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Proton yesterday announced a voluntary recall for units of the Proton Gen.2 and Satria Neo manufactured between April 2004 and June 2008. due to a defective clock spring mechanism. The recall, part of the company’s Global Quality Assurance programme, affects 15,911 units of the two models.

Not all units of the Gen.2 and Neo are involved in the recall. Only units equipped with cruise control are affected, which are the H-Line variants with automatic transmission for both models. In Malaysia, a total of 5,836 cars are affected, 4,128 of them being the Gen.2 and 1,708 being the Neo.

“Although the number is small, the safety of our customers is paramount and we apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said Proton Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

The clock spring is a mechanism that maintains a constant electrical connection between steering-mounted items and the car’s electrical systems at all times. This ensures that items such as the horn, airbag and various steering-mounted controls remain operational even when the wheel is turned.

Routine tests identified irregularities with the clock spring such as friction noise within the steering wheel, activation of horn or car lights without warning, audio control switch malfunction, and in extreme cases, deployment of the driver side airbag.

Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin said, “The recall is an example of the commitment we place on our customers’ safety, and the reliability of our vehicles under Proton’s Global Quality Assurance programme.”

“We hope our customers understand that this recall is necessary to ensure their continued confidence in the safety and performance of their vehicles,” he added.

Proton launched the Gen.2 in 2004 and introduced a facelift in March 2008 with the Campro CPS engine. The Satria Neo was launched in 2006, with the CPS variant launched in 2009.

There has been no mention of the Persona, which shares almost all its components with the Gen.2. The Persona was launched in 2007, and there is a chance that early units might eventually be involved in this recall as well. We are currently awaiting Proton’s reply to our request for further clarification.

Proton will be sending letters to affected customers notifying of the matter. At the same time, the company has also set up a dedicated website, Proton After Sales (visit link below) to help customers check the manufactured year of their vehicle, by keying in their chassis number or referring to a pictorial guide.

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Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has began collecting bookings for the ASX compact crossover SUV today, ahead of a planned launch date of November 2010. According to Mitsubishi, the ASX’s key concept is ‘Smart Size’, being more compact than a conventional SUV, but offering a higher seating position than a typical compact car.

Sitting on a platform donated from the Mitsubishi Lancer, the ASX also takes its powertrain from the same car. Malaysian-bound units of the ASX will be powered by the 1,999cc 4B11 engine with twin camshafts and MIVEC. Partnering it is the INVECS-III CVT to help put the engine’s 148hp and 197Nm to the road. There is said to be the option of front or all-wheel drive.

Equipment levels are generous. The ASX comes with standard Active Stability Control (ASC), Hill Start Assist and dual front airbags plus a driver’s knee airbag. Also included are leather seats, 2 DIN Wide Touch Screen Audio system, reverse camera, automatic air con and cruise control. There is also a full colour LCD multi information system in the instrument panel.

Available in five colours, the estimated price for the fully imported from Japan Mitsubishi ASX is RM140,000.00 (Peninsular Malaysia).

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Lotus may have dominated the headlines from the ongoing Paris Motor Show 2010 with five world premieres, but Chevrolet is doing its utmost best to grab its share of the limelight as well. Sitting one floor above Lotus’ booth, Chevrolet, in the presence of GM stablemates Opel and Cadillac, unveiled four new models simultaneously.

Coming from Australia is a hatchback version of the Chevrolet Cruze, developed by GM Holden. Technical details were not provided, but we are expecting minimal deviations from the sedan model. The Cruze hatchback offers some 400 litres of cargo space, which can be expanded thanks to its 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

According to Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe, the potential for meeting further customer demand is significant. He said that, “Cruze is turning out to be a real success story. We are selling it in 70 countries around the world and it has recently surpassed the Aveo as our top selling passenger car nameplate globally.”

“Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets. The total compact segment in Europe represents around 4.8 million units which is over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65% of that volume. We therefore expect to see increased business in a number of regions, while sending out a signal that Chevrolet is now a serious mainstream player in Europe,” Brannon added.

