Weekly wrap-up: Proton e.MAS EV brand, BMW i5 Limited Edition launched, Zeekr EVs arrival confirmed, and more

This week was quite eventful for the Malaysian auto industry as Proton finally brought to light its new EV-only brand, e.MAS, and announced the launch timeline for its first electric vehicle. Along with that, the local market also enjoyed the launch of the BMW i5 Limited Edition and received updates on the arrival of Zeekr EVs. Meanwhile, a few big debuts and exciting scoops maintained the buzz in the global market. Here’s a quick recap of the top auto news of the week.

Local news

Proton e.MAS EV brand launched

As a result of the "PROTON EV Brand Name Contest" rolled out last month, Proton has finally disclosed the name of the brand, called e.MAS; the acronym, stands for Electrifying Malaysia. The brand has a slightly different logo and a new turquoise colour based on the automaker’s existing SuperNova Blue hue. The first Proton EV under the e.MAS brand will hit Malaysian roads by the end of this year. The automaker has appointed its initial 17 Proton EV dealers, with plans to expand to 30 outlets by 2025.

BMW i5 Limited Edition up for grabs

Auto Bavaria Southern region has introduced an exclusive limited-edition BMW i5 in Malaysia, which is limited to just 20 units. Differentiating the BMW i5 Limited Edition from the standard model is a whole bunch of M Performance parts worth RM 100,000. These include - carbon fibre exterior mirror cap,  carbon side skirt attachments, Carbon Pro rear spoiler, Aramid rear diffuser insert, Carbon front attachment, and 21-inch light alloy wheels. The 2024 BMW i5 Limited Edition is priced at RM 449,800 

2024 BMW 520i price revealed

At the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, BMW Malaysia introduced the all-new 520i as the entry-level variant of the BMW 5 Series. It now revealed the price tag of the sedan, which reads RM 332,800. The new BMW 520i boasts a sleek and sporty design and comes powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine paired with a 48V mild hybrid churning out a combined output of 208 hp and 330 Nm. The equipment kit comprises a BMW kidney grille with Iconic Glow, Adaptive LED headlights 19-inch aerodynamic wheels, a 12.3-inch instrument display, a 14.9-inch touchscreen head unit, a BMW Interaction Bar, a wireless charging tray and an iDrive controller and Driving Assistant Plus.

Zeekr EVs arriving in Malaysia

After much anticipation, it seems that Geely’s premium EV brand, Zeekr is finally on its way to Malaysia. As per the reports, the automaker has recently appointed Sentinel Automotive as its local partner in Malaysia and held a private preview of the Zeekr X. The reports further confirmed that the first two Zeekr EVs to launch in Malaysia are - X and 009. Developed on Geely's Scalable Electric Architecture, the Zeekr X is a compact luxury crossover SUV. The Zeekr 009, on the other hand, is a large luxury MPV that underpins the brand’s SEA1 platform.

Perodua Axia grabs Malaysia Good Design Award

The country’s much-loved hatchback, the Perodua Axia, has received the Malaysia Good Design Award for Public Areas and Transportation Products. This accolade underscores the hatchback's user-friendly design, setting a benchmark in the category. Launched early last year, the second-generation Axia is offered in four automatic variants—G, X, SE, and AV—priced between RM 38,600 and RM 49,500. The affordable manual trim, the E MT, retails for RM 22,000.

Peugeot Malaysia launches new warranty scheme

Peugeot Malaysia has launched a new standard warranty for all its new models. Starting immediately, all Peugeot cars now come with a 5-year warranty or 150,000 km, whichever comes first. It includes a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty and an additional 2 years of extended coverage. Moreover, the buyers also have the option to extend this warranty for an additional 2 years, providing coverage for up to 7 years or 200,000 km.

Peugeot 408 goes on nationwide roadshow

Alongside rolling out the new standard warranty, Peugeot has also kickstarted the nationwide roadshow to showcase its newly-launched 408 model. Interested folks can catch the preview of the fastback SUV at major shopping malls, including AEON Ipoh Station 18, Ipoh (June 14-16), AEON Tebrau City, Johor Bahru (June 28-30), and 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur (July 11-14). The Peugeot 408  is offered in three variants - Allure, Premium, and GT, priced between RM 146,055 and RM 196,055.

