BMW X3 M Competition, X4 M Competition Arrive – 510hp, 600Nm, From RM887k

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Not content with just the flagship M8 and M8 GranCoupe, BMW Group Malaysia also introduced two more accessible variants to the M lineup in the form of the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition. These two machines are targeted more at customers who need a splash of practicality to go along with their driving thrills, as despite their raised ride heights and rooflines both the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition are geared at the sort of owners who actually go to the track. 

“For over two decades, the BMW X range has been unrivalled in the high-performance mid-size segments, having pioneered some of the most advanced four-wheel drive technology in the industry. Tonight, BMW Malaysia is thrilled to be introducing two additions not just to the BMW X fairy but also the high-performance lineup – the first-ever BMW X3 M Competition and BMW X4 M Competition.”

– Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia

The BMW X3 M Competition and BMW X4 M Competition further expands the BMW X portfolio of powerful Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) and Sports Activity Coupes (SAC) respectively. Both bring a whole new level of speed and performance to the segment, with their new BMW M TwinPower Turbo engines capable of 510hp.

In addition to power, the new high-powered SAV and SAC are also equipped with advanced driver assistance systems and intelligent in-car connectivity features. This includes the Driving Assistant Plus that offers optimal support during sporty driving.

The BMW X3 M Competition and BMW X4 M Competition both appear with the characteristically-M design elements, complemented by the sporty aesthetics of the BMW X. The powerful front section of the vehicles are made up of a distinctive front apron and a large, hexagonal air intake – built to ensure optimal ventilation for the front brakes under high thermal loads. The BMW M models also feature adaptive LED headlights with high-beam assistance, along with full-LED taillights as standard.

A long bonnet and wheelbase, steeply-raked windscreen, and slightly-rectangular wheel arches lend the new models an exceptionally sporty silhouette. The M Sport exhaust system – recognisable by its four black-chrome tailpipes, adds an unmistakable sound when going full-throttle and at high-revs. The new BMW M models also run on 21-inch bi-colour M light alloys equipped with Adaptive M suspension.

Black kidney grille surrounds, side gills and wing mirror caps are also standard to the models. Individually, the X3 M Competition features a slim rear diffuser in high-gloss black and an M-specific roof spoiler. The X4 M Competition on the other hand features a black spoiler at the rear.

Both the SAV and SAC feature a number of M-specific components for a more engaging driving experience, improving performance and handling dynamics. The strut brace up front improves stiffness when subjected to strong lateral acceleration. Complemented by adaptive dampers, stiffer stabilisers, an Active M Differential and M Compound Brakes, the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition are some of the sharpest driving tools out there both on the road and on the track.

Both cars are powered by the same 3.0-litre straight-6 twin-turbocharged petrol engine, producing an identical 510hp and 600Nm. Power goes to all-four wheels via an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox capable of lightning-fast gearchanges.

Both cars can hit 100km/h from rest in just 4.1-seconds too – do bear that in mind if you have kids in the back.

The interiors of the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition welcome passengers with an iconic M interior ambience that is both sporty and elegant. Front passengers are greeted with M-branded entry sills, as well as comfortable sports seats with active seat ventilation, lumbar support, and illuminated ‘M’ badging on the headrests. The M leather steering wheel reflects the “superior performance” of both these cars, with shift paddles, red M Drive buttons, and a red start/stop button. The sense of intensity are then complemented further by the redesigned M gear selector and three-level controls for the engine, damper, and steering responses.

Additionally, the new BMW M models include carbon fibre trim, contrast stitching in ‘M’ colours, M seatbelts, pedals, and kneepads. The digital instrument clusters in both cars are also unique to them, with M-specific layouts and formats that are designed to engage and excite.

As these two cars are still activity machines in nature, they’re still reasonably practical. The X3 M Competition offers about 550L with the seats up, but can be expanded up to 1600L with the seats down. On the swoopy-roofed sibling, standard luggage capacity measures in at 525L with a grand total of 1430L available with the rear seats down.

Speaking of the rear seats, the X3 M Competition offers backrest adjustment for the rear-seat passengers, as well as retractable sun-blinds for the rear side windows for added comfort.

Both cars offer a bevy of connectivity and convenience features, such as a colour heads-up display with M-specific displays, and Parking Assistant Plus with Surround View and Remote 3D Service. Infotainment is served up via a 10.25-inch Control Display that can be operated via a central iDrive controller, touch input, or Gesture control. They’re both also offered with ConnectedDrive services as standard, equipping Concierge Services, Teleservices, Remote Services, Intelligent Emergency Call, and Apple CarPlay as standard too. No Android Auto though, but music is played through a Harman Kardon audio system with a 600W amplifier, nine channels, and 16-speakers.

Intelligent assistance systems such as Driving Assistant Plus and Parking Assistant Plus are also bundled into both models, along with Comfort Access with an automatic tailgate. There’s also a wireless charger for smartphones somewhere in the cabin…

The X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition are both available in 6 exterior colours and, depending on the chosen finish, can be had in either black, orange (more like a light-tan), or grey Merino leather upholstery.  

