special edition Archives

Mercedes-AMG celebrates 55th anniversary with ‘Edition 55’ of G 63

Mercedes-AMG, a part of the Mercedes-Benz Group, is celebrating its 55^th anniversary this year. The company’s products have been associated with high performance, exclusivity and superlative driving dynamics and these would generally be passenger cars. However, to start off its anniversary, the company has created a special edition that is not a passenger car but a SUV. Perhaps it reflects the fact that the SUV segment is the hottest today.

The special edition is the G 63 ‘Edition 55’ which has received specific equipment and features for exclusivity. The G‑Class has enjoyed a unique position in the AMG portfolio for over 2 decades and is its ‘king of off-road performance’.

Introduced in 1999
The first production model of an AMG variant of the G‑Class was introduced in 1999 to mark the 20th anniversary of the off-road legend. The G 55 AMG marked the beginning of a new, highly successful chapter in G‑Class history. In 2002, the G 63 AMG set new standards. It was the first time a 12-cylinder engine had been used in the G‑Class. This was followed in 2004 by the G 55 AMG with a V8 supercharged engine, and in 2012 with the G 65 AMG that has a 1,000 Nm V12 engine. The current Mercedes‑AMG G 63 continues the success story.

The Edition 55 is available in obsidian black metallic or G manufaktur opalite white bright paint. The colours on both sides of the vehicle are coordinated with the AMG emblem and the suggested AMG rhombus. Distinctive contrasts are provided by the 22‑inch AMG forged wheels in a cross-spoke design with a matt tantalum grey paint finish and a high-sheen rim flange, as well as the AMG Night Package and the AMG Night package II. The fuel filler cap in silver chrome with AMG lettering also bears witness to great attention to detail.

The interior is characterised by the contrast of black and red. Stainless steel doorsill trims with red illuminated AMG lettering welcome the occupants who step onto black AMG floor mats made of high-quality velour. The mats feature red contrasting stitching and ‘Edition 55’ lettering woven in red.

The AMG Performance steering wheel in DINAMICA microfibre also commemorates the anniversary with the ‘AMG’ and ‘55’ badges, making the special model an exclusive collector’s item. Also exclusive are the AMG seats with a specific design and upholstered in 2-tone nappa leather in classic red/black. The exclusive ambience of the interior is rounded off by the AMG trim elements in matt carbonfibre.

The scope of delivery includes a customised AMG Indoor Car Cover. With its breathable outer skin made of tear-resistant synthetic fibre fabric and antistatic inner fabric made of flannel, it protects the vehicle in the garage from dust and scratches.

The AMG story
AMG was founded by two men – Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher – in 1967. Both men were engine tuners and car customisers, and they turned Mercedes-Benz models into high-performance machines. Their fame took a big leap when they developed a Mercedes-Benz 300SEL for racing. With its 6.8-litre engine, it created history when it finished second at the 1071 24 Hours of Spa, beating much lighter rivals.

Their specialisation in Mercedes-Benz cars brought them closer to the carmaker and in time, their work was recognised as being of such high quality that Mercedes-Benz allowed its dealerships to sell AMG models, the first being the 225 bhp 190 E AMG in the late 1980s.

*The race-winning 300SEL developed by AMG (nicknamed ‘Red Pig’) which made the company more famous.*

Just a few years into the decade of the 1990s, Daimler-Benz brought AMG into its group with a controlling stake. This saw the birth of the Mercedes-AMG brand as a high-performance sub-brand while AMG became the unit that looked after everything to do with high-performance products, including motorsports. Eventually, most models would have AMG Line versions which had additional sporty equipment designed by the subsidiary

From a two-man start-up in 1967 to a state-of-the-art development site including its own engine manufacturing facility today, Mercedes-AMG continues to build on its position as a highly successful performance and sportscar brand through numerous successes in motorsport and the development of unique road cars.

*Since 1996, Mercedes-AMG has supplied the Official F1 Safety Car and Medical Car.*

The current Mercedes‑AMG portfolio comprises more than 50 models with a power range from 306 ps to 843 ps, and includes its first performance hybrid – GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE. Apart from models derived from the Mercedes-Benz range, Mercedes-AMG has also independently developed sportscars such as the GT 4‑Door model and the new SL.

