Inside, passengers are now presented with a panoramic glass roof which was not available previously. Other new equipment include auto rain and light sensors and GPS navigation with iPod and Bluetooth connectivity.

Technical underpinnings remain untouched, meaning that power still comes from the 150hp two-litre MIVEC engine paired to a 6-speed CVT gearbox. Notable standard features carried over from the pre-facelift ASX are Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, ABS, EBD and dual SRS airbags including a knee airbag for the driver.

The product line-up updates do not stop there, with the new Triton Heavy Duty also making its way into Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s range of models. Essentially a barebones dual-cab Triton with the capability to rough it out in tough conditions, the Triton Heavy Duty features a 2.8-litre diesel engine paired to a five-speed manual shifter and a proper four-wheel-drive setup.

The 97hp, 198Nm engine is neither aided by forced induction nor does it feature direct injection – it’s a basic engine for a basic truck. This basic theme is also apparent with its black body panels and 16-inch light alloy wheels. Nevertheless, the Triton Heavy Duty still features Mitsubishi’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body and an impressive turning radius of 5.9m.

The facelifted ASX’s price remains pretty much unchanged from the previous model at RM139,981.50 on the road without insurance. The Triton Heavy Duty goes for RM72,037.60 and is only available for commercial registration.

Essentially a three-door Countryman, its body is lower and sleeker than its more rugged sibling. Its roof slopes downwards towards the rear to accentuate a coupe-like stance while its high driving position and bulkier built over the standard Cooper indicates better versatility over the compact hatch.

Like all Minis bearing the ‘S’ badge, the Cooper S Paceman is powered by a 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine which pumps out a maximum of 184 horses and 240Nm of torque. This allows the Paceman to complete the century sprint in just 7.8 seconds all the way to a top speed of 212kmph. Despite the performance inclination, the Paceman is still capable of returning 7.5 litres per 100km while CO2 emisions are rated at just 175g/km.

The Cooper S Paceman also sits on a lowered sports suspension which lends to what Mini describes as a go-kart feeling when driven hard around the bends. Adding to the overall performance feel of the car is a Sport Button, which tweaks the engine’s responses, gear change timings and power assistance provided by the steering.

Prices for the Cooper S Paceman start at RM288,888 and buyers can opt for a Glass Roof Package which bumps the price up by RM7,888. The retail price is on the road exclusive of insurance, with the MINI Tender Loving Care service package thrown in.

For more pictures of the Paceman at its Malaysian launch, head on to our Facebook page. Don’t forget to drop us a like!

Technical underpinnings remain unsurprisingly similar to those of the Mirage, with the Attrage also harnessing power from a 1.2-litre MIVEC engine paired to either a CVT or 5-speed manual gearbox. This lightweight engine returns 22km/litre in the Attrage. That’s close to what you’d get in the smaller Mirage.

Like the Mirage, the Attrage is built with the Thai market being Mitsubishi’s primary focus. It will be launched in Thailand, where it is also produced, this July. More than 5 billion Baht have been invested into production, which is expected to yield over 100,000 units per year by the fifth year of production. Let’s hope that they have some left over to ship over here.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – its name. Mitsubishi says that ‘Attrage’ is contrived from the word ‘Attractive’. We’re not sure how that came about but we sure hope that it drives better than its name sounds.

Under the hood is a new Isuzu-developed 2.5-litre Super Commonrail Diesel engine which features a Variable Geometry System (VGS) – essentially a more efficient, variable, turbocharging system. Power is rated at 134hp while there is 320Nm of maximum torque, which comes in between 1,800 and 2,800rpm. Compared to the older 2.5-litre engine, the new one has 17 per cent more power and 14 per cent more torque. Its performance edges even the three-litre unit that was available in the outgoing model.

The improvements do not stop there. Its new design makes the pickup more slippery, with a 5 per cent improvement in drag coefficient. Paired with the technical improvements, Isuzu claims that the new D-Max is roughly 10 per cent more fuel-efficient than its predecessor which won many plaudits for its frugality.

