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The Suzuki X-HEAD Concept looks like it could be one of the Constructicons from an upcoming Transformers Movie sequel, and Suzuki has given the concept SUV decent off-road and load carrying capacity.

The rear bed can be configured a few ways. One configuration holds a unit called the Camper, which provides sleeping space for 2 adults. The other is called Fashion - I’m not exactly sure what this is but Suzuki says it “provides stylish urban mobility” - I think it’s nothing more than some sort of stylish cover for the rear. Finally, there is Rescue, which includes basic excavator capabilities.

Of course, the rear bed can also be left like a normal pickup bed, which is the version you see in these live photos. There is a little scrambler bike loaded at the back.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of TOKYO LIVE 2007: Suzuki X-HEAD Concept

The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid will be unveiled at the 2007 Los Angeles Motor Show which begins on the 16th of November 2007 - that’s this Friday. The new Cayenne Hybrid uses a Full-Parallel Hybrid system that enables the hybrid SUV to comsume less than 9 liters per 100km travelled, a feat for a huge SUV like the Cayenne.

More technical details will be revealed sometime this Friday, but for the moment enjoy more photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Porsche Cayenne Hybrid: less than 9L/100km?

The Intake Air Fuel Module for the Proton Campro engine is now ready, and is only awaiting Proton’s green light to begin production. This new IAFM is a basically a variable geometry intake system, developed under a joint fast track programme which began in April 2005 by EPMB, Bosch and Proton.

We first heard of it back in October 2006 where it was still in advanced tooling stages, and ever since then everyone has been eagerly awaiting for the first Campros to roll out with the new air fuel module. The IAFM varies intake manifold length to suit different engine conditions - a short runner length for high revs and a long and narrower runner length for low revs.

If designed properly, this can enhance an engine’s torque curve and also help improve the combustion process, making the engine more fuel efficient. This is much-needed with the current Campro engine, which has rather relatively low torque at low to medium engine speeds. The IAFM can be fitted to both Campro 1.3 liter and 1.6 liter engines. The new intake manifold is made of reinforced high thermal plastic which is lighter than the current Campro’s aluminium intake manifold.

“Variable air intake is nothing new to current engine technology. It is present in many engines from other carmakers. We are just happy to be able to bring similar advancement to the Proton Campro engine. This is a team effort with our EPMB staff, Proton engineers, Bosch from Stuttgart and Melbourne and our Korean toolmakers,” said EPMB director of research and development, Zulkefli Baharuddin.

On a side note, the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition to be held this December from the 4th to 8th will feature a locally manufactured hovercraft powered by a Proton engine.

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New air-fuel module for Campro

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Here’s something to look forward to in the D-segment sedan market here in Malaysia. Hyundai has facelifted its Hyundai Sonata and it’s only a matter of time before we receive a similiar update here in Malaysia.

The most obvious changes are the new bumper and grille designs, but the most impressive feature of the facelift is the new second generation Theta engine under the hood. This new Theta engine brings up the 2.0 liter’s power from 145 PS up to 158 PS, and the 2.4 liter’s power from 161 PS up to 171 PS. The 2.0 liter engine horsepower figures beat the figures produced by the Civic 2.0S and the Lancer 2.0 GT’s engines.

Interestingly, the Lancer 2.0 GT’s 4B11 GEMA engine and the Hyundai-Kia Theta engine both share the same 86mm x 86mm “square” bore and stroke - the fruits of the GEMA engine project with different head configuration perhaps?

This new Theta II engine will also likely find its way into the Kia Optima when it is facelifted, further enhancing the car’s already very appealing specs package.

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With any motor show, there’s bound to be loads of models standing next to the cars - somehow babes and wheels just go together. This is a collection of photos that I snapped at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show of some of these models.

There were alot less than I expected though, perhaps on public days the car manufacturers employ more models compared to the press days as the girls will have the extra responsibility to attract the public crowds to their respective stands.

Anyhow, look after the jump for the photos. Click any of the photos to view a larger resolution version.

Click here to read the rest of 2007 Tokyo Motor Show Girls

Toyota is developing a small SUV to contend in the increasing small SUV segment in the European market, currently dominated by the Suzuki Jimny and the Suzuki SX4 (according to 2006 sales results), with Toyota-owned Daihatsu coming in third place with the Daihatsu Terios.

Instead of coming in with the Daihatsu-based Toyota Rush which would be pointless in a mature market that already has the Terios, Toyota is developing a new small SUV that will be based on second generation Toyota Ist/Scion xD underpinings (which also form the base of the Yaris), with styling largely drawn from the Toyota Urban Cruiser concept back unveiled last year.

Looking at the choice of platform and its competitors, it would most likely be an urban “cross” SUV rather than one that can do any offroading.

View more photos of the Toyota Urban Cruiser concept after the jump.

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Pimped out Scion xD concept

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Apparently these are leaked photos of the 2009 Nissan Murano, which is the second generation since the first generation Murano was released back in 2003. Some called it the spaceship SUV because of its futuristic looks.

Fast forwards a few years and its time for a full model change, and the new Murano still has the old Murano’s general shape, but the front grille is alot more aggressive, and overly edgy with large chrome bars. The interior is quite different, looking less like a SUV-ized 350Z interior now. UPDATE: Added a shot of the rear after the jump.

Check out a photo of the interior after the jump with larger resolution available.

Click here to read the rest of 2009 Nissan Murano photos leaked

Since the 2009 Toyota Corolla for the US domestic market was launched at the SEMA show, Toyota decided to follow the whole tuning convention theme and display a tuned up Toyota Corolla at the show called the Toyota Corolla S3.

The Toyota Corolla S3 is fitted with a rather showy bodykit complete with a matching paint job. Underneath the hood, the 2.4 liter VVT-i engine that makes a paltry 158 horsepower in stock form is supercharged and intercooled, with the huge intercooler mounted at the front.

Toyota has released no figures on how much power this concept car makes, but you can check out more photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Toyota Corolla S3 Concept: supercharged Corolla

Iran has proposed an Islamic car, and is keen to work with Proton on developing such a car for the global market.

It is proposed that Proton should work with companies in Iran and Turkey develop a car with Islamic features such as a compass to determine the Kiblat, as well as compartments for storing the Quran and headscarves.

Proton may have found a new niche here - Islamic cars, thanks to its relationship with Islamic countries such as Iran. Just a few days ago, Proton announced an export deal to supply Proton Waja taxis to Iran. I am curious why the Iran Khodro group, the manufacturer of Iran’s national car (basically a rebadge outfit making old Peugeot 405s and other Peugeot cars) has not already done this.

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Proton exports 5000 Waja taxis to Iran

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We’re still waiting for the new Toyota Corolla Altis to be launched next year, while the Americans have just received theirs at the 2007 SEMA Auto Show a few weeks ago. The 2009 Toyota Corolla is set to come in 5 trim levels - Standard, LE, XLE, S and XRS,

The first three trim levels is to be equipped with the new Dual VVT-i 1.8 liter engine putting out 132 horsepower and 174Nm of torque, while the S and the XRS receives a larger 2.4 liter VVT-i engine, putting out a rather uninspiring 158 horsepower despite a much larger displacement. In comparison, the US market Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe’s 2.4 liter engine puts out a nice 190 horsepower.

Have a look at photos of the new USDM Corolla after the jump. It’s not much different from the Corolla launched elsewhere, except the US market Corollas seems to be equipped with a very basic meter panel design that threatens to bore you to sleep while you are driving. Available elsewhere in the world is a very nice self-illuminating meter panel in a golden hue, similiar to the one in the Auris.

On to more photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of 2009 Toyota Corolla for US market unveiled