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Updated Mitsubishi XPANDER Cross launched in Indonesia

While the Mitsubishi XPANDER assembled in Malaysia is only available in the standard body version, some other markets also have an XPANDER Cross, a more SUV-themed version. It was added to the range in 2019 and at the 29^th GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show yesterday, an updated version of the XPANDER Cross was officially launched. Indonesia gets the new XPANDER Cross first as the 3-row crossover MPV’s production hub is located there.

The facelifted XPANDER Cross gets a new and more aggressive frontal design which continues to have the overall Dynamic Shield design concept that is also found on the Triton pick-up. The styling is more expressive and gives a stronger SUV image.

This has been achieved by combining the large grille with a trapezoidal motif and incorporating the bumper with a guard bar shape. The headlights have gained a distinctive T-shaped design that emphasizes the width of the vehicle. The signal lights, previously placed under the headlight units, are now incorporated into the upper position lamps to improve visibility.

In addition, the front and rear overhangs have been extended by 95 mm, while the bonnet has been thickened to create proportions that increase dynamism and stability.

At the rear, the tailgate has a more 3-dimensional shape, and the dividing line has been reduced to enhance the texture. The rear combination lamps have a wide design and the horizontal T-shaped tail lamp like the front. In addition to the conventional tail lamp and reversing lamp, the brake light is an LED type for better and faster illumination.

The front and rear skidplates and the gray paint on the door garnish are coordinated to create a 3-dimensional effect which gives a sense of strength, while the roof rail is finished in black. The 17-inch aluminium wheels have a medium gray 2-tone machined bright finish to provide highlighting.

The 7-person cabin has a dashboard which was designed using a ‘HORIZONTAL AXIS’ concept. The latest XPANDER Cross has a new large-diameter 4-spoke steering wheel which makes it easier to grasp. The 8-inch colour LCD crystal meter has more intuitive and easier to use operations. To reduce taking the hands off the steering wheel, the driver can use switches on the steering wheel itself.

The XPANDER Cross has the same powertrain as the rest of the range, ie a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine (Mitsubishi 4A91) with 105 ps/141 Nm. Depending on the market, transmission options are 5-speed manual or CVT, but all versions have only front-wheel drive.

*Engine remains the same 1.5-litre unit but the automatic transmission is a CVT.*

While there are no powertrain updates, the XPANDER Cross now has Mitsubishi Active Yaw Control (AYC) for better cornering control. The system adjusts the braking force of the front left and right wheels to improve turning performance, suppressing understeer.

Some changes have been made to the suspension to improve ride comfort. The rigidity of the front strut mounting area has been increased while the rear shock absorber cylinder size has been expanded. High-performance front and rear valves have also been newly adopted to achieve a flat and comfortable ride even on rough road surfaces.

Up till the end of 2021, over 580,000 units of the XPANDER/XPANDER Cross have been sold in ASEAN markets as well as the Middle East South Asia, South America, Central America and Africa. In countries like Malaysia, the XPANDER has been assembled locally to have a more competitive price in the market.

Limited edition Mitsubishi Triton Phantom Plus Edition introduced; only 1,000 units available

BRABUS makes the EQS by Mercedes-EQ even more aerodynamic

BRABUS is well known for enhancing the looks and performance of Mercedes-Benz models. Thus far, since it began business in 1977, it has doe impressive work with cars with combustion engines. But with the electric age round the corner, the company has also to prepare for the future and it has begun doing so.

Perhaps because its extensive experience is with combustion engines, it has not yet developed comprehensive expertise with electric powertrains so it is not focusing on that area yet. Instead, it is enhancing performance by further optimizing aerodynamic efficiency, which can also have a positive effect on performance.

BRABUS in fact has a listing in the Guinness Book of World Records related to aerodynamics. In 1985, it refined the bodywork of a W124 Mercedes-Benz sedan and brought its Cd down to 0.26. That was a world record at the time and is still a value achieved by only a few, far more modern cars today.

Its first effort in the 21^st century is with the latest EQS from the Mercedes-EQ range. Already one of the most aerodynamic production cars in the world, BRABUS has been able to lower its Cd value (the measure of wind resistance) by 7.2%.

Confirmed in wind tunnel testing, the lower drag in turn reduces the driving resistance, which makes it possible to extend the range, which the more streamlined shape increases by 7% on average in the speed range between 100 and 140 km/h.

The refinement done on the EQS bodywork with components produced from carbonfibre (with exposed structure) give the sedan sporty looks that generate the ‘BRABUS 1-Second Wow Effect’. The bodywork components can have a glossy or matt sealed finish.

The BRABUS front spoiler gives the EQS an even more dynamic face. In addition, the carbonfibre lip reduces drag, and its raised outer edges also minimize front-axle lift by 100%. This naturally also improves the handling stability at high speeds.

