Perodua Returns To Work For Its Customers – Service, Body & Paint Centres Reopen Across The Country

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In an announcement over the weekend, Malaysian automotive juggernaut Perodua has moved to reopen service centres across the country, in line with the rules & regulations set out by the National Security Council & the Ministry of International Trade & Industry. As Malaysia’s largest carmaker, controlling almost half of the passenger car market, the decision to reopen service centres as well as body and paint centres was one that was taken with extreme caution, keeping with their pledge to always put people first.

As it also operates the widest network of service centres, Perodua has provided and easy and hassle-free way to organise a service for your car. You can first check to see the list of participating service centres and body & paint centres by visiting their website here, which also includes the relevant phone numbers to set an appointment.

Additionally, you can make an appointment to have your car serviced via the UFirst app, which can be downloaded on the Google PlayStore and Apple AppStore. From there you can not only make your booking, but with the Passport system, you can collect loyalty UKoin points which can be used to later redeem items from the UFirst store. Owning and maintaining your Perodua has never been so easy, and so rewarding.

Perodua assures all its customers that it will follow the strictest and highest standards of sanitation & safety throughout the process. All staff will be screened for fevers and other symptoms, all cars will be disinfected before they are returned to customers, and there will be a limit applied as to how many customers are permitted in service centres at any given time. Additionally, customers are advised to observe social distancing throughout the process, and their details & temperature will be taken at the gate before being permitted entry into service centres. Only one customer is allowed per car.

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.

Thank you. Stay home, and stay safe.

Datuk Nicol David Speaks Of Staying United By Staying Apart

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As the COVID-19 pandemic puts the entire world to a standstill with lockdowns and restricted movements, Datuk Nicol David is taking a stand in encouraging Malaysians to stay focus on the positives and keep our mind and body active during this trying times.

Datuk Nicol David is a record-holder in the world women’s squash titles, the best female athlete in Malaysian history and one of the greatest squash players of all time. As one of the ambassadors of the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation and brand ambassador of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Datuk Nicol often participates in projects which affect positive change through her passion for sports and healthy living. She has previously spoken out on the values of understanding, solidarity, respect and communication.

After a 20-year career streak in squash, Datuk Nicol David officially announced her retirement in 2019 with a firm belief in sharing her knowledge and experience from squash with the world. With the pandemic affecting individuals and businesses globally, Datuk Nicol believes that the world needs solidarity now more than ever. Solidarity in staying apart, that is.

Nicol, the entire world has been put to a stop due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Can you share with us how important is social distancing for you and how can it save the global citizen?

“Social distancing is crucial to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but most importantly, it also depends on how responsible we act towards the instructions set by our government, as well as understanding what’s the ‘new normal’. It is said that for the following months, we have to not only stay home, but at the same time apply the safety measure when we have to leave our homes. We must be disciplined in wearing our masks, washing our hands as often as possible and be extremely conscious of those around us and try to keep a safe distance from them. This is a time to come together and truly think about not just yourself, but everybody else. I believe that more compassionate we are towards others, the more effective the result of the safety measures will be.”

Social distancing could possibly be the situation for an extended period of time. Could you share some tips for those trying to adjust to the new normal?

“After over 40 days of lockdown, I believe our new normal is having social distance. It helps once you establish a routine and schedule for yourself. A day plan over your time dedicated to work, to doing house chores, exercising and not forgetting doing whatever that makes you happy. It’s always about seeing the glass half full than half empty.”

As a public figure, we believe practicing social distancing can be challenging for you as well, how do you stay connected with your family, friends and fans?

“I’m making a point to be closer to family and friends during this time. It’s very important to have social connection since we need to stay in the same place for a long time. Therefore, I’m glad we have multiple video conferencing options available to keep in touch with my family and friends. With my fans, I’m trying to motivate them to exercise and most importantly, to have a positive mindset. I’m a true believer that life is mostly about how we think of it.”

Talk us through the small measures you currently practice that contributes to keeping COVID-19 at bay in the country?  

“I’m doing what is necessary and in-line with the government rules. I think if each individual takes these recommendations seriously then we’re doing a great job as a society.”

As someone who has always been active in sports, how has the situation changed the way you keep active?  

“Nothing much has changed, frankly. The only difference now is that I’m working out in my living room, rather than the gym. I have been watching some live workouts and using some workout applications on my phone to exercise. I think now that I have more free time in hand, I am actually working out more than before! Pretty exciting!”

Social distancing helps prevent the spread of the virus, but it can also have unintended consequences towards social interaction on mental or physical health for some individuals. What do you think of this and how do you think one can cope with this?

