BMW Group Malaysia has appointed Regas Premium Sabah as its newest dealer representative for the brands BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad in the state of Sabah. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “East Malaysia has long been a contributing market to our growth here and we are excited to have Regas Premium Sabah on board as our new dealer in Kota Kinabalu to continue growing our presence in the State of Sabah.”
Hoelzl (above, 2nd from left) added that the State of Sabah currently contributes over 500 vehicles to the premium segment in the country annually and has the potential to double over the next five years. “Last year, we experienced an 18% growth in our deliveries in Sabah in comparison to 2016 which really demonstrates the potential in the state.” added Hoelzl.
L-R: David Tay, Managing Director of Regas Premium Sabah; Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia; Matthew Tan, Dealer Principal of Regas Premium Sabah; and Michael Rainer, Finance Director of BMW Group Malaysia.
Matthew Tan, Dealer Principal of Regas Premium Sabah (above, 2nd from right) meanwhile said, “It has always been an ambition of ours to venture in the premium automotive industry in Sabah, and representing the brands of the BMW Group is definitely a dream start. With the great ambition and challenge ahead, we look to continue serving existing and new customers with BMW Group Malaysia to further reinforce the growth and presence of the brands in the state.”
Regas Premium Sabah Sdn Bhd is a joint venture between TM Vision Auto Services Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Tan Brothers Machinery Company (TBMC) group of companies and Regas Premium Auto Sdn Bhd. Regas Premium Auto is the authorised dealer representative for the brands BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad in the state of Sarawak, and was also appointed as the authorised service dealership for BMW i in 2016 in the state, and last year established the first-ever BMW i public charging facilities in East Malaysa at CityOne Megamall Kuching.
Regas Premium Sabah will be taking over FM Autohaus as BMW Group Malaysia’s new dealership in Kota Kinabalu and will operate in the existing 53,500 sq ft facility located in the prime area along Jalan Penampang, offering the full suite of Sales, Services, Spare Parts and Systems (4S) for the brands BMW and BMW Motorrad, as well as service facilities for the brands BMW i and MINI.
BMW Group Malaysia currently has a network of 20 BMW, 8 MINI, and 9 BMW Motorrad dealerships nationwide. Regas Premium Sabah commences operation on 1st July at Lot 17362, Mile 3, Lido, Jalan Penampang, 88300 Penampang.
Let me tell you a story… There was a time when I went full-retard for the world of 4×4’s, no, really. It was quite a sight I tell you, and since it was me, and everyone knows you never go full-retard, needless to say it was pretty epic… And one of the 4×4’s I had early on was a little Suzuki Jimny SJ413, which looked almost exactly like this (minus the roof-rack, alloy rims, bull-bar, air-press, spot-light, decals, etc.)…
It was the most uncomfortable vehicle I’d ever owned in my life, and I also later learned that during previous ownership, a fire had broken out in the engine compartment. Wow. Powered by a small, naturally-aspirated 1300cc engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, it had manual-locking front hubs if I needed to get into 4×4 mode, but more importantly, it also had a 4WD High & Low transfer case, and that’s what mattered most. Actually, forget the photo above, mine looked exactly like this one, bare-bones and basic as hell – and also that filthy – cos it looked better that way…
You see, I was crazy into off-roading back then, and often accompanied friends, who happened to be in the 4×4 line, as a back-up car when they went to recce locations for upcoming 4×4 events. The thing I recall most fondly about my SJ413 SWB (short wheelbase, there was also a LWB, but that was pretty rare even back then) is that it never got stuck, not once. The bigger 4×4’s in the convoy would always invariably get stuck at some point, and had to be winched or snatch-strapped free, but not the little Jimny. It would just scuttle along merrily past them, seeing as how it was so light, so nimble and much smaller than the rest.
And you wanna know the best part? Short of a set of M/T tyres (mud-terrain), my Jimny was bone-stock-standard. No bull bars, no snorkel, no body-lift, no raised suspension, no winch, not even a tow-hook to speak of. This always made me smile (well, snigger actually) when those who had gotten stuck earlier in the day would talk about their expensive 4×4 modifications and add-ons around the campfire later that night. Stock-standard, never stuck.
