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The wait is over as today Lexus has formally introduced their new premium B-segment SUV to the Malaysian market, the LBX. Offered as a hybrid in 2 variants and positioned as the brand’s most affordable model, starting from RM238,888.

• 2024 Lexus LBX Premium - RM238,888
• 2024 Lexus LBX Luxury - RM268,888

Fully imported from Toyota’s Iwate plant in Japan, the LBX picks up the baton from now-discontinued UX and offers a welcome alternative in the compact premium SUV segment, though a little more petite than its competitors like the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

In terms of dimensions, the LBX measures 4,190 mm in length, 1,825 mm in width, and 1,560 mm in height, making it significantly smaller than the BMW X1, being 310 mm shorter, 20 mm narrower, and 82 mm lower. The wheelbase of the LBX is 2,580 mm, which is 112 mm shorter than that of the X1.

To put it into perspective, the LBX is 20mm less than that of the Proton X50 (2,600mm), which might be wholly unsurprising to those clued in on the new model’s underpinnings. The LBX, short for Lexus Breakthrough Crossover, is built on the B-segment variant of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-B, or just GA-B), the same as the one used in the global Toyota Yaris Cross, although it’s important to note that this is different from the ASEAN version built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture.

The LBX has been engineered to deliver a premium driving experience (spoiler: it does). The body structure utilises a significant amount of structural adhesives and features numerous short-pitch welding points to enhance torsional rigidity. Additionally, lightweight components such as an aluminium bonnet and molded resin parts contribute to the vehicle’s overall agility and solid structural characteristics.

Under said aluminium bonnet, the LBX is powered by an M15A-FXE 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle three-cylinder engine producing 91 PS at 5,500 rpm and 120 Nm of torque from 3,800 to 4,800 rpm and paired with a 94 PS/185 Nm electric motor, a next-generation eCVT, and a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, resulting in a combined output of 136 PS, which is notably higher than the 122PS combined output of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Power is sent to the front wheels, allowing the LBX to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds.

In terms of styling, the LBX features Lexus’ more modern design language known as Lexus Next Chapter, which is also seen on the new NX, RX, and RZ models. Up front, the brand’s distinctive spindle grille has been reimagined as a “spindle body” with a smaller trapezoidal opening, and a silver upper bar connects the sleek LED headlights with eyebrow-style daytime running lights, enhancing the vehicle’s front profile.

From the side, the LBX’s short overhangs give it a robust square stance on the road, further emphasised by prominent rear haunches. A chrome upper window strip extends towards the rear spoiler, creating a “floating roof” effect, though we cannot help but draw a visual comparison to the Mazda CX-3 in regards to its window line. Meanwhile, the rear of the vehicle is defined by full-width taillights and the Lexus script with L logo omitted, with the number plate recess moved to the bumper to enhance the overall design.

The LBX Premium variant rides on 17-inch grey V-spoke alloy wheels while the Luxury model is upgraded to 18-inch Y-spoke wheels with a glossier two-tone finish. The Luxury variant also includes a body kit with front and rear skirts featuring a silver centre section and textured C-pillars with alternating matte and gloss stripes.

Inside, the LBX’s minimalist cabin marks a departure from Lexus’ traditionally ornate interiors. Its centerpiece is a large 9.8-inch touchscreen featuring the brand’s latest ‘Tazuna’ interface, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity, but maintains physical switches for the dual-zone climate control with an integrated Panasonic Nanoe X Ionizer.

The seats are upholstered in black faux leather with red stitching. The driver’s seat is power-adjustable with lumbar support and memory function, but the passenger seat remains manually adjustable. The boot capacity is 315 litres, expandable to 992 litres with the rear seats folded.

Standard features across the range include keyless entry, push-button start, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, navigation, a powered tailgate, and a reverse camera. The Luxury variant adds a 360-degree camera system with a transparency function, a digital rear-view mirror, and Lexus Teammate Advanced Park assist.

The driver’s seat features a digital instrument display that measures seven inches in the Premium model and 12.3 inches in the Luxury variant that also adds a head-up display. Also, the LBX Premium comes with an unbranded six speakers audio array while the Luxury variant boasts a 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system.

In terms of safety, the LBX comes equipped with eight airbags, including a centre airbag, and a full suite of driver assistance features as part of the Lexus Safety System+ that includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane centring assist, Active Cornering Assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, door opening warning, and automatic high beam.

