We sighted this sexy white Peugeot 508 SW GT estate at Taman Paramount earlier today while the team were out for lunch at our favorite chap fan spot in the area. We were actually quite stunned to to see this car with a Malaysian plate – we’ve seen it around before but they’ve all had Singaporean number plates.

Not only was this particular car a wagon in the sportier GT equipment level (check out the twin rear exhausts, the panoramic glass roof and the big fancy wheels), it had the clatter of a turbodiesel engine coming from it! A quick ring to our contact in Nasim revealed that this car mostly likely belongs to Automobiles Peugeot’s company fleet. They have a regional management office in Empire Tower, Jalan Tun Razak.

The choice of a turbodiesel wagon is quite typical of an European man’s tastes, but it also made us wonder – if Peugeot decided to use a turbodiesel car here, does it mean that our turbodiesel is all good to go with Peugeot diesel engines?

We heard last year that Nasim had submitted samples of our local diesel to France for testing, as they wanted to explore the possibility of bringing in the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, a hybrid version of the 3008 that paired a turbodiesel engine to an electric motor. At that point of time, Nasim’s CEO SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said the tests have yielded positive results so far, but there are still more tests to be done.

We won’t be surprised if our diesel fuel was given the green light – after all a derivative of the Peugeot HDi engine family is used in the Ford Focus TDCi, the Land Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Freelander.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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It looks like there’s something stirring in the air on the Toyota front, with a teaser for another impending arrival cropping up on the UMW Toyota website.

A graphic titled ‘Rethink the way you drive’ as well as a teaser video (you can watch it embedded in the post below) playing up the emission levels an average petrol-driven vehicle emits a year can only mean one thing, that the all-new Prius c – and in all likelihood, the new Prius as well – is about to hit town.

The arrival of both vehicles isn‘t exactly a surprise – we’ve carried stories on the specifications as well as the estimated pricing of both the Prius c and the New Prius, so we already know they’re due to come about.

The graphic, which features a light bulb equation on top of the tagline, doesn’t really disclose anything, but the video certainly does, what with its suggestion that it’s time drivers should be thinking about what they drive and how they drive – with the ‘Solution’ imminent – being a giveaway that one or both the hybrids are set to be launched very, very soon.

Incidentally, an average petrol powered car emits about 3,870 kg of CO2 a year and also gives off almost 85dB of sound pollution, according to the video clip, so you’ll be doing your bit to lower them if you’re set to join the growing ranks of those going green, it seems.

Whatever it is, stay tuned if you’ve got your sights set on either of the Prius models – we’ll definitely be carrying the launch story on them when the time comes!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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SsangYong is set to give its XIV-2 concept car its debut in Geneva next month. The eXciting User Interface Vehicle 2, to give it its full name, is the follow up of XIV-1 concept that was presented in Frankfurt last year, with a convertible twist to it.

The XIV-2 measures in at 4.16 metres long, 1.82 metres wide and 1.56 metres tall, with a 2.6 metre wheelbase, and will be equipped with eco-friendly, fuel efficient 1.6 litre diesel and petrol engines meeting Euro VI emission regulations.

Click to enlarge.

The Korean automaker is developing the concept as a premium crossover utility vehicle, with a view of it becoming a strategic model for the global market. SsangYong says that the vehicle’s styling cues are based around ‘a special experience with fun’ theme, and blends the characteristics of a robust and powerful SUV with the dynamic style of an open top sports coupé.

The XIV-2 features a one-touch automatic opening soft-top roof to provide ‘wind in the hair’ driving enjoyment, and its futuristic and aesthetic appearance is very much aimed at bowling over the younger generation.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Kia has unveiled the seventh in a series of unique SE versions that has come about with its Soul five-door hatch. This one, called the Red Rock Special Edition Soul, unsurprisingly derives its inspiration from the rock formations found in the North American Southwest.

The production model includes a number of features designed to set it apart from other Soul variants, led by a lustrous exterior shade called Canyon. Other RRSE exterior features include a high-gloss black front fascia and mirror housings, while the interior gets exclusive black leather trim and brown cloth seats.

The edition began life as a concept, premiering at last year’s New York auto show. Following its debut, the Red Rock Special Edition concept toured the US, and with enough favourable nods has made the journey from concept to reality. Proof then that there’s more than one way to stir your Soul.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Known internally in Nasim as Project T73, locally-assembled versions of the Peugeot 408 sedan have been spotted being tested on Malaysian roads for over half a year so far, and these tradeplate-bearing locally-assembled units have been slowly losing their disguise since we first spotted them way back in mid-2011.

We first heard news that Nasim was going to assemble the Peugeot 408 in mid-2010. The 408 is Peugeot’s C-segment sedan competitor, loosely based around the Peugeot 308, but this time Peugeot didn’t simply tack on a boot to the car, like it did with the 207. The Peugeot 408 gets a longer 2,710 mm wheelbase and a redesigned roofline, so it looks pretty good unlike a typical hatch-turned-sedan.

