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Kia shows us more of the Ray, debut next week

February 4, 2010 at 9:10 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Kia, Koreans

The Kia Ray concept car will make its debut at next week’s Chicago motor show. Previously we’ve seen a design sketch that showed a low-roof coupe style four-door body. That image, which shows the rear of the Ray, also revealed a glass roof and prominent wheel arches. Now we can see the front design – no grille, long headlamps that stretch into the front fender and very little front overhang.

Styled at the Kia Design Centre in the US, the Ray is a plug-in hybrid that also shows off “Kia’s evolving design direction”. Since we like how the current crop of Kias look, it’ll be interesting to see how they’ll evolve.

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First official pix of new Kia Sportage

February 3, 2010 at 10:53 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Kia, Koreans

New Kia Sportage

We already saw how the new Kia Sportage looks like in clear view thanks to EU patent applications mid last month, but here are the first official teaser photos from Kia, which they posted on their Kia Buzz blog.

Both an orange and a silver car is pictured. The teaser actually includes both the North American spec and the Europe spec. The North American spec is the one with amber signal lamps as required by their laws (pictured above) while the Europe spec has fully clear lenses. Looks pretty good, like a smaller and stouter version of the Sorento!

The new Sportage will be longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model. It will also have a longer wheelbase which will likely translate to a roomier interior and a plusher ride. It will premiere at the Geneva show in March.

Look after the jump for the full pix.
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Spyker’s plans for Saab revealed – 9-4X coming in 2011, small “9-1″ is a possibility

February 3, 2010 at 6:31 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Saab, Spyker

What does Spyker see in Saab? What does it plan to do with the brand from now? How different will the new Saab be? New models? There are tons of questions we can throw at Spyker, the small volume Dutch sportscar maker who succeeded in buying Saab from GM. Well, Spyker has now shed some light on the matter.

Under the new masterplan, Spyker will now be called Saab Spyker Automobiles NV and this entity will operate Spyker and Saab as two separate companies. Saab will be repositioned as an “independent performance-oriented niche car company with an industry-leading environmental strategy”. The Saab Business Plan, drawn up by Saab management over the past ten months, will be executed and enhanced upon.

Saab will have three main model lines: 9-3, 9-5 and 9-4X. There’s a possibility of adding a smaller car line should the “positive development of the smaller car segment continues”. However, the “9-1″ is not included in the Business Plan and will need additional financing for development. Upcoming launches will be the new 9-5 this year, the 9-4X in early 2011 and the new 9-3 in 2012. Saab cars will use their “strong and unique brand heritage” to rival Audi and BMW.

Saab’s Trollhättan facility has full capability in developing complete vehicles and will continue to do so. Calling it one of the most efficient mid-size car plants in Europe, Saab Spyker aims for production and sales volumes to be rebuilt to “recent pre-crisis levels of about 100,000 to 125,000 vehicles”. This figure will include the 9-4X, which will be built in Mexico alongside stablemate Cadillac SRX. Beyond that, on-going collaborations with GM in parts sourcing will continue, but Saab Spyker will gradually reduce dependency on GM in this aspect.

How about Spyker, the car brand? It can benefit from Saab’s extensive global network of 1,100 dealers, its engineering know how and technologies. The two brands will share parts in the future.

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No F1 entry, but Stefan GP is prepared for action!

February 3, 2010 at 3:37 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Toyota

Heard of Stefan GP? A Serbian based team named after founder Zoran Stefanovic, Stefan GP failed to gain a ticket to enter the 2010 Formula 1 season, but will still go ahead in launching its car and testing it. The car in question is actually a Toyota in disguise, as Stefan GP managed to buy the Japanese team’s chassis, gearbox and 2010 spec engine. The renamed Stefan S-01 chassis and Stefan RG-01 engine will be serviced by Toyota.

The team is unrelenting in its pursuit of an F1 slot, and has announced that it will test its car later this month in Portugal with two drivers. Despite not having an entry, Stefan GP is sending equipment to Bahrain for the 2010 F1 season opener! Now, Mr Stefanovic is either a loony or very confident that one of the new teams will fail to make the grid, allowing his team to take over the spot.

If the latter situation comes true, Stefan GP will be relatively well prepared to race – it has a potential points scoring machine in the “Toyota TF110″ that never was, testing under its belt, and former Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima as one of the team’s drivers, according to an Autosport report. Another man under Stefanovic’s payroll is former McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan, who was fired for his part in the Spygate scandal.

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Goodyear dealers support ban on regrooved tyres

February 3, 2010 at 2:11 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Local News

Some 15 per cent of road accidents in Malaysia are related to bald or regrooved tyres, according to Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya (JKJR) Director General Datuk Suret Singh at a ceremony where Goodyear dealers pledged their support to the recent move the JKJR and the Ministry of Transport to ban the selling of bald and regrooved tyres in an effort to improve road safety levels in Malaysia. Regrooved tyres are produced by carving new treads into a worn tyre to create more tread depth.

The Goodyear dealers promised that such tyres are not sold, stocked or displayed in their premises. In addition, posters, banners and brochures will be placed in their outlets to educate consumers on the dangers of using these “recycled” tyres. “It is extremely dangerous to use these types of tyres. Take two minutes to check the condition of your tyres before embarking on your journey,” Datuk Suret added.

