Motor vehicles

Five note-worthy features we discovered in the Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD

May 16, 2022 By Keith Leave a Comment

A really good article about Malaysia.

Lexus Malaysia has officially put the all-new Lexus NX on sale in Malaysia, after opening its order books at the end of April. The Lexus NX is available in two variants; the NX250 Luxury from RM370,888 and the NX350 F Sport from RM389,888. Both prices are on-the-road without insurance, excluding SST exemptions.

In its press release, Lexus highlighted that the all-new SUV consists of 95% new components, and since we’ve seen it (only the NX350 F Sport) in person, here are some of the highlights of the new SUV we thought are worth sharing.

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Engine and Transmission

The NX350 F Sport model gets a more powerful 2.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine compared to the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine in the NX250 Luxury. Both may come with AWD and an 8-speed automatic but the NX350 produces far more power, with 275 hp and 430 Nm compared to the 204 hp and 243 Nm in the NX250 Luxury.

At the Sepang International Circuit, where we got to test mainly the SUV’s performance and cornering stability, it was clear how different the Lexus NX was in terms of acceleration compared to its German competitors.

Unlike the German SUVs fitted with turbocharged engines, with a (potent) forward surge when the turbo kicks in, the Lexus NX350 F Sport accelerated in a more progressive fashion even though it had far more torque than most 2.0-litre turbocharged German SUVs. The way it delivered its power felt more like an SUV with a big displacement, non-turbocharged engine…you almost can’t feel the turbo kicking in and that was what Lexus was aiming to deliver.

Electronically Controlled Full-Time AWD

Of the two variants, only the NX350 F-Sport comes with an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system that can distribute power between the front and rear wheels from 75:25 to 50:50 to offer different driving sensations and assurance depending on the road condition. Also, only the NX350 F Sport comes with Sport+ mode which sharpens the SUV even more; mainly the suspension and throttle response.

Adaptive Variable Suspension

Another item reserved only for the F Sport variant is the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system that offers sharper handling, and better stability with reduced body roll, which is especially obvious through the corners. The suspension setup varies according to the drive mode selected and has had a significant effect on the NX350’s driving feel when we drove the SUV through a slalom course at the Sepang Circuit.

In Comfort mode, body roll was more apparent but at the same speed, in Sport Mode, there was noticeably less body roll while the steering and throttle felt more responsive and engaging.

F-Sport goodies

With the striking new design of the Lexus NX – with more pronounced creases and arches than before – we thought the F Sport trim really allowed the SUV to pop. Opting for the NX350 F Sport allows you to stand out further with an F Sport Spindle grille with interlocking L-mesh design, Jet Black side mirrors, and roof rails, along with body-coloured wheel arch trims.

Inside, you’d first be greeted with F Sport seats which are not only pleasing to look at but were also very supportive as we have experienced when driving the SUV around the bends of Sepang Circuit. Other F Sport-specific items include the pedals, door sills, and an F Sport steering wheel. Also available exclusively in the F-Sport variant is the progressive rev meter upon selecting Sport+ mode.

L-shaped Daytime Running Lights

While we may not have considered the previous NX to be an eye-sore, it would take some convincing to call it good-looking. With the new NX, they’ve sharpened everything up and now, it’s extremely hard to not go “Wow!” but that’s not all.

Exterior design and F Sport items aside, Lexus has also taught the daytime running lights a new trick to give the SUV a little more character. Now, the DRLs get brighter upon acceleration and dims down when the SUV slows down, giving a sense of the Lexus NX ‘coming to life’.

e-Latch door opening system

The Lexus NX debuts the new e-Latch door opening system that eliminates the conventional 2-step motion of unlocking and opening the doors. Instead of pulling the door handle from the inside or out to unlock the door, and subsequently pushing/pulling the doors open, the new system incorporates a switch on both ends of the door handles to unlock and open the doors in a single motion. The e-Latch system is also supported by a manual door lever mechanism to open the doors in case the e-Latch system fails.

More images of the Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD here!

