The inaugural Off The Grid (OTG) event, held at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang (MAEPS) from February 23 to 25, 2024, proved to be a resounding success, drawing over 30,000 outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. Organised by the Art of Speed team, the event celebrated all things related to outdoor living, attracting a diverse crowd of visitors eager to explore the latest trends and offerings in the outdoor lifestyle scene.
The success of OTG was made possible through the support of various vendors, including well-known names such as Montanic Adventure Store, Anbot Store, CampGuru, Eiger Adventure, Pahlawan Store, and Outside Malaysia, among others. These vendors contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of the event, offering a wide range of products and experiences tailored to outdoor enthusiasts’ interests.
Sime Darby Auto Bavaria Sungai Besi, a stalwart in the automotive industry, is gearing up for a transition as it prepares to relocate to its new 4S dealership in Balakong this March. With a remarkable 27-year tenure from 1997 to 2024, it stands as one of the oldest Auto Bavaria dealerships in Malaysia.
Throughout its illustrious history, this dealership has proudly represented the BMW brand, steadfast in its dedication to delivering automotive excellence and elevating customer satisfaction. Its unwavering commitment to the highest standards has earned it numerous accolades, including the prestigious BMW Excellence Club Award from BMW Group Malaysia.
To commemorate this milestone and celebrate the success of the dealership, former and current managing directors, dealer principals, sales, and administrative personnel from Auto Bavaria will gather at Sungai Besi to bid farewell to a legacy and herald the beginning of a new chapter.
Tesla has announced the expansion of its charging network to Penang, Malaysia, with the installation of two Destination Charging stations. Situated at The Ship Campus in Batu Kawan and All Seasons Place, these new stations mark a significant step in enhancing charging coverage across the country.
The addition of these charging stations enables Tesla owners to enjoy seamless cross-country charging experiences, spanning from Singapore to Johor and now Penang. Tesla’s Destination Charging stations offer convenient and reliable charging options for Tesla vehicle owners. With the simple act of plugging in, owners can benefit from free charging services. Moreover, the Tesla app allows users to monitor the charging status and receive notifications when their vehicles are fully charged and ready for use.
The newly installed Destination Charging Station at The Ship Campus boasts 8 Destination Chargers, while the station at All Seasons Place provides 4 Destination Chargers. This brings the total number of Destination Chargers in Penang to 12, offering ample charging opportunities for Tesla owners in the region.
Currently, Malaysia is equipped with 6 Supercharging stations and 8 Destination Charging stations, featuring a total of 30 Superchargers and 37 Destination Chargers across major cities. Tesla remains committed to further expanding its charging infrastructure in Penang and throughout Malaysia, ensuring comprehensive charging coverage for Tesla owners nationwide.
Clean energy solutions provider Gentari Sdn Bhd, through its subsidiary Gentari Hydrogen Sdn Bhd, has taken a significant step towards advancing Sarawak’s new energy ecosystem with the signing of a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDCE). The agreement paves the way for the joint development of the Sarawak H2 Hub, a centralised hydrogen production facility located in Bintulu.
The ceremony, held at the Borneo Energy Transition Conference (BETC2024) in Kuching, was graced by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg. SEDCE, a subsidiary of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, has been entrusted with spearheading the initiative, aligning with the state government’s commitment to promoting the adoption of new and cleaner energy sources.
The Sarawak H2 Hub, envisioned to be a global-scale hydrogen production hub, aims to serve as the primary supplier of green hydrogen for downstream facilities in the Bintulu division. A joint venture company formed by Gentari and SEDCE will oversee the management of the hub and optimise hydrogen production projects within the region.
BYD, a renowned pioneer in new energy vehicles and power batteries, presents the debut of its first pure electric supercar model, the U9, under its high-end sub-brand, YANGWANG. Priced at 1.68 million RMB (RM1,114,756), the U9 is slated to commence deliveries starting this June.
Embodying the signature “Time Gate” design language, the YANGWANG U9 showcases a distinct aesthetic characterised by unique proportions, tension, and power, affirming its status as a true pure electric supercar.
Powered by two cutting-edge technologies – the e4 platform and the DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System – the YANGWANG U9 redefines the pure electric supercar segment by seamlessly integrating track performance, street adaptability, and playful features.
