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2011 Perodua Myvi spotted near Sungai Besi

March 9, 2011 at 1:12 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Perodua Myvi, Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Perodua, Spyshots

The second generation Perodua Myvi looks like it’s almost ready for launching, with the localised design completed and more of the previous heavy disguise being shed for its on road tests. Reader Shacz spotted this silver unit near Sungai Besi.

The car is still very much identifiable as a Myvi. The rear end gets a resculpted bootlid. There are more significant changes at the front end – the new headlamp shape reminds me of the Toyota iQ. The front grille is relatively large, with a chrome bar at the top. The bumper air intake is also quite large and wide, giving the car a sporty look.

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UPDATE: Here’s another set of spypix from Hakimi Asyraf of Nota Kosong – he spotted two units of the new 2011 Myvi refueling at a Petronas station.

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And now, an electrifying way to learn how to drive …

March 9, 2011 at 12:56 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Nissan

Well, seems that some novice Japanese drivers are going to get to grips with EVs very early on. According to a report from Yahoo Japan, the nation’s top auto leasing firm, Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service, has leased 20 Nissan Leaf all-electric vehicles to the Safety Driving System (SDS) driving school group, which operates 21 schools in eight areas in Okayama prefecture.

The vehicles, which will be deployed in 13 locations, will help expand operational capability as well as provide the perfect means for new drivers to experience the different characteristics of EVs right from the start and gain a better awareness about the new tech. The report adds that Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service will continue looking at expanding deployment of EVs on a wider scale.

Brings new meaning to run silent, run deep – you won’t hear those L-drivers coming. Good or bad, well, you decide.

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Honda recalls 36,656 Civic Hybrids in the US

March 9, 2011 at 11:02 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News

More on the recall front. Honda has issued a recall for the Civic Hybrid in North America over problems with the vehicle’s power voltage converter.

The recall affects 36,656 units from the model year 2006-2007. The company says that the affected cars’ voltage converter, which relays power from the integrated motor assist (IMA) system to electrical components, could possibly fail. If it does, the headlights may go off and the engine might stall and not restart.

The recall will involve dealers replacing the voltage converter at no cost to the customer. Honda also submitted a similar recall report to the Transport Ministry in Japan for the Civic Hybrid sold domestically.

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Toyota Prius wagon to be launched in Japan in April

March 9, 2011 at 10:41 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Toyota

Toyota has unveiled its production Prius wagon, which is set to be launched in Japan towards the end of April. The announcement of the domestic market introduction follows closely on the premiere of the Prius+ seven-seater in Geneva last week.

The wagon, which is powered by the same 2ZR-FXE 1.8 litre block and 3JM motor as found on the third-gen ZVW30 Prius, will come in five- and seven-seater versions. The as yet-unnamed version is decidedly larger than the current Prius, essentially 160mm longer, 90mm taller and 30mm wider than the latter. This gives the five-seater version better legroom as well as improved cargo space over the ZVW30.

As for the seven-seater, it will be the first Prius to utilise a lithium-ion battery, as opposed to the NiMH used in the Prius, with the battery positioned between the driver and second row passenger seats to allow for three rows of seating to be deployed.

Toyota hasn’t revealed details about the production car, but the Nikkei daily has reported that the versions will be priced close to the current Prius; the NiMH-equipped five-seater is expected to go for 2.35 million yen, while the seven-seater should be around three million yen. The current Prius is priced at 2.05 million yen in Japan.

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After 65 years, Bristol Cars goes out of business

March 8, 2011 at 7:29 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News

Brit carmaker Bristol Cars, known for its exclusive hand-built offerings and which prided itself as being the only luxury car manufacturer remaining in private British hands, went into administration last week. Trading had no longer become possible in the company’s present state, which has as little as 20 cars being made annually, a far cry from the 200 or so per year in its heyday.

Bristol’s spare parts and service operations are still running, but essentially the workforce has been disbanded – 22 of its 27 employees have been made redundant, including all workers at the manufacturing unit in Filton, Bristol.

