Hyundai CRADLE, the global open innovation hub of Hyundai Motor Group, has embarked on a new partnership with biomaterials specialist UNCAGED Innovations to introduce a next-generation leather alternative for automotive interiors. The collaboration marks a significant step in the Group’s ongoing commitment to material innovation and environmental responsibility, further reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable mobility.
The joint effort is focused on co-developing bio-based leather substitutes designed to meet the high demands of the automotive industry. This breakthrough material offers a sustainable solution that not only rivals the feel and quality of traditional animal leather but also drastically reduces its environmental footprint. According to Hyundai, the new product consumes 95 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, requires 89 per cent less water, and uses 71 per cent less energy compared to conventional leather production, all while maintaining durability, texture, and a sense of luxury.
Audi’s upcoming concept car, set for its public unveiling next week in Milan and at the Munich Motor Show, has surfaced online ahead of schedule after a leak revealed the model in full. The image, which briefly appeared as the cover photo on Audi Canada’s official Facebook page before being removed, was swiftly reposted on Instagram by automotive insider Wilco Blok, giving enthusiasts an early look at the coupe.
The still-unnamed concept adopts a sharp, blocky silhouette complemented by slim lighting elements at both ends. Its narrow headlights carry a resemblance to those on the E5 from Audi’s Chinese-market sub-brand, while the rear incorporates thin tail-lights and, uniquely, louvres in place of a conventional windscreen – a detail teased in a video released by Audi over the weekend.
The brand has been promoting the upcoming car under the slogan “Strive for clarity”, referencing some of its design icons including the original TT, the 1991 Avus Quattro concept, and the legendary Auto Union Type C and D Grand Prix racers of the 1930s. These nods to heritage appear intended to highlight the philosophy behind Audi’s next era of design, which will debut with this concept.
Volvo Cars has introduced the all-new XC70, its first long-range plug-in hybrid SUV, and the model arrives with a milestone: an all-electric driving range of more than 200km under the CLTC cycle. This marks the longest zero-emissions capability of any Volvo plug-in hybrid to date, signalling the brand’s next step towards a more sustainable product portfolio.
The XC70 is underpinned by Volvo’s new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) platform, engineered specifically for long-range plug-in hybrids. The model has been designed to meet growing customer demand for extended-range electrified vehicles, particularly in China where pre-orders have already begun. Volvo Cars has confirmed that Europe will follow later, bringing the SUV to a wider audience in due course.
Fast charging is one of the car’s defining features, allowing the battery to be replenished from 0 to 80 per cent in just 23 minutes. The SUV also supports bi-directional charging, meaning the onboard battery can serve as a portable power bank for devices and appliances, particularly useful for outdoor activities and camping. With its efficient hybrid system, the XC70 is capable of covering more than 1,200km when combining its electric drive with the combustion engine, offering both flexibility and peace of mind for longer journeys.
If you don’t understand the automotive segments, don’t fret, it took me a while too. I have been reviewing cars and motorcycles for the better half of 20 years and sometimes I still get it wrong.
So just as a quick refresher, the A-segment generally refers to small cars such as the Perodua Axia. After that is the B-segment which are for sub-compact cars such as the Honda City and Toyota Vios.
Then there is the C-segment with more spacious interiors, better-equipped interiors and include cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and the Mazda 3.
The D-segment are for larger sedans such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Past that is the E-segment for luxury sedans and of course it goes up to the F-segment.
But these days it is not as straightforward as it seems. You have the SUVs that are also defined by their segments and crossovers just muddy everything.
And then there are cars like the Chery Tiggo Cross, which sit in between segments because of its size and specifications. It is technically a B-segment SUV, but some argue that it could even nudge into the C-segment thanks to its features and generous size.
It’s not difficult to understand why some may say that because it really does have a list of features that more expensive cars struggle to match.
But let’s follow the rules and position it as a B-segment SUV, and it has its work cut out for it as the segment includes such heavyweights as the Perodua Ativa, Honda WR-V, Honda HR-V, and the new Proton X50.
We recently drove it to Terengganu and back.
