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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has updated its 4-door premium coupe, CLA. The CLA range is made up of 3 variants – CLA 200, CLA 250 Sport 4Matic and the range-topping Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic.

The engines for the latter 2 models are carried over from the previous – the CLA 200 has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that outputs 156 hp @ 5,600 rpm and 250 Nm of torque between 1,250 – 4,000 rpm and the CLA 250 uses a 2-liter engine with 211 hp @ 5,500 rpm and 350 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm. On the other hand, the CLA 45 gets a refreshed 2-liter engine with more power than before i.e. 381 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 475 Nm @ 2,250 – 5,000 rpm. All the engines are paired with a 7-speed DCT (dual clutch) automatic transmission; the CLA 45 gets an AMG SPEEDSHIFT sports transmission with Race Start function.  The CLA 200 and CLA 250 have the shift stalk mounted on their steering column while the CLA 45 gets a more conventional shift lever on the center console. The DYNAMIC SELECT feature allows the car’s engine, transmission and steering characteristics to be changed at the touch of a button.

The CLA 200 has a 0 – 100 km/h time of 8.2 seconds and top speed of 230 km/h; the CLA 250, 6.5 seconds, 240 km/h and the CLA 45, 4.2 seconds, 250 km/h. Fuel consumption based on the NEDC combined cycle is 5.5 l/100km, 6.5 l/100km and 6.9 l/100km respectively.

All 3 variants now have the AMG Line exterior with the distinct diamond radiator grille with chrome pins, chrome-plated twin tailpipes, and side sills. The suspension has also been lowered for a more aggressive stance as well as to improve handling. The front and rear bumpers come with chrome trim (the CLA 250 gets the Night package black trim at the rear). The tailpipe trim panels are now flushed with the bumper for a more integrated look while adding visual width to the car.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Exhaust - CopyThe higher-performance Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC gets more aggressive kit for improved aerodynamics and stability. There are no chrome pins on the front grille but twin louvers with silver chrome finish. the new AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid, the AMG front apron in new A-wing design with front splitter inserts in matte titanium grey and high-gloss black flics, the new diffuser insert design with four vertical fins and the AMG Aerodynamics package. This consists of a larger front splitter, additional flics, a black AMG spoiler lip at the rear plus spoiler lips over the simulated air outlets on the rear sides.

The facelifted CLA is now fitted with LED High Performance headlamps which has a color temperature that is closer to daylight than Xenon headlamps; it’s easier on the eyes especially at night. The 34-watt LED Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC Headlight - Copylow-beam headlamps are also less power hungry – about 60% less energy consumption than Xenon and around 70% less than halogen.

The low-beam headlamps use LED projection technology and the main-beam, reflection technology. The direction indicators, daytime running lamps and position lights are multi-functional fiber optic cables which are also used for the “Coming Home” function.

The head and tail lamps have an automatic intensity control to reduce the dazzling effect for vehicles behind. This multi-level functionality regulates the brightness of the brake lights and direction indicators in three stages i.e. Day, Night-time driving and Night-time stationary.

Complementing the new exterior are the 18″ AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels on the CLA 200, 19″ AMG cross-spoke light alloy wheels on the CLA 250, front perforated brake discs and front calipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering.

The interior has also been updated with new seat covers, trim parts and chrome-plated controls. The silver chrome finish can be found on the controls, fascia and switches on the doors as well as on the center console. The 8″ freestanding media display is now slimmer-looking and comes with a new-style glass cover. The CLA 200 and CLA 250 are equipped with the Audio 20 CD systems, while the CLA 45 has COMAND Online. The new-style dials and instrument cluster refreshed with red needles make it easier to read the instruments.

The CLA 200 and CLA 250 get black DINAMICA microfiber in the interior and ARTICO man-made leather / DINAMICA microfiber for the sports seats, in addition to the flat-bottomed sports steering wheel. Meanwhile, the CLA 45 instrument panel is upholstered in ARTICO man-made leather, as are the beltlines (finished with contrasting red stitching).

