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The Volvo XC60 is now here in Malaysia!

June 29, 2009 at 8:05 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Volvo

Volvo XC60

The new Volvo XC60 is here, available in two variants but both with a 3.0 litre turbocharged six-cylinder T6 engine producing an exciting 285 horsepower and 400Nm of torque from just 1,500rpm, mated to a 6-speed Geartronic auto. The two variants are called the XC60 T6 LE and the XC60 T6 SE, and they retail for RM360k and RM330k respectively, OTR without insurance. It’s a rather handsome and dynamic looking car actually, a far departure from the Volvos of the past. Think of it as a smaller XC90 on steroids, buffed up and more toned.

Volvo XC60

The more expensive LE version is the one with all the goodies. For an additional 30k, you get a panoramic sunroof, a 12 speaker Dynaudio premium sound system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning with Auto Brake, Lane Departure Warning, and Drive Alert Control. Collision Warning with Autobrake actually alerts the driver if the distance to the car in front of you suddenly decreases. If the driver does not react in time, the system brakes at up to 50% maximum braking power automatically.

The cheaper SE version gets an 8 speaker sound system. Both sound systems feature a 6-CD changer with AUX, USB, Bluetooth and iPod connectors. The interior leather can be had in either soft beige/espresso brown, or offblack. The trim inlays can be had in either a sporty brushed aluminium trim, or for something more classic, you have classic wood or Nordic light oak.

Volvo XC60

Here’s the rest of the equipment that comes with both LE and SE versions: dual stage driver and front airbags, dual chamber front SIPS (side impact protection system) airbags, Inflatable Curtain airbags, all-wheel drive, whiplash protection system, a 40:20:40 splitting rear seat, ABS, EBD, brake assist, ready alert brake, fading brake support, dynamic stability and traction control, roll stability control, rollover protection system, hill descent control, blindspot information system, rain sensor wipers, active bending lights, headlamp washers, ISOFIX points for the rear seats, speed sensitive power steering with 3 manual settings, electric seats for the front with memory for the driver, auto-dimming rear view mirror with integrated compass, powered tailgate, B-pillar ventilation vents, and a Personal Car Communicator for keyless entry and drive.

Optional over the prices above are various styling accessories which consist of larger 19 inch wheels, front bumper bars in matte aluminium, running boards, side scuff plates, and a rear bumper skid plate.
[Read more...]

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100 Honda Civic Hybrids on Malaysian roads now

June 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, Local News

100th Civic Hybrid in Malaysia

There are now 100 Honda Civic Hybrids in Malaysia brought in officially by Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Since Honda claims that each Civic Hybrid on the road potentially reduces their owner’s carbon footprint by 1 tonne a year compared to if they were to drive a regular car, these 100 owners have reduced by footprint by 100 tonnes a year collectively! Honda targets to have this number increased to 200 by end-2009.

The 100th owner is Michelle Lu, but she admits that the idea was actually her engineer husband’s. “When we first got the Civic Hybrid, our friends asked us why, because like myself, they too have the perception that it is a low capacity car with only a 1.3 litre engine and has no power. My perception has definitely changed now. It drives like a 1.8L vehicle and it is so much smoother and quieter,” said Lu.

When the Civic Hybrid was first introduced it was pretty pricey but with the government tax exemption (that’s sadly only valid for 2 years, I believe 1 year is gone now), the price has been brought down to RM129,980, which is about the same price as a 2.0 litre. But Malaysians are not exactly taking it up in the droves.

Before this we can say it’s too expensive, but what’s stopping us now? Lack of power compared to the 2.0 model? Uncertainties on how long the battery will last and how much servicing the car will be? I believe its more of the latter.

77 Comments      


Proton Edar Drive for Cash: RM50k Grand Prize!

June 23, 2009 at 11:22 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

Drive For Cash

Good news for anyone who plans to buy a Proton in the next two months. Proton Edar is currently having a contest where anyone who buys a Proton from between the 1st of June 2009 to the 31st of August 2009 will be able to be eligible for entry. What you need to do is answer a few pre-determined questions (should be easy) and complete a slogan of less than 20 words beginning with “I prefer a PROTON because…”

Every week, 30 entries will be selected from the entries received during that week. Out of this 30 entries, 17 will be selected as weekly winners for the week, while the remainder will be entered into a monthly pool to win the monthly winner prizes. Out of the 17 weekly winners, 2 will win RM5,000 each, while the rest will win a Proton GPS navigation unit.

