Exciting news for Malaysian Tesla enthusiasts—the upgraded Tesla Model 3 “Highland” is en route to Malaysia, with an expected arrival at Port Klang this coming weekend. The vehicle carrier vessel, named “Procyon Leader,” departed from Shanghai’s Nangang Terminal on November 19, carrying 1,200 Model 3s, including the anticipated upgraded version.
This marks the official delivery of Tesla models by Tesla Malaysia since its debut in the country in July. The larger Tesla Model Y was available for booking in July, with deliveries scheduled for early 2024. Tesla Malaysia has shown flexibility by allowing customers to switch their orders without forfeiting the RM1,000 non-refundable booking fee.
BYD has unveiled its latest offering, the Sea Lion 07, marking its entry into the mid-size urban electric SUV segment. Revealed at the 2023 Guangzhou International Auto Show, the Sea Lion 07 signifies BYD’s intent to compete with Tesla in a new automotive category.
Designed under the leadership of Wolfgang Egger, former chief designer at Audi and Lamborghini, the Sea Lion 07 showcases a distinctive five-spoke design inspired by sea lions jumping into the water. The unveiling follows a teaser campaign by BYD in the lead-up to the auto show.
Part of BYD’s Ocean series, which includes the Dolphin hatchback and Seal sedan, the Sea Lion 07 is set to define a “new” style within the series and will introduce a new sub-brand of EVs. The dimensions of the Sea Lion 07—4,830 mm in length, 1,925 mm in width, and 1,620 mm in height—position it as a competitor to Tesla’s Model Y (length – 4,760 mm, width – 1,921 mm, height – 1,624 mm).
Built on BYD’s e-platform 3.0, the Sea Lion incorporates the 8-in-1 electric powertrain, with BYD claiming improvements in range, safety, and performance in low temperatures. While detailed interior photos and technical specifications are yet to be released, reports suggest it will be available in single-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations.
In China, the Sea Lion 07 is priced from 200,000 yuan (approximately RM130k), making it a competitive option against the Tesla Model Y, which is priced at 266,400 yuan (RM173k) in the Chinese market. Given the fact that we have a model from BYD’s Ocean series, the Dolphin, the Sea Lion 07 could potentially enter the Malaysian market, where the Model Y is already available starting at RM199k.
BYD has been experiencing substantial success in the EV market, having sold over 165,500 fully electric vehicles in October alone and surpassing 1.2 million EVs sold in the current year. The company is aiming to close the gap with Tesla, which delivered 435,059 vehicles in the third quarter, and BYD came within 3,500 units of surpassing Tesla’s Q3 deliveries with 431,603 EVs. The introduction of the Sea Lion 07 reflects BYD’s ambitious plans to further challenge Tesla’s dominance in the electric vehicle market.
The Malaysian Highway Authority has officially announced the opening of Section 6 of the West Coast Expressway (WCE), effective from 12:01 a.m. on November 21, 2023. Simultaneously, the Minister of Works, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, declared toll payment exemption for users, starting midnight tonight and lasting until January 2, 2024.
Stretching from the North Bukit Raja Interchange to the Assam Jawa Interchange, Section 6 of the WCE establishes a direct link between Kapar and Assam Jawa. This new segment is anticipated to significantly reduce travel time, offering a swift 15-minute journey compared to the existing route, which takes 45 minutes.
Geely’s highly anticipated Zeekr 007 electric sedan has entered pre-sales in China, boasting impressive specifications and cutting-edge features. Priced at 229,900 yuan (approximately RM149k), the Zeekr 007 is set to redefine the electric sedan landscape.
Under the hood, the Zeekr 007 4WD packs a powerful punch with up to 636hp and an impressive acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.84 seconds. The entry-level variant with a single e-motor in the rear axle has 415hp that does 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds. The 007 comes with two range options: 688km (CLTC) and 870km (CLTC).
A male victim was left in disbelief upon learning that his two-year-old car had been sold to a new owner located 100km away, just days after he surrendered the car to repossessors. What began as an attempt to recover his car turned into a distressing ordeal, as he faced challenges in obtaining police support.
According to NST, the victim stated that a group of five agents arrived at his house while he was asleep, claiming to be there to ‘repossess’ his car. They demanded a payment of RM3,770, despite his outstanding debt being around RM2,000. Concerned about potential blacklisting and dubious practices, he hesitated. The agents, purported representatives of the credit company, failed to provide any documentation verifying their identities.
The victim was taken to a police station, where one of the agents provided a statement to the officer at the counter. Without fully understanding the situation, the victim was asked to sign a report relinquishing his car to an unnamed person and absolving himself of all responsibilities associated with the car.
Nine days after his car was repossessed, he settled his outstanding dues and requested the return of his car. However, the situation escalated when the agents demanded an additional RM3,000 for the car’s return. Later, he discovered that his car had been sold to a third party, who demanded RM5,000 for its return.
In the dynamic realm of electric vehicles (EVs), China’s automotive prowess takes centre stage with the unveiling of the HiPhi A. While brands like Rimac and Tesla have set the pace for high-performance EVs, the HiPhi A promises a spectacle that eclipses its counterparts. Let’s be honest here, the HiPhi A is definitely one of the best-looking EV supercars, besides the Rimac Nevera.
Building upon the foundation laid by the HiPhi Z liftback sedan revealed by Human Horizons the previous year, the HiPhi A not only retains its predecessor’s structural essence but amplifies both power and visual impact. Transformed into a tri-motor powerhouse, the HiPhi A boasts a staggering 1,287hp, distributing its formidable might among all four wheels – a leap that nearly doubles the power of the dual-motor Z.
The HiPhi A, equipped with a single rear motor and dual fronts, achieves the 0 to 100km/h sprint in just over 2 seconds. This not only positions the A as a formidable contender but also challenges the acceleration prowess of the Tesla Model S Plaid, which claims a 1.99-second dash to 100km/h. While the Plaid boasts a higher top speed at 320km/h compared to the A’s 300km/h, such velocities are often beyond the reach of everyday driving scenarios.
In collaboration with WESAIL New Energy Automotive, HiPhi elevates the A’s performance further with features like rear-wheel steering, adaptive damping, and torque-vectoring capabilities. The result is a 15 per cent improvement in cornering performance and a 10 per cent boost in braking efficiency compared to its less extreme counterpart, the Z. The already striking exterior of the HiPhi A receives additional enhancements, including a prominent rear wing, broader wheels and tires, matte paint, and generous use of carbon fibre trim.
While details regarding pricing and the model’s potential availability remain undisclosed, prospective buyers can anticipate a premium cost comparable to that of the Porsche Taycan when the HiPhi A hits the market. The arrival of this electrifying powerhouse is sure to make waves and reshape expectations in the competitive landscape of high-performance electric vehicles.
