Geely’s plug-in hybrid D-segment sedan, the Galaxy A7, will soon spawn a full-electric version simply called the Galaxy A7 EV. Deriving its powertrain from the Galaxy E5/EX5/Proton eMas 7, the car is expected to debut at Auto China in Beijing later this month.

The A7 EV looks practically identical to the regular A7, with the visual changes being few and far between. Without the need to feed air into the engine, the centre intake is slightly smaller, and there are also slimmer air curtain inlets in the corners of the front bumper. There’s a hint of junior Lucid Air in there, if you ask me.

The charge port has also been moved from the rear to the front fender, just like it is on the eMas 7. Lastly, there are new five-spoke alloy wheels (comically oversized, as is typical for Geely’s recent renders), along with a mildly re-profiled rear valance.

No changes are discernible on the inside, where the A7 EV still features a clean dashboard with a full-width air vent design, a bridge-like centre console with an eMas 7-style physical control knob and a two-spoke steering wheel. The 10.25-inch digital instrument display and a 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen – both running on the Flyme Auto interface – are also carried over.

No technical details have been announced just yet, but Autohome reports that the car is powered by the eMas 7’s 218 PS (160 kW) front motor, juiced by either a 49.52 kWh or a 58.05 kWh Aegis short blade LFP battery – as disclosed in a Chinese ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) filing. These are expected to deliver range figures of 470 km and 550 km respectively on the Middle Kingdom’s lenient CLTC cycle, we estimate WLTP numbers of around 385 km for the smaller battery and 450 km with the larger one.

The A7 EV could form the basis of a new Proton eMas sedan, which would be a good fit if the national carmaker were to expand its electrified offerings beyond the current SUVs and hatches. After all, the company did tease a sedan back when it launched the sub-brand in 2024.

With the D-segment sedan market all but dead in Malaysia, however, we’d sooner expect Proton to release a smaller model based on the Geely Galaxy Starshine 6 PHEV – itself derived from the new fifth-generation Emgrand. A pure EV version of the C-segmenter would give the company a “Proton S70 EV” of sorts, useful at a time when petrol prices are set to go up in the near future.

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A new variant of the Porsche 911 is set to be unveiled next week, April 14, according to this teaser by Porsche. The cloth-draped shape gives away little in terms of clues as to what variant in particular this will be, though there could be hints elsewhere as to what the upcoming car might be.

Even so, a closer look at the concealed front end of the car suggests the presence of vents near the front edge of the front compartment lid, as found on the 911 GT3, suggesting the upcoming car will be positioned above the mainstream Carrera/S/GTS offerings.

The rear end evidently does not have the GT3’s rear wing, and since the relatively more subtle Touring has emerged at the same time as its bewinged twin, this could be an open-air version of the GT3 Touring.

More hints could perhaps be drawn from the language of the written description of the live broadcast link, where the manufacturer’s upcoming creation is described as “one of the most exhilarating driver’s cars imaginable”, further suggesting a more driver-focused product such as from the manufacturer’s GT department. Meanwhile, “open to what matters” could also allude to the alfresco treatment.

The 911’s model lifecycle also lends weight to a special, open-air variant at this time. As with the 991-generation that brought the 911 R in its pre-facelift phase and the Speedster from after the mid-cycle update, the “992.1” has brought the 911 S/T, and with the current-generation facelift having already rolled out, the timing seems right for a 992-generation Speedster, or otherwise GT3-derived drop-top.

GALLERY: 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring manual in Malaysia

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Having defined originality since 1959, every MINI is capable of making you stand out from the crowd with its stylish retro-futuristic design. But what if you want something even more individualistic? Well, Auto Bavaria has got not one, but two cars just for you – the limited edition MINI Countryman S Shadowline and MINI Countryman S Stealth, both created specially for the Raya festivities.

The Shadowline sets itself apart with its rally-inspired look, finished in Nanuq White with a Black roof and Black sport stripes on the bonnet. Adding to the sporty appearance, the grille surround, skid plates, side sill enforcements and even the 20-inch Windmill Spoke alloy wheels – usually finished in Vibrant Silver – are instead decked out in gloss black. To sweeten the deal, every unit comes with a complimentary special edition Leica camera* for you to document every exhilarating journey with the car.

