Motoring - 10 April 2016

SUNDAY STAR, 10 APRIL 2016

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Motoring

More torque,more action

2 motoringSUNDAY STAR, 10 APRIL 2016

Advent of bigger, coolerdrives

THIRTY years ago, one would buy SUVs, pickup trucks and crossovers out of necessity rather than desire.

They were considered monsters – big and clunky, reeking of diesel. If they ran on petrol, they were indeed gas guzzlers.

These vehicles were considered ruffians on the road because they were designed for tough work.

Fast forward to today, times have changed and these vehicles are now a big part of the automotive industry.

In the 1990s, people started considering pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers as lifestyle vehicles.

When hatchbacks were considered too small, sedans too common and station wagons outdated, SUVs seemed to exude the right image and offer more practicality.

As time progressed, the range of SUVs began to grow. There are now compact SUVs, which are as small as a compact hatchback but with fancy wheels, body cladding and a taller ride height.

Then, there are the premium

4X4 double-cab pickup trucks, priced alongside the luxurious D-segment sedans and offering rides similar to cars as they are quieter and allow you to go on offroad paths without issues.

Crossovers were basically a softer version of SUVs that had the option of running on only the front wheels or all four wheels, have the amenities of cars and offer exciting looks, all of which make you ready for an adventurous or easy-going drive.

There are also SUVs that replace the familiar MPVs. Seven-seater SUVs are a norm these days and provide an alternative to boxy MPVs for those who seek a more stylish look.

Besides the usual five-seater SUVs, there are also the 5+2 seater and seven-seater options. As for the 4X4 pickup trucks, you have the two-seaters for commercial use, five-seater dual-cab trucks, and tricked-out versions with all the bells and whistles found in a luxury sedan.

The SUV, crossover and pickup truck market is expanding rapidly and almost all car manufacturers will have at least one to offer.

Even the premium brands are not left out, seeing just how successful Porsche is with its Cayenne and Macan. Soon, Lotus will be whipping out its own SUV too.

This brings about the question – Do you really need these larger drives? Here are some of the reasons for the sudden rise in demand for SUVs, pickup trucks and crossovers.

1Style While many individuals want

an SUV for its style or the lifestyle it portrays, most prefer the comfort and efficiency of a car.

A car is more fuel-efficient because it sits lower to the ground and is lighter. To reach a compromise, crossovers offer light-duty off-road performance while still handling like a car.

On the extreme side of this are pickup trucks, whose owners like the shape and idea of a pickup truck but rarely go off-road and usually leave the truck bed empty.

They are the reason companies are churning out premium trucks priced above RM130,000.

2 Space Some individuals require

space for their lifestyle activities. A bicycle might look small and slim but can quickly become big and cumbersome when you want to ferry it around on a car.

With an SUV, you can wheel your bicycles in. With a pickup truck, you can place them in the truck bed and take off. This makes SUVs and pickup trucks better than a car.

3 Off-road abilitySome people do have to go off

the map and require a proper SUV or 4X4. A pickup truck is often the cheapest and easiest solution.

On the other hand, most SUVs are soft-roaders as they do not

come with a lower range transfer case – the mechanism that directs power to all four wheels for extreme off-road driving.

An SUV is better than a car in tackling the bumpy city roads and the occasional flash floods.

4 Ferry the familyWhen parents realise that a car

is too small for their family and want something bigger, an SUV

that seats seven instantly becomes a popular choice.

An SUV looks better than an MPV and for parents who do not mind a slightly smaller space, the seven-seater SUVs are an enticing choice.

Choose your vehicles well and do not forget that SUVs and 4X4s are big and tall vehicles, so drive safely.

People with active lifestyles can experience the best of both worlds with a crossover utility vehicle.

SUVs are preferred over MPVs for their more modern look.

A pickup truck is the vehicle of choice for harsh terrain.Current SUVs offer car-like performance and comfort.


