Test Drive: 2015 Hyundai Veloster Turbo - Better than before...but does it hit the spot?

It has been an interesting couple of years in terms of performance cars here in Malaysia. Car manufacturers have been busy launching performance biased cars. We've had a whole slew of junior hot hatches, hybrid sports cars, warm hatches and other interesting cars. Even Hyundai has joined in after a hiatus of sorts with a lack of a sports car in its local lineup after it stopped bringing in the Hyundai Scoupe years ago. They came back with the Veloster sometime in 2013. I drove that car back inAugust 2013 and found it tasteful in terms of looks and styling but sorely lacking in grunt.

SKN Tuned AUDI RS6 - 730HP and a lesson in translation

PRESS RELEASE

Im Video der SKN AUDI RS6 - 730 PS
910 PS Variante folgt in Kürze

Nichts verpassen - schnell SKN Youtube abonnieren!

Aktueller Auszug vom Pressebericht (04.12.2015) bei EVOCARS:

Mehr als ein Jahrzehnt ist es her, da hatten die Jungs von SKN Tuning mit Ihrem Audi RS6 Avant den Sieg bei der Wahl zum SUPERCAR 2003 abgeräumt (Galerie unten). Sie brachten den Renn-Kombi, einen 2003er RS6 C5 mit seinem aufgeladenen 4,2-Liter-V8 Turbo auf damals sagenhafte 510 PS und 650 Nm. Damit ging’s rauf bis 307 km/h Topspeed. Seinen direkten Nachfolger mit dem Biturbo-V10 pushte das SKN-Team damals schon auf 720 PS. Doch die Zeiten ändern sich und so ist heute eine Leistungsausbeute von 730 PS beim aktuellen Audi RS6 mit seinem Vierliter-Biturbo-V8 unter der Haube „lediglich“ die meistverkaufte SKN Ausbaustufe, aber keinesfalls die leistungsstärkste.

Derzeit begnügt sich die Firma aus Benstorf noch damit, dem Biturbo-Motor eine neue Steuersoftware, sowie eine strömungsoptimierte und nebenbei deutlich aggressiver klingende Abgasanlage (siehe/höre Video unten), konkave 21-Zöller von Oxigin und ein neues Fahrwerk zu spendieren. Doch schon diese präzisen Eingriffe heben den großen Audi in andere Sphären und lassen die Serienversion verblassen. Dank der Leitung von 730 PS und seinen 900 Nm Drehmoment fällt nach nur 3,3 Sekunden die 100 km/h-Marke und nach nur 10,6 Sekunden pulverisiert der Trumm die 200 km/h Grenze, um dann unaufhaltsam Richtung...

SPOTTED FOR SALE: 2004 Honda Accord 3.0 VTi - Big CC Honda thrills for somewhat little money

This time in Spotted For Sale is another Honda. This time it's a 7th generation Accord that went on sale in 2003 to around 2008. What's interesting about this CM series Honda Accord is that it has a 3.0liter V6 engine shoved into it. Somehow at the time this car was launched in Malaysia in 2002-2003, Honda decided that it was a good idea to sell this large CC Honda Accord to Malaysians. 

Ford and Sime Darby Auto Connexion celebrates the Ford Ranger with a lot of events and promotions

From now to 13 December 2015, those wanting to find out more about the Ford Ranger can visit any Ford showroom nationwide, register their interest and answer a simple question to stand a chance to win a shopping voucher.

Volkswagen opens a new Sales and Technical Service Centre in Selayang

Volkswagen Malaysia has a new 4S Center in Selayang. Volkswagen Selayang is Malaysia's second full fledged Volkswagen Technical Service Centre and is operated by Goh Brothers Motor. It covers everything from sales to aftersales, from the normal servicing to major repairs.

Truck & Bus News: Volvo Trucks' Flagship Dealership now open in Port Klang

Volvo Trucks Malaysia has opened its flagship dealership in Port Klang. This is their largest dealership among the current twelve located through Malaysia.  It has 20 workstations at the space area of 10 double bays and is able to accommodate service and repair work for up to 24 Volvo trucks a day. 

Industry News: Proton Parts Centre receives renewal of its ISO9001:2008 Cert

Proton Parts Centre Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Proton Holdings Berhad has obtained a renewal of their ISO9001:2008 certification. This basically means that Proton has a proper system in place when it comes to the supply of spare parts to the 4 million Proton car owners out there, locally and abroad. 

