Paul Tan's Automotive News

DRIVEN: Mazda CX-5 taken for a short drive to the beach

Chris Ng — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:20:19 +0000

All things considered, the freshly launched Mazda CX-5 is the company’s most important car to date. They are really banking on this one for two reasons – the CX-5 is Mazda’s first compact SUV and this vehicle gets the full Skyactiv treatment.

I have touched about the Skyactiv components in my launch report, which I urge you to read. As a short recap, Skyactiv is an umbrella term by which the body, chassis, engine and transmission are conceived from a clean sheet of paper.

This means that all the components are developed in tandem so that they will make the vehicle handle brilliantly, give excellent performance without sacrificing economy. And you know what, it works.

Back to the CX-5 and how ‘unsharp’ it looks. While it does stand out among the current crop, the Kodo-based design does not immediately leave cuts in your eyes the way Takeri easily achieves. Still, the CX-5 has all the folds and creases in the metal in the right places. Incidentally, the design gives a drag coefficient figure of 0.33 Cd.

Nevertheless, the front grille and headlamps combination does follow the Kodo design philosophy quite nicely. Seen whole, the CX-5 has a stance that brushes away any impression of it being matured and serious. Nice to see a Japanese company that still knows how to have fun.

You can find all sorts of creature comforts inside. The seats (by the way, only the driver gets the power-adjustable seat) are wrapped in leather. It cradles the posterior quite comfortably and gives nice back support. The CX-5 does not skimp on space, the 2,700 mm wheelbase ensures that there’s plenty of room for a long pair of legs.

Mazda has a good reputation for having a tight fit and finish and I’m glad they’ve carry forward that same level of quality into the CX-5 as well. The materials used are a mixture of plastics, some softer than the other. But more importantly, they have fluffed up all the important contact points.

What they have left behind with the old Mazda cars is the sheer amount of buttons that used to permeate the interior. The CX-5′s interior, and this is my only beef with its insides, looks too clean and simple; a contrast to what you see on the SUV’s metal shell. Oh well, can’t have everything.

Bermaz has also packed some goodies with the CX-5 too. The Special Accessories Package, which is valued at RM6,000 that includes 225/55 R19 tyres with 19 inch alloy wheels, electric sunroof, audio system with sat-nav (which runs on TomTom), leather seats, nine-speaker BOSE Sound System and a reverse camera with colour TFT touchscreen.

Mazda’s local partner has said the special accessories come standard only for the time being. The additional bells and whistles will become option-only in the near future.

Before I bring up the topic about the engine and how it drives, let me touch on the Skyactiv-Drive first. It is a six-speed automatic gearbox that uses a torque convertor to get it moving from standstill. However, once north of 8 km/h, the gears lock up to eliminate the need of a fluid coupler to change the gears.

This means the transmission establishes a mechanically direct link with the engine quicker than the competition. What this also does is surgically remove the lag you would expect from an auto gearbox.

It feels crisp, no matter if you leave it in ‘D’ or flick the gears through the manual interface. The transmission is also smart enough to always be in the right gear at the right time. Very promising indeed.

Shifts are fast and very direct, much like how a dual-clutch gearbox behaves. It is also creamy smooth; like a CVT only without the noise. There is virtually no loss in rpms as you go through the motions of getting the CX-5 up to speed.

Things get a little bit complicated from here. In spite of the fact the CX-5 breathes with the same Skyactiv-G engine with the same stratospheric 13:1 compression ratio, both gives slightly different power figures. And this is just the start of what makes the variants different.

2WD gets to run with 153 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The AWD’s figures are a hair’s breadth lower with 152 hp at 6,000 rpm and 198 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

Mazda claims that the figures are measured at the wheels instead of the engine. The loss of one horsepower in the AWD, as Mazda says, happens when power is sent from the engine to all four wheels.

Personally, seeing as there is only a miniscule difference in figures, they could have measured the power at the engine instead and no one would know the difference.

The AWD is not quick off the line as you’d expect it to. Standing on the accelerator only yields a laboured groan but not much speed. But to be honest, the engine had barely registered any kilometres; this is not a fair assessment of the engine.

Once up to speed, the AWD comes together and settles down nicely. There is some good mid-range power and pace to be enjoyed. The engine and gearbox response quick to the accelerator, needing only the lightest taps to downshift and move in front of the front car.

There’s adequate feedback from the steering, definitely more than the current crop of SUVs in the market. It is weight-adjusted according to speed, making it easy to navigate around tight parking spots, feel assured on the highway and sensitive around the bends.

Speaking of going around the bends, the all-wheel drive constantly makes small adjustments to keep going where you want it to go. It’ll put you through the motions, going from oversteer to understeer and back to oversteer. All the while keeping the nose pointing to the right direction without needing further steering input from you.

It does feel ‘iffy’ at first but once trust is established with the system, the act of stitching up corners will be all too easy. And it is precise too, putting down rubber in all the right places to let it trace a nice curve. The more I drive the AWD, the more fun I’m getting out of this compact SUV.

Yet, it is the 2WD that I would have on my driveway. It gives better fuel economy, 6.9 l/100km versus 7.3 l/100km on a combined cycle. It is also a lighter vehicle. The 2WD weighs in at 1,522 kg, which is 67 kg lighter than the AWD version.

Out of the bag, the 2WD is the one that is easier to drive. Acceleration feels more willing, hence quicker away from zero. The engine also feels less strung up in spite of it having about the same amount of mileage than the AWD model.

The two-wheel drive CX-5 feels just as relaxed and confident when cruising at national speed limits. And like the AWD version, this CX-5 gives good mid-range aggression and respectable high-speed overtaking.

It is on the corner that splits the 2WD and AWD models further apart. The two-wheel drive CX-5 feels more balanced around the corners, going around them with much enthusiasm and grip.

OK, there might be some understeer due to its front-wheel drive nature, but you almost won’t notice of any meaningful loss of traction. Do you really need the AWD then? In normal driving conditions, the CX-5 handles better than you might expect.

The test drive was not a long one and it ended far too early. The CX-5 has a nice party bag of tricks but due to time, I could not dig deeper into all that the SUV can give.

Still, if you are in the market for a sporty utility vehicle, you can’t really go wrong with the CX-5. As it stands, Mazda has put together a really nice vehicle to drive and live with.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Lamborghini opens 3S centre in Glenmarie, Shah Alam

Danny Tan — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:22:23 +0000

Italian supercar maker Lamborghini opened a new showroom in the Klang Valley this evening. Located in Glenmarie, the RM4 million facility operated by JH Italia Sdn Bhd is a 3S centre to serve the brand’s growing customer base in Malaysia. Last year, Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur shifted 21 units, this year they aim to sell 60 raging bulls.

The showroom with the black facade boasts a “total Lamborghini brand experience” and is fitted with imported Italian fittings as well as a specially designed bar area for customers to “enjoy a taste of Italy”. Italian coffee, we presume. There’s a merchandise corner, too.