If, instead, it is a mean dark aesthetic that you are looking for, then the aptly-named Stealth will be more your speed, wrapped from windows to wheels in bold matte black. Here, the wrap extends into the door jambs and sills for a more cohesive look, and just like on the Shadowline, the exterior trim and wheels are finished in gloss black. Not enough? You will also get full premium solar tinting, a complimentary piece of John Cooper Works apparel and MINI Travel Luggage*, all in the inky hue.

Both the Shadowline and Stealth are based on the MINI Countryman S, powered by a rorty 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder engine making 218 hp. With a dual-clutch transmission and All4 all-wheel drive, this compact crossover is able to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 228 km/h.

Want either of these? You are going to have to act quick, as only ten units each of the MINI Countryman S Shadowline and MINI Countryman S Stealth are available, and they are selling out fast. Plus, you will be able to take advantage of some exciting offers, and even stand a chance to win some gold. These cars are exclusively available through Auto Bavaria, so head to your nearest outlet and pick them up for yourself! For more information, visit the official Auto Bavaria Facebook and Instagram pages.

*Terms and conditions apply

GALLERY: MINI Countryman S Shadowline
GALLERY: MINI Countryman S Stealth

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The disparate Chery Tiggo 7 lineup in China is quite confusing, already consisting of the Tiggo 7 Plus (known in Malaysia as the Tiggo 7 PHEV), Tiggo 7 Premium (Tiggo 7 Pro here) and the Tiggo 7 High Performance (a rebadged Jaecoo J7). Now, the Chinese giant is adding another model to the mix – the Tiggo 7L.

And yes, just like the High Performance, this is another car derived from the Omoda & Jaecoo portfolio, this time the Omoda C7. That much is evident in the unchanged body, with its sleek forms, flush pull-up door handles, distinctive zig-zag taillights and rising window line peaking above the rear wheels.

The front end is different, however, save for the sharp wraparound headlights. The large full-width grille takes over from the C7’s body-coloured honeycomb array, and it combines with the downturned lower air intake and triangular corner air inlets to form an X shape.

Inside, the 7L again derives plenty from the C7, with a clean horizontal dashboard and a typical Chinese car floating centre console with twin phone holders (one of which houses a Qi wireless charger), lidded twin cupholders and a smattering of physical controls. Also carried over is the twin-spoke centre console and a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that can be slid electrically all the way over to the passenger side.

According to Autohome, the Tiggo 7L will be powered by the C7’s 1.6 litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 197 PS and 290 Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; unlike in other markets, there is no plug-in hybrid option. The car is set to be launched in China tomorrow ahead of its first public debut at Auto China in Beijing later this month.

Closer to home, the C7 has been sighted in Malaysia several times since it was previewed at the Malaysia Autoshow in May. Things have gone quiet on that front lately, but it will likely debut later this year as Omoda & Jaecoo Malaysia’s launch schedule ramps up in the second half.

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Heads up, Mercedes-Benz fans, because this is an event you do not want to miss. This April 10-12 weekend, Hap Seng Star is inviting you to Hap Seng Star Balakong to celebrate 140 years of Mercedes-Benz – not just the brand, but the luxury, lifestyle, performance and lasting ownership associated with it.

And there’s no better way to honour the marque than to browse through a selection of both new and Certified Pre-owned vehicles. From the compact A-Class to the stately E-Class, and from the versatile SUV models to the zero-emissions EQ cars, there’s a Mercedes-Benz in every shade, shape and size for every person, purse and purpose. Don’t forget to take your favourite model for a test spin.

How would you like to own a Mercedes-Benz from just RM140,000*? Certain Certified Pre-owned examples of the A200 and GLB250 are going for just that! When you wish upon a three-pointed star, your dreams may be realised sooner than you think.

Need more reasons to come? There are plenty – an AMG Café Experience and an exciting AMG vehicle showcase will make petrol course through your veins. Live DJ sessions liven up the atmosphere on the Saturday and Sunday between 1pm and 4pm, and trust us, you’ll want to bring the family along.

