New BMW X3 to be locally assembled

BMW Group Malaysia today introduced the third generation of their mid-sized Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), the new BMW X3. The vehicle will be locally assembled for the first time in the country.

The exterior dimensions of the new BMW X3 may be largely unchanged, but has a five-centimetre-longer wheelbase, long bonnet and short front overhang, which according to the company, emphasise the perfect 50:50 distribution of weight between the front and rear axle.

As for changes in the external design, the front end has the “three-dimensional” kidney grille treatment and foglamps and features a hexagonal design for the very first time on a BMW X model. It also features high-beam assistant which switches head lights to high beam automatically when needed. The BMW X3 sits on 19” light alloy wheels Double Spoke bicolour Ferric Grey.

The vehicle is powered by a TwinPower Turbo 2.0 in-line four-cylinder petrol engine and comprises of TwinScroll turbocharging, High Precision Injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft control and Valvetronic fully variable valve timing. With an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, the BMW X3 is capable of sprinting from 0-100km in 6.3 seconds at a top speed of 240 km/h. The All-New BMW X3 is capable of generating a maximum output of 252hp and 350Nm of torque.

Furthermore, the standard Driving Experience Control switch allows the driver choose between various configurations – i.e. ECO PRO, COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ modes, all of which are designed to make the vehicle more dynamic, more comfortable or more efficient to drive.

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) allows the power to be split between all four wheels which can be constantly varied. Complementing the off-road capabilities is Hill Descent Control which helps maintain the SAV at a steady pace when driving down a steep incline.

The interior design includes the exclusive BMW X embossing which is highly visible on the B-pillar, enter console and rear door trim. The Leather Vernasca with contrast stitching sports seat, with padded side bolsters looks great. The Luxury Line offers leather upholstery, a Sensatec-covered instrument panel with contrast stitching and Dark Oak fine wood interior trim strips with accent strip in Pearl Chrome. The SAV also comes with 6 ambient light colours tones (orange, lilac, mint, bronze, blue and white) with selectable contour and mood lighting. The 10.25-inch Central Information Display is located above the instrument panel with touch control functionality, provides a quick overview of the most pertinent information and offers users intuitive access.

The rear camera, with Park Distance Control which provides an acoustic and visual (distance only) warning of the obstacle behind the vehicle. To assist the driver further, the Parking Assistant aids with automatic parking into parallel and lateral parking spaces.

Customers have a choice of 4 colours, namely, Terra Brown, Black Sapphire, Glacier Silver and Alpine White.

The new BMW X3 will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from the 25th April 2018 with deliveries expected to commence in July 2018.

The estimated retail price (on the road, without insurance) for the BMW X3 xDrive30i is RM 320,000.00.

The Track-Tor is the fastest tractor in the world

The Top Gear team has set a new Guinness World Records title for Fastest Tractor. Led by Matt LeBlanc, and driven by The Stig, the Track-Tor -a modified high-speed tractor reached a speed 87.2mph on the set of Top Gear on Wednesday, March 14th.

Engineered at the Top Gear Agricultural Technology Centre, the ‘Track-tor’ is a 500-brake horsepower, Lamborghini-style orange-colored farming automotive Frankenstein powered by a 5.7 liter Chevy V8 engine and supported by 4-wheel brakes, adjustable air suspension and 54-inch tires. And in true Top Gear style, it’s also fitted with a push button start, a barometer and a Wellington boot and spade rack.

According to Jack Brockbank, Official Guinness World Records Adjudicator: “To see The Stig hurtle past me in a tractor at 87mph was surreal, but hugely impressive. Equally as impressive is the engineering expertise of the Top Gear team that made this possible – the combination of their skills makes for brilliant record-breaking fun.”

The Track-tor’s unique modifications:

Ad for the New Subaru XV

Nasty Malaysian Drivers and Accidents

Have had some really bad experiences with some really nasty Malaysian drivers recently.

A car scrapped my car near the University of Malaya and while I moved to the side for safety, the other driver just drove away.

Spent half the day yesterday reporting a traffic accident at the police station in PJ.

Last Thursday, a lady hit my wife's car from behind in Damansara Utama. They got down and the lady apologised profusely. They had a chat, exchanged contact numbers and agreed to settle. However, they lady said that she did not have enough money and my wife agreed to take the money when she got her salary. I guess this is something not uncommon with a number of Malaysians living from salary to salary. 

Anyway she agreed to come to a workshop near our house in PJ on the weekend to find out the damage and she drove away. 

 We thought it was settled. Next day the drivers' mum, a really rude lady, called up my wife and started shouting.

She wanted us to come to their workshop in Segambut which is nearly one hours away. Later she only wanted to pay only RM150 without even getting an evaluation from the workshop, which her daughter agreed to do. 

She even accused my wife of threatening her darling baby daughter. Mind you, the lady who hit my wife's car is nearly 30 years old. My wife was shocked as the other driver WAS AT FAULT. 

In the conversation that followed, for no reason, she even mentioned that she was an accountant and drove a BMW. WTF has that got to do with the accident. She hung up but the daughter agreed to come on Saturday and settle.

On Saturday, nobody turned up and simply ignored my wife's texts.

The damage was not that bad but their attitude really made us angry. That left us with no choice but to lodge a report with the police. 

We went to the police station in Damansara Utama which then directed us to go to the Balai Polis, Jalan Penchala, PJ. 

