2014 Malaysian F1 Results

#	Driver	Country	Team	Time	Gap	Points
1	Lewis Hamilton		Mercedes	1:45.390	1:40:25.974	2
2	Nico Rosberg		Mercedes	1:48.270	17.300	2
3	Sebastian Vettel		Red Bull	1:44.899	24.5	3
4	Fernando Alonso		Ferrari	1:45.663	35.9	3
5	Nico Hulkenberg		Force India	1:48.604	47.0	2
6	Jenson Button		McLaren	1:47.086	83.4	3
7	Felipe Massa		Williams	1:46.950	84.7	3
8	Valtteri Bottas		Williams	1:47.030	85.1	3
9	Kevin Magnussen		McLaren	1:49.665	108.8	2
10	Daniil Kvyat		Toro Rosso	1:50.986	135.7	3
11	Romain Grosjean		Lotus	1:49.006	137.8	4
12	Kimi Raikkonen		Ferrari	1:48.819	137.9	3
13	Kamui Kobayashi		Caterham	1:51.848	177.9	2
14	Marcus Ericsson		Caterham	1:51.624	229.5	3
15	Max Chilton		Marussia	1:48.964	229.6	3
R	Pastor Maldonado		Lotus	RETIRED	1 lap	1
R	Adrian Sutil		Sauber	RETIRED	4 laps	2
R	Daniel Ricciardo		Red Bull	RETIRED	9 laps	5
R	Jules Bianchi		Marussia	RETIRED	19 laps	2
R	Esteban Gutierrez		Sauber	RETIRED	33 laps	3
R	Jean-Eric Vergne		Toro Rosso	RETIRED	47 laps	4
R	Sergio Perez		Force India	RETIRED	47 laps	1

BMW Group DesignworksUSA designs new Siemens metro for Kuala Lumpur.

This bit of news is interesting for the people living in Klang Valley. The scheduled for operation in 2017 Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system for the Klang Valley that is being constructed by Siemens will have coaches designed by BMW Group's Designworks USA. Automobile companies do have their hands in other forms of (non-road going) transports too

I have posted its details as well as the basic specification of the upcoming MRT services over on Motoring-malaysia.com.

Sunday Special: The Volkswagen Golf is 40

Yes. The Volkswagen Golf has gotten old. First launched a good forty years ago it has gone to be Europe's favourite smal car and those that aspiring Malaysians want to be seen in before they can afford Audi, BMW or Mercedes Benz. Anyway, here is a pictorial of all seven generations of the iconic, little (but not any more) hatchback.

Saturday nite humour

Not that I condone doing this sort of thing to your old Proton Saga megavalve but this is Malaysian re-engineering at its best...or was it worst.
Oh...no folding roof or any of that sort. We Malaysians do not need any of that shade from the sun, rain or moon whatsoever.

W222 Mercedes Benz S-Class launched in Malaysia; S400L HYBRID and S500L with AMG Package

Mercedes Benz Malaysia had quietly launched the W222 S-class here in the Klang Valley recently. In our case, the long wheelbase V222 variants. Anyway my contacts had stated that the launch happened over the weekend to a select few guests. Very pish posh tish tosh you know. These are those VVIPs that had already placed bookings for the car and you guys very well know that Malaysian towkays cannot resist a new S-class. I know some have placed their bookings as soon as the car was out over in Europe.

Spotted for Sale: 1995 Honda Inspire 2.0 - When Honda chased after the Europeans for the Sports Sedan title

The late 1980s up till the mid 1990s for a fabulous time to get all worked up over Japanese cars. It was a time where car manufacturers had money to throw around and it was a time where they experimented with the technology that we seem to have taken for granted today. This was a time where four valves per cylinder were making an entrance into mass produced cars, big V8s other than those from America and even bigger V12s came popping out of the Japanese and European woodwork, experimental layouts and designs were being pushed out and a whole lot more.

Honda was one of the companies that were at the forefront of all this new technology. Sometime in 1989 they started using variable valve timing in their cars. This was a first and they called it VTEC for Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control. It made small displacement engines make loads of horsepower. Aside from going VTEC, Honda also started using double wishbones on the fronts of their cars (as well as the innovative new multi-link suspension at the rear). This allowed Hondas to have extremely nice handling throughout the range. It basically allowed the wheels to be on top of most road conditions and allowed the Hondas to be able handling machines. Honda made a whole load of innovative cars back then and even considered going after BMW by having premium sports sedans in the guise of the Honda Inspire / Vigor

Century Ultramax Battery and Century Battery Assist Launch: Final Verdict

Those that have been following my postings would remember that I was offered a Century Ultramax battery during the Century Ultramax battery & Battery Assist launch in December 2011. The battery, a NS60L sized one found a home in my Subaru Impreza 1.6TS and had basically functioned as it should have till its expiry about 21 months after its use, or sometime in September 2013. 

