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Omoda & Jaecoo: fastest growing brand in the world?
“I can proudly say that we are the fastest expanding car brand in the world,” said Omoda & Jaecoo global CEO, Shawn Xu at Auto China 2024 in Beijing. More than just hot air or self-praise, The Chery International sub-division laid that bold claim based on both market expansion results and actual sales data.
Officially launched just a year ago, Omoda & Jaecoo (cutely referred to as O&J) has aggressively expanded globally, successfully entering more than 40 high-potential markets, Malaysia included. The number of dealer networks in those markets currently stand at 873. That’s one hell of a debut year.
Worth a shout is the recent opening of an assembly plant in Spain, as part of the brand’s “European campaign” – significantly it’s the very first car production facility in Europe run by a Chinese car manufacturer. Local production is important to O&J, following its “In somewhere, For somewhere” philosophy to promote globalisation while supporting localisation.
Omoda & Jaecoo is the fastest-growing auto brand in terms of hard sales numbers too. It took them just five months to reach the 50,000 unit milestone and another three months to hit 100,000 units. In its first full year of sales operations, O&J’s global sales volume has exceeded 160,000 units – the fastest ever recorded for a fledgling car brand.
Mind you, the numbers only count vehicles sold with either Omoda or Jaecoo badges, and don’t include, for instance, the Chery Tansuo 6 models sold in China (essentially the Jaecoo J7 with a different name).
Now if you’re reading this in Malaysia, you may be wondering why at all both Omoda and Jaecoo are considered one single “brand.” After all, the Omoda 5 is sold as a Chery here, while Jaecoo will stand on its own two feet very soon. Well, brand perhaps isn’t the right term to use at all – sub-division is a little more accurate.
You see, Chery International recently decided to split its many brands into three sub-divisions – Chery, Exeed and Omoda & Jaecoo, with the last two combined as one – each with its own CEO and top management teams. Certain new markets however, needed a more tailored approach.
Malaysia is a very good example, where Chery International needed to make a big splash from the get go. The Omoda 5 was chosen for its high market suitability, so Chery went ahead to launch with it first – and what an inspired choice that has proven to be! Soon, Jaecoo will attempt to penetrate the market as a separate entity, and should eventually absorb the Omoda brand back into its fold in the long run.
Confused? So are we, but that’s Chinese car brands for you. In the past years we have familiarised ourselves with the Geely group, and they now have Geometry, Galaxy, Lynk & Co, Zeekr, Radar, and Jiyue under them, just to name a few. Even BYD has expanded to have Yang Wang and Fang Cheng Bao sub-brands.
That aside, what do you think of Omoda & Jaecoo’s meteoric rise in markets across the globe so far? Can Jaecoo make as big an impact as Chery has done in Malaysia? Discuss below.
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Jaecoo J6 EV – rebranded iCar 03 with 501 km range, solar panels, ADAS tech by DJI, 150 km/h top speed
You’re looking at the Jaecoo J6, an all-new entry for Chery’s emergent premium sub-brand. Unlike the ICE or PHEV-powered J7 and J8 however, the smaller J6 is a full fledged EV. As you can see, it’s certainly a cool looking SUV, though its styling doesn’t necessarily conform to that of the rest of the Jaecoo range.
Well, that’s because the J6 isn’t strictly a Jaecoo at all, at least not at birth. In China, it’s sold as the iCar 03 (completely unrelated to the much-rumoured Apple car), which is yet another sub-brand under the Chery umbrella that is targeted at fashion-conscious young people. For export markets though, it will be called the Jaecoo J6.
You may also have noticed that we have two sets of pictures here: one showing the car wearing Jaecoo badging, and the other with its original iCar name. The Jaecoo grille unfortunately loses out on the illuminated i logo that is replicated on both the head- and taillight designs.
Another difference is the large box at the back, which is missing on the Jaecoo display vehicle. Mind you, the external rectangle box fashioned after traditional tailgate-mounted spare tyres on the iCar pre-dates the similar charging cable storage solution on the just-unveiled electric Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.
