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The legendary echoes of Subaru’s boxer engines returned to Sepang International Circuit as Subaru Malaysia hosted its much-anticipated Track Day 2025, delivering a spectacle of power, precision, and passion for driving enthusiasts across the nation.

The event was made possible with strong support from partners, including Motor Image Malaysia, SBR Technic, Hardex (Eximius Lubricants), OM System, C&H Auto Garage, ZBOM Kitchen Cabinets, Recaro, GRZ Club Malaysia, Subaru XV Club Malaysia, V11 Malaysia Club, PIAA, THONG Motor, Millers Oils, Kegani Racing Academy, and Whiteline.

Far from a quiet Sunday outing, the circuit thundered with the distinctive growl of horizontally opposed engines as 185 Subaru cars of all shapes and sizes took to the tarmac. From family-friendly SUVs to agile sedans and performance-driven coupes, the full lineup of Subaru’s offerings was present, each delivering a unique flavour of driving excitement.

Subaru Malaysia extended a special invitation to members of the media, providing a hands-on opportunity to explore the capabilities of its fleet. While the spotlight naturally fell on performance models such as the WRX and BRZ, the surprise standout was the Subaru Forester. Commonly known as a practical family SUV, the Forester demonstrated composure through Sepang’s challenging corners, maintaining stability and control without sacrificing comfort. It wasn’t built to dominate the track, but its assured dynamics suggest it could confidently handle spirited driving even outside urban environments.

For those craving something with a sharper bite, the Subaru WRX did not disappoint. Fitted with a 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer engine churning out 275PS, the WRX was a highlight of the day. The variant tested featured a manual transmission, absent of modern conveniences like auto rev-matching, but remarkably intuitive. Every shift and throttle input connected the driver to the machine with mechanical clarity. The WRX’s performance reminded attendees why it has earned its rally-bred reputation—delivering power, grip, and raw engagement in equal measure.

The event also saw a strong turnout from the Subaru Owners Club, bringing added energy and colour to the paddock. Custom builds lined the parking areas, including slammed BRZs and ferociously tuned Imprezas. Their unfiltered exhaust notes echoed through the circuit, a reminder of the grassroots community that keeps Subaru’s performance heritage alive.

Perhaps the most heartening sight of the day was the number of families in attendance. Parents brought their children along, and the sheer wonder on young faces as they watched cars scream down the straights and rocket through corners underscored what events like this are all about—sharing a love of cars across generations.

Guests who do not own a Subaru were also invited to join the fun through immersive driving experiences and taxi rides with professional instructors.

Subaru Track Day 2025 wasn’t just about horsepower or lap times. It was a celebration of community, engineering, and the unmistakable soundtrack of boxer engines echoing through Sepang. For those in attendance, it served as a thrilling reminder of why Subaru continues to hold a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts.

Denza, the premium marque under BYD, has officially revealed the exterior of its latest flagship SUV, the N8L. Following the N9, the N8L is built on the e3 platform and will soon enter the Chinese market as a large plug-in hybrid SUV. The model recently appeared on the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s vehicle registration list, indicating its imminent launch.

Positioned as a luxurious six-seater, the N8L is expected to be priced between 350,000 and 400,000 yuan (around RM204,579 and RM233,804 ). Denza has adopted a design language similar to that of the N9, with distinct updates to further set the N8L apart.

At the front, the SUV features horizontally aligned daytime running lights and vertically arranged headlamps, a signature look shared with the N9. However, the N8L distinguishes itself with a trapezoidal air intake and active grille shutters, offering improved aerodynamics and a more aggressive visual identity.

Along the sides, the N8L’s profile is defined by a seamless waistline, flush-mounted door handles, and side-view cameras integrated into the front fenders. The floating roof illusion is achieved through blacked-out B, C, and D pillars. At the rear, design elements echo the N9, but with revisions such as a repositioned number plate on the bumper for a cleaner rear fascia.

