Honestly, we believe Volvo has been one of the best manufacturers of beautiful wagon designs since the first model (the Duett) was introduced in 1953, and that reputation continues to this day.
However, the expertise that Volvo is known for may not be needed in the future.
According to CEO Jim Rowan in an interview with AutoExpress, the future of Volvo will no longer include wagon models; instead, the brand will focus on sedan and SUV models.
This represents a significant shift for a brand widely recognized for its elegant wagon tradition over the years.
Rowan explained that it’s quite costly to introduce different vehicle models to the market and keep them there.
“It’s more cost-effective to drive higher volumes through the same platform and body style,” he said.
With the absence of wagon models, Volvo aims to position its existing SUV lineup with various offerings, such as the Black Edition and Cross Country, which are more tailored for specific customer segments.
Interestingly, this recent announcement comes shortly after a statement from Volvo UK’s commercial director, Robert Deane, who admitted that the decision to stop selling the V60 and V90 models in 2023 was a mistake.
“When you tell customers that a model (wagon) is no longer available, they will start looking for alternatives from other brands,” he added.
Undoubtedly, aside from Volvo, several other manufacturers, such as Audi and BMW, still offer wagon models, even though that market is dwindling year by year.
Further explaining Volvo’s direction, Rowan stated that the company is intentionally narrowing its focus at this time.
“We’re making very conscious choices about where we want to play the game. Where we’re differentiating is with SUVs; nice high ride height, very safe – and we think we can protect that beachhead against the competition.
“It’s much easier than us becoming distracted by too many models.”
For 2025, Volvo has already planned to introduce five new models, including the ES90 sedan and the upcoming EX60 electric SUV.
One thing is clear: wagons are no longer a priority for Volvo at this time.
With over one million units sold, the Lexus ES continues to have a dedicated fan base in the Chinese market.
The seventh generation of this luxury sedan from Japan has been updated for the second time, following its first facelift in 2021.
Officially revealed at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show, the Lexus ES showcases cosmetic changes, particularly in the front and rear design.
The LED matrix headlights have been reworked, now featuring a double boomerang graphic, while the front spindle grille adopts a design inspired by the Lexus RX model.
Moving to the rear, the LED taillights have also been updated with a dual L-shaped graphic, accompanied by a full-width horizontal light bar that aligns with current trends.
Inside the cabin, the Lexus ES now employs a 14-inch infotainment screen, replacing the original 12.3-inch screen, and is complemented by two knobs for climate and media controls.
The gear shift knob has also been redesigned, alongside new trim and upholstery options.
The Lexus ES continues to offer the same engine options as the pre-facelift model, with the ES 200 variant featuring a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine producing 170 hp.
Meanwhile, the ES 300h variant is powered by a 2.5-liter hybrid engine that generates a total power output of 215 hp.
The seventh generation of the Lexus ES has been on the market since 2018, and the arrival of this second facelift model is seen as a way to keep the offering fresh for several more years before the introduction of a new generation model.
There are rumors that Lexus plans to launch a fully electric sedan for the next-generation ES model.
As we know, Nissan has been one of the early pioneers of electric vehicles for the mass market.
However, relying solely on the Nissan Ariya and somewhat outdated LEAF could cause Nissan to fall significantly behind, especially when competing with rivals like BYD and Tesla.
Recently, the Dongfeng Nissan partnership showcased the Nissan N7 EV, an electric sedan designed specifically for the Chinese market.
Built on a modular platform, this mid-size sedan measures 4,930 mm in length, 1,895 mm in width, 1,487 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,915 mm.
The V-motion design elements are still present in the N7, but with a more modern approach.
It features an LED light strip that spans the width of the vehicle, consisting of 710 LED units, followed by boomerang-shaped headlights, while the rear showcases a light structure composed of 882 OLED units.
The aerodynamic design of the Nissan N7 allows it to achieve a drag coefficient (Cd) as low as 0.208, aided by the sleek design of its door handles.
The Nissan N7 also features frameless door construction.
Although no images of the cabin have been provided, Nissan confirms that the N7’s cockpit will utilize a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P processing chip, with 256GB of storage and 32GB of memory.
Through a collaboration with Momenta, Dongfeng Nissan will equip the N7 with an advanced driver assistance system named ‘Navigate on Autopilot.’
The arrival of the N7 EV electric sedan is expected to restore Nissan’s reputation in the Chinese market when it goes on sale in the first half of 2025.
