Spotted: Nissan 'AMG' 130y

....or was is OMG? This clearly shows the owner's vision and that why bother buying a proper Mercedes AMG CLA45 (which is the smallest AMG sedan these days) when all you need is a Datsun, errr Nissan 130y.

What you don't see in the photo is there was smoke coming from only one of its twin tail pipes. OMG is more like it. And the 'y' in the 130y must now stand for...Why? Misplaced passion is why. Save up and keep this car standard. OMG instead of AMG indeed.

Facelifted BMW X3 launched

BMW has launched the facelifted BMW X3. You get the usual facelift features, which are modified lights (with optional LED headlights), grille, front and rear bumpers, external mirrors with indicators for the exterior and according to BMW, better perceived quality and luxury for the interior. Of course, Every big manufacturer comes up with decent upgrades and the obvious better fuel economy and less CO2 emmissions every time a facelift comes for any model.

If any of you are interested, expect a fully imported version of this X3 to be on our shores within the next three months or so. BMW Malaysia is quite fast in getting new models into Malaysia these days.

PRESS RELEASE

Highlights. It was back in 2003 that BMW founded the new mid-size Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment with the launch of the X3. That means the BMW X3 has been a paragon of sporty dynamics, premium ambience and robust agility, coupled with low fuel consumption and emissions, for over 10 years now – racking up sales figures of more than one million units in the process. The second generation of the successful BMW X3 has made a compelling case for itself since its introduction in 2010, boasting the best interior and boot measurements and the greatest versatility in its class.

2015 Subaru Legacy revealed.....

...and in all honesty it should stay hidden. I had wrote earlier that Subaru is actually pulling our legs by giving us very stunning concept cars that we would actually sell a kidney for it but when the production model is unveiled, it usually ends up looking like the chap who serves you food at the local mamak restaurant, complete with body odor.

Now this is very true as the new 2015 Subaru Legacy gets its official pictures (intentionally or unintentionally) released.I mean take a look at the Legacy Concept pictured below, and then take another look at the Legacy above. What sort of legacy is Subaru trying to give its customers (pun intended)? It looks like every generation of the Subaru Legacy keeps getting uglier and uglier or plainer and plainer.

SPOTTED: Mitsubishi Tredia Before and after..or before and never after

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After (.....after a nuclear explosion)

This is a Mitsubishi Tredia. Or something that was a Mitsubishi Tredia. This 'masterpiece' wasn't completed when this photo was taken. But why would anyone want to complete such a project in the first place? This is one time the 'BEFORE' photo is a million times better than the 'AFTER' photo. Not that the Mitsubishi Tredia was anything to shout about in the first place as it was just a run of the mill Japanese econobox that was supposed to slot between the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Mitsubishi Galant. And if you try to find out what the heck does 'Tredia' mean you'd hit a stumbling block as it does not mean anything at all. So you have a modified Tredia that actually does not mean anything. Note that when the Tredia was new it wasn't drooled over by car tuners. 

So, let's just ask the only logical question..... WHY? 

Before (...so much more sensibly boring)

photo:adlis k / wikipedia

Attention readers!!! Vote for us...Best Auto Blog for the Malaysian Social Media Week 2014

Hello folks. If you are aware, motoring-malaysia.blogspot.com has been nominated for Best Auto Blog in the Malaysian World Bloggers And Social Media Awards 2014 and we're now informing you guys out there that VOTING HAS BEGUN and will end on the 10th of February 2014.

Vote for us and unlike our local politicians (on both sides) who seem to promise one thing and do another, we promise to you nothing but giving you more of what we're good at - an opinion on whatever we think worth giving an opinion on. Simple isn't it?

So register here so that you can vote for this website. Vote! So that we can spread the word to more readers out there!!!!! Thank you.

BMW previews the 4 Series Gran Coupe

BMW has launched a new premium mid-sized car called the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. A 5 door hatchback styled car that fits nicely between the 3  series and the 5 series cars but is sportier styled like a coupe. Hence the name.  It needs to be a biiiiit more coupe-like in my opinion and not just a BMW 3 series with a slightly lower roofline and a fifth door at the rear. The car is set to debut at the upcoming 2014 Geneva motor show. But let's just see what BMW has to say about it. 

