It’s not often that we get to know about military vehicles for obvious reasons. They are used by security forces who prefer their equipment and methods of operating to not be known to the public. However, occasionally, a manufacturer may publicise its vehicles which are available for military use but not necessarily in use by the armed forces. MILDEF International Technologies Sdn Bhd (MILDEF), originally known as Kembara Suci Sdn. Bhd. when it was founded in 2005, is one such company which is looking to supply the Malaysian armed forces with an armoured vehicle known as the 4×4 High Mobility Armoured Vehicle (HMAV).
After its public unveiling in February, the MILDEF has been undergoing evaluation at various training grounds throughout Malaysia. The exercise lasted 9 days, during which time the MILDEF HMAV 4×4 was subjected to 700 km of road testing and 300 kms off-road, as well as being put through the paces on a tough obstacle course. The HMAV was also subjected to tests such as highway endurance, fuel efficiency, loading, winching, slope-climbing, mounting and dismounting, climbing and braking, and of course crossing water that was 1 metre deep.
The evaluation was conducted by teams from the Malaysian Army and Defence Science and Technology Research Institute (STRIDE) with personnel from MILDEF present. According to Datuk Sri Mohd Nizam bin Kasa, Chief Executive Officer of MILDEF. the performance of the HMAV during this very important first round of testing was satisfactory. “We are now planning to conduct testing at several other locations,” he said.
Designed to withstand being hit by armour-piercing rounds and mines, the HMAV is built to STANAG 4569 Level 2 military standard established by NATO (the alliance of military organisations of European and North American countries). It weighs 13.2 tonnes and is powered by a 7200 cc Caterpillar Diesel engine which produces 330 bhp. This gives the HMAV a power to weight ratio of 24 bhp per tonne and it has been able to get up to a test speed of 110 km/h. Of course, military vehicles are not required to be super-fast (unless they are jet fighters) and other capabilities are more important.
MILDEF specialises in providing automotive services for the defence industry in Malaysia and has a proven track record in all aspects of the heavy equipment maintenance, repair and overhaul. In the company’s next phase of development, it has ventured into developing combat vehicle that is able to perform in both man-made and natural terrain. Besides being a pioneer in research and development of armoured vehicles in the country to support a sustainable defence automotive industry for Malaysia, MILDEF is also looking at having a presence in the regional market.
Read Our Review or Watch Our Review of The Small But Mighty A35 AMG! Or both!
What would you do with RM367,000? Some, if not most people could do quite a lot with all that money.
Some may invest the money in properties for future returns, some may pay off debts, some will help their families while others may start a business.
But let’s assume you have it all already. There is nothing else you could want and there’s lots of spare change in the bank. Lets then talk about spending your money on a Mercedes-Benz A35 AMG – a super hot hatch that costs an eye watering RM367,000, which undoubtedly is a lot of money for an A-Class.
Imagine for a second that the most basic A-Class costs just RM220,000. An A35 AMG costs a whopping RM147,000 more. And what you get are some go faster bits, a trick sports suspension and chassis, and a highly tuned engine that is the same as the one powering the A250.
That’s right, the engine that powers the A35 AMG is a modded version of the one that powers the A250, unlike the bespoke AMG engine that powers the A45S AMG.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing because you get 306hp and 400Nm of torque. The A35 also sees off the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.6 seconds. Which is very fast for a hot hatch.
You could also argue that the A35 AMG is an entirely different breed of car than the A200, and you won’t be wrong. But the question here is, is it worth the money? Or shouldn’t you bother and jump right into the full-blown A45S AMG instead?
So why did Mercedes build it then?
The A35 AMG is designed to bridge the gap between the A250 and the A45 AMG. The price gap between the two stands at about RM112,000, and that’s where Mercedes-Benz thought that the A35 AMG could be placed – in between the A250 and the A45. An ideal middle-ground for people who think that the A250 is too slow and the A45 too expensive.
And they weren’t wrong because it just makes perfect sense – price wise at least.
Other than sheer driving fun and bullying Volkswagens and Honda Type-R’s on the road, an A-Class that costs as much as a new condominium simply does not make sense, to regular wage-earning people at least.
