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Proton Exora CFE – some details on the turbo mill surface

December 14, 2011 at 1:39 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton


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It’s just around the corner now, the introduction of the turbocharged Proton Exora Bold, and stuff on the vehicle is coming out of the woodwork faster than that in a leaky boat, it seems. Photos of the supposed Prime variant surfaced a few days ago, and now, what are very much presentation sheets containing engine details have come about, source unknown.


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As bandied about earlier, the performance specs for the CFE mill are 140 PS (or 138 hp) at 5,000 rpm and 205 Nm at 2,000 to 4,000 rpm, and there’s a graph that charts the torque curve of the mill, compared to the normally-aspirated CPS engine as well as a 2.0 litre NA engine. Another sheet offers a numerical output comparison against the CPS as well as two competitors, the Nissan Grand Livina 1.8 and Toyota Innova 2.0L.


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We’ve also finally managed to confirm that the CFE term denotes Charge Fuel Efficiency, and not the Charged Fuel Enhancement and Campro Fuel Efficient touted earlier. All been very confusing, but hopefully that’s that. Oh, and looks like someone’s been looking at too much Campro, it seems – ignore the “engine camparison” typo, if you will!

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Dodge Dart ‘Giulietta sedan’ – cabin teasers released

December 14, 2011 at 11:15 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Dodge, International News

Last week, we had a first look of the Dodge Dart, via zoomed in front and rear teasers. Now, Dodge has released first pics of the Dart’s interior, which the company says “sets a new standard for compact cars” and has the “interior spaciousness of a mid-sized sedan” with best-in-class hip and shoulder room.

By the way, the Dart is a compact sedan (for the US, it’s C segment) adapted from the sexy Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It’s scheduled for a world debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

From the info released, the Dart’s cabin sounds cool. You’ll find “materials and precision craftsmanship typically found in more expensive vehicle segments” and “thousands of ways to personalize the Dart”. They weren’t joking – there are 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, six wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions.

The image we see here is a “floating island bezel” that houses the 7-inch TFT customisable gauge cluster display with light pipe surround. There’s also the UConnect Touch 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia center – the largest touchscreen in its class.

The ambient lighting we see here isn’t just for photography, as the production car has glow on the door handles, map pockets, foot wells, glove box, storage bin and illuminated cup holders. Available “racetrack” lighting surrounds the floating island bezel.

Dodge is really taking the fight to the imports, and safety isn’t left out. Constructed with 68% high-strength steel, there are 10 standard airbags in the Dart, which is unsurpassed in the segment. It’s also the only car in its class to offer Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection.

Click here to view the previous teasers, and read more about the Dart.

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Next gen Mercedes-Benz SL leaked ahead of Detroit debut

December 14, 2011 at 10:29 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz, Spyshots

Mercedes-Benz will be giving its next generation SL a world debut at next year’s Detroit show, but what seems like official brochure images have already leaked out.

These black and white scans show the three pointed star’s big roadster wearing the brand’s new face, featuring the wide grille as seen on the new CLS. In fact, the front end of the new SL is very similar to that of the latest SLK, but with bigger headlamps.

The sleeker and longer body of the SL also has larger and more prominent side vents that become the main feature of the profile. Compared to today’s car, the new SL has longer wrap around rear lamps and a more sculpted rear end, but the shape remains familiar.

It has been reported that the new SL uses aluminium lightweight construction, saving 140 kg over the current steel bodied car. Engines will include a new naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 and a twin-turbo 4.6-litre V8.

The dashboard layout also mimics very closely the style set by today’s SLK. Retro look air vents flank a central screen, with the standard Mercedes stereo and A/C clusters sitting below.

The only difference I can spot is the different arrangement of the gear lever/Comand controls compared to the SLK. The SL’s plush looking chairs have Airscarf vents, too.

Do you prefer the looks of the current SL or this?

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Jalan Tun Razak flooded – be careful with your cars!

December 13, 2011 at 6:36 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars

If you’re still in the office and you work somewhere in downtown KL, you may wanna take this opportunity to stay back and finish up some work in the office instead.

Entire sections of Jalan Tun Razak is underwater near IJN, as you can see from the live images above.

Follow KL Traffic Update for the latest updates on the traffic situation in the Klang Valley.

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BYD-Daimler set to roll out electric concept at Beijing show

December 13, 2011 at 2:33 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under BYD, Cars, China, International News, Mercedes Benz

Last year, Daimler and China’s BYD started a 50:50 research and technology joint venture called “Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co Ltd” (BDNT) that will develop an electric vehicle in and for China. BDNT is now ready with its first concept, which will be shown at next year’s Beijing show in April.

The Beijing show will see BDNT showcase its green vision, the new brand’s identity, including brand name, logo and positioning as well as the Concept Car’s exterior and interior design. The production fully electric vehicle is scheduled to be launched a year later in 2013.

In fact, work on the production model has started. The Shenzhen-based JV is said to be making good progress, and work on building the first prototypes has started with the target to have them running by spring next year. The JV will use BYD’s battery tech and e-drive systems plus Daimler’s know-how in EV architecture and safety. BDNT says that Daimler’s quality philosophy has been incorporated from a very early stage.

Production of the new generation of compact to mid-size electric vehicles will be done with Daimler’s quality management experts and will “to a large extent” follow Daimler’s standardised production system for passenger cars. Supplier sourcing for the new vehicle is nearly completed.

