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Bangkok 2024: Maserati Grecale Folgore EV – 557 PS/820 Nm, 501 km WLTP; RM1.02 million in Thailand
Shortly after the Maserati Grecale premiered in fully electric guise as the Grecale Folgore last month, the Italian marque’s electric crossover has been shown at the recent 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show.
While outwardly similar to its internal combustion stablemates, there are distinct cues that set apart the Grecale Folgore EV; among these are a front grille that has slim oval cutouts in place of the vertical slats on the ICE variants, while the corner intakes are finished in body colour. At the rear, the no longer required exhaust outlets are substituted aurally by loudspeakers, mandated to warn pedestrians of an approaching EV.
A 400-volt electrical architecture features in the Grecale Folgore, where powertrain is courtesy of two electric drive motors bringing outputs of 557 PS and 820 Nm of torque. Thus equipped, the Grecale Folgore does 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, on to a top speed of 220 km/h.
A 105 kWh battery brings up to 501 km of range on the WLTP standard, with DC charging supported at up to 150 kW to have a 20-80% state of charge achieved in 29 minutes. AC charging is up to 22 kW, which replenishes battery charge at up to 100 km of range per hour.
Four driving modes are offered in the Grecale Folgore; Max Range, GT, Sport and Offroad. Sport offers the full outputs possible from the powertrain, while GT caps output at 80%, Max Range at 75%, or 50% if the power output limiter is in use.
Suspension for the Grecale Folgore is comprised of adaptive dampers and air springs, with wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches in diameter; shown here are 21-inch alloys in Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season tyres.
Infotainment comes courtesy of a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a central infotainment touchscreen of the same size, an 8.8-inch display for climate controls, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a sound system with either 14 or 19 speakers. For interior trim, recycled and sustainable materials such as Econyl and Feeltek leather are used.
Pricing for the Grecale Folgore starts from 7,890,000 baht (RM1,018,478) in Thailand, according to Headlight Magazine.
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RON97 petrol price April 2024 week four update – premium fuel price unchanged; still RM3.47 per litre
It’s Wednesday, which means that it is once again time for the weekly fuel price updated in Malaysia, as announced by the finance ministry for the coming week of April 25 to May 1, 2024.
Once again there is no change to the price of RON 97 petrol, which sees the premium grade of petrol continue at the same RM3.47 per litre price as it has been last week, and which in fact has been unchanged since September 2023.
The RON 95 grade of petrol continues at it ceiling price of RM2.05 per litre, as set by the Malaysian government in February 2021. The days of RON 95 petrol at this price appears to be numbered.
As for the retail prices of diesel, the Euro 5 B10 and B20 blends remain priced at RM2.15 per litre, and Euro 5 B7 is priced 20 sen more per litre at RM2.35 per litre.
These fuel prices will take effect from midnight tonight until Wednesday, May 1, 2024, when the next set of fuel price updates will be announced. This is the 17th edition of the weekly fuel pricing format for this year, and the 276th in total since the format’s introduction at the start of 2019.
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Bangkok 2024: Mazda BT-50 facelift – 1.9L and 3.0L turbodiesel variants, from RM97,363 in Thailand
The 2024 Mazda BT-50 facelift has gone on sale in Thailand last month, and it has also been shown at the recent 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show, from which we can bring live images of the updated pick-up truck.
Launched in Malaysia at the end of 2021, the BT-50 is based on the third-generation Isuzu D-Max, and so it continues to be so for its facelift.
Engine choices for Thailand are the RZ4E-TC 1,898 cc four-cylinder turbodiesel that outputs 150 PS at 3,600 rpm and 350 Nm from 1,800 to 2,600 rpm, and the 4JJ3-TCX 2,999 cc four-cylinder turbodiesel that produces 190 PS at 3,600 rpm and 450 Nm from 1,600 to 2,600 rpm. Both 1.9L and 3.0L engines can be paired with either a six-speed manual, or six-speed automatic gearbox.
The example shown at BIMS 2024 is a double-cab 3.0 S Hi-Racer 6AT; the 1.9L engine variant for the facelifted BT-50 in Thailand is only offered with six-speed manual transmission. According to Headlight Magazine, the BT-50 facelift in Thailand starts from 752,000 baht (RM97,360) for the 1.9C Hi-Racer 6MT single-cab, and 862,000 baht (RM111,611) for the 3.0 S Hi-Racer 6AT.
For the double-cab variants in Thailand, the range starts at 922,000 baht (RM119,377) for the 1.9 Hi-Racer 6MT, 992,000 baht (RM128,439) for the 3.0 S Hi-Racer 6AT, 1,172,000 baht (RM151,758) for the 3.0 SP Hi-Racer 6AT, and 1,272,000 baht (RM164,706) for the 3.0 SP 6AT 4×4.
