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Proton Saga FLX SE launched – RM49,899 OTR!

November 30, 2011 at 4:06 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

Ah, while all the action seems to be in Tokyo, along pops up something more relevant and closer to home. Proton has announced the introduction of the Saga FLX SE, which we “previewed” last week, all thanks to an erstwhile reader and a leaked brochure.

Danny’s story already carries most of the tech details, so the big news is really about the photos of the car and the price – the 1.6 litre Campro and CVT-equipped vehicle rolls in at RM49,899 (metallic) and RM49,449 (solid). There are only two shades, the Fire Red as seen in the photos (which is the metallic), and Solid White.

Priced RM2,900 above the current selling 1.6 litre automatic Saga FL, the Saga FLX SE features eight exterior and three interior changes. It’s fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels, an complete factory-fitted body kit in contrasting grey, fog lamps and smoked-finished combination rear lamps.

Meanwhile, the 108 hp and 150 Nm vehicle’s interior gets a healthy dollop of leather; hide is to be found on the seats, steering wheel, door ornament as well as the parking brake and gearshift levers.

The company is hoping to shift around 500 units of the Saga FLX SE per month. Oh, and customers who have ordered a Saga and are still waiting for their car to be delivered can opt to change their booking to the FLX SE at the respective showroom in which the booking was originally made.

If you’re thinking of viewing the FLX SE, don’t rush out just yet, because the car will only be at all Proton showrooms from tomorrow, December 1.

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Tokyo 2011 live: Fourth-generation Honda CR-V SUV

November 30, 2011 at 3:20 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Honda, International News

Here’s some live shots of the new 2012 Honda CR-V, the fourth-generation of Honda’s popular SUV. The new CR-V has just been launched in Japan in both 2.0 and 2.4 litre form.

As the CR-V is available in Malaysia in 2.0 litre guise only, let’s take a look at what’s changed. The R20A i-VTEC SOHC engine looks very similar to the 3rd-generation’s – the specs sheet shows that peak power remains the same at 150 PS, but torque is now 191 Nm compared to 190 Nm before. Honda has increased the compression ratio slightly from 10.5:1 to 10.6:1.

The biggest change is that in Japan, the 2.0 litre CR-V now uses a CVT gearbox as opposed to a 5-speed automatic, which the 2.4 litre model continues to use. The 2.4 litre model’s K24A engine produces 190 PS and 222 Nm of torque.

This is not the first time we’ve featured the new CR-V, so we won’t go into too much details – you can read Anthony’s previous story from this morning for more details. The live photo gallery will speak to you the exterior and interior changes – after all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

One thing that we found pretty cool is the new one-touch lever that folds the 60:40 split rear bench down – just pull it once and the rear bench folds down flat in a pretty neat way – the bottom seat folds forward and then the backrest folds down in its place. Watch the video below to see it work.


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Tokyo 2011: Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept debuts

November 30, 2011 at 2:59 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, International News, Subaru

Over at Subaru, the Advanced Tourer Concept has made its debut at the TMS. The company describes it as a new generation sports wagon, and the 4.58 metre-long B-pillarless vehicle combines a horizontally-opposed Boxer engine linked to a hybrid system.

The 1.6 litre turbo engine includes direct fuel injection and showcases technology that will guide the brand’s future engine strategy. Mated to a Lineartronic CVT gearbox, Subaru says the mill drastically improves combustion efficiency at practical driving speeds.

A single-motor hybrid system, with attendant lithium-ion battery, is used for its simple structure and light weight – the system has an Electric Vehicle mode that allows All-Wheel Drive motion using only the motor at start-up and low speed. When decelerating, the regenerating mechanism uses the motor as a power generator.

Unique features include a roof made of glass to add to the vehicle’s spacious cabin feel, as well as a large monitor built into the steering wheel, which allows access to maps, television and the Internet.

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Tokyo 2011: Audi A1 Samurai Blue slices its way in

November 30, 2011 at 2:32 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Audi, Cars, International News

Not all the fun and games belong to the Japanese, despite Tokyo being home ground. Audi has snuck in a premiere of its own at the TMS, and this one is a unique A1 called the Samurai Blue.

The three-door A1 wears the blue and white colours of the Japanese national soccer team, accentuated by the red of the Japanese flag, and the exclusive polygonal design 18-inch wheels are likewise painted red. The vehicle even takes its name from the team’s Blue Samurai nickname.

The interior equipment of the 122 hp 1.4 TFSI hatch is in black, with contrasting stitching in blue and corresponding colourful accents for the air vent nozzles, inlays, center console and floor mats.