Next we go to the monthly pool. There should be about 13 entries every week (30 minus 17), and with roughly 4 weeks a month you should have 52 entries each month. From this monthly pool, a number of entries will be selected. One entry from the monthly selection will win the monthly prize of RM20,000, while the rest goes into a Grand Prize pool, which will be picked at the end of the contest. The Grand Prize is RM50,000 cash.

The prizes will be awarded based on the number of correct answers and the best creative slogan based on Proton Edar Sdn Bhd’s panel of judges.

So as a recap of the prizes:

Weekly selection 2 x RM5000.00
Weekly 15 consolation x GPS System
Monthly selection 1 x RM20,000.00
Grand Prize 1 x RM50,000.00

Click here for more details on the contest.

33 Comments      

ETCM’s new Nissan Sylphy tuned by Impul

June 19, 2009 at 3:12 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Nissan

Impul Sylphy

Edaran Tan Chong Motor brings its “tuned by Impul” model offering up to three with the new Nissan Sylphy tuned by Impul, which will be exhibited at the SIC this weekend in conjunction with Round 4 of the Super GT International Series Malaysia.

Impul Sylphy

The most obvious addition is the aerokit, which consists of a front grille, front and rear lips, side skirts and a rear wing spoiler. The kit also includes an Impul sports suspension kit which lowers the Sylphy by 25mm compared to the standard model, and features uprated shocks and springs. At the rear complementing the rear lip is an Impul Black II muffler with a polished finish. The Impul Sylphy rides on 17 inch Impul Aura SX-10 Black & Polish Finish Alloy Wheels, wrapped with Dunlop Formula D-01 205/45R17 Tyres. On the inside, the seats are wrapped in black leather with matching Impul black mats.

Impul Sylphy

Nissan Sylphy tuned by Impul 2.0 Comfort RM123,900
Nissan Sylphy tuned by Impul 2.0 Luxury RM127,900

The prices above are OTR inclusive of insurance, road tax and misc other fees for the Peninsular Malaysia, and come with a 3-year or 100,000km warranty. That’s actually quite a premium over the regular Sylphy which goes for RM112,800 for the Comfort and RM116,800 for the Luxury. That’s a RM11,100 premium but it doesn’t sound too bad considering you get wheels, an exhaust and the suspension as well.

Those who already own a Sylphy but would like to fit the Impul kit can also do so but of course you won’t be able to package it inside your car hire purchase installment loan.
[Read more...]

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Updated 308 Turbo with panoramic glass roof

June 19, 2009 at 2:27 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Peugeot

Peugeot 308 Panoramic Roof

Many of us already know this for months thanks to showroom and insider information but Malaysian Peugeot distributors Nasim Sdn Bhd has only just made an official announcement. The 5-door Peugeot 308 Turbo hatchback has been updated with a full-length panoramic glass roof, a similiar one to the one that its more powerful sibling, the 3-door 308 GT has. Nasim says the updated 308 will be available from the end of July 2009 onwards.

The original price of RM111k has been hiked to RM113,888 OTR including insurance and road tax – so that’s less than RM3,000 for the stunning panoramic roof that measures 1.26 meter square, encompassing two-thirds of the roof.

During hot days there is a one-touch full length electric sunblind that fully covers up the glass roof, which uses athermic glass to reduce some of the heat that comes through whenever you have the sunblind open.

100 Comments      

BMW Z4 sDrive23i and sDrive35i launched in M’sia

June 18, 2009 at 11:02 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Local News

Z4 Launch

The E89 BMW Z4 is now here in Malaysia, offered in two variants – the sDrive23i and the sDrive35i. The sDrive brand is basically BMW’s new method of naming their rear wheel drive cars that do not fall under the regular numbered series range. It’s meant to follow up on the xDrive suffix that was introduced on the X6, which means all-wheel drive.

