2020 Mercedes-Benz G350d Launched – 3.0-Turbo Diesel, 286hp, 600Nm, RM1-Million

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The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is widely considered as the mac-daddy of SUVs, arguably one of the most desirable off-roaders available on the market. With its bold design going through few changes between its original debut in 1979, the G-Wagen is loved by almost-all and is considered to be something of a pop-culture icon. 

However, locally, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class was only available as a full-bore AMG63 model, with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. For those who believe that cars like the G-Wagen ought to double-down on its versatility, the petrol-V8 mill was never the best engine for such purposes – and now, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has addressed the call for more versatility. The G-Class is now available as a G350d, which sticks a proper turbodiesel mill up front for maximum capability. 

The new OM656 engine increases the performance of the G-Class while reducing consumption, without compromising the noise characteristics of the thing. Notable points of the OM656 mill include the stepped-bowl combustion process, two-stage exhaust turbocharging, as well as the use of CAMTRONIC variable valve timing. This heats up the exhaust system without impacting fuel consumption. Pair that to the Nanoslide coating on the cylinder walls, and it results in a diesel mill that’s about as smooth as an oiler is ever going to get. 

The 3.0-litre inline-6 mill prepares the G-Class for any adventure. Paired to a 9G-tronic automatic transmission, the G350d can rocket from rest to 100km/h in a sprightly 7.4-seconds before going on to a top speed of 199km/h.

For the transmission of power, the 9-speed torque-converter auto was adapted specifically to meet the needs of the G-Wagen. The developers used a dedicated software application to shorten the shift and response times, making the G-Class more reactive. The wide spread of ratios also help to make driving more comfortable and quiet, while still being able to respond swiftly to prods of the pedal. Especially in first-gear, the G-Class responds to commands noticeably better, which owners will appreciate when pulling away from traffic lights, for example. 

The transfer case is mounted directly to the transmission, and is designed to send 40% of the power to the front with 60% sent to the rear. This is particularly beneficial on the road – permanent all-wheel drive ensures maximum traction on-road. That said, the G can also vary power more considerably during off-road applications thanks to the built-in G-mode.

The G350d is offered locally with the AMG Night Package, which throws in 20-inch AMG alloys, smoked headlights/taillights and indicators, and the exterior protective strip features a black pinstripe. You also get grille louvres, spare-wheel ring, and bumper trim elements finished in obsidian black. This is offset by the standard Stainless Steel Package, comprising of high-quality running boards, a stainless-steel wheel cover (with black 3-pointed star), door sills, and load sills. 

The cabin is finished with the Exclusive interior pack, with combines high-quality equipment items like a leather-covered instrument panel, a DINAMICA microfibre roof liner in black, and a frameless interior rear-view mirror. The cabin features dual widescreens for both instrumentation as well as multimedia, powered by a standard Mercedes-Benz infotainment system. The infotainment system offers navigation and smartphone mirroring as standard, as well as a configurable instrument cluster design. 

Safety-wise, the G350d is pretty well equipped. You get the Driving Assistance Package, which means you get adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and autonomous emergency braking. Of course, you’d expect this at this price point.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz G350d is available at showrooms now from RM999,888, inclusive of the SST deduction as part of the PENJANA economic stimulus program. All new 350d models will be sold with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s comprehensive 4-year warranty, and the current prices will be valid until December 31st 2020. 

GALLERY: 2020 Mercedes-Benz G350d

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB200, GLB300, AMG GLB35 Launched, From RM270k

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We always want more. And whenever one steps into a compact Mercedes-Benz, you can’t help but want a little more space.

Today, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia answers that call with the all-new, first-ever Mercedes-Benz GLB. A member of Mercedes’ compact car lineup, its diminutive size hides its practicality, with seven seats on offer spread across three rows. That’s right – this is now the most affordable premium 7-seater SUV money can buy.

The GLB is available in Malaysia in three guises – the GLB200, the GLB250, and the Mercedes-AMG GLB35. Power starts at 163hp/250Nm in the 200, while the 250 gives you 224hp & 350Nm. Step up to the AMG and you get 306hp & 400Nm, paired to an all-wheel drive system. All cars get an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic as standard and, if it all feels a bit familiar, you’ll know that this is exactly the same spread as seen in the A-Class lineup. 

