Gong Xi Fa Cai

Advertisement

2011 Toyota Fortuner facelift unveiled at IIMS Jakarta

July 22, 2011 at 1:26 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show, Cars, Toyota

Toyota has unveiled the latest update to the Toyota Fortuner at the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show. This is the second time the Fortuner has been facelifted, which is expected as this has been the trend for Toyota’s IMV models for developing countries. The Fortuner was last updated in 2008.

Toyota seems to be making the Fortuner look bolder and bolder, which was also the trend when the original Fortuner was changed in 2008. Toyota gave the 2008 facelift a wider and stronger front end compared to the original, and with this latest 2011 update, the Fortuner takes on a similar look to the flagship Toyota Landcruiser at the front.

The rear tail lamps have been given a clear lens look, which reminds me of the first generation Toyota Harrier.

On the inside, the Fortuner gets an updated steering wheel design, as well as some minor changes and rearrangements to the upper half of the dashboard.

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the new 2011 Fortuner.
[Read more...]

32 Comments      

Daihatsu A Concept scale model – is this the new 30km/l concept car for IIMS?

July 22, 2011 at 12:56 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show, Cars, Daihatsu

As we mentioned yesterday, Daihatsu’s latest concept compact car is due for unveiling at the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show today, but the press conference is only scheduled for 5pm today so the car is still covered up.

However, we found this little scale model tucked away in some corner of exhibition – model called the “A Concept” that we’ve yet to see before. This should be the car that Daihatsu will be unveiling later today.

Look after the jump for the rest of the pix of the scale model.
[Read more...]

32 Comments      


2011 Toyota Hilux updated with new face at the Indonesian International Motor Show

July 22, 2011 at 12:45 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show, Cars, Toyota

The new facelifted Toyota Hilux has made an appearance at the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show, right after making a rather quiet appearance in another motorshow in Australia earlier this month.

Like in Australia, the 2.5 litre engine has been updated to the new version featuring a variable geometry turbocharger, now producing 144 PS and 343Nm of torque. That is only for the double cab though, as the single cab model continues to soldier on with the older 102 PS engine.

We’ve covered the changes before through the images released from the Australian show – a totally new front end, a revised upper dashboard design, a new 2.5 litre engine, and so on. I am sure the question you are all asking are when will UMW Toyota introduce this latest design in Malaysia?

On UMW Toyota’s Malaysian Toyota website, we still see the old Hilux pictured while the current Fortuner’s image has gone blank into ‘teaser mode’. A scrolling message on the Hilux page says “The new Hilux 3.0G is coming soon” – does this mean UMW Toyota is only going to apply the facelift to the 3.0G model for now?

It certainly seems like it, otherwise they would just say the new Hilux is coming soon without specifying the engine variant.

Look after the jump for live pix of the facelifted Toyota Hilux from the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show.
[Read more...]

8 Comments      

2011 Hyundai Sonata facelift – subtle changes all around

July 22, 2011 at 12:04 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, Koreans

Because of its radical styling, the Hyundai Sonata still looks as new as ever, but time flies and it’s already time for it to receive its mid-life facelift.


Top – facelifted grille, bottom – original grille

Hyundai has elected not to change much with the facelift, with minor updates to the front grille, wing mirrors and tail lamp design.

As even we had trouble looking for the differences at first, we’ve inserted comparison shots into this post to help you identify the old from the new. We’ve actually already seen a variation of this new tail lamp design as it was first used on the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

The Sonata has also received some equipment changes which include the 2.4 litre being replaced with a 2.0 litre inline-4 turbo GDI engine, but we are guessing these changes are market specific and we’re unlikely to see it implemented in Malaysia.

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the Sonata facelift.
[Read more...]

20 Comments      

Chrysler planning to set up ASEAN manufacturing base

July 22, 2011 at 11:43 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Chrysler, Dodge, International News, Jeep

Amidst our reports filtering in from the 19th International Indonesia Motor Show (IIMS) at the Jakarta International Expo in Kemayoran, Jakarta, some news about Chrysler’s rapidly growing presence in the country and how, spurred by this, it has plans to set up a manufacturing plant in the ASEAN region.