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NAZA Euro Motors, the caretaker for the exclusive Citroen brand of vehicles in Malaysia, sponsored a Citroen C3 for the Prosperity Drive Contest organised by IOI City Mall, the latest mall in town located near Putrajaya.

The contest was held from Jan 15 to Feb 14 where shoppers who had spent RM350 and above in a single receipt during the period were eligible for the draw.

“We are thrilled by the overwhelming response from our shoppers and would like to thank and congratulate everyone for taking part,” says Chris Chong, complex general manager of IOI City Mall.

The Prosperity Drive Contest is in line with the mall’s commitment to deliver a rewarding shopping experience to its shoppers.

More than 500 shoppers were present when the grand prize winner was announced.

Lim How Chong, a retiree from Sungai Buloh aged 66, drove away in the Citroen C3, which was presented to him by Michael Ravunni, head of sales of Naza Euro Motors.

“I could not believe it when I was informed that I had won the Citroen C3. I never expected to win because I had never been lucky when it came to contests. Fortunately, this round, my luck came at the right time and I would like to thank Citroen and IOI City Mall for granting my wish and

proving me wrong,” says Lim.Citroen C3 is a stylish hatchback

featuring the massive Zenith windscreen that stretches back to the roof. Highly specced, the Citroen C3 looks and feels premium because of Citroen’s

modern design. The interior will draw praises

from friends, especially its touchscreen multimedia system, refreshing-looking dashboard and stylish cabin.

Under the hood lies a 1.6-litre

VTi 120 with an automatic transmission that ensures a smooth yet gutsy drive.

Citroen has been in Malaysia for quite some time and it has service outlets to keep cars in good running condition.

If you are into style and performance, there are not many brands that can marry these two elements like Citroen does.

n For more information, visit www.citroen.com.my.

Lim receiving the key to his new ride, the Citroen C3, from head of sales of Naza Euro Motor Michael Ravunni.

Stylish, modern ride

Treat of three FOUNDED in 1910 by Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan, the Morgan Motor Company might be one of the last British car companies that has not been sold to a foreign conglomerate.

Built in Worcestershire, Morgans are hand-assembled vehicles with a long waiting list because the process of building one takes a long time.

Morgan’s first cars were three-wheelers because in the past, Morgan wanted to avoid car taxes and a three-wheeler was then considered a cycle-car.

Its first four-wheeler was only produced in 1936, but the three-wheelers continued to be sold until 1952.

In 2011, Morgan reintroduced the three-wheeler and Morgan purists were excited to have it back.

Morgan has now added another variant of its three-wheeler and this proves that the company is still

keeping up with the times. The Morgan EV3 is an electric

three-wheeler that made its debut during the Geneva Motor Show this year.

It addresses zero-emission motoring from a different

perspective, besides being bespoke, hand-crafted and exhilarating to drive.

It can basically be considered a gentleman’s zero-emission sports car.

This British boutique brand placed a 62hp electric motor weighing less than 500kg at the rear wheel. It runs on a 20kWh liquid cooled battery.

True to any Morgan, the EV3 still uses an ashwood frame but the bonnet, side pods and tonneau cover are all made out of carbon fibre. The rest of the body panels are made out of lightweight aluminium.

Design-wise, the same shape has been mantained but has been given a modern look.

The three headlights with asymmetrical layout is something new and unique while the rear is The stylish dashboard features wood, brass and polished aluminium.

The Morgan EV3 uses composite carbon panels in its body construction.

The Morgan EV3 is a gentleman’s zero-emission sports car.


Fest for the festive seasonCAR buyers wanting to buy a car sometime closer to the middle of this year would be interested to know that Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), the organiser of Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS), will roll out is first car sales show this May.

My Auto Fest will make its debut from May 20 to 22 and will be held at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

According to MAA’s president Datuk Aishah Ahmad, MAA council members and leading car manufacturers, distributors and dealers in the country have come to a conclusion that they should have a sales-oriented promotion event to encourage better auto sales leading up to the Hari Raya festive season.

