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smart #3 debuts in Malaysia – Pro, Premium, Brabus; up to 455 km range, 0-100 in 3.7s; open for booking
Here we go again, the smart #3. This time, we can show you the new EV in full as the media preview embargo lifts in conjunction with the car’s public debut and opening of order books at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, which opens for the press today at MAEPS.
We gave you a briefing on the the smart #3 last week, but here are the full specs and galleries for all three variants of the EV – Pro, Premium and Brabus. It looks very different, but the #3 is a sister to the smart #1, the first model of the reborn brand (now co-owned by Geely and Mercedes-Benz, with the latter in charge of design), which now exclusively sells EVs.
Like the #1, the #3 sits on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, which also underpins EVs under the Geely umbrella like the Zeekr X and Volvo EX30. At 4,400 mm long and 1,844 mm wide, the #3’s footprint is 130 mm longer and 22 mm wider than the #1, but it’s not all extra overhangs, as the 2,785 mm wheelbase is 35 mm longer than the #1’s.
But the most obvious stat is the #3’s lower roof – 1,556 mm is a substantial 80 mm less than the #1’s height, and the #3’s low and curved roofline defines the coupe SUV bodystyle (smart calls it ‘coupe fastback’). We’re familiar with SUV offshoots like the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe and BMW X4, but to these eyes, the #3 shape looks better as it’s much less tall – they very clearly didn’t just take a normal SUV and shave an angle off the back of the roof.
Emphasising that near-perfect curve of a roof (broken up by a small spoiler) is a small bridge connecting the daylight opening and the rear glass – this also creates the now de rigueur floating roof effect. smart says that the #3’s design ‘articulates muscle at no loss to sensibility and elegance’.
smart’s marketing collateral comes on strong with the Mercedes-Benz connection, but if you’re familiar with today’s Mercs, the ‘Styled by Mercedes-Benz’ bit is obvious, even more so here than on the #1. IMO, if Stuttgart’s own EQ SUVs were more fun and daring, they’d look like smart cars!
Full-width LEDs at both ends aren’t super unique these days, but flush door handles, frameless windows and an illuminated logo – all of which are also on the #1 – are premium/surprising design highlights. The latter has moved from the #1’s rear pillar to the #’3 front wing. The boot release button is neatly hidden into the ‘a’ of the logo, and there are smart logos as welcome lights.
By the way, the #3 looks more aerodynamic than the #1 and it actually is more slippery – Cd is 0.27 versus 0.29 for the taller car. Which brings us to slight gains in range and acceleration.
Variants and powertrains mirror the #1. The Pro and Premium have a rear-mounted electric motor producing 272 PS (200 kW) and 343 Nm of torque, good for a 0-100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds. Top speed is capped at 180 km/h. The Brabus adds on a front motor to make it AWD, and the setup offers 428 PS (315 kW) and 543 Nm – this reduces the 0-100 km/h sprint time down to 3.7 seconds, a tenth quicker than the #1 Brabus. There’s a ‘Rocket’ launch mode.
In the base Pro’s floorpan is a 49 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, good for a quoted WLTP range of 325 km, 10 km more than the equivalent #1. Both the Premium and Brabus get a 66 kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NMC) battery, which provides 455 km of claimed range for the Premium and up to 415 km for the dual-motor Brabus. Both WLTP range figures are 15 km more than the corresponding #1.
Charging is a smart trump card. There’s always plenty of focus on DC fast charging, but an EV’s primary source of juice is AC, and the #1 stands out in the field with a 22 kW AC onboard charger. For context, Chinese EVs typically max out at 7 kW, while premium brand EVs like the Mercedes-Benz EQA and BMW iX1 suck 11 kW, as per all Tesla and Hyundai EVs.
With 22 kW AC and a compatible source, going from 10-80% SoC takes just three hours. This means that you can have a long lunch break or rest time at home and when you’re done, your smart is replenished, all without paying DC rates. While EVs are typically left to charge overnight, the smart’s high AC rate gives owners more flexibility, including the option to pick AC over DC when on the move.
