Mitsubishi has introduced the latest Mitsubishi Lancer into the Japanese JDM market, however it will not be called a Lancer. Instead, most likely because of the Lancer’s increase in size and Japan’s regulations with car dimensions, it will be known as the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis. As you all know, the Galant is a class larger than the Lancer, and a version has made it’s way into Proton stables as the Perdana.

This is probably the same reason as why there is a smaller Toyota Corolla Axio in the Japanese market, and another larger Corolla Altis which is wider and longer than the Axio, otherwise tax brackets would change or something like that.

However, the same Lancer in it’s high performance 4WD form will still be called the Lancer, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to be exact. The standard gearbox for this car will be a 6-speed automated manual transmission - it would be interesting to see how this automated manual transmissions performs compared to other automated manual technology leaders like Volkswagen DSG.

Click here to read the rest of Mitsubishi Galant Fortis for JDM market

Let’s have a flashback to November 21st 1987, in this article by Reuters archived by the New York Times.

LEAD: Malaysia’s money-losing national auto manufacturer, Proton, signed an accord today to distribute its Proton Saga car in the United States. Proton America Inc., headed by Malcolm Bricklin of Bricklin Industries, will import the car. ”Production of the models bound for the United States will begin in October 1988, once modifications to meet U.S.

Malaysia’s money-losing national auto manufacturer, Proton, signed an accord today to distribute its Proton Saga car in the United States. Proton America Inc., headed by Malcolm Bricklin of Bricklin Industries, will import the car. ”Production of the models bound for the United States will begin in October 1988, once modifications to meet U.S. requirements are completed,” a Proton executive vice president, Dan Prior, told reporters.

It’d be interesting to note that this Malcolm Bricklin is the very same person who is trying to bring Chery into the US through his Visionary Vehicles venture, which has gone through some hiccups lately. He was also responsible for the introduction of other marques into the US market like Subaru, Fiat (rebadged Bertone) and Yugo.

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The Chery A6CC Concept is a sports coupe designed by Bertone, and is supposed to feature an ACTECO 3.0 liter V6 engine under the hood. The other engine variant would be a turbocharged 2.0 liter, and both will have variable valve timing. Seems to be following Audi’s strategy with performance engine offerings there - a normally aspirated big displacement V6 and a smaller turbo inline-4.

I do hope they actually plan to put brake calipers on those huge brake rotors in the production version, otherwise I would think it would be very hard to get the car to stop. Kind of silly to build a concept model and have the fake brake rotors but miss out on the fake brake calipers.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Chery A6CC Concept

VW Cars Sdn Bhd has just opened a new branch in Penang. It’s latest showroom in the northern region is located at 193, Jalan Sungai Pinang, 10150 Penang. This is the fourth showroom established by VW Cars in Malaysia.

To commemorate the launch, VW Cars Sdn Bhd will be holding a two-day test drive event beginning May 1st 2007 at the Jalan Sungai Pinang showroom. You will be able to test drive all the usual Volkswagen favourites such as the Volkswagen Touareg 3.6 V6, the Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TFSI, the delicious 200 horsepower Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 TFSI with DSG gearbox and the Volkswagen New Beetle.

So yes, Penang folks who are fans of the Golf GTI, head on to the showroom from May 1-2 to check the hot hatch out! Even non-fans may apply, you’ll be converted for sure.

For more details, please contact branch manager Edwin Koh at 019-5411452, or the branch at 04-2888868, or fax at 04-2888863.

In conjunction with the launch of the All-New Ford Ranger TDCi, Ford Malaysia is giving out FREE dealership accessories which consist of side step, sports bar and bedliner worth RM 3,000 to the first 500 customers. Ford will also be holding roadshows beginning from 11th of May 2007.

11 – 13 May 2007
Kuantan – Berjaya Megamall
Johor – Aeon Tebrau City Shopping Center

16 - 20 May 2007
Klang Valley – 1 Utama

18 - 20 May 2007
Penang – Gurney Plaza

25 - 27 May 2007
Kota Kinabalu – Kompleks Karamunsing
Kuching – Tun Jugah Mall

When I first had a look at the Ford Flex, I immediately thought it was very clever of Ford to introduce a vehicle of this kind into the market. The only other vehicle I know of this format is the new Honda Odyssey available in our market and Japan, not the USDM Odyssey. Basically a low-rider MPV - more of a stationwagon with extra rear seats than a lowered MPV.

Combining the design elements of an SUV with the people carrying capability of an MPV with the driving dynamics of a sedan, the Ford Flex is powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine with 260 horsepower and 332Nm of torque. Unique creature comforts include a refrigerator mounted between the second-row captains chairs and a 7-color programmable ambient lighting system. The passengers get to experience an airy-feeling interior thanks to the Multi-Panel Vista Roof.

This is what people carriers should be. More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of 2008 Ford Flex

The Hyundai i30 Wagon will be arriving on US shores soon as the Hyundai Elantra wagon, and will be equipped with a sportier suspension setup. The Hyundai i30 Wagon / Hyundai Elantra Wagon will come with a 138 horsepower 2.0 liter inline-4 engine, mated with a 5-speed manual as standard but with the option of a 4-speed auto.

“We want people who are looking for something sporty with good space but don’t want a small SUV. They still want the car look. This car is important in the entry-level segment,” said Wayne Killen, director of product planning for Hyundai Motor America.

Related Posts:
Hyundai i30 CW Station Wagon

BN Kinabatangan MP Datuk Moktar Radin has asked the Ministry of International Trade and Industry not to entertain the proposal from the Selangor Car Dealers and Credit Companies Association to scrap cars over 15 years old as the majority of the people could not afford to condemn their 15-year old cars.

Way to go Datuk Moktar. There are many people earning peanuts and driving their reliable 23 year old Nissan Sunny 130Y around. Public transportation is not good enough. When I used to take the public transportation to university, I often reached the place tired and in no mood to learn anything. It is the same with people having to suffer the public transportation on the way to work.

Dear members of the Selangor Car Dealers and Credit Companies Association, why do you want to take away our rides just so you can have deeper pockets?

Related Posts:
Car Scrapping Policy - 15 years?
MAA wants car scrapping policy

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Roewe is basically what Rover has become after SAIC took over, and the models currently on sale are basically rehashed versions of the 75 and TF, but this might indicate Roewe’s new design direction. This is the Roewe W2 concept, which looks decent enough on the outside but features a cool LED touch screen control module on the inside, as well as a funky meter panel.

It is the result of a collaboration between SAIC’s own team and ex-Rover and ex-MG designers. The Roewe W2 is slated to be Roewe’s new C-segment mid-range car and will join Roewe’s line-up in 2008.

Click here to read the rest of Roewe W2 Concept

Just like the Chery QQ’s evolution is theChery QQ6, Chery has redone their Chery Tiggo and updated it as the Chery Tiggo6. It looks more modern than the Chery Tiggo that has just reached our shores this month, and doesn’t look so much like a cross between a CR-V and a RAV4 anymore.

The Chery Tiggo6 has permanent all-wheel drive instead of a 2WD system or a 2WD-4WD-low ratio switchable system, and features Chery’s range of AVL-designed ACTECO engines including a Euro 5-compliant 1.9 liter turbodiesel. This means specs-wise, the Chery Tiggo6 is ready to take on Europe, pretty good for a company that not too long ago was just doing clones of Daewoo vehicles.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Chery Tiggo6