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Naza Bikes exports the Flash and GTR 150!

May 11, 2009 at 5:32 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Bikes, Naza Bikes

Naza Bikes

Naza Bikes has just shipped out 500 units of its 125cc Naza Flash to the Iranian market, as well as 100 units of the 125cc Flash and 150cc GTR 150 to Brunei. Two containers full of CKD parts for the bikes were flagged off by the Deputy MInister of MITI Dato Mukhriz Mahathir end last month.

“This is a significant milestone for Naza Bikes as we move to retail our products beyond Malaysia. We continue to seek parties that are interested in retailing our products in other countries in line with the long-term direction of the company,” said Naza Group CEO SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin.

The Naza Flash is said to be quite similiar to the Honda Wave. Its 4-stroke 124.8cc engine produces 7.5 kilowatts at 7,500rpm and 10.3Nm of torque at 5,000rpm, using a common centrifugal clutch gearbox with 4 ratios. It has a fuel tank size of 3.7 litres.

Naza Bikes

The first two bikes produced by Naza at its 24,000 square feet Shah Alam plant are the Naza Symphony and Naza Gemilang. The company has since launched 12 different models since 2003 in collaboration with Korean, Taiwanese and Chinese partners and also offers big bikes between the 250cc and 650cc range.

The company currently brings in about 25% to 30% of its total revenue from export markets, which is good for the Malaysian economy, and hopes to increase this to 50% within the next 5 years. The company wants to have its own engine by 2014.

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Is this what the new Jaguar XJ will look like?

May 10, 2009 at 8:09 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Jaguar

Jaguar XJ Speculation
Click for hi-res enlarged image

We’re only about two months away from the unveiling of the all-new Jaguar XJ on the 9th of July 2009. All we have right now is a shot of the top of the car and a very short teaser video (watch after the jump) also featuring the same roof angle, but Theophilus Chin has whipped up some speculation for us based on the very little side views that we can see from the roof angle.

The new XJ will definitely have some family resemblance to the XF as the coupe-like roofline and the contours on the front bonnet are very visible from the teaser image. There is a rather interesting looking C-pillar which is visible in the teaser images, and Theophilus has used these clues to create his speculation.

A full panoramic glass roof as shown in the teaser will likely be an option if not standard, and like the XF, the XJ will be powered by a range of V6 and V8 engines.

2 more months to go!
[Read more...]

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Ford to bring back the Ford Capri?

May 10, 2009 at 7:18 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Ford, Rumours

Ford Capri

What better time for rumours of a revival of the Ford Capri to surface than the year of the 40th anniversary of the Ford Capri coupe. The Capri was born in 1969 and production ended in 1986, with a total of 3 generations built and sold.

Ford Capri
Click for enlarge image

Ford can take an idea or two from the Volkswagen stables. After all, they made a new Scirocco from the Golf platform, so Ford could easily produce a new Capri from the global Focus platform if they wanted to.

They seem to be already heading that “more models than before from one platform” way by spawning the S-MAX and the Kuga, both new models that are variations of the Focus platform.

Ford Capri
Click for enlarge image

In fact Ford just issued a long release with many product shots and a history of the Capri a few weeks ago, as if hinting to us that a new Capri concept will be shown this year. Of course the company’s last modern interpretation of the Capri was the Ford Visos Concept back in 2003, of which pictures you can find after the jump.

The shots in this article is an artist’s rendering by Theophilus Chin in line with Ford’s new “Kinetic Design” styling.
[Read more...]

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New Alfa Romeo models launched in Malaysia, including the Alfa 159 finally!

May 10, 2009 at 9:31 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Alfa Romeo, Cars, Local News

Alfa Romeo 159

Alfa Romeo is back alive and kicking with a launch of 4 new models in Malaysia all at once. Spearheading the list and expected to the the company’s volume seller here is the long-awaited Alfa Romeo 159, priced at RM 188,888.

Under the hood is a 2.2 litre JTS inline-4 twin cam engine mated to a 6-speed Selespeed automated manual transmission. The JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) is a direct injection lean burn engine that puts out 185 PS at 6,500rpm and 230Nm of torque at 4,500rpm, which is quite torquey for a 2.2 litre unit.

Alfa Romeo 159

The 159 has a decent level of equipment. We’re talking about a total of 9 airbags for the front, rear, side and driver knee, and there is also a front passenger airbag deactivation feature. Creature comforts include bi-xenon headlamps with washer, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto driving light control, follow me home headlamps, keyless ignition, rain sensor wipers, paddle shifts, stability control, an 8 speaker sound system, a sunroof, and full leather upholstery.

