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Nissan Frontier Pro debuts in Shanghai – brand’s first PHEV, first hybrid pick-up truck, 1.5T, 408 PS, 800 Nm
This is the Nissan Frontier Pro, a product of the Zhengzhou-Nissan joint-venture that’ll launch in China later this year before going to other markets, which will be announced later (fingers crossed for Malaysia). Nissan’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is also its first hybrid pick-up truck.
‘Rugged Tech’ is what Nissan calls the styling, and the Shanghai-based designers were inspired by the 1980s Nissan D21 Hardbody pick-up truck‘s three-slot bonnet opening, reimagined here as 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 PHEV powertrain is made up of a 1.5 litre four-cylinder turbo engine and a transmission-mounted electric motor. Combined, the system delivers over 408 PS and 800 Nm of torque, and an EV-only range of 135 km NEDC is targeted. An electromechanical rear diff lock and four drive modes – Hybrid, Pure Electric, Performance and Snow – will be available.
The cabin looks a little generic to these eyes – neither does it look particularly rugged in design – but a panoramic roof, 10-inch LCD instrument panel, 14.6-inch centre touchscreen and front-seat heating/ventilation/massage are welcome conveniences. There’s also a power-retractable bed cover and 6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L). So, BYD Shark or this?
Nissan Frontier Pro at Auto Shanghai 2025
Nissan Frontier Pro official images
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Nissan Elgrand teased – fourth-gen luxury MPV to launch as soon as 2026, e-Power hybrid powertrain
Teased here is the fourth generation of the Nissan Elgrand, the luxury MPV that has traditionally been the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire‘s main foe (but now has many more contenders to deal with). It’ll be unveiled later this year ahead of a Japanese-market launch in the fiscal year 2026, which stretches until March 31, 2027.
You’ve seen the otherworldly Hyper Tourer concept, haven’t you? Well, the production Elgrand should be toned down quite a bit from that, although it should still look futuristic. The Hyper Tourer’s chequered pattern manifests itself here in the grille as well as the head and tail lamps, and there’s a nice sculpted roof spoiler.
Expect Nissan’s latest ProPilot ADAS and third-gen e-Power series-hybrid system. The latter involves a 1.5 litre three-cylinder turbo engine that has only one job – to generate electricity to move the car. Nissan claims the new system is lighter, as much as 5.6 dB quieter, and more efficient. Whether there will be a battery-electric (EV) version is still unknown.
2014 was the last time Malaysia got an Elgrand officially – the RM388k third-gen facelift had a naturally-aspirated 280 PS/344 Nm 3.5 litre V6 and an Xtronic CVT. Will the new Elgrand come to Malaysia? Edaran Tan Chong Motor did show the Hyper Tourer concept at KLIMS 2024, so…
Nissan Hyper Tourer concept at KLIMS 2024
Nissan Hyper Tourer concept official images
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Jetour VT9 launching in Malaysia soon – 7-seat D-SUV, 1.5T from Chery Omoda 5, six-speed DCT, 2 variants?
You saw it at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024; now the Jetour VT9 has been officially teased on Facebook. The seven-seater SUV is a D-segmenter that sits above the recently-launched five-seater C-segment Dashing. Rivals include the Proton X90 and the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro.
Unless things have changed since last year, for Malaysia, the 4,724 mm-long, 1,900 mm-wide and 1,720-mm tall vehicle should get the Chery Omoda 5‘s 156 PS/230 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed wet twin-clutch auto. Wheelbase and ground clearance are respectively 2,720 mm and 144 mm.
The right-hand drive unit displayed then had full chrome window surrounds, full-width tail lamps, (fake) quad tailpipes, red exterior bits, roof rails and 19-inch two-tone alloys. It also had a twin-10.25-inch widescreen panel, shift paddles, a six-way powered driver’s seat, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 50-watt wireless charger, four speakers, a 360 camera and a powered tailgate.
If we’re still going to get Prime and Signature variants as intimated then, the pricier Signature should get a panoramic sunroof, driver’s seat memory, metal pedals, six airbags, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, rear cross traffic alert and door opening warning, while the Prime gets four airbags and AEB. Let’s look out for it at next month’s Malaysia Autoshow 2025.