The Chery Tiggo Cross is available in two variants – the Turbo and the Hybrid. And we drove both of them. We drove the Turbo to Tanjung Jara in Terengganu, and the Hybrid back to KL. The distance good enough to properly have a feel for what the Tiggo Cross has to offer.
For some context, the Tiggo Cross Turbo is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged aluminium engine producing 147PS and 210Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The official fuel consumption figure for the Turbo is rated at 6.3-litres per 100km. (more…)
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has opened bookings for the New Nissan Navara X-Tremer, a pickup engineered to thrive both on city streets and in the rough. Marketed as more than just an update, the X-Tremer is being positioned as a statement of rugged capability and expressive style.
The Navara X-Tremer continues to deliver the model’s well-known toughness but now comes with sharper visual distinction. The front end wears a new black grille paired with an X-formation bumper cladding, while carbon fibre-look fender garnishes and black over-fenders further enhance its muscular stance. At the rear, a new shark fin antenna, a redesigned black bumper, and a bold tailgate decal make the truck instantly recognisable and set it apart from the standard Navara range.
Inside, Nissan has introduced a number of updates designed to blend durability with comfort. A soft-touch dashboard with double stitching, a modernised centre console and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a smooth-grain finish lift the overall cabin ambience. Technology plays a key role too, with an 8-inch infotainment screen supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to ensure seamless connectivity. Seating has also been improved with stain-resistant QUOLE MODURE upholstery, designed to minimise heat build-up, while the Zero Gravity front seats continue to provide long-distance comfort and reduced fatigue.
Aston Martin is turning up the heat at the front of the Formula 1 grid with the introduction of its latest high-performance model, the Vantage S, as the new Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1. Making its debut at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, the car represents the most performance-focused iteration of the Vantage to date.
Powered by a hand-built 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, the Vantage S delivers 680 PS and 800 Nm of torque, enough to propel it from 0 to 100kn/h in just 3.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 325km/h.
To ensure it performs flawlessly when leading the world’s fastest racing cars, the car is fitted with additional aerodynamic upgrades including a full-width decklid spoiler and a centrally mounted rear lightbar, both engineered for greater stability and visibility in deployment conditions.
The car also benefits from design revisions intended to extract maximum performance from the V8 engine. New centrally-mounted bonnet blades improve hot air management from the ‘hot-V’ layout, while the enhanced aerodynamic balance gives FIA Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer sharper turn-in and greater cornering stability – qualities that are essential when driving ahead of a full F1 grid.
If the GWM Tank 500 captivated you but you have been waiting for a good time to buy one, the time has just arrived, thanks to GWM’s Merdeka Campaign 2025.
Officially launched earlier this year, the GWM Tank 500 is arguably one of the hottest SUV’s to hit the Malaysian automotive segment in recent times.
Priced at just RM328,000, the Tank 500 offers luxury, space and off-road capability that can rival a Toyota Land Cruiser.
Powering the Tank 500 is a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-litre, turbocharged engine to an electric motor. This produces a combined 346PS and 648Nm of torque, which is good to catapult the Tank 500 to 100km/h in just 7.3 seconds.
Featuring Nappa leather and real wood trimming, the interior of the Tank 500 is a combination of space, versatility and luxury making it perfect for those who want a big SUV for their family and even to be driven in as well.
The full sized panoramic roof as well as ventilated seats ensure comfort in all situations while a 12-speaker Infinity sound system with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto provide comfort and navigation.
For those who demand more from their SUV’s and need off-roading capabilities, the Tank 500 comes with an intelligent four-wheel-drive system with electronically controlled front and rear differential locks.
It even has 11 driving modes to tackle any situation, and a tank turn assist that lets it easily maneuver in tight spaces by locking the inner rear wheel.
Making it easier to manage its massive size multiple sensors that aid parking as well as a 360 camera with transparent chassis view, showing you what’s underneath the car.
In conjunction with Merdeka, GWM Malaysia is hosting a special book and win campaign, making September the ideal month to book a GWM Tank 500, or any GWM model for that matter.
