Month: March 2023

Blueshark, a subsidiary of Shargulf Technologies Group, has officially launched the new Blueshark EV scooters here in Malaysia.

Those who are interested in roaming around town on two wheels without using a drop of fuel can opt between the two Blueshark electric scooters in its R series – the R1 and R1 Lite.

According to Jin Chan, Group COO (ASEAN) of Blueshark Ecosystem Sdn Bhd, “The Blueshark R series is the culmination of our efforts to bring sustainable and innovative solutions to the urban mobility market. With swappable battery technology and best-in-class technology, we are introducing a superior yet affordable product that will make smart electric scooters more accessible to a wider audience.”

“Our vision is to transform lives as we transform human mobility while caring for the planet. We believe the Blueshark R1 is a crucial player in driving green urban mobility through mass two-wheel electric vehicle (2WEV) adoption,” added Jin.

Spec-wise, the new Blueshark R series EV scooters can travel up to 110km (NEDC) thanks to removable battery packs situated under the seat. And yes, they can be swapped at the Blueshark BlueStation battery swap station – a network that’s going to be developed at selected Petronas petrol stations soon.

Performance-wise, the Blueshark R1 is fitted with a 5kW electric motor mounted on the rear hub that produces a mind-boggling 201Nm of torque. 0-50km/h is achieved in 4.9 seconds followed by a top speed of 80km/h if both batteries are connected. If there’s only one, then it’s limited to 40km/h.

Charging via the charger supplied by Blueshark (using the domestic three-pin plug) will take around 3 hours and 35 minutes for each battery pack. Alternatively, there are also the BlueSwap and BlueSwap Flex battery swapping services which offer pay-per-swap at RM1.95 per battery pack or up to RM139 for the BlueSwap subscription that offers up to 120 swaps every month. Swap only, no charging needed.

Last but not least, the pricing. The Blueshark R1 Lite can be yours from RM7,190 followed by RM9,390 for the range-topping R1. Company rentals are also offered priced from RM487-RM547 depending on the variant of choice.

 

Honda Malaysia has confirmed that the brand’s smallest SUV, the WR-V will hit showrooms this year, but are you willing to pay north of RM100k for an Ativa competitor?

At the recent annual Honda Media gathering, Honda Malaysia’s President and CEO Sarly Adle Sarkum confirmed that the Honda WR-V would be introduced locally this year.

Honda’s first Small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) is slated to be launched in the third quarter of 2023, and upon its arrival, it will become the first Japanese SUV from a mass-market manufacturer to enter the small SUV segment. 

According to Honda Malaysia, the WR-V will be quite the comprehensive package, offering vibrant and bold design, advanced technology, practicality, and comfort. They also said that the crossover would be the perfect companion for young professionals and families who enjoy travel and outdoor activities.

There’s a lot of excitement regarding the Honda HR-V, and while most details like design, powertrain and safety features are well known, the biggest mystery surrounding the Malaysian WR-V, would be its price. 

Of course, we would have to wait closer to the debut date to get an indication of what kind of pricing we are looking at for the Honda WR-V, but if Thailand pricing is anything to go by, we might be looking at a tiny naturally aspirated Japanese SUV that breaches the RM100k mark.

In Thailand, the Honda WR-V is offered in either the base SV variant or the range-topping RS model, with prices starting from 799,000 baht to RM869,000 baht (around RM103k-RM112k). 

There are some differences in terms of exterior finishes and equipment, but all 2023 WR-V units are fitted with the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT gearbox that produces 121PS and 145Nm of torque.

Other notable features include a 4.2-inch TFT multi-info display, 7″ infotainment touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto), Honda Smart Key Card (with keyless entry & engine start), four airbags (six for top variant) and Honda Sensing safety suite (extra Honda LaneWatch for RS).

Whether the WR-V warrants its price is primarily up to you, but we’re intrigued to know your thoughts on the matter.

Works Ministry has announced that a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll system is expected to be implemented nationwide in 2025.

With toll queues seemingly getting out of hand these days, the government plans to ensure that the dire situation at toll plazas does not continue, with an apparent fix taking place in 2025.