Of the EVs currently sold in Malaysia, only the ’55 quattro’ variants of the Audi Q8 e-tron/e-tron GT and the Porsche Taycan support 22 kW AC, so the smart’s charging game is strong. As for DC, 150 kW is nearly double the rate of the EV SUVs from BYD and Chery, and beats the EQA (100 kW) and iX1 (130 kW). smart claims 10-80% SoC in 30 minutes.
However, these stats are for the Premium and Brabus – the Pro does 7.4 kW AC/130 kW DC. By the way, the #3 gets an extra, milder level of energy regeneration for those who want a smoother drive with less ‘engine braking’ feel.
On the topic of charging, smart’s navigation function has charger locations from the top CPOs in Malaysia, covering 70% of charge points in the country. This is also found in the Hello smart app, which you can use to pay for charging via debit/credit card, keeping everything in-house.
We move on to the #3’s interior, which at is glance is identical to that of the #1. But look closely and you’ll find that the #1’s pill shaped centre AC vents have been swapped for three circular vents, which doubles down on the Mercedes-Benz feel. The front seats are completely different from the pair in the #1 – the integrated headrests are prominent, there’s a smart logo on the backs, there’s more support, and you’ll find little rivets on the surface.
Other differences include grooves on the lid of the glove box cubby, and the lack of a blind (electric on the #1) for the panoramic ‘halo’ glass roof, which smart says has a hollow silver coating that blocks 99% of UV rays and improves heat insulation efficiency. Whether this is strong enough for our climate remains to be seen; a manual clip-on sunshade exists, although we’re not certain if this accessory will be made available.
Two ‘cute’ details on the #1 have been swapped for ‘sportier’ items – the gloss white trim in the non-Brabus #1 is now a gunmetal-like grey, and the fox that lives in the UI is now a cheetah. These, plus the turbine-style AC vents make the #3’s cabin more universal in appeal.
The equipment list for the variants mirror that of the #1. The entry-level Pro gets a panoramic glass roof, ‘CyberSpark’ LED headlamps, a 12.8-inch central screen, 9.2-inch instrument cluster, powered front seats with heating, single-zone climate control, electric flush door handles, powered tailgate and 19-inch ‘Flux’ wheels with 245/45 tyres.
The Premium adds on niceties like adaptive highbeam assist for the LED headlamps, a 10-inch head-up display, a thumping 13-speaker Beats sound system, Automatic Parking Assistant (APA), a kick sensor for the auto tailgate, ambient lighting and distinctive ‘Torque’ rims in the same 19-inch size as the Pro.
Pro buyers get to choose between Digital White and Meta Black. The white is also available for the Premium, but you’ll also get to oft for interesting tones such as Ceramic Cream, Future Green, Electron Blue (matte), Cyber Silver and Quantum Blue. The interior can be had in black, grey or brown.
The high-performance Brabus model is the Photon Orange car you see here, and it adds on 20-inch ‘Synchro’ wheels (245/40 tyres) with red brake calipers, a slightly more prominent rear spoiler, Brabus badging around the lower body, a slit above the front smart logo, aluminium sports pedals, microfibre suede seats with red seatbelts, Alcantara wrap on the steering wheel (illuminated Brabus logo instead of smart), two B logos on the headrests (front and back) and black headlining for an all-black cabin.
If the Brabus’ signature orange is too loud for you, have it in matte Atom Grey (red roof optional), Meta Black (red roof) or Digital White (black roof). Last but definitely not least is the (passive) sport suspension with a more dynamic tune.
As mentioned, the smart #3 is now open for booking. Expect the #3 to be slightly pricier than the #1, which by the way gets a new and lowered RRP of RM169k for the Pro (RM20k less) and RM209k for the Premium (RM10k less). So, what do you think of the #3’s looks and package? For more, read our first impressions of the #3 and review of the #1, which we think is a good landing point for those coming from premium ICE cars.
