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  • 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Max RWD in Malaysia – full gallery; 225 hp/350 Nm EV with 614 km range, RM290k

    2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Max RWD in Malaysia – full gallery; 225 hp/350 Nm EV with 614 km range, RM290k

    The Hyundai Ioniq 6 was launched in Malaysia in July, with the 2023 World Car of the Year going on sale here in two variant forms, as an Ioniq 6 Max RWD, priced at RM289,888, and an Ioniq 6 Max AWD, at RM319,888, both on-the-road without insurance.

    The single-motor Max RWD seen here in the photos is equipped with a rear-axle-mounted motor, which has 225 hp (228 PS, or 168 kW) and 350 Nm in the way of output, while the dual-motor Max AWD features a motor on each axle, offering 321 hp (325 PS, or 239 kW) and 605 Nm of twist.

    Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 7.4 seconds for the Ioniq 6 Max RWD, while the more powerful AWD version reduces the sprint time to 5.1 seconds, with both variants having an identical 185 km/h top speed.

    Both the Max RWD and Max AWD versions are specified with a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, yielding an operating range of 614 km for the Max RWD and 519 km for the Max AWD, both on a WLTP-cycle, on a single charge.

    The Ioniq 6’s 800-volt architecture enables DC charging at up to 350 kW, which the automaker says gets the battery from a 10 to 80% state of charge in just 18 minutes. At 50 kW DC, the 10-80% SoC fill takes 73 minutes, while AC charging at 11 kW takes 7.1 hours to get the battery from 0-100%.

    Cheaper options are the Lite RWD (RM219,888) and Plus RWD (RM249,888). Introduced to the local line-up earlier this month, the additions make for a four variant Ioniq 6 range in the country. Both the Lite and Plus have a rear-axle-mounted motor offering 149 hp (151 PS, or 111 kW) and 350 Nm of torque.

    The duo is fitted with a 53 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, which provides up to 429 km of travel range (WLTP cycle) on a single charge. The charging time at 350 kW DC is identical to the Max variants, and
    the smaller capacity of the unit means a quicker fill from 10% to 80% SoC at 58 minutes, at 50 kW DC, while 0% to 100% takes 5.5 hours with a 11 kW AC charger.

    Standard items across the entire Ioniq 6 range include dual-LED headlamps with intelligent front-lighting and Parametric Pixel LED rear combination tail lamps. The Lite RWD, Plus RWD and Max RWD share the same wheels, in this case 18-inch Aero units shod with 225/55 profile tyres, with the Max AWD coming with 20-inch Performance wheels and 245/40 tyres.

    Inside, highlights include leather interior upholstery (except for the Lite RWD, which gets cloth seats) two seamlessly connected 12.3-inch screens, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless phone charging and a powered tailgate. All variants from the Plus RWD on also come equipped with a Bose eight-speaker sound system.

    Five exterior colours are available for the Ioniq range, these being Abyss Black Pearl, Nocturne Grey Matte, Biophilic Blue Pearl, Dive Blue Solid and Gravity Gold Matte.

     
  • Nio to explore collaboration, share technology R&D with Mercedes-Benz in exchange for investment

    Nio to explore collaboration, share technology R&D with Mercedes-Benz in exchange for investment

    Nio ES7

    Chinese EV maker Nio has entered into initial talks with Mercedes-Benz for the German manufacturer to invest in the Chinese firm in exchange for technology, Reuters has reported.

    Sources told the news wire that Nio founder and CEO William Li had discussed a potential collaboration with Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius earlier this year, with Li seeking investment from the German carmaker in exchange for Nio to share its research and development capabilities. However, discussions did not progress to cover details of the technology involved or the amount to be potentially invested.

    Nio had approached Mercedes-Benz with the proposal, however it faced opposition from within the German automaker which had held internal discussions on the matter in recent weeks, and the proposal was unlikely to proceed, Reuters quoted one of its sources as saying.

    Nio to explore collaboration, share technology R&D with Mercedes-Benz in exchange for investment

    The Chinese EV maker however denied its contacting of Mercedes-Benz for potential collaborations, calling it ‘untrue’, while Mercedes responded to the news wire separately saying that while there are currently no collaboration plans with Nio, it said that “Ola Källenius is in an ongoing regular dialogue with various industry leaders and peers, including William Li.”

    Beyond automobiles, the Chinese brand has branched out into the consumer electronics segment. Earlier this week, Nio launched its first smartphone as a companion for its electric vehicles, and the device runs on the proprietary Sky UI and uses Nio Link to connect seamlessly with Nio EVs.