That’s because there’ll be instant giveaways for visitors, Beaute Library and B+ Clinic will be there to conduct a grooming workshop, and your kids will be entertained by various activities including the Allianz Explorer Truck, confectionery treats and a gaming corner with MSI. There’ll truly be something for everybody.

So mark this April 10-12 weekend, 10am-5pm, in your calendars, and visit Hap Seng Star’s website, Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.

*Terms and conditions apply.

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PLUS users, take note. There will be temporary road diversions and stoppage of traffic from Senai Utara to Kulai in Johor tonight. It’s for rock blasting works as part of the extra lane project from Yong Peng (Utara) to Senai Utara.

The exact location on the North South Highway is KM19.0 to KM20.8 northbound and KM20.8 to KM19.6 southbound. The diversion will be from 10pm tonight (April 7) till 5am tomorrow morning. This is for the preparation and clean-up works.

The actual rock blasting will happen from 1am to 1.30 am, and traffic will be temporarily stopped during this period. This is to ensure safety for all when the blast happens, and the road will be reopened as soon as possible once clean up works and safety checks are complete, PLUS says.

Highway users are advised to plan their journey and follow the signs and crew at the work site. Drive safe.

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The Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) is supposed to retire Keretapi Tanah Melayu‘s (KTM) Shuttle Tebrau service, and Malaysia wants the latter to continue running for a certain period after the RTS Link starts operations in 2027, according to a Bernama report.

“Although Malaysia hopes that this service can be maintained temporarily, this requires Singapore’s approval,” transport minister Anthony Loke said.

“If we follow the agreement, we must acknowledge and accept that the bilateral agreement for the RTS Link also requires the KTM Shuttle Tebrau to be terminated six months after the RTS Link is operational,” he added. He also said that the request has been raised with the Singaporean government but no decision has yet been received.

The diesel loco-hauled Shuttle Tebrau has been shuttling passengers between Johor Bahru and Woodlands for the past decade. A one-way ticket for the five-minute, 1.1-km ride costs RM5 to Singapore and S$5 (RM16) to JB. The service can carry 8,635 passengers daily via 31 trips in both directions.

Meanwhile, the RTS Link connects Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru to Woodlands North. The circa-4-km railway line will effectively be the third bridge between Malaysia and Singapore, with a max capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour per way. Fares have not been announced yet, but it was previously reported that they could be in the region of S$5-7 (RM16-22) per trip.

What will then become of the British-built century-old railway line across the Causeway? According to Bernama, the Johor government has suggested a conversion to a cycle/pedestrian route for better safety.

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Malaysia is unlikely to face an oil supply crisis in the coming months, even though fuel prices may increase slightly, prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said, reported New Straits Times.

This is due to Petronas’ strong track record as a net oil importer, and the country’s excellent relationships with major oil-producing countries, the prime minister said.

“We are also net importers because our products are premium-branded and slightly higher priced, yet we still import. Praise must be given to Petronas for their excellent performance and good relations with oil-producing countries. Therefore, we are not facing a supply crisis. There may be some price fluctuations, but in the next few months, supply is relatively secure,” Anwar said.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, assured that Malaysia will not face shortage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) thanks to the country’s production, imports from Australia as well as procurement from Canada.

Last month, the prime minister stated that Malaysia’s petroleum product supply will be sufficient until at least May this year.

As of April 1, 2026, RON 95 petrol under the Budi Madani RON 95 (Budi95) scheme continues to be priced at RM1.99 per litre at a monthly quota that is temporarily adjusted to 200 litres per month. Unsubsidised RON 95 petrol is RM3.87 per litre, while RON 97 petrol is RM4.95 per litre. Meanwhile, diesel fuel has climbed to RM6.02 per litre, up from RM5.52 per litre of the preceding week.

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The use of diesel fleet cards will be expanded to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan for land freight transport, said deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, reported The Star. “The government will expand the SKDS using fleet cards for the land transport sector in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan,” he said.

These measures would be implemented under the Subsidised Diesel Control Scheme (SKDS), according to Fadillah, who is also minister of energy transition and water transformation. Several strategic recommendations will be submitted to the National Economic Action Council (MTEN), and these will be submitted regularly to ensure the stability of the nation’s energy supply, he said.

