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Volkswagen Concept BlueSport needs to be built by 3 brands for economies of scale

January 22, 2009 at 1:59 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, International News, SEAT, Volkswagen

SEAT Salsa
Click for enlarged image

Volkswagen says the Concept BlueSport will make it into production if other marques in the group such as Audi and SEAT want it to, according to a senior Volkswagen executive. He says for economies of scale, the investment for the car needs to be shared between at least three different brands.

There is word that an Audi version is already ready (an Audi R4?), and such a roadster would fit into the SEAT brand image. Our graphics artist Theophilus Chin has already whipped up a SEAT version for us, depicted in this story. Porsche is also a suggested brand, as something like this could be positioned as an entry level model that could also reduce the company’s overall CO2 emissions levels, but when queries Porsche executives denied to comment.

Porsche also has this philosophy where an entry level Porsche or someone’s “first Porsche” is not a low-end model, but rather a hand-me-down or a used Porsche, in order not to compromise brand qualities. But I say that has long gone with models like the Cayenne. Look after the jump for more angles of the SEAT BlueSport.
[Read more...]

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Upcoming Peugeot 408 image leaked… or not

January 22, 2009 at 1:11 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Peugeot, Spyshots

Peugeot 408

This image of what’s supposed to be a spyshot of the upcoming Peugeot 308 was posted by a forum-peugeot member, but the avid Photoshoppers over at CarSpyShots quickly dismissed it as a 3D rendering with noise added to make it look more realistic, as if it were snapped with a camera phone. Just look at the strange C-pillar and the rest of the car, it just doesn’t look very real. But it could be just the angle.

While other companies are scrambling to build “4-door coupes” at the top of the luxury segment, Peugeot has had one in the basic D-segment category for ages. My wishlist for the 408 would be for more interior room and for the tired 2.0 litre engine to be phased out and replaced by a turbocharged 1.6 litre, like what Peugeot did with the 308.

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BMW Sauber F1.09 does her maiden lap at Valencia

January 21, 2009 at 11:05 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Formula 1, Motorsports, Videos

BMW Sauber F1.09

The new BMW Sauber F1.09 Formula One car was unveiled in Valencia, and Robert Kubica was the first to take the car out for a spin at the Spanish circuit. Like its competitors, the new F1 regulations have ruined its aesthetics. The 3-piece front wing stretches across the full width of the car while the rear wing is now slimmer and is unusually high. The front axle has been modified and the rear axle is a new design.

“We have set ourselves the task of further improving our performance relative to the rest of the field. The 1-2 in Canada and a total of eleven podium finishes in 2008 set an exacting standard. In 2009 we are looking to maintain our first-class reliability record while at the same time enhancing our performance levels so that we can be at the front of the pack on a consistent basis. We are aware that we are aiming extremely high. This is the final step in our development, and that’s generally the hardest one to take,” said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen.

BMW Sauber F1.09

The new car will also have the KERS system, which was developed in Munich under the watch of Markus Duesmann, Head of Powertrain. It isn’t quite ready yet but is expected to be ready by the Melbourne race. Chassis development was the responsibility of Walter Riedl along with his technical team based in Hinwil, Switzerland.

The first shake-down comprised of 73 laps and went smoothly without a hitch. Kubica said they’ve already learned alot about how the car is responding to setup changes, but there was a slight lack of grip than usual despite the slick tyres because there was only one car on the track, so it wasn’t sufficiently warmed up. The car will continue testing in Valencia until Saturday.

Look after the jump for a video of the unveiling and the maiden lap.
[Read more...]

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Volkswagen Concept BlueSport Roadster

January 21, 2009 at 9:59 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Videos, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport Roadster

The Volkswagen Concept BlueSport represents (according to Volkswagen) its philosophy for the new year – maximum driving fun with minimal fuel consumption. It’s 2.0 litre diesel engine sips only 4.3 litres per 100km and puts out 113g/km of CO2, but produces 180 PS and a very nice 350Nm of torque from as low as 1,750rpm. It’s mated to a twin clutch 6-speed transmission, and pushing the roadster which weighs less than 1,200kg from 0 to 100km/h takes only 6.6 seconds, on to a top speed of 226km/h.

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport Roadster

Weight is kept down via the use of low weight construction methods such as a soft top which is lighter than a hard top, aluminium hoods, and a compact body layout.

Now what differentiates this baby from the many Volkswagens we’ve seen is the fact that it’s rear wheel drive. And its 112 litre boot is located at the front. That’s because the diesel engine is actually mounted at the mid-rear. Yes, a mid engined, rear wheel drive Volkswagen roadster.

