Mercedes AMG previews a new engine for its upcoming GT

"A compact design, low power-to-weight ratio, great fuel efficiency, and signature, distinctive AMG sound all work in harmony to create the high-performance AMG 4.0 Liter V8 Biturbo Engine (M178). This engine is truly bigger than the sum of its parts – and a quantum leap into the future of technology."

Opinion: Of Nissan Teana and Nissan Sylphy - CVT on the old and new models.

It may be very okay to buy this new 2014 Teana.....

...but not very okay to buy this previous Teana.

I just noticed that the new Nissan Sylphy and the new Nissan Teana....have the same engine and gearbox. Note that the earlier Sylpillis, er Slyphy...no, Sylphy and the earlier Tena, no, that's an adult diaper were running the same CVT gearbox and different engines. This time, both have four cylinder Nissa-Renault MR Series 2.0liter engines running a slightly modified CVT gearbox. You also get the same engine and transmission in the recently launched Renault Fluence (which I totally forgot was also recently launched - makes you wonder how much I was looking forward to it being around Malaysia).

Tech Talk: Of steering feel and steering weight. No, they're not the same

The steering of this Mazda has supposedly less feedback than.....

......this 1990 Proton Saga??????

I have on many occasions noticed that most of us Malaysians confuse 'steering feel' with 'steering weight'. There was this one time when a friend of mine was trying to sell his Mazda MX-5 Roadster and the chap who wanted to buy it said that the Roadster had no steering feel. This was unlike his 1990 Proton Saga Megavalve Manual which to him had tons of feel.

TEST DRIVE: THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.4TSI Mk7 - The Mr Spock of hatchbacks

The Volkswagen Golf is a car that has become an automotive icon. Over in Europe the car defines a genre and is the benchmark that others either follow or try to beat when engineering a hatchback. However over here, things are just warming up as any real Golf presence came about sometime after 2004 when the Golf Mk5 was officially imported. Prior to this we had Auto Dunia importing Volkswagens but somehow they must have done it wrong as not many people were enraptured by Volkswagens. These days, there are more Golfs than before and now in its Mk7 model, the current Golf carries on the legacy (and whatever reputation the previous models have; good or bad).

Trucking News: Volvo Trucks Announces the Fuelwatch Challenge 2014 Champion

Volvo Trucks have announced the winner of this year's Fuelwatch Challenge. Clocking the lowest fuel consumption over the 40-kilometre drive challenge in the final stage, En Ahmad Bin Othman from Logistik Petikemas Sdn Bhd in Prai emerged as the victor of this year’s Fuelwatch Challenge. He achieved a strong result of 2.52 kilometres using only 1 litre of fuel driving a Volvo truck with a 40-footer container carrying 20 tonnes of load. As the national champion and the next Fuelwatch ambassador, En Ahmad Bin Othman is set to represent Malaysia at the Fuelwatch APAC and World Finals 2014, to be held in Volvo’s home country in Gothenburg, Sweden later this September. Go and make us proud.

New car launch: McLaren launches the McLaren 650S at its KL Showroom

I attended the launch of the new McLaren 650S supercar in both coupe and spyder form earlier today. This marks the third car launched by McLaren after the 12C and the P1. Some may say that the 650S is an evolution version of the 12C as it looks similar. But underneath is a whole slew of parts which differ from the 12C. One of which is the suspension hydraulics which have been placed closer to the top of the strut instead of being in the middle of the car. This does all sorts of things, but I would have to actually drive the car to find out and see. Fingers crossed (big time).

Iconic Cars: The original Citroen DS

The original Citroen DS Brake Pedal......is actually something called a mushroom button. It isn't even a pedal. Really. As exotic and as unreal as how it looks inside and out. Note that you also have a tiny little stick as an accelerator pedal too. The 'normal' looking pedal you see on the left is the DS' park brake. The rest of the interior is also cool. Note the single spoke steering wheel, column mounted gear shift (4 or 5 speed manual, 3 speed automatic or 4 speed semi-auto) and an actually modern looking dashboard for a car that was first produced in 1955. In fact, it was so futuristic, Citroen kept on producing it till 1975.

New car launch: Volkswagen officially launches the Mk 7 Volswagen Golf R for Malaysia

The Volkswagen Golf R is officially in town. It will costs those interested RM245,888 without insurance and if you opt for the optional tech pack, RM285,888 without any insurance too. 

