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Trading of Proton and DRB-Hicom shares suspended on Bursa, official announcement to come soon

January 16, 2012 at 11:24 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

It looks like the battle for Khazanah Nasional Bhd 42.7% stake in Proton has had its winner. Trading of the national car maker’s shares, as well as those from DRB-Hicom Bhd, have been suspended from 9am to 5pm today pending an announcement. The companies did not give details in a filing to Bursa.

DRB-Hicom asked for a suspension in trading, saying the company will be proposing a corporate exercise involving a very substantial transaction.

Reports surfaced last week saying that Government investment arm Khazanah will announce today that DRB-Hicom has won the bid to acquire its stake in Proton, with the transaction said to be at RM6 a share or total of RM1.4 billion.

Other confirmed parties bidding for the Proton stake were the Naza Group and Proton chairman Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh. The press and/or analysts roped in UMW and even Tan Chong into the party, but both companies denied any invitation to bid and involvement in the sale.

Last Friday, Proton shares closed at RM5.18 and DRB-Hicom’s at RM2.17. Minority shareholders and speculators are waiting to profit from a general offer for their shares, expected to be coming soon.

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More images of the new Kia cee’d appear on the Net

January 16, 2012 at 10:24 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars

Last week, Kia released the first image of its new cee’d hatchback ahead of the car’s Geneva show debut. It was a front three-quarter shot showing the C-segment hatch’s more rounded shape and new nose, featuring a prominent Schreyer grille. Now, side profile and rear three quarter images of the car have surfaced.

The cee’d is a European model that targets the Golf, Focus and Astra, and shares a platform with Hyundai’s i30. Kia says that the car combines styling typically found on a sporty coupé with the space and functionality of a five-door hatch.

No pics of the cabin yet, but expect a “driver oriented dashboard and refined interior, with a strong focus on quality of materials,” says the South Korean brand. Kia’s industry leading seven year warranty will accompany the car in Europe.

The new cee’d will be launched from the second quarter of this year.

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Nissan March Nismo Concept shown at Tokyo Auto Salon

January 16, 2012 at 9:10 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan

Nissan had this on show at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Nissan March Nismo Concept. It’s Nissan’s supermini tweaked by racing arm Nismo, and it comes after the similarly themed Juke Nismo Concept from Tokyo 2011. Click here for a full live gallery of that car.

The March gets a body kit which includes a front bumper fascia, side skirts, roof spoiler and rear bumper fascia with diffuser. The exterior, painted in Nismo’s pearl white with trademark stripes, also gets a new grille and side mirrors. The cabin is updated with Nismo designed seats and steering wheel. The March’s suspension is also lowered and it rolls on bigger alloys.

These concepts aren’t just for fun. Last year, Nissan announced a major expansion programme for Nismo that will see the racing arm applying tuning and performance expertise to Nissan road cars.

“The time is now right to let ordinary drivers experience what our racing drivers enjoy every time they head out onto the track. We aim to bring Nismo’s passion and focus on driving excitement to mainstream models,” said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s President and CEO.

Makes sense, milking the formidable Nismo name to sell more cars. We have already seen Edaran Tan Chong use Impul for the Malaysian market, but Nismo is the more powerful brand.

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BMW M Performance Automobiles range to be launched at Geneva – come forth the M diesels?

January 16, 2012 at 12:17 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars

BMW M GmbH is unveiling a new product range that will bear their M brand. Slotted in between regular BMWs that are mildly spiced up with the M Sports kit and full fledged M cars like the M3 and M5, the new product range will be known as BMW M Performance Automobiles.

“We are targeting our efforts at customers looking for more emotionality and more performance, but who don’t want to forgo the everyday usability of their cars. The new product line-up will be a range that includes a wide variety of model series, as well as both petrol and diesel-engined variants,” said Dr Friedrich Nitschke, President of BMW M GmbH.

BMW M even hinted at the new naming scheme – it referenced the old 1980 BMW M535i, which accompanied the full fledged BMW M5 in the E28 model range. The M535i used a M30B35 that made 211 horsepower, while the M5′s S38B35 made 260 horses. Back in March 2010, we heard that BMW filed a series of new trademarks that included the term M50d – this would likely be used on a tuned up diesel (rumoured tri-turbo) X5/X6 that was part of this new M Performance Automobiles range.

