Nary two weeks after revealing the important new ID. Polo, Volkswagen has pulled the covers off the spicier version, the ID. Polo GTI. Shown during the weekend of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring – which, in case you’ve been living under a rock, featured yet another last-minute Max Verstappen heartbreak in his first attempt at the gruelling race – the hot hatch brings the iconic three letters into a new electric era in its 50th year.

An almost perfect facsimile of 2023’s ID. GTI Concept, the ID. Polo GTI has been spruced up with a bunch of red accents, including a stripe below the full-width light bar, standard-fit IQ.Light LED matrix headlights and illuminated VW badge. There’s also a sporty bodykit rendered in black plastic – reminiscent of the Mk5 Golf GTI – with vestigial red tow hooks at the front.

The rear of the car features an extended tailgate spoiler, the upgraded 3D-effect version of the quad rectangular taillights and a large diffuser style valance. A set of 19-inch alloy wheels with an octagonal design come standard and look massive on such a tiny car.

Speaking of which, the ID. Polo GTI measures 4,096 mm long (43 mm longer than the standard ID. Polo), 1,816 mm wide and 1,513 mm tall (17 mm lower), with a wheelbase of 2,599 mm. To put that into perspective, the car is just 22 mm longer (but a whole 65 mm wider) than the outgoing petrol Polo GTI, 169 mm shorter than the also-new ID.3 Neo and 193 mm shorter than the Mk8.5 Golf GTI.

Inside, the ID. Polo GTI retains the no-nonsense design approach taken by the regular model, with physical instead of capacitive buttons on the steering wheel, four discrete window switches and proper air-con toggles. As usual, there’s a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, which can be configured to show analogue gauges and even a “cassette deck” that harks back to the original Golf.

Here, the GTI extras include a sculpted oblong steering wheel with an illuminated GTI badge and red 12 o’clock marker, a red dash stripe atop the air vents, striped seats inspired by the Golf GTI’s trademark tartan upholstery, and GTI badging below the headrests. On the options list are a ten-speaker, 425-watt Harman Kardon sound system, a panoramic sunroof and even massaging 12-way power-adjustable front seats.

While the ID. Polo GTI is billed as a hot hatch, it’s not exactly blessed with sky-high outputs – not when its 226 PS (166 kW) and 290 Nm of torque barely top those of a Proton eMas 7. Even so, with a kerb weight of 1,540 kg, Wolfsburg’s electric pocket rocket is able to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds – although its top speed is equally low at 175 km/h.

Instead, the focus has been placed on bringing the GTI brand’s signature front-wheel-drive thrills to an electric hatch. To that end, the ID. Polo GTI features a front locking differential, Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive sports suspension and variable-ratio steering. You’ll also be able to spec the car with bespoke Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres.

The ID. Polo GTI also debuts a new GTI driving profile. Thumb the GTI button on the steering wheel and you’ll get the most aggressive powertrain, steering and suspension settings, as well as a unique interior colour and graphics scheme. Unfortunately, the ID. GTI Concept’s simulated gear shifts have not made it to production, with the steering paddles instead adjusting the regen braking strength.

Despite the sporting bent, the ID. Polo GTI retains an impressive 424 km of WLTP-rated range through its 52 kWh (nett) battery, although the pack is of the outdated NMC chemistry. The car’s DC fast charging capacity maxes out at a lowly 105 kW, but the “particularly constant charging curve” (VW’s words, not ours) means it will still charge from 10 to 80% in around 24 minutes.

As per the standard ID. Polo, the GTI version can be had with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, enhanced using vehicle-to-X communication; as such, it will be able to stop for traffic lights. Available to order in Germany starting in the fourth quarter of the year, the car will be priced starting from under €39,000 (RM180,000).

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PLUS users, take note. The North South Highway concessionaire has announced a contraflow for advertising board gantry structure maintenance works at KM293.4 northbound. It’s between the Persimpangan Putra Mahkota and Southville City toll plazas.