The BMW Z4 sDrive23i is powered by a 2.5 litre N52 engine, producing 204 horsepower at 6,200rpm and 250Nm at 2,950rpm. That’s actually quite an impressive torque curve, as you don’t see many normally aspirated engine hitting peak torque below 3,000rpm, and the engine has Valvetronic and Double VANOS to thank for that. 0 to 100km/h takes a decent 7.3 seconds, far from blistering but within sporty ranges. The sDrive23i’s engine is mated to a 6-speed ZF automatic.

The most powerful one offered internationally for the moment (no E89 Z4 M for now or forever) is also the most powerful one brought in here, the BMW Z4 sDrive35i. This one is powered by a twin-turbocharged direct injection N54B30 engine, producing 306 horsepower at 5,800rpm and an M3-equalling 400Nm of torque between 1,300 to 5,000rpm.

Z4 Launch

0 to 100km/h takes just 5.1 seconds and the turbocharged roadster also features a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. There are only a few models that feature this – the 335i Coupe and Convertible as well as this new Z4 sDrive35i. The 135i does not get it for now. The E90/E92/E93 M3 gets a M version of the twin clutch.

Like all the new BMWs, the new hard drive-based iDrive system is used and also features BMW TeleServices. The Z4 comes with BMW Service Inclusive 3 years/60,000km + Repair), and here are the prices:

BMW Z4 sDrive23i – RM411,800.00
BMW Z4 sDrive35i – RM558,800.00

For more information on the E89 Z4, read our extensive coverage in the past.

Related Posts:
2010 BMW Z4 roadster: launch details and photos
New photos of the new E89 BMW Z4
New footage of the 2010 BMW Z4 released!
Adrian van Hooydonk on the new E89 BMW Z4 Roadster at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show
Free BMW Z4 game for the iPhone/iPod Touch
BMW Z4 wins a Red Dot award for 2009
[Read more...]

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Toyota VIOS 1.5 TRD Sportivo arrives in Malaysia, replaces the Vios 1.5S!

June 17, 2009 at 12:52 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Toyota

Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo
Click for enlarged image

The new Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo is here, and it replaces the Vios 1.5S as the flagship model of the Vios range. The Vios TRD Sportivo is estimated to be priced at RM90,900.00 OTR with insurance, though apparently it’s not 100% finalised yet.

The Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo project started off as a response to customer feedback that they wanted a sportier Vios. This new variant is a development of the 1.5S, the model that it replaces. What you get is a new bodykit, Enkei alloy wheels, door visors, a new interior trim style, and an optional sports suspension kit.

TRD Sportivo is not TRD. It’s a Toyota accessory brand that’s more towards aesthetics. In fact some accessories that UMW Toyota were trying out with the Vios TRD development cars such as the air filter did not make it to this production car that will go on sale. Even the different exhaust system from the development cars did not make it to the production car. UMW Toyota says they did not want to touch those to keep the regular Vios 3 year and 100,000km warranty.

Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo
Click for enlarged image

The bodykit consists of front and rear lips, a bootlid spoiler, and side skirts, all made of polyurethane (PU) except for the bootlid spoiler which is made of ABS plastic. This particular bodykit is exclusive to the Malaysian market – it is not the same one as Thailand’s Toyota Vios GT.

On the interior you get two-tone red and black fabric on the seats and door panels, TRD Sportivo floor mats, a leather gearknob, stainless steel cruff plates with the TRD Sportivo logo on the door sills, and some carbon fiber lookalike inserts on the center console. The 15 inch alloy wheels were wrapped with Bridgestone Potenzas at the media launch, and the wheels manufactured by Enkei are said to be 10% lighter than the standard Vios 15 inch alloy wheel.

There is an optional sports suspension kit that’s not included in the standard car. This suspension kit has a sportier damping rate and also lowers the car by 10mm.

Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo
Click for enlarged image

Toyota Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo (AT) – RM90,900.00
Toyota Vios 1.5G (AT) – RM85,025.00
Toyota Vios 1.5E (AT) – RM79,425.00
Toyota Vios 1.5J (AT) – RM73,525.00
Toyota Vios 1.5J (MT) – RM69,825.00

The new TRD Sportivo is about RM2k+ more expensive than the 1.5S it replaces, which used to go for RM88,600.00 last I checked. It’s quite interesting to see the Vios span such a huge price range, with the cheapest Vios 1.5J costing over RM20k cheaper than the TRD Sportivo car. If you add the sports suspension kit, it brings the price up to RM94,050.

