SISMA Auto, Volvo Car Malaysia’s newest dealer, has announced that its Volvo Authorised Service Centre at Glenmarie, Shah Alam, has officially commenced operations. SISMA Auto’s Glenmarie service centre is designed to offer the unique Volvo Retail Experience to customers, with a calming and welcoming environment featuring clean lines synonymous with Scandinavian design.
As a Volvo Authorised Service Centre, SISMA Auto is equipped with all the latest Volvo Diagnostic Equipment, special tools and sells only official Volvo parts. It is staffed with trained Volvo Service Advisors and Technicians to ensure that every Volvo receives only the best service and all issues are promptly and expertly resolved.
SISMA Auto Managing Director, Syed Khalil Syed Ibrahim said that with the full-fledged Volvo Authorised Service Centre now operational, the company has expanded its signature service proposition to offer unprecedented convenience to all Volvo owners.
Volvo owners can choose from the following options:
Drop their cars at SISMA Auto Bukit Bintang showroom in Menara Worldwide;
Come in person to the newly completed SISMA Auto Volvo Glenmarie Service Centre; or
Use SISMA Auto’s Signature Concierge Service for home or office pick-up.
To celebrate the occasion and the upcoming Chinese New Year, the new SISMA Auto Volvo Authorised Service Centre is offering a complimentary 20-point inspection and 10% off on any recommended parts from now until Chinese New Year (by appointment only).
Volvo owners can call 03-5569 8311 or email to amzry@sismaauto.com for their service inspection appointments.
Those who purchase any new or pre-owned Volvo model from SISMA Auto or send their Volvos for service or repair at the company’s service centre stand a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Sweden.
It’s here! Volvo Car Malaysia has finally unveiled the long-awaited successor to its Premium Mid-Sized SUV with the introduction of the new Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine, fully imported from Sweden.
(L-R) Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, Ziran Zhang, Chief Designer of Volvo Cars China, and Akhtar Sulaiman, Network & Product Director of Volvo Car Malaysia with the new Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus, fully-imported from Sweden. Local assembly of the new XC60 has begun and will make its debut within the second-quarter of this year…
The new model will replace the original XC60 which has sold nearly a million units globally and represents 30 per cent of Volvo’s total global sales. Here’s the official launch earlier today…
“We have a strong heritage in crafting stylish and dynamic SUVs that feature the latest in technology – the new XC60 will be no exception,” said Lennart Stegland, Managing Director, Volvo Car Malaysia (below).
Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, the new XC60 will maintain the beautiful proportions of its larger sibling but with a more expressive design on both the exterior and interior.
“The exterior has an athletic sculpture with a subtle, timeless quality. The interior is a masterful composition of well-resolved architecture and beautiful materials, all perfectly blended together,” added Stegland.
Want to see it in action? Check this out!
More on the new Volvo XC60…
Scoring a near perfect score of 98 per cent in the Adult Occupant category and 95 per cent in the Large Off-Road vehicle class, the new XC60 has been awarded Best Overall Performance by the prestigious Euro NCAP 2017.
This score was possible thanks to the new XC60’s ability to benefit and improve on the safety technologies of Volvo’s 90s Range – the first range of cars built on the SPA platform. Volvo calls its safety technologies which includes its driver support and active safety systems, IntelliSafe.
“Volvo has a vision that by the year 2020, no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car – this recent award underlines our leadership in safety technologies and makes the new XC60 one of the safest cars that we have ever made,” said Stegland.
IntelliSafe, which comes standard in the new XC60, will include the usual staple of active, preventive and protective safety systems such as City Safety (Autonomous Emergency Braking), BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), and Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation, just to name a few.
Both City Safety and BLIS now features Steer Assist, a system that provides automatic steering assistance that will – when required – avoid potential collisions. City Safety detects and helps avoid collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals.
Oncoming Lane Mitigation is a new system included in the new XC60; it helps drivers avoid collisions with vehicles in an oncoming lane by alerting, and if necessary, provide automatic steering assistance to guide the car out of the path of the oncoming vehicle.
Another defining feature included in the new XC60 is Volvo’s Pilot Assist – an advanced semi-autonomous driver assistance system which takes care of steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130 km/h, will also be available in the new XC60.