Moving into the era of electrification, Mercedes‑AMG will offer E PERFORMANCE – performance hybrids with an independent drive layout and technology from Formula 1. The portfolio includes all-electric AMG derivatives based on the Mercedes-Benz Group’s own EVA2 platform. In the near future, completely independent battery-electric AMG models will also follow, which will be based on the new electrical architecture (AMG.EA) which has been developed completely in-house.

10 things about AMG you may not have known

Aston Martin V12 Vantage ‘Final Edition’

15 years ago, Aston Martin revealed a new car built around the premise of fitting the most compact and driver-focussed model with the largest and most potent series production engine. It was the V12 Vantage RS Concept that would go into production and through successive version that have formed an iconic bloodline.

This lineage is now nearing its end and it ‘goes out on the highest of highs’, as Aston Martin’s CEO, Tobias Moers, says with the fastest, fiercest and most dynamically accomplished version of them all. While other manufacturers present ‘First Editions’ of their new models, Aston Martin is presenting the ‘Final Edition’ of the V12 Vantage. There will never be a car like it again.

Production of the V12 Vantage is strictly limited to 333 units, all of which have already been taken right after the new V12 Vantage was confirmed in December last year. As with many such limited editions, the number who want it exceeds the supply so there is a register of interest for hopefuls who wait for someone to change their mind. The first customers will get their cars before June this year.

The engine is the heart of every Aston Martin but never has it been more so than in this car which is the fastest and most powerful Vantage ever built. The quad-cam 60-degree 5.2-litre V12 develops 700 ps at 6,500 rpm and 753 Nm, fully available between 1,800 rpm and 6,000 rpm. That can send the V12 Vantage from standstill to almost 100 km/h in around 3.4 seconds, and on to a top speed claimed to be 320 km/h.

While the muscular engine provides the strong propulsion, extensive weight-saving measures have also brought the overall weight down so that it has a power-to-weight ratio of 390 ps per ton, or more than 20% compared to the V8-powered Vantage.

The power flows through a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and mechanical Limited-Slip Differential mounted at the rear of the car. Unique transmission calibration enhances shift speeds and driver interaction, with learnings taken from the V12 Speedster and Vantage F1 Edition. This specially calibrated software delivers a level of shift refinement and usability which is beyond that seen on dual clutch gearboxes.

The weight-saving measures include a carbonfibre front bumper, clamshell bonnet, front fenders and side sills, composite rear bumper and decklid, and a special centre-mounted twin-exit exhaust system. Tuned to ensure the V12 Vantage has a voice to match its looks and performance, this new exhaust system is made from lightweight 1 mm stainless-steel, saving some 7.2 kgs compared with the system fitted to the Vantage. Even the battery is a specially sourced lightweight unit.

To complement the engine performance and character is the dynamic driving experience, improved in this last V12 Vantage. It comes with a new adaptive damping suspension system including new anti-roll bars, bushes, and spring and damper assemblies. Suspension spring rates have been increased by 50% at the front and 40% at the rear, combined with top mount stiffness increasing by 13% and new anti-roll bars are 5% stiffer at the front and 41% softer at the rear. To maintain comfort for the driver, a secondary tender spring has been introduced to the rear.

Body stiffness has also been increased with additional front and rear sheer panels, a rear suspension tower strut brace and fuel tank bracing, increasing body stiffness by 8% and lateral stiffness by 6.7%, giving the optimum platform stiffness for superior driving dynamics.

For stopping power, Aston Martin has installed its Carbon Ceramic Braking system as standard, saving 23 kgs in weight. This comes with 410 mm x 38 mm discs with 6-piston calipers at the front, and 360 mm x 32 mm discs paired with 4-piston calipers at the rear. The CCB discs maintain consistent braking performance at high temperatures and have been engineered to resist brake fade at very high temperatures.

Moving to the interior, the V12 Vantage retains the instantly recognisable layout of the current Vantage, whilst signifying its halo positioning with a Sports Plus Seat trimmed in full semi-aniline leather featuring ‘Wings’ quilt and perforation pattern as standard.