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport Roadster

It’s most curious why Volkswagen chose a mid-engine rear wheel drive platform for this car. Is it just for showcar purposes or are we looking at a new rear wheel drive platform for the Volkswagen Group? Could a production version of this roadster share a platform with the upcoming Volkswagen Lupo (based on the Volkswagen Up! concepts)? Will the Lupo be rear wheel drive after all?
[Read more...]

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Peugeot 308 Malaysian specifications revealed, all set for 29th January 2009 launch

January 21, 2009 at 9:22 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Peugeot

Peugeot 308

I have specifications for the new Peugeot 308 set to be unveiled on the 29th of January 2009. The specs look promising indeed and if Nasim decides to give the 308 some very competitive pricing like it did with the 407, it should have all it needs to be a killer product, the rest depends on the public perception of the brand and the marque’s support network.

Peugeot 308 VTi specifications
Engine
PSA-BMW Prince 1.6 engine
120hp at 6,000rpm
160Nm @ 4,250rpm
4-speed automatic

Exterior
16″ 10-spoke alloy wheels
Headlamps with follow me home function
Daytime Running Lights [DRL]
Auto Headlight Sensor
Auto Front Windshield Wipers
Electric Folding mirrors

Interior
Active carbon/pollen filter for dual zone air cond
6 speakers
MP3 CD player with aux input and remote control
Rake and reach adjustable steering
Underseat storage drawers for front and rear
Adjustable front armrest with storage compartment

Safety
4 airbags (Front and side)
ABS, EBD, EBA

And for the top spec model:

Peugeot 308 Turbo specifications (on top of VTi specs)
Engine
PSA-BMW Prince 1.6 engine
140hp at 6,000rpm
240Nm @ 4,250rpm
4-speed automatic

Safety
6 airbags (front, side, curtain)
ESP with Traction Control and Dynamic Stability Control

Exterior
Automatic electric folding mirrors
Body color side protection
5-spoke 17 inch alloy wheels

Interior
Rear air-cond vents
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Rear center armrest with storage compartment and 2 cupholders
Built-in fragrance diffuser

Apparently the turbo version only has 140hp and not 150hp as previously expected, because that is how Peugeot tunes the engine for the automatic transmission. The 150hp is only available on the manual stock from the factory.

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Proton in talks with Petter Solberg for 2010 WRC debut with Proton Satria Neo

January 21, 2009 at 12:24 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Malaysian Makes, Motorsports, Proton, Proton Satria Neo

Proton Satria Neo S2000

Will Proton make a debut in the World Rally Championship for the 2010 season? Apparently this is a possibility, and Proton is actually working at making this happen, according to Proton director Datuk Haji Abdul Razak Dawood. He says a successful WRC program could establish Proton’s brand and reputation in Europe the same way it helped Subaru in the 90s.

According to Datuk Haji, a Proton Satria Neo in the WRC could possibly turn it into a cult car with a following like what Subaru enjoyed with the WRX. If the proposed WRC regulation revisions to a “S2000+ spec” becomes official, it would allow Proton to compete in the WRC with a much smaller budget and compete against the big boys like Ford and Citroen. All that needs to be done is to upgrade the existing MEM Satria Neo S2000 (shown above) to whatever the S2000+ spec is.

2003 World Champion Petter Solberg is said to be in talks with Proton for a 2010 season. He will be testing the MEM Satria Neo S2000 car sometime in February, and according to him the Proton is a nice and detailed car. He says he has met with Proton but nothing about the proposed 2010 season has been finalised yet. There is also word about Solberg racing in a Citroen C4 instead, but he says that deal has not been finalised yet either.

Related Posts:
MEM Proton Satria Neo Super 2000
MEM Satria Neo S2000 makes first rally debut
VIDEO: MEM Proton Satria Neo Super 2000
[Read more...]

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Chana Era CV6 launched in Malaysia based on the ChangAn BenBen

January 21, 2009 at 10:51 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, ChangAn, China, Local News

Chana Era CV6

This is the other car launched by Changan Berjaya Auto on Monday, the Chana Era CV6. It’s essentially the same 5-door hatchback we saw in Putrajaya in March 2008. It’s pretty much a Viva-type of vehicle and the thing is it actually is decent to look at. There aren’t any strange jarring design cues that spoil the design, it’s simple, unpretentious and perhaps boring but it’s not hideous, nor does it employ any odd patterns like the triangles all over the Naza Forza.

Chana Era CV6

For a sum of RM 36,862.00 for the Standard Solid version, you’ll get 5 seats, a 1,301cc engine producing 85 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 110Nm of torque between 3,500 to 4,500rpm, steel wheels, power steering with adjustable tilt, front power windows and a top speed of about 145km/h. For Metallic paint, you pay RM 37,368.00.