    In addition to acting as a digital key thanks to its ultra-wideband chip, the Nio Phone includes an action button that allows owners to control over 30 car-specific features.

     
  • KL Standard Chartered Marathon 2023 – AKLEH, DUKE highways, roads to close this weekend for SCKLM

    Click to enlarge

    A reminder for the upcoming road closures this weekend in the Kuala Lumpur city centre, ahead of the KL Standard Chartered Marathon 2023 (KLSCM, formerly SCKLM) that will be taking place across Saturday and Sunday, September 30 and October 1.

    The list of road closures is a substantial one, as the event will be held across two days; the 5KM and 10KM distances will be held on the Saturday, while the half and full marathon distances will be run on the Sunday. The international event is expected to attract around 25,000 participants locally and internationally, said KL police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid according to Bernama.

    Several roads will be closed and diverted from midnight tonight until 11am Saturday, including Jalan Raja Laut (Dataran Merdeka) Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Dang Wangi. Also closed will be Jalan Ampang towards the city centre, Jalan Kuching towards the Dato Onn roundabout and Jalan Parlimen and Jalan Cenderawasih to Jalan Lembah and Jalan Hishamuddin to Jalan Raja, Allaudeen said.

    Other road closures will be from Jalan Lebuh Ampang to Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan TAR from Chow Kit to Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (from Sentul to TAR), Jalan Sultan Ismail in both directions, Jalan Tun Razak to Jalan Ampang from the Kampung Pandan roundabout and Jalan Tun Razak to Jalan Kuching in the city centre near the World Trade Centre, he added.

    RapidKL LRT and MRT lines will be operating free of charge with limited stops on both mornings, beginning from 3:30am on Saturday and 1:30am on Sunday, until 6am on both days; check out the embedded post below for where you can board the trains on the map.

    To recap, collection of race packs for this event will be at the KL Convention Centre until 8pm tonight and from 10am to 6pm tomorrow, September 30. All to best to those taking part, and may you achieve your targets.

     
  • 2024 Genesis GV80 Coupe debuts alongside updated GV80 – sporty-roofed SUV takes on X6, GLE Coupe

    2024 Genesis GV80 Coupe debuts alongside updated GV80 – sporty-roofed SUV takes on X6, GLE Coupe

    Over three years since its initial introduction, the Genesis GV80 has now been updated, which also sees the introduction of a new body style in the form of the GV80 Coupe. The latter is the first coupe-like SUV from Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand, and it will take on rivals like the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.

    Design changes for the regular-roofed GV80 include a slightly tweaked version of the shield-shaped grille and two-line headlamps with MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology. There are also large air intakes and a wide skid plate on the front bumper, while the muffler tips are now hidden in the rear bumper.

    The GV80 Coupe has a similar front end to the regular GV80, with the rear being the most important differentiator between the two. A sloping roofline leading to a prominent rear spoiler is the most obvious identifier, and you’ll also notice the slight lip on the tailgate as well as exclusive wheel designs (20 to 22 inches) and faux exhaust finishers in the rear bumper.

    Inside, both models get a 27-inch OLED display that combines the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen. The controls for the HVAC system are also touch-based, and there’s a crystal-like gear selector on the centre console. There are more creature comforts too with the addition of 14.6-inch screens for rear passengers, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and heated armrests.

    Genesis also updated the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with features such as Lane Following Assist 2, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, Highway Driving Assist 2, Smart Cruise Control 2, front/side/rear Parking Distance Warning, and front/side/rear Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist.

    As for powertrains, the GV80 soldiers on with two Smartstream turbocharged petrol engines, with the first being a 2.5 litre four-cylinder making 304 PS (300 hp or 224 kW) and 422 Nm of torque. This is followed by 3.5 litre V6 rated at 380 PS (375 hp or 279 kW) and 530 Nm – both options are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive.

    The GV80 Coupe gets the same two choices but adds on a third in the form of a 3.5 litre V6 with an electric supercharger supported by a 48-volt mild hybrid system (marketed as e-S/C). This setup, also found in the G90 sedan, provides 415 PS (409 hp or 305 kW) and 549 Nm.

    With the electrified powertrain comes additional features such as a Sport+ drive mode, launch control, auxiliary digital gauges (oil temp, torque, turbo pressure) and Active Sound Design that mimics the “sound of a large-displacement sports coupe’s exhaust.”