Xrobot Revo Lista - A Two Wheeled Electric Personal Transport that has just arrived in town

Last week I tried something which I don't normally try. This was something on two wheels and not a motorcycle or a bicycle. It was something called a Revo Lista, marketed here in Malaysia as the X-Robot Personal Transporter by a company that belongs to a pal of mine, SNCR Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

The Lexus ES 250 = The Honda Accord ?

Everything is subjective. At this very moment most of my friends and I would recommend those who can afford a full sized sedan, also known as the D segment car over any other category for best bang for buck if you have around RM130,000- RM200,000 to spend. This is as you get a helluva lot of car for your Malaysian Ringgit. At this price range you can get close to the quietness, refinement as well as the (slightly) effortless power delivery of a car with at least a 2.0liter -2.5liter engine inside it. This means fatigue-less cruising over long distances and a better image to boot.

Tokyo Auto Salon Putrajaya, Malaysia 2014 is set for the 14th to the 16th of November 2014 - UPDATED

UPDATE 20th November 2014: - I just remembered about this event and guess what? It has been postponed until further notice (check out the website -http://tokyoautosalon.com.my/notice.html) . It's not happening folks. 

Last Friday, 21st March 2014 marked the soft launch of the Tokyo Auto Salon Putrajaya 2014 edition which is scheduled to be held on the 14th to the 16th of November 2014 at Dataran Putrajaya, Presint 3, Putrajaya, Malaysia. The soft launch ceremony event was officiated by The Honourable Tuan Khairy Jamaluddin bin Abu Bakar (4th from the right), Minister of Youth and Sports, Malaysia. 

The organisers brought out some toys during the soft launch for the guest to view

All New 2014 Mazda 3 2.0 SkyActiv in Malaysia.

No. I haven't forgotten that the all-new Mazda 3 2.0 was just launched in Malaysia. The reason is that I did not have the time to get myself over to One Utama where they had launched it and I have not made it to any showrooms to have a look at it. Anyway, Mazda seems to have only brought in one fully imported CBU model - the 2.0 Skyactive sedan at RM138,935 OTR with insurance (with no hatchback in sight at the moment). It comes with a 3 year /100,000km warranty and a 3 year / 60,000km free servicing packages.

Mercedes Benz CLA200 - Due for an April Launch at an estimated RM235,888 CBU

Some news for those wanting a sleek looking 4 door coupe. The Mercedes Benz CLA 200 is due to be launched sometime in April with an estimated price of RM235,888 before any insurance. With this you get an entry level Mercedes Benz that looks helluva good, drives decently well and, looks helluva good. Better than in the photos I tell you. I mentioned that before haven't I?

Volkswagen Group Malaysia announces more measures to handle warranty issues

This is a short bit overhead directly from what was discussed between Volkswagen Group Malaysia and the group that voiced up grievances  - the Vw Dsg 7 Defects Community on Facebook. 

Firstly, VW Group Malaysia will now streamline the whole EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMS PROCESS. The VW Extended warranty process is/was handled by Allianz Insurance and as stated earlier, it is a long an bearaucratic process in handling and approving a claim. People cannot wait too long as this is their only mode of transport etc. etc. And so, VW Group Malaysia will work hand in hand with the insurance provider and also with the service dealers to ensure quicker claims addressing as well as ensuring better customer service experience. In short, less paperwork, blurcase insurance adjusters and better service by service personnel at the service centers. Crack the whip, VW Malaysia. Things must change.

Mercedes Benz S63 AMG coupe previewed

 AMG twin-turbo V8 5.5-liter engine delivering 577 bhp (430 kW) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque. RWD only in right hand drive markets. 4Matic option in left hand drive markets. Why do the people driving on the correct side of the road get left out?

Tun Mahathir: The Raw Hatred For Proton

There is a good write up about Proton by former Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Mahathir over at his blog (this is his mirror site link as the chedet.cc site seems to be down at the moment). He states that a heck of a lot of journalists seem to harp on and on about Proton, that it should be closed and that will reduce the price of foreign cars so that Malaysians can buy them.He also states that Proton has actually paid back all of its loans and Proton did even receive 3 billion Ringgit recently.

That article by Tun Mahathir needs to be read to those Proton bashers. I am not a Proton basher at the moment for the following reasons.

News pursuant to the recent hoo-haa made by some Volkswagen owners as regards warranty issues

Volkswagen Group Malaysia has decided to take more remedial action pursuant to the recent protest by a group of VW owners on the 13th of March 2014. Aside from the earlier announcement that service centers will be opened on Sunday, owners can now look forward to voicing out their EXTENDED WARRANTY grievances when ever they feel like it during 9am to 6pm on weekdays begining 17th of March 2014. 

In short, VGM has a call center so that you can inform them directly on how you are being treated by the service centers as regards the Extended Warranty or whether you have any other complaints to voice out. The hotline (which isn't so hot as it is only during office hours - but a good step) is 1-800-88-8947. Call them to try exorcise your haunted Volkswagen. Do not call a coconut holding shaman as he wouldn't know nuts about how to exorcise your faulty DSG transmission. This is the better way. 

