TECH TALK: Volkswagen engine and DSG related issues. How to try avoid them (UPDATED)

There has been a fair bit of Volkswagen related news this week and I thought I'd continue with something technical related. Over the last few months I have been driving a slew of Volkswagen cars. From the basic Volkswagen Polo 1.6 hatchback to the latest locally assembled Volkswagen Jetta 1.4TSI. All are decent cars to drive around and some, like the Polo GTI brought a smile to my face because it was simply satisfying to drive fast in a tiny car over a nice mountainside road. The latest Mk7 Golf  1.4 TSI was also remarkable in that after a few days you realise why this car has been the benchmark in family hatchbacks over the years. A tad soulless, but a feat in packaging and also overall vehicle performance. And oh, nothing broke, nor did any issues creep up as regards to them.

THE VOLKSWAGEN MARATHON SERIES 2014: DRIVEN BY VOLKSWAGEN

This is a bit of news for those who like to run for fun or for fitness or for competition. I'd rather drive. But those who would rather run, do take note. Langkawi in August, Hulu Langat in early September 2014.

PRESS RELEASE

THE VOLKSWAGEN MARATHON SERIES 2014: DRIVEN BY VOLKSWAGEN

2015 Volkswagen Passat previewed - It looks much better than ever

The All-New 2015 Volkswgen Passat B9 is 2mm shorter than the outgoing one at 4767mm (wheelbase is an impressive 79mm longer at 2791mm), 12mm wider at 1832mm and 6mm lower at 1456mm. Like most new cars these days it is no longer heavier than the outgoing model but up to 85kg lighter with the base models coming in at 1312kg which is very impressive for a full sized sedan.

Automotive News: VW Group takes over Blackberry's European R&D centre and also founds Volkswagen Infotainment GmbH

This is something fairly interesting. The Volkswagen Group is taking over BlackBerry's European research and development centre in Bochum (Germany). What does this tell me? 

Spotted for Sale: 1994 Toyota Sera - Budget McLaren F1 Butterfly door experience

The Toyota Sera (model designation EXY10) is a two door, 2+2 Butterfly swing door equipped coupe which Toyota built from 1990 to 1996. Built originally and exclusively for the Japanese market, it somehow made its way overseas and Malaysia was one of them.

Sunday Car Porn: Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI XS 110 – Chelsea Defender by A. Kahn Design.

Kahn Design, that UK based company that adds more leather, wide arches, big wheels and basically everything turned up to 11 on a scale of 10 has did up another Land Rover Defender - The Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI XS 110 – Chelsea Defender. 

"The look of the Nara Bronze XS 110 Chelsea Wide Track is complimented by a multitude of additions that include a front bumper including bumper lighting, front and rear wheel wide wheel arches and wings in matt black, LED diamond bright headlights, bonnet vents with mesh, painted brake calipers, privacy glass, front bumper sump guard, hardwearing mud flaps, exhaust shields, Kahn crosshair exhaust system, Kahn 9 x 20" Mondial wheels in volcanic black and a Chelsea truck company spare wheel cover.

BMW i3 wins award for Production Interior Vehicle Design of the Year

The new BMW electric hybrid coupe, the BMW i3 has won an award for 2014 Production Interior Vehicle Design of the Year at the Automotive Interiors Expo Award 2014 (there IS such an expo!). The car, innovative as heck but isn't something for the sporty sort of BMW drivers. More for the uncles and aunties. And Eco-mentalists. Yup.

PRESS RELEASE

Tuning News: New 2014 Mercedes Benz C180 W205 tuned by Inden Design

The tuning houses have descended on the W205 Mercedes Benz C-class. Here we have Inden Design, tuner of Ferrari and Mercedes Benz over in Germany coming up with their interpretation of the entry level C180 model. This could be inspiration to those local car enthusiasts who intend to get the new C-class and start making it slightly different from the norm.

News: Subaru BRZ may be axed due to a BMW-Toyota collaboration

The Subaru BRZ, or the Subaru version of the Toyota GT86 may be discontinued if Toyota and BMW's joint venture on the developement of a high performance sports car gathers momentum. The chief engineer responsible for the Toyota and Subaru versions, Tetsuya Tada, had stated in an interview with www.Drive.com.au that the program with the German brand could be expanded to include the next 86. 

The engineers are currently examining whether to keep the current 2.0liter flat four engine or replace it with something more conventional, or in my opinion, something 4 cylinder with a turbocharger that allows for better emissions and torque (as well as downsizing the engine even more).

News: Volkswagen Peninsular Malaysia 'Volkswagen On Tour' Roadshow is now on going

Volkswagen Group Malaysia is extending its comprehensive and compelling Volkswagen brand experience to various locations across Peninsular Malaysia as part of its continuous commitment to engage with Malaysians. 

Starting with its first stop at One Utama in Petaling Jaya, the continuation of the Volkswagen On Tour series of roadshows will see visitors engaging personally with Volkswagen’s fleet of vehicles in Malaysia including all of Volkswagen’s recently launched vehicles – the all-new Golf R, the latest Tiguan, the enhanced Passat and the locally assembled Jetta. Visitors will also stand the chance to win the Polo Sedan in conjunction with Volkswagen’s “Safe and Stylish Balik Kampung” campaign.