GALLERY: smart #3 Brabus
GALLERY: smart #3 Premium
GALLERY: smart #3 Pro
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Proton S70 R3 Malaysian Touring Car for S1K: bodykit, carbon rear wing, to use NA version of 1.5L 3-cylinder?
Also revealed at the Proton stand at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 is the S70 R3 Malaysian Touring Car, the national carmaker’s first all-new race car since the Saga in 2019. It’s also the first to be built on a Geely-based model and will compete at the Sepang 1,000 km (S1K) endurance race for the first time since that year.
The S70 race car will debut a new aero package, which appears to be based on the bodykit currently offered as an option (and fitted to the first 3,000 units of the range-topping Flagship X), along with a large carbon fibre rear wing. It also rides on 15-inch Raxer RP10X flow-formed alloy wheels wrapped in Hankook Ventus TD semi-slick tyres.
If it appears that the car you see here is simply a kitted-up Flagship with R3’s signature black and yellow graphics, you’re absolutely right – it’s missing the regulation roll cage, stripped-out cabin and larger track-biased brakes, and it still sports the ADAS windscreen-mounted camera that is obviously not necessary for racing.
So it’s no surprise that technical details are thin on the ground. The retail S70 uses a 1.5 litre port-injected turbocharged three-cylinder engine that pushes out 150 PS and 226 Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. However, there will be some changes necessitated by regulations and the punishing nature of racing.
The S1K race uses Malaysian Touring Car (MTC) regulations comparable to the M-Production (Modified) category of the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS), which forbids the use of forced induction. This means Proton will have to remove the turbo from the three-pot and modify it for race use – likely with increased stroke to bump up the engine capacity to the 1,600 cc limit.
The alternative would be to use the 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-pot from the S70’s donor car, the Geely Emgrand; in China, this engine makes 114 PS and 147 Nm. The DCT will also have to be swapped out for a hardier race gearbox, likely a sequential unit.
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BMW i5 M60 launched in Malaysia – up to 601 PS, 0-100 km/h 3.8 secs, up to 516 km range, RM480k est
Six months after the launch of the regular BMW i5 comes the high-output M Performance variant, the i5 M60 xDrive. Sporting double the driven wheels and almost double the horsepower, this more potent model fleshes out the G60 5 Series range alongside the also-new 520i petrol.
Being that it’s more powerful than the standard eDrive40, it’s no surprise that the M60 is quite a bit dearer, with an estimated price of RM480,000, around RM80,000 more than the eDrive40. This includes the optional five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and five years of scheduled maintenance.
The M60 retains the eDrive40’s 340 PS (250 kW) rear electric motor but throws in a second 261 PS (192 kW) front motor for a total system output of 517 PS (380 kW) and 795 Nm of torque. That’s in normal driving – you can access significantly more power by selecting Sport mode and activating either M Sport Boost (accessed by pulling on the “Boost” steering paddle) or M Launch Control, which dial the powertrain to 11.
Here, the motors produce a sum total of 601 PS (442 kW) and 820 Nm, flinging the M60 from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 230 km/h. Meanwhile, an 83.9 kWh battery delivers a claimed range of between 455 and 516 km of WLTP-rated range; given the high specs and the fitment of the largest available wheels, expect the range of the Malaysian-spec model to trend towards the lower end.
As per the eDrive40, the M60 can support up to 205 kW of DC fast charging, taking 34 minutes to top up the battery from zero to 80% and delivering up to 156 km of range every ten minutes. It can also accept up to 22 kW of AC charging power – something first added to the eDrive40 earlier this year – to provide a full charge in 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Power isn’t all that makes an M Performance model, so of course there are a few chassis upgrades as well. In Malaysia, the car comes as standard with the top-dog Adaptive M Suspension Professional, which not only adds M-tuned dampers but also introduces 48-volt active roll stabilisation (with an Active Roll Comfort function that keeps the car level over uneven surfaces) and rear-wheel steering.
