Chevrolet Volt: What does MPGe mean on the EPA sticker?

December 27, 2010 at 4:51 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Videos

General Motors produced this video to explain the two different MPG ratings on the Chevrolet Volt’s EPA sticker – MPG and MPGe. The Volt is officially rated at 93 MPGe and 37 MPG (combined rating about 60 MPG), so this may create some confusion amongst American consumers, so I think this video is quite a good move by GM as it is quite informative and easy to understand.

Even though the Volt is not on sale in Malaysia and probably not likely to go on sale anytime soon, everyone should watch this video as it will provide a good understanding of how Range Extender Electric Vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt or even our very own Proton Exora E-REV functions.

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Personalise your 2012 Ford Focus with Tattoo graphics

December 27, 2010 at 4:24 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News

Following the tattoo-ed Fiestas that we showcased recently, Ford has also unveiled a selection of “Tattoo graphics” for the new 2012 Ford Focus. Ford claims there are a total of 200 unique vinyl wrap tattoos available for the Focus – though I suspect these are multiple colour variations of a set of designs. The tattoos are made of 3M Scotchprint film and will cost between US$120 to US$470, depending on the design. They can be installed at Ford dealerships with a 3 year warranty.

It seems that research by the Pew Research Institute shows almost 40% of “Millenials” have at least one tattoo, and it looks like Ford hopes this trend of decorating their bodies will continue with their cars. “Millenials” are supposed to be people born between 1980 and 1995, which come after the Gen X generation of late 70s to early 80s. Gen Xers are slightly less ‘expressive’ at 32%.

“The migration to vehicle tattoos is a natural progression of the tattoo craze. The one-size-fits-all model isn’t really relevant to today’s consumers, and it’s not necessarily a desire to stand out from the crowd. It’s more of a desire not to be lost in the masses. People are personalizing everything – cell phones, computers and clothing – and it’s no different with automobiles,” says Sheryl Connelly, Ford Global Trends and Futuring manager.
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Castrol EDGE lubricants – at the forefront of motorsports!

December 27, 2010 at 3:32 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Castrol EDGE Experience Nurburgring


This article is key in allowing you a chance at winning a trip to the Nurburgring to drive a high performance BMW M3 on its legendary tarmac in the Castrol EDGE Experience Nurburgring contest! Find out more by clicking here.

With more than a hundred years of heritage and accomplishment, it’s no surprise that Castrol is very much a hallowed name in the lubricants field. The brand has certainly evolved since its humble beginnings in 1909, when the company started by Charles Cheers Wakefield ten years earlier introduced the name in a castor-based motor oil it had developed. Little did Wakefield know then just how successful the brand – and the name – would become.

The oil, in its Castrol R form, helped shape many a winner in races and speed record-breaking events in the earlier part of the 20th century, and as a name, is proudly responsible for being the lubricant supplier in 21 world land speed records, no small achievement. And the brand’s association with Formula 1 in the past has also been very notable and distinguished.

Today, Castrol is still at the forefront of racing, covering a host of motor sport disciplines from the World Rally Championship and World Touring Cars to the two-wheeled excitement of MotoGP, but the company’s portfolio has broadened considerably, spanning products that cover virtually all domestic, commercial and industrial applications.

All that expertise translates into one thing – delivering leading edge lubricants in whatever field they are applied in. For the automotive passenger car market, there’s a comprehensive line-up in the EDGE, Magnatec and GTX range of engine oils available in the market.

Topping the hierarchy is of course the Castrol EDGE range, which is the company’s best performance fully-synthetic oil. The range has been specifically engineered to meet and go beyond the toughest industry performance standards and specification across what the company has defined as seven critical engine factors, starting with protection against wear – good oil should keep the metal in your engine, where it should be.

Castrol EDGE also provides power protection, to combat the oil deterioration aspects brought about by hard revving and lots of high speed running. Other factors include thermal control aspects and offering performance in extreme conditions – keeping it fluid when the engine is cold to provide easier starts as well as less wear-and-tear, getting up to temperature quickly, and not thin down too much when things get really hot inside the engine.

Another characteristic that Castrol EDGE displays is great durability – it lasts longer inside your engine, resisting burn-off. Needless to say, it also stays cleaner for longer too, and let’s not forget fuel economy.

