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If only we knew the R36 Nissan GT-R would look this good

Nissan has been very silent on the matter of their next GT-R, even occasionally questioning its viability given the company’s highly electrified roadmap. Some have said the car will inevitably be a hybrid, which is mostly fine if it looks like this.

These renderings are probably quite a way off from what the Japanese automaker will end up unveiling (hopefully) given how radical the next-generation car might be, but it’s a nice dream to cling to as these renditions by digital artist Hycade are a nice balance between the futuristic and the current design we’ve grown so fond of.

The R35 Nissan GT-R was first introduced way back in 2007, which in some countries makes it old enough to get a driver’s license (in 2023). To say that the anticipation for its replacement (R36?) is strong is an understatement.

Its overall shape, as depicted here, is almost a complete match for its supposed predecessor, though the front end snout is much less prominent with a far smaller V-Motion grille element flanked by very familiar swept back headlight cluster design with thin led illuminator daytime running lights.

Understated, yes, but simultaneously more menacing. From the side, the car very much resembles the R35 down to sloping fastback roofline and its blacked-out A-pillar for a wraparound glasshouse effect.

The rear-end is perhaps our favourite, merging the squared-off stance and some softer design elements from the GT-R50 Concept by Italdesign back from 2018. Its rear wing is large but tasteful and unmissable quad circular tail lights with a matching set of twin exhaust exits at either side round out a show-stopping backside.

Rife speculation has been ongoing since 2014 about the next GT-R, and this more iterative take on the R35 seems like a nice, albeit conservative, step forward from the car it’s meant to succeed. Much of the rumours now surround its powertrain and whether or not Nissan will use an engine format similar to the now legendary VR38DETT 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6.

Some even speculate that Nissan are working on a return to an inline-6 design, displacing 3.0-litres, and supplemented by an advanced multi-motor hybrid system. Nothing so much has been hinted on what the company actually has in the oven, so we’ll still have to play the waiting game.

Until then, these renders (and so many others) will have to fuel our daydreams.

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Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life is now CHEAPER – RM159,990

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced that the price for its Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life has been readjusted to a lower and cheaper price tag.

Taking immediate effect for deliveries from January 2023 onwards, the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life can be yours from a more affordable RM159,990 (excluding insurance)

RM172,990 back in August 2022

To ensure that future Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life owners get more ‘back for your buck’, the new price has been actually reduced from RM172,990 back when it was first launched in August 2022.

That’s an RM13,000 cheaper and for that, you’ll still get the same spacious seven-seater with its class-leading 1,775-litre boot space. Exterior-wise, it’s also the same affair with specs like the sleek front grille with VW’s illuminated light strip positioned between its full LED headlights.

1.4TSI turbocharged engine + 6-speed DSG

The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life is powered by the 1.4TSI turbocharged engine that produces 150PS and 250Nm of torque. Mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox, this combination is said to offer a great driving experience whilst keeping the fuel consumption down to around 7.7L/100km.

Each brand-new unit will also receive three years of free maintenance, five years of unlimited mileage warranty, and five years of roadside assistance for greater ease of mind. For more info on specs, CLICK HERE.

 

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Tesla Thailand is looking for partners to install Superchargers

Tesla has officially arrived in Thailand and they’re looking for partners to install their new network of Superchargers.

Autospinn Thailand reports that Tesla Thailand is looking for interested parties like restaurants or shops to install Tesla Supercharger charging stations at their locations for free, maintenance included. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Eight Superchargers to kick-start

Yes, Tesla Thailand wants to install its Tesla Superchargers for free at eight different locations across Thailand. It seems that they’ll also provide free maintenance but no details of the duration or if there are any other obligations for the owners of the establishments. But hey, being free to kick things off is a great motivator.

What we do know is the fact that they’ve received over 10,000 orders for Tesla EVs in Thailand, and a network of Tesla Superchargers should be crucial in the support of the new car sales once they arrive in the country. As for the ‘free’ offer, interested establishments will also attract Tesla owners to their locations when the Superchargers are up and running.

Tesla Thailand Superchargers to open for other EVs?

