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  • PSA Citroen announces joint venture with Changan Automobiles

    In Cars, ChangAn, Citroën, International News / By / / 3 comments

    PSA Peugeot Citroen and Changan Automobiles have announced the finalization of a 50-50 JV in China, financed by an initial investment of 8.4 billion Yuan (RM4 billion).. First on their list is the introduction of the C3-based DS3 line up. The first vehicle is set to be launched in the second half of 2012.

    The tie up will see the development of cars and light commercial vehicles with an initial annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles and engines at Shenzhen. The new factory will be running two lines, which will include the renovation of an existing production line and the addition of a second line. There are also plans for a new R&D centre to be built.

    Apart from this new joint venture, PSA has a partnership with Dongfeng Motor Group Co to build Peugeot cars such as Peugeot 408 (which is somewhat like a 308 Sedan) and also Citroen C5 sedans. It looks like the rest of the Citroen line-up will be taken care by the Changan JV.

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  • Citroen adding WiFi connectivity to their cars

    In Cars, Citroën, International News / By / / 1 comment

    Citroen have announced that they will make on board WiFi access available on most of their model line-up, which will include the new C3, C3 Picasso, C4, C4 Picasso, C5, C6 and DS3 models. The way it works is with the use of a 3G WiFi router much like a MiFi device which will act as a modem/router. It creates a wireless network within the vehicle when used with a 3G SIM card. This allows access to the internet using devices such as laptops, mobile phones and portable games consoles.

    If by any chance you wish to take your vehicle abroad, the system deactivates itself avoiding expensive data costs. Citroen will charge you £545 for the pleasure of the internet in your car. With this move, Citroen joins the ranks of various other car makers which are offering MiFi-like devices in their cars such as Audi, GM and Chrysler. BMW’s iDrive also has the ability to use a SIM card to access data services however you can only use it with iDrive and not any external third party device.

     

  • Mercedes S350 BlueTEC uses AdBlue for cleaner emissions

    In Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz / By / / 1 comment

    Mercedes have released details of the new S350 BlueTEC which they say is one of the cleanest diesel model in the world. Claims like this can be made because of the AdBlue emission control system which removes harmful nitrogen oxide (NO) from the exhaust fumes. AdBlue is a registered trademark of Germany’s VDA for AUS32 (Aqueous Urea Solution 32.5%). It is mixed according to a standard spec known as ISO 22241.

    The S350 BlueTEC basically injects AdBlue into the exhaust flow. This releases ammonia and converts up to 80% of the NO into harmless nitrogen and water, with the help of a catalytic converter. The AdBlue tank is located under the luggage compartment floor and has a capacity of 25.7 litres which is replenished at regular maintenance intervals of 25,000 kilometres.

    You may be wondering just how much replenishing your AdBlue tank costs. Consumer Reports tried refilling their BlueTEC-equipped GL-Class and was charged US$316.99 for 7.5 gallons (28 litres) of AdBlue, which comprised of a US$241.50 (about RM775 or RM28 per litre) cost for the AdBlue solution – the rest being labour, tax and other charges.

    Also note that AdBlue decomposes over time in storage (it forms ammonium hydroxide and carbon monoxide), but the ISO standard calls for the process to produce AdBlue that can last at least 12 months. Considering diesel cars are typically used for high mileage travel patterns I don’t think one’s AdBlue expiring would be an issue.

    Apart from improving emissions, the diesel motor is pretty fuel efficient, boasting performance figures similar to an 8 cylinder engine, while only having fuel consumption figures of a mid-sized saloon. The figure in question is that of just 6.8 litres for every 100 kilometres travelled, while producing an impressive 258hp and a spine-tingling 620Nm of torque. The torquey 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine now pushes the car to the century mark in just 7.1 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

    The S-Class now comes with Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, PASSION leather package featuring Alcantara, and a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system. This creates a sale price of € 76,279 (about RM308k) and is on sale now in Germany. More pictures of the interior are available after the jump.
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  • 2011 Nissan X-Trail facelift debuts with new 6-speed auto

    In Cars, International News, Nissan / By / / 63 comments

    Nissan have announced that they will be releasing a revised X-Trail for the Japanese market. The biggest change in the 4X4 will be the inclusion of a 6-speed automatic transmission (with manual shift mode) matted to the 2.0 litre “M9R” Clean Diesel engine.

