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Hyundai Motor Group Pushes Boundaries with Animal-Free Leather Innovation

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.

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Audi Concept Car Leak Hints at Bold New Design Language and Future EV Sports Car

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.

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Volvo XC70 Debuts as Brand’s First Long-Range Plug-in Hybrid with Over 200km EV Range

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.

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Review: Chery Tiggo Cross – Small In Size, Big On Value!

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…)

Nissan Navara X-Tremer Launches in Malaysia with Bold New Look and Enhanced Features

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.

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Aston Martin Vantage S Joins Formula 1 as Official FIA Safety Car

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.