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REVIEWED: Kia Picanto 1.2 – Why It’s The BEST Value Car Out There Now! [+Video]

You know I gotta say that among all the carmakers who’ve been making headlines recently, there’s one brand that’s certainly living up to its motto of having ‘the power to surprise’ and that of course is Kia. I’m quite amazed by what the S.Korean carmaker has been doing in recent times, and it just got better…

Quite recently, I was very impressed with the Kia Optima GT, a performance sedan that makes no excuses for what it is, even ‘sounding’ like a thoroughbred V8 rather than a i4. Check out what I mean in this short video:

Fast-forward a few weeks and here I am again, this time testing the smallest member of the Kia family, the Picanto. Now the Picanto model itself is not new, it’s been around for a number of years and has enjoyed some success sales wise, and in fact, like what I mentioned in this VW Beetle Sport article, I know of at least 3 motoring media who liked the little Picanto so much, they bought one after the launch and subsequent review. How’s that for acceptance?

And speaking of acceptance, here’s my quick first-impression video of the new Picanto, plus a 360-degree walkaround:

Now in its third generation, the baby Kia offers first-time car buyers an alternative to what would normally be a ‘national car’ purchase, and maybe that’s why the Picanto costs less than RM50,000 (no, really). But hang on, a Proton Iriz costs more than that. Hmm…

Residing in the A-segment and aimed squarely at first-time car buyers, Kia claims that the Picanto is the ‘biggest small car’ around, and they’re not wrong. Despite its diminutive external appearance, the Picanto offers a very decent amount of room inside it, and as far as the former is concerned, again, you can thank Peter Schreyer and his design team for making the car look anything but introductory e.g. “cheap”.

Aesthetics wise, the little Picanto makes a very good first impression indeed. Its ‘angry bird’ front facade houses LED daytime running lights, while the rear sports LED combination lamps. Its double wheel-arch design coupled with the concave shoulder-line affords the car an optical-illusion of sorts, making it look bigger than it really is, and that’s a neat trick. If it were purely slab-sided, it would look smaller. The rear doors that taper upwards toward the end, and the decreasing-width rear windows also add to this ruse. Very clever.

But Kia aren’t cheating, because in typical ‘inside out’ build fashion, the Picanto is surprisingly roomy on the inside for an A-segmenter. There’s more than enough space for six-footers to get comfortable in the driver’s seat, and millennials will love the gadgets that come standard such as a full-colour ‘floating’ 7-inch Touch-screen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Ready, that also houses the reverse-camera, as well as the usual AUX & USB ports to hitch your phone to.

In addition to keyless entry, a start/stop button and a multi-function steering wheel, active and passive safety wise, the Picanto certainly doesn’t disappoint. There’s 6-airbags, ABS & Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ISOFIX and seat-belt pretensioners, all wrapped within a chassis and body made-up of 44% AHSS or Advanced High Strength Steel. Full specifications list is available after the photo gallery below.

However, tech jargon aside, the most impressive thing about the new Picanto only comes to light when it’s driven. Quite possibly, and with no exaggeration, this is the best A-segment car I’ve ever driven, period. It offers amazing levels of NVH suppression, it’s comfortable, quiet and reassuring. It doesn’t feel like a small car when being driven around, and despite having only a 4-speed auto, it’s a regular auto-gearbox and not a CVT, and that makes all the difference.

The Picanto’s Kappa 1.2-litre engine is good for 84Ps and 121.6Nm of torque powering the front wheels, and while that may not sound like a lot, it’s plenty for a car in this class, and again, like its motto, it has the power to surprise, especially when the roads are clear; it certainly surprised me…

Impressive for a little 1,248cc 4-pot isn’t it? The thing is, even at that speed, the Picanto still felt composed and more importantly, reassuring, protesting only slightly when faced with lateral cross-winds. With disc-brakes all round (ventilated in front) stopping power is also very good, while steering feel from the motor-driver power steering offers a decent amount of feedback, and is very direct.

Driven at more sedate (read: sane, legal, normal, etc.) speeds, the Picanto rewards with an extremely smooth and frugal drive. Despite our best attempts and extremely hard driving, we only used 1/4 of the fuel during a drive that would have emptied my own cars’ tank.