Teslas in Thailand will be using the CCS2 charging ports, which also means that the Tesla Supercharger stations that they’ll set up will consist of AC and DC fast chargers that support CCS2 of up to 250kW.

It is not yet confirmed whether Thailand’s Tesla Superchargers will be opened for other EVs to use, but it’ll make sense for them to do so since they support cars with CCS2 ports. The logical move would be to cater to Tesla owners first, but perhaps they might open it up to other brands at a different charging rate?

 

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Bookings for BYD Atto 3 EV hits 1,000 units in 10 days

Bookings for the BYD Atto 3 EV SUV have hit 1,000 units since its ‘grand launch’ earlier this month.

It looks like BYD SD Motors Malaysia (BYD’s official distributor) and its massive marketing campaign has done wonders in not only bringing the crowd to Bandar Malaysia, but also capturing their interests (and booking fees) by letting them experience first-hand what the BYD Atto 3 has to offer.

‘Grand Launch Special’ promo a success

 *Image credit: BYD Cars Malaysia

Apart from selling its first EV SUV from RM149,800 to RM167,800, BYD Malaysia also threw in a ‘Grand Launch Special’ package to help seal the deal by including a free portable home charger, V2L extension cable, and public charging credit worth RM1,000.

The car itself was a clear crowd-pleaser with a nice and very approachable design, decent colour options, and interior features that are unique compared to other EVs in the market to date. Surf Blue and Parkour Red seem to be the hero colours, followed by Boulder Grey, Sky White, and Forest Green.

410km for Standard, 480km for Extended (NEDC)

*Image credit: BYD Cars Malaysia

There are two variants to choose from when it comes to the BYD Atto 3 – Standard Range and Extended Range. The former is fitted with a 49.92kWh BYD Blade battery pack which offers an NEDC range of up to 410km while the latter packs a bigger 60.49kWh pack that grants up to 480km (also NEDC).

Power-wise, all units come with the same front-electric motor setup that produces 203hp and 310Nm of torque. 0-100km/h can be achieved in 7.3 seconds for those of you who are wondering more about performance.

To know more about the BYD Atto 3 EV SUV, CLICK HERE for our launch story + all the specs inside and out. Alternatively, check out Jim’s video following its official launch here in Malaysia, below.

 

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Over 10% of vehicle sales for BMW Group Malaysia are ELECTRIC

BMW Group Malaysia has been introducing a range of electric vehicles under the BMW and MINI brands and they’ve been received well.

Even before the year ends (just waiting for Christmas and New Year around the corner), BMW Group Malaysia stated that they’ve hit over 10% of total sales of 2022 just for their electric car offerings. The exact numbers are not out just yet, but you can practically see their EVs more and more now on the road.

Over 1,600 units of EVs & PHEVs sold in 2021

A total of 10,500 vehicles were sold and registered by the brands under BMW Group Malaysia (BMW, BMW Motorrad & MINI). Over 1,600 units of those were a combination of EVs and PHEVs, so we believe them when they say over 10% of sales this year are just for EVs.

Looking at what they’ve launched so far like the BMW iX, iX3, i4, and MINI Cooper SE, it’s clear that their EV plans are targeted towards a wider group of folks here in Malaysia. For those looking for something that’s a bit more premium, the official arrivals of the BMW i7 and i4 M50 are not that far, especially the i7 which has already been previewed.

Support of EV charging infrastructure

The selling of products is just one aspect when it comes to EVs, and BMW Group Malaysia knows that. For this reason, they’ve been working hard on expanding its EV charging infrastructures across the country not only with its network of dealers, but also outside of them.

Apps like ParkEasy and JomCharge have been collaborating with BMW Group Malaysia to ensure ease of charging access not only for their EV customers, but also for EV owners in general here in the country. 2023 is going to be the year that EVs will truly bloom and prosper.

 

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EV sales to double in Malaysia at the end of 2023

It looks like the number of EV sales here in Malaysia is expected to double by the end of 2023, and for good reasons.

