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Like some other carmakers that have become established in the high-volume lower segments, Genesis (Hyundai’s luxury brand) is aiming higher to come level with the German brands. Its G70 sports sedan is an example which is suggested as an alternative to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series.

2020 Hyundai Genesis G70

Athletic Elegance
To go on sale in Korea next month, the 3-year old model has received enhancements that enhance its looks, in line with the Athletic Elegance design philosophy used for all current models. The signature crest grill is now set even lower than the Quad Lamps which spread outward. This evokes a sprinter’s pre-race posture and highlights the new Genesis G70’s positioning.

The air extractors on the sides, styled with the form-follows-function approach, are optimized for efficiency, while the surfacing around the front wheels emphasises the promise of sporty performance.

At the rear are Quad Lamp taillights inspired by the soaring wings of the Genesis logo. The full width G-Matrix mesh and body-coloured diffusers surround the oval exhaust tips add finishing touches to the exterior design.

3 engine choices
Depending on the market, the G70 can be ordered with a 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 252 ps, 3.3-litre V6 twin turbo petrol engine with 365 ps, or 202 ps 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine. Transmissions are manual or 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive is also available.

Continuing with the design evolution are the driver-centered architecture is said to resemble a fighter jet cockpit while also having an ambience of luxury. The new model has state-of-the-art technology updates with a 10.25-inch infotainment system and latest connectivity features.

2020 Hyundai Genesis G70

An exclusive Genesis UI design supports the latest over-the-air (OTA, wifi update feature) wireless updates, Valet mode and CarPay. In addition, the wireless charging system has been changed to a horizontal layout, increasing convenience for those with ever-changing smartphone sizes.

2020 Hyundai Genesis G70

2019 North American Car of the Year
In 2019, besides being voted the ‘North American Car of the Year‘, the G70 received a ‘Top Safety Pick+’ rating from the independent US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2019. Its safety technologies include blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automated emergency braking and lane-departure warning.

The Genesis range in 2020

G70 for Malaysia?
Six years ago, when Genesis was still a model name and part of the Hyundai range, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) brought in a unit. Its size (body and engine) and RM400,000 price were not appreciated but HSDM might try to offer the new G70 as a flagship model since Genesis said last year that it can produce righthand drive variants as well. Generally, Hyundai and Kia place a lower priority on righthand drive given that the markets are less so the potential volume may not be worth additional development cost.

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What happens in the future is never certain and today, more than ever, many people face great uncertainty because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, a cautious approach is being taken and financial commitments must be carefully considered. This is particular so where car-buying is concerned as buying a car means a long-term commitment because of the hire-purchase loan. If things don’t go well, you can’t just stop paying the instalments, let alone return the car.

RM799 per month for 6 months
TC Euro Cars (TCEC) understands this and has come up with an offer which is only a year long – with no obligations after that. Available for the Renault Pre-Owned Captur Subscription – a one-year plan that is priced at RM1,299 per month – the promotion offers customers a reduced rate of RM799 per month for the first 6 months. Subsequently, from month seven to 12, the monthly rate of 1,299 will resume.

Monthly rates are inclusive of roadtax, insurance, regular servicing and an annual mileage cap of 20,000 kms, with an option to upgrade. A booking fee of RM200 applies when customers book via Renault Store on Shopee, which will be deducted from the first subscription month payment.

For more savings, TCEC is offering a 50% discount on the booking fee for 20 units of Captur available through the Shopee Malaysia ‘Shocking Sale’. This event will take place between 4 pm and  8 pm on September 9, 2020. Those who miss the online event can still secure a unit via the Renault E-Store.

Pre-owned units
It should be noted that the vehicles offered are not brand new units. They are pre-owned units already registered earlier (not more than 2 years old). They are thoroughly inspected and meet Renault’s quality and safety standards.

Customers can decide to buy, subscribe to a Renault Subscription Fixed or Switch Plan, or simply end with the Pre-Owned Captur offer after one year when the subscription term is over.

Monthly rates are inclusive of regular servicing, roadtax and insurance.

