News: Inokom Assembles And Exports the Hyundai Elantra To Thailand

INOKOM Corporation Sdn Bhd (Inokom), which had sealed a deal with Hyundai Motor (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (HMC Thailand), will assemble and export 1,000 units of the Elantra, Hyundai’s popular C-segment passenger car to Thailand in the first year. The Elantra Nu1.8L is the only model that is being exported to Thailand. The number of units for export to Thailand is expected to increase in tandem with market demand as the Malaysian-assembled model is being priced cheaper due to the ASEAN Free Trade Area Agreement (AFTA).

Century Batteries - Car Battery Videos

Century Battery Malaysia had produced two videos in order to educate vehicles owners about batteries in general. The vids may be over a year old, but somehow, not much promotion has been made by them and no one actually knows that  these locally produced videos exist. (Notice the lack of views to date).

Have a look and see. You may gain some know-how.

Volvo previews the 2015 All-New Volvo XC90 - Finally... but it seems to be worth the wait!

And finally, Volvo has revealed to us the All-New Volvo XC90. The XC90 has been around for ages. If you thought companies like Proton or Maruti Suzuki over in India have been building the same model for years you can add Volvo to the picture. The previous first generation XC90 had been on sale almost forever in Automotive industry years. 2003 to 2014 is a good eleven or so years (sorry, I can't count that well) and Volvo has come up with this chunky Tonka Toy looking replacement which actually tickles my fancy!

Global Facelifted Toyota Camry previewed in Russia. It STILL is ugly.

Toyota Russia has previewed the facelifted global variant of the Toyota Camry which may, I state again, may be the new face of the Malaysian variant of the car. By the looks of it, we are still going to get that tank-like body as the major change is only upfront with new lights, grille and front bumper. The rear is largely untouched and still looks heavy if viewed from the side or from the three quarter angle. This is unfortunate, as the USDM variant is all about curves and looks a helluva better than this.

What's the best affordable 5 year old car you can buy in Malaysia?

A five year old budget car should be a reasonable used car purchase. The reason being that most Malaysians rake up about 25,000km per year and at about five years old, 125,000km later it still has a good 100,000km before things start going wrong. If the car hasn't been neglected by its previous owner that is. . So at around 100,000km, most would only require a timing belt change (if required), an oil change for the transmission and engine as well as some secondary belting for the car. So what can we buy cheaply and that isn't a Perodua Viva sized car.

To Infiniti or Not To Infiniti....

The Infiniti Q50

Infiniti is a budding car company here in Malaysia. Not a whole lot of Malaysians would know what an Infiniti car is. This is because Prior to the 1990s, there was no such thing as an Infiniti. An Infiniti is actually Nissan's luxury car marque that they use to target the premium motoring segment in where a regular Nissan would not be able to. This is very similar to what Toyota is offering when they started Lexus.

Unlike some other brands, the difference between a VW Group car from another is....

a heck of a lot........

This staid lookimg sedan drives better than.......

Over the years I have driven a fair number of cars from various makes or manufacturers. What makes me want to try car after car is the fact that every one offers a different driving experience from one another. In some cars the interaction between man and machine is so satisfying that this car would be the one to drive. Some cars are so clinical they feel like an operating theater on wheels. Some give you that five star hotel feel on wheels. Some would feel like you're driving in the LeMans. Whilst this is quite true, it could be otherwise as most car companies have become predictable in how their cars drive. Or handle.

News and a Rumour: The Perodua Axia and a supposed Proton Persona

Perodua
Perodua is launching the Perodua VIVA replacement called the Perodua Axia soon. Tentative price lists on all variants are out and prices start atRM24,900 for a solid coloured Axia up to RM44,900 for a full specced Axia AV automatic.

TEST DRIVE: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4TSI CKD - The wolf in sheepskin

A Volkswagen Jetta is simply the iconic Volkswagen Golf with a boot. But it actually isn't as straight forward as that in the first place because Volkswagen does not simply slap on a boot onto the Golf. Take for example the current CKD (locally assembled) Jetta 1.4TSI that I tested here, it is actually based on the previous generation Volkswagen Golf Mk6 chassis with a longer wheelbase and totally different body panels. The Jetta also does not drive like the Mk6 Golf 1.4TSI nor does it feel like a Mk7 Golf 1.4TSI. But I'll get to that in a bit.

Interesting cars around town: Classic Mercedes Benz 220se cabriolet

This was spotted by a friend over in Shah Alam recently. A nice Mercedes Benz 220se cabriolet from the 1960s. It sports a new number plate and I believe it is a recent import using a classic car status AP. There are two or so importers specializing in these sort of cars and I am glad there is a market for it.