But the A35 AMG is not meant for regular people, it is meant for those with deep pockets who like to drive hard and don’t mind suspension so stiff that it makes your nose feel like its about to fall off your face.
Simply put, it is meant for those who like their cars to have a naughty edge with no regard for comfort whatsoever.
What’s it like to be inside the A35 AMG and can you drive it like a proper civilised citizen?
If it were not for the seats, the steering wheel, the aluminium pedal shifters, and the awkward AMG strips around the left of the dash, it would feel like a typical A-Class inside.
But because everything mentioned above exists inside the A35 AMG, it makes the interior feel more purposeful when you first take a seat. Especially the seats that not only look great but also feel great as well. But because they are so thinly padded, they would be quite uncomfortable over long distances.
And unlike the first generation AMG seats where all controls were placed on the side of the seats, you actually have to delve quite deep into the electronic menu to adjust things like side bolstering and lumbar support. We found those settings once when we first picked up the car, but could not find it again as the menu was just too complicated, so we didn’t bother. Perhaps we should have spent a bit more time fiddling around the menu than driving the car.
Other than that though, driving the A35 AMG is as fun an occasion as driving a hot hatch gets.
But because of its racer-boy like suspension character, it results in an uncomfortable sitting position. Even in Comfort mode. Roll over a hump and you will notice it immediately. It does not bother soaking it up, instead simply transfers it to the passenger cabin and tells you to deal with it.
You feel every imperfection in the road, every dip and every bump that comes your way.
Not only do you feel everything in the cabin, but also in your bum as the seats make no effort to absorb anything either.
The steering wheel has a heavy feel to it like a proper sports car should and ensures your palms tell your brain everything that is happening at ground zero because the steering wheel is a chatty one – telling you exactly what is happening with the tyres and the road.
But as soon as you select Sport or Sport Plus mode, the car takes on a very different, livewire-ish character, like it has suddenly guzzled down about half a dozen cans of Red Bull and wants to take on a fight with every single car on the road. It also somehow wrings out the horns from the temples of your head, and makes you do things on the road you would otherwise never imagine.
This is the true nature of the A35 AMG, the sports mode – where everything about the car is at its finest.
But there is a docile side to the car too, this does not mean that it can also turn into a pot-hole absorbing S-Class, but it can actually be a quiet sanctuary after a long hard days of work. Though that may not happen a lot.
So can you drive it like a proper civilised citizen? Sure. Till you see the next fast corner, which makes you want to take it on pedal to the metal.
Enough with the whining about comfort and suspension, how’s it like to drive hard?
It may be uncomfortable, cramped (though roomier than the previous A-Class), noisy because there’s a lot of road noise intruding into the cabin noise rather than the sweet sound of a turbocharged four-pot.
But as far as a hot-hatch goes, the A35 is simply brilliant.
It is terribly stiff (read: uncomfortable) when going around your daily business because of how the suspension and chassis has been set up and all the stiff mountings rather than rubber bushings. But find a good stretch of winding road and floor it and the A35 AMG is immediately in its element.
The handling is pin point accurate, the steering rack too is direct mounted to the body, so that means there is no delay during change of direction. The car turns immediately when you tell it to. Even the slightest steering input is picked up by the body and the wheels. But the A35 seems to love being abused, it is as if being abused is what it was born to do.
There are five different drive settings for you to work with – Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus – and each mode adjusts the character of the car according to what its name suggests.
Start up the car and there is little audible hint of what lays under the bonnet.
Floor the pedal and you have to wait about half a second or so for the car to figure out what you are asking of it.
But after that, it lays down power to all four-wheels while gently pushing you back into the seats. Power delivery is not explosive like that of the A45, this is after all the lesser sibling of the Mercedes 45 range, but it is still an onslaught to the senses.
The steering wheel lightens just a tad bit during acceleration before finding its heft again, this is possibly from the car squatting during launch. But after that, it lays down the gauntlet corner after corner.
Grip is immense and it never seems to run out of it. The Pirelli tyres play a huge role of course, but it is the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system that is the real star of the Grip Show here.
The system features an electromechanical multiple-disc clutch that manages grip between all-four tyres, sending grip to front or rear axle even before you know it. That is where the difference lays between the all-wheel-drive systems of the A35 and the A45S.