That also means that the base GLB200 gets its motivation from a 1.33-litre motor, while its bigger brothers use the same 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder. 

“The GLB is the most versatile SUV in our premium SUV range. Its design lends the GLB an unmistakable SUV character, showcasing its classic off-road boxy design from its big brother, the G-Class. With a boot capacity of up to 1805L and a third row of seats, it’s the perfect companion for those who desire a life with more possibilities.”

– Michael Jopp, Vice President (Sales & Marketing, Passenger Cars), Mercedes-Benz Malaysia

The powerful proportions of the GLB underscore the off-road focus of the design: the design emphasises surface, and reduced lines and precise panel gaps. This conveys superior sportiness and modernity. The upright front section with its striking headlamps is clear evidence of the off-road genes, as are the short overhangs at the front and rear. The front apron with visual skid plate emphasises the unmistakable SUV character. Another key feature of the front-end design is the distinctive air intakes in the front apron that are tailored to the contours of the radiator grille. 

On the sides, the GLB is donned with attached panels under the doors and the wheel arches that further underscores the off-road impression and at the same time, protect against stone chips. The muscular and sensuously contoured vehicles shoulder dominated the side view, an effect reinforced by the rising beltline at the height of the C-pillar.

The GLB has a clear rear-end emphasising width with two-piece tail lamps and reflectors relocated to the bumpers. The precise interior design of the tail lamps also ensures a high recognition value at night. The elevated roof rails are made of polished aluminium.

At 2,829mm, the GLB has ten centimetres more wheelbase than the new B-Class, making it the largest of Mercedes-Benz’s compact offerings. Together with the function-oriented greenhouse, it allows the GLB to offer a generous amount of space. The headroom in the first seat row is 1,069mm – “optimum in this segment,” claims Mercedes. And at 967mm, the effective legroom in the rear of the 5-seater is at an especially comfortable level. 

Cargo is rated at a minimum of 570L with all the seats up, but can be expanded to a maximum of 1805L. Backrests can be adjusted as standard, while the second row seats can also be rolled forwards and backwards in order to fully maximise the cargo area. For the third row, the GLB offers comfortable seating for passengers up to 1.68M in height, though the third row can also be used for children thanks to the standard ISOFIX mounts with top tethers. There are also drinks holders for the third row, along with USB charging ports – just to make sure you don’t feel like you’re in the cheap seats. 

The front-half of the cabin is very familiar as a compact Mercedes, with the dual-display widescreen cockpit that was first presented in the A-Class hatchback when that was launched. The GLB will offer both screens in full-size and full-resolution (thankfully), with inputs split between the touchpad on the centre console, the touchpads on the steering wheel, and the central touchscreen itself. The screens run the full Mercedes-Benz User Experience or MBUX suite, with a myriad of display customisations available to the driver. With MBUX comes MercedesMe Connect, which pairs an app up with your car to allow you to remote-start it, pre-condition it, lock/unlock it, and check its status via your mobile phone. 

Safety is something the GLB doesn’t overlook, by offering Active Braking Assist with turning-off function. When the driver intends to turn off across an oncoming lane, the GLB can brake automatically if it detects a potential collision. Braking intervention takes place when the driver hits the turn signal, and the car can be brought to a halt before it passes the lane markings. If you don’t indicate the system doesn’t flick on – so remember to hit that turn signal stalk, yeah.

The GLB also offers active parking assist too, which makes living with the GLB an even easier affair. 

Prices for the new Mercedes-Benz GLB start at RM269,118.15 for the GLB200, while the GLB250 AMG-Line retails for RM318,009.26. If you’re after all-wheel drive or more performance, the Mercedes-AMG GLB35 4Matic will set you back RM363,136.52. All prices are inclusive of the current SST reduction as part of the PENJANA programme, and is effective until December 31st 2020. 

All new Mercedes-Benz GLBs will be covered by Mercedes-Benz’s standard warranty program, which covers your car for 4-years with no mileage cap.