The company started out life in 1946 when the Bristol Aeroplane Company – which had built the Blenheim light bomber and Type 156 Beaufighter heavy fighter used by the RAF in WW2 – moved into the luxury car market by kicking off Bristol Cars; the car division went separate ways with the parent company in 1960.

Despite its small production volume, the company offered four very distinct models covering a wide range of styles up to the point of closure, among them the long-serving Blenheim – which was the company’s best-known model – and the more recent Fighter, which began production in 2004.

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SIC kicks off carnival to promote Formula 1 Malaysian GP, a different kind of Rain will visit Sepang this year!

March 8, 2011 at 5:54 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Local News, Motorsports

Sepang International Circuit, promoter and host of the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix, kick started a month long carnival to promote the F1 race at Pavilion KL this afternoon. Malaysia was originally scheduled as the third race of the year, but after F1 decided to skip the Bahrain GP due to political unrest, we will now host the second round of the 2011 season after Melbourne. The Malaysian GP weekend will be from 8 to 10 April.

To make this 13th edition a lucky one, SIC has adopted a different strategy to promote the race. “We have adopted a different strategy this year. Unlike previously, when we have our road shows and on-field promotions as early as January, this year we are going for a solid and aggressive campaign for one month,” said SIC Chairman Dato’ Mokhzani Mahathir.

They’ve probably realised that it’s pointless to start promotions so early when Malaysians prefer the last minute rush, as witnessed recently in the police summons discount issue.

Mokhzani also named Pavilion KL and Fahrenheit (just across the street) as key venue partners. Both shopping malls will have F1 cars on display as well as a mini podium. Shopping promos at these malls will offer great “money can’t buy” prizes such as starting grid passes, pit garage tours, safety car rides and pit walkabout passes. In addition, from 15 March, the month-long GP Sale will kick off across the country. More ways to spend your cash!

SIC is planning for street demos too. Team Lotus will draw some tyre marks in Putrajaya on April 2 and SIC is working on getting champions Red Bull to have one in KL city, Mokhzani said.

Last year’s race saw an attendance of 96,984 spectators, and SIC is targeting 100k this year. It should be possible, since this season will see three teams – Mercedes GP Petronas, Team Lotus and Lotus Renault GP – calling Malaysia “home”. Organisers also pointed out that the Virgin team will have Malaysian based direct selling company Q-Net as a sponsor.

Ticket prices have been lowered to start from RM60 for the whole race weekend, but that’s still not the biggest news – SIC has confirmed that the race will see Rain. Not the usual rain from the sky, but Korean superstar Rain who will be the closing act at the helipad after the race.

Do check out the displays at the malls and see you at the race!

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Lotus Renault GP: Aiming for the top step of the podium

March 8, 2011 at 4:36 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports, Renault

Lotus Renault GP team principal Eric Boullier is in town, together with Lotus brand ambassador and ex- F1 driver Jean Alesi and Gino Rosato, Director of Corporate Operations at Group Lotus. GL organised a brief press conference at Pavilion KL this afternoon, and the lunch function was joined by LRGP’s reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy.

There wasn’t much time as they were rushing to attend the next function (launch of the F1 Malaysian GP, also at Pavilion) and there was a big media group, but we did get a few words out of the tired visitors.


Jean Alesi (left) jokingly offers his services to Eric Boullier’s Lotus Renault GP

Frenchman Boullier, who in the past managed A1 Team France, reiterated that Lotus Renault’s target this year is to be challenging for a podium spot. “We aim to win some races and be a regular on the podium,” he proclaimed. Eric’s predictions for the season opening race in Australia? “I can see Red Bull and Ferrari in front, then I hope we’ll be leading the troops,” he said with a smile.

Boullier, who did not want to comment on the Lotus name row with Team Lotus, was consistent. We previously carried this quote from him: “We want to win with this car. To win you need to be a regular podium finisher – and then you will win – and that is our target”. He also said that while we can’t look too much into the test sessions that the teams went through so far, this week’s test in Barcelona would be close to the car’s real performance.

