Owning a Volkswagen Passat will undoubtedly give much driving pleasure and Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is enhancing that ownership experience with a complimentary stay at the Pangkor Laut Resort in Perak. The offer is for customers who purchase a new Passat Elegance or Passat R-Line before April 30, 2021.
Additionally, during this promotion period, the Passat Elegance comes with insurance premium (worth RM5,500) covered by VPCM for the first year, while the Passat R-Line comes with a year’s free supply of petrol (worth RM2,500).
The Pangkor Laut Resort stay is for two nights for two persons in a Hill Villa up on the hillside of the island which offers a magnificent view of the sea and overlooks beautiful tropical gardens. Inclusive in the package are all three daily meals, and guests will also receive a 50-minute massage treatment. The package covers return scheduled speedboat transfers to and from Marina Island Pangkor on the mainland.
Pangkor Laut Resort in Perak
Valid until December 2022
Of course, for now, interstate travel is not permitted so new Passat owners from outside Perak would not be able to drive to Lumut, from which the speedboat starts. However, the stay is valid until December 20, 2022 which is over one year away so restrictions should end by then. You can help bring that end as soon as possible by doing your part to bring the COVID-19 case numbers down.
“The current travel implementations by the government meant that we have not been able to travel and get away from the hustle and bustle of our city lives. With this campaign, we are delighted to offer our customers the opportunity to experience two award winners – the Passat, the world’s best-selling mid-sized sedan – and Pangkor Laut Resort, previously voted ‘Number One in the World’ by Condé Nast Traveller,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.
The Passat Elegance and its sportier sibling, the Passat R-Line are the world’s best-selling mid-sized sedans. Both are powered by a 2.0TSI turbocharged petrol engine with 190 ps/320 Nm output, and paired with a 7-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG). The top-of-the-range R-Line also comes with Dynamic Chassis Control and other technologically advanced features. With the current sales tax exemption (until June 30, 2021), the Elegance is priced at RM181,856 and the R-Line is at RM203,411 (excluding insurance).
The Passat Escape
On April 10/11, Volkswagen dealerships nationwide will be hosting ‘The Passat Escape’, an event to showcase the features of the two models and highlight attractive deals and promotions. Customers are invited to tune in to the respective dealers’ social media channels or visit any authorised showroom.
All Volkswagen models come with 3 years of free scheduled maintenance, 5 years warranty with unlimited mileage, and 5 years of complimentary roadside assistance. For more information on the Passat and other models available in Malaysia, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.
Although sales in the first month of this year began on a low note with the Total Industry Volume (TIV) of new vehicles registered being 51% lower than the TIV in December, the market gradually improved and most companies had increasing sales in the two months that followed.
Perodua sold an estimated 57,911 vehicles in the first quarter of 2021 (Q1) which was 29% greater than the 44,977 units it sold in the same period last year. Of course, it must also be remembered that March last year was a short business month as the Movement Control Order (MCO) began and no sales activities could be carried out at all.
Month-on-month, Perodua’s registrations jumped by 47.3% to 24,433 units in March 2021 compared to February 2021’s 16,583 units. A big contributor was the new Ativa SUV (below) which was launched in early March, with 4,345 units delivered during the month.
14,574 bookings for Ativa
“March saw a jump in our sales numbers to an estimated 24,433 units, underpinned by strong demand, particularly for the Ativa, which has collected 14,574 bookings since we began order-taking on 19 February,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“This makes the Perodua Ativa the best-selling compact SUV in the country in the month of March. We are glad that the Perodua Ativa has gotten off to such a strong start, and that we well surpassed our 3,000-unit monthly delivery target in the first month,” he said.
“We thank Malaysians for their support and trust. On our end, we are committed towards timely deliveries of every order made,” Dato’ Zainal said, adding that production has increased not just for this new model but also for all of Perodua’s models.
A shipment of newly built Perodua vehicles on the way to dealers.
Shortage of semiconductor chips
During Q1 2021, Perodua manufactured 60,383 vehicles – 23% more than the 49,280 units produced in the same period in 2020. However, like other carmakers, the company has been facing the challenge of shortage of the semiconductor chips needed for the many electronic systems.
“We are working with our partners to find alternative supply while at the same time monitoring the situation on a daily basis to ensure continued operation of our production lines,” Dato’ Zainal Abidin said. He is confident that, despite the semiconductor issue, Perodua will still be able to meet its initial 2021 sales target of 240,000 units.
