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Tata Nano improved for 2012 – more power and economy

November 23, 2011 at 11:00 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, India, International News, Tata

The Tata Nano, famous as the world’s cheapest car, hasn’t been as hot-selling as Tata has hoped, although it has been hot enough to catch fire occasionally. Tata seeks to reverse this (sales, not fire risk) by improving the small car for 2012. More power, more economy, more features, but at the same price, is the formula used.

The 600 kg Nano’s 624 cc engine gets slight improvements – it now puts out 38 PS (was 35 PS) and 51 Nm of torque (was 48 Nm). Claimed best case fuel consumption is now 25.4 km/l from 23.6 km/l. The nano has a top speed of 105 km/h and the ability to climb 30% inclines.

There’s also a revised suspension set-up, including an anti-roll bar at the front, a “steering mechanism made even easier” plus a racier sounding exhaust note for “a more assertive road presence.” Booster-assisted brakes, already available in the CX and LX trim, have now been added to the Standard as well. There’s also the addition of bright new colours, including the likes of Neon Rush, Mojito Green and Papaya Orange.

The better news for Indians is that there will be no price increase. The Nano Standard is priced at Rs.1.40 lakhs (RM8,500), the Nano CX Rs.1.70 lakhs (RM10,300) and Rs.1.96 lakhs (RM11,870) for the top spec Nano LX, which includes kit like central locking, front power windows, body coloured bumpers, fog lamps, electronic trip meter and full wheel covers. Downpayment starts from a low Rs.15,000 (RM908) with financing tenure up to 60 months.

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India’s Premier Rio CRDI is a diesel-powered Kembara!

November 23, 2011 at 3:23 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, India, International News, Perodua

Miss the Perodua Kembara? Some might, but we reckon most don’t. Here’s something you might not know – the Kembara a.k.a. Daihatsu Terios is still on sale in India today, where it’s known as the Premier Rio. Billed as “India’s first compact SUV”, the Rio is available as a 1.2 petrol (77 PS/104 Nm) or a 1.5 turbodiesel with 65 PS and 152 Nm.

India’s car buyers have embraced diesel big time, but the Rio diesel hasn’t been selling well. That’s because the current oil burner doesn’t meet the country’s Bharat Stage IV emissions standards (we’ll just have to wait till 2014) that most big cities already use – it’s just BSIII compliant. But reports mention that from next year, the Rio will be adopting a BSIV compliant diesel engine to be more competitive.

This diesel engine is question is said to be the 1.3-litre Multijet sourced from Fiat. Indians are very familar with this license built engine, as it also powers top selling cars like the Maruti Swift and Tata Indica Vista, among other models. The proven engine puts out 75 PS and 190 Nm at 2,000 rpm, which should be very useful in small cars.

Perhaps if we had such an engine with the Kembara, we would have missed it more!

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Lexus unveils GS 250, the first ever GS to go below 3.0L

November 22, 2011 at 5:43 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Lexus

Lexus has revealed another engine option for its all new GS saloon at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition. It’s the GS 250, and we saw it coming.

Back in August, before the launch of the 5-Series fighter at Pebble Beach, it was reported that Lexus will for the first time offer an engine smaller than 3.0 litres in the GS, allowing it to better challenge German rivals, who all have sedans this size with smaller engines. It makes sense for our region, and UK is also a recipient of this variant.

The GS 250 is powered by a 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine with D-4S direct port injection and Dual VVT-i intelligent valve timing. Maximum output is 206 hp at 6,400rpm and peak torque of 253 Nm is delivered at 4,800 rpm. 0-100 km/h is done in 8.6 seconds on to a top speed of 228 km/h. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 11.2 km/l.

The performance is on a similar level with the F10 BMW 523i, which 2.5-litre straight-six puts out 204 hp and 250 Nm. It does the century sprint a tenth faster than the Lexus.

The V6 is matched to a Super ECT-i close-ratio intelligent six-speed automatic transmission, with a sequential manual shift function. The system has been tuned to deliver faster shift speeds, earlier torque converter lock-up and downshift throttle blips, complimenting a range of different drive modes available through the GS 250’s Drive Mode Select System.

More info and pics of the new GS in our previous post here.

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Perodua’s Twitter-based Tweckbot safety check team is back, now serving Klang Valley, Penang, Ipoh and JB

November 22, 2011 at 3:43 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Perodua

Perodua is re-introducing Tweckbot, its unique Twitter-based free safety check team, in time for the upcoming year-end and Chinese New Year festive period. And this time, apart from the Klang Valley, Perodua will extend the service to Penang, Ipoh and Johor Bahru for the four-weekend campaign, which kicks off this Friday.

The teams will carry out a 20-point check that includes an engine check, transmission check, coolant system (coolant level, fan, temperature), brake system check (brake fluid, brake pad wear), power steering system check, clutch system check, tyre check, suspension system check, electrical system check (battery, lights, wiper) and engine diagnosis.

Tweckbot will be in Penang from 25-27 November, Ipoh from 2-4 December, Johor Bahru from 9-11 December and the Klang Valley from 16-18 December. Perodua will allocate between three to five mobile teams each weekend.

