The first new “Modern Gentleman” cars have rolled off Nanjing’s assembly line in Nanjing, from a factory that Nanjing managed to piece together using the robots and assembly lines they bought from Rover.

The first two new models from Modern Gentlemen are the MG7 Saloon and the MG-TF sports car. Nanjing’s new factory can produce 200,000 cars, 250,000 engines, and 100,000 gearboxes annually.

Nanjing intends to keep the original British flavor, however it’s future direction from MG will be the Chinese market. However, it also intends to sell the cars around the world, but China is the major market. Some Modern Gentleman cars will also be produced in Longbridge, UK as well as Ardmore, Southern Oklahoma, with the latter to begin soon next year. MG originally stood for Morris Garages.

Here are more details on the Infinity G37 Coupe, this time officially from Infiniti’s UK Press Release. Like previously mentioned, the new engine is the VQ35VHR. Read my previous post for more details on the engine. Other driving-related details include either a 5-speed auto or a 6-speed manual, and a 4-Wheel Active Steer (4AWS) system.

Gadgetry include a touch screen satnav, a RearView monitor for those tight parking situations, an optional 11-speaker Infiniti Studio on Wheels audio system by Bose with 24-bit Burr Brown DAC, 3-way door speaker arrays with 10-inch woofers and a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive, with the entertainment system integrated with the satnav system.

Full spec sheet and more photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Infiniti G37 Official Details Released

As previously mentioned, the new Subaru Impreza will come in both coupe and hatchback forms, and these scans from magazine Motor Trend’s May issue has the photos shown ahead of it’s unveiling at the 2007 New York Auto Show.

As you can see, the car is now a hatch and looks something like the BMW 1-Series, though I’m not sure how Subaru’s new over-chromy corporate grille is any much better than the previous flying vagina.

So, what do you think? Do you like it? Something tells me the prices for the Version 8 and Version 9 Subaru Impreza are going to remain pretty stable even after this new hatch goes into production. More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Subaru Impreza Version 10 Revealed

The following is the latest Porsche pricelist as of 21st February 2007. It includes the prices of the new Porsche Cayenne Facelift. Have a look at the pricelist after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Updated Porsche Pricelist for Malaysia

Brabus has put their tuning touch on the new C-Class, not long after it was launched. The main highlight is a new 4.0 liter engine, basically derived from the existing V6 engines in the C280 and the C350. The engines are fitted with a more aggressive camshafts, a special crankshaft and larger pistons to increase the displacement to 4.0 liters, resulting in a maximum output of 332 horsepower and a peak torque of 420Nm at 4,200rpm. 0-100km/h takes 5.9 seconds, and the car goes to a top speed of 275km/h.

More after the jump…

Click here to read the rest of Brabus tunes the W204 C-Class

Here are spy photos taken of the upcoming sporty performance hot hatch variant of the 5-door Kia cee’d hatchback. The badge on the grille indicates it will be called the Kia cee’d xR, and it is rumoured to be powered by a 2 liter turbocharged engine, most likely in the 200 to 230hp range. This performance engine will also appear in performance Hyundai models.

Overall, the look of the car looks nice and sporty, however somehow all good designs just have to be spoiled by something - I don’t like that strange bit of chrome right above the rear number plate holder.

Click here to read the rest of Kia cee’d xR

Proton has loaned the Lotus Group £40 million, or RM272 million ringgit, to cover the Lotus Group’s third successive year of losses. This loan will be converted to equity, which actually means Proton is basically giving Lotus money in exchange for more shares. While new CEO Michael Kimberley has a 5-year plan to turn Lotus around, it is not expected to return to profitability until after 2009.

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Source

Here are a new batch of photos sent in by contributor Adam, who previously shared with us photos of the CBU Toyota Camrys in a holding bay before the Camry was launched in Malaysia. This time, we get to look at the upcoming Cefiro replacement to be launched by Edaran Tan Chong - the Nissan Teana!

I’m not sure why the name change, as the Cefiro has built up a good name here in it’s segment, but then again if I was so smart I’d be working in a car manufacturer’s marketing department instead of sitting here typing this. The badge on the rear of one of the cars says 230JS. This means we’re sure the 2.3 liter model will be offered here, and this will likely be coupled with a 200JK 2.0 liter model.

In Singapore, this car is called the Nissan Cefiro, so let’s have a look at the Singaporean specs to have an insight into what the specs are. The 200JK has a QR20DE inline-4 engine, while the previous Cefiro 2.0 liter used a V6. However, I think an inline-4 is a better idea as small displacement V6 engines tend to lack push at lower revs, like my Perdana’s. The QR20DE makes 145PS at 6,000rpm, and 195Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. It has CVTC variable valve timing, and has a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The 230JS (called 230JM in Singapore, different trim levels?) has a VQ23DE engine, a 2.3 liter V6 that makes 173PS at 6,000rpm and 225Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. This makes it the only car in it’s segment with a lovely silky smooth V6 engine, something Cefiros have always been known for.

This model also comes with a 4-speed auto, putting it at a disadvantage to the Camry and Accord’s 5-speed autos, of course this is on paper only. How the car drives can only be told if you actually drive it. But the lack of a 2nd overdrive gear might cause the new Cefiro to lose out on highway cruising smoothness and fuel economy compared to it’s competitors.

One more thing… completely built up cars in a holding bay similiar to the Camry: does this mean the new Nissan Teana is a CBU? BTW, check out Adam’s food blog.

More photos after the jump.

Related Nissan Spyshots
Nissan Latio Sedan and Nissan Latio Sport Hathcback spotted in Genting

Click here to read the rest of Nissan Teana Spotted

Suzuki has just launched a turbodiesel 3-door variant of the Suzuki Grand Vitara in the UK. I thought I might cover it so you guys can see the 3-door version. Our local market has the 5-door version going for RM 143,738.60 on the road.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door turbodiesel is powered by a Renault 1.9 liter DDiS turbodiesel making 129 PS and 300Nm of torque peaking at 2,000rpm. Despite it’s cute appearance, it has offroad abilities as well, with a center diff lock and permanent all wheel drive with low range ratios. The 3-door turbodiesel joins existing 1.6 liter VVT and VVT+ models for the 3-door model.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door

UPDATE: The Proton Saga will be replaced in January 2008 by the Proton BLM.

Ironically, despite the popular talk of thousands of unsold Protons lying around in stockyards, the recent offer for the Proton Saga for only RM26,999 with special finance packages has received very good response from the public.

Over 10,000 units were booked in less than a month, and there is now a waiting period of about 3 months for delivery. The Saga offer has turned from what people perceived as a move to clear stocks, into a case where production has to be stepped up to meet the demand. This will look good on Proton’s quarterly financial sheet.

It will also help Proton regain market share from Perodua. Think about it, the cheapest Saga represents the same market share amount as an expensive Perdana. If you can push out lots of Sagas where everyone can afford it, your market share will increase. Plus, the people who can only afford cars in this price bracket have already spent their money on this relatively good deal, and will not buy the upcoming Kancil Replacement.