Following the launch of the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS in Malaysia last year, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today rolled out an EQS 500 4MATIC as its first locally assembled battery electric model at the assembly facility in Pekan, Pahang.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has been assembling its vehicles there since 2004 and the EQS marks a significant milestone. It is not just for Mercedes-Benz but also the Malaysian auto industry since it is among the first fully electric models to be assembled locally.
The program to assemble has been quite fast and would have been encouraged by the Malaysian government’s decision to provide duty-free incentives for BEVs from 2022, with those assembled locally enjoying the incentives for an extra 2 years (till the end of 2025). Without the imposition of import taxes and sales tax, the price of the EQS 500 4MATIC is RM648,888 (excluding insurance), RM50,000 less than the CBU EQS 450+ AMG Line.
It’s now 55 years since the first new vehicle assembly plant began operations in Malaysia. Volvo, together with its local partner, Federal Auto, were the first to introduce a locally-assembled model in 1967 after the government had announced what could be considered as the first national automotive policy in the mid-1960s.
The policy was intended to attract foreign carmakers to assemble some of their models locally and if they did so, they would be given incentives in the form of lower tax rates. This would enable them to sell at lower, more attractive prices compared to the models that were imported in completely built-up (CBU) form.
Swedish Motor Assemblies in Shah Alam, Selangor, was the first assembly plant to start operations, rolling out the Volvo 144 in 1967 as the first locally-assembled model. The plant is still in operation today assembling the latest Volvo modelsfor the region.
The locally-assembled vehicles were assembled from CKD (completely knocked-down) packs of parts sent from bigger factories in Europe, Japan and North America. To help develop a local automotive industry – an important catalyst for industrialization – the government also listed certain parts for mandatory deletion. Assemblers had to obtain them from local companies, many of which had also been set up in tandem with the new assembly plants.
The parts were items like windscreen glass, paint, tyres, wire harnesses, etc and if the assembler chose to still import them, then there would be a penalty for doing so. Over time, revisions in policies saw an emphasis on getting assemblers to source more parts locally and targets were set for local content.
From manual welding of parts by human workers in earlier years (above), many of the plants today have automated welding processes done by robots. Shown below is the X70 body welding line at the Proton factory in Tg. Malim.
The first batch of assembly plants were opened in two areas – Tampoi in Johor and Shah Alam in Selangor. By the 1980s, other locations were also chosen in Sarawak, Sabah and Pahang. Selangor saw the most activity in the early years and the Klang Valley remains a major automotive hub today. In the 1990s, new plants were opened in Kedah and Proton and Perodua also built plants outside the Klang Valley. Honda and Hino chose sites in Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, respectively.
Source: Malaysian Automotive AssociationPorsche Cayenne assembly at Inokom in Kulim, Kedah.Proton factory in Tg Malim, Perak
The new locally-assembled Kia Carnival shows how Korean design has come a long way in 50 years, having started with adapting foreign models (under licence) and then trying to design their own cars. They tried to be different, seemingly for the sake of being different and there were strange forms and shapes which were unnecessary. After realizing there was no need to ‘reinvent the wheel’, they began to get experienced foreign designers – the best known being Peter Schreyer who gave Kia a recognizable identity.
From having foreign designers, they also opened design studios in Europe and America where their designers could be immersed in the markets that they were developing products for. As a result, the designs today are original and appealing, without the oddities of trying to be different.
New design approach In the case of the new Carnival, the design originated from Kia’s studio in California which has been in existence since 2008. It’s therefore not surprising that the design is polished, of high quality and has a unique combination of MPV and SUV. In fact, Kia designers have coined the term ‘GUV’ – for Grand Utility Vehicle – to reflect a slightly different class of MPV.
While it has the long monoform of a people-carrier, it doesn’t have the bulkiness and has styling elements that make it look like a long SUV. Besides the lifted front top of the bonnet to give the feel of a large SUV, a skidplate on the bottom edge of the front and rear bumpers are elements which give the SUV-like impression.
The headlamps don’t have conventional covers, with each of the DRLs and lighting elements being separate. The appearance is a bit futuristic, which also gives originality to the Carnival’s design. The grille, sized proportionately to the vehicle, is quite a simple execution which looks like the ‘Tiger Nose’ has finally evolved away from its familiar look.
Most MPVs have a pretty dull side view but the Kia designers have given the Carnival a more eye-catching and sporty appearance here. Apart from the ‘floating roof’, the tapered and angled C-pillar provides a unique look, and the texture garnish adds a touch of class too. The texture is also found on the dashboard trim, contributing to the premium image that Kia is aiming for.
2.2-litre Smartstream turbodiesel Like the imported version we drove earlier, the locally assembled Carnival also has a turbodiesel engine and it is the same all-aluminium 2.2-litre Smartstream 4-cylinder unit. With high-pressure commonrail fuel delivery (Euro5 B7 biodiesel), it develops 199 bhp/440 Nm, with the strong torque available from 1,750 rpm.
The engine is mated to a conventional torque converter automatic transmission with 8 speeds. There’s no conventional lever for selecting transmission positions; instead, a large E-Shift knob (with a high quality finish) on the centre console is rotated to select the R, N and D positions. Manual selection of gear can still be done using paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The PARK position is easily selected by just pressing the button in the middle of the knob. It’s probably the way transmission control will be in future but for now, some might still miss a lever.
There are also drive modes for quicker acceleration or better economy as well as a SMART mode which is adaptive. It learns the behaviour of the driver and gradually adjusts the characteristics to suit the driving style. Over time, the driver will find the transmission operating smoothly and almost predictably. However, a different driver who takes over may not necessarily like that character and if this new driver uses the vehicle for a long period, then it will gradually change to his or her style. Perhaps then there should be a ‘memory’ function to store preferred characteristics, just like seat positions.
Spaceship-inspired interior The interior is where the new Carnival impresses, and not just with spaciousness that would be expected from its exterior dimensions. The designers have created a more premium image and feel to the cabin with convenience features for everyone on the three rows. The interior designers were inspired by the minimalist yet elegant spaceship interior in the classic 1968 movie ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ so their initial idea was a family vehicle for going on space travels! Even the dashboard panoramic display that stretches across the driver’s side is intended to give the feeling of being in the cockpit of a high-tech spaceship.