There is also a new carbonfibre performance seat with exposed twill carbonfibre shell and manual 6-way adjustment available as an option, offering a supportive seat design for those enhanced driving dynamics and a distinct design character. This is an Aston Martin patented design inspired by motorsport, optimised to save 7.3 kgs without compromising comfort.

Woven leather or Alcantara seat inserts, trim inlays and the anodised rotary dials found in the centre console can coloured in a way to match or contrast with the exterior body or graphic colour, providing a more subtle injection of colour inside the cabin. With so many design combinations available, it would not be a surprise to see no two cars the same.

Aston Martin provides F1 Safety and Medical Cars again for 12 races in 2022

THE 8 X JEFF KOONS – most elaborately designed vehicle in all of BMW’s history

Jeff Koons, an American artist, and BMW have had many years of association, going back 12 years to the time when Koons created the 17^th BMW Art Car. Since that time, he wanted to create a special edition of a BMW model as a personal project and finally, he got his wish with THE 8 X JEFF KOONS.

Only 99 units of this exclusive edition based on the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe will be available. Describe, as a ‘rolling sculpture’ by Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, it is the most elaborately designed vehicle in all of BMW’s history.

11 different exterior colours
The expressive and striking design combines 11 different exterior colours, ranging from blue to silver as well as from yellow to black. The multi-coloured interior uses high-end materials, fine leather and the cupholder lid includes edition badging and the artist’s signature. The seats are made up of the striking red and blue which reflects the colours of superheroes from the comic book universe as well as those of the company’s high-performance unit, BMW M.

Overall, the energetic and powerful design includes both elements of pop art as well as geometric patterns paying homage to the sporty 8-Series Gran Coupe’s intricate contours and shape. The exploding lines of colour at the rear, in turn, are their own unmediated homage to the artist’s 2010 BMW Art Car, while the ‘POP!’ on each side as well as the vapour thrust imagery symbolize the power and speed, according to the artist.

Over 200 hours of manual work
Over 200 hours of manual work were spent by highly specialized professionals at two BMW Group plants on the exterior paintwork alone, where the colour samples were often applied with magnifying glasses. Dozens of engineers and designers were involved and Koons had many days of discussions on design options with the BMW employees involved.

“I was thinking very intensely about it: What is the essence of the 8-Series Gran Coupe? What is the essence of power? How to create something that exemplifies all the energy of the BMW 8 Series that is also able to touch upon the human element?” he said.

The original 850i was the first model of the 8-Series launched in 1990 and was celebrated as creating a new perspective of progress in advanced motoring, appealing to the connoisseur who acknowledges elegance and performance as the ultimate blend of perfection. THE 8 X JEFF KOONS also continues this tradition.

*The original 8-Series launched in 1990.*

The artist’s dream car realised
“My edition of the BMW 8-Series is my dream car! It is very special to me and I’ve wanted to create a special edition BMW for a long time. It is sporty and flashy as well as minimalist and conceptual. I can’t wait to drive it and ride in it, and I hope that people will enjoy the Gran Coupe just as much as I do,” said Koons.

“On the car, the lines are getting bigger on their journey from the bonnet towards the boot, creating a sense of forward movement just as the ‘POP!’ and the vapour thrust design elements do. The blue colour resembles the vastness of space and I like the idea of the car being a global car. What matters is how we relate to each other and our awareness of everything we are surrounded by. For the driver and all passengers, there is a heightened state of pleasure. This is what my car has to offer,” he explained.

Each car will come with a large-format certificate signed by the artist which, in addition to Zipse’s signature, also contains the individual Vehicle Identification Number. The artist also designed the dust jacket of the Driver’s Manual, while the signature of the artist is set into the cupholder panel in the Bavarian blue from the BMW logo.

Following its world premiere in Los Angeles this month, THE 8 X JEFF KOONS will be presented at numerous art fairs and events in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Initially, the car will be on display for the general public in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Plaza before one car from the series, signed on the tailgate by Jeff Koons, will be auctioned off at Christie’s in New York on April 4. All proceeds from the highest bid will go to the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), a non-profit NGO which Koons has been personally involved with for over 2 decades.

