Primera P11 GT vs Honda Civic Vtec

New Honda City Facelift

Source : Malaysia Motor Trader

August 27, 2007 03:00 PM Author: Chips Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd has enhanced the Honda City, offering what it claims to be class-leading performance and comfort coupled with a host of practical features. Besides sporting a new honeycomb grille, the latest City’s exterior has been enhanced with new features such as glass antenna, side mirror turn lights, redesigned rear lights and body-coloured mud guards.

The enhanced City is also equipped with seats wrapped with special seat covers that repel water, preventing stains from forming - no more worries of cushion cleaning should the unexpected spills happen along the way!

Other everyday conveniences include the Ultra Seat capability which offers interior spacious versatility and it is now also available for the VTEC version. With foldable rear seats and three different modes to choose from, the Ultra Seat allows maximum use of space in storing items from the longest to the widest as well as tall items. This complements the spacious 500-litres (VDA method) of boot space, thanks to the central fuel tank layout.

The 1.5-litre SOHC i-DSI engine is a lightweight, compact, high performance engine that delivers generous power and torque at any rpm range. It uses an intensive combustion process to achieve a combination of ultra-high fuel efficiency of up to 26.2 kms per litre while emissions remain clean The fuel efficiency of the engine was proven at the Fuel Efficiency Automobile Test (F.E.A.T), conducted by Honda Malaysia and verified by Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM).

Both the City VTEC & i-DSI versions come with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic transmission for a brisk and effortless acceleration. At the same time, parking is a breeze with its Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system.

The Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) version comes with a unique 7-speed Steermatic mode for the pleasure of shifting gears manually with your fingertips from the steering wheel. The 110 PS 1.5-litre, 16-valve SOHC VTEC engine combines drivability in everyday situations with outright performance, which offers optimal performance and delivering high power curves while maintaining fuel economy.

According to Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director/CEO, Atsushi Fujimoto, the Honda City’s appeal lies in its combination of the best of practicality and performance. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve our products based on our customers’ feedback in order to achieve better customer satisfaction. This enhanced Honda City is made to be versatile, so that our customers can express their own personal style in their Honda City,” said Mr. Fujimoto.

The first generation Honda City was introduced to major Asian markets in the mid-1990s and its entry into the market at that time set the benchmark for all subsequent entrants into the new Sub-Compact sedan category. The second-generation City was launched in Malaysia in April 2003, followed by the more powerful VTEC version in July 2004.The current City was launched in October 2005 and close to 23,000 units have been sold in Malaysia to date.

Incidentally, the City is also exported from the Honda plant in Thailand to Japan where it is sold as the Honda Fit Aria, a sedan version of the popular Fit (Jazz) model. The fact that it is made in Thailand and accepted for sale in Japan reflects on the high quality standards that Honda sets for all its plants around the world.

Available from authorized Honda dealers from today, the enhanced City, available in Sparkle Grey, Bluish Silver, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Nighthawk Black Pearl and Satellite Silver Metallic, retails for RM85,800 for the City VTEC and RM79,800 for the City i-DSI (prices inclusive of insurance and roadtax in Peninsula Malaysia).

Persona Envy

New Proton Sedan - The Persona

The interior of a special edition, a black sporty version named Envy.

Chevrolet at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show

More models, more emotions - that’s a good way to describe Chevrolet’s entry at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). At the IAA (September 13 - 23, 2007), the bow-tie brand celebrates one world and four European premieres. The Chevrolet hostesses on the stand also deserve particular attention. They will be wearing exclusive uniforms designed and manufactured by fashion students of the renowned Private Modeschule Düsseldorf. This project was part of the pan-European “Young Creative? Chevrolet!” contest. This competition for art school students was inaugurated in Geneva in March with eight European countries participating. "Young? Creative? Chevrolet!" covers five artistic fields: visual arts, photography, video, interior design and fashion.

Highlights on the Chevrolet stand in Hall 8 include three creative mini concepts called Beat, Groove, and Trax. They demonstrate just how much creativity can be put into a mini and combine energy, diversity and the excitement of urban life. IAA visitors are invited to vote for their favourite concept at www.vote4chevrolet.eu

Chevrolet Beat: the Beat’s design ticks all the boxes for a sporty minicar car. The three-door hatchback concept has front-wheel drive and is powered by a 1.2-liter turbo gasoline engine with automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Groove: the retro-look concept with big fenders and vertical windshield is too powerful to be cute. Thanks to the short hood and long body, it appears larger than it is. A small, economical 1.0-liter diesel engine provides power to the front wheels.

