Weekly wrapup: 2023 BMW 7 Series, BMW XM Label Red, BMW M 1000 R,Vespa Primavera Color Vibe and GTS 300 range, Ducati 2023 Panigale V4R & Monster SP launched

The past seven days were pretty busy for both the national and international auto industry. BMW Malaysia was pretty busy launching two cars and one motorcycle in the local market. Accompanying the German maker was the Ducati with the launch of the Panigale V4R and Monster SP and Vespa with Primavera Color Vibe and GTS 300 range. Another luxury automaker that came into the picture is Porsche which hit 1k production milestone for the Cayenne. The international market saw the unveiling of the stunning Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow and the Volkswagen Golf R 333 Limited Edition.

Let us discuss the above-mentioned news (local and international) and more in detail.

Local auto news

Honda ‘Gen H’ roadshow

Honda Malaysia has announced that it will commence its ‘Gen H’ nationwide roadshow campaign this weekend in Johor Bahru. The event will be held at Linear Park in Taman Desa Tebrau from 10am to 10pm. Part of the event will be a full range of Honda e:HEV hybrid models for viewing and test driving along with interactive games, funfair rides, weekend markets, arcade games, and freebies.

Neta S EV sedan previewed in Malaysia

Neta’s entry into the Malaysian market was led recently by the Neta V EV. With a retail price of RM 99,000 (on the road without insurance), it is the cheapest electric vehicle on the market. It is one of the three models Neta will be bringing to the market along with the Neta U and Neta S. Some of the key features include - a dual-tier lighting setup, full-width tail lights, a slim 13.3-inch digital instrument cluster, front passenger’s personal 12.3-inch touchscreen, a large 17.6-inch portrait-format touch screen, panoramic glass roof, powered front seats, a wireless charger, three-zone climate control, head-up display, and much more.

Porsche Cayenne CKD touches 1k production milestone

It has just been a little over a year since local production of the Porsche Cayenne commenced in Malaysia at the automaker’s Inokom assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah. And now we hear that this plant, which is also the brand’s first local assembly facility outside Europe has achieved the production milestone of 1000 units. The said facility highlights the importance of the Malaysian market for Porsche and also affirms Porsche and Sime Darby’s long-standing partnership.

BMW XM Label Red launched in Malaysia

The BMW XM Label Red is finally here in Malaysia! Labeled as the most powerful M model offered by the automaker, the XM Label Red is offered as a fully imported unit coming all the way from the USA; BMW Group’s Spartanburg facility to be precise. The car retails for RM 1,615,800 (on the road without insurance). Part of the package is a full BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes - a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty with a free scheduled service programme from the manufacturer, BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, BMW Group Loyalty Mobile App, BMW Privileges Card, and BMW Service Online.

2023 BMW 7 Series launched in Malaysia

The all-new seventh-generation BMW 7 Series has finally made its way to the Malaysian market. The revamped luxury sedan is offered in two PHEV variants here - 750e xDrive M Sport and 750e xDrive Pure Excellence, priced at RM 649,800 and RM 700,000 respectively.

BMW M 1000 R launched in Malaysia

BMW Motorrad Malaysia launches the all-new 2023 M 1000 R naked sports bike in the local market. The bike retails for RM 158,500 which includes a 3-year warranty and 3-year roadside assistance, without insurance. Powering it is a water-cooled 4-cylinder engine that is based on the BMW S 1000 RR mill. The unit generates a maximum power of 205 hp at 13,750 rpm along with a peak torque of 113 Nm at 11,000 rpm.

BYD gets a new 3S center in Glenmarie

In association with its dealer partner SISMA Auto, Sime Darby Beyond Auto has launched a new BYD 3S center. Located in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, the new outlet is touted as the largest BYD outlet in Malaysia, constructed with a noteworthy investment of RM 5 million. Specifically designed to cater to BYD's EVs, the service center features advanced diagnostic equipment, specialized tools, and climate-controlled storage areas for sensitive battery components

Chery dispatches Omado 5 & Tiggo 8 Pro to Malaysia

The first consignment of Chery cars including the Omado 5 and Tigoo 8 Pro are on their way to Malaysia, all the way from China. While in the future, the brand plans to offer locally assembled (CKD) in Malaysia, for now, customers will have to do with fully-imported units. For now, Chery is shipping two units of each, the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro to Malaysia. However, the automaker has not given out the total number of cars it will ship to the local market.

Vespa Primavera Color Vibe and GTS 300 range in Malaysia

The official distributor of Vespa two-wheelers in Malaysia, Didi Group, has added more new and exciting models to its extensive portfolio. The list comprises Vespa Primavera Color Vibe and the new GTS 300 HPE range. The Primavera Colour Vibe retails for RM 22,300, while the GTS 300 HPE range is offered in two trims - SuperSport and SuperTech, priced at RM 32,900 and RM 36,900.

Mitsubishi Malaysia launches its pre-owned car program

MMM has just launched its used car programme called Max Certified wherein it is offering fully tested pre-owned cars to buyers.

New Ducati 2023 Panigale V4R launched in Malaysia

Ducati has introduced the 2023 Panigale V4R bike in the local market. It retails for RM 458,900 in Malaysia and is powered by a new Euro 5 compliant 998 cc Desmosedici Stradale R V-four that delivers 240.5 hp (in full race setup) and 218 hp (in road mode).

2023 Ducati Monster SP launched in Malaysia

Ducati first launched the all-new Monster SP globally in January 2023 and now the motorcycle has finally made its way into the Malaysian market. It retails for RM 98,900 (excluding road tax, registration, and insurance) and showcases a distinct sight compared to the standard model.

Perodua joined hands with Public Bank

Perodua has signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with Public Bank Berhad (Public Bank) to make financing easier. The collaboration aims at providing financing facilities to authorized Perodua dealers which can further extend wholesome financial products and services for all Malaysians.

International auto news

2023 Range Rover Sport SV unveiled

Land Rover has unveiled its latest performance luxury SUV called the new Range Rover Sport SV. Tagged as the most powerful Range Rover ever, the car continues the legacy of the popular Range Rover Sport SVR, however in a more subtle manner. Powering it is a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 petrol engine which here churns out a maximum power of 635 PS along with a peak torque of 750 Nm.

Volkswagen Golf R 333 Limited Edition revealed

Volkswagen celebrated the R-badged Golf hot hatchback’s 20th anniversary with the launch of the special Golf R's 20th Anniversary Edition. And now the automaker has treated enthusiasts with another special edition of the high-performance compact car, called the Golf R 333 Limited Edition. It is named after its 333 metric horsepower figure and will be sold in a limited quantity of 333 units.

Smart EVs get five new dealerships in Malaysia

Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (PRO-NET), the official importer and distributor of Smart vehicles in Malaysia has appointed five new dealerships in the Peninsular Malaysia region including Melaka, Bangsar, Ipoh, Kedah, and Penang.

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow revealed

The stunning blue beauty above is Rolls-Royce's latest masterpiece, called the Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow. The new RR model is inspired by the Kármán Line; the mysterious invisible boundary 62 miles above the Earth’s surface, where outer space begins. Powering it is a 6.7-liter, twin-turbo, V12 engine which delivers a maximum power of 563 hp and a peak torque of 850 Nm. The power is sent to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

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