According to a report by The Star, the Works Ministry has announced that a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll system is expected to be implemented nationwide in 2025.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said studies on its usage would also begin in 2024 and are projected to take between one-and-a-half to two years to complete. They have even allocated RM3.46 billion for the implementation of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system, according to New Straits Times.

“The letter of intent has already been issued to concessionaires to ensure the study can be done smoothly”.

“We hope this measure can at least reduce congestion along highways,” he said when winding up his ministerial replies on Budget 2023 at the committee stage in Dewan Rakyat recently.

Abdul Rahman recons the MLFF is the future of toll collection, and is in line with the Intelligent Transport System blueprint by the Works Ministry.

The Star also reported that in preparation for the implementation of the MLFF system, the deputy minister said the ministry would also adopt an open payment system for tolls in a future nearer than 2025.

A multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) system for tolls is a type of toll collection system that allows vehicles to pass through a toll plaza without the need to stop or slow down. This type of system is designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic flow, as well as to increase convenience for drivers.

Tolls are collected electronically using a combination of cameras, sensors, and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. As a vehicle passes through the toll plaza, its RFID tag is read and the toll is automatically deducted from a pre-paid account associated with the tag.

One of the main advantages of an MLFF system is that it allows vehicles to pass through toll plazas at normal highway speeds, which can help reduce congestion and improve travel times.

It has been confirmed that the Honda BR-V will be discontinued as Honda shifts its strategy to compete in the compact SUV segment.

We’re pretty sure there are a lot of Honda BR-V fans waiting for the arrival of the next-generation compact 7-seater, but there’s some bad news for those who are eagerly anticipating, as Honda Malaysia will not introduce that model here.

With launches in neighbouring countries like Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand all lining up like a game of Dominoes, of course many Malaysians could assume that we would be next in line to get the popular 2nd-gen 7-seater.

But at Honda’s recent media night, they sadly announced that they will discontinue the BR-V lineup locally, and have even removed it from their official website.

Honda Malaysia did not give an official answer to why they are stopping the sale of the popular 7-seater in Malaysia, but it’s safe to assume that with good choices in the same category like the Perodua Alza, Toyota Veloz and Mitsubishi Xpander cramping the segment, Honda Malaysia probably thought it’s best to leave it to them.

Instead, Honda Malaysia will shift its strategy to compete in the compact SUV segment by fighting the Perodua Ativa with its brand new model, the 2nd-Gen Honda WR-V. This is a good move by Honda Malaysia, as they’ll be one of the first ones to offer a different choice in the segment.

With dimensions of 4,060mm (long), 1,780mm (wide), and 1,608mm (tall), the latest compact SUV from Honda is slightly shorter and lower but wider compared to the Perodua Ativa.

The funky crossover is powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine that produces 121ps at 6,600rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4,300rpm, mated to a CVT transmission.

Apart from the introduction of the Honda WR-V in 2023, Honda Malaysia also plans to launch three other new vehicles this year, including the FL5 Honda Civic Type R. Joinig the Type R this year will be the 6th-gen Honda CR-V which has been seen testing locally recently and the facelift Honda City which was unveiled recently in India. 

Sad that the new-gen Honda BR-V won’t be coming? Let us know your thoughts in the comment. 

UMW Toyota Malaysia has just launched the all-new 4th-generation Vios, no doubt one of the most hotly anticipated cars to be introduced locally in 2023.

2023 Toyota Vios 1.5E – RM89,600
2023 Toyota Vios 1.5G – RM95,500

Locally assembled in Bukit Raja and offered in 2 variants priced from RM89,600 for the 1.5E and RM95,500 for the more highly specified 1.5G, the Vios is keen to take the shine out of its arch-nemesis, the Honda City. Then again, it does now also carry a slightly more upmarket price and feature set. Only time will tell if it’ll be the big hit its predecessors were.  

Since bookings were opened on February 24th, they say that more than 5,000 orders have been received. So, a pretty warm reception so far.