The work is scheduled for tomorrow night, 10pm from May 19 to 5am the following morning. The E2 highway operator says that it expects minimal traffic disruption at the location, but highway users are advised to plan their journeys and follow the signs and crew at the location.

If we look at the graphic above, all three northbound lanes plus the emergency lane will be closed to traffic (PLUS doesn’t like the term ‘lane closure’) and traffic will be funnelled into a contraflow lane on the southbound side. To compensate, a Smartlane will be opened at the stretch to maintain three southbound lanes.

Click on the image above for a better idea of what will be going on tomorrow. Drive safe.

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An interest-free motorcycle loan of up to RM5,000 is available from the Terengganu state government. The motorcycle purchase loan scheme is issued under the state Entrepreneur Development Foundation (YPU) to assist Terengganu youth and the B40 segment to improve work and business mobility, something was previously offered back in 2023.

Chairman of the state Entrepreneur, Human Resource, Co-operative and Consumer Affairs committee, Datuk Ariffin Deraman said the scheme is based on the Qardhul Hassan concept, an Islamic concept of interest-free lending, on the principle of helping others without expecting a financial gain. Ariffin said the lender only has to repay the actual loan amount taken in the repayment period.

Conditions for the loan were also simplified with applicants no longer required to produce a Malaysia Companies Commission (SSM) business registration. Ariffin also said the scheme is open to all businesses in the state, not only gig workers, reported PAS party organ Harakah Daily.

He added those in Terengganu and aged between 18 to 40 years can apply for the loan directly to the YPU without having to go to the State Assembly (DUN) office. Other conditions include being a Bumiputera, residing in Terengganu for more than 10 years, registered as a voter in the state, possessing a motorcycle licence as well as having an active bank account and providing a guarantor who is not blacklisted,

The repayment period can be extended across four years, with an estimated monthly payment of around RM100 a month. Ariffin further said the scheme is open for the purchase of second hand motorcycles to a maximum of RM5,000, with all other costs borne by the applicant.

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The Denza B8 has been sighted on a transporter truck in Malaysia, as seen in these images provided by paultan.org reader Remy Chan ahead of the SUV’s launch set for May 21.

Registration of interest (ROI) for the B8, a plug-in hybrid, three-row SUV opened last month on the Denza Malaysia website, and this model will be the brand’s second model in Malaysia after the D9 MPV that was launched locally in February 2025.

The B8 is essentially a renamed Bao 8 from BYD off-roader sub-brand Fangchengbao, which was launched in China in November 2024. Using body-on-frame construction, the B8 offers six or seven seats in its three-row configuration, while its DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) powertrain is comprised of two electric motors, one on each axle, rated at 272 PS and 360 Nm in front and 408 PS and 400 Nm at the rear.

These work with a hybrid-specific 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine producing 197 PS (145 kW) and 350 Nm. Combined, the total system output of the B8 is 578 PS (425 kW) and 760 Nm, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds.

Supplying the electric drive motors in the B8 is a 36.8 kWh Blade battery which offers 115 km of range on the Chinese CLTC test cycle (around 100 km WLTP), while its 91 litre fuel tank – in combination with the drive battery – brings a claimed 905 km of range combined. Charging of the battery in the Denza B8 is supported at up to 120 kW DC, in addition to AC charging at up to 11 kW. Conversely, vehicle-to-load (V2L) supply is rated at up to 6.6 kW.

The manufacturer’s DiSus-P hydraulic suspension brings 140 mm of ride height adjustment, enabling the standard water wading depth of 800 mm to be increased to 890 mm, while approach and departure angles can be increased to 34 degrees and 35 degrees, respectively.

Prior information from Denza Malaysia has revealed that the B8 will get cabin upholstery in Jasper Brown or Onyx Black, with a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 17.3-inch infotainment touchscreen unit, as well as a head-up display. Also on are twin 50-watt Qi wireless chargers, heated and cooled armrest storage (basically a fridge) and power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions, plus an 18-speaker Devialet audio system. More on the Denza B8, here.