Chevrolet Trax: this crossover for the city is just as comfortable on rough terrain thanks to a low-cost four-wheel drive system. The Trax’s powerful appearance is emphasized by voluminous, one-piece front and rear bumpers that hug the fenders, the spare wheel mounted to the rear and the roof rails. The Trax is powered by a 1.0-liter gasoline engine.

Source: Chevrolet

All new 2008 Infiniti EX

The all-new 2008 Infiniti EX coupe crossover, revealed this week at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, will form part of a four model premium range that will be launched across Europe starting from Autumn 2008.

Peugeot 407 Coupe Sport

One of the most important changes to the 407 Coupé line up is the launch of a new derivative – the HDi 136 – and now available to order. The new 407 Coupé HDi 136 has a CO2 output of just 156g/km with 48.0mpg on the Combined Cycle. It can achieve a top speed of 129mph, and 62mph from standstill in 10.1 seconds. Coinciding with the launch of this new model is a revised Coupé range, with a single ‘Sport’ trim level and a choice of four engines; the new 2.0-litre HDi 136, the 2.2-litre petrol, the 3.0-litre V6 petrol manual and the 2.7-litre V6 HDi automatic.

Prices for the new range start at £19,530 for the Sport 2.2-litre petrol, while the new 2.0-litre Sport HDi 136 version is available from £19,995, on the road. All Sport versions are available with, and without, RT4 satellite navigation as standard.

Key trim features of the new Sport spec include: alloy wheels, xenon headlamps, electrochrome rear mirror, cruise control and speed limiter, rear parking aid and laminated side windows. Other standard-fit features include dual-zone climate control, auto door locking, auto headlights and auto wipers, tyre pressure sensors and ESP.

Source: Peugeot

2008 BMW M3 Coupe

In 2008 BMW will kick it up a notch in the sports coupe market with the much anticipated next generation E90 M3. Both coupe and cabriolet models are planned.

The M3 coupe may feature a 6-Series like glasshouse with the possibility of a new distinct interior. The front will sport an aggressive yet subtle bumper while the rear will display quad exhausts like the new M5/M6. Power will come from a newly developed lightweight V8 producing around 400hp using the latest dual-VANOS variable valve timing system. New engine building technology and lightweight materials mean the engine should amazingly weigh the same as the outgoing 3.2 liter in-line 6 cylinder from the current E46 M3, but with considerably more power.

Modified Proton Persona

Source : zerotohundred

New Proton Persona.

CONFIRMED PRICES

(Price w/o insurance + insurance premium = OTR price)
Persona 1.6 Auto H-Line: RM54,186.50 + RM1,613.50 = RM55,800.00
Persona 1.6 Manual M-Line: RM48,342.50 + RM1,457.50 = RM49,800.00
Persona 1.6 Auto M-Line: RM51,264.50 + RM1,535.50 = RM52,800.00
Persona 1.6 Manual Base-Line: RM43,671.50 + RM1,327.50 = RM44,999.00*
Persona 1.6 Auto Base Line: RM46,593.50 + RM1,405.50 = RM47,999.00*
Persona 1.6 Manual Base-Line: RM44,095.50 + RM1,353.50 = RM45,449.00
Persona 1.6 Auto Base-Line: RM47,017.50 + RM1,431.50 = RM48,449.00

Note: Prices are for Peninsula Malaysia, private registration and metallic finish except the two Base-Line versions marked with *. Extended warranty and security etching on glass included. Interest rate for 7-year loan from Proton financing partners is 3.88% per annum

Pictures by ANDY GOH

Mitsubishi Concept-cX

source : Terato

Tokyo, August, 2007 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and its European unit Mitsubishi Motors Europe B.V. will unveil The MITSUBISHI Concept-cX* at the 62nd Internationale Automobil Ausstellung (IAA; commonly known as the Frankfurt Motor Show) in September. Held at the Frankfurt Messe Complex, the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show will be open to the public from September 15 through 23, with press and media pre-viewing September 11 through 14.

The MITSUBISHI Concept-cX represents a new-generation compact SUV, realizing an ideal balance between environmental and everyday practical performance. The concept car uses a new high-output, high-efficiency 1.8-liter clean diesel engine, featuring a variable geometry (VG) turbocharger for optimum boost control and a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) with diesel particulate filter (DPF) in the exhaust system for compliance with Europe's Euro 5 emission standards.

Mitsubishi's new Twin Clutch SST (Sport Shift Transmission) adds superior power transmission efficiency for a powertrain that delivers nimble performance alongside excellent fuel economy and low emissions.

Among the number of new environmental technologies applied in the Concept-cX is the extensive use of interior trim materials made from Mitsubishi's own Green Plastic — made from bamboo and other plant-based resins — in a step to stop global warming and slow the depletion of our oil reserves.

