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DRB-Hicom to import Westfield cars, local assembly possible

April 7, 2010 at 12:52 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News


DRB-Hicom Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding with Potenza Sports Cars Ltd, which will make the Malaysian company an exclusive importer, manufacturer and distributor of Potenza’s cars, including future electric and hybrid variants within right hand drive markets in the Asia Pacific region. UK’s Potenza is the designer and manufacturer of Westfield and GTM brands of kit cars.

Both parties will undertake a “joint technical and commercial feasibility study” to look into the possibility of putting together Potenza’s cars at DRB-Hicom’s facilities. If it takes off, combined sales is projected to see a five fold increase over current production figures of 400 cars annually within the next three years.

DRB-Hicom said that this collaboration would also include the possibility of the group becoming a development partner on new vehicle projects, which will include the possibility of sourcing the components locally, taking advantage of the “green car” incentives provided by the our Government.

Westfield, which has sold over 10,000 cars since 1983, makes road legal track day specials like the XTR, which is powered by a Suzuki Hayabusa engine and looks like a baby Le Mans car, and the Caterham Seven inspired SE. Caterham, which bought over the rights of the Seven from Lotus, has a Malaysian point of contact should you be interested to have one. Caterham’s Seven uses aluminium for its body while Westfield’s lookalike is crafted from fibreglass.

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Ford Fiesta on display at 1 Utama High Street

April 6, 2010 at 7:41 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Ford, Local News

The Mazda 2 has just been launched this week but Sime Darby Auto ConneXion is keen to remind Malaysians that it’s platform mate the Ford Fiesta will also be coming this year. The Ford Fiesta will be on display at 1 Utama High Street from the 7th of April 2010 (tomorrow) until the 11th of April 2010. This is the second time the Fiesta has been on display in Malaysia – it was showcased at Sunway Pyramid earlier this year.

They are also having a little promotion called the Ford Fiesta Malaysia Movement. From what I understand this will be a series of ‘tasks’ that Malaysians have to perform and if you complete them successfully you will receive something. For Mission One, you have to head to the Fiesta display at 1 Utama, snap a photo with the car and upload it onto the Ford Fiesta in Malaysia Facebook fan page. The first 100 who submit their photos will win a pair of GSC movie tickets. There’s also some other information on the Fiesta at the Facebook page such as the preliminary specifications.

Both the Mazda 2 and the Ford Fiesta roll off the same assembly line in Ford’s Thailand plant, albeit with different internals. The Mazda 2 is only available here as a 103 horsepower 1.5 litre with a 4-speed auto while the Ford Fiesta gets two engine variants and two transmission options. The baseline is a 96 horsepower 1.4 litre engine with a 5-speed manual transmission while the top of the line car will get a 120 horsepower 1.6 litre engine mated to a quick-shifting 6-speed Ford Powershift dry twin clutch transmission.

Twin clutches offer better efficiency and better transfer of power over regular slushbox automatic transmissions so more of those 120 horses can reach your tyres compared to if the Fiesta used a regular 4-speed auto. 6-speeds also mean closer ratios so the small engine can be kept in its peak torque band more often. Other confirmed equipment include Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

The Fiesta will also come with ESP stability control which is best in class safety here in Malaysia, although it certainly won’t be best in price range as the Forte 1.6 SX which is a segment higher (C-segment car but the same price as cars in the B-segment) matches the Fiesta’s safety features with ESP stability control and dual airbags.
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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is ready for racing

April 6, 2010 at 4:33 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz, Motorsports


This is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, the racing version of the RM2 million gullwing car. Designed to comply with FIA’s GT3 specifications, the SLS AMG GT3 is designed as a race car for “customers competing in sprints and long-distance races”. It is developed and produced by AMG in cooperation with HWA AG (HWA is the entity responsible for DTM racing on behalf of Mercedes-Benz Motorsports). Sales are expected to commence later this year, and homologation will be completed in time for the 2011 racing season.

The wide and flat SLS AMG GT3 gets a new front apron with a splitter, central cooling air vent on the bonnet and wider front and rear wings. From road car to race car, the SLS AMG also gains a big air vents behind the front wheel arches, sideskirts with cooling ducts for the rear brakes, a smooth underbody with rear diffuser and an adjustable rear aerofoil. All these measures work together for a low drag coefficient and maximum downforce while cooling heat stressed components. The car’s C-pillars accommodate standardised filler pipes for the fast-refuel system.


The FIA will determine the maximum output of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine with dry sump lubrication on the “Balance of Performance” principle. The classification process, during which the kerb weight is also determined, will be completed in 2010. Doing transmission duties is a sequential six-speed racing gearbox with steering wheel paddles and an integrated multi-disc locking differential. Located at the rear axle, the gearbox is connected to the engine by a torque tube within which a carbon-fibre shaft rotates at the engine speed, as per the road car.

