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Kia planning for a Golf GTI rival with the next-gen Cee’d

May 25, 2011 at 10:54 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Kia, Koreans

A Korean hot hatch? Yes, that is what’s being planned at fast growing Kia, which wants a Golf GTI rivaling halo model for its next generation Cee’d. The Cee’d is a C-segment hatchback sold in Europe with with three bodystyles – five-door hatch, wagon, and a sportier three-door hatch. The hot hatch will be based on the latter, which will debut in 2013, one year after the new five-door appears at Geneva 2012.

“We are preparing turbocharged engines. We are tuning suspension and we are preparing a Golf GTI rival,” Lee Soon Nam Lee, Kia’s overseas marketing director told Autocar UK. The firm’s COO Thomas Oh added that this halo car will not be a loss-making venture. “It must be economically viable in terms of volumes,” he said.

Possible powerplants include Hyundai’s 2.0 litre Theta II turbocharged GDI engine, as seen in the Sonata 2.0T with 274 hp and 375 Nm, but Kia is leaning towards a new 1.6-litre turbo GDI engine, tuned for over 200 horses, in line with the current minimum emissions downsizing trend.

Autocar UK tells us to expect Seat Leon Cupra performance and price. That Volkswagen 2.0 TSI powered hatch has 241 PS, 300 Nm and a 6.4 sec 0-100 km/h time. It’s priced at £22,180 in the UK.

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Lamborghini to build a ‘daily driver’ third model

May 25, 2011 at 10:32 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Lamborghini

Well, such is the way the world works – one eventually has to pander to the demands which scream “daily driver,” even if you happen to be making supercars. According to a report, Automobili Lamborghini is mulling over the addition of an “everyday” model to its line-up, so says its CEO, Stephan Winkelmann.

“We are going to have a third model. It has to be an everyday car. We want to have a car which is able to be used on a daily basis,” Winkelmann was quoted as saying. Of course, the company hasn’t quite firmed up yet in which segment the car will belong to, but he added that once a decision is made, it’ll take about four years to put the new bull on the road.

The report adds that Winkelmann states that Lambo isn’t planning to work with a partner on the new model, but he did also say that the company will use synergies where possible within the Volkswagen group.

In related news, the new Aventador is certainly turning out to be a brisk seller – not due until the second half of the year is it due, but it’s already sold out for the first one and a half years of its production. And, while sales haven’t quite returned to the heady levels of 2007, the company’s record year in which it sold 2,430 cars, Lambo should be well on the way to around 1,500 cars this year, a couple hundred more than in 2010.

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Ferrari technical chief leaves after poor start to season

May 24, 2011 at 11:22 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Ferrari, Formula 1

Ferrari’s poor start to the 2011 season – where they have scored only one podium finish so far, and are 110 points off the pace in just five races – has claimed its first casualty. The Maranello team has announced that technical director Aldo Costa has left the position.

The 50-year old Italian, who was appointed technical director at the end of 2007, will “take on new responsibilities within the company” the Scuderia said.

It’s more than just one person though, it’s a reshuffle. Former McLaren chief engineer Pat Fry is now the director of the chassis side while production will be handed to Corrado Lanzone. Luca Marmorini stays on as the man in charge of engine and electronics. The trio will report directly to team principal Stefano Domenicali.

The team in red will need to quickly find some pace to be in contention. Red Bull has been dominant from the start, with McLaren the only other team looking capable to match them.

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Lexus IS-F and Lexus LFA on track in the UK

May 24, 2011 at 11:12 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Lexus

Car companies rarely pit their own products against each other unless they’re a bike and a car, like recent BMW shootout featuring the M3 and the S1000RR. But Lexus has done just that – they’ve put the Lexus LFA supercar alongside their sole F-model, the Lexus IS-F on a track in Bruntingthorpe, UK.

Say what you want about the other Lexus vehicles… but just hear that Lexus LFA roar! One of the best recorded engine and exhaust tones around – I wish I could hear one go bonkers against the redline in real life!

Just as a recap – the Lexus IS-F is a monster IS with a 5.0 litre V8 engine producing 423 PS at 6,600 rpm with a 6,800 rpm redline, and 503 Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The LFA on the other hand is powered by a high-revving 4.8 litre V10, making a peak power of 560 PS at 8,700 rpm and 480 Nm of torque at 6,800 rpm, of which 90% is available from 3,700 rpm. This V10 is mated to a 6-speed automated manual transmission. Apparently Lexus tried a dual clutch box out but decided shifts were too smooth and did not give an ‘emotional’ feeling.