Jetour VT9 previewed at Malaysia Autoshow 2024
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See the new Porsche 911, great deals on the Macan, Taycan at Porsche Sportscar Weekend until May 18
Celebrate the sports car with Porsche Malaysia, where performance, engineering and lifestyle come together at Porsche Sportscar Weekend events that will be taking place at Porsche Centres nationwide from this weekend until May 17 to 18.
Each event at the participating Porsche Centre will host the showcase of the latest, updated Porsche 911, which comes equipped with the latest evolution of equipment and design elements for the iconic sports car.
Revisions to the Porsche 911 in Carrera guise see the immediately recognisable model equipped with the distinct 3.0 litre twin-turbo boxer six-cylinder engine that now outputs 394 PS and 450 Nm, offering formidable performance with 0-100 km/h reached in 3.9 seconds* and a top speed of 294 km/h.
Aspiring to take the wheel of a Porsche on a racetrack and drive to its potential, and to your own? Simulator racing grants a new level of accessibility, and the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia (PECSM) returns to give the country’s fastest sim racers the chance to duke it out once again for glory.
It will be a period of excitement as these racers do their best to set their fastest qualifying lap to stay in the tournament, and you can catch all the action at your nearest Porsche Centre. Round 2 will take place during the following weekends:
- Porsche Centre Ara Damansara – April 26 to 27
- Porsche Centre Johor Bahru – May 3 to 4
- Porsche Centre Penang – May 10 to 11
- Porsche Centre Sungai Besi – May 17 to 18
Adding to the exhilaration are several exclusive deals to get you behind the wheel of a real-life Porsche, including one year of complimentary insurance on selected Taycan models, a one-year warranty extension on selected all-electric Macan models and up to three years’ warranty on Porsche Approved pre-owned cars.
Porsche Approved pre-owned units are on offer; check them out to find tantalising deals. For a finishing touch, Porsche Lifestyle merchandise can be purchased at savings of up to 30%.
So head on over to your nearest Porsche Centre over the next four weekends to get up close with the latest Porsche 911 and its high-performance stablemates, cheer on your favourite racers and also enjoy these amazing deals! For more information, visit the the official Porsche Malaysia website.
*With the Sport Chrono Package.
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100,000 fans expected in Bukit Jalil tomorrow night
A travel advisory has been issued for Bukit Jalil and surrounding areas tomorrow, April 26. Two events are being held simultaneously in Bukit Jalil, the Malaysia Cup Final at Bukit Jalil National Stadium and the Amy Search Magic Konsert Solo Pertama at the nearby Axiata Arena.
Authorities expect well over 100,000 people to attend the events with more than 60% of football tickets sold for the 87,500 seating capacity Bukit Jalil stadium. Police expects traffic congestion to begin as early as 5 pm, and expected to continue past midnight, reports The Malay Mail.
Public are urged to use public transportation to avoid traffic jams. For those wanting to take the train, the LRT Sri Petaling Line provides direct access to Bukit Jalil LRT station which is walking distance from both venues, with operating hours extended by Rapid KL.
Alternate routes to Bukit Jalil are suggested for those who wish to drive, including the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS) towards Sri Petaling, Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) for those coming from Cheras and Ampang, and the SMART Tunnel from the KL city centre. Event attendees are advised to come early and follow instructions from traffic police.
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GWM Souo S2000 touring bike in Shanghai – first 8-cyl bike, 8-speed DCT, one-off Cloud Lion sold at RM402k!
Revealed at Auto China in Beijing last year, the Souo S2000 touring motorcycle from GWM is making an appearance at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2025 show, five months after its November market launch. To mark its first anniversary, the company produced a special one-off called the Cloud Lion, featuring a custom hand-painted finish.
Measuring a massive 2,660 mm long and weighing a whopping 450 kg, the S2000 (no relation to the iconic Honda roadster) is the world’s first production eight-cylinder motorcycle. As its name suggests, the bike is powered by a 2,000 cc flat-eight that produces 154 PS at 6,500 rpm and 190 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a reverse gear and a walk assist function.
The engine is mounted on a one-piece irregular alloy frame, with suspension consisting of three-layer parallel rods at the front and a centrally-mounted damper at the rear, both with adaptive dampers. Also fitted are 18-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels and Brembo brakes with dual 320 mm front discs and a single 295 mm rear disc, along with ABS and traction control.
