Gong Xi Fa Cai

Advertisement

Marussia F2 – Russia’s high tech multi-purpose SUV

May 13, 2010 at 2:20 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News

Russian company Marussia Motors displayed their ultra futuristic multi-purpose F2 SUV at the 22nd International Exhibition of Telecommunications Equipment, Control Systems, Information Technology and Communications Services, CSTB-2010 in Moscow. Multi-purpose because the company claims that the F2 can do good as an army, fire department, emergency squad, police or mobile operation control centre vehicle.

Interior adaptability is the key of the F2′s flexibility as the spacious cabin can be moulded to fit any specialist equipment. The exterior looks commanding as it has a very muscular, almost brutish but streamlined and modern at the same time. The F2 also boasts excellent infotainment credentials such as Bluetooth connectivity, GPS and TV, and it’s also future proofed to accommodate any new technology, as flexibility is the selling point of this car.

Marrusia is one of the sponsors of the Virgin Racing F1 Team. They also have a car that looks as if it can eat the Veyron for breakfast. The aluminium-kevlar bodied B2 weighs only 850 kg and is powered by a 300 bhp Cosworth V6. 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds! You can see a glimpse of the B2 in one of the pictures in the gallery after the jump.
[Read more...]

24 Comments      

Job cuts and plant shut down on the menu for Ferrari

May 13, 2010 at 2:16 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Ferrari, International News

Ferrari employees walked out in response to the proposed job cuts by the Italian supercar maker to pay for a 2009 bonus due last month. Ferrari plans to cut 120 office positions and 150 factory jobs to achieve this from the 3,000 people that they employ. This trimming is due to the fact that sister brand Maserati has reduced orders for engines, which Ferrari builds for the Trident marque. Maranello made engines for about 4,500 Maseratis last year, down from almost 9,000 units in 2008.

Besides the job cuts, Ferrari plans to shut down the its Maranello factory for a week this month, which will involve 600 staff. Ferrari plans to slash 2010 production targets to 11,000 from 20,000 and will cope with the reduction in staff by outsourcing non-core jobs to local companies. The restructuring will help Ferrari focus on product development, technological innovation and reaching new customers.

Source

28 Comments      


911 GT2 RS is the most powerful road Porsche of all time

May 13, 2010 at 2:03 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Porsche

The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS has been unveiled and it’s being touted as the most powerful street legal Porsche of all time. The claim is backed by a 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine boosted by two turbochargers with variable turbine geometry to produce an incredible 620 hp. With just 1,370 kilograms to pull, 0 to 100 km/h is done in 3.5 seconds while 200 km/h appears in 9.8 seconds, a shorter time than some cars’ century sprint time. If you’ve got a death wish, continue to keep the pedal to the metal and you’ll be at 300 km/h in 28.9 seconds, by when you’ll still have 30 km/h to go before reaching maximum velocity.

Compared with the “standard” GT2, power has been increased by 90 hp while weight has been reduced by 70 kg. Power to weight ratio is one horsepower to propel every 2.21 kilos into a blur. All the grunt is channeled through a six-speed manual gearbox on to the 325/30 ZR 19 rear tyres. With all that performance, how can a GT2 RS owner possibly coax out the claimed 11.9 L/100 km fuel consumption is anyone’s guess. CO2 emissions of 284 g/km is down by 5%.

With great power comes great brakes, so PCCB composite ceramic brakes are standard here. Driving dynamics are maintained by RS spring set-up, PASM Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management, anti-roll bars, dynamic engine mounts and PSM Porsche Stability Management.

Flared wheel arches and wide wheels give the RS a muscular stance while the use of matte black finished carbon-fibre-reinforced (CFR) components around the car adds a touch of sportiness. The light-alloy wheels with central locking are exclusive to this model while ”GT2 RS“ model designations on the doors and rear lid leaves no doubt about its identity. Aero parts include an upgraded front spoiler lip and a rear spoiler lip which is now 10 mm higher, made of CFR and as of course, finished in carbon fibre.

The sporting theme continues inside with lightweight bucket seats (in CFR plastic) and door panels. The latter is closed with door straps instead of the usual door handles for a race car feel. Most of the interior is black but the roof lining, seats, seat belts, gearshift and handbrake are red, the latter two in alcantara.

Only 500 of these monsters will be built so your 199,500 euros investment is bound to be exclusive. A fully kitted up GT2 RS can cost up to 237,578 euros.

Hi res images and a nice promo footage video is available after the jump.
[Read more...]

42 Comments      

BMW celebrates 30 years of GS with special edition

May 13, 2010 at 12:39 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International News

The iconic BMW GS is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and BMW Motorrad takes the opportunity to offer a special “30 Years GS” edition, an exclusive model to commemorate three decades of the highly successful series, which started with the R 80 G/S of 1980. The anniversary model is available for the 110 bhp R 1200 GS pictured here as well as the R 1200 GS Adventure and smaller siblings F 800 GS and F 650 GS.

