Peugeot 308 GT: 175 PS 3-door hatch tested!

May 26, 2009 at 2:16 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Peugeot, Test Drive Reviews

308 GT
Click for enlarged image

With the arrival of the Peugeot 308 GT last year on Malaysian shores, Malaysians now have a cheaper way to enter the world of European turbocharged hot hatch motoring.

The MINI Cooper S is a bloody fun car to drive and many will be looking at the 308 GT as a cheaper way (RM159,999) to experience something close to the Cooper S. This is because the Cooper S and the Peugeot 308 GT share the same engine. It’s also way more practical in the sense that the 308 can seat 4 comfortably while the Cooper’s rear seats aren’t a very nice place to be in.

The 1.6 litre Prince engine with direct injection and a single twin scroll turbocharger, producing 175 horsepower and 240Nm of torque from just 1,500rpm. That’s a full 25 horses and 40Nm less than the Golf GTI, but surely the 6-speed manual will make up for it in terms of driving experience?

Find out my thoughts on the 308 GT after the jump.
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Naza Kia wins Kia Asia-Pacific Network Development Award: most improved dealers

May 25, 2009 at 4:59 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Kia, Koreans, Local News

Kia XR

I have heard time and time again from enthusiastic Naza Kia management that a car company is all about the Brand, Product and Network. Sometime back Naza Kia embarked on a whole overhaul of their dealer network.

As per most of your reactions to the new products from the Korean marque such as the Kia Forte and Forte Koup, I believe that Kia has got the whole Product thing right, but it is hard for the marque to handle things such as Network directly as this is the responsibility of the country’s distributor. All 3 aspects have to move forward to bring Kia on par with the Japanese.

Kia cannot sell based on a cheap price tag forever as the Chinese manufacturers are quickly moving to fill in area part of the product landscape. Kia developed a 200 question 1000 point system for dealer development, and each country’s distributors have to follow this system in the evaluation and overhauling the Network part of Brand, Product and Network.

The results from the 1000 point system determines if a network outlet is graded from A to E. A, B and C outlets are recognised and rewarded, whereas strict efforts are put in place to either develop D and E outlets into at least B and C outlets or revoke their dealership. 24 Malaysian dealers scored sufficient points to be accorded ‘A’ which Kia Motors recognises as being Platinum-grade dealers. 18 are in the B grade, 2 in C, 2 in D and none in E (these E dealers have presumably been terminated).

In recognition of these efforts, Naza Kia was selected as the best in the Asia-Pacific region to win the Kia Asia-Pacific Network Development Award, based on the number of dealers developed and improved.

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Chevrolet Captiva 7-seater SUV updated in Malaysia with new features!

May 25, 2009 at 4:13 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet/Daewoo, Koreans, Local News, Videos

Captiva

The Chevrolet Captiva is an interesting and good looking alternative to the regular Honda CR-V and the aging Nissan X-Trail that people usually opt for when they look for an SUV under RM200,000. In fact, the Captiva is Hicom-Chevrolet’s best-seller and it’s refreshing that a company has been offering a turbodiesel variant for people to enjoy diesel power in a more family-friendly format without resorting to driving a pick-up truck.

There are various versions of the 7-seater (third row folds flat) Captiva available and the highlight is the top of the line Captiva Diesel with all-wheel drive. The 2.0 litre engine produces 150 horsepower at 5,000rpm but the really nice thing is it has 320Nm of torque from 2,000rpm for an effortless drive around town, no need to rev the engine to get good momentum.

Even the 2.4L petrol is tuned for very good torque – horsepower is low at 136hp for a 2.4L engine but it is a compromise in order to get 220Nm at only 2,200rpm. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed auto.

Chevrolet Captiva

The Diesel version gets beige leather upholstery as standard, an 8-speaker sound system with MP3, USB and Bluetooth Audio support, ESP stability control with Active Rollover Protection, Hill Descent Control, and Traction Control.

Safety features for all Captivas include dual front airbags, ABS, disc brakes on all wheels and ISOFIX child seat points for the second row, which is something that certain car manufacturers think Malaysians do not know how to use or perhaps do not deserve, but if you don’t have the points in the first place how are people going to learn?

The first 50 customers will also get a holiday package to a resort at Lake Kenyir, a GPS navigation system and a rear view camera which is mounted cleanly on the rear bumper. The GPS map is customised with the locations of Chevrolet dealers nationwide.

