BMW Malaysia starts the new year with the introduction of the updated BMW X1 sDrive20i M Sport. The locally-assembled model from one of the best-selling segments of the brand’s portfolio in Malaysia, is priced from RM233,800 (without insurance).
“The BMW X models charted record highs in our local deliveries last year, accounting for more than 43% of vehicles in the BMW portfolio delivered in 2019. With these strong figures, we are confident that 2020 will present more opportunities for our segment-leading models to rise with the local automotive industry,” said Harald Hoelzl, MD of the BMW Group Malaysia.
Revised front end
The latest X1 has a revised front end with the larger kidney grille now joined in the middle. The front bumper with integrated LED foglights and larger air intakes are also new. The tubes in the LED headlights have a hexagonal shape, underscoring the modern looks of the X1.
The Lights Package also includes a Welcome Light Carpet. When the vehicle is unlocked, an LED light source in the driver’s-side exterior mirror projects an ‘X1’ onto the ground in two tones. The LED rear lights features a new design, with a single LED bar drawing the familiar L signature from side to side.
The latest X1 sits lower by 10 mm with the M Sport Suspension. Additionally, the two tailpipes have grown in diameter from 70 to 90 mm. The SAV now has 18-inch M light alloy wheels in Double-Spoke Style 570 M Bicolour.
Powering the X1 is the proven 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 7-Speed Steptronic Dual Clutch Sport transmission. This produces 192 bhp/280 Nm to give the SVA a claimed top speed capability of 224 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 7.6 seconds.
Visually striking interior
Inside, the X1 is visually striking with interior trim finishers in aluminium, finely brushed lengthwise with highlight trim finishers in Pearl Chrome. The central element for infotainment is the new 8.8-inch touchscreen navigation system located in the middle of the dashboard. Control of entertainment and navigation functions can be done with voice commands and the iDrive Controller. BMW ConnectedDrive services are also available.
The price includes a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service program, 24-month Tyre Warranty Program for the Run-Flat tyres, BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline and the BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card.
In its 18th year running, the Malaysian Car of the Year (COTY) program – now known as Malaysia Cars of Year Awards – saw Proton receiving the top award of Overall Car of the Year for the first time. The award was for the Proton X70 SUV, a model which has helped to not only bring people back to the brand’s showrooms but also restored pride and confidence in what is still seen as a national marque.
Proton’s CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong (above), was also voted the Automotive Man of the Year in recognition of his leadership in turning the company around and putting it on a forward and upward trajectory. His strategy of upgrading showrooms to enhance the customer experience and boost quality in products and services has paid off with Proton doing much better during 2019.
The other category winners were as follow:
Passenger Cars
Entry Level – Proton Saga 1.3 (Facelift)
Compact Car – Toyota Yaris
Family Sedan/Hatchback – Mazda3 2.0 SKYACTIV
Premium Compact Executive – Mercedes-Benz A250
Large Family Sedan – Kia Optima GT
Premium Executive – BMW 330i M Sport
Large Premium Executive Sedan – BMW 530e M Sport (PHEV)
C suite – BMW 740L
Many different models have won the overall award over the years, with Honda having won the most times.
Previous Recipients – AUTOMOTIVE MAN OF THE YEAR
2018 – Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad (Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award)
2017 – Datuk Dr. Zahari Husin, MD, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
2016 – Yoichiro Ueno, CEO and MD, Honda Malaysia
2015 – Roland Folger, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
2014 – Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, President & CEO, Perodua
2013 – Datuk Ben Yeoh, Managing Director, Bermaz Motor
2012 – Datuk Samson Anand George, Chief Operating Officer, Nasim Sdn Bhd
2011 – Datuk JP Chin, Principal, JPM Motorsports
2010 – SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman, NAZA Group of Companies
2009 – Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar (Perodua) and Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng (Edaran Tan Chong Motor)
2008 – Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir, (Proton)
2007 – Datuk Saw Choo Boon (Shell Malaysia)
2006 – Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin (Naza)
2005 – Datuk Frank Steinleitner, (DaimlerChrysler Malaysia)
2004 – Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Ariff (Proton)
2003 – Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Omar (Perodua)
2002 – Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin (Naza)
After assessing 55 new models in 2019, Euro NCAP has announced the ‘Best in Class’, noting that 41 of those models achieved top scores. This makes 2019 one of the most impressive years on record since Euro NCAP started to evaluate consumer safety of cars on the European market.