Happening now until the 28th of September 2025, you stand to win prizes worth RM120,000 if you book a GWM Tank 500 on any weekend until the 28th of September.
By booking the GWM Tank 500, you will automatically qualify to be part of two lucky draws. One on the spot lucky draw and an entry into the Grand Lucky Draw with prizes worth up to RM120,000.
The prizes include an iPhone 16 Pro, Nintendo Switch 2, DJI Osmo Pocket 3, Philips Air Purifier, Xiaomi X20+ Robot Vacuum, Samsung Galaxy A56, Marshall Acton III and even a Dyson Cool Fan, among others.
And if you can’t visit a GWM showroom, not to worry, as GWM is set to go on a nationwide roadshow to bring the GWM experience directly to Malaysians. This roadshow offers test drives, interactive activities and roadshow-exclusive deals.
Roadshow dates and locations are as follows:
Central Region:
Mid Valley Kuala Lumpur: 10-14 September
GF Luxe, 1 Utama: 7 October – 6 November
Northern Region:
Sunway Carnival Mall, Penang: 30 October – 2 November
Ipoh Parade: 6 – 9 November
For those situated in Klang, GWM Malaysia has officially opened its latest showroom. Located at PT 4209, Jalan Kapar, Kawasan 18, the new showroom spans 3,900sq ft and features a 1,140 sq ft customer lounge, three fully equipped service bays and is capable of servicing up to 200 vehicles each month.
The new showroom is open daily from 9am to 6pm for sales, and from 8am to 530pm for service.
Lotus Cars Malaysia, managed by Lotus Karz Sdn. Bhd. under the Karrus Automotive Group, has unveiled the updated Lotus Eletre range, signalling a new chapter for the brand’s first all-electric hyper-SUV. The revised line-up not only introduces simplified model names and equipment packages but also enhances performance benchmarks for the premium EV segment, with pricing now starting from RM499,000.
In line with Lotus’ global naming strategy, the refreshed Eletre range adopts a clearer designation system, with models now identified as the Eletre 600 and Eletre 900, denoting their respective power outputs. The move follows the same philosophy introduced with the Lotus Emeya, ensuring customers can easily distinguish performance levels across the brand’s expanding portfolio.
Each variant of the Eletre is offered with a curated package, giving buyers the freedom to select a sport-oriented specification or a more comfort and technology-focused configuration. This approach simplifies the buying process while retaining the flexibility for personalisation, ensuring customers can tailor their vehicle to match individual preferences and lifestyles.
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has provided further clarity on the Own Damage Knock-For-Knock (ODKFK) policy, a system designed to make the claims process easier for motorists involved in accidents where they are not at fault.
According to BFM Radio, under this policy, drivers with comprehensive motor insurance can now claim directly from their own insurers without affecting their No-Claim Discount (NCD). This ensures vehicle owners can have their cars repaired promptly without having to cover upfront costs or face long delays while waiting for the third-party insurer to process the claim. To initiate a claim, motorists only need to submit a police report and the necessary supporting documents to their insurance provider.
However, BNM also highlighted certain exceptions. If an accident involves public transport vehicles such as buses or taxis, or if it results in injuries, the claim must be made against the at-fault party’s insurer rather than under the ODKFK arrangement.
PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is preparing for a significant surge in highway traffic in conjunction with the 68th National Day celebrations, with projections of up to 2.2 million vehicles making their way across its network on 31 August and 1 September.
In anticipation of the increase, the highway operator has urged motorists to plan their journeys ahead of time to avoid congestion and ensure a more comfortable drive. To support this, PLUS has rolled out several enhancements to its MyPLUS-TTA feature within the PLUS mobile application, aimed at making route planning more seamless, even outside the typical festive travel periods.
Among the new functions is the ability for users to save frequently travelled routes under the ‘Favourite Routes’ section, allowing quicker access during busy periods. The app also now displays real-time alerts directly on the search results page, giving drivers immediate updates on traffic flow and conditions. A revised drop-down menu has replaced the previous scrolling method for route selection, providing a faster and more user-friendly experience.
