Latest news with #Vellfire
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
This is your best look at the only electric luxury limousine in India, the MG M9
The MG M9 is the latest offering from the brand, to be sold via MG Select dealerships The three-row electric MPV gets a 90 kWh battery, enabling a 500 km range per charge Its front-mounted electric motor makes 241 bhp and 350 Nm, topping out at 180 kph The MPV brings electric sliding doors and rides on 19-inch alloys wrapped in self-healing tyres Check product page The 7-seater cabin is upholstered in premium soft-touch materials and offers ample space The Ottoman seats offer heating/cooling and massage functions via a touchscreen panel The centre console features wireless charging, cupholders, and extra storage space Passnegers are treated to individual screens and a Chamois-wrapped dual-pane sunroof The MPV boasts a massive boot and a larger wheelbase than rivals such as the Vellfire To know more about the MG M9... Click Here
Auto Blog
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
These Are The Coolest Cars I Saw During My Time in Japan
Modded cars aren't everywhere, but Japan's car culture is still fascinating A couple of weeks ago, I made an epic trip to Japan for a summer family vacation. I wanted to see the iconic sites and devour the local cuisine (minus the fugu, of course), but I also had my eye out for the cars the Japanese people drove. I told my kids they would see vehicles not sold in America, and it would make them realize that there's more out there in the automotive world than they would've imagined. My expectation was not to find slammed Hondas everywhere, nor did I expect to see everyone driving a Kei truck. The Japanese are pragmatic, but they also love their cars. We spent a few days in Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, and these are just a handful of the vehicles I saw while I was there. What constitutes big in Japan? Osaka and Kyoto aren't as crowded as Tokyo, but space is a commodity in both cities, and vehicles are reflective of that reality. What I discovered was a preponderance of small cars and far fewer SUVs than in America (isn't this the case in just about every foreign country when compared to the U.S?). I found that there were more vans than SUVs, and my estimation is that they were more roomy and practical. Americans eschew minivans and opt for less spacious SUVs. The type of vans in Japan is also indicative of the need to make the most of vehicle interiors when buying a bigger automobile. The luxurious and weird-looking Toyota Alphard and Vellfire boxy vans were on virtually every street we crossed, and they look that way in order to maximize interior space (granted, some of the exterior styling cues make for a garish look both coming and going). There weren't many midsize or larger SUVs around, aside from off-road vehicles like the popular Toyota Land Cruiser. Mind you, we never saw the new, boxier Land Cruiser that's growing in popularity here. The vast majority of the ones we ran across were the Land Cruiser Prado you see above, and for those who might go off-road, it makes sense. It's just not practical to drive a big SUV on Japanese streets, especially when there's no real-world justification to drive something so large because they don't maximize interior space. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Once in a while, we would see a smaller three-row SUV like the Peugeot 5008 Hybrid/PHEV above. We also hardly saw any pickup trucks. Kei trucks were far more prevalent. Compact SUVs were almost non-existent. Again, these aren't big inside, so they're not nearly as popular in Japan as vans or little Kei cars. We also observed that there weren't many non-Japanese vehicles. I saw late-model Camaros a couple of times, an occasional Tesla, and a few Jeep Wranglers, but Japanese models seemed to account for the vast majority of passenger vehicles. In America, imported vehicles account for as much as 55 percent of the market. To see so many Japanese cars on the streets is almost shocking, but it does make sense. Small cars prevail on the streets of Japan It should come as no surprise that Kei cars are quite literally everywhere. These tiny