Cool Audi Q3 Vail Concept wears a winter sports theme

January 10, 2012 at 4:25 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Audi, Cars, International News

Here what Audi brought to Detroit. The Audi Q3 Vail Concept is a winter adventure themed version of Audi’s smallest crossover, the Q3. Groomed specifically for winter sports like the pistes in the famous Colorado mountain resort which inspired its name, the Vail combines harder-edged styling with a brawny 2.5-litre TFSI engine.

Designed for fans of skiing and snowboarding, the Q3 Vail wears Energy Red paint, and its add-on body parts are finished in matte grey quartz. The area around the windows is enhanced by aluminium and high-gloss black.

Vertical bars in the single-frame grille sets it apart. The struts feature a bi-colour theme: their lateral edges are in matte quartz and the slim front faces have a high-gloss finish. Plenty of aluminium panels in front, the top of the side air inlets and the underbody guard are made of the stuff.

Eyecatching features on the flanks include flared wheel arches and running boards, and on the roof the specially designed aluminum rails firmly hold carbonfibre skis and snowboards. The front roof-rail support integrates compact, wide-angled LED lights controlled via buttons in the roof module. Lights on roof rails are things that previous gen X-Trail owners are familiar with.

The Q3 Vail is fitted with 255/45 section off-road tyres and 20-inch five-arm wheels. Track width has increased by 40 mm at the front and rear compared to the standard car, and the body sits 30 mm higher. At the rear, the twin tailpipes are integrated into the diffuser and underbody guard area.

The interior of the Q3 Vail includes two practical devices for winter sports fans. The wall of the boot houses a charging station for storing flashlights and charging them inductively at the same time.

The same technology is used for the Thermos bottle located in the cup holder between the front seats. Both devices have LEDs that show the current charge level. The flashlights also incorporate an infrared heating element that can be used for warming hands or ski boots.

Another intelligent solution is the load floor mat, which has integrated heated seat cushions. The mat can be folded out and laid over the loading lip. This protects the trunk edge while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded, and also provides a warm area to sit on when putting on or taking off your ski boots. Small LED spotlights on the inside of the tailgate provide light.

The Q3 Vail is powered by a 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI engine with 314 PS and 400 Nm of torque. The engine’s five cylinders are consecutively numbered; red ‘wrinkled-finish’ paint has been applied to the cylinder head cover. A panel made from carbonfibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) partially covers the engine, and the air filter is also protected against dirt.

Power is transferred to the quattro permanent AWD system via a seven-speed S tronic transmission. This small SUV can do 0-100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds and top speed 260 km/h.

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2012 Toyota Prius – now in two trim levels in Malaysia

January 10, 2012 at 12:57 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Local News, Toyota

The fuss may be about the upcoming Toyota Prius c, but some interesting developments are also shaping up on the other, more familiar Prius front. A check on the UMW Toyota website reveals that there are now two trim levels being mentioned for the ZVW30 in Malaysia, a standard Prius as well as a Luxury variant.

A ‘New Prius’ tagline is being bandied, so the vehicle – which, going by the site, hasn’t quite arrived but should be right around the corner – should pretty much be the facelift version of the third-generation hybrid that came about last year. The revisions are mild and involve more new kit than any considerable shape rework, though the front bumper and rear lamp configuration are different.

No changes mechanically to the Hybrid Synergy Drive system on it – the 1.8 litre 2ZR-FXE Atkinson cycle engine, with its 99 PS at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm continues to hold court, working alongside the electric motor’s 82 PS and 207 Nm of torque, with a combined output of 136 PS (or 134 hp).

Standard fare contains the familiar, among them seven airbags, VSC and traction control, EBD, brake assist, 15-inch wheels and cruise control. Both 2012 variants will feature a 6.1-inch touchscreen display audio system with Bluetooth, USB and Aux connections, partnered to a JBL eight-speaker, eight-channel amplifier setup.

