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Volkswagen may present the Golf GTI-R at the Frankfurt Motor Show

March 13, 2009 at 10:02 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Volkswagen

With the Volkswagen Golf Mk V, the auto maker released the range-topping, high performance R32 variant, but for the Golf Mk VI, Volkswagen will release the GTI-R, and now, rumor has it that the auto maker will present the powerful hot hatch at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.

At the moment, we do know that Volkswagen has dropped the normally aspirated 3.2 litre V6, in favor for a turbocharged 2.0 litre 4-cylinder power plant which drives all four wheels and it is expected to output about 266HP. This same engine which releases fewer harmful emissions might also be used in a high performance Volkswagen Scirocco. The power plant should also be mated to either a 6 speed manual, or a DSG dual-clutch transmission.

Other features, which are expected to be offered with the GTI-R include, among others, newly designed front and rear bumpers, LED daytime running lights, side skirts, larger wheels, rear-roof spoiler, LED tail lights as well as wider wheel arches.

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VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz E-Class “Hippie” TVC

March 13, 2009 at 9:21 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz, Videos

W212 E-Class

Mercedes-Benz has released one of the first commercial videos for the new W212 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Now green-loving hippies can travel in style, it seems, cheeky video! ;) Check it out after the jump.
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Bookmark this site for Sunday this week!

March 12, 2009 at 11:02 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars

Vehicle Under Wraps
Click for enlarged image

Just got back and boy am I tired! Guess what I drove today? All I can show and tell you for now is the photo above which I snapped in Karak town, I think. All will be revealed on Sunday this week, so stay tuned to this blog!

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All new Lexus RX350 launched in Malaysia

March 12, 2009 at 7:41 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Lexus, Local News

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd. launched the Lexus RX350 premium SUV for the Malaysian market today at its Lexus showroom in Mutiara Damansara. Although maintaining the general shape of its predecessor, this third generation RX350 features an exterior design which is inspired by the LX-Fh concept, with head lights that point downward and a new bumper up front, a side profile with a slightly curvaceous shoulder line, and new LED tail lights with a new bumper at the back.

Continue for the rest of the report and to view an image gallery.
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Tri-Fuel Ford Mondeo that runs on gasoline, ethanol and LPG

March 12, 2009 at 12:46 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Ford, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel

American-based auto maker Ford has revealed that it will present a tri-fuel Ford Mondeo at the Leipzig Motor Show which will run from March 28th till April 2009 this year. This tri-model, as the title suggests, can be fueled with a mixture of gasoline, bio-ethanol (E85) as well as LPG or Liquefied Petroleum Gas. This means that the standard Mondeo with its 2.0 litre Duratec gasoline engine comes fitted with an additional 48.8-litre tank to supply LPG, while gasoline and bio-ethanol shares a 70-litre tank.

Ford also revealed that the Mondeo with the tri-fuel feature can deliver up to 1,300 kilometers in terms of driving range when all three fuel types are used. Out of the 1,300 kilometers of range, 460 kilometers is contributed by LPG while the balance is contributed by a mixture of gasoline and bio-ethanol. Power output wise, the auto maker mentioned that with a mixture of gasoline and bio-ethanol, the 2.0 litre powerplant is able to produce 145HP, and while running on LPG, it can output 141HP, which is pretty decent actually.

Available in sedan, five-door liftback and in station wagon forms, the Tri-Fuel Ford Mondeo will go on sale in selected European markets from April this year, with prices in Germany starting from 27,500 Euros, which means this fuel efficient variant is cheaper by 250 Euros than the diesel-powered Ford Mondeo TDCi with 140HP.

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2010 Subaru Legacy rumored to be launched at the New York Auto Show

March 12, 2009 at 12:03 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Subaru

Words are being exchanged within the automotive fraternity that Subaru will launch the 2010 Legacy at the New York Auto Show which will kick start next month. With its design to be heavily influenced by the Subaru Legacy Concept which was previewed at the Detroit Auto Show, the production version is expected to be offered with a turbocharged 2.5 litre 4-cylinder or a 3.6 litre 6-cylinder boxer power plant, which should be mated to either a 6 speed manual or a CVT transmission.

Also expected to be offered in GT Premium and Limited trim levels, the new Legacy should feature, among others an electric parking brake, 18-inch wheels, iPod interface, Bluetooth connectivity as well as six new body colours. Both the Legacy and Outback models are also expected to be wider by about 3.6 inches compared to the outgoing models. Looks like we just have to wait to find out!

