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Audi Q7 gets its mid-life facelift

Audi Q7

We’ve been talking about budget 7-seater family MPVs the whole of last week, time to get back to dreamworld and have a look at another type of 7-seater vehicle! Audi’s mammoth of an SUV the Q7 has been updated with a facelift. It gets a new grille, new bumpers, a more distinctive underbody protection design, new side sills, more aggressive fender flares, optional LED daytime running lights, air-intake mounted LED signal lamps, and new LED lighting for the tail lamps. There is also a chrome package for more chrome trim on the exterior.

Audi Q7

On the interior you get a new instrument cluster with larger displays, including Audi’s latest MMI system with hard drive storage, 3D map graphics, a DVD player, voice control, Bluetooth telephony, TV tuner, and even optional rear seat entertainment. The top of the line specs that can be specified is a Bang & Olufsen sound system with 505 watts of power through 14 speakers and 10 channels.

Audi Q7

The Q7 is beginning to get quite popular here in Malaysia (perhaps too many X5, Touareg and Cayennes around) as reconditioned units are beginning to come in to pique the interest of those who want a cheaper deal than the official distributor. It looks absolutely menacing coming up your back through the rear view mirror and now with the new LED daytime running lights it’s going to be an even scarier sight.
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Perodua MPV D46T spotted at Restoran Jejantas!

Perodua D46T MPV

A Youtuber called byawn4us spotted this disguised Perodua MPV at the Sungei Buloh Restoran Jejantas carpark on Thursday, just one day after the launch of the Proton Exora. The flow of the video is somehow quite convenient really, first you get to see it parked next to a Wira, then it reverses and drives past a Viva, giving us a good comparison of its size compared to other cars that we see daily.

Perodua D46T MPV

The Perodua MPV (codenamed D46T) is based on the Toyota Passo Sette and is definitely smaller than the Proton Exora, but it is expected to be cheaper (indicated pricing of RM66k and below) and there will always be people who are drawn to its Toyota DNA, even more so if they only need 5+2 instead of 7 seater capabilities.

Have a look at the Toyota Passo Sette version, or watch the video after the jump.

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Toyota Passo Sette: 7-seater MPV full details
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Proton Menawan Dunia Song and Lyrics

ProtonSome of you have enquired on the song at the end of the Proton Exora launch video posted up yesterday.

The song is “Menawan Dunia” by Aubrey Suwito, lyrics by Tinta S and performed by Badri Ibrahim. Look after the jump to listen to the song, and you will also find the lyrics.
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Proton Exora: Dato Syed Zainal’s Speech

Syed Zainal Speech

For those of you who missed the live telecast of the Proton Exora’s launch on TV1, I am re-”broadcasting” it here on this site as I noticed some of you had praised Datuk Syed Zainal for giving a good speech, which piqued the interest of some other readers to want to watch it, but missed the chance.

I was busy writing the Exora stories so I did not make it to the launch, and even missed it on the TV so I was also curious of the contents of this speech, so I managed to source it and here it is. OK let me stop rambling. Continue reading to watch the MD’s speech at the launch. The video ends with a Proton theme song performance by Badri Ibrahim from MyStarz LG, who just so happens to be working for Proton. Enjoy!
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Ford Fiesta overtakes Golf sales in March 2009

Ford Fiesta Zetec S

As the recession still wrecks havoc in the US and Europe and pretty much all parts of the world, increasingly price and cost conscious consumers continue to downsize one segment down with their new car purchases.

The Volkswagen Golf has just lost its number one selling car title in Europe to the Ford Fiesta, which is one size smaller and a competitor to the Volkswagen Polo. Ford sold 52,805 Ford Fiestas in Europe in March 2009, compared to 46,415 Volkswagen Golfs. However the Golf still tops the Fiesta in total Q1 2009 sales figures – 119,651 units versus 113,576 units.

Sales of the Fiesta were especially boosted by the new scrapping plans offered by European governments, which offer up to 5,000 Euros to scrap an old car for a new model, which usually ends up being a small car. 5,000 Euros is seriously alot of money for a small car in Germany, where a Polo starts from under 13,000 Euros. So it is really quite a real incentive there.

It makes our measly RM5,000 scrapping incentive look like pittance, which is what it is really, I don’t know why they keep comparing our scrapping scheme to other countries. The scrap incentive got translated dollar to dollar when the car prices are not.

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New SEAT Ibiza FR with 150 PS twincharged TSI

SEAT Ibiza FR

This is the new SEAT Ibiza FR, which sits just under the hot 180 PS Ibiza Cupra. Like the previous generation Ibiza FR, this new model also has a 150 PS engine but instead of the aging 1.8 litre turbo it uses a modern twin-charged 1.4 litre TSI engine (the Cupra also uses a twincharged 1.4) mated to a 7-speed twin clutch DSG. It even meets EU5 emission standards. SEAT have also fitted the Ibiza FR with the XDS system which uses the ESP system to brake the wheel that is losing grip to help with traction.
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Proton Exora Crash Testing Videos

Proton Exora Crash

Proton has sent the Proton Exora for crash testing using the Applus+ IDIADA facility in Spain. The tests were required to engineer the Exora to meet Euro NCAP 4 star standards, which Proton claims the Exora will be able to achieve based on its tests conducted at IDIADA according to Euro NCAP test specifications.