Called the AMG Performance 4MATIC in the A35 and AMG Performance 4MATIC PLUS in the A45S, the former is able to send power to the front or rear wheels of the car, while the latter is able to send power to each individual wheel that needs grip the most. And that makes a world of difference in corners.
But even so, the A35 feels very quick around corners, and always feels more confident in a corner than you are.
Should you buy it if you had the money?
Silly question by the editor. Of course you would buy it if you had the money. What else would you buy? A Golf R? Come on, that is so 2010. And hasn’t that been rendered irrelevant ever since the first A45 showed up back in 2013? A Civic Type-R? Brilliantly engaging car and undoubtedly fun to drive, but the A35 AMG will be two car lengths ahead in two flicks of the right shifter pedal.
If money is no object then you should buy it. Just don’t expect it to be very comfortable or perfect for that matter.
My kid’s stroller could fit in the booth and not much else, so practicality is out of the window as well.
But who cares about that when you have 306hp under your right foot, sport suspension and one of the most advanced all-wheel-drive systems, ever.
Just as Toyota established Calty in California in 1973 as an advanced design studio to develop new models, mainly for the US market, it also set up a design studio in Europe to develop products more tailored for that region.
Located in the south of France, the facility known as ED2 has been in operation since 2000 and is now Toyota’s European Design Headquarters. ED2 was responsible for carrying out design studies, especially of A-segment models, and was a major contributor to the original Yaris project. It was also responsible for the original concept for the C-HR crossover SUV.
Preview of the next Aygo?
Now ED2 is also bringing the same visual boldness to small cars with the Aygo X prologue, a concept model which is likely to be a preview of the next generation of the Aygo that was introduced in 2005. The Aygo was jointly developed by Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen (which have their own versions) and is also built as a factory in the Czech Republic which is jointly owned by the three companies.
“With the Aygo X prologue, I believe we’ve demonstrated that a small car can still be big and bold in personality,” said Ken Billes, Assistant Chief Designer at ED². The design has unique DNA and meets the demands of customers wanting flair, distinctiveness, and the chance to make a personal statement. Building on the model’s style icon position, ED² set out to design a new car specifically for them.
ED² assigned a dedicated team to focus on a unified message from start to finish and they became quickly convinced that there was an opportunity to bring a bolder and stronger design. From this conviction, the Aygo X prologue was born.
Bigger and taller
With the Aygo X prologue, an additional cheeky mischievousness is added to the mix. It’s just as fun like the current model, now with an added edginess to it. From every angle, it expresses a strong personality and an even stronger stance. By bumping up the size of the wheels, the driver sits higher and has a higher eye point for greater visibility, while additional clearance underneath will be appreciated when travelling on rough roads.
A bold bi-tone execution creates a unique graphic profile that grabs attention in the street by emphasizing the car’s readiness to leap forward into action. The wedged roofline also increases the dynamic feeling for a more aggressive sporty image. High-tech headlamps hug the upper bonnet to form a wing-like shape while, lower to the ground are the large hexagonal grille, foglamps and skidplate.
For the adventurous and active types
Practicality is an important aspect for the Aygo X prologue. The rear skidplate houses a bicycle-holder mount while, housed in the door mirror is an action-camera ready to record adventures at any time. An integrated roof rack accentuates the vehicle’s profile, as well as creating a visual link with the hexagon tail lamps, a subtle reminder of the Aygo DNA.
The designers at ED2 understand that, in life, colours are central to our emotions. For the Aygo X prologue, a ‘spicy’ concept to life is created with inspiration from certain ingredients such as chilli, ginger, wasabi and black pepper. Moreover, use of bi-tone was an additional invitation to take colour balances to another level with the inclusion of a fine sprinkling of blue metallic flake into the paint mix. The resulting dazzling effect makes the colour fully deserving of its name of Sparkling Chilli Red.
Working differently but together
The challenging project of creating the Aygo X prologue under present conditions has been a great test of the agile process of fast and fluid design development at ED2. Whether together or remotely, ED² design team members worked seamlessly from hand-sketching to digital sketch-modelling, to virtual reality simulations, to 3D ‘speedshapes’, right to the final car itself.