Would love bringing in an Audi Quattro, a Lancia Delta HF turbo  (versions from 1985 should qualify) or the Integrale (first versions may qualify)  or even a Mercedes 190e Cossie from the 1980s if I had the dough.

Some thoughts on the all new 2014 Honda Jazz

Had a look at this mid spec Honda Jazz. Its big. Very practical but me thinks that it desperately needs a Honda Modulo body kit to hide its length (yes it look like a stretched previous model with a funky front end) and make it look more hunkered down. Interior plastics nothing to shout about but it is well fitted together.

Would I buy it for RM77800? Maybe if I wanted its practicality I would but I dont. I would either buy a VW Polo 1.6 hatch (better built and drives well) or even the Proton Suprima S (a larger, more performance oriented car that could be cheaper with discounts) over this.

Note- this was posted earlier on motoring-malaysia.blogspot.com's Facebook page. Do follow us over there folks. We discuss stuff occasionally.

Spotted for Sale: A 'unique' Honda Civic 2nd Gen for sale

I am flabergasted. I actually own a second generation Honda Civic and used to drive it in the 1990s. But never did I imagine the ingenuity of  my fellow Malaysians when it comes to car modification. Ignore the turbo stickers as according to the original posting, found on a Facebook Honda group, the car has a B18cr engine. Must be the 1.8liter Type-R engine from the DC2 Integra Type R.

What's in a name: The Bluebirds - Cardiff City and the Nissan Bluebird

This recent Eid Ul Fitr or Hari Raya to most Malaysians, I had a few friends over. In between the  constant eating of nasi minyak, lemang, lontong and ketupat, we ended up talking about Nissan and a football team over in the UK. I thought I'd share with you folks out there what transpired.

Most of us are aware that Malaysian tycoons have started making themselves known in football (or soccer as the Americans call it). We have Tan Sri David Tony Fenandez owning the Magpies, or Newcastle United and Tan Sri Vincent Tan owning Cardiff City, also nicknamed the Bluebirds. I for one am not a football fan and whilst it is good Malaysia has a foothold in a sport that most Malaysians love to watch, but are terrible on the pitch - look at most of the football games played in the Malaysian league these days, I think that a third division English league team played against any of them, they'd come up league champions if they tried. Cardiff City would be like Manchester United, FC Barcelona or even Ajax Amsterdam.

JD POWER Asia Pacific's Mass Market Brand Dealer Service Customer Satisfaction Survey Malaysia 2014 - Toyota comes up top

Welcome back folks. This is the first article after a short hiatus due to the recent fasting month. Let's get things started.

Toyota has come up tops in J.D Power's Asia Pacific Customer Satisfaction with Dealer Service among mass market brands in Malaysia for 2014. Note that this means that you will not see Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi and those that are obscenely priced. And dear readers note that Volkswagen IS a mass market brand under this survey - I told you earlier that it seems that Malaysians think too highly of the brand.

Sunday Car Porn: The Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera coach building company

It's another Sunday. Today I thought that I'd give you folks a history lesson on one of the best in Italian Coachbuilding. Most of you would be familiar with them designing and constructing the Aston Martin DB5 (below)  styling (oh, you know, the James Bond car)

Formula 1 tests 18 inch wheel and tyre combo - Bye Bye 13 inch balloons?

When I was avidly following Formula 1 (F1) in the early 2000s I always wondered why the heck they keep using 13inch wheels with balloon-like tyres especially when road tyre technology has evolved into rubber band thin tyres running at least 18 inches those days (these days cars run even larger sizes). Then we also had the DTM and BTCC which ran 18 inch wheels and tyres. Also slimmer than the donuts used in F1. But now, F1 together with official tyre supplier Pirelli has decided to test the use of 18inch wheels on the cars. If all goes well, we may soon see F1 cars having more realistic looking rubber bands instead of the donuts used nowadays.

On the marketing of automotive products, the Peugeot 2008 Dakar Buggy and something Spotted on Sale with Ralliart on it.

You know automotive marketing has come a long way. These days manufacturers have motorsport divisions that promote their products through racing and this in turn sells their cars to the general public. It has now spilled over to a complete lifestyle thingy nowadays. You see a manufacturer promoting their latest SUVs with either a bicycle or a surfboard strapped on it. You also see rally cars parked beside their normal road versions.

News: Subaru BRZ will have a second generation says Fuji Heavy Industries' boss

The Subaru BRZ will not be a one hit wonder. In response to the earlier report, the President of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd has stated in Automotive News that Subaru plans to have another generation of the BRZ. Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, president of Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. also added that the current arrangement with Toyota will continue even though Toyota have another joint-venture arrangement with BMW to come up with a hybrid coupe.

