Electric cars aren’t zero emissions when electricity is generated by coal power plants, but so what?

It was bright and sunny this morning, with the kind of clear blue sky with minimal overcast that begged for you to go out and take a stroll to warm your body up in preparation to face Christmas weekend. So that’s exactly what I did.

Two hours and close to 8km later, I felt refreshed, yet a little sick at the same time. My entire upper airway felt like it was covered in a layer of mucous. The blue sky made the day look like it was fresh and clean, but in reality the air felt a little thick, like it was a little powdery to be honest.

The source – internal combustion engine vehicle pollution, it’s everywhere. Even as I sit here writing this story on the first floor of a commercial centre while having a cup of coffee, the air is horrible thanks to the high volume of

Read more

Proton X90 vs Toyota Innova Zenix – which three-row 7-seater crossover SUV should you buy in 2023?

The next car that Proton is expected to launch is the Proton X90, which has a front wheel drive SUV-styled body with three rows that can sit 7 passengers.

That just so happens to be the same direction that the new 2023 Toyota Innova is taking. Unlike the previous IMV ladder-frame based product, the new Toyota Innova (called the Innova Zenix in Indonesia) is now based on the front wheel drive TNGA-C platform, seats 7 passengers in three rows and has a SUV-like body.

We think these two products will go head to head in Malaysia so we decided to come up with a brief guide comparing what the Proton X90 and 2023 Toyota Innova have to offer.

How does the Proton X90 and Innova Zenix compare in size?

As you can see from the table above, the X90 looks like it is slightly larger than the Innova Zenix. It

Read more

All car brands should agree on minimum safety standards – Jean Todt on road safety in Malaysia

Agreement between all car manufacturers on a minimum safety standard in all new vehicles sold would be a significant milestone in automotive safety, said Jean Todt, United Nations secretary general’s special envoy for road safety. Automotive manufacturers are pushing safety technology at the forefront of their marketing strategy, but they are not doing so quickly enough, Todt said.

The UN special envoy for road safety also calls on consumers to examine safety information before buying a car, whether it is a new car of a used unit. This is in reference to information on the car’s performance in crash testing, which should help the public make informed decisions before owning a vehicle, he added.

“I am very proud to acknowledge the good effort of MIROS (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research) in leading the ASEAN New Car Assessment Programme (ASEAN NCAP). Having done crash testing for more than 100 car

Read more

LPT2 landslide updates – KT to Kuantan southbound fully opened, Dungun to Ajil northbound still closed

Click to enlarge

Here are some updates on the current conditions at the Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2 (LPT2), following the landslide that occurred on Monday (December 19). The updates were released by the highway concessionaire this morning.

According to LPT2, the highway is fully opened from Kuala Terengganu to Kuantan, southbound. Note that repair and observation works are still ongoing at KM393.0 following flooding in the area, so slow down and drive safe. The graphic above shows that the emergency lane in the area, located between Ajil and Bukit Besi, is closed for the purpose.

If you’re heading north on the east coast from Kuantan up, the stretch between Dungun and Ajil is still closed for repairs. It has been closed since 3am on December 19, and those heading north are required to exit the LPT2 at Dungun and use the old road (FT03 Marang) towards KT. You can get

Read more

Chery to assemble EV and PHEV models in Malaysia by 2024 – CKD Omoda 5 EV, Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV?

Chinese carmaker Chery is making its return to the Malaysian market, and along with its push to make Malaysia its right-hand-drive and ASEAN regional base, it plans to locally assemble fully electric and plug-in hybrid models in the country by 2024, the carmaker has revealed.

A host of SUVs from Chery has been earmarked for launch in Malaysia, consisting of the Omoda 5, along with the Tiggo 4 Pro, Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro SUVs. These will be locally assembled, and be developed in RHD guise from the outset.

