As it was in May, June saw BYD retain its position as Malaysia’s best selling EV brand, with data from the road transport department (JPJ) revealing 1,045 units from the brand being registered last month. Proton sold 604 units, which was good enough to nudge it back into second spot ahead of Tesla, which recorded 587 units sold last month.
Fourth position was secured by Chery, with its 189 units recorded for the month a distinct improvement over the 116 units it sold in May, putting it cleanly ahead of BMW, which delivered 136 units in June.
The sixth and seventh spots feature the same brands as the month before, but positions have changed, with Xpeng (132 units) moving ahead of Denza (91 units). In eighth and nine respectively are Porsche (83 units) and MINI (78 units), with Volvo rounding off the top 10 best selling EV brands for June with 66 units sold, inching ahead of 11th placed Zeekr by a single unit.
As for year-to-date (YTD) numbers, no change in the positions for the top four, with BYD leading the pack with 5,400 units recorded in the first six months of the year. Proton continues to sit in second spot, having sold 4,003 units of the eMas 7 since the start of 2025, and Tesla remains third with 2,397 units sold.
Meanwhile, BMW also continues to hold fourth in the YTD table, with 902 units sold. Fifth spot, which Denza occupied last month, has been taken over by Xpeng, which has now sold 637 units this year. As for Denza, it isn’t far away, with the 615 units still putting it well in reach of Xpeng.
Rounding up the top 10 for the first six months of 2025 are Zeekr (530 units), Chery (430 units), Porsche (359 units) and MINI (305 units). With another six months to go, we can definitely expect changes to the mid-table position to come about.
The road transport department’s (JPJ) June numbers are out, and positions one to seven are unchanged from May – Perodua (22,328 units, its lowest monthly sales so far this year), Proton (10,638), Toyota (9,946), Honda (4,495), Jaecoo (1,609), BYD (1,045) and Mitsubishi (888, its lowest monthly sales so far this year).
Tesla was eighth in May with 1,075 units (thanks Juniper!) but it has dropped to 11th in June (587 units). The new eighth-placer is Chery (884), up two spots and 90 units from May. Mercedes-Benz remains ninth with 733 units, although it sold 243 units less month-on-month. BMW sold 620 units in June for 10th place, two spots up from May when it sold 635 units.
There’s a new entry in the monthly list, and it’s Jetour – seems like deliveries have finally begun in earnest. And what a start – 270 units shoots it right up to 18th, just behind Nissan’s 323 units at 17th and ahead of Porsche’s 207 at 19th and MINI’s 201 at 20th. Jetour is the fifth Chinese brand in the June top 20.
Now how does the year look like so far? Perodua stands at 2.4 times Proton (though abang should pick up speed once the “all-new” X50 launches), but if Sungai Choh wants to hit its 345k-unit full-year target, it is currently a little bit behind. Toyota is at 57,370; Honda 35,471 – the gap is wider than it was in May.
The rest are all quite far away, which gives you a sense of the dominance of the P2-P1-T-H quartet. The next year-to-date number you see is 9,175, and it belongs to Jaecoo, the best-selling Chinese brand in Malaysia so far. Very consistent month-to-month, too – a sign of steady demand.
Mitsubishi is holding on to sixth with 6,724 units, keeping BYD (5,400) and Chery (4,991) at bay. Watch out for Chery though, as the recently-launched Tiggo Cross is proving to be quite popular. Will we see the sub-RM100k SUV’s effects in July, or only in August?
After dropping down to second place in May 2025, the Proton eMas 7 is now back on top by being the best-selling electric vehicle (EV) in Malaysia in June 2025. According to the latest data from the road transport department (JPJ), 604 units of the eMas 7 were registered last month, bringing its year-to-date (YTD) total to 4,003 units.
The Tesla Model Y, which took the top spot in May 2025, slips down to third with 460 units (1,571 YTD), making room for the BYD Atto 3 to creep into second with 471 units (1,701 YTD). Outside the top three, we have the BYD Sealion 7 in fourth with 320 units (1,960 YTD), while the fifth spot is occupied by the Chery Omoda E5, which saw its highest number of registrations this year with 186 units (394 YTD), likely due to the generous rebate offered.
