Top auto news of the week: 2022 Proton Exora launched, Renault Zoe EV pre-bookings open, and more

This week saw the launch of Proton’s slightly updated seven-seater MPV, the Exora, in Malaysia. During the same period, Renault also opened bookings for its cute electric car Zoe and Honda commenced the all-new HR-V deliveries. A couple of new bikes also hit the local shores. Here are glimpses of what all happened this week in Malaysia as well as the international automotive market.

2022 Proton Exora launched: After a little teasing, Proton has introduced the new Exora with a handful of upgrades. The MPV gets the brand’s latest logo along with an electronic stability control safety feature as standard. With these running changes, the Exora price has gone up by RM 3000. The base-spec Executive is now priced at RM 62,800 while the top-spec Premium retails for RM 69,800.

Renault Zoe EV pre-bookings open: The official distributor of Renault cars in Malaysia, TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd, is now accepting the booking for the Zoe electric car. It is offered in two variants - Zen R110 and Intens R135, priced at RM 163,000 and RM 175,000 (est.), respectively. The electric hatch is currently available for viewing at the brand’s Petaling Jaya showroom.

First 2022 Honda HR-V delivered: This week Honda celebrated the delivery of the first 2022 Honda HR-V in Malaysia. The latest SUV was handover to Nurul Hafida Binti Mhd Jais during an official event held at MJN Motors in Selangor. During the ceremony, the company’s head Hironobu Yoshimura confirmed that over 1,300 units of the B-segment SUV have been delivered within one month of its launch. 

Proton-smart deal finalised: After signing a memorandum of agreement earlier this year, Proton and the Chinese EV maker smart now signed a general distributorship agreement. It formalises the Malaysian-born automaker as the official distributor for smart electric cars in Malaysia and Thailand. The deal also confirmed that the smart #1 will hit Malaysian shores in early Q4 2023. 

Nissan Almera Turbo gets Tomei accessories: Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has introduced Tomei accessories for the Nissan Almera. Enhancing the visual appeal of the Japanese sedan, the package includes a two-tone bumper spoiler, side skirts, a boot lid spoiler, ICE Cool tint film, sports pedals, and more. Priced at RM 8,000, the kit is currently offered for free for a limited period.

Proton cars’ new prices announced: In the latest round of announcing post-SST prices, Proton revealed the prices for the much-beloved X50, Iriz, and Persona. The X50 received the maximum price hike with the base-spec Standard variant now retailing at RM 86,300 (up by RM 7,000) and the top-spec Flagship costs RM 113,300 (up by RM 10,000). 

2022 Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4E MT 4X4 launched: The Toyota Hilux lineup in the local market welcomes back the double-cab variant this week in the form of the new 2.4E MT 4X4. Equipped with a manual transmission, the pickup gets power from a 2,393-cc inline-four VNT-equipped turbodiesel engine delivering 150 PS of maximum power and 400 Nm of peak torque. It is priced at RM 110,880.

2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT launched: Suzuki’s local lineup now includes a new sport tourer bike, called the GSX-S1000GT. It is powered by a 999-cc inline-four cylinder mill churning out a maximum power output of 152 PS at 11,000 rpm and a peak torque of 106 Nm at 9,250 rpm. The bike carries a price tag of RM 85,700.

Honda CB250R updated: Honda has updated the CB250R naked sports in Malaysia. New for 2022 is the revised front suspension and a new LCD instrument display. The former comprises Show 41 mm diameter Separate Fork Function with Big Piston upside-down forks. With these updates, the CB250R is now priced at RM 23,999 i.e. RM 1,000 costlier than its predecessor.

International updates

Porsche GT3 RS revealed: Porsche has introduced the all-new road-legal high-performance sports car, the GT3 RS, in the European market. It is loaded with insane aero elements (including a massive rear wing), a drag reduction system, and a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine. It is available for order in the Old Continent at a starting price of £178,500 (RM 958,290).

2022 Honda BR-V launched in Thailand: While we are still waiting for the all-new second-generation Honda BR-V, it has gone on sale in Thailand. The lineup comprises two variants - E and EL, priced at THB 915,000 (RM 114,575) and THB 973,000 (RM 121,861), respectively. Both are powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated i-VTEC petrol engine dishing out 121 PS of power and 145 Nm of peak torque.

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro and 8 Pro introduced in Indonesia: At the ongoing GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), the Chinese automaker Chery introduced the Tiggo 7 Pro and 8 Pro. Also earmarked for the Malaysian market, the bookings of the two SUVs have also commenced in the country with the launch expected to happen later this year.

Aston Martin DBR22 breaks cover: To mark the 10th anniversary of its in-house bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin, the British sports car manufacturer introduced the all-new DBR22 at the 2022 Monterey Car Week. It is a two-seater coach-built concept equipped with a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine kicking out a whopping power of 715 PS and a peak torque of 753 Nm. It runs from standstill to 100 kmph in just 3.4 seconds.

Polestar 6 EV launch confirmed: Earlier this year, the Swedish car brand Polestar introduced a new electric roadster concept, called O2. It has now been confirmed the EV’s production version will be called Polestar 6 and rolled out by 2026. It will be powered by a dual-motor powertrain, which is expected to deliver 884 hp and 900 Nm of peak torque.

That’s all for the week. For all the important actions of the automotive industry, stay tuned with us.

Also read: 2022 Ultra-luxurious cars launched in Malaysia