Archive for Local News

Proton previewed an all-electric version of the Proton Saga sedan in University Putra Malaysia, Serdang during the “Proton Exora – The Making” seminar organized by SAE International earlier this week. The “Proton” name would definitely make sense on this particular car!

You might expect this plug-in electric vehicle to have been co-developed with Detroit Electric which have a deal to produce electric cars based on the Proton GEN2 and the Proton Persona for certain overseas markets under the Detroit Electric brand. But on the contrary, what you see above is an in-house project done with the help of unnamed suppliers and partners.

This means that unlike the Detroit Electric e46 (based on the Proton Gen 2) and the Detroit Electric e63 (based on the Proton Persona), the electric Saga (officially called the Proton Saga EV Green Propulsion Concept for now) is probably being considered for the local market, although the auto maker is very tight-lipped about possible launch dates. It could take years.

The emissions-free Proton Saga EV on display features a 125kW (168hp) brushless DC electric motor, mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. It has a 20kWh Lithium Ion Polymer battery pack (12 separate batteries stored in the trunk). Because of the batteries, truckspace is pretty much non-existent but this is quite normal with concept electric cars based on a chassis that was originally designed to take a regular combustion engine and fuel tank. A production car would ideally have neater integration of the batteries.

According to Proton, the Saga EV can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.1 seconds, up to a top speed of 161 km/h, with a driving range of 109 kilometers over a full charge. Both the Detroit Electric e46 and e63 will feature a 150kW Axial Magnetic Flux motor instead.

There is more! The “green-mobil” also features re-generative braking and an electric power steering, apart from a built-in Batter Management System (BCMU), a plug-in charger (with a household power outlet), air conditioning as well as an In-Vehicle display screen that displays various information pertaining to the electric vehicle functions. Sources also revealed that Proton has plans to built an electric Exora MPV, and, is currently working on some hybrid vehicles as well, for research and development.

Since Proton took the trouble to produce a fully functioning Saga EV Concept, I am sure it is a matter of time till we actually see Proton-built electric cars on the road, but it doesn’t end at just producing such emissions-free vehicles. There has to an infrastructure ready to accommodate charging in the outdoors, which is something that will involve the government, apart from the private sector.

Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Proton previews the Proton Saga EV Concept

Our Prime Minister announced something interesting for road users in Malaysia on his 100th day as the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia. From the 1st of September 2009 onwards, there will be a discount for frequent users of tolls in Malaysia.

Details are sketchy at the moment but here is how it works. Any user who pays toll 80 times or more per month will be given a 20% discount. This is only for users of the Touch and Go and Smart Tag systems, and not for those who use cash to pay for their tolls.

Whether the discount will be for the entire amount of toll paid or just the 81st transaction onwards is not known yet. This discount will also be a temporary interim measure while the government completes a currently on-going study on toll rates (especially their affordability) in Malaysia which would take more time.

The government is also looking to implement more incentives for users to use electronic payment systems at tolls. The cash queues are currently just too long, but sometimes the Smart Tag and Touch and Go lanes are also jammed badly especially when you already have 5 to 10 cars in the queue and the dude at the front can’t seem to get the sensor to recognise his Smart Tag.

Another motorist-related announcement on that day: class B2 motorcycle licenses learning fee will be reduced to RM211 per person instead of the current supposed RM500 to RM700, thanks to negotiations between the government and driving schools. Is this true? Anyone know how much a B2 license really costs to take currently?

The Honda FR-V (or Honda Edix as it is also sometimes known by) will cease production by August, ending a typical 5 year Japanese model run. It will not be replaced as Honda says other models are able to serve its customer base well, but the FR-V is really quite unique in the Honda range.

It’s a 3+3 seater (likely inspired by the Fiat Multipla), which means two rows but the ability to seat 6 as you can fit three in the front thanks to a seat in the middle. This seat can also be folded down to create a tray or arm rest. There are 32 different seating combinations, three ISOFIX points, lots of storage areas, so it makes quite a nice family vehicle.

In Malaysia, there are alot of people who buy the FR-V and pimp it up like it was a larger Honda Jazz. Looking rather sporty to begin with, it’s a good base for aesthetic mods.

The new Proton Exora with manual transmission is now on the market and it’s only available in the M-Line trim level, which means basics without fancies like DVD players and GPS units, cloth seats, alloy wheels, and some body-coloured parts instead of chrome bits. It’s priced at RM64,998 for the metallic version and RM64,548 for the solid-coloured version. No ultra-basic no frills Exora B-Line in sight yet so far, but the manual transmission version is very welcome for those who want to save abit more fuel with the Exora, and the manual’s 12% transmission losses which is less than the automatic should result in more of the Campro CPS 125 horsepower going to the front wheels, thus improving the Exora’s lethargic acceleration.

Some of us have already had a go at an Exora equipped with a manual transmission during the prototype test drive and other than the fact that there’s more power that actually reaches the wheels, the manual model with more gear ratios also provides a little more flexibility with picking the right gear depending on the load on the engine. With the automatic model you tend to be working the 2nd gear most of the time, which means alot of high revving sometimes. The good news is NVH is significantly better than models like the Satria Neo so it isn’t that bad of a racket.

