The wait has been a long one, but for many, it’s worth it. Here’s the Malaysian-market all-new Isuzu D-Max, replacing the current long-standing model that’s been in service (through various incarnations) since 2003. The second-generation D-Max is priced between RM69,799 to RM100,689 across five variants.

No questions about it, this pick-up is new from the ground up. Built on the i-GRIP (Isuzu Gravity Response Intelligent Platform) base, it’s significantly larger than before in every measurement – 5,295 mm long (+260 mm), 1,860 mm wide (+60 mm), 1,795 mm high (+60 mm) with a wheelbase of 3,095 mm (+45 mm). Ground clearance too has been increased by 10 mm to 235 mm.

The larger dimensions translate to a much more spacious cabin and bigger cargo area. It now has a more SUV-like interior with a bigger focus on passenger comfort, especially those sitting in the back. Isuzu claims that the angled rear seats backs are the best in the class. New additions include isofix mounting points, folding rear seats plus various cupholders and storage compartments.

If the interior looks familiar to you, that’s because the new D-Max shares it with the Chevrolet Colorado. The platform and interior were co-developed with parent company GM, but the running gear, dynamics and exterior styling are completely bespoke to each brand.

It’s a good looking truck isn’t it? There’s a big and bold grille up front, flanked by sharp looking projector headlamps. The bulging wheelarches are now part of the sheetmetal, no longer plastic add-ons. Aerodynamic efficiency is the best in the class, with a 5% improvement in drag coefficient (Cd) than before.

All but the base model get a new 2.5 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 136 hp at 3,600 rpm and 320 Nm of torque between 1,800-2,800 rpm, making use of a Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbocharger to outpower the old 3.0 litre motor. Two five-speed transmissions are offered either in manual or automatic flavours; the latter with a manual override function.

The D-Max features an advanced crash protection structure on the passive safety front. Dual airbags, three-point seat belts for all occupants plus ABS, BA, EBD, Traction Control (TCS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems are also on offer, but only on the two top models.

At the bottom of the range sits the RM69,799 2.5L 4×2 MT low rider variant, using an older 79 hp/176 Nm turbodiesel engine. It gets base-spec reflector-type headlamps, grey grille, 15-inch steel wheels, single airbag and black wing mirrors and rear bumper but keeps the Load Sensing Proportional Valve (LSPV) and limited slip differential (LSD).

The next two models in the line-up, the 2.5L 4×2 MT Hi-Ride (RM79,899) and 2.5L 4×4 MT-L (RM85,499) use the newer, more powerful engine and are equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, projector headlamps and chrome finish on the grille, wing mirrors and rear bumper as standard. Airbag count stays at one though.

Moving up to the top spec D-Max 2.5L 4×4 in manual (RM94,619) and automatic (RM100,689) forms get you the e-LUMAX multi-info display, leather-wrapped steering with audio and handsfree controls, 2-DIN multimedia player with Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system (with ‘Exciter’ surround speakers embedded into the roof lining).

Exterior additions such as fog lamps, LED rear lights, 17-inch wheels, roof rails, bed liner and side steps are also thrown in as standard on the two most expensive models. As these variants are more likely to be used as family recreational vehicles rather than for commercial or heavy duty use, they go without the LSPV and LSD.

A roll bar is a RM1,200 option on all variants bar the base model. Five colours are available – Phoenix Red Mica, Phantom Grey Mica, Stallion Black Metallic, Titanium Silver Metallic and Magnum White Solid, with the first two offered only on 4×4 models. Isuzu offers a three year or 100,000 km warranty.

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Sime Darby Auto Connexion has expanded its pick-up truck line-up with the double introduction of the Ford Ranger XL Lo-Rider and Single Cab variants. Both new models wear the entry-level XL trim, and are priced at RM69,999 and RM71,888 respectively (on the road prices inclusive of insurance, for private registration in Peninsula Malaysia).

Ford’s new working class heroes fit under the recently launched Ranger 2.2 XL Manual to form the base of the Ranger family. Both get the same downtuned Duratorq TDCi 2.2 litre diesel engine with 120 PS and 285 Nm of torque paired with a five-speed manual gearbox – 5 PS, 35 Nm and one gear less than in the Ranger 2.2 XL Manual, itself 25 PS and 55 Nm short of the variable geometry turbocharger-equipped 2.2 XLT variants.

Reasons behind the lower outputs have not been disclosed, but one may assume that it’s for optimum long-term longevity in light of the vehicles’ intended long-term heavy-duty use. Losing the tall sixth gear means the fuel efficiency falls from the XL Manual’s 8.1 to 8.9 litres per 100 km, while also falling short of the theoretical 1,000 km range Ford claims for other variants.

The Ranger 2.2 XL 4×2 Double Cab Lo-Rider gets a simpler and lighter rear-wheel drive set up with a 65 mm lower ride height. Standard tyres are smaller too: 215/70 R16 items versus the 255/70 R16 rubber used on other 2.2 litre models. Downtuned as it may be, the Lo-Rider is significantly more powerful than the Mitsubishi Triton Lite Turbo and the old Ranger Low Rider.

Keeping the four-wheel drive system and 200 mm ground clearance of more expensive Rangers, the new 2.2L XL 4×4 Single Cab boasts segment-leading towing capacity of 2,500 kg, 300 kg more than the Lo-Rider. The rear cabin makes way for a massive 1,341 kg payload (Lo-Rider takes 1,087 kg, both class-leading figures) and a cargo bed that’s over half a metre longer.

There’s not much in the way of equipment and safety, as Ford is obviously focussing on utility and affordability here. Airbags, ABS, EBD and BA are all missing, as they are on the RM79,888 Ranger 2.2 XL Manual too. Still, if you’re looking for a no-frills workhorse, you can do a lot worse than these two.

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The order books have been open for a month now, and some of you may have already gotten up close and personal with it at the Glenmarie showroom or at 1 Utama, but it’s now time to wrap things up – Nasim has officially launched the Peugeot 208 in Malaysia, in five- (RM85,888) and three-door (RM95,888) guises. Prices are OTR with insurance.

The Peugeot 207 successor gets its motivation from a 1.6 litre VTi engine that produces 122 PS and 160 Nm of torque – 140 Nm of which is available from 2,000 rpm. Fuel economy is rated at 6.7 litres per 100 km on a mixed cycle.

In terms of performance, 0-100 km/h is done in 10.7 seconds, while top speed is a respectable 190 km/h. Transmission is handled by a four-speed auto ‘box with Tiptronic and Sport mode.

LED DRLs and boomerang-shaped LED rear lamps are the order of the day, with the five-door wearing 16-inch ‘Helium’ alloys wrapped in 195/55 series tyres and the three-door getting 17-inch ‘Oxygen’ alloys with 205/45 series rubber. The pricier variant also gets a panoramic glass roof with mood lighting, which Peugeot says is a segment first.

An aluminium front beam absorber, a strengthened front subframe, laser welding of the roof and extensive use of high- and ultra high-strength steels contribute towards stiffening the Peugeot 208′s structure, while keeping the calories in check – the car tips the scales at a little over a tonne.

The MacPherson strut front suspension has an improved caster angle, resulting in better directional stability, accuracy and feel. A trailing arm with a deformable cross-member axle takes care of things at the back.

Semi-bucket ‘Moonlight’ fabric seats are to be found in the five-door, while the three-door gets semi-bucket ‘Sahara’ seats in a combination of leather and fabric. The interior is trimmed in piano black and satin chrome.

The Peugeot 208 gets a seven-inch HD colour touch-screen with USB and Bluetooth, as well as a six-speaker Arkamys sound system. The screen can also display a parking aid with aural and visual assistance, plus trip computer information, amongst others.

There’s a ‘floating’ instrument panel incorporating multi-stage illumination and a colour LCD, as well as a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio and telephone controls. Auto dual-zone air-con, auto headlamps and auto wipers are also standard across the range.

Let’s talk dimensions. Length, width and height are 3.96, 2.00 (including wing mirrors),and 1.46 metres respectively, while wheelbase stands at a little over 2.53 metres. The boot can hold 311 litres – fold the back seats and you get 1,152 litres of storage.

Six airbags are standard, as are the familiar plethora of safety aid acronyms: ESP, ABS, EBD, EBA, DSC and ASR. Also to be had are Hill Start Assist, dual ISOFIX points and one-touch electric windows all round. The Peugeot 208 is a five-star Euro NCAP car.

“We have set a sales target of 200 units a month for the new 208,” said Nasim COO Datuk Samson Anand George. He added that the new Pug will contribute significantly to Nasim’s sales target of 8,000 units in 2013, which will represent a 30% increase from the year before. The five-door is expected to make up 80% of Malaysian sales.

Buyers can have their Peugeot 208 in Passion Silver (five-door only), Digital White, Platinum Black, Virtual Blue or Rogue Red. Offered are a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, 24-hour Peugeot Assistance and complimentary Peugeot Lounge access.

Want to know how Europe’s best-selling B-segmenter since December drives on Malaysian soil? Read our test drive report here.

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The Range Rover has always been marketed as a premium product over its 40-year history, but never has it been truly accepted into the upper echelons of the luxury car market. Until now that is, with the fourth-generation Range Rover, codenamed L405. Lavishly appointed and beautifully finished inside and out, it’s a properly super premium SUV, this, with prices to match too.

Launched in Malaysia within six months of its international debut in Paris last year, the new Range Rover is available with two engine choices: either an SDV8 diesel or a V8 Supercharged petrol. The former goes for RM949,888 while the top of the range model breaks the seven figure barrier at RM1,089,888 (on the road prices, excluding insurance). The base 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel engine is unavailable at launch.

