Several new cars announced at KLIMS 2024, you need to know if you're about to buy a car

At the 10th Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS 2024), brands such as Perodua, Toyota, Nissan, and GWM showcased their latest models, including sedans, compact SUVs, and MPVs, catering to a wide range of consumers. It's definitely worth checking out.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

The arrival of the Toyota Corolla Cross is not surprising, as Toyota has been teasing the car on their official website for a long time, which generated a lot of anticipation. The 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross features an entirely new front design, with a new grille and new LED headlights.

However, more important than the design is the powertrain of the Toyota Corolla Cross. This new model is available in three versions: 1.8V (RM133,800), 1.8 HEV (RM140,800), and 1.8 HEV GR Sport (RM148,800).

Inside, the Toyota Corolla Cross offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch central touchscreen (which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). New features include an electronic parking brake (EPB), auto-hold, a wider speed range for adaptive cruise control (ACC), and an upgraded lane-keeping assist that now includes lane-centering functionality.

Nissan Kicks e-Power

Not only did Toyota bring a hybrid SUV, but Nissan also showcased its own hybrid SUV at KLIMS 2024. The Nissan Kicks e-Power is available in two trim levels: VLT (RM121,800) and VL (RM113,800), both with identical powertrains.

Nissan defines its e-Power system not as a hybrid but as 100% ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN, with no need for plug-in charging.

The vehicle is entirely powered by a 129 horsepower, 280Nm torque electric motor, while the 1.2L 3-cylinder HR12DE engine (82 hp/103Nm) merely charges the 2.06kWh battery. The Kicks e-Power offers excellent fuel economy, achieving 21.7 km/L.

Perodua eMO-II

This is a significant shift for Perodua, as the eMO-II is a concept car, but the production version will debut in 2025.

Perodua has stated that the eMO-II was entirely developed by their internal team, overcoming significant challenges to complete its design. The eMO-II’s design combines "21st century aesthetics with Malaysian uniqueness."

However, Perodua did not reveal any technical specifications for the production version, but mentioned that it will be a B-segment vehicle priced under RM100k.

Earlier goals from Perodua suggest that the production model could feature a motor with 160 hp and 220Nm of torque, offering a range of around 400 km on a full charge. The vehicle will likely use a 50-60 kWh battery.

GWM Wey 80 MPV

The GWM Wey 80 is a large MPV, even bigger than the Toyota Alphard, with dimensions of 5,045 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, 1,900 mm in height, and a 3,085 mm wheelbase.

The Wey 80 is a PHEV model, which might not cause much surprise in Malaysia, but the Wey 80, with its 1.5L turbocharged engine, offers incredible acceleration, reaching 0-100km/h in just 5.7 seconds.

This performance is due to the Wey 80's use of a DHT (dedicated hybrid transmission) and two motor drive, offering a power output of 486Ps/762N·m. Because it has a battery of 37.96kWh, the Wey 80 can run on electric power alone for 140km under CLTC standard tests.

In terms of interior design, Wey 80 reveals its luxurious configuration. The second row offers zero gravity seats and ultra-long sliding rail adjustments, providing up to 1,166mm legroom for the second row. The car is equipped with 16 Harman Kardon speakers and a 12.5L fridge.

According to the manufacturer, the Wey 80 is expected to be launched in Malaysia in the first quarter of 2025, where it will compete with the Denza D9.

Conclusion

KLIMS 2024 saw a variety of new car models from different brands, with a clear trend towards electrification and intelligence in the automotive industry. For example, Perodua also presented the Ativa Fuze concept car, which has a futuristic design and even features a PlayStation 5 inside. The car manufacturers at KLIMS have sparked a rich imagination about the future of automobiles, showing that cars are no longer just vehicles that get us from point A to point B.