Steering Wheel Styling Over The Years

I wrote this piece for CarThrottle.com. Steering wheels are something which most of us overlook but it is the part where we use the most to interact with the car. Our hands are alway on them, caressing them, turning them. Some of them look really good, but these days they all have airbags in the middle of them. In those days they looked all slim and slender. This is reason enough for me to write an article on steering wheels.

Click here to read the article and see more photos.

The 'Professional' DSLR Cameraman, The 'Talents' and Some Advice

There is a new disease nowadays in good ol' Malaysia and it is called 'I am a professional cameraman and I need to publish nearly everything I shoot'. Everywhere you turn these days there are people carrying...no, more like lugging around big fat DSLRs to weddings, to shopping malls, to family reunions and even to bed with their wife, girlfriend, boyfriend or gay lover.

In the good ol' days of normal film based SLRs, the 1980s and 1990s, I used to see my dad and my uncles comparing their SLRs and their photographic skills. But in those days everything was like pot luck. When you took a photograph in the pre-digital days if was the luck of the draw. You would finish a roll of film, you readers know what a roll of film is don't you? Anyway, you would finish a roll of film and rush it off to the camera shop to get it developed. You do not have a clue on how the photograph may come out. Sometimes, it is exactly as you wanted it to be. Sometimes, it gets overdeveloped or under developed, either it's your own fault due to bad camera skills or the camera shop screws it up. The worse case that would happen is that you wrongly load the camera and it doesn't get developed at all.

All this has changed. With the advent of digital photography you can now edit your photographs on the spot. This means that you can pick and choose what photographs you want and what you don't want. But it also means that there is also a lack of impromptu or real life photos and everything looks picture perfect when it actually isn't.

Of course in the early days of digital photograpy, everyone wanted a point and shoot camera. The reason was that DSLRs were bloody expensive and people in the early days of digital photography took to point and shoot cameras because it was conveniently small. From lugging around large SLRs they now could carry around something small and compact. Which was great.

But then DSLRs got cheaper, as with all electronic goods over the years and it is now the era of the DSLR. Everyone's got one, including the fairer sex. In those days, only arts and design students from both sexes lugged around SLRs. Now, I see women taking up this hobby by the dozen, lugging around huge DSLRs like they were Japanese tourists.

Then everyone starts shooting photos and posting them on flicker, photo sharing sites, Facebook. Then suddenly appear some of the fairer sex posing for the 'professional' cameraman. Up pops out an industry of sorts where the fairer sex decided that they can be considered as talents for these professional hobbyist. The photos get downloaded and then shared on Facebook for all to see. And the thing was some of the 'professionals' actually were terrible photographers and some of them actually have the nerve in giving 'professional' advice to others. These people giving advice don't even read the manual in the first place.

One example that I wish to share is when I was at Kuala Selangor admiring the fireflies. These tiny creatures were busy flickering and it was a stupendous natural sight. The area was totally dark and silent. The signboards clearly state that no camera flash was allowed but I suppose some people, in this case a Malay lady with a DSLR and the largest flash attachment in the world decided to take a shot of these creatures. It was brighter than lighting for a split second and it basically caused the fireflies to scatter for a moment, destroying the moment. Some people should never be given a camera if they can't even read rules and regulations or respect nature. If I was the guy piloting the row boat, I'd hurl the DSLR into the mangrove trees, and feed the lady to the fishes. In near pitch black darkness, you can't take little bits of light with a flash. You need proper night vision camera equipment. This is just one example of these so called DSLR experts.

And then there are the photo talents that we get to see posted on social sites. Some of the so called 'talents' that these 'professionals' get to shoot actually need concrete as facial foundation. This is needed to actually hide their faces (and maybe parts of their non-model-like bodies). The people holding the cameras should sometimes tell their talents that they should stop being talents. The people holding the cameras should actually stop publishing their photo shoots as I sometimes believe that taking photos should actually tell a story, and taking photos of these talentless talents tell a 'B grade' story that isn't worth tellling. It's like wanting to watch Avatar but then you get to watch a rerun of The Smurfs. Both have blue characters in them but the differences are intergalactic.

