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The All-New Electric Countryman SE ALL4: Built For Any Terrain

Mini is paving the way for a new era in eco-friendly exploration with the introduction of the all-electric Mini Countryman SE ALL4, a reliable companion that opens doors to adventure. This versatile crossover offers emissions-free mobility on diverse terrains, bolstered by its potent ALL4 all-wheel drive, advanced driving assistance features, partially automated Level 2 driving, and an impressive electric range of up to 433km according to the rigorous WLTP test cycle.

The modern, minimalistic design of the SE ALL4 accentuates its distinct personality with clean lines and broader wheel arches. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, this all-rounder has grown significantly, now measuring 4,433mm in length, 1,843mm in width, and 1,656mm in height. Just for comparison’s sake, the smart #1 has a length of 4207mm, a width of 1822mm and a height of 1636mm. This expansion results in increased interior space, offering up to 1,450 litres of cargo capacity when the rear bench is folded down.

Under the hood, two powerful electric motors deliver a combined output of 313hp and a torque of 494Nm, propelling the SE ALL4 through any terrain. This dynamic duo accelerates it from 0 to 100km/h in a mere 5.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180km/h. The robust battery boasts an energy capacity of 66.45 kWh.

Rapid charging with DC, peaking at 130kW, takes just under 30 minutes to charge the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent. Customers can optimise the charging process through user-friendly settings accessible via the Mini app. The introduction of the Plug & Charge system allows the vehicle to automatically initiate the charging process at compatible public charging stations, eliminating the need for additional authorisation.

The Mini Countryman SE ALL4, equipped with the Driving Assistant Professional, now enables partially automated Level 2 driving on motorway-like routes, allowing drivers to momentarily remove their hands from the wheel at speeds up to 60km/h, provided they remain attentive and prepared to intervene. The system can also identify suitable gaps in traffic for lane changes and adjust the speed accordingly.

The design underscores its rugged character with vertical body elements. Its striking front grille, distinctive headlights, and sculpted bonnet create an imposing presence. Short overhangs and sleek contours lend elegance to the vehicle’s silhouette.

Aerodynamically optimised light-alloy wheels, some measuring up to 20 inches, along with a sleek body design, contribute to a low drag coefficient of 0.26, enhancing efficiency and extending the range. The C-pillar design, with the model-specific ALL4 logo, supports the extended roofline while visually shortening the rear of the vehicle. The rear features a unified appearance with smooth surfaces and flush rear lights. The vertical orientation emphasises its wide stance, with distinctive Mini LED headlights and taillights adding to its unique appeal.

Four trim variants allow for individual customisation, enhancing different aspects of it with a stylish exterior and interior features. The range now includes the new Vibrant Silver roof colour for the first time, a characteristic Mini contrasting roof option.

The interior combines advanced technology and premium materials. The focal point is a round OLED display, controlling infotainment and assistance systems. The Mini Operating System 9 offers intuitive control via touch or voice assistant.

Mini Experience Modes offer immersive driving experiences with unique lighting graphics in various colours and patterns on the OLED display. Mini Driving Sounds create a distinctive ambience.

Passenger comfort has been elevated, with increased shoulder and elbow space for the driver and front passenger, and additional shoulder width for rear seat passengers. The cockpit boasts a modern, clear look with a two-tone textile-designed dashboard, further enhanced by the panoramic glass roof, infusing the interior with brightness. Redesigned trims offer a range of modern interior concepts.

The central console features a redesigned toggle bar for easy access to vital driving functions, eliminating the need for a gear selector and providing practical storage options. Smartphone storage and wireless charging are readily available, ensuring devices stay connected and powered.

Mitsubishi Teases Electric Crossover For Japan Mobility Show

In a bid to push the boundaries of electrification and adventure, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is gearing up to showcase a triumvirate of groundbreaking innovations at the Japan Mobility Show 2023. This display includes an electrified crossover MPV concept, a novel last-mile mobility solution, and the highly anticipated all-new Triton pickup truck.

Electrified Crossover MPV Concept

The electrified crossover MPV concept is a fusion of the best features from SUVs and MPVs, aiming to drive towards a carbon-neutral society. Embracing the theme of “Borderless Adventure,” this concept promises an expansive cabin that exudes openness and offers an exhilarating driving experience. Drivers can seamlessly switch between driving modes, ensuring there are no limits to their adventures.

Boasting high ground clearance and an advanced electric four-wheel drive system, this concept vehicle offers a reliable and enjoyable driving experience across diverse weather and road conditions. Equipped with large-diameter tires, it ensures a secure grip on varying terrains, instilling confidence in drivers to explore uncharted territories.

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Hyundai To Launch Another Compact Crossover Later This Year

Hyundai has a wide range of models, covering virtually every segment of the market. Some models are sold in every market while a few are offered only in certain markets. For some markets, special attention is given as they are big (eg China and India) and justify ‘customising’ models to a small extent.

India gets such attention from some of the global players, especially the Korean ones. There are models which Korean carmakers have developed with the Indian market in mind, and then adapted for other markets.

Soon, Hyundai will add another new model to its range for the sub-continent. Not surprisingly, it is a crossover and it is known as the Exter. At this time, Hyundai has not provided technical details but has released just one sketch of the model which is expected to be launched later this year.

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Polestar 4 – Brand’s Fastest Production Car

Polestar, the high-performance electric car company owned by Volvo Cars and Geely, announced last year that it would be launching one new model each year starting with the Polestar 3 in 2022. It’s now 2023 and the next model is the Polestar 4, which is positioned between Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 in terms of size and price. The company estimates launch pricing to be from 60,000 euros (equivalent to RM291,180 today).

