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Mazda CX-5 customised to be shown at Tokyo Auto Salon

December 27, 2011 at 10:23 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Mazda


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Mazda is showcasing a host of customised vehicles at the upcoming edition of the annual Tokyo Auto Salon in January, and among these are two versions of the CX-5 crossover, which is set to be introduced in its domestic market next spring.

Both CX-5s are standard models, but one has been given a special edition tart-up job, combining a red exterior body colour with alloy wheels painted in matte-black and slightly lower body height, and will have the honour of leading the dress-up party for the show.

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VW gives workers respite from Blackberry messages

December 27, 2011 at 10:16 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

In a move that should hopefully unshackle the idea that work has to follow one home, Volkswagen has agreed to stop sending emails through Blackberry devices to its workers in Germany after working hours.

According to reports, an agreement was reached between the company and its labour representatives that will see the email function being deactivated at night for the 1,154 pay-scale employees at VW’s six plants in Germany who have a smartphone device furnished by the company.

These workers will only receive e-mails from half an hour before the start of flex-time working hours until half an hour after they end, but will still be able to receive and make phone calls. Board level execs will however continue to receive emails via their Blackberry devices.

The move came about following complaints from employees that being reachable all the time blurred the lines between work and home life as well as heighten the risk of burnout. Needless to say, the response to the decision to deactivate e-mails at night has been very positive.

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Kia Ray EV – Korea’s first production EV enters the scene

December 23, 2011 at 12:40 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Kia

Kia has introduced its Ray EV in Korea, and the zero-emissions city car has the honour of being the country’s first production electric vehicle. The car, which is only for the domestic Korean market, shares a general commonality with the company’s 1.0 litre gasoline-powered Ray CUV launched recently; it has the petrol model’s major dimensions. Operating range is up to 139 km on a single charge.

The front-wheel drive Ray EV is powered by a 50 kW electric motor offering 68 PS and a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack – engineered for a 10-year life cycle – that’s packaged under the rear seat and cabin floor. It’s equipped with an automatic transmission offering two drive modes, Eco and Brake, the latter maximising braking power on downhill runs.

The Ray EV weighs 187 kg more than the gasoline model, but the 167 Nm on call ensures responsive performance, Kia says. In terms of performance, the Ray EV does the 0-100 km/h run in 15.9 seconds, while top speed is 130 km/h. As for recharging times, it’s six hours using a 220V household supply and just 25 minutes in fast-charge mode.

The vehicle has a few small distinguishing points to identify it as the EV version. A flap in the front radiator grille covers an electricity inlet for a 220V supply for the slow recharge mode, while the fast recharge mode inlet is where the fuel intake of the regular model is.

Then, there’s the dedicated 14-inch alloys it wears, which improve aerodynamic performance by minimising drag, but surely the easiest way to spot it is from the ‘Zero Emissions EV’ decals pasted on the front doors.

Inside, the Ray EV features a unique instrument cluster, displaying electric motor operation, battery status and distance to recharge. It is also equipped with the first-ever EV-specific navigation system that features a 7-inch screen and provides crucial information for EV drivers. such as the nearest locations of the slow/fast recharging stations.

The display shows a circular shaped area in which the model can travel with its current level of battery power, so that drivers can see which destinations are reachable without a recharge. Some trivia: there are 500 slow/fast recharge stations in Korea, and the government plans to increase that figure to 3,100 stations by the end of 2012.

Since the Ray EV generates no engine noise, which can be a potential problem with pedestrians being unaware of the approaching car, the vehicle is equipped with a VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System). At speeds below 20 km/h, the system delivers a mixture of recorded gasoline engine noises, which are also emitted whenever the car is backing up.

Safety kit includes six airbags and electronic stability features – VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) and Hill Assist Control – as standard. Kia says it plans to manufacture 2,500 units of the Ray EV next year, which will be provided to government departments and public offices as part of Kia’s long-term real-world research and development programme.

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Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTEC Hybrid introduced, in both saloon and estate form – E400 Hybrid also debuts

December 22, 2011 at 12:46 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz has announced the introduction of the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid, available in both saloon and estate form, as well as the E400 Hybrid. Both vehicles will make their official debut at the upcoming NAIAS in Detroit in January.