Here’s a quick 360-deg walk-around video, plus a look at the inside…
In terms of performance, the T8 Twin Engine, combines a turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine with an electric motor that independently drives the rear axle to produce an impressive combined output of 407 hp (320 hp internal combustion engine + 87 hp electric motor) and 640 Nm (400 Nm internal combustion engine + 240 Nm electric motor) of torque.
But it’s really quiet in Electric mode, have a look & listen…
The performance figures translates to a century sprint of only 5.3 seconds and a very efficient 2.1 litres of fuel consumed for every 100 km travelled and a pure electric range of 45 km (NEDC Hybrid Combined Cycle) from a 10.4 kWh hybrid battery which is centrally located in the tunnel of the car.
The XC60 T8 Twin Engine will be offered in the Inscription and Inscription Plus trim level, with the latter being equipped with the industry-leading sound system, Premium Sound by Bowers & Wilkins; a 15-speaker sound system that supplies an astonishing 1,100 watts through a 10-channel Class-D amplifier.
The fully-imported (CBU), new XC60 T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus is priced at RM373,888 (on-the-road without insurance, including all applicable taxes) to complement the locally assembled range for the new XC60 that will be introduced at a later date.
The locally-assembled (CKD) XC60 will be offered in two engine variants, namely, the T8 Twin Engine and T5. The T8 Twin Engine will be offered in two trim levels – Inscription and Inscription Plus; while the T5 will be offered in a single trim level.
Here’s the breakdown of the pricing for the locally-assembled XC60 (on-the-road without insurance, including all applicable taxes):
XC60 T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus: RM343,888
XC60 T8 Twin Engine Inscription: RM333,888
XC60 T5: RM298,888
Customers are free to choose from five exterior colour options which includes Ice White, Bright Silver, Osmium Grey, Onyx Black and Maple Brown. In response to customer demands, Volvo Car Malaysia has also added a second leather upholstery colour for the locally assembled variant – Maroon Brown – which will complement the usual Charcoal.
Full specifications and features of the locally-assembled XC60 variants will be revealed in the months ahead but interested customers may already place their bookings for their preferred variant, starting today, at all authorised Volvo dealers.
Before we go, do take a look at this amazing Volvo promo video called “Moments”… much feels. – Chris Wee.
Till we get our hands on the review unit, we’ll say goodbye for now…
Here it is! The new Volvo XC60 has arrived in Malaysia! Priced at RM343,888 for the XC60 T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus, and RM333,888 for the T8 Inscription and RM298,888 for the T5.
Powered by Twin Engine technology, the T8 combines a turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 407bhp and a whopping 640Nm of torque. Do stay tuned for more to come!
Volvo’s mid-range SUV, the XC60 has been named 2018 Utility of the Year by the Detroit Free Press, Detroit’s largest daily newspaper. Built using the Scalable Product Architecture platform, the 2018 model year is new from the ground up, combining Swedish elegence and precise craftmanship. The vehicle was given the accolade because of what it brings to the table.
Like it’s bigger brother, the middle child of Volvo’s SUV family features striking good looks that is topped off by the signature ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlights. This complements the slew of safety features very well. The XC60 is able to monitor it’s blind spots and take control of the steering if it detects an impending collision.
Besides this, it’s various front and rear sensors help prevent head-on collisions and other fender benders, acting as the driver’s third eye. Then there’s also the semi-autonomous safety system that is able to steer and keep the XC60 at a constant speed provided that the road lane markings are clearly visible.
“The XC60’s value, design and advanced safety features set it apart from other utility vehicles,” Detroit Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan said. “It sets a high standard for other SUVs.”
The Volvo XC60 is offered with a number of powertrains including the award winning T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid at the top of the powertrain range delivering 400bhp. Expect the automaker to chalk up a number of other awards in the coming months as more publications get their hands on this sophisticated machine.
Volvo is one of the pioneers of autonomous cars, this news isn’t new. What is however, is the fact that the Swedish automaker will be developing its fleet of self driving vehicles with the help of regular civilians. Select Swedish families will be responsible for testing these cars on the public roads of Gothenburg and feedback their impressions to Volvo Cars engineers.
The first two families of this pilot programme are the Hains and Simonovskis. They will be tasked with driving their respective XC90 SUV on daily commutes to help the automaker iron out some of the creases with its systems. Called the Drive Me project, data collected here will allow engineers to monitor and study the acquired data from these vehicles.
