New Vehicle Launch Archives

New Rolls-Royce Phantom finally debuts, 14 years after predecessor

Rolls-Royce has released the new Phantom, which is said to be the best one ever made thanks to a new modular construction method, better sound insulation and a slew of tech. The overall look isn’t dissimilar from the car it replaces, there’s still the signature front fascia and elegantly sculpted silhouette that seems like it stretches for miles.

That said, the devil is in the detail, because vast yet subtle improvements have been made to make the car a marked improvement over its predecessor. The Pantheon grille sits flush with the rest of the bodywork, a first for any Rolls-Royce vehicle. This has been done to give the front fascia a more elegant and uncluttered look.

Then, there’s also the incredibly shortened overhangs at the front and rear which give the car a more compact look. The side profile has been toned down slightly for a more subtle finish and the rear features a familiar yet modernized design that that is distinct to the nameplate.

The body is based on a modular all-aluminum space frame that will underpin all future Rolls-Royce vehicles. It can be used and altered to suit a whole slew of models regardless of powertrain differences. This move, according to the manufacturer, will allow it better flexibility in planning and building cars that best exemplify the brand.

As such, the new Phantom is 30 per cent more rigid than its predecessor and will be more agile, offer better stability as well as improved comfort to all occupants. It improves over what was previously offered thanks to this new construction method.

Special deadening material such as foam has been used to line the car to reduce ambient noise to almost a negligible level. There’s also a double layer skin to the bodywork that helps isolate the cabin from ambient noises outside.

The tyres too have not been spared, as they are called ‘Silent Seal’ tyres and feature a special foam layer placed inside to wipe out tyre cavity noise and reduce overall tyre noise by 9db.

Inside, the cabin is crafted with some of the most luxurious materials fitted to any car. The instrument cluster is now fully digital and the rest of the switch gear has been tastefully arranged in an uncultured manner. What may seem as an afterthought though, is the positioning of the car’s analogue clock which is placed in a metal plaque and placed towards the front passenger.

The car still has the same door configuration as before and by pressing the individual buttons, all four doors can be opened and closed at the occupants’ convenience. Though not revolutionary, its a desired feature for Rolls-Royce owners because resorting to manual labour is very much beneath them.

“Key to Rolls-Royce realizing its vision of being the world’s leading luxury brand, today and in the future, is an architecture that spans the entire Rolls-Royce family,”comments Philip Koehn, Director of Engineering. “The Architecture of Luxury will carry every future Rolls-Royce, not just the New Phantom. Project Cullinan and eventually the next Ghost, Wraith, Dawn will ride on this architecture, as well as future coach build projects.”

Under the enormous hood, is a new 6.75-litre V12 engine that is equipped with two turbochargers. Total output is rated at 563bhp and an impressive 900Nm of torque from as low as 1,700rpm. It’s mated to a ZF 8-speed gearbox that pulls data from the Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT), which prepares the powertrain to cope with the roads directly ahead of it.

The car has a new double-wishbone front axle and 5-link rear axle that are part of its supposed best-in-class air suspension. This self-leveling setup executes millions of calculations a second to maintain the plaint ride quality regardless of the road surfaces. It monitors steering input, body roll, acceleration as well as other factors to maintain a composed ride quality.

This self-leveling air suspension also makes use of stereo cameras to inspect the road ahead and continuously adjust itself at speeds of up to 100km/h. This results in a very smooth ride quality, which should live up to the Rolls-Royce image.

As expected, the Phantom comes equipped with a slew of safety tech that include Alertness Assistant, a 4-camera system with Panoramic View, all-round visibility including helicopter view, Night Vision and Vision Assist, Active Cruise Control, collision warning, pedestrian warning, cross-traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning, 7×3 high-resolution head-up display, WiFi hotspot as well as the latest navigation and entertainment systems.

Though the new Phantom doesn’t feature revolutionary changes in terms of design elements, there isn’t much you can fault the car with. There was nothing really wrong with the old car which debuted in 2003, and the new improvements, keep the car up to date with the latest machinery we have today.

