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2012 Chevrolet Aveo – with pictures and details

September 11, 2010 at 4:23 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, International News

We previously had a clue to the new Aveo’s design with the helped of 3D patent renderings that were leaked a few months ago. Chevrolet has now released full details of the car and images to go along with it. The new Aveo is bigger in size than the previous model. A redesigned front end has been worked into the equation along with a new bumper and hidden rear door handles.

Structurally, the Aveo uses a tight body frame integral (BFI) structure offering more rigidity. Inside, the Aveo is said to contain multiple storage space that is coupled with quality materials used in the interior.

Under the hood, customers will have the option of petrol or diesel engines. This is made out of a 70hp and 86hp 1.2 litre, a 100hp 1.4 litre as well as a 115hp 1.6 litre. The diesel engine will consist of a 75hp 1.3 litre engine or a slightly uprated 95hp version, both of which will come with automatic start-stop technology.

Power will be transferred to the road via a 5 or 6-speed manual, with an option of a 6 speed automatic as well. It will also feature safety such as ABS, Electronic power steering (EPS) and Electronic stability control (ESC). Chevrolet will launch the Aveo hatchback and the sedan variant some time in mid-2011. It will also make an appearance at the Paris Motor Show this year.

Look after the jump for high res pictures.
[Read more...]

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Nissan and Dongfeng launching new brand in China

September 11, 2010 at 4:21 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Dongfeng, International News, Nissan

Nissan and Dongfeng Motor Group have announced that they will be launching a Chinese-market only sub brand. The new brand will be called Qichen, which supposedly means Venus in English. Their logo is made up of five stars that is supposed symbolize five promises the company wants to make to potential customers, which is “respect for customers, create value, do the best, achieve world-class quality, and seek the dream.” The new brand will aim to provide affordable, no-frills cars in China’s auto market, currently the biggest in the world.

Kimiyasu Nakamura president of the joint venture said that there are a growing number of consumers making around 50,000 yuan (US$7000) a year, who are buying cheap cars. “We have been focusing lately on China’s interior market. Those consumers are multiplying in China’s inland markets, and we would like to come up with cars that target those people.”

Their plan to make cars affordable will include using Nissan’s existing platform and the development of the first model in China, taking advantage of the cheap labour costs for engineers. They also plan to limit the help they get from Japan for R&D.

He also went on to say that the Dongfeng-Nissan venture should drive sales up to one million cars a year in China, but did not specify a specific time frame. The JV company is on target of reaching its targeted 600,000 vehicles this year, while selling almost 519,000 cars in China last year.

This is not the first time a Chinese and foreign car manufacturer is launching a Chinese brand together – we also have Honda and Guangqi’s Li Nian.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback to be launched in Malaysia?

September 10, 2010 at 2:39 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi

We all know that pretty soon Mitsubishi won’t be the only company selling the Lancer here in Malaysia – a Proton styled variant is expected to hit Proton showrooms before the end of the year. For those that still want a Mitsubishi-badged C-segment product, you probably won’t have to settle for the Lancer sedan as these pix snapped in Putrajaya by reader suggests that Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia will offer the Lancer Sportsback here soon.

The Lancer Sportsback was first introduced at the Paris 2008 show two years ago. It’s basically a Lancer with a 5-door hatchback body, and in Europe it comes with a few engines including a baseline 4A91 1.5L DOHC, a 1.8L 4B10, or even a 140 PS Volkswagen engine. A Lancer Sportback Ralliart is also available, equipped with the 4B11T engine which takes a 4B11 and turbocharges it. In the Lancer Sportback Ralliart, the engine is detuned for 240 horses and 343Nm though, lower than in the Lancer Evolution.

Look after the jump for photos by readers Adrian and Sharfox, thanks guys! :) You can also find some hi-res photo galleries from the Lancer Sportback’s original unveiling.
[Read more...]

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Selamat Hari Raya and have a safe balik kampung trip!

September 10, 2010 at 1:31 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Videos

Humor always works in getting a message through :)

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FIA: No new teams for 2011 Formula 1 season

September 9, 2010 at 3:30 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports

Looks like there won’t be a 13th team on next year’s F1 grid after all. This is after the sport’s governing body announced that none of the parties bidding for the slot vacated by USF1 have met its requirements.

“Following the press release of 19 March 2010 calling for expressions of interest to participate in the 2011 and 2012 seasons of the FIA Formula One World Championship, a number of interested parties expressed their interest. It was considered that none of the candidates met the requirements to be granted an entry into the championship. Consequently, the allocation of the 13th team will not be granted,” the FIA World Motor Sport Council statement read.

Since March, there were a number of interested parties. Some withdrew halfway (GP2 regulars ART and US based Cypher Group) to leave Epsilon Euskadi and Villeneuve Racing in the chase. The former was rejected a year ago while the latter is a partnership between 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve and Italian ex-GP2 team Durango.

They haven’t fully given up though; Villeneuve is reported to be considering purchasing an existing team. “Of course it’s disappointing, but we just shift the focus now and turn our attention to alternatives,” he said.

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Ferrari escapes further punishment over team orders row

September 9, 2010 at 3:01 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Ferrari, Formula 1, Motorsports

Ferrari has escaped further punishment over the “team orders” incident at the German GP, where race leader Massa was ordered to let Alonso pass him to win the race. The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council met in Paris yesterday and announced that the $100,000 fine dished out to the Italian team would be upheld. No further sanctions would be imposed, although Ferrari will need to bear legal costs.

