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Malaysian Government Reviews Diesel Subsidies Amid Rising Appeals

The issue of diesel subsidies is currently under review by the Malaysian government, with various appeals being considered for inclusion in the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS). Here’s an overview of the situation:

Review Process: Appeals from various parties, including tow truck operators, will be presented to the Cabinet for consideration after being reviewed.
Government Stance: Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali stated that the government is aware of the appeals and is analysing them. No decisions have been made yet.
Eligibility Criteria: The basic principle for eligibility under the SKDS is that sectors or types of transport involved in the delivery of important goods used daily by large communities are prioritised.
Tow Truck Operators: The Malaysia Tow Truck and Car Transport Association (IMTTCC) has reported that over 1,000 tow truck operators are seeking inclusion in the SKDS. Since the targeting of diesel subsidies began on June 10, their operating costs have doubled due to the increase in diesel prices from RM2.15 to RM3.35 per litre.
Government Response: The government is open to appeals, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ensuring that all appeals will be given the best consideration.

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New MINI Aceman SE has a Driving Range of Up to 405km

The new MINI Aceman SE is an exciting addition to the premium small car segment, offering an all-electric drive with advanced features and impressive performance.

Performance and Range

Powertrain: 218hp electric motor with 330Nm of torque.
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds.
Range: Up to 405km (WLTP).
Charging: 54.2 kWh battery; fast charging (DC) up to 95 kW, 30 minutes for 10-80% charge; 11 kW AC charging.

Design and Dimensions

Exterior: Bold crossover design with short overhangs, distinctive wheel arches, and integrated door handles for optimised aerodynamics.
Colours: Rebel Red with black roof and mirror caps, among other colour options.
Wheels: Available in 17 to 19 inches, with roof rails and a fold-out trailer hitch.

Interior and Comfort

Cockpit: Minimalist design with high-resolution 240mm OLED display and toggle switch strip.
Seating: Sports seats in dark petrol with accent stitching, spacious rear seat with 60:40 fold-down for up to 1,005 litres of luggage space.
Panoramic Glass Roof: Adds to the open and bright atmosphere inside.

Technology and Features

Display and Controls: Central OLED display for touch or voice control, always showing speed and battery level.
MINI Experience Modes: Immersive user experiences with lighting graphics and ambient lighting.
Driver Assistance: Driving Assistant Plus with steering and lane assistant, Trailer Assistant, and remote parking via smartphone.
Digital Key Plus: Smartphone as the car key, with automatic unlocking and welcome projection.

Safety and Convenience

Assistance Systems: Twelve ultrasonic sensors and four surround view cameras for automatic parking, Driving Assistant Plus for relaxed driving, and Parking Assistant Professional.
Connectivity: Seamless integration with smartphones for a personalised vehicle experience.

The MINI Aceman SE combines style, performance, and innovative features, making it a compelling choice for urban driving and beyond.

Harmony Auto’s First BYD Outlet Opens In Hartamas Shopping Centre

Harmony Auto has officially launched its first BYD outlet at Hartamas Shopping Centre. The 8,000-square-foot outlet features a spacious car display area, a luxurious customer lounge, discussion rooms, and a delivery area.

Additionally, it has an after-sales reception area accessible from the mall’s parking lot. Outside, there are 6 parking spaces equipped with 4 charging stations, reflecting BYD’s commitment to sustainable mobility.

BYD, a global leader in new energy vehicles, sees significant potential in Malaysia’s market, supported by favourable government policies. The BYD models available in Malaysia include the BYD Atto 3, BYD Dolphin, and BYD Seal. Harmony Auto plans to open more BYD dealerships in Malaysia to further promote new energy vehicles.

The outlet will also include a Service and Spare Parts Centre, operational in Q4 this year, making it the first 3S centre located in a shopping mall. During the opening ceremony, Harmony Auto handed over 10 BYD units to customers, demonstrating BYD’s confidence in the Malaysian market and its responsiveness to consumer demand.

All-Electric Hyundai Inster: 115PS, 355km Driving Range

Hyundai has unveiled the all-electric Inster at the 2024 Busan International Mobility Show, introducing a new A-segment sub-compact EV. The Inster stands out with its bold design, driving range, advanced technology, and versatility.

Design and Features

Exterior: The Inster combines futuristic design with a spacious interior in a compact SUV body. Key features include robust fenders, high-tech bumper designs, a bold skid plate, LED daytime running lights, pixel-graphic turn signals, and customisable two-tone exterior options with a contrasting black roof. It offers wheel choices ranging from 15-inch steel to 17-inch alloys.

Interior: The cabin boasts a 10.25-inch digital cluster and infotainment touchscreen, wireless charging dock, and customisable upper door trim garnishes. It provides enhanced versatility with flat-folding seats, a front bench seat option, and heated front seats and steering wheel. Interior trim options include Black and Khaki Brown, and Newtro Beige two-tone with full cloth trim, utilising sustainable materials like recycled PET and bio-polypropylene.