Designed to perform in today’s most highly tuned engines, and available in three viscosities locally, these being Sport 0W-40, Sport 5W-40 and Sport 10W-60, there’s a right Castrol EDGE to be found for those who are unwilling to compromise on quality and performance, no matter what, where or how hard they drive.

Oh, and here’s a bit of trivia to end things this time around – do you know that Castrol product packages still feature the red, white and green colour scheme that was introduced with the launch of the original Castrol motor oil in 1909?

This article is key in allowing you a chance at winning a trip to the Nurburgring to drive a high performance BMW M3 on its legendary tarmac in the Castrol EDGE Experience Nurburgring contest! Find out more by clicking here.

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Saudi Arabia to set up car manufacturing company – prototype of first car expected within two years

December 27, 2010 at 2:00 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News

gazal 1

It looks like Saudi Arabia is really intent on developing automotive manufacturing in the country, and in a big way. First, there was the Gazal 1 G-Class-based SUV – as seen above – from earlier in the year, developed by students from King Saud University. Then came the Aseelah, a design based on the Proton Persona which is slated for production in the Kingdom sometime in the near future.

Now, the latest news is that Saudi Arabia is planning to start up its first car manufacturing company, working together with a South Korean automaker. With US$500 mil worth of capital investment, the new venture is expected to deliver a prototype of an economic car suitable for local use within the next two years, according to a report from the state’s news agency SPA.

A MOU was signed recently between King Saud University and the South Korean company, Digm Automotive Technologies. Up to 15% of the financing will be provided by Wadi al-Riyadh Technology, the university’s investment arm, and 30% by Digm Automotive, with the remainder covered by investors, the report added. It also said that there are plans to export the first car to other Gulf states as well as North African countries.

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Volkswagen introduces Golf STYLE and Polo STYLE editions

December 27, 2010 at 12:00 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

Volkswagen is now offering an optional “STYLE” package for the Golf, Golf Plus and Polo which consists of small aesthetic enhancements like new alloy wheels, fog lamps, tinted side and rear windows as well as STYLE badging. A winter package and convenience package are also part of the kit.

A STYLE-Plus package adds a sunroof or panorama roof, and a different set of alloy wheels. The photos here depict fashion designer/photographer Karl Lagerfeld posing with the cars, but he didn’t have any hand in styling the STYLE packages.

Oh, and the STYLE versions are also accompanied by new, distinct exterior shades – the Golf and Golf Plus come in a shade called Moonlight Blue Pearl effect, while the Polo is available in Toffee Brown Metallic.

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Auto Guangzhou: New MG3 is neatly styled inside and out

December 27, 2010 at 11:16 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Nanjing MG

Here’s another debutant at the ongoing Auto Guangzhou 2010, the MG3. Although the MG brand is now in Chinese hands, they are keen to promote the British links and heritage of the marque, which was obvious from the constant presence of Union Jacks around the stand. SAIC even brought in classic MGs for the show.

The MG3 is a B-segment supermini that’s rather neatly styled and proportioned. At 3,999 mm long, 1,728 mm wide and 1,517 mm tall, it’s about the size of a Ford Fiesta, but slightly larger in all directions. The 2,520 mm wheelbase is also very long for its class. The black roof isn’t very original but there are some neat details such as headlamp bulbs with MG logos, like the Mk4 VW Polo. The long rear lamps are a bit like the Volvo XC60′s.

The interior is quite pleasant as well. While plastics are hard, the dash design is cool in a minimalist way, and there are some iPod influences in the white trim and stereo controls. If you’re wondering what’s in the dash top cubby, it’s a mount for a portable GPS unit. The two-tone black-beige theme also works for me, and it’s quite spacious at the back, too.

There’s not much info on what’s underneath, save for the option of a 92 hp 1.3L engine and a 108 hp 1.5L unit. The show car has an AMT gearbox. The MG3 will be launched locally in March 2011.

Full live gallery after the jump.
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Auto Guangzhou: FAW Senya S80 SUV is a “CrossAvanza”

December 27, 2010 at 9:16 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Toyota

This is the Senya S80 by Chinese auto maker First Automobile Works. FAW is one of the biggest auto companies in China, having joint ventures with the likes of Volkswagen, General Motors and Toyota. Subsidiary FAW-Jilin was a JV with Daihatsu, which recently pulled out of the marriage. FAW not only retained the factory, but the Daihatsu Xenia as well, which we know as the Toyota Avanza.

