Gong Xi Fa Cai

Advertisement

Mitsubishi Lancer EX – a very different kind of Lancer

July 16, 2010 at 10:35 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has unveiled a new variant for their C-segment Lancer sedan. Called the Lancer EX, it’s not exactly a “low spec” Lancer that a first glance would lead you to believe, but a different kind of Lancer appealing to a different set of buyer from those of the Evo-styled Lancer GT. Here, out goes the sporty bits we love about the GT and in comes some nice equipment and a more pleasant cabin.

Let’s first look at the exterior. The most obvious change from the current Lancer GT is the deletion of the single chrome frame “jet fighter” grille – the EX uses the old split into two version of the pre-facelift GT. Also gone are the GT’s 18-inch alloys, replaced by 16-inch items wrapped with 205/60 Yokohama touring rubber. At the back, the trademark huge wing makes way for a slim, subtle spoiler on the boot edge, and there’s a strip of chrome below the badges. Chrome also appears on the door handles.

Inside, it feels almost like a different model. The main change here is the use of grey leather seats, which brightens up the cabin considerably. It’s not the “Nappa” leather found in the GT and the shape of the front seats also differ, focussing more on comfort than support. The main piece of trim that spans the dashboard has wood grain imprints in a classy grey tone.

Probe higher and you’ll find the 2-DIN touch screen ICE system, which also incorporates a GPS system (maps by Mapking). iPod and AUX jacks are in the glovebox, while the USB jack joins two SD card slots (one for GPS) on the interface. There’s a list of all Mitusbishi showrooms and service centres installed in the GPS and one can drag and drop to customise his/her four favourite functions.

The Lancer EX’s other highlight features include keyless entry and start – no start/stop button, but you twist a knob where the key hole normally is, like in the Nissan Latio hatchback and Suzuki Swift. Cruise control is also here, and its controls on the steering wheel make the wheel look better and full functioned.

With all these added kit, something’s got to give, and it’s the magnesium shift paddles that control the INVECS-III CVT. One can still access the 6-speed sports mode via the shift lever, though. Under the hood is the now familiar 4B11 2.0-litre engine with 153 bhp and 199 Nm of torque.

The Lancer EX is priced at RM117,676.10 (OTR without insurance), which makes it slightly cheaper than the RM120,598.10 Lancer GT. Available in two colours – black and white – the EX is covered by a 5-year/100,000 km warranty and comes with a 2-year/50,000 km maintenance free program.

Live images from the launch after the jump.
[Read more...]

164 Comments      

CONFIRMED: RON95 and diesel up by RM0.05 at midnight

July 15, 2010 at 9:18 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Malaysian Fuel Prices

Fuel-Wallet GaugeIt’s confirmed – the government (via the Prime Minister’s Office) have decided to increase the price of various items in the country via the reduction of subsidy. These subsidy cuts are supposed to save the government RM750 million a year. The government claims that even after these cuts it will continue to spend about RM7.82 billion a year on fuel and sugar subsidies.

Word is that this is just the first in a round of many more subsidy cuts to come, which means the government has implemented some kind of incremental subsidy reduction plan similar to Idris Jala’s proposed PEMANDU plan.

  • RON95 petrol price will increase by RM0.05 to RM1.85.
  • RON97 petrol will be put on a ‘controlled float’. I’m not sure what the price will be after midnight. Will it be up by RM0.05 to RM2.10 per litre or will it go up by a larger margin?
  • Diesel will go up by RM0.05 as well, which means the diesel price that you and me will be able to get at the pump will be RM1.75 per litre. However the government also says the RM0.05 hike is for all sectors so fishermen and etc will feel the hike as well.
  • LPG Natural Gas will go up by RM0.10 to RM1.85 per kg.
  • Sugar will go up by RM0.25 per kg to RM1.75.

Seriously guys, based on an average full tank of 50 litres, you’re only going to save RM2.50 if you rush to the pumps to fill your motor vehicle up today. It’s not worth it, please don’t clog up the fuel pumps and the roads around the pumps and make the roads a living hell for less calculative motorists!

466 Comments      


Mkini reports petrol and diesel to go up RM0.05 tonight?

July 15, 2010 at 6:54 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Malaysian Fuel Prices

Fuel-Wallet GaugeAccording to Malaysiakini, both petrol and diesel prices will go up by RM0.05 effective midnight tonight. That’s pretty much all their brief news piece says, but if all three types of fuel are hiked that would mean new prices of RM1.85 per litre for RON95, RM2.10 per litre for regulated RON97 and RM1.75 per litre for Euro 2M diesel.

Just as a recap, here is Idris Jala’s proposed plan to cut down on fuel subsidies in Malaysia as part of the PEMANDU think tank project:
[Read more...]

99 Comments      

Next generation Chevrolet Aveo patent filings leaked

July 15, 2010 at 6:51 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, International News


We’ve had an idea of how the next-gen Aveo will look like, thanks to the Chevrolet Aveo RS show car that graced Detroit 2010. Subsequently, we also saw leaked illustrations of the Aveo Sedan and its funky looking cabin. Now, these patent filings confirm the shape of the hatchback and sedan variants of the 2012 Aveo.