Further details, such as specifications and the range of this electric sedan, will only be revealed ahead of the official launch next year.
The constraints of size have resulted in a limited number of appealing and well-balanced A-segment sedan models in the global market.
Honda appears to be challenging this skeptical view with the design images of the all-new third-generation Amaze 2025.
Essentially, the Honda Amaze 2025 is a third generation compact sedan measuring under four meters in length and is set to be officially launched on December 4.
It features a front design inspired by the HR-V SUV, complemented by a rear section from the City sedan, while the cabin offers a more streamlined layout reminiscent of the Civic.
The Amaze cabin is likely to incorporate similar features as those found in the Honda Elevate, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen, support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital air conditioning controls, and rectangular air vents.
The Honda Amaze is expected to maintain its use of a 1.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine delivering 90 PS and 110 Nm, or an option for the 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel engine producing 100 PS and 200 Nm, which can be paired with either a manual or CVT gearbox.
Upon its official launch, the Honda Amaze 2025 is expected to compete with the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura, and Tata Tigor.
Mazda has announced the sale price for the EZ-6 sedan model, designed as the spiritual successor to the Mazda6 for the Chinese market.
The EZ-6 sedan is essentially a badge-engineered version of the Deepal SL03 model produced by Changan Automobile.
There, buyers can acquire an electric sedan powered by a single rear-wheel-drive electric motor delivering 255 hp and 320 Nm of torque, paired with two battery capacity options.
The base version comes with a 56.1 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, offering a range of 480 km, while the 68.8 kWh battery pack allows for a range of over 600 km on a full charge.
There is also a range-extender version, where the Mazda EZ-6 range extender comes equipped with a 215 hp and 320 Nm electric motor supported by a 1.5-liter engine producing 94 hp to charge the battery pack.
Two battery capacity options are available for the range-extender version: 18.9 kWh or 28.4 kWh, with the smaller version enabling a zero-emission range of 105 km, while the larger unit increases the range to 160 km.
Most notably, thanks to the additional engine, the overall range of the EZ-6 range extender sedan can reach up to 1,300 km!
In terms of dimensions, the Mazda EZ-6 measures 4,921 mm in length with a wheelbase of approximately 2,895 mm, making it longer than its competitor, the Toyota Camry.
Other features include a 10.1-inch digital cluster screen, a 14.6-inch central screen, leather or Nappa leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless device charging, a 64-color ambient lighting system, and a premium Sony audio system with 14 speakers.
The sale price starts at 139,800 yuan (RM85,531) for the range-extender variant, while the pure EV version starts at 159,800 yuan (RM97,768)
Zeekr has launched the 2025 electric sedan model 007, bringing several improvements such as faster charging time, new-generation batteries, and a smart cockpit.
There have been no changes in terms of power, as the standard rear-wheel-drive version is still capable of producing up to 415 hp, while the all-wheel-drive version is capable of generating 636 hp.
However, Zeekr has reprogrammed the algorithm, with the 0-100 km/h acceleration now at a rapid 5.0 seconds for the RWD version.
Meanwhile, the AWD version maintains its acceleration at a swift 2.84 seconds.
The Zeekr 007 can be equipped with a 100 kWh CATL Qilin ternary lithium battery pack with fast charging at 5C.
There is also the second-generation 75 kWh Golden Brick lithium iron phosphate battery with improved charging speed from 4.5C to 5.5C, theoretically achieving a 10-80 percent SoC charge in 10.5 minutes.
Zeekr claims that the Golden Brick battery is the world’s fastest mass-produced charging battery, offering a range of up to 688 km.
For the cabin space, Zeekr has upgraded the operating system to the Zeekr OS AI, which can actively provide recommendations based on current scenarios.
Zeekr 007 is also equipped with the Haohan 2.0 smart driving system assisted by LiDAR sensors, Nvidia Orin X processors, and over 30 sensors to enable it to handle various traffic situations on the road.
With stricter laws in place, we should consider ourselves lucky as there are various safer family car options to choose from.
However, one thing we should all be aware of is that the number of cars on the road is also increasing every year.
This means that the accident rate is unlikely to decrease suddenly.
The safety debate between cars and SUVs occasionally fills the spaces of Facebook groups, forums, and WhatsApp.
Some claim that larger cars have better safety levels.
This claim is further reinforced by official data where the driver fatality rate is highest among small vehicles compared to larger vehicles.
From a physics standpoint, larger vehicles have higher momentum compared to lighter vehicles.
