Dany Bahar has been suspended from his job as head of Group Lotus, a subsidiary of Proton. The temporary suspension is to facilitate an investigation into a complaint about the ex-Ferrari employee’s conduct, according to Proton’s new owner DRB-Hicom.

“Group Lotus plc (“Lotus”) can today confirm that, following an operational review, chief executive Dany Bahar has been temporarily suspended from his role to facilitate an investigation into a complaint about his conduct made by Lotus’ penultimate parent company, DRB-Hicom Berhad,” the Malaysian company said in a statement.

“The penultimate holding company would like to stress it is business as usual at Lotus. We fully support the company and will continue to support Lotus in its business endeavours and development,” a DRB spokesman told Norwich Evening News.

Bahar pictured here with Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin. Is DRB performing a clear out?

The statement from DRB confirms speculation about Bahar’s future that arose after he missed appointments at the ongoing Monaco GP weekend (a Lotus Originals store opening, among others). Word went around that the flamboyant Turkish-Swiss was instead summoned to Malaysia, where he was told about the suspension.

With Bahar out of the frame, for now, DRB-Hicom has appointed internal people Datuk Lukman Ibrahim, Mohd Khalid Yusof and Aslam Farikulla to be in charge of Lotus, assisted by current CFO Rusman Zaihan. No official statement on the alleged misconduct by Bahar, so your guess is as good as ours.

Dany Bahar joined Lotus from Ferrari in late 2009, famously crafting an ambitious five-year plan for the loss-making company. This plan surfaced at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, where Lotus wheeled out five concept cars in a spectacular show. We witnessed that landmark moment – click here to read all about the plan, and the concepts.

Bahar signed a fresh four-year contract with Proton in December last year, just before the national carmaker was sold to DRB-Hicom. His original contract expires this year.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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All things considered, the freshly-launched Mazda CX-5 is the company’s most important vehicle to date. The company is really banking on this one for two reasons – the CX-5 is Mazda’s first compact SUV and this vehicle gets the full SkyActiv treatment.

I have touched on the SkyActiv components in my launch report, which I urge you to read. As a short recap, SkyActiv is an umbrella term by which the body, chassis, engine and transmission are conceived from a clean sheet of paper.

This means that all the components are developed in tandem so that they will make the vehicle handle brilliantly and give excellent performance without sacrificing economy. And you know what, it works.

Back to the CX-5 and how ‘unsharp’ it looks. While it does stand out among the current crop of SUVs, the Kodo-based design does not immediately leave cuts in your eyes the way the Takeri concept did. Still, the CX-5 has all the folds and creases in the right places. Incidentally, the design gives a drag coefficient figure of 0.33 Cd.

Nevertheless, the front grille and headlamps combination does follow the Kodo design philosophy quite nicely. Seen whole, the CX-5 has a stance that brushes away any impression of it being matured and serious. Nice to see a Japanese company that still knows how to have fun.

You can find all sorts of creature comforts inside. The seats (only the driver’s chair is power adjustable) are wrapped in leather. It cradles the posterior quite comfortably and gives nice back support. The CX-5 does not skimp on space; the 2,700 mm wheelbase ensures that there’s plenty of room for a long pair of legs.

Mazda has a good reputation for having tight fit and finish and I’m glad it has carried forward that same level of quality into the CX-5 as well. The materials used are a mixture of plastics, some softer than the other. But more importantly, it has fluffed up all the important contact points.

What the designers have left behnd is the sheer amount of buttons that used to permeate Mazda dashboards. The CX-5′s interior – and this is my only beef with its insides – looks too clean and simple; a contrast to what you see on the SUV’s metal shell. Oh well, can’t have everything.

Bermaz has also packed lots of goodies with the CX-5 too. The Special Accessories Package, valued at RM6,000, includes 225/55 tyres with 19-inch alloy wheels, electric sunroof, audio system with sat-nav (which runs on TomTom), leather seats, nine-speaker Bose sound system and a reverse camera with colour TFT touchscreen.

Mazda’s local partner says that the special accessories come standard only for the time being. The additional bells and whistles will become optional in the near future.

Before I bring up the topic on the engine and how it drives, let me touch on the SkyActiv-Drive first. It is a six-speed automatic gearbox that uses a torque converter to get it moving from standstill. However, once north of 8 km/h, the gears lock up to eliminate the need of a fluid coupler to change the gears.

This means the transmission establishes a mechanically direct link with the engine quicker than the competition. What this also does is surgically remove the lag you would expect from an auto gearbox.

It feels crisp, no matter if you leave it in ‘D’ or flick the gears through the manual interface. The transmission is also smart enough to always be in the right gear at the right time. Very promising indeed.

Shifts are fast and very direct, much like how a dual-clutch gearbox behaves. It is also creamy smooth, like a CVT only without the noise. There is virtually no loss in rpms as you go through the motions of getting the CX-5 up to speed.

Things get a little bit complicated from here. In spite of the fact that both 2WD and AWD CX-5 variants breathe with the same SkyActiv-G engine with the same stratospheric 13:1 compression ratio, there’s a slight difference in power figures. And this is just the start of what makes the variants different.

The 2WD gets to run with 153 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The AWD’s figures are a hair’s breadth lower with 152 hp at 6,000 rpm and 198 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

Mazda claims that the figures are measured at the wheels instead of the engine. The loss of one horsepower in the AWD, as Mazda says, happens when power is sent from the engine to all four wheels.

Personally, seeing as there is only a miniscule difference in figures, they could have measured the power at the engine instead and no one would know the difference.

The AWD is not quick off the line as you’d expect it to. Standing on the accelerator only yields a laboured groan, but not much speed. But then again, the engine had barely registered any kilometres.

Once up to speed, the AWD comes together and settles down nicely. There is some good mid-range power and pace to be enjoyed. The engine and gearbox responds quick to the accelerator, needing only the lightest taps to downshift for overtaking.

There’s adequate feedback from the steering, definitely more than the current crop of SUVs in the market. It is weight-adjusted according to speed, making it easy to navigate around tight parking spots, feel assured on the highway and sensitive around the bends.

Speaking of going around the bends, the AWD system constantly makes small adjustments to keep going where you want it to go. It’ll put you through the motions, going from oversteer to understeer and back to oversteer. All the while keeping the nose pointing to the right direction without needing further steering input from you.

It does feel ‘iffy’ at first, but once trust is established with the system, the act of stitching up corners will be all too easy. And it is precise too, putting down rubber in all the right places to trace a nice curve. The more I drove the AWD, the more fun I got out of this compact SUV.

Yet, it is the 2WD that I would have on my driveway. It gives better fuel economy, 6.9 L/100 km versus 7.3 L/100 km on a combined cycle. It is also a lighter vehicle. The 2WD weighs in at 1,522 kg, which is 67 kg lighter than the AWD version.

Out of the bag, the 2WD is the one that is easier to drive. Acceleration feels more willing, hence quicker away from zero. The engine also feels less strung up in spite of it having about the same amount of mileage than the AWD model.

