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Group of car manufacturers sign Letter of Understanding on fuel cell electric vehicles

September 9, 2009 at 10:15 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel

Honda FCX Clarity

Fuel cell vehicles or electric vehicles – they both have one thing in common. An electric motor or multiple motors are at the core of the propulsion and the only difference is how the motors get their power.

At the beginning we could see different manufacturers head down different paths with their alternative fuel cars but today there has been an interesting development – a joint announcement from a few carmakers backing fuel cell electric vehicles.

A group of companies comprising of Daimler, Ford, GM/Opel, Renault, Nissan, Hyundai-Kia, Honda and Toyota have announced they’ve signed a Letter of Understanding regarding the development and market introduction of electric vehicles with fuel cells. These car companies strongly anticipate that from 2015 onwards, a significant amount of electric vehicles with fuel cells can be commercialised – a few hundred thousand units is the aim.

B-Class F-CELL

These manufacturers jointly call for countries to setup hydrogen infrastructures and in a way what I think they are doing is trying to convince the people responsible for the refueling infrastructure that once the network is set up, there will be cars to use them and make them viable. Yes, the idea of refueling your car from a wall socket is nice but currently it takes too long, even with a wall charger.

Refueling your car with hydrogen can potentially be as quick as refueling the various liquids we currently pump into our cars, but as it is refueling time would depend on how the hydrogen is stored on-board the car, and even that varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and even car to car.

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Photoshopped: a Jaguar XF Estate?

September 9, 2009 at 9:30 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Jaguar

Jaguar XF Estate
Click for enlarged image

Jaguar’s last wagon was the Jaguar X-Type wagon – remember that Mondeo-based car that was initially offered only in all-wheel drive to distance itself from its front wheel drive plebian heritage? Since then the company has only made sleek sedans.

Yes, the E-Class and 5-Series have wagon versions but Jaguar refuses to be lumped in the same category as those cars, even to the point that they’ve resisted making small-engined versions of the new XF. There will be no E200K or 523i competitor for the XF (for now)… the range starts at the 3.0 litre.

Jaguar XF Estate
Click for enlarged image

But still, people can dream, and when Theophilus Chin’s imagination runs wild what you get are the two chops you see above, an XF Estate.

Do you think there’s room in the world for a new catwagon?

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Beijing Auto takes up stake in Koenigsegg

September 9, 2009 at 8:49 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Koenigsegg, Saab

Saab 9-5

When Koenigsegg announced that it was interested in taking over Saab from GM, other than the usual questions on whether the Swedish supercar company would have the ability and experience to turn the brand around, there was also the question of how Koenigsegg was going to finance the deal.

Of course they’re going to get help – and the first ‘partner’ has been announced – Beijing Auto. Beijing Auto will be taking up a stake in Koenigsegg which will help them finance the Saab takeover bid. “This is an important step on the road toward a new Saab. We have a well prepared business plan, an important partnership and we are ready to proceed without government financing,” said Koenigsegg CEO Christian von Koenigsegg.

Beijing Auto was not successful in their bid to get a piece of the GM Europe pie with Opel and Vauxhall, but plan B seems to have worked – they now have another way in through Saab. There were also rumours earlier this year that Beijing Auto is seeking to buy Delphi’s non-core assets and Volvo, though now Geely is the only sole bidder for Volvo. Beijing’s JV partners in China include Daimler AG and Hyundai.

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MINI Frankfurt Exhibits – Teaser Video #1

September 9, 2009 at 7:43 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Concept Cars, Videos

BMW’s MINI division released the video above just a few hours ago and its supposed to be a teaser for the brand’s 2009 Frankfurt show exhibits.

From what we know so far, two cars are going to be exhibited, with one being the MINI Coupe Concept. The other is said to be a MINI SUV that’s much closer to production (or perhaps even a production car) compared to the MINI Crossover Concept from last year.

Anyway, more teaser videos will be coming up, building up momentum towards the actual Frankfurt show. I’ll post other teasers up as they are released.

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090909: It’s MUFORS Road Safety Day!

September 9, 2009 at 2:44 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News

MUFORS LogoIt’s 09/09/09 today – a number that means different things for different people but in the context of the Malaysian motorist its MUFORS Road Safety day, part of the Malaysians United For Road Safety (MUFORS) project.

So when you’re rushing home to buka puasa from your office later please remember to drive safely. It’s going to be jammed for sure, but please stay patient. Have something light and refreshing to buka puasa in your car. Don’t jump queues and red lights.

Some of you have made your pledge earlier. Those who have made pledges are supposed to carry out their pledges today as a symbolic thing but in reality you should be practicing good road habits all the time and not only just today. My car is in the workshop so I won’t be doing any driving today – easiest way of carrying out my pledge I guess!

Of course other than a way to submit your pledges there is a also an online poll on the MUFORS site where Malaysian motorists can vote for their most annoying Malaysian road habits. Here are the top 5 results so far as of time of publishing:

  • Drivers who don’t use their indicators – 11.7%
  • Aggressive tail gating – 11.4%
  • Mat Rempits – 9.1%
  • Road hoggers – 8.6%
  • Driving on emergency lanes – 6.9%

The MUFORS project is definitely timely as it’s Balik Kampung season soon and the volume of traffic on the highways will be high. Long journeys will take a toll on the driver (no reference to the actual tolls) so be sure to take breaks if you’re tired.