Beyond that, the J6 has a very distinctive blocky design, which will definitely stand out on Malaysian roads if it is to arrive here. The shape gives off Land Rover Defender vibes for sure, while its small size gives a bit of a Suzuki Jimny 5-door flavour as well. However, it has to be said that in the flesh, the J6 does have an original look of its own, unlike the countless Chinese copycats seen at the ongoing Auto China 2024 in Beijing.
Interesting details include the Defender-aping side-hinged tailgate and the flush self-presenting door handled. However, the latter flicks out towards the back rather than popping out as a whole like in other Jaecoo models (among the few features that draw comparisons with Range Rovers).
Size wise, the Jaecoo J6 measures 4,406 mm long, 1,910 mm wide and 1,715 mm tall. Its wheelbase is relatively long for an SUV this size, at 2,715 mm. The dimensions make it just slightly shorter than the J7 (4,500 mm), though the J6 is a touch wider (+45 mm) and taller (+35 mm).
Inside, it gets a large centre display and a wide-set horizontal dash layout. It feels rather plush to the touch – perhaps even more so than the J7 does – especially with the crystal drive mode selector on the centre console. The doors open via push-buttons a la Tesla, while the grab handles with exposed rivets are inspired by the Defender.
In China, the iCar 03 is available with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive electric motor configurations. According to local Chinese reports, the dual motor version is rated at 279 PS and it can get from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. However, top speed is limited to just 150 km/h. Range is up to 501 km on the CLTC test cycle, using the largest 69.8 kWh CATL-supplied LFP battery option.
Also available is a set of roof-mounted solar panels that can help add charge to the battery pack, as well as ADAS cameras from popular drone-maker DJI. Similar to Tesla Vision, the J6 solely relies on high-definition cameras placed around the vehicle for driving assist functions, without any radars or sensors.
We will know more when exports start, which we’ve been told will be fairly soon. Do you want to see the Jaecoo J6 in Malaysia? Comment below.
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Jaecoo J7 PHEV debuts – 347 PS/525 Nm from 1.5TGDi plug-in hybrid, 88 km EV range, 20.4 km/l, DC charging
While the Jaecoo J7 is just about to be launched in Malaysia – it is already open for booking, estimated to be priced between RM150k to RM160k – Chery’s premium sub-brand has unveiled a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the stylish SUV at Auto China 2024 in Beijing. It looks pretty much the same as the standard car, but its numbers are sure to impress.
Under the hood is a 1.5 litre TGDi petrol engine, described as a fifth-generation hybrid-specific version of the unit with best-in-class thermal efficiency of 44.5%. Paired with a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) and an electric motor at the front, it has a combined output of 347 PS (255 kW) and 525 Nm of torque. For a quick comparison, the regular J7 has a 1.6 litre TGDi engine with 197 PS and 290 Nm of torque.
The J7 PHEV can run on battery power alone for up to 88 km, and in full hybrid mode it’s claimed to achieve fuel consumption as low as 4.9 l/100 km (20.4 km/l). Jaecoo says the latter allows for a combined range (with full battery and fuel tank) of over 1,200 km, though it has to be said that this is purely a theoretical claim with its 60 litre fuel tank. As is usual with PHEVs, real-world fuel consumption can be significantly higher once the battery runs out of juice.
Unlike most other PHEVs though, Jaecoo’s electrified SUV has DC fast charging capability, as seen with the CCS2 port on the display vehicle. However, no details on the battery size or charge speeds are available as of yet. Another feature present here that is not commonly seen on plug-in hybrids is V2L external power output capability. Neat stuff, perfect for glamping sessions during off-road adventures.
Visually, new 19-inch wheels with an aero-optimised enclosed design (similar to the ones on Chery Omoda E5) mark out the PHEV variant, along with the additional charge flap on the right side and the lack of visible exhaust outlets round the back. Of course, the petrol engine does still have exhaust pipes, but they are hidden out of view, in line with this being a cleaner, new energy variant.