“In Malaysia, people who buy Lamborghini cars are driven by the passion to own something that is extreme, uncompromising and unmistakably Italian. And you can see there is a shift in the buying attitude of affluent Malaysians for design, quality, pleasure and pride,” said Isham Ariff, Chairman of Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur.

“Kuala Lumpur itself has shown some very encouraging growth for the marque and with improving economic conditions in Malaysia and around the Asia Pacific region, I am confident that we will see an increasing demand for our range of Lamborghini supersports cars,” Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said in a statement.

“The level of service and quality we have invested into our showroom and service center reflects our brand values of being extreme, uncompromising and unmistakably Italian. Malaysia now joins our key markets like Singapore and China in terms of our growing brand presence and strategy for the Asia Pacific market,” the sharp suited Winkelmann added.

Lamborghini has been pretty active lately. The Gallardo Malaysia Limited Edition (MLE) was launched here earlier this month (eight bookings collected already), and Sepang will host the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series this weekend. In that series, which is run for the first time in Asia, JH Italia will have its own car, piloted by Rizal Ashram Ramli a.k.a. Jejai.

Click here to read our Aventador experience. Sant’Agata’s flagship supercar is in the showroom launch gallery below, where you can also find legends and poster favourites Diablo and Countach.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Wheelcorp Premium opens BMW 4S centre in Setia Alam

Paul Tan — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:24:42 +0000

There’s a new BMW dealership in town, and it’s located at the thriving township of Bandar Setia Alam, in Shah Alam. The new Wheelcorp Premium BMW 4S centre is just down the main road from the newly launched Setia City Mall, and is located in the Setia Avenue business park. We did some research and it turns out Wheelcorp are related to the businessmen who operated Persada Auto and already have experience running dealerships from a few brands.

Wheelcorp Premium’s 4S dealership occupyies a total built up space of 12,600 sqft and has 5 display cars, a 3 bay service centre which also offers BMW Fastlane Service, as well as a lounge, a discussion room, an Isetta bar, and employs 15 sales and service staff members.

A larger 3-storey 4S centre (3D impression shown) scheduled to be opened in Q3 2012 will be built on a 1.1 acre plot of land nearby – if you’re familiar with Bandar Setia Alam, the bigger 4S dealership will be on Jalan Setia Murni near the big Toyota and Honda showrooms, across the main road from Setia Avenue. The upcoming building will display up to 12 cars on teh ground floor and up to 30 cars on the mezzanine floor, with 8 service bays.

The current Wheelcorp Premium BMW 4S Centre is located at No.22-1, 23-1 & 23A-1, Jalan Setia Prima S, U13/S, Setia Alam Seksyen 13, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan. The future Wheelcorp Premium BMW 4S Centre will be located at No 1, Jalan Setia Murni AH U13/AH, Setia Alam Seksyen U13, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

BMW Brand Store: first new-direction outlet opens in Paris

Anthony Lim — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:23:45 +0000

BMW has opened its first BMW Brand Store, and the inaugural outlet is located in the luxurious area of metropolitan Paris, at the Avenue George V.

Designed by luxury retail architect Eric Carlson and his team from Carbondale Architects and Version Architects, the 800 sq metre store kicks off the company’s plans for a new generation of BMW brand stores as well as the beginning of a comprehensive programme referred to as “Future Retail.”

With Future Retail, the company is looking at three objectives – first, to increase the number of possible contact points with customers and prospects, second, to increase the services and benefits offered in its retail channels, and third, to enhance the retail experience at all touch points.

The Munich-based automaker is also in the process of introducing an additional role to dealers, namely a Product Genius. The PGs – or well-informed sales advisors, if you prefer – will be equipped with a state of the art Information Management System on a tablet device, which will allow them to clearly define a product configuration and offer an in-depth explanation of features supported by visuals and films.

The objective, of course, is to better support customers with in-depth product knowledge as well as enabling the customer to better utilise and configure products in accordance with his or her particular needs. In simpler terms, call it a savvier way to sell a car.

The first markets planned to offer Future Retail, including the Product Genius, are France, UK, China and the Netherlands.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

‘WWW 1′ sets number plate record – RM520k is the price

Danny Tan — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:54:15 +0000

It’s no big surprise that “WWW 1″ has set a new record as Malaysia’s most expensive vehicle registration number, but the all-time high bid of RM520,000 for that number plate is shocking nonetheless. Yes, someone bid RM520k for the bragging rights, as revealed by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

RM520k for “WWW 1″ is enough to comfortably eclipse the previous record – RM300,100 for “MCA 1″ in 2010. It’s not just the coveted #1 however; the “WWW” series broke all sorts of registration number records as well.

First, 13 of the successful bids were worth more than RM100,000 and three of them went for RM300,000 each. The total amount of bids received so far is more than RM64 million, and the “WWW” series is estimated to rake in RM11.3 million.

Kong revealed that of the 10,000 numbers in the series, 4,908 received bids while the remaining 5,091 will become running numbers that will be sold to the public. “The highest number of bids (in this series) goes to “WWW 333″ which received 84 bids,” Kong added. Total bids? 18,243.

The full results will only be released via JPJ’s portal on Monday, and letters informing bidders of the results will be sent out from June 6.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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Naza targeting two new car brands, one bike franchise

Danny Tan — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:42:27 +0000

The Naza Group of Companies is looking to add two automobile brands and one motorcycle franchise to its already big brand portfolio, says Bernama.

Naza Group Joint Group Executive Chairman Datuk SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin told the national news agency that the three companies are from Europe and China, but declined to name them.

“One franchise is in a very preliminary stage of discussion but the other two are firm. We will make an announcement at the right time,” he added.

Naza is the importer, distributor and assembler of Peugeot and Kia marques in Malaysia. The Group’s brand portfolio also includes Ferrari, Maserati, Chevrolet, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Vespa and Aprilia, among other marques. Want to try guess the identity of the new brands?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Peugeot 301 – a compact global sedan for new markets

Anthony Lim — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:06:20 +0000

Peugeot has released the first images and information on its new 301, a compact global sedan aimed at conquering new markets. The car is set to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The car is the first to kick off the company’s reinvention of its naming policy, which now utilises a “1″ final digit for new “value for money” conquest models and permanently fixes the names of the models with an “8” final digit for future renewals, to simplify the understanding of things. As such, models will no longer change their number when they are renewed. So there won’t be a 509, by the looks of it.

Meanwhile, the company says that the 4.44 metre-long vehicle – with a 2.65 metre long wheelbase – has been developed to adapt to various conditions and extremes (cold weather, hot weather, poor roads, that sort of thing), with a promise of space, including that of the boot, which offers 506 litres in volume.

Three powertrains have been initially announced, these being a 115 hp 1.6 litre VTi four cylinder, a 72 hp 1.2 litre VTi three cylinder and a 92 hp 1.6 litre HDI four cylinder diesel, with manual and automatic transmission options in the mix. The Peugeot 301 will be the second Pug to wear the new three-cylinder 1.2 litre VTi, after the 208.