For those who are eagerly waiting to see if you’ve managed to win a fresh new set of Duraplus tyres from Goodyear, all entries have been sent to Goodyear Malaysia and they’re picking the winner now :) Good luck guys!

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First shots of new McLaren MP4-12C

September 9, 2009 at 1:31 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, McLaren

McLaren MP4-12c

Its name definitely doesn’t roll off your tongue as well as its predecessor the “F1″, and at first glance its looks doesn’t really spark any excitement at least in this car enthusiast, but I can’t wait to find out what this baby can do – apparently a 0 to 100km/h acceleration time of under 3.5 seconds is possible.

McLaren will build 1,000 units of the MP4-12C annually at a new factory at the same site the group builds its F1 cars. The factory is expected to have an initial peak capacity of 4,000 cars a year, four times more than the planned production for the new McLaren when it is launched in 2011 with a price tag of between US$200k to US$290k, higher than its Ferrari or Lamborghini rivals.

McLaren MP4-12c

What we know right now is that the MP4-12C’s chassis is constructed from a carbon fiber composite tub constructed in a single piece. They call this the Carbon MonoCell. Body panels are also carbon fiber. For McLaren, the MP4-12C is supposed to be value for money. Now how can this be at these prices?

Here’s why. When it comes to fast cars, there are a few ‘segments’. The McLaren F1 is priced in the ‘core’ segment which includes cars like the 458 Italia, the Gallardo, 911 Turbo, DB9, etc. There are higher segments where cars like the 612 Scaglietti sit, or the ‘ultimate’ group where you get cars like the McLaren SLR, McLaren F1, the Veyron, Paganis and Koenigseggs. McLaren says they are bringing technology from the ‘ultimate’ group into this new ‘core’ product.

McLaren MP4-12c

In the engine bay (mid-mounted) sits a new engine called the McLaren M838T which McLaren says it developed in-house – a 3.8 litre twin-turbocharged V8 mated to a 7-speed twin clutch system making 600 horsepower and 587Nm of torque (80% said to be available from 2,000rpm). The V8 uses a flat-plane crank so it’ll sound more shrieky Ferrari V8 and less burbly American V8. Its redline is pegged at 8,500 – forced induction and high revving in one engine!

Look after the jump for more pix of the new McLaren.
[Read more...]

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Volvo C30 hatchback receives facelift

September 9, 2009 at 3:00 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Videos, Volvo

Volvo C30

The C30 hatchback has been updated to feature Volvo’s new front-end look, as per the convertible C70 recently. Most of the changes are aesthetic and also include new colour choices for the exterior and interior – total configurations thanks to the various options results in 2,561,328 possible combinations.

Other than the looks, the other most significant change to me is the new ‘sports chassis’ option which basically means stiffer bushes, a 10% lower steering ratio, and suspension parts (these include new monotube stiffer dampers, stiffer springs and stiffer roll stabilizers) that are stiffer by 30%.

Volvo C30

The star engines of the range are the T5 and D5 models. The petrol T5 puts out 230 horses and 320Nm of torque from its 2.5 litre inline-5 while the D5′s 2.4 litre turbodiesel makes 180hp and 400Nm of torque, yet consumes only 6.2 litres per 100km.

Look after the jump for photos and videos of the C30.
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Mystery Citroen concept car to debut at Frankfurt

September 9, 2009 at 2:25 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Citroën, Concept Cars

Citroen Concept

Citroen will be exhibiting the car above at the Frankfurt show but other than this photo we don’t know any other details at the moment, not even whether it is a concept or a production model, though by the looks of it, it should be a concept.

It definitely looks like a small car though, something smaller than the C3, perhaps a new C2 or maybe a C1 (current C1 is a badge engineered Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo from the B-Zero project). It could also be a smaller car in the new DS premium range.

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Lexus LF-Ch Concept front end look unveiled

September 8, 2009 at 4:52 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Lexus

Lexus LF-Ch
Click for enlarged image

We’ve already seen how the rear end of the new Lexus concept hatchback looks like, so here’s a few front shot. It definitely shares a family look with the IS sedan, though unlike the IS it is most likely to be front wheel drive and based on the chassis of the Auris. The production version is very likely to be very much toned down.

Look after the jump and you’ll find a photo of the previously unveiled rear end.
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Honda develops twin clutch gearbox… for bikes

September 8, 2009 at 3:20 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Bikes

Honda VFR DCT

The good news – Honda now has a dual-clutch transmission. The bad news (for most of us anyway) is that it’s a transmission for large sport bikes, so you’re not going to see a twin clutch in a Civic for now.

Honda claims this is the first fully automatic motorcycle dual clutch transmission for large-displacement sport bikes in the world. The transmission will make its production debut in a Honda VFR in Europe and North America in 2010, with Japanese sales to start later.

Honda VFR DCT

Like most twin clutch transmission, even gears are on one clutch and the odd gears are on the other. This twin clutch has a total of 6 forward gears, and you can either leave the gearbox in full auto mode (two available – regular D and S for sporty) or change to a 6-speed manual mode.

Honda VFRs are currently in use by our Royal Malaysian Police for some of its big bikes. Perhaps they can upgrade to these sometime in the future so the cops can focus on maneuvering their bikes in a chase and take their minds off clutching and shifting.

Look after the jump for more images of the twin clutch.
[Read more...]

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