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Honda Fit Hybrid to arrive in autumn 2010?

May 28, 2009 at 6:02 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News

Honda Fit

Japan’s Nikkei business daily reports that the Honda Fit Hybrid (Honda Jazz Hybrid) will be launched a full 18 months ahead of schedule in autumn 2010, which is about 5 quarters from now. Nikkei further added that Honda has set a target price tag of 1.5 million Japanese Yen, which translates to only about just over RM55k, and target sales of over 50,000 units annually.

That would make it Honda’s cheapest hybrid so far, with the Honda Insight starting from 1.89 million Japanese Yen while the competing Prius starts at 2.05 million Japanese Yen all the way up to 3.27 million Japanese Yen for higher spec versions. The old 2nd generation Prius is still on sale in Japan as the Prius EX, with a price tag that intentionally matches the Insight at 1.89 million Japanese Yen.

Honda’s most expensive hybrid in Japan is the Honda Civic Hybrid, which has a price tag starting from over 2.2 million Japanese Yen. As of end January 2009, Honda has sold over 300,000 Hybrid cars worldwide, with the bulk being the Civic Hybrid at over 255,000 units. Asia-Oceania (the region ASEAN and Malaysia is in) represented just 5,514 units out of that, with the most Civic Hybrids sold in US – over 191,000.

There was also an Accord Hybrid in the previous generation Accord family in the US which sold 28,471 units in the US, using a 3.0 V6 engine with variable cylinder management mated to a 14kW electric motor.

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Kinetic Design: a new look for European Fords

May 28, 2009 at 4:51 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News

Ford Fiesta

Ford’s new “kinetic Design” theme that it’s been putting on all of it cars started back in 2004 when Ford executive design director for Ford Europe Mr Martin Smith was tasked with formulating a new design language for the company. And it’s not just limited to Europe – the next generation Fords will strive harder to be global cars and kinetic Design has also found its way onto the American Taurus.
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UK cops evaluating Jaguar XF 3.0 Diesel S

May 28, 2009 at 3:33 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Jaguar

Jaguar XF
Click for enlarged image

UK police forces are currently evaluating a version of the Jaguar XF Diesel S designed to be a high-performance pursuit vehicle.

The base model is the XF 3.0 Diesel S Luxury and adds on a roof-mounted light bar with 3600 blue flashing lights and integrated side alley lights, blue and white flashing LEDs inside the front grille, side mounted blue flashing LED lights, blue and red flashing LED lights integrated in the rear lamp clusters, and a Home Office-specification electronics ‘Police pack’ to power the full suite of lights, radio and other police equipment.

The XF Diesel S is powered by a 3.0 litre turbodiesel V6. 0 to 60mph can be hit in 5.9 seconds. There are two versions of this engine available and the one in the Diesel S is a twin turbocharged “parallel-sequential” version where a small turbo is used at low revs to quickly build up boost while at high revs a bigger one takes over, much like the engines in the BMW 335d and 123d.

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New Lancer Evo X FQ-400 with 525Nm of torque!

May 28, 2009 at 3:12 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400

Mitsubishi Motors UK has finally added the FQ-400 to its Lancer Evolution X range. The Lancer Evolution X FQ-400′s 2.0 litre engine puts out 403 horsepower at 6,500rpm and 525Nm of torque from just 3,500rpm, and it gets up to 100km/h in a scorching fast estimated 3.8 seconds.

So what’s changed in the engine department to allow it to produce the higher power and torque? Well firstly motorsport specification high-flow fuel injectors have been fitted, along with a new turbocharger that features low-friction bearings, a high temperature turbine and a strengthened thrust bearing to increase response and reduce turbo lag.

A better intercooler has also been fitted, and the exhaust system now has a 3 inch diameter high flow stainless steel pipe which exits in the middle of the rear bumper. The ECU has been reprogrammed to take advantage of all the new hardware and this took over 500 hours of development time.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400

The Evo X also has some aesthetic changes on the outside. Wheels are 18 inch 9-spoke lightweight alloys wrapped with Toyo Proxes R1R tyres. There is a new vented bonnet and a new lightweight composite front bumper with carbon fibre elements. The Bilstein shock and Eibach spring suspension’s ride height has been dropped by 30mm at the front. The rear bumper has also been restyled with a carbon fiber diffuser, and in the middle of the diffuser you will find the central exit exhaust tailpipe.

