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Chery Malaysia Opens Omoda 5 Facebook Fan Page

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Things are hotting up for the marque on Malaysian shores

Ahead of its official launch in Malaysia, Chinese marque Chery has taken a step to connect with fans in the local market by launching their official Omoda 5 Facebook fan page. This is a clear indication that not only will the car be coming to our market, but that Chery has every intention of engaging with fans and followers to spur interest ahead of its official introduction.

For context, the Chery Omoda 5 is a B-segment SUV that will take on cars like the PROTON X50, the Honda HR-V, the Toyota Corolla Cross and Subaru XV. At 4,400mm long, 1,830mm wide, 1,585mm long on a 2,630mm wheelbase, it’s actually longer and taller than the Honda and on a longer wheelbase too, but it’s slightly narrower. 

Motive force comes from a 1.6-litre turbo-gasoline direct-injection engine (part of their ‘Kunpeng’ family of engines), which Chinese reports say produces 197PS and 290Nm. A 7-speed dual-clutch auto sends power to the front wheels, and Chery claims there will be electrified and fully-electric versions of the Omoda 5 in the pipeline. 

The Omoda 5 is no doubt a very striking machine, as part of Chery’s ‘Art in Motion’ design language. With its borderless front grille, dual-tier front lighting system (with adaptive beam, like a Perodua Ativa AV), coupe-like roofline and full-width taillights, it’s clear that the Omoda 5 will be very distinctive when it eventually arrives on local roads.

Continuing the theme inside you’ll find dual 12.3-inch infotainment & instrument displays (like Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX), plush materials, a flat-bottommed steering wheel, and a raised central tunnel with your HVAC controls. It’s obvious that Chery’s trying to go posh with their current generation of vehicles but with no indicative pricing ahead of launch, it’ll remain to be seen if design alone will be enough to set the marque apart in the local market. 

GALLERY: Chery Omoda 5 (Foreign Market)

Porsche Begins Assembly In Kulim, Kedah

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First ever assembly facility outside Europe.

A landmark event for Porsche and Malaysia, the German marque today opens the doors of its first assembly plant outside Europe, with the cooperation of Sime Darby’s motor division.

“A testament to the long-standing and trusted partnership built for well over a decade, Sime Darby & Porsche are connecting more Malaysian Porsche fans to their dream sports car, while at the same time empowering futures by unlocking the potential of the local community and workforce,” said a statement by the brand. 

The launch was officiated by Kedah’s crown prince, DYTM Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Ibni Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin, along with Kedah menteri besar Dato’ Seri Sanusi Md. Nor, as well as the Board & Management of Sime Darby Berhad, and Executive Board & Management members of Porsche AG & Porsche Asia Pacific. 

“Today we have reached a new milestone, rolling out the first locally-assembled Cayenne and fulfilling the sports car dream of even more Malaysian Porsche fans. Our growth strategy underlines the importance of Malaysia for Porsche as we look to expand our presence in the ASEAN region. And it demonstrates our confidence in Sime Darby, as a strong partner on our side.” – Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales & Marketing, Porsche AG

– Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board (Sales & Marketing), Porsche AG

The assembly plant in Malaysia, operated in partnership with Sime Darby, is staffed by a team of 100% highly-skilled Malaysian talent, all of whom have been comprehensively trained by Porsche. This is further supported by a network of local suppliers & service providers in the area, empowering the future of the local community with job opportunities, upskilling prospects, and potential for further expansion. 

This facility in Kulim, Kedah will assemble the Cayenne, seen as a simbol of Porsche’s broadening horizons, appealing to new customer segments by combining an elegant interior and unparalleled comfort with the robust dynamism that Porsche is famed for. 

The locally-assembled RHD Cayenne comes with an elevated and enhanced standard equipment range specified exclusively for the Malaysian market, with a specially-curated Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur option package and a special Porsche Design timepiece for more personalisation. 

