The Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV and iCaur V23, two SUVs under the Chery Group umbrella that were launched in Malaysia in October and November respectively, have both secured a full five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating. Both were crash-tested at the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI) in Chongqing last month.
The Tiggo 7 PHEV achieved the full 40 points for adults, 17.18 out of 20 for children, the full 20 points for safety assist and 17.5 out of 20 for motorcyclists, resulting in a 94.68-point total score, while the iCaur V23 managed 39.71 out of 40 points for adults, 16.67 out of 20 for children, 17.14 out of 20 for safety assist and 17.5 out of 20 for motorcyclists, yielding a 91.02-point total score.
Standard on both SUVs are seatbelt reminders for all seats, rear seat occupant detection, both city and inter-urban AEB, blind spot detection, auto high beam, ISOFIX and child presence detection, in addition to a host of lane-related functions. The Tiggo 7 PHEV has eight airbags including a knee and centre airbag, while the V23 has six.
Are these the last vehicles to be tested under the outgoing 2021-2025 protocol? Assessment under the 2026–2030 protocol starts January – an expanded emphasis on ADAS is expected.
Another Wednesday, and so it’s time again for the usual weekly fuel price update, with the ministry of finance announcing the retail prices of fuels for the coming week of December 25 to 31, 2025. The week sees yet more relief for users, with prices reduced for RON 97 and unsubsidised RON 95 as well as for diesel.
Unsubsidised RON 95 petrol drops to RM2.56 per litre, six sen down from the RM2.62 per litre price it was at last week. As for RON 97, the premium grade of petrol drops by eight sen per litre to RM3.16 per litre (RM3.24 per litre last week).
Good news also for diesel users, with the price of the fuel dropping eight sen per litre to RM2.94 per litre for the Euro 5 B10 and B20 blends. As such, the Euro 5 B7 blend, which costs 20 sen more per litre, goes for RM3.14 per litre. The retail price of diesel fuels in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan stays unchanged at RM2.15 per litre.
These prices take effect from midnight tonight until Wednesday, December 31, 2025, when the next set of fuel price updates are announced. This is the 52nd and final edition of the weekly fuel pricing format for this year, and the 363rd in total since the format was introduced at the start of 2019.
Here we go again. After getting priced at the equivalent of RM51k-55k in Thailand, and therefore cheaper than our RM57k-70k Proton eMas 5, the Geely EX2’s Indonesian prices are out, and they’re 233-273 million rupiah (RM56k-66k) for Pro and Max variants.
Before you get your pitchforks out, consider that just like Thailand, Indonesia’s entry-level EV market is crowded, competitive and cut-throat. Wuling, having been there for over eight years, is the top EV brand, with many small and affordable choices, so the Geely EX2 needs to be priced aggressively to compete.
Like in Thailand, both Pro and Max variants in Indonesia get a 116 PS/150 Nm rear electric motor (the more powerful one used by our eMas 5 Premium). There’s no lesser option like our eMas 5 Prime’s 79 PS/130 Nm unit. And we have an official 0-100 km/h time – it’s 11.5 seconds.
Ditto the battery – there’s only one 40.8 kWh choice, which means the bigger battery is standard. This yields a 395 km NEDC range (compared to the eMas 5’s 225/325 km WLTP from 30.12/40.16 kWh batteries).
Equipment-wise, the EX2 in Indonesia offers a powered driver’s seat on the Max variant (which no eMas 5 variant has), and the base EX2 Pro already gets automatic LED projector headlamps (which we need to buy the eMas 5 Premium to enjoy; our eMas 5 Prime only has halogens).
However, the Proton fights back with a powered tailgate, which is not available in Indonesia, and six airbags across the range (the Indonesian EX2 Pro has just four airbags; only the EX2 Max has six. Thailand, like us, has six airbags across the range). Also, while the EX2 Max and eMas 5 Premium both have the full ADAS suite including AEB and ACC, the Indonesian EX2 Pro does without the eMas 5 Prime’s blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning and door opening warning.
Indonesian Geely EX2 brochure – click to enlarge
Just like in Thailand, the Indonesian-spec EX2’s passenger-side dashboard and door cards have a cityscape ambient lighting motif instead of the shooting stars on the eMas 5.
