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Kimi Raikkonen makes Formula 1 return with Lotus

December 5, 2011 at 9:30 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports

By now you would have heard about the return of the Iceman to Formula 1. Yes, Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion, is back in the sport, after spending two years in the World Rally Championship. The former McLaren and Ferrari driver joins Lotus Renault GP, which will be just called Lotus next season.

The Finn has signed a two-year deal with Lotus, and will make it six world champions on the grid next year. Kimi, now 32, was also linked with a Williams race seat, but that one fell through. What’s for certain is that he misses F1 a lot, saying that “my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming.”

Lotus has not officially confirmed its other race seat, but for sure it will not be Robert Kubica, who is still recovering from his pre season rally crash. Will Vitaly Petrov, who has strong Russian financial backing, be Kimi’s teammate next year?

An interview with Raikkonen, provided by the team, is after the jump.
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2012 Toyota Land Cruiser’s brochure leaked online

December 2, 2011 at 4:25 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Toyota

What we have here is apparently a leaked brochure of the 2012 Land Cruiser from Toyota, which is supposed to enjoy a public release sometime next year. This brochure, which is in Japanese, indicate a new front bumper, modified grille as well as headlights with intergrated LED.

Also in the list are retsyled mirrors and an optional body kit which includes a front spoiler, side steps and a modified rear bumper. Work has been carried out in the interior as well and the update list includes a revised instrument cluster, a new steering wheel with wood accents and additional metallic trim.

Source

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Nissan’s new 2.5 liter hybrid unit to replace 3.5 liter V6?

December 2, 2011 at 3:17 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Nissan, Technology

Nissan has introduced a brand new hybrid drivetrain which is made up by a 2.5 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, an electric motor as well as a lithium-ion battery pack. The interesting bit is that the 2.5 four potter is supplemented by a twin-screw supercharger.

This helps the new system to produce almost similar horsepower and torque figures as the company’s VQ35 3.5 liter V6 unit. This means we are talking about approximately 260 hp and 338 Nm of torque. At the same time, fuel consumption is lower too, at least 10% lower with the continuously variable transmission. Engineers claim that the new system has plenty of low and mid-range torque.

This drivetrain will either be made available alongside the 3.5 liter V6 or it might replace it all together. It is expected to be introduced into the North American market by 2013 and many suggest that it could in the next-generation Nissan Altima.

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Castrol EDGE Car Club Performance Drive – 10 finalists enjoyed some twisty roads and the Gymkhana Challenge

December 2, 2011 at 10:20 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Local News

Castrol Malaysia has been actively promoting and working together with local car clubs ever since the Castrol EDGE Nurburgring Challenge was held in March earlier this year. The challenge which sent a winner to the “Green Hell” in Nurburgring was also supplemented by a contest specially designed for the car clubs.

This time around to mark the introduction of the new Castrol EDGE lubricant engineered with Titanium Fluid Strength Technology™, Castrol launched yet another contest for the local car clubs. Called the Castrol EDGE Car Club Contest, it required members of the clubs to send in creative images of themselves along with their beloved cars and a creative caption.

Contestants with the best and most creative images were then selected to take part in the Performance Drive event which was held on 12th November 2011. During the event which was participated by clubs including the NISMO Club, the Lancer GT Club, the Saga Club and so on, participants got the chance to drive along a specially designed route around the Klang Valley and Selangor.

The 4-hour drive which flagged off from the Kelab Golf Sultan Aziz Shah in Shah Alam was made up by a lot of windy roads around Jelebu and the hilly Hulu Langat area. During the drive, participants which had the new Castrol EDGE with Titanium Fluid Strength Technology™ in their engines got to experience the performance of the lubricant as they pushed their cars around the windy section at different altitudes.

This new lubricant is the most advanced and strongest from Castrol. The key ingredient to Castrol EDGE lubricant is the Titanium Fluid Strength Technology™, a new system that actively strengthens the oil. It is designed to continuously respond and adapt to the engine’s different requirements by minimizing metal-to-metal contact and maximizing engine performance.

The drive which also included some highway driving adjourned at the Tamarind Springs restaurant in Ampang for lunch. After charging up with some good food, the convoy which was led by a Nisssan Teana headed to the Shah Alam Stadium whereby a Gymkhana Challenge awaited the participants. At the challenge, participants had to drive around a set of cones as fast as possible with a manual Nissan Sentra in IMPUL trim, while trying to set the quickest time. The exercise was rather challenging and involved some reverse action too :)

As the Sun was disappearing into the horizon, members from the NISMO Club enjoyed a clean sweep of the podium with their top three quickest times. The event ended gracefully with a customary prize giving ceremony. The participants will now have to submit their respective reviews of the event and the most creative review will walk away with attractive prizes for their car clubs.

To find out more the all new Castrol EDGE with Titanium Fluid Strength Technology™, log on to the Castrol EDGE website and join their Facebook Page here. Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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Tokyo 2011: Subaru reveals the BRZ, looks familiar?

December 1, 2011 at 9:59 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Subaru

To many of us, the Toyota GT 86 Coupe is one of the most highly anticipated cars, this year at least. The sweet-looking coupe gave the AE 86 a new lease of life and should be in the bucket list of many around the world.