Classified ad image from www.Carlist.my
Here’s an old video showcasing the SJ413 against its (then) newer sibling, which debuted in 1998. A bit of an unfair comparison seeing as how the (then) newer one seemed to be on road tyres, and traction matters most when you’re ascending a slippery incline, but it does show just how tough and nimble the old one was…
I still occasionally scour the on-line classifieds to scope out used Suzuki Jimnys, and I’m quite pleased to see that they’ve maintained their value in the used-car market. Good ones still command five-digit figures easily, and sometimes those digits don’t start with 1.
Classified ad image from www.Mudah.my
Sadly though, the Suzuki brand is no longer represented here, which is a shame really, because the new Jimny set to debut next year looks brilliant. It looks like a mini Merc G-Wagen to be honest, and well if you’re gonna be design-inspired, it might as well be by one of the best out there right? Here’s the intro video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FALkze7E808
And now fromCarBuyer UK, check out the new Suzuki Jimny due in 2019!
These are the first official pictures of the 2019 Suzuki Jimny, showing that the new version of this diminutive SUV will look tougher than ever when it arrives next year. The Jimny has a reputation for being a superb off-roader despite its small size and the outgoing model has the oldest design of any car on sale, with few major changes in the past 20 years.
Its long-awaited replacement is clearly recognisable, but has squared-off lines, a table-top bonnet, upright windows, bright colours and a black roof. Viewed from the front, its two-tone look apes cars with a ‘floating roof’ design, including rivals like the Ford EcoSport. The Jimny could also tempt buyers away from the Dacia Duster and Jeep Renegade.
Funky features like round headlights and a slotted grille pay tribute to the old model, as do rear light clusters either side of its simple bumper and the spare wheel hung on the tailgate. The overall effect is similar to a Mercedes G-Class (toldja! – Ed.) that has shrunk in the wash. Basic versions will come on practical steel wheels, while chunky alloy wheels will be offered on Jimnys further up the food chain.
The angular design theme carries on inside, where the staunchly horizontal dashboard has been treated to a large infotainment screen, sitting above Suzuki’s modern switches and dials for the heating and ventilation system. There’s also a new steering wheel and large gauges sunk into an old-school square binnacle.
Under the retro bodywork, there’s a tough ladder-frame chassis featuring rigid axles and part-time four-wheel drive, with a low-range set of gears you can switch into for serious off-roading. There’s no word on engines yet, but we’d expect Suzuki to fit petrol engines from its current portfolio, with the 1.2-litre Dualjet and advanced 1.0-litre Boosterjet from the Swift the most likely candidates.
Sitting between the smaller Suzuki Ignis and larger Suzuki Vitara SUV in the Japanese manufacturer’s line-up, the new Jimny is expected to sell for close to the £12,999 price of the current model.
Classified ad image from www.Mudah.my
Image from Carlisy.my
WikiHistory: The history of Suzuki four-wheel-drive cars dates to 1968. Suzuki bought former Japanese automaker Hope Motor Company which had introduced fifteen small off-road vehicles called the HopeStar ON360. The first Suzuki-branded 4-wheel drive, the LJ10 (Light Jeep 10), was introduced in 1970. The LJ10 had a 359 cc air-cooled, two-stroke, in-line two-cylinder engine. The liquid-cooled LJ20 was introduced in 1972 with the cooling changed due to newly enacted emission regulations, and it gained 3 hp. In 1975, Suzuki complemented the LJ20 with the LJ50, which had a larger 539 cc, two-stroke, in-line three-cylinder engine and bigger differentials. This was originally targeted at the Australian market, but more exports soon followed (Malaysia included).
In occasion of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Prancing Horse is launching a unique ‘Piloti Ferrari’specification for the Ferrari 488 Pista. This special custom creation, the latest from the exclusive Tailor Made programme, was designed to recognise the success of clients who race Ferraris and will make its debut on the eve of the legendary French endurance race at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Inspired by AF Corse’s no. 51 car, with which Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado won the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles, this special finish for the new Ferrari 488 Pista is available exclusively for customers involved in the company’s motor sports programmes.
