Category Archives: News

The Brand New Honda City Hatchback is Here!

You may have seen a brand new Honda car taking the streets of Malaysia. That’s right! The all-new Honda City Hatchback has finally arrived! Featuring a sporty design, the new compact model comes with an array of convenience and safety equipment, and is aimed at a younger audience.

While you’re not wrong to think that it looks a little familiar, perhaps a little bit like the Honda Jazz, this is because Honda is planning for the City Hatchback to replace the Jazz in Southeast Asia. The Honda Jazz has long been the most affordable compact car option from Honda in Malaysia, but the City Hatchback will take on that role starting from this year. 

The City Hatchback is offered in four variants of S, E, V and RS e:HEV hybrid.

Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Madoka Chujo said the company had secured more than 2,000 bookings for the five-door hatchback before the launch.

“This new model will be the trend setter with its first-in-segment advanced technology, premium features, versatility with Ultra Seats configurations and most importantly, it will be absolutely fun to drive,” she said.

As the name suggests, the new hatchback model takes a lot of cues from the Honda City sedan, so there are some similarities. These include the 1.5L petrol and a 1.5L Hybrid options, similar to the 5th generation of Honda City models. However, a key highlight is the RS version, which features a 1.5L Sports i-MMD e-HEV Powertrain that produces an output of 109PS and 253Nm of torque which Honda claims to be equivalent to a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine. This makes it the most powerful powertrain in its class comparatively. 

In terms of fuel efficiency, Honda claims that the City Hatchback has a rated fuel efficiency of 3.6 litre per 100km. The RS version also boasts an efficient hybrid engine, featuring a dual-motor setup for power generation and propulsion. This means that the electric motor isn’t limited by the battery, allowing the petrol engine to generate power directly to the electric motor for maximum torque and efficiency.

Versatility is also an important feature compared to its sedan model. The City Hatchback gets Honda’s iconic ultra-seats from the Jazz. It is available as standard across all City Hatchback variants. The ultra-seats allow you to fold the rear bench up for tall mode or have the seats fold down completely flat to carry longer items. However, despite being longer and wider than the Honda Jazz, the City Hatchback actually comes with a boot that’s 20% smaller. The Jazz’s boot has 363L capacity while the City Hatchback’s boot is 289L, which may be a downside for those looking to ferry bigger items in your car. 

Other features include Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features, which shows off an array of autonomous driving and safety features with the inclusion of Honda Sensing. These include the Lane Keep Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System and Adaptive Cruise Control which works from 30km/h and above. Another feature that is available for the V variant model is the Honda LaneWatch, which allows you to view your blind zone when turning to the left.

In terms of safety, the V and RS models get a total of 6 airbags while the lower two models get 4 airbags. Other safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) are included as standard across the range.

The Honda City Hatchback E variant and above comes with an 8” touch-screen infotainment display that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

Below is the official pricing in Malaysia:

Honda City Hatchback S – RM 75,669.45
Honda City Hatchback E – RM 83,075.73
Honda City Hatchback V – RM 87,856.36

Please visit our Honda City Hatchback Pricing page

The car comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, while the Lithium-Ion battery on the Hybrid model comes with an 8-year unlimited mileage warranty.

“Today, Honda Malaysia is set to create another key milestone, offering the popular City model in a hatchback body type. Over the years and generations, the City has evolved into one of Malaysia’s most favourite B-segment sedan,” Chujo said.

We hope you enjoyed the article!

If you’re looking for a brand new Honda City Hatchback for yourself, or want to experience our brand of customer servicing, we’re here for you. As an authorized Honda 3S dealer in Penang, we at Formula Venture cover the sales, services, spare parts and accessories of Honda cars.

Check out more of what we do on our website.

6 “Hot” Tips To Protect Your Car From The Heat

As the weather gets hotter, you need to make sure that your car is ready to take on the heat, because if you are melting under the sun for a few minutes, imagine what your car is going through! Extreme heat can push a car past its limits, and that can lead to some drivers finding themselves stranded at the roadside, which isn’t what you would want during the festive season.