Internationally, there is a new engine for the 2009 model year and it would be nice if Sime Darby Autoconnexxion has plans to bring it in for future variants if they deem it suitable, we’re talking about the TBi engine, which is a 1.8 litre engine with direct injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing for both the intake and exhaust. It put outs 200 PS and 320Nm of torque (a 230 PS variant is also available for the Brera/Spider), so the two models could be differentiated like the Audi A4 1.8 and 2.0.

But in any case it looks like those who have been buying the Accord 2.4 and Mazda 6 2.5 (don’t think Camry 2.4 buyers are in the same category!) can now opt to shell out a little more and enjoy a sexy Italian beauty!

Alfa Romeo GT

Next up is the Alfa Romeo GT Blackline Coupe, powered by a 165 horsepower 206Nm torque 2.0 litre JTS engine mated to a 5-speed Selespeed, priced at RM 218,888. This sleek coupe never fails to turn heads but mechanically it is not very different from the Alfa GT sold by the distributor’s previous incarnation, Sime Darby Auto Italia.

The GT is equipped with a BOSE Hi-Fi system with amp and subwoofer, a CD player with MP3 capabilities, xenon headlamps, 8 airbags, stability control, and sports seats.

Alfa Romeo Brera

The Alfa Romeo Brera Coupe is priced at RM 308,888 and is powered by the same 2.2 litre JTS engine as the 159 sedan. You’ve got 7 airbags, stability control, 6 speakers, rain sensor wipers, keyless ignition, bi-xenon headlamps, 8-way electrically adjustable front seats with heating for the driver’s seat, and leather upholstery.

The flagship and most expensive car is the 2-seater Alfa Romeo Spider, also powered by the 2.2 litre JTS and 6-speed Selespeed. It’s priced at RM 318,888 and is essentially a soft top convertible version of the Brera.

Alfa Spider

The Spider’s equipment includes keyless ignition, rain sensor wipers, cruise control, paddle shifts, 6-speakers, bi-xenon headlamps with washer, heated driver’s seat, stability control, and 5 airbags for the front and sides of the 2 passengers including a driver’s knee airbag.

There is more coming. The cute little hatch called the MiTo will be coming later this year to give the MINI Cooper and the Fiat 500 some competition. Look after the jump for full galleries the bellas, including a few promo videos of the 159 and GT.
[Read more...]

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New AP policy might be announced end May?

May 9, 2009 at 11:18 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News

Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir says the review of the Approved Permits system is already at the final review stage and an announcement might be made by Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed by the end of this month.

“Currently, the AP issue is still being under scrutiny. It’s a very complex issue. It involves many people and different interests. We’ve to weigh different interests and have to come up with something that are acceptable to most parties,” said Datuk Mukhriz to Bernama reporters on Thursday.

Earlier this month the KL and Selangor Car Dealers and Credit Companies Association urged MITI to open up the AP system to everyone, with a 30% quota for Bumis and the rest via an open auction system.

Datuk Mukhriz suggested that the AP system may be rethinked or abolished, though the latter is quite unlikely at this point of time, an unfortunately thing really as when the new NAP was unveiled in 2006, it was stated that the AP system would be phased out completely in 2010.

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Malaysia’s Weststar to buy British vanmaker LDV

May 9, 2009 at 8:37 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Local News

Weststar LDV

Russian-owned British vanmaker LDV was just about to file for administration when suddenly there is a new announcement that gives them some hope – our very own Weststar will be purchasing them for 1 British Pound. The deal includes LDV and Birmingham Pressings Ltd, which supplies metal parts for LDV.

Ex-army man Datuk Seri Syed Azman’s Weststar Group used to hold the franchise APs for Honda and Chevrolet, and in 2007 they partnered up with LDV to assemble their MAXUS LDV vans here in Malaysia for both local consumption and regional export. The vans are assembled at DRB-HICOM’s Pekan facility. There are various bodytypes sold here in Malaysian including a minibus and an ambulance variant (shown above).

The British government has extended LDV a 5 million British Pound bridging loan to help keep the company afloat while the Weststar deal is being completed.

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New Proton dealership agreement for EON to rationalise sales and service network

May 8, 2009 at 5:45 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

ProtonProton Edar has signed a new Master Dealership agreement with EON for the sale and service of Proton cars in Malaysia. The new agreement is to rationalise the sales and distribution network.