Among the standard safety features are Active Brake Assist (previously known as COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS), which can trigger autonomous braking to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions, ATTENTION ASSIST, Electronic Stability Program, Acceleration Spin Control and 7 airbags.

The CLA 200 is priced at RM 236,888; CLA 250 Sport 4Matic, RM 278,888 and CLA 45 AMG 4Matic, RM 408,888.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA is available with Agility Financing from RM 3,088 a month, with comprehensive motor insurance that also includes windscreen coverage.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC:

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC:

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Here are some cars that will appear in the upcoming movie Transformers: The Last Knight. The 5th installment of this Hasbro franchise is due in cinemas June 2017. Michael Bay is again directing the movie which stars Mark Wahlberg, Isabela Moner, Anthony Hopkins and Josh Duhamel.

The movie is currently filming on the streets of London. Autobot Bumblebee is seen as a new custom Chevy Camaro while the Decepticon Barricade is returning in the guise of a Ford Mustang. Also appearing are Autobots (previously a Decepticon) Drift as a Mercedes-AMG GT R and Hot Rod, a Lamborghini Centenario LP770-4.

Other known vehicle characters are a Mercedes Unimog (Autobot Hound), Western Star 5700 E (Autobot Optimus Prime), Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray (Autobot Crosshairs) and Western Star 4900 SF (Decepticon Onslaught).

The McLaren 570S is an unknown character, as is an Aston Martin DB11 and a Volkswagen Type 2.

Sources: ComingSoon.net, Daily Mail, duPont Registry, Michael Bay, Seibertron.com

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Less than a week ago, Honda Motor Co Ltd made a handful of patent filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. There were 10 filings, to be exact, ranging from a detecting sensor to a parking control device to passenger restraints. There were two that stood out – the first is called ‘pedestrian intersection alert system’.

Admittedly, the title for this story is exaggerated as Honda will not turn you into a superhero. The concept that Honda has filed is really an augmented reality system which uses sensors to detect pedestrians who are out of the driver’s field of vision (e.g. blocked by parked vehicles) and displays them on a head-up display (HUD) on the windscreen. This will help the driver anticipate pedestrian movement as he/she approaches them. In a way, not running down a pedestrian who isn’t paying attention when crossing the street makes you a hero.

This detection system is suppose to activate as the car approaches an intersection and the system will show the pedestrians’ locations on the HUD as avatars; which is better use for HUDs as they currently only show driving data and navigation, at most.

This system can also show a bird’s eye view of the car’s location and the pedestrians nearby. In a crowded area, the system is said to be able to filter and show only pedestrians within a predetermined distance from the vehicle so that your HUD is not full of avatars.

Honda says this system can work in a line of 3 cars when your field of vision is limited, especially in city driving, as long as these 3 cars have a ‘vehicle-to-vehicle communication system’ (also one of the filings Honda made). The lead car can communicate with the 2 cars behind it on speed and obstacles. This system will allow the cars to calculate the distance between them and activate whatever sort of driving safety or warning system that aids in decreasing the risk of collision.

Companies make patent filings all the time and not all make it to reality; Honda filed a patent in 2013 for a pedestrian detection system and it’s still in development (this particular system requires pedestrians to install an app in the smart device). But a system that helps reduce accidents and increase safety is always welcomed.

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The Taylor’s University Racing Team aka Taylor’s Racing Team (TRT) is going places. Not only will it be racing in the Educational Innovation of Motorsport and Automotive (EIMA) Race in Kuantan later this month (23 – 25 September), it will also be at the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers ASEAN (Formula SAE-ASEAN) on 5 – 9 October and then at the Formula SAE Australasia in Melbourne on 8 – 13 December.

The Taylor’s Racing Team was the first from Malaysia to qualify and race in the Formula SAE-A in Melbourne last December 2015 where the team finished 3rd in the business presentation category and 25th in the race (out of 35 teams).