The two-wheel drive CX-5 feels just as relaxed and confident when cruising at the national speed limit. And like the AWD version, this CX-5 gives good mid-range aggression and respectable high-speed overtaking.

It is in the corners that the 2WD and AWD models feel different. The two-wheel drive CX-5 feels more balanced around the corners, going around them with much enthusiasm and grip.

OK, there might be some understeer due to its front-wheel drive nature, but you almost won’t notice of any meaningful loss of traction. Do you really need the AWD then? In normal driving conditions, the 2WD CX-5 handles better than you might expect.

The test drive was not a long one and it ended far too early. The CX-5 has a nice party bag of tricks but due to a lack of time, I wasn’t able to dig deep into that bag.

Still, if you are in the market for a sporty utility vehicle, you can’t really go wrong with the CX-5. As it stands, Mazda has put together a really nice vehicle to drive and live with.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Italian supercar maker Lamborghini opened a new showroom in the Klang Valley this evening. Located in Glenmarie, the RM4 million facility operated by JH Italia Sdn Bhd is a 3S centre to serve the brand’s growing customer base in Malaysia. Last year, Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur shifted 21 units, this year they aim to sell 60 raging bulls.

The showroom with the black facade boasts a “total Lamborghini brand experience” and is fitted with imported Italian fittings as well as a specially designed bar area for customers to “enjoy a taste of Italy”. Italian coffee, we presume. There’s a merchandise corner, too.

“In Malaysia, people who buy Lamborghini cars are driven by the passion to own something that is extreme, uncompromising and unmistakably Italian. And you can see there is a shift in the buying attitude of affluent Malaysians for design, quality, pleasure and pride,” said Isham Ariff, Chairman of Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur.

“Kuala Lumpur itself has shown some very encouraging growth for the marque and with improving economic conditions in Malaysia and around the Asia Pacific region, I am confident that we will see an increasing demand for our range of Lamborghini supersports cars,” Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said in a statement.

“The level of service and quality we have invested into our showroom and service center reflects our brand values of being extreme, uncompromising and unmistakably Italian. Malaysia now joins our key markets like Singapore and China in terms of our growing brand presence and strategy for the Asia Pacific market,” the sharp suited Winkelmann added.

Lamborghini has been pretty active lately. The Gallardo Malaysia Limited Edition (MLE) was launched here earlier this month (eight bookings collected already), and Sepang will host the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series this weekend. In that series, which is run for the first time in Asia, JH Italia will have its own car, piloted by Rizal Ashram Ramli a.k.a. Jejai.

Click here to read our Aventador experience. Sant’Agata’s flagship supercar is in the showroom launch gallery below, where you can also find legends and poster favourites Diablo and Countach.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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It’s no big surprise that “WWW 1″ has set a new record as Malaysia’s most expensive vehicle registration number, but the all-time high bid of RM520,000 for that number plate is shocking nonetheless. Yes, someone bid RM520k for the bragging rights, as revealed by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

RM520k for “WWW 1″ is enough to comfortably eclipse the previous record – RM300,100 for “MCA 1″ in 2010. It’s not just the coveted #1 however; the “WWW” series broke all sorts of registration number records as well.

First, 13 of the successful bids were worth more than RM100,000 and three of them went for RM300,000 each. The total amount of bids received so far is more than RM64 million, and the “WWW” series is estimated to rake in RM11.3 million.

Kong revealed that of the 10,000 numbers in the series, 4,908 received bids while the remaining 5,091 will become running numbers that will be sold to the public. “The highest number of bids (in this series) goes to “WWW 333″ which received 84 bids,” Kong added. Total bids? 18,243.

The full results will only be released via JPJ’s portal on Monday, and letters informing bidders of the results will be sent out from June 6.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Naza Group Joint Group Executive Chairman Datuk SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin told the national news agency that the three companies are from Europe and China, but declined to name them.

“One franchise is in a very preliminary stage of discussion but the other two are firm. We will make an announcement at the right time,” he added.

Naza is the importer, distributor and assembler of Peugeot and Kia marques in Malaysia. The Group’s brand portfolio also includes Ferrari, Maserati, Chevrolet, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Vespa and Aprilia, among other marques. Want to try guess the identity of the new brands?

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The sixth and final My Proton Makeover project car was unveiled this afternoon, when R3 Head of Engineering Tengku Djan Ley handed back the keys of this 1991 Saga Aeroback to its first and only owner, Madam Lee Koon Gaik. The 54-year old homemaker was ecstatic, and couldn’t recognise her ride, which has been thoroughly “overhauled” by the R3 team.

Lee said she liked the new colour and “comfortable seats” the most. “The whole appearance of the car has changed,” she exclaimed, going on to explain that the although the 21-year old Saga was difficult to start at times, and the air con wasn’t as strong as she liked, it had no major problems. It’s the only car that serves her and her retired husband, and she uses it to visit the market and fetch kids to school.

The thrifty lady from Seri Kembangan even sewed the car’s torn cushions herself, although none of that can be seen now with black leather and alcantara covering the cabin. The “furry” material is also found on the dashboard and original steering wheel. R3 also threw in red piping and a Sony single-DIN player.

Tengku Djan explained that the goal for this car was to “keep it as stock as possible” with some R3 touches. The top drifter also revealed that Madam Lee’s Saga was one of the easier cars to do – some of the previous chosen ones had specific requests, and some cars looked decent but were less pretty under the skin.

“Understanding her driving patterns as she uses her car for daily errands, we worked to give the car a more pleasurable drive. The engine and gearbox were rebuilt without adding any performance enhancements or mods, with the exhaust system being tweaked to improve torque without making it loud or noisy.

“Considering that she does a considerable amount of town driving, the car’s suspension was upgraded to improve ride comfort. To improve the car’s stability, we went with 16-inch wheels which will enhance the car’s overall road holding ability,” Djan added.

As a Saga owner myself, I really like the fact that R3 chose to maintain the “classic feel”, retaining the car’s original grill and logo. They would have put in original tail lamps too, but new OEM ones are no longer available. As seen in the work-in-progress images posted yesterday, exterior enhancements include a slim rear spoiler, gunmetal highlights and subtle red pinstripes.

Let’s give the final word to Madam Lee. “I have always maintained that this car would be sufficient to serve me a lifetime. Thank you Proton for your commitment towards simple customers like me, going the extra mile to help me keep this car going,” she said.

Previous My Proton Makeover projects include Fadly Hisham Roplay’s 1992 Saga, Sashideran Radha Krishnan’s 1994 Wira, Norzamzarini Mohd Bajuri’s 1996 Iswara Aeroback, Hafiz Mohd Hashim’s 2001 Satria GTI and Amirul Azim’s 2001 Satria 1.3.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The arrival of the new Toyota Camry is nigh, with the XV50 set to make its debut here early next month. The order books were opened last month, we’ve already seen the specs of the car in our leaked brochure post, and the car was seen on a transporter last week, so all that’s left is for the seventh-generation model to premiere.

