Advertisement

Mitsubishi Mirage to begin selling in Thailand end-March

March 20, 2012 at 7:16 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi’s Mirage compact is set to begin selling in Thailand starting from March 28, making the Kingdom the first country to market the global offering. After Thailand, the Mirage will be exported to ASEAN countries, then gradually make its way to Japan, Europe and other markets around the world.

The Mirage – which made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last year – will be made at a brand-new third factory at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s Laem Chabang Plant, which is the largest MMC plant outside of Japan.

The Thai-market Mirage will be equipped with a 1.2 litre MIVEC engine, and will offer a fuel efficiency of 22 km per litre, among the best in its class, and above the Thai government’s requirements for an eco-car certification.

The five-door hatchback will be priced between THB 380,000 (RM38,000) to 551,000 (RM55,100), depending on trim level, and plans are to sell 2,500 units per month in Thailand.

60 Comments    

BTCC to start the season with an all turbo-charged grid

March 20, 2012 at 4:30 pm By Chris Ng Filed Under Cars, International News, Malaysian Makes, Motorsports, Proton

For the first time ever, the 2012 BTCC season will literally be a turbo-charged season. All cars will be come armed with a turbocharged 2.0 litre engine. More than half of the cars are built to the championship’s full ‘Next Generation Touring Car’ (NGTC) regulations. The remaining are current S2000-based race machines equipped with turbo engines built to NGTC specifications.

The season will feature cars from – in alphabetical order – Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, MG, Proton, Toyota, Vauxhall and VW. 14 teams will race this year, which flags off from Brands Hatch in Kent on the weekend of March 31 and April 1. The race then continues at nine tracks around the UK.

In case you did not already know, there will be two Proton Persona’s competing under the banner of Welch Motorsport, an independent race team. If you want to catch all the action, but don’t have a satellite TV subscription, you can do so online. ITV will be simulcasting the race on their website.

23 Comments    


Production Ford Tourneo Custom announced, on sale 2012

March 20, 2012 at 1:51 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News

Remember the Tourneo Custom Concept that Ford wheeled out for Geneva? It looked production ready, and as expected, Ford has announced that it will go on sale in Europe and other global markets later this year. The production version seen here will be unveiled at the 2012 Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show in the UK next month.

The production Tourneo Custom wears the same Kinetic design used on Ford’s passenger cars and is virtually identical to the Geneva concept. Design highlights include a bold rising shoulder line, flush glazing, distinctive trapezoidal grille and prominent wheel lips.

Available in eight or nine-seat configurations, the Tourneo offers a choice of short wheelbase (4.97m) and long wheelbase (5.34m) versions. The additional length of the LWB translates into extra luggage space behind the third-row seats At a height of less than two metres, the Tourneo Custom comfortably complies with most car park height limits.

Inside, the dashboard is space ship-like relative to the Transit’s. Much of the tech found in Ford’s cars are included, as is a steering that’s adjustable for reach. The rear seats are a completely new design that can be folded into multiple configurations and removed in segments or completely. The cabin is fully-trimmed.

The front-wheel drive Tourneo is based on a new global platform, engineered for car-like dynamics and comfort. The powertrain is an improved version of Ford’s 2.2L Duratorq TDCi diesel engine with three power ratings: 100, 125 and 155 PS.

Featuring a six-speed manual gearbox and standard Auto-Start-Stop, the van delivers combined fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100 km.

Production of the Tourneo Custom will start from mid-2012 in Kocaeli, Turkey. In the pipeline is a larger and higher payload rear-wheel drive Transit, also scheduled for a 2012 reveal.

9 Comments    

Isuzu D-Max price and specs announced ahead of UK launch

March 20, 2012 at 12:04 pm By Chris Ng Filed Under Cars, International News, Isuzu

Click to enlarge.

In the UK at least, the new Isuzu D-Max will be available with four specification levels. Also, for the first time for Isuzu in the UK, the extended cab body configuration that features rear-opening side-access panels will join the usual single and double cab variants.

The entry-level D-Max is priced from £14,999 for the single cab 4×2 version where the air-conditioning, daytime running lights, electric windows, and side and curtain airbags.