Reports have it that Chrysler Indonesia is set to launch new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models at the show, including a Jeep 70th Anniversary edition. PT Garansindo Inter Global, Chrysler’s authorised distributor in the country, will also launch Mopar, which handles accessories and parts designed specifically for the three marques.

Since its reentry into the country a year ago, sales of Chrysler vehicles have been steadily climbing, and the company is expecting to meet its sales target of 700 cars this year. At point of entry last July, six variants from the three brands were slated to be sold in Indonesia, these being the Chrysler 300C and Cabriolet Sebring, the Dodge Journey as well as the Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Wrangler Rubicon and Patriot, all CBU units.

Jeep seems to be doing particularly well – a year on, it has contributed 70% of the company’s total sales, with the Wrangler leading the way for Jeep, with 70% of sales.

The reports add that Garansindo, which currently has five dealers in Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali, is aiming for some serious expansion, targeting to open no less than 23 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers across the country, including Sumatra, Kalimantan and eastern Indonesia by 2013, and will spend up to US$100 million for expansion.

And with Chrysler already having a sales network in the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam, the company looks like it’s definitely aiming for bigger, with an eye to assembly and manufacturing in the region.

Chrysler’s Asia Pacific Operations CEO John Kett was quoted as saying that while the company’s focus was to reestablish its presence in the Indonesian market, there were plans for the company to set up a manufacturing plant in Southeast Asia, though it had yet to decide which country it would be built in.

“To develop an industrial base in the region is our priority, but whether it’s in Indonesia (or another country) is a separate discussion,” Kett told reporters. Given the increasing levels of activity happening there, it’s probably safe to assume Indonesia will be it, with the Wrangler being the first to go CKD, joined perhaps by the Patriot.

12 Comments      

Hyundai Grand Avega hatchback debuts at IIMS 2011

July 22, 2011 at 11:27 am By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show, Cars, Hyundai, International News


UPDATE: Full gallery added after the jump.

Remember the Hyundai Verna hatchback we saw at the Guangzhou Auto Show last year? It had its own unique China-only styling and looked like a smaller and sportier Hyundai i30.

Now we see the debut of a similar car with different styling at the 2011 Indonesia International Motor Show called the Hyundai Grand Avega.

It’s essentially a 5-door hatchback version of the B-segment Hyundai Accent. Basically the car we saw at Guangzhou but with Hyundai’s Euro face styling.

In Indonesia, the Grand Avega is equipped with a 1.4 litre engine mated to a choice of either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.

Look after the jump for a live gallery from the motorshow.
[Read more...]

8 Comments      

LIVE from Jakarta: Daihatsu to give small car concept a world debut tomorrow, watch this space for updates!

July 21, 2011 at 7:26 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show, Cars, Daihatsu, Daihatsu A Concept, International News, Spyshots


Click to enlarge

Greetings from Jakarta, where we will bring you live coverage from the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show (IIMS). The press day is tomorrow, one day before the gates are open to the public, but in the process of collecting our press cards this afternoon, we stumbled on what should be the star of the show – a world debut concept car by Daihatsu.

This small car brand is big in Indonesia, and it will have three main exhibits at IIMS. One is the launch of the new Sirion, which readers of this blog will know is a new Perodua Myvi with Daihatsu badges. The Toyota controlled brand will also preview its upcoming tech that focuses on fuel efficiency, appropriate for a maker of affordable small cars. The other big news is this concept car, which we snapped under wraps.


Click to enlarge

You know all about the new Myvi already, so let’s jump to the other stuff. Last week, Daihatsu announced its “e:S Technology” (Energy Saving Technology) initiatives, which comprise improvements to the powertrain, chassis and energy management systems. For engines, maximising combustion efficiency is the goal, and things like upping compression ratio (from 10.8 to 11.3) and creating a finer spray for the fuel particles are talked about.

An i-EGR system and reducing mechanical losses are also in the plan. For transmissions, Daihatsu has an improved CVT gearbox. Coupled with measures such as “pre-stop idle reduction” (shuts off engine below 7 km/h) and regenerative braking, e:S Technology is aiming for 40% better fuel efficiency in a new model due to be released in September this year. The target is 30 km/l in the JC08 mode and a starting price of below 800,000 yen (RM30,400).