Next up is the Tesla Model 3 with 127 units in sixth, followed closely by its direct rival, the BYD Seal, in seventh with 125 units. Based on YTD figures, this head-to-head battle is currently being won by the Model 3 with 825 units registered as of June 30 compared to the Seal at 679 units.
Electric MPVs make up places eight to 11, with the BYD M6 leading the pack last month with 114 units (977 YTD). The Denza D9 (BYD’s premium brand) trails the M6 by taking the ninth spot with 91 units (615 YTD), while the Xpeng X9 isn’t far behind with 85 units (242 YTD) to secure tenth. In 11th place is the Zeekr 009 with 55 units (457 YTD).
With 47 registrations last month, the Xpeng G6 (395 YTD) manages to climb up one spot to sit in 12th. The Porsche Taycan comes next in 13th with 44 units (205 YTD), with the figure likely to include recon units that are counted by the JPJ.
Coming in 14th is the BMW iX2 with 43 units (277 YTD), while the MINI Aceman sees its best month in June with 42 units (141 YTD) for 15th. The Volvo EX30 also had its best result so far this year with 41 units (138 YTD) for 16th, and the same is also true of the Porsche Macan Electric in 17th with 39 units (154 YTD).
In the bottom three of the top 20 list, we have the BMW iX1 in 18th with 33 units (167 YTD), the BMW i5 in 19th with 28 units (251 YTD) and the GWM Ora range (the Good Cat and 07 are bundled together by the JPJ) in 20th with 27 units (200 YTD).
Buyers were likely swayed by the extremely competitive pricing, which compares favourably against rivals Perodua Ativa, Proton X50 and Honda WR-V. The 1.5 Turbo petrol model is priced at just RM88,800 on-the-road without insurance, and even the 1.5 Hybrid CSH sneaks under the RM100k mark at RM99,800, making it the cheapest hybrid in Malaysia.
Essentially a truncated version of the Tiggo 7 Pro, the Tiggo Cross is 195 mm shorter at 4,318 mm long, making it 73 mm longer than the Ativa, 12 mm shorter than the X50 and 78 mm longer than the WR-V. Naturally, given that it’s based on a C-segment SUV – albeit with torsion beam rear suspension instead of multilinks – its 1,830 mm width and 1,670 mm height trump all of them.
Power comes from a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Omoda 5, producing 147 PS and 210 Nm of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, enabling the car to get from zero to 100 km/h in 10.3 seconds and delivering a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.3 litres per 100 km.
Meanwhile, the hybrid model gets the Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) powertrain, pairing a 96 PS/120 Nm 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-pot with a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) that incorporates a 204 PS/310 Nm electric motor. It’s significantly faster and more efficient as a result, completing the century sprint in 8.9 seconds and consuming fuel at 5.4 litres per 100 km.
Standard kit includes LED headlights, remote engine start, dual-zone auto climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, twin 10.25-inch instrument and infotainment screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six speakers and a 360-degree camera system.
The Tiggo Cross also comes as standard with driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring, with the Hybrid CSH model gaining lane centring assist for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability.
GALLERY: Chery Tiggo Cross 1.5 Turbo in Malaysia
GALLERY: Chery Tiggo Cross 1.5 Hybrid CSH in Malaysia
Continental Tyre Malaysia has expanded its tyre range with the introduction of the Continental EcoContact 6 and EcoContact 6Q to its product portfolio. Designed for use on petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles alike, the new tyres are said to deliver exceptional comfort, lower rolling resistance as well as a quieter ride.
Engineered for fuel efficiency, the EcoContact 6 reduces CO2 emissions with its high-tech silica compound, which optimises rolling resistance. That’s not at the expense of performance, as the tyre’s tailor-made pattern, asymmetric rib and sipe geometry provide superior grip and stability on wet and dry roads.
The EcoContact 6Q builds on these features but adds on advanced noise reduction technology to ensure a smoother and even quieter drive, as its Q suffix suggests. Key features include a custom tread pattern and Advanced Green Chili 2.0 compound that the German tyre maker says adapts to road conditions and further improves rolling resistance and fuel economy.