Still, nothing like adding some final bits of colour to the canvas before the car makes its debut proper. Reader HK Chong sent in some snaps of the XV50, taken when he visited the Toyota Megaweb in Tokyo last November; the Camry had just made its domestic debut around then.

The photos are primarily of the Hybrid, which of course won’t be coming here, though the car is available in the Thai market. It’s powered by a 2.5 litre 2 AR-FXE Atkinson cycle unit, with 160 PS and 213 Nm, coupled with an electric motor producing 143 PS and 270 Nm, with combined output via the torque split device being 205 PS.

We already know what we can expect to see in the Malaysian Camry, based on the photos of the Thai-market model, so here’s a contrasting view of textures and materials with the shots of the Hybrid.

As previously mentioned, we’ll be getting three petrol variants, namely two 1AZ-FE 2.0 models, the E and G, as well as a 2AR-FE 2.5 litre version, the V. To recap, the 2.0 VVT-i mill offers 148 PS and 190 Nm, and it’ll be mated to a four-speed Super ECT slushbox. Meanwhile, the 2.5 litre Dual VVT-i with ACIS has 181 PS and 231 Nm for output figures, and it gets a six-speed Super ECT auto, replete with sequential shifter.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Nissan looks like its ready to up its EV game here, what with Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s recent announcement of the incorporation of a wholly-owned subsidiary called First Energy Networks. The start-up’s principal activity, according to the statement made in its filing to the Bursa, will be to build and operate the charging infrastructure and system for electric vehicles and any related facilities.

The company already has the Nissan Leaf about, though the EV isn’t running commercially, but as part of a pilot programme to create public awareness of the car and the tech. Still, the move beyond just that now looks certain, and with the formation of the new subsidiary, ETCM looks like it’s planning early for the future.

Perhaps it’s all spurred by the suggestion that the Government may pile on more incentives for hybrid and EVs. Reports indicate that the Government is looking at various avenues to help spur the uptake of such vehicles, and the incentives will supposedly be revealed when the second revision of National Automotive Policy is announced sometime this year.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The My Proton Makeover programme started in August last year with Fadly Hisham Roplay’s 1992 Saga, and will end with a Saga of the same vintage. The sixth and final car chosen for a rework by R3 is Madam Lee Lee Koon Gaik’s 1991 Saga, and from these work-in-progress pics, we can see that the beat up Aeroback has been thoroughly refurbished.

R3 has given the homemaker’s trusty car a new (and badly needed) paint job, changing the Saga’s colour to silver. Contrasting gun metal trim with red piping have been added, along with 16-inch R3 alloys. The wheels look identical to those on Fadly’s Saga, but are finished in silver.

The cabin is a mixture of black leather and alcantara, with red piping. It’s quite a sporty look, so perhaps Madam Lee’s sons will also approve of R3′s efforts!

Previous projects include Fadly Hisham Roplay’s 1992 Saga, Sashideran Radha Krishnan’s 1994 Wira, Norzamzarini Mohd Bajuri’s 1996 Iswara Aeroback, Hafiz Mohd Hashim’s 2001 Satria GTI and Amirul Azim’s 2001 Satria 1.3.

We will be at the final unveiling – stay tuned!

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The Caltex Havoline with Deposit Shield engine oil range, which includes the Havoline Fully Synthetic, Havoline Synthetic Blend and Havoline Formula, has been upgraded to API SN, the highest performance standard set by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to date.

The additives in Caltex Havoline with Deposit Shield creates a protective coating that shields the engine from deposits, metal-to-metal contact, corrosive agents and the extreme temperatures of combustion.

According to Caltex, Havoline Synthetic Blend SAE 10W-40 goes beyond what is required of API SN and provides 30% more protection from corrosion and 30% better wear protection. The same oil is also 70% better at wear protection in extreme driving conditions, improving oil stability and increasing durability.

The by-products of combustion and breakdown of oil over time can change the oil viscosity, potentially causing poorer fuel economy. Caltex says that Havoline Synthetic Blend SAE 10W-40 is 55% better at retaining viscosity under harsh conditions.

“To enjoy the journey, drivers today want to protect what really matters – the investment they made in their cars and its performance. Our latest upgrade – Havoline with Deposit Shield – was developed to address the needs of car enthusiasts, and all drivers who understand the importance of protecting their investment,” said Simon Lim, Chevron Lubricant Sales Manager for Malaysia and Singapore.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The Malaysian edition of the Global Ford Ranger Challenge is moving into its final leg – the five local finalists selected earlier in the month have done their respective challenges, and these have been filmed by a crew from Ford.

Now, the videos are up, and you can help determine who will end up the winner of a new Ford Ranger. To recap, the five finalists are horticulturist Zolkaplie Mustafa, utility engineer Peter Charles, admin officer Denny Lim, IT technician Wong Kok Wei, as well as 4X4 modifier, enthusiast and sea diver Peter Choy.

The voting phase runs from today until June 22, and the Grand Prize winner will be selected, based collectively on the total number of thumbs up generated from online votes as well as the decision from the panel of judges.

The winner will drive away with a Ranger XLT 2.2L Manual as well as The Malaysia Ranger Challenge merchandise, but the second and third placed guys won’t walk away empty handed.

The first runner-up will receive RM9,888 in cash and Global Ranger Challenge merchandise, as well as a RM10,000 voucher to purchase the new Ranger. Meanwhile, the second runner-up will receive RM3,888 in cash, a RM5,000 voucher to offset his new Ranger purchase and Global Ranger Challenge merchandise.

Voters aren’t left out either. Every 50th, 100th, 150th voter and so on will be in the running to win a Casio G-Shock watch, though they’ll need to answer a tie-breaker question – the best creative answer of the lot bags the Special Edition All-New Ford Ranger Casio G Shock watch, the same as the one in the ‘tweet a pix with a Ford Ranger’ photo contest.

The rest will get one item from the available Ford merchandise list while stocks last. Oh, in order for you to be eligible to cast your vote, you’ll need to register yourself online at www.fordrangerchallenge.com.my, which is also where you’ll find the five finalists’ videos.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Chevron Malaysia Limited has produced customised Caltex branded comics targeted at youth to create awareness on HIV and AIDS. The novel outreach tool was created with Strika Entertainment and takes on the look and feel of the popular Supa Strikas comics. They are free, and available in English and Bahasa Malaysia on a dedicated HIV/AIDS awareness page on www.caltex.com.my.

“Capitalising on Caltex’s global sponsorship of Supa Strikas, we believe the comics could prove a creative and effective medium in making HIV and AIDS awareness accessible to children and adolescents. The illustrated format draws on the special interest of youth, while conveying a relatable story that encourages understanding and helps reduce the stigma against those affected,” said Jeremy Oh, Country Chairman, Chevron Malaysia Limited.