The new range will be presented to the public at the Geneva International Motor Show 2012 this year, from the 8th of March to the 18th of March – that and the rest of the Geneva unveils should keep us very busy in the first quarter of the year of the Dragon!

“M Purists” will undoubtedly make a fuss about this, but BMW M doesn’t seem to care much and continues to evolve with the times – they’ve gone ahead and added all wheel drive, SUVs, torque converter automatic transmissions, and turbochargers. All of this has resulted in products that has no doubt made their CFO very happy with the bank balances. They might as well add oil burners to the list as well, after all someone’s gotta compete with Audi’s V10 and V12 TDIs right?

Watch the first video in this story for an interview with the BMW M head honcho where he talks about the new model range, and check out the second video which features what we’re assuming is a white BMW X5 M50d – you can hear a little of how it sounds like in the video.

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F20 BMW 1-Series gets new powerful 125i and 125d models

January 15, 2012 at 4:31 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars

BMW has announced new engines for the new BMW 1-Series – they are found in the 125i, the 125d and the 116d EfficientDynamics Edition. The 125i is a new addition to the 1-er range, complementing the current 116i and 118i, and as you can tell from the model numbers, it’s now the most powerful petrol F20 1-Series you can buy.

Previously, the top of the line petrol F20 was the 118i, powered by a 1.6 liter turbocharged inline-4 engine with Valvetronic, Double VANOS and direct injection making 170 horsepower at 4,800rpm and 250Nm of peak torque from 1,500rpm to 4,500rpm.

The new 125i is powered by a 2.0 liter inline-4 turbo engine from the N20 family – you’ll find it in the bigger BMWs such as the newly launched F10 520i as well. In 125i tune, power output is positioned in between the 184hp/270Nm “20i” and 245hp/350Nm “28i” tunes that we’ve previously seen – the 125i makes 218 horsepower at 5,000rpm and 310Nm of torque between 1,350rpm to 4,800rpm. 0 to 100km/h takes just 6.4 seconds with the 6-speed manual or 6.5 seconds with the 8-speed auto.

There’s also a new powerful diesel engine – the 125d, which slots in on top of the previous king of the F20 oil burners – the 120d. Power output for the 125d is 218 horsepower, which matches the 125i, but torque is much stronger – 450Nm at 1,500rpm to 2,500rpm. 0 to 100km/h acceleration is 6.5 seconds for both the 6-speed manual and the 8-speed automatic.

On the other end of the spectrum – there’s a new BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, powered by a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder diesel engine. Note that the normal 116d is powered by a 116hp/260Nm 2.0 liter 4-cylinder diesel engine. The 116d EfficientDynamics Edition’s 1.6 liter turbodiesel does the exact same output at the same RPMs – makes me wonder why the regular 116d continues with a 2.0 liter. It consumes just 3.8 liters per 100km with its sole option of a 6-speed manual transmission, and hits 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.

BMW has also finally officially offered the F20′s M Sports package for sale, though pictures of the M Sports F20 was released together with the official press kit when the F20 was first revealed to the world. Other than just the bodykit and interior enhancements, the M Sports package also includes the M Sports suspension lowered by 10 millimetres with tighter spring/shock absorber settings and harder anti-roll bars, and an optional M Sports brake kit which consists of aluminium multi-piston fixed calipers finished in dark blue metallic bearing the BMW M logo and 17-inch lightweight construction brake discs.

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smart for-us concept – the tiny tyke plays pocket pickup

January 13, 2012 at 8:53 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, smart

It’s called the smart for-us, and it’s a tongue-in-cheek take on what an urban pickup should really look like. The tiny tot, which debuted in Detroit, measures in at 3.54 metres long, 1.5 metres wide and 1.7 metres tall, making it an absolute dwarf compared to a typical American pickup.

The concept EV’s drive system is based on the smart fortwo electric drive’s, with a 55 kW magneto-electric motor being provided juice by a 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. Performance specs include 130 Nm of torque and a 120 km/h top speed.

