Archive for Local News

Click to enlarge

The upcoming Perodua MPV is still pretty far off, set to roll off the production lines only in September 2009, but here is a rendered speculation by Theophilus Chin of how it will might look like. Based on an existing Toyota compact MPV, the styling for this three row MPV rendering is largely based off the Perodua Viva.

Perodua CEO Datuk Hafiz mentioned in an interview with The Edge Weekly earlier this year that we should think of the new Perodua MPV as a smaller Toyota Wish that will have three rows and sit 6 people comfortably (probably not 7 because of a Perodua’s typically compact size and thus reduced width).

It will be based on the recently announced new Indonesian-based MPV model that was announced in March this year and is currently still under development by Toyota and Daihatsu. Perodua will apply its own styling onto the model.

Look after the jump for a rear shot of Theophilus Chin’s rendering as well as some other photoshop “experiments”. PS: KSG = Kenderaan Serba Guna.

Click here to read the rest of 2009 Perodua MPV Rendered Speculation

We could be looking at another reduction in petrol prices after this Wednesday’s cabinet meeting where fuel prices and the possibility of a reduction will be discussed, according to Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Shahrir Samad.

Datuk Shahrir previously said fuel prices could drop before Hari Raya Aidilfiltri so we can “celebrate Hari Raya happier.”

The last reduction in fuel prices was on the 23rd of August 2008 from RM2.70 per liter to RM2.55 per liter for RON97 fuel.

According to the NYMEX, crude oil is currently US$102.73 per barrel. A few days ago it was less than US$100 per barrel. Do you think RM2.30 per liter is possible? Will it make a difference?

Naza Kia Sdn Bhd has launched the new Naza Citra II Rondo in Malaysia. The Naza Citra II Rondo is essentially the Kia Rondo which is the replacement model for Carens that the Naza Citra is based on. The Citra will continue to be sold as a budget 7-seater SUV, and the new Naza Citra II Rondo will be positioned between the Citra and the Ria, bringing Naza Kia’s 7-seater offerings up to 3 models.

According to Naza Kia, the new Rondo is built on the D-segment new Kia Optima platform and also shares the Optima’s sweet new GEMA-based 2.0 liter DOHC CVVT engine producing 145 horsepower and 189Nm of torque, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shifting. The GEMA engine is a joint project between DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi. The 4B11 in the Mitsubishi Lancer is also based on the GEMA family.

Like the Optima, the Rondo rides on MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup with coil springs at the rear. It also has anti-roll bars as standard for both the front and rear axles. It scored 5 stars on the NHTSA frontal crash ratings.

Two equipment levels are available - the Naza Citra II Rondo EX and the Naza Citra II Rondo EXS. The Naza Citra II Rondo EX features foglamps, six-jet windscreen washers, a trip computer, a 6 speaker sound system with a CD player, ABS brakes, dual SRS airbags, a manual climate control system, body-colored door handles, body-colored side moldings and black front grille crossbars packaged with 15-inch alloy wheels wrapped with Goodyear Eagle NCT5 tyres. The Rondo EXS carries over the features from the EX but adds an automatic climate control system, steering wheel audio, a roof rack and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Rondo’s front row features 1,043mm of headroom and 1,042mm of legroom while the second row (60:40 multifold split bench) offers 1,015mm of headroom and 975mm of legroom. The third row (50:50 split) is naturally less at 887mm of headroom and 800mm of legroom but Naza Kia says this is enough for an average-sized adult. It’s best to head to showrooms and try it for yourself.

• Naza Citra II Rondo EX - RM84,888
• Naza Citra II Rondo EXS - RM88,888

Look after the jump for more photos of the new Naza Citra II Rondo.

Click here to read the rest of Naza Citra II Rondo 7-seater launched in Malaysia

Malaysian Peugeot distributor Nasim Sdn Bhd has launched its second Peugeot model - the 3-door Peugeot 308 GT hatchback, which joins its 407 facelift sedan cousin in an attempt to take the Peugeot brand up to new levels in Malaysia.

Adding to the increasing number of fun and fast cars under RM200,000 that are starting to be available here in our market (Golf GTI, Polo GTI, Bravo GT, Civic Type R), the Peugeot 308 GT features the same 1.6 liter turbocharged direct injection engine that’s found in the second generation MINI Cooper S. That means oodles of torque - 240Nm from 1,600rpm and 175hp at 6,000rpm. This is mated to a 6-speed manual.

It’s got a decent list of premium equipment as well - 18 inch alloy wheels, automatic Xenon headlamps, a full moonroof, a leather interior and a total of 6 airbags in the interior.

The fully imported Peugeot 308 GT costs RM159,999, much cheaper than that other car that you can enjoy the BMW-Peugeot Prince engine in.

Click for larger image

We were recently invited to Michelin’s Pilot Experience (MPE) program which was held at the Sepang International Circuit.

This yearly event exemplifies Michelin’s commitment in using advanced technology to develop their variety of tires as well as to showcase its involvement in motor sports, as this event aims to bridge the gap between customers, partners as well as the public at large with the French tire manufacturer.

The MPE program, which is held for 2 weeks in September 2008, offers participants a “once in a lifetime” experience to take part in various activities, such as Racing Simulation drive with Professional Race Car Drivers (R Factor Race Simulation), a Go-Kart race, Pit Stop Challenge, having a go in a GT5 race car, and the ultimate chance of being behind the wheel of Formula Renault single-seater.

Participants will also be driven in a two-seater Formula Renault and in a Porsche Carrera Cup race car by professional race car drivers such as local A1 GP driver Aaron Lim, Aston Martin Asia Cup’s Series Director and Classic Car Series driver, Ian Geekie and Asia Supercar Club series and F3 driver Rodolfo Avila.

