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Malaysia Withdraws as Host of 2024 Formula E-Prix Grand Finale

Malaysia has announced its withdrawal as the host of next year’s Formula E-Prix grand finale, citing substantial upfront financial demands from the championship’s owner. The decision follows escalating tensions between Formula E and its local partner, Sports Tech Holdings, due to increased rights fees and unexpected commercial charges.

According to FMT, The conflict intensified when Sports Tech opted to move the event from the Kuala Lumpur City Circuit to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), a decision that Formula E opposed. Sports Tech CEO Wan Agyl Wan Hassan explained that the switch was necessitated by technical difficulties with the city street circuit. However, the financial implications of hosting the event at SIC proved insurmountable.

While the exact financial demands from Formula E remain undisclosed due to a non-disclosure agreement, the decision to withdraw marks a significant setback for Sports Tech, which had been in advanced stages of planning to revive the E-Prix in Malaysia after a decade-long hiatus.

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Volkswagen Golf R Officially Priced at RM332,990, Inclusive of VAP – 320PS, 400Nm of Torque

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced the official sale of the locally assembled Golf R, priced at RM332,990. This price includes the Volkswagen Assurance Package (VAP), which offers owners 5 years of maintenance, an unlimited mileage warranty, and 5 years of roadside assistance.

The Golf R comes with the “R Performance Package” as standard, which features a titanium Akrapovič exhaust, 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels, a new rear spoiler, and specialised “Drift” and “Special” driving modes. The “Drift” mode prioritises torque to the rear wheels for controlled slides, while the “Special” mode is tailored for optimal performance on backroads and the demanding Nürburgring-Nordschleife racetrack.

Under the hood, the Golf R is powered by a 2.0TSI 4-cylinder turbo engine producing 320PS and 400Nm of torque. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 250km/h. The car’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system with performance torque vectoring ensures stability and traction.

The exterior of the Golf R is distinguished by its motorsport-inspired R front bumper and R radiator grille. It is available in three colours: Lapiz Blue, Deep Black, and Pure White. The interior boasts R decorative trim in Carbon Grey, premium Nappa sport leather seats with iconic R styling, and an R performance steering wheel with blue backlit R button and shift paddles.

New features include a Head-Up Display (HUD), a 10-inch Discover Pro infotainment system with a 10-speaker, 480-watt Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, and automatic high beam assist. The Golf R also includes IQ.DRIVE technology and advanced driver assistance systems such as Travel Assist with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Side Assist, Front Assist, Lane Assist, and Emergency Assist.

The Golf R will be showcased at the Malaysia Autoshow from May 22 to May 26, 2024, at MAEPS in Serdang. Also on display at the Volkswagen booth in Hall 2 will be the all-new Touareg R-Line 4MOTION and Arteon R-Line 4MOTION.

Customers attending the Malaysia Autoshow can take advantage of special promotions, including savings of up to RM36,000. Additionally, those who purchase an Arteon will enjoy free scheduled maintenance for the first 7 years of ownership. There is also an opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid luxury holiday for two at the Banjaran Hotsprings Wellness Retreat in Ipoh, Perak, by booking any Volkswagen model at the autoshow. This promotion is available nationwide until May 31, 2024.

Secondary GPS Tracker Recovers a Stolen Pickup Truck

When R. Kaviyarasan purchased a brand new four-wheel-drive truck last October, he installed a second global positioning system (GPS) tracking device for added security. This decision proved invaluable when, four months later, his pickup truck was stolen from his house in Taman Saujana Puchong in the early hours of the morning, according to The Star.

The thief, demonstrating expertise, disabled the pre-installed GPS tracking system in just over three minutes. The monitoring company for this system only notified Kaviyarasan about an hour after the device was deactivated. However, the second GPS device, which was concealed and installed by Kaviyarasan, promptly alerted him to suspicious movements. The vehicle’s location was displayed on a satellite map on his smartphone.

Kaviyarasan asked a family member to lodge a police report while he began tracking the vehicle using the GPS on his phone. Initially, he saw the truck speeding away and then stopping at a gated residential area in USJ12, Subang Jaya. Despite alerting the police and searching the area, the truck was not found.

