Fuel price updates for coming 7 days – another 5 sen drop in the pump price of RON97 petrol to bring the price per litre to RM4.30. Other grades unchanged. New fuel price effective after midnight today.
Right tyre pressures: Under-inflated tyres will cause more rolling resistance (not to mention faster wear) which will worsen fuel consumption. Be sure they are inflated to the minimum recommended by the manufacturer and a bit more might also be better.
Service the engine regularly: Engine parts wear out or get dirty over time and reduce the operating efficiency of the engine. Regular servicing ensures that adjustments are set correctly and periodically, parts like filters or sparkplugs need to be replaced.
Slow and steady: You don’t have to drive at a crawl to save fuel but if you just drive more frequently at 80/90 km/h instead of 100/110 km/h, you could save 10 to 15% in fuel. Keeping a steady speed rather than ‘pumping‘ the pedal will also save on fuel.
Plan trips: If you have different places to go on a single journey, spend a few minutes to think about the route so that you avoid congested areas. You may have to travel a few extra kilometres using a less congested route but you will actually use less fuel because the car won’t be stuck in a jam burning fuel going nowhere. Plus you will probably be less stressed out when you reach your destination.
Switch off the engine more: Many motorists do not fully realize that the engine is burning fuel every second it is running. They will keep the engine running for long periods while waiting for someone to buy things or waiting for their children to come out from school. This is very wasteful and running the air-conditioner at the same time wastes more fuel. Switch off the engine when you are going to be stationary for more than 5 minutes and you’ll find your fuel consumption improving.
Don’t carry unnecessary weight: The less weight your car has to move, the less hard the engine has to work. So whatever you do not need to keep in the boot should be taken out. This includes those golfbags.
The Tundra is a pick-up model Toyota developed specially for the North American market and also manufactures it there. As a full-size truck, it is Toyota’s challenger in the world’s largest pick-up truck market. However, because it has been sold almost entirely in North America since being introduced in 1999, it has remained as a lefthand drive (LHD) model, limiting export potential in some ways.
Now Toyota has decided that it will also offer a Tundra with righthand drive (RHD), which means it can become a global model. A RHD variant is not merely a case of moving the driver’s seat and steering wheel to the right side and requires an engineering program that is extensive. It might not be as extensive as developing a brand new model as much of the basic architecture has been done but it is also not as simple as it may seem.
It won’t be the first time that Toyota has converted a LHD model into a RHD one as it also did the same with the Chevrolet Cavalier in the late 1990s. Back then, as a favour to General Motors, Toyota agreed to take the Cavalier and sell it in Japan as a Toyota Cavalier. To do so meant re-engineering it to be RHD, a task which the engineers found challenging. Besides moving the steering wheel to the right side, there were also little details that needed to be altered to conform to Japanese regulations.
This time round, for the Tundra, Toyota is working Walkinshaw Automotive Group and has assigned Toyota Australia to lead the project. Since ending manufacturing activities in Australia in 2017, Toyota has given its Australian operations a role as one of its global R&D centres. With the wide open spaces and varied local terrain, it is an ideal region for testing prototypes.
The RHD Tundra will use components from the Land Cruiser 300.
Parts from Land Cruiser 300 The program with the Walkinshaw Automotive Group is expected to set a new benchmark in Australia for the re-engineering of a full-sized pick-up truck from LHD to RHD. It will include the adoption of key components from Toyota’s comprehensive global parts catalogue, including the steering column and rack, accelerator, brake pedals and shift lever from the Land Cruiser 300 platform, with which the Tundrsa shares the same TNGA platform.
The vehicles will be equipped with a new inline hybrid system that has a twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine.
After significant development in-house, prototype testing on public roads will begin in September 2022. Starting from October next year, approximately 300 vehicles will be deployed all around Australia as part of the final stage of the re-engineering program. These vehicles will not be for sale but will involve monitoring under real-world usage conditions in Australia.
Launch date not confirmed yet At this time, Toyota is not saying when the Tundra will go on sale, but Australia will be the first market. Due to the brand’s strong demands for quality, durability and reliability, there will be a thorough approval process until all aspects meet the high standards.
The Tundra, now in its third generation, is a huge truck that fits right into the American landscape. It is much larger than a Hilux with a wheelbase that is 1 metre longer. Since the first generation, over 2 million units have been sold and annual sales have never been less than 100,000 units.
Perodua today handed over another 5 units of the Myvi to the Selangor Police Contingent as a service to the public and country. The donation is part of the Malaysian carmaker’s ongoing activities relating to Corporate Social Responsibility which has seen other cars also being donated to the police earlier.
The 5 Myvis were handed over by Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin (right), Perodua’s Chairman, to Dato’ Arjunaidi Mohamed (left), the Police Chief of the PDRM Selangor contingent.
