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140 years of Piaggio with Vespa special edition scooter
To celebrate 140 years of Italian scooter maker Piaggio, a special edition Vespa 140th of Piaggio will go on sale. Coming in a limited edition of only 140 units, the Vespa 140th of Piaggio can only be purchased at the Vespa Village, during the Vespa World Days 2024, 18 to 24 April, in Pontedera, Italy, or online at Vespa.com.
Designed by the Piaggio Style Centre, the Vespa 140th of Piaggio comes in blue and light blue on a white chassis, signifying Piaggio’s corporate colours. The colour scheme is combined with classic graphics and the new Vespa monogram, as well as the 140-years logo.
Adding to the Vespa 140th of Piaggio is the single seat, with double tone-on-tone stitching. The rear saddle cover comes as standard equipment, and the model specific wheels are finished in blue with light blue inserts, along with a numbered celebratory plate located on the rear shield.
Based on the Vespa 300 Gtv, the Vespa 140th of Piaggio is powered by a single-cylinder, four-valve, liquid cooled 300 cc Vespa HPE mill, producing 23.8 HP. The LED headlight is located low on the front mudguard, a nod to Vespa’s racing history with the instrument panel is a round LCD gauge.
Keyless start is standard, as is traction control and ABS while the Vespa MIA Bluetooth connectivity system is available as an accessory. A range of official accessories, including a top quality large rear leather bag with the Vespa logo embossed, front and rear luggage carriers, a large windscreen and crash bars is available.
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Smartlane activated on PLUS Tapah to Gopeng today
The Malaysian Highway Authority’s (LLM) traffic management centre has announced the activation of a Smartlane on the PLUS North South Highway between Tapah and Gopeng, northbound to Ipoh.
Specifically, the stretch is from KM 303.2 to KM 297.0, starting from Gua Tempurung. The active period for this Smartlane is today (April 16) from 9am till 7pm.
For those who are not aware of the Smartlane initiative, it allows the use of the emergency lane at a specific stretch, to widen traffic flow and ease congestion. At the end of the designated Smartlane stretch, vehicles on the emergency lane must flow back into the normal lanes. Drive safe.
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2024 GWM Ora 07 in Malaysia: full gallery of EV sedan, Long Range variant, 640 km NEDC range, RM171k
Two weeks on from the launch of the GWM Ora 07 in Malaysia, we’ve gotten our hands on the new flagship electric sedan. As per the launch, the car you see here is in Long Range trim, with the range-topping Performance variant coming later on.
Pricing for the Ora 07 starts at RM170,500 on-the-road without insurance for the Long Range model, rising up to RM190,500 for the Performance. This means the GWM undercuts its rivals, the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3, by around RM10,000 and RM20,000 respectively.
That’s just as well, because in terms of specs the Ora 07 falls short of its competitors. The Long Range is powered by a single front motor producing 204 PS (150 kW) and 340 Nm of torque. That’s quite a bit down on the Seal Premium RWD’s 313 PS (230 kW), and as a result, its zero-to-100 km/h sprint time of 7.9 seconds is way down on the Seal’s 5.9 seconds and the Model 3 RWD’s 6.1 seconds. Top speed is 170 km/h.
On the flip side, the 83.5 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery does provide a healthy 640 km of range, but there’s a catch – it’s on the more lenient NEDC cycle. Given that the general perception is that the WLTP cycle usually docks off around 20% of range, that works out to a more realistic figure of around 510 km, which is still pretty decent.
Stepping up to the Performance nets you a second rear motor, doubling outputs to 408 PS (300 kW) and 680 Nm and roughly halving the century sprint to 4.3 seconds; top speed has also been raised to 180 km/h. This comes at the cost of range, which drops to 483 km, this time on the WLTP cycle. Why the latter? In Europe, a region that mandates the use of WLTP, the all-wheel-drive powertrain will come as standard.
Both models support just 88 kW of DC fast charging, taking 32 minutes to top up the battery from 30 to 80%. On the flip side, the Ora 07 can accept up to 11 kW of AC charging, although the quoted charging time is still a lengthy 15 hours. There’s also a 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load function, three regenerative braking settings and five drive modes – Normal, Well-Being (dulls the throttle response to ostensibly make it easier to drive), Eco, Sport and Individual.