Needless to say, I think we were all quite impressed with this new offering from Kia, and coincidentally it just so happened that 2 of the 3 aforementioned media who’d bought the previous generation Picanto were on this media drive. I spoke to both of them in regards to how this new Picanto compared to theirs, as they would be the best judge of any improvements…

You’d think they were talking about Ferrari’s in the way they exalted about this third generation. I think the word ‘everything’ was used when I asked about improvements over the second gen Picanto, and one of them is already thinking about trading in his for the new one. Yes, it’s just that good.

So seriously, for those seeking a first car, or even a runabout addition to your stable at home, something that costs less than RM50k (RM49,888 to be exact), you really, really need to go have a look and test drive of the new Kia Picanto 1.2. Power to Surprise? Go find out. – Chris Wee.

Kia Picanto 1.2 Photo Gallery…

Kia Picanto Product Specifications:

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS	ENGINE
	Type	Kappa 1.2 MPI CVVT
	Displacement (cc)	1,248
	Bore X Stroke (mm)	71 x 78.8
	Max. Power [Ps (kW)/rpm]	84 (61.8)/6,000
	Max. Torque [NM (kg.m)/rpm]	121.6 (12.4)/4,000
	Fuel Type	Petrol
	Fuel Tank (litres)	35
	TRANSMISSION
	Transmission Type	4-Speed Automatic
	CHASSIS
	Seating Capacity (Pax)	5
	Body Type	5-Door Hatchback
	BRAKING
	Front Brake	Ventilated Disc
	Rear Brake	Solid Disc
	SUSPENSION & WHEEL/TYRE
	Front	MacPherson Strut
	Rear	Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA)
	Wheel	14″ Alloy
	Tyre Size	175/65 R14
	Spare Tyre	Temporary Tyre
FEATURES	EXTERIOR
	Head Lamp	Projector Halogen with Auto Light Control & LED Daytime Running Lights
	Rear Combination Lamp	LED Type
	Fog Lamp	Projector type front, rear bulb
	Side Door Mirror	Electric Adjustable
		Integrated LED side turn signal
		Electric Folding
		Body Colour
	Outer Handles Door	Chrome Coating
	INTERIOR
	Instrumental Panel	Trip Computer
	Instrumental Panel	Segment-type Meter Cluster
	Sun Visor	Vanity Mirror
	Audio	Floating Type 7 inch LCD Colour Touchscreen
		Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Ready
		Radio/MP3/AUX/USB
		Bluetooth, 6 speakers, Steering Audio Control & Rear View Camera with dynamic guideline
	Air Conditioner	Manual
	Front Seat	Fabric with Driver Seat Height Adjuster
	Seatbelt	Front : 3-Point ELR Type with Height adjuster Rear : with Pre-tensioner
	Key	Smart Key & Keyless Entry
	Luggage	Rear shelf cover
	Luggage	255 litres capacity
	Windows	Front and rear powered
	Windows	Driver’s auto up & down
	STEERING
	Steering	Leather wrap upholstery
		Motor Driven Power Steering
		Min. turning cycle Radius of 4.8m
		Tilt steering

	SAFETY
	Airbags	Dual front, side, curtain
	Child Anchor	ISOFIX
	Sensor	Rear Parking Assist System with 3 Sensors
	Sensor	Speed & Impact Sensing Auto Door Lock
	Vehicle Stability Management	ABS, BAS, ESC, TRC
	Hill-Start Assist Control	HAC

Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia Launches New Tiger 800 range, Bonneville Speedmaster & Bonneville Bobber Black!

I think it’s only fair to say right-off-the-bat that personally, I am blown away by what Triumph “Fast Bikes Malaysia” has achieved in this country over the last couple of years.

From humble beginnings at a shoplot in Kg.Pandan KL, to a spanking new 3S Centre in PJ, Fast Bikes (FB) the official distributor of Triumph Motorcycles in Malaysia has not shown any signs of slowing down; on the contrary, under the leadership of Dato’ Razak al-Malique, FB Triumph just seems to be getting stronger as the years progress.