“We are aware that [the Middle East situation] has great potential to affect the world’s supply chain and trigger instability in the prices of energy and essential goods. The government will not let the people be affected by supply disruptions,” Fadillah said.

“We have strengthened our preparedness through strategic and integrated measures to ensure that the security of supply in the local market remains under control,” the deputy prime minister said.

Earlier this week, domestic trade and cost of living minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said that the monthly allocation for the Subsidised Diesel Control Scheme (SKDS) is estimated to have gone up to RM2.2 billion in March. This surge in expenditure was driven by escalating global diesel prices. the KPDN minister said.

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TOM’S Heritage, the vehicle restoration arm of TOM’S Racing, has officially launched its restoration programme for the Toyota AE86 Corolla Levin. This comes after the company previewed its services at last year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, although it won’t come cheap as you’ll soon find out.

Each restoration starts with stripping a car down its bare chassis and repairing areas that may have corroded. Next comes reinforcing the chassis with spot and MIG welding to increase rigidity before the body panels are attached, the latter faithfully reproducing the original look of the car while accompanied by an aerodynamic under panel. TOM’S Racing’s famous Igeta lattice-style four-spoke wheel design in a 15-inch size completes the exterior.

The interior also sees a fair amount of work to ensure the look and feel remains familiar but with better durability. These include the seats that have a urethane base and are upholstered in a new woven fabric to match parts of the door panels.

Even the engine gets a modern touch with knowledge gained from the company’s many years of competing with Toyota’s 4A-G. Derived from the NA1600 racing engine, the 4A-G in the restored AE86 Levin gets an increased bore of 82 mm (from 81 mm) while retaining the same stroke of 77 mm.

This sees the displacement go up from 1,578 cc to 1,626 cc and peak power output increase from the stock 160 PS at 7,400 rpm to 195 PS at 7,980 rpm. Peak torque also gets a bump up from 162 Nm at 5,200 rpm to 191 Nm at 6,490 Nm.

So, how much will all this cost? Well, if you have a donor AE86 Levin, TOM’S Heritage will charge you 13.2 million yen (about RM333k). If you don’t and need the company to source one for you, the asking price is 16.5 million yen (RM417k). Keep in mind that these are starting prices and the final bill might be more by the end.

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The KA4-facelift Kia Carnival 8-seater has been launched in Malaysia. Positioned between the RM189k 11-seater (2-3-3-3) and the RM249k 7-seater (2-2-3), the 8-seater asks for RM238,888 nett (RM239,849 OTR before insurance). All Carnivals are locally-assembled (CKD) in Kulim, Kedah and come with a five-year/150,000 km warranty.

Here you get a 2-3-3 seating layout with leatherette seats. The 40:20:40-split second row is detachable and slidable – the middle seat can face forwards or backwards while the outer seats can be reversed by switching their positions. The 60:40-split third row folds flat into the floor.

The 8-seater shares the 7-seater’s 12 Bose speakers (11-seater gets just six, unbranded), 19-inch alloys (18s for 11-seater), four-way lumbar (two-way for 11-seater), full ADAS (11-seater only has a blind-spot monitor) and heated/ventilated front seats, but of course it omits the 7-seater’s middle-row ‘Relaxation’ captain seats, which are also heated/ventilated.

Everything else is status quo, including ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch instrument panel seamlessly connected to a 12.3-inch touch-screen, a 202 PS/440 Nm 2.2 litre turbodiesel engine, an eight-speed auto, eight airbags, a claimed WLTP combined fuel consumption of 6.5 litres per 100 km, a claimed WLTP range of 900 km and the same four colours – Meteor Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Astra Blue and Jet Black.

Kia Carnival Malaysian brochure updated with 8-seater

Kia Carnival 8-seater in Malaysia

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An overlooked debutant at the recent Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) was the revised MG4, and don’t worry, we haven’t accidentally showed you photos of the previous model instead of the new car launched in China last year. The latter will be called the MG4 Urban and, although it hasn’t been launched in Thailand yet, when it does it will slot below the rear-wheel-drive electric hatch that you see here.

The full-fat MG4 has been at the receiving end of some significant updates for 2026 – not that you’d know from looking from the outside because it looks practically identical to the last one, apart from a new Iris Green paint option. Sure, there’s been a rejigging of the variants, and despite this looking like the hot XPower model, this is actually the X Long Range with far less power. More on that later.