So, when a collision occurs between vehicles of different sizes, it is certain that the smaller vehicle will experience a more severe impact when both vehicles suddenly come to a stop.
Therefore, are SUVs and other large vehicles such as pickup trucks much safer than small cars?
Not if you consider the typical feature present in any SUV/pickup truck, which is the high ground clearance.
Due to this feature, most SUVs and pickup trucks have a higher center of gravity and are more at risk of being involved in accidents due to weather conditions or rollovers.
Accidents involving SUVs and pickup trucks driven at high speeds also frequently occur, as some drivers do not understand the limits and constraints of vehicles with high ground clearance.
Just because you drive a taller vehicle, your ego should not rise equally high, completely disregarding the safety of other road users.
Lastly, regardless of the vehicle you drive, make sure it is in good condition and regularly maintained.
Also, ensure that you are aware of your own health condition and take a break if you feel fatigued while driving.
As someone who isn’t particularly fond of SUV body types (except for a few models), the writer feels grateful that the majority of major automotive manufacturers in Malaysia are still trying to maintain sales of sedan models, despite their decreasing popularity on a global level.
Here, we have several options of sedan models, ranging from affordable prices to high-performance luxury sedan models with considerable prices.
Unfortunately, the competition in the sedan models segment is not as strong as it was decades ago.
For example, in the C segment, consumers are only presented with a few models, such as the Proton S70, Mazda3, Honda Civic, and the very popular name worldwide – the Toyota Corolla Altis.
The Corolla indeed needs no introduction, unless you were born during the Covid era and are only more familiar with those lifeless electric cars.
The Toyota Corolla 1.8G that we test drove is a facelift model launched last year.
Despite being a facelift, if you are expecting something ‘wow’, this 1.8G Corolla may disappoint those expectations.
This is because there are not many changes to the exterior of this sedan model, except for a unique bumper design, followed by new 17-inch rims wrapped in 225/45 profile tires.
The design of the front projector LED headlights and rear lights remain the same. Perhaps it’s already perfect, so there’s no need to change those aspects.
However, you need to enter the cabin to enjoy the changes brought by Toyota in this model.
The front seats have been redesigned for comfort, in addition to providing better support for the driver during spirited driving.
The major change is the presence of a 12.3-inch digital cluster screen, providing a concise interface, and most importantly still offering classic analog meter graphics.
In addition to wireless Apple CarPlay support, the Corolla also provides USB-C charging slots on the center console, as well as clips for holding smartphones in the wireless charging slot.
Apart from that, the basic specifications remain the same, such as a cargo space of 470 liters, MacPherson front strut and double wishbone suspensions, electric power steering system, and front and rear disc brake system.
The writer had the opportunity to test drive this Corolla further while on vacation to the East Coast a few weeks ago.
One main thing that the writer noticed was the quieter NVH levels compared to the pre-facelift Corolla.
The 137 hp and 172 Nm of torque produced by the 1.8-liter engine is sufficient to move this 1.3-ton body.
It is agile, and no lack of power was felt throughout the journey.
Perhaps it’s due to the mindset of drivers who consider the Corolla not a sports car, so the driving is done in a relaxed and straightforward manner.
However, you need to experience the magic of this TNGA platform when exiting the highway and entering winding federal roads.
There, you will find the MacPherson/Double Wishbone suspension setup in this Corolla working brilliantly with stable handling every time it encounters twists and turns.
Body roll is still felt, but at a controllable level even though this sedan is not equipped with a sportier suspension like the GR Sport variant.
Additionally, the electric power steering system also assists the driver in handling this sedan accurately without the need for constant correction.
Whatever the driver directs, the Corolla makes it happen.
Attempts to escape from the highway, sometimes with speed trap cameras, seem to have successfully made the writer fall in love with a rarely used road, through driving this Corolla.
Certainly, the cabin atmosphere is not disturbed by engine noise or the whistling of the wind, and even the noise of the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires is well-filtered.
For a standard factory sedan, the writer truly enjoyed a more enjoyable drive than a Corolla compared to the Honda Civic and Proton S70.
The standard seats are also comfortable enough to accompany us throughout the journey.
Although at times, this sedan needs to traverse roads with qualities similar to the surface of Mars, the passenger in the adjacent seat still sleeps soundly.
The 470-liter cargo space is sufficient to accommodate essential items during cross-country trips.
Unlike the Vios, you can fold the second-row seats to provide a larger space.
Fuel consumption is also satisfying, where the writer managed to achieve as low as 8.1 liters per 100 km, or approximately 680 km on a full tank.