Production is planned to begin in Hangzhou Bay, China, from November this year, with the first cars being delivered to customers in the country. A full-scale launch for other markets, including in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, is planned for early 2024 – with sales and production ramping up for these markets through the course of the year.

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Mazda CX-90 Debuts In North America With 3.3-litre Inline 6-Cylinder Turbo Engine

Since 2022, Mazda has expanded its line-up of CX crossover SUVs with a greater focus on electrification with a complementary range that has a double-digit designations, with a ‘0’ added. While the popular CX-5 will remain one of the core models globally, alongside with models such as the compact CX-30, the company has additional models in the Large Product Group.

These models are the CX-50, CX-60 and CX-80 – primarily for the European and American markets, together with the wide-bodied CX-70 and CX-90. Most of the models have been launched in the past year or will be launched this year, with the first in 2023 being the CX-90. This new model, largest in the range, will take over from the CX-9 as the flagship of the brand.

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Mitsubishi XPANDER Venture Event Shows Off Capabilities Of 7-Seater Crossover

Words, pictures and even videos cannot convey the same appreciation of a vehicle’s capabilities in the same way as personally driving it, and Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) understands that. To provide the experiences of its products, it has had events where the public can get behind the wheel to take a test-drive in specially prepared courses. To show more extreme capabilities of models like the Triton, they even brought in Dakar Rally champ, Hiroshi Masuoka, to provide ‘taxi rides’.

During the first quarter of 2023, there are opportunities to experience their bestselling model, the XPANDER 7-seater crossover, at the Mitsubishi XPANDER Venture Event. The first one will be held this weekend (January 14/15) at Dataran Karnival, Perkarangan Shah Alam, Selangor. The location is next to the Shah Alam Stadium (click here for directions).

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Ford To Develop EV Crossover Models Using Volkswagen MEB platform

Ford will use Volkswagen’s MEB platform for EVs to produce new battery electric vehicle (BEV) for the European market. This follows on from the alliance formed between the two carmakers which has so far seen Ford providing the latest Ranger truck for Volkswagen to adapt as its second generation Amarok.

The first Ford model to use the MEB will be a BEV crossover and production is expected to be underway at the Ford Electrification Centre in Cologne, Germany from 2023. Ford has confirmed one model with a total volume of around 600,000 units but a second one is expected, also likely to be a crossover based on what was shown of the BEV range in March this year.

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Toyota C-HR prologue Concept Previews Next Generation of Compact Crossover SUV

When Toyota revealed the bZ Compact SUV Concept last month, it was suspected that the design of the battery electric model might also be used for the next generation of the C-HR compact SUV. The first generation of the C-HR has been in production since late 2016 so it should be due for change.

Now Toyota has also revealed the C-HR prologue and mentions that it is a preview of the next generation of the compact SUV. It’s likely that the new model will be launched in 2023 though there’s no indication whether it will be during the early part or as late as the Japan Mobility Show (the new name for the Tokyo Motor Show) at the end of October.

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Lexus RX 500h F SPORT Inspired By ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

To help celebrate the recent launch of the adidas ‘Wakanda Forever Collection’, the team at adidas sought to bring their ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’-inspired designs into the automotive space. For this, they had the latest Lexus RX 500h F SPORT transformed in a collaboration with the carmaker, adidas S.E.E.D, Calty Design Research and 3D printing company Carbon.

The re-imagined exterior of the RX features the Wakandan-inspired print and purple colourway used throughout the adidas sportswear collection. A diamond pattern inlayed across the hood is inspired by the Black Panther’s claw necklace. The same pattern is applied to the door panel inserts and in purple sections of the steering wheel. Gold details, a tie to the new Black Panther’s suit, accent the exterior, with unique ‘F’ centre caps on the wheels.

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Toyota Veloz Launched – One Variant, Priced From RM95,000 (w/VIDEO)

At long last, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has launched the Toyota Veloz, a crossover MPV that takes over from the Avanza in the B-segment. The Veloz is a notch higher with a more premium image than the Avanza, reflecting Toyota’s ongoing aim of delivering ever better cars.

It’s no secret that the new Veloz is a similar model to the new Perodua Alza and it is even assembled in the same factory near Rawang, Selangor. It isn’t the first time UMWT is using Perodua’s factory also assembled the first Avanza as well as the Rush. It’s a practical approach when the model is similar as there is no point duplicating assembly for a smaller volume at another plant.

Shared models are nothing new in the industry and have been a practice for many decades. In earlier years, the sharing was usually between different brands of the same manufacturer. However, as model development grew much more expensive, it made sense to collaborate and share the costs. The advantages in this include cost-savings in many parts as the suppliers can have orders with bigger volumes for the same part or system.

However, the Veloz does cost more to Malaysian consumers at RM95,000, compared to the Perodua model which has a price range of RM62,500 to RM75,500. That the Veloz costs more than the Alza will raise the question of why anyone would want to pay more for what is essentially the same product. This is where brand preference and loyalty come in and while Perodua is the market leader in Malaysia, Toyota is also a strong brand with a longer history in the market. Interbrand’s assessment of brand value for 2021 placed Toyota at the top of the list among carmakers and seventh among all companies worldwide.

Now that we’ve got that point out of the way, let’s look at what the Veloz offers. Only one variant is available so they’ve loaded it with everything and customers won’t need to make a choice of which variant to buy. But they will have to choose one of 5 body colours, two of which have a black roof.

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