GALLERY: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB200 Progressive Line

GALLERY: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB250 AMG-Line

GALLERY: 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLB35 4Matic

2020 Porsche Taycan Unveiled – 4S, Turbo, Turbo S, 340km Range, RM725k Upwards

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German luxury marque Porsche has unveiled its answer to the growing wave of electrified mobility, a car that offers the spirit of the Stuttgart brand while staying on-point at the bleeding edge of engineering innovation. The Porsche Taycan is the brands first-ever all-electric series production vehicle, designed to take on cars like the Tesla Model S and the Audi e-tron GT, as well as indirect competitors like the Mercedes-Benz EQC and BMW iX3. 

The Taycan will most notably be offered in Malaysia with the Performance Battery Plus option as stnadard, which upgrades the power capacity to 83.7kWh over the standard 71kWh. This means that range o the new Taycan will never be an issue regardless of which model you opt for.  

Taycan 4STaycan 4S* Taycan TurboTaycan Turbo S
Battery (net)71.0kWh83.7kWh83.7kWh83.7kWh
Range407km463km412km450km
Power530hp490hp625hp625hp
Overboost530hp571hp680hp761hp
Torque640Nm650Nm850Nm1,050Nm
0-100km/h4s4s3.2s2.8s
0-200km/h13.3s12.9s10.6s9.8s
PriceRM725,000TBCRM999,000RM1,195,000

*with Performance Battery Plus

What we find particularly interesting is that Porsche Malaysia offers an innovative range-predictor function on its site, that you can play around with to show precisely what kind of driving you have in mind. That allows you to more accurately figure out just how much range you can expect to see in real-world conditions – needless to say, all numbers we saw were comfortably in excess of 300km no matter how we fiddled with it. 

As important as range is charging – the Taycan claims to be as fast ‘standing still as it is in motion,’ and thanks to its 800-volt architecture it really an soak up the juice at record speeds. 

Via the Mobile Charger Connect unit connected to an 11kW power point, the Taycan can be recharged to full in about 8-hours. Step up to the Porsche Charging Dock, and weirdly you’ll drop your charging speeds to 9.6kW and your charging time will go up to as much as 10.5-hours. 

With a 50kW DC fast charger, the Taycan can go from 5% charge to 80% charge in just 93-minutes – this is important as these types of DC fast chargers are expected to spring up more readily throughout the country. The fastest charging option is the Porsche Turbo Charger – available at selected Porsche dealerships across the country, 5%-80% charge can be completed in just 22-minutes and 30-seconds, with an average of 100km of range added with every 5-minutes. 

All Porsche Taycans will come with the same complimentary 4-year maintenance & warranty program offered by SDAP, with the battery covered under an 8-year warranty. Customers can option to extend the warranty coverage for both the vehicle & battery for up to 15-years. 

Despite being a full-electric vehicle, the Taycan offers true Porsche performance with incredible traction & handling. The Taycan Turbo S goes from 0-100km/h in just 2.8-seconds, identical to what can be achieved by its Formula E sibling, the Porsche 99X. 

“The Taycan is the first purely-electric sports car from Porsche and marks the beginning of a new era into the field of electromobility. It is still undeniably a Porsche – you can feel the soul of the Taycan the second you get behind the wheel. It feels and drives like a true Porsche.”

– Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer, Sime Darby Auto Performance 

To accommodate charging at home, a full electrical check of parking facilities will be conducted at the homes of all Taycan owners by a certified provider engaged by SDAP. A report will be issued after the home visit to determine the compatibility of the charging equipment and next steps for optimal home charging. Of course, you can always make do with Porsche Turbo Charging with its 175kW DC fast-charging, able to add 100km of range in just 5-minutes. 

GALLERY: 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S

2020 PROTON X50 Announced: 4 Variants, 2 Power Outputs, October Launch?

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After much anticipation, PROTON has finally confirmed the new X50 compact SUV as part of its lineup, after what feels like an eternity of spotting the car on test camouflaged from here to yonder. At a closed-door preview event in Tg. Malim, members of the media were given an opportunity to get up-close and personal with the new baby PROTON SUV and get more specifics around the new model.