Before you cry foul of the considerable price hikes – the third-gen Range Rover TDV8 and 5.0 V8 Supercharged were priced at RM730,000 and RM798,888 respectively – remember that in its home market, the latest model carries a significant 15% price premium over its predecessor. Factor in the compound tax increase and higher standard kit and it starts to look less exorbitant.

The SDV8 model uses an updated 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 diesel with 339 hp (26 more than before) at 3,500 rpm and 700 Nm of torque at 1,750-3,000 rpm. 0-100 km/h sprint takes 6.9 seconds (previously 7.8), on to a top speed of 218 km/h. Fuel economy is rated at a respectable 11.5 km per litre, an improvement of 9% over the outgoing TDV8.

Get the 5.0 litre supercharged V8 petrol and you’ll have 510 hp at your disposal from 6,000 to 6,500 rpm, with 625 Nm at 2,500-5,500 rpm. The century sprint is over in 5.4 seconds, 0.8 seconds quicker than before, with a top speed of 225 km/h or 250 km/h when specified with 22-inch wheels. A litre of petrol only returns 7.4 km, which is also 9% better than its predecessor. Range is never an issue with a 105 litre fuel tank.

Both engines are mated to the same eight-speed automatic transmission with steering mounted paddle shifters, a first for a V8 Supercharged Range Rover. The Jaguar-sourced rotary gear selector is retained here, while the just-unveiled new Range Rover Sport gets a traditional gear lever (but in turn loses out on paddle shifts).

Improvements in both performance and efficiency owe very little to the minor mechanical updates, but more to the new all-aluminium monocoque chassis – a world-first in an SUV. It’s 39% lighter than the steel item it replaces, and contributes to the massive 350 kg model-for-model weight saving.

It wouldn’t be a proper Range Rover without real go-anywhere ability, and this latest model wears its name with pride. In off-road mode, it has a ground clearance of 295.5 mm, maximum wading depth of 900 mm (200 mm deeper now), plus enhanced and highly capable approach, ramp and departure angles.

Both local models are kitted in Vogue trim – the lowest of three lines available elsewhere. They’re far from being spartan however – there’s no such thing as a poverty-spec Range Rover – and the options and customisation levels available are only limited by your wallet depth.

Active air suspension (with variable ride height) and a host of driver aids (roll stability, traction, hill descent, cornering brake and dynamic stability controls all inclusive) are standard across the range. The petrol variant gets the latest Terrain Response 2 system with an Auto mode, an option on the TR1-equipped TDV8. An active rear differential lock is optional for both models.

Included in the extensive standard equipment list are xenons, LED DRLs and rear lamps, 20-inch wheels (21s pictured here), cruise control (adaptive feature is an option), surround camera system, three-zone climate control, touchscreen GPS, voice control, Bluetooth connectivity and oxford leather upholstery. A panoply of airbags are present too, as are keyless entry, vacuum doors and powered split tailgate for the 909 litre boot.

A four-seat configuration, rear seat entertainment system, dual view screen, panoramic roof, adaptive headlamps with high beam assist, towbar and a full size spare wheel are all cost options. Other extras include auto park, wade sensing feature and a 825W Meridian surround audio system that replaces the standard 380W item.

The new Range Rover is more capable on and off the road, uses less fuel, looks more modern than ever and is oh so sumptuous inside. So what do you think – this, or an S-Class?

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Audi is on a roll here in Malaysia. The A6 hybrid that we drove last month was sold out mere weeks after its launch, with Euromobil’s entire 2013 allocation all spoken for. They’re now gunning for the entry-level premium market with the new Audi A1 Sportback, a five-door variant of the original A1 launched in 2011.

How much do you have to pay for the two extra doors? Nothing, as it’s priced exactly the same as the standard A1 at RM179,900 before insurance, making it the joint most affordable Audi you can buy here. You’ll have to be quick to get the limited period introductory price though, as it’ll revert to its standard price tag of RM185,000 soon.

Only a single variant is offered, a base turbocharged 1.4 TFSI with 122 hp at 5,000rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. Taking care of gear changes is a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission complete with steering mounted shift paddles. 0-100 km/h takes nine seconds flat, and top speed is 203 km/h. 18.9 km per litre is on offer here.

Dimensionally nothing much has changed. The Sportback may look bigger and longer than the three-door A1, but it’s not. Length stays the same at just under four metres, and the 2469 mm wheelbase is carried over as well. Width and height however, have been increased slightly by 6 mm each, giving passengers 11 and 13 mm more head and shoulder room respectively.

Aside from improved access, rear occupants are better accommodated too, as the seats are now designed for three, each with its own headrest and full three-point seatbelt. Available legroom stays as before, as do the 270-litre boot. The rear seats fold down (but not flat) to open up as much 920 litres of space. For neat freaks, there’s an optional luggage package that adds storage compartments under the boot floor.

Externally, standard features include LED DRLs and rear lights, xenon headlamps and 16-inch wheels (optional 17-inchers are pictured here). If you have an extra RM15,000 to spare, you can choose the S-line package that adds more aggressive exterior treatment, 17-inch alloys from quattro Gmbh, sports suspension and leather/cloth combination upholstery.

Customisation includes the choice of three contrasting colours for the roof line and the entire roof itself (a Sportback-specific addition) as part of the S-line package. Twelve colour options are available, including Samoa Orange that is available exclusively for the new five-door. Picking a pearl effect colour adds RM2,500 to the price.

This small car isn’t small on creature comforts. Automatic climate control, 6.5-inch colour display, Bluetooth connectivity and voice dialogue system are all packed in. An audiophile-approved 14-speaker 465-watt Bose audio system is a RM4,000 optional extra, while an MMI navigation with a higher res screen and Bluetooth car online system are included in the optional technology package (price yet undisclosed).

It’s not short on safety kit either. You get a full compliment of six airbags, ESP, ASR, EDL, ABS, EBD, BA, and even ISOFIX mounts for the rear seats. So there you have it. Small car, big on Audi. You likey?

Large gallery after the jump.

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Amidst the March madness of the Bangkok, New York and Seoul motor shows running concurrently, here’s a bit of local new for you. The new Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab is now available for purchase across Malaysia in 2.8 litre diesel 4×4 manual form for RM70,409 in the Peninsular, or RM71,221 and RM71,372 in Sabah and Sarawak respectively (all prices quoted without insurance).

The Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab is more utilitarian than accomodating as you can see, and unlike most double cab pick-ups we have over here, this one is not meant for families. It’s not personal; it’s strictly business, as Michael Corleone would say. If you transport more goods and machinery than you do people, this is the pick-up for you. If not, there’s always the Triton VGT.

It’s got a 2.8 litre indirect injection non-turbo engine that makes 97 hp at 4,000 rpm and 198 Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm. Fast it’s not, but it’s a simple machine that’s tough and reliable, precisely what you need for heavy-duty usage. A simple five-speed manual gearbox is in use here, channelling power to all four wheels via the Easy Select 4WD system which allows ‘shift on the fly’ from two- to four-wheel drive at up to 100 km/h.

The powertrain is designed to withstand various quality levels of diesel fuel, reducing the risk of costly engine damage when supplied with less-than-ideal fuel that the agricultural and plantation industry transporters may be forced to use in remote areas. For convenience, the loading bay is set at a low 845 mm, while turning radius is a tight 5.9 metres for easy manoeuvrability.

There’s not much when it comes to safety features though, with only anti-intrusion brake pedal, collapsible steering and RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body structure listed as standard. It’s as basic as it can be, and the wheels are steel items too.

The fully-imported Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab is available only in solid white with unpainted front bumper (there’s no rear bumper), and comes with a three-year/100,000 km warranty and two-year free maintenance package.

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At the same time the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was launched, another car was too; one of a completely opposite nature. Naza Italia has introduced the Ferrari F12berlinetta in Malaysia with a starting price of RM1,288,800, excluding taxes. We’re the first country in the Asia Pacific region to receive an RHD car, in fact.

When it first made its global appearance in Geneva last year, the F12berlinetta was the fastest and most powerful road-going Ferrari ever, and although the LaFerrari now holds that title, this one’s no slouch – it’s lapped the famous Fiorano test track in a quick one minute and 23 seconds.

With a front mid-mounted 6.2 litre 65° V12 offering 730 hp at 8,250 rpm and 690 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm (80% of which is available at just 2,500 rpm) and a seven-speed F1 dual-clutch gearbox, the 599 GTB replacement gets to 100 km/h from rest in just over three seconds, to 200 km/h from rest in 8.5 seconds and onwards to a top speed in excess of 340 km/h. Mind-boggling numbers, indeed.

But it’s not all just about the power – the company says this engine is the first in a new generation of Ferrari V12s that have reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – 15 litres per 100 km and 350 grams per km are the quoted figures on the combined ECE and EUDC cycle (with lightweight options and HELE system).

Electronic equipment includes ESC, high-performance ABS and EBD, F1 traction control (F1-Trac), E-Diff 3 and magnetorheological damping with twin solenoids (SCM-E). Two body colours are offered – Rosso Berlinetta and Aluminium. A seven-year scheduled maintenance at standard service intervals (20,000 km, or once a year with unlimited mileage) is included in the purchase.

Click here to digest more in-depth technical information on the Ferrari F12berlinetta, and here for pictures and videos from the international media drive in Italy last year (we weren’t there, unfortunately).