Features exclusive to this anniversary edition include Alpine White non-metallic paint with three-colored decals, “30 Years GS” badging, cross-spoke wheels with their spoke rings in black epoxy finish and hand protectors. The eye catching seat is finished in red with a three-dimensional GS mark embossed on its sides. The Adventure model is fitted with a two-tone red and black seat.

More images after the jump.
[Read more...]

15 Comments      

Iran president opens biggest car plant in the Middle East, unveils locally designed Tiba car by Saipa

May 12, 2010 at 5:17 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News


Click to enlarge

Last Sunday, Iran president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad opened a car plant that is said to be the biggest in the Middle East. It belongs to state-run automobile company Saipa. Located in the city of Kashan, the US$50 million facility has the capacity to manufacture 150,000 vehicles annually.

To offer 4,000 jobs, the plant will build locally designed small cars called the Tiba (deer). The latest Tiba (pictured above), also unveiled by Ahmadinejad on the same day, is priced between US$8,000 to US$9,000, targeting lower middle-class buyers.

“This is the first Iranian vehicle with Iranian characteristics as it is designed and manufactured by Iranians. Tiba is the symbol of our confidence in ourselves. The Iranian nation has shown that despite sanctions and pressures from enemies, we have have resisted and have progressed,” the Islamic Republic’s president was quoted as saying on state owned media. “The quality of our cars should be such that if an Iranian wants to buy a vehicle, he must prefer home-made ones,” Ahmadinejad added.

Iran is the largest automobile manufacturer in the Middle East with more than 1.4 million vehicles produced last year. Of that figure, Saipa contributed 54% while state-run Iran Khodro made the rest. Saipa has tie-ups with Kia and Renault, while Iran Khodro collaborates with Peugeot. Most of the cars assembled in Iran are past gen models, with the exception of the Dacia Logan range, which is called Renault Tondar in Iran.

Here’s an interesting fact. Iran has banned importing vehicles which compete with locally made models, which have to be paid for in cash. Luxury vehicles are allowed, but only after paying 90% customs duty!

134 Comments      

Hawaii to be a fuel cell vehicle friendly island

May 12, 2010 at 4:08 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under General Motors, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News

With the advent of fuel cells and hydrogen powered engines, there has always been questions as to the availability of a hydrogen fueling structure to accommodate the demand. Hawaii is set to be a real life case study for fuel cell vehicles, now that The Gas Company (TGC) and General Motors have teamed up to lay down the foundations on the beautiful island.

TGC, Hawaii’s biggest gas company, has a 1,000 mile pipeline service running through the country and aims to tap into this particular line to provide people with hydrogen through filling stations. TGC’s pipes flow with synthetic natural gas and hydrogen and the latter, which at present comprises 5% of the mix, can be extracted at stations using a “pressure swing absorption system”.

This development is beneficial for GM as it has invested more than US$1.5 billion in fuel cell tech over the last 15 years. GM’s Project Driveway is the world’s largest initiative involving fuel cell vehicles which has so far amassed 1.4 million miles by thousands of people since 2007. GM is looking to redeploy some of the Chevy Equinox SUVs used in Project Driveway (119 units in service) to Hawaii. The General is currently working on a mass market fuel cell system, targeted for 2015 release.

Click here for our driving experience of the Honda FCX, a fuel cell vehicle.

3 Comments      

MINI JCW Championship 50 – Singapore gets two units!

May 12, 2010 at 1:35 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News

In 1959, Alec Issigonis created one of the great automotive icons, the Mini. That same year, sports car constructor John Cooper won his first F1 World Championship title with Jack Brabham at the wheel. Fifty years on, BMW has decided to celebrate both occasions (and make more money) with this: the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 (what a mouthful!), which is limited to 500 units worldwide.

Unveiled to the public at the 2009 MINI United Festival in Silverstone, the JCW C50 comes in retro Connaught Green paint with a white roof and bonnet stripes. These, plus Challenge alloys in black and the JCW aero package, makes the C50 stand out in a sea of lesser MINIs. Apparently, the colours were provided by the legend’s son John Michael Cooper, whose signature appears on one bonnet stripe and a plaque.

The bi-xenons rest in black housings and there’s a host of carbon fibre parts, among them the bonnet scoop, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and tailgate handle. Owners will be keen to show off special numbering on the side scuttles finishers. Inside, it’s black with red touches and carbon pieces, plus an Alcantara wrapped wheel.

No need for added power, so under the hood is the JCW’s 211 bhp 1.6-litre turbo four-pot with 260 Nm between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm, which can even be briefly increased to 280 Nm thanks to an overboost feature. Should be a riot to drive, litreally. Drive goes to the front wheels via a six-speed manual. 0-100 km/h in done in just 6.5 seconds, on to a top speed of 238 km/h.