The S2000’s distinctive design features a front mask with twin circular headlights (with a follow-me-home function) inspired by a lion dance costume, along with large side vents and large dual tailpipes. The optional lockable rear storage box holds 63 litres and has space for two helmets, and there’s also a storage box on either side of the rear wheel.
Ahead of the rider sits a one-touch retractable windscreen and a 12.3-inch instrument display that runs on an automotive-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, replete with Bluetooth connectivity, built-in navigation and voice control. It supports over-the-air firmware updates and pipes music through a four-speaker, 360-watt sound system. An electronic parking brake and handlebar and seat heating are also fitted.
The S2000 usually comes in red, black and white paint options, but one lucky buyer purchased the Cloud Lion one-off at the show yesterday. The special edition was painted by hand with an airbrushed cloud pattern interspersed with gold foil inlays and mother-of-pearl lacquering. The custom paint means the Cloud Lion retailed at an eye-watering 668,800 yuan (RM401,400), more than three times the price of the base S2000 ST (218,800 yuan or RM131,300).
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Volkswagen Malaysia to CKD EVs, export to ASEAN
At yesterday’s Audi Q7 CKD start-of-production ceremony held at DRB-Hicom’s Pekan plant, Volkswagen Group Malaysia MD Dr Susanne Lehmann revealed that the company is planning to assemble hybrids and EVs here and export them to other ASEAN nations.
“We are working very hard with partners in government agencies and with our colleagues in HQ, and have put together a product portfolio, including exports and EV production from next year on.
“This (Audi Q7) is only the first step with MHEV (mild hybrid) to bringing in more PHEV (plug-in hybrids) and then completely EV in the following years,” she said.
Although she was tight-lipped on the specific models in question and which countries these would be exported to, a slide was shown depicting an ID.4 EV (which was officially previewed in Malaysia years ago) and the flags of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
“We’re not going only for volume; we want to strategically extend and expand our portfolio, and suggest everyone to go electric step-by-step. We need to train people for new technologies to prepare the way for electrification,” Susanne said.
There’s the 3, 4, 5, 7 (6 for now is China-only), the unique Buzz, GTX versions and possible 1, 2 and 8 in the future. With so many IDs to choose from, which do you think is/are most suitable for Malaysia?
Volkswagen ID.4 previewed in Malaysia in 2022
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Yamaha wins 2025 Red Dot award for NMax Tech Max
Marking its 14th win since 2012, Yamaha has won the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2025 for the Yamaha NMax 125 Tech Max scooter. In Malaysia, we get the Yamaha NMax 155 ABS, priced at RM11,498, which is differentiated from the NMax Tech Max by the omission of Garmin on-screen navigation.
Additionally, Malaysia does not receive the “Turbo” version of the NMax which is available in the Indonesian market. The NMax Tech Max Turbo in Indonesia comes with ‘Turbo’ riding mode and ‘Y-Shift’ with three levels of power delivery – ‘1’ for low, ‘2’ for medium and ‘3’ for high, with ‘S-Mode’ for “sport-touring” and ‘T-Mode’ for “town commuting.”.
The Red Dot Award is an international, annual design competition for product and industrial design, brand and communication design as well as design concepts. Submissions are evaluated on four criteria – the quality of function, aesthetics, usability and responsibility, with a recognisable purpose, and be easy and self-explanatory to use.
The NMax 155 is now in its third version for Malaysia and comes with ABS as well as traction control as standard equipment. Power for the NMax 155 comes from a liquid-cooled single cylinder engine rated at 15.4 PS at 8,000 rpm and 14.2 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm.
Fuel capacity is 7.1 litres while underseat storage will hold the equivalent of 23.3 litres, with a wet weight of 130 kg, and seat height is set at 765 mm. Suspension is done with telescopic forks in front and twin shock absorbers at the rear, adjustable for preload. A single 230 mm hydraulic disc brake operates on each wheel.
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- NMAX 125
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- NMAX FAMILY
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- NMAX 125 Tech MAX
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- NMAX 125 Tech MAX
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- NMAX 125 Tech MAX
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A-A special number plates collect RM24 million – A9A RM902k, A11A RM703k, A8A RM700k, A7A RM502k
Launched last week in conjunction with JPJ’s 79th anniversary, the A-A special number plate series – with numbers 1 to 9999 in between – has collected RM24,022,793 in total.