The aero-optimised wheels apparently help reduce the J7’s drag coefficient to 0.318 Cd, which is relatively low for a blocky, upright SUV. The Range Rover-like fancy flush door handles (a standard J7 feature) play a role here too.
There’s no word yet if the Jaecoo J7 PHEV will be sold in the Malaysian market, but for now it’s looking promising, especially considering the incredible rate at which Chery and Jaecoo are growing. Anyway, do you see the J7 PHEV as the best of both worlds, or would you just prefer a regular ICE variant alongside pure-EV offering? Discuss below!
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Chery Malaysia building own CKD plant in Shah Alam, ready Q3 2024 – Inokom Kulim assembly to continue
Chery, the fastest growing auto brand in Malaysia, is building its own factory in the country. Located in Shah Alam, Selangor, the greenfield development is set to be ready in Q3 2024.
This was revealed by Chery Malaysia to paultan.org at the brand’s headquarters in Wuhu, which is hosting the 2024 Chery International Business Conference event for dealers and the media.
Currently, Chery’s CKD local assembly happens at Inokom in Kulim. The two models that roll out from the Kedah factory are the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro. That facility is shared with other brands and extra capacity is being negotiated, but will take some time to realise.
Chery Malaysia tells us that due to good demand for its models, production is currently at full capacity in Kulim and the upcoming Shah Alam plant will complement, not replace, production at Kulim.
Chery Shah Alam will also roll out upcoming models for the Malaysian market, possibly including the ‘My first Chery’ entry level model. Chery’s Jaecoo brand is also readying a CKD J7 SUV.
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Toyota achieves record production, sales in 2023; group sales exceeds 10 million units for the first time
Toyota has emerged with its 2023 financial year results which sees the Japanese giant attain record numbers in production and sales, according to Japan Times citing Bloomberg reports.
Global sales at Toyota, including from Daihatsu and Hino, increased 5% from the previous year to 11.1 million units, according to Japan Times citing data released on Thursday, noting that this is the first time the group’s global sales exceeded to 10 million-unit mark.
Toyota’s performance in the 2023 financial year was attributed to strong demand, as well as easing of semiconductor supply issues. Production increased 4.5% to 11.2 million units, due to strong demand in North America, Europe and India, while output in Japan was also ‘firm’ despite a temporary halt of shipments due to the Daihatsu crash testing scandal.
Sales in China gained 1.4%, though Japanese carmakers are struggling against the growing popularity of Chinese brand BYD. In terms of battery-electric vehicles, Toyota sold 116,654 BEVs between April 2023 and March 2024, and sales at Toyota and Lexus brands were up 7.3% and 9.2% respectively.
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Cheaper Tesla models coming earlier than expected – before 2H 2025, won’t use “unboxed” production
Tesla revealed some details about its future product roadmap when it comes to cars in its recent Q1 2024 earnings update. It says there are new vehicles on the way including more affordable models, and they are aiming to launch them before the second half of 2025.
However, these new vehicles will not be built on the originally planned ‘unboxed’ manufacturing strategy, but instead will use current manufacturing lines and share aspects with current platforms.
According to Tesla, although this method will achieve less cost reductions compared to using the unboxed manufacturing strategy, it is lighter on capex expenditure.
Tesla’s most affordable model is the Model 3 RWD, which competes against the BYD Seal. The Model Y competes against the BYD Sea Lion. It has no competitors for cheaper BYD models such as the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seagull.
While the unboxed “Model 2” is now dead, the unboxed manufacturing strategy is still alive, as Tesla still intends to use it for the robotaxi project which it plans to reveal more about on 8/8 this year.