On the outside, the M60 initially looks very similar to the eDrive40, wearing that car’s M Sport bodykit. But extra M badging and some subtle tweaks help a discerning eye to differentiate it, including a more open double kidney grille (still with the illuminated Iconic Glow surrounds) and distinctive M dual-arm door mirrors.
Added to that is the M Sport Pro package, adding a gloss black grille and door mirrors on top of the usual window trim, plus black M Shadow Line adaptive LED headlights, darkened taillights and a boot lid lip spoiler. Red M Sport brakes hide behind 21-inch BMW Individual style 954 two-tone alloy wheels – the same ones fitted to the eDrive40 before being deleted earlier in the year (presumably to make space for this car).
Inside, the M60 continues to feature the Live Cockpit Professional, outfitting the curved widescreen display with a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and a head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto of course comes as standard, as does an 18-speaker, 655-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
In terms of safety, the M60 is fitted with the Driving Assistant Professional package, adding autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention, front and rear cross traffic alert with auto brake, emergency lane assist and emergency stop assist. You also get the Parking Assistant Plus with a 360-degree camera and Remote 3D View.
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Proton X50 R3 Lite Accessories Package – sportier wheels, bodykit, Premium and Flagship only, RM7.5k
Good morning, everyone! We’re at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, where Proton has released a new R3 Lite Accessories Package for the X50. Consisting of new wheels, exterior graphics and copious amounts of R3 badges, the pack brings much of last year’s R3 20th Anniversary Edition (which was limited to just 200 units) to a wider audience.
Exclusive to the RM101,800 Premium and RM113,300 Flagship variants of the B-segment SUV, the pack costs RM7,500 and is made available in limited quantities, offered on a first come, first served basis. Aside from the deletion of the matte black wrap, it is essentially identical to last year’s special edition.
On the outside, buyers will receive a bodykit consisting of a deeper front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser extension (here all finished in matte grey instead of yellow), as well as the “S” rear spoiler offered on the Geely Binyue/Coolray. You also get spindly 18-inch black lightweight alloy wheels, an R3 grille badge and an R3 Limited Edition rear badge, while a black and red bonnet stripe completes the look.
Inside, you’ll find an R3 embroidered headrest, along with an R3 Limited Edition dashboard badge and R3 carpets. No changes to the mechanicals, so the 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine (which produces 150 PS/226 Nm in the Premium and 177 PS/255 Nm in direct-injected Flagship TGDi form), seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension are unmolested.
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Motorcyclists crash while fleeing roadblock, two dead, one injured – serious offence, please stop doing this
Sobering news today as The Star reported a group of motorcyclists crashing while fleeing a police roadblock in Sandakan. Two men involved in the accident were killed while another was seriously injured, said Sandakan OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Fuad Abd Malek.
“We were conducting an Ops Samseng at Mile 16, Jalan Kuari 3 in the Gum-Gum area of Sandakan between 3pm on Sunday [May 19] and 2am on Monday [May 20],” he said in a statement, adding that the three riders crashed into each other as the group was evading the roadblock at around 5:30pm yesterday.
Fuad said a total of 105 vehicles were inspected during the operation, including 75 motorcycles. The police issued 31 summonses for various offences, including driving without a licence, not possessing driver’s insurance policies, and exhaust modifications. It also seized 60 motorcycles and 16 cars for inspection and further investigation, while five people tested positive for drugs and would also be investigated.
It goes without saying that evading or ramming through a roadblock is a serious offence that severely increases the risk of accidents, not only risking their lives but also those of police officers and other road users at the scene. The police has reminded motorists previously, saying that the dangers far outweigh the supposed “benefits” of running from the arm of the law.
“The inspection is to track offences by motorists. The routine is not referring to criminal cases and there’s no need to run away. We fear that when they escape from roadblocks, they will face even bigger risks such as being hit by other vehicles or crashing into police personnel,” said then-traffic investigation and enforcement department (JSPT) Bukit Aman director Datuk Mat Kasim Karim.