The e4 Platform serves as the powerhouse, boasting four independent electric motors for agile and precise four-wheel torque output control. With a staggering 1,300hp and a maximum torque of 1680Nm, the U9 ensures the ultimate in safety, performance, and driving experience.
The BYD DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System marks another groundbreaking advancement, enabling the U9 to achieve unmatched adjustability with a maximum suspension travel of up to 75mm. Its rapid lifting capabilities, reaching up to 500mm/s, deliver unparalleled agility and comfort across various driving scenarios.
In performance tests, the YANGWANG U9 achieved remarkable feats, including a top speed of 309.19km/h and a blistering 0-100km/h acceleration in just 2.36 seconds. With rigorous track testing, the U9’s thermal management system has been optimised to withstand high temperatures, doubling the maximum cooling capacity.
Equipped with advanced aerodynamic packages, the U9 boasts a Super Carbon-fibre Cabin structure and next-generation Cell to Body (CTB) technology, ensuring unmatched torsional stiffness and comprehensive travel safety.
Inside the cockpit, the YANGWANG U9 features two 14-way adjustable seats for an enhanced driving experience, complemented by the Dynaudio Evidence Series high-end audio system, offering an immersive auditory journey. The 127-color ambient lighting system complements the twin dashboard, which gives passengers a cockpit-like feeling. A 12.3-inch portrait touchscreen with mini-LEDs that is not rotatable operates the infotainment system, while a 10.25-inch mini-LED digital instrument display faces the driver.
With its unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability, YANGWANG sets a new benchmark in the supercar realm with its cutting-edge technologies and superior performance, promising uncompromising safety and an unparalleled driving experience for enthusiasts.
An inferno broke out early today near Taman Keladi, engulfing two auto workshops and wreaking havoc on a total of 16 vehicles, consisting of five cars and 11 motorcycles.
According to NST, Chief Ismail Mohd Zain of the Sungai Petani Fire and Rescue Department reported that his team swiftly responded to distress calls at 5:23 am, promptly dispatching to the location.
“The fire was successfully contained by 5:45 am, but unfortunately, it resulted in the destruction of 11 motorcycles and five cars,” Ismail stated in a released statement today.
Thankfully, there were no casualties or injuries reported as a result of the blaze.
Ismail further mentioned that firefighting operations concluded at 6:36 am. However, investigations into the cause and extent of the damage are still ongoing.
Porsche, the renowned German sports car manufacturer, has surprised tech enthusiasts by teaming up with Shenzhen-based electronics firm HONOR to infuse luxury and automotive design into the latest iteration of its folding phone.
Dubbed the Porsche Design HONOR Magic V2 RSR, with “RSR” paying homage to “RennSport Rennwagen” (translated to “Racing Sport Racing Car”), this collaboration has birthed a revamped outer design for the Magic V2 foldable phone launched last year, along with a heftier price tag of £2,349.99 (RM14,211) ― a £650 (RM3,930) premium over the standard price of the HONOR Magic V2.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic Porsche silhouette, affectionately known as the “flyline,” the handset sports a sleek ridge along its back. This design element, according to marketing materials, exudes the legendary sports car’s sense of dynamic sportiness.
Additionally, the camera module has received an upgrade from the standard HONOR Magic V2, featuring a titanium frame and a distinctive trapezoid shape. The phone is available in a single colour option: Agate Grey, a subtle blend of light green and grey reminiscent of many Porsche models, including the iconic 911.
Despite the added Porsche flair, the dimensions of the Magic V2 remain unchanged, measuring 9.9mm when folded and 4.7mm when open. Interestingly, the Magic V2 claims the title of the world’s thinnest folding phone, edging out competitors like the iPhone 15.
The Porsche Design HONOR Magic V2 RSR weighs 234g, 3g more than the standard model. In the UK, it will be accompanied by a stylus, a protective case made from stitched dark grey vegan leather, and a spare 66W fast charger.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that toll concessions for highways in the Kuala Lumpur area could potentially be renegotiated in the future, once the country’s financial situation sees improvement.
According to FMT, Anwar concurred with the sentiment that there are currently too many toll plazas surrounding the federal capital. He acknowledged that if the government were to abolish tolls, compensation would be required for the concessionaires. Presently, contractual obligations with these concessionaires are binding, but Anwar expressed optimism that renegotiations could occur once the nation’s financial strength is bolstered.
