The fifth-generation Toyota Supra is nearing the end of its production run, with assembly scheduled to conclude by March 2026. Co-developed with BMW and manufactured in Austria alongside the BMW Z4, this iteration of the iconic sports car will mark the end of a chapter in the Supra legacy—but not the end of the story.
Toyota has confirmed the release of a Final Edition for the 2026 model year, marking the car’s farewell from global showrooms. While this signals the conclusion of the current generation, the Supra nameplate is not being retired permanently. Instead, the beloved badge is being put on temporary hiatus.
According to Toyota Motor North America’s Senior Vice President of Product Planning and Strategy, Cooper Ericksen, the company fully intends to bring the Supra back in the future. He explained that introducing a next-generation Supra is seen as a logical step forward, though the specifics, such as timing and direction, are still under review. What remains certain, however, is Toyota’s intent to avoid another extended gap between generations, similar to the two-decade void between the revered fourth-generation Supra and the GR Supra’s return in 2019.
Porsche has one of the most colourful histories in the automotive world. I truly doubt anyone would disagree with that.
At a time when new car makers are emerging quicker than ever before, more car makers are turning to their history books to show where they have come from and where they are going.
Most of them are doing a really good job at it too, except for Jaguar perhaps. The British marque seems to have completely lost the plot, but word is that it is now looking to hire a new brand agency after its disastrous rebranding exercise, so don’t write off the great Jag yet.
Anyway, brands with a storied history have also survived tumultuous times, and Porsche is no different.
The mighty Stuttgart based brand almost lost everything in the 90s, but the introduction of the Boxster single handedly saved it.
Then came the Cayenne which not only saved Porsche but transformed it and gave it much needed cash flow to let it continue its motorsport exploits.
But while the Boxster and Cayenne can be credited with saving Porsche, that does not mean the duo are the best-selling Porsches. Far from it.
In fact, that title belongs to the Porsche Macan.
Introduced in 2014, the Macan is the culmination of many years of research and development by the multi-talented team at Porsche.
While the Cayenne enjoyed brisk sales, Porsche analysis found that there was a market for a small, high-performance SUV. And that was basically right up Porsche’s alley since it already had the experience in both segments and its sister company Audi already had the platform from the Q5, which suited Porsche’s requirement.
So, Porsche’s team secretly started working on a project called Cajun, which is basically an abbreviation for Cayenne Junior.
And, per Porsche’s prediction, the Macan was an immediate sales phenomenon. And today it is set to reach a million homes, with over 800,000 Macan’s already sold.
However, the fast-changing pace of the automotive industry has left the Macan in a bit of a lurch.
With electric powertrains fast catching on, Porsche had a decision to make. Focus on an entirely new electric car like what it did with the Taycan, except this time it had to be an SUV.
Or work with one of its current models but with an electric powertrain instead.
Porsche did the unthinkable. In the early 2020s, Porsche announced that it will be dropping all petrol (and diesel) powertrains for the next generation Macan and will thus offer it with an electric drivetrain only.
This did not sit well with many, but Porsche has had a knack for making the right decision at the right. But no one could imagine what would come next.
Sales of the EV industry slowed down. The roll out of charging facilities slowed as well and this had the general populus rethinking the approach to EV’s. Perhaps electric cars were not the saviours they were made out to be after all? Perhaps motoring journos were right and plug-in hybrids are a much better answer?
This slow down forced many car makers to abandon their full-EV plans altogether, including Porsche. Though none have openly admitted to it.
Instead of admitting going fully electric was not the right decision, car makers like Volvo announced they were going to continue to offer regular powertrains with hybrids and EV’s as well to give consumers “the power of choice”.
Yeah right.
But Porsche had already committed to the Macan EV, and it is here. We have driven it as well. Though whether it will continue to exist as an EV only is still to be seen but we were left feeling fuzzy after driving the new Macan.
So, what does the electric Macan have to offer?
There are four variants currently on offer in Malaysia and they are:
We drove the Macan 4 so this article will focus on that.
Powering the car are dual electric motors with one mounted on each axle, effectively giving the car all-wheel-drive capability.
On the performance front, the Macan 4 offers 387PS and 650Nm of torque. However, when overboost is activated, power jumps to 408PS though only for a few seconds.
The charge to 100km/h is seen off in 5.2 seconds and top speed is rated at 220km/h.
As for range and charging, the Macan 4 will travel 613km before it needs to be recharged. And when it does need to be recharged, it will take just 21 minutes to reach 80% using a 270kW DC charger. And for a full charge to 100%, that will set you back a full 10 hours with an 11kW AC charger.
The AC charging bit is a bit of a shocker especially considering the Macan 4 is built on an 800-volt electrical architecture.
