Remember Sixshot, that Transformers robot which could transform into 6 different forms? When I saw this video, I was reminded of him. Here’s another Nissan ad, promoting it’s trucks’ offroading capabilities. I like the 3D. Click here to read the rest of Nissan Offroad Ad Video
Together with the road-going version of the Honda Civic Type R, Honda is also launching a special track use only version of the Civic Type R, developed together with Italy’s JAS Motorsport. The JAS Motorsport Honda Civic Type R complies with the FIA’s GrN, GrA and GrR specifications and is expected to be available from Spring 2007.
This special track Honda Civic Type R’s K20 powerplant produces over 200 horsepower updated with re-profiled camshafts as well as strengthened components like a reinforced driveshaft, and an advanced LSD with adjustable preload forces. Other components like suspension, springs, brakes and shocks have been replaced with race-grade components. The gearbox has gone from a 6-speed manual to a 6-speed sequential manual. Interior upgrades include a rollcage, a carbon fiber dash, door panels and floor panels. Click here to read the rest of JAS Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R
Remember the Fiat Sedici? It’s Fiat’s version of the Suzuki SX4, in 4X4 form as the SX4 in the Suzuki stables is available both in hatchback and crossover four wheel drive form. The Fiat Sedici recently won the an award in the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2007 Competition, pwning competitors like the Daihatsu Terios 1.5, the Kia Magentis 2.0 CRDi GS Manual, the Nissan Note 1.6 SVE and the Vauxhall Meriva Active 1.3 CDTi.
According to Caravan Club: “One of the great surprises in this years Competition, the Sedicis one of those cars you want to drive enthusiastically, and it pays off. The Fiat stormed up the test tracks long 14% gradient in the third of its six gears, braked nicely and handled a 17% stop and restart with no problem. Rear end styling makes the Sedici a useful load carrier – the test car took the whole of our typical load with all seats available. Operating costs are reasonable given the added complication of 4×4 transmission.”
The Fiat Sedici comes in either a petrol or turbodiesel engine - a 107bhp 1.6 liter petrol and a 120bhp 1.9 MultiJet turbodiesel, mated to a 5 or 6 speed gearbox respectively.
More details on the Fiat Sedici by clicking here.
Been a long time since I’ve posted videos here. Following the standard car video concept of “hot chick checks out car driving by in deserted volcanic or forest area” (which Proton also used for the Satria Neo TVC), this is Toyota’s video showing off the Toyota Auris Space Concept. The Toyota Auris Concept gives us a preview on Toyota’s next generation European hatchback, which will replace the current Toyota Corolla hatch. More details on the Toyota Auris here. Check out the video after the jump. Click here to read the rest of Toyota Auris Concept Video
What’s this then, a mini Chrysler PT Cruiser? Daihatsu introduced the 2007 Daihatsu Materia at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, a little boxy mini-MPV-like wagon vehicle which is also known as the Daihatsu Coo or the Toyota bB in other parts of the world. The bB Concept was introduced as a preview to the successor to the Scion xB, a popular wagon sold in the US under Toyota’s Scion arm. While it might look terribly boxy and Gundam-ish to us, the Scion xB has proven to be quite popular in the US.
While the first generation Scion xB used Toyota’s 2NZ-FE 1.3 liter and 1NZ-FE 1.5 liter, power for this successor comes from either a 1.3 liter K3-VE engine, or a 1.5 liter 3SZ-VE, the same Daihatsu-based engines being offered in our local Toyota Avanza. This shows Toyota is moving towards using Daihatsu engines for it’s low displacement models across the board, whether the model is Daihatsu or Toyota originated.
Some models of the Daihatsu Coo in Japan has four wheel drive options, but it’s not clear to me right now whether the European Daihatsu Materia will have 4WD or not. Daihatsu expects to build about 1,000 units per month. Click here to read the rest of 2007 Daihatsu Materia
Yet another Kia display at the 2006 Paris Motor Show was the new 2007 Kia Magentis, with an entirely new platform different from the previous model. The new Kia Magentis based on the same platform as the Sonata NF, except for some differences like different suspension systems - the Sonata NF uses double wishbones while the Magentis uses McPherson struts and multi-link at the rear.
This particular model shown is a turbodiesel model, which can be identified by the CRDi badge on the boot - a 2.0 liter CRDi with a Variable Geometry Turbocharger, similiar to the one found in the Porsche 911 Turbo. Of course, VGT has been around in turbodiesels for quite some time already. Performance stats are 138hp at 4,000rpm and 305Nm of torque between 1,800rpm to 2,500rpm. The turbodiesel is also equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter for better emissions. If you prefer petrol, the UK market has a 2.0 I4 CVVT and 2.7 liter V6, but in other markets there is also a 2.4 liter I4 CVVT. Click here to read the rest of 2006 Paris Motor Show: 2007 Kia Magentis
Here are some photos of the new 2007 Honda CR-V in the flesh, on display at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, snapped by Ben Corley. Not many photos in this set, there are only three, so sorry for that! For more details on the 2007 Honda CR-V, check out my previous post here. Two more photos after the jump, for a total of 3 with enlarged versions available. Click here to read the rest of 2006 Paris Motor Show: 2007 Honda CR-V
Here are some live shots of Kia’s sporty 3-door hatch, the Kia pro_cee’d, based on it’s new range of cee’d European cars. More photos after the jump, with enlarged versions thanks to contributor Ben Corley. For more details on the Kia pro_cee’d, refer here. Click here to read the rest of 2006 Paris Motor Show: Kia pro_cee’d
German specialist automaker Funke & Will has updated their Yes! roadster, a hand-built Lotus Elise competitor with a new engine - Audi’s 3.2 liter V6 engine.
There are 2 options for the 3.2 liter V6 - in normally aspirated form or turbocharged form. In normally aspirated form, you get stock figures of 250hp, but when forced induction is added to the mix, power goes up to 355hp and 488Nm of torque! This power together with the roadster’s light weight of 997kg results in a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.6 seconds. For those hungry for more power, there is an additional boost kit upgrade which brings power up to 385hp.
Prices for the Yes! Roadster start at US$72,000, which is actually far from the Elise price range - the base Elise only costs US$42,990. While the car is already light, there is an even more stripped down version called the Yes! Cup/R for track enthusiasts. Click here to read the rest of Funke & Will Yes! Roadster
As previous shots have indicated, the new 2007 Toyota Camry has been due on our local shores for quite some time now, and today UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has finally launched it, the 4th generation Toyota Camry. And this time, unlike it’s previous 3 incarnations, it is a fully imported CBU model from Thailand. Toyota has decided to take advantage of AFTA rates and import Camrys from Thailand instead of assembling them here, as part of it’s production rationalisation plan for the ASEAN market.
We’ve actually had a hint that the new Camry will be a CBU, previously spyshots have been available of the new Camry in port holding areas, now why would a fully built up Toyota Camry be sitting in a port if it were not fully imported from overseas?
More details and photos after the jump. Click here to read the rest of 2007 Toyota Camry CBU launched in Malaysia
