After a brief delay due to heavy rain, the Xpeng P7 has completed its 24-hour endurance test, achieving a distance of 3,961 km to set a new record. The attempt began on August 13 shortly after order taking for the P7 start in China, and comes a few months after the Xiaomi YU7 clocked 3,944 km in April.
The endurance tests by both Chinese brands were done under the supervision of the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC), with the goal being to push electric vehicles (EVs) to their limits in terms of sustained performance and charging efficiency.
This involves driving an EV continuously to cover the most distance in 24 hours, which means high-speed driving that will stress the powertrain. During the attempt, there will be required stops to top up the battery and swap drivers, with the former being its own test of how fast the battery can be charged. Spend too much time at a charger and there is less available to pile on the mileage.
While Xpeng did not provide specifics on its attempt, CarNewsChina reports that the Xiaomi YU7 (a Max variant) maintained an average speed of over 210 km/h during its attempt and underwent 30 charging sessions, each lasting between 10 and 12 minutes.
If you’re wondering if this 24-hour endurance test for EVs is limited to Chinese models, it isn’t. In 2019, the Porsche Taycan managed 3,425 km and averaged 205 km/h, while the latest Mercedes-Benz CLA (the one with EQ Technology) covered 3,717 km with an average speed of 154.9 km/h and made 40 charging stops. Next came the YU7 with 3,944 km, and the P7 now holds the crown with 3,961 km.
Xpeng’s decision to take on this challenge comes after company co-founder and CEO He Xiaopeng revealed on August 10 via Weibo that Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun suggested the EV endurance test to him. Seems like some friendly rivalry is going on between the two, much like how Rimac and Koenigsegg have their own battle going on.
The East-West Highway, in particular with the Gerik-Jeli stretch, is among the key priorities for the works ministry under the upcoming Budget 2026 that will be tabled later this year, works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has said, reported Bernama.
The works ministry had submitted a request for funding to upgrade several sections of the route, Nanta said, citing urgent safety needs. The exact allocation will however depend on the government’s final decision, according to the report.
“It’s not a special allocation. We have included it under regular funding requests for the highway,” the works minister said. A total of 385 solar-powered streetlights had been installed in high-risk areas and dangerous bends – commonly known as black spots – along the East-West Highway as part of ongoing safety measures, he said.
These upgrades will not be for entire highway, but only for critical sections identified through assessments by the works ministry, Nanta added.
The stretch of the East-West Highway near Gerik was thrust into the limelight recently when a bus crash claimed the lives of 15 students. A preliminary report that emerged last month found that the bus reached 117.6 km/h, and excessive speed was among other factors in the incident.
For many, the car is the second-largest investment after real estate, and so it makes sense to be as comfortable as possible in the vehicle. In conjunction with the upcoming 68th Merdeka Day this month, DK SCHWEIZER is giving back to Malaysians with the purchase of any DK SCHWEIZER seat upholstery.
Enjoy a RM150 instant discount with the purchase of any DK SCHWEIZER seat upholstery – which starts from RM2,600 for a five-seater vehicle, including door trim and centre console – just by showing your proof of identity with your MyKad!
To enjoy the discount, all you’ll need to is to arrive at any DK SCHWEIZER outlet, select your preferred seat upholstery package, and show your MyKad upon checkout of your purchase. That’s all that’s required to get your RM150 discount, on the spot.
Why choose DK SCHWEIZER? This is where you get to choose from more than 10,300 seat design templates for all major car brands, with products crafted from premium materials including Nappa leather and imported hides from Italy. Installation is certified for use with airbags and compliant with the requisite standards, ensuring safety in your vehicle is never compromised.
As supplier to original equipment manufacturers, pre-delivery inspection (PDI) stage installers and replacement equipment manufacturers for both local and overseas-based automakers, DK SCHWEIZER gives you the confidence of quality materials and craftsmanship, backed by a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty with a one-to-one exchange. You can take pride in its origin, too – DK SCHWEIZER products are designed, engineered and installed right here in Malaysia.
Give your car an upgrade of style, comfort and quality with DK SCHWEIZER this Merdeka season, because freedom deserves to be celebrated in style! Find out more about DK SCHWEIZER, here.