This BMW M3 GT2 was aesthetically reworked by the US artist Jeff Koons and in 2010, it was unveiled as the 17th model in the BMW Art Cars series. The car bears the racing number 79 – a tribute to the BMW M1 body work-over presented by Andy Warhol in 1979. The striking colours of Koons’ Art Car exude a boisterous sense of power, motion and energy. As with Warhol’s M1, Koons’ BMW also participated in the Le Mans 24-hour race.

BMW Art Cars now available for viewing from anywhere in the world and with AR too

GR Supra A91-CF Edition – the most exclusive Mark 5 Supra to date

If the way the GR Supra looks is not sporty enough for you and you live in North America, there’s an opportunity to get one which is more exclusively styled and also limited to only 600 units. It’s the GR Supra A91-CF Edition which is said to be the most exclusive Mark 5 Supra to date. Customers can choose either a 3-litre or 2-litre engine, the former an inline-6 and the latter, an inline-4.

On the outside, the A91-CF Edition has handmade carbonfibre on the front splitter with larger canards, while its carbonfibre rockers define the sides. Around the back, the carbonfibre treatment continues, with a duckbill spoiler catching the air as it flows off the rear glass, and larger, lower canards doing so down below.

This aero kit isn’t just for looks; its functional purpose improves downforce and stability during both everyday drives and hot laps around the track. Additionally, unique 19-inch wheels sport a matte-black texture that complement special edition’s matte-grey Phantom paint colour, besides Absolute Zero White and Nitro Yellow which are other colour choices. Additionally, depending on the version, there are also colours like Nocturnal, Renaissance Red, Tungsten and Turbulence Gray.

The cockpit is also given an exclusive touch with refinements throughout. A red-and-black theme is used and there’s Alcantara and leather trim. The sport seats have red stitching details with 14-way power adjustment as well as heating. Carbonfibre is also used inside for some interior trim, while the 3-spoke steering wheel is leather-wrapped and sport pedals are standard.

For the 2021 model year, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing engineers boosted output of the Supra’s turbocharged 3-litre 6-cylinder inline-six from 335 to 382 bhp, a 14% increase after just one year on the market. Torque has been increased by very slightly to almost 500 Nm and peaking 500 rpm higher.

The 2-litre 4-cylinder engine shares much of its technology with the 3-litre unit, including a twin-scroll turbo, direct fuel injection and continuously variable timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. It delivers up to 255 bhp/400 Nm to take the Supra from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a claimed 5 seconds. An 8-speed transmission is standard for both engines.

The Supra 3.0 chassis was also tweaked heading into its second year of production. Lightweight aluminium braces were added to increase lateral rigidity, along with front and rear bump stops and new damper tuning. Revised programming for the electric power steering, Adaptive Variable Suspension, Vehicle Stability Control and Active Differential have improved stability through quick transitions, such as compound turns.

To purchase a GR Supra in Malaysia, click here to locate a GR Garage.

David Beckham creates a Maserati MC20 that is truly his own

The Maserati’s MC20 Fuoriserie Edition for David Beckham is like a letter written to the city of Miami, home of Beckham’s football club in America. It began as part of the carmaker’s Fuoriserie customization program which allows customers to create a very personalised Maserati. In this case, the customer was the brand’s ambassador himself, who became a designer with the help of the Maserati Centro Stile.

At Maserati Fuoriserie, a car starts as a blank canvas and customers are offered an array of instruments to create with. The rest is left to the clients taste and inspiration, giving them the opportunity to set their own trends and express their personality.

After a personalized and collaborative design process, Beckham and the designers created the MC20 Fuoriserie Edition for David Beckham. This car translates true passion into a carbonfibre monocoque, entirely Made in Italy, and powered by a patented V6 petrol engine derived from Formula 1 technologies.

The end result of this very personal sportscar is black and pink, a chromatic dichotomy, as well as the interplay between glossy and matt surfaces. The team colours are black and pink, and the team uniforms are characterized by contrasting glossy-matt treatments.

