Car News & Reviews

All-New A90 Toyota GR Supra Launched In Malaysia

UMW Toyota Motors today unveiled the highly anticipated all-new 5th generation A90 Supra, 14 years after its predecessor, the A80 Mk4 Supra was discontinued.

Co-developed with BMW, the all-new Supra, which is essentially a twin of the new BMW Z4, is priced between RM568,000 and RM580,000 on the road without insurance, depending on the exterior colour.

Manufactured alongside the G29 BMW Z4 in Austria by Magna Steyr, the all-new Supra is available in 8 exterior colour options here – White Metallic, Silver Metallic, Ice Grey Metallic, Black Metallic, Prominence Red, Lightning Yellow, Deep Blue Metallic, Matte Storm Grey Metallic.

For the Malaysian market, the all-new Supra only comes in one version, which is the full spec variant powered by BMW’s B58 3.0-litre inline-six Twin Scroll Turbo engine, producing 340 PS and 500 Nm of maximum torque. Paired to the engine is an 8-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters, courtesy of ZF.

Thanks to the powertrain package, the all-new Supra is able to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds, and clock an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

On the exterior, the all-new Supra’s design is inspired a lot by the Toyota 2000 GT (side profile) as well as the Mk4 Supra (front and rear end), with key features like 19-inch wheels, Adaptive LED headlights with LED turn signals, Dual tailpipes, auto-retractable wing mirrors, as well as automatic rain sensing wipers.

Inside, the cabin is almost identical to the G29 Z4, with notable features like black leather upholstery, 8-way power adjustable seats, Smart Entry and Start system, an 8.8-inch touchscreen display with a touchpad remote controller, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, built-in navigation, voice recognition, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, dual zone air conditioning, a heads-up display (HUD), and wireless charging among other features.

As far as safety is concerned, the Supra actually gets an extensive list of features such as Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive High Beam, Rear End Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitor, Parking Sensors, a reverse camera, 7 airbags, as well as an ISOFIX mount.

That being said, the all-new Supra will also be the first model to be sold via Toyota’s GR Garage, a dedicated retail arm which will focus on Toyota’s high-performance and motorsports themed products, in much the same way Mercedes-Benz has AMG Performance Centres at selected dealer locations. These GR Garages will likely be customers touchpoints for those who want to get behind the wheel of a Supra.

July 2, 2020 / by / in
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Mitsubishi To Debut Of Small Electric SUV Concept Car

Mitsubishi has announced that it will unveil a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) compact SUV concept at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show 2019 in November.

The small electric SUV concept is said to combine the company’s electrification and all-wheel drive expertise and technologies, and embody Mitsubishi’s overarching brand message “Drive your Ambition”.

Mitsubishi claims the electric SUV will deliver driving pleasure and confidence over all terrain, and will combine a downsized, lower-weight plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) drivetrain, as well as an electric 4WD system.

The single teaser photo released shows presumably the rear C-Pillar and tailgate proportions which showcase angular and muscular lines, and is highlighted by four turbine-like fixtures both sides rear tailgate. They sit on either side of a clear glass window which covers a barrel like component, possibly from the car’s electrical drive system, within.

The new concept is the latest of a trio of electrified SUV concepts released by Mitsubishi over the past two years; namely the e-Evolution concept (pic above), GT-PHEV concept, and Engelberg concept.

July 2, 2020 / by / in
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BMW X5 xDrive40e: Plug-In Hybrid Meets Sports Activity Vehicle

At the 65th Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, BMW unveiled a plug-in hybrid concept of its X5, powered by the company’s eDrive system. Fast forward to 2015, they have turned that concept into a production model called the BMW X5 xDrive40e.

What is it?

Essentially, it is your run of the mill BMW X5 but now with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is referred to as BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology. Sure, the BMW i8 is actually the first plug-in hybrid production car in the BMW fleet but this represents the first within the company’s core brand.

Powertrain

As we’ve mentioned, BMW’s EfficientDynamics eDrive technology is in play here and comprises of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine that provides 245 hp and 350 Nm torque. Electrification can be found in the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, where a synchronous electric motor (113 hp, 250 Nm) can be found.

