Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Daihatsu Rocky Limited Edition: A Budget SUV as Rare as a Bugatti

In the world of automotive exclusivity, rarity is typically reserved for hypercars and six-figure luxury machines. But Daihatsu is flipping that script at the 2025 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), offering something far more attainable—but just as exclusive. Enter the Daihatsu Rocky Limited Edition, a rugged-looking budget SUV produced in a minuscule run of just 10 units.

This special edition is based on last year’s Rocky Crossfield Concept, a show vehicle that teased a more adventurous future for the compact SUV. While the Crossfield’s off-road aspirations remain mostly aesthetic, Daihatsu has carried over some of its utilitarian flair—most notably the unpainted bumpers, bespoke grille with prominent Daihatsu lettering, and black 16-inch alloy wheels. The result? A Rocky that looks ready for more than just city streets.

The production model dials things back slightly from the concept. Gone are the roof rack and aggressive off-road tires, but the Energetic Orange paint job, complemented by black accents on the roof, wheel arches, and mirrors, helps the SUV stand out even without aftermarket upgrades (though buyers can easily add their own).

Inside, the Rocky Limited Edition sticks to a mostly stock layout, albeit with blacked-out trim elements on the steering wheel, climate vents, and gear selector. It’s based on the mid-range 1.2X CVT trim, which includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, fabric seats, and dual airbags. It’s practical, accessible, and modestly appointed—exactly what you’d expect from Daihatsu.

Under the hood is a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, good for 87 hp and 113 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT driving the front wheels. There are no performance upgrades here, and that’s by design. The 1.2X CVT accounts for about 66% of Rocky sales in Indonesia, making it a natural choice for a special-edition platform.

Of course, driving enthusiasts might lament the absence of the 1.0-liter turbocharged engine or the AWD system found in Japan’s version of the Rocky. There’s also a range-extender hybrid variant sold locally, but the Limited Edition is all about form over function—visual exclusivity wrapped around a familiar powertrain.

What makes this Rocky special isn’t what’s under the hood, but what’s on the build plaque. With only 10 units available, and sales restricted solely to the duration of GIIAS (July 24 to August 3), this is arguably the rarest Daihatsu you can buy. Priced at 248.75 million Indonesian Rupiah (about $15,100), it costs just $260 more than the regular model—an astonishingly small premium for such exclusivity.

Daihatsu may not be trying to impress collectors with horsepower or luxury, but with the Rocky Limited Edition, it’s managed to stir the same emotional appeal that comes with owning something rare. Whether parked in a driveway in Jakarta or cruising through suburban Sumatra, it’s a vehicle that’ll turn heads—not because it’s fast or fancy, but because you’ll almost never see another one.

Source: Daihatsu

NEW CARS

Porsche 911 Turbo S Goes Hybrid: A New Era for the 992.2

More than a year after Porsche launched the first wave of its 992.2-generation 911 models, the story of its iconic rear-engined sports car is far from over. The refreshed Carrera, Targa, GTS, and GT3 have already made their public debuts—but the next chapter is about to begin. During Porsche’s half-year earnings call, CEO Oliver Blume confirmed that the 911 Turbo S will be unveiled later this year, and yes, it’s going hybrid.

The shift to electrification has been hinted at for a while. Back in October 2024, then-CFO Lutz Meschke spilled the beans: the 992.2 Turbo S would feature a hybrid powertrain. Now, with Blume reiterating the news, it’s official. The new Turbo S will debut Porsche’s first hybridized 911 Turbo, powered in part by technology from V4Smart—the rebranded V4Drive GmbH—following Porsche’s acquisition of the company from the Varta AG Group.

This isn’t just a branding exercise. The 992.2 GTS already uses cylindrical V4Smart cells in its T-Hybrid system, and the upcoming Turbo S is expected to utilize a similar setup. The GTS features a modest 1.9-kWh battery pack, assembled in Ellwangen and Nördlingen, where Porsche plans to grow its EV-related workforce to 375 employees by year’s end. That expansion signals bigger ambitions—both literally and figuratively—for hybrid power in Porsche’s flagship lineup.

What remains under wraps are the exact specs, but we can safely assume the new Turbo S will be even quicker than its predecessor. The 992.1 Turbo S already packed a serious punch: 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six. The hybridized version could push those numbers further, although it will likely come with a weight penalty. The GTS gained 103 pounds in U.S. spec due to its hybrid hardware, and the Turbo S may see a similar increase unless Porsche engineers pull off some clever weight-saving tricks.

Performance, of course, remains the brand’s north star. Blume confirmed Porsche is working on “new derivatives” of the 911 and is investing heavily to make them “a bit quicker” than anything in the 992.1 family. That likely includes the long-rumored GT2 RS, which has traditionally capped the 911 range late in its lifecycle. Rumors suggest this ultimate track weapon may also go hybrid—but for now, that remains speculative.