    The MR9 engine is a joint venture development with Renault, which was made to meet Japan’s strict emission regulations. A host of technologies such as Piezo-electric injectors, diesel particulate filter (DPF), and lean NOx-trap catalysts are featured in this engine making it more efficient. The standard engine produces 170hp and 359Nm of torque. This figure is comparable to a 3.5-litre V6 gasoline engine, available from way down in the rev range.

    Cosmetic changes to the car include a slightly revised exterior which include a new front grille, front bumper, new head lights, LED tail lights and a sportier front end. This will sit on redesigned 17-inch aluminium wheels with revised tyre sizes.

    Moving on inside, larger dials and a vehicle information display system provide the driver with fuel consumption figures and upcoming maintenance schedules while the glove compartment comes standard with refrigeration and heat retention capabilities. Advanced Hill Descent Control system (with a speed-setting function) will be available for 4 wheel drive models, which enables the driver to set their desired speed while climbing up a steep hill.

    A picture gallery of the Nissan X-Trail is available for your viewing pleasure after the jump.
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  • Ford Fiesta starts to roll off Rayong plant this month!

    In Cars, Ford, International News / By / / 25 comments

    Mass production of the new Ford Fiesta officially kicked off three days ago at Ford’s AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong, a joint venture with Mazda. The same plant actually started producing the Fiesta’s ‘sister’ the Mazda 2 much earlier, in October last year.

    This explains why the Mazda 2 is able to be launched in Malaysia first before the Fiesta. The vehicles will start being available in Ford Thailand dealerships from September onwards, and since Sime Darby Auto ConneXion has already started pre-launch activities for the Fiesta, we should be getting our Fiesta around the same time.

    The AutoAlliance Thailand plant is a US$500 million joint venture between Ford and Mazda, and has a total of 70,000 square meters of floor space. It includes a fully integrated stamping line, body shop, trim and final process area, which means the Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2 probably qualifies to be considered ‘built’ at the AAT plant instead of merely being assembled. The Fiesta is also built at various other sites around the world including Nanjing, Cologne, Valencia and Mexico.

    Speaking of the Fiesta in Malaysia, Ford is having an online quiz on their Facebook Fan Page tonight at 9:00 PM called the Ford Fiesta Facebook Face-Off. This is the second round of the quiz and there are GSC tickets and RM250 vouchers to be given out to winners. Read the Facebook page for more details.

     

  • R60 MINI Countryman platform to spawn R65 ‘Spacebox’?

    In BMW, Cars, International News / By / / 6 comments

    The new MINI Countryman is known internally as the R60, but it is not the only vehicle that will be based on the Countryman’s new “maxi” MINI platform. Word is that MINI may be looking at a larger vehicle with an extended wheelbase, perhaps even featuring 6 or 7 seats thanks to the addition of an optional third row. Internally, this car is known with the codename Spacebox or the R65.

    These artist’s impressions are based on the Countryman but made longer, with most of the length going into the wheelbase and some going into the rear overhang. We’ve also added a third row there if you can spot the headrests, but realistically because of the smallish size of the vehicle this third row may just end up having just about as much functionality as the tiny third row of the X5.

    The Spacebox might also eventually end up having no third row, instead becoming a sort of large coupe-hatchback like the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo.

    Artist impressions by Theophilus Chin.

     

  • Mercedes-Benz CL63 and CL65 AMG pictures leaked?

    In Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz / By / / 15 comments

    Not that everyone hasn’t been waiting for the official release of the CL-Class coupe, but being a high performance car, the AMG variant usually gets more attention. Courtesy of Autoblog.it, we have pictures of the CL63 AMG and the CL65 AMG.