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2022 All-new Lexus NX open for booking, NX 250 and NX 350 from RM370k

April 28, 2022 By Keith Leave a Comment

An interesting post about Malaysia.

Lexus Malaysia has announced that the all-new second-generation NX SUV is now available for booking. Prices start from RM370,888 for the NX 250 Luxury while the NX 350 F Sport starts from RM389,888 on-the-road without insurance, and includes SST exemptions.

The NX 250 is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine with 204 hp and 243 Nm, while the more powerful NX 350 F Sport gets a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 275 hp and 430 Nm.

Both are fitted with 8-speed automatic transmissions, that feature Artificial Intelligence shift control. The system uses a camera to scan the road ahead, ensuring that the car is always in the right gear depending on the driving condition.

While it may be front-wheel drive most of the time, the Lexus NX can switch to all-wheel drive using the electronically-controlled AWD system to split power between the front and rear wheels. Lexus says the system reduces understeer and oversteer.

The Lexus NX rides on the new Lexus Global Architecture (GA-K) platform that offers 30% more rigidity over the previous generation, for better handling and stability through the corners. Over 95% of the Lexus NX consists of completely new components.

Inside, the Lexus NX come with far lesser physical controls, reserved only for frequently-used features. Specifications are yet to be revealed except for the 14-inch infotainment display, a head-up display, Apple Car and Android Auto features.

Safety features are provided by the Lexus Safety System Plus (LSS+), that comes with autonomous emergency braking that detects pedestrians and bicyclists, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, adaptive high beam, a panoramic view monitor and more.

Among the highlights of the new Lexus NX is the e-latch door opener, that replaces the traditional two-step motion to open the doors from the inside – pulling the handle and pushing the door outwards. With the e-latch feature, passengers simply need to push a button to open doors from the inside in a single action.

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TC Subaru introduces new “Drive Now, Pay Later” campaign for the Forester

October 19, 2021 By Keith Leave a Comment

An interesting article about Malaysia.

Need a little push on getting that AWD Subaru Forester? There’s a solid reason now as TC Subaru, distributor of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia has announced the new “Drive Now, Pay Later” programme.

The programme was launched in collaboration with Maybank and is exclusive to the bank’s customers.

TC Subaru launches online booking service for XV and Forester. Check it out here!

There are a total of six variants for the all-wheel drive SUV, ranging from the GT Lite Edition at RM 163,788 to the Forester 2.0i-S Eyesight GT Edition priced at RM177,788. The on-going campaign ends on the 31st December 2021.

Subaru Forester facelift revealed in Japan – what happened to those “eyes”? Check it out here!

Following are the different variants of the Forester:

• 2.0i-L GT Lite Edition
• 2.0i-S
• 2.0i-S GT Lite Edition
• 2.0i-S Eyesight
• 2.0i-S Eyesight GT Lite Edition
• F2.0i-S Eyesight GT Edition

Eligible customers will not need to pay their loan installments for 15 months upon receiving their new SUV. Each Forester bought through the campaign comes with a 5-year warranty and a complimentary Subaru Eco Sterilising In-Cabin 3D spray service worth RM1,200.

Customers who purchase a new Forester can trade-in their old vehicles through TC Subaru’s Special Trade-In Assist programme for added value. The campaign applies to selected model year units, while stocks last.

Video: Subaru Forester GT Lite Edition – Five Things You Need To Know. Watch it here!

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Volkswagen adds yet another new electric SUV to its lineup, the ID.5 GTX

August 9, 2021 By Keith Leave a Comment

An informative article about Malaysia.

Whether you’ve been keeping an eye on them or not, it’s getting harder to keep track of what’s what with Volkswagen’s new wave of electric cars, and yet there’s a new one – the ID.5 GTX – in near-production form.

The ID.5 GTX is Volkswagen’s first-ever all-electric SUV Coupe and is set to make its international exhibition early next month at the IAA Munich Motor Show.

