Peugeot Returns With 408 – 3 Variants, 1.6T, From RM146k

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French marque Peugeot has made a re-entry into the Malaysian market, after parent company Stellantis took back control of the brand from its second distributor in three years. Marking the local relaunch of the brand is the 408, which has gestated from a 308-with-a-boot that it used to be into a standalone fastback crossover.

Three variants make landfall today in the form of the 408 Allure, 408 Premium and 408 GT. All three models are built in Gurun, and will command pricetags of RM146,055, RM166,055 and RM196,055 respectively. 

The new 408 is built on the Stellantis EMP2 platform, and is quite a sizeable machine. Measuring in at 4,687mm in length, 1,859 in width and 1,487mm in height, sitting on a 2,787mm wheelbase and a noteworthy 189mm of ground clearance. This measures up favourably with other C-segment contenders like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis, but Stellantis insists that the 408 sits “in a class of its own.”

The French crossover isn’t holding back in terms of specifications – all cars get full LED headlights & taillights as standard, but only the top-spec GT gets Matrix LED units. Wheel sizes start at 18” Granite Black units for the Allure, rising to 19” Granite Black dual-tone units for the Premium, before topping out with 20” Monolithe Black units for the GT. Notably, only the lower two variants get a spare tyre – the GT makes do with a tyre repair kit. 

Other exterior items include a chrome grille for Allure & Premium variants while GT rocks a body-colour unit instead.

The cabin is also well-specified with standard ‘leather’ upholstery, though the keener-eyed will notice that the Allure packs faux leather, the Premium gets full real leather, and the GT is offered with Nappa leather. Only the two top models get electrically-adjustable front seats (with memory & massage function for the GT), as the Allure makes do with a manual pew for the front passenger. 

Further standard specification includes a 10-inch i-Cockpit display, with the GT offering a 3D Quartz version of the system. You also get a 10-inch HD colour infotainment system as standard but again, the GT upgrades this with an i-Toggle system beneath (essentially a secondary touchscreen with configurable shortcuts). 

Audio is also where the cars differ, with Allure & Premium models making do with 6-speakers while the GT gets a 10-speaker Focal Premium audio system. The GT also sports a cabin air-cleaning system, but all cars offer wireless phone charging and a bevy of USB ports front and rear. 

Stellantis Malaysia says that safety shouldn’t be a luxury, and they’re putting their money where their mouths are with the 408. Standard kit includes autonomous emergency braking, electronic stability program with hill-start, high-beam assist and traffic sign recognition, tyre-pressure monitoring, a 180º reverse camera, active bonnet pedestrian impact protection, and six airbags. 

Step up into the Premium and you gain (in addition to the Allure) things like advanced traffic sign recognition, front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, upgraded autonomous emergency braking (we haven’t a clue what this entails), blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. This is also carried into the GT, which gains the adaptive Matrix LED lights we mentioned earlier. 

The 408 can be had in Obsession Blue, Perla Nera Black, Okenite White, and Artense Grey. It’s a bit of a headache but the Allure doesn’t get Obsession Blue, the Premium gets all four colours, and the GT doesn’t get Artense Grey. Makes sense? 

To combat perception around the brand, the Peugeot 408 will be sold with a 7-year/200,000km warranty. However, only 3-years is a manufacturer warranty and the following 4-years is from Stellantis Malaysia (which crucially will mirror the manufacturer warranty). 

GALLERY – 2024 PEUGEOT 408 GT

Chery Malaysia Puts Safety First Amidst Customer Complaint

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A courtesy car has been extended while investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Chery Malaysia’s emergence as a major player in the local automotive landscape has been going from strength to strength since customer deliveries began in September, but a viral social media post from an aggrieved customer is trying to scupper their efforts. 

Addressing the matter, Chery Malaysia has today acknowledged receipt of a complaint from a customer on Saturday claiming that her Chery Omoda 5 suffered from what was described as brake failure. The customer then took to social media to air her grievances, claiming that her complaint wasn’t taken seriously by service technicians. 

The statement issued by Chery Malaysia’s vice president Lee Wen Hsiang emphasised customer safety as their “utmost priority.”