The exterior features a new livery with stripes in the colours of the Italian flag recalling the racing version of the 488 GTE, embellished by a laurel celebrating the WEC title, the logo of the championship and the word “PRO” indicating the class the car raced in. The Italian flag livery features again along the car’s flanks which are also adorned with the personal race number each client will be able to add.
The version that will be unveiled at Le Mans carries the number 51 used by the world championship drivers. The matte black S-Duct and the natural carbon-fibre ‘dovetail’ suspended rear spoiler and vent surrounds round off the personalisation of the exterior. The ‘Piloti Ferrari’ 488 Pista will be available in four different colours inspired by the world of racing: Rosso Corsa, Blu Tour De France, Nero Daytona and Argento Nürburgring.
The interior, in black Alcantara®, includes seats upholstered with a special perforated version of the same material that incorporates the Italian flag in the central band of the backrest. The national colours are also clearly visible on the edge of the gearshift paddles and on the floormats which, like the carpeting itself, are made of a special technical fabric. The number that features on the external livery also appears on the base of the steering wheel, while all the carbon-fibre trim parts have a matte finish. The personalisation of the interior is completed by an exclusive identification plate and sill trim in carbon-fibre, the latter with the Tailor Made logo.
The ‘Piloti Ferrari’ 488 Pista is powered by the latest 720-cv version of the 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 which has been voted best engine in the world for the third consecutive year at the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards.
Traffic congestion. Pollution. Noise and overcrowding. City life can be tough, with one study finding that people in cities have a 20 percent higher risk of anxiety orders and 40 percent higher risk of mood disorders compared to people living in rural areas. To deal with the stress, people often seek solace in their smartphones and social media (or websites like this…erk! – Ed.), but it’s only making the problem worse by encouraging us to be less connected to each other and the world around us.
More city dwellers are discovering the mental health benefits of spending more time in nature. When you feel the stress of urban life weighing down on you, gather the family, disconnect from your phone and head into the mountains to get away and enjoy the scientifically proven health benefits being in nature provides, including lower blood-pressure, improved vitality and mood, and restored attention capacity and mental fatigue.
Whether you are heading to the expansive subtropical rainforests of Australia, remote mountains in Northern Thailand or the picturesque waterfalls of Laos, you’ll need the right vehicle to get there. Consider the Ford Everest, a genuine SUV that gives you the freedom and capability to leave the stress of the city behind and go anywhere.
As you begin your journey, you can relax and shut out the world around you with Everest’s active noise cancellation technology and sound-absorbing materials. Say goodbye to the pressures of the city in the rearview mirror as you connect with your loved ones in the calm, quiet of the cabin instead of disappearing into your phone screen. With the city hours behind you and the roads getting rougher, you can use the Everest’s Terrain Management System to adjust its off-road settings. The system’s four settings – Normal, Snow/Gravel/Grass, Sand and Rock – give the vehicle the capability to conquer even the most inhospitable of terrain.
Besides the fresh air and stress-relieving benefits the mountains offer, being in nature also offers you the chance to challenge and set new limits for yourself, whether you’re hiking, climbing, canoeing or river rafting. With trunk space that can hold up to 2,010 liters of cargo, the Everest has more than enough space for all of your weekend equipment needs. Doing these activities with your family or friends is even better, as overcoming challenges together will help you bond and strengthen your relationships.
If you’re looking for something at a little slower pace, then take advantage of the Everest’s 800mm water wading capability and 225mm of ground clearance for a waterside fishing session while you sit on the tailgate with your bare feet dangling in the water.
After a weekend away from the city and your digital life, you’ll be refreshed and ready to tackle any challenge the next week may have in store for you. And while you may not be ready to get back to the rush of the city, you can relax and take solace that with your Everest, your next adventure is only a weekend away.
The BMW 8 Series has returned to the German firm’s lineup after a near 20-year absence. A two-door coupe will be the first of three body styles that will make up the range, which will grow to include a convertible as well as four-door Gran Coupe by the end of next year.