At present, the facility will only assemble the Cayenne base model, with more expensive Cayenne variants remaining fully-imported units for the time being. However, we have reason to believe that the assembly plant will most likely be closely monitored by Porsche AG for future expansion, as an ASEAN base would be hugely beneficial for the Zuffenhausen brand to tackle other price-sensitive markets in the region. Add to that the insatiable demand for the Taycan EV here in Malaysia and the expiry of tax exemption on fully-imported EVs come December 2023, and it seems likely that Sime Darby and Porsche AG will look to add onto the Kulim plant’s capabilities in due course.

GALLERY: PORSCHE BEGINS ASSEMBLY IN KULIM, KEDAH

Perodua Offers Assistance to Flood-Affected Customers

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Malaysian automotive heavyweight Perodua has today announced assistance for its customers affected by the flooding throughout the country.

For the uninitiated, flooding has wrought havoc across large swathes of the country owing to higher-than-usual rainfall. As a result, some of Perodua’s service centre operations have been affected, but the company and its distributors are working as swiftly as possible to resume normal service.

“Our customers are very important to us, and these value-added services are provided to help relieve some of the burden our customers have to face during this disaster,” said Perodua’s president & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

On the matter of “value-added services,” Perodua is offering various forms of assistance to affected customers. This comes in the form of towing service rebates (worth up to RM100 to bring your Perodua to the nearest service centre), free inspection for flood-affected vehicles, and discounts on selected original spare parts.

Spare parts will be offered with a 20% discount for customers whose cars have been damaged by the floods. “Our genuine spare parts come with a manufacturer’s warranty we ask our customers to not use imitation parts that may affect vehicle performance,” said Dato’ Zainal. These parts include all electronic items, engine overhaul gaskets, seats, door trims, and carpets.

Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President & CEO, Perodua

As of 19th December 2021, parts of Selangor, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang are facing devastating flooding. The Malaysian Meteorological Department warns that the rainfall may continue and move towards other parts of the country, and has issued weather warnings.

For Perodua customers affected by the flooding with damaged vehicles, they can contact Perodua’s toll-free customer care line at 1-800-88-5555 to arrange for towing assistance (subject to terms & conditions).

2020 Hyundai Elantra Launched – 7th-Generation, Smartstream 1.6, RM158,888

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Hyundai Sime Darby Motors, the official distributor for Hyundai vehicles in Malaysia, today launched the new Hyundai Elantra in our market. Now in its 7th generation, the Elantra represents Hyundai’s entrant into the highly-competitive C-segment saloon space, where it will inevitably do battle with the Honda Civic, and the Toyota Corolla among others.

Hyundai’s decision to bring in the Elantra is a commendable one – amidst an environment that clearly favours SUVs, for a relatively small company to offer a relatively-niche product now is certainly a bold & brave decision, though there’s more to it than that. We will get to that a little bit later. 

Compared to the competition, the Elantra fares favourably. For one thing, spec-for-spec, it is now on par with the Japanese stalwarts. Every conceivable modern convenience feature is available – from active safety systems to keyless entry and go, the new Elantra will not be another compromised product from the Korean marque. However, it does dispense of one of Hyundai’s key brand strengths that it’s had for some time: At RM158,888, the new Elantra disposes of the traditional price advantage that we’ve come to expect from the brand, and positions itself as a premium left-field option.

Fortune favours the bold as they say, and ‘bold’ is definitely the word we’d use to describe the new Elantra. Wearing the new Parametric Dynamics design language proudly, the new Elantra offers cuts, creases, and complex surfacing resulting in a truly dramatic design that’s sure to turn heads. The face is dominated by the huge ‘Cascading Grille,’ which is of a size we’ve never seen before on the Elantra, framed by a pair of full-LED headlights and a remarkably-complex bumper design that is somehow not all that fussy when taken in as a whole, despite its integration of the air curtain at the lower corners.