And if you are wondering why the Macan does not have that insane top speed which the Taycan has, well that is because the Macan does not have the Taycan’s two-speed “gearbox” which it uses to reach its blinding speeds.
What’s the interior like?
This matters because this is where you will be spending most if not all your time during the entirety of your relationship with the Macan.
First things first, it took me some time to get over how big the dashboard is. It is not wide from door-to-door because the Macan is not a very big car. But it is quite deep from the point where it meets the windscreen to edge of the screens.
After you get over that, your eyes will set on the minimalistic yet functional interior. As with all modern cars, you are first greeted by a curved 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster up ahead of you, and to the left of that is a 10.9-inch infotainment system for all the car’s controls, entertainment and even video games.
Yes, you read that right, the Porsche Macan has videogames like in a Tesla. I tried it and will not criticise it because it is quite fun.
There is also an option for another 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger, but that is for the passenger’s eyes only since it comes with a layer akin to a privacy screen. Which means the driver will never be able to look at the screen, ever.
So, if you are the driver, and you are shelling out your hard-earned money for that third screen, perhaps you should leave this option box unticked. Why pay for something you can’t use?
I am a fan of the interior of the new Macan, more so than the interior of the Taycan. And there are a few reasons for that. For one, the air-conditioning vents can be manually adjusted, unlike the Taycan which blindly followed Tesla and it’s very annoying electronically adjusted air vents.
I also like the fact that you get buttons for air-conditioning controls as well. It may sound petty, but it makes a lot of difference, especially in a Porsche where you need to be focused on the road rather than working a screen to get cold air to be blown to your face.
I do also think that it’s quite sad that we are now relegated to praising regular air-vents and physical controls in our car reviews, things that cars from as far back as the 60s used to have. These are some crazy times indeed.
The one thing that the new Macan seems to have inherited from the Taycan though is the cramped rear seats together with the rather upright angle of the backrests. Taller passengers may want to spend more time at the front.
That’s not a deal breaker for me though, if I were to choose between the new Macan and the Taycan, it would be the former. The Taycan may have the higher top speed but there are not many roads in Malaysia that would let you get up to 250km/h. So, I really don’t care about the top speed.
Let’s talk about how it drives then.
Driving a Porsche is always quite an occasion. At least it used to be, with the sound of an engine reverberating in the cabin with the roar of the exhausts and blip of gearshifts numbing your brain during acceleration.
Of course you don’t get anything like that now, but you still get some wild acceleration that sends the blood rushing to the back of your head. And that is always fun. You may hate EV’s, but there is no denying that their acceleration is intoxicating.
Besides, this is a Porsche guys, so let’s get real. If there is any company that can produce an EV while remaining true to its sports car heritage, it is Porsche.
Just like the Taycan, wringing out every inch of performance out of the Macan requires focus and dedication. Power is available at the slightest prod of the accelerator paddle so you have to be sure of what you want to do before flooring the pedal because you will close gaps in traffic quicker than you can catch a breath.
There are four drive modes – Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Off Road. I am not sure if Off Road mode is a necessity; just because all four wheels rotate in the same direction does not make the Macan a car capable of tackling sand and stone, but if it helps to sell cars then why not, I guess?
Sport Plus should be left to the more experienced while Sport and Normal is where mere mortals should dwell. But the good thing here is that Porsche brakes work like anchors with face retardation systems built in. Slam the brakes hard and you will come to a stop real quick, and maybe have a facial makeover in the process.
Should you buy one?
Before I drove the new Macan, I was quite excited about rumours that Porsche will be introducing an internal combustion engine variant later. But after driving it, I am not so sure anymore.
The new Porsche Macan does a brilliant job as an EV. It feels purpose built for it. You surely feel the bulk and heft of the car when on the move, but the Macan makes no apologies for it. It does not envelope around you to make it feel like you were driving a sports car.
The Macan is a big, muscular Porsche with power to shame some of the most iconic sports cars.
So, yes, you should buy one if budget is no concern. In fact, I like driving the Macan better than I do the Taycan because I feel more comfortable in it and the systems just make more sense.
And besides, you don’t just buy a Porsche because you want a fast EV, you buy a Porsche because of what it is, and it is a very fast car, sans the engine sounds but you will get used to it. Sadly.
Specifications
Motor: Dual Motor (All-wheel-drive)
Power: 387PS (408PS with Overboost)
Torque: 650Nm
Transmission: Single-speed
Top speed: 220km/h
Range: 613km (WLTP)
Charging: 270kW (DC) / 11kW (AC)
We like: Power, handling, good looks
We don’t like: Cramped rear seats
High-performance automotive tuning house Brabus has officially brought its beast, the Brabus 900 Rocket R, to Malaysian shores, following the opening of its new flagship showroom at Hamawangsa Automall, TTDI. The unveiling marks a significant milestone for Brabus Malaysia, as it introduces one of the most extreme interpretations of the Porsche 911 Turbo S ever seen.
