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Nissan Juke-R: A crazy Juke that thinks it’s a GT-R!

October 5, 2011 at 5:09 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan


Nissan is a Japanese brand that’s doing relatively well in Europe, helped by niche creating models such as the Qashqai and Juke. Instead of foolishly going head on with Golf class hatchbacks and superminis with a like-for-like product, these crossovers offer a unique bodyshell in their respective segments. They’ve been successful with sales of more than 100,000 Jukes after just a year on sale, so now it’s time for some fun.

This work in progress is the Juke-R, the first ever super crossover. Super because this is a Juke that thinks it’s a GT-R. The flared wheel arches, revised front and rear bumpers plus a unique split rear wing hint at the GT-R’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine under the hood. Under the boot hides the Godzilla’s six-speed transaxle, with the front and rear ends joined by a modified GT-R 4WD driveline and prop shaft. Chunky 20-inch RAYS forged alloys wrap things up.


Inside, the Juke’s dashboard has been transformed to accommodate the gauges, dials and 7-inch customisable LCD display from the GT-R. The Juke’s unique bike fuel tank inspired centre console remains. Two race-seats with five-point harnesses sit inside a visible roll cage.

Unfortunately, the Juke-R is not for production. It’s a one-off, road legal concept car, developed by Nissan and built by motorsports outfit RML with input from Nissan Technology Centre for Europe (NTC-E). Built to gauge the public’s reaction to a seriously sporty Juke, first tests are expected to be done in November. Crazy stuff!

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SEAT Mii – seating everyone with another Up! variant

October 4, 2011 at 6:51 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, SEAT

SEAT has unveiled its new Mii city car, which it will begin selling in its home market, Spain, before the year is out, with the rest of Europe to follow in spring 2012.

The 3.55 metre long Mii will first be introduced as a three-door, with the five-door version arriving next year. Drivetrain is a 1.0 litre three-cylinder MPI unit, with two output tunes available for the Ecomotive – 60 PS and 75 PS.

If it’s all starting to sound like you’ve seen those numbers before, well, you have, because the Mii is the SEAT version of the Volkswagen Up!, and together with the recently announced Skoda Citigo, form a trinity of hatchbacks utilising the same base platform.

Like its relatives, the Mii has 251 litres of boot space, increasing to 951 litres with the rear seats folded. Other numbers include a 35 litre capacity fuel tank and an 854 kg base weight. Aside from a five-speed manual transmission, the Mii is available with an automated manual box boasting two electric motors to offer smoother gear changes.

Features include a start/stop system, brake energy regeneration, City Safety Assist and a removable SEAT Portable System with a five-inch screen, navigation system and hands-free phone system with voice control.

In Spain, the Mii will be available in three equipment lines – the base version as well as Reference and Style, the latter offering features such as power windows and central locking. Chic and Sport packs add alloy wheels and leather steering to the equation, and for the Sport tinted windows and a sports suspension

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Volkswagen cross up! Concept previews 5-door up!

October 4, 2011 at 5:51 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, Volkswagen

We first saw variations of the Volkswagen up! with more than just 3-doors back in 2007 when the car was still very much a concept. The Volkswagen space up! was shaped more like a van though, with a pretty long wheelbase.

Frankfurt 2011′s Volkswagen cross up! concept is yet another take on a 5-door up!, looking like a smaller version of the Golf Plus with offroader style bodykits slapped on and a ground clearance that has been raised by 15mm.

Volkswagen says the cross up! is near production and showcases what the 5-door version of the up! will look like.

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BMW ActiveHybrid 5: inline-6 turbo with an electric motor

October 4, 2011 at 3:24 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars

While journalists around the world are trying out the high performance F10 BMW M5 in Spain, BMW has just premiered the latest addition to the F10 range – the BMW ActiveHybrid 5. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 mates the 535i’s potent 306 horsepower six cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine to a 55 horsepower electric drive system.

Combined power output is 340 horsepower, and average fuel consumption is between 6.4 to 7 litres per 100km, or 44.1mpg. In terms of performance, the ActiveHybrid 5 hits 100km/h in 5.9 seconds. As a comparison, a stock 535i does the same in 6 seconds.

This isn’t exactly a pure fuel economy machine – if you’re looking for that, you might as well go for the 520d EfficientDynamics which can do 62.8mpg average compared to the ActiveHybrid 5′s 44.1mpg. But that efficiency-focused oil burner 5-er only hits 100km/h in 8.2 seconds. This is more of a slightly greener way to enjoy BMW’s 6 cylinder turbo.

This hybrid 5 is able to run on electric power alone at speeds of up to 60km/h, and while coasting at speeds of up to 160km/h in ECO PRO mode, the combustion engine can be shut off and fully decoupled. The ActiveHybrid 5′s battery stores enough juice to give the ActiveHybrid 5 an all-electric driving range of up to 4km at an average speed of 35km/h.