    Most important of the lot is its engine details which are still a “your guess is as good as mine” type speculation, of the CL63 which will be a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 that might produce 544hp along with 800Nm of earth shattering torque. The car will have 19-inch wheels along with quad exhausts.

    The CL65 on the other is said to house a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 that will pump out 630hp along with 999Nm of torque. This will sit on 20-inch wheels and will feature oblong shaped tailpipes.

    Again for more details, keep your eyes peeled to the screen, while then enjoy pictures of the two after the jump.

    Source
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  • BMW teases BMW 1-Series M Coupe in new video

    In BMW, Cars, International News / By / / 9 comments

    You excited? Well you should be. This is because BMW have released a teaser trailer of the BMW 1-Series M Coupe confirming ever so much more that the poor man’s M3 is only one year a way. Yes that’s what the car will officially be called. Not the M1, but the 1-Series M Coupe. You can probably expect people to shorten this to “1M” when referring to it.

    As expected the teaser video doesn’t contain any hard facts about the powertrain details but since no one has said anything about a completely revised engine, the 1-Series M will probably use a tuned up version of the 302hp 3.0-litre turbocharged engine seen in the 135i, which even in its sedate 135i guise, produces 400Nm of torque.

    Right now the wildest tune of the 3.0 litre turbo engine stock from the BMW factory is installed in the Z4 sDrive35is – 340 horsepower and 450Nm of torque. However, being an actual M car from the M division, is it too much to expect something abit more special about the motor? The 4.4 litre V8 for example, had been reworked by BMW M with a completely different exhaust manifold.

    Reaching a whole new market segment, the performance 1-Series is set to be the most affordable M-powered car from BMW. It’s apparently so powerful and you that you wouldn’t want to give the keys to anyone else, according to Dr. Kay Segler CEO of BMW M GmbH. He guarantees it! Watch the other promises he makes in the video along with the M coupe action reel above.

     

  • Ford releases accessories and body kit for the Fiesta

    In Cars, Ford, International News / By / / 26 comments

    Ford is trying to cash in on the aftermarket accessories scene by introducing their very own range, available for Fiestas in the US. This comes in the form of vinyl graphic combinations and body kit accessories for the exterior along with goodies for the interior.

    Outside you’ve got a choice of a rear roof spoiler, sculpted front air dam, side skirts, rear valance, kayak carrier, a bike carrier along with vinyl graphic wraps and tattoos. More than 18 designs will be made available in different colours which include a cityscape, bubbles, flames and ninja blades.

    Inside customers will have the choice of LED lights in the cup holder area, light bars in the footwell, illuminated gear indicator shift knob with a digital gear display and an illuminated door sill plates with an LED Fiesta logo.

    Apart from the above, Ford will feature more reserved options such as the interior protection package, which comes with all-weather floor mats and rear cargo area protectors, along with the exterior protection package providing splash guards and a rear bumper protector. More pictures are available after the jump.

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  • Webber to race Vettel’s “Lucious Liz” chassis at British Grand Prix

    In Formula 1, International News, Motorsports / By / / 0 comments

    Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber, who walked away from a spectacular crash recently, will use his team mate’s former car affectionately named “Lucious Liz” at Silverstone this weekend.

    Vettel who has a habit of naming all his cars, stopped using the RB6 chassis due to damage sustained. Liz was then replaced by their winter testing chassis which was subsequently nicknamed “Randy Mandy.” Webber’s former car is currently being worked on by mechanics and will be used as a spare monocoque for the British Grand Prix.

    Webber has spoken fondly of his former race winning chassis stating “I don’t get attached to cars, but clearly that one was unique. They’ll probably give me something else (now), But the car did a great job for me in two cases. It won races for me, and it looked after me when I needed it.”

    He also went on to say that the relationship between him and Vettel was amicable. At this point though, it will be good to hear more about race related technicalities rather than relationships between drivers who are clearly trying to maintain a normal professional working relationship.

    Source

     
 
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