The initiative is in line with Chevron’s global Energy for Learning commitment which aims to support learning-based programs, including HIV and AIDS awareness. Special edition Bahasa Malaysia Caltex awareness comics and posters were distributed at the Red Ribbon @ Brickfields awareness campaign organised by the Malaysian AIDS Council on May 20.

Chevron also conducts regular staff awareness trainings. A recent annual International AIDS Memorial Day Charity Sale event raised over RM5,000 towards improving the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS. Free comprehensive Pathlab health screening vouchers incorporating HIV testing were also distributed to empower HIV status awareness and reduce the stigma often associated with getting tested.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Sime Darby Auto Hyundai (SDAH) officially opened its new 3S centre in Prai, Penang recently. The ceremony was officiated by Kim Hoo-Keun, Head of Asia & Pacific Regional Headquarters.

SDAH invested close to RM6 million to upgrade the 3S centre, which spans 17,483 sq ft. Located on Jalan Baru, the centre has a spray-painting facility, six service bays (expandable to 12) and a WiFi lounge with beverages. SDAH Prai also offers Quick Service, a 24-hour key drop service and shuttle service to Megamall Pinang.

This new 3S centre also complies with the Hyundai Dealer Enhancement Programme (DEP). DEP was introduced by HMC to reinforce Hyundai’s brand presence by aligning it with Hyundai’s global corporate image.

The 3S centre is part of Wisma EMC, which can be found at 972, Jalan Baru, Prai. Call 04-3997788 (service) and 04-3993988 (sales) for enquiries.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Well, after months of it being spotted around the Peninsular, the Peugeot 408 has finally made its Malaysian market debut – Nasim launched the C-segment sedan earlier tonight at its new Blue Box facility in Glenmarie.

Badged as an ideal choice for young professionals with families and looking for a car that offers space, performance and elegance, the new 2012 Peugeot 408 – which is manufactured at the Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) facility in Gurun, Kedah – arrives in two variant forms, the 408 Turbo and the 408 2.0.

The 408 Turbo gets the familiar Prince 1.6 litre THP twin scroll turbo, but the EP6CDTM offers improved output with 163 hp at 6,000 rpm, while maximum torque is 240 Nm at 1,400 rpm – the power output makes the 408 the most powerful C-segment sedan in the market locally, Nasim says.

The increased output is the result of a revised turbo, changes to the ECU mapping and reworked pistons. The upgraded mill is mated to the AT6 six-speed auto adaptive transmission with Tiptronic and a sport mode, and performance specs include a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 9.2 seconds and a 215 km/h top speed.

Meanwhile, the 408 2.0 is powered by the EW10A+ normally-aspirated four-cylinder 2.0 litre unit, which offers 145 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, and the engine is partnered with an AT8 auto adaptive gearbox – the four-speed unit, which also has Triptronic and a sport mode, features a new torque converter. Performance specs for the 2.0 litre include a 195 km/h top speed and a 0-100 km/h time of 12.5 seconds.

Design-wise, the front end of the 4.68 metre-long car includes elements such as Peugeot’s trademark feline headlights and thin chrome strips on the radiator grille, while the ruby red rear lights are trimmed with a clear white strip that hint at a lion’s claws within the cluster. At night, they take on the form of three diagonal strips that are a homage to historic models such as the 504 coupe.

Other external dimensions are a 1,815 mm width, 1,525 mm height and 2,710 mm long wheelbase, which is one of the longest in its segments – as a comparison, it’s just 15mm shy of the D-segment Mazda 6′s wheelbase.

Inside, the 408 features a large, cosy cabin, replete with premium leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminium inserts, automatic dual-zone air-conditioning system with rear air-conditioning vents and almost 33 litres of storage space within the cabin.

In terms of boot space, there’s 562 litres of volume on call, and the rears seats can be folded in a 40/60 split (backrest and seat squabs) to create extra load-carrying space.

Items on the list include a six-speaker World In Peugeot Sound system with CD/ MP3 playback capability and USB/Bluetooth connectivity, an instrument panel LCD, tilt and telescopic steering, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and one-touch power windows with anti-pinch for all four windows.

Both variants also feature cruise control with a speed limiter, “Follow Me Home” headlamp functionality, sensor-activated headlights and wipers as well as automatic retractable side mirrors.

Suspension-wise, the front features inverted pseudo MacPherson-type struts and an antiroll bar, while the rear axle comprises a deformable U-shaped cross member and an integrated antiroll bar. The suspension settings for both cars are a bit different though, the 408 Turbo’s being tuned for a sportier and sharper ride while the 2.0’s suspension offers more comfort.

Both Pugs come equipped with 17-inch wheels, but in different designs as well as profile rubbers – the Turbo wears eight-spoke Melbourne wheels and 225/45 tyres, while the 2.0 features five-spoke Rinjani alloys and 215/50 tyres.

In terms of safety, both variants feature ABS, EBD and EBA, among others. The car has also been designed with a double-impact force dissipation channel to provide maximum passenger compartment protection. In the case of the 2.0, the variant features two airbags.

The 408 Turbo adds four more to the equation (driver and front passenger side, front and rear curtain airbags), making it six, as well as electronic stability programme (ESP), which features anti-slip regulation (ASR) and dynamic stability control (DSC) functions.

Six colours are available for the 408, these being Alpine White, Velvet Silver, Metropolis Bronze, Aster Grey, Bourrasque Blue and Premium Black. Pricing wise, the 408 Turbo goes for RM125,888, while the 2.0 goes for RM109,888, both on the road, with insurance.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Now, we’re definitely not in the habit of talking about booze, even if some of us here do enjoy the odd tipple or three now and then, but something along those lines then on a Monday morning, simply because of who’s behind it.

Chris Bangle, who was BMW’s chief of design for more than a decade and a half, and who will forever be associated with the Bangle butt (the rather affectionate term for the E65 7-Series’ bustle-back lid that was actually penned by Adrian van Hooydonk), is back in the design game with a fresh composition, one offering a rather different perspective. The man, who was also responsible for penning the Fiat Coupe, has come up with a new… cognac bottle!

Yes, it’s all glug-glug with this one – Bangle has inked the lines of Hennessy’s new V.S.O.P bottle, his first project outside the automotive industry. The American designer was in KL last week for the unveiling of the new package design – shame we weren’t able to have caught up with him for a one-on-one (the slots were filled up, seems).

It’d have been a hoot to ask CB what’s been happening since he left Munich (“Finally hit the bottle, eh, Chris?”), and if there’s any significantly different approach needed in designing a bottle as opposed to a car. Wonder if this one will be known as the Hennessy butt. Or the Bangle bottle.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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As mentioned previously, Auto Bavaria Sg. Besi is having a special financing package for the E90 BMW 3-Series, which has been replaced by the all-new F30 BMW 3-Series. The 7-year financing package is applicable to the BMW 320i and the BMW 323i sedans.

