Advertisement

UMW says it has no plans to acquire stake in Proton

January 11, 2012 at 8:07 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Proton

Of late, there has been no shortage of conjecture about the possibility of Khazanah Nasional letting go of its 42.7% stake in Proton, with a number of potential suitors having being mentioned. UMW Holdings Bhd was among those mentioned in some reports, but it turns out that UMW has no plans to acquire Khazanah’s stake, Bernama reported today.

According to UMW’s group chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin, UMW has a lot on its hands already, and its focus was on its present commitments, mainly the partnership with Toyota and Perodua.

“I think we’ve already cleared that UMW is not making any bids. We at UMW are committed to our partner Toyota in enhancing its business here in Malaysia and making Perodua self-reliant pre- and post-NAP (National Automotive Policy),” Asmat said.

He added that as far as UMW was concerned, the Proton issue had not been discussed at board level, and a bid has not even been considered. “We’ve never made any bids. The reports say that shareholders of UMW have made the bid. I don’t know about that. Maybe you have to ask them,” he told reporters after the launch of the new Toyota Avanza.

Asmat added that UMW had plans to ensure Perodua post survive implementation of the new NAP, where the government has already indicated that it will liberalise the automotive sector by 2016, the Bernama report added. “We have a plan to develop Perodua and make it self-reliant before that,” he stated.

23 Comments      

2012 Toyota Avanza launched – RM64,590 to RM79,590

January 11, 2012 at 3:38 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Toyota


UPDATE: Hi res gallery of studio images added

UMW Toyota officially launched the new Toyota Avanza hours ago. This is the second generation Avanza introduced in Indonesia late last year, and our Avanzas now come from that neighbouring country, no longer assembled by Perodua in Rawang. You should know plenty about it already – we covered the Indonesia-spec car and also posted up a scan of the official UMWT brochure in December.

Here’s a recap. This full model change Avanza comes after 140,000 units of the first gen MPV have been sold in Malaysia since October 2004. The Avanza was a pioneer in the affordable MPV segment, and was once the best selling non national vehicle in Malaysia, outselling passenger cars. This new one wears more sculptured styling for a more dynamic outlook relative to the original. More 3D, car companies like to say.

The profile is also less upright, and the lights at both ends wrap around the body. Current Avanza owners will also notice that the door handles have changed from the lift up type to the grip type, which looks and works better. The wing mirrors have a more streamlined look and incorporate turn signals. The windscreen washer nozzles have been relocated to below the glass for a smooth bonnet.

It’s not just a facelift as some believe. The new Avanza is 20 mm longer and 30 mm wider than before, while front and rear tracks are up by 20 mm. The platform has been carried over, and the RWD layout remains. Toyota says that RWD gives better maneuverability via a better turning circle, which is best in class at 4.7m. The range topping 1.5S has a different grille and bumper (larger intake) than the G and E specs.

Under the hood lies the familiar 3SZ-VE 1.5-litre VVTi engine. It puts out 103 PS and 136 Nm, which is less than before because this engine adheres to Euro4 standards, according to UMWT. In case you didn’t know, Malaysia is one of the few markets that are still on Euro2; our neighbours and markets like China and India have progressed.

So perhaps it’s too much of a hassle to “customise” a Euro2 engine for us – the official line is that UMWT is not sure when the Govt will jump from Euro2 to Euro4, so they decided it’s better to bring in the latter.

The 1.3L model, which can only be had with a 5-speed manual gearbox, makes 91 PS and 117 Nm of torque. This K3-VE VVTi powered variant is the lightest, naturally, at 1,070 kg. The range topping 1.5S weighs 1,105 kg. There’s no manual option for the 1.5L engine – a four-speed auto is mandatory.

Despite the slightly lower figures, acceleration is improved and fuel economy is better than before, so it’s win-win for the consumer. FC wise, the new Avanza 1.5 is rated at 12 km/l (7% better) while the 1.3 model does 12.6 km/l, which is 9% better than before. Toyota attributes this to lower rolling resistance tyres (by 10%), improved aerodynamics, lower weight (15-20 kg depending on variant) and the adoption of Electric Power Steering (EPS).

UMWT further tells us that noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) has been improved over the old car, and the suspension has been retuned to offer better ride comfort, including for the last row. For NVH, Toyota has added a resonator to the air cleaner hose to reduce engine boom at high rpms. The 1.5L gets a revised exhaust pipe design to further lower noise.