“If you’re planning to buy a car, book yours at the show to get the best deal in town and receive your

car in time for the five-day Hari Raya public holiday season starting on July 6.

“We are expecting participating car companies to provide generous offers and substantial discounts to benefit car buyers in all segments at this inaugural Auto Fest to boost consumers’ sentiment,” says Aishah.

She explains that the offers can be in the form of direct discounts, a subsidy for interest on car loans or even waivers for downpayment. These offers are exclusively available at My Auto Fest.

MAA has confirmed that more than 90% of the key industry players will be participating, including Proton Edar, Honda Malaysia, UMW Toyota, Peugeot, Kia, Citroen, Edaran Tan Chong, Sime Darby Auto Connnexion, Jaguar Land Rover (M) Sdn Bhd, Volvo Cars,

Motor Image Malaysia, Daihatsu Sales Sdn Bhd and Daihatsu Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Several other activities will be available to patrons and their family and entry is free for all.

“We won’t charge an entrance fee because we want car buyers to come with their families. When buying a family car, isn’t it better for the family to test drive and experience the car for themselves?

You can also compare a variety of cars as the opportunity to test-drive various car models is available at the spacious outdoor area of the venue,” says Aishah.

There will also be food trucks at the event, allowing visitors to savour street food, burgers, juices and snacks at the auto show.

Several activities are lined up for children to enjoy at the fun and games corner and visitors can browse through lifestyle booths

that are health-, fashion- and fitness-related.

Parking is easy with ample parking space at the venue’s basement carpark and at the Mines Shopping Complex.

The three-day auto show is targeted to attract an estimated crowd of 75,000.

n For more information, call 03-7843 9947 or 012-265 4502 (Jaswir).

Datuk Aishah Ahmad, president of the Malaysian Automotive Association.

dominated by LED lights. It takes nine seconds to do the

century sprint but the claimed range of travel is 241km, which makes it quite usable for those

staying in cities.Morgan will be producing the

EV3 at the end of this year and the price will start at around RM181,000 (before taxes).


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Providing service and supportTRUCKERS and commercial fleet operators will now find greater convenience with the opening of the Hino Sales, Service and Spare Parts (3S) centre in Subang, Selangor.

Operated by Soon Heng Motor and Commercial Truck Sdn Bhd, the new RM2mil 3S centre is expected to meet the demand for Hino vehicles in the area, providing top-quality sales and after-sales support.

Located at the Jalan Pekan Subang and Jalan Sungai Buloh intersection, the centre is Hino’s 39th 3S outlet in Malaysia and features standard maintenance bays and an express maintenance bay that guarantees a speedy 30-minute service for customers.

The opening of the centre was officiated two weeks ago by Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director Ken Iwamoto, executive director Datuk Johnny Chan and Soon Heng Motor and Commercial Truck Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Chia Kok Keng.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Hino associates and members of the media, Iwamoto said, “Hino’s mission is not only to

develop a product that is a perfect fit for each customer’s business but to maximise vehicle up-time and minimise vehicle lifetime costs.

“We at Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) extend our sincere gratitude to Soon Heng Motor and Commercial Truck for its dedication in providing the best possible services in Hino vehicle sales, repair and maintenance,” said Iwamoto.

Quality and convenienceStriving to offer the best

possible ownership experience, the new Hino 3S centre allows visitors to relax in its comfortable air-conditioned waiting area and enjoy free Wi-Fi connectivity as their vehicles are being serviced.

In addition to the amenities available at the centre, customers can take advantage of the brand’s exclusive Pro-Care service

Hino celebrates the opening of its Hino Sales, Service and Spare Parts Centre in Subang, Selangor.

package, which includes door-to-door assistance and 24-hour breakdown service.

With a reputation built on outstanding quality, durability and reliability, Hino has maintained its position as one of the best-selling commercial vehicle brands in the Malaysian market.

