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Kia Rio gets facelifted with the Schreyer grille

July 21, 2009 at 3:33 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Kia, Koreans

Kia Pride Facelift

Kia has updated both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Kia Rio in Korea, where it is called the Kia Pride. The front end is much more sportier now thanks to the Forte-like front bumper and it also gets the new Schreyer grille, a common feature on all new Kias all the way from the smallest Kia Morning (Picanto) up to the large Sorento. The interior has also been modernized and now features red backlighting.

Kia Pride Facelift

The Rio/Pride is Kia’s B-segment compact car, which is basically their version of the Hyundai Accent. Under the hood is a choice of either a 1.4 litre DOHC engine, a 1.6 litre CVVT engine or a 1.5 litre diesel engine with a variable geometry turbocharger. In Malaysia, only the 1.4 litre hatchback is sold.

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the facelift.
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Perodua Viva 660 BX replaces the Kancil

July 20, 2009 at 3:02 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Perodua, Perodua Viva

Viva

The last unit of the Perodua Kancil rolled off Perodua’s production line today. It will be replaced from Thursday onwards by a new baseline variant of the Perodua Viva called the Viva 660 BX manual. The following are the specifications (or rather lack of specifications) of the new Perodua Viva 660 BX:

  • 660cc DVVT engine 47hp @ 7,200rpm, 58Nm @ 4,400rpm
  • No power steering
  • No power windows
  • No central locking
  • No radio
  • No reverse sensors
  • Unpainted bumpers
  • Manual transmission only
  • Only available in Ivory White, Ebony Black and Glittering Silver

The cost? RM25,300.00 from Thursday onwards. Also watch out for another update on the Perodua Viva later this week called the Perodua Viva Elite.

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More juicy details on the Lexus HS250h

July 20, 2009 at 5:55 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Lexus, Videos

Lexus HS250h

Lexus has recently launched the new HS250h hybrid car in Japan with a monthly sales target of 500 units per month. The Atkinson cycle 2.4 litre engine mated to an electric motor managed to achieve 23 km per litre based on the Japanese 10-15 life cycle, and on the new JC08 test cycle, it managed 19.8km per litre.

The central LCD screen system which was a main feature and attraction of the 2nd gen Prius cabin that went missing in the 3rd gen is now back in the HS250h and renamed the Harmonious Driving Navigator. It monitors and provides information on the car’s hybrid system, fuel consumption, and brake energy regeneration as well as awards “points” for environmentally (and wallet) considerate driving. These points can be used by a Lexus owner to make donations to charities registered with Project Mirai Isan, which is managed by the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan.

Lexus HS250h

The 2AZ-FXE 2.4 litre engine makes 150 PS and 187Nm of torque, supplemented by a 143 PS electric motor with 270Nm of torque, backed by a NiMH battery. An e-CVT combines the two power sources up to a maximum of 190 PS at any one time.

Nothing really that interesting about the engine as its the same one found in the Camry Hybrid but as if to make up for it, there are a few interesting techy bits about the HS250h. The Lexus HS250h also has LED headlamps as well as tail lamps. It has a heads-up display system which can display various info such as speed, lane information and warnings.

Lexus HS250h

A Pre-crash Safety System using millimeter-wave radar detects whether driver’s eyes are properly open and also determining direction of driver’s face. If risk of accident is determined, system warns driver with buzzer and automatic braking. If there is a risk of a crash, the hazard lights flash, and if the risk is even higher, headrests are shifted to the appropriate positions to reduce strain on the neck and chances of whiplash injury.

There is also a telemetry system that reminds me of BMW Assist or BMW ConnectedDrive. The Lexus take on such services is called G-Link (called Lexus Enform with Safety Connect in the US). You will have access to a concierge that help you out in various ways. If you meet an accident, G-Link communicates with the remote Lexus center to contact the police and fire department. The call center will then call you to check if you are safe. If there is no answer, an ambulance will be called. The call centre operator can also help you with finding a location and can send GPS coordinates to your on-board GPS unit automatically. If there is an intrusion while the car is parked, the owner can be notified via phone and email.

Lexus HS250h

G-Link also monitors various car components such as the brakes and engine and can assist with booking a service appointment with your Lexus service center. Of course all of this costs money and G-Link is only free for the first 3 years if you buy the car new.