Apparently, we were not the only people who has faced a similar situation as there were so many people who agreed to settle but didn't. The police had some advice for us which I thought I should share with you guys.

If you are even in an accident and you are not at fault. 

Stop the car. Take pictures of the damage and the number plate of the other vehicle. Then get contact details of the other driver.

And if the other party wants to settle. Observe the attitude of the person. If you feel uneasy - say that they don't have money or do not agree to accompany you to a workshop to get the damage evaluated - forget about settling. 

Lodge a police report within 24 hours and claim from their insurance even though it may be some trouble.

The new Lamborghini Urus

Automobili Lamborghini recently launched the Lamborghini Urus, which they claim is the first Super Sport Utility Vehicle. I don't really agree as there are already a few offerings from other brands in this new niche in the luxury segment including the Porsche Cayenne, the Porsche Macan and Range Rover Evoque.

Anyway, the Urus offers luxurious space for up to five occupants and a fantastic driving experience with six different driving modes + the EGO mode available via ‘Tamburo’ driving dynamics selector.

It is powered by a 4.0 liter V8 twin-turbo engine with 650 hp and 850 Nm of torque. The Urus can go from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed 305 km/h. The vehicle has a 4WD system with active torque vectoring and four-wheel steering.

As for safety, it features carbon ceramic brakes, adaptive air suspension and active roll stabilization.

The peaked mound of the bonnet is reminiscent of the Miura and Aventador, and accented by diagonal hood lines. Large air intakes sporting the hexagonal theme are linked by a low-level front spoiler. The front lights are sleek, slim and very sporty, set in a horizontal position and with LED headlights in the familiar Lamborghini Y shape.

The Y-shaped front air intakes, also a feature of the LM002, are detailed with the Italian flag, emphasizing the origins of the model.

With a low roofline and frameless windows, the Urus has a sharply-inclined windshield and strongly-angled rear windows with glass-on-glass replacing the C-pillar. The hexagonal wheel arches borrows deign details from the LM002 and Countachat, housing large 21" to 23" wheels. The rear diffuser is inspired by Lamborghini race cars, with integrated double round exhaust pipes.

As for the interior, the driver and passengers are all afforded a low but extremely comfortable super sports car seat position. Oriented around the driver, the slim Y design of the dashboard, is inspired by the LM002 as well as by current Lamborghini super sports cars. The Lamborghini hexagonal theme echoes throughout the interior, in elements such as air vents and door handles, and even in items such as the cup holders and air bag modules. A multi-function, three-spoke steering wheel incorporates a vibration damper to enhance comfort in all driving conditions. Multifunction switches are intuitively located on the steering wheel to control the Lamborghini Infotainment System (LIS), including car set-up, media, telephone and navigation.

The standard front DNA memory sport seats are fully electric, heated and 12-way adjustable. More luxurious, 18-way fully-electric front seats are available as an option, including features such as ventilation and massage. The rear bench seat comes as standard with a movable and folding seat back and ISOFIX fixings. The rear bench seat can be lowered to substantially extend the trunk space from 616 liters to 1.596 liters.

A fully-digital TFT display shows the Urus' main information in an animated 3D representation and is customizable by the driver.

Just in case you are wondering, the name Urus is derived from the Urus bulls also known as Aurochs. They are one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle.

Jose Mourinho collects his Jaguar

Jose Mourinho is UK's first Jaguar FType Coupé customer.

New BMW M2 Coupé launched in Malaysia

BMW Group Malaysia has just launched the New BMW M2 Coupé in Malaysia. According to their press release, this car is the only rear wheel drive premium performance car in its class.

This performance compact premium sports coupe from the BMW Group’s famed M Division, has a  more aggressive stance in its exterior outlook, with a newly designed front and rear section. It has already won awards - it recently took home the much coveted Sports Auto Award for the second time.

Apart from the modified front apron with large air inlets, the sporty coupé features new bi-LED headlights in place of xenon units found on its predecessor.

At the rear, the New BMW M2 Coupé accentuates its pronounced appearance with M-specific twin exhaust tailpipes and newly designed all-LED tailights.

Also introduced for the first time are 19-inch aluminium wheels in M twin-spoke design.

Inside, redesigned and illuminated is the new M-specific black instrument panel with contrast stitching which features the new infotainment system with live tiles and touch screen capabilities.  Apple Car Play is now available for the New BMW M2 Coupé via the BMW ConnectedDrive Store. Aside from an M leather ‘Walknappa’ steering wheel with M Drive buttons and interior trim finishes in high-gloss carbon fibre.

The Coupé is powered by a 3.0 litre M TwinPower Turbo in-line six-cylinder engine capable of up to 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 465 Nm with a short-term maximum of 500 Nm using the overboost function. It has a lightweight M Sport suspension system – made stiffer for better dynamism while adapting damper settings to retain ride comfort. The M Servotronic steering has two response settings and suitably effective M compound brakes.

The car will be  available in Long Beach Blue, Black Sapphire, Alpine White and Mineral Grey. The interior and seat colour comes in Dakota Black Leather with Contrast Stitching in Blue in M Sport seats for the driver and passenger.

The retail price (on the road, without insurance, 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program as well as 2 Years/ 24 Months Tyre Warranty Programme) for the New BMW M2 Coupé  is RM 535, 800.00 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM537,986.50 in East Malaysia.