Mitsubishi has not developed the next generation Lancer as yet

2011 USDM Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart..BUT...it could be  the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Mitsubishi Lancer too 

This piece of news from caradvice.com.au about the Mitsubishi Lancer interests me. It seems Mitsubishi is not planning a replacement model for the Lancer sedan at this moment and may not do so for the next few years. The decision was made after the deal with Renault to source C and D segment sedans fell through and that Mitsubishi does not have the financial will to do it on their own. The company will focus on building and designing SUVs, hybrids, city cars and electric cars for the moment and replacement for larger sedan models such as the Lancer are shelved.

First Generation Porsche Cayenne as a used purchase- Can you afford to maintain it?

I was recently asked by a reader on the possible maintenance costs of running a first generation Porsche Cayenne (2003-2010) in Malaysia. The first thing that crossed my mind was money. Lots of money required to do so. The infamous saying that if you have to ask means you cannot afford it comes to mind. But then again, this is Malaysia, there could be a hope in hell with all the Cayennes you see running around the country. Anyway, I asked a few people, poked around a bit and found out a bit more about the SUV that basically saved Porsche from an early death. I have informed the chap and I believe that I should share some of the findings with you folks out there.

The Volkswagen Passat B8 is the European Car of the Year 2015

The new Volkswagen Passat is the European Car of the Year for 2015. This full sized sedan, the 8th generation Passat was launched last year and has been well received over in Europe. Well, this award solidifies that I suppose.

I had viewed the B8 Passat sometime late last year and the good thing about this new one is that it isn't very uncle-like anymore. It sits low and wide instead of upright and a little dull. It looks genuinely sporty. Much like how Volkswagen removed some of that extra roof height from the Mk6 Golf and morphed it into the lower, sportier Mk7 version.

TEST DRIVE: Mercedes GLA200 - ride comfort is back for the Mercedes A-class platform

Mercedes Benz is on a roll with their smallest model, the current A-class. This car, in its premium hatchback form has actually made a whole new group of people Mercedes Benz owners. Sales are up and everything is all fine and dandy. But the best thing about the A-class is that it has given birth to the fancy looking CLA four door coupe-with-the-practicality-of-a sedan-thingy and the GLA Class. The SUV variant of the A-class.

Dunlop Formula D05 & Dunlop SP Sport J5 - Two new Dunlop Passenger Car Tyres are launched for the Malaysian market

Dunlop tyres had recently launched the Dunlop Formula D05 and the Dunlop SP Sport J5 for the Malaysian market. The D05 is the premium tyre of the two and is considered as a high performance all weather tyre with sizes from 15inch to 18inches whilst the SP Sport J5 is the comfort spec tyre and for the bread and butter segment (12inches to 15inches) of the market.

THE ELANTRA FACELIFT LAUNCHED AT ALL HYUNDAI SHOWROOMS

Hyundai has started selling the facelifted Elantra already. According to Hyundai Sime Darby, there are 14 Improvements and Upgrades of the Elantra Facelift. I've driven this model when it was launched a few years ago. It was not a bad car to drive actually. I only thought the seating position was a bit high and that the center air vents were a little too direct to the fingers (if adjusted to face the driver). I suppose the vent issue has been corrected. The first gripe is very personal and would actually mean something if one wanted to use it to drive fast all of the time (and feel like a race car driver seated low all of the time). So it isn't that big of an issue to most of the general population of Hyundai drivers out there.

Ford to Preview Iconic New Mustang for the First Time in Malaysia

Hello folks! Ford has announced that you can view the iconic Ford Mustang over at Publika in Solaris Dutamas over the next few days. This is way ahead of its official launch sometime at the end of this year. A teaser you may say.

The iconic Mustang will be offered in Malaysia in both a fastback and convertible, and with a choice of a 5.0-litre V8, producing 435 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, or a turbocharged, fuel-efficient 2.3-litre EcoBoost® engine, producing 310 horsepower. Quite amazing is the fact that they are actually bringing in the 5.0 V8 even though Malaysian road tax for that engine capacity will cost in excess of RM10,000.00 for private users. Gotta admire their guts for doing so.

