F1 driver Nick Heidfeld takes us through a walkthrough of two of the world’s Formula 1 tracks - Montreal and Monaco. The vocal walkthroughs are accompanied by fantastic cockpit views that show us just how fast F1 cars go through the circuit.
Watch the two videos after the jump. Click here to read the rest of VIDEO: Montreal and Monaco Circuit Walkthrough
Honda Japan has added one more vehicle to its line-up, the Honda Freed MPV. Based on the Global Small Platform which underpins cars such as the Honda Fit as well as the Freed’s more boxy cousin the Honda Mobilio/Mobilio Spike, the Honda Freed is powered by the new L-Series 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine (118 PS at 6,600rpm, 144Nm at 4,800rpm) mated to a CVT gearbox with a torque converter as its start-up device. It has 3 different seating configurations: a 5-seater, a 7-seater (2,2,3 with second row captain’s seats) and an 8-seater (2,3,3).
The Fit platform’s innovative flat floor allows maximum interior space to be used (Honda claims to be able to carry a 27 inch bicycle without taking off wheels or handle bars), and Honda says the 7-seater seating layout allows any passenger in any row to exit via any door thanks to a “walk through layout”. Looking at an image of the 7-seater interior seating configuration found after the jump, they are probably right as there is a clear empty space between the front two seats as well. The 8-seater version uses a 60:40 split fold bench for the second row.
The dashboard gets Honda’s latest two-tiered design, with both speedo, RPM and multi-info display located at the top deck nearest to the windscreen for easier visibility. The lower deck hosts the air conditioning controls and the gear shifter. Smack in the middle of the two decks in a rather high position is the 2-DIN player - a high position like this could allow the rear passengers to view it easily in case an in-dash LCD screen with DVD player is installed.
The front suspension design is of the MacPherson strut layout while the rear is a H-shaped torsion beam to minimise interior intrusion of suspension components. The Honda Freed uses an Electric Power Steering system, and safety features include ISOFIX points for child seats, optional Vehicle Stability Assist, and a maximum configurable option of 8 airbags including front, side, curtain and third row side airbags. Certain models have HID headlamps, but all lenses are reflector lenses.
As Honda model offerings are regional, the Honda Freed is not likely to make its way anywhere to the ASEAN region unless the Japan office gives the green light. The Honda Fit is sold over here as the Jazz, but you could say the Jazz platform-derived Mobilio looks too boxy for regional tastes. The Honda Freed is a new execution of a Global Small Platform car that can carry more than 5 people with design cues that should be very acceptable here.
More images after the jump. Click here to read the rest of New Honda Freed MPV with up to 8 seats
Lamborghini has released a promotional clip for the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, a 5.2 liter V10-powered supercar that puts 560 PS to all four wheels. It has quite a touch of humour inserted into it really, you’ll know what I mean when you watch it. The only disappointing thing is the sound of the actual car isn’t there, replaced instead by funky background music. View the video after the jump. Click here to read the rest of VIDEO: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
This has got to be the most bizarre attempt at a viral video that an automaker has ever come up with. Kia’s seemingly completely random video featuring tennis personality Rafael Nadal and the Kia pro_cee’d 3-door hatchback first shows Nadal playing a tennis match against an alien. Which seems normal enough.
Then the alien sprouts multiple hands, sending a barrage of tennis balls across the court to Nadal, followed by a football. The tennis match suddenly becomes a football match. Suddenly four mini-Nadals come out of Nadal, they do a little “dance” and proceed with a Voltron-ish transformation sequence. Nadal then puts his fists into the mouths and his feet into the butts of the mini-Nadals, and “joins” with them.
UPDATE: Kia has updated the video with a version that shows the mini-Nadal Voltron “shoes” hold on to his feet rather than Nadal wearing them like shoes. I’ve updated the video in good faith to reflect the new version at the request of Kia Motors.
After defeating the alien by kicking a football through it and into the goal, Nadal then transforms into a Kia pro_cee’d, which drives away.
