The JustGo automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) toll fare payment system by PLUS will soon cover a list of highways in the Klang Valley and to the East Coast. How do we know this? The company’s booth at the MyASEAN Roads and Traffic Tech Expo (MyARTTE) 2026 trade show has a ‘coming soon’ list with logos of various highways.
On the list are Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), Setiawangsa–Pantai Expressway (SPE), Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) and the Kuala Lumpur–Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR). The LPT2 highway to the East Coast is also there, and so is AFA Prime, which is the concessionaire for the KL-Karak Highway and LPT1, which joins with the LPT2 at Jabor.
Also seen is the logo of IJM Corp. The construction and property giant’s highways in the Klang Valley are the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and the Sungai Besi Expressway, better known as the Besraya. IJM also owns the Lekas Highway, an alternative to the KL-Seremban Highway.
This future coverage of highways that PLUS does not operate is the next big step for JustGo, which was expanded to the entire North South Expressway in August. Prior to that, it was only available in the northern and southern tips of the E2. At present, JustGo can be used on the NSE, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE), Penang Bridge, Seremban-PD Highway and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.
ANPR-based JustGo is a rival to Touch n Go’s RFID, and simplicity seems to be a strong point. To get onboard, one just needs to download the app, register an account with your car’s number plate, and link a bank card for direct debit whenever you need to pay toll. It’s not an e-wallet, so there’s nothing to reload – pay-per-use.
That’s it, because after you have an account, you can just drive through any lane at supported toll plazas. Yes, any lane, because all lanes have cameras to scan your number plate, just like at mall carparks – no special lane like TnG’s RFID, except for Bandar Cassia and Batu Kawan toll plazas in Penang, where only the RFID lanes are allocated for JustGo.
The highways that aren’t on JustGo’s list? Perhaps they’re on the side of TnG’s RFID in the toll payment battle of giants.
It is Wednesday, which means that it is once again time for the weekly fuel price update from the ministry of finance for the coming week of October 1 to 7, 2026.
The price of unsubsidised B10/B15 diesel will be priced at RM5.27 per litre for the coming week, down 15 sen from the RM5.42 per litre price of last week. As such, Euro 5 B7 diesel, which cost 20 sen more per litre than B10/B15 diesel, will be priced at RM5.47 per litre in the coming week.
For petrol, the price of unsubsidised RON 95 is RM4.52 per litre, down five sen from the RM4.57 per litre price of last week, while RON 97 reduces by the same margin, to RM5.00 per litre from its RM5.05 per litre price of last week.
These prices take effect from midnight tonight until Wednesday, October 7. This is the 41st edition of the weekly fuel pricing format for 2026, and the 404th in total since the format was introduced at the start of 2019.
Shown at the CIMA 2026 motorcycle show in Chongqing, China is the Voge CU-X, a plug-in hybrid power cruiser concept, showing Loncin Motor’s planned future technology for motorcycles. The CU-X combines a petrol engine with electric drive and an externally rechargeable battery.
Voge has not released detailed powertrain specifications, and there are currently no production plans for the concept. Reports suggest the system could use two electric motors and produce more than 100 hp (74 kW), but Voge has not confirmed these figures.
Engine displacement, battery capacity and weight are also undisclosed. The CU-X is a low-slung, wide-bodied cruiser with an aggressive front end and distinctive fang-shaped LED daytime-running lights.
Similarly, the chassis design for the CU-X is unconventional although reports differ on whether the system uses a girder-type or double-wishbone design. J.Juan supplies the brakes, while the rear suspension uses twin horizontally mounted shock absorbers.
Power gets to the rear wheel via shaft drive, with wide tyres fitted front and rear while handlebars and footpegs are adjustable. The CU-X is also the first motorcycle on Voge’s new Jiyu Smart Mobility platform that links the powertrain, chassis, rider-assistance systems and connectivity.
Jiyu is divided into Jizhi and Jixing. Jizhi handles navigation, sensors, communications and smartphone or smartwatch connectivity, while Jixing controls functions such as the hybrid powertrain, active suspension and stability control.
Voge says the platform will eventually be introduced across its production motorcycle range. The concept also previews hazard-warning technology using sensor and satellite-positioning data.
For now, the CU-X remains a technology demonstrator. Voge has not confirmed a production date, price or international launch, although some reports have suggested 2027.
Launched today alongside the previewed Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe was the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4Matic+ Coupe, which goes on sale priced from an estimated RM2,088,888. If the Pro suffix sounds familiar, it is, because it’s essentially the same car as the GT 63 Pro Motorsport Collectors Edition (RM2,588,888) that was introduced in Malaysia back in March this year, minus the special edition bits.
Aside from not having the extra dress-up items and certain upgraded kit, the Pro offers the same performance as the MCE, with its hand-built M177 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine putting out 612 PS (603 hp or 450 kW) and 850 Nm, up 27 PS and 50 nm from the 585 PS (577 hp or 430 kW) and 800 Nm of the regular GT 63 Coupe, the bump in performance achieved by adapting the engine control unit.
Paired with an AMG Speedshift MCT 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic, with drive sent to either the rear or all four wheels via an AMG Performance 4Matic+ system, the mill hauls the GT 63 Pro from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 317 km/h, the latter a slight improvement over the regular GT 63’s 315 km/h maximum speed.
