Author: Jonathan James Tan

Hot on the heels of the third-gen Audi Q3, which was revealed in June, is the version with the sportier roofline – the Audi Q3 Sportback. Technically in its second generation, the ‘coupe SUV’ offers the identical petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains as its more upright sibling. Which means a 150 PS/250 Nm 1.5 litre TFSI mild-hybrid with cylinder deactivation, a 2.0 litre TFSI in 204 PS/350 Nm and 265 PS/400 Nm states of tune (each with quattro all-wheel drive), a 150 PS/360 Nm 2.0 litre TDI and a PHEV (branded ‘e-hybrid’) that brings together a 130 PS/250 Nm…

The transport ministry has directed Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to constantly monitor and maintain Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s (KLIA) aerotrain following a couple of disruptions shortly after its July 1 relaunch, reports Bernama. “Any technical disruption will directly impact passengers. As a critical service at KLIA, the aerotrain must maintain a high level of reliability to make sure uninterrupted passenger movement. The rail system can sometimes face technical issues involving mechanical, electrical and software components. “Due to this fact, we’ve got instructed MAHB to perform each day monitoring and ensure proper maintenance,” transport minister Anthony Loke said today, adding…

You saw it on the Malaysia Autoshow 2025 and at paultan.org‘s Premium Auto Automobile Expo (PACE); now the Zeekr 7X has finally landed in Malaysia officially, in RM179,800 RWD Standard Range, RM190,800 RWD Long Range and RM226,800 AWD Performance variants. Prices are OTR before insurance. Over 1,000 bookings have been received for the 7X up to now, in line with Zeekr Malaysia, and the waiting period is now 3-4 months. Customer deliveries are to begin mid-September. Its competitors are the likes of the Tesla Model Y (RM195k-242k), BYD Sealion 7 (RM188k-204k) and Xpeng G6 (RM169k-189k). The 800-volt Zeekr 7X is…

Owners of seized luxury vehicles must first settle all dues, including road tax, insurance and saman, before they’ll get their cars back, transport minister Anthony Loke has said, in response to a Bernama report. On reports that some owners were willing to pay the (minimum) RM300 positive because it was cheaper than the annual road tax, Loke said: “Vehicles which can be seized as a result of expired road tax and insurance will only be released in any case payments are settled. This includes road tax, insurance coverage and compound fines. There are not any shortcuts,” adding that many homeowners…

That is the brand new Xpeng G7 EV SUV, a longer-than-G6 Tesla Model Y– and Zeekr 7X-fighter that’s just opened for pre-sale in China from 235,800 yuan (RM139k), as reported by Automobile News China, which also posted these photos. Measuring 4,892 mm long (+139 mm over G6), 1,925 mm wide (+5) and 1,655 mm tall (+5), with a 2,890 mm wheelbase (same as G6), the G7 has Level 3 autonomous driving (which Xpeng calls XNGP, or eXtreme Navigation Guided Pilot) that’s fully camera-based – no LiDAR. There are Max and Ultra variants – the XNGP on the highest Ultra is…

The recent bus accident that tragically killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students and injured 33 continues to be weighing heavily on the nation’s minds, and besides speed limiters, the transport ministry is looking into making on-board video cameras and seat belt buzzers mandatory for buses as well, Bernama reports. In accordance with transport minister Anthony Loke, it’s currently compulsory for all buses built from 2020 onwards to have seat belts for all passengers, however the bus that crashed on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik was in-built 2013 and didn’t have seat belts. “Even though it is…

That is the Nissan Frontier Pro, a product of the Zhengzhou-Nissan joint-venture that’ll launch in China later this yr before going to other markets, which shall be announced later (fingers crossed for Malaysia). Nissan’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can also be its first hybrid pick-up truck. ‘Rugged Tech’ is what Nissan calls the styling, and the Shanghai-based designers were inspired by the Eighties Nissan D21 Hardbody pick-up truck‘s three-slot bonnet opening, reimagined here because the frontal lighting signature. The Nissan logo is illuminated and 18-inch alloys wrapped in 265/65 rubber are standard, as are five-link rear suspension and intelligent AWD.…

The house affairs ministry (KDN) has proposed the usage of MyDigital ID for traffic summons (saman) payments, with minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail telling Berita Harian that although the usage of the app isn’t mandatory, it is a component of presidency policy. “This remains to be within the proposal stage and has not been approved in parliament. We wish to encourage users to make use of the appliance to confirm their identity in a transaction,” he said. The federal government has agreed to amend the National Registration Act 1959 to enable the usage of MyDigital ID and ensure increased…

There’s a brand new special number plate series under Putrajaya – A-A, with numbers 1 to 9999 in between. Brings to mind Kuala Lumpur’s old W-A series, which was introduced in 2013 and discontinued in favour of the V series in 2016, although after all prefix-and-suffix plates are de rigueur for East Malaysia. Announced at JPJ’s 79th anniversary celebration at Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh today, A-A is now open for tender. The bidding period on JPJ eBid is five days, ending 10pm on April 23. As usual, the outcomes will probably be out the next day. The entire process is…

Did it rain torrentially last night where you reside? It actually did in my area, and it seems Shah Alam is affected – town council tweeted this morning that there are flash floods at Jalan Batu 3 Lama, Jalan Laba 3 23/14C and Jalan Ijok 26/5, urging the general public to make use of alternative routes. Drive rigorously, everyone. [Makluman] Berikutan hujan lebat yang turun di Shah Alam, beberapa lokasi di Shah Alam mengalami kenaikan air. Antara lokasi yang mengalami kenaikan air adalah – Jalan Batu 3 Lama– ⁠Jalan Laba 3 23/14C– ⁠Jalan Ijok 26/5 Orang ramai diminta untuk menggunakan…