Valid only for Malaysian citizens with a valid MyKad. Not applicable with other ongoing promotions or packages. Proof of one MyKad is required for each transaction; further terms and conditions apply.
Holy flashy metal, Batman! Is this the new Batmobile? Uhm, not quite, Robin, but it’s the closest thing a small number of buyers will get to bat with, the Mahindra BE 6 Batman Edition. In collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), the Indian automaker has introduced what it calls the first commercially-available Batman-inspired SUV.
The model, which is based on the brand’s BE 6 SUV in its 285 PS (282 hp, or 210 kW) and 380 Nm Pack Three 79 kWh form, has enough themed elements running across the entire vehicle that those into the caped crusader will surely go batty over it. Indeed, the way it’s dressed, demand among the domestic crowd is sure to be strong, but only 300 lucky buyers will be able to land their hands on one of these, as it’s very much a limited run.
There’s no mistaking it, for sure. Finished in a custom satin black exterior unique to it, the Batman Edition gets whole host of accompanying styling cues, ranging from custom Batman decals on the front doors and an infinity roof featuring The Dark Knight trilogy bat emblem to a series of bat emblems found on the hub caps, front quarter panels, rear bumper, windows and rear windshield.
The accoutrements don’t end there. Besides a dedicated ‘BE 6 × The Dark Knight’ rear badge, the car also gets a Batman Edition signature sticker on the rear door cladding as well as puddle lamps that project The Dark Knight trilogy bat logo on to the ground. Alchemy Gold-painted suspension and brake callipers add a further contrast signature to the variant, which rides on 20-inch alloy rollers.
Inside, the edition features suede and leather upholstery with gold sepia accent stitching and integrated The Dark Knight trilogy bat emblems, and the charcoal leather instrument panel gets a brushed gold halo strip running around the driver cockpit.
The gold contrast detailing continues with the steering wheel centre stripe, electronic parking brake switch and the ring edge of the car’s in-touch controller rotary dial all adorned with accents in the colour. There’s also a brushed Alchemy Gold Batman Edition plaque on the dashboard with edition numbering.
If that’s not enough to remind you of what you’re in, the bat emblems on the Boost button, passenger side dashboard panel and interior labels as well as the race car-inspired door opening straps with Batman Edition branding and the bat logo for the welcome animation on the instrument display surely will. The neatest parlour trick must surely be the custom Batman-inspired exterior engine sounds available for the car.
Priced at 27.79 lakh, or 277,900 rupees (RM133,940), the first deliveries of the BE 6 Batman Edition will begin in India on September 20, which happens to be International Batman Day.
“A 30-year-old local man who claimed to be a lorry driver failed to produce any letter of authorisation, licence as well as permit to store controlled goods from the guards when requested by the inspection team.
“In this regard, a case action was taken by seizing 36,000 litres of suspected diesel fuel, two lorries, a skid tank and 22 intermediate bulk containers along with pumps, with a total value of the seizure estimated at RM292,840,” Perak KPDN director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said in a statement today.
He added that the syndicate’s modus operandi was to get diesel from unscrupulous fishing boats and lorry drivers who had stolen diesel from their employers, and that the diesel was purchased by the syndicate at around RM2.15 a litre before being sold on the black market at around RM2.45 a litre.
Three months on from the initial unveiling of the 2026 Volvo XC70, the first units of the China-only plug-in hybrid model have now rolled of the production line in Taizhou, China, according to Car News China.
The first public showing of the extended-range PHEV is scheduled for later this month at the Chengdu Motor Show. The 2026 XC70 is positioned between the XC60 and the XC90, and it measures 4,815 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,650 mm tall with a 2,895 mm wheelbase.
Current information on the XC70 reveals that the plug-in hybrid SUV is based on the Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) Super Hybrid Architecture, according to Car News China, and its powertrain has been said to be the Geely group’s EM-P setup that combines a 163 PS/255 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 218 PS/350 Nm electric motor, linked to a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission.
A combined output of 381 PS and 615 Nm goes to the front wheels, while an additional rear-axle motor provides 212 PS and 290 Nm, bringing the total to 593 PS and 905 Nm.