Visual changes applied to the exterior of the BT-50 facelift include a black front grille, and the 18-inch alloy wheels gain a two-tone black finish. The front bumper is finished in the body colour, while gloss black is used for the wheel arch extensions and side mirror covers.
Inside, the cabin of the BT-50 facelift gets two-tone leather upholstery in brown and black, joined by piano black interior trim, including gloss black trim atop the transmission selector lever. The driver’s seat gets eight-way electrical adjustment, while the front passenger seat is a four-way manually adjustable unit.
Driver instrumentation is by a combination cluster with a 4.3-inch information display, while infotainment comes courtesy of a nine-inch touchscreen unit that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also included are voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, auxiliary audio, and USB ports.
Advanced driver assistance systems that feature on the BT-50 facelift include automatic high beam, full speed range adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, AEB, turning-across-traffic AEB, and lane departure warning. Also on are blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic alert with reversing AEB.
Other active safety features are hill start assist, hill descent control, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, multi-collision brake, emergency stop signal, automatic walk-away door locking, and front and rear parking sensors.
In Malaysia, the Mazda BT-50 is currently priced from RM92,729 for the 1.9L Single Cab manual, up to RM142,918 for the 3.0L High Plus Double Cab automatic; prices are OTR without insurance.
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Lotus Emeya EV – bookings open in Malaysia, from RM650k for base variant; Q3 launch, deliveries in Q4
News has emerged that the Lotus Emeya EV is now open for bookings in Malaysia, ahead of an official launch in the country tentatively scheduled for the third quarter of this year. This will be followed by the start of customer unit deliveries from the fourth quarter.
Having first made its debut in New York last September, the Emeya four-door GT made its regional showing at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show last month, where has gone on sale in two variants starting with the Emeya S from 5,990,000 baht (RM777,600), and the Emeya R at 6,890,000 baht (RM895,500).
In Malaysia, pricing is tentatively expected to start from RM650,000 for the base variant. The Emeya S packs a powertrain that produces 612 PS and 710 Nm of torque, which will propel the electric grand tourer from 0-100 km/h in 4.15 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. For the top Emeya R that is sold in Thailand, a 918 PS/985 Nm powertrain sends it from 0-100 km/h in 2.78 seconds and to a top speed of 256 km/h.
The Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) by Lotus forms the basis of the Emeya, as it does for the Eletre SUV, and thus employs the same 800-volt architecture as on its SUV.
Specifications from its debut state that the Emeya employs a 102 kWh battery pack, or slightly less than the 112 kWh unit in the Eletre. This gives the Emeya S 610 km of range on a full charge on the WLTP test protocol, while the Emeya R with its higher motor outputs manages 485 km (WLTP).
Charging is facilitated by a 22 kW on-board charger that yields a 0-100% charge in 5.8 hours, while DC fast charging is possible at up to 350 kW, with which it can attain a 10-80% recharge in 18 minutes.
Rolling stock is a set of 22-inch wheels with 265/35 front and 305/30 rear tyres, and the chassis features an electronically-controlled air suspension system similar to that on the Eletre. Active aerodynamics also feature on the Emeya, an active rear diffuser and an active dual-layer rear spoiler, the latter a 280 mm wide unit, or 100 mm wider than that on the Eletre, and offers 215 kg of downforce.
The present-day Lotus family ties are evident in the cabin, where the Emeya sports a central floating, full-HD OLED screen accompanied by a 15-speaker KEF audio setup, or 23 speakers for high-end options, with Dolby Atmos-enabled 3D surround sound.
Bookings for the Lotus Emeya in Malaysia can be made at the Lotus showroom in Pavilion Damansara, and buyers can get in touch at +6016-611 2388. Made in Wuhan, China and arriving in Malaysia in the second half of this year, would the Lotus Emeya be your choice of high-end four-door EV?
GALLERY: Lotus Emeya R at BIMS 2024
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KL-Seremban Highway contraflow to be activated from today – from Sungai Besi toll to KM5.2, 6am to 9am
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has announced that contra-flow traffic has been activated on the KL-Seremban Highway from today, April 24, from the Sungai Besi toll plaza to KM5.2 of the highway. This activation of contra-flow traffic will be from 6am to 9am.
Based on the graphic accompanying the city council’s announcement, the contra-flow activation is likely in order to facilitate maintenance works in the area.
Users who will be travelling along this stretch of the highway are advised to follow posted signage for the contra-flow traffic, and heed the instructions of personnel on-site.