These pictures were snapped by reader Barry Lim in Malacca. Thanks, Barry! Globally, the 408 is available with various engine options including a 110 hp / 147 Nm normally-aspirated 1.6 litre engine, a 147 hp / 200 Nm normally-aspirated 2.0 litre engine and a variant called the Peugeot 408 Sport, which has the Prince THP 1.6 turbo engine making 163 PS.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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The Renault Megane RS 250 recently revisited Sepang and in the process, rewrote its personal best laptime of the F1 track in the hands of Denis Lian. If you remember, Denis, a brand manager at Wearnes Singapore with some race experience, did 2:43.02 with a stock Megane RS 250 in November 2010, just before the car was officially launched here.

That was a great lap time for a stock hot hatch, but the folks at TC Euro Cars were quietly confident that they could do better with a clear track and favourable conditions. So they invited the Singaporean down to Sepang for another go, this time with semi slick Toyo tyres on the same stock standard unit.

The unit was and still is TCEC’s only test car, abused by customers and journos alike, with 30k km on the clock. Standard alignment settings (no funny cambers), shocks and brakes, with only the brake pads recently changed. As stock as they come, which is intentional on TCEC’s part – they want to prove that the Megane RS is a master of road and track straight out of the box.

“You can drive the car back as is, pick up your wife and kids, and they wont complain about the loud exhaust, stiff suspension – all the things normally associated with a car of heavy tune,” Reza Mutalib, GM of TCEC told me. We know the Megane well, and it’s hard to disagree.

Anyway, the target was to beat 2:40, so it was a job well done with a best time of 2:38.16. Very impressive. If you’re wondering, Denis did the deed at the recent exclusive Renault Sport track day for owners and prospects. He was there early, and “work” was finished when I reached in the morning. According to him, it wasn’t as straightforward as hitting the track and trying until he hit the mark.

Apparently, the Toyo Proxes R888 rubber used has a sweet spot, and performed the best at 37 PSI front, 38 PSI rear when hot, with performance dropping off outside of that window. So Denis had to be consistent to perform when the window opened.

The Megane RS 250 is capable and great fun on track. You can read my non professional view of the car on track here, but here’s what Denis had to say. “The brakes are overspecified, and more than adequate for the car. They’re easy to modulate and there’s a nice feel and linear fashion to how it works.”

But that’s not what he likes most about the Megane RS, which is brought in with the Cup chassis as standard. “The chassis is very neutral. While it resists understeer very well, the back still works,” referring to the lively rear end of the Renault on the limit. “It reaches the traction limit in a linear ‘flowy’ manner, and lets go progressively. You can see this in Turn 13 to 14, a nice flowing rotation, like a rear wheel drive car,” he enthused.

“It’s unusual for a modern FWD car, very old school, but without the snap oversteer,” Denis noted. If you think the chap is being very generous, he has this to say: “I’m a good judge because I don’t like FWD cars!”

Is this the best time the Megane RS can do at Sepang? Denis thinks that a further two seconds can be shaved off with full slicks, but the reason they chose semi slicks is to demonstrate that owners can get a lot more out of the RS without going to the extreme. Judging from the seriousness I witnessed at the track day, I think many of them already know that for a fact!

Our impressions of the Megane RS on road and track can be found here and here.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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You read earlier about car number four in the My Proton Makeover programme entering the garage for the rework, and in case you’ve been wondering about the third one, here’s news about the 1996 Iswara Aeroback belonging to Norzamzarini Mohd Bajuri from Muar, Johor.

The return was supposed to be in January, but a quick check on Proton’s Facebook page revealed recent photos of the red Iswara AB 1.3 being rebuilt, and it still is – we’ve just been told that work is still ongoing with the car, with another week or two needed before the car is ready to be handed back to Norzamzarini.

We have no details about how far along the job is, but the photos offer the view that the engine is at the rebuild stage, and primary outfitting work is being carried out, with the seats and door cards giving an idea of how things are shaping up. Promises to be a bright affair, the end result, what with the striking shade chosen – great if you’re a Dutch football fan!

Norzamzarini’s Iswara, when completed, will join Sashideran Radha Krishnan’s 17-year-old Wira and Fadly Hisham Roplay’s 1992 Saga as the R3 makeover specials.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Proton has announced the fourth My Proton Makeover programme recipient, and Salina Hisham’s Satria GTI is next up to bat in the rework run.

The Science Officer from Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru had submitted a photo-entry featuring two Satrias belonging to her and her husband, and the GTI was the one that ultimately received the nod from judges.

“I received the phone call from Proton in December informing me that the photo entry that I submitted for the makeover had won, but I was not really sure which car they were referring to, as the photo had both our cars in it,” an elated Salina said.

“I was a bit jealous when they said they were referring to my husband’s Satria GTi, but then again I felt it was the perfect gift for him considering the day we were informed of our windfall was our wedding anniversary,” she added.

Salina and her husband, Hafiz Mohd Hashim, a Quality Control Inspector based in Singapore, are both avid Satria fans, having met at a car club event. Salina, who drives a Satria Neo and is part of the Satria Neo Club, first met Hafiz, a member of the Satria GTi Club, on an inter-club Sunday-drive in December 2008.

Tengku Djan Ley, Proton Motorsports’ Head of Engineering of the R3 unit, said that his team had eagerly awaited the arrival of the Satria GTi when told about the winning entry. “Compared to the previous cars that we have made-over, this car is naturally sportier than the others,” he said.

