Archive for Automotive Videos

BMW will be updating the voice control system for the optional BMW Navigation Professional system in cars beginning September 2009 with a latest version that promises more natural interaction with your car.

The BMW New Voice Control system allows one single voice command to completely transmit the driver’s destination into the navigation system. The driver’s verbal statement specifying the place, street and number is processed immediately by the system, all data going directly into the navigation unit.

A driver can say “Berlin, Willy-Brandt-Strasse 1” and the navigation system will automatically translate this into the Federal Chancellery in the capital of Germany, and begin navigation directions to the destination. This means the system has an edge over Mercedes-Benz’s LINGUATRONIC, because it is able to “understand” a complete address entry.

You can also use it to control the entertainment system. It monitors and interprets the user’s voice commands regarding the type of music, the name of the artist, an album or an individual title.

Look after the jump for a video of how it works.

Click here to read the rest of BMW Voice Control improves the way you talk to your car’s navigation and entertainment system

Apparently Perodua played a teaser video for its upcoming Perodua D46T 7-seater MPV based on the Toyota Passo Sette at the SMIDEC exhibition this month!

Continue reading for the full scoop on the new Perodua MPV!

Click here to read the rest of Perodua MPV D46T unveiled fully undisguised in SMIDEC teaser, launch in November!

BMW F1 driver Nick Heidfeld tells us his opinion of the new BMW X5 M, the M division’s first SUV which was unveiled together with its sleeker sibling the X6 M earlier this year. But of course being an employee it’s nothing but praises for the X5 M, but it’s still a nice watch because there are some footage of the X5 M in action inserted into the clip. That blue looks pretty good. If you need a recap on what the X5 M is all about read my launch story, but here’s a quick recap: twin-scroll twin-turbo V8, 555 horsepower, 680Nm of torque, and 4.7 seconds to 100km/h. Watch the video after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Nick Heidfeld’s take on the new BMW X5 M

We’re only slightly more than 5 weeks away from the official global unveiling of Jaguar’s new flagship car, the Jaguar XJ. So far we’ve only been able to see a teaser photo snapped from the top of the car, but in this video where Ian Callum talks about his latest baby like a proud new father we get to just barely see the XJ in motion behind a shroud of mist (screencap above), revealing a sleek profile but not much detail at all. Check the interview video out after the jump.

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Click here to read the rest of VIDEO: Ian Callum on the new Jaguar XJ

Now this is the 5-Series that alot of you will be alot more excited about – the sedan version of the next generation BMW 5-Series codenamed the F10.

Sure the 5-Series GT may be a new-ish segment entry for both BMW and the automotive world but Malaysia is a sedan market.

The next generation 5-Series will include 3 bodytypes – sedan, estate and the already unveiled GT. This prototype videotaped by German news agency TVnews Hessen after it was stopped by German police on the autobahn because it looked suspicious – I cannot blame them, just look at the heavy disguise!

Not much detail on the headlamps either but I think we can most probably expect the front end of the 5-Series sedan to look quite similiar to the 5-Series GT.

The cameraman also managed to take a peek into the interior of the vehicle. Like the outside the interior is also heavily disguised so not much can be seen except that the new steering wheel design that debuted on the F01 as well as the black panel instrumentation will be in the F10 – notice the chrome ring around the meter panel does not extend into a full circle at the bottom – that’s where BMW’s new multi-info display is.

Our resident photo-manipulator Theophilus Chin has already presented to us his take on how the F10 Sedan might look like, with cues taken from both the F01 and the 5-Series Gran Turismo.

Look after the jump for the original video.

Click here to read the rest of F10 BMW 5-Series Saloon Interior Videotaped!

Ford shot this TV commercial featuring all of their new Kinetic Design cars, but despite having various locations for the scenes in reality the cars never left the shooting studio. This was done on purpose and highlighted as part of the main message delivered by the TVC – they want to say their cars look dynamic as if they are moving even when in reality they are staying still in one spot. Nothing beats having the car really out there though – in the virtualised landscape some of the lighting on the car doesn’t feel like they match properly. Watch the TVC after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of VIDEO: Ford Kinetic Design TVC

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.