The wheels are located by a double-wishbone suspension of forged aluminium at the front and rear. Springs and shock absorbers, suspension height, stabilisers, track width and camber are all adjustable for a precise race setup. Rack-and-pinion steering with a more direct ratio and speed-sensitive servo assistance make for agile handling and a composite steel braking system with racing ABS takes its place behind the central-locking AMG light-alloys.


The interior of the SLS AMG GT3 has a stripped, functional race car atmosphere: there’s a steel rollover cage, racing bucket seat with six-point seat belt and HANS system and of course, a fire extinguisher. The steering wheel is open topped so as not to block the view of the multi-info central display, which replaces the road car’s dials.

Full high-res gallery after the jump.
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Bentley Mulsanne to hit KL on 14th of April

April 6, 2010 at 3:52 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Bentley, Cars, Local News

Bentley Mulsanne

Joy of joys for the ultra rich of Malaysia and for the rest of us who enjoy ogling cars of these price points parked in front of shopping malls – the Bentley Mulsanne will be making its way into Bentley Kuala Lumpur’s showroom on the 14th of April 2010 in conjunction with Bentley Kuala Lumpur’s first year anniversary.

Bentley Mulsanne

No price yet – but with models like the Continental Supersports and Supersports Convertible priced at RM2,288,000 and RM2,438,000 respectively, don’t expect the “New Grand Bentley” to be priced any lesser!

Related Posts:
VIDEO: New Bentley Mulsanne Short Film
New Bentley Mulsanne – full details and specs
New Grand Bentley unveiled – Bentley Mulsanne

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Renault and Mahindra mend ties, Logan gets second chance

April 6, 2010 at 2:57 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, India, International News, Mahindra, Renault


The Dacia Logan was one of the earliest low cost cars designed specifically for developing markets such as Eastern Europe. Renault, who owns Romanian Dacia, found success with the Logan and even started sales in Western Europe, which wasn’t part of the project’s original goals. India was supposed to be the next frontier, projected to bring in massive volume (and profits) but it hasn’t worked out that way.

Renault partnered with Indian manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra to make and market the Logan, but dismal sales has resulted in production being slashed to 500 units per month, way below the projected 50,000 units per year. It seemed that they had underestimated Indian consumers, who weren’t impressed by the Logan’s basic looks and spec, but not so basic price. The JV started to lose money, and a strain started to develop between the partners. So when Renault recently decided to set up its own production and sales unit in India, everyone saw the writing on the wall for the partnership.

However, the latest news is that the two parties have avoided a divorce and will soon announce a new restructured plan. The Logan will be repositioned as a “small car” with overall length reduced to below 4 metres. This is to comply with India’s car size boundaries for the Logan to attract a lower excise of 10% (currently 22%). The petrol engine’s capacity will be brought down to 1.2 litres from the current 1,400-1,600cc. The 1.5-litre diesel will remain. All these tweaks will give the Logan a more competitive price. At present, the base Logan 1.4 GL costs 452,629 rupees, which is more expensive than a base Maruti Swift at below 400,000 rupees (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Should Proton enter the Indian market with the Saga, it will also face the same problem as the Logan, since the Saga’s overall length measures 4,257 mm. Of Proton’s current cars, only the Savvy and Satria Neo hatchbacks duck in below 4 metres.

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New body, new clothes for Audi R15 TDI Le Mans car

April 6, 2010 at 11:46 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Audi, Motorsports


The Audi R15 TDI will return to Le Mans this year with new aerodynamics and new livery, but can the four rings wrest back the title from Peugeot, who won last year to break Audi’s proud run of victories at the world’s oldest endurance race. They sure hope so.

Whereas silver was the dominant colour of last year’s R15, the 2010 car has a lot more red. In addition, large areas of the Le Mans racer will be kept in a “purist black carbon-fiber look”. The new look car will make its debut at the Le Castellet 8 Hours next week in preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. Results will be of little importance. “Le Castellet will strictly be about gathering additional experience with the R15 plus. Racing conditions simply can’t be simulated in normal track tests; that’s why we’re contesting a race at such an early stage,” explained Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport.


This R15 is heavily revised over last year’s car, and is internally designated as “R15 plus”. Le Mans 2010 regulations call for smaller diameter air restrictors and reduced supercharging pressure for diesel-powered cars, and this has forced Audi to improve aerodynamics, Cd value and downforce. As a result, the entire shape of the R15 has been revised and it comes with a new face featuring a split nose. The team also says that despite the new engine rules, the R15′s 5.5-litre engine continues to deliver more than 590 bhp through “a lot of detailed work”.

The 2010-spec R15 got its first outing on Audi’s test track in Neustadt early March. The prototype was subsequently flown to the USA for aerodynamics trials before a five-day endurance test at Sebring, Florida where about 5,500 km was clocked without any technical problems worth mentioning.