At 5,195 mm long, 1,994 mm wide and 1,905 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,920 mm, the Denza B8 is larger than the the GWM Tank 500, which is 5,078 mm long, 1,934 mm wide and 1,905 mm tall with a 2,850 mm wheelbase. The Denza B8 is likely to breach the RM300k mark, perhaps even the RM328,800 tag of the Tank 500. How much do you think this will be priced at launch?

GALLERY: Denza B8, official images

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Are you looking for a new car? Good news for anyone considering a Carro Certified car as your next ride!

From now till 31 May, buy a Carro Certified car and get a free 1-year extended warranty, plus a chance to win great prizes. You could be one of 60 winners – you can walk away with a dashcam + RM200 TNG Credit + RM100 petrol card!

All Carro Certified cars are As Good As New and come with 5 guarantees:
160-Point Inspection
5-Day Money Back Guarantee
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Click here to browse the current Carro Certified inventory.

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Last week, BYD Malaysia and Sime Motors officially opened BYD Mansion Macalister in Penang, which has got to be one of the country’s most beautiful car showrooms. Located along George Town’s Macalister Road, the showroom reuses a restored century-old building that previously served as a commercial landmark in the local community. Where past, present and future converge, you might say.

Present at the launch was the northern state’s chief minister Chow Kon Yeow as well as local government and town and country planning state executive councillor H’ng Mooi Lye.

Besides dedicated consultation lounges, integrated digital touchpoints and personalised customer spaces including a private delivery room, BYD Mansion Macalister features an integrated service centre with five work bays, an alignment bay and three service reception bays. Chargers? One 60 kW DC and seven AC.

“Our commitment to Malaysia reflects BYD’s global vision of making sustainable mobility accessible to all. We continue to channel our technological innovations and research capabilities into this market because we believe in Malaysia’s electric future,” said BYD VP and GM of the carmaker’s Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division Liu Xueliang, who visited Inokom while he was here.

Our continuous investment in upskilling local talent in EV technologies and bringing in the latest technology and products to Malaysia also demonstrates our long-term promise to the nation. BYD Mansion Macalister serves as a premier embodiment of this vision, seamlessly blending world-class innovation with a deep respect for local heritage,” he added.

“Our commitment to Malaysia is measured in the trust our customers place in us every day. We are building a local network that ensures every BYD owner enjoys seamless, reassuring support for the lifetime of their vehicle,” said Sime Motors MD for Southeast Asia Jeffrey Gan.

“With more than 30 aftersales centres and an elite team of Malaysia’s own certified technicians and service advisors, we are elevating the standards of automotive care. Integrated showroom hubs like BYD Mansion Macalister offer consultation, care and charging under one roof, ensuring we deliver a premium customer experience,” he added.

BYD now has over 43 showrooms and over 25 dedicated after-sales centres across Malaysia. Despite recent new government policies on EVs, the brand isn’t going anywhere – a partnership with Sime Motors’ Inokom for local assembly (CKD) is probable, though yet to be confirmed.

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Klang Valley commuters, take note. You might have experienced or heard about the LRT Kelana Jaya Line problem this morning, and you’re probably dreading the journey home later. Good news, the service went back to normal at 1.31 pm this afternoon, Rapid KL announced.

The train that had technical issues and got stuck at the KJ station has been removed from the line and Rapid KL will perform investigations to unearth the cause of the problem tonight, after LRT services conclude. As such, the shuttle train and free bus services that were deployed to bridge the gap have ended.

To recap, a train was unable to move at the KJ station this morning due to a component issue and because of that, trains from both directions of the line had to turn back at Taman Jaya (from Gombak) and Ara Damansara (from Putra Heights). Shuttle trains and free bus services between Ara Damansara and Taman Jaya were provided.

Have a smooth ride home this evening!