Safety aspects need not be worried about, because this Corolla comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense.
Among the features included are the pre-collision system (PCS), lane departure alert (LDA), automatic high beams (AHB), blind-spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), and dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC), which is very useful on the highway.
Furthermore, there are also seven SRS airbags, seatbelt warning, as well as ISOFIX anchors for child seats in the rear.
At the end of the day, what the writer can conclude is that this Toyota Corolla 1.8G could be a worthwhile option for a family sedan to own and consider.
The facelifted Toyota Corolla offers a complete package for those who prioritize practicality and comfort without sacrificing enjoyable driving.
With a starting price of RM147,800 for the 1.8G variant, it’s not wrong for you to break away from the usual preference for the H logo, for this rather perfect companion for the return to the hometown.
Specifications of the Toyota Corolla 1.8G
Engine: 1.8-liter inline-four cylinder (2ZR-FE)
Power: 137 hp @ 6,400 rpm
Torque: 172 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed CVT
Suspension: MacPherson/Double Wishbone
Rim: 17 inches
Cargo: 470 liters
Perhaps not many are aware, but behind the flood of electric vehicle (EV) brands from China, the world is now also welcoming the arrival of a new EV brand from Turkiye, namely Togg.
Togg, or its full name Türkiye’nin Otomobili Girişim Grubu (the Turkish Automobile Joint Venture Group), recently unveiled the T10F electric sedan at CES 2024, which is set to be marketed in Europe next year.
It is a fastback sedan in the C segment, where Togg describes this model as a connected smart device, not just a car. Based on a brief reference on the official website, this Togg T10F can be equipped with a single electric motor or dual electric motors.
The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) version is capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, thanks to the powerful 218 PS electric motor and 350 Nm of torque.
The all-wheel-drive (AWD) version is even faster, going from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, with two more powerful electric motors (435 PS/700 Nm).
For full charging, the battery pack, whose capacity is not disclosed, can allow a range of 530 km (AWD) or up to 600 km (RWD version). The T10F supports rapid DC charging up to 180 kW, and charging from 20 to 80 percent can be completed in 28 minutes.
Togg also revealed the interior layout of this electric sedan, featuring a 12.3-inch cluster screen, a 29-inch infotainment screen, and a third 8-inch screen for HVAC control. Other features include a 500-liter cargo space, a heated steering wheel, and wireless smart device charging.
FOR 2024, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) introduces the Nissan Almera Kuro Edition, which brings a more rugged and sporty outlook, standard for all variants. It also comes with a new Glacier Grey color.
The basic package for the Almera Kuro Edition will feature a new black front grille and black rims (15- and 16-inch depending on the variant). Additionally, you can opt to add the Kuro Package or Kuro GT Package.
The Kuro Package, priced at RM8,000, includes black Tomei body kit (front and rear bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler), door visor, door edge protector, kick plate, sports pedals, and ICE Cool tinting film.
On the other hand, the Kuro GT Package, priced at an additional RM3,200, comes with the GT Tomei spoiler and 16-inch Impul alloy rims. This package is limited to only 300 vehicles.
“With the enhancements of the KURO (Black) Edition, the Almera is now more visually striking than ever and we are confident that it will receive the attention it deserves as the most complete sedan in the B-segment,” said Christopher Tan, Director of Sales and Marketing at Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd.
Other specifications remain similar to the previous Almera. It is powered by a 1.0-liter turbo engine producing 100hp and 152Nm, mated to the Xtronic CVT gearbox.
Safety features include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW) and Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking (IFEB) as standard. The highest VLT variant is also equipped with Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Intelligent Around View Monitor (IAVM) with Moving Object Detection.
The new 2024 Nissan Almera Kuro Edition is offered starting at RM83,888, and ETCM is offering a promotional price of only RM1,000 for the Kuro Package (original price RM8,000) and RM500 for the Kuro GT Package.
IT’S safe to say that many have been waiting for the arrival of the newest sedan from Proton, especially considering that the last time the national car maker brought a sedan to the market was the Persona back in 2016.
The wait ends today with the official launch of the Proton S70, which enters the Malaysian market as the fourth Proton model to be jointly developed with Geely after the X70, X50 dan X90.
As previously reported, the S70 will be available in four variants, namely Executive, Premium, Flagship, and Flagship X.
All four variants feature a combination of a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that produces 150 PS and 226 Nm of torque.
