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Bugatti Begins Deliveries of the W16 Mistral, the World’s Fastest Roadster

Bugatti has commenced deliveries of the highly anticipated W16 Mistral, marking the final chapter of its legendary quad-turbocharged W16 engine. The first customer units have now arrived in the United States, each representing the pinnacle of bespoke craftsmanship and performance engineering.

First unveiled at Monterey Car Week in 2022, the W16 Mistral pays homage to Bugatti’s rich heritage of open-top motoring. The design draws inspiration from iconic roadsters such as the 1934 Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid, blending timeless elegance with cutting-edge performance. With a record-breaking top speed of 453.91km/h, the Mistral now holds the title of the world’s fastest roadster, reinforcing Bugatti’s legacy of extreme performance.

Following its global debut, the W16 Mistral embarked on an extensive world tour, captivating audiences at Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille in France before making its way to the Middle East, Japan, Singapore, and the winding roads of Southern France. Each stop showcased the roadster’s combination of refined aesthetics and unparalleled engineering, building anticipation among collectors and automotive enthusiasts.

Now, as the first examples reach their owners, the personalisation and craftsmanship of each vehicle highlight Bugatti’s commitment to exclusivity. One of the first models delivered features a striking “Black Carbon” exterior, contrasted by “Bugatti Light Blue Sport” accents. This variant exudes power and refinement, with matte accents on the engine cover paying tribute to the legendary W16 engine. The interior is adorned with “Bugatti Light Blue Sport” leather upholstery, complemented by “Black Carbon” matte finishes and “Beluga Black” stitching.

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2026 Volvo XC60: Enhanced Tech, Comfort, and Design

For the upcoming model year, Volvo has given the XC60 a significant refresh, elevating its user experience, design, and comfort while introducing a faster, more responsive infotainment system. These updates aim to solidify the XC60’s status as Volvo’s best-selling model, which has achieved over 1.5 million sales worldwide since its debut in 2017. In 2024, the SUV even set a new sales record, reaffirming its strong market presence.

Next-Generation Infotainment and User Experience

The refreshed XC60 now features Volvo’s latest user experience, designed for safer and more intuitive interactions. A key highlight is the new 11.2-inch free-standing central touchscreen, offering a 21% increase in pixel density for sharper visuals. This updated system integrates multiple Google services* and allows for over-the-air updates**, extending its functionality beyond factory settings.

Powering this upgraded system is the next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies*, which makes the infotainment system more than twice as fast as before, with ten times faster graphics rendering. The result is a more responsive and seamless interface that enhances both convenience and safety.

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Volkswagen Charts a Course for Revival with New EV Strategy

After years of decline, Volkswagen has acknowledged its struggles and is implementing a strategy to reclaim its competitive edge. Facing increasing pressure from Chinese automakers and the accelerating shift to electrification, the German automaker has introduced a turnaround plan known as Triple A—Accelerate, Attack, and Achieve. Central to this strategy is the launch of nine new models by 2027, beginning with two smaller, more affordable electric vehicles under the ID. family.

Volkswagen has confirmed that the ID.2, expected in 2026, and the ID.1, set to arrive in 2027, will be key components of its electrification efforts. The ID.1 is slated for an official unveiling in early March, featuring an all-electric powertrain with a starting price of approximately €20,000 (RM88,965). Employees at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg headquarters will be the first to see the vehicle before its public debut.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars CEO Thomas Schäfer described the new model as a crucial achievement, stating that an affordable, high-quality, and profitable electric Volkswagen designed in Europe for the European market represents the pinnacle of automotive engineering. Wolfsburg will remain the core of Volkswagen’s electrification drive, though changes in production strategy are underway. To accommodate the transition, the company is relocating Golf production to Mexico, making space for electric vehicle manufacturing.

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Honda Open to Reconsidering Merger with Nissan on Condition of CEO’s Resignation

The merger discussions between Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. have officially collapsed, with tensions running high over the conditions proposed by Honda. A senior Nissan official expressed strong discontent over what he described as “rude” demands made by Honda during the negotiations.

At the core of the disagreement was Honda’s insistence that Nissan become its subsidiary, a condition that ultimately led to the breakdown of the talks. Honda also pushed Nissan to restructure its business and abandon its proprietary hybrid vehicle (HV) system, e-Power, in favour of Honda’s own HV technology. These proposals were perceived as an affront to Nissan’s reputation, particularly given its historical branding as the “Nissan of technology.”

From Honda’s perspective, integrating Nissan’s sales channels with its hybrid system would have improved economies of scale, potentially lowering procurement costs for both companies. However, Nissan, once a leader in electric vehicle (EV) production, has struggled to keep pace with Toyota and Honda in the hybrid segment. A senior Honda official asserted that Honda had a clear advantage over Nissan in HV technology, further fueling tensions.

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Transport Ministry Moves to Ban Dummy Seat Belt Buckles

The transport ministry is working with the domestic trade and cost of living ministry to prohibit the sale of dummy seat belt buckles, a device used by vehicle owners to bypass seat belt alarms.

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook emphasised the dangers of using these buckles, stating that they allow motorists to deceive seat belt sensors, putting their safety at risk. Despite growing concerns, he acknowledged that the transport ministry does not have the authority to confiscate or ban these accessories. To address this limitation, discussions are underway with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to implement a ban on their sale and distribution.

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Chery Malaysia to Begin Vehicle Exports to Southeast Asia

Chery Corporate Malaysia Sdn Bhd is set to begin exporting vehicles to the Southeast Asian (SEA) market this year, marking a significant milestone as the first Chinese automotive brand to export from Malaysia. This move aligns with Chery’s strategy to position Malaysia as its regional production hub.

Chery Corporate Malaysia Executive Vice President Leo Chen highlighted the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the region. “Chery is progressing well towards establishing Malaysia as our production and research and development (R&D) hub in Southeast Asia. Expanding our exporting capabilities enhances our production capacity to meet the region’s growing demand,” he stated. Chen also emphasised Chery’s role in contributing to Malaysia’s economy, developing local talent, and strengthening the supply chain, reaffirming the company’s ambition to make Malaysia the leading export hub for its vehicles, including its premium sub-brand, Jaecoo.

The initial phase of exports will see Malaysia supplying Jaecoo Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) SUVs and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) to Vietnam. Additional models and brands are expected to follow, with expansion plans targeting other SEA markets such as Thailand, Brunei, the Philippines, and Singapore.

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