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Beijing 2024: Jaecoo J8 PHEV shown – six-seater version with 605 hp/915 Nm; 175 km EV range NEDC
The Jaecoo J8 plug-in hybrid SUV has been shown at Auto China 2024 in Beijing which opened this week, following the PHEV model’s preview in Thailand last month.
This has been previewed in Malaysia in ICE form at the beginning of this year, and the PHEV touts substantial output numbers from its electrified powertrain. It gets a “fifth-generation” hybrid-specific 1.5 litre TGDi petrol engine coupled with a three-speed DHT hybrid system. Together with two powerful electric motors (front and rear), it has a combined output of 605 hp and 915 Nm of torque; good for propelling the SUV from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.
In terms of range, the Jaecoo J8 PHEV is claimed to be able to travel 175 km purely on battery power based on the NEDC testing standard, and boasts of a combined range of 1,321 km. No details of the battery capacity is available just yet, but it’s interesting to note that it has DC fast-charging capability (CCS2 port here) plus V2L function too!
Measuring 4,820 mm long, 1,930 mm wide and 1,699 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,820 mm, the Jaecoo J8 PHEV is 80 mm shorter than the Mazda CX-8 but 90 mm wider. The J8 in ICE form was initially shown in Malaysia as a five-seater, though this one at Auto China 2024 is a three-row six-seater, with two captain seats in the second row.
Some notable features on the J8 PHEV include 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, dual 12.3-inch displays (digital instrument cluster and infotainment), dual-zone climate system with rear vents and controls, secondary front passenger seat controls for the rear passenger, and a head-up display. These were also found on the LHD unit previewed in Malaysia in January.
The ICE version of the Jaecoo J8 is expected to come to Malaysia in the fourth quarter of this year, with a price tag in the region of RM200k.
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2024 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 in Malaysia, RM23,500
Officially launched in Malaysia is the 2024 Royal Enfield Bullet 350, with the Bullet Standard priced at RM23,500 and the Bullet Gold tagged at RM23,900. The new Bullet 350 was launched at Royal Enfield’s new showroom in Petaling Jaya, located at Pacific Tower.
The Bullet 350 has remained an icon of Royal Enfield’s catalogue, the original design dating back to 1948. Retaining its air-cooled, single-cylinder engine displacing 349.34 cc, the Bullet 350 gets 19.94 hp at 6,100 rpm with 27 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
According to the catalogue, the Bullet 350 is capable of a maximum speed of 114 km/h in fourth gear, with drive going to the rear wheel through a five-speed gear box and chain. With a wet weight of 195 kg, the Bullet 350 has a seat height of 805 mm while the fuel tank holds 13-litres.
Coming standard on the Bullet 350 is two-channel ABS, acting on single hydraulic discs front and rear. The 19-inch spoked front wheel gets a 300 mm diameter disc with twin-piston floating calliper while a 270 disc and single-piston calliper stops the 18-inch spoked rear wheel.
Suspension is done by non-adjustable telescopic forks in front and twin preload-adjustable shock absorbers in the rear with six levels of adjustability. A combination digital and analogue instrument cluster displays all the necessary information while a USB charging port is found beneath the handlebar.
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Guthrie Corridor Expressway GCE junctions at Elmina to close from April 27 for 3 months due to congestion
Here’s another update from highway concessionaire Prolintas regarding the Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), and this involves junction closures taking place from tomorrow. Two junctions leading to the highway from Elmina will be closed for three months beginning April 27 for a duration of three months in an effort to enhance traffic flow in the area, Prolintas said in a statement.
The closures involve the junctions for the path from Elmina East heading towards Rawang, and the path from Elmina West heading towards Shah Alam, both on the GCE. Upon taking effect, the closures mean that motorists are advised to make a U-turn at the roundabouts to reach the ramps for both directions of travel, towards Rawang or Shah Alam, respectively.
These will be trial closures for the three-month duration until July 26, and the junction closures will become permanent should the trial successfully solve congestion at the location, Prolintas stated. The highway operator has found that motorists’ use of the junction have impacted traffic flow and caused heavy congestion at the location, especially during peak hours.