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The electric age has begun in Malaysia with Mitsubishi officially launching the i-MiEV today, the first all-electric vehicle to be sold here. Going full electric has been a long process for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, who first registered the EV way back in 2011. An Eco-Tourism Pilot Demonstration Program in Langkawi followed suit in 2012, before the official launch teasers started earlier this week.

The i-MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle) goes on sale to the Malaysian public for a hefty RM136,118.50 without insurance (RM139,888 OTR), despite its fully tax exempt status. There’s always a price to pay to be a pioneer at something big and future-proof, and in the case of electric vehicles, this is it.

At least there’s plenty to be saved with the i-MiEV’s minimal running costs. There will be no fuel bill for starters, and charging up the car from empty to full capacity only costs around RM3.50 in electricity bill, which will then give you a maximum range of 150 km (measured in the NEDC cycle).

As you are not likely to fully deplete the battery everyday, your daily charging cost would be considerably cheaper still. Plus, there are always the two public EV charging stations in KLCC and Lot 10 where you can park and charge your vehicle for free.

With no engine and hence no lubricants, service maintenance is cheaper too. Service interval is every 20,000 km, where it would be run through standard diagnostic checks. The only things that need replacing are the air-con filter and brake fluid. Not that it matters for the first five years anyway, as the i-MiEV comes with a watertight five year warranty and free service (up to 100,000 km).

Annual road tax is RM10, the lowest permissible for a car. Insurance too is measured based on a 660 cc vehicle, the cheapest class in the current system.

Alas, though significant, there’s only so much you can save from the lower running cost as even with everything considered, it’s nowhere near enough to offset the car’s price in the first place. So let’s not kid ourselves here: this car is all about saving the environment, not money.

It uses an all-electric motor for forward propulsion, with a maximum output of 49 kW (equivalent to 67 hp) and 196 Nm of torque driving the rear wheels. It operates silently with no vibrations, offering a unique driving environment that’s unlike traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines.

All that torque is available from zero rpm, so it’s a punchy performer (top speed is 130 km/h). A low-centre of gravity promises agile handling characteristics and, coupled with a tight turning radius of 4.5 m, should prove to be a real hoot to drive around town.

The 330V battery can be charged from a standard home power socket, and takes a full eight hours to charge fully, or less with some charge left. No fuel is used, just battery charge. It emits no emissions either. In reducing our carbon footprint and dependence to fossil fuels, this car is a huge step forward.

In case you’re wondering, the battery is covered by the five-year warranty, and is said to retain at least 80% of its full capacity after that period. After 10 years of use, the figure drops to 70%.

At just 3,475 mm long and 1,475 mm wide, the i-MiEV is a tiny little car. It’s got a long 2,550 mm wheelbase though, so interior space is not an issue. Lack of creature comfort isn’t either, with a 2-DIN touchscreen multimedia system with GPS, automatic climate control, auto headlights, electric power steering and leather steering wheel and shifter as standard.

As small as it is, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV packs Active Stability Control (ASC), six airbags and Mitsubishi’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) rigid body construction for uncompromised safety. The battery too is encased in a waterproof package that is protected against impact damage.

Also unveiled is Mitsubishi’s first EV Centre, SAG Star along Jalan Chan Sow Lin. It’s got a free charging station for all EV users, and Mitsubishi said a further five EV Centres will be built within the financial year – four in the peninsular, one in East Malaysia.

The i-MiEV is definitely not for everyone. It’s a testament to the grand vision of a few, designed for the discerning few who value energy sustainability more than others.

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Bermaz Motor has launched the Mazda 6 range in Malaysia. After months of speculation brought on by oto.my ads, leaked price lists and spyshots, things finally get official. Fully imported from Japan, the 2.0 sedan is priced at RM159,455.50, the 2.5 sedan at RM189,728.40 and the 2.5 Touring estate at RM193,832.40, the prices being OTR with insurance.

The two SkyActiv-G petrol engines are direct-injected four-cylinder units. They’re mated to a SkyActiv-Drive six-speed auto. The 2.0 produces 153 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm; the 2.5 does 185 hp at 5,700 rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 3,250 rpm. Fuel consumption is a quoted 17.4 and 15.6 km per litre respectively.

Regardless of what variant you choose, you get six airbags, DRLs, push start, rain-sensing wipers, auto climate control, leather seats, cruise control, a TFT touch-screen with MP3, AUX, USB and Bluetooth, front and rear sensors with reverse camera, traction control, DSC and a start-stop system (called i-Stop), amongst many others.

Extras to be found on the 2.5 sedan and estate include auto-levelling bi-xenon headlamps, keyless entry, i-ELOOP regenerative braking, i-Activsense tech (comprising Adaptive Front Lighting, Rear Vehicle Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Control and Smart City Brake), shift paddles and a TomTom sat-nav. The estate exclusively gets a roof spoiler, boot roller blind and a Karakuri tonneau cover.

The 2.0 sedan rides on 225/55 R17 tyres while the 2.5 sedan and estate sit on 225/45 R19 rubber. MacPherson struts sit up front while a multi-link setup sits out back, and brakes are a front-ventilated disc, rear-solid disc affair.

The estate actually has an 80 mm shorter wheelbase than the sedan – Mazda says this disparity was created to suit customer tastes, thereby giving the sedan buyer more cabin space, and the estate buyer more cargo space (522 litres versus sedan’s 438 litres) and agility.

Unsurprisingly though, the estate enjoys 28 mm more rear headroom. In terms of overall length, the sedan measures 4,865 mm, compared to the estate’s 4,800 mm, despite the latter having a 15 mm longer rear overhang.

Five colours are available – Snowflake White Pearl, Aluminium Metallic, Soul Red, Meteor Grey and Blue Reflex. A three-year warranty and three-year free maintenance are offered. More information on equipment and specs can be found in the gallery below, or you can read our test drive report of the 2.0 and 2.5 sedan here.

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As reported last week, Naza Kia has launched the facelifted Kia Sorento at its nationwide Kia Customer Day over the last weekend. We were there at Kia’s flagship Red Cube in PJ too, among hundreds of other interested buyers. So crowded it was, that our attempt at taking live shots of the refreshed SUV had to be abandoned. Over multiple tries.

The line was much clearer come Monday’s office hours, giving us the chance to take plenty of photos inside and out. No interior picture had been released at the launch announcement last week, so here you have the chance to see the local spec Sorento in its full glory.

Naza Kia has chosen to call it the ‘Next-Gen’ Sorento, which essentially it is. Underneath the familiar sheet metal is an all-new platform for substantially improved ride, handling and refinement. The interior is all new too, utilising higher quality materials and is even better specced than before.

Overall it’s a much more significant update than a typical mid-life facelift. It’s a highly focussed programme on improving what’s beneath the skin rather than the more common skin-deep aesthetic upgrades car manufacturers have tried to pass on as facelifts nowadays.

You can read the new Kia Sorento’s full technical specs and standard equipment list in our local launch report here, as well as more pictures and insights from the international premiere reports here and here.

Enjoy our full live gallery below, including side-by-side comparison shots with the outgoing model. And remember, there is more to this facelift than meets the eye.

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A new limited run variant of the Honda City has just popped up on Honda Malaysia’s Facebook page and website! Called the City VA – for Value Added – the new model is limited to just 300 units, and features a built-in GPS multimedia system, leather seats and window film as standard.

The City VA is priced at RM93,480 on the road with insurance, a RM2,500 premium over the higher-spec (of the two launch variants) Grade E model. The most significant upgrade is the inclusion of Honda’s own entertainment and navigation system – a neatly integrated touchscreen unit housed within the dash’s fascia.

Honda’s new touch-controlled, voice-guided satellite navigation system supports a high-resolution map and 3D city-view. The unit also includes a DVD and MP3 player, iPod AUX/USB ports and a rear view camera, on top of the built-in Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.

Other new features are the black leather upholstery with grey stitching and embossed ‘City’ logos on the front seats, and standard-fit solar protection window tinting for the glasshouse.

Virtually nothing’s changed on the outside. The VA comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, front foglamps, wing mirror-mounted turn signals and a chromed exhaust finisher. The only difference to the Grade E is the deletion of chrome door handles, which are now body-coloured.

Speaking of colour, 200 of the VA will be painted in Tafetta White, the other 100 in Polished Metal (grey). The Honda City VA is now available for viewing at all Honda showrooms. A five-year unlimited warranty is included, with six free labour services, up to 100,000 km. As per the Grade E, ABS, EBD, BA, VSA and dual airbags are fitted too.

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The all-new Volkswagen Golf Mk7 has landed on Malaysian shores, and we’ve just seen it in the flesh in an exclusive celebrity-laden customer/prospective buyer/media party near the Subang Airport.

With the sultry Jojo Struys as emcee and local dance queen Mizz Nina providing the night’s entertainment, Volkswagen Malaysia’s most important model for the next six or seven years has been given a grand welcome fitting of its market significance, to say the least.

We can confirm that the Golf Mk7 arrives in petrol 1.4 TSI (140 PS) guise, with a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox being the sole drivetrain option available. Its local price and final specifications have yet to be revealed, and will only be announced later today (Wednesday).

But while speculation may continue over the final price, specs wise, what you see here is what you get. On the outside the latest Golf gets five-spoke 16-inch ‘Dover’ alloy wheels wearing 205/55 R16 rubbers. The ‘U’ shaped LED daylight running lights is now a standard feature.

Inside, the fabric upholstery remains, but the dashboard gains a 5.8-inch ‘Composition Media’ touchscreen head unit as a standard fitment. It features a proximity sensor to come alive when you move your hand to operate it, responds to smartphone-like swiping and zooming gestures and has built-in Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

An electronic handbrake with a separate auto hold button makes its debut in a Golf. Cruise control, automatic headlights, engine idle start/stop system, dual-zone climate control and the usual set of traction control and stability management systems are all present.