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Aston Martin marked a historic chapter in its 112-year legacy with the first public dynamic appearance of its cutting-edge Valhalla supercar, which took to the streets of Monte Carlo ahead of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix weekend.

Driven by two-time Formula One World Champion and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team driver Fernando Alonso, the Valhalla completed its maiden high-speed showcase in public just before the F1 practice session. This follows the completion of final validation testing on both track and road surfaces, cementing its readiness as a road-legal performance machine.

Until now, Valhalla had only been displayed as a static showpiece. The debut in Monaco offered a first glimpse of the supercar in motion, revealing the seamless integration of Formula 1-inspired technology, precision aerodynamics, and motorsport-grade materials. Developed through a close partnership with Aston Martin Performance Technologies (AMPT), the Valhalla reflects the engineering DNA of the brand’s F1 operations, delivering exceptional handling, agility and visual drama.

Clad in a striking Podium Green livery with Lime Green accents—a nod to the AMR25 F1 race car—the Valhalla thundered through the principality’s iconic landmarks, from the twisting streets of Casino Square to the high-speed Tunnel. At the helm was Alonso, Aston Martin’s principal development driver for the model, who has worked alongside engineers for the past 18 months to fine-tune its capabilities.

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The Malaysian government is set to begin the rationalisation of RON95 fuel subsidies in the second half of 2025, according to Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Bernama reported.

While reaffirming the government’s commitment to subsidy reforms, Amir Hamzah clarified that current efforts are concentrated on accurately identifying the groups eligible to receive targeted assistance. He explained that the Ministry of Finance (MoF) is actively working on refining the criteria to ensure that support is directed at those who need it most.

He stated that discussions are ongoing between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Cabinet to determine the appropriate eligibility threshold, which is expected to be revised to better reflect current socioeconomic conditions.

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BMW Group Malaysia, a dominant force in the nation’s premium automotive sector since the 1970s, is reaffirming its long-standing commitment to innovation, craftsmanship and customer experience with a special event titled My BMW World. Running from 13 to 15 June 2025 at The Yard, Sentul Depot, the event marks a milestone in the brand’s enduring journey through the theme Heritage in Motion.

For over five decades, BMW Group Malaysia has cultivated a legacy of excellence, solidifying its position as the country’s leading premium carmaker. This stature has been shaped by a consistent focus on engineering expertise, luxury ownership, and sheer driving pleasure—values that continue to guide the brand in an era defined by rapid technological transformation.

The My BMW World showcase is a celebration of both the past and the future. It serves as a reflection of BMW’s evolution in Malaysia, illustrating how historical depth and accumulated experience have played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s premium motoring ecosystem. As the automotive industry embraces electrification, sustainability, and digital integration, BMW Group Malaysia positions itself as both a custodian of tradition and a pioneer of progress.

Visitors to the event will witness the unveiling of BMW Group Malaysia’s latest portfolio of vehicles, which span a broad spectrum of powertrains—from fully electric to plug-in hybrid and traditional internal combustion engines. This diverse offering underscores the brand’s philosophy of Technology Openness, providing customers with the Power of Choice to match varying lifestyle preferences and mobility needs.

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Geely has announced an enhancement to its Galaxy E5, also known as the EX5 or the Proton e.MAS 7, by unveiling a new extended-range version of the compact electric SUV. The latest variant, recently detailed in regulatory documents filed with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), features a more powerful battery pack that allows for an electric driving range of up to 610 kilometres, measured on the CLTC cycle.

The new model retains the design language of the existing Galaxy E5, maintaining a sleek and aerodynamic silhouette. Its visual identity is defined by slim LED headlights and a sculpted front bumper. Buyers will still have the option of a closed grille design featuring a dot-matrix pattern. At the rear, the SUV continues to sport a full-width LED taillight bar, now paired with silver accent trim, while blacked-out Geely badging is also available as a stylistic option. The body dimensions remain unchanged from previous versions.

