According to a post on Facebook, the GWM Tank 300 has already been open for bookings. A photo from the post shows a receipt for the booking and also written down is a RM260,000 price tag. However, the author of the post stated in the comment section that the official price is still unknown.
Facebook/Amy Lim
GWM has not said anything officially yet, but the Tank 300 will most probably be launched at the upcoming Malaysia Autoshow. Only then we will know the official pricing.
Facebook/Amy Lim
The Tank 300 comes with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine producing 220PS and 380Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the wheels through an eight-speed gearbox. Additionally, the Tank 300 offers the flexibility to switch between all-wheel-drive and two-wheel-drive modes at the touch of a button, with power being directed to the rear wheels in the two-wheel-drive mode.
We recently test-drove this beast and we were genuinely impressed by it. You can find out more about the Tank 300 in our review here.
When we hear the name James Bond, Aston Martin definitely comes to mind. Now, even though we may not know who the next actor is to fill the shoes of Daniel Craig as Agent 007, we do know which is the latest Aston Martin to be launched here in Malaysia.
The revamped Aston Martin Vantage was unveiled in February of this year and has made its way to the Malaysian market. To afford this, your pockets must be as deep as Bond’s. For the price of RM950,000, this elevated Vantage could be yours. This price is of course before duties and taxes.
The new Vantage boasts a Mercedes-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine at its core, now tuned to produce an impressive 665PS, a substantial increase of 153PS from its predecessor and 800Nm of torque. This power boost is achieved through meticulous adjustments, including new camshafts, enlarged turbos, and a modified compression ratio. Additionally, three extra heat exchangers and an enlarged oil cooler manage coolant and charge air temperatures more effectively, ensuring optimal engine performance.
Paired with the trusted 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, power is sent to the rear wheels via an electronic limited-slip differential. With a shortened final drive ratio of 3.083:1, the new Vantage achieves swifter acceleration while maintaining an impressive top speed of 325km/h and a blistering 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.4 seconds.
Structural enhancements contribute to the Vantage’s rigidity, with a revised underbody and repositioned front cross-member boosting torsional stiffness. A lighter and stiffer strut brace and improved rear rigidity further enhance chassis stiffness, allowing the new Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers to optimize handling and ride quality.
Software refinements enhance performance and driver engagement, with Aston Martin fine-tuning traction management modes, launch control system, and electronic power steering. The result is a dynamic driving experience complemented by a high-performance braking system featuring front 400mm steel rotors with six-piston calipers and rear 360mm rotors with four-piston callipers. Carbon ceramic brakes are available as an option, shedding unsprung weight for improved agility and handling.
Inside, the Vantage cockpit exudes sleek elegance, with clean lines and a spacious feel. Comfortable and supportive seats enhance the driving experience, while standard features include an 11-speaker audio system. Audiophiles can opt for the upgraded Bowers & Wilkins system with 15 speakers and 1,170W of power.
The Vantage also boasts Aston Martin’s latest infotainment system, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with online connectivity. Enhanced navigation includes real-time traffic updates and dynamic routing, while wireless Apple CarPlay ensures seamless smartphone integration.
Owners can interact with their Vantage through the Aston Martin app, offering vehicle monitoring, location tracking, and community engagement features. The app, free for the first three years, enhances the ownership experience.
Despite these extensive enhancements, the essence of the Vantage remains unchanged – a timeless two-door GT car delivering a captivating driving experience.
For further customisations that extend beyond the extensive catalogue of optional accessories, Qby Aston Martin offers bespoke personalisation services limited only by the imagination.
The new Aston Martin Vantage is now available for booking in Malaysia, with a starting price of RM950,000 excluding duties, taxes, options and customisation. After taxes, it is RM2.37 million before option and customisation. The retalil price includes a three- year factory warranty, which customers can opt to extend to enjoy up to 20 years of coverage. This complements the Aston Martin ownership experience with vehicle lifetime protection for total peace of mind, subject to terms and conditions.
Economist Niaz Asadullah cautioned against the potential negative effects of fuel price volatility, including trader speculation and anticipated inflation, which could hinder economic growth.
According to FMT, he warned that powerful syndicates might exploit uncertainties, destabilising the market further, while the anticipation of future inflation could impact consumer spending and producer decision-making, affecting economic stability.
Niaz also highlighted the risk of delaying essential reforms if the government fails to adjust fuel prices promptly, potentially jeopardising pro-poor programs and undermining the goals of the Madani framework.
He emphasised the need for carefully sequenced subsidy cuts to allow both producers and consumers time to adapt, urging the government to improve policy communication to avoid confusion and panic among citizens and industry stakeholders.
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook announced plans to enhance connectivity by increasing the number of buses on the road.
RapidKL has initiated tenders for adding over 300 new buses, while Prasarana aims to procure approximately 400 vehicles this year. Loke highlighted the importance of expanding bus fleets as a more viable option compared to overhauling mid-life buses.
The transport ministry is collaborating with the human resources ministry through an initiative by the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) to address the shortage of lorry drivers in Malaysia, according to FMT. Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook highlighted the challenges posed by this shortage to various industries nationwide.
Loke mentioned that industries are currently facing a shortage of thousands of drivers and emphasised the need to train better drivers.
The collaboration with HRD Corp aims to utilise its funding mechanism to provide training for lorry drivers. This initiative will be complemented by the MyLesen program, which will subsidise the training and licensing costs for lorry drivers.
While urging industry players to collaborate with the transport ministry to facilitate job opportunities for trained drivers, Loke emphasised that the ministry will not intervene in determining wage structures, as these are determined by market forces. He noted that experienced drivers can earn around RM3,000, emphasising the potential for skilled drivers in the industry.
Porsche has confirmed the recall of several thousand electric Taycan models due to risks associated with their batteries potentially catching fire. The recall was initiated after identifying faulty cells in some batteries that could short-circuit and ignite.
Initially, 858 Taycans were recalled in January, but further checks revealed that additional vehicles could be affected. Porsche has now determined that 2,936 Taycans show anomalies requiring changes to the modules in their batteries. Another 4,522 Taycans have yet to be inspected and will need to be brought to repair shops for verification.