For the 320i, you can drive one home for just RM1,888 per month while the 6-cylinder 323i can be owned from RM1,988 per month. Both models benefit from various features including BMW iDrive which gives you navigation, iPod playability, Bluetooth and so on. So if you are looking to replace you current ride, you may consider these two models

For more information, please call Auto Bavaria Sg. Besi at 03-9223 3200.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The Alfa Romeo 155 turns 20 this year, so official importer Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) and the passionate people behind Alfa Romeo Owners Club Klang Valley (AROCKV) Malaysia recently threw a “birthday bash” for the sharp suited former touring car hero.

Also, AROCKV has been invited by BerlinaSportivo.com, a French-based Alfa Romeo enthusiast website to participate in its anniversary do. AROCKV was requested to send a video of 155 owners in Malaysia, and chose Fraser Hill as the drive destination. Up the hill they went on May 5-6.

Besides star car 155, close to 100 people and 55 Alfa Romeos participated in the drive, from the Alfetta to the 159. The event was flagged off at SDAC’s Jalan Ipoh showroom. After a fun drive up the colonial era hill resort, participants were welcomed by Assam Pedas Restaurant. Shahzan Inn was the official accommodation provider.

One of the main activities was “Inspection 155”, where judges Rashid Karyeo (AROC Singapore), Shuhaibul Muslimin (AROCKV Malaysia) and Johan Izham Jamalulil (Traffic) inspected the 27 155s before deciding who would win the prizes for Best Interior, Best Exterior, Most Original and Overall Best 155.

Alfa Romeo Owners Club Klang Valley (AROCKV) Malaysia was established in 2005. Club members own various Alfas, including the Alfetta, AlfaSud, 33, 75, 145, 146, 147, 155, 156, 164, 168, 166 and today’s models. My “Alfa itch” is yet to be scratched, some day perhaps…

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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UMW Toyota doesn’t bother hiding these days, preferring to let out the news early for upcoming cars, release the estimated price and collect bookings. That’s what they’ve done for the Lexus GS, and now the Toyota 86 and new Camry. The ad blitz for the latter is in full swing, saying that the D-segment exec will be launching in June.

That’s next month, so it’s no surprise that units in transit have been caught on camera. Here, reader YF How who works in Klang saw a white coloured XV50 on the upper tier of a transporter.

Approaching the truck from the back, we can see the seventh-gen Camry rear design, which is region specific. The Thai-assembled Camry differs from the US market one, for instance. Can’t see the variant badge, though.

Speaking of that, three variants will be offered here – two 1AZ-FE-equipped 2.0 litre models (2.0G and 2.0E) and a 2AR-FE 2.5 litre V-spec version. Four colours are available, and they are Silver Metallic, Medium Silver Metallic, White Pearl CS and Attitude Black. White Pearl CS, which we see here, is an RM800 option. Leaked brochure here.

The 2.0E’s indicative pricing is RM152,000, while the 2.0G should be going in the region of RM160,000. Meanwhile, the estimated price for the 2.5V is RM183,000. Click here for pics of the Thai-market Camry, which should give us a good idea of what we’re getting.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The 458 Spider today joined its coupe sister, the 458 Italia, in the local Ferrari lineup, and rolls in at a starting baseline price of RM1.9 million, going up to RM2.2 million or so depending on the level of customisation you load on it.

The Spider, which debuted in Frankfurt last year, is powered by a normally-aspirated, direct-injection 4.5 litre V8 with 570 cheval vapeur (CV), which translates to 562 hp at 9,000 rpm and 540 Nm at 6,000 rpm.

The mill is coupled to a dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift seven-speed transmission with E-Diff, which integrates F1-Trac traction control and high-performance ABS. Performance specs include a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of under 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 320 km/h.

Equipped with a fully-retractable aluminium hard-top, the 458 Spider is the world’s first sports car with this layout. It’s 25 kg lighter than a traditional folding soft-top, and is also quieter and thermally more efficient when raised.

Aside from taking just 14 seconds to open or close, the hard-top – which is fully integrated into the styling of the car – was engineered to occupy a very small space when stored, affording a generous rear bench for luggage behind the two seats.

The Spider, which sits on 20-inch wheels and 235/35 front and 295/35 rear rubbers, has a generously-sized adjustable electric wind stop which opens to a height that promises efficient aerodynamics, reducing buffeting in the cockpit and enabling normal conversation to be held even at speeds over 200 km/h.

The rear also features buttresses designed to optimise the flow of air to the engine intakes as well as the clutch and gearbox oil radiators.

In related news, the launch of the 458 Spider also saw the Malaysian introduction of Ferrari Tailor-Made, a personalisation programme developed specifically for customers wishing to make their Ferrari unique. The service features three innovative collections – Classica, Scuderia and Inedita, with a multitude of customisation options to be had.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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While the upcoming Ford Ranger is a rugged 4×4 truck on the outside, it does not mean that the Ranger needs to be stripped out on the inside. Instead, the Ranger is packed with technologies that you would not normally find in a run-of-the-mill truck.

For instance, the truck features the Bluetooth Voice Control system that lets the driver operate paired mobile phone, audio system and dual zone climate control using voice commands. The driver’s voice is picked up by a microphone and is activated with a button on the steering wheel.

Both hands can safely grasp the steering while making a phone call, skipping music track, changing radio stations and tweaking the temperature. Drivers can also control the iPod and other external devices plugged into the USB port by using voice commands as well.

Since the audio system is part of the Human Machine Interface in the central control and is seamlessly integrated into the centre dashboard. Potential thieves have to look elsewhere. The central control panel is inspired by the latest communication devices, which also includes with a joystick as a control element and soft feel number pad to entire phone numbers.

The basis for the electrical architecture is shared with the upcoming Focus and the current Mondeo. It comes from Ford’s common global electrical architecture that allows engineers to share components and features between vehicles. Upgrades can also be easily done when new features roll out.

In sharing the electrical platform, Ranger will have cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic wiper park, auto defrosting and electrochromatic rear view mirror that automatically dims to prevent glare from too-bright headlights of cars at the back. There is also a Thatcham-rated alarm system complete with interior motion sensors, battery back-up siren and dead locks.

The 4×4 also features automatic headlights that respond to low light conditions, puddle lights than turns on when unlocking the vehicle and Follow-Me-Home sage lights that remain on for a minute after you’ve switched off the engine. The Ranger also automatically activates the hazard lights when the driver hits the brakes suddenly, warning the drivers behind to slow down immediately.

There is one more feature that drivers will find useful in the Ranger – the Rear View Camera System. It displays images not on the usual monitor on the dashboard but on a section of the rear view mirror. The system will also display marker lines that indicate the width and distance to the closest objects.

Parking sensors are ultrasonic, meaning it beeps quicker when objects become nearer. It will also display an image of the pickup truck with sensor indicators that can also give drivers an approximate distance of the nearest object.

With the Ranger, not only do you get the go-everywhere capability of a truck but also the comfort and convenience of a modern sedan.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Last week, we told you about the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series that will kick off in Sepang on May 25-27. Today, Eminent Century Sdn Bhd, official Lamborghini importer, and its sole dealer JH Italia Sdn Bhd, introduced Team Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur JH Italia, which will compete in “the fastest one-make series in the world”.