This is evident down the side, where the complex surfacing results in a truly masterful execution of metal origami. It’s clear that Hyundai’s embracing its desire to be bold and different with the Elantra, and it’s likely going to appeal to buyers who want to be seen as a bit left of field. The Elantra rides on 17” alloy wheels with a diamond-cut finish, which admittedly looks a little bit like what we’ve seen on the Honda Civic…

At the rear however, there’s no question what this is and what it represents. The most distinctive rear element is by far are the taillights, with their full-width elements that emphasise the width of the Elantra and make it look more squat. Thanks to the sloping roofline, the rear windscreen tapers off neatly towards the tail, with a little ‘ducktail spoiler’ integrated into the bootlid. The bumper in comparison looks rather plain but to be fair, if it had been as complex as the rest of the design, it may have been too much to take in.

The new Hyundai Elantra is powered by a new powertrain option, the Smartstream G1.6. As the name suggests, the Smartstream mill here is a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine, producing 123PS and 154Nm, with power going to the front wheels via a Smartstream ‘Intelligent Variable Transmission.’ The IVT is essentially a continuously-variable transmission with 8 simulated ratios, which makes use of a chain-type transmission belt over a more conventional metal belt, improving performance efficiency by 5%. The IVT is also so-named because of its more natural transmission nature, integrating shift points that change depending on the drive mode selected. All the power efficiency, and no shift-shock.

On the subject of drive modes, the Elantra will provide drivers with a choice between Normal, Eco, and Sport, while the fourth is a ‘Smart’ mode. The first three are self-explanatory, but the fourth mode uses the vehicle’s sensors to detect the driving style employed by the driver and adjusts various parameters around the car accordingly. 

The new Elantra certainly doesn’t skimp on cabin space – with a longer and wider body sat on a longer wheelbase, it feels absolutely cavernous inside. If you feel the Elantra looks sleeker and slinkier than before, that’s owing to the lower roofline – as a result, the new Elantra looks like a much more lithe and agile machine than before.

But it doesn’t sacrifice practicality, not even in the slightest. The boot now measures 474L before folding the rear seats down, which then opens up even more room for the most ambitious IKEA shoppers. And with the seats up, you’ll find plenty of space for four, or five in a pinch. You’ll find two ISOFIX mounts in the rear as well as rear air conditioning vents, but it’s a shame there isn’t a USB port at the rear. 

Up front though you’ll find the biggest demonstration of Hyundai’s new-found maturity – there’s a clear visual separation between driver and front passenger, emphasised further in the light-grey cabin. The driver’s seat is powered while the passenger’s is manual, but both benefit from ventilation and heating (yes, heating). The steering wheel & door mirrors are heated too – when asked, Hyundai Sime Darby explained that as they wanted ventilation for our market, the heating for the seats, steering wheel and mirrors came as part of a singular package, so they had little choice in the matter.

One area where HSDM had plenty of choice, and made the right ones, were in the way of safety. The standard features are all there, with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Management, Hill-Assist Control, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring, along with 6-airbags dotted around the cabin. 

Where the Elantra really pushes the boat out is in terms of active safety: Hyundai SmartSense comes as standard on the new Elantra, and offers things like Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keep Assist with Follow (effectively offering Level 2 autonomy), Forward Collision Avoidance (with vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist detection), Junction-Collision Avoidance, Blind Spot Monitoring with Collision Avoidance Assistance, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear AEB, Safe Exit Warning, Driver Drowsiness Alert, and Forward Departure Alert. There’s also Rear Occupant Alert too, to avoid those tragic incidences where children & pets are accidentally left in cars. 

It’s clear with the new Elantra that Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors is charting a new course for the brand. No longer a budget alternative to the Japanese institutions, Hyundai is wholeheartedly embracing its image as a brand for the bold and left-of-field, and now its cars fit the description too. Save for the Grand Starex, the Hyundai we see before us is almost entirely reinvented, with its new lineup indicative of their ambition as they move into the future. 

