Aston Martin is turning up the heat at the front of the Formula 1 grid with the introduction of its latest high-performance model, the Vantage S, as the new Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1. Making its debut at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, the car represents the most performance-focused iteration of the Vantage to date.
Powered by a hand-built 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, the Vantage S delivers 680 PS and 800 Nm of torque, enough to propel it from 0 to 100kn/h in just 3.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 325km/h.
To ensure it performs flawlessly when leading the world’s fastest racing cars, the car is fitted with additional aerodynamic upgrades including a full-width decklid spoiler and a centrally mounted rear lightbar, both engineered for greater stability and visibility in deployment conditions.
The car also benefits from design revisions intended to extract maximum performance from the V8 engine. New centrally-mounted bonnet blades improve hot air management from the ‘hot-V’ layout, while the enhanced aerodynamic balance gives FIA Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer sharper turn-in and greater cornering stability – qualities that are essential when driving ahead of a full F1 grid.
If the GWM Tank 500 captivated you but you have been waiting for a good time to buy one, the time has just arrived, thanks to GWM’s Merdeka Campaign 2025.
Officially launched earlier this year, the GWM Tank 500 is arguably one of the hottest SUV’s to hit the Malaysian automotive segment in recent times.
Priced at just RM328,000, the Tank 500 offers luxury, space and off-road capability that can rival a Toyota Land Cruiser.
Powering the Tank 500 is a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-litre, turbocharged engine to an electric motor. This produces a combined 346PS and 648Nm of torque, which is good to catapult the Tank 500 to 100km/h in just 7.3 seconds.
Featuring Nappa leather and real wood trimming, the interior of the Tank 500 is a combination of space, versatility and luxury making it perfect for those who want a big SUV for their family and even to be driven in as well.
The full sized panoramic roof as well as ventilated seats ensure comfort in all situations while a 12-speaker Infinity sound system with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto provide comfort and navigation.
For those who demand more from their SUV’s and need off-roading capabilities, the Tank 500 comes with an intelligent four-wheel-drive system with electronically controlled front and rear differential locks.
It even has 11 driving modes to tackle any situation, and a tank turn assist that lets it easily maneuver in tight spaces by locking the inner rear wheel.
Making it easier to manage its massive size multiple sensors that aid parking as well as a 360 camera with transparent chassis view, showing you what’s underneath the car.
In conjunction with Merdeka, GWM Malaysia is hosting a special book and win campaign, making September the ideal month to book a GWM Tank 500, or any GWM model for that matter.
Happening now until the 28th of September 2025, you stand to win prizes worth RM120,000 if you book a GWM Tank 500 on any weekend until the 28th of September.
By booking the GWM Tank 500, you will automatically qualify to be part of two lucky draws. One on the spot lucky draw and an entry into the Grand Lucky Draw with prizes worth up to RM120,000.
The prizes include an iPhone 16 Pro, Nintendo Switch 2, DJI Osmo Pocket 3, Philips Air Purifier, Xiaomi X20+ Robot Vacuum, Samsung Galaxy A56, Marshall Acton III and even a Dyson Cool Fan, among others.
And if you can’t visit a GWM showroom, not to worry, as GWM is set to go on a nationwide roadshow to bring the GWM experience directly to Malaysians. This roadshow offers test drives, interactive activities and roadshow-exclusive deals.
Roadshow dates and locations are as follows:
Central Region:
Mid Valley Kuala Lumpur: 10-14 September
GF Luxe, 1 Utama: 7 October – 6 November
Northern Region:
Sunway Carnival Mall, Penang: 30 October – 2 November
Ipoh Parade: 6 – 9 November
For those situated in Klang, GWM Malaysia has officially opened its latest showroom. Located at PT 4209, Jalan Kapar, Kawasan 18, the new showroom spans 3,900sq ft and features a 1,140 sq ft customer lounge, three fully equipped service bays and is capable of servicing up to 200 vehicles each month.
The new showroom is open daily from 9am to 6pm for sales, and from 8am to 530pm for service.
Lotus Cars Malaysia, managed by Lotus Karz Sdn. Bhd. under the Karrus Automotive Group, has unveiled the updated Lotus Eletre range, signalling a new chapter for the brand’s first all-electric hyper-SUV. The revised line-up not only introduces simplified model names and equipment packages but also enhances performance benchmarks for the premium EV segment, with pricing now starting from RM499,000.
In line with Lotus’ global naming strategy, the refreshed Eletre range adopts a clearer designation system, with models now identified as the Eletre 600 and Eletre 900, denoting their respective power outputs. The move follows the same philosophy introduced with the Lotus Emeya, ensuring customers can easily distinguish performance levels across the brand’s expanding portfolio.
Each variant of the Eletre is offered with a curated package, giving buyers the freedom to select a sport-oriented specification or a more comfort and technology-focused configuration. This approach simplifies the buying process while retaining the flexibility for personalisation, ensuring customers can tailor their vehicle to match individual preferences and lifestyles.
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has provided further clarity on the Own Damage Knock-For-Knock (ODKFK) policy, a system designed to make the claims process easier for motorists involved in accidents where they are not at fault.
According to BFM Radio, under this policy, drivers with comprehensive motor insurance can now claim directly from their own insurers without affecting their No-Claim Discount (NCD). This ensures vehicle owners can have their cars repaired promptly without having to cover upfront costs or face long delays while waiting for the third-party insurer to process the claim. To initiate a claim, motorists only need to submit a police report and the necessary supporting documents to their insurance provider.
However, BNM also highlighted certain exceptions. If an accident involves public transport vehicles such as buses or taxis, or if it results in injuries, the claim must be made against the at-fault party’s insurer rather than under the ODKFK arrangement.
PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is preparing for a significant surge in highway traffic in conjunction with the 68th National Day celebrations, with projections of up to 2.2 million vehicles making their way across its network on 31 August and 1 September.
In anticipation of the increase, the highway operator has urged motorists to plan their journeys ahead of time to avoid congestion and ensure a more comfortable drive. To support this, PLUS has rolled out several enhancements to its MyPLUS-TTA feature within the PLUS mobile application, aimed at making route planning more seamless, even outside the typical festive travel periods.
Among the new functions is the ability for users to save frequently travelled routes under the ‘Favourite Routes’ section, allowing quicker access during busy periods. The app also now displays real-time alerts directly on the search results page, giving drivers immediate updates on traffic flow and conditions. A revised drop-down menu has replaced the previous scrolling method for route selection, providing a faster and more user-friendly experience.
Geely has pulled the covers off the Starshine 6, the latest addition to its Galaxy sub-brand, releasing the first official images ahead of its market debut. The sedan will sit just below the Galaxy A7 in the line-up, which was launched earlier this year with a price bracket of 81,800 to 117,800 yuan (around RM53,000 to RM77,000).
Visually, the Starshine 6 follows Geely’s familiar “Galaxy Ripple” design philosophy. The front end carries a large polygonal grille with vertically arranged chrome strips, framed by a secondary lower grille and sharp, angular headlamps. The overall impression has drawn comparisons to styling cues often seen on German marques.
At the rear, the car adopts a layered full-width taillight signature, complemented by a subtle roof spoiler and a dual-tone bumper finished in either silver or black. Customers will have a choice of 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, along with options such as a sunroof. Unlike many of today’s EV-inspired models, Geely has opted for traditional door handles instead of the increasingly popular flush-fit design.