Audi plans to sell the Samurai Blue as a one-off model and donate part of the profit to a charity. The company does plan to come out with an A1 Limited Edition next year, with its design based on the Samurai Blue. All the better to slice you with, I guess.

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Tokyo 2011 live: Toyota Aqua hybrid is a smaller Prius

November 30, 2011 at 1:53 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Toyota

The Toyota Aqua is the JDM name for the Toyota Prius c – it’s essentially a compact hatchback with a Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system. It measures less than four metres long with a 2,550mm wheelbase – the same as that of a Toyota Vios.

To suit its downsized dimensions, Toyota has also reengineered the HSD system. For usage in the Aqua/Prius c, it is more compact and lighter, with a reduced displacement. As opposed to the 1.8 litre and 2.4 litre systems in the Prius and the Camry Hybrid, the Aqua uses a HSD system based around a smaller 1.5 litre engine.

Toyota claims a fuel efficiency of 35.4 km/L under the JC08 test cycle and 40.0 km/L under MLIT 10-15 test cycle, which are some very impressive numbers. Now that the government has extended the hybrid car tax breaks, will UMW Toyota Motor offer the rest of the Prius family such as this Toyota Aqua in Malaysia? Not everyone needs the space offered by a Prius – a more affordable Prius could go head to head against the Honda Insight.

More details on the Prius c/Aqua in our previous story.

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Tokyo 2011: Honda Micro Commuter – like a comfy jacket!

November 30, 2011 at 1:10 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Honda, International News

It wouldn’t be the Tokyo show without wacky urban concepts, and here’s what Honda has come up with for this edition, the Micro Commuter Concept. Honda is describing the MCC as an “urban mobile power suit”, something that urbanites can casually wear like a comfortable jacket.

For this, try to remove yourself from our hot and humid weather and imagine Tokyo city (or jog your memory, if you’ve been here before), where no one leaves home for work without a jacket.

Honda compares the MCC with a jacket because the vehicle molds itself to match the needs of the driver from the second he or she steps in. For example, placing your smartphone in the front slot brings up personalised info on the multi-projection. When you select a destination, the MCC points out available restauarants or interesting venues.

And because your car is plugged into your social network, the screens show where your friends are checked in and/or doing. Smart phone is the key here.

The other unique thing about the MCC is its Man Maximum, Machine Minimum (M/M) concept featuring a 1+2 layout. The driver sits in the middle, flanked by two seats behind it. The empty space beside the driver can be for luggage or Honda’s Motor Compo, a two-wheeled EV concept. Two of those bike-like machines can fit, and they can even double up as arm rest or stereo!

This Li-ion battery powered EV also has customisable panels at the front, rear and sides. Once again, we have some pre-show event shots of the MCC in daylight. Here’s your jacket, sir!

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Tokyo 2011 Live: Toyota GT 86 Coupe unveiled!

November 30, 2011 at 12:52 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Toyota

The Toyota GT 86 is not something you would expect out of Toyota in recent years. A front mounted high-revving 2.0 litre four-cylinder Subaru boxer engine with Toyota D-4S direct injection technology, rear-wheel drive, a manual transmission and a true coupe body, instead of a stylised 3-door hatchback body masquerading as a coupe. In fact, you probably couldn’t expect something like this from most car manufacturers these days, since the car has a bespoke engine!

The 2.0 litre boxer engine has a high 12.5:1 compression ratio and revs up to 7,000 rpm to produce a peak power of 200 DIN horsepower, a similar normally aspirated power to displacement ratio that we’ve seen before in cars like the Honda Civic Type R and the Renault Clio RS. Peak torque is 205 Nm, achieved at a high 6,600 rpm – this engine should be one happy revver! Enthusiasts will pick to go with the 6-speed manual, but there’s also a 6-speed auto available.

Read Anthony’s coverage of the Toyota GT 86 yesterday for more full details on the new Toyota coupe. Now the question is – will Malaysians be able to buy the GT 86 from UMW Toyota Motor? There’d definitely be plenty of takers if priced well, but I wonder if Toyota will approve the D4-S direct injection system to be used with our Euro 2 petrol.

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Tokyo 2011: Honda EV-STER previews electric powered, rear-wheel drive, two-seater convertible

November 30, 2011 at 11:46 am By Danny Tan Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Honda, International News

Ohayou gozaimasu! We are reporting live from the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, which returns to Tokyo proper after 24 years. The venue for this year’s show is the Tokyo Big Sight, just across the Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba, a change from the familiar Makuhari Messe. The first stop for this writer was Honda’s packed press conference, where Honda president and CEO Takanobu Ito unveiled some interesting machines and missions.