Although Toyota does not officially state that the Aygo x prologue will become the next generation of the Aygo, it looks pretty much like a production-ready design and will certainly be on a version of the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform that is now used for all new models.
First generation of the Aygo was introduced in Europe in 2005. (above). It is currently in its second generation (below) which was launched in 2014.
The third model which is part of the very exclusive money-cannot-buy ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition range is the Honda CR-V. This SUV is the third oldest model line in Honda Malaysian’s current line-up, so it would have contributed significantly to the sales volume of Honda in Malaysia. It’s been around since the first generation which came out in the mid-1990s and, along with Toyota’s RAV4, established a new market segment.
The CR-V was initially imported in CBU (completely built-up) form and sold quite well as it offered passenger car-like comfort and driving character with the functional image of a SUV. The early generations even came with a picnic table cleverly stowed in the floor of the boot.
When production began at Honda Malaysia’s plant in Melaka in 2003, the first model to be assembled was the CR-V, which was then in its second generation. To commemorate the model’s special place in the plant’s history, a Melaka Edition was created for sale to the public in limited numbers.
Now, for the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign to celebrate sales of 1 million vehicles since Honda Malaysia was established, a special version of the CR-V will be given away. Like the other Special Edition models, there is only one CR-V to be given away free to a lucky customer. This comes with exclusive features on the exterior are a Dual-Tone finish (white bodywork with black roof), red highlight line running across the black grille, red highlight line on each door mirror, red highlights on wheels with a black finish and of course, the ‘1 Million Dreams’ emblems.
Inside the spacious cabin, the leather upholstered front seats have an embossed ‘1 Million Dreams’ signature as well as a plaque on the dashboard. The steering wheel is also leather-wrapped and has sporty red stitching as well as a red mark at the 12 o’clock position, a visual indicator can help the driver to know where the wheels are pointing – which can be useful on slippery off-road tracks. Every owner of a Special Edition model will also receive an exclusive Honda Leather Pouch.
Earth Dreams engine
The CR-V Special Edition is powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder VTEC engine with a CVT. Though it seems small, with Honda Earth Dreams Technology and turbocharging, the engine can produce up to 193 ps, with the maximum of 243 Nm of torque available from 2,000 rpm to as high as 5,000 rpm. That sort of output is even greater than bigger engines and the advantage, besides saving weight, is that fuel consumption can be up to 14.3 kms per litre. With a full fuel tank of 57 litres, that can mean a range of at least 800 kms.
Many people buy a SUV for its high seating position which gives a commanding view, and the ground clearance of 208 mm will give more confidence when going over uneven or even flooded roads.
The version chosen for the Special Edition is the top version and as such, it comes with many premium features as well as lots of convenience features. You can even start the engine and air-conditioner from a distance to cool down the interior on a hot day. And while the level of sound insulation is quite generous to prevent external noises from entering, there is also an Active Noise Control system to cancel out noises at irritating frequencies.
First with Honda SENSING
Besides being the first model to be assembled at Honda Malaysia’s plant, the CR-V is also the first model with Honda SENSING. This suite of driver assistance systems was introduced together with the 5th generation of the model in 2017. Honda SENSING has eight active systems, most of which use a camera and work with each other, to help the driver avoid accidents. The system also has Autonomous Emergency Braking which means that if a collision is likely to occur (as detected by the sensors) but the driver does not take the right action to prevent it, the brakes will come on automatically. Even if it cannot prevent contact (due to the road being slippery), the earlier braking action will reduce the speed and could result in less severe damage, reducing repair costs.
The CR-V was the first model to introduce Honda SENSING in Malaysia when the current generation was launched in 2017.
There’s also Honda LaneWatch, an innovative blindspot monitoring system that uses a camera instead of sensors on the body. The camera captures a real-time image of the area along the left side of the car and shows it on the display screen on the dashboard. Active only when the left signal is on, the display allows the driver to spot other vehicles coming up and close. As the display screen is positioned in the middle, the driver also does not have to turn the head so much, which would be the case if having to look at the left door mirror.