For those seeking a bit more style, a two-tone colour scheme featuring a black roof is available for an additional RM1,500 on both variants (except for units with the Black Mica body colour).

Additionally, all LBX models come with a comprehensive five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and an eight-year, unlimited-mileage battery warranty. Buyers can also opt for an extra two years of coverage for added peace of mind.

Lotus Cars Malaysia has announced that the Lotus Emeya Hyper-GT EV is now open for booking.

There will be three different versions starting with the Lotus Emeya, Emeya S, and the range-topping Emeya R with prices starting from RM575,000. The booking fee is set at RM5,000.

Those who are eager to view the Lotus Emeya in person before its official launch can join the private viewing session which will be held at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur from July 30th to August 4th. To sign up, CLICK HERE.

The Emeya's impressive performance is driven by an advanced two-speed transmission and a powerful dual-motor system, paired with a race-grade braking system. The range-topping Emeya R variant boasts a top speed of over 250km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in under 2.78 seconds with 905hp and 985Nm of gut-wrenching torque.

The Emeya's design incorporates advanced active and innovative aerodynamic features, ensuring class-leading downforce. These attributes highlight the signature qualities that have made Lotus successful on racetracks worldwide.

With a low centre of gravity and innovative features, the Emeya achieves a 'hyperstance' that ensures outstanding stability, setting new benchmarks in the GT segment for ride and handling.

Aerodynamic features include an active front grille, previously seen on the Eletre Hyper-SUV, which reduces drag and enhances efficiency when closed, while cooling the batteries and braking system when open. Additionally, an active air dam increases downforce at high speeds, improving handling and stability.

An active motorsports-inspired rear diffuser smooths airflow beneath the car, contributing to aerodynamic efficiency, stability, and handling. The dual-layer active rear spoiler generates over 215kg of net downforce, ensuring exceptional stability and handling at higher speeds.

Charging-wise, the Emeya supports up to 350kW DC charging and when connected to one, 18 minutes is all it needs to get from 10% to 80% state of charge. Depending on the variant, the Emeya has a maximum WLTP driving range between 490km and 600km.

It's finally launched, folks. The highly-anticipated 2024 Jaecoo J7 premium off-road SUV finally has an official price tag.

As most of you may already know, the Jaecoo J7 SUV will be offered in two different variants here in Malaysia - the Jaecoo J7 2WD priced at RM138,800 and the Jaecoo J7 AWD at RM148,800.

Jaecoo J7 powertrain

The names alone pretty much explain the biggest difference between the two variants, but the rest of the specs are identical. Engine-wise, the J7 SUV is fitted with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder banger that churns out 194hp and 290Nm of torque.

Mated to a seven-speed DCT automatic transmission, it'll do 0-100km/h in eight seconds. As the name suggests, the difference between the 2WD and AWD is how many tyres the power will be sent to propel it forward - 4WD being the more 'hardcore' model for those light off-road escapades.

Rivalling the likes of the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5, the Jaecoo J7 steps forward for slightly tougher driving situations thanks to its 200mm ground clearance and ability to wade through water as high as 600mm.

The other major addition that can be found in the Jaecoo J7 AWD is the presence of ARDIS - All Road Drive Intelligent System. While the 2WD variant gets three driving modes (Eco, Sport, and Normal), ARDIS offers four more for the AWD variant -  Snow, Sand, Mud, and Off-road.

Jaecoo J7 interior

Step inside and you'll be welcomed with a very modern interior setup that comes with five comfortable seats with leather upholstery, a 10-25-inch digital driver display paired with the W-HUD all-terrain head-up display, a 14.8-inch central vertical infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus many more.

Other noteworthy Jaecoo J7 specs are the 64-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, a 14-speaker Sony sound system, dual-zone climate control, and 412 litres of boot space, to name a few.

Safety-wise, the Jaecoo J7 comes packing with an impressive list of Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) functions, including: 

• Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB)
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
• Lane Changing Assistance (LCA)
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Front Collision Warning (FCW)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
• Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Intelligent Headlamp Control (IHC)
• 540 Panoramic Image (AVM) + more

2024 Jaecoo J7 prices

For those who are interested, the Jaecoo J7 SUV is priced at RM138,800 for the 2WD variant and RM148,800 for the AWD variant. Customers can choose from four different exterior colour options - Moonlight Silver, Carbon Crystal Black, Khaki White, and Model Green.