Next a B-Line model could come out, but the ultimate would be towards the end of next year where the Proton Exora with the Campro 1.6 Turbo will be launched. The Exora will finally get the engine it deserves and then you’ll have a combination of a very competitive price, good interior space, air conditioning all around, and a more relaxed engine that’s easier to drive because of more low end torque.

Look after the jump for a photo gallery of the Exora M/T.

Click here to read the rest of Proton Exora M/T (M-Line) open for booking!

We now have more details on the new Proton Saga SE, which is positioned as a premium variant of one of Proton’s cheapest cars right now. The Saga SE continues using the 1.3 liter Campro IAFM engine that’s found in the rest of the Saga range except for the taxi model, so what exactly does “SE” mean? Here are the full details:

• Only two colours – brilliant red or solid white with a black finish roof top.
• New front, rear (with faux diffuser design) and side skirts.
• A new front grille with black finish.
• Leather seats, door trim and steering wheel
• Pearl white instrument cluster
• Dark chrome air-conditioning vents
• CD player with MP3 support

As previously mentioned, the Saga SE manual is priced at RM43,000 while the automatic transmission model is priced at RM45,500. It is available for booking now for RM500, but the cars will only be in the showrooms from the 15th of August 2009 onwards.

Look after the jump for more photos of the Saga SE.

Click here to read the rest of New Proton Saga SE in showrooms from 15th August

Proton launched two new models at the Felda Settlers Day in Johor today – the Proton Saga SE and the Proton Exora 1.6 manual.

From the info I am getting now, the Saga SE uses a 1.3 liter Campro IAFM engine as before (the sole 1.6 liter model continues in taxi spec), but comes with aesthetic and equipment changes, while the Proton Exora 1.6 M/T like its namesake comes with a manual transmission. The Proton team is having trouble sending full specs and press release over because they are in an area without internet access now but at least we have the prices:

• Proton Saga SE Manual – RM43,000
• Proton Saga SE Auto – RM45,500
• Proton Exora M/T Solid – RM64,548.00
• Proton Exora M/T Metallic – RM64,998.00

More details and photos of the new car to come later.

UPDATE: Look after the jump for an event photo gallery of the Saga SE.

Click here to read the rest of Proton launches Saga SE and Exora Manual – more details to come later!

Buying a car is probably your second biggest purchase in life, if not first. So, it is normal to mull over a decision repeatedly until you get the slightest hint of comfort and assurance. Perhaps some hard facts would help.

Every one of us probably knows at least one person who made a car purchase decision based on misguided facts, or they simply did not know how to choose a car that meets their needs. They end up regretting their purchase later, but by that time it is too late and they are already saddled with a burden of a 5 year or up to even 9 year loan!

Soon we’ll have Smart Wheels, a microportal that will provide relevant tips and information for potential car buyers that aim to help them to make informed decisions. Smart Wheels will feature a series of stories that will guide you through a car purchase process and what to look out for when you purchase a car. It is an initiative by Honda but remains an independent portal that does not endorse any car brand in specific.

There will also be a Q&A section where you can ask questions and clear up any uncertainties related to your car purchase.

So watch out next week for Smart Wheels on the 11th of July!

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri announced late last month that if everything goes as planned, the government will soon be introducing a new driving license for automatic transmission cars only. This is expected to happen by the end of this year.

Having a separate license for automatic cars only is quite common and is practiced in countries like Australia and even our neighbours down south. Singapore has Class 3 licenses for both manual and auto cars, and Class 3A licenses which permit you to drive autos only.

Naturally, for auto-only licenses the exam is conducted with an automatic car. The Transport Ministry will make several changes in the curriculum and test as well as restructure regulations (Road Transport Act 1987, Motor Vehicle Regulations – Driving License 1992) to allow automatic cars to be used for driving exams.

If this goes through, great for those who don’t want to bother learning how to drive a manual, or at least getting an auto license first with the option of upgrading it to a manual license later. But cross your fingers and just hope that you don’t get into an emergency situation where you absolutely need to drive a manual car.

The next step is to weed out all the corruption from driving exams so that the licenses are issued to people who deserve them.

The syllabus also needs to be updated with more useful information such as how to recover from understeer, oversteer, how to brake with ABS and etc. Just look at what BMW is doing with their BMW Driver Training, take the basic course syllabus and adopt it. Let’s face it – traction control and stability control is seriously far from being a common feature on our local spec cars, especially with cars priced below RM100k. This combined with the bad conditions of our roads, diesel/oil spills and the often heavy rainstorm (aquaplaning!) is not a good thing.

Finally there should be rules that require a driver to be retested every few years – no need to be often. Every 5 or 10 years could work, perhaps they could make it so that this retesting comes into effect when you become an elderly driver, to ensure that you are able to drive safely on the road and not inhibited by health issues such as an untreated deteriorating eyesight and pose a danger both to yourself and others. Make it a simple and cheap to conduct test so that people will not be burdened by a high retesting cost.

Yes, it sounds cruel to the poor old folks who do not have their children to take them places but those who are in perfect health condition to drive shouldn’t have a problem passing, and those who cannot pass really shouldn’t be driving.

The new Volvo XC60 is here, available in two variants but both with a 3.0 liter 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.

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.

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.

Click here to read the rest of The Volvo XC60 is now here 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 liter. 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.