Volvo drives away with top honours

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 2.0-litre XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid, priced at RM343,888 (flagship Inscription Plus variant), also won the Best Mid-size Luxury SUV/Crossover and Best Hybrid Vehicle categories.

The second-generation Volvo XC60 T8 features a clean, attractive Scandinavian exterior and a thoughtfully designed and detailed, roomy interior.

It is also fully loaded with high-end materials, top safety technologies and a powerful, smooth powertrain.

Another Volvo plug-in hybrid, namely the 2.0-litre S90 T8 luxury sedan, clinched the Best Mid-size Luxury Executive Car and Most Well-Specced Mid-size 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 plug-in hybrids from the Swedish marque.

The first and second runners-up for the “Car of the Year” award were the Mazda CX-5 2.5 GLS and Peugeot 3008 respectively.

Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Lennart Stegland (second from left) receiving the 2018 Car of the Year award from Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Also present were (from left) Star Media Group group chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, Toyo Tyre Sales and Marketing Malaysia president and managing director Tan Song Chye and Petron Malaysia head of commercial business Choong Kum Choy. GLENN GUAN/The Star

This is the third edition of the awards, organised by Star Media Group, that honour the best passenger 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.