“We are excited to kick off the year with the launch of the All-New Toyota Vios, which represents our commitment to providing our customers with the best quality vehicles and services. We look forward to a promising year ahead, full of opportunities to drive Malaysia’s economic growth and development,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

The local distributor says that since its initial debut here two full decades ago in 2003, the highly successful Vios has sold over 500,000 units, making it one of the most popular non-national cars to be sold in Malaysia.

We already know the all-new model is quite a bit different under the skin, but the skin itself than is quite a pretty one, adopting a fastback roofline design and visual cues taken straight off the Camry, including a very fetching set of 17-inch wheels. Overall, it’s a more stylish and charismatic proposition than its previous iterations.

Both variants of the 4th-gen Vios are fitted with a 2NR-VE 1.5-litre naturally aspirated Dual VVT-i engine that delivers a respectable 106PS and 138Nm paired with a CVT that offers 7 virtual ratios for a more conventional auto-like stepped shift behaviour.

Of course, the big story here is the fact that the Vios now rides on the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform that’s also used as the basis for the Perodua Ativa, Perodua Alza, and Perodua Axia. And in case you were wondering. Yes, that CVT is essentially the D-CVT found in those other Perodua models.

Thanks to this new underpinnings, the Vios boasts much improved refinement, packaging, and dynamic potential. Dimensionally, it has grown significantly over the car it replaces, adding 70mm for a wheelbase of 2,620mm (20mm more than the Honda City’s), promising a larger cabin feel.

Inside, the Vios has been thoroughly modernised with a semi-digital instrument cluster and 9-inch freestanding infotainment screen with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The mix of materials and a more ergonomic layout is also vastly improved, giving the impression that the Vios is most definitely shedding its past persona for one more upmarket to match its higher price tag. There’s even 64-colour ambient interior lighting!

That sleeker fastback profile not only impedes slightly on rear headroom, but has also seemed to cost the Vios some practicality as its boot capacity has been reduced to 475-litres from just over 500-litres in the older model.

You’ll be reassured to know, however, that both variants of the Vios come as standard with the full complement of Toyota Safety Sense, adding active safety and driver assist features such as Pre-Collision (Automated Emergency Braking), Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Keep Assist, Auto High Beam, and Adaptive Cruise Control in addition to a 3D panoramic view monitor and Blind Spot Monitoring.

Passive safety comes in the form of 6 airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, hill start assist, and all the rest of the usual suspects.

Like all Toyota models, the Vios comes with a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Owners will also enjoy 24SEVEN Road Assist and a free three-year subscription to the Toyota Vehicle Telematics System which monitors the car’s location at all times.

Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announces that the Transport Ministry is preparing a comprehensive public transportation framework.

With the increasing amount of road congestion urbanistes face these days, it’s no surprise that Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is pushing for better infrastructure for our public transportation system.

Anwar recently annouced that Transport Minister Anthony Loke is preparing a comprehensive public transportation framework.

According to Malay Mail’s report, Anwar said that once it is ready the framework will be presented to the Cabinet for its implementation.

“I would like to once again thank the transport minister who is preparing a more comprehensive framework and strategy for public transportation that will be presented to the Cabinet and will then be implemented in stages,” Anwar said in his speech at the recent launch of the Putrajaya Mass Rapid Transit Line (MRT2) Phase Two.

He agreed with Loke that public transportation should be top priority to help ease commuting woes, as the public transportation system is not up to scratch.

Anwar said there would be a better budget allocation for public transportation next year, which has had to take a backseat to help improve education and healthcare this year.

He also said that traffic congestion issues could impact the country’s productivity, citing a study from Bangkok that he had read.

This newly-formed Cabinet committee will be chaired by our Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Together with other Cabinet ministers, they will look into ways of resolving traffic congestion issues as well as other pertaining matters in relation to public transportation.

Three killed in road accident as their car hit a parked crane around Bukit Sputeh.

We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again, Klang Valley roads is just one big accident waiting to happen, and the latest to be victims of hazardous Klang Valley roads are three unfortunate occupants of a car, who were killed when their vehicle rammed into a crane.