Two units (008 and 288) are available in Singapore. Priced at S$168,800 with COE, each unit comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by John Michael Cooper. How expensive is that? A BMW 325i is S$2,000 cheaper! More images after the jump.
[Read more...]

22 Comments      

Great Wall Hover X240 gets 4-star rating in ANCAP!

May 12, 2010 at 12:32 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, China, International News

The Great Wall Hover X240 has managed to score a 4 star crash test rating out of a maximum of 5 stars in the ANCAP’s latest tests. Impressive for a Chinese car that in the past have been associated with low crash safety. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is basically a crash test program supported by government transport authorities and automobile clubs in both Australia and New Zealand.

4 stars is in fact the highest rating that the SUV can score as the model sold in Australia does not have electronic stability control. ANCAP requires that for a vehicle to attain the maximum crash test rating of 5 stars, it needs to have some form of electronic stability control. The X240 does have dual front SRS airbags. Another car that scored 4 stars on the ANCAP recently was the new Toyota Camry Hybrid, which had electronic stability control. The Camry scored 28.22 out of 37 points while the X240 scored 25.48 out of 37 points.

Great Wall currently sells about 300 units of the Great Wall Hover X240 a month in Australia. You can look after the jump for the full ANCAP report. Let’s do a little voting here. The results should be quite interesting. Does above average crash test safety scores give you more confidence to purchase a vehicle from a Chinese automaker?

Right now there are a handful of Chinese automakers cars on sale here in Malaysia – Chery, Changan (Chana Era), Dadi (LMG Auto) and Brilliance Auto’s Jinbei Haise (Era Jinbei). Great Wall might be introduced here in Malaysia as well, since we have seen the Great Wall Wingle pick-up truck on test with trade plates here in Malaysia.


[Read more...]

55 Comments      

VW starts DSG production in China for local consumption

May 12, 2010 at 12:00 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under International News, Volkswagen

China based Volkswagen Automatic Transmission Co. Ltd. has begun production of the efficient dual clutch transmission (DSG). 300,000 units will be produced in the first phase of the plan, which will gradually increase to 600,000 units seeing a total of 400 million euros being invested in the Dalian plant. This comes from the 6 billion euro investment package that has been set aside to expand production capacity and develop new vehicles in China from now till 2012.

Besides DSG, VW launched TSI engines in China back in 2007 and have started making most of the components in the country. Will we be getting Chinese made DSGs anytime soon? No, because all units produced in the Dalian factory be used for the local market as there is a great domestic demand for the efficient TSI/DSG combo.

Volkswagen Kassel is the main plant producing DSG units in Europe and the Dalian plant has been set up with on site support from Kassel based experts. Chinese staff have also received specialist training in Kassel before production started.

“The start of DSG production in China is another important step for Volkswagen Group China. We can progress towards our goal of further extending our market share while at the same time achieving a greater reduction in the fuel consumption and emissions of our vehicles by fostering progressive powertrain technologies,” said Dr. Winfried Vahland, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

6 Comments      

Nasim forecasts higher sales, Peugeot 3008 launch next month, revised spec 308 VTi coming soon!

May 12, 2010 at 9:54 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Naza, Peugeot

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Peugeot in Malaysia, has revised upwards its 2010 sales forecast by nearly 30% to 3,800 units from 2,930 units in line with increasing demand and improving market conditions. To compare, the company sold 3,766 units in 2009, but a big chunk of that was contributed by the now discontinued 206 Bestari.

For the first quarter of 2010, Nasim’s sales (excluding 206 Bestari) has nearly tripled to 715 units from 262 units recorded in the same period last year. The strong showing has been largely driven by the 308 Turbo. The bulk of 2010 sales expected to be registered in the second half of the year, when Nasim launches three new models and two facelifted variants.

For now, the new arrival is the 3008 crossover, which will be launched in early June. Not much of a surprise since it already has been spotted cruising in Putrajaya. Nasim has begun taking pre-launch bookings for the SUV.

“We will have the distinction of being the first country in ASEAN to launch the 3008 and we are very excited over its prospects. We believe it will be just as successful here as it has been in European markets,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, CEO of Nasim.

The other new vehicles to be launched this year include the 5008 MPV and a B-segment sedan codenamed T33, which will be assembled in Gurun, Kedah for both the domestic and regional markets. This is essentially a sedan version of the 206 with an updated outlook (to match the rest of the range) and perhaps a new cabin. Nasim is also working hard to bring in Peugeot’s latest pride – the RCZ 2+2 coupe.

One of the abovementioned facelift models is the 308 VTi, which will be introduced very soon as pre-order books are already open. New features include new alloy wheels, automatic foldable door-mirrors, roof spoiler, leather-wrapped steering wheel, multi-function display, a new front grille as well as auto air-conditioning.

40 Comments