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Remember back in January when we confirmed that Tokyo Auto Salon would be coming to Kuala Lumpur? Well, if you don't, this is a friendly reminder, as things are heating up running towards the big auto show event this June.

Tokyo Auto Salon is one of the largest automotive events in the world and is focused on showcasing the latest aftermarket automotive parts and accessories, as well as custom cars and performance vehicles.

While the Tokyo Auto Salon is primarily held in Japan, some events have been organised outside of the country, including specials in Thailand and Singapore. 

At last, Tokyo Auto Salon is finally making its way to Malaysia, and the same organiser who brought Tokyo Auto Salon to Singapore promises the Malaysian edition will be as authentic as the Japanese version, featuring many of the things it is famously known for, right here at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) between 9 - 11 June 2023.

If you don't want to miss out and want to experience a tier 1 auto show right here in our very own backyard, here's all you need to know about the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon KL.

There are early bird tickets

Tickets are priced at RM60 and RM28 per day for adults and children respectively, but during the early bird ticket sales period (18-30 March), tickets will be available at 30% off, which is RM40 and RM18 per day for adults and children. Tickets are available online until the day of show from

www.tokyoautosalonkl.com

Better be quick, as organisers Muse Group Asia mentioned at the media briefing that 5,000 tickets had been sold in the last 48 hours.

Buy a ticket and stand a chance to attend Tokyo Auto Salon Japan 2024 for free

The grand prize for the lucky draw is an all-expenses-paid trip for 2 to next year's Tokyo Auto Salon, Japan. Get your early bird ticket for RM40

and be one of the lucky winners of these prizes:

• Grand Prize: an all-expense paid trip to Tokyo, Japan for 2
• 100 lucky winners of tickets to FastX movie screening for 2
• 50 lucky winners of 'Sneak Peek' passes to TASKL Setup for 2

*Early Bird Tickets are only up until 30 April 2023. Limited slots available.

What kind of exhibitors can we expect?

The show will cover a total floor space of 130,000 sq ft and is expected to draw 150,000 visitors from within Malaysia and the ASEAN region.

More than 50% of the floor space has already been filled, and among exhibitors already confirmed for the show include Red Springs Sdn Bhd that will curate the 4x4 exhibits, Hot Wheels, EMMA Malaysia and Soon Soon Garage. Regional auto players joining include Option 4 Wheel from Thailand and Adtory-Minshing Automotives from China.

According to Junichi Fukui, the Director-General of the Tokyo Auto Salon Federation, famous Japanese brands such as Spoon, HKS, Top Secret and many more will be at the event, bringing some Japanese flair to the show. 

Seeing that Top Secret will be at the exhibition, will the infamous Smokey Nagata be there?

Although it's not 100% confirmed, Junichi Fukui did say that Smokey Nagata has ahigh chance of gracing the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon KL. 

For those of you who don't know who he is, Smokey Nagata is a legendary Japanese car tuner and owner of Top Secret. Nagata gained fame in the 1990s for his high-speed runs on public roads in Japan and Europe, often in modified Toyota Supras. He even tried a 200mph run on British roads where he arrested afterwards.

He gained notoriety for his "highway battles" with other car enthusiasts and for his ability to push his cars to speeds exceeding 300 km/h on public highways.

Will there be some activities for non-petrol heads?

On average 1,000 vehicles and more than 500 exhibitors, 4,000 booths and over 300,000 Japanese and international visitors visit the show annually.

One of the reasons why it has been widely accepted is because the show also offers something for the family. " There's something for everyone at Tokyo Auto Salon and the Malaysian version will be no different. We will have activities for families and even non-car people", said Fukui.

UMW Toyota Malaysia has just launched the all-new 4th-generation Vios, no doubt one of the most hotly anticipated cars to be introduced locally in 2023.

• 2023 Toyota Vios 1.5E - RM89,600
• 2023 Toyota Vios 1.5G - RM95,500

Locally assembled in Bukit Raja and offered in 2 variants priced from RM89,600 for the 1.5E and RM95,500 for the more highly specified 1.5G, the Vios is keen to take the shine out of its arch-nemesis, the Honda City. Then again, it does now also carry a slightly more upmarket price and feature set. Only time will tell if it’ll be the big hit its predecessors were.  