The PROTON X50 will be made available in four variants, named Standard, Executive, Premium and Flagship. What’s shared across all cars is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 7-speed DCT automatic, which has been confirmed to produce a maximum of 174PS & 265Nm in the Flagship model. What will also be standard is the infotainment system – all new cars will run a fully-connected GKUI system, replete with the latest ’19’ software. Screen sizes will differ though, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen for Premium & Flagship models, while the Standard & Executive models will make do with an 8-inch unit. 

The X50 will also be available with 6 colour options – Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Ocean Blue, Citric Orange, and Passion Red, with the Flagship models gaining a contrasting black roof. 

STANDARD

  • 1.5-litre turbocharged engine (110hp)
  • 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission
  • 4 SRS airbags
  • Full-LED headlights
  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Fabric interior upholstery
  • Rear A/C vents
  • 8-inch infotainment display
  • Reversing camera

EXECUTIVE (over Standard)

  • 6 SRS airbags
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Automatic headlights
  • Front foglight 
  • Leatherette upholstery

PREMIUM (over Executive)

  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • 18-inch alloy wheels in dual-tone finish
  • Powered drivers’ seat
  • 10-inch infotainment system
  • 360º camera

FLAGSHIP (over Premium)

  • 1.5-litre Turbocharged Gasoline Direct-Injection (High Output, 174PS & 265Nm)
  • Advanced Driver Assist Features (claimed to be “Level 2 autonomous”)
  • Dual-tone exterior finish
  • Panoramic sunroof

At the moment, PROTON has not been forthcoming about pricing of the new model – when asked, PROTONs top-management gave us hazy answers saying that the X50 ‘breaks segment barriers’ and will appeal to a ‘wider audience’ than some of its competitors, suggesting either a huge price range or a more suggestive positioning in the market. 

What we can confirm from one of our sources is that the new X50 is set to be launched sometime in October, with production already commenced at the Tg. Malim plant. PROTON has planned a whole series of events to properly introduce the car to the market, with order books open on Malaysia Day (Sept 16th) and roadshows beginning on the 19th throughout the country. 

Regardless, stay locked onto MalaysianMotoring as we bring you more updates as they come.

GALLERY: 2020 PROTON X50

Peugeot Facelifts 3008 For 2021 – New Looks, Tech, PHEV

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With SUVs still all the rage, French marque Peugeot has unveiled its mid-life update to its popular 3008 SUV which now carries the very latest iteration of its design language as well as its most cutting-edge technological and engineering features. The 3008 now looks more in line with the updated 208, 2008, and 508 models, ensuring that it’ll remain relevant on showroom floors for some years to come.

The biggest update, naturally, is the frames grille – blending seamlessly into the bumper, the horizontal slats cut inward into the bumper itself to make it look properly integrated. This of course blends smoothly into the headlights and air intakes, with the former now featuring Peugeot’s vertical daytime running lights that also double up as indicators. 

Moving down the side you’ll notice that the ‘bonnet vent’ and side trims have now been finished in black rather than chrome like they used to be. This is to lend the 3008 a more youthful appearance, in keeping with its appeal to younger buyers.

At the rear you now get full-LED, fully tinted taillights with sequential indicators rounding off the exterior changes. You can now get the 3008 in various ‘packs’ like the ‘Active Pack,’ ‘Black Pack,’ and the ‘GT Pack,’ with the latter featuring a unique grille and large 19-inch alloys.

Inside there are more changes to be seen. The compact SUV has bundled in the very latest i-Cockpit suite inside, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster now offering the very latest graphics and rendering, while the touchscreen infotainment display now offers 10-inches of digital real estate (which still offers up CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorScreen). 

Standard across the range is the drive mode selector, which allows one to choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport. PHEV models get Electric and Hybrid modes, as well as Sport to choose from. You can have the cabin in a variety of interior upholstery options, though the GT model shown here gets red Nappa leather with faux-Alcantara lining.

You can deck out the cabin with ‘Dark Lime Wood’ trim with contrasting chrome, as well as a frameless central mirror. You can also option on a 515W Focal audio system with bronze speaker grilles as an option, along with things like massaging seats, a dual-pane sunroof, and others.