An FIA statement read: “On 25 July 2010, at the Grand Prix of Germany, the stewards of the meeting found an infringement by the Scuderia Ferrari to the prohibition of team orders interfering with a race result and then decided to impose a fine of $100,000 and to forward the dossier to the World Motor Sport Council for further consideration.

“The Judging Body of the World Motor Sport Council held an extraordinary hearing in Paris on September 8, 2010 to examine this matter. After an in depth analysis of all reports, statements and documents submitted, the judging body has decided to confirm the stewards’ decision of a $100,000 fine for infringing article 39.1 of the sporting regulations and to impose the payment of the costs incurred by the FIA.”

It also looks like the FIA wants to allow some degree of team orders in the future after the governing body announced that a review of the ban is on the way. “The judging body has also acknowledged that article 39.1 of the sporting regulations should be reviewed and has decided to refer this question to the Formula 1 Sporting Working Group,” the statement said.

F1 fans, is this the way to go?

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Lexus Malaysia reaches 1,000-unit sales milestone

September 9, 2010 at 1:11 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Lexus, Local News

UMW Toyota Motor’s Lexus Malaysia division recently reached the milestone of 1,000 units sold since the premium brand was officially launched here at the end of 2006. The 1,000th unit was a Lexus RX 350.

“This is a big achievement for the Lexus brand as it has only been around in the country for just 3 years and operating from only one showroom up till early of this year. It also shows that Lexus vehicles have been well accepted by our Malaysian customers and more importantly they have accepted a true Lexus Experience,” said Kuah Kock Heng, President of Lexus Malaysia.

“With the opening of Lexus 3S Centre in Penang earlier this year and at a later stage in Johor, we can achieve our sales target, hence grow our market share in the premium market segment. In the next few months, Lexus Malaysia will continue to enhance further our product line up,” Kuah added. The company plans to sell 400 cars this year, with 70% of the target already met as of now.

Sounds like a new model is coming soon. IS-F anyone? :)

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Stick to the law, JPJ is watching via army of MMS snipers!

September 9, 2010 at 11:26 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News

While we use our camera phones to bring you spyshots, many have been using them to catch traffic offenders in action. Bernama reports that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has received 26,880 picture-attached complaints via MMS from the public. The department’s director-general, Datuk Solah Mat Hassan, said of that total received between January and August this year, 16,349 were solved, 4,659 cases blacklisted and 5,872 others were under investigation.

The popular MMS complaints were for beating the red lights (7,890 cases), overtaking on double lines (2,012), cutting queues (3,190) and using mobile phones while driving (850), besides motorcyclists not wearing helmets (5,597), Datuk Solah revealed, adding that JPJ will not set up road blocks for this Raya season, and will instead rely on MMS complaints from the public.

When asked by reporters whether public complaints via MMS is legal, he said the matter had been discussed in great detail. “This is because each complaint should be attached with sufficient and clear information like picture, time and place the offence was allegedly committed before any action can be taken. We will also call the alleged traffic offender to our nearest office for questioning,” he said.

This effectively means that JPJ has a huge army of MMS snipers patrolling the roads on their behalf! What do you think about this development? Anyone here been hauled up for questioning or were issued summonsed based on MMS before?

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Production of BMW M6 and its mighty 5.0-litre V10 ends

September 9, 2010 at 10:44 am By Danny Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News

It’s the end of the road for the current BMW M6 as Munich has announced the end of production of the M6 Coupé and Convertible. In total 14,152 examples were built since 2005 – 9,087 Coupés and 5,065 units of the Convertible. This comes after M division announced the death of the E60 M5 in July.

Along with the departure of these two performance greats, BMW will also cease production of the high revving V10 engine that powers them. This 507 hp 5.0-litre powerplant featured electronically-controlled individual throttle valves, an ionic current control system and lateral force-controlled oil supply – all directly derived from motor racing.

Unsurprisingly, America was the number one market for both M6 variants, followed by Germany and Great Britain/Ireland. Sales of the BMW M5 followed a similar pattern – US, Germany, Great Britain and Ireland. The E60 M5 recorded global sales of over 20,000 cars in under five years, including 1,009 units of the wagon bodied M5 Touring.

Sad news, but it does pave the way for the arrival of the F10 M5 and an M6 based on the upcoming new 6-Series.

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Mitsubishi Pajero launch confirmed, open for booking now

September 8, 2010 at 4:48 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi

Readers of this blog would already know that the Mitsubishi Pajero is coming back to Malaysia, and Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has confirmed that the launch is set for the end of this month. Order books are open as we type.

As revealed in our test drive report, Malaysia will get the highest spec Pajero available with a 3.8-litre V6 MIVEC engine paired to a five-speed automatic with manual mode. The seven seater will feature a 12-speaker, 5.1 channel Rockford Fosgate sound system and all the off-road hardware you’ll ever need, among other kit.

“We at Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia are excited at the prospect of the Pajero returning to this market. It hasn’t been officially available for a long time, but many Malaysians still recognize and have high regard for the Pajero name, which is truly legendary. Today’s Pajero is a complete package blending robustness and go-anywhere ability with luxury and comfort, and it’s a great addition to Mitsubishi range of cars here in Malaysia,” said Tetsuya Oda, the new CEO of MMM.

Click here to see and read more about the Pajero.

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