This new Mk 7 Golf R is fitted with a newly designed 2.0l TSI engine producing 290hp and 380Nm of torque from as low as 1750rpm via the usual wet clutch DSG transmission unit through all four wheels (a Haldex All-wheel drive system). This allows the Golf  R to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 5 seconds and onwards to around 250kmh easily. It, like any Mk7 Golf is based on VW's pretty good Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform. As with any performance hatchback the Golf R built on a chassis that starts of as a regular Golf hatchback and gets extra engineering built into it. A good foundation is all important, and when it comes to ride, handling as well as NVH, the engineers already have the brilliant chassis of the basic Golf and makes it into the Golf R. 

Car News: Launches this week - Nissan Teana and the Range Rover Sport

Nissan launches the ALL-NEW 2014 L33 Nissan Teana (aka Nissan Fuga elsewhere). It looks good, has a name that no one will make fun of and is now without a 6 cylinder engine (now a 2.0 136hp  4cylinder and a 173hp 2.5 4 cylinder driving the front wheels via a CVT - not that powerful if you compare to the Honda Accord or even Hyundai's i40). Boo Hoo for ultimate affordable refinement but prices are more affordable and servicing costs should go down a tad bit. RM139,800 for the base 2.0, RM149,800 for the 2.0XL and RM169,900 for the full monty 2.5XV. All with insurance.

BMW Celebrates 25 years of the BMW 8 series Coupe

 

Recently BMW celebrated the 25th anniversary of the BMW 8 series coupe. This flagship coupe was basically BMW's halo car in the late 1980s and the early to mid 1990s. Launched in 1989 the BMW 850i was quite close to what a BMW supercar could have been (aside from the earlier BMW M1 that is). It had a 5.0 liter V12 engine that also powered the 750i and it made 300hp with 450Nm enabling the sleek coupe to have a 0-100kmh of 6.8seconds (with either a 6 speed manual gearbox or slightly slower with a 4 speed automatic). This was later upgraded to a 5.6liter V12 in 1993 and the car could hit 100kmh in under 6 seconds. One must remember that this was the 1990s and this was good enough those days. 

BMW also launched a 840i with a 4.0liter V8 making 286hp. Not as fast as the V12 versions, but still having the same sleek styling, pop up headlights and was also filled with tech. Note that the 8 Series actually had active steering as well as some rear wheel steering too. It had a lot of stuff that we see today in the latest BMWs. 

News: The Castrol Edge Titanium Trial - Video with Ken Block and others

THE TITANIUM STRONG BLACKOUT TRIAL

MAN AND MACHINE TAKE ON A CHALLENGE LIKE NO OTHER IN 

A PITCH-BLACK RACE AGAINST THE LIGHTS



(5 June 2014) Witness jaw-dropping car stunts like never before in the first Castrol EDGE

Titanium Trial: Titanium Strong Blackout. YouTube sensation Ken Block, Augusto Farfus (BMW

Motorsport works driver/DTM), Mike Rockenfeller (Audi Sport works driver/DTM) and Adrian Zaugg

(Lamborghini Squadra Corse test driver) team up for the first time to take on this one-of-a-kind race

against the lights, on a course drenched in darkness. Powered by Castrol EDGE now boosted with

TITANIUM FST™, it was up to the drivers to step up, push it and be Titanium Strong.

Hyundai provides 1,021 vehicles for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil

1,201 is a huge amount of vehicles! This is what we call good promotional marketing as Brazil (even with all the controversy surrounding how the country is preparing for the competition) is one of the most promising emerging markets these days. You spend money to make money. This is one good example of it being done.

PRESS RELEASE

Hyundai Motor Kicks Off 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™

By Providing Vehicles For Ground Transportation

− Hyundai Motor delivers 1,021 premium sedans, SUVs and vans to be used as

official tournament transportation, and decorates the 32 official national team

buses with the slogans of the ‘Be there with Hyundai’ competition

Wanna Win A VW Polo Sedan??

Interested? 

You only need to head over to test drive Volkswagen models in any Volkswagen dealerships nationwide or log on to http://bit.ly/emelxVW from June 10 to July 10 in order to fill out a simple online survey to be in the running to win the grand prize. No purchase is required to enter. 

PRESS RELEASE:

Win a Polo Sedan with the Volkswagen “Safe and 

Stylish Balik Kampung” campaign in collaboration 

with Melinda Looi 

Sunday Car Porn: Mini Superleggera Vision Concept and the Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato

I know this is a bit late as almost all the websites have published this bit of news. The car, touted as BMW Mini's challenge to the Mazda MX-5 is indeed a stunner. It brings back a look from an era that has long gone - the 1960s. Small roadsters as well as gorgeous looking coupes existed back then. Think Lotus Elan, Aston Martin DB5 (which is by Touring Superleggera and you can see the similarity in its DNA too) and the Jaguar E-type to name a few. Super glamorous. And if Mini does make it its flagship model, it could possibly be the most gorgeous small roadster/coupe on sale which you can buy.

