The age-old question or rather conundrum; do you need 4WD in an SUV? I recently got my hands on the new Subaru XV 2.0i, and during my time with it, the question popped into my mind again, so I decided to get it all down in a video…
[Erratum: The XV as tested has Hill-Hold, and not Hill-Descent Control as mentioned in the above video, sorry! – CW]
If you haven’t fallen asleep and you’re still with me, let’s delve a little deeper into the new XV. Premiered to the media sometime in the middle of 2017 in Taiwan, the new XV was officially launched here toward the end of last year, to a very enthusiastic target audience. Here’s the official launch video from Taiwan…
It’s in speaking about said target audience that got me thinking about that question posed earlier about the need for 4WD or AWD in a ‘family’ SUV. I’ve decided that there’s really no right or wrong in it, it’s all a matter of personal preference. And if you’re worried about the urban-myth about 4WD or AWD vehicles being ‘thirsty’, well, over the course of 4 days, and quite a bit of driving, I only managed to burn 2 ‘bars’ of fuel…
Speaking of the engine, the new XV is powered by a direct-injection, 4-cylinder, horizontally-opposed (boxer), DOHC, 16-valve naturally-aspirated engine, capable of 156Ps and 196Nm of torque. Earth-shattering figures these are not, however, do remember that nowhere on this SUV does it say STI…
It is perhaps that fireballs-out-the-flanks ‘performance’ association with the brand that will dampen the enthusiasm of anyone seeking ‘WRX-thrills’ in this Subaru, because that ain’t gonna happen with the XV, nor should it. And besides, gearbox wise, this new XV comes with a 7-speed continuously-variable transmission (CVT) or what Subaru calls a ‘Lineartronic CVT’, which is about as far from a performance oriented gearbox as one can possibly get…
Built on Subaru’s new SGP or Subaru Global Platform, the new XV feels taut and very well put-together. It has incredible levels of NVH suppression, resulting in one of the quietest cabins I’ve ever come across for a SUV in this mid-size segment.
Its party-trick of course, the thing that sets it apart from other SUVs in this segment, is its X-Mode function, that’s specifically tailored to take the guess work out of any light-off-road driving. Hitting that button on the centre console, this mode controls the engine output, transmission, all-wheel drive torque split, and even the braking system, to ensure the most optimum performance for off-road driving.
But you know what, if that was its only ace up its sleeve, the new XV would be a let-down; but thankfully it isn’t. Perhaps the most important aspect of a mid-size ‘family’ SUV is what it’s like on the inside, the one place that matters most when you’re hauling your most precious cargo, and in that respect, this new XV really shines.
As I mentioned earlier, the NVH of this XV based on the new SGP, is quite remarkable. This is the one thing that’s going to set it apart from the rest of the competition out there, really. Unfortunately, only an extended test-drive will bring forth this benefit, so please, don’t take my word for it, head over to TC Subaru and give it a go for yourself. With prices starting at RM118, 819 incl. GST, it’s definitely a worthy consideration. – Chris Wee.
In conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year festive season, Go Auto Sales Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor for Haval SUV in Malaysia, is running the Ang Pow Prosperity Deal promotion on all Haval models.
The promotion is on-going from now until end of March 2018 at all Haval showrooms nationwide offering new customers 5-year free service or savings up to RM3000 with ang pow offerings.
“We wish to rewards new customers to usher in the festive Chinese New Year with our Prosperity Deal promotion for both Haval H1 and H2 models. Hopefully, with the savings from the ang pow promotions the money can be spent on their family celebration during this festivity. In addition, we also hope with this offer it will allow customers to enjoy better value for their money by owning an SUV at an affordable and competitive price,” said Dato’ SM Azli SM Nasimuddin Kamal, Executive Director of Go Auto Group.
Aside from the current promotion, HAVAL Malaysia is also carrying out roadshows and exhibitions nationwide in shopping malls and other locations to get closer to the public. Do visit these locations, to enjoy the deals.