The E300 BlueTEC Hybrid is powered by a four-cylinder diesel offering 204 hp and 500 Nm, working in tandem with an electric motor that produces 20 kW and 250 Nm – Merc says that the vehicle is the most economical luxury-class vehicle in the world.

The company adds that there’s no compromise in space, safety and comfort brought about by utilisation of the intelligent modular hybrid concept – no changes to the body of the base vehicle were necessary.

The car is part of the intelligent downsizing strategy of Mercedes-Benz – the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid is positioned at the same level as the E300 CDI, but offers fuel savings of around 15% compared with the E250 CDI, even in actual road traffic conditions.

Meanwhile, the V6 petrol unit in the E400 Hybrid cranks out 306 hp and 370 Nm, and the mill is also supplemented by the same electric motor’s 20 kW and 250 Nm.

The E300 BlueTEC Hybrid is initially planned to be launched on the European market, while the E400 Hybrid will be made available on the American market first, followed by other countries such as Japan and China later. Right-hand drive variants are scheduled.

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Lexus LF-LC – wraps come off early on the new 2+2 coupe

December 22, 2011 at 11:12 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Lexus


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It was supposed to only be fully revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9, but the Lexus concept that is now known as the LF-LC is a surprise no more, courtesy of a leaked image of the car by a publication, which carried the car in its entirety in a digital preview of its latest magazine.

So, Lexus has now brought out an official image of the LF-LC, which is a 2+2 sports coupe that takes the company’s design direction a step further. Conceived as a design exercise to explore the future of Lexus design, the LF-LC was created at the company’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California.

“Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The clean lines of the vehicle emphasise motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe.”

Expect more images to come about, now that the rug has been pulled out from under this surprise. So much for all that teasing …

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Luca di Montezemolo to run for Italian presidency in 2013

December 22, 2011 at 10:51 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Ferrari, International News

Some news about Luca di Montezemolo – reports say that the Ferrari chairman has indicated his intention to be a candidate for the Italian presidency in 2013, the announcement being made in an open-letter to Italiafutura, a think-tank that he formed in 2009.

“The Second Republic has failed. Politics has been losing touch with the everyday problems of Italians and the challenges of a difficult international situation, but is also full of opportunities,” di Montezemolo said in the letter.

“If there is a country that should not be afraid of globalisation, it is Italy. If only we stop thinking defensively and start to invest resources on our core (culture and industry), benefits will not be long in coming,” he added.

The 64-year-old’s campaign is set to focus on creating employment as well as on issues critical to the country’s future, such as taxation and reform of the institutions. “We will promote the adoption of measures, concrete and operational, to respond to many emergencies in the country. We will begin by presenting a proposal for the rapid sale of public assets and lowering debt,” he said. It remains unknown if di Montezemolo will step down from his position at Ferrari.

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New vehicle sales in Thailand down by 67.5% in November

December 22, 2011 at 10:16 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News

Reports indicate that new vehicle sales in Thailand dropped 67.5% in November from the same period a year earlier, the result of supply shortages brought about by the suspension of production due to the recent flood crisis.

While total sales volume for the year was 739,506 units, a figure that is up by 4.6% compared to the year before, new vehicle sales in November totalled only 25,664 units. Toyota remained the market leader, with a 15.8% share of total new vehicles sold during the month, while Mitsubishi Motors came in second with a 13.9% share.

Passenger car sales in Thailand, meanwhile, fell 62.1% on year to 12,746 units, with Honda taking a 22.2% share for the lead, and Nissan a close second with a market share of 21.1%. Elsewhere, the reports add that sales of commercial vehicles, including that of one-tonne pick-up trucks, slumped 71.5% to 12,918 units. Leader Mitsubishi had 24.9% of the market, while Isuzu was second with 20.1%.

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Audi A1 quattro: 256 hp and 350 Nm, only 333 units

December 21, 2011 at 11:48 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Audi, Cars, International News

Audi has announced the arrival of the range-topping A1 model called the A1 quattro. Just 333 examples of the form will be built in 2012, and all will be left-hand drive units.

The vehicle is powered by a 2.0 TFSI mill offering 256 hp at 6,000 rpm and 350 Nm of torque available between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm, which is of course delivered to all four wheels. Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds and a 245 km/h top speed.

The 2.0 TFSI delivers its power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via a six-speed manual transmission, which features an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch whose package of plates rotates in an oil bath. There’s an electronic differential lock in the mix, of course.