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Mercedes-Benz G580 debuts – first-ever electric G-Class; tank turn, quad-motor, 587 PS, 473 km EV range
Here it is, the fully electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which makes its global debut in Beijing (China is the G-Class’ second largest market) in the year the G-Class celebrates its 45th anniversary. Officially, it’s called the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology, which is quite a mouthful and marks a departure from the carmaker’s EQ branding as more of its models adopt electric power.
Previewed by the Concept EQG back in September 2021, the production G580 aims to deliver the same or even better off-road performance as versions with a conventional powertrain, but without any emissions. Deliveries will begin in the second half of 2024.
The G580 is built on a ladder-frame chassis just like the recently updated W465 G-Class, but with a few revisions to accommodate its electric powertrain. For starters, the chassis has been reinforced to accommodate a large battery, and while it may retain the same double-wishbone setup at the front, the solid rear axle has been completely redeveloped to adopt a De Dion design – adaptive dampers come as standard.
The G580 has four electric motors in total, with two in each housing at the front and rear axles. Power from the motors is transmitted to the wheels via dual-joint shafts, which provide the advantage of ensuring the camber does not change during compression.
Each motor has its own two-speed transmission, which is integrated into a shared housing that also includes a double inverter. The purpose of the transmission is to enable low- and high-range gearing like a 4×4 vehicle.
In low-range mode, the reduction ratio is 2:1 to increase wheel torque to cope with difficult terrain and the top speed is restricted to 85 km/h. In normal day-to-day driving, the high-range mode is used to maximise range.
On that mention, Mercedes-Benz quotes a WLTP-rated range of up to 473 km thanks to a lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 116 kWh. The two-tiered battery features 216 cells installed in twelve cell modules between three cooling levels and is integrated into the ladder frame for a lower centre of gravity and better rigidity. To prevent water and dirt intrusion, the battery is housed in a torsion-resistant casing.
The battery supports DC fast charging at a max of 200 kW, with a 10-80% state of charge (SoC) achieved with just 32 minutes of being plugged in. There’s also slower AC charging at 11 kW, with a 10-100% SoC reached in 11.77 hours.
As for the electric motors, each one develops 147 PS (145 hp or 108 kW), with the rated system output being of 587 PS (579 hp or 432 kW) and 1,164 Nm of torque. The latter is 314 Nm more than the G63, while peak power is comparable to the 4.0 litre biturbo V8-equipped variant.
While peak torque is an advantage of the G580, its battery and electric components result in a kerb weight of 3,085 kg, which is more than G63 that is around 2.6 tonnes. Go for the fully electric G-Class and you’ll get a 0-100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds (G63 does it in 4.3 seconds) and a top speed limited to 180 km/h (G63 maxes out at 220 km/h).
Of course, the G-Class earned its reputation by being a highly capable off-roader, with every iteration required to prove itself 336 times on the Schöckl mountains in Graz, Austria, traversing a 5.6-km route that includes gradients of up to 60% and side slopes up to 40%.
The G580 meets this standard and even surpasses the conventional G-Class in some aspects. According to its maker, the off-road SUV has a maximum water fording depth of 850 mm, which is 150 mm more than variants with a conventional powertrain.
Moreover, the electric G-class comes with G-Turn, which is essentially a tank turn function made possible by the four independently driven wheels. When the conditions are right – car is in ‘D’, Rock mode engaged and low range enabled – drivers simply need to pull on the left or right shift paddle (doubles to handle five regenerative braking modes), hold steering wheel, release the brake pedal and step on the accelerator.
This works for up to two complete vehicle revolutions, and the function can be cancelled manually any time by releasing the shift paddle or accelerator pedal. It’s a great party trick and particularly useful when met with an impossible obstacle while off-roading and a fast change of direction is needed.
Another clever function is G-Steering that regulates drive torque to enable tighter turning when space is limited, kind of like rear-wheel steering. Like G-Turn, this requires specific conditions to be met and there’s a limit, top speed in this case at 25 km/h.
Lastly, there’s an intelligent off-road crawl function that is always active when low range is engaged. Through the shift paddles, drivers can set crawl speeds from as low as two km/h and up depending on the gradient and situation being dealt with.
As for other off-roading-related info, the ground clearance is listed at 250 mm, which enables nearly identical approach and departure angles of 32 degrees and 30.7 degrees respectively. Only the breakover angle is lacked at 20.3 degrees, which is less than the standard G-Class’ 26 degrees. This is due to the presence of the battery and the aluminium underbody protection panel that is 26 mm thick and weighs 57.6 kg.
For the electric G-Class, there’s Electric Dynamic Select that comes with the aforementioned Rock mode, along with Trail and familiar options such as Comfort, Sport and Individual. The model’s signature differential locks are present too, although they aren’t mechanical and rely on the calibration of the electric motors to precisely deliver torque for maximum traction – the company calls them “virtual differential locks.”