Mat Kasim said evaders can be charged under the Police Act 1967 and Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant from discharging his functions, in addition to Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 (reckless and dangerous driving). “Action can also be taken under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder, depending on the case situation,” he added.
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Malaysia drops its plan to host Formula E race
Malaysia has dropped plans to host the final race in the Formula E world championship after local partner Sports Tech Holdings and Formula E failed to agree on the financial aspects to hold the race. The country was scheduled to begin the electric single-seater racing championship’s season-ending race annually from next year until 2030 after Sports Tech secured the rights for the event earlier this year.
According to Sports Tech, negotiations failed due to a huge rise in the rights fee and an unexpected escalation in commercial charges following its decision to move the venue from a city circuit in Kuala Lumpur to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC). While Formula E was keen on holding the event to its expectations in KL, Sports Tech chose SIC due to technical challenges on the street circuit in the city, FMT reports.
Sports Tech CEO Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said that the costs of holding the race were too high, while the potential returns were limited. “Our decision to step back from this opportunity stems from differences in expectations regarding the event’s scope and financial framework. The economic conditions and the scale of investment required did not align seamlessly with our strategic priorities or financial planning,” he said.
“The new race fees are beyond our financial capacity, and we did not want to financially burden the government. If there is no economic value, why should we continue?” he added. Wan Agyl did not disclose the amount sought by Formula E as that could not be shared under a non-disclosure agreement between both parties.
It was projected that the Malaysian round of the championship could inject some RM157.5 million into the local economy through visitor spending and create over 10,000 jobs. It was also forecast that the event could contribute RM6.73 billion to the country’s economy over the next decade.
The country has previously hosted Formula E races – in 2014 and 2015, it ran the Putrajaya ePrix at a specially designed street circuit in the administrative capital.
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Police arrest 10 men, five women following viral video of cooking with portable stoves at petrol station
Following the circulation of a video on social media depicting a group who were cooking with portable stoves while gathered at a petrol station in Genting Highlands, Pahang, police have arrested 15 individuals, comprised of 10 men and five women, after they presented themselves at the Bentong district police station, according to a report by Harian Metro.
The individuals were released on police bail after they had their statements recorded, said Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman. “The investigation papers are being completed, and statements from four witnesses have been recorded to assist with the investigation. We will also refer the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor for further instruction,” Yahaya said.
The police received a report on May 14 on the incident after the viral video clip was uploaded on May 13, and the case was being investigated under Section 268 of the Penal Code for public nuisance, and Section 336 of the Penal Code for endangering life or the personal safety of others.
“The move taken after police received information and complaints that the location is often the focus of vehicle owners gathering and doing activities which disturb public order, and other motorists who pass through the location,” said Bentong OCPD Supt Zaiham Mohd Kahar last week, when the police began investigating the cookout session that was recorded.
Macam mana diorang ni boleh terfikir nak pasang stove dekat stesen minyak? 😰 pic.twitter.com/BvBr5h8It9
— 🇲🇾 (@localrkyt) May 12, 2024
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Proton EV brand naming contest – guess the name of the Geely Galaxy E5-based model and win up to RM5k
This just in – Proton New Energy Technology (Pro-Net) has announced a naming contest for the highly-anticipated Proton electric vehicle. This is the most public indication that the national carmaker’s first EV is coming, expected to be launched next year.
Specifically, the contest will enable participants to guess the brand name of the car, hinting that the latter will be parked under a new sub-brand, similar to Geely’s Galaxy range of electrified vehicles. The fact that Pro-Net (and not Proton itself) is the one organising the competition also suggests that the car will be sold through the subsidiary’s dealer network, which makes sense given its electric powertrain.
As for the teaser itself, the outline drawing shown above is a tacit confirmation that new Proton EV will be based on the Geely Galaxy E5, revealed earlier this month – that car’s roof rails and slim headlights are visible in the image. The E5 was already widely touted to be the donor car, given that it has reportedly been developed with right-hand-drive markets in mind.