     
  • Open payment system for toll collection officially begins on 11 highways – on Penang Bridge, year end

    Open payment system for toll collection officially begins on 11 highways – on Penang Bridge, year end

    The open payment system (OPS) for toll collection using debit and credit cards has now been implemented, with the system officially operational as of today on 11 highways, Bernama reports.

    While a total of 12 highways agreed to implement the OPS, Penang Bridge is only expected to begin running the OPS at the end of this year. This is to allow the concessionaire to study the system further, according to works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

    The 11 highways with the OPS in place are:

    Open payment system for toll collection officially begins on 11 highways – on Penang Bridge, year end

    Nanta said the implementation of the OPS would provide motorists with another option for toll payment, as an alternative to existing methods such as Touch ‘n Go (TnG), SmartTag and radio frequency identification (RFID).

    “Our objective is to provide payment options for users since previously, there were only one or two systems and sometimes a road user’s (TnG) card balance is not sufficient (for toll payment). So, road users now have another option, namely the OPS,” he said after officiating the implementation of the system at the Loke Yew toll plaza on Besraya earlier today.

    “This is also the first step towards implementing the multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) system in the future,” he said. He added that discussions are ongoing to expand the implementation of the OPS on other highways.

     
  • Honda Prologue EV – up to 288 hp/451 Nm with dual-motor AWD; 480 km estimated range fr 85 kWh battery

    Honda Prologue EV – up to 288 hp/451 Nm with dual-motor AWD; 480 km estimated range fr 85 kWh battery

    The Honda Prologue made its debut last October, bringing an all-electric SUV that is the fruit of Honda’s collaboration with General Motors that sees the Prologue using GM’s modular EV platform and Ultium battery technology.

    The carmaker has now released specifications for the Prologue, in dual-motor all-wheel-drive guise at least. This version will have 288 hp and 451 Nm of torque from its dual-motor powertrain; output figures for the single-motor front-wheel-drive version are to be announced.

    Both versions have an estimated battery capacity of 85 kWh, according to Honda, and the model’s battery range is estimated to be 480 km. The Prologue can take DC charging at up to 155 kW, which will recharge the 85 kWh battery with 104 km of range in around 10 minutes, says Honda.

    As at its initial debut, the Prologue measures 4,877 mm long, 1,989 mm wide, 1,643 mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,094 mm. Three variants of the Prologue have been announced; the EX, Touring and Elite. Luggage capacity is 713 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats in place, or 1,633 litres with the rear seats folded.

    The EX and Touring roll on 19-inch wheels with 255/60R19 tyres, while the top Elite variant gets upsized 21-inch rollers on 275/45R21 tyres. Standard equipment across all three variants of the Prologue include Honda Sensing, eight airbags, an 11-inch digital driver’s instrument display, an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, and heated front seats.

    Also on are dual illuminated 3.0 A 45-watt USB-C charging ports for front occupants, and another two 3.0 A 45-watt USB-C charging ports for the second row. The Prologue also gets over-the-air (OTA) software updates for key vehicle computer modules.

    Interior upholstery in the Prologue is cloth with contrast stitching in the base EX variant, with power-adjustable, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Touring variant adds leather with driver’s seat adjustment memory, leather steering wheel, self-dimming rear view mirror, and front and rear parking assist.

    The Prologue holds up to 1,633 litres with the rear seats folded; note the Motocompacto (not included) in the luggage compartment

    Both Touring and Elite variants get an opening panoramic sunroof with a retractable shade, powered tailgate with hands-free access, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The top Elite variant adds perforated seat leather, front seat ventilation, heated steering wheel, a head-up display and a Sport driving mode.

    The included Google Maps can provide route planning with recommended charging stations and estimate the charging time required, and it can also initiate the vehicle’s battery pre-conditioning for fast charging if the selected destination is a DC fast charging station, to help reduce charging times.

    The Honda Prologue has been announced to go on sale in the United States as a 2024 model, where the order books for the electric SUV will open later this year and deliveries will commence early 2024. Pricing in the US starts “in the upper US$40,000 (RM187,600) [range],” according to the manufacturer.

    GALLERY: Honda Prologue

     
  • Budget 2024: MAA proposes that new incentives should be for all electrified vehicles, not just BEVs

    Budget 2024: MAA proposes that new incentives should be for all electrified vehicles, not just BEVs

    The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) is proposing that new electrification incentives given under Budget 2024, which is set to be tabled in parliament on October 13, should be for all types of electrified vehicles (xEV) rather than just for battery EVs (BEV) in order to ramp up electro-mobility efforts in the country.