Notably missing from the local cars are the sunroof, Adaptive Cruise Control, selectable driving modes, auto park, powered seats, satellite navigation and the colour screen within the instrument panel (replaced by a high-res monochrome unit).

Stay tuned for the price and final specifications, still to be released later today. For now, feast your eyes on our 110-photo gallery of the launch party, including live pictures of all six past generations of the Golf.

UPDATE: Read our Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Review, from our test drive session in Sardinia. For a local context, a test drive review of the Golf Mk7 on Malaysian roads is in the works and will be published soon.

The post The new Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI lands in Malaysia – preliminary specs and comprehensive launch gallery appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Many carmakers use the “all new” or “new” tag liberally these days, but this refreshed Sorento has a strong case. It might look familiar, with just a new face and tail design, but this Sorento sits on a different platform from the car it replaces. The new platform is shared with the latest Hyundai Santa Fe, and Kia also claims a re-engineered bodyshell plus improved ride, handling and refinement.

The chassis joint areas have been strengthened for enhanced body rigidity and better steering stability. There’s less road noise in the cabin as the engine bay is now lined with three-layer noise-lowering materials, together with a new sound insulator in the transmission tunnel. Legroom for the second and third rows have been increased, and the SUV is now lower by 10 mm for easier boarding.

In Malaysia, the new Kia Sorento will be powered by a 2.4 litre Theta II petrol engine with 176 PS and 227 Nm of torque. Power is channeled to the AWD system via a six-speed automatic gearbox with manual override.

The equipment list includes 18-inch wheels, LED DRLs, Supervision cluster, 4.3-inch LCD touch-screen audio system with rear view camera, dual-zone climate control with third row vents, panoramic sunroof (retractable at the front section, motor driven blind), cabin mood lamps, push start button with smart key, leather and Bluetooth/AUX/iPod/USB functions.

Safety wise, there’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Assist Control, ABS+EBD and six airbags.

No price change, so you can have one for RM158,888 in Snow Pearl White, Bright Silver, Glittering Metal or Mahogany Brown. Kia is offering a five–year warranty with unlimited mileage for the Sorento. Read and view more of the car here.

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You’ve seen the teasers and read our comprehensive test drive report, now the new Honda CR-V has been officially launched by Honda Malaysia, in CKD locally assembled form. The “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle” is in its fourth-generation now, and follows the popular third-gen RE, which was the SUV to beat (in terms of sales) since day one.

The new CR-V may look bulkier, but both old and new dimensions are surprisingly similar. Length, width and height is 4,545, 1,820 and 1,685 mm respectively, which is 20 mm shorter and five millimetres taller than before. The 2,620 mm wheelbase is unchanged, so are the front and rear track widths, fuel tank size (58 litres) and kerb weight of 1,540 kg. Overhangs at both ends have been trimmed slightly, though.

Boot capacity for the five-seater SUV is 589 litres, expandable to 1,648 litres by folding the rear seats (1,146 litres at the window line), a single-motion affair. Shape-wise, the load length has been increased by 140 mm to 1,570 mm, while the height of the load lip has been reduced by 25 mm. Apparently, you can throw in two mountain bikes or four sets of golf clubs.

A 2.4 litre model that was always available elsewhere is coming to Malaysia in June, but for now, the CR-V is powered by a 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine similar to the one in the new Civic. The R20A makes 155 PS at 6,500 rpm and 190 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm – compared to the previous CR-V, this is five PS more at 300 rpm higher, while max torque is made 100 rpm higher.

Paired to a five-speed automatic, the CR-V does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 12.7 seconds on to a 183 km/h top speed. Power goes mainly to the front wheels, but “Real Time 4WD” can shuffle drive to the back when the need arises. Speaking of wheels, you’ll continue to get 17-inch alloys with 226/65 tyres.

The new dashboard features a green ECON button that’s now standard issue for Hondas. There’s also an Eco Assist function that changes the illuminated ring colour on the meter cluster. You’ll want to keep it in green for eco driving.

Also making its debut is a five-inch colour LCD screen with graphics that look similar to the FB Civic’s. This i-MID display is linked to a reverse camera, which is standard fit. The rear air-con vents are also new.

Safety-wise, the new CR-V comes with four airbags (front and side), ABS, EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), TCS, Hill Start Assist, follow me home lighting and Isofix mounts for child seats. The rear centre seat belt has been upgraded to a three-point unit from the previous lap belt.

Also on the standard kit list are cruise control, dual-zone auto air con, steering wheel buttons (audio and cruise control), a six-speaker ICE system with USB (no Bluetooth, though) and a new jack-knife design key.

Five colours are available – retained are Taffeta White, Crystal Black, Alabaster Silver, and Polished Metal, with a new shade called Twilight Blue replacing Urban Titanium in the palette. As usual for Honda, there’s a list of Modulo accessories to add on. Four set packages – Alpha, Beta, Utility and Urban – are on the menu.

Honda Malaysia is joining the warranty wars with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage for the new CR-V. Service interval is now set at 10,000 km, and owners are entitled to six times free labour alternated with paid services – one free, one paid, next one free, and so on.

The new Honda CR-V is priced at RM148,800 on-the-road with insurance. Click here to read Anthony’s comprehensive take on the SUV (he has a third-gen car at home), and impressions of the upcoming 2.4 litre variant, which will be priced around RM190k.

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Sime Darby Auto Performance, Porsche’s presence in Malaysia, has added one more to the 911 range. Previously, you could only have the 911 in its purest form, a rear-wheel drive version. Launched recently, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S offers more stable driving dynamics and agility under most weather and terrain conditions.

The point in the matter is the Porsche Traction Management, or PTM for short. This four-wheel drive system is based on the Type 997 911 Turbo‘s. The system works by delivering torque in optimum dosage either to the front or rear as required via a multiplate clutch, which Zuffenhausen says is the one of the lightest all-wheel drive systems available today.

Porsche says it takes up to 100 milliseconds to move the torque around, which is quicker than the engine’s reaction to load change and definitely quicker than what any normal human can perceive. If you must know where the torque is going, you can always view the distribution on the display instrument panel.

Porsche claims that, with the inclusion of PTM into the 911, the 4S is able to offer high agility, higher grip levels on slippery surfaces and enhanced safety during extreme driving manoeuvres in the high-speed range.

To differentiate the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive 911, you only need to look at the rear. Just beneath the spoiler’s edge is a red light ribbon that runs across from left to right; it’s clearly seen at night. The rear wheel arches are also more flared.

The snout is modified ever so slightly that it now wears lateral air inlet screens in trim form. Rounding off the design changes is the black recessed sill panels on its side.

Size, particularly at the rear, has also been increased. The 911 4S is 22 mm wider on each side, making it 44 mm wider in total. The rear wheels are also fattened by 10 mm and rear axle track is increased by 36 mm.

The 4S has the same engine as its two-wheel drive counterpart. It is a 3.8 litre boxer engine that produces 400 hp at 7,400 rpm and 440 Nm at 5,600 rpm. The engine is mated to a seven-speed PDK gearbox. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is clocked at 4.3 seconds, it has a top speed of 297 km/h and is rated to consume 9.1 litres per 100 km on a combined cycle.

Interestingly, SDAP has also brought in one very basic 911 Carrera 4S with a seven-speed manual gearbox. It will do 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds on to a top speed of 299 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 9.9 l/100 km, so the stick shift has nothing going for it in terms of figures.

Prices start from RM970,000 including taxes, but without registration fee, road tax and insurance. As with the RWD Porsche 911 in Malaysia, the C4S comes with a four-year factory warranty and a four-year complimentary service maintenance package.

We’ve sampled the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S in Austria and found it a tad bit easier to drive compared to the 911 Carrera S – click here to read about it. The legendary sports car celebrates its 50th birthday this year – see a gallery of its ancestors here.

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BMW Malaysia has introduced the facelifted F01/02 BMW 7-Series in the country, in this case with the F02 side of things. The car was launched today at the ongoing BMW Malaysian Open 2013 being held at the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur, with the event’s top seed and former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki helping out with the unveiling of the car.

Three versions of the Life Cycle Impulse 7er go on sale here, the entry-level 730Li, followed by the 740Li and the ActiveHybrid 7L, which sits at the top of things. The cars will only be available for purchase at dealerships from March 30 2013. It looks like BMW’s stint with diesel power in the limo segment has ended – the 730Ld is gone.

We’ve already written a fair bit about the LCI when it made its debut last May, but here’s a quick recap. Externally, the front of the car features new all-LED headlamp clusters, as well as a nine-slat per side kidney grille, redesigned bumper apron and indicators integrated into the exterior mirror casings.

At the back, a chrome trim strip between the taillights in the rear apron provides additional contrast, and the 7er now sits eight millimetres lower than previously in a bid to sport things up.

Inside, the cabin gets newly-designed leather seats, new hardware for the iDrive, and the rear passengers get individual freestanding 9.2-inch flat screens. In the case of the ActiveHybrid 7L, there’s a Bang & Olufsen high-end surround sound system, replete with 16 loudspeakers and an illuminated centre loudspeaker that can be retracted into the instrument panel.

In terms of output numbers, the 3.0 litre six-cylinder inline NA mill, the N52B30, offers 258 hp and 310 Nm in the 730Li, and thanks to additional TwinPower Turbo technology, 320 hp and 450 Nm for the 740Li.