This put TRT at a ranking of 322 out of 528 teams worldwide in the Formula Student World Ranking for Combustion Car (a higher rank than many well-known universities including Cambridge), a remarkable achievement. This year’s race also makes TRT the first private university team from Malaysia to qualify for the Formula SAE-A for a second consecutive year.

And it isn’t just a simple case of slapping on an engine to a chassis to race in Formula SAE. This racing formula is managed by the Society of Automotive Engineers for its student members and is industry-recognized. To race, university teams are required to design and build their own high-performance single-seater car. This competition sees about 400 teams competing each year.

Dr Satesh Narayana Taylor's University School of Engineering“At Taylor’s School of Engineering, we have a deep-seated belief that every student should embrace their passion. Through the Taylor’s Racing Team project, we hope to inspire our students to explore new ideas using the project-based learning approach, which puts their knowledge into practice,” said Associate Professor Dr. Ir. Satesh Narayana Namasivayam, Taylor’s University’s School of Engineering Acting Dean.

“The Taylor’s Racing Team has grown from strength to strength since they started out in 2010 with only 8 team members. The team has gained the mechanical skills, which are essential to fine-tune the race car. The experiences they went through in both local races also enhanced their innovative skills, communication capabilities and teamwork,” he added.

Taylor’s School of Engineering is the first private university in Malaysia to adopt the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) framework that gives engineering students practical real-world exposure and experience in developing industry-ready solutions.

Farah Danial, Taylor's Racing Team Chief Engineer 2016According to Farah Danial, the team’s chief engineer and Formula SAE lead driver, “2016 is an exciting year for the Taylor’s Racing Team. For the first time, we have increased our team to 29 members. The team consists not only of engineering students but also involves students from Taylor’s Business School, School of Computing & IT as well as the School of Communication. We also manage everything from car design, equipment sourcing, materials and components, scheduling, budgeting, sponsorship to manufacturing and car testing.” Farah was the only female driver in the 2015 Formula SAE-A team.

The inclusion of the other fields of expertise is reflective of real world team management as a race team isn’t just drivers and engineers but also marketers, communicators, accountants and systems specialists, among others.

This year’s car, dubbed the TR16, is an improvement over last year’s car with a lightened chassis, improved suspension, aerodynamics kit and a redesigned air intake. The steering wheel was customized to comfortably fit the 5 drivers and 3D printed in-house. The car is powered by a 600cc Yamaha R6 engine and the air intake was designed by the students and 3D printed at Pebblereka 3D Printing Hub, one of the team’s sponsors. The carbon fiber aerodynamics kit was also made by the students at another sponsor’s facilities. Likewise, the team worked with Hankook, another sponsor, to obtain tire data to optimize performance.

Other sponsors include Motul International, Yuasa Battery Malaysia, STT Precision Sdn Bhd, PracWorks, United Everco Industries Bhd, Claws Advanced Suspension System, GT Auto, Sley Enterprise, KS Brakes Performance & Engineering, High Advantage Sdn Bhd, Meng Kah Auto Parts Trading Sdn Bhd, Motorsport Playground, Wheelspin Motorsport, Superkart Indoor Karting and TR Motor.

“We believe this new challenger is capable of a higher level of performance than the previous car and is able to carry Malaysia’s name into the global arena at world-renowned races like the Formula SAE Germany and Silverstone in the near future,” added Farah.

The TRT will race its Honda CBR-powered twin-seater, called Epifany, in the EIMA Race.

Autoworld wishes TRT the best.

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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has announced the availability of two new model variants of the E 250 – Avantgarde Line and Exclusive Line.

