KIA will be unveiling it’s new 2007 Kia Carens 7-seater MPVat the 2006 Salon International del Automovil de Madrid (Madrid International Auto Salon) from May 25 2006 onwards. Click here to read the rest of 2007 Kia Carens Preview
Business Times reports that Mahindra & Mahindra is in talks with Proton for a possible manufacturing and marketing alliance which may involve a strategic stake transfer.
Rumours are that Proton would assemble the Mahindra Scorpio and the Mahindra Bolero for the Malaysian market. There are also options open for a joint venture between Mahindra and Proton like India’s Mahindra Renault, which assembles and markets Renault’s Logan passanger car, which is sort of like Renault’s Proton Iswara.
Is this the strategic partner that’s to be announced by the end of month or is this a new development? The Business Times source did not quote any official statement from either of Proton or Mahindra, and Mahindra officials refused to comment on the development upon contact so this might just be a rumour.
Hyundai showcased it’s next generation year 2007 Hyundai Elantra at the 2007 New York Auto Show this week. The new 2007 Hyundai Elantra is wider, taller, and looks nothing like it’s butt-ugly predecessor. Hyundai says it beats the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in terms of interior room. More details on this latest offering by the Korean company after the jump.
The Proton Vendors Association (PVA) are moving towards consolidation as part of efforts to increase competitiveness, increase economies of scale and reduce wastage as well as optimum utilisation of investment.
Currently over 260 vendors supply parts and components to Proton, and 150-160 are PVA members.
Apparently there is currently about 20-30% wastage because of flaws in design with the component manufacturing, specially with components which involve metal stamping. Even with 20-30% rejected, somehow bad QC components still make it to the production line. It’s hoped that with consolidation, it would be easier for vendors to meet QC standards.
Proton managing director Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir said Proton would be forced to terminate the contracts of vendors which fail quality standards consistently.
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be a race car driver? This video will allow you to have a glimpse of what it’s like in the cockpit of a racecar during a race. This is a BMW STW race car driven by Rolf Van Os in the Dutch Supercar Series. It was built by BMW Motorsports and it’s normally aspirated engine puts out 280 horsepower.
You might be wondering what the high pitch whining noise is. According to the driver of the car (correspondence via e-mail) Rolf Van Os, that is the sound of the straight cut “dog box” gearbox spinning. Normal gears are curved so they do not make alot of noise. There is also some noise from the differential that is mounted without rubbers.
BTW, It’s pretty neat that Rolf’s surname Van Os sound so similiar to BMW’s Vanos. 
Thanks to Geert Pick for the pointer to the video. The video is about 7 minutes long.
Click here to read the rest of BMW STW 2.0 Race Car putting out 280 horsepower
Tata Sons Executive Director Alan Rosling says Tata Motor is looking at various markets including Malaysia and is likely to set up an assembly line in Malaysia to assemble Tata passanger vehicles like the Tata Indica here in Malaysia.
Tata Motors is in talks with DRB Hicom which are already assembling Tata commercial vehicles here in Malaysia.
The Tata Indica is a small city-going hatchback that has enjoyed success including a partnership with Rover where Rover rebadges the Tata Incida under a Rover badge. It’s a 995kg car available with a 1.4 liter turbodiesel or a 1.4 liter petrol engine.
Nissan Motor’s CEO Carlos Ghosn has announced that the next generation Skyline R35 will be marketed in the US market as a Nissan. It will be called the Nissan GT-R. The production version of this hot new continuation of the Skyline legacy will make it’s debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, with the Japanese market launch scheduled for Fall 2007. The Nissan GT-R will go on sale in the US in Spring 2008.
To me, this is a good move as it allows Nissan to focus on the Nissan GT-R as a proper sports car, not a luxury sports car as it would have been if it was marketed under the Infiniti badge. Previously, it was said that the new car would be marketed under the Infiniti badge instead of a Nissan badge. Toyota is going the other way with it’s replacement for the Toyota Supra in it’s model line-up. It will be marketed under the Lexus badge as the Lexus LF-H. Where’s Honda with it’s NSX replacement?
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Nissan Skyline GT-R Proto (alot more photos)
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Nissan GT-R Proto Art
The Fiat Sedici marks Fiat’s return to the world of 4X4. It is a compact 4X4, with crossover looks. It’s the official car for the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games and was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaros Italdesign company. Click here to read the rest of 2006 Fiat Sedici
Reader Mun Wai sent in these spyshots of a convoy of Proton vehicles. There were a few Proton Savvys escorting a Proton Satria Replacement Model. From this photo, you can have a look at the size comparison between a Proton Savvy and a Satria Replacement Model. You’ll also notice a very nice white Proton Savvy. I wonder if Proton will be offering this new colour soon?
This is a left-hand drive Proton Savvy being tested on the same roads. Could Proton be testing for the left-hand drive China market? Or perhaps the US market. I think the previous is more likely.
I bet you didn’t know the Renault Formula 1 car’s engine has a fuel consumption of 70 liters per 100km. I don’t think this is the latest V8 engine, as the video’s dated back to 2004. Nevertheless I think it’s a good watch. Check out the colour of the exhaust manifold.