The carbonfibre trim for the side air intakes in the front fascia also play a role in the more striking face and route the airflow even more purposefully to the radiators and front brakes. The designers also developed carbonfibre air deflection elements installed in front of the rear wheelarches. These add some sporty lines to the sides and positively influence the airflow.

The rear end is enhanced with a diffuser and a spoiler, both made from that same hi-tech composite material. It reduces aerodynamic lift at the rear by up to 40%.

The BRABUS Monoblock wheels have been tailor-made for the wheel wells of the EQS. They are available in numerous designs and diameters from 20 to 22 inches. With the Monoblock M wheels, there is a disc design that is aerodynamically favourable.

The BRABUS wheels not only benefit the looks but also enhance handling. This improvement can be further amplified with the plug-and-play BRABUS SportXtra module which is adapted to the air suspension. It lowers the ride height of the sedan on the front by 15 mm and on the rear axle by 29 mm. This ride-height lowering also plays an important role in the reduction of the drag coefficient.

As with its other models, BRABUS offers numerous refinement options for the interior of the EQS, enabling customers to personalize extensively. The range of options includes scuff plates with backlit BRABUS logo, whose colours change in sync with the ambient lighting; BRABUS aluminium or carbonfibre pedals; high-quality floormats and a velour mat for the boot. The latter two sport the logo of the tuner and feature leather edging.

The ‘Godfather of Pickups’ from BRABUS

Unique centrepiece in Genesis GV60 EV (w/VIDEO)

There are various ways of expressing luxury in a car and designers are always looking for new ideas. The design team at Genesis has come up with something unique which is a standout features in the brand’s first battery electric model – the GV60.

Known as the Crystal Sphere, it represents a striking interior focal point for GV60 and an emotional connection between the driver and the vehicle. Beautifully crafted, the Crystal Sphere embodies Genesis’ approach to design, luxury and ergonomics. It is adapted from a feature first seen in the Genesis X concept car.

Located in the floating centre console, the sphere appears as a sparkling, jewel-like object placed within the spacious and balanced cockpit which is inspired by the ‘Beauty of White Space’ philosophy of traditional Korean architecture.

“As the GV60 is an electric vehicle, it is naturally extremely quiet, making it a challenge to alert the driver that the car is ready to drive. Our engineering and design teams collaborated closely to create this unique and captivating way for the driver to engage with the vehicle through the Crystal Sphere. Combining form with function, Crystal Sphere embodies Genesis’ commitment to offer unrivalled technology, premium design and driver appeal,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer at Genesis.

Form and function
When the GV60’s electrical systems are turned off, the Crystal Sphere becomes part of the vehicle’s ambient cabin lighting, delivering a calming glow to the cabin when the car doors are opened to welcome its occupants.

When the driver pushes the engine start button, the sphere rotates through 180˚ to reveal the metal finish Shift-By-Wire controller, creating a compelling atmosphere of futuristic mobility. By turning the transmission dial that is knurled for optimum grip, the driver is able to select the desired gear, receiving haptic feedback that confirms a gear has been engaged, including a subtle vibration when requesting a direction change, such as when shifting from drive to reverse.

Practicality and safety
The Crystal Sphere also acts as a safety feature, which is important for an electric car that is very as silent. Typically, the only indication of the car’s current state are the icons on the instrument cluster. When charging, the Crystal Sphere is not able to be rotated into driving mode, while it glows red as a warning when reverse is selected.

Featuring a real glass finish, Crystal Sphere has been laser-engraved on the inside with an elegantly delicate interpretation of the Genesis G-Matrix design signature. Created after numerous sampling and modifications, this optimized pattern is further highlighted by the soft backlit illumination.

Yet with its role in controlling the transmission, the Crystal Sphere is much more than a bold decorative element. As a result, Genesis engineers have made durability and ease-of-use a priority. Everything from the motor output to the materials used and specifications of the wiring was thoroughly evaluated through cycle testing in high and low-temperature environments, as well as being engineered to withstand heavy loads.

As a unique centrepiece, the Crystal Sphere will be included as standard across all versions of the GV60 range. Now on sale in Europe, the GV60 is priced from £47,005 (around RM255,000).

First Genesis BEV
The GV60 is Genesis’ first vehicle to be built on the dedicated Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) of the Hyundai Motor Group. It is available with rear-wheel drive model, all-wheel drive, and a performance model with all-wheel-drive. Each model features a 77.4-kWh battery pack, and the RWD model has a claimed maximum driving range of 451 kms per charge.

The RWD model’s motor output is 168 kW/350Nm, while the AWD model has a 160 kW motor for its rear wheels and a 74 kW motor for the front wheels, providing a total output of 234 kW with a maximum of 605 Nm.