The couple’s Satria GTi will be stripped down completely and given special treatment inside out. “From the first look, car has been well maintained and we can tell when an owner appreciates his car. As we start taking it apart, we will analyse its inner conditions to see what areas we need to work and improve on. We will also be focusing on making his machine run smoother. The Satria GTi has its history with Lotus, and we look forward to ensuring that it is tuned to that level of quality and performance,” Tengku Djan added.

“I had a short chat with Hafiz, and he is very knowledgeable about cars and the history of the Satria. He expressed an interest to see his car bearing more of the Lotus identity, particularly wearing the traditional Lotus Racing Green. It will definitely give it a unique look, as all Satria GTis were produced only in silver,” said Tengku Djan. He added that it will be interesting to see what other extras can be added on to the car.

“We’ll definitely work on the suspension to enhance the handling aspects. Depending on our resources, we’ll also be exploring other options, such as the possibility of upgrading the braking system, along with certain components that were designed specifically for the M24 platform, which the Satria is built on, to see if it’ll give the car a bit more muscle,” he added.

The My Proton Makeover initiative required submissions of personal and heartwarming stories involving contestants and their Proton cars, with the best five stories winning a complete car makeover.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Ads for the new Hyundai Elantra have started cropping up all over the city and the virtual world (even on this blog), but we’ve had no official word on the launch date, specs and pricing yet. However, a quick scour on Mudah.my to look for pre-launch ads posted by Hyundai Sime Darby Motors salesmen reveal the following:

• Four specs – 1.6 litre manual, 1.6 litre automatic standard spec, 1.6 litre automatic high spec and 1.8 litre premium
• Six-speed for both manual and automatic gearbox
• Auto headlamps
• Smart key with push start button ignition
• Supervision meter cluster (self-illuminated)
• GPS navigation
• Reverse camera
• ABS, ESP and Vehicle Stability Management
• Dual airbags
• iPod and USB support
• 5 year or 300,000km warranty

The images posted on Mudah also show an Inokom badge on the car instead of a Hyundai badge. So far there are two price ranges indicated on the classifieds ads – about RM85k to RM90k and another price range of about RM120k. This probably means the 1.6 litre models will be around the RM85k to RM95k mark, while the 1.8 litre while be around RM120k+. UPDATE: It appears that all the ads advertising the high spec Elantra for over RM100k have gone missing from Mudah – what’s going on?

You might be wondering what Vehicle Stability Management is. It’s basically a system that manages the ESP stability control system as well as the electric power steering to take the car’s safety assist systems to a higher level. For example, when a driver accelerates or brakes on a split-traction surface (slippery wet puddle on one side, dry pavement on the other), your steering will normally pull to one direction.

VSM detects this condition via the ESP system, and sends a signal to the electric power steering to apply steering assist – up to 8Nm of counter steering force to keep the vehicle steady; VSM works the same way during sudden lane changes or fast cornering.

Once again, these are just specs and pricing taken from salesmen ads on Mudah.my, and are in no way the confirmed specs released by Hyundai Sime Darby Motors. And of course, it’s likely that some of the features above, like the auto headlamps, GPS and reverse camera would most likely be reserved only for the 1.8 litre variant.

Sources – Mudah ad 1, Mudah ad 2, Mudah ad 3

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Kia has revealed the first sketches of what will be its all-new flagship sedan, which is set to be introduced in the Korean market sometime in the first half of the year. The KH, as it’s codenamed, won’t just be limited to the domestic market – Kia says the car will be its flag-bearer in other markets globally.

No details about the car, save that it’ll have the honour of being the company’s first rear-wheel drive vehicle. Kia says that the the design concept behind the KH is tagged as ‘distinctive, modern and classic,’ but there are enough family-look cues on call, the radiator grille design being one of them.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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The new BMW M6 has finally been launched, and both Coupe and Convertible models have been revealed at the same time. An M6 model has not been launched for the four-door GranCoupe. In the case of the M6 Convertible, it means for the first time the full aural glory of the new turbo M engine can be experienced in a drop-top car.

No surprise with what provides the M Power in this car – it’s the twin-turbocharged 4.4 litre M TwinPower Turbo motor in the F10 M5, making 560 hp beginning from 6,000 and sustained across to 7,000rpm, and a peak torque of 680 Nm from 1,500 rpm, with a max engine speed of 7,200 rpm. This is 10% higher horsepower and 30% higher torque than the previous V10-powered M6.

For those who have a thing for figures – 560 horses and 680 Nm with a DIN kerb weight of 1,850 kg takes the M6 Coupe up to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, while the heavier Convertible at 1,980 kg does the century spring in 4.3 seconds. This is with the quick shifting 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic, the sole gearbox option available with the M6 for now. Top speed is an electrically-limited 250km/h, but with the M Driver’s Package this is unlocked to 305 km/h.

Power is strictly rear wheel-drive through the Active M Differential, which ensures fully variable distribution of drive between the two rear wheels. An electronically-controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential helps to reduce the rotational speed differences between the rear wheels, which is needed to optimise traction.

The Active M Differential control unit is linked up to the DSC stability control system, allowing every driving situation to be precisely analysed and a loss of traction at one wheel to be detected at an early stage. The locking effect generated in response can be varied between 0 and 100%, enabling wheel spin to be prevented on slippery surfaces, in instances where the left and right rear wheel have widely differing friction coefficients, in tight bends and when changing direction extremely dynamically.

