Lexus LF-NX Previewed Ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show

Lexus has previewed their latest SUV concept car. It is scary looking. Like something Pinhead from the Hellraiser movie series would design. It has the trademark Lexus 'spindle grille' (which is my opinion is basically a chubby baby having it's cheeks pinched while the baby's mouth is slightly opened) and a whole lot of sharp lines instead of being soft, cute and cuddly like their current production SUVs. I just added the cute and cuddly part for the fun of it.

But while this may be a concept car, it may go into production without the overly large wheels and with larger headlights as well as some tweaks here and there if it is well received by visitors at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show where this beast will be previewed. But, it is scary looking.

Toyota Kijang Innova facelifted over in Indonesia

August 2013 - Toyota Indonesia releases a facelift of the consistent selling Toyota Kijang Innova for the Indonesian market. We know this van, or people carrier as the Toyota Innova. This is the third facelift since its introduction in 2003 and this is the look that we Malaysians may get eventually. I hope we don't as it isn't drop dead gorgeous, more like drop dead and that's the end of it ugly.

This facelift adds a larger more horrifyingly ugly grille, redesigned bumpers front and rear as well as some trimming here and there. The interior gets a four spoke steering wheel and dual airbags. I may suggest a paper bag for the driver to cover his head while driving the darn thing. I again have to state that I hope that Toyota Malaysia does not use this facelift.

I have never been interested in the Toyota Innova.

The Hyundai Veloster 1.6 - Not for performance, just for looking good.

.

There are times when we feel the need for something a little more flashy than the normal cooking hatchbacks, small ugly sedans or even large uncle-mobiles. Even housewives, family men need that urge to feel young and free again or that those who are indeed single and young at heart want a car that actually shows off that side of them. Sometimes, I feel that urge too when it comes to personal transport. In the quest to find a decent second (or third) car for the family I actually stopped to look at those priced below rm140,000 and with something less than four doors. 

I looked at the Honda CRZ, a fantastic car for people who want a sporty urban runabout. It has a 1.5liter engine coupled to an electric motor and makes more than 130hp. It also drove well but I have reservations as regards its running costs after five or more years. Whilst Honda is giving a guarantee that the electric motor's battery pack will last at least ten years I am not convinced that it will do so. Why? You may ask and the answer is because we live in a country where humidity is extremely high and I have never really been confident about any electrical product that sits, whether occasionally in the rain and then the sun will actually stand this constant cycle of hot and cold and of condensation of water vapour in the long run. I may be just ultra paranoid, but there could be a valid reason for me being as such.  Anyway, when Hyundai launched the Veloster recently, I was curious at this single rear door five seater coupe. Could it be the the flashy coupe for small families and for paranoid motorheads like Yours Truly?

The UD Quester is launched - a new heavy duty global truck platform - SPONSORED VIDEO

Let's talk about trucks today. Specifically the newly launched UD Quester by UD Trucks. The UD Quester is a truck designed for a global market with local conditions in mind. Designed by specialists from the Volvo Group (of which UD Trucks is a part of) the Quester is versatile and it has an extensive range of wheelbases and a chassis that is easy to build on – a fact very important to Malaysian truck owners and coach, or bodybuilders which customize a truck's chassis to suit local needs.

Using class leading systems and processes coupled with Japanese build quality the Quester has over 1.5million engineering hours and 65000 hours of road testing during its 3.5 year span from the start of development to its launch. The focus on the vehicle's uptime and fuel efficiency are key ingredients during its development.

Some thoughts on the upcoming 2013 Toyota Vios

This will be a short one without any complains about how bad something is at this point of time in and around Malaysia - like why the heck is the Malaysian Ringgit dropping against most major currencies and why is a deputy minister complaining about gangsters biting the dust. I am actually pleased that Toyota has come up with a Toyota Vios that looks pleasant from the outside and now the inside.

You see, I have no complaints about the exterior of the current Vios. It looks like a mini Toyota Corolla or Camry. In other words, it is as offensive to the eyes of the general public as a wall painted white in colour or a coconut tree on the beach. The upcoming one however is actually nicer to look at. Toyota have put more effort into styling the darn thing this time around and it looks good. The latest Toyota design philosophy is all over this Vios.