The Myvis will be assigned to police stations in the Hulu Langat and Gombak districts and used for various purposes. The value of the donation is RM400,000 and this includes 2 years of free scheduled maintenance and required parts for each car. The car is, of course, also covered by the 5-year factory warranty that all Myvis come with.
The units provided are the Myvi AV version which comes with Perodua Smart Drive Assist that comprises Advanced Safety Assist (A.S.A.), Driving Assist, Parking Assist and Headlamp Assist. Apart from the PDRM blue/yellow livery on the bodywork and a light bar on the roof, the cars are pretty standard as they are not intended to be used for pursuit.
Senior police officers inspecting the new cars for their fleet.
Of course, if necessary, the Myvi’s ‘hidden’ capabilities can be drawn upon. As we have seen in many incidents, the Myvi (which has come to be nicknamed ‘King’) seems invincible as it can crash into shops, fly through the air and even tip over other cars it rams!
But while these have gained it fame in a notorious way, there’s no denying that the Myvi is a much-loved car by Malaysians as it occupies the top spot in sales year after year. This year, the Myvi accounted for almost 30% of the 127,543 vehicles delivered by Perodua.
There are 5 versions of the Myvi available with prices ranging from RM46,500 to RM59,900 (excluding insurance). 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre engines are available, but all versions use a CVT and manual transmission is no longer available with this generation.
To know more about the Myvi or to locate a showroom to test one, visit www.perodua.com.my.
Six months after introducing the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W206), Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has launched the locally-assembled version. As with other models assembled in Malaysia, the new C-Class comes from the brand’s facility in Pekan, Pahang.
Two versions of the sedan are offered – the C200 Avantgarde priced from RM287,888 (excluding insurance) and the C300 AMG Line from RM327,888 (without insurance). Local assembly naturally saves money and unlike some cases, there doesn’t seem to be any significant difference in the features and equipment compared to the CBU versions we saw earlier.
Both models are powered by 4-cylinder turbocharged engines, the C200 having a 1.5-litre displacement and an output of 204 ps/300 Nm, while the C300’s 2-litre engine produces 258 ps/400 Nm. Both engines get additional assistance with the integrated starter generator which can add 15 kW (equivalent to 20 ps) and 200 Nm to the output for brief periods. The same 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with 9 speeds is used to deliver power to the rear wheels.
The classic sedan form that has characterised the C-Class is maintained with a more modernised appearance that has sporty elements. The C200’s Avantgarde line features include the radiator grille design with central Mercedes star as well as elegant trim strips in high-sheen aluminium and chrome with 18-inch 5-spoke wheels.
For the C300 with AMG Line, the grille incorporates the star design in chrome. To distinguish this version are LED High Performance headlamps with Adaptive High Beam Assist, 19-inch AMG multi spoke wheels and a panoramic sunroof is standard.
The rear ends of both models are similar, but this generation has had more attention given to the tail lamp units. For the first time in a C-Class, they have a 2-piece design, with the light functions divided between the side wall and bootlid lamps.
For this new generation, the interior has influences from the latest S-Class so its image is elevated. Notable features in the cabin are the high-resolution 12.3-inch free-standing display, which makes a difference from traditional cockpits with the classic round meters. The touchscreen appears to float above the expanse of trim and is slightly tilted towards the driver for easier viewing.
The dashboard is divided into an upper and a lower section. Above the wing-like section are a trio of flattened round vents reminiscent of aircraft engine nacelles. The tablet-like central display flows down to the centre console which has a rear padded section for the armrest and a front section in lustrous jet black, divided by a chrome insert.
As with every new Mercedes-Benz in recent times, the new C-Class comes with MBUX and includes MBUX Navigation Premium. The MBUX multimedia system has extended functions and comes with a LTE module to connect to Mercedes me, the app that allows the owner to interact with his car. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make it possible to transfer favourite apps like Spotify or Waze onto the display screen and use them from there.
The system also has a fingerprint scanner but this is not used for security. Instead, it is used to retrieve stored profiles of different occupants (usually the driver) with regards to their personal preferences such as seat and steering adjustments, air-conditioning settings and even the ambient lighting levels.
Besides the advanced driver assistance systems to help the driver’s awareness and intervention when action is not taken to avoid an accident, there is also an emergency call (e-call) system. This will send a message to a control centre to notify of a possible accident when sensors detect a severe impact and deployment of the airbags. This could bring rescuers faster and make a difference in saving a life.
Each new C-Class comes with the URBAN GUARD vehicle protection package which is a security system for the car that can be helpful on recovering it if stolen. This makes use of the Mercedes me app and besides the usual security systems, it is also possible to deactivate the car keys preventing their use to start the engine. There is also visualisation with camera images to identify possible cause of parking damage.