Each unit comes with a seven-year warranty (or 150,000km, whichever comes first) but those early bird bookings will also receive an additonal 10-year engine warranty, or up to 1,000,000km. Now, that's confidence.

2024 Jaecoo J7 dimensions

For those who are particular about the 2024 Jaecoo J7 dimensions, it does share the same platform as the recently launched Chery Tiggo 7 Pro.

Measuring 4,500mm long, 1,865mm wide, 1,680mm tall and paired with a 2,672mm wheelbase, the size of the Jaecoo J7 (and the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro) is somewhat similar to the Toyota Corolla Cross.

It is, however, just a tiny bit smaller than the Mazda CX-5. The Jaecoo J7 SUV shares the same dimensions for both the 2WD and AWD variants, which also means that it's more or less the same as the popular Proton X70.

For rougher terrains, the Jaecoo J7 excels with its 200mm ground clearance as well as an impressive wading depth of 600mm. Indeed something to think about when looking for your next SUV, eh?

If you fancy an EV from MINI but want something bigger than the new Cooper SE, then perhaps the new MINI Countryman SE All4 might float your boat which made its first public appearance during the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 back in May.

The all-electric variant, debuts with a distinct design featuring short overhangs, a short bonnet, a long wheelbase with large wheels, a new octagonal grille, and adaptive LED headlights with a high-beam assistant.

The new model is noticeably larger than its predecessor, adding 6cm in height and 13cm in length. Enhancing its unique character, the front and rear LED lights offer three light signatures, and a specially orchestrated welcome and goodbye animation for all light modes.

The Favoured Trim, standard in this model, includes roof and mirror caps in either Vibrant Silver or Piano Black, high-gloss black window slot cover and door cladding elements, an optical skid plate at the front and rear, and 20-inch Windmill Spoke wheels in a two-tone finish.

Going to performance, the MINI Countryman SE comes with dual electric motors powering all four wheels with 313hp and 494Nm of torque. 0-100km/h is achieved in just 5.6 seconds as well as a limited top speed of 180km/h.

It is also enhanced by a slightly wider track width, an increased wheelbase, a finely tuned damping system, ultra-preloaded anti-roll bars, and an integrated braking system. These features collectively improve the vehicle's handling and driving dynamics.

Featuring a 66.5kWh battery pack, the all-electric Countryman can travel up to 432km (WLTP) but charging is far superior with 22kW of AC charging and supporting up to 130kW of DC charging. When connected to one, 30 minutes is all it needs to charge from 10% to 80%.

Inside, the spacious and inviting cabin features a curved dashboard with textile surfaces and door cladding made from two-tone recycled polyester fabric. The Favoured Trim also includes knitted fabric with a houndstooth pattern in Dark Petrol, coloured accent fabric strips, and JCW sport seats in Vescin Beading in Vintage Brown or Dark Petrol, along with a sport steering wheel.

A notable innovation in the New MINI Countryman SE ALL4 is the absence of a traditional instrument cluster. Instead, driving-related information is displayed on the MINI head-up display behind the steering wheel, and other functions are accessible via a touch-sensitive centre icon or voice control.

The new MINI Countryman SE ALL4 is equipped with a first-in-industry 240mm round OLED display encased in a sleek glass frame. This display operates with the new MINI Operating System 9, the MINI Maps Package, and the MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant.

To create an immersive user experience, the vehicle offers MINI Experience Modes with eight selections to change the interior ambience with ambient illumination and newly developed MINI Driving Sounds, enhancing the overall driving experience.

Exterior colour options for the new MINI Countryman SE ALL4 include Smokey Green, Legend Grey, Nanuq White, Melting Silver, Blazing Blue, and Chili Red. Asking price? RM258,888 (RM266,288 together with MINI Malaysia's Extended Warranty AND Service Package).

If you still prefer the ICE version, then the new MINI JCW Countryman All4 has also arrived here in Malaysia featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine that punches out 300hp and 400Nm of torque. Top speed? 250km/h.

JCW fans will also appreciate its JCW bits and pieces but the biggest highlights are of course the JCW Performance Brakes and a set of 20-inch JCW Flag Spoke Wheels wrapped in sport tyres. Yours from RM389,888.

Smart’s second model, ironically called #3, will join it’s first entrant the #1 in the brand’s Malaysian line-up, reflecting the latter’s variant line-up, which includes the Pro, Premium, and Brabus models, coming in at a starting price of RM175,000.