Very recently, FB Triumph introduced three new models at a glamorous evening event in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, attended by 350 guests from the Triumph Motorcycle Club officially known as the RatPack, guests and us, the members of the media… which means we got to ride them! More on that later…

“We wanted to celebrate the launch of the new bikes amongst people who have stood by the brand through the years, from the very first customer to the one who has just bought his Triumph and is now a member of the RatPack. We wanted these bikes to be welcomed by the people who are most passionate about the brand,” said Dato’ Razak al-Malique, Chief Executive Officer of Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd.

Speaking of the new bikes, they include the new “Tiger 800s” in the form of the XR, XRx, XRx Low, XRT, XCx, XCa, which start at a selling price of RM56,900 up to RM81,900. Also launched was the new Bonneville Bobber Black and the Bonneville Speedmaster, which start at RM79,900. Below is the detailed price list of the models launched:

NEW TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES PRICE LIST

MODEL	PRICE (RM)
Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black	79,900
Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster	79,900
Triumph Tiger 800 XR	56,900*
Triumph Tiger 800 XRx/XRx Low	69,900
Triumph Tiger 800 XRT	77,900
Triumph Tiger 800 XCx	74,900
Triumph Tiger 800 XCa	81,900

All prices quoted include GST but exclude insurance.

*Special promotional price valid for six months from March 3, 2018. Normal recommended retail price is RM59,900.

In reference to the new addition to the Bonneville Bobber in the form of the Bobber Black, Dato’ Razak said, “The Bonneville Bobber has taken the Triumph brand to unprecedented heights. It is a bike that appeals to just about anyone, and is perfectly suited for those who prefer a touch of classic bobber styling. And now the Bobber Black is set to complement the Bonneville Bobber package with its bold custom style, elegant engineering and more importantly, a thrilling hot rod ride and sound.”

For the FULL details about the new models launched, click this: Triumph_2018 New Models_Backgrounder

Time to Ride…

Before the official launch of the new models, FB Triumph invited the bike motoring media to have a go at them at Bt.Tinggi, and while it never takes much convincing for me to swing a leg over any bike, this one had me doubly excited because I’d learned that the Thruxton R, although not one of the launch bikes, would be in the mix as well. I’ll get to that later…

First-up for me was the Tiger 800 XCx, (above) and maybe I should have started on something a bit lower down the ranking because as far as this dual-purpose genre of bikes is concerned, Triumph has made a doozy. You can read the full spec list in the link above, which is impressive in itself, but the most impressive thing about this bike is the way it handles around twisties.

With effortless grunt on tap, enabled by a ride-by-wire throttle response that is neither too lethargic nor frantic, it’s the kind of bike that you could ride tirelessly all day. Long-distance trips are going to be a walk in the park with this thing.

It’s no big secret that Triumph has a certain carmaker that also makes bikes in its cross-hairs when it comes to the Tiger 800 series, and if first-impressions are anything to go by, the latter has definitely raised the bar this time.

The way this bike takes on corners, and the agility is has when it comes to flicking from corner to curve really beggars belief. It’s the kind of bike that will keep hounding you to ride more, ride harder, ride faster, and thanks to spot-on ergonomics and riding comfort, not to mention a slew of active safety systems and ride-modes, you won’t want to stop. Over 200 engine and chassis improvements have been made over its predecessor. Yes, 200. Its “triple engine” is good for 95Ps of peak power output, and its safety systems can be turned-off completely in “off-Road Pro” mode for rugged terrain riding.

In addition to those aforementioned systems, both the Tiger XCx and XRx come with an adjustable full-colour, auto-dimming TFT instrument cluster, new signature LED lighting, updated cruise control, a five-position adjustable screen, high-specification Brembo front brakes, new suspension configurations, handlebar-mounted switch cubes with elegant backlit buttons (yes, the buttons have a light at the back to illuminate them in the dark), enhanced chassis and new premium bodywork.

“The Triumph Tiger 800 XCx and XRx have come to be some of the most successful adventure bikes in in their respective segments. Both bikes are very easy to ride, offer great control and comfort, and now have been updated to offer even more technology improving on the now infamous Tiger triple engine spirit,” said Dato’ Razak about both the new Tiger 800’s.

Triumph Tiger 800 Photo Gallery… (Bobber Black below)

Triumph Bobber Black…. Be afraid.