The 96 cell lithium ion battery is stored in the trunk, which reduces the luggage area space by about 145 litres, so you’ve got 375 litres to play with. Other than powering the electric motor, this also powers up an electric air conditioning compressor to ensure the interior is cool even when the combustion engine is shut off. An electric air cond compressor is necessary because usually it is powered by a crank belt, which naturally would not be powered while the crank is not spinning during times the combustion engine is shut off.

Visually, the ActiveHybrid 5 is differentiated by the “ActiveHybrid 5″ lettering on the C pillar, kidney grilles with galvanised slats, matte chrome exhaust tailpipes, and optionally 18 inch Streamline light alloy wheels that are designed for aerodynamic efficiency. It is also the only model that can be ordered in Bluewater metallic.

On the inside, there are door sill strips and an aluminium plate on the cupholder cover with the “ActiveHybrid 5″ lettering, and in the engine bay there’s a bespoke engine cover bearing the inscription “ActiveHybrid 5″, and finally a “ActiveHybrid Power Unit” lettering in the luggage area for the battery casing.

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Renault Clio R.S “Ange & Démon” – be good, and bad

October 4, 2011 at 12:52 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Renault

We wrote earlier about the Clio Renaultsport 200 Raider limited edition, which goes on sale in the UK; here are the photos of the identical Clio R.S. “Ange & Démon” limited 666-unit run version that will be sold globally.

Effectively, the Angel and Demon, as it is called, is a dead ringer to the 200 Raider in terms of specifications – the matte paintwork, black roof, black 18-inch Interlagos alloy wheels, Bridgestone RE 050A tyres and leather-upholstered Recaro bucket seats etcetera etcetera, it’s all to be found here.

In fact, the only thing that’s different is the “Ange & Démon” logo on the left hand side of the rear quarter window pillar to identify it (and the numbered badging for the devilish series), replacing the Raider badge seen on the UK car.

Orders for the vehicle have opened, and the edition makes its public debut at the Lyon Motor Show in France on October 7, with the first vehicles in the showrooms for Halloween, though this one won’t turn out to be a scary prospect ….

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Mazda Roadster goes the ‘BLACK TUNED’ path

October 4, 2011 at 11:56 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Mazda


Click to enlarge.

Mazda has introduced the Roadster BLACK TUNED, a special edition version of its iconic lightweight, two-seat, open-top sports car, for the Japanese market. The special edition Roadster (or the MX-5, if you will) is based on the premium ‘RS RHT’ and ‘VS RHT’ model grades, replete with a power retractable hard top, or the RHT, which gives the models their suffix.

The BLACK TUNED theme means that this one gets a Brilliant Black roof and door mirrors, black fog lamp bezels, body coloured door handles as well as gun metallic-finished 17-inch alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the interior gets the black treatment, with the decoration panel in piano black and the seats and steering wheel dressed in black leather, contrasted with sand-colored stitching.

No changes to the 2.0 litre twin cam mill, which drives both the RS RHT (six-speed manual) and the VS RHT (six-speed auto) in the BLACK TUNED operation, though two exclusive colours are available for the edition, these being Spirited Green Metallic and Velocity Red Mica, with the ever popular Crystal White Pearl Mica on the list as well.

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Castrol’s ‘Experience the Strongest’ campaign is sending ‘strongest’ Malaysian to watch EURO 2012 live in Poland!

October 4, 2011 at 11:12 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Advertorial

Castrol EDGE, the leading lubricant specialist’s most advanced engine oil, has got ‘stronger’, thanks to the company’s new Titanium Fluid Strength Technology. Modern engines operate under higher pressures than ever before and every drive is a test of your engine oil’s strength. Exactly how much pressure? Think of 10,000 kg per square cm, equivalent to the pressure exerted by two elephants standing on top of a stiletto!

This is where the new Castrol EDGE comes in. Proven to be up to 40% stronger than a leading competitor and stronger for up to 35% longer, this product is so strong that Castrol has had to engineer new tests to prove it. Titanium Fluid Strength Technology is a new dynamic system in Castrol EDGE that actively strengthens the oil. It is designed to continuously respond and adapt to your engine’s needs under the severest possible pressures, minimising metal-to-metal contact and maximising engine performance.

Inspired by the new and improved Castrol EDGE, Castrol has rolled-out the ‘Experience the Strongest’ campaign, where the ‘strongest’ Malaysian will emerge to win an all expense paid trip to Poland to watch EURO 2012 live! Here’s a summary of the campaign, divided into two stages over two months:

Stage 1 (October 2011) – Aptly named ‘Strength to Unlock’ this is a contest based on strength in numbers. All one needs to do is recruit a team of friends on Castrol Malaysia Facebook and have them collectively unlock the prizes that are up for grabs. Different prizes will run periodically (bungee jumping, paintball packages, cinema tickets, group dining vouchers etc) and teams decide which prize they choose to compete for. The teams that are fastest and strongest in numbers win.