The spaciousness is enhanced by the large windows, especially on both sides of the second row. There’s a panoramic view of the world passing by and with the High version, there are also dual sunroofs overhead to make things feel even more airy.
Versatile seating a strong point By far, it was the seating that attracted a lot of attention with its variability. As mentioned before, the locally-assembled model is available as a 7-seater or 8-seater, whereas the CBU version we tested in February was an 11-seater. The layout, with maximum people capacity, would be 2-2-3 or 2-3-3. In both versions, the third row folds flat into the floor but for the second row, the seats are fixed in the 7-seater due to the many electrical systems in them. For the 8-seater, they can be adjusted in various ways, turned around the face backwards and even removed completely.
Turning the seats to face backwards requires a bit of work as the left and right side seats have to exchange positions. They are not that difficult to remove and there are security features to ensure that they are locked in place when installed. Most people should be able to handle the task but it’s not something that might be done frequently either.
For the ultimate in comfort, the 7-seater comes with two Premium Relaxion (not a spelling error) seats for the second row. These are wide and when reclined, there is an additional pad that extends forward and up to provide support for the lower part of the legs. Pivoting armrests on the outer side of each seat provide a place to rest the arm while being out of the way when getting in and out.
The seats (which are made locally) have heating and ventilation within and for keeping the entire cabin cool, there are air-conditioning vents on the ceiling over the middle and rear sections. The fan speed and temperature can be controlled separately from the front system but because the panel is situated just behind the driver’s seat (on the ceiling), it can be difficult to reach for most passengers.
The third row, for 3 persons, is quite comfortable, as we found from sitting in the section for about a third of the journey to Penang. You can’t say that of all MPVs but with the Carnival, there won’t be reluctance to go to the back. Legroom is also pretty good and more importantly, even though the seats are over the rear end, there’s no bumpiness.
The powered sliding doors on both sides are a nice luxury feature but to be expected considering the price. Getting into the third row is easy as the second row seats tumble forward, but when getting out, the passenger in the third row might need help as the release handle is right at the B-pillar. Presumably, there will be a driver to help, or someone in the second row will also be getting out.
Enough cargo space for moving house The standard boot space when the third row is in use is limited but there’s a deep compartment below it for storing items. This, however, means that only a temporary spare wheel can be carried. This is the skinny tyre for emergencies which is lighter and saves space too.
The cargo volume is variable so it depends on what you want to carry. For maximum volume, the third row can be folded into the floor and the second row seats removed. This gives a space that would rival a pick-up truck – and it’s enclosed. So that adds another dimension to the term ‘multi purpose’ as you could probably do house-moving with just the Carnival alone.
Most features are common to all three versions and the extras that the High versions have are the dual sunroof, memory function for the front seats, larger digital instrument panel and a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. There won’t be fighting for USB recharging ports as up to 7 are provided plus a wireless charging pad. The sound system is from Bose and has 12 speakers placed around the cabin. The only thing missing for a family-type vehicle would be a cooler box but that’s something that can be purchased as an accessory anyway.
Driving impressions At 5 metres long and almost 2 metres wide, the Carnival is an imposing vehicle and for some, it may be intimidating. It would fit right into the landscape in America but in Malaysia, with our narrower roads and tighter congestion, a large vehicle might seem impractical. However, as we discovered back in January when we drove the 11-seater, the size does not mean it is difficult to drive. In fact, when on the move, it doesn’t feel much different from a smaller MPV and there is the added stability of being 2,100+ kgs.
Where you become aware of its bulk is in tight situations, like parking, but even then, it is not as cumbersome as a pick-up truck. The Surround View Monitor is a great help here and we found that parking was a ‘no-sweat’ exercise and the vehicle could be positioned properly within a bay.
Even more surprising is the way the vehicle behaves on winding roads. Apart from the competent chassis design, the low ride height also helps keep the Carnival stable and hardly any lean could be felt. With motor-assisted power steering these days, big vehicles like the Carnival are no harder to drive than small sedans. The feedback is good and assistance is progressive. The body control is certainly light years from what we remember of the original Carnival (the one that was also sold as a Naza Ria) which wallowed when pushed too hard in turns.
The 2.2-litre Smartstream engine provided enough power for brisk motoring but it has also to be said that our two drives did not have the maximum number of passengers aboard and the load was fairly light. With all 7 or 8 seats occupied, perhaps the performance might feel different but as we kept hearing from our convoy leader ‘Enjoy the drive’, and unless you are in a rush, the engine should be able to provide decent performance.
The weight also helps with ride comfort although the pressures were on the high side as the vehicles had come straight from the plant with pressures meant for maximum load. It’s not super quiet in the cabin but the ambient noise level seemed to be consistent. Conversations with people next to you are fine but because the seat rows are far apart, you sometimes have to raise your voice to talk to the drive (certainly if the person right at the back is talking).
Priced (excluding insurance) from RM231,228 – RM261,228, the Carnival is a breath of fresh air in the MPV segment, with smart styling and it has not just a premium image but also the feel to go with it. We would go as far as to say it sets a new benchmark for the MPV class and even those who have not had a liking for MPVs will find the Carnival appealing.
Kia vehicles have been sold in Malaysia since the 1990s but the Korean carmaker has kept its involvement in local activities at arms-length. Although its models were assembled locally, the activities were largely left to their local distributor (the NAZA Group at that time). Kia did have a regional office here and too and interest in what was going on but didn’t want to make investments itself.
That changed last year when the local partner changed and Bermaz Auto took over the brand from Naza (along with Peugeot as well). Perhaps the Korean carmaker decided that it was time to control its destiny and for that, it would have to become directly involved. It formed a joint-venture company with Bermaz Auto called Kia Malaysia which will manage the brand’s activities in the country.
The Inokom manufacturing complex in Kulim, Kedah, where Kia vehicles are being assembled.
More significantly, Kia Malaysia’s operations include local assembly, the first time the carmaker is making a direct investment for assembly operations. It is vital to assemble locally to be able to grow volumes more quickly and be competitive. Kia has set a target of 100,000 units in total from 2022 to 2026, for the Malaysian market as well as export. The export plans are ambitious and will account for more than 50% of annual production each year. By 2026, the company expects to export up to 19,000 units from the 30,000 units targeted for that year.
Four models to be assembled locally
When Kia Malaysia announced its formation, it also provided an insight into its 5-year plan with 4 models to be produced, including battery-electric vehicles. The models, in launch sequence, will be the Carnival, Sportage, Sorento and Niro, the latter to be offered as a BEV.