The Ora 07 measures 4,871 mm long, 1,862 mm wide, 1,500 mm tall, making it quite a bit bigger than its competition. Against the Model 3, the GWM is 151 mm longer, 12 mm wider and 60 mm taller, while its 2,870 mm wheelbase is just five millimetres shorter.
The extra length imbues the Ora 07 with greater road presence, helped by the car’s organic Porsche-aping fastback design. The Zuffenhausen inspiration is very much visible in the round LED headlights, which feature a very intricate design – the projectors have a transparent shroud that mimics cut crystal glasses.
The sloping roofline and active rear spoiler, on the other hand, are reminiscent of the Panamera, while the scalloped sides hints at the oft-forgotten Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Flush pop-out door handles, an active grille shutter and the aforementioned spoiler help deliver a low drag coefficient of 0.22.
Adding to the premium feel are the frameless windows – something the Seal doesn’t get. This Long Range model rides on 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels shod with Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV tyres that look a little lost under the large body. You’ll have to spring for the Performance to get 19s, coming with a striking oval design and Michelin Pilot Sport EV rubber. Red brake callipers are also exclusive to the Performance.
The supercar connotations continue on the inside, where the Ora 07 sports a slim centre console, chunky bucket seats and a hooded instrument binnacle where a 10.25-inch display resides. The car also comes with a panoramic glass roof as standard, with the rear windscreen and roof being made from a single uninterrupted piece of glass, just like in the Model 3.
In the middle sits a 12.3-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, along with a (much-welcomed) set of physical controls – including three vertically-arranged knobs for adjusting the air conditioning and the drive modes.
There’s just one cupholder, however, sitting ahead of the armrest; at a push of a button, it can be made to sit flush with the rest of the cabin when not in use. Behind it is a vertical Qi wireless charging slot, which saves space and also eliminates any issues with alignment that normally arise when using a regular charging pad.
The car also features a Super I Space function that engages the air conditioning and the seat ventilation and massagers to help occupants relax, similar to Mercedes-Benz’s Energising feature. Two modes are available, these being Sweet Mode and Cave Time, the latter displaying a fireplace animation on the centre touchscreen.
Other standard features include keyless entry and start, a head-up display, power-adjustable front seats with ventilation and massage functions, ambient lighting (replete with a rhythm mode that follows the music you’re playing), an 11-speaker Infinity sound system, a 360-degree camera system and a hands-free powered boot lid.
Safety-wise, the Ora 07 comes fully equipped with driver assists that include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, an Intelligent Evade system that gives more space in the lane for large vehicles such as lorries, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert with auto brake, traffic sign recognition, park assist and auto high beam.
The Ora 07 is available in either grey, white or the purple you see here, with a faux leather interior in black for the Long Range model and brown for the Performance. However, for an extra RM2,500, buyers of the Long Range variant will be able to upgrade to the brown interior.
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EPMB signs 10-year contract to assemble BAIC cars in Melaka – BJ40 Plus and X55II SUVs to debut in 2025
BAIC X55II EP Manufacturing (EPMB) has announced it has signed a 10-year vehicle assembly agreement with BAIC International Development, which is a subsidiary of BAIC Motor. Under the terms of the agreement, EPMB via its subsidiary, PEPS-JV Melaka (PJVM), will assemble and produce (CKD) BAIC vehicles in Malaysia.
The initial models slated for production include the BJ40 Plus and X55II SUVs, both of which are scheduled to debut in 2025 and will be produced at EPMB’s upcoming automotive plant in Melaka that will have a production capacity of 30,000 units annually.
In an official release, EPMB said it will serve as a vehicle assembler, with BAIC providing relevant technical support and training as well as guidance and supervision on the assembly and manufacturing process. The Chinese automaker will also be responsible for the sales and marketing of vehicles in the ASEAN region.
BAIC BJ40 Plus “I’m happy to note the positive momentum our company is gaining. EPMB is navigating a new agenda with new horizons. The strategic collaborations with OEMs from China signifies our commitment to chart a course towards better profitability for our stakeholders,” said Hamidon bin Abdullah, executive chairman at EPMB.
EPMB’s inked agreement to assemble BAIC vehicles comes just a few months after it signed an eight-year contract to assemble Great Wall Motor (GWM) vehicles (initially the Haval H6 and Haval Jolion) in Malaysia. The Melaka plant will handle production of both BAIC and GWM vehicles.