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Guthrie Corridor Expressway GCE Lagong northbound lay-by to close for four months from April 29
The Lagong northbound lay-by on the Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE) will be closed for a period of four months from April 29 in order for refurbishment works to be carried out, Highway concessionaire Prolintas has announced.
All facilities at the lay-by, including public toilets and prayer rooms will be closed during this period, and “the refurbishment works are part of Prolintas’ continuous commitment in providing the best service to its highway users,” the highway operator stated.
Highway users are advised to proceed to nearby rest and service areas and lay-bys such as R&R Rawang Northbound (PLUS) or R&R Kundang westbound (LATAR) in order to access public toilets and prayer rooms which are in operation.
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2024 BMW iX3 Final Edition EV in Malaysia – M Performance accessories, 461 km range; RM299,800
BMW Malaysia has announced the BMW iX3 Final Edition, which is priced at RM299,800 on-the-road without insurance. The Final Edition of the electric SAV (BMW’s term for SUVs) builds upon the specification of the iX3 M Sport with M Performance accessories.
Using that model’s ‘Impressive’ trim level as a basis, the M Performance additions are comprised of carbon-fibre mirror covers, carbon-fibre door sills, rear spoiler, and the Adaptive M Performance suspension upgrade, which offers the selection of a standard comfort setting or a Sport mode for sportier handling.
Standard equipment that comes with the iX3 Final Edition also includes a panoramic glass roof, three-zone automatic climate control, driver and front passenger electrically adjustable sports seats, and 20-inch 890 M Bicolour aero alloy wheels.
Assistant systems which are standard-fit on the iX3 Final Edition are the Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assist Plus, and headlamps are of the BMW Laserlight specification. Inside, the iX3 Final Edition also gets a Harman Kardon surround sound audio system, a head-up display and acoustic glazing for the window glass.
Powertrain for the iX3 Final Edition continues as before, featuring a rear-mounted electric drive motor that outputs 286 PS and 400 Nm of torque, enabling the 0-100 km/h acceleration run to be elapsed in 6.8 seconds. A 80 kWh battery (73.8 kWh usable) gets battery range of up to 461 km on the WLTP testing standard.
The BMW iX3 Final Edition is available in Malaysia six exterior colours – M Carbon Black Metallic, Cashmere Silver, Sophisto Grey, Mineral White, Phytonic Blue and Piemont Red, while interior upholstery can be specified as either Vernasca leather in Mocha with Décor stitching, or Vernasca leather in black with blue contrast stitching.
GALLERY: 2022 BMW iX3 M Sport in Malaysia
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Transport ministry to introduce Komuter service to aid Johor RTS Link; 70% complete as of March 31
The transport ministry plans to introduce a Komuter service to support the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) that is due to become operational in 2027, Bernama has reported.
This is because the RTS Link station in Bukit Chagar will also house the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Tracking Train Project that is located below the RTS station, according to transport minister Anthony Loke.
“The Komuter service is already available in Kuala Lumpur and [the] north; in the south there is none yet. We have the ETS between Gemas and JB, we are discussing how to integrate the ETS track with the RTS. So, people staying in Senai, Kluang and Kulai can take the Komuter service to Bukit Chagar, and then take the RTS to Singapore,” Loke said.
Construction for the RTS Link rail infrastructure had reached 70.45%, while the Bukit Chagar immigration, customs and quarantine (CIQ) complex infrastructure stands at 7.02% completion.
“When the ETS track between Gemas and JB is ready, we do not want it to be used for just one service. It would be great if it could also be used for the Komuter service. This matter is being studied, [and] we will look at it in detail before introducing it in Johor Bahru,” the transport minister added.
The Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link station in the Bukit Chagar area is set to be a hub for the main public transport system in the state, Loke said. “Our vision is that when the RTS Link is ready, it will be a catalyst and hub for various public transport systems in the future. It is our policy to encourage the use of public transport in the future,” he added.