A key highlight of this new edition lies under the surface. The Galaxy E5 now incorporates a 68.39 kWh battery, the largest yet fitted to the model, allowing it to surpass the previously available 440 km and 530 km variants that came with 49.52 kWh and 60.22 kWh batteries, respectively. Although Geely has not specified the precise test cycle for the quoted 610 km range, it represents a considerable leap in efficiency and usability for daily and long-distance driving.

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In a grand display of automotive artistry at the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, BMW has revealed its latest design study, the Concept Speedtop—a sleek reinterpretation of the classic Touring model, blending the sporty flair of a shooting brake with refined proportions. The vehicle is set to enter production in a limited run of just 70 units, targeting collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

The Concept Speedtop draws immediate attention with its distinctive profile, where the front’s V-shaped shark-nose silhouette is complemented by narrow headlights and an illuminated kidney grille—classic hallmarks of BMW’s modern design language. A continuous central spline arcs from the bonnet over the roof and into the rear spoiler, creating a fluid, dynamic line that reinforces the model’s Touring identity. The car’s sweeping shape is enhanced by a roof colour gradient, shifting elegantly from “Floating Sunstone Maroon” to “Floating Sundown Silver”, while specially designed 14-spoke two-tone wheels add a note of restrained grandeur.

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The MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) has its origins in the 1960s, when racing legend John Cooper transformed the original Mini Cooper into a rally champion. The lightweight, agile Mini Cooper S dominated motorsport, famously winning the Monte Carlo Rally three times. This racing pedigree laid the foundation for the modern JCW brand, blending performance with the MINI’s iconic compact design.

When BMW revived the MINI brand in 2001, the John Cooper Works name returned as a high-performance variant. Initially offered as an aftermarket upgrade by John Cooper’s son Michael, JCW soon became an official part of MINI’s lineup after BMW acquired the brand. The first factory-built JCW model arrived in 2006, featuring a 210hp supercharged engine. Over the years, JCW evolved with turbocharging, more power, and sharper handling, cementing its reputation as MINI’s performance flagship.

Recently, MINI Malaysia gave us a chance to feel what it is like to be behind the wheel of this go-kart machine. We got behind the wheel of the new petrol-powered MINI JCW and took it to a small track that was designed to put this car to the test. 

Petrol-power

This variant features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 231hp and 380Nm of torque. Paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, this mini beast accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250km/h.

It may not seem fast on paper, but trust us, this packs a punch. They call it a “corner hunter” and not a speed hunter because tight turns are where this car shines the brightest. How? Well, according to MINI, the JCW variant has a +15% caster angle with stronger self-centring, highly pre-tensioned stabiliser bars with improved handling and dynamics, enhanced Servotronic Electric Power Steering (EPS) which is nicely weighted with enhanced precision. 

Also contributing to this is the JCW sport brakes with 17-inch front and 16-inch rear disc brakes, which give the car more than enough stopping power. The actuator’s contiguous wheel slip limitation (ARB) also has a 10 times faster reaction compared to the standard DSC. It also has an integrated brake system that has seamless transition between regen braking and friction braking. Too technical? In layman’s terms, this is an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), stability and traction control on steroids.

The Corner Hunter

Now we were amazed by this presentation, and everything looked good on paper. But how did it perform on track? Well, let’s just say we were shaking and filled with adrenaline at the end of the session. We threw the car into tight corners at high speeds, and though we felt like we were going to go out of control and slide off the track, the car pulled us back as if it was not done with us yet. 

Power is nothing without proper handling, and if you were to crash this car, well, we would say that something is wrong with you and not the car. The handling is exceptional and can get you out of tricky situations. The car just wanted more and more with every turn, and we just kept giving it what it wanted. However, there is only so much that the car can do; it also depends on how fast you can steer the car out of the corners, and that plays a major role in corner hunting. As Uncle Ben said to Peter Parker in Spider-Man, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

I would have never thought that a MINI would be this fun, but this JCW variant has proved me wrong. 

