04/01/2026

theSunday Special XVI ON SUNDAY JAN 4, 2026

THE GARAGE ICAUR SETS NEW SAFETY BENCHMARK THE iCAUR V23 has earned a full five-star rat ing under the Asean New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asia, marking a significant milestone for the brand in Malaysia. Tested under the current 2021– 2025 Asean NCAP protocol, the all-electric off-road SUV recorded an impressive overall score of 91.02 points, placing it among the top-performing vehicles assessed under the latest standards and making it the first fully electric off-road SUV to undergo evaluation by Asean NCAP. The strong result highlights the V23’s bal anced performance across all major assess ment areas, reflecting iCAUR’s focus on combining advanced safety engineering with a distinctive, lifestyle-oriented approach to electric mobility. The vehicle scored 39.71 points for Adult Occupant Protection, 16.67 points for Child Occupant Protection, 17.14 points for Safety Assist Technologies and 17.50 points for Motorcyclist Safety, deliver ing a comprehensive showing across the board. The achievement reinforces iCAUR Malaysia’s emphasis on placing safety at the core of its product development, while sup porting national efforts to raise vehicle safety standards through close cooperation with local authorities and research bodies. The V23’s performance demonstrates that a vehi cle designed with adventure and off-road capability in mind can also meet stringent safety expectations for everyday use. The five-star rating underlines iCAUR’s holistic approach to safety and its commit ment to offering Malaysian customers greater peace of mind without compromis ing on design or capability. It also strength ens the V23’s position in the growing electric vehicle market, particularly among buyers looking for something more rugged and dis tinctive. HARBIN DONGAN Auto Engine, a subsidiary of the Changan Automobile Group, has reached a key technical breakthrough with the successful first ignition of its R05E proto type, marking the debut of China’s first high power rotary engine. Designed primarily for low-altitude vehicles, the new power unit is now moving into the next phase of develop ment, with mass production targeted to begin in 2027. The R05E project was officially initiated on April 9 and developed in collaboration with AVL, a global mobility technology specialist involved in engineering development, simu lation and testing. This partnership has played a central role in accelerating the engine’s progress from concept to a func tioning prototype. At the core of the R05E is a single-rotor layout featuring a curved-edge triangular piston, paired with an independent dual-cir cuit ignition system. The engine also employs a lightweight eccentric shaft and balancing system, as well as an integrated water jacket designed to improve thermal efficiency and overall durability. These ele ments work together to deliver high output from a compact and lightweight package. Dongan highlighted that the engine’s ultra-high power density, small physical foot print and refined noise, vibration and harsh ness characteristics make it suitable for a wide range of low-altitude applications. The company noted that the R05E is capable of supporting medium- to large-scale manned low-altitude vehicles, an area expected to see rapid growth in the coming years. With the first ignition now completed, the R05E represents a significant step forward for China’s rotary engine development and underlines Dongan’s ambition to establish a foothold in emerging low-altitude mobility markets ahead of its planned production rollout later this decade. CHINA’S FIRST POWERFUL ROTARY ENGINE

Leapmotor reveals high-tech cabin ahead of 2026 launch

LEAPMOTOR has lifted the cur tain on the interior of its upcoming D19, a full-size SUV that also marks the debut of the brand’s new D-series. Positioned as a premium flag ship, the D19 is expected to be priced between 250,000 and 300,000 yuan (RM165,000 to RM198,000) with pre-sales and its official market arrival planned for the first half of next year. Step inside and the D19 immediately leans into tech nology. Dominating the driver’s view is a massive 60-inch high brightness augmented reality head-up display designed to remain clear in all weather con ditions. This is paired with a clean, flat dashboard layout, a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a large 17.3-inch floating central touchscreen.

This version is claimed to sprint from zero to 100kph in around three seconds and is powered by a115 kWh CATL hybrid cell battery, offering a pure electric range of up to 720km. Thanks to the high voltage system, more than 350km of range can be added in just 15 minutes of charging. With its bold dimensions, technology-heavy interior and serious performance figures, the Leapmotor D19 is shaping up to be a statement model for the brand as it prepares to enter a more premium space in the SUV market next year.

to Metallic Black, Sky Grey and Photoelectric White. Under the skin, Leapmotor will offer two distinct power train options. The range extender variant uses an 80.3 kWh battery, delivering a CLTC-rated electric-only range of 500km. Built on an 800-volt architecture, it can charge from 30% to 80% in just 15 minutes and produces a maximum out put of 400kW, or 536hp. For those going fully electric, the D19 steps up to a 1,000-volt platform with a triple-motor setup generating a combined 540kW, equivalent to 724hp.

Rear occupants are equally well catered for, with a dedi cated 6-inch multifunction control screen and a sizeable 21.4-inch 3K entertainment dis play designed to turn long jour neys into a more relaxed expe rience. In terms of size, the D19 firmly sits in the large SUV category. It stretches beyond 5,200 mm in length, measures close to 2,000 mm in width and rides on a wheelbase of more than 3,100 mm. Buyers will be able to choose from five exte rior colours, ranging from Pine Valley Green and Liquid Silver

ife Second life A Carrera GT reborn in Salzburg colours through Porsche Sonderwunsch

A 20-YEAR-OLD Porsche Carrera GT from Puerto Rico has been given a sec ond life through Porsche’s Sonderwunsch Manufaktur, emerging not only in factory-fresh mechanical condition but also wearing one of the most iconic liveries in the brand’s rac ing history. Owned by Victor Gómez, the 2005 Carrera GT has been fully recommis sioned and reimagined in the red and-white Salzburg design made famous by Porsche’s first overall Le Mans victory in 1970. The Salzburg livery traces its roots to the legendary Porsche 917 short-tail, car No. 23, driven to vic tory at Le Mans by Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood. Prepared by the Porsche Alpenstraße dealership in

toric look as the inspiration for his own car, linking a modern Porsche icon to one of the brand’s defining racing moments. As part of the Factory Re-Commission programme under Sonderwunsch, the Carrera GT was completely dismantled and rebuilt. Its naturally aspirated V10 engine was overhauled from the ground up, while carbon-fibre components were restored and recoated to return the car to as-new technical condition. Originally fin ished in silver, the car then underwent an extensive transformation to adapt the Salzburg design to the very different pro portions of the Carrera GT compared to the 917 race car. The process was far from straightfor ward. Designers began with sketches and digital renderings before physically taping the body to refine the flow and balance of the lines. Only after this painstaking devel opment were paint templates produced. The final finish, hand-painted in Guards Red and white and complete with the famous number 23, is protected by a trans parent film, allowing Gómez to enjoy the car on public roads back home in Puerto Rico. The exterior detailing goes beyond paint alone. Inside, the Carrera GT reflects the same level of personalisation. Throughout the project, Gómez travelled to Germany multiple times to follow the progress closely. The end result is a Carrera GT restored to zero kilometres and tailored entirely to its owner’s vision, blending historic racing heritage with one of Porsche’s most revered road cars. It stands as a rolling tribute to the past, crafted with modern precision and intended not just for display, but to be driven and enjoyed.

Salzburg, the striking colour scheme has since become deeply embedded in motor sport folklore. Gómez chose this his