Like the previous top of the line FQ-360, the car comes with a manual as it is likely the 6-speed twin clutch SST cannot take the high torque that the FQ-400 puts out. The FQ-300 and FQ-330 have SST models though, with the FQ-330 SST only just recently added as the original line-up only specified SST on the FQ-300.

Related Posts:
Mitsubishi UK unveils new range of FQ cars for the Evolution X

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Euro NCAP Test Results for May 2009

May 28, 2009 at 2:08 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News

EuroNCAP Small Car 2009

The latest round of Euro NCAP test results are out and 5 out of the 6 cars tested have scored 5 stars, causing all of the manufacturers namely Audi, Hyundai, Kia and Peugeot to be sending out press releases boasting about their 5-star rating. But beyond the 5 star rating are a few other statistics that you can look at.

The Audi Q5 was just launched here in Malaysia, and the model tested by Euro NCAP was the 2.0 TDI Steppe model in right hand drive. The Jazz was the Jazz 1.4 ES left hand drive, the i20 was the 1.4 GL left hand drive and the Soul was the 1.6 EX left hand drive. The Pug was the 3008 1.6HDi also in left hand drive.

Honda Jazz

All of the cars scored pretty well in the adult and child safety area as well as the safety assist points but only the i20 and Jazz did relatively well in the pedestrian safety tests. All of the cars were reported to offer only good pedestrian protection with the front bumper, with poor results when it comes to the bonnet.

Even for the Jazz and Hyundai it was the same – the weak point was the car bonnet, which was rated to offer good protection to an adult pedestrian only, but not a child’s, which explains the 60+ marks instead of something higher. It seems that pedestrian safety is not taken as seriously in Europe as it is in countries such as America, which has stringent rules that most of the time call for entirely new larger bumper designs to be installed onto American spec cars.

Hyundai i20

Out of the 5 cars which scored 5 stars, only the Q5, Soul and Peugeot has stability control as standard, which the Jazz and Hyundai i20 (which are in the same segment, the i20 is the replacement for the Hyundai Getz sold here in Malaysia) only having standard stability control on certain models. However Euro NCAP says according to sales trends for the models, a majority of the model mix sold are equipped with ESC as standard.

It’s also very interesting to compare the Jazz and the i20 which are in the same segment’s results. I believe it represents how far Korean automotive engineering have come now, because the i20 outscores the Jazz in pretty much every area, sometimes by more than 10%.

Look after the jump for videos of all the 5 crash tests.
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New BMW N55 single turbo Valvetronic engine

May 27, 2009 at 3:20 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Technology

N55B30

BMW’s new N55 engine family’s 306 horsepower and 400Nm power and torque output figures reminds us of the original moment when BMW first announced it was bringing back forced induction into the BMW engine line-up. The N54 engine was factory rated to put out that exact same amount, and it did that via the use of gasoline direct injection and two turbochargers running together, fed gas from three cylinders each.

Three years later, we still have 306 horsepower and 400Nm of torque, but BMW has achieved it using only one turbocharger instead of two. The new N55B30 engine also churns out peak boost and torque faster than the N54, with 400Nm hit at the 1,200rpm point instead of the N54B30′s 1,3000rpm mark.

N55B30

The single turbocharger uses twin scroll technology. A twin scroll turbine housing uses dual side by side exhaust gas inlets into the housing, fed by two sources of exhaust pulses. A single path is also not able to take advantage of all the exhaust gas pulses effectively. Since there are two passages, each has a smaller overall volume than a single scroll turbo path, thus the exhaust velocity of each pulse can be maintained.

The N55B30 is not the first BMW engine to use a twin scroll turbocharger, as the BMW Prince engine in the MINI Cooper S also uses one. In the Cooper S, the turbocharger’s twin-scroll principle is fed by two sets of two cylinders each, while in this N55 inline-6 engine it is two groups of 3 cylinders each.

