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Proton Persona Elegance facelift – FULL DETAILS!

March 18, 2010 at 2:31 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton, Proton Persona

Proton Persona Elegance

We just got back from the launch of the facelifted Proton Persona, which is officially called the Proton Persona Elegance. Available in three trim levels – Base Line, Medium Line and High Line – the Persona Elegance is powered by the familiar 1.6-litre Campro IAFM engine with 110 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 148 Nm of torque from 4000 rpm. Buyers can choose between a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual, but the High Line model only comes with the auto ‘box.

Although output remains, the Campro IAFM in the Persona Elegance comes with a new 32 bit ECU from Continental, which also supplied the previous 16 bit version. According to a Proton source, the new 32 bit ECU has more capabilities compared to the older 16 bit version – capable of more inputs, you can configure more parameters, and it can also interconnect with more systems such as “talking” to a Body Control Module such as the one in the Exora.

It is more of a future-proofing and cost-effectiveness move. Torque and power output remains the same as before. Firstly, Siemens VDO have been moving their global ECU manufacturing to 32 bit being the minimum, so it is not feasible for Proton to continue ordering 16 bit ECUs when the 32 bit version can be had at a far more competitive price. This move is also in preparation for the new Project Phoenix engine that we will soon see in Protons, which will require the capabilities of the new ECU.

UPDATE: Since we first published this article we’ve received more information on the new Persona Elegance. The changes go beyond just an aesthetic make-over. We already know there’s a new bodykit, front grille, bumpers and new LED tail lamps. But beyond that, here’s what’s different:

  • The seat backrest angle has been changed to offer better comfort.
  • Extra soundproofing material has been added to pillars to improve interior NVH.
  • Despite power output and torque being the same, a source has indicated that the engine should feel livelier and more responsive. We’ll try to get an initial impression from the showrooms over this weekend.

The original story continues below…

There are a couple of changes to the exterior. As all of you already know from our previous reveals, the Persona Elegance comes with a new rear lamp cluster, now with LED brake lights. The nine LEDs are arranged in two rows – four up and five down. All trims except for the Base Line come with a bodykit, slim rear spoiler and foglamps, although the turning lamps on the side mirrors (illuminates in a cool light bar form) and chrome door handles are standard across the board.

Up front, the facelifted Persona uses the same nose as the Gen 2 CPS along with its “black out” headlamp housing, but with a different grille design. The Proton logo and its “wings” is pushed up to the top of the grille while the Gen 2 CPS has a central emblem. The 15-inch rim design is also new, although the 195/60 size of the tyres are unchanged. As before, the Base Line makes do with steel rims and hubcaps.

Inside, the most apparent change is the replacement of the previous custom designed audio head unit for a conventional single-DIN unit, once again by Blaupunkt. The USB compatible unit should be easier to operate than before with minimal and large buttons, and all trims but the Base Line get steering wheel controls. The meter cluster graphics are also new, now with white numbering and red needles plus a red inner ring, much more “premium looking” than the plain orange dials used before. Proton also says that the angle of rear seat has been changed for improved comfort.

Medium and High Line cars get a GPS navigation set stuck on the windscreen, driver’s seat height adjuster and electric side mirrors. Only the High Line gets leather seats and trim (Base and Medium Line sports a new fabric material), cruise control and remote release for the trunk.

Safety kit wise, the High Line comes with ABS and EBD, two airbags and two pre-tensioner seatblets. Out of this, the Medium Line only gets a driver’s airbag and pre-tensioner seatbelt, while the Base Line gets none of the above.

Here is the price list for the Persona Elegance:

Base Line (M) RM46,499
Base Line (A) RM49,499
Medium Line (M) RM52,999
Medium Line (A) RM55,999
High Line (A) RM59,499

Proton’s latest is available in two new colours – Chiffon Green and Bronze Garnet – in addition to silver and black. Brilliant Red is a colour exclusive to the High Line. Now in showrooms and ready for booking, the Persona Elegance comes with a 2-year/50,000 km manufacturer’s warranty plus a 3-year/125,000 km extended warranty programme – that’s a total of 5 years.

Pictures from the launch this morning, studio images, a video and a full scan of the brochure showing the equipment list of all variants are after the jump.
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New Suzuki Swift cabin spied, UK sales to start in Q3

March 18, 2010 at 2:15 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Spyshots, Suzuki

This is the dashboard of the new Suzuki Swift, which was caught on camera and published by Italian website alvolante.it. According to reports, the new Swift will be launched in UK sometime in the third quarter of 2010, riding on a new platform and featuring evolutionary styling from the current car, which has been a hit worldwide. With Volkswagen as Suzuki’s new stakeholder, will the Swift come with Wolfsburg’s TSI and TDI engines? Not unless VW wants to create another “in-house rival” for the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia, but we’ll see.

From the above image, we can see that the new Swift’s dashboard replaces the simple and basic layout of the current car for a more “sophisticated” flowing look normally found in bigger cars – in fact, much of the dash architecture is similar to Suzuki’s D-segment Kizashi sedan.

