Proton Concept Car - E.M.A.S

GENEVA: Malaysia’s first global car Emas (pic, above) is expected to mark the birth of a golden era for Proton, the national car maker.

The concept version of the car, shown in three variants, was launched at the Geneva Inter­national Motor Show yesterday by Proton adviser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Production by 2012.

“This is Proton’s 25th year and we want to tell the world that Proton is now ready to be a global player,” he said, adding that Proton was willing to invest in strategic partnerships to drive this new direction for the company.

“I’ve told the Proton people that I’d like to see the car out in a year, but they say they need more time,” Dr Mahathir said.

He said the project represented a giant techonogical leap for Proton, which previously focused on the local market.

Proton group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, who was also at the launch, said they would need between 17 and 24 months to get the car into production.

Moving ahead: Proton adviser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad posing beside the Emas with Proton Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh and group managing director Datuk Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir (left) as the car was launched at the 80th Geneva Motorshow. -Bernama

“We are thankful and humbled that this is happening as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. We will certainly use this opportunity to reach out and build our brand further in the global market,” he added.

Emas, an acronym for Eco Mobility Advance Solution, was designed in collaboration with acclaimed Italian design house Italdesign Giugiaro.

“This is a car for today, with a design for tomorrow,” said Italdesign Giugiaro co-chairman Fabrizio Giugiaro at the launch.

“We don’t want to call it a concept car, rather, this is a new concept for a car,” he added.

Source:The Star Online

2010 Honda Crosstour 4wd

The first crossovers borrowed their boxy styling from traditional SUVs. But a growing trend to meld coupe-like styling into the genre is exemplified in the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour.

Active hobbies and adult children still living at home are the reasons behind the surge of crossovers.

As children leave home, empty-nesters generally trade in minivans for stylish coupes and convertibles. But some adult children of boomers are delaying their departure from home, while their parents aren't about to delay their active pursuits. Coupe-like crossovers assuage their desire for style while satisfying their need to carry people and cargo.

The Crosstour is marginally longer, wider, taller and heavier than the Honda Accord, on which it is based. The biggest difference, though, is in total cargo volume. Thanks to a high back, the Crosstour can swallow 728 litres of cargo, compared with 397 for the Accord sedan.

While a high hatch lid aids aerodynamics and cargo capacity, it results in a back window that is almost horizontal. The view from the driver's seat is like looking down a narrow tunnel and visibility is only fair, despite a second window being fitted under the rear spoiler. The rear pillar is also large, creating a blind spot.

We drove the top-of-the-line Crosstour with the navigation package, which includes a back-up camera -- a welcome feature given the visibility challenge. It should be standard on all Crosstours, with the image projected on the rear mirror, like some competitors.

The cargo area is well thought out, with a waterproof bin under the floor and panels that can be flipped over -- carpet on one side, plastic on the other. The hatch itself is large, with a cargo cover built-in. It would have been even more attractive if it was powered. Be aware that the trunk floor is a bit higher, which means more lifting of groceries and other cargo. The back seats, which are split 60/40, can be folded flat remotely using levers in the trunk.

Up front, the driver and front passenger are greeted with faux wood and a well-executed dash. Our car had a multi-function screen, displaying the navigation, audio and other controls, controlled by a large rotary knob located under a very small audio knob.

I could not find an instantaneous/average fuel consumption screen; instead a green ECO light on the dash came on whenever I was light with my right foot. But maybe that's just me.

Leg and headroom is about the same as the Accord sedan. The sunroof seems small, especially after seeing the offerings from competitors such as the Subaru Forester. A larger glass roof would have helped lighten up the cabin.

The centre armrest has power and USB and audio-in sockets, but parents travelling with kids should note that there are no power outlets for back-seat passengers.

The steering wheel controls come with Bluetooth, a hands-free phone interface and voice recognition. The navigation system is satellite-linked.

The 3.5-litre V-6 is the only engine available on the Crosstour. It features cylinder deactivation, with the computer switching from running on six, four and even three cylinders depending on engine load. If this feature came into play during my time with the Crosstour, it was seamless and undetectable. Fuel consumption is decent, at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and eight on the highway.