Industry News: AUTOVILLE - Cyberjaya's First Light Industrial Development Completed

From left to right : En. Megat Hasnol (Manager of Group Marketing of EMKAY Group), En. Sulaiman b. Abi Hashim (Director of Building Control Department of Majlis Perbandaran Sepang), Pn. Mazrita Mazlan (COO of EMKAY Group), Tuan Lizal b. Bujang Ahmad (Chief Police of Cyberjaya), En. Ahmad  Nizam Mohd Esman ( Senior Manager of Setia Haruman Sdn.Bhd), Tuan Zakaria (Deputy Chief Police of Cyberjaya), Mr. Ling Tick Lee (General Manager of Paradigma Intan Sdn Bhd), and YM Raja Azam Raja Azman (General Manager of Laketown Sdn. Bhd)

AUTOVILLE is Cyberjaya’s first and only Light-Industrial development dedicated to cater to the automotive sector Autoville is developed by the EMKAY Group on a 10.03 acres of freehold land on the west side of Cyberjaya with an estimated GDV of RM 100 million. This development is strategically located within the entry and exit point to Cyberjaya (via Lingkaran Putrajaya) and directly fronting Persiaran Multimedia. It is targeted to be fully operational by Quarter 1 2016. No idea which car companies are going to be there as yet but let's hope that this would be the car hub for both Cyberjaya and neighbouring Putrajaya. It would be quite interesting if this happens according to what is planned.

Industry News: Shell Helix lubricants to be used exclusively at Hyundai Sime Darby Motors service centers

Shell Lubricants have more reason to celebrate as Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) recently announced that it would be exclusively using co-branded Shell Helix motor oils at all Hyundai authorised service centres in Peninsular Malaysia starting December 2015 and in East Malaysia starting January 2016. 

Volvo Car Malaysia launches the all-new Volvo XC90 SUV - Volvo gets back its mojo

Volvo Car Malaysia today unveiled the all-new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine AWD SUV. The XC90 is Volvo's premium seven-seat SUV, equipped with world-leading safety technologies and powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers an unrivalled combination of power, fuel efficiency and low emissions.

Important facts to note are that the T8 Twin Engine utilises a combination of a 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor that outputs a total power of 407hp and 640Nm of torque, whilst still delivering a combined fuel consumption of 2.1l/100km and CO2 emissions as low as 49g/km. The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine goes from 0- 100km/h in only 5.6 seconds. And it weighs 2,300kgs (at least 140 of those kgs belongs to the battery pack and the electric motor) . Impressive for such an heavy SUV.

Upcoming test drives - Hyundai Veloster Turbo and one on the Golf R Mk6 and Mk7

It has been a hectic week so far. I still have to write a few articles which includes a test drive of the Hyundai Veloster Turbo you see above and we also have one comparison review to do too....The Volkswagen Golf R Mk7 with its earlier Golf R Mk6. How much progress has been made after one generation of an 'R' type Golf.

EUROMOBIL LAUNCHES NEW AUDI KUALA LUMPUR SERVICE CENTRE

Today, Euromobil Sdn Bhd officially launched the new Audi Kuala Lumpur Service Centre located at Jalan Chan Sow Lin. The service centre was officiated by Brigadier General (K) Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil, Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM Berhad. Also present to witness the ceremony were Immo Buschmann, Managing Director of Audi Malaysia and Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed, Chief Operating Officer, Automotive Distribution & Manufacturing of DRB-HICOM Berhad.

Proton Design Competition 2015 Winners Announced and a bit on Proton's plans for 2016

Category 1 winners (students) with Tun Mahathir

I attended the prize giving ceremony of the PROTON Design Competition 2015 earlier today. The Competition was held to instill the spirit of creativity and skills among Malaysians in creating innovative design as well as to create and nurture an emotional connection with the younger generation. The theme for this year was “Design a Concept Car for the Malaysian Family”.

Category 2 (Individual) winner with Tun Mahathir

Sony Malaysia just launched their latest in-car lineup

For those that are interested in in-car sound systems, Sony Malaysia recently launched their latest in-car systems - from the powerful RSX-GS9 head unit , the XM-GS4 High-Resolution Audio Amplifier, and the XS-GS1 Hi-Res Audio Super Tweeter.

