Latest Stories

  • UMW Toyota Motor announces recall for 13,500 units of Toyota, Lexus models – potentially faulty fuel pump

    In Cars, Lexus, Local News, Toyota / By / 5 comments

    UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced a recall to replace the fuel pump on certain units of Toyota and Lexus models in Malaysia. The company says that affected vehicles equipped with a potentially faulty fuel pump might stop operating, resulting in warning lights and messages being displayed on the instrument panel, a lack of engine power, stalling and being unable to start. This could also increase the risk of a crash while driving at higher speeds.

    Keep in mind that this recall isn’t specific to our country, as similar recalls involving fuel pumps have been made in other countries, with reports indicating around 3.2 million vehicles are affected worldwide.

    Based on information received from Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), around 12,000 units of the Toyota Alphard, Camry, Corolla, Innova and Fortuner are affected by the recall here, along with 1,500 units of the Lexus GS (GS 300, GS 350), IS (IS 300), LC (LC 500, LC 500h), LS (LS 460, LS 500, LS 500h), NX (NX 200T, NX 300h), RC (RC 350, RC300h) and RX (RX 350, RX 450, RX 450h).

    Only the models listed here that are manufactured from 2013 to 2019 and distributed by UMWT are involved in the recall campaign. The company will notify all affected vehicle owners to schedule replacement works at no charge.

    For more information, owners of affected cars may contact any authorised Toyota or Lexus service centre, or call the Toyota Free Phone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).

     

  • IndianxWorkhorse Appaloosa v2.0 ice racer gets shakedown run before Sultans of Sprint in April

    In Bikes, Indian Motorcycle, International Bike News / By / / 0 comment

    Taking a base model Scout Bobber named Appaloosa, Indian Motorcycles and Workhorse Speed Shop turned the sprint racer into a speed machine on ice. Running with studded wheels, Appaloosa – an American horse breed best known for its colorful spotted coat pattern – was taken to Lake Baikal in Russia for a shakedown run ahead of its intended public race at the Sultans of Sprint race.

    The Lake Baikal Mile is held from February 25 to March 1 and competitors run a 1/8-mile and 1-mile course on the frozen waters of the world’s largest freshwater lake by volume. Now in its second edition, the Baikal Mile also features stunt riding, drifting, drag racing, flat track and freestyle motocross.

    Appaloosa made its debut last year at Sultans of Spring at the Waves and Wheels event in Biarritz, Spain, piloted by 500 GP legend Randy Mamola. Taking 700 hours to build, Appaloosa was unable to be fully tested before the 2019 race and builder Brice Hennebert wanted to give Appaloosa a proper test before competition proper.

    With support from partners Akrapovic, Beringer Brakes, Dunlop Europe, Evok3 Performance, Motorex, Öhlins and tuning advice from Flybike, Appaloosa was shipped to Baikal in February. Hennebert and friends Sébastien Lorentz and Dorsan “DJ Peeta Selecta” arrived in Baikal to face minus 25 degree Centigrade temperatures.

    After a technical inspection and shakedown 1/8-mile run, Lorentz took Appaloosa out on the mile course. Adjustments to tyre pressure, tyre stud placement and ECU mapping gave Appaloosa a final run of 180 km/h.

    “Racing on ice is hard, this is the most incredible thing I’ve tried to do. I’ve learnt so much and had a hell of a lot of fun doing it. We’re losing something like 30% of our speed to the conditions and although we’ve had some issues, I am so glad we came here to test Appaloosa,” said Hennebert.








     

  • GM announces new Ultium batteries and EV platform

    In Cars, General Motors, International News / By / 2 comments

    General Motors is stepping up its electrification initiative by introducing its third-generation electric vehicle architecture, which can accommodate modular propulsion systems and the company’s newly-developed Ultium batteries.

    For now, the carmaker has yet to reveal finer details about its proprietary batteries, nor has it explained how they differ from others that are currently in the market. However, it did state that the batteries use low cobalt chemistry, and are configurable for large-format, pouch-style cells that can be stacked horizontally or vertically.