Since bookings were opened on February 24th, they say that more than 5,000 orders have been received. So, a pretty warm reception so far.

“We are excited to kick off the year with the launch of the All-New Toyota Vios, which represents our commitment to providing our customers with the best quality vehicles and services. We look forward to a promising year ahead, full of opportunities to drive Malaysia’s economic growth and development,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

The local distributor says that since its initial debut here two full decades ago in 2003, the highly successful Vios has sold over 500,000 units, making it one of the most popular non-national cars to be sold in Malaysia.

We already know the all-new model is quite a bit different under the skin, but the skin itself than is quite a pretty one, adopting a fastback roofline design and visual cues taken straight off the Camry, including a very fetching set of 17-inch wheels. Overall, it’s a more stylish and charismatic proposition than its previous iterations.

Both variants of the 4th-gen Vios are fitted with a 2NR-VE 1.5-litre naturally aspirated Dual VVT-i engine that delivers a respectable 106PS and 138Nm paired with a CVT that offers 7 virtual ratios for a more conventional auto-like stepped shift behaviour.

Of course, the big story here is the fact that the Vios now rides on the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform that’s also used as the basis for the Perodua Ativa, Perodua Alza, and Perodua Axia. And in case you were wondering. Yes, that CVT is essentially the D-CVT found in those other Perodua models.

Thanks to this new underpinnings, the Vios boasts much improved refinement, packaging, and dynamic potential. Dimensionally, it has grown significantly over the car it replaces, adding 70mm for a wheelbase of 2,620mm (20mm more than the Honda City’s), promising a larger cabin feel.

Inside, the Vios has been thoroughly modernised with a semi-digital instrument cluster and 9-inch freestanding infotainment screen with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The mix of materials and a more ergonomic layout is also vastly improved, giving the impression that the Vios is most definitely shedding its past persona for one more upmarket to match its higher price tag. There’s even 64-colour ambient interior lighting!

That sleeker fastback profile not only impedes slightly on rear headroom, but has also seemed to cost the Vios some practicality as its boot capacity has been reduced to 475-litres from just over 500-litres in the older model.

You’ll be reassured to know, however, that both variants of the Vios come as standard with the full complement of Toyota Safety Sense, adding active safety and driver assist features such as Pre-Collision (Automated Emergency Braking), Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Keep Assist, Auto High Beam, and Adaptive Cruise Control in addition to a 3D panoramic view monitor and Blind Spot Monitoring.

Passive safety comes in the form of 6 airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, hill start assist, and all the rest of the usual suspects.

Like all Toyota models, the Vios comes with a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Owners will also enjoy 24SEVEN Road Assist and a free three-year subscription to the Toyota Vehicle Telematics System which monitors the car’s location at all times.

Perodua conducted a preview session with the local motoring media where we got to go on a short drive with the all-new 2023 Perodua Axia.

The new 'Full Model Change' (FMC) of the Axia has gone through leaps and bounds for the latest-generation model thanks to a number of highlights, particularly its Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform as well as the D-CVT transmission package. But, is it really that good compared to the previous-generation model? The short answer is yes.

Driving impressions: How is the new Axia better?

Most of you may already know that the new 2023 Perodua Axia has retained the 1KR-VE three-cylinder engine from the previous-gen model, which is a bummer for some since there were talks about a turbocharged powertrain like the Perodua Ativa. While that may have not come to fruition, Perodua did embed the D-CVT gearbox into the engine, which made a world of difference in terms of performance.

The outgoing four-speed AT might have been a fuel-efficient setup for the previous Axia, but compared to the new Axia with the D-CVT gearbox, the older-gen model seemed a lot more sluggish in nature. Yeah, it still has 67hp and 91Nm of torque, but how it delivers the power to the front wheel is a lot more efficient and immediate, which gave us a great impression that the new Axia is indeed 'new' inside and out.

When the current Perodua Myvi model adopted the D-CVT gearbox, it showed improved performance in acceleration (20% better) as well as fuel efficiency. You can expect those improvements to be reflected in the new Axia, and Perodua has already stated that it can do a maximum of 27.4km/l thanks to the Eco idle start-stop system.

That, however, is only available in the top two variants (SE and AV), but the base G and X Axia variants can still hit a very decent 25.3km/l because the 1KR-VE/D-CVT combo is the same across the board.