Really, the big news is the all-new interior. Gone is the angular dashboard and jutting centre console of old, replaced by a much smoother and more sober design. Eagle-eyed readers will note that this is basically the exact same dash as the MG S5 SUV, replete with a bridge-like centre console with rearranged twin cupholders, Qi wireless charger and rotary gear selector.

As part of the switchover, the screens have been given a huge upgrade. There’s now a 10.25-inch instrument display instead of a seven-inch one, while the touchscreen is much bigger (and taller) at 12.8 inches across. Better yet, you now get physical controls for air-con temperature, fan speed and even air flow direction. Even the steering wheel has gained a third spoke at the bottom for a sportier appearance.

The seats have also been redesigned, and on this X Long Range you get beefier sports seats with six-way power adjustment and ventilation for both driver and passenger. And joy of joys – there are finally rear air-con vents, even if there’s still just one USB port.

Now, on to the oily bits. In Thailand, where the car is CKD locally assembled, all models now use an LFP battery, offering less power and range compared to our European-spec MG4 with NMC packs. The lineup starts with the D Standard Range that makes 170 PS (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque, and has a 50 kWh battery. By comparison, even our base Lux makes 33 PS (25 kW) more and has a larger 64 kWh battery.

Meanwhile, the X Long Range gains the discontinued XPower’s handsome 18-inch alloy wheels and daft orange fake calliper covers, accompanied by a boost in outputs to 245 PS (180 kW) and 350 Nm – equivalent to our Lux Extended Range. Its battery capacity, on the other hand, is 62.2 kWh, compared to 77 kWh on Malaysia’s Lux Extended Range.

Range is claimed at 450 km for the D Standard Range and 540 km for the X Long Range – broadly similar to the WLTP-rated numbers of the current Malaysian model. However, these numbers were instead achieved on the older, more lenient NEDC cycle, so expect figures closer to 380 km and 460 km respectively on the stricter protocol. The MG4 continues to support up to 140 kW of DC fast charging, taking 26 minutes to top up the X Long Range’s battery from 10 to 80%.

The big benefit of the smaller batteries is pricing. Over in the Land of Smiles, the MG4 starts at just 579,900 baht (RM71,700) for the D Standard Range, rising up to 699,900 baht (RM86,500) for the X Long Range. That’s a damn sight less expensive than the Malaysian model that, even after a price cut, starts at RM100,888 – although our RM100,000 floor price for CBU EVs from last year will have a lot to do with that.

Closer to home, we’d expect the revised MG4 to arrive once CKD local assembly kicks off, although SAIC Motor Malaysia and partner EP Manufacturing (EPMB) will likely be focused on the higher-in-demand S5 for the time being. The question is whether we will get the same specs as Thailand or continue with the Euro model, which gains even more range. On the flip side, we could see the MG4 get discontinued altogether in favour of the cheaper MG4 Urban.

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The Selangor state government has announced it will implement work-from-home (WFH) arrangements for civil servants from April 15 to address the impact of the West Asian conflict on energy supply and rising prices of goods.

As reported by Bernama, Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the WFH policy will be applicable from Tuesday to Thursday each week. This is said to lower fuel consumption, reduce traffic congestion and strengthen public servants’ productivity. The policy will be reviewed monthly to assess its necessity and effectiveness.

“The state government will also halt official overseas travel for all departments, except for matters related to the promotion of investment and tourism from abroad to Selangor. At the state government level, every department must coordinate efforts and programmes and operate in crisis mode. This is to ensure the local economy, supporting industries and employment opportunities for the people of Selangor continue,” said Amirudin.

He also encouraged the private sector to adopt similar measures where appropriate, adding that the state government is prepared to support the adaptation of digital technology. A review of the 2026 state budget and formation of a Selangor Energy Crisis Special Task Force will also be carried out to address matters relating to the cost of living, aid for affected citizens, support for industries and opportunities for a faster energy transition.

