It was raining very heavily past midnight and the NKVE stretch that’s the most prone to flooding is now still under water. PLUS has announced that the NKVE stretch between Shah Alam and Subang, specifically KM9.1, has been hit by flash flood and is currently not passable.
The most recent update was at 8.47 am, and it says that all lanes in both directions are not passable. As such, northbound traffic coming from the Bukit Raja toll will be diverted to the Setia Alam toll plaza. Southbound traffic from Subang will be diverted to the Elite Highway.
Also, if you’re coming out from the Setia Alam toll, the left lane towards Shah Alam and Subang is blocked and you’ll be diverted to Bukit Raja’s direction.
Separately, PLUS said at 5.30 am that the Shah Alam interchange from Seafield towards Setia Alam is flooded and all lanes are closed. Traffic will be diverted to the Shah Alam toll.
If you rely on the NKVE, take an alternative route if you still can, or better yet, change your plans. Here’s hoping that there won’t be another heavy downpour today and the flood has a chance to subside.
Revealed in China back in August, the Xpeng G9L is making its way to Southeast Asia, with Thailand next to receive the six-seater electric SUV on November 11. This is almost certainly the “large SUV” that was listed by Xpeng as one of the models coming to Malaysia in the near future, so it stands to reason we’ll be getting it very soon.
The G9L is available in pure electric and range-extended forms, although only the former has been confirmed for the country, per Autolifethailand. While units destined for Europe will be built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, those headed to ASEAN will almost certainly continue to be exported from China.
Xpeng will offer two versions of the EV, and unlike in China where the car is a strict five-seater, both are available in six- and seven-seater configurations. The rear-wheel-drive variant produces 367 PS (270 kW) and 465 Nm of torque and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in seven seconds on its way to a top speed of 200 km/h.
The all-wheel-drive model boosts outputs to 585 PS (430 kW) and 695 Nm, slashing the century sprint by over two seconds to 4.9 seconds. Unlike in China, global markets get a 110 kWh NMC battery as standard, delivering a range of up to 591 km for the RWD model and 551 km with AWD, both on the WLTP cycle.
An 800-volt electrical architecture comes standard, enabling support for up to 540 kW of DC fast charging, topping up the massive battery from 10 to 80% in just 12 minutes. The G9L will also accept up to 22 kW of AC charging for a 5 to 100% charge in six hours.
As the name suggests, the G9L is a larger redevelopment of the G9, which debuted four short years ago in 2022 and continues to be on sale. It has grown significantly – measuring 5,120 mm long, 1,999 mm wide and 1,788 mm tall, it’s 229 mm longer, 62 mm wider and 118 mm taller, while its 3,100 mm wheelbase is 102 mm longer.
The extra length is evident in the design, which is sleeker and more elegant, with almost Range Rover-like minimalist styling. That much is clear in the restrained surfacing and full-width front and rear light bars, with the main headlights – which are matrix units as standard and can be optioned with high-definition lamps that project guide lines and symbols on the road ahead – mounted lower down for a cleaner look.
Elsewhere, the wraparound windscreen is paired with a lower-slung roofline, body-coloured D-pillars and a fast rear windscreen rake for a sportier look. An active grille shutter and pop-out door handles deliver a drag coefficient of just 0.238 – nearly identical to that of the supposedly aero-focused Audi A2. Global models come with 21-inch alloy wheels as standard.
The G9L maintains the impressive first impression on the inside, with a plush cabin said to be inspired by first-class airline cabins. The layered dashboard features lashings of metal-look trim and an illuminated starry pattern, a motif repeated in the doors.
The upper decor strip incorporates a slimline 8.88-inch instrument display, which is coupled with a massive 17.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 88-inch augmented reality head-up display. The cantilevered centre console houses dual 50-watt Qi wireless chargers, while the threaded connectors on the dashboard for attaching accessories – pioneered by Xiaomi and all the rage in China these days – can send another 50 watts of power.
Up front, the seats can be optioned with up to 22-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, 16-point massage and a passenger foot rest, as well as the ability to adjust their 27 airbags to achieve the ideal posture using AI. The G9L’s sheer length also means the pews can be fully reclined without removing the headrests, instantly turning the cabin into a bed.
The heated, ventilated and massaging second-row seats, on the other hand, feature recline and even lumbar adjustment, no matter if you choose the six- or seven-seater. A power-reclining and folding third row and a second-row Qi wireless charger are also standard-fit.
Other features include the obligatory rear fridge, powered sunshades for the rear panoramic glass roof and side windows, a 21.4-inch roof monitor, an eight-inch control touchscreen and a 23-speaker Xopera sound system (no 33-speaker system, unlike in China). Boot space is 259 litres with all seats up (367 litres if you include underfloor storage) and 935 litres with the third row folded, with the front also getting a 109 litre boot.