Specific kit and features will undoubtedly be announced as it gets closer to its debut, but items already mentioned for the car include ESP, ABS, up to four airbags, remote boot opening, a MP3 audio system with Bluetooth hands-free and USB connection as well as rear parking assistance.

The 301 will make its market debut on November 1, and the first country to sell it will be Turkey. This will be followed by entry into Central and Eastern Europe, Greece, the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine as well as selected South American markets.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

My Proton Makeover: Madam Lee’s 1991 Saga revealed!

Danny Tan — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:06:56 +0000

The sixth and final My Proton Makeover project car was unveiled this afternoon, when R3 Head of Engineering Tengku Djan Ley handed back the keys of this 1991 Saga Aeroback to its first and only owner, Madam Lee Koon Gaik. The 54-year old homemaker was ecstatic, and couldn’t recognise her ride, which has been thoroughly “overhauled” by the R3 team.

Lee said she liked the new colour and “comfortable seats” the most. “The whole appearance of the car has changed,” she exclaimed, going on to explain that the although the 21-year old Saga was difficult to start at times, and the air con wasn’t as strong as she liked, it had no major problems. It’s the only car that serves her and her retired husband, and she uses it to visit the market and fetch kids to school.

The thrifty lady from Seri Kembangan even sewed the car’s torn cushions herself, although none of that can be seen now with black leather and alcantara covering the cabin. The “furry” material is also found on the dashboard and original steering wheel. R3 also threw in red piping and a Sony single-DIN player.

Tengku Djan explained that the goal for this car was to “keep it as stock as possible” with some R3 touches. The top drifter also revealed that Madam Lee’s Saga was one of the easier cars to do – some of the previous chosen ones had specific requests, and some cars looked decent but were less pretty under the skin.

“Understanding her driving patterns as she uses her car for daily errands, we worked to give the car a more pleasurable drive. The engine and gearbox were rebuilt without adding any performance enhancements or mods, with the exhaust system being tweaked to improve torque without making it loud or noisy.

“Considering that she does a considerable amount of town driving, the car’s suspension was upgraded to improve ride comfort. To improve the car’s stability, we went with 16-inch wheels which will enhance the car’s overall road holding ability,” Djan added.

As a Saga owner myself, I really like the fact that R3 chose to maintain the “classic feel”, retaining the car’s original grill and logo. They would have put in original tail lamps too, but new OEM ones are no longer available. As seen in the work-in-progress images posted yesterday, exterior enhancements include a slim rear spoiler, gunmetal highlights and subtle red pinstripes.

Let’s give the final word to Madam Lee. “I have always maintained that this car would be sufficient to serve me a lifetime. Thank you Proton for your commitment towards simple customers like me, going the extra mile to help me keep this car going,” she said.

Previous My Proton Makeover projects include Fadly Hisham Roplay’s 1992 Saga, Sashideran Radha Krishnan’s 1994 Wira, Norzamzarini Mohd Bajuri’s 1996 Iswara Aeroback, Hafiz Mohd Hashim’s 2001 Satria GTI and Amirul Azim’s 2001 Satria 1.3.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Toyota Camry – JDM Hybrid offers another take on the XV50

Anthony Lim — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:44:13 +0000

The arrival of the new Toyota Camry is nigh, with the XV50 set to make its debut here early next month. The order books were opened last month, we’ve already seen the specs of the car in our leaked brochure post, and the car was seen on a transporter last week, so all that’s left is for the seventh-generation model to premiere.

Still, nothing like adding some final bits of colour to the canvas before the car makes its debut proper. Reader HK Chong sent in some snaps of the XV50, taken when he visited the Toyota Megaweb in Tokyo last November; the Camry had just made its domestic debut around then.

The photos are primarily of the Hybrid, which of course won’t be coming here, though the car is available in the Thai market. It’s powered by a 2.5 litre 2 AR-FXE Atkinson cycle unit, with 160 PS and 213 Nm, coupled with an electric motor producing 143 PS and 270 Nm, with combined output via the torque split device being 205 PS.

We already know what we can expect to see in the Malaysian Camry, based on the photos of the Thai-market model, so here’s a contrasting view of textures and materials with the shots of the Hybrid.

As previously mentioned, we’ll be getting three petrol variants, namely two 1AZ-FE 2.0 models, the E and G, as well as a 2AR-FE 2.5 litre version, the V. To recap, the 2.0 VVT-i mill offers 148 PS and 190 Nm, and it’ll be mated to a four-speed Super ECT slushbox. Meanwhile, the 2.5 litre Dual VVT-i with ACIS has 181 PS and 231 Nm for output figures, and it gets a six-speed Super ECT auto, replete with sequential shifter.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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Renault mulling the introduction of a high-end brand

Anthony Lim — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:52:19 +0000

Segmentation is turning out to be very much the in-thing these days – if you want to move up or down in terms of portfolio, bringing about a new sub-brand is the surest and quickest way to go, it seems.

French automaker Renault is the latest to look at the option. According to French publication Les Echos, the company is mulling the introduction of a high-end brand, Initial Paris, to help expand its market offerings and reach, using Mercedes-Benz platforms.

The newspaper, which cited Renault’s COO Carlos Tavares in its report, said that the automaker is looking to make a decision on the expansion – as well as a possible move to resurrect its Alpine sports range – by the end of the year.

Renault would be the mass market brand, Dacia would sell low-cost models, while the Initial Paris and Alpine sub brands would fulfill the growing demand for upmarket and sporty models. Ah well, the more, the merrier.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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Renault Twingo R.S. Red Bull Racing RB7 – a tiny tribute to a race-winning Formula 1 car

Chris Ng — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:59:15 +0000

Renault has just released a limited edition Twingo R.S. to celebrate Red Bull Racing’s 2011 Formula 1 Constructors’ world title. This is not the first Renault to get decked out like this, that honour goes to the Clio R.S. Red Bull Racing RB7.

The Twingo R.S. Red Bull Racing RB7 is coloured with the same palette as the Clio R.S. version. Which means the car comes in Pearlescent Black save for some choice bits in Sirius Yellow. Additional features come in the form of chequered roof decals and Red Bull Racing logos plastered on both doors.

The inside is similar to what you get with the Twingo R.S., complete with yellow stitching. This limited edition car also wears a special numbered ‘FIA 2011 World Champion’ plaque and a Renault Sport logo inlay for the gear knob to reinforce its exclusivity.

The small Renault rides on the ‘Cup’ chassis, which is 40 mm lower than the ‘Sport’ chassis while the spring and dampers have been tightened by 10%. The car moves on 17 inch Gana wheels.

No changes were made to the Twingo R.S. engine. So it is the same 1.6 litre that generates 133 hp and 160 Nm. Fuel economy is rated at 6.5 litres/100 km and emits 150 g/km CO2.

The car will only be made to selected countries, namely Germany, Austria, France, Belgium/Luxemburg, Japan, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Switzerland. Expect the same to happen to the Mégane R.S., which will be available soon.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Mazda and Fiat Group sign MoU – upcoming Alfa Romeo roadster to use next-gen MX-5 rear-wheel drive platform

Danny Tan — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:30:41 +0000

Mazda Motor Corporation and Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for both Mazda and Alfa Romeo brands, based on the former’s next-generation MX-5 architecture.

