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Porsche brake energy recuperation system now standard on V8-engined Panameras

June 18, 2010 at 9:51 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Porsche, Technology

Porsche has announced that the Panamera has been updated with a new brake energy recuperation system which now comes as standard on all V8-engined models. This when coupled with the optional 19-inch reduced roll resistance tyres, gives an improvement of 0.9 litres per 100km, thus only using 11.3 litres per 100 km on a Panamera Turbo. While the Panamera S and 4S both produce a fuel consumption of 9.8 litres per 100 km and 10.1 litre per 100 km respectively.

Energy is recuperated while braking and when accelerating, power to the alternator is reduced thereby allowing the engine to direct all its power to the acceleration of the car. This method of charging increases fuel efficiency by another 0.7L/100km, and when used in conjunction with optional all-season tyres, this figure drops by a further 0.2 litres/100km on the Panamera models. These additions will be available from August this year.

The Panamera also now includes the optional Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) system which was previously only available on the Cayenne, supplementing Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) which is a fully controlled rear axle differential lock. PTV Plus intervenes in the braking of the inner rear wheel when taking a corner and improves traction when accelerating out of the bend which is also helped on by the rear axle differential.

Braking a wheel in PTV Plus sounds quite similiar to ESP systems but PDCC (like other systems such as Volkswagen’s XDS) is more performance based as opposed to ESP systems that are more to do with safety.

Porsche is also extending their range of paintwork colours, leather options and special equipment such as auxiliary heating, three-spoke sports steering wheel with gear-shift paddles. 3D maps on the navigation system are another plus, and will be able to be combined with satellite images to provide realistic-looking directions to your favourite coffee shop.

Look after the jump to revisit a photo gallery of the Panamera.
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SEAT Leon Cupra R tops the Cupra by 25 PS and 50Nm

June 18, 2010 at 9:50 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, SEAT

Volkswagen’s Spanish marque SEAT have added an “R” to the Leon range. The new Leon Cupra R adds 25 PS and 50Nm to the “normal” Leon Cupra’s power count, resulting in a new total of 265 PS and 350Nm of torque. This is thanks to an increased boost pressure of a maximum 1.9 bar at peak output and 2.2 bar at peak torque, compared to 1.8 bar for the regular 240 PS Leon Cupra.

Other than the increased boost pressure, the engine also has a new high-pressure fuel pump injector to satisfy the greater performance demands and allow it to meet strict EU5 emissions standards. The manual gearbox has also been revised to have a shorter throw. To put all of this power down to the ground properly, the car gets XDS which is an electronically simulated differential lock.

The new Leon Cupra R is limited to around 500 units a year and goes for £25,205 in the UK. No SEAT here in Malaysia, and Volkswagen’s other stablemate that can be found in Malaysia doesn’t have particularly exciting cars – no “RS” or “VRS” models from Skoda here. Look after the jump for a full gallery of the Leon Cupra R.
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Defending champs Lexus Team Petronas Tom’s unlikely to rock Sepang, but look good to retain championship

June 18, 2010 at 5:56 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Lexus, Motorsports

It’s Super GT season in Malaysia again, as the premier Japanese “box car” series arrives at Sepang for their hottest race of the year. We figure that many attend the annual Sepang event more for the lovely Japanese race queens than the race action itself, but even so, people still need a team to support.

For those without an alliance, let us suggest Lexus Team Petronas Tom’s for two reasons – despite the higher profile of some other outfits, Tom’s is the team to beat (2009 GT500 driver and team champions), and you will be in good company – Petronas has been backing the team since 2008.

Tom’s two drivers, Juichi Wakisaka and Andre Lotterer, visited Galeri Petronas KLCC this morning to join children aged 8-12 in a school holiday art workshop. Both wheelmen lent their hands in creating artwork from stencils of their Lexus SC430 race car and Petronas’ Super Taikyu BMW Z4 M. During “recess” we got hold of the top driver pairing in Super GT for a few quick questions.

German driver Lotterer was tired, and understandably so, as he’s still jetlagged after flying out of Le Mans, where the 29-year old was part of Audi’s successful podium conquering outing. There, Lotterer and teammates Benoit Treluyer (also a Super GT driver) and Marcel Fassler finished second. On fancied Peugeot’s self destruction at Le Mans, he admitted that they were fast, but cheekily added that “there’s only so much power metal can take”.