The new BMW X3 M Competition and BMW X4 M Competition are available from all authorised BMW dealerships from RM886,551.58 for the former, and RM904,276.60 for the latter. Retail pricing is on-the-road without insurance, as well as a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty and free scheduled servicing. 

GALLERY: BMW X3 M COMPETITION & X4 M COMPETITION MAKE DEBUT AT M TOWN

GALLERY: 2020 BMW X3 M COMPETITION

GALLERY: 2020 BMW X4 M COMPETITION

BMW Unveils M8, M8 GranCoupe – 4.4-Litre V8, 600hp, 700Nm, From RM1.45mil

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BMW Group Malaysia decided to usher in the weekend with a bang with the arrival of no less than four new M cars in a bespoke setting they called ‘The Secret Garage at M Town,’ modelled after the secret garage in the M Division headquarters in Munich, Germany.

The flagship introductions of the night were the M8 Coupe and the M8 GranCoupe, the two- and four-door performance flagships of the BMW lineup. The former marks the first-ever ‘official’ M8, with only one prototype of a proposed ‘BMW M8’ in existence locked deep in the BMW M garage. The M8 GranCoupe arrives as an accompaniment for those who want the style, agility and performance, but need a couple of extra back seats as not to completely disregard the practicality demands of daily life. 

“At the BMW Group, M is the Most Powerful Letter in the World, as it represents the high-performance vehicles born out of pure passion for motorsports. This fascination for power, speed, and dynamics has put M on the map since 1972. Today, we are pleased to bring together superior aesthetics and unimaginable power via the first-ever BMW M8 Coupe and first-ever BMW M8 GranCoupe, right here in the Secret Garage and M Town.” — Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia

The arrival of the M8 marks a whole new level of performance, as it benefits from the most powerful engine developed by BMW M. The M8 Gran Coupe makes use of the same engine too: A 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8 producing no less than 600hp and 750Nm, with power going to all-four wheels via an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic paired to an M xDrive all-wheel drive system. The Coupe can dispatch the century sprint in just 3.3-seconds, while the GranCoupe is only a blink slower. 

Drivers of the M8 Coupe and M8 GranCoupe can choose between three different drive modes depending on the mood: There’s ‘Efficient,’ ‘Sport,’ and ‘Sport Plus’ to choose from, which are all pretty self-explanatory. Each mode changes the V8’s response to the pedal, and alters the sound of the flap-controlled exhaust system. There are also paddles behind the steering wheel too, to induce even more aural histrionics (or, you know, for greater control over the performance). 

The M xDrive system is worth mentioning too, because it’s no rudimentary all-wheel drive system. It splits torque between the axles depending on the driving conditions and chosen settings, but it is rear-biased by default. The 4WD Sport mode will channel more power toward the rear, while the 2WD mode keeps the power on the rear wheels alone. The 2WD mode can only be activated with the stability control off, to ensure maximum engagement for drivers intent on raising their blood pressure. 

Both cars also feature adaptive dampers and a double-wishbone front suspension, while the rear features a 5-point multilink setup. Both the Coupe and GranCoupe come with M Compound brakes with blue brake callipers, along with the M-exclusive integrated brake system (which bundles brake activation, brake boosting, and braking control all in one). 

Compared to the cooking BMW 850i M-Sport (which has the same 4.4-litre V8 by the way), the M8 and M8 GranCoupe feature unique flourishes like twin-spar door mirrors, a carbon-fibre roof, flared front wheel arches with M vents (with ‘M8’ on them), an M8 rear diffuser replete with a unique twin-twin exhaust pipes with chrome finishers. The car also rides on 20-inch twin-colour alloys with staggered widths. 

The interior of the M8 & M8 GranCoupe (we paraphrase but it’s described as the ‘confluence of luxury and performance’) comes with full Merino leather upholstery, M Sports seats with illuminated M8 logos in the headrests, replete with letter on the dashboard and door cards. There’s also a unique gear-lever and a red starter button (because it’s a performance car, obviously). You’ll also find the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system front and centre, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver, accompanied by a high-resolution 10.25-inch touchscreen display in the centre, as well as a full-colour heads-up display projected onto the windscreen. 

You’ll also find soft-closing doors on both M8s as well as an electric tailgate, while you can also get the car with a Digital Key if you have a supported smartphone from Samsung. 

The BMW M8 and M8 GranCoupe also offer quite a bit in the way of active safety: Both cars are equipped as standard with the BMW Personal CoPilot system which bundles in Driving Assistant Professional & Parking Assistant Plus, offering lane-keep assist, side-collision protection, lane-charge warning, cross-traffic alert, reversing assistant, and other little helpful features. 

The BMW M8 Coupe and BMW M8 GranCoupe are officially available in Malaysia priced from RM1,452,960 and RM1,455,145 respectively, both on-the-road without insurance and with an SST exemption (50% reduction, as these cars are both fully-imported). For the money you also get a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty, as well as free service throughout the same period. 