Trucking News: Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Makes its First UD Trucks’ Quester Delivery in Malaysia

Press Release

Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Makes its First UD Trucks’ Quester Delivery in Malaysia

SELANGOR, 30 May 2014 – In response to the ever increasing demand for reliable transport solutions in Malaysia’s growing economy, Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd (TCIE), the authorized sole distributor for UD Trucks in Malaysia, made its first batch of delivery of the all-new Japanese heavy duty truck, Quester, to its long term customer, Kim Ma Oil Palm Transport Sdn Bhd (Kim Ma).

NEWS RELEASE: The Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 2WD: New variant to Malaysia launched

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 May 2014 – Volkswagen Group Malaysia today introduces the new choice for driving pleasure, the Tiguan 1.4 2WD, a fully imported compact SUV from Germany which is available for viewing at all Volkswagen dealerships in Peninsular Malaysia starting today.

A pure fusion of innovation and performance, the Tiguan is a sporty SUV that is both practical and versatile, yet a safe and durable set of wheels. True to its tagline of “Explore Life”, the Tiguan combines exceptional performance with fuel efficiency and innovative, enabling discerning drivers to get the most out of their experience behind the wheel whether it’s at the most happening spots in the middle of town or on the open road.

News Release: Total Oil Malaysia Annouced Strategic Partnership with Wing Hin Motorsports

Partnership Launch officiated by (From L to Right) Mr. Antonio Miranda, Managing Director, Kenny Lee, Race Driver, Mr. Simon Loh, Dir. Sales & Racing and William Ho, Race Driver    

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – May 30, 2014 – Total Oil Malaysia, a leading worldwide producer of  cutting-edge innovation lubricants is excited to officially announced the partnership with Wing Hin Motorsports on 29 May 2014. Total, known for being an active Motorsports player, will be the exclusive provider of cutting-edge lubricants to Wing Hin Motorsports’ racing team in their upcoming races. In the fast-paced world of motorsports, both key players in their respective 
industries aim to set a whole new benchmark under the terms of this strategic partnership. 

Total’s role in the motorsports scene as a global lubricant sponsor for Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team in
Formula One™ ; Citroën in World Rally Championships, and DAKAR Rally, has established its strong
presence in these world leading competitions. On the other hand, Wing Hin Motorsports who has
garnered its status as one of the leading racing teams in Malaysia is well represented by their strong
professional race board leaders, Kenny Lee and William Ho, who collectively have been bringing
home multiple victories.

Review: CITROEN DS4 1.6 THP - The High Riding Coupe Hatchback

Hello folks, I am back after a few weeks of getting hit by a ridiculously bad case of flu. It was so bad that I had to stop writing for a while Anyway I am back and here's a review of the Citroen DS4 1.6 THP. I was allowed to play with it a little around the time I got sick. Fortunately I managed to drive around with it a fair bit. Unfortunately, I did not have enough energy to go shoot a short in-car vid about it. So here you go folks, a traditional, read only review on the DS4 Do enjoy it anyway.

The design, engine and drivetrain

Reason to buy a Mercedes Benz AMG

This is very interesting. And hilarious too. 2006 Mercedes Benz E55 AMG with a lawnmover on a trailier beats the shit out of a Nissan 350Z. And the 350Z driver seems to be slightly overconfident too. Watch this folks.

KAH MOTOR SELAYANG - HONDA'S FIRST 3S CENTRE TO ADOPT HONDA'S NEW CORPORATE IDENTITY

I attended the official opening of Kah Motor's Honda 3S centre in Selayang on Monday and it marked the start of Honda using its new (for Malaysia) Corporate Identity (CI). Those who follow the website on Facebook would be aware of this earlier. The centre boasts 28 repair bays and a state of the art workshop, sales and parts centre. Eco-friendly too with use of LED lighting here and there.

Honda seems to be on a roll with the new Accord and the recently launched Honda City. MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno (pictured above (left) with Oriental Holdings Bhd Deputy Chairman, Dato' Loh Kian Chong (right) - representing Kah Motors) also states that Honda Malaysia plans to sell up to 75,000 units of passenger vehicles this year. This is due to the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Melaka, the improved CI and the new models launched.