With more and more manufacturers entering the local market with their own offering of electric cars (as well as some new players like BYD and GWM), a sharp rise in registered EVs has been forecasted by the folks over at the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

2,093 EVs registered as of October 2022

According to a recent post by The Star quoting MAA’s president, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, a total of 2,093 EVs have been registered as of October 2022. Forecast research unit, Fitch Solutions, forecasted that there will most likely be a jump of 45.6% or 4,449 units next year.

Based on what the Director General of JPJ, Dato’ Zailani Haji Hashim, their database has recorded around 10,700 registered EVs over the years. Looking at these figures, the EV market is certainly growing at a massive rate compared to the 274 units sold earlier this year.

Tax incentives will play a huge role

The current tax incentives for EVs covering both locally assembled (CKD) and completely built (CBU) units are helping with the EV driving force. To reach the mass market, more affordable options will need to be introduced.

We’re talking about EVs that can be sold below the RM100,000 mark like what most of us are expecting from the likes of BYD and its Dolphin EV model. So far, the cheapest EVs stand at around the RM150,000 mark but we will definitely see a lot more electric vehicles on the road as the price tags go down.

Exciting times ahead, folks. But, we already expected that.

 

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Porsche has officially opened its eFuels manufacturing plant in Chile for the production of its very own synthetic fuels.

Together with the Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF) company, the ceremony was officiated with the fuelling of the Porsche 911 using the first batch of synthetic fuel produced at the site which is located in Punta Arenas.

eFuels made with water & CO2 using wind energy?

To push the plant’s sustainability qualities through the roof, the synthetic fuel blend is made from water and carbon dioxide using wind energy. The result? A nearly CO2-neutral operation for petrol-powered engines.

According to Barbara Frenkel, Member of the Executive Board for Procurement at Porsche AG, “Porsche is committed to a double-e path: e-mobility and eFuels as a complementary technology. Using eFuels reduces CO2 emissions. Looking at the entire traffic sector, the industrial production of synthetic fuels should keep being pushed forward worldwide. With the eFuels pilot plant, Porsche is playing a leading role in this development.”

130,000 litres/year of eFuels to be produced

The pilot phase will see the production of eFuels of around 130,000 litres per annum which will be used for the brand’s lighthouse projects like the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and Porsche Experience Centers. The next phase will see those numbers go up to 55 million litres by the middle of the decade.

Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Development and Research at Porsche AG, stated “The potential of eFuels is huge. There are currently more than 1.3 billion vehicles with combustion engines worldwide. Many of these will be on the roads for decades to come, and eFuels offer the owners of existing cars a nearly carbon-neutral alternative. As the manufacturer of high-performance, efficient engines, Porsche has a wide range of know-how in the field of fuels.”

 

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Production-ready 2023 5-door Suzuki Jimny spotted in India

It’s been months since we last heard about anything regarding the fifth-gen 5-door Suzuki Jimny, until now.

Set for its official unveiling in January 2023, the latest-generation Suzuki Jimny has been spotted yet again and this time around, it looks like it’s completed some final rounds of tests ahead of its debut and without any camo wrap.

Almost ready for the 2023 Indian Auto Expo

*Image credit: ZigWheels

There are a couple of things why we Malaysians should be excited about the new Jimny. Set to be launched on 11 January 2023 at the Indian Auto Expo, the spy shots of what seemed to be the final production model is also a right-hand-drive unit.

This also means that there’s a high probability that it’ll enter the Malaysian market considering the success of the current fourth-gen 3-door Suzuki Jimny. The five-seater version will obviously offer a lot more interior space as well as a bigger presence on the road. Sounds like a sweet deal to us.

Longer wheelbase + bigger bodyshell = new engine?

There are no official dimensions yet in relation to this five-door Jimny but with a longer wheelbase paired with a bigger bodyshell to accommodate those two extra doors, we can also expect to see a new and improved powertrain as well.

Experts in the industry have pointed towards Suzuki’s new K15C 1.5-litre DualJet engine which is said to offer more power and torque compared to the current K15B unit that churns out 100hp and 130Nm of torque. However, there are also others who mention that it might retain this powertrain paired with either a four-speed auto or a five-speed manual.

