Gong Xi Fa Cai

Advertisement

Volvo’s lithium-ion powered EV to hit streets in 2011

December 19, 2009 at 9:26 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Volvo

volvo c30 ev

Another day, another electric car previewed ahead of the 2010 Detriot show – this time it’s Volvo with an electric C30. Volvo – with USD 20.7 million support from the Swedish government – will build 50 units that will hit the streets in 2011 for a two-year trial with selected users.

Volvo presented a driveable EV prototype back in September and this C30 goes a step nearer to production reality with a complete interior as well as enhanced battery packaging.

Its lithium-ion batteries can be recharged via regular household power sockets or special roadside charging stations. Full charging takes about eight hours (230V), giving a range of up to 150 km, which meets the daily needs of over 90 per cent of European motorists, says Volvo. Top speed is about 130 km/h while the century sprint takes less than 11 seconds.

Being a Volvo, safety is guaranteed. “The batteries are well encapsulated and the structure around them has been reinforced. An electrically powered Volvo must be as safe as all other new Volvos. And the very same standards also apply to ownership, driving and protection in the event of an accident,” said Thomas Broberg, Volvo’s Senior Safety Advisor.

5 Comments      

BREAKING! Negotiations with Spyker fails, GM to shut down Saab

December 18, 2009 at 11:40 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, GMC, International News, Saab, Spyker

Looks like its bad news after all for Swedish brand Saab. Just moments ago General Motors, parent company of the brand officially announced that it will gradually shut down Saab, following a breakdown in the negotiations with Spyker. Apparently certain issues arose that both parties believe could not be resolved.

Saab’s sale was previously linked with Koenigsegg but that didn’t go anywhere as well. General Motors then reiterated that it will shut down the brand if it is not sold by end of 2009. Spyker then showed interest and negotiations started but the result is nothing positive.

General Motors’ Europe President Nick Reilly said, “Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time. In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution.”

“We regret that we were not able to complete this transaction with Spyker Cars. We will work closely with the Saab organization to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner. This is not a bankruptcy or forced liquidation process. Consequently, we expect Saab to satisfy debts including supplier payments, and to wind down production and the distribution channel in an orderly manner while looking after our customers,” he added.

The American auto giant assured that it will continue to honor warranties, while providing service and spare parts to current Saab owners around the world. Saab recently sold certain Saab 9-3, current 9-5 and powertrain technology and tooling to BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings). General Motors also reiterated that it will concerntrate on its core brands including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC as well as Opel / Vauxhall in Europe.

48 Comments      


Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet Hi-Res Gallery

December 18, 2009 at 5:01 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz

mercedes-benz-e-class-cabrio

Daimler has released a full hi-res photo gallery of the new E-Class Cabriolet, which replaces the CLK Cabriolet in the Mercedes-Benz line-up. There are currently four different E-Class bodies for sale – the sedan, touring, coupe and cabriolet. Right now only the sedan and the coupe are on sale in Malaysia. You’ll find a side view image of all four bodies in the gallery after the jump, together with loads of other photos in very high resolution suitable for wallpaper usage.
[Read more...]

12 Comments      

VIDEO: Audi designers discussing the A1′s design

December 18, 2009 at 4:23 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Audi, Cars, Videos

Audi metroproject quattro
The Audi metroproject quattro at Tokyo 2007

Watch Audi head designer Stefan Sielaff discuss the new Audi A1′s design with a colleague. Apparently Audi has some interesting things in store for us with the A1′s design. Let’s hope that the new A8 ended up being the bore that it is because they diverted all attention to the A1!

“The new A1 has Audi design in its genes. Like all Audi models, the ratio of greenhouse to body is between 1:3 and 2:3. The front overhang is short, but the wheel wells are pronounced, giving the A1 a wide road stance. The roof arch is a unique characteristic of the Tokyo showcar; there is a certain dynamism in the flow of the A- and C-pillars. The single-frame grille – a central Audi design feature – will identify the A1 as an Audi. But there’s a surprise in store. We’ll do something here, maybe with the corners and the width of the grille. But more on that in January 2010,” says Sielaff.

Look after the jump to watch some videos of the A1.
[Read more...]