Befitting a flagship, the new M8 and M8 GranCoupe can be had in as many as 7-colours, while the BMW Individual suite of customisation options also remains open for engagement and a sense of individuality. 

If neither of these cars really tickle your fancy, owing to their nature as slinky-roofed style-focused machines, perhaps the BMW X3M Competition and X4M Competition might be more your speed. Launched on the same day, the two new compact M ‘Sports Activity Vehicles; may be more your speed. 

But be sure to check out @MsianMotoring for more updates as they come. 

GALLERY: BMW M8 COUPE & BMW M8 GRANCOUPE MAKE DEBUT AT M TOWN

GALLERY: 2020 BMW M8 COUPE

GALLERY: 2020 BMW M8 GRAN COUPE

2020 Range Rover Evoque – 2 Variants, 2 Power Outputs, From RM427k

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Sime Darby, the official distributor of Land Rover vehicles in Malaysia, has today launched the all-new 2nd-generation Range Rover Evoque to much fanfare, marking the reintroduction of the incredibly successful ‘baby-Rangie’ to the lineup. Since it was introduced internationally in late 2018, the new Range Rover Evoque has won much acclaim from critics and buyers across the globe, and it is set to continue that trend here.

“The Range Rover Evoque has been a fundamental driver in Jaguar Land Rover’s global success. Since it first rolled off the Halewood production line, we have exported 80 per cent of all we have made. Our commitment to UK production remains firm and the new Evoque benefits from a £1bn investment. With this, we are introducing new technology and Range Rover refinement into the luxury compact SUV segment that the original model created.”

– Dr. Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar-Land Rover

Sitting on an all-new platform, the new Range Rover Evoque carries on the aesthetics first seen by the Velar. As such the headlights & taillights, which are full-LEDs, are now slimmer & wider than before. They now also feature scrolling indicators like the Velar, though the headlights now have an adaptive beam technology that ensure that full-beam can be used more often without dazzling other road users. The doors also feature retractable door handles like the Velar, which now sit flush against the door panels until the car is unlocked or if they are ‘made’ to appear.

The Evoque’s new platform features a longer & wider wheelbase than before, and dimensions have grown noticeably. At 4371mm long, 1966mm wide, and 1649mm tall, the Evoque is now larger than the outgoing model in every measurable way, which means that interior space has benefitted massively. For starters, the boot now features 591L of cargo room with the rear seats up, expandable to 1,383L with the seats folded, all of which is accessible via the all-electric one-piece tailgate.

And when you step inside, you discover that the new Evoque has more room for passengers too, with rear seat occupants entitled to more leg- and head-room than the previous model could have even dreamed of.

But the real kicker is up front, where the old Evoque is left for dead by the new kid on the block. The highlight of the cabin is no doubt the screens – innovatively called TouchPro Duo, the system comprises of two glass-fronted 10-inch infotainment screens placed atop each other, with the upper half dedicated to media functions while the lower one handles HVAC controls, TerrainResponse 2 (standard on the new Evoque) and so on. These screens work in tandem with the 12.3-inch digital drivers display that sits ahead of the driver, which clearly & elegantly display all the necessary driving information.

There’s actually one more screen that we have to talk about: Dubbed ClearSight Rear View, the centre rear-view mirror can now be turned into a screen (standard on R-Dynamic only) which activates a camera mounted above the car allowing for totally clear, unobstructed views rearward with a 50-degree viewing angle. This effectively overcomes the rather compromised rear view from within the cabin (owing to the sloping roofline and narrow rear window) and means that even if your Evoque is full of people and stuff, you’ll still be able to see out.

That’s not all – ClearSight Ground View now offers a full 180-degree view of the road ahead, and even between the two front wheels, essentially ‘eliminating’ the blind-spot created by your bonnet. As such, Land Rover says that this will make navigating the Evoque through tight city streets, compact parking spaces, and rough off-road terrain that much easier (notice how they mentioned the off-roading part last?).

Regardless of on- or off-road, and irrespective of Evoque or Evoque R-Dynamic, power still comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged Ingenium engine paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Both cars feature a nifty little thing called Active Driveline Disconnect that de-couples the rear-wheels during day-to-day driving to improve fuel economy, but is able to re-engage them almost instantly should the car demand extra traction. Outputs differ though: The base Evoque puts out 200PS and 320Nm, while the Evoque R-Dynamic offers 249PS and 365Nm. As such, the R-Dynamic is able to hit the century mark in just 7.5-seconds, while the base Evoque does the same a second slower at 8.5-seconds.

The R-Dynamic does add a few more bits and bobs too. While the standard car features things like Lane Keep Assist and Driver Drowsiness Alert, the R-Dynamic adds a full gamut of active safety kit like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, full-speed Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. This at least goes some way to soften the blow of the pricing, given that the compact-sized Evoque is priced against much larger rivals like the BMW X5 xDrive45e and the Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Plus despite being the size of a BMW X3 or a Volvo XC60.