• smart #3 Pro - RM175,000
• smart #3 Premium - RM215,000
• smart #3 Brabus - RM255,000

Although it appears quite different, the #3 is a sibling to the smart #1, the first model from the rejuvenated brand, which is now co-owned by Geely and Mercedes-Benz, with the latter overseeing design. This brand now exclusively offers electric vehicles (EVs).

Measuring 4,400 mm in length and 1,844 mm in width, the #3’s dimensions exceed the #1’s by 130 mm in length and 22 mm in width. Not all of this increase is due to overhangs, as the wheelbase of the #3 is 2,785 mm, which is 35 mm longer than that of the #1.

The #3 is built on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), the same platform as the #1 but with a distinct exterior design. Its low, curved roofline gives it a coupe-like SUV appearance, or as smart describes it, a ‘coupe fastback.’ This design is likely to attract buyers who prefer a sleeker profile compared to the #1. The #3 is also more aerodynamic, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.27, compared to the #1’s 0.29. This difference contributes to slight improvements in range and acceleration.

The #3 mirrors the #1 in terms of variants and powertrains. The Pro and Premium models feature a rear-mounted electric motor delivering 272 PS (200 kW) and 343 Nm of torque, allowing a 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h.

The Brabus variant adds a front motor for all-wheel drive, producing 428 PS (315 kW) and 543 Nm of torque, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.7 seconds, slightly faster than the #1 Brabus. It also includes a ‘Rocket’ launch mode.

The Pro model houses a 49 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a WLTP range of 325 km, which is 10 km more than the #1’s equivalent model. Both the Premium and Brabus variants come with a 66 kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NMC) battery, providing a claimed range of 455 km for the Premium and up to 415 km for the dual-motor Brabus. These WLTP range figures are 15 km more than their respective #1 counterparts.

Charging is a standout feature for the smart #3. While there is considerable emphasis on DC fast charging, the #3 excels in AC charging capabilities. The #1, and consequently the #3, are notable for their 22 kW AC onboard charger, which is higher than the typical 7 kW found in Chinese EVs and 11 kW in premium brand EVs like the Mercedes-Benz EQA and BMW iX1.

With 22 kW AC charging and a compatible source, the Premium and Brabus variants can charge from 10-80% state of charge (SoC) in just three hours. However, the base Pro variant charges at a slower rate of 7.4 kW. Despite EVs generally being charged overnight, the high AC rate of the #3’s pricier variants offers owners greater flexibility, even allowing them to opt for AC charging over DC when needed.

Inside, the #3’s interior closely resembles that of the #1 but with notable differences. The #1’s pill-shaped central AC vents have been replaced by three circular vents, enhancing the Mercedes-Benz feel. The front seats are entirely different, featuring integrated headrests, a smart logo, increased support, and small rivets on the surface.

The equipment list for the #3 mirrors that of the #1. The entry-level Pro model includes features like a panoramic glass roof, ‘CyberSpark’ LED headlamps, a 12.8-inch central screen, a 9.2-inch instrument cluster, powered front seats with heating, single-zone climate control, electric flush door handles, a powered tailgate, and 19-inch ‘Flux’ wheels with 245/45 tyres.

The Premium variant adds adaptive high-beam assist for the LED headlamps, a 10-inch head-up display, a 13-speaker Beats sound system, Automatic Parking Assistant (APA), a kick sensor for the auto tailgate, ambient lighting, and distinctive ‘Torque’ rims in the same 19-inch size.

Pro buyers can choose between Digital White and Meta Black, while the Premium offers additional colors like Ceramic Cream, Future Green, Electron Blue (matte), Cyber Silver, and Quantum Blue. Interior options include black, grey, or brown.

The high-performance Brabus model, showcased in Photon Orange, includes 20-inch ‘Synchro’ wheels with 245/40 tires, red brake callipers, a slightly more prominent rear spoiler, Brabus badging, an aluminium sports pedals, microfibre suede seats with red seatbelts, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with an illuminated Brabus logo, and black headlining. Alternative colour options for the Brabus include matte Atom Grey, Meta Black, and Digital White, each with different roof colour combinations. The Brabus also features a sport suspension with a more dynamic tune.

The standard warranty includes an 8-year (or 200,000km) high voltage battery warranty, an 8-year 150,000km high voltage component warranty, a 4-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, a 2-year unlimited mileage spare parts warranty, and 24/7 roadside service assistance.