21 Comments      

Armoured Land Rovers available in Malaysia

December 18, 2009 at 3:26 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Land Rover, Local News

Armored Range Rover

The black SUV you see above may look like an ordinary Range Rover to you, but it cost the British High Commission here in Malaysia a massive price tag of RM3.6 million!

It’s not a regular Range Rover – but this is instead the 2010 Armoured Range Rover, powered by a 5.0 litre V8 engine producing 375 horsepower and a good 510Nm of torque. The equipment list includes a touch screen dual-view center dash display which can show two different things to the front driver and passenger, and a instrument cluster that replaces the typical analog dials for speedo and RPM with a large TFT LCD panel that displays virtual dials and other information.

land-rover-meter-panel

There are also a few optional features that can be tacked on – tinted windows, an intercom system, an under-bonnet fire extinguisher, tamper-proof exhaust, self-sealing fuel tank, an independent oxygen supply to ensure a continuous flow of fresh air to the cabin, a new Surround Camera System which uses five cameras situated around the vehicle to provide an almost 360-degree view on the touch-screen and a Blind Spot Monitor system that utilises side-mounted radar sensors to survey the vehicle’s blind spots.

The Armoured Range Rover features ballistic steel armour and glazing which provides B6 level ballistic and blast protection in accordance with European standard EN1063. There is also an Armoured Discovery available, priced at RM2.1 million. The Discovery meets the EN1522 standard, which ensures resistance to a comprehensive range of hand guns and rifles, including the AK47, AK74, M16 and M60; as well as side blasts from high-explosive materials. Standard equipment includes run-flat tyres, bullet resistant glazing and under-floor Kevlar shielding for 360 degree under-skin protection.

All models have a full 3 year or 80,000km warranty. Each purchase also comes with a full driver training programme, and a dedicated technician can also provide a number of scheduled visits each year, to assist with vehicle familiarisation and servicing.

58 Comments      

Ssangyong 3-year plan finally gets approval

December 18, 2009 at 1:00 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Koreans, Ssangyong

Ssangyong C200 Concept
Ssangyong C200 Concept

Not all hope is lost for SUV-focused Korean brand Ssangyong, whose future was in limbo thus far, having being ‘abandoned’ by its owner SAIC and such. It went into bankruptcy protection in February. It would be a shame for them to go down right now, having produced a rather interesting looking compact SUV concept recently.

The South Korean courts today finally approved Ssangyong’s revival plans – a 3 year program designed to increase competitiveness, return to profitability and triple revenues over their financial results this year. The courts said the revival plan proved to be more worthwhile than a liquidation, and now Ssangyong can finally seek new investments and financing to carry out this new revival plan.

Ssangyong C200 Rear

“With supporters outnumbering opponents, we decided top give the green light to the plan to protect the interests of the majority. We also took into consideration the possible negative impact on the society and subcontractors if the self-rescue plan was rejected,” said Judge Ko Young-han. SsangYong had secured a majority number of votes for the plan from shareholders, bondholders and domestic creditors.

The plan includes a write-off of 80 per cent of the shares held by SAIC which will reduce its stake from 51 per cent to 11.2 per cent, and a conversion of 393 billion won of debt into new shares. Other shareholders will see their holdings written down at 3-to-1 initially, with a further write-down for all shareholders in January.

Don’t underestimate the Koreans – if Ssangyong can pull off the same amazing trick that Hyundai-Kia have done with both their brands, we’ll may soon be amazed at model after model churned out by a new “Korean Land Rover”.

21 Comments      

BMW Concept ActiveE – the Ultimate Driving EV?

December 17, 2009 at 11:42 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel

bmw concept activeE

Previewed ahead of the Detroit show, the BMW Concept ActiveE is the second vehicle after the MINI E to be developed as part of BMW’s project i electric vehicles which aim to combine CO2 free mobility with the driving pleasure BMW is famous for. Project i cars are tested by private and select fleet customers and the data and info gathered in the process will be used in the development of EVs under a new sub-brand that will appear in the first half of the next decade.

The 1-Series Coupe based Concept ActiveE is powered by a new synchronous electric motor with 170 bhp and 250 Nm available from standstill (0 rpm). The lithium-ion battery pack jointly developed by BMW and SB LiMotive (a Bosch-Samsung joint venture) has a liquid cooled temperature regulation function that optimises battery performance. The batteries are spread all over the floorpan of the car to lower centre of gravity.

bmw connected driveA BMW must be good to drive, and Munich is proud of the Concept ActiveE’s weight-reduced construction and its component arrangement. The electric motor is fully integrated in the rear axle, with the electionics positioned above it. Space used for energy storage would have been taken up by the conventional drivetrain and fuel tank in the standard rear-driven 1-Series so there’s no sacrificing the weight distribution and handling, it is claimed. Kerb weight is quite high at 1800 kg, though.

Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is under 9.0 seconds, with an electronically-limited top speed of 145 km/h. BMW claims a real-world range of about 160 km on a single charge. Batteries can be fully charged at conventional power outlets in as little as three hours in Europe and 4.5 hours in North America.

BMW ConnectedDrive services tailored exclusively EV use is included. It features remote functions which enable the use of a mobile phone to check battery charge status and public charging station locations, among others.

More pics after the jump.

[Read more...]

15 Comments      

Airline war on the F1 grid – AirAsia passengers might get Richard Branson as stewardess!

December 17, 2009 at 9:18 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Laughs, Lotus

richard-branson

Yes you read right! Sir Richard Branson of Virgin fame could be serving AirAsia passengers in a stewardess uniform – but only if Lotus F1 beats Virgin Racing in the battle of the newcomers. Lotus F1 chief Tony Fernandes will have to do the same on a Virgin Atlantic flight if the Malaysian backed team loses in the duel!

“He has an airline, we have an airline and if we beat him he can come and work on our airline as a Virgin stewardess. We will make sure that the stewardess outfit is perfect. I suspect that he might ask us to reciprocate. I’ll have to check how fetching his stewardess outfits are but I’d be game to do it while totally confident of winning,” said the Briton.

AirAsia boss Fernandes replied: “Bring it on, the sexier the better. Our passengers will be delighted to be served by a Knight of the Realm. But, knowing Richard, the real challenge will be to prevent him from asking our guests ‘coffee, tea or me?’ That would be scary,” he said.

These two “warring” friends subscribe to the power of publicity, so this challenge comes as no surprise. As much as I want Lotus F1 to do well, Tony Fernandes in a tight skirt would be quite a sight! What do you think?

58 Comments      

Kamui Kobayashi signs for Sauber!

December 17, 2009 at 7:05 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1

kamui kobayashi

Sauber has announced the capture of Kamui Kobayashi as one of their two race drivers for the 2010 Formula 1 season. The 23-year old Japanese was a stand in for Timo Glock in the final two races of 2009 and impressed most of the F1 paddock and viewers alike with his brave driving in the Toyota.

After a brilliant points scoring drive in Abu Dhabi, he was tipped by many to get a permanent seat at Toyota, but was left looking for a job after the Japanese manufacturer pulled out of F1. He was then linked to Lotus F1, and also faced the option of going back to Japan to work in dad’s sushi restaurant!

Fortunately Peter Sauber saved Kobayashi’s driving talent from going to waste, taking him to be Sauber’s first signing after BMW pulled out of the partnership. “In the Abu Dhabi race he demonstrated not only that he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy. I am convinced he has a great deal of potential and will be able to make the most of it in our team,” Sauber said.

One more seat available. Nick Heidfeld anyone?

14 Comments      

Proton secures encouraging bookings at the 2009 Thai Motor Expo with Exora leading the way

December 17, 2009 at 5:05 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Proton Exora - Proton MPV 2009

exora-side

Proton received an encouraging number of bookings at the recently concluded Thailand International Motor Expo 2009, which was held from 2 to 13 December in Bangkok. The company’s order books were filled with 1,388 bookings from a total of 25,220 orders placed at the Expo.

In fact, Proton recorded higher figures than all brands except for Toyota, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda and Mitsubishi, most of which have pick-ups in their range. Not bad at all for a relatively new player in the market.

The Exora, which made its Thai debut at the show, was the best selling Proton model with 825 bookings, or almost 60 per cent of total orders. The Savvy was the next best-seller with 270 units. Proton’s MPV is priced from 700,000 baht in Thailand, while its supermini starts from 399,000 baht. Meanwhile, 155 people put their names down for the Persona CNG, which is powered by compressed natural gas.

Since entering the Thai market in 2007, Proton has successfully placed itself among the top 10 brands in passenger car sales and things are definitely looking up for them in the Land of Smiles.

190 Comments