“We have been in contact with the customer since Saturday (April 6th 2024) to address her concerns and subsequently, a courtesy car was offered to her. We want to emphasise that Chery Malaysia is committed to providing safe and reliable transportation solutions, and we are dedicated to ensuring all our vehicles meet the highest safety standards.”

– Lee Wen Hsiang, Vice President, Chery Malaysia 

Chery Malaysia also took the opportunity to remind customers that they are contactable directly via email at cherycareline@chery.my or via phone at +603 2771 7070. 

Chery Omoda 5 Launched – 1.5T, 156hp/230Nm, RM109k

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Chinese carmaker Chery, the country’s most successful exporting automotive brand, has made a big comeback in Malaysia with two of their most successful models. Those with a slightly better memory may recall Chery being offered in Malaysia previously, with lacklustre models like the Eastar and Maxime MPVs, the QQ supermini, and the Tiggo SUV. 

Chery assures that things are different now – the brand has set up a local subsidiary to handle sales & distribution, unlike previously when it appointed a dealer instead. While the ‘Tiggo’ nameplate has returned for the Tiggo 8 Pro, the brand has also launched its B-segment SUV competitor, in the form of the Omoda 5 priced from RM108,800 for the C variant, and RM118,800 for the H.

Measuring 4,400mm long and 1,830mm wide and riding on a 2,630mm wheelbase, the Omoda 5 is slightly longer and wider than the Honda HR-V and larger in every dimension than the PROTON X50. Its more emotive design also marks a stark departure from the more conventional Honda & PROTON too. There’s no mistaking this for anything else.  

Then there’s the powertrain – while the Omoda 5 also takes the turbocharged route here, with its 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo putting out 156hp and 230Nm. Power goes exclusively to the front wheels via a 9-speed CVT automatic gearbox too. This makes it a little less powerful than the turbocharged Honda HR-V and flagship PROTON X50, but does better than the lower-powered versions of PROTON’s crossover.  

The distinctive looks of the Omoda 5 begin with its face, where a large chrome-pinned grille is flanked above by a set of LED daytime running lights that double-up as scrolling indicators. Beneath those sit a pair of full-LED headlights with automatic high-beam functionality, giving the Omoda 5 a look that very few others dare to offer. 

Rolling stock is handled by 18-inch multi-tone alloys, while the rear of the Omoda 5 takes more Lexus-like cues with a pair of slim full-LED taillights that stretch across the tailgate. The ‘Chery’ script sits up high, while down below you’ll find a pair of (fake) exhaust exits on a heavily-sculpted lower bumper. While certainly a busy design, the Omoda 5’s focus on engaging looks geared towards younger buyers certainly fits the brief, though more conservative buyers will likely prefer what both Honda and PROTON offer instead.

The interior of the Omoda 5 is alot less divisive – derivative, more like. The dashboard takes a very horizontal design to emphasise width, replete with a full-width AC vent design sitting beneath twin 10.25-inch screens that handle infotainment and driver displays. HVAC controls are mounted on a touch panel beneath the centre vents, beneath which sit a pair of wireless phone chargers wrapped in grippy suede-like material. This pairs well with the standard wireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto, and provides a good viewing angle too. 

Ergonomics is a key factor for the marque, as evident by the relatively generous use of tactile buttons and switches to control major functions. We’re made to understand that Chery has engineered the switchgear to provide a “positive sensation” during use according to one of their executives, but we’ll have to refrain from comment until we review the Omoda 5 properly.

A quick aside on the HVAC system, you’ll find a dual-zone climate control system here as standard, though the higher H variant adds ventilated powered front seats, a powered tailgate, and a sunroof. There’s also an 8-speaker Sony audio system for the Omoda 5 H (six in the C), and a 360º camera that replaces the standard reverse camera in the entry-level variant.

Exterior differences between the C and H are limited to just some splashes of red throughout the place, including on inserts in the alloy wheels. The other key differentiator are the indicators – scrolling units are limited to the H, while the C models get ‘conventional’ units instead.  