MITSUBISHI Concept-cX offers a number of proposals for better utility and road performance. Its high seating position expands the driver's field of view, providing the drivability expected in a SUV; the 4100 mm compact body makes for easy maneuvering around town; and the split tailgate — already well received on other Mitsubishi models — makes for easy loading and unloading of luggage. In the performance department, Concept-cX uses Mitsubishi's electronically controlled 4WD system driven through large 225/45R19 tires to deliver intuitive handling and outstanding stability on all road surfaces.

* 'Compact crossover' concept vehicle

Tan Chong to roll out Nissan Grand Livina in Malaysia by year-end

By Yantoultra Ngui Yichen

SHAH ALAM: Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM), distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, will launch the “mid-size” multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) Nissan Grand Livina in the fourth quarter this year.

Its executive director Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng said on Aug 3 the locally-assembled Grand Livina with engine capacities of 1.6 litre and 1.8 litre would cost below RM100,000.

The MPV would target the middle-income customers and compete in the lower segment of the MPV market in the country, he said after a company function.

“The response for Levina in Indonesia has been very encouraging. We hope to achieve the same success here,” he said, adding more than 5,000 units were sold in three months after its launch in Indonesia in April.

Meanwhile, ETCM and Nissan Motor Co Ltd, for the first time ever, shared the behind-the-scene of the automotive design processes with Malaysian undergraduates at the launch of its “Imagination Factory” at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

“ETCM is the first major automotive player to hold such a dedicated event in the country,” he said, adding its three-day Nissan Design Forum was also part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.

“We aim to promote the automotive design vocation in the country and bring design and art educational opportunities to our future Malaysian designers,” he said.

Malaysia is the fourth country to hold the Nissan design forum. The forum started in Singapore in August last year, followed by Taiwan and China. It will be held in the Philippines in September.

BMW Malaysia introduces facelifted 5 Series

-Posted by Anthony Lim

BMW Malaysia today launched its updated 5 Series, and the new line is made up of six model choices - the 523i SE, 525i, 530i, 540i, 530d and the M5.

Externally, a number of modifications give the refreshed 5 Series a more elegant and contemporary appearance. These include headlights that now feature new clear glass technology, with transparent glass panels covering the direction indicators and chrome surrounds highlighting the round headlights.

5 Series, revised, but most of the fun is hidden away inside and underneath.

The front end has also been given a tweak; the surrounds on the BMW double kidney grille are now flush with the surfaces on the front air dam, and the air intake now sweeps up at the side along the same dynamic line as the headlight contours.

Elsewhere, there's an additional light contour along the side sills to lend the vehicle's body an even sleeker, more stretched look viewed from the side, while at the rear, the tail lamps also come in a new, sophisticated clear-glass look and now feature LED direction indicators.

Making light out of it.

Inside, the cabin gets, among other things, a twin-tone finish on the door panels, as well as additional storage options - the door pockets now provide greater storage capacity. The biggest giveaway on this one is the new, electrical gear selector lever for the automatic transmission.

Power output figures are 190bhp for the 2.5l block on the 523i SE (13bhp more than its predecessor), 218bhp for the 525i and 272bhp for the 530i; the 3.0 diesel does 218bhp, and the M5 continues on with its massive 507bhp run. As for the V8 4.0l engine found on the 540i, that one turns out 306bhp, and in case you would like to know, this helps the 540i do the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.2secs.

The first thing you'll notice inside the new one, really.

The automatic transmission on the new 5 Series has also been given a new gear selector which controls the new automatic six-speed transmission electronically and enables significantly faster gearshift times (except the M5).

Lots of goodies too on the new one. All the 5 Series variants are fitted with Active Steering, Adaptive Headlights, BMW Navigation system Professional, High Beam Assist and the trademark BMW runflat tyres (again, except the M5).

Face is softer, more approachable, don't you think?

BMW is also unique in equipping the 525i, 530i, 530d, 540i and M5 with a Head-Up Display (HUD) system. The HUD creates a virtual image that contains key driving data such as speed, navigation directions and other necessary indicators directly into the driver’s field of vision, enabling him or her to keep the road constantly in view.

BMW Night Vision, BMW’s state of the art infrared technology that enables drivers to detect people, animals and objects on and next to the road up to a distance of 300 metres, is also made a standard offering in the M5, 540i and 530i variants.

Exclusive to the BMW 540i is the Lane Departure Warning system, a mechanism which warns the driver when the car is at risk of veering out of its lane by vibrating the steering wheel.

The retail prices (on-the-road, without insurance, with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair) for the new BMW 5 Series model range are:

523i SE – RM376,000

525i – RM409,800

530i – RM543,800

530d – RM499,800 540i – RM628,800

M5 – RM898,000