6,746 out of 24,470 bidders who gave it a go from April 19-23 emerged successful. A9A was the highest-bid number at RM902,020, followed by A11A (RM703,007), A8A (RM700,000), A7A (RM502,000) and A2A (RM490,888). The numbers with the most bidders were A51A (40), A101A (31), A8118A (29), A1881A (27) and A19A (27).
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BYD Tai 3 in Shanghai – Fangchengbao’s first EV, up to 421 PS, 501 km CLTC range; sold globally as Denza?
Recently launched in China, the Fangchengbao Tai 3 has made its first public appearance at Auto Shanghai 2025. This is the first fully-electric model from BYD’s off-road-focused brand, joining the Bao range of plug-in hybrid 4x4s.
“Tai” is the Chinese word for titanium, so it’s no surprise that the Tai 3 features a heavily-chiselled design that looks like it was inspired by an armoured personnel carrier. The most striking aspect is the flared fenders that have scalloped undersides to house the angular wheel arches.
The “pinched” flares frame a front end that features dual-bar LED daytime running lights (mirrored on the light strips on the door mirrors) and an upright grille, leading towards the trapezoidal bumper with body-coloured inserts. The latter can also be found at the rear, which also features slim taillights, a side-opening tailgate and a discrete storage box.
Inside, the Tai 3 is slightly more conventional, with elements taken from the Bao series such as the chunky steering wheel, a “tank” gear selector and crystalline toggles. The bridge-style centre console is rather unique, housing a flashlight on the driver’s side and a karaoke microphone on the passenger side.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a BYD product without all the tech, such as a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, DiSus-C adaptive dampers, God’s Eye C highly-automated highway driving and even an available DJI drone package. There’s also a 151 litre front boot, accessible through a button built into the grille.
As befits the name, the Tai 3 is the smallest model in Fangchengbao’s stable. Measuring 4,605 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,720 mm tall, it’s 285 mm shorter, 70 mm narrower and 200 mm lower than the Bao 5, while its 2,745 mm wheelbase is 55 mm shorter. It’s also the first to feature a monocoque chassis, with MacPherson strut front and five-link rear suspension.
The Tai 3 is the first Fangchengbao model to be available in rear-wheel-drive form, with a single motor producing 218 PS (160 kW) and 310 Nm of torque, getting the car from zero to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 201 km/h.
The all-wheel-drive model adds a front motor churning out 150 PS (110 kW) and 200 Nm, resulting in a total system output of 421 PS (310 kW) and 510 Nm and a century sprint time of 4.9 seconds. Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery sizes of 65.28 kWh on the RWD car and 72.96 kWh with AWD both deliver a range of 501 km on China’s ridiculously lenient CLTC cycle, while a maximum DC fast charging input of 195 kW (RWD) or 215 kW (AWD) fill the battery from 30 to 80% charge in 18 minutes.
Prices start at 133,800 yuan (RM80,200) for the RWD model, rising up to 153,800 yuan (RM92,200) with AWD; add the drone package and the cost rises to 193,800 yuan (RM116,200). As with the Bao models, the Tai 3 could be sold internationally under the Denza brand, with its Bao 5 and Bao 8 siblings already tipped to be called the B5 and B8 respectively. However, the T3 name is unlikely, as it’s already been used on a BYD commercial van.
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iCaur to debut in Malaysia in May 2025 – Chery’s iCar sub-brand renamed; V23 and 03 EVs launching soon?
iCaur V23 The iCar brand is coming to Malaysia and will make its debut at next month’s Malaysia Autoshow 2025 (MAS 2025). However, the Chinese brand, which under Chery’s umbrella, will not be known as iCar but will instead be called iCaur on our part of the world.
The iCaur brand was formally introduced as this year’s Auto Shanghai, with the first global model announced being the V23. As part of the brand’s expansion plans, the line-up will not only include pure electric vehicles (EVs) but also range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs). Malaysia is just one of over 100 countries that iCaur will enter in the next three years, with over 2,000 service and sales centres planned worldwide.