More images after the jump.
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BYD Auto’s first SUV caught in the open

April 6, 2010 at 10:18 am By Danny Tan Filed Under BYD, Cars, China, Spyshots


BYD Auto is perhaps better known here as a Chinese brand with a range that rips off other cars, but the ambitious Shenzhen based automaker is actually pretty advanced in the development of hybrids and EVs, and counts Warrern Buffet as a stake holder. We struggle to understand why BYD won’t invest in car design or hire foreign design houses like what many of its local rivals are doing. Perhaps it’s not because they aren’t capable of an original looking car, and apeing the looks of successful models could be a strategy in itself.

Here are pics of the company’s first SUV caught testing. Speculated to carry the name S6, it will have a full electronic sunroof, a sliding luggage rack and could introduce keyless entry. Power is likely to be from the same engine as the BYD M6, a Mitsubishi supplied 4G69 2.4-litre with 160 bhp and 215Nm. China Car Times also says that a 2.0-litre model self developed engine will be included in the lineup; it makes 140 bhp and 186Nm and will only be available with a manual transmission.

As for the S6′s looks, we’ll let you draw the similarities. More images after the jump.

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Is this a leaked sketch of the Polo Sedan?

April 6, 2010 at 1:01 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Rumours, Volkswagen

This is allegedly a leak sketch of the new Volkswagen Polo sedan bodytype. It doesn’t look particularly surprising as the change to a sedan bodytype is quite straightforward – adding a boot. There are no awkward lines to be smoothened out as the Polo has quite a squareish straight-cut design to begin. It won’t be the first time the Polo has been turned into a sedan either. We’ve also featured a ‘chopped image of a Polo Sedan in the past. It would be very interesting for the Malaysian market if a Volkswagen Polo Sedan can be locally assembled in Proton’s Tanjong Malim plant and offered to Malaysians at a price of perhaps RM80k+ to battle the Vios and the City.

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Next generation S-Class to go all-hybrid?

April 5, 2010 at 9:11 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Mercedes Benz

It seems that Mercedes-Benz is considering making the next generation S-Class a 100% hybrid line-up. It would help portray the company as an eco-aware automaker as well as help with the company’s fleet-wide fuel efficiency average figures. The S-Class has also been the model that traditionally showcased the latest forefront of technology and thus Mercedes-Benz executives feel it should be used to shout about the company’s fuel efficiency technology – hence the standard hybrid engine line-up.

Now we probably won’t even know about this so prematurely if it were not for frustrated American dealers that don’t agree with this move and have complained in an interview with Automotive News. The US dealer argument is that American customers are not perceived as ‘true performers”. “The most important thing in the American market — regardless of hybrid, lithium or electric cars — is that we Americans are different than any market and we are going to want those gasoline engines. For S-Class buyers, the goal is not gas mileage,” said Tommy Baker, chairman of the Mercedes-Benz dealer board. Baker operates a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Charleston.

I don’t completely agree with Baker though – I’m sure Mercedes-Benz is not talking about tiny 1.8 litre engines for S-Classes supported by electric motors. If it fits the buyer profile, there should be completely no issue for Mercedes-Benz to continue to have V8 and V12 engines but with start-stop technology and hybrid motor assist. Look at BMW’s ActiveHybrid offerings – do you think the X6 ActiveHybrid sounds anything NOT like a “true performer” with X6 M-beating torque thanks to its 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 mated to an electric motor?

The smaller engined models like the S300 sold here in Malaysia is not offered in many parts of the world anyway, so Mercedes-Benz can develop truly efficient hybrid powertrains mated to inline-4s (just an example) for these non-American offerings and still maintain the S-Class as a hybrid-only vehicle.

The current S-Class only comes with one hybrid model – an S400 which uses a 3.5 litre V6 mated to an electric motor, hence the S400 moniker, representing the extra power boost provided by the electric motor. It is also the only V6 S-Class sold in the US – the rest are V8 and V12 only. Not even the S350 is sold there.

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Chevrolet Cruze for North America gets specs boost

April 5, 2010 at 7:50 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, International News

GM has revealed that the American market version of the Chevrolet Cruze will get refinement upgrades for it to be ‘good enough’ for the American consumer. “We have a different set of competitive vehicles here in North America than what exists in Europe. We needed to make a number of adjustments,” said Chuck Russell, GM’s vehicle line director for compact cars in North America.

Here are a list of the changes:

  • The windshield has been replaced with an acoustic laminated version.
  • Doors get more insulation and sealters were added to some of the door headers.
  • Airbag count tops at 10 including knee airbags and rear seat side airbags.
  • The Cruze gets a different rear suspension design – an Opel Astra-like Watt’s Z-link as opposed to the regular torsion beam suspension on the world market Cruze.

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