PRESS RELEASE

BMW proudly presents the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 8.1–4.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emission: 189–119 g/km), the first four-door coupé in the premium midsize class that represents a consistent extension of the model range. Following the launch of the BMW 4 Series Coupé and Convertible, the Gran Coupé is the third model to join the new BMW 4 Series, which is longer, wider and more dynamic than any of the previous midsize series due to the balanced proportions of the vehicles. The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé combines the sleek look of a two-door coupé with the functionality provided by four-doors and expansive spaciousness, including a wide-access luggage compartment.

TOTAL Lubricants Deliver Cutting Edge Performance to Increase Engine Life and Mileage - and the ROBOCOP Movie promotion

Engine oil provider for FIA Formula One™’s world champion Sebastian Vettel and Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team focuses on producing high quality lubricants that boost engine performance and save fuel

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – January 29, 2014 – TOTAL, the official provider of lubricants and racing fuels for FIA Formula One™ Championship winners Sebastian Vettel and Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team, brings its heritage of providing cutting edge lubricants that deliver superior performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency to the Malaysian market via TOTAL QUARTZ, a range of lubricants specially designed to meet the stringent performance requirements of automotive OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and engine manufacturers worldwide.

According to the World Bank, Malaysia has an average of 361 vehicles per 1,000 people, a figure that increases to 977 in urban areas such as Klang Valley, the highest rate of vehicle ownership in the Asia Pacific region. According to analyst firm Frost & Sullivan, the rate will continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% until 2019, despite the fact that Malaysia is now the second most expensive country in the world to own a car. However, the robust demand for cars is dampened by continuous increases in fuel prices, putting pressure on automobile owners to seek ways in which they can save on fuel while optimising their car’s performance.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese new year and a very happy holidays to everyone too. May the year be prosperous to you, with good health to all you guys out there too.

So you may have your bonus around this time or you may have some ang pau money after this. What should you do with it if you haven't spent it on beer, shandy, vsop whilst blowing over a night's worth of poker, gin rummy, bacarat (if you're James Bond)? How about two nice BEFORE and AFTER photos for you to get going. The car may be a barge...but what a barge it is after a wheel swop. Enjoy.

The 190e gets a new paintjob.

The Mercedes Benz 190e has gotten a new coat of paint since we last saw it here. It now sports a new front bumper too like the original 2.3-16 Cossie. The colour is now something called Smoke Silver and is the one of two original colours for the Cossie. The lights are all new too. Yes, this normal 8valve 2.3 looks like a brand new Mercedes Benz. Fabulous isn't it?

Photos by Adlis K

Spotted: LHD 1st Generation Hyundai Accent

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Now this is something you don't see everyday. A left-hand-drive 1st generation Hyundai Accent 3 door. The car was spotted at a shopping mall in Kelana Jaya and looked pretty well kept. 

This model wasn't actually sold in large volumes in Malaysia too. I think there were some small numbers imported during its tenure (1994-2000) and no one wanted a small Hyundai in those days (It was the later 2nd gen Accent that sold decently well here in the mid-2000s). In those days everyone bought a Japanese car or a Proton and I have a feeling that this left-hand drive Accent was only brought in a few years back. Of course, any car with left-hand-drive in a right-hand-drive market is pretty unique as you are bound to suffer from the following problems:

Proton R3 launches three models...and NOTHING IS REALLY NEW

Proton has launched three models of the Proton Suprima, Proton Satria Neo and the Proton Inspira at the recent Proton Sales Carnival held at MITC Melaka on the 17th -19th January 2014 and the 24th to the 26th of January 2014 over in Juru, Penang. 

Proton Motorsports, or the R3 division did up the cars which are basically tarted up versions of the Suprima, Satria Neo and the Inspira. The Suprima S was launched in Melaka whereas the other two over in Penang.

The Suprima S is one of those premium specced variant which basically has a newly developed bodykit, new wheels, some springs and a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. And because of this the Proton Suprima S is now reborn as something called the Proton Suprima S Super Premium. In all honestly, it has one ugly bodykit with a front splitter that SHOULD have been less bulky and SHOULD have been painted in the colour of the car's body as then it would not look like an afterthought. It just looks too bulky to look good in black. Someone mentioned the word 'kampung' tuner and I agree to this.

In fact the reason I chose to put the photo of the Suprima S Super Long Winded Name that  is covered with all those models so that you have something more interesting to look at than a car that has an ugly bodykit. Of course this would be available at all Proton sales outlet if you inquire. I suggest you don't bother and just opt for a stock Suprima S instead.

News This Week: NAP2014, RON 95 Petrol, all-new Altis, facelifted Kia Optima K5

Let's just do everything in short little blurbs.