The RSX-GS9 head unit in a Toyota MR-S

Kahn Design's latest Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI 90 Hard Top - Chelsea Wide Track.

I love it every time I receive new stuff from Kahn Design's PR people. I get material pertaining to chunky, tough, Tonka toy looking 4x4s that look even more chunky, tough Tonka toy than before. This time around we have the Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI 90 with what Kahn calls the 'Chelsea Wide Track' spec. I have featured this specification a couple of times but since the pics make the Defender 90 Chelsea Wide Track look even better, let's do it again.

BMW M4 GTS and BMW 3.0 CSL Homage receive 2015 Auto Bild Sports Car of the Year award.

BMW CSL Homage

German magazines seem to love giving out awards to fast BMW cars. I suppose if you're talking about the most balanced, precision tool out there that would get you from A to B the fastest, you can do no wrong if you chose a BMW. The usual opposition wearing the three pointed star is usually a sledgehammer which usually snorts and bellows the road into submission. The BMW would usually dance its way through. Audis tend to understeer a tad bit more which is usually why most serious German performance car journalists prefer to use them for the more relaxing over 250kmh drives on the Autobahn. So BMW wins in two major rating categories for this year's readers' vote organised by the magazine "Auto Bild Sportscars". 

 BMW M4 GTS

Its readers voted the winner of the "2015 Sports Car of the Year for the "Serial Production Coupés Category" to be the new BMW M4 GTS, while in the "Concept Cars" category, the BMW 3.0 CSL Homage was voted the top dog. In addition to the category winners, there were other BMW models that gained podium positions. In the category "Serial Production Sedans", the BMW M5 "30 Years of the M5" finished second, as did the BMW X6 M in the category "Serial Production SUVs". The BMW M135i came third in the category "Serial Production Compact Cars".

Ford Ranger WildTrak named NST-Maybank 'Pick Up of the Year'!

Unsurprisingly the newly facelifted Ford Ranger WildTrack has been named NST-Maybank's Pick Up of the Year. This is the second time the Ranger has won an award at the New Straits Times-Maybank COTY, with the previous generation Ranger being named ‘Overall Car of the Year’ in 2012.

As streamlined as a whale.

The Bentley Mulsanne is as streamlined as a whale. Now actually the whale is pretty streamlined. It has the efficient teardrop shape that allows it to cut through water. It also has a large mouth which is uses to feed itself with plankton. It is just big. Really big.

J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2015 Malaysia Initial Quality Study (IQS) - Honda, Perodua and Toyota comes up tops

J.D Power Asia Pacific has released their latest survey for the Initial Quality Study (IQS). According to them, as our cars get more sophisticated and filled with tech, the actual knowledge of how to use the equipment affects how the owner perceives the quality of the car. Imagine that, if you were an idiot, who does not read the (now extremely very thick) owner's manual, you may end up thinking that the car you just bought is a dud. So what JD Power adds is that the salesperson can make sure the owner is comfortable with the technology thus significantly reducing the number of problems the owner experienced with their vehicle. Wow. Now you know what manufacturers must deal with most of the time when trying to sell a car.

Truck News: Volvo Trucks Malaysia offers Engine and Transmission Overhaul Promotions this year end

For those running Volvo Trucks do take note that Volvo Trucks Malaysia is offering an Engine and Transmission Overhaul Promotion for this year end (2015) from the 1st of November 2015 to the 31st of January 2016. Save up to 60%!  For example, the Volvo FM12 overhaul would cost RM29,140.00. But with this promo, the cost goes down to RM16,100, or 45% off the original price. But also note that terms and conditions apply - see the final photo published herein for details.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado Sport & Cruze Sport revealed for the Malaysian market

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NAZA Quest Sdn Bhd, official distributor of Chevrolet cars here in Malaysia has launched the Chevrolet Colorado Sport (above) and the Chevrolet Cruze Sport (below) recently. These new variants see enhancements in exterior, interior and performance. Both of these cars will be showcased at One Utama Auto Fair from 2nd - 6th December 2015, Highstreet zone. 