    This allows the battery packs to be adapted for different vehicle designs and optimum energy storage, with capacities ranging from 50 to 200 kWh for a maximum range of up to 644 km (400 miles). The batteries will power electric drivetrains in either front-, rear- or all-wheel drive configurations, with zero to 96 km/h (0-60 mph) acceleration times of as low as three seconds.

    On the matter of recharging batteries, Ultimum-powered EVs are designed for Level 2 and DC fast charging, with most of them featuring 400-volt battery packs capable of handling up to 200 kW. Larger setups for trucks will have 800-volt packs and supports up to 350 kW.

    To go along with the announcement, GM also revealed some of the upcoming launches and reveals from its subsidiaries that are in the pipeline. First up, Chevrolet will introduce the next generation of the Bolt EV in late 2020, which will be followed by the Bolt EUV in 2021. The Cadillac Lyriq SUV will come later in April, and the GMC Hummer EV the May.


     

  • Honda WR-V facelift revealed, India launch next month

    In Cars, Honda, International News / By / 4 comments

    The Honda WR-V, a previous generation Jazz-based “SUV” that was launched in India in March 2017, has received a facelift. The refreshed crossover-inspired B-segment hatchback has appeared on Honda India’s website and social media ahead of a launch in April.

    As before, the WR-V is clearly differentiated from the Jazz thanks to its pre-facelift HR-V-style front end. There’s a new front grille with horizontal slats (was honeycomb) flanked by new headlamps. The “eyes” of the car are obvious new items, and they are LED projectors with integrated daytime running lights and position lamps. The pre-facelift had simple halogen bulbs. There are also black shrouds for the foglamps now.

    At the back, the tail lamp arrangement is new (the shape remains) and there are LED signatures. Cruise control and an electric sunroof are the other highlights for top spec models.

    According to local reports, the WR-V facelift will come with BS6-compliant (India’s latest emissions standard) petrol and diesel engines – and they are a 1.2 litre SOHC i-VTEC petrol with 90 hp and a 1.5 litre i-DTEC turbodiesel with 110 hp. Both options are expected to carry-over a five-speed manual gearbox. Will India get an automatic option this time around?

    At 3,999 mm long and 1,734 mm wide, the WR-V is 44 mm longer and 40 mm wider than the third-generation GK Jazz due to the body add-ons. Ground clearance is 188 mm, which is 53 mm higher than on the hatchback. What do you think of the Honda WR-V – would it work in ASEAN?



    GALLERY: Pre-facelift Honda WR-V












     

  • Geely Azkarra 1.5L mild hybrid – Boyue Pro heads to the Philippines with 7DCT/AWD, 12.3-inch infotainment

    In Cars, Geely, International News / By / / 1 comment

    Following the entry of the Geely Coolray into the Philippines market last September, the Geely Boyue Pro is set to enter the country as the Geely Azkarra, according to Auto Industriya. The model name for the Philippines market has also been used by Geely for the Kuwait market, and the Philippines-bound Azkarra will feature a 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine with a mild-hybrid system.

    This will be paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive, while inside it it gain a 12.3-inch infotainment system, wireless mobile device charging and more.

    For comparison, the Boyue Pro for China is powered by a 1.8 litre turbocharged, direct-injection inline-four petrol engine producing 181 hp and 300 Nm of torque, paired to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox. A smaller 1.5 litre turbo petrol is also available for the China-market Boyue Pro, and this produces 174 hp and 255 Nm of torque, driving the wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

    Auto Industriya had previously reported that Geely aims for the Azkarra to go on sale in top trim with the 1.5 litre three-cylinder engine at PhP 1.6 million (RM131,660), however there could also be a lower trim level version priced below that, one equipped with a six-speed automatic instead of the DCT. More details for the Philippines-market crossover should be revealed soon, according to the report.

    Closer to home, the Geely Boyue provided the basis for the Proton X70 which made its debut at the end of 2018, entering the Malaysian market with a starting price below the RM100k mark. Fast forward to earlier this month, and the X70 is now assembled in Malaysia, with the update omitting the sole AWD variant in the CBU range and now uses a Volvo 7DCT gearbox. In Malaysia, the CKD X70 gets an eight-inch touchscreen.

