Penang in December 2025 is standard case for the island state, but still interesting nevertheless.
- A MK5 Volkswagen Golf GTi in Tornado Red bearing Singaporean-inspired plate fonts and original 5-spoke alloys.
These wheels are arguably iconic for the GTi, and one of the primary reasons I got to know and love the GTi (or more specifically the MK5).
- Singaporean-registered Lamborgini Aventador parked in a valet lot at Gurney.
- One of a handful of Porsche 911s in Penang. Despite the wealth here, 911s are not that common, but more affordable Japanese sports cars and most of the wealth can be seen in Continental SUVs and the emerging premium Chinese brands.
- Spotted far away is a roadworthy Perodua Rusa. I associate these with being abandoned in bushes or completely rusted out that seeing one on the road feels alien.
- Road works turned road nightmare; strong gust of wind toppled several walls of traffic barricades. No cars were hit.
- Naza/Peugeot 206 Bestari. Not very common in Penang but a novelty to see on the roads. This one is more well-brusied than well-kept.
- Proton Iswara Aeroback on some fancy tri-spoke wheels.
- Volkswagen Tiguan Consular Corps vehicle parked on the side of a roundabout.
- Likely-converted Honda Fit RS with clear taillights and full Fit RS kit – from front and rear bumpers to the original wheels.
- Another Porsche 911 in convertible form, followed by a tow truck ferrying a Chery; a good summary of Penang’s extreme ends of car choice.
- A Toyota Supra MK5 spotted on two separate days. Super coincidental but not an isolated incident!
- Sunset and golden hour
- Likely a locally-assembled Honda Civic EJ saloon. Overall nicely done up and very sleek!
- Less common but a fitting Lexus for Penang’s busy city. A CT200h works in Penang roads better than a LM350h.
- Remember when I said the Supra wouldn’t be the first car I would see more than once? This Honda Stream facelift ended up showing up twice on two different wheel sets!
- Mighty Honda Fit in pink!
- Very rare Japanese import Mazda Roadster RF 30th Anniversary passing by while I was photographing a Singaporean-registered Toyota GR Yaris.
- A Honda Civic Type R (FK8) that was spotted in a previous article. Again, small world! (technically Penang is a small island so..) The Supra with it wasn’t the same though..
- One Honda Civic (FD) laid in Mugen clad, a common mod for cooking models (parts are fair game for Type Rs).
One Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204) with the original AMG Sports Package – more common here than Singapore. Less common is obvious body damage that this car has.
- MINI still remains as a small and mini brand in Penang – carving its own niche in the busy streets of Penang. Could be a nicer upgrade over an equivalent compact hatchback.
- Sightly display of a Chinese guardian lion statue with a toll card holder in its mouth.
- Three ends of the local market: new Chinese luxury (Zeekr 009), new and seasoned compact segment (MINI Cooper JCW), worn and sworn Swedish greatness (Volvo V50)
- Honda CR-Zs are popular both for the non-enthusiast and enthusiast – be it a humdrum alternative to the Scirocco or a K-series swap recipient for racing.
- A modified and lowered Toyota Vios behind this popular old Nissan X-Trail.
- Rare Perodua Kembara, a compact SUV that didn’t make the cut in market dominance and not often seen on the roads now.
- Still-popular Nissan Sentra! Known elsewhere as the Sunny, these have seen SR20-swaps – they go good.
- Two generations of Honda Accord in one image. One a boy-racer choice with an old-school powertrain and another an uncle-pick with a still-relevant engine.
- Another Nissan Sentra! The B14-generation, I remember magazine adverts for this car that was squarely targeted to old folks.
- Ending it off with some general photos of Penang and some of its architecture, both old and new.
~Efini
Read more; Penang: September 2025 pictorial