Safety is managed by a generous list of active and passive safety systems. On the former, the Tiggo 8 Pro offers adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert & assist, blind-spot monitoring with door-open warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also offers hill descent control, tyre-pressure monitoring, and hill-start assist – we’d like to see if anyone would ever off-road an Omoda 5… 

Chery is assuaging customer concerns about reliability and serviceability in two ways: First, it has announced 31 operating showrooms nationwide that can handle sales & aftersales from point of launch, with more expected to open in the near future. Second, all new Chery models will come as standard with a 7-year/150,000km warranty and 5-years free service (with free labour for every alternate service). The first 3,000 Chery customers will also benefit from an industry-leading 10-year/1,000,000km powertrain warranty – for the 3,001st customer onwards, this coverage will set them back an additional RM2,000. 

It’s very clear that Chery, like many Chinese brands, have big ambitions. Malaysia will be a key market for them, having invested in assembly facilities in Kulim, Kedah and rolling out not just the Omoda 5 but the larger Tiggo 8 Pro in CKD-form from the get-go. Brand bosses have committed to Malaysia as their right-hand drive assembly and R&D hub too, eager to add value to the mature Malaysian automotive economy and to create high-value jobs in the sector. 

GALLERY – 2023 CHERY OMODA 5 C 1.5T CVT

Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Launched – 2.0 Turbo, 256hp/390Nm, RM160k

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Chinese carmaker Chery, the country’s most successful exporting automotive brand, has made a big comeback in Malaysia with two of their most successful models. Those with a slightly better memory may recall Chery being offered in Malaysia previously, with lacklustre models like the Eastar and Maxime MPVs, the QQ supermini, and the Tiggo SUV. 

Chery assures that things are different now – the brand has set up a local subsidiary to handle sales & distribution, unlike previously when it appointed a dealer instead. All that’s retained is the ‘Tiggo’ name, which makes its return to Malaysia as a prefix to the Tiggo 8 Pro, the marque’s flagship D-segment SUV, priced at RM159,800.

Measuring 4,722mm long and 1,860mm wide and riding on a 2,710mm wheelbase, the Tiggo 8 Pro is only slightly smaller than the recently-launched PROTON X90, though you wouldn’t guess it. The Tiggo 8 Pro’s bold and assertive design makes sure of that, with plenty of presence no matter which angle you take it in from. 

Power in the Tiggo 8 Pro comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine. Outputs are rated at 256hp and 390Nm, with power going to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes are available, but no paddle shifters. This eclipses the 190PS & 300Nm on offer from PROTON’s 48V MHEV system – Chery says this is the “most powerful vehicle in the segment,” though we suspect they’ve overlooked the 2.5-litre turbocharged Mazda CX-8. 

The face of the Tiggo 8 Pro is highlighted by the large ‘galaxy grille,’ replete with diamond-shaped chrome pins that expand from an illuminated badge. On the latter, the Chery logo illuminates when the car unlocks and syncs with the headlights (and taillights) as an element of the car’s ‘welcome’ function. On either side sits full LED headlights, which include a scrolling indicator function and automatic high-beam.

Rolling stock is handled by 19-inch multi-tone alloys, wrapped in 235/55 section tyres. The rear is crowned by a light-bar that stretches across the tailgate, beneath which you’ll find quad exhaust pipes. It’s a very elegant-looking machine, as befits its D-segment SUV positioning – competitors like Mazda’s CX-8 and PROTON’s X90 also go the same route. 

But it’s the interior of the Tiggo 8 Pro that really sets it apart. Emphasising the width of the interior is a broad dash design that incorporates full-spanning elements to make it all feel expansive. At the top you’ll find a pair of 10.25-inch screens, handling driver information and infotainment duties. Graphics are clean and progress is smooth, and features (wired) Apple Carplay & Android Auto as standard. Sound duties are handled by an 8-speaker Sony audio system as standard, hiding behind Burmeister-eque speaker grilles.

