volvo Car Malaysia, the premium car maker, will bring a new standard of safety and user experience to the premium small SUV segment with the launch of the 2018 European Car of the Year, the new Volvo XC40. The new XC40 is developed around the challenges of modern city life, aimed at making the daily urban commute less stressful and more enjoyable, as drivers and passengers within this segment can now enjoy Volvo’s award-winning safety, semi-autonomous driving, and infotainment technologies that are well-known with Volvo’s 90s and 60s range.

“The new XC40 builds on our heritage as a human-centric brand that focuses on the well-being of the driver and passengers through the combination of innovative technologies that offers the best in safety standards, driver-assistance technologies, and intuitive design,” said Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia.
Built on Volvo’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), the new XC40 will enjoy a range of ground-breaking technologies that were first introduced in its larger siblings, based on the larger Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).
These technologies include Pilot Assist (semi-autonomous driving), the latest generation of City Safety (autonomous collision mitigation and avoidance, including pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection), Run-off Road Protection and Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with Auto Brake, and many more.

“On top of these innovations that we’re introducing into this segment, the new XC40 will also seek to end clutter inside the cabin by carefully designing practical and functional storage areas that was done based on extensive consumer insight,” adds Stegland. During the development phase of the XC40, Volvo Cars’ customer research team spent a considerable time investigating how city dwellers across the globe use their cars, and more importantly, how their belongings are stored within the cabin.

For instance, to provide better storage space in the doors of the new XC40, Volvo designers chose a radical new approach. By moving speakers from the door and developing a world-first, air-ventilated dashboard-mounted sub-woofer, Volvo created enough storage in the door compartment for a laptop and a tablet, or a couple of water bottles.
“The core tenet of Scandinavian design is the perfect balance of aesthetics and function. For example, the tunnel is not only designed to be visually pleasing but the cup holders themselves provide areas for coins, card, charging cables and a usable space for your phone which offers wireless charging as well as USB ports,” said Stegland.

The XC40 also offers slots for credit and service cards that can be neatly inserted into the dashboard, making them readily available when needed. In the tunnel console, under the armrest, there is a large storage area with room for a tissue box. A special, removable bin allows you to discard and quickly get rid of waste. A small fold-away hook has been added to the glove compartment, allowing you to secure small shopping or take-away bags. The driver’s side offers a storage space under the seat, large enough for a mini tablet or other smaller items.

Malaysians will get to enjoy the R-Design as a standard trim level for the XC40 T5 which reflects a more dynamic and premium feel, matching the demands of the local market. “We have acted on the feedback from our customers and the media to explore more vivid exterior colours, on top of having the R-Design trim level as a standard – with this new selection of exterior colours, we hope to offer our customers a greater range of self-expression,” said Stegland.

Customers will have the option to choose between four distinct colours: Bursting Blue, Fusion Red, Cyrstal White and Osmium Grey. In terms of performance, the XC40 T5 R-Design will be equipped with Volvo’s highly-innovative, 2-litre Drive-E powertrain which will output a total of 252 hp (metric) and 350 Nm of torque, returning 7.7 litres for every 100 km travelled (NEDC, combined cycle) and recording an acceleration to 100 km/h of only 6.4 s.

The XC40 T5 R-Design will be priced at RM255,888 (on-the-road, without insurance, inclusive of excise duty and sales tax). The new XC40 will be available for viewing at all authorised Volvo dealers nationwide starting tomorrow.

Kereta Nasional Baru akan sedia tahun 2020?

Sebuah sidang akhbar telah diadakan oleh Organisasi Perkongsian Pintar Pihak Kerajaan dan Swasta (MIGHT) semalam dimana pihak mereka telah dimandat oleh YAB Perdana Menteri,Tun Mahathir Mohamad berkenaan Projek Kereta Nasional Baru (NNCP). (more…)

Malaysia’s Third National Car Is A Go – MIGHT Announces Launch By 2020! [+Video]

No, your eyes don’t deceive you; there really is a Third National Car on the way! MIGHT or the Malaysian Industry-Government for High-Technology held a press conference recently and here’s the video on it…

With ambitious plans to have a ‘prototype’ vehicle (note we didn’t say “car”) by early 2019, and a vehicle on the road by 2020 (note we still haven’t said car) MIGHT seems confident that this endeavour, funded entirely (or almost entirely) by the private sector and not the taxpayers, will have ‘semi-autonomous’ driving capabilities and packed with the latest cutting-edge automotive components, and built using “Disruptive Technology*” (*see below gallery). While domestic sales are a given, exports to neighbouring countries are a key area that MIGHT be looked into. See what I did there?