According to Chevrolet, the Cruze currently leads leads the compact sedan sales charts in European markets such as Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the U.K. Outside of Europe, some 90,000 units of the Cruze were sold in China alone.

Also unveiled at Paris was the facelifted Chevrolet Captiva, which sports an all-new front end design along with new engines and transmissions. For the European market, customers will have a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine available in two states of tune.

Petrol-powered offerings start with a 171hp 2.4-litre twin cam engine lining up alongside a 3.0-litre V6 with direct injection and variable valve timing good for 258hp. Diesel power is offered in 2.2-litre displacement available in 163hp or 184hp states of tune. The 3.0 petrol comes standard with all-wheel drive whilst the other models have the option of front or all-wheel-drive as per current offerings of the Captiva.

Standard safety equipment in European-spec Captiva, scheduled for a spring 2011 launch, include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), and Braking Assist System (BAS) alongside front, side, and curtain airbags. The interior is offered in both 5 and 7 seater configuration.

The third Chevrolet car showcased at Paris is the all-new Aveo hatchback, due for launch in summer 2011. Larger and wider than the current model, the new Aveo is offered with the option of three petrol engines and a diesel, with a 6-speed automatic transmission available as an option for the higher-powered petrol models.

The sole diesel engine, a common rail direct injection unit, is a 1.3-litre unit equipped with Start/Stop technology. It is offered in two states of tune – 75hp and 95hp. Also offered in two states of tune is the entry level 1.2-litre petrol model, which is available with either 70hp or 86hp.

Moving up, we have a 100hp 1.4-litre engine and a 115hp 1.6-litre engine, both petrol-powered. The petrol engines feature technologies such as variable valve timing and double continuous variable cam phasing.

Wayne Brannon, aforementioned president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe said of the Aveo, “It’s just such an exciting time to be at Chevrolet; not only do we have new entries into the MPV and compact classes, in Aveo we have a car which is ready to compete against the best in the small car segment, which is also Europe’s largest segment.”

The final debutant of the Chevrolet range is the Orlando 7-seater MPV, where a full production model is shown for the first time, two years after the show car concept was first seen at the same motor show in 2008. Underpinning the Orlando is the same GM Delta-II platform which the Cruze sits on.

Two engine options are announced for the Orlando – a 141hp 1.8-litre petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel engine offered in 131hp or 163hp guise. Three trim levels will be available in Europe, with electronic stability control, six air-bags, air conditioning (ed: Yes, it’s a big deal. Air-con is not always standard for European market cars) and powered side mirrors standard across the board. Full production of the Chevrolet Orlando starts in October with the car going on sale across Europe in early 2011.

In addition to the four debutants, Chevrolet also brought along a production-ready version of the Volt electric car with extended-range capability. It will be going on sale in selected US markets in a few weeks, and will hit European roads in late 2011.

Powering the Volt’s 150hp / 370Nm electric motor draws power from a 16kWh lithium-ion battery that gives it a 60km electric-only range. Recharge of the battery can be performed by plugging it into a standard 230V plug point, or the kicking in of an on-board petrol-powered generator, which if used gives the Volt a useful 500km range.

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The covers are off the second generation four-door coupe, the Mercedes-Benz CLS, which was unveiled last week and is still on display at the Paris Motor Show. Slated for entry into the European market by January 2011, the new CLS will launch with two V6 models – CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY and CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY.

Back in 2003, Mercedes drew mixed critical reaction for the first-generation CLS, dubbed the ‘Jag-figher’ for its swooping coupe lines. Though it was essentially an E-Class under the skin selling for a lot more money, the CLS went on to become a commercial success, selling 170,000 units worldwide in a six-year production run which started in October 2004.

Replacing a model of such overwhelming success is never easy, and Mercedes can hardly be blamed for retaining all the basic proportions of the outgoing model. As before, the CLS continues to be based on the E-Class. Suspension architecture is carried over wholesale from the W212, but a new electro-mechanical power steering system replaces the W212’s hydraulic rack.