The first product has started rolling out on schedule from the Inokom plant in Kedah and it’s the Carnival MPV. The model was already on sale at the beginning of the year as a CBU (completely built-up) import from Korea and from our driving impressions, it was certainly a very different MPV from the original Carnival which was also cloned into the Naza Ria. It’s a premium product, which is in line with Kia’s aim of raising the image of its products.
The locally-assembled Carnival is a 7/8-seater (above) whereas the CBU imported model is an 11-seater (below).
8-seater instead of 11-seater
While having the same appearance, the locally-assembled Carnival is not an 11-seater but a 7-seater or 8-seater. There was no shortage of buyers for the CBU 11-seater but having less seats might also work better to sell in greater numbers.
The powertrain is the same Smartstream 2.2-litre turbodiesel CRDI engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Though it is a large vehicle, the 199 bhp/440 Nm provides respectable performance, as we experienced on our drive at the beginning of this year.
Bermaz Auto (its retail arm for Kia vehicles is Dinamikjaya Motors) is known for being generous with equipment and features and the locally-assembled Carnival will come with a list that maintains the premium positioning for the MPV. There will be ambient lighting, heated/ventilated seats, Premium Relaxion Seats (second row), 12-speaker Bose audio system, powered sliding doors, ‘smart’ powered tailgate and a complete suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
New beginning for brand
“The roll-out of the Kia Carnival in CKD [locally assembled] form is an important milestone in the marque’s renaissance in Malaysia. We are delighted to welcome the first Kia model produced here at Inokom for the Malaysian and ASEAN markets. The Kia Carnival marks a new beginning for the Kia brand and showcases all the hallmarks of our products, superior design, smart technology and an impressive driving experience,” said Ted Lee, Kia Asia Pacific President & CEO.
“The consumer’s response to the fully imported Kia Carnival 11-seater variant launched in January has been very encouraging and we are confident that the consumers will be equally enthusiastic about the CKD Kia Carnival. We believe these CKD variations will serve the differing needs and expectations of those in the market for a modern and luxurious multi-purpose vehicle,” added Dato’ Wong Kin Foo, Managing Director of Dinamikjaya Motors.
The prices have not been officially announced but it is known that there will be 3 versions with prices (excluding insurance) starting from RM231,299. PISTON.MY will be joining a media drive of the Carnival to Penang later this week and we’ll let you know what it’s like although we expect that we will be equally impressed as we were with the CBU model.
The Honda Malaysia assembly plant today crossed a significant milestone in its history – the production of its 1 millionth unit since commencing local assembly in 2003. The 1 millionth unit was the latest 11the generation of the Honda Civic Sedan.
Speaking at a special ceremony held at the plant, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo, said: “It has been 20 years since Honda Malaysia’s establishment in the country. We have evolved and recorded significant achievements since then. In March 2021, we achieved the 1 millionth sale unit milestone with all Malaysians. Just one year later, I am now celebrating another significant milestone with all of you the 1 millionth production unit. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all Honda associates and suppliers for their effort and hard work to ensure smooth production process and supply chain operations, even with many challenges faced, including the COVID-19 pandemic, global chip shortage and recent flood incidents. With their dedication, Challenging Spirit and working ‘Together As One’, we are able to achieve this remarkable 1 million production unit milestone.”
”Additionally, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dealers, members of the media and Honda customers for your unwavering support towards Honda Malaysia. We would also like to thank the Malaysian government for the strong support since the establishment of Honda Malaysia. On top of that, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Melaka State Government for their continued support for our plans for this Pegoh Plant. The tremendous support from all stakeholders has helped Honda Malaysia progress and enabled us to achieve the No.1 position in Non-National Passenger Vehicle segment for 8 consecutive years since 2014,” she said.
Although Honda vehicles have been assembled in Malaysia since the early 1970s, they were done so under contract assembly with Oriental Assemblers in Johor. With the establishment of Honda Malaysia (initially known as DRB-Oriental-Honda), the Japanese carmaker also made the decision to invest in having its own assembly plant as well. It chose a greenfield site in Pegoh, Melaka, adjacent to the North-South Expressway.
The first model assembled when the plant began operations in 2003 was the second generation Honda CR-V.
Investment in the plant, which took a brisk 13 months to go from construction to pilot production in 2003, started with RM180 million, with RM194 million earmarked for expansion over the following 5 years. The investment included RM20 million for a facility on the 80-acre site to assemble Constant Velocity (CV) joints for export to Honda plants in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand under the ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Scheme (AICO). Later, the volumes made it the largest exporter of CV joints in the region and its products would go as far as the UK and Turkey.
Started with CR-V
The plant was initially built with a single line for an annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles. The first model to roll out was the second generation of the CR-V. All output from the plant was only for the Malaysian market and as the popularity of Hondas grew, demand rose so the production capacity was increased to 100,000 units a year with a second line being set up. By then, the number of models assembled locally totalled seven. In October 2013, local assembly of the Jazz Hybrid began, making Honda Malaysia the first company to assemble vehicles with hybrid electric technology locally.
The Honda Jazz Hybrid was the first locally assembled model with hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology. Today, Honda Malaysia offers HEV technology with the City Sedan, City Hatchback and HR-V models, all assembled locally as well.
The flexible production capability allows different models to be assembled at the same time. There is also a range of state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies that are on par with the Honda plants in Japan. One of them is Laser Brazing technology which creates a smooth and clean roofline for a sleeker exterior appearance. Inner Frame Welding technology is also used to enhance the body rigidity, while the use of Spray Polyurethane Foam reduces noise and vibrations.
Malaysia considered ‘first country’ market
The steady progress made by the plant as well as growing sales volumes have raised the status of the Malaysian market where product planning is concerned. Since the fourth generation of the City, Malaysia has been considered a ‘first country’ instead of ‘second country’. The ‘second country’ status meant that whatever features were available were already decided earlier by ‘first countries’ such as India, Thailand and Indonesia. As such, Honda Malaysia had to adapt from what was already decided for other markets and that affected the cost of the parts made locally.
Being upgraded to ‘first country’ meant that Honda Malaysia could participate in the product planning for the new model and submit specific requests for features or equipment which were required for the Malaysian version. This enabled a greater degree of localization of parts which also led to lowering of production costs.