Japanese Kei vehicles are limited by size, engine capacity, and power output to reduce the cost of ownership. Whereas small cars in America can look dumpy (Hyundai Venue, Mitsubishi Mirage), the ones on the streets of Japan are cool/cute, not unlike many of the 'kawaii' (cute) characters found everywhere. It's hip to be square, and like the boxy vans in Japan, these Kei cars maximize the interior space. They're more like tiny SUVs than they are hatchbacks, although you will find more rounded hatchbacks, too. Kei cars like the Mitsubishi eK X Super Height wagon and the Honda N-Box can be found on every block in Osaka. Parking spaces are tight, and you can see how much smaller a Kei car footprint is next to an already small Honda Fit. Whether you have a garage or a back alley parking space, a super-small Kei car is the right choice for getting around urban environments and finding parking wherever you can. We grew fond of these models and wish we had one to helm on short errands here, where it would likely get swallowed by a Hummer EV or even a Ford F-150. Kei cars are a brilliant solution to crowded city living, and they look pretty good, too. The sportier side of Japanese automobiles Even compared to America, where high-powered sports cars like the Chevy Corvette Stingray or the Mustang GT aren't very common, sports cars in Japan are even rarer. Again, it's not like the set of a Fast and Furious movie where every other car is a modded Civic or Integra. Now that we think of it, we didn't see a single one of those types of cars during our week in Japan. You're more likely to see smaller sporty cars like a Daihatsu Copen or a Honda S660 roadster because they're a better fit in urban environments and are less costly to own. The variety of small sports cars in Japan is very appealing. Low cost of entry, manual transmissions, taut chassis, and easy dimensions make them better suited for crowded city streets and small parking spaces. They also support the notion that it's better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. There were some rare sightings like a red Nissan Skyline R34 parked in the shopping district of Oskak and a first-generation Acura NSX parked outside a Montbell store in Nara, two cars I would love to have in my driveway. However, dedicated, high-powered sports cars are a rarity. A Ford Mustang GT350 and a Dodge Challenger were the only American muscle cars we saw on our trip. We saw a couple of Lexus RC coupes but no Nissan Zs or Toyota Supras to speak of. Final thoughts Japanese cars in Japan are a different breed from what we get here, and they're all the more special because of it. The car-buying mindset and driver needs are also vastly different from what we know in America. What sells well here would never take off in Japan. It's great to see small cars thrive there, and it's vital to understand why some big vehicles like boxy passenger vans sell so well in Japan. We loved our time there, and we wish some of the smaller automotive fare in Japan were available for us stateside, but that's a wish that will never come true. About the Author Amos Kwon View Profile
New Straits Times
17-06-2025
- New Straits Times
MPV crashes into four parked cars in Temerloh
TEMERLOH: Four anglers fishing at a floating jetty along Sungai Pahang had a rude shock when a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) crashed into their parked cars at Km4 of Jalan Triang-Temerloh yesterday. The 52-year-old Toyota Vellfire MPV driver escaped with only minor injuries in the 1am crash. District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mazlan Hassan said the four anglers had parked their vehicles along the roadside while they were engaged in fishing activities at the nearby jetty. "Investigations revealed that the Vellfire driver, who was travelling from Gemas, Negri Sembilan, to Temerloh, had swerved to avoid a lorry that had entered his lane. "The MPV veered into the opposite lane and crashed into two Proton Personas, a Perodua Myvi, and a Perodua Viva, all of which were parked on the road shoulder," he said in a statement. He said the MPV driver's urine test came back negative and police were investigating him for failing to maintain control of his vehicle.