The study calls for both Mazda and Fiat to develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific light weight roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive. Each will be powered by proprietary engines unique to their brand (eg. Skyactiv G for Mazda, TBi for Alfa). The plan is that both cars will be manufactured at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant, with production for the Alfa roadster starting in 2015.

“Establishing technology and product development alliances is one of Mazda’s corporate objectives and this announcement with Fiat is an important first step in that direction. It is especially exciting to be collaborating with such a prestigious marque as Alfa Romeo on a new roadster based on the next-generation MX-5, which is such an iconic vehicle for Mazda and recognised as the best-selling roadster of all time,” said Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda’s President and CEO.

“This agreement clearly demonstrates our commitment to Alfa Romeo and the determination to grow it into a truly global brand. By partnering with Mazda, we will be co-operating with the recognised leader in compact rear-drive vehicle architectures in order to deliver an exciting and stylish roadster in the Alfa Romeo tradition. We are appreciative of this collaboration with Mazda and look forward to maintaining a fruitful and continuous relationship,” said Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne.

The final agreement is expected to be signed in the second-half of this year. Mazda and Fiat have also agreed to discuss further opportunities for co-operation in Europe.

Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? I’m just wondering if “Alfa’s MX-5″ will look anything like the pretty 4C Concept shown in Geneva 2011. Or how about this sleek Pininfarina proposal seen at Geneva 2010? Anyhow, it’s exciting times ahead!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

ETCM forms First Energy Networks – subsidiary to build and operate charging infrastructure and system for EVs

Anthony Lim — Wed, 23 May 2012 09:56:25 +0000

Nissan looks like its ready to up its EV game here, what with Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s recent announcement of the incorporation of a wholly-owned subsidiary called First Energy Networks. The start-up’s principal activity, according to the statement made in its filing to the Bursa, will be to build and operate the charging infrastructure and system for electric vehicles and any related facilities.

The company already has the Nissan Leaf about, though the EV isn’t running commercially, but as part of a pilot programme to create public awareness of the car and the tech. Still, the move beyond just that now looks certain, and with the formation of the new subsidiary, ETCM looks like it’s planning early for the future.

Perhaps it’s all spurred by the suggestion that the Government may pile on more incentives for hybrid and EVs. Reports indicate that the Government is looking at various avenues to help spur the uptake of such vehicles, and the incentives will supposedly be revealed when the second revision of National Automotive Policy is announced sometime this year.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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My Proton Makeover: WIP pics of Madam Lee’s 1991 Saga

Danny Tan — Wed, 23 May 2012 07:45:21 +0000

The My Proton Makeover programme started in August last year with Fadly Hisham Roplay’s 1992 Saga, and will end with a Saga of the same vintage. The sixth and final car chosen for a rework by R3 is Madam Lee Lee Koon Gaik’s 1991 Saga, and from these work-in-progress pics, we can see that the beat up Aeroback has been thoroughly refurbished.

R3 has given the homemaker’s trusty car a new (and badly needed) paint job, changing the Saga’s colour to silver. Contrasting gun metal trim with red piping have been added, along with 16-inch R3 alloys. The wheels look identical to those on Fadly’s Saga, but are finished in silver.

The cabin is a mixture of black leather and alcantara, with red piping. It’s quite a sporty look, so perhaps Madam Lee’s sons will also approve of R3′s efforts!

Previous projects include Fadly Hisham Roplay’s 1992 Saga, Sashideran Radha Krishnan’s 1994 Wira, Norzamzarini Mohd Bajuri’s 1996 Iswara Aeroback, Hafiz Mohd Hashim’s 2001 Satria GTI and Amirul Azim’s 2001 Satria 1.3.

We will be at the final unveiling – stay tuned!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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China’s Chery to set up assembly plant in Vietnam

Danny Tan — Wed, 23 May 2012 06:30:22 +0000

Chery has signed an agreement with a Vietnamese company to assemble and sell vehicles in the ASEAN country, the Chinese car company revealed, although no further details were furnished.

The Vietnam plant will become Chery’s 17th CKD plant outside of China, but they won’t be the first Chinese carmaker setting up shop in the fast growing country – Great Wall Motor and Chongqing Lifan Industry (Group) Co already have CKD plants in Vietnam.

Global giants Toyota, Ford and GM, as well as Suzuki, already assemble vehicles in Vietnam, which has a population of 90 million people and a per capita GDP of $1,200, according to Chery.

Chery has been rather active, and fast growing. The Anhui-based state owned company saw strong export performance in 2011, and their next target is Europe. Back home, it recently struck a US$2.8 billion deal to build both Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in China, for the Chinese market.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Holden VF Commodore to be the Chevrolet SS in the US

Anthony Lim — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:36:09 +0000

Australia is set to export a car model to the US next year – the yet-to-be-launched Holden VF Commodore is set to make its way into the North American market as the new Chevrolet SS performance sedan.

The limited-production derivative of the VF will also become Chevrolet’s next NASCAR Sprint Cup racecar, debuting in its race configuration at the Daytona 500 in 2013. When the car arrives, it will be the first time in 17 years that Chevy will be offering a rear-wheel-drive sedan for sale in the US.

Holden, of course, is no stranger to the North American market – the company was responsible for the design and engineering of the Chevrolet Camaro, while the VE Commodore was sold as the Pontiac G8, and it is currently exporting the Chevrolet Caprice police patrol vehicle to the US.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Toyota’s hybrid vehicle sales passes the four million mark

Danny Tan — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:34:44 +0000

Toyota’s global cumulative sales of hybrid vehicles have topped the four million mark as of April 30 2012. TMC calculates that since 1997, its hybrid vehicles have led to approximately 26 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions being emitted, compared to if those cars were normal cars of similar size and performance.

It all started in 1997, when Toyota launched the Coaster Hybrid EV in August and the first ever Prius. The latter was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle and sales began in North America and Europe in 2000.

The second-gen Prius came in 2003. By now Toyota’s hybrid system was used on minivans, SUVs, RWD sedans and compact hatchbacks. The third-gen Prius launched in May 2009 was well received around the world, leading to cumulative sales of Toyota’s hybrids topping three million by the end of February 2011.

Fast forward and Toyota currently sells 18 hybrid passenger vehicle models in around 80 countries worldwide. This year, hybrid cars have accounted for 15% of TMC’s global sales. With the Yaris Hybrid scheduled for launch in Europe and the Lexus ES 300h for the USA, figures are bound to grow.

Toyota sells the Prius and Prius c in Malaysia. Click here to read all about the duo.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Caltex Havoline with Deposit Shield engine oils upgraded

Danny Tan — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:18:54 +0000

The Caltex Havoline with Deposit Shield engine oil range, which includes the Havoline Fully Synthetic, Havoline Synthetic Blend and Havoline Formula, has been upgraded to API SN, the highest performance standard set by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to date.