Elsewhere, asymmetric rib and sipe geometry allow the 6Q to maintain consistent road contact and provide enhanced stability, especially during lane changes.
Helping both the EcoContact 6 and 6Q to attain their levels of quietness is the adoption of ContiSilent technology, which comes in the form of an innovative polyurethane foam absorber that helps reduce interior noise by up to 9 dB(A), ensuring a quieter and more comfortable drive across various road surfaces.
The EcoContact 6 and 6Q, which are factory-fitted by a number of top global car manufacturers, are available in sizes from 15-inch to 21-inch in Malaysia, with OE markings specially developed and approved for BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Both tyre models are available at authorised Continental dealers nationwide, as well as through official Continental online stores on Shopee, Lazada and TnG eWallet. Click on the links to find out more about the EcoContact 6 and EcoContact 6Q.
Now in Malaysia is the 2025 Honda Transalp adventure-tourer, priced at RM56,800. Pricing is recommended retail and does not include road tax, insurance and registration, and four colour schemes are offered – Ross White, Pearl
Deep Mud Gray, and Graphite Black.
Mainchanges for the 2025 Transalp are the headlights and windscreen. The new dual LED headlight shape is more compact while the windscreen is made from Honda’s environmentally friendly Durobio material and improves the wind deflection around the rider.
Aerodynamics is also improved with the upper fairing redesigned to accommodate a central air intake to allow better air flow for the rider. Suspension settings have also been adjusted for improved stability and off-road control, while maintaining comfort on the highway.
Power for the Transalp comes from a liquid-cooled parallel-twin SOHC mill displacing 755 cc and producing 90.5 hp at 9,500 rpm with 75 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. An assist and slipper clutch equipped six-speed gearbox with chain final drive gets power to the rear wheel.
16.9-litres of fuel is carried in the tank while seat height is set at 850 mm – there is a 820 mm low seat option – and weight is listed as 208 kg. Inside the cockpit, a five-inch TFT-LCD panel is an all-new unit that is easily readable in daylight and does not reflect glare, with three display modes.
Complementing the new instrument panel is redesigned toggle backlit switches on the left handlebar pod, now simplified and easier to use on-the-go. Smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth comes courtesy of Honda’s RoadSync app, compatible with both Android and iPhone.
The electronics suite includes five riding modes – Sport, Standard, Rain and Gravel – while a fifth mode is user customisable. There are also four engine power modes, three levels of engine braking and five mode traction control including an off-road mode while ABS is switchable for off-road use.
Suspension for the Transalp uses Showa 43mm SFF-CA (Separate Function Fork-Cartridge) upside-down forks and preload-adjustable rear monoshock. The Transalp gets 200 mm of suspension travel in front and 190 mm in the rear, with 210 mm of ground clearance.
Catering to off-road sensibilities, the Transalp comes with a 21-inch wheel in front and an 18-inch hoop in the rear. Tyre sizing is 90/90 and 150/70, front and rear, respectively, while braking is done with two-piston callipers clamping dual 310mm ‘wave’ disc while the rear gets a single-piston calliper and 265 mm disc.
After nearly five years since its debut, the Maserati MC20 has been given a facelift that brings with it subtle changes and a new name: MCPura. Set to go on sale for the 2026 model year, we’ll start with what’s unchanged from before.
As a start, the MCPura will be offered in both coupe and convertible (Cielo) body styles, both of which retain the 3.0 litre ‘Nettuno’ twin-turbo V6 petrol engine making 630 PS (621 hp or 470 kW) at 7,500 rpm and 730 Nm of torque from 3,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the rear wheels, the MCPura takes 2.9 seconds to get from 0-100 km/h and will hit a top speed of over 325 km/h (coupe) or 320 km/h (Cielo).
In terms of visible changes, the MCPura sports a new front fascia with a more trapezoidal-shaped grille. This is joined by a bumper inspired by the GT2 Stradale race car with a revised dark frame extending from below the headlamps into a tweaked front splitter. As for the rear, the bumper now has a more sculpted look that accentuates the dual exhausts while also sporting a new diffuser.
