Categories
Auto news

2022 3rd-Gen All-New Honda HR-V Spotted In Malaysia

Carlist.my has spotted the 2022 3rd-gen All-New Honda HR-V on our Malaysian highway stuck in the Hari Raya balik kampung traffic. 

To clarify it is from our southern neighbour Singapore who’s also probably visiting family and friends for the festive period since the Singapore – Malaysia land border reopened

The Sand Khaki Pearl color variant that you see below definitely looks to be the color to get when the car is launched here locally. 

We expect the local 2022 All-New HR-V 3rd-gen launch to happen sometime in Q3 this year. 

Two variants of the all-new Honda HR-V were made available in Singapore, the  HR-V 1.5 DX and the HR-V 1.5 e:HEV. 

A bit more exciting however were the variants that were launched in Indonesia, because the HR-V for the Indonesian market shines the spotlight on the turbocharged RS variant, a world-first for an HR-V.

Dare we hope for the turbocharged powerplant, which should stand the HR-V in good stead against other force-inducted B-segment rivals such as the Proton X50 and Hyundai Kona 1.6T?

Engine and Performance

As with our neighbouring markets, the standard engine is the now-established L15B. The base variant will arrive in the all-new HR-V without a turbocharger and has reduced output of 121PS and 145Nm just like City E, S, and V variants.

A notch up the pecking order we find the e:HEV version with Honda’s i-MMD hybrid system (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive). It uses the same engine, albeit one that runs the more efficient Atkinson combustion cycle, to power an electric traction motor that delivers 106PS and 253Nm to the front wheels.

The turbocharged 2022 Honda HR-V RS on the other hand produces 177PS and 240Nm of torque. all engines are paired with a CVT or e-CVT transmission for the e:HEV variant which Honda says is now better at delivering performance and fuel efficiency.

Interior of the 2022 Honda HR-V

By volume, the all-new 2022 HR-V is slightly down on its predecessor thanks to being slightly shorter from nose to tail. It’s lower too, but 20mm wider than before to accommodate its lower-slung coupe-like body.

That said, Honda has sought to keep the cabin experience in their newest crossover a commodious one, utilising its much-known use of excellent interior packaging to yield unexpected levels of cabin space which should at least be on par with the outgoing model in terms of shoulder room (extra width?) and is claimed to improve on legroom despite the same wheelbase length of 2,610mm. Headroom could be a weakness, though, thanks to that heavily raked rear screen.

Upfront, the dashboard has seen a total overhaul and adopts a floating (but with a sizeable back panel) 7-inch infotainment touchscreen and full-width look HVAC vents as the 11th-gen Civic. Buttons on the centre stack have been reduced to ones surrounding a trio of knobs for climate control and some extras on the multi-function steering wheel, giving a very minimal aesthetic overall.

Honda Connect plays a larger role in the all-new 2022 HR-V, though its breadth of ability is contingent on the background infrastructure available locally, and in Japan is even able to support having its own in-vehicle WiFi network, but like the panoramic glass roof, we’re unlikely to receive that in Malaysia.

Honda Sensing

The big headlining feature here is the full inclusion of the Honda Sensing suite, something that the outgoing model did not have.

When it does arrive, and knowing that it cannot afford to lose further ground to competitors, we expect the majority of the incoming range to feature some Sensing tech, if not the full complement altogether.

However, seeing as how the City and City Hatchback only arrive with LaneWatch in the 1.5V, we might find the usual 6 airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control in the base variants with Sensing reserved for the top-rung petrol-only variant and the e:HEV.

In the upper two variants, buyers will be treated to autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and front departure alert. Also of note is the continuing absence of rear cross traffic alert.

We should also see some if not all of these additional features when the 2022 Honda HR-V makes landfall here: 

3 drive modes
Walk away auto-lock
Electrostatic touch LED map light
Rear seat reminder
Hands-free powered tailgate with walk away cross
Remote engine start

Price of the 2022 Honda HR-V

The 2022 All-New Honda HR-V in Indonesia is priced from IDR 355.9 million (RM105k) and goes all the way up to IDR 499.9 million (RM147k). The current 2nd-gen HR-V retails in Malaysia from RM104k to RM119k

Categories
Auto news

2022 Mercedes-AMG C 43 Revealed With 2.0-Litre Mild Hybrid – Death To V6, V8 Engines

Mercedes-AMGs have always been about their engines, and having pulled the wraps off their first high-performance interpretation of the W206 C-Class – surprise surprise – it’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder.

