FastMotoring Motor News In Speed

The all-new Ford Kuga is set to shatter the myth that an SUV cannot be efficient, safe, high-tech and capable all at once. The Kuga will be launched in the second quarter of 2013 in Malaysia. The estimated selling price is around RM 168,000 on-the-road with insurance in Peninsular Malaysia for private owner. The pre-bookings started since 10 May 2013.

Ford’s newest SUV is the centrepiece of the company’s strategy to expand into one of the fastest-growing segments by offering high levels of fuel efficiency and safety, as well as segment-leading smart technologies and a surprising array of standard features. 

The all-new Ford Kuga’s other smart features include:- 

• 1.6L EcoBoost petrol engine with 132kW with 240Nm of torque
• Hands-free power liftgate opens with a wave of your foot beneath the rear bumper – no need to fumble for the key when your hands are full
• Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, including exclusive Torque Vectoring Control for more precise handling
• Segment-first voice-activated Ford SYNC connectivity

“Customers today are chasing value-for-money and the all-new Ford Kuga delivers,” said David Westerman, regional manager, Asia Pacific, Ford Export & Growth Operations. “With the EcoBoost petrol engine standard in the all-new Kuga Titanium, customers now have even more reasons to consider the all-new Ford Kuga.” 

Apart from a range of new features and enhanced driving ability, the all-new Ford Kuga has much improved packaging and more interior space, which has been achieved with the same 2690mm wheelbase as the previous model, the Ford Escape. 

Much of this added space in the all-new Ford Kuga has been devoted to the rear passenger compartment and luggage area to ensure the SUV is a complete family vehicle during the week and has room enough to be a spacious lifestyle getaway vehicle at weekends.

BMW Group Malaysia recently announced its new achievement for the first quarter of 2013 for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad in Malaysia. 

As of March 2013, BMW Group Malaysia delivered a total of 1,665 vehicles in the country, consisting of 1,482 BMW, 86 MINI and 97 BMW Motorrad vehicles, an increase of 9.8% compared to the total of 1,516 vehicles delivered during the same period in 2012. 

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Gerhard Pils, Chief Executive Officer, BMW Group Malaysia said, “We are very pleased to announce our performance for the first quarter of 2013, which sets yet another benchmark for us here in the country. Since the start of the year, we have experienced positive growth which further emphasizes the strength of the business within the country and we look forward to another successful quarter in delivering the premium expression that can only be experienced with the brands represented by the BMW Group,” 

Since January 2013, BMW Group Malaysia has already introduced an array of new BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad models to spur the Malaysian premium segment. New introductions of the BMW 7 Series, the MINI One as well as the latest BMW F 700 GS, BMW F 800 GS and BMW HP4 motorcycles have continued to keep the premium automaker in the lead in the industry in the first quarter of the year. 

Most prominent in the new vehicle offering is BMW’s latest fleet of the ActiveHybrid 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series which reinforces the premium automaker’s commitment to BMW EfficientDynamics, the organisation’s sustainability strategy for the utilisation of Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEVs) in the country.

This week is a special week for MINI Malaysia as MINI have reintroduced the new MINI One for the Malaysian market.

Introducing the new MINI, Dr. Gerhard Pils, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group Malaysia said, “MINI has always been a symbol of urban driving fun. Its indispensable element of EXCITEMENT promised in each model combined with its agile ‘go-kart’ handling and its most natural characteristic with cutting-edge efficiency have led to a very successful MINI story to date. From the very beginning, the MINI One’s success story has always been linked with cheekiness and performance; and the new MINI One has all this and more!”

With MINI’s authentic exterior design features and contemporary character, the new MINI One is also powered by a 1.6 litre 4-cylinder in-line engine with 6-speed automatic transmission, capable of delivering 72kW/ 98hp with 150Nm of torque. The new MINI also records a remarkable fuel efficiency reading with an average fuel consumption rate of 6.7 litres per 100km with CO2 emissions of only 156 grams per km.

The MINI One is available in Chilli Red or Pepper White colour. In addition, the car is equipped with 15” light alloy wheels with 5-Star Twin Spoke rims, the multifunction buttons, sport steering wheel, rain sensor and automatic lights control, radio MINI Boost and Bluetooth hands free kit with USB interface as standard.

The MINI Tender Loving Care (TLC) service package is available as an optional upgrade for RM4,088.00 which takes care of the MINI in terms of inspection and wear and tear repairs for 3 years or 50,000 KM, whichever comes first.  MINI TLC covers work such as engine oil changes; servicing of the air filter, micro filter, spark plugs and brake fluid; maintenance and servicing of brake pads and brake discs; maintenance and servicing of clutch in the event of wear and tear as well as replacement of windscreen wiper rubbers and blades. 

Lastly and most importantly, the new Mini One is selling at RM 146,888.00 on-the-road (w/o insurance) in Peninsular Malaysia. Are you tempted to buy this over the VW Beetle 1.2 TSI?

Today, Toyota Motor Corporation announced a special service campaign on certain Toyota models to address the issue of possible improper manufactured passenger side front airbag inflator that could cause rupture and deploy the airbag abnormally during a crash.

TMC has undertaken a special service campaign to replace the airbag inflator module for front side passenger in the interest of ensuring customers’ confidence and peace of mind.

For Malaysia, UMW Toyota Motor has received confirmation from our principal, TMC that there are approximately 18,700 units of Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla Altis manufactured from year 2000 to 2003 which are involved in this Special Service Campaign in Malaysia.

Although there have not been any reported cases in Malaysia, UMW Toyota Motor will be conducting this campaign to ensure our customers’ vehicle remain reliable and trouble-free.

UMW Toyota Motor will contact all customers involved to carry out the necessary corrective measures at no cost. No other models sold by UMW Toyota Motor produced before year 2000 and after year 2003 are affected by this campaign.

Many may not know, based on the current tax structure for light commercial vehicles from Thailand, the Pickup Trucks are already enjoying zero import and excise duty in Malaysia.

If you are out there to buy a new Mitsubishi Triton, there is a special promotion called the “Big April Bonus” promotion by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia with value up to RM 5,500. This promotion is valid exclusively for customers who book and register any Triton variant by 30 April 2013. 

With a starting on-the-road price (without insurance) from RM 64,053.80, the Triton full range consists of the Triton Single Cab, Triton VGT 2.5-litre 4×4 Automatic, 2.5-litre 4×4 Automatic and Manual, Triton LITE Turbo 2.5-litre 4×2 Manual.

Owners who book the Mitsubishi Triton get to enjoy a 3-year/100,000 km warranty as well as Mitsubishi’s 2-Year Free Maintenance program. To date, the Triton has found close to 40,000 proud owners in Malaysia.