Gong Xi Fa Cai

Advertisement

Petronas Syntium Team on the verge of fourth consecutive Super Taikyu championship title, aiming for win at Motegi

November 21, 2011 at 12:39 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under BMW, Motorsports

We haven’t really followed Petronas Syntium Team’s progress in Japan, but nothing has changed apparently – they are still dominating the championship! Fresh from a 1-2 finish at the previous round of the 2011 Super Taikyu Series, PST is looking to repeat the same result in the next leg and clinch its fourth consecutive Super Taikyu championship.

To be held on the Twin Ring Motegi Super Speed Way and International Circuit, it will be an intensive weekend as two rounds of the Super Taikyu will happen, due to a postponement of an earlier round when the earthquake/tsunami disaster struck. Drivers will first compete in Round 5 in the Motegi Super Taikyu Oval Battle (two races of 50 laps each) across the 1.5-mile Motegi Super Speed Way. Next up is the Motegi Super Taikyu Final with a 300 km endurance race on the 4.8 km Motegi road course.

Having secured four wins in the ST-1 Class this season, PST’s BMW Z4M Coupe (Car No.1) is looking good to seal the championship title should things go according to plan. Helmed by the winning combination of renowned Japanese drivers Masataka Yanagida and Nobuteru Taniguchi, as well as PST-homegrown driver Dominic Ang, they are sure to get a good fight from teammates in the sister Z4M (Car No.28).

“The team has worked hard to come this far and we are con dent of securing the 2011 title, achieving our fourth Super Taikyu championship title. I am very proud of the drivers and the crew from PST and there is nothing sweeter than success after all that hard work and great effort,” said Team Principal David Wong.

5 Comments      

Volkswagen eT! is the delivery man’s perfect partner

November 21, 2011 at 11:48 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

Here’s a research vehicle from Volkswagen that’s not going to make production soon, belonging more to an 80s TV series. They’ve done cabs before, but this time it’s a light commercial van. The eT! is the fruit of a think tank on future transport and mobility issues by VW, Deutsche Post AG (Germany’s Pos Malaysia) and University of Art at Braunschweig, with support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

“We analysed process flows and customer needs in detail, and from these analyses we derived ideas on how the segment of delivery and courier vehicles could be further developed over the long term. In this context, we focused on zero-emissions driving and available space in urban areas, semiautomatic driving functions that offer relevant support and simplify work processes and the integration of new communication technologies,” said Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Director of Volkswagen Group Research.

The eT!’s wheel hub electric motors mean that space for cargo is optimised and it’s better at manoeuvering the narrow European city streets. And to make the life of courier drivers simpler, the eT! can be operated semiautomatically in certain situations. For instance, the van can follow the delivery man from house to house (“Follow me”), or return to the delivery person on command (“Come to me”), instead of him hopping in and out the vehicle for a string of short distance deliveries. Like a good dog!

Or, the driver can direct the car’s movements via a “drive stick” from the passenger’s side that also offers a standing seat and quick access to the vehicle. This makes sense because the passenger’s side in Europe is the side that faces the sidewalk and is therefore the working side of the delivery person – no more walking around the vehicle. There’s also an electrically opening sliding door that opens to 2 different stages.

And let’s not forget that the eT! is a zero emissions EV which doesn’t add to city pollution. VW says that the eT! will now be put in a driving test study and further analysed.

13 Comments      


Next gen Volvo XC90 sketches surface with new face

November 21, 2011 at 9:31 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volvo

Here are some sketches of the next generation Volvo XC90, as shown to Car and Driver magazine prior to the LA Show. These images are likely to be design proposals for Volvo’s big SUV, which has been around since 2002. A replacement for the successful original is overdue, and the next gen car, said to be planned for 2014, could look like this.

The main pic you see above shows a face that’s not too dissimilar with the one Volvo’s Concept Universe wears, hinting that this could be the new face of the brand. The other rear three quarter sketches show various profiles, rear designs and tail lamps, among other elements. One looks like a bigger XC60, another has a C30 style rear, but I like the one with the boomerang tail lamps the most.