A five-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment. I guess Honda figured people who choose the Crosstour aren't the sporty type, as they did not include a manual mode on the transmission.

The Crosstour can be ordered as a two-wheel-drive but I have been told this is a low-production model, as Honda expects to sell most of the vehicles equipped with four-wheel-drive. Keep in mind that while Honda calls its system 4WD, it is essentially a sophisticated front-wheel-drive system that normally operates in two-wheel-drive and only switches to driving all four wheels when it detects slippage. It has no low and high setting and the differential cannot be manually locked. It's similar in operation to the system found in the CR-V.

Unlike the rest of the Accord line, there is only one trim level -- the top-of-the-line EX-L. Because of this the standard equipment list is extensive, with features such as two memory position eight-way power leather seats, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, six-disc CD audio system with subwoofer and others. The navigation system is available only on the 4WD model.

Safety comes in the form of electronic brake distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control. It comes with the usual number of front, side and side curtain air-bags.

The crossover market has been the only bright light for automakers in the last year. The mid-sized 2010 Honda Crosstour joins the growing number of crossovers being introduced by automakers around the world. As the segment grows crowded, Honda has wisely chosen to differentiate its offering with coupe-like styling while retaining the practicality the market demands.

THE SPEC SHEET

Type: Midsize crossover, front-engine, part-time four-wheel-drive

Engine: 3.5-litre V-6, generating 271 h.p. at 6,200 r.p.m., 254 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,000 r.p.m.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic, cam-driven four-wheel-drive system

Dimensions (mm): Length, 4,999; width, 1,898; height, 1,670; wheelbase, 2,797

Curb weight (kg): 1,845

Source:Honda News

2010 Suzuki Hayabusa

Ever since we introduced the Suzuki Hayabusa, it's had only one competitor: Itself. That's why the 2010 Hayabusa is so impressive - compared to the original, it's hotter than ever.

For enthusiasts, that comparison will make your heart pound. The Hayabusa's engine is thoroughly updated from the previous model for more power and an improved power-to-weight ratio, which you'll experience as an even greater rush of acceleration.

Its refined chassis and suspension help provide crisper handling. And its striking fairing offers sleeker aerodynamics. The original Hayabusa was the best. With the 2010 Hayabusa, you're looking at better than the best.

Key Features

1340cc - 1340cc, DOHC liquid-cooled engine with 16-valves, Twin Swirl Combustion Chambers provides 11% higher performance and smoother operation

Front ForksFront Forks - Fully adjustable inverted front fork featuring DLC coated inner tubes for minimal friction resistance and outstanding suspension performance over a variety of riding conditions

Instrument cluster features four analog meters for speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and water temperature with a S-DMS mode indicator, gear position indicator and adjustable engine rpm indicator

LED taillight utilizes a double lens structure with a clear inner lens and a red outer lens for maximum visibility and a high quality finish

Radial-mount front brake calipers for maximum braking performance and allows for smaller 310mm front brake rotors resulting in reduced unsprung weight and improved handling

S-DMS (Suzuki Drive Mode Selector) allows the rider to choose from three different engine settings depending on riding conditions or rider preferences

Suzuki SDTV fuel injection system with dual injectors per cylinder and ram air intake with large volume airbox

Vertically stacked twin headlights provide increased light intensity, improved light distribution and match the elegant flow of the new Hayabusa styling

Engine Features

1340cc, DOHC liquid-cooled engine with 16-valves, Twin Swirl Combustion Chambers provides 11% higher performance and smoother operation

High efficiency curved radiator now features dual electric fans controlled by the ECM for increased cooling capacity. Oil cooler now has 10 rows cores for increased heat dissipation

Ion plating treatment utilizing PVD (physical vapor deposit) method is applied to piston rings providing a smoother surface treatment for increased durability, reduced friction loss and reduced oil consumption

Large volume 4-2-1-2 exhaust system with a large capacity catalyzer, dual triangular canisters and closed loop system that meets Euro 3 and Tier 2 regulations