“The most important thing is to realize that it is okay to be feeling down or frustrated during this trying times. Instead of ignoring these feelings, I would truly recommend that you find someone to talk to and take some time to digest and understand your feelings. Feelings will always pass and therefore, as soon as you overcome them, just try to go back to what keeps you happy and motivated.”

In keeping positive, in your opinion, what are among the good things that this situation has brought about?  

“I think we can realize that we need fairly less than we think of. Small pleasures can be great ones as well. I truly hope that as a society, we learn from this and start changing the way we interact with the world in general.”

Lastly, what advice can you share with those who have started to feel stress about not being able to go out or those who are disobeying the social distancing?

“Feeling stress is natural, we just have to try to focus on turning it around so that it does not overwhelm us. Regarding disobeying the social distancing, I just hope they realize that not only they’re putting themselves at risk but also their family and loved ones.”

We thank Datuk Nicol for taking the time to be interviewed for this article, and for her service to the nation. Datuk Nicol’s role as Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador is in celebration & recognition of her athletic capabilities as an eight-time world-champion, as well as her never-ending work as a role model for Malaysians everywhere.

This article is courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

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.

PROTON Shares Cabin Safety Tips To Observe During COVID-19

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​This is a message from PROTON Holdings.

In view of the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has implemented an extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the spread of the virus. During this period, we are advised to practise precautionary measures like social distancing, maintaining proper hygiene, avoiding mass assemblies and to stay at home at all times.

However, there will be times when going out is still necessary, to replenish groceries or to tend to emergency situations. Besides that, for those who are working in essential services, work carries on as per usual. This is when maintaining the cleanliness of your vehicle is crucial for the sake of yourself and your passengers. Here are some tips from PROTON on how to turn your vehicle into a clean and healthy space, not only during the two-week MCO period but also for the long run. 

To protect, disinfect

First and foremost, surfaces you touch on a regular basis should be frequently disinfected. So this would be items such as the steering wheel, gear knob, door handles (both inside and outside), as well as the engine ‘push start’ button and your car keys.

Recent studies show virus can survive for up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces[1]. This suggests that the virus might be lingering on any surface of your vehicle if not disinfected properly after human contact. Thus, it is important to wipe down all surfaces regularly, after purchasing your necessities.

The cleaning process does not end there though, as there are other areas within the vehicle that should also be thoroughly cleaned. For instance, if the audio system of your vehicle comes with a touchscreen, just like the Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) of the 2020 PROTON X70, the screen will be one area that needs regular cleaning. You can do so by using a soft cloth that has been lightly misted with anti-bacterial spray. Don’t overdo it though.

Apart from that, you should also periodically clean your vehicle’s seats. However, take note that leather seats might not be suitable to be cleaned with disinfectants. The harsh chemicals might ruin the material causing discoloration and breakage. Hence, you should look for appropriate cleaning solutions that are designed for cleaning leather seats, and make sure that your seats are completely wiped dry to avoid stains and cracks on the leather.

Hands-free, worry-free

At this point of time, everyone should already be familiar with the most basic advice on personal hygiene, which is to wash your hands regularly and minimise contact through gestures like handshaking and touching your face. This is because our hands are involved in most of the work throughout our day, from holding items to interacting with objects and people.

One way to minimise unnecessary hand-contact within your vehicle is to fully utilise the available hands-free functions such as voice command that allows you to control multiple things in the SUV, including what’s being played on the radio, stream music and the ability to navigate around town as well as utilising the power tailgate with foot sensor – all you have to do is to wave your foot under the rear bumper and it’ll automatically open as long as your key fob is in your pocket.

Clear the air and clear your mind

With an air purifier, harmful gases, bad odour and airborne bacteria are eliminated so that the air within your cabin remains fresh. Some vehicles, like the PROTON X70, have this built-in into the air-conditioning system. It is also wise to clear out any and all trash in the vehicle by giving it a thorough vacuum. This helps to remove dirt and bits of food that may attract pests.

As we face an extended MCO period, PROTON hopes that everyone practices good hygiene and most importantly, stays at home. However, should you be required to leave home, please take note of these tips above and drive safe! In these trying times, we have to stay safe and strong, Malaysia!

[1] “Covid-19: How long does the coronavirus last on surfaces?”, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-covid-19-how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces

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.

Perodua Contributes RM2-Million, Supplies Towards COVID-19 Efforts

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“This war against COVID-19 is a shared responsibility. The funds & items contributed by Perodua are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure Malaysia will recover as fast as it can.”

Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President & Chief Executive Officer, Perodua

Malaysian mega-manufacturer Perodua has today joined the war against the Coronavirus that has swept the globe, today making a major contribution towards the COVID-19 fund set up by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

Perodua wrote a cheque for RM2,000,000 which was presented by President & CEO Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, and received by YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

In addition to the financial contribution, the Sg. Choh company also donated 150 mattresses, 200 pillows, 105 boxes of mineral water, 15 industrial fans, and 300 pairs of rubber gloves to the Sg. Buloh Hospital, to aid the ongoing fight against the global pandemic.