However, there’s no doubt that the Elantra will face quite the uphill battle – at RM158,888, the new Elantra is pegged against more established rivals like the Mazda 3 (RM154,680), and well above competitors like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla which top out at RM139,600 and RM139,888 respectively. That said, Hyundai Sime Darby is targeting a sales figure of around about 2,000 annually, so it’s pretty clear that they understand that it won’t be a walk in the park for them.

The new Hyundai Elantra will be available in 4 colours, namely Polar White, Electric Shadow, Amazon Grey, and Intense Blue. All new Hyundai models come with a 5-year/300,000km warranty, and is available for viewing at showrooms nationwide. 

So what do you think of the new Elantra? Let us know in the comments below.

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

2020 PROTON Saga Anniversary Edition – Only 1,100 Units, RM39,300

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National automotive flagbearer PROTON has today marked the 35th birthday of their inaugural Saga, the model that started it all, with a commemorative limited edition version of its compact saloon. With a production run of just 1,100 units, the 35th anniversary model will surely be a hot commodity – especially since its RM39,300 price means it asks no more than the model upon which it’s based.

On that subject, there are no major mechanical or specification changes, aside from the aesthetics. So under the bonnet still lies a 1.3L VVT engine producing 95PS and 120Nm, sending power to the front wheels via a Hyundai 4AT transmission. There are still things like electronic stability control, electronic brake distribution with brake assist, anti-lock brakes, hill-hold assist, and two airbags, as well as the LED daytime running lights that came as part of the facelift last year. The interior specification remains the same too – touchscreen infotainment unit, a smarter-designed meter cluster, and plusher fabrics used for the headlining and seat upholstery.

Now, onto the special bits. The 35th anniversary Saga marries a unique black paintjob with yellow accents, namely on the upper grille, the rear bumper garnish, and the wing mirrors. Not to be overlooked are the alloys – while they’re the same 15-inch units as before, they’ve now been given a matte-grey finish with a high-gloss silver lip, making them stand out quite a bit (and no doubt giving current owners ideas).

Inside, the air-conditioning surrounds on either side are done in gloss black, while the vent sliders are finished in the same matching yellow hue. Not to end there, the same colour is applied to the meter cluster surrounds, as well as to the little ‘tray’ that sits beneath the ‘PROTON’ script in the centre stack.

Unfortunately however, the snazzy bodykit you see here (door visors, front lip & side skirts) are an option, along with some new items like a boot tray, bonnet NVH insulator (called ‘NVH Guard’), and boot NVH insulator (also called ‘NVH Guard’). For the time being, these items can be bundled together on the Anniversary Edition or any facelifted PROTON Saga for RM2,035 – which represents a major savings given that individually-optioned they’d come up to RM2,350.

PROTON also took the opportunity to announce that the new Saga Anniversary Edition will come fitted with an N95-grade cabin air filter, which will now be offered on all new PROTON cars and be available for retrofitment on existing models. Retailing at RM59, these N95 filters will come in very handy to filter out smoke particulates, certain bacteria, and other harmful elements in the air. And between now and the 9th of October 2020, the N95 filter retrofit will be offered at a promotional price of just under RM52.

The Saga is an important model for PROTON, being the entry-level model into the lineup. Of the cars that were introduced through the course of 2019, the Saga was given the most attention by DRB-Hicom & Geely in its refresh. The new PROTON team made major upgrades to the Saga’s refinement, poise, and even its driving characteristics, enhancing a car that has was always impressive at its core but disappointed in the details.

With a more refined finish than ever before, plus the added emphasis by PROTON to keep customers excited and engaged, we’ve no doubt that there are many, many chapters to go in the story of the PROTON Saga.

What’s your Saga story? Let us know in the comments below!

2020 Range Rover Evoque – 2 Variants, 2 Power Outputs, From RM427k

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Sime Darby, the official distributor of Land Rover vehicles in Malaysia, has today launched the all-new 2nd-generation Range Rover Evoque to much fanfare, marking the reintroduction of the incredibly successful ‘baby-Rangie’ to the lineup. Since it was introduced internationally in late 2018, the new Range Rover Evoque has won much acclaim from critics and buyers across the globe, and it is set to continue that trend here.