The M6 has M-specific bespoke front and rear axle kinematics (track width increased by 30 mm), and M-specific Dynamic Damper Control. Both the construction of the chassis and its bespoke tuning for each model are defined by extensive expertise from the race track and have been optimised during extensive testing on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit. The rear subframe is bolted directly to the chassis for better feel, while with the regular 6-er, there are subframe bushings. The power steering system is the hydraulic M Servotronic steering, replacing the electric power steering of the regular 6-Series. The DSC function also has an M Dynamic Mode.

There’s also the option for a newly developed M carbon ceramic brake system for optimum resistance to fade and wear, and lower weight. They’re 19.4 kg lighter than the regular brakes, which may not sound like much, but we’re talking about unsprung weight, which makes a difference. You can identify them on a car by spotting the golden six-pot front calipers.

You’ll have to fit the optional 20-inch wheels for these 410 mm front / 396 mm rear brakes as the standard 19-inch wheels will only clear the standard brakes.

For weight savings, the M6 Coupe has a beautiful carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof – with a concaved section running through the middle – which is unpainted to allow you to admire the weaves.

In addition, the doors and hood are aluminium, and their boot lids and – in the case of the BMW M6 Convertible – also the roof cover are made from the glass-fibre composite material SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound).

The unveiling of the new M6 also marks the return of kidney grille badges to BMW cars. Normally, BMW only puts badging on the rear of the car. We haven’t seen this on an M6 since the first E24 6-er, where the North American market cars (M6) had the M6 badge on the front, and cars for the rest of the world (M635CSi) had an M badge on the front.

But of course, the badges weren’t exactly smack on the kidney grille back in those days – they were beside the kidney grille on the right. Not sure if this design feature will be exclusive to the M6, or if the other M cars will get these badges as well.

Adaptive LED Headlights are fitted as standard for both models. Their bright white, three-dimensional LED light rings are levelled off to striking effect at the top and lower edges. Both dipped beam and main beam use both light rings.

Providing the light are LED units, which are placed on a horizontal rib running through the centre of the units and feed their light into the reflectors in front of them. This ensures that the distinctive appearance of the twin circular headlights comes across clearly in every situation. The direction indicators – in the form of horizontally arranged LED units – are integrated into the headlight units below the light rings.

BMW says fuel consumption has been reduced over the old normally aspirated V10 powered model by as much as over 30% – the M6 Coupe is rated at 9.9L/100km on the EU test cycle, while the heavier M6 Convertible consumes just 10.3L/100km – this is thanks to the Auto Start-Stop function and other Efficient Dynamics technologies as standard.

On the interior, there are similiar bespoke items in the new M6, for example the M Double Clutch Transmission and the various M-specific controls calls for an M-specific design for the gear shifter area. The instrumentation panel also lights up in white with red needles, along with blue menus, as opposed to amber on the regular 6-Series.

The M6 also gains a unique steering wheel design – something that’s unique for now compared to the M-specific enhancements that the F10 M5 got over the regular F10. The F10 M5′s steering wheel design is very similiar to the regular M5, except for different buttons.

It looks like BMW went all out to include a special steering wheel design for the F12/F13 M6, one that looks similiar to the F30′s M Sport steering wheel.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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It’s back to the hotel after an entertaining podium ceremony at Rally Sweden. Held at the main square of Karlstad, the ceremony attracted a large crowd, and as usual, everyone joined in the fun, from white haired seniors to blonde teenage girls – the few near me nudged each other in excitement when good looking Thierry Neuville drove up the ramp!

If you missed our previous live reports, after 24 stages over four days, Proton’s PG Andersson has won the S-WRC category ahead of Irishman Craig Breen with a 3:35.8 cushion.

Breen, in a Ford Fiesta S2000, was the man who inherited the class win at Monte Carlo, where PG’s Neo caught fire on the final day. Pontus Tidemand and his Skoda Fabia S2000 was a further 1:13.8 behind.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to finally do it with Proton. We had no real problems from start to finish, although we made a few set-up changes to get the best out of the car. Today we just looked after our advantage and concentrated on bringing our car safely to the finish,” he said.

In the WRC, it was a battle between the Finns and ex-Ford teammates Mikko Hirvonen and Jari Matti Latvala all weekend, and it was the current Ford man who came out tops despite a late puncture. It is the 50th WRC win for Ford and M-Sport since they joined forces in 1997.

Also, Finns have been dominating this “Scandinavian Rally” since Marcus Gronholm won in 2006. Hirvonen, who is Seb Loeb’s teammate at Citroen this year, won the past two editions, so he missed out on a rare hattrick.

“I think I need to get to hospital to check my heart rate. It’s incredible how exciting this sport can get. We had a good lead on Saturday night, but then it changed like a thunderstorm and we only had an eight-second lead at the end. I knew Mikko would push and we really had to go hard, but then we managed to take another four seconds on the penultimate stage, so we could breathe a little bit!” Latvala said.

“To win here for the second time felt very special; the feeling now is just a big relief,” he added. From what we saw earlier at SS22 Lesjofors, I fully believe the relief.