Mercedes-Benz X-Class to bridge gap between luxury SUV and utilitarian workhorse

Mercedes-Benz’s new pick-up truck is meant to offer the best of both worlds by combining the rugged ‘go-anywhere’ capabilities with luxuries better suited for more upmarket sedans. Called the X-Class, this pick-up is based on the Nissan Navara, which means it shares pretty much the same wheelbase and similar dimensions with its Japanese sibling.

Much to our dismay, the production version of the X-Class bares very little resemblance to the ludicrously outlandish concept vehicle that was revealed not long ago. The contours are far more conservative this time around, the lines and curves mimic that of the M-Class vehicles, which isn’t a bad thing. Around the back, things are pretty docile too, however depending on the trim level that is chosen, the X-Class will come with number of exterior add-ons that will that make it look a little more special.

Overall, the German automaker has done a fantastic job at concealing what is essentially a Navara pick-up by conferring their own design language onto that of the Japanese stalwart. And it will be available in three different variants which are the Pure, Progressive and Power.

The Pure variant is being marketed as a workhorse that will spend most of its days hauling cargo and getting the dirty jobs done while offering a comfortable ride and decent interior. Then there’s the Progressive, which is aimed at buyers who want a rugged outdoors vehicle that still has decent styling and creature comforts that are required by business people.

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Lastly, the Power variant is the most expensive of the lot and comes loaded with the best kit that is available. It still has the same rugged off-road capabilities but sports more grown up looks – both inside and out. Merc hopes that this variant will attract the execs who want both style and 4×4 abilities.

The X-Class is being offered with two engine choices, a petrol and a diesel one with a displacement of 2.3-litres. However, power outputs of these engines vary depending on the state of tune with the lowest being 163bhp and the most powerful of the lot having 190bhp.

A more powerful V6 diesel will be released next year and it will deliver 258bhp and a colossal 550Nm of torque. Depending on the model, you will also get paddle shifters, engine stop/start function, as well as drive programs that alter engine behavior based on Which you choose: Comfort, ECO, Sport, Manual and Off-road.

These engine can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed (7G-Tronic Plus) automatic transmission. Buyers can even opt to have either all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive configuration. Basically, its a vehicle that has been designed to appeal to a variety of needs and wants especially to those who want a luxury pick-up truck rather than a humble workhorse.

The suspension features MacPherson struts upfront and multi-link rear as well as a 1,632mm front and 1,625mm rear track, which is much wider than what its competitors are able to offer. At 3,150mm its got a significantly longer wheelbase, shorter front and rear overhangs as well as 202mm ground clearance, making it an ideal vehicle for off-road excursions.

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Inside, things are far more pleasant. The leather upholstery and leather stitched steering wheel give the cabin a luxurious ambiance, something that’s to be expected of the automaker. The seats come with lumbar support, which makes it easier on your back and should make for a more plient ride quality.

There’s also the COMMAND infotainment, touch controls and crisp LCD display. Everything is laid out pretty wheel, making it feel more like an M-Class rather than an X.

Just like other Mercs, this one is equipped with a slew of safety tech that include Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, as well as giving drivers live traffic information.

Check out the extensive picture gallery below to know in detail whether upcoming Mercedes-Benz pick-up truck appeals to you.

Honda Malaysia launches new CR-V

Honda Malaysia has launched their latest addition to their ever-growing fleet of premium vehicles in the Malaysian market but instead of just any model with a few updates, they’ve raised the bar to greater heights with the 2017 Honda CR-V. The fifth generation CR-V has been completely reengineered from the ground up to give the best driving experience coupled with the most state-of-the-art vehicle technology.

Following the recent launch of the all-new Honda Jazz Sport Hybrid i-DCD and the Civic 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC, the new CR-V has the best of both worlds when it comes to power as well as futuristic vehicle capabilities.

According to Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Katsuto Hayashi, he said “To set a higher benchmark in the segment and exceed customers’ expectations, Honda Malaysia has shifted to focus more on Advanced Technology starting with the introduction of the 1.5L VTEC Turbocharged Civic and New Jazz Sport Hybrid i-DCD”

“We are very excited to show you the 5th Generation All-New CR-V that is equipped with three key Advanced Technologies, the ‘1.5L VTEC Turbocharged Engine’, ‘Honda SENSING’ and advanced features such as ‘Programmable Power Tailgate’”.