Anwar addressed toll-related matters as inherited challenges from previous administrations during a dialogue session at a Madani Rakyat fair. He referenced ongoing negotiations initiated by the government on November 17 with highway concessionaires to restructure tolls for 19 highways.
Abdul Rahman Mohamad, the former deputy works minister, had previously stated that the 19 highways under negotiation included those managed by various entities such as Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat, Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings, IJM Corporation, Anih Bhd, and PLUS Malaysia, encompassing a range of key expressways in the Kuala Lumpur region.
At the upcoming global launch of the HONOR Magic6 Series at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, HONOR is poised to introduce an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) feature that promises to redefine the driving experience.
The pioneering technology involves an AI-powered eye-tracking feature integrated into the HONOR Magic6 Pro, allowing drivers to control their vehicles solely with their gaze. This groundbreaking development eliminates the need for physical touch or voice commands, representing a significant leap forward in automotive technology.
To showcase the capabilities of this cutting-edge feature, HONOR has collaborated with automotive engineer Professor James Brighton. In a demonstration video, the HONOR Magic6 Pro seamlessly responds to four distinct eye commands, enabling drivers to start and stop the engine, as well as manoeuvre the vehicle forward and backward.
The year 2024 is not a good time to be a car fan. Sure, you have some mega cars from the likes of Bugatti, Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin, but you have to have some deep pockets to be able to indulge in those.
The advent of technology has made it possible to create stratospheric power and aerospace levels of aerodynamics to ensure a car never leaves the ground. But all of this comes at a price, figures that would leave some rich folks short of breath.
On the other hand, the 90s and the noughties were probably the best times for car fans. Technologies from the 80s such as turbochargers and all-wheel-drive systems had been perfected and came together to create such monstrosities as the Nissan GT-R, the Lancia Delta Integrale and even Audi’s RS series of power-mobiles.
And car companies thought of the regular man as well. Ford created the Focus RS, Renault had the mighty Clio, Peugeot with its 308, Mazda its MX-5 and Honda had its Type R. Closer to home, even Proton had something that just about anyone could appreciate – the beloved Satria GTi.
And then something changed somewhere.
In the ever-evolving world of automotive tech, cars needed to produce more power, be faster, look better and stick to the road like a lizard to the wall. And unfortunately, this meant that cars that were once fun and affordable had become more expensive because evolution requires tech and tech is not cheap.
We wouldn’t go so far as to say that electric car’s stole all the fun, but there does lie some blame there. But that’s a debate for another time.
Back tracking to the time when cars were cheap and cheerful, the Civic Type R (CTR) was introduced in 1997 and was based on the EK9 Civic. While some of its competitors relied on force induction to create massive power, Honda went a different route and refined its popular VTEC technology.
The B16B engine of the EK9 Civic is still one of the finest small displacements, naturally-aspirated engines ever made and is still highly sought after by enthusiasts. It created most of its power at the upper end of the 8000rpm redline, which meant that you had to keep the engine on the boil to extract every bit of horsepower. That combined with a livewire chassis and grippy tyres provided a driving experience that is extinct in today’s cars.
Then came the evolution of Type R models such as the Integra Type R models with legends such as the DC2 and DC5. Arguably one of the most memorable of the Civic Type R’s is the 2007 FD2 which was very much a race car for the road with its ultra-stiff suspension, specially developed tyres and once again, an engine that screamed so loud that it would put your former lover to shame.
The subsequent iterations were softened a little as European legislations creeped in. Things like carbon and noise emissions began to threaten the purity of the Type R brand, but fortunately we Asians got none of those models except for in the parallel import market.
Then came the Civic Type R FK8R. It was the second CTR model that came with a turbo engine after the FK2. And despite being developed in Europe, it was heavenly.
But it was unlike older CTR’s, it was heavy, came with adaptive suspension and drive modes, and it was comfortable, a word that could never be used in the same sentence as a Honda Type R.
It did not forget the driver though, for the initiated, it offered one of the greatest manual gearboxes ever made and the turbocharger complemented Honda’s VTEC system perfectly.
Fans of Honda’s naturally-aspirated engines had a hard time faulting it. It also became the fastest front-wheel-drive car to lap the legendary Nurburgring-Nordschleiffe in Germany.