Auto Express was invited for an exclusive preview of the new two-door coupe, which is on sale now. Pitched as a rival for everything from a Mercedes S-Class Coupe right up to the Aston Martin DB11, the German firm believes it has created a car with a broader breadth of abilities than any of its competitors packaging luxury buyers expect of a flagship car with the performance of a sports car.
And the 8 Series is not just a shortened version of the 7-Series saloon with two fewer doors, says the BMW. The coupe gets a unique chassis, suspension and powertrain setup, while tech borrowed from the firm’s GTE Le Mans racer has been sprinkled throughout the car. Here’s the video from BMW…
“The first thing we started with on this project was to develop a sports car – not a sporty car,”Sarah Lessmann, BMW 8 Series Product manager, told Auto Express. “The 8 series was all about bringing perfect performance as well as new and distinctive design.”
BMW is particularly proud of the car’s proportions, particularly the elongated bonnet, cab rearward silhouette and muscular rear haunches, while it also features a carbon fibre roof to help lower its centre of gravity. The 8 Series measures in at 4,843mm long, 1,902mm wide and 1,341mm tall.
At launch the 8 Series will be available with two engines: one diesel badged 840d and one petrol badged M850i. The diesel model makes use of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine developing 320bhp and 680Nm of torque. The M850i is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 developing 530bhp and 700Nm of torque. BMW says it will be capable of 0-100kmh in 3.7 seconds and a limited top speed of 250kmh. Both variants come paired with BMW’s xDrive adaptive all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
“When you talk about the luxury car segment you talk about two bookends – at one side you have elegance and on the other you have sporty,” Lessmann added. “If you look at our competitors on these bookends you have the Mercedes S-Class Coupe on the luxury side and the Aston Martin DB11 and Porsche 911 at the other…
… and there is a big gap in between, we definitely didn’t want to make the 8 series in the middle, we wanted to have it close to the performance cars.”
The M850i will be the flagship model in the range until a more potent M8 coupe arrives next year. As standard the car features active rear wheel steering, adaptive M suspension, a limited slip differential on the rear axle and a sports exhaust. The only mechanical option buyers can spec is active anti rolls bars, which are designed to improve stability and grip during cornering.
The 8 Series is also the first BMW to feature the firm’s new generation of iDrive infotainment, which is accessed via a 10.25-inch display on the dash. The system still operates by the iDrive controller on the centre console, but those inside also have the option of using touch, voice or gesture control to operate the system. It also incorporates 20GB of hard drive storage, Bluetooth and WiFi.
Given the 8 Series sits at the very top of BMW’s model portfolio it comes as standard with a wealth of equipment such as a full leather interior, LED headlamps, a Bowers & Wilkins stereo, 19-inch alloy wheels and adaptive cruise control.
Both the 840d and M850i are now on sale with prices starting from £76,270 for the diesel and rising to £100,045 for the M850i. That cost will climb eve higher with the arrival of the M8 coupe, which could ask around £130,000 from potential customers. But there’s more…
BMW M8 will be the fastest BMW ever!
The forthcoming BMW M8 will be the most powerful and fastest production car in the firm’s history, Auto Express can reveal. Due to arrive 2019, the M8 will make use of a version of the 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo engine from the latest M5saloon, but tuned to deliver upwards of 625bhp.
Combined with selectable xDrive four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the M8 will be able to cover 0-100kmh in less than 3.3 seconds. The M5 Competition is currently the fastest model in BMW’s lineup.
However, the full M treatment won’t only be reserved for the two-door coupe; BMW plans to create M versions of the Convertible and four-door Gran Coupe to broaden the model’s appeal. The M8 Gran Coupe concept, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show back in March, previewed how the flagship models would look.
BMW 8-Series Photo Gallery (all photos from Auto Express UK – www.autoexpress.co.uk)
The 3.9-litre V8 takes the International Engine of the Year Awardfor the third year running. A record number of six awards! The latest iteration of Ferrari’s turbo-charged V8 that equips, in various forms, all Ferrari’s V8-engined cars, has been nominated the best engine in the world for the third year running in the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards.