“The E-Class has always been at the heart of the Mercedes-Benz brand and we are honoured to showcase the tenth-generation of this executive salon. The new E-Class marks the world premiere of numerous technical innovations and is the most beautiful and luxurious E-Class of all time whilst also exuding a sporty elegance. Following the launch of the all new E-Class model in June, the E 200 Avantgarde Line, we have received an overwhelming response for the saloon and now we are pleased to announce the prices and specifications of the additional three variants that will be available in the coming months. With the three available variants (E 200 Avantgarde, E 250 Avantgarde, E 250 Exclusive), we provide our discerning Malaysian customers a wide variety of premium luxury limousines to choose from,” says Mark Raine, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

The new E 250 Avantgarde Line is identifiable by a sports radiator grille with a large Mercedes star as its centrepiece, which gives the exterior a more dynamic and sportier look. The Avantgarde design and equipment line makes the exterior look sportier and more dynamic. The radiator trim with 2 louvres in matte iridium silver with chrome inserts and a centrally positioned Mercedes star looks distinctly different to the standard specification front section. The soft nose appears to lengthen the bonnet and emphasizes its sporty appearance, as do the diamond-meshed air intakes in the front bumper. The car comes with 19-inch 5-spoke light-alloy wheels.

Mercedes-Benz E 250 Exclusive Line StarMeanwhile, the E 250 Exclusive Line represents a modern interpretation of luxury that is typical of Mercedes-Benz. Refined details, such as the upgraded front bumper specific to this line with chrome trim elements, differentiate it from the other design and equipment lines. The radiators trim with 3 louvres and radiator grille with a three-dimensional frame and the Mercedes star on the bonnet which you can admire from the driver’s seat.

Both trims come with the same 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which produces 211 hp and 350 Nm. They are also fitted with enhanced Multibeam LED headlamps. Each headlamp is equipped with 84 individually activated high-performance LEDs making it exceptionally bright and precise without dazzling other road users.

Both are equipped with the COMAND Online infotainment, navigation and communication system. Information is shown on the 12.3″ high-resolution media display. Its highlights, alongside the double display, include the touch-sensitive Touch Controls on the steering wheel and the new, intelligent graphic design of the Multifunction Telephony. It allows mobile phones to be charged and, at the same time, connected to the vehicle’s exterior aerial – with absolutely no need for cables or a telephone holder.

With Parking Pilot and 360° camera, all-round vision is made possible by the reversing cameras and three other additional cameras. Observation of the areas to the side and directly in front of the vehicle helps during parking and maneuvering. The information from Parking Pilot and the cameras are displayed in full HD on the vehicle’s Widescreen Cockpit.

The E 250 comes as completely built-up units (CBU) and are priced at RM 420,888 (Avantgarde) and RM 425,888 (Exclusive).

Additional information can be found in this link.

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It’s more or less happening, officially and finally, Sony will start to make lithium-ion batteries for electrified vehicles. The Japanese electronics conglomerate was the first to commercialize lithium-ion batteries as far back as 1991 before the electronic devices boom happened.

Even though there are already existing players like LG Chem, Samsung SDI, Panasonic and Sanyo, Sony’s entry isn’t seen to dilute a market which is expected to grow quickly. Furthermore, these existing battery manufacturers have practically maximized their production capacity at least for the next few years.

Sony’s new lithium-ion cell, the VC7, is expected to be available soon. With a capacity of 3,500 mAh and compact size, it is said to match the capacity of the other major manufacturers like LG and Sanyo and can easily fit into any battery pack while being lightweight.

By 2020, Sony aims to commercialize new batteries for smart devices and electric vehicles. These batteries are expected to beFormula E Jaguar - Copy high-capacity lithium-sulfur and magnesium-sulfur batteries.

In the meantime, the company is also interested in bidding to supply batteries for the FIA Formula E in 2018. Sony is one of nine companies (including Panasonic) bidding for the battery supply contract. Better batteries will benefit this single-seat electric car racing series as currently the drivers need to change cars to finish the race.

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The famed Swedish carmaker, Volvo, is slowly but surely making its brand hot again. Volvo Car Malaysia has just announced that the S60 T6 sedan equipped with the Drive-E powertrain has received Energy-Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status. The EEV status allows Volvo Car Malaysia to reduce the S60 T6 price from RM 280,888 to RM 238,888 (on the road without insurance).