You read that right; the Hyundai Ioniqhas been named the UK’s ‘Best Hybrid’, while the high-performance i30 N was commended as the ‘Best Hot Hatch for £20,000-£30,000’.
The awards, judged by members of the What Car? road-test and editorial team, praised the Ioniq Hybrid for its cost, equipment and drivability and the all-round performance capability of the i30N.
Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car? said, “In the last year, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people reading about hybrid cars on whatcar.com, which is why we felt it was important to recognise the best models in the class. Toyota may have had the market for affordable hybrids pretty much sewn up with the Prius but now there’s a top-notch alternative in the shape of Hyundai’s Ioniq…”
More than any other car, the Ioniq shows that you can now drive a hybrid without having to accept any compromises. Not only is it clean, temptingly priced and cheap to run, but it’s more practical, better equipped and better to drive than its rivals” he added.
Stay tuned for our upcoming feature and video on why the S.Koreans are beating the Japanese at their own game, coming soon!
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles (MBM CV) delivered a strong performance last year, recording a total of 2,469 vehicles sold in 2017, comprising FUSO light-duty and heavy-duty trucks as well as Mercedes-Benz trucks and vans. Despite the dip of 7.9% in Total Industry Volume (TIV) for 2017, MBM CV continues to be a strong supporter of the transport and haulage industry, attributing its robust performance in 2017 to its strategy of placing customers at the centre of its initiatives.
“Part of Daimler Trucks, MBM CV represents first-class product quality and service excellence in the Malaysian market. In everything that we do, our focus is on our customers. Safety, reliability and economic efficiency are our topmost priority. With the commitment of our dealer partners and the trust of the market, 2017 proved to be a positive year in many aspects. As a new year begins, we remain as committed as ever to deliver vehicles and solutions of the highest quality – Trucks you can trust,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles, Vice President, Mr Albert Yee (above, main image).
In 2017, the famed Mercedes-Benz Actros proved to be a top choice among hauliers recording an impressive total of 268 units sold, maintaining a double digit growth of 24.1%. Contributing 32.1% sales, the Mercedes-Benz Actros 2644LS 6×2 (L-cab) remains the most popular model. Meanwhile, FUSO trucks recorded 2,170 units sold. As a result of securing fleet contracts from new small and medium operators during the year, MBM CV was able to achieve a market penetration 13.06% for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in 2017, a new record for the company.
Throughout 2017, MBM CV and its network dealers continued to raise the bar with best-in-class commercial vehicles and service quality for the haulage industry. Product enhancements included the new TD Canter facelift and ensuring that MBM CV’s entire product portfolio complies with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) safety regulations set by Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ). These measures improve vehicle safety and ensure customers’ peace-of-mind.
Motorists can look forward to great promotional deals offered by Michelin Malaysia before they hit the road for the journey back to their hometowns this Chinese New Year.
In conjunction with the ‘balik kampung’ rush this upcoming festivity, Michelin is going the distance to help families reach their destination safely with its Safe with Michelin campaign. The objective of the campaign is to get closer to the heart and lives of Malaysians with the key message that Michelin tyres are built with safety in mind, and there is nothing more important to Michelin than the safety of its customers.
As part of the campaign, Michelin is running The Travel Home with Michelin promotion from January 8 to March 2, 2018. Through the promotion, Michelin is offering an Air Asia e-voucher worth RM88 along with an exclusive Michelin luggage tag to customers who purchase four Michelin tyres at any of their dealer outlets.
Upon making a purchase of four Michelin tyres atthe participating outlets, customers will receive the Michelin luggage tag and instructions on how to redeem their Air Asia e-voucher. They are then required to WhatsApp a snapshot of the receipt with following details to 017-2576849:
Name as per NRIC
NRIC number
Email address
Customers will then receive their Air Asia e-voucher via email within 14 working days. Meanwhile, customers who purchase two tyres will also be rewarded with a Michelin branded luggage tag.