Mercedes-AMG C 43 4 Matic

More specifically, the 2022 C 43 4Matic for 2022 is now also a mild-hybrid, using a 48-volt electrical architecture to deliver some efficiency and performance gains which we’ll get into shortly.

An important addition here is, as the recent SL 43, the use of a turbocharger that uses an electric motor to artificially spool up, eliminating turbo lag and vastly improving responsiveness.

Over the W205-based car it replaces, power has actually risen to 410PS (+20PS) with the electric-starter generator able to spool the turbo for a brief overboost to an additional 14PS, though peak torque is lower at 500Nm (-20Nm).

Four-Cylinder Mild Hybrid The Way Forward? 

With that precedent set, it’s pretty much a certainty that four-cylinders are about as much as we can expect for the forthcoming C 63, following the A 35 and A 45 duo that brought true supercar pace to the A-Class platform.

Like the unit found in the newest entry-level Mercedes-AMG SL, the engine found in the new 2022 C 43 is but a modified version M139 that premiered in the A 45, tweaked to feature that electric turbocharger and a longitudinal layout.

As ever with any fast Merc, it delivers its fury to all four wheels via the 4Matic permanent AWD system with a 31:61 front/rear torque split and an MCT 9-speed automatic transmission.

Affalterbach’s fabled engine works division seemed to have had to severely cut back on producing some of the most beloved V8 and V12 engines of the modern era, now relegated to partially hand assembling performance derivatives of Mercedes-Benz’s engines based on the widely used M270 four-pot.

All we know is that the optional Driver’s Package will raise top speed, most likely through a software update to disable the electronic limiter, to 265km/h from the standard 250km/h.

AMG Real Performance Sound Package

They’ve tried to give it some added vigour with a modified sports exhaust but have insultingly paired that with something called the AMG Real Performance Sound package to blast synthesised engine notes into the cabin via the sound system.

We can already sense some of the magic being sapped. And this sense of paradise lost will only deepen when the C 63 inevitably arrives with an even more boosted version of that same 2.0-litre engine, probably as a plug-in hybrid.

Given the added power via more aggressive turbocharging and weight advantages of a smaller engine, we’re very sure the all-new 2022 C 43 4Matic would spank the older model on pretty much every metric despite AMG so far not releasing any numbers to back this up just yet.

Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic Specifications

The 2022 C 43, more encouragingly, has been treated to a revised front-axle with bespoke steering knuckles and load-bearing joints, double-wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear suspension, and adaptive dampers with AMG Ride Control.

Even better, AMG has tuned the C-Class’ all-wheel steering system to further enhance the car’s direction changing abilities with a maximum of 2.5 degrees of steering angle to the rear wheels, which as standard are 18-inch alloys but can be specified up to 20-inch.

On the styling front, the 2022 C 43 more closely resembles the C 300 AMG-Line than any C 63, as has been the case before. Subtle changes include the Panamericana front grille with vertical louvres and unique front and rear bumper, beefier side sills, and chromed tailpipes.

Inside, again, the usual AMG visual touches are found in abundance such as a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports seats, and plenty of badges. The graphics displayed on the MBUX displays do also have AMG-specific interface themes and menus.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic is available in both a sedan (W206) and wagon (S206) body styles and there’s a decent chance that, like the previous generation car, could be offered in Malaysia as a locally assembled AMG model.

Categories
Auto news

Apa Lebihnya Alfa Romeo Ni?

Ini soalan yang saya sering dapat dan sebelum ini saya juga sering tanya orang sebelum saya mula memandu Alfa ayah saya iaitu Alfa GT Veloce 2000 dengan plate BU8011 sekitar tahun 1987-88 jika tak salah masa umur 15 tahun.

Alhamdulillah dengan sedikit rezeki Allah bagi, dapat saya merasai Alfa 168 Super 3.0 V6 24V.

Alfa tak perlu recommend, yang ada DNA atau jiwa Alfa, dia akan cari sendiri.