“We believe this focus transition will lead us to make ‘Tomorrow’s Dream, Today’s Reality’. We are also proud to note that Malaysia is the first country in ASEAN that is introducing Honda SENSING, the Next Generation Advanced Safety Technology in the All-New CR-V.”

With a rapid decline on of the CR-V segment here in Malaysia from 2013 until early 2017, the new CR-V is said to be Honda’s ultimate game-changer to take over the market share in the vehicle class. The ever growing demand of SUVs in the market that’s able to provide high levels of safety to the occupants, impressive fuel efficiency and pure driving enjoyment, the new CR-V offers all of these plus much, much more.

In terms of design, the exterior of the new CR-V showcases Honda’s fundamental ideas on modern functional dynamic facade combined with their signature specifications like the Daytime Running Lights and turn signals which you will notice in the car’s front advanced full LED headlights as well as the rear lights. This gives the latest generation CR-V a much bolder and tougher appearance without being too aggressive or tacky.

The interior has gone through a major makeover according to Honda’s “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum’ design principle. The sporty yet spacious interior allows for greater driving experience as well as a heighten sense of comfort for all occupants especially for those seated in the rear seats where the new CR-V now offers an extra 90mm of luxurious legroom.

A more dynamic and modern styling design concept has been embedded into essence of the CR-V where all the high-tech goods are available for everyone to enjoy. Features like the 7-inch Advanced Display Audio that is compatible to both Android and Apple compatible with seamless smart connectivity and entertainment.

For all-round creature comforts, the CR-V comes with Dual-Zone Air-Conditioning to ensure all occupants are comfortable according to each individual’s preferences. Seeing how there would usually be more than one occupant apart from the driver, rear USB ports have been installed to allow easy charging of any of your mobile devices. There are also the comfortable combi leather seats with an eight-way power seat for the driver and a four-way for the front passenger for maximum posture position with a lot of comfort thrown into the package.

Going to the back, the new Programmable Power Tailgate (available on the 1.5TC-P 2WD variant only) gives a boost of convenience to future CR-V owners where they can easily control and adjust the opening height with a simple push of a button. This is the first time Honda is offering such a feature in the vehicle line up and best of all, it comes with a ‘Stop and Hold Programmable Height’ function without giving any hassle to the users.

Do also take note on the boot space where when the second row seats are folded flat, you’ll get a whopping 1,084 litres of storage space. The new CR-V is able to provide such space as there’s now an extra 250mm of space compared to the previous generation.

Take a peek under that front bonnet and you’ll get a very pleasant surprise. In total, there are a four different variants available ranging from the lowest 2.0-litre 2WD up to the awesome 1.5-litre turbocharged Premium 2WD. The two variants sitting right in the middle are the 1.5-litre turbocharged 2WD and 1.5-litre turbocharged 4WD.

All the engines have been developed under Honda’s Earth Dream Technology and with the first ever CR-V to be paired with the latest 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC engine, it can produce a whopping 190hp at 6,500rpm and 243Nm of torque at 4,300rpm. Even the 2.0-litre is able to churn out 151hp and 189Nm of torque.

Earlier in the article, we also mentioned that the new CR-V comes with Honda’s SENSING™ which is Honda’s latest driving technology that’s probably be the ultimate driving aid system ever to be put in any production vehicle. The Honda SENSING™ comes with a few specifications such as Driving Cruising Aid (Adaptive Cruise Control and Low-Speed Follow), Frontal Collision Deterrence (Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking System) and Side Collision Deterrence (Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation and Lane Keep Assist System).

In the name of safety, the all-new CR-V also comes with six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, Agile Handling Assist, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, Electronic Brake Distribution, Anti-Lock Braking System and a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera available in the top variant.

The all new CR-V is priced from RM142,400 to RM167,700 (basic prices with GST) and is available in five different colours; Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl and the brand new Dark Olive Metallic.

