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Lamborghini LP650-4 Roadster: images leaked ahead of its Geneva debut

February 28, 2009 at 1:20 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Lamborghini

Italian based sports car maker; Lamborghini has recently revealed that it will launch the Lamborghini LP650-4 Roadster in Geneva, but with just a couple of days away from the actual launch, images of the new roadster have been leaked onto the Internet.

Details are scarce though, but we do know that the Lamborghini LP650-4 Roadster features an all wheel drive system, which is coupled with an up-rated 6.5 litre V12 and an e-gear automatic 6 speed transmission. Horse power figure is expected to hover at about 650 in total.

Apparently, only 50 units will ever be produced and it is expected to carry a price tag of about 550,000 Euros each. Other than a transparent engine bonnet and a carbon engine frame, it features a rear view camera and a navigation system. On the outside, it is treated to a unique body colour finish as well as Hermera shiny black wheels. Continue reading to view another image of the rear.
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2009 BMW Alpina B7 leaked ahead of Geneva

February 28, 2009 at 12:53 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars

Its finally here! The above is a leaked image of Alpina’s latest project; the Alpina B7 which is set to make an official debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the ultra luxury F01 BMW 7 Series sedan, BMW’s top tuner (other than its in-house M GmbH) has made the 7 look a little more aggressive with a wider and lower stance.

Unfortunately, since its a leaked image, not much information has been released along with it. Thus far we only know that its 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 is able pump out an M5-like 507 Bavarian horses and chassis twisting power which is rated at about 700Nm of torque.

The above can help propel the car to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds to a top speed of 278 km/h. More information will be released along with its official launch in Switzerland. Alpina will also reveal the Alpina B6 GT3 which is based on the BMW 6 Series at the motor show.

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Geneva Preview: Ferrari 599XX and the 599 GTB Handling GTE Package

February 28, 2009 at 12:22 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Ferrari

Italian sports car maker which has also won its 16th Formula 1 Constructors’ title; Ferrari has announced that it will unveil the 599 GTB with the Handling GTE package as well as the track ready 599XX which is based on the 599 at the Geneva Motor Show.

Although the Prancing Horse has chosen not to reveal further details, we know that the 599 GTB with the HGTE offers a far better, spirited, and track friendly drive than the stock 599 GTB and that it is finished in a new three-layer metallic Rosso body colour.

The 599XX, which would only be available to a selected few (just like the Enzo), is something like the Ferrari FXX, that incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari’s road-going and F1 research.

The only thing Ferrari revealed about the 599XX is that it is finished in a colour matching the F2008 Formula 1 contender. We will bring you the latest updates, stay tuned!

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Honda Malaysia scores highest monthly sales ever thanks to new 2009 Honda City

February 27, 2009 at 9:29 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2009 Honda City, Cars, Honda, Local News

2009 Honda City

The Honda City seems to be defying the current financial downturn as it has helped propel Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd achieve its highest monthly sales ever in history, bringing Honda market share up to 10% of the Total Industry Volume, in a market that has shrunk by 17.5% year on year. Honda scored 1,693 units of the Honda City in January 2009, which is nearly 50% of total Honda sales of 3,815 units. The Civic, Accord and CR-V scored sales of 734, 803 and 413 units respectively.

Honda dealership traffic has also doubled ever since the City’s launch. Honda Malaysia has bumped up production for the City by 20% to shorten the waiting period and the Pegoh Plant in Malacca is running at full capacity on two 10-hour shifts and even the occasional runtime during holidays. Read our past coverage of the 2009 Honda City linked below.

Related Posts:
2009 Honda City First Drive Impressions Review
2009 Honda City 1.5E and 1.5S launched in Malaysia
2009 Honda City in-depth details and specifications

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ABT reveals the 510HP AS5-R Audi S5 Coupe

February 27, 2009 at 8:26 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Audi, Cars

Ingolstadt’s favorite tuner; ABT has revealed its latest “four-ring” project. Based on the sexy Audi S5 coupe, the tuner has performed a number of improvements on the S5 including upgrades on the engine management system and the addition of an ABT compressor which help increase engine power output by 156HP, to a grand total of 510HP.