Next up for me was the “Bonny” Bobber Black, and if ever there was a case for chalk-and-cheese to be used when comparing two bikes from the same stable, this would be it. First-off, it’s a lot more powerful than it appears to be. Yes, it’s low and sleek, looking more like a cruiser / cafe-racer type deal, but don’t (no, really don’t) let its looks fool you. Under all that sleekness is a mean 1,200cc parallel-twin that’s just begging to have its 106Nm of torque unleashed.

I mention torque before horsepower (77Ps) because it took me by surprise. Where the aforementioned XCx is linear and progressive in its throttle response, the Bobber Black just wants to rip your arms out of their sockets, with no apology whatsoever. It. Is. Brutal.

With a tagline that reads Darker, Meaner, Stronger, it makes no excuses for what it really is; this is a bad-boy bike if there ever was one. But how can something that looks so ‘bad’, ride so good? I’ll be honest, I doubt that anyone would want to ride this bike long-distance, although it would be more than up for it, nah, this bike is for boulevard cruising, and despite the gargantuan amounts of grunt coming from that litre-plus parallel-twin, you’ll wanna take your time and let the rest of the world ogle it.

You can find more details about the Bobber Black (and the Tiger 800’s too) here: Triumph_Bukit Tinggi Launch_Press Release_English

Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black Photo Gallery… (Speedmaster follows)

The Bonneville Speedmaster…

Unfortunately, the test ride didn’t include the Speedmaster, but just looking at it, I reckon its going to be a real hit with the ‘retro’ crowd, especially those in the DGR or Distinguished Gentlemen Riders club. Here’s the official release on it…

The Bonneville Speedmaster on the other hand works on the classic DNA of the Bonneville family and blends it with the Bobber’s unique attitude but with practicality and versatility. It offers more laidback riding ergonomics with swept back beach bars, twin and single seat set up whereas the Bobber is a strict single-seater.

It also comes with forward set foot pegs, 16-inch wire spoked wheels and a larger 12-litre fuel tank for increased range, which makes the Speedmaster ideal for long distance cruising.

Powering the Speedmaster is Triumph’s critically acclaimed 1200cc High Torque parallel-twin engine with an even higher torque engine tune of the Bobber. Peak torque is rated at 106Nm at 4,000rpm – a 42% increase from the 2015 Triumph Speedmaster and 10% more than the current generation Bonneville T120. Horsepower is rated at 77PS and is transferred through a slick shifting six-speed gearbox. Peak power output is up 25% on the 2015 Speedmaster, and 10% on the Bonneville T120.

“The Bonneville Speedmaster provides a level of comfort, practicality and versatility to the otherwise very capable Bonneville family. It is perfectly suited to those who want a dash of classic styling to their touring machine, or for those who wish to add pillion versatility to their ride. The Speedmaster brings a new dimension to the Bonneville family with a more classic British custom cruiser laid back style,” said Dato’ Razak during his speech at the launch of the four new motorcycles.

Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster Photo Gallery…

Finally, the one that pulled at the heart-strings… hard!

I did mention something about the Triumph Thruxton R at the beginning of this article so it’s only fair that I give it due recognition. It was part of the test ride line-up and I was really hoping it would be horrible to ride, because insofar as looks are concerned, this has to be one of the most beautiful modern-retros out there.

Well, dammit, it didn’t suck. At all. In fact it was simply incredible to ride. Everything about this bike, okay maybe not the leaned-forward riding position which may get tiring after a while, but everything else, even the sound it makes is spot-on perfect. I don’t care how much power it makes, I don’t care what it costs (a lot), it’s simply incredible, and my dream bike garage would definitely include this…. next to a Tiger XCx.

As far as first-impressions go, the new Triumph bikes make a very good one, and all I can say is if you’re looking to get into ANY of the genres that Triumph bikes has a model in, you’d be very wise to go check them out before deciding on which to buy. Really, you need to test ride them, because just reading about them really won’t do. So go, don’t take my word for it, go ride them now, shoo. – Chris Wee.