Drive Me will involve real customers who will be responsible for testing various stages of Volvo’s autonomous system from driver-assisted to fully autonomous. During the initial stages, drivers will need to keep their hands on the steering wheel while the vehicles are in motion. Later on, they will be exposed to more advanced autonomous functions after attending special training sessions.
“Drive Me is an important research project for Volvo Cars,” said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President for the company’s R&D department. “We expect to learn a lot from engaging these families and will use their experiences to shape the development of our autonomous driving technology, so that by 2021 we can offer our customers a fully autonomous car.”
These XC90 vehicles have been fitted with Volvo’s latest driver-assistance technology, as well as an array of cameras and sensors. The initial stages of the programme will take place in a controlled environment under the supervision of a Volvo Cars safety expert. Once the Hains and Simonovskis get the hang of things, they will be allowed to use these vehicles as their daily drivers.
Volvo plans on launching its first fully autonomous car for the general public by 2021. And the data acquired through Drive Me, will play a vital role for the automaker as it prepares its technology for mass production.
Polestar Cyan Racing has clinched both the drivers’ and constructors’ championship titles of the 2017 FIA World Touring Car Championship. The team finished the season finale in spectacular fashion, making a clean sweep this year.
“To become the first ever Swedish racing World Champion is something I have dreamt about since I started racing! I can’t put words to my feelings right now but this is by far the greatest moment of my racing career,” said Thed Björk.
He then added, “The season final went according to our plans and a massive thank you to everyone in the team, they are as much World Champions as I am!”
Race 1 of the Qatar event was won by Tom Chilton in his Citroen C-Elysee, followed by Medhi Bennani and Kevin Gleason. Race 2 on the other hand, was won by Esteban Guerrieri with Rob Huff finishing second and Nicky Catsburg in third.
Björk may not have managed a podium finished in either of the two races, but his 5th place finish in the first and 4th place finish in the second race, put him 28.5 points ahead of nearest rival Norbert Michelisz, and effectively the champion of 2017.
Polestar Cyan Racing managed to edge out Honda by the same margin to be awarded the Constructors’ crown for this year. The feat seems surreal for the team because a plan had been put in place to clinch said titles in 5 years, but it accomplished it in just two short years.
The team functions as Volvo’s official factory auto racing team, based in Gothenburg, Sweden. It operates as a separate entity and is lead by team principle, Christian Dahl. Volvo’s acquisition of the Polestar Performance and the Polestar brand in 2015, didn’t include the racing team.
Volvo’s latest technology innovations have not gone unnoticed. Through them, the automaker was named Car Technology Brand of the Year for the second year running. The Volvo XC60 was awarded Best Safety Technology for its Steering Support system, Best Navigation, and Best Safest Car due to its exceptional Euro NCAP safety rating.
The Car Tech Awards honours manufactures with the best in-car technology launched over the year. The Winner of each category is chosen by a jury of experts from buyer’s guide Carbuyer and technology website Alphr. It should come as no surprise that cars like the XC60 are lavished with such praise when safety is the criteria.
It is fitted with Volvo’s Steering Support technology that automatically provides steering assistance to drivers during an emergency to help avoid a potential collision. Working in tandem with its city stop function, the car will be able to decrease the risk of avoidable collisions or accidents significantly.
Speaking of the award, Stuart Milne, Editor of Carbuyer, said, “Volvo’s success in the Car Tech Awards is remarkable. The company scooped Car Technology Brand of the Year for the second year in succession.”
“Our judges were impressed by the way Volvo refuses to rest on its laurels, developing a series of products and philosophies that build on its Vision 2020, that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020,” he added.
Volvo’s XC60 almost scored full marks in its Euro NCAP crash test results. It received a 98% rating adult occupant protection and 95% for its safety assistance features. Adding to that, its intuitive and easy to use navigation system as well as a number of other features have made it the complete package.
Malaysia’s newly appointed authorised dealer for Volvo Car Malaysia that is SISMA Auto has just launched the all-new showroom located at Menara Worldwide on Jalan Bukit Bintang. The brand new city centre showroom is strategically placed just a stone’s throw away from the Pavillion shopping centre.
Offering the best of what Swedish motoring has to offer, the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s premier and residential district has been ‘blessed’ with the finest Swedish luxury and Scandinavian appeal dubbed the “Volvo Retail Experience” or VRE for short.