     

  • Aiways U6ion – eSUV coupe concept from Shanghai

    In Cars, China, International News / By / / 0 comment

    Aiways Auto, a personal mobility provider start-up from Shanghai, has taken the veils off its new U6ion electric crossover coupe concept. The unveiling arrives just ahead of the brand’s European launch, and the new electric SUV will go on sale in selected European markets later in August.

    Now, the U6ion takes after its U5 SUV sibling, which means it shares the same More Adaptable Structure (MAS) platform. Aiways says the platform can be scaled to create products that cater to a variety of lifestyles, functions and configurations. According to the company, the U6ion will be powered by a lightweight electric motor that’s hooked up to a big battery pack which improves range, but no numbers have been revealed yet.

    In terms of design, let’s just say the crossover coupe looks somewhat familiar. Sporty and muscular are the adjectives chosen by the automaker to describe the U6ion. Up front, it gets a sleek pair of LED headlights with LED DRLs, below which are the intakes for cooling the brakes.

    Styling appears to be heavily influenced by aerodynamic functionalities, resulting in the use of splitters, diffusers, and a slick fastback-styled roofline with a domed glass surface. All in, the SUV has a claimed drag coefficient of 0.27. Additional aero parts include shark fins, lipped edges, and a two-tone curved rear spoiler. The concept is shod with massive 21-inch low-drag wheels.

    For the interior, the driver is greeted with a squared multifunction steering wheel, behind which rests a seven-inch floating instrument cluster. In the middle rests a huge 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice recognition function, and below that is a panel of capacitive touch glass panel for HVAC controls.

    What’s really unique with the U6ion is the gear shifter. Aiways calls it the ‘grip shift’, a design inspired by the throttle levers in power yachts. Elsewhere, there’s race-style door tabs, four integrated sports seats, grip handles for the rear passengers, and capsule umbrellas stored integrally within the doors.

    Aiways also incorporated a storage area for a drone and remote control, both of which are designed to fit between the rear passengers. There’s also a hidden compartment made specifically for the deployment of an electric scooter.

    For safety, it gets the automaker’s latest suite of driver assistance systems, including Auto Emergency Brake (AEB), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC), Lane Keeping System (LKS), driver fatigue detection, and more.



     

  • Toyota delays B-segment SUV reveal to later this year

    In Cars, International News, Toyota / By / 2 comments

    Right now, the Geneva Motor Show would have been in full swing, and even though it has now been cancelled, carmakers have still been busy carrying out their plans, unveiling several production and concept cars over the past few days. The sole exception is Toyota, which has decided to postpone the reveal of its new B-segment SUV, according to Automotive News Europe.

    The car was due to make its premiere by now, but a source close to the company said the reveal will now only happen “in the coming weeks or months.” The delay will likely be a blessing for Toyota, as it has already said that the car isn’t actually going on sale for another 12 months.

    Its Geneva activities had already been reduced this year, its media briefing event – which involves senior executives – having moved from the eve of the show to January. Toyota also held what was effectively a private motor show in Amsterdam, showcasing the new Mirai hydrogen-powered sedan, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid and the fully-electric Lexus UX 300e.

    The new small SUV would have been the star of Toyota’s Geneva stand and marked its entry into a booming segment – something the more upmarket, sophisticated and expensive C-HR probably didn’t adequately serve. Figures from market researcher JATO Dynamics showed that 1.9 million of these vehicles were sold in Europe last year, an increase of 20% over 2018 numbers.

    Smaller and cheaper than the already petite C-HR, the car should get the same B-segment version of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) as the European-market Yaris. They will be built at the Valenciennes plant in France and are expected to make up around 30% of Toyota’s European sales volume by 2025.

    At launch, the car is expected to be powered by its hatch sibling’s parallel hybrid setup, consisting of a 91 hp/120 Nm 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine and a 79 hp/141 Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. It will also be offered with all-wheel drive, rare in the segment.

