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SUNDAY SPECIAL: New Porsche 911 GT3 RS – 6:56.4min Through The ‘Green Hell’! [+Videos]

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS set another benchmark for road-approved sports cars at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in Germany: Porsche works race driver Kévin Estre set a lap time in 6:56.4 minutes with the 520hp GT3 RS. The Frenchman’s lap time was a whopping 24 seconds faster than the best time achieved with the previous GT3 RS model.

Porsche development driver Lars Kern was sharing driving duties with Estre. Following the 918 Spyder and the 911 GT2 RS, the new GT3 RS is the third production Porsche sports car with a notarised lap time of less than seven minutes on the world’s most demanding race track, known as the ‘Green Hell’. As is customary for record drives, the time was measured around the 20.6-kilometre lap. Here’s the in-car footage of this feat…

Frank Steffen Walliser, Vice President Motorsport and GT Cars, commented; “No other Porsche model gets as close to racing as the new GT3 RS. Many innovative ideas from top-level motorsport were transferred; for example, from the 911 GT3 R. This is what our philosophy for GT models is about: Highest technology must be fascinating but tangible. In this regard there is no harder test for our ideas than the Nordschleife.”

Here’s a look at the GT3 RS in action from the outside at the Nurburgring Nordschleife recently…

Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Model Line, added; “All four lap times of both drivers were below seven minutes and only tenths of a second apart. This proves not only the outstanding power of the GT3 RS, but also its extraordinary driveability at the limit. A perfectly composed overall system allows for highly dynamic performance even with a relatively modest engine power. For a driver, each of the car’s thousands of parts have to feel like one – that’s an unbeatable strength of the GT3 RS. And what especially delights me is how much fun Lars and Kévin (below) had when driving that car.”

29-year old Estre (below) began the record lap at 11:40 am in ideal conditions, with 14 degree Celsius ambient and 18 degree Celsius track temperature. “This lap was a sensational experience for me”, he revealed afterwards. “Through the fast corners and on the brakes in particular, the GT3 RS is unbelievably close to our racing car GT3 R. This is also thanks to the new generation of tyres for road going sports cars. I like the engine of the GT3 RS a lot. Up to 9,000 revs per minute from a six-cylinder engine just feels fantastic. The sound is a dream and the torque is massive.”

L-R: Lars Kern (Porsche test driver) and Kévin Estre (Porsche factory driver) after the hot lap at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

Since 2016 Kévin Estre belongs to the squad of Porsche works drivers. He competes with the Porsche 911 RSR in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) that includes the Le Mans 24-Hours. In the ADAC GT Masters he races the 911 GT3 R.

The 911 GT3 RS with motorsport-bred chassis and 383kW (520hp), four-litre, naturally aspirated engine had its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in early March this year. The high-performance sports car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 312 km/h.

Maserati Introduces 2018 Range @ Beijing Autoshow

Maserati introduces its 2018 range with three significantly restyled models at the Auto China 2018 Show in Beijing and proudly showcases its GranLusso and GranSport trim strategy. The two distinctive trims represent the proposition of every Maserati which resonates with the philosophy of GranTurismo, the ultimate combination of sportiness and luxury.

A celebration of GranLusso and GranSport

Maserati has always pursued luxury and sportiness to the fullest and continues to put the customer at the centre accommodating individual needs with exclusive models, designed to meet each one’s unique personality and taste.

Maserati has unveiled a brand-new Personalization Area at Auto China 2018 to showcase its rich array of configurations for exterior and interior design. This area also displays a fleet of MY18 Maserati models in the highly customized GranLusso and GranSport trims.

The Levante GranSport (below) showcased at the lounge fully embodies the racing heritage of every Maserati. It is immediately recognizable for its front grille, skid plates and roof rails in Piano Black, for the red brake callipers and the 20” Nereo wheels. 12-way power sport leather seats, power-adjustable Sport steering wheel, elongated gearshift paddles, carbon trims and Soft Close Doors are blended to create an exciting, sport-oriented interior.

The Quattroporte GranLusso redefines the concept of luxury. The elegantly restyled exterior has adopted a more imposing, Alfieri-shaped front grille, 20” Mercurio rims and black-painted brake callipers. Exclusive Ermenegildo Zegna Silk interiors with open-pore Radica wood trim and wood-finished leather steering wheel are combined with additional comfort equipment such as power foot pedals, power rear and rear side sunblinds, four-zone automatic climate control and heated rear passenger seats.