The 2021 sales target represents a 9% increase from the 220,163 units sold in 2020, and is expected to lead to a record purchase of RM6.5 billion worth of locally-sourced components this year.
2021 versions of the Mazda6 and Mazda MX-5 RF are now available in Malaysia, Bermaz Motor announced today. Pricing (without insurance) for the models start from RM170,917 and RM258,591, respectively. Purchases made before June 30, 2021 will have 50% of the sale tax exempted under the PENJANA program.
With each new mode, Bermaz Motor offers 5-year (or maximum of 100,000 kms) manufacturer’s warranty and free scheduled maintenance for the first 5 years (or maximum of 100,000 kms). The free maintenance program includes costs for labour, parts and lubricants.
2021 MAZDA6
As before, this sedan model comes with a choice of SKYACTIV-G 2-litre and 2.5-litre petrol engines, coupled to the efficient SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-apeed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The driving dynamics are enhanced by G-Vectoring Control Plus which is the second generation of Mazda’s vehicle dynamics control technology which now has direct yaw moment control via the brakes as well.
For the Mazda6 2.5, there are 19-inch alloy rims finished in metallic black and Gloss Black Door Mirrors, while the interior comes with leather upholstery throughout the cabin is in Burgundy Red with the same colour used for the stitching on the dashboard and door trims.
The 2-litre variant is now equipped with Advanced Keyless Entry and a Walkaway door lock feature for extra convenience while paddle shifters have been added to the steering wheel. For the 2.5-litre variant, a power sunroof and head-up display are standard.
Both variants now have Wireless Apple CarPlay which allows iPhone connectivity without the need for a Lightning cable link. It uses a combination of Bluetooth and wifi to connect an iPhone and once paired properly, projecting the apps from the smartphone to the dashboard display can occur automatically. Android Auto is also available for those with smartphones running on the Android operating system.
The 6 previous colour choices for the Mazda6 – Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Deep Crystal Blue, Jet Black – continue to be offered, with Polymetal Gray now added to the list.
2021 MAZDA MX-5
Bermaz Motor is importing only the RF version of the roadster and a World Car of the Year winner. The design of this version has a Retractable Fastback (RF) which preserves the iconic lines of the sportscar while providing open-air motoring pleasure.
It is powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2-litre engine with a 181 ps/205 Nm output which goes to the rear wheels. Transmission options are a SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Besides the kerb weight of 1,111 kgs which provides an excellent weight-to-power ratio, the driving dynamics are also enhanced by ‘jinba-ittai’, the unity between driver and car that are a must for every Mazda.
A manual transmission is also available with the SKYACTIV-G engine.
The MZD infotainment system with a 7-inch full colour touchscreen includes Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay (new) for ease of connectivity. Besides voice commands, the system is also managed by a multi-function controller between the front seats.
Customers have a choice of exterior colours – Soul Red Crystal, Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue, Machine Grey, Jet Black and Polymetal Grey.
To know more about the new Mazda6 and Mazda MX-5, visit www.mazda.com.my.
An all-new Isuzu D-MAX for 2021 is due to make its appearance later this month, which is surprise news as this third generation model – which had its global debut just 18 months ago in Thailand – was expected to arrive only next year.
Explaining the speedy introduction, the Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia’s Light Commercial Division, Masayuki Suzuki, said that the fast-tracked launch of the new D-Max was made possible through the support of Isuzu Motors Ltd. that views Malaysia as a strategic market. It is important enough that the company even invested it having its own assembly plant locally (in Pekan, Pahang).
“We are extremely thrilled that this impressive all-new Isuzu D-Max has been made available in Malaysia much earlier than expected. As the fifth country in the world to launch this model after its global introduction in Thailand, it stands as testament to the strong commitment from Isuzu Motors towards ensuring that the Malaysian market enjoys the latest selection of choice Isuzu vehicles,” he said.
Mr. Suzuki said the D-Max has an estimated price range between RM89,000 and RM145,000, depending on the variant and subject to government approvals. He said that those who wish to be the first owners can place their booking from today at all authorized Isuzu dealerships nationwide.
“The all-new Isuzu D-Max has made scores of new fans in the markets it has been introduced in and I believe that the same will happen here in Malaysia. This new model evokes a new level of interest in owning and driving a pick-up truck hence we have initiated this pre-launch booking programme to ensure those who have eagerly awaited the arrival of the new model will be among the very first to take delivery once it has been officially launched,” he said.
The award-winning RZ-4E 1.9-litre turbodiesel ‘Blue Power’ engine.
