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Peugeot 207 facelift to hit stores in August

June 30, 2009 at 12:45 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Peugeot

Peugeot 207

Peugeot has unveiled facelifted looks for the entire 207 range – this extends from the hatchback to the wagon and finally the 207 CC, the only 207 on sale here in Malaysia so far. On the outside, the 207 facelift gets a redesigned front which Peugeot says has been made look softer. There are also more chrome detailing. Alot of the black strips around the car are now body-coloured. The hatchback and CC models get new LED tail lamps.

On the inside its more of trim and detailing changes, and a new instrument panel design that’s said to be more modern and visually appealing, and a new gear change indicator for manual transmissions, but unfortunately the initial batch of press images that they’ve released doesn’t include pix of the updated interior. A new in-car entertainment system called Peugeot Connect USB with Bluetooth, remote controlled window operation, and a one-touch direction indicator are also some of the new features introduced.

Look after the jump for the first batch of 5 images of the various 207 bodystyles. This gallery will be updated later with new photos as they are released.
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First pix of new Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2

June 30, 2009 at 11:20 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Lamborghini

These are supposed to be the first photos of a new rear wheel drive version of the Gallardo, aptly called the LP550-2. And just like the name suggests, the 550 indicates the engine has been tuned to make 10 horses less than the 5.2 litre V10 motor in the LP560-4. More details will come later but the initial word is that it will be about 10% cheaper and be lighter by 30kg thanks to the absence of all-wheel drive hardware.

Look after the jump for 4 shots.
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Aston Martin “downsizes” with the Cygnet concept

June 29, 2009 at 4:25 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Aston Martin, Cars, Concept Cars

Aston Martin Cygnet

Perhaps all those Myvis going around town sporting a faux E60 5-Series look had the right idea all along. The car above is not a joke – it’s the Aston Martin Cygnet, which is basically a Toyota iQ with Aston Martin design cues.

“Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ. Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future. This concept – akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht – will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market,” says Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez.

I think the whole idea is that for Aston Martin drivers to buy a Cygnet and use it for short commutes, perhaps keeping the Aston Martin for longer trips that call for a GT car, or weekend drives to the golf course, that sort of thing. Well, that’s the official story they’re feeding us anyway. An alternative would be that Aston Martin is trying to reduce its overall average CO2 emissions ratings in order to comply with CO2 laws for its fleet of cars on sale. A low emissions iQ would be able to reduce the overall higher score of its more powerful sports cars. Maybe we’ll all get used to it later but for now I think Aston Martin design cues on a Toyota iQ looks ridiculous.

“The offering of a ‘Cygnet’ with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level,” Dr Ulrich Bez added.

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The Volvo XC60 is now here in Malaysia!

June 29, 2009 at 8:05 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Volvo

Volvo XC60

The new Volvo XC60 is here, available in two variants but both with a 3.0 litre turbocharged six-cylinder T6 engine producing an exciting 285 horsepower and 400Nm of torque from just 1,500rpm, mated to a 6-speed Geartronic auto. The two variants are called the XC60 T6 LE and the XC60 T6 SE, and they retail for RM360k and RM330k respectively, OTR without insurance. It’s a rather handsome and dynamic looking car actually, a far departure from the Volvos of the past. Think of it as a smaller XC90 on steroids, buffed up and more toned.

Volvo XC60

The more expensive LE version is the one with all the goodies. For an additional 30k, you get a panoramic sunroof, a 12 speaker Dynaudio premium sound system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning with Auto Brake, Lane Departure Warning, and Drive Alert Control. Collision Warning with Autobrake actually alerts the driver if the distance to the car in front of you suddenly decreases. If the driver does not react in time, the system brakes at up to 50% maximum braking power automatically.

The cheaper SE version gets an 8 speaker sound system. Both sound systems feature a 6-CD changer with AUX, USB, Bluetooth and iPod connectors. The interior leather can be had in either soft beige/espresso brown, or offblack. The trim inlays can be had in either a sporty brushed aluminium trim, or for something more classic, you have classic wood or Nordic light oak.

Volvo XC60

Here’s the rest of the equipment that comes with both LE and SE versions: dual stage driver and front airbags, dual chamber front SIPS (side impact protection system) airbags, Inflatable Curtain airbags, all-wheel drive, whiplash protection system, a 40:20:40 splitting rear seat, ABS, EBD, brake assist, ready alert brake, fading brake support, dynamic stability and traction control, roll stability control, rollover protection system, hill descent control, blindspot information system, rain sensor wipers, active bending lights, headlamp washers, ISOFIX points for the rear seats, speed sensitive power steering with 3 manual settings, electric seats for the front with memory for the driver, auto-dimming rear view mirror with integrated compass, powered tailgate, B-pillar ventilation vents, and a Personal Car Communicator for keyless entry and drive.