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Democratic senators Tammy Baldwin, Elissa Slotkin and Chuck Schumer have urged US president Donald Trump to bar Chinese carmakers from building cars in the US and to stop Chinese cars assembled in Mexico or Canada from entering the country, after Trump said in January that he’s open to Chinese carmakers building US factories, Reuters reports.

“We must be clear-eyed that inviting China’s automakers to set up shop in the ⁠United States would confer an insurmountable economic advantage impossible for American automakers to overcome, and it would trigger a national security ​crisis that could never be reversed.

“While a new plant opened by a Chinese automaker in the United States may create ​some assembly and temporary construction jobs, that small number of jobs will not make up for ​the lasting job loss,” the lawmakers reportedly wrote in a letter to Trump.

Additionally, they noted that in February, BYD was among a group of companies briefly added to a list of Chinese firms allegedly aiding Beijing’s military. “The administration should move without ​hesitation to designate BYD and other Chinese automakers as military-connected entities,” they wrote.

“While the administration is always working to secure more investment into America’s industrial resurgence, any notion that we would ever compromise our national security to do so is baseless and false,” the White House said when asked for comment.

“If they (Chinese carmakers) want to come in and build a plant and hire you and hire your friends and your neighbours, that’s great, I love that,” Trump said at the Detroit Economic Club in January.

Although Chinese cars already face tariffs of around 100% in the US, recent surveys indicate that consumer interest in Chinese vehicles are rising, Reuters reports. In January 2025, the Biden administration imposed sweeping regulations that effectively ban Chinese passenger vehicles in the country, citing national security concerns.

The ban is backed strongly by US carmakers and other auto groups – last month, auto trade groups representing nearly all major car companies urged the government to keep Chinese carmakers out of the country ahead of Trump’s planned summit with Chinese president Xi Jinping in May.

The news agency also reports that earlier this month, Republican senator Bernie Moreno ​of Ohio said he will propose legislation ​to seal off the US so “there’s never a scenario where a Chinese automobile will enter our market, that’s hardware, that’s software, that’s partnerships.”

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The 2026 Malaysian round of the Autobacs Super GT series may be cancelled due to a request from the Malaysian government, reported Sportscar365.

The motorsport publication reported that the Malaysian government has requested that large-scale events which are not of national significance are put on hold due to concerns for potential fuel shortages.

If cancelled, the Malaysian round of the Super GT series will be latest among a number of motorsports events which have been postponed or cancelled amid the conflict in the Middle East, including the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds of this year’s Formula 1 calendar, and the rescheduling of the Qatar 1812km round of the World Endurance Championship from March to October.

Inflated costs of transporting freight and personnel are also believed to have played a role in the reported cancellation of the Malaysian round of the Super GT event this year, according to the report.

This year’s Malaysian round of the Super GT series was announced to take place from June 19 to 21, 2026, and was to the third round of the Super GT calendar and the only round to be held outside the series’ native Japan. If the Malaysian round is cancelled, this would leave a three-month gap between the Fuji Speedway rounds on May 3-4, and on August 1-2.

The 2025 Malaysian round of the Autobacs Super GT series marked its return to Malaysia after an absence of 12 years, after the Sepang International Circuit hosted the Japanese racing series from 2000 to 2013. The Malaysian round of the series last year saw 75,977 spectators in attendance, and was the highest attendance in the series save for Round 2 in Fuji, according to Sportscar365.

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Mercedes-Benz has announced it will offer steer-by-wire technology in the EQS, several months after the brand’s flagship electric sedan got updated back in April 2024. This brings with it a yoke steering wheel and several advantages in terms of everyday driving.

According to the company, the steer-by-wire system reduces the amount of effort required in such a way that drivers no longer need to adjust their grip on the steering wheel. In fact, media outlets that have tried the system for themselves report that it is just 170 degrees of steering from lock to lock, hence the use of a yoke steering wheel. Vehicles like the Tesla Cybertruck, Lexus RZ and Nio ET9 also come with this technology and feature steering wheels with a flattened top and bottom.

In the EQS, the new steering wheel is also more compact to improve the view of the driver display, while also making ingress and egress easier. This does require a reworking of the airbag system, with Mercedes-Benz saying there is need for an internal support and folding architecture to handle controlled shaping during airbag deployment.