One feature that is unique to the electric vehicle is G-Roar (everything needs a label) that heightens the immersion by generating a driving sound reminiscent of V8-powered models, with the sound delivered dependent on the chosen drive mode. “Its deep bass and sonorous tones deliberately set it apart from the sound of other all-electric models from the brand with the three-pointed star,” the company said in its release.
On the design side of things, the G580 looks very similar to its conventional powertrain siblings, but there are some cues to mark it out as the fully electric model. Up front, the grille is largely blocked off by a black panel with thin slits, and the round headlamps also get surrounding trim in a similar finish. Meanwhile, the intakes in the lower apron sport square lattice inserts.
Elsewhere, there’s a slightly raised bonnet, air curtains in the rear wheel arch flares and a square box work together with elements from the facelifted G-Class – A-pillar cladding and spoiler lip on the roof – to optimise aerodynamics to hit the claimed range possible. Said box is square and smaller to accommodate the charging cable, but customers can opt for a spare wheel as an option.
Moving inside, you’ll find a dashboard layout that is pretty much identical to the regular G-Class, with all the controls being laid out the same. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment with its dual 12.3-inch displays (digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen) is here as well, with available options being a rear-seat entertainment system (11.6-inch touchscreens, a Burmester sound system and a “transparent bonnet” feature.
No shortage of driver assistance systems either, including Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Attention Assist, Active Parking Assist with Parktronic, a 360-degree camera, Pre-Safe and Pre-Safe Sound.
Naturally, there are plenty of ways to customise your G580, be it through the Manufaktur programme or the wide selection of packages that alter the exterior and interior. For something more special, the G580 will be offered in Edition One guise that comes with plenty of cost options as standard.
There you have it, the first-ever electric G-Class, a car that Arnold Schwarzenegger would be proud to own. What do you think of the G580? Are its on-paper specs impressive and is it worthy of being a “proper G?” Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology
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2024 Yamaha NVX new colours for Malaysia, RM9,998
2024 Yamaha NVX 155 ABS Premium Navy New colours for the 2024 Yamaha NVX 155 in Malaysia, with pricing set at RM9,998 for the Standard version and RM11,698 for the NVX 155 ABS. Previously the 2023 Yamaha NVX 155 was priced at RM9,598 for the Standard version and RM11,498 for the ABS variant.
Pricing excludes road tax, insurance and registration and every NVX 155 comes with a two-year or 20,000 km warranty against manufacturing defects as well as a free disc lock worth RM100 with every purchase.
New colour options for the standard version are Blue and Bronze and stocks are available at all authorised Hong Leong Yamaha dealers beginning April 24. Meanwhile, the ABS-equipped NVX 155 is available in Cyan Sky and Premium Navy.
2024 Yamaha NVX 155 Standard, Blue (left), and Bronze No changes otherwise for the NVX 155 in 2024, with power coming from a single-cylinder, 155 cc, liquid-cooled SOHC mill equipped with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA). Fed by EFI, the NVX produces 15.4 PS at 8,000 rpm and 13.9 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm.
With Bluetooth connectivity to the rider’s smartphone. an LCD instrument panel displays all the necessary information the rider needs. Used in conjunction with the Yamaha Y-Connect app, The rider can obtain information such as last parked location, service interval reminder, fuel consumption, call notification and battery voltage, amongst others.
The NVX 155 ABS is differentiated from the Standard version with the installation of twin rear shock absorbers with attached reservoir. Also included is is keyless start with Smart Key and engine start-stop.
2024 Yamaha NVX 155 ABS Cyan Sky Seat height is set at 790 mm with 149 mm of ground clearance while the Standard version weighs in at 122 kg and the ABS equipped NVX tips the scales at 125 kg. With 5.5-litres of fuel in the tank Yamaha estimates the NVX 155 gets about 200 km range.
Braking is done with a 230 mm disc and two-piston hydraulic calliper on the 14-inch front wheel, with single-channel ABS on the NVX ABS variant while a mechanical drum brake stops the 14-inch rear wheel. LED lighting is used for the head and tail light on the NVX and a USB charging port is located inside the front cowl.
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smart Concept #5 unveiled – four-seater EV SUV with 100+ kWh battery, 800-volt tech; over 550 km range
Heading to the Beijing Auto Show this week is the smart Concept #5, a mid-sized SUV concept that will be the brand’s largest model yet. This comes after the smart #3 that made its debut in Auto Shanghai 2023, and itself made a Malaysian appearance earlier this week.