On the differences between last year’s GT500 championship winning car and the 2010 machine, Lotterer revealed that changes include a new front shape (bottom wing), improved aerodynamics, new under hood mount and suspension geometry plus a new air intake system. It’s a better all round set up, and the car is more consistent in grip, he said.

However, a win at Sepang this weekend would be a tough ask for Petronas Tom’s. Few factors contribute to this. First, the team is leading both driver and team standings at present, and so will carry the heaviest weight penalty in the field at 68 kg (34 points X 2 kg). Also, the Nissan GT-R has a better recent record at Sepang, winning the last two races here; the Nissans also have a small air-conditioner to combat heat so the drivers are more comfortable. Juichi Wakisaka “feels bad” for Petronas for not being able to see the team win here, but reckons that they’re looking good to retain the championship.

What about Honda’s fierce looking HSV-010 car? Lotterer isn’t impressed. “I don’t think it’s the best car, because it’s not a car that can win at all places,” he said. It was also pointed out to this writer that the high downforce, high drag, but low top speed Honda is said to be better on tighter, more technical circuits, but since Sepang has that and long straights as well, it’ll be interesting to see how they perform.

Here’s to a great weekend of hot Japanese action!

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Valeo introduces stop-start system that works while car is still in motion

June 18, 2010 at 3:44 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Citroën, International News, Peugeot, Technology

The use of start-stop technology is now available with most new cars and is a prerequisite on eco-friendly models. These systems are occasionally called “micro hybrids” due to their minor fuel saving capabilities. Valeo, one of the companies producing this system, has announced that they will be fitting their second generation start stop technology in PSA Peugeot Citroen group cars by the third quarter of 2010.

This new system is branded “i-StARS” and can be fitted on both auto and manual transmissions. Unlike previous versions of the start-stop system, the system can now cut off the engine even before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, so you can coast to a stand still in silence without burning any fuel. The maximum speed for the system to kick in is anything below 8km/h for auto transmissions and below 20km/h for manual transmissions.

Apart from that, engine re-starts are supposedly “noiseless and with no vibrations” and are effortlessly done in 400 milliseconds. This naturally increases fuel efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 15 per cent in heavy traffic.

Making it more flexible in its application within different car models, Valeo will offer i-StARS in two variants which would either be the starter-alternator or reinforced starter-based system. This strategy has secured them orders from 10 automakers to fit it within 50 vehicle models.

Valeo plan to fit 1 million Citroen and Peugeot vehicles with their technology by 2013, so don’t be surprised to see the technology in your new Peugeot sometime soon.

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SR Auto Group gives us the Valkyrie Audi R8 V10

June 18, 2010 at 3:03 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Audi, Cars, International News

The Audi R8 V10 has had a physical transformation at the hands of SR Auto Group. The main highlight here is the matte black wrap which the company say gives the R8 a “dark, uncanny and evasive” feel. Given the name Valkyrie, which comes from Norse mythology meaning “chooser of the slain”, this R8 is sure to command fearful looks from every other road user.

This is because SR’s “death chooser” has carbon fibre bits littered all over its body, courtesy of PPI. This includes front air dams, side skirts, rear diffusers and air vents. All lights are smoked for an evil appearance.

Inside, you will find the cabin covered with SR’s very own Executive Interior upholstery package, which is a combination of suede and black leather with red threading. The whole setup sits on 20-inch Advance One wheels and H&R lowering springs. Nothing has been done to the drivetrain, but why should they? The V10 FSI engine already packs a powerful 500 hp and 530 Nm of torque from its 5.2-litres.

More pics after the jump.
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Long wheelbase Volkswagen Tiguan for Chinese market

June 18, 2010 at 12:29 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Volkswagen

To fulfill the Chinese market’s need for ample rear legroom, Volkswagen has released the Tiguan in a long wheel base (LWB) format. From the standard car’s 2,604 mm, the LWB variant’s wheelbase grows by 80 mm, bringing overall length to 4.54 metres, 113 mm longer than the standard Tiguan.

The LWB Tiguan features the new VW corporate front-end along with new headlights, bumpers and grille, as shown at the Guangzhou Motor Show late last year. The European facelifted Tiguan is expected to be showcased at the Geneva Motor Show next year, and could wear a different appearance from this Chinese version.