The Range Rover Evoque range starts at RM426,828 for the base model without SST, while the Range Rover Evoque R-Dynamic with its more comprehensive kit list and punchier engine goes for RM475,398 without SST. All new Evoques will be sold with a 5-year/150,000km warranty, a 5-year/65,000km free service package, as well as 3-years roadside assistance. The new Range Rover Evoque is available for viewing from today at Land Rover dealerships across the country.

For the best deals on a new Range Rover, check out our Facebook page where you can fill in your details and get the best deal & buying experience on a new Range Rover Evoque (or any car for that matter).

2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Lands – 3.0 I-6, 394PS, RM441k Without SST

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A year after its pure-combustion sibling made its debut, BMW Group Malaysia has finally unveiled the long-awaited X5 xDrive45e PHEV, which will take the place of the mightily-successful F15 predecessor model. Dubbed the G05, the new X5 PHEV has big shoes to fill – thankfully, it seems to be intent on doing so just fine.

Under the skin you’ll find a brand new chassis, upon which sits a brand new powertrain. Gone is the strained 2.0-litre 4-cylinder that was the bugbear of many owners (of both the X5 as well as the pre-LCI G01 7-Series PHEV), and in its place stands a beefier 3.0-litre straight-6 mill. Aside from providing the soundtrack that any self-respecting BMW owner should demand, it also puts out a more meaty 286PS and 450Nm, making it a pretty brawny thing alone even before you consider the added pep that the plug-in hybrid side of the powertrain offers.

The X5 xDrive45e also comes with an electric motor, sandwiched between the 3.0-litre petrol mill up front and the ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. That motor provides on its own an additional 113PS and 265Nm, though BMW claims the combined output looks like 394hp and 600Nm. Despite the sheer size of the G05, the plug-in hybrid X5 can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.6-seconds, before going on to a top speed of 235km/h.

The new G05 doesn’t just have performance stats to offer, but proper eco-friendly credentials too. Thanks to a new 24kWh battery, the G05 X5 can run zero-emissions for 77km on a full charge (according to BMW Malaysia). As a result, it is reasonable to assume that most Malaysian owners who keep their X5’s juiced-up will be able to complete most of their weekly runs on pure electric power alone, contributing to a low 2.5L/100km claimed fuel consumption figure. The only drawback to this is the charging times: Due to the enormity of the battery, the X5 xDrive45e requires 6.8-hours to charge from flat to full via a Type-2 3.7kW connector, but plugged into a standard 230V 3-point domestic plug it’ll take about 11-hours. Yikes.

Inside, the cockpit of the New BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport is stylishly fitted with Leather Vernasca upholstery for a touch of elegance. The interior also features M leather steering wheel, an electrically adjustable steering wheel, Sport front seats with memory function for the driver’s seat, four-zone automatic air conditioning and the instrument panel in Sensatec. Excellent music for driving is further boosted with the 464W 16-Speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.

The new SAV comes with a boot capacity that can be easily increased from 500 litres to 1,720 litres. The new SAV also comes with automatic tailgate operation with contactless opening and closing functions, along with a two-section tailgate for ease of loading. The top section can be opened electrically, while the bottom section is released manually.

The highlight of the new BMW X5 xDrive45e M-Sport is the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Gesture Control and Intelligent Personal Assistant. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional combines the 12.3-inch Fully Digital Instrument Display with an equally large touchscreen Control Display. Rear passengers will be able to enjoy the Rear Seat Entertainment Professional with a 10.2-inch touchscreen monitor. Wireless charging is also offered for added convenience on the road. Next-level driving assistance is offered via the BMW Personal CoPilot, which includes Lane Departure Warning and Lane Changing Warning. The system also features Frontal Collision Warning with braking intervention, Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Prevention, as well as speed limit info.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e does a very good job of lowering the local cost of entry into the X5 range – at RM440,745 it is significantly cheaper than its pure-combustion brother, which debuted in Malaysia at RM618,888. That said, the greener sibling will face very, very stiff competition from the beloved & respected Volvo XC90, which was recently refreshed to improve its overall packaging as well as its price, which tops out at RM409,888 for the fully-loaded T8 TwinEngine Inscription Plus variant.

All new BMW X5 xDrive45e’s will be available with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty, as well as a separate 8-year/160,000km warranty for the plug-in hybrid powertrain. Additionally, you get free scheduled services for the first 5-years of ownership too.

The 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e is available with the Balloon Financing Plan via BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, with monthly installments starting from RM5,028 (based on an 80% loan over a 5-year tenure). The new X5 PHEV will be available for viewing in showrooms beginning this Saturday, the 20th of June.

ED: It’ll be interesting to pit the German newcomer with the steady and unflinching Swede, don’t you think? Let us know in the comments below, or on our Facebook page. Maybe that will get BMW Malaysia’s attention…

6 SST-Free Bargains You Must Snap Up – Peroduas, Toyotas, BMWs, Volvos

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Buy a new car, save the economy. Who could argue with that?