CW’s Photo Gallery…

Rolls-Royce Returns To Geneva For 2018 Motorshow

This year’s Geneva Motor Show sees Rolls-Royce return to Switzerland only six months after the world’s media confirmed the new Phantom as ‘The Best Car in the World’ during its global launch on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Three distinct Phantoms, commissioned by discerning connoisseurs of luxury, will demonstrate why Rolls-Royce is a Luxury House in the business of motor cars and the by-word for Bespoke.

In addition, Rolls-Royce will introduce the Dawn Aero Cowling, transforming the silhouette of the world’s sexiest drophead coupé.

Three different Phantoms, three distinct customer visions

At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Rolls-Royce will show why it is considered to be the world’s leading luxury house by showcasing three very different Phantoms curated for specific patrons of the brand.

The first of these three Phantoms is known as The Gentleman’s Tourer and harks back to the era of the grandest of Grand Tourers – the Phantom II Continental Saloons of the Thirties. These Phantom II Continental Saloons were always four-door standard wheelbase cars driven by the owners themselves on long journeys across Europe or the United States with friends. This idea of a large four-door trans-continental Grand Touring car appealed to this customer, and he commissioned a standard wheelbase New Phantom in this spirit.

Phantom II Continental Saloons were always notable for being commissioned for the road, their colours and interiors specified for driving endurance rather than show, necessarily. The Gentleman’s Tourer pursues this approach, with a unique Iced Gunmetal exterior paint, complemented by a satin silver bonnet. This new paint was developed specifically for this customer to appeal to his interest in high performance aircraft, with its satin appearance reminiscent of cutting edge military tech. The 22 inch alloy wheel centres are also accented in Iced Gunmetal, another first use of this process on a wheel.

The interior of The Gentleman’s Tourer is a masculine, utilitarian-feeling space, bespoked for the purpose of long, luxurious journeys. Tones of Black, Selby Grey and Anthracite leathers are blended beautifully by Goodwood’s craftspeople across the snug cabin while details such as the embossed Spirit of Ecstasy in each door panel and the silver pinstripe across the Piano Black veneer draw the eye to the detail paid to this minimalist, modern interior. One final precious feature confirms the technical modernity of this beautiful motor car – the Cascade Steel Gallery finished in Ruthenium, a rare and precious metal from the Platinum group. With only 20 tonnes of this metal mined annually – compared with 2,500 tonnes of Gold – this indeed is a very precious way to detail one’s Phantom.

Two beautiful and very significant Phantom Extended Wheelbase also grace the Rolls-Royce stand at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Whispered Muse and A Moment in Time are the first two new Phantoms commissioned with completely one-off, artist designed Galleries. These two individual Galleries have each been developed independently of the standard Gallery offer, and independently of each other, demonstrating the marque’s commitment to the maxim ‘Bespoke is Rolls-Royce’.

Whispered Muse is adorned with a one-off Gallery created by London-based designer Helen Amy Murray. This Gallery reinterprets Charles Sykes’ original drawings for the much revered Spirit of Ecstasy. By creating different planes in silk through directional sculpting, Helen has created individual contours, beautiful in their own right, that fuse together to resolve in a partial image of the Spirit of Ecstasy’s dress flowing backwards from her neck.

The silk that Helen has employed is the perfect accent for this beautiful car that features unique Piano Seashell veneer on the interior surfaces, created by hand polishing for 12 hours, beautiful handstitched Charles Sykes Spirit of Ecstasy embroidery and Rose Gold Bespoke Audio speakers on the interiors of the rear doors. The delicate colourway delineates areas of the motor car – the Dark Spice of the front seats for the chauffeur, whilst the owner relaxes in the comfort of the Seashell leather-clad Serenity seats.

The exterior features a newly-developed Crystal effect over the two-tone Selby Grey and Palais Nemaskar Dawn bespoke paint. 10 layers of paint are built up with the last being a layer of glass infused clear-coat to create the crystal effect. The Rose Gold pain motif is set off by the first ever Rose Gold Spirit of Ecstasy – specially created for this valued patron, and is continued with the coachline and the pin stripes around the wheel centres of this magnificent and regal Phantom.

Helen Amy Murray, artist, said of the design, “I was inspired by the ethereal quality of the illustrations of the Spirit of Ecstasy by Charles Sykes. They led me to incorporate the female form into my work; I wanted my Gallery commission to look soft and organic. The subtle spacing of lines brings the draped figure into perspective.”

