Nissan and Mitsubishi expand scope of cooperation – next gen Triton and Navara are set to be twins!

December 15, 2010 at 1:10 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi, Nissan

Mitsubishi and Nissan will expand their current scope of cooperation, and the joint projects “will further strengthen mutual competitiveness”, both carmakers have agreed. The projects will range from JDM mini cars to Thai made pick-up trucks.

Nissan and Mitsubishi already have several OEM agreements for the domestic market, mainly for K-cars (MMC for Nissan) and commercial vehicles (Nissan for MMC), and this relationship will continue and grow. Nissan will provide a light van/wagon to Mitsubishi for the Japanese market, while Mitsubishi is to provide an SUV to Nissan for sale in the Middle East. There’s no mention which models these are. Both parties are also in talks for Nissan to provide Mitsubishi with “upper-end segment models” for the domestic market.


As for the new developments, a 50:50 joint venture company will be set up for product planning and engineering of mini cars for the Japanese market, reads the official statement, although Bloomberg reports that the fruits of this JV will be sold worldwide. The current arrangement is mainly of Nissan selling rebadged Mitsubishi K-cars.

The other big news is more relevant to us in ASEAN. Both parties are looking at moving production of the current generation Nissan Navara to Mitsubishi Motors’ plant in Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chonburi Thailand, which churns out the Triton. This move will of course benefit both parties in terms of cost.

In the longer term, the two companies are looking at manufacturing and engineering collaboration of a new generation one-tonne pickup truck. If this takes off, the next generation Triton and Navara could be non-identical twins underpinned by the same platform and rolling out from the same factory, like how Ford and Mazda do it in Thailand. The Mother Trucker’s drivetrain paired with the Triton’s style and cabin doesn’t sound too bad, does it?

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Formula Drift Malaysia 2010 Road Closures

December 14, 2010 at 8:38 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News

As KL gears up for the Formula Drift Malaysia 2010 this week, we bring you some road closure announcements in conjunction with the event, all in the name of safety!

Here is a list with timing as well as a map of partial and full road closures.

15th Dec – 12.01am onwards until 16th Dec – 10pm: Partial road closure, one left lane (Dataran Merdeka side) and one right lane (Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad side).

16th Dec – 10 pm onwards until 20th Dec – 4 am: Full road closure of Jalan Raja and Jalan Mahkamah for event.

20th Dec -  4 am: Full handover of Jalan Raja to Traffic Police. The road will be open to public.

Click the map above for an enlarged version.
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Join The Castrol EDGE Experience Nurburgring contest to win a trip to the Nurburgring to drive a BMW M3!

December 14, 2010 at 3:17 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Castrol EDGE Experience Nurburgring

It’s a name that has had a long and distinguished association with motor racing. Castrol, which made its debut in 1909, has certainly been in the thick of it all where motorsports is concerned, and in the early days, you could even smell its winning ways on track!

Indeed, Castrol founder C.C Wakefield’s Castrol “R” lubricant was once universally synonymous with motor racing, and in those heady, cavalier days, the air around British race tracks was filled with the pungent aroma of Castrol R wafting out from exhausts – the castor oil-based formulation, which could withstand the extreme heat and friction that early high-powered engines were subject to, also gave it a distinct scent through emissions. It was also the oil which gave the brand its name.

Wakefield’s products also played a prominent part in pre-WW II speed record-breaking activities – a great many racers broke air, land and water speed records during the 1920s and 1930s in rides using Castrol oil, and the Castrol name has featured proudly as lubricant supplier in the setting of no less than 21 world land speed records, including that of the current record holder, the Thrust SSC. So even from those days, Castrol has shown that it can perform under extreme pressure inside the engine just like how top drivers need to perform on the track.

The company has long been associated with racing, notably Formula 1, and to this day Castrol’s dedication in formulating lubricants able to withstand extreme situations like that of a high performance engine has remained at the core of its product engineering. And I’m thankful for that, because it’s due to Castrol’s obsession in walking the high performance talk that we’re able to bring to you this – the Castrol EDGE Experience Nurburgring contest!

Yes, come up tops in the Castrol EDGE Experience Nurburgring and you’ll win yourself a trip to the legendary race track, where you’ll be taking on those corners in no less than a 414 hp BMW M3! Sounds like fun? Well, here’s how you can start getting on your way:

Contest will start on 13th December 2010. Contest entry submission will close on 13th February 2011 (at 12am Malaysian time). No purchase necessary!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

Participants have to complete four contest rounds beginning with:

ROUND 1

From 13th December 2010 – 2nd January 2011, participants are required to answer 5 trivia questions correctly, which are split into two sections. First section with two (2) questions and the second section with three (3) questions. All trivia questions must be answered correctly by participants to proceed to the next round.

ROUND 2

From 3rd January 2011 – 16th January 2011, participants are required to write a slogan about “Why Your Car Needs Castrol EDGE?”. Judges will select 30 participants with the best written slogans to proceed to Round 3.