“The Safe with Michelin campaign features treasured moments from the lives of people travelling with those they love in their cars on their journeys home; trusting Michelin tyres to get them there safely this festive season,” said Michelin Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Pascal Nouvellon.
“As Malaysians take time off from their busy schedule to enjoy good times with their family and friends this Chinese New Year, we encourage them to take advantage of the promotion. We are thankful and appreciative of our customers’ support throughout the years and through the promotion, consumers can rest assured that they travel long distances safely as Michelin tyres are designed to deliver safety and long-lasting performance. They can also travel further with Air Asia e-vouchers and double up the happiness in this joyous festive season,” Nouvellon added.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest Michelin authorised dealers and you are one step closer to receiving your rewards this Chinese New Year!
“Are you nuts?” (lu gila ka?) Spoken colloquially with a hint of Chinese accent and coming from your mechanic, whose knowledge of your bike far surpasses that of your own, one would probably think long and hard about embarking on a 400+km roadtrip, with a bike older than 80% of you reading this…
But that was the plan. You see, having procured this 1983 Suzuki Katana 750almost a year ago, I’d not had a proper ‘shakedown’ ride on it, ever since the ‘must-do’ restoration was completed, and the invite for the Petron “Fuel Happy” Media Ride 2018 seemed like the best time to do it. Or was it…
The plan was for bike media to use their own machines to experience the attributes of Petron’s BlazeRON100 fuel, for a journey from KL to Penang and back again. And the said machines had to be 500cc and above. I guess this time my trusty Sym200 “Scootourer” would be staying home…
Before we get to the ride itself, we need to clear the air about RON. What’s RON? RON is actually an acronym that stands for Research Octane Number, and represents the fuel’s ‘knock-resistance’, or premature ignition / detonation. This happens when fuel in the combustion chamber explodes after compression, but before the spark-plug can properly ignite it. And this can result in engine damage. The higher the RON number, the more adept it is at eliminating this pre-detonation, and in the long run, preserve your engine longer.
Petron Blaze RON100, which meets EURO 4M standards, utilizes a “TriAction Advantage” formula comprising an Organic combustion-enhancer for a cleaner and better burn with no pre-detonation, a Fully-synthetic detergent additive that cleans and stops deposits from forming for increased engine protection, and a Friction-modifier which reduces the friction between engine parts. So long story short, is RON100 worth using? Yes. Can it be used in any car or bike? Yes. Or rather I was about to find out about the latter anyway…
The Suzuki Katana 750 from the early 80’s predates every gizmo and gadget you currently own. It even predates the Internet and Emails for God’s sake. Mobile phones, not even Smartphones, didn’t even exist yet when this bike first appeared. Its Hans Muth design seems to have endured over the years, and even three decades on, it still looks contemporary set against a backdrop of newer and more technologically advanced motorcycles.
I did have my reservations though to be honest. This was after all a rather long ride, on a ‘grandfather’ of a bike. Let me clarify that; in the biking world where anything over a decade is considered old, this bike was ancient among the rest.
So there we were, about 16 of us, all on large capacity bikes, ready to hit the highway after a full-tank of RON100, graciously supplied by our hosts Petron Marketing. Having only been using RON95 for the Kat, I was curious to see what benefits I could feel from switching to RON100; and no the petrol-tank didn’t need to be drained before filling-up with RON100.
It was only after the second fill-up that I managed to feel some discernible difference in the way the old bike was performing, I guess by this point about 200km from the flag-off, every remaining drop of the previous RON95 had burned through the system, leaving only Blaze RON100 in the tank.
It was during this time that I distinctly felt the throttle response to be much quicker than before, as well as roll-on acceleration. I decided against testing if the top-speed had increased significantly, for lets face it, you’d don’t enter a geriatric into a 100m sprint with Usain Bolt.
One thing I was certain of though, was that the engine was (and still is) running a lot smoother, and the bike seemed more eager to rev. I’m really going to have to try RON100 in my Sym200 scooter, because at a mere 171.2cc, any advantage in any fuel going through that tiny engine will be felt instantly.