Chevrolet’s B-segment global car uses the same design language as the Cruze but is recognisable as an Aveo, particularly the hatchback, which has door handles hidden in the C-pillars (neat) and long front overhangs (not so neat). The latter is probably to meet pedestrian crash regulations. The front design is dominated by a large radiator grille split into two and prominent double headlamps on each side.

No word on its official unveiling, but we won’t be surprised to see the new Aveo at the Paris Motor Show this September. See the patent filings after the jump.

Source

[Read more...]

8 Comments      

All-new F25 BMW X3 unveiled: first details and photos

July 15, 2010 at 6:17 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News

The new F25 BMW X3 is here – bigger, and more powerful, but still immediately recognizable as an X3, partly because it looks so much alike to the model it replaces. It’s wheelbase of 2,810mm puts it smack in the middle of the X1′s 2,760mm and the X5′s 2,933mm. The old X3 had a 2,795mm wheelbase.

Only three engines are available at launch time – two petrol and one oil burner. The petrol engine for the European debut is the powerful xDrive35i, which uses a 3.0 litre straight-six making 306 horsepower and 400Nm of torque thanks to its turbocharger. In the US, the engine is the normally aspirated xDrive28i.

The diesel model is the new 184 horsepower BMW X3 xDrive20d – this 184hp and 380Nm version of BMW’s single turbocharged 4-potter diesel engine made its debut in the BMW F10 and is expected to hit our E90 LCI 320d pretty soon. The xDrive35i engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with an auto start stop system.

The xDrive20d comes with a 6-speed manual as standard but can also be equipped with an optional 8-speed automatic. However the manual option is not available on the xDrive35i. It’s also the first time that BMW has fitted an electric power steering in a BMW X model, and there’s also an optional variable sports steering.

Power is sent to all four wheels via xDrive, and there is also optional Performance Control. The optional Dynamic Damper Control uses electronically controlled dampers that can adapt to road surface conditions and driver driving style – this is your usual NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT+ modes that we’ve seen in new BMW vehicles.

The interior kinda looks like the X1′s interior, but it’s much more premium (unlike the seriously el cheapo X1 interior) and also incorporates some features from the new BMW interior design theme, which first appeared in the F01/F02 7-Series and then carried on in the 5-Series GT, Saloon and Touring.

For example, there’s a black panel LCD but it only covers the bottom right and bottom center area of the instrument cluster, while the more premium BMWs have the black panel extended the whole bottom width of the instrument cluster.

That’s all the details we have for now – look after the jump for a large high resolution photo gallery of the new BMW X3.
[Read more...]

34 Comments      

Honda Civic 1.8S-L launched – new variant blends 1.8-litre economy with 2.0-litre luxuries

July 15, 2010 at 5:34 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Honda, Local News

There’s a new variant of the 8th generation Honda Civic in town – the Civic 1.8S-L, which sits between the 1.8S and the 2.0S. Think of it as the Civic equivalent of the Accord 2.0 VTi-L; you can opt for the smaller engine and get some of the big engined car’s luxuries.

The 1.8S-L is priced at RM119,980 (OTR with insurance), which is RM5,000 more costly than the 1.8S. For that premium, you get cruise control, audio and cruise buttons on the steering wheel, door mirrors with side signals, a sliver panel surrounding the meter, chrome outer door handles and leather seats.

All these kit were previously only available on the 2.0S, which costs RM130,980. Things like 17-inch alloys, blue ambient lighting, shift paddles and side airbags remain exclusive to the 2.0-litre car. With this new variant, Honda Malaysia has targeted a 750-unit monthly sales target for the Civic, with 30% of buyers expected to opt for the 1.8S-L.

Pictures after the jump.
[Read more...]

183 Comments      

Ford Ranger gets new variants – Single Cab and Low Rider

July 15, 2010 at 4:32 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Ford, Local News

The Ford Ranger used to be the THE pick-up truck some time back, but more recent times have seen the likes of Toyota’s Hilux and Mitsubishi’s Triton grab the headlines and the sales figures. But that doesn’t mean that the Ranger is a has been. In its current form, the Ranger’s 2.5-litre Duratorq engine is powerful and refined (best in class, in my opinion) and the auto ‘box had five speeds long before the Navara came on the scene.

Sime Darby Auto Connexion, distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia has just expanded the Ranger line-up with two new models – the Ranger Double Cab 4X2 Low Rider and the Ranger Single Cab 4X4. Both manual transmission trucks are powered by a 2.5-litre TDi engine churning out 108 bhp at 3,500 rpm and 257 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm.

While the figures are much lower than the Ranger XLT’s 141 bhp/330 Nm, bear in mind that it’s still more power and just 3 Nm less than what the Hilux offers. Also, unlike the Mitsubishi Triton Lite’s engine, this TDi engine has turbo and intercooler but not the Duratorq’s commonrail system and VGT turbo.