“The Range Rover Evoque has been a fundamental driver in Jaguar Land Rover’s global success. Since it first rolled off the Halewood production line, we have exported 80 per cent of all we have made. Our commitment to UK production remains firm and the new Evoque benefits from a £1bn investment. With this, we are introducing new technology and Range Rover refinement into the luxury compact SUV segment that the original model created.”

– Dr. Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar-Land Rover

Sitting on an all-new platform, the new Range Rover Evoque carries on the aesthetics first seen by the Velar. As such the headlights & taillights, which are full-LEDs, are now slimmer & wider than before. They now also feature scrolling indicators like the Velar, though the headlights now have an adaptive beam technology that ensure that full-beam can be used more often without dazzling other road users. The doors also feature retractable door handles like the Velar, which now sit flush against the door panels until the car is unlocked or if they are ‘made’ to appear.

The Evoque’s new platform features a longer & wider wheelbase than before, and dimensions have grown noticeably. At 4371mm long, 1966mm wide, and 1649mm tall, the Evoque is now larger than the outgoing model in every measurable way, which means that interior space has benefitted massively. For starters, the boot now features 591L of cargo room with the rear seats up, expandable to 1,383L with the seats folded, all of which is accessible via the all-electric one-piece tailgate.

And when you step inside, you discover that the new Evoque has more room for passengers too, with rear seat occupants entitled to more leg- and head-room than the previous model could have even dreamed of.

But the real kicker is up front, where the old Evoque is left for dead by the new kid on the block. The highlight of the cabin is no doubt the screens – innovatively called TouchPro Duo, the system comprises of two glass-fronted 10-inch infotainment screens placed atop each other, with the upper half dedicated to media functions while the lower one handles HVAC controls, TerrainResponse 2 (standard on the new Evoque) and so on. These screens work in tandem with the 12.3-inch digital drivers display that sits ahead of the driver, which clearly & elegantly display all the necessary driving information.

There’s actually one more screen that we have to talk about: Dubbed ClearSight Rear View, the centre rear-view mirror can now be turned into a screen (standard on R-Dynamic only) which activates a camera mounted above the car allowing for totally clear, unobstructed views rearward with a 50-degree viewing angle. This effectively overcomes the rather compromised rear view from within the cabin (owing to the sloping roofline and narrow rear window) and means that even if your Evoque is full of people and stuff, you’ll still be able to see out.

That’s not all – ClearSight Ground View now offers a full 180-degree view of the road ahead, and even between the two front wheels, essentially ‘eliminating’ the blind-spot created by your bonnet. As such, Land Rover says that this will make navigating the Evoque through tight city streets, compact parking spaces, and rough off-road terrain that much easier (notice how they mentioned the off-roading part last?).

Regardless of on- or off-road, and irrespective of Evoque or Evoque R-Dynamic, power still comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged Ingenium engine paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Both cars feature a nifty little thing called Active Driveline Disconnect that de-couples the rear-wheels during day-to-day driving to improve fuel economy, but is able to re-engage them almost instantly should the car demand extra traction. Outputs differ though: The base Evoque puts out 200PS and 320Nm, while the Evoque R-Dynamic offers 249PS and 365Nm. As such, the R-Dynamic is able to hit the century mark in just 7.5-seconds, while the base Evoque does the same a second slower at 8.5-seconds.

The R-Dynamic does add a few more bits and bobs too. While the standard car features things like Lane Keep Assist and Driver Drowsiness Alert, the R-Dynamic adds a full gamut of active safety kit like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, full-speed Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. This at least goes some way to soften the blow of the pricing, given that the compact-sized Evoque is priced against much larger rivals like the BMW X5 xDrive45e and the Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Plus despite being the size of a BMW X3 or a Volvo XC60.