Bold and sporty with more space inside
The latest D-Max model has been extensively developed to exceed the normal perimeters of a pick-up truck while adding an emotive dimension to its highly dependable and impressively-capable character. Developed on a design theme of’ bold and sporty’, it presents a strong road presence from its masculine frontal design and purposeful outline that exudes a more athletic and dynamic stance.
With its larger overall dimensions and longer wheelbase that enable a more spacious cabin and larger load bed, owners will enjoy improvements in aspects such as comfort, space and versatility making this truck ideal for every purpose.
2 bodystyles, 2 engine choices
As before, there will be single and double cab bodystyles, and customers will have a choice of the award-winning RZ-4E 1.9-litre powerplant or a revised 4JJ-3TCX 3-litre engine. Both engines, which deliver strong output, have already been proven for their durability, reliability and fuel efficiency.
The new D-MAX has been tested by ASEAN NCAP and received the maximum rating of 5 stars.
5-star safety
ASEAN NCAP, the independent organization which evaluates vehicle safety, has already tested the new D-MAX and after analysing data from a crash test as well as other results, the maximum 5-star rating was awarded. Besides this assurance of a high level of protection for the occupants, there’s a host of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (available in selected variants) to help avoid accidents.
To learn more about the all-new Isuzu D-Max or to find a showroom to make a booking, visit the Isuzu D-Max Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ISUZU.DMax.Malaysia/.
It is said that the best recipe for success is to keep things as basic and to the point as possible. With little fussing around, there’s little room for anything to be of considerable bother.
And in general automotive terms, there aren’t many cars that offer as bother-free ownership as a Honda City. It is as simple a recipe as a good car goes – a good design, a good interior with all the latest entertainment, comfortable seats, good space for occupants and their luggage and good safety features as well. The Honda City has it all yet does not overdo anything in particular. It is an achiever, yet not an overachiever, like a friend that went on to become a doctor, a GP, but not an industry dominating specialist.
That is until a new Honda City is introduced. And that is exactly where we are getting at with this article.
If you are a current Honda City owner and swear by it, then this would be a good time to trade up to the latest City. Or if you have always wanted a Honda City but have been waiting for the right moment to strike, well, that moment has arrived. Or if you just want a car that can safely and comfortably take the kids to college or uni.
The fifth-generation City has proven to be galaxies apart from its predecessor. And in this article, we give you some good reasons why this is the car you should be going for should you be looking to upgrade
Lets start with the interior..
The interior is leap years better than the City it replaces. In fact, we even dare say that it is as good an interior as an E46 BMW and save for a couple of panels here and there. Perhaps even as good the E90.
We are talking about quality and fitment here. And that’s before we get to the seats and the interior features.
But on the topic of the seats, this is the one part that has improved by leaps and bounds.
The seats in the new Honda are among the most, if not THE most, comfortable seats in the segment. You can probably feel the comfort level of the seat from the photo above alone, and when compared to the model it replaces (old seats shown below), the difference in comfort is akin to night and day in comparison.
This is of course in the top of the line V-variant, the others don’t offer such perfectly padded seats. And seats have to look just as good as they are to sit on, because great looking seats would be half the battle won. Don’t believe us? Why do you think Bentley or Rolls-Royce put in all that effort to ensure the leather they use are devoid of any imperfections? Because aesthetics are everything.
And then there is the onboard entertainment system. Accessible via an eight inch touch-screen display, which is again leaps and bounds better than the model it replaces, which offered only a tiny screen that was completely counter intuitive and looked and felt like it was installed at a local ‘brother’s’ outlet (shown below). In fact, it was so difficult to connect the bluetooth functions of your phone to the previous generations entertainment system that it was easier to simply talk on your phone while driving and paying the ‘saman’ you get for it than connecting your phone to the entertainment system. Worse if you had more than five people in the family sharing the car because the system only remembered five profiles. You had to delete on just to connect your own.
Now though, the entertainment system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the touch screen system is intuitive and easily navigable that even boomers would find it difficult to complain about.
Basically the interior is so much better than before that even the new steering wheel (above) feels like it has progressed about 20 years from the older model, both in touch and feel as well as functionality.
Then there are the air-conditioning controls. But before that, let it be known that we are huge fans of rotating dials because there is nothing more straight forward and to the point than one of those circular things that control functions so accurately.
The dials in a Lexus for example feel so good that it is reminiscent of a high-end audio amplifier, one of those that costs a kidney and feature a heavy metal dial.