    Its president, Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain, said xEVs, which cover hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) in addition to BEVs, would provide more traction for the segment.

    “A step-by-step approach, starting from HEV, is the most ideal way to phase out the existing conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Hybrids are the first step towards the mass usage of electrified vehicles,” he told Bernama.

    Budget 2024: MAA proposes that new incentives should be for all electrified vehicles, not just BEVs

    Mohd Shamsor said MAA hoped that the existing incentives of a RM2,500 rebate and road tax waiver for EVs will be extended to the purchase of all xEVs in both passenger and commercial vehicle categories.

    The association also proposed that a personal income tax relief should be given for the purchase of a xEV as well as for the installation of solar panels at home. “The latter will support the energy mix of the government, in which renewable energy will form 17% of the total energy source by 2040,” he said.

    On the subject of import and excise duty exemptions, Mohd Shamsor said MAA appreciated the government’s move to extend the two-year import duty and excise duty exemption for completely built-up (CBU) BEV units until 2025 and completely knocked-down (CKD) BEV units until 2027, as announced during Budget 2023.

    Budget 2024: MAA proposes that new incentives should be for all electrified vehicles, not just BEVs

    Nevertheless, he said the association felt that the duration of incentives given to businesses was rather short. He explained that as the automotive industry is very capital-intensive, business plans are usually very long-term in nature.

    “The tenure of incentives given to automotive companies should be on a long-term basis, and we encourage consultations with stakeholders and MAA on the most suitable incentive tenure. This will enable both local distributors and their overseas principals to study, prepare and draw up comprehensive long-term investment plans for the Malaysian market,” he told the national news agency.

    A long-term policy would also help to build greater confidence among foreign investors, he said. “Short-term and/or ad hoc policies make it difficult for companies to draw up plans to evaluate business feasibility, especially in introducing newer technologies and more high-tech (technology) vehicle models into the local market,” he stated.

     
  • 2024 BMW Motorrad R1300GS debuts, 145 hp, 149 Nm

    2024 BMW Motorrad R1300GS debuts, 145 hp, 149 Nm

    Perhaps the most anticipated motorcycle in modern times, the 2024 BMW Motorrad R1300GS has made its debut. Retaining the iconic boxer-twin engine, the R1300GS boasts of more power and less weight, along with new suspension.

    With 40 years of the GS name behind it, the R1300GS has big shoes (tyres?) to fill in the adventure touring motorcycle segment, a heritage that goes all the way back to the original R80 G/S (Gelande/Strasse). According to BMW Motorrad, the R1300GS is a complete redesign of the best selling motorcycle in its history.

    Pride of place goes to the new boxer-twin, now made more compact with the relocation of the gearbox under the engine and a new camshaft arrangement. Power is rated at 145 hp at 7,750 rpm with a peak torque of 145 Nm at 6,500 rpm, making it the most powerful boxer engine BMW Motorrad has made.

    The R1300GS is lighter than the previous R1250GS by some 12 kg, now 237 kg compared to 249 kg. This is achieved by, amongst other things, a new aluminium fuel tank and the all-new suspension design.

    Made from sheet metal steel, the frame is stiffer and offers optimum location of suspension components from the previous model. For the rear sub-frame, the trellis tube design is gone, replaced by a die cast aluminium unit.

    Suspension is completely revamped, with BMW Motorrad’s Evo Telelever front suspension and Evo Paralever rear. With better steering precision and ride stability, the R1300GS’ suspension now has electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) as an option.

    Differing from the previous Dynamic ESA Next Generation electronic suspension, DSA combines dynamic adjustment of the front and rear damping with a corresponding adjustment of the spring rate, or stiffness. This allows for automatic load compensation no matter if the R1300GS is ridden solo, two-up or loaded with luggage.

    Also optional for DSA is adaptive vehicle height control and the sports suspension. With adaptive vehicle height control, the rider gets fully automatic adjustment of ride height depending on operating conditions while sports suspension offers 20 mm more suspension travel front and rear for riders wanting to take the R1300GS on challenging off-road journeys.

    The new suspension is complemented by four riding modes – Road, Rain, Eco and Enduro. As the names imply, road and rain modify power delivery of the R1300GS for prevailing conditions while Eco mode gets the maximum range out of a single tank of fuel, with Enduro mode giving the rider optimum power delivery for off-road riding.

    2024 BMW Motorrad R1300GS debuts, 145 hp, 149 Nm

    Primary focus of change for the R1300GS is the headlight, a matrix lED headlight replacing the previous two element headlight. The light unit consists of two LED units for low and high beam along with four additional LED units for DRLs and side lights.