This new agreement will extend for a period of 5 years from the 1st of July 2009. Here are the terms and conditions of the new agreement:

  • EON shall be entitled to maintain its existing forty (40) sales branches but shall reduce the same to thirty two (32) on or before 31 December 2010
  • EON shall ensure that the said 32 sales branches are consolidated into 3S (sales, service and spare parts) centres on or before 31 December 2010
  • EON shall be entitled to maintain its 32 service centres
  • EON shall be entitled to relocate its sales and / or service branches subject to Proton Edar’s written approval
  • EON shall be entitled to service or continue to service Mitsubishi marque cars until 31 December 2010

Take note that EON currently has sixty five (65) sales dealers and one hundred and fifty two (152) service dealers. It will have to rationalise its network to meet the conditions offered above. The last point in particular is quite interesting. It looks like Proton wants EON dealers to focus on selling Proton cars only.

With the signing of the new agreement, all EON sales and service dealers will undergo a migration process into the Proton Edar sales and service network with effect from 1 July 2009. Subsequent to the migration process, EON will no longer have any sub-dealers (sales & after sales) for Proton vehicles after 31 December 2009.

Under the consolidation exercise, EON dealers will migrate to Proton Edar within the next six months. During that period, EON’s sales and services dealers will be evaluated on their performance, compliance and business ability. This exercise is to streamline the dealer network into a smaller and stronger dealer network.

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New 170 PS Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI

May 8, 2009 at 5:19 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

Blue Scirocco

The Volkswagen Scirocco GT is now available as an oil burner, with a 2.0 litre TDI engine under the hood putting out 170 PS at a typically diesel 4,200rpm. A high performance diesel isn’t really surprising at all considering even the Mk6 Golf has a 170 PS GTD diesel variant.

While that 170 PS number may not cause much excitement, torque dials in at 350Nm from just 1,750rpm which should give the Scirocco plenty of shove from a stand-still, but being a modern diesel fuel consumption is rated at 53.3 mpg on the combined cycle.

The 6-speed manual version is slightly less polluting at only 139g/km of CO2 emissions and is priced at £21,755.00 RRP OTR while the 6-speed DSG version puts outs 147g/km of CO2 and is priced at a premium because of the twin clutch gearbox, you’ll have to fork out £23,060.00 for it, or about RM 122,150.

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Production SEAT Ibiza Bocanegra unveiled in both 150 PS and 180 PS guise!

May 8, 2009 at 4:41 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, SEAT

SEAT Ibiza Bocanegra

The hottest and probably the best looking production version of the SEAT Ibiza was unveiled in Barcelona at the 2009 Barcelona International Motor Show this week. The new Ibiza Bocanegra (FYI, the word Bocanegra means Black Mouth) is a tribute to the styling of the SEAT 1200 Sport back from the 1970s.

The Ibiza range already has a 150 PS Ibiza FR and a 180 PS Ibiza Cupra, but the new SEAT Ibiza Bocanegra offers both 150 PS and 180 PS tune versions of the 1.4 litre TSI engine, and adds a unique Bocanegra bodykit which looks way more aggressive and fitting of the 180 PS than the sedate-looking-in-comparison Ibiza Cupra.

The engine is mated to a 7-speed twin clutch transmission with paddle shifters, and an XDS electronic LSD. It’s small, light, has 180 PS and most importantly plenty of torque thanks to the twin-turbocharging. A nice alternative to other good-looking hot hatches like the MiTo and the Cooper S.

Look after the jump for more shots!
[Read more...]

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Volkswagen to assemble Touran in Indonesia

May 7, 2009 at 11:57 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Touran

The Wall Street Journal reports that Volkswagen is set to open its first South East Asian plant in Indonesia, with the first model to roll out of the new US$47 million (RM166 million) factory to be the Volkswagen Touran, hardly a surprise in a country where MPVs are just so popular.

The WSJ quoted Volkswagen spokesperson Christoph Adomat saying this Indonesian vehicle assembly plant is to be set up as Volkswagen’s first step toward the long-term development of the ASEAN markets. The plant will first only have assembly lines for CKD packs and paint shops, but later full fledged manufacturing could be considered. As Indonesia has trade agreements with Japan, it can also use the Indonesian base to export to that country.

This first ASEAN assembly plant location could have been Malaysia but the leaders involved chose a different path to go down, so let’s see where our own path leads.

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