Spotted for Sale: 2012 Honda CR-Z 2.0 - It should have been like this all along

It's been a while since I did any 'Spotted for Sale' articles. I suppose it's because there haven't been anything truly interesting out there when I was checking out the want ads. This time we have a winner folks, a 2012 Honda CR-Z with a nice big fat VTEC inside. By nice I mean a 2.0liter with 2.4liter stroker kit Honda K20a Type R engine plonked into it instead of the standard lethargic 1.5liter with a tiny electric motor for assist. 

BMW Group supports 500 refugees with social and professional intergration

Anette Farrenkopf, CEO of the Jobcenter in Munich; Milagros Caiña-Andree, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG; Manfred Schoch, Chairman of the General Works Council of BMW AG and Dr Markus Schmitz, CEO Regional Directorate Bavaria Federal Employment Agency with WORK HERE participants und their BMW mentors. (11/2015)

BMW has something called a refugee initiative. They have something called 'WORK HERE!'. This is a nine week practical work programme to help qualified refugees with social and professional integration over in Germany. It is organised by BMW in conjunction with the Federal Employment Agency of Germany. The BMW Group’s “WORK HERE!” training programme teaches skills that will give refugees better prospects in Germany and help them start a new life. The goal is for around 500 refugees to participate in practical work training and entry qualification.

BMW previews the Concept Compact Sedan - the upcoming BMW 1 Series Sedan ????

This folks, could be the upcoming BMW 1 series sedan. It will be previewed at the Auto Guangzhou 2015, China in concept car format for the moment. Read on for more details in the press release which I have put below. The thing about concept cars is that even though they are nearly production ready, they don't really interest me to the extent that I need to put some extra energy into writing something that the manufacturer has done so nicely. If the car was a production model I'd be interested. As I might get to drive the darn thing. So read on, about what the future 1 Series sedan may look like....

PRESS RELEASE

Munich/Guangzhou. The BMW Group has chosen Auto Guangzhou 2015, one of the largest international motor shows in China, to present a very special new development to the global public: the company’s vision of a four-door sedan for the compact segment. “The BMW Concept Compact Sedan reveals the potential we see in a compact sedan,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “It not only gives the driver and passengers generous amounts of space within a compact area but does so while providing the sporting ability you’d expect from BMW and an elegance otherwise only available in large BMW sedans. The quality and intrinsic value of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan are clear signals of our premium intentions for the car.”

Caltex Fuel Your School creates impact for students in Negeri Sembilan

 10th from left: Pn. Nor Baizura Kamaruddin, Student Affairs Supervisor of Seremban School District,  11th from left: Mokhtar Ali Ismail, Policy, Government & Public  Affairs Manager, 12th from left En. Pkharuddin Bin Hj. Ghazali, Deputy Director of Education, Education Department of Negeri Sembilan and 13th from left:Jeffrey Perera, Managing Director of MyKasih Foundation with Caltex retailers, teachers and students of the winning schools in Negeri Sembilan

After finishing off with schools in Melaka, Caltex has now completed its annual community campaign in Negeri Sembilan, the land of masak lomak cili api. Caltex Fuel Your School in partnership with MyKasih Foundation. In its fourth consecutive year, the Campaign had once again further raised the awareness in driving change and providing equal self-development with proper classroom facilities for students of high need schools in Negeri Sembilan and Malacca by enhancing a better environment and further promoting the learning of Science, Technology, English and Mathematics.

Remember folks, it is always a good thing to give back to society, especially our rural folk who somehow lag behind when it comes to education and the necessary tools to compete.

6th from left: Pn. Nor Baizura Kamaruddin, Student Affairs Supervisor of Seremban School District, 7th from left: Jeffrey Perera, Managing Director of MyKasih Foundation, 8th from left: En. Pkharuddin Bin Hj. Ghazali, Deputy Director of Education, Education Department of Negeri Sembilan,  9th from left: Mokhtar Ali Ismail, Policy, Government & Public Affairs Manager along with teachers of the winning schools in Negeri Sembilan

The Tesla Model S 85 as a passenger at the Green Tech EV Experience, CyberJaya

Last Saturday I was invited to experience some electric cars (courtesy of Cyberview Sdn Bhd - the people that has the task to develop Cyberjaya as a global tech hub) at the GreenTech Malaysia EV Experience over at Cyberjaya. The 'EV' here stands for Electric Vehicles. No hybrids or fossil fuel power vehicles were present on that day. Only fully electric or to put it crudely, battery operated vehicles. So that day I saw electric powered bicycles, electric Go-karts (very nice to drive with bucketloads of lowdown torque) and most importantly, electric cars.