    Turn signals are now incorporated into the handlebar guards while the rear gets function integrated turn signals at the rear that complement the tail light. Adding the Headlight Pro option gives cornering lights that use the headlight to illuminate the direction the R1300GS is turning.

    2024 BMW Motorrad R1300GS debuts, 145 hp, 149 Nm

    The riding aids suite, called Riding Assistant by BMW Motorrad, is comprehensive, including Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Change Warning (SWW) to aid safety and rider awareness. Other riding conveniences include a smartphone charging compartment with integrated USB socket and additional 12 V on-board power socket as standard, while heated seats are an extra cost option.

    BMW Motorrad’s Keyless Ride is standard fitment, as is cruise control and a lithium-ion battery is fitted to save weight. Aside from the base model R1300GS, threee model variants will be offered – Triple Black, GS Trophy and Option 719 Tramuntana – in a variety of specification levels and finish.

     
  • Tesla Model 3 ‘Highland’ facelift comes with more dual-pane glass windows, frequency selecting damping

    Tesla Model 3 ‘Highland’ facelift comes with more dual-pane glass windows, frequency selecting damping

    Tesla has posted a new video detailing some of the revisions made to the new Model 3 ‘Highland’ facelift, which was announced earlier this month and is currently available for order in Malaysia.

    In the video, Lars Moravy, Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering, is in Shanghai to test the updated Model 3’s stability, wet handling, road noise and wind noise. On the matter of wind noise, Moravy explained the Model 3 now uses dual-pane glass across all windows instead of just the front (windscreen and front doors) previously. This is said to improve cabin noise levels and better isolates occupants from the noise generated by other vehicles on the road.

    The revised Model 3 has gains new shock absorbers with what Tesla calls “frequency selective damping,” which are said to improve ride quality while maintaining the handling of the electric vehicle (EV). Moravy claims the new dampers make the Model 3 more performant and fun to drive, but didn’t provide a deep dive into how the system works.

    Unlike the Model S, the Model 3 does not come with air suspension when it debuted in 2017, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk said a few years later that it had no plans to introduce air suspension for the affordable model, quelling leaks that suggested as such.

    The new dampers and their “frequency selective damping” technology will attempt to improve ride quality. FSD systems employs a special damper valve design that allows for variable damping force depending on the frequency of the input disturbance.

    In low-frequency movements, such as body roll and pitch during cornering or acceleration, the valve provides higher damping force for better vehicle stability. Conversely, for high-frequency inputs, like those encountered from road imperfections, the valve allows for lower damping force, thus improving ride comfort.

    This dual behavior is typically achieved through a bypass channel containing a frequency-sensitive valve, often implemented using a spring-mass-damper system within the damper itself, enabling adaptive response without electronic control.

    The Model 3 starts from RM189,000 for the Rear-Wheel Drive variant with 513 km of range, and RM218,000 for the Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive with 629 km of range. A non-refundable fee of RM1,000 is needed to place a booking, with estimated first deliveries scheduled to take place later this year, ahead of the Model Y in early 2024.

     
  • Honda Civic Type R FL5 comes to Gran Turismo 7

    Honda Civic Type R FL5 comes to <em>Gran Turismo 7</em>

    The FL5 Honda Civic Type R recently made its launch debut in Malaysia and carries a price tag of RM399,900 on-the-road without insurance. However, the hot hatch will only be available for purchase via ballot due to the small allocation of 19 units for 2023 – more are expected to come next year.

    If you aren’t lucky enough to be offered a unit come October 20, you can spend your time waiting for your chance to buy one by driving the latest Civic Type R virtually in Gran Turismo 7. On the same day the FL5 CTR was launched here, Polyphony Digital announced the release of update 1.38, which adds the Japanese hot hatch to the roster along with the Garage RCR Civic (based on the fifth-generation EG model) and Mazda 3 Gr.4.

    Honda Civic Type R FL5 comes to <em>Gran Turismo 7</em>

    In the game, the FL5 CTR costs 50,000 credits and can be purchased in five colours, four more than the real-life version that is only available in Championship White here. It also offers more power from its 2.0 litre turbocharged inline-four engine at 330 PS (325 hp) and 420 Nm of torque, with drive going to the front wheels via six-speed manual transmission.

    For those who already have a PlayStation 4 or 5 and a copy of Gran Turismo 7, fire up the game and download update 1.38 to gain access to the FL5 CTR.