Visual differences on this C192 compared to the standard GT 63 include a more aggressive-looking front bumper, with a redesigned front apron and additional air deflectors – made of visible carbon-fibre – around the enlarged side air intakes helping to make the face more pronounced. There’s also “Pro” checkered flag badging to serve as an identifier.
Aerodynamics have also been enhanced, with a fine tuning of this increasing the car’s overall performance in terms of longitudinal and lateral dynamics. Improvements include a 30 kg reduction of aerodynamic lift on the front axle, resulting in more precise steering behaviour. Braking and cooling performance have also been revised to keep aligned with the performance gains elsewhere.
Incidentally, the aforementioned GT 63 Pro Motorsport Collectors Edition is still on sale, as was highlighted at the launch of the “regular” GT 63 Pro. That one celebrates the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team by sporting numerous individual design elements and equipment details, with many of the exterior accent cues finished in Petronas’ iconic green. Also, keeping in line with the motorsports theme, there’s no shortage of carbon-fibre in the mix.
GALLERY: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4Matic+ Coupe
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GALLERY: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4Matic+ Coupe Motorsports Collectors Edition
RFID users, have you experienced Enhanced RFID lanes? If you’re yet to pass by one, you might do so soon, as Touch n Go announced 10 additional Enhanced RFID lanes across five highways at the MyASEAN Roads and Traffic Tech Expo (MyARTTE) 2026 trade show today.
The upgraded RFID lanes – which can be identified by a gold star on the sign – will be online by Q4 2026, which is just around the corner as today is the final day of September.
The new locations are two lanes each at the Sungai Ramal toll plaza on the Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (SILK), Bukit Raja toll plaza on the Grand Sepadu Highway and the Bukit Jelutong toll plaza on the Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE). One lane each at the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) Sungai Long and Ampang toll plazas. The Putrajaya toll plaza on the Maju Expressway (MEX) already has one active E-RFID lane (Putrajaya-bound); another (KL-bound) will be added soon. More to come next year.
TnG says that this expansion demonstrates its continued readiness to support the industry’s transition towards Single-Lane Fast Flow (SLFF) and eventually Multi-Lane Fast Flow (MLFF).
“Malaysia’s transition towards SLFF and MLFF will require close collaboration across government, highway concessionaires and industry partners. Touch n Go is committed to playing our part by continuing to invest in technology that is ready to support that transition,” said Touch n Go CEO Prabakaran Sangarajoo.
“These 10 additional Enhanced RFID lanes demonstrate not only what our technology can deliver today, but also how the capabilities we are deploying now can support the industry’s progression towards barrier-free tolls in the future,” he added.
Unlike a regular RFID lane, the Enhanced RFID lane incorporates selected components of TnG’s homegrown Titan Flow technology stack, combining enhanced RFID capabilities with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and artificial intelligence machine learning technologies. This multi-technology approach improves vehicle detection and lane throughput, enabling more reliable toll transactions at higher vehicle speeds and smoother queue clearance, TnG says.
“Importantly, Enhanced RFID is designed as a practical pathway towards SLFF and ultimately MLFF. While Enhanced RFID continues to operate within the existing toll-lane environment, it enables technologies and capabilities required for future free-flow tolling to be deployed, tested and proven under real-world conditions today,” the company added.
Touch n Go, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, says that Enhanced RFID lanes build upon the growing adoption of RFID technology. The company points out that since its launch in 2019, more than 4.8 million motorists have adopted RFID for toll payment, and that its system can operate reliably under varying traffic, weather and road conditions.
We’ve tried the Enhanced RFID lane and found that its double antennas (standardised hardware and placement by TnG, which is footing the bill for all the upgrades) allowed for much faster detection and drive through – full story here.
Grab Malaysia has introduced Kid Friendly Rides (Beta), a feature aimed at serving families with children aged four to 12 years with rides including dedicated booster seats.
Introduced in accordance with safety guidelines by the Malaysian Institute for Road Safety Research (MIROS), Kid Friendly Rides (Beta) enables ride-hailing customers to book Standard 6-seater rides which offer one dedicated booster seat, according to Grab Malaysia.
These Standard 6-seater rides for the Kid-Friendly Rides (Beta) feature will be operated by drivers who are trained to handle child seats, and these comprise a limited fleet equipped with booster seats provided by Koopers, Grab Malaysia stated.
“Families should be able to travel with their children with greater peace of mind, without managing the hassle of carrying heavy and cumbersome child seats. With Kid-Friendly Rides (Beta), we hope to make it easier for families to travel light by offering dedicated booster seats,” said Grab Malaysia executive director Rashid Shukor.
At present, the Kid-Friendly Rides (Beta) feature is only available through advanced booking for airport rides to and from KLIA1 and KLIA2. Rollout of the feature will progress in phases throughout the Klang Valley next, followed by Penang and Johor Bahru.
To access the feature within the Grab app, tap ‘Car’ and click on the ‘Advance Booking’ tile, then select the preferred scheduled pick-up time. Once a pick-up or drop-off location is chosen for the journey to or from the airport, the customer can choose the feature under the Standard 6-Seater or Grab EV Exec options.
