Hyundai has released details on it’s Hyundai Concept Genesis, due to be revealed at the New York International Auto Show on April 4th 2007. Hyundai’s newly developed Tau DOHC 32-valve V8 powers this sedan. Front-rear weight distribution is respectable at 53:47. The 4.6 liter Tau V8 is mated to a 6-speed ZF automatic transmission with manual shifting, delivering over 300 horsepower to the rear wheels, launching the Concept Genesis from 0 to 100km/h in under 6 seconds.

Other than a good front-rear weight distribution, handling is further enhanced with a front five-link suspension featuring upper and lower arms linking the front wheels to the chassis. This arrangement creates a virtual king pin axis which reduces unwanted steering wheel kickback, improving feel and responsiveness. The rear also uses a five-link independent setup.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Hyundai Concept Genesis details unveiled

This photoshopped image is by Kevin Lee, his take on a new “Proton Putra Neo”. The Proton Putra 1.8EXi is commonly thought of as the best car Proton ever made, however it lived a short lifespan. In 2004, Proton resurrected the Putra, selling lower-spec models in black only to a few customers, but sales stopped again soon after.

Volvo shares something in common with Audi, the fact that their stationwagon models usually garner more excitement than the sedan models, or at least that was the norm sometime in the past. Things might have changed somewhat now.

The Volvo V50, like other stationwagons in it’s class (3 Touring?) is a somewhat peculiar offering. A stationwagon usually means utility and lots of space, however C-segment vehicles are usually too compact to have the word spacious associated with them.

Read my report on the Volvo V50 T5, courtesy of Volvo Malaysia, after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Volvo V50 T5 Test Drive Report

We have good news and a small piece of bad news. Low-sulphur fuel will be available in April onwards without any price increases. The new low-sulphur fuel would have 0.05 percent sulphur content, complying with Euro II fuel standards, down from 0.15 percent in petrol and 0.3 percent in diesel.

“My view is that oil companies should be able to absorb any extra cost in coming out with lower sulphur fuel. They are multinationals which are already meeting certain international standards for the European Union and other advanced countries, so now that we want to introduce this fuel here, they should be ready to provide it,” said Department of Environment director-general Datuk Rosnani Ibrahim.

Rosnani further adds that Euro IV will be implemented in four years time in 2011, but that will most likely come with a price adjustment. Of course, who knows how many times fuel prices would have been raised in four years time, what’s another price hike?

So we’re not looking at a fuel price hike come 1st April 2007, but we won’t be seeing any reduction in prices either. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says the government cannot reduce prices even though oil barrel prices have gone down because the global crude oil price is still unstable.

Related Posts:
Analyzing fuel quality in Malaysia - 3 out of 6 already Euro II compliant for petrol!
Government sets new Euro II standard for fuel

Source

[UPDATE #2: The Nissan Latio is now available for booking in Edaran Tan Chong Motor showrooms nationwide. Click here for more details like prices, specs, etc.]

Here’s another shot of the Nissan Latio sedan, sent in by reader Zuzrin. The Nissan Latio sedan was spotted going on rounds along Jalan Kepong towards the MRR2. It has all it’s emblems and logos, including wheel caps removed.

So, when are we going to see it in the showrooms?

[UPDATE: The Nissan Latio will be launched in Malaysia sometime at the end of June 2006. Keep your fingers crossed and your money in the bank before parting with your cash on a new car in the RM80k to RM110k range and wait to see if the new Latio is a worthy choice. Click here for more details!]

Related Posts:
Nissan Latio sedan and hatch spotted in Genting
Tan Chong’s plan for Nissan in 2006

The car in the image above is the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, an aerodynamic sports car powered by a 6.3 liter twin turbo V8 with 1,183 horsepower on the tap at 6950 rpm - more than the Bugatti Veyron. Torque is a gut twisting 1302Nm at 6,150 rpm.

Let’s put that much torque into context in a real world situation here - test driver Rick Doria said he experienced wheelspin at speeds of 305km/h. What’s amazing is these figures are obtainable using RON92 fuel, which the engine based on a Chevrolet motor was designed to use.

SSC wants to beat the Bugatti Veyron’s current top speed record of 407km/h. The car’s aerodynamic body, which was wind tunnel engineered and tested to be stable at speeds of up to 439km/h, managed to hit 370km/h in it’s most recent test. The test location had only 2 miles of usable road, and at the 370km/h record, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT was only in 6th gear at 56% throttle.

A new test at a location with more suitable conditions is planned, so let’s see if the SSC team manages to achieve a new speed record.

LMG Edaran (M) Sdn Bhd has started selling the LMG Shuttle 7-seater SUV, the third of it’s new models, joining the previous Tourer and Trekker models unveiled last year. It is powered by a 2.4 liter Mitsubishi engine, likely the same one powering both the Trekker and the Tourer: a 4G64 2.4 liter SOHC engine producing 147hp and 214Nm of torque.

Like it’s other two models, it is a rebadged Dadi (shown above is a Dad Shuttle), a Chinese marque which offers mainly SUV and pick-up truck vehicles. The LMG/Dadi Shuttle’s styling reminds me of a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Strangely, there is no mention of the Hydroxene technology that was previously announced and celebrated. Please refer to the related posts for a recap on what Hydroxene is, or rather was.

The LMG Shuttle will go for RM85,000.

Related Posts:
LMG Tourer with Hydroxene Technology
LMG Trekker Details
LMG Tourer Details

Progress Europe was commissioned by Suzuki’s Dutch arm to build this Suzuki Grand Vitara Bandit Concept, a pimped out Grand Vitara that looks like it’s ready to do some serious offroading. it will be displayed at the AutoRai Car Show at Amsterdam tomorrow.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara Bandit features an aggressive offroad-style bodykit, as well as a wider (by 30cm!) body. The whole SUV is done up in white, including the interior which features white trim and white leather seats.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Suzuki Grand Vitara Bandit Concept

Another nicely done photoshopped artist’s impression by Auto Motor und Sport. This is their take on how the upcoming BMW 1-Series Cabriolet might look like. The BMW 1-Series Cabriolet is said to feature a soft top instead of a powered hard top like it’s older brother, then 3 Convertible. Check out the related posts for a spy video of the 1-Series Cabriolet putting in lap time around the Nurburgring.

Related Posts:
2007 BMW 1-Series Cabriolet Spy Video
BMW 1-Series Coupe Spyshot

Auto Motor und Sport carries this artist’s impression photoshop image of a possible Audi A3 cabriolet. Engine options will be similiar to the current A3, but will also introduce TSI models like the current 1.4 TSI and a new 140hp 1.2 TSI.

Even though Audi has a hard top auto folding convertible roof it can take from the Volkswagen Eos, it is likely to go with the traditional soft top option with the A3 Cabriolet. The Audi A3 Cabriolet is rumoured to make a debut in September at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.