    Toyota expects plenty of orders for the new SUV. “We expect this to be a very successful car. Some cars you look at the styling and it just looks right. This is such a car,” said a Toyota source at the Amsterdam event.

     

  • MSF-TOC Apprenticeship Programme for 2020 introduces new Project Saga Cup Race Car initiative

    In Local News / By / / 1 comment

    The Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) Racing Series’ partnership with TOC Automotive College was first established in 2018, and since then, around 200 students have been given an opportunity to be involved in the local motorsport industry via the MSF-TOC Apprenticeship Programme that adds on as an elective to TOC’s existing diploma and certificate courses.

    The programme, which has been running throughout 2018 and 2019, aims to provide students with additional classes that educate them on team building, racing event management, advanced driving skills and racing regulations.

    Selected students would then join the MSF race organising team for each round, providing them the opportunity to experience a variety of roles – scrutineering, timekeeping, secretariat, race control and many more – with each one being monitored by post chiefs. Through these efforts, each student’s strengths, skills and specialisation can be identified and sharpened further.

    For 2020, the programme is split between two stages, with Stage 1 focused on classroom and theory lessons that include vehicle and event safety, event management, rules and regulations, suspension and engine building theories, as well as race team management. They will also go through a karting course at the end where they will learn basic racecraft in a controlled environment.

    “We aim to provide the students with a more holistic learning experience so they can understand the bigger picture at play. By placing them in a simulated dogfighting environment through karting, they can then place themselves in the driver’s shoes to know what needs to be done when necessary,” said Reza from MSF.

    Meanwhile, Stage 2 is an expansion of the programme, introducing practical elements that will have students prepare a race-spec Saga, which will then be raced in MSF’s Saga Cup category during Round 2 on June 28, 2020. Called “Project Saga Cup Race Car,” Stage 2 will see 24 students run their own racing team – named NLB Racing Dynamics – under the supervision of experienced instructors.

    With the second stage of the programme, students will put the theories learned from previous years into practice, with new skills like vehicle body preparation, chassis and suspension tuning, along with budget and costing. The team have been given a total budget of RM8,000 to work with during this stage, which will need to include the purchase of the car, necessary parts and materials, as well as race car preparation and testing costs.

    This is a very tight budget and will necessitate the usage of their own vehicle preparation skills to achieve this. During the course they will also undergo a more advanced vehicle dynamic skills workshop which will cover advanced activities such as skid control, braking and turning, and scandinavian flick.

    “A good motorsports technician needs to have some understanding of performance driving in order to prepare and set up a well-balanced, good performing race car,” said Adian Yein, principal of MSF. “We see the excitement in the students, so let’s keep that fire alive and guide them as we should. We pass down our knowledge and experiences to them so they too can keep the ball rolling in the future,” he added.



     

  • Voluntary Vehicle End of Life policy being proposed

    In Cars, Local News / By / 19 comments

    A proposal to establish a mechanism for an Vehicle End of Life (ELV) policy is being looked at, but this will explore a voluntary approach rather than adopt a mandatory direction, acccording to Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii) CEO Datuk Madani Sahari.

    Speaking to reporters following the press briefing on the 2020 outlook for the local automotive industry on Tuesday, he said that the matter would be discussed when the new transport and international trade and industry (MITI) ministers have been appointed.

    “An ELV policy has never been implemented in Malaysia. It is my belief that if we set up a system of voluntary – and not compulsory – ELV, it will benefit the people. They can let go of their old cars and maybe the government can subsidise this and the OEMs can also contribute to a lower cost. By selling more cars, the government can collect more taxes. It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” he said.

    He added that the coming year will see the development of standards in various areas, including that for vehicle inspection, both for roadworthiness and used vehicle evaluation.

    The talk of an ELV policy – which would essentially serve to eliminate old vehicles from the road – has been going around for years. In 2009, the ELV proposal included mandatory annual inspections as a requirement for road tax renewal for vehicles aged 15 years and older as a precursor towards the eventual implementation of a full ELV policy.

