Top 5 biggest launches of 2018

2018 has been a wonderful year for the automotive industry. We got to witness some really exquisite new vehicles from many car brands. There were many facelifts that were launched as well. Combining all of them together, numerous new cars were introduced in the Malaysian market. We have picked up the top 5 biggest launches in 2018 that really made a difference.

Proton X70

Proton X70 had been one of the most anticipated cars of 2018. It was a big deal because it was Proton’s first step into the SUV segment. Proton did a good job in teasing the vehicle and creating a hype about it before its launch. There was even a Facebook Live Contest during the official launch of the X70.

The Proton X70 specs list a 1.8-litre petrol engine that produces 181 hp and 285 Nm of torque and comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with drive mode selection. There’s an option of an AWD model as well. There are four variants - STANDARD 2WD, EXECUTIVE 2WD, EXECUTIVE AWD, and PREMIUM 2WD, and the Proton X70 price starts at RM 99,800.

Ford Ranger Raptor

Ever since Ford released the official pictures and specs of the all-new Ranger Raptor, we were on the edge of our seats. And after keeping us waiting for so long, Ford launched the Ranger Raptor in Malaysia at the KLIMS 2018. Unlike the other pickup trucks available in the market, the Ford Range Raptor, apart from being a pickup truck, is a hardcore off-road vehicle as well.

The Ford Ranger Raptor specs show some really interesting elements. There is 2.5-inch FOX Racing Shox, Watt’s linkage rear suspension with coilover rear springs, BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, Heavy duty side steps, 283 mm ground clearance, tougher chassis, huge bash plate, 32.5 degree of approach angle, 850 mm water wading capability, and of course, the 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo engine that has got 213 PS and 500 Nm of peak torque. The interior of the Ford Range Raptor offers a good amount of space and luxury along with some modern features like Ford’s SYNC 3 system. The Range Raptor price is RM 199,888.

Volvo XC40

Launched in Oct 2018, the Volvo XC40 is a very handsome compact SUV. It has got many elements borrowed from its elder siblings like the XC60 and XC90, and we’re not complaining. The latest Volvo XC40 is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder Drive-E engine that produces a max power of 252 PS and generates a peak torque of 350 Nm at 1,800 to 4,800 rpm and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Being a Volvo, it comes with a plethora of safety features. There are 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, BLIS, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and something called City Safety which prevents a collision by automatically applying brakes. The interior of the XC40 is loaded with luxury and comfort. The layout of the dashboard is very interesting. There is only a single variant of the Volvo XC40 which is priced at RM 255,888.

Toyota Camry

Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) 2018 proved to be a common platform for many brands to launch their new products. Toyota Malaysia, too, utilised it to launch its brand-new 8th-generation 2019 Camry. This is one of the most beautiful and elegant sedans we have in the country today. The Camry has always been a smart-looking car, but Toyota really worked wonders with the latest model.

Based on the latest Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the 2019 Camry is more stable and safer than ever before. It comes with Toyota Safety Sense safety suite that includes safety features like Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Pre-collision System, tire pressure monitoring system, front and rear parking sensor, etc.

Toyota Camry 2019 price is RM 189,900 for the 2.5V variant, which is the only one available in Malaysia.

Lamborghini Urus

Lamborghini Urus has created new benchmarks for other brands to follow. The Urus is a unique SUV in itself. It can do so many activities without breaking a sweat. Of course, it comes with the Lamborghini DNA and is unbelievably fast. This is possible because of its mighty 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine which has a whopping 650 horses that take the Urus to a top speed of 305 kmph.

With an aggressive appearance, the Urus is definitely one of the best looking performance SUVs that we have got in Malaysia. And we really don’t need to mention the kind of quality and features you’re going to get with the Urus. Available at Lamborghini’s exclusive dealership in Kuala Lumpur, the Lamborghini Urus price is an exact RM 1 million.

These were the top 5 biggest launches of 2018. Of course, there were many other deserving names that could’ve made into our list. Do let us know in the comments which cars do you think contributed to the biggest launches of 2018. And for 2019, we wish to have many more amazing cars coming our way.