As for the AH 7L, the drivetrain is now identical to that found on the ActiveHybrid 5 and ActiveHybrid 3, this being the 320 hp six-cylinder turbo from the 740Li, but coupled with a 55 hp synchronous electric motor and a lithium-ion high-performance battery. The previous AH 7 incarnation wore a 4.4 V8/motor combi.

Total system output is 354 hp and and 500 Nm, and it’s good enough to get the AH 7L to 100 km/h from standstill in 5.7 seconds, with the ability to do four kilometres on electric power alone, at speeds of up to 60 km/h. The car also features a hybrid-specific Auto Start/Stop function.

The AH 7L also gets dressed up with an M Sport package as standard, with the kit comprising an M Aerodynamics exterior package, M Sport leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles as well as M light alloy wheels.

Elsewhere, the 7er features plenty of tech, as usual – there’s ECO PRO with anticipation assistant and Brake Energy Regeneration as standard, as are items such as BMW Night Vision + Dynamic Light Spot, High Beam Assist with Anti-Dazzle and an Active Protection safety package.

In terms of pricing, the 730Li goes for RM648,800, the 740Li for RM818,800 and the ActiveHybrid 7L for RM938,800, all on-the-road without insurance, but with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI). Unlike the AH 5 and AH 3, which are classified as Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV), the AH 7 isn’t, and as such does not get the special exemptions enjoyed by its smaller hybrid siblings.

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Euromobil has officially launched the Audi A6 Hybrid in Malaysia. The import and excise duty-exempt executive sedan starts from a competitive RM280k (OTR without insurance).

The car was officially unveiled by YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad this evening. Also present at the launch was DRB-Hicom group MD and Euromobil chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil.

“With the introduction of the A6 Hybrid in Malaysia, we hope that the steps taken towards encouraging the implementation of advanced green technology in the automotive industry will help the country to be on par with their neighbouring counterparts, and be more competitive on a global scale,” said Khamil.

The Audi A6 Hybrid is powered by a combination of a 211 hp/350 Nm 2.0 TFSI and a 54 hp/211 Nm electric motor that’s fed by a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery. A total output of 245 hp and 480 Nm of torque can be had briefly in boost mode. Power goes to the front wheels.

In EV mode (activated by pushing a button on the centre console), the Audi A6 Hybrid can travel 3.0 km (for a constant 60 km/h). Exceed 100 km/h in this mode and the petrol engine kicks in.

0-100 km/h is accomplished in 7.5 seconds and top speed is 240 km/h. Average fuel consumption is quoted at 6.2 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions at 145 grams per km, both of these being combined figures. A 30% aluminium body construction translates to a sub-1.85 tonne kerb weight.

The electric motor sits behind the TFSI, where you’d expect the eight-speed tiptronic’s torque converter to be. Indicators on the 7-inch Driver Information System in the instrument panel and on the MMI monitor display information such as energy flow in the hybrid system or the breakdown of energy consumption.

How do you tell it apart from the regular A6 sedan? Hybrid badges aside, 18-inch 10-arm turbine design wheels covered in 245/45 rubber and an Arctic Silver body colour (in addition to the existing A6 colours) are Hybrid-exclusive items.

Inside there are aluminium trigon inlays in place of the regular A6′s wood trim, and a power meter (showing percentage of power used) replaces the rev counter. The four-spoke steering wheel and gear knob are covered in leather, while the seats are trimmed in Milano leather.

Regenerative braking is the order of the day. Energy recuperation while coasting is possible up to 120 km/h; braking recuperation is active at all speeds. Brake hard and the conventional hydraulic system joins in to provide more stopping power.

The air-con compressor is electrically driven, so even when the engine is off (in start-stop phases), air-con cooling performance is unaffected. It’s an automatic quad-zone system, in case you’re wondering.

The use of a lithium-ion battery, Audi says, cuts weight by 40% compared to nickel–metal hydride batteries. The 38 kg battery is air-cooled by a blower from the interior or by an internal refrigerant circuit coupled to the automatic air-con.

Maintaining the battery within the appropriate temperature range prolongs its lifespan and ensures the vehicle can operate in EV mode for as long as possible to increase efficiency.

Due to the battery’s location under the boot floor, boot volume is down to 375 litres from 530 on the regular A6 sedan, but one can always fold the back seat down for more space.

In terms of toys, the Audi A6 Hybrid gets MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and an 8-inch TFT display. There’s also a Black Panel touch pad, which displays radio station buttons and even allows drivers to enter letters and numbers using their finger tips.

Click to enlarge

Six airbags, ESP, traction control, Driver Steering Recommendation (DSR) and ISOFIX are among the safety equipment on offer, in addition to the usual ABS, EBD and BA.

Optional extras are Comfort Key – basically keyless entry and start (RM3k), and a reverse camera (RM5k). Also offered as options are a BOSE sound system and Bluetooth car phone online – this features an integrated WLAN hotspot and access to Google Maps.

Other standard features include LED head, tail and daytime-running lamps (a RM13k option on the regular A6 sedan), headlamp washers, sunroof, automatic wipers and headlamps, cruise control and Audi drive select (Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual modes).

The Audi A6 Hybrid, along with its lithium-ion battery, is offered with a four-year warranty with unlimited mileage for the first two years, and capped at a total of 120,000 km throughout the third and fourth years.

Read our comprehensive test drive report of the Audi A6 Hybrid here.

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Naza Euro Motors has launched the Citroën DS4 and DS5 in its new bid to rejuvenate the unorthodox French brand in Malaysia. As reported earlier, these two models are NEM’s first two offerings since its appointment as the official distributor for Citroën in the country.

Both a part of Citroën’s semi-premium Different Spirit (DS) line-up, the DS4 THP163 and DS5 THP156 are priced at RM165,000 and RM195,000 respectively (both on the road prices with five-year unlimited mileage warranty), making them quite a big step up from fellow Naza-stablemates Peugeot 308 and 508.

Explaining the price difference are the facts that these cars are CBU models built in France, are specced full of kit and most significantly, possesses a higher level of quality and prestige than the regular Peugeots. These are DS models, remember. Elsewhere, Citroën has the C4 and C5 models marketed alongside similarly priced Peugeot 308 and 508 respectively.

First up, the DS5. It’s a Citroën alright. It looks like nothing else on the road with its wild character lines and aerodynamic silhouette. The chrome-finished ‘sabre’ extending from the large headlights is a creative design move that is both unique and eye-catching, as is the feature-rich rear end with its glass-mounted rear spoiler. It splits the fine line between a hatchback and an estate by being taller and larger than either body style.

Under the hood, the DS5 is powered a turbocharged 1.6 litre direct injection petrol engine paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox (regular torque converter this time, not the EGS sequential ‘box brought in by the previous distributor) driving the front wheels. Power is rated at 156 hp, with 240 Nm of torque, good enough for a 0-100 km/h time of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 202 km/h.

The aerospace-inspired styling is matched with an equally sleek interior. For starters, there are aircraft-style overhead controls and then there’s the split three-piece glass canopy – one each for the driver and front passenger and a larger one for the rear cabin.

For your RM195,000, you get a rear view camera, Arkamys audio processing with Denon sound system, dual-zone air conditioning, colour head-up display and smart keyless entry as standard. Auto wipers, Xenon lights, electric front seats with memory function, massaging driver’s throne plus front and rear parking sensors are included too.

As for the seats, you get a choice of either Fauve Club of Red Club leather with bracelet confection (i.e fancy folds and creases on the seat back). The wheels are 18-inch items with black gloss diamond-effect. On the safety front, the DS5 is fitted with ESP, ABS, EBD, EBA and six airbags in total.

Moving along, the DS4 is the second member of the DS family, joining the pioneering DS3. It’s essentially a Volkswagen Golf-size hatchback styled as a 2+2 coupe – a layout that draws comparisons to the Scirocco. It has four doors though (the rear door handles are hidden within the window line); with three-abreast seating configuration in the rear quarters.

It rides on a raised ride height akin to a mini-SUV, making it, as Citroën would claim, a “five-door high stance coupe”. The accompanying SUV-size wheel arches may make the standard 18-inch wheels look underwhelming, but the DS4’s heavily sculpted sheet metal and curvaceous body draw attention away from it.

Here in Malaysia it’s offered in a single THP163 guise, with the same engine and gearbox as the DS5. It’s tuned to the same specifications as the Peugeot 408 Turbo though – 163 hp and 240 Nm of torque – and is capable of completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 9.3 seconds. Top speed is 212 km/h.

Inside it’s a French masterpiece of superfluous design, distinctly putting form ahead of function. It certainly looks and feels premium enough, with soft-touch materials and plenty of chrome detailing enveloping the driver-oriented cabin. The upswept windscreen that extends well into the roofline adds a unique touch.

Automatic dual-zone climate control, Arkamys sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, auto wipers, xenon headlamps, massaging driver’s seat and leather upholstery (Habana Club hide with bracelet confection) are all standard. The DS4 gets the same safety features as the more expensive DS5, with the addition of a blind spot monitoring system.

Naza Euro Motors also launched its new Citroën Glenmarie 3S centre alongside the new models. The RM3.5 million, 22,000 sq ft flagship outlet will handle all the sales and aftersales activities for the brand. Three more Citroën outlets will follow later in the year, as will one more new model.

So there you have it guys. New distributor, new 3S centre, two eye-catching models with five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. Citroën, anyone?

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As speculated yesterday, ETCM’s Facebook teasers were indeed of the new 2013 Nissan Teana, but instead of mid-life facelift, it’s just a minor product update. The introduction of Blind Spot Warning System (BSW) on the 2.5 litre V6 variant takes centre stage, and with the RVM-equipped new Mazda6 still a month away, the Nissan Teana becomes the first D-segment vehicle to offer such a feature. Just.