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It’s on the way – Honda to debut NSX Concept in Detroit

December 13, 2011 at 1:42 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Following Honda boss’ Takanobu Ito’s confirmation that a new NSX is definitely on the cards, the company is taking the next step to bringing it a step closer to commercial reality – the upcoming North American International Auto Show next month will see the debut of the Acura NSX Concept, which Honda says will represent the styling direction for the next generation supercar.

No tech details as yet, like what the car will sport for a drivetrain, so we’ll have to wait and see how the next NSX – which is reported to be based on the company’s HSC-010GT race car – shapes up.

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BMW to launch new EV brand for Chinese market

December 13, 2011 at 12:16 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under BMW, Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News

BMW is set to create a new electric vehicle brand in China, together with local partner Brilliance Jinbei Automobile, according to a report. The creation of the brand is coming about in order to meet China’s joint-venture rules.

“We will have a new brand. It’s a legislative requirement,” BMW’s chief of sales and marketing Ian Robertson told Automotive News Europe, adding that the EVs destined for the Chinese market will utilise some of the electric powertrains that the company is developing.

According to Robertson, China is looking towards JV partnerships such as BMW-Brilliance to establish new EV brands, with an aim for the country to grow its exports.

“The Chinese auto market is the biggest in the world, but what they haven’t really got is an international brand with Chinese origin. I think there will be a requirement of globalisation of a Chinese brand. What’s happening is that we’re all encouraged to have more brands with a new technology element to it. If that technology is proven to be successful, then there’s an opportunity for that brand to grow and prosper,” he said.

No details were forthcoming on the models for China and their powertrains. Earlier in the year, BMW – in collaboration with Brilliance – debuted a concept plug-in hybrid 5-series at Auto Shanghai. The company plans to introduce its i3 EV in 2013 and its i8 plug-in hybrid in 2014 in China.

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Lexus’ Detroit 2012 concept previews new design direction

December 13, 2011 at 12:03 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Lexus

Time really flies, doesn’t it. Here we are at the end of 2011, with the major motor show circuit ending with the bi-annual Tokyo Motor Show. And to kick off 2012, major manufacturers will be crossing the Pacific to Detroit, USA, where the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) happens in January.

Designed by Calty, the company’s design studio in Newport Beach, California, the concept showcases the new design direction embraced by Lexus. Just this one image has been released so far, and it looks very sporty.

It looks like Toyota’s premium brand is increasingly taking the sporty route. Look at the latest GS, for instance. While German class rivals such as the BMW 5-Series have gone less sporty, more elegant with the F10, Lexus’ new exec takes over where the E60 left off. And if they continue to blend exterior sportiness with cabin craftsmanship and quality, like in the new GS, the path looks good.

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Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar signs new four-year contract

December 13, 2011 at 3:24 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Lotus, Proton

The word is out that Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus, has signed a fresh four-year contract following a meeting with parent company Proton last week. His original contract was due to expire next year. “The Proton dedication to our plans has always been solid, and the decision to extend my contract a year early is a signal of that commitment,” Bahar said.

The ex-Ferrari man came into Lotus back in October 2009. He then formulated an ambitious five-year business plan that was unveiled for the world to see at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. At the French capital, Lotus brought out a full range of sports cars that it will use to challenge the likes of Porsche. Besides the fantastic five, which ranged from the next Elise to a Aston Rapide style four-door, Lotus also has plans for a small city car called Ethos.

Of the lot, the first on the scene will be the new Esprit in 2013. Lotus is also planning to develop its own V6 and V8 engines for its future range.

To support the road car grand plans, Group Lotus is putting motorsports and racing heritage as a main pillar. This has seen it got into Formula 1 as a sponsor to Renault. The team will race next year as Lotus after a long battle with Tony Fernandes’ Team Lotus. The company also returned to Le Mans and is involved in IndyCar in America.

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Romain Grosjean named as Kimi’s team mate at Lotus

December 13, 2011 at 2:20 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports

Lotus Renault GP, which will race next season as ‘Lotus’ has named Romain Grosjean as Kimi Raikkonen’s teammate for the 2012 season. The 25-year old Frenchman beat 2011 drivers Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna to the coveted race seat. Grosjean isn’t a stranger to the team however – he was third driver at LRGP and drove in two practice sessions at Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

Besides the two brief moments behind the F1 wheel, 2011 saw Grosjean become the GP2 Series champion. His previous stint in F1 was with Renault during the second half of the 2009 season, partnering two-time champ Fernando Alonso. After losing his seat, he went to first World GT1 racing then GP2, where he took the Asia and main series titles this year.

“After Fernando Alonso it is Kimi Raikkonen, so I am getting used to having a world champion alongside me. I think it is a chance because they are really good drivers, [but] they are more than that. You can learn a lot from them but, on the other hand, your first benchmark is your team-mate so if you manage to get to their level then it is very good for you,” Grosjean said about being Kimi’s team mate.

However, he’s hinting that he may not be immediately trounced by the returning high profile Iceman. “From Kimi, I have plenty of things to learn for sure. He is a great champion and a very good driver, as everybody knows. But maybe I can teach him something about the Pirelli tyres that he never drove, except for the rally cars one. The F1 ones are a little bit different, and it will be a good deal for next year. I am sure we will get on well together and I will learn a lot from him, so let’s see.”

Conveniently, LRGP and Total, the French oil company, at the same time confirmed that they have renewed their sponsorship agreement for another year.

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