Chery has resisted the urge to incorporate everything into the screen by positioning the HVAC controls on a separate (touch-sensitive) panel beneath the centre screen. Ergonomics is a key factor for the marque, as evident by the relatively generous use of tactile buttons and switches to control major functions. We’re made to understand that Chery has engineered the switchgear to provide a “positive sensation” during use according to one of their executives, but we’ll have to refrain from comment until we review the Tiggo 8 Pro properly.

A quick aside on the HVAC system, you’ll find a dual-zone climate control system here, as well as heated and cooled front seats. This should ensure that even with the sun beating down through the panoramic sunroof, everyone should remain comfortable.

The seating layout is in a 2-3-2 setup, with Chery themselves describing the Tiggo 8 Pro as a 5+2. Indeed the third row is a little cramped compared to the PROTON X90 and Mazda CX-8, but if they’re for occasional use only (as tends to be the case with SUVs in this class), all should remain well. 

Other standard features of the Tiggo 8 Pro include keyless entry and go (including a nifty walk-away lock), multi-colour ambient lighting, electric tailgate, wireless smartphone charging, an electronic parking brake, and a standard 360º camera. 

Safety is managed by a generous list of active and passive safety systems. On the former, the Tiggo 8 Pro offers adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert & assist, blind-spot monitoring with door-open warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. And on the passive side, the Tiggo 8 Pro offers more airbags than any other competitor in the segment. 

Chery is assuaging customer concerns about reliability and serviceability in two ways: First, it has announced 31 operating showrooms nationwide that can handle sales & aftersales from point of launch, with more expected to open in the near future. Second, all new Chery models will come as standard with a 7-year/150,000km warranty and 5-years free service (with free labour for every alternate service). The first 3,000 Chery customers will also benefit from an industry-leading 10-year/1,000,000km powertrain warranty – for the 3,001st customer onwards, this coverage will set them back an additional RM2,000. 

It’s very clear that Chery, like many Chinese brands, have big ambitions. Malaysia will be a key market for them, having invested in assembly facilities in Kulim, Kedah and rolling out not just the Tiggo 8 Pro but the smaller Omoda 5 in CKD-form from the get-go. Brand bosses have committed to Malaysia as their right-hand drive assembly and R&D hub too, eager to add value to the mature Malaysian automotive economy and to create high-value jobs in the sector. 

GALLERY – 2023 CHERY TIGGO 8 PRO LUXURY

Volkswagen Updates Tiguan Allspace with IQ.Drive – Level 2 ADAS Features Standard

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Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) seems to have taken to heart years of criticism of their lacklustre fitment of active safety features. After updating the Golf GTi and Arteon to feature their IQ.Drive suite of technology, the marque has taken to their volume-seller Tiguan Allspace and done the same across all three models.

Available as the Allspace Life, Allspace Elegance and Allspace R-Line, the Tiguan has served as VPCM’s most profitable current model in the local lineup. By offering IQ.Drive advanced driver assist systems as standard on all variants, VPCM has effectively ensured the continued success of the Tiguan Allspace locally. 

IQ.Drive is Volkswagen’s moniker for their active safety features. Beneath the IQ.Drive umbrella are features like autonomous emergency braking (forward facing, with cyclist & pedestrian detection), adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with Side Assist (actively intervening if a driver manoeuvres into a vehicle in their blind spot), rear cross-traffic alert, and Lane Assist (or lane-keep assist). 

In addition to IQ.Drive, the 2023 Tiguan Allspace lineup also gains a wireless smartphone charger as standard, working perfectly with the wireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto that the Tiguan Allspace has always offered. 

The updated Tiguan Allspace lineup now starts at RM174,590 for the Allspace Life, rising to RM203,590 for the Allspace Elegance. The range-topping Allspace R-Line will set you back RM257,073.60 for its larger engine, all-wheel drive and improved specification, and all prices include Volkswagen’s Assurance Package (5-years unlimited-mileage warranty, 3-years scheduled servicing, 5-years roadside assistance), though all cars can be had with the standard 2-year warranty for added flexibility and savings.

Prior to the inclusion of IQ.Drive, we were among the first in the country to sample the facelifted Tiguan Allspace lineup locally, and you can watch our video review here. 