Kit wise, the 1.5S and 1.5G comes with 15-inch alloys (185/65 tyres), fog lamps, multi info display, tilt steering with audio buttons and a 2-DIN head unit with AUX, USB and six speakers. ABS, EBD and dual airbags are also included.

New features across the board include a one-touch tumble down function for the middle row seats, which now can be slid fore and aft. The top of the centre stack has an additional air vent; this one blows re-cooled air to the rear blower for better cooling performance. The interior theme is black for all variants and there’s a new meter design. Look at the brochure scan for the full spec break down.


Click to enlarge spec sheet

Price wise, the Avanza 1.3 is priced at RM64,590, the 1.5E at RM72,590, the 1.5G at RM77,290 and the 1.5S at RM79,590. These are on the road prices including insurance, for metallic colours. The options list has two items – Toyota Standard Solar Flim and an Aerokit.

271 Comments      


Become a better driver with the Shell Helix D Academy!

January 11, 2012 at 10:55 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Advertorial, Cars, Local News

Shell has officially launched the Shell Helix D-Academy contest which will see up to 30 participants win the grand prize of being invited to an event which will allow them to take part in special driving course dedicated to compact cars.

At the Shell Helix D-Academy, professional driving instructors will share valuable defensive driving skills, both in theory and in practice (practical training) with the participants. Participants will take home life-saving knowledge which will make them better drivers on the road, something the nation really needs.

With the Shell Helix D-Academy, they will learn how to control their vehicles, which in this case, compact cars with lower displacement engines in adverse driving conditions. This is part of Shell’s believe that protection should not only be given to the engine but also to the driver’s life.

This philosophy also applies to the Shell Helix HX7 E engine oil with its 5W-30 grade which achieves low viscosity at low temperatures. This simply means that the engine oil will be thin enough to flow during morning start-ups and thick enough to protect the engine when it is hot.

The Shell Helix HX7 E is also equipped with active cleansing agents that prevent dirt particles from sticking together to form sludge. Overall, the engine oil is able to offer up to 19% more protection than other tested synthetic-tecnohology oils, 1.8% more fuel economy compared to a 15W-40 mineral oil and smoother power delivery with reduced emissions.

To take part in the contest and put yourself in the running to win tickets to the event and other attractive prizes, all you need to do is to decorate your car in our Facebook application! Simply upload a photo of your car to the application and use the pre-loaded tools to decorate your car, as simple as that!

Top designs will be selected and winners will walk home with tickets to the Shell Helix D-Academy. Contest ends on January 29, 2012! Limited seats are available, so join now!

Good luck!

5 Comments      

Vauxhall Mokka – a small SUV that’s big on things

January 11, 2012 at 10:54 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Vauxhall

Say hello to Vauxhall’s new small SUV called the Mokka. The vehicle is set to make its debut in Geneva, and enter the growing sub-compact B-segment end of the market towards the end of the year.

On call will be a choice of two petrol engines and a diesel, all with Start/Stop eco-tech, and the Mokka will be available in front or all-wheel drive, with six-speed manual or auto transmissions to pick from.

The petrol mills are a 115 PS 1.6 litre naturally-aspirated unit and a 140 PS 1.4 litre turbo, which has 200 Nm of torque. The diesel, meanwhile, is a 130 PS 1.7 CDTI turbo offering 300 Nm of torque. Both the 1.4 Turbo and the 1.7 CDTI can be combined either with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.

Design-wise, the Mokka – which will wear 18-inch alloy wheels as standard on most model variants – incorporates Vauxhall’s signature ‘blade’ on the body side, sweeping towards the rear, and looks to be a pretty beefy offering from the photos.

Inside, Vauxhall says there’s lots of versatility and user-friendly functionality on call, with up to 1,372 litres of load space and 19 storage locations to be had. In addition to the generous cargo volume, the SUV will also feature the fully integrated, latest generation Flex-Fix bicycle carrier exclusive to the brand – the carrier is fully integrated in the rear underbody, functioning like a drawer and accommodating up to three bicycles at a time.

Safety equipment includes ESC, traction control, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control, among others. Other kit includes an Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) bi-Xenon lighting system that includes High Beam Assist (HBA), as well as an optional front camera system which offers Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Alert (FCA) and second generation Traffic Sign Recognition functions as part of its inventory.

9 Comments      

Infiniti’s Geneva-bound electric sports car concept to showcase new style and content direction for brand

January 11, 2012 at 10:53 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Infiniti, International News

Infiniti is still keeping to teasing its advanced sports car concept that’s set to debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The first two partials of the car in November have now been joined by another, and behind-the-scenes info videos have also come about.