Each booking of a Standard 6-Seater ride provides one booster seat for a RM10 add-on fee, for children aged four to 12 years. For Grab EV Exec rides, the Koopers Boost Fix booster seat is offered free of charge.
“Protecting children on the road is a shared responsibility. Research has found that booster seats reduce injury risk by 45% for children aged four to eight compared with seat belts alone. MIROS’s CRS guidelines emphasise selecting a suitable restraint for the child’s size and installing it correctly. We welcome this initiative to make child restraints more accessible to families using ride-hailing services and encourage their correct use on every journey,” said MIROS director-general Siti Zaharah Binti Ishak.
KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit fares will go up come January 1. For the non-stop Ekspres between KL Sentral and KLIA T1/T2, it’ll be RM65 one-way (currently RM55) and RM118 return (currently RM100).
As for the stopping KLIA Transit, you can compare the new and current fares below:
KLIA Transit one-way fares effective January 1
Current KLIA Transit one-way fares
KLIA Transit return fares effective January 1 (essentially twice the one-way fares except for KL Sentral-KLIA, whose return is slightly cheaper)
“Over the years, KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit have continuously delivered a safe, reliable and comfortable service while managing rising operating costs.
“This fare adjustment will support our efforts to maintain high service standards and invest in improvements to enhance passengers’ experience, as we are committed to providing the fastest and most reliable connection between KL Sentral and KLIA,” Express Rail Link CEO Datin Noormah Mohd Noor said, adding that the last fare revision was 11 years ago.
Suzuki has confirmed a limited run of the Hayabusa Tuned by Juri, a Street Fighter 6-inspired version of its 1,340 cc flagship superbike, with sales planned for Japan and selected overseas markets. The Hamamatsu motorcycle maker has yet to disclose production volume, price or exact launch date, while sales and ordering details will be announced progressively through Suzuki’s official channels.
The special Hayabusa was first shown in March 2026 at the CAPCOM Cup 12 and Street Fighter League: World Championship 2025 events. Suzuki says strong visitor interest and requests for a production version prompted the company to put the motorcycle into limited production.
The production model carries Juri-inspired graphics and styling, while Suzuki has created a dedicated website and fictional storyline around the bike, centred on the fictional Suzuki Imaginary Network.
The Hayabusa Tuned by Juri was subsequently displayed at Tokyo Game Show 2026 from September 17 to 21, where visitors could sit on the motorcycle for photographs and receive special novelty items. The Juri edition is based on the current-generation Hayabusa, powered by a 1,340 cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline-four producing around 190 hp and 150 Nm of torque.
The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox and Suzuki’s Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.), which includes selectable riding modes, traction control, launch control, engine-braking control and cruise control. A six-axis IMU supports the bike’s cornering electronics.
Hardware includes an aluminium twin-spar frame, fully adjustable KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, a bi-directional quickshifter and Suzuki Clutch Assist System. In Malaysia, the 2026 Suzuki Hayabusa is priced from RM120,000, excluding road tax, insurance and registration while the Hayabusa Special Edition is priced at RM123,900.
Besides the petrol-powered 3 Series, BMW has also taken the wraps off the i3 M60 EV, the first M Performance model built on the dedicated Neue Klasse EV architecture. It will form a dual-pronged assault on the sports sedan market alongside the M350, the latter powered by a sonorous straight-six.
A smattering of photos accompanying the wider 3 Series release show the car with an M Sport bodykit (of course), along with a unique front panel design with more angular lines approximating the shape of the traditional kidney grille.
The i3 M60 also joins the M350 in being fitted with M Yellow Lights, previously exclusive to hardcore CS models. The diagonal light signatures turn yellow in positioning light mode and white in daytime running light mode to satisfy global regulations (unless you live in the US, in which case it’s the opposite).
Other identifying cues include unique tricolour door mirrors with wingtips (no longer coming with M’s trademark dual-arm design) and a split boot lid lip spoiler. Not much can be gleaned on the inside, save for the carryover dashboard and Panoramic iDrive displays and the M Sport steering wheel with bottom spokes. Expect heavily-bolstered M Sport seats to be fitted as standard as well, just like on the M350.
Little in the way of details have been released just yet, with BMW only confirming that the M60 will join the lineup next year. However, it should be a damn sight more powerful than the current top-spec i3 50, which already produces 469 PS (345 kW) and 645 Nm of torque and gets from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds.
Expect well over 500 PS and a century sprint in the low three-second mark, which would match the F82 M4 CS (3.4 seconds) despite no doubt being saddled with much more weight. You will almost certainly get less range, however, far below the i3 50’s 912 km WLTP figure.
Munich also showed M Performance Parts for the i3 and new 3 Series, here fitted to the i3 M60 and the M350. The smattering of look-faster carbon fibre components include a jutting front spoiler, side skirt extensions, door mirror caps, rear diffuser addenda and a rear spoiler.
The i3 M60 seen here also gets a very aggressive rear wing (again with a split design), while the M350 sports a fabric tow hook. Carbon side sill scuff plates with the M Performance script complete a look that would no doubt appease the most ah beng of BMW drivers.