The folks at C/D also revealed that the next XC90 will sit on a so called Scalable Platform Architecture, and the whole range will be exclusively powered by four-cylinder engines, in line with the downsizing movement. Needless to say, the four-pot mills will have direct injection and force induction, with varying outputs.

2014 is very far away, though, and the current XC90 will have to soldier on as old lady in a class of prettier, younger things.

6 Comments      

New 2011 Toyota Avanza facelift unveiled in Indonesia

November 21, 2011 at 2:13 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Toyota

Toyota has updated the Toyota Avanza in Indonesia with a new major facelift for the 2011 model year which includes a revised exterior and interior. From the image above you can see the Avanza has a new front end with sportier headlamps.

The interior has been updated with redesigned aircond vents, a new instrument panel, a new steering wheel design and various other changes.

There’s also a new variant with a different bodykit called the Toyota Avanza Veloz, marketed as a higher end model.

138 Comments      

Kia Optima CBU shipment sighted at Port Klang!

November 20, 2011 at 5:49 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Kia

A CBU shipment of the Kia Optima has been spotted at a port in Port Klang by reader S. Blaze a few days ago. This is good news for Malaysians as it means the Optima should be launching soon. We’ve already seen the Optima being tested by JPJ.

There doesn’t seem to be any indications of the engine though, as we could not find any badging indicating engine size on the rear end – just a sole badge that says Optima. Anthony Lim tried out the 198hp 2.4 liter GDI model in Australia earlier this year, but it seems we won’t be getting that engine because of issues with our petrol quality.

The 2.4 liter GDI model that Anthony drove also featured dual tailpipes while this batch of Optima only sports a single tailpipe. Everything else looks decently specced though – fancy wheels, LED daytime running lights, projector headlamps, and leather seats. The protection on the roof might also be hiding a panoramic sunroof – that would be nice!

214 Comments      

Nissan Pathfinder spotted in Gardens Mall parking lot

November 19, 2011 at 9:34 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Nissan

We managed to sight this Nissan Pathfinder in the Gardens Mall parking lot earlier today. For those who don’t know what the Pathfinder is – it’s essentially a ladder frame chassis SUV based on the Nissan Navara, much like how the Pajero Sport and the Fortuner are derived from the Triton and the Hilux respectively.

This is most likely a grey car – we’ve seen the Pathfinder advertised by grey importers before for about RM130k. An official Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) imported Pathfinder with the same powerful engine you’ll find in the Navara would be a very interesting alternative to the Pajero Sport/Fortuner, but the volume of that segment might be too small to interest ETCM. We haven’t seen a car in this class from ETCM since the Terrano.

62 Comments      

Audi A1 Sportback – enter the five-door variant

November 18, 2011 at 5:01 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Audi, Cars, International News

Audi has announced that the five-door version of the A1, which is called the Sportback, will be introduced early next year. The car is the same length as its three-door sibling, but is 6 mm wider and several millimetres taller, at 1.75 metres and 1.42 metres respectively, and as such offers more space in the rear seats.

The A1 Sportback seats four, but a fifth seat is available on request, at no extra charge. Headroom and shoulder room have each been increased by about 10 mm compared with its three-door sister model. The car offers a boot capacity of 270 litres, and folding down the split rear seat increases this to 920 litres.

Buyers will be able to choose from three TFSI gasoline and three TDI diesel engines producing between 86 hp and 185 hp. A choice of five-speed or six-speed manual transmissions are available, depending on the engine, and the seven-speed S tronic is available as an option with the 122 hp 1.4 TFSI and 90 hp 1.6 TDI, and as standard with the range topping 185 hp 1.4 TFSI model.

Aside from a variety of interior trim choices, there are 12 exterior finishes to pick from, including a new shade called Samoa Orange, which is exclusive to the A1 Sportback. A S line exterior package is available as an option. Upon request, Audi can paint the roof line – the roof arch, the roof and the roof spoiler – in one of three contrasting colours.

Features include xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights, a high-beam assistant, a light and rain sensor, panoramic sunroof, the convenience key, the alarm system, two different parking system versions and cruise control, to name a few.

As for wheel choices, it starts from 15-inches right up to optional 18-inch alloys from quattro, with a new 17-inch seven-spoke design exclusive to the Sportback.