Gang Alfa tak ada bincang isu problem apa. Yang dibincang bagaimana nak selesaikan isu, mana spare parts, siapa mekanik. Parts ada ke tak?

Banyak kereta lain lebih laju, lebih reliable, lebih empuk tempat duduknya. Bagi saya, kalau soalan tanya kenapa saya pilih Alfa Romeo?

Saya akan jawab sebab pakej ketika memandu yakni bunyi enginenya (mana-mana Alfa ada character bunyi masing-masing), throttle responsenya (walaupun banyak lagi kereta lain yang bagus dan crisp) dan yang penting ialah “Driving Experience” yang “intangible” atau sukar nak didokumentasikan.

Seseorang hanya boleh rasa bila anda memandu.

Farah lakonan Deanna Yusuf dalam filem Abang 92 bertanya kepada bapanya lakonan Rahim Razali;

“Abah, apa itu love?”

Rahim Razali berkata “Love itu Farah ialah satu perasaan yang kita tahu bila kita merasainya.”

Itulah Alfa Romeo!

Alfa Romeo ini ialah seperti pemandu meromantiskan diri dengan kenderaan. Pelik?

Memang pelik dan “puak-puak” Alfa ni pun spesis pelik juga.

Kereta ada isu kan? Ya

Kereta susah dapat parts kan? Ya

Kereta susah cari mekanik kan? Ya

Kereta lain banyak laju lagi kan? Ya

Habis tu kenapa masih suka Alfa?

It’s like love. You can’t really see it. You know you’re in love when you feel it. Alfa Romeo to me is about the love and bonding between the driver and the machine. You have a love-hate situation but you have hope. That’s love.

If you still need to ask “What’s so special about Alfa?” Then you’re not yet having Alfa Romeo DNA.

And those with Alfa Romeo DNA will never think of asking the question as they firmly believe that every Alfa Romeo is so special in its own way.

You can take an Alfa Romeo from someone’s life but you cannot take his or her life from Alfa Romeo.

I always say to some friends, Once An Alfa Man, Always An Alfa Man.

Just a short note from an Alfa fan.

Selamat Memandu. Safety First, Last & Always!

Republished with permission from Azad Jasmi, current owner of a 168 Super 3.0 V6 24V from the AROC Malaysia FB page. 

*All image credits belong to Azad Jasmi. 

Categories
Auto news

Jualan Mitsubishi Naik 66% – Top 3 Pengeluar Automotif Bukan Nasional

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) tetap mengakhiri tahun 2021 dengan jayanya meskipun terkesan selama 2 tahun akibat pandemik, banjir, kekurangan cip dan alat ganti.

Syarikat tersebut menjual 19,217 unit pada Tahun Kewangan (TK) 2021 yang mewakili peningkatan sebanyak 66% meskipun jumlah Industri (TIV) menurun sebanyak 6.7%  berbanding tempoh sama pada TK 2020 (April 2020 – Mac 2021).

Top 3 Pengeluar Bukan Nasional

Pencapaian baik syarikat itu meletakkan mereka selesa berada dalam kalangan top 3 kategori pengeluar automotif bukan nasional.

Mitsubishi XPANDER terus mendominasi segmen MPV bukan nasional di Malaysia, dan juga menerajui jualan untuk jenama Mitsubishi Motors. Crossover tujuh tempat duduk ini telah menutup tirai TK 2021 dengan 9,065 unit dijual, yang menyumbang 47.2% kepada jumlah keseluruhan jualan syarikat.

Mitsubishi Triton juga mengekalkan bahagian pasaran yang kukuh dengan hampir 21.4% dan kekal sebagai salah satu pilihan kegemaran dalam segmen trak pikap walaupun menerima cabaran dari pesaingnya yang baru dilancarkan. MMM telah menjual 9,420 unit Triton pada TK 2021 iaitu peningkatan 24% berbanding TK 2020.

Dua tahun lalu, sukar bagi industri automotif untuk bertahan kerena berdepan dengan peningkatan kes Omicron, banjir yang menjejaskan Lembah Klang dan wilayah Pantai Timur serta kekurangan alat ganti atau cip elektronik.

Walau bagaimanapun, prestasi jualan MMM terus berkembang dan menunjukkan kejayaan yang ketara bagi syarikat tersebut.

