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The first-ever SUV in Ferrari’s 75-year history was revealed in September 2022. Now, thanks to Ital Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the official importer and distributor of Ferrari cars in Malaysia, it finally entered the Malaysian market. Ferrari has taken time to ensure that the driving dynamics and performance allow the Purosangue to have the Prancing Horse on its bonnet.

To achieve its ambitious goals for the Purosangue project, Ferrari developed a completely different layout. The mid-front-mounted engine has the gearbox at the rear, adopting a transaxle layout. The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) provides an all-wheel-drive transmission, resulting in a 49:51 weight distribution optimal for a mid-front-engined sports car.

The Purosangue’s engine, adapted from the 812 Superfast engine (F140IA), is the most powerful ever developed by Ferrari for a 4-seater car. It features a 65° angle between cylinder banks, a 6.5-litre capacity, a dry sump, and high-pressure direct injection. Tuned for high torque at low revs, it produces 80% of maximum torque at 2,100 rpm, peaking at 716Nm at 6,250 rpm, with a maximum power output of 725PS at 7,750 rpm.

The 8-speed, oil-bath dual-clutch transmission has a compact layout with reduced height, contributing to enhanced handling. The transmission’s gear shift times are reduced, with new gear ratios having shorter spacing, and a longer top ratio for greater highway economy.

Aerodynamics played a crucial role in the Purosangue’s design. The bodywork underwent aero development similar to other Ferrari sports cars, with features like an air curtain to aerodynamically seal the front wheels and manage turbulent transverse air flows.

The car’s aero design focused on the centreline section, reducing drag and achieving a seamless profile between the bonnet and windscreen. Elements like the suspended spoiler and nolder on the boot lip contribute to managing flow separations and pressure fields, ensuring stability.

The Purosangue features an advanced chassis with a spaceframe made of high-strength aluminium alloy for reduced weight. The carbon fibre roof is standard, providing rigidity similar to a glass roof but weighing 20% less than an aluminium roof with soundproofing.

In terms of dynamics, the Purosangue adopts the latest control systems, including independent 4-wheel steering and ABS ‘evo’ with the 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor. The active suspension system, making its world debut, effectively controls body roll and tire contact patch over high-frequency bumps, delivering performance and handling response consistent with other Ferraris.

The cabin accommodates four generously sized seats, and the driver benefits from a commanding view. The interior architecture follows the dual cockpit dashboard concept, offering a digital interface with a 10.2-inch display. For the first time in Ferrari’s history, the cabin has four separate and independently adjustable seats, integrating comfort-focused components and variable density foams for unprecedented occupant comfort. The Purosangue’s interior combines sportiness and luxury in a layout inspired by the SF90 Stradale.

The interior of the Ferrari Purosangue introduces a range of innovative features, showcasing the brand’s commitment to luxury, sustainability, and customisation. Owners can opt for a floor trim made from high-strength fabric used in military uniforms, ensuring exceptional toughness and durability.

A new dark brown semi-aniline leather adds an elegant and contemporary touch to the interior. The availability of a carbon fibre weave with integrated copper wire provides a sophisticated take on traditional carbon fibre elements. The SUV boasts the largest boot volume ever seen in a Ferrari, complemented by an electrically activated rear hatch for convenient access.

Sustainability takes centre stage, with 85% of the launch trim produced from recycled materials, including a special version of Alcantara made from 68% post-consumer recycled polyester. Owners have extensive customisation options, including the ability to personalise the roof, a first for Ferrari. Furthermore, the Purosangue features an air quality sensor, a groundbreaking addition to the Ferrari range, ensuring a clean and healthy environment inside the cabin.

Ferrari’s unparalleled quality standards and increasing focus on client service underpin the extended seven-year maintenance programme offered with the Purosangue. Available across the entire range, the latter covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life. This scheduled maintenance programme for Ferraris is an exclusive service that allows clients the certainty that their car is being kept at peak performance and safety over the years. This very special service is also available to owners of pre-owned Ferraris.

All Ferrari owners in Malaysia can perform regular maintenance (at intervals of either 20,000 km or once a year with no mileage restrictions) with Genuine Spare Parts at Ital Auto’s Official Aftersales Centre in Glenmarie, Kuala Lumpur. As part of the Official Dealership Network, the centre is fully equipped with Ferrari Diagnostic equipment and is manned by highly-trained personnel, including Certified Master Technicians with over 10 years of experience in servicing Ferrari vehicles.