The performance model has two 160 kW motors for the front and rear wheels, delivering a total output of 320 kW, maximum torque of 605 Nm, but the claimed maximum driving range is 368 kms on a fully charged battery pack.

A Boost Mode, activated by a button on the steering wheel, can increase straightline performance for 10 seconds. This will enable the vehicle to go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 4 seconds.

Genesis X Speedium Coupe concept

Muhammad Iqbal Suji finally wins Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship

For the past 4 years, Muhammad Iqbal Suji has been in pursuit of a title – champion of the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship. And this year, he finally got it as he powered to an emotional race victory in the finale of Season 5 of the championship held at the 1Utama Shopping Mall in Selangor.

Racing in front of a live audience at the venue as well as online ,the 24-year-old from Selangor clinched the Grand Prize of RM20,000 cash to beat 9 other finalists in a series of 3 races in the closely-fought final races.

“Toyota’s on-track and online racing activities are about empowering the dreams of individuals – propelling them to excel. The organizing of the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship gives those who excel online an ideal platform to further develop and unleash their fullest potential with some even transitioning into real racing,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K, adding that Toyota’s combination of physical and online racing since 2018 has given the company the opportunity to contribute immensely to greater promoting Malaysian motorsports.

Top 3 to represent Malaysia
Muhammad Iqbal will now have to put aside friendly rivalry to lead a 3-man Malaysian team consisting of Muhammad Uzair and Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira who finished second and third, respectively. This team will compete to the regional finals of the Toyota GAZOO Racing GT Cup organized by Toyota Motor Asia Pacific to be held on October 2.

This also gives Team Malaysia the chance of going on to represent Asia in the Global ESports finals to be held in Monaco on November 25.

*Members of the public also had a chance to experience sim racing and try to beat a target lap time.*

“Winning the event made me recall all the emotions and frustrations of not getting the position that I felt I deserved over the last few years and now that I finally have, it feels great and steaming hot!” said Muhammad Iqbal.

The final showdown
The 20 racers who took part in the Grand Finale had come up from an initial group of more than 500 contestants who had participated in a gruelling qualifying round held between July 9 and 17. The 3-race final showdown began with a 15-minute sprint Race 1 at Brazil’s 4.309-km Autodromo Interlagos which saw 2-time defending champion Taj Izrin Aiman winning and taking an early lead in the overall point standings. In second place was Muhammad Iqbal while finishing third was Muhammad Uzair.

In Race 2, which was also held at Interlagos and also with the 591 bhp Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept, the 30-minute session was decided in the last very last lap with 29-year-old Muhammad Uzair keeping his cool until the penultimate moments of the race to get ahead of race leader Dhanesh Wigneswaran. That race however, proved disastrous for Taj Izrin Aiman who ran as high as fourth position before finishing seventh.

2022 Toyota GR Velocity ESports Championship — *The races were also broadcast live with two commentators reporting on the action.*

“I really expected Muhammad Iqbal and Taj Izrin Aiman to be ahead. I just tried all out without thinking too much,” said Uzair who made the most of traffic on the track to inch his way ahead of the field. That victory had momentarily placed him in the lead of the overall point standings with one final race to complete.

Race 3 proved to be the hardest fought 40-minutes with racers getting behind the wheel of a 1,000 bhp Toyota TS050 Hybrid around the 7.004-km Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. In the end, it was Muhammad Iqbal who drove to a classy and composed race victory, finishing 8 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor on the track, Taj Izrin Aiman, and Muhammad Uzair in third.

*Muhammad Iqbal Suji on his way to victory in the final race.*

“In Race 3, I made a critical mistake and I overshot the first corner. That disrupted the momentum for my race. I’ve driven my best, and I would like to thank UMW Toyota Motor for continuing to organize the ESports championship and congratulate Muhammad Iqbal who drove to a remarkable championship victory,” said Taj Izrin Aiman.

Drivers and celebrities competing in the Toyota GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge race series, members of the media, invited gamers, and young drivers in the Vios Challenge rookie class, also took part in 4 exhibition races.

The celebrity race was won by actor Zizan Razak, followed by presenter Nabil Ahmad and another actor Shukri Yahaya, who coincidentally also happen to be the top three contenders in the Promotional Class of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge racing series.

The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created

New colour choices for the Honda CR-V

Honda Malaysia’s popular SUV, the Honda CR-V, is now available with two new colour options. The colours Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic colour. The two colours replace the Passion Red Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic choices.

The total number of exterior colour choices therefore remains at six, the other four being Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Dark Olive Metallic.

Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic are not new to the Honda range in Malaysia as they are already offered for the City, City Hatchback, Civic, BR-V and latest HR-V. The Accord is also available with the Meteoroid Gray Metallic colour.

According to Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Hironobu Yoshimura, both colours have been popular. The Ignite Red Metallic colour was chosen by an average of 18% of buyers of each of the five models, while the Meteoroid Gray Metallic colour was the choice of 24% on average.