Earlier today, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that as part of the PENJANA COVID-19 economic stimulus package, new car purchases are set to see between a 50% reduction and 100% reduction of their sales & service tax as a way to stimulate sales in the automotive segment. This announcement came as a welcome move by the automotive sector, who are now hoping that things really can go back to normal for them.

As sales tax has long been part & parcel of any new car, many Malaysians are unaware of just how much SST they pay for on a new car. For reference, all new cars are subject to 10% SST – therefore, the ‘discounts’ on a new car can be easily calculated at 10% for locally-assembled or CKD vehicles, while there’ll be a 5% retail price reduction for fully-imported cars.

To give you an idea of what that looks like, we’ve listed down 6 excellent cars from across the spectrum, beginning with everyone’s favourite Perodua Myvi, all the way up to the segment-leading & benchmark-setting Volvo XC90, as well as a reference in between of what a fully-imported purchase would feel like right about now too.

It’s worth noting of course that as SST is applied only to the nett selling price, the figures that we’re suggesting here are likely a bit hopeful – based on what we saw during the last ‘tax holiday,’ we should expect to see decreases between 3%-5% at the most off retail selling prices. But given the current situation, car companies would be remiss not to put their best deals forward to lure customers back into showrooms and into new cars, no?

PERODUA MYVI 1.5 AV – RM48,681 (RM5409 expected reduction)

The Perodua Myvi is a firm favourite for all Malaysians, with the B-segment hatchback racking up an average of 100,000 annual sales every year since its introduction nearly 13 years ago. With lots of space, punchy performance, and levels of safety & convenience kit that would put most of its competitors to shame, the Perodua Myvi is a tough car to beat, which is why it dominates the sub-RM100k segment almost entirely.

Watch our review of the Perodua Myvi here.

PERODUA ARUZ 1.5 AV – RM70,110 (RM7790 expected reduction)

The Perodua Aruz is another one of the Sg. Choh company’s runaway successes, though while the Myvi is famously known as the surprise hit, the Aruz was far more calculated. Dominating the sub-RM100k SUV space and taking the cake as Malaysia’s most popular SUV, the Aruz provides acres of space & practicality, and offers car-like usability & functionality despite the commanding ride height. And paired with traditional Perodua running costs, it’s no wonder that its Japanese sibling (which is built in the same factory with the same powertrain by the same people, mind) is failing to gain traction…

You can watch our review of the Perodua Aruz here.

TOYOTA COROLLA 1.8G (CBU) – RM132,893 (RM6995 expected reduction)

The Toyota Corolla is actually our only fully-imported example car we’re putting in the list, on the account of its great styling, amazing safety kit, and impressive performance. The Thai-built Corolla (now free of the ‘Altis’ name previous generations carried) is an excellent example of what we can expect to see from the Japanese marque going forwards – more engaging design, a more engaging drive, better technology, and the same tried-and-tested Toyota value.

(We haven’t reviewed the Toyota Corolla yet, so there’s no review to plug here…)

BMW 330i M-Sport (CKD) – RM264,420 (RM29,380 expected reduction)

The de-facto choice in the compact executive saloon space, BMW Group Malaysia was wise to quickly introduce the CKD version of this car when it did. Not only did it offer a massive saving over the fully-imported first batch of cars, but it demonstrated the excellent quality control measures implemented by the local assembly plant, proving that there’s literally nothing to lose.

Notably, the G20 3-Series is now a sharper drive than the F30 it replaces, which means it has returned to form as the driver’s choice in the segment. Not that the majority of its buyers seek it out specifically for that, in all honesty.

(We also haven’t reviewed the G20 BMW 3-Series. Do these car companies not like us?)

Volvo S60 T8 R-Design (CKD) – RM266,299.20 (RM29,588.80 expected reduction)

We threw this in here because it’s an absolute favourite of ours at MalaysianMotoring – with restrained styling, mind-bending performance, unbelievable (yet verified) fuel economy and standard-setting safety, the Volvo S60 is a very difficult car to fault. Couple that with a truly refined ride and the ability to outsprint a Mercedes-AMG C43, and this Swede begins to show its more brutish side.

This car is like Dwayne Johnson in a suit. Ever a gentleman, but still able to knock your jaw out at 20 paces.

(Do we not review enough cars on this website? Thank God we’ve already driven the next one…)

Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Plus (CKD) – RM368,899.20 (RM40,988.80 expected reduction)

Another favourite in the office, but also a favourite among buyers – in the 7-seater SUV space, the Volvo XC90 is not only the segment leader in terms of safety, performance and standard equipment, but it’s also the most affordable of the bunch, outpricing its nearest competitors by about 5-figures at the minimum. And it’s no Turkish prison either, with sumptuous Nappa leather seats, mesmirising Bowers & Wilkins premium audio, a solid crystal gear selector knob, and the sort of ride comfort that would shame everything short of a Rolls-Royce. The Volvo XC90 may have led Volvo’s transformation into the company we see today in the here-and-now, but it’s showing absolutely no signs of aging, or slowing down.

The Volvo XC90 was #Recharged for the 2020 model year – check out our review here.