Stage 2 (November 2011) – The second stage of the campaign will feature a first-of- its-kind Augmented Reality experience involving smartphones. Called ‘Hunt for the Strongest’, this contest would see the grand prize winner walking away with the trip to Poland for to watch EURO 2012 live. A teaser video and more clues will be revealed soon on www.facebook.com/castrolmalaysia, so keep your eyes peeled!

Besides the above, anyone can stand a chance to win the iPad 2 and other weekly prizes by just servicing their cars at any Castrol Auto Service in the ‘Service & Win’ contest. One is also entitled to a free Castrol EDGE cooler jug with every purchase of the new Castrol EDGE with Titanium Fluid Strength Technology 4L pack. Offer is available for a limited time only at all participating Castrol outlets, and while stocks last.

Check out Castrol Malaysia’s Facebook page here or go to www.castroledge.com.my for more info.

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Clio Renaultsport 200 Raider – limited edition in matte

October 4, 2011 at 11:10 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Renault

This is the Clio Renaultsport 200 Raider, a limited edition of the hot hatch. With a limited run of 50 cars for UK customers, the Raider packs in more equipment than the standard Clio RS 200 and wears distinctive matte paintwork.

A first for Renault, Raider is finished in matte Renault i.d. paintwork. The choice of Stealth Grey or Diavolo Red is contrasted by a gloss black finish to the roof, rear spoiler, F1-style front blade, rear diffuser and door mirrors. Gloss black is also applied to the 18-inch ‘Interlagos’ alloys, one inch larger than the standard 200 wheels.

The rims are wrapped with Bridgestone RE 050A tyres, as used on the record-breaking Megane Renaultsport 265 Trophy. Naturally, the acclaimed Cup chassis – featuring a lower ride height, stiffer springs and dampers, quicker steering ratio and red finish to the Brembo brake callipers – is standard. Exterior changes are capped by extra-tinted rear side/tailgate windows and a Raider badge.

Inside, leather Recaros are complimented by the zinc grey finish to the centre console and fascia inserts. There’s a white rev counter as focus point. Bluetooth, USB connectivity, automatic climate control and Renaultsport carpet mats are also included. Customers can order their Raider with a no cost choice of either Renaultsport Monitor or Carminat TomTom Live satellite navigation.

A numbered plate identifies the number in the 50 production run. Outside of the UK, Renault is selling the 666-unit “Ange & Démon” limited edition, which is pretty much the same thing.

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McRae to drive for Proton in IRC’s Rally of Scotland

October 4, 2011 at 10:37 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Malaysian Makes, Motorsports, Proton, Proton Satria Neo

Proton is handing its APRC rally driver Alister McRae a chance to compete in his home race – the RACMSA Rally of Scotland, which happens this weekend (7-9 October) and is the second last round of this year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). He will take the place of regular Proton IRC driver Giandomenico Basso, lining up beside teammate PG Andersson.

McRae, the younger brother of rallying legend Colin McRae, last competed in the IRC one year ago. He finished second in the inaugural Rally of Scotland in 2009 and will be bidding to emulate that performance in his homeland.

“It’s always nice to come home to compete again. Obviously, I have good memories of rallying in this part of the world and it’ll be great to see the (Scottish) Saltire flags out there flying high. We had a good finish here a couple of years ago, when we finished second in the Proton. But the competition is going to be really tough, there’s a good, quality entry for the rally,” McRae said.

He will be up against 17 other drivers in Super 2000 machinery out of an exciting 38-car entry. The rally features 15 stages over a competitive of distance of 196.96 km. If he does well, McRae will be bringing momentum into his next assignment, the APRC’s China Rally, where he will be fighting Proton teammate Chris Atkinson for the Driver’s title. McRae leads Atkinson by seven points going into the season ending rally after a podium finish in the recent Rally of Hokkaido.

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Why riding a bike makes sense in these troubled times!

October 4, 2011 at 12:01 am By Keshy Dhillon Filed Under Bikes

We are stuck in difficult times. Fuel prices seem to be soaring beyond control; taxes are finding creative ways of making their presence felt in our pockets, prices of essential goods are higher than ever, almost everything is so much more inaccessible than they were say 10 years ago. If you’re a speed demon, then these are the dark ages.

Filling up your tank to indulge in your passion now costs twice as much, if not more; the rise in global crude oil has even affected the cost of our precious grip inducing rubber!
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