BYD Delivers Its First 100 Malaysian Cars

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With 500 more units on the way.

Chinese new-energy vehicle brand BYD, distributed and represented in Malaysia by Sime Darby Motors, has delivered the first 100 units of its Atto 3 electric crossover to customers at a special event to mark the occasion. This marks a major milestone for the brand, which was launched in our market just last month. 

“With the delivery of the first BYD Atto 3 vehicles to our market, we look forard to maintaining our momentum with more units slated to reach Malaysia soon. [Sime Darby Motors] strives to cater to the growing demand for environmentally-friendly options among Malaysians, fuelling aspirations towards low-carbon mobility.”

Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director (Retail & Distribution), Sime Darby Motors

Having collected some 1,000 bookings in just 10-days following the launch, BYD’s Malaysian customers were convinced by the marque’s performance in its home market of China as well as across the globe. 

Offering competitive levels of safety and convenience technology coupled with a battery range that goes as far as 450km in real-world conditions on a single charge (for the Extended Range models; 400km is to be expected from the Standard Range variant), the BYD Atto 3 is available from just RM149,800 for the Standard, and topping out at RM167,800 for the Extended. 

You can check out our video coverage of the BYD Atto 3 launch here, and see what it’s like to drive here. 

2020 Mercedes-Benz G350d Launched – 3.0-Turbo Diesel, 286hp, 600Nm, RM1-Million

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The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is widely considered as the mac-daddy of SUVs, arguably one of the most desirable off-roaders available on the market. With its bold design going through few changes between its original debut in 1979, the G-Wagen is loved by almost-all and is considered to be something of a pop-culture icon. 

However, locally, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class was only available as a full-bore AMG63 model, with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. For those who believe that cars like the G-Wagen ought to double-down on its versatility, the petrol-V8 mill was never the best engine for such purposes – and now, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has addressed the call for more versatility. The G-Class is now available as a G350d, which sticks a proper turbodiesel mill up front for maximum capability. 

The new OM656 engine increases the performance of the G-Class while reducing consumption, without compromising the noise characteristics of the thing. Notable points of the OM656 mill include the stepped-bowl combustion process, two-stage exhaust turbocharging, as well as the use of CAMTRONIC variable valve timing. This heats up the exhaust system without impacting fuel consumption. Pair that to the Nanoslide coating on the cylinder walls, and it results in a diesel mill that’s about as smooth as an oiler is ever going to get. 

The 3.0-litre inline-6 mill prepares the G-Class for any adventure. Paired to a 9G-tronic automatic transmission, the G350d can rocket from rest to 100km/h in a sprightly 7.4-seconds before going on to a top speed of 199km/h.

For the transmission of power, the 9-speed torque-converter auto was adapted specifically to meet the needs of the G-Wagen. The developers used a dedicated software application to shorten the shift and response times, making the G-Class more reactive. The wide spread of ratios also help to make driving more comfortable and quiet, while still being able to respond swiftly to prods of the pedal. Especially in first-gear, the G-Class responds to commands noticeably better, which owners will appreciate when pulling away from traffic lights, for example. 

The transfer case is mounted directly to the transmission, and is designed to send 40% of the power to the front with 60% sent to the rear. This is particularly beneficial on the road – permanent all-wheel drive ensures maximum traction on-road. That said, the G can also vary power more considerably during off-road applications thanks to the built-in G-mode.

The G350d is offered locally with the AMG Night Package, which throws in 20-inch AMG alloys, smoked headlights/taillights and indicators, and the exterior protective strip features a black pinstripe. You also get grille louvres, spare-wheel ring, and bumper trim elements finished in obsidian black. This is offset by the standard Stainless Steel Package, comprising of high-quality running boards, a stainless-steel wheel cover (with black 3-pointed star), door sills, and load sills. 

The cabin is finished with the Exclusive interior pack, with combines high-quality equipment items like a leather-covered instrument panel, a DINAMICA microfibre roof liner in black, and a frameless interior rear-view mirror. The cabin features dual widescreens for both instrumentation as well as multimedia, powered by a standard Mercedes-Benz infotainment system. The infotainment system offers navigation and smartphone mirroring as standard, as well as a configurable instrument cluster design. 