The one in the Honda City is not made of metal and it doesn’t feel like you would need to sacrifice a kidney for it, but it feels good enough. And it is a much welcomed departure from the old touch screen ones where you had to tap it a couple of times if you wanted the blower to work harder, or to set the temperature. Now, all you have to do is rotate a dial. Simplicity is bliss.
Same power figures but better fuel consumption!
Engine bay of the new Honda City.
Well, the two run on almost the same engine, except that the new 1.5-litre now comes with a new DOHC units that puts out 121PS and 145Nm of torque. Just for reference, the previous City put out 120PS and the same 145Nm of torque. So there really isn’t much difference in terms of power, neither is it worth mentioning.
Engine bay of the previous generation Honda City.
But the new City is more efficient in terms of fuel efficiency, and when it comes to a car like the Honda City, that is ultimately what matters (simply because no one buys a Honda City for its power figures). The driving habits of the drivers behind both cars were a lot different, but during the photoshoot for this article, the new City still had about half a tank of fuel left while the older one was close to E! And both started at about the same fuel point.
Design
Yes yes, this is where you can bash us a little and we will graciously accept. Because everyone feels entitled to become a keyboard warrior these days, you could perhaps argue that there is very little that a trip to an accessory shop cannot fit. And you may be right. But we would like to beg to differ here. Simply because there is one mega difference that really drives us up a very slippery wall when it comes to the design of the new City.
Everything is nice and dandy from the side. The rims look great. And that rear too is much more proportionate now than ever before. Some do say that the new City looks too much like a BMW 3-Series, but looks are subjective. But then again, there really is nothing wrong with mimicking a successful formula, especially when a City starts to look and feel like a yesteryear Beemer.
But what in the world is up with that mega chrome strip up front that sits right above the grille and seems to merge into the bonnet? That elongated chrome strip of the previous City was bad enough, but now that it is bigger, bad has become worse! It could possibly blind on-coming traffic when the sun is at the right angle, or the driver of a car in front could suddenly be blinded when the sun suddenly glares him through the rear view mirror.
Of course, these are all probabilities, and no one has really reported of such things happening in the real world. But if there is anything that a trip to an accessory shop can fix, it would be the complete removal of that fat chrome lip up front.
We do however love the design of the headlights of the top of the line V-spec, which also work fantastically well in the dark.
Passenger Comfort
We have already touched on how comfortable the seats are in the new City V-spec. But spaciousness is the name of the game here. And the new Honda City is more spacious than before. And you really do feel it when you get inside. There’s more leg room, and the back rests are angled ever so slightly, so you sit more comfortably.
This is quite obvious considering that the new City is bigger than the car it replaces – it is longer, wider and lower. The wheelbase is the same yet there is more interior space for passengers. Curiously though, booth space is a few millimetres smaller than before, but in terms of booth space, the City still offers the most space when compared to its competitors.
Conclusion
The entire purpose of us writing this article is because there are people out there who simply swear by the Honda City. And some love it so much that some families buy two or more of it. This writer’s family being among them, and knows of a few more families that do as well.
We never understood such buying behaviour because ‘variety is, and always will be, the spice of life’, and if you need more than one or two cars, you simply do not buy two of the same. Why not buy different cars and swap among family members so you never get bored of driving the same car?
But that’s just us.
So if your family swears by the Honda City – then trade up to the new one. Or if you are looking for a car in this segment, then the new City will not disappoint. And there has never been a better time than now.
After providing a BMW i8 as the Official Safety Car for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship since 2014, the BMW Group is now providing a new car as the i8 is no longer in production. The i8 was an appropriate car for the all-electric single-seater series as it was world’s bestselling plug-in electric sportscar, with over 20,000 units sold worldwide.
BMW i8 Safety Car leading Formula E cars during a race.
For the new Safety Car, the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW will be used. The car was created out of the new MINI Cooper SE as part of an unprecedented collaboration between MINI Design, BMW Motorsport, the FIA and the Formula E. It connects the brand’s electrified future with the rich racing history of John Cooper Works.
The new Safety Car will see action for the first time in Rome on April 10 at the second event (Race 3) of Formula E’s 2021 season.
“We have already shown how well driving fun and electric mobility go together with the MINI Electric,” says Bernd Korber, Head of MINI. “However, the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW goes at least a step further and blends the performance character of the John Cooper Works brand with electric mobility.”
