Cruise Control

With the 007 moniker, sharp design and a "Combat Mode", Dongfeng's second model in Malaysia truly has a licence to… thrill. Tune in to hear how impressed Daniel was with this car and whether he thinks it can compete with its key rivals, the BYD Seal and the Tesla Model 3.In the discussion segment, we talk about legacy carmakers' position in China, as they struggle for market share amidst the rise...

If you're in the market for a used EV supercar, the Audi e-tron GT is a very sleek alternative to the popular Porsche Taycan. Sure, the brand name may not be as prestigious as Porsche's, but if you don't care about status, an Audi is still solid, reliable and trustworthy. There are caveats to this though, as our automotive expert, Daniel Fernandez, shares in this week's episode. In our discussion...

The Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show, or KLIMS 2026, was the platform for many manufacturers to showcase their latest cars. Daniel shares some of the biggest launches that caught his attention when his team was there, from Mazda with a new, slightly different CX-5, Hyundai releasing performance variants of their IONIQ 5 and 6, as well as Honda with their new Prelude, among many others. In...

The new Toyota Corolla Cross HEV GR Sport comes with the cosmetic updates that you expect from a "sport" upgrade, but does it drive like it's supposed to? Daniel shares his experience after spending a weekend with the car. In our discussion segment, we talk about the Ferrari Luce and the industry's reaction to it. Are people overreacting? In our news segment, we talk about WTC Automotif's mileston...

The Jaecoo J5 is another SUV in the market that offers a few differentiating factors that are unique, at a very competitive price. At this rate, will these factors, coupled with its price, turn people away from conventional brands? Daniel shares his thoughts on the show. In our discussion segment, we talk about the Advanced Driving Assistance System or ADAS and how, despite its sophistication, the...

Diesel prices are on the up now, due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, but for those looking to get a pick-up truck out of necessity, the new 2026 Isuzu D-Max is perhaps a good choice as it improves on the cabin comfort, while retaining the model's other iconic traits. Daniel shares more on the show, after taking the truck out for a full-day test drive. In our discussion segment, he shar...

The fallout from the controversial decision by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to raise the floor price of CBU EVs to effectively RM300,000 (after taxes and other costs) continues, with most voices out there criticising the decision. Daniel decides to share a different perspective on the topic, after digesting most of the conversations out there. In our news segment, we gush...

The local EV industry woke up to a shocking development today, as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) is reported to be planning to raise the floor price of fully imported EVs to effectively RM300,000 (inclusive of taxes and other costs), as well as set a minimum power output limit for imported models. Daniel shares his thoughts on this development and what it means for the local...

Daniel returned from the Beijing Auto Show 2026 with plenty to share! Due to the limited time spent there, he decided to focus on the most interesting showcases relevant to the Malaysian market. Some of the models that he will be highlighting in this episode include Denza's rugged compact SUV, the B3, Huawei's luxury wagon, the Stelato S9T, Lotus's foray into the world of plug-in hybrids with a re...

As EV sales across the world slowly plateau due to various factors, manufacturers are now ramping up production of plug-in hybrids as alternatives to both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles. China leads the way again, overtaking traditional big name manufacturers in this department. Will this mean we'll see more plug-in hybrids in the market in the future? What will this mean f...

Perodua launched its latest model, the Traz, in an environment that is vastly different from what it once was. The landscape has become much more competitive, with various SUVs flooding the market at similar prices. Despite sitting at the lower end of the price spectrum, does the Traz offer enough for prospective buyers? Daniel shares his thoughts after taking the car out for a ride. In our discus...

The TQ Wuling Bingo is another affordable compact EV in the Malaysian market that's meant to give Malaysians an alternative to the Proton eMAS 5 for those looking for a small electric car. But how do the two compare? Daniel shares his thoughts on this cheap and cheerful car after taking it out for a spin. In our discussion segment, we talk about the state of the used car market now, and whether it...

The world of off-road-capable SUVs is being shaken up, as Jetour enters the market with the T2 - despite being dubbed the "Baby Defender," the SUV is aiming to face its competition head-on, with a competitive price, without compromising on quality. Tune in to hear Daniel's thoughts on the car. In our discussion segment, we forecast EV sales this year after they've enjoyed a great year in 2025. Wil...

