Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk6 - full details unveiled!

Volkswagen has unveiled the production version of the Mk6 Volkswagen Golf GTI and some journalists have already managed to have a go at it at the international driving presentation in Saint-Tropez, France. This blog has no such luck so we’ll just have a look at the details while we wait for the Mk6 to reach our shores and then perhaps we can have a go, like we did with the Mk5 Golf GTI. For now you’ll have to wait for write-ups in the local magazines, and read my write-up after the jump.

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W212 E63 AMG set for New York debut

There’s one very easy way to tell the real stuff from the aesthetic replicas when it comes to AMG and M cars. Just check out those huge brakes in the photo above! The W212’s E63 AMG is expected to have a 6.3 liter normally aspirated V8 under the hood, churning out 525 horsepower and 630Nm of torque. The basis of this “prediction” by many publications out there are because it is similiar figures to the SL 63 AMG. It may also get the AMG Speedshift MCT transmission, a planetary transmission automatic gearbox but with the torque converter replaced with a startup clutch. The latest AMG car from Stuttgart is expected to be unveiled at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.

Peugeot 308 to hit Malaysian showrooms in January

Malaysian Peugeot distributor Nasim Sdn Bhd has started taking orders for the C-segment Peugeot 308, set to be available in Peugeot showrooms in January 2009. Two variants will be available, the Peugeot 308 VTi and the Peugeot 308 Turbo.

The Peugeot 308 VTi is a C-segment car powered by the 1.6 liter BMW-PSA Prince engine with Valvetronic throttle-less operation, the same unit found in the MINI Cooper producing 120 PS and 160Nm of torque. It will compete against other 1.6 liter C-segment cars, which is basically the 1.6L Mazda 3 and the 1.6L Toyota Corolla Altis.

The powerful Peugeot 308 Turbo is powered by a 1.6 liter engine, but it is turbocharged with direct injection to produce 150 PS at 5,800rpm and 240Nm of torque constantly from 1,400rpm all the way to 5,000rpm. It is a detuned version of the 175hp unit in the MINI Cooper S and the Peugeot 308 GT. This will position the 308 Turbo head to head against 2.0 liter C-segment vehicles such as the Lancer 2.0 and Civic 2.0. Don’t be fooled by its 150 PS output, it’s got really good best-in-class torque levels equivalent to a 2.4L engine and the high torque is also achieved from a low RPM point, so expect the 308 to be a very smooth and easy drive around town.

Of course, one difference between the 308 and its competitors listed above is the fact that both the variants mentioned above are 5-door hatchbacks (only the 308 GT is a 3-door hatch) while all its competitors are sedans, except for the Mazda 3 2.0 hatchback and Ford Focus 2.0 hatchback. But you can expect similiar competitive price levels with 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter cars.

W212 Mercedes-Benz E-Class shots leaked online!

Three low-resolution official photos of next year’s 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have been leaked out onto the internet. The frontal shot of the W212 E-Class reveals a design that is more of an evolution of the W211 Facelift when you look at the oversized pointy shield grille and the shape of the front bumper, but the headlamps have departed from the ‘classic’ E-Class round shape and are now more like the Lexus GS. Also new are daylight running lights in the form of a horizontal strip of LEDs.

The side profile features a sleek character line and it slopes upwards from the front to the back. There is a very clear family resemblance with this new side profile and that of the current generation S-Class and the W204 C-Class.

The rear end is just bad. It kinda looks like someone took the taillamps of the B-Class and slapped it onto the butt of a Nissan Sylphy. Of course, this style of tail lamps aren’t exactly new on the E-Class. The W210 had it and while the W211 sedan changed to a rather nice design that flanked the bootlid nicely, the W211 stationwagon kept the W210-style of tail lamps. Now it’s back on the W212 sedan again! But who knows, it may look better in real life. The integrated tailpipes are a nice touch though.

Expect a full reveal of the W212 E-Class at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

BMW Premium Selection: approved used cars with 1-year warranty for Malaysia

BMW Malaysia is now offering the BMW Premium Selection in Malaysia, which is a approved used car program. A BMW Premium Selection car must have an approved and documented vehicle history, pass a 72-point check, and must be less than 5 years old or less than 100,000km of mileage. The cars will be visually and technically refurbished before being put on sale.