Design-wise, the for-us exterior features convex and, as the company puts it, sensuously shaped body surfaces. The large brand emblem is proudly sported on the grille, and the front has a pronounced three-dimensional design with an under-ride guard finishing off the lower part of the front end.

At 2.48 metres long, the wheelbase is 613 mm more than the fortwo’s, and the track has also been widened by 50 mm on each side to help emphasise the robust look of the study. At the same time the extremely short overhangs at the front and rear make it exceedingly compact.

The tailboard at the rear of the smart for-us is electrically driven. When it opens, the cargo floor – including tailboard – retracts by 280 mm, and then the tailgate slides down in a parallel position, allowing easy access to the load on the 900 mm cargo area.

Inside, the for-us features sleek, taut surfaces in mother-of-pearl white, with its technical functional elements finished in brushed aluminum to provide contrast. Meanwhile, the seat shells, which are open in the middle, are covered with a soft yellow fabric throw, giving them a hammock-like seating feel.

Rather smartly, in place of a conventional rear-view mirror, the smart for-us features a smartphone accommodated in a holder on top of the instrument panel support, allowing the driver to see what’s happening on the road behind with the help of an integrated video camera.

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2012 Toyota Land Cruiser unveiled at Brussels Motor Show

January 13, 2012 at 4:35 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Toyota

Toyota has introduced its flagship Land Cruiser V8 in its 2012 model year form at the Brussels Motor Show. The vehicle features reworked exterior and interior styling, as well as improved mod cons and a host of additional tech.

The external styling changes are led by a new oversize front bumper with integrated fog lights and a new grille that pairs chrome and silver-finished vertical bars across its width. The headlamp units have also been reconfigured, incorporating LED daytime running lights and cylindrical high and low beam HID bi-xenon headlights, and the turn indicators now extend outwards, increasing their side visibility.

The rear bumper is new too, as are the rear combination light clusters, which now feature a new double-cylinder form that echoes the look of the new headlamp units. Also slapped on are new side protection mouldings – with chrome detailing – and new-design 20-inch wheels, as well as redesigned door mirrors, which now get LED turn indicators and side view cameras.

Inside, changes made to the Land Cruiser V8′s cabin focus on raising the level of perceived quality in the look and feel of the interior. Extensive changes have been made to the dashboard layout, including the introduction of a new audio panel, a piano black paint finish for some elements, with bright silver-finish trim and chrome-plated details on the switchgear and air vents. There’s also a new, lighter interior colour scheme, matched with high-gloss wood grain trim elements and bright silver-finish details.

Meanwhile, the driver’s instrument binnacle has white Optitron dials that are backlit with blue illumination and a large, colour TFT multi-information display. The front seats, upholstered in perforated leather, gain a cool air function in addition to built-in heaters, plus a position memory setting, and active headrests have also been introduced. A Toyota Touch Pro advanced multimedia and navigation system with voice command control, Bluetooth and rear-view camera is also in the mix.

Technical revisions include an uprating of the 4.5 litre V8 turbodiesel engine, which offers 286 hp at 3,600 rpm and 650 Nm between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm – it’s now compliant to Euro 5 standards, with the introduction of a diesel particulate filter and new G3 200mPa piezo injectors in the common rail injection system. The main exhaust silencer has also been reduced in size and weight, improving fuel efficiency and reducing noise and vibration.

Of course, the ability to tackle the toughest off-road conditions has been fundamental to all Land Cruiser models, and the flagship gets new tech to extend the vehicle’s capabilities even further. The raft of new handling features includes the world-first Turn Assist, which works in conjunction with Land Cruiser V8′s Crawl Control function, plus Multi-terrain Select (MTS), Multi-terrain Monitor and Tyre Angle Display.

The Multi-terrain Monitor works in conjunction with the MTS, displaying images from four external cameras (including the ones on the door mirrors) on the multi-information screen to provide a comprehensive view of the area immediately around the vehicle in off-road situations.

As for the Tyre Angle Display, this one complements the predicted tyre path guidelines presented on the Multi-terrain Monitor – guidelines linked to the steering angle are projected in real time on the display, showing the driver changes in steering angle between zero and 45 degrees.