The E5 is based on the new Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture (GEA), itself a development of the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), supporting not just pure electric vehicles but also range extender, plug-in hybrid and methanol technologies. It is also claimed to be the world’s first “AI digital chassis,” integrating the powertrain, chassis and driver assistance technologies.
Larger than the X70, the E5 is a C-segment SUV that measures 4,615 mm long, 1,901 mm wide, 1,670 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. Technical details have yet to be revealed, but reports suggest the car will be powered by a single motor producing 218 PS (160 kW) to enable a top speed of 175 km/h, paired with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
Features include a widescreen digital instrument display, a large infotainment touchscreen and an in-house developed Flyme Sound system. An 800-volt electrical architecture is also tipped to be included, as per the E8 sedan, enabling higher charging speeds.
Interested participants can take part in the contest by filling out a registration form, inputting their guess of the brand name and match images to the order of the given statements. You’ll then be entered for a chance to win a grand price of RM5,000 cash, along with RM1,500 for second, RM1,000 for third and RM100 for the other top-five entries. The contest ends June 5.
“This contest isn’t just about naming a brand; it’s about inviting Malaysians to be integral participants in shaping the future of mobility. Proton is grateful for the support we received from Malaysians over the past 41 years and aims to embark on this EV journey with people at the forefront of its vision,” said Pro-Net CEO Zhang Qiang.
GALLERY: Geely Galaxy E5
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Tesla Model Y RWD “ready stock” inventory get 0.78% hire purchase interest rate promo in Malaysia
After getting a RM8k price cut last month, Tesla Malaysia has upped its offer for the Tesla Model Y RWD by offering a 0.78% interest rate hire purchase promo. This only applies for “ready stock” inventory which means you must take one of the cars listed on the inventory page, and not for custom spec orders.
Other than buying one of the ready stock cars, to qualify for the 0.78% interest you must pay a 20% downpayment and go for a 60 month (5 year) loan. Based on a quick calculation with our car loan calculator, this should result in a monthly payment of around RM2,645.
This 0.78% promo expires June 30 2024 or while ready stocks last.
The Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive does 513 km on a full charge and despite having just one rear motor it is no slouch – the 100 km/h sprint can be done in 6.9 seconds.
We’ve driven the base Tesla Model Y SR RWD in Malaysia – check out our quick first impressions by watching the video below! You have to ignore the pricing in the video as it was recorded before the recent price cut in April 2024.
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2024 Volkswagen Golf R CKD now on sale in Malaysia – 320 PS/400 Nm, R Performance package, RM334k
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced that the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R is finally on sale in the country, at a retail price of RM334,012 on-the-road without insurance. The price does however come with a Volkswagen Assurance Package (VAP), which provides owners with a five-year maintenance and five-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as five years of roadside assistance; without it, the car costs RM317,434.
The CKD version makes its debut nine months after it was first previewed here, and does so with the kit as specified then. As mentioned previously, it’s locally assembled in Pekan, making it the first time the flagship Golf variant has been assembled outside of Germany. The car first made its way on to the local scene in CBU form back in 2022.
The CKD model comes with a R Performance package as standard, and this is made up of an Akrapovic titanium exhaust, a rear spoiler, 19-inch ‘Estoril’ alloy wheels with 235/35R19 tyres as well as Drift and Special drive modes. The latter joins the existing selection of Comfort, Sport, Race, and Individual available for the car.
Standard fit items include a sports suspension, full automatic LED headlights, LED DRLs and tail lights, keyless entry with push-button ignition and a rear view camera with front and rear parking sensors. Meanwhile, the interior kit list includes a 10-inch Discover Pro system, a 10-speaker, 480 watt Harman Kardon sound system and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Also to be found is three-zone air-conditioning, active climate front seats (with electric adjustment and lumbar adjustment for the driver), a multi-function leather sports steering wheel with shift paddles, a head-up display and ambient lighting with five preset themes.