Under the skin, the G9L rides on double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension, with standard dual-chamber air suspension, adaptive dampers and hydraulic bushings. Also standard is 15 degrees of rear-wheel steering that shortens the turning radius to 5.4 metres.
The G9L features Xpeng’s Turing AI processors to power its second-generation Visual-Language-Action (VLA 2.0) driving assistance model. This enables highly-autonomous highway and city driving, and unlike other such systems in China, the company has already confirmed that VLA 2.0 will be introduced in Malaysia within the next two years.
Malaysia is set to receive not only the G9L but also two entry-level EVs from the Mona sub-brand – the L03 and L05. Earlier in the year, Xpeng told us the new models would arrive this year, although that timeline seems unlikely given that we’re already in November.
Suzuki has unveiled the 2027 Suzuki GSX-10R at EICMA 2026 in Milan, introducing a litre-class sports motorcycle designed to combine superbike performance with greater everyday usability. The new model is scheduled to go on sale in selected markets from summer 2027, while pricing and availability has yet to be disclosed.
Power comes from a 999cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC inline-four engine derived from the K5-generation GSX-R1000. The engine has been refined for smoother and quieter operation, with revised oil passages to improve reliability, while retaining strong acceleration across the rev range.
Suzuki has not disclosed the engine’s output figures in its global launch announcement. However, specifications published by some European-market Suzuki distributors list maximum output at 152 PS at 11,000 rpm and peak torque of 106 Nm at 9,250 rpm.
The engine is housed in a compact aluminium twin-spar frame, with adjustable suspension designed to accommodate different riding conditions. The riding position is forward-leaning, with separate handlebars, bringing the rider closer to the sporting ergonomics of the GSX-R1000R.
The GSX-10R also introduces Suzuki’s most comprehensive electronics package to date, with 15 electronic control functions under the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.). These include a six-axis IMU, three riding modes, 10-level traction control, wheelie control, roll torque control and the new slide control system, which detects and manages rear-wheel slides while cornering.
Other equipment includes launch control, engine brake control, cornering ABS, a bi-directional quickshifter, cruise control, an active speed limiter and low-RPM assist. The GSX-10R is also the first Suzuki motorcycle to receive a brake hold system, which maintains rear brake pressure for approximately 30 seconds when stationary, including on level ground and downhill slopes.
Chassis specifications include fully adjustable KYB suspension, comprising of 43 mm inverted front forks and a newly developed rear monoshock. Braking is handled by Brembo front calipers with twin 310 mm discs and a radial master cylinder.
The motorcycle runs on 17-inch cast aluminium wheels fitted with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres, measuring 120/70 at the front and 190/55 at the rear. Suzuki claims a maximum lean angle of 53 degrees, compared with 48 degrees for the GSX-S1000.
The GSX-10R has an 810 mm seat height, 1,455 mm wheelbase and 214 kg kerb weight. Fuel capacity is 18 litres, while the European specification lists fuel consumption at 15.8 km/l under the WMTC test cycle.
Equipment includes LED lighting throughout, a colour TFT instrument display with Suzuki Ride Connect+ smartphone connectivity and a USB-C charging port. The new Suzuki Ground Beacon System also improves visibility to other road users when the indicators are activated and three colour schemes are offered – Pearl Vigor Blue/Metallic Mystic Silver, Pearl Pulse Red/Solid Iron Grey and Metallic Galaxy Grey/Glass Sparkle Black.
Ducati has introduced three new SP models for 2027, bringing race-derived components and upgraded specifications to its Panigale V4, Panigale V2 and Streetfighter V4 ranges. The 2027 Panigale V4 SP is the most track-focused of the trio, based on the latest Panigale V4 and featuring technology derived from Ducati’s WorldSBK and MotoGP programmes.
Coming with a 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine that produces 215 hp, the engine is paired with a new Ducati Racing Gearbox with Neutral Lock. Other upgrades include an STM EVO-SBK dry clutch, carbon-fibre wheels and Öhlins Smart EC 3.0 electronic suspension.
The chassis also gets an adjustable rear linkage derived from the Panigale V4 R, while revised aerodynamics bring larger wings and Corner Sidepods to improve downforce and cornering performance.
The Panigale V2 SP, meanwhile, is based on the Panigale V2 S and developed with input from Ducati’s Lenovo V2 Future Champs Academy. Its 890 cc V2 engine with variable valve timing produces 118 hp.
Track-focused upgrades include Öhlins suspension, a longer swingarm, forged wheels and a dry clutch compatible with Ducati Corse Performance Oil. The revised chassis and electronics are intended to improve stability, agility, traction and rider control, positioning the V2 SP as the most track-oriented version of Ducati’s middleweight supersport.