Yes, the new D-CVT gearbox gave the Axia a more peppy driving experience, but the DNGA platform grants so much more in terms of agility, driveability, and overall comfort. We were given the range-topping Axia AV variant, which was a surprisingly good drive despite the short distance - enough to clarify itself as not a 'cheap' car, but an entry-level model with the most it can offer within a reasonable price range.

Modern-looking interior, not 'cheap-looking'

The Perodua Axia maintains its status as the brand's most affordable model alongside the Bezza despite the slight price increase estimated from RM38,600 to RM49,500. However, we strongly believe that the minor hike in numbers is nothing compared to what the new Axia has to offer.

The range-topping Axia AV, in particular, is fitted with a seven-inch TFT multi-info display for the driver as well as a nine-inch display audio screen in the middle housed within an Axia that carries a very modern yet sporty interior design to match its exterior.

Semi-bucket front seats finished in two-tone semi-leather is also a very nice touch, which is only reserved for the range-topping AV variant. One step down from that is the SE, which also has the same type of seats, but finished in fabric, followed by standard fabric seats for the G and X variants.

As for the exterior, the bigger dimensions compared to the previous-gen Axia also justifies for the slight price hike. This gives a more modern and sporty facade to the 2023 Perodua Axia model, and it's indeed a welcomed change compared to the outgoing model. Those 14-inch rims, however, could've been done better in our honest opinion.

Having said that, other additions like the LED headlamps with DRLs are a no-brainer in terms of looks. With the new Axia, there's no reason to look at the previous-gen model. Why would you? It's been improved in every way, shape, and form (apart from the engine, of course).

Perodua Smart Drive Assist

The slight price increase is also easily justifiable with the addition of the Perodua Smart Drive Assist which consists of:

• ABS with EBD & BA
• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
• Hill-start Assist (HSA)
• Traction Control (TRC)
• Solar & Security Window Film (standard for SE & AV variants)

At the end of the day, the 2023 Perodua Axia comes in a package that combines a great-looking exterior to match with a more modern interior finish, increased fuel efficiency and overall performance, as well as safety features to boot. Spend a tiny bit more to change those rims and you have a winner in our books.

Get ready for its official launch on 14 February 2023, folks.

A sensible car for our commute to work and run our mundane errands is a financially rational decision. But there will be times where we're in the mood for spirited drives. The sudden open roads with no traffic the weekend twisties up Genting or Ulu Yam. That’s when you’ll demand your daily commuter to have more POWER.

So in this article, we’ll share 4 tips on how you can boost the engine performance of your daily commuter without breaking the bank.

The engine air filter is vital to provide the cleanest air for your engine's combustion. The difference between the standard air filter (that came with your car from the factory) & a performance air filter can be summarised in the table below:

Upgrade to Performance Air Filters

Independent testing estimates performance air filters do improve acceleration by around 2 to 3%, which is minuscule for the average driver, but it’s still recommended as performance air filters are relatively cheap at around RM100 to buy online (depending on your car model), which makes this an easy recommendation. 

Invest in Quality Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are a crucial part of your engine. They work by igniting the air & fuel mixture to create combustion to power the engine.

There are 3 common types of spark plugs, ranked from least to best:

1. Copper
2. Platinum
3. Iridium

Generally speaking, Iridium spark plugs are the ones you want to upgrade to, as they are the most durable & the most precise to spark ignition at a precise time for maximum power & fuel efficiency.

A set of 4 decent Iridium spark plugs may run you around RM150 to buy online (depending on your car model).

Lighten Your Car’s Load

Unnecessary weight will put a strain on your engine in the long run & generally slows you down as the engine has to work harder to lug all that weight around.

To maximise the acceleration of your engine, remove as much weight as possible.

Check out your trunk/boot & leave dead weight at home (bags, that steering lock that you never use & various random stuff).

Apart from decluttering, changing to lighter rims will also help acceleration. But the steep cost of alloys (over thousands of RM) makes this a hard recommendation for regular drivers.

So it’s time for some spring cleaning!