Mercedes-Benz regained its crown in the best performing Small Family Car category with the CLA. This is the sporty alternative to the A-Class Sedan, the winner of last year’s Best in Class. It achieved a score of more than 90% in three of the four areas of safety and delivered the best overall rating of the year. Remarkably, Mercedes-Benz launched 5 more 5-star vehicles in 2019, all with outstanding crash protection and driver assistance technology.
Mercedes-Benz CLATesla Model 3 and Model X
Tesla also made a strong appearance in 2019’s tests. The Model X is 2019’s winner in the Large Off-Road category, with the SEAT Tarraco in second place. The Tesla Model 3 is top of the ‘Electric and Hybrid’ vehicle class and, together with BMW’s 3-Series, shares top spot in the Large Family category. The two cars ended up with identical overall scores, the BMW scoring better in pedestrian protection, and the Tesla edging it in Safety Assist. Skoda’s new Octavia is the runner-up in this category.
BMW 3-SeriesSubaru Forester
In the combined Small Off-road/Small MPV class, Subaru won with the new Forester showing excellent all-round performance. Mazda’s CX-30 and Volkswagen’s T-Cross were close followers in this category.
Mazda CX-30Volkswagen T-Cross
Despite missing out on the top spot, Mazda had an excellent year in the tests, with the Mazda3 turning in an exceptional performance in Adult Occupant Protection and taking the second place to the Mercedes-Benz CLA in the Small Family Car category.
In the Supermini class, there was a tie between the sporty Audi A1 and top-selling Renault Clio which have been among Europe’s most popular and desirable hatchbacks for years. Their latest generations arrived in 2019 and came out equally well in Euro NCAP’s tests, while the newcomer Ford Puma was the runner-up in this category.
Audi A1 & Renault Clio
The Supermini segment remains the most competitive in the European market, as illustrated by the presence of 3, 4 and 5-star cars in the list. Euro NCAP said the winners deserve extraordinary credits for their uncompromising stance on safety.
Finally, a special mention was made of the new BMW Z4, the only roadster tested in 2019. It has unquestionably set a new safety benchmark for the segment.
Aston Martin today confirmed production of a strictly limited number of the new V12 Speedster. The car will make its global debut later this year, with potential customers around the world offered the opportunity to acquire this exclusive British sportscar by booking one now. Only 88 will become owners and as each handbuilt unit is completed, it will be delivered, starting from the first quarter of 2021.
The V12 Speedster, created by in-house bespoke service Q by Aston Martin working with the brand’s talented team of designers and engineers, combines an authentic, driver-oriented sportscar with the use of cutting-edge motorsport and aviation technology to deliver a stunning, two-seat, enthusiast driving machine.
At the new car’s heart lies a high-performance variant of Aston Martin’s now iconic, 5.2-litre V12 Twin-Turbo engine, capable of generating an output of around 700ps/700 Nm. Offering a compelling breadth of performance, superb response and thrilling V12 soundtrack, the engine is mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission mounted towards the rear of the car.
The new car’s design, while modern and dynamic, brings to mind both Aston Martin’s legendary 1959 Le Mans 24 hours- and 1000 km of Nurburgring race-winning DBR1 and the marque’s Centenary CC100 Speedster Concept shown in 2013. Its forward-looking features are shaped from the same advanced materials and expert engineering used throughout Aston Martin’s contemporary sportscar range.
The Le Mans-winning DBR1 in 1959.
The Le Mans-winning DBR1, which in part inspired the V12 Speedster, delivered Aston Martin’s most high-profile motorsport triumph to date, needs no introduction. One of only three cars in the 1950s to win both the World Sports Car Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours in the same year, the DBR1 defined not only motorsport excellence but also exquisite design elegance – an enduring Aston Martin trademark.