The ‘Eiger’ double-cab comes in at a price of £18.499. This variant comes added with projector headlamps, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, 16” alloys and body-coloured bumpers. The ‘Yukon’ double cab (£18,999) adds to the list with leather steering wheel with cruise control, six-speaker sound system, chrome detailing and 17” alloys.

The top spec ‘Utah’ offers leather upholstery, heated front seats and auto climate control. It also gets roof bars and rear parking sensors. This variant is priced at £21,499.

Click to enlarge.

The D-Max is powered by a 2.5 litre twin-turbo common rail diesel engine that produces 163 PS and 400Nm at 1,400 rpm. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. Its new shift-on-the-fly system lets the driver go from 2WD to 4WD at speeds up to 60 mph (or 97 km/h).

The D-Max will go on sale in the UK in June 2012. Yes, it is the same one that was launched in Thailand last year, which are not the ones that we currently have. No news of when the new D-Max will be arriving in our shores as yet.

17 Comments    

Chevrolet Trailblazer set to premiere in Thailand tomorrow – you can watch the debut live on the Internet

March 20, 2012 at 12:01 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, International News

The new Chevrolet TrailBlazer is set to be unveiled in Thailand tomorrow, and the global debut of the SUV will be broadcast live via webcast, so you’ll be able to view the production version of the Trailblazer while it’s all hot and toasty.

The live coverage, which will also feature live and on-the-spot interviews with the attending media and visitors, will start from 1000 hrs to 1200 hrs, Thailand local time (GMT +7).

The SUV is breaking cover ahead of the upcoming Bangkok Motor Show, but is sure to be at the event, which starts place next week. The Trailblazer – essentially, the SUV version of the Colorado pick-up that we recently drove – arrives just four months after the show version made its debut at the Dubai International Motor Show.

All you’ll need to do is log on to the company’s Thai website, register in advance, and a reminder will be sent to the mobile devices of registered viewers prior to the event. Unless you’re fluent in Thai, you’ll probably need to enable the English option on the top of the site.

4 Comments    

Jeremy Lin pens global brand endorsement deal with Volvo

March 20, 2012 at 11:55 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volvo

We talked about this last week, and now Volvo has announced that it has penned a global brand endorsement deal with Chinese-American NBA star, Jeremy Lin Shu-How. The New York Knicks point guard will be used to promote the brand’s cause in China, USA and Chinese-language markets in Asia.

According to the agreement, over the next two years, Lin will participate in Volvo Cars corporate and marketing activities in his capacity as brand ambassador. He will also appear in Volvo’s ads, of course.

“For our region, Jeremy Lin is the pride of the whole Chinese population, and we are excited to work with him. We believe Jeremy Lin’s character, intelligence, perseverance, and pursuit of excellence are perfectly in tune with Volvo car owners’ characteristics of appreciating smart understated luxury with a human touch,” said Richard Monturo, VP of Marketing at Volvo Cars.

“Growing up, I never had the super luxurious cars or watches or whatever it may be. Being able to find a car company that has high quality but is also affordable and relatable was very important to me,” said 23-year-old Harvard graduate Lin, who added that he doesn’t currently own a car in New York. Now, he will have a range to pick from!

The Swedish brand, now owned by Chinese carmaker Geely, sold 449,255 cars last year in China, and wants to double sales to 800,000 vehicles by 2020. Like many luxury brands, China is Volvo’s fastest growing market.

2 Comments    

Team Hyundai to promote brand for EURO 2012 – Casillas, Podolski, Rossi, Benzema and Sturridge are ambassadors

March 20, 2012 at 9:08 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News, Koreans


Click to enlarge

Introducing Team Hyundai, a five-man ambassador team for the Korean carmaker at the upcoming UEFA EURO 2012 tournament. Football fans will need no help, but for the benefit of all, they are Iker Casillas (Spain), Lukas Podolski (Germany), Giuseppe Rossi (Italy), Karim Benzema (France) and Daniel Sturridge (England).

The fab five will fulfil their roles as ambassadors through a series of marketing activities as part of Hyundai’s promotions and campaigns for EURO 2012. In addition, Hyundai will launch a new charitable initiative that supports young people and players to realise their ambitions.