Chana Era CV6

Going for the Premium version will cost you RM 40,888 for solid paint and RM 41,394 for metallic paint, and you’ll get alloy wheels, power windows for all four doors, ABS brakes, a single CD player with radio and a driver’s airbag. So it’s got ABS and an airbag covered, that’s pretty much how far safety features can go at this segment. Apparently during the launch period, you can get the Premium version for the price of the Standard version as an introductory offer.

  Length Width Height Wheelbase
Chana Era CV6 3,525mm 1,650mm 1,550mm 2,365mm
Perodua Myvi 3,750mm 1,665mm 1,550mm 2,440mm
Perodua Viva 3,575mm 1,475mm 1,530mm 2,390mm
Naza Forza 3,633mm 1,563mm 1,533mm 2,355mm
Hyundai i10 3,565mm 1,595mm 1,540mm 2,380mm
Proton Savvy 3,710mm 1,643mm 1,480mm 2,395mm

The 1.3 litre engine is also a Suzuki-derived one, and probably a unit that’s a little more modern than the one in the van covered earlier, but it’s still pretty much a basic unit though it has a nice peak torque spread starting from 110Nm. From my observation of the units they had for display at the media preview, the build quality was even worse than the van. ChangAn even got basic things like the feedback an air conditioning knob gives when you turn it wrong. Go to a showroom and try it, it feels really weird, like you were forcibly twisting something through some thick oil, I would imagine this is what goes on inside a torque converter or something.

Chana Era CV6

The selection knob for fresh air or recirculation air for the air conditioning appeared to be positioned too close to the dash and was cutting in to the dash plastic itself. The dashboard plastic itself isn’t really too bad however parts where various pieces meet together were way too rough. Some metal mounts and etc were too exposed like the bolt and joint where the seat and backrest connect together, etc. It’s a pity as the exterior doesn’t look too bad.

Chana Era CV6

Despite the horrendous build quality, ChangAn knows people are also looking for mechanical quality and endurance, so they’ve recently organised this ChanaTrax event where a group of ChangAn vehicles including this CV6/BenBen drove from China to South Africa. That’s a total distance of 24,000 kms and there were some pretty high altitudes and rough terrain involved.

So I suppose it would be okay running around town here, it’s just that the only appealing thing going for this car at the moment seems to be its initial price tag.

64 Comments      

Fiat to take up 35% stake in Chrysler and share platforms and engines

January 20, 2009 at 7:21 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Chrysler, Fiat, International News

Fiat LogoFiat S.p.A today confirmed that it has signed a “a non-binding term sheet to establish a global strategic alliance” with Chrysler and Chrysler’s majority shareholder Cerberus Capital Management. Initial details of the alliance have been revealed. It includes Fiat taking up a 35% stake in the American automaker as well as allowing Chrysler to use “competitive and fuel-efficient” vehicle platforms, components and powertrains to be produced at Chrysler manufacturing bases.

Chrysler LogoFiat will also allow Chrysler access to its distribution network in areas that are key for growth, and you could probably assume Chrysler would be the way for Alfa Romeo to get back into the American market. The word is that the Italian company plans to increase this 35% up to 55% over time. Fiat will also assist Chrysler with the viability plan it needs to support to the U.S. Treasury. And apparently the 35% deal does not involve any money. In return for the platforms and management consultancy help with restructuring, 35% of Chrysler will be handed over to Fiat for free.

The other two Detroit companies already have suitable platforms and powertrains to enter the European (Eastern Europe in particular) and Asian markets. GM has Daewoo while Ford has always built decent cars for the European market in the first place. This announcement fills that missing piece in the puzzle of how Chrysler plans its turnaround. It already has existing deals with Nissan mainly for Latin America, and a failed partnership with Chinese automaker Chery, but nothing like this new Fiat deal.

The last time Fiat and Chrysler had alliance talks was in the early 1990s, but that did not go anywhere, and many blame that on disagreements between Lee Iacocca and Bob Lutz, who is now at GM. Then a Chrysler exec, Bob Lutz had likened Fiat to “a bride lying on her deathbed.” Well Mr Lutz, Fiat has turned itself around and both the company you used to work for and the company you are looking for are going around asking for multi-billion dollar bail-outs.

I wonder what happened to the supposed upcoming merger between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Fiat, as reported by an Italian newspaper. Are we looking at a new PSA-Fiat-Chrysler trinity in the future?

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Chrysler considering new car-based pick-up truck

January 20, 2009 at 3:15 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Chrysler, International News

Dodge NP200
Could Dodge rebadge the Nissan NP200 for an entry-level pickup? Artist’s impression by Theophilus Chin.