So why haven’t we said “car” despite it being in the title and project name? That’s because despite the plans to have a prototype unveiled in the next 6-months or so (if ‘early 2019’ is anything to go by; we’ll peg it as the first quarter), there’s still no decision if the vehicle will be a passenger sedan, hatchback, SUV, MPV or truck. Neither was any indication given to a choice of powertrain, i.e ICE, Hybrid, Diesel, PHEV, electric, etc.

A quick glance at MIGHT’s website didn’t do much to alleviate any of the confusion or questions. No decision yet on body-style, no decision yet on powertrain, and yet a working prototype will be ready in “early 2019”, with an actual vehicle ready for sale to the masses by 2020. This we gotta see…

Our friends at Behind the Wheel summed it up best “Basically they’re counting on the use of disruptive technology* (see below gallery for definition) in place of conventional vehicle development and production methods to hit all the ambitious targets set here, much like (what) Elon Musk achieved with Tesla; However, someone neglected to inform them that there’s only one real-life Tony Stark and Musk has already filled the opening”. Touche fellas.

What is Disruptive Technology?

A disruptive technology is one that displaces an established technology and shakes up the industry or a ground-breaking product that creates a completely new industry. Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen coined the term disruptive technology. In his 1997 best-selling book, “The Innovator’s Dilemma,” Christensen separates new technology into two categories: sustaining and disruptive. Sustaining technology relies on incremental improvements to an already established technology. Disruptive technology lacks refinement, often has performance problems because it is new, appeals to a limited audience and may not yet have a proven practical application. (Source: Whatis.TechTarget.com)

THROWBACK THURSDAY: VW Golf GTi 2.0 TSI Reviewed In 5-Minutes! [+Video]

Oh boy, this is gonna be a tough one. You see in this line of work, which now spans for half my lifetime (no, really, I started out in my early 20’s and I just turned 50, wow.) I’ve driven a LOT of cars. Some were good, some were wanting, and some were just downright dismal. I’ve seen a lot of changes in the automotive industry, especially from this side of the fence, the biggest one of course being the advent of digital media. Don’t forget when I first started out we were still using print film. What’s ‘film’ you ask? Sheesh, ever heard of ‘proofs’? Very soon, you never will again, mark my words.

Why is this gonna be a tough one? Well, with any car review, there are always pros and cons, good and bad, pretty and pretty ugly. It’s our job to best convey all this in the most presentable and tactful manner, for if it’s one thing I’ve learned in the last quarter century, “it’s not what you say but how you say it”. This old adage still rings true today, digital world and all. Here comes the problem though (finally); after a week with the Golf GTi, I couldn’t find anything I didn’t like about it. I couldn’t find one thing wrong with it. As such, my usual 5-minute in-car review became a whopping 13-minutes! Sorry ya, I lied in the headline. Here it is…

I’ve pretty much covered everything I wanted to say about the Golf GTi in that video, so do take a minute (well, 13 anyway) to watch it, because I even went as far as giving marriage advice and helping you justify to the other half why you ‘needed’ to buy a Golf GTi. And by the way, if you need to know the price and detailed specifications, you can click and download this: VW Golf GTi Price & Specs

One of the things I can never comment about though is long-term ownership of course, but at my last interaction with the folks at VPCM, I was informed that the thorny “DSG issue” had been sorted out a long time ago. And while no specifics were given, I’m quite certain it all boiled down (pun intended) to our climate, traffic conditions, and in particular our heat & humidity, which caused a ruckus in that whole system earlier.

(NB: To ALL car and bike importers here, “tropicalisation” is a must for any vehicle you introduce. I’ve said this countless times)

With that sorted, it’s heartening to know that with 230Ps and 350Nm of torque, the Golf GTi is every bit as fun as you’d expect a hot-hatch to be. There’s oodles of low-end torque on tap, because the GTi makes all of it between 1,500rpm and 4,600rpm. Think of it this way; from just over idle speed, you have 350Nm of torque at your toe-tips. So ferocious is the power delivery in Sport mode that I actually felt torque-steer for the first time since reviewing the Mazda3 MPS.