Pickup truck enthusiasts will point out the history of the D-Max sharing a platform with Chevy’s Colorado. While Isuzu acknowledges that this partnership with GM is still ongoing, it insists that the signature styling and Isuzu-developed engine of the new D-Max will not feature in its American cousin.

To widen the D-Max’s appeal to a larger crowd, Isuzu is offering a broad range of variants ranging from a barebones 4×2 non-intercooled manual utility pickup to a decked out 4×4 automatic lifestyle truck. Regardless of the variant, all models are built with tailor blank welded high tensile steel and equipped with side door impact beams, collapsible steering column and ISOFIX points at the rear for added safety. The more expensive models gain dual airbags, ABS, EBD, and ESC among many other advanced features. All variants are in double-cab form.

It is already taking to the road in droves across the border and it is a matter of time before the D-Max becomes a common sight in Malaysia alongside the Hiluxes, Tritons and increasingly popular Rangers. Will Isuzu trump its feat of travelling from Bangkok to KL on a single tank completed using the previous D-Max? If the claimed improvements are anything to go by, we’ll keep our hopes up high.

Price List (on-the-road with insurance)

Isuzu D-Max 2.5L 4×2 MT – RM69,799.60

Isuzu D-Max 2.5L Intercooled 4×2 MT Hi Ride – RM79,899.60

Isuzu D-Max 2.5L Intercooled 4×4 MT-L – RM85,499.60

Isuzu D-Max 2.5L Intercooled 4×4 MT – RM94,619.60

Isuzu D-Max 2.5L Intercooled 4×4 AT – RM100,689.60

As before, the Swift harnesses power from a 1.4-litre VVT engine which puts out 94hp and 130Nm. This K14B unit is paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. Features which are standard across the range include ABS, EBD, alarm system with immobiliser and driver airbag.

The GLX gets an additional passenger airbag, keyless entry with push start button, 6-speaker audio system with steering-mounted controls and 16-inch alloy wheels. In contrast, the GL only gets a 4-speaker setup with no steering buttons and 15-inch steel wheels with hub caps.

Swift buyers can still opt for Suzuki’s Genuine Accessories Kit which consists of a front, rear and side spoilers, door sill guards, front sport sticker and silver grille garnish. This package adds RM5,300 to the bill and is only available for Superior White units.

Suzuki Swift (CKD) VVT DOHC price list:

1.4L A/T GL Solid – RM65,888 (RM67,811.50 on-the-road with insurance)

1.4L A/T GL Metallic – RM66,388 (RM68,337.50 on-the-road with insurance)

1.4L A/T GLX Solid – RM73,788 (RM75,919.50 on-the-road with insurance)

1.4L A/T GLX Metallic – RM74,288 (RM76,445.50 on-the-road with insurance)

What used to be an electric quadricycle-like compact has been transformed into a performance machine bearing F1 technology thanks to some dabbling by the Renaultsport F1 engineers as well. The most notable bit of kit which it gains is a KERS system which works in tandem with the original 17bhp-equivalent electric motor.

With power being derived from regenerated braking energy as well as the electric motor, KERS boost is available to the driver almost all the time, providing an extra 79bhp when called upon. When the boost button on the Formula Renault 3.5-inspired steering wheel is pressed, the car will sprint all the way to 109kph at a maximum of 10,000rpm.

By fattening the car up with KERS, it now weighs 564 kg, 91kg heavier than the standard Twizy. However, power-to-weight ratio has been upped significantly, measuring at 1 bhp per 5.8kg as opposed to 1 bhp per 25kg for the regular car.

Other F1-inspired bits slapped onto the Twizy RS F1 Concept include a not-so-subtle body kit consisting of side pods, a rear diffuser, massive wings for the front and rear on top of a yellow and black livery reminscent of Renault’s past F1 cars.

If we have accidentally convinced you to actually want to buy one, we’re sorry to say that this will strictly be a one-off concept.