“We understand that many Malaysians have some reservations about buying or even trying out a Continental car. This latest promotion aims to help lower the barrier to entry, with no obligations and, at the same time, customers can have a real-life test-drive of the Captur for a whole year,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of TC Euro Cars.

Click here for other news and articles about Renault.

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Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) will soon launch an all-new model – the Mitsubishi XPANDER. To have competitive pricing, carmakers must assemble their products locally to get incentives that can lower their cost and enable them to have lower retail prices.

MMM is therefore assembling the 7-seater crossover model in Malaysia, its third model to be assembled locally after the ASX and Outlander (the Triton pick-up truck is still imported from Thailand in CBU form). However, unlike the Outlander and ASX, the XPANDER will not be assembled at the Tan Chong plant in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.

(Indonesian version shown)

New production facility in Pahang
Instead, it will be assembled in Pekan, Pahang, where Mitsubishi Motors’ partner in MMM,  DRB-HICOM, has a manufacturing complex also used by Volkswagen, Isuzu and Mercedes-Benz. According to MMM’s Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi, the new production facility for the XPANDER incorporates Japanese automotive technology.

The plant has an all-new body welding workshop including new welding equipment. Its paintshop utilises advanced painting technology including a 360-degree ED-coating and a robotic spray system. This will provide high quality finishes and extend corrosion resistance. The XPANDER, which will have a 1.5-litre MIVEC engine, will also go  through an all-new tester line to check all safety functions including Active Stability Control (ASC) system.

“The XPANDER is localized to meet the demands of Malaysian customers. It will be priced competitively to cater for families and adventure-seekers who are looking for a more comfortable and practical 7-seater to make their journeys a more pleasant one. Malaysians can expect to place their bookings soon,” Mr. Shinnishi said.

Locally-assembled version of the XPANDER.

As a prelude to the launch, there’s a teaser display of the XPANDER at Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur from today until September 13. Those interested to know more and want to receive updates on the new model’s launch can register their interest at www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my.

Click here for other news and articles about Mitsubishi Motors.

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Motorists travelling to the North-South Expressway from the Kajang, Bangi and Serdang areas will have to use an alternate route if they regularly use the Kajang Toll Plaza Access Road heading to Kuala Lumpur. This connection will be temporarily closed to all vehicles from Wednesday September 9 to Friday October 9 2020 between 10 pm and 5 am nightly.

Motorists travelling from Kajang to Kuala Lumpur are advised to utilize an alternative route by entering the SILK and Besraya Highways. They can utilize SILK and Besraya Highways to enter the PLUS highway via the UPM Toll Plaza during the period.

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Although production of the Rapide ceased two years ago, the model continues in the Aston Martin range as the Rapide AMR. First revealed in 2018 as a concept, the production version was displayed at last year’s Geneva Auto Show where the company announced that it will make 210 cars.

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has brought in two of those units, priced from RM1.1 million, excluding duties and taxes. These are the last two units still available in Southeast Asia.

Aston Martin Rapide AMR

Link to racing team
AMR stands for Aston Martin Racing, the official motorsport operation for the British brand. ‘AMR’ is used for special editions, drawing a direct engineering and aesthetic link between the  company’s successful racing team and its roadgoing cars.

At the heart of the Rapide AMR is a naturally aspirated drivetrain that draws much of its technology and character  from the potent Vantage GT12. Larger inlet manifolds with tuned length dual inlet runners enhance  the airflow into the 6-litre V12 engine.

Aston Martin Rapide AMR

Aston Martin Rapide AMR

Combined with new engine and gearbox calibration,  increases in output take maximum power to 603 ps and 630 Nm. Claimed acceleration is 4.4 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a maximum speed as high as 330 km/h.

Standard carbon ceramic brakes
As standard, the Rapide AMR comes fitted with carbon ceramic brakes. Measuring 400 mm at the front with 6-piston calipers and 360 mm at the rear with 4-piston calipers, this is the first time that a Rapide has been fitted with such strong stopping power.

Aston Martin Rapide AMR

The carbon ceramic discs are also part of AMR’s ethos to use lightweight  components whilst reducing unsprung mass they have a noticeably beneficial effect on the driving experience. Much of this development work has been completed at the newly opened AMR Performance Centre  at the Nurburgring.