In Penang, the areas covered are Greenlane, Batu Lanchang and Island Glades (25 Nov); Pulau Tikus and Island Park (26 Nov); Bukit Mertajam, Simpang Ampat and Bukit Tambun (27 Nov).

In Ipoh, they will go to Ipoh Garden, Canning Garden and Kampung Simee (2 Dec); Bercham, Pasir Puteh and Bandar Baru Tambun (3 Dec) and Taman Happy, Taman Mayfair, Taman Bunga Raya and Taman Sin Far (4 Dec).

Perodua owners in JB can find Tweckbot teams at Taman Sri Tebrau, Taman Serene, Taman Pelangi and Pasir Pelangi (9 Dec); Taman Perling, Taman Sutera and Taman Permata (10 Dec) and Taman Sri Skudai, Taman Skudai, Taman Harmoni 1 and Taman Nesa (11 Dec).

In the Klang Valley, the teams will visit Taman Maluri, Taman Connaught, Taman Muda and Taman Len Sen (16 Dec); Kepong Lama, Jinjang Utara and Selatan and Jalan Ipoh (17 Dec) and SS2 Petaling Jaya, Bandar Utama, Damansara Jaya, Taman Mayang and Taman Megah (18 Dec).

P2 customers whose vehicles need repairs or service will be offered a 15% discount on selected parts at Perodua Service branches. To secure an appointment, Perodua customers need to have a Twitter account and follow the Perodua team on @MYPerodua to know where and when the Tweckbot team will be in their neighbourhood.

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GALLERY: Mazda CX-5 gets Kodo looks and Skyactiv tech

November 22, 2011 at 1:10 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mazda

I just realised that we haven’t had a proper all round look at the new Mazda CX-5, which was unveiled in production form at Frankfurt in September, so here you go. This gallery shows Mazda’s smallest SUV inside and out, allowing us to view the new Kodo (Soul of Motion) design from all angles, as well as the sedate business-like cabin that hints at BMW.

The CX-5 has a relatively lengthy wheelbase of 2,700 mm, which is 30 mm longer than the Mitsubishi ASX’s. Mazda says that it has class-leading rear seat legroom of 997 mm, while there’s 500 litres of useable luggage space (including a sub trunk) maximised by removing protrusions. The “Karakuri” rear seats split fold 40:20:40 (which is very unique) and there’s a remote fold-down function.

We also see a 5.8-inch colour touch screen monitor on the dashboard, which contains Mazda’s new new HMI system and a navigation system based on the latest from TomTom. A Bose stereo is on the options list.

The CX-5 will come with Mazda’s revolutionary Skyactiv engines. The Skyactiv-G 2.0 petrol boasts the world highest compression ratio of 14.0:1, with its 4-2-1 exhaust system preventing knocking and providing good torque from low engine speeds. In the FWD model, the 2.0 makes 165 PS and 210 Nm, and in the AWD there’s 160 PS and 208 Nm. Mazda says that a 2.0 FWD model with 6-speed manual and i-stop will only drink 6.0 litres of fuel per 100 km combined.

There’s also a Skyactiv 2.2 diesel with the world’s lowest compression ratio for oil burners at 14.0:1 and a two-stage turbocharger. Mazda says that this high tech engine can clear Euro 6 emission standards without the need of any NOx after-treatment systems. Two variants are available, a High Power 175 PS/420 Nm version and the standard 150 PS/380 Nm unit. With a 6/MT with i-stop, this engine needs just 4.5 litres per 100 km combined.

Transmission wise, Mazda promises double-clutch performance for the auto and a “light and crisp shift feel known from the MX-5″ for the manual. Both are six speeders, which is enough, really.

The CX-5 looks good and sounds impressive, especially the Skyactiv bits. Like what you see?

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CKD Volkswagen Passat 1.8 launching tomorrow?

November 22, 2011 at 10:50 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Volkswagen

Bernama has reported that the locally assembled CKD version of the Volkswagen Passat 1.8 will be launched tomorrow. The national news agency got the news from Group Managing Director of DRB-Hicom, Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil, after the opening of International College of Automotive (ICAM) yesterday.

The DRB boss told reporters that about 70 units of the Passat 1.8 model will be marketed initially. No price was given though, as they are still awaiting government’s approval.

This comes as a bit of a surprise, since Volkswagen Group Malaysia only recently launched the fully imported Passat in mid October, alongside fellow CBU models Jetta and CrossTouran. In CBU form, the D-segment Passat is powered by a 1.8-litre TSI engine with 160 PS and 250 Nm, paired to a 7-speed DSG ‘box.

Kit includes 17-inch alloys, bi-Xenon headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights, RCD 510 touch-screen, 6-disc CD changer / eight=speaker audio system and leather seats. Other items include cruise control, electric parking brake with auto-hold function and hill-hold control, PDC for the front and rear and a tyre pressure monitoring system. It is priced at RM184,888.

We’ll keep tabs, in the meantime you can read our review of the CBU Passat here.