Manufacturing technologies at the assembly plant in Melaka have been constantly upgraded to enable the vehicles produced to be of the highest quality.
Besides its own factory, Honda Malaysia also encouraged some of its suppliers to set up facilities nearby so that delivery of parts would be faster and more efficient. This would support the Japanese approach of ‘Just-in-Time’ where storage of parts would be kept low, reducing the need for warehousing space.
The year 2022 is a special year for Volvo Malaysia because it marks the 55th anniversary for the Swedish marque’s presence in Malaysia.
Not only that but it also marks 55 years since the first ever locally assembled Volvo first rolled off the assembly line, which was the Volvo 144 (pictured below).
And 55 years later, Volvo Malaysia has once again made history by introducing the first ever locally assembled all-electric car – the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric.
The name of the car is painfully long, so for the sake of this article, let’s just call it the Volvo XC40 RPE, or RPE.
We recently test drove the car during a Volvo organised drive to Janda Baik and back, which gave us plenty of drive time to sample its electric capabilities, range and overall look and feel.
Let’s first begin with its design.
Current XC40 Recharge owners will recognise the overall silhouette, but there are some key differences.
There is no need for a grille anymore since there is no engine to cool, so in its place a plastic panel that is thoughtfully painted in the same colour as the body, giving it a very unique touch and immediately identifying it as the all-electric sibling of the XC40 line-up.
And then there is the obvious omission of the tail pipes, giving the rear of the car a tidy look when compared to its fuel guzzling sibling.
Step inside and it’s business as usual for a Volvo. Except that it’s not. Because in the XC40 RPE you don’t have to start it to drive it. There’s no button to push or key to twist, there’s a simple press of the brake pedal, a gentle push of the gear lever to either D or R, and you’re off.
That’s an easy solution but one that we need to get used to, but after some time, it had me wondering why no one else had ever thought of that.
The first thing that catches your eye as you sit inside is the steering wheel and how basic it looks. The buttons are minimalistic and one could argue that it looks cheap, but it looks the way it does so as not to distract the driver.
Just behind the steering wheel is a gigantic 12-inch display that takes over meter panel duties. It displays the usual info such as speed and range and charge levels, but because it is one giant screen, it can also switch to becoming a giant navigation screen with the aforementioned data neatly tucked away but within reach of the eye.
To the left of the steering wheel is a 9-inch vertical centre display (Volvo calls it portrait format) that houses everything you need while in the car – navigation, entertainment, air-conditioning controls and car settings.
The XC40 RPE also offers Google Assistant which lets you ask for directions, play music and make calls and even ask for the closest restaurants, all by saying “Hey Google” to get started.
The overall look and feel of the interior of the XC40 RPE is rather minimalistic. I particularly loved the 13-speaker Harmon Kardon premium sound system which comes standard and gives your music depth and rich bass.
The carpets are made of recycled materials while overall quality is fantastic, as it should be of a Volvo.
The seats may look thinly padded but offer decent support and come with memory function.
I personally found that rear seats to be cramped and the back rests too upright to get decently comfortable, but this is a small Volvo after all.
But a small Volvo doesn’t mean that it is devoid of space. Under what would usually be the bonnet is a small storage area consisting of two sections – the top section is perfect to store the charging cable and a small gym bag (the Mercedes EQA could learn a thing or two about storage from the XC40 RPE) while the boot offers 419 litres of storage space. That can expand to 1,295 litres with the rear seats folded down.
So how does it drive?
Fantastic to put it lightly.
Lets get the facts and figures out of the way first. The XC40 RPE available in Malaysia comes in Twin Motor format, which means there are two electric motors placed in the front and rear axle.
These motors give the XC40 RPE an AWD format and gives the car a phenomenal 408hp and 660Nm of torque. The sprint to 100km/h is seen off in just 4.9 seconds. A decade ago, these figures would have given this Volvo supercar status.
But it is still a car tuned for comfort so the suspension is on the softish side and you feel the body roll if you dive into corners at high speed. So you still have to watch your right foot and need to keep your inner child at bay when driving the RPE.
The brakes are more than capable of keeping up with all that power, but being regenerative they lack feel and that all important initial bite. So that can be scary when your brakes feel like they are not responding at first. Dig deeper and the brakes respond and the batteries get recharged.
But the Volvo XC40 RPE has a party trick up its sleeve and it is called the ‘One Pedal Drive’. What this does is that it lets you accelerate and brake using the accelerator pedal alone.
Accelerate as you normally would, and when you need to slow down, simply lift off and the brakes will be applied. The quicker you lift, the quicker and harder the brakes will be applied.
Of course you can still use the brake pedal as you normally would too, and driving using the One Pedal Drive tech takes some getting used to, but after some time you realise that it makes complete sense, especially in traffic. This tech also makes managing traffic a lot easier too because you don’t have to keep rotating your ankle between the brake and accelerator.
So, the power figures of the XC40 RPE suggest that you could have some serious fun, but the suspension and brakes don’t feel like they are up for it. And for good reason too, this is still a car designed for urban and some sub-urban use.
It is meant to keep you cuddled in subtle luxury and comfortable with the suspension disconnecting you from the horrors of Malaysian roads. It does not brilliantly though.
And now comes the big question – are we ready for electric cars and recharging our cars as we would our phones?
The XC40 RPE has a range of 417km on a full charge. Volvo says that if you stick to city driving, you will get a range of 420km while a combination of city and highway and mountainous driving will take that range down to 300km. Highway driving will only give you a range of 300km.
When we first started out our drive from Saujana Hotel in Subang, we were quite close to full charge, and when we returned the cars, there was still a range of 37km left.
We surely didn’t drive anywhere close to 400km that day. A quick dash to Janda Baik and back with a quick swing by Gohtong Jaya, we drove 270km at best. So Volvo is not exactly bluffing about its range.
But we were driving fast and the uphill climbs required more power anyway. And that’s the thing about electric cars, it all depends on where you are going and how that will affect power usage.
Driving at a constant speed on a flat highway will not consume much power, so driving interstate along the North South highway should be fine.
And power companies such as Petronas and Shell are fast catching up and are offering recharging stations along the entire stretch of the north south highway too, so recharging and range anxiety will soon be a thing of the past.
On the point of recharging, the RPE needs just 37 minutes to reach 80 per cent charge with a 150kW DC fast charger. While a regular 11kW AC socket such as the ones found in our homes will require 8 hours to reach 100 per cent charge.