Change to a High Performance Engine Oil

There are plenty of moving mechanical parts in an internal combustion engine & the engine oil's job is to:

1. Lubricate and reduce friction between moving mechanical parts
2. Control from overheating
3. Clean the engine from microscopic deposits

This is why regular and timely engine oil changes as per the manufacturer’s guidelines are recommended. Also, if power is what you seek, then we recommend Shell Helix Power 5W-40.

Shell Helix Power 5W-40 is formulated with Shell PurePlus Technology, which is made from 99.5% pure base oil¹ from natural gas. Shell Helix is also the motor oil trusted and recommended by Scuderia Ferrari.

This super premium fully synthetic engine oil is particularly suitable for high power and performance vehicles as well as suitable for a wide range of modern gasoline and diesel passenger cars (without diesel particulate filters). Also, as the product is carbon neutral², you can choose a more sustainable choice without compromising high engine performance and engine protection.

Shell Helix Power 5W-40 is now available at participating Shell branded and independent workshops, where the recommended retail price for 4L pack in Peninsular Malaysia is RM280.00, while in East Malaysia it is RM280.80.

For a limited time, you will get a FREE Shell Helix Bamboo Bluetooth Speaker with every purchase of Shell Helix Power 0W-40, Shell Helix Power 5W-40, or Shell Helix Protect 0W-30 4L pack at any participating outlets, while stocks last.

¹Based on paraffinic hydrocarbon content in the base oil using PurePlus Technology.

²The CO2e emissions of the lifecycle of this product have been compensated for with verified carbon credits. CO₂ compensation is not a substitute for switching to lower emission energy solutions or reducing the use of fossil fuels. Carbon credits are purchased and retired to compensate the calculated lifecycle CO₂e emissions of the product. Although these carbon credits have been generated in accordance with international carbon standards, the compensation may not be exact.

We list down five spacious used MPVs for less than RM79k.

A family man will tell you that a happy family is the key to a happy life. A family man will also usually go out of their way to provide the best comfort for their family, which is why sometimes they aim to buy the most spacious MPV available.

We all care about our family and want the best for them, but sometimes a new large MPV is just out of the question because they are expensive. 

This is where you can turn to the used car market for a better deal on large MPVs. With thousands of cars available on Carlist.my, it's just a matter of looking for them which could take some time.

If you don't have the time to browse or don't know where to start, let us help you as we have found five spacious USED MPVs available on Carlist.my. 

1) 1st-Gen Honda Elysion - RM50k - RM60k

If you love the H badge and want the most spacious MPV offering from the Japanese marque, then the Honda Elysion is the car to look at. Never officially sold through Honda Malaysia, the Elysion was imported by USF-Hicom Sdn Bhd and many different parallel importers.

Unfortunately, most of the Elysions available on the market are 1st-Gen cars, but since they are Honda's they still look current and modern, which doesn't make them look out of place even today. 

The Elysions available on Carlist.my are all mostly equipped with a 2.4-litre DOHC direct injection i-VTEC engine, producing 160 PS and 218Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 5-speed automatic.

Technically, the Honda Elysion is slightly longer and wider than the 7th Gen Toyota Camry, but being a Honda, space is always better utilised, as the Minato-based firm is clever in packaging cars. As a result, the Elysion can sit seven comfortably, and it's not bad to drive either.

Check out listings of Honda Elysions on Carlist.my here.

2) Mazda Biante RM59k - RM82k

Consider this for a second; the Mazda Biante is shorter, at 4,715mm, and slimmer, at 1,770mm, than the current-generation Mazda 6 sedan (at 4,870mm and 1,840mm respectively), but the Biante can carry two more passengers. 

The Biante offers superb practicality courtesy of sliding third-row seats, which allows it to accommodate more luggage without the need to flip/fold the last row. Superb ride quality and cabin refinement are other highlights of the Biante. 

Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine develops 149 hp and 190 Nm of torque (mated to a 6-speed automatic), making it a decent highway cruiser and city dweller. However, the Biante loses some marks for not offering cruise control and auto headlamps, which were supplied as standard even on cheaper Mazda models.

One of the reasons it was never that successful when it was launched was that it was in a rather weird spot. On one hand, it offered more seating capacity (8 seats versus 7 seats) than its nearest rival, the Nissan Serena, but the Biante was a considerably older product than the Serena, and it showed, both inside and out. 

At the prices they are going for now on the used car market, they make for interesting prospects, especially when you are looking for a lot of seats in an MPV.