To add more functionality to the CR-V, future owners can opt for a number of different accessory packages that ranges from RM1,900 to RM5,900. All new Honda CR-V comes with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

Together with the launch of the brand new CR-V, Honda Malaysia also introduced their brand new line-up of merchandise centred on the “Challenging Spirit” value as their design core of inspiration. The new merchandise line-up includes t-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, backpacks, water bottles and many more. The entire collection will be available at all 91 showrooms at the end of August 2017.

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Honda to introduce new CR-V to Malaysians soon

Honda will be launching the 5th generation CR-V very soon and that should have many Malaysians excited. It is a complete redesign, both inside and out with the vehicle featuring muscular styling and a plethora of driver aids that are more common place in expensive German luxury cars.

For the new CR-V, Honda’s designers incorporated more angular styling compared to that used by its predecessor. The LED projector headlights are elongated and blend with the contours of the front fascia. The grille is wider and more prominent at the front, giving the vehicle a more rugged look. The signature chrome bar that stretches across the grille features a two piece design with the thin upper section stretching across the entire front end.

The side profile is not that far off from the 4th gen vehicle but the lower roof line and wider side countours are more sporty attributes that will make it a more appealing SUV. At the rear, Honda chose a simple yet elegant design with the two piece rear lights arrangement that are integrated with the metal chrome trim panel, which stretches from one side of the boot to the other.

Despite not growing much in size, the new CR-V is still bigger compared to the vehicle it replaces. It’s 4,584mm long, 1,855mm wide and 1,679mm high but that increases 10mm for the 4WD model. It has a wheelbase of 2,660mm and offers decent ground clearance of 198mm for the 2WD one and 208mm for the 4WD variant. Honda says that cabin space is best in class and will be quite accommodating to taller passengers. Cargo space is good too, with about 1,084 litres with the rear seats fare folded flat to the floor.

This is all well and good but the features that deserve the most praise are the driver aids. Unlike previous generation CR-V vehicles, the new one, has cutting-edge tech that should boost any driver’s confidence while on the road. Called Sensing, the system makes use of a monocular camera on the top of the windshield and milimeter wave radar in the grille to detect obstacles, impending collisions and other safety related risks.

This Sensing safety suite consists of seven features, which are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

The ACC and LSF features allow the driver to set a desired cruising speed and take both feet of the pedals, which will then allow the vehicle to maintain said speed, apply brakes and when necessary accelerate to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front. It even works in stop and go traffic situations, which should be a major benefit to those who face traffic jams on a regular basis.

Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking work together to act as the driver’s third eye. When the FCW detects a risk of a collision with the vehicle in front, it triggers visual warning audible alerts to the driver. CMB on the other hand, scans traffic conditions in front of the vehicle and if it detects a potential collision, it will automatically apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down and reduce the severity of a collision.

Besides front collision, impacts from the sides are also a major concern especially when crossing intersections. Here too, Honda’s new CR-V has your back covered. Through the use of Lane Keeping Assist, the system uses the vehicle’s camera to monitor lane markings and adjust steering input to ensure that the vehicle stays in its lane.

Road Departure Mitigation is a warning system that alerts the driver (when speeds are within 72km/h to 180km/h) when he or she veers off into another driver’s lane or too close to the edge of the road. The steering wheel will vibrate to alert the driver, and when necessary, steering and braking input will be made automatically to keep the CR-V out of harm’s way.

Lastly, there’s Lane Departure Warning which is integrated with the Road Departure Mitigation system. It will remind drivers to use the appropriate signal lights if it detects that the vehicle crosses into another lane without the proper use of the turn signals.

Honda will be conducting five roadshows this month across the country to allow Malaysians to have a closer look at the new CR-V before it’s official launch for our market. If you are interested in the vehicle, the following are the respective locations where Honda will conduct the aforementioned roadshows.

4 June 2017 Gurney Paragon, Penang 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

7 – 11 June 2017 Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

11 June 2017 Imago Mall, Kota Kinabalu 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

16 – 18 June 2017 AEON Tebrau City, Johor Bahru 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

18 June 2017 Plaza Merdeka, Kuching 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

If you wish to buy the CR-V, you can pre-book the SUV at any of the 91 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide right now and be one of the first to drive it home when it is offically launched. For more information, visit the automaker’s local website at www.honda.com.my.

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