So there’s still plenty of waiting around that is required to recharge your car, but that is fine if you are going to drive the car around town, unless you live in a condominium and have limited access to a charging port, then an electric car, no matter what type, is really not for you.
And so, all in all, the Volvo XC 40 Recharge Pure Electric checks all the boxes and is a fun little thing to drive and go about your daily business without burning a hole in your pocket.
Volvo Malaysia has not announced a price for it as yet but there’s speculation that it will be in the RM250,000 range.
Volvo looks like they may just have a winner in their hands, but the only thing that could hurt the XC40 RPE is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Max.
As reported in August last year, Porsche will assemble its vehicles in Malaysia, the first time that the sportscar maker is carrying out such activity outside Germany. It has not built a new factory in Malaysia but is using the existing Inokom Corporation complex for its facility.
The official launch of the facility, which took place today, is an event of great significance and is the result of close collaboration with Sime Darby, which represents Porsche with its Sime Darby Auto Performance unit. It also owns the Inokom factory, located on a 200-acre site in Kulim, Kedah which began operations in 1997. The factory first assembled Renault and Hyundai vehicles and under Sime Darby ownership, products from BMW, MINI, Hyundai and Mazda are also assembled at the complex today.
The Inokom factory in Kulim, Kedah, is the first site outside Europe to manufacture Porsches.
Porsche Zuffenhausen, Germany
Porsche Leipzig, Germany.
“We are very honoured by Porsche’s continued trust in Sime Darby, as we deliver a product consistent with Porsche’s highest standards for quality, performance and driving experience. The facility, which is 100% staffed by highly skilled Malaysians, not only supports the growth of our businesses across the automotive value chain in Malaysia; but also creates a pipeline of jobs to empower the local community,” said Sime Darby Berhad Group CEO, Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson.
“The new assembly site in Malaysia meets specific market needs and operates alongside Porsche’s established network of production sites in Europe. In particular, it meets comprehensive quality standards set forth by Porsche when assembling Porsche sportscars,” said Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production and Logistics at Porsche. “Additionally, the facility was built alongside our production philosophy: smart, lean and green.”
With this in mind, Porsche has designed its local assembly facility to meet high sustainability standards: on the roof, solar panels provide all the power needed for operations, while rainwater harvesting technologies ensure wastewater is kept to a minimum.
The Sime Darby local assembly facility has a team of highly skilled and 100% Malaysian talent, all of whom have received comprehensive training from Porsche. The assembly is further supported by a network of local suppliers and service providers in the area, empowering the future of the local community with job opportunities, upskilling prospects, and potential for further expansion.
Porsche will start with the Cayenne, a popular SUV model which is now in its third generation. The units assembled at Inokom will be for sale only in Malaysia although it is likely that the carmaker will be looking at exports later on. After all, with AFTA (the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement) allowing duty-free exchange of vehicles within ASEAN countries, it will be advantageous as prices can be more attractive and competitive. However, to qualify for this benefit, at least 40% of the vehicle’s content must be sourced from within ASEAN so that may require a bit more time to reach.
One of the first locally-assembled Cayennes undergoing final checks.
While it may seem that local assembly is simply a matter of picking a model and putting it into a box in disassembled form for assembly in another country, the process is actually more extensive. It has to be engineered for local assembly, taking into account the level of automation at the facility and capabilities of the workforce. In as far as being suitable for local conditions, that would already be done as Porsche has been selling the Cayenne locally since it was first introduced in the early 2000s.
For Porsche too, this is something new and the company probably has to create some new departments to handle the processes for assembly in Malaysia. Preparation of the completely knocked down (CKD) packs with all the parts is a specialised activity and something Porsche has never had to do before. Of course, it will probably be able to draw on the knowledge and experience from other members in the Volkswagen Group which have been assembling in other countries for decades.
The locally assembled model comes with an elevated and enhanced standard equipment range specified exclusively for the Malaysian market, with a specially curated Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur option package and a special Porsche Design timepiece available for further personalisation.
Another initiative by Porsche in Malaysia is helping to establish a recharging network for electric vehicles. Porsche Asia Pacific and Shell have collaborated to set up high-performance charging (HPC) stations along the North-South Expressway. This is a first in Southeast Asia and Shell’s first cross-country EV infrastructure in the region, enabling EV owners to drive from Singapore up the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia to Penang and on to Thailand. Additionally, HPCs are already in place at authorized Porsche dealerships in the country.
For more information on Porsche products and services in Malaysia, visit www.porsche.com.my.
Volvo was the first company to assemble its cars in Malaysia in 1967 when the government began its localisation policy to accelerate industrialisation. 55 years later, the Swedish carmaker (part of China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group like Proton) is again a pioneer by being the first company to assemble a pure electric vehicle or battery electric vehicle (BEV) in Malaysia at the same plant in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The first car assembled in Malaysia in 1967 was a Volvo (above), and 55 years later, the first electric vehicle assembled in the country is also a Volvo (below).
Although it may seem like this move has come about because the government is allowing duty-free import and sale of BEVs now (and for the next few years), it is not the case. To plan for local assembly takes many years and it’s not as if Volvo Car Malaysia could send a message to Sweden to ask for CKD (completely knocked down) kits for assembly in 2022 when they can be imported duty-free. Furthermore, the plant would also have to be set up, especially with safety measures to handle the high-voltage systems of BEVs. Of course, Volvo Cars Manufacturing Malaysia (originally known as Swedish Motor Assemblies) already has experience with electrified vehicles since it has been assembling plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models for some time.
Regional production hub
In line with Volvo’s plan to have 50% of its global sales volume to be made up of BEVs by 2025, it has been quickly switching focus to BEVs around the world. Malaysia, being its production hub in ASEAN, is naturally a part of this plan which will see the brand being fully electric by 2030. From the plant in Selangor, BEVs will be exported to other countries in the region and because they are assembled in Malaysia, they can also be imported duty-free (provided they have a minimum of 40% ASEAN-sourced content) as part of the provisions of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement.
The first model, which will be officially launched on April 4, is the XC40 Recharge which was also the first Volvo BEV when it made its debut in 2019. Recharge is the umbrella name given to models which are electrified and in the coming 5 years, Volvo Car Malaysia will be launching one new BEV each year.