The Streetfighter V4 SP completes the line-up, combining the naked bike’s performance with specialist equipment derived from racing. The 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 produces 211 hp with power delivered through a racing final drive and STM EVO-SBK dry clutch.
Carbon-fibre wheels, machined adjustable footpegs and the distinctive Winter Test livery complete the package. Suspension is handled by the latest-generation electronic Öhlins system, while braking gets a Brembo MCS master cylinder with remote adjustment.
All three are numbered production models, with Ducati yet to announce pricing, production numbers or market availability.
Xpeng Carro is bringing the Xpeng X9 and Xpeng G6 to Johor for a four-day roadshow from Thursday to Sunday, November 5 to 8. You’ll find both cars on the ground floor of Sutera Mall in Skudai, in front of Rachel Smith, from 10.30am to 10.30pm each day.
The Xpeng Carro team from its Skudai outlet will be there to walk you through both models and answer the questions a spec sheet can’t. You can take either car out for a test drive, and there are offers worth up to RM10,000 on the table (terms and conditions apply).
📅 November 5-8, 2026
🕒 10.30am – 10.30pm
📍 Sutera Mall, Ground Floor (in front of Rachel Smith), Skudai, Johor
Xpeng X9: the seven-seat electric MPV, from RM281,133
The X9 comes in three variants. The 2WD Standard Range (RM281,133) has a 94.8 kWh battery good for 535 km of WLTP range, while the 2WD Long Range (RM299,133) gets a 110 kWh pack and 615 km. Both drive the front wheels with 346 PS. The AWD Performance (RM335,723) adds a second motor for 537 PS and a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time, with 580 km of range.
All three get rear-wheel steering, air suspension, Nappa leather on all seven seats and a 21.4-inch roof-mounted screen for the rear passengers. On a fast enough DC charger, a 10-80% top-up takes a claimed 12 minutes.
Xpeng G6: the locally assembled SUV coupé, from RM159,898
The G6 is now assembled in Melaka. The RWD Standard Range (RM159,898) has 252 PS, a 68.5 kWh battery and 480 km of WLTP range. The RWD Long Range (RM179,963) gets 296 PS and an 80.8 kWh pack for 525 km, while the AWD Performance (RM191,473) adds a rear motor for 487 PS, a 4.13-second 0-100 km/h time and 510 km of range.
Every G6 comes with the XPilot Assist driver assistance suite, and a 10-80% DC charge takes a claimed 12 minutes.
Warranty, service and your personalised quotation
Both models come with a five-year, 120,000 km vehicle warranty, an eight-year, 160,000 km warranty on the battery and motors, and five years or 100,000 km of free scheduled service. Prices quoted here are on-the-road without insurance.
The Xpeng Carro team at Sutera Mall can arrange your test drive and prepare a personalised quotation that includes the roadshow offers. After the weekend, you can find them at Xpeng Carro’s Skudai outlet.
The Range Rover Evoque and Velar will not be replaced when they come to the end of their respective lifecycles, Autocar has reported.
While the Evoque and Velar will remain in production through 2027, each model is close to the end of their lifecycle, and there are no replacements planned for both models, said Range Rover managing director Martin Limpert.
The end of the Evoque and Velar model lines is partly due to JLR’s House of Brands strategy, which has spun off the Range Rover, Defender and Discovery nameplates as their own brands from the parent Land Rover brand, Autocar wrote.
With the Defender and Discovery nameplates expanding towards the mainstream, with a Defender Sport in the works, the direction allows the Range Rover brand to place greater emphasis on going further upmarket.
In July this year, the Range Rover GT was revealed to be the brand’s fifth model, and the manufacturer said during its unveiling that the new model does not directly replace the Velar that made its debut in 2017 followed by a facelift in 2023.
The Range Rover GT will be launched at the start of 2027 and will be built at the Halewood plant, where the Evoque and Discovery Sport are currently produced.
While the Range Rover GT was said at debut to be the fifth member of the brand’s line-up, the non-replcement of the Evoque and Velar leaves the Range Rover brand with three model; the GT, Range Rover Sport and the flagship Range Rover.
The Range Rover GT will feature a battery-electric powertrain at the start of its lifecycle, with internal combustion and hybrid powertrains to follow later on. This is built on the EV-oriented EMA platform that will also underpin the next Evoque; the Range Rover Electric and Range Rover Sport Electric continue to use the MLA-Flex platform.
This just in – Toyota has confirmed that the Celica nameplate is coming back! The world’s largest carmaker has long teased the return of one of its most beloved sports cars, and while it’s not exactly a surprise, this is still huge news nevertheless.