    GALLERY: Honda Civic Type R FL5 in Gran Turismo 7

    GALLERY: 2023 Honda Civic Type R FL5 in Malaysia

     
  • JPJ DG says not everyone is ready for digitalisation – dept will continue to make physical process available

    JPJ DG says not everyone is ready for digitalisation – dept will continue to make physical process available

    The road tax (lesen kenderaan motor, or LKM) and driver’s licence may have made the move to digital, but the road transport department acknowledges that not everyone is ready to take the online path. As such, it will continue to make physical transactions available to motorists.

    Speaking about the matter at an event earlier this week, JPJ director-general Datuk Rospiagos Taha recognised that not everyone was comfortable with the digital route and utilising the MyJPJ app, and that the transition to digitalisation was a process that would require time and consideration.

    He said the department would make a gradual transition to full digitalisation as some Malaysians, including indigenous people and the older generation, were not tech-savvy, the New Straits Times reports.

    JPJ DG says not everyone is ready for digitalisation – dept will continue to make physical process available

    “In the process of interlinking towards full integration, not all our customers are accustomed to using digital technologies. There are certain groups, particularly those residing in rural areas and older people, who may face constraints when it comes to digital usage,” he said.

    “Taking this into consideration, we are currently in an interim phase where we are offering dual options until we reach a point where we believe the Malaysian society is truly ready for digital adoption,” he said.

    As to when this would be, Rospiagos said the department did not have a specific timeframe in mind. “As soon as we deem it appropriate, we will proceed with the transition gradually,” he explained. He stressed that it was not mandatory for everyone to go through the digital process for settling their JPJ-related matters, as the physical process was still available.

    JPJ DG says not everyone is ready for digitalisation – dept will continue to make physical process available

    In February, during his announcement of the switch to a digital format for the road tax and driving licence, transport minister Anthony Loke had stated that it was not mandatory for motorists to download the MyJPJ mobile application, nor would they need to keep a digital copy of their road tax or driver’s licence in hand, as their validity could be established by JPJ personnel through their devices.

    Last week, the department made a police report over a post made on Facebook by a user claiming that a physical road tax is still mandatory. It said that the statement made in the post was untrue and misled the public.

     
  • Honda Motocompacto – foldable electric scooter with 20 km range, 24 km/h Vmax, 18.7 kg; RM4,667 in US

    Honda Motocompacto – foldable electric scooter with 20 km range, 24 km/h Vmax, 18.7 kg; RM4,667 in US

    Honda has unveiled the Motocompacto, an all-electric take on the brand’s Motocompo from the 1980s that is compact and can be folded to fit in the luggage compartment of a car. The Motocompacto has been designed and developed by Honda engineers in the US states of Ohio and California, the company said.

    Like its internal combustion-powered ancestor, the fully electric Motocompacto features a seat and controls which can fold away to become easily transported in vehicles, public transportation or be stored in tight spaces. Powertrain for the Motocompacto is a permanent-magnet direct drive electric motor rated to produce 16 Nm of torque, sent to the front wheel.

    A full charge of its 6.8 Ah battery takes 3.5 hours from a 110-volt outlet via a charger that can be stowed onboard the Motocompacto, which will yield a maximum range of 12 miles (20 km), while top speed is 15 mph (24 km/h). Acceleration from a standstill to its top speed takes seven seconds.

    The Motocompacto employs a heat-treated aluminium frame and wheels, while features include an LED headlight and tail light, side reflectors, as well as a welded steel loop on its kickstand for securing the vehicle, and is compatible with most bike locks, says Honda.

    Also on are onboard storage, a digital speedometer, a charge gauge and a carrying handle, while a mobile app offers personal settings for lighting and ride modes via Bluetooth.

    For dimensions, the Motocompacto measures 967.8 mm long (742 mm folded), 889 mm tall (536 mm folded), and 437 mm wide (94 mm folded) with a wheelbase of 742 mm and a seat height of 622 mm. The Motocompacto weighs 18.7 kg.

    The Honda Motocompacto goes on sale in the United States via the Motocompacto website, and through Honda and Acura dealers from next month priced at US$995 (RM4,667).

     
  • BMW i5 G60E – specs listed on Malaysian website; eDrive40, M60 xDrive; up to 601 PS, 582 km EV range

    BMW i5 G60E – specs listed on Malaysian website; eDrive40, M60 xDrive; up to 601 PS, 582 km EV range

    BMW Malaysia has listed preliminary specifications for the BMW i5 on its official website, a few months after the all-electric sedan made its debut back in May this year. The company has already been accepting registrations of interest for a while, and we’re now getting some details of what to expect.