Chevrolet Captiva

The following are the prices for the new Captiva. The top of the range is the 2.0L AWD Diesel with beige interior, this is the model with all the goodies and safety features. All prices are OTR with insurance.

Chevrolet Captiva 2.4L AWD Petrol (Beige Interior) RM 150,306.20
Chevrolet Captiva 2.0L AWD Diesel (Beige Interior) RM 161,442.30
Chevrolet Captiva 2.4L AWD Petrol (Grey Interior) RM 151,332.20
Chevrolet Captiva 2.4L FWD Petrol (Grey Interior) RM 143,124.20
Chevrolet Captiva 2.0L FWD Diesel (Grey Interior) RM 150,982.30

There are two accessory packages available for you to add-on. One is the Captiva Sporty Package which includes a Front Bumper Guard, Black Chrome Bezel headlamps, Side Steps, Chrome Wind Deflector and Clear Chrome Rear Lamps for RM 7,700.

The other is the Captiva Elegant Package which includes the Molding Package, Black Chrome Bezel Headlamps, Side Steps, Chrome Wind Deflector and Clear Chrome Rear Lamps for RM 6,800.
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The New BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo

May 24, 2009 at 9:35 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo

As expected, soon after pix of the new 5-Series GT were leaked onto the internet BMW decided to completely take off the wraps off the first body variant of the new generation F10 BMW 5-Series, which will also later include the traditional sedan and touring variants.

Despite the 5-Series front end, the 5-Series Gran Turismo actually has plenty of stuff in common with the F01 7-Series. BMW says the rear passenger cabin offers the legroom of a 7-Series and the headroom of an X5.

Continue reading our story after the jump.
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Perodua MPV or Toyota Passo Sette spotted again!

May 22, 2009 at 1:14 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Malaysian Makes, Perodua, Perodua Alza - New Perodua D46T MPV 2009, Spyshots

Perodua MPV

A Toyota Passo Sette 3-row MPV or rather the upcoming new Perodua MPV was spotted by reader Goniothalamus on his KL-Bentong journey.

The compact people mover had barely any disguise on, with only a few simple black tapes covering key identification marks such as the badges. In fact looking at the position of the badges that are covered up and the typical Japanese rear window black tinting, it could potentially just be an actual Passo Sette from Japan (compare to this photo), which means this car doesn’t necessarily belong to Perodua.


Toyota Passo Sette Interior

Perodua MD Datuk Syed Hafiz has previously indicated that the Perodua MPV (codenamed Perodua D46T for now) will be sold with a price tag of between RM57k to RM66k and a launch date has been set for somewhere in Q3 this year, which would be anywhere between July to September.

It has already been previously spotted in Malaysia from as early as April this year (check out Perodua MPV photo and video spyshot) and Perodua has also exhibited the Perodua MPV’s interior in Johor.

Look after the jump for all the spyshots.
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More low-res leaked shots of BMW 5-Series GT!

May 22, 2009 at 12:09 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Spyshots

BMW 5-Series GT

Now that was pretty darn quick – right after french magazine L’Automobile magazine posted up a story with full undisguised albeit low-res production photos of the new BMW 5-Series GT 5-door hatchback, a full set of even more photos untainted by watermarks have surfaced on the internet!

But they are still low res of course, we’ll have to wait for the official unveiling for the full hi-res images, which should be very soon, perhaps even in a week’s time.

BMW 5-Series GT

I still don’t really like how it looks like. The long flowy front seems suddenly interrupted by a short and stubby back. The front end is clearly inspired by the BMW Concept CS, but with all the details toned down significantly. It does share a family face with the new F01 but as I’ve always said, having oversized kidney grilles are fine really if only they are slightly rectangular instead of the F01′s square shape, and here we go, on the F10 with their slightly rectangular shape they look so much better. I can’t wait to see how the F10 sedan looks like.

BMW 5-Series GT

There are many more photos of the interior in this set, with some showing off the car’s massive panoramic roof that will give the 4 passengers a nice open and airy feel. Yes, the car only seats 4 as there is an armrest cum storage area going through the middle of the two individual seats in the rear, which by the way are said to be reclinable!

Look after the jump for the full set of images.
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BMW 5-Series GT Production Photos Leaked!