The team’s race car was unveiled by Datuk Razali Haji Ibrahim, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports. The Super Trofeo car is a lightweight version of the road-going Gallardo LP 560-4 with 10 extra horses (570 hp), a re-engineered chassis and a stripped out cabin. Racing must-haves such as a roll cage and fire extinguisher are thrown in.

The man doing driving duties is Rizal Ashram Ramli, who has motorsports experience. Rizal, also known as Jejai, is the son of former Perak Menteri Besar Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib. Readers of our sister website OHBULAN! and those who follow the local entertainment scene will also know him as the husband of popular actress Fasha Sandha, who was also at the event.

Following three successful seasons in Europe since 2009, where the bulls go to Monza, Spa, Silverstone, Nürburgring, Paul Ricard and Navarra, the Super Trofeo Championship will for the first time also run on six of the best circuits across Asia, including Sepang, Fuji, Ordos, Zhuhai, Penbay and Shanghai for the Grand Finale in November.

The series will see drivers compete in two separate 50-minute races at each venue, following a 35-minute qualifying session that will determine the driver’s position in the rolling start. Each team can have up to two drivers. There’s a compulsory driver change from the 20th to 30th minute window, so there’s some strategy involved, too.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Car number five in the My Proton Makeover programme has been reunited with its owner – Amirul Azim recently received his 2001 Satria 1.3, all spruced up from the refurbishment, from the good folk at Proton.

Petaling Jaya-born Amirul, who works for an IT management company, described his relationship with the Satria as one that has matured over the years. From his bachelor days, subsequently into marriage and now as a father of two, Amirul’s Satria has seen many miles doing daily commutes to Cyberjaya and regular family visits back to Kuantan.

In expressing his admiration for the brand and the work done by the R3 team when he sent his car in, Amirul mentioned a particular fondness for the Satria Neo R3, so the R3 lads decided to give his car a Fire Red exterior shade, along with a Satria GTI body kit and a limited-edition R3 race splitter, explained R3′s head of engineering Tengku Djan Ley.

Elaborating further, Djan said that Amirul stated his joy for fast driving, as well as his long-distance commuting – as such, in overhauling the car’s engine, tweaks were made to adjust to Amirul’s driving habits to enhance overall performance of his beloved Satria.

A coil-over system was installed to improve the car’s handling, and the rear brakes have been upgraded from drums to discs, giving the Satria better stopping power.

“With regards to the aesthetics, we gave the car’s interior a matching red theme, similar to that of the Satria Neo R3,” Djan added. “Topping it off, we opted to give Amirul a set of 15-inch wheels, so that the acceleration of his 1.3 litre car will not be compromised. This is definitely an impressive package presented by the R3 team, not just with regards to performance and drivability, but also in its styling,” he concluded.

Amirul was certainly a very happy bunny, thanking the R3 team profusely during the handover ceremony. “This unforgettable gift from Proton will forever be etched in my heart. The generosity, time and effort that have been shown to my car and I is immeasurable,” he enthused.

The 2001 Satria joins Fadly Hisham Roplay’s 1992 Saga, Sashideran Radha Krishnan’s 1994 Wira, Norzamzarini Mohd Bajuri’s 1996 Iswara Aeroback and Hafiz Mohd Hashim’s 2001 Satria GTI as the five makeover specials done so far. The final car due out is a 1991 Saga belonging to homemaker Lee Koon Gaik.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The new Porsche Boxster and Panamera GTS made their local debut yesterday afternoon at the Sepang International Circuit, where official distributor Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) is having the Porsche Motorsport Week 2012.

The event, held to reward SDAP customers, combines two activities – Porsche Driving Experience (skid pad, moose test, brake test, slalom in various models) and Porsche Circuit Training. The latter gives participants a chance to push cars like the latest 911 and Cayman R on the full Sepang track. Porsche Motorsport Week started yesterday and will run till Saturday.

“Motorsport is the heart of Porsche and this is precisely why we introduce more and more driving activities on the track. We want our customers to experience the brand and the car, and to understand how to maximize the performance of the car as well as safe driving,” explained Arnt Bayer, CEO of SDAP.

On to the cars. Announced earlier this year, the 981 Boxster comes with an all-new lightweight body design and a revamped chassis, not to mention sleeker, more dynamic looks. The new cabin is a huge improvement as well. The red example at the launch really got me drooling!

The lady in red is a fit one. At 1,310 kg (1,320 kg for the Boxster S), the two-seater roadster is lighter than its predecessor and also three of its German rivals. This is despite better performance and a larger footprint – the 981 has a longer wheelbase, wider tracks and larger wheels.

The fully electric roof is new, too. It does its thing in nine seconds, and can be operated at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

The base Boxster is powered by a 2.7-litre flat-six with 265 hp and 280 Nm of torque from 4,500 to 6,500 rpm. This engine is downsized by 187 cc, but packs in 10 hp more, and is also 15% less thirsty. 0-100 km/h is done in 5.5 seconds on to a 262 km/h top speed.

Meanwhile, the Boxster S is motivated by a 3.4-litre flat-six with 315 hp and 360 Nm of torque from 4,500 to 5,800 rpm. The S does the century sprint in 4.8 seconds, and has a 277 km/h top speed. Both boxers have direct injection, VarioCam Plus, auto start/stop, electrical system recuperation and enhanced thermal management.

All times are with the optional (and desirable) Sport Chrono Package, which brings dynamic transmission mounts, a Sport Plus button and an analogue stopwatch into the picture, among other things. In Malaysia, the Boxster comes only with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK gearbox.

Claimed fuel consumption is 7.7 litres per 100 km for the Boxster and 8.0 litres per 100 km for the Boxster S. Also new to this model is Porsche Torque Vectoring with a mechanical rear axle diff lock.

The Panamera GTS is the other car in the spotlight. GTS stands for Gran Turismo Sport and this is the purist member of the Panamera range, according to Porsche.

The naturally-aspirated 4.8 litre V8 engine from the standard car has been massaged to deliver 30 horses more at 430 hp. Max torque is also up by 20 Nm to 520 Nm. PDK and Sport Chrono are standard – both combine with the V8 to push this big car to 100 km/h in under 4.5 seconds. Top speed is 288 km/h. Redline has been increased by 400 rpm to 7,100 rpm.

Along with the stronger engine, the Panamera GTS gets upgraded brakes (from the Panamera Turbo), a 10 mm lowered body, air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management. PASM is an electronic active damping control system with three modes – Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus.

Looks wise, the GTS adopts many styling cues from the Turbo such as the bi-xenons with four LED DRLs, SportDesign front apron, 19-inch wheels, red brake calipers and rear spoiler. The latter rises upwards and outwards from 90 km/h. Lots of Alcantara and GTS logos in the cabin.

The Malaysian spec GTS comes with 20-inch RS Spyder wheels, eight-way powered seats, four-zone air con, electric rear blinds and Porsche Communication Management including a HDD-based navi system.