The easy going but hard driving Latvala also joked that after Monte Carlo, where he retired, the great Ari Vatanen told him that he is “like a young Ari Vatanen” but now he needed to stay on the road. Looks like the advice was well taken!

Here are my pics of the rally royalty from the podium ceremony; from Loeb to Solberg, they’re all there. Credit for the first pic of this post goes to Mr. G from Proton Motorsports.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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1. LIVE from Rally Sweden: PG wins S-WRC category, 12th overall – Ford’s Latvala wins rally despite bust tyre
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Hej! We just got back from watching SS22 Lesjofors live, and there’s good news greeting us at the hotel. Proton’s PG Andersson has won the S-WRC category, and ended Rally Sweden 12th overall. That’s the highest position the Swede has been in the whole rally, so it was a great last day for PG.

The overall win has been claimed by Ford’s Jari Matti Latvala, ahead of ex teammate Mikko Hirvonen, now with Citroen, who he was dueling with all weekend. This comes as a surprise because we saw Latvala limping to the end of SS22 with a bust tyre. Apparently, his lead was good enough to hold the lead. Norwegian Mads Ostberg finished third in his Fiesta RS WRC.

Petter Solberg, the other works Ford driver, was originally third, but suffered a puncture that cost him the podium spot. As you will see in our gallery, his puncture was on the front right tyre, the same side as teammate Latvala! Russian Evgeny Novikov was fifth, ahead of world champ Seb Loeb, who had a really rough weekend.

More updates later. In the meantime, enjoy the pics I took from this morning’s SS22.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Hyundai has introduced the European market i30 in the US, but the Euro-centric i-prefix name has been swapped for the moniker “Elantra GT”, which identifies the i30 as being part of Hyundai’s C-segment family. So the Yanks have a total of 3 Elantras to pick from now – the sedan, the 2-door coupe as well as this 5-door hatch. Only one engine option so far – the 148 horsepower 1.8 liter 4-pot that they can get in the Elantra sedan, available with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.

Look after the jump or click the image above for a full gallery.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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We’re back with interior shots of the Proton and YES 4G teaser peek-a-boo box parked in front of Lot 10. It appears to be some kind of Proton Inspira with 2 iPads installed on the front seat backrests for the rest passengers, as well as another iPad installed above the center dash area where the audio and air cond controls are located.

You can also spot a YES 4G Huddle MiFi router device mounted on the dashboard to the left of the hazard light button.

Exterior-wise, there are decorative decals with the YES 4G logo featured, as well as a black two-tone 18 inch alloy wheel design. Check out the image gallery below for detailed shots snapped through the peek-holes.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Hej! We just returned from our daily dose of Rally Sweden, and are happy to report that PG Andersson is still leading the S-WRC category that Proton Motorsports is contesting in. After 16 stages, the Swede leads Craig Breen in his Ford Fiesta S2000 by 2:14.4, while Pontus Tidemand in his Skoda Fabia S2000 is a further 1:58.2 behind. PG is 14th overall, behind the WRC boys.

His Proton teammate Alister McRae, who is of course the 2011 FIA APRC champ, is seventh in the S-WRC category. As detailed in our previous report, the Scotsman, who last drove in this ice and snow rally in 2004, went wide in SS3 and hit soft snow, landing his car in the ditch. That incident put him out of contention but the Super Rally format allows him to continue running, and potentially collect points for the team.

Our day started very early here in Karlstad, the rally base. It was still dark when we set out to catch some live action, and two hours later we arrived at Sagen to watch SS12, the first of today’s two stages on this 14.23 km stretch.

The hike up the hill to watch the cars zoom past was tough, not so much because of the cold (temperature is still stubbornly stuck below zero C), but because of the thick layer of soft powdery snow. It’s climbing on shifting ground, and everytime a foot is buried in snow, some ice gets in the shoe – wet feet is not good!

But we found a rather good vantage point, allowing us to see the cars come in the frame sideways for an S, before powering out past the cheering crowd. You get a better view on TV, but the atmosphere at the stages is amazing and can’t be replicated.

It feels like the whole of Scandinavia is here for Rally Sweden, and the fans are loud and jolly, some helped by the potent drinks they bring to keep warm. Bonfires, singing and red cheeked small children complete the camp party like scene.

From Sagen, we headed to Hagfors Airport, which serves as a major Service Park for the rally. It’s here where the team trucks and tents are at, and many fans packed the place to catch a glimpse of the drivers and cars. At the Proton tent, PG Andersson came in for service after the Hagfors Sprint stage in the city.

In between his pasta and coffee, he told us that the car was sliding too much, and although spectators love it, too much sideways isn’t the fastest way.

PG felt it immediately since he started the day. “The studs disappeared already on the first stage. Something makes it spin on the top and breaks the studs and makes it very slippery. Now we have to save on the tyres, but except that, everything is OK,” he said. The reason behind the trouble was ice build up in the dampers, making them sticky.

A set of new Reiger dampers fitted, and off he went, after some food in the stomach of course. Alister McRae came in for service too, but it was so much more relaxed on his side of the garage. It’s important to keep going though, as there’s always a chance someone might drop out.

At the front of the pack, ex Ford teammates Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala are having a friendly duel of their own. Hirvonen, now Seb Loeb’s teammate at Citroen, came into Hagfors service 18.6 seconds behind Ford’s Latvala. Another popular figure and branding master (he has his own merchandise and booth) Petter Solberg is in third.