The additives in Caltex Havoline with Deposit Shield creates a protective coating that shields the engine from deposits, metal-to-metal contact, corrosive agents and the extreme temperatures of combustion.

According to Caltex, Havoline Synthetic Blend SAE 10W-40 goes beyond what is required of API SN and provides 30% more protection from corrosion and 30% better wear protection. The same oil is also 70% better at wear protection in extreme driving conditions, improving oil stability and increasing durability.

The by-products of combustion and breakdown of oil over time can change the oil viscosity, potentially causing poorer fuel economy. Caltex says that Havoline Synthetic Blend SAE 10W-40 is 55% better at retaining viscosity under harsh conditions.

“To enjoy the journey, drivers today want to protect what really matters – the investment they made in their cars and its performance. Our latest upgrade – Havoline with Deposit Shield – was developed to address the needs of car enthusiasts, and all drivers who understand the importance of protecting their investment,” said Simon Lim, Chevron Lubricant Sales Manager for Malaysia and Singapore.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

oto.my – top 10 used car makes searched April-May 2012

Paul Tan — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:38:32 +0000

Once we pass midnight tonight, it would have been exactly one month since we launched our sister site oto.my, which is a car classifieds site for you to buy and sell cars. We welcome any feedback on how to make the site a better experience for both buyers and sellers, please drop an email with your comments and suggestions to , yeah?

So we thought it would be fun to do some digging and see what’s been trending on the site. We’ve already posted the top 10 viewed cars on oto.my earlier, so now let’s look at the top 10 car makes viewed on oto.my, via the direct links on the front page.

From the oto.my front page, you can use these direct links (with the make logos for easy recognition) to quickly jump to the make of used car you are looking for, or you can use the advanced search tools to further refine your search by setting your Make, Model, maximum or minimum selling price and much more.

#1 – Volkswagen

It looks like Volkswagen are really making some serious in-roads into the Malaysian market – 10 years ago no one would expect the brand to be where it is today, before the principals came in and aggressively expanded their model offerings and dealer network.

oto.my now has quite a few Golfs, Polos, and a mix of other models for sale, including this nice 3-door Polo GTi which you can grab if you don’t want to endure the waiting list. Or if you have a Volkswagen for sale, why not try listing it at oto.my?

#2 – BMW

There are quite a mix of BMW cars on sale at oto.my, ranging from a classic E30 up to a monster 545i with a 345 horsepower V8, or even a sexy E46 convertible if you feel like a ride that can take its top down.

#3 – Honda

Honda comes in at third place, and it’s also the most searched for Japanese car at oto.my – after the two German marques above. If you want a Civic Type R sedan, there’s one for sale, or if you prefer something a little more Euro, there’s also the FN Type R hatchback.

It might also be a good time to look for used Honda Civic for sale, if you don’t fancy the next generation Civic and prefer one from the current generation.

#4 – Toyota

About half of the Toyotas listed on oto.my are of the MPV bodytype, thanks to all the Toyota Alphard, Toyota Vellfire, Toyota Estima and Toyota Wish brought in by the grey importers.

If you’re looking for a good first car to buy and prefer a used Japanese car instead of a brand new national car, there’s also a selection of Toyota Vios for sale – both the previous and current generation with prices ranging from RM42k to RM68k.

#5 – Proton

Our national car maker, Proton joins the list in fifth place. A stand out among various Proton models is definitely a 2001 Proton Satria GTI which still seems to be holding a good value, at RM28,500. More of a family man, then a 2009 Proton Exora might be your pick with a price tag of RM52,800.

Apart from the Wiras which take up a large percentage of Protons, we also have both the older and newer Sagas. Another interesting model is the 2009 Proton Satria CPS which seems to be an unmolested unit, going for RM40,000.

#6 – Mercedes-Benz

The third German brand, which lies sixth this list is Mercedes-Benz. You can choose among several Shining Silver Star models including a 1990 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class which is going for RM98,000. There is also a 3-door 2009 CLC 180K, which is a re-conditioned unit retailing at RM182,000.

If you are in the look out for a more subtle Merc, then an E-Class would fit the bill. Talking about the German mid-sized model, we also have a classic 1987 W123 E-Class, priced at RM19,800.

#7 – Mazda

Next up is Mazda, coming in seventh place. In our Mazda list, we have various models including a 1994 Mazda 323 Astina which is on sale for RM8,800.

For those speed junkies out there, a 2003 Mazda RX-8 would be your cup of tea as it carries a price tag of RM78,000. Other models include the Mazda3, Mazda6 and many more.

#8 – Nissan

In eight spot is Nissan with a good range of options ranging from an RM2,599 1981 Datsun 120Y up to a 2010 Nissan Murano which is going for RM239,000.

A 2004 Nissan Skyline ER34 seems like an eye catcher with its RM116,000 price tag. A really sweet real-wheel-drive beauty. For the same price, you can also opt for a 2003 Nissan 350Z but I would prefer the former, with its more “macho” stance.

#9 – Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi makes the list in ninth making it the fifth most searched Japanase car brand in our list. We have a good range of Mistubishi’s in the list including the Mitsubishi Triton, the Mitsubishi Lancer GT and so on.

Also available is a 2005 Mitsubishi Storm Evo which is going for RM45,300, if you would want to consider a truck below the RM50,000 price range.

#10 – Audi

Joining the other German marques is Audi. The four-ring brand lies tenth in our list. We do have some delectable beauties including the Audi R8, Audi TT, Audi A4 and so on.

My personal favorite in the list is the 2011 Audi RS3 2.5 Quattro Black Edition which is going for RM445,000. Now this is a nice hatchback to throw around the corners at the Sepang circuit

Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, please share with us your thoughts and feedback on the service and how we can improve your experience, as both a buyer and a seller. Here are some of the key features that you’ll enjoy when you list your car on oto.my:

Clean, uncluttered and fresh look with good usability

Easy to use navigation to search for your dream car

Extended reach by getting your ad featured on paultan.org

Upload and view up to 20 high-res images

Intelligent display of related car listings

Intelligent display of related car news and reviews from paultan.org

Ultra fast approval – we aim to provide same day approval for ad listings if posted before 4pm on weekdays

Easy to use seller panel/profile

Edit your ad – editing functions available after publishing your ad

Easy and convenient loan calculator

Quick removal of ad once car is sold

Much more to come!

If you face any problems, please contact us at

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

China’s Brilliance hires Pininfarina man Dimitri Vicedomini

Danny Tan — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:57:56 +0000

China’s Brilliance makes decent looking cars compared to its local rivals, and a lot of the good work comes from the famous Italian design house Pininfarina. The former loves Pininfarina’s designs so much that they’ve decided to hire the man who penned them.

The Pininfarina designer in question is Dimitri Vicedomini, who has 15 years of design experience. He previously led a Pininfarina team to design and modify several Brilliance models, including the BS4 Splendor (pic below) and Zhonghua H530 saloons.

Brilliance Auto, based in Shenyang, northeast China, sold 30,446 Brilliance-branded cars and 69,354 Jinbei vans in the first quarter of 2012. It is also the local partner for BMW.