Click to enlarge

We’re not sure if the model with all this e:S goodness will be the production version of tomorrow’s world debut concept. What we know about the concept car is what we see so far, which is a nose that has hints of Volkswagen’s iROC concept (Paris 2008, previewed the Scirocco). It’s a five-door hatch, with wheels pushed to the extreme corners of the car for almost zero overhang. It appears larger than a Perodua Viva and Suzuki Alto, with a long wheelbase and a relatively low roofline.

The profile has a rising shoulder line that works hand-in-hand with a glass area that narrows on the way back. To view it fully naked, watch this space!

20 Comments      

Jaguar XJL 3.0D and XFS 3.0D diesels officially introduced

July 21, 2011 at 6:30 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Jaguar, Local News

We wrote about them earlier, but today is the day they get their official introduction. Sisma Auto officially introduced the XJL 3.0D and XFS 3.0D diesels earlier this afternoon at a media preview.

Both the XF and XJ jobs wear the same AJ-V6D Gen III S 3.0 litre turbodiesel lump, which has 271 hp at 4,000 rpm and 600 Nm at 2,000 rpm for figures, and this is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Performance-wise, both cars achieve an identical 0-100 kph time of 6.4 seconds and a 250 kph electronically-limited top speed.

Other notable figures have to do with the percentage gains from going the oil burner route. The XFS 3.0D offers 105% more torque, 16% more power and has 23% quicker acceleration compared to its XF 3.0L V6 petrol sibling. That’s not all, of course – the 3.0D is also more frugal than the latter, consuming 35% less fuel and having 28% less CO2 emissions.

Sisma is confident about walking the diesel path with these two. “Some potential buyers have raised concerns about the quality of diesel in Malaysia and the long-term effect on the engine. But they can put their worries aside as Jaguar’s multi-award winning 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine has been redesigned to accept Malaysia’s Euro 2M diesel specification,” said Sisma Auto MD Syed Hussain Syed Mohamed.

As mentioned previously, the price of the XFS 3.0D is RM499,888, slightly higher than the 3.0 V6 petrol version’s RM488,888, while the XJL 3.0D goes for RM699,888, significantly cheaper than the RM958,888 asked for the 5.0 Premium Luxury V8 petrol.

Gallery of launch photos after the jump.
[Read more...]

16 Comments      

BMW Malaysia appoints Chear Motorrad as dealership

July 21, 2011 at 5:17 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Bikes, BMW Motorrad, Local News

BMW Malaysia has appointed Chear Motorrad as its newest BMW Motorrad dealership. Chear Motorrad is the sister company of Chear Motor (H.Q.), one of the largest distributors for motorcycles, accessories and parts in the country.

Chear Motorrad is in the midst of establishing its new 4S (Sales, Service, Systems and Spare-parts) Motorrad dealership in Puchong, which is set to be ready for operation in September.

With BMW’s motorcycle division in the country charting positive year on year growth since 2003, the latest dealership appointment is set to take things further. Last year, the company delivered 281 motorcycles, a 25% increase from the 225 motorcycles achieved in 2009.

“This clearly shows that there is a growing demand for premium motorcycles in the country and with the appointment of Chear Motorrad, we will be able to meet and better serve this demand.” said BMW Malaysia MD Geoffrey Briscoe.

Leave a Comment      

We visit a tin dredge ship, check out Gua Tambun and experience Nasi Ganja – All these and more on Travel Safe and Save with PETRONAS PRIMAX 95 XTRA Episode 3

July 21, 2011 at 1:10 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Travel Safe and Save

Welcome back to our third installment of Travel Safe and Save with PETRONAS PRIMAX 95 XTRA where we set foot on some interesting destinations in the humble city of Ipoh.

This time around, Julie Woon heads to the capital of Perak with the Hyundai i10 and checks out a 73-year old tin dredge ship in Tanjung Tualang as well as explores Gua Tambun where she finds ancient wall drawings!

Julie also tries out the famous, mouth watering Nasi Ganja on Jalan Yang Kalsom before making a stop at the Perak Tong which houses over 40 Buddha statues.

Watch the episode to explore Ipoh with Julie and don’t forget to take part in the TSSPP95X contest to put yourself in the running to win a Garmin Nuvi 1250 GPS. You can also watch our previous episodes here.
[Read more...]

28 Comments