ROUND 3

From 17th January 2011 – 13th February 2011, participants are required to create or write a review expressing the difference Castrol EDGE has made to their car. The Castrol EDGE lubricant will be provided at participating Castrol Auto Service outlet. Participants are also encouraged to be as creative as possible when creating the online reviews. Judges will select 16 finalists with the best reviews to proceed to Round 4. Under the judges’ discretion, only the most creative entries will be eligible to proceed.

ROUND 4

Only 16 participants with the most creative reviews will be selected as finalists to participate in the exclusive Castrol Edge Nurburgring – Sepang Challenge. Based on the performance of the 16 finalists at the Castrol Edge Nurburgring – Sepang Challenge, judges’ will select one Grand Prize Winner for the trip to The Nurburgring in Germany and other prize winners accordingly.

The grand prize winner gets flight, accomodation, and a two day driving program! At the end of the day, only one lucky winner will get a chance to tear up the bends at the legendary ‘Ring in Germany – will you be the one?

You’ll need both internal strength to brave the feared “Green Hell”, as well as the strength of Castrol EDGE to give you the confidence and freedom to drive your car to the edge how you want, when you want it!

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BMW X1 xDrive20d and sDrive18i now CKD in Malaysia!

December 14, 2010 at 3:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Local News

BMW Malaysia has just announced that the BMW X1 is now assembled in their Kulim plant in Kedah. As with the CBU models that were available from launch, the new CKD X1 models continue to be available in a choice of a torquey xDrive20d turbodiesel with all-wheel drive and a rear wheel drive sDrive18i model.

There have been some changes to specs as well as price to the two cars. The X1 sDrive18i adds ront and rear Park Distance Control (PDC), interior and exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function and a new sports leather steering wheel and all new interior trim finishers. The price tag for the less-equipped BMW X1 sDrive18i CKD is now significantly lower than the CBU at RM238,800 versus RM263,800 before.

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The X1 xDrive20d with 177 horsepower, 350Nm while outputting 170g/km of CO2 emissions gets new 18 inch double spoke light alloy wheels, a new “Fineline wave” interior wood trim, and gets an iDrive screen with BMW Navigation Professional, Bluetooth connectivity and a better specced HiFi loudspeaker system. The xDrive20d has a RM1,000 cheaper price tag at RM298,800.

The first locally assembled BMW actually rolled out in 1983 at their assembly facility in Kuching, Sarawak. Then Sime Darby took over assembly at their AMI Shah Alam plant in 1987. The Kulim plant in Kedah rolled out their first car – an E90 BMW 3-Series in 2008.
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Hyundai-Kia to use dual-clutch gearbox, CVT from 2011

December 14, 2010 at 2:21 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, Kia, Koreans

The dual-clutch gearbox, popularised by Volkswagen and adopted by the likes of Ford, Volvo, BMW and Porsche today, will find its way into Hyundai-Kia vehicles from next year. First out with be a six-speed unit, followed by a seven speeder, supplied by Germany’s LUK and branded as Parallel Shift Gearbox (PSG).

Like VW’s DSG, PSG has two computer operated clutches, one handling even gears and the other odd gears. Compared to a torque converter automatic, shift speed and efficiency are improved, but it’s the latter Hyundai is chasing after. “To improve our fuel economy, we are aggressively trying to apply various technologies,” Dr Woong-chul Yang, president of Hyundai-Kia’s R&D division said.

The “various tech” mentioned includes the continuously variable transmissions (CVT), which will be introduced in smaller models to boost mileage. In the US, Hyundai has announced plans to lift its corporate average fuel economy rating to 50 mpg (17.7 km/l) by 2025. Four upcoming models including the new Elantra (Avante for us) will get at least 40 mpg or 14.2 km/l on the highway. Transmissions are key, but other measures include direct-injection engines, turbochargers and hybrid tech.

Reports from Australia say that the recipients of the PSG will include the ix35 and i45, which we know as the Tucson and Sonata respectively.

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Honda teases next generation Civic with official sketch

December 14, 2010 at 11:06 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News


Click to enlarge

Honda has announced that the styling direction of the next-generation Honda Civic will debut at the 2011 Detroit show in January via a concept car, and has released this official sketch as a teaser. The production version of the ninth-generation Civic based on the Detroit concept will go on sale in spring 2011.

The sketch shows a two-door hatch or coupe, but we can pick up some hints from the front fascia. It features a V-shape with elements pointing down towards the middle of the front. The headlights are slim and sharp, and the lower grille isn’t unlike the CR-Z’s snout, although unlike that coupe, there’s an upper grille here. This sketch also rules out the City’s Optimus Prime face.

Overall, the front reminds me a little of the Accord Euro R. Do you like what you see?

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VW give thumbs up to new F1 engine rules – joining soon?

December 14, 2010 at 10:33 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports, Volkswagen

Volkswagen has managed to resist the temptation of joining Formula 1 so far. As recent as early this month, the new Porsche boss Matthias Mueller “ruled out” the series.