In typical sneaky fashion, the company buried the news in a press release announcing a significant expansion of its World Rally Championship (WRC) programme. A new Toyota Racing team – using the same name as the World Endurance Championship (WEC) one – will compete alongside the existing Gazoo Racing Toyota entry, and it’s this outfit that will run the new GR Celica Rally1 car.
Not that we didn’t see this coming. Our first glimpse of the new coupé came in February with images of a new Toyota “WRC27” car, which looked so out of this world that yours truly had doubts about the photos not being AI-generated – save for the fact that they were published by DirtFish, one of the world’s premiere rally publications and driving schools.
Still, with Toyota’s definitive announcement, we can finally put the rumours to bed. The car will run alongside the GR Yaris Rally1, redesigned to meet the upcoming season’s new regulations that aim to increase competition and make the top-flight category more accessible.
While the two cars will be identical underneath, powered by a spec 1.6 litre turbo four-cylinder engine, they will look very different on the outside, with the GR Celica’s body surely referencing the production version. Past spyshots of the car have shown a very compact body with a short wheelbase, presumably to maximise agility on tight, twisty rally stages – don’t expect much room on the inside.
Although the camouflage and the obligatory rally car air dams, boxed fenders and rear wing obscure the GR Celica’s design, we can still spot some distinctive details such as the slim headlights, bonnet scoop, fastback profile and upswept window line. Given that the car in the photos was an early prototype, however, the final product is still subject to change, of course.
Toyota will want to replicate the success of the ST185 and the infamous ST205 (pictured)
We can also expect the production GR Celica to differ greatly from the GR Yaris, likely ditching that car’s 1.6 litre turbo three-pot in favour of a new 2.0 litre high-output four-banger. The mill, codenamed the G20E, reportedly produces up to 400 PS and 550 Nm in road car applications and should be shared with another returning sports car, the mid-engined MR2. Expect the GR Yaris’ trick GR-Four all-wheel drive system and choice of six-speed manual and auto gearboxes to make a return.
The GR Celica Rally1 will be raced by Toyota’s top squads – 2026 champion Elfyn Evans alongside Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari. The GR Yaris, on the other hand, will see Takamoto Katsuta joined by two returning drivers, these being 2019 champion Ott Tänak and 2022 and 2023 champion Kalle Rovanperä. The latter had retired this year for a planned move to single-seaters, but a medical condition curtailed plans to compete in Japan’s Super Formula.
This marks the Celica’s return to the WRC after 21 years away from the sport. The nameplate built its reputation in the series with the GT-Four rally car, with the 1990s ST185 in particular scooping up three drivers’ world championships and two manufacturers’ titles. The success was set to continue with the ST205 in 1995 before Toyota was caught using an illegal turbo restrictor and banned from the sport in disgrace. Hopefully we won’t see a repeat of that, eh?
Three motorcyclists, including a 19-year-old Singaporean, have been fined RM3,500 each for illegal racing and dangerous riding on the Second Link Expressway, in one of the first cases under Malaysia’s amended Road Transport Act 1987. The three men, aged 18 to 24, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Nur Fatin Mohamad Farid.
They were also ordered to serve four months in prison if they fail to pay their respective fines. The offences took place at around 2.10am on October 18, two days after the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026 came into force on October 16.
Singaporean national serviceman Syajahan Alfian Abdullah, 19, was charged under Section 42A(2) of the amended Act for riding at high speed and participating in a speed contest at kilometre 12.5 of the southbound Second Link Expressway. The other two accused, Muhammad Daniel Hakim Mohamad Rashid, 24, and Gonzales Mckhovic anak George, 18, were charged under Section 42A(1) for racing their motorcycles along the northbound stretch between kilometres 7.8 and 18.2.
Both provisions carry fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both upon conviction. The prosecution was handled by traffic police prosecuting officer Inspector S Vikineswary, while all three accused were unrepresented, reports The Malay Mail.
BMW has announced plans to introduce navigation-guided, partially-automated driving assistance functions in cities from 2027, starting in Germany. With active route guidance using BMW Maps, the system will be able assist drivers with turning manoeuvres, urban lane changes, right-of-way situations as well as navigating roundabouts in urban environments.
Paired with BMW Motorway and City Assistant, navigation-guided, partially automated driving will therefore be possible for the first time seamlessly from the motorway, through the countryside and into the city.
However, the German carmaker points out that these are still SAE Level 2 functions which still require the driver to be attentive. As such, drivers remain responsible for the driving task, must monitor traffic conditions attentively and be able to intervene if necessary. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised), which is the rival to BMW’s upcoming offering, is also a SAE Level 2 system.