Picture credit: The Star

According to The Star’s report, three people were killed after a car rammed into a crane placed near a school on Jalan Syed Putra, Bukit Seputeh.

Operations Commander Senior Fire Officer K. Segar said 10 firefighters from the Hang Tuah fire and rescue station rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 3.46am on the 19th of March.

“Upon arrival, the firemen learned that a car had crashed into the rear of a crane that was parked on the road shoulder.

“The driver of the vehicle was pinned in his seat and had to be extricated. Two safety workers who were on duty to guard the crane also died of serious injuries,” he said.

The Operations Commander continued by stating that the identities of the three victims had yet to be ascertained but they were confirmed dead at the scene by medical personnel.

Please be vigilante when you’re driving around the Klang Valley, as there are various construction works underway and you never know what might have been left there without considering the safety of road users.

Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd has officially launched the Peugeot Landtrek. Not only is the truck the first Peugeot pickup to hit Malaysian showrooms, but the launch also marks the French truck’s ASEAN debut. 

After being given a preview earlier in January this year, Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd has officially launched its pickup truck, the Peugeot Landtrek. Only one variant is available, with the selling price starting from RM 120,072.00 without insurance.

Exterior – French truck with French flair

One look at the Peugeot Landtrek and you’ll instantly recognise the brand’s ‘alluring’ design DNA that is both stylish and modern yet rugged, particularly its vertical grille embedded with Peugeot’s Lion emblem as well as LED signature lighting.

Interior – more like an SUV rather than a pickup

Inside is just as stylish as some of Peugeot’s latest SUV offerings, with features like the 10-inch HD screen and Peugeot’s signature piano key toggle switches. The 10-inch HD touchscreen is compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto and offers seamless connectivity to integrate with your devices.

There’s also automatic dual-zone air conditioning and seven grab handles in the passenger compartment for better comfort and access. 

For the rear of the cabin, Peugeot said they paid special attention to the three rear passenger seats wherein the backrest can be tilted 23 degrees to provide greater comfort. The modularity of the rear bench seats in the PEUGEOT LANDTREK adds considerable versatility to the cabin with the possibility of folding the backrest in 60/40 split or 100%.

When folded down, the backrests can support a load of up to 100kg. The rear bench seats are equipped with two ISOFIX fasteners to ensure the safety and docking of child seats.

Powertrain – small and efficient turbo diesel engine

The Landtrek is powered by a 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 160hp and 350Nm of torque. It’s mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a transfer case, which allows for easy transfer between 2-High, 4-High and 4-Low modes with just a simple turn of the rotary knob.

There’s also a mechanical rear differential lock which provides extra traction when one-wheel slips. Some of the other key details worth paying attention to, especially for those planning to use the truck offroad include:

Wading Depth: 600mm
Approach angle: 29˚ (depending on the session)
Departure angle: 27˚ (depending on the session)
Break-over angle: 25˚
Side slope angle: up to 42˚
Hill climb angle: 80% (on automatic gearbox)
Ground clearance: 235mm
235mm of ground clearance

Safety – Complete with features to keep you safe on and off-road

As for safety, the Peugeot Landtrek comes ready with features such as:

6 SRS Airbags
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Anti-Skid Regulation (ASR)
Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC)
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
ISOFIX points
Lane departure warning

Colours 

The colour line-up for the New Peugeot Landtrek includes Ceramic White, Silver Grey, Magnetic Blue, Red Rubi, Rockstone Grey, and the model’s exclusive colour Olea Green, making a total of 6 colours available.

Warranty 

The New Peugeot Landtrek comes with a standard 5-Years Manufacturer Warranty with a mileage limit of 100,000km, whichever comes first. 

Our current Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, wants to reconsider Touch ‘n Go’s monopoly.

Most of us, including Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, realise that Touch ‘n Go virtually has the market to itself, which is why PMX hinted that he would reconsider the Touch ‘n Go monopoly, especially when the toll system is not showing any convincing progress.

Answering a question at the “Meet Anwar” dialogue session, on whether the government has any plans to revisit Touch ‘n Go, Anwar said: “I think you are right. We will consider it again,” he said.