So our advice is this – if you find yourself with money to burn, a secure job and secure income, now is the best time to buy a car. Not only will you be saving way more than any seasonal promotion, but you’ll also be directly helping our beloved local automotive industry and the millions of people that it employs directly & indirectly stay afloat.

And boy, don’t we Malaysians just love our cars?

  • The new Mercedes-Benz EQC makes its regional debut in Malaysia, alongside the new Mercedes-Benz S560e Plug-In Hybrid, as well as the Mercedes-Benz C300e Plug-In Hybrid
  • Mr. Michael Jopp, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, with the refreshed Mercedes-Benz GLC range featuring MercedesMe Connect

Next-Gen W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Spotted – Huge Grille, CLS Rear, Tesla Infotainment Inside

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The next-generation W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the next successor of the hallowed Sonderklasse nameplate, has been spotted various times by various titles as it has gone about its R&D and testing phases, but it seems that that might all come to an end. What has been circulating online are photographs of what appear to be a completed, finished product, laid bare for all to see. We’re certain that Mercedes-Benz isn’t happy about this.

What’s abundantly clear is that the W223 will mark a stark departure from the current-generation S-Class (W222 for reference), sporting a new design that from some angles appear to be derived from the new CLA-Class. Up front a pair of slim headlights flank what appears to be the largest grille ever fitted to an S-Class – a point emphasised by the use of only 3-slats and a clear visual de-cluttering around the face to point eyes towards its massive gob.

And down the rear, we’re treated to a rump that looks remarkably like the CLS-Class, leaving behind the vertically-orientated taillights that have adorned S-Classes since the W220 of the 2000s. Atop those sit a full-width chrome strip (yes, we also thought Mercedes reserved that for its coupes), though the number plate recess sits in a more dignified position on the bootlid itself.

Down the bumper, there are actually very few changes over the W222 that we’re all familiar with, with little surface play employed and a pair of very, very fake exhaust tips integrated into the lowest edge.

With this set of photos we’ve been treated to photos of the cabin, where more shocks await: The design in here is very different from what we’re used to, with its design clearly derived from the Vision EQS concept. There is now a Tesla-style portrait touchscreen that’s integrated into the dash, with vertical air vents on either side of a full-width piece of decorative trim. With no COMAND rotary controller in sight there is now more storage space on the centre console, and there is now a new 3-twin steering wheel which looks incredibly delicate & intricate.

Behind that steering wheel sits the very familiar digital instrument cluster, but it is what’s beyond that that’s interesting. Behind the screen appears to be a large hole – we’ve no doubt that that is the housing for a much larger heads-up display module, which will likely project even more information onto the screen and into the driver’s line of sight than ever before. It’s expected that the W223 S-Class will offer augmented-reality features with this new HUD system, which will minimise the need for drivers to ever take their eyes off the road.

At the rear, the twin infotainment touchscreens remain for the use of the rear passengers, but a third screen appears to have sprouted up between the seats. The lack of buttons throughout the cabin is obvious, which suggests greater integration of functions through the touchscreens dotted around the car.

There are very few technical details available surrounding the W223, suggesting that while Mercedes-Benz hasn’t had much luck keeping the lid on the new S-Class in general, they’ve done a good job hiding the specifications sheet. The new-generation Sonderklasse is expected to be available with a range of inline-6 and V8 engines, along with a more advanced plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant that’ll likely offer more than the 50km of all-electric range the current model has.

Additionally, it is expected that the new S-Class will continue to build on the 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) capabilities by offering an improved Airmatic+ suspension system. And on top of that, Mercedes-Benz has shown its intent for the new S-Class to be the first certified Level 3 autonomous vehicle on sale, a feat that’s looking very likely indeed.

It is also expected that, like the current Lexus LS, the new-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class will forgo the standard wheelbase variant, and be offered exclusively as a long-wheelbase model with additional space in the rear.

As always, MalaysianMotoring would like to remind its readers to be safe out there, both on the road and off it. Our success depends on our responsibility to ourselves and each other – our nation depends on it.We thank you for staying home, and staying safe.

#KitaJagaKita

2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport – 5 Or 5+2, From RM380k

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British SUV marque Land Rover has given the new Land Rover Discovery Sport its local debut, refreshing a very important model for the brand in a very competitive segment. Taking on the likes of the BMW X3, the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Volvo XC60, the Discovery Sport is the only one in the segment to offer as many as 7-seats, giving it a unique advantage in the segment.

Of course, it is also considerably more expensive – with prices starting at RM379,800 for the 5-seater and RM409,800 for the 5+2, the Discovery Sport isn’t exactly the value buy of the century. But as we’ve said many times before, the Land Rover brand is one you buy with your heart and not necessarily your head, and the Discovery Sport’s standard appearance in sharp R-Dynamic trim certainly appeals strongly in that regard.