Where the #3 is of a coupé-SUV form, the Concept #5 wears a more upright two-box SUV silhouette and is shown with a range of features such as off-road tyres, roof-mounted light bar, front and rear skid plates with an integrated winch and folding rear step ladder, and more for the outdoor adventurer aesthetic.
All-wheel-drive for the Concept #5 means the presence of a dual-motor layout, and the concept model is touted to feature an 800-volt electrical architecture along with a battery of a nominal capacity over 100 kWh. The system allows for fast charging that will enable a 10-80% recharge in 15 minutes, according to smart, yielding up to 550 km of range on a full charge.
While no dimensions for the Concept #5 have been revealed, smart says that the model has “an efficient footprint” relative to its size, and exceptionally short front and rear overhangs. Here, the doors open in a coach-door arrangement to reveal a four-seater cabin, with a floating centre console that runs the length of both rows of seats.
Inside, a pair of OLED widescreen displays plus a driver’s display feature on the dashboard, providing access to the vehicle’s functions. Ambient lighting contributes to the visuals in the Concept #5, while a portable audio speaker is integrated into the centre console.
The front passenger seat features new airbag solutions, according to smart, and also integrates heating, ventilation, massage functions as well as a leg rest.
The cabin of the Concept #5 also serves as a platform to showcase the latest from in-car artificial intelligence (AI). A key feature will be a tool by generative AI specialists Cerence, and this is said to enable the occupants of the vehicle to ‘enagage the in-car assistant in entertaining conversations’.
Functions that can be controlled by voice include phone call and messaging, music and media, air conditioning, navigation, vehicle control, personal settings, along with information including weather, news, calendar, general knowledge and more, says smart.
Following the public premiere of the smart Concept #5 that is set for tomorrow, April 25, a series-production model of what will be the third model from smart is set to be unveiled in the second half of this year, says the carmaker.
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2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance now available from RM242k – 460 hp, 0-100 in 3.1s, 528 km range
Tesla has finally released the Performance model of the Tesla Model 3 Highland range. Previously speculated to be called the Model 3 Ludricous because of the badging seen on the rear and the fact that the top of the line S and X are called Plaid instead of Performance, it appears Tesla has decided to stick with the Performance name here.
In Malaysia, it is priced from RM242,000. This price is excluding the RM1,000 order fee, RM500 delivery fee and of course the various other upgrades you can add onto the car such as colour and interior upgrades.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance’s new “Performance Drive Unit” has dual motors, one on each axle. Total output is 460 hp for the model that we get, which is exported from Tesla Gigafactory Shanghai. If you read foreign coverage you may see 510 hp mentioned but that is only for Fremont factory units which use a different battery pack.
The new 460 hp Performance Drive Unit can take the Model 3 Performance from 0-100 km.h in just 3.1 seconds, which is the same as the 510 hp version. Top speed is 262 km/h.
Range is shorter than the LR of course, rated at 528 km WLTP compared to 629 km on the LR. To complete the comparison, the RWD has a 513 km WLTP range.
There’s only one wheel option a 20 inch Warp forged wheels. As for interior, the standard is black while upgrading to white is an extra RM5,000.
So other than the more powerful motors, what are the other upgrades over the Model 3 LR? For one, there is a new adaptive damping system. The chassis gets berspoke springs, bushings and stabilizer bars for a sportier drive.
The exterior has a different front and rear design, with a rear diffuser and carbon fibre spoiler. It also gets larger brake rotors, calipers and performance brake pads.
The interior gets new sports seats in the front, with better holstering and a deeper driving position. Interior is also carbon fibre in a weave pattern. There’s also track mode in the centre display screen, which offers a UI suitable for use on the race track.
The Model 3 Performance can be ordered now for a RM1,000 booking fee and Tesla Malaysia promises a Q2 2024 delivery as of publishing time.
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2024 Porsche Cayenne GTS, Cayenne GTS Coupé FL facelifts – 500 PS/660 Nm 4.0L V8, sharper chassis
Almost exactly one year since the debut of the E3-generation Porsche Cayenne facelift comes the driving enthusiasts’ variant, the Cayenne GTS that comes in both regular five-door and Coupé bodystyles. Denoting Gran Turismo Sport in Porsche parlance, the latest Cayenne GTS builds upon the Cayenne S – which marks the return of the V8 engine to the ‘S’ variant – with added emphasis on road handling.
On the powertrain front, this is a 4.0 litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine that now produces 500 PS and 660 Nm of torque, increases of 40 PS and 40 Nm respectively over the pre-facelift E3 Cayenne GTS. The eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission has been revised to offer shorter response and shift times in Sport and Sport Plus modes.