In this, the award’s 20th anniversary edition, Ferrari took no fewer than six awards, the highest number for any manufacturer in any one year, bringing the total of Ferrari’s trophies up to 27, a record number of wins for any sports car company.
Along with the overall Engine of the Year honour, the 720-cv 3.9-litre V8 that powers the new 488 Pista (below) also took the 3-litre to 4-litre class, the Performance Engine category and the special nomination for the ‘Best of the Best’, with the 68 international judges asked to vote for the top engine from among all the winners over the last 20 years.
“In the 488 GTB, the 3.9-litre eight-cylinder was a near-perfect example of a high-performance turbocharged engine, setting the bar so high that it swept aside rival powertrains,” said Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the IEOTY Awards. “But redeveloped and tweaked for the 488 Pista, the best engine in the world just got better. Without doubt, we’re looking at an engineering masterclass from Ferrari. No turbo lag, beautiful delivery, raw emotion, a furious growl and so much power – this Ferrari V8 is a work of art.”
Crowning Ferrari’s record-breaking year, the naturally-aspirated 800-cv 6.5-litre V12 powering the 812 Superfast also won two awards: the Above 4-litre class and, due to it being comprehensively re-engineered from the 6.3-litre unit that equipped the F12berlinetta (below) with 75% new components, the Best New Engine category.
The Cash & Rocket Tour 2018 started earlier this month in San Francisco and Maserati is a proud official partner of this charity road trip along with other luxury brands. Five Levante SUVs in GranLusso and GranSport trims, all in red – the official colours of this unique event – were enlisted in the glamorous convoy of 40 cars. The four-day adventure unites the efforts of eighty influential women from all over the world for a single cause: raising funds and global awareness for three charitable projects in Africa.
Nieves Álvarez
“We welcome prominent figures from the worlds of fashion, cinema, music, art and business to this stunning event. Through female solidarity, our aim is to raise money for charities around the world, which will make a huge difference to the lives of many”, says Julie Brangstrup, Founder and CEO of Cash & Rocket Tour and proud mother of seven.
Nieves Álvarez
Now in its fifth edition, Cash & Rocket Tour makes its debut in the United States aiming to break the record of 1.4 million euros fund-raised in the previous event that was organised in 2015. Since the inaugural tour in 2012, Cash & Rocket raised over four million dollars with every single cent donated going directly to the chosen charities (below).
Among the celebrities who drove the five Maserati SUVs from San Francisco to Las Vegas are the Russian supermodel and Instagram sensation Lena Perminova; the Californian of Iranian origins; Stylebop.com fashion director Leila Yavari; the founder of Majorelle, creative director of Alliance Apparel and influencer from Los Angeles, Rachel Zeilic; the model, fashion designer, blogger and DJ from Spain, Gala Gonzalez; the Spanish top model and television presenter Nieves Alvarez; the American model and body activist Ashley Graham; and the American fashion model Arizona Muse.
Julie Brangstrup Watts;Ashley Graham
Cash & Rocket Tour 2018 programme
Following the ”Gold and Glamorous” cocktail party on the night before the drive at San Francisco’s famed Fairmont Hotel, the convoy of red cars hit the road heading to Monterrey. After a lunch break, the next stop was Santa Barbara, where the ladies enjoyed a yoga beach evening and a dinner party, all dressed in white.
Saturday, June 9th, all cars were on display at the iconic Malibu pier. A Press Call will followed in the afternoon at Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and the day’s activities concluded with an Auction Gala Dinner at the Peterson Museum of Los Angeles.
June 10th, the Cash & Rocket Tour 2018 arrived in its final destination, Las Vegas. The five Maserati Levante SUVs and all the other wrapped in red cars were on display at the Encore Beach Club in the afternoon. The culminating event was the closing party of Cash & Rocket Tour 2018 in the Encore Wynn Hotel, which featured famous DJ Kygo, with all ladies in red outfits.