Prices start from RM450k for the Boxster and RM550k for the Boxster S. The Panamera GTS will set you back RM1,050,000. Prices do not include registration fee, road tax and insurance. Buy your Porsche from SDAP and you’ll get a four-year warranty and four-year complimentary service and maintainence package.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The covers have just been officially drawn away from the Mazda CX-5 here in Penang. Now, we’ve already seen the brochure, as well as the price that Bermaz Motor is asking for one.

As a recap, you need RM155,219 for the 2WD and RM165,219 for the AWD (both OTR, without insurance). The CX-5 comes only in one standard spec, so both variants are equipped with the same features, which means the differences between them are not immediately noticeable, apart from the number of wheels driven.

The SUV -which made its Japanese market debut in February – comes bearing SkyActiv technology. In a nutshell, SkyActiv is a holistic approach by Mazda to give better engine performance, handling, environmental friendliness and increased safety in a shell that is quite dashing.

Power comes from the SkyActiv-G 2.0 litre direct injection petrol engine. It has a 13:1 compression ratio, the highest in any production engine, the closest being the Ferrari 458, with a 12.5:1 compression ratio. The knocking that usually comes with a high compression engine is tamed by a 4-2-1 exhaust system with long pipes in the exhaust manifold.

Yes, we have a lower compression ratio compared to the original 14:1, but Mazda has said that the compression ratio is dependent on the quality of fuel for each region, and the ratio of 13:1 is still high.

The engine’s piston has a cavity on the piston crown that gives better air-fuel mixture around the spark plug. The SkyActiv-G is also 10% lighter and has 30% less mechanical resistance compared to Mazda’s current engines. This results in 15% better fuel economy, 15% greater torque output and 15% lower carbon emissions. Oh, and it runs on RON 95 fuel.

Although both variants share the same engine, the output figures are slightly different. The AWD produces 152 hp at 6,000 rpm and 198 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. In contrast, the 2WD generates 153 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Supposedly, there’s a reason for the slight difference in numbers; Mazda claims it measures the horsepower on the wheels and not on the engine, as other car manufacturers usually do. Can’t say it’s all that convincing, but there you are.

As for fuel economy, the AWD sips 7.3 Ll/100km (combined) while the 2WD needs only 6.9 L/100km (combined). Another thing, the AWD gets a 58 litre fuel tank and the 2WD drinks from a 56 litre tank. The SkyActiv-D, which is the diesel engine, will not be arriving here, due to the quality of the fuel available here.

SkyActiv-Drive partners SkyActiv-G in sending power to the wheels. It is a six-speed automatic transmission that works with a small torque converter unit used only when the vehicle moves from stationary. The power is transferred through a direct mechanical connection, which increases the lock-up range from 40%-60% to 80%-90% at high speeds when compared to Mazda’s current five-speed slushbox.

Mazda also said that the new gearbox shifts smoother and quicker. Mazda’s Mechatronic module, which was previously mounted outside, is now integrated into the hydraulic control mechanism inside the transmission case. Communication with the engine’s CPU is increased and a direct linear solenoid makes the shifting silky throughout the range.

The CX-5 rides on the SkyActiv-Chassis, with a new suspension system that is lighter, yet stiffer. It also features a new geometry with the front MacPherson strut suspension and rear multi-link layout. Standard grip duties are performed by 255/55 R19 rubbers wrapped around 19×7-1/2J aluminium wheels.

Mazda’s compact SUV also features the SkyActiv-Body. High-tensile steel and a new production process make this one eight percent lighter yet 30% more rigid. The metal is formed into a multi-load structure that is said to effectively disperse impact energy throughout the body structure; done mainly for crash safety. So, the SUV in its 2WD guise tips the scales at 1,522 kg, and the AWD is slightly heavier with 1,589 kg.

Wearing its ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ suit of armour, the vehicle measures 4,555 mm long overall, 1,840 mm wide overall and 1,670 mm tall, with a 2,700 mm wheelbase. The SUV has an unladen ground clearance of 215 mm for the 2WD and 210 mm for the AWD.

The five-seater features leather seats; the driver seat gets electric-powered seat adjustment (none for the front passenger), although both seats come with warmers. The rear seats have the ability to fold in 40:20:40-split. Dual-zone air-conditioning rounds up the creature comforts.

Entertainment comes from a nine-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound System, hooked up to a 5.8-inch touchscreen monitor that controls the multimedia. The system can be connected via AUX, USB and Bluetooth. The colour monitor also displays images from the rear camera.

As for safety, the CX-5 comes with DCS, TCS, four-wheel ABS, EBD with Brake Assist and Tyre Pressure Monitor. There are six airbags in here – two in front, side and curtain. Notably, this is the first vehicle that uses a 1,800MPa ultra-high tensile steel for bumpers.

In addition to, Bermaz Motor is offering an ultimate in-total vehicle protection to keep the CX-5 in pristine showroom condition. It is called TRIBOS and it employs an active polymer shield to protect the paintwork. The treatment is also used on the glass, alloys and seats.

The CX-5 comes in five colours – Sky Blue, Zeal Red, Crystal White Pearl, Aluminium Metallic and Metropolitan Grey. Like all Mazda vehicles, this SUV is sold with a three-year warranty plus a three-year maintenance that covers the cost of parts and labour.

As you have guessed, I’ve already taken both CX-5 variants for a short spin. Look out for the initial drive impressions soon.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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9. Mazda to part production ways with Ford in the US

Nasim Sdn Bhd has announced that it will finally launch the Peugeot 408 next week. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as groups of unmasked units of 408 were caught on camera last week.

From the pics, we noticed two variants – a Turbo and a 2.0 NA – and Nasim has confirmed that the C-segment sedan will indeed be available in two variants, “with one variant fitted with an enhanced fuel-efficient engine that produces the most power in its segment.” Nasim also claims class-leading cabin space and 562 litres of boot volume.

“The Peugeot 408 is locally-assembled at Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) in Gurun, Kedah and is ready to be launched for both the Malaysian and regional markets.

“We are targeting to produce 60,000 units of the 408 over a five-year period beginning 2012 and we plan to export 60% of that total to markets in the region,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman of the Naza Group.

He also revealed that Nasim hosted Peugeot distributors from Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Philippines and Bangladesh last week for a test drive event.

Datuk Samson Anand George, COO of Nasim, said the 408 will contribute significantly to the company’s sales target of 9,300 units this year, which will represent a 72% jump from 2011 figures.

Click here to view live shots of the locally-assembled Peugeot 408. The studio pics seen here are from the official Peugeot Malaysia Facebook page, so we presume that they accurately reflect the Malaysian spec car.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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More contest winners. Twenty lucky folks have struck gold in Peraduan KeEMASan dengan Caltex organised by the fuel brand. Caltex gave away a total of RM280,000 in Maybank Gold Investment Accounts to the winners of the contest, held from December last year to March 31, 2012.