The XC40 Recharge has a similar appearance as the XC40 with a combustion engine (below) but the grille is different. With no need for radiator cooling, the space can be closed off.
While the price has not been announced yet, the technical details are already known since it would be the same model as sold elsewhere. It has two electric motors that draw power from a 75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack positioned between the front and rear axles. The system output is 300 kW (equivalent to 408 ps) with 660 Nm of torque, which gives a claimed 0 to 100 km/h capability of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h. A maximum range of 418 kms is claimed for a fully charged battery pack.
As with other BEVs, the XC40 Recharge can be recharged in various ways although DC fast-charging would have the shortest time. From one report we have read, the battery pack can be recharged to 80% of its capacity within 33 minutes when a fast-charger is used. Of course, this assumes that the level is very low and in practice, it may be that people recharge whenever they can and ‘top up’ so the time spent charging might not be as long.
Similar appearance to XC40
The external appearance of the XC40 Recharge is similar to that of the XC40 SUV but you can immediately tell that the model is the BEV version from the front end. With no need to cool a radiator, there is no real need for the traditional grille so that space is closed off. That’s better for aerodynamics too, which need to be as efficient as possible to minimise wind resistance.
The equipment for the locally-assembled model may differ a bit from those sold in other countries but would still be high as Volvo wants to position itself as a premium luxury brand. With the emphasis on sustainability and recycling, a large percentage of materials would also be eco-friendly.
Android-powered?
The Volvo Car Group is the first company to team up with Google on integrating an infotainment system powered by Android so it is likely that this will be available. The infotainment system is fully integrated with Volvo On Call, the company’s digital connected services platform, and includes Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store built-in. The new system also offers full integration of Android Automotive OS, Google’s open-source Android platform, with real-time updates to services and automotive apps created by the global developer community.
New Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
This being a Volvo, it does without saying that safety has a very high priority in every area. In terms of active safety systems, the XC40 Recharge has an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) platform with an array of radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. This gives it a broad range of capabilities to scan its surroundings and identify potential hazards, enabling a degree of autonomous motoring.
To help keep passengers safe and the battery intact in the event of a collision, there is a new and unique safety structure for passengers and battery alike in the XC40 Recharge. The battery is protected by a safety cage which consists of a frame of extruded aluminium and is embedded in the middle of the car’s body structure, creating a built-in crumple zone around the battery. The battery’s placement in the floor of the car also has the benefit of lowering the centre of gravity of the car, for better protection against roll-overs.
Additionally, the car’s body structure has not just been reinforced in the front but also at the rear. Here, the electric powertrain has been integrated in the body structure for better distribution of collision forces away from the cabin and reduce the strain on people inside the car.
First deliveries will start towards the end of April and buyers will get a charging cable, service package, 5-year/unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, 8-year battery pack warranty and 5 years of complimentary Roadside assistance.
Following the appointment of Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB) as the distributor of Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia, the range of locally assembled models has been refreshed, starting with the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 which were launched late last year.
Today, the third model from the Stellantis assembly plant in Kedah (formerly owned by the NAZA Group) was officially launched, this being the 2008 crossover SUV. The 2008 has been in Malaysia since 2014 when the first generation was launched by the previous distributors. The current second generation was launched in Europe in 2019 but due to Nasim’s sudden end to handling the French brand, it did not make its appearance as expected in 2021 (though the COVID-19 would also have upset plans).
So as it makes a fresh start with BAASB, Peugeot has a brand new model to introduce to the market with the new design language that includes a new brand logo and Lion as well. The new Peugeot logo (which has changed at least 8 times in over 200 years) has an all-new take on the iconic Peugeot lion.
Compared to the first generation, the second generation has a more striking profile with a set-back windscreen that emphasizes the streamlined and athletic design. The more horizontal bonnet sweeps back from a large grille that is flanked by the distinctive ‘3-claw’ daytime running lights that are the signature of the latest Peugeot models.
The overall design also shares elements with the 5008 and 3008, bringing to mind earlier generations of Peugeot models that had common styling elements and the only difference (at a glance) was that they were of different sizes.
In the 21st century, sharing is a necessity to spread development costs and the 2008 uses Peugeot’s CMP (Common Modular Platform) small car architecture which was originally developed with China’s Dongfeng. The platform has been used for sub-compact and compact models since 2019 and is also engineered to be suitable for electric powertrains.
Inside, the 2008 is the first Peugeot model to get the new 3D i-Cockpit technology, a world’s first. This is the next evolution of the i-Cockpit that first appeared in the 208 in 2012, giving the popular hatchback an iconic feature that would become an element in the brand’s DNA. With the i-Cockpit, key information is directly within the driver’s line of sight, reducing the need to take the eyes off the road. It’s almost like the Head-Up Display (HUD) except that it does not project information on the windscreen ahead of the driver. It is therefore not as expensive to incorporate but at the same time differs from traditional instrument panel layout and positioning.
The new 3D version’s instrument cluster, fully digital and graphic, has advanced reflections that create the impressions of 3D graphics. Depending on the importance of information presented, the indications appear ‘closer’ to the eyes of the driver. The digital cluster displays.
The cluster is composed of a high-definition 10.25-inch ‘background’ thin-film transistor (TFT) and a 7-inch ‘foreground’ TFT projected on a semi-reflective blade. The leading-edge display creates a 3D projection of approximately 15 mm between the front and rear images. This projects information like a hologram and the information is dynamic and animated. It can get closer to the eye depending on the degree of importance or urgency, and potentially increasing driver reactivity by half a second.
The other elements of the i-Cockpit are the compact steering wheel, raised instrument display, and a series of piano keys (or toggle switches) allowing direct and permanent access to the main comfort functions. There is a 3-level arrangement for efficient ergonomics and driving comfort. Like a HUD, the information falls within the driver’s line of sight so that he or she does not need to take their eyes off the road ahead, improving safety. With traditional layouts, the eyes usually have to be diverted downwards a bit to view the meters, momentarily drawing the driver’s vision away from the road.
The Allure version comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system. As with many new models, it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone connectivity. The system also responds to voice commands and Bluetooth can be used for handsfree telephony. Premium features include Automatic Climate Control, leather upholstery, mood lighting, electronic parking brake and cruise control.
Although having compact exterior dimensions, passenger accommodation has been maximised through intelligent packaging. The driver and front passenger have 6-way seat adjustment while the rear backrest is divided in a 60:40 ratio for variable layouts.
