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Mahindra recently released a brief video showcasing a trio of fully electric SUVs undergoing high-speed testing on the oval track at its proving grounds in Chennai, India. These electric SUVs reached a top speed of 200km/h during the testing.

It’s worth noting that while these prototypes achieved a top speed of 200km/h during testing, production models of electric vehicles (EVs) typically have electronically limited top speeds to prioritise efficiency and extend range. Manufacturers often strike a balance between performance and range when setting these limits.

The electric SUV models from Mahindra, known as the XUV.e8, XUV.e9, and BE.05, were initially previewed in concept form a year ago, introducing Mahindra’s new styling language referred to as “heartcore.” In recent sightings of camouflaged prototypes, these models bear a resemblance to the original concept renderings, although there have been some adjustments for production.

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Toyota Motor Corporation has introduced a brand-new Century model and is now open for orders starting today. This latest addition to their lineup is set to hit the market in 2023, alongside the continued availability of the Century sedan.

The Century made its debut in 1967 as Toyota’s premier chauffeur-driven car. For over five decades, the Century has been the preferred choice for chauffeur-driven transportation in Japan. It epitomizes an unparalleled spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality, ensuring that its esteemed passengers enjoy a comfortable journey to their destinations.

Adhering to “The Chauffeur” concept, the new model has transformed into a chauffeur car that remains dedicated to fulfilling customer expectations in the years ahead. It diligently carries forward the essence, dignity, serenity, and ride comfort that befit the legacy of the Century.

The new Century retains classic chauffeur-driven car proportions, with a rearward center of gravity. Its design is inspired by the loom shuttle motif and incorporates kichomen chamfering to define the door panels, creating a unique Century aesthetic.

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Malaysians recently got to experience the launch of the smart #1 and we had the opportunity to test out both the Premium and Brabus trims. Now, smart is releasing thorough details about the European smart #3 SUV and introducing a new special edition model with standout and exclusive features in advance of IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich.

We now have the specifications for the Smart #3 SUV. The more powerful Smart #3 Brabus has a fearsome 422hp thanks to two electric motors, one on each axle. The standard model has 268hp produced by a single electric motor. The standard Smart #3 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in only 5.8 seconds, while the Brabus model completes the same task in just 3.7 seconds.

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Following the successful debut of the new Cayenne in early 2023, Porsche is culminating the extensively revamped third generation of this renowned SUV with an exciting addition: a fresh flagship model. In line with tradition, the most potent iteration of the Cayenne continues to be a plug-in hybrid. Porsche has undertaken substantial enhancements in the technology of this successor to the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, resulting in noteworthy improvements, particularly in electric range and performance.

Distinguishing itself, the Turbo E-Hybrid boasts a distinctive front fascia, characterised by its enlarged air intakes that exude a sporty and aggressive aesthetic. Porsche’s attention to detail extends to the wheel arches and the lower rear fascia, both of which are elegantly painted in the vehicle’s body colour. Further enhancing its dynamic appearance, the E-Hybrid model showcases vibrant red brake callipers that add a dash of flair. The visual enhancements are rounded off with the inclusion of two dual exhaust outlets, a design element that not only exudes sophistication but also contributes to the SUV’s overall sporty presence.

Taking a page out of the playbook of the all-electric Taycan sedan, the new Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid introduces an impressive 12.7-inch gauge cluster. This includes a toggle-style gear selector that draws clear inspiration from its electric counterpart. Meanwhile, the heart of the cabin’s entertainment and navigation functions lies within a central 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Notably, Porsche retains its digital display aesthetic, while wisely incorporating a physical volume knob—an element appreciated by many.

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Three years after its launch, the fourth-generation Kia Sorento has undergone an early mid-lifecycle modification. The midsize SUV, which was unveiled in Korea, displays Kia’s most recent and refined style language, with an updated front face and a revamped interior. There are also plans to release international versions later this year with Malaysia in the mix as well.

The reworked front end, which is headlined by a new set of smaller and vertically stacked LED headlights surrounding the tiger-nose grille, is the first thing you’ll notice. Cleaner lines can be seen in the bumper, and the hood is now perfectly in line with the nose.

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As announced recently, the Land Rover name as a brand will no longer be used by JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover), and the Defender, Range Rover and Discovery will become brand names rather than just model lines. It’s part of the ‘House of Brands’ approach in the company’s Reimagine roadmap moving forward.

For a start, the Defender brand will have an additional model – the new Defender 130 Outbound – along with the Defender 130 V8. These join the Defender 110 which will now be available with a new heritage-inspired County Exterior Pack, the Hardtop commercial model, and the advanced P400e PHEV variant.

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Hyundai has a wide range of models, covering virtually every segment of the market. Some models are sold in every market while a few are offered only in certain markets. For some markets, special attention is given as they are big (eg China and India) and justify ‘customising’ models to a small extent.

India gets such attention from some of the global players, especially the Korean ones. There are models which Korean carmakers have developed with the Indian market in mind, and then adapted for other markets.

Soon, Hyundai will add another new model to its range for the sub-continent. Not surprisingly, it is a crossover and it is known as the Exter. At this time, Hyundai has not provided technical details but has released just one sketch of the model which is expected to be launched later this year.

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Although the development of a future all-electric Cayenne is already well underway, Porsche has still put together a thorough upgrade for the current combustion-powered vehicle. Porsche presented its third generation of the Cayenne at the Shanghai Motor Show.

The Exterior

Although clearly updated, the new Porsche Cayenne resembles the previous model in terms of appearance. This is to be expected after a makeover, but there are many small adjustments that keep it looking new.

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Polestar, the high-performance electric car company owned by Volvo Cars and Geely, announced last year that it would be launching one new model each year starting with the Polestar 3 in 2022. It’s now 2023 and the next model is the Polestar 4, which is positioned between Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 in terms of size and price. The company estimates launch pricing to be from 60,000 euros (equivalent to RM291,180 today).

Production is planned to begin in Hangzhou Bay, China, from November this year, with the first cars being delivered to customers in the country. A full-scale launch for other markets, including in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, is planned for early 2024 – with sales and production ramping up for these markets through the course of the year.

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The B-segment SUV market in Malaysia gets another contender soon with the addition of the Hyundai Creta later this month. The model, which has been part of the Hyundai range for developing and emerging markets, was first introduced in 2014.

It is now in its second generation which was launched in China (as the iX25) in 2019 and in ASEAN (Indonesia) early last year.

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