The brand’s CC100 Speedster Concept, meanwhile, was produced in 2013 to celebrate Aston Martin’s centenary. It too helped to inspire the creation of the new V12 Speedster which is the product of more than 12 months of meticulous design and planning work by the teams from both Q by Aston Martin, and Aston Martin Design.
If you follow the history of Perodua, you will find that it had humble beginnings with a relatively small volume catering for the bottom end of the market, the entry-level segment. Proton had already been selling cars and dominating the market for 8 years and Perodua was like a ‘little brother’ selling low-priced minicars. Yet 27 years later, we see Perodua as the nation’s No.1 brand and although it still serves the entry-level segment, it is edging upwards with the newer products.
The success story of Perodua highlights the value of patience and a willingness to learn, rather than rushing forward before being fully prepared. Perodua has had a good teacher in Daihatsu, its partner, and formed a working culture that is a blend of Malaysian and Japanese which could well be the best of both worlds.
One of the important lessons Perodua has had is planning. They do a tremendous amount of market study before committing to a new model because once they do, they have to be able to do so at high volumes. They are no longer a small player and in order to maintain their high efficiency and productivity which enables them to keep their prices attractive, they need big numbers.
This has been the case with every model and with the Bezza, their first sedan, selling some 184,000 units over the past 3 years is certainly impressive. The Bezza’s appeal to a broad spectrum of the market has generated the big numbers and in the past couple of years, e-hailing operators (like those with Grab) have also found it to be an ideal car for their business, boosting the numbers.
What is not highlighted enough about the Bezza is that this sedan design is a truly Malaysian creation. There is no equivalent in the Daihatsu range and when Perodua wanted to do it, they were basically on their own. There was no commitment by Daihatsu to take the model for Indonesia as it does with the Myvi which it sells as the Daihatsu Sirion there.
That the Bezza has done so well has generated a lot of money for funding development of the updated 2020 version which is officially launched today. And as with every model it has developed, Perodua has paid a lot of attention to the feedback from customers and addressed issues to make the car better. For instance, the rear seat backrest angle was not comfortable and they have adjusted this to eliminate that complaint. The suspension settings have been revised to improve ride comfort and handling as well.
What’s new
On the outside, the 2020 Bezza is almost immediately identifiable with its facelift. It’s a bolder look with sharp LED headlamps that are standard for all four variants. The new look is complemented by the angular and reprofiled front bumper which has a large lower intake grille and imposing styling elements. Additional sportiness comes from two-tone side skirts, also standard across the range, with a restyled rear bumper
If you’re still not satisfied with the new looks and want more sportiness, you don’t have to go to an accessory shop to get the parts. Perodua has already prepared a bodykit in its GearUp accessory range specially for the Bezza. The RM2,000 cost for the bodykit can be included in the H-P loan so you pay for it over a number of years… a deal which an accessory shop would never be able to offer.
2020 Bezza with GearUp bodykit
The Bezza 1.3-litre variants now have an exclusive colour – Garnet Red – which is one of two new colours, the other being Granite Grey. These join the four existing shades – Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Ocean Blue and Sugar Brown.
The cabin remains pretty much the same with enhancements largely for the 1.3-litre variants. The meters are now illuminated in white and keyless entry/start is now also provided. Keyless entry and pushbutton starting was something available only in more expensive models not so long ago and now it has come down to the Bezza segment, showing how fast Perodua has been able to bring costs down (working with its suppliers).
Focus on safety
But the focus of the improvements has been in safety, something which Perodua’s market surveys show keeps becoming more and more important to buyers. Reading about tragic accidents has probably made people think more about how safe their car must be and while Peroduas are small cars, they can still be safe to travel in by having driver assistance systems.
This is where Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 (ASA 2.0) system comes in and it is available in the Bezza AV, making it the most affordable sedan in Malaysia (under RM50,000 before including insurance) with such a feature. ASA 2.0 comprises Pedestrian Detection (up to 50 km/h), Pre-Collision Warning (up to 100 km/h), Pre-Collision Braking (up to 80 km/h), Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control, all of which work together to mitigate collisions.