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Alfa Romeo Junior – Milano crossover renamed after dispute with Italian govt over where it is produced
After being chided by the Italian government over the name of its newly revealed crossover, Alfa Romeo has announced it will change the name of the Milano to the Junior. Why Junior? Well, there’s an explanation for that.
According to the carmaker, the name references the GT 1300 Junior which was unveiled in Balocco on September 26, 1966. This came following the success of the Giulia and served to attract new, younger customers without the burden of excessive purchase and running costs, which is fitting for the Mil-sorry, Junior, that is meant to be most affordable car in the company’s line-up. Over 92,000 units of the GT 1300 Junior were sold and it became the overall best seller in Alfa Romeo’s line-up.
“Despite Alfa Romeo believing that the name meets all legal requirements, and that there are issues much more important than the name of a new car, Alfa Romeo has decided to change it from Milano to Junior in the spirit of promoting mutual understanding,” the company said in a rather snarky official release – it is titled ‘Alfa Romeo: Milano name is not okay? Junior then!’
“The name Milano, a public favourite, was chosen to pay tribute to the city where our history began in 1910. This was not the first time that Alfa Romeo has asked for the public’s opinion when choosing the name of a car. It was previously done in 1966 with the Spider 1600 when the name chosen by the public was Duetto,” it continued.
“The Alfa Romeo team would like to thank the public for the positive feedback, the Italian dealer network for their support, journalists for the enormous media attention given to the new car and the Italian government for the free publicity brought on by this debate. With a unique story and an endless list of names to choose from, the name change was not an issue. It was a pleasure to go over the list of names selected as favourites from the public’s suggestions, one of which was Junior,” it ended.
Revealed just last week, the Junior (formerly Milano) is built on the Common Modular Platform (CMP) and can be had with electric or hybrid powertrains, the former making it the first electric vehicle offered by Alfa Romeo.
Italian officials weren’t pleased with the crossover’s original name because it would not be built in Italy. Instead, it is produced in Poland at Stellantis’ Tychy plant alongside the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600 which use the same Common Modular Platform (CMP), a decision that helps reduce the model’s retail price.
“A car called Milano cannot be produced in Poland. This is forbidden by Italian law. This law stipulates that you cannot give indications that mislead consumers. So, a car called Milano must be produced in Italy. Otherwise, it gives a misleading indication which is not allowed under Italian law,” said Italy industry minister Adolfo Urso said previously, referring to a law introduced in 2003 that stated it is illegal to present a foreign-made product as coming from Italy.
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JPJ eBid: PRG and SMN number plates up for bidding
JPJ has announced that PRG and SMN are the next number plate series to go up for bidding on its online auction platform, JPJ eBid.
Penang’s latest running number series is ‘PRG’, and will open for tender on April 23. The bidding period on JPJeBid is five days, ending 10pm on April 27. As usual, the results will be out the following day. The whole process is online now, as it has been for some time, and bidders will get the good (or bad) news via email.
Also available on JPJ eBid is the Sabah series ‘SMN’. The bidding period starts on April 18 and will close at 10pm on April 22. Results will be out the day after the auction closes.
New car coming soon and want a nice number plate for the new ride? Why not DIY and skip the reseller’s markup and runner fees? If you have never bid for a number yourself, check out our step-by-step guide on how to navigate JPJ eBid and the techniques needed to get your preferred number at “retail price”.
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Kia Tasman teased – new Toyota Hilux-rivalling pick-up truck confirmed for Australia; ASEAN too?
From out of left field, Kia has announced it will be launching a new pick-up truck sometime next year. It’s called the Tasman, named after the island of Tasmania in Australia, and is said to “redefine the concept of a lifestyle pick-up.”
This statement, along with the brand calling it a “C-segment pick-up truck”, initially suggests that this will merely be a rebadge of the passenger car-based Hyundai Santa Cruz. However, it’s been reported that Kia is instead going it alone and building a proper body-on-frame one-tonne truck, similar to the all-conquering Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton. These reports were backed up by spyshots of a far more boxy, high-riding prototype compared to the more road-biased Hyundai.
All this tracks with the confirmation that, unlike the North America-only Santa Cruz, the Tasman will be sold in global markets like Australia, Africa and the Middle East – regions that overwhelmingly prefer ladder-frame trucks over their monocoque brethren. This, of course, raises the possibility that the truck will be offered in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand (and yes, Malaysia too) where one-tonne trucks reign supreme.
