The EX30: Volvo’s First Fully Electric Small SUV

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June 8, 2023

When you hear the name Volvo you may be forgiven for immediately thinking of their big bulky SUVs or sleek sedans. However, Volvo has just introduced its first small premium SUV, the EX30.

It is a small SUV that does big Volvo things. Let us explain to you what that means.

Design-wise, the EX30 follows Volvo’s design language that’s scaled down to a smaller size. It has a long wheelbase, large wheels and equal overhangs that bring balance to the exterior. It also features a digital rendition of Thor’s Hammer headlights, a clamshell bonnet and two-piece taillights.

How small is small? Well, at just 166.7 inches long, the Volvo EX30 is just over a foot shorter than a Honda Civic hatchback! It is, however, impressively wide at 72.3 inches (80 inches with the mirrors) and reasonably tall at 61.1 inches. Despite sharing a model name with the larger EX90 electric crossover, the EX30 looks more like a hatchback.

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Next-Gen Ranger Raptor 2.0 Bi-Turbo Diesel Debuts In Malaysia!

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Timothy Prakash

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June 8, 2023

The wait is over for all you Raptor fans! Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia has just launched the Next-Generation Ranger Raptor 2.0 Bi-Turbo Diesel. This means Ford is offering another engine selection for you Raptor lovers in Malaysia.

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The Story Behind Porsche’s Choice of Colours for Le Mans

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Timothy Prakash

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June 8, 2023

Porsche’s 963 design honours historically significant motor racing hues and recognises the dual commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Porsche sports cars and the 100th year since the event’s first contest was held in France. Porsche is the most successful manufacturer at the world’s greatest endurance race, celebrating its centenary this year, with 19 overall victories and 110 class wins.

The three Porsche 963s competing in the Hypercar class at Le Mans are distinguished by seven contrasting stripes in the colours of yellow, red, dark blue, light blue, green, pink, and orange. They all pay tribute to outstanding and exceptional efforts made during the biggest and most illustrious long-distance race in history.

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Toyota Prius Le Mans GR: The Latest Sporty Evolution Of The Prius

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Timothy Prakash

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June 7, 2023

The first-generation Prius was launched in 1997; honestly, it wasn’t the best-looking car. Rather, it looked like a lost Peugeot. The following generations made slight improvements to its design language making it bearable to look at.

Enter the current fifth-generation Prius that was unveiled in 2022. It came available with two powertrain options: The first option uses Toyota’s Series Parallel Hybrid System, available in 1.8-litre (2ZR-FXE) and 2.0-litre (M20A-FXS) variants and producing up to 138 hp and 196 hp respectively. The second option is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.0-litre M20A-FXS engine, an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries to produce a combined output of 220 hp.

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Government Intends To Install More AWAS Cameras

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Timothy Prakash

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June 7, 2023

Deputy Transport Minister, Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, has announced that the government intends to install more Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) cameras, formerly known as the Automated Enforcement System (AES), as necessary in the long term.

During a session in the Dewan Rakyat, Hasbi highlighted that research conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) revealed a remarkable 99 percent compliance with speed limit laws and traffic signals at locations where the cameras were deployed. This achievement has significantly enhanced the perception of being caught for non-compliance with road rules, subsequently reducing the risk of road accidents at AWAS enforcement locations.

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Malaysian Man Arrested for Assaulting Woman in Traffic

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Timothy Prakash

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June 7, 2023

The man seen in a viral video, believed to have assaulted a female driver near Lata Iskandar, Tapah, has been apprehended by the police.

The video shows him exiting his vehicle and knocking on the window of the female driver’s car, questioning her driving skills. Unsatisfied with her response and the tone of her reply, he proceeded to strike her on the head, instructing her not to raise her voice.

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Mr Bean Loved EVs But Now Feels Duped

By

Timothy Prakash

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June 7, 2023

Car manufacturers are now moving towards a “greener” future by producing electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce global CO2 emissions. However, if you look beyond what comes out of the vehicle’s exhaust system, there is a bigger picture to consider, as explained by Rowan Atkinson.

Some may already know that Atkinson is a gearhead with a degree in electrical and electronic engineering, along with a subsequent master’s degree in control systems. He has owned multiple classic and legendary cars such as the BMW 328, McLaren F1, 2002 Acura NSX-T, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977), and more. Initially, he had a love for EVs when he purchased his first electric hybrid 18 years ago and his first pure electric car nine years ago. However, he believes that EVs, while wonderful mechanisms, lack soul—a sentiment we wholeheartedly agree with.

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Apple CarPlay Finally Adds Multi-User Music Sharing

By

Timothy Prakash

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June 7, 2023

Remember the time we used to keep a folder in the car full of CDs so that everyone in the car could take turns and play their favourite hits? Then it eventually evolved into the aux cable and then Bluetooth made life easier. Later on, Apple CarPlay made the music experience way easier and more accessible to one user. How do you top that?

Well, with all the big commotion going on about the new Vision Pro by Apple, this sleek update to Apple CarPlay was overshadowed. It’s an update to iOS 17 which allows passengers to join in on being the DJ in a shared media session. Now to those who do not know, this is a feature that has already been accessible in the Spotify app. So… Apple is kind of late to the game.

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Why The Proton X50 Still Dominates the Malaysian B-Segment

By

Keshy Dhillon

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June 6, 2023

The Proton X50 arrived in the Malaysian market in October 2020, generating a great deal of excitement at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic had created a sense of gloom. It was an immediate hit and today, the X50 has ascended to the No.1 position, not just in the SUV B-segment but is now also the overall leader of the entire SUV segment.

Although many new rivals have entered the market since 2020, the X50 remains a very popular choice for SUV buyers, being offered at attractive price points in all four variants with comprehensive equipment packages. In fact, much of what is offered in the X50 – especially the more premium variants – would typically only be found in models costing much more. Hence, like the X70, the X50 has changed the value-for-money proposition and offers consumers a premium product without them having to pay a premium price.

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Singaporeans Encounter Fake Cops On JB Highway Car Chase

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Timothy Prakash

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June 6, 2023

The Malaysian police have detained two men for allegedly impersonating police and pursuing a car heading from Singapore to Genting Highlands.

Freeman Gan WT, who was driving his pals to Genting Highlands, posted a video on Facebook showing that the passenger of the car that was pursuing him was holding a blue beacon light. But police officers in reflective vests driving a fourth-gen Honda City with a portable blue beacon light? Freeman could sense that something was off.

In addition to that, the “policeman” at the back was wearing a clown facemask and flashing his torch light! “The car had always been at my back. The driver drove into the R&R station before he caught up with me again,” said Freeman.

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