Two battery sizes are offered for the 2026 Volvo XC70; a 21.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack enables an EV-only range of 120 km, while a 39.6 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery offers up to 245 km of EV range Meanwhile, the ICE powertrain manages a claimed fuel consumption rate of 5.85 l/100 km with the battery depleted. All figures are on the Chinese CLTC test cycle.
The exterior of the 2026 XC70 wears the Swedish brand’s signature front fascia, albeit with the Thor’s Hammer DRL signature now separate from the main headlamp units, as on the EM90 electric MPV. Along its sides, the window line that tapers upwards towards the rear takes after that of the EX90, while the rear end features one-piece vertically oriented tail lamps.
According to the publication, the plug-in hybrid model is estimated to be priced from 360,000 yuan (RM211,525) in China; the 2026 Volvo XC70 is scheduled for its public showing at the Chengdu Motor Show this month.
While we wait for the Zeekr 7X to be launched in Malaysia, Thailand has received official pricing for the brand’s first electric SUV, just a few months after the model was presented at this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS). As with our market, Thailand gets the 7X in three variants, namely the Standard RWD, Long Range RWD and Performance AWD.
Pricing starts from 1.399 million baht (about RM182k) for the Standard RWD, going up to 1.599 million baht (RM208k) for the Long Range RWD and 1.799 million baht (RM234k) for the range-topping Performance AWD. The figures aren’t too far off the estimated price range for the 7X in Malaysia, which is between RM182k and RM230k.
In Thailand, the Zeekr 7X competes against models like the Tesla Model Y (1.719 million to 2.019 million baht; RM224k to RM263k), BYD Sealion 7 (1.249 million to 1.399 million baht; RM162k to RM182k) and Xpeng G6 (1.439 million to 1.599 million baht; RM187k to RM208k), all of which are also available in Malaysia.
However, there are additional competitors offered in Thailand that we don’t currently have here, including the Avatr 11 that ranges from 2.099 million to 2.299 million baht (RM273k to RM299k) as well as the Deepal S07 from 1.399 million to 1.499 million baht (RM182k to RM195k) – the latter was previewed in Malaysia in January. All the alternatives mentioned are roughly the same size as the 7X, with the Avatr 11 being the largest of the bunch.
Powertrain-wise, the Standard RWD features a 75-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery powering a rear electric motor rated at 421 PS (416 hp or 310 kW) and 440 Nm of torque. The Long Range RWD retains the same electric motor but gets a 100-kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) battery.
Meanwhile, the Performance AWD gets the NMC battery and another electric motor at the front for a total system output of 646 PS (637 hp or 475 kW) and 710 Nm. The 0-100 km/h time for the RWD variants is six seconds, with the Performance AWD being quicker at 3.8 seconds. We should point out these specifications are identical to what we’re getting.
A full spec sheet isn’t currently available on Zeekr Thailand’s official website, but Headlightmag reports range figures of 565 km (Standard RWD), 730 km (Long Range RWD) and 665 km (Performance AWD). Strangely, these are following the NEDC standard, while our local brochure lists WLTP figures of 480 km, 615 km and 543 km respectively. The standard equipment also appears to identical, with some changes like the the Performance AWD that gets 21-inch forged wheels (20-inch units for our AWD Performance).
As for colours, Crystal White, Onyx Black, Tech Grey and Forest Green, all with a black interior, are available for the Standard RWD. The Long Range RWD and Performance AWD have the option of Crystal White and Onyx Black, also with a black interior, or Tech Grey and Forest Green which come with a white interior and purple accents.
The 7X comes with a five-year, 150,000-km warranty, while its battery is covered for eight years or 180,000 km (whichever comes first). Zeekr Thailand offers a free wall box (with installation) and insurance coverage for one year, along with 24-hour roadside assistance and a 20,000-baht (RM2.6k) gift voucher to purchase Zeekr products or services.
GALLERY: Zeekr 7X previewed at 2025 Bangkok International Motor Show
You might remember the Acura RSX to be the new name of the Integra in the United States when the fourth-generation model rolled around in the early 2000s. The coupe was sold for a few years before eventually being discontinued in 2006 and the nameplate was retired.
