72,000. That’s how many HR-V’s Honda Malaysia (HMSB) has sold since it was first introduced here in 2015, and it is HMSB’s second best-selling model. They also recently announced that a new variant called the HR-V RS will be coming soon, but is now available for booking starting 12 July 2018 at all 95 Honda authorized dealers nationwide, with a targeted Q3 launch date.
“The compact SUV, HR-V was first introduced in 2015 and since its introduction, this Honda model has received overwhelming interest and response from customers. This Honda model retains its No. 1 position for three consecutive years in the compact SUV segment and has sold more than 72,000 units as at June 2018. The HR-V is also Honda’s current second best-selling model, contributing 16% of overall sales as at June 2018.” – HMSB.
Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said, “On behalf of Honda Malaysia, I would like to thank Malaysians for their continuous trust and support towards Honda. We have received overwhelming bookings during the zero-rated GST period of June 2018. Due to the surge in bookings, waiting period for certain Honda models is between 3 to 4 months. Rest assured, Honda Malaysia is working hard to deliver the new vehicle to all the owners.”
Mr. Ishiyama further added, “We believe that the New HR-V can attract customers who desire for a sportier appearance. The enhancement in terms of exterior, features and also safety has resulted this model to be a complete package for customers”. The New HR-V is powered by a familiar 1.8L SOHC i-VTEC engine combined with Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) that delivers a balance of performance and fuel efficiency.
More on the HR-V RS…
Honda has also added a new variant into its HR-V family – the RS variant which exudes a bold and powerful expression made possible by the overall exterior design. The RS variant appears sportier and attractive with an exciting new exterior featuring, Honda’s Signature design, the ‘Solid Wing Face’ concept and sporting a new set of headlights including the newly designed LED Headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED fog lights and Rear Combi LED guide lights.
Further enhancing its sportiness, the RS variant comes with a New Sporty 18-inch Dual-Tone Alloy Wheels, Sport Design Front Grille, New Front and Rear Bumper. New detailing such as a dark chrome outer handle, black chrome license garnish, sport black side sill and even mesh fog garnish provides a fresh and vibrant feel to the RS variant. Honda Malaysia has introduced a new colour for the New HR-V, the Passion Red Pearl, which is the first in Honda Malaysia’s colour line-up.
The HR-V maintains the effortless Multi-Utility Cargo Space by keeping maximum space utilization in mind. The large trunk space can be adjusted through versatile rear seat configuration modes known as the Utility Mode, Tall Mode and Long Mode. These modes allow the New HR-V users to obtain their desired space for their daily and long distance travel usage.
Safety will always be Honda’s top priority. To further enhance safety in HR-V, the RS variant is fitted with the Honda LaneWatch, a camera system mounted on the passenger side mirror. The passenger side view of the adjacent lanes next to the vehicle including blind spots will be displayed on a display system in the car. This allows a better viewpoint and provides safer driving condition for the driver.
The HR-V comes with standard safety features such as Six Airbags, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Additionally, the New HR-V also offers Multi-Angle Rear-View Camera for the convenience of the driver. It’s loved by Malaysians for its spaciousness, user-friendliness, practicality and functionality in its features, offering total comfort for passengers while bringing the Joy of Driving to the drivers. Honda customers can now enjoy more value-added features with this HR-V, appealing to customers with a desire for space during travels, providing convenience and practicality for everyone in the family.
The new HR-V is targeted to be launched in Q3 of 2018. To appreciate Malaysian customers for their continuous support, Honda Malaysia will be rewarding all customers who place a booking for the new HR-V with a Petronas Gift Card worth RM1,000*.
Customers can also visit any of Honda’s 95 authorised dealers to place a booking for the HR-V from 12 July 2018 onwards. For more information, call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log on towww.honda.com.my
*Customers need to register their new HR-V no later than 31st October 2018 to be entitled for Petronas Gift Card. Terms and conditions apply.
Honda Malaysia sudah sedia untuk menerima tempahan bagi model terbaharu mereka iaitu Honda HR-V 2018.
Model kompak SUV terlaris ini juga mempunyai varian baharu iaitu Honda HR-V RS.
Kad ganjaran Petronas bernilai RM1,000 akan diberi kepada pemilik Honda HR-V baru yang mendaftarkan kenderaan mereka sebelum 31 Oktober 2018.