Today, we’re sharing some “hot” tips to protect your car from the relentless heat and sun as you go visiting. However, do remember to keep the SOPs and stay safe as you go out and about!

1. Take care of your air conditioning

This should be one of the most obvious ones. When the temperatures start to get hot, the first thing you would want to do is jump into the car and turn on the air cond at full blast. The last thing you need is a faulty air conditioning system at the hottest time of the day. Make sure you keep your A/C cool by sending it for annual inspections to make sure everything is in working order. If a car’s air conditioning is not maintaining the interior temperature as well as it once did, it may mean the refrigerant level is low or there is another problem. Get it fixed to make sure your CNY journeys are cool.

2. Keep your battery charged up

High temperatures can cause havoc with your car battery. Heat and vibration are a battery’s worst enemies, leading to internal breakdown and eventual failure. What you need to do is make sure your battery is prepared for high temperatures, and to make sure your battery is securely fastened to reduce the vibration. Another potential problem is faster evaporation of battery fluid, which leads to corrosion on terminals and connections. Clean any corrosive buildup from battery terminals and cable clamps, and ensure the clamps are tight enough that they will not move. If you suspect that your battery is being overcharged or not charging at all, it’s advised to take it to a service shop where they can run a quick battery inspection before your long drive.

3. Keep your car fluids hydrated

The heat adds to the already high temperatures under the hood of your car. Most engine fluids lubricate and serve as coolants by helping carry heat away from critical components. When fluid levels are low, the cooling effect is reduced, which increases the possibility of overheating. Periodically check all vehicle fluids, including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid, to ensure they are at appropriate levels. You should be particularly careful about the coolant. This is generally done through the coolant reservoir located under the hood.

Thankfully, the easy access to controlling fluid levels in modern cars though makes this exercise rather stress-free. If any fluids need to be topped off, be sure to use the type of fluid specified in your owner’s manual.

4. Don’t let your tyres have a blowout

It’s also important to keep your tyres in good shape before you travel. Make sure you inspect your tires for signs of irregular wear and make sure you have adequate tread depth. Check the tyre pressure once a month to keep your tyres properly inflated and prolong their life, because tires typically lose about one pound of pressure per month through normal seepage. Driving on under-inflated tyres can cause tires to overheat and increase the chances of a blowout, especially when road temperatures are extremely high. For the most accurate reading, check your tyre pressures when the tyres are cold. Also, be sure to use the proper tyre pressure for your car, not the maximum pressure listed on the tyre sidewall.

5. Keep your cooling system cool

Just like your A/C keeps you cool, your cooling system keeps the car cool. Cooling systems protect engines from overheating and should be flushed periodically, as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. The cooling system should be completely flushed every two years. If necessary, top off the reservoir with a 50/50 mix of water and the coolant type specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Remember, never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot, because boiling coolant under pressure could cause serious burns. Rubber cooling system components are susceptible to heat-related deterioration, so periodically inspect hoses and drive belts for cracking, soft spots or other signs of poor condition.

6. Park it right

It may be difficult to find good parking spots in the residential areas you may be visiting, but it’s important to try. Your car’s body paint is what suffers the most under the blazing sunlight. In order to prevent this, try to park under the shade as much as possible. Also, it’s good to regularly wax your car using car polish that has UV protection to reduce sun damage and paint fading. You should also invest in a sunshade to protect the insides of your car, and to reduce the fading, drying and cracking inside your car.

We hope you enjoyed the article!

If you’re looking for a brand new Honda car, or want to experience our brand of customer servicing, we’re here for you. As an authorized Honda 3S dealer in Penang, we at Formula Venture cover the sales, services, spare parts and accessories of Honda cars.

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Built to leave a legacy through generations of innovation and passion.

How Honda Is Advancing Its EV Strategy

Honda was among the pioneers of hybrid powertrain tech in the world, but in recent years, the company has fallen behind other automakers that have invested heavily in fully-electric vehicles. In order to play catch up and make up for the head start that others have gained, Honda is looking to partner with companies with more advanced EV tech in order to advance its own.