With the ride height of an SUV and the silloutte of a coupe, the ID.5 GTX is Volkswagen’s electric answer to the likes of BMW’s X4, and Mercedes-Benz’ GLC. So far, Volkswagen’s German counterparts only have electric SUVs like the EQB, EQC and the iX3 from BMW.

The GTX name represents Volkswagen’s new athleticism, with plenty of performance. The ID.5 GTX will get an electric motor each to drive the front and rear wheels, with up to 497 km of electric driving range.

When the ID.5 GTX arrives at showrooms next year, it will be the second model from the sporty GTX following the ID.4 GTX. The ID.5 GTX is the first SUV coupé based on the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) and will be able to receive over-the-air software updates.

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Facts & Figures: Hyundai Kona N Line, 1.6 Turbo launched in Malaysia, from RM147k

August 2, 2021 By Keith Leave a Comment

A really good article on Malaysia.

Following the launch of the facelifted Kona in April this year, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has now introduced two additional variants to the model line-up here in Malaysia, in the form of the Kona 1.6 Turbo and 1.6 Turbo N Line. The Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo is priced at RM146,888, while the 1.6 Turbo N Line […]

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Geely Bin Yue facelift unveiled in China – Proton X50 cousin gets aggressive new look!

July 27, 2021 By Keith Leave a Comment

A great article on Penang.

Proton X50‘s Chinese cousin, the Geely Bin Yue, has just been given a facelift makeover in the country, with a fresh new aggressive exterior design befitting of its nickname “Chinese Artillery”.

Called simply as the “New Bin Yue”, the facelift makeover is front-lined by a new ‘X’-shaped trim that extends from the headlights down into the fog lamps enclosure on the front bumper, painted in black to complement the two-tone roof, giving the compact SUV a more aggressive look.

The mesh on the grille has also been updated with a new honeycomb pattern, while the headlights are also said to feature an Audi-like light show upon unlocking the vehicle.

Check out our full video review of the Proton X50!

Other visual changes include a slightly reworked rear spoiler with a carbon fibre-look finish, new blacked-out 18-inch wheels, body-coloured design trimmings on the side skirts and front splitter, as well as a chunky black racing stripe down the bonnet.

Based on the photos, the model on display here seems to be of the range-topping Battle variant of the updated Geely Bin Yue Pro – we’re not sure how much of these aggressive design touches will make it down to the rest of the variants, but they sure do look striking nontheless.

Not just a rebadge – Proton’s R&D efforts actually help make other Geely models safer! Learn more about it here.

The model shown off in these photos feature a sports car-inspired two-toned design on the interior, taking on the yellow hue of the bodywork. These can be seen on the upper portion of the leather/suede seats, centre armrest, as well as the sides of the steering wheel.

But if that’s still not flashy enough for you, there’s also a new 72-colour ambient lighting system that shines through the brushed aluminium panels on the dashboard and door cards, to give the car even more flair.

Other interior updates on the Bin Yue facelift include a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display, running Geely’s latest GKUI software, alongside a updated T-shaped gear lever on the centre console.

There are no mention of the powertrains being offered on the new Geely Bin Yue facelift, though we don’t expect to see any changes in this department. No prices have been announced just yet, though reports say that it will go on sale in China sometime in August.

Would you like to see these changes being brought onto our new Malaysian darling, the Proton X50? Perhaps even a new ‘Sport’ variant? Let us know in the comments below!

[source: qctt.cn]

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The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe can now seat five people for the first time ever

June 15, 2021 By Keith Leave a Comment

An informative article on Penang.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door always had a polarising look, especially with those retro-inspired launch-spec wheels – you either love them or hate them, no in-between. And that’s before factoring in the practical drawbacks due to its coupe-like silhouette and limited seating arrangement.

So for 2021, Mercedes-AMG set out to make the GT 4-Door a little more universally approachable, with more exterior styling options across the range, plus a new rear-bench seat for the first time ever on the model, bringing the total seating capacity up to five.