Now, Acura has brought back the RSX, but it isn’t what you expect. Like the Mitsubishi Eclipse that was resurrected into an SUV, the all-new RSX returns as a high-riding model that is expected to arrive in the second half of 2026.
Currently being previewed as a prototype, the RSX will also be an electric vehicle (EV), one that rides on a proprietary platform developed completely in-house and shared with Honda’s upcoming 0 Series EVs. This is important because Acura’s first-ever EV, the ZDX, was created in partnership with General Motors.
Acura isn’t providing much in the way of powertrain details for now, merely stating the production RSX will come with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup. It also gets sport-tuned double wishbone front suspension, Brembo brakes and a low centre of gravity of standard, the last of which likely stems from having the batteries in the vehicle floor.
Other features touted include top-of-class driver assistive technologies and the ability to use the SUV as mobile energy storage, the latter being a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system that is able to power devices and even provide a home with backup power when needed.
Acura says the RSX Prototype will be shown at this year’s Monterey Car Week, which is the same event where it showed off the Acura Performance EV Concept a year ago. The concept’s influence is clear to see, with notable design cues being a fastback roofline, beak-like nose, Diamond Pentagon face, an illuminated front logo and daytime running lights mounted high above the main headlamps.
Slim taillights and a ducktail spoiler are also carried over from the concept, although the 23-inch wheels are now 21-inch units. Other changes include flush pop-out door handles and the side-mounted cameras look much larger on the prototype, which is finished in an eye-catching Propulsion Yellow Pearl.
The RSX will debut with ASIMO OS, which is Honda’s own operating system that was announced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This will handle not just the driver assistance stuff, but also function in a similar manner to smartphones by providing app support, over-the-air (OTA) updates and machine learning.
The reborn RSX will be the first EV produced at Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio, where it will share the same production line with the current Integra.
Here’s another limited-edition Hot Wheels Touch ‘n Go NFC card, which you can find beginning today (August 15) at all Jaya Grocer outlets in Peninsular Malaysia for RM25.
Unlike last year’s edition, which was known to be limited to 2,000 units, this one will be available in “very limited quantities”, so if you love Hot Wheels or collectibles in general, you’d better act fast!
There have been many special-edition Touch ‘n Go cards, including Transformers One, the Merdeka collab with Loka Made, the Raya one (which was launched together with the ketupat-shaped charm) and the very-orange Coral. Any all-time favourites?
It has nearly been eight years since Petronas introduced its Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive, and as you’d expect, there have been revisions to its formulation since its Euro 5 iteration was introduced at the end of 2017, specifically in terms of its additive packages.
As to how many, there have been a few, according to Petronas fuel technology manager Mohamad Hafiz Abd Aziz. “Development of the additives is done every two years. We don’t shout about it, but we change it every two years,” he said.
The most recent update to the fuel has brought about significant gains, enough that the company can shout about it in quantifiable terms, something it usually never does, with up to a 20% improvement in fuel economy and a cleanliness efficiency of 99% being the leading points. Additionally, there is also an improvement in engine smoothness and power, encapsulated in its latest catchphrase, Pikap Cekap ke Destinasi.
These new aspects of the fuel were highlighted during a special Dynamic Journeys powered by Dynamic Diesel series engagement with the media, which involved a site visit to its subsidiary Malaysian Refining Company’s (MRCSB) Melaka Energy Park facility, located in Sungai Udang, Melaka.
Here, the science behind how the improvements were achieved was detailed. “In developing fuels, we do a lot of testing, and these are not our own in-house ones, but based on industry standard test protocols. Worldwide, when we are developing the fuels, there are key requirements that we need to fulfill. One of these is the cleaning performance,” Mohamad Hafiz said.
“The two things that we have improved in the latest iteration of Dynamic Diesel is the inclusion of dual-detergent chemistry and a proprietary combustion improver,” he said.
While keeping key components – such as injectors – clean is vital, he stated that this should be done both inside and out. He said that much of the focus on keeping the diesel system clean usually revolved around the injector hose, but this isn’t enough, particularly with regards to common rail systems.