The Ghibli (above) is another Maserati highlight in Beijing. The premium sports sedan that perfectly combines class topping performance and elegance. On show there is a 350hp Ghibli GranLusso and a 430hp Ghibli S Q4 GranSport, both equipped with the mighty 3.0 litre Twin Turbo V6 petrol engine.

“Luxury brands have always been pioneers in automobile personalization and Maserati continues to focus on personalization for enhancing our customer experience”, said Alberto Cavaggioni, Managing Director of Maserati China.

“China has a growing number of ‘connoisseurs’ seeking to express their personalities and tastes through exclusive cars. Faced with increasing demands for more personalized options, Maserati stands out for its unique luxury and sports heritage, thanks to which it is capable to offer premium and exclusive options that genuinely satisfy the most discerning customers.”

Sime Darby Auto Connexion Opens New Ford Centre In Kuching

Ford fans in E.M’sia take note! Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), Ford Motor Company’s exclusive distribution partner in Malaysia, celebrated the opening of a new Ford dealer facility, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kuching) recently.

The Kuching showroom is designed in accordance with Ford’s global Brand@Retail standard, housing sales, service and spare parts (3S) under one roof to meet the full range of customers’ needs. Located on Rock Road in Kuching, the 2,033 square-metre facility features a six-vehicle showroom and 13-vehicle service bays with vehicle hoists. The facility also includes a dedicated customer service lounge with complimentary Wi-Fi, where customers can enjoy hot beverages and snacks while waiting for their service appointments.

“Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kuching) is the latest proof point in our network expansion and customer service enhancement plan, helping support Ford’s fast-growing customer base in East Malaysia,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.

“Every aspect of this facility has been designed to provide an unmatched customer service and ownership experience, with convenience, efficiency and comfort.” Muzri added.

The new facility is staffed by certified technicians and equipped with the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment and special tools to provide Ford Authorised Service, and maintain a full supply of genuine spare parts.

All Ford Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kuching) employees, including technicians, sales and service staff have received globally recognised hands-on training to develop their expertise and serve customers’ needs.

“The new facility reaffirms our belief that the quality of the ownership experience we provide is just as important as the quality of our world-class Ford vehicles,” said Truong Kim Phong, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company. “Together with our trusted partner Sime Darby Auto Connexion, it is our top priority to ensure that customers get the best service at every step of their ownership experience.”

The Kuching showroom is strategically located at Lot 19, Block 10, 1 ½ Mile, Rock Road, 93200 Kuching, Sarawak. The showroom is open from 8:30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, and from 8:30am-12:30pm on Saturday, while the service centre’s opening hours are 8:00am-5:00pm from Monday to Friday and 8:00am-12:00pm on Saturday.

For more information, call the Kuching Showroom hotlines – showroom 082-523-855, service centre 082-523-655, or visit www.sdacford.com.my.

Naza Kia Appoints MBf Automobile As Newest Dealer @ MAI Autoshow 2018

Naza Kia Malaysia (NKM), the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, today held a signing ceremony at the MAI Autoshow 2018 to mark the appointment of MBf Automobile Sdn Bhd into their ever-growing dealer network.

Present at the event to represent Naza Kia Malaysia was Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings who signed the agreement in tandem with Daniel Choo, Group General Manager of MBf Automobile Sdn Bhd.

This new dealership appointment symbolises Naza Kia Malaysia’s relentless pursuit of brand excellence and brand reach in the country. Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings, said, “We are grateful for the immense support from our dealers over the last few decades and we welcome MBf Automobile Sdn Bhd to our existing network of dealers. This dealership reassures us of Kia’s growing presence in Malaysia and the confidence that dealers such as MBf Automobile Sdn Bhd place on us.”

In addition, Naza Kia Malaysia continues to creatively improve consumer engagement using key elements of future design and technology. MBf Automobile Sdn Bhd will set up its first Kia outlets incorporating the Korean brand’s new corporate identity for its Kia Concept Stores. The first 3S Kia City Concept Store Experiential Showroom in Malaysia is set to be established at Menara MBf with an investment of RM5 million, along the bustling Jalan Sultan Ismail by mid-2019, giving visitors a one-of-a-kind immersive experience at a state-of-the-art facility.

MBf Automobile Sdn Bhd will also undertake an existing Kia outlet located at Jalan Maarof, Bangsar and invest RM1.5 million to revamp the premises into a Kia City Concept Store that will begin operations in the third quarter of 2018. As a new dealer onboard, MBf Automobile Sdn Bhd expects to invest RM6.5 million in total for the two Kia outlets.