Both the IS-F and the LFA’s engines had some help from Yamaha.
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UNiMAP grads complete Digital Engineering training at Perodua and vendors, MYPerodua @ Facebook launched!

May 24, 2011 at 7:06 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Perodua

We just got back from Perodua’s sprawling base at Sungai Choh where 20 fresh grads from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNiMAP) have just completed a six-month Digital Engineering and Prototyping training programme. Twelve of them underwent training at Perodua R&D, two each at Sipro Plastic Industries and Ingress Technologies, and four others at Sapura Industrial. The three companies are Perodua vendors.

Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir was there to present the certificates to the trainees. Those who trained at Perodua have been given temporary positions at the company for a year.

This Digital Engineering and Prototyping (DEP) training programme was created by the Malaysian Automotive Institute (MAI), which is a non-profit organisation under MITI. MAI’s DEP programme offers students access to high end software and hands on training. The module includes CAD (computer aided design), CAM (manufacturing), CAE (engineering), CAPE (production engineering) and Product Lifecycle Management).

Encouraged by the success of this pilot batch, MAI has expanded the next intake to 35 students, to be selected based on CGPA scores and an interview with both MAI and industry execs. Next up, MAI will work with UiTM to introduce styling design as part of the programme, which will help produce 4,600 automotive designers in five years, in line with the target set by the government.

After the scroll presentation, Dato’ Mukhriz clicked “Like” on Perodua’s new Facebook page to launch it. The MYPerodua page with the catch phrase “Lagi Best” will feature a contest to drum up fan count. Called “The Perodua Auditions”, one basically needs to show how much they love Perodua in a video to win a RM10,000 grand prize and five iPad 2s. Head on to www.facebook.com/MYPerodua to find out more.

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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia: Stories That Drive You, Drive Us

May 24, 2011 at 6:13 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mercedes Benz

In conjunction with its 125 years of innovation, Mercedes-Benz is having a Facebook photo memory competition called Stories That Drive You, Drive Us where participants have a chance of winning a 3 day, 2 night stay for two at Club Med Cherating. What’s more, you’ll be driving there in a W204 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, filled to the brim with fuel. The winner will also get Mercedes-Benz merchandise.

All you have to do is head on to the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Facebook Fan Page, click Share & Win at the left below the profile photo, and you’ll be guided as to how to participate. You can also view existing stories there. You don’t have to currently own a Mercedes-Benz to participate – it might be your dad’s car or an uncle’s car, or even fond memories of traveling in a comfy W123 taxi cab, which BTW there were a few in great condition exhibited at the recent Historic Mercedes-Benz Concours 2011.

Even if you don’t win the grand prize, there are Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience courses waiting for the winners of the 2nd and 3rd best stories. There are also five consolation prizes, where the top five most “liked” stories will win Mercedes-Benz merchandise.

Essentially, all you need to do is submit a Mercedes-Benz related story complete with text, no more than a maximum of a thousand (1000) characters long, and a photo. A video is optional, but you can make your story more interesting by including a YouTube link of a video or re-enactment of your story. Once registered, participants can submit as many stories as they would like, but only submissions in English will be accepted, and these will be moderated before being posted.

So head onto the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Facebook Fan Page to participate now. The contest closes on July 7. All registrants must be over the age of 18 to participate in the contest. To collect the grand prize or 2nd and 3rd prizes, the winner must have a valid driver’s license and be over the age of 21. Participants are of course only eligible to win one prize.

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Peugeot month-long extended hours service campaign

May 24, 2011 at 4:25 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Peugeot

Good news for Peugeot owners, on the servicing front, that is. Nasim is set to introduce a month-long extended hours service campaign from May 27 until June 26 – this will see selected Peugeot service centres open for extended hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the period.

For Fridays and Saturdays, the Peugeot service centres will extend their operating hours from 8.30am to 8pm, while on Sundays operating hours will be from 8.30am to 7pm. The initiative, which runs in tandem with the school holiday period, seeks to provide Pug owners with more flexibility when it comes to servicing their cars.

The extended hours service campaign is for standard servicing only – all customers who send their car in during this period will receive a free 20-point check-up, and an oil change during the campaign period bags a mystery gift, while customers who spend over RM100 will also receive a free Peugeot Racing umbrella.

The outlets participating for this campaign are Nasim Bluebox Glenmarie, KS Peugeot Blue Box, Nasim Ampang, Nasim Puchong, NZ Wheels, Nasim Juru Auto-City, Nasim Ipoh, Chin Cars 3S Centre, Nasim Plentong, Ang Leng Motor Trading, KS Kemaman and Nasim Kuching.

