This is very interesting. Gwen Stefani has done wonders with her Harajuku style L.A.M.B. fashion label which interestingly combines elements of Goth, lace and Japanese-ness. It just has a secret ingredient which car manufacturers like Mitsubishi call “J Cool”, short for Japanese Cool.
To target young buyers, Honda’s product planners are studying what makes Gwen’s work tick - how she successfully injected Japanese culture into her products and made them so desirable to young American buyers who seem to embrace everything Japanese with open arms.
We’ll probably see “Haraju-cars” on the road soon by Honda.
February 9, 2006 @ 8:52 pm
· Filed under Cars, Concepts
This is the Peugeot Macarena, a convertible version of the four-door sedan Peugeot 407 built by French coach-builder Heuliez. Heuliez also supplies the roof for the Peuget 206CC coupe-convertible.
Here are somemore details on the upcoming new Audi R8 supercar, based on the Le Mans concept above. A quick recap, the car is supposed to come in 2 variants, one with an entry-level high-revving 4.2 V8 making 415hp and 430Nm of torque. The top of the line version features a 5 liter V10 from the Lamborghini Gallardo twin-turbocharged to make 610hp and 745Nm of torque.
Honda will showcase a concept model of the new Honda Civic Type R at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. AutoExpress says contrary to speculation, the Civic Type R will not have a new 2.2 liter engine. The powerplant will remain the same 2.0 liter i-VTEC high-revving monster dishing out aural orgasms wherever it goes, as long as you keep the revs high.
AutoExpress says the hot hatchback will typically take on similiar bodykits to the Mugen Civic Dominator, but in hatchback form so it’s all good. The concept will not be a production model, but you will be able to have a glimpse of the final bodykit which will be slapped on the mean high-revving machine.
February 9, 2006 @ 2:37 pm
· Filed under Audi, Cars, Rumours
Audi already has plans to add a premium SUV smaller than it’s recently launched Audi Q7 called the Audi Q5 to it’s line of new SUVs. The Audi Q5 will compete directly with the BMW X3 and will be based on the A4 sedan’s chassis.
Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff has brought the case of his controversial termination as the CEO of Proton to the Jabatan Perhubungan Perusahaan (IRD) of the Ministry of Human Resources. Tengku Mahaleel is seeking damages, and bonus for his termination but there was no indication as to how much he was seeking.
Sources are of the opinion that Proton will choose to settle out of court to reduce negative publicity surrounding this ‘high profile case’.
February 9, 2006 @ 2:40 am
· Filed under Cars, Honda
Whenever I look at the Honda Accord Euro I can just hear it sing out “Don’t you wish your Accord was hot like me?” to me. It’s just so hot. Our Honda Accord is actually known as the Honda Inspire in Japan, but the bigger Accords are always chosen because it suits our Malaysian market tastes. This is the real 2006 Honda Accord, which has just gone through a facelift.
Proton Cars UK has been doing quite well and is on track for a successful 2006. Proton sales in the Uk is up by 82% in a market which is down overall by 13%. Proton GEN-2 sales are up by 80% in January 2006.
The Proton Savvy is also doing pretty well, and reports are that demand is more than supply. Proton UK tripled it’s sales forecasts for 2006 and expects the Proton Savvy to account for 50% of all new Protons sold in the UK for 2006.
CAP Motor Research, UK has valued the Proton Savvy’s 2nd hand residual value at 34% of the sticker price after 3 years or 60,000 miles. Does anyone know if this is good or bad by UK standards?
You’ve heard of carbon fibre bonnets, roofs, and even sports rims, but have you heard of carbon fibre tyres? Goodyear announced it’s new Goodyear Eagle with ResponsEdge Technology which will begin to be available in May 2006.
Toyota will be joining the NASCAR Nextup Cup series with it’s Toyota Camry. I suppose this will give some inspiration to whoever that owns a Camry and is getting tired of it’s looks. Heh. Toyota already has a vehicle in the NASCAR race, but it’s a Toyota Tundra pick-up truck. The NASCAR Camry looks seriously weird to me.
Proton Cars UK has been doing quite well and is on track for a successful 2006. Proton sales in the Uk is up by 82% in a market which is down overall by 13%. Proton GEN-2 sales are up by 80% in January 2006. 
