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2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380: Last Call For Manual Transmission

The iconic Volkswagen Golf with a manual transmission is bidding farewell in style. Volkswagen has introduced a special edition to commemorate the last year of the manual hot hatch, offered for both the Golf GTI and Golf R. After a remarkable run of over four decades, the manual-equipped Golf GTI is now heading into retirement.

The term ‘380’ pays homage to the Mk8’s internal designation and also honors the fourth-gen GTI 337 special edition, available in 2002. This lineage traces back to the Mk1 GTI from the 1970s, when the Golf was named Rabbit in the United States and Canada. This nostalgic connection might resurface in the upcoming months, possibly as a trim level or special edition.

It boasts an exclusive Graphite Gray Metallic hue, reserved solely for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf’s manual transmission variations: S, SE, and Autobahn trims. Additionally, buyers have the option to select from six other available paint options.

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Aston Martin Malaysia Reveals Iron Wolf & Midnight Viper Vantage Editions

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has unveiled two unique variations of the Aston Martin Vantage: the Iron Wolf Edition and the Midnight Viper Edition.

Iron Wolf Edition

The warm and slightly greenish tone of Titanium Grey illuminates various surfaces, enhancing the sculpted shape of the Vantage. This color is complemented by an exterior livery, resulting in an unconventional yet distinct appearance. Interestingly, this marks the first instance in the history of Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur that such distinctive colour specifications have been employed.

The Iron Wolf Edition includes the vaned front grille seen in the Aston Martin Vantage F1® Edition, along with new 20” wheels in Gloss Black design. The standout feature is the Blacked-out Diamond Turned wheels that not only enhance the Vantage’s stance but also contribute to the sporty appearance of the Iron Wolf Edition.

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Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: Limited-Run Work Of Art

Alfa Romeo is getting ready for the future by taking inspiration from its history. The new flagship model of the company is influenced by the design of the 33 Stradale mid-engine sports car from the late 1960s. This car served as a replacement for the Tipo 33 race car, transitioning the manufacturer’s racing technology into a road-ready vehicle.

The standout feature of the 33 Stradale’s design is its sleek and low appearance, characterized by graceful lines, butterfly doors, and a spacious glass roof. This design element serves as its most remarkable aspect and effectively connects Alfa’s historical legacy with its forthcoming direction. This connection extends to the interior as well, where an art deco style creates a cockpit reminiscent of a jet airplane.

A multitude of personalisation choices are available, offering the opportunity for customisation. These options encompass a personalized VIN number, comprising eight individually chosen digits by the owner. This unique VIN is prominently showcased on the central tunnel of the car. Sporting butterfly doors, the luxurious Alfa Romeo model incorporates a carbon fiber monocoque, coupled with an aluminum H-frame. The roof is a composite of both carbon fiber and aluminum. Notably, even the window frames are fashioned from carbon fibre, and the rear glass has been substituted with polycarbonate.

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Honda Trademarks ‘Prelude’ Name – Possible EV Sports Coupe?

When it comes to Honda, the most talked about models are the NSX, Civic and S2000. However, one legendary model is always left out -the Honda Prelude.

The Prelude has been produced over five generations from 1978 to 2001. It was inspired by the Honda Accord and became the first Honda car to have a moonroof, which was included in all its models over the years.

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Chery Malaysia Delivers First Locally Built Models

Chery Malaysia announced the successful completion and delivery of the first Completely Knocked Down (CKD) cars, the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8Pro.

The handover event took place at the Inokom CKD Plant in Kulim, Kedah. The symbolic key was passed from Mr. Sui Keng Huat, Managing Director of Inokom Corporation, to Mr. Xu Jing Zhong, Plant Operation Director of Chery Malaysia.

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Digital Car Service Installment Plan Now Available with Petronas AutoExpert

Leading Malaysian digital lending platform, Direct Lending, has joined forces with Petronas AutoExpert to introduce an all-digital car service payment plan for Malaysian car owners. This plan is Shariah-compliant and fully digital, aiming to simplify the lives of customers and offer an edge to Petronas AutoExpert’s service centres.

This partnership brings the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) model into play, allowing car owners to space out payments for their car service and repair costs over a maximum of 12 months. This offering is available at all 55 Petronas AutoExpert centres across Malaysia, providing greater flexibility for managing expenses.

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VinFast Becomes Third Most Valuable Car Company In The World!

VinFast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, has the third-highest market value globally among automakers, behind Toyota and Tesla.

Established in 2017, VinFast began operating electric vehicles in 2022. There are hopes for future growth even if it posted a financial loss in 2022 and its electric vehicle operations are not yet profitable. The business intends to build a facility in North Carolina.

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Toyota To Resume Japan Production After System Failure

Toyota Motor is preparing to resume operations at its assembly plants in Japan on Wednesday. This comes after a malfunction in its production system caused a complete halt in domestic output for the world’s largest automaker.

Toyota intends to gradually recommence operations at 25 production lines situated within a dozen plants in its home market. The process will continue as the final two plants are slated to become operational again later in the afternoon of the same day.

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Malaysia’s Fuel Subsidy Hindering EV Adoption

Gentari’s Deputy CEO and Chief Green Mobility Officer, Shah Yang Razalli, has highlighted that Malaysia’s fuel subsidy policy goes against its efforts to encourage the use of electric vehicles (EVs). This conflict is hindering the overall push towards greater EV usage in the country.

As reported by TheEdge Malaysia, Razalli stressed that a key aspect in driving EV adoption is achieving a balance in the total cost of ownership (TCO). In simpler words, the question is: Is it more cost-effective to buy and run an EV over its entire lifetime compared to a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle? This topic was discussed during a session at the Energy Transition Conference held on August 28.

The obstacle to achieving cost parity between EVs and ICE vehicles is the presence of financial incentives. These incentives include direct subsidies for purchasing EVs and additional benefits such as free public charging, parking, or tolls. At the same time, any discouragement of fossil fuel usage is influenced by measures like fuel taxes or carbon taxes.

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2024 BMW X5 Protection VR6: Armoured M60i With Intercom

Just a few weeks have passed since BMW unveiled the 7 Series / i7 Protection, and now yet another armoured vehicle is stepping into the spotlight. The X5 Protection VR6, a familiar presence having been introduced four years ago, is receiving a Life Cycle Impulse update. BMW’s intention is to align the sturdier variant with the recently refreshed standard X5 model.

Drawing parallels with its predecessor, the X5 Protection VR6 remains rooted in the M Performance lineage. However, in synchronisation with the updated non-M X5, it undergoes a transition from the M50i designation to the M60i nomenclature. At the heart of this enhanced armoured vehicle lies the freshly developed S68 engine – a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 powerhouse generating a 530hp and 750Nm of torque.

The X5 M60i’s armoured equivalent is somewhat slower to accelerate to 100km/h than the X5 M60i’s civilian version, which does it in just 4.3 seconds. It can still complete the same sprint in a respectable 5.9 seconds, proving that it is still fairly capable. The ordinary model’s limiter is programmed to interfere at 250km/h, whereas the armoured variant’s top speed is electronically limited to 210km/h. The X5 Protection VR6 still exhibits notable performance traits that guarantee its functionality and agility despite the weight penalty.

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