Toyota still has a place in the BRZ story due to the fact that Subaru needs the volume that Toyota can sell (the BRZ's Toyota twin is the GT 86) in order for the BRZ to be viable in the first place. Whatever it is, it looks like this pure, normally aspirated rear wheel drive coupe is here to stay. For now that is.

BMW M4 on the 'Ultimate Racetrack'

Here we have the BMW M4 on an aircraft carrier with a racetrack on it. Yes it is a mash-up of actual driving and CGI of a racetrack on an aircraft carrier. Marketing at its best. But, so's the driving in the vid too!

Volkswagen Jetta Customer Test Drive Gone Wrong

This has been trending around local social app sites very recently. I received pictures via my Whatapp and also via my news feed on Facebook. It would seem that a customer test drive had gone a wee bit wrong over at the Volkswagen dealer in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

New Large Mini Cars - 2015 Countryman and 2015 Paceman

The New Large Mini cars are in. Let me type that again. LARGE MINI. Could there be an oxymoron that can beat that in the car industry? Maybe one could if they had a car called Ginormous and then is sized like a Perodua Viva. Anyway, Mini, the brand, has launched the all new Mini Countryman and Mini Paceman for 2015.

Sunday Car Porn: More Kahn Design - Porsche Panamera 3.0 Diesel V6 – Super Sport Wide Track

This Kahn Design Porsche Panamera 3.0 Diesel V6 is actually up for sale over in the UK for £59,875.00. If diesel does not rock your boat (especially since diesel quality is crap in Malaysia) you can head over to the UK and get them to commission a petrol based one for you!

Spotted for sale: Classic VW Beetle that WANTS to be a Porsche and a BMW at the same time

In line with Motoring-Malaysia's unofficial VW Day today let's carry on with a VW you'd never thought was possible, but is very much in existence. I present to you, one which is on sale. It is a vintage Volkswagen Beetle that wants to be a Porsche 911 Turbo on the outside with its whaletail. This is quite acceptable as there are a lot of Porsche style mods around but then it gets steered around with a steering wheel from a BMW. You get BMW, Porsche and Volkswagen for RM18,000. So what more could you want ? Actually a lot more if its going to cost RM18,000!!!!!

TECH TALK: Volkswagen engine and DSG related issues. How to try avoid them (UPDATED)

There has been a fair bit of Volkswagen related news this week and I thought I'd continue with something technical related. Over the last few months I have been driving a slew of Volkswagen cars. From the basic Volkswagen Polo 1.6 hatchback to the latest locally assembled Volkswagen Jetta 1.4TSI. All are decent cars to drive around and some, like the Polo GTI brought a smile to my face because it was simply satisfying to drive fast in a tiny car over a nice mountainside road. The latest Mk7 Golf  1.4 TSI was also remarkable in that after a few days you realise why this car has been the benchmark in family hatchbacks over the years. A tad soulless, but a feat in packaging and also overall vehicle performance. And oh, nothing broke, nor did any issues creep up as regards to them.

THE VOLKSWAGEN MARATHON SERIES 2014: DRIVEN BY VOLKSWAGEN

This is a bit of news for those who like to run for fun or for fitness or for competition. I'd rather drive. But those who would rather run, do take note. Langkawi in August, Hulu Langat in early September 2014.

PRESS RELEASE

THE VOLKSWAGEN MARATHON SERIES 2014: DRIVEN BY VOLKSWAGEN

2015 Volkswagen Passat previewed - It looks much better than ever

The All-New 2015 Volkswgen Passat B9 is 2mm shorter than the outgoing one at 4767mm (wheelbase is an impressive 79mm longer at 2791mm), 12mm wider at 1832mm and 6mm lower at 1456mm. Like most new cars these days it is no longer heavier than the outgoing model but up to 85kg lighter with the base models coming in at 1312kg which is very impressive for a full sized sedan.

Automotive News: VW Group takes over Blackberry's European R&D centre and also founds Volkswagen Infotainment GmbH

This is something fairly interesting. The Volkswagen Group is taking over BlackBerry's European research and development centre in Bochum (Germany). What does this tell me? 

Spotted for Sale: 1994 Toyota Sera - Budget McLaren F1 Butterfly door experience

The Toyota Sera (model designation EXY10) is a two door, 2+2 Butterfly swing door equipped coupe which Toyota built from 1990 to 1996. Built originally and exclusively for the Japanese market, it somehow made its way overseas and Malaysia was one of them.

Sunday Car Porn: Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI XS 110 – Chelsea Defender by A. Kahn Design.

Kahn Design, that UK based company that adds more leather, wide arches, big wheels and basically everything turned up to 11 on a scale of 10 has did up another Land Rover Defender - The Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI XS 110 – Chelsea Defender. 