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27 million GBP offered to Land Rover to build LRX

March 12, 2009 at 11:30 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Land Rover

Last year, Land Rover attended the Detroit Auto Show and unveiled the LRX Concept which is a lightweight 2-door compact SUV with a 2.0 litre turbodiesel hybrid powertrain that has the potential to produce only 120 grams of emissions per kilometer, while delivering 100 kilometers of driving range with just 4.7 litres of fuel. On that note, the U.K Government has decided to extend a grant offer of up to GBP 27 million to the auto maker to produce an all new new vehicle based on the LRX Concept.

Land Rover later revealed that it is considering to take on the project, and that it would require about GBP 400 million in total cost. If the LRX Concept goes into production, it would be the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle to be produced by the TATA-owned auto maker. The LRX Concept was named “Concept Truck of the Year” at the auto show, meaning it got good reviews from the people.

The LRX Concept also features an Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) that allows the it to run on electric drive alone at lower speeds of up to 32 km/h, with the turbodiesel engine able to start automatically and smoothly on demand while on the move. The powerplant can also be fueled with biodiesel. Click here to view more images of the LRX Concept.

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Honda Freed Indonesian production for ASEAN

March 11, 2009 at 4:10 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Honda Freed

Honda used to have a compact MPV called the Honda Mobilio which was similiar to the likes of the Grand Livina and the Toyota Passo Sette, where a B-segment monocoque car was stretched and made into a 7-seater compact vehicle. The Mobilio was based on the Honda Jazz/City platform but its styling was just too Japanese and model clinics conducted in this region resulted in not too favorable responses.

Now with the Honda Freed, there is a product that could be suitable for this region. I know alot of you have also noticed this when it was unveiled last year and many speculated that it would eventually end up on Malaysian shores, and now there is a strong possibility that might just happen! This is because Honda has announced that it will be building the Honda Freed in Indonesia at its plant in Karawang beginning June 2009, and exports to multiple Southeast Asia countries will begin by the end of the year.

Parts and components for the Indonesian-built Honda Freed will be procured from multiple ASEAN countries including Malaysia, which could be plastic components according to sources. Parts will also come from the Thailand and Philippines, making this a truly made in ASEAN car. We could see the Freed introduced in Malaysia next year or even by the end of this year, but that all depends on market conditions and the results of studies by Honda Malaysia’s product team.

In fact, if you look back not too long ago we see the Honda Stream getting a minor makeover with a small bump in price, that could be to make way for a new Honda Freed MPV inserted right below it in the product range.

With the MPV segment here so crowded and the Proton Exora and Perodua MPV all set to take a huge chunk of the segment, and combined with the recession, Honda may be entering the game too late, but in small numbers it will fulfill the niche of those who want a Honda-branded MPV and the typical associated values that Honda applies to its products.

What we know for sure is if it comes, it will be a Honda, so it won’t be cheap. Anyway please check out our previous coverage on the Honda Freed when it was first unveiled to see more photos of it including shots of the interior, or look after the jump for a few videos.

Related Posts:
New Honda Freed MPV with up to 8 seats
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McLaren SLR Stirling Moss: More images!

March 11, 2009 at 1:25 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz

Stuttgart-based Mercedes Benz has revealed more images of the McLaren SLR Stirling Moss which was the last vehicle produced from the partnership between McLaren and Mercedes. Named after the great racing legend, the SLR Stirling Moss is powered by a supercharged 5.5 litre V8 which is good for a total of 650HP.

With a 5 speed automatic transmission from the SLR 722, it can hit the 100 km/h mark in just 3.5 seconds and can deliver a top speed of 349 km/h despite not having a wind screen. It comes with a two-piece cover that can cover the entire cockpit. Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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Geneva 2009: Sportec SP 550mc with CNG

March 11, 2009 at 1:11 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Porsche

Sportec has revealed the SP 550mc which is based on the Porsche 911 Turbo at the Geneva Motor Show. Although the tuner has yet to reveal further details regarding the emissions output of this new project, but we do know that it is an eco-friendly sports car which features a CNG, or compressed natural gas conversion kit which simply means that this new iteration of the 911 Turbo can be fueled with either petrol or CNG.

Performance figures starts off with it being able to sprint from naught to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, all the way to the 331 km/h top speed mark thanks to its 3.6 litre biturbo power plant mounted at the back which is able to produce 550HP and 705Nm of torque. Other upgrades include a special filter that works with the turbochargers that optimizes flow rate which ensures adequate air supply for the engine, a sports exhaust with high capacity catalytic converters and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires that offer by up to 19% less rolling resistance.

Sportec has also improved the 911 Turbo’s aerodynamic efficiency by installing unobtrusive side skirts, a new front spoiler, a three part apron as well as a large rear wing spoiler. Continue reading to view two more images of the Sportec SP 550mc.
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