Our resident racing nut, Harvinder Singh Sidhu tells his side of the story:

Click here to read the rest of The Michelin Pilot Experience 2008 at Sepang

Proton has appointed Claudius Meynert as its new director of International Sales and Services Division. 44 year old Meynert used to be Audi’s managing director for the Asia Pacific region (he served Audi for 14 years) before starting up a Bangkok-based automotive parts and trading company called Trade Asia in 2007. Meynert holds an MBA from the Georg August University in Goettingen, Germany.

You can actually see that in the photo on the left provided by Proton, Meynert is actually leaning on a blue Audi. Part of the large shield grille and its four rings are just barely visible in the bottom left corner of the image.

“With Meynert at the helm of PROTON’s ISSD, the company is now more equipped in its effort to focus on PROTON’s long term export strategy, concentrating on high growth regional markets namely ASEAN, China, India Middle East, including North Africa,” said Proton’s managing director Dato Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

Click to enlarge

Proton is having a nationwide naming contest for the new Proton MPV from now until the 30th of September 2008. Participants can enter the contest either via an online website or SMS. I recommend you use the online form as it is free while the SMS costs RM0.80 plus your existing mobile operator charges, unless you suddenly get an idea while you are not at a PC and want to quickly enter it in case someone else thinks of it first. Proton is not profiting from it though as the RM0.80 will be donated to charity.

To join via the website, just fill in this form. For SMS entries, you need to type P (space) IC Number (comma) Your MPV name entry (comma) Rationale for name (comma) Original tagline. Send the SMS to 36677. The example given is “P 821013105150 Familia, MPV is for families to travel together with enough space on long journeys, A place to bond with your family”.

There is a maximum length limit of 1 SMS for each entry, so be sure not to type a description that is so long that it extends over 1 SMS’s length (160 characters). For online entries there is a max limit of 145 characters including spaces as you don’t have to include your IC number in the entry, but fill it in separately in another form field. You will have to be 18 and above to participate.

The grand prize winner will get to name the new Proton MPV and will win one unit of the Proton MPV. Two runner-ups will win a trip for two to Lotus UK worth RM15,000 each.

Winners will be announced at least 1 month before the Proton MPV’s official launch somewhere in end-March 2009. Winners will be contacted in October 2008, but as there are 3 prizes, I think this will be for the two runner-up who will win the trips.

It would not make sense to contact the grand prize winner until much closer to the Proton MPV’s launch date as the chosen name would then be leaked. But then again I might be wrong. Look for one more photo of the chassis after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Win a Proton MPV in Proton’s naming contest!

Puspakom has set up a “Premier Service Unit” for those who simply do not have the time to waste a whole day at Puspakom to get their cars inspected for purpose of ownership transfer. Just let Puspakom know 3 days in advance and a team will come to your house and perform the inspection for a fee of RM130 which consists of a RM100 service fee and RM30 inspection fee.

The teams (2 in Klang Valley, 1 in Johor and 1 in Penang) are equipped to perform chassis and engine number inspection, cut-and-join inspection, tinted glass test and emissions tests. If there are no problems and the vehicle passes the tests, a certificate will be issued on the spot. Ownership can then be transfered at the JPJ within 14 days.

If implemented properly this will be a great convenience and I’m sure most people would rather pay Puspakom RM100 for the convenience of it done at their own place rather than “runners” to get the car inspected.

For more info call Puspakom toll-free at 1800886927 or 03-20527474.

UMW Toyota Motor has unveiled a front three quarter view of the upcoming Toyota Innova facelift on its website. The IMV vehicle is built on the same chassis as the Toyota Hilux and comes with a single engine - a 2.0 liter longitudinally mounted 1TR-FE driving the rear wheels with 136 PS at 5,600rpm and 182Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

Three models will be available for the facelift: the 2.0G automatic estimated to cost RM110,000, the 2.0E automatic estimated to be priced at RM102,000 and the 2.0E manual which is estimated to go for RM97,000.

The 2.0G model has chrome trim on the front grile as well as an Optitron meter panel, CD and MP3 player with 6 speakers, dual SRS airbags at the front, and fabric seats (leather optional). For the E models you lose the passenger airbag and the Optitron meter panel.

Times have changed, from barely anything at the RM100k mark in the MPV market a few years ago to a decent selection consisting of the APV, Avanza, Innova and Grand Livina. The local boys will join the race soon with the Proton MPV and Perodua MPV.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched the facelifted version of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class here in Malaysia. The B-Class was first launched in 2005 and it is just about time for its mid-life facelift, which was unveiled internationally in March this year.

This time around our local B-Class will come with the Active Parking Assist feature which will help you parallel park the car. As you drive along the road at speeds of below 35km/h, the Active Parking Assist will look for a suitable spot by the side of the road using ultrasonic sensors. A message will be shown when a suitable spot has been found.

You can then shift into reverse, confirm that you want the car to help you park, the steering wheel will automatically turn to maneuver the B-Class into the parking space. Acceleration and braking is done by the driver. The parking space only has to be 1.3 meters longer than the B-Class for it to do this, so it may be able to parallel park better than alot of people!

Other changes include minor styling changes on the exterior and interior,. The audio system also supports loading media from a USB-connected MP3 player or thumb drive.

The facelifted Mercedes-Benz B170 costs RM215,888 in Malaysia. Look after the jump for a hi-res gallery of the car.

Click here to read the rest of Mercedes-Benz B-Class facelift launched in Malaysia