Jean Alesi, who could pass off as a younger Sylvester Stallone, explained his role in Lotus to us. The ex-Ferrari and Benetton driver said that he’s happy to be part of something new.

“It’s a great opportunity. Lotus Cars is an iconic brand and everything is starting from scratch,” referring to the brand turnaround led by Dany Bahar. “I’m extremely happy – it’s the beginning and you’re part of it,” he went on.

Alesi’s role is to help develop the Exos Type 125 “F1 for customers” car. Gino Rosato explained that the Frenchman was chosen as “he’s one of the most passionate driver’s in the business”. Alesi isn’t involved in the F1 team, but “if Lotus needs me I’ll be available,” he said with a naughty smile to Boullier.

Some press members asked the panel if Fairuz Fauzy will get a chance to drive for the team, and here’s what Boullier had to say: “Fairuz is realistic. He’s with us to learn from a big team. We believe he can race one day”.

The Malaysian added that this new position is an upgrade for him. “It’s a move forward for me. I will learn a lot from a more experienced and stronger team. My target is to do well in GP2 this year,” he said.

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Chevrolet Colorado show truck to premiere in Thailand

March 8, 2011 at 12:48 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, International News


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Chevrolet has released a teaser image of its Colorado show truck, which will make its world debut at the 32nd Bangkok International Motor Show in Thailand later this month. The show vehicle will preview the next-generation Colorado midsize pickup truck, which the company says will build on the brand’s strong truck DNA and award-winning heritage.

Thailand was chosen as the site of the global debut because of the popularity of pickup trucks and the growing importance of the Thai market to Chevrolet. In 2010, the pickup truck segment accounted for 43% of vehicles sold in Thailand. The new Colorado will go on sale there later this year.

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Limited edition ‘Samurai Design’ Suzuki Swift for Italy

March 8, 2011 at 9:29 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki


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Italians tired of the Tricolore on a Fiat can now opt for some Japanese flavour. Suzuki has a limited edition version of its Swift supermini and it’s called Samurai Design. It’s purely a styling package, without any changes under the rounder edged skin of the current Swift, which is still yet to be introduced here.

Based on the five-door Swift, the Samurai Design consists of red paint and a Rising Sun flag on the roof. Like on the MINI, that same design is repeated wing mirror caps. A white stripe runs length of the car’s sides and there are special logos on the C pillar, which is blacked out here.

There’s no extra charge for the Samurai Design, so it’s first come first serve. More pics after the jump.
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Force India takes 1MRT and Aerolab to court over intellectual property infringement

March 7, 2011 at 7:15 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports

Force India has revealed that the English High Court has set a hearing period starting on 16th January 2012 to hear the intellectual property infringement claim against 1 Malaysia Racing Team Sdn Bhd which currently runs Team Lotus, and against Italian-based Aerolab. 1 Malaysia Racing Team (UK) Ltd and Team Lotus’ Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne are also the defendants in the suit.

To refresh your memory, in November 2009 Force India claimed that Team Lotus (then known as Lotus Racing) was designing and building it’s 2010 contender with data and information supplied by Force India’s former wind tunnel operator Aerolab. Among the parts that were said to be identical with Force India’s Formula 1 car, was the front wing assembly.

Force India also said that Lotus Racing’s T127 wind tunnel model was sitting on tyres that have the handwriting of Force India’s staff. Force India which partnered with Aerolab through out the 2008 and 2009 seasons ceased the collaboration with the aerodynamics specialist in August 2009 due to the team’s concerns over a breach of confidentiality. Aerolab then started civil proceedings in Italy and in the UK against the team for the early termination of the service agreement. Force India subsequently paid a sum of one million Euros into an escrow account as a security.

Moving back to the subject of this report, it was also revealed that the Italian authorities are pursuing cases against 1 Malaysia Racing Team (UK) Ltd, Mike Gascoyne and Aerolab on the same intellectual property infringement issue. This means that the operators of Team Lotus have not only one, but two problems knocking at it’s door.

As you would also know, Team Lotus has an ongoing dispute with Group Lotus over the Lotus naming issue. Drama in this case is just an understatement.

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