Toshihiro Mibe, who was appointed Honda CEO in April 2021, is a former R&D boss for Honda. Among one of his most notable roles is helping Honda maintain its relationship with US carmakers General Motors, which gives him the relevant experience in keeping partnerships between automakers going. Mibe has also played an integral role in Honda’s strategy for connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles, which is a critical part of today’s automotive industry.

Mibe wants Honda to go fully-electric by 2040, although its larger vehicles may actually have a hydrogen fuel cell, not a big battery to store electricity. However, as of today, Honda only has one EV on offer, the Honda e, which is only available in Europe. Despite its great design and qualities, it has not gained traction due to its low travel range. Still, Honda is hopeful in the future, announcing plans to launch 10 new EVs over the next 5 years.

To achieve this, Honda has strengthened ties to other automakers, especially Mazda, Subaru, Ford and Volkswagen, with a specific focus on electric vehicles and autonomous driving tech. Another logical step would be for Honda to join forces with another Japanese automaker – representatives of all the major Japanese automakers have already begun cooperation talks under the umbrella of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

Along with that, Honda plans to expand its partnership with General Motors, with a goal to jointly develop vehicles for North America based on a common platform, as well as share electrified, electric or ICE powertrains.

Although General Motors will build Honda’s first two fully electric vehicles for North America; one Honda Prologue SUV and one Acura SUV, Honda plans to change course and manufacture its own later this decade. While Honda and GM have been partners on hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles, both SUVs will have bodies, interiors and driving characteristics designed by Honda.

“It’s absolutely our intention to produce in our factories,” Honda of America Executive Vice President Dave Gardner said, adding that Honda has developed battery manufacturing expertise from building gas-electric hybrids. “We absolutely intend to utilize that resource.”

Honda has also taken proactive steps forward to advancing the EV push, notably signing a joint development agreement for Lithium-Metal secondary batteries with Boston-based SES Holdings, an EV battery research and development company. Seeing that the battery is a crucial component of EVs, Honda’s agreement looks at several options for next-generation batteries, including the all-solid-state batteries Honda is developing independently. This step is seen as a move to produce safe, high-durability and high-capacity next-generation EV batteries. 

Still, despite the challenges faced due to the late push into EVs, Honda CEO Mibe said he relishes the opportunity. 

“In fact I agreed to take on the top job because I get excited about the challenges that come with it. My motivation comes from the difficulties we find ourselves in now, especially with the pandemic and the once in a lifetime industry paradigm shift towards EVs and self-driving,” he commented. 

“It’s not enough to come out with products we can call EVs, we have to push our efforts to make it a viable business.” 

2022 may go down as the year the floodgates opened for EVs, with a huge number of them coming to showrooms to get almost every manufacturer into a seriously electric posture. Honda too is committing to this; with a target of two-thirds of its sales focusing on electrification—EVs and hybrids—by 2030. 

We hope you enjoyed the article!

If you’re looking for a brand new Honda car, or want to experience our brand of customer servicing, we’re here for you. As an authorized Honda 3S dealer in Penang, we at Formula Venture cover the sales, services, spare parts and accessories of Honda cars.

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How To Properly Clean and Sanitize Your Car

With regular hand-washing and more diligent cleaning becoming more prevalent over the new normal times, we have also become more aware of keeping ourselves safe and sanitized at all times. But when you think about it, when was the last time you really took the time and effort to ensure that the inside of your car is thoroughly clean?

Though the chances of catching Covid-19 from a contaminated surface seem to be slim, it’s still possible. And other viruses, like influenza, are commonly transmitted that way. So keeping your car’s interior clean is a worthwhile health precaution, particularly if it gets used by more than one person. It’s also a good idea to clean the interior before a different driver or passengers use the car, and after anyone who develops symptoms has been inside.