With a steer-by-wire system, there’s no mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and road wheels. Instead, a motor takes the driver’s steering input to deliver steering actuation, which allows for infinitely variable steering ratio. For redundancy and to meet safety regulations, there are two sets of DC-DC converters and power supplies, communications circuits and motors to ensure there are two signal paths.

In the event of one failing, the other takes over so the car can be continued to steered safely, albeit in limp-in mode and restricting speed. Should it ever come to be, however unlikely, that both signal paths are not working, the system will use rear-wheel steering and selective braking to achieve the driver’s intended path. Mercedes-Benz says it has tested its system over a million km on test benches, test tracks and in overall vehicle validation in road traffic.

On the mention of rear-wheel steering, it comes standard with the steer-by-wire system and allows for the rear wheels to turn up to 10 degrees. The standard rear-wheel steering system for the EQS is set at 4.5 degrees unless optioned with a software upgrade that brings it up to 10 degrees. It should be noted that Mercedes-Benz will continue to offer electromechanical steering for the EQS for customers who prefer not having steer-by-wire and the yoke steering wheel.

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Passenger connectivity between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is set to commence in either the second or third quarter of this year, said transport minister Anthony Loke, reported The Star.

The first phase of the passenger connectivity programme would involve passengers without checked baggage, the transport minister told The Edge. “The more complex part is handling passengers with check-in baggage, which involves coordinating different airlines and ensuring the baggage transfer system works seamlessly. That will come in the second phase,” Loke said.

The key is to manage immigration and security checks efficiently, said the transport minister. “All airlines have agreed, and the goal is to streamline connectivity while maintaining proper protocol,” he continued. Meanwhile, the upgrading of the baggage handling system at KLIA, a three-year programme, was expected to be completed last December, however it is still a long way from completion, he added.

Airside connectivity between terminals was proposed to enable passengers arriving at Terminal 2 to transfer to flights at Terminal 1, and vice versa, via coach services, thus bypassing the need to clear security screening and streamline flight connections and improve the passenger experience as a result.

In August 2025, a proof of concept was underway to explore seamless inter-terminal passenger and baggage transfers on the airside, reported Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani as saying.

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Last week, Toyota shocked the Malaysian auto scene by introducing not one, not two, but three full EVs. This, from a brand that is perceived by many as swimming against the EV current, banking instead on its signature hybrids.

For many, the second shock was sticker shock. The most affordable of the EV trio is the Toyota Urban Cruiser, a B-SUV CBU import from India with an RRP of RM198,000 – that’s double the price of a BYD Atto 2. The rebadged Suzuki eVitara actually makes the RM220k bZ4X facelift looks great value, as the CBU Japan EV is significantly larger and more advanced. Still, the bZ4X is pricier than the top-spec BYD Sealion 7. The Thai-made Hilux EV is yours for RM226,300.

For a car-buying population used to tax-free EVs, often doubled down with Chinese pricing, UMW Toyota Motor’s EV prices seem outrageous. But as tax-free Langkawi prices show, they’re not mad, it’s just taxes.

The Urban Cruiser’s price in paradise is RM133,600, which means that Peninsular Malaysia pays RM64,400 or 48% more for the SUV. The bZ4X’s Langkawi price is RM153,000, which means we’re paying RM67,000 or 43.8% more on the mainland. These LGK prices, while far from a bargain, would have at least made the duo look competitively priced (more so for the bZ4X) against rivals from China.

How does Malaysia’s tax structure for CBU EVs work? Broadly, it’s 30% import duty + 10% excise duty + 10% sales tax. However, the first number, import duty, is influenced by free trade agreements (FTAs) that Malaysia has with other countries or trading blocs.

For instance, the tariff reduction schedule of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) prescribes that EVs entering our region will face 5% import duty, so it’s 5%+10%+10% for CBU EVs from China, a big advantage over the standard 30%+10%+10%.

Not all FTAs are the same, and the one ASEAN has with China is in stark contrast with the FTA we have with South Korea, for instance. Here, cars are in the ‘highly sensitive’ list so import duty remains at 30% for CBU EVs from Hyundai and Kia. These tariff barriers are erected to protect local industries from being overwhelmed by more cost competitive imports; however, it all boils down to the ‘give and take’ in negotiations. Clearly, China has scored a good one when it comes to EVs.

