Polestar is updating its 5-door electric performance fastback, the Polestar 2, with major changes for the 2024 model year. Orders for the car, priced from 50,190 euros (about RM234,000) in Germany, are now being accepted online in certain with first deliveries to start during the fourth quarter.
The major update for the compact EV is not only confined to cosmetic changes but there are also substantial performance increases with all-new electric motors, even more powerful batteries, sustainability improvements and, for the first time in a Polestar, rear-wheel drive.
In the first 6 months of this year, 1,595 units of Aston Martin’s first SUV and first 5-seater were delivered to customers worldwide, joining the 1,516 units in 2020. That’s not a huge number by global industry standards so it is pretty exclusive (it should be for around RM1 million each) even if you get one in ‘standard’ form. But in that stratospheric segment, most customers want more exclusivity and personalisation, so the carmakers have special divisions to cater to such needs.
For those who prefer not to use the services of the carmaker, there are also companies that specialise in personalisation of any motor vehicle – in appearance, in fittings and even in upgrading performance. In recent years, such companies have given attention to SUVs, which even the luxury brands could not ignore.
MANSORY’s complete conversion package gives a more aggressive look to the standard DBX (below) while still maintaing the recognisable form.
One of them is MANSORY, the 32-year old car modification firm based in Germany. MANSORY has already done a number of luxury SUVs and now with Aston Martin’s DBX also in the market, it offers a more exclusive model for those who must be different.
The company has developed a complete conversion for the SUV which includes upgrading of the engine by the Performance Department. The V8 twin-turbo engine of the DBX has its engine management system replaced and new and larger turbochargers are also installed. For better efficiency, a sports air filter and high-performance sports exhaust system are also installed.
The exhaust system is offered in two versions for customers to choose. They differ recognisably in the positioning of the tailpipes; either located in the area of the standard rear apron opening, or terminating as closely spaced double pipes in the middle of the carbonfibre rear apron.
After this engine conversion, the output rises to 800 ps from the standard 550 ps while torque hits 1,000 Nm, about 43% more than standard. This improves performance to a maximum speed of 325 km/h and 0 to 100 km/in a short 3.8 seconds (according to MANSORY’S tests).
The high-speed performance is helped by the refined aerodynamics of the vehicle. This results in an impressive wide-body styling in combination with optimised aerodynamics with increased downforce for significantly improved cornering performance at higher speeds. For this purpose, the front of the DBX is redesigned with a completely new apron including an integrated front lip made of carbonfibre. The ultra-light and painted carbonfibre bonnet with additional cooling air outlets (visible carbon) revises the front section.
On the flanks, MANSORY-designed extensions continue the design language and make the DBX look significantly more powerful, but also lower and more elongated. To increase the downforce on the rear axle, the engineers developed a special spoiler for mounting on the tailgate and a matching roof spoiler – both of which take up the design language of the standard tear-off edge of the tailgate and are also made entirely of carbonfibre.
In addition, a new rear apron with diffuser skilfully sets off the striking tailpipes of the sports exhaust system. Numerous carbonfibre components such as trim strips, mirror housings and air intake trims add further striking highlights, some of which are further accentuated with accents in the special Limegreen colour.
The DBX also features a new wheel design called ‘DX.5’ in 24×10 inch (front) and 24×12.5 inch (rear) dimensions with matching 295/30R24 and 355/25R24 tyre sizes. The rim design optimises ventilation of the brake system on the one hand and emphasises the car’s dynamic appearance.
These not only fill out the front and rear wheel arches coherently, but also combine both sportiness and technical elegance in the best possible way. The colour scheme of the rims was chosen to match the overall colour concept of the car – black and Limegreen.
The interior – matching the exterior design – is kept entirely in black. The Limegreen colour used to accentuate details on the exterior is also found in many places in the interior. The edging of the floor mats, the seats, the centre console, the decorative stitching on the dashboard and the sports steering wheel are all finished in this colour. Individually embroidered floor mats, the use of fine visible carbonfibre and the covering of almost all surfaces with the finest leather add further highlights to the handcrafted interior.
The Perodua Myvi, Malaysia’s bestselling car, has received an upgrade with cosmetic changes, enhanced intelligent safety features, improved fuel economy, and a new colour as well. The prices will range from RM45,700 to RM58,800 (Peninsular Malaysia, without insurance) Sales tax will not be charged until June 30, 2022.