He added that this extreme version of the MINI Electric has been developed as the Safety Car for Formula E, and is clearly not intended for use on public roads. “But it does reveal one of the directions we could take with the electrification of the JCW brand. For me, the message is clear: electrification and John Cooper Works are a good fit,” said Korber.
Dynamism maximised
The exterior of the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW has been purpose-built for life on the racetrack and represents the most dynamic interpretation yet of a MINI with all-electric power. “The design is an exciting symbiosis of technical precision and emotion,” explained Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. “Here, function dictates form, and many design elements have been shaped by technical considerations. For example, we worked closely with our colleagues at BMW Motorsport to develop the form of the wheel arches and front and rear aprons, and the optimisation programme for them included weight-saving measures. This visually striking, technically precise design language gives the car its pervasive sense of emotional engagement and excitement.”
Signature JCW elements, such as wheelarches adapted to the car’s track width and the deep front apron with additional front splitters to the left and right enhance the sporting visuals of the front end. The blanked off ‘radiator grille’ and MINI Electric logo point to the electric ‘heart’ of the Safety Car.
As virtually no drive system cooling is required through the upper area of the grille, the front end is largely enclosed to aid aerodynamics. The only exceptions are the area below the grille and the eye-catching, almost squared-off apertures for brake cooling. The Safety Car’s white flashing lights are integrated harmoniously into the bonnet. Characteristic MINI bonnet stripes extend over the roof to the rear end.
Showcasing MINI’s racing genes
The interplay of geometrically accentuated spats (with carefully placed aero edges) and sporty side skirts gives the car the appearance of powering forward. Together with the increased-diameter wheels, which almost fill the wheelarches, these elements strengthen the time-honoured MINI ‘stance on the wheels’.
The spats and spoilers are made – or more precisely 3D-printed from recycled. Yellow accent lines and surfaces on the aero elements (eg the spats, skirts and rear wing) provide a nod to the airflow optimisation taking place in these areas and add a visual flourish to the air deflectors and aero edges. The lightweight 18-inch forged wheels in bi-colour black-neon/orange design bring significant visual depth and added intricacy to the 4-spoke items from the MINI John Cooper Works GP.
The respective colour worlds of the MINI Electric and John Cooper Works brand merge into a single statement. The main body colour is a matt silver which extends back beyond the centrepoint of the car. A high-gloss wrap with a 2-stage colour gradient – from Highspeed Orange to Curbside Red – then covers the rest of the body to the rear. The contrast between matt and gloss surfaces brings extra smoothness to the silhouette, while the clear, diagonal separation lines between the different colours injects further dynamism.
On the flanks, a chequered flag-inspired pattern shares the stage with a large MINI Electric logo, which can also be found in the radiator grille, on the roof and at the rear end. The Safety Car brief also brings regulations-specific and sponsor-related graphics, which add further visual intensity to the car’s racing character.
Broad eye-catching rear
The rear end in black and Curbside Red met. uses yellow accent surfaces to extend the eye-catching design language from the front end and flanks. The prominent roof-mounted rear wing with air through-flow and yellow accent lines also integrates the signal light unit and was 3D-printed at the MINI factory in England. The rear apron has cut-outs around the wheels, clearing the view to the higher-grip racing tyres. Between the wheels sits an unadorned diffuser. When the car is viewed from this angle, the accents in Energetic Yellow and lack of exhaust tailpipes identify this as a car powered by an electric drive system.
Maximum reduction inside
As with racing cars, the interior is stripped to the absolute essentials and only the front seats remain. The driver’s area consists of a certified seat with 6-point belt approved for both racing and road use, a steering wheel with minimalist-design carbonfibre impact absorber and a digital instrument cluster. The central information display makes way for a carbonfibre cover here to further reduce weight. The centre console houses the gearshift lever, handbrake and controls for the necessary signal lights – all in exposed carbonfibre. The minimally trimmed carbonfibre door panels with window and door openers contain cloth straps to make closing the doors easier.
Another central feature of the interior is the welded-in roll cage, which maximises safety. And the remainder of the almost bare interior structure is also painted in typical racing white (for functional reasons).
Light and very powerful
Rigorous adherence to lightweight design principles gives the Safety Car a kerb weight of approximately 1,230 kgs – which makes it about 130 kgs lighter than the standard Cooper SE. The drive system – also based on that found in the Cooper SE – produces 135 kW (equivalent to about 185 ps) and 280 Nm, which enables the car to sprint go from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 6.7 seconds. As with the Safety Car in Formula 1, the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW will have to be capable of a high speed if it is leading the racing cars around the track.