GALLERY: 2027 BMW i3 M60 xDrive
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GALLERY: 2027 BMW i3 M60 and M350 with M Performance Parts
Nightly intermittent lane closures will be implemented along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Penang, from October 1 until November 15 to facilitate construction works for the Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line. According to Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp), the closures will take place for 45 days, from 10 pm to 5 am daily, mainly to allow tree-felling works along the route.
The affected sections are:
The leftmost lane between the Jalan Sungai Dua intersection and USM Padang, heading towards Komtar.
The leftmost lane between Batu Uban Army Camp and Sunny Point, heading towards Bayan Lepas.
The rightmost lane between Batu Uban Army Camp and the traffic-light intersection, in both directions.
Other lanes will remain open to traffic during the closure periods.
Road users are advised to exercise caution when passing through the affected areas, with signboards, traffic cones and flagmen to be deployed to manage traffic and improve safety during the works.
The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe has made its way to Malaysia, with the second-gen iteration of the type getting its first showing here four months after its global reveal.
It’s not launched or officially on sale in the country yet, the car being previewed in its GT 55 form as part of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s on-ground activities in conjunction with the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 being held at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this coming weekend. When it does arrive in Malaysia sometime next year, it will be sold in its GT 63 guise, with pricing estimated to start from RM1.29 million.
Measuring in at 5,094 mm long, 1,959 mm wide, 1,411 mm tall and a wheelbase of 3,040 mm, the new GT 4-Door Coupe is slightly longer and wider but sits lower than its X290 predecessor (5,054 mm long, 1,953 mm wide, 1,422 to 1,455 mm tall, 2,951 mm wheelbase). Its external shape, however, is a huge shift away from the old car.
Its styling borrows plenty of cues from the Concept AMG GT XX, from the fastback shape, low-slung bonnet, raked windshield, flush door handles to the six circular taillights and integrated rear diffuser, and the end result is a visually striking car, led by a visage that is, quite simply, unmissable.
Novelties include angular headlights with star-shaped daytime running lights, a common theme with the brand now, and a jutting grille featuring a black surround with an illuminated outline, made even more prominent with optional illuminated vertical slats (we hear the MY cars will not be specified with this).
At the back, each of the taillights get a star graphic and sit within a large, slatted black panel, with a top light strip connecting the clusters. These novel bookends provide the C590 with a distinct identity, a world away from the old one.
The departure from the previous gen isn’t just with the exterior portrait, because the method of propulsion has also changed – underpinned by the automaker’s AMG.EA architecture, the new GT 4-Door is exclusively electric. Both the GT 55 and range-topping GT 63 feature three axial flux motors (one in front, two at the back) from British electric motor specialist Yasa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the automaker.
Compared to conventional radial flux motors, these are two-thirds lighter and take up just one-third of the space, yet they have three times the power density and are capable of considerably higher sustained output. On the GT 55, this translates to 816 PS (805 hp or 600 kW) and 1,800 Nm in output numbers when the car is placed in AMG Launch Control mode, with continuous power (nominal) being 510 PS (503 hp or 375 kW).
As for performance, working with a fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system, the GT 55 does the 0-100 km/h run in just 2.8 seconds, and top whack is 300 km/h with the optional Drivers Package.
The headlining act is the model that will eventually come, which is the GT 63, and that has a peak output of 1,169 PS (1,153 hp or 860 kW) and 2,000 Nm, with continuous power rated at 721 PS (711 hp or 530 kW). As you’d expect, the century sprint time goes lower, in this case 2.4 seconds, with top speed identical at 300 km/h with the optional package.
Drivers can alternatively access a temporary boost of power by pulling on both steering-wheel paddles in Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes – on the GT 63, this bumps output up to 150 PS (148 hp or 110 kW) for a very conveniently aligned 63 seconds. On the GT 55, it’s 68 PS (67 hp or 50 kW) for 55 seconds.
Providing the necessary juice for the motors is an AMG High Performance Electric Battery (AMG HP.EB), with the pack made up of cylindrical cells sized 26105 (26 mm diameter, 105 mm height) with a nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminium (NCMA) cathode and a silicon anode. In total, 2,660 cells are used in the GT 4-Door Coupe, grouped into 18 laser-welded plastic modules that can directly cool the cells to enable sustained performance.
Each battery pack is also integrated centrally intro the structure of the skateboard-style platform, with a protective housing enclosing the cell modules, all switching components and the battery management system. As such, the battery can actively absorb and dissipate forces in the event of a crash.
Total energy capacity of the unit is 106 kWh, which provides the GT 63 with a WLTP-rated range of between 596 and 696 km (between 597 and 700 km for the GT 55). With 800-volt architecture, DC fast charging at 350 kW can get the battery from a 10 to 80% state of charge in just 16 minutes. The system also accepts 400-volt DC charging, with both the rate and speed naturally lower, while the max AC charging rate is 11 kW, which fills the battery to full in 11 hours.
Inside, you’ll find a driver-focused cockpit with no shortage of display screens, led by a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen angled towards the driver, presented as a single piece via a “seamless-glass” design. The front passenger isn’t left out, getting his or her own 14-inch touchscreen.