The true beauty, or rather, the most impressive aspect of the Golf GTi though is that you really don’t need to drive like the devil himself is after you all the time. Yes, there’s Sport mode for that odd occasion you find yourself on your favourite stretch of deserted road, but I would reckon 90% of the time the GTi will be in Normal or Eco mode, and that’s fine too. I kid you not, it’s like having two cars in one.

See? 4-doors, back seat. Family car what! Ahem 😉

Come to think of it, that’s the most appealing aspect of the GTi. It allows you to be a teenager all over again, while at the same time, allows you to revert back to your current self, in the here and now. And that way, even after 25-years, and after the 90% Normal & Eco modes are put away, this car will make you feel the way you felt the very first time you got your license and your first car.

It’s exhilarating, it’s intoxicating, it’s a veritable fountain-of-youth. As I said in my video, don’t take my word for it, go drive it for yourself. The Golf GTi made me realise why I’ve been doing this for the last quarter-century, so despite its quarter-million sticker price, to me, it’s priceless. – Chris Wee.

For more details on the VW Golf GTi 2.0 TSI, click this link.

VW Golf GTi Photo Gallery…

PARIS MOTORSHOW: Porsche Announces 911 Speedster Will Go Into Production In 2019!

The 911 Speedster concept study, presented during the 70th birthday of the sports car manufacturer, will be produced as a limited special edition: Porsche has decided to start producing the purist Porsche 911 Speedster in the first half of 2019. Exactly 1,948 units of the open-top two-seater will be built. The number reminisces the Porsche 356 “Number 1” that received its operating license on June, 8 back in 1948. In Paris, Porsche presented this year’s second Speedster Concept study. Its Guards Red paintwork is a reference to the 1988 911 Speedster of the G-Model generation. The new cross-spoke 21-inch wheels in cross spoke and the black leather interior create a tasteful and sporty appearance.

Dream becomes reality: The driveable 911 Speedster Concept, initially presented on June 8 in 2018 in Zuffenhausen as a “Heritage” version, will go into production in 2019. The car was developed at Porsche Motorsport in Weissach in cooperation with Style Porsche and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. The future 911 Speedster, based on the 991 range, will be the first car to be offered with the new Heritage Design Packages. This exclusive accessory line by Porsche Exclusive allows for an even higher degree of personalization for the 911.

In addition to the eye-catching paintwork, 21-inch center lock wheels are another visual highlight of this latest concept study presented in Paris. Their cross-spoke wheel design is similar to that of Porsche racing cars such as the 911 RSR and the GT3 R. The tinted daytime running lights were also inspired by racing. Matching the study’s paintwork, they are kept in red. The two “Talbot”-shaped exterior mirrors as well as the fuel tank cap – centrally positioned on the bonnet – shine in black-chrome and platinum. In contrast to the previously shown “Heritage” version, the interior is using partly perforated black leather upgraded with red highlights.

All body components as well as the entire technology of both the 911 Speedster Concept cars are identical. This includes the shortened window frames with their lowered cowl top panels and the smaller side windows as well as the carbon-fibre rear bonnet with the double-bubble cover behind the seats. Both cars come with a lightweight Tonneau cover, fitted by Tenax buttons, instead of a convertible soft top.

The concept cars’ body is based on the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. The fenders, as well as the front and rear bonnet are made from lightweight carbon fibre composite while the chassis was taken from the 911 GT3. Furthermore, the GT development department provided the exhaust system with its titanium tailpipes and the drivetrain including the manually operated six-speed gearbox. The same goes for the centrepiece of the limited special edition: The Speedster Concept is powered by a naturally aspirated flat-six engine developing more than 500bhp and capable of engine speeds up to 9,000 rpm.

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Latest News

WEEKEND SPECIAL – BIKES: Naza Premira Launches Three New Vespa Models! Sprint, Primavera & 300 GTS Supersport [+Video]

Volvo Car Malaysia Introduces All-New XC40 SUV! [+Video]

Kereta Nasional Baru akan sedia tahun 2020?

Malaysia’s Third National Car Is A Go – MIGHT Announces Launch By 2020! [+Video]

THROWBACK THURSDAY: VW Golf GTi 2.0 TSI Reviewed In 5-Minutes! [+Video]

PARIS MOTORSHOW: Porsche Announces 911 Speedster Will Go Into Production In 2019!

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