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Ferrari reveals fifth (and final) new model of 2019 – the Roma

Misfortunes in Formula 1 notwithstanding, this has been a busy year for Ferrari and before 2019 comes to a close, a fifth model has been announced and displayed at an exclusive client event held in Italy’s capital.

The new model is the Roma, a new mid-front-engined 2+2 coupe. It is said to also represent the pinnacle of performance in this category, thanks to its turbocharged V8 from the family of engines that has won the overall International Engine of the Year award for 4 years running.

In this version, the3.85-litre engine has been tuned to produce around 612 ps/760 Nm. Mated to the engine is a new 8-speed DCT gearbox that was introduced on the SF90 Stradale. Claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 3.4 seconds with a top speed over 320 km/h.

With its distinctive flair and style, the 4656 mm long car is a contemporary representation of the carefree, pleasurable way of life that characterized Rome in the 1950s and 1960s, Ferrari said in its short news release.

More details will be available at a later date and for now, the price is also not being mentioned (although someone who intends to purchase the Roma is unlikely to need to know).

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Updated Volvo XC90 SUV launched – From RM373,888

Volvo Car Malaysia has announced that their best-selling Volvo XC90 SUV now comes in an updated version for the Malaysian market and those who are interested can start viewing in from this month onwards. Labelled as the brands top-of-the-line flagship model, the XC90 marks the company’s next step into electrification. (more…)

More Petronas Auto Expert service centres now in Klang Valley

The Petronas Auto Expert service centre which has been developed by Petronas Lubricants Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PLMMSB) and launched last April is now seeing a rapid growth in numbers around the Klang Valley area as part of their development plan. (more…)

Mazda CX-30 is the safest model tested by Euro NCAP to date

The New Car Assessment Programmes (NCAPs) of various countries and regions are conducted by independent organisations and though the scores awarded are not required by authorities in any country for a vehicle to be homologated for sale (provided the vehicle meets regulations). However, consumers pay attention to NCAP scores so as to be better informed when they are considering a vehicle to buy.

Since the mid-1990s, Euro NCAP has been conducting such a programme which includes crash tests. Over the years, the organization has progressively raised its standards and the criteria has evolved, challenging carmakers to make their cars safer and safer. Achieving the maximum of 5 stars and high scores in the various categories of testing can help a model’s sales in the market where buyers are increasingly concerned about safety.

CX-30 has near-perfect score
In its latest series of tests on new models sold in Europe, Euro NCAP’s results show that the new Mazda CX-30, a subcompact crossover between the CX-3 and CX-5, achieved a near-perfect 99% score for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), besides the maximum of 5 stars.

The model, which shares much of its DNA with the all-new Mazda 3, now tops the list for this part of the assessment against Euro NCAP’s 2018/2019 protocols. The highest ratings on record have been at the 98% level with the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Mazda3, Volvo XC60 and Volvo V40.

The CX-30’s impressive AOP score was gained by getting maximum points in the different impact tests (side, pole and barrier). Many vehicles don’t perform so well in the pole test where the vehicle is sent sideways smashing into a pole.

The report said the passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal offset test, with good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger. A similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions.

The standard autonomous emergency braking system or ‘Smart Brake Support’ (SBS) performed well in tests of its functionality at the low speeds, typical of city driving, at which whiplash injuries often occur. With collisions avoided in all test scenarios, the CX-30 scored full points in this part of the assessment.

Reducing pedestrian injuries
The protection offered to the head of a struck pedestrian was good over almost all of the bonnet surface and adequate over much of the rest. Good protection was provided to pedestrians’ legs by the bumper and protection of the pelvis was also rated as good at all test locations.

The SBS can detect vulnerable road-users like pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other vehicles. In tests of its reaction to such road-users, the system performed adequately, with collisions avoided or mitigated in most scenarios.

CX-30 for Malaysia?
Bermaz Motor has confirmed that the CX-30 will be available for the Malaysian market but when it will be in showrooms is not known yet. Given the high demand for the new CX-5 (in Malaysia as well as other markets) which is assembled at the Mazda Malaysia plant in Kedah, it seems unlikely that the CX-30 will be assembled locally. This could mean it will be somewhat expensive with the high taxes imposed.

Visit www.mazda.com.my to know more about Mazda products and services available in Malaysia.

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Updated Mitsubishi Triton Quest – the workhorse truck that also looks good for personal use

Pick-up trucks used to be just workhorses, vehicles that were bought for business purposes and therefore did not need much by way of features, comfort or performance. They were also priced cheaply because they didn’t have the luxuries of a passenger car. When the regulations in Malaysia changed in the late 1990s to allow private registration of such vehicles, their popularity rose but the new group of people who bought pick-ups wanted the comforts of their passenger cars. So the manufacturers began to add more and more car-like features and even safety systems comparable to passenger cars.