“Addressing the typical injector hose is one element. Of course, if there’s a lot of carbon in the hose, you cannot spray the fuel. But one thing that people tend to forget when developing a fuel is the inside of the injectors. If there is a carbon build-up at the injectors, the injectors will get clogged, which is an issue particularly when you’re using common rail,” he said.
“That’s why we have dual-detergent chemistry to address both critical parts of the diesel engine system, not just the injector hoses but also inside the injectors,” he added. The additive package also provides a protective layer on the metal surface to prevent the build-up of new carbon deposits.
Mohamad Hafiz said the cleaning performance of its latest additive package is reflected in the fuel’s rating in Internal Diesel Injector Deposits (IDID) tests carried out by the company.
“It shows in our rating, which is 30. This is the maximum rating that we can get based on the test, which is a very severe test. It’s not based on the one hour or two hours that you see in a typical lab test, but involves an engine test bed, and it will run 30 hours, 32 hours or 60 hours to see the impact on the additives that we have,” he explained.
“When you have very good cleanliness at your injector hose and your injector needles, you’ll be able to deliver very good fuel economy. Additionally, we have a combustion improver technology, one that is not available to others because it’s proprietary, to enhance the efficiency of the fuel combustion. Every single drop of fuel that we burn has to deliver power that we need. We don’t waste any fuel,” he stated.
The gains in fuel economy are significant, with Petronas putting numbers down to reflect its confidence in the fuel. “In the lab, the new Dynamic Diesel formulation shows up to 20% in fuel economy improvement, which is equivalent to about 222 km extra per tank of fuel. Meaning to say, you can go further, up to Ipoh (from KL),” he said.
Of course, selecting the right chemistries that work in the lab or an engine test bed in the engine test is one thing, but evaluating the fuel in real world conditions with actual vehicles was necessary to validate the findings. “We had to make sure that whatever that we developed in the lab and tested on the engine test bed was achievable also in the real world,” he said.
The company trialled the fuel on several types of vehicle brand models, and said fuel economy gains were registered on all evaluators, with one achieving as high as a 36% improvement in fuel economy. Four of the other eight test mules also recorded more than a 20% improvement, tying in with the lab results.
He also highlighted other areas of improvement brought about by the fuel. “Besides fuel consumption, another thing that people are looking for is acceleration and power performance. Because every single drop of fuel that we burn is able to deliver extra power as a result of the combustion improver, we got up to 5% greater acceleration power and up to 3% power gain on the vehicle tests that we carried out,” he said.
On the test bed, he said it was shown that the dual-detergent package in Dynamic Diesel was able to clean a dirty engine and restore the power up to 99% within eight hours, with the proprietary combustion improver also providing an additional power gain of 1% to 2%.
During the test cycle, the fuel also had to minimise power loss to less than 2% for a period of time. “This is as per requirement by industry standards, minimising power loss to less than 2% for about 10 to 22 hours. This is a standard test protocol to define the cleanliness and the efficiency of the fuel to ensure that the cleanliness of the engine is maintained,” he explained.
As is was before, Petronas Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 continues to have a high cetane number (around 55 and above), which results in a shorter ignition delay, making for easier starts and smoother engine performance. Mohamad Hafiz says it hasn’t been necessary to use cetane additives to improve the rating, because biodiesel already aids in that process naturally.
“We don’t need to put in a cetane improver to our additive package, because the biodiesel that we are using now, 7%, 10%, and in certain cases, even 20%, will increase the cetane rating above 55. Whatever you get at our stations, it’s more than 55,” he said.
Mohamad Hafiz ended his presentation by saying that there is no need for aftermarket fuel additives if users are using Petronas fuels. “What is inside our fuels are customised, so we have more active ingredients as compared to those in the market, and these provide a similar function, if not better,” he said.
The presentation was concluded with a quick tour around Melaka Energy Park, which contributes to around 60% of Peninsular Malaysia’s petroleum product demand. Boasting a daily production rate of 300,000 barrels, the facility is equipped with several specialised processing units designed with the flexibility to handle various crude oils from sweet crudes to heavier imported crude oils. The latest addition to the energy park, the Delima plant, was launched in 2021, and produces Euro 5 diesel.
An official brochure for the Zeekr 7X has been posted on the brand’s Malaysian website, giving us a good look at the specifications and equipment that will be available on the electric SUV that is expected to be launched this quarter.