And just when fans and enthusiasts thought that it could not get any better, Honda took the wraps off the Civic Type R FL5 – arguably the greatest Type R, ever.
The new CTR FL5 shares a lot with its predecessors, particularly the powertrain and suspension components.
But while the older model had aggressive styling such as the double spoilers, fins and wings that just looked rude, the newer model is refined and socially acceptable. It looks more matured with its styling, which is every bit as functional. In fact, at 200km/h, the design of the CTR FL5 generates 100kg of downforce to further push the car down to maximise grip.
Just like before, there are several vents and fins that channel air in and around the car to also keep things like the engine and brakes cool.
The real spectacle though is inside the car and in the way it drives.
Current Honda Civic owners will find the interior to be quite familiar, but that is to be expected considering that all Type R’s are built upon the base Civics. So, your Civic Hybrid has the same dashboard as the Type R, except that the Type R has and only comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. So, you could spend RM80,000 on a body kit for your Civic, but it will never be a Type R.
On the topic of manual transmissions, the gear knob in the old FK8 is circular and made of aluminium. The one in the FL5 is also made of aluminium but is shaped like a teardrop and it weighs 230 grammes more.
The reason behind the heavier gearknob is that Honda apparently figured that by adding more weight to the knob, it makes the shifts feel more natural, sleeker even. And after jumping into the FL5 after hours behind the wheel of the FK8, the shifts are buttery and precise.
The steering column too has been reworked and this makes it feel lighter, faster and more communicative at the same time. The Alcantara wrapped steering wheel is always twitching and chatting with your palms, sending little nuggets of information back to your brain about what is happening with the tyres.
In comparison, the steering of the FK8 feels heavy and dull.
The real show begins when you drive. Both cars have drive modes – Comfort, Sport and R. But the newer CTR has an individual mode that lets you customise how you want the car to feel, you can have the suspension set to comfortable, the steering set to sport and the engine set for maximum response.
The new car also feels more eager to get off the line. Both are powered by the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-VTEC engine, except that the new CTR produces 319 and 420Nm while the previous one offered 310PS and 400Nm.
That’s not a lot of power difference but the FL5 has other tricks up its sleeves. The turbocharger for one has been re-engineered and now responds quicker. The flywheel is also 18% lighter and this helps to reduce inertia by 25%, which ultimately results in a car that feels more eager and accelerates harder.
In terms of numbers, the new model reaches 100km/h from a dead stop in just 5.5 seconds, while its predecessor took 5.7. You may think that 0.2 seconds can barely be felt, but the FL5 just feels wilder from the moment you take your foot off the clutch.
The FL5 is a bigger car too, much bigger than a Golf R or a Mercedes-Benz A45S AMG, and perhaps closer in size to a BMW 3-Series. But in Sport or R mode, it dances at the edge of grip and rarely feels like it is about to edge into an understeer.
Some describe the FL5 as a grip gorilla; we can understand why as it can charge into corners with the rear neatly tucked in and slingshot out where previous models would just slide into the barriers when you overload the tyres.
But you can also take it easy with the new CTR, and that makes us think that Honda has made a sports car for those 90s kid that are growing old but never want to grow up. These people need space for the family, so Honda fitted a huge booth with foldable rear seats.
These people also need space for the family, so the rear seats come with ISOFIX mounts and cupholders. They need to keep the family comfortable, so the suspension does a great job at keep the occupants comfortable, though the very audible tyre roar is a clear indication of what this car really is underneath.
And on Sundays when the kids and the wife are asleep, these people wake up at 6am to go barrelling down their favourite roads with the rev-match function making them feel like driving gods as they carve corner after corner, appreciating the decades of engineering that has gone into making one of the finest driver’s cars this decade has seen.
By 11am, they are back with the family, and the car has mellowed down and is ready for Sunday lunch with the family at the local banana leaf shop. On the way, the wireless Apple Carplay or wired Android Auto keeps the occupants entertained. There are safety systems to keep the family secure while features like adaptive cruise control and ultra-comfortable sport bucket seats make long journeys bearable.
It is a pity that the world has evolved into a place where such cars may soon go the way of the Dodo, but we can all be thankful that there are manufacturers like Honda who still care about driving pleasure. The only thing that stands in the way is the RM399,900 asking price.