The diesel-powered CLS 350 CDI takes its engine from the E-Class, producing 265hp @ 3,800rpm and an amazing 620Nm @ 1,600 – 2,600rpm. Meanwhile, the M276 naturally aspirated direct injection petrol engine found in the CLS 350 is all new. Though it shares the same basic dimensions as the 3,498cc M272 engine used by the E 350 CGI, most of the engine’s running gear has been thoroughly reworked to boost output from 292hp to 306hp.

Two months after its debut, a four-cylinder diesel entry-level model, the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, will join the line-up. Powering the CLS 250 CDI is Merc’s highly-acclaimed 2,143cc OM651 turbodiesel engine, which produces 204hp @ 4,200rpm and 500Nm @ 1,600 – 1,800rpm. A V8-powered flagship model, the CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY, will make its debut in April 2011

Meanwhile, the OM651 engine has now been called up for duty in the S-Class as well, powering the S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY which was also introduced in the show. Members of the Malaysian media sampled this engine some months ago in a specially arranged test drive of the C 250 CDI and were absolutely blown away by its impressive combination of performance and economy.

This marks the first ever usage of a four pot motor in a Mercedes S-Class, and the numbers suggest a competent performer. The century sprint is clocked in 8.2 seconds, while top speed is a respectable 240kph, well on par with the S 300 and S 350 petrol models. Tested in the NEDC cycle, the S 250 CDI consumes 5.7 litres/100km and emits 149 g/km of carbon dioxide.

Other notable displays at the Mercedes-Benz booth in Paris include the facelifted CL-Class coupe. We spotted a unit of the CL 63 AMG, which now features a new 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8. Displacing 5,461cc, the new M157 engine produces 544hp @ 5,500rpm and a mind-twisting 800Nm @ 2,000 – 4,500rpm. If that is deemed insufficient, an AMG Performance package offers a hike to 571hp and 900Nm. In comparison, the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre M156 V8 produced 563hp and 650Nm.

In coming years, the M157 is set to gradually replace the M156 other 63 AMG models. However, it will not be replacing the M159 used in the SLS AMG. Mercedes has decided that the engine will see the SLS through its entire model cycle. The M157 is actually based on the M278, a new 4.7-litre twin turbo direct injection engine to be used for mainstream Mercs.

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Kota Kinabalu, Thursday October 7, 2010 – UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd introduced a new variant of the popular Toyota Hilux today in a simple ceremony at One Borneo complex in Kota Kinabalu today. The main difference is a 3.0 litre diesel turbo engine that boasts of 163PS at 3,400 rpm, and 343Nm of torque available between 1,400 rpm and 3,200 rpm.

The 3.0 litre variant is called the Hilux 3.0G and has already been introduced in Thailand some time back. According to Mr. Kuah Kock Heng, President of UMW Toyota motor, who was present at the unveiling, the reason for the late introduction relative to Thailand is purely due to production constraints – he said that Thailand supplies about 50 percent of the world production for the Hilux, and there was just not enough stock to go around. “The 2.5 litre variant is locally assembled in Malaysia, we do not have that problem,” said Mr Kuah. “Our aim is to sell around 600 units a month. UMW Toyota Motor has received more than 1,000 orders from its customers, “he added.

The Hilux 3.0G is equipped with a VNT (Variable Nozzle turbo) which in effect varies the intake to provide minimal lag and better response to throttle. On a very short test drive of sorts, we did note that there is an improved response to throttle over the current 2.5 litre model. A top-mounted intercooler is also standard equipment, and it comes complete with an air scoop mounted on the bonnet.

Power is transmitted to the road through a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic gearbox – operation is smooth, including a shift-on-the-fly capability for shifting from 2H to 4H up to 80 km/h.

The test drive itself covered all of 12 kilometres or so, and it was conducted on highway conditions, which means we had no opportunity to try the unit in actual off-road conditions – that being said, they did put on a short demonstration using metal frames to show the climbing ability, side slope capabilities, and an ‘elephant walk’ which showed the axle twist capabilities. I am sure the Hilux 3.0G is capable of off-road excursions, just like its smaller-engined sibling can – we just did not have the opportunity to do so.

