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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Honda CR-Z spotted in Kota Damansara – on the way in?

Might it be that the Honda CR-Z three-door hybrid hatch is set to make its way into the market here soon? The example seen in the pix intimates so – reader Daryl spotted the trade-plated vehicle parked somewhere in Kota Damansara, and snapped a photo of it for us. The car made an appearance last year at KLIMS, but no word then on when it was due in.

The car, which wears a 1.5 litre LEA i-VTEC four-cylinder mill and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system offering 122 hp and 174 Nm, will of course benefit from the continued import and excise duty exemption for hybrids that runs until Dec 31, 2013 announced in Budget 2012.

Of interest is whether the car, when it comes, will be equipped with the six-speed manual transmission that’s general issue or wear the optional continuously variable transmission as standard fare here. Guess we’ll find out when someone snaps a photo of the interior!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 16 Oct 11 20:44:35 +0000.

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“Memang Dalam Dunia Ada Perempuan Yang Mulut Kecoh” – Respon Gambit Kepada Sharifah Sakinah.

Gua Malaysia hari ini melaporkan kenyataan Sharifah Sakinah berkaitan dengan isu pertelingkahan di antara Julia Ziegler dan kakaknya, Sharifah Shahira yang juga berhubung kait dengan Gambit Saifullah, sebentar tadi.

Sharifah Sakinah mendakwa, Gambit Saifullah adalah punca persengketaan antara Julia dan Sharifah Shahira yang menjadi perbualan ramai orang sekarang.

“Dia yang buka cerita pasal ini. Dia terus mendesak saya padahal cerita itu dah lama dah. Serius saya tak marahkan Julia. Jika orang buat macam itu, saya pun marah juga. Saya pelik kenapa selepas mendesak saya, dia kena beritahu Julia. Kau dah paksa aku cakap dan tiba-tiba, kau kena cakap pada orang lain. Selepas itu, Julia hubungi saya tanya apa yang saya cakap. Jika saya nak fitnah, saya dah beritahu semua orang. Tapi saya hanya cakap dengan Gambit kerana dia yang mendesak saya untuk bercerita.

“Saya pun tak tahu kenapa Julia nak marah sangat. Jika dia cemburu kepada saya, Gambit sendiri cakap dia tak bercinta dengan Julia. Saya tak faham, pasal seorang lelaki, habis semua orang dia nak marah. Apa-apapun, saya mengakui kesilapan saya kerana bercerita tentang hal orang lain. Cuma lepas ini, saya dah tak boleh nak percaya siapa-siapa lagi.

“Bagi saya semua orang tahu benda yang sebenarnya. Salah saya sendiri dan saya belajar dari kesilapan. Lepas ini saya kena pandai pilih kawan dan apa yang saya boleh katakan, kepercayaan saya pada Gambit dah tak ada.” – dipetik dari laman berkenaan.

Gambit Saifullah yang dihubungi OHBULAN! sebentar tadi memberikan respon terhadap isu yang semakin berlarutan.

“Saya malas nak layan kontroversi ini. Memang dalam dunia ada perempuan yang mulut kecoh. Mungkin dia nak kejar populariti, suka hati dia lah nak cakap apa,” jelas pelakon utama Karipap-Karipap Cinta ini.

Dia turut menjelaskan tentang hubungannya dengan Sharifah Sakinah.

“Saya dengan dia tak ada masalah, tapi mungkin sekarang dia hendak menuding jari pada orang lain pula. Kalau diikutkan, dia lebih banyak bercerita tentang orang lain.

“Saya pun bukannya jenis yang kejar populariti, bukan menang duit pun kalau saya layan kontroversi ini. Bagi saya, samada kita salah atau tidak, tak salah kalau meminta maaf. Apa motif nak tuding jari pada orang lain?” ujar Gambit mengakhiri perbualan.

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Range Rover Evoque on the streets of KL – Nov launch!

Looks like things are winding towards the Range Rover Evoque’s launch in Malaysia; the SUV has been spotted parked in some locations, and now on the road – reader Ken snapped this photo of the vehicle, which he says is a 2.2 diesel example, near Universiti Malaya.

The car – which was teased here in two wireframe installation displays in May – will be getting its official launch early next month, we hear. Three variants will be available, a 240 hp and 340 Nm 2.0 litre petrol three-door Coupe and five-door examples in both 2.0 litre petrol and 2.2 litre diesel guise. The diesel will be the 190 PS and 420 Nm version.

There’s a choice of four external colours – Fuji White, Sumatra Black, Orkney Grey and Indus Silver – to pick from, and the five-door gets four interior colour choices while the Coupe gets two. We also hear that the first batch of vehicles have already been snapped up!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 16 Oct 11 20:44:35 +0000.

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Infiniti opens new KL showroom, unveils range – EX and FX crossovers, M Sedan and G Coupe, RM380k to RM435k

The Malaysian auto market welcomes a new brand today in Infiniti. Nissan’s luxury marque is distributed here by Inspired Motor Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) and Auto Dunia. ETCM is of course the company representing Nissan in Malaysia.