For its reveal at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Maserati presented the MCPura in a new AI Aqua Rainbow paint with a matte finish on the coupe, and a glossy one for the Cielo. Depending on the angle you look at it, this blue hue changes in the sun and shows hints of other colors. There are also three new colours called Devil Orange, Verde Royale and Night Interaction.
Other exterior changes are a new finish for the badging, while a magenta tint with blue mica flakes is used to finish the trident logos (grille and C-pillars), wheel centre caps and model script – these are either glossy (coupe) or matte (Cielo).
Inside, the MCPura looks identical to the MC20, but there are new seats with laser-etched Alcantara upholstery with vertical stripes. These new seats come with a double-sided backing of iridescent red with blue and iridescent blue with red, with the production technique resulting in a 3D appearance.
Now in Malaysia with official pricing is the 2025 Honda CB750 Hornet, with a recommended retail price of RM49,999. Pricing does not include road tax, insurance or registration and there are two colour options – Matte Pearl Glare White and Glint Wave Blue Metallic, while primary competition in the local market comes from the Suzuki GSX-8S (RM50,800)
Coming with a liquid-cooled parallel-twin with overhead cam and 755 cc displacement, the CB750 Hornet is Honda’s entry into the middleweight streetfigther naked sports, where primary competition in Malaysia is A 270-degree crank gives power delivery similar to a V-twin, and output is claimed to be 90 hp at 9,500 rpm with 74.4 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm.
Power goes to the rear wheel via slipper and assist clutch equipped six-speed gearbox and chain final drive. There are four ride modes on the CB750 Hornet – Sport, Standard, Rain and User. Also included is engine braking control, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), a.k.a. traction control, and wheelie control while all parameters user adjustable.
Braking is done with dual radial-mount four-piston Nissin callipers on twin brake discs in front while the rear wheel gets a single 240 mm disc and single-piston calliper, with two-channel ABS as standard equipment. Wheel sizing is 17-inches, shod with 120/70 and 160/60 rubber, front and rear, respectively.
Showa supplies the suspension for the CB750 Hornet, with a SFF-BP 41 mm diameter upside-down fork in front and monoshock with Honda’s Pro-Link suspension linkage in the rear. The suspension is non-adjustable save for spring preload on the monoshock.
Riding information is displayed via a TFT-LCD screen measuring 5-inches across with four user selectable display modes. Smartphone connectivity is standard with Honda Smartphone Voice Control combined with the Honda RoadSync app to control navigation, calls, messages and music.
Carro is currently having a “No Drama” promo in conjunction with the release of its short film “Jalan ke Kebenaran” which plays on the perception of used car transactions sometimes feeling like dealing with untrustworthy parties.
You won’t have to deal with all that if you buy a Carro Certified car, because Carro pricing is all-in and includes no hidden fees!
No extra fees if you are a loan buyer, no extra processing fees, no extra inspection fees. Everything is in the listed price, so beware of other car classifieds listings that advertise a cheaper price then hit you with all kinds of surcharges.
Carro Certified benefits:
– 160 point inspection
– 5 day money back guarantee
– 12 month warranty for engine and gearbox
– no mileage tampering
– no major accidents, fire and flood damage
You can watch the “Jalan ke Kebenaran” short film below.
Carro “No Drama” promo
Carro Certified cars under the “No Drama” promo are discounted up to RM10k.
What’s more, if you buy a car during the promo period which ends August 15 2025, you will participate in a lucky draw where you can win from a pool of over RM100k in prizes!
Here are some of the prizes:
2x trip to Osaka
10x Megra TV
150x Petrol card
150x Dashcam
The inventory list below will show in real time the remaining inventory that’s still available for booking.
We’re just a week away from the paultan.orgPremium Auto Car Expo (PACE) – co-sponsored by Carro and RHB Bank – which returns to the Setia City Convention Centre (SCCC) on July 19 and 20 from 9am to 7pm. As you will have already known, Hyundai has recently been relaunched in the Malaysian market, and one of the new models it is bringing to the show is the facelifted Hyundai Tucson.