In terms of motive force, you get two turbo-petrols and one turbo-diesel, with the range beginning with the PureTech 130. The 1.2-litre three-pot puts out 130hp and 230Nm, and can be paired with either a 6MT or 8AT, with power going only to the front wheels. The PureTech 180 and its 1.6-litre engine may be more familiar to us here in Malaysia, with 180hp and 250Nm on offer, mated to an 8AT. The 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engine (which we will probably never see here) makes 130hp but a sizeable 300Nm, with either an 8AT or 6MT pairing.

There are a couple of plug-in hybrid options now too, with the newest being the Hybrid 225. This front-wheel drive powertrain produces a total of 225hp and 360Nm by combining the PureTech 180 mill with an 80kW electric motor. The century sprint is dispatched in use 8.7-seconds, while official fuel consumption is rated at around 1.5L/100km.

This accompanies the Hybrid4 300 powertrain which uses the same engine but instead bundles in 2 electric motors (one on each axle to create an e-AWD system). So equipped, the 3008 can hit 100km/h in just 5.9-seconds, thanks to the 300hp and 520Nm on offer. 

Both Hybrid models come with a 90kWh battery pack, which offers a maximum of 59km range on the WLTP cycle. Via an 8A domestic plug socket, expect the battery to be recharged from 0-100% in 7-hours, though a 14A outlet will cut that down to 4-hours. With a 7.4kW wallbox, the same charge can be completed in just 1.45-hours. Peugeot assures that its Hybrid batteries are guaranteed for 8yrs/160,000km to retain 70% capacity.

On the safety front, the new Peugeot 3008 looks pretty comprehensively equipped. It offers adaptive cruise control, 360º cameras with auto-parking function, lane-keep assist, driver drowsiness alert, high-beam assistance, blind-spot monitoring, speed-sign recognition, advanced grip control, night vision, and autonomous emergency braking up to 140km/h. 

What do you think of the new Peugeot 3008? Reckon its latest styling updates are good enough to tempt you out of a PROTON X70, Mazda CX-5, or Honda CR-V perhaps? Let us know in the comments below. 

GALLERY: 2021 Peugeot 3008 GT

GALLERY: 2021 Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 300

2020 Hyundai Kona – 2.0L NA And 1.6-Turbo, Hyundai Smart Sense, Other Details Confirmed

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Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Malaysia, confirmed a few more details surrounding their new Kona crossover, which is set to debut locally sometime in the fourth quarter of this year. Yesterday, HSDM opened the order books for the new Kona, confirming that its base price would begin at “RM11x,xxx.”

Since then, HSDM has gone on to confirm a few more details. The powertrain question has been answered, with HSDM confirming that there will be a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox (149PS/179Nm, 0-100km/h in 10s), alongside a 1.6-litre Turbo-Gasoline Direct Injection mill (177PS/265Nm, 0-100km/h in 7.7-seconds). The engines will be split across Standard, Mid, and High variants, with the Turbo engine limited for the flagship High model.

With the tree trims, there will (naturally) be a difference in specification. Standard cars will run on 17-inch alloys, while the Mid and High variants will run on 18-inch units. Standard models will also make do with halogen illumination at the front and bulb-type lights at the rear, while the Mid model will add LED headlights and taillights.

The High model will benefit from Hyundai’s Smart Sense suite of active safety kit, which will bundle in autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist, as well as intelligent high-beam.

Further differentiation will be inside, where the Standard model will make do with manually-adjustable front seats and basic air-conditioning, while the Mid and High models will add a powered driver’s seat and single-zone climate control. The Mid and High models also get a heads-up display as standard, though all models will get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, mated to 6 speakers.

In a press release, HSDM has confirmed that the Kona will be arriving as a fully-imported model built in Hyundai’s plant in Ulsan, South Korea. With the Kona, Hyundai’s number of SUV offerings will rise to three, with the Kona joining the Tucson and Santa Fe. They have also confirmed that the Kona is set to go on sale in Q4 of this year. 