Cabin highlights include an AMG Race Engineer Control Unit on the centre console. This consists of three haptic rotary controls, which allow the driver access to the car’s various driving dynamics features. More functions are accessed via the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system with the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), including configurable display screens, AI assistants and an assortment of AMG-specific items.
Drivers will also get to change the vehicle’s sound characteristics inside the cabin, with Powerful, Balanced and Minimal being options, combined with a scale from Classic to Futuristic. Those fancying a V8 sound can enable AMGForce S+, which samples the engine noises made by the GT R.
Keeping to the GT ethos of providing workable space as a four-seater, the 4-Door Coupe offers generous legroom and pleasant knee angles for the two passengers seated in the rear. A Sky Control panoramic glass roof, which is split into individually switchable segments and features AMG light staging, offers an improved perception of cabin space. Again, the GT 4-Door Coupe will arrive in Malaysia next year, in its GT 63 form.
The 64-year old, who’s said good things about Chinese cars in the past, including a Xiaomi SU7 which he daily-drove for half a year, said Ford will partner with Chinese companies when the situation is capital-efficient and where Ford lacks expertise. “We’re also going to compete with them directly. They aren’t mutually exclusive,” he said.
The letter added that the transportation department was “deeply alarmed” by Ford’s reliance on licensed technology from CATL at its Marshall, Michigan plant, and that CATL is on the Pentagon’s list of companies accused of ties to China’s military.
Less than 24 hours after the letter, the Republican-controlled house select committee on China posted on X that Ford has by turns warned of the threat Chinese companies pose to the US and yet is partnering with some of them. “This is what Ford says vs. what it does,” the post read.
Republicans were quick to chime in, with senator Rick Scott praising Duffy for “sounding the alarm about Ford’s risky ties to (Chinese Communist Party) companies” and representative John Moolenaar, the China committee chair, commending Duffy “for calling out Ford’s growing reliance on Chinese companies, including CATL and Geely.” Moolenaar added that “Ford should work with our nation’s allies, not our adversaries.”
Contradictorily, on X the same day, the White House called Ford a “great American company” that had invested in US production, and commerce secretary Howard Lutnick just weeks ago lauded some of the very moves Duffy panned in his letter.
Ford responded in a statement that Duffy’s letter was “a wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines”, adding that “while others continue to import Chinese batteries, Ford is investing to build batteries here in America” and that “Ford owns the plant, controls the operation and employs the workforce.”
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is offering the Triton AT Premium with up to RM25,000 in benefits, in addition to its five-year free maintenance and five-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
Applicable to a limited batch of stock, the RM25k offer on the Triton AT Premium includes RM18,000 in diesel support, the aforementioned five-year free maintenance and five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, and a special promotion for corporate sales. The offer is applicable to available stock of the Triton AT Premium.
The Triton AT Premium gets the 2.4 litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine that outputs 184 PS and 430 Nm, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. Its driveline is controlled through the Easy Select 4WD system, and employs hydraulic power steering like its rangemates with the 184 PS/430 Nm powertrain; rolling stock is a set of 18-inch alloys in 265/60R18 tyres.
The current-generation Mitsubishi Triton launched in Malaysia in October 2024, with the Triton AT Premium currently listed at RM145,980 in Peninsular Malaysia (RM147,648 in Sabah, RM147,735 in Sarawak, RM138,785 in Labuan and RM136,423 in Langkawi).
Vespa is marking its 80th anniversary with a limited-edition Primavera 80th, priced at RM16,400 in Japan. The Primavera 80th is the third and final model in Vespa’s 80th anniversary collection, following the GTS 80th and Sprint 80th.
Based on the current Primavera 180, the special edition combines a modern powertrain with styling details inspired by Vespa’s earliest production models. Key feature of the Primavera 80th is its Verde 80th pastel-green paintwork, recreated from a historic colour code recovered from Piaggio’s archives dating back to 1946.
The colour is applied across the steel monocoque body and matching 12-inch aluminium wheels. The wheels feature a closed-centre design inspired by the stamped-steel wheels of the original Vespa 98, the first mass-produced Vespa introduced in 1946 receiving a diamond-cut finish and are engraved with “Est. 1946”.
Another distinctive feature is the return of a cooling grille on the left side of the scooter, echoing the mechanical appearance of early air-cooled Vespas. Other anniversary-specific details include matte-finish dark-green trim around the front shield, mirrors, passenger grab rail, handlebar switch cover and front suspension linkage cover.
An “80th” plate is fitted to the front shield, while the glovebox carries an “80 years of Vespa Est. 1946” emblem. Mechanically, the Primavera 80th follows the specifications of the 2026 Primavera 180 which is sold in Malaysia a retail price of RM21,500.
Power comes from a 174 cc air-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder SOHC three-valve i-Get engine with electronic fuel injection, producing 14.8 hp at 8,000 rpm and 13.7 Nm at 6,000 rpm. Drive goes to the rear wheel via a CVT gearbox with an automatic centrifugal dry clutch.
The steel monocoque chassis has a 132 kg kerb weight, while while seat height is set at 790 mm and 7.5-litres of fuel is carried in the tank. Suspension consists of Vespa’s traditional single-sided link-arm hydraulic system at the front and a hydraulic rear monoshock with four-stage preload adjustment.