The N54 did not feature Valvetronic because in a turbocharged engine, throttle losses can be countered by the positive pressure of the turbocharged air being blown into the engine. But the main reason there was no Valvetronic is because the complexity of designing a cylinder head that could fit Valvetronic mechanisms as well as direct injection. It is because of this reason that the N53 normally aspirated direct injection engines also do not feature Valvetronic.

N55B30

BMW engineers probably finally managed to cram all that technology into the engine and make it possible for them to work all together. The new N55B30 has both a new generation Valvetronic variable valve management system and High Pressure Injection (direct injection at up to 200 bar). Valvetronic replaces the throttle butterfly functions with a control unit infinitely varying the valve stroke on the intake valves. This means the intake is not obstructed by a partially closed throttle during low load operations. The new N55 also features a map-controlled oil pump which takes up less energy, which BMW says is a first in a turbocharged engine.

One of the variations of the Volkswagen EA888 engine also features variable valve management combined with direct injection but the EA888′s valvelift system is only fitted on the exhaust valves of the engine and works in two stages – a high cam and a low cam, unlike Valvetronic which is continuously variable.

Fitted in the newly unveiled BMW 535i GT, the new N55B30 engine takes the machine from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.3 seconds, up to a top speed of 250km/h.

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New photos of the new E89 BMW Z4

May 27, 2009 at 1:58 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News

BMW Z4

BMW have released a new set of photos of the new E89 BMW Z4 Roadster, this time of a very good looking blue-coloured specimen. Looking at it really reminds me of the blue BMW Z4 M Coupe that I used to always see in the BMW Malaysia parking lot in Cyberjaya, a car which I once drove all the way up to Kedah to see race against an airplane on an airstrip, unfortunately that didn’t happen!

Three models of the E89 Z4 will be available in the UK market. First up is the BMW Z4 sDrive23i which comes with a 2.5 litre magnesium alloy engine with Double VANOS dual variable valve timing and Valvetronic variable valve lift, producing 204 horsepower and 250Nm of torque. Even this baseline model goes to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds, while having a combined mpg rating of 33.2 and emissions of 199g/km.

The middle child for now is the BMW Z4 sDrive30i, which somehow has managed to keep the same combined mpg and emissions ratings as the sDrive23i model. This one puts out 258 horses and 310Nm of torque from as low as 2,600rpm, and it goes up to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds.

BMW Z4

The peak performer is the BMW Z4 sDrive35i, fitted with the N54 twin turbocharged inline-6 engine (which has now been sort of phased out by the slightly better performing single turbo N55 in the 535i GT) producing 306 horsepower and 400Nm of torque, getting the Roadster up to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds. Combined mpg is 30.1 while emissions are rated at 219g/km. This model can be fitted with an optional twin clutch DCT transmission with 7 gears at a premium of just over 1,800 pounds.

The new Z4 is thus the first BMW roadster offered with a retractable hard top which opens and closes in 20 seconds, an optional twin clutch transmission, a turbocharger, Drive Dynamic Control and an Adaptive M Sport Suspension. DDC allows the driver to choose between Normal, Sport and Sport+ modes via a button on the centre console, which varies throttle, steering, DSC, and transmission behaviour.

BMW Z4

The Adaptive M Sport Suspension which is optional lowers the E89′s ride height by 10mm and feature four infinitely adjustable twin-sleeve gas dampers with combined compression and rebound stroke adjustment. This is done by controlling the flow of oil within the shocks. Three accelerometers feed the Adaptive M system so that it can control each damper independently to suit the driving and road conditions.

BMW claims the response time is so quick that a signal from the front wheel crossing a hole in the road reaches the center control unit and the rear damper is readjusted for the hole even before the rear wheels reach the same surface! This is probably thanks to the FlexRay communications bus. The new Z4′s chassis is also 25% stiffer than before.

BMW Z4

And of course, this is probably BMW’s first roadster without a proper handbrake. You won’t be able to see Clive Owen do crazy 180 degree turns and similiar stunts (easily at least) with the Z4 in a new series of The Hire clips. BMW says the handbrake was removed because of packaging reasons, as the new button parking brake saves space on the center console, and in BMW’s opinion it will not affect the way the new Z4′s customers drives the car, probably because with the new grown-up Z4 they are also expecting more grown-up buyers.