We can’t blame Anwar’s sentiment, especially when other countries such as Indonesia and Singapore have implemented more efficient toll systems in the last half-decade, while highway users in Malaysia still have to face miserable queues when the toll system in our country fails to work.

Picture credit: Mekanika

The most recent example was the nightmare traffic jam at the Bentong toll, as road users did not move for an hour because the Touch ‘n Go payment system was broken.

For the longest of time, Malaysians have been wishing for a better toll system, and it can only get better if Touch ‘n Go has some competition as it can give them a genuine effort to be better or else get left behind by the competitor. 

For anyone unfamiliar to the world of cars, much less the labyrinth of different cars to buy either new or used, merely venturing into car ownership can be quite daunting. 

Narrowing the shortlist down to the right car isn’t something most people can necessarily intuit if unfamiliar with the lay of the land, and there are numerous other factors to consider as well – from value to features to financing to reliability and maintenance. Though this can be broadly true for men and women, it does present a unique set of challenges for female buyers.

In contrast, there are so many other purchasing decisions that pose much less mental burden outside the car buying sphere, and this is exactly where CARSOME’s approach shines bright, transforming the complex aspects of searching for, buying, selling, and even maintaining a car into one that’s hassle-free, transparent and trusted.

The Literal Turn-Key Solution To All Things Cars

In these modern times, women lead busy, multifaceted lives that require the juggling of multiple priorities – from high-powered careers to leisurely pursuits, wellness, family, and friends. Cars should therefore (only) play a constructive role in any woman’s expanding ambitions.

Balancing family and personal matters with the demands of a career means that little time is left to focus on a laundry list of trivial matters – of which the car buying and selling process can quickly spiral into. Everyone is seeking turn-key solutions that prioritise clarity and convenience, which is exactly what CARSOME brings to the experience. 

Each CARSOME Certified car has been put through a rigorous 175-point inspection and reconditioning process done by qualified and skilled technicians to ensure it’s as close to pristine condition from the first time you step inside. 

Even better, CARSOME goes the extra mile to take the hassle away by managing all the paperwork during the pre/post-purchase, and loan approval stages. Following this, you can opt to either collect your car at a CARSOME Experience Centre or choose home delivery, leaving no stone unturned in terms of customer convenience. 

All CARSOME Certified cars also come with a 1-year warranty that covers all the essential components including the engine, transmission, and air conditioning system with even more comprehensive coverage available.

CARSOME Celebrates International Women’s Day

In celebration of International Women’s Day and the collective achievements of all women, CARSOME makes it possible for anyone to find a car that both empowers them and compliments their lifestyle. 

Until the 31st of March, CARSOME is offering an extended 30-day money-back guarantee for ladies on their CARSOME Certified car purchase, providing all the assurance they need when making an investment as important as a car. 

Not only CARSOME Certified cars are also covered with a one-year warranty, protecting it against potential repairs or maintenance issues, but in addition to that all female customers this month will also receive one month free insurance premium from Fi Life in conjunction with International Women’s Day. 

During the CARSOME Autofair also happening this month (March 17th-19th), CARSOME is offering discounts of up to RM8,000 and a further RM1,000 discount claimable through the CARSOME mobile app, up to a 2-year extended vehicle warranty, free 20-point vehicle inspection, and many more attractive promotions. Additionally, female customers are eligible to receive a special free gift in conjunction with International Women’s Day.  

First time buyers venturing into the often-daunting world of car ownership need not worry about sacrificing a worry-free experience over attractive pricing thanks to CARSOME’s comprehensive Certified program in which the cars on offer are thoroughly inspected, repaired and refurbished. 

Furthermore, in addition to having a wide variety of vehicles to choose from, CARSOME makes the buying process seamless, transparent, and fuss-free.

What’s more, CARSOME Service Centres also bring the same attributes to the after sales experience that prioritises convenience, quality and unbeatable value with service packages as low as RM98, bringing all your needs of proper car maintenance and upkeep under one roof.