According to Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, Lennart Stegland, “VRE is designed to reflect our Scandinavian-inspired values of calm with clean lines that exude a cool and refreshing visual exterior appeal whilst the interior offers customers a warm and inviting feeling.”
In addition to the new showroom that’ll help to boost the brand’s presence in the country with their wide range of luxury vehicles, SISMA Auto Managing Director, Syed Khalid Syed Ibrahim also added “We are very proud to be associated with Volvo, a brand that is clearly on the ascent after releasing an amazing range of new models.”
He then added, “The range that include the XC90 to the new S90 T8 Twin Engine. With this new showroom, we hope to bring the Volvo experience closer to those who live or work in the city.”
To add yet another premium touch to the Volvo ownership experience, the showroom also features SISMA Auto’s Concierge Service. As one of SISMA Auto’s key signature, this service offers great ease for customers with its home or office vehicle pick-up and drop-off.
In conjunction with the new Volvo showroom launch, customers will stand a chance to win a premium all-expense paid for two to Sweden when they purchase any new Volvo from SISMA Auto.
To know more about the new SISMA Auto Volvo showroom, head on over to the ground floor of Menara Worldwide which is located at 198, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100, Kuala Lumpur. Operation hours are from 9am to 7pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on weekends.
Production of the first ever Volvo compact SUV, the XC40, has just started in Belgium. The newest addition to the Swedish automaker’s line-up is being assembled at its Ghent plant. It’s one of two manufacturing sites that the automaker has in Europe and it has been operational since 1965.
Extensive retooling and modifications were conducted to accomdate the production of the XC40. In fact, a total of 363 robots have been installed including one that is nicknamed ‘The Beast’. This machine, is used to lift lower car bodies to a conveyor belt close to the ceiling of the plant.
“This is a proud day for Ghent, the company and all our employees here,” said Mr Samuelsson. “Our people have put in long days and many hours to prepare the plant for the start of XC40 production and they have done a great job. The XC40 represents a bright future for Ghent and for Volvo Cars.”
The modifications have also turned the facility into a global export hub for CMA-based cars, including an 8,000 square metre addition to the body shop. It will complement the other manufacturing site located in Volvo’s home country. The company also operates two vehicle manufacturing plants in China, while a US plant is still under construction.
The XC40 will join the rest of the family including the XC60 and XC90 on the production line at Gent, where they will probably need to ramp up production to fulfill the more than 13,000 bookings. Unlike its bigger siblings, the Xc40 is built on the CMA platform or Compact Modular Architecture. CMA will be used to underpin all future 40 series vehicles, moving forward.
It was joinly developed with Volvo’s parent company, Geely for necessary synergies and economies of scale for the small premium car segment. This type of technology, which is employed by other automakers as well, reduces the amount of time needed for a vehicle to go from, inception to production.
Volvo has signed a framework agreement with Uber, which will see the ride-sharing company purchase several thousand vehicles between 2019 and 2021. This non-exclusive agreement will enhance the strategic partnership that was announced between the two parties back in August 2016.
These vehicles will be based on Volvo’s fully modular platform that it calls Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). It serves as a base for current and future vehicles from the Swedish automaker. Currently, it underpins cars the like the S90 series and the new XC60 SUV.
Since its scalable, SPA can be used to develop a variety of different Volvos from a compact hatchback to a full-blown SUV. Volvo claims that it is one of the most advanced car architectures in the world, but Volkswagen employ a similar strategy with its own modular platform.
Volvo’s engineers are working closely with those from Uber to jointly develop the XC90 to serve in the ride-sharing service’s car fleet. These base vehicles will be fitted with the necessary safety, redundancy and autonomous-driving technologies that will enable Uber to offer its customers a fully autonomous ride sharing service.
“The automotive industry is being disrupted by technology, and Volvo Cars chooses to be an active part of that disruption,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “Our aim is to be the supplier of choice for AD ride-sharing service providers globally. Today’s agreement with Uber is a primary example of that strategic direction.”
Despite this, Volvo isn’t handing over the ‘keys to the kingdom’ to Uber, instead it will be developing its own independent autonomous-car strategy. This will be parallel and unrelated to that of Uber’s, with solid plans of introducing Volvo’s first fully autonomous car in 2021.