A Moment in Time is a second customer-commissioned Phantom Extended Wheelbase present at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Its Gallery sums up, in art, what Claude Johnson meant when he said, “The spirit of Rolls-Royce, namely, speed with silence, absence of vibration, the mysterious harnessing of great energy, and a beautiful living organism of superb grace…”

This Phantom’s Gallery captures A Moment in Time as though the Spirit of Ecstasy’s shawl was allowed to drape over the car at high speed, capturing that moment that leaves time standing still. Achieved through the artistic process of photography, fluid dynamics and sculpture by the Based Upon Collective in London. The final interpretation was machined from a solid billet of aluminium and hand polished before being mounted into The Gallery space as a beautiful, valuable artwork.

The creation of A Moment in Time is as remarkable as its muse. A swath of silk was pulled through a tank of water, weighted and suspended, controlling this moment. Captured on camera, the resulting fluid form was then analysed by the Rolls-Royce design team and the artists of Based Upon, before being remastered in clay. A malleable wax sculpture was then reworked to optimise the impact of ‘The Gallery’s’ space. This final interpretation was machined from a solid billet of aluminium, polished to accentuate the curvature of the alluded to fabric.

Again the motor car that bears this beautiful artwork is designed in perfect harmony with its Gallery. This time a unique Piano Milori Sapphire veneer, hand-polished for 12 hours, complements the Navy and Selby Grey interior, this time with the beautiful hand-stitched Charles Sykes Spirit of Ecstasy embroidery, also in Navy. The exterior of this beautiful Phantom features a newly created Blue Crystal over Milori Sapphire Bespoke paint. Six layers of paint are built up with the last being a layer of clear-coat infused with blue glass to create the blue crystal effect. The exterior is finished with a Selby Grey coachline and pinstripes to the wheel centres.

The 2018 Geneva Motor Show is also witness to a transformed Dawn. This new take on Dawn results from the recognition by Rolls-Royce’s designers that some clients may wish for enhanced flexibility in terms of style and practicality from the world’s most luxurious drophead coupé. Thus the Dawn Aero Cowling was born.

The Aero Cowling transforms one’s Dawn into a two-seater roadster-style motor-car without sacrificing the option of remaining the most social of all open top luxury cars, by creating an extended tonneau cover over the rear seat area.

The Aero Cowling encloses the rear seat area of Dawn in a beautifully hand-made unit that features two cowls that rise from the leading edge of the tonneau area, which conceals the Dawn hood, to behind each front seat. The form of the cowls was precisely sculpted to funnel the air gracefully, so to enhance driver comfort.

Each cowl offers enhanced lockable leather-lined storage compartments for personal effects. The cover itself is made of carbon-fibre and aluminium and so is incredibly light and strong. The lids of the cowls are swathed in Rolls-Royce leather which matches the interior of the car.

The Dawn Aero Cowling present on the Rolls-Royce stand at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show is a beautifully-specified motor car clad in a silver and tan colour scheme. The sensuous exterior is painted in Cassiopeia Silver and features beautiful 21inch part-polished alloy wheels, whilst the interior is swathed in Casden Tan leather, highlighted by Selby Grey piping and stitching and Black contrast elements. The carbon-fibre on the central spine of the Aero Cowling is exposed to showcase its lightweight structure and its weave is book-matched to a contemporary chevron graphic, adding to the dynamic character of Dawn Aero Cowling. Dashboard and centre consoles featuring an intricate dark technical fibre veneer continue this ‘spine’ running down the centre of the car, which when paired with the woven leather floor mats echo the technical nature of the carbon-fibre on the Aero Cowling.

If you happen to be attending the Geneva Motor Show, Rolls-Royce invites you to visit the Rolls-Royce stand (6041, Hall 6).

RR 2018 Geneva Motorshow Photo Gallery…

Toyota March Promotion Offers Up To RM15,000 Savings!

Although the Chinese New Year festive season may be over, the excitement at Toyota showrooms around the nation continues. During the month of March, there are great promotions which customers can save more – up to RM15,000 (for selected units only) – on purchases of new Toyota vehicles but also add value with extra accessories provided at no extra charge.