The resulting straight line performance is a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.4 seconds, and a top speed of 275 km/h; gains of 0.1 second and 5 km/h respectively over the pre-facelift GTS models which were also V8-powered.
Beyond the headlining numbers, the Cayenne GTS has been given consideration for sustained, spirited driving. The transfer case for the all-wheel-drive system features an independent water cooling circuit that has been adapted from the Cayenne Turbo GT, which “stabilises the continuous load capacity” during demanding conditions such as driving on track or on mountain routes.
Chassis revisions in this GTS flavour brings 10 mm-lower ride height with its adaptive air suspension as standard, and also adapted from the Turbo GT are front axle pivot bearings which increase front wheel negative camber by 0.58 degree compared to other Cayenne variants, aimed at offering even more agility and improved handling dynamics, says Porsche.
Rolling stock is a set of 21-inch RS Spyder alloy wheels in an anthracite grey finish, and the exterior aesthetic continues with the GTS theme of darkened trim elements such as the side skirts, front inlays, side window trims and wheel arch extensions, which are Sport Design package items finished in gloss black for the GTS. The exhaust tailpipes which were previously black on the GTS, are dark bronze on the latest model.
Exterior kit for the Cayenne GTS Coupé gets a fixed panoramic glass roof and an adaptive rear spoiler as standard, while a sports exhaust system with central tailpipes can be optioned.
Also available as options for the Cayenne GTS Coupé are lightweight sports packages, which are comprised of a lightweight roof and carbon-fibre rear diffuser, along with reduced insulation. Depending on equipment specified, the lightweight packages can reduce weight by up to 25 kg, says Porsche.
Inside, the cabin of the Cayenne GTS gets a heated GT steering wheel as standard, and Race-Tex upholstery is used on sections such as the roof lining, armrests and door panels, as well as the centre panels of the eight-way-adjustable sports seats.
The side bolsters of the front sports seats are further raised for added lateral support when cornering, and GTS-specific interior packages will be offered in Carmine Red and Slate Grey Neo after customer unit deliveries commence. Also included is a Bose surround sound system and ambient lighting.
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BRT Sunway to operate on street level on April 27 – elevated track used for Under Armour Dual Race run
Click to enlarge Take note, Sunway/USJ residents and those who take the BRT Sunway Line. The elevated bus route will be running on street level this Saturday night. That’s 6pm to midnight, April 27. This is to make way for the Under Armour Dual Race running event, which will flag off at 11pm.
This means that the BRT buses will be moving under the elevated track, and will stop directly below the BRT stations except at four stations, which will have alternative pick-up and drop-off points. The stations are USJ 7, South Quay, Mentari and Sunway Setia Jaya – see the list and images above for the points.
Much like Prasarana’s own BRT Run, UA’s 21.1 km relay run will be interesting as it utilises the elevated bus route. It’s almost like running on a closed highway, Duo Highway Challenge style, but the road is narrower and you run pass the stations. The route can be seen for miles ahead too, unblocked.
Runners, race pack collection is this Friday, April 26, from 10am to 10pm at the Under Armour store in Sunway Pyramid. As usual, bring your confirmation slip and ID. Have a good run.
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Kia teases Tasman pick-up truck – 2025 launch for Korea, Aus, Africa, Middle East, but ASEAN not listed
Click to enlarge Kia has released official teaser images of its first-ever pick-up truck, the Tasman. Named after the ‘rugged beauty and pioneering spirit’ of Tasmania, the island at the southernmost tip of Australia, the truck you see here wears an Australia-inspired camouflage wrap.
Developed in collaboration with renowned artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop hailing from Australia and New Zealand, the wrap – themed around ‘The Path Never Taken’ – visualises a journey of inspiration encountered while driving along the coast and across the outback. It draws on the mixed-media artist’s adventures, hitching rides in the back of utes across Australia.
Known for his unique artistic style and ability to blend various media to create visually bold and powerful collaborations, Boyd-Dunlop captures elements of land and sea with the Tasman camo wrap. The finish combines the ‘fiery hues of the outback with commanding blues that pay homage to Australia’s influential surf culture’.
“Our Tasman pickup truck embodies Kia’s commitment to design and innovation, as well as its spirit of adventure. Artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop crafted an exclusive camouflage design, with the support of the Kia design team, that depicts a journey and reflects an essence of adventure that is unique to the Tasman,” said Karim Habib, executive VP and head of Kia Global Design.
Kia has confirmed that the Tasman is scheduled to make its debut in 2025, and the C-segment pick-up truck’s launch strategy will be phased globally, including key markets such as South Korea, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. Conspicuously absent from the list of named markets is ASEAN, which member Thailand is one of the world’s most important one-tonne pick-up truck markets.