On to colours – the Indonesian car can be had in Nebula Beige, Comet Grey, Star Silver and Moon White (the top-spec Max additionally gets Aurora Pink and Stellar Blue choices). As for the interior, the Max’s is either Dark Grey or Ivory White; the Pro only gets the former.
Meanwhile, our eMas 5 can be had in Moonstone White, Graphite Silver and Slate Grey (the top-spec Premium additionally gets Marble Cream and Quartz Rose choices; all Premium cars have black roofs). If the exterior is Marble Cream or Quartz Rose, the interior is Alabaster White; otherwise, it’s Flint Grey. An updated model is already in the oven – see what you can expect here.
Lotus Cars Malaysia has announced that it has closed its Lotus Cars Bukit Jelutong facility at Jln Astaka U8/84A, and has moved its after-sales services to Lotus Cars Kuala Lumpur, which is located in Glenmarie, at Jalan Juruhebah U1/50, Temasya Industrial Park.
The Lotus Cars Kuala Lumpur outlet is the company’s flagship store in the country. Occupying a floor space of 1,765 sq metres, the facility boasts two delivery bays, a customer lounge, a dedicated merchandising area and a configurator room for prospective buyers to customise nearly every aspect of their own Lotus.
A recall notice has been issued for the 2025 and 2026 KTM 390 models – the Adventure R, Adventure X, Enduro R and SMC. Quality inspection found engine vibrations may cause the side stand spring to break.
The issue is confined to forged alloy side stands and does not affect other side stand types. KTM is issuing the recall as a preventive action to eliminate any potential risk and uphold the highest standards of performance and safety, with a few cases being identified.
Customers should have their side stand spring replaced and a rubber protection fitted by an authorised KTM dealer. I the case of customers currently suffering a broken side stand spring, KTM recommends securing the side stand temporarily with a rubber band or similar, and riding safely to their KTM dealer.
Certain models of the KTM 390 will also have a new side stand sensor retaining plate installed during the workshop visit. This adjusts the trigger range of the side stand switch, and KTM dealers will inform customers if their specific KTM 390 requires the fix.
These photos of the new 2026 Nissan Versa – known to you and I as the Nissan Almera – have been posted by Carscoops from various Mexico-based Facebook groups – the car was apparently undergoing promotional shooting there. It’s likely to first go on sale in Latin America.
Striking-looking, isn’t it? Split headlamps (LED DRLs above, headlamps below) are all the rage these days, and this has, IMHO, led to a much cleaner face than the busy one before this. The slim DRLs are bridged by a gloss black strip on which sits the Nissan roundel. The grille is not only full-width but slightly wrap-around, incorporating the headlamps and indicators. The lower intake is just as neat, with subtle chrome embellishments. Nice directional alloys, too!
On to the design of the back, which I find slightly less successful. No end-to-end tail lamps; they’re joined by a thick gloss black bar on which the Versa script sits. It looks like only the inner halves of the tail lamps (the parts on the boot lid) are new; the outer halves appear to be of the same shape as before. But the internal graphics are totally new, including a warm-glow underline signature. The number plate is now on the rear bumper, which somehow gives off BMW M vibes – or is it just me?
Now for the controversial question – is this considered a second facelift or a new generation? You’ll notice we’re not even putting the word ‘all’ in front of ‘new’ because the side profile is clearly the same as before (we’ve been down this road recently with another budget sedan in Malaysia?), down to that distinctive C-pillar kink. It therefore wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect the same Nissan V platform, although we wouldn’t rule out some refinements and improvements.
The Versa in the US has a 124 PS/154 Nm HR16DE non-turbo 1.6 litre four-cylinder engine. This is likely to continue its duties, but this time it should be connected only to a CVT, as the manual (America’s last five-speed manual) was dropped earlier this year. ASEAN, Malaysia included, uses a 100 PS/152 Nm 1.0 litre turbo three-cylinder engine and a CVT (the Philippines also has a manual option).
Among those is the multi-pathway strategy adopted by UMW Toyota Motor, which aims for carbon neutrality through the deployment of a wide range of vehicle powertrain types to meet the highly diverse transportation needs of Malaysians, which the company aims to do with the best fit-for-purpose solutions.
Variety is key to the thinking behind Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy, as one’s commitment to environmental stewardship is only as good as the effectiveness of the approach towards reducing a carbon footprint. While there have been certain factions which have been especially vocal about an all-EV-or-nothing approach, Toyota is convinced that offering a range of solutions suited to consumers’ needs is more practical.