Excite your drive with the best services from Toyota at all its showrooms nationwide, not only on weekends but the whole year round. Especially for 17 & 18th March and 24 & 25th March, join the Toyota showroom weekender event. Also, “Get Fun, Get Bolder” with the new and rugged Avanza X where you can get a RM1,000 cash rebate or a free rims and tyres upgrade worth RM3,062.

Find out more on Toyota’s promotional offers for the month of March in the details below, valid from now until 31st March 2018:

Model	Promo cash rebate
Vios	Up to RM3,500 cash rebate + Free Accessories (worth up to RM4,100) + Prepaid Maintenance Package (worth RM2,125)
Camry	RM3,000 cash rebate + Body Coating (worth RM2,700) or Free Accessories (worth RM2,500)
Avanza X	RM1,000 cash rebate + Top Up Accessories (worth RM3,062)
Hilux	RM1,000 cash rebate + Free Accessories (worth RM3,485)
Fortuner	RM1,000 cash rebate + Free Accessories (worth RM2,500)
Innova	RM2,000 cash rebate + Free Service (worth RM1,000)

(All offers are for selected variants and subject to Terms and Conditions, while stocks last).

Customers who require a financing plan may also check out Toyota Capital services offers like the Toyota 2-Tier Plan which offers lower monthly instalments for graduates and Toyota Drive financing plan, the first of its kind where customers can save more.

For peace of mind, all Toyota models comes with a 5-year warranty and unlimited mileage (except for Toyota Hilux with maximum mileage of 150,000kms). To enhance the value of your Toyota, the warranty is transferable to the next owner within the terms and conditions.

To find out more about these attractive offers, customers can visit any Toyota showrooms where test-drives are also available, or visit toyota.com.my for further information.

Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus Officially Opens

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia together with authorised dealer, NZ Wheels, recently launched the Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus. Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang also features the first separate facility for a Mercedes-Benz Proven Exclusivity centre in Malaysia, a dedicated space for customers to view and test drive an extensive range of certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz cars located adjacent to the Autohaus.

“We congratulate our dealer partner NZ Wheels on the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus. This latest Autohaus demonstrates our continuous commitment to the Malaysian market, our customers and our fans. As we remain focused on providing our customers with the Best Products and Best Customer Experience, we will also continue expanding customer touchpoints nationwide, investing in developing key areas including talent, technology, production and services,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner.

A total of RM6 million was invested in upgrading the Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus to now be compliant with the Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II) autohaus concept, the global Autohaus benchmark of customer experience, complete with the new Mercedes-Benz Corporate Identity (CI). The new Mercedes-Benz CI goes beyond merely serving as a design concept, it also improves orientation to the customer, supports consulting discussions and naturally underlines the values of the Mercedes-Benz brand as the No. 1 premium automotive brand in the world.

With a total land area of 320,000 sq. ft. supporting a built-up area of 32,000 sq. ft., the NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus has a total display capacity of 17 vehicles — three of which are Mercedes-AMG cars at the AMG Performance Centre. NZ Wheels Klang is managed by around 70 personnel across sales, technical services and spare parts functions. A full-fledged 3S centre, the Autohaus is equipped with 30 work bays, capable of servicing up to approximately 650 vehicles a month, providing general and specialised repair solutions.

Speaking at the official launch event, NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd Group Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Group, Dato’ Samson Anand George, said, “With the update of the NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus to the highest Mercedes-Benz standards and latest corporate identity, NZ Wheels reaffirms its presence as a steadfast and passionate Mercedes-Benz dealer. Having upgraded our sales and service facilities, we are confident that our customers in Klang and nearby areas will receive no less than the best care that is synonymous with the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star.”

With customer comfort in mind, the i-Showroom in Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus includes digital touch screens for customers to gain a better understanding of Mercedes-Benz product features and sales processes. The Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus is also equipped with a private Star Lounge for a personalised and premium atmosphere. In addition, the latest upgrade now features Service Differentiation – an exclusive range of personalised after-sales services that offers flexibility and convenience which includes pick-up/drop-off of customer vehicles, after-hours drop-off and fast-lane service.

The Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus is one of seven authorised Mercedes-Benz Autohauses in Selangor, to support the increasing need for premium service and experience among Mercedes-Benz customers.