The NADMA-COVID19 fund was set up to assist people made most vulnerable by the current situation, including the unemployed and others. It was launched on the 11th of March, and has since been repurposed to help those who are most affected by the ongoing Movement Control Order, which came into effect on the 18th of March. It works to complement the Prihatin Rakyat stimulus package that was recently announced by the Prime Minister.

“We thank the government for these economic measures. Perodua, in solidarity with all Malaysians, hopes this pandemic will be resolved in the shortest time and with minimal infections & fatalities. To those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, we extend our most sincere condolences.

As for Perodua, we have directed all our staff, the greater automotive supply chain, and our authorised dealers to pay keen attention to their staff’s needs & welfare during this MCO. We are monitoring the situation closely to ensure that the livelihoods of our ecosystem, like wages, benefits, and especially employment, are not impacted.

We are committed to the social distancing measures enforced by the authorities, to ensure the spread of the virus is contained. And to our customers in particular and all Malaysians in general, please stay indoors and stay healthy.”

Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President & Chief Executive Officer, Perodua

We at MalaysianMotoring would like to thank Perodua for their generous contribution towards the nation’s fight against the Coronavirus.

Perodua Suspends All Operations From 18th March Onwards – Until End of Movement Restriction

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Malaysian automotive heavyweight Perodua has, after great consideration & deliberation, released a statement today announcing its compliance with Government directives to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus that is sweeping the globe.

               In a statement issued by President & CEO Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Perodua is to cease all activities at its head office, manufacturing facilities, sales & service centres, as well as body & paint outlets across the country between the 18th of March 2020 until the 31st of March 2020, “subject to any new announcements made by the Government from time to time.”

               “Due to this,” Dato’ Zainal said, “new vehicle deliveries, servicing, and Body & Paint services are expected to resume only after the Movement Control Order is lifted.” Dato’ Zainal continued by saying that related outlet personnel may be in touch with affected customers during this period, to provide more detailed & clear explanation of how Perodua is complying with the Movement Control Order.

               “We hope all Malaysians will cooperate with this Government directive, and limit their movements as much as possible to curb the spread of COVID-19.”

               It has not been clarified however if Perodua will offer any leniency on warranty coverage should affected customers with new, warrantied cars be forced to miss their scheduled service as a result of the Movement Control Order, which is a question several of our #MalaysianMotorists have asked us. However, should you encounter any issues with your Perodua vehicle, please do not hesitate to contact Perodua Auto Assist at 1-800-88-5555 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.

2020 Honda Accord Launches – 2 Variants, 1.5L VTEC Turbo, RM186k-RM196k

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At a small event in Kota Damansara, Honda Malaysia has pulled the wraps off the latest-generation Honda Accord, which was first shown to the world in North America some two years ago. With a sharper design that is more in keeping with current trends, a downsized turbocharged petrol mill, as well as more on-board gadgetry and niceties than ever before, the 10th-generation Honda Accord is most certainly defending the significance of D-segment saloons with great vigour.

First, the big change: Under the bonnet you will no longer find a naturally-aspirated mill of any kind here in Malaysia – instead there is just a 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC powerplant, lifted wholesale out of the Honda CR-V, to produce 201PS and 260Nm. Notably, this is a higher state of tune compared to our neighbours in Thailand and Indonesia, who make do with less PS and fewer Nms. Power goes to the front wheels via a CVT automatic transmission; with this combination, we’ve little doubt that the ‘magical’ fuel economy figures that Honda owners have been reporting from this engine will continue to prevail.

Let’s talk about the objective stuff now. The 10th-generation Accord wears a new design language that is respondent to design trends & consumer demands of the day. As such it looks far more sophisticated than before, with its more upright face, more prominent headlights (which are full-LED by the way), sleeker roofline (looks a little like the Civic here), and LED taillights. The taillights themselves now adopt the same ‘crab claw’ design as the Civic, which means that forum posters & armchair critics will now have to add ‘Accord Ketam’ to their list of unique terminology.

The new look doesn’t compromise practicality though, thanks to intelligent design. The rear seats for example offer a 50mm increase in legroom over the outgoing model, and the boot is now 28L larger at 473-litres in total. Overall, the new Accord is now shorter and lower than before (length reduced 10mm to 4880mm, height down 15mm to 1450mm), but it is now wider (10mm up, 1860mm total) and sits on a much longer wheelbase (55mm gain to 2830mm).