“In addition to effortlessly fulfilling the role of a work-orientated pickup, the Tasman is designed to meet customers’ diverse personal needs. Suitable for a demanding 24/7 lifestyle, Kia’s versatile truck will support even the most extreme leisure activities,” Kia says.
Click to enlarge No technical details have been released, but Kia already has the building blocks for a decent pick-up, not least the 2.2-litre turbodiesel long used in models like the Sorento SUV and Carnival MPV. In its latest form, the R engine produces 202 PS and 440 Nm of torque, which is competitive but not class-leading in the one-tonne truck segment.
Kia also has access to a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 1.6-litre turbo-four with a 90 hp electric motor, which in the Sorento develops a total output of 264 PS and an all-electric range of 51 km thanks to a 13.8 kWh battery. A PHEV truck sounds alien to us, but Ford has a Ranger PHEV for Europe and Australia.
The Tasman is definitely not a rebadge of the car-based Hyundai Santa Cruz. Also unlike the Hyundai compact truck, which is only for North America, Kia’s pick-up truck is a global product, and that also means that the Tasman has to be tough and robust. What do you think the Tasman and Kia’s move to enter the pick-up truck market? By the way, there will be another truck from the company, a bigger EV.
GALLERY: Kia Tasman spyshots
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2024 Volvo C40, XC40 Recharge Pure Electric EVs – which is the right battery-electric vehicle for you?
Electrification is the way forward for Volvo Cars, and the Swedish manufacturer has set out to have a product line-up comprised entirely of battery-electric vehicles by 2030 ahead of becoming a climate-neutral firm by 2040, while locally, Volvo Car Malaysia aims to have EVs form 75% of its total sales in the country by 2025.
With a selection of battery-electric vehicles already on sale, the prospective customer looking at purchasing a Volvo BEV will be looking to find out what sets one model apart from the other. In the case of Volvo BEV models currently on sale in Malaysia, two such models are the C40 Recharge Pure Electric and the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric.
Shared between the C40 Recharge Pure Electric and the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is the platform and powertrain, which, in the case of these models, features a dual-motor configuration producing 408 PS. In the C40 Recharge Pure Electric, these come from a 159 PS motor on the front axle and a 249 PS motor driving the rear wheels and an extra 10 Nm of torque, while the 2023 XC40 Recharge Pure Electric gets a 204 PS motor on each axle.
The battery in the C40 Recharge Pure Electric is a 82 kWh (79 kWh usable) battery that can be recharged at up to 200 kW DC, enabling a 10-80% state of charge in 27 minutes. The unit in the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is a 78 kWh battery, supporting DC charging at up to 150 kW for a 80% state of charge in 28 minutes.
Common to both models are their width and wheelbase lengths at 1,863 mm and 2,702 mm respectively, though certainly there are differences in other measures; the C40 Recharge Pure Electric is slightly longer by 6 mm at 4,431 mm and 70 mm lower with an overall height of 1,582 mm, which is visually apparent in its roofline that is more sloping in its coupé-like profile.
The C40 Recharge Pure Electric is purpose-built to be a fully electric vehicle from the outset, whereas the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is a model that has been adapted from its internal combustion-engined origins. Thus, the C40 Recharge Pure Electric stands alone as its own model in being EV-only, with no ICE-powered derivative.
Which do you like the look of better? The sleeker, lower roofline of the C40 Recharge Pure Electric does appeal, though the more upright posture of the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric undoubtedly does, too.
The distribution of interior space may also play a role in how you choose between the two; the C40 Recharge Pure Electric sports greater front-row headroom, while the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric has more luggage capacity when the second-row seats are folded.
Though the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric can house more luggage, the C40 Recharge Pure Electric sports a panoramic sunroof for more natural light in its cabin. A sleek silhouette from the C40 Recharge Pure Electric, or the timeless confidence of the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric – which suits your style?
The larger battery and more efficient aerodynamics of the C40 Recharge Pure Electric contributes to its greater battery range at 550 km WLTP, compared to the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric that does 438 km on a single charge on the same testing protocol.
There is also some trade-off between the two model in terms of price, as the C40 Recharge Pure Electric is priced RM10k higher than the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, which will be a large part of any prospective Volvo BEV customer’s consideration.
Choosing between these two Volvo BEVs for your purchase is something that can be determined with your own hands-on sampling of the models. Find out more from the Volvo Car Malaysia website, here, and you will get to book a test drive at a dealer with both the C40 Recharge Pure Electric and XC40 Recharge Pure Electric. There will be attractive perks, too, so be sure to click on the link, and try the Volvo BEVs firsthand.