National Automotive Policy
The National Automotive Policy was announced recently and basically there is really nothing for most of us Malaysians to get worked up about. As I've already posted on motoring-malaysia.s Facebook page, the summary is as follows:
NAP2014 in a nutshell...no more cheap imported hybrids after existing stocks run out except for CKD. Which is only one car at this moment- Honda Jazz hybrid.

Info on the Facelifted Perodua Alza

Perodua Alza (base)

This is just for record and so that readers have some clue of what the facelifted 2014 Perodua Alza is about. All variants get new redesigned bumpers and different alloy wheels.

The improvements made towards Malaysia's most affordable MPV (albeit a small one) include the ISOFIX points for child safety seats in the second row of the vehicle and splitting the 3rd row seat in half to allow greater customisation by the users – these 2 improvements are standard for all new variants.

W222 Mercedes Benz S-Class to be launched in Malaysia sometime in March 2014

To those CEOs, Chairmen of large multi-million Ringgit companies and other Captains of Industries (including those shady characters who get money through 'other' sources) take note that the W222 Mercedes Benz S-class will be launched sometime in March 2014. 

The model that would be brought in at the launch is the S400 Hybrid and it is rumoured to be in Semi-Knocked Down or SKD format. This simply means that some assembly of the car would be done at the Mercedes Benz assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang.

More (Closeup) pics of the upcoming Malaysian 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis -1.8E and 2.0G

The all-new 2014 Toyota Altis has just been launched over in Thailand. According to my sources it should be  launched sometime soon. The latest would be sometime February.The earliest, can't say, as the Chinese New Year is fast approaching and it is usually a long holiday for most businesses here in Malaysia. These are more exclusive photos of the actual cars instead of media photos or taken from some sales website.

The pictures show close-up shots of the meter cluster, navigation, engine bay and navigation systems of a bodykit cladded Altis 1.8E and an Altis  2.0G. First up is the Altis 1.8E. If you've seen the earlier pictures here, you'd know that this are more of the same, You see the optional Navigation/Entertainment system, 205/55/16 unknown brand tyres used. The 'source' said Indonesian Achilles. I can't confirm as yet. (Not any 'branded stuff here. Hmmm....). At least the 1.8E gets a leather wrapped steering wheel too.

Tomorrow's the launch of the new FACELIFTED Perodua Alza

According to sources I was wrong. It isn't an all-new Perodua Alza but a facelifted one. Anyway, whether its ALL-NEW or just NEW, Perodua is launching the mini MPV at the One Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya on the 10th of January 2014. If you are interested, its a two day weekend event.

Something for small families to aspire for? Well, it's either this or a Proton Exora. Which is now the official Taxi One Malaysia. So if you don't want to own a cab, you have to go for this at this price range.

2015 Subaru WRX STI photos leaked ahead of the official launch

These are allegedly official photos of the upcoming 2015 Subaru WRX STI. What it i is basically a WRX on steroids. What you also see is that it looks eerily similar to a Mitsubishi Evo X. Even if the Scooby is pictured in the famed Subaru WR Mica Blue shown in the pics. I don't know. I suppose cars these days look the same if you remove some character lines here and there. Or add a winged rear spoiler instead and you get a similar looking car.

Not going to say anything else except that if it actually drives better (with over 300bhp instead of 268bhp in the WRX) than the supposedly fabulous new 2015 WRX, it's going to be party with Subaru again instead of the good ol' Evo. More pics below.

You gotta love the effort put into this used car ad, even though the car is only a Satria Neo

Mr Hadi Azmi who works as an editor as a local production house must either love his job or his friend (in that bromance sorta way) a whole lot as he took the time to come up with this ad for the sale of his friend's Proton Satria Neo.

The car is nothing to shout about. It may handle decently well but is sorely lacking everywhere else. Especially headroom. And build quality. And ergonomics. And...I better stop as it'll take too long.

So what does Hadi do? Market the man as a manly man. And a car owner by a 'manly man' deserves to be bought by others...So there you have it. The manly man's car, pictured below.

Stop the press! All-new 2014 Toyota Altis 1.8E photos!!!

Toyota is readying the launch of the all-new Toyota Altis here in Malaysia. We've got a scoop on the actual car that will be sold here in Malaysia. The photos you see herein were taken from the local Toyota distributors during the 'New Model Training' course for sales personnel conducted very, very recently. We are so darn fast in getting you the pic simply because we care. About you readers lah, not about keeping secrets.