Apart from offering an extensive vehicle line-up, Hino is committed to ensuring vehicle owners

possess adequate road safety and vehicle knowledge.

“With our Hino Total Support Customer Center in Sendayan, Negri Sembilan, we strive to deliver the best support to customers with necessary training, including safety-driving and eco-driving techniques,” said Iwamoto.

Industry leaderSince it was established in 1977,

Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has been working closely with its dealers to improve its services across the country.

Operating under the Total Support philosophy, the company, along with Hino Motors Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, aims to provide customers with the most suitable commercial vehicles and quality after-sales service.

The Hino line of commercial vehicles made up of the Hino 300 Series (Light Commercial segment), Hino 500 Series (Medium and Heavy Duty segment) and Hino 700 Series (Prime Mover segment) is among the most technologically advanced in the market.

n For more information, visit www.hino.com.my.


Experience adventureJAGUAR Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (JRLM) recently launched two exciting new SUVs: the enhanced 2016 version of its fastest-selling model, the Range Rover Evoque, and the all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The Evoque’s worldwide sales success has been accompanied by critical acclaim, as it has won more than 165 international awards since its launch.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport, meanwhile, is the world’s most versatile premium compact SUV and the first member of the new Discovery family in Malaysia.

For this year’s model, Range Rover Evoque’s cutting-edge exterior design has been enhanced with classy updates: a new front bumper and grille design, Xenon headlamp with new LED signature daytime running lights (DRLs), rear lamps with signature DRLs that match the front, fog lamps, and a tailgate spoiler with discreetly integrated third brake lights.

The Powered Gesture Tailgate adds a new dimension to the convenience of Evoque ownership.

It allows the owner to automatically open the powered electric tailgate without keys by briefly waving their foot beneath the rear bumper.

Being a Land Rover at heart, the 2016 Range Rover Evoque comes with Terrain Response, which allows the vehicle’s steering, throttle response, gearbox, centre-

coupling and braking/stability systems to be precisely tailored to the demands of the terrain.

The system features four settings: general, grass/gravel/snow, mud and ruts, and sand.

Powered by a 240PS/340Nm Si4 two-litre petrol engine matched to an advanced ZF nine-speed automatic transmission, the new 2016 Range Rover Evoque can accelerate from 0kph to 100kph in just 7.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 217kph.

The 2016 Range Rover Evoque comes with a comprehensive

aftersales package that includes a five-year or 150,000km warranty, five-year or 80,000km free scheduled maintenance and three-year roadside assistance.

It is priced from RM430,000 (including GST but excluding road tax, registration and insurance).

The Discovery Sport is available in two variants – the two-liter Si4 Petrol (240PS, 340Nm) and the 2.2-liter SD4 Diesel (190PS, 420Nm).

Both are mated to advanced nine-speed automatic transmissions for peerless refinement, efficiency, driver

engagement and off-road capability.

It is equipped with innovative features such as 5+2 seating, powered tailgate and configurable mood lighting.

Depending on the optional accessories package selected, it can be equipped with various optional features such as park assist for parallel and perpendicular parking, automatic high-beam assist, lane departure warning, panoramic roof and Meridian Audio sound system with HDD navigation.

The Discovery Sport offers unrivalled all-terrain performance courtesy of 600mm wading depth, optimised approach, departure and break-over angles and the Terrain Response system.

Every Discovery Sport comes with a five-year or 300,000km warranty, five-year or 80,000km free scheduled maintenance and three-year roadside assistance, whichever comes first.

The SUV is priced from RM420,000 (including GST but excluding road tax, registration and insurance).

n For more information, visit www.landrover.com.my.

Exciting promotion

YOU can go on an adventure of a lifetime with the Land Rover Experience in Solihull, United Kingdom.

For a limited time, a purchase of a new Range Rover Evoque or Land Rover Discovery Sport comes with a complimentary four-day, three-night trip for two to the birthplace of Land Rover.