With plans for Chery to make Malaysia its regional base, the fully electric and plug-in hybrid models set for local assembly could likely be the Omoda 5 EV, which has been tipped to offer a WLTP-rated range of 450 km from its 64 kWh battery, powering a 204 PS/400 Nm electric motor. Fast charging from 0-80% state of charge

Read more

LPT 2 flooded near Ajil – “kepala air” phenomenon seen, take precaution if you’re passing through

There are reports on social media that LPT 2 is currently experiencing flooding near Ajil in Terengganu, around KM 393 of the highway. If you plan to drive through that area you should take precautions. Perhaps delaying your journey might be a good idea.

Jabatan Meteoreologi Malaysia released this warning at 1230pm warning of continuous rainfall at a red/dangerous level for Kelantan and Terengganu. In addition, there are orange zones in Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Pahang, and yellow zones in Kedah, Penang, Perak and Johor.

As always, do check in advance if the route you planned to take brings you through an affected area before heading out. If possible, delay your journey and if you’re already out of your home, move your car to safer

Read more

ERL to resume non-stop services to KLIA from Jan 3

The Xpress Rail Link (ERL) will resume its Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Express and KLIA Transit services from Jan 3, 2023, to accommodate the increased number of passengers. Currently, the KLIA Express and KLIA Transit services are operating as a combined service due to the drop in passengers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The KLIA Express is the fastest way to get to the KLIA (28 minutes non-stop) and KLIA2 (33 minutes) airports from KL Sentral. With the dedicated services resuming, the KLIA Express will run with a 20 minute train frequency during morning and evening peak hours.

The KLIA Transit train frequency will also be revised to every 15 minutes during weekday peak hours while peak hours have been extended from 7 pm to 8 pm. Also, the KLIA Express train departure point would revert to the Departure Hall platform.

Johor Bahru LRT – Nylex signs LOI with CRRC Changchun for LRT project connecting with RTS Link

Nylex Malaysia has proposed to enter into discussions with CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles from China for the construction of an LRT system in Johor Bahru, The Edge Markets reported.

Planned as an integrated property development that is categorised as transit-oriented development, the project is subject to an ongoing feasibility study and the grant of a concession award by the Johor state government, according to the report. Nylex has subsequently stated in a bourse filing yesterday that it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with CRRC Changchun for its part in completing the feasibility study.

This LRT project is connected with the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link currently being constructed between Johor Bahru and Singapore, the contract for which was won by Ekovest Construction. Through the letter of intent, CRRC Changchun agrees to take on the project as a turnkey contractor, and it recommends the use of the straddle monorail

Read more

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia confirms local assembly of EVs – CKD EQ models coming soon, EQS first?

We will soon have CKD EVs from Mercedes-Benz. At today’s launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ at 1 Utama, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Sagree Sardien confirmed that locally-assembled EQ models are on the way.

As to when the CKD EQ EV will surface, the MBM chief wasn’t explicit, but asked us to look out for an exciting announcement in Q1 2023. As we’re now at the tail end of 2022, that’s just around the corner. Again, no model was mentioned, but the EQS could pave the way, as hinted at before.

The EQS, Mercedes-Benz’s flagship EV, was launched here in July. The CBU Germany import is available here in EQS 450+ AMG Line form, for RM698,888 on-the-road without insurance. That price includes sales tax and the current EV incentives factored in, namely a full waiver of import and excise duties.

The EQS 450+ has an WLTP-rated range of 782

Read more

Fast Bikes ends distributor agreement with Triumph in Malaysia, becomes Honda Big Wing Dealer on Jan 14

As of January 14, 2023, Fast Bikes will cease to be the official Malaysian distributor for Triumph motorcycles, subsequently taking on a Honda Big Wing dealership. Accordingly, Motoradic, as exclusive official importer for Triumph, will also relinquish its role.

Fast Bike’s Triumph outlets in Penang, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu will also end operations on that date. A new Triumph motorcycles representative for Malaysia has been appointed but the name has not been officially announced.

For Triumph motorcycles no longer under warranty, Fast Bikes remains available for consultation and advice on service and technical matters. For motorcycles still under warranty, Triumph Motorcycles UK and its official representative in Malaysia will be solely responsible for all terms and conditions.