Anyway, what you see is the Corolla Altis 1.8E (A) with a bodykit. This could be an option that is not stated in the price list at the moment which you can see on the Toyota Malaysia website. The Altis we're getting will be like the one sold throughout Asia. You can see the similarities with the one from the Taiwan website pictured below. But being Malaysian spec, you can see that the car ha more chrome around the grille and wheels which are heavily polished. We like our Toyota to have more 'bling' in line with the so-called prestigious image that Toyota has in Malaysia. It looks like the new Vios, in line with Toyota's current design philosophy. At least it doesn't look dull and boring like Toyotas of old. The only problem with a Toyota is that you will see too many of them on the road at one time. A bad thing if you're into being different but a good thing if you're into anonymity.

Honda City officially on sale in India. Malaysia? Who knows.

The all-new Honda City is officially launched and on sale in India. It was recently launched at the end of last year over there and now it is officially on sale over there. The question on the minds of most Malaysian Honda enthusiasts would be when is this car coming to our shores. We predict that is won't arrive until the middle of this year at the very least (We have our doubts) due to Honda Malaysia requiring to engineer the new Honda City for local assembly and that no reports of Honda sending a few units to JPJ in Putrajaya to get type approval as yet.

Bizzare Malaysian Cow-Jacking makes UK Daily and you don't need a truck, a Proton Wira is all you need.

Malaysia is in the UK news again. This is a good thing, in a bad sort of way. I read this piece yesterday in the Harian Metro Malay tabloid newspaper. At first I didn't think nothing of it but this piece of news has reached the Dailymail.co.uk. A paper in the UK. If it came out all the way in the UK, it is important news to be shared with you readers out there.

What happened was that three really stupid crooks had drugged four (4) cows and stuffed all of them, I repeat, all of them cows, into a Proton Wira. Their caper came to an end as the Proton Wira died due to the excess weight some distance away from the farm of which they were stolen from.

Mercedes Benz GLA45 AMG Previewed

The Mercedes Benz GLA45 AMG has been revealed by Mercedes Benz AMG. This folks is an A45 SUV in not so many words. It'll be Mercedes Benz's competitor against the also newly launched Porsche Macan mini-SUV and Audi's RS Q3.

Stats? 360bhp, 436Nm torque. The 1,991cc turbocharged unit can accelerate the all-wheel drive mini SUV from a standstill to 100km/h in 4.8sec. The top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. It has a combined fuel consumption of 37.6mpg, with CO2 emissions of 175g/km.

Local motoring news: Roads around KL closed from 7.30am to 9.30am 1st Sunday of every month

KL Mayor at the "Green Car-Free Morning" event earlier today. Source: TheStar

For the interest of all you readers in and around the Klang Valley (as well as those who intend to visit Kuala Lumpur), Fifteen roads would be closed from 730am to 930am every 1st Sunday of the month in Kuala Lumpur. 

During the two-hour period, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Senggarang, Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Pinang, Jalan Kia Peng, Jalan Stonor, Jalan Conlay, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Semarang and Jalan Tun Perak WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL SORTS OF MOTORISED TRAFFIC. It is also described as 'Cycling Day' for Kuala Lumpur. 

Sunday Car Porn: Ferrari 458 Speciale

5 December – There was a regal spectacle at the Bobbejaansberg Nature Reserve, near Johannesburg. It was an unusual part of the launch of the 458 Speciale, which was making its debut in South Africa. At the presentation to a select group of Prancing Horse customers, there were two guests that were unexpected to say the least: a pair of lions that are part of the ‘Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary’s’ colony of big cats, which is run by a man know the world over as ‘The Lion Whisperer.’ The kings of the savannah therefore got a close up view of a queen of the road, even if, in order not to disturb them in this close encounter, the V8 in this latest creation from Maranello, did not roar as loudly as it could.

Source:Ferrari.

Surprising news - We are nominated for some award in the upcoming Malaysia Social Media Week (MSMW) 2014

Surprising isn't it? We are nominated for some award in the Best Auto Blog category for some upcoming World Blogger Awards at the Malaysia Social Media Week (MSMW) 2014 24th-28th February 2014. The World Blogger Awards isn't actually global as it is actually a Malaysian thing as it is just part of the MSMW 2014. We weren't even aware of such an event being held annually and don't even know who nominated us. We are glad they did whoever they are. 