The Toyota Vios Hybrid has finally entered the market, giving long-time fans of the model, or those looking to upgrade to a modern and economical sedan, an option. But did they take too long to bring this model to the country? Daniel shares his thoughts on the Vios Hybrid after spending a weekend with the car. In our discussion segment, we talk about clone cars and the threat that they pose to con...

Daniel got the chance to review another luxury MPV this week, as he took the GAC M8 out for a spin, both as a driver and as a passenger. Priced above RM300,000, the GAC M8 is looking to challenge the more established players in the luxury MPV segment. Is it able to do so? Daniel shares his thoughts. In our discussion segment, we react to ASEAN NCAP's decision to give the new Proton X90 a 1-star ra...

The new Nissan Serena e-POWER enters the market with its unique technology that's not only economical, but also surprisingly powerful for an MPV with a relatively small engine. It's also comfortable to drive and ferry passengers around, according to Daniel, who took the MPV out for a test drive. Tune in to hear more about the car. In our discussion segment, we remind listeners to be more responsib...

We feature another hybrid car this week, albeit from a totally different price bracket. The Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS is a supercar that, compared to its direct competitors, the McLaren Artura and Ferrari 296 GTB, is relatively cheaper. More importantly, it is a supercar that can be driven every day, unlike the other two. That's what Daniel thinks after taking the car out for a quick test drive. T...

Daniel finally got his hands on the plug-in hybrid version of the Proton e. MAS 7, and while it was only for a short while, he thinks it's a better alternative compared to the fully electric version of the model. He shares his impressions of the car on the show. But before that, we talk about parking etiquette in residential areas, as yet another case of inconsiderate parking happened in one of th...

As a purist, it's rare for Daniel Fernandez to be genuinely impressed by an electric car, yet that's exactly the vibe we got when he spoke about the smart#5 BRABUS. He tells us why in our car review segment. Before diving into the car, we discuss the rebates and discounts being offered on the majority of new cars in the market. While consumers welcome these deals, what are the long-term negative e...

After much fanfare, the new Proton Saga MC3 is finally out on the roads. Daniel got his hands on one, and while he generally has no complaints about the way the car drives, he brings up a bigger, important conversation about where the Saga model is now, its position in the market and what it's supposed to be for customers. Before we get to his thoughts on the Saga, we discuss China's latest move t...

EVs are becoming more and more visible on Malaysian roads, with the market being flooded by new options every other week. But do these translate into a tangible adoption rate among Malaysians? We unpack where we are at the moment, especially as we head towards 2030, hoping to hit the target of EVs accounting for 20% of new vehicle sales. In between, we talk about the latest news in the automotive...

The new Subaru Forester is an upgrade over its predecessors, but for the model that was brought in to Malaysia last year, the upgrade came with a significant change—the once locally assembled model is now fully imported. That resulted in a more solid car for consumers, but at a significantly higher price. Daniel shares his honest thoughts on the car and its competition in the market. But before we...

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8.5 might look like an incremental upgrade from its predecessor, the Mk8. But it turns out, the 0.5 difference is a big difference. After taking the car out for a spin, Daniel insists that people who are interested in the car should take it out for a test drive to truly understand the difference between the two. In our discussion segment, we try to make sense of the r...

The iCaur V23 reminded Daniel of the MINI - a car that, according to him, is worth challenging MINI's iconic status as a brand that's quirky, unique, and distinctive. He finally got his hands on one for a test drive and was totally enthralled by it. But before he shares more about the iCaur V23, we discuss charging stations in Malaysia and why, despite the progress we've made, we're yet to hit the...

Recently, Daniel got the chance to test drive the Ferrari 12Cilindri—a beast of a car that signifies Ferrari's attempt at combining both their heritage and tradition with modernity. Just like the Prancing Horse, he came back from the test drive neighing with excitement. Tune in to hear his thoughts on this wonderful piece of machinery and what makes it special. In our discussion segment, we unpack...