Nissan’s BSW uses two 24GHz radar sensors mounted inside the rear bumper to detect moving objects within the driver’s blind spots. The driver will then be alerted of potential threats within the alert zone – first via the LED indicators mounted next to the wing mirrors and, should the driver fail to notice the visual warning and uses the turn indicators to signal a lane change manoeuvre anyway, an audible buzzer comes on. The secondary warning – the buzzer – only comes into play if the turn signals are used when changing lanes.

The most visible change is the black interior on the 2.5 litre V6 model (the base 2.0 litre soldiers on with the older beige cabin). The dark-brown wood trim is new as well, as are the full-leather steering wheel (previously part wood/leather combination). Unique for a Japanese car is the new on-roof console illumination.

It’s not a full-fledged facelift so exterior changes are limited to the front grille (the inner blades are now highlighted with smoked chrome elements), standard all-around bodykit and rear lip spoiler. The body add-ons are all new, and are visually different compared to the old aerokit (below right) offered as a cost option before.

There are no changes under the hood, so you still get the same 2.5 litre V6 engine with 182 hp and 228 Nm of torque. The four-cylinder 2.0 litre variant is still available of course, but misses out on the new black interior and BSW.

The mildly updated Nissan Teana 2.5 V6 is priced at RM173,100 (on the road with insurance), which is a slight increase from the older model’s RM173,017.10 (it was launched in 2010 with an introductory price of RM168,000). Book one by March 31, and you’ll enjoy 0% hire purchase interest rate for the first 12 months of ownership. That’s a saving of up to RM8,888.

Nissan has sold over 8,000 units of the Teana since its initial launch, and is currently the second best selling D-segment sedan in Malaysia with a 16.3% market share. No prizes for guessing who’s on top.

So what do you think of the new 2013 Teana? Is it fresh enough to take on its fast-improving class rivals?

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We’re reporting live from Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam, where Honda Malaysia has launched the Honda CR-Z facelift in the country. The hybrid hatchback arrives here the same month it does in Indonesia, which was earlier reported to be the second market to sell the revamped car after Japan (does that make us third then?).

The reworked Honda CR-Z made its world debut at the Indonesian International Motor Show last September, a surprise move that caught everyone off-guard – the car was supposed to premiere in Paris a week later – but gave us the opportunity to break the news globally, the very first English-language automotive publication to do so.

Exterior enhancements to the new car come in the form of a new front bumper and grille, enhanced DRLs, new HID headlamps and rear LED combination lamps and a new rear diffuser. The Indonesian debut vehicle wore a new 17-inch alloy wheel, which the Malaysian car doesn’t get – it retains the familiar 16-inchers, wrapped with 195/55 rubbers.

Inside, the two-tone black and red-themed cabin gets new sport seats with combination fabric-leather and red accents/stitching, and red stitching can also be found on the steering wheel and gear knob. The door cards also feature red panelling for contrast.

The 3-Mode Drive System, which allows the driver to switch the mode between Normal, Sport and Econ operation, continues unchanged. Output is up, the 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine on the updated car offering 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,800 rpm for the six-speed manual (118 PS and 144 Nm for the CVT, same rpm).

Meanwhile, the IMA motor on the Honda CR-Z facelift now offers 20 PS at 2,000 rpm (up from 14 PS currently) and 78 Nm at 1,000 rpm. Other revisions to the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) Hybrid System in the car include a new 144-volt, 18.8 kW lithium-ion battery, which replaces the NiMh one found in the pre-facelift.

The new 40-cell (3.6 volts per cell) square-sized battery offers 44% more voltage as well as 44% more power, but without the weight and size penalty – it’s three percent smaller and weighs the same as the 100-volt, 84 cell cylinder-shaped NiMh unit.

The combined output from the IMA hybrid system is 136 PS at 6,600 rpm and 190 Nm between 1,000 rpm to 2,000 rpm, a jump of 12 PS and 16 Nm over the pre-facelift (the outgoing car has 124 PS and 174 Nm). That’s for the manual. For the CVT, it’s 135 PS at 6,600 rpm and 172 Nm from 1,000 rpm to 3,000 rpm.

Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 9.0 seconds (9.7 sec on current car) and a top speed of 200 km/h. Elsewhere, the CVT variant gets a new oil temperature/pressure sensor, while the manual CR-Z features a bigger clutch, presumably to cope with the increased output.

Aside from the above, the facelift features a new Plus Sport System, where the engine and motor offers a more performance-oriented response, switchable through a S+ button. Press it, and you get all the available power the car can muster.

The battery charge level has to be at a four-bar minimum – any less and the system is unavailable. When available, a ‘S+ Ready’ indicator lights up on top of the battery meter display. Operation is accelerator pedal dependent, as a brief run with the facelifted CR-Z at Tochigi late last year showed. The moment you back off on the throttle, the system disengages and reverts back to normal output.

Honda says the system offers an acceleration feeling like a V6 3.0 litre engine. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that’s really the case, but there’s decent pep. Limited to battery capacity and thus available for a moderate time under full load, it’s great for overtaking and short bursts.

Safety kit for the car includes dual front airbags as well as side airbags with OPDS (occupant position detection sensor) and side curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, VSA, rear Isofix points and active headrests.

As for colours, four are available here, Premium White Pearl, Milano Red, Polished Metal Metallic and one of the two new shades introduced for the vehicle, Premium Northern Lights Violet, which was worn by the Paris show car. The Premium Energetic Yellow Pearl as seen on the debutant in Indonesia doesn’t make it here, nor does the black.

Both six-speed manual and seven-speed CVT with paddle shift variants are being introduced at the same time – the manual CR-Z goes for RM119,000, while the auto version goes for RM123,000, both on-the-road with insurance.

The facelifted CR-Z now comes with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, and this includes the IMA battery as well. To entice customers to maintain their vehicles according to schedule, Honda Malaysia is offering a new free service package comprising up to six free labour services, alternating with paid services until 100,000 km.

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Aston Martin Malaysia today introduced the new DB9 in the country. The revised 2+2 coupe arrives with a starting base price of RM1.7 million, but with a level of customisation available, one can definitely take things further.

The Virage replacement wears an AM11 6.0 litre V12 with 510 hp at 6,500 rpm and 620 Nm at 5,500 rpm, which is 40 hp and 20 Nm more than in the previous incarnation. Performance specs include a 0-100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds and a 295 km/h top speed.

The 2013 car may look similar in general form, but AM is quick to stress that 50% of all parts and more than 70% of all body panels on this one are new. The most obvious design elements are the more pronounced rear boot ‘flip’, new bonnet structure and front grille.

With the new also comes greater vehicle rigidity – VH architecture translates to a 20% increase in stiffness in the coupe, and it’s also a lighter proposition, 15 kg less than the old car. Structural advances are matched by optimised aerodynamics, and lightweight carbon-fibre features on a new front splitter, new rear diffuser as well as the aforementioned bootlid.

On the new items list is a three stage Adaptive Damping System (ADS), with Normal, Sport and Track modes allowing the driver to tailor the car to his personal preference.

Other fresh kit includes new HID headlights and carbon ceramic matrix brakes fitted on as standard – the new stoppers offer better response, longer life and improved performance.

The interior features new levels of bespoke refinement – from control switches made of glass and the usual assortment of fine Bridge of Weir hides, there’s plenty of plush on call. As standard, the car gets a 700-watt AM Premium audio system, but one can always opt for the 1000-watt Bang & Olufsen Beosound system for more aural zip.

Standard wheels are 20-inch five spoke alloys, wrapped with Pirelli P Zero 245/35 front and 295/30 rear rubbers, but if that’s not your cuppa, then four other designs – all 20-inchers too – are available as options. Speaking of options, there’s a Volante body style in that mix too.

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Naza Italia launched the Maserati GranTurismo Sport this morning. The GranTurismo Sport, a variant that made its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, is priced in Malaysia from RM1,118,000.

The GranTurismo Sport is an evolution of the GranTurismo S, but with aggressive looks thanks to “aerodynamically efficient design upgrades” from the GranTurismo MC Stradale. The newest GranTurismo also gets fresh LED DRLs and xenons with Adaptive Light Control, which tracks the movement of the steering wheel up to 15 degrees.

Inside, the GranTurismo Sport boasts sportier front seats and a new rear seat design. The new seats are said to offer better support and comfort, while offering more knee and leg room to all. The adoption of a flat-bottomed steering wheel also helps the cause.

Under that long and shapely hood is the latest evolution of Maserati’s all-alloy 4.7 litre V8 engine, which makes 460 hp at 7,000 rpm and 520 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm. Compared to the V8 in the GranTurismo S Auto, the engine now makes 20 hp and 30 Nm more, but with no fuel consumption or emission penalties, says Maserati. The benchmark 0-100 km/h sprint is done in 4.8 seconds, while top speed is 298 km/h.

Buyers can choose from two transmissions – a ZF six-speed automatic (MC Auto Shift) or a six-speed electro actuated gearbox with dry twin-plate clutch (MC Shift). Maser says that the ZF auto enhances driving comfort without compromising on performance, while the latter offers a more involving driving experience.

To tame all that power and keep the big GT’s 1,780 to 1,880 kg weight in check, Maserati has thrown in the latest Sport Skyhook active damping system and dual-cast, cross-drilled brakes with Brembo calipers that reside behind those 20-inch “Astro Design” alloys. 100-0 km/h braking is completed in 35 metres.