Starting from this as an inspiration, the bodywork features a glossy black tone which contrasts with the Trident logos on the grille and on the C-pillar, in black, but with an opaque finish. The Maserati lettering on the rear is also opaque, while the MC20 badge on the door is pastel pink, as are the Brembo brake calipers.

The interior, in leather and Alcantara, is black with contrast-stitching in pink. The backrests, in Alcantara, are worked with a tone-on-tone laser engraving method and the headrest features a 3-dimensional pastel pink embroidery. In the centre tunnel between the two seats is a personalized nameplate with a glossy-matte effect. At the top, next to the Trident, the Maserati Fuoriserie lettering is pastel pink, at the bottom are the italics ‘For David’ which appears with an aluminium effect.

“As car designers, our mission is to offer a holistic experience. This value guides our Brand’s stylistic research, making each Maserati uniquely recognizable. Our customization program is another example of our brand’s goal to create singular experiences for our customers: Maserati Fuoriserie is a blank canvas, on which Maserati clients can write their own stories and unleash their creativity, making their dreams come true,” said Klaus Busse, Head of Maserati Design.

“Designing this special edition MC20 with David, as with all our Fuoriserie projects, is also an ode to the Brand’s past, taking us back to a time when every car was hand-built to the client’s requests, giving life to a one-off, a true ‘fuoriserie’,” he explained.

“I have always been a car enthusiast, so to be part of designing and creating my MC20 through the Fuoriserie customisation programme has been an amazing experience. Cars are about individual taste whether it’s the model, colour or small personal details on the inside. It has been incredible to collaborate with the Maserati team and designers to create this one-off car that is inspired by my second home, Miami and my football club there. It is a joy to be behind the wheel,” said Beckham.

Maserati Levante SUV gets hybrid variant

Special edition of Ford Ranger Wildtrak with exclusive features available in limited numbers

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a well-equipped, value-for-money version of the popular pick-up truck sold by Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), Now, there’s an even better Wildtrak and only a limited number of units have been imported from the factory in Thailand.

Known as the Ranger WildTrak Sport, this special edition is priced from RM158,388 (excluding insurance, Peninsular Malaysia private registration). Each new unit is backed by Ford’s manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or 160,000 kms (whichever comes first). Customers will also get an 18-month free service package if they purchase the vehicle before December 31, 2021.

Exclusive features inside and outside
As a special edition, the Ranger Wildtrak Sport has exclusive features on the exterior as well as inside the double cab. On the outside, the two available colours of Saber and Absolute Black identify the Wildtrak Sport. The dominant grille area has a new design while the door mirrors are finished in Ebony Black. The door handles and rear lift handle also follow the black theme, and likewise for the alloy wheels which are 18 inches in diameter.

The passenger car-like cabin gets illuminated front scuff plates with a logo and the seats have embossed leather upholstery, along with the steering wheel which has stitching.

Same technical specifications
The technical aspects are the same as the regular Ranger Wildtrak so under the bonnet is the proven 2-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The output of 213 ps/500 Nm means the vehicle can go anywhere easily, especially with its robust and capable 4×4 system.

Besides its performance, the Ranger WildTrak Sport also has smart safety technologies that make it safer when driving. Active safety systems include Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning and Assist. Airbags are installed on the front and sides of the cabin to provide additional protection during collisions.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak Sport 2021 — *Test-drives are also available at the event in 1Utama as well as at showrooms of authorised Ford dealerships nationwide.*

“As the country transitions to normalcy, we see the introduction of our New Ford Ranger WildTrak Sport Special Edition timely, being a perfect addition to our already renowned Ranger portfolio where customers use it for work, family or play,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

Take part in the challenge
The Ranger Wildtrak Sport Special Edition is being introduced to the public at Ford’s first ‘new normal’ roadshow from today until December 12 at the Ground Floor of the Luxe Wing in the 1Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Activities will be broadcast from the event daily so those who cannot be there can still ‘participate’ and stand a chance to win Ford exclusive merchandise. The broadcast is on Facebook Live on Ford Malaysia’s Facebook page.