The V23 is not new to China, as it was first revealed back in April last year. In its home market, the electric off-roader is available in rear- or all-wheel drive configurations. RWD variants are equipped with an electric motor rated at 136 PS (134 hp or 100 kW) and 180 Nm of torque.
iCaur V23 Powering the electric motor is either a 59.93-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides a range of 401 km following China’s CLTC standard, or 81.76-kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) unit that offers up to 550 km.
Meanwhile, the AWD variant is only available with the NMC battery and has a range of up to 501 km. This variant adds an electric motor at the front serving up 75 PS (74 hp or 55 kW) and 112 Nm, which contributes to a total system output of 211 PS (208 hp or 155 kW) and 292 Nm. Pricing for the V23 ranges from 109,800 to 149,800 yuan (about RM66k to RM90k).
The iCar line-up in China also includes the 03, which is also known as the Jaecoo J6 that was previewed in Malaysia in May 2024. The 03 retails for between 109,800 and 139,800 yuan (RM66k and RM84k) and is also available in rear- or all-wheel drive configurations, all with a LFP battery.
iCar V23 at Auto Shanghai 2025 The RWD option has an electric motor serving up 184 PS (181 hp or 135 kW) and 220 Nm, with battery capacities being either 50.63 (401 km) or 65.69 kWh (501 km). As for the AWD variants, they gain a front electric motor rated at 95 PS (94 hp or 70 kW) and 165 Nm for a total system output of 279 PS (275 hp or 205 kW) and 385 Nm. The AWD variants can be had with either 65.69- (472 km) or 69.77-kWh (501 km) LFP batteries. The 03 is also available as a REEV called the 03T.
In the official release, it isn’t mentioned what iCar models will be shown at MAS 2025. “Following its global debut at the Shanghai Motor Show 2023, iCaur is now set to make its official launch at the Malaysia Autoshow 2025 with a comprehensive preview of its vibrant EV lineup,” read the release.
We expect the 03/J6 to be at the event given the sighting of a unit undergoing testing on local roads earlier this month. Perhaps it will be joined by the V23 at the show? We’ll find out more soon, so look forward to our coverage of MAS 2025 next month. In the meantime, are you excited for the arrival of iCar/iCaur vehicles in Malaysia?
GALLERY: iCar V23 at Auto Shanghai 2025
GALLERY: Jaecoo J6 (iCar 03) preview in Malaysia
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Firefly EV shown at Auto Shanghai 2025 – compact EV confirmed for Singapore; will it head to Malaysia next?
Officially unveiled at the end of last year, the Firefly EV has now been shown at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2025 in China. Emerging from Nio sub-brand firefly, the brand had announced earlier this week that the right-hand-drive version of its eponymous compact electric vehicle will be ready by October this year, with the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia being the first markets to receive it.
Having gone on sale in China in two variants, priced from RMB119,800 (RM72k) to RMB125,800 (RM75k) including battery, buyers in China will also have the option of renting batteries through a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) programme, which is expected to decrease the price of these variants by tens of thousands of yuan.
Safety comes with a five-star C-NCAP rating, a body built using 83.4% high-strength steel, torsional rigidity of 35,700 Nm per degree, nine airbags and ADAS features.
Measuring 4,003 mm long, 1,781 mm wide and 1,557 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,615 mm, the Firefly is slightly smaller than the BYD Dolphin, but larger than the BYD Seagull. Storage in the Firefly is comprised of a 95-litre frunk and a 1,250-litre boot (with the rear seats folded), while turning radius is 4.7 metres.
The display car at Auto Shanghai 2025 offers us a look inside, revealing an interior layout that is of the now-commonplace dual screens on a minimalist dashboard; the steering wheel is a two-spoke multifunction unit.
The flat floor and lack of central tunnel connecting the dashboard and centre console means that front seat occupants have room to move between seats, while the centre console features a cupholder and a storage recess ahead of the centre armrest with its own compartment. Similarly, rear seat occupants benefit from the flat floor, and the rear seat bench can be lifted to reveal two more storage compartments.
With a distributorship in Singapore expected to be signed for the brand this week, the brand’s entry into a right-hand-drive market could open the door to an introduction to Malaysia as well. What do you think of the Firefly?
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Geely Galaxy Cruiser debuts in Shanghai with rugged 4×4 looks, PHEV powertrain – Proton eMas off-roader?