The Art of Elysium is using art as a catalyst for social change. Emerging artists in the fields of fine arts, fashion design, music, theatre and more, are engaged in its programs and share their creativity with distressed people, in special needs education centres, homeless shelters, elder care homes and hospice care facilities.
Shine on Sierra Leone currently supports nearly 500 students in Sierra Leone through programmes that integrate sustainable healthcare, education, microfinance and development to ultimately create the future of an inner-dependent country.
Sumbandila is currently focused on Limpopo, the poorest province in South Africa, aiming to transform the lives of exceptional children from backgrounds of extreme poverty and help them become leaders who will one day make significant contributions to their own communities and to Africa in general.
The 2018 Hyundai IONIQ, Hyundai Motor’s innovative model that offers three electrified powertrains, was awarded the Women’s World Car of the Year (WWCOTY) Supreme Award at a ceremony at the Busan International Motor Show. The Supreme Award is the top honor awarded annually by 25 of the most respected female automotive journalists from around the world who vote in the WWCOTY competition.
This year, the Hyundai IONIQ was a “standout”,” said the WWCOTY jurors, calling the IONIQ a “clear winner” among more than 400 initial contenders. IONIQ was also recognized as the winner of the Green Car category. The IONIQ is the first eco-focused vehicle platform in the world to offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric models. Hyundai’s approach for the IONIQ line delivers an uncompromising design and driving experience coupled with the latest in safety and convenience technologies, making it an appealing choice for a wide range of buyers. For the awards competition, all three IONIQ variants were considered and treated as one car for voting purposes.
“We are honored to be present at the Busan International Motor Show to present this special trophy commemorating IONIQ’s Supreme Award and Green Car category award” said Sandy Myhre, CEO, Women’s World Car of the Year. “Having passed our rigorous test and being picked from a democratic voting process, IONIQ really stood out as a “clear winner”.”
“IONIQ’s aerodynamic body lines assist airflow and benefit its overall efficiency as an eco-friendly vehicle,” said Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor (above). “Earning the Supreme Award from the judges of the Women’s World Car of the Year serves as yet another proof of IONIQ’s outstanding design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also purpose-built.”
So 1st June has come and gone, and true to form, the prices of cars did indeed drop, significantly, even before the actual date of implementation in may cases. Well, this got me thinking, what’s the best deal out there right now, if we disregard the two national brands? I guess I’ve given the game away with the featured image above, so let’s dive right into why I picked these two; one Japanese and one Continental, and believe it or not, they are somewhat related…
The Honda City…
As far as the B-segment of the car market is concerned, and especially for first-time car buyers, in the non-national car market you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal than the Honda City i-VTEC right now. Post 0% GST, prices for the Honda City start just RM70,000-ish (S variant, less with on-going Raya bonus incentives) and end at around RM84,000 (Hybrid). Touted at launch last year as offering C-segment features in a B-segment car, this is not an empty boast.
Across the range, be in the S, E, V or Hybrid, the Honda City comes packed with a host of active and passive safety features such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, and emergency signal stop. This is most heartening because oft times, car makers only offer all these important safety systems in their range-topping model only. That kind of commitment and responsibility to the consumer alone makes the Honda City more than worthy of its now even lower asking price. Here’s my in-car video…
As you can see, despite my disdain for CVT gearboxes, the one in the City is quite easy to live with, and since it has paddle-shifters on the multi-function steering-wheel, it also allows a little bit of fun if you’re so inclined. However, just leaving it in D and letting the ‘box do the work is perfectly fine. It’s one of the better CVTs out there for sure. Of course, there’s always the City Sport Hybrid with its 7-speed DCT to opt for, if you wish. The new prices for Honda vehicles can be found here.
Then again, if you want something completely different, have a look at this….
The Renault Fluence…
No, I’m not on any medication or recreational drugs. I got to thinking about the Renault Fluence after returning the Renault Koleos recently (full review coming soon), and it just so happened that TCEC (Tan Chong EuroCars) had sent out their post 0% GST prices on that day. You can check that report here.