Measuring in at 4,165mm long, 1,800mm wide, 1,550mm tall sitting on a 2,600mm wheelbase, the Kona is shorter, lower, but wider than the segment-conquering Honda HR-V which it will have to compete with upon arrival.

Notably, HSDM has gone on to reveal that the new Kona will be offered with LED headlights, as well as a heads-up display projecting key driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight.

“We are excited about the launch of the Kona as it’s an entirely new product for us in this segment and we are reassured of a good response for the Kona. The Compact SUV is in great demand not only in Malaysia, but globally as well.”

Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director, Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia

Launched in 2017, the Kona has gone on to be a major sales success for the Korean marque, racking up more than 600,000 sales across the globe (excluding Hybrid and Electric variants). With multiple awards under its belt, the Kona is set to shake up the Malaysian market rather substantially upon arrival.

The question of price however remains unanswered. Hyundai has teased on its website that the Kona will go on sale for “RM11x,xxx” which suggests a price between RM110k and RM120k. This would put it above the Honda HR-V price-wise, but below the Mazda CX-3 and Toyota C-HR. That’s a pretty remarkable price-point given that the Kona is set to arrive as a CBU-import – the Toyota C-HR is also fully-imported, and its RM144k price tag doesn’t do it any favours. 

We expect to see the three variants range between RM110k and RM130k upon arrival, but of course, this is merely educated guessing at this point. 

The Hyundai Kona will certainly have a lot to contend with upon arrival. In addition to the Honda HR-V that’s dominated the segment since its launch, rivals like the aforementioned Mazda CX-3, Toyota C-HR, as well as other rivals like the Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008, as well as upcoming rivals like the Kia Seltos and PROTON X50. 

GALLERY: Hyundai Kona Turbo

Perodua ‘Alvan’ Rendered By Theophilus Chin

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The Perodua Alza has been around for a good long while now, serving to fill the space in the Perodua lineup for buyers either looking for a more spacious option than a Perodua Myvi, or those who really want their 7-seater not to sit so far off the ground like a Perodua Aruz. It’s for this reason that the Alza, which has been on the market for nearly 11-years now, continues to represent a healthy chunk of Perodua’s annual sales figures. 

The Alza’s multi-purpose nature, with its long wheelbase and roofline, has meant that it serves more purposes than just as a people-carrier. Within the Perodua factory you’ll find Alza’s serving as shuttle cars, whereas a large proportion of SME operators adore their Alzas because of just how much flotsam you can cart around in them.

To that end, renowned photo-manipulator Theophilus Chin has put stylus to drawing pad to bring us his rendition of an Alza panel van, which he’s christened the ‘Alvan.’ With only an exterior rendering to go on, the changes are pretty obvious – in keeping with its status as a commercial vehicle, the ‘Alvan’ rides on steel wheels, with unpainted bumpers on either end and a pair of unpainted door mirrors.

The lack of finish continues with the door handles as well as the tailgate garnish, but the eagle-eyed amongst you would have probably also noticed that the taillights have been swapped out for bulb-type units, eschewing the LED-units that you get as standard in Alzas now.

Theo did however go a little further beyond the usual this time by rendering the Alvan as two versions – one with standard doors like the existing car, and one as a sliding-door version like a proper van. Which one do you think is best? Let us know in the comments below.

GALLERY: Perodua ‘Alvan’ by Theophilus Chin

2020 Hyundai Kona Now Open For Booking – Prices From RM11Xk, RM288 Booking Fee, Launch In Q4 2020

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Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Malaysia, has just officially opened the order books on the Kona compact-crossover, a good two years after the car was first previewed locally in the metal. This development comes just a little while after an official interior teaser was shown off on their Facebook page, stirring interest in the sharply-styled crossover.

In a press release, HSDM has confirmed that the Kona will be arriving as a fully-imported model built in Hyundai’s plant in Ulsan, South Korea. With the Kona, Hyundai’s number of SUV offerings will rise to three, with the Kona joining the Tucson and Santa Fe. They have also confirmed that the Kona is set to go on sale in Q4 of this year. 

Measuring in at 4,165mm long, 1,800mm wide, 1,550mm tall sitting on a 2,600mm wheelbase, the Kona is shorter, lower, but wider than the segment-conquering Honda HR-V which it will have to compete with upon arrival.