You won’t be able to buy the CR-V ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition but if you want to own a CR-V, there are three variants, two of which have the Earth Dreams turbocharged engine. Pricing ranges from RM140,000 to about RM163,000 (without insurance).
All the different ways you can get entries to submit and if you are lucky, you will be the owner of the money-cannot-buy CR-V Special Edition.
If you really want to own the CR-V Special Edition, then you will have to submit as many entries as possible and if you have the Honda Touch app, you can get 5x entries. Additionally, as part of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign, there is the ‘Shopee Coins Giveaway’ for those who participate in any of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ activities on honda.com.my or at an authorised Honda dealer. Up to 1,000,000 Shopee Coins are being given out to 150 weekly winners.
The campaign ends on March 24, 2021 and the lucky winners will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held by the end of this month.
Visit any authorised Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
The CR-V (first generation shown above) arrived in Malaysia in the second half of the 1990s and attracted a lot of interest due to its ‘lifestyle’ image. It was easy to drive for a SUV, offered extra carrying space and with the Real-Time AWD system in the drivetrain, it had all-wheel drive for extra grip in slippery conditions. Local assembly began with the second generation at the newly opened Honda Malaysia plant in Melaka. Thereafter, the CR-V has been a major model for Honda in this market, maintaining leadership in its segment for many years. In 2017, it was also the first model in the Malaysian market to have the Honda SENSING driver-assistance system.First Honda model assembled at the newly opened plant in Melaka was the second generation of the CR-V.Since being assembled locally, every generation of the CR-V has been a leader in its segment.
The Toyota GR Supra’s fundamental appeal is being a sportscar in its purest form, and a sportscar is at home on a racetrack. Thus it’s only appropriate that the company has developed an exclusive version which it calls the Jarama Racetrack Edition.
Only for Europe
Only 90 units of this version will be available, all for sale only in Europe. The ‘90’ is s subtle reference to the coupe’s model code which is ‘A90’ and the name is, of course, that of a well known racing circuit in Spain. In fact, that is where many of the world’s media had their first experience of the GR Supra two years ago.
The Jarama Racetrack Edition is visually distinguished by its unique Horizon Blue paintwork, contrasting with a matt black finish for its 19-inch forged alloy wheels and visible red-painted brake calipers.
Tuned by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
Under the long bonnet is the original, 340 bhp/500 Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six unit, tuned by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the company’s high-performance unit. The engine output flows through a rapid-shift 8-speed sports automatic transmission. When using the car’s launch control system, 0 -100 km/h acceleration times is claimed to be 4.3 seconds.
‘Golden ratio’
The sports performance and handling are said to be every bit as rewarding as the regular GR Supra, founded on the car’s finely balanced chassis and the ideal ‘golden ratio’ between the wide track and short wheelbase.
A low centre of gravity, a lightweight and highly rigid body and aerodynamically efficient add to the car’s agility and stability. These qualities are optimised by performance-enhancing features including adaptive variable suspension (with NORMAL and SPORT settings), active differential, sports-tuned steering and powerful Brembo sports brakes with four-pot aluminium front callipers and 348 mm vented front discs.
Exclusive interior fittings
In the cabin the car’s special status is signified by a carbonfibre dashboard insert specifying its number in the production run and featuring an outline map of the Jarama circuit, plus the Toyota GR Supra logo. The interior is upholstered in black Alcantara with blue stitching and the seats are power-adjustable and have a memory setting and integrated heating.
Standard equipment which customers will get includes satellite navigation with 3D-mapping, smartphone integration (via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), Supra Connect access to connected services and a 10-speaker audio system. Multimedia functions are controlled using an 8.8-inch TFT touchscreen, or (for certain functions) voice recognition.
The Supra Safety + Package provides a comprehensive range of active safety features, including a Pre-Collision System with a pedestrian detection function and the ability to recognise cyclists during daytime driving; Lane Departure Alert with steering assist; Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go function; Adaptive High-beam System; Adaptive Front-light System, which adjust the headlight illumination in line with the car’s steering angle; and Road Sign Assist.
In Malaysia, the GR Supra is available through dealerships with the GR Garage (currently 5 outlets in Peninsular Malaysia). Prices start from RM589,987 (without insurance) and each unit comes with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