It added that the necessary hardware for these functions come as standard in the latest iX3 and iX4 as well as all variants of the X5, 3 Series and 7 Series. Subsequent models will also be similarly equipped, with the required functions delivered via software updates.
BMW notes that the new driver assistance systems will be type-approved in accordance with the regulations of the updated UNECE R171 (DCAS Series 2), with the necessary tests in real-world traffic already successfully completed by an independent technical service.
To ensure an intuitive interaction between the driver and assistance systems, cars will come with BMW Symbiotic Drive. This works with the driver by accelerating, steering and braking in line with his or her personal driving style when driver assistance is active. The new Panoramic iDrive also shows situation-specific information so drivers have a clear understanding of the system’s status.
Yamaha has unveiled the 2027 Yamaha NMAX E, an all-electric addition to its MAX scooter family. Equivalent to a 125 cc scooter, the NMAX E produces 10 hp and 33.3 Nm of torque, with a claimed range of 104 km on a full charge, marking another step in Yamaha’s electric mobility development under its Environmental Plan 2050, which targets carbon neutrality across its supply chain and product life cycle.
The NMAX E follows Yamaha’s earlier electric motorcycle testing programme in Malaysia. In 2022, the company brought the Yamaha E01 electric scooter here for real-world testing, alongside trials in Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan and Europe. The E01 was subsequently displayed at the Yamaha GenBlu Carnival in Perak, but was never launched locally as a production model.
The NMAX E uses a dedicated electric platform with a compact eAxle power unit and a 3.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. The motor delivers maximum power at 3,500 rpm, while peak torque is available from just 500 rpm, with drive transmitted to the rear wheel via belt.
Yamaha claims a range of 104 km under WMTC Class 1 testing conditions. Charging is handled by an integrated 800W charger, with a full charge taking approximately 5.5 hours on domestic current. The charging port is located in the front storage compartment, supporting AC Type 2 public chargers and domestic power outlets with a dedicated cable.
The battery is mounted low in the chassis to improve mass centralisation, while a new backbone frame has a 1,425 mm wheelbase and near 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution. Suspension consists of a 33 mm telescopic fork and twin rear shock absorbers while braking is done by 245 mm discs at both ends, with ABS and regenerative braking.
The NMAX E retains the MAX family’s styling, including dual headlights and the signature boomerang-shaped side panels. It rides on 13-inch wheels, with 110/70 front and 130/70 rear tyres.
Equipment includes a 5-inch TFT display, smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation through Yamaha’s Motor On app. Three riding modes – Sport, Touring and Eco – are provided, alongside traction control, Smart Key ignition and a reverse function for easier parking.
Underseat storage can accommodate a full-face helmet, depending on its size, while a USB Type-C port is fitted in the front compartment. The NMAX E will be offered in Avio Blue and Platinum Silver.
Yamaha is also introducing its YOU Charge public charging service, initially in selected European markets, providing access to participating charging networks through a subscription. European sales are scheduled to begin in spring 2027, with pricing yet to be announced.
Unveiled are the 2027 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and CBR1000RR-R Fireblade HRC Works Edition, featuring revised chassis, engine and aerodynamics developed with input from Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). For 2027, development focused on building a more competitive race machine, with Honda working alongside its WorldSBK team, adapting the racing package for road use.
Both models retain the 1,000 cc inline-four engine, producing 218 hp at 14,000 rpm and 114 Nm at 10,500 rpm. Engine updates include revised cam timing, a higher 13.8:1 compression ratio and a new two-stage Variable Air Funnel system to improve mid-range performance without sacrificing top-end power.
The six-speed gearbox gets revised shaft spacing and a five-percent taller first gear, while a titanium Akrapovič exhaust comes standard. The aluminium frame is redesigned with 20% less lateral stiffness to improve cornering feedback and grip. It is paired with a lighter swingarm, revised steering geometry and a wheelbase extended by 5 mm to 1,450 mm while weight distribution is shifted forward.
The Fireblade SP gets 43 mm Ohlins S-EC3.0 NPX electronic front forks and a TTX36 electronic rear shock, adjustable through the Ohlins Objective Based Tuning Interface. Braking is handled by new Brembo Hypure four-piston front calipers and 330 mm discs, with Cornering ABS offering Standard, Track and Race modes. Rear ABS can be disabled in Race mode.
Aerodynamics have also been revised, with a new fairing designed to maintain the previous model’s downforce without conventional winglets. New lower-cowl sidepods are intended to improve cornering performance, while the redesigned bodywork also reduces drag and improves wind protection.
27YM Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
Other changes include lighter wheels, a 520 drive chain, LED lighting with daytime running lights and an exposed titanium fuel tank that saves 1.4 kg. The electronics package includes a six-axis IMU, nine-level Honda Selectable Torque Control, wheelie control, adjustable engine braking and four-level launch control controlled through a five-inch TFT display.