Among the items on the checklist include a body check for visible signs of accident damage, check paint for defects, check tyre for minimum 3mm tread across entire width including spare wheel, check complete brake system, check shock absorbers, check battery and electrical systems, check mirrors, windows sunroof, central locking and interior lights, check seat belts, check fluid levels, check clutch, brakes and transmission, check wiper blade and washing system and a test drive for performance and noise.

The cars will come with a 1 year or 25,000km warranty, a 1 year or 25,000km free scheduled condition-based servicing plan, a 24 hour roadside assistance plan, and financing can be obtained from BMW Credit.

A quick check with the car location function on BMW Malaysia’s website reveals some BMW 320i less than a year old sold at under RM200k, and a delicious 1 year old black BMW M3 Coupe with a red interior is going for RM588,000.

The first BMW showroom in Malaysia to offer the BMW Premium Selection is the Auto Bavaria Glenmarie showroom. The BMW Premium Selection showroom is a 2-floor, 28,000 square feet building built next to the existing Auto Bavaria Glenmarie 4S center.

This is quite obviously a direct attack at the grey importers that have been enjoying the benefits of BMW Malaysia building its brand here in Malaysia. Did you know that 13,760 premium cars were registered in 2007 but over 6,000 units out of that were registered by grey importers? According to BMW MD Geoffrey Briscoe, a customer that buys a grey import BMW puts themselves at risk because the cars may not have been designed for Malaysian climate, have no service history and may be dubious documentation. The BMW Premium Selection is a more “legitimate” means to owning a BMW if you do not want to fork out the full price for a brand new BMW Malaysia car.

2009 BMW 7-Series Exterior & Interior Design

Adrian Van Hooydonk is Chris Bangle’s successor at BMW as the brand’s design chief (Bangle has moved up to become the group’s design chief), and in the video you find after the jump he explains some of the design elements of the F01 7-Series. Still don’t get the oversized front grille, but oh well. Hit the jump for the video.

Peugeot 207cc is 'Most Economical Super Coupe' in Malaysia

With a fuel consumption of 13.9 kms/litre, the RM158,888 Peugeot 207cc was judged the most economical model in the Super Coupe category of a fuel-efficiency event held recently. To know more about the 207cc and other Peugeot models available, visit the Nasim-Peugeot Malaysia website

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Dual display screen technology

First, we had the LCD display in the centre showing just vehicle operations to keep the driver informed of important functions. On some cars, a trip computer also gave useful information about fuel consumption, travel time to a destination, range on remaining fuel, etc. As GPS navigation systems became affordable, the small monitors started to show maps and route guidance.

Soon, Mercedes-Benz will introduce the next stage in the evolution of in-car displays with a display screen that will allows the driver and front passenger to view two different programmes at the same time. While the driver is checking the navigation instructions, the front passenger can sit back and watch a movie on the very same display.

This new feature is made possible by SPLITVIEW technology which the Germany luxury carmaker is introducing in the S-Class, a world’s first. The SPLITVIEW technology was developed by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch and is integrated into the control and display system known as COMAND, which is centrally located in the dashboard console.

Its generously dimensioned, 8-inch monitor shows a backlighted active matrix colour display (TFT-LCD). This can show two different images simultaneously by placing pixels adjacent to each other. A filter masking the display divides this mixed image in such a way that depending on the seating position, only the pixels making up one or the other image can be seen. As a result, the driver and front passenger can view different programmes on the same screen at the same time.

The driver still has access to all the information from COMAND on the display, while the front passenger uses the remote control to choose his or her own entertainment programme sourced from DVDs, TV channels or music videos. To avoid distracting the driver with his entertainment programme, the passenger also has the option of enjoying the programme via headphones. As before, the driver is able to view all the information provided by the COMAND system on the display. However, for safety reasons, the driver cannot watch the movie while the car is in motion.

The new SPLITVIEW technology will be available for the S-Class from mid-2009.