It isn’t all nostalgia and ‘Rule, Britannia’ here though, as the new Discovery Sport packs a variety of improvements and refinements that make it better than it has ever been. The biggest changes are what you cannot see – despite its familiar shape, this isn’t strictly a facelift. Under the skin is a whole-new platform & architecture, shared with the upcoming Range Rover Evoque. As such it offers the car better interior packaging, less weight, more technology, and a brand new powertrain.

Up front is a new 2.0-litre Ingenium mill producing 280PS and 365Nm, with power going to all-four wheels via a 9-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Land Rover is quick to note that the gearbox benefits from close ratios ensuring maximum response from the motor, as well as a taller top gear to ensure smooth & unflustered cruising ability. Also new to the powertrain is a feature called ‘Active Driveline Disconnect,’ which allows the DiscoSport to run on just two powered wheels instead of four, to save fuel. And should extra traction be required, four-wheel grip can be reinstated in as little as 500-miliseconds.

This is still a Land Rover no matter how slick or suave it may be, so new to the arsenal is the inclusion of Terrain Response 2. With TR2, the Discovery Sport now enjoys even better electronic management of the throttle, brakes, and steering to ensure maximum traction over difficult terrain. This, paired with the ClearSight Ground View system which allows you to see between the two front wheels as well as the Wade Sensing system means that the DiscoSport is as formidable as any Land Rover out in the wild.

But, we hear you saying, of course the Landie is good off-road. What about on-road creature comforts that buyers will demand of a modern luxury SUV? Glad you asked: the Discovery Sport is generously equipped in that regard, too. On the inside, you’ll find a new 10” TouchPro infotainment screen that offers lag-less responses as well as smartphone mirroring, which works in tandem with a 12-inch driver’s instrument cluster that make the car feel thoroughly modern. The steering wheel has also been updated to the same unit used in the Range Rover Velar, resulting in the inclusion of touch-sensitive adaptive buttons on the wheel.

A particular highlight for us is the inclusion of active safety features for the first time in the Discovery Sport – the new model now comes as standard with high-speed autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and driver attention alert. There’s also a 360-degree camera system as well as an available heads-up display too for added effect, which all work alongside the expected 7-airbags dotted around the cabin.

We applaud Jaguar-Land Rover Malaysia for the inclusion of active safety features in their latest models, which puts the Discovery Sport in the leagues of the Volvo XC60 and the Lexus NX for the standard inclusion of such features (we’re looking at you, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW).

The 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport is available now with a 5-year/150,000km warranty, along with 5-year/65,000km servicing and 3-years roadside assistance. And for the best deals on a new car, head over to the MalaysianMotoring Facebook page, where you can drop us a message to begin your hassle-free, contactless buying journey.

2020 Toyota Harrier Unveiled – 2.0L or 2.5-Hybrid, No Turbo, TNGA Platform

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The new Toyota Harrier has been unveiled in Japan, sporting a brand-new exterior design, sitting on a new TNGA platform and powered by TNGA powertrains. The turbocharged 4-cylinder unit from the outgoing model is gone – in its place now sits a choice between a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre unit (171PS/201Nm) or a 2.5-litre e-AWD Hybrid model (222PS combined). You can also get a Hybrid FWD model with the 2.5-litre mill too, though that only produces 218PS. All cars are mated with a CVT automatic gearbox in some form or another.

The new Harrier now features more active safety kit as standard, though how they’ll be distributed across the three trim levels (Z, G, S) remains to be seen. What’s clear though is that luxury and a ‘sense of calm’ are important factors for Toyota this time around, as the company has chosen a selection of low-contrast interior colourways and paired them with a panoramic sunroof that includes an electrochromatic feature on some models in order to meet those ends.

New technology also comes in the form of Toyota’s ‘Inner Mirror,’ which displays a camera feed from the rear into the centre mirror, allowing for a clear & unobstructed view of the road behind at all times, as well as a 12.3-inch TFT touchscreen infotainment display that will support Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

The new 2020 Toyota Harrier will be made available in 7-colours.

So what do you guys think of the new Toyota Harrier? Interesting looking thing, isn’t it? We wonder if Toyota Malaysia will consider bringing in this new model – we’ve no doubt that if it does, it’ll be able to undercut the grey importers in terms of timeframe, which may even out the odds on pricepoint by the time grey import stocks arrive in our market.

2020 MINI Countryan Blackheath Launched – RM253,888 To Appeal To The Inner Goth

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If you’ve ever had to hide your love of Minis due to their unashamedly loud & proud designs, you may be very excited to hear about this. MINI Malaysia has today announced that they will be making available just 48 units of the special Countryman Blackheath Edition which, as you guessed it, is inspired by the dark, brooding aesthetics of the Blackheath region of London.

In any case, the Blackheath is based on the Countryman Cooper S, and so it derives motivation from the same 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo mill, which sends the 192hp and 280Nm it generates to the front wheels via an 8-speed auto ‘box. The century sprint is wrangled in just 7.5-seconds, despite maintaining a miserly fuel economy rating of just 6.6L/100km. That low consumption figure is helped in part by a new drivetrain decoupling system, which works only in Mid & Green modes, that allows the Mini Blackheath to coast without hindrance.