Pengecualian SST

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, Shinya Ikeda berterima kasih kepada kerajaan Malaysia kerana memulakan dan melanjutkan pengecualian SST untuk beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini. Ini memberi pelanggan lebih penjimatan serta syarikat lebih masa untuk memenuhi semua tempahan yang dibuat.  

Tambahnya, MMM akan terus bergerak ke hadapan dengan momentum yang kukuh untuk 2022 setelah menyedari bahawa sebilangan besar pelanggan mereka menyasarkan untuk membeli kereta mereka sebelum pengecualian SST tamat tempoh pada akhir bulan Jun.

MMM telah meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran sambil mengekalkan tahap kualiti produk yang tiggi dalam memenuhi tempahan supaya dapat memberikan pelanggan kemudahan yang terbaik di samping memberikan keyakinan terhadap syarikat.

Categories
Auto news

Proton Kembali Ke Afrika Selatan – Tingkatkan Jualan Eksport

Proton telah melantik Kumpulan CMH sebagai pengedar kenderaan Proton di Afrika Selatan dan proses penghantaran pertama kenderaan Proton (CBU) akan bermula pada bulan September.

Penghantaran pertama akan diketuai oleh Proton X50 dan Proton X70 dan akan diikuti dengan Proton Saga, yang kembali ke negara itu selepas jualan berakhir pada tahun 2012.

Proton yakin dengan prospek jualannya di Afrika Selatan apabila meramalkan jualan yang kukuh bagi tahun ini, dan menyasarkan lebih daripada dua kali ganda jumlahnya pada tahun 2023.

Untuk suku pertama tahun ini, jumlah jualan eksport telah meningkat sebanyak 175% berbanding tempoh yang sama pada 2021. Jualan dijangka bertambah kerana Proton mahu meningkatkan eksport lebih daripada 300% pada akhir tahun ini.

Peningkatan Jualan Eksport

Proton kini mengeksport kereta ke 13 pasaran luar negara sebelum kemasukan Afrika Selatan.

Pada tahun lalu, 3,018 kenderaan Proton dijual di luar negara, iaitu lebih dua kali ganda daripada 1,508 unit yang dieksport pada tahun 2020. Jabatan Jualan Antarabangsa menyasarkan untuk meningkatkan jualan eksport kepada 10,000 unit untuk tahun 2022.

Pertumbuhan sedemikian diperkukuhkan bukan sahaja dengan memasuki pasaran baharu tetapi juga meningkatkan operasi pemasangan knocked down (KD) di luar negara. Kini, Proton mempunyai operasi sedemikian di  Pakistan, Kenya dan Bangladesh, mana kala Sri Lanka akan bermula pada separuh kedua tahun 2022.

Dari segi keseluruhan eksport kenderaan di Malaysia, prestasi Proton semakin menonjol. Bermula dengan 12.8% daripada jumlah keseluruhan eksport pada tahun 2019, meningkat kepada 30.2% pada tahun 2020 dan  mencecah 60.9% pada tahun 2021.

Ini menjadikan jenama Proton sebagai pengeksport kenderaan utama negara dan menunjukkan eksportnya terus berkembang walaupun keadaan pasaran yang sukar disebabkan oleh Covid-19.

Menurut Pengarah Jabatan Jualan Antarabangsa Proton, Steven Xu, matlamat jangka panjang Proton memerlukan eksport memainkan peranan utama untuk mengembangkan jualan keseluruhan syarikat kerana TIV di Malaysia dijangka tidak banyak berubah.

Tambahnya, Proton mengeksploitasi kekuatan produk baharu, jenama mereka dan juga hubungan Malaysia dengan negara lain untuk bertapak di pasaran baharu. Ini kemudiannya diperkukuhkan dengan mewujudkan operasi KD di mana mana yang berpotensi membantu mengembangkan ekonomi tempatan.

 

Categories
Auto news

Kereta Terpantas Di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang

Tahukah anda BAC Mono merupakan pemegang rekod pusingan terpantas di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang (SIC) bagi jenis kereta produksi?

Kereta produksi membawa maksud kereta yang dihasilkan secara besar-besaran dan ditawarkan untuk dijual kepada orang ramai serta boleh dipandu di secara sah di jalan raya.