The main car under wraps was this – the Honda EV-STER concept. As its name suggests, the EV-STER is an electric powered sports car, one that is also rear wheel driven, topless and a two seater.

If those points remind you of the S2000, that’s intentional. But today’s world is different from the one where the S2000 was born into – environmental concerns means that battery power is in, and high revving 9,000 rpm VTEC power is out.

The EV-STER is compact, measuring only 3,570 mm long and 1,500 mm wide. A large portion of the length is taken up by the 2,325 mm wheelbase, pushing the wheels far to each corner.

To give you an idea, the EV-STER is shorter than a Lotus Elise, but has an identical wheelbase with the iconic Brit. The adoption of carbon materials means that it should be lightweight too, although no figure is given.

Honda says that lightness also contributes to the car’s performance and approximate range of 160 km per charge in the JC08 mode. The electric motor is powered by a 10 kWh lithium ion battery with 58 kW of max output. This will be good enough for a 160 km/h top speed and 0-60 km/h acceleration in five seconds. Charging time is under three hours with 200V and under six hours for 100V.

The cozy two-seat cabin (driver’s seat is “highlighted”) doesn’t have a steering wheel, but experimental twin-lever steering, joystick style. Don’t take that too seriously, or the high tech displays, for this is more of a design exercise that shows Honda’s intent to reintroduce sporty into the mix, after solely focusing on green for quite some time.

Our gallery also includes exclusive pics from a pre-show briefing where we got to see a clay model of the EV-STER, which will give you a better 360-degree view of the car. Don’t write it off as a flight of fancy, as some did with the CR-Z concept car of 2009 – this could well be “the new S2000″!

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Honda CR-V – 4th-gen to begin selling in Japan on Dec 2

November 30, 2011 at 7:01 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Honda will begin selling its new CR-V in Japan from December 2. The fourth-generation SUV, which made its global debut in LA earlier in the month, will be available domestically in 2.4 litre and 2.0 litre forms. The 2.4 litre version – in 24G guise – comes with four-wheel-drive, while the 20G 2.0 litre variant is a front-wheel drive offering.

Honda says the 2.4 litre i-VTEC model – which works with a five-speed automatic transmission – offers 20 PS higher output than the outgoing equivalent, thanks to a higher compression ratio and other enhancements. Presumably, the output for the 2.4 version should be similar to the US model’s 185 hp and 221 Nm.

Meanwhile, the 2.0 litre i-VTEC-equipped model will offer powerful torque characteristics from the low rpm range upward and exceptional fuel economy, though there is no mention of specific output numbers – Paul and Danny are in Tokyo to cover the show, so we should be able to get the figures as it goes along, working on the assumption the vehicle is part of the showcase.

Notably, the 2.0 litre features a CVT with torque converter for its drivetrain choice. In combination with the mill, the company says that the model offers the same off-the-line acceleration and overall acceleration performance as the 2.4 L model, while at the same time offering a best-in-class fuel economy of 14.4 km per litre.

In all, Honda is looking to shift a combined 1,500 units of the new CR-V – which has a 225 mm longer interior and 65 litres more cargo area than the outgoing model – domestically every month.

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Proton-Mitsubishi strategic collaboration – Proton expects to ink deal by year-end to build Mitsubishi sedan models

November 30, 2011 at 6:35 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi, Proton

Following the news in September about Proton and Mitsubishi discussing a broad ranging collaboration, Bernama reports that Proton expects to seal a JV agreement with Mitsubishi Motors by year-end to build Mitsubishi sedan models at its Tanjung Malim plant.

The agreement will see the manufacture of 60,000 Mitsubishi units annually, which is about 90% of the plant’s production capacity, Proton MD Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin said, adding that the plant is currently operating at between 56% and 58% capacity.

Syed Zainal was briefing reporters after the announcement of the company’s Q2 2011/2012 financial year results yesterday, which saw the Group recording a lower pre-tax profit of RM47.524 million for the six months ended September 30, 2011, compared to RM185.914 million made in the corresponding period last year.

The lower profit was largely attributed to higher spending by Lotus Group International Limited, mainly on capability enhancement, infrastructure development and marketing costs, in line with its five-year business transformation plan.

Meanwhile, despite a second-half downtrend forecast by the Malaysian Automotive Association, Syed Zainal said that Proton would overcome it with the introduction of its Saga FLX Special Edition in December, the report added.

He said that 2012 was set to be an exciting year for the company, with the introduction of four models, the Exora Bold and Exora Prime, Inspira R3 and the P3-21A sedan.

Syed Zainal also said that Proton is set to expand its presence in the Chinese market – under a memorandum of understanding it has signed with Hawtai Motor Group, it is slated to sell four Proton models under the Hawtai badge.

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