Check out listings of Mazda Biantes on Carlist.my here.

3) 2nd-Gen Hyundai Grand Starex - RM51k - RM79k

Although not on the tips of everyone's lips when looking for a luxurious MPV, the Hyundai Grand Starex has been one of Malaysia's unsung heroes for families that need an MPV with lots of space and seats.

Now discontinued to make way for the futuristic-looking Hyundai Staria, the Starex easily fits more than 7 passengers, as its three rear passenger rows can help accommodate up to 11/12 passengers. 

Sliding rear rows also means that you can move the seats into various positions depending on your requirements for carrying people or luggage. 

The Grand Starex is powered by a gem, the venerable 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine that develops 170 PS and 320 Nm of torque, so there's ample power to haul heavy loads. Do note however, that while it's powerful, the engine isn't as refined as its competitors, and some owners have noted that since the rear rows of seats cannot be removed or stowed away, carrying larger or longer items can be a challenge.

Check out quality listings of the Hyundai Starex on Carlist.my here.

4)1st-Gen Toyota Innova - RM51k - RM79k

Many people call the Toyota Innova the poor man's Alphard, and as much as that sounds condescending, it's actually a compliment because it can deliver what the Alphard can, but at a cut price.

Despite not having any leather seats, the cabin of the Innova looks like a more affordable version of the Alphard. The multi-info instrument panel, the redesigned dashboard clad in material that looks much more premium than the outgoing model, the steering wheel, which comprised a combination of wood and leather, ambient lighting, impressive audio system, the 8-inch touch screen infotainment system (optional) all felt like it was trying to give people the Alphard experience at a cut price.

It might not be as well-built as a Mazda Biante or look as good as the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid, but when it comes to fulfilling its duties as a people mover, the new Innova absolutely nails it. Plus, with all the bells and whistles like the ambient lighting, infotainment system with full-coloured touch screen, wooden trim running across the dashboard, you would actually be forgiven for thinking that this is actually a mini Alphard.

Check out quality listings of Toyota Innovas here.

5) Maxus G10 - RM64k - RM70k

To be honest, we nearly forgot about the Maxus G10, but we're glad we didn't because this MPV from China offers near-passenger car comfort, hand-in-hand with the seating capacity of a football team.

It follows a similar template to the Starex in that it is a large multi-row MPV built on a ladder frame sporting a front-engine rear-wheel-drive configuration, but it offered more refinement when compared to the MPV from Korea.

Standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, power sunroof, electronic stability control, parking sensors, reverse camera, keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, auto climate control, rear air-con vents, and leather seats.

If you think that's impressive, wait till you read about its powertrain.

The G10 is not powered by a noisy turbodiesel or a thirsty big-capacity petrol V6, but instead, it is equipped with a downsized turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine sending outputs of 225 hp and 345 Nm to the rear wheels via ZF's 6HP 6-speed automatic transmission.

Check out listings for Maxus G10s on Carlist.my here.

Conclusion

Personally,i have always been a big fan of the Toyota Innova as its ladder frame chassis similarly used on the Toyota Hilux and Fortuner means it is one rugged MPV. Yes it might not have the best ride quality of all the MPVs listed up above, but the Innova will probably be the MPV to have the least amount of headaches and maintennace. 

However, i am curious about the Maxus G10 as it presents good value for money for what you are getting. Its 2.0-litre engine is sourced from Volkswagen, and their relationship of assembling general motors and Volkswagen vehicles in China should mean that their cars are well put together. For the price they are going for now, you get a lot of modern features as well as plenty of room for your family. 

Used Car Warranty with Warranty Smart

One of the downsides of buying a used car is that they are often not covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. 

Warranty Smart is an optional protection for any used car purchased under 10 years old.

Coverage starts from RM848 a year. Read more about Warranty Smart here.

How to use the Carlist.my to Find Your Perfect Car

So how do you find some of the safest SUVs below RM80,000 on Carlist.my? 

Below is a tutorial on how to use Carlist’s advanced search feature to find your perfect used car:

1.Go to Carlist.my

2.Click on the ‘Advanced Search’ on the left side below the search box

3.Select your filters, such as Body Type, Price and Brand

4.Happy Shopping!