01/06/2025

theSunday Special XVI ON SUNDAY JUNE 1, 2025

One-stop hubs

PROTON is set to introduce integrated tyre services at selected authorised service centres across Malaysia following a strate gic collaboration with Continental Malaysia. The move reflects Proton’s ongoing commitment to enhancing customer con venience and delivering a more seamless vehicle ownership experience. Through this partnership, Proton serv ice centres will be transformed into com prehensive one-stop hubs, offering tyre sales, professional installation, and after sales support. These services will be delivered in coop eration with Continental Malaysia, one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers. By the end of December 2025, the com pany expects to roll out these offerings at 60 outlets nationwide, covering owners of all current Proton models. As part of this initiative, customers will be able to purchase and install new tyres during routine maintenance appoint ments. Prices will begin at RM211 per unit for models such as the Proton Saga. All tyres offered will be newly manufac tured to ensure maximum safety, reliabil These upcoming models are expected to redefine the brand’s sporty DNA with zero-emission powertrains and cutting-edge technology, while retaining the character that made their predecessors legendary. The German automaker first hinted at its electric ambitions for the GTI line up with the unveiling of the ID.GTI con cept in 2023. That prototype offered a glimpse into how Volkswagen might reinterpret its performance legacy for the electric age. Now, the carmaker has confirmed that a production version of the electric GTI, based on the forthcoming ID.2 platform, will be introduced exclusively in the European market. In a recent discussion with AutoExpress, Volkswagen’s CEO, Thomas SchAfer, revealed that a fully electric Golf GTI is slated for launch before the end of the decade. He expressed strong enthusiasm for

and new model introductions, Proton has also been investing heavily in upgrading its after-sales service. The introduction of tyre replacement marks the next phase in the transforma tion of its service centres into fully inte grated one-stop facilities, reaffirming its mission to deliver a premium automotive experience to all Proton customers. Currently, Proton operates over 173 service centres and 73 Body & Paint facili ties nationwide. Its 24-hour customer assistance hotline, available at 1-800 888-8398, ensures round-the-clock roadside support for added peace of mind. Customers seeking further details on the new tyre services or looking to find participating service centres are encour aged to visit the official Proton website or contact their nearest authorised Proton outlet. Proton to launch integrated tyre services for seamless experience

ity, and performance, with installation carried out by Proton-certified technicians to uphold consistent service standards. The tyre service will also include Continental Malaysia’s Total Confidence Plan (TCP), a one-year road hazard war ranty that provides a one-to-one replace ment in the event of unexpected damage. For added affordability, customers will have access to flexible financing solutions via Direct Lending, enabling tyre pur chases through manageable monthly instalments. The introduction of tyre services comes as Proton continues to elevate its after sales capabilities, striving to become the benchmark among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Malaysia. With an extensive network of 3S and 4S centres, professionally trained service per sonnel, and strategically located parts warehouses for rapid spares distribution, the model, describing it as an excep tionally potent vehicle that will stay true to the GTI name. According to SchAfer, the electric GTI will maintain the spirit and excite ment that fans of the nameplate expect, highlighting that it will be thrilling, authentic, and unmistakably a GTI despite its electric heart. Adding to the excitement, SchAfer also confirmed for the first time that an all-electric Golf R is on the horizon. While long rumoured, this marks the first official acknowledgement of the project. The Golf R EV will adopt an all-wheel drive layout, enhancing its dynamic capabilities, whereas the GTI version will preserve its traditional front-wheel-drive setup, now powered by electric motors mounted on the front axle. Both new models will be under pinned by the Volkswagen Group’s next generation Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), a versatile architecture that will serve as the foundation for future elec tric vehicles across a wide spectrum of brands within the group, including Skoda and Lamborghini.

Proton has been reshaping the ownership journey for its customers. Among the brand’s other key after-sales offerings are the FS90 Fast Service, which guarantees basic servicing within 90 min utes from check-in to key return; the ProCare Smart Plan (PSP), a maintenance programme offering savings with flexible payment options; and the MyProton App, which streamlines service bookings and provides real-time vehicle updates. In addition, Proton provides a Digital Owner’s Manual, comprehensive Body & Paint (B&P) services, and the Proton Insurance Programme (PIP), which offers specialised accident repair and insurance solutions using genuine parts and expert technicians. Roslan Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar, stated that while recent headlines have largely centred on the company’s robust sales performance

Volkswagen to electrify GTI, Golf R line-Up VOLKSWAGEN is preparing to usher in a new era for its iconic performance hatchbacks, confirming that fully elec tric versions of the celebrated Golf GTI and Golf R are in development.

BYD introduces all-electric sedan

CHINESE automaker BYD has expanded its electric vehicle portfolio with the official launch of the BYD e7, an all-electric mid-size sedan designed to cater to younger drivers and fleet operators such as taxi serv ices. With priceS starting from 103,800 yuan to 115,800 yuan (approximately RM67,800 to RM75,700), the e7 offers two certified range variants – 450km and 520km – providing an accessible option in the growing EV market. The new e7 features BYD’s signa ture low-cost e-series design lan guage. The front fascia is completely enclosed, intended to evoke a “smiley face” appearance, comple mented by the centrally placed BYD badge and sharply defined rib lines on the bonnet. At the rear, a multi-layered design is matched with a ducktail spoiler and a continuous light strip that spans the width of the vehicle. Additional lighting fixtures are located near the lower bumper, while the “e7” model designation is affixed on the bottom right.

Conventional pull-type door han dles have been retained, underscor ing its entry-level market positioning. With a body measuring 4,780mm in length, 1,900mm in width, and 1,515mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,820mm, the e7 is positioned firmly within the mid-size sedan seg ment, slightly bigger than a Tesla Model 3. It rides on modest 16-inch alloy wheels, suitable for daily com muting and fleet usage. Performance-wise, the e7 is equipped with a front-mounted per manent magnet synchronous motor capable of producing 134hp and a peak torque of 180Nm. This is paired with BYD’s proprie tary Blade lithium iron phosphate bat tery packs, available in two capacities – 48 kWh and 57.6 kWh. These con figurations deliver driving ranges of 450km and 520km, respectively, under the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). Fast charging times are estimated at 0.47 hours for the smaller battery and 0.43 hours for the larger one. The vehicle’s top speed is electroni cally limited to 150kph.