Chrome for your Mini anyone? The MINI featuring Chrome Line Exterior Deluxe

Your standard MINI not funky or attention grabbing enough? Well, MINI thinks that the Chrome Line Exterior Deluxe package for the MINI is an irresistible eye catcher. 

According to MINI, "the new special equipment feature will also impact on production processes at the MINI plant in Oxford, UK. The hall lights will automatically be dimmed during assembly of the new MINI 3 door with Chrome Line Exterior Deluxe. What is more, the operating speed of the conveyor belt will be reduced so as to give employees the opportunity to check their clothing and hair in the reflection of the MINI body."

Ford Announces Start of Pre-Launch Bookings for the Ford Mondeo

New 2015 Ford Mondeo will be on display from today to the 5th at Bangsar Shopping Centre and other locations later. You can place your booking if you're interested in this good looking large sedan. The estimated retail price for the Mondeo is around RM203,000+.

Volvo Trucks annual Fuelwatch Challenge is back for 2015

Volvo Trucks annual Fuelwatch Challenge is back for 2015! Truckers as well as your bosses, do take note. Volvo Trucks Malaysia will begin a nationwide roadshow and competition from 9 April to 7 June 2015 to scout for the most fuel efficient and skilled truck driver in Malaysia. After this, the best of the lot will go on to the semi finals and finals on the 14th and 15th of August 2015 respectively.

Ford advises us how to beat stress with a car's features and technology

According to Ford, we Asians spend a lot of time in our cars. 1,000 hours in total yearly and some, like those in India spend at least 12 hours in their cars every week. That's a whole lot of time. On average, I think that the average Malaysian who lives and works in the Klang Valley spends as much time too due to traffic jams. In fact, as I write this, Subang Jaya is now suffering from flash floods due to the heavy rain.

Hyundai i20 Coupe, i20 Hatchback and the Hyundai Sonata wins Red Dot Design Awards

Hyundai wins three Red Dot Design Awards with the new Hyundai i20 Coupe, the i20 5 door Hatchback and the all-new Hyundai Sonata. Another feather in the cap for Peter Schreyer, who is currently head of design for Hyundai Motor Group. After making headways with Kia, the designer has now turned his attention towards Hyundai to impressive results.

Trucking News: Volvo Trucks have a new dealership in Ipoh

 Volvo Trucks have officiated their second new dealership in Malaysia this year. The new dealership in located in Ipoh and basically charts another milestone in Volvo Trucks' Deaer Operating Standard Enhancement Programme that was first initiated three years ago.

The new dealership is located in a standalone building with a land area of 8,361 square metres and built-up area of 1,160 square metres, the new dealership is a significant upgrade in terms of space and facilities as compared to shop lot units it previously occupied.

ALL NEW McLAREN 570S COUPE UNVEILED AHEAD OF GLOBAL DEBUT IN NEW YORK

McLaren has revealed the first model in something called the Sports Series of cars. The McLaren 570S coupe is part of the sports series, and is now one of the 'entry level'  models in the McLaren product line-up. You have the Super Series and the Ultimate Series coming after that. 

Anyway, the 570S still has the usual supercar layout and numbers. 570ps and 600Nm torque, 0-100kmh in 3.2seconds and 0-200kmh in 9.5seconds. Top speed is 328kmh.

Saturday Night Teh Tarik Session Part 1: Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 driven

Last Saturday a few of us got together for our usual round of teh tarik over at Desa Sri Hartamas. This time around two of them brought their new rides. One was a newly registered grey imported Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 and the other was one of those large C7 Audi A6 3.0TFSI. The Golf most of you would know is the range topping Golf whereas the A6 is the mid-tier A6, but as you will find out, a stonking one at that. So aside from the usual banter and exchange of thoughts, it was a night of driving around in some cars too.

After a facelift, the ML Becomes the GLE - Mercedes Benz previews the GLE Class

Meercedes Benz has revised the ML series of SUV and it is now called the GLE series in the vast range of Mercedes Benz automobiles. New front and rear styling, better emissions (up to 17% better), better fuel consumption and a plug in hybrid model too. The press release is quite interesting, especially right at the end where it explains the new naming of Mercedes Benz automobiles. 

All new 2016 Jaguar XF previewed

In about a week or so, Jaguar will preview this all-new 2016 Jaguar XF at the New York Motor Show on 1st April 2015. I suppose this short article will not capture the attention of many of you readers out there as it isn't bread and butter. This is more like cake. Lovely and moist with a punch of sweetness with a price to match. This is a premium product of course and it is a Jaguar. And Jaguars are cool as a cat these days. 

Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation - BMW plays a part

Yes. Mr Ethan Hunt is back....in a BMW M3..on a BMW motorcycle too....

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.