A few things are certain; the Kinetic Yellow exterior colour will remain (but no black roof?) as well as the possibility of using the same 15-inch wheels as the current-gen 3-door Jimny. They look great, but a new set of rims should be more appropriate since it’s going to be a new-gen model after all.

 

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Kia says goodbye to the Stinger with the final ‘Tribute Edition’

Kia is closing off its Stinger production line for good with the launch of its final and limited-run model, the Kia Stinger Tribute Edition.

Designed to pay homage to the brand’s high-performance vision, the Stinger has been making waves ever since its inception back in 2017 and the following year went it entered the Malaysian market. To make way for the future that is electric, Kia Stinger’s production finally comes to an end. Oppa is sad.

1,000 units to go into production

The final Kia Stinger Tribute Edition production line will be limited to only 1,000 units worldwide. No word on the pricing just yet, but if one happens to come to Malaysia, rest assured that it’ll be way beyond the RM300,000 mark.

Based on the Kia Stinger 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 GT variant (which was priced at around RM310,000 when it was first launched in Malaysia back in 2018), the exterior has been ‘refreshed’ with blacked-out parts for its side mirrors, Brembo brake calipers, and 19-inch wheels.

Customers can opt between the current Ascot Green paint finish or the newly-introduced Moonscape Matte Gray – a colour that was added as part of the Kia Stinger’s final send-off.

According to Chang Sung Ryu, Senior Vice President and Head of Purchase CX Design Sub-division, “The Stinger Tribute Edition denotes an important chapter in the story of Kia’s high-performance ethos. Featuring an exclusive color and interior trim never before seen on the sedan, it also serves as a fitting celebration of the Stinger’s contribution to the Kia brand.”

Bespoke Terracotta brown leather

Kia also introduced a brand-new interior trim for the Stinger Tribute Edition which comprises mainly the bespoke Terracotta brown leather that is found covering the sport seats, steering wheel, door side trim, and handles. A carbon-effect finish for the console was added to complement the whole Terracotta theme.

A numbered door sill plate on the driver’s side will also be added to showcase the Tribute Edition’s authentication of exclusivity in case anyone asks. Firepower is maintained at 370PS and 510Nm of torque as well as its eight-speed automatic transmission.

Annyeonghi gaseyo, Mr. Stinger.

 

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Ducati’s ‘unicorn’ adventure bike lands in Malaysia – RM112,900

Ducati Malaysia has finally brought in one of the most anticipated adventure bikes yet, the 2022 Ducati DesertX.

While there have been many great bikes coming from the Ducati camp, the DesertX is the brand’s first middleweight adventure bike that can completely tackle and dominate off-road riding. In other words, it’s an all-Italian off-road bike that’s adventure first, touring second.

RM112,900 (excluding insurance, registration & road tax)

While the Ducati DesertX is only officially introduced today, the first two batches destined for the Malaysian market have already been spoken for. Inspired by the offroad two-wheelers that used to dominate the Paris-Dakar Rallies in the 1980s and 1990s, its white/red colourway further accentuates its modern-retro facade.

Constructed using a brand new steel trellis frame, the Ducati DesertX comes packed with a new 937cc Testastretta V-twin Desmodromic engine that produces 110hp and 92Nm of torque. Other bits and pieces that come with the DesertX include:

Fully-adjustable KYB 46mm USD front forks
Fully-adjustable KYB rear monoshock
Brembo M50 brake system
Spoke wheels (21-inch front, 18-inch rear)
5-inch vertical TFT screen + more

21-litre fuel tank + optional 8-litre secondary tank

For long-distance enduro riding, the Ducati DesertX’s 21-litre should be enough to handle the distance but if you have a doubt while riding around the globe, the DesertX also comes with an optional 8-litre secondary tank for ease of mind when it comes to fuel.

There are enough electronic riding aids, selectable riding modes, and configurations to ensure that you can ride the DesertX with ease and confidence no matter the road conditions. Our personal favourite feature has to be its dual circular LED headlights with DRLs.

 

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