Proton Suprima S - Driven.

It's quite a large hatchback isn't it? The newly launched Proton Suprima S looks as big as the Proton Inspira nee Mitsubishi Lancer parked in front of it. Now this is the actual problem that Proton needs to highlight when it comes to launching new cars or variants. I should harp a little about this before we get to the slightly more interesting details about how the Suprima S drives.

Priced from RM76,500 around RM79,988 the Suprima S isn't a cheap Proton. In fact it is slightly cheaper than the Inspira and slightly more expensive than the Proton Preve. It is also more expensive than the Proton Satria R3, which is supposedly Proton's hottest model (which sadly does not come with a turbocharged 1.6liter engine like the Preve and Suprima S). It also sits in the region where one could opt for the cheapest non-Malaysian cars like the hot selling but really big arsed Nissan Almera, the dull Toyota Vios and the slightly better than window dressing Honda City. There are even smaller hatchbacks within the same price range like the Suzuki Swift and the Ford Fiesta. These are world class superminis that are actually the best in their class. 

BMW Previews the M4 Concept - Feng Shui disaster in Series numbering?

Nice. I don't really know how many horses this new M Division BMW will make (actually, about 450bhp) nor do I care how fast it goes (0-100km/h in about 4.4secs). The only reason the picture above is being shown on this site is the fact that I really wonder how BMW is going to market this new 4 series model here in Asia.

This car is actually the 2 door BMW 3 series. BMW wants us to believe that the 2 door variant is inherently sportier than any 2 door 3 series before this and that it deserves a series of its own. There goes our dreams of a new proper 2 door BMW M3 after the E92. Somehow unlike Mercedes Benz who have decided to call the 2 door C-class as the C-class Coupe, BMW had decided to make the coupe variant a whole new model series - the BMW 4 series. So we have the BMW M4 pictured above, as well as slower cooking models like the 420i, 428i, 420d, 430i, 440i. Now would Feng Shui practicing Asia welcome the 4 Series with open arms? The number 'Four' basically means 'die' in cantonese.

Proton Suprima photos leaked.

Photos of the Proton Preve hatchback are going around (I've taken this from my friend who got it off the web.). I think there are going to be more Subaru Impreza copies running around. Now its going to be the GRB hatchback version especially in blue pictured herein. Malaysians that cannot afford an Impreza are going to make this their Impreza whether  Subaru, Subaru owners and rational people like it or not. All they would think this car needs is a bonnet scoop and wallah, it's a Subaru. Of course, the new Proton hatch is going to cost somewhat like the Preve - around Rm60,000 to Rm75,000 depending on whether it has a turbocharger or not. (update - there are two versions of the Suprima S. Both turbocharged)

It's also called the  Proton Suprima. Sounds like a brand of Petronas unleaded petrol to me and when i was typing this on the Ipad the autocorrect spelt 'subprime'. hmmmm.....

UD Trucks will preview the new UD QUESTER soon - SPONSORED VIDEO

UD Trucks is now ready to launch the UD Quester – a new heavy duty truck range developed for Asia and other growth markets. Its global launch takes place in Bangkok on August 26, 2013. UD Trucks was formally known as Nissan Diesel and since Volvo Group (the commercial vehicle manufacturer and not the car producer – which is owned by Geely) took control of the company in 2007. Since then it has since used UD as its brand name, which is short for 'Ultimate Dependability'. Yes people, UD Trucks is a Japanese brand with a Swedish presence too.

The new truck will be called the Quester. The name Quester reflects UD Truck's six year quest to deliver a range of trucks and services, designed for Asia and other growth markets. This means that the UD Quester was designed to handle the the tough and rough roads and traffic conditions (which are usually terrible) throughout Asia. A truck with the same mind-set and endurance as a long-distance runner – efficient, determined and tough. 

New Kia Cerato or Hyundai Elantra?