The public can also participate in the #FORDeverysecondcount social challenge to win Ford exclusive merchandise. This challenge aims to inspire people by asking them to make a montage of 1-second footages expressing the type of life they want to live from now on as we progress towards normalcy, and to include the #FORDeverysecondcount and #fordmalaysia hashtags.

Special offers
Normally, special offers are only available to those who visit events, but authorised Ford dealerships nationwide will also be giving the same offers as the roadshow during the 5-day period. Customers who buy the Ranger WildTrak Sport during this period stand a chance to win with a local Getaway package.

To know more about the Ranger WildTrak Sport and other versions available, WhatsApp Chat a Ford Ranger Specialist or visit www.sdacford.com.my.

‘Live The Ranger Life’ celebrates Ford’s pick-up truck evolution into the modern lifestyle machine that it is today

First models of revived Ralliart brand debut at Thailand International Motor Expo

As mentioned in May, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) is reviving Ralliart, the motorsport brand of the company. No details were given as to what the scope of the revival would be but an image of a Triton with Ralliart treatment was shown in a presentation on the carmaker’s FY2020 financial results that were made public.

At the 38th Thailand International Motor Expo in Bangkok this week, the first models of the revived Ralliart brand will be unveiled. These are the Triton Ralliart and the Pajero Sport Ralliart as special editions, based on the popular pick-up and SUV models made at the factory in Thailand.

No performance upgrades yet
For now, it appears that the special editions do not have any performance upgrades and are essentially differentiated from the standard models by Ralliart-themed cosmetics reminiscent of the historic cars in rallies.

Both models feature iconic side decals with red, silver and black stripes, and mud flaps with the Ralliart logo. The front grille and alloy wheels are painted black to differentiate from the standard trim. As for the interior, the floormats have the Ralliart logo and red-accent overlocks are specially fitted.

Exclusive accessories
The Triton Ralliart is based on the low-rider variant of the Triton Club Cab (Mega Cab) and Double Cab. For these two models, in addition to the common cosmetic features are front bumper garnish with a red accent and bedliner with the Ralliart logo. In addition, the two-tone model features black door mirrors, black door handles, black rear gate handle and black rear bumper.

The Pajero Sport Ralliart has front and rear under garnish with red accents and the Ralliart logo. Exclusive to the two-tone colour model are black fender arch moldings, black roof rails, black shark fin antenna and black tailgate spoiler. Two exterior colour options are available – a two-tone exterior with a White Diamond body and a black roof, and Jet Black Mica.

“We are truly honoured to bring back the Ralliart brand products to the fans of Mitsubishi Motors and Ralliart,” said Takao Kato, president and chief executive officer, MMC. “Starting from these Ralliart special editions in Thailand, we are planning to introduce more of the attractive items sequentially. We are also considering some exciting activities in the near future, so that the fans can feel and enjoy our Ralliart spirit. Please stay tuned with our revived Ralliart… there is more to come!”

The Ralliart special editions will be available from Mitsubishi Motors’ dealerships in Thailand but no word on whether other markets will get them. Quite likely, distributors in other countries like Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia may offer Ralliart accessories first and then progress to fully-equipped models at a later stage.

To know more about the Triton and to test-drive one, visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my for the location of an authorised dealer in Malaysia.

Mitsubishi Motors to revive Ralliart

Black theme for special edition of Honda CR-V

Black, the bold and stealthy colour, is now available for the Honda CR-V in its new Black Edition. Available only with the CR-V 1.5 TC-P 2WD with a Crystal Black Pearl finish, the Black Edition is priced at RM161,913.99 (without insurance and without sales tax till the end of 2021). As the name indicates, black is the theme and is used in many areas such as the front grille (flanked by LED headlights), front and rear bumper garnish, and also the 18-inch alloy wheels which are finished in piano black.

Black theme inside and outside
The black theme is also used within the SUV, and the same glossy black colour is applied to the steering wheel, 7-inch Interactive TFT meter and air-conditioning garnish. For the centre console, dashboard and door trim, a black wood garnish is installed while the headlining is accented with black finishing. Naturally, the black seats also have embroidery to identify this special edition.

