Volvo drives away with top honours
Swedish marque’s plug-in hybrid models best the competition in their class
PETALING JAYA: Volvo Car Malaysia won top honours at the 2018 CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards with the Volvo XC60 T8 premium compact SUV (sport utility vehicle) taking the coveted “Car of the Year” title.
The fuel efficient 2.0litre XC60 T8 plugin hybrid, priced at RM343,888 (flagship Inscription Plus variant), also won the Best Midsize Luxury SUV/Crossover and Best Hybrid Vehicle categories.
The secondgeneration Volvo XC60 T8 features a clean, attractive Scandinavian exterior and a thoughtfully designed and detailed, roomy interior.
It is also fully loaded with highend materials, top safety technologies and a powerful, smooth powertrain.
Another Volvo plugin hybrid, namely the 2.0litre S90 T8 luxury sedan, clinched the Best Midsize Luxury Executive Car and Most WellSpecced Midsize Luxury Executive Car awards.
The judges were impressed by the models’ competitive prices, their premium features and innovative safety technologies that Volvo Cars are renowned for.
They were also impressed by the refined driving qualities of both plugin hybrids from the Swedish marque.
The first and second runnersup for the “Car of the Year” award were the Mazda CX5 2.5 GLS and Peugeot 3008 respectively.
This is the third edition of the awards, organised by Star Media Group, that honour the best passen ger vehicles in the market and recognise the automotive industry as one of the key pillars of the economy.
Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Lennart Stegland received the “Car of the Year” trophy from Transport Minister Anthony Loke at a gala dinner yesterday at Dorsett Grand Subang.
Also present were Star Media Group chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, group chief operating officer Roy Tan, chief revenue officer Lydia Wang and chief content officer Esther Ng, the heads and representatives of car companies, as well as Malaysian Automotive Association president Datuk Aishah Ahmad, Petron Malaysia head of commercial business Choong Kum Choy and Toyo Tyre Sales and Marketing Malaysia president and managing director Tan Song Chye.
Wong said that cars were becoming more sophisticated, with efficient engines and electric motors, which were better for the environment.
“Nothing is more vital than embracing processes that are both sustainable and environmentally friendly,” he said.
For the awards, a total of 54 vehicles were nominated across 32 categories.
Petron Malaysia is the official fuel partner while Toyo Tires and Silverstone are the official tyre partners for both the 2018 CarSifu Auto Show as well as the Editors’ Choice Awards.
Dorsett Grand Subang is the venue sponsor for the 2018 CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards.
For details about other award winners, visit www.carsifu.my.