Land Rover Defender 110 - The Flying Huntsman 110 WB 6x6 concept debuts at 2015 Geneva

This beast just debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 2015. Kahn does the AMG G-WAGEN 6X6 with the Defender. Fuiyooooh. Extra long rear from the extra wheels and note the extra long front too folks.

PRESS RELEASE

Kahn Design has announced the debut of a coach-built concept based on the Land Rover Defender 110 titled the Flying Huntsman 110 WB 6x6 Concept. The formal unveiling of the prototype, codenamed "Mission 1" will take place at the Geneva Motor Show, at the Kahn Design stand, no. 6338 at 14:45 on the 3rd of March.

Since the early 1900s, automotive coachbuilders have created custom vehicles using pre existing chassis. Whilst names such as Pininfarina, Zagato and Bertone have risen to be globally recognised, in recent years there has been no equivalent in Britain.

The Proton Perdana V6 - Old school gets you six cylinders

At a time when the latest cars are being launched over at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, I'd like to devote some of my time talking about something closer to home and something which most of you still see on our roads - the Proton Perdana V6.

I recently found myself in one of these cars and noted that I have never written anything about this car ever since I started writing stuff about cars. Anyway, the Proton Perdana was first launched in 1995 to some fanfare. It is basically a mid-sized/D segment sedan and when first launched could be had with a 2.0liter 4 cylinder engine that made about 135hp/176nm. The front wheels were driven through a 4 speed automatic transmission with something called fuzzy logic that actually learnt your driving style and adjusted throttle response to suit. There was also a 5 speed manual. But not many bought this option.

Our Cars: W201 Mercedes Benz 190e 2.3 8v - SOLD

Yup. Serial car buyer....no, make it serial Mercedes car buyer Adlis K has since sold off that beautiful 190e 2.3-16 lookalike of his as of a month or so ago. The reason of the sale after a helluva paint job, the refurbishment of those gorgeous 190e Evolution wheels, a change of a whole lot of mechanical parts like the propshaft bearings, mountings and other stuff is the funding of another car. It usually is......with this friend of mine. Much like the sale of his previous W124 200e that looked like a 500e.

The all-new 2015 Nissan X-Trail....2.0l or 2.5l?

The all-new Nissan X-Trail was launched about a month ago here in Malaysia and today, very early in the morning of the third day of the year of the Goat that I have decided to give my opinion on this SUV.

The 2015 X-Trail is based on the latest Renault Nissan common module family platform and would be used by both Nissan and Renault to make lots of cars. Right now I know that this X-Trail is sold as the Nissan Rogue in America and the X-Trail elsewhere. A short wheelbase variant of this SUV is also produced and sold as the Nissan Qashqai or as Clarkson once called it, the Kumquat. Hey, I'm not the only motoring journo who likes giving new names to funny named Nissan if you get my drift. I suppose it has been quite lucky for Nissan Malaysia that they sold the X-Trail as an X-Trail instead of a Qashqai. It'll be a marketing nightmare trying to try sell the product. Cashcow you say? 

Tested: 2015 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 Executive - Hyundai has caught up and overtaken a few of its challengers too

Hyundai recently launched the latest and greatest Sonata recently and I managed to have a go in it. The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is all new both above the skin and underneath it. It was launched sometime last year and I was quite surprised that Hyundai has decided to bring it in even though it already has the very good Hyundai i40 on sale here.

In the global scale, the i40 is the more European tinged car and the Sonata is the more Korean and more North Americanised (as it is meant for that market) version of the full sized family sedan or also known as the D segment vehicle. We somehow manage to get both the i40 and the Sonata with the i40 being placed as the more premium of the two here in Malaysia. The main difference is that whilst both are 2.0liter 4 cylinder petrol engined cars, the i40 gets GDI (direct injection) for its engine and the Sonata does not. In other words, slightly less tech at a more affordable price. Covering the lower end of the D segment category.

Ferrari previews the Ferrari 488 GTB ahead of its launch

The Ferrari 488 GTB is about to be launched soon over at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Ferrari says it is not merely an upgraded Ferrari 458 Italia although those who aren't aware will say that it looks pretty much the same.

