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H.R. Owen Welcomes Lotus to its Prestigious Portfolio

Leading luxury automotive dealer group, H.R. Owen, is set to enhance its portfolio by adding Lotus to its lineup of prestigious car brands, becoming the latest retailer for the brand in the UK.

Situated in Hatfield, the new Lotus showroom will showcase an array of Lotus models, including the cutting-edge Lotus Emeya, an electric four-door hyper-GT, and the Eletre, an all-electric hyper-SUV. Additionally, the showroom will feature the Emira, Lotus’ final mainstream petrol-powered sports car.

Ken Choo, CEO of H.R. Owen, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, aligning with the vision of Berjaya Group founder Vincent Tan to associate with brands that redefine luxury and performance. Choo highlighted Lotus’ commitment to innovation, particularly with the introduction of electrifying models like Emeya, which resonates with H.R. Owen’s vision.

Mike Johnstone, chief commercial officer at Lotus, emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership with H.R. Owen, citing the dealer group’s global reputation and its discerning customer base. The Hatfield location was specifically chosen for its convenient accessibility north of London, aiming to significantly enhance brand visibility in the south-east of England.

H.R. Owen’s reputation for excellence is underscored by the recognition of its Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London and Lamborghini Manchester dealerships, both named the best in the world by their respective manufacturers last year. This accolade further solidifies H.R. Owen’s commitment to delivering unparalleled luxury and service in the automotive retail sector.

Honda’s Le Mans Return Gains Momentum for 2025

The potential return of Honda to Le Mans is gaining momentum at an impressive pace. In just a year, both IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) and WEC (World Endurance Championship) have streamlined their rulebooks, enabling auto manufacturers to participate in both GTP (Grand Touring Prototypes) and Hypercar classes. This development saw major players like Cadillac and Porsche competing globally in 2023, a trend followed by BMW and Lamborghini this year. The recent consolidation of Honda and Acura racing activities further positions the brands for international competition, although a Le Mans run in 2024 has been ruled out.

Looking ahead to 2025, HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) US president David Salters expressed cautious optimism, emphasising the necessity for favourable conditions. Speaking at this year’s Rolex 24, Salters credited the team at HRC and Oreca for creating a formidable IMSA car, stating Honda’s interest in Le Mans while closely monitoring the competition.

The amalgamation of HPD (Honda Performance Development) and HRC in January 2024 marked a significant shift in Honda’s racing strategy, moving from a North America-centric approach to a global one. Salters acknowledged the allure of Le Mans and WEC, commending IMSA, ACO, and WEC for their efforts in the inaugural year of the rule changes. However, he stressed the importance of continued development and ensuring that Honda’s participation aligns with business objectives.

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Lancia’s Electrifying Revival: The 2024 Ypsilon Previewed

The long-awaited revival of the overlooked Lancia brand has officially commenced with the debut of the automaker’s inaugural electric vehicle, the 2024 Lancia Ypsilon. The grand unveiling, set for February 14 in Milan, provides a sneak peek into the EV-exclusive Limited Edition Cassina trim, where Lancia plans to produce 1,906 uniquely numbered units, paying homage to the brand’s founding year.

While this marks the first comprehensive glimpse of the Ypsilon, its appearance is not entirely unfamiliar, having been previously leaked. Serving as the pioneer model for Lancia’s fresh design language, the Ypsilon features an illuminated calice grille and iconic round taillights reminiscent of the Lancia Stratos.

The exterior showcases polygonal headlights positioned lower on the front bumper and glossy black accents. Despite these new elements, the Ypsilon shares some similarities with its counterparts, the Peugeot 208 and the Opel Corsa, retaining familiar proportions and greenhouse design.

Inside, the emphasis on high-quality materials and distinctive design elements aims to evoke the ambience of an Italian living room. Collaborating with Cassina, a premium Italian furniture brand, Lancia introduces velvet-upholstered seats with a nostalgic “cannelloni” motif and a circular centre console resembling a coffee table.

The Ypsilon debuts Lancia’s SALA (Sound Air Light Augmentation) infotainment system with a dual-screen layout and an illuminated orb, likely serving as an AI-enhanced virtual assistant.

Technical specifications remain undisclosed, with the focus on exterior and interior design. The only confirmed figure is the WLTP range of 403km on a single charge, suggesting the use of a 54kWh battery pack shared with similar-sized Stellantis EVs.

Sharing its platform with several Stellantis models, the Ypsilon will later be joined by a hybrid version featuring a mild-hybrid turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine.