Other equipment includes an LSD differential for the rear diff, ABS, and a load-sensing proportioning valve for the rear brakes.

Price-on-the-road including insurance for Sabah is RM106,734.60, RM106962 for Sarawak, and RM106,000 for Peninsular Malaysia. Warranty is 3-years or 100,000km, whichever comes first.

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The Volvo XC60, launched here in 2009, has become a commercial success in Malaysian shores and the world over. According to Volvo, demand for the car has far exceeded the company’s expectations, leading to a shortage of stocks worldwide.

Soon, however, the stock situation will be somewhat alleviated in Malaysia, as Volvo is commencing assembly of the XC60 2.0 Turbo PowerShift, set for launching in November this year. Pre-bookings will commence on 11 October 2010, and the first 60 customers who sign on the dotted line will receive a free accessory package worth RM6,000 consisting of the following items:
• Décor trim air intake
• Skid plate rear bumper
• Load organiser
• Sports pedals
• Dirt cover bumper

“The XC60 is not only Volvo’s best-selling model worldwide, but it’s arguably the best-looking and safest cross utility vehicle available in the market today,” said Volvo Car Malaysia president Mr. Goran Larsson.

“And with the XC60 2.0 Turbo PowerShift now being the only one in its class to be locally assembled, we expect a massive demand for it,” Larsson added.

The XC60 was launched in Malaysia with a 3.0-litre engine and all-wheel drive with two trim levels. Standard equipment on the existing XC60 include Collision Warning with Auto Brake (CWAB), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Dynamic Stability & Traction Control (DSTC). These items will not be omitted from the locally assembled model.

Technical details of the new variant have not been revealed by Volvo Car Malaysia, but the only 2.0-litre turbocharged variant of the XC60 listed in Volvo’s international press database has the 2.0-litre GTDi engine with direct injection, producing 203hp @ 6,000rpm and 300Nm @ 1,750 – 4,000rpm. In comparison, the 3.0-litre engine of the outgoing model makes 285hp @ 5,600rpm and 400Nm @ 1,500 rpm – 4,800 rpm.

Although the XC60 2.0T will have less power and torque compared to the outgoing 3.0 T6, it will suffer from less wastage, as in place of the latter’s 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission, Volvo will be supplying the new variant with the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission which, as far as we know, will spin only the front wheels this time.

Prices have not been announced, but expect a significantly smaller price tag than the RM330k commanded by the XC60 3.0 T6 SE.

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It was almost a year ago that we reported a memorandum of understanding signed between Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and Automobiles Peugeot which would see the former assembling a new entry-level sedan for the latter in Malaysia.

It was also stated then that the new model, now publicly announced as the 207 Sedan, would commence production in October 2010, which is now. A press release from Nasim Sdn Bhd, distributors of Peugeot in Malaysia has confirmed that the said plans are on schedule, and that production of the new car is very much on track.

Gregoire Olivier, CEO – Asian operations of PSA Group, recently visited Naza Automotive Manufacturing’s plant in Gurun, Kedah, viewing the Malaysian-made 207 Sedan in the flesh and giving his endorsement for the product. With him for the visit was Jean-Yves Dossal, sales director – Asian operations for PSA Group.

Set to be Peugeot’s first ever ASEAN hub model, the 207 Sedan is actually based on mechanicals of the outgoing 206. So, there will be no BMW-PSA Prince engine under the hood to start with. Promotional materials in Peugeot’s official website for Malaysia suggests the following equipment – auto headlights, auto wipers, auto climate control, ABS, EBD, EBA, and dual airbags. Audio comes with MP3, WMA, USB and Bluetooth compatibility.

“We are happy to report that all systems are ‘Go’ for the 207. It is a first step towards an increased Peugeot presence in Asean, using Malaysia as its base. PSA Group’s support is a sign of determination to further improve the efficiency of its global production system,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, CEO of Nasim Sdn. Bhd.