Power continues to be provided by an EA888 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol inline-four cylinder TSI engine offering 320 PS at 5,600 to 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque, available from 2,000 to 5,600 rpm.
Drive is transmitted to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel-drive, and it’s all good enough to haul the R to 100 km/h from standstill in 4.8 seconds on to an electronically-controlled 250 km/h top speed.
Safety and driver assistance equipment includes seven airbags (front, front side, curtain and one centre) and IQ.Drive, which brings Travel Assist with adaptive cruise control (ACC), side assist with rear cross traffic alert, front assist, emergency assist, and lane assist.
GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R CKD, 2023 preview
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Ferrari Owners Club Malaysia sets record for largest gathering of Ferrari cars in Malaysia with 297 cars
The Ferrari Owners Club Malaysia (FOCM) gathered owners of Ferrari vehicles from within Malaysia and beyond for a mass gathering in Kuala Lumpur last weekend on May 18 for the FOCM Festival 2024.
Here, a total of 297 Ferraris were gathered for an official count, earning the club a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest gathering of Ferrari cars in a single event. The accolade was received by FOCM president Abu Rizal Bakri and Ital Auto Malaysia executive director Zahir Kelvin Ong.
A broad range of models from the Italian supercar marque were in attendance, from earlier models such as the Ferrari 308 GTS, 328 GTB, Dino, F355 Berlinetta and 360 Modena, onwards to more modern machinery such as the 458 Italia, SF90 Stradale and even a halo model that is the LaFerrari Aperta.
Ital Auto Malaysia took over the role of official importer and distributor for Ferrari cars in Malaysia in November 2023, which was announced alongside the Malaysian market arrival of the Ferrari Purosangue and the Roma Spider.
The first Ital Auto Malaysia showroom is located at the Shoppes in Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur, and is complemented by a service centre in Glenmarie. A new, ground-up 3S facility is in the works, and is expected to be ready in 2025 at its earliest.
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Do not add ornaments to steering wheel, dashboard; objects become projectiles when airbags deploy
Supplementary restraint systems, more commonly known as airbags, provide a layer of safety for occupants in a vehicle when a crash is unavoidable. These work by rapidly inflating bags upon detection of a collision in order to cushion the occupants before they collide with the interior surfaces of the vehicle.
Decorative pieces added to the interior of vehicles can however severely compromise the performance of these functions, and along with them, the safety of the vehicle’s occupants. As shown by a TikTok user in a video that appears to be recorded in North America, injury can result from these ornaments when placed where the vehicle’s airbags are located.
As shown in the video, the vehicle driver described the location of the ornaments as being located on the airbag housing, and the deployed airbags propelled parts of the ornaments with enough force to pierce the car’s interior door card, while the vehicle driver herself sustained injury on her leg.
Suffice to say, it could have been a lot worse, as the steering wheel airbag is located at the driver’s chest height. This would serve well as a reminder to not have ornaments placed on one’s vehicle dashboard, no matter how secure it may appear to be. While the driver in the video may appear to have sustained minor injuries, others may not be so fortunate.
@bcandy22 Imagine how much worse this cluld have been. I still dont know where the other piece went 🥺 #dangerous#crash #hurt #carcrash #safe#lucky #caraccessories #drivesafe ♬ original sound – Bcandi @bcandy22 Replying to @Kybear this is the only video i could find that you could see it. #carbling #accident #wreck #hurt #carwreck #crash ♬ bando – sped up + reverb – bbygirl -
Upgrade of federal road FT3210 in Hulu Langat by mid-2026 to benefit 52,000 road users daily – Nanta
When it is completed sometime in the middle of 2026, the upgrading of federal road FT3210 from Jalan Dato Alias to the Batu 9 intersection in Hulu Langat is expected to benefit 52,000 road users daily, Bernama reports.
According to works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the RM123.66 million upgrading project was initially scheduled for completion in 2025, but this has been extended due to land acquisition and utility relocation issues.