BAC Mono Pegang Rekod Litar Sepang

Ketika program Mono Experience di SIC pada tahun 2018, BAC Mono telah meleburkan rekod pusingan terpantas sebelum ini yang dipegang oleh Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

Kereta itu dipandu oleh pelumba Blancpain GT Series Asia, Shaun Thong yang berjaya mencatatkan masa 2:14.617 dan kini memegang rekod pusingan terpantas kereta produksi di SIC yang sebelum ini dipegang oleh Porsche 911 GT2 RS dengan masa 2:18.997.

BAC Mono ini dikuasai oleh enjin 2.5 liter yang menghasilkan 305 hp pada 8,000 rpm dan digandingkan dengan transmisi manual enam kelajuan sequential di mana transmisi semi auto ini boleh menukar gear dalam masa 35 milisaat sahaja.

Kelajuan maksimum ialah 273 km/j dan pecutan 0 – 100 km/j hanya mengambil masa 2.7 saat. Masa terbaik itu telah dicatat ketika fasa perkembangan (development) yang dilakukan ke atas kereta asal sebelum ini yang menggunakan enjin 2.3 liter yang menghasilkan output 285 hp.

BAC Mono mempunyai berat sebanyak 580 kg dan ini memberikan nisbah kuasa kepada berat (power-to-weight ratio) sebanyak 526 hp setiap tan.

Dalam bidang kereta trek khusus, Mono menampilkan tempat duduk pemandu tunggal untuk keselamatan dan pengagihan berat optimum, manakala stereng dan pedal boleh dilaraskan untuk dimuatkan di dalam kereta.

Outright Lap Record

Outright lap record atau rekod pusingan keseluruhan terpantas tanpa mengira jenis kenderaan pula dipegang oleh Mercedes-AMG F1 W08 yang dipandu oleh Lewis Hamilton ketika pusingan kelayakan bagi 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix dengan catatan masa 1:30.076 untuk meraih petak utama.

Jika nak dibandingkan rekod BAC Mono berbanding dengan W08, BAC Mono masih ketinggalan kira-kira 44 saat berbanding kereta F1 yang dipandu Lewis. Ini menunjukkan bahawa kelajuan kereta Formula 1 memang tidak boleh dibawa berbincang.

Adakah rekod BAC Mono ini bakal dileburkan oleh kereta produksi seterusnya? Agak-agak kereta apa yang mampu menggugat rekod BAC Mono di Litar Sepang ni? 

Categories
Auto news

New SOP: Face Masks Still Required On Public Transport, E-Hailing Rides

New SOPs by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin state that face masks are still required on public transport and e-hailing rides. 

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had a long list of SOP updates to get through, but most importantly were the ones that altered where and when we do (or do not) need to wear face masks.

It was a landmark announcement for those who have lived through the COVID-19 pandemic where we were essentially forced to wear something over our face that was unflattering, cumbersome, inconvenient, and even obstructive to breathing freely for the past 2 years.

Of course, this was done for the greater good, ensuring that we do our most to keep the deadly virus (which is airborne) from spreading while we go about our daily activities. Speaking of which, social distancing requirements are also being walked back, and just in time for the Hari Raya festivities too.

However, as many countries have already done with huge majorities of their populations vaccinated (then vaccinated again….then boosted), this ‘mask mandate’ has been lifted. In Malaysia, following this announcement, this change will take effect from May 1st, 2022, as part of other sweeping policies to combat the pandemic being relaxed.

While face masks will no longer be required (but continues to be recommended) to be worn outdoors and in certain indoor situations such as within office buildings and shopping malls, it is required to be worn when in more enclosed environments.

The government has specified that face mask-wearing will continue to be mandated while taking public transportation such as when in a bus, train, or taxi, and the same applies to ride-hailing vehicles.

This isn’t exactly a comprehensive list as there could be many more circumstances that we might find ourselves indoors and in closer quarters where putting on a face mask might be a good call, but the officially stated exceptions include exercising alone, giving speeches, and eating.

Outside of such cases, we’d need to exercise our own judgement instead of relying on the authorities to decide.

What do you think, is this the right time for this? Should the government have kept the ‘mask mandate’ going for longer?

Categories
Auto news

Does Malaysia Need A Lemon Law?

