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Lamborghini adding a four-door model to its lineup?

August 10, 2010 at 3:07 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Lamborghini

CEO of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann, is hinting at the possibility of a third model in the supercar maker’s lineup, possibly a four-door car in the mould of the Porsche Panamera and Aston Rapide, but only if it improves sales and gives “a real leap” in deliveries.

“A third model would fit Lamborghini very well. A four-door car would be a very feasible approach,” the 45-year old CEO said at Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata base.

Remember the four-door Estoque concept? It was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and featured a 560 hp 5.2-litre direct injection naturally aspirated V10 engine producing 540 Nm of torque. That 5150 mm long “4-door 4-seater super sedan” caused many mouths to gape, but we haven’t heard much news of it making production so far.

The economy is gathering pace with most luxury brands recording good sales, which could be tempting Lambo. Sales in the US may jump 70% for the $200,000 to $400,000 category this year after falling 37% in 2009, according to researcher IHS Automotive. BMW owned Rolls-Royce this week posted record first-half sales of 970 units thanks to demand for its “baby” Ghost.

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Ratan Tata planning to retire in 2012 – successor wanted

August 10, 2010 at 1:49 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under India, International News, Tata

Tata Sons Ltd have announced that they will actively be looking for a successor to the throne of company chairman Ratan Tata. Ratan, 72, has once said that he wouldn’t want to go out of the company in a wheelchair, and has arranged to retire at the end of 2012. Hot on the lips of everyone is his possible successor, a position to be decided by a five member committee.

Ratan, who never married, has no children. Indian media have speculated that Noel N. Tata, Ratan’s half-brother and son in law of Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry, who also happens to be the largest shareholder of the company, may be the man groomed for the job. Noel will join Tata International Ltd, the group’s overseas unit, as MD after stepping down from the same post at retail arm Trent Ltd.

The successful candidate will control a huge conglomerate that has 96 companies making cars from the $72,500 Jaguar XJ to the $2,500 Nano, producing steel and growing tea, among other things. The company creates revenue of over $70 billion and accounts for almost 7% of India’s gross domestic profit. Ratan, who is a Cornell University-trained architect, took the hot seat in 1991 and charted Tata’s growth via at least 35 overseas acquisitions, including steelmaker Corus Group Plc and Jaguar Land Rover.

It’s never easy when a family empire passes from one generation to another. Let’s hope that this one goes smoothly!

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VIDEO: Lotus Exos Type 125 – F1 inspired track car

August 10, 2010 at 12:15 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Formula 1, Lotus, Motorsports, Videos

Lotus unveiled the Exos Type 125 at the recent Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion event, an F1 inspired track-only car. Built in Norfolk, England, the Exos Type 125 is powered by a 3.5-litre Cosworth GPV8 with 650 hp and a 10,300 rpm redline, which extends by another 500 rpm at the push of a button. This is mated to a semi automatic transmission with paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel, F1 style.

The 650 kg Exos has a power to weight ratio of 1000 hp per tonne. Keeping weight low and design F1-true, is the use of carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fibre pushrod suspension and shark fin engine covers. Unlike F1 engines though, it runs for 4500 km before needing a rebuild and has a starter motor inside the car. Customers of the T125 will also have a number of paint options including the classic Lotus green and yellow livery. How about a replica of Lotus Racing’s T127?

Lotus plans to make 25 units of the Exos, pricing it at 1 million euros. Buyers will be part of the Exos owners’ club that will organize track days and events to familiarise drivers with their new cars. Expert trainers will be roped in to help (Mika Hakkinen and Jarno Trulli are rumoured to be involved). The first 10 units will be delivered in spring 2011 while the rest will be ready by next summer.

UPDATE: Live image gallery and one more video after the jump.

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Revised spec Mitsubishi Grandis with extra equipment

August 10, 2010 at 11:26 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has revised the spec of its Grandis MPV, which now comes with a host of new luxury features. They include xenon headlamps with auto leveling, a 2-DIN (6.1-inch) LCD touch screen head unit with GPS and reverse camera visual display, keyless entry and start, roof rails and a powered tailgate. Red metallic joins the four original exterior colours.

With all that, the price has increased from the previous RM160,557.80 (OTR without insurance) to RM165,427.80. RM5,000 for all that equipment sounds like decent value. Speaking about value, the Grandis already looks good next to the RM154,714.10 Honda Stream RSZ with more space and more engine.

The Grandis is powered by a 4G69 2.4-litre MIVEC engine with 163 bhp and 217 Nm, paired to a four-speed auto with manual mode. Other standard kit include two airbags, ABS/EBD/BA, rear 8″ LCD monitor, leather seats, climate control with rear manual adjustment, a bodykit and 17-inch wheels.