Chinese carmakers using Western designers is no new phenomenon. Recent examples include Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp hiring former Ferrari designer Leonardo Fioravanti as consultant and Geely naming Volvo’s Peter Horbury as its design chief.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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BMW Connected 6NR apps now available in Malaysia

Paul Tan — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:41:51 +0000

Geeks rejoice – BMW’s suite of ConnectedDrive applications are finally in Malaysia. In case you were wondering about the title of this story, the BMW apps option is codenamed 6NR on the order sheet. Malaysians got a taste of BMW apps of this type first around the time of the MINI Countryman launch – MINI Connected was introduced first, and the MINI Connected app appeared in the Malaysian iOS App Store around that time.

There’s probably a reason for this – MINI Connected was introduced before BMW Connected in the international market, and this might be because the MINI buyer demographic is made up of people who are early adopters, and are more likely to embrace social media, which are some of the features that ConnectedDrive provides.

Look after the jump for the full story.

BMW Connected was launched in the Malaysian iOS App Store around the launch of the F30 3-Series. If you have a recent BMW, you can check if it supports the ConnectedDrive suite of services by looking at the iDrive main menu to see if the word ConnectedDrive appears as a menu item – it’s normally above the Vehicle Info and Setting menu items.

You can use the basic set of ConnectedDrive services by simply opening the BMW Connected app on your iOS device and connected it via USB port in the armrest (not the one in the glovebox). A further set of features such as full iPod Out support (with an all new iPod music GUI with full support for controlling the Genius playlist features) are only available if you purchase a special Media Cradle dock, but we were not able to test this as the F30 328i CBU that we were testing was not equipped with the Media Cradle. But we’ll walk you through the features that we got to try.

One of the first features you’ll notice on the BMW Connected app once plugging your iPhone into the USB port is a fuel reading display. You’ll be able to see your remaining fuel in litres (instead of an analog display), as well as how many km you can go before you’re stranded. This is the status screen, to access more and make things a little more interesting, you click the little BMW apps icon on the bottom right.

This is the main Apps menu screen where you can see what you can do. There’s Web radio which allows you to listen to streaming radio stations from around the world, read RSS news feeds which you can configure from within the app, as well as Facebook and tweet from your phone in a limited capacity – we’ll go into that soon enough.

The Last Mile feature allows you to continue your navigation on foot once you’ve parked your car. I suppose it could also be used as a way for you to remember where you parked your car if you parked it in a large outdoors space – don’t think GPS is accurate enough for in-door car parks.

There’s a huge list of countries of origin for the Web radio function, so you could be tuning into radio stations in Mongolia or Nepal if you really wanted to. The selection starts off by asking you which continent you even goes down to really weird areas like Antartica.

K-pop fans will be able to stream their favorite music in their car directly from the radio stations in South Korea. Even newer Malaysian radio stations such as BFM 89.9 are listed, and if West Malaysians ever wonder what East Malaysian radio stations sound like, you can tune in to stations like Cats FM.

If you’ve been looking closely are the images, you’ll have noticed different bit rates being listed for different stations – the K-pop station above had a 64kbps stream while BFM was pushing out a 32kbps stream. These aren’t going to sound the best on your BMW Professional audio system, but it’s of an acceptable quality if you just want some variety during rush hour.

And of course, the playability of the streams are going to depend on how reliably your mobile phone’s data network will be able to sustain the stream while you are barreling down the highway at 160km/h.

The stations are also tagged by the type of music they play, so if you decide you like a particular style of music, you can browse for similiar stations.

As I mentioned before, the News app allows you to read your RSS feeds via your iDrive screen. You can define what RSS feeds you would like to load via the BMW Connected app on the iPhone, so you don’t have to go through the horror of keying in lengthy RSS feed addresses via the iDrive control knob.

Here’s an obligatory paultan.org RSS feed entry – you don’t have to “read” it – we tried selecting the speaker button and the F30 3-Series actually read out the contents of the RSS text out to us via the car’s built in text to speech feature.

It doesn’t sound very natural or pleasant to listen to though as it’s very robotic, so we don’t expect anyone to use this feature very often.

Other information that you can retrieve from the service include weather reports for the area you are in.

Here’s something interesting to use if you’re driving to neighboring countries or even nearby states – I’d imagine this would be quite useful in Europe where such cross-country (literally) trips are more common – you can look up Wikipedia entries for the area you are in via the Wiki TourGuide app.

For Facebook access, you’ll have to login to Facebook via the BMW Connected app and iDrive will access your Facebook news feed through your iPhone.

You can view Facebook posts by either friends or fan pages, you can get the car to read out the post via the text to speech feature, and you can “like” the post.

As for posting Facebook updates – you’re kind of limited in the sense that you can’t actually use the iDrive control knob to key in your status message.

Instead, you’re limited to a few predefined messages that’s customised to your surroundings – you can tweet where you are based on the car’s GPS data, or you can tweet the ambient temperature of the area you’re in, etc.

The screen where you can read your Twitter feed is also pretty straight forward – Twitter’s short updates fit easily on the screen for you to read, and BMW also displays the user’s Twitter display picture. Your BMW can also read out your tweets to you.

And like the Facebook status updates, updating your Twitter account is also limited to pre-defined messages such as those in the image above.

And of course, the new ConnectedDrive equipped iDrive systems continues to have a built in web browser – something that’s not new but has been on Malaysian spec BMWs around the time when the F10 5-Series was first introduced.

Your data goes through a proxy server in Germany, so sites like Google and Facebook defaults to a German local version. Keying in addresses with the iDrive knob is hard, but at least there’s a Favorites feature so you can pre-define a few websites that you like to visit.

It all seems quite “canggih”, but other than the Web Radio feature which should be very very useful if you’re sick of the endless ads and gotcha calls on local radio, the limited set of truly “connected” functions in Malaysia doesn’t really add much value to the owner’s experience, especially if you need an a smart phone that runs the BMW Connected app to make it all happen. Why not just use Facebook and Twitter on the smart phone and bypass the whole iDrive stuff?

Things are different overseas as there’s an option for a built in modem and SIM card in the car. We also wish the UI worked a little faster – it seems to take awhile to load screens especially when it’s requesting for data – after all we’re in a society where we’re spoiled by our very quick responding iOS and Android phones.

There’s also alot more you can do with your BMW overseas – for example did you know that in certain countries you can lock and unlock your BMW from your phone, find your car remotely, and activate the lights remotely via a My BMW Remote iOS app?

You can also set a schedule for your climate control to turn on and off, so you could pre-cool down your car interior before you get into it for example. That’s the full potential of BMW Assist and ConnectedDrive, too bad it’s all not available in Malaysia!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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Russian Helicopters partners Caterham F1 Team

Danny Tan — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:09:05 +0000

Caterham F1 Team seems to be doing better in the boardroom than on the track. No championship points yet, but another sponsor has been added to the list. Russian Helicopters has become an official partner of the team, and the helicopter maker’s logos will be seen on the Caterham CT01 from the Monaco GP, which is the next race.