Honda Malaysia telah mengumumkan tempahan untuk Honda HR-V 2018 untuk pasaran Malaysia sudahpun bermula hari ini (12 Julai 2018) di semua pengedar rasmi di tanah air. Mereka juga telah melancarkan varian terbaharu bagi model HR-V iaitu Honda HR-V RS 2018. (more…)
We just realised that we didn’t actually show the rear of the new 3rd generation Porsche Cayenne earlier, so here you go! Featured image of its backside, just for you. Also, we just opened up a whole bunch of really nice photos of the new 2019 Porsche Cayenne on a thumb-drive that somehow fell into another interstellar dimension of space and time for the past 24-hours, and just had to share them with you! Feast your eyes on these! Videos after the jump…
Also if you’d like to know ALL about the new 3rd Gen Cayenne, you can download this PDF, sharing is caring: The new Cayenne press information
Here’s the new Porsche Cayenne in action during its launch in Greece recently…
Ferrari has received the Red Dot: Best of the Best Award for the ground-breaking design of the Portofino, Ferrari’s most recent V8-engined GT car. This is the consecutive fourth year that the Prancing Horse receives this prestigious honour for one of its new models. The Ferrari Portofino (below) is an elegant and versatile convertible which features a retractable hardtop together with class-leading performance and luggage space.
Its styling impressed the international judging panel which stated: “Embodying an impressive evolutionary advancement, the Ferrari Portofino fascinates with an exciting design language. It comes across as a fascinating sculptural statement. The integration of the retractable hardtop presents an optimal solution. The haunting elegance is further underscored by the uncompromising quality in material and workmanship. The Ferrari Portofino is the perfect embodiment of novel approaches that point to the future.”
During the Gala ceremony on the 9th of July at the Aalto Theater in Essen, Germany, the jury of international designers also assigned two Red Dot awards for outstanding design quality to Ferrari for the 812 Superfast (above) and the FXX K EVO (below). The awards are testimony to the unmistakable design and ground-breaking technology that are at the basis of Ferrari’s production.
The 812 Superfast redefined the formal language of front-engined V12 Ferraris without altering either the exterior dimensions or interior space. With a distinct fastback sleekness to its silhouette, sharply slanted crease lines and impressively muscular wheel-arches imbue the 812 Superfast with the power and aggression warranted by its imposing 6.5-litre V12. Here’s our friend GC Mah from Autobuzz.my and his take on the 812 Superfast at Maranello!
The Ferrari FXX-K Evo(arf arf, snigger, snigger.. still find this name quite epic! – Ed.) marks a significant evolution of the XX programme launched in 2005 with cars developed specifically to play an active role in this exclusive research and development programme. The FXX-K Evo features an evolved aero package developed by Ferrari’s engineers in synergy with the Ferrari Styling Centre’s designers, to push to the very limit the performance of a model that already represents the state-of-the-art in terms of track-only supercars. Watch F1 ace Seb Vettel punish one around a track below!
Be afraid, be very afraid… the Kia Stinger has officially arrived! Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd (NKM), the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, has finally introduced the much-anticipated Kia Stinger, marking the Korean marque’s foray into the sport sedan segment in the country. Derived from the world-renowned GT concept, the KIA’s fastest automobile yet is designed (by Peter Schreyer) to be a true gran turismo, earning it global recognition for its blend of high performance and supreme comfort. It’s up against some VERY stiff competition too…
Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd, (below, second from left) said, “The Kia Stinger is the culmination of years of passion and commitment fuelled by the brand’s bold and adventurous spirit to amalgamate nimble performance and unyielding style. To meet customer demands in Malaysia, we are introducing two variants of the Kia Stinger, the 3.3-litre V6 GT and the 2.0-litre GT-Line, both sports sedans that exude disarming confidence, elegance and athleticism.
“Driven by Kia’s motto ‘The Power to Surprise’, the Kia Stinger ushers in a new era of innovation for the Korean brand while preserving its DNA to deliver the best performance, comfort and features. With that, we believe the Kia Stinger will elevate the brand’s identity and will be a revolutionary benchmark for the future of Kia vehicles,” added Dato’ Samson, who also announced the price of the new Kia Stinger in the launch video below:
More from Naza Kia on the new Stinger….
With its sleek fastback silhouette and rear-wheel-drive proportions, the Kia Stinger commands attention wherever it goes. As a gran turismo purebred, its roofline sits at a perfect angle to provide aerodynamic benefits as air flows over the bonnet and roof, and off the back of the car while maintaining a pleasing aesthetic. The wide front and rear track, along with the recessed contours along the doors, enhance the visual power of the Kia Stinger’s shoulder line as well as its fastback silhouette.
The Kia Stinger’s aerodynamic profile is further enhanced with the bodywork tapered slightly towards the rear of the car and new ‘gills’ introduced behind the front wheel arches, each serving to reduce wake turbulence as air passes over the car’s flanks.
The aggressive stance is amplified with Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille, sitting proudly at the front between complex full LED headlamps and accentuated with honeycomb-shaped, dark-chromed, hot-stamped patterns added onto a black base to ensure a premium exterior.
The Kia Stinger’s aesthetic value has already gained recognition worldwide, having received an EyesOn Design award for Production Car Design Excellence at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in 2017.