The 7X was first previewed at this year’s Malaysia Autoshow (MAS) in May before being shown to the public again in July at the Premium Auto Car Expo (PACE). As it has been known for some time, the brand’s first electric SUV will be offered in three variants, including the base RWD Standard Range, the mid-spec RWD Long Range and the range-topping AWD Performance.
Indicative pricing is what we’re getting for now, with the RWD Standard Range listed at RM182,000. This is followed by the RWD Long Range at RM195,000 and AWD Performance at RM230,000. The 7X competes against the likes of the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7, the former ranging from RM195,450 to RM242,450, while the latter is from RM187,710 to RM203,710. The Xpeng G6 is also a competitor and ranges from RM168,820 to RM188,820.
In terms of dimensions, the five-seat 7X measures 4,787 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, 1,650 mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 2,900 mm. That puts within range of the competition, although the Sealion 7 has a larger footprint over the others. Three different powertrain configurations are available for the 7X, all of which are built on an 800-volt electrical architecture. Here’s an overview of what you’re getting with each:
Zeekr 7X RWD Standard Range
Electric motor output: 421 PS (416 hp or 310 kW) and 440 Nm; RWD
0-100 km/h time: 6 seconds
Battery: 75 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
Range (WLTP): 480 km
AC charging: 22 kW; 10-100% in 4.5 hours
DC charging: 450 kW; 10-80% in 10.5 minutes
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) output: 3.3 kW
Zeekr 7X RWD Long Range
Electric motor output: 421 PS (416 hp or 310 kW) and 440 Nm; RWD
0-100 km/h time: 6 seconds
Battery: 100 kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NCM)
Range (WLTP): 615 km
AC charging: 22 kW; 10-100% in 5.5 hours
DC charging: 420 kW; 10-80% in 16 minutes
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) output: 3.3 kW
Zeekr 7X AWD Performance
Electric motors output: 646 PS (637 hp or 475 kW) and 710 Nm; AWD
0-100 km/h time: 3.8 seconds
Battery: 100 kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NCM)
Range (WLTP): 543 km
AC charging: 22 kW; 10-100% in 5.5 hours
DC charging: 420 kW; 10-80% in 16 minutes
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) output: 3.3 kW
Click to enlarge
For kit, the base variant’s suspension consists of front double wishbones and a multi-link rear, paired with 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. LED headlamps, daytime running lights and taillights are also standard, along with RGB dynamic ambient lighting.
Other items include frameless doors, a powered tailgate, a panoramic glass roof with powered sunshsade, a manually-adjustable leather steering wheel, leatherette seat upholstery, powered front seats with memory function, powered rear seats with 10 degrees of adjustment for the backrests, a 13.02-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16-inch infotainment touchscreen with a 3.5K mini-LED display, a 10-speaker sound system, triple-zone climate control as well as support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Stepping up to the RWD Long Range brings with it improvements such as power adjustment for the steering wheel, ventilation and massage functions for the front seats, an augmented reality-enabled head-up display with 36.21 inches of projection space, a 21-speaker Zeekr Sound Pro system and dual 50-watt wireless charging pads.
For all the bells and whistles, you’ll need to go for the AWD Performance, which improves upon the RWD Long Range by gaining 20-inch multi-spoke alloys and single-chamber air suspension with continuous control damping (CCD).
The exterior also gets the Zeekr Stargate Integrated Smart Light Curtain featuring 1,831 LEDs on the front panel above the headlamps, which is meant to offer customisation and personalisation through text and emoticons. Other luxuries include powered doors, which isn’t present on its rivals, along with full-grain Nappa leather seat upholstery as well as powered sunshades for the rear side windows. All variants get a Qualcomm 8295 chip to power the infotainment system and 36 storage areas inside the cabin, including two underneath the rear seat bench.
The safety and driver assist kit is identical across the line-up too, including seven airbags, adaptive cruise control with lane centring control, lane keep assist, automatic lane change, automatic emergency braking with forward collision warning and mitigation, parking emergency brake, door open warning, blind spot monitoring, rear collision mitigation support, front and rear cross traffic alert, driver monitoring, automated parking assist, a 360-degree camera with transparent chassis and sentry mode.