Lightweight aluminum alloy pistons feature a revised shape and a higher compression ratio of 12.5:1 for maximum performance in all conditions

Lightweight titanium intake and exhaust valves with narrow 14 degree valve angle for high combustion chamber efficiency

SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electro-chemical Material) plated cylinders minimize cylinder size and improve heat dissipation and new hydraulic cam chain tensioner for reduced mechanical noise

S-DMS (Suzuki Drive Mode Selector) allows the rider to choose from three different engine settings depending on riding conditions or rider preferences

Shot-peened chrome-moly steel connecting rods for maximum durability

Slick shifting 6 speed transmission working in conjunction with an innovative back torque limiting clutch for smooth and controlled downshifts

Suzuki SDTV fuel injection system with dual injectors per cylinder and ram air intake with large volume airbox

Ventilation holes at the cylinder skirt for reduced pumping losses and increased performance

Chassis Features

Aggressive aerodynamic fairing design with low drag coefficient retains it's signature Hayabusa look and features a muscular look to work with the amazingly powerful engine and cutting edge chassis

Bridged aluminum alloy swingarm features a cross-sectional shape for increased rigidity and to cope with improved rear tire grip and increased engine output

Fuel tank height is lowered to allow riders helmet to tuck in and windscreen height is increased for improved wind protection and optimum aerodynamic efficiency with the rider in place

Fully adjustable inverted front fork featuring DLC coated inner tubes for minimal friction resistance and outstanding suspension performance over a variety of riding conditions

Fully adjustable rear shock absorber with a 43mm piston and 14mm rod diameter Lightweight and rigid twin-spar aluminum frame minimizes weight while maintaining high torsional strength

Instrument cluster features four analog meters for speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and water temperature with a S-DMS mode indicator, gear position indicator and adjustable engine rpm indicator

LED taillight utilizes a double lens structure with a clear inner lens and a red outer lens for maximum visibility and a high quality finish

Lightweight single piston rear brake caliper working in conjunction with a new larger 260mm rear brake disc

Passenger seat and rear subframe are lowered for improved passenger comfort

Radial-mount front brake calipers for maximum braking performance and allows for smaller 310mm front brake rotors resulting in reduced unsprung weight and improved handling

Vertically stacked twin headlights provide increased light intensity, improved light distribution and match the elegant flow of the new Hayabusa styling

Wheels mounted with high performance Bridgestone BT-015 tires for unmatched handling and control

Source:TotalMotorcycle

Toyota Recall It Cars

TOKYO/DETROIT, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) said on Tuesday it would recall its flagship Prius hybrid in Japan for braking problems and that it had halted shipments of two other hybrid models to check for similar problems.

The world's largest automaker is already under fire for two other recalls covering more than 8 million vehicles worldwide due to problems with slipping floormats and sticky accelerator pedals.

Toyota is fighting to keep its reputation for quality and reliability while dealing with a potential rush of litigation for crashes linked to 19 deaths and numerous injuries in the United States over the past decade.

Criticised by U.S. safety authorities and members of the Obama administration for moving too slowly on those recalls, Toyota said President Akio Toyoda and Executive Vice President Shinichi Sasaki, in charge of quality, would hold a media briefing at 3:30 p.m. (0630 GMT) in Tokyo regarding the recall.

It will file a recall of the 2010 Prius, the world's best-selling hybrid car, "and other models" at Japan's transport ministry at 1:30 p.m. (0430 GMT), a spokeswoman said. Details will be announced at 2 p.m. (0500 GMT).

The Sai and Lexus HS250h hybrids use a similar braking system as the Prius, and Toyota said it has halted shipments at its Toyota Kyushu unit while it conducts checks to determine if a recall or fix of those models would be necessary.

The Nikkei business daily said that Toyota may halt production of the Sai and Lexus hybrids. A week-long output shutdown would amount to a combined 2,000 units at least of the two models, it reported.

GLITCH FIXED

Toyota has said it had fixed a software glitch in the anti-brake lock system (ABS) on the 2010 Prius at the end of last month, and that cars being produced now would not be subject to any recall.