News: Hyundai's new 3S Centre in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and enhanced Hyundai Veloster launched

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has opened its first 3S centre in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The 3S centre is located in Kuantan, Pahang and it is part of Hyundai's plan to increase its market share over the next three years continues to gain momentum. You can now get everything Hyundai in one stop over in the 'Pantai Timur'. 

2014 J.D Power Awards for Initial Quality Study and Awards for Dependability Rating

The 2011 Lexus GS - Most reliable Mid-sized Premium Car after three years and most reliable brand overall after the same period according to J.D Power

There are two, I repeat two (2) major J.D Power Awards for the Automotive sector out there. 

First is the Initial Quality Study for 2014. Taken from the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership, this score is based on problems that have caused a complete breakdown or malfunction, or where controls or features may work as designed, but are difficult to use or understand.

Hyundai Snares Most JD Power Initial Quality Awards In Its History

J.D. Power presented three Hyundai vehicles - 2014 Genesis, 2014 Elantra and 2014 Accent - their highest award for initial quality in their respective segments. Hyundai ranked fourth overall in initial quality, climbing six spots from last year, and was the highest-ranked non-premium brand. In total, Hyundai had six vehicles in the Top Three positions in their segments, including two second place finishes for Santa Fe and Sonata and a third-place finish for Equus. This year’s results mark the third time Hyundai has been the highest-ranked non-premium brand in the past 10 years, and the third time it finished among the Top Four brands overall.

TYRE NEWS: GOODYEAR PROVIDES MALAYSIAN DRIVERS WITH WORRY FREE ASSURANCE

Goodyear Malaysia is delivering greater assurance to drivers by offering its Worry Free Assurance program. This provides replacement tyres within six months from the date of purchase on selected Goodyear tire patterns for road hazard damage that is beyond repair (caused by puncture, cut, bruise or impact during the course of normal driving) on a maintained road (within the stipulated terms and conditions). Tyres are expensive. Especially in those large low profile sizes. AND what is the difference between tyre and tire? Tyre is the English way of spelling it and 'tire' is the American/Canadian way of spelling it as per the press release - there you go, another lesson for you folks out there.

Spotted For Sale: The "Toyota AE86" you never ever wanted

This is for one for those days where you thought things couldn't get any weirder but it does. My friend Firdaus has friends who search the classifieds for unique used cars to lust after. But sometimes they come across cars that you have no idea why they are what they are in the first place. This is one of them - a Proton Saga Iswara that wants to be a Tofu transport vehicle, the Toyota 'Hatchiroku' or 86.

Peugeot 508 facelifted for 2015MY

Peugeot has facelifted their large family sedan, the 508 for the 2015 Model Year. The new nose gets its new themes from the recently launch 308 and is actually more promiment as well as being a more conventional split two grille front end rather than one large grille previously. Lots of brands seem to eschew the large single grille and are now reverting to the traditional split grille setup. Ah, how things are so fluid in the automotive industry.

The facelift covers the sedan, the SW estate and also the crossover RX wagon (which isn't on sale over here) and aside from the front end rework, the new stuff are some new engines and the interior, which has new dials, instrumentation, less clutter (from less switches) and a larger infotainment screen. There are also blind spot sensors and a reverse camera as options too.

Facelifted 2015 Mercedes Benz CLS launched - new front end, LED headlights and a new gearbox

The facelifted Mercedes Benz CLS has been previewed. Typical of most new Mercedes Benz facelifts, the 2015 CLS now gets a nearly completely new front end. The 'honed front section' is actually a familiar looking face. It looks so much like the facelifted W212 E-class instead of being more of a 'halo' car for Mercedes. Maybe there is a need for more of a family look to it. It does have a Diamond pattern type grille of the latest sporty models though. Still breathtaking though.

RM199 per month for a Golf, Polo Sedan or Polo 1.6 - too good to be true?

"It’s never been easier to own a Volkswagen. For an amazingly low monthly instalment of RM199*, you can drive home a brand new Golf, Polo Sedan or Polo 1.6. And because we have stock readily available, there is no waiting for your dream car either."

So is it too good to be true? If it were RM199 per month forever, then theVolkswagen Golf 1.4TSI would be yours after about 779 months, a Polo Sedan could be yours for 452 months or 37 years. So......This is only for the first year okay. After that things should revert to the normal high hundreds or low thousands or RM.

Tech Talk: Mercedes Benz Malaysia says its not their fault you're having problems with Grey Imports and...

....I have to agree with them. This issue cropped up due to Malaysians who buy grey import Mercedes Benz Direct Injection (CGI) or even the CDI diesel models who are suffering from engine ailments caused by Malaysian petrol being of Euro 2 standard when the Euro or Japan Specced models brought in by grey importers or AP holders require at least Euro 4. Those that bought via official Mercedes Benz dealers (like Yours Truly...Muahahahahaha) will not face such problems.

Perodua drops prices of the Viva, why Perodua is successful and why Proton aren't

You've got to hand it to Perodua. The second national car maker has dropped prices for their cheapest model again. 

Viva 660 BX manual – RM22,000 ( from RM25,000, less RM3,000)
Viva 850 manual – RM27,900 (from RM33,200, less RM5,300)
Viva S auto – RM29,900 (from RM35,200, less RM5,300)
Viva Elite MT – RM32,900 (from RM38,200, less RM5,300)
Viva Elite AT – RM36,800 (from RM41,300, less RM4,500)