The standard Prius continues on with high-grade fabric seats and halogen projector headlamps, while the Luxury gets leather seats and LED projectors, complete with auto leveling and washer. The Luxury also gets auto lights, an electro-chromic rear view mirror and heated seats, the last which won’t see much use in this particular climate. New to the Prius are daytime running lights, which are available on both versions.

There’s an indicative estimate for the variants, and the pricing has gone slightly up for the base model, at RM143,000, while the Luxury is expected to retail for RM148,000, both on-the-road with insurance.

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Lexus LF-LC Concept fully revealed, and it’s spectacular!

January 10, 2012 at 12:55 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Lexus

The Lexus LF-LC Concept has been officially revealed, and it’s one heck of a concept car. If I were at Detroit’s Cobo Hall, I can imagine spending good time just standing and staring at this sculpture. Awe inspiring, and check out that cabin!

Challenged by the Lexus Center in Japan to come up with a design for a future hybrid sport coupe concept, the company’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California, sought to “advance the redefinition of Lexus” with emotive, avant-garde beauty and advanced technology, yet remain within reach for premium buyers.

The movement is not new. “The concept we’re showing here in Detroit continues the Lexus design revolution started with the CT and GS. The concept hybrid 2+2 liberates the idea of a sport coupe and pushes the boundaries of performance, style and technology,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Group VP and GM.

The LF-LC displays the new Lexus design language in its bold interpretation of the signature Lexus spindle grille and rear architecture. Silky curves blend smoothly into dynamic angles, creating a nice blend of lines, shadows and corners.

Framed by a deep aluminum surround, the mesh pattern of the spindle grille takes 3D sculpture form, and the air intakes are functional. Daytime running lights are shaped like an “L” while the vertical fog lamps use a fading dot matrix pattern to suggest a sense of movement.

The concept car’s glass roof features a lightweight, cantilevered pillar with a glass-to-glass juncture inspired by modern architecture. A rising, kick-up window graphic and polished aluminum trim are unexpected elements. Overall, the greenhouse design enhances driver visibility while adding to the sleek lines of the car.

Lexus integrated the spindle grille theme to the rear as well. The tail lamps, inspired by the look of a jet afterburner at take-off, use inner lighting to create a sense of depth. The rear is also fitted with fog lamps, repeating the fading dot matrix pattern of the front. Visually, the integrated tail and fog lamps repeat the “L” shape and lead eyes down to the quad exhausts.

The cockpit is spectacular. The driver is enveloped by deeply scooped side panels and a high, curved console. The effect is to focus the driver zone on the controls and on the road. LF-LC incorporates a remote touch-screen device that allows operation without shifting altering line-of-sight. Twin 12.3-inch LCD screens provide information and navigation display. A pop-up touch-screen keyboard is used to control the ICE, climate and navigation.

Never mind all that, just look at the organic shapes and nice blend of metal trim and wood accents. The beautiful stitch details emphasise the attention to detail here.

This is a design concept, so all we know mechanically is that the LF-LC is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive car featuring Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive.

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Concepts for the young: Chevrolet Code 130R, Tru 140S

January 10, 2012 at 11:31 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, International News

Chevrolet has two interesting concepts for the Detroit show – Code 130R and Tru 140S – catered to the young. According to US census data, there are 80 million American consumers approaching 30, representing 40% of today’s potential car-buying public and a combined $1 trillion in purchasing power. So it all makes sense.

Over the past year, Chevy has conversed with young consumers across America. The young say they want sedan-sized functionality in performance coupe form that seats four passengers, interior connectivity and convenience featuring innovative storage, WiFi, smart phone integration with Chevrolet MyLink and heads-up display, 40 MPG with a 1.4L Ecotec turbo with around 150 hp, and a price range in the low $20,000s.

In response, they came up with these two coupe concepts. Code 130R is the red one, a four-seat coupe with a simple upright profile. Code 130R features “heritage performance-inspired styling” and rear-wheel drive. There’s also the Chevy crossflag emblem on the fender. Small RWD coupe playing on the word “heritage”, sounds a bit like an American Toyota GT 86!