I suppose it isn't as the heart of this one now gets a 3.9liter bi-turbo V8 that pumps out 670hp and 780Nm torque. Compare this to the 562Hp and 540Nm torque from the 458 Italia and you know it that the 488 GTB is more supercar than before. It has a 7 speed dual clutch gearbox and claims a 0-100kmh time of 3.0 seconds and a 205mph+(330+kmh) top speed (458 Italia gets 0-100kmh done in 3.4seconds and tops out at 202mph if you must know). It also has better aerodynamics too. 50% more downforce than the Italia as well as improved vehicle dynamics from its onboard electronics too.

McLaren will debut another stunner at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

McLaren will debut another car at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show together with the much awaited production-intent McLaren P1™ GTR. It will be a long tail variant and is actually a competition car that will be competiting in the McLaren Super Series.

The name is based on the McLaren F1 Longtail race variant from 1997. I remember reading a magazine about that car and it was a stunning piece of work. Of course, I was just a greenhorn and just started being a  lowly paid corporate slave, er, paper pusher. 

PRESS RELEASE
A SECOND GENEVA DEBUT AND A NEW NAME: THE McLAREN 675LT 

• LT model designation – standing for ‘Longtail’ – to join exisitng C and S range hierarchy
• LT to be the lightest, the quickest, and the purest version in the range
•  Introduced by the 675LT which joins 650S and Asia-only 625C in the newly named McLaren Super Series
• Global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015 alongside the production-intent McLaren P1™ GTR
• Modern day interpretation of the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’– the evolution of a true world-beater

McLaren will look to its heritage when it revives the legendary ‘Longtail’ name given to one of the purest GT sportscars of all time, the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’, for the launch of the new McLaren 675LT at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. This road legal supercar will embody the ‘Longtail’ ethos with a focus on performance optimised aerodynamics, increased downforce, driver engagement, power and reduced weight.

The 675LT will join the core range of McLaren supercars alongside the existing 650S and Asia-only 625C to form the newly named McLaren Super Series which sits above the recently announced Sports Series in the range hierarchy.  In line with the convention begun with the 650S, the number 675 denotes the power produced by the 675LT’s engine in PS – the output equating to a devilish 666bhp.  This figure makes the 675LT the most powerful offering in the Super Series.  It will be offered in coupé bodystyle only when deliveries start later this year.

The iconic Longtail name made its debut during the 1997 season of sportscar racing, and saw a legendary model from McLaren on the grids around the world evolve into the most efficient race-focused version seen to-date. Rather than rest on the laurels of the highly-successful examples from the previous two seasons, which included a win on its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995, McLaren moved the benchmark on further – an approach that echoes through the company to this very day. Formula 1™ knowledge and experience, and the know-how gained from the pinnacle of the sport created the purest version of a true world-beater.

The distinctive stretched silhouette of the McLaren F1 GTR became known during the season as the ‘Longtail’. The nickname stuck, and the model demonstrated the ultimate example of one of motorsport’s most successful GT cars.

More details of the 675LT, including its startling performance figures, will be announced in the weeks running up to the Geneva Show.  

About McLaren Automotive:

McLaren Automotive is a British manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports cars, located at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, Surrey.

Following the company’s global launch in 2010, McLaren Automotive launched the groundbreaking 12C and 12C Spider and followed this in 2013 with the limited-run McLaren P1™. In keeping with its plan to introduce a new model each year, the company recently unveiled the 650S Coupe and 650S Spider. The brand continues to expand, operating through a dedicated global network of retailers in every major automotive market.

McLaren Automotive Partners
To support the development, engineering and manufacture of its range of innovative and highly acclaimed sports cars, McLaren Automotive has partnered with world leading companies to provide specialist expertise and technology.  These include Akebono, AkzoNobel, ExxonMobil, Pirelli, SAP and TAG Heuer.

Designed for the track; Developed for the road

The connection between Formula 1 and road cars at McLaren is a natural process of experience, knowledge, principles and process transfer. Through the integration of 50 years of Formula 1™ racing expertise and knowledge, and over 20 years of heritage in producing landmark sports cars, McLaren Automotive designs, develops and builds a range of technologically advanced and groundbreaking high performance sports cars which are designed to be a no compromise drive on both road and track.