With a 2.0 liter engine that pushes out 306 hp and 400 Nm between 2,100 – 4,800 rpm, the S60 T6 delivers one of the best-in-class performance, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds. The new price also works out to roughly 1.3 hp per RM 1,000 and the 2.0 liter engine means a relatively affordable road tax for such performance.

Volvo S60 T6 - Bright Silver - BG8This performance is achieved by using a supercharger and turbocharger combination with huge amounts of torque available across a wider range. The T6 engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with two overdrive gears that conserves fuel when cruising at constant speeds.

The official fuel consumption figure is 6.7 litre / 100 km based on the NEDC combined cycle. This means that the current T6 engine produces more power, uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions than the previous engine.

Volvo S60 T6_SUMMUM_MY-SPEC16“Our Drive-E powertrain technology is focused squarely on delivering responsive power, clean efficiency and an exceptional driving experience. Using our advanced boosting solutions, we are able to get the best out of our precisely-designed engines,” said Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia.

The S60 T6 comes with Dynamic chassis which has an alert, quick-responding design that puts the focus on the driving experience without compromising the comfortable ride. Additionally, the steering gear ratio responds faster to give an enhanced steering feel and sharper response. The steering column’s thicker tubing and stiffer bushes increased torsional rigidity by 100 percent. This also contributes to the increased feeling of direct contact with the the wheels and the road.

The revised retail pricing comes into effect today (8 September 2016).

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Goodyear has officially announced its appointment of Ben Hoge as Managing Director of Goodyear Malaysia effective 1 August 2016, succeeding Andy Cooper, who was Interim Managing Director at Goodyear Malaysia.

Ben Hoge - MD Goodyear MalaysiaMr. Hoge joins the Malaysia operations from Goodyear Benelux, Belgium where he was Managing Director since 2014, and had led a team of 130 associates and set new record in sales and tire volumes throughout 2014. He was previously Finance Director at Goodyear Benelux in 2010 where under his leadership the company achieved record double digit growth over two consecutive years before being promoted to Finance Director of Goodyear EMEA, Commercial Tires where he played a key role in the Commercial Leadership Team involved in the development of strategy and improvement of planning / processes and overall business development.

Prior to joining Goodyear, Mr. Hoge had more than 19 years of business experience in finance and sales, holding various positions across multinational companies such as Fosters, Sara Lee, Douwe Egberts and Akzo Nobel in The Netherlands, France, UK and Belgium. Mr. Hoge holds a Master’s Degree in Business Economics and Business Administration from the University of Groningen, and a Post-Graduate Degree in Registeraccountant (RA; Dutch CPA qualification) from the University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

In Malaysia, Mr. Hoge will oversee the organization’s operations, maintain operational excellence for the tire plant and execute new business strategies to strengthen Goodyear’s position in Malaysia.

“Malaysia has always been a key market for Goodyear in the APAC region. There are ample growth opportunities in this market for passenger and commercial tire segments, as well as the capability to cater to neighbouring markets through our local facility. We believe Ben’s extensive credentials and proven track record in Goodyear will help us realise our business objectives and catapult Goodyear Malaysia to greater heights.” said Andy Cooper, Managing Director of Goodyear ASEAN.

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Honda Malaysia has unveiled the facelifted 9th generation Honda Accord executive sedan, featuring updates inside and outside. Three variants remain on offer – 2.0VTi, 2.0VTi-L and 2.4VTi-L priced at RM 144,800, RM 153,800 and RM 172,800 respectively (on-the-road).

Honda Accord Face 2016Aesthetically, the lights, front grille and bumpers have been redesigned. The 2.0-liter variants’ headlights are halogen with LED daytime running lights while the 2.4-liter gets full LED treatment and they’re all automatic. Front fog lights are also LED across the range as are the rear lights (with rear fog light).