"The look of the Nara Bronze XS 110 Chelsea Wide Track is complimented by a multitude of additions that include a front bumper including bumper lighting, front and rear wheel wide wheel arches and wings in matt black, LED diamond bright headlights, bonnet vents with mesh, painted brake calipers, privacy glass, front bumper sump guard, hardwearing mud flaps, exhaust shields, Kahn crosshair exhaust system, Kahn 9 x 20" Mondial wheels in volcanic black and a Chelsea truck company spare wheel cover.

BMW i3 wins award for Production Interior Vehicle Design of the Year

The new BMW electric hybrid coupe, the BMW i3 has won an award for 2014 Production Interior Vehicle Design of the Year at the Automotive Interiors Expo Award 2014 (there IS such an expo!). The car, innovative as heck but isn't something for the sporty sort of BMW drivers. More for the uncles and aunties. And Eco-mentalists. Yup.

PRESS RELEASE

Tuning News: New 2014 Mercedes Benz C180 W205 tuned by Inden Design

The tuning houses have descended on the W205 Mercedes Benz C-class. Here we have Inden Design, tuner of Ferrari and Mercedes Benz over in Germany coming up with their interpretation of the entry level C180 model. This could be inspiration to those local car enthusiasts who intend to get the new C-class and start making it slightly different from the norm.

News: Subaru BRZ may be axed due to a BMW-Toyota collaboration

The Subaru BRZ, or the Subaru version of the Toyota GT86 may be discontinued if Toyota and BMW's joint venture on the developement of a high performance sports car gathers momentum. The chief engineer responsible for the Toyota and Subaru versions, Tetsuya Tada, had stated in an interview with www.Drive.com.au that the program with the German brand could be expanded to include the next 86. 

The engineers are currently examining whether to keep the current 2.0liter flat four engine or replace it with something more conventional, or in my opinion, something 4 cylinder with a turbocharger that allows for better emissions and torque (as well as downsizing the engine even more).

News: Volkswagen Peninsular Malaysia 'Volkswagen On Tour' Roadshow is now on going

Volkswagen Group Malaysia is extending its comprehensive and compelling Volkswagen brand experience to various locations across Peninsular Malaysia as part of its continuous commitment to engage with Malaysians. 

Starting with its first stop at One Utama in Petaling Jaya, the continuation of the Volkswagen On Tour series of roadshows will see visitors engaging personally with Volkswagen’s fleet of vehicles in Malaysia including all of Volkswagen’s recently launched vehicles – the all-new Golf R, the latest Tiguan, the enhanced Passat and the locally assembled Jetta. Visitors will also stand the chance to win the Polo Sedan in conjunction with Volkswagen’s “Safe and Stylish Balik Kampung” campaign.

News: Hyundai's new 3S Centre in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and enhanced Hyundai Veloster launched

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has opened its first 3S centre in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The 3S centre is located in Kuantan, Pahang and it is part of Hyundai's plan to increase its market share over the next three years continues to gain momentum. You can now get everything Hyundai in one stop over in the 'Pantai Timur'. 

2014 J.D Power Awards for Initial Quality Study and Awards for Dependability Rating

The 2011 Lexus GS - Most reliable Mid-sized Premium Car after three years and most reliable brand overall after the same period according to J.D Power

There are two, I repeat two (2) major J.D Power Awards for the Automotive sector out there. 

First is the Initial Quality Study for 2014. Taken from the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership, this score is based on problems that have caused a complete breakdown or malfunction, or where controls or features may work as designed, but are difficult to use or understand.

Hyundai Snares Most JD Power Initial Quality Awards In Its History

J.D. Power presented three Hyundai vehicles - 2014 Genesis, 2014 Elantra and 2014 Accent - their highest award for initial quality in their respective segments. Hyundai ranked fourth overall in initial quality, climbing six spots from last year, and was the highest-ranked non-premium brand. In total, Hyundai had six vehicles in the Top Three positions in their segments, including two second place finishes for Santa Fe and Sonata and a third-place finish for Equus. This year’s results mark the third time Hyundai has been the highest-ranked non-premium brand in the past 10 years, and the third time it finished among the Top Four brands overall.

TYRE NEWS: GOODYEAR PROVIDES MALAYSIAN DRIVERS WITH WORRY FREE ASSURANCE

Goodyear Malaysia is delivering greater assurance to drivers by offering its Worry Free Assurance program. This provides replacement tyres within six months from the date of purchase on selected Goodyear tire patterns for road hazard damage that is beyond repair (caused by puncture, cut, bruise or impact during the course of normal driving) on a maintained road (within the stipulated terms and conditions). Tyres are expensive. Especially in those large low profile sizes. AND what is the difference between tyre and tire? Tyre is the English way of spelling it and 'tire' is the American/Canadian way of spelling it as per the press release - there you go, another lesson for you folks out there.