Geely’s big debut at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2025 show is the Galaxy Cruiser, a striking new off-road-ready concept. China’s largest privately-owned carmaker looks to be finally entering the country’s burgeoning 4×4 market with a car that ditches the company’s own design language in favour of a slightly derivative boxy aesthetic.
All the hallmarks are present and correct – a flat roof, an upright glasshouse, a bluff front end, chunky silver bumpers, protruding squared-off fender flares and a sturdy roof rack. The concept even gets a step ladder and a storage box on either side, items that were popularised by the Land Rover Defender.
The front end sports a full-width rectangular grille that integrates the round headlights, which Geely says “embody ancient wisdom.” These, together with the vertical taillights, have been inspired by an armillary sphere. There’s also an external spare wheel that’s typical of this segment.
The angular design language continues on the inside, where the Galaxy Cruiser features several rectangular cues rather reminiscent of BYD’s Fangchengbao series of vehicles. These include the general dashboard design, the horn pad and switches on the steering wheel, the large floating infotainment touchscreen, the toggle switches on the centre console and the rollers to select the drive and off-road modes.
Elsewhere, the distinctive gear selector has been inspired by the throttle on a yacht, while the passenger-side dash is fitted with additional off-road-focused instruments such as a compass. Don’t expect the latter to make it to production, however, as they would complicate the airbag’s deployment.
Geely says the Galaxy Cruiser is able to crab walk, make tank turns and even drive on three wheels, the latter hinting at BYD-style hydraulic suspension that can raise one wheel if, say, the tyre is flat. It is also claimed to be capable of drifting without a driver and pass a moose test at speeds of up to 80 km/h. The car has a water-wading depth rating of 800 mm, and like the Yangwang U8, it can float on water for up to two hours, driving at speeds of up to 8.5 km/h.
This being a flight-of-fancy concept, there are no details whatsoever on what powers the car. Geely does say, however, that the Galaxy Cruiser is capable of switching from full electric drive, hybrid and range extended modes using AI technology, hinting at a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The company already offers such a system in efficient EM-i and performance EM-P variants.
Geely also says the Galaxy Cruiser uses its in-house-developed Aegis short blade battery, comes with satellite communications and utilises G-AES Universal Obstacle Continuous Automatic Avoidance Technology. That last bit allows the car to avoid hazards while off-roading using satellite remote sensing and “drone scouting,” it further claims.
Given that Proton has been redeveloping products from the Galaxy range such as the E5 as eMas, we could very well see the national carmaker offer the production Galaxy Cruiser as an eMas off-roader, which would be a fascinating prospect. Helping matters is the fact that the concept is far more production-ready than last year’s Galaxy Starship, meaning that it should reach Chinese showrooms sooner rather than later.
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Geely Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i shown at Auto Shanghai 2025 – Proton eMas 7 PHEV twin gets 120 km EV range
The Geely Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i is shown at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2025 in China, and so we can now have a look at the petrol-electric hybrid SUV in the metal. The Galaxy Starship 7 brings a second-generation NordThor 2.0 plug-in hybrid powertrain – a development of the EM-P powertrain used by Lynk & Co – boasting some lofty numbers.
Essentially a Galaxy E5/Proton eMas 7 with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, the 1.5 litre turbocharger four-cylinder petrol engine used here attains thermal efficiency of 46.6%, enabled by a combustion chamber developed to have increased air swirl. Outputs from this engine are 111 PS and 136 Nm.
This is mated to an 11-to-1 electrified dedicated hybrid transmission (E-DHT) combining a P1 integrated starter-generator and P3 drive motor for outputs of 218 PS and 262 Nm, propelling the Galaxy Starship 7 from 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 180 km/h.
In China, two battery sizes are offered – a 8.5 kWh battery offers 55km of purely electric running on the Chinese domestic CLTC testing standard, while the larger, 12.02 kWh battery increases that figure to 120 km. When combined with the 1.5 litre internal combustion engine and its 51 litre fuel tank, Geely quotes a total range of 1,420 km, at a rate of fuel consumption of 3.75 litres per 100 km.