A new multi-storey park-and-ride facility is also being constructed for RTS Link passengers, and it will be comprised of 1,000 parking spaces. There will also be 700 parking spaces provided at Coronation Square specifically for RTS Link passengers, which is located 400 metres from Bukit Chagar. “This means that there will be 1,700 parking bays for RTS Link passengers,” the transport minister said.
In January this year, a symbolic connection for the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link was made between Malaysia and Singapore, witnessed by prime minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong. The RTS Link had attained 65% completion as of the end of last year, and is on track for completion in December 2026.
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Tesla Malaysia drops prices by RM8k – Model 3 now from RM181k, Model Y from RM191k
Following reported price drops in several markets internationally, Tesla has announced reductions in prices for its models in Malaysia, with price reductions of RM8,000 across the board save for the 2024 Model 3 Performance that was just announced for the Malaysian market this week, from RM242,400.
Here are the latest prices of Tesla vehicle models in Malaysia:
- Rear-Wheel Drive – RM181,000 (launch RM189,000)
- Long Range AWD – RM210,000 (launch RM218,000)
- Performance – RM242,000
- Rear-Wheel Drive – RM191,000 (launch RM199,000)
- Long Range AWD – RM238,000 (launch RM246,000)
- Performance – RM280,000 (launch RM288,000)
The Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive does 513 km on a full charge, while the Model 3 Long Range AWD does 629 km. The Model 3 Performance, with its stronger acceleration and top speed figures, does 528 km; all figures are based on the WLTP standard.
The Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive does 455 km on a full charge, while the Model Y Long Range AWD attains 533 km; the Model Y Performance manages 514 km. As with the Model 3, all range figures are based on the WLTP standard.
All fully imported (CBU) electric vehicles in Malaysia are tax-exempt until the end of 2025, which means EVs such as those from Tesla are exempted from import duty and excise duty.
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Beijing 2024: Honda Ye EVs on display – P7 and S7 to launch in 2024; production GT Concept in 2025
Honda Ye P7 Earlier this month, Honda announced a trio of electric vehicles (EVs) that will form its new Ye line-up in China. All three have since made their public debut at the ongoing Auto China 2024 in Beijing, so here are some live photos of them.
We start with the P7, which is an SUV that is scheduled to be launched by the end of 2024, with sales and production handled by the carmaker’s GAC Honda joint venture. It is joined by the S7, another SUV that will be marketed by Dongfeng Honda this year.
Honda Ye P7 Both models are built on an EV-dedicated platform called Architecture W and will be offered with single-motor, rear-wheel drive or dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrains. The platform also features double-wishbone suspension at the front, while the rear is a five-link setup. Detailed specifications such as outputs and range are unknown for now.
The P7 and S7 follow in the footsteps of other Honda models that are mechanically very similar but have differing designs. Shared cues include a wraparound windscreen, a sloping rear windscreen, large D-pillars, retractable door handles as well as branding trim near the side mirrors. Both Ye models (the name means “bright and shining” also wear a flattened version of the traditional ‘H’ logo.
Honda Ye S7 The P7 is set apart from the S7 by its front and rear ends, the former sporting LED headlamps with a C-shaped daytime running light signature linked by a light bar. By comparison, the S7’s DRLs are Y-shaped, also with a light bar connecting them, while the main headlamp clusters are diagonal in layout.
Moving to the rear, the P7’s taillights mimic the design of the front DRLs, extending deep into the tailgate to meet with a central Honda script. The S7 takes a different approach with a H-shaped lighting signature thanks to vertical taillight elements connected by a light bar running just above the same script on the tailgate.
Honda Ye S7 While the exteriors of the P7 and S7 are distinctive, the interiors are nearly identical with the main highlight being a large, portrait-format touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard. This provides access to all vehicle functions, including climate controls, while the rather bare centre console – apart from gear selector buttons – sees some buttons (like the drive mode selector) be placed at the base of the screen housing.