Don’t believe it? Watch the video after the jump. Click here to read the rest of Kia’s bizarre Nadal versus Alien video
An Agent Provocateur - French for inciting agent - is a member of the police force who goes undercover and provokes a suspect to commit and illegal act so that evidence can be easily obtained. It is also the name of a British lingerie brand, which came up with this concept special edition Mini Clubman, which will be auctioned on Ebay for charity between the 5th of June 2008 to the 15th of June 2008.
Continue reading for more photos of the Mini Clubman Agent Provocateur. Click here to read the rest of MINI Clubman: Agent Provocateur Special Edition
Mercedes-Benz has launched its new compact SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, which is set to go against the likes of the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5. The GLK-Class has a sharp-edged boxy look to it, perhaps to pay homage to the larger G Wagon, which the GLK shares the G model letter with.
Mercedes-Benz says the design also allows the typical advantages of a proper off-roader to be offered on a compact SUV like large approach and departure angles and good ground clearance. It’s 4MATIX all-wheel drive system splits torque at a 45:55 front to rear split during normal conditions. A multi-disc clutch in the centre differential allows a basic partial locking torque of 50 newton metres between the front and rear axle.
There is a button labelled G that you can press to activate a special off-road driving program for the 7G-TRONIC transmission which softens the accelerator pedal so that you can modulate how much throttle input you want to put in more precisely. This makes it easier to tackle off-road conditions with low-friction surfaces. There is also a Downhill Speed Regulation system which lets you set a maximum speed and just let the GLK roll down a hill, with the DSR system controlling the braking automatically.
At launch, the GLK-Class is available in 4 variants - the GLK 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, the GLK 320 CDI, the GLK 280 or the GLK 350, with the first two being turbodiesel engines and the other two being V6 petrol engines. The GLK 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY’s 2.2 liter inline-4 engine puts out 170 horsepower and 400Nm of torque between 1,400 to 2,800rpm. This engine is from the recently launched OM651 twin-turbocharged turbodiesel family. The GLK 320 CDI’s V6 turbodiesel puts out 224 horses and 540Nm of torque.
The petrol-powered GLK 280 and GLK 350 put out 231 horsepower and 272 horsepower respectively. Both turbodiesel and petrol V6 variants use Mercedes-Benz’s 7G-Tronic transmission which features 7 forward speeds and two reverse speeds.
More photos and 4 videos of the new GLK-Class available after the jump. Click here to read the rest of Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class: Details and Photos
Volkswagen’s Head of Exterior Design Mark Lichte shares with us the design process in coming up with the new Volkswagen Scirocco coupe (more like a lower and wider 3-door hatch), which was first introduced to us as the Volkswagen iroc Concept.
Lichte described the task as “to design the sportiest Volkswagen ever made”, and that could be true as while cars like the Golf GTI and Golf R32 are scorchers in their own right, they look like normal hatchbacks with an aggressive kit slapped on.
Watch the two-part interview videos after the jump, as well as a few more videos on the Volkswagen Scirocco. Click here to read the rest of VIDEO: Volkswagen Scirocco Design Interview
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Honda has unveiled the new Honda Accord here in Malaysia, the 8th in its generation, and it is the biggest Honda Accord ever. Like its previous model it is available in 3 variants at launch, with 2 locally assembled 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter variants, and a Thai-imported 3.5 liter V6 model.
Read more about the new Honda Accord after the jump. Click here to read the rest of 8th Generation 2008 Honda Accord launched!
Motor Image is looking to reignite the Subaru brand in Malaysia with the introduction of the new Forester and Impreza hatchback between June to August. This includes the highest factory spec Impreza possible, the 2.5-litre, 16 valve, turbocharged WRX STI.
Shannon Teoh was in Singapore to get an introductory feel of the two new Imprezas that will appear on our shores this year.
Read more after the jump. Click here to read the rest of Subaru Impreza WRX STI and 2.0 S-GT: A Very Short Test Drive Experience
GSD&M Idea City producer Paul Golubovich talks about the BMW M3 V8 Revolution TV commercial we saw earlier this morning in this “The Making Of…” video. Golubovich and his team explain the technicalities involved in shooting the commercial. Look from the 1 minute 50 seconds mark and you can see flames coming out of the opened engine.
Watch the video after the jump. Click here to read the rest of The Making Of BMW M3 V8 “Revolution” Video