China is already the world champion in producing good EVs at the lowest possible cost; couple that with their favourable FTA and that’s why we have been getting so much electric car for the ringgit in recent times.

The Urban Cruiser’s production hub is India, and so it gets the full 30%+10%+10% tax slap. The bZ4X is made in Japan, so it’s likely that it kena 5% lower import duties for FTA reasons. Bear in mind that our calculations are a bit skewed because we’re looking at Langkawi prices that factor in extra delivery costs versus Peninsular Malaysia, but you get the point.

As for the Hilux EV, we’re only paying RM16,800 or 8% more than the Langkawi price of RM209,500. This can be explained by the fact that commercial vehicles are duty free, and we’re only paying the 10% sales tax for pick-up trucks.

So, whether it’s low or high, prices happen for a reason. That’s not to say that Toyota’s electric SUVs would automatically be fantastic value next to Chinese EVs without the tax factor (the Urban Cruiser still looks expensive at RM133,600), but they would at least be more competitive, price wise. Bear in mind that RRPs for most Chinese EVs are yet to be revised from their 2025 tax-free prices. It’s likely that new shipments will come with a new price.

Internally, the bZ4X looks fantastic value next to the recently-launched Harrier Hybrid. But then again, CBU ICE cars have a different, higher tax structure. We get the sense that UMWT tried its best here – the bZ4X’s Langkawi price is very close to the Honda e:N1’s tax-free price. The latter is of course a smaller car with a smaller range, and it’s shipped from China instead of Japan.

Of course, all of this can change if UMWT decides to locally assembled the electric SUVs (the Hilux is already import duty-free), but would there be enough volume to warrant the significant CKD effort and investment? Now that we’ve given some context, what do you think?

The post Toyota Urban Cruiser and bZ4X EVs too expensive? It’s the tax – they’re much cheaper in tax-free Langkawi appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Yesterday morning, an e-hailing driver in a Proton Saga was seen driving the wrong way on Old Klang Road, as seen in a video that has gone viral on Facebook.

The incident appears to have occurred on the stretch between Jalan Sepadu and Jalan Kuchai Lama, with the junction to the latter being where the driver attempted to cut back onto the correct side of the road. The car could be seen passing and narrowly missing several oncoming vehicles along the way.

According to The Star, the driver, 32-year-old Wong Kok Kong, turned himself in at the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) at 8:35 pm the same day, after police failed to locate him at several addresses, including his federal home.

Wong was charged at a magistrate’s court under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 today, having pleaded guilty to reckless and dangerous driving. He was sentenced to three days’ imprisonment and a RM6,000 fine, which he paid. He also received a five-year suspension on his driving licence, per Malay Mail.

Investigations found that the man had driven against traffic for about 500 metres, having taken a wrong turn on his way to Mid Valley Megamall, said Kuala Lumpur JSPT chief Asst Comm Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa. “Breathalyser and urine tests conducted on the suspect returned negative results.” he added.

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Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is offering goodies across the whole Mitsubishi Triton line-up for registrations between April 1 and 30 – from the Single Cab all the way up to the recently-launched Championship Edition. If you’ve been eyeing the pick-up truck, you’d better strike while the iron is hot.

For a limited time only, MMM is giving diesel support of RM15,000 with the purchase of a pre-June 2025 enhancement Athlete, RM12,000 for the MT GL, RM10,000 for the Athlete Championship Edition and Athlete, RM8,000 for the AT GL, RM6,000 for the Single Cab and RM5,000 for the AT Premium Championship Edition and AT Premium.

The last two variants also get five years’ zero maintenance costs, a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and five years’ zero interest rate. MMM says the entire package bestowed upon the AT Premium Championship Edition and AT Premium, including the RM5,000 diesel support, is worth RM25,000.

MMM will give those who already own a Mitsubishi or are a government servant a RM1,000 reward on top. This applies across the Triton range. Learn more about the Championship Edition, the June 2025 enhancement Athlete and the rest of the Triton line-up in Malaysia via the links. You can also layan our thorough video review and watch us pit the Triton against its closest competitor.

2026 Mitsubishi Triton Championship Edition

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