The current car’s single line stereo display has grown by quite a bit, and the circular side air con vents are replaced with conventional square units. Also seen here are simple VW-style dials with a silver outline flanking a central LCD display. Look lower and you’ll find a start/stop button. Current keyless entry equipped Swifts require you to twist a knob located at where the ignition normally is.

A bigger copy of the image is after the jump. Swift owners, what do you think?

Source
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Front wheel drive BMWs confirmed by CEO

March 17, 2010 at 7:41 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News

BMW’s Dr Norbert Reithofer unveiled today what we were sort of expecting for quite some time now. It is the finishing touch in completely rewriting the rules of what one expects a BMW should be.

First we had a BMW SUV, and then came the turbocharged BMW. And then turbocharging invaded the sacred temple of BMW M, which also spawned not just one but two BMW M SUVs. Today comes the biggest shock of all – there is going to be a front wheel drive car with a BMW badge in the near future.

The new front wheel drive BMW cars will share the same next generation platform of front wheel drive platforms (with all wheel drive capability) as the next generation range of MINIs. These new BMWs could be about 3,800mm to 4,300mm long. BMW currently has a car around the upper ranges of that size – the 1-Series hatch, which has a rather seriously compromised interior space compared to its rivals thanks to the space taken up by rear wheel drive.

It seems like the ultimate sacrilege to enthusiasts but somehow I’m not that worried. BMW engineers have worked some pretty good magic on making the new MINI handle like its on rails. So there probably wouldn’t be anything wrong with the new Bavarian compact go karts of the future. There just won’t be any powersliding action with them.

I was already expecting this when talks between BMW and Mercedes-Benz as well as a few other potential manufacturers on sharing the development costs of a next generation front wheel drive platform did not result in anything concrete. The MINI brand alone simply does not have the economies of scale needed to be profitable with compact cars that have lower profit margins.

Look after the jump for Dr. Reithofer’s full speech.
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Volkswagen’s R is now a separate full-fledged performance division

March 17, 2010 at 4:59 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

Mercedes-Benz has AMG, BMW has its M and now Volkswagen’s R joins these famous names as a proper, full-fledged performance division. From now on, Volkswagen R GmbH will be responsible for sporty, performance versions of Volkswagen cars as well as R Line design packages and luxurious Volkswagen Exclusive items. VW’s current range has two full-on R cars, the Scirocco R and the Golf R, and blue seems to be the “official colour” of the brand.

The formation of Volkswagen R GmbH is VW’s response to the “increased global demand for individualised vehicles with contemporary sportiness and exclusivity”. Based in Warmenau near Wolfsburg, the division employs 350 staff. “Our vehicles contribute to the emotionalisation and growth of Volkswagen brand,” explained Ulrich Riestenpatt, General Manager of Volkswagen R GmbH.

Click here to see a video of the Golf R and Scirocco R strutting their stuff on track!

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Peugeot to introduce new “hors-série” sub-brand for more upmarket models

March 17, 2010 at 4:31 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Peugeot

Peugeot RCZ

Following the footsteps of its quirky sister brand Citroen, Peugeot will be launching a new sub-brand that will be used on more upmarket models with higher profit margins, similiar to Citroen’s DS sub-brand. The new sub-brand will be called hors-série, which is French for ‘custom-made’ or ‘out of series’.

The sexy Peugeot RCZ will be the first hors-série model and Nasim has announced intentions to offer it here in Malaysia. The next hors-série model will be a wagon version of the new Peugeot 508. The 508 is a new model that will replace both the 407 and the 607, and it has been previewed in the form of the 5 by Peugeot concept. The third hors-série model will be unveiled only in 2012.

They will keep the word hors-série in all markets without translating it, much like how Volkswagen uses the tagline Das Auto even here in Malaysia. This can sometimes cause some rather amusing conclusion. A friend of mine actually thought Das Auto was a Malaysian-Indian owned Volkswagen dealership as Das is also an Indian name ;) Until he saw it in Germany of course.

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Petrobras to sponsor Lotus Racing?

March 17, 2010 at 3:21 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports

Brazilian news agencies have started reporting that a deal has been sealed between Lotus Racing’s F1 team and Brazilian oil company Petrobras. A nice match in terms of aesthetics at least since both Lotus and Petrobras colours are green and yellow.

Petrobras does not confirm this, saying that the deal is still in negotiations, but I think there won’t be smoke without fire! The deal is said to be worth US$9 million and Petrobras logos are expected to debut at the Spanish GP. Petrobras is not new to F1 sponsorship – they were a sponsor of Williams in the past.

Being the only new team that finished the race with both cars, I suppose the team’s Bahrain results has worked in the Malaysian-backed team’s favor in terms of potential sponsor confidence!

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Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept – beautiful in black

March 17, 2010 at 1:26 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Bugatti, Cars, Concept Cars

Remember Bugatti’s 16C Galibier concept? Unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt show to a very select audience, the “four-door Veyron” remains a concept for now, but new images have surfaced showing the Galibier in black, looking much sleeker than the initial car which had a two-tone blue and mirror like aluminium finishing.