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Brabus is no stranger when it comes to modifying and tuning production cars but its latest creation goes the extra mile by being its first coachbuilt offering. Called the Bodo, it takes the form of a 2+2 GT coupe that carries a base price of one million euros (about RM4.6 million).

Some might giggle at the name but those who know the history of the German company will be aware that ‘Bodo’ refers to Bodo Buschmann, the founder of Brabus, who passed away in April 2018. Fun fact: the company’s name is derived from the first three letters of the surnames of Buschmann and Klaus Brackmann, the latter being the company’s co-founder.

The Bodo starts out life as an Aston Martin Vanquish before Brabus replaces the body with an entirely new one made out of carbon-fibre, keeping only the roof. The wow factor starts with wide shoulders that lead into a rear boat tail, which is accompanied by a distinctive taillight signature, an integrated diffuser, a deployable two-stage spoiler and dual stacked tailpipes.

Equally as arresting is the big grille with its vertical bars at the front, which are joined by large air intakes below and angular headlamps that provide a proper “villain” look. A set of 21-inch Brabus Monoblock Z-GT ‘Shadow Edition’ wheels add to the sinister persona and provide the alluring stance.

Behind the wheels are carbon-ceramic brake discs paired with six-piston callipers, while the Continental SportContact 7 Force tyres are also developed specifically for this car. These measure 275/35 at the front and a massive 325/30 at the rear.

Inside, elements of the Vanquish are plain to see, with the exception of the air vents that have been replaced with ones that resemble what you’ll find in Mercedes-Benz cars. The interior gets the company’s quilted seats and plenty of carbon-fibre components, all set in a dark theme that looks appropriate.

As this is a Brabus, the powertrain also gets breathed upon to provide more power. Where the standard Vanquish had a 5.2 litre turbocharged V12 that makes 835 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, the Bodo is rated at 1,000 PS and 1,200 Nm, the latter available from just 2,900 rpm up to 5,000 rpm. To achieve the added grunt, there are new turbos, tweaked cylinder heads, an upgraded fuel management system as well as a new exhaust.

An eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission and electronically control differential send drive to the rear wheels, enabling the Bodo to get from 0-100 km/h in just three seconds and on to a top speed of 360 km/h. Only 77 units of the Bodo will be produced for the world, with the figure being a tribute to Brabus’ founding year of 1977.

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Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has attempted to give Malaysians a look at how much their death would cost their loved ones, as part of an effort to get them to drive safer. To that end, the company has launched a new Selamat Calculator that it had created in partnership with financial literacy channel Mr Money TV.

The online questionnaire takes data about your age, career, income, dependants, lifestyle and even personal stakes and generates a safety risk profile when you’re out on the road. More interesting is the ringgit estimate of the financial and emotional impact that you would leave behind, not just from financial burdens you’d transfer to your dependents but also futures left unrealised.

Volvo says the self-assessment exercise is meant to remind Malaysians of the consequences of inattention, complacency and inaction on the road, measured not just in the split seconds of an accident, but also “in the unlived moments, unfinished futures, and people we stand to lose if one day we do not make it home.” Of course, the Selamat Calculator also pushes individuals towards a new EX30, represented as a fraction of the life cost estimate in terms of monthly instalments.

“The Selamat Calculator isn’t meant to put a price on a life, but to act as a gentle reminder to appreciate the value of our presence and what stands to be lost in our absence,” said VCM sales and marketing director Patricia Yaw. “Because the true value of our Selamat isn’t measured by wealth but in the people we hold close and the accomplishments we make.”

Mr Money himself, FinLit Media co-founder and CEO Peter Yong, added: “The Selamat Calculator serves as a wake-up call, encouraging reflection on what truly matters and reminding us that the best and most important choices are not always financial ones, but the simplest: buckling our seatbelts, getting enough rest, or exercising patience behind the wheel. Safety is a shared responsibility. When we choose to stay safe, we do so not only for ourselves, but for everyone else on the road.”

