Facelifted Toyota Camry finally here....let's compare a little.

2015 Toyota Camry SEA market

We Malaysians are a poor sordid lot. We get things somewhat slower than other countries. Especially when it comes to Toyota Camry cars. I wrote in April 2014 that the Americans were getting their Camry facelifted. I also stated that it looked fantastic compared to what we are getting. Take a look at the pic below. Look at the lights. Front and rear. We're not getting this more aero looking Camry. Nope.

USDM Toyota Camry

ALL NEW Ford Everest debuts at the Bangkok Auto Show

Ford previews the all new Ford Everest over at the Bangkok Auto Show. Expect it to arrive on our shores by the middle of this year. The Ford Everest is basically a Ford Ranger pick up truck with a full cabin. Specs of the Everest are high and are exactly like the facelifted Ranger previewed earlier.

On the aspect of motor shows, its quite sad that Malaysia does not have one as big as the ones in Thailand or even Indonesia. Actually, Singapore motor show does things better most of the time. Maybe we've got to open up the car market even more for more enthusiastic participants.

Ford facelifts the Ranger and previews it at the Bangkok Auto Show

Fomoco (Ford Motor Company) has previewed the facelifted Ford Ranger pickup over at Bangkok. The facelifted Ford Ranger gets a new look front end, upgraded power trains and a stylish, smart and functional new interior. 

Short test drive: 2015 Mazda 2 1.5 Hatchback - Definitely not your conventional supermini

Mazda launched the fourth generation Mazda 2 here in Malaysia recently. Two variants, one a hatchback, the other a sedan. Both get the same specs inside and out. The only difference is a boot and the other a hatch. Both cost RM88,000 or thereabouts and are seriously well equipped for the price. What this new Mazda 2 brings to the table are a lot of good things for supermini buyers out there.

If you compare with the older Mazda 2, the new one isn't based on the Ford Fiesta. It isn't all cute and cuddly anymore and is not all spare and very no-frills looking like the previous generation. What you get is basically a miniaturized Mazda 3 (or if you want to go all the way, the Mazda 6) in terms of external looks.

Paul Smith's One Off Land Rover Defender 90

“This is a complete one-off; I wanted to give this Defender a feeling of luxury,” says Smith “So I used a mix of leather and fabric for the seats. I actually used the fabric that I design for Maharam, the American upholstery company. The vehicle features lots of special Paul Smith touches. My designs are known for their attention to detail, so I didn’t want this Defender to be any different.”. This is why this Defender looks like any other Defender instead of being something bonkers (like the one car styling company Kahn Design usually does).

The Land Rover Defender 2.4 TDCI 90 Pick Up Chelsea Wide Track by Kahn Design

I do wish to see one of these monsters on our roads especially in and around Cameron Highlands. The Land Rover Defender 2.4 TDCI 90 Pick Up Chelsea Wide Track by Kahn Design. Imagine one of these transporting cabbages and broccoli up and down Brincang to Tapah. Cabbages flying everywhere. But what a sight it could be. 

Hyundai Veloster Turbo open for booking with a targeted mid-April launch - At last!!!!

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has opened its order books now for the refreshed 2016 Veloster Turbo which is expected to arrive on Malaysian shores in mid-April this year.  Fully imported from Korea, the Veloster Turbo is Hyundai’s turbocharged version of the unique 1+2 door sporty coupe. It is the first Hyundai vehicle to be fitted with the 1.6-litre T-GDI engine that features a high-compression, twin-scroll turbocharger combined with the GDI system and transmitted to the front wheels via a 7 speed dual clutch transmission. Oh, all of that translates to 186ps and 265Nm torque and a 0-100kmh time of around 8.4 seconds. Prices are estimated to be around the RM150,000 range. Performance and in some ways, price, are not too bad for a brand new entry level 'coupe'.

News: Volkswagen Group Malaysia Launches 3S Facility in Melaka

People of Melaka rejoice. If you intend to purchase or already have a Volkswagen, that is.

PRESS RELEASE

Volkswagen Group Malaysia Launches 3S Facility in Melaka

Melaka, 18 March 2015 – N3 Auto has launched a brand new showroom in the centre of Melaka, on Jalan Bukit Palah. The 3S facility – Sales, Service, and Spare Parts was unveiled by Mr. Chua Beng Poh, General Manager of N3 Auto and Mr Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia, on Wednesday, March 18th 2015.

Trucking News: UD Trucks incorporates customer feedback, demonstrates enhanced features in UD Quester

UD Trucks, with its long tradition of continuously improving its processes and product development, invited some 200 fleet owners and drivers to experience recent enhancements to the UD Quester, their heavy-duty truck range designed specifically for emerging markets in Asia. Incorporating customer feedback, these changes – which include an easier gear shift; the extra engine brake adjusted to lower speed; and a new application category – Dangerous Goods – were demonstrated at an exclusive test drive event at the Kaeng Krachang Circuit in Phetchaburi, Thailand from February 26 to March 3.

Trucking News: SCANIA AND JKJR - PARTNERS AGAIN TO CHAMPION ROAD SAFETY

PRESS RELEASE

SCANIA AND JKJR - PARTNERS AGAIN TO CHAMPION ROAD SAFETY

Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, 19 March – The Scania Driver Competitions 2014/2015 Malaysia-Singapore (SDC) has, for the 4th time, attained the support of the Road Safety Department of Malaysia or Jabatan Keselamatan Jalanraya (JKJR) as an Official Partner.

In line with JKJR’s vision, mission and objectives, the SDC will once again lead the Malaysian Transportation Industry to elevate the status of truck and bus drivers through their participation in this internationally recognized competition.

Locally assembled Hyundai Tucson for the Malaysian market

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has rolled-out the locally assembled  (CKD) version of the Hyundai Tucson 2.0L, Hyundai’s mid-size SUV. As with other locally assembled Hyundai, the assembly is done at the Inokom plant located  in Kulim, Kedah.

Tucson NU 2.0 Sport

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.