The hydraulic power steering also gains a new Variable Flow Control, which provides direct response and feel when travelling at cruising speed and easy operation at parking speeds. A unique, dedicated off-road setting delivers a constant level of steering assistance, whatever the terrain condition.

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Thai production of new Ford Focus to start in mid 2012

January 13, 2012 at 4:01 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News

Whenever a Ford topic crops up, there are sure to be requests for new models and complaints that we’re not getting what Europe or US is getting. Once again, it’s not as simple as cherry picking any model from any market – local Ford reps must follow their principal’s global direction and masterplan. Here’s some of the plans revealed, and it will cheer some of you hankering for the new Focus.

Bangkok Post reports that Thai production of the new Focus will begin around mid-year at the company’s new plant at Rayong. This US$450-million facility is part of Ford’s aggressive expansion strategy in Asia Pacific and Africa. The Focus meanwhile, is a “One Ford” product, a global car to suit all markets.

The C-segment car was first built in Germany in December 2010, before production started in Michigan, USA. Mid last year, production began in St. Petersburg, Russia. Now is the turn of Thailand for ASEAN, and a new Ford factory in Chongqing will supply the vast Chinese market this year.

The current Focus sold in Malaysia and Thailand is imported from the Philippines, which will cease to make the car once production shifts to our northern neighbour.

The report adds that the Focus will make an appearance at the Bangkok International Motor Show in March, with an official launch planned for mid-year. Apparently, there will be no TDCi option, just 1.6- and 2.0-litre petrol engines at launch.

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SEAT Ibiza – fourth-generation Typ 6J gets facelifted

January 13, 2012 at 3:33 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, SEAT

The Mk 4 SEAT Ibiza has been given a mid-term facelift, and the reinterpretation is featured across the entire three body-style range, from the three-door Ibiza SC to the five-door Ibiza and the Ibiza ST estate.

Exterior changes include a reworked front trapezoidal grille – the flatter proportions as well as redesigned horizontal honeycomb structure and a lower air intake help emphasise the car’s width. The front and rear bumpers have also been redesigned, as have the headlamps, which are available in two halogen versions or with optional bi-xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights.

The interior, meanwhile, gets improved material quality, with a wide choice of new paint surfaces and materials, which range all the way to fine leather upholstery. Among the items that have been reworked in the cabin is the glove compartment, which is significantly larger than pre-facelift – at 10.7 litres, it now offers space for a lot more than just a pair of gloves.

The equipment line-up for the car has also been revised, independent of bodyshell form, and among the new kit is the SEAT Portable Media System with touchscreen monitor. Available for the car later in the year, it combines the functions of a navigation system, on-board computer, audio system and hands-free device.

As for available engines, the range is broad, from a base 1.2 litre 60 PS mill to a range-topping 1.4 TSI twin charge lump which has 150 PS and a DSG transmission as standard fitment. Ecomotive variants include the 105 PS 1.2 TSI Ecomotive and 75 PS 1.2 TDI E Ecomotive. A choice of five- and six-speed manual gearboxes are available, and DSG is available as standard or as an option with a number of engines.

The new Ibiza runs on wheels ranging in size from 15- to 17-inches, and several new designs have come about for the facelift, which is set to make its European market debut sometime in spring.

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Lexus LF-LC Concept is the fairest of them all in Detroit

January 13, 2012 at 2:46 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Lexus

Think the Lexus LF-LC Hybrid Sport Coupe Concept is a stunner? Well, you’re not the only one then; those in the industry seem to think so as well – a group of leading automotive designers and design academics have named the car the top design concept at the NAIAS.

The Detroit debutant bagged this year’s EyesOn Design Award for best concept car. Created by Lexus’s Calty studio in Newport Beach, California, the design of the 2+2 coupe explores how a future redefinition of Lexus design might take be like, with a more emotive and avantgarde approach.

The EyesOn Design Awards are given in recognition of skills and creativity in different areas of design for both concept and production vehicles, including Aesthetics and Innovation, Concept Implementation, Functionailty and the Spirit of Industrial Design.

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