May 22, 2009 at 10:54 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Spyshots

5-Series GT

Don’t know how they did it but French car magazine L’Automobile Magazine managed to get these press release photos of the new BMW 5-Series GT – BMW’s very own D-segment hatchback with a Prius-like roofline and dual-mode tailgate.

As explained before in detail when the Concept 5-Series GT was unveiled, the dual-mode allows access to the storage area either via opening the whole hatch or just a small door, something like the Skoda Superb’s TwinDoor. The rear carries regular 5-Series badging (530d in this instance) but on the left side there appears to be a “GT” badge.

You will be able to see some interior photos after the jump, which continue the theme set by the new F01/F02 7-Series and even includes the Black Panel LCD to display various driver aid information below the two main speedo and RPM meter gauges.

UPDATE: Many more leaked photos here!

Continue after the jump.

Related Posts:
Production BMW 5-Series GT previewed in video!
BMW Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo
F10 BMW 5-Series Sedan Artist’s Impression
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Daimler AG takes up 10% stake in Tesla Motors

May 21, 2009 at 3:36 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Mercedes Benz, Tesla Motors

Tesla Model S

Daimler AG has taken up a 10% stake worth US$50 million in electric car maker Tesla Motors, a move that depends their already pre-existing relationship where Tesla would equip 1,000 Smart cars with their electric motor and battery technology. According to Daimler chairman and Mercedes-Benz head Dieter Zetsche, Daimler wanted more than a supplier-customer relationship with Tesla.

“We are in a time of change. This industry is going through a kind of paradigm shift, and has to reinvent itself ultimately to be independent of petroleum and without CO2 emissions. We need fast technology change,” said Zetsche, and it seems that he sees Tesla’s technology as a way to achieve that fast technology change.

Of course this is a big score for the electric car camp. Any big manufacturers who votes yes for electric cars will steer the industry more towards electric motors and batteries instead of fuel cell cars or extended range hybrids as the defacto method of car propulsion in the future. Daimler has also invested in German battery company Li-Tec, and founded a battery production JV with Evonik Industries. These might end up supplying batteries for both Tesla and Daimler electric cars.

This could also mean Mercedes-Benz platforms could be used for future Tesla like a replacement for the Model S (shown above) in the future, but then again with the versatility in packaging with an electric car, a platform designed for a combustion engine might not be the completely optimal solution.
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Proton Saga to make Australia debut early 2010

May 21, 2009 at 3:04 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

Proton Saga Photo

The Proton Saga will be entering the Australian market in early 2010. Proton will sell the Saga with a 1.6 litre Campro engine, an engine size up from the 1.3 litre consumer version we get here.

Proton Cars Australia says the Proton Saga will be Australia’s cheapest sedan, which won’t necessarily mean it will be Australia’s cheapest car as most cheap cars are 5-door hatches, which would not lay claim to the cheapest sedan title.

According to Proton Cars Australia, there are currently 25,000 Protons on the road down under right now and hopefully the new Saga will increase those numbers.

While a 1.6 litre version of the Proton Saga isn’t officially on sale in Malaysia yet, there have been classifieds ads appearing all over (such as this) advertising limited units of a Saga 1.6 for sale. The specs include a 1.6 Campro IAFM engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The ads also say it is only available in solid red which leads me to believe these are the taxi cars being sold to consumers who want it.

Prices range from between RM39k to RM43k from what I’ve seen and the equipment is minimal, with steel wheels and no airbags, but there are front power windows.

103 Comments      

Volkswagen Golf GTI Wörthersee 09 Concept

May 21, 2009 at 3:34 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Volkswagen

Golf GTI

Here’s another car for the Wörthersee Tour 2009, and just like the Polo concept it’s going to be called the Volkswagen Golf GTI Wörthersee 09.

It’s more of an aesthetics modification, with the paintwork done in a shade that Volkswagen called “Firespark Metallic”. The wheels are high-gloss black 19 inch alloys. The rear gets smoked tail lamps. The interior gets some nice detailing too – brushed aluminium trim, glossy black painted frames around the air vents, red borders on the floor mats which echo the red on the front grille, and new combination seats with black and red Nappa. Under the hood is the same 210 PS TSi engine in the Golf GTI.

Look after the jump for more pix.
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