Vitaly Petrov drives for Caterham alongside Heikki Kovalainen. Petrov, who is Russian, was dropped by Lotus, and replaced veteran Jarno Trulli in the Caterham team. It’s no secret why this new sponsor came on board.

“Russian Helicopters are delighted to announce the start of our partnership program with Vitaly Petrov’s Caterham F1 Team. It is important for Russian businesses to support projects which positively raise the profile of Russian interests worldwide.

“And as Russian Helicopters is a global high-tech company it is a natural step for us to support Vitaly, as Caterham’s Russian driver, in his role in a high-tech sport which is enormously popular all over the world,” said Dmitry Petrov, General Director of JSC Russian Helicopters.

Moscow-based Russian Helicopters is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. It is the only helicopter design and production company in Russia. Over 8,000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide, with demand highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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Global Ford Ranger Challenge – vote for the best video

Anthony Lim — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:45:54 +0000

The Malaysian edition of the Global Ford Ranger Challenge is moving into its final leg – the five local finalists selected earlier in the month have done their respective challenges, and these have been filmed by a crew from Ford.

Now, the videos are up, and you can help determine who will end up the winner of a new Ford Ranger. To recap, the five finalists are horticulturist Zolkaplie Mustafa, utility engineer Peter Charles, admin officer Denny Lim, IT technician Wong Kok Wei, as well as 4X4 modifier, enthusiast and sea diver Peter Choy.

The voting phase runs from today until June 22, and the Grand Prize winner will be selected, based collectively on the total number of thumbs up generated from online votes as well as the decision from the panel of judges.

The winner will drive away with a Ranger XLT 2.2L Manual as well as The Malaysia Ranger Challenge merchandise, but the second and third placed guys won’t walk away empty handed.

The first runner-up will receive RM9,888 in cash and Global Ranger Challenge merchandise, as well as a RM10,000 voucher to purchase the new Ranger. Meanwhile, the second runner-up will receive RM3,888 in cash, a RM5,000 voucher to offset his new Ranger purchase and Global Ranger Challenge merchandise.

Voters aren’t left out either. Every 50th, 100th, 150th voter and so on will be in the running to win a Casio G-Shock watch, though they’ll need to answer a tie-breaker question – the best creative answer of the lot bags the Special Edition All-New Ford Ranger Casio G Shock watch, the same as the one in the ‘tweet a pix with a Ford Ranger’ photo contest.

The rest will get one item from the available Ford merchandise list while stocks last. Oh, in order for you to be eligible to cast your vote, you’ll need to register yourself online at www.fordrangerchallenge.com.my, which is also where you’ll find the five finalists’ videos.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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Caltex uses comics to promote HIV and AIDS awareness

Danny Tan — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:25:03 +0000

Chevron Malaysia Limited has produced customised Caltex branded comics targeted at youth to create awareness on HIV and AIDS. The novel outreach tool was created with Strika Entertainment and takes on the look and feel of the popular Supa Strikas comics. They are free, and available in English and Bahasa Malaysia on a dedicated HIV/AIDS awareness page on www.caltex.com.my.

“Capitalising on Caltex’s global sponsorship of Supa Strikas, we believe the comics could prove a creative and effective medium in making HIV and AIDS awareness accessible to children and adolescents. The illustrated format draws on the special interest of youth, while conveying a relatable story that encourages understanding and helps reduce the stigma against those affected,” said Jeremy Oh, Country Chairman, Chevron Malaysia Limited.

The initiative is in line with Chevron’s global Energy for Learning commitment which aims to support learning-based programs, including HIV and AIDS awareness. Special edition Bahasa Malaysia Caltex awareness comics and posters were distributed at the Red Ribbon @ Brickfields awareness campaign organised by the Malaysian AIDS Council on May 20.

Chevron also conducts regular staff awareness trainings. A recent annual International AIDS Memorial Day Charity Sale event raised over RM5,000 towards improving the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS. Free comprehensive Pathlab health screening vouchers incorporating HIV testing were also distributed to empower HIV status awareness and reduce the stigma often associated with getting tested.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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Sime Darby Auto Hyundai upgrades Prai 3S centre

Danny Tan — Tue, 22 May 2012 02:12:38 +0000

Sime Darby Auto Hyundai (SDAH) officially opened its new 3S centre in Prai, Penang recently. The ceremony was officiated by Kim Hoo-Keun, Head of Asia & Pacific Regional Headquarters.

SDAH invested close to RM6 million to upgrade the 3S centre, which spans 17,483 sq ft. Located on Jalan Baru, the centre has a spray-painting facility, six service bays (expandable to 12) and a WiFi lounge with beverages. SDAH Prai also offers Quick Service, a 24-hour key drop service and shuttle service to Megamall Pinang.

This new 3S centre also complies with the Hyundai Dealer Enhancement Programme (DEP). DEP was introduced by HMC to reinforce Hyundai’s brand presence by aligning it with Hyundai’s global corporate image.

The 3S centre is part of Wisma EMC, which can be found at 972, Jalan Baru, Prai. Call 04-3997788 (service) and 04-3993988 (sales) for enquiries.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Peugeot 408 launched – Turbo at RM126k, 2.0 at RM110k

Anthony Lim — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:58:42 +0000

Well, after months of it being spotted around the Peninsular, the Peugeot 408 has finally made its Malaysian market debut – Nasim launched the C-segment sedan earlier tonight at its new Blue Box facility in Glenmarie.

Badged as an ideal choice for young professionals with families and looking for a car that offers space, performance and elegance, the new 2012 Peugeot 408 – which is manufactured at the Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) facility in Gurun, Kedah – arrives in two variant forms, the 408 Turbo and the 408 2.0.

The 408 Turbo gets the familiar Prince 1.6 litre THP twin scroll turbo, but the EP6CDTM offers improved output with 163 hp at 6,000 rpm, while maximum torque is 240 Nm at 1,400 rpm – the power output makes the 408 the most powerful C-segment sedan in the market locally, Nasim says.

The increased output is the result of a revised turbo, changes to the ECU mapping and reworked pistons. The upgraded mill is mated to the AT6 six-speed auto adaptive transmission with Tiptronic and a sport mode, and performance specs include a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 9.2 seconds and a 215 km/h top speed.

Meanwhile, the 408 2.0 is powered by the EW10A+ normally-aspirated four-cylinder 2.0 litre unit, which offers 145 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, and the engine is partnered with an AT8 auto adaptive gearbox – the four-speed unit, which also has Triptronic and a sport mode, features a new torque converter. Performance specs for the 2.0 litre include a 195 km/h top speed and a 0-100 km/h time of 12.5 seconds.

Design-wise, the front end of the 4.68 metre-long car includes elements such as Peugeot’s trademark feline headlights and thin chrome strips on the radiator grille, while the ruby red rear lights are trimmed with a clear white strip that hint at a lion’s claws within the cluster. At night, they take on the form of three diagonal strips that are a homage to historic models such as the 504 coupe.