    In terms of variants, the model page lists the eDrive40 and M60 xDrive, the latter being the more performance-focused option. Both use the same lithium-ion battery but the eDrive40 comes with a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, while the M60 xDrive gets a dual-motor setup for all-wheel drive.

    Each powertrain has specific nominal outputs as you’d expect, although the figures can be increased when certain modes are engaged. Here are all the facts and figures of the i5’s variants:

    BMW i5 eDrive40

    • Electric motor output: 313 PS (308 hp or 230 kW) and 400 Nm
    • Electric motor output with My Mode Sport and Sport Boost/Launch Control function engaged: 340 PS (335 hp or 250 kW) and 430 Nm
    • Battery capacity: 81.2 kWh net (84.3 kWh gross)
    • Range (WLTP): 497 to 582 km
    • 0-100 km/h time: 6.0 seconds
    • Top speed: 193 km/h

    BMW i5 M60 xDrive

    • Electric motor output: 517 PS (510 hp or 380 kW) and 795 Nm
    • Electric motor output with My Mode Sport and M Sport Boost/M Launch Control function engaged: 601 PS (593 hp or 442 kW) and 820 Nm
    • Battery capacity: 81.2 kWh net (84.3 kWh gross)
    • Range (WLTP): 455 to 516 km
    • 0-100 km/h time: 3.8 seconds
    • Top speed: 230 km/h

    BMW i5 eDrive40 example routes (left), M60 xDrive (right); click to enlarge

    As for charging, the i5 duo can handle a maximum AC input of 11 kW, with a full charge from 0-100% taking four hours and 15 minutes (eDrive40) or four hours and 25 minutes (M60 xDrive). Peak DC charging capacity is the same for both at 205 kW, with a 10-80% state of charge achieved in just 30 minutes. On the model page, BMW Malaysia lists a few example routes for each variant from Kuala Lumpur to either Kuantan, Singapore or Krabi, including any potential stops for charging.

    In the configurator section, we’re presented with quite a number of options, including Base, M Sport and M Sport Pro appearance packages. In addition to that, there are also 13 colours listed (the Base only gets eight hues), five wheel designs ranging from 19 to 21 inches, eight interior upholsteries as well as seven interior trims. The car depicted in the video at the top of the page is an eDrive40 with the M Sport package (M Sport Pro comes with a black grille surround), while the following still image is also an eDrive40 but in Base form.

    BMW i5 with Base appearance package (left), M Sport (middle), M Sport Pro (right); click to enlarge

    Further down, available equipment mentioned include the Iconic Glow kidney grille, Dynamic Light Carpet, a panoramic glass sunroof, BMW Interaction Bar, an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, BMW Curved Display with BMW Live Cockpit Professional, AirConsole games and Driving Assistant Professional.

    Do keep in mind that what’s mentioned here isn’t indicative of what customers will be able to buy, so we’ll have to wait till we get a proper spec sheet. Aside from the fully electric i5, we should also expect BMW Malaysia to offer petrol and plug-in hybrid versions of the latest G60 5 Series, although these options won’t benefit from the current electric vehicle (EV) incentives offered by the government.

    GALLERY: G60E BMW i5 M60 xDrive

    GALLERY: G60E BMW i5 eDrive40

     
  • Part of the M40 group may inadvertently be cut off from targeted fuel subsidy, says Kenanga Research

    Part of the M40 group may inadvertently be cut off from targeted fuel subsidy, says Kenanga Research

    Part of the M40 group may be cut off from the targeted fuel subsidy that is being planned for introduction by the government, which would reduce their spending power, said Kenanga Research.

    In a sector update report issued on Wednesday, the research arm of Kenanga Investment Bank anticipated that the upcoming targeted fuel subsidy will be unveiled during the tabling of Budget 2024 on October 13. It added that the new mechanism, which is expected to replace the existing blanket fuel subsidy, is likely to come into effect at the start of 2024.

    It said the move is largely motivated by the unsustainable financial burden of the current existing blanket fuel subsidy setup, where a considerable 35% of the RM77.3 billion subsidy in 2022 that was utilised for fuel subsidies benefitted the wealthier T20 group.

    Part of the M40 group may inadvertently be cut off from targeted fuel subsidy, says Kenanga Research

    Utilising the Pangkalan Data Utama (PADU) socio-economic database, which will integrates data from various government agencies including the inland revenue board (LHDN) and the road transport department (JPJ), the government aims to identify recipients using a ‘net disposable income’ criterion, intending to largely exclude the T20 demographic, the research arm stated.