Today, we’re looking at how you can stay safe by cleaning and sanitizing your car. 

The Basic Cleaning

Cleaning can be done in 4 basic steps: 

1. For a disinfectant to work it has to come into direct contact with the virus. Dust and dirt can prevent this, so the first cleaning step is to remove any obvious grime. 

2. Wipe dust off dashboards and doors with a dry, clean microfibre cloth, taking care to get into gaps and corners in the trim.

3. Use a vacuum cleaner on the seats, centre console and carpets.

4. Remove the floor mats (look out for plastic clips holding them in place) so you can reach any dirt that’s collected around the edges. 

What You Should Be Sanitizing

Next you should know what you can be sanitizing. It’s a good idea to begin with a list of things that need cleaning and work methodically through it, to avoid missing anything. These can include: 

1. Anything the driver or passengers might have handled needs to be wiped down, plus any areas which might catch droplets from coughs and sneezes.

2. Door handles outside and in, plus the boot handles if they’ve been used. 

3. Interior door pulls and window switches or winders.

4. Steering wheel including any controls mounted on it, like buttons for the cruise control or audio system and gearshift paddles. 

5. Stalks for the wipers and indicators.

6. Dashboard including the start/stop button and other switches and controls. 

7. Air vents and heating/ventilation controls.

8. Front and back of the seat. 

9. Seat adjustment buttons and levers.

What Cleaning Materials To Use

A mild soap and warm water solution can be effective at removing grime and killing bacteria and viruses. Leather seats need more specialist care: use a proprietary leather cleaner and apply a leather treatment afterwards.

Microfibre cloths are very effective at removing dust and debris when used dry or damp, and damp and can be used with most cleaning solutions. Wash in a washing machine after use, but avoid adding any fabric softener.

You can now buy purpose-made sanitiser air care products for your car – you start the engine, set the air conditioning to recirculate mode, then press the button on the can and shut the door until the can has emptied and the sanitiser has ‘fogged’ the interior. But these still need the interior to be clean to work effectively.

Here’s a tip: wear disposable gloves at all times, and avoid touching your face or eyes as you work. Remove and dispose of gloves only after you’ve finished cleaning and tidied all the necessary.

We recommend not using bleach or any household cleaners, as they can contain ammonia. They’ll kill any nasties lurking in your interior but they are also likely to cause damage and discolouration to surfaces.

Cleaning Hacks

Below are some helpful cleaning hacks to help you clean quickly and more efficiently. 

1. Whenever you’re using a cleaning fluid on a car interior – whether it’s a cleaning solution or just soap and water – it’s important to avoid getting things too wet. Apply too much solution and not only will your interior take ages to dry out, but it might also make controls slippery and cause problems with electronic systems. The best technique is to apply your fluid to the cleaning cloth you’re using, rather than directly to the car. That way you have enough solution to do the job without any excess.

2. When you’re cleaning the inside of a windscreen the bottom part where it meets the dashboard may be a struggle to reach. The professional car cleaners’ trick is to face away from the windscreen and put your hand out behind you, palm up, to apply your cleaning cloth to the glass. With this method you can reach right down to the base of the windscreen.

3. It can be hard to get dust out of the small gaps around vents and switches, but there’s a simple solution. Use a clean, dry paintbrush to sweep the dust away. To remove ingrained dirt from textured surfaces on dashboards and grab handles, scrub with an old toothbrush.

At the end of the day, keeping safe during this time is all we really want, and seeing how we’re mostly stuck in our cars on the way to work, it pays to have a safe and clean environment. If you are going out, remember to mask up and stay safe!

We hope you enjoyed the article!

If you’re looking for a brand new Honda car, or want to experience our brand of customer servicing, we’re here for you. As an authorized Honda 3S dealer in Penang, we at Formula Venture cover the sales, services, spare parts and accessories of Honda cars.

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Should You Buy A Honda?

As one of the longest established carmakers in the world, Honda has a reputation for bringing innovation and quality to the forefront, while its cars are generally regarded as being very dependable. 