The more track-focused HRC Works Edition shares the same engine and basic chassis but adds adjustable steering-head and swingarm-pivot positions for greater geometry flexibility. It also gets mechanical Öhlins NPX28-30 front forks and TTX36 rear shock, Brembo Hypure Sports front calipers and carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) aerodynamic components.
These include dual-element front winglets, a front mudguard and rear seat ducts. Honda claims the winglets generate 3.5 times more downforce than the standard 2027 Fireblade at 299 km/h. The HRC version also comes with a single-seat configuration.
Kerb weight is 201 kg for the Fireblade SP and 200 kg for the HRC Works Edition, with a 16.6-litre fuel tank. The Fireblade SP is available in Ignition Red and Mat Ballistic Black Metallic, while the HRC Works Edition comes exclusively in Ignition Red.
Honda has yet to announce pricing and market availability for either model. For reference, the previous-generation Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP was priced at RM198,800 in Malaysia, excluding road tax, insurance and registration.
Unveiled is the Yamaha Tenere 4 Concept, a lightweight adventure motorcycle aimed at A2 licence holders, previewing a possible expansion of its Tenere dual-purpose motorcycle line-up. Revealed at Yamaha Motor Europe’s ‘Redefine the Standard’ event in Milan, the concept is intended to appeal to both experienced riders seeking a lighter off-road machine and newcomers to adventure riding.
Power comes from an all-new single-cylinder engine designed to deliver strong low- and mid-range torque, with usable performance at higher engine speeds. Yamaha has yet to disclose its displacement, power and torque figures.
The engine sits in a newly developed frame designed to combine low weight with structural strength, providing handling suited to both road riding and challenging off-road terrain. Styling follows the Tenere family’s rally heritage, with a flat, low-profile fuel tank and narrow bodywork inspired by the larger Tenere 700.
The concept is equipped with KYB suspension and 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels, shod with Michelin Anakee Wild tyres. A compact titanium Akrapovič exhaust completes the package. Yamaha says the Tenere 4 Concept draws on its experience developing the Tenere 700, with rider-focused ergonomics and an emphasis on agility and accessibility.
The Tenere name dates back to 1982, when Yamaha introduced the XT600 Tenere. Its rally heritage began earlier, with the XT500 winning the inaugural Paris-Dakar Rally in 1979.
Yamaha has yet to confirm production plans or a launch date. If it reaches showrooms, the Tenere 4 would sit below the Tenere 700 as a lighter entry point into the manufacturer’s adventure motorcycle range.
According to a report by Bangkok Post, Thailand’s cabinet today approved an increase in the excise tax on fully-imported (CBU) electric vehicles (EVs) to 35% from 10%. The country’s finance minister, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, said this was part of a new tax structure aimed at encouraging investment and local production.
The new tax rate is scheduled to come into effect from January 1, 2027 and is said to serve two objectives. The first is protecting investors who have already poured money into manufacturing plants and supply chains in Thailand. Additionally, it encourages automakers that are reliant on CBU imports to accelerate negotiations with the government to establish local production facilities.
Bloomberg said previously that Thailand’s EV imports in September this year hit USDD421 million, representing an increase of 138% or more than double from a year earlier. This was driven almost entirely by China, which accounted for almost 99% of shipments. In the first nine months of 2026, Thailand imported USD2.37 billion worth of EVs, 96% of them from China.
Demand for EVs has grown in Thailand, with the statistics from the department of land transport revealing that total EV registrations from January to September this year hit 191,273 units, an 83% increase over the same period in 2025, with the majority (167,789 units) being electric passenger cars. Amid this boom, the Thailand government wants its local automotive sector to grow and not rely heavily on CBU imports.
A suspected cable thief was caught in action on the MRT Kajang Line past midnight, between Mutiara Damansara and Bandar Utama stations.
According to Rapid KL, the incident happened around 12.58 am when the MRT Kajang Line control centre received alerts from the maintenance team that saw five individuals trespassing and running on the track area. The Prasarana auxiliary police team went to the location to inspect and search the area.
The Polis Bantuan team managed to apprehend one suspect at 1.25 am at the side of the road near the Mutiara Damansara station, which led to them finding cables that have been cut, as well as tools that are believed to have been used in cable theft. The suspect was handed over to PDRM for further action and investigation.
The public transport operator says that today’s incident did not affect train operations, unlike the one last month on the same line.
“Rapid KL take seriously any attempt to steal cables and trespassing in track areas as it’s not only unsafe for the individual involved, but can potentially damage infrastructure and affect train operations,” the company said in a statement, while reminding the public to report any suspicious activities around rail facilities to the authorities.