Can we fully trust automakers and their cars these days? Do we need a Lemon law in Malaysia?

To be honest, if you look at it from a fair game point of view, every country should have a Lemon law.

Does Malaysia need a Lemon law?

Why? Because motorists painfully pry themselves away from their hard-earned money to purchase a vehicle, and when that new vehicle doesn’t operate as advertised, it affects their daily lives, including how they source their income.

In Malaysia, cars rank pretty highly on the list of significant financial commitments, primarily due to the nation’s tendency to rely on borrowed money to purchase a car. So shouldn’t they at least get good protection against ‘lemon’ cars?

As much as we would like for all cars to come out of the factory in perfect condition, unfortunately, sometimes, things go wrong, which means that some cars will have problems.

We wouldn’t need a Lemon law if….

If all companies, distributors or dealers quickly and honestly reimburse, repair or admit that there is a significant problem with their car, then we wouldn’t need a Lemon waw in the first place. Still, sometimes, a law that protects a consumer’s right has to step in to save the day.

For example when Poratha Corporation bought a Volkswagen Polo Sedan from FA Wagen Sdn Bhd in 2013, they were not able to use the car for three years a month after picking it up. Can you imagine that? You own the car for one month and for the next three years the car is ‘sidai‘.

Understandably unsatisfied, they took it up with the courts, where luckily, sessions court judge Mabel Sheela Muttiah allowed the plaintiff to claim RM1,779 as special damages and RM88,300 for the loss of use of the car, as she concluded that there were “real and fundamental” defects to the car and the defendant had failed to rectify them within a reasonable time.

We depend on cars in Malaysia…

With an average of half a million cars sold in Malaysia every year, it can be said that a lot of Malaysians depend on cars.

While automakers usually provide buyers with warranties, which is a sort of a promise or a guarantee that the cars are of good build,  some cars just cannot be fixed even after numerous visits to the service centre.

Not everyone is as lucky as Poratha Corporation because, according to Malaysia’s National Consumers Complaints Centre (NCCC), they receive many complaints about new cars manufactured by top companies, both locally and abroad. A Lemon law would bring these numbers down, said Ratna Devi, NCCC director.

This was also echoed by Penang Consumers’ Association (CAP), which said that the Lemon law is a remedy for vehicle buyers who buy defective vehicles without an avenue for redress.

“Lemon law strengthens the Consumer Protection Act. It should be introduced to provide consumers holding onto lemons — nice to see but sour and tart to taste — an avenue of legal redress, said CAP President, SM Mohamed Idris. 

So why do Malaysians need to be protected by Lemon law?

Yes, while we do have the Consumer Protection Act 1999, which is a generic form of consumer protection, we need a Lemon law to make things a bit more straightforward for motorists where they can be confident about purchasing their car without worrying whether they bought it from the right distributor/ dealer or the anxiety of it being mechanically sound. A Lemon law will also give Malaysian buyers legal redress should they in the unfortunate chance purchase a lemon. 

Isn’t that just fair? Something we deserve as paying consumers? Vehicle buyers, who are tied down to the car for many many years? We think so!

Categories
Auto news

Semua Model Proton Akan Ada ADAS – Sistem Bantuan Pemanduan Autonomi

Kesemua kereta-kereta keluaran Proton selepas ini mungkin bakal ditawarkan dengan ciri bantuan pemanduan termaju atau Advance Driver Assistance System (ADAS).

Kenyataan tersebut dibuat memandangkan kebanyakan barisan kenderaan Proton sudah berada di penghujung usia dan besar kemungkinan bakal digantikan dengan kenderaan dari Geely.

Model Proton Bakal Diganti

Proton telah mengesahkan bakal melancarkan Proton X70 MC1 dan Proton Saga MC2 pada bulan Mei ini. Ini menandakan pengakhiran versi facelift bagi Saga generasi ketiga di Malaysia. Begitu juga dengan Proton Exora yang sudah agak berusia yang dikatakan bakal digantikan dengan Proton X90, sebuah SUV 7 tempat duduk dari Geely tidak lama lagi.

Selain itu, Proton Persona juga bakal digantikan memandangkan ia sudah berada lebih 5 tahun dipasaran Malaysia. Mengikut garis masa yang dikongsikan oleh Proton, mereka sepatutnya melancarkan sebuah sedan baharu sebagai follow-up untuk Proton X50. Tetapi kerana pandemik, rancangan terbabit terpaksa ditangguhkan.