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LRGP’s Eric Boullier: We have now a proper identity

November 22, 2011 at 10:30 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Lotus, Motorsports

The protracted Lotus vs Lotus naming row between Tony Fernandes and Group Lotus/Proton was settled earlier this month, with Group Lotus ending up with the ‘Lotus’ name in F1, and the present Team Lotus migrating to the Caterham name from next season.

This means a lot to Lotus Renault GP. “Massive, massive. Massive for many reasons. We have now a proper identity, we know who we are. We don’t have stories about Lotus, Renault, Genii, and how many shares, options, etc, – it is clear now,” said team boss Eric Boullier.

“It is clear, many, many sponsors who we were talking with, and which were planned for discussed in 2011, suspended, or even rejected the discussions because of this team name issue, so we can now restart the discussions and I have to say it is going in a very constructive way to make sure the future is done,” he added.

It’s no secret that the “new Lotus” under Dany Bahar’s leadership is placing motorsports and heritage as pillars for it to challenge the likes of Ferrari as a carmaker, which was why an F1 team racing with the ‘Lotus’ name but not under its control was an issue.

“The Lotus project is also much bigger, but something should be announced quite soon I hope and it is a nice way to secure our future with a new identity. It will change everything. Lotus brand, being the same family as Lotus Cars, is the same business model as Ferrari, the same business model as McLaren and it is completely legitimate to be in F1,” Boullier stressed.

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Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder – Topless RWD Fun

November 21, 2011 at 5:52 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Lamborghini

This is the latest bull from Sant’Agata Bolognese, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder. As the name suggests, this latest Gallardo variant comes with a 550 hp V10 engine, and the “-2″ stands for the two driven wheels, the rear ones. So this is a mid-engined RWD beast, the topless sister of the tin top LP550-2 Valentino Balboni.

“With the Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder, we are expanding the Lamborghini lineup with a purist model that adds yet another dimension of driving fun. This will appeal in particular to a very special group of customers that enjoy a spirited driving style and also like to experience the sheer pleasure of open-air driving. This special model with RWD is a logical expansion of our lineup of spyder models with AWD,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Lamborghini.

Lambo says that the LP550-2 Spyder is for those who “enjoys a particularly hands-on and spirited style of driving,” while assuring that the setup tuned to “ensure that the rear end remains reliable and stable at all times.” Playing angel and devil, Lambo further tells us that “controlled oversteer is not a problem, although always and only to the extent prescribed by the driver.”

Compared to the AWD Spyder, this one has a specific damper setting and adapted aerodynamics. The rear axle is fitted with a 45% locking differential. While the standard ESP program puts a priority on stability, Corsa mode allows larger drift angles and delivers a “highly intensive appreciation of the full dynamics of the LP550-2.” What colourful language!

The 1,520 kg LP550-2 does 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds on to a top speed of 319 km/h, and Lambo says there’s no problem doing it (we mean top speed runs) al fresco.

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VIDEO: Jennifer Lopez stars in Fiat 500C Gucci Edition ad

November 21, 2011 at 3:21 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Fiat, Videos

Finding a celebrity that embodies what one is selling is a tried and tested formula. It works like this: Perhaps if I spray on more Hugo Boss perfume, than I can be as suave as Ryan Reynolds. Or if she uses SK-II religiously, she’ll be as desirable as Gong Li when she’s 45. The Fiat 500C Gucci Edition is elegant, thinks its maker, so they have chosen Jennifer Lopez to endorse the small car.

“No matter where you’re from, elegance is hard work. It’s taking style, performance, and originality, and making them look easy,” says Jenny from the Block, who is seen driving an Empire State plated black Fiat around NYC.

The ad shows what’s special about this 500C – the Gucci badge on the tailgate, the brand’s famous green-red-green stripe on the folding fabric roof, the same stripe on the seatbelts and the Double G logo on the shifter. For girlfriends and wives, those are the equipment that count, not horsepower, torque or an extra cog.

I know what car I want, if I was a rich girl. Wait, that’s the wrong singer!

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Next Bike targets 300% sales growth for Ducati in Malaysia

November 21, 2011 at 2:39 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Bikes, Ducati, Local News

Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the sole importer and distributor of Ducati motorcycles in Malaysia, is looking at a 300% sales growth this year following good response for their latest model, the Ducati Monster 795. The latest Monster, aimed at Asia, had its world debut in Malaysia last month. The RM59,900 naked bike is powered by a 803 cc L-twin 2-valve per cylinder Desmodromic air cooled engine, producing 87 hp and 78 Nm.

More than 200 units of the Monster have been sold just one month after its launch, a huge jump from the 50 Monsters Next Bike sold last year. In 2010, they shifted 120 units of Ducatis, bringing the total amount of Ducatis sold in Malaysia to over 1,000 units. This figure is expected to rise sharply with the relatively affordable Monster 795.


EICMA 2011 debutant Ducati 1199 Panigale is open for booking, coming soon

“We have planned out a variety of programmes to help boost the sale of Ducati bikes and within the next 12 months, more exciting Ducati models are expected to be introduced. One of the models is the 1199 Panigale that was recently launched in EICMA Italy and we have already started taking bookings,” revealed Naza Group Joint Executive Chairman, Datuk Wira Hj SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin.

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