Notably, HSDM has gone on to reveal that the new Kona will be offered with LED headlights, as well as a heads-up display projecting key driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight.

“We are excited about the launch of the Kona as it’s an entirely new product for us in this segment and we are reassured of a good response for the Kona. The Compact SUV is in great demand not only in Malaysia, but globally as well.”

Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director, Hyundai-Sime Darby Malaysia

Launched in 2017, the Kona has gone on to be a major sales success for the Korean marque, racking up more than 600,000 sales across the globe (excluding Hybrid and Electric variants). With multiple awards under its belt, the Kona is set to shake up the Malaysian market rather substantially upon arrival.

There does however remain two questions: Price, and Powertrain. On the latter front, sources are claiming that HSDM may offer the Kona with a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (177PS/265Nm), paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch auto. This would be the same powertrain that was shown in the Kona when it was first locally previewed at the KL International Motor Show back in 2018. However, it is equally possible that the Kona may arrive with a 2.0-litre MPI mill instead, which is currently employed in the Hyundai Elantra.

And then of course there is the matter of price. Hyundai has teased on its website that the Kona will go on sale for “RM11x,xxx” which suggests a price between RM110k and RM120k. This would put it above the Honda HR-V price-wise, but below the Mazda CX-3 and Toyota C-HR. That’s a pretty remarkable price-point given that the Kona is set to arrive as a CBU-import – the Toyota C-HR is also fully-imported, and its RM144k price tag doesn’t do it any favours.

The Hyundai Kona will certainly have a lot to contend with upon arrival. In addition to the Honda HR-V that’s dominated the segment since its launch, rivals like the aforementioned Mazda CX-3, Toyota C-HR, as well as other rivals like the Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008, as well as upcoming rivals like the Kia Seltos and PROTON X50. 

GALLERY: Hyundai Kona

Jaguar XE Gets Facelifted – R-Dynamic, 300PS, RM396k With SST-Exemption

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It has been announced by Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia that the facelifted Jaguar XE saloon has gone on sale here locally, bringing the compact executive saloon up to date with the rest of the lineup. Notably, the update sees the bundling of updated aesthetics alongside a new powertrain, with the car itself now available on our shores in a solitary R-Dynamic trim. 

Under the bonnet lies the biggest update – the XE facelift is now motivated by a 2.0-litre Ingenium engine which, in P300 tune, produces a neat 300PS and 400Nm. Power goes to the rear wheels via a ZF 8-speed automatic, with the century sprint dispatched in a mere 5.9-seconds before going on to a top speed of 250km/h. 

Visual changes are minimal with this update, with the face gaining slimmer, sleeker LED headlights featuring the signature J-shaped daytime running lights, as well as a new front bumper that’s more aggressive and pointed, in keeping with the R-Dynamic trim that the XE is now offered in.

Rearwards you’ll find a new set of taillights with the ‘chicane’ light signature as per what’s been seen on the Jaguar F-Pace and I-Pace, while the rear bumper gains dark mesh trim on the lower bumper as well as a variety of 18-inch alloy wheel design options.

The cabin sees more significant updates however – there are sports seats now which feature contrasting stitching for more visual flair, a brushed-chrome pair of paddle shifters, a new steering wheel (nicked wholesale from the all-electric I-Pace), and a new gear selector. 

But it’s the centre console that’s been given the most notable change, as it now features the brand’s latest Touch Pro Duo system. Two high-resolution displays are stacked atop one another with a 10-inch screen up top and a smaller 5.5-inch unit down below, allowing for greater input options and an improved sense of plushness in the cabin.

With the improved infotainment system comes improved connectivity, with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as standard, as well as ‘Smart Settings,’ which uses artificial intelligence to understand and learn the preferred settings of individual drivers and allows the car to make adjustments to the seats, the entertainment, the climate control, and the mirrors automatically.

There’s also wireless charging of course, because it’d be a sin to let your phone go flat.