Sunday Car Porn: Gestation of the Mercedes 'Baby Benz' W201 190E in pics.

Mercedes Benz took the end of the 1960s up till 1982 to finally come up with a Baby Benz, the Mercedes Benz 190E (W201 series). Being a very traditional brand who only built high end cars, it took its sweet time in coming up with an 'entry level' car. And that wasn't what really happened too. 

Since Mercedes Benz never built a small car in a long, long while, the 190E was over-engineered and was still priced at a premium compared to a similar sized Ford Escort or even a slightly larger Mazda 626 of its day. It had the same 'thunk' when you closed the doors. It brought along the first production multi-link suspension in a road going car as well as many features that you now see in cars today. It was so good that it stayed in production till 1993 with over 1.8million units built.

A group of VW owners meet up with Volkswagen Group Malaysia to voice out their concerns...and more.

.A large group comprising of various Volkswagen vehicle owners had gathered peacefully yesterday afternoon in front of the Volkswagen Group Malaysia headquarters in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.  The crowd was large, but well behaved and backed by other Volkswagen owners driving their cars honking their horns as the passed by the Volkswagen Headquarters. The purpose of the group was to voice our their lack of satisfaction towards various warranty, reliability and other grievances relating to their cars.

TOYOTA AND HONDA HAND OVER KLIMS13 VISITORS’ LUCKY DRAW GRAND PRIZES

Congratulations to the lucky winners - Mr Lee Min Foong from Perak who won a brand new Toyota Prius 1.8L Luxury and Mr Poopaladurai Selvadurai from Melaka who is now the very lucky owner of a brand new Honda CR-Z. 

On another note, about 302,700 people attended KLIMS 2013 over the 10 days it was open. Not too bad at all.

PRESS RELEASE

Sunday Car Porn: Aston Martin Vantage N430

The limited edition Aston Martin Vantage N430. Recently launched at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and built so that customers can buy into the heritage and pedigree of the Vantage's race history especially at the Nurburgring 24Hour race as well as the 2013 win of the Vantage GTE in the FIA World Endurance Championships.

Spotted For Sale: Nissan "GTR" a.k.a How to oversell your vehicle improperly

My friend Firdaus has pointed me to another great prospect on mudah.my. What we have here is marketed to the buying public as a Nissan GTR. Yes, you motorheads would know it as a bloody fast car but not in any way like this. This one surprisingly looks like a truck. It is a Nissan nonetheless.

Of course putting 'GTR' in every Nissan adds some sort of mileage or marketing stunt. Or so one thinks.

The original advert is here (until mudah takes it down of course)....ad details are below:

Lori nissan 2.0 manual petrol.
Tahun 2002 .
1 owner.
Untuk di jual segera.
Rm22800...boleh runding...
Call zh automobil ent.
013 706253xx.
012 72502xx.

In defense of: A local REBADGED Tiger from a Diamond instead of a Toyota or a Honda or any B segment Car

2.0liter variable valve timing 4 cylinder engine, 148hp (150ps), 197Nm, 200km/h, 0-100km/h in around 10.5secs or faster, multi-link suspension at the rear, CVT (with optional pedal shifters), fully equipped cabin and all for around RM90,000 (and Japanese technology too). The Toyota Vios pictured above has a 1.5liter vvt 4 cylinder engine, 105ps, 141Nm, 180+km/h, 0-100km/h in around 11secs, beam axle rear suspension, ancient 4 speed automatic, even more plasticky materials in the cabin for around RM90,000 if you're crazy enough to buy the TRD specced Vios at RM93,000 or RM88,000 for a G spec model. Madness isn't it? Why are you buying this??????

More Volkswagen Tales of Woe - Facebook community survey results and some comments

There is a Facebook group that was started by a group of Malaysian Volkswagen owners who are extremely disappointed (to say the least) by the supposedly appalling after-sales service quality over at Volkswagen Malaysia. I am not surprised as I have written a couple or so times as regards how unreliable VW cars have been in recent years. you can have a look at the group here.

Geneva 2014: Subaru Viziv 2 Concept - Subaru is showing us again how their future will NOT look like

Here is another concept car from Subaru. They've been showing us the Viziv Concept last year and now this one is called the Subaru Viziv 2 Concept. This concept showcases "environmental friendliness and driving pleasure" as well as "design and utility" at the highest level. What this plug-in hybrid crossover vehicle actually tells me is that THIS IS WHAT SUBARU WILL NOT BUILD FOR US IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Why am I saying so?

Geneva 2014: The Rolls Royce Ghost Series II unveiled

I love how Rolls Royce is marketing this new Ghost Series II. They are claiming it to be an "an oasis of calm in a frenetic business world". Of course, this may be quite true in every sense of the word. 

Press Release

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars UNVEILS GHOST SERIES II TO THE WORLD AT 2014 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW