In a surprising turn of events, the freshly introduced BMW X2 M35i has taken on a new role at the Rebelle Rally, showcasing its adaptability beyond the typical road-focused coupe-crossover persona. The brand chose the high-performance M35i variant as the base for this rally-ready transformation, leveraging its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, which pumps out an impressive 312hp and 400Nm of torque.
The key modification involves fitting Rotiform ZMO-M wheels wrapped in Falken Wildpeak All-Terrain tires, immediately enhancing its off-road capabilities. A spare tire carrier is installed in the trunk to ensure preparedness for unforeseen circumstances and added peace of mind during the rally.
Underneath, the X2 M35i received custom skid plates and underbody protection, bolstering its resilience against rough terrains and rocky paths. A Thule Caprock roof rack was added to accommodate extra equipment, supplemented by Morimoto LED lights for enhanced visibility during the night.
For any recovery needs during the rally, the X2 M35i is now equipped with off-road recovery gear sourced from Smittybilt, ensuring it’s prepared for any unexpected situations. Additionally, an external odometer by TerraTrip and tow straps from BMW M Performance Parts contribute to the rally car aesthetics.
Taking part in the demanding X-Cross Class of the Rebelle Rally, the BMW X2 M35i will be expertly handled by driver Rebecca Donaghe and navigator Sedona Blinson. This marks BMW’s inaugural participation in the renowned event, aiming to showcase the X2’s endurance and durability over challenging terrains, despite being a vehicle primarily tailored for on-road usage.
The Rebelle Rally is a gruelling off-road competition spanning over 8 days, covering a formidable journey of more than 2092km across the harsh desert terrains of California and Nevada. Starting from Mammoth Mountain Resort in California on October 12, the rally is set to culminate on October 21 near the Mexican border at the Imperial Dunes, testing the mettle of all participants in this challenging event.
Subaru’s latest special edition, the BRZ Touge, is designed to emulate the aesthetics of a true STI model. Available in limited numbers (just 60 units) exclusively for the Italian market, the BRZ Touge is loaded with STI-branded components and includes the beloved gold-finished wheels that are highly regarded among enthusiasts.
To begin, the BRZ Touge exhibits a more aggressive appearance compared to the recently introduced JDM-spec BRZ STI Sport. It is exclusively offered in Subaru’s Blu Pearl shade and sports striking 18-inch gold OZ Superleggera wheels with red Touge centre caps. Additionally, this special edition is equipped with front splitters, side skirts, rear bumper extensions, a diffuser, and a rear spoiler, all featuring STI branding.
While these components are already available as optional add-ons in Japan, this marks the first time Subaru has bundled them together as part of a special edition. The BRZ Touge also features larger dual exhaust tailpipes crafted by Italian tuner Supersprint, bearing the “Touge” inscription. The name of the special edition, “Touge,” is derived from the Japanese word for mountain pass, a fitting name for the BRZ’s character.
Inside, the Touge is set apart by numbered door sills, black-and-red leather and ultrasuede upholstery, which closely resembles the U.S.-spec 2024 Subaru BRZ tS. Standard features include adaptive LED headlights, sporty seats, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 6-speaker audio system.
Under the bonnet, the BRZ Touge retains the well-known 2.4-litre boxer engine, delivering 231hp and 250Nm of torque. The power output differs slightly from the Japanese BRZ due to market-specific tuning for Europe. A 6-speed manual gearbox transmits power to the rear axle, aided by a limited-slip differential. Subaru claims the BRZ Touge can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.
With just 60 units available for the Italian market, the Subaru BRZ Touge is expected to sell out quickly, despite its relatively high price tag of €49,500 (RM246k). Whether the special edition will remain exclusive to Italy or if Subaru will consider producing additional units for other European markets remains to be seen.
Toyota has been investing significant effort into developing a groundbreaking automatic transmission tailored for sports cars. Referred to as the “Direct Automatic Transmission” (DAT), this innovation has been under intensive development for over a year. In early 2022, a GR Yaris model equipped with this automatic transmission made its debut at the Toyota Gazoo Rally Racing Challenge in Japan, marking a pivotal moment in the project’s timeline.
Since its initial unveiling, Toyota has been accelerating the development process, recognising the potential of this automatic transmission in transforming the driving experience for sports car enthusiasts. The most recent test of the DAT took place in September during an event associated with the Super Taikyu series, further showcasing its progress.
In July, we had the chance to test two of the three smart #1 variants, primarily to assess their top speed on an open track. However, we didn’t have the opportunity to evaluate the ADAS system or conduct real-world driving tests, limiting our insights into the battery electric subcompact crossover SUV.
Recently, thanks to smart Malaysia, we got behind the wheel again, focusing on testing the ADAS and experiencing real-world driving.
Let’s begin by introducing the three available variants in the Malaysian market: Pro, Premium, and Brabus. The Pro variant serves as the entry-level option, while both Pro and Premium variants offer almost identical ADAS features, including:
The key difference lies in the Pro variant’s Automatic High Beam, while the Premium variant offers a higher-end Adaptive High Beam, Full Autonomous Parking (FAP), Parking Emergency Brake (PEB), and Autonomous Parking Assist.