Called the AS5-R, the V8-powered coupe is also treated to a high performance braking system with 380 millimeter disc diameter, an ABT Coil-over suspension system and a set of 20-inch 5-spoke BR alloy wheels.

On the outside, it features a spoiler that accentuates the ABT grill as well as inner fender skirts and gill-shaped air inlets. At the rear end, the tuner has fitted a distinctive ABT rear skirt and a 4-pipe rear muffler.

Overall, the AS5-R reaches the 100 km/h mark in 4.5 seconds and will go on to reach a top speed of 292 km/h. Although with a power output of slightly more than half a thousand, the German tuning specialist also mentioned that the up-rated S5 maintains a fuel consumption figure that is almost similar with the stock Audi S5. All looks good for the AS5-R, but I think I will stick to a one-colour body finish.

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Government defers toll rate hike to end-2009

February 27, 2009 at 7:10 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News

Here we have it – the last flip flop of the Abdullah administration, though it is one that works to our advantage and benefits us. The government has deferred the toll rate increase for 5 highways scheduled to take place on the 1st of March 2009, so there will be no increase, instead the government will fork out RM 287 million in taxpayer money to compensate the toll concession holders. The lion’s share will go to PLUS – 195 million, Sprint 36 million, AKLEH 27 million, Besraya 9 million and finally 20 million for the NPE.

Assuming the money is to cover the period from the 1st of the March 2009 until the 31st of December 2009, that’s RM 287 million for a total of 10 months compared to RM 277 million for 14 months compensation paid from the period of 1st of January 2008 to the 28th of February 2009.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Zin Mohamad said the Cabinet had decided to defer the hike because of negative public reaction and a gloomy economic outlook. There have also been negative criticism from both BN and Pakatan Rakyat MPs, including one ex-minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid who says he feels the burden paying toll at many toll plazas during his regular journeys from Shah Alam to Kuala Lumpur.

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Proton teases the Proton Exora MPV dashboard

February 27, 2009 at 6:59 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Malaysian Makes, Proton, Proton Exora - Proton MPV 2009

Proton Exora
Click for enlarged image

Proton has been running a series of teaser print ads in the papers of the new Proton Exora, Proton’s first 7-seater MPV. It’s nothing that we haven’t seen before but for the rest of the Malaysian population it offers a rather unobstructed glimpse of the Proton MPV’s dashboard and instrument panel. While the leaked images we saw previously was of a Proton Exora equipped a manual transmission, this particular teaser image was clearly snapped from an Exora with an automatic transmission.

We get to see where the automatic gear position indicator is on the instrumentation panel – the LCD display integrated into the right-side gauge. Whether a manual Proton Exora will be offered or not is still questionable – while we saw a manual version previously, Proton’s teaser pricing only shows 2 automatic variants – an M-Line and a H-Line. With the automatic M-Line having a preliminary price of RM72k, it may be possible that a manual M-Line could dip under RM70k.

More updates on the Proton Exora soon to come – stay tuned! In the meanwhile please read our detailed past coverage on the Proton Exora MPV.

Related Posts:
Proton Exora 7-seater MPV Interior Details Revealed!
Proton Exora – the MPV Proton will launch!
HOT: Proton MPV 100% fully uncovered
Proton MPV exclusive initial details revealed!
SPYSHOT: 2009 Proton MPV sheds some of its disguise
Proton MPV design registered with UK patent office
SPYSHOT: Proton MPV next to a Nissan Grand Livina

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Toyota to present the new iQ with a 1.33 liter engine in Geneva

February 27, 2009 at 4:37 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Toyota, Videos

Toyota will join the automotive circus at the Geneva Motor Show which is just days away with the new Toyota iQ featuring a 1.33 litre power plant. The latest version of the popular city car, with its new 1NR-FE Dual VVT-i engine is able to deliver an adequate 99HP which has more pulling power compared to the 1.0 litre engine in the outgoing model which is good for only 67HP and 91Nm of torque.