In other news, following the successful response with the Discover Peugeot 3008 seminar held in Subang in March, Nasim held a Peugeot Customer Day in Ipoh on May 22. The event in Ipoh continues on the aftersales initiative begun by Nasim, which is aimed at providing its customers with both an in-depth understanding of their rides as well as essential maintenance tips.

The two-hour long seminar in Ipoh, which attracted over 50 Peugeot customers and was held at the Peugeot Blue Box in Ipoh, included a practical session where owners were shown the proper methods in changing tyres, jump-starting a flat battery and how to re-programme the keys, among other things. The owners were also briefed on Nasim’s network expansion plans and the benefits of being a Peugeot Privilege member.

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Toyota Vios 1.5G Limited – new RM89k variant soon

May 24, 2011 at 1:52 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Toyota

Something new on the cards with the Toyota Vios, by the looks of it. UMW Toyota’s website teases a new variant called the G Limited, which when it arrives will bring the local Vios model range to six.

There are no images of the version, just the outline rendition you see to suggest the new ‘shape’. The pricing has been listed, and at RM89,600 (on-the-road, with insurance) the 1.5G Limited sits just below the top-of-the-line TRD Sportivo, and ahead of the standard 1.5G, which is RM2,300 cheaper.

No changes mechanically, based on the specifications sheet, though there’s a G Limited aerokit, which is made up of front and rear bumper diffusers, side skirting and a trunk spoiler, as well as a unique version radiator grille.

In terms of other specifications, the model is a dead ringer for the 1.5G; you get all the trim found in the latter, down to the beige-coloured combination leather for the seats and silver centre console.

Presumably there’s more to it than just the bodykit with the G Limited, and the teaser info on the site hints that there’ll be changes to the TRD Sportivo too. “Expect exciting changes and upgrades that will make your heart crave for both,” it goes. Guess we’ll have to wait to find out what they are. Thanks to reader Iwan for the nod to the info!

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SafetyRec iPhone app – helping drivers drive better

May 24, 2011 at 12:49 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under International News, Technology

In Japan, the Nikkei reports that Datatec Co, a company that develops delivery truck driving-log recorders, is starting a new Internet-based service in July called SafetyRec, which scores a person’s driving skills based on data collected from an application running via an iPhone.

The application is downloaded – for a small sum of 600 yen – to the driver’s iPhone, which will then need to be positioned in much the same manner as a GPS unit, located somewhere along the dashboard or on the windscreen.

The application draws on the phone’s camera, accelerometer and GPS features to collect data 10 times a second. Five areas – acceleration, braking, stopping, turning and swerving – each have a 20 point scoring system, adding up to a total scale of 100.

The scores are displayed on the device, but can also be uploaded to a special website where they can be recorded, which will allow drivers to see how their scores change over time.

Additionally, photos taken every minute can be recorded to the website, providing a log of each driver’s activities. In the event of an accident, a video record of the two to 10 seconds surrounding the event can be stored for investigation purposes later. The web-based service can also be used by companies to encourage workers to hone their safe-driving and fuel-saving techniques.

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BMW 5-Series GT flops in America, CEO regrets using it as a replacement for the 5-Series wagon

May 24, 2011 at 11:46 am By Danny Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News

The 5-Series Gran Turismo is one of the more divisive cars in the BMW range, and the controversy is in the looks, or more specifically, that rear end. Making its debut in the US in November 2009, the 5GT has been a sales flop, and the man in charge has shown some regret for bringing it in, according to a report.

BMW of North America CEO Jim O’Donnell also wished the company hadn’t stopped selling the 5-Series Touring. They had expected the 5-Series GT to appeal to those wagon buyers, but whichever few buyers the GT is luring, it’s from the 7-Series market.

“The disappointment I have is that I thought a lot of our 5-Series station wagon customers would go with the GT. In point of fact, that is not happening. We have lost those customers to the competition – mainly to Mercedes-Benz,” O’Donnell said.

“The GT has attracted 7- and 5-Series customers and conquests, but not the station wagon customer we had hoped,” he added, citing that in Florida, 10% of BMW 7-Series owners have replaced their cars with the 5-Series GT. BMW would ideally want Seven buyers to stick with the more expensive car, and not see the “good value” of the GT, which sits on a 7-Series platform.

When the GT was launched in the States, BMW said they expected annual sales of 4,000 to 8,000 units. They sold 2,848 in 2010 and just 720 in the first four months of 2011. One public dealership group has stopped ordering the GT because of slow sales. Other dealers said they sell one or two units a month.

No making the same mistake again, so BMW will keep the 3-Series Touring in its lineup. “We are not giving up the 3-Series wagon because if you give it up, they will go straight to the competition,” O’Donnell said.

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