Post the February 14 debut, the Lancia Ypsilon Limited Edition Cassina will tour Italian showrooms and be available for immediate orders and will expand its reach across multiple European markets.

Car Insurance Service Tax Jumps to 8% From March 1 2024

In line with the recent Budget 2024 announcement, the Malaysian government is set to implement a service tax increase from the current 6% to 8% starting March 1. While certain categories like F&B and telecommunications are exempt, consumers, especially motorists, are bracing for increased costs across various sectors.

One noticeable impact will be on vehicle servicing and repairs, as these do not fall under the exempted categories. Come March 1, vehicle maintenance costs are expected to rise. It’s important to note that the service tax in this context applies solely to labour charges and not to the cost of parts.

Beyond vehicle maintenance, motor insurance is another area where Malaysians can expect to pay more due to the 2% increase in service tax. Although not widely highlighted in the news, all business-to-consumer general insurance or takaful, excluding medical insurance or medical takaful, will be subject to the service tax hike.

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Proton Working On R3 Variant Of The Proton S70 – Performance Upgrades Possible

In a recent press conference discussing the Proton S70, Proton’s CEO, En Roslan Abdullah, confirmed a significant development – the exploration of an R3 performance version for the Proton S70.

En Roslan emphasised that the potential R3 variant would be more than just a visual enhancement, distancing itself from the aesthetics-focused Proton X50 R3 edition. The company is focused on delivering a comprehensive performance package rather than a cosmetic makeover.

He also said that the company, absent from the S1K race for several years due to the lack of a suitable racing car, sees potential in the Proton S70 to re-enter competitive racing. The S70 R3, if realised, might follow the legacy of Proton’s earlier performance models, especially the Satria GTi R3 and the Satria Neo R3, known for its tuned engines, lightweight materials, and performance enhancements.

Commenting on the Proton S70 R3 version, En Roslan said, “We are working on an R3 S70 model and are looking at this model to return to the S1K. This will however take some time as we will need to work with a number of stakeholders to ensure its viability.”

“We have stayed away from the S1K race for a few years now because we did not have a car that we could go racing with. And we did not want to compete just for the sake of competing, but with the S70, that might just change,” he continued.

The Proton S70, with its turbocharged 1.5-litre 3-cylinder engine puts out 150PS and 226Nm of torque which is transferred to the front wheels through a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. As we found out during a recent test drive, it also offers impressive handling, which makes it a potential platform for a race winning car. Look out for our review from the recent drive to Penang.

Proton’s strategic move to explore R3 performance enhancements for the S70 aligns with its commitment to delivering vehicles that not only look impressive but also offer a thrilling and dynamic driving experience. The potential rebirth of the R3 division as a performance enhancer with the Proton S70 R3 has the potential to reignite Proton’s presence in the racing scene as well as offering more exciting road going Protons, as before.

The Satria Neo R3, unveiled in 2008, was the last fire-breathing Proton R3. It featured a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine, sportier body kit, 17-inch wheels, lowered suspension, improved braking, Recaro seats, and a MOMO steering wheel.

It may not be far-fetched to think that Proton enthusiasts can anticipate a similar performance boost for the S70 R3, making it a long-awaited addition to the brand’s performance-oriented lineup.

If the plans materialise and R3 is revived as a more than an aesthetics enhancer, enthusiasts can potentially also expect upgrades such as a full exhaust kit, performance coils, and interior enhancements such as bucket seats and more. The future for Proton and R3 seems exciting.

Third Facelift for Eighth-Gen Toyota Hilux: New Design, Mild-Hybrid Option

In a move to keep its best-selling pickup, the Hilux, at the forefront of the Australian market, Toyota has revealed the third facelift for its eighth-generation model. Facing competition from rivals like the Ford Ranger, the Hilux undergoes a makeover to stay relevant in the rapidly expanding midsize pickup segment.

The 2025 Hilux sports a redesigned front end, featuring a more pronounced bumper, an updated octagonal radiator grille, and refreshed intakes, resulting in a bolder and more adaptable appearance. While maintaining an overall design connection with its predecessor, the tailgate now incorporates dampers for smoother operation.

Buyers can choose from various finishes for the grille and bumpers, with the entry-level WorkMate boasting a rugged black honeycomb mesh grille. The SR model showcases a silver-coloured lower bumper finish, while the SR5 comes with a black upper grille, dark-tinted LEDs, and gloss-black accents on door handles and mirror caps. The top-tier Rogue and GR Sport models exhibit distinctive looks aligned with their unique personas.

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