The Tru 140S is a front-wheel-drive “affordable exotic” four-seat sporty coupe. Shown in an all-new matte white with chrome wheels featuring crossflag emblems, Tru 140S is designed to look confident, exotic, expensive and fast. Tru 140S is based off the same platform as the Chevrolet Cruze.

Which do you prefer, the “baby muscle car” or the “baby supercar”?

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Hyundai Elantra and Range Rover Evoque win 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards

January 10, 2012 at 8:45 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News, Koreans, Land Rover

The new Hyundai Elantra is the 2012 North American Car of the Year, while the Range Rover Evoque is the 2012 North American Truck of the Year. Both victorious models were revealed at the 2012 North American International Auto Show at Detroit.

The winners were chosen by a jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. Instead of being given by a single media outlet, they are awarded by a coalition of automotive journalists from the both countries who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and websites.

The awards are designed to recognise the most outstanding new vehicles of the year, benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, comfort, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar, according to the organisers.

The Elantra MD, which will be launched next month in Malaysia, scored 174 points. It beat the Volkswagen Passat (161) and Ford Focus (155). “The Hyundai Elantra is sporty, yet sensible. Luxurious, yet affordable. Spunky, but safe. The Elantra is a series of paradoxes and every one is another argument for the latest, impressive entry in the Hyundai lineup,” wrote Jayne O’Donnell, a member of the jury from USA Today. This is the second North American COTY award for Hyundai, which came up tops in 2009 with the Genesis.

In the truck category, which includes SUVs, the Range Rover Evoque scored 254 points, way ahead of the Honda CR-V’s 142 and the BMW X3′s 94. This is the first win for the British marque. “Range Rover successfully charts a new direction for the venerable SUV trailblazer with a fresh design and advanced thinking about environmental issues,” said another juror, Alex Taylor of Fortune magazine.

This is the 19th year of the awards, which was inspired by the “Car of the Year” in Europe. Last year, the Chevrolet Volt won for cars and the Ford Explorer won for trucks, but none of the Detroit carmakers made it into the top three in either category this year. Congratulations Hyundai and Land Rover!

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Peugeot 208 introduces new 3-cylinder petrol engines

January 9, 2012 at 10:05 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Peugeot

Peugeot has introduced a new family of 3-cylinder engines with its latest B-segment segment contender, the 208 hatch. The new 3-cylinder engines come in two capacities – 1.0 litre and 1.2 litre, and are built at the firm’s Trémery factory in France.

The 1.0 litre 3-pot lump makes 68 hp and a peak torque of 95 Nm from as low as 3,000 rpm, which is a sign of good VVT tuning as it is a surprisingly low RPM for an engine that doesn’t make use of any funky (and potentially expensive) tech like direct injection. The 1.2 litre does even better – it does 82 hp and its peak torque of 118 Nm comes in from as low as 2,750 rpm. We hear a turbocharged version of the 1.2 liter 3-cylinder will be produced at the Douvrin plant later this year.

We’re familiar with the rest of the petrol engines – a 1.4 VTi, a 1.6 VTi and a 1.6 THP, all from the 4-cylinder BMW-PSA Prince engine family. The 1.4 does 95 hp and 136 Nm of torque, while the normally-aspirated 1.6 litre does 120 hp and 160 Nm. The top-of-the-line petrol 4 potter turbo does 156 hp and 240 Nm, with a 260Nm overboost, mated to a 6-speed transmission. The other petrol engines are mated to 5-speeders.

The 208 also comes with a range of oil burners, with the baseline being a 1.4 litre HDi FAP making 68 hp and 16 0Nm. The 1.4 litre is also available as an e-HDI engine, which means it is equipped with Peugeot’s automatic Stop & Start system.

The addition of the auto start/stop system improves the 1.4 litre’s fuel economy and emissions from 74.3 mpg and 98 g/km CO2 to 83.1 mpg and 87 g/km CO2. There’s also a 1.6 litre diesel in two tunes – 92 hp / 230 Nm as well as 115 hp / 285 Nm.