One of four RM40,000 worth of gold First Prize winners, Mohd Asri Abdullah from Kelantan, was represented at the ceremony by his wife Siti Nor Arashyiah. She shared that the family is still in a state of shock and had yet to decide on what to do with the winnings.

25-year old Chok Yung Hau from Port Dickson, the youngest First Prize winner, almost missed the windfall. “I am grateful to God as when the official Caltex winner notification came through, I was onboard a flight and could not answer the call. However, they kept on trying and during the third attempt, I arrived at the airport and was informed about the surprising news,” said the electrical shop owner.

Scams are everywhere these days, and a disbelieving Lee Siew Yin from Labis immediately found a lawyer to contact her neighborhood Caltex petrol station for verification, before celebrating. That’s one very careful lady!

“Peraduan KeEMASan dengan Caltex aimed to reward our customers’ invested support towards the Caltex brand and quality products with worthy prizes across our network. From the faces of our winners, we are happy to note that we hit that mark. We continue to strive towards ensuring Caltex helps customers enjoy their respective journeys,” said Jeremy Oh, Country Chairman, Chevron Malaysia Limited.

There were four First Prizes of RM40,000 each, eight Second Prizes worth RM10,000, eight Third Prizes worth RM5,000 and 1,688 Caltex StarCash cards worth RM199,184 up for grabs. Those who purchased RM40 and above in a single receipt at Caltex stations were in the running.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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BHP have recently presented prizes to the first month of winners of the BHPetrol-Celcom-HTC contest. In total, there were four winners for the month of April, one for each week.

The lucky contestants that won a HTC ONE smartphone each are En. Razmi Zakaria, Mr. SP Navapushanam, Ms. Vivien Chen and Pn. Noraini Marwan. The contest, which runs for three months from April to June 30, 2012, is now in its second month. This means that there are only eight HTC One smartphone left for grabs.

To get in on the action, all you need to do is to purchase a minimum RM30 Celcom Xpax reload in a single receipt. The more you reload, the more chances you have. More details can be had here.

In an another event, BHPetrol have announced the April winners of the BHPetrol’s Drive To Win contest, which runs from April 1 to June 30, 2012. The contest requires participants to spend a minimum of RM30 at participating BHPetrol stations to win cash prizes and 2.5 million ePoints every month.

The first prize of RM100,000 went to Mr. Ong Cheng Teng, who uses Infiniti Advanced2X 97. He will be using the prize to treat his family to a holiday in Taiwan. The second prize of RM30,000 was won by Chin Ying Jack, Ismail bin Mohd Ali got RM20,000 for third, Rachel Lian in fourth will enjoy RM10,000 and Chir Kuan Mok have an extra RM5,000 to spend. To see who else won, click here.

Winners for both contests were notified by phone.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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If you’ve been looking to kit up your Proton Inspira, Gen-2 or Satria Neo with R3 gear, then this will definitely be of interest. Came across a Proton Motorsports promotion on R3 performance parts and styling accessories while browsing the Proton corporate website.

On the going list are a number of styling, handling and performance parts – among the items are R3 4-2-1 headers for the Neo CPS and CamPro as well as the Gen-2 CPS, a Neo R3 spring set and Neo CamPro, Gen-2 and Inspira bodykits. The promo runs until June 30, so plenty of time to peruse the stuff, if you’re so inclined.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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Sime Darby Auto Italian launched the Alfa Romeo Giulietta at its Jalan Ipoh showroom yesterday evening. The Italian five-door hatchback is only available as a 1.4 TB MultiAir for now.

SDAI says that the range topping QV (Quadrifoglio Verde) model with Alfa’s 235 PS “1750 TBi” engine is coming soon, with a six-speed manual gearbox. Mmmm…

Sweet as that Cloverleaf may sound to enthusiasts, let’s focus on what we have for now, which is not bad at all. The MultiAir engine is of the downsized variety, displacing just 1,368 cc. But with turbocharging and Fiat’s patented MultiAir system (electro-hydraulic variable valve actuation tech, controls air intake without a throttle valve), it makes at a respectable 170 PS and 250 Nm of torque.

Paired to a six-speed TCT gearbox (twin-clutch, Selespeed finally retired), the Giulietta 1.4 TB MultiAir does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.7 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 218 km/h. Claimed combined fuel consumption is 5.2 litres per 100 km.

As with most modern European cars, Start-Stop is standard, but can be switched off. Also included is Alfa’s DNA selector, which gives the driver three driving modes – Dynamic, Normal and All-Weather. The DNA switch is placed in front of the gear selector. Boot space is still a decent 350 litres.

Riding on Fiat Group’s all-new Compact platform (the Dodge Dart and just unveiled Fiat Viaggio are the other beneficiaries), the Giulietta’s suspension consists of front MacPherson struts and rear multi-links.

Apparently, with aluminium wishbones at the back, Alfa managed to shave 10 kg compared to a conventional multi-link setup. Using the same metal up front saved four kilos.

There’s an army of safety systems at work. In addition to six airbags, it has VDC (Alfa’s name for ESP), ABS, EBD, HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist), MSR (Modular System Regulator), CBC (Control Brake Cornering System), Hill Holder Control, ASR (Anti Slip Regulator), DST (Dynamic Steering Torque System) and TTC (Torque Transfer Control System). Alfa’s electronic Q2 electronic diff works on the front axle.

Standard kit includes bi-xenons with AFS function, dual-zone climate control, sound system with MP3/USB/Bluetooth and Blue&Me, steering radio and phone controls, leather, LED DRLs and 17-inch alloys. Three colours are available – Ghiaccio White, Alfa Red and Black.

The Giulietta is priced at RM178,888 excluding road tax and insurance. Click here to view a nice promo video. By the way, the lovely classic you see in the gallery is the Giulia Sprint from the 1960s.

LIKE ALFA ROMEO MALAYSIA ON FACEBOOK

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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The bulls are set to take over Sepang! Lamborghini is all set for the debut race of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series at the Sepang International Circuit on May 25-27, after a promising official pre-test session at the F1 track last week.

The Super Trofeo car is a lightweight version of the road-going Gallardo LP 560-4. With 570 hp, a re-engineered chassis and reduced weight, Lambo calls this “the world’s fastest one-make race series”.

Following three successful seasons in Europe since 2009, where the bulls go to Monza, Spa, Silverstone, Nürburgring, Paul Ricard and Navarra, the Super Trofeo Championship will for the first time also run on six of the best circuits across Asia, including Sepang, Fuji, Ordos, Zhuhai, Penbay and Shanghai for the Grand Finale in November.

The 2012 season will see teams from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and mainland China push the Super Trofeo to its limits. The series will be held in partnership with Blancpain, Swiss watchmaker and the European series’ title sponsor.

We had a chance to drive a Lamborghini on Sepang recently, although it wasn’t a race. Click here to read. Lamborghini launched the Gallardo Malaysia Limited Edition last week – read the launch story here.

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

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:46:23 +0000.

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