Last year Hyundai launched the current Elantra. This year, Kia launched its latest iteration of the Forte/Cerato here in Malaysia.

Hyundai Elantra

Kia Cerato

Aside from their respective front grilles they look so similar on the road.

The Mercedes Benz A200 - Beautiful, but shame about the ride

It's the month of Ramadan and I have been doing what I do best during this period. What I do best is nothing much at all as when you're fasting, doing nothing is the best thing one should do. Unproductive it may be but I believe that if you do not move, you do not burn so much calories and therefore do not need to consume more sustenance until it is time to break fast.

But sometimes you do need to go out and get some chores done. One chore is trying out the newly launched Mercedes Benz A-class. The A200 to be precise. 

2013 Kia Cerato - It Seems Things Were Not So Smooth At The Recent Media Event

I heard this piece of news directly from a few journo friends of mine. Their road trip in the new 2013 Kia Cerato (Kia Forte replacement) for Malaysia did not end up too well. I suppose the cars prepared by Kia were not very prepared in the first place.

One car suffered traction control failure making its anti-lock braking system pulse unnecessarily. This of course made forward progress impossible. 

Classic AMG - The W114 250 and the 300ce 'Hammer'

Here are some photos of the earlier AMG cars long before they became Mercedes Benz-AMG. One is a W114 250 that has been breathed by AMG and the other a 300ce in the wide arch form.

The 1970s 250 was one of the first few cars that AMG breathed upon. Nothing much on the exterior except the lowered stance and wheels but the engine allowed it to chase BMWs. No one modded Mercedes Benz is those days. No, it did not have a stonking V8, the 250's 2.5liter straight six was tuned in the traditional way - camshafts, exhaust, exhaust manifolds, carburetor tweaks, cylinder head port and polishing and pistons. I think 146bhp must have became 180-190bhp at the very least. This was in the 70s. Fast enough to scare the 1974-75 Porsche 911 Carerra drivers. That Porsche had a mere 210hp at the time.

SHORT TEST DRIVE: 2013 Peugeot 208 1.6VTi - Luxury in a small package

Now let's get back to reality after Malaysia's 13^th General Elections. I want things to go back to normal. This means everyone goes back to work, school, retirement or college. This also means that the Bangladeshis (any other race that you can say are illegal voters) are not harassed and can go back to doing whatever Malaysians do not want to do. I say, when you don't want to do it yourself, you call them to do it. But when you want a conspiracy, you also end up using the same people you need to run your factories, restaurants and what nots. So make sure life goes on. If not how the heck am I going to continue carrying on with my life in peace?

Anyway, my search for a new family car has basically not ended after my recent purchases. This is because I am a serious Motorhead. Even when there is no need to buy a new car I am still on the lookout for a new car. Right now the Reza family feels the need to 'upgrade' the Pink Perodua Myvi to something a little more flashy that has a little bit of pizzaz. So I have driven the Peugeot 208 1.6 Vti 5 door hatchback recently and I find it to be one of the better little hatchbacks that you can buy under RM90,000. (update - it's 2016 and we actually have not upgraded!)

Oil Prices around the world vs Petrol Prices around the world

We are only the 27th largest oil producer on planet Earth yet our unleaded petrol prices are 11th cheapest in the planet. Aren't we glad for subsidies? I decided to share this info with you guys out there after I had a fantastic drive to Ayer Keroh, Melaka yesterday morning. The Mercedes Benz C180's pedal to the metal. It felt good burning some fossil fuel. Although I do wish that Malaysian road tax were cheaper. If it were, an AMG C63 would be nice. All RM15,000.00 worth of annual road tax (approx) of it.

Car Prices In Australia, Malaysia and South East Asia

I recently took my family across the border to the Lion City for some shopping and sightseeing. It wasn't a Rest & Recreation type of holiday. It was Arab Street (above) for the wife's clothing material, Orchard Road for more shopping and the Jurong Bird Park for the little girl's sightseeing. My feet felt like lead after three days and then we had to face quite a horrendous jam whilst trying to make it back to KL. But it was a fun filled trip. Lots of things to see and do over there.