Safety-wise, the G350d is pretty well equipped. You get the Driving Assistance Package, which means you get adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and autonomous emergency braking. Of course, you’d expect this at this price point.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz G350d is available at showrooms now from RM999,888, inclusive of the SST deduction as part of the PENJANA economic stimulus program. All new 350d models will be sold with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s comprehensive 4-year warranty, and the current prices will be valid until December 31st 2020. 

GALLERY: 2020 Mercedes-Benz G350d

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB200, GLB300, AMG GLB35 Launched, From RM270k

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We always want more. And whenever one steps into a compact Mercedes-Benz, you can’t help but want a little more space.

Today, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia answers that call with the all-new, first-ever Mercedes-Benz GLB. A member of Mercedes’ compact car lineup, its diminutive size hides its practicality, with seven seats on offer spread across three rows. That’s right – this is now the most affordable premium 7-seater SUV money can buy.

The GLB is available in Malaysia in three guises – the GLB200, the GLB250, and the Mercedes-AMG GLB35. Power starts at 163hp/250Nm in the 200, while the 250 gives you 224hp & 350Nm. Step up to the AMG and you get 306hp & 400Nm, paired to an all-wheel drive system. All cars get an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic as standard and, if it all feels a bit familiar, you’ll know that this is exactly the same spread as seen in the A-Class lineup. 

That also means that the base GLB200 gets its motivation from a 1.33-litre motor, while its bigger brothers use the same 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder. 

“The GLB is the most versatile SUV in our premium SUV range. Its design lends the GLB an unmistakable SUV character, showcasing its classic off-road boxy design from its big brother, the G-Class. With a boot capacity of up to 1805L and a third row of seats, it’s the perfect companion for those who desire a life with more possibilities.”

– Michael Jopp, Vice President (Sales & Marketing, Passenger Cars), Mercedes-Benz Malaysia

The powerful proportions of the GLB underscore the off-road focus of the design: the design emphasises surface, and reduced lines and precise panel gaps. This conveys superior sportiness and modernity. The upright front section with its striking headlamps is clear evidence of the off-road genes, as are the short overhangs at the front and rear. The front apron with visual skid plate emphasises the unmistakable SUV character. Another key feature of the front-end design is the distinctive air intakes in the front apron that are tailored to the contours of the radiator grille. 

On the sides, the GLB is donned with attached panels under the doors and the wheel arches that further underscores the off-road impression and at the same time, protect against stone chips. The muscular and sensuously contoured vehicles shoulder dominated the side view, an effect reinforced by the rising beltline at the height of the C-pillar.

The GLB has a clear rear-end emphasising width with two-piece tail lamps and reflectors relocated to the bumpers. The precise interior design of the tail lamps also ensures a high recognition value at night. The elevated roof rails are made of polished aluminium.

At 2,829mm, the GLB has ten centimetres more wheelbase than the new B-Class, making it the largest of Mercedes-Benz’s compact offerings. Together with the function-oriented greenhouse, it allows the GLB to offer a generous amount of space. The headroom in the first seat row is 1,069mm – “optimum in this segment,” claims Mercedes. And at 967mm, the effective legroom in the rear of the 5-seater is at an especially comfortable level. 

Cargo is rated at a minimum of 570L with all the seats up, but can be expanded to a maximum of 1805L. Backrests can be adjusted as standard, while the second row seats can also be rolled forwards and backwards in order to fully maximise the cargo area. For the third row, the GLB offers comfortable seating for passengers up to 1.68M in height, though the third row can also be used for children thanks to the standard ISOFIX mounts with top tethers. There are also drinks holders for the third row, along with USB charging ports – just to make sure you don’t feel like you’re in the cheap seats. 