The Bezza X also get Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and traction control now, again showing that as soon as costs come down, Perodua will include a safety system in the variant. VSC and traction control were available only with the Bezza AV before. Incidentally, the AV variant also gets a reverse camera now while all variants get power-adjustable side mirrors and reverse sensors.
With the improvements, the 2020 Bezza will certainly keep finding more new customers and by the end of this month, Perodua expects to deliver 5,600 units. Thereafter, the monthly sales target for the model is 4,000 units, on average.
Visit www.perodua.com.my to know more about the new Bezza and where you can test-drive one.
Car designers look everywhere for inspiration and ideas in the quest to create something ground-breaking. In the case of the Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR concept, it was the AVATAR movie, with several of the creatures providing the inspiration.
The concept car’s name stands not only for the close collaboration in its development with the AVATAR team but also for ADVANCED VEHICLE TRANSFORMATION. This showcar, now on display at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, is said to embody the vision of Mercedes-Benz designers, engineers and trend researchers for mobility in the distant future.
‘Inside-out’ design structure
The holistic concept of the VISION AVTR combines the design disciplines of interior, exterior and UX on an unprecedented scale. The distinctive ‘inside-out’ design structure combines inside and outside into an emotional whole with a stretched ‘One Bow’ design and organic design language. The spectacular opening and closing of the doors is inspired by the wings of a banshee or ikran, the flying mounts of the Na’vi from AVATAR.
Instead of a conventional steering wheel, the multifunctional control element in the centre console allows human and machine to merge. By placing the hand on the control unit, the interior comes to life and the vehicle recognizes the driver by his or her heartbeat and breathing (a great security feature).
By simply lifting the hand, a menu selection is projected onto the palm of the hand, through which the passenger can intuitively choose between different functionalities. For example, real-time 3D graphics can be used to explore the fictional world of Pandora from different perspectives. The curved display module creates the visual connection between passengers and the outside world.
Organic battery technology
The VISION AVTR uses a revolutionary battery technology based on graphene-based organic cell chemistry that is completely free of rare earths and metals, a first. The materials of the battery are compostable and therefore completely recyclable. In this way, electric mobility becomes independent of fossil resources. As a result, Mercedes-Benz underlines the high relevance of a future circular economy in the raw materials sector.
The 33 ‘bionic flaps’ on the back of the car are reminiscent of scales of reptiles. They can communicate with the driver and through the driver with their outside world through naturally flowing movements in subtle gestures. The front and rear axles can provide drive in the same or opposite direction, which allows the VISION AVTR to move sideways by approximately 30 degrees. The so-called ‘crab movement’ gives the concept car an animal-like appearance even in its movement.
This is not the first time that Mercedes-Benz has created a ‘bionic’ car. In 2005, it displayed a concept car that was inspired by the boxfish. The fish was a role model from nature, lending itself to an aerodynamically efficient, safe, comfortable and environmentally compatible automobile not just in detail features but in its overall form and structure.
In 2005, Mercedes-Benz designers looked to nature – the boxfish – for their Bionic concept car.
Sustainable materials
The seats of the VISION AVTR are refined by vegan DINAMICA leather. This is the first and only microfibre that guarantees environmental sustainability throughout the entire production cycle. The floor is decorated with an innovative wood called Karuun. The raw material for Karuun (rattan) grows very fast as a natural raw material and is harvested by hand in Indonesia. The material gives the interior warmth and radiates naturalness.
“The aim of the VISION AVTR is to show us a signpost for a livable future, even if it will probably never be built. This concept car makes speculative science visible and tangible. As researchers and scientists evolve new theories or develop existing ones, they depend on their imagination. They leave the ground of what can be proved today and enter an area of speculation – a scientifically substantiated ’what if?’. This is exactly the approach we have taken with the VISION AVTR,” said Alexander Mankowsky, who is described as a futurologist at Mercedes-Benz.