Marketed as an SUV, not an MPV, the Senya S80 wears 4X4 style black cladding on the lower half of its body, along with sliver “stone guards” at both ends. The grille, headlamps (projector units with LED signals) and taillamps are also different from the Avanza. The resulting look could be pretty much like how a “Cross Avanza” would look like if there’s ever such a thing. Could be an inspiration for Avanza owners who want to try out the “4X4 look”.

Inside, there’s leather on the seats and steering with red stitching plus a 2-DIN touch screen head unit. The S80 can be had with the same 92 PS K3-VE 1.3L and 109 PS 3SZ-VE 1.5L engines as per the Avanza.

More live images after the jump.
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Grey Suzuki Kizashi sedan spotted at JPJ Putrajaya

December 26, 2010 at 3:01 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Spyshots, Suzuki

A few readers have spotted a Suzuki Kizashi in one of my favorite shades of grey at the JPJ complex in Putrajaya in the last week. Usually when we see a yet to be launched car there it could only mean that it is being homologated for a launch soon, so perhaps this will be Suzuki Malaysia Automobile’s big launch in 2011.

The Suzuki Kizashi is Suzuki’s foray into a market that is quite foreign to the company which usually makes small compact cars. The Kizashi competes with D-segment vehicles in the US, but it has a rather short-ish wheelbase of 2,700mm that only matches the C-segment Civic and Sylphy, making it one of the shortest wheelbase D-segment cars, 25mm shorter than the Mazda 6′s 2,725mm wheelbase and a good 99mm shorter than the Honda Accord’s 2,799mm.

As a result, the Kizashi’s looks end up being slightly on the stout side of things, but this is matched with a front and rear end that have strong designs – check out the shape of that bootlid! Only one engine is available overseas for now – a 2.4 litre DOHC with 185 horsepower and 230Nm of torque mated to either a 6-speed manual or a CVT transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. There’s even an option for all wheel drive.

I’m very curious – how will the Kizashi be priced here in Malaysia? Look after the jump for a gallery of the spyshots as well as an official production photo gallery of the Suzuki Kizashi.

Thanks power apexg2 and Akmal Azmi for the shots!
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Great Wall Motors ASEAN CKD plans include Malaysia?

December 24, 2010 at 11:51 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, China, Great Wall


Great Wall Coolbear

Various sources on the internet point to Great Wall Motor Co having an assembly plant here in Malaysia. It seems that Malaysia has been identified as one of the countries where the Chinese carmaker wants to set up a plant, together with Vietnam and Philippines.


Great Wall Wingle

These three countries will make passenger cars, while separate Great Wall Motor Co plants in Indonesia and Thailand will make pick-up up trucks such as the Great Wall Wingle. Given that they want plants in so many countries, they’ll most likely be in partnership with local partners.


Great Wall Hover

Earlier this year we heard news of the government receiving applications from five foreign carmakers to setup assembly plants here in Malaysia. The government did not reveal which companies these were, only saying that they were European and Asian companies, which is really quite general.


Great Wall Voleex C30

Great Wall could most likely be one of the 5 companies, and MITI had better give the green light fast because although we’ve seen Great Wall cars on test in Malaysia before, the Chinese company is already selling cars in the Philippines and has already identified that it will work with local dealer Philippine National Motor to setup a plant there with an annual capacity of 10,000 units. Great Wall also already has CKD plants in Vietnam in partnership with the locals.


Great Wall Cowry

Models that Great Wall Motor seem to be focusing on exporting are the Florid, the Peri, the Wingle, the Cowry, the Coolbear and the Hover SUV. They also have the Voleex C30 and Voleex C70 sedans. The Hover SUV was recently granted a 4 star score in the Australian NCAP crash test. The only model that we’ve seen on test in Malaysia before is the Wingle.


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Mitsubishi to rebadge Suzuki SOLIO for JDM market

December 24, 2010 at 6:35 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi, Suzuki

Suzuki and Mitsubishi have inked an agreement today on Christmas eve for the OEM supply of Suzuki’s SOLIO compact MPV for Mitsubishi to rebadge for the Japanese domestic market. Suzuki will supply Mitsubishi about 800 units of the Suzuki SOLIO a month.

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