In terms of updates, this year’s “facelift” for the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door is perhaps as mild as it gets. There are barely any changes to the exterior – in fact, Mercedes said it themselves in the press release that “the design of the six-cylinder versions remains unchanged”.

What you do get in this update, is a range of new extra-cost options that have now been moved down the line from previously being exclusive to the GT 63 model. These include a slightly spruced-up front bumper with additional gloss black and chrome trims, as well as the AMG Night Package II (dark chrome Panamericana grille and badgings) and Carbon Fibre Package.

There’s also a range of new colour options for this year’s GT 4-Door, including Starling Blue Metallic, Manufaktur Starling Blue Magno and Manufaktur Cashmere White Magno, plus a new Manufaktur Exclusive Edition for the GT 53 which wears a handsome shade of Rubellite Red metallic, equipped with the silver chrome exterior package, and trim-specific 21-inch AMG wheels.

On the inside, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door receives the latest AMG double-spoke steering wheel that we first saw on the E 63, which comes as standard with the AMG steering wheel dials.

The steering wheel can be optioned in either Nappa leather or Nappa with Dinamica suede, while the rest of the cabin’s upholstery options have also been expanded with a variety of new interior leather colour options like Sienna Brown, Classic Red, Yacht Blue, Deep White, and Neva Grey.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe was launched in Malaysia back in 2019. Here’s everything you need to know!

For an even more upmarket look, buyers can also splurge on the Exclusive Nappa Leather in Titanium Grey Pearl with yellow contrast stitching, or Exclusive Auburn Brown Nappa leather with black diamond stitching. And as we’ve mentioned above, buyers can now opt for a five-seater configuration with an optional rear bench.

As for the mechanical bits, the 43 and 53 variants of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door is essentially unchanged on the performance front. Both models are powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine; the GT 43 makes 367 hp and 500 Nm of torque, while the GT 53 gets 435 hp and 520 Nm of torque.

Both mills are paired to an additional 48V EQ Boost mild hybrid system that provides an additional 22 hp and 250 Nm of boost during hard acceleration, and are paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system with variable torque distribution as standard.

The updated V8 variants will only be unveiled at a later date, but the big news will be the introduction of the all-new GT 73e plug-in hybrid variant which supposedly packs a total system output of over 800 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque.

Powertrain aside, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door gains a revised AMG Ride Control+ suspension set up, featuring new adaptive dampers with dual pressure-limiting valves – one each for rebound and compression damping – which allows the damping force to be “adjusted even more precisely to different driving conditions and drive programs”.

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This Volkswagen Arteon “Big Sur” makes the standard model look boring

June 10, 2021 By Keith Leave a Comment

An informative post on Penang.

The Volkswagen Arteon is one handsome fella, there should be no dispute there but a group of Volkswagen enthusiasts wanted more so together with Volkswagen USA, here’s what they came up with.

What you see here is called the Arteon Big Sur; named after the scenic coastline in California.

“We wanted the car to make an loud statement and stop people on their tracks,” the enthusiast group said.

What’s sure to stop Volkswagen fanboys on their tracks are the 20-inch, gloss black Rotiform TUF-R cast monoblock wheels that match the car so well, you’d think they were factory wheels.

Starting life as an Urano Gray Arteon, it now wears a Forest Green wrap; a colour we think Volkswagen should bestow upon the Arteon for the brand’s younger customers.

“It was more of an aesthetic design makeover than a performance upgrade. We wanted to keep it in the boundaries of something someone could easily achieve,” said the enthusiast group.

“We took all the doors off the vehicle – along with the front hood and rear hatch – and spent a good 50 to 60 hours to make sure that the wrap was applied perfectly. We want it to look like a paint job from afar”.

Supplementing the R-Line body kit by Volkswagen is a custom front splitter, custom panels for the side and a custom rear spoiler. The car has also been lowered by around 40 mm with a set of coilover suspension.

Find out more about the Volkswagen Arteon in Malaysia here!

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Perodua still on track for 240k sales target, despite 12% drop in May 2021

June 9, 2021 By Keith Leave a Comment

An interesting post about Penang Malaysia.