Mint
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Toyota Vellfire review: A limousine wrapped in the body of a van
Can a colossal MPV steal the spotlight on the red carpet? The Toyota Vellfire is doing just that, and how. Ever since its 2023 debut, this luxury van has been rolling off showroom floors, especially among Bollywood's elite. And it's easy to see why: the Vellfire isn't just transport, it's an experience. And the 2025 model that hit the road last month continues this tradition. There's nothing subtle about the Vellfire's presence, drenched as it is in deep black and dripping in chrome. The large, dark chrome grille and sleek, jewelled headlamps lend it a commanding and unmistakable face. Walk around it and the scale hits you—the Vellfire is vast. But it's not just about size; design details like the chrome-accented kink in the window line add a touch of pizzazz. It sits on 19-inch alloy wheels, and the slab-sided rear is finessed with tail lamps that meet in a V-shaped light signature. Even with all seats in place, the boot offers usable luggage space. For more room, the third row slides on rails or folds up against the sides, giving you flexibility to suit every need. Also read: Inside India's first Lego store in Gurugram Slide open the powered rear doors and step into a sanctuary that feels more like a luxury suite than a van. The middle-row captain's chairs are the highlight—fully reclining, ventilated massagers that can be adjusted via traditional controls or the detachable touchscreen remotes tucked into the armrests. Legroom? Exceptional. Space? Palatial. Even someone as tall as Shaquille O'Neal could lounge here without complaint. This isn't just comfort, it's indulgence. The third row—often an afterthought in most MPVs—is surprisingly comfortable. Access is easy through the middle, legroom is ample, and reclining backrests ensure that even three adults can travel in genuine comfort. Toyota has packed the Vellfire to the gills with features that redefine rear-seat luxury: dual panoramic sunroofs with individual controls, a massive 14-inch roof-mounted entertainment screen, powered window blinds for all three rows, flip-out tray tables for working or snacking on the go, and dedicated AC vents and sunshades even for third-row passengers Up front, the story is just as impressive. There's a 14-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto; 15-speaker JBL premium sound system; 360-degree camera system for navigating tight spaces; 4-zone climate control with tactile physical knobs; fully digital instrument cluster; and a powered driver's seat. Every touchpoint is swathed in rich leather and wood, giving the cabin a warm, inviting feel that's unmistakably premium. Easy on the hands Safety is top-tier, with Toyota's full suite of ADAS features including Lane Keep Assist; Adaptive Cruise Control, six airbags, and ABS with EBD. Despite its size, the Vellfire is surprisingly manageable to drive. The wraparound windscreen and slim A-pillars offer excellent visibility. You sit high and commanding as well. This a vehicle to glide in. Under the hood is a 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to a 128hp electric motor, delivering a combined output of 250 hp. It's best driven with a light foot to take advantage of its hybrid tech. Push too hard and the CVT (continuously variable transmission) does groan in protest. Keep it smooth and it rewards you with quiet, electric-assisted cruising and a commendable fuel economy of around 19kmpl, which is astonishing for something this big. A vast improvement over its predecessor, the Vellfire's ride quality still falls just short of true limousine plushness. Rear passengers will be comfortable most of the time, but on less-than-perfect roads which are common in India, the cabin can feel slightly unsettled—something you might not expect at this price point. With prices ranging from ₹1.20- ₹1.30 crore, the Toyota Vellfire finds itself competing with some of the best luxury sedans on the market. But while those cars may wear more prestigious badges, none can match the Vellfire's combination of space, comfort, presence, and the legendary hassle-free Toyota ownership. It's a limousine in spirit, wrapped in the body of a van—with a personality that's uniquely its own. The specs Engine : 2.5 litre petrol Electric motor: Permanent magnetic synchronous Combined power: 250hp Price: ₹1.2-1.3 crore Features: 14-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 15-speaker JBL premium sound system, 360-degree camera system Renuka Kirpalani is consulting editor, Autocar India. Also read: Big data has changed cricket
Daily Express
21-05-2025
- Daily Express
Kelantan police intercept Toyota Vellfire used to smuggle 15 undocumented migrants in Jeli
Published on: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 21, 2025 By: Malay Mail Text Size: A combination image shows the Toyota Vellfire seized in the human smuggling attempt. — PDRM pic Kuala Lumpur: Police have thwarted a human smuggling attempt in Kelantan after intercepting a suspicious Toyota Vellfire in Jeli on May 18. The operation was led by the Jeli District Police Headquarters (IPD) with support from the Kelantan police contingent. Acting on intelligence, officers monitored the vehicle before stopping it for inspection. The white Vellfire was found to be carrying 15 undocumented foreign nationals without valid identification. Police also arrested two Malaysian individuals suspected of facilitating the smuggling attempt. All detainees, including the migrants and the suspected smugglers, were taken to IPD Jeli for further investigation. Advertisement Authorities also seized the vehicle, which is believed to have been used for transporting the migrants across state or national borders. The case is being investigated under Malaysia's anti-human trafficking and immigration laws. Police said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat cross-border crimes in the region. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