I really did think my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw that the Fluence was now RM40,000cheaper. It’s not just from the GST exemption of course, TCEC is having a special Raya 2018 promotion, which in addition to the 0% GST, offers some amazing rebates as well. As such, limited units of the Renault Fluence 2.0 are going for under RM80,000 now. No, that’s not a typo…
So where the Honda City offers “C-segment features in a B-segment car”, the Fluence is a “C-segment car at a B-segment price”. See? Told you they were somewhat related… Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch even for me, but you see my point right? Here’s a C-segmenter that’s actually cheaper than the mid-range Honda City E variant, and just RM10k more than an entry-level Toyota Vios! Here’s my in-car video of the Fluence…
In addition, TCEC offers one of the best after-sales incentives which include:
Free service and maintenance (parts and labour) for five years or up to 100,000km, whichever comes first
A five-year manufacturer’s warranty with unlimited mileage
Complimentary 24 hours roadside assistance*
Pick-up and delivery during scheduled maintenance at Renault service centres
Mobility service of replacement car in the event any part is not available for over 48 hours at authorised service centres, subject to availability
*only available for customers who purchase their insurance under Tan Chong Insurance Business Stream (TCIBS)
Conclusion: So as you can see folks, there are plenty of great deals out there at the moment, and these two just happen to be my choice, from the Japanese and Continental segments, and no, neither Honda Malaysia nor TCEC Renault ‘sponsored’ this post, just in case you were wondering. – Chris Wee.
Wagons. Estates. Stationwagons. Touringwagen. Sportwagen. Shooting Brake.Sports Wagons. Call them what you will, but they have never been popular here in Malaysia, and that folks is a crying shame, because wagons are uber cool.
To make matters worse for the dwindling wagon market, Volvo Car Malaysia recently announced that they will cease offering the incredible V90 T5 & T6 R-Design wagons locally solely due to poor demand. As can be seen from this recent 0% GST news releasefrom VCM, all iterations of the V90 wagon are indeed already missing from their line-up…
This of course didn’t sit too well with many of us, seeing as how we (i.e. the Malaysian motoring media) absolutely adored the V90, to the point where when its wheels got stolen right-off the car at VCM’s own parking lot, many of us took it personally and proceeded to post notifications of the theft on our own personal social media pages (we were pissed!). For the record the wheels were never recovered and it cost VCM RM17k to replace them and subsequently de-fleet the said unit, so whoever you are (wheel thief and also buyer) I personally hope you rot in hell…
It’s the weirdest thing really; Malaysians won’t buy wagons new, but actively seek-out used ones voraciously. As such, a used Mercedes-Benz W124 wagon will typically cost at least three to four times more than its sedan counterpart in the second-hand car market, as would a Volvo 245, 850 T5 & 945 wagon, BMW E30, E34 & E39 wagon, etc. Even a Toyota KE70 wagon will cost at least three times more than a KE70 sedan. In fact any wagon from the same lineage will always cost more than its sedan counterpart, even a freaking Nissan Sunny. The Mercedes-Benz W123 wagon (below) now costs about seven times more than its sedan variant locally. No, really.
And that’s the greatest irony; if no one wants them in the first place when they’re new, how is it that they are able to command a much, much higher price in the used car market? They should be borderline un-sellable in the second-hand car market, since no one wants them even when they’re brand-spanking-new right? Speaking of brand new, here’s one that’s still available locally, the Mazda6 wagon…
Now tell me honestly that isn’t simply amazing looking. Look at the lines, simply gorgeous. Defy convention folks, thumb your nose at the norm, and buy a wagon, you won’t regret it. At the very least, you’ll know it’s going to be worth more in the second-hand market than its sedan sibling.
Now have a look at this video from Volvo and judge for yourself why wagons are so cool.
In addition to the Volvo V90 above, thanks to AutoExpressUK, here’s a look at some of the nicest, sportiest and most desirable wagons out there… but first, a bit more eye-candy on the Volvo V90, this time in the latest Cross-Country guise. And no, we won’t be getting it here… no demand, remember? – Chris Wee.