For charging, Geely says that the Galaxy Starship 7 can take up to 1.9C charging, or 1.9 times its battery capacity, working out to around 36 kW of DC charging. A recharge from 30-80% takes 20 minutes, and Galaxy Starship 7 also offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.
In terms of exterior dimensions, the Galaxy Starship 7 measures 4,740 mm long, 1,905 mm wide and 1,685 mm tall with a 2,755 mm wheelbase, making it 125 mm longer, 4 mm wider and 15 mm taller than the E5, while wheelbase is 5 mm longer than that of its EV sibling.
As seen here, and where the Galaxy Starship 7 differs from the Galaxy E5 and eMas 7 are in the use of conventional exterior door handles, whereas the EV duo get pop-out handles which are flush-mounted within the door panel.
Meanwhile, and also as seen in earlier official images, the Galaxy Starship 7 wears some detail differences which distinguishes it from the E5/eMas 7 EVs. At its front end is a full-width light bar with tiered DRLs on either side, while the main headlamp beams are now lower towards the bumper.
At the rear, the full-width tail lamp assembly is slightly different compared to that on the E5 and eMas 7, while the tailgate and rear bumper are also different, with different designs and shutlines.
Inside, the dashboard architecture is shared with the E5/eMas 7, albeit with a revised layout that is now more symmetrical in its centre console and air-conditioning vents. Meanwhile, the multifunction and air-conditioning controls have also been relocated further down the console.
As for its Malaysian relation, Proton has trademarked the eMas 7 PHEV name, indicating the company’s intent for the Malaysian brand. Should this come to fruition, it would provide an alternative to the battery-electric eMas 7 for those who want added range between battery-enforced stops. 3
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GWM Wey 80 Gaoshan 9 debuts in Shanghai – longer 6-seat luxury version of Malaysia-bound MPV
The über-luxury MPV market is huge in China right now, and GWM is entering the segment in the big way with the Wey Gaoshan 9, a lengthened version of the already ginormous Wey 80, debuting at Auto Shanghai 2025. A massive 365 mm increase in rear overhang allows the people carrier to better compete with rivals such as the Lexus LM, Denza D9 and Zeekr 009 while still offering three rows of seats.
Yes, GWM isn’t jumping on the four-seater bandwagon occupied by the likes of the LM and the 009 Grand. The extra length instead frees up space for a second pair of full-sized captain’s chairs, meaning that the Gaoshan 9 is a strict six-seater. Such is the added spaciousness that not only does the car offer plenty of room in the rearmost pews, but also a decent 315 litre boot even with all seats up. Stow the third row and you’ll get a maximum cargo space of 1,975 litres.
The Gaoshan 9 also receives a plush second row with plenty of power adjustment, being able to recline and even tilt at the touch of a button to put passengers in an optimum resting position in concert with the powered ottomans.
These passengers also get heating, ventilation and massage functions, a 17.3-inch roof-mounted monitor with gesture control, a fold-out table and a refrigerated drawer. Other features include voice control for all six occupants, a 23-speaker, 2,440-watt sound system and no less than six karaoke microphones.
The Gaoshan 9 variant (and the shorter seven-seater Gaoshan 8) was introduced as part of a comprehensive update for the Gaoshan, which is what the Wey 80 is called in China. While the design has been left unchanged, the front cabin has been significantly redesigned with the addition of twin 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreens for the centre and front passenger. These screens run the latest Coffee OS 3 with generative AI support, powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip.
Power comes from an updated Hi4-T plug-in hybrid system, consisting of a 170 PS/245 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 109 PS/170 Nm electric motor and a four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), plus another 184 PS/232 Nm motor driving the rear wheels. Total system output is 458 PS and 644 Nm of torque, and with a 51.55 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, the Gaoshan 9 has a WLTP-rated electric range of 201 km, leading to a total range of 963 km.
Will the Gaoshan 9 come to Malaysia? It seems like a distinct possibility – asked by the media yesterday whether it will be sold in ASEAN, GWM chairman Jack Wey said the car is being considered for right-hand-drive production, noting that the car offers several advantages over the all-conquering Alphard.
If a RHD model does end up being made, it will likely be CKD locally assembled in Malaysia alongside the Wey 80, which will enter production at the EP Manufacturing (EPMB) plant in Melaka starting in 2025. That car will be exported to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, Wey confirmed.
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