No technical details have been released, but Kia already has the building blocks for a decent pick-up, not least the 2.2 litre R four-cylinder turbodiesel long used in models like the Sorento and Carnival. In its latest form, it produces 202 PS and 440 Nm of torque, which is competitive – if not class-leading – with other models in the one-tonne truck segment. A lower 177 PS/431 Nm tune also exists, powering the Hyundai Staria. The mill is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
Kia also has access to a plug-in hybrid powertrain to meet rising demand for electrified pick-up trucks. This pairs a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol four-pot with a 90 hp electric motor, which in the Sorento develops a total output of 264 PS and delivers an all-electric range of 51 km thanks to a 13.8 kWh battery. Such a powertrain will help the Tasman compete with the Ranger PHEV.
Past spyshots and videos have shown a large double-bed pick-up that bears all the hallmarks of traditional one-tonne models, including an upright design with lots of angular lines and chiselled surfaces. Added to that are the latest Kia design cues, such as a wide “tiger nose” grille and vertical headlights, similar to the facelifted Sorento and Carnival.
There are also some distinctive touches, like thick black body cladding that only covers the upper part of the fenders. Elsewhere, you’ll find a solid rear axle and leaf springs at the back, while a toggle for selecting two-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and low-range all-wheel drive is located on the centre console. This hints at how seriously the Korean carmaker is taking building a rugged truck for harsh environments.
Kia’s new one-tonne truck was first announced back in 2021 as a “strategic” vehicle for emerging markets. This is one of two pick-ups being developed, the other being a pure electric model that will likely take on full-size US rivals like the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, Chevrolet Silverado EV and Tesla Cybertruck.
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PHEVs consume 3.5x more fuel than WLTP claims, EU finds – Ferrari PHEVs use much more fuel than ICE!
Carmakers often contend that plug-in hybrids are their stepping stone towards full electrification, offering the silent, zero-emission running of an electric vehicle with the convenience and hassle-free nature of a petrol- or diesel-powered car. This has contributed to a growing number of PHEV sales in Europe, where tightening emissions regulations are forcing companies to build more and more of these vehicles as a stopgap.
Of course, we’ve known that the eco credentials of PHEVs aren’t quite the slam dunk that carmakers have led us to believe, given that the driving habits of actual buyers differ greatly from the, shall we say, optimistic nature of laboratory-based driving cycles like WLTP. But a new study conducted by the European Environment Agency (EEA) has laid bare just how big a gap there is between the fuel consumption figure that is claimed and what owners are actually getting.
Crucially, the EEA obtained the data through the onboard fuel consumption monitoring devices installed in vehicles sold in the EU – a requirement as part of WLTP certification – that were supplied by the carmakers. While this provides a certain level of scope for manufacturers to manipulate the data, it does mean that the data represents real-world usage from actual customers, rather than just another test conducted by boffins.
In all, the EEA received data from 988,231 vehicles (including 916,216 cars and 12,301 vans) out of the 9,821,479 registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway in 2021 – the first year the aforementioned measuring devices were made mandatory. The agency said the study aimed to measure the discrepancy between WLTP and real-world fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, as well as suggesting ways to tweak the WLTP cycle to be more realistic.
Click to enlarge What the EEA found was that vehicles powered by internal combustion engines registered fuel consumption of 7.44 litres per 100 km, versus their claimed WLTP average of 6.13 l/100 km. This indicated that the drivers used around 1 to 1.5 l/100 km more than official estimates. A similar gap existed between real-world (180.3 grams per kilometre) and WLTP (148.8 g/km) CO2 emissions, a difference of 21.2%.
This gap widened to a chasm when it came to PHEVs, which registered a whopping 3.5 times (252%) greater fuel consumption (5.94 l/100 km) and CO2 emissions (139.5 g/km) in the real world compared to their claimed WLTP averages (1.69 l/100 km and 39.5 g/km respectively). The EEA said the result showed that plug-in hybrids were being charged and driven in electric mode much less than expected, and that the assumptions used for calculating the WLTP test do not represent real-world conditions.
The good news is that for all the fear-mongering about PHEVs being more polluting than even pure ICE vehicles, the study showed that plug-in hybrids still provided a net benefit. On average, they did manage to consume less fuel and release fewer emissions compared to their petrol- and diesel-powered counterparts – even if the reduction is only by an average of 23%.