Turbocharged VTEC engine
The technical specifications are similar to the standard CR-V with a 1.5-litre VTEC 4-cylinder engine with a CVT. Though it seems small, with Honda Earth Dreams Technology and turbocharging, the engine can produce up to 193 ps, with the maximum of 243 Nm of torque available from 2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm. That sort of output is even greater than bigger engines and the advantage, besides saving weight, is that fuel consumption can be up to 14.3 kms per litre, it is claimed. With a full fuel tank of 57 litres, that can mean a range of at least 800 kms.

Convenience features
Convenience features include keyless entry, pushbutton starting, and even Remote Engine Start that allows the owner to start the engine from outside the car. This can allow the air-conditioning to be switched on to cool the interior on a hot day.

Another very useful feature which was only available in much more expensive models before is the Hands-Free Power Tailgate. No longer is there a need to even press a button as the tailgate will open on its own by placing a foot under the rear bumper which has a sensor. It’s great when both your hands are full with grocery bags.

Full Honda SENSING suite
The current CR-V was the first model in Malaysia to have HONDA SENSING, a suite of active safety systems which assist the driver. The Honda SENSING system in the latest CR-V has been enhanced to 8 systems, in addition to other standard active and passive safety features.

*The current CR-V, introduced in 2017, was the first model to introduce Honda SENSING in Malaysia*

There’s also Honda LaneWatch, an innovative blind-spot monitoring system that uses a camera (on the left door mirror) instead of sensors on the body. The camera captures a real-time image of the area along the left side of the car and shows it on the display screen on the dashboard so the driver is aware of any other vehicle very nearby.

To date, over 43,000 units of the current generation have been sold in Malaysia, while more than 108,000 units have been sold since the model was introduced in 2003 as the first locally-assembled model by Honda Malaysia.

*The second generation of the CR-V was the first model assembled by Honda Malaysia at its own factory in Melaka in 2003.*

Dominant in non-national SUV segment
“The CR-V continues to exceed our expectations with encouraging sales and is dominating the Non-National SUV segment with 24% of market share, as of August 2021. The popularity of the CR-V attests to the model’s attractive design, elegant interior and exceptional driving performance. In view of the good market acceptance, we are introducing the CR-V Black Edition to provide more options for our customers who prefer an SUV with a full package of spaciousness, comfort, safety, performance and next-level aesthetic,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Madoka Chujo.

For more information on the CR-V Black Edition or to locate a showroom to view and experience Honda models in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.

Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

Special Edition of Honda HR-V available, priced at RM105,363.85

Honda Malaysia today announced the availability of a limited number of Honda HR-V Special Edition models with enhanced safety features. The limited edition SE version comes with Blind Spot Detection (BSD) to detect and alert the driver of vehicles or motorcyclists coming up in the blind spot behind and along the sides.

While Honda has installed the camera-based LaneWatch blindspot system in many models, the BSD for the HR-V SE is a simpler system using proximity sensors in the bodywork. When another vehicle is detected, the driver will be alerted so that he or she will not make a turn or change lanes and cause an accident.

Other active safety features
Additional safety features using the same sensors in the bodywork include Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) which monitors the traffic situation on either side as the vehicle is reversing out of a parking bay. This is especially useful as the driver often cannot see the road on either side because the view is blocked by other vehicles. RCTA sends out signals on both sides from the bumper sensors and if a vehicle is approaching, the driver will receive a warning and can then stop the vehicle’s movement.

The sensors that are used for BSD are also used for the Door Opening Warning system, a feature that has appeared in recent years. It may not be a very common accident but people still do open doors without checking behind and can cause an accident. If the sensors pick up an approaching object – like a cyclist – the occupant will be warned just before opening the door.

There is also Lane Change Assist (LCA) which will make it safer for the driver when intending to move into another lane. This should not be mistaken for the Lane Keeping Assist which is one of the technologies in the Honda SENSING driver assistance suite. From what we can gather, LCA is an extension of BSD and helps the driver change lanes when it is safe to do so.