Pro, Brabus and Premium variants
The Pro variant, with a smaller 49kWh LFP battery, provides a WLTP-rated range of 315km on a single charge. In contrast, the Premium variant is equipped with a larger 66kWh battery, offering a WLTP-rated range of 440km. Both variants utilise the same 268hp, 343Nm electric motor, taking 6.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h, and are configured with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup.
Additionally, certain features like automatic headlight levelling, lighted front grille or door handles, welcome light, luminous side logo, and a kick sensor for the motorised tailgate are available.
Inside, the Pro variant exhibits a few feature reductions, such as leatherette seats and the absence of ventilated seats for the front occupants. Moreover, the 10-inch head-up display is replaced by a more basic 5-speaker audio system instead of the 13-speaker Beats Audio System.
The third variant, the Brabus variant, offers all the features present in the other variants and an additional option: the ability to switch from RWD to all-wheel-drive (AWD). This variant prioritises high performance, boasting a rapid 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.9 seconds. It features a Dual-motor All-Wheel-Drive powertrain with 422hp and 543Nm of torque, providing excellent handling and traction and a practical WLTP range of 400km.
Our driving experience with the Premium and Brabus variants in real-world conditions was a delightful blend of a Mini and a Mercedes EQB, owing to the cars size and high-quality build. The car exudes a sense of quality, both in its interior and exterior design. Sitting inside gives you the impression of driving a Mercedes, with ambient lighting offering 64 available colours and different combinations for the top and bottom.
Despite its compact appearance, the smart #1 is surprisingly spacious, measuring 4,270mm in length and 1,822mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2,750mm. Even individuals with broad shoulders and long legs can sit comfortably without any struggle. For added comfort, there’s dual-zone auto air conditioning with rear vents, an N95 air conditioning filter, and chilled center armrest storage.
Moving on from the specifications, our journey commenced at Menara Affin, heading to the Sungai Besi Expressway. Along the way, we extensively tested the reliability of the ADAS system. The lane change assist feature, in particular, made lane switching feel seamless and safe, especially in Kuala Lumpur traffic.
However, in the Brabus variant, switching lanes manually is exhilarating and fun, thanks to its ample power. Whenever possible, we took advantage of this power, ensuring to adhere to speed limits. Moreover, the cars design provides maximum visibility, enhancing the driving experience.
With the Brabus variant, you can activate a virtual exhaust sound through the Beats speakers, amplifying the excitement of acceleration and adding a touch of fun to the electric vehicle driving experience.
In terms of speed limits, the car detects speed limit signs and warns you if you exceed them. With the Brabus variant, expect frequent warnings due to its potential for quick overtaking, making it an enjoyable city car. You definitely won’t be bullied by Myvi’s anymore. As a matter of fact, we managed to get a few “King of the Malaysian roads” to get out of our way.
The technology incorporated is impressive and convenient, featuring Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and even a built-in navigation system. The heads-up display provides crucial information, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road.
During our testing at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, we tried the Autonomous Parking Assist. However, this system proved somewhat flawed, often prompting us to park manually as it struggled to detect available spaces efficiently. It seems more suitable for use in locations with minimal traffic, such as shopping malls.
Heading back on the highway, we switched from the Brabus to the Premium variant. Returning to Menara Affin during peak traffic hours, the ADAS system of the Premium variant proved effective in detecting potential dangers on the road. While the Premium variant is slightly slower than the Brabus, it offers comparable performance without compromising on speed.
Though no official pricing confirmation is available, smart Malaysia estimates a range of RM200,000 to RM250,000 for these variants. Bookings have been steadily coming in, although the exact number remains undisclosed.
If you’re keen to experience the smart #1 firsthand, you can do so at Menara Affin, TRX, from 12th to 14th October 2023, between 9am to 6pm, on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In a recent patent (number 11,780,302 BS) dated October 10, 2023, filed by Ford, a simple yet potentially life-saving innovation has been unveiled. The patent showcases a sun visor that can function as a glass breaker in emergency situations.
The design appears to be a standard sun visor found in most vehicles, mounted on a metal rod for easy flipping to block the sun. However, what sets this innovation apart is its dual functionality. The sun visor can be removed to reveal a pointed end, intended to be used as an impact point to shatter a window.
Luxury automaker Infiniti is providing a glimpse of its first electric vehicle, the “Vision Qe,” ahead of its official debut later this month. The Vision Qe offers a sleek fastback design, providing a preview of Infiniti’s venture into the electric vehicle market, although arriving later than some competitors.
Infiniti, a subsidiary of Nissan, has yet to unveil its first fully electric vehicle despite the market shifting towards electrification. The brand witnessed a decline in sales in the US, prompting a revamped visual identity and roadmap to align with the changing automotive landscape. It has even been discontinued here in Malaysia for some time now but is expected to make a comeback in our market.
As part of its plan, Infiniti aims to revamp sales and target 100,000 sales by mid-decade, relying on four new or refreshed models, including two fully electric vehicles. The updated identity encompasses retail stores with large glass windows akin to Apple stores, symbolizing a new era for Infiniti.
The Infiniti logo has also undergone modifications, emphasising the “Infiniti road” and horizon line, signifying a new chapter for the brand, which includes the introduction of its first EVs.
The Vision Qe concept will be officially revealed on October 24, along with several other new models, providing a glimpse into Infiniti’s future lineup and electrification strategy.