We do not expect the pricing of the new Peugeot 207 Sedan to exceed the RM90k mark. That puts it in a very interesting position, because in that case, its closest competitor will come from within the Naza Group – the Forte.

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Last week, the BMW Group issued a recall to more than 350,000 BMW and Rolls-Royce vehicles worldwide to address issue of a possible brake master pump leak in models powered by eight and twelve-cylinder engines. According to reports, units of affected models experienced oil leaks upon attaining high mileage or after about 3 years of age.

In response to the situation, the folks at BMW Group Malaysia are running what they call a ‘Technical Service Campaign’ for all eight and twelve-cylinder BMWs built between 2001 and 2009 currently running in Malaysia, including parallel imported units. It should be noted however, that Rolls-Royce cars, should any be affected, will not be handled by BMW Group Malaysia, and owners are advised to contact Quill Motorcars Sdn Bhd / Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur directly for further clarification.

Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, in reassuring BMW customers nationwide said, “Our BMW cars here in Malaysia are largely not affected by the Brake Vacuum Pump issue as the majority – 98% – of our cars sold here run on four and six cylinder engines. The issue is also only limited to certain eight and twelve cylinder engines which were built between 2001 and 2009. We have identified these cars here and we will be running a campaign to further ensure our customer’s peace of mind.”

As of now, there has been no reports of accidents in Malaysia caused by these defective vacuum pumps. Authorized BMW service centres nationwide will inspect the affected vehicles and make appropriate rectifications if necessary at no cost to the owners. The whole process is expected to take about one to two hours.

“BMW takes the safety and reliability of its vehicles very seriously and we are committed to ensuring that any issues that might arise are identified and rectified as quickly and efficiently as possible. Issues such as this also highlights why ‘grey’ imports should never be considered as viable alternatives as there is no way to ensure the absolute safety of the driver and passengers or the authenticity or bona fides of a Grey imported vehicle.” said Briscoe.

To find out more about the campaign, BMW Customers are invited to call BMW Voice at 1 800 88 3000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1 800 88 3000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit www.bmw.com.my. Rolls-Royce customers, meanwhile, can get in touch with Quill Motorcars at 03-79602333

Pictures: Official BMW release.

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The next generation Ford Focus is currently on display at the Paris Motor Show with all three bodystyles together in the flesh for the first time. Also on display are the high-performance Focus ST and also the MPV derivative, the C-Max, alongside facelifted versions of the Mondeo and S-Max.

There will be no three-door hatchback Focus this time round, as Ford intends to make do with a five-door hatch, four-door sedan, and a five-door wagon line-up, complemented by the C-Max and Grand C-Max MPV which sits on the same C-platform, and will also operate the same engines.

Explaining the company’s decision to drop the three-door bodystyle, Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Product Development said, “Having taken the decision to adopt such a sleek, coupé-like design for the five-door hatchback, there was little space in the line-up for a three-door version.”

“The three-model Focus range provides the ideal blend of sporty, dynamic looks and every-day practicality. And for buyers wanting the same dynamic appearance but with extra space, our latest C-car line-up also offers the stylish new C-MAX, so customers really can find the perfect car to suit their needs,” he continued.

Five engine options has thus far been unveiled, with petrol and diesel engines displacing either 1.6 or 2.0 litres. Starting the line-up is the all-aluminium 1.6-litre Duratec engine with Twin independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) followed by a 1.6-litre EcoBoost motor which adds direct injection and turbocharging into the mix.

You can’t go far in Europe without offering a diesel engine, and for the Focus, diesel power offerings come in 1.6 and 2.0-litre displacements tuned to various power ratings to suit customer needs. A 2.0-litre petrol direct injection engine is available for petrol-favouring markets such as North America.