Malaysia becomes the second country in ASEAN to welcome Infiniti, the first being Indonesia. The brand, birthed in 1989 and focused on North America, is undergoing a major global expansion drive over the next two years. Infiniti cars are now sold in 15 countries. Their target is to capture 5% of Malaysia’s luxury segment by 2016.

Mr Toru Saito, Infiniti’s Corporate VP, along with ETCM bosses opened the 8,000 sq ft Infiniti Center this evening. Located at Chulan Square along Jalan Raja Chulan, the IREDI (Infiniti Retail Environment Design Initiative) showroom is at a high visibility junction opposite Porsche and Audi across the road. It’s hard to miss.

The brand greets Malaysia with a four-car range including two crossovers, a sedan and a coupe. The entry model is the EX crossover, priced at RM380,000. Next up is the sexy G Coupe at RM415,000, which is RM10k cheaper than the M saloon, which costs RM425,000. The range topper is of course the attention grabbing FX crossover at RM435,000. There’s a GT Premium optional pack for the EX and FX, costing RM15k and RM35k respectively.

All four models are in “37″ spec, meaning that they share the same 3.7-litre V6 engine with 320 hp and 360 Nm at 5,200 rpm. This 24-valve DOHC unit boasts low friction molybdenum coated pistons, microfinished camshafts, CVTC at both intake and exhaust and Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL).

The V6 is mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox with Adaptive Shift Control and Drive Sport mode. The manual mode has what Infiniti calls Downshift Rev Matching, DRM.

The fastest of the bunch is of course the G Coupe, which does 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds. Fellow rear-driven M saloon isn’t far behind at 6.2 seconds, so gung-ho Golf GTIs better not initiate traffic light GPs. Both top out at 250 km/h.

The two AWD crossovers are bulkier, and slower, but still duck under seven seconds. The EX’s figures are 6.4 seconds/240 km/h while the large FX does 6.8s and 235 km/h.

Equipment lists are very long across the board. The FX, for instance, comes with 20-inch wheels, HID with AFS, moonroof, intelligent key, powered tailgate, heated outside mirrors with reverse tilt down, scratch shield paint, quilted leather, 10-way power driver’s seat with memory, 2GB Music Box, Bluetooth audio streaming, Fine Vision gauges, 7-inch colour MID, rear view monitor, tyre pressure monitor (TPMS) and magnesium shift paddles, among other kit.

Sat in the M and was surprised to find Bose speakers integrated within the front seats!

Welcome to Malaysia, Infiniti. Full gallery after the jump.

Infiniti EX

Infiniti G Coupe

Infiniti M

Infiniti FX

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 16 Oct 11 20:44:35 +0000.

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BMW F30 3 Series unveiled: four engines at launch, three equipment lines, market debut in Feb 2012

BMW has unveiled its sixth-generation 3 Series in its sedan form, and the F30 will roll in with plenty to offer aficionados when it makes its market debut beginning Feburary 11 next year.

At point of launch, the car will be available with four engine choices, all TwinPower Turbo units. The range topper is the 335i, with its 3.0 litre, 306 hp and 400 Nm mill leading the way. Next is the 328i, which sees the 2.0 litre petrol TPT unit offering 245 hp at 5,000 to 6,500 rpm and 350 Nm at 1,250 – 4,800 rpm.

The remaining two are diesel jobs, these being the 320d and the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition. Both run a 2.0 litre commonrail DI variable geometry turbocharged block, with differing outputs – the 320d ED Edition puts out 163 hp, while the 320d offers 184 hp, both at 4,000 rpm. Torque figures are identical, with both offering 380 Nm at 1,750 – 2,750 rpm.

The F30 will come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with an eight-speed automatic – a first in this segment class – available as an option for all four engine choices; both the manual and the automatic models are equipped with Auto Start-Stop function.

In spring of next year, three further engines will be introduced for the car. The first is the new 320i, which will be the second model to be powered by the new-generation 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – figures for the TwinPower Turbo unit are 184 hp at 5,000 rpm and peak torque of 270 Nm at just 1,250 rpm.

The other two are turbodiesel models, the 318d, which will have 143 hp at 4,000 rpm and 320 Nm from 1,750 and 2,500 rpm, and the 316d, with 116 hp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 260 Nm, again at between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm.

Further engine versions are set to follow, including a six-cylinder diesel unit and a slew of xDrive models – the 335i xDrive, 328i xDrive, 320i xDrive and 320d xDrive all-wheel-drive models will go on sale in the summer of 2012. Next year will also see BMW’s first full-hybrid 3 Series making its premiere in autumn with the introduction of the ActiveHybrid 3.

The car is larger than the outgoing E90, with a wider track (front increased by 37 mm, rear by 47 mm) particularly prominent, and increased length (by 93 mm) and augmented wheelbase (by 50 mm) being just some of the numbers.