The variants available will be the 1.5 litre AV (Advance Variant), 1.5 litre H, a 1.5 litre X as well as two 1.3 litre G variants. All variants will now only be available with automatic transmission (probably CVT) as Perodua has discontinued the manual transmission from its line-up. This is probably due to demand for manual variants having diminished to the point that it is no longer commercially viable to assemble them as the volume is too small.
Though all Peroduas are pretty economical to run, being able to go further would be welcome by anyone, especially in these difficult times. The engineers at Perodua have been able to squeeze an extra kilometre per litre (based on tests with the 1.3-litre engine) to improve fuel consumption to 22.2 kms per litre from 21.1 kms/litre. Of course, how much you actually get will depend on driving style, traffic conditions, etc. But most people should be able to go at least 800 kms on a full tank.
The AV, H and X variants as well as one of the G variants will have the latest Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system, designed with the safety of the driver and pedestrian in mind. After testing the Myvi AV, ASEAN NCAP awarded the maximum rating of 5 stars.
As for the new colour, this is known as Cranberry Red, and it is only available for the Myvi AV. Other colour choices are Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Lava Red (not available for the AV), Granite Grey, and Electric Blue.
“These changes represent our efforts to meet our customers’ growing expectations while at the same time offer greater value by introducing the Next Standard for Malaysia’s most accepted model, the Perodua Myvi,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
Bookings are now accepted at all authorised Perodua outlets nationwide. For more information or to locate a showroom, visit www.perodua.com.my.
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To own a Rolls-Royce would be a dream for most people but for those who can make their dreams come true, personalisation of the car is now a very common thing. Rolls-Royce says that virtually every car they have sold in recent years has had some degree of personalisation provided by their Bespoke division.
Some owners may prefer to have the services of other companies and for this, they can contact SPOFEC, a unit in the NOVITEC Group which can refine the cars further. They can now offer their services for the latest Ghost, the sportiest interpretation of a Rolls-Royce sedan ever. In fact, SPOFEC works only on Rolls-Royce cars, which is how its name came about (SPirit OF ECstasy).
The company has developed a customization range for the car which gives the Ghost even greater driving dynamics and an even more extravagant appearance. For example, SPOFEC engine tuning raises the output of the twin-turbo 12-cylinder engine to 685 bhp (114 bhp more) and also bumps peak torque to 958 Nm. This cuts the sprint time from 0 – 100 km/h to 4.5 seconds although the top speed remains limited to 250 km/h.
To match the improved driving dynamics, SPOFEC gives the new Ghost an even more athletic design with carbonfibre bodywork components that feature sporty and elegant styling. SPOFEC forged wheels with a diameter of 22 inches developed in cooperation with US rim manufacturer Vossen fill out the wheel wells perfectly. With the SPOFEC suspension module, the ride height is lowered by about 40 mm.
A standard peak output of 571 bhp/850 Nm mean that there are quite a few reserves in the 6.75-litre engine of the Ghost. SPOFEC engine specialists have programme the plug-and-play N-TRONIC module for the electronic engine control unit which introduces new mapping for injection and ignition. There is also a moderate increase in the boost pressure.
SPOFEC optionally underscores these significantly improved dynamics with a more thrilling sound as well. To this end, the company developed a stainless sport exhaust with actively controlled exhaust flaps. It enables the driver to select either a decidedly discreet or a very powerful exhaust note from inside the cockpit by remote control.
For a sporty-elegant touch, the designers at SPOFEC developed tastefully styled and aerodynamically efficient bodywork components for both wheelbase variants of the Ghost. The components are produced from lightweight yet high-strength carbonfibre.
The SPOFEC-designed front fascia gives a fresh face with large air intakes making for a visually striking appearance. The front end also generates less front-axle lift at high speeds and thus further optimizes the directional stability. The new aerodynamic-enhancement component optionally also comes with LED position markers and perfectly transitions to the likewise new SPOFEC front fenders. These fenders feature a distinctive air outlet behind the wheel arch on either side.
The wheels have 9 pairs of twin-spokes extending all the way to the outer flange, characterizing the SPOFEC SP2 design. In sizes 9.5Jx22 at the front and 10.5Jx22 on the rear axle, they are fitted with tyres of sizes 265/35 ZR 22 and 295/30 ZR 22 and optimally fill out the available space under the wheel arches.
The SPOFEC CAN-Tronic suspension module is specifically calibrated to work with the 22-inch tyres. At speeds up to 140 km/h, the new programming of the Ghost’s air suspension lowers the vehicle by about 40 mm compared to the production car. At higher speeds, the vehicle body automatically reverts to the standard level.