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Peugeot 208 Ice Velvet – limited edition of 650 units

January 9, 2012 at 8:44 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Peugeot

Peugeot has announced a limited edition 208 called the Ice Velvet – it’s based on a three-door version of the new hatch, which will enter the market shortly, and the edition features an exclusive paint finish and comprehensive equipment levels. Only 650 examples will be made, and released across 18 markets in Europe; France has an allocation of 208 units.

The edition’s satin paint finish gives the exclusive 208 its name, and the exterior shade is complemented by chrome detail on the bodywork – the radiator grill, fog lamps, panoramic glass roof and rear view mirrors wear dark chrome, while the exhaust pipe and window surrounds are in bright chrome. The car also gets 17-inch Technical Grey alloy wheels.

The interior is fitted with a Peugeot Techno TEP trim and high quality stitching, and features for kit a large touchscreen, satellite navigation, directional static lights, front lights with LED signature and DRL function, automatic air conditioning, blue guide lights for the panoramic glass roof and sports seats, among others.

The variant will be equipped, according to country, with either a petrol 1.6 VTi 120 engine linked to a manual five-speed gearbox or a diesel 1.6 e-HDi 115 engine, which is paired to a manual six-speed gearbox, complete with a satin chrome gear knob.

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New Ford Fusion previews next-gen Mondeo for the world

January 9, 2012 at 5:51 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News

With the Detroit press days fast approaching, we’re seeing plenty of online reveals before the actual thing happens in Cobo Hall. Earlier, we saw the sporty Dodge Dart and the 3-Series targeting Cadillac ATS, now it’s Ford’s turn with the new Fusion, making it a trio of good looking Americans. The Fusion is a D-segment entry in the popular American “midsize” segment with the Camry, Accord, Malibu and Sonata.

It’s a big departure from the current car in the looks department. Featuring a sleek silhouette and an Aston Martin-esque nose, the all-new Fusion is the latest model to come under the Blue Oval’s “One Ford” strategy, which calls for global models to suit every market. The Fiesta and Focus are the other main pillars in the strategy. Do see this Fusion as a preview of the next gen Ford Mondeo.

“Our vision for Fusion was clear – deliver the very best of what ‘One Ford’ stands for. We brought our global teams together around a blank slate with the charge to develop a midsize car with ground breaking design and jaw-dropping fuel economy – one that featured technologies to help make our customers safer and better drivers. This car is the result,” said Derrick Kuzak, Group VP of Global Product Development.

Drivetrain choices are extensive – customers can choose from hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost four-cylinder turbos, a normally aspirated four-pot, an automatic start stop system, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications, and a choice between automatic and manual six-speed transmissions.

The 1.6-litre EcoBoost is expected to deliver best-in-class four-cylinder non-hybrid fuel efficiency. The 2.0-litre EcoBoost paired with a paddle-shift six-speed auto on the other hand, is the performance option. The latter can be had with 19-inch wheels and AWD with the ability to send additional torque to the rear.

The Fusion Hybrid – 2010 North American Car of the Year – now comes with lithium-ion batteries that save weight and generate more power than the current nickel-metal hydride type, while raising max speed under electric-only power from 75 to 100 km/h.

It also features a new 2.0L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, downsized from the previous 2.5L while maintaining performance. Ford claims that fuel economy will outperform the Camry Hybrid by 4 mpg city and 5 mpg highway and the Sonata Hybrid by 12 mpg and 4 mpg, respectively.

Want to go further? The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid will be launched this fall, and it’s aiming 100 MPGe, a mile per gallon equivalency metric for electrified vehicles. This is 8 MPGe more than the Chevrolet Volt and 13 MPGe more than the projected efficiency of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid model, says Ford.

New tech features include Lane Keeping System, Adaptive cruise control, Active park assist, Blind Spot Information System, SYNC communications and entertainment system and the latest version of MyFord Touch.