Bagaimana pula dengan Iriz? Sayangnya, Geely tidak mempunyai sebarang model hatchback untuk dlencanakan semula sebagai hatchback baharu Proton di Malaysia

Jika dilihat pada katalog kereta Geely, Emgrand 2021 merupakan pengganti Proton Persona yang paling sesuai sebagai sedan segmen-B. Walau bagaimanapun, Emgrand 2021 tidak dilengkapi dengan ADAS juga. Namun dengan menggunakan platform yang sama seperti X50, tidak mustahil ia boleh hadir dengan ciri ADAS kerana ia antara perubahan pada pengganti Persona yang paling diharapkan.

Kenapa Tiada ADAS?

Proton yang bukan dilencanakan semula dari Geely seperti:

Exora
Iris
Persona
Saga

tidak dilengkapi dengan ciri sistem bantuan pemanduan termaju atau ADAS. Hanya Proton X70 dan X50 sahaja yang ditawarkan dengan ciri tersebut.

Menurut Proton, penambahan ADAS memerlukan jumlah kos melebihi RM2,000 pada satu kereta. Ia juga memerlukan penambahbaikan terhadap seni bina sistem elektrikal dan elektronik, kerana sistem berkenaan perlu berkomunikasi dengan kereta. Jadi ini merupakan pelaburan yang besar.

Dengan bajet yang terhad diperuntukan bagi menyegarkan kembali model yang telah berusia seperti Iriz, Persona, Saga dan Exora, Proton terpaksa mengutamakan fungsi-fungsi yang lebih dihargai oleh pengguna tanpa menaikkan kos kereta ini supaya harga jualannya dapat dikekalkan.

Adakah ini bermaksud Proton tidak mengutamakan ciri keselamatan dalam kereta buatannya? Tidak juga. Sebaliknya, Proton telah menaik taraf sistem perlindungan ketika kemalangan yang membolehkan model terkini Iriz dan Persona menerima penarafan lima-bintang menerusi ujian ASEAN NCAP protokol 2017-2020 tanpa ADAS.

Kerjasaman Proton – Geely

Kerjasama Proton dan Geely telah menyaksikan Proton membawa masuk dua SUV yang terhangat yang masih menjadi bualan orang ramai sehingga kini, iaitu X70 dan X50. Kedua-dua model itu hadir dengan ciri ADAS yang merangkumi:

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) With Stop & Go
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC)

Semua Kereta Proton Akan Ada ADAS

Dengan model-model binaan sepenuhnya Proton sudah sampai ke akhir usianya, kemungkinan besar Proton akan membawa masuk lebih banyak model Geely untuk dilencanakan semula di pasaran negara ini.

Jika kita lihat pada pada model-model buatan Geely ketika ini, kebanyakannya hadir dengan ciri ADAS dan sistem keselamatan terkini termasuklah Geely Okavango/Haoyue, yang dikatakan bakal dijadikan Proton X90 kelak.

Secara logiknya, kemasukan lebih banyak kereta Geely sebagai kereta Proton berkemungkinan akan berlaku kerana ia dilihat lebih menjimatkan kos berbanding Proton perlu membina semula sebuah kereta dari awal hanya demi menawarkan teknologi ADAS kepada pengguna.

Myvi Jadi Punca

Pesaing Proton, Perodua telah menjadi pengeluar pertama yang menawarkan ciri ADAS Tahap 2 pada kereta yang berharga di bawah RM60,000 (Perodua Myvi 2022).

Walaupun ADAS dilihat sebagai ciri tambahan yang memerlukan penambahan pada kos kereta, namun Perodua berjaya memasukkan sistem termaju (ASA 3.0) yang diperkenalkan pada Ativa, pada versi terkini Perodua Myvi.

Kejayaan Perodua itu dilihat sebagai satu tamparan hebat buat pengeluar lain yang menjual kereta berharga atas RM60,000 tanpa ciri ADAS. Walaupun ciri ini hanyalah tambahan dan mungkin tidaklah begitu diperlukan pada mulanya, namun kini sistem ADAS mula dilihat seperti sesuatu yang perlu dipertimbangkan sebelum membeli kereta baharu.