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New Mini John Cooper Works to Make Debut at 24 Hours of Nurburgring

The highly anticipated new Mini John Cooper Works is set to make its debut at this year’s 24 Hours of Nurburgring, one of the most challenging endurance races in the world. This gruelling event, taking place from June 1st to June 2nd, 2024, on the iconic Nurburgring-Nordschleife, will test the limits of drivers and their cars in a continuous 24-hour battle of speed, skill, and reliability.

The new petrol-powered Mini John Cooper Works will be unveiled in a unique camouflage designed by the Mini Design Team, paying tribute to the classic red and white motorsport colour schemes of the 1960s. This debut marks a significant milestone for Mini, as the John Cooper Works lineup will be available in both petrol and all-electric versions, showcasing Mini’s commitment to innovation while honouring its rich heritage.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Mini Cooper S’s historic victory at the 1964 Rallye Monte Carlo, the new racecar will feature the distinctive “37” logo, commemorating this landmark achievement. This emblem symbolises Mini’s enduring motorsport legacy.

The Mini John Cooper Works #317 will be entered by Bulldog Racing, a private racing team from Nurburg, competing in the SP 3T category. Dubbed the “Mini John Cooper Works PRO,” this Mini twin-power turbo racecar embodies the blend of Mini’s iconic design and reliability, along with Bulldog Racing’s track-proven expertise.

In addition to the new entry, Bulldog Racing will field the beloved black Mini John Cooper Works #474 with a manual transmission. This car demonstrated its capabilities by securing a podium finish at last year’s 24 Hours of Nurburgring in the VT-2 category, solidifying its reputation as a strong contender in endurance racing.

Project Rambo: Aston Martin’s Secret Off-Road SUV Project

An unconfirmed report has surfaced, suggesting that Aston Martin is in the process of developing a new rugged off-road SUV with supercar-like performance. According to the report, this high-powered four-wheel-drive vehicle is drawing inspiration from iconic models such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, Land Rover Defender, and the Lamborghini LM002—a boxy off-roader introduced in 1986 and equipped with a 5.2-litre V12 engine from the Lamborghini Countach which was in the movie series Rambo, played by actor Sylvester Stallone. Therefore, internally, the project is reportedly called ‘Project Rambo.’

The source within Aston Martin indicates that while no final decision has been made, the company is currently assessing various design proposals. It is anticipated that this off-road SUV would share its platform with the DBX, Aston Martin’s first SUV, which has rapidly become the brand’s top seller. However, the new vehicle would feature enhanced off-road capabilities.

The DBX, which serves as the potential foundation for this new model, is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine delivering 697hp and 900Nm of torque, and it uses a nine-speed automatic transmission to drive all four wheels. The new off-road SUV would likely leverage this powerful setup while incorporating additional features to tackle rugged terrains, aligning with the performance standards set by Aston Martin’s supercars.

90 Years of Jaguar: Special Edition F-PACE Showcases Legacy and Future

Jaguar is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a special edition of the F-PACE luxury performance SUV, showcasing the brand’s legacy of design, performance, and innovation as it moves towards an all-electric future. This new version of the F-PACE is distinguished by a unique ’90 Anniversary’ badge and incorporates exterior details from the R-Dynamic trim. It features special body paints, tinted glass, and diamond alloy wheels in sizes ranging from 19 to 21 inches.

Inside, the F-PACE includes sports seats with contrast stitching, an ebony-trimmed roof, and aluminium inserts, along with advanced technology such as 3D surround-view cameras.

The available engines include 163PS and 204PS mild hybrid diesels, as well as a 404PS plug-in hybrid. However, the 400PS mild hybrid petrol and the supercharged V8 with 575PS and 700Nm of torque from the SVR variant are not included in this edition.

This special edition marks the end of the current F-PACE lineup as Jaguar prepares for its transformation into a fully electrified brand by 2025. The first step in this transformation will be the debut of a new GT model, based on a dedicated platform, which is expected to be unveiled as a concept later this year.

This anniversary edition not only celebrates Jaguar’s past achievements but also signifies its commitment to a sustainable, electrified future while maintaining the luxury and performance that define the brand.