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Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo based on F10 5-Series sketch teased!

June 17, 2010 at 9:56 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars


Click for enlarged image

I’m still eagerly awaiting for BMW to release how the M-Sport package for the new F10 BMW 5-Series will look like but for those who prefer something a little more aftermarket than just a regular M-Sport package there’s always the Alpina kit, and this is what the Alpina F10 will look like.

This first sketch released by Alpina shows the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo, which will likely be based on the 550i. It will be fully unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK this year. You can expect Alpina to work similar magic with the 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 engine as they did in the B7 Bi-Turbo based on the 750i.

In the B7 Bi-Turbo, Alpina managed to extract 500 horsepower and 700Nm, which is up from the engine’s stock 407hp and 600Nm figures, but still less than the M version of the engine found in the X5 M and X6 M which makes 555 horsepower but curiously less torque than the Alpina engine at 680Nm. That M engine can be massaged to make crazy figures as high as 715 horsepower and 845Nm of torque, as Nowack Motors managed to demonstrate earlier this year.

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LUXGEN to showcase its vehicle range at Vietnam Auto & Petrol 2010

June 17, 2010 at 7:28 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News

Luxgen is making its move into the growing ASEAN market – it has announced that it will be attending the Vietnam Auto & Petrol 2010 expo set to be held at the Ho Chi Minh City International Exhibition & Convention Center from June 23rd to June 27th 2010.

The usual suspects will be there – the LUXGEN7 MPV and the LUXGEN7 SUV but what’s interesting is that Luxgen says it will be exhibiting a full electric vehicle, the LUXGEN EV, which was first shown in Dubai.

The LUXGEN EV is basically a LUXGEN7 MPV kitted out to run on electric power. It was developed together with American company AC Propulsion and uses a 180kW (240hp) motor with 265Nm of torque.

The motor is backed by lithium ion batteries. 0 to 100km/h takes 8.6 seconds and the vehicle has a top speed of 145km/h. Range on a single charge is quoted at about 350km but interestingly this is achievable only at a fixed speed of 40km/h so expected a normal combined driving cycle to use much more battery power.

“We are delighted to confirm our participation at this year’s show. LUXGEN has successfully built up a high level of global awareness by attending the 10th Dubai International Motor show, and Vietnam will be a great opportunity for us to further showcase our technology-oriented brand positioning to the Southeast Asia market,” says LUXGEN CEO Mr KC Hu.

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F10 BMW 5-Series feature video and wallpaper gallery

June 17, 2010 at 7:27 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

I whipped together a few F10 BMW 5-Series videos into one long 7 minute 21 second video. For those who attended the Malaysian launch of the F10 in KLCC earlier this year you’ll probably recognize some of the clips.

They’re quite different from the B-roll footage that BMW released for press usage as those are just plain videos of the car in motion without any editing. These videos have music and etc, and towards the second half of the video there’s also a voiceover explaining some of the features found in the car.

If the F10 is not your cup of tea and you still prefer the E60 you’ll be glad to know that there are still brand new units of the E60 for sale at BMW Malaysia’s dealers. I heard the 525i Sports can be had for about RM375k, a drop from its previous list price of over RM400k.

Enjoy the video, and look after the jump to find a new wallpaper gallery of the F10 5-Series.
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Driven reviews the all new BMW X1, the monstrous Nissan GT-R and the classic Volvo P1800 this Sunday

June 17, 2010 at 6:56 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Local News, Videos


Watch Driven Season 1 Episode 11′s promo

Be sure to make a date with Driven this Sunday at 10.30pm on 8TV as Alis takes a road trip with the all new diesel-fueled BMW X1 sub-compact SUV. Driven continues to support the nostalgic world of classic cars with a feature on the sexy-looking Volvo P1800, a gorgeous star in the hit 60′s TV series, The Saint.

Sharizan takes on a horsepower frenzy with a re-birth of a Japanese legend, a car that gave Porsche an unforgettable challenge at the notorious Nurburgring circuit. Yes we are talking about the Nissan GT-R R35, all 480hp of it!

You can also head to Driven.com.my to catch-up on previous episodes and take part in the final week of The Double Barrel Hunt contest, which may land you a ride in a track-ready Lotus 2-Eleven around the Sepang circuit. You will also get the chance of driving a brand new BMW on track.

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