Inside, a sleek and sophisticated cabin space evokes a minimally luxurious feel with its aircraft-style design and high-quality finishes in modern key colours. Ultra-soft Nappa leather envelops the deeply contoured seats for the 3.3L V6 GT trim and natural leather is available for the 2.0L GT-Line. Both variants offer 8-way power driver seat and 4-way mechanical lumbar support, creating a space dedicated to the thrill of driving while cossetting the occupants with luxury.
Aeronautically inspired circular vents at the front and rear and a satin chrome ring tastefully encircles the rest of the cabin, creating the effect of cocooned intimacy, a feeling further elevated by warm and inviting LED lights that softly illuminate the finely-crafted interior.
Key to its road presence lies in the pounding hearts under the sculpted hood, where a choice of two turbocharged engines are available. The 2.0L twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder Theta II T-GDi engine produces 251 horsepower at 6,200 rpm with 353Nm of maximum torque available from 1,400 – 4,000 rpm, propelling the Stinger from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.0 seconds.
Performance credentials are further enhanced through the 3.3L twin-turbo V6 Lambda T-GDi engine (below), which sees the racehorse accelerating to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds with its 365 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and offers 510Nm of torque from 1,300 – 4,500 rpm – ultimately proving itself to be a worthy challenger to the competition.
The Kia Stinger features an in-house designed second-generation eight-speed rear-wheel drive automatic transmission. The transmission also features Kia’s first use of a Centrifugal Pendulum Absorber (CPA) torque converter on the 2.0L GT-Line to help reduce torsional vibrations through the drivetrain, a technology more typically found in aviation- and racing-engine applications.
For intuitive control and smarter, more spirited driving, the Stinger’s innovative Shift-By-Wire transmission control allows the driver to interchange between transmission modes through electronic controls. The gearbox can be set to intuitively manage shifts on its own or selectively run through the gears via paddle shift levers mounted behind the steering wheel. As with the suspension and steering, the Stinger’s rear-wheel drive system is fully integrated with its 5-Drive Mode, offering distinct calibration between comfort and sport modes.
From its GT concept-car origins to the years of tuning and refining on the legendary Nürburgring circuit, the Kia Stinger proved its mettle to handle even the most demanding road conditions with composed poise, contributed by the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) that features the sophisticated Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control system. This system monitors driver inputs and road conditions and then automatically distributes power in real-time based on the driving situation, minimising understeer in the process and gives the driver confidence to maneuver in even in the most inclement weather. Other powerful features include Electronically-Controlled Suspension (ECS) and Rack-mounted Motor-Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS).
Other industry-leading safety features include Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Antilock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Blind-spot Collision Warning (BCW), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and 7 airbags. Due to its advanced safety technologies, the Kia Stinger received the highest rating of 5 stars from Euro NCAP.
The Kia Stinger rides on a chassis comprised of 55 percent advanced high-strength steel, and the MacPherson front setup features large diameter shock absorbers, high-strength wheel bearings, and an aluminium strut brace, while the reinforced five-link rear suspension is mounted to a stiffened rear subframe for outstanding durability.
The 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder GT-Line models ride on 225/45R-18 performance all-season tires (18 inch alloy), while the 3.3L V6 GT model (above) is equipped with staggered ultra-high performance Continental ContiSportContact 5 tires that have been specifically engineered and tuned for the Stinger – 225/40R-19 in front and 255/35R-19 at the rear (19 inch alloy).
Additionally, the Kia Stinger GT trim’s stopping power comes from standard high-performance Brembo® disc brakes featuring quad-piston front calipers and dual-piston rear calipers. The lightweight monobloc all-aluminium calipers reduce unsprung weight and are coupled with large diameter brake discs (13.8-inch front and 13.4-inch rear) that quickly dissipate heat and help to deliver short stopping distances.
The Stinger’s long wheelbase at 2,905mm is ahead of its segment, and boasts a longer and wider body than many others in the same segment at 4830mm and 1,870mm respectively. This advantage allows for generous front and rear legroom while the lowered hip point provides ample headroom even for the tallest occupants. With 406 litres of boot space, the Kia Stinger’s boot area is also larger than many of its competitors, with enough space to accommodate full-size luggage or golf bags.
Taking in-car technology to the next level is the high dashboard with a powerful dose of dynamics and pure emotion interior that lays out a strong horizontal plane for the driver. The center console is intuitively split into two specific areas: the infotainment system and an 8-inch floating navigation touchscreen integrated with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while climate and ventilation controls nestle beneath.
Central to the driver is a ‘D-cut’ type of GT and GT-Line steering wheel draped in thick hand-stitched multifunction leather for a sporty look and feel. A crystal-clear 7-inch TFT LCD landscape cluster display sits between the gauge displays to relay performance data such as cornering G-forces, lap times and engine-oil temperature (available for 3.3L GT variant only), along with ancillary information such as the trip computer, driver settings, navigation and diagnostics.