The previous and current generation Focus have earned plenty of plaudits for its impressive ride & handling characteristics, and Ford is persisting with that formula to ensure the next generation will be similarly well-received. The trademark ‘Control Blade’ multi-link rear suspension has been retained with suitable tweaks for the new generation. Well done for not joining the torsion beam brigade, Ford.

Ford might have sold Volvo to Geely recently, but you wouldn’t have guessed it after examining the new Focus’ specs sheet. Equipment such as Active Park Assist, Lane Keeping Aid and Lane Departure Warning, and Blind Spot Information System would sound more at home in a Volvo S40, but Ford will be offering these and more in the next-generation Focus. Ford must have really ransacked the Volvo parts bin before handing it over to the Chinese.

Production of the all-new Focus will commence at the end of this year at Saarlouis, Germany and Michigan, USA. The Russian plant in St Petersburg will join the fun in mid-2011, while Chongqing, China will roll out the car come 2012. The current Focus will continue production in Valencia, Spain, until mid-2011.

The introduction of a model of such global importance tend to be accompanied by a global test drive event for members of the media at some exotic location. For the Focus, however, Ford is offering members of the public, i.e. you, to be amongst the first people in the world to test drive the vehicle.

Through the “Focus Global Test Drive – Start More Than a Car” programme, coordinated online via the Ford Focus Facebook page, Ford will fly some 100 people from all over the world to southern Europe and spend two days to put the all-new Focus through its paces.

There is a charity theme to the programme, and each of the 100 winners will be given US$10,000 to be contributed to various charitable causes around the world. The task for interested participants is then to submit a video clip to the Focus Facebook page explaining why they should be selected to participate in the event and how they might “Start Something More” with a charitable cause in their community with a donation from Ford.

Participants will be chosen based on a combination of their reach in social networks, content creation skills and volume of “likes” generated, among other factors. Ford also will invite established bloggers and online influencers. Participants will be asked to capture and document their experiences for sharing within their individual social network spheres.


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Peugeot’s replacement for the 407 is finally here, and it is unveiled at the Paris Motor Show as the 508, available in sedan and station wagon (SW) bodystyles. The design was previewed to us at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year as the ‘5 by Peugeot’, and the new car is set to go on sale in Europe by 2011.

Styling features cues derived from Peugeot’s SR1 concept car, and has been carried over almost unchanged from the aforementioned ‘5 by Peugeot’ concept. Both variants are rather close in size, with the sedan measuring 4.79m and the SW at 4.81m.

Engine options total up to seven – five diesel and two petrol. The oil-burning range features two 1.6-litre engines, two 2.0-litre engines and a 2.2-litre HDi FAP engine producing 204hp and 450Nm in the 508 GT. The 1.6 e-HDI features start/stop technology and is rated for a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.4 litres/100km.

Petrol power is delivered by the 1.6-litre BMW-PSA Prince engine in VTi and THP formats, though only the 156hp / 240Nm THP model is available as of launch time, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 120hp / 160Nm VTi model is available with an electronically-controlled 6-speed manual transmission will be launched in Spring 2011 with a 6-speed auto version of the THP.

Curiously, Peugeot will be offering the 508 with two different front axle designs. Majority of the range will feature a conventional MacPherson strut front suspension, but 2.2-litre diesel-powered 508 GT will feature double wishbones instead. Things are, nevertheless, standard at the rear with independent multi-link suspension offered across the board.

Steering setup follows a conventional rack & pinion design with electro-hydraulic power assist. All-round discs are also standard, and all variants of the 508 will come equipped the latest-generation ESP which bundles in stability control, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, hill assist, and traction control.

Peugeot has been paying a great deal of attention to its cabin quality these days, and it shows. The 3008 we tested earlier this year already demonstrated build quality reminiscent of Audi, and the 508 continues in that vein. From our visual inspection, dashboard is put to a high standard of fit and finish.

It not only appears well built, it is also well-equipped, featuring heads-up display, quad-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof amongst many things. Whether any or all of these equipment will still be on the list when the 508 arrives in Malaysia remains to be seen, though there is a good chance they will, considering how recent Peugeots have been generous with their kit count.

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