The show, as they say, must go on despite the weakening ringgit versus the US dollar which translates to higher costs for car importers.
As we charge into 2017, several car makers have announced what they plan to introduce into Malaysia for the new year, with models expected to come in a variety of bodystyles and pricings ranging from budget to super luxury.
CarSifu is highlighting selected models which are expected to make an impact on the scene.
Honda BR-V
Probably the first new car model of 2017 with an expected launch in the first week of the new year, the BR-V, classified as an entry-level SUV with seven seats.
It carries Honda’s signature solid wing face design and sleek roof rails for a strong and stylish appearance.
It is powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC engine, which produces 118hp, making it the highest engine output in its segment.
The SUV gets a 223-litre boot space and increases to 539 litres when the third row seats are folded.
The second row seats adjusts with an easy One Touch Tilt & Tumble in a 60:40 configuration while the third row seats comes in a 50:50 split configuration and full tumble.
Leather seats and rear air-conditioning are standard.
The exterior is enhanced with Daytime Running Lights and 16-inch dual tone alloy wheels. Reverse camera and sensors are available as an option.
The BR-V made its world debut at the 2015 GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show in August 2015.
Audi Q5 2.0L TFSI quattro ultra
The Audi Q5 is among the most successful mid-sized sport utility vehicles (SUVs), with over 1.6 million units delivered globally since 2008.
The new 2017 second-generation Q5 five-seater SUV is a much improved set of wheels - it provides more cabin room, improved driving dynamics, sharper looks and new motoring technologies.
The new Q5 is expected to arrive in Malaysia by the third quarter of 2017, in the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine variant.
It will be powered by a inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct injection delivering 252hp from 5,000 to 6,000rpm and 370Nm from 1,600 to 4,500rpm.
Mated to a 7-speed S tronic dual clutch gearbox, it can do the 0 to 100kph sprint in 6.3 seconds.
New features include Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive with ultra technology which always disengages the rear-axle drive whenever it is not needed.
As such, the new Q5 will be on two-wheel drive mode most of the time in daily urban traffic.
This helps to cut fuel consumption by up to 0.3 litres per 100km.
With ultra technology, the switch between two and four-wheel modes is automatic.
Compared with its predecessor, the new Q5 is up to 90kg lighter thanks to better use of aluminium and advanced vehicle construction technology.
Audi says the new Q5 has class-leading aerodynamics, and the best interior acoustics in its class, with exceptionally low wind noise.
Buyers can expect features such as three-zone automatic air-conditioning, Nappa leather upholstery, a 10-speaker Audi sound system and smartphone interface - Apple Carplay and Android, a Qi wireless charging pad for smartphones, and Audi Matrix LED headlights.
Apart from the Q5, Audi Malaysia said in September at the A4 launch that other new models slated to come in 2017 are the new Q2, A3, A5 Sportback, R8 as well as more S and RS models.
Kia Grand Carnival
The new Kia Grand Carnival premium MPV is due to be launched early next year and features contemporary styling and functional convenience coupled with a comprehensive list of safety features.
The Grand Carnival has a 2.2L CRDi VGT Turbo Diesel Engine which produces 193PS and 440Nm of torque mated to a torque converter six-speed automatic transmission.
Some of its safety features include electronic stability control (ESC), traction control system (TCS), brake assist system (BAC), hill-start assist control (HAC), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), anti-lock braking system (ABS), six airbags, safety power windows and ISOFIX lock-in child seats.
It comes with five-years warranty with unlimited mileage with terms and conditions applied.
The Grand Carnival is open for booking at all Kia outlets nationwide.
Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia Motors in Malaysia, has introduced Kia Value 5 which guarantees the future value of Kia vehicles and provides peace of mind to Kia customers.
After five years of Kia ownership, customers will be eligible to trade-in their vehicles and get a new Kia car with a guaranteed value.
Expect to its price to compete with reconditioned Japanese large MPV models such as the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire but gets full manufacturer warranty and aftersales service.
Peugeot 208 and Peugeot 2008 SUV
Peugeot 208.
Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor for Automobiles Peugeot in Malaysia will be bringing out new and facelifted models for 2017 and the earliest of these to arrive are the B-segment Peugeot 208 PureTech hatch and 2008 SUV PureTech.
PureTech is Peugeot’s award-winning 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged range of engines.
It boasts a best in class fuel efficiency of 4.2l/100km, while still managing to produce 112PS and 205Nm of torque from as low as 1,500rpm.
Peugeot 2008.