The great thing about the trip down south was that it was the first really long trip using the car I recently bought - the Mercedes Benz C180 CGI BlueEfficiency and even after the six or so hours driving back from Singapore I felt as fresh as when I started the journey. Everyone needs to own one of these or better. But let me tell you a secret. You could do the same thing with a Toyota Camry. It is even quieter than a C-class. It isn't as sporty to drive as one buy if you want to feel as fresh as you started your journey, the unclemobile could be your choice. Remember the Unclemobile folks.

Anyway, I was actually quite intrigued by the fact that there are quite a number of newly registered C180 (1.6) C-classes over there. This with the fact that COE (certificate of Entitlement) prices are sky high at over SGD60,000 per car and the very recent tightening of car loans over there (50% downpayment and a maximum of 5 years). A C180 costs SGD 185,000 or thereabouts. Now convert that to Ringgit, it is a bomb. And there are many of them around.

This got me thinking about car prices around South East Asia. The reason being that so many Malaysians out there seem to be complaining about not being able to afford cars over here with the excise duty and other taxes and whatnots. Let me enlighten you guys out there by saying that Malaysia isn't as bad as we think.

Let's take a Mercedes Benz C200 CGI as an example. In good ol' Malaysia the C200 CGI Elegance sells for RM262,000.00. It looks steep doesn't it? With all those zeros behind and all that. Now lets compare the price of the same car elsewhere in the region.

IDR (Indonesian Rupiah)    559,000,000   -  RM177,404.22
BHT (Thai Bhat)                    2,250,000    - RM236,362.83
Peso (Philippine Peso)            3, 280,000   -  RM248,005.97
SGD (Singapore Dollar)           220,888    -  RM550,791.07

AUD (Australian Dollar)             64,954   -  RM209.851.00
NZD (New Zealand Dollar)        69,999   - RM181,775.72

I converted using xe.com's currency converter and I did not pick these figures out of nothing. Note that we are second highest in the list, but our figures aren't that far from other countries where the automotive industry has government protection, namely Thailand and the Philippines. Cars are cheap if you buy those manufactured locally (Toyota in Thailand as an example - you will see that everycar is a Toyota and a fourth or fifth is another brand).

It isn't that rosy in Australia too. Whilst you may think that AUD65,000 is a small amount but a junior exec in Australia may earn AUD6,000 or AUD72,000 per annum, but he is liable to get hit with income tax of between 9.1% to 21% depending on his deductions (The super rich here pay a maximum of 44.9% in taxes, still not as high as Sweeden where you pay up to 56% of your income for 'FREE EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE'). The best bet is the junior exec gets off with 12.5% average and on top of that a 1.5% Medicare levy (now WHO SAID things were free in developed countries).

Now add to the fact that everything you buy in Australia is susceptible to Goods and Sales Tax (GST)of 10% it gets a little tougher overall. In 2011-2012 there was such a thing as Flood Levy which the junior exec would have to pay 0-0.25% of his hard earned income to subsidize the rebuilding of Queensland after the 2010-2011 floods over there. So as a result, when I was holidaying in Australia in 2011, there are not many luxury compact executives running around. Its either the cost of living is high, or everyone there does not want earthy possessions which are slightly more luxurious than others (I doubt so).

In Singapore things are ultra shitty. You got GST at 17%, and 3 room condos going for SGD 3.5million (Here in PJ, its still a 'sane' RM750,000 or thereabouts). Junior exec earning SGD6,000 may get hit with a 10% income tax (maximum payable tax in SG is 20%) and no chance ever to buy a house or a Mercedes Benz.

Over in Jakarta, Indonesia you wouldn't want to drive a Mercedes Benz. The traffic is horrendous and everyone around you is in a state of poverty that you are liable to be kidnapped, car-jacked for money or your car simply keyed. You'd want something third world like a Toyota Kijang Innova to run around.

So what are we complaining about? The food here in Malaysia is good, houses aren't as stratospheric as Singapore, our living conditions aren't as crazy as Bangkok or Jakarta or Manila, we don't pay ridiculous amounts of taxes.