The company says the as-yet-unnamed concept will be the first Infiniti to have a range-extender drivetrain, and willl also be the first to feature a midship mounted drivetrain for optimal weight distribution and handling.

Going the midship route means facilitating a change in vocabulary for the company’s design language, from a style and content point of view. The purpose of the Geneva concept then is to explore what might be the next stage in how to deliver a vivid, engaging and sophisticated driving experience from an electrically-propelled vehicle – Infiniti believes the midship mechanical layout could very well be a vital ingredient in making that magic happen.

Leave a Comment      

Honda Accord Coupe Concept previews ninth-gen Accord

January 11, 2012 at 2:51 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Honda unveiled this Accord Coupe Concept at Detroit, which should be just a concept in name. It shows off the styling direction for the next gen Accord, as well as a host of new technologies for the ninth-generation 2013 model, set to go on-sale in America this fall.

The 2013 Accord will feature three all-new powertrains, including a 2.4-litre direct-injected four-pot and two-motor plug-in hybrid system from Honda’s next-generation Earth Dreams technologies. In addition, the V6 Accord will be the first Honda sedan to feature a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Both the Accord Sedan and Coupe are expected to achieve class-leading fuel economy ratings in the US.

Honda says that the next gen Coupe will retain today’s size, but the new US Sedan, which we normally get, will feature a more compact exterior footprint with shortened length and reduced weight for “more responsive handling and improved driving dynamics.” Despite the smaller body, both the Sedan and Coupe will retain the current model’s generous cabin space.

The new 2.4L DI engine will make more than 181 hp and 240 Nm of torque, which is more that today’s 2.4L, while delivering better economy. This engine will be paired to a 6-speed manual or a new CVT, which utilises an innovative cooperative control system for “excellent acceleration and responsive shifting.”

Higher up, the re-engineered 3.5L V6 engine will be paired to a new 6-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. There will be an increase in horsepower and torque over the current model, and automatic transmission variants will come with Honda Variable Cylinder Management technology. Once again, class leading economy is the target.

The 2013 Accord range will also feature the first application of a new two-motor plug-in hybrid system in the Sedan. The system moves continuously through three modes – all-electric, gasoline-electric and direct-drive.

In all-electric mode, the car will use a 6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor to achieve an all-electric range of approximately 16 to 24 km in city driving scenarios and a top speed of 100 km/h. A full charge will take less than four hours using a 120-volt, outlet and less than 1.5 hours using a 240-volt charger.

In the gasoline-electric mode, the Accord is powered by a 2.0L, i-VTEC inline four Atkinson cycle engine, paired with an electric Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT). For more efficient high-speed cruising, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid can engage in a direct-drive mode, in which only the engine drives the front wheels. This model will debut late next year.

32 Comments      

Hyundai Veloster Turbo sports it up with 201hp and 264Nm

January 11, 2012 at 1:18 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News

Hyundai has premiered the Veloster Turbo at the NAIAS in Detroit. The car, which is 3 cm longer and 15.2 cm wider than the naturally-aspirated Veloster, is powered by a 1.6 litre Gamma turbocharged four-cylinder GDI engine.

Output figures for the 2013 North American version is 201 hp at 6,000 rpm and 264 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm. Unique to Hyundai’s twin-scroll turbocharger setup is a patent-pending one-piece cast design for the stainless steel exhaust manifold and the twin-scroll turbine housing, as well as a motor-driven electrical controller for the waste-gate.

Transmission-wise, the car is available with a choice of an in-house six-speed automatic or manual transmission. The manual features a wider gear ratio spread of 5.71 to the NA’s 5.25 to handle the additional torque output.

Speaking of increased torque output, the choice of an auto gearbox, as opposed to the NA Veloster’s DCT, is due to this. The gear ratio spread on the automatic transmission is slightly narrower than the DCT (6.0 versus 6.38), and this narrower spread maintains the engine in the power band when going from one gear to the other – Hyundai says the base Veloster’s DCT is tuned for fuel efficiency, and not for the performance feel needed for the Turbo.

The car features a sport-tuned engine intake and exhaust note – the Veloster’s trapezoidal centre exhaust has been removed and replaced with two larger free flowing circular pipes and a new intake manifold, allowing the engine to offer a more full-bodied sound.

It also gets some revised bodywork; there’s a bigger, bolder hexagonal front grille, sculpted side skirts and a new, dynamic rear bumper with prominent diffuser vents in the lower fascia, and the car is finished in a Matte Grey shade.