A comfortable go-kart

We know how powerful go-karts can be and how comfortable a car is, so why not combine the best of both worlds? Inside, the cabin merges motorsport-inspired design with technological sophistication. A consistent black and red colour scheme dominates, from the dashboard’s knitted surface to the JCW-specific sport seats, finished in synthetic leather with multicoloured fabric accents and red stitching.

This writer has a big build, so if I say this is a comfortable car to sit in, take my word on it. Everything is positioned perfectly to give you that comfort and go-kart feeling. And honestly, there is more than enough space at the rear, even with my seating position.

At the centre of the dashboard is a 9.4-inch high-resolution OLED display—the Mini Interaction Unit—which doubles as both instrument cluster and infotainment system. Yes, it does come with wireless Apple CarPlay and charging. The speakers are Harman Kardon, and they deliver exceptional sound, which pumped us up even more for the track driving session.

Mini car with a big price tag

Well, nice things are not always cheap, especially if it has the brand “MINI” on them. With everything that the MINI JCW offers, we would say that this is an acceptable price if you have deep pockets. So if you want a go-kart that you can use as a daily driver, the MINI JCW is priced at RM318,888, and an add-on extended warranty and service package will cost you another RM12,100.

Specifications:
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 231hp
Torque: 380Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Price (as tested): RM318,888

We like: Design, Power and Handling
We don’t like: No proper physical controls/buttons

One year since the establishment of the Proton Research and Development Centre (PRDC) in Hangzhou Bay, China, Proton’s partnership with Zhejiang Geely Holding Ltd has significantly advanced the company’s technological capabilities. This strategic collaboration is proving instrumental in transforming the Malaysian automaker into a competitive player in intelligent vehicle development and electric mobility.

At the heart of this alliance is a commitment to innovation and knowledge-sharing. The PRDC has become a vital hub for technical collaboration, helping Proton fast-track product development and introduce new technologies across its model range. The facility implements a structured New Product Development System (NPDS), which ensures seamless integration from concept to final validation stages. This approach guarantees efficient execution and alignment throughout the development lifecycle.

Senior Engineer Wan Fatin Nur Amira Binti Wan Rusli, who oversees Electrical and Electronics (E&E) integration, highlighted the benefits of access to advanced tools and platforms. She noted that the integration of next-generation E&E systems is a major driver in Proton’s development of intelligent vehicles.

In terms of driving dynamics, significant progress has also been achieved. Lead Engineer Muhammad Hafiz Bin Zabidi reported improvements in chassis and suspension configurations, refined for local road conditions, alongside advancements in braking systems, noise reduction, and fuel economy. Benchmarking against global competitors is also ongoing, ensuring that Proton’s new models remain competitive and appealing to a broader audience.

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Xiaomi unveiled its second electric vehicle and first SUV, the YU7, marking a significant advancement in its transformation into a car manufacturer. Building on the momentum of the SU7 electric sedan, which has already seen over 258,000 units delivered, the company plans to officially launch the YU7 in July 2025.

The YU7 is positioned as a mid-to-large electric SUV, developed on Xiaomi’s proprietary Modena platform. With dimensions measuring 4,999mm in length, 1,996mm in width, and 1,608mm in height, alongside a 3,000 mm wheelbase, the SUV is longer and wider but slightly shorter than a Tesla Model Y Juniper. Depending on the configuration, its kerb weight ranges from 2,140 kg to 2,460 kg. Exterior options include nine colour finishes, among them a distinctive green inspired by Colombian emeralds, as well as vibrant orange and metallic titanium variants. Buyers can choose between 19- or 20-inch wheels.

Technological sophistication is evident throughout the vehicle. The YU7 features flush, inward-folding electric door handles with ambient lighting and Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, enabling seamless smartphone-based keyless entry and boot access. Inside, the cabin boasts Nappa leather upholstery with “zero gravity” front seats that recline to 123 degrees and include 10-point massage functions. Rear passengers are provided with 135-degree power-adjustable seats and a 6.68-inch touchscreen for individual control of climate, audio, and navigation.

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