The freshly-revamped C-segment SUV receives a sharper, more rugged look, retaining the signature hidden Parametric Jewel daytime running lights but adding new front and rear bumpers that visually widen the car’s stance. The completely redesigned interior, meanwhile, has a horizontal design to promote a sense of openness and features a new curved display panel with dual 12.3-inch instrument and infotainment screens.
Arguably the biggest news for the Malaysian market is the addition of a new range-topping 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid variant, which pairs the regular 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic gearbox for a total of 235 PS and 367 Nm of torque, improving both performance and fuel efficiency. The Tucson can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive and a full complement of Hyundai SmartSense driver assists, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control and Lane Following Assist.
Hyundai is just one of the myriad of brands being showcased at PACE 2025 – BMW and MINI (both represented by Auto Bavaria), Mercedes-Benz (represented by Hap Seng Star), Audi, BYD, Denza, Kia, Mazda, Xpeng, GWM and Zeekr will all be participating in the event. Two-wheelers will also be present in the shape of BMW Motorrad, while Kineta and Trapo will also be showing their wares.
Aside from the bountiful deals on offer from each brand, there are also great giveaways in store from us at paultan.org. The first 200 people to place a booking on a new car will walk away with RM3,000 worth of vouchers from our supporting partners, including Solar Gard, Dodomat, The Carage, Kuzig Glanz, Gintell and DK Schweizer.
The RM3,000 worth of vouchers will also be given to the first 40 bike bookings, and that’s not all. Confirm your new car booking and you will be entered into a lucky draw that will win you prizes including ten smartphones worth RM3,500 each and the grand prize – a holiday package for two worth RM25,000!
With the best deals from the brands, guaranteed vouchers and many rewards in store, there’s no better place to purchase a car than at PACE 2025. Once again, the annual show will be happening from July 19-20, 9am to 7pm at SCCC. See you there!
Just a year after displaying the show car at the ID. Treffen in Locarno, Switzerland, Volkswagen is now putting the ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice into production. Limited to 1,990 units, the special edition is a nod to the 1990 Golf Mk2 Fire and Ice, which was also born out of a collaboration with sportswear brand Bogner Fire+Ice and which developed a cult following. Germany prices start from 56,020 euros (RM278k).
It’s still an ID.3 GTX, so buyers can decide if they want 286 or 326 PS (torque is 545 Nm regardless) from the rear-mounted electric motor. Choose 326 PS and you’ll touch 100 km/h from rest in 5.7 seconds before hitting the electronic buffers at 200 km/h. DCC adaptive suspension is standard on the 326 PS version and optional on the 286 PS car.
The 79-kWh (net) lithium-ion battery can swallow as much as 185 kW DC, allowing it to get from 10-80% in around 26 minutes. On a full tummy, the EV hot hatch can cover a combined 591 km WLTP.
Colour-divided interior in ‘On Fire Red’ and ‘Keep Cool Blue’.
The ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice gets Ultra Violet Metallic paintwork (just like its 1990s great-granddad), a red roof frame strip, a Fire+Ice transparent matt decal on the C-pillar, the 1990s Fire and Ice logo on the roof spoiler, 20-inch Locarno rims with red GTX centre caps, and tinted tail lamps. Open the driver’s door and a fire graphic projects onto the floor; on the passenger side an ice graphic is projected.
It’s no less special inside – the quilted seats and stitching are ‘On Fire Red’ for the driver and ‘Keep Cool Blue’ for the front passenger. The steering wheel, instrument panel, door trim and floor mats have also been customised with coloured stitching and logos.
The ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice also gets certain things as standard, including sports suspension, the Interior Plus package (sports seats with massage, augmented-reality head-up display and Harman Kardon sound), Convenience package (navigation and dual-zone climate control) and Assistance package (Park Assist Plus, reverse camera, keyless access and ACC electronic distance control).
Roof spoiler with Fire and Ice logo from the 1990s.
Colour-divided interior in ‘On Fire Red’ and ‘Keep Cool Blue’.
Ultra Violet Metallic paintwork and 20-inch ‘Locarno’ rims.
Rimac has beaten Koenigsegg to once again regain the 0-400-0 km/h title after its Nevera R achieved the feat in just 25.79 seconds. That’s 2.04 seconds quicker than what the Jesko Absolut managed last year when it set a time of 27.83 seconds.