The new Jaguar XE R-Dynamic is available in showrooms today starting at RM395,831 (without road tax or insurance, but inclusive of the 50% SST reduction under the PENJANA stimulus plan). All cars, including the new XE R-Dynamic, comes bundled with a 5-year warranty, 5-years free scheduled servicing, and 3-years of roadside assistance. 

GALLERY: 2020 Jaguar XE R-Dynamic

Mini John Cooper Works GP Arrives In Malaysia – 10 Units, 306hp, RM378k

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While Mini models have long been known for offering go-kart thrills in a city-friendly package, MINI Malaysia has turned up the wick today by offering the most powerful MINI in history – the new, limited-edition Mini John Cooper Works GP.

“In MINI’s 60-years of gracing both the racetracks and the streets, we continue to be revelled for our legendary racing success. Today, 14-years on, designers and engineers are paying tribute to the first MINI John Cooper Works GP once again with the successor – the fastest and most powerful MINI GP ever built.”

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia

Minis have always been known to offer immense driving pleasure, but it’s safe to say that every aspect of the new JCW GP pushes everything to the extreme. This is evident in both the engine and performance characteristics – This is an intense, purist race feeling machine, conveyed by what is by far the most powerful engine ever used in a MINI, with suspension technology that is fine-tuned based on John Cooper Works’ extensive racing expertise and a body that’s been weight-optimised as much as possible.

Under the bonnet lies the star of the show – with 306hp and 450Nm, this is the peppiest and punchiest MINI ever. 0-100km/h is handled in just 5.2-seconds, and it’ll go onward to a top speed of 265km/h. All this punch is what enabled the the JCW GP to lap the Nürburgring in less than 8-minutes, making it significantly faster than the car it replaces. 

The JCW GP will only be made available in its exclusive Racing Grey metallic, with the roof & mirror caps finished in Melting Silver. The hexagonal radiator grille, inserts in the lower air intake and the inside of the roof spoiler is finished in a contrasting Chili Red, accentuated by GP insignia in Rosso Red matte on the front, the rear, the outer sides of the enormous spoiler, and in the foils above the side skirts and door sills.

However, black is utilised to finish off the surrounds for the lights, the central radiator grille, the handles, the fuel filler cap, the bonnet inlay, and the MINI logos on either end. This is, purportedly, to emphasise the uncompromisingly sporty flair of the new JCW GP.

In all four corners you’ll find 18-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels, weighing less than 9kg each, finished off with GP logos in the centre caps. Above each of the alloys you’ll find the bold and unmissable wheel arch flares, manufactured through a special process and material combination that is a first for the BMW Group, with a thermoplastic substructure finished with carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) on the outside.

You will also find emblazoned on the front arches a 4-digit number, denoting the actual build number of the car itself. Only 3000 of these cars are available globally, and the numbers on the fenders will denote where in that limited production run each car sits in.

Inside the first thing you’ll notice are the seats – lightweight units to, well, reduce weight, they’re upholstered in Dynamica leather with silver side edges, red accentuation seams and seat belts, and a GP badge beneath the integrated headrests. On the passenger’s side of the dash you’ll find a piece of trim again bearing the individual build number of each car, produced using a state-of-the-art 3D printing process. That same process features on the steering wheel for the centre marking for the 12 o’clock position, as well as the paddle shifters. 

GP logos finish off the cabin on the floor mats, matched by twin stripes on the gear selector, and the bright-red cross-member that sits behind the front seats. No, there is no back seat in the JCW GP – you didn’t really think there would be, did you?

In the centre of it all you’ll find the MINI Visual Boost infotainment system, replete with navigation and accompanied by a 5-inch fully-digital instrument cluster. The JCW GP is also pretty well equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay, a must-have in the premium segment, going some way to make up for the lack of Android Auto. 

The Mini John Cooper Works GP is available at all authorised MINI dealerships across the country, with prices set at RM377,470.90 including the current SST tax exemption for fully-imported vehicles.

The Mini JCW GP is covered by the same 4-year/unlimited mileage warranty as other MINI models, along with 5-years roadside assistance and other benefits. 

Reckon that this is the track machine to set your heart alight? Let us know in the comments below. 

GALLERY: 2020 MINI John Cooper Works GP – RM377,470.90 with SST exemption