Meanwhile, Porsche’s two-door sports car portfolio is undergoing a major transformation. Production of the mid-engine 718 Cayman and Boxster will end in October, making way for their electric successors. Interestingly, Porsche has reversed its rollout schedule: the electric Cayenne will debut first, hitting showrooms in 2026, with the 718 EVs to follow.

This shift marks the end of an era. Unlike the Macan, which is getting a gas-powered next-gen model in 2028, there’s no indication that internal combustion will return to the Boxster and Cayman lineup. The move to electric-only sports cars is a bold one, especially considering that engine character—even in the four-cylinder era—has been central to the 718’s charm. With electrification, the manual gearbox will also disappear, a sobering thought for purists.

Still, Porsche seems committed to balancing performance with progress. As the 911 Turbo S prepares to enter the hybrid age, it signals a pivotal moment—not just for Porsche, but for the entire sports car world.

Source: Porsche

NEW CARS

This Lamborghini Was Built for the Richest Corner of the Mediterranean

In the height of the Mediterranean summer, amid the luxury yachts and crystalline waters of Porto Cervo, Lamborghini debuted a stunning, one-off version of its latest hybrid supercar, the Temerario, crafted exclusively by the brand’s Ad Personam customization division. Presented during a private soirée at the elegant Casa Fiorichiari terraces within Twiga club, this special edition—aptly named Temerario ‘Porto Cervo’—captures the very essence of Italy’s most glamorous coastal retreat.

For the 300 guests in attendance, the evening was more than a car reveal—it was an immersive spectacle. Mirrored dancers, synchronized light shows, and a pulsating post-dinner DJ set set the tone for Lamborghini’s latest creation to steal the spotlight. And it did—both figuratively and literally.

The Temerario Porto Cervo is a design and performance statement tailored for connoisseurs who appreciate both the thrill of the drive and the art of personalization. Its exterior, painted in the bespoke Grigio Serget with sparkling blue flakes, echoes the shifting hues of the Sardinian sea under sunlight. The look is completed with contrasting Nero Noctis gloss-black lower elements, Blu Royal pinstriping, and black carbon-effect aero elements, enhancing the vehicle’s dynamic silhouette.

But this isn’t just an aesthetic exercise.

Beneath its sculpted skin lies a brand-new twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering a staggering 920 CV, capable of revving to an eye-watering 10,000 rpm. Designed entirely in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the hybrid system underscores Lamborghini’s leap into the electrified era without compromising its visceral driving appeal.

Inside, the Porto Cervo edition continues its sartorial storytelling. The cabin is wrapped in Grigio Octans leather and Corsa Tex, accented with Blu Nethuns leather inserts and contrast stitching. Embroidered branding, including a Tricolore ‘Temerario’ script and a stylized profile of the car on the door panels, highlight Lamborghini’s Made in Italy craftsmanship. Carbon fiber dominates the center tunnel, dash, and switchgear, while a Corsa Tex and carbon fiber steering wheel with red accents ties it all back to the marque’s racing heritage.

Two special plaques inside the car celebrate its uniqueness: an Ad Personam carbon badge and a “Porto Cervo 2025” plate on the B-pillar—ready to be swapped for a custom engraving once the vehicle is delivered to its lucky owner.

“This Temerario created by Ad Personam truly reflects the diverse lifestyle appeal of Sardinia,” said Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “It’s equally at home cruising coastal routes or drawing attention at the most elegant occasions. It illustrates the virtually limitless potential of Lamborghini’s personalization program.”

The Temerario’s debut also marks the final piece in Lamborghini’s fully hybridized HPEV lineup, joining the Revuelto and Urus SE in ushering in a new electrified chapter for the Italian marque.

The Revuelto, launched earlier, features a V12 hybrid powertrain producing an astonishing 1,015 CV, setting a new standard for super sports performance with its tri-motor setup, active aero, and carbon-fiber monocoque. On the other hand, the Urus SE, Lamborghini’s latest take on the super SUV, boasts a twin-turbo V8 PHEV powertrain delivering 800 CV and a revolutionary electric torque vectoring system, making it the most dynamic and fun-to-drive SUV in its segment.

Together, these three vehicles—Temerario, Revuelto, and Urus SE—represent not only Lamborghini’s aggressive pivot toward electrification but also a broader design and performance renaissance. The Temerario, with its Sardinian-inspired design cues and segment-redefining performance, is more than a supercar; it is a rolling manifesto of what Lamborghini stands for in the hybrid era.

As the sun set over Porto Cervo, Lamborghini didn’t just unveil a car—it unveiled a future where innovation, personalization, and Italian flair intersect at 10,000 rpm.

Source: Lamborghini