World champ and living legend Loeb is down in sixth after SS16. The Citroen DS3 WRC driving Frenchman is not having a great rally that’s for sure. “It’s not so fun to drive in this situation, but it’s like that. We have to try and score some points. You cannot win every time,” the man said.

Below are the pics I took from SS12 Sagen and Hagfors service park. It’s not just car shots – I’m hoping you can have a “feel” of the rally while enjoying the Malaysian weather (yes, I do miss the heat). More updates tomorrow.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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1. LIVE from Rally Sweden: Comfy win for PG at home
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4. Rally Sweden LIVE: Proton’s PG Andersson and Alister McRae are ready for the ultimate snow challenge!
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Looks like Proton and YTL Communications are up to something together – there’s a teaser black box in front of Lot 10 where passer-bys are able to peek in to check out what’s being teased. This is in line with what Proton has been doing with the last few models they launched – they’ve always let the public do a “peek-a-boo preview” of the car through a box like this with holes cut into it.

But what has YTL Communications’ YES 4G service got to do with it? My guess is that it could be something to do with the bundling of a YES 4G device with the upcoming Proton P3-21A sedan, or perhaps certain models of the P3-21A will have a YES 4G hotspot built into it? The former is more likely than the latter. A MiFi-like device would suit such an application the best. But let’s not get too excited, this could be something to do with an existing Proton model like the Inspira or the Persona as well.

A hotspot for the road in your car is certainly both cool and useful, I often create a “mobile hotspot” in my F10 by plugging any variant of MiFi-like device into the F10 glovebox’s USB port. I use the glovebox’s USB port because I prefer to reserve the one in the armrest storage for my iPhone to keep it charged and to play music. I’ve worked in the car on my laptop or tablet device many times (not while I’m driving of course) on long journeys such as up to Penang – it helps reclaim otherwise wasted travel time.

Anyway, another possibility is that if Proton and YTL Communications felt that such a partnership was a match, it could mean that the P3-21A has at least 2 USB ports for us to hook up our gadgets to the car and charge them at the same time. The more the merrier – USB ports are certainly a very useful thing to have in a car these days.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Greetings from snow covered Norway! But aren’t we covering Rally Sweden, you ask. Well, the Swedish rally has a few stages running in neighbouring Norway and we’re now at Kongsvinger, where the cars are having their first remote service after five special stages.

The rally officially started yesterday night – SS1 was a super special stage in the rally’s base city of Karlstad, Sweden. A horse racing ring in the small town of 60k turned into a rally showcase for the locals, who came out in droves despite the temperature dropping to below -10C.

It wasn’t a walk in the park for yours truly – my luggage containing heavy winter wear got lost in transit – but it warmed the heart being with the enthusiastic crowd, ranging from grandmothers to young dating couples and tiny babies. Their passion for rallying is so strong, you’ll need to see to believe.

The rally isn’t won and lost in that short 1.9 km showcase (MINI’s Dani Sordo came out tops) so the real start is today, where the cars slip and slide in a white landscape. Leading the overall standings is Citroen’s Mikko Hirvonen, with a small lead (just 2.9 seconds) over ex Ford teammate Jari-Matti Latvala, who was tops in qualifying.

By the way, qualifying replaces shakedown, where the fastest cars get to choose their start order, usually in the middle. Going first and setting a trail is always trickier. I learnt that those who go first must contend with soft snow covering the surface. Not so much grip for the studded tyres, which “bite” harder into hard ice once the soft snow is cleared.

Mads Ostberg’s Adapta Ford Fiesta is third, while Hirvonen’s superstar teammate Sebastian Loeb is in fourth leaving Kongsvinger. Behind Loeb’s DS3 is another famous rally name, Petter Solberg, driving for the works Ford team. This duo was hit by unwanted delays – Loeb collected a 10sec penalty while the Norwegian (the only guy with his own merchandise and booths) spun on home soil in SS4.

In the S-WRC category (S for Super 2000) which Proton is contesting in, homeboy Per Gunnar Andersson came into Kongsvinger in the lead, with a slim 7.4 second advantage over unheralded Pontus Tidemand in a Skoda Fabia S2000. Ireland’s Craig Breen, who won the category in Monte Carlo after PG retired on the last stage, is in third with his Ford Fiesta S2000.

Alister McRae, Proton’s APRC champion, had his winter rally dreams dashed – the Scotsman put a wheel into the soft snow and lost control on SS3. His Neo was stuck, and co-driver Bill Hayes had to walk 2 km to find helpful spectators to push the car out of the ditch. No serious damage, and McRae will start tomorrow under Super Rally rules. He’s won’t be winning the S-WRC category, that’s for sure, but can still collect points for Proton.

We caught up with PG at the service park and he appears very confident in bringing home Proton’s first points of the season and winning his class. The popular Swede said he lost a bit of time in SS3, a tight and technical stage where he couldn’t get a good rhythm. But things went well after that, so let’s hope all goes smoothly from now. Overall, PG is 15th.