14 Comments      

Audi R8 LMS Ultra to replace R8 LMS GT3 in 2012

November 18, 2011 at 4:20 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Audi, International News, Motorsports

Next year, Audi will be replacing the successful R8 LMS GT3 race car with a new version, the R8 LMS Ultra, which will feature a host of technical developments, including an updated transmission and a new exhaust system equipped with race catalytic converters to help improve the engine’s characteristics. The 5.2 litre V10 mill on the Ultra, which delivers 570 hp, will as such be able to draw even higher torque at lower engine speeds.

Also, the cooling system has been revised – in addition to a larger engine oil cooler and transmission fluid cooler, an oil cooler for the steering hydraulics that used to be installed at the front is now located in the vehicle’s mid-section, and the Ultra will feature enlarged air vents for the cooling system for improved thermal management. Additionally, the air supply to the radiator at the front of the vehicle has been improved, as has interior ventilation.

The chassis has also been updated, in several steps. At the front 12-inch, instead of 11-inch, wheels are now used, and the car will wear wider 30-65/18 Michelin tyres, which will allow more consistent lap times to be achieved.

Optimised brake cooling at the front wheels improves the durability of the braking system, and instead of the previous silent rubber mounts, the transverse control arm mounts will now feature uniball joints. Weight-reduced compression and rebound-adjustable gas dampers with optimised characteristics from partner Bilstein complete the chassis package.

Aerodynamic improvements round off the changes for 2012. The front hood has been widened and now optionally provided with louvres, subject to permission by the homologation rules for the various racing series.

A new wider rear wing is also on, and now features larger end plates – it’s also been repositioned to get maximum downforce and minimised aerodynamic drag, with the improved air flow and larger effective area increasing downforce on the rear axle. Finally, there’s a new front plate, with optimised diffusion under the front end, to ensure perfect aerodynamic balance.

From next year, all new R8 race cars will be equipped with this evolution stage pack, and for existing vehicles, quattro will offer conversions to the 2012 evolution stage. Deliveries of the R8 LMS Ultra are set to begin in March.

2 Comments      

China to introduce tighter rules for new automakers

November 18, 2011 at 3:53 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, China, International News

China is set to introduce new standardised rules for companies applying to start a car-making business in the country, in what looks like a bid to limit new entrants as sales begin to slow in the world’s number one automotive market.

According to reports, the rules – which are aimed at advancing industry reorganisation – state that these companies must meet certain criteria, including scale of production and development capacity, though no specific figures were mentioned. The country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on a statement on its website that the rules will take effect from January 1.

There are already more than 100 automaking companies in China, but that hasn’t stopped new players from attempting to get into the game – companies such as Pang Da Automobile, an auto dealer group, for example, have tried to expand into car production.

The reports add that auto sales growth in China will probably slow to less than 5% in 2011 after surging 46% and 32% respectively in the last two years, since the government has phased out purchase incentives, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Nonetheless, the combined sales targets of China’s largest automakers may exceed total demand by as much as 32% by 2015, with companies continuing to add capacity by investing in new plants, according to Bloomberg-compiled data.

In related news, other reports say that China is expected to begin an incremental push toward stricter auto emissions standards starting from next year and is also set to adopt fuel efficiency guidelines on par with those in industrialised countries by as early as 2015.

Leave a Comment      

Nissan Juke-R – more images of the 480 hp beast

November 18, 2011 at 2:50 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan

Nissan has released more images of the Juke-R, which is set to begin official testing later this month.The 480 hp vehicle was officially introduced by Nissan Europe in October as a special, road legal concept car, of which two versions will be built – one in left-hand-drive and one in right-hand-drive.

The urban rebel crossover, as the company tags it, wears a VR38DETT mill from the GT-R as well as the latter’s six-speed transaxle, with a modified four-wheel drive GT-R driveline and propshaft linking things together.

Exterior design cues include 20-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels, a dynamic split rear wing and twin pentagonal exhausts, which emit the GT-R’s evocative engine note, while the interior features a motorcycle-inspired console at the centre of a modified interior cabin fitted out with twin race seats, five-point harnesses and a race-spec roll cage, among others.

34 Comments