The Selamat Calculator, available on the official Volvo Car Malaysia website, was launched at the Volvo Selamat Driving Experience, held over the weekend of May 16 and 17 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Driving Experience Centre.

There, participants were able to learn defensive driving techniques through various exercises such as emergency lane changes, brake-and-steer manoeuvres, handling course lapping and oversteer control through the centre’s famous kick-plate machine. The 192 slots, which cost RM150 for Volvo owners and RM300 for non-Volvo owners, were completely sold out.

GALLERY: Volvo Selamat Driving Experience

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As you know, BYD VP and GM of the carmaker’s Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division Liu Xueliang was in town recently to attend the launch of BYD Mansion Macalister in Penang, where he reiterated BYD’s commitment to Malaysia despite new government policies on EVs.

While he was here, he also visited Sime Motors’ Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah, leading us to wonder if plans are afoot for Sime Motors to be BYD’s local contract-assembly partner, which would be in line with MITI’s new rules.

To recap, MITI’s new fully-imported (CBU) EV regulations mean that BYD’s current all-CBU line-up will either be outlawed because they don’t make at least 180 kW (245 PS), or become expensive (Seal and Sealion 7) because the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value needs to be RM200k or more.

The way around this is local assembly (CKD), but because BYD was looking at setting up its own new factory, new regulations mandate a RM100k floor price, 80% of production to be exported and a paint shop, which is a costly element in a car factory and a sign of ‘serious work’ being done there, so to say.

So how now brown cow? Deputy MITI minister Sim Tze Tzin revealed a ‘solution’ recently to The Edge: “If (carmakers) want to price EVs between RM100,000 and RM200,000, they can work together with contract manufacturers to manufacture here” – as MG, Xpeng and GWM are doing with EPMB in Melaka, and TQ Wuling with Tan Chong.

So, is this a sign that BYD will partner up with Inokom and Sime Motors to locally assemble its cars in Malaysia, and that we will be able to buy CKD EV and potentially PHEV models from the global NEV leader sooner rather than later?

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The LRT Kelana Jaya Line has been experiencing delays since this morning due to a train being stuck at the Kelana Jaya station. Rapid KL says that the train can’t move due to a component issue and repairs are ongoing.

As such, trains from both directions will have to turn back at Taman Jaya (from Gombak) and Ara Damansara (from Putra Heights). To bridge the gap, there will be shuttle trains between Ara Damansara to Kelana Jaya (Platform 2, every eight minutes) and between Kelana Jaya and Taman Jaya (Platform 2, every 12 minutes).

To continue your journey at Taman Jaya and Ara Damansara, disembark and take the shuttle trains. Free shuttle bus services are also being provided between Ara Damansara and Taman Jaya at a frequency of between 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Rapid KL says that trains will be operating at reduced speed and may experience longer stops at platforms. Passengers are advised to consider alternative routes such as the the MRT Kajang Line, LRT Sri Petaling/Ampang Line and the MRT Putrajaya Line to reach their destinations. Extra staff have been deployed at affected stations to assist commuters and there are announcements being made too.

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A one-off concept motorcycle, the BMW Motorrad Vision K18, was unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Italy. Based on the six-cylinder BMW Motorrad K1600B Bagger (priced at RM173,500 in Malaysia), the Vision K18 is a glimpse into a touring motorcycle turned into two-wheeled art.

At the heart of the Vision K18 is BMW Motorrad’s inline-six cylinder engine, displacing 1,800 cc. Styling takes inspiration from the aviation world, with long bodywork comprising of large panels, evoking the image of high speed aircraft.

Using the concept of “Full Force Forward”, the Vision K18 reinforces the fact it has six-cylinders. This takes the form of six intake and exhaust pipes, as well as six LED tail lights.|

Adding to the long sleek lines of the Vision K18 is hydraulically lowered suspension, giving a low silhouette. The bodywork is hand-made from aluminium using a planisher, with the largest a seamless side panel more than two meters long that appears cast from a single piece.