By entering the dedicated application on Hyundai’s global Facebook page – www.facebook.com/Hyundaiworldwide – fans can ‘like’ their favourite Team Hyundai player. For every ‘like’, Hyundai will donate €1, and the company is targeting a total donation of €250.000.

Hyundai has been a partner of UEFA for more than 12 years, spanning four EURO tournaments. For the upcoming one in Poland and Ukraine, Hyundai will deliver a fleet of more than 350 vehicles to transport teams, VIPs and officials.

What’s your five-a-side EURO fantasy team?

6 Comments    

Michelin Pilot Super Sport for F12berlinetta

March 20, 2012 at 8:30 am By Chris Ng Filed Under Cars, International News

Click to enlarge.

Of all the tyres in the world, Ferrari has decided that the Michelin Pilot Super Sport be fitted on the new Ferrari F12berlinetta, which some say is the most powerful Ferrari ever. The decision came about because Michelin have also developed tyres for the 599 GTO and the FF.

Michelin is no stranger in developing tyres for really fast cars. They have a deep well of experience to draw from, especially from their 14 victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The tyre sizes that will be fitted to the 740 hp 6,262 cc V12 car are 225/35 ZR 20 for the front and 315/35 ZR 20 for the rear.

Click to enlarge.

The Pilot Super Sport features three notable technologies. The first is called the Twaron Belt, a high-density fibre that is very light yet very strong; five times stronger than steel of the same weight. The second is called the Variable Contact Patch 2.02 that changes its shape when cornering to keep the amount of rubber contact constant on the road.

The third technology employed is known as the Tri-Compound and Bi-Compound Tread. A unique elastomer is employed on the outside for exceptional endurance. The inside of the tyre features a high-grip elastomer capable of breaking through water’s surface to get more road adherence.

So the Ferrari will still be able to perform equally good in the wet as well as in the dry.

4 Comments    

Honda reaches settlement in Civic Hybrid class-action suit over gas mileage claims in the US

March 19, 2012 at 5:01 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News

Over in the US, according to news reports, a Superior Court judge in San Diego has finalised the approval of a class-action settlement between Honda and Civic Hybrid owners in the US, who claimed that their cars fuel economy was not that which was promised, in this case a combined total of 50 mpg.

The settlement agreement will give owners between US$100 to US$200, as well as a rebate towards the purchase of a new Honda. The ruling covers around 200,000 Civic Hybrids from model years 2003 to 2009, with owners of 2006 to 2008 year models set to get the higher amount due to additional claims over battery defects, the reports add.

The settlement is valued at around US$170 million. It will also award the plaintiff attorneys more than US$8 million.

The case became big news last month after Heather Peters, a Civic hybrid owner who had declined to join the class-action suit, won her case in Small Claims Court against Honda on the fuel economy issue, in which she was claiming against Honda that her 2006 Civic failed to deliver the 50 mpg economy that was promised.

The Los Angeles resident won nearly US$10,000, and Honda has filed an appeal in that case. Unlike Peter’s small claims case, class-action lawsuits only awards claimants against Honda a maximum of around US$200 in compensation, the reports said.

The reports added that more than 1,700 Honda owners opted out of the settlement, some believing that owners should be paid more, while some complained that the attorney fees were too high.

35 Comments    

VW Passat Alltrack to make Europe market debut in May

March 19, 2012 at 12:53 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s Passat Alltrack, which made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last November, is set to begin its entry into the market in Europe – over in the UK, the first vehicles arrive in the showrooms at the end of May.

Based on the Passat Estate, the Alltrack features 4MOTION four-wheel drive and raised ride height to give it greater agility off-road, while body enhancements provide some protection from scrapes when covering rough terrain.

Just one trim level is available in the UK, with a choice of two drivetrains, both 2.0 litre TDI units, a 140 PS variant with a six-speed manual gearbox, and a 170 PS version with six-speed DSG transmission. Standard equipment includes Alcantara upholstery, a RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation system, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system and 18-inch Canyon alloy wheels.

A Driver Alert System that monitors the driver’s responses to raise awareness of fatigue is also standard, with options including Park Assist, Side Scan Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Chassis Control and Automatic Distance Control with City Emergency Braking function.

2 Comments