More pics after the jump.
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Suzuki Alto launched – 3 variants, RM44,888 to RM54,888

August 10, 2010 at 12:26 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Suzuki

Suzuki Malaysia Automobile (SMA) has added a new model to its local range – the Alto, which is an A-segment rival to the Perodua Viva and Hyundai i10. This subcompact is imported CBU from Maruti Suzuki in India, which is the global production hub for this model.

Powered by a 996cc three-cylinder engine, the lightweight Alto (880 kg for the manual, 915 kg for the auto) is pushed on by 67 bhp and 90 Nm of torque. For comparison, the Viva EZi weighs 810 kg and has 60 bhp/90 Nm from its 989cc triple. The Alto’s K10B engine is paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The latter features a gated shifter, just like in big brother Swift.

I remember seeing the Alto in concept form (it was called A-Star) at the Delhi Motor Show, and it looked nothing like this finished product. While the basic shape is there, crisp and bold styling gave way to a cute and cuddly image that should go well with the ladies, who we presume will also dig the Fortune Rose Pearl Metallic colour shown here. Five other hues are available.

The Alto’s 3,500 mm length is 75 mm shorter than the Viva, while its 2,360 mm wheelbase is 30 mm shorter than the Perodua. The locally made car also has a 60 mm taller roof. All these are obvious when you see the Alto in the metal – its shape is more rakish and “sportier” (0.30 drag coefficient) than the box-like Viva. The Suzuki is also significantly wider. Under the skin, the Alto sits on MacPherson struts up front and a 3-link rigid axle at the back. The front ventilated discs brakes work with rear drums. It rides on 155/65 R14 Goodyear GT3 tyres.

The super basic RM44,888 (OTR without insurance) GA manual variant has a folding rear bench, dual airbags and a pollen filter, but misses out on the automatic GLX model’s fog lamps, coloured wing mirror caps, tachometer, front power windows, 50:50 split folding rear seats and ABS/EBD. The GLX costs RM49,888. There’s also a RM54,888 GXS spec that adds window tint, leather seats, door visors and a bodykit.

Rear windows are self winding and wing mirrors manual in all variants. The Alto has only 2 sets of seatbelts at the back, making it a four-seater officially, but there are two ISOFIX child seat anchorages. Live images from the launch after the jump.
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Toyota achieves 1 million hybrid milestone in Japan

August 9, 2010 at 12:30 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Toyota

Toyota announced that as of the end of July, they have sold 1 million hybrid vehicles in Japan, which adds up to 2.68 million hybrids finding homes globally. The company claims that its hybrids have offset approximately 4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in Japan and 15 million tonnes globally, compared to standard petrol engine cars of a similar size and performance.

Future targets include selling 1 million hybrid vehicles per year “as early as possible in the 2010s” and introducing hybrid variants in all vehicle ranges in its lineup “as early as possible in the 2020s”.

Toyota launched their first hybrid vehicle in 1997 – the Coaster Hybrid EV minibus which is currently being sold in Australia and Hong Kong. This was followed by the release of the first generation Prius, the world’s first mass produced hybrid vehicle using a 1.5-litre DOHC engine and an electric motor. The Prius has since grown to be a green car icon in its third generation now. Branded as Hybrid Synergy Drive, Toyota’s hybrid drivetrain resides in the SAI, Camry and Lexus models.

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Tunku Hammam and Arrows Racing Team wins MMER ahead of Audi by just one lap! Petronas finishes third

August 9, 2010 at 10:40 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Local News, Motorsports


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We talked about Petronas Syntium Team and the Audi works team before the race, but it was Malaysia’s top racing driver Tunku Hammam Tunku Sulong and his Arrows Racing Team that claimed top spot at this year’s Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race (MMER). Partnering former European GT3 champion Christopher Haase and Dutchman Peter Kox in a Lamborghini LP560, they beat Audi Race Experience Joest’s R8 LMS by just a single lap – 315 to 314 laps.

Arrows broke the MMER 2008 record of 308 laps around the 5.543 km Sepang track by Porsche Club Singapore Racing with their win. Completing the podium in third was Nobuteru Taniguchi, Masataka Yanagida and Imran Zaharias Shaharom in their Petronas Syntium Team (PST) BMW Z4M Coupe with 308 laps.


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You might have noticed the absence of Porsche RSR teams on the podium, and it was poor reliability that put them out of contention. Porsche Club Singapore Racing (Mok Weng Sun/Craig G. Baird/Richard Lietz) started from pole position and was the fastest car all weekend but mechanical problems forced them out after 119 laps. Another former winner Kencana Racing Team, featuring Sepang boss Mokhzani Mahathir, also retired after 129 laps.

Other big name retirees included defending champion PST, which had Tatsuya Katoaka, Fariqe Hairuman and Melvin Moh stop with 80 minutes to go. They were in fourth before the No.1 Z4M broke down. Fairuz Fauzy and his Mofaz Racing Team may have been the fastest in qualifying in the Sports Production category, but they were the first to retire after only 30 laps when the engine of their Aston Martin blew.