Scenic drives are not complete without a superior sound system. The Kia Stinger’s 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium speaker system further amplifies the dynamic driving experience of the Kia Stinger, accompanying occupants on the road with crisp sound clarity.
Other amenities included in the Kia Stinger for a pleasurable driving experience are Colour Head-Up Display (HUD), Dynamic Bending Light (DBL), Around View (AVM) with Driving Rear-View (DRM) Monitors, Integrated Memory System (IMS) for the driver’s seat, wireless smartphone charger and electrochromic side mirrors to control the glare of incoming headlights.
The KIA Stinger’s debut stunned many on the international arena, in an industry conquered mostly by German and Japanese makes. Since its introduction to the world in August 2017, the Kia Stinger has clinched numerous global accolades from prestigious names of the industry, such as ‘Best of the Year’ & ‘Best Sports Sedan’ in MotorWeek’s 2018 Drivers’ Choice Awards, Roadshow By CNET Shift Award For 2018 Vehicle Of The Year, Wards 10 Best Interiors for 2018, AutoGuide 2018 Car Of The Year, Autotrader’s 10 Best Car Interiors under $50,000 for 2018 and many more.
Both trims of the Kia Stinger are available in four exquisite exterior colours HiChroma Red, Deep Chroma Blue, Panthera Metal and Aurora Black. Interior-wise, the 3.3L V6 GT receives an exquisite red colour package while the 2.0L GT-Line comes in a flush black one-tone.
The 3.3-litre V6 GT variant goes for RM309,888 on-the-road without insurance while the 2.0-litre GT-Line variant is priced at RM239,888 on-the-road without insurance.
Don’t look at the photos! They do very little justice to the new Peugeot 508. Okay, look at them, but bear in mind, as good as it may look here, this is one car that definitely looks a lot more impressive in the flesh…so maybe scroll down to the videos instead eh? Still here? Okay then here’s my favourite angle of the new Peugeot 508… is that one of the best looking rear-ends ever or what?
The thing to remember though, the thing that we collectively could NOT wrap our heads around, is the fact that the new 508 is not a sports car or some one-off creation targeted at a very specific clientele with ‘performance’ as their #1 criteria. No, the new Peugeot 508 is just another D-segment contender, set to debut here in Q2 of 2019.
Now this really boggles the mind. If you take a gander at the current D-segment of the motoring realm, it’s made up of cars like the Camry, Accord, Passat, Teana, etc. and etc. ad infinium. So, how does one compete in a class as saturated as this? A class over-populated by extremely well-established marques, with the kind of following and brand-allegiance that spans generations? You don’t. You make a new class.
What Peugeot has done with the new 508 is to pick up the rulebook on “How to make a D-Segment Car”, ripped it to shreds and chucked all the bits of it out the window. No, really… they have. The new 508 is unlike anything the current D-segment has to offer. And that’s a good thing because the D-segment is dying…
Look at it this way; the price range in which the D-segment resides is prime real-estate for another form of personal mobility, the ubiquitous SUV. Many – men and especially women – who are looking to upgrade their current D-segment car or even anyone thinking of getting a D-segmenter will undoubtedly scope the SUV market as well, because that price range is also where a lot of midsize SUVs reside, some really good ones too like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, VW Tiguan, etc. and etc. ad infinium… again.
So, knowing this, Peugeot has done a 180 (pun intended) turn, and produced something that nobody expected; a very exciting D-segment car for a dying category. This is the last shot at greatness for this class and it’s a helluva shot, because in my book, it’s not out to attract current D-segment car buyers, no… it’s the icing on the cake, the aspirational goal so to speak, for current C-segment owners.
Think about it, what do current C-segment owners have to upgrade to? Of course there’s the aforementioned SUV, but what if said owner hasn’t reached that inevitable “I must buy an SUV” stage in his or her life? They want something in a bigger segment, but also aren’t ready for that “Hey look at me, I’m a dull middle-aged homosapien en route to collect my pension kill-me-now” stage of life just yet.
And that’s precisely where the new 508 comes in. Here’s a D-segment car that still has all the trappings (and more) of a sporty, youthful, exuberant and fun C-segment car, that caters beautifully, perfectly to those seeking a large car without that matured ‘large-car’ image. Here’s how Peugeot themselves sum it up: “The new PEUGEOT 508 changes everything. Its structure is more compact and its height reduced.
The new exterior design is sharper and more robust, while the car’s spectacular interior includes an evolution of the iconic PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®.
Its exemplary road-handling, new engines, countless technology features and quantum leap in quality means the new PEUGEOT 508 sets a world class standard within the D-segment and further supports the Brand’s upmarket strategy”.