Pendek cerita, bila Myvi dah ada, kenapa kereta yang berharga lebih RM100,000 tidak boleh tawarkan ciri keselamatan aktif yang sama? Tambahan pula, ianya merupakan aspek keselamatan dan bukanlah aksesori semata-mata.

Untuk tidak ketinggalan, Proton dijangka bakal memperkenalkan teknologi ADAS pada kereta yang lebih mampu milik atau di bawah lingkungan harga RM100,000 seperti yang ditawarkan pada Perodua Ativa dan Myvi kelak.

Pada pendapat anda, adakah penambahan ciri ADAS pada kereta mampu milik Proton amat diperlukan buat masa ini? Kongsikan dengan kami.

Categories
Auto news

Porsche Reveals Gorgeous New 911 Sport Classic For 2022

This is the newest version of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic, a retro-inspired version of Stuttgart’s most prolific sports car, this time based on the 992.

What is the Porsche 911 Sport Classic?

What makes this latest inductee to Porsche’s Heritage Design Collection different (and more interesting) isn’t so much about its styling, but its mechanicals. Also, this isn’t the first time the marque has rolled out such a car.

Back in 2009, they introduced one based on the revised version of the 997 (997.2). Like this 992-based version, it too featured a unique silver paint job (Sport Classic Grey) and ducktail spoiler reminiscent of the highly collectible 911 Carrera RS 2.7 from 1972.

On styling, the rest of the car quite closely resembles the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition from 2020. Like that car, this 992 Turbo-based 911 Sport Classic is also part of a very limited production run.

Porsche is committing to making only 1,250 examples of it, which is actually more generous than the Targa 4S Heritage, which was limited to 992 units, and much more so than the original ’09 Sport Classic of which only 250 were produced. Still not quite as bountiful as the 1,948 units made of the 991-based 911 Speedster, though.

Porsche 911 Sport Classic Exterior

The exterior of this 2022 car seen here is finished in Sport Grey Metallic that’s inspired by the Fashion Grey paint first seen on the Porsche 356 and features bespoke livery and hand-painted racing stripes. The numbered decals are buyer-customisable (1-99) and inside the panels and seats are done in two-tone Pepita houndstooth upholstery.

It’s all of it looks fabulous but buyers can also specify the car in Black (non-metallic), Agate Grey Metallic, or Gentian Blue Metallic – but why would you?

Porsche 911 Sport Classic Specifications 

While that previous 2009 Sport Classic was based on a Carrera S whose 3.8-litre naturally aspirated flat-6 came with factory Power Kit upgrades to lift power to 410PS and 420Nm, this one takes the performance game much further.

This 992 Sport Classic is basically a 911 Turbo but without the usual easy-mode fallbacks such as permanent AWD and a quick-shifting PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Instead, like a car from Porsche’s GT division (GT4, GT3, GT2 RS etc), this has a 7-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.

That means its 3.7-litre twin-turbo engine now has two fewer contact patches to contain its 550PS and 600Nm output, making it the most powerful 911 with a manual currently available. And with the way Porsche has been leaning into EV tech, it might keep that crown forever. Oddly, they do not go into further detail about its acceleration or top speed except to say that its stats are wedged between the 911 GTS and Turbo.

It does also borrow the wide-body layout and dimensions of the current Turbo S to help deliver some added stability but doesn’t rehash the much-loved gloss black Fuchs alloys from the 997-gen Sport Classic. Instead, it wears a set of lightweight silver alloys with centre lock hubs that are described as a “modern re-interpretation”.

It also features a roof, rear ducktail spoiler, and front bonnet made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and standard carbon ceramic brakes that help it shed 70kg over a standard 911 Turbo.

Also standard fit is sports suspension with a 10mm lower ride height in conjunction with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), rear-wheel steering, rev-matching for its 7-speed manual gearbox, the Sport Chrono Package, and a specially modified Sport Exhaust system.

Porsche 911 Sport Classic – Coming to Malaysia?

Given that, back in 2020, local Porsche distributors Sime Darby Auto Performance offered the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition to Malaysian buyers just 2 months after it was announced Internationally, it might not be too long before this new 911 Sport Classic arrives on our shores.

Language