Buyers will get to choose from five exterior colours, with Crystal White, Onyx Black, Tech Grey and Forest Green being available for all three variants, while Brooke Blue that is paired with a silver roof is exclusive to the AWD Performance. Based on the brochure, Crystal White is the default option, with the other hues being a cost option.
As for the interior, a black theme comes as standard, with the range-topper having the option of a purple and white combination. The brochure also lists 21-inch forged wheels as a payable option, although there is no pricing for the add-ons for now.
We’re already in the middle of Q3 2025, so expect a launch to take place soon. Given the indicative pricing, specifications and equipment, what do you think of the 7X? Would you pick it over its close rivals?
The road transport department (JPJ) has seized four Singapore-registered vehicles after they were found to be illegally operated for e-hailing services in Malaysia, The Star reported. These vehicles were found to be operated by Singaporeans, and the vehicles included luxury MPVs and a van, said JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.
“The drivers were ferrying tourists from Singapore and other nationalities into Johor during ongoing operations in Johor Baru starting August 9,” the JPJ director-general said. These drivers lacked permits to operate e-hailing services in Malaysia and did not possess Malaysian road tax or public service vehicle registration, he added.
“These operators have no approval from the Malaysian government, Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), or JPJ to operate here,” Aedy Fadly said. Enforcement aims to protect passenger safety, and in the event of an accident in Malaysia involves unlicensed operators from Singapore, there could be serious consequences for passengers, drivers, and even bilateral relations, he said.
Seizures of the vehicles were conducted under Section 80 of the Apad Act 2010 and the operators are being investigated under Section 16(1) of the same Act for operating a service vehicle without a valid permit in Malaysia, reported The Star.
When asked if the crackdown was in response to Singapore’s recent enforcement against Malaysian e-hailing drivers, Aedy Fadly said “That is the [Singapore] Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) duty. This is carried out by JPJ with a different modus operandi, not as a reaction to LTA’s operations,” he clarified.
The news daily cited the Singapore LTA as stating that 19 drivers were caught offering illegal ride-hailing services in Singapore and across the border on August 5, and these drivers were apprehended a combined operation with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority targeting the activities at a land checkpoint, and through patrols by the LTA at at Gardens by the Bay and at Changi Airport.
In the first part of our interview with Stellantis ASEAN MD Isaac Yeo, the company’s regional chief declared Leapmotor as its main brand for Malaysia in the immediate future. Stellantis, and PSA before this, is synonymous with Peugeot, but the French brand will be taking a back seat for the time being, making way for Chinese brand Leapmotor to spearhead the search for volume.
You can read more about the logic of scaling back Peugeot here, but Yeo made it very clear to us that Leapmotor will be Stellantis’ top striker for now, the player to ‘lead the line’ and get the goals that will keep the company in the game (all football terms are the author’s own).
Work is already underway to prepare Stellantis’ Gurun plant – fully acquired from Naza in late 2021 – for semi-knocked down (SKD) Leapmotor production, which will start with the C10 electric SUV by the end of this year. The first stage is an initial investment of five million euros (RM24.5 million) in the 60,000-unit capacity plant, and the next stage will be deeper localisation and KD assembly for the second model, the smaller B10.
Stellantis ASEAN MD Isaac Yeo
Yeo said that Stellantis is looking at 2,400 units of each model, which translates to 200 units per model, per month, for a brand volume of 400 units per month. That’s a huge jump from what Leapmotor is doing now (not in the top 20 EVs list as of July, but ninth last month with 66 units following an update cum price cut in June), so what’s behind this optimistic projection?
The reason why Malaysia’s EV market is a vibrant free-for-all now, where brands from Proton to Xpeng are doing good business importing EVs from China is due to tax-free incentives given to CBU imported EVs, but this tax break will end along with 2025. This means that barring a last-minute extension by the government, the price of CBU EVs will rise in 2026. Then, they won’t look so good value next to ICE-powered rivals.
And CKD EVs. The only way for carmakers to continue to enjoy tax breaks is to locally assemble their EVs, and the Leapmotor C10 will be among a small group of battery-powered vehicles that will be assembled here. The future sub-RM100k CKD market will have Perodua’s homegrown EV, the TQ Wuling Bingo, Dongfeng Box (potentially) and the Proton eMas 5.