Want one? Well, if you have deep pockets, the Ferrari Purosangue is available in Malaysia from RM5,000,000.00 inclusive of duties and taxes.

Great Wall Motor (GWM) unveiled its Tank 700 Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) body-on-frame off-road SUV during the Guangzhou Auto Show, marking its entry into the luxury off-road segment. Priced at 700,000 yuan (approximately RM456k), the SUV is set for presale with only 70 units available in the initial batch, and deliveries are scheduled to commence in February of the following year.

Positioned as GWM’s response to the Mercedes G-Wagon, the Tank 700 Hi4-T exhibits a robust design with distinctive features differentiating it from its counterparts. Notable distinctions include a slightly wider wheelbase of 3000mm compared to the G-Wagon’s 2890mm. The SUV boasts a rugged appearance with large headlamps, broad wheel arches, a stylish front bumper, and a distinctive gap in the bonnet. The rear features a swing-out trunk door equipped with a spare wheel, a rear diffuser, and a roof spoiler. Riding on R22 wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires measuring 275/50, the Tank 700 Hi4-T offers a unique and powerful aesthetic.

Under the hood, the Tank 700 Hi4-T is equipped with a 3-litre twin-turbo V6 engine generating 360hp and 500Nm of torque. An electric motor and a 9AT gearbox are integrated, resulting in a combined power output of 517hp and 750Nm of torque. This setup represents the introduction of the 3-litre V6-powered Hi4-T technology, making it the first SUV within the Tank brand to feature this innovative powertrain.

Tank, initially introduced in 2021 with the Tank 300 model, has become a standalone brand following its market success. The Tank 700 joins the lineup, which includes the Tank 300, Tank 400 Hi4-T, and Tank 500, showcasing GWM’s commitment to the luxury off-road vehicle segment.

Michelin Malaysia is expanding its local tyre portfolio by introducing premium bicycle tyres to the Malaysian market in collaboration with Cyclistic Malaysia, a prominent local distributor. This move aims to revolutionise the cycling experience for enthusiasts across the nation.

Michelin’s high-performance bicycle tyres are now available at seven Cyclistic stores and distributor locations across the Klang Valley. Starting from December 1, 2023, customers can explore and purchase Michelin’s range of bicycle tyres at Cyclistic’s main outlet.

The introduced range includes:

MICHELIN POWER CUP COMPETITION LINE: Designed for racing and training, these tyres draw inspiration from MotoGP technology, offering speed and efficiency. With MICHELIN Aramid Shield Technology, 3×120 TPI casing, and MICHELIN GUM-X compound, they are light, reliable, and ensure efficient handling and stability in wet and dry conditions.

MICHELIN WILD ENDURO FRONT RACING LINE: Developed to excel on all types of terrain, especially at the front, these tyres can also be fitted at the rear for increased grip. The combination of tread, Magi-X DH, and Down Hill Shield delivers maximum grip. The double-reinforced Down Hill Shield and anti-puncture reinforcement ensure excellent handling even at lower pressures.

MICHELIN WILD AM PERFORMANCE LINE: Fortified with “Bead To Bead Protection,” these tyres optimise puncture resistance. Precision-engineered tread increases grip, particularly on the front wheel. The robust “Trail Shield” casing with 4×60 TPI construction ensures long-lasting safety and performance.

The recommended retail pricing (RRP) for the Michelin bicycle tyres range starts from RM240 to RM315 for road bike tyres (Michelin Power Cup Competition Line) and RM105 to RM290 for the mountain bike tyre range (Michelin Wild Enduro Front Racing Line And Michelin Wild Am Performance Line). This expansion reflects Michelin’s commitment to enhancing the cycling experience in Malaysia with premium, performance-driven tyres.

Pro-Net, a subsidiary of Proton, has officially launched the smart #1 which comes in three different variants; the Pro, Premium and the top-of-the-line Brabus. Now, smart Malaysia has been teasing us with previews and test drives without revealing the price since July and finally, the wait ends.

The Pro variant is priced at RM189,000, the Premium at RM219,000 and the Brabus at RM249,000! Well, it is at the price range that we anticipated it to be due to how interactive and powerful this car is. Not to mention the safety features that come with it.