Other external dimensions are a 1,815 mm width, 1,525 mm height and 2,710 mm long wheelbase, which is one of the longest in its segments – as a comparison, it’s just 15mm shy of the D-segment Mazda 6′s wheelbase.

Inside, the 408 features a large, cosy cabin, replete with premium leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminium inserts, automatic dual-zone air-conditioning system with rear air-conditioning vents and almost 33 litres of storage space within the cabin.

In terms of boot space, there’s 562 litres of volume on call, and the rears seats can be folded in a 40/60 split (backrest and seat squabs) to create extra load-carrying space.

Items on the list include a six-speaker World In Peugeot Sound system with CD/ MP3 playback capability and USB/Bluetooth connectivity, an instrument panel LCD, tilt and telescopic steering, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and one-touch power windows with anti-pinch for all four windows.

Both variants also feature cruise control with a speed limiter, “Follow Me Home” headlamp functionality, sensor-activated headlights and wipers as well as automatic retractable side mirrors.

Suspension-wise, the front features inverted pseudo MacPherson-type struts and an antiroll bar, while the rear axle comprises a deformable U-shaped cross member and an integrated antiroll bar. The suspension settings for both cars are a bit different though, the 408 Turbo’s being tuned for a sportier and sharper ride while the 2.0’s suspension offers more comfort.

Both Pugs come equipped with 17-inch wheels, but in different designs as well as profile rubbers – the Turbo wears eight-spoke Melbourne wheels and 225/45 tyres, while the 2.0 features five-spoke Rinjani alloys and 215/50 tyres.

In terms of safety, both variants feature ABS, EBD and EBA, among others. The car has also been designed with a double-impact force dissipation channel to provide maximum passenger compartment protection. In the case of the 2.0, the variant features two airbags.

The 408 Turbo adds four more to the equation (driver and front passenger side, front and rear curtain airbags), making it six, as well as electronic stability programme (ESP), which features anti-slip regulation (ASR) and dynamic stability control (DSC) functions.

Six colours are available for the 408, these being Alpine White, Velvet Silver, Metropolis Bronze, Aster Grey, Bourrasque Blue and Premium Black. Pricing wise, the 408 Turbo goes for RM125,888, while the 2.0 goes for RM109,888, both on the road, with insurance.

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This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Top 10 Viewed Cars on oto.my – April-May 2012

Paul Tan — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:29:46 +0000

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

2011 Audi RS3 2.5L Quattro

2010 Volkswagen Polo

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTi

2007 Honda Civic Type R

2008 Volkswagen Polo GTi 1.8T

2008 BMW 325i M Sport E90

2005 BMW 328i E46

2011 Audi S4 3.0 TSI

2012 BMW 535i F10

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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New Honda Civic launched in Thailand – 1.8 and 2.0 SOHC

Danny Tan — Mon, 21 May 2012 07:29:14 +0000

The new Honda Civic was launched earlier this month in Thailand, giving us a good preview of what’s coming. Unlike the previous gen, where our Civic looked significantly different, the new Thai Civic is largely identical to the US-market car. Extra garnish comes in the form of rear reflectors that link the rear lamps to the license plate.

The cabin has been redesigned, although it retains Honda’s two-tier dashboard that was such a revolution when it debut in the FD Civic. The upper tier is now much longer, incorporating a colour screen that displays various menus.

In Thailand, one can specify the Civic with a Navi package, and the 2.0L model comes with push start keyless entry, a new feature for the Civic. There’s also an ECON button on the right of the steering.

Like before, two engines are offered – 1.8L and 2.0L i-VTEC units. The smaller engine puts out 141 PS and 174 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. That’s 1 PS more than our current Civic, made 200 rpm higher, so it’s probably just fine tuning.

The 2.0L is no longer the K-series engine, but a SOHC sibling of the 1.8. Chosen for better fuel economy no doubt, it produces 155 PS and 190 Nm at 4,300 rpm.

Max power is the same, but there’s 2 Nm more torque, made 200 rpm lower. Both engines continue with Honda’s slick five-speed auto, with paddles on the 2.0. The 1.8 can be had with a five-speed manual as well.

The rest of the spec sheet show some differences. For instance, Honda has traded the FD’s double-wishbone rear suspension for a multi-link unit. EPS steering is now standard across the range, turning circle is better (5.42 vs 5.8m) but steering is slower at 3.1 vs 2.65 turns lock-to-lock.

The new Civic has a smaller footprint and shorter wheelbase; the latter is down by 30 mm to make 2,670 mm. The current Civic has superb rear legroom, and we’ll have to see if there’s any real difference in space when the time comes. We’re sure that Honda would have done some repackaging magic, something it’s very good at. The Civic’s flat floor remains.

In Thailand, the Civic range starts from 773,000 baht for the 1.8 S Manual, topping out at 1.124 million baht for the 2.0 EL with Navi, the only trim for the bigger engine.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution set to take on Pikes Peak

Anthony Lim — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:01:43 +0000

Click to enlarge.

Mitsubishi is set to enter two all-electric vehicles (EVs) in the Electric Class of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this coming July, and the company is banking on its i-MiEV Evolution to bag the honours in the segment.

The Evolution is a specially-prepared competition version based on the i-MiEV all-electric vehicle – it uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i-MiEV, but tweaked for performance, and the system is fitted on a specially-designed racing-specific body which uses a tube-frame chassis and a carbon fibre cowl.

The four-wheel drive vehicle’s three motors (one front, two rear) each delivers 80 kW for a system total of 240 kW, and the single-seater – which will be piloted by Dakar winner Hiroshi Masuoka for Pikes – rides on 18-inch wheels and 245/40 series rubbers.

The second Mitsubishi EV entry for the event will be a 49 kW production i-MiEV, modified with a more aerodynamic front bumper and fitted with roll bars and other safety equipment for the climb.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.

Skoda Citigo Rally concept debuts at Worthersee

Anthony Lim — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:48:57 +0000

The 31st running of the GTI-Treffen, the annual Volkswagen do held in Lake Wörthersee, Austria, had the usual custom car unveils, among them VW’s Golf GTI Black Dynamic and Polo R WRC Street concept.

Over at Skoda, there was the Citigo Rally design concept, which might make it into some form of series production eventually. The white car – with a black roof and additional colour accents – goes the OTT route, with massive bumpers, rear wing, a generous air intake in the front apron and forged 18-inch wheels with low-profile tyres.

The car also gets generously-sized fenders and massive door sills to help widen its girth, and a centrally-mounted exhaust end pipe dominates the car’s rear.

Inside, there’s a roll cage, and both driver and passenger get race seats, and the dashboard has been optimised for weight – the central console’s purely functional switches and buttons are strongly reminiscent of those in rally cars.

The event also saw the advent of the Skoda Citigo DJ Car. This one is a essentially a mixer on four wheels – the three-door car’s rear can be retracted from the B column on back, turning the vehicle into a mobile stage. The vehicle was certainly put to good use, with a DJ mixing and sampling his hits from it on stage.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Fri, 25 May 12 13:03:18 +0000.