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Proton Opens Its Doors for a Closer Look at Its Technologies, Offers Sneak Peek Of Its Upcoming 2026 Model

Proton has opened its Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam to the public for a three-day Proton Technology Showcase, turning the usually quiet headquarters into a hub of discussion, demonstrations and early previews of the brand’s next phase of development. The event was officiated by Proton’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Li Chunrong, together with Deputy CEO, Dato’ Abdul Rashid Musa, who both highlighted that the showcase reflects how far the company has progressed under the partnership between DRB-HICOM and Geely.

Visitors are being given rare access to the engineering work taking place behind the scenes, with a wide range of displays covering electrification, intelligent connectivity and next-generation powertrains. The centrepieces include the GMA platform, Proton’s Short Blade Battery technology and the brand’s latest plug-in hybrid engine and transmission. ACO Tech is also present with demonstrations of its augmented reality and artificial intelligence systems, offering a glimpse of how Proton will integrate smarter connectivity into future vehicles.

Proton has brought along its full line-up, ranging from the X50 to the new e.MAS 5 and the latest Proton Saga, but the main pull for many is the appearance of a model set to be launched in early 2026, shown publicly for the first time. Proton also surprised visitors by revealing the upcoming Proton eMas 7 PHEV for its first official public appearance, marking an important addition to the company’s expanding electrified range.

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Is Toyota Inching Towards a Return to Formula One?

Toyota has announced that it will become the title sponsor of the Haas Formula One Team in 2026, replacing digital payment firm Moneygram.

After officially leaving the sport in 2009, Toyota marked its return to Formula One last year with Haas as part of a technical partnership through Toyota’s motorsport and research and development division Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR).

The announcement shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise though as a key element of the multi-year partnership was signed back in 2024 and in centred around the creation of Haas’ first Testing of Previous Car (TPC) programme that launched in 2025.

Over the course of 14 days, Japanese race drivers Ryo Hirakawa, Ritomo Miyata, Sho Tsuboi and race veteran Kamui Kobayashi all had outings in the previous generation cars through their TGR associations.

The deal has also allowed for the installation of the team’s first-ever personal simulator at the UK base in Banbury, which is set to come online next season.

Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation Akio Toyoda said: “Throughout our challenges in the 2025 season, I witnessed young TGR drivers and engineers begin to believe in their own potential and set their sights on even greater dreams.

“Seeing this transformation moved me deeply. And today, I can say this with confidence, Toyota has finally begun to move – really move. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu (Haas Team Principal) for standing alongside our young members, believing in their potential, and facing the future with the same passion and perspective.

“By taking our partnership with Haas another step forward next year, TGR’s ‘People, Product, Pipeline’ mantra – will accelerate in a way we have never seen before.

“The time has come for the next generation to take their first steps toward the world stage. Together with Gene Haas, Ayao, and everyone at TGR Haas F1 Team, we will build both a culture and a team for the future. Toyota is now truly on the move.”

The new Toyota deal will run alongside Haas’s existing deal with Ferrari, which began when Haas entered Formula One back in 2016, and includes the supply of Ferrari’s power unit, gearbox and other selected parts and use of the Ferrari simulator at Maranello.

Haas is currently eight in the Teams Championship, just seven points behind Aston Martin with one round to go in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Also with this deal, one can’t help but wonder if Toyota is inching its way forward to a full works team return to Formula One. Now that would be exciting.

Two Lucky Winners Walk Away With Brand New Hondas!

As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, Honda Malaysia organised a campaign to give away a Honda City Hatchback RS as well as a Honda WR-V RS.

And the winners were announced today (4th December, 2025) and the cars handed over during a special appreciation event.

The lucky winner of the Honda City Hatchback RS, one Mr Chin Boon Hao took part in the campaign after purchasing a brand new Honda Civic.

The winner of the new Honda WR-V RS on the other hand is one Ms Avis Ou Xiao Qian from Sarawak. She took part in the contest after purchasing a new Honda CR-V.

The Honda City Hatchback RS as well as the WR-V RS are among the six grand prizes offered in conjunction with Honda Malaysia’s 25th anniversary “Because of You” campaign lucky draw.

The other grand prizes are the Honda City RS, Civic RS, New HR-V, Honda CR-V e:HEV RS as well as Honda Insurance Plus rebates.

The contest mechanism involves collecting points by either test driving a new Honda or registering any new Honda model. The more entries collected, the higher the chances of winning a Honda model.

Two winners will be announced each month on Honda Malaysia’s official Facebook page and through its dealer network.

Honda Malaysia was established in the year 2000 as a joint venture between Honda Motor Company Ltd (Japan), Oriental Holdings Berhad and DRB Hicom.

In 2003, local assembly began at the company’s plant in Pagoh, Melaka with the second generation Honda CRV being the first Malaysian assembled Honda.

Alfa Romeo Marks the Quadrifoglio Legacy with Exclusive Giulia and Stelvio Collezione Models

Alfa Romeo has introduced two highly exclusive creations, the Giulia Quadrifoglio Collezione and Stelvio Quadrifoglio Collezione, developed in tribute to one of the brand’s most enduring icons — the Quadrifoglio. The emblem, first painted onto Ugo Sivocci’s Alfa Romeo RL when he won the 1923 Targa Florio, became the mark of the brand’s racing machinery for decades. In 1963 it shifted from the circuit to the road with the Giulia Ti Super, and from then on it distinguished Alfa Romeo’s most powerful and exclusive road-going models.

That pivotal year forms the inspiration for this new Collezione series, which has been limited to just 63 units worldwide. Two Giulia units have been earmarked for the UK, while the rest will be distributed across Europe, the Middle East, China and Japan.

Both Collezione models are assembled at Alfa Romeo’s Cassino plant, bringing together traditional Italian craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing techniques. Each car is finished in one of two new interpretations of the ‘Rosso Villa D’Este’ paint made famous by the 33 Stradale. The Giulia wears ‘Rosso Collezione Giulia’, a deep shade that appears almost black depending on the light, while the Stelvio receives ‘Rosso Collezione Stelvio’, a brighter and more open shade of red.

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Nissan Unveils New N6 PHEV Sedan in China, Eyes Broader Overseas Launch

The latest mid-size plug-in hybrid sedan from Dongfeng Nissan, the N6, has officially debuted in China with a starting price tag of 99,900 yuan — roughly RM66,200. A promotional “benefit price” of 91,900 yuan (about RM61,000) has also been made available for a limited time.

The company signalled that the N6 could reach markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and parts of Latin America in the future, marking it as the brand’s first “N-series” vehicle beyond its pure-electric offerings.

Styled in line with the fully electric N7, the N6 presents a modern, sleek appearance. The front end features a closed-off nose, a full-width light bar above, L-shaped lower lights, an illuminated “NISSAN” badge, flush door handles and an integrated charging port on the rear quarter panel. The rear profile adopts a coupe-like flow, with a continuous taillight strip and a clean bumper that hides the exhaust outlets, adding subtle sophistication to its silhouette.

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Naza Italia Begins Exit from Maserati Distributorship as Group Shifts Strategy

Naza Italia Sdn Bhd has formally notified Maserati S.p.A. that it will withdraw from its role as the official importer and distributor of Maserati vehicles in Malaysia, bringing an end to a partnership that has been in place for more than 15 years.

The notice, submitted in line with the 180-day requirement under the agreement signed on 1 January 2009, marks the beginning of a structured transition period.

As Naza Automotive Group moves towards this handover, Naza Italia said it will honour every obligation outlined in the agreement, ensuring that the next six months proceed without disruption for customers or partners.

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