Some PHEVs did better than others. For example, Kia plug-in hybrids built in Slovakia (that is, the Sportage and Ceed) consumed an average of just 3.87 l/100 km and produced just 88.13 g/km of CO2. That’s still a big jump from the WLTP estimates of 1.48 l/100 km and 33.72 g/km respectively, but it’s impressive nevertheless and proves that these cars either were more efficient or their owners were more diligent in plugging them in to charge. It’s a relatively small sample, however – just 82 cars were registered here.
On the flip side, luxury and performance PHEVs were the worst offenders on the list, reflecting badly on both their cars’ relative inefficiency, shorter all-electric range figures and their owners lackadaisical charging attitudes. Porsche’s PHEVs had an average fuel consumption of 10.79 l/100 km versus their WLTP estimate of 3.03 l/100 km, while the sole Bentley PHEV listed in the study used an average of 12.97 l/100 km versus its WLTP estimate of 3.6 l/100 km.
The worst of the worst, however, was Ferrari. Its 296 GTB and SF90 Stradale/Spider used a terrifying 20.06 l/100 km of fuel on average versus their average claimed WLTP figure of 6.88 l/100 km. That’s not exactly surprising, given that their electric motors are mainly used for increasing performance rather than for reducing fuel consumption. What’s more surprising is that they used much more fuel than even Maranello’s notoriously gas-guzzling pure petrol models, which only consumed an average of 16.28 l/100 km. Ouch.
Ferrari PHEVs like this SF90 Stradale used more fuel than their ICE counterparts These figures are in line with the EEA’s findings, which were that heavier ICE vehicles like SUVs and luxury cars produced 1.5 to 2.5 times more carbon dioxide emissions than claimed, compared to a gap of 20 to 40 g/km for lighter vehicles. This adds to their already higher WLTP CO2 emissions figures and, given the wider industry trend towards larger, heavier vehicles, offsets the gains being made in terms of efficiency.
For its part, the EEA said that it’s too early to identify trends in fuel consumption and emission discrepancies, given that the vehicles registered have only been on the road for one year. However, the gap for PHEVs is huge, and the EU is already changing the way these figures are being calculated for plug-in hybrids. These changes will be applied in two steps, from 2025 and 2027 onwards.
So remember guys – just because you bought a plug-in hybrid doesn’t mean you will automatically save fuel. The savings in fuel bills and reduction in emissions rely heavily on how often you plug your car in to charge, and if you don’t, you may even use more fuel and pollute more than if you had just bought an ICE car to begin with.
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Voltpost launched in the US – retrofits lampposts to become Level 2 EV chargers; one-hour installation
Voltpost is a curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging solution that was recently made commercially available by the company that bears the same name. Set to be deployed in major United States metro areas such as New York, Chicago, Detroit and others this spring, Voltpost is said to reduce the install cost and time, maintenance and footprint of chargers for communities.
Rather than setting up charging stations in acquired space, the company retrofits existing street lampposts into a modular and upgradable charging platform powered by a mobile app. The device is essentially a shroud that covers the bottom part of a lamppost and contains all the electronics and cables needed to provide Level 2 AC charging for up to four EVs.
The installation process takes as little as an hour and can be done at a fraction of the cost of a conventional charging station with no construction, trenching or extensive permitting processes. Among the benefits touted by the company include 20 feet of cable for convenient access to any part of the vehicle as well as industry standard specifications for environmental exposure and vandalism.
The Voltpost also comes with the company’s proprietary ChargePlug that routes the cable at a 90-degree angle to the car socket to ensure the cable does not present a hazard to adjacent traffic and pedestrians.
Additionally, the modular platform design allows for quick maintenance or upgrades if needed to reduce downtime and costs. A charge station management system enables public and private stakeholders to obtain charging analytics and set pricing.
“Many people hesitate to buy an EV due to range anxiety and lack of charging options – imagine what that’s like for people living in cities in multi-unit dwellings and no dedicated parking,” said Voltpost advisor Laura Fox, who is also co-founder and managing partner at Streetlife Ventures.
“Voltpost’s solution is a no-brainer for urban curbside charging – it uses and upgrades existing urban infrastructure (lampposts) for a fraction of the cost of traditional approaches, while enabling future urban use cases for that infrastructure – from 5G installs to air quality monitoring, e-bike charging and more,” she added.