Another big change comes in the kit list for the range-topping TC-P model – the Accord comes with Honda’s full Sensing Suite rage of systems, which include things like Lane Keep Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, Collision Mitigation Braking System (or Autonomous Emergency Braking, AEB), Forward Collision Warning, as well as Adaptive Cruise Control which now includes Low Speed Follow. This of course comes in addition to the usual gamut of safety features like vehicle stability assist (VSA), traction control, ABS and brake assist. Also standard are 6 airbags.

Despite the new Honda Accord being fully-CKD at the Honda plant in Melaka, it is actually priced comparably to the fully-imported Toyota Camry, in terms of price. With the new Accord starting at RM185,560 for the 1.5TC and RM195,560 for the 1.5TC-P (with Sensing), it will have to duke it out toe-to-toe with the Toyota Camry and the Volkswagen Passat 2.0TSI Elegance. That said it does represent a significant jump over the outgoing car with its naturally-aspirated engines, though the money does go towards improved interior trim, upgraded engines, and up-to-the-minute safety technology.

What do you think of the new 10th-generation Honda Accord? Is the Accord Ketam about to be how you fend off the advent of SUVs? Let us know in the comments below.

2020 Volvo S90, V90 Debut – Mild Hybrids, Updated Aesthetics, Upgraded B&W Audio System

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With little fanfare, resurgent Swedish marquee Volvo has announced the arrival of the updated S90 & V90 flagship saloon & estate, as part of their ‘Recharge’ phase of growth now that they’ve effectively overhauled the entire lineup. As with any mid-life facelifts, the tweaks are less dramatic than all new models but still significant, and in this case, it’s what’s under the skin that counts.

The new S90 & V90 models now feature updated powertrains, offering mild-hybrid propulsion across the board. As such, Volvo claims efficiency improvements of up to 15%, as well as improvements towards overall smoothness in operation. This has been a particular bugbear of the current powertrain options, with markets used to larger displacement engines feeling that the 2,000cc-limited Drive-E mills aren’t quite as smooth as comparable V6 or V8 mills (but us Malaysians are already so very over that).

On the visual side, there are new bumpers on either end, with design elements that aim to emphasise the width of the cars on the road. Further, they lend an air of stability and assuredness on the road, though fans of the originals will find the new designs rather fussy. Notably, the rear bumpers on the S90 & V90 both omit any visible exhaust exits – a sign of fully-electrified options to come?

There are also new taillights on both the S90 & V90, both of which now feature illumination sequences when locking & unlocking, as well as scrolling indicators, though those are only at the rear.

Inside, there are now wider upholstery options to choose from, with all variants of both the saloon & estate offered a non-leather option that makes use of high-quality wool and textiles. This strategy was first  seen with the XC90 ‘Recharge,’ which debuted last year (both internationally and in our market), and appears to now be moving across the lineup.

The amazing Bowers & Wilkins audio system continues to feature here, though calling it a carry over would do it a disservice: B&W has engineered an all-new system for the new S90 & V90, offering improved dynamic bass, as well as a new setting that mimics the acoustics of your favourite jazz club. The B&W audio systems available in the 60 & 90 Series Volvos were already among the very best available in the automotive industry, so we’re keen to experience just how much better this ‘all-new’ system really is.

Going back to the nearly-imperceptible changes, the new S90 & V90 now offer an Advanced Air Cleaner with PM2.5 particulate sensors, a change that was first driven in China and is now being rolled out across the world. Thanks to this new air filtration standard, Volvo can now confidently claim that their interiors are among the freshest and cleanest environments to be in air-wise, building upon the ‘CleanZone’ technology that we’ve already gotten used to in their existing range of vehicles.

For better or for worse, Volvo has also taken the opportunity to announce that with the new S90 & V90, the company will now also exclusively offer USB-C charging ports in the rear, replacing the traditional 12V sockets, in all their 90 & 60 Series models. As someone without a USB-C to USB-C cable, this is a massive annoyance, though this writer understands that they are becoming more and more prevalent as time progresses.

Volvo is very proud that with the ‘Recharged’ S90 and V90, they are forwarding their intent to offer the broadest and most comprehensive range of electrified premium vehicles in the industry, with ‘an electrified Volvo model for everyone.’

It is unclear when the new S90 & V90 will make their way to Malaysia (if at all for the latter, though we can hope), but based on the remarks made by the Director of PR & Marketing at Volvo Car Malaysia, Mr. Akhtar Sulaiman, during the company’s 2019 ‘performance review,’ we can expect it to arrive on our shores within this year.

So what do you think of the ‘Recharged’ Volvo S90 & V90? Do you think that the design has improved with time, or are you of the mind that they shouldn’t have tried to fix what was clearly not broken? Let us know in the comments below.

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.