The Mondeo is the best driver’s car in the non premium badged D-segment market, and the next one should have no problems maintaining the reputation. “This really is a driver’s car. Fusion is even more fun to drive with specially tuned electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), a MacPherson strut front suspension and an all-new premium-level multilink rear suspension – comparable to Audi and BMW configurations,” said John Jraiche, program manager.

The Fusion will be sold in S, SE and range-topping Titanium trim levels.

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Motor insurance rates to be gradually revised

January 9, 2012 at 5:47 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News

Effective January 16, the motor tariff premium rates in the country are set to be revised on a gradual basis, according to a Bernama report. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), which issued a statement on the matter, said that the revision will be the first to be carried out in over three decades, adding that the premium adjustment was to be in a small amount and implemented over a period of four years.

For example, third-party cover on motorcycles of 110 cc will experience a premium increase of between RM1 to RM3.50 per year over the next four years. For a private car of 1,400 cc, the premium adjustment will be between RM6 to RM34 per year over the same period.

As for commercial vehicles such as outstation taxis and buses, the impact of the premium adjustment on the passengers will be minimal, at less than 10 sen per passenger per trip.

The tariff revision is part of the New Motor Cover Framework, which addresses the structural issues within the motor insurance and takaful sector. The framework also involves an immediate implementation of critical measures to enhance efficiency in claims settlement.

The central bank said that the adjustment in the tariff is to be reviewed periodically in order to ensure that the adjusted premium rates continue to be reflective of the claims experience, and assured that the implication on the public and businesses will be marginal.

It stated that the current tariffs, which have not been revised for more than 30 years, have been a major source of difficulties faced by the public in recent years – while premiums have not been adjusted, there has been a significant increase in the level of car ownership to about 19 million to date, and with it, a corresponding accident rate and claims. The enhancements will significantly reduce the average claims settlement period to six to 18 months from the present one to five years.

The framework will pave the way for the detariffing of motor insurance premiums in 2016, in which premium rates will be further differentiated in accordance to the risk profile of individual vehicles and fairer to vehicle owners, as those with good claims experience will enjoy much better premium rates than those with a higher risk profile, BNM added.

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Toyota Prius c arriving soon – teased on UMW Toyota site

January 9, 2012 at 2:46 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Local News, Toyota

Toyota’s Prius c hybrid is arriving in Malaysia soon. The hybrid was unveiled in production model form at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show and was introduced into the Japanese market – in its Aqua domestic version form – in Dec, so its impending arrival here is pretty rapid, by any measure.

We earlier had the brochure to work on (the resolution isn’t great because it’s from Facebook, so the image has been descaled), but have now updated the story accordingly; the UMW Toyota website already has details on the car, as well as an estimated pricing – RM103,990, which will be welcome news for those looking at a cheaper alternative to the more upmarket Prius. At this price point, it’s looking very much competitively priced against the Honda Insight.

The Prius c wears a 1NZ-FXE 1.5 litre Atkinson cycle mill, which has 73 PS at 4,800 rpm and 111 Nm at 3,600-4,400 rpm for numbers, and it works alongside an electric motor/Ni-Mh battery combination offering 61 PS and 169 Nm, together offering a combined 101 PS output. The system is mated to an E-CVT drivetrain.

Features include halogen projector headlamps, front fog lamps, fabric seats, cruise control, a 3.5-inch full colour multi-information display and a 2-DIN head unit with USB and iPod compatibility. Other features on the Prius c include a four-spoke urethane steering wheel with tilt and telescoping adjustment, power retractable sideview mirrors and electric power steering.

Brakes are front discs and rear drums, and the car sits on 15-inch wheels with 185/60 series rubbers. On the safety front, there are seven airbags (front, front side, curtain and driver knee) as standard, as well as VSC, traction control, EBD and brake assist

Five colours are available for the car, these being Silver Metallic, Black Mica, Citrus Orange Mica Metallic, Super Red V and Lime White Pearl CS, the last shade adding RM800 to the total price.

On the options list is a DVD-AVN package, which consists of a 2-DIN audio unit with colour touchscreen, navigation system and reverse camera, and this one goes for RM2,990.

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