Braking is handled by a 200 mm diameter front disc with single-channel ABS and a 140 mm rear mechanical drum brake. The scooter rides on 110/70-12 front and 120/70-12 rear tyres while riding equipment includes full LED lighting, a colour LCD instrument panel and a USB power outlet.
Severe flooding in Thailand has forced Honda to suspend motorcycle production at one of its plants, adding to widespread disruption caused by torrential rain across the country. Honda halted production on September 28 and 29 after flooding affected operations.
The plant is expected to resume production on September 30, although Honda has not indicated whether the shutdown will have any wider impact on output. The disruption follows more than 300 mm of rain falling in Bangkok over two to three days – almost the amount the capital normally receives throughout September.
For Honda, the immediate impact is on motorcycle production rather than the wider Thai automotive manufacturing sector. Thailand’s Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said most vehicle factories and parts shipments remained operational, with the country’s 2026 vehicle production target of 1.45 million units unchanged.
Flooding has also disrupted transport, with Thai Airways cancelling 22 domestic and international flights on September 29 and 30 after staff were unable to reach Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thailand’s automotive industry has otherwise remained largely operational, with FTI saying most vehicle factories and parts shipments continue to operate.
Honda’s temporary shutdown highlights the vulnerability of Thailand’s manufacturing operations as flooding spreads across several provinces and disrupts transport and industrial activity. Authorities are continuing to monitor flooding in Thailand’s eastern industrial belt, including Prachin Buri and Rayong, where the automotive industry has a significant manufacturing presence.
The road transport department (JPJ) has announced ‘JJ_J ‘and ‘KGK’ as the next number plate series to go up for bidding on JPJeBid, its online auction platform.
In Johor, the latest running number series is ‘JJ_J’, which will be open for tender on October 3, 2026. The bidding period on JPJeBid is five days and will end on 10pm on October 7, with the results revealed 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 is the Kedah series ‘KGK’, which will be open for tender earlier on October 2. The bidding period for this one is also five days, ending 10pm on October 6. As usual, results will be released the day after the auction closes.
Got a 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”.
Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has expanded its network with the launch of a new 2S centre in Kuching, Sarawak. Operating under the Sebangga Group, the facility will initially be dedicated entirely to aftersales service and parts.
However, Sebangga Mitsinbo, which is also part of the group and operates a Volvo sales 3S in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, is already laying the groundwork to upgrade the site into a full dealership. For now, customers looking to purchase a new Volvo can place an order via the Kota Kinabalu branch.
“Our relationship with customers is very important to us. We are deeply committed to maintaining a robust, accessible network of service centres – and soon, complete dealerships across Malaysia. Bringing Sebangga Mitsinbo into Kuching ensures our Sarawakian owners get the uncompromising care they deserve, cementing this centre as a key pillar in our wider national network,” said Chris Wailes, managing director of Volvo Car Malaysia and Thailand.
“We are incredibly proud to build on our partnership with Volvo Car Malaysia and finally bring the Sebangga footprint into Sarawak. Our presence will allow us to immediately start looking after the local Volvo community. We are hyper-focused on delivering top-tier service today, but we are already looking forward to transforming this space into a complete sales destination in the near future,” commented Datuk Arif Ambrose Ng, chairman of Sebangga Group.
Sebangga Mitsinbo’s new 2S centre in Kuching can be found at Lot 1096, Section 64 KTLD, Jalan Pending.
Kia Sales Malaysia (KSM) has partnered PKT Logistics Group to establish a centralised parts warehouse at One Logistics Hub in Shah Alam. The circa-20,000-square feet facility is supported by nine dedicated staff.
The warehouse targets up to same-day delivery within the Klang Valley and reduced fulfilment lead times for other regions. According to the company, it has enhanced its order and inventory management systems, such that since operations started, the parts delivery accuracy rate has been 100%.
KSM also claims that recent parts shipments have enabled it to achieve near-complete parts availability across all current models – covering service, electrical, mechanical and structural components – as well as older models including the Forte, Cerato, Picanto, Stinger, Seltos, Optima, EV6, EV9 and previous iterations of the Carnival, Sportage and Sorento.
“Since the start of our operations, our approach has been to build the fundamentals first – from parts availability and inventory management to dealer capability and service support. These are the foundations that allow us to deliver a more consistent ownership experience today, while preparing Kia Malaysia for sustainable growth in the years ahead,” said KSM president and CEO Hyung Ho Kim.
KSM also says that it’s working closely with its dealers to strengthen inventory management and ensure timely stock replenishment at dealer level, and that dealers have undergone training to ensure consistent processes and workflows.
“These efforts are complemented by initiatives such as the reduction in genuine parts prices and greater flexibility for customers to purchase the Kia Maintenance Plan (KMP). Together, these measures are designed to make Kia ownership more straightforward and predictable, while ensuring our aftersales capabilities continue to grow alongside our customer base,” said KSM MD Emily Lek.
In January, KSM announced that its spare parts would be made 15% cheaper on average. In May, KMP – a prepaid five-year scheduled servicing package – was launched. It can be opted in up to 11 months after vehicle registration, provided the vehicle has not reached its first lubricant change milestone.