However, at the entry-level end, businesses still wanted a workhorse, something tough and capable in rough conditions to do hard work. And they naturally wanted a low price since they would buy many units. This led to companies offering variants that were fairly simple with basic specifications and even the drivetrain was 4×2 (rear wheel drive only), saving cost and weight and also having lower consumption.

To cater to this end of the market, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) imported the Mitsubishi Triton Lite from Thailand in 2008, in the process introducing the low-rider version to Malaysia. The low-rider pick-up truck is lower and that makes loading more convenient. As mentioned earlier, being intended for the entry-level end, the Triton Lite was priced low and also equipped minimally (though not as spartan as the earlier pick-up trucks).

The Triton Lite found its own niche in the market and as generations changed, MMM maintained the variant in the Triton range. Today, the company presented an updated version – now called the Triton Quest – to the media which has freshened looks with the distinctive Dynamic Shield front end. Though this variant has been around since the new generation was launched, the new looks now make it a workhorse that also looks good enough for use as personal transport. Those who want to enhance the looks can obviously install accessories (especially since they have saved money by choosing the cheapest Triton variant).

Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre commonrail turbodiesel with an output of 110 ps/200 Nm, with power delivery going only to the rear wheels (4×2) through a 5-speed manual gearbox. While 4×4 is desirable, if the vehicle is mainly used on hard surfaces, 4×2 is not that disadvantageous.

MMM highlights the massive 970 kgs of load capacity of the Triton Quest and the cargo deck floor area as being the largest in the low-rider category. In spite of the large area, the cabin is still spacious, thanks to the J-Line profile which allows for good rear room. There’s also additional storage space in a compartment that cannot be seen as it is under the rear seats.

Features-wise, the latest Triton Quest can be said to be generously equipped for the asking price. Safety features and systems such as dual front airbags and ABS with EBD are present and occupant protection is assured by the strong RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body structure.

Priced at RM79,890 (without insurance), the latest Triton Quest comes with a 5-year (or maximum of 100,000 kms) warranty. It is available only in white but a Pearl White finish. This is unusual as entry-level variants usually come with a basic white colour to minimize production costs.

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Isuzu D-MAX conquers the Borneo Safari again – this time with the Blue Power 1.9-litre engine!

For the last 13 consecutive years, Isuzu Malaysia has been providing the Borneo Safari (which began in 1991) with vehicles for the media and officials to use. The vehicles have been D-MAX models and not used just to ferry people to the starting and finishing locations but have actually followed the participants deep into the jungle.

And each year, along with those that survived one of the toughest and most extreme events in the region, the D-MAX would also arrive at the finish line. This fact has helped build the solid reputation of the pick-up truck as one of the toughest and most capable off-road vehicles in the annual off-road challenge.

New Blue Power 1.9-litre powerplant
Until this year, the vehicles supplied had big turbodiesel engines, typical for most pick-up trucks. However, with the introduction of the advanced new Blue Power 1.9-litre engine in the latest D-MAX launched this year in Malaysia, the D-MAX entered was something entirely new, powerplant-wise. And, in fact, the vehicle that was sent to Sabah was so new it had only clocked 200 kms after leaving the Isuzu Malaysia assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang.

However, confident in its durability and capabilities, Isuzu Malaysia encouraged the media who used it to drive it as hard as necessary during the gruelling 7-day event. It impressed so much that the organiser gave a Special Award recognizing its remarkable off-roading capabilities.

2019 Borneo Safari — *Two of the other vehicles with more ‘hardcore’ modifications made to tackle the 7-day event.*

Isuzu D-MAX 2019 Borneo Safari — *The D-MAX 1.9 was virtually standard except for necessary protective additions and in fact, it was not even fully run-in at the start of the event.*

Virtually standard with 200 kms on the clock
Nicknamed the ‘Blue Monster’, the vehicle was virtually stock standard except for a few additions to make it more suited to the terrain including a body lift to fit the mud terrain tyres, long travel shock absorbers, snorkel, winch and heavy-duty guards to protect the vehicle from the extreme elements encountered along the way.

The ‘Blue Monster’ joined ‘Red Monster’, ‘White Monster’ and ‘Black Monster’ as part of Isuzu Malaysia’s commitment as the event’s Diamond Sponsor.

“Off-road enthusiasts understand that strong and balanced power delivery is vital when tackling extremes in the jungle. With its impressive power delivery perfectly matched to its new 6-speed gearbox, the new 1.9-litre Blue Power D-MAX simply showed its pedigree and dispelled any notion about the capability of its diminutive engine displacement,” said the Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia, Masayuki Suzuki.

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