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Audi sets up e-tron game in Playstation Home

September 21, 2009 at 4:14 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Audi, Cars

Audi Vertical Run

Audi will be using the Playstation Home “gaming social media” service as part of its Audi e-tron concept’s marketing campaign. I’m not sure if motoring and gaming go together so I think some explanation on what exactly Playstation Home must come first. Essentially its a community that you can access on your PS3, and membership is free.

Users can travel throughout the Home world within their region, and the world is constantly updated by Sony and partners. Each part of the world is known as a space. Public spaces can just be for display, fun, or for meeting people.

Audi has set up its own space, quite generically but aptly called the Audi Space. Basically you can head onto the Audi Space to check out the e-tron concept. The Playstation Home world also includes free minigames within the world, so Audi has also come up with a game called Vertical Run. It will only be launched in December though.

The goal of Vertical Run is to beat the competition in a multiplayer challenge by collecting enough electrical energy and avoiding driving errors in the e-tron, in order to reach the highest possible speed. The best drivers in the Vertical Run game will be able to access special spaces around the world called “Audi apartments”, though I’m not sure what exactly are in the apartments.

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Alister McRae takes driver’s seat in Neo S2000

September 21, 2009 at 3:36 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Motorsports

Karamjit and Alister

Apparently Karamjit Singh will be replaced by Scotsman Alister McRae at the next round of the APRC scheduled to take place in early October in Indonesia. The McRae name is synonymous with rallying – Alister is the late Colin McRae’s brother. It’s not known officially at the moment whether this replacement is temporary or permanent.

Proton Satria Neo S2000

I wonder if it has something to do with Karamjit not being used to a left hand drive car (so far the results haven’t been fantastic) and delays with a right hand drive conversion, or some problems with Karamjit not being available. But anyway, all I want to see is the Neo S2000 ‘tapauing’ the other cars so if a better driver is going to help do that, I’m all for it.

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Perodua MPV teased in Hari Raya print ads

September 21, 2009 at 4:01 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Perodua, Perodua Alza - New Perodua D46T MPV 2009

Perodua MPV D46T
Click for enlarged image

This may look like just another Hari Raya greeting from Perodua at first but for those who are follow the auto industry closely and are expecting something to be launched soon will immediately realise that this is in fact a hidden teaser for the new Perodua MPV!

The Perodua MPV will be based on the Toyota Passo Sette (also known as the Daihatsu Boon Luminas) and has been called the codename Perodua D46T for the development stage. Being engineered from an existing Toyota and Daihatsu model, the only surprise for us usually is the car’s refreshed and Perodua-ised exterior looks but even for that, we already have a rough idea of how it’ll look like thanks to teasers that Perodua have released – the exterior at SMIDEC and the interior at MSAM.

The interior teaser shown in April this year had a cream interior and this colour scheme has been repeated in this teaser image – the seats are done up in cream. There will be a small middle seat between the driver and front passenger but in this teaser image, it has been folded down to use as an armrest, and probably that’s how it should be used as most of the time as there probably won’t be any seatbelt for the front middle chair.

Second row shows all three occupants are buckled up – with the middle occupant wearing a lap belt. It doesn’t look like the third row occupants are wearing any seat belts (though there is most likely going to be seat belts equipped for the third row) and I personally don’t think the rear will be that wide – it must be some kind of optical trick.

Perodua’s head honcho Datuk Syed Hafiz has stated repeatedly to the mainstream media that the new Perodua D46T MPV is positioned mainly as a car with a large boot instead of an MPV (I believe the proper term for that is wagon). They won’t be trying to go head to head against the Exora or other MPVs, or at least that’s what they are saying now in the interviews that you see in the mainstream media every month.

This is quite different from the marketing strategy used by “cousin” UMW Toyota for their Avanza promos – the ads clearly show and promote the advantages of having 7 seats (remember the left behind print ads?). The third row is only meant to be used whenever needed – an admission to its extremely utilitarian looks as shown in the Japanese version photos. But of course marketing may say one thing but consumer purchase decision behaviour could go the other way – “it has seven seats so it must be an MPV?”

These interviews also unveiled a November 2009 launch date. Why so late and not in time for the balik kampung purchases you ask? It could be something to do with the impending NAP announcement – perhaps it is not safe to announce one set of prices and then have to change it a few months later?