Both vehicles are mated to an Aisin six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
The PureTech engine proved its mettle by winning back-to-back the 2015 and 2016 ‘International Engine of the Year’ awards.
Peugeot 3008
The second-generation Peugeot 3008 is a beauty and looks set to help catalyse Peugeot sales in Malaysia come 2017.
Set to arrive in the second quarter after the new 208 and 2008 hit town, it has much going for it and will be an SUV to be reckoned with.
Outside and inside, the 3008 is visually attractive. A floating roof effect coupled with stylish exterior lines make it look trendy and would attract the young and young-at-heart.
Designed as a global car, the front-wheel drive SUV is available with a 1.2-litre, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines.
Transmission is either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto.
For a start, Malaysians will get the 1.6-litre petrol version with automatic transmission.
The cabin is refined and the SUV features various technological innovations, one of which is the 12.3-inch full digital meter cluster, which is standard fitment across all variants. A digital binnacle means the meter cluster could be set to show navigation, one of five display modes.
A centre 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and piano keys that are function shortcuts frame the centre part of the dashboard.
The small steering wheel with a flat top and bottom and a fabric-covered dashboard add a refreshing and quirky tone to the interior. Another innovation is the Grip Control Pack with Hill Assist Descent Control that allows the 3008 to do some light duty offroading.
The 5-seat 3008 is notable for its practicality and interior comfort. Its quietness at cruising speeds means occupants can fully enjoy the optionally fitted premium 10-speaker Focal sound system. Driving dynamics is respectable as indicated by a drive in Bologna in October.
The SUV even comes with an electric bike or scooter as options and there’s an outlet in the boot to charge them up for moments when it would make sense to leave the vehicle and go on two wheels.
Overall, the new 3008 bills itself as a practical carriage that has dashing good looks that are complemented with innovative features.
Mercedes-AMG E 63
In conjunction with AMG’s 50th anniversary in 2017, the brand is turning the most intelligent executive saloon into the most powerful E-Class of all time in the shape of the next generation of E 63 4MATIC+ and E 63 S 4MATIC+.
Mercedes-AMG is also setting new benchmarks in this market segment with its innovative technologies.
The intelligent drive strategy raises the limits of the performance saloon’s vehicle dynamics to a completely new level.
The expressive exterior design, featuring a new radiator grille and coupé-style bonnet, underlines the performance figures.
Two variants are on offer, the E 63 4MATIC+ and the E 63 S 4MATIC+ both powered by the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine which can generate up to 612hp for the E 63 S.
This makes it the most powerful engine Mercedes-AMG has ever installed in an E-Class.
It accelerates from 0 to 100kmh in 3.4 seconds, setting a new best time in its class.
The latest generation of the E 63 4MATIC+ produces 571hp from 5,750–6,500rpm with a peak torque of 750Nm from 2,250–5,000rpm.
The range topping E 63 S draws more power from the 4.0-litre mill with 612hp from 5,750–6,500rpm and a staggering 850Nm of torque from 2,500–4,500rpm.
Both cars feature AMG Performance 4MATIC+ permanent all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution.
However, the E 63 S comes with the added drift mode which allows drivers to drift the car like a pro.
The new AMG E-Class features the AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed sports transmission.
BMW 5 Series
The new seventh generation BMW 5-Series features updated looks such as the larger kidney grille and deeper shoulder line. It comes with a slightly longer wheelbase than its predecessor - 7mm longer - and its overall length is up by 36mm.
The new 5-Series borrows heavily from its bigger brother, the 7 Series, especially the dashboard layout with a centrally-mounted touchscreen that supports air Gesture Control (originally introduced in the 7-Series).
Also included is the Apple CarPlay which is fully wireless.
Various powertrains are available such as the 530i four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit which pumps out 252hp and 350Nm of torque.
The 540i comes with a six-cylinder 3.0-litre petrol engine capable of producing 340hp and 450Nm.
If diesel is your thing, then there is the 520d EfficientDynamics, a four-cylinder diesel engine with 190hp and a fuel consumption rating of 3.9L/100km and CO2 emission of just 102g/km.
If you want the best of both worlds, there is the hybrid 530e iPerformance. The system has a petrol engine with BMW eDrive electric drive and produces 252hp.
In pure electric mode, it has a range of up to 45km.
Finally, there is the top-of-the-line BMW M550i xDrive that features a V8 engine with 462hp and 650Nm of torque, with power being sent to all four wheels.
It takes only 4 seconds flat to go from 0 to 100kph.
Transmission-wise, the entry-level variants come with a six-speed manual transmission and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission for the rest.
