5 short films celebrating the MIGHTY, but Small Ford Ecoboost engine

Downsizing is the keyword with automotive engines these days. The Ford Motor Company has embraced this concept wholeheartedly. It isn't just big and mighty 5.0 V8s that power such cars like the Ford Mustang above, but a 2.3lliter Ecoboost engine. Still making 310hp / 430Nm, it still makes a large American sports car go pretty fast. In fact, the 4.6liter V8 that powered the previous generation Mustang GT made just 300hp / 433Nm. The Ecoboost is a fabulous work of engineering.

The first Ford EcoBoost engine was introduced in 2009 and since then, 5 million EcoBoost-equipped vehicles have been sold globally. In the Asia Pacific region, demand for the EcoBoost engine range is growing and Ford will be launching more vehicles equipped with the fuel-efficient technology. By the end of 2015, Ford will offer EcoBoost in Asia Pacific in more than 20 vehicles.

Some tidbits and news on upcoming reviews on a Truck vs a Bus, a Volkswagen Passat and a Jaguar XJ L

As usual I've been busy. Busy with life. I have also decided to clean up my personal Facebook page of all unwanted and negative clutter. Clutter has been mostly political and anyone who irritates the heck out of me. My Facebook feed is now very positive and I only see what I want to see. Clutter and deadweight holds you back. If you want to achieve more in most things you gotta get rid of it. Life is so much  better without idiots. 

Most of you would also realise that I am bilingual. I speak and write fluently (or decently well) in English and the Malay language. I also know how to swear and curse in umpteen more languages too. Being bilingual is a good thing, but one of the languages must be English if you want to spread your wings globally. I started writing in English because I wanted a broader audience instead of using my mother tongue. I also had the privilege to write for publications elsewhere aside from Malaysia. One of the great things about the knowledge to converse in English and the internet is that it opened up an avenue and a platform for me to share my thoughts to others through a channel that is easily accessible most of the time. And since English is the most widely used medium in most continents (Mandarin could be the most used language but it isn't used on all continents globally), it is the way to go. Look where English has gotten me. I get to drive nice vehicles most of the time.

What handles decently well and is under RM50,000? The Proton Iriz these days.

I was at the Giant Mall in Kelana Jaya and the Proton dealership there is offering the Proton Iriz with a discount of up to RM9,268 (T&C applies obviously). This has to be the fully loaded 1.6 CVT Automatic or the 1.6 Manual. I checked the online adverts for the car and yes, you can get a full monty Iriz for under RM50,000. Compare this with the retail price of RM61,691.31 / Solid CVT or RM58,815.04 / Solid Manual. 

Now the 1.6 Iriz is the ONLY Iriz worth to buy simply because of the performance it gives you. It's engine works better with the CVT and the extra power helps make it so much better to drive. The wider tyres also help the car alot. I have driven both the 1.3 and the 1.6, so I can safely say that until the 1.3 turbo version that supposedly will come with an upgraded manual gear shift, this 1.6 is the one to get. Manual or Automatic. The link to the Iriz 1.6 CVT is here and in there is a link to the Iriz 1.3 Manual.

Spotted for Sale: 1984 Honda Civic 1.6(M) - The 'Wonder' Civic

The car that has been Spotted for Sale here today is the third generation Honda Civic. It was produced by Honda from 1983 to 1987. This 1984 model the three-door hatchback version and is one of the more collectible 3rd Gen Civics aside from the CRX that is also derived from this chassis.. Other not so interesting 3rd Gen Civics were a four-door sedan (also known as the Honda Ballade) and the five-door "Shuttle" station wagon - imagine this as something BMW would now make with its 3 series and then call it the 3 series GT, i.e unclecar variant of the 3 series. Honda was so ahead of its time.

All New Hyundai Tucson on display at Paradigm Mall

There is a Hyundai roadshow this weekend at the Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya. They are displaying the soon to be launched 2016 Hyundai Tucson over there.

Want a chance to watch Manchester United vs Chelsea live? Test drive and BOOK a Chevrolet NOW

Ever dreamt of watching Manchester United or Chelsea live in front of you? Ever dreamt of watching it at Old Trafford? Ever dreamt of watching Bryan Robson play in front of you? Wait, that was Manchester United a long while ago. I think that fella who looks like Shrek still plays for them. Rooney's his name. Who plays for them now I don't really care. But if you do, here's a chance to go see them play.

It's quite easy, Simply visit any of the 30 Chevrolet showrooms in East and West Malaysia to test drive any 5 models and upon registration , i.e you book a Chevy, you will get instant cash rebates and participation in the ‘Manchester United For Life’ spend and win contest. The offer stands from now till 10th December 2015.

TRUCK & BUS NEWS: A Session with Mr. Mats Nilsson, MD of Volvo Trucks Malaysia - On the Volvo Trucks Fuelwatch Challenge, Hybrid Trucks, B10 biodiesel and more

 Mr Mats Nilsson with Mr Nor Rahmat - winner of the 2015 Fuelwatch Challenge Malaysia)

A roller coaster ride. That's what the past month or so has been to Yours Truly. Trips, launches, visits, business meetings, family, hobbies, other pursuits have made it a very interesting period. I now have to put myself back in time to the Volvo Trucks Asia Pacific Fuelwatch Challenge 2015 finals in Hua Hin, Thailand to give you a short report on the session we Malaysian automotive journalists/reporters/bloggers had with Mr Mats Nilsson, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Malaysia. 

I'm the chap in blue...trying to look serious and professional during the interview session.

Get Behind the Wheel of the New Ford Ranger This Weekend at the new Auto Connexion dealership in PJ

Interested to try the improved Ford Ranger? You can do so this weekend at the new Sime Darby Auto Connexion dealership located at Lot 3, Jalan 51A/219, 46100 Petaling Jaya (just off Federal Highway, opposite current SDAC PJ dealership). No advance booking is required, and admission is free.

In the meantime, do check out Ford's vid on the Ranger doing a lap in the pool....

Press Release

Get Behind the Wheel of the New Ford Ranger This Weekend at the ‘Tough Done Smarter Experiential Test Drive’

MINI John Cooper Works receives “sport auto award 2015”

The current MINI John Cooper Works recently came as top choice in the Sport Auto magazine's annual readers' choice category for Imported Small Car Category. For those who are unaware, Sport auto is a German automobile magazine. More like THE German auto magazine to read when it comes to performance cars.

Sport Auto magazine is one of the most referred to magazine as the magazine publishes its "Supertest" of cars, featuring the laptime of the car(s) the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The laps are usually driven by the former editor-in-chief Horst von Saurma. The magazine also runs a challenge for the fastest lap time driven with a car that is German road legal (TÜV) inclusive of even the tyres and that the car is also registered in Germany.