Click here to read the rest of VIDEO: BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo Promo

The Chevrolet Captiva is an interesting and good looking alternative to the regular Honda CR-V and the aging Nissan X-Trail that people usually opt for when they look for an SUV under RM200,000. In fact, the Captiva is Hicom-Chevrolet’s best-seller and it’s refreshing that a company has been offering a turbodiesel variant for people to enjoy diesel power in a more family-friendly format without resorting to driving a pick-up truck.

There are various versions of the 7-seater (third row folds flat) Captiva available and the highlight is the top of the line Captiva Diesel with all-wheel drive. The 2.0 liter engine produces 150 horsepower at 5,000rpm but the really nice thing is it has 320Nm of torque from 2,000rpm for an effortless drive around town, no need to rev the engine to get good momentum.

Even the 2.4L petrol is tuned for very good torque – horsepower is low at 136hp for a 2.4L engine but it is a compromise in order to get 220Nm at only 2,200rpm. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed auto.

The Diesel version gets beige leather upholstery as standard, an 8-speaker sound system with MP3, USB and Bluetooth Audio support, ESP stability control with Active Rollover Protection, Hill Descent Control, and Traction Control.

Safety features for all Captivas include dual front airbags, ABS, disc brakes on all wheels and ISOFIX child seat points for the second row, which is something that certain car manufacturers think Malaysians do not know how to use or perhaps do not deserve, but if you don’t have the points in the first place how are people going to learn?

The first 50 customers will also get a holiday package to a resort at Lake Kenyir, a GPS navigation system and a rear view camera which is mounted cleanly on the rear bumper. The GPS map is customised with the locations of Chevrolet dealers nationwide.

The following are the prices for the new Captiva. The top of the range is the 2.0L AWD Diesel with beige interior, this is the model with all the goodies and safety features. All prices are OTR with insurance.

Chevrolet Captiva 2.4L AWD Petrol (Beige Interior) RM 150,306.20
Chevrolet Captiva 2.0L AWD Diesel (Beige Interior) RM 161,442.30
Chevrolet Captiva 2.4L AWD Petrol (Grey Interior) RM 151,332.20
Chevrolet Captiva 2.4L FWD Petrol (Grey Interior) RM 143,124.20
Chevrolet Captiva 2.0L FWD Diesel (Grey Interior) RM 150,982.30

There are two accessory packages available for you to add-on. One is the Captiva Sporty Package which includes a Front Bumper Guard, Black Chrome Bezel headlamps, Side Steps, Chrome Wind Deflector and Clear Chrome Rear Lamps for RM 7,700.

The other is the Captiva Elegant Package which includes the Molding Package, Black Chrome Bezel Headlamps, Side Steps, Chrome Wind Deflector and Clear Chrome Rear Lamps for RM 6,800.

Click here to read the rest of Chevrolet Captiva 7-seater SUV updated in Malaysia with new features!

As expected, soon after pix of the new 5-Series GT were leaked onto the internet BMW decided to completely take off the wraps off the first body variant of the new generation F10 BMW 5-Series, which will also later include the traditional sedan and touring variants.

Despite the 5-Series front end, the 5-Series Gran Turismo actually has plenty of stuff in common with the F01 7-Series. BMW says the rear passenger cabin offers the legroom of a 7-Series and the headroom of an X5.

Continue reading our story after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of The New BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo

Here’s some promo footage that Porsche shot of their latest car, the 4-door Porsche Panamera grand tourer. The 2010 model year car was first unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2009 just last month in production form.

At launch time, only V8 models will be available. Both front mounted engines will be similiar to the V8 motors in the Porsche Cayenne SUV, one normally aspirated and one turbocharged. Like the baseline Cayenne, a baseline 3.6 liter V6 model will come later, including a hybrid model.

Look after the jump for the video and a gallery.

Click here to read the rest of VIDEO: Porsche Panamera Promo Footage