The Range Rover Evoque range starts at RM426,828 for the base model without SST, while the Range Rover Evoque R-Dynamic with its more comprehensive kit list and punchier engine goes for RM475,398 without SST. All new Evoques will be sold with a 5-year/150,000km warranty, a 5-year/65,000km free service package, as well as 3-years roadside assistance. The new Range Rover Evoque is available for viewing from today at Land Rover dealerships across the country.

For the best deals on a new Range Rover, check out our Facebook page where you can fill in your details and get the best deal & buying experience on a new Range Rover Evoque (or any car for that matter).

2020 Toyota RAV4 Revealed – 2.0 and 2.5, From RM196k

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UMW Toyota Malaysia has today unveiled their latest entrant into the burgeoning SUV space, in the form of the all-new Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 is an important nameplate not just for Toyota but for the crossover segment as a whole, as it’s widely credited for establishing the urban-focused high-riding utility vehicle that everyone so desperately wants today. And in this latest generation, Toyota has aimed to move forward with the sort of confidence that only they could have with the RAV4 brand, and they certainly have done.

The new RAV4 is underpinned by Toyota’s New Global Architecture or TNGA, which offers better packaging, more efficient use of material, and overall weight savings while also improving rigidity. TNGA also means that the new RAV4 can make full use of Toyota’s newest engines – the RAV4 is available with DynamicForce petrol engines in both 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre displacements, with a CVT automatic for the former and an 8-speed torque-converter automatic for the latter. Both are exclusively front-wheel drive.

While the engines offer some choice, the rest of the RAV4 packaging locally does not. Both cars are identically equipped: Both run on 18-inch alloy wheels, both cars get 6 exterior colour options, they feature LED headlights, the cabin trim are identical… We’re not sure what UMW Toyota is getting at here, but we’re sure that when we do get to ask them what was going through their minds, we’ll get a satisfactory answer.

What we certainly appreciate with the new RAV4 is the comprehensive list of safety features. The new SUV arrives with Toyota Safety Suite as standard, which comprises of adaptive cruise control, collision warning, lane departure warning with lane-keep assist, as well as an automatic high-beam function. This puts the RAV4 on par with segment stalwarts like the Honda CR-V and the PROTON X70; However, the RAV4 is a fully-imported model, which brings about its own issues that we’ll get to later.

Inside, we finally get to see Toyota getting a little more playful after they admitted to playing it safe for far too long. Major touchpoints within the cabin benefit from soft-touch materials to elevate the sensory experience, while key features such as a semi-digital instrument cluster, large infotainment screen with Apple & Android smartphone mirroring, Qi wireless charging, as well as an electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functionality means that you’re certainly given a premium feel. There’s also dual-zone climate control & front-seat ventilation, which again puts it on par with the PROTON X70.

There’s masses of space for people and luggage alike: Toyota boasts class-leading bootspace, thanks to packaging ingenuity. A feature that we like alot is the reversible boot floor, that allows you to reverse the side used to floor the boot from either a carpeted surface (good for luggage bags & general day-to-day flotsam) to a waterproof, hard-wearing plastic surface that’s more suited to dirtier, or wet items. Further, the boot floor can be adjusted from a high position (offering a lip-less cargo space) to a lower position that can better accommodate taller items. Of course, the rear seats can also be folded 60:40 or completely flat, should you find yourself in IKEA over the weekend.

The new Toyota RAV4 will be available in showrooms this week, with prices starting at RM196,436 for the 2.0-litre model, and topping out at RM215,664.50 for the 2.5-litre model. All cars will benefit from a 5-year warranty as well as manufacturer-backed servicing & aftersales.

2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Lands – 3.0 I-6, 394PS, RM441k Without SST

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A year after its pure-combustion sibling made its debut, BMW Group Malaysia has finally unveiled the long-awaited X5 xDrive45e PHEV, which will take the place of the mightily-successful F15 predecessor model. Dubbed the G05, the new X5 PHEV has big shoes to fill – thankfully, it seems to be intent on doing so just fine.

