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.