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Chery setting up Thailand factory, 50k cars in 2025
Click to enlarge Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI) has officially announced that Chery will be setting up a plant in the kingdom for both domestic consumption and exports. Production will begin in 2025 and it is forecasted that the plant will roll out 50,000 EVs and hybrids that year itself, before production reaches 80,000 units per annum by 2028.
This was announced by BoI secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi, who also said that Wuhu-based Chery will be the eighth automaker from China to set up a manufacturing plant in Thailand, joining names such as BYD, Great Wall Motor and Changan, among others.
According to Reuters, the ASEAN automotive hub’s subsidies and tax incentives for EVs have attracted a wave of investment from China, which automakers have committed more than US$1.44 billion (RM6.88 billion) worth of investments. Thailand aims to convert about a third of its annual production of 2.5 million vehicles into EVs by 2030.
Click to enlarge Last month, it was reported that Omoda & Jaecoo Thailand, a subsidiary of Chery, is planning a new EV factory in Rayong, Thailand. According to Bangkok Post, production is set to start in 2025, and the plant will initially produce cars for domestic and ASEAN markets. Chery has plans to make Rayong a global export base, supplying Oceania and the Middle East.
“We plan to divide our manufacturing into two phases. In the first phase, which starts in 2025, annual production capacity will stand at 50,000 units. The number will increase to 80,000 units a year in 2028,” said Qi Jie, vice-managing director for South Asia at Chery International.
“Our BEVs will make up 70% of total car production, with the remaining 30% belonging in the PHEV category,” Qi said, adding that he believes Thailand has great potential to develop an EV industry thanks to the government’s EV3.5 scheme. EV3.5 is Thailand’s EV incentive scheme that comprises subsidies and a reduction in import duties and excise tax to promote electric vehicle production and purchase from 2024 to 2027.
The Omoda E5 EV and Jaecoo J7 PHEV will be Chery’s first models in Thailand For now, O&J’s cars will be CBU imported from China and the sales target for the Omoda C5 EV (Chery Omoda E5 in Malaysia) and Jaecoo 7 plug-in hybrid (Jaecoo J7 is launching soon in Malaysia, but as a pure-ICE model) is 6,000 units this year. The company plans to set up 35 showrooms in the Land of Smiles, with 20 of those to be located in capital city Bangkok.
What does this mean for Malaysia? While Chery has CKD operations in our country, capacity is somewhat limited at Inokom in Kulim, Kedah, as the facility is shared with other brands. Should demand grow, might Chery Malaysia source some models from across the border to expand its range?
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2024 BYD Seal review in Malaysia – two variants, from RM180k; how does it compare to the Tesla Model 3?
First shown in Malaysia at the end of 2022 and officially launched in February this year, the BYD Seal arrives on the Malaysian market as the closest competitor to the Tesla Model 3, and the Chinese EV model is offered here in two variants; starting from RM180,430 for the Premium, and RM200,430 for the Performance AWD.
The Premium marks the entry point to the Seal range in Malaysia, and it gets a 313 PS/360 Nm rear motor fed by an 82.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. This enables the Premium variant to do 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and a claimed battery range of 580 km (WLTP), or 57 km more than the base-variant Tesla Model 3, which costs RM10,000 more.
The second of the two Seal variants is the Performance AWD that packs a dual-motor powertrain for all-wheel-drive, and boasts of combined outputs of 530 PS and 670 Nm of torque. This brings a significant step up in sprint performance, taking the 0-100 km/h time down to just 3.8 seconds. The same 82.5 kWh battery is employed for the Performance AWD, and so its range is shorter, at 520 km.
An 800-volt electrical architecture enables both variants of the Seal to accept up to 150 kW of DC charging, which will do a 10-80% top up of the battery in 37 minutes. In terms of AC charging, the Seal uses an onboard charger that only goes up to 7 kW, and thus a full charge from an AC wallbox will take 15.2 hours.
Further distinguishing the Premium variant from the dual-motor Performance AWD is that the latter gets passive frequency-selective damping, and the two are otherwise similarly specified. Rolling stock for both is a set of 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels shod in 235/45 tyres, in this base being the Continental EcoContact 6 Q.
Inside, the BYD Seal continues to carry the brand’s organically-styled interior, albeit with more restraint than on the Atto 3, and in here the Seal boasts of larger screens than those specified in other BYD models; this gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen.
Safety kit on the Seal is comprised of eight airbags (including rear side airbags), stability control and a full range of driver assists. These include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention, front and rear cross traffic alert with auto brake and automatic high beam.
So, how does the BYD Seal stack up against the Tesla Model 3? Watch the video here.
GALLERY: BYD Seal Premium in Malaysia
GALLERY: BYD Seal Performance AWD in Malaysia
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