Under the skin you’ll find a brand new chassis, upon which sits a brand new powertrain. Gone is the strained 2.0-litre 4-cylinder that was the bugbear of many owners (of both the X5 as well as the pre-LCI G01 7-Series PHEV), and in its place stands a beefier 3.0-litre straight-6 mill. Aside from providing the soundtrack that any self-respecting BMW owner should demand, it also puts out a more meaty 286PS and 450Nm, making it a pretty brawny thing alone even before you consider the added pep that the plug-in hybrid side of the powertrain offers.

The X5 xDrive45e also comes with an electric motor, sandwiched between the 3.0-litre petrol mill up front and the ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. That motor provides on its own an additional 113PS and 265Nm, though BMW claims the combined output looks like 394hp and 600Nm. Despite the sheer size of the G05, the plug-in hybrid X5 can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.6-seconds, before going on to a top speed of 235km/h.

The new G05 doesn’t just have performance stats to offer, but proper eco-friendly credentials too. Thanks to a new 24kWh battery, the G05 X5 can run zero-emissions for 77km on a full charge (according to BMW Malaysia). As a result, it is reasonable to assume that most Malaysian owners who keep their X5’s juiced-up will be able to complete most of their weekly runs on pure electric power alone, contributing to a low 2.5L/100km claimed fuel consumption figure. The only drawback to this is the charging times: Due to the enormity of the battery, the X5 xDrive45e requires 6.8-hours to charge from flat to full via a Type-2 3.7kW connector, but plugged into a standard 230V 3-point domestic plug it’ll take about 11-hours. Yikes.

Inside, the cockpit of the New BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport is stylishly fitted with Leather Vernasca upholstery for a touch of elegance. The interior also features M leather steering wheel, an electrically adjustable steering wheel, Sport front seats with memory function for the driver’s seat, four-zone automatic air conditioning and the instrument panel in Sensatec. Excellent music for driving is further boosted with the 464W 16-Speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.

The new SAV comes with a boot capacity that can be easily increased from 500 litres to 1,720 litres. The new SAV also comes with automatic tailgate operation with contactless opening and closing functions, along with a two-section tailgate for ease of loading. The top section can be opened electrically, while the bottom section is released manually.

The highlight of the new BMW X5 xDrive45e M-Sport is the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Gesture Control and Intelligent Personal Assistant. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional combines the 12.3-inch Fully Digital Instrument Display with an equally large touchscreen Control Display. Rear passengers will be able to enjoy the Rear Seat Entertainment Professional with a 10.2-inch touchscreen monitor. Wireless charging is also offered for added convenience on the road. Next-level driving assistance is offered via the BMW Personal CoPilot, which includes Lane Departure Warning and Lane Changing Warning. The system also features Frontal Collision Warning with braking intervention, Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Prevention, as well as speed limit info.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e does a very good job of lowering the local cost of entry into the X5 range – at RM440,745 it is significantly cheaper than its pure-combustion brother, which debuted in Malaysia at RM618,888. That said, the greener sibling will face very, very stiff competition from the beloved & respected Volvo XC90, which was recently refreshed to improve its overall packaging as well as its price, which tops out at RM409,888 for the fully-loaded T8 TwinEngine Inscription Plus variant.

All new BMW X5 xDrive45e’s will be available with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty, as well as a separate 8-year/160,000km warranty for the plug-in hybrid powertrain. Additionally, you get free scheduled services for the first 5-years of ownership too.

The 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e is available with the Balloon Financing Plan via BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, with monthly installments starting from RM5,028 (based on an 80% loan over a 5-year tenure). The new X5 PHEV will be available for viewing in showrooms beginning this Saturday, the 20th of June.

ED: It’ll be interesting to pit the German newcomer with the steady and unflinching Swede, don’t you think? Let us know in the comments below, or on our Facebook page. Maybe that will get BMW Malaysia’s attention…