The Pro variant, with a smaller 49kWh LFP battery, provides a WLTP-rated range of 315km on a single charge. In contrast, the Premium variant is equipped with a larger 66kWh battery, offering a WLTP-rated range of 440km. Both variants utilize the same 268hp, 343Nm electric motor, taking 6.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h, and are configured with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup.

Inside, the Pro variant exhibits a few feature reductions, such as leatherette seats and the absence of ventilated seats for the front occupants. Moreover, the 10-inch head-up display is replaced by a more basic 5-speaker audio system instead of the 13-speaker Beats Audio System.

The third variant, the Brabus variant, offers all the features present in the other variants and an additional option which is the ability to switch from RWD to all-wheel-drive (AWD). This variant prioritises high performance, boasting a rapid 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.9 seconds. It features a Dual-motor All-Wheel-Drive powertrain with 422hp and 543Nm of torque, providing excellent handling and traction, and a practical WLTP range of 400km.

The Pro variant serves as the entry-level option, while both Pro and Premium variants offer almost identical ADAS features, including:

  • L2+ ADAS Category/Level
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) – City/Urban
  • Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) – Pedestrian/Cyclist
  • Front Collision Mitigation Support (FCMS)
  • Rear Collision Mitigation Support (RCMS)
  • Emergency Lane Keep Assist (ELKA)
  • Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
  • Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
  • Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
  • Lane Change Assist (LA) Automated
  • Lane Change Assist (ALCA)
  • Evasive Maneuver Assist (EMA)
  • Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA)
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
  • Door Opening Warning (DOW)
  • Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
  • Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF)
  • Driver Performance Monitoring (DPM)
  • Highway Assist (HWA)
  • Traffic Jam Assist (TJA)
  • 360 Visual Park Assist

The key difference is that the Pro variant comes with Automatic High Beam, while the Premium variant offers a higher-end Adaptive High Beam, Full Autonomous Parking (FAP), Parking Emergency Brake (PEB), and Autonomous Parking Assist.

It features a total of 10 colour combinations, including Future Green, Quantum Blue, Digital White, Cyber Silver, Lumen Yellow, Laser Red, Atom Grey – Matte (Atom Roof), Atom Grey – Matte (Red Roof), Cyber Silver (Red Roof), and Meta Black (Red Roof). Additionally, there are three variant-specific interior styles: the ‘After Dark’ trim for smart #1 Pro, the two-tone white and black ‘Dark Matter’ trim for smart #1 Premium, and the exclusive ‘BRABUS’ interior for the smart #1 BRABUS. Owners can choose the exclusive colour Atom Grey – Matte for an additional RM5,000.

The packages that are being offered are complimentary smartCharge Home charger worth RM3,200, complimentary V2L Adaptor worth RM800, free accessories package worth RM2,000, complimentary internet data of a total 60GB and comprehensive smartPlus assurance coverage.

In addition to that, it comes with an eight-year/150,000km high voltage component warranty, a four-year unlimited mileage warranty and 24/7 roadside service assistance.

SISMA Auto, a leading multi-brand premium automotive group, has unveiled its state-of-the-art flagship Volvo 3S centre in Sungai Besi, Malaysia. Known as Wisma SISMA Auto, this purpose-built facility spans four storeys, covering an impressive 55,000 square feet, and comes at a cost of RM30 million.

The Wisma SISMA Auto facility embodies the Volvo Retail Sustainable Experience, integrating a range of sustainable initiatives. These include rainwater harvesting, solar energy utilisation, an energy-efficient insulated shell facade design, energy-efficient lighting and ventilation, and a focus on maximising greenery on-site. Moreover, the facility incorporates Volvo’s latest sustainably sourced and produced furniture.

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Hyundai Motor Company launches the “Go Far with Zero Worries” Ioniq 5 ASEAN Tour, covering an exceptional 2,751km route across Southeast Asia. The Flag Off Ceremony occurred at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) on November 20th and will conclude at Ho Chi Minh City’s Royal Palace in Vietnam on November 30th.

The convoy, consisting of three cars from HMGICS and two from Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (HMMI), showcases the Ioniq 5’s reliability, eco-friendliness, and long-distance capabilities. The journey spans five different countries in Southeast Asia, commencing in the vibrant city of Singapore and weaving through Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and concluding in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam—an EV tour featuring the most visited countries in Southeast Asia.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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