The Ranger Low Rider sits lower than normal 4X4 trucks, like the Triton Lite. Frequent visitors to Thailand will have noticed how much these low riders can carry – Ford claims a 2,000 kg towing capacity for this model. The Ranger 4X4 Single Cab on the other hand is a pure workhorse with a very long cargo bed of 1.54 m cubic capacity. Not only can you fit in everything and the kitchen sink, towing capacity for this variant is a mighty 3,000kg.


The Double Cab 4X2 Low Rider comes with an introductory price of RM59,888 while the Single Cab 4X4 is priced at RM62,888 (quoted prices are excluding registration, insurance, road tax and for Peninsula Malaysia). An early bird promotion also sees Sime Darby Auto Connexion providing free bed liners for both variants.

More pictures of the Low Rider (and the standard 4X4 model for comparison) after the jump. Images of the Single Cab will be posted when we get hold of them.
[Read more...]

28 Comments      

Proton Exora MC unveiled – new colour, trim and exterior enhancements

July 15, 2010 at 1:01 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton, Proton Exora - Proton MPV 2009

We are at Proton’s Centre of Excellence (COE) now, where Proton have just launched the new Proton Exora MC. MC stands for minor change, which is one step less comprehensive than a facelift for the MPV, which Proton MD Dato’ Syed Zainal Abidin said the company is already working on and will come later.

Back to the Exora MC, which looks much better and somehow “more premium” than the car it replaces. Most of the effect is from the new Plum Red exterior colour, which joins four other hues.

Other changes on the outside include the newly designed 15-inch alloys (now featuring five twin spokes) and a new bodykit.

The latter is most obvious up front, where the front lip follows the look of the Exora Prestige seen at the model’s debut last year.

Inside, the most obvious change is the colour of the trim, which is now in dark grey (from very light grey).

The centre stack used to have a “brushed metal” texture, but is now smoothened out with some subtle graphics in place.

The leather seats in the High-Line display model pictured here are also in black.

The door trim also sports a strip of suede/alcantara style of material, which lifts the ambience a bit.

There’s also a handy boot organiser (divided into three sections), which all trims except for the Base-Line model will get. The updates are small but make a big impact – the new colour really suits the car quite well, the chrome on the bumper complements the chrome on the grille nicely, and the darker interior looks better. Just in time for balik kampung.

OTR prices are up spec-for-spec by RM1,000. Here’s the list:

  • Proton Exora B-Line MT RM58,998
  • Proton Exora M-Line MT RM65,998
  • Proton Exora M-Line AT RM70,998
  • Proton Exora H-Line AT RM76,998

Live images, official brochure and a video from the event are after the jump.
[Read more...]

378 Comments      

Jaguar looking to bring out 3-Series rivalling sedan

July 14, 2010 at 11:59 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Jaguar, Land Rover

Jaguar XF Estate

Tata owned Jaguar Land Rover will be breaking into new market segments with the introduction of new models within the coming years, according to Tata Motor’s CEO Carl-Peter Forster who told Automobilwoche that to effectively compete with other luxury makes; they would have to bring out smaller sedans for the global market.

In that respect, we could be seeing a sedan model that will sit below the XF in the next few years, which could feature similar technologies seen in the new XF and XJ. This would be the successor to the Jaguar X-Type. Apart from that, there has also been reports that Jaguar has OK’d the production of the XE which is a XK based competitor of entry level sports cars like Porsche’s Boxster.

Apart from a sports car and a 3-Series competitor, Forster confirmed that it will also be releasing a long wheelbase version of the XF for the Chinese market and a wagon version of the XF (see artist’s impression). Tata are clearly trying to compete with certain German luxury brands that have a large chunk of the market share.

There are even rumours that JLR and Tata Motors may work together on the development of engines. One Tata source confirmed that they are looking into all options which include this one, to cut costs by synergising both company’s development processes.

“It is an exercise, a co-operation to be undertaken, we don’t know a date to announce – it is an exercise to explore Jaguar development of engines. [There are] no particular models so far,” said a Tata spokesmen about the matter. Tata bought JLR from Ford two years ago for $2.3 billion and if the deal goes through, it will be the first time the two have joined hands in a development process of any kind.

12 Comments      

Audi releases teaser site for the new Audi A7

July 14, 2010 at 11:49 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Audi, Cars, International News

Audi have launched a dedicated site for what appears to be the Audi A7 with a rotating sketch of the coupe-like design. The website is in Dutch and is part of Audi Netherlands, but no doubt the scrawling on the website highlights features of the new model without giving too much away. The Sportsback Concept was previewed at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2009 and featured a 3.0 litre TDI V6 that produces an amazing 225hp along with 550Nm of torque. The A7 is inspired by this particular concept.

The strange thing is, the sketching looks bulkier than the Detroit concept. It seems to look more like a SUV than a Sportsback while the front looks like an Audi Q7 at some angles. Could be just an illusion as the the A7 doesn’t have a “Q” in its name.
[Read more...]

22 Comments