*The new HR-V (above) and Accord (below) are also available in Meteoroid Gray Metallic.*

“With the CR-V as the latest model to receive both colour options, we have completed the expansion of the Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic colours into the full Honda line-up. We are confident that both new colours will further accentuate the appearance of the CR-V for customers who seek an SUV with a bolder and modern exterior,” said Mr. Yoshimura.

Since its launch in 2017, the 5th Generation CR-V has recorded an outstanding sales record with more than 63,000 units sold. Of this total volume, more than 27,000 units were of the facelifted model which was launched in November 2020. This year, the CR-V has contributed 12% to the brand’s total sales volume from January to July 2022.

The CR-V is powered by a proven 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged engine which produces 193 ps/243 Nm. The power goes to the front wheels or all four wheels, depending on the version. Besides the comprehensive list of standard safety features, the CR-V is equipped with Honda SENSING, a suite of 8 active safety systems that help the driver avoid accidents or reduce the effects of an accident.

The CR-V is available in 4 versions – 2.0 2WD, 1.5TC-P 2WD, Black Edition and 1.5TC- 4WD, with prices ranging from RM146,900 to RM171,400 (excluding insurance, Peninsular Malaysia registration).

For more information on the CR-V or other Honda models in Malaysia, visit any of the 102 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide or www.honda.com.my.

More peace of mind buying pre-owned Honda vehicles from Honda Certified Used Car dealers

Rodin Cars to offer the world’s fastest track car next year

New Zealand may be some distance ‘down under’ from the rest of the world, but the country does not lack expertise when it comes to high performance machinery. Rodin Cars, one of the performance car manufacturers there, has announced its plan to produce the FZERO as the world’s fastest track car. It will be engineered to lap a circuit faster than a current Grand Prix Formula 1 racer.

The FZERO, revealed 3 years ago, is a follow-up to the FZED, which provided the same sort of experience behind the wheel of a modern Formula 1 car. With the FZERO, Rodin Car can aim for the ultimate in track performance as it is designed without the restrictions of road laws or motorsport regulations. Thus it can be developed right to the edge of the performance to reach a top speed targeted to be 360 km/h.

“The Rodin FZERO is the physical representation of the ultimate heights in vehicle performance. Without the restrictions of building to a set of rules, we are able to make the car lighter, more powerful, and produce significantly more downforce. The only real restrictions we face are the laws of physics, and we have even pushed those to the absolute limit. We look forward to bringing the most intense driving experience conceivable to tracks around the world,” said David Dicker, Founder of Rodin Cars.

Based in New Zealand, Dicker has developed Rodin Cars from scratch in to possibly the most unique and technically advanced vehicle manufacturing facility in the world. Located on a remote 550-hectare property in the South Island, the site includes world-leading 3D printing resources and 3 test tracks.

The FZERO will be use a hybrid powerplant consisting of a 4-litre V10 twin-turbo engine and a 130-kW electric power unit. At just 132 kgs, the 1,176 ps/1,026 Nm engine named ‘RCTEN’ is designed to be the lightest and most compact V10 ever built, it is claimed.

Designed and developed in-house in conjunction with engine manufacturer Neil Brown Engineering, the RCTEN can spin all the way to 10,000 rpm. A bespoke gearbox unit manufactured in conjunction with Ricardo UK has 8 gears and adds less than 66 kgs. The gearbox is encased in a titanium 3D-rinted case, printed on site in Rodin Cars’ state-of-the-art 3D printing facility. The differential is hydraulic, and computer-controlled.

As the car is made to clock super-quick lap times, the emphasis of the FZERO is on weight and airflow aerodynamics. The chassis is constructed from entirely of carbonfibre composite, with all components manufactured on site.

The massive wings and floor are capable of producing up to 4000 kgs of downforce which. when compared to the cars weight of just 698 kgs, is impressive.

The low weight is helpful when it comes to stopping but given the very high speeds the car can travel at, stopping power has still to be powerful. To ensure this, there are front and rear 380 mm PFC Carbon-Carbon brakes, with Titanium calipers (6-piston front and 4-piston rear. The brakes also have regenerative capability to capture energy that would otherwise be wasted away during braking.

*One of the three test tracks at the Rodin Cars site in New Zealand’s South Island.*

The FZERO will be available to customers in a configuration of their choice, allowing them to customize specific aspects of the car based on their driving style and the track on which they will be using it. In addition, owners receive access to custom racewear services, vehicle storage and delivery, and full driver training at Rodin’s picturesque private racetracks.

27 Rodin FZEROs, each to be priced from £1.8 million (about RM9.71 million), will be offered available to buyers worldwide, with the first coming off the assembly line in the middle of 2023.

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