“F1 is a drivers’ world championship, with the focus on the sponsors and the manufacturers only secondary. For us, this is a clear drawback for such a long-term investment, as is the unclear rules for the future. (But) if the VW Group was interested, then Porsche would surely be the brand that would work best for this,” he told German newspaper Westfalen Blatt.

But the new rules that limit engines to 1.6-litre four-cylinder units in 2013 could be thing that changes VW’s mind. When asked, VW Motorsport’s Hans-Joachim Stuck spoke of the possibilities.

“We welcome the decision. It is not only great news for F1, but for the whole of motorsport, as it takes the sport in the right direction environmentally. Of course, we have not decided anything, but the conditions for Volkswagen to possibly enter the category have now been created. The engine rules are a good starting point for Volkswagen,” he said.

VW’s motorsport program subscribes to “Resource-saving motorsport” and efficient engines with production-based technology (the brand’s Formula 3 engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder NA engine with ‘just’ 210 hp ). Using bio natural gas engines in the Scirocco R-Cup and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours is proof that “Volkswagen is already in the process of putting the aims of eco-conscious motorsport of the future into action now,” according to VW Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.

Will we see Porsche racing with Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus in F1 in the near future?

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200 hp turbocharged 1.6L Honda CR-Z Type R on the way?

December 13, 2010 at 2:43 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

The Honda CR-Z, which is presently hybrid only, will get a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which could spawn a Type R variant, UK’s Autocar reports. Citing sources in Japan, the report says that the 1.6-litre turbo is currently undergoing development at Honda’s Tochigi R&D facility.

To also find its way into the Jazz, Civic and Accord, this i-VTEC turbo unit is part of Honda’s downsizing program, and will push out 2.0L performance from just 1.6 litres. There will be two versions – a 160 hp unit and a 200 hp version that’s set to carry the legacy of the Civic Type R’s K20A. The latter will motivate the “CR-Z Type R” that could debut late next year.

The idea isn’t new. The image above is of Honda’s CR-Z Hybrid R concept from this year’s SEMA show. It had a turbo alongside the 1.5-litre hybrid powerplant for 200 hp and 238 Nm of torque, plus red hot body styling.

After repeatedly being bombarded with sad news on Type R deaths recently, enthusiasts who feared the extinction of sporty Hondas finally have something to cheer about. Gallery of the Hybrid R concept is after the jump.
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Are cardboard cut-outs of cops in mini-skirts a good idea?

December 13, 2010 at 12:58 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News

policew cutoutBrilliant, or just plain old hare-brained? Seems authorities in the Czech Republic have taken to placing life-sized cardboard cut-outs of mini-skirted policewomen alongside roads in busy junctions throughout towns in the country, in an effort to save cash.

According to reports, instead of installing traffic lights, the cut-outs have been placed to er, get the attention of drivers and slow them down, and it seems to be working, according to the authorities. Many drivers have automatically slowed down when they see the cut-outs, though whether they’re braking because of the fear and respect of the law or in appreciation of the outfit is actually open to debate.

Unfortunately, the flip side of it is that the scheme has also been said to be responsible for bumping up accident rates, simply due to male motorists taking their eyes off the road. One driver, who complained to the country’s Interior Ministry after driving his car off the road, said that “the cut-outs are distracting. I mean, mini-skirts? In this weather?”

And, despite the added police presence, theft also seems to be up – a local radio station gave a hat and an anorak to help keep the officer warm, but they were stolen in a day. And there have been reports that some cardboard policewomen have been relieved from duty through dubious means.

So, what do you think? Should we have such cardboard cut-outs here?

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Tom Walkinshaw, founder of TWR, passes away at 64

December 13, 2010 at 12:12 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News

Tom Walkinshaw 1Former TWR owner Tom Walkinshaw died on Sunday from lung cancer. The 64-year-old Scotsman’s racing career began in the late 60s, where he raced in Formula Ford and Formula Three as well as Formula Two, and drove in various classes and events up to the late 80s.

In 1976, he established Tom Walkinshaw Racing, which designed and manufactured both road and racing cars, as well as running the latter in touring car programmes in the mid 1970s and early 1980s.

Most memorable, certainly for Jaguar fans, was the victory achieved by the Silk Cut Jaguar XJR-9LM built by TWR (and designed by Tony Southgate) in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1988. The company would go on to build more winning Le Mans entries, notably the Joest Racing Porsche WSC-95, which won the event in 1996 and 1997.

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Walkinshaw also had an association with F1, as engineering director at Benetton, part owner of Ligier and owner of Arrows, though that last association cost him dearly – Arrows ran out of money in 2002, and in the process the TWR group went into liquidation.

Another famous Walkinshaw outing would be that in Australia with Holden Special Vehicles, which was set up in 1987 as a joint venture between Holden and TWR, as well as with the Holden Racing Team.

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