Peugeot 308 to be launched in January

Nasim Sdn Bhd is taking orders for the new Peugeot 308 which is expected to be launched in January 2009. Two versions will be available – the 308VTi and 308 Turbo, both in 5-door hatchback form and with automatic transmission. Visit the Peugeot Malaysia website to know more or to find a showroom near you.

BMW Malaysia unveils new BMW 3 Series

Kuala Lumpur, 20th November 2008 – BMW Malaysia today launched the latest model of its best-selling BMW 3 Series, asserting that the new car will strengthen the 3’s position as the sportiest and most efficient vehicle in its segment.

For more than three decades, the BMW 3 Series has maintained pole position as the most widely sold premium vehicle in the world. The new BMW 3 Series continues to set the bar even higher with new engines, styling, and the latest BMW technology. Read more ....

Test Drive : Building a better City

HONDA HAS ALWAYS been a company that firmly believes in developing products that are more than just appliance items. Every car in its range, from the Jazz up to the S2000, has sound engineering beneath its skin that aims to give the driver an entertaining drive within the budget that the car was built on. Read more....

Total Pursuit Of A Compact, Yet Dynamic - The All-New Honda City

The design of the new City is based on the total pursuit of a compact, yet dynamic form with road presence. In addition, class-leading interior space was achieved to create a cabin that surrounds the occupants with an open and secure feeling. The compact sedan is a radical departure from the previous generation car, with a totally new exterior style, featuring some visual elements of the stylish Accord. Read more...

First Photos of the Volvo S60 Concept - Preview Of The Next Sedan Model

Here is the first glimpse of Volvo Cars' next concept car.The Volvo S60 Concept will be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in early January 2009 - and it gives a clear indication of what the all-new Volvo S60 will look like when it is introduced during 2010.

New BMW M3 Sedan

The new M3 is one car that you dream about, and wish that you had. At the retail price of RM732k, it is out of the reach of most of us, but there must be a lucky few who do have this kind of money as small change; they are the ones who will be able to drive the M3 around while the rest of us drool over it. Read more.

Locally Assembled Mercedes-Benz S500 L

Kuala Lumpur, 18 November 2008 -Mercedes-Benz-Malaysia presented its new top-of-the-range locally assembled model, the S500 L, with a 5.5 litre V8 Quad-cam engine. It is RM400k cheaper than an imported model. Check out the Article.

New C5

The new C5 combines a strong personality with dynamic performance, real status and range-topping quality. Damn I love Citroen cars. Nothing drives you like they do.

New BMW 3-Series

The BMW 3 Series has reached the mid-term of its product cycle and as expected, updates have been made with specific design modifications, a further refined interior design, the addition of a new generation of the BMW iDrive, new services provided by BMW ConnectedDrive, a revised range of engines and innovations in the areas of drive technology, safety and comfort.Check out the Article.

Third Generation Lexus RX350/Toyota Harrier

The third generation of the trend-setting Lexus SUV (Toyota Harrier in Japan) was unveiled in Los Angeles yesterday. Check out the Article.

Glimpses of the all-new Honda City

The all-new Honda City arrives in Malaysia in mid-December 2008. Before then, Honda Malaysia has issued some pictures of the interior of the version which will be assembled at its plant in Melaka.
The first official release on the new model gives a hint as to the theme the new City will have – style and performance joining practicality. This is only to be expected since the previous City (still on sale here) was strong on practicality but until the facelift last year, its looks were not appealing to some and the performance also left something to be desired, allowing the Vios to score more points in these areas.
Read the Article.

Beyond my wildest dream ....

The Bugatti Veyron is a mid-engine sports car produced by Volkswagen Group subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS introduced in 2005. It is currently the fastest accelerating and decelerating production car in the world. It is currently also the most expensive production car available at a price of 1.1 million Euro.

Powered by a 736-kilowatt (1,001 PS/987 hp) W16 engine, it is able to achieve an average top speed of 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph). The car reached full production in September 2005, and is handcrafted in a factory Volkswagen built near the former Bugatti headquarters in Château St Jean in Molsheim (Alsace, France). It is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm. Two examples of the Veyron are known to have been wrecked since production began.