The GranTurismo Sport’s signature colour is a hue called “Blu Sofisticato” but there wasn’t a blue coloured car on display today. The yellow showcar was very striking though, more so with Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 Carey Ng beside it.

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Naza Kia Malaysia has launched the third-generation Kia Rio in Malaysia. The five-door hatch, which made its official debut last night at The Curve, is available in EX and SX trim forms, priced at RM73,888 and RM79,888 respectively, both on-the-road with insurance.

The car is powered by a G4FA 1.4 litre MPI Gamma engine, offering 109 PS at 6,300 rpm and 137 Nm at 4,200 rpm, mated to a four-speed automatic with a ‘manumatic’ manual shift function. The claimed combined cycle for the mill is 16.6 km per litre.

As mentioned in our preview drive report yesterday, the third-gen Rio is extensively equipped for a B-segment offering. Common to both variants are LED daytime running lights, electric folding wing mirrors with LED side repeaters, static bending lights, glove box cooling and Bluetooth connectivity.

There’s also LED rear combination lamps, tilt/telescopic steering, an Akarmys-enhanced six-speaker audio system with MP3, iPod and aux connectability, a leather-wrapped steering with audio and hands-free functionality, alloy pedals, sensor-based rear park assist, 60:40 split folding rear seats and rear fog lamps.

Safety kit is also comprehensive, the five-star NCAP-rated Rio coming with Isofix mountings, six airbags (front, front side, front/rear curtain), electronic stability control, ABS/EBD, TCS, brake assist and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) as standard fitment.

The higher SX adds on front fog lamps, a sunroof, full auto air-conditioner with an integrated cluster ioniser and a Supervision cluster instrument panel. Also on, a rain sensor and auto windscreen defog system as well as a Smart Key system with push-start ignition (the EX makes do with a keyed ignition).

The SX also wears five-spoke 17-inch alloys with 205/45 series rubbers, while the EX is equipped with five twin-spoke 16-inch alloys, wrapped with 195/55 tyres. Suspension is made up of Macpherson strut fronts and a torsion beam axle rear.

Equipped with disc brakes all-around, the improved braking system on the new Rio is good enough to offer a 36.2 metre stopping distance from 100–0 km/h. Other numbers for the 4,045 mm long hatch are a 43 litre capacity fuel tank and a boot offering 288 litres of volume space.

Five exterior colours are available, these being Deep Blue, Signal Red, Clear White and Bright Silver, with the signature Electronic Blue shade only available for the 1.4 SX. The Rio comes with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Naza Kia is targeting a monthly sales target of 200 units for the new Rio, and on the whole is looking to increase its annual sales volume by 22% to 15,000 units, aided by the arrival of the new UB.

As part of the company’s pre-launch activities for the car, a Rio Runabout contest was held via the Kia Malaysia Facebook page, with a Rio 1.4 SX as the prize. The contest, which ran from December 16 to January 24, required contestants to solve six puzzles that were displayed on the Kia Malaysia Facebook page.

A total of 5,000 entries were received, and the top 10 finalists were shortlisted for the grand finale contest that took place yesterday. The 10 were required to complete on-ground challenges at five separate locations in the Klang Valley, and the winner of the grand finale was presented with the car at the launch event.

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TC Euro Cars has launched the updated version of the Megane RS 250 Cup, one of yours truly’s personal favourites. Called the Renault Megane RS 265 Cup, the new car looks largely similar to the original except for a few details, but boasts more power and more torque.

If you’re wondering, the few details include headlamps with a “smoked” look, more prominent DRLs (six LEDs compared to three), and 18-inch “Tibor” wheels in matte black. The latter sports curved spokes and an RS logo, quite different from the diamond-badged star-spoke wheels of the RS 250.

Inside, it’s a familiar environment save for the addition of gloss black trim (AC vent surrounds, steering spoke, door grips, centre console), carbon-effect finish for the door cards and a shiny top for the gear knob. The yellow face of the rev counter is out, replaced by a grey background.

Also, the edges of the fabric Recaro bucket seats are now in leather, making it more resistant to wear. The audio head unit is a newer item that integrates USB and AUX-in.

On to more substantial stuff. The familiar 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine now makes 265 hp and 360 Nm, which is 15 hp and 20 Nm up on the RS 250. Peak torque is also available across a broader rev-range, from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm, as opposed to the previous fixed point of 3,000 rpm.

To achieve this, Renault Sport upped turbo pressure by 0.2 bar to 2.5 bar, while the air intake design has been revised to take the higher pressure and higher running temperatures into account. Specific power is now 132.5 hp/litre, up from 125.

Performance figures have been bumped up in the process – the 0-100 km/h time is shaved by a tenth to make 6.0 seconds flat, while top speed is 250 km/h. As is usually the case with upgrades like this, the extra drivability is not reflected in the bare figures.

Renault is keen to remind us that the Megane RS 265 Cup is the fastest front-wheel drive car that has ever lapped the Nurburgring at 8:07.97. Closer to home, the 265 betters the RS 250′s Sepang lap time by two seconds – 2:41 vs 2:43 – driven by experienced racer Denis Lian. Stock car, stock tyres.

“Like the Megane RS 250, the way the 265 chassis rotates feels like a RWD, but in a more progressive fashion. It helps you turn into bends quicker and get on the power earlier. Overall the car just felt more resolved,” Lian said via video.

Note that the full 265 hp/360 Nm is available in Sport mode and ESP Off modes. In the former, ESP and ASR are still active, although they intervene at a later point and allow some slide. In ESP On mode, one gets to use 250 hp/340 Nm. In other words, the 265 is a 250 until you enter Sport mode.

Goodies like the mechanical limited slip differential (LSD), Renault Sport’s “Perfohub” independent steering axis front suspension and RS Monitor are carried over.

The black car you see in the pics is the limited edition Megane RS Red Bull Racing RB7. Painted in Etoile Black with yellow accents and sporting RBR stickers and a chequered flag design roof, only five examples have been brought in.

TC Euro Cars have gone the extra mile by getting F1 triple world champion Sebastian Vettel to sign a plaque for the five Malaysian-bound cars. At the launch, we heard that four of the five cars have already been accounted for.

The Megane RS 265 Cup is priced at RM234,526.80 OTR without insurance, which is just around RM5,000 more than RS 250′s November 2010 launch price. If you’re interested in the last unit of the RB7, it’s going for RM243,292.80 OTR without insurance.

At the launch event yesterday evening, TC Euro Cars also announced the 2013 RS Track Day dates, and the RS Collectif Owners Club was officially launched. RS Collectif membership is open to all Renault Sport owners regardless of make and model.

Click here to read our first review of the Megane RS 250 Cup, done back in October 2010. Since then, we’ve tried the same yellow car on track and in “mundane mode” as a daily driver. We hope to sample this one in the near future, of course, so stay tuned.

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Suzuki Malaysia Automobile has officially launched the third-generation Swift in the country. The five-door hatch arrives in CBU form, but CKD production is expected to begin in a couple of months once the initial run of 900 imported units from Thailand is accounted for.

A single version is available, this being the GLX 1.4 VVT, with the GLX-S being the same car but dressed up with a bodykit. At the heart of it all is a K14B 1.4 litre mill, with variable valve timing, offering 95 PS at 6,000 rpm and 130 Nm at 4,000 rpm. In comparison, the M15A 1.5 litre in the previous-gen had 101 PS and 133 Nm at an identical rpm range.

The unit is paired to a four-speed auto transmission, which features a new straight-shift pattern. The company says that the Aisin-derived gearbox isn’t a carry-over from the old car, but a redesigned unit.

While the shape doesn’t veer very much away from the tried and trusted look of the old car, the new Swift is a larger vehicle in every sense. Overall length is up from 3,755 mm on the old car to 3,850 mm, while the wheelbase is 50 mm longer, at 2,430 mm.

Width has been increased by five mm to 1,695 mm, while height is the only thing unchanged, at 1,510 mm. Both front and rear track have also been increased, by 10 mm and 15 mm respectively, to 1,480 mm and 1,485 mm.

Mechanical improvements include a newly-developed steering system offering improved response to input and a more linear feel as well as revisions to the front MacPherson/rear torsion beam suspension system, resulting in greater rigidity. The braking system now features solid rear disc brakes.

Inside, the cabin in the new car features a new black and silver colour scheme, with black key tones accented by silver details. On the equipment list are a leather-covered steering wheel, a two-DIN CD player with MP3 and USB functionality, an automatic climate control system and a keyless entry/push-start system.

Safety kit consists of dual airbags, ABS and EBD with brake assist, and the 1,000 kg vehicle rides on 16-inch multi-spoke alloys, wrapped with 185/55 series rubbers.

Five exterior colours abound, these being Snow White pearl, Mineral Grey Metallic, Super Black Pearl, Ablaze Red Pearl 2 and Boost Blue Pearl Metallic, the last two being new shades. Oh, as for the corresponding Swift Sport, that one is due in at some point, but no date has been bandied as of yet.

As previously reported, the Swift GLX 1.4 VVT is priced at RM77,888, on the road with insurance. Opting for the Suzuki dress-up pack, made up of front and rear lower lip, side skirts, rear spoiler, door sill guards, black-coloured front bumper sticker and silver-coloured grille garnish, adds RM5,300. No, Neelofa doesn’t come with the car.

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The BMW X3 can now be had as a more affordable locally assembled xDrive20i variant, which reduces the price tag from the CBU model’s RM358,800 to a lower RM323,800 for the CKD. These prices are quoted OTR with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair, without insurance.