Given the Malaysian government is aiming to have 10,000 EV charge points set up by 2025, could this be a viable solution in areas where there is lack of space to set up a charging station? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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TIME dotCom enters EV charge point operator biz after Charge N Go becomes its 51% owned subsidiary
TIME dotCom, which is primarily known as an internet service provider, appears to have entered the charge point operator business after acquiring Charge N Go. A quick check on social media revealed Charge N Go pages have since been renamed to Time Charge N Go, although the mobile app is still sporting the previous red and black logo.
Charge N Go was established in 2018 and currently operates over 90 chargers in Malaysia, the Philippines and Australia. The company partners with condominiums, office buildings, malls, carparks, hotels, restaurants and retailers to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Users are able to pay and charge using RFID cards, QR codes or the mobile app (available for iOS and Android).
Digging into TIME dotCom’s quarterly results, the Q4 2023 report indicates the company completed a share sale and purchase agreement dated December 14, 2023 to acquire 44,643 ordinary shares in Charge N Go from RWC1 at a cost of RM812,502. As a result, Charge N Go became a 51% owned subsidiary of TIME dotCom.
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2024 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro detailed – Proton X70 C-SUV rival; 1.6T, 197 PS, 290 Nm; est RM130k; May launch
This is the Tiggo 7 Pro, Chery’s third model for Malaysia after the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro. It was previewed on March 25 – when order books were also opened – and the official launch is just around the corner. Chery is once again shocking many with its pricing – estimated at below RM130,000 for a single spec, the Tiggo 7 Pro is aimed squarely at the Proton X70.
At 4,513 mm long, 1,862 mm wide and 1,696 mm tall, the Tiggo 7 Pro is six millimetres shorter, 31 mm wider and two millimetres taller than the X70, while its 2,670 mm wheelbase is identical to the Proton’s. Without a tape, the Chery looks wider than the Geely Boyue-based X70. The T7’s boot takes in 475 litres, and max volume is 1,672 litres with the rear seats folded.
The smaller Omoda 5 is a good in-house reference, as it’s quite popular these days. Compared to the B-segment SUV, the Tiggo 7 Pro is 113 mm longer, 32 mm wider and 108 mm taller – all are significant margins. On the other end of the scale, the segment-up Tiggo 8 Pro with three rows of seating is 209 mm longer, although there’s not much difference in width and height (T7 is 2mm wider and 9mm shorter).
Compared to the bold-faced and low-slung Omoda 5, the Tiggo 7 looks more like a conventional SUV. The upright body sports an upswept window line and blacked-out D-pillars for the de rigueur ‘floating roof’ effect. While not as wild as the O5’s face, the T7 fascia is pretty bold with a large hexagonal grille housing diamond studs. The blue fins on the air inlets are pretty unique.
Elsewhere, you’ll also find slim LED headlights with sequential indicators, LED daytime running lights that are mounted low on the bumper, strong haunches on the rear of the profile and full-width LED taillights. What do you think of the Tiggo 7 Pro’s looks compared to the exuberance of the Omoda 5 and handsome big brother Tiggo 8 Pro?
Inside, the Tiggo 7 Pro follows the style of the Tiggo 8 Pro with a clean, minimalist dashboard. The centrepiece is a widescreen display panel with two 12.3-inch displays for the instruments and infotainment (Chery likes to brand this as a 24.6-inch dual-screen). Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and sound comes from an eight-speaker Sony system, as per the T8.
The cabin also features dual-zone climate control, a 50-watt Qi wireless charger, multi-coloured ambient lighting, keyless entry with walk-away auto lock, push-button start, six-way driver and four-way passenger powered seats, faux leather upholstery, panoramic glass roof, 360-degree camera system and a powered tailgate.
For trim, the T7 gets glossy mock carbon fibre instead of the matte wood in the T8. This, and the red brake calipers, seem like unnecessary ‘sporty’ cues on an SUV that’s not at all sporty to drive. But Malaysian carbuyers are known to like all things sporty, even on entry-level premium brand cars.
Under the hood is a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 197 PS and 290 Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. The 0-100 km/h time is 9.5 seconds and top speed is 205 km/h.
By the way, all but one variant of the Proton X70 come with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine with 177 PS/255 Nm. The range-topping X70’s 1.8-litre turbo-four has 184 PS/300 Nm.