Additionally, the Veloster Turbo is equipped with unique 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts, projector headlamps with unique LED headlight accents and a sport-tuned suspension – the front wears McPherson struts, coil springs, gas shock absorbers and a 24 mm diameter front stabiliser, while the rear features a light-weight V-torsion beam, monotube shocks and an integrated 23 mm stabiliser bar.

46 Comments      

Toyota Yaris Hybrid: first images of production car out

January 11, 2012 at 1:00 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Toyota

Toyota’s production Yaris Hybrid is set to make its official debut at Geneva in March, and with that, the first official images of the car have come about.

The car was effectively previewed as the Yaris HSD Concept in last year’s Geneva show, and the word then was that the production version was to be launched in Europe in the second half of this year, rolling out of the company’s Valenciennes plant in France.

When the car makes its market debut on the continent, it’ll be the first full hybrid model in the European B-segment, the company says. Its Hybrid Synergy Drive system has been downsized, and the 1.5 litre petrol engine is partnered to a more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack.

The result is a system that’s 20% lighter than that in the Auris Hybrid, which was launched in Europe in 2010. Lighter as the HSD on this one may be, it’s still good enough to give the car 98 hp, and the Yaris Hybrid offers the same occupant space and 286 litre luggage capacity as its conventional petrol and diesel siblings.

4 Comments      

2012 Kia cee’d – first image of next generation European market C-segment hatchback

January 10, 2012 at 11:55 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Kia, Koreans

Kia has released the first photo of its next generation Kia cee’d, which will make its world debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on the 6th of March 2012, after of which it will go on sale across Europe in Q2 2012.

The cee’d is a C-segment hatchback car made for European tastes – the rest of the world gets a C-segment Kia in the form of the Kia Forte in 5-door hatch, 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe form. The cee’d will be made available with an industry-leading 7 year warranty.

The sole shot we see here is of the car’s front three quarter angle, which shows off Kia’s “Schreyer grille”, a common feature that the South Korean car company has implemented across its entire car range.

23 Comments      

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid – 1.4 TSI marries 20 kW motor

January 10, 2012 at 8:50 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

You’ve seen the cool Volkswagen E-Bugster earlier, now here’s something less exciting but nearer to the showrooms, the Jetta Hybrid. The Jetta’s zero-flair bodyshell now houses a hybrid powertrain which marries a 150 PS/250 Nm 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine to a 20 kW electric motor.

Together, the combo delivers around 20% better fuel consumption over an equivalent petrol-powered Jetta (19 km/l) and decent performance – 0-100 km/h takes less than nine seconds.

Like the Touareg Hybrid, the Jetta is a parallel hybrid, using a decoupling clutch that can disengage the petrol motor for pure electric drive (or when coasting or braking), disengage the electric motor (for higher speeds or when the battery charge is low), or combine the two units for maximum power. Power is directed to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch DSG gearbox

Using electric power alone, the Jetta Hybrid can be driven at speeds of up to 70 km/h and over a distance of 2 km, depending on conditions. For maximum performance, both the TSI engine and the electric motor combine for peak power of 170 PS.

A lithium-ion battery supplies energy to the electric motor. It is located behind the rear seat bench, making no compromises on interior space. The 38.5 kg pack is made up of 60 individual cells, and together they produce a nominal voltage of 220 V and an energy capacity of 1.1 kWh.

Cooling is provided by an integrated fan, operated by the battery’s own management system that performs diagnostic, monitoring and safety functions, including disconnecting itself in an accident.

If the battery has enough juice, the Jetta Hybrid is switched to electric drive mode either automatically (at speeds of up to 60 km/h) or at the press of a button next to the gear lever (up to 70 km/h).

When the driver releases the gas pedal at higher speeds (up to 135 km/h) the TSI engine is decoupled, reducing drag torque losses. Under braking, it switches to battery regeneration mode. At higher speeds, or when the battery is depleted, the engine provides extra power to recharge the battery.

Despite the extra weight of the battery, motor and extra safety mods to the vehicle structure, the Jetta Hybrid weighs only 100 kg more than the non-hybrid sedan at below 1,500 kg. Externally, the Jetta Hybrid can be identified by aero mods including a new front spoiler, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler that help to improve the car’s Cd value by 10%.

With a 1.4-litre engine, the Jetta Hybrid qualifies for Malaysia’s tax incentives for hybrid cars – will this be the first non-Japanese hybrid player in our market? Read our review of the Jetta 1.4 TSI here.

32 Comments