For a bit more history on this 0-400-0 km/h battle between the two hypercar giants, the Jesko Absolut beat out the Regera that clocked a time of 28.81 seconds in June 2023, which was faster than the original Nevera that managed 29.93 seconds just a month earlier that year.
Given the Nevera R packs considerably more performance than the original, it managed to beat 24 world speed records in total, including 23 held set by the successor to the Concept One. It’s quite a list, so we’ll just put it in bullet form for easier digestion:
0-97 km/h in 1.66 seconds (-0.08 seconds over the Nevera)
0-100 km/h in 1.72 seconds (-0.09 seconds)
0-161 km/h in 2.96 seconds (-0.25 seconds)
0-200 km/h in 3.95 seconds (-0.47 seconds)
0-300 km/h in 7.89 seconds (-1.33 seconds)
0-322 km/h in 9.25 seconds (-1.61 seconds)
0-400 km/h in 17.35 seconds (-3.96 seconds)
100-200 km/h in 2.22 seconds (-0.37 seconds)
200-250 km/h in 1.65 seconds (-0.35 seconds)
200-300 km/h in 3.89 seconds (-0.9 seconds)
0-100-0 km/h in 3.32 seconds (-0.67 seconds)
0-200-0 km/h in 8.58 seconds (-0.27 seconds)
0-300-0 km/h in 14.49 seconds (-1.19 seconds)
0-400-0 km/h in 25.79 seconds (-4.14 seconds)
0-402-0 km/h in 26.2 seconds (-5.21 seconds)
Quarter mile (0.4 km) in 7.9 seconds (-0.35 seconds)
Standing mile (1.6 km) in 19.71 seconds (-0.88 seconds)
Top speed of 431.45 km/h (+19.45 km/h)
According to Rimac, the Nevera R set these records while in high-speed mode, with Dewesoft in charge of independently verifying the times and top speed set. With these results, the company calls its creation the world’s fastest production electric vehicle (EV).
The Nevera R made its debut last August and packs a quad-motor setup with a total system output of 2,107 PS. It’s also lighter than the original while boasting a improved downforce, albeit as the expense of the battery pack that has a lower energy capacity of 108 kWh (the Nevera had a 120-kWh unit). Only 40 will be offered, with each starting from 2.3 million euros (about RM11.5 million).
“When we first introduced Nevera it almost seemed like the pinnacle of hypercar performance had been reached. In a single generation, we had created a performance jump that previously would have taken decades. But now, through relentless innovation, Nevera R goes even faster, while still maintaining much of the comfort and practicality that makes the Nevera a real, usable daily car. Breaking records is in our DNA, and we won’t stop here,” said Mate Rimac, founder and president of the Rimac Group, CEO of Bugatti Rimac and Rimac Technology.
Here’s the upcoming new 2025 Proton Saga MC3 on test again, this time in Putrajaya, but there’s something different about the camouflaged mule. Yup, it’s that contraption mounted on the roof of the sedan, and we think it’s a LiDAR sensor for advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) calibration work.
Yes, the next Saga will finally get ADAS, although we’re guessing that it’ll be reserved for top variants, as per the latest X50 facelift and S70 sedan. By the way, this would be the first time that Proton is calibrating ADAS on its own, as previous models with driver assist features were all based on Geely models with existing tech and software.
Last month, Proton effectively confirmed that the new Saga will feature ADAS. Buried in its vendor collaboration press release were mentions of future products that will be launched starting this year, including the new AMA platform for entry-level vehicles.
Click to enlarge
Most notable was the seemingly innocuous partnership struck between China’s Imotion Automotive Technology and Proton’s long-term vendor Delloyd Technology, which would enable the former to help “accelerate the development and adoption of ADAS systems for the AMA01.” There’s one AMA-based model that will be launched this year and it’s the new Saga.
We’ll have to see if it’s the full Level 2 semi-autonomous driving package available on Proton’s costlier models, but that might be a bit of a stretch given the Saga’s budget positioning. But just having autonomous emergency braking alone would be a huge improvement over today’s Saga and put it on par with the Perodua Bezza, which has the option of AEB as part of the ASA 2.0 pack since 2020.
