Naza World brings in GT-R, Impreza WRX and Dualis

April 10, 2008 at 3:00 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Nissan, Subaru

Naza World GT-R

Naza World has brought in 3 new cars – the Nissan GT-R, the latest Subaru Impreza WRX and the Nissan Dualis SUV. These cars are priced at RM728,999, RM302,999 and RM229,999 respectively.

The Nissan GT-R really needs no introduction, with publications all around the world raving about the 911-killing supercar. Under the hood is a twin turbocharged 3.8 litre V6 putting out 450 horsepower and 502Nm of torque, hooked up to a transaxle twin clutch gearbox mounted at the rear for optimum weight distribution. Of course, the GT-R must have the ATTESA E-TS all wheel drive system. 0 to 100km/h takes 3.8 seconds.

The latest generation Subaru Impreza WRX with a hatchback body instead of the previous generation’s sedan body is powered by a 2.5 litre boxer engine. The new boxer is 22.6kg lighter than the previous model and produces more low end torque. Peak horsepower and torque are 224 horsepower and 306Nm.

Price at over RM200K, the Nissan Dualis will be an alternative to those who are jaded with all the Muranos going around. The Nissan Dualis is the Japanese/Australian market name for the Nissan Qashqai. Naza is bringing in the 5-seater version.

The Dualis has a 4WD drivetrain and a 2.0 litre engine producing 137 horsepower and 198Nm of torque. It has 6 airbags and stability control. It has a 200mm ground clearance, 30.2 departure angle and a 19.2 degrees approach angle for those who are concerned about some off-roading related numbers.

More images of the cars after the jump.
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New Goodyear Assurance tyres available in Malaysia

April 10, 2008 at 1:48 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News

Goodyear AssuranceGoodyear has just launched what looks like the “Volvo” of tyres called the Goodyear Assurance tire with ArmorGrip Technology, aimed at the customer who puts a priority on safety and durability when picking a new set of tyres.

“Goodyear consistently invests in research to better understand consumers driving needs. Based on these consumer insights, we know that the top key attribute most sought after in tyres is safety. For consumers in Asia, safety means excellent grip in wet or dry roads above all, and durability in terms of resistance to road hazards,” said DP Singh, Regional Marketing Director for Consumer Tyres.

What Goodyear calls ArmorGrip technology comprises of two different features that provides the “Armor” and “Grip” in ArmorGrip.

Goodyear AssuranceThe tire’s “Armor” incorporates both DuPont Kevlar in the tyres and a silicon-reinforced Durawall compound in the sidewall to provide increased resistance to cuts and tears. This is so that the tyre has increased durability in terms of resistance to the road hazards of our Malaysian roads. DuPont Kevlar which is lightweight and 5 times stronger than steel, was first used in Wrangler 4X4 tires.

The “Grip” portion is thanks to an advanced silica-based tread compound and a new “Waffle Blade System”. The use of silica in the thread increases chemical bonding with rubber polymers for improved grip.

Goodyear AssuranceThe Waffle Blade System is a new generation 3-dimensional blade system, which evolved from Goodyears previous Bubble Blade System.

It is designed to provide better braking and grip on wet and dry roads while maintaining lateral block rigidity, resulting in shorter wet braking distances without compromising handling performance.

The new Goodyear Assurance with ArmorGrip Technology is priced between RM170 to RM300 per tyre depending on size and is available in the following sizes:

  • 195/60 R15 ASSURANCE 88H
  • 205/60 R15 ASSURANCE 91H
  • 195/65 R15 ASSURANCE 91H
  • 205/65 R15 ASSURANCE 94H
  • 195/55 R15 ASSURANCE 85V
  • 195/50 R15 ASSURANCE 82V
  • 195/60 R14 ASSURANCE 86H
  • 205/55 R16 ASSURANCE 91V
  • 195/70 R14 ASSURANCE 91H
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Nissan Latio tuned by Impul available in Malaysia!

April 10, 2008 at 12:56 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Nissan

Impul Nissan Latio
Click to enlarge

Edaran Tan Chong Motor has introduced a limited run Impul kit for buyers and owners of the Nissan Latio. The kit costs RM10,500 on top of the standard Nissan Latio and consists of the following items:

  • Impul Aerokit – consists of a front grille, front rear and side skirts, and wing spoiler
  • Impul Sports Suspension System – absorbers and springs that lower ride height by 25mm and like most factory tailored sports suspensions, they are supposed improve handling while keeping ride comfort to a decent level
  • Impul Blast II Exhaust Muffler – a stainless steel exhaust muffler that improves engine response and gives the engine a sportier note
  • 17 inch Impul NS GTII alloy wheels – gold-coloured wheels that weigh 6.48kg wrapped with Dunlop Formula D 01 205/45R17 tyres

Impul performance parts are also available to existing Nissan Latio owners. Shown in the image above is the Nissan Latio Sport hatchback version of the kit, but the kit is also available for the sedan version of the Latio.