If you want to find out more about the new Perodua MPV, you can refer to my past coverage on the subject, especially the coverage on the Toyota/Daihatsu cars as they show the Japanese version in detail including exterior and interior. Selamat Hari Raya! :)

Thanks to Iskandar Hidayat for the pointer!

Related Posts:
Toyota Passo Sette: 7-seater MPV full details
Perodua MPV D46T spotted at Restoran Jejantas Sg Buloh
Perodua MPV D46T to sell for RM56k to RM66k!
Perodua MPV unveiled fully undisguised in SMIDEC teaser (with video!)
Perodua MPV D46T interior exhibited at MSAM 2009

273 Comments      

Honda CR-V facelift unveiled in Japan

September 21, 2009 at 1:20 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Honda CR-V Facelift

Though we’ve already seen the new CR-V in full after the European and US offices released details and pix of the car earlier, our CR-V is very likely to have more in common with the Japanese version (for the real deal, gotta look at the ASEAN market versions) rather than the Euro or US cars.

Honda CR-V Facelift

The shots I found of the Japanese facelifted CR-V shows certain models with wood interiors – I must say it gives the SUV a completely different look and feel on the inside even though the basic design and shapes are just the same.

Honda CR-V Facelift

Look after the jump for galleries of the Japanese facelifted CR-V and the previously published album of the US version. Aren’t you glad we don’t get the outdated-looking USDM amber turn signals instead of our modern transparent signal indicators? Apparently the US DOT requires amber coloured reflectors at the front but somehow have no qualms about having red turn signals at the rear.

I’ve seen cars in the US where the manufacturer had to add an ugly orange sticker onto the body near the headlamps (look at this photo of the new 7-Series) because they didn’t want to produce a different amber lense design, probably for cost cutting purposes.
[Read more...]

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New updates to hybrid Lexus GS450h

September 20, 2009 at 10:45 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Lexus

Lexus GS450h

Lexus has facelifted the GS 450h. No, it’s not yet another update to the GS line as we’ve already seen that early last year but more of a cosmetic update to further differentiate the hybrid version from the “regular” GS. There’s a new front grille with thicker horizontal bars instead of the regular GS’s horizontal bars, and new rear tail lamps.

There have also been some changes to the Pre-Crash Safety system, so I guess it is safer to crash your 2010 GS450h compared to the 2009 model, in case you’re wondering. The new features are the pre-crash seatbelt and brake assist functions with pre-crash brake technology. Both front seats are fitted with new, inflator-operated active headrests, activated by a signal from the ECU in the event of a rear-end impact. The inflator slides a piston into the headrest, unlocks the mechanism and projects the headrest forwards and upwards to support the occupant’s head and reduce the risk of whiplash injury.

With the new Euro 2M diesel implemented here in Malaysia, I can tell you that there will be a barrage of eco-marketing (i.e. – good for nature and pocket) from the two main German luxury marques here in Malaysia. Lexus has its hybrid models positioned for the same purpose internationally.

There has yet to be any hybrid Lexus introduced in Malaysia yet, but with the introduction of the Prius out of the way, you would think there could be the possibility of a hybrid Lexus sometime in the future. But that remains to be seen as the hybrid Lexus cars all have their combustion engine sizes over 2.0 litres, which disqualify them from any kinds of incentives currently offered by the government.
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Brabus Ultimate High Voltage Concept: “tuned up” electric smart fortwo

September 20, 2009 at 1:59 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, smart

The Brabus Ultimate High Voltage Concept is basically a Brabusified electric smart fortwo, and despite the word concept in its name its actually supposed to be very close to production, though the name might change.

Though they call it “Ultimate”, I think it could probably get better than this because a 0 to 100km/h acceleration time of 9.8 seconds is decent but hardly what you’d call sporty.

The electric motor puts out 82 horsepower and a peak torque 280Nm of torque right from zero revolutions. Such is the characteristics of electric drives that you might as well drop the word peak from the phrase peak torque.

Look after the jump for a full photo gallery of the electric smart.
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Chrysler to use Fiat engines, ends GEMA alliance

September 18, 2009 at 5:08 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Chrysler, Hyundai, Koreans, Mitsubishi

Lancer EngineThe GEMA alliance has ended this month. GEMA stands for Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance, and was a joint venture between Mitsubishi, Chrysler and Hyundai-Kia to develop a family of 4-cylinder engines.