Owners of the latest, third-generation Prius have complained that on bumpy roads and on ice, the regenerative brakes which help charge the vehicles electric battery appear to slip and it lurches forward before the traditional brakes engage.

U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co (F.N) said last week it would roll out a software patch for consumers to address similar problems with braking on two of its hybrid models, without filing a recall.

Toyota's recall of the Prius in Japan will likely be followed by similar steps in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. The new Prius is sold in some 60 countries, with cumulative sales just over 300,000 units.

The move is also likely to raise questions about the U.S. safety authorities' delay in investigating complaints over braking on the Prius.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had received more than 100 complaints before opening a formal investigation on Feb. 3, a day after Toyota made its own announcement.

Shares in Toyota, which lost about a fifth of their value since late January, were up 3 percent, outperforming a 0.4 percent fall in the Nikkei average .N225.

"The shares fell while Toyota appeared not to be doing anything to deal with its problems. But now, the fact that they're taking concrete steps on the issue is being seen as positive," said Hiroaki Osakabe, a fund manager at Chibagin Asset Management.

"But the gains will be limited since many investors want to see the impact of the problems on U.S. car sales, with more share selling ahead if there's a big drop."

LAWSUITS

In the apparent first of a potential rush of legal claims over the Prius, the owner of a 2010 Prius has sued Toyota in Los Angeles, claiming the automaker failed to fix a brake defect and seeking a court order requiring a recall.

Daniel Warshaw, a lawyer for Pearson, Simon, Warshaw & Penny LLP, said he believes his client is the first to file a suit seeking class-action status over the braking complaints on the Prius.

"I believe there will be many other lawsuits across the country in 72 hours," he told Reuters.

Meanwhile, complaints to U.S. safety regulators about 2010 Prius brake problems have jumped sharply since the Transportation Department announced a formal investigation last week.

Several complaint files total more than 1,000 reports from vehicle owners but a partial review of the documents submitted to NHTSA found some duplicates, so the exact number is unclear. Four injuries were reported.

More bad news came when KBB, or Kelley Blue Book, said on Monday it plans to cut U.S. used-car values of recalled Toyotas by 1.5 percent "on concerns around the growing supply of unsold Toyotas on both dealer lots and at auctions."

This came after KBB on Feb. 5 cut used-car values of recalled Toyotas by 1-3 percent.

Used-car values are a key component in car dealers' ability to set residual values -- or how much a used car will be worth 36 months after purchase -- and interest rates.

Toyota said on Monday it restarted production at six U.S. and Canadian plants "with no issues," a week after halting work.

Toyota faces further scrutiny on Wednesday when its North America chief executive, Yoshimi Inaba, testifies to Congress in front of the House Oversight Committee in Washington.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and NHTSA Administration Administrator David Strickland will also testify. (Additional reporting by Chang-Ran Kim, Mayumi Negishi and Elaine Lies in TOKYO; David Bailey in DETROIT; Steve Gorman in LOS ANGELES and John Crawley in WASHINGTON; Writing by Lincoln Feast; Editing by Jean Yoon)

Source:Reuters

Sneek Peek New Perodua MPV

Eight preview before new Perodua MPV will be launch in the end 2009.See detail in my previous article....

Source:Email By Someone

Perodua First MPV

An interview with Perodua managing director Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar in The Edge Weekly has revealed some plans about Perodua this year. For one, Perodua will be undergoing a rebranding sometime in the middle of the year, which will coincide with the launch of the new Perodua Kembara. The rebranding exercise will also give Perodua a new logo, which will be more of a restyled evolution of the current one rather than something new.

The new Perodua Kembara will come with a 1.5 liter engine (likely the 3SZ-VE) and will have four-wheel drive. It will not be assembled locally by Perodua but will be a CBU import from Japan. It will be a low volume product, and the expected price tag is likely to be more than the Toyota Rush because of its higher specs (the 4WD drivetrain) and Japan sourcing. It will be targetted at the urban, upper-middle income group. Expect the new Perodua Kembara to be based on the short wheel base Daihatsu Terios with a May 2008 launch date.