ADAS aside, the new Saga will feature a heavily revised exterior design based on the outgoing Saga, itself tracing its lineage back to the 2008 ‘BLM’ model. Leaked internal images purportedly show the new Saga with projector headlights, a full-width grille with an Ethereal Bow chrome bar and a new bumper design.
Render by Theophilus Chin
Inside, the changes are even more stark, with an all-new dashboard housing a widescreen display panel with instrument and infotainment screens, pill-shaped air vents and redesigned air-con switchgear. There’s also a new three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel lifted from the X50.
Speaking of the X50, we’re expecting the new Saga to feature a naturally-aspirated version of the new 1.5 litre i-GT TD turbo-four in the X50 facelift. Models like the X70 and S70 could take on the new BHE15TD engine wholesale down the line, but the Saga needs a cost-effective version of the engine, and such a mill does exist in the Aurobay (Geely’s Sweden-based powertrain division, now part of Horse Powertrain) catalogue.
Of the two NA members of the engine family, the BHE15PFI is a ‘low-cost’ unit with port injection, and it looks to be a suitable engine for the Saga. Outputs of the DOHC VVT unit are rated at between 99 PS and 110 PS at 6,000 rpm and between 125 Nm and 135 Nm of torque from 4,000 to 5,000 rpm – more on this here. The new AMA-based Saga will be launching later this year.
Two years after the debut of the Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai has finally revealed the next chapter of its go-faster N division. You’re looking at the brand new Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, which takes the performance of the sleek electric sedan and dials it up to 11.
As expected, this car gets all the goodness of the Ioniq 5 N, not least its 226 PS (166 kW) front and 383 PS (282 kW) rear motors, together churning out 609 PS and 740 Nm of torque. And that’s not all – push the N Grin Boost (NGB) button on the steering wheel and those figures are boosted to 650 PS and 770 Nm.
The almost certainly lighter weight vis à vis the SUV allows the Ioniq 6 N to fling itself from zero to 100 km/h two tenths of a second quicker at 3.2 seconds, although bizarrely the top speed is slightly lower at 257 km/h. Next to its main rival, the Tesla Model 3 Performance, the car is a tenth of a second slower to the century mark and has a 4 km/h lower top speed.
A few changes have been made over the 5 N, mostly aimed at further improving track performance. For a start, the motors get upgraded magnets and a rotor cooling structure to reduce derating, and while the 84 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery has been left alone, the 6 N receives a new battery management called N Battery to keep temperatures at an optimum level.
This technology integrates the previously separate functions of N Race and N Battery Conditioning to enable peak power delivery to be higher for longer, while optimised thermal management and a higher-capacity battery coolant heater significantly reduce conditioning time. This has enabled the addition of a new third mode – Endurance – to join the usual Drag and Sprint (previously Track).
Other features have been carried over from the 5 N, including the N Drift Optimiser, which shifts power around and uses the stability control to aid sliding. The system gets new options for drivers to fine-tune the initiation and angle of the drift as well as the amount of wheel spin according to their skill level and driving style. There’s also N Torque Distribution that allows them to shunt the power fore and aft.
The 6 N also inherits the 5 N’s most novel features – N e-Shift and N Active Sound +, simulating gear changes and engine sounds respectively. Here, too, there are improvements: N e-Shift gets shorter “gear ratios” for quicker acceleration, but the bigger news is that this function now works with the rest of the car’s performance-enhancing features, such as launch control, N Drift Optimiser and N Torque Distribution. And yes, you can even play with the paddles while adaptive cruise control is on.
Further changes include the expanded shift lights that now include the head-up display and the ambient lighting, making for a more immersive experience. Meanwhile, N Active Sound + gains a new Lightspeed setting that makes a “futuristic sci-fi” noise, replacing the fighter jet-aping Supersonic. The Acoustic Design Processor (ADP) is also more powerful to enhance the sound quality, while louder external speakers mean that passers-by will be better able to hear your car, too.
A trick new feature is the N Track Manager, which allows drivers to analyse their on-track performance. They can create custom circuits and have the system then perform automatic lap timings, after which they can pore over their speed data, check how they performed across the lap and even watch a ghost car replay, Gran Turismo style.