Extra equipment
Apart from the enhancements in safety, the HR-V SE doesn’t have any other technical differences from the 1.8-litre versions. However, a Digital Video Recorder (more commonly referred to as a dashcam), boot tray and boot organiser are included in the HR-V SE. The price of RM105,363.95 excludes insurance and sales tax (until the end of 2021) and includes a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as free labour services (terms and conditions apply).

Visit www.honda.com.my or any authorised Honda showroom in Malaysia for more information.

Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

Mercedes-Maybach creates limited edition to celebrate 100th anniversary of Maybach W3

Back in the late 1990s, Rolls-Royce and Bentley were up for sale and BMW eventually acquired the former while the Volkswagen Group got the latter. As Daimler-Benz did not have anything beyond the Mercedes-Benz S-Class that could be on par with those two ultra luxury British brands’ limousines, it decided to revive a brand it had acquired in 1960 – Maybach. This was a historically significant brand which produced elegant and desirable cars between 1921 and 1940.

In 2002, the carmaker launched the standalone Maybach brand with two very expensive models, designed with the same sort of superlative luxury that would rival the best in the world. There were great plans to have a strong presence at the summit of the car market but only 3,000 were ever sold in 9 years – when the target was 1,000 units each year. The old brand name made no impact either, and the pricetag was considered just too high. By 2013, the Maybach brand was once again retired.

Ultra-luxurious sub-brand
However, Mercedes-Benz did not stop trying to have an offering to rival Rolls-Royce and Bentley and it instead decided to develop an ultra luxurious version of the S-Class, and giving it exclusivity by being branded as Mercedes-Maybach. Since 2018, there have been two models – Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC Sedan and the S 650 Sedan.

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the first mass-produced car which Maybach Motorenbau GmbH presented at a motorshow in Berlin. It was the W 3 model and was the first German production car with brakes on 4 wheels, an epicyclic gear system and an interior with the finest materials.

Only 200 units of Edition 100
To commemorate that historic model’s 100^th anniversary, Mercedes-Maybach has come up with the ‘Edition 100’. This is a special edition of the current S-Class and GLS models, each limited to 100 units. Both models have the impressive radiator grille bearing the brand emblem. They are hand-painted in the same two tones – high-tech silver/nautical blue – and feature a special design of leather interior in designo crystal white/silver grey pearl.

The brand logo including the inscription ‘Edition 100’ adorns the C-pillar (S-Class) or D-pillar (GLS), various stowage compartments and the illuminated panels in the interior. The same lettering also adorns the hub caps on the forged wheels of the GLS and the grey wheels of the S-Class.

A car cover with the iconic double M as well as a fine handmade case made of soft crystal white or black leather in file size – made to store keys and papers – further underline the exclusivity of the edition.

Limited editions of lifestyle accessories
In keeping with the anniversary edition, Mercedes-Maybach’s long-standing partners are also designing strictly limited special series: Licensing partner Maybach Icons of Luxury, for example, offers a diamond-studded fountain pen from the Maybach the Peak collection; while the silver and yacht manufacturer Robbe & Berking offers a champagne flute with a specially created engraving.

The top-class GLS SUV combines a sporty appearance with the luxury of a saloon. It is 33 cm higher than the classic saloon and offers a generous interior with 1.10 metres of legroom. Electrically extendable running boards make getting in and out easy, while the interior is soundproofed and upholstered with the finest leather. The engine is a V8 with 557 bhp output, and air suspension ensures a very smooth ride.

The S-Class luxury saloon comes with a V12 engine that produces 612 bhp. It is intended as a chauffeur-driven saloon and much of the focus is therefore given to the noise-insulated first-class rear compartment. Compared to the long-wheelbase version of the S-Class, this model has an 18-cm longer wheelbase and is equipped with all-wheel drive for the first time.

Besides an extensive range of personalisation options for the cars, owners can also have matching lifestyle accessories such as exclusive travel bags, leather goods, clothing, home and eyewear. Sustainably selected materials are used, such as natural horn, precious woods, titanium, cashmere or leather types that meet the highest environmental standards. The artfully staged understatement of the products conveys the fascination of the brand and fulfils the desire for personal expression.

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