The new BMW Z4 is priced from £28,645 (RM161k) for the BMW Z4 sDrive23i, £32,660 (RM183k) for the BMW Z4 sDrive30i and finally £37,060 (RM208k, so sorry for torturing you guys with the prices) for the BMW Z4 sDrive35i.

The new Z4 will probably be here sometime in end-June 2009. I can see an sDrive23i and sDrive35i line-up making the most sense.

Look after the jump for the rest of the photos.

Related Posts:
Adrian van Hooydonk talks about the new E89 BMW Z4
2010 BMW Z4 Roadster launched: details and photos
New footage of the 2010 BMW Z4 released
E89 BMW Z4 prototype development video
[Read more...]

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VIDEO: BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo Promo

May 26, 2009 at 11:15 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Videos

BMW 5-Series GT

BMW Web TV produced this promotional footage of the new BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, showing off all the key selling points of the 5 GT and why you should pick one over a conventional sedan or estate car in that luxury segment of cars.

The 5-Series GT was originally called the PAS, which stood for Progressive Activity Sedan. The features it provides actually makes alot of sense, but if only the exterior styling execution was better. It brought a particular phrase to mind: be careful what you wish for cos you just might get it. Many features that people find desirable but come from different class of cars meshed together into one car but it unfortunately doesn’t seem to look as good as the individual cars.

Check out the video after the jump, along with a new set of 5-Series GT shots that are new and not found in the original press kit.
[Read more...]

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Peugeot 308 GT: 175 PS 3-door hatch tested!

May 26, 2009 at 2:16 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Peugeot, Test Drive Reviews

308 GT
Click for enlarged image

With the arrival of the Peugeot 308 GT last year on Malaysian shores, Malaysians now have a cheaper way to enter the world of European turbocharged hot hatch motoring.

The MINI Cooper S is a bloody fun car to drive and many will be looking at the 308 GT as a cheaper way (RM159,999) to experience something close to the Cooper S. This is because the Cooper S and the Peugeot 308 GT share the same engine. It’s also way more practical in the sense that the 308 can seat 4 comfortably while the Cooper’s rear seats aren’t a very nice place to be in.

The 1.6 litre Prince engine with direct injection and a single twin scroll turbocharger, producing 175 horsepower and 240Nm of torque from just 1,500rpm. That’s a full 25 horses and 40Nm less than the Golf GTI, but surely the 6-speed manual will make up for it in terms of driving experience?

Find out my thoughts on the 308 GT after the jump.
[Read more...]

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Naza Kia wins Kia Asia-Pacific Network Development Award: most improved dealers

May 25, 2009 at 4:59 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Kia, Koreans, Local News

Kia XR

I have heard time and time again from enthusiastic Naza Kia management that a car company is all about the Brand, Product and Network. Sometime back Naza Kia embarked on a whole overhaul of their dealer network.

As per most of your reactions to the new products from the Korean marque such as the Kia Forte and Forte Koup, I believe that Kia has got the whole Product thing right, but it is hard for the marque to handle things such as Network directly as this is the responsibility of the country’s distributor. All 3 aspects have to move forward to bring Kia on par with the Japanese.

Kia cannot sell based on a cheap price tag forever as the Chinese manufacturers are quickly moving to fill in area part of the product landscape. Kia developed a 200 question 1000 point system for dealer development, and each country’s distributors have to follow this system in the evaluation and overhauling the Network part of Brand, Product and Network.

The results from the 1000 point system determines if a network outlet is graded from A to E. A, B and C outlets are recognised and rewarded, whereas strict efforts are put in place to either develop D and E outlets into at least B and C outlets or revoke their dealership. 24 Malaysian dealers scored sufficient points to be accorded ‘A’ which Kia Motors recognises as being Platinum-grade dealers. 18 are in the B grade, 2 in C, 2 in D and none in E (these E dealers have presumably been terminated).

In recognition of these efforts, Naza Kia was selected as the best in the Asia-Pacific region to win the Kia Asia-Pacific Network Development Award, based on the number of dealers developed and improved.

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