All this will be for nought if the handling doesn’t stack up, which is why the 6 N has been substantially redeveloped over the regular Ioniq 6. Benefitting from that car’s lower profile versus the Ioniq 5, the 6 N gets fully redesigned suspension geometry that shifts the hard points to further lower the centre of gravity.
On-centre steering feel has also improved thanks to an increased caster angle, which has the added effect of increasing feedback, self-centring and high-speed stability. There are also new bushings and stroke-sensing adaptive dampers that have a wider range of damping force adjustment. These changes have been accompanied by a stiffened chassis that includes a rear bulkhead cross bars, a more rigid underfloor cover and additional bracing on the suspension mounts and rear floor and quarter panels.
Going hand-in-hand with the increased performance, the design has been made much more aggressive, drawing inspiration from the RN22e that preceded the 5 N. The 6 N uses the facelifted Ioniq 6 as the base, meaning it gets the same split headlights (with slim daytime running lights up top) and spoiler-less boot lid with four-a-side illuminated red dots, the latter replacing the pre-facelift’s full-width taillight bar.
On top of this, Hyundai has added new bumpers with larger air intakes at the front and twin grey “tusks” that wrap around to form the bumper corners. The skirting all around the car gets N’s signature red striping, and there’s also a swan-neck rear wing that again improves high-speed stability.
As per the Ioniq 5 N, the 6 N gets flared wheel arches, but this time they’re integrated into the fenders for a sleeker, cleaner look. They house fatter 20-inch five-spoke aero forged wheels wrapped in bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyres, hiding larger brakes that are assisted by up to 0.6 g of regenerative braking, as per the 5 N.
What’s new is that the car can regen brake up to 0.35 g even when ABS is activated, helping to keep the friction brakes from fading on track. A returning N Pedal uses up to 0.3 g of regen braking to shift the car’s weight to the front tyres upon lifting off – akin to trail braking – for tighter turn-in.
The exterior addenda over the Ioniq 6 means the N version isn’t nearly as aerodynamic, with the drag coefficient ballooning from 0.21 to 0.27. Still, that’s a damn sight better than the 5 N’s 0.313, which should usefully improve range (no official figures have been released as yet). Lastly, the signature Performance Blue paint option gains a pearl effect for a deeper appearance.
Inside, the 6 N again receives the usability improvements from the facelifted Ioniq 6, most notably the new centre console with twin USB-C ports and a more compact and fully-featured physical control panel that frees up space for more storage.
N-specific items include a round three-spoke steering wheel with twin customisable N buttons, bucket seats with illuminated N logos and Performance Blue accents on the air vents and seat belts. There’s even a built-in mount in the roof that allows you to attach an action camera.
The Hyundai brand as a whole is gaining interest in Malaysia thanks to the establishment of the new Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMY) principal company, taking over from Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM). Don’t hold your breath for the Ioniq 6 N (or indeed, the entire facelifted Ioniq 6 range) to arrive here, however, as EVs do not figure in the firm’s plans as yet.
Once again, the police has issued a stern warning to motorcycle convoys not to obstruct the movement of other vehicles on the road. This comes after a video showing marshals controlling traffic while escorting a motorcycle convoy went viral on social media channels, Bernama reports.
According to Bukit Aman traffic investigation and enforcement department (JSPT) director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, the use of escorts or marshals to control traffic during convoy movements is strictly prohibited.
He said that action can be taken against individuals or group for performing traffic control duties without the presence of traffic police, and that if charged and found guilty under Section 48 of the Road Transport Act 1987, offenders could be fined between RM1,000 and RM5,000 or face imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
“Every group movement or convoy must be reported to the police for coordination purposes, to ensure the safety of all road users. If a motorcycle convoy does not receive official security assistance from the police, it must fully comply with all traffic regulations,” he said.
In the recent incident, which is believed to have taken place on the North-South Expressway, southbound, near Nilai, Negri Sembilan, several individuals wearing yellow safety vests or with marshal gear can be seen escorting a convoy travelling from Kuala Lumpur to the south of the country, disrupting traffic in the video clip.