Look after the jump for a photo gallery with some new photos of the HS250h, some videos, as well as the previously published photo gallery of the HS250h dedicated hybrid.
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2010 Mazda3 2.0 Sport: a sporty niche product

July 20, 2009 at 3:19 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mazda, Test Drive Reviews

Mazda 3

Ah, it’s nice to see yet another C-segment competitor here in Malaysia. The new Mazda 3 was launched about a month ago by new Mazda distributors Bermaz, part of the Berjaya group. Although it has an all-new exterior and interior, the new Mazda 3 continues to ride on an adaptation of the old car’s platform. What kind of competitor is this new sporty-looking sedan and should you buy it? We find out after the jump.
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VIDEO: New Audi A5 Sportback

July 20, 2009 at 2:15 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Audi, Cars, Videos

Audi A5 Sportback

After officially unveiling the Audi A5 Sportback a couple of days ago, the German auto maker has now released a 5 minute-long driving footage of the new 5-door coupe, that is also spiced up with some beauty shots. The Sportback is offered with three engines from the diesel family and a further three units from the petrol family. The former is topped out with the 240 horsepower 3.0 litre TDI V6 while the latter has the 265 horsepower 3.2 litre FSI V6 on top of its list. Continue reading to watch the video.
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Bugatti teases the Bugatti Bordeaux super sedan

July 19, 2009 at 5:36 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars

Bugatti Bordeaux

Bugatti has teased its upcoming supercar on an invitation card for an exclusive preview event of the new product. From the scanned copy of the card, you can notice two horseshoe-like taillights, along with another vertical taillight that may split the rear windscreen in two.

You can also notice quad-exhaust tailpipes on each side of the car, indicating that it would have lots of power under the hood. However, it is being strongly suggested that the Bordeaux will feature a Veyron-sourced 1001HP 8.0 litre W16 powerhouse, that is also capable of spitting out 1250Nm of torque.

A concept version of the vehicle is expected to be previewed at the upcoming motor show in Frankfurt, that is happening in September. For those who are wondering about the origins of the name and is actually a city in France famous for the wine that comes from that region, Bordeaux wine. A rather suitable name for something upmarket, but please, no jokes about how the name is pronounced! :P

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2 new colours for the Peugeot 308 VTi

July 17, 2009 at 6:14 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Peugeot

Nasim has added two new colours to the Peugeot 308 VTi. The red shade you see above is called Babylon red and is the same one previously only available on the Peugeot 308 GT and the Turbo. It’s a very nice colour for the 308 and looks like it was meant to be a “hero colour” for the 308. As for the blue which is called Ocean Blue, it’s only available for the VTi. Look after the jump for a couple more photos.
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Electric-powered Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing confirmed for production!

July 17, 2009 at 5:54 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Mercedes Benz

Electric SLS AMG
Click for a larger diagram

After rumors emerged that Mercedes will be producing an electric version of the upcoming SLS AMG Gullwing sports car, the auto maker has now officially announced that such a car will go into production.

Called the Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing with electric drive, this emissions free sports car will have a total of four electric motors positioned near the wheels, with one transmission per axle that will transmit the power. With this arrangement there will not be any transmission losses, according to Mercedes.

The Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing with electric drive can produce up to 526 horsepower, with a massive torque figure of 880Nm which is mind blowing! This allows the electric Gullwing to hit 100 km/h in just 4 seconds flat, up to an unspecified top speed.

According to Mercedes, the 4-second sprint figure rivals the figure offered by the 6.3 litre V8-powered Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing that develops 571 horses. Power is derived from a 400-volt battery pack (with an energy content of 48 kWh and a capacity of 40 Ah), that can be recharged via plug-in, as well as via regenerative braking.

Mercedes also revealed that the handling and driving characteristics of the Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing with electric drive will match its carbon fuel-powered sibling. The auto maker also mentioned that the electric car will have an optimum weight distribution, which is achieved by placing parts of the batter pack in front of the firewall, in the centre tunnel and behind the seats.

Both Mercedes and AMG will be producing the electric Gullwing, and will have Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. (a joint venture between Daimler AG and Evonik Industries AG) to provide the battery technology required in future. The auto maker did not reveal any information regarding production schedule of the electric sports car in the press release.

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HGTE package now available as aftermarket add-on

July 17, 2009 at 3:52 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Ferrari

Ferrari

All the poor owners of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano who bought the car before the car with the HGTE package was offered and are now jealous of their mates can now fit the HGTE package as an aftermarket package, although it will not include the interior trim modifications that are part of the factory HGTE cars.

Look after the jump for full details on the package.
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Toyota Auris Hybrid to be made in the UK

July 17, 2009 at 6:48 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Toyota

Toyota Auris

Toyota has announced that it will be making a hybrid version of the Toyota Auris from mid-2010 onwards, and production for this new model will be set up in the UK at Toyota’s Derbyshire plant. No further specifications have been revealed at the moment, and it’s not known whether Toyota will fit their current 1.8 litre Hybrid Synergy Drive, or the older 1.5 litre from the 2nd generation Prius, or a totally new Hybrid Synergy Drive system perhaps based on the new 1.33 litre dual VVT-i engine. We’ll probably get more news at one of the upcoming motorshows. I wonder if a Corolla Altis Hybrid could be offered sometime in the future, since the Auris is effectively a Corolla hatchback.

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