As a carmaker, Honda builds a small but sensible range of models focused on the family car market. In Malaysia, some of the more popular models include the Honda Jazz, Honda City and Honda CR-V to name a few cars from different variants. It’s their range of vehicles that are making inroads in a competitive market. The carmaker has also had a touch of experience with hybrid technology as well, with car models like the Insight, Jazz Hybrid and even a hybrid version of the CR-V available.

To buy a Honda is a great investment, and it’s likely you’ll be spending your money sensibly in regards to fuel economy, reliability, resale value, and quality workmanship. Honda has been producing exceptional vehicles for nearly seven decades, and since its beginning, it has consistently won awards and topped the charts in virtually every category.

So, should you buy a Honda? Here are 6 reasons why you should. 

1.  Performance and Durability

The main reason you should get a Honda is because of its reputation for building durable cars that perform exceedingly well. Across the entire Honda lineup, you’ll be able to find cars that are long-lasting, fuel-efficient, and fun to drive. Honda’s reputation for producing durable vehicles is well-deserved. If you buy a new one, you can rest easy knowing every cent is well worth the price tag. Moreover, yearly maintenance costs are among the lowest in the business.

2. Affordability

Consumers expect good value for their ringgit when purchasing a Honda, and that’s exactly what they get. Honda works hard to be the brand that offers the best deals. That means you don’t have to buy used to save money, as there are plenty of reasonably priced brand new Honda models for you to choose from. 

Further, almost all new Hondas come equipped with the latest technology, including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Honda Sensing Technologies, which also includes Honda LaneWatch Blind-spot Display, Forward Collision Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System, Collision Mitigation Braking System and more. 

3. Fantastic Resale Value

Another compelling reason to buy a Honda is that their vehicles have outstanding resale values. That means you’ll get a larger return on your investment when you sell or trade-in your vehicle later on.

Depreciation on Hondas ranks among the lowest of all vehicle brands. Why is a good retained value important? Depreciation is one of the biggest costs associated with owning a vehicle. Accordingly, a smart car shopper will choose a vehicle with high retained value. That way, they can get more back from their original investment when it comes time to sell.

4. Versatility and Flexibility

Honda has a vehicle modeled for every lifestyle. Whether it’s the spaciously compact Jazz, or the family CR-V, or even the Honda City or Civic sedans, there’s a Honda for everyone no matter their needs. This makes the versatility of owning a Honda one of the most compelling things about owning one. 

5. Excellent Fuel Economy

Petrol prices aren’t cheap, but Honda vehicles are all about posting exceptional fuel economy numbers. This fuel-efficiency isn’t just reserved for Honda’s smaller cars either. Throughout the entire lineup, Honda has strived to make their vehicles as environmentally friendly as possible. While Honda delivers industry-leading fuel economy with its vehicles, it doesn’t do so at the expense of power, which makes for excellent fuel economy in the long run. 

6. Safety and Reliability

Finally, Honda cars are among one of the safest and most reliable cars globally. With its world-renowned safety standards, it has no shortage of active safety and driver-assist features, as all models come with Honda Sensing technology, which comes with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. 

In addition to advanced active safety tech, Honda’s ACE body structure also deserves some praise. ACE stands for Advanced Compatibility Engineering. It’s a Honda-exclusive body design that uses a network of front-frame structures to mitigate the impact of a frontal collision. In the event of a collision, it reduces and distributes evenly the force exerted on the cabin. It’s the structure you want if or when the worst happens.

Honda continues to be one of the best-selling brands in Malaysia, and for good reason. Over the past years, you should have been able to see more Honda vehicles popping up on the road, which serve to confirm Honda’s excellence, as well as its popularity. So, should you get a Honda? We wholeheartedly agree. 

We hope you enjoyed the article!

If you’re looking for a brand new Honda car, or want to experience our brand of customer servicing, we’re here for you. As an authorized Honda 3S dealer in Penang, we at Formula Venture cover the sales, services, spare parts and accessories of Honda cars.

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