KLIMS'13 - Hyundai I40 sedan and i40 wagon Launched at KLIMS'13

2014 Hyundai i40 Wagon

So what the heck is a Hyundai i40? It is a full sized D segment sedan much like the Hyundai Sonata (Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Kia Optima etc) except Hyundai says that the i40 is a luxury D segment vehicle. Hyundai has decided to keep selling the cheaper Sonata while launching the i40 for the Malaysian market. We are getting spoilt for choices in this segment people.

How does this i40 differ from the Sonata?

All-new Mk3 Mini is larger than ever. Why?

Hot off the preview pages, the Mk3 2014/2015 Mini (above, left). Basically, its huge. 98mm longer (3,821mm), 44mm wider (1,727mm) and 7mm taller (1,414mm) than the Mk2 Mini. The wheelbase is 42mm longer at 2,495mm and it is wider too. Aside from that the top of the range Cooper S now comes with a 2.0liter turbocharged engine making 192hp. See? It even needs a larger sized engine to make it go fast.

KLIMS'13 - Volkswagen at KLIMS'13 and the launch of the CKD 2014 Polo 1.6 Hatchback

Volkswagen is another car manufacturer that decided to participate in a big way for the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS'13). The VW stand is the largest at KLIMS'13 and showcases the following:

• National premiere of the new 2014 Volkswagen Polo 1.6, 3rd locally assembled model
• Unique special ‘cut out’ model of Golf displays Volkswagen’s engineering, innovation and safety
• The iconic Beetle Fender Edition first appearance in Malaysia
• “Think Blue” – Interaction of fuel efficiency and fuel saving
• The Volkswagen comprehensive model line-up and exciting brand entertainment for all walks of life

MIROS crash tests a 23 year old Proton and declares it unsafe.....What a load of crap.

Photo:via cbt.com.my from Miros

There was, putting it bluntly, a really stupid piece of news made by the Malaysia Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) stating that cars that are more than 12 years old are not safe to be on the road. MIROS added that there is a higher risk of death in an accident because such cars could be faulty without the driver being aware of it and that most cars are designed to have a lifespan of five to twelve years. MIROS also stated that cars made more than twelve years ago were also lacking in safety features. This conclusion was derived after a car collision test at the Asean New Car Assessment Programme (ASEAN NCAP) . The test car was done on a...23 year old Proton Saga. 

KLIMS'13 - Ford at KLIMS, the Ford Fiesta EcoBoost and Ford EcoSport

Ford has chosen to participate in the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS'13) in a big way. They've decided to come up with a showcase showing its old and new cars. They've showcased a vintage Model A, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (no, this is just for show), Ford Focus Sport+ Graphite edition (above), Fiesta ST, the Fusion Hybrid saloon and two potential large sellers for them in Malaysia – the Ford EcoSport mini SUV and the Ford Fiesta 1.0l EcoBoost hatchback. Both the Ford EcoSport and EcoBoost will be launched next year with the Fiesta sometime early 2014 and the EcoSport later in the year.

KLIMS'13 - Infiniti makes its debut appearance at the Motor Show

Infiniti Q50

Infiniti has made their first appearance at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show. I hope they will keep on participating in it for years to come. Their cars might be for the luxury end of the car market, but variety makes things better. And people must have hopes and dreams. 

They've displayed the luxury flagship Q70, the premium sports saloon Q50 (which has a larger 3.7liter engine compared to the 2.5liter Q70), the QX50 SUV and Sebastian Vettel's F1 car. Let's just see what Infiniti has to say - photos incorporated therein.            

(-Sometimes, the press release is the most straightforward). 

INFINITI FIRST APPEARANCE IN KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL MOTORSHOW 2013

KLIMS'13 - The Nissan Leaf is officially launched

Nissan launched the Nissan Leaf electric car at KLIMS13. RM168,000 on the road for a fully electric car. This is a car which would have limited mileage if you are hard on the throttle pedal most of the time and love air-conditioning, radio and lights on. If your commutes are reasonably short then it would be the car for you. It would actually suit eco-mentalists, housewives, aunties and uncles who would only use the car within a 30km radius to run errands and for anyone that hates filling up petrol at the pumps. All they have to do is use the supplied power cold and charge the car after each drive. 

Convenient.  And that's all I have to say about the Leaf.