The project, which was approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan, is aimed at easing traffic congestion, especially during peak hours, from Hulu Langat towards Kuala Lumpur. “This aims to reduce congestion and ensure the comfort and safety of users because this area is developing, and the existing road can no longer accommodate the increasing traffic,” the works minister said.
Work being carried out under the project, which began on Aug 6, 2021, includes upgrading the road starting from the Taman Suntex junction for one kilometre and another kilometre from the Batu 9 intersection to the Jalan Dato Alias intersection.
Part of the upgrading works, which will transform the single two-lane road into a dual-carriageway with four lanes, includes constructing a two-lane one-way flyover from Hulu Langat to Cheras and replacing the Sungai Sering bridge.
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RM1.2 million in subsidised diesel smuggled daily via foreign vehicles across Bukit Kayu Hitam border: JPJ
An estimated RM1.2 million in subsidised diesel is leaked through smuggling across the Bukit Kayu Hitam immigration, customs, quarantine and security (ICQS) complex using foreign-registered vehicles, Bernama has reported.
This has been detected by the road transport department (JPJ) after confiscating 18 different types of vehicles under Op Tangki in Kuala Muda, Kota Setar and the ICQS complex from May 15 to 19, said JPJ deputy director general for planning and operation Aedy Fadly Ramli.
The subsidised diesel from Malaysia was being smuggled using vehicles such as pick-up trucks and lorries modified to carry an additional tank, said Aedy Fadly. “During the operation, we discovered that the foreign vehicles had modified the tanks to smuggle diesel into neighbouring countries. These smugglers make four to five daily trips to take the diesel across the border,” he said.
The road transport department will be stepping up its operations to continue identifying the vehicles involved in order to prevent further losses suffered by the country from subsidised diesel leakage, he continued.
“Starting this week, we will hold nationwide operations. We have received instructions from the highest level of the Transport Ministry to carry out the operation to curb the smuggling of subsidised diesel,” the JPJ deputy director general for planning and operation said.
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Nissan Kicks e-Power to be shown at Malaysia Autoshow 2024, previewing hybrid powertrain?
Just a few days to go until the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, and one of the brands set to be present, Nissan, has teased its lineup for its display. Distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) appears to be rolling out a few of its current models, including the C27 Serena J Impul (no, not the new C28), Almera Kuro Edition (no, not the facelift) and an extremely rugged version of the Navara.
But there’s one other car that will be shown at the event, and the not-very-well-disguised teaser indicates that it will be the Kicks e-Power. The B-segment crossover – which competes against the Honda HR-V in other markets – will be showing off its hybrid powertrain, which functions in a similar fashion to Honda’s Intelligent Multi-mode Drive (i-MMD) system found in its e:HEV models.
In the Kicks, the hybrid system is centred around a 129 PS/260 Nm, which derives its electricity from a 1.57 kWh battery. The latter is juiced by a 79 PS/103 Nm 1.2 litre HR12DE three-cylinder petrol engine that functions solely as a generator. Unlike Honda’s version, there’s no lock-up clutch to enable the ICE to drive the wheels directly.
It’s tempting to treat this as a sign the Kicks will finally be sold in Malaysia very soon – after all, its arrival was telegraphed as early as 2022. But the ship has very much sailed on that one, not least because there’s an all-new model now being sold in the US.
Instead, the Kicks will likely serve as a teaser for another model with e-Power technology – similar to how the Note e-Power was shown at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) back in 2018 to gauge public interest.
Nissan’s e-Power technology will likely make its debut in the new C28 Serena This yet-to-be-confirmed model is anticipated to be the C28 Serena. The MPV, which made its debut back in 2022, is no longer available in mild S-Hybrid form, hitherto the only powertrain option for the C26 and C27 Serena in Malaysia.
The sole electrified version instead uses a more powerful 163 PS/315 Nm electric motor and a larger 98 PS/123 Nm 1.4 litre HR14DDe direct-injected three-pot generator. The car has already been seen undergoing testing locally and hence is long overdue for its Malaysian launch.
GALLERY: Nissan Kicks e-Power
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