Stay tuned for updates.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

Related Posts

1. LIVE from Rally Sweden: Comfy win for PG at home
2. LIVE from Rally Sweden: PG wins S-WRC category, 12th overall – Ford’s Latvala wins rally despite bust tyre
3. LIVE from Rally Sweden: Ex teammates Hirvonen and Latvala duel at the top, PG Andersson still leading S-WRC
4. Rally Sweden LIVE: Proton’s PG Andersson and Alister McRae are ready for the ultimate snow challenge!
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Toyota has released this first shot of the Toyota FT-Bh Concept, its Geneva Motor Show debutant, an ultra-lightweight, full hybrid city car study, designed to achieve low emissions within an economically viable production line.

The design team paid extra effort to avoid expensive materials and complex manufacturing processes, working instead only with those that are already commonplace in the auto industry.

The picture doesn’t really tell us alot of the car – it’s almost abstract-like, but more details will come closer to this year’s Geneva show.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Hyundai has introduced its new two-door Elantra Coupe at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Designed at Hyundai’s North American Design Center in Irvine, California, the car continues on the company’s dynamic “Fluidic Sculpture” design principles, with a signature hexagonal front fascia opening and jewelled swept-back headlights giving it a lean, aggressive demeanour.

Other design cues include a blacked-out diffuser valance, dual chrome-tipped exhaust tips and a boot lid incorporating a lip spoiler design element at the rear. On the SE version, the car rides on five-spoke 17-inch alloys.

The car is equipped with a 1.8 litre Nu D-CVVT petrol engine, offering 148 hp at 6,500 rpm and 178Nm of torque at 4,700 rpm, with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions to be had.

Standard kit includes Vehicle Stability Management, ESC, TCS, ABS with brake assist and EBD, as well as six airbags (front, front side and side curtain), and features on the Coupe include a 7-inch touchscreen navigation system with rearview camera and iPod/USB inputs, Bluetooth and push-button ignition.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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The SEAT Exeo has been updated for the 2012 model year with minor changes – a revised face with new bi-xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights, new alloy wheels, and improved leather on the interior.

There are also revisions to the engine bay, mostly to reduce emissions – the 2.0 TDI engine now emits 129g/km, with economy up to 58.9 mpg on the EU combined cycle for the sedan.

SEAT will also add a model with the Ecomotive badging later, optimised for fuel economy with features such as auto start/stop. SEAT targets a CO2 emissions figure of less than 120g/km for the Ecomotive version.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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According to a report, Perodua is expected to obtain permission soon from the government to build cars with an engine capacity larger than 1.5 litres, which it has up to now been unable to do under the limitations tabled in the original arrangement between the government and the company when it was set up in 1993.

The ongoing arrangement dictates that Perodua is only allowed to produce compact cars with an engine capacity of under 1.5 litres. The NST report quotes an unnamed source, who said that the existing arrangement was being reviewed as part of the revision of the National Automotive Policy (NAP).

Toyota Etios with Perodua badging by Theophilus Chin

The source said that if the revised agreement yields positive results, Perodua will be able to begin assembling and producing cars with engine capacities ranging from 1.6 litres to 1.8 litres, effectively marking the beginning of the company’s venture in the sedan segment, the report adds.

The source also hinted that the new models with larger engine capacity would probably be prototyped along the lines of the Bezza concept, which made its debut at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show in 2010 as a show car.

He added that the introduction of new cars in the segment can be seen as a logical step and consistent with the increased demand for sedan choices among first-time car buyers in the country, but added that the company would not be reducing its focus on the production of compact cars.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Audi has added a new model to the TT range – the Audi TT RS plus, available in both roadster and coupe bodies. The plus in the model name denotes the extra 20 horsepower and 15Nm of torque the RS plus has over the normal RS, which results in 360 horsepower and 465Nm of torque from the car’s 2.5 liter 5-cylinder TFSI engine.

As a result, the TT RS plus Coupe can do the 100km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds with the 7-speed DSG box – the Roadster does the same in 4.2 seconds. With a 6-speed manual, the TT RS plus Coupe does 4.3 seconds and the Roadster – 4.4 seconds. About a third of a second better than the non-plus TT RS 6-speed manual numbers – 4.6 seconds for the Coupe and 4.7 seconds for the droptop.

The Audi TT RS plus is fitted with 19-inch cast wheels of five-arm “Rotor” design; they are painted black with contrasting red rim flanges. The wheels are fitted with 255/35 tires. A large, fixed rear wing increases downforce at the back of the car. The Singleframe radiator grille also sets the Audi TT RS plus apart visually: Its diamond-pattern mesh is in highly polished anthracite, its trim frame has a matt aluminum-look finish.

The housings of the exterior mirrors are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The dual-branch sport exhaust system has black oval tailpipe trims. A sound flap further intensifies the sound of the engine. The Carbon design package gives the engine compartment a more exclusive look. The knob on the gear or selector lever features an aluminum-look trim ring and a TT RS plus badge.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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The first images of Aston Martin’s production V12 Zagato, which is scheduled to enter the market in the fourth quarter this year, have been released. The car – of which only 150 examples will be built – will make its first European appearance in Geneva.

Last May saw the V12 Zagato make its world debut at the prestigious Villa d’Este concours, and with consumer demand the decision was made to build a strictly limited run of cars.