The increased exterior dimensions also bring about increased interior space, with rear passengers set to enjoy the benefits of extra legroom; there’s 15 mm of additional knee room and 8 mm of extra head room to help things along. Despite its larger dimensions, the F30 weighs up to 45 kg less than the E90, depending on model.

Exterior shape-wise, elements include the new BMW face, with flat headlights reaching along as far as the kidney grille, and an accentuated width, which helps to improve the car’s presence. Aside from the merged headlights/grille design, the F30 replaces the central air intake of the E90 with two larger intakes, positioned underneath the headlights to the outer edges of the front end.

On the sides, highlights include flanks that are shaped by a double swage line made up of two character lines running alongside each other, helping to reinforce the silhouette’s dynamicism, and the back features richly contrasting light surfaces that give the rear end a fresh dynamic perspective.

Interior features include a driver-focused cockpit, angled towards the driver by seven degrees, with the four main circular dials (fuel gauge, speedometer, rev counter and oil temperature gauge) dressed with a black panel display.

The F30 also features more interior storage space – for example, larger pockets in the front doors now mean space for drinks bottles up to one litre in size, and two large drinks holders are now integrated into the centre console ahead of the gearshift lever, among others. Boot space on the F30 is also up, with 480 litres of capacity, 20 litres more than that of the E90. Additionally, 40:20:40 split rear backrests mean the ability to carry longer items.

The F30 will be available in three equipment lines, in addition to the entry-level version. The Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line, as they are called, will allow customers to personalise their rides and adapt it to their individual preferences, with exterior design elements and selection of materials and colours available for each model. Next year will see an M Sport package with special exterior and interior features joining the fray.

The M Sport package includes a lowered M Sport suspension, featuring a 10 mm drop in ride height, which works with firmer suspension and damping as well as harder anti-roll bars, and also featured are 18 or 19-inch M alloy wheels. A further option is an Adaptive M Sport suspension, with electronically controlled damping.

The package will be completed by an M aerodynamics package, which can be specified separately, featuring special body parts and by chrome tailpipes, exclusive exterior paintwork and interior trim to match – the last has sports seats boasting distinctive cloth/Alcantara upholstery, trim elements with blue accent strips, an M Shortshifter (in models with manual gearbox), M door sill finishers, an M driver’s footrest and the new M leather steering wheel.

An electromechanical power steering system EPS (Electronic Power Steering) – which uses an electric motor to provide steering assistance and which only operates the EPS when steering assistance is actually required – comes as standard, though an optional new, purely mechanical variable-ratio steering system is available, offering a more precise response to input and sharper handling. In the case of the 335i and 328i, a Servotronic function for speed-sensitive power assistance is standard issue.

The F30 wears a larger brake system, with lightweight sliding-calliper brakes with large vented discs, and at the front the use of aluminium for the callipers bring a further reduction in unsprung masses. If that’s not enough, one can plonk for the optional M Sport brake system, with aluminium four-piston fixed callipers at the front and two-piston fixed callipers at the rear, replete with blue paint finish.

For wheels, the 335i and 328i run on 17-inch Star-spoke wheels, wearing 225/50 R17 tyres, while the 320d and 320d EfficientDynamics Edition diesel models ride on 16-inch V-spoke or Streamline-style alloy wheels, wrapped with 205/60 R16 tyres.

Alongside Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), which offers ABS, ASC, DTC, DBC and CBC, along with start-off assist, brake drying and an electronic limited slip function for the rear differential under its operating umbrella, the new 3er will come with a new Driving Experience Control function as standard specification on all models – four modes are available for this one, namely COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and a new mode called ECO PRO.

The latter, as its name suggests, supports an extra-efficient and economy-conscious driving style. It does this by changing the accelerator mapping so that the same pedal travel delivers less power than in the standard mode.

Also, in this mode, the Optimum Shift Indicator for manual models and the transmission control strategy for automatic models are modified, so as to bring forward upshifts and to delay downshifts, while intelligent energy and climate management reduces the mechanical power consumption as well as the consumption of electrical systems. All of which enables additional fuel savings, depending on individual driving style, of up to 20%.

Elsewhere, the F30 is loaded with tons of ConnectedDrive tech, from driver assistance systems to infotainment. New to the car is the latest-generation, full-colour Head-Up Display, and aside from this the likes of Lane Change Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System, Active Protection safety package and Advance eCall are items on the list.

Other CD-related tech available for the car includes BMW Parking Assistant, Surround View (with Side View and Top View), Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, Speed Limit Info including No Passing Info display and Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI). Elsewhere, new Bluetooth office functions allow internet-based services such as weather and news, as well as calendar entries and text-based messages (SMS and e-mail), to be viewed in the Control Display of the iDrive operating system and read out via the Text to Speech function.

As with any new BMW, we’re expecting the F30 to debut as a CBU unit first with CKD/SKD to come later. Please enjoy the photo gallery that we’ve uploaded after the jump. They’re of medium res for now – we’ll upload hi-res galleries later as the BMW Press servers become more stable.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 16 Oct 11 20:44:35 +0000.

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