Forged carbon is also used in the build of the Vision K18, with flame spraying used to add accents with a bright metallic look. The airbox and fuel tank positions are transposed, giving the Vision K18 a long, low, flat look.

This segues into the tail section that contains six exhaust pipes – three on each side – while the front contain six intake tracts directing air into the airbox. “With the BMW Motorrad Vision K18, we show how we interpret performance, luxury and emotion in a new, very confident way. For us, the inline six-cylinder is far more than an engine – it is a statement,” said Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW Motorrad.

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Here’s a live gallery of the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic Coupé Nightfall Edition, which was introduced just a few days ago and placed on display at the launch of the new Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus.

Locally assembled (CKD) in Pekan, the Nightfall Edition is priced at RM518,888 on-the-road without insurance, making it RM10,000 more than a regular GLC43 4Matic Coupé. For the premium, you’re getting a few visual and feature enhancements, one of which being the AMG Night Package II.

This builds upon the AMG Night Package that the standard car already comes with, which includes black window trim, and adds a dark chrome finish to a selection of exterior elements such as the grille slats, tristar as well as badging at the rear.

You’ll also get an AMG fuel filler finished in silver chrome with black accents. As for the wheels, they are the same 21-inch AMG Y-spoke alloys accompanied by brake callipers finished in silver.

The Nightfall Edition also comes with the AMG Real Performance Sound system that uses the car’s speakers to augment the engine sound inside the cabin. This is accessed via the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) on the 11.9-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen, and drivers have Balanced and Powerful levels to choose from.

Beyond these changes, the rest of the Nightfall Edition is familiar, with the engine being a 2.0 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol unit rated at 421 PS at 6,750 rpm and 500 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. This is augmented by a 48-volt mild hybrid system with a belt-driven starter generator that contributes an additional 14 PS, while also enabling coasting and energy recuperation functions.

Drive goes to all four wheels via a 4Matic all-wheel drive system and AMG Speedshift MCT 9G nine-speed automatic transmission, enabling a 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds and electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Chassis systems are carried over too, including AMG Ride Control that provides adjustable damping with Comfort and Sport modes. As with the non-Nightfall Edition, rear-axle steering comes standard and operates at angles of up to 2.5 degrees.

The rest of the kit list includes AMG sport seats trimmed in Artico synthetic leather, AMG carbon-fibre interior trim, an AMG steering wheel trimmed in Nappa leather, AMG-specific displays in the MBUX system and a Burmester 3D surround sound system.

The post 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic Coupé Nightfall Edition Malaysian gallery – more kit; RM518,888 OTR appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

The Kedah road transport department (JPJ) has seized a school bus for being used as paid passenger transport, thereby violating its permit, Bernama reports.

“The bus fulfilled all requirements, including having valid insurance and road tax, but it violated the operator’s licence conditions by carrying passengers other than school students,” said Kedah JPJ director Stien Van Lutam.

The school bus was detained yesterday during an operation by Kedah JPJ at the Gurun toll exit after it was caught carrying 26 passengers from Taman Intan, Sungai Petani, to Bukit Jenun, Pendang, to attend a funeral ceremony.

Investigations found that the 73-year old driver had not used his bus to ferry schoolchildren for two years due to a lack of demand. “The situation led the driver, who is also the bus owner, to take up paid passenger transport services from one destination to another,” said Van Lutam.

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Good news for p-hailing riders. The government will be discussing the raising of the Budi Madani Ron95 fuel subsidy quota for p-hailing riders to 250 litres in the next National Economic Action Council (Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Negara, MTEN) meeting tomorrow.

This was revealed by prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at an event in Johor yesterday. The PM said that he will bring up the matter personally for discussion at the MTEN meeting. The suggestion was sparked from his own initiative after turun padang and hearing the plight of food delivery riders on the insufficient current quota, Anwar said.