    The policy was soon dropped following public outcry, but has continued to resurface, the latest being last year, when former transport minister Anthony Loke denied there were plans to flesh out the policy by the second quarter of 2019. He said that while there were studies before this, the matter was not under any consideration.

    In 2016, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said an ELV policy would spur the growth of the country’s automotive industry, reiterating a similar call it made in 2014.

    Back in 2015, Madani had said that suggestions to implement such a policy through a Cash for Clunkers scrappage scheme was being considered. The then-proposed scheme would allow owners of vehicles aged 10 years or more to obtain a rebate of up to RM5,000 when they trade in their vehicles (regardless of brand) for a new one from any local OEM producer. However, MITI said then that the public wasn’t ready for such a scheme or policy.

    The question is, would a voluntary ELV scheme work? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

     

  • 2020 Fiat 500e urban electric vehicle – 320 km range, 118 hp; 500-unit launch edition from RM176k in Europe

    In Cars, Fiat, Hybrids, EVs and Alternative Fuel, International News / By / / 1 comment

    Fiat has unveiled the fully electric 500e hatchback, a model that has been designed from the ground up to be an electric model, the Italian company says. As such, this isn’t a replacement of the entire Fiat 500 line, but rather a new version that will be built in Mirafiori, Turin while the current, internal combustion Fiat 500 models will continue to be manufactured in Poland.

    The Fiat 500e has grown 60 mm in length and width compared with the current model to 3.63 m and 1.69 m respectively, while its wheelbase has also been stretched by 20 mm. Packaged within is a lithium-ion battery pack with 42 kWh of capacity, offering 320 km of range on the WLTP test cycle.

    Charging can be done via an 85 kW AC fast charger which gives the 500e 80% charge in 35 minutes, while a DC wallbox home charger is rated at up to 2.3 kW. An 11 kW DC Mode 3 charger is also available for the 500e. With 118 hp on tap from its single electric motor, the Fiat 500e goes from a standstill to 50 km/h in 3.1 seconds, and 0-100 km/h in nine seconds. Top speed is 150 km/h.

    Standard kit for the 500e includes a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen, while the standard driver instrumentation on the Fiat 500 range is replaced here by a seven-inch digital display. The onboard Uconnect 5 multimedia system offers internet connectivity, and the multimedia system can also be accessed via smartphone.

    A range of driver assistance systems are found here as well, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The electric powertrain can be operated in three drive modes – Normal, Range and Sherpa.

    The Sherpa mode is so-called as it significantly limits performance and accessory use of electricity in order to prolong battery range, “just like a Himalayan Sherpa”, who is in charge of the expedition and guides the journey to its destination.

    This is achieved by limiting speed to 80 km/h, deactivating the climate control system and heated seats, though the driver has still has the choice of reactivating them at any time.

    Available to order in European markets now, a ‘La Prima’ launch edition of the 500e is priced from €37,900 (RM175,845), and this will be limited to a run of 500 units. The limited-run variant comes equipped with LED headlights, eco-leather seats, 17-inch wheels and chrome exterior trim, and includes an Easy Wallbox that is developed by Engie EPS exclusively for Fiat Chrysler, and can charge at up to 3 kW and is upgradeable to 7.4 kW.

    Fiat has also welcomed variations on the new 500e’s aesthetics with one-off renditions by Giorgio Armani, Bvlgari and Kartell, each brand crafting their own take on the style that is eventually applied to the Fiat 500. Each of the three units, the 500 Giorgio Armani, the B.500 ‘Mai Troppo’ by Bvlgari and the 500 Kartell will be auctioned, and all proceeds will go to one of actor Leonardo Di Caprio’s environmental organisations, said Fiat.

    The 2020 Fiat 500e technically isn’t the brand’s first electric 500 model, as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has had a 500e on sale in the United States. Full production of this new model is due to begin in the second quarter of this year, and the Mirafiori plant is set to produce 80,000 units of the 500e annually, with further potential for expansion.















     
 

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Last Updated 29 Feb 2020



 

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