In the safety department, the Tiggo 7 Pro is fitted as standard with seven airbags, stability control and driver assists that include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, rear collision alert, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention, rear cross traffic alert with auto brake and auto high beam.
No shortage of choices if you have RM120k to RM140k to spend on an SUV – Japanese, Chinese, local, B-segment, C, NA, turbo, hybrid. So, what do you think of the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro’s design and package?
GALLERY: Chery Tiggo 7 Pro
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2024 Volkswagen Touareg R-Line in Malaysia gallery – CKD; 340 PS 3.0L TSI V6; priced fr RM472k with VAP
Here’s a full gallery of the five-seat Volkswagen Touareg, which made a return to Malaysia after being launched last month. Offered here in a sole R-Line variant, the facelifted third-generation SUV is locally assembled (CKD) in Pekan, Pahang (for the first time outside of Europe) and is priced at RM472,272 on-the-road without insurance.
That figure is with the Volkswagen Assurance Package (VAP) which includes a five-year, unlimited-mileage extended warranty and a five-year maintenance package. Should you opt out of VAP, you get a standard two-year warranty and a lower price of RM454,272. You can order the Touareg in either Lapiz Blue, Silicon Grey, Grenadilla Black, Oryx White or Dolomite Silver.
For the money, the MLB Evo-based Touareg comes with a 3.0 litre TSI V6 petrol engine that is good for a 0-100 km/h time of six seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The turbocharged mill serves up 340 PS (335 hp or 250 kW) and 450 Nm of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive system.
Also included is self-levelling air suspension that can adapt the ride height by up to 70 mm upwards to take on more challenging terrain or lowered by up to 40 mm at the rear for easier cargo loading and unloading. If you’re daring enough to take it off-road, the SUV is capable of wading up to 550 mm of water.
As the largest Volkswagen SUV on sale here, the Touareg measures 4,878 mm long, 1,984 mm wide and 1,702 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,894 mm. in R-Line guise, the front bumper has a large lower grille with prominent air intakes, while the rear gets a diffuser and twin trapezoidal exhaust exits. For our market, the car rides on 20-inch “Braga” two-tone alloy wheels in a five V-spoke design and is fitted with IQ.Light HD LED matrix headlights.
The Touareg comes standard with the Innovision Cockpit infotainment system, which is represented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 15-inch touchscreen, the latter integrating the air-con controls. There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a Qi wireless charging pad and a 13-speaker, 730-watt Dynaudio Consequence sound system.
Click to enlarge Other items in the kit list include powered front seats (with heating, cooling and memory functions), a power-adjustable flat-bottomed steering wheel (with haptic touch buttons), keyless entry and start, four-zone climate control, 30-colour ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera and a first-for-a-Volkswagen-in-Malaysia night vision system.
In terms of driver assistance systems, Touareg gets a comprehensive IQ.Drive suite that includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, front and rear cross traffic alert with auto braking, park assist, a driver attention monitor and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
As for practicality, there are sliding and reclining second-row seats that can be folded down in a 40:20:40 split to expand the boot space from 810 litres to 1,800 litres. The cabin also comes with, five USB-C ports that can each deliver up to 45W to charge devices.
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Zeekr 009 Grand teased – electric Lexus LM rival with four seats, massive rear screen, to be revealed April 19
The Zeekr 009 is already an impossibly luxurious MPV, larger than a Toyota Alphard/Vellfire and coming with an equally sumptuous cabin and a silent, effortless electric powertrain. But in China, being “impossibly luxurious” is clearly not enough, because Geely’s flagship EV brand is looking to one-up itself with the 009 Grand – a four-seater version that has the Lexus LM in its sights.
It’s being teased at the moment ahead of its April 19 reveal, but we’re already getting a good look at the grandiose cabin – at least for the rear passengers. It certainly is impressive, equipped with massive wingback seats with wraparound headrests, neck pillows and adjustable ottomans. You also get an enormous glass roof and white wood veneer (or is it marble?) to match the white leather upholstery.
The most impressive part of the interior, however, is up front. Here, you’ll find a humongous rear monitor (who are we kidding, it’s a TV the size of the one in your living room) that dwarfs the slim and wide displays used in cars like the LM and the BMW i7. As expected, you can watch TV shows and movies through streaming services like iQiyi, and there’s even a karaoke function built in.
The sheer size of the TV means that the usual glass rear screen dividing the front and rear cabins has been reduced to a frosted sliver up top, meaning that there’s no way for those sitting up front to see the rear passengers. A second tablet-style display sits atop a large centre console.
