Top 10 cars to see at 2024 Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show

The countdown to the 2024 Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show has begun, and it is all set to kick off next month with all pomp and show. Touted as one of the largest automotive industry events in Malaysia, this grand show promises to unveil a range of exciting new cars that Malaysians have been eagerly waiting for.

Here, we have curated a list of the top 10 showstopper cars to check out at the 2024 Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show. Let’s dive in.

Top cars to look out for at KLIMS 2024 

Proton e.MAS 7

The most-awaited model of 2024, the Proton e.MAS 7, is finally ready to unveil at the upcoming auto show. This is the first Malaysian brand EV, developed in close association with Geely. It is a C-segment SUV that rivals the likes of the Neta X, GAC Aion Y Plus, Leapmotor C10, and Chery Omoda E5.

Proton opened the ordering books for the EV last month and unveiled its preliminary specifications and estimated pricing tag reading RM 120,000. The e.MAS is offered in two variants - Prime and Premium, both powered by a front-mounted electric motor tuned to generate a maximum power of 218 PS and a peak torque of 320 Nm. It is Proton’s fastest-accelerating car with a 0-100 kmph sprint time of 6.9 seconds.

Mazda CX-60

Another showstopper model to watch out for at the Kuala Lumpur auto show is the Mazda CX-60. It is a 5-seater, stylish, and classy SUV set to compete against the big names such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3.

Globally revealed in 2022, the CX-60 is Mazda's first car built on the new ‘Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture’ platform. The SUV is already available in our neighbouring countries, including the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia, where it is offered with various powertrain options, including a 3.3-litre inline-six petrol/diesel and a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine. However, the mechanical specifications for the Malaysia-spec model have not yet been confirmed.

Omoda C9

Chery’s sub-brand Omoda is expected to launch an off-road SUV coupe at the upcoming auto show, named C9. The bookings of this upcoming Chinese SUV are currently underway in Malaysia. 

The Omoda C9 is offered as a locally-assembled model in 2WD and AWD variants, estimatedly priced at RM 185,000 and RM 195,000, respectively. Both trims are equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine good for making 261 PS of maximum power and 400 Nm of peak torque. It will square up against the Proton X90, Kia Sorento, and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro in the local market.

Honda Prelude Concept

Honda showcased the new Prelude Concept at the Japan Mobility Show in October 2023, which is now ready to make its debut in Asia. It is a two-door coupe, which brings back an iconic name with a fresh, modern twist. It showcases the brand’s vision for the future of sports cars, blending its rich heritage with innovation.

The Honda Prelude Concept features a bold design with a low, sporty stance and sharp, futuristic lines. The interior focuses on the driver with modern tech and high-quality materials. Under the skin of this new Honda model lies a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain.

Kia Sportage

Kia is also one of the participating brands of the 2024 Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show, where it will launch the long-awaited Sportage. Dinamikjaya Motors, the local distributor of the brand, started accepting bookings for the SUV at an estimated price of RM 150,000 earlier this month. 

Currently in its fifth generation, the Sportage is offered as a CKD model in Malaysia, locally assembled in Kulim, Kedah. The local-spec model comes in two drivetrains - a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated and a 1.6-litre turbocharged. The upcoming Sportage will compete against the Proton X70, Honda CR-V, and Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. 

MG Cyberster

The KLIMS 2024 will also be welcoming a stunning roadster EV, the MG Cyberster. After previewing the EV in August this year, SAIC Motor Malaysia began accepting bookings for it last month.

The Cyberster is offered in a single CBU variant, powered by a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup generating a combined output of 544 PS and a peak torque of 725. The motor is fed by a 77 kWh battery, offering a WLTP-claimed driving range of up to 446 km. Developed by the MG Advanced Design Centre in London, the EV is built on the Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), which also underpins the MG 4 EV.

New Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

The UMW Toyota booth will also be stealing the limelight at the Kuala Lumpur auto show with the new  Corolla Cross Hybrid. UMW Toyota started accepting bookings for the facelift electrified SUV earlier this month while announcing the estimated pricing and key upgrades.

The new Corolla Cross Hybrid is offered in two versions - the standard Corolla Cross Hybrid and the Corolla Cross HEV GR Sport with an estimated price tag of RM 140,000. Among the key upgrades are - a new front grille and headlights, EV mode and Drive mode switch, electric parking brake, a larger 10.1-inch infotainment display, and a new colour palette.

Nissan Kicks e-Power

After teasing the Nissan Kicks e-Power for over two years, Edaran Tan Chong Motor is now finally geared up to launch this electrified SUV on Malaysian shores. The Kicks e-Power is offered in two variants here - VL and VLT, with an estimated price starting at RM 130,000.

The upcoming Nissan SUV is powered by an innovative e-POWER tech, which is different from conventional hybrid and pure EV configurations. The said technology uses a combination of an e-motor and a petrol engine; the former drives the wheels while the latter charges the battery under specific conditions. This electrified setup promises instant torque, a smooth, quiet drive, and eliminates the need for external charging.

Proton S70 R3

Apart from its first electric car, Proton will also display the S70 R3 at the auto event. As the name suggests, the racing model is based on the S70 sedan. It is developed by Proton’s motorsport arm, R3 Motorsports, and pays homage to the brand’s longstanding racing legacy.

The Proton S70 R3 recently participated in the 2024 Sepang 1,000 km (S1K) endurance race. Although it did not feature in the top rankings, the model showed resilience performance. The race-prepped version of the car was powered by a specially tuned 1.6-litre, 200-hp Proton CamPro racing engine.

Mini Aceman

The recently launched Mini Aceman will also be on display at the prestigious show. It is an all-electric crossover that is positioned between the Cooper and the Countryman. The Aceman is offered in a sole SE trim, priced at RM 213,888. 

The EV is powered by a front-mounted electric motor which delivers a maximum power of  218 PS and a peak torque of 330 Nm. It comes mated to a 54.2 kWh NCM battery pack, offering a WLTP-claimed range of 406 km on a single charge. The battery takes 30 minutes to get charged from 10 to 80% with the help of 95 kW DC charging.

So, these are the top showstopper cars you can not miss at the upcoming 2024 Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show. What other surprises the event has in store will be unveiled in just a matter of days.

Also read: Meet the Hyundai Ioniq 9: Big, Bold, and Electric SUV