So what am I trying to say then? Sometimes, the camera crazy hobbyist should take it easy and really think before they shoot or give camera advice. Sometimes, the person posing, who thinks that she is a Kate Moss, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian or even Jessica Biel is actually a Hantu Kak Limah. Both should not quit their day jobs and they should stop having delusions of grandeur by thinking they are genuine 'talents' or supermodels or whatnot.

This is much like the people who like putting up spoilers and stickers and thinking that their car is actually worthy of certain badges and large spoilers. A bit of general knowledge folks. At 160km/h the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8's rear wing produces 68kg of downforce. However, at 0km/h, the huge DTM wing on the 'classic' Proton Saga that we see below makes the owner look like a dork. It doesn't even have alloy rims in the correct size (17inches and above for that touring car look) for Godssake. 175/70/13 does not portray 'race car'. Period. And it has extra cushions on the headrest too. The Proton Satria Neo on the left is much better. Plonk in a set of alloys and it is a bazillion times more sportier. It's like a girl in an evening gown and decked in jewellery, but she's wearing rubber flip flops. 

Photo of the 'Professional' taken from Mr Aqeeb's social network site. Thank You.

An Audi A3 Sedan Concept Was Previewed Recently.....

.....and I like it. This brings back the small Audi sedan like the 1990s B5 Audi A4 sedan. This is a sedan in the size which I like - small enough for urban environments and it has a boot. Very suitable for people (especially those of us in South East Asia) who like having cars with....a boot. 

Click here to read more about this Audi A3 Sedan Concept Car. Posted over at Myautoblog.org.

And Mansory Gives Us The SLS Cornea Damage.......

The Mansory Corneum, or as I put it, Cornea D. 'D' for Damage. Named after an opera solo performance  or in operatic terms, an 'Aria' it is operatic in its looks and it seems those lights look like they came from a Ferrari 599. A Mercedes Benz AMG with something from Ferrari? Nothing is sacred anymore. Especially if Mansory adds its finishing touches to it. 


Click here to read about it. Posted over at Myautoblog.org

1,115bhp and it has a Thule Carrier on its roof - The Koenigsegg Agera R

 I believe that this is the second most practical supercar launched after the station wagon looking Ferrari FF. A new era of supercar beckons. One with enough space to carry a whole week of groceries?


Click here to read and view more photos on this new car by Koenigsegg. 

Meanwhile Over At Volkswagen....They Launch a Duller Looking Golf Based Cabriolet

They already have the EOS, but I suppose that is considered an 'upscale' cabriolet. If it were a highrise apartment, it'll be considered as a condominium. Now the People's Car makers have decided to launch another Golf based cabriolet - this time a proper hatchback based Golf Cabriolet and it looks very much like a hairdresser's favourite kind of car.

Click here to read more about it and some history on the previous Golf cabriolet. Posted on Myautoblog.org.

A 1989 Ferrari Testarossa At Pengkalan Pegoh, Ipoh.

Quite a car, quite a car indeed. Driving or owning cars like these aren't about all out power. There are surely faster cars around these days, like some hot hatches or some rally specials but none have a sense of occasion like this baby.

Over at Carthrottle.com. Click here to view the photos. Taken at the end of November 2010.

The NOVITEC ROSSO 458 Italia

Click here to read more about it and to view the many photographs of a white 458 Italia on a treadmill.

Funny they don't dyno how much humans make every time we start jogging/walking/running on something with rollers (at a place like Fatness Last). Imagine bragging to friends you make 0.2bhp when you friend only makes 0.05bhp. However he makes 2Nm of torque and you don't. Imagine the conversation we'll be having with our friends if this happened. Motorheads may actually want to hit the gym. Or not.

Posted on MyAutoblog.org.

A Second Attempt At Video Recording...

Second attempt at a video recording. This time on 720p HD. I went out and bought myself a better camera. Enjoy Genting Sempah on a wider aspect ratio.

It looks like some video based stuff as soon as I have the time and as soon as I can master editing the videos. But it's going to take a while.