Ford's 48th and largest showroom and service centre officially open in Petaling Jaya

Ford Motor Company and its Malaysian distribution partner, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has officially opened its new showroom and service centre in Petaling Jaya. The centre, the Sime Darby Auto Connexion, Petaling Jaya 2 is strategically located at Lot 3, Jalan 51A/219, 46100 Petaling Jaya. It is actually just off Federal Highway and is on the opposite side of the current SDAC PJ dealership. 

Mark Kaufman, president, Ford ASEAN, signs a plaque to mark the opening of the new Ford showroom, SDAC PJ2

The new centre is part of Ford and SDAC’s two-year RM140 million network expansion and customer service enhancement plan. Ford Malaysia is basically making it easier for customers to interact with them by opening dealerships and expanding existing dealerships so they incorporate sales, service and spare parts under one roof. 

Scania Malaysia (Scania) and Malaysia Innovation Agency (AIM) collaborate to exploring viable commercial opportunities for biofuels from municipal waste in Malaysia

From left to right: Dato’ Azman Mahmud, CEO of MIDA, Dato’ Mah Siew Keong, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia, Mark Rozario, CEO of AIM, Marie Sjödin Enström, MD of Scania SEA, HE Mrs Kristina Persson, Minister for Strategic Development & Nordic Cooperation of Sweden, HE Mr Bengt G Carlsson, Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Scania Malaysia and Agensi Innovasi Malaysia (AIM).

I was recently invited to do some coverage at the Sweeden-Malaysia Innovation Day 2015 ministerial level round-table discussion here in MIDA, Kuala Lumpur a few days ago. There I witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Swedish manufacturer Scania and the Malaysia Innovation Agency (AIM). The MoU's purpose is the collaboration by the Malaysian Government, via AIM and Scania to explore viable commercial opportunities for biofuels from municipal waste in Malaysia in line with Malaysia's National Biomass Strategy 2020 (NBS 2020).Scania was represented by the Managing Director of Scania Southeast Asia, Marie Sjödin Enström, and AIM, represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Mark Rozario.

Now biofuels turn waste into clean energy, increase security of fuel supply and improve local economies, help create local job opportunities and industrial development. The collaboration study includes identification of possible project locations, price and market demand projections and economic and operational feasibility. Scania has the technology to catalyse this project as it has been one of the main contributors to the development and adaptation of biofuels, developing and producing commercial biofuel-based transport solutions for over 20 years in Sweden and in around the world. 

CALTEX FUEL YOUR SCHOOL completes its 2015 campaign in Melaka

Photo 1 (Top Row): Jeffrey Perera, Managing Director of MyKasih Foundation (6th from left) and Mokhtar Ali Ismail, Policy, Government & Public Affairs Manager along with teachers of the winning schools in Malacca (6th from right)

This is more CSR from an automotive industry player that deserves some coverage. 

Caltex Fuel Your School creates impact for students in Malacca. in partnership with MyKasih Foundation. In its fourth consecutive year, the Campaign had once again further raised the awareness in driving change and providing equal self-development with proper classroom facilities for students of high need schools in Malacca and Negeri Sembilan by enhancing a better environment and further promoting the learning of Science, Technology, English and Mathematics. By reaching out to schools in Malaysia one state at a time the Caltex Fuel Your School campaign has made a difference and this is especially important for high need schools as more than 50 percent of the students are from low income household

PRESS RELEASE

WIN AN ALL-EXPENSES PAID BIKE ROAD TRIP TO LANGKAWI WITH SHELL ADVANCE #Advance2Langkawi

Shell Advance has another CONTEST for you folks out there. This time, simply whip out your smartphone or camera, or simply dig through your photo album and choose a photo of your most memorable road trip moment, caption it and share it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #Advance2Langkawi.

Based on the most creative entry, five lucky winners will be able to bring one riding buddy each to an all-expense paid 4-day 3-night road trip to Langkawi! The winner and the friend will get to ride their own bikes on the trip lubricated by Shell Advance, and fueled by Shell V-Power