Alongside the new tyres, brakes and aerodynamics, the Rapide’s suspension has also received considerable  attention. The new Rapide AMR rides 10 mm lower than a Rapide S and although the three stage adaptive  dampers remain, they have been thoroughly reengineered to create a car that is more focused, agile and  dynamic.

Aston Martin Rapide AMR

The 4-seat Rapide AMR is available in Standard and Signature schemes. Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur  has one of each scheme. The car with the Signature scheme is finished in Stirling Green paint with Lime accents and a Lime stripe for the  definitive AMR look. The Standard scheme is Onyx Black, with adding AMR Lime accents to the splitter, sills  and rear diffuser.

More information is available at www.astonmartinkualalumpur.com and to get a quotation, you can write to astonmartinkl.enquiries@wearnes.com.

COVID-19 Facemask

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The team at GTO Engineering has created what they believe to be the ultimate interpretation of a legendary Sixties Ferrari. Named the 250 SWB Revival, it is based on the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, one of the most successful Ferrari race cars of the period.

Enhanced, improved or rebuilt
GTO Engineering has revived the legend with its modern experience and given it ultimate road and track customisation opportunities. From the chassis to the cockpit, every element of the 250 SWB Revival has been strictly enhanced, improved or rebuilt at the company’s facility in the UK.

Pricing starts at around £850,000 (about RM4.65 million) and each 250 SWB Revival takes between 12 – 18 months to complete, depending on specification.

GTO Engineering 250 SWB Revival

Drawing on extensive knowledge, know-how, historical technical drawings, industry insight and with 200 years’ combined experience working on the Italian sportscars, , the GTO Engineering team has developed the 250 SWB Revival as a more usable, customisable and bespoke variant of the highly collectable original Competition car.

‘The greatest GT car in the world’
Driven in period by the likes of Sir Stirling Moss who hailed it as ‘the greatest GT car in the world’ as it took wins at Le Mans (1960 class win), Tourist Trophy (1960) and Spa GP (1960), it’s today regarded one of the most notable, collectable and appreciating cars of its type. Thus it is rarely seen on the road and only occasionally at historic race meetings.

GTO Engineering 250 SWB Revival

“The 1960 Competition car is the one to have – not only is it the shorter chassis, improving drivability and handling, but it has disc brakes (the 250 SWB was the first to have them on a Ferrari GT car), and an aluminium body rather than steel,” said GTO Engineering Managing Director Mark Lyon.

“But it has one major drawback,” he revealed. “Because it was made in so few numbers, it’s not really a car you can take to the shops or drive on the lock-stops without fearing damaging the body or destroying originality. The 250 SWB Revival is a ‘best of’, based on original drawings and knowledge, with an added usability, driveability and the option to make it as road or race-focused as you’d like.”

Based on 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione
Utilising original drawings, measurements and knowledge, the GTO Engineering 250 SWB Revival uses a hand-built tubular frame underneath a hand-beaten aluminium body. It’s based on the shorter format of the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione specifications, which is about 20 cm shorter than the 250 GT.

BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

Built in house, each Columbo V12 engine in the car takes over 300-man hours to produce. The GTO Engineering team can build to 3.0-litre, 3.5-litre and 4.0-litre specification and can offer bespoke displacements according to customer requirements. Each engine is paired with triple carburettors.

The 4-speed or optional 5-speed gearbox was also created with their own internal design package. Designed to be a precise gearchange that works in traffic and at high-speed, for enhanced usability.

Incorporating the disc brake design from period, of which the 250 SWB was the first Ferrari GT car to include disc brakes, there are traditional disc brakes, with optional lighter and more heat-efficient aluminium brake calipers.

GTO Engineering 250 SWB Revival

Road-legal or for racing
Customers can choose to have a road-legal car or in a racing specification. If the latter, then the car will have a full roll-cage, with the option of a competition-inspired gearbox as well as bug screens. Bug screens were used heavily in period at endurance races and rallies to stop bugs smearing on the windscreen and decreasing visibility.

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