“This year, we plan to continue intensifying investments to further grow our network with five new outlets nationwide and expand customer touchpoints to ensure an extraordinary experience throughout the consumer journey,” added Dato’ Samson. Naza Kia Malaysia currently boasts 51 sales and service centres in the country and have plans to open up new outlets nationwide in 2018.

About MBf Automobile…

MBf Automobile Sdn Bhd, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MBf Group, a multinational corporation whose portfolio has grown substantially to a range of sectors and regions to embody one of the Asia Pacific’s leading private conglomerates. With this appointment as a Kia dealer, the MBf Group is making as serious comeback in the automotive business in Malaysia. The company’s principal business activities span across nine different sectors, namely automotive, agribusiness, banking & financial services, commercial printing & engineering, education, healthcare, logistics, property development & management and retail.

Go Visit The 2018 MAI Malaysia Autoshow @ MAEPS! [+Full Photo Gallery]

Happening from 26th to 29th April 2018, the MAI Malaysia Autoshow is currently going on now at MAEPS in Serdang!

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) took the opportunity to unveil the new Golf R-Line at the show on opening day, completing the new Golf family line-up in Malaysia. The event also marked the Golf R-Line’s first public appearance in the country.

Golf R-Line is priced at RM166,990. Unmistakable in looks, the car is decked in the ‘R-Line’ styling package which includes the ‘R-Line’ front and rear bumper, rear spoiler, ‘R-Line’ badges on radiator grille and side panels, and 17” Singapore alloy wheels.

Perodua introduced their latest best-deal in town in the form of the Bezza GXtra, priced at only RM35,500! It was unveiled and officiated by our Prime Minister himself at the show. Powered by a 1.0L engine, the GXtra replaces the older Bezza Standard G. Available with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto, the GXtra boasts an incredible 22.8km per litre, making it one of the most frugal (non hybrid) cars available in the market.

In a separate hall (Hall C), Go Auto used the MAI Autoshow to preview its new Haval H9 to the public. This colossal 7-seater SUV with more than a passing resemblance to a Toyota Land Cruiser ‘Ninja Turtle’, is powered by a turbocharged dual-VVT 2.0L engine that produces 160bhp and a whopping 324Nm of torque. Its launch date is yet to be announced but the price is expected to be well below RM200,000. I’m guessing about RM160k, maybe.

Over in the 2-wheel segment, Boon Siew Honda officially launched the new X-ADV 750 Adventure (below), the iconic Africa Twin and the gorgeous retro-sports CB1000R (above).

While the CB1000R’s price has not been determined, attendees (especially me) were shocked to hear that the X-ADV 750 costs just RM57,999 and the Africa Twin (below) starts at RM69,999 for the standard and RM75,999 for the DCT (dual-clutch transmission).

These figures are in the region of almost twenty-thousand less than predicted, or what some poor-souls have paid for the bikes in the grey market. Nice one Boon Siew!

And speaking of Honda, in addition to all their cars currently available, HMSB (who had the biggest pavilion by far) displayed the new Civic Type-R, which was garnering the lion’s share of shutterbug and selfie action at MAEPS. Can you see it in the photo above? It’s right there where the crowd is. Really.

Proton’s star of the show in Hall A was a mock-up of the Iriz rally car, and it was very difficult getting this photo above because everyone was bustling around it taking a multitude of shots. Don’t be surprised if you see identical ones on the road next month….

Also in Hall A, the highlight of the Toyota pavilion is of course the new Toyota C-HR compact-crossover SUV, launched earlier this year. The C-HR has been drawing lots of attention along with its siblings the latest L-Edition Toyota Hilux, Vios, Sienta, Innova X and Avanza X.

Of course a car show would not be complete without at least a few classic and old-skool cars in attendance, and thus Kelab Volvo Klasik or Classic Volvo Owners Club put in a good showing also at Hall C, where I was amazed to find not one, but TWO classic 262C Bertone Volvo coupes!

Pictures don’t do these cars justice, you really have to see them in the metal, absolutely incredible.

So if you happen to be free this weekend, head on over to MAEPS in Serdang, and in the meantime, enjoy the gallery! – Chris Wee.

MAI Malaysia Autohow Photo Gallery…

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Launches Locally-Assembled C43 AMG & GLC 43 AMG! [+Video]

CKD AMG? OMG.

No, your eyes don’t deceive you, and you read that right; Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has indeed chalked-up yet another milestone for local-assembly (CKD) with the Mercedes-AMG C 43 and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 which were both launched at the Sepang International Circuit last night.