There are currently three different sizes available – 1.8 litre, 2.0 litre and 2.4 litre. In Malaysia, there are a few cars that use engines derived from the GEMA project – the 2.0 litre motors in the Lancer and Lancer Evolution X, and the 2.0 litre motors in the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima and Naza Rondo.

Chrysler says it intends to replace its GEMA engines with new small engine technology it will gain access to from its new Italian partner Fiat. But interestingly, despite Chrysler stating an intention to replace its GEMA products with Fiat products, Chrysler is the one who has ended up with full ownership of the GEMA plant. Mitsubishi and Hyundai have just sold their stakes to Chrysler. It is likely that the plant will be converted to a plant making Fiat engines in the future.

Technology bought to GEMA by an individual company will remain the intellectual property of that company, so Hyundai and Mitsubishi will likely be able to continue using their Theta/Theta II and 4B series of engines respectively.

16 Comments      

Hyundai Sonata YF gets world unveiling in Korea!

September 18, 2009 at 3:57 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News, Koreans

Hyundai Sonata YF

The new Sonata YF has been unveiled in Korea and I must say the specs list looks very good indeed. The cost of development to Hyundai was 400 billion won (RM1.15 billion) over a timespan of 4 years, and I must say the results look pretty good so far.

Not sure how long it’ll take to recoup costs but the car will be priced in Korea at 21.3 million Won (RM61,350) to 25.95 million Won (RM74,800).

Hyundai Sonata YF

The Sonata has a particularly powerful 2.0 litre engine from the Theta II family, which is a development of the GEMA world engine. Variants of the GEMA world engine are also found in Chrysler cars and locally in the Mitsubishi Lancer and Kia Optima.

The difference is with this latest stage of tune, horsepower and torque figures have been increase and are now even more impressive. The engine can now make a peak power output of 165 PS at 6,200rpm and a peak torque of 198Nm at 4,600rpm, which is very close to the 100Nm per litre ratio.

Hyundai Sonata YF

It’s one of the highest torque outputs available in non-premium segment engines without direct injection. This engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic, which is also the best in class so far in its segment (both competitors have 4 or 5-speeders).

Although only one engine option has been unveiled now, Hyundai says a 2.4 litre version with direct injection will be unveiled in January next year when it presents the US market version. Small engines like a 2.0 will never sell over there.

Hyundai Sonata YF

The body has a four-door coupe-ish look to the roofline, and most people are instantly reminded of the Passat CC when a few shots were leaked in the past few weeks. Hyundai calls this new design language “fluidic sculpture”. It’s designed to project a more youthful image for the car, so Hyundai probably intends it to be more Mazda 6 than Toyota Camry.

Vehicle Dynamic Control is standard, and there are also other driver assist features such as Hill-Start Assist Control and Brake Assist. The car also has the Korean market Mozen telematics system. This is not really likely to make its way anywhere outside of South Korea for now but its pretty interesting. It’s basically like BMW ConnectedDrive – the car can access various information systems via the WCDMA mobile network. You get features such as SOS calls and Mozen Autocare anti-theft tracking.

Look after the jump for a video and more shots of the YF Sonata.
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Hamann Largo – Fiat 500 with 348Nm torque!

September 18, 2009 at 3:46 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Fiat

Hamann Largo

Can you imagine 265 horsepower and 348Nm of torque in a small Fiat 500? Hamann has managed to do it, but unfortunately the base car is the 500 Abarth so you won’t be able to apply this kit to the 500 sold here in Malaysia.

But I suppose it’s nice for the larger Bravo GT’s owners knowing that the 1.4 litre T-JET engine is capable of such power outputs. The 265 horses is achieved at 5,630rpm while you will have to wait longer for the massive torque as it is only achieved at 4,200rpm.

This Hamann 500 (which they’ve called the Hamann Largo) is going to be one scary car indeed – that amount of power and torque in such a small car beats both the Cooper S and Cooper JCW flat. But er, if it were up to me, I’m gonna go for the power upgrade, the brakes, and skip the bodykit.
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VIDEO: More sights and sounds of the 458 Italia

September 18, 2009 at 3:14 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Ferrari, Videos

Ferrari 458 Italia

I can definitely ignore how bad the new 458 Italia looks after this video… plenty of engines screaming and tyres screeching. Two Ferrari 458 Italias battle it out on a track. It should help any potential owners decide between yellow and red… heh. Check the video out after the jump.
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