In this story are tables listing the tests – note that P0 and P1 denote two different stages of prototypes, so the earlier P0 car would have failed some tests which the P1 car passed later because of revisions to the prototype specs.

Crash Table
Click for enlarged image

The Exora was designed to be able to achieve a 4 star Euro NCAP equivalent of crash safety but of course you can’t just rely on your engineering data for that, you have to actually crash it and see what happens, and if it doesn’t go as to what you predicted, go back to the drawing board and fix it.

Crash Table
Click for enlarged image

A total of 32 Proton Exora crash test vehicles were destroyed in various tests including a rollover test. The cost of these vehicles amounted well into a Ringgit figure that is 8 digits long, because at the early developmetn stages you are essentially making a few nearly one-off parts, so when things are not produced in volume they are very expensive.

These videos have already been inserted into the launch, specs and price story that I published right after the Exora launch ceremony, but here they are again after the jump for those who missed them.

Related Posts:
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Proton Exora Technology Exhibition
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Proton Exora Prestige Concept
[Read more...]

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Proton Exora Prestige Concept

Proton Exora Prestige

This is the other concept Proton Exora which Proton Design whipped up in conjunction with the Exora’s launch. The Proton Exora Prestige converts the Exora into a VIP chauffeured car with a lounge behind where one can either continue to work on the move or relax on the way home after a stressful day.

There is of course a bodykit which includes a double fin front bumper grill, warp-around chrome foglamp garnish, a front lip, side skirts, rear apron with integrated quad exhausts, a rear roof spoiler, chrome glass trimming, chrome side protector moulding, a customised smoked rear brake lamp, tinted glass, and 18 inch wheels with 224/40R18 tyres.

Proton Exora Prestige

In the interior, the first row is separated from the rest of the vehicle via a glass panel to give the boss at the back some privacy. The rear passenger can communicate with the driver via an intercom. This privacy glass panel includes a 19 inch LCD TV.

The VIP seats have electric adjustments, a massage system, and a built-in working table. Other creature comforts include a nice sound system including two 8 inch subwoofers to match the 5.1 channel DVD player, a stow-away footrest and a cooler box.

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the Exora Prestige.

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Proton Exora platform to spawn new models
Proton Exora Prototype Test Drive Experience!
Proton Exora: Body Control Module and a few more juicy details!
Proton Exora Technology Exhibition
Proton Exora Prime Concept
[Read more...]

180 Comments      

GALLERY: Proton Exora Technology Exhibition

Proton Exora FEM

During the media preview and drive event for the Proton Exora MPV last week in Cyberjaya, Proton had a whole room dedicated to a tech exhibition showcasing the technologies that went into the new Proton Exora. Of course alot of these stuff isn’t exactly cutting edge but are unique at this price segment for this model, and alot of them also represent their first time of usage in a Proton. I wanted you to feel like you were there so I snapped photos of as many slides and items as possible. Look after the jump for a full gallery of the Exora tech exhibition.

Related Posts:
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Proton Exora platform to spawn new models
Proton Exora Prototype Test Drive Experience!
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[Read more...]

99 Comments      

Proton Exora Launch: Proton Exora Prime Concept

Proton Exora Prime

Proton Design showcased two modified Proton Exora MPVs at the launch of the Exora yesterday evening. Some of you may have already seen these cars during the live telecast on TV1, but here is a closer look at the two vehicles. This is the white one called the Proton Exora Prime. Here’s the stuff that Proton Design added to the Exora Prime:

  • Pearl White Exterior
  • Double Fin Front Bumper Grille
  • Corporate Graphic At FR Door Trim
  • High Gloss Black Side Mirrors
  • High Glass Black Roof
  • Wrap-around Satin Galvano Foglamp Garnish
  • Customised Side Skirts
  • Customised Rear Apron with Integrated Exhaust
  • Customised Satin Galvano Glass Trim
  • Clear Rear Brake Lamps
  • Tinted Glass
  • 17 inch Wheels with 215/45R17 tyres
  • 2-DIN DVD player with integrated GPS
  • Rear view mirror with integrated LCD for reverse camera
  • 1st and 2nd row pilot seats with integrated LCD and mobile theater system
  • Cooler box for the floor console

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the Exora Prime concept.

Related Posts:
Proton Exora: Malaysia’s first MPV from RM69,998!
Proton Exora platform to spawn new models
Proton Exora Prototype Test Drive Experience!
Proton Exora: Body Control Module and a few more juicy details!
[Read more...]

196 Comments