The front-half of the cabin is very familiar as a compact Mercedes, with the dual-display widescreen cockpit that was first presented in the A-Class hatchback when that was launched. The GLB will offer both screens in full-size and full-resolution (thankfully), with inputs split between the touchpad on the centre console, the touchpads on the steering wheel, and the central touchscreen itself. The screens run the full Mercedes-Benz User Experience or MBUX suite, with a myriad of display customisations available to the driver. With MBUX comes MercedesMe Connect, which pairs an app up with your car to allow you to remote-start it, pre-condition it, lock/unlock it, and check its status via your mobile phone. 

Safety is something the GLB doesn’t overlook, by offering Active Braking Assist with turning-off function. When the driver intends to turn off across an oncoming lane, the GLB can brake automatically if it detects a potential collision. Braking intervention takes place when the driver hits the turn signal, and the car can be brought to a halt before it passes the lane markings. If you don’t indicate the system doesn’t flick on – so remember to hit that turn signal stalk, yeah.

The GLB also offers active parking assist too, which makes living with the GLB an even easier affair. 

Prices for the new Mercedes-Benz GLB start at RM269,118.15 for the GLB200, while the GLB250 AMG-Line retails for RM318,009.26. If you’re after all-wheel drive or more performance, the Mercedes-AMG GLB35 4Matic will set you back RM363,136.52. All prices are inclusive of the current SST reduction as part of the PENJANA programme, and is effective until December 31st 2020. 

All new Mercedes-Benz GLBs will be covered by Mercedes-Benz’s standard warranty program, which covers your car for 4-years with no mileage cap.

GALLERY: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB200 Progressive Line

GALLERY: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB250 AMG-Line

GALLERY: 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLB35 4Matic

2020 PROTON X50 Announced: 4 Variants, 2 Power Outputs, October Launch?

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After much anticipation, PROTON has finally confirmed the new X50 compact SUV as part of its lineup, after what feels like an eternity of spotting the car on test camouflaged from here to yonder. At a closed-door preview event in Tg. Malim, members of the media were given an opportunity to get up-close and personal with the new baby PROTON SUV and get more specifics around the new model.

The PROTON X50 will be made available in four variants, named Standard, Executive, Premium and Flagship. What’s shared across all cars is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 7-speed DCT automatic, which has been confirmed to produce a maximum of 174PS & 265Nm in the Flagship model. What will also be standard is the infotainment system – all new cars will run a fully-connected GKUI system, replete with the latest ’19’ software. Screen sizes will differ though, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen for Premium & Flagship models, while the Standard & Executive models will make do with an 8-inch unit. 

The X50 will also be available with 6 colour options – Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Ocean Blue, Citric Orange, and Passion Red, with the Flagship models gaining a contrasting black roof. 

STANDARD

  • 1.5-litre turbocharged engine (110hp)
  • 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission
  • 4 SRS airbags
  • Full-LED headlights
  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Fabric interior upholstery
  • Rear A/C vents
  • 8-inch infotainment display
  • Reversing camera

EXECUTIVE (over Standard)

  • 6 SRS airbags
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Automatic headlights
  • Front foglight 
  • Leatherette upholstery

PREMIUM (over Executive)

  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • 18-inch alloy wheels in dual-tone finish
  • Powered drivers’ seat
  • 10-inch infotainment system
  • 360º camera

FLAGSHIP (over Premium)

  • 1.5-litre Turbocharged Gasoline Direct-Injection (High Output, 174PS & 265Nm)
  • Advanced Driver Assist Features (claimed to be “Level 2 autonomous”)
  • Dual-tone exterior finish
  • Panoramic sunroof

At the moment, PROTON has not been forthcoming about pricing of the new model – when asked, PROTONs top-management gave us hazy answers saying that the X50 ‘breaks segment barriers’ and will appeal to a ‘wider audience’ than some of its competitors, suggesting either a huge price range or a more suggestive positioning in the market. 

What we can confirm from one of our sources is that the new X50 is set to be launched sometime in October, with production already commenced at the Tg. Malim plant. PROTON has planned a whole series of events to properly introduce the car to the market, with order books open on Malaysia Day (Sept 16th) and roadshows beginning on the 19th throughout the country. 

Regardless, stay locked onto MalaysianMotoring as we bring you more updates as they come.