BMW’s xDrive permanent all-wheel drive system sends power to all four wheel, even in all-electric mode.

When combined, the maximum system output stands at 313 hp and 450 Nm of torque and will accelerate the the over 2 tonne vehicle to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 6.8 seconds to an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h.

The eDrive system has several modes to choose from: AUTO, SAVE Battery, and MAX. AUTO is the basic setting, allowing both the petrol engine and electric motor to work together as and when required. SAVE Battery, maintains the battery state of charge or builds it up. In MAX eDrive mode, the X5 runs on pure electricity alone, drawing power from its 9.0 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, providing a range of 31 km. It’ll do 120 km/h top speed if that’s of interest to you.

The system provides a combined fuel consumption of 3.4 – 3.3 litres for every 100 kilometres as claimed by BMW.

Exterior

From the outside, the BMW X5 xDrive40e doesn’t differ significantly from a regular X5. The main giveaway is the plug-in charging port on the left side of the vehicle, which can be connected to BMW’s i Wallbox charging station. The “eDrive” logo found on the vehicle’s flanks is also another identifier.

Other exterior highlights are adaptive LED headlights, a selection of 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels should the standard 18-inch ones not suffice. The vehicle can also be ordered with the M Sport package and can be modified with bespoke features by BMW Individual.

Interior

Inside, it is distinctively BMW with the inclusion of the ConnectedDrive system that provides navigation and access to other features of the vehicle including a range of options like Driving Assistant Plus featuring Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Collision Warning with braking function and Traffic Jam Assistant, BMW Head-Up Display, and the BMW Night Vision system.

Safety

The usual plethora of safety systems can be found here including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Dry Braking function, Fading Compensation, Start-Off Assistant; DSC linked to xDrive all-wheeldrive, Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), Hill Descent Control (HDC), and Dynamic Damper Control.

July 2, 2020 / by / in
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Toyota Australia Cuts Prices For 86, Announces One-Make Race Series

While the Toyota 86 has been relegated to a special order-only model by UMW Toyota (with an unspecified price), the Aussies are getting a better deal.

Toyota Australia has recently announced that it has slashed prices of the 86 by up to AU800, along with a higher level of features – thanks to import duty reductions under the Japan-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

The base model 86 GT manual now gets additional reverse camera and a 6.1-inch touch-screen display audio system, while maintaining its base price of AUD29,900 – similar price as top-level specifications 1.8-litre Corolla Altis sedan (Corolla ZR sedan in Australia). Prices for the 86 GT automatic has been slashed by AUD300 to AUD32,490.

The higher range 86 GTS models has seen prices dropping by AUD500 for the manual model, now AUD35,990, while the automatic model has been slashed by AUD800 to AUD38,490.

Customers can also order a full-size space wheel with a urethane cover at no extra cost.

Related post: Toyota’s Newly Rebooted Supra Sports Car

The 86 is Australia’s best-selling sports car, with over 13,000 units sold since June 2012. Australia is also the third biggest market for Toyota’s ‘back-to-basics’ affordable, rear wheel drive, normally aspirated sports car.

Malaysia also has a free trade agreement with Japan, but import duty reductions for Japan-made passenger cars below 2,000cc will only be abolished in 2016.

However don’t expect any major changes to prices of Japan-made cars as the current import duty rate is already at a marginal 4.6 percent. The biggest component of our inflated car prices is not import duty but excise duty, which is not within the scope of any free trade agreement. The current excise duty for vehicles below 2,000cc is 80 percent.

Toyota Australia also announced that it will be introducing a one-make race series next year. Known as the Toyota 86 Pro-Am, which Toyota describes as an “affordable, grassroots motorsport series,” the races will be held at 2016 V8 Supercars series events.

The one-make race series will be run by Toyota Racing Australia. Up to five selected professional drivers will mentor and compete against a larger field of amateur drivers who will have to qualify to get onto the starting grid at each round.

The 86 race cars will be based on the GT manual model, with key specifications controlled to ensure their suitability and reliability while keeping costs as low as possible.

July 2, 2020 / by / in
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