Perodua has just announced its sales data for the month of May 2021, in which it managed to deliver 17,973 units – a 12% reduction from April’s 20,399 units.

The national carmaker attributed the drop in sales to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the global semiconductor shortage, which has significantly hampered its production capabilities. Despite that, the company is still maintaining its 240,000-unit sales target for the year.

Taking into account Perodua’s May’s sales data, the company has now sold 96,281 vehicles for the first five months of 2021, representing an 82% increase compared to the same period last year. However, the 2020 figure is heavily distorted by the first Movement Control Order, which was in place from March to May last year.

Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad says that a fairer comparison would be against 2019, when the company sold 105,745 units in the first five months – 8.9% higher than this year.

For context, 2019 was the year that Perodua achieved it’s highest-ever annual sales figure at 240,341 units – not too far off its 2021 target. In order to achieve 240,000 units sold this year, the company will have to average 20,531 units sold monthly for the remainder of the year.

“Despite these challenges and barring further uncertainties moving forward, we believe we will be able to meet our 240,000-unit sales target for 2021 as demand remains strong for all of our models,” said Dato’ Zainal. The Perodua Alza replacement, rumoured to be introduced later this year, could also help fill up the company’s orders book in order to achieve its targets.

“We thank the government for extending the sales tax exemption to end-2021, which will bolster our strong demand, encourage economic activity and help sustain the Malaysian automotive ecosystem.

“We understand that the measures taken by the government to contain the pandemic are necessary to ensure the people’s health and safety, and we, along with our suppliers and dealers, will cooperate fully with the government to flatten the curve.”

For the month of May, Perodua also manufactured a total of 18,283 units, boosting its year-to-date production tally to 98,944 units, or 36% of the company’s initial 272,000 units manufacturing target.

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All-new Kia Sportage brings edgy styling to the everyday SUV

June 8, 2021 By Keith Leave a Comment

A really good post on Malaysia.

Following a short teaser last week, Kia has now unveiled the all-new Sportage SUV in full. As seen in these first images, the fifth-generation Kia Sportage debuts with an all-new design inspired by the carmaker’s latest “Opposites United” design philosophy, first seen on the EV6.

Although sharing the same design language, the two models can’t be any more different, particularly in front. While the EV6 gets a clean and minimalist design, the Sportage’s front fascia can only be described as loud, featuring a large full-width Tiger Nose grille with black mesh graphics.

The grille is bookended by boomerang-style daytime-running lights, which in turn forms the boundary lines for the headlights. We’re not sure if it’s just us, but does the whole boomerang-inspired styling not remind anyone of Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield face? Well, at least it’s a good look.

The bubbly bodywork of its predecessor is now replaced by taut lines and sharper creases, including a chrome belt line that kicks up significantly at the back to meet the distinctive D-pillar accent. The greenhouse is also now significantly sleeker, and pairs well with the optional blacked-out roof (for the first time ever on the Sportage) for a proper sporty appearance.

Round the rear is where the resemblances to the EV6 are most apparent, particularly with the full-width taillights – although, the Sportage is significantly more “conventional” in design, paired to a more upright rear window and tailgate design.

As we’ve seen in the teaser previews, the all-new Kia Sportage features a completely redesigned cabin, characterised by the wide curved display panel and three-dimensional air vents that reinforces the SUV’s “driver oriented”, “slim cockpit feel”.

One of the biggest changes on the all-new Sportage is the all-new centre console panel, featuring a new shift-by-wire rotary dial for the transmission, alongside “soft-touch switches” that controls the various driving and seat ventilation settings.

Kia is keeping mum on the Sportage’s further details, aside from the availability of a “X-Line” model featuring unique bumpers, side sill, curved roof rack, alongside unique upholstery and finishes on the inside. The all-new Kia Sportage is scheduled for a global market launch later this year, so we expect more information – including the powertrain options – to be slow-dripped as we edge closer to the launch.

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