McLaren has pioneered the use of carbon fibre in vehicle production over the past 30 years, and since introducing a carbon chassis into racing and road cars with the 1981 McLaren MP4/1 and 1993 McLaren F1 respectively, McLaren has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis.

Visit cars.mclaren.com for more details.

Someone lucky wins a new Volkswagen Scirocco in Malaysia recently

Volkswagen Malaysia are quite generous. They just gave away a Volkswagen Scirocco to one of its customer very recently. The winner, Mr Loo Kuok Tung from Subang Jaya, drove home his grand prize – a brand-new Volkswagen Scirocco.

Volkswagen ‘Give Me 5’ contest, was  held between 9th to 31st October of 2014 and was open to Volkswagen Malaysia customers. Congrats to the Golf Mk6 owner.

Automotive news: Nippon Paint unveils 40 new colours for automotive use

Mr. Ong Eng Keong, Assistant General Manager-Group Technical Sales Dept. 

Industrial Use and Mr. Alex Yoong, Assistant General Manager-Marketing of Nippon 

Paint Malaysia with the Just Me automotive colour display

Now the automotive industry isn't all about driving and testing vehicles all the time. As you guys know there are support industries all over the place. From car service centres, automotive tint film, oils, chemicals, tyres and other stuff. This makes the industry go round. And there is also paint. Nippon Paint has decided to unveil 40 new supporting colours for the automotive market.

Truck News: Volvo Launches Fast Track Service to Enhance Customer Ownership Experience

Good news. If you run and operate Volvo Trucks in and around Shah Alam.........

Volvo Trucks Malaysia (Volvo) has enchanced its customer service with the launch of Fast Track Service facility at its flagship Shah Alam dealership. The express service is designed to increase efficiency for its customers by enabling quicker turnaround in truck repair. This latest move by the global commercial vehicle manufacturer follows a string of dealership expansions and refurbishments under the company’s network development strategy aimed at amplifying customer benefits and expanding the value and experience of truck ownership for its customers.

Austere Luxury. Something We Don't Get To Have Anymore

I recently came from a test drive of the all-new Hyundai Sonata sometime ago and I was quite impressed with what the car had and what it had to offer its driver and passengers. It had all the bells and whistles. It had Navigation from a Papago based system as well as Waze installed into its ANDROID based infotainment unit. Being an ANDROID based system with cellular data hooked onto it meant that it had normal radio as well as internet based entertainment and software like Spotify for your to listen to your favourite songs. Aside from music, navigation and a whole lot more entertainment, the Sonata came equipped with lots of creature comforts like power windows, electrically adjustable seats, rain sensing wipers, auto lights and a whole lot more. The only thing left for us to do is drive them to where we want to go and when you did that, you would be entertained. And all of this in a mid-priced full sized sedan. Not top of the line luxury brand mind you, just something mid-sized family 

THE McLAREN 650S LE MANS - CELEBRATING 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF A FAMOUS WIN

McLaren have been pretty quiet on the Malaysian front in my opinion. I have been frequenting the usual watering holes around Bangsar and Sri Hartamas over the past year where the usual Ferrari and Porsche cars are spotted. I have only seen two recently. One belongs to someone who I know bought prior to the official McLaren presence in Malaysia and another, which may have been an official McLaren Kuala Lumpur sold car. 

Honda City SX8 into a Honda Impreza from years ago. Malaysia Boleh.

Now speaking about Subaru Impreza GD series (here called V7/8/9) clones, I have to say that the first generation  ASEAN only Honda City SX8 (not counting the two earlier Japan based ones) I saw five or six years ago is the best that I have seen so far. The Saga BLM, Waja clones aren't as good as this. Of course, there were those who bought the Hyundai Accent with the locally made RXS (stupidly using same logo and font for its badge as a Yamaha RXS motorcycle sold years earlier in Malaysia) and rebadged it as a Subaru.

This 'Honda City was only sold in South East Asia and is based on the then recently discontinued Honda Civic EF chassis. That chassis was actually quite good and even though the City came with a SOHC VTEC 1.5liter engine, it could handle the hotter Twin Cam 1.6liter VTEC used in the hotter SiR EF Civics easily. So those days we had some of these Cities with at least 160hp instead of 102hp.