The base 2.0VTi has leveled up with more equipment than before such as smart entry, push button start, hands-free phone control with voice recognition and cruise control. The mid-range 2.0VTi-L (which is currently Honda Malaysia’s best-selling Accord variant) also gets additional equipment like auto dimming rear view mirror, auto wipers, powered front passenger seat, multi-angle rear view camera and Honda LaneWatch (blind spot camera).

Honda Accord 2016 White

The range-topping 2.4VTi-L tops all that with auto-leveling headlights, active cornering lights, hydrophilic wing mirror, paddle shifters, powered rear sunshade and premium sound system with subwoofer.

Common features across the range are color i-MID (intelligent multi-info display), 7″ touchscreen display that is Apple CarPlay compatible and Android Auto ready (with MirrorLink and WiFi sharing), 6-speaker audio system, dual zone climate control, rear cooling vents, Active Noise Control & Active Sound Control, 6 airbags (front, side and curtain), ISOFIX, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ABS, EBD, hill-start assist and emergency stop signal.

Honda Accord 2016 InteriorOther minor changes in the interior include a new wood grain print on the doors and dashboard and an improved instrument panel.

The 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine produces 155 PS and 190 Nm of torque while the 2.4-liter Earth Dreams engine produces 175 PS and 225 Nm. Both engines are paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Wheels for 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter variants are new two-toned alloys sized 17″ and 18″ respectively.

The new Accord gets 3 new colors – White Orchid Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic, besides the Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl. A 5-year unlimited mileage warranty covers the Accord.

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You might not think that a paper plane has much in common with the new Ford Everest. But the principles that help a well-crafted paper plane effortlessly fly through the air are much the same as those that Ford engineers use to make the Everest surprisingly aerodynamic.

“The secret to making a great paper plane is in the details,” said Rob Carstairs, senior aerodynamicist, Ford Asia Pacific. “Every fold you make in the paper can make the difference between a plane that flies and one that flops. The Everest is no different. We spent thousands of hours refining every feature of the Everest to ensure it was as aerodynamic as possible. Better aerodynamics means improved fuel efficiency, and improved fuel efficiency means our customers are spending less money on fuel.”

To do so, Ford engineers made extensive use of the state-of- the-art Advanced Center for Automotive Research and Training (ACART) at the company’s Asia Pacific Product Development Center near Melbourne, Australia.

Ford Everest U375_Paper PlanesThe ACART wind tunnel resembles a large garage in which Ford engineers can take detailed aerodynamic measurements in a variety of simulated conditions. Using these measurements, engineers were able to determine which parts of Everest prototypes were creating the most drag and making the vehicle less aerodynamic. Through more than 100,000 simulation hours and countless subtle design adjustments, engineers were able to reduce the Everest’s drag coefficient to just 0.389, which means it is more aerodynamic than most vehicles of this size and more fuel efficient as a result.

Making a vehicle aerodynamic is an exercise in balance: The Everest needs to be able to slip through the air without compromising its off-road performance. To achieve this, Carstairs and his team designed an aerodynamic 3D-formed front undershield that sits beneath the front bumper. As well as directing airflow under the vehicle to improve fuel efficiency, the undershield is designed to have a minimal impact on the Everest’s ground clearance and aggressive approach angle, offering extreme off-road capability as well as improved fuel efficiency on the road.

Another aerodynamic feature on the Everest that serves a dual purpose are the sails on the wing mirrors: As well as helping to reduce drag, they minimise the throbbing noise that can occur when driving with the windows open. Aerodynamic “kickers” flanking the rear window also help to direct airflow and reduce drag.

The Ford Everest may be far removed from a paper plane, but the aerodynamic rule is the same: It’s the details that count. By following this simple rule, Ford engineers were able to fine-tune the Everest’s aerodynamics, and create a more efficient and refined vehicle, saving you money over its lifetime and giving you a quieter, more comfortable driving experience.

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