“The (MTEN) meeting on Tuesday, I will bring (this matter) and discuss. Because they (p-hailing) get 200 litres, the same as us, RON 95 is only 200 litres. So I said, we’ll remind saudara Fahmi (communications minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil), we find a way to at least increase it by 50 litres to make it 250 litres,” PMX said, reported by Bernama.

The Budi95 subsidised fuel quota – originally 300 litres per month – was temporarily adjusted to 200 litres on March 26 following a sharp increase of global oil prices. Eligible e-hailing drivers continue to enjoy the higher usage ceiling of 800 litres a month.

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The Malaysian cabinet has not discussed any new classification for the T20 income group, finance minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has said, reported New Straits Times.

The Malaysian government’s current focus is on the nationwide implementation of the Budi Diesel fuel subsidy mechanism, instead of introducing new income category classifications, he said.

“As explained by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil last week, the cabinet did not discuss any T-category classifications. Our approach is to focus on the implementation of Budi Diesel nationwide. We are using the same approach as Budi95 as we believe the system is comprehensive and fair to all,” Amir Hamzah said, adding that the government is working on expanding the mechanism to Sabah and Sarawak.

Last week, communications minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that the government is studying the implementation of a diesel subsidy using a mechanism similar to that for the Budi Madani RON 95 (Budi95) scheme for petrol.

In response to calls by several groups including traders, transport operators and the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) to restore the previous 300 litre subsidised RON 95 petrol quota, Amir Hamzah said the government must balance subsidy spending with global supply uncertainties in light of the Middle East conflict, according to the report.

The reduction in the quota for subsidised RON 95 petrol from 300 litres to 200 litres a month was based on actual usage patterns recorded, where average consumption stood at 98 litres a month, Amir Hamzah said.

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The weekend is here, and just in case you’re relaxing in a supine position wondering about the Jaecoo J5 and its attractive RM108k price tag, we’ve got you covered in our latest video review.

This B-segment SUV takes more than a few cues from a certain Solihull-based 4×4 brand – whether that’s bad or good depends on how you see it. Under the bonnet is the Chery Tiggo Cross Turbo‘s blown 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine (147 PS and 210 Nm of torque), but here you get a CVT instead of the Chery’s DCT. 0-100 km/h is done in 10.2 seconds; top speed is 175 km/h.

In what may be a first for the Malaysian market, the J5 is marketed as a ‘pet-friendly’ vehicle (TÜV-certified, no less) – it’s got anti-bacterial and scratch-resistant faux leather upholstery with low volatile organic compounds. Accessories such as nets, mats and pet carriers are available.

Versus the Proton X50, the J5 is the same length, 65 mm wider, 41 mm taller, has a 20 mm longer wheelbase and a 150-litre bigger boot. But size isn’t everything… is it. So for the full lowdown, hit Play and let Hafriz Shah take you through the popular J7‘s adik.

The post Jaecoo J5 Malaysian review – J7’s smaller sibling is priced like a Proton X50, but is it really more premium? appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Kia Sales Malaysia (KSM) recently announced the appointment of Cycle & Carriage (C&C) as its latest authorised dealer partner. KSM is Kia Corporation’s arm in Malaysia, and it’s in charge of the brand’s sales, aftersales, training and all wholesale and retail operations in our market. Famous as a dealer for Mercedes-Benz, C&C also represents Leapmotor and Peugeot in Malaysia.

“The appointment of Cycle & Carriage, a renowned automotive brand in Malaysia with a legacy spanning over 125 years, reflects Kia’s commitment to strengthening our retail footprint and elevating the customer experience nationwide, while positioning the brand more competitively within Malaysia’s dynamic automotive landscape,” said KSM CEO Hyung Ho Kim.

“As one of the world’s largest carmakers, Kia is a strong addition to our portfolio. We are proud to welcome the brand and look forward to leveraging Cycle & Carriage’s automotive expertise and customer-focused sales, aftersales and service excellence to expand the brand’s market reach and deliver exceptional ownership journeys to customers in Malaysia,” said Adrian Short, C&C Malaysia CEO.