The boot is also pretty spacious with up to 434 litres of volume which can be expanded to 1,467 litres if you don’t have anyone in the back seats. There’s also another 80 litres in a compartment hidden under the floor which would be useful for valuable items although there is a removable tonneau cover to hide the contents of the boot.
All 2008s with petrol engines use the same 1.2-litre 3-cylinder DOHC 12V turbocharged PureTech engine. This engine has been a category winner a few times in the ‘International Engine of the Year’ Awards. With direct injection, it produces 130 ps/230 Nm and is paired with a 6-speed ATS III automatic transmission from Aisin.
According to Stellantis Senior Vice-President ASEAN & General Distributors, Christophe Musy, much effort has been put into ensuring that the engine is suited to local conditions. Extensive testing has been carried out and the Peugeot people are now more aware of the fact that conditions in this region are significantly different. There is assurance that there won’t be issues like those which affected the engines in the old 308.
Although the 2008 doesn’t have a suite of active safety systems like what you find in many new models, it nevertheless has a number of the systems that you find in such suites. These include Lane-Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Driver Attention Warning and an Active Safety Brake. Also included as standard is a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, which should make regular checks unnecessary.
There are also front, side and curtain airbags, along with ABS, stability control, anti-skid control and hillstart-assist. Parents with small children don’t have to break the law as they can install childseats on the ISOFIX points securely, while warnings will remind everyone to use seatbelts.
Priced from RM126,753 (without insurance and without sales tax until June 30, 2022), the 2008 comes with a choice of 4 colours and a warranty of 5 years or maximum of 100,000 kms. Customers also enjoy free scheduled servicing for the first 3 years (or maximum of 60,000 kms.
Although UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has been promoting hybrids a lot in the past few months, Toyota hybrids are not new to the Malaysian market. While the first model, the Prius which was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car, was not marketed here, it did make a brief appearance in 2000 to introduce the hybrid electric technology to government officials. However, it would only be 10 years later that the government’s exemption of all duties for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) would see UMWT selling many HEVS. It imported the Prius, by then in its third generation as well as the smaller Prius c and also the Lexus Ct200h. Without the high duties imposed, the models were attractively priced and sold well.
However, when the duty-exemption was withdrawn a few years later, prices shot up again and sales fell to zero. Although the government had hoped that the car companies would follow up after the duty-free period to assemble HEVs locally, only one company chose to do so while the others did not bother. The government instead focussed on encouraging the local assembly of ‘energy efficient vehicles’ (EEVs) for which incentives would be given to offset production costs and lower retail prices.
Last year, UMWT decided that it would move forward with a view towards electrification of its range, in line with the aim of Toyota Motor Corporation to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the company’s strategy does not entirely focus on electrification of its products to the extent that future models will no longer be powered by combustion engines in the near-term. Instead, it has a multi-pronged approach which will be determined by various factors in each country and region.
The more advanced countries have an extensive network of charging stations to support BEVs but in Malaysia, this is still something that is under development. To date, there are only around 500 charging stations in the whole country, mostly in urban areas and mainly in the Klang Valley. In Toyota’s view, that’s not a suitable situation to be introducing BEVs at this time, so it has chosen to start its electrification journey in Malaysia with HEVs. This is more practical as hybrid powertrains are not reliant on a charging infrastructure since they can recharge their battery packs on the move, and the technology cost of HEVs is lower than BEVs so they are within reach of a greater number of customers.
This led to the decision to invest RM270 million in the assembly plant and related expenditures to assemble HEVs locally. It’s the first time that a Toyota HEV is being assembled locally and though this may seem like it was prompted by the government’s efforts to promote greater electrification of motor vehicles as announced in the Budget last October, UMWT made their announcement last July, many months before the government’s announcement. In any case, the incentives are only for BEVs and HEVs will continue to receive the EEV incentives which will still help offset production costs.
Tonight, the launch of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid represents the culmination of the project to assemble HEVs locally and it would be the first of a range of HEVs to come. As can be seen from the price, it is attractive enough, unlike BEVs which, even with full tax exemption, are starting from RM150,000. Since the Corolla Cross Hybrid is being assembled, UMWT has also decided to include the Corolla Cross with a 1.8-litre petrol engine as well and this is available in two variants.
As mentioned earlier, HEVs are not reliant on external charging so a customer can buy and use one just like any other car with a combustion engine. Hybrid electric technology, which has matured after 25 years, is a ‘transparent’ technology in that the driver doesn’t really see the difference (although the feel might be different). It’s just like the introduction of multivalve engines and EFI in the 1980s and turbochargers becoming common in the 2000s.
For those who may not be entirely familiar with hybrid electric technology, here’s a quick explanation. As the term suggests, the powertrain is a combination of two power sources – a petrol engine and an electric motor (actually the Toyota system has two motors). In some systems, they may work independently but Toyota’s system, now in its fourth generation, is designed to work in a collaborative manner. Running conditions and the amount of energy in the battery pack determine how the collaboration works but basically, the car will move off with only electric power and as the speed increases, the engine will provide the additional power needed to go faster.
While cruising, the system will be varying the use from each power source so at times, the electric motor may be doing all the work, which means no fuel is used and that helps in fuel-saving. It can be quite significant as we discovered on a drive from the Klang Valley to Penang where the average consumption was 6.4 litres/100 kms or 15.6 kms/litre. Other members of the media were able to get even better figures.
The motor relies on electricity supplied by the lithium-ion battery pack so what happens when there is no more? That should not happen as the amount of energy will be constantly replenished while the car is moving. This is done by regenerative braking (where energy lost during braking is converted into energy for electricity) or the generator (the second motor) charges the battery pack. In the event that there is heavy usage of electricity, then the engine will be used more as the recharging takes place.
This self-charging capability takes away the ‘range anxiety’ that users of BEVs may have. This relates to the concern about running out of electricity on a long journey. With a HEV like the Corolla Cross Hybrid, you can still move using the engine and can refuel at one of 3,700 stations all over the country. But with a BEV, you might be stranded by the side of the highway or along some remote country road. It will be a long, long time before BEV technology is so advanced that you can recharge with a portable powerbank like you do now for your mobilephone.