Anyway, nothing is going to change with one tiny nomination. Things will remain the same. Click here to see the list of auto blogger nominees and see who we are up against. Quite surprising for a tiny outfit like ours to be up against some big guns. There must be a dearth of proper automotive websites out there eh? Or because we're simply quite good (and ostriches as well as pigs can drive the AMG SLS properly fast)

But if you are interested in voting for us here at Motoring-malaysia.blogspot.com, do head over there after the 6th of January 2014 and vote for us when voting starts. 

Kahn Design Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 - RS300 Cosworth Edition

Try say this in one breath..slowly.... Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 - RS300 Cosworth edition. The official name of the modded Range Rover pictured above. Anyway, this is for those of you who are bored with the standard Range Rover Sport and don't know what you can do with it aside from trying to climb a mountain or something with it.

Press Release

The A. Kahn Design Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 - RS300 Cosworth edition is ideal for those who are looking for performance and style

Spotted in the ads: Here's another reason why you should stay away from Volkswagen

Happy 2014. Now as the first post of this year we bring you another tale of woe.

This advertisement on mudah.my caught a friend's end (thanks Ken). And here it is for all of you to read.
"For 1st year has send in for claims about 10 times, and 15 times in 24 months. All this model has same defects, aircond box malfunction, radiator fan, clutch, mechatronics and etc, which cant be solve even after replacement. Think 10 times before you decide to purchase Volkswagen. "

Merry Christmas! Here's how Santa's sleigh works

Merry Christmas people. Hope you folks have a fabulous holiday too. Ever wondered how Santa gets his presents to all good children out there aside from flying reindeer power? Well wonder no more. Here's a picture of the jolly old man's sleigh, courtesy of howstuffworks.com. It makes perfect sense doesn't it?

POST MORTEM: Why were there so little participants at the recent KL motor show 2013?

It's quite simple actually. 

1. The Tokyo Motor Show as well as the Los Angeles Motor Show 2013 took center stage over KLIMS 2013. This was because all three motor shows either overllapped slightly or were close to one another.

 2. When it comes to the Tokyo motor show, it is very important for the Japanese car makers to shine at their home turf. Tokyo is what some motor journos rate as a class A motor show. A class A motor show usually has the latest car launches as well as the unveiling of lots of concept cars.

You really, really need one of these - V8 Suzuki Jimny

I really love going through the classifieds looking at interesting things to dream of buying. That's what we motorheads do. This one really got my attention. IT IS RIDICULOUS. It must drive ridiculous!!! The 1988 Jimny must have originally come with a 1.3 liter puny engine that had something like 60 horsepower. This one has a stonking V8 from a Toyota Soarer and at least 300 bhp and some ridiculous torque figures. Take a look at that engine bay, throw a pin in there and it will not come out through the bottom. 

Lamborghini launches the Gallardo replacement - Lamborghini Huracan

Lamborghini has made it official. The Gallardo replacement is the Huracán. It is named after another fighting bull, this time some fighting bull called Huracán who was of the Spanish Conte de la Patilla breed was known for his outstanding courage and strong sense of attack. He fought in Alicante in August 1879, showing his unrelenting character and remaining defiant and invincible, thus entering into the legend of fighting bulls’ history. So this Huracan is a good hundred over years over the original animal. Whatever that means.

It looks like what a small Lamborghini should look like. No surprises here as it builds on what the Gallardo looked like and added some of the latest Lamborghini styling cues from the Veneno and Aventador. I believe that the design doesn't bring anything surprising, but this IS entry level Lamborghini anyway.

Perodua teases the new Alza

Perodua has teased an advertisement of the new 2014 Alza on their website. I believe it could be all new as the Alza, aka Toyota Passo Sette mini MPV, was launched in 2009 and its five year model run is supposedly up by then. But knowing Perodua, who go by the Toyota/Daihatsu way of doing things what we'll see is a new bodystyle with the usual, same as the current model engine and drivetrain. This means that it will have the same 1.5liter engine and 4 speed gearbox. Same as it ever was.

Electric Cars by Chedet

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad blogs these days under the pseudonym Chedet. He is advisor to Proton, the national car company he initiated when he was Premier. He has some interesting things to say about electric cars and the turmoil that is going on in the Australia motor industry. As some of you are aware, Ford will cease production in a couple of years time over there and so will Holden. Toyota is also mulling the same thing. And yes, no one is talking about electric cars over there. It's just dollars and cents and electric cars are indeed a far fetched dream for most of us.