Thanks to EEV incentives, the Blackheath retails at just RM253,888 in West Malaysia, while East Malaysia will receive it for RM256,852.50. That is, apparently, RM17,571 less than it would be without the EEV incentives, which is… helpful?

As it’s a special edition (the first of its kind for the Countryman here in Malaysia), there are a variety of aesthetic tweaks that set it apart from the pack. So there’s black trim for the headlights & taillights, the grille, the door handles, the badges, and even the ‘Countryman’ script on the tail. Even the bonnet stripes have been given a dark hue, finished in matte silver.

Down the side, the Blackheath rolls on 19-inch Circuit Spoke alloys, and sports a John Cooper Works aerodynamic bodykit for extra aggression. Grr.

The interior packs black headliner and sports seats which are, surprise, upholstered in Carbon Black Cross Punch leather upholstery. There’s more piano black throughout the cabin, though the ambient lighting offers 12 adjustable colours, though we suspect that’s mostly because there isn’t any literal black lighting available.

In the middle of the dash sits the 8.8-inch infotainment display, which runs a 12-speaker, 360-watt Harman/Kardon audio system. Connectivity is catered for via Apple Carplay only, with no support for Android Auto (yet). There’s also voice input available, powered by Mini, or by Siri if you have your iPhone hooked up.

Safety-wise, the Countryman Blackheath offers no changes over the Countryman Cooper S, and so you get the usual array of stability & traction controls, dynamic brake lights, ABS, EBD, electronic diff lock, auto hold function, driver drowsiness warning, reversing camera, runflat tyre with tyre pressure monitoring, airbags front and side, as well as head airbags for the four outer occupants. And there’s ISOFIX, of course.

You also get with the Countryman Blackheath the 4G-connected MINI Connected system, which includes Intelligent Emergency Call (it calls the emergency services in an accident), as well as MINI TeleServices. You also get the latest versions of MINI Connected app, which offers Concierge, MINI Online, as well as the Carplay we mentioned earlier. With MINI Online, you can check things like the car’s location, the fuel level, and other status updates of the car on your phone, wherever you might be. You know, in case you miss your MINI.

The Countryman Blackheath is covered by the same 4-year/unlimited mileage warranty, with free scheduled servicing for 4-years, as well as 5-years roadside assist.

Now might be a good time to come to the dark side.

BMW Group Malaysia Reports Valiant Show In 2019 – 11,567 Units Across BMW, MINI, Motorrad Divisions

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In an event held in the city centre today, BMW Group Malaysia announced their ‘2019 Report Card’ to detail how the Group performed in what’s unilaterally regarded as a ‘challenging year’ in a ‘challenging market.’ Despite the headwinds, BMW Group Malaysia posted some pretty healthy numbers, driven by the 32 model variants introduced in 2019 across the BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad arms of the business.

BMW Group Malaysia was keen to underline that it retains its position as the leading electrified-mobility provider in Malaysia, with 3,148 units of electrified BMWs and MINIs delivered in 2019, contributing to the overall total in excess of 17,000 electrified models since BMW Group Malaysia began its electrified offensive in 2015. This was backed up by an introduction of 18 new BMW i charging facilities across the country, bringing the total number of chargers installed by the brand in the last three years to over 30.

“Against the backdrop of a challenging year for the automotive sector, we are proud to have achieved such success within the electrified segment in Malaysia and across the globe – which reaffirms our optimism for the year ahead. We are committed to continue leading the charge for electromobility in Malaysia, especially in light of the upcoming National Automotive Policy announcement that will see electrified vehicles play a prominent role in propelling our automotive sector to greater heights.”

Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia

The success of the Group was driven primarily by the BMW brand itself, with 9,300 new owners recorded in 2019. The new 3-Series racked up 2,514 registrations, of which over 1,000 were made up of the BMW 330e M-Sport. The 5-Series came in as the second biggest contributor, with over 2,000 new owners found in the same period.

The BMW X family of vehicles also made good headway in 2019, with 3,985 units recorded between all its members. The X3 brought back 1,354 sales, with the smaller X1 totalling 1,331 sales. The BMW X5 xDrive40e also played a critical role, with 975 units (or 24% of the overall BMW X sales) recorded in 2019.

MINI on the other hand saw a shift of 1,142 vehicles, with the Mini Countryman contributing over half of all deliveries. BMW Motorrad followed right behind the British marque with 1,125 units shifted too, with the Adventure segment finding over 600 new homes.

Compared to their performance in 2018, BMW Group saw a drop of 2,771 overall sales, or nearly 20% year-on-year. This is in keeping with the shrinkage of premium segment sales over an otherwise stagnant total industry volume. Only Volvo has come out of this rough patch unscathed, charting a growth of over 30% through 2019 while its major competitors had to tighten their belts.

Regardless, it is promising to see that the BMW Group remains committed to the Malaysian market with plans already being laid to make full use of the soon-to-be-announced National Automotive Policy that will hopefully see their Kulim, Kedah plant continue to play a major role in the brand’s presence in the ASEAN market.