The offer is inclusive of flights, accommodation and visits to the Land Rover Experience Centre and Solihull Plant for you and your partner.

You will also have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Land Rover for an exciting and challenging off-road drive.

This promotion ends at the end of this month and is applicable to selected Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport models only.

Terms and conditions apply.

Travel dates are subject to availability.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a versatile premium compact SUV offering unrivalled all-terrain performance.

Big savings, big surprisesIF you are planning to buy a new car, take a moment to read about this irresistible deal.

Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the official distributor for Kia vehicles in Malaysia, has launched a new campaign that involves some of its best models to date.

For a limited time, you get to enjoy bonuses up to RM15,888 plus a three-year (or 60,000km) free maintenance service if you choose to buy one of its selected models.

The models covered in this K Surprise Series campaign

includes the Kia Rio Sedan K2, Kia Cerato K3 and Kia Optima K5.

You do not even have to buy the car to get the rewards. Go to the nearest Kia showroom and take a Kia car out for a test drive and you will stand a chance to win tickets to the Euro 2016 football matches in the Kia Lucky Drive to France contest.

Each customer who test drives a Kia model will receive a lucky draw coupon and be automatically entered into the

contest. Winners will be announced in May.

The Kia Rio Sedan K2 is a stylish compact sedan with a 1.4-litre Gamma MPI (multipoint injection) DOHC (double overhead camshafts) CVVT (continuous variable valve timing) engine.

It is as stylish as you can get for a sedan within this price range. A Red Dot Design Award winner, the Kia Rio Sedan K2 comes with six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control and many other

hi-tech gadgets.

The Kia Cerato K3, a C-segment sedan comes with two engine options – a 1.6-litre gamma engine and two-litre Nu engine.

Compared to the model it replaces, the Kia Cerato K3 comes with added size for better comfort.

The 1.6-litre Gamma engine is good for 130PS and the six-speed automatic gearbox is smooth. Equipped with a GPS, eight-inch touchscreen and many other interesting accessories, it is money well spent.

The Kia Optima K5, arguably the sexiest D-segment model in

this price range, is more than just a looker.

Fitted with features normally available in cars costing from RM150,888, this two-litre sedan offers terrific value for money and drives pretty well too.

With its auto-leveling high-intensity discharge headlamps, Ice-cube front fog lamps and overall sharp looks, the Optima K5 is a real game changer.

n For more information, visit any Kia showroom or visit www.kia.com.

KiaOptima K5.


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Kia Rio Sedan K2.

Kia Cerato K3.

THERE are electric supercars, then there are electric high-performance motorcycles.

Zero Motorcycles, which is based in California, has been around for quite some time and has just upgraded its models this year.

The line-up now features a new Z-force upgraded electric motor that works at an increased efficiency and handles heat better than before, while offering full performance for longer.

The batteries have also been improved for both its monolith boxes on the S-series models and the modular removable batteries on its FX line.

The monolith batteries have a boosted capacity by 4% (12.5kWh to 13kWh), which means the range has increased from 298km to 314km (with the Power Tank installed).

On the FX series machines,

there is a 14% boost in capacity. A fully loaded FX with two battery modules can give you 132km of range, an improvement from the previous generation’s 113km.

Zero has also introduced the charge tank accessory, which allows you to use the public J1772 spec charger to juice up the electric bike three times quicker than the regular outlet.

It will still take three hours for a full charge but one hour on the charger offers at least 85km of range.

There is no word of Zero Motorcycles being offered in Malaysia yet but one can hope that a company will bring it in and assemble it as a complete knockdown project (where a vehicle is assembled locally using major parts, components and technology imported from the country of origin).

Eco-friendly on two wheels

The charge tank accessory allows quicker charging time.

Zero Motorcycles’ stable includes streetbikes, dual-sports and supermotos.

The Zero S model integrates revolutionary technology with innovative design and premium equipment.


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Motoring - 10 April 2016