Read the article over there by clicking on the link here.

Volvo Group's UD Trucks delivers world's first Quester units designed for growth markets in Asia

UD Trucks on the 16th of December 2013 delivered the first units of Quester, its all-new heavy-duty truck range, designed specifically for growth markets in Asia and the rest of the world, including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Regarded as an industry game-changer, the Quester is designed, priced and equipped with features that cater to a multitude of different industries, from distribution to long-haul transportation, mining to construction.

2014 Mercedes Benz W205 C-class

Not going to add anything more than that it is bigger than the earlier W204 and like previous C-classes, apes the current S-class. Mercedes Benz has actually moved the goalposts (larger interior, exterior, materials used, construction, equipment etc) for the compact executive sedan category with this car in my opinion.

Sime Darby Motors lets go of Alfa Romeo in Malaysia

Tough. I remember reading sometime in 2006 that Sime Darby were serious in making Alfa Romeo work in Malaysia. They gave out pretty good warranties for the cars but it seems they have given up - voluntarily relinquishing their distributorship of Alfa Romeo in Malaysia.

Sometimes large conglomerates get over-confident, claiming that they can do wonders. Well, Alfa Romeo is an enigma all by itself and this year Alfa Romeo Malaysia managed a dozen or so cars. Last year they managed slightly below forty cars. This is quite a sad end to Sime Darby's venture with Alfa Romeo. But somehow this end is predictable.

 I mean how the heck can you try sell a premium Italian brand from one miserable showroom and service center in of all places, Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur? Everyone who sells premium cars is in Petaling Jaya, one should have stayed in Petaling Jaya instead of Jalan Ipoh. You only buy floor tiles and sanitary ware in Jalan Ipoh. How can you sell cars if you're not where the crowd who buys Alfa is? Maybe the only person that could sell Alfa Romeo in Malaysia was Ron Lim, the chap who used to run the previous Alfa Romeo distribution here who now runs Lamborghini Malaysia.

Anyway, press release from Sime Darby Motors after the jump.

Spotted for Sale: Butchered to heck 1969 W108 Mercedes S-class

I sometimes wonder what the heck were they thinking when people start projects like this one pictured herein. 

They take a car that already has some classic status and rarity, throw away the original engine, plonk in a 1JZ ('tiwe' should mean twin turbo) without a proper ECU, which means that the car cannot run or even start but they give you a new 'betty' - battery. The logic amazes me.

2014 BMW M3 AND M4 PHOTOS LEAKED

424bhp and over 500Nm in torque from a 3.0liter turbocharged straight-six engine (downsized from the previous generation M3). 0-100km/h in under 4.0seconds (according to the latest news) onwards to the 250km/h limiter. These are the first leaked photos of BMW's latest M3. It looks good with the different front and rear bumpers, outlet vents at the front fenders and that bonnet hump. This is internally codenamed as the F80

They've done it - New Proton Perdana Limousine AKA Honda Accord stretch

The new Proton Perdana limousine is out. It is basically a stretched previous generation (Eighth) Generation Honda Accord for the government. A Honda-Proton joint venture (or in simpler terms, rebadged engineering - with Proton engineering especially for this limo version). Normal length variants are to follow.

Royal Malaysia Police Land Rover Defender at work

This is a great photograph, taken from a  Facebook page, of an icon operated by the Royal Malaysian Police (Polis DiRaja Malaysia - PDRM). Hard at work during the recent floods in the East Coast. This photograph shows why we all love the Land Rover Defender. We hope that its future replacement would be as useful and as iconic as this one. 

At this moment we have our doubts. I mean, just look at it. The Land Rover Defender.

The reason why Volvo cars aren't selling here in Malaysia (and the rest of the world) these days.

Anyone know anybody who recently bought a brand  new Volvo? Nope? Neither have I. Why is it? The cars are well designed. The exterior looks pretty good and the interior gets some pretty nifty touches like the floating dashboard and unique switchgear. Everything feels well built but no one seems to be actually warming up to the Swedish brand here in Malaysia.

It used to be otherwise. In the 1980s and 1990s you see people driving Volvos everywhere. They were even the choice for Government officials and companies like using them for company cars. In those days Volvos were priced somewhere like where Volkswagen cars are priced these days, slightly lower than Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi. Companies like giving the Volvo 240 or the 760 series as a car that sits between the higher priced Mercedes w124 200E and 230E cars. Somehow it showed you your place in the company's hierarchy and Volvos sold a fair bit then.