For this, Goodyear recommends the “20-sen tyre test”. Insert a 20-sen coin in the groove of a tyre to check the depth of the tread. If the word “sen” is clearly visible, then the tyre is considered “bald” and should be replaced. Alternatively, you can drop by any Goodyear Autocare or Servitekar outlet for a free 10-point check, which includes inspection of your car’s tyre pressure and wear, power steering fluid, air filter, spark plugs, engine oil, transmission fluid, radiator coolant, brake pads and fluid, battery terminal connection and water, as well as fan and air-conditioning belts.

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Proton customers rewarded with cash and holidays!

February 3, 2010 at 1:37 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

Proton Edar, the marketing arm of Proton Holdings Berhad, held a prize giving ceremony this morning at the Proton Centre of Excellence. Proton Edar CEO Mohamad Shukor Ibrahim was present to give away cash and holiday packages to the winners of the Proton Drive for Holidays campaign, which ran from 1 November to 31 December 2009.

In that period, those who purchased and registered a new Exora or Persona were instantly rewarded with a three-day/two-night hotel stay within Malaysia, while all new customers were eligible to join an SMS contest with seven mobile phones to be won per day. After answering three random questions in the quickest time, the mobile phone winners were entitled to join a MMS contest. This stage required participants to send an image of a favourite part of their Proton, accompanied by a creative caption. Seven winners walked away with 3D2N stays at plush resorts and cash prizes. They are:

7th prize: Yeoh Chian Hui from Kangar
6th prize: Loo Chun Pin from KL
5th prize: Noridah bt Ab Rahman from Rantau Panjang
4th prize: Kee Ming How from Johor Bharu
3rd prize: Lee Yit Ting from Melaka
2nd prize: Mohamad Hadi b Ramli from Seri Kembangan
1st prize: Mohd. Raznan b Johari from Klang

Shukor revealed that registrations was up by 24% year-on-year during the two contest months, proving the effectiveness of the campaign. More “creative campaigns” are being planned, he added. The momentum looks to have been carried to 2010 as well, since Proton’s January figures show an increase of 40% compared to the same month in 2009.

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Renault Wind baby convertible to debut in Geneva

February 3, 2010 at 1:49 am By Danny Tan Filed Under 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Renault

This is the Renault Wind baby convertible that will make its debut at the Geneva show next month. Taking the name of Renault’s 2004 Geneva show car, which was also similar in concept, this cute two-seater coupé-roadster “is aimed at motorists who lust after a car that is not only distinctive and compact, but also convertible and practical enough for everyday use”, says its maker.

Not much is known about the Wind at this point, other than it is 3.83 metres long and features a clever electric roof that does its magic in just 12 seconds. That’s really fast, about half the time that the Volkswagen Eos needs and 10 seconds faster than Renault’s own Megane CC. As a bonus, Renault claims a decent 270 litres of luggage space whether the top is up or down. It’s likely to share underpinnings and drivetrains with the Twingo.

Gallery is after the jump.
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Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Powershift – short test drive

February 2, 2010 at 7:45 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Ford, Test Drive Reviews

At first glance, this looks like just any other facelifted Ford Focus done up in white sitting in Sime Darby Auto Connexion’s car park by the Federal Highway. But it’s actually something new – find out more on what it is after the jump.
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Lotus F1 car to make track debut this week?

February 2, 2010 at 5:10 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Lotus

A few of the established Formula 1 teams are testing their 2010 machines at Valencia now, but we’ll have to wait a little longer to see the much anticipated Lotus F1 car. However, that’s fully expected and not due to any trouble in the car’s development. Chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne earlier revealed that the Malaysian-backed outfit will only join the final two test sessions before the 2010 season starts in Bahrain.

Lotus has confirmed that its official launch will take place on the 12th of February at London’s Royal Horticultural Hall, where we’ll get to see the car’s livery for the first time. It was speculated that the car will then run on track for the first time in Silverstone the following day, but reports say that the Lotus could see some action on the British track this week. Gascoyne earlier mentioned that the car will be fired up on February 5, so it is a possibility.

Interestingly, if that comes true, Lotus could “bump into” friendly rivals Virgin F1, which is set to shakedown their 2010 car at the same time and place. An early stage for the battle of the newcomers?

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How “old man” Schumacher keeps himself fit

February 2, 2010 at 2:16 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Mercedes Benz

The return of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher to Formula 1 makes him the oldest driver on the grid at 41 years of age, and some might question if he still can withstand the rigours of top level racing, especially after his initial plan to step in for Felipa Massa last season was aborted when his neck couldn’t take the strain. The German has now said that although he “resprays” his greying hair, he is in perfect physical shape for Formula 1.

Schumi, who has signed a three-year contract to drive for Mercedes GP Petronas, told German newspaper Bild: “I started to dye parts of my hair in, I think, 2005.” He also revealed he’d had his eyes tested (“I don’t need glasses!”) and had lost the five kilograms gained since retiring back in 2006. Michael now tips the scales at 74kg, which he describes as his ideal racing weight.

Schumacher’s fitness regime involved playing football and swimming. “I jog very little because I’ve had back and knee problems since the age of 14 but what is strange is that I can play three hours of football without a problem but can’t jog for 45 minutes,” he said. “I now swim a lot. Half an hour of breaststroke a day makes an incredible difference.”

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