Performance and Technology

Powertrain: The Inster comes with a standard 42 kWh battery and an optional 49 kWh Long-Range battery. It features a single motor delivering 97PS in the base variant and 115PS in the Long-Range variant, with 147Nm of torque. The Long-Range model offers a segment-leading projected range of 355km on a single charge.
Charging: It supports 120 kW DC High-Power charging, enabling a 10 to 80 percent charge in around 30 minutes, and comes with an 11 kW on-board charger, battery heating system, and high-efficiency heat pump. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality allows power for external devices.
Safety and Assistance: The Inster includes advanced safety and driver assistance features like Surround View Monitor, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear, Blind-spot View Monitor, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, and more.

Market and Future Plans

Global Rollout: The Inster will launch first in Korea this summer, followed by Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Specifications and optional features will be confirmed closer to launch.
Future Variants: An additional variant, Inster CROSS, with a rugged, outdoor-focused design, will be introduced later.

The Inster’s innovative design and advanced technology make it a significant addition to Hyundai’s EV lineup, offering enhanced flexibility and efficiency for urban driving.

KPDN to Withdraw Operating License of Petrol Stations that Refuse to Install CCTV Cameras

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is taking stringent measures to curb petrol and diesel smuggling by mandating the installation of closed circuit cameras (CCTV) at petrol stations, particularly those near the border.

CCTV Installation Mandate

Policy Enforcement: The KPDN will withdraw the operating license of petrol stations that refuse to install CCTV cameras.
Target Locations: The initiative focuses on border areas such as Pengkalan Kubor, Rantau Panjang, and Bukit Bunga.
Implementation Timeline: The installation of CCTV at these stations will be implemented this year.

Reasons for the Mandate

Combat Smuggling: The primary goal is to address and reduce the smuggling of petrol and diesel to neighbouring countries.
Monitoring: The installed CCTV systems will allow KPDN to monitor activities at petrol stations directly from their office.

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The 2025 Bentley Continental GT: The Most Powerful Bentley Yet

Bentley has unveiled the facelifted Continental GT and GTC Speed, now featuring a potent hybrid V-8 powertrain. Here’s an overview of the key updates and features:

Powertrain and Performance

Hybrid V-8 Powertrain: The new setup combines a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V-8 with an electric motor and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Total Output: The hybrid system produces a combined 779hp and 1,000Nm of torque, making it the most powerful Bentley yet.
Top Speed: The Continental GT Speed can reach a top speed of 335km/h, maintaining the performance legacy of its predecessor.
Battery and Electric Motor:
- Battery: A 25.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack powers the electric motor.
- Motor Output: The motor alone generates 187.4 hp and 450Nm of torque.
- Electric Range: Capable of driving up to 80km on the European WLTP test cycle, the motor can independently drive the car up to 140km/h.
V-8 Engine Updates: New single-scroll turbochargers and a higher-pressure fuel injection system help the engine produce 592hp and 800Nm of torque.

Design and Interior

Exterior Changes:
- Front Design: New single headlamps inspired by the Bacalar and Batur models, marking a shift from the twin headlamp design used since 2003.
- Rear Design: Updated, intricately detailed taillights.
Interior: Maintains the luxurious feel Bentley is known for, with high-end materials and craftsmanship.
The 20-way adjustable seats in the Continental GT have long set industry standards in comfort and refinement. New interior features include the optional Wellness seating with Postural Adjust and Auto Climate to the front seats, minimising fatigue and providing a level of relaxation that is truly unique.
The new Dark Chrome Specification provides a more contemporary aesthetic and gives a more understated character to the cabin. This applies to door handles, switches, speak grilles and many other areas around the cabin. Bentley’s bespoke division – Mulliner – will also be offering a collection of unique features enabling further personalisation to the latest model.

A choice of three audio systems is offered in the Continental GT. The standard system features 10 speakers and 650 Watts, while a Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles is aimed at lifestyle-oriented customers. A Naim 2,200 W, 18-speaker system with Active Bass Transducers built into the front seats and eight sound modes is offered for the true audiophile. Laminated acoustic glass is retained for the windscreen and side windows, resulting in a nine-decibel reduction in exterior noise versus non-acoustic glazing.
The new Continental GT continues to feature the innovative Bentley Rotating Display – the three-sided display featuring a 12.3” high-definition display, three elegant analogue dials, and an unbroken side of handcrafted veneer. The three sides are selectable at the touch of a button.

Hardware and Handling

Dampers and Air Springs: New twin-valve dampers allow for individual adjustments of compression and rebound, paired with two-chamber air springs.
Weight Distribution: For the first time, the Continental GT features a rear-biased weight distribution (49:51 front-rear split), aided by the rear-mounted battery.
Additional Features:
- Rear-wheel steering and active anti-roll bars enhance handling and comfort.

Convertible Version

Continental GTC Speed:
- Top Speed: Limited to 284km/h.
- Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds, just a tenth slower than the coupe.

Production and Availability

Timeline: Production and deliveries of both the GT and GTC Speed will begin in the third quarter of this year at Bentley’s Crewe factory.

The new hybrid system promises to continue the Speed’s tradition of outstanding performance while introducing more efficiency and modern technology to Bentley’s iconic grand tourer.