Priced at RM408,888 and RM468,888 for the C43 AMG and GLC43 AMG respectively, these “Pure Driving Performance” machines will offer ‘undeniable luxury appeal combined with AMG racing pedigree that the Mercedes-AMG 43 series is renowned for’. Here’s the launch gambit last night, right there at the front straight of SIC (skip to the 2min mark for the cars’ appearance)

“We are ecstatic to announce the launch of the first locally-assembled luxury performance cars in Malaysia – the Mercedes-AMG C 43 and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43. With the introduction of these models, we expand the range of vehicles assembled at our Pekan production plant adding to our existing elegant limousines and premium SUV, the GLCs. With superior power, dynamic handling, aggressive design and luxurious appointment, this incredible AMG 43 pair of automobiles now come with irresistible value to the passionate Mercedes-AMG driver,” said an obviously elated Mark Raine, Vice President Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (below).

More on the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC – The racetrack limousine:

The 43-series models from Mercedes-AMG provide the brand’s hallmark emotive appeal and exciting Driving Performance for everyday use. Even at first glance, the characteristic AMG body styling leaves no doubt that this model is part of the Mercedes-AMG model family. The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC makes it possible for an even broader target audience to experience sports car technology and motorsports flair. The design is based on the AMG Line exterior, augmented by design elements specific to the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC in high-gloss black and silver chrome plus the “BITURBO 4MATIC” badge on the front wings.

AMG-specific: the 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine

The 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine features technical advances including a modified boost pressure allowing AMG engineers to increase the engine’s power output and torque as well as its dynamism and flexibility to typical AMG levels. With 270 kW (367 hp) and 520 Nm, the V6 engine sets new standards in its segment. The NANOSLIDE® coating of the cylinder liners is also used in the Formula One engines of MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS. Especially tough and, therefore, wear-resistant, this coating also reduces friction, thereby contributing to higher efficiency. The AMG powerplant can be identified by the red aluminium insert in the engine cover.

The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC at a glance:

	Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC
Displacement	2996 cc
Output	270 kW (367 hp) at 5,500 – 6,000 rpm
Peak torque	520 Nm at 2000-4200 rpm
Fuel consumption NEDC combined	8.0-7.8 l/100 km
CO₂ emissions	183 – 178 g/km
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	4.7 s
Top speed	250 km/h***
Price (OTR without Insurance) *price is inclusive of GST	RM 408,888

More on the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC – A Sports SUV:

The 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine is used in numerous AMG performance models. It delivers 270 kW (367 hp) maximum output plus a maximum torque of 520Nm. The GLC 43 4MATIC sprints from rest to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and its speed is electronically governed at 250 km/h. The newly developed front axle, the taut elastokinematics and the highly precise AMG speed-sensitive sports steering make a substantial contribution to the agile driving experience.

High on power, low on consumption: the AMG 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine: The AMG 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine is capable of producing a powerful output with low consumption and emissions. Installed close to the engine, the two turbochargers are especially spontaneous in their response.

The NANOSLIDE® coating on the cylinder liners was also enhanced in the Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 V6 hybrid turbo engines. Especially tough and, therefore, wear-resistant, this coating also reduces friction, thereby contributing to higher efficiency. The same applies to the spray-guided multiple injection with up to 200 bar fuel pressure. The AMG powerplant can be identified by the red aluminium insert on the engine cover.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC at a glance:

	Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC
Number of cylinders/arrangement	V6 biturbo
Displacement	2996 cc
Output	270 kW (367 hp) at 5500-6000 rpm
Peak torque	520 Nm at 2500-4500 rpm
NEDC fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined	8.7 – 8.3 l/100 km
CO₂ emissions	199 – 189 g/km
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	4.9 s
Top speed	250 km/h***
Price (OTR without Insurance) *price is inclusive of GST	RM468,888

For more details the full press release of the Mercedes-AMG C43 & GLC 43, click here: Press Information_The New 43s CKD_FINAL

Nabil Jeffri becomes the ‘face’ of Mercedes-AMG Malaysia…

Nabil Jeffri (above, right) has become Malaysia’s first “face” of the AMG brand in conjunction with the launch of the locally-produced Mercedes-AMG C 43 and GLC 43. With his racing capabilities, Nabil Jeffri is the optimal partner for AMG as he embodies the performance brands’ values and characteristics. With his local and international recognition, the vehicle of choice is the sporty and agile Mercedes-AMG C 43. He is well-known in the motorsport world, having driven in the GP2 series, won second place in the German Formula Three Championship and this year driving in the legendary race of Le Mans. He also has the honour of being the youngest F1 test-driver.

Mercedes-AMG C43 & GLC43 Launch Photo Gallery…