CariCarz.com’s Top 5 New Cars Launched In 2023

2023 proved to be quite an exciting year for Malaysian car buyers and enthusiasts alike. While much attention and focus fell on the electrified side of things, there were plenty of notable new offerings that made landfall with traditional combustion powertrains still.

Well, having put our heads together, we’ve identified FIVE new cars that were launched locally throughout the year that proved to be the most notable of the lot. In no particular order, here are our picks for which…

1. Proton S70

The debut of the Proton S70 is very refreshing indeed. For once, we saw P1 churn out a brand-new saloon instead of another crossover SUV. Moreover, this Geely Emgrand-based C-segment (B-segment+ really) sedan also boasts one of the best value-for-money packages that’s set to disrupt two segments simultaneously.

With four variants available, the S70 is priced between RM73,800 and RM94,800. All are powered by the same 1.5-litre 3-cyl MPI turbocharged mill mated to a 7-speed DCT gearbox, the former sending 147 HP and 226 NM to the front wheels via the latter.

Over 1,200 bookings were garnered during its launch day, the Proton S70 promises to be one P1’s greatest hits, even in these SUV-led times. Learn more about Proton’s latest sedan through both our launch and initial preview reports.

2. Perodua Axia 1.0E MT @ 'Axia Rahmah'

When the second-gen DNGA-based Axia supermini debuted earlier in the year, there was indeed much fanfare for it. However, a somewhat exorbitant ceiling price for the 1.0AV range-topper, plus recent events involving parent Daihatsu and said new DNGA platform, has doused things a little.

Putting the latter controversy aside, what stood out for us from P2 was the re-introduction of the ‘old’ Axia 1.0E MT model, or what many have affectionately dubbed as the ‘Axia Rahmah’. Through which, Perodua has indeed stayed true to its original ethos, which is providing highly affordable mobility to the masses.

You could say that Perodua’s timing of introducing the Axia Rahmah was impeccable. Cost of living for most folks have hiked tremendously in the recent post-pandemic years, leaving many with very few – if any at all – options when it comes to seeking low-cost mobility on four wheels.

At RM22,000 sans insurance plus motorcycle-like financing from as little as RM300 monthly, nothing beats the Axia Rahmah’s bargain basement value. Check out our guide to pimping out the Axia Rahmah on a budget by clicking these blue words...

3. Toyota Alphard & Vellfire

Given the popularity of both the Alphard and Vellfire, it was only a matter of when these two new luxury MPVs would land in Malaysia. To our surprise, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) officially introduced them just months after their global debuts in Japan.

The AH40-gen Alphard and Vellfire’s arrival completes the TNGA-based line-up on sale under UMWT. Both arrived in single variant forms, and it sees the Alphard Executive Lounge positioned above the Vellfire as the top-specced choice between the two.

Unlike in Japan, the Malaysian-spec Alphard and Vellfire are offered with pure combustion options only, with UMWT skipping the new hybrid variants totally. Instead, the Alphard gets a peppier 2.4-liter 4-cyl turbo unit rated at 278 PS and 430 NM, while the Vellfire gets a 182 PS and 235 NM-rated 2.5-litre 4-cyl nat-asp mill.

Despite their exorbitant price tags of RM438,000 (Vellfire) and RM538,000 (Alphard), both luxo-MPVs still garnered positive receptions amongst Malaysians, partly because these have yet to make their way into most local recon car dealers…

4. Honda Civic Type R FL5

From one JDM to another, the arrival of the new Honda Civic Type R FL5 in Malaysia was also a question of when, and that’s despite the overwhelming bookings and production delays it faced both in its local Japanese home market and overseas.

This eventually didn’t affect the FL5 Type R’s local debut, but said circumstances did stymied Honda Malaysia with an allocation of just 19 units initially. This also forced the firm to sell them all via a lottery or ballot system.

That aside, the FL5 Type R’s mature looks, improved 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged K20C1 mill outputting 319 PS and 420 NM, not to mention the pedigree and lore it carries, were more than enough to convince JDM enthusiasts with the means to cough up the Ringgits and try their luck at scoring one.

While the RM399,900 figure Honda Malaysia put forth for each appeared quite excessive initially, the move did force several enterprising recon car dealers to slash their prices – most of which initially exceeded the RM400,000 mark, in fact. 

Price aside, one can argue that owning what might be the final pure combustion Type R model is indeed a priceless privilege.

5. Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992)

2023 saw just a handful of new multi-million Ringgit supercars making landfall. Almost all the usual suspects in this ultra high-end space still brought at least one new offering. Amongst which, it was House Stuttgart’s Malaysian arm that set the bar high by launching the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

While we may be in a SUV and EV-driven era, we are thankful brands like Porsche remain true to its identity as a sportscar marque. The latest 992-based 911 GT3 RS is perhaps the ultimate expression of which, as is its signature naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six screamer mounted in its derriere.

Like the Type R mentioned above, this *MIGHT* be the very last its kind before everything eventually goes electric. Perhaps this is why Porsche threw the kitchen sink into making this road-legal road racer based on its iconic 911 sportscar, and this is evident through the amount of tech it packs.

With that, you could also say that the RM2.63 million base price the 911 GT3 RS commands is a bit of a bargain too. Expect its resale value to only go up over the years to come.