In conclusion, over the span of two days and a few hundred kilometres, I think it’s safe to say that we were all collectively impressed with Petron’s Blaze RON100 fuel. All the bikes made it, there wasn’t a single issue with any of them, and I’m extremely happy to say, that included the old Suzuki Katana too.
Photo by Hezeri Samsuri
For a closer look at some of the bikes that attended this ride, have a look at this video from our friend Hezeri Samsuri atCareta.my:
Many thanks to the Petron Marketing team (above) for organising this ride, and for giving us the opportunity to sample first-hand the benefits of RON100! – Chris Wee.
NB: In case you didn’t know, Petron also produces engine oils for bikes in different grades, and to learn about them in more detail, click the links below: (photos of the oils are in the gallery below)
For more information about Petron products, log on to www.petron.com.my.
Petron “Fuel Happy” Blaze RON100 Media Ride Photo Gallery…
The FULL Details from Petron…
PETRON BLAZE 100 POWERS FUEL HAPPY ROAD TRIP FOR 2-WHEELERS
Petron held a Media Test Ride road trip exclusively for motor bikers to allow them to experience the high-performance benefits of Petron Blaze 100 Euro 4M.
Selected media on board 15 motorcycles of their own, in different brands and models participated in the Media Test Ride as part of a two-day road trip fueled by Petron Blaze 100 Euro 4M. The team traveled across more than 300 kilometers of PLUS North-South Expressway from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, maneuvering through long and hilly stretches of the expressway. The road trip was flagged off by Mr. Danny Chen, Marketing Manager at Petron MRR2 Selayang, while En. Mohd Shaibi Ahmad Hijazi, Retail Sales Manager served as the event’s spokesperson.
“The road trip gave us the opportunity to show the high-performance benefits of our Petron Blaze Euro 4M on two-wheelers. The results affirmed its superior capability and efficiency, giving motorcycle and motorbike riders a smoother and better drive, as well as greater value for money. We are pleased to note that our participants thoroughly enjoyed their ride and had a Fuel Happy experience,” said Pn Faridah Ali, Head of Retail Business.
The journey kicked off at Petron MRR2 Selayang station before turning towards PLUS Expressway going to Penang. The group had a stopover at Tapah PLUS R&R before refueling with Blaze 100 at Petron Station Bercham in Perak. The ride continued on PLUS Expressway moving towards Taiping where they exited for lunch. Petron Jalan Hussein Onn (Sg Dua) served as the next refueling station before reaching Penang Island via Penang Bridge.
Now on its fourth year, Fuel Happy Road Trip is especially organized for members of the media to give them the chance to experience the benefits of Petron’s world-class fuels, as well as its trademark personalized customer service. In testing the fuel performance, participants take on highways and cross-country drives to some of the country’s best places. They can also enjoy the benefits of Petron Miles card for redemption of fuel and Treats items.
“Since launching Blaze 100 in January 2016, we have been receiving positive feedback from customers. Its unique Tri-Action Advantage guarantees more power, better engine protection, and better mileage, while low sulfur content making it environment-friendly. Blaze 100 proves our commitment in delivering innovative products and services for our valued customers,” continued Pn Faridah.
From 7 pilot stations, Petron Blaze 100 is now available at 71 stations nationwide and soon in more stations to meet growing market demand.
About Petron Malaysia: Petron Malaysia is a leading company in Malaysia’s downstream oil market. Its 88,000 barrel-per-day Port Dickson Refinery produces a wide variety of world-class fuels which is distributed through 8 terminals strategically located across the country. Through more than 580 stations nationwide, it retails premium fuels namely Blaze 100 Euro 4M, Blaze 97 Euro 4M, Blaze 95, Turbo Diesel Euro 5 and Diesel Max. Petron is committed to its vision to be the leading provider of total customer solutions in the oil sector and allied businesses.