For those unfamiliar, Brabus has long been synonymous with high-powered customisations, most notably for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. However, the 900 Rocket R, first introduced in 2023, represents the company’s journey into enhancing Porsche’s iconic 911 Turbo S — a car already known for its formidable performance.
While the stock 911 Turbo S delivers 640hp and achieves 0–100 km/h in 2.7 seconds with a top speed of 330 km/h, Brabus has turned the dial up significantly. At the heart of the 900 Rocket R lies a 3.8-litre flat-six engine, equipped with two bespoke high-performance turbochargers, pushing total output to a staggering 900hp. The result is blistering acceleration — 0–100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds, and 0–200 km/h in a mere 7.2 seconds.
To ensure this power is matched by control, the Rocket R is fitted with a Brabus-developed sports suspension system, featuring fully adjustable Brabus coilover springs and shock absorbers, engineered to deliver razor-sharp handling at high speeds.
Visually, the 900 Rocket R makes a commanding impression with its 22-inch front and 21-inch rear Brabus Monoblock P “Platinum Edition” wheels, which complement the aggressive Widestar body kit. The full exterior package, built extensively from carbon fibre, includes a redesigned front lip spoiler, aerodynamically functional wheel arch vents, and a new rear diffuser. These components have all been subjected to wind tunnel testing, resulting in what Brabus describes as “next-level aerodynamic efficiency.”
Inside, details such as high-gloss carbon fibre trim on the centre console, anodised aluminium Brabus pedal pads, and carbon fibre door sills with colour-changing LED Brabus logos aligned to the ambient lighting give the cabin a futuristic and bespoke finish.
With the arrival of the Brabus 900 Rocket R in Malaysia, enthusiasts and collectors now have access to one of the most extreme and exclusive performance models on the market — a machine that blends German engineering precision with Brabus’s unmistakable flair for bold, unapologetic power.
A large striking container box topped with an oversized ribbon has appeared along the bustling Jalan Bukit Bintang, in front of The Starhill — and it’s turning heads.
With minimal signage — just the Chery logo and a playful “Guess What’s Inside” invitation — the automotive brand has launched a teaser campaign unlike any other.
Passersby are encouraged to look through the windows built into the container box to catch a glimpse of something sleek, shadowed, and unmistakably bold — but what exactly lies within remains a mystery.
This high-impact activation marks the beginning of Chery’s latest urban campaign aimed at a new generation of drivers — those who crave style, thrill, and individuality. The experience is designed to spark intrigue and encourage conversation, challenging the public to guess what Chery has in store next.
In a landmark demonstration of endurance and technological prowess, the Proton e.MAS 7 has completed a remarkable 10,432-kilometre journey across nine ASEAN nations, marking a pivotal moment for Malaysia’s electric vehicle industry. The ambitious journey was conducted under the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 programme, led by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), and concluded without a single incident, underscoring the vehicle’s resilience and reliability.
Recognised as Malaysia’s leading electric vehicle, the e.MAS 7 embarked on a 22-day expedition that spanned Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore before returning home. The expedition surpassed its original target of 9,000 kilometres by over 1,400 kilometres, affirming the e.MAS 7’s position as a benchmark in electric mobility for the region.
The journey served as a real-world test of the e.MAS 7’s endurance under Southeast Asia’s notoriously demanding road and weather conditions. The vehicle’s advanced battery system performed consistently despite long distances, tropical humidity, heat, and unpredictable terrain. Notably, the vehicle completed the entire route without encountering any battery-related faults, a testament to its engineering and safety standards.
The government has announced a substantial allocation of RM350 million for the maintenance of federal roads across Peninsular Malaysia this year, with the intention of boosting infrastructure reliability and ensuring timely upkeep of the nation’s road network.
According to Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, the funds will be distributed between two key areas: RM275 million has been set aside for periodic pavement maintenance, while RM75 million will cover non-pavement-related works. A total of 563 maintenance projects are scheduled under this programme.
The selection of contractors for these maintenance tasks is being conducted through a draw system, targeting those classified within the G1 to G4 contractor grades. Ahmad explained that this approach is designed to promote transparency and provide equal opportunities to smaller-scale contractors, many of whom often face challenges in accessing government projects.
According to Bernama, he clarified that the draw mechanism is part of the Programme to Accelerate Road Maintenance by Utilising Contractors Grade G1 to G4, with the current phase covering the Central and Eastern Zones. Similar draws are taking place in other regions, including the Southern Zone from today until tomorrow, and the Northern Zone from 5 to 6 June.