Black allows us to focus more on the 8.0-litre W16 powered Galibier’s interesting detailing and body shape. The chrome strip that starts from the base of the A-pillar wraps around the doors and continues after the front wheels to make a loop with the other side, only interrupted by the imposing grille. The sloping rear sports four exhaust tips on each side and a spine brake light that divides the rear screen. This spine runs the length of the car – it looks like a fish when seen from the top.

The new gallery also shows the amazing detailing of the sumptuous four-seat cabin, which is covered in tan leather and fine wood. There’s also a full set of matching Galibier luggage, because for the owner of a car as exclusive as this (if it ever makes production), even limited edition Louis Vuittons won’t do.

Amazingly excessive! Gawk at the pictures after the jump! Previous set of images can be viewed here.
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Supercharged Ferrari California by Novitec Rosso

March 17, 2010 at 12:17 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Ferrari, International News

The Ferrari California does very well for an “entry-level” model, with its front-mid mounted 460 bhp/485 Nm 4.3-litre V8 paired to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox for 0-100 km/h in four seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. German based tuner Novitec Rosso aims to put the California’s performance beyond doubt by plonking in a supercharger for the V8.

The result is 606 bhp at 7,900 rpm and 603 Nm of twist. Now the 2+2 GT can complete the century sprint in under 3.8 seconds and reach maximum velocity of 325 km/h. The cogged belt driven mechanical charger’s boost pressure is at 0.4 bars. New components include a water-to-air intercooler, custom intake manifold and larger injectors. The Cali is also equipped with a Novitec stainless-steel exhaust system with sport catalysts. An integrated flap mechanism activated by the steering wheel manettino switch controls the intensity of the exhaust note.

I must say that the white example seen here isn’t too over the top (can’t always say that for tuned cars), and the add-ons blend in nicely without looking like add-ons. Novitec says that its front spoiler was wind tunnel developed and reduce front axle lift at high speeds. New rocker panels with integrated airfoils and black side markers are the changes to the side profile. For the rear, of course there’s a diffuser and a spoiler lip, but also here is a carbon-fibre strip surrounding the number plate.

Novitec’s springs lower ride height by 35 mm, but what’s cool here is a hydraulic lift system for the front axle that can raise the Ferrari’s chin by 40 mm at the push of a button. This will make it easier to navigate speed bumps or car park ramps. The front reverts to its original position at a second button push or automatically upon reaching 80 km/h.

Lastly, those pretty three-piece star spoke Novitec NF3 wheels of 21 inches up front and 22 inches at the back are wrapped with special order Pirellis measuring 255/30 and 315/25, respectively.

More pictures after the jump. For videos and images of the standard California (with Michael Schumacher getting cozy in it!), click here.
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Honda Odyssey is the latest to be recalled, JDM variant sold in Malaysia not involved

March 17, 2010 at 10:58 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Honda, Local News

Honda will recall about 344,000 Odysseys and 68,000 Elements in the US from 2007 and 2008 model years to fix the “vehicle stability assist modulator” after receiving customer complaints about “brake pedals that feel ‘soft’ or that gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops.”

The problem is due to some of the parts allowing air to get in, and it gets worse over time. A Honda spokesman told the Associated Press that if left unrepaired it could cause loss of braking power. He added that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reports of three crashes with minor injuries but no deaths.

The wife and daughter of US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid were badly injured last week in a highway crash, when their Odyssey reportedly began braking in stop and go traffic and was rear ended by tractor trailer. However, the said Odyssey is a 2005 model, and probably did not suffer from the same problem stated for the recall.

On the issue, Honda Malaysia clarifies that the VSA related recall for the Odyssey DOES NOT concern units sold in Malaysia, saying that the affected models were manufactured in the US, which have different basic structures to those manufactured in Japan, where our Odysseys come from. Basically, the US Odyssey and JDM model are different cars using the same name.

Full press statement by Honda Malaysia is available after the jump.
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200 km/h rollercoaster at Ferrari World theme park!

March 17, 2010 at 10:15 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Ferrari, Formula 1

Abu Dhabi is slowly but surely catching up with its showy sister emirate Dubai. It’s already a Formula 1 host, and later this year we’ll see the world’s largest indoor theme park and the first ever Ferrari theme park open its gates at Yas Island. The mega development covers the already in use racetrack, shops, hotels, thrill rides and everything else that will make it a “Disneyland” for the car enthusiast.

Unsurprisingly, everything here is the biggest or the fastest. The theme park’s red roof, which is supposed to be inspired by the side profile of the Ferrari car, shades over 2.15 million square feet and is imprinted with the largest Prancing Horse emblem ever made (66-metre diameter).

The star ride at Ferrari World will be the world’s fastest rollercoaster. Travelling at speeds “in excess of 200 km/h”, one doesn’t need to be in Alonso’s car to feel extreme G-force and wind on the face at 200 km/h. Passengers can expect to be launched over 62 m through the roof and back down again to replicate the F1 G-force experience. Another rollercoaster ride is the GT Racing Coaster which will have two “competing” cars racing along parallel tracks to the “finish line”. As you can see here, the car is a replica of a Ferrari F430 Spider with a cabin for four – another world’s first?

Those who attend the Abu Dhabi GP this year are bound to have a blast! More pics after the jump.
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