To that end, the full spectrum of powertrain offerings from Toyota is comprised of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains for developments in the direction of BEVs, while the development of hydrogen-fuelled powertrains include hydrogen combustion and hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains.
In the centre of that spectrum is the conventional, internal-combustion engine, a powertrain type which Toyota continues to develop to be compatible with renewable, carbon-neutral fuels. As the internal combustion engine is the powertrain technology that is the most commonly used by far, continual improvement of the ICE stands to yield significant progress towards attaining carbon neutrality.
As part of its efforts to decarbonise the internal-combustion engine, Toyota has developed a hydrogen combustion engine, which it has actively showcased in motorsport since 2021. A notable example is a hydrogen-powered Corolla that competed in a five-hour endurance race in Japan, demonstrating both the technology’s potential and Toyota’s commitment to innovation.
Efforts brought towards a multi-pathway future, one that incorporates hydrogen solutions, also includes development of hydrogen fuel-cell technology. Toyota’s fuel-cell system is now in its third generation, and while its scope of application in private or passenger vehicles is limited compared to battery-electric avenues, it serves to broaden the range of decarbonisation options, especially when developed alongside commercial and heavy-duty haulage applications which will aid in lowering costs.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have a long history of proven reliability on Malaysian roads since 2009, the year that the third-generation Prius went on sale in Malaysia. The self-charging Toyota Hybrid System (THS) requires no additional public charging infrastructure, and at the same time promises immediate carbon reduction without compromising long-distance driving practicality and peace of mind usage.
The next step in electrification from a purely internal combustion baseline is the hybrid solution. Widely adopted in Malaysia, hybrids provide practical benefits for everyday driving, from city commutes to long-distance trips, without requiring public charging infrastructure. By reducing fuel consumption and emissions, they offer both economic and environmental advantages, supporting Malaysia’s ongoing push for cleaner mobility. Combining efficiency, convenience, and reliability, the hybrid powertrain remains the most suitable electrified technology choice for Malaysian motorists seeking immediate impact without compromising practicality.
Toyota’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond vehicles and technologies, reaching into the communities it serves. Beyond the development of sustainable vehicles and technologies, UMW Toyota Motor is continually committed to sustainable development and community empowerment.
With the broader goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, UMW Toyota Motor recognises the importance of not just reducing carbon output through its multi-pathway powertrain strategy, but also supporting carbon absorption initiatives. This approach is reflected in initiatives such as the UMW Green Shoots Initiative (UGS), part of the national 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign 2020-2025. Awareness of the planet’s needs is central to achieving sustainability goals.
Instilling environmental consciousness early in life is key to lasting impact. The Toyota Eco Youth programme, launched in 2001, has become a nationwide school environment awareness initiative that equips students with practical skills to address local environmental issues. Using Toyota’s eight-step problem-solving methodology, students learn to identify challenges, understand root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
Just as Toyota’s robust reputation for quality automobiles has resulted from the Japanese philosophy of kaizen, which emphasises continuous development and improvement, the Toyota Eco Youth programme in Malaysia is all about resolving environmental issues within local communities.
Through the use of Toyota’s eight-step problem-solving methodology that equips students with structured problem-solving skills, the approach helps students identify environmental issues, understand root causes, and implement practical solutions which are sustainable.
The approach comes naturally in the goals pursued by Toyota, and at its core of making automobiles is to create solutions, as among the many concepts embodied by Toyota is monozukuri wa hitozukuri – making things is about making people, therefore products made should be in service of people.
As demonstrated by Toyota’s initiatives beyond the products its customers drive, live with and enjoy, its approach to sustainability in Malaysia transcends machinery, reaching daily practices in Malaysian communities. With sustainability and people in mind, what Toyota does is helping shape a greener future for communities across Malaysia.
Rapid KL has announced that the Bukit Jalil LRT station will extend its operations until 1 am on December 27. While the operator did not explicitly state the reason for the LRT extension, 1 am extensions typically happen when the National Stadium or Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil is hosting a big event
This is certainly the case, with South Indian actor-turned-politician Vijay set to attend the audio launch of his latest film Jana Nayagan at the National Stadium. The event is expected to attract over 85,000 people, making it the largest gathering of Vijay fans outside India.