The S60 Polestar will first hit the roads in a pilot programme for the Australian market, whereby it will carry a detuned six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine which puts out 350bhp and more than 500Nm of torque – eye-popping performance figures for an S60 nonetheless. This powerplant will propel the Polestar to 100kph in just 4.9 seconds while top speed is limited at 250kph.

Despite wearing the shell of an S60, the Polestar is intensively re-engineered underneath. Its stabilizers, rear tie blades, rear link arms and springs have all been upgraded while its strut brace is now reinforced with carbon fibre. It rides on Ohlins road and track 2-way adjustable shock absorbers while rims are 19-inches in diameter wrapped with Michelin rubbers.

The onboard software has also been tuned specifically for the Polestar to further tune the launch control, transmission timings and AWD torque distribution. Despite the performance updates, the Polestar still weighs the same as the S60 R-Design at 1,684kg.

Since its unbelievably fast turbocharged wagons of the 90s, Volvo has failed to excite us with anything properly quick. Will the Polestar put an end to the wait and revive Volvo’s status as a carmaker capable of building M3-rivalling machines? With those published figures, the big boys might have a reason to worry a little.

The eye-catching theme is evident in every nook and cranny, with the colour pink featuring even on the hub caps of the shiny chromed wheels.

Pink also dominates the interior, with the leather upholstery finished in a colour combo dubbed Blushing pink and Creme Light. Other interesting features exclusive to this unique Ghost include pink lambswool floormats, pink accented umbrellas and sill plates engraved with the word “FAB1″.

Rolls-Royce is putting this pink Ghost up for hire in the United Kingdom over the next twelve months whereby all proceeds will benefit Breast Cancer Care.

It surely exists for a very noble cause but is this pink Roller a little too much on the eyes? Let’s just hope it doesn’t give other Ghost owners any fancy ideas.

This move was made after an inquiry by Driving.co.uk, which resulted in findings indicating that the unit of the Veyron SS used to accomplish the record-breaking feat was slightly modified from the stock model, therefore breaking the rules.

It was detected that the record-breaking car had its top-speed limiter deactivated during its run in which it clocked 431kmph – deemed the fastest speed ever set by a production car then. All thirty production cars sold by Bugatti came with a speed limiter which halts acceleration beyond 415kmph.

As a result, the title would most likely go to the SSC Ultimate Aero which is capable of reaching 411.72kmph, unless Bugatti attempts another run using a stock unit of the SS this time around. There is also a likelihood for the Hennessey Venom GT to enter the fray and snatch the title after clocking 427.6kmph recently although the speed has not been officially recorded at the moment.

Will Bugatti bite back as it did when SSC took the title once before? If rumours of a 460kmph Veyron Super are true, the answer may already be etched in stone

A successor to the brand’s iconic compacts, namely the 205 and 206, the Peugeot 208 will arrive in three-door and five-door formats, with both variants carrying the same 1.6-litre VTi engine under their hoods. This powerplant puts out 120hp and 160Nm while returning a claimed fuel consumption rating of 6.7 litres per 100km.

Both versions of the 208 will feature offerings such as front and rear LED lights, a 7-inch interactive touch screen, a floating instrument panel colour LCD display, digital auto dual zone air-conditioning, Bluetooth, USB, iPod, iPhone and Android connectivity and a high-performance audio system with Arkamys 3D sound.

The 208 is also well equipped safety-wise. Since the revamp of Euro NCAP safety criteria in 2012, the 208 became the first car in its segment to obtain a full five-star safety rating. This feat owes to the car’s six airbags, ABS, EBA, EBD, ESP, DSC, ASR and a body structure made from high strength steel for better overall rigidity.

Prices remain unannounced but Nasim will showcase the new 208 to the public between 30 to 31 March and 6 to 7 April in Kuala Lumpur as part of its ‘Let your Body Drive’ campaign. It will also be on display at Nasim’s ‘Let Your Body Drive Tour’ which will begin at the Queensbay Mall, Penang from April 3 to 7 before moving to the One Utama shopping mall in Petaling Jaya from April 10 to 14.