Geneva 2011 Concept Car: The Toyota FT-86 II Concept - Not Very Pretty

"This must be the ugliest front end ever grace a concept car that is supposedly to replace a modern classic sports car from the 1980s. This is the Toyota FT-86 II Concept car that Toyota will put on display at this year's Geneva Motor Show and if you look at the rest of the photos in the press release you will find out that the rest of the car's pretty scary looking too. "


Click here to read about what I think about this latest concept of the supposed successor to the famed AE86 of the 1980s.

The 9th Generation Honda Civic Will Soon Be Out

The guys from Honda America has previewed the USDM 2012 Model Year Honda Civic. It looks like this current model but with slightly edgier less rounded styling. But it looks more conservative. I also HATE the ride height in the press photos. Why can't their PR department realize that making a sleek sedan look like an SUV isn't a pretty picture?

I somehow think this car isn't as pretty as the one we see on the roads today. Especially that rear end. Honda should not try and capture that conservative crowd  (READ: EXTREMELY DULL AND BORING Toyota and Nissan family car loving people) and just stick their necks out like the current model.

Click here to read and see more photos. Posted on Myautoblog.org, written by yours truly.

The MINI Rocketman Concept - A Proper Mini-sized MINI

I am actually happy that BMW MINI has finally come up with a properly mini-sized MINI instead of one that is actually larger than a 1st Generation Proton Satria (but is actually less spacious than one at the rear).

This MINI Rocketman Concept could be in production soon. Now while Geneva has shown us a new Lamborghini Avandator or Avantador (or what not) and other exotic cars, this one is something that is realistically achievable for most of us to own. First, it'll be cheaper new than the current Cooper S if they get around producing it and secondly, if it handles as good as a Cooper S, then it would be a car totally worth having.

Click here to see more photos and details. Posted at Carthrottle.com

Utterly, Utterly Gorgeous....The Jaguar XKR-S

....In French Racing Blue. Not in any other colour please. And it's going to sound exactly as it looks with that 550hp V8 supercharged engine....Utterly gorgeous. I hope some rich Malaysian millionaire buys one when it goes on sale in September or that the local Jaguar dealer brings one in.

Alfa Romeo 4C previewed at the Geneva Motor Show

The Alfa Romeo 4C. It looks so.......so......so LOTUS ELISE with an Alfa nose! A Lotus Elise in drag.

This leaves me a little disappointed.  It really does. Really.

Click here to read more about it.

Mazda MX-5 Kendo: A UK Special With a Name That Is As British As Chicken Tikka Masala

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster is Japanese, but everyone tells us it is the epitome of Affordable British Open Top Roadsters. Ergo it is the quintessential British Roadster and one that is fundamentally revered and loved by a whole multitude of individuals in the United Kingdom, hairdressers included.

However, one must add that the MX-5 Roadster isn't British in its origin. It is Japanese. It is ironic that a car built thousands of miles away from the heart of open top motoring truly captures the essence of what this form of motoring is all about. But Mazda UK wanted a 'special' to celebrate the MX-5's sales achievement and launched a 'special'. What is ironic is that they named it 'Kendo', after the Japanese art of swordsmanship.

This makes me wonder why they didn't make this Japanese roadster have a British name when commemorating its sales achievement in the UK, like the MX-5 cream, strawberry jam & scones edition, or the MX-5 fish & chips edition, the MX-5 Trafalgar Square or how about the MX-5 Churchill? All the examples given are very British aren't they? Definitely more British than 'Kendo'. But not as British as Chicken Tikka Masala - which was surprisingly found to be the most popular dish ordered at British restaurants. I suppose this revelation that a 50 year old recipe that originated from Punjab is a British favourite also makes the MX-5 truly British. Ah, the irony.

Click here to view more pictures of the MX-5 Kendo. Posted by yours truly over at Carthrottle.com.

Novitec Rosso Pumps Up The Ferrari California and BMW Makes The X6 Into A 5 seater

Novitec Rosso brutalizes the Ferrari California. Ferrari cars need to be brutal and aggressive looking but the Ferrari California is a little feminine looking. Novitec Rosso's Race 606 Ferrari California tuning package somehow does this.

Click here to read about it; and

BMW adds a proper 3 seat bench at the rear of the X6 instead of individual rear seats. It does not make the BMW X6 into an MPV, but allows the X6 to carry three abreast instead of only two. But the question is, do BMW X6 owners have any friends to carry around?