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The MMER jinx for Empire Motorsports continued for a third year after their Lotus 2-11 burst into flames during refueling; bringing their challenge to an end after just 56 laps. Alex Yoong, Matthew Marsh and Marchy Lee (Lamborghini LP560) lasted 198 laps before packing up.


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The Sports Production class was won by Team Tracy Sports, featuring Masatama Kawaguchi, Masayuki Ueda and Adam Han. The Touring Production class was topped by the Honda Malaysia Racing Team trio of Eddie Lew, Aaron Lim and Rueben Wong. They did 281 laps in their Honda Civic Type R to be 8th overall. They beat HKS Garage by six laps.

“I regard today’s victory as the most important one. We’ve had near misses in the past two years and I am glad to repay them with this win,” said Eddie, who also won the overall MMER crown in 2004 and four Class A titles in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

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Proton Saga facelift spotted near Bukit Jelutong NKVE toll

August 9, 2010 at 2:55 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton, Spyshots

Proton gave us the second generation Proton Saga back in early 2008 and it was easily the most anticipated car ever during that period of time, as everyone expected it to be the most affordable Proton sedan one could buy, given the Saga’s positioning.

Following a 5 year lifecycle, we should be able to expect the third generation Saga in late 2012 or early 2013 but before that it’s time for a mid-life facelift sometime this year or next year, which will hopefully revise the model line-up to include a model with dual airbags like available on the 25th anniversary special edition.

In any case, it’s about time that we see taped up facelifted Proton Sagas running around, like this one here snapped by reader Victor while exiting the Bukit Jelutong toll entering the NKVE. At the front we can see that Proton has given it the family grille with the horizontal bar that’s found on the Persona and the Exora.

The rear end also looks different. The Saga that’s currently available has tail lamps that position the signal lamp on top, so the upper most part of the tail lamp is clear. Fortunately in one of these photos we can see the car braking so it shows that the brake lights have been moved to the area where the signal lamp previously occupied.

Look after the jump for the full gallery of Saga facelift spyshots.
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VW Polo 1.2 TSI – ‘engine downsizing’ for the masses!

August 9, 2010 at 2:30 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Volkswagen

The latest generation Volkswagen Polo has appeared on Volkswagen Malaysia’s website, and bookings are open although a launch and delivery date is still listed as ‘coming soon’.

The last generation Polo was sold in Malaysia alongside its CrossPolo and Polo GTI siblings and it came with a regular 1.6 litre 4-pot engine. This latest generation Polo priced at RM108,888 is equipped with something far more advanced – a downsized engine tuned more for fuel economy rather than power like the 160 PS TSI found in the Golf.

The new Polo’s 1.2 litre TSI engine uses direct injection and a turbocharger to make 105 PS at 5,000rpm and 175Nm of torque from as low as 1,550rpm to 4,100rpm, which is more torque than a typical normally aspirated 1.6 litre at just over idle. This engine is mated to the new dry clutch 7-speed DSG transmission. 0 to 100km/h acceleration is 9.7 seconds.

This is the cheapest turbocharged petrol car in Malaysia right now, taking away the ‘throne’ from the larger and more powerful Peugeot 308 Turbo. If you want a fuel economical and compact run-about this is it – what the Europeans have been enjoying for the past 2 to 3 years now. The rest of the specs are decent – a single CD with MP3 and WMA support, 6 airbags and ABS brakes with discs all round.

Volkswagen quotes 5.3 litres per 100km combined fuel consumption and we’re eager to see if we’re able to achieve this if we get a test drive unit later in the year! For now, look after the jump for an embedded PDF price list and brochure.
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Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI with 160 PS – RM155,888

August 9, 2010 at 1:04 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Volkswagen

For a long time the Golf GTI has been the only way to get the Golf body from Volkswagen Malaysia. It sold a ‘Golf’, but that Golf was actually the Golf Plus with a higher roofline and etc. The only way to get a regular Golf 1.6 was through grey importers like Wald.

A non-GTI Golf can now be ordered at Volkswagen showrooms, though deliveries will come later. The specs list is impressive – a 1.4 litre TSI direct injection dual force inducted engine, 160 PS, 240Nm torque, 7-speed dual clutch DSG transmission, dual zone automatic climate control, an 8 speaker sound system, ABS, EBD, ESP stability control, TCS traction control, a multi-function steering wheel with ‘DSG control’ (I’m assuming you can change gears from the steering), 16 inch “Atlanta” wheels (pic on left) and a grand total of 7 airbags.

It’s RM155,888 price tag also includes a “Light & Sound Package” which specifies the following extra equipment – bi-xenon headlamps, dynamic cornering lights, dynamic headlight range adjustment, front foglamps, a headlight cleaning system, and an USB//iPod media connectivity interface. I’m assuming that there will be a cheaper model later without the Light & Sound package otherwise it wouldn’t be listed as optional, but the price list only lists the RM155,888 model with the Light & Sound package for now.

Look after the jump for the brochure and price list.
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