    Despite this, Kenanga Research believes that a large part of the M40 group will likely still be inadvertently excluded from the targeted fuel subsidy system, possibly resulting in lower disposable income and reduced spending power for the group.

    However, it added that the B40 group will continue to fully enjoy subsidised fuel, and as such would not encounter any erosion in spending power. “Additionally, the group will continue to receive financial assistance from the government, including cash handouts,” the research arm added.

    Part of the M40 group may inadvertently be cut off from targeted fuel subsidy, says Kenanga Research

    The timeframe for the planned implementation of the targeted subsidy programme mirrors that stated by economy minister Rafizi Ramli, who said the government is expecting to have it in place by early next year.

    The mechanism of the programme itself has not been detailed, but the government says it is exploring various ways to implement targeted subsidies, including an ID system and, most recently, using the MySejahtera application.

    Of course, it remains to be seen how effective the targeted policy will be, and whether say, traders and those in small-to-medium businesses will be covered by the mechanism. The bigger picture is how any rise in the price of goods and services – which could potentially come about and impact all income groups, including the M40 and B40 – can be staved off. The answers, in due course.

     
  • 2023 Kawasaki ZX-4RR Singapore debut, RM98,773

    2023 Kawasaki ZX-4RR Singapore debut, RM98,773

    While Malaysia has the 2023 Kawasaki ZX-25R with its RM33,900 price tag, neighbouring Singapore now gets the 2023 Kawasaki ZX-4RR, priced at S$18,000 Singapore dollars (RM61,948). With the current Singapore Certificate of Entitlement (COE) fee of S$10,700 (RM36824), this brings the sales price of the ZX-4RR to S$28,700 (RM98,773) and paultan.org was informed by a source Kawasaki Singapore’s order book is full for the foreseeable future with all units spoken for.

    This compares against the 320,000 Thai baht (RM41,800) price for the ZX-4RR in Thailand and the SE version in that market is priced at 363,760 Thai baht (RM46,700). For Malaysia’s ASEAN neighbour the Philippines, the ZX-4RR has a retail price of 499,000 PHP (RM41,274) while for Malaysia, distributor Modenas remains tight-lipped if the ZX-4RR will come to our shores.

    For Singapore, with its very restrictive private vehicle ownership in the form of the COE, the ZX-4RR falls under the Class 2A licence category for motorcycles displacing 400 cc and below. With the very limited choice of 400 cc motorcycles in the Singapore market, the ZX-4RR represents the highest tech bike available in that category to riders on the island nation.

    The ZX-4RR is the companion to the ZX-25R in Kawasaki’s small displacement sportsbike catalogue, complementing the ZX-10RR superbike, the ZX-6R super sports and the H2R hyper bike. Like the ZX-25R, the ZX-4RR is unique in its class for the use of an inline four-cylinder engine at the same time getting adjustable Showa suspension front and rear.

    Displacing 399 cc with overhead cams and liquid-cooling, the ZX-4RR produces up to 77 PS in base trim. The ZX-4RR’s mill revs up to 15,000 rpm and the Ram-Air intake is fully pressurised, power rises to 80 PS. A six-speed gearbox equipped with assist and slipper clutch with chain final drive gets power to the rear wheel and the SE model comes equipped as standard with an up-and-down quickshifter.

    2023 Kawasaki ZX-4RR Singapore debut, RM98,773

    The riding aids on the ZX-4RR has four ride modes – Sport, Road, Rain and Rider – as well as two power delivery modes. There is also three levels of traction control as well as a 4.3-inch TFT-LCD instrument panel with “Normal” and “Circuit” display modes.

    For braking the ZX-4RR gets twin 290 mm diameter brake discs on the front wheel clamped by four-piston callipers while the rear gets a 220 mm disc with single-piston calliper and two-wheel ABS is standard. Rolling on 17-inch wheels, the ZX-4R gets 120/70 rubber in front and a 160/60 rear tyre along with full LED lighting throughout, a 15-litre fuel tank, smartphone connectivity using Kawasaki’s Rideology app, 800 mm seat height and overall weight of 188 kg.

     
 
 
 

Latest Fuel Prices

PETROL
RON 95 RM2.05 (0.00)
RON 97 RM3.47 (0.00)
RON 100 RM4.90
VPR RM5.80
DIESEL
EURO 5 B10 RM2.15 (0.00)
EURO 5 B7 RM2.35 (0.00)
Last Updated Sep 28, 2023