The 10-hour Thalapathy Thiruvizha themed celebration will feature 30 singers, a live performance by music director Anirudh Ravichander, appearances by renowned artists from India and Malaysia and over 40 songs from Vijay’s films, including songs from Jana Nayagan, his 69th film.
The rail operator added that connecting stations will also have extended operating hours to ensure that passengers can reach their final destinations. Riders are reminded to have enough credit in their Touch ‘n Go cards for ease of travel.
More statistics from road transport department (JPJ), this time from Terengganu. Since the start of the year, the department has inspected 81,107 motorcycles, and has issued 24,954 summonses in a long-running operation. Over the period, it also seized 806 motorcycles under Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987, Bernama reports.
According to state JPJ director,Mohd Zamri Samion, a total of 16,396 motorcycle owners and riders were penalised for various offences over the course of Ops Motosikal, from January 1 until yesterday.
“The most common offences include riding without a driving licence, lack of insurance, and expired driving licences, while technical offences involved improper registration plates, vehicle modifications, and missing side mirrors,” he said. In addition to these, the department also issued 5,803 notices to motorcyclists for running red lights.
Elsewhere, the department issued a total of 193 summonses to commercial vehicles for various offences during Ops Khas Rentas Sempadan Zon Timur 2025, which was carried out from December 15-17 together with Pahang and Kelantan JPJ. A total of 342 vehicles were inspected, and 90 of these were found in to be in violation of regulations and subsequently penalised.
Over 2.2 million vehicles are expected to enter Penang from December 23 in conjunction with Christmas and the year-end school holidays, state police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail has said, according to a Bernama report.
He said the figure was based on trends recorded during previous major festive seasons, as well as the December 6-January 10 Pesta Pulau Pinang.
“The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) expects around two million vehicles to travel on major highways nationwide, including those heading to Penang over a week during the peak of the festive season. Therefore, we expect an increase in the number of vehicles entering the state.
“Trends from the 2025 major festive season show that Penang usually receives around 2.2 million vehicles via the first and second Penang bridges,” he told Bernama yesterday, adding that congestion is expected on several routes, especially at the entrances to the Penang bridges. Also, the government has announced a 50% toll discount from December 23-24.
Expect heavy traffic at the North-South Expressway‘s (PLUS) Juru and Sungai Dua exits, and in George Town, Jalan Air Itam and Jalan Green Lane (the main routes to Batu Feringghi). Azizee said Penang police will be on standby and deploy additional personnel to strategic hot spots and black spots.
“PDRM has also launched Ops Lancar to enable a swift response to any incident within 24 hours. This special operation has been activated across the state, particularly on highways, city roads and federal roads, to maintain smooth traffic during the Christmas holiday period,” he said.
It’s easy to forget, given that we’ve had the City Hatchback as its replacement for a while now, but the Honda Jazz does still exist in other parts of the world. It’s been six years since the fourth-generation model was revealed, but it’s still going strong, and in fact it appears that the car will soon be in for a second facelift in China, where it’s called the Fit.
Photos of the refreshed B-segment hatchback have cropped up on Autohome, and my word has it been in for a makeover. The doe-eyed original was perhaps a little too cutesy for buyers’ tastes, and Honda fixed that quite quickly with a sporty RS “face” in 2022, but this is the most aggressive the car has ever looked.
The new front fascia incorporates the in-vogue split headlight look, with the slim quad LED daytime running lights leading into the equally narrow grille. There’s also a large downturned air intake with twin “nacelles” in the corners, above which sits a strange four-rectangle cutout.
At the rear, the trapezoidal taillights remain, but there’s now a protruding bumper with a black diffuser-like valance sticking even further out, like a bad Brothers bodykit. This is at odds with the steel wheels and hubcaps on what looks like the base model, making the whole He-Man aesthetic look even more out of place.
Thankfully, the upgrades go at least slightly more than skin deep. According to Autohome, the Fit will be offered with a larger 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone mirroring compatibility such as Apple CarPlay, Huawei HiCar and Baidu CarLife. While still small by the standards of the Chinese market, the new display would be quite a bit bigger than the old car’s outclassed eight-inch unit.
No changes to what’s under the bonnet, however, with the Chinese-market Fit set to soldier on on with the same 124 PS/145 Nm 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT. What do you think – would you have preferred to see this car in Malaysia, or are you happy with the City Hatchback as is? Let us know in the comments.