KMP starts from RM2,980 for the Sportage 1.6T, RM3,580 for the Carnival 2.2D and RM3,680 for the Sportage 2.0. It covers key scheduled maintenance items including fully-synthetic engine oil, oil filter, cabin and engine air filters, brake fluid and spark plugs, together with multi-point vehicle inspections, labour and standard scheduled service costs.
BMW Motorrad has teased what appears to be a new 450 cc naked sports motorcycle, expected to make its debut on October 1. While the teaser image reveals little, the visible upside-down fork and styling point towards a road-going sibling to the recently launched F 450 GS adventure bike.
The new model is widely expected to be named the BMW F 450 R, following the German brand’s established naming convention for its naked roadsters. The teaser shows a conventional USD front fork, although details such as diameter, travel and adjustment remain undisclosed.
The F 450 GS uses a 43 mm USD fork with 180 mm of travel, but the roadster is likely to receive shorter suspension travel and road-focused tuning. A rear monoshock is expected, with the specification and adjustment options yet to be confirmed.
Power is expected to come from the same 420 cc parallel-twin engine used in the F 450 GS. In the 450 GS, the engine produces 48 PS and 43 Nm, while the motorcycle weighs 178 kg. The F 450 GS also introduced BMW’s Easy Ride Clutch (ERC), an automated clutch system designed to simplify low-speed riding without requiring a conventional clutch lever.
Whether the system will be carried over to the F 450 R remains to be seen and would also mark another step in BMW’s move away from its ageing G 310 platform. The G 310 R and G 310 GS have been discontinued in India, leaving the track-focused G 310 RR as the only remaining 310 cc model, developed jointly with TVS of India.
After 51 years, the BMW 3 Series enters its eighth generation with the G50, marking a radical overhaul for Munich’s most important model. It’s set to be sold alongside the i3 EV, with both sharing their styling and 3er classification, but they are otherwise unrelated.
You see, while the NA0 i3 is built on the dedicated Neue Klasse platform, the G50 continues to use the preceding G20‘s Cluster Architecture (CLAR), albeit the updated CLAR II version shared with the G60 5 Series and G70 7 Series.
Despite this, the new 3 Series looks nigh-on identical to its electric sibling – that is, until you look down the side and spot the much longer bonnet to house the engine. The longer dash-to-axle ratio gives the benchmark sports sedan more traditionally BMW proportions, disguising the fact that it’s actually almost the same size as the visually compact i3.
Measuring 4,765 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,455 mm tall, the 3 Series is five millimetres longer, 15 mm narrower and 25 mm lower than the i3, adding to the lankier look. Its 2,860 mm wheelbase, on the other hand, is 37 mm shorter, despite needing to fit an engine and five adults. Next to the G20, the new car is 56 mm longer, 23 mm wider and 13 mm taller and has a nine millimetre longer wheelbase.
On the outside, the 3 Series inherits the i3’s polarising Neue Klasse styling, with twin gloss black front panels housing the quad LED headlights, diagonal daytime running lights and various driver assist sensors, separated by a bonnet “valley” that nestles the BMW roundel. Concentric imprinted lines approximate the outline of the traditional double-kidney grille.
The flat nose is a little at odds with the long-bonnet look, although the rest of the car does exhibit some rather nice detailing. The side surfacing has been cleaned up, dispensing with the G20’s myriad of lines and introducing deliciously muscled shoulders (emphasising the significantly wider tracks) and a subtle rising crease in the flanks. You also get new flush pop-out door handles, another i3 carryover.
Elsewhere, the Hofmeister kink has been made even sharper, although its now rendered in black plastic on the body rather than in the rear quarter light window – presumably to prevent the door’s trailing edge from poking people in the chest. The rear end features slim L-shaped taillights (again with a “valley” in between), sitting above a wide number plate recess. Wheel options measure between 18 and 20 inches in diameter, one inch smaller than the i3’s.
The latest M Performance model, the M350, sports the usual M Sport package with a large downturned air intake, a diffuser-like rear valance and L-shaped bumper corners. Unique touches include bespoke tricolour door mirrors with winglets (without the trademark twin-arm design, which must rankle the M faithful) and an aggressive boot lid lip spoiler.
Also fitted are the M Yellow Lights first seen on the M5 CS, which turn white in DRL mode to conform with regulations (unless you live in the US, in which case it’s the other way around). It’s a cool look, although purists will no doubt bemoan a hitherto CS-exclusive design cue being extended to a model that isn’t even a “regular” full-fat M car.
Inside, the 3 Series once again takes after the i3, boasting the Panoramic iDrive display concept. Dispensing with the iDrive control knob, this consists of a 17.9-inch parallelogram infotainment touch screen and the Panoramic Vision projection display that spans from pillar to pillar at the base of the windscreen.
Similar to other applications in recent BMWs, the said display is claimed to work with polarised sunglasses thanks to a special coating; officials at the embargoed reveal back in March advised owners tinting their windscreens to cut the film above the display area at the black frit line. A 3D head-up display is available as an option.
The whole shebang runs on the latest Android-based BMW Operating System X, featuring a more intuitive interface, upgraded voice control with Amazon Alexa+ generative AI support, and TiVo video integration (including Amazon Prime Video) that can be watched when the car is parked. One downside of the tech-forward approach is that the air vent controls have been moved – together with the air-con controls, of course – to the touchscreen, Tesla style.
