Weekly wrap

This past week the Malaysian auto market received two new, affordable variants of the BMW i4 electric sedan and the updated version of the XMax 250 scooter. Also, Chery has come up with its new after-sales programs offering customers an elevated level of ownership experience. In the meantime, the international auto industry witnessed the unveiling of several exciting models such as the Mitsubishi New SUV, Nissan Z Nismo, 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series, 2024 Porsche 911 S/T, and 2024 Honda N-Box. Here’s a quick recap of all the major happenings of the week.

BMW i4 lineup in Malaysia gets two new affordable variants - eDrive35 and eDrive35 M Sport, priced at RM 258,210 and RM 284,210, respectively. Both are powered by a rear-mounted electric motor making 286 PS of power and 400 Nm of torque. The motor is fed by a 67 kWh battery pack, which offers a driving range of 483 km on a single charge. In terms of equipment, the base-spec eDrive35 is equipped with 18-inch double-spoke light alloys while the M Sport features 18-inch M aerodynamic wheels. The latter also comes with M high-gloss Shadowline exterior package, Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite M interior trim, and M Leather steering wheel.

Yamaha’s popular scooter, the XMax 250, has received some significant revisions in Malaysia. These include a new X-shaped LED headlight design, redesigned LED tail light, and a new 4.2-inch TFT-LCD screen mated to Yamaha Y-Connect and Garmin StreetCross connectivity. Powering the upgraded Yamaha XMax 250 is a 249.8-cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, which delivers 22.8 PS of maximum power and 24.3 Nm of torque. Priced at RM 23,998, the scooter comes in two colour options - Icon Blue and Max Silver.

Chery has come up with a vast range of enhanced vehicle after-sales care programs for amping up the customers' ownership experience. These include - an extended vehicle warranty coverage for up to 7 years and an insurance program offering several benefits like agreed value - up to 12 years, speedy claim approval, 24/7 roadside assistance & unlimited towing, personal accidental coverage, and more. Customers can also opt for Extended Warranty Package for the engine that offers protection for up to 10 years or 1,000,000 km. Also, Chery has started a dedicated customer care line to address all customer inquiries on Chery products and services.

Didi Group previewed the all-new Super Meteor 650 in Malaysia, ahead of next month's launch. The bike will be available in two variants here - Standard and Tourer. At the core of the upcoming Royal Enfield bike lies a 648-cc parallel-twin engine, which churns out a maximum power of 47 PS and a peak torque of 52.3 Nm. The engine comes tied up with a six-speed gearbox and chain final drive system. The colour palette comprises five options - Astral Blue, Astral Black, Celestial Red, Interstellar Green, and Celestial Blue.

The Hot Wheels x PROTON Kids Design Competition was held last weekend, in which 386 kids (aged 4-12 years old) submitted their artwork for the special edition Hot Wheels Proton Saga packaging. Saw Jane Harn, a 9-year-old girl from Penang, won the competition. Her artwork presented several of Malaysia's natural wonders and accomplishments, featuring the rhinoceros hornbill, the hibiscus, and the National Monument. The design will first undergo a pre-production review and be printed on the special edition Hot Wheels Proton Saga, set to go on sale in Malaysia in 2024.

To offer green charging solutions to premium BMW electric vehicle buyers, Lee Motors Auto Care joined hands with Solarvest Holdings Berhad. Under the collaboration, the new buyers of the premium BMW EVs will get a complimentary 4.5 kWp rooftop solar PV system (worth RM 22,000) from the Solarvest Group, offering more than 3,000 km of environment-friendly driving per month.

Tesla Malaysia has also rolled out the Tesla Home Charging Program, which offers a free Tesla Wall Connector worth RM 2,880 to Model Y buyers. To grab the free wall connector, customers need to fulfil certain conditions, including buying the EV from Tesla Malaysia, installation of the wall connector at the specified location mentioned in the vehicle order form, suitability of the designated location for installation, and more. The Tesla wall connector provides up to 71 km of range per hour (with a 3-phase supply).

Proton sold a total of 13,326 units (including export) in July 2023, which represents a month-on-month dip of 7.1%. On a positive note, the automaker recorded a year-on-year growth of 16.1% and its year-to-date sales figure crossed the 90k mark, which is observed as the earliest occurrence since 2012. Among the star models were - the Saga and X50 with 5,926 and 2,630 deliveries. The brand’s newest model, the X90, also showcased an impressive performance; it led the D-segment SUV category with 886 registrations.

Ahead of its scheduled launch on August 10, Mitsubishi has released the exterior design of its highly-anticipated new SUV. The car features a Silky & Solid design concept with an evolved iteration of the Dynamic Shield face and T-shaped LED daytime running lights and tail lights. Under the hood, the new Mitsubishi SUV will be carrying a 1.5-litre engine with a CVT gearbox transmitting power to the front wheels. The production of the SUV will be carried out at the brand’s Indonesia plant with deliveries set to commence in November this year.

Nissan has expanded the lineup of the Z sports car by adding a new NISMO variant. The track-focused Nissan Z Nismo variant is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 engine dishing out a maximum power of 420 hp and a peak torque of 521 Nm. It comes paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and three driving modes - Normal, Sport, and Sport+. Among the other performance-enhancing bits are - a stiffened chassis, enhanced suspension with stiffer springs, NISMO-specific 19-inch wheels, Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT600 tyres, and a track-enhanced braking system. Design-wise, the Nismo trim sets itself with a “Grand-Nose” on the front, a restyled grille, a wider rear spoiler, and subtle red accents.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has received a major overhaul in the global market. The upgraded version is based on a new GA-F platform with robust body-on-frame construction and an enhanced suspension system. Size-wise, it is 100 mm longer, 95 mm wider, and 20 mm taller than the predecessor. The new Land Cruiser Prado features a boxy profile with a new rectangular front grille and circular headlamps. Also part of the upgraded kit is a new 12.3-inch infotainment system and 12.3-inch instrument display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, satellite navigation, and an updated Toyota Safety Sense suite.

Along with the new Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota also introduced the new Land Cruiser 70 Series. The biggest update of the classic Land Cruiser is a new 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel powertrain paired with an exclusive six-speed automatic transmission. Among the other key updates are a new front grille design, circular headlight, new black front and rear bumpers, and new alloy wheels. Inside the cabin, this iconic SUV benefits from a new 4.2-inch instrument multi-info display, new 6.7-inch touchscreen infotainment, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and an updated Toyota Safety Sense advanced-driver assistance package.

Porsche celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 911’s first public debut held in 1963 with the introduction of a very special model called the 911 S/T. Limited to just 1,963 units, the race car is powered by a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six engine that delivers a whooping power of 525 PS and a peak torque of 465 Nm. The power is sent to the wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, enabling the car to run from zero to 100 kmph in just 3.7 seconds and attain a top speed of 300 kmph. Pricing for the 2024 Porsche 911 S/T starts from USD 291,650 (around RM1.3 million).

Honda’s kei car, the N-Box, has arrived in a new avatar in Japan. Set to go on sale later this year, the revamped iteration of the N-Box features two designs - standard and Custom, boasting different exterior and interior trims. Inside, it will come equipped with a free-standing 9-inch infotainment unit, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a new two-spoke steering wheel, front and side airbags, and a Honda Sensing suite. The car will be offered with turbocharged petrol and naturally aspirated engine options.

bmThat’s all for the week. For more local and international auto news, stay tuned with us.Also read: Hyundai Ioniq 6: Detailed in 22 pictures