And now, the coolest wagons according to AutoExpressUK, starting with the…
Audi RS 4
Fans will moan about Audi replacing the 4.2-litre V8 engine used in the previous RS 4, with a less enjoyable 2.9-litre unit, but with 444bhp, 600Nm of torque and a top speed of 174mph (280kmh) in the new car, there are worse problems to have. The interior compliments a car that has a split personality between sensible and ludicrous, but lacks the sense of theatre that some of its rivals bring. At over £60,000 it is by no means cheap – not that that is untoward in present company.
Audi RS 6
The Audi RS 6 is one of the leading lights in the fast estate world. Partly thanks to its looks, but also helped a its 552bhp twin-turbocharged V8 which will rocket you and four other passengers from 0-100kmh in just 3.9 seconds, and on to a limited top speed of 155mph (250kmh). Prices start from just over £81,000, but for that you do get a comfortable, quiet cabin (most of the time) and 565-litres of boot capacity.
Ferrari GTC4Lusso
Some will argue the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso isn’t a ‘proper’ estate, but if you consider that it is just leaning a little harder on the left of the performance-practicality balance, it becomes easy to see why it made this list. The Ferrari has a 6.3-litre V12 under the bonnet which pumps out 681bhp and 697Nm of torque, which allows it to obliterate most of this list with a 0-100kmh time of 3.4 seconds and a claimed top speed of 208mph (335kmh).
Ford Focus ST
While the petrol version of the Focus ST wagon is a great fast estate, the 2.0 TDCi is our pick of the bunch. This is largely down to the delivery of the power, with the diesel’s get up and go being less unruly and easier to put down on UK roads, but that does not mean the diesel is a slouch – the performance stats of 182bhp, 400Nm of torque and a 0-100kmh time of 8.3secs proves as much. Add to this a claimed economy of 67.3mpg – high 40s low 50s are more realistic – and the diesel Focus ST estate becomes incredible alluring.
Mercedes-AMG C63
The Mercedes-AMG C63 is a full-blown muscle car. Under the bonnet is a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 which produces a thunderous 469bhp and 650Nm of torque (increasing to 503bhp and 700Nm if you opt for the S model). S or not, both models feel astonishingly quick and of course offer impressive levels of practicality, with the only real issue for everyday use being the firm ride. The interior is a comfortable place to be, even if it is not quite on the same level as the E-Class.
Mercedes-AMG E63
You are going to need deep pockets to drive away in an E63 estate as they start north of £84,000 – which is slightly more expensive than the starting price of the Audi RS 6. That said, the E63 is one of the fastest cars on the road, never mind estates. The latest generation is all-wheel drive and in S guise packs 604bhp and 850Nm of torque. Plus, owners get a drift mode. From a standing start it will hit 100kmh in just 3.6 seconds and go on to a limited top speed of 155mph (250kmh) – these figures change to 3.5 seconds and 186mph (300kmh) in the S version.
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
The Porsche Panamera is no longer the ugly duckling it once was, and the Sport Turismo is no exception. If you go for the range-topping Turbo S E-Hybrid, flat out you will be doing 193mph (310kmh)and 0-100kmh is over in a meger 3.4 seconds – wiping the floor with all but the Ferrari on this list. Even if you drop down to the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, the 6-cylinder turbocharged engine allows the big German to reach 160mph (257kmh)flat-out and sprint from rest to 100kmh in 5.5 seconds. While the performance is strong here, practicality is not. The rear is just about big enough to get two adults and a smaller human buckled in, and 520-litres of boot space is a tad underwhelming.
Volkswagen Golf R
The Golf R estate is related to both the Skoda and SEAT mentioned in the link below (but comes with four-wheel drive), and offers one of the finest all-round driving packages you can get for the money – the R starts at around £36k. Under the hood there is the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 296bhp as found in the Leon, but here it is only available with VW’s seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The exhaust note sounds good with a nice deep burble, which helps keep up the fun even when you aren’t exploiting the strong chassis.
For the FULL article from AutoExpress, which features a few more estates from brands unavailable here, click this link.