Sitting deep in the dashboard ahead of the driver is a slim digital instrument cluster, with other noteworthy items being air vents on either side of the nearly hexagonal-shaped steering wheel. You’ll also notice screens near the A-pillars that show a video feed from the side-mounted cameras on the outside.
Honda Ye GT The third Ye model is being presented as a show car for now. Called the GT Concept, it previews a production sedan set to be launched in 2025. The sporty four-door model features a sleek silhouette as well as an X-shaped DRL signature similar to the S7.
At the rear, the GT Concept gets ultra-slim taillights, while other cues include pop-out door handles, side cameras, 22-inch wheels, forged carbon trim and a rather prominent pixel theme.
Honda Ye GT Inside, you’ll find a futuristic (and rather edgy) dashboard design that is completed by a yoke- and racing-inspired steering wheel as well as an abundance of screens. Whether all that we see here will make it into the production version remains to be seen.
This trio is just the start of the Ye range of EVs, as Honda says it will have three more coming by 2027. The company also has its e:N series of products, which will form a line-up consisting of 10 EVs, with more possibly added in the future.
GALLERY: Honda Ye P7 at Auto China 2024
GALLERY: Honda Ye S7 at Auto China 2024
GALLERY: Honda Ye GT Concept at Auto China 2024
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2024 Toyota Yaris G Limited in Malaysia – performance and handling upgrades, 600 units; RM99,600 OTR
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced today introduction of the Toyota Yaris G Limited for the Malaysian market, and this time around there is not only cosmetic revisions – there are upgrades applied to the B-segment hatchback’s chassis and powertrain as well.
Capped at a run of 600 units, the Yaris G Limited starts with the regular Yaris as its base, employing the familiar Dual VVT-i 2NR-FE 1.5 litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. Changes to the engine include a cold air intake (CAI) to aid the intake of oxygen-rich air courtesy of a pod intake filter, in order to achieve better combustion efficiency.
The improved breathing is paired with a throttle controller that improves the vehicle’s pedal input to output ratio to achieve better engine response. This is also claimed to “improve horsepower and enhance acceleration”, though UMWT does not state any claimed engine output or performance gains with these changes.
Click to enlarge As standard, the Yaris outputs 107 PS at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm at 4,200 rpm. Here, the Yaris G Limited continues to use the continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven virtual ratios as before.
Chassis revisions featuring on the Yaris G Limited are comprised of new dampers which are stiffer in order to reduce body roll, improve grip and gain steering precision, in order for the driver to ‘switch lanes with confidence’, says UMWT. A chassis brace set is also included for increased body stiffness to improve stability, it adds.
Aesthetics are treated on the Yaris G Limited as well, with an aerokit that brings red highlights to the front bumper extensions, side skirts and rear bumper diffuser.
Elsewhere, equipment for the Yaris G Limited builds upon that of the regular G variant, which is comprised of LED headlamps with follow-me-home function, LED DRLs and foglamps, LED tail lamps, halogen rear foglamps, automatically folding side mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, acoustic windscreen, front parking sensors and rear disc brakes.
Inside, the cabin of the Yaris G Limited gets Optitron-equipped instrumentation, a 4.2-inch multi-information display leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, automatic air-conditioning, six-speaker audio system and an electrochromic rear-view mirror.
Safety kit includes Toyota Safety Sense which is comprised of a pre-collision system with AEB, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert as well as a 360-degree camera system.
The Toyota Yaris G Limited can be had in Silver Metallic, Red Mica Metallic and Platinum White Pearl, the latter two also available as a two-tone scheme with a black roof and pillars for a total of five colour combinations.
Finally, pricing. The Toyota Yaris G Limited is sold for RM99,600 on-the-road without insurance, and comes with a five-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty, while the performance parts featured in this variant are covered by a one-year, 20,000 km warranty.
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