The car’s chassis has been adapted to the dynamics of the drivetrain, and is much more tautly tuned than that of the production model. The front suspension is a McPherson construction, while a four-link axle is used at the rear, and the electrohydraulic power steering on the car features a direct 14.8:1 steering ratio.

The Audi A1 quattro rides on 18-inch cast alloy wheels, finished in Glacier White, wrapped with 225/35 series tyres. Elsewhere, the internally vented 312 mm diameter front brake discs are clamped by black calipers.

The car is available only in Glacier White metallic, with a high-gloss black roof, some dashes of red and a two-colour rear wing providing contrast. Decent amount of tint to be found too – the rear windows are blackened, as are the LED rear lights. The exhaust system terminates in two polished dual tailpipes on the left and the right, adding yet more flair to the equation.

Inside, black is the thematic shade, with the seats and door armrests covered in Silk Nappa leather, with contrasting red seams. The S sport seats up front have pronounced bolsters, integrated head restraints and a quattro badge on the backrest covers.

Elsewhere, the lower section of the centre console is in high-gloss black, while the footrest and the pedal caps are in brushed stainless steel. Red seams frame the floor mats, and the door sill trims bear A1 quattro badges.

As for the instrument cluster, unique cues include white needles, a red tachometer and a quattro logo. Meanwhile, the multifunction flat-bottom sport steering wheel is wrapped in leather, again with contrasting red stitching and it also sports the car’s serial number.

There’s also plenty of other mod cons, including xenon plus headlights, high-beam assistant, adaptive brake lights, LED interior lighting package, light and rain sensor, automatically dimming interior mirror, rear parking system, automatic air conditioning, alarm system, storage package, convenience key and cruise control.

Rounding things off are a Bose sound system with 14 speakers and 465 watts of power, and the woofers in the doors are indirectly lit with light guide LEDs.

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Welch Motorsport to expand to running two NGTC Protons in 2012 BTCC – current BTCC Persona goes on display

December 21, 2011 at 1:16 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Malaysian Makes, Motorsports, Proton

Welch Motorsports, which ran a Proton Persona built to Next Generation Touring Car series specifications in the second half of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, is set to expand its presence in the championship to two NGTC-regulation Protons for the full 2012 race season.

The 2011 car began participation just after the mid-season break, debuting at Snetterton, driven by Daniel Welch, the son of team principal John Welch. It’s the second NGTC car to compete with the TOCA engine, which is built by Swindon Engines – the NGTC-spec “unbranded” turbo direct injection electronic throttle engine has a 2.0 litre displacement and makes over 300 horses, with the option for an overboost as well.

The current Proton Persona BTCC car has in the meantime gone on display in the UK at Surrey-based West End Garage’s showroom in Woking. As the supplying Proton dealer for Welch Motorsport, WEG will have the BTCC vehicle on show for a bit, and has sent us some photos of the car on display.

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Saab suspends warranty coverage on its US vehicles

December 21, 2011 at 11:51 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Saab

The not-so-pleasant news continues. Saab Automobile, which declared voluntary bankruptcy on Monday, has suspended warranty coverage on all of its vehicles in North America, according to a report. The suspension came into effect the same day the company’s bankruptcy petition was approved by a Swedish court.

Effective December 19, “warranty coverage is suspended indefinitely for all new Saab vehicles sold. During this period, the warranty booklet must be removed from the owner information packet,” Saab Cars North America said in a statement to Automotive News, which carried the report.

The suspension covers new-car warranties as well as powertrain and emission warranties, parts warranty (including safety belts and airbags) and items such as towing, goodwill and recalls/campaigns, among others. All new 2011 Saab models were last covered by a 4-year, 50,000-mile warranty that included roadside assistance, and no charge scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.

The Swedish automaker also told its North American dealers that new vehicles must be sold “as is.” According to a Saab spokesperson, the company now has less than 3,000 light vehicles in its US inventory.

General Motors, which owned Saab from 1989 and handled Saab sales and covered warranties until February 2010, has however stated that it will honour warranties on all models sold when it owned the Swedish company.

“In the event Saab cannot or will not fulfill its obligations to administer the warranty programs with its US and Canadian dealers through Saab Cars North America or otherwise, GM will take necessary steps to ensure that remaining warranty obligations on Saab vehicles marketed by GM in the United States and Canada will be honoured,” GM said in a statement.

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