Elsewhere, the lack of a conventional instrument cluster has enabled BMW to fit a steering wheel with a top central spoke. It continues to divide opinion, although buyers can opt for a more conventional M Sport wheel with bottom spokes, which is standard on the M350. Both have generous thumb rests and indented crystalline capacitive touch controls.
Meanwhile, the centre console houses the latest Qi2 wireless charger based on Apple’s MagSafe, with a magnetised puck enabling faster charging for iPhones. Other available features include triple-zone auto air con, ventilated front seats (which the i3 oddly lacks) and a Harman Kardon sound system. A panoramic glass roof comes standard, with a heat-insulating coating but no sunshade, meaning that the cabin will be baking hot in our harsh sunlight.
The seats are upholstered in either Econeer recycled PET fabric, Veganza faux leather, M PerformTex microfibre or Merino leather. This extends to the dashboard and door cards, and on the latter the trim almost appears to be glued on, which looked horrific on the preview unit shown to us at the March event. The M350 gains M Sport seats (optional elsewhere) with a central hole, lifted from BMW’s compact front-drive models.
Open the boot and you’ll find 450 litres of luggage space, which is actually 30 litres less than before; we’ll chalk it up to the presence of the mild hybrid battery (we’ll get to it shortly). Still, that’s more than what you get in the i3, which musters a measly 420 litres.
From launch, the new 3 Series will be available in two cooking petrol variants, the 318 and 320 (note the lack of the “i” suffix and diesel options). Both continue to utilise the 2.0 litre B48 turbo four-cylinder engine, now running on the Atkinson cycle and coming with a 48-volt mild hybrid system consisting of an 11 PS/25 Nm belt-driven starter-generator (BSG). In the 318, it makes the same 156 PS and 250 Nm of torque as before.
Of more importance to us Malaysians is the 320, which has received a welcome 27 PS/30 Nm boost, finally breaching the 200 PS mark at 211 PS from 4,900 to 6,500 rpm and 330 Nm between 1,500 and 4,400 rpm. This brings it halfway towards the old 330i; despite this, it still takes 7.4 seconds to get from zero to 100 km/h.
Unlike the previous model, the new 330 is exclusive to the US market and makes the same 258 PS and 400 Nm as before. Offered with or without xDrive all-wheel drive, it gets to 60 mph (97 km/h) three tenths of a second slower at 5.9 seconds, which we presume to mean that the car is heavier than before.
From there, the range steps straight up to the M350, which replaces the much-loved M340i. The venerable 3.0 litre B58 turbo straight-six remains, but it now makes an M3-worrying 426 PS from 5,600 to 6,500 rpm and 540 Nm between 1,980 to 5,400 rpm.
With an crankshaft-driven integrated starter-generator (ISG) providing an extra 18 PS/200 Nm of accelerative boost, total outputs swell to 443 PS and 580 Nm – 56 PS and 80 Nm more than before. Still with AWD, the M350 completes the century sprint three tenths of a second quicker, taking just 4.1 seconds. That’s only two tenths slower than the rear-drive M3 Competition, for those keeping score.
All models come with ZF’s ubiquitous eight-speed auto, with the M350 also gaining what BMW rather awkwardly calls Drift Moment – a first for a halfway-house M Performance model. Available as part of a software update coming next year, this locks out the front axle and sends all power to the rear wheels – just like on a real M3 AWD – allowing you to disappear sideways in a cloud of your own tyre smoke. A plug-in hybrid variant will be offered later on.
Under the skin, the new 3 Series takes advantage of the wider track and longer wheelbase with a revised steering ratio, a brake-by-wire system and redesigned suspension. The front double-jointed MacPherson struts have increased positive caster, reduced camber and new kinematics, while the five-link rear axle gets more camber and modified negative caster.
All these changes, together with the preloaded anti-roll bars, stiffer chassis mounts and revised frequency-selective dampers, are aimed at improving ride comfort, sharpening the steering and honing the 3 Series’ already excellent handling. The car can also now be had with adaptive dampers in standard and M flavours, with the M350 getting the latter on top of variable steering, front strut braces, new anti-roll bar mounts and an M Sport rear differential.
The new 3 Series is the first to offer highly-automated city and highway driving functionality. The latter allows for hands-free driving in 21 countries, while the urban driving feature will be enabled in Europe once the continent legalises the system next year.
Other markets can spec the car with the Driving Assistant Plus, delivering regular Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. As per the i3, the 3 Series’ systems have been developed with BMW’s Symbiotic Drive philosophy in mind, allowing the systems to assist the driver unobtrusively. For instance, lane keeping assist will provide steering assistance only if the car is at real risk of leaving the road or causing a collision.
Most of the other systems have also been upgraded, such as autonomous emergency braking, evasive steering assist and the door opening warning; the latter will now prevent the doors from opening into traffic. Last but not least, park assist has been improved with new visualisation that eases parking spot selection.
So that’s the long and short of the new BMW 3 Series, which will surely split opinion on the way it looks inside and out. Which side are you on – do you love it or hate it, and has BMW now firmly left the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in the dust? Let us know in the comments.