To date, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has 33 dedicated dealerships nationwide delivering the Best Products and the Best Customer Experience throughout the entire customer journey, maintaining the German marque’s position as the largest premium automotive dealer network in the country.

Established in 1994, NZ Wheels is the third largest Mercedes-Benz authorised dealership in the country. The Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus is located at Lot 1385, Wisma NAZA, Jalan Kapar, Batu 2, Kawasan 19, 41400 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan. For more information, call +603 – 3343 9270.

Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Photo Gallery…

REVIEWED: Proton Iriz 1.6 Premium Revisited! [+Videos]

It’s been a few years now since this ‘all-new’ car from our first national carmaker Proton hit the streets, and during that time, it’s received very good response from those seeking a fuss-free compact daily commuter, until now…

It’s no big secret that the new Perodua MyVi is pretty much killing everything in the compact segment, with around 50,000 (yes, fifty thousand) bookings since it was launched mere months ago, and hardest hit would of course be the cars in this segment. The Iriz falls squarely in this segment.

In an effort to boost the appeal of the Iriz, Proton introduced this ‘premium’ variant, which boasts a lot of upgraded kit from the Persona, into this this Iriz 1.6 Premium. This aforementioned kit is normally found in cars from a higher segment. Here’s my first impression upon collecting the car…

ERRATUM: The Iriz 1.6 Premium doesn’t have an “Eco Driving Mode” as I mentioned in the video, it just tells you when you’re driving economically via a green-leaf that lights up in the instrument cluster, my bad, sorry! – CW.

Priced at RM56,950.37 on the road, the Iriz 1.6 Premuim has keyless entry, push start/stop button, MirrorLink for Android phones, reverse camera with proximity alert, multi-function steering, on-board computer, electronic stability control, ABS & EBD, hill-hold assist and 6-airbags.

Its 1,597cc 4-cyl, VVT engine pumps out 107bhp and 150Nm, which is decent for a compact car, and power goes to the front wheels via a CVT….and therein lies the Achilles-heel of this car… there’s no other way to put this, it’s a horrible gearbox, by Punch Powertrain.

I’ve never been a huge fan of CVTs that’s no secret, and driving the Iriz 1.6 Premium has only strengthened my loathing of them. It feels gutless and whiny, not to mention noisy too. It reminds me of the Subaru XV actually, which has a lovely spirited engine, totally let down by a gearbox from hell. And like I mentioned in that XV article (linked above), it feels like the engine was made for one car and the gearbox for another.

I actually spoke to someone in Proton about this, asking if there was a 5-speed manual variant available, but unfortunately there isn’t (anymore – there used to be). The thing is though, the Iriz 1.6 Premium doesn’t even have paddle-shifts to help with adding a bit of fun to the drive, or just for the times you need a bit more instantaneous grunt.

The only way is to floor the accelerator pedal, and while the engine is willing, the lethargic gearbox will protest, loudly. That CVT whine really needs to be looked at pronto, and a quick fix would be to add a bit more sound-deadening material in the transmission area, as well as the fire-wall.

Apart from that though, everything else about the Iriz 1.6 Premium is really quite good. It has excellent NVH properties, and an abundance of active and safety features, as well as top-notch ride and handling. Speaking of that aforementioned R&H, Proton really got it right with this car.

I love the way it ‘feels’, whether its just normal driving, or the spirited kind, the Iriz’s ride and handling offers excellent feedback, especially from the steering, as well as an amazingly sure-footed ride. Maybe it has to do with the four wheels being so close to all the corners, but this car tackles twisty roads very well.

Its suspension has also obviously been tuned for our less-than-perfect roads, seeing as how the Iriz is able to soak-up bumps and undulations easily. Interior wise, this Premium model comes with semi-leather seats with actual red stitching, and an unintended ‘Martini Racing’ coloured seat pattern on the fabric part that looks very cool.

As I’ve been saying, this car would be almost perfect if it had a better gearbox, and despite the lack of demand for manual gearboxes (according to Proton) I can only imagine how good it would be with one of those instead. All in all, it’s a good effort from our first national carmaker, and while there’s still room for improvement, this Iriz 1.6 Premium is a definite worthy alternative to anything in this class. – Chris Wee.