GALLERY: 2020 PROTON X50

Peugeot Facelifts 3008 For 2021 – New Looks, Tech, PHEV

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With SUVs still all the rage, French marque Peugeot has unveiled its mid-life update to its popular 3008 SUV which now carries the very latest iteration of its design language as well as its most cutting-edge technological and engineering features. The 3008 now looks more in line with the updated 208, 2008, and 508 models, ensuring that it’ll remain relevant on showroom floors for some years to come.

The biggest update, naturally, is the frames grille – blending seamlessly into the bumper, the horizontal slats cut inward into the bumper itself to make it look properly integrated. This of course blends smoothly into the headlights and air intakes, with the former now featuring Peugeot’s vertical daytime running lights that also double up as indicators. 

Moving down the side you’ll notice that the ‘bonnet vent’ and side trims have now been finished in black rather than chrome like they used to be. This is to lend the 3008 a more youthful appearance, in keeping with its appeal to younger buyers.

At the rear you now get full-LED, fully tinted taillights with sequential indicators rounding off the exterior changes. You can now get the 3008 in various ‘packs’ like the ‘Active Pack,’ ‘Black Pack,’ and the ‘GT Pack,’ with the latter featuring a unique grille and large 19-inch alloys.

Inside there are more changes to be seen. The compact SUV has bundled in the very latest i-Cockpit suite inside, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster now offering the very latest graphics and rendering, while the touchscreen infotainment display now offers 10-inches of digital real estate (which still offers up CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorScreen). 

Standard across the range is the drive mode selector, which allows one to choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport. PHEV models get Electric and Hybrid modes, as well as Sport to choose from. You can have the cabin in a variety of interior upholstery options, though the GT model shown here gets red Nappa leather with faux-Alcantara lining.

You can deck out the cabin with ‘Dark Lime Wood’ trim with contrasting chrome, as well as a frameless central mirror. You can also option on a 515W Focal audio system with bronze speaker grilles as an option, along with things like massaging seats, a dual-pane sunroof, and others.

In terms of motive force, you get two turbo-petrols and one turbo-diesel, with the range beginning with the PureTech 130. The 1.2-litre three-pot puts out 130hp and 230Nm, and can be paired with either a 6MT or 8AT, with power going only to the front wheels. The PureTech 180 and its 1.6-litre engine may be more familiar to us here in Malaysia, with 180hp and 250Nm on offer, mated to an 8AT. The 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engine (which we will probably never see here) makes 130hp but a sizeable 300Nm, with either an 8AT or 6MT pairing.

There are a couple of plug-in hybrid options now too, with the newest being the Hybrid 225. This front-wheel drive powertrain produces a total of 225hp and 360Nm by combining the PureTech 180 mill with an 80kW electric motor. The century sprint is dispatched in use 8.7-seconds, while official fuel consumption is rated at around 1.5L/100km.

This accompanies the Hybrid4 300 powertrain which uses the same engine but instead bundles in 2 electric motors (one on each axle to create an e-AWD system). So equipped, the 3008 can hit 100km/h in just 5.9-seconds, thanks to the 300hp and 520Nm on offer. 

Both Hybrid models come with a 90kWh battery pack, which offers a maximum of 59km range on the WLTP cycle. Via an 8A domestic plug socket, expect the battery to be recharged from 0-100% in 7-hours, though a 14A outlet will cut that down to 4-hours. With a 7.4kW wallbox, the same charge can be completed in just 1.45-hours. Peugeot assures that its Hybrid batteries are guaranteed for 8yrs/160,000km to retain 70% capacity.

On the safety front, the new Peugeot 3008 looks pretty comprehensively equipped. It offers adaptive cruise control, 360º cameras with auto-parking function, lane-keep assist, driver drowsiness alert, high-beam assistance, blind-spot monitoring, speed-sign recognition, advanced grip control, night vision, and autonomous emergency braking up to 140km/h. 

What do you think of the new Peugeot 3008? Reckon its latest styling updates are good enough to tempt you out of a PROTON X70, Mazda CX-5, or Honda CR-V perhaps? Let us know in the comments below. 

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GALLERY: 2021 Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 300