Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has announced that bikes are not allowed to use the new KL-Putrajaya Highway because there are no special motorcycle lanes on the highway. According to the minister, the new KL-Putrajaya Highway does not have motorcycle lanes because of “lack of space”, as it ran through residential and industrial areas like Bukit Jalil.

“We have to take all aspects into consideration especially safety as we cannot have motorcycles weaving in and out when there is limited space and when there is a bridge there,” said Samy Vellu.

Toll rates for the new KL-Putrajaya highway varies according to different classes of cars. Rates for the Salak Selatan toll place are RM1.50 for cars, RM3 for small lorries, RM4.50 for big lorries, 80sen for taxis and RM1.50 for buses, while the rates for the Putrajaya toll plaza are RM2.50 for cars, RM5 for small lorries, RM7.50 for big lorries, RM1.30 for taxis and RM2.50 for buses.

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Here is a video featuring the new Mercedes Benz CLC-Class - essentially a reskinned W203 C-Class Coupe - on the go. Other than moving shots, you will see more details on the car’s exterior and interior, backed with some funky music. Video after jump.

Click here to read the rest of VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class on the move

Everyone’s waiting for the next generation full model change Mitsubishi Galant that was previewed as the Mitsubishi Concept-cX to arrive, but Mitsubishi decided to facelift the current Mitsubishi Galant in the American domestic market anyway.

The USDM Mitsubishi Galant can be had with either a 160 horsepower 2.4 liter inline-4 MIVEC engine with a 4-speed auto, or a 238 horsepower 3.8 liter MIVEC V6 with a 5-speed auto that takes the V6 Ralliart model from 0 to 100km/h in about 6 seconds.

More shots after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of 2009 USDM Mitsubishi Galant Facelift Revealed

You will find after the jump a video of the Hummer H3T pick-up truck crossing some snow… and uh, basically that’s it. A rather unexciting video of something that looks as mean as a Hummer. Watch it after the jump anyway.

Click here to read the rest of Hummer H3T Video

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Parker’s is a car price guide in the UK started back in 1972. According to the latest Parker’s guide, the Proton Satria Neo was placed within the top ten slowest depreciating cars for 2007 in the UK. According to Parker’s, desirability, reliability, style, reputation and mileage as well as the original cost are all key factors in determining how much a brand new car is likely to depreciate in value.

“Proton might not be one of the obvious brands people think of when it comes to cars that lose cash slowly. But the fact that the Satria Neo is a new model and is relatively inexpensive in the first place means drivers haven’t lost much money to depreciation during the first year of ownership, which is a pleasant surprise for anyone who has one on their drive,” says Kieren Puffet, Editor for Parker’s.

While it was previously reported that we would see the first glimpse of a Saab 9-1 Concept at the 2008 London Motor Show in mid-2008, Saab designer Anthony Lo now confirms that the Saab 9-1 Concept will make its public debut earlier in March instead, at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

The new Saab 9-1 will be a small hatch based on GM’s new and upcoming front wheel drive Delta II platform. It will go head to head against competitors like the Volkswagen Golf and the BMW 1-Series.

Related Posts:
Saab 9-1 Concept due for 2008 London Motor Show
Saab plans new small car for the next decade

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The latest Renault hatch to get the Renaultsport treatment is the Twingo. The full details on the Twingo Renaultsport will only be revealed at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, but Renault has released a few photos of the car, together with a some information on what will power the car and how much power it makes.

A 1,598cc normally aspirated engine putting out 133 horsepower together with finely balanced handling and the general zippiness of a short wheelbase hatchback is a formula that’s hard to go wrong with!

One more rear view photo after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Renault Twingo Renaultsport 1.6L with 133 horses

Bookings for the new Proton Saga “mark II” has reached a total of over 23,000 and the waiting period for delivery is now between 5 to 6 months. This is another sales success for Proton, right after the Proton Persona, which just goes to show that if the right car is produced for the right market and at the right price (something which Proton enjoys in our market), cars will fly off the shelves.

Of this 23,000, over 9,000 units were from EON outlets, and EON’s recent EON Karnival 2008 in Shah Alam saw over 300 potential customers getting to test drive the new Proton Saga to get a first hand touch and feel of the new Proton sedan.

Right car, right market, right price - the only thing that remains to be seen now is whether it has the right build quality.

Mercedes-Benz seems to be on a roll this year, with another new model introduced, this time the new 2009 SL-Class. A new baseline model joins the SL family - the SL280, which like the CLS280 is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 putting out 231 horsepower. The SL350’s 3.5 liter V6 now has an increased power output of 316 horsepower and a higher redline of 7,200rpm, while the SL500 and SL600 retains the previous cars engine.

The 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission which is standard on all SL-Class models now simulates double-declutching, which sounds great on downshifts and is easier on the transmission as it matches the rotational speeds of the crank and the tranny before engaging the gear.

New to the SL is the Direct Steer system which is also found in the new CLC. It is based on the familiar speed-sensitive power steering system. New features include a variable rack ratio, which adjusts in line with the steering angle, increasing sharply as soon as this reaches five degrees. It is quite like BMW’s Active Steering, which can take some getting used to at the beginning because the steering ratio is not constant. Active Body Control (ABC) compensates pitch, roll and yaw on the part of the body and adapts the suspension settings automatically to suit the current driving situation.

If you look at the shots of the interior after the jump, you will notice two little fans integrated into the back of each front seat’s headrest. This is the AIRSCARF system, which is a neck-level heating system which sucks in air behind the headrests and channels it through an electric heating element for rapid heating. This air then flows out of special openings in front of the headrests, thus warming the occupants necks, like a scarf. This is of course for the comfort of open top winter driving.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of 2009 Mercedes Benz SL-Class Details