As you would have known, Subaru is also producing its version of the GT 86, called the BRZ which made its first public appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show. Just like the Toyota version, it is motivated by a four-cylinder 2.0 liter engine with 197 hp and 205 Nm of torque. There are subtle differences here and there, including different front bumpers.

At the same time, Subaru also revealed the Super GT Subaru BRZ race car which will compete in the GT300 class of the 2012 Super GT Series :) So which version you prefer? Toyota’s or Subaru’s?

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BMW and Toyota diesel engine supply deal officially inked

December 1, 2011 at 9:27 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News, Toyota

You have probably heard of some chatter about a possible partnership between BMW and Toyota in regards to environmentally-friendly technologies.

Well looks like there was substance behind the rumors after all and both companies have announced a collaborative effort today. A memorandum has been signed between the two auto brands which will see BMW supply Toyota’s European division with the company’s 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter diesel powerplants in 2014.

“It is a great joy and a thrill to enter into this mid-to-long-term collaborative relationship with BMW, a company with its own culture and history from its many years of car manufacturing in Europe, and a company that makes cars that are fun to drive. In the spirit of contributing to furthering the development of the auto industry and society, both companies will bring their wide-ranging knowledge-starting with that concerning environmental technologies-to the table and make ever-better cars,” said Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s president.

BMW’s Chairman of the Board of Management Norbert Reithofer said, “Toyota is the leading provider of environment-friendly series technology in the volume segment and the BMW Group is the most innovative and sustainable manufacturer of premium automobiles. We are now joining forces to further develop environment-friendly technologies and to expand our innovation leadership in each of our segments.”

“Supplying Toyota with our fuel efficient and dynamic diesel engines represents another important step in the planned expansion of our sales activities for engines and powertrain system,” he added. This deal is part of a memorandum which covers collaborative research into next generation environmental friendly technologies, such as lithium-ion battery technology.

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LIVE from Tokyo: Audi A1 Samurai Blue for the footie fans

December 1, 2011 at 1:24 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Audi, Cars, International News

Most people in Japan drive Japanese cars, but in trendy Tokyo, driving a Continental car is a status symbol and a way to stand out – even better if it’s a left hand drive unit! Now, here’s one even more rare specimen, a one-off model called the A1 Samurai Blue. Part of profits from this Japanese national football team edition car will go to a charity.

Based on the 122 hp 1.4 TFSI three-door hatch, the Samurai Blue is one for the hardcore Blue Samurai fan, and besides the unique paintjob, every customisable part of the A1 interior gets a matching job, from the plastic seatbacks and door cards to the base of the centre console and air con vent rings. Adidas is the kit sponsor for JFA, and their logo is peppered around the A1, too.

Too bad we’re too small a market for an “A1 Harimau Malaya edition”. Wait, that one will end up looking like Bumblebee!

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Tokyo 2011: Live photos of the Suzuki Regina concept

December 1, 2011 at 12:07 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, International News, Suzuki

We are reporting live from the Land of the Rising Sun and this is the Suzuki Regina concept which could point to a new global compact car from the Japanese brand. Little has been revealed about the car but we do know that it is powered by an 800cc petrol engine that is also turbocharged.

The small engine is paired to a continuously variable transmission or CVT and there is brake energy regeneration and an engine start/stop function. It weighs only 730 kg and has a drag coefficient at least 10% lower than that of current models in Suzuki’s line-up.

This allows the Regina to deliver a fuel economy reading of 3.76 liters per 100 km which is rather impressive. The concept which measures 3,500 mm long and 1,600 mm wide was produced using a new manufacturing process that helps reduce the number of parts required.

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Tokyo 2011: Toyota shows off the Fun-Vii concept

December 1, 2011 at 11:36 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, International News, Toyota

This is one of Toyota’s latest concept cars. Called the Fun-Vii, it is currently being presented at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and according to Toyota, the three-seater Fun-Vii “heralds a not-too-distant future where people, cars and society are linked”.

The interesting thing about this concept is the fact that you can alter the content that is displayed on both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. You can practically change the body colour of the vehicle and display messages on it!

The interior “mood” can be altered and it comes with features such as a navigation system that is displayed via augmented reality. Also in the list is a remote function, which allows most of the concept’s functions to be controlled remotely via a smart phone.

Other features include a network update system to ensure the latest software update is in place, the ability to connect with friends who are nearby and it can also detect other potentially hazardous vehicles such as vehicles in blind spots in advance. No information on the powertrain just yet, but it is likely electric-powered.

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LIVE from Tokyo: Nissan Juke Nismo Concept is no joke

December 1, 2011 at 11:25 am By Danny Tan Filed Under 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Cars, International News, Nissan

No GT-R engine here, but Nissan’s wacky Juke went through a Nismo transformation, and has emerged beefier in both looks and performance.

Besides the expected aesthetic treatment, the Juke Nismo gets a lowered and stiffened chassis, while the 1.6-litre direct injection turbo engine has been uprated to deliver more power, although no numbers were given.

Inside, there are changes to the steering wheel, pedals, gauges, shifter knob and door trims, while leather-trimmed bucket seats have been added. Also, the tachometer dial and needle are illuminated in red, and shiny surfaces have been given a matte finish. More details in our previous post.

Like or loathe, this is the sort of design boldness that has been lacking in Japanese cars, which are normally severely toned down for production. Hats off, but still not in love with that face, though.

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