Note that this is the same port-injected engine and transmission used in the X50 Standard, Executive, and Premium models. The 1.5-litre TGDi engine with 177 PS and 255 Nm, found in the X50 Flagship and the new X70, is not offered in the S70, at least for the time being.
Built on the B-Segment Modular Architecture (BMA) platform, the S70 measures 4,602 mm in length, 1,809 mm in width, 1,466 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,637 mm, making it slightly smaller than the Geely Emgrand it is based on.
In terms of equipment, the entry-level Executive variant comes with six airbags, Lane Change Assist, electronic parking brake, 16-inch alloy wheels, fabric seats, and an 8-inch infotainment screen.
The Premium adds LED headlights, rear light bars, leatherette upholstery, automatic air conditioning, and reverse camera.
The Flagship offers more additional features, including ADAS, tyre pressure monitoring system, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless charger, and a 360-degree camera with a 3D display.
The range-topping Flagship X only offers one additional feature over the Flagship, which is a sunroof.
Safety-wise, the Flagship and Flagship X variants come with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) with 13 safety systems:
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Forward Collision Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control dengan Stop & Go
Intelligent Cruise Control
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Prevention
Lane Centering Control
Traffic Sign Information
Intelligent High Beam Control
Lane Change Assist
Door Opening Warning
Rear Collision Warning
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
There are seven colour options available. Snow White and Space Grey are available for all four variants, while Armour Silver and Passion Red are only offered for the Premium and Flagship.
Marine Blue and Teal Bayou Green are exclusive to the Flagship and Flagship X, and Quartz Black is exclusive to the Flagship X.
Selling prices start from RM73,800 for the Executive, RM79,800 for the Premium, RM89,800 for the Flagship, and RM94,800 for the Flagship X.
The standard package for the S70 includes a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, a 1GB per month data package for five years, free labor for six times, financing interest rates from 2.34 percent, and Proton Insurance Program.
Additionally, the first 3,000 owners who register their cars before February 29, 2024, will receive an aero body kit worth RM3,130 (Flagship X only), a RM500 service voucher (Premium and Flagship only), and an upgraded Proton insurance program.
FINALLY, after four years in the market, the Mazda3 has received a facelift and update. It’s not to say that it necessarily needed a facelift because the Mazda3 still looks beautiful and fresh, but it might need an update in terms of specifications and features.
The updated Mazda3 for 2023 is offered in four variants for the Malaysian market as follows:
Mazda3 2.0 High Sedan – RM156,059
Mazda3 2.0 High Plus Sedan – RM166,059
Mazda3 2.0 High Plus Liftback – RM166,059
Mazda3 2.0 Ignite Edition Liftback – RM175,059
As you can see above, all variants now come with only a 2.0-liter engine for the sedan and Liftback (hatchback), meaning the 1.5-liter engine has been dropped. The 2.0 SkyActiv-G engine is featured in all models, with an output of 162hp and 213Nm torque.
This engine is paired with a 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive gearbox with manual mode. Fuel efficiency figures are up to 6.2L/100km for the sedan model, while it is 6.3L/100km for the hatchback.
For exterior features, all variants receive LED headlights, but LED DRLs are only available for the top three variants, with the High sedan model featuring LED fog lights. Other features are similar, such as LED fog lamps, auto-folding side mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and front and rear parking sensors.
The High Sedan comes with 16-inch wheels with 205/60 tires, while the three higher variants are equipped with 18-inch wheels wrapped in 215/45 tires.
Interior features for all models include leather seats with 10-way adjustment for the driver, electronic parking brake, 7-inch instrument display, color head-up display (HUD), and dual-zone air conditioning.
The infotainment system consists of a 10.25-inch central display, Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, eight speakers, and two USB Type-C ports. A reverse camera is also standard, but the top variant, Mazda3 2.0 Ignite Edition hatchback, gets an additional 360-degree camera.
For safety systems, all variants come with standard features such as ABS, EBD, Dynamic Stability Control, Emergency Stop Signal, Hill Launch Assist, and ISOFIX. However, only the top three variants are equipped with advanced assistance systems such as adaptive headlights, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning System, Lane-Keep Assist System, Driver Attention Alert, Smart Brake Support, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control.
All 2023 Mazda3 variants are fully imported, which is why their prices are higher compared to models like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. What is your opinion, is it worthwhile to choose the Mazda3?
For us, this model always looks and feels more premium than its competitors, and although it looks ‘fresh’ in the market, it is indeed deserving of an update in features.
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