Development of the battery-electric Volkswagen Golf has been suspended as increasing financial pressure has forced Volkswagen to reduce spending on future models, Autocar has reported.
“We simply cannot afford this work at present,” Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer was quoted as saying in an internal company interview obtained by German broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR).
The suspension of development for the BEV Golf has been agreed upon by the Volkswagen board, according to Schäfer, but stressed that the battery-electric model had not been cancelled. “We’re pausing it, not cancelling it,” he said.
“The market environment remains extremely challenging, and special items are weighing on our result. This makes it all the more important for us to systematically continue on our chosen course and sharpen our priorities further. We are improving our cost base and optimising working capital, while maintaining a high level of investment discipline,” said Volkswagen CFO David Powels, according to Autocar.
ICE-powered variants of the next Golf will be a heavily revised version of the current Mk8
“One specific measure is therefore to temporarily pause development work on the future ID.Golf at the Volkswagen brand until we can securely accommodate the necessary investments,” Powels added.
The battery-electric Golf – said to be called the ID Golf – has already been delayed previously due to change to its new 800-volt SSP architecture and associated software. Originally said to debut in 2028 or 2029, the ninth-generation Golf is now said to be set for introduction in the beginning of the next decade, Autocar reported.
While the BEV Golf will use the SSP platform with an 800-volt electrical architecture and software architecture developed with Rivian, the internal combustion engine-powered version of the next Golf will be a heavily updated version of the current, eighth-generation Golf.
“Melaka is expanding its EV charging network, with 195 EV charging units across 95 locations and another 10 units planned by the end of 2026, bringing us closer to our target of 300 charging units by 2027,” he said in his speech.
The government is exploring smart city solutions while refining traffic management plans in an effort to improve traffic flow in Bukit Jalil, which can get very congested during concerts as well as large-scale events, reports Bernama.
Minister in the prime minister’s department (federal territories) Hannah Yeoh said Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud had appointed consultants to conduct a Bukit Jalil micro-traffic management study.
The study, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027, is important because Bukit Jalil is a unique event and concert hub that generates heavy traffic, requiring a specialised traffic management approach compared with other areas.
“We know there is congestion. Every weekend, whenever there is a concert, Bukit Jalil becomes extremely congested. Traffic builds up hours before the concert even begins. I acknowledge the problem,” Yeoh said in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (November 2, 2026). She added that the traffic management plan for Bukit Jalil was also expected to be completed by February 2027 and would be audited by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to ensure its implementation was effective on the ground and not merely a plan on paper.
There are also discussions with Prasarana to examine ways to improve public transport access to Bukit Jalil, including the possibility of establishing a bus transit hub connected to the approved Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) project.
27YM Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE
The boys from Hamamatsu have unveiled the 2027 Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports with a larger engine, revised chassis and updated equipment. The range also gains a new flagship variant, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports Honda Sensing Ride, featuring radar-based rider assistance systems.
The parallel-twin engine grows from 1,084cc to 1,131cc, producing 119 hp at 7,500rpm and 119 Nm at 5,750rpm. This represents a 16.5% increase in peak power and an additional 7 Nm over the 2026 CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES, priced at RM99,888 in Malaysia.
The increase comes from a larger 94mm bore, revised intake system, cylinder head, valve timing and internal components. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission and Honda’s six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).
Six riding modes are available: Sport, Touring, Urban, Rain, Offroad and Offroad+. Riders can customise settings including engine power, engine braking and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). The chassis gets a new fuel sub-tank beneath the seat to lower the centre of gravity while the revised steel frame and aluminium swingarm are 1.4kg lighter combined.
Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (EERA) suspension is now standard, incorporating Honda Skyhook Control for automatic damping adjustment. The 49mm front forks offer 210mm of travel, while the rear Pro-Link suspension provides 200mm.
A new Minimum suspension setting lowers seat height by 5mm, with the standard seat adjustable between 830mm and 850mm. Braking comprises dual 310mm front discs with four-piston radial calipers and a 256mm rear disc. Electronically Controlled Combined ABS and Vehicle Hold Control are also fitted.
The Adventure Sports retains its 19-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels, with 110/80 front and 150/70 rear tyres. Fuel capacity is 24.2 litres, giving a claimed range of approximately 480km.
Styling updates include revised bodywork, dual LED headlights with cornering lights and daytime running lights, and an electrically adjustable windscreen with 130mm of travel. Honda has also revised the riding position and seat for improved long-distance comfort.
The cockpit combines a 5.7-inch vehicle information display with a seven-inch TFT touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB-C charging socket and a lockable smartphone compartment are included and standard equipment includes cruise control, heated grips, knuckle guards, an aluminium rear carrier and Honda Smart Key operation.