Optional over the prices above are various styling accessories which consist of larger 19 inch wheels, front bumper bars in matte aluminium, running boards, side scuff plates, and a rear bumper skid plate.
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Scissored Scirocco kit by JE Design

June 29, 2009 at 12:35 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Volkswagen

Scirocco

The Volkswagen Scirocco will be eye-catching enough on Malaysian shores when it gets here, but if that’s not enough for you, you can fit this bodykit from JE Design which also features scissor doors! It won’t come cheap though – the doors itself go for €1,559 (RM7,750) while the bodykit goes for €919. A 30mm lowering kit goes for €219, a sport exhaust system (€899) and to finish it off you can fit a set of 19-inch alloy wheels in silver (€2,810) or graphite (€2,930). In the engine department, the 2.0 TDI engine’s 140hp and 320Nm gets boosted up to 180hp and 400Nm.
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Volkswagen to take up 10% stake in Suzuki?

June 28, 2009 at 10:27 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Rumours, Suzuki, Volkswagen

Suzuki Alto

A German magazine reported last week that Volkswagen is looking to take up a 10% stake in Japanese carmaker Suzuki. Taking up stake and collaborating with the Japanese company in various areas such as network and product collaboration will allow Volkswagen to enter the Indian market with more success than they currently are having. Suzuki currently dominates the Indian market through the local JV, Maruti Suzuki.

The small little cars that Suzuki and Daihatsu are so good at building at seems to be a secret art that no one else can master. Most of the time the cars come out too cramped as there is not very efficient use of space, or they end up being too costly to manufacturer and price at the appropriate price tag that it needs to have.

Suzuki could benefit from Volkswagen’s technologies such as various fuel-saving tech such as FSI, TSI, TDI diesel and even hybrid tech, and Volkswagen could definitely use Suzuki’s access in India, and perhaps its K-car platforms in case it wants to do something smaller than the NSF (the Up! concepts – future Lupo).

Either way, investors seem to think positively of such a deal, as Suzuki shares went up by nearly 7.7% before settling down up 5.5% at 2,195 Japanese Yen.

21 Comments      

Hamilton’s MP4-24 F1 car is a paintbrush

June 28, 2009 at 3:40 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Videos

Panamera 4S

What happens when you take two canvasses, lots of Akzonobel Sikken paint (1,200 litres to be exact), and a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car and put them all together? Well depending on how artsy fartsy you are, it’s either art or a terrible waste of good paint. Seems to be a common theme these days, creating art with paintings done by a car in motion, like the one by BMW with the Z4.

Watch the video after the jump.
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VIDEO: Porsche Panamera 4S Beauty Footage

June 28, 2009 at 2:48 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Porsche, Videos

Panamera 4S

We seem to have no shortage of promo videos for the new Porsche Panamera. This time we get to see the Panamera 4S in an entirely different setting compared to the previously featured video – while the previous video was set in more of an urban environment, this one takes us onto the open roads.

Watch the video after the jump.

Other Porsche Panamera Videos:
New Porsche Panamera Promo Footage: exterior, interior, retractable spoiler, etc
VIDEO: Porsche Panamera Promo Footage
[Read more...]

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Proton’s Lancer-based new Waja on test?

June 26, 2009 at 2:37 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Malaysian Makes, Proton, Proton Inspira - full details, specifications and test drive, Spyshots

Proton Lancer Spyshot
Click for enlarged image

Reader Muaz spotted this Mitsubishi Lancer in the Golden Triangle area. You might not take a second glance at this Lancer, until you see that it there are something wrong with its bumpers – the front is black and the rear is grey.

Once that has captured your attention, you’ll see that it has trade plates. The photo here isn’t really high resolution enough to see what number it is but it looks like some variation of B2XXXA. This could be Proton’s new Waja replacement based on the Mitsubishi Lancer on test.

The base specs seems to be the Lancer GLS, as seen from the lack of a spoiler and the use of the GLS 5-spoke wheels, which are smaller.

Related Posts:
Proton’s Bursa Malaysia announcement on the Mitsubishi Licensed Product
Next-generation Proton Waja to be based on the Mitsubishi Lancer platform

395 Comments      

100 Honda Civic Hybrids on Malaysian roads now

June 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, Local News

100th Civic Hybrid in Malaysia

There are now 100 Honda Civic Hybrids in Malaysia brought in officially by Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Since Honda claims that each Civic Hybrid on the road potentially reduces their owner’s carbon footprint by 1 tonne a year compared to if they were to drive a regular car, these 100 owners have reduced by footprint by 100 tonnes a year collectively! Honda targets to have this number increased to 200 by end-2009.

The 100th owner is Michelle Lu, but she admits that the idea was actually her engineer husband’s. “When we first got the Civic Hybrid, our friends asked us why, because like myself, they too have the perception that it is a low capacity car with only a 1.3 litre engine and has no power. My perception has definitely changed now. It drives like a 1.8L vehicle and it is so much smoother and quieter,” said Lu.

When the Civic Hybrid was first introduced it was pretty pricey but with the government tax exemption (that’s sadly only valid for 2 years, I believe 1 year is gone now), the price has been brought down to RM129,980, which is about the same price as a 2.0 litre. But Malaysians are not exactly taking it up in the droves.

Before this we can say it’s too expensive, but what’s stopping us now? Lack of power compared to the 2.0 model? Uncertainties on how long the battery will last and how much servicing the car will be? I believe its more of the latter.

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