Battery technology has been constantly advancing since the first Prius. In the early days, the battery pack was big and heavy and did not hold a lot of electricity. Since then, the battery packs have become smaller and yet more energy-dense while using more efficient processes like lithium-ion interaction. Their cost has also come down while reliability and durability have improved. For owners’ peace of mind, UMWT offers an 8-year warranty on the battery pack and this warranty, unlike others, includes some hybrid-related systems as well. There’s also an option to extend the warranty to 10 years, but the general vehicle warranty is 5 years with unlimited mileage.
The powertrain for the Corolla Cross Hybrid has a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine which is the same as the one in the Corolla Cross 1.8V and 1.8G. It produces 98 ps/142 Nm while the primary electric motor contributes 53 kW (equal to 72 ps) and 163 Nm of torque. Power delivery is via an E-CVT specially engineered for use in HEVs.
There are 4 modes – NORMAL | SPORT | ECO | EV – which the driver can select at the touch of a button while on the move to suit driving preferences or to maximize fuel-saving. The EV mode is a unique mode which gives an experience similar to driving a fully electric vehicle. In this mode, only the electric motor is used so there are zero emissions and the vehicle moves around noiselessly. The distance can be several hundred metres (depending on battery condition and driving speed) and would be ideal when moving around a carpark looking for a space.
The air-conditioning system in the Corolla Cross Hybrid is also unique, specially designed for HEVs. Unlike conventional air-conditioning systems which use an engine-driven compressor to pump the refrigerant around, the system is electrically powered. It can therefore run even when the engine is off, drawing its power from the battery pack. Should the battery pack capacity be low, the engine will restart to recharge it as it continues to power the air-conditioner’s electric compressor.
Appearance-wise, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is not exactly new on Malaysian roads as the non-hybrid model was introduced last April, imported from Thailand. However, due to the long period of shutdown in the middle of the year and some supply issues caused by the microchip shortage, the number on the roads is limited. Now, as a locally-assembled model, you should start to see more of them.
Where is the past, a variant bodystyle of the Corolla would still have some common elements with the sedan (usually the front end), the Corolla Cross Hybrid looks like a different model altogether. Toyota could have raised a Corolla Hatchback and ‘ruggedized’ its looks (as some manufacturers do to create a ‘SUV’) but they instead came out with a new SUV design and placed the model in the family of the all-time bestselling car in the world. To differentiate a Corolla Cross Hybrid and a non-hybrid, there are blue accents on the grille badge, logo on the engine, headlights and the rear badge.
Besides being the first Toyota HEV assembled locally, the Corolla Cross is also the first model with Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) to be assembled in Malaysia. TNGA has been used for all recent new models and has been engineered for variability, allowing engineers a lot of freedom to adapt it to different types of models. It is used for sedans and hatchbacks as well as SUVs and while there is differentiation in designs, there are also many common elements and parts and that is one of the secrets of reducing production costs.
The passenger car-like interior of today’s SUVs was pioneered by the Toyota RAV4 some 25 years ago. This is continued in the Corolla Cross Hybrid andthere is claimed to be significantly better headroom than other competitor SUV models in the same class. The wide body dimensions also allow the centre console to be wider for more storage space.
The blue accents on the exterior that identify the Corolla Cross Hybrid are also evident in the instrument panel. There is a colour 7-inch Multi Information Display (MID) with two styles – detailed and simple. Due to the quietness of operation, a READY indicator is shown to let the driver know when the system is ready to run when the START/STOP button is pressed.
Various types of information are presented to the driver in the MID and one of the displays shows the flow of power and electricity between the engine, motor, battery pack and wheels. The flows are shown in real-time and show the driver when the battery is being recharged and the level of electricity in it.
To help the driver of the Corolla Cross Hybrid achieve the best fuel economy, an ECO display in the instrument panel provides guidance on accelerating optimally. At the end of each journey, the driver can refer to an ECO Score to see how eco-friendly the driving style has been. With such a feature, drivers may be inspired to achieve a good score daily and save more fuel!
A large 9-inch panel in the middle of the dashboard provides information for the infotainment systems, as well as the image from the rearview camera. The system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ready so compatible smartphone apps can easily be transferred and accessed from the dashboard. Other connectivity options include USB mirroring, AUX and Bluetooth.
To assist the driver during parking or manoeuvering the vehicle is a 3D Panoramic View Monitor (shown above) which also uses the display on the 9-inch panel. Utilising small cameras on all sides of the vehicle, a 3-dimension view of the surroundings on all sides is presented to the driver. This not only enables easier positioning of the vehicle but also allows the driver to spot hazards or little children that might not be visible from the driver’s seat.
The air-conditioning system operated by an electric compressor has automatic operation to keep the cabin at the desired temperature. Airflow and temperature can be set differently for the driver and front passenger and with the S-Flow function, the airflow will be concentrated only on seats with people sitting on them. Cool air is also carried to the rear occupants by additional vents between the front seats.
Although a HEV has generally lower noise levels than a car with a combustion engine, additional efforts went into making the cabin quieter by adding an insulator sheet under the bonnet to isolate noise from the engine bay. The windscreen glass is also an acoustic type, reducing transmission of wind and other external noises.
Besides the convenience of a Smart Entry & Push Start System to lock/unlock the doors and start/stop the engine, the Corolla Cross also comes with a Power Back Door that opens and closes automatically by just positioning a foot under the rear bumper which has a proximity sensor. This allows for handsfree operation which will be convenient when both hands are holding bags or other items. For safety, the automatic opening will not work if the engine is running.
Instead of being installed in the boot area as in past models, the battery pack is under the rear seat, so no boot space is lost.
Besides the high-strength TNGA platform, the structure of the Corolla Cross is engineered to withstand impact forces from all sides during an accident, reducing or preventing injuries to the occupants. In crash testing and technical evaluation by ASEAN NCAP, the Corolla Cross Hybrid and Corolla Cross, as with many other Toyota models, has received a maximum 5-star safety rating.
The Corolla Cross Hybrid and Corolla Cross 1.8V come with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, a suite of Active Safety technologies that help a driver avoid accidents or reduce the damaging effects should a collision occur. Besides having automatic emergency braking and automatic high beam adjustment among the 5 main systems, the adaptive cruise control is also available at all speeds, maintaining a safe gap from the vehicle ahead whatever the set speed is. It can even bring the vehicle to a complete stop if the preceding vehicle stops without the driver needing to depress the brake pedal. When the vehicle ahead starts to move, it will automatically resume moving as well.