Malaysia is the best place to be. Full stop.

The Mercedes Benz CLA 45 AMG

Mercedes Benz AMG previewed this car at the 2013 New York Motor Show. Based on the Mercedes Benz CLA series, a car itself based on the A45 hatchback shares its drivetrain with the hatchback Mercedes Benz A 45 AMG.

The 2013 Mercedes Benz CLA 45 AMG is powered by an AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 355bhp/450Nm torque, 4MATIC all wheel drive, SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission, AMG sports suspension with independently developed front and rear axles, electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive sports steering, AMG high-performance braking system, 3-stage ESP with "SPORT Handling" mode.

The Mercedes Benz CLA is Mercedes Benz's smallest sedan. It takes over the position from the C-class and in its usual base form is front wheel driven. This baby gets all wheel drive and a sexier bodykit. It does look awkward in certain angles (especially the rear three quarter angle below) but when compared to its rivals, the BMW 1 series and now the newly revealed Audi A3/S3 sedan it knocks the socks out of these cars with its edgier and more aggressive styling. This sort of styling will attract the younger crowd. Just compare its looks with the recently launched A3 sedan. That car looks pedestrian doesn't it?

And with this AMG model, it will whistle and fart as it steamrolls over its rivals. I mean, have you seen the A45 AMG's video release of it running on a track? Wheeee....then proootttt, as the dual clutch gearbox shifts a gear. This is what the CLA 45 AMG will sound like too. Of course, with over 300bhp, it would be pretty fun too. AMG's first highly tuned production 4 cylinder makes this something different too. We used to read, hear or drive AMG V8s. This is a throwback to the days when they used to tune a whole lot of 4 cylinder cars in the 1980s (especially the 190E 2.3-16 variants for their customers).

And what a heck of a way to win over new fans. And to keep old ones very amused and very interested.

.

New Audi A3 Sedan & S3 Sedan Previewed..Nothing New To See Here. Move Along

This folks is the all new, fabulously styled Audi A3 Sedan.

Errr.... No. Sorry, wrong picture. This is an A4. Sorry folks.

The Malaysian Nissan Sylphy - Still the old model and Drum Brakes??????

One of the most contested sectors in the Malaysian automotive market is the C segment car category. Now those of you who haven't a clue on what a C segment car is let Yours Truly try to enlighten you. A C segment car is what the European Union calls the British standard sized small family cars or what the Americans call as Compact cars. By 'compact' and 'small', these cars are actually those between 4100mm to about 4700mm depending on whether they are a hatchback or a sedan.

German Cars reliability...(with an exception) are terrible!!!!

My decision to purchase a Mercedes Benz over some other German brands has proven fruitful. A recent study in the UK by Warranty Direct has claimed that Audi, VW and BMW are ranked in the bottom 10 in terms of engine reliability. It has been reported in the authoritative (and not some piece of crap on-line blog that may be even worse than this one) AutoExpress magazine. You can the article at its online site here. The graphs below is also from the same magazine.

Top 10 manufacturers

	Manufacturer	Failure rate (%)	Failure rate (1 in x)
1	Honda	0.29%	1 in 344
2	Toyota	0.58%	1 in 171
3	Mercedes	0.84%	1 in 119
4	Volvo	0.90%	1 in 111
5	Jaguar	0.98%	1 in 103

Bottom 10 manufacturers

	Manufacturer	Failure rate (%)	Failure rate (1 in x)
1	MG Rover	7.88%	1 in 13
2	Audi	3.71%	1 in 27
3	MINI	2.51%	1 in 40
4	Saab	2.49%	1 in 40
5	Vauxhall	2.46%	1 in 41

This article was brought to my attention by a very good friend of mine who currently owns and Audi A4. He is contemplating on going elsewhere for his motoring kicks after this. I would too. By the way the new Mercedes A-class (above) is tempting. I definitely need to work harder for a second car. Wait. I already have more than one car.....hmmm.