The new engine is mated to a 6 speed manual transmission while potential buyers can also opt for the Multidrive CVT transmission. With the manual, the iQ delivers 58.9 miles to the gallon (with 113 grams of emissions per kilometer) while if equipped with the latter, fuel consumption is slightly increased to 55.4 miles to the gallon (with 120 grams of emissions per kilometer).

The 1.33 Toyota iQ will hit European showrooms by July this year. It also features Toyota’s Optimal Drive technology as well as an engine Stop & Start system to help keep fuel consumption to the minimum. For the sake of comparing, the 1.0 litre engine coupled with the 5 speed manual transmission can deliver an impressive 65.7 miles to the gallon.

Apart from offering excellent fuel consumption figures, the Toyota iQ also scores well in the safety department. It recently received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Continue reading to watch the crash test video.
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Toll rate hike on the 1st of March 2009!

February 27, 2009 at 8:27 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News

This is a truly a year of price hikes. Joining the announced impending hike of RON97 prices is a new announcement that toll rates are going to go up. The Malaysian government has approved a toll rate hike for 5 highways, according to Works Minister Mohamad Zin Mohamad. It has not been revealed yet how much exactly the rate increase will be, but the following are the highways that are expected to have their rates hiked:

  • PLUS North-South Expressway – approximately 5%
  • Sprint Highway, Kerinchi Link and Damansara Link – up 30 and 50 sen for Pantai and Damansara respectively
  • Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Expressway – up 50 sen
  • Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya) – up 10 sen
  • New Pantai Expressway – up 40 sen

Mohamed Zin said the increase was actually due in January 2008 but the government had compensated the toll concessionaires a total of RM 277 million to postpone the toll hike until 1st of March 2009 (a total of 14 months), when the hikes are scheduled to happen. Of the 277 million, the lion’s share of 177 million goes to PLUS.

Our PM Pak Lah in his last month of service has said he will ask the Cabinet to reconsider the toll hikes as the decision is not “appropriate at current situations” (why can’t these factors be considered before an announcement, perhaps it’s symbolic as Pak Lah’s last flip flop during his tenure), while Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng says the hike should be postponed at least another 2 years.

Frankly, you can call these companies greedy but they have shareholders to answer to so why not take the opportunity to earn more when it is allowed legally in black and white? The only ones to blame are whoever signed those toll agreements!

DAP has an interesting proposal – buy PLUS shares and make it toll-free after the year 2015. Read here, here and here.

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Swiss-based Protoscar to reveal the fully electric LAMPO sports cabriolet in Geneva

February 26, 2009 at 10:22 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel

Swiss-based Protoscar will be launching a full size sports cabriolet at the Geneva Motor Show. Unlike what you might expect from a typical cabriolet, the Protoscar LAMPO is actually a fully electric, emissions free vehicle which is powered by two electric motors with each of the motors mounted on the front and rear axles.

Total output of both electric motors is rated at 268HP and 440Nm of torque which is more than the Tesla Roadster which features 248HP and 375Nm of torque. With a lightweight 32 kWh lithium ion battery pack, it can deliver 200 kilometers over a full charge which is actually lower the Tesla’s 220 miles range. The LAMPO can be recharged via a house power outlet with a full charge time of 12 hours.

Protoscar also revealed that even with energy to recharge is directly taken from the publicly available infrastructure, the company has built a 16 kWH photovoltaic plant located in Tuscany that will generate energy via solar cells which will then help feed energy into the global grid. Apparently the automaker mentioned that “the goal is to self-produce all the energy that we need for the car getting to counterbalance the entire consumption”

Apart from a premium interior treatment, the Protoscar LAMPO also features an EVA Range estimator that presents “radar graph” of the residual range integrated with standard navigation capabilities, charging station location as well as an advanced long-distance trip planning system which incorporates charging time and recommended locations.

Continue reading to view an image gallery. Each image features a brief description.
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