UMW Toyota May 2024 sales 

In May, UMW Toyota sold a total of 8,422 units (including Toyota and Lexus) in the Malaysian market. Compared to April 2024, the Japanese automaker witnessed a monthly sales growth of 14.66%. The year-to-date sales for the first five months of the year now stand at 39,211 units. UMW Toyota's other recent activities include launching the 23rd Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) programme, announcing the Toyota Start Your Impossible Outrun 2024 charity run, and hosting the Toyota Tour. It also rolled out the "Peace of Mind” June 2024 promo, offering up to 100% financing for selected models.

Kia EV9 officially launched in Malaysia

After a pre-order event held last month, Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd has now officially launched the Kia EV9 in Malaysia. It is a three-row electric SUV, available in two seating layouts - a seven-seater model with a 2-3-2 layout and a six-seater version with a 2-2-2 configuration. The former is priced at RM 369,668, while for the latter, one needs to shell out RM 374,668. The Kia EV9 comes equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup tuned to deliver 385 PS and 700 Nm. The motors are fed by a 99.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering a WLTP-claimed range of 505 km on a single charge.

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB facelift teased

Mercedes-Benz is set to introduce the all-new GLB facelift in Malaysia. The automaker recently teased the upgraded model on its social media platforms, revealing the SUV's shadowy front profile. However, no information is yet available regarding the new GLB’s official launch date.

International news

Chery Tiggo 5X (Tiggo 4 Pro) launched in Indonesia 

Indonesia has welcomed a new Chery SUV, called the Tiggo 5X (also known as the Tiggo 4 Pro in some countries). The compact SUV is offered in two variants - Classic and Champion, priced at IDR 249 million (RM 71k) and IDR 279 million (RM 80k), respectively. Both variants are powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine generating a maximum power of 111 hp and a peak torque of 138 Nm. The power is sent to the wheels via a CVT. Chery also previewed the Tiggo 4 Pro in Malaysia back in 2022. However, there is no update available on the SUV’s arrival in the local market.

Hyundai Inster EV debut later this month

As the automotive industry continues to move towards electric mobility, Hyundai is gearing up with yet another electric vehicle. Called the Hyundai Inster, the upcoming EV is an A-segment sub-compact EV based on the petrol-powered Casper SUV introduced in 2021. While the Casper is a Korea-only model, the Inster will be offered in other global markets as well. The official debut of the Hyundai Inster will be held at the Busan International Mobility Show on June 27, 2024.

All-new 5-door Mini Cooper breaks cover

The five-door version of the next-gen Mini Cooper has made its official debut in the global markets. With the addition of two extra doors, the latest hatchback is 172 mm longer and features a 72 mm longer wheelbase. The boot capacity has also increased from 800 litres to 923 litres (with the second row folded). Unlike the 3-door model, the 5-door Mini Cooper comes with only ICE drivetrains - a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder. It will enter into production next month.

Isuzu MU-X facelift debuts in Thailand

Isuzu has unveiled the all-new MU-X facelift in the Thai market. The upgraded model features several cosmetic tweaks, including a new front grille, Dynamic-Blade headlights, an air curtain, and 20-inch turbine-inspired aluminium wheels. The SUV lineup has also received a new RS trim, featuring gloss-black exterior elements and an upgraded feature kit. The powertrain options remain the same as earlier.

2025 BMW M2 revealed

The BMW M2 has received an upgrade in the international market. The latest model benefits from a re-tuned 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder drivetrain now producing a maximum power of  480 hp (up by 20 hp) and a peak torque of 600 Nm (up by 50 Nm). Power is sent to the wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, allowing the vehicle to achieve the century sprint in just 4 seconds, slightly faster than its predecessor.

That's all for now. For the latest updates on the automotive industry, keep following Zigwheels Malaysia.

Also read: Proton e.MAS EV: All you need to know