For those interested in buying the new C-Class, Mercedes-Benz Financial has various financing plans starting from RM2,388 per month (for the C200). Additionally, there’s a MobilityPlus programme with a guaranteed temporary Mercedes-Benz replacement car if the car is retained by the service centre for 48 hours or more.
How times have changed. 40 years ago, when you thought of pick-up trucks, the image might be one of a vehicle carrying construction materials or workers, or a dirty truck struggling along a muddy trail in the jungle. Fashion would hardly come to mind, let alone be associated with it.
Today, the image of the pick-up truck has changed and while it still retains its workhorse role in the commercial sector, trucks are considered ‘lifestyle’ machine today. They are designed for daily use in cities and also for recreational activities during the weekend.
Epitomising the modern truck is the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain, the stylish truck introduced in Malaysia in April last year. The X-Terrain is the flagship of the D-MAX range and clearly focussed on style but without losing any muscular capability either.
To demonstrate how the D-MAX and fashion can go together, Isuzu Malaysia provided the model as the Official Ultimate Lifestyle Vehicle of 2022 KL Fashion Week. The annual event has the theme of ‘The Bigger, the Better’, which is certainly appropriate for the imposing D-MAX!
Isuzu Malaysia’s CEO, Shunsuke Okazoe (right) and Chief Operating Officer, Kenkichi Sogo (left) with Bob, the founder of Super Sunday streetwear which the company collaborated with.
As the event’s Official Ultimate Lifestyle Vehicle, the D-MAX X-Terrain showcases a fresh dimension to its identity, one that hinges on its appeal as an urban vehicle and not one purely focused on its talents as a capable cargo-mover and dependable off-roader. Isuzu Malaysia also displayed the D-MAX at the Pavilion KL in Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur during KL Fashion Week.
During the event, Isuzu Malaysia also presented a segment at the fashion show to show Super Sunday, a local streetwear line. The brand was founded by Bob, a businessman who established a multi-level store for independent artists. From humble beginnings in 2007, the local brand has become popular among the young for its bold and bright streetwear. For the fashion show, Bob displayed some new creations inspired by the X-Terrain after he experienced it.
To know more about the D-MAX range and locate a showroom to test it, visit pickuptruck.isuzu.net.my.
The Mitsubishi Motors network continues to grow in Malaysia with the opening of a new 3S Centre (Sales, Service & Spare parts) in Rawang, Selangor, recently. This brings the number of Mitsubishi Motors outlets in the Klang Valley to 16, with a total of 54 showrooms (out of which 49 are 3S Centres) and 55 service outlets nationwide.
The new outlet in Rawang is operated by Lofty Ambition (Rawang) Sdn Bhd which is not a newcomer as a Mitsubishi Motors authorised dealer. The company, which has been an authorised Mitsubishi Motors dealer since 2014, also operates three other outlets for the brand in Ipoh, Taiping, and Sitiawan in Perak.
Besides being strategically located to serve customers and Mitsubishi owners in the surrounding areas, the 3S facility is also accessible via the PLUS North-South Expressway, useful to note for travellers who may need assistance on their journeys.
Shinya Ikeda, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (right) with Sam Chang, Dealer Principal of Lofty Ambition Rawang.
The 3S centre consists of a 3-storey shoplot and has a built-up area of 4,000 square feet. It is designed in accordance with the Mitsubishi Motors’ brand identity and presents the brand’s global brand message: ‘Drive Your Ambition’.
Customers will be able to view new Mitsubishi models in the showroom while those who send their vehicles to the service centre can make use of a comfortable customer lounge which has complimentary wifi service. The service centre is fully equipped with the necessary tools for maintain Mitsubishi vehicles and the technicians have also been thoroughly trained for their work.
Congratulating Lofty Ambition for opening another Mitsubishi Motors showroom, Shinya Ikeda, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), said: “This goes to show the company’s confidence in the Mitsubishi brand, and commitment to further strengthen Mitsubishi’s presence and network in Malaysia. This new showroom is to serve our customers better in the Klang Valley as we see a huge potential for business growth, especially for the Triton pick-up truck and XPANDER 7-seater crossover.”
Mitsubishi Triton Phantom Plus, a limited edition of the popular pick-up truck.
Commenting on the business situation this year, Mr. Ikeda said that, during the first half of the year, MMM sold 12,261 cars, a 63% growth compared to the same period in 2021. “Our estimated market share is 4% and Mitsubishi Motors is retaining its position in the top three spot among non-national brands in Malaysia,” he added.
To know more about Mitsubishi Motors’ products and services in Malaysia or to locate an authorised dealer in the network, visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my.