Click here to read about the X6 rear seats. Both over at Myautoblog.org.

Let Me Answer Some of The Web Queries This Site is Getting.....Part II

It is almost March of 2011 and I believe that after some thought (less than 30 seconds worth) it is time for another round of answering some of the web queries this site is getting. And the basic rule of this question and answer session is simple: I will answer them like this previous posting (if you can't find the answer in this blog). But if the answer does not help you then please do not hesitate to ask someone else as this is done for free without a fee.

The first web query that intrigued me was this: “Old Proton Saga 1.5 R3”

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.........hahahahahahahhahahahahaha.....Even R3 would stay the heck away from this car. The car was already a million years old when R3 was formed. Why humiliate themselves by actually working on such a car? Why do you hope so much that your heap of 1980s Mitsu is worth getting Proton's tuning arm which was set up a good 16 to 17 years after the car first came out (even if it was still in production at the time) when they had a 1990s Mitsubishi Colt (Proton Satria) to work on? 

Click here to find out what I think about an old Saga and if you read between the lines you'd know why R3 didn't come up with one.

I know. Reality bites, and it isn't my fault.

Next question: “Myvi is fast stock”

Faster than what? A Ferrari F355 in a traffic jam? A killer whale that has been beached? A mosquito? It is faster than the 1985 Proton Saga 1.3 Orion engine that has never ever been overhauled and smoking like crazy while being driven by the Pakcik googling for the R3 Saga above.

Okay, on a serious note. It is pretty nippy in city traffic. It does 0-100km/h in about 13seconds (auto) and would easily keep up with traffic. It may lack the brakes and grip for really fast stuff but in town, it is nimble, hence decently quick on its feet. This is due to the fact that it weighs less than 1000kg (940-950kg) so it has decent power to weight ratio even with that 84bhp 1.3 engine.

And then you have this.....“Syphilis vs Teana”

One is big, one is small...if you buy either one you're the loser. One is a venereal disease, one looks like the venereal disease but is larger. It is as bland as the other. Buy yourself a Mazda 6.

And lastly “What rims fit on a Wira SE?”

22inch rims with 335/20 zr22 Advan Neova AD08.

But seriously, any rim with the PCD of a Hundred would fit it up to 17inches running 215/40/17 tires (don't use baloon tires – what's the point? You're on tarmac, not in a palm oil estate). But if the offset is wrong, then you will notice that the rear wheels scrub the wheel arches. And please do not get staggered rims for a Wira, it is Front Wheel Drive. You do not need to tell people that you need more grip at the rear by having that wider rear look. Your car is not Jlo and you don't need that wider rear end. 

There....I HAVE done a public service to you guys haven't I? 

2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer Edition - More Added Lightness and Some Toyota News

More lightness to the Elise is very good. More space would be needed for fatter people (like yours truly) to be able to fit in one comfortably.

Click here to read about that piece of news

And for the Elise's engine maker, Toyota, good news. It seems that they have been cleared of the wrongful acceleration fiasco by the US Government. Americans have big feet and their carpet mats must be badly designed. Or their feet are badly designed.Or ..............IT'S A DARN CONSPIRACY AGAINST TOYOTA I TELL YA!!!!  Go figure it out here. Both articles over at Myautoblog.org.

Driving The Best Car In The World, Circa 1992 - Mercedes Benz W140 S-Class

I drove a barge of a Mercedes Benz the other day and it was utterly relaxing, even after half a day of Kuala Lumpur traffic. But whatever you do, do not, I repeat use it to enter small lanes and where everyone double parks. It can be such a pain the the arse. Purely meant for hotel lobbies and for drivers to worry about navigating through tight spots. B-roads in this would be unbecoming as manhandling a barge or an elephant could lead to disastrous results.

Click here to find out how it drives. Posted on Carthrottle.com.

Mansory Does The Evora With Lotus' Blessing....Why?

Why?????? Why go to a tuner that over-Blings everything it touches? Of course the Mansory Evora isn't that bling....but couldn't they do it in-house?

Click here to read about what I think.