Renault has claimed an efficiency record with the Filante Record EV concept, which managed the feat of running 1,008 km on a single charge of its 87 kWh battery while covering the distance at an average speed of 102 km/h and a rate of consumption of 7.8 kWh per 100 km.
The French manufacturer attained the feat at the UTAC test facility in Morocco on December 18, with the aim of completing 10 hours of running including technical stops and driver changes, or 239 laps of the four kilometre-long circuit, while sustaining an average speed above 110 km/h. The car retained 11% of battery charge at the finish, which could have sustained a further 120 km of driving at over 100 km/h, said Renault.
“If their only goal had been to drive the longest possible distance between charges, the designers and experts could have fitted the car with a huge battery or driven it in eco mode at 30 km/h on average. But Renault was aiming much higher with its efficiency record,” Renault said of its efficiency record attempt.
Three drivers were enlisted for the attempt, starting with development driver Laurent Hurgon (who also piloted the Megane Trophy-R to its Nurburgring Nordschleife FWD record in May 2019), followed by chassis control systems engineer Constance Léraud-Reyser, with the trio completed by chassis tuning engineer Arthur Ferrière.
Equipped with the aforementioned 87 kWh battery from the Renault Scenic E-Tech, the Filante Record concept weighs 1,000 kg, and features “ultra-light materials, 3D-printed components”, steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire technologies, and more, said the manufacturer.
The powertrain and carbon-fibre chassis of the Filante Record were made by Ligier, while its bespoke low rolling-resistance tyres were developed by Michelin.
“The findings from this venture will inform the development of future road-going electric models, enabling them to achieve ever higher levels of efficiency and meet customers’ real-life needs ever more closely – even in the most demanding conditions, such as sustained highway speeds,” Renault stated.
It seems there are many errant motorists who aren’t too worried about being blacklisted or being hauled to court next year for not clearing outstanding traffic summonses before the year is out, given that there are still 4.841 million JPJ summonses that remain unpaid, involving arrears totalling RM1.45 billion.
The figure was revealed by JPJ senior director of enforcement Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, who said that only 583,281 summons notices have been settled so far under the government’s discount initiative, generating payments amounting to RM77.27 million, as the Borneo Post reports.
From January 1, 2026, compounds paid within one to 15 days will be entitled to a 50% reduction, while a 33% reduction awaits those who pay between 16–30 days. It’s the full compound rate with no discounts for 31–60 days and court action/blacklisting for unpaid saman 61 days and above.
Existing fines prior to this will supposedly follow the same process under the new policy, which means no discounts on these from then. As previously indicated by transport minister Anthony Loke, defaulters may face legal proceedings or find themselves unable to renew their motor vehicle licence (LKM). Unless you’re thinking of testing out if there’s any truth to the above, there’s just over a week to settle those old compound fines.
The one on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah will be carried out from December 18, 2025 to February 16, 2026, between 10pm and 5am, for utility identification and relocation works. Road excavation will be involved, so the left-most lane in both directions between the Jalan Mayang Pasir junction and Bayan Indah Police Village will be closed. One lane will always be open to traffic.
Meanwhile, the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway one starts from Gat Lebuh Macallum to Gat Lebuh Cecil, and will be carried out from December 13-31 between 5pm and 6am. This is for road widening works. There will be signage, traffic cones and flagmen at both locations for safety and traffic control – remember to drive cautiously through these areas.
The Ipoh city council (MBI) has received a RM20 million allocation for the resurfacing of 400 roads in residential areas, according to housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming, reported The Star.
This allocation, the highest allocation to a local authority in the country, was approved by the prime minister, and will cover repairs of roads in five parliamentary constituencies. These are Tambun, Gopeng, Ipoh Barat, Ipoh Timur and Batu Gajah. All five are under the maintenance jurisdiction of MBI, the report wrote.
The road resurfacing works are expected to begin soon, and be completed by Hari Raya Aidilfitri, said the housing and local government minister.
“Under the leadership of the mayor, the council will ensure that contractors are selected based on competitive cost-benefit analyses, prioritising quality work. This initiative is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and enhance the living environment for residents,” Nga said.
Nationally, it would cost RM4 billion to repair all damaged roads in the country, and so the Malaysian government will prioritise the repairs of critically damaged roads, works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said in June this year.