Leapmotor B10 at Auto Shanghai 2025
The latter will roll off Proton’s new EV factory that will also churn out the current EV sales champ eMas 7. There’s also fellow SUV Chery Omoda E5. One would imagine global EV sales leader and Proton eMas’ biggest rival, BYD, complying with the tax-free requirement, but the pool will surely be much smaller than today.
“That’s where my advantage comes in. I’m one of the few OEMs who have a plant in Malaysia. If today I sell at RM125k, CKD I will still sell at RM125k. That’s my advantage compared to all the new players in the market, because I have a plant and it’s fully amortised. We will still keep the MRSP (for the C10) even if the incentive goes away,” Yeo told paultan.org.
“If the tax (free scheme) goes away, I don’t need two years to CKD – I’m there!” he declared.
Initially, the CKD cars will be for local consumption, to get in line with the government’s requirements. The group’s ASEAN chief says that aside from the fact that Malaysia currently has no EV and battery ecosystem, there’s also no special tax incentives under AFTA to export EVs to ASEAN neighbours. But the long term plan for Gurun involves exports of not just Leapmotor, but cars from Stellantis’ other brands too.
“The plant for Malaysia is not only for Malaysia. Malaysia is my main manufacturing hub in Asia Pacific, but it (volume) is actually for exports in the future. In the past, we also exported Peugeots from Gurun, and the plan is to have four to five brands all built in Malaysia for exports,” Yeo said, adding that Stellantis plans to use up Gurun’s 60k per annum capacity. Exports will be ‘beyond ASEAN’, he said.
Click for more on the Leapmotor C10 and upcoming B10 electric SUVs. As the latter will be CKD from launch, it can be priced below RM100k if Stellantis wants to.
The ministry of transport has revealed the Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) incurs an annual maintenance cost of RM15,491,876.58. This comes in a parliamentary reply to Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) dated August 13, 2025.
According to the ministry, the amount covers services and maintenance of cameras, back-office systems as well as the printing of summonses. It added that based on a study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) from 2014 to 2018, the installation of AWAS cameras has significantly increased compliance, with the perception of being caught (POBC) reaching up to 99% at enforced locations.
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“This suggests that the presence of these cameras has a substantial impact on driver behaviour at specific sites where they are installed,” the ministry said, as reported by The Star. “The ministry continues to evaluate the system’s efficacy and explore ways to enhance its reach and effectiveness across the country,” it added.
Coming up for auction at R M Sotheby’s this August 16 weekend is a 2008 Ducati Desmosedici GP08, with an auction price of between USD 225,000 and USD 325,000 (RM944,475 to RM1.364 million). Sourced from the Ducati factory in 2010, the Desmosedici was assembled from a frame built inn July 2008 with a new and unused engine crankcase.
The race bike is assembled in “show bike” status, with non-running engine and finished in US “Stars and Stripes” colours as seen in the first Desmosedici ridden by the late Nicky Hayden in Valencia, Spain, during his move from Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to Ducati Corse. The Desmosedici on auction features a race-used Hayden fuel tank, and other Hayden and original Ducati MotoGP parts.
The race bike in its current state is a non-starter, but the necessary engine parts are available in order to restore the GP08 to track ready condition. For the (very) serious Ducati collector, the Desmosedici GP08 represents a slice of Ducati history, and a chance to own a rare piece of racing memorabilia which is guaranteed your riding buddies will not have.
Better known to fans as “The Kentucky Kid”, Hayden previously raced for HRC from 2003 to 2008 in MotoGP, beating Valentino Rossi for the championship in 2006. At the end of the 2008 racing season, Hayden was introduced to the Desmosedici GP08 he would ride for 2009, alongside team mate Casey Stoner.
However, Hayden had five largely unsuccessful seasons at Ducati, with his highest championship position being a seventh place in 2010 before moving to Aspar Honda for the 2014/2015 seasons. Making another move to Ten Kate Racing Honda in the World Superbike Championship, Hayden passed away from traumatic brain injury when he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle in Italy in May, 2017.