The xDrive20i variant incorporates BMW’s capable xDrive all wheel drive system, as well as a 2.0 litre four cylinder direct injection turbocharged engine making 184 horsepower and 270Nm of torque, mated to a slick 8-speed automatic transmission. Average fuel consumption is rated at 7.5L/100km while 0-100km/h acceleration takes 8.6 seconds.

The CKD X3 has an 8.8 inch iDrive display with Navigation, and is equipped with a 12 loudspeaker HiFi system. iDrive provides the usual connectivity convenience – Bluetooth, and USB support. Alloy wheels have been uprated from the CBU’s 17 inch to the 18 inch design you can see in the image above.

Other features include Driving Experience Control which allows drivers to choose between different mode settings for the vehicle’s accelerator, engine, steering and transmission at the switch of a button. Driving modes available are COMFORT, SPORT and the fuel-efficient ECO PRO. The Dynamic Dampers on the CBU model is now missing from the specs, so now suspension is fixed, thus Driving Experience Control doesn’t do anything to the suspension.

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The days of potential Lotus customers having to make their way to the Proton Centre of Excellence to view or sample the prospective ride is over – Lotus Cars Malaysia today launched its flagship showroom and centre in Sungai Penchala, Petaling Jaya.

The opening of the centre was officiated by Proton advisor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was accompanied by Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil, Proton’s executive chairman.

The new Lotus hub sits on a 10,520 sq. metre parcel of land, and houses a showroom, a Customer Interactive Block as well as a service centre. The showroom, which covers an area of approximately 1,060 sq. metres, contains sales areas for both new and pre-owned Lotus cars, a lounge and a delivery room. There are also car accessories and retail merchandise sections within the premises.

As for the service centre, it’s able to handle up to 20 cars a day and 480 vehicles a month. The 372 sq. metre Customer Interactive Block, meanwhile, has been designed for Lotus customers in mind.

Essentially, the brand is looking at the CIB as a home base of sorts for Lotus owners. Besides being a place where they’ll be able to get together, the area will also be used to coordinate events such as Lotus convoy drives and defensive/advanced driver training courses.

The opening of the centre also saw the official launch of the supercharged Exige S and Elise S models in the country. The refreshed Exige S, which debuted in Frankfurt in 2011, is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 equipped with a Harrop HTV 1320 supercharger, and has 345 hp and 400 Nm for output numbers.

Pricing for the base Exige S coupe is RM467,230, and this includes the Convenience Pack and Premium Pack. Adding on the optional Race Pack and its four-mode Lotus DPM system brings the price to RM482,482, and going even further into the Premium Sport pack gets it to RM499,020. There’s also the Roadster version, which starts from RM452,030.

The Elise S, meanwhile, wears a 1.8 litre 2ZR-FE four-pot with a Magnuson R900 supercharger, and output figures for this one are 217 hp and 250 Nm. The car is priced at RM332,300, and this includes a Touring Pack in the equation. Opting for the motorsport paint job takes the price to RM336,920.

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The wraps officially came off the Chevrolet Orlando at Naza Quest’s Jalan Ampang showroom today. The seven-seater MPV launches here with a price tag of RM118,888, excluding insurance.

A 1.8 litre Ecotec petrol engine with multi-point fuel injection feeds 141 hp at 6,200 rpm and 176 Nm and 3,800 rpm to the front wheels through a six-speed auto. Fuel economy is a claimed 7.9 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle.

Sitting on GM’s global Delta platform (which also underpins the Chevrolet Cruze), the Korean-built Orlando is offered only in LT trim, for now at least. As such, items such as ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, traction control, 17-inch alloys, electrically adjustable door mirrors, reverse sensor, cruise control and a steering wheel adjustable for rake and reach are standard fitment.

Entertainment and convenience come in the form of a stereo unit with USB, MP3, Bluetooth, auxiliary and iPod connectivity, with a storage compartment hidden behind the stereo fascia.

Safety equipment includes two airbags and ISOFIX child seat anchors for the second row. The body has been designed around a passenger safety cell philosophy, with high-strength steel employed in strategic areas and crumple zones to absorb impact. The doors also unlock automatically upon detection of impact.

Seating configuration is 2-3-2. The second row seats are split 60:40 and can tumble fold, while the third row is split 50:50. With both rows folded, load volume is just shy of 1,500 litres, and 856 litres up to the window line.

Six body colours are available: Switchblade Silver, Gun Smoke Grey, Satin Steel Grey, Carbon Flash Black, Deep Espresso Brown and Summit White. All except the white are metallic hues. A five-year or 200,000 km warranty and engine oil change at every 15,000 km interval is offered.

Parked outside at the launch was a better-kitted out car (see the last seven pictures in the gallery) with leather seats, a sportier wheel design and screens built into the front headrests – this isn’t available yet, but could this be the Orlando in LTZ trim?

We’ve sampled, albeit briefly, the Chevrolet Orlando, along with its smaller Sonic sibling that launched last week – click here for our driving impressions.

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Naza Quest officially introduced the Chevrolet Sonic in Malaysia earlier today – as expected, the Thai-made B-segment offering arrives in both five-door hatch and four-door sedan forms.

Both body-styles are available in a single trim level, the LTZ, which in the Thai market is the highest specification model. The successor to the Aveo is powered by a 1.4 litre Ecotec VVT four-cylinder mill, with 99 hp at 6,000 rpm and 130 Nm at 4,000 rpm for numbers.

The engine is paired to a six-speed auto transmission, which features a toggle switch gear shifter located on the gearknob in much the same fashion as that found on the third-gen Ford Focus.

It’s all good enough to give the Sonic a 0-100 km/h time of 12.9 seconds and a 175 km/h top speed. Some other numbers – the sedan measures in at 4.4 metres long, while the hatch stretches the tape 4.09 metres. Width and height are the same for both, these being 1,735 mm and 1,517 mm respectively.

In terms of rear cargo space, there’s 466 litres for the sedan and 253 for the hatch, and both variants ride on similar twin-spoke 16-inch alloys wrapped with 205/55 series tyres.

Design cues include a number of motorcycle-derived elements, these being an exposed quad-bezel headlamp array as well as a digital-skewed instrument cluster readout. The interior trim is made up of grey/black Breva-pattern seats and a grey/dark titanium dashboard.

Key features include 60:40 split fold-down rear seats, a six-speaker single CD/MP3 audio system with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, replete with steering wheel audio control.

As reported previously, safety kit is made up of dual airbags, ABS, EBD and brake assist as well as ISOFIX points; there’s no ESP or ESC on the list.

As for exterior shades available for the Sonic, five colours are on the list, the same as that found in Thailand. The shades are Royal Grey, Switchblade Silver, Summit White, Oceanic Blue and Black Sapphire.

Finally, pricing. Naza Quest says that the both Sonic variants go on sale now at an introductory price, and this is RM76,888 for the LTZ sedan and RM78,888 for the LTZ hatchback. The figures quoted are retail prices, not on-the-road with insurance. The Sonic comes with a 5-year or 200,000 km warranty, and the service interval for the car is 15,000 km or nine months.

We previewed the Sonic LTZ last month – read our report here.

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Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has launched the Hyundai Veloster in Malaysia – the car, which made its official debut earlier this evening, has been much-awaited to say the least, having supposed to arrive in Q1 this year.

In any case, it’s finally here, it’s arrival already hinted at last week. Three variants of the novel three-door (or 2+1) coupe are be available here, these being the Veloster Gamma 1.6 M/T, Gamma 1.6 A/T and 1.6 A/T Premium.

All are powered by a normally-aspirated 1.6 litre Gamma D-CVVT engine, mated to either a six-speed auto and a six-speed manual transmission. Output numbers for the MPI mill are 132 PS at 6,300 rpm and 158 Nm at 4,850 rpm.

The manual is the entry-level offering of the range, and in terms of equipment shares most of the same kit with the standard auto version.

Common to both are 17-inch five-spoke alloys wrapped with 215/45 series tyres, smart key with start-stop ignition, fog lamps and a seven-inch TFT touchscreen, six-speaker audio system.

Both versions also feature manual air-conditioning and fabric seats (with an option to upgrade to leather for RM2,000 more), and in terms of safety the manual makes do with dual airbags and ABS. The auto version adds on ESP, VSM (vehicle stability management) and HAC (hill-start assist control). All variants come with a high mounted rear spoiler.

Going the Premium route throws in a fair bit more. The variant wears larger 18-inch alloys and 215/40 rubbers, and the complex surface reflector headlamps of the basic manual/auto versions are replaced by LED projection headlamps.

The rear lamps are also different, the ones on the Premium being LED combination units. It also gets leather seats, and the entertainment system adds on a centre speaker, subwoofer and external amplifier as well as Bluetooth hands-free capability (with a dedicated switch on the steering wheel)

That’s not all the Premium gets – there’s also a panoramic sunroof, full auto AC, and reverse camera. Incidentally, the wheels on the Premium feature inlays that is colour-matched to the body shade.

Speaking of exterior shades, the Veloster is available in six colours, these being solid White Crystal, Sleek Silver, Sonic Silver (both metallic), Veloster Red, Green Apple and Vitamin C, the last three all three pearl finishes.

The eagle-eyed among you will probably notice a different bodykit on the white example in the photos; that’s the kit from the Turbo variant, but it’s just to dress up the particular launch vehicle, and isn’t available for sale here.

Pricing-wise, the manual Veloster goes for RM116,888, while the auto version is priced at RM121,888. The Premium auto, meanwhile, retails for RM132,888. The car comes with a five-year or 300,000 km extended warranty.

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