Each Zagato, constructed from a combination of hand crafted aluminium and carbon fibre, will take approximately 2,000 man-hours to complete. Four unique colours have been created for the car, these being Scintilla Silver, Alloro Green, Alba Blue and Diavolo Red.

Inside, the car will feature Seven Bridge of Weir hides in a semi-aniline finish to offer durability while preserving the natural texture of the leather as trim material. Workmanship details will include hand-stitched quilting of a unique design to create a flowing pattern across the seats and headlining as well as ‘Z’ embroidery in the headrests and rear parcel shelf.

Elsewhere, the dashboard and centre stack wears satin-finish carbon fibre, with piano black accents and satin black rotary switchgear and carbon fibre sill plaques, with a ‘V12 Zagato’ inlaid metal script providing a distinctive finishing touch.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Heading to London or Paris in the next three months, and looking to rent a car for travel? Well, you can join the folks at Fringe by driving a Nissan Leaf. Nissan and rental firm Europcar have teamed up to offer the Leaf as a short-term hire in the two cities. Sounds like a great idea for those who are unsure whether an EV will cut it for their needs – think of it as a trial run in real world conditions.

Every customer hiring a Leaf – which has a 175 km operating range on a single charge – will be given a face-to-face handover by a Europcar representative, who has been fully trained on the car and its workings. Simplifying the process, Europcar will recharge the car completely free of charge, even waiving the standard service fee usually made for vehicle refuelling.

The pilot scheme will initially run for three months, but success will potentially see it widened to other cities in France and Great Britain, as well as other countries in Europe. No mention of rental rates, but there’s only one way to find out, I guess …

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Chevrolet will be debuting its wagon version of the Cruze at the Geneva show, and the vehicle is due to join the sedan and hatch models in the lineup within the next 12 months.

Not much details as yet, but the company says that the new wagon will feature generous storage space and a high level of standard and safety features. The exterior design features a tapering single arch roofline and comes with roof racks as standard, providing convenience while maintaining a poised and sporty look.

The wagon measures in at 4.67 metres long, slightly longer than the hatch (4.51 metres) and sedan (4.59 metres), and load space ranges from 500 litres up to the window line in the rear to nearly 1,500 litres up to the roof top with the rear seats folded down.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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When Kia Motors American chief designer Tom Kearns and his team was styling the new Kia Track’ster Concept, they went on with the idea to make the Track’ster tough looking, like a bulldog, but still instantly recognisable as a Kia Soul, but with a whole lot of attitude added. Something that could change people’s concepts of what a sporty Kia could be.

The end result – finished in a 2-tone Whiteout and Inferno Orange design – is pretty much spot on. Under the hood is a 2.0L turbocharged engine with a 6-speed manual making 250 horsepower – a 66% increase over the most powerful engine in the production Kia Soul. The Track’ster also has all wheel drive to help send all that turbo torque to the wheels.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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It’s the first BMW M5 ever to come with not just one, but two turbochargers, and it’s coming to Malaysia very soon! BMW Malaysia has just sent out an electronic mailer to its customer base that the F10 M5 will be launched on March 10, 2012.

The most recent M car launched in Malaysia was the X6 M, with a massive price tag of RM1,188,800. The last generation E60 M5 was sold for about RM888k – how much will the new M5 be priced at? I’d expect nothing less than a million ringgit!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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The all-new Geneva debutant teased by Mitsubishi last month now has a name and face to it – the vehicle is the next-generation Outlander. The SUV is set for its global premiere at the Swiss show next month.

The European-market specification Outlander will get both petrol and diesel variants – the petrol mill is the 4J11 2.0 litre SOHC MIVEC four-cylinder, which employs an all-new valvetrain, while the diesel job is the 4N14 2.2 litre turbocharged four-pot MIVEC engine, the latter working with a 2WD drivetrain and six-speed manual transmission. There’s no mention of output figures, but Geneva should take care of that.

Among the items in the kitbag are an Auto Stop&Go idle-stop system, an Adaptive Cruise Control System, Lane Departure Warning System as well as a Forward Collision Mitigation System, the last which detects obstacles on the road ahead of the car and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision.

Interior features include a gloss black instrument panel, silver decorative accents for the switches and the use of soft-touch dashboard trim material. Meanwhile, the second- and third-row seats can be easily configured to provide a number of seating patterns and also a long luggage space with a flat floor, and there’s a power-operated tailgate too.

The vehicle is set to be launched first in Russia this summer, after which it will make its debut in European, Japanese, Chinese, Oceania and North American markets. And sometime later this year, a plug-in hybrid Outlander is due to be introduced.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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Here’s a new shot of the Proton P3-21A interior – the clearest shot we’ve ever seen, uploaded onto funtasticko earlier today. According to funtasticko, this shot was snapped at Equatorial Cameron Highlands.

There are some differences with this particular car’s interior compared to the one we previously saw, which I’ve included right below the latest image for your easy comparison. The first interior that we saw featured what appeared to be nice glossy strip of wood on the dashboard section in front of the front passenger.

This one doesn’t have that glossy wood, which could indicate a lower spec model. Tun Dr Mahathir also mentioned a GPS navigation system in the top of the range model, while this car has a normal radio system.

Liking what you see so far? The way the center dash area curves down to the gear selector area actually reminds me of the Proton Waja design.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 07:54:55 +0000.

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