The new Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo is available in a few colours: Silver Metallic, Coal Black, White, Grey Mica, Bronze Metallic and the signature colour which is Medium Silver Metallic, the colour you see in the product photos published in this story.

Check out our previous story where we tried out the development cars, or look after the jump for more pix of the TRD Sportivo Vios.
[Read more...]

225 Comments      

MLFF automatic electronic toll collection proposal to be finalised by year end

June 14, 2009 at 12:12 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News

SmartTagThe government’s proposal to implement a MLFF (Multi-Lane Free Flow) electronic toll collection system here in Malaysia will be ready by the end of this year. We first heard of this sometime in mid-2008 where it was announced that a trial of a MLFF system sponsored by Mitsubishi would start at the LDP’s Sungai Penchala Toll plaza from November 2008 onwards.

Later it seems that this was changed to the Batu 3 toll plaza on the Federal Highway from December 2008 onwards, so it’s been running for about half a year now. I’m sure you’ve noticed one particular lane with eerie purplish lighting – that’s the test lane, which is shared with a SmartTAG lane.

Malaysians currently use the SmartTAG system (photo shown above) which is based on infrared. Of course as you know infrared is essentially light, and might be affected by car tints. The SmartTAG system also needs you to slow your car down significantly before it can pick up your SmartTAG. It is a two-piece system which uses a SmartTAG combined with a Touch n Go card.

The MLFF system currently on trial is a single piece unit (no separate Touch n Go card) that uses microwave transmission technology instead of infrared. There are approximately 1,000 users currently on the trial. It does not carry any value, and if it is stolen all you need to do is report it and the unit will be delinked from your account. There will be no toll lanes or automatic barriers – it will work via a gantry system. This allows you to just drive past the gantry and the appropriate toll collection will happen electronically and automatically.

In case you don’t know, a gantry is essentially a structure that goes overhead above the road. If you’ve been to Singapore you will be able to see various gantries for ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) toll collection around town. The Singaporean ERP system also uses Mitsubishi products.

Of course there will be various issues to settle with an MLFF system, such as cars that drive around without a MLFF tag. Gantries need to have a way to detect cars that do not have an MLFF tag, or have insufficient credits in their account that caused the electronic toll collection to fail. These cars will have to be recognised via some form of automatic number plate recognition to be billed or fined.

52 Comments      

Another facelift for the old Naza Citra?

June 12, 2009 at 12:27 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Kia, Koreans, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Naza

Naza Citra Facelift

Thanks to reader awak for alerting me about a new update for the Naza Citra, or should we call it the Naza Citra 1.5 now since there is a Citra 2 Rondo and this particular version is an update to the Citra 1. The old second generation Kia Carens has been given a new breath of life by Naza Kia and is priced lower than the Citra 2 Rondo.

The new design is very curiously Saga-like with a blackened area between the upper and lower center grille on the front end, and the rear design features a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser-lookalike design.

A quick check on local classifieds sites already reveal many salesmen posting up entries and prices range between RM59,888 to RM65,888, making this one of the cheapest 2.0 litre MPVs around, though what you’ll be getting is a model that first debuted in 2002.

Look after the jump for more images of the new Citra facelift.
[Read more...]

164 Comments      

New Perodua Myvi factory bodykit for RM1,799

June 11, 2009 at 9:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Perodua

Perodua Myvi Bodykit

If you listen to the radio often you may have noticed Perodua (they seem to do alot of radio advertising) are currently promoting a sports kit package for the Perodua Myvi. No it’s not an aftermarket retrofit kit to turn your Myvi into a Myvi SE in terms of looks, but a new bodykit that includes front and rear lips, side skirts, chrome lining around the front grille, chrome door handles, rear spoiler and door visors.

A quick check reveals that this package costs RM1,799 and can be purchased from any Perodua showroom. Sorry for the low resolution photos above, they were snapped with a camera phone! But I think all the details of the bodykit can be seen.

55 Comments