The collaboration between KSM and C&C unites two major forces within the Malaysian automotive landscape, offering Kia customers enhanced sales touchpoints, improved aftersales support, and elevated ownership experiences in line with Kia’s latest global standards, the carmaker said in a statement.

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Coming in a new colour option for Malaysia is the 2026 Honda Gold Wing Tour, priced at RM217,388. This pricing is a reduction of RM5,000 from the 2025 Honda Gold Wing price of RM222,888.

The new colour option is Gunmetal Black Metallic, and pricing does not include road tax, insurance and registration. Otherwise, specifications remain the same for the Gold Wing touring motorcycle in Malaysia.

Power still comes from the Gold Wing’s trade mark flat-six engine since the fourth generation Gold Wing GL1500. Power for the liquid-cooled, 24-valve, DOHC mill is rated at 124.7 hp at 5,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 170 Nm at 4,500 rpm.

Standard fitment is the seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with reverse gear, with two wet multi-plate clutches, sending power to the rear wheel. Shaft final drive spins the rear 16-inch wheel wearing 200/55 tyre while the front wheel is an 18-inch hoop wearing 130/70 rubber.

Suspension for the Gold Wing is electronically controlled, with double wishbone layout and rear monoshock, working in conjunction with the Gold Wing’s ride modes. This minimises dive under braking and provides load compensation with rear spring preload electronically adjustable separately from the ride modes if desired.

Also standard equipment on the Gold Wing is Honda’s Motorcycle Airbag System comprising of an airbag module which includes the airbag and the inflator, and crash sensors. Riding conveniences include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity to the rider’s smartphone.

An electrically adjustable windscreen offers stepless adjustment for both height and angle allowing riders to fine-tune wind protection to their preference. A total of 121-litres of storage is found on the Gold Wing, with electronic locking and unlocking of the top box and panniers using the Gold Wing’s smart key system.

Braking is done with the Dual Combined Brake System (D-CBS) automatically balancing braking force between front and rear wheels, guided by an ABS modulator and brake ECU. Twin brake discs with six-piston callipers are fitted to the front wheel, while the rear wheel gets a single disc with three-piston calliper.

Other riding conveniences include four ride modes, cruise control, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), and Hill Start Assist (HSA), and two USB charging sockets while riding information is displayed on a. seven-inch TFT-LCD screen. The Gold Wing tips the scales at 391 kg, with a 20-litre fuel tank and seat height set at 745 mm.

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BYD VP and GM of the carmaker’s Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division Liu Xueliang (pic, second from right) has said in his speech at the launch of BYD Mansion Macalister in Penang that the carmaker remains committed to the Malaysian market despite recent new government policies on EVs.

“We noticed that the Malaysian government has released new policies regarding new energy vehicles (NEV). As a responsible technology company, we will continue to bring our best technologies and products to Malaysia.

“Together with the relevant authorities of the Malaysian government and our distributor and dealer partners, we will find the most suitable NEV development solutions for the Malaysian market,” he said.

“We respect all the policies from the Malaysian government and we hope to use our efforts, our wisdom and our spirit, with the cooperation of all the Malaysian consumers and friends to continue delivering the best technologies and products to Malaysia,” he added.

To recap, MITI’s new fully-imported (CBU) EV regulations mean that BYD’s current all-CBU line-up will either be outlawed because they don’t make at least 180 kW (245 PS), or become expensive (Seal and Sealion 7) because the CIF needs to be at least RM200k. The way around this is local assembly (CKD), but because BYD was looking at setting up a new factory, new regulations stipulate a RM100k floor price as well as a target of 80% of production to be exported.

Liu also revealed that BYD is looking at expanding in East Malaysia. “Last year, I went to East Malaysia, and I can feel there is a lot of demand from consumers there for BYD technologies and products. I made a promise that we will bring BYD technologies and products to East Malaysia,” he said.

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