Another surprise revealed in the article is Perodua’s plans for 2009. Perodua will launch a new three row 6-seater MPV in September 2009. Datuk Hafiz likened it to a Toyota Wish, but a smaller version. I wonder what could this be based on. Can’t really think of any compact 6-seaters from Daihatsu/Toyota other than the Daihatsu Gran Max, but that’s more of a Rusa-like van.

If you read this article by Xinhua News Agency posted on the 5th of March 2008. it is revealed that Toyota and Daihatsu is developing a new MPV in Indonesia. The MPV is set to be launched in 2009. This model is could be the one that the new 2009 Perodua MPV will be based on.

Anyway whatever it is, it’s something to look forward to next year. 2009 seems to be the year of the MPVs.

As Proton gears up for its Proton Exora MPV to be launched next week, our other national carmaker Perodua is also prepping up its Perodua MPV, set to be launched in Q3 this year. The new Perodua MPV is internally called the Perodua D46T codename and is expected to be priced between RM57K to RM66k, according to Perodua MD Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar in Bernama.

The new Perodua D46T will be based on the Toyota Passo Sette, also known as the Daihatsu Boon Luminas. It measures 4,180mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,620mm tall, with a long 2,750mm wheelbase to maximize the interior space (2,550mm long).

It sits 6 or 7, depending on how big the people are, but the intention is 7 of course, because some of the Japanese model pix shows 3 headrests for the 2nd row. The same Bernama report also confirmed it will come with a 1.5 liter engine, likely the 3SZ-VE in transverse-mounted front wheel drive configuration.

Source:Paultan

The World Cheapest Car

Tata Motors today took the covers off the world’s cheapest car — the Nano.

Over the past year, Tata has been building hype for a car that would cost a mere 100,000 rupees (roughly $2,500) and bring automotive transportation to the mainstream Indian population. It has been nicknamed the “People’s Car.” Over the course of the New Delhi Auto Expo, which began this week, anticipation had grown to fever pitch.

With the theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey” playing, Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Motors drove the small white bubble car onto Tata’s show stage, where it joined two others.

The Tata Nano could sell for around $2,500. (Photo by Raveendran/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)

“They are not concept cars, they are not prototypes,” Mr. Tata announced when he got out of the car. “They are the production cars that will roll out of the Singur plant later this year.”

The four-door Nano is a little over 10 feet long and nearly 5 feet wide. It is powered by a 623cc two-cylinder engine at the back of the car. With 33 horsepower, the Nano is capable of 65 miles an hour. Its four small wheels are at the absolute corners of the car to improve handling. There is a small trunk, big enough for a duffel bag.

“Today, we indeed have a People’s Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions,” Mr. Tata added. “We are happy to present the People’s Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility.”

The base price for the Nano will be 120,000 rupees, including road tax and delivery. Higher level models will cost more and come with air-conditioning. Sun visors and radios are extra.

The nearest priced competitor is the Maruti 800, which costs roughly twice as much as the Nano. In comparing the Nano to the Maruti 800, Mr. Tata said, “It is 8 percent smaller — bumper to bumper — and has 21 percent larger seating capacity than Maruti 800.”

The Hindustan Times reports reactions from a couple of Tata’s competitors, Maruti and Hyundai:

Jagdish Khattar, a former head of Maruti 800 manufacturer Maruti Udyog Ltd., says it’s too early to say whether the Nano will overtake the original.

“It’s a good product but it’s still too early to say whether it will overtake the 800 because it caters to a totally new market segment,” he said while watching a live telecast of Tata’s press conference after unveiling of the Nano.

But clearly, at least one other manufacturer was worried.

An official of Hyundai Motors, which unveiled an LPG version of its Santro Thursday, was more circumspect.

“We definitely see it as impacting our sales,” he said in halting English, preferring to maintain anonymity.

Anand Mahindra, managing director for Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors’ primary competitor, said before the unveiling, “I think it’s a moment of history and I’m delighted an Indian company is leading the way.”

The Nano will go on sale in India later this year with an initial production run of 250,000 a year. Tata says it will offer the Nano in other emerging markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa within four years.

Source:New York Times