The new Africa Twin Adventure Sports Honda Sensing Ride is available exclusively with DCT. Its front and rear radar sensors enable adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, Group Ride Assist, Distance Assist and Emergency Brake Assist. Additional functions include forward and rear collision warnings, blind spot monitoring and rear distance information. The system can also flash the motorcycle’s indicators to warn following traffic of a potential collision.
Kerb weight is 245kg for the manual version, 255kg for the standard DCT and 256kg for the Honda Sensing Ride DCT. The 2027 CRF1150L Africa Twin Adventure Sports will be available in Pearl Glare White (Tricolour) and Mat Ballistic Black Metallic.
The new G50 BMW 3 Series was unveiled in September, and we were recently invited to the south of France to drive the latest version of the benchmark sports sedan, alongside its pure electric sibling, the i3. You’ll be able to know our thoughts on the two cars over the coming weeks, but until then let’s take a closer look at the combustion-engined version, in the 320 trim that will likely be the volume seller in Malaysia when it launches next year.
Radically restyled inside and out, the new 3 Series is nevertheless refreshingly familiar under the skin. It’s based on the same Cluster Architecture (CLAR) as the outgoing G20, albeit the second-generation version that also underpins the G60 5 Series and G70 7 Series.
The engines are also very similar to the old model, with the 320 (note the lack of the i suffix) utilising the ubiquitous 2.0 litre B48 turbo four-cylinder making 211 PS from 4,900 to 6,500 rpm and 330 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,400 rpm.
Those figures include the 11 PS/25 Nm 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator (BSG) that helps the midrange model surpass the 200 hp mark for the first time. However, the extra grunt is barely enough to make up for all the weight the G50 put on (the car is now over 200 kg heavier, at 1,680 kg), so the sprint from zero to 100 km/h continues to take 7.4 seconds.
While the 320 is the most powerful of the regular 3 Series variants in Europe, the US also receives a 330, the high-output engine of which continues to produce 258 PS from 4,700 to 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm.
Despite only being marginally more powerful than the 320 on paper, it’s a lot quicker, taking just 5.9 seconds to get to 60 mph (97 km/h); that figure, we should point out, is three tenths of a second slower than the old car. As yet, it’s unclear whether this rather popular model will make a return to Malaysia, or if it will be confined to North America.
Even quicker still is the M Performance model, the M350 xDrive. This replaces the M340i xDrive and continues to be powered by the sonorous 3.0 litre B58 turbo straight-six. Even on its lonesome, it’s significantly more powerful than the car it replaces, churning out 426 PS from 5,600 to 6,500 rpm and 540 Nm between 1,980 and 5,400 rpm.
But the B58 also benefits from a more powerful 18 PS/200 Nm integrated starter-generator (ISG) sandwiched between it and the standard eight-speed ZF auto, and the result is a heady total system output of 443 PS. As such, the all-wheel-drive M350 blitzes the century sprint in just 4.1 seconds, which is only two tenths slower than the rear-drive G80 M3 Competition.
At 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. 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.
Despite being built on a different platform and motivated by an entirely different power source, the new 3 Series looks nigh-on identical to the i3 – 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 its visually more compact electric sibling.
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 (not quite as muscled as the i3, despite 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.
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. 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 due to the embedding of the ambient lighting underneath. This looked horrific on the preview unit shown in March and continues to be the case on the production models.
Open the boot and you’ll find 450 litres of luggage space, which is actually 30 litres less than before; we’ll chalk that up to the presence of the mild hybrid battery. Still, that’s more than what you get in the i3, which musters a measly 420 litres.
The new 3 Series is the first to offer highly-automated city and highway driving functionality, although most countries (like ours) will only be available with the Driving Assistant Plus, delivering regular Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Aside from upgraded driver assists, the G50 also benefits from a significant chassis rework that includes a revised steering ratio, a brake-by-wire system and redesigned suspension.
PLUS users, take note. There will be temporary road diversions and stoppage of traffic from Sedenak to Simpang Renggam in Johor tonight. It’s for rock blasting works as part of the extra lane project on the E2 in the state.
The exact location of the work area on the North South Highway is KM50.3 to KM54.9 northbound and KM55.1 to KM50.9 southbound, with the actual rock blasting happening at KM53.6 northbound.
The diversion will be from 10pm tonight (November 3) till 5am tomorrow morning. This is for the preparation and clean-up works.
The actual rock blasting will happen from 1am to 1.30 am tomorrow (November 4), and traffic will be temporarily stopped during this period. This is to ensure safety for all when the blast happens, and the road will be reopened as soon as possible once clean up works and safety checks are complete, PLUS says.
Highway users are advised to plan their journey and follow the signs and crew at the work site. Drive safe.