Have a look after the jump for a picture of the sedan version and some prices.
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The Making Of BMW M3 V8 “Revolution” Video

April 9, 2008 at 3:42 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

m3-v8-logo.jpg

GSD&M Idea City producer Paul Golubovich talks about the BMW M3 V8 Revolution TV commercial we saw earlier this morning in this “The Making Of…” video. Golubovich and his team explain the technicalities involved in shooting the commercial. Look from the 1 minute 50 seconds mark and you can see flames coming out of the opened engine.

Watch the video after the jump.
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VIDEO: Inside a combustion chamber

April 9, 2008 at 2:02 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Videos

Combustion ChamberIn the previous post we saw ad agency Idea City’s TV spot for BMW showing us the insides of the V8 engine from the new BMW M3. It looked great but it wasn’t really real combustion cycle as there was no piston.

After the jump you will find a video recording of what happens inside a combustion chamber for real! You can actually see the intake valve opening, the combustion process and then the exhaust valve opening, all in slow motion!
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BMW M3 “Revolution” TV Commercial by IdeaCity

April 9, 2008 at 1:19 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

M3 V8

The amazing TV spot you will see after the jump is the creation of ad agency Idea City. It features what happens inside the new BMW M3′s V8 engine and was created entirely without the use of CGI effects. Instead, a real engine (3 of them actually) was modified to have special cameras, lenses and lighting inserted.

After 2 weeks of preparation and a further 80 hours to film the actual injection and combustion process the result is this TV spot, which was filmed at 10,000 fps. Of course, it isn’t really an accurate representation of the combustion process as you can see there’s no piston in there, so the engine isn’t really running.

Watch the amazing video after the jump.
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Toyota may increase Subaru stake to 17%

April 8, 2008 at 7:21 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Subaru, Toyota

toyotalogo.gifJapanese business newspaper Nikkei Shimbun reported that Toyota is considering raising its current 8.7% stake in Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) to about 17%, in a deal that is valued at 30 billion yen, or RM937 million ringgit, pending a review by Japan’s Fair Trade Commission.

Subaru will remain somewhat independent and not be considered a Toyota subsidiary as the resulting shareholding by Toyota will be under 20%. In a response to Nikkei’s report, Subaru says it still does not have anything to announce at the moment as the stakeholding increase is not final yet and still under discussions.

Of course, such reports will always affect share prices. Subaru shares went up 6.6% on the day the Nikkei reported the news.

Related Posts:
GM sells Subaru shares to Toyota

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Volvo C30 optional decorative film

April 8, 2008 at 6:56 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volvo

Volvo seems to be really pushing the Volvo C30 as a fun hatchback, but I think this optional feature is abit too whacko. Stickers as decorations for cars are quite common-place – Proton has been quite notorious in the past with its compulsory optional stickers that cost a few hundred ringgit, and Naza has recently announced a new line of Edisi Grafix stickers for the Naza Suria.

The Volvo C30 is now available with a choice of about 20 designs which include things like the rainbow pattern above, polka dots, zebra stripes and many more. These designs are actually an applique film, which is removable, and also serves to protect the car. The film is designed to last about two years, after of which it can be replaced with a new design or removed completely.

Each designs cost about 2,000 Euros, or about RM10,000 ringgit. Check out three more designs after the jump, or click here to view all the designs available!
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SUV-ized Nissan Livina C-Gear for China

April 8, 2008 at 6:20 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan


Click to enlarge

Nissan will be adding another Nissan Livina variant in the China market, called the Nissan Livina C-Gear. It’s essentially a jacked up Livina with a SUV-style bodykit to make it look more attractive and less MPV-like. In the interior, a sportier colour scheme matches the more rugged outlook. The predominant colour will be black, with silver trim.

After China, the next stop for the Nissan Livina C-Gear will be Indonesia, where it will be known as the Nissan Livina X-Gear.

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Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class Artist’s Impression

April 7, 2008 at 6:39 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Mercedes Benz, Rumours

CLE
Click to enlarge

Mercedes-Benz has long been rumoured to be coming up with the CLE-Class, a coupe based on the C-Class, but what we’ve got so far is only the CLC-Class, a restyled hatchback version of the previous generation C-Class chassis.

Theophilus Chin has whipped up what he thinks the CLE-Class 4-door coupe could look like, with headlamps inspired by the SL-Class. It’s essentially a smaller version of the Mercedes Benz CLS-Class, and the CLS is a 4-door coupe version of the E-Class.

No news anywhere lately about the CLE-Class, so it may not be something that could ever come into existence after all. It was rumoured that the CLE would come with suicide-doors instead of being a proper 4-door car because the car would be much smaller than the E-Class-based CLS and the 4 doors would not look good on it.

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