Chrysler is said to be mulling introducing a small pick-up truck based on a monocoque car chassis to slot in below its large ladderframe trucks. Such a vehicle would allow Chrysler to improve its Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, as the more fuel efficient small truck would compensate for the large guzzlers at the top of the line.

What immediately comes to mind is a pick-up truck based on the Nissan NP200 pickup, which was itself based on the Dacia Logan pickup. Chrysler already has a partnership with Nissan, who supplies Chrysler with compact vehicles to sell under the Dodge brand in Latin America. For example, the Nissan Latio is sold under the Dodge brand as the Dodge Trazo with little changes, not even a major adaptation of the Latio’s grille to match the Dodge corporate nose.

While we’re at it, they really might as well look into replacing the Dodge Dakota with a rebadged Nissan Navara (artist’s impression after the jump), like Suzuki has done with the Suzuki Equator.
[Read more...]

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Chana Era CM8: Malaysia’s cheapest MPV

January 20, 2009 at 2:42 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, ChangAn, China, Local News

Chana Era CM8

2009 is the year of the MPV. The big two are the Proton MPV and the Perodua MPV that’s set to launch at different times this year, but before any of them manage to get in the showrooms comes the cheapest MPV in the market, the Chana Era CM8.

Now let’s backtrack a little – those of you who have been following this blog for a few years now may remember this vehicle being spotted a few years ago, in June 2007 to be exact. The CM8 was spotted in Subang Jaya with trade plates. Even before that in end-2005, we heard news of a company signing an agreement with the CM8′s maker ChangAn Auto to assemble the CM8 locally in Malaysia. It turns out that company was a unit of the Berjaya Group, Changan Berjaya Auto Sdn Bhd.

Chana Era CM8

The result of all that discussion and planning since 2005 are two cars, and here we take a look at one of them – the Chana Era CM8, assembled locally in Oriental Assemblers in Johor. Chana Era is the brand that Changan Berjaya is using to market the ChangAn products here in Malaysia. The car is said to have over 40% local content. Take one look at you’ll realise this is probably something based on a Suzuki as it looks like the Suzuki ER-V, plus Suzuki is one of ChangAn’s partners in China.

Chana Era CM8

Something similiar in size and shape to this vehicle was introduced in Malaysia sometime ago. I’m sure some of you remember the Suzuki APV, which retailed for over RM70k. It didn’t do very well, probably because of its van-like looks. But the 3.8 meter long Chana Era CM8 has one advantage under its sleeves – it’s insanely low price tag of RM38,888 OTR with insurance for the cheapest model. This goes up to just under RM45k for the most expensive models.

Chana Era CM8 Standard Solid RM 38,888.00
Chana Era CM8 Standard Metallic RM 39,368.00
Chana Era CM8 Premium Solid RM 43,888.00
Chana Era CM8 Premium Metallic RM 44,368.00

The Chana Era CM8 is built on a monocoque chassis which is superior in terms of ride comfort and handling compared to the body-on-frame that other cheap MPVs use. It’s essentially a van, with a van-like engine position. It has sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle for access to the rear. The 2nd and 3rd row have their own air cond blower located at the ceiling. The key differences between the Standard and Premium models are ABS brakes, a stereo radio with a single CD player, speakers, an electric power steering and 14 inch alloy wheels which are all features only available on the Premium version. Power windows are only available on the front two doors for both models.

Chana Era CM8

Both variants are powered by a Suzuki-derived 1,310cc inline-4 16 valve aluminium alloy engine producing 80 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 102Nm of torque between 4,500 to 5,000rpm. This is mated to a 5-speed manual, with no automatic version in sight even in the near future. Top speed is 135km/h. Brakes are discs for the front and drums at the rear. Tyre size is 175/65R14 for both the Premium’s alloys and the Standard’s steel wheels. It measures 3,856mm long, 1,568mm wide and 1,898mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,430mm.

Chana Era CM8

At first impressions the interior plastic quality and the touch and feel of the CM8 is quite rough, especially where different plastic bits meet together. Mechanically it remains to be seen but as it is a basic 16 valve inline-4 without any funky features like variable valve timing it should be easy to maintain. If you want to compare to another China-sourced car, the Naza Forza (Naza Sutera) definitely has better interior quality.

It’s quite obvious the proposition that the CM8 is offering to you is cheap to buy. There are many people who do not place importance on interior quality and just want something that works and isn’t expensive. This is the car for them. It remains to be seen whether it is cheap to maintain and cheap to run. I will try to get a test drive session and report to you how it drives as well as the fuel consumption I can get.

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