Of course, none of this is visible from the outside, where the Grand looks almost identical to the regular 009. However, there are a few identifying touches, such as the dark chrome grille and the Rolls-Royce-like 20-inch polished dish wheels. One can also spot a new lidar sensor atop the windscreen, hinting at increased semi-autonomous driving capabilities.
The 009’s sheer size means there was no need to enlarge it to fit the four seats and barrage of displays, and still have near-infinite levels of rear legroom left over. Measuring 5,209 mm long, 2,024 mm wide and 1,848 mm tall, the car is already 199 mm longer, 174 mm wider and 102 mm lower than the Alphard, while its 3,205 mm wheelbase is a staggering 205 mm longer.
No technical details have been revealed just yet, but expect the Grand to feature the same dual-motor all-wheel-powertrain pushing out an astonishing 544 PS (400 kW) and 686 Nm. This flings the standard 009 from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, although the Grand’s extra weight will almost certainly add a few tenths of a second to the century sprint.
Also likely is a choice of 116 kWh and 140 kWh NMC batteries that, on the regular 009, deliver a range of 702 and 822 km respectively – albeit on the notoriously lenient CLTC cycle. The 116 kWh unit can be DC fast charged from 10 to 80% in 28 minutes. Expect the 009 Grand to make an appearance at Auto China in Beijing next week.
Ultimate luxury unfolded in every detail. The 20-inch forged disc wheels have enchanting laser-etched finish. Stay tuned for the Grand reveal. #Zeekr009Grand pic.twitter.com/sZFtFshw0R
— ZEEKR (@ZEEKRGlobal) April 11, 2024
GALLERY: Zeekr 009 at BIMS 2024
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Aprilia RSV4 Factory and Tuono V4 Factory SE-09 SBK launched at COTA, celebrates Aprilia racing history
Launched at the 2024 MotoGP round at Austin. Texas, the Aprilia RSV4 Factory and Tuono V4 Factory SE-09 SBK commemorate “Emperor” Max Biaggi’s first win in the in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK). With a modern racing history of seven world titles, 44 wins and 102 podium places, Aprilia’s dominance in motorcycle racing is expected to see a return.
This comes after Maverick Vinales weekend win at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in the US round of MotoGP. The pair of numbered special edition motorcycles come in Aprilia’s racing livery, with the overall black contrasted with red and white trim.
The RSV4 Factory and Tuono V4 Factory come standard with carbon-fibre front brake air intakes and a carbon front mudguard. Both are powered by Aprilia’s 65-degree V-four, displacing 1,099 cc and producing a claimed 217 hp at 13,000 rpm with 125 Nm of torque at 10,500 rpm.
Ohlins supplies the suspension, with its Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension and electronic steering damper providing two modes – semi-active and manual – and three suspension maps. Of the three suspension maps, A1 mode is dedicated to slick tyres and racetrack use, while A3 is for road riding and A2 being an in-between mode.
As can be expected, Brembo does the braking with its best road-going brake, the Stylema. With twin four-piston callipers in front and a single-piston calliper at the back, the SBK edition machines come with Bosch 9.1 MP cornering ABS along with wheelie and launch control.
In Malaysia, the 2022 Aprilia RSV-4 1100 Factory had a retail price of RM169,900. Meanwhile, the Tuono V4 Factory was tagged at RM121,000 in 2020 and not sold in Malaysia 2021 and 2022.
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MRT Taman Mutiara station reopens after fire risk
The MRT Taman Mutiara station reopened at 6am this morning and is operating normally after it was closed yesterday evening due to a fire risk. MRT services are available as usual – with peak time frequency of five minutes or 10 minutes outside of peak hours – but the screens showing train arrival info aren’t working at the moment.
Rapid Rail made the decision to temporarily close the MRT Taman Mutiara station at 5pm yesterday (April 14) for safety reasons after thick smoke was seen, believed to be from the station’s telecommunications room. It was spotted at 4.43 pm and firefighters arrived at the station at 4.58 pm.
With the closure, trains skipped the Taman Mutiara station and feeder buses were provided. Station staff and Polis Bantuan assisted in crowd control. No injuries were reported for passengers and staff. Rapid Rail says that investigations are ongoing and full cooperation will be given to authorities in determining the true cause of the smoke incident.
