New Toyota Prius Shots Leaked

New Toyota PRIUS

Is this what the new Toyota Prius will look like? Accoridng to a Toyota forum, where this and other photos of this familiar-looking hatch appeared, the car here before you is the production version of the next generation Prius, scheduled for an official debut in January 2009.

If true indeed, then, at least stylistically, the upcoming iteration of Toyota's foremost hybrid falls short of greatness. Despite a sharper roofline and a more aggressive front end, the car looks somewhat dull and generic. That is to say that if Toyota wanted to churn out a Matrix look-alike, it succeeded admirably. However, if the goal was to effectively compete against the looming rival Honda Insight, then this new design is way off mark. Of course, this is just one car guy's opinion and you are more than welcome to voice yours in the comments section below.

New Toyota PRIUS

[Read more!]

2008 LATEST MITSUBISHI PAJERO Sport SUV

2008 Mitsubishi PAJERO
The latest model by Mitsubishi is the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV 2008. The new Pajero Sport will be phased in selected regions such as Russia, the ASEAN area, the Middle East, Latin America and Oceania starting in the fall this year. Means this SUV is going to be in Malaysia soon.

The new design have some of the idea of Mitsubishi Triton if you can see. With a redesigned front grill, rear trunk, and more dynamic lines… For the rest, we’ll have to wait until the end of September for more pictures of this new SUV.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil its new Pajero Sport SUV model at the Moscow Auto Salon 2008 (The Moscow Motor Show) to be held at the Crocus Expo in Moscow between August 26 and September 7 (opens to the public on August 29).

The model will be named differently such as Montero Sport in South America, Nativa in Latin America and Challenger in Australia.

The new Pajero Sport features dynamic and sporty exterior lines, complemented by a stylish and vast interior space that engenders a sense of comfort, purpose and safety. This cabin, available in either a 2-row (5-passenger) or 3-row (7-passenger) seating configuration is also very practical with water-repellent seats and a waterproof luggage compartment floor, ideal for leisure use.

Mitsubishi’s latest SUV will be powered by a choice of three engines which all deliver outstanding motive performance and fuel economy: 2.5-liter and 3.2-liter common rail direct injection diesel units and a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit.

The new model of Mitsubishi Pajero will use the Super Select 4WD system, also used in the Pajero SUV, which transmits drive torque effectively to all four wheels on all types of surface. The body, frame and driveline not only give Pajero Sport outstanding off-road performance but allow it to deliver excellent drive dynamics over all surfaces.

In terms of architecture, the body of the New Pajero Sport is mounted on a new ladder frame to realize high levels of durability and reliability, consistent with the needs of its target markets.

2008 Mitsubishi PAJERO

[Read more!]

Perodua MyVi SE New Facelift & Colors for 2008

2008 New Perodua Myvi SE

When asked why the Myvi SE does not also have performance upgrades, eg a more powerful engine, Perodua MD Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said that their market surveys have told them that the majority of customers are mainly interested in cosmetic features and many will spend quite a lot of money on bodykits.

“So we feel that if this is what our customers also like, then we will meet their demands,” he said.

For the new Myvi SE, the first identifier is the ‘hero colour’ which is Tangerine Orange. It’s new to the Myvi and if you don’t like it, you can also have your Myvi SE in Ivory White (non-metallic), Ebony Black, Glittering Silver or Pearl White (special metallic finish with extra charge).
From the pictures, you should be able to see what’s new but in case you miss them, this is the full list: new bumper design with integrated foglamp, ‘black-out’ headlamp units, wide rear roof spoiler, smoked clear rear lighting units, new rear bumper design, and a special surface treatment for the alloy rims (14 inches with 175/65 tyres).

The interior is a dark shade with leather upholstery for the seats and steering wheel wrapping. The audio system is a 2-DIN type (which means you can change the head unit without too much hassle) and the CD player has MP3/WMA capability and you can also connect a USB stick as well as use the Bluetooth interface.

Unique to the New Myvi SE is the red-themed Optitron instrument panel, certainly adding a sporty touch to the interior (especially at night). Red and orange illumination are actually good for night driving as the colour does not affect the eyes so much, which is why aircraft instrument panels use amber or red illumination.

The enhancements that the New Myvi SE carries are basically aesthetic. It still runs on the same 1.3-liter unit producing 86 ponies at 6,000rpm and 116Nm of torque at 3,200rpm and to keep the ponies under control, Perodua has entrusted the same set-up of steel discs up front and drum brakes at the back.

2008 New Perodua Myvi SE

[Read more!]

The Second Generation Nissan MURANO

2009 Nissan MURANO
The second generation of the Nissan Murano crossover SUV goes on sale in Japan this week and the fact that it looks rather like the first generation is said to be because the designers wanted to carry over a strong sense of "Murano-ness" from the previous design as part of a "super evolution".

Like the previous generation, the new Murano has a dynamic body design that is highlighted by elegant flowing surfaces and curves. The silhouette stretches like one seamless motion from the aggressive front bumper to the rear bumper. In front, quad-cylinder style High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional headlights are integrated with the wide front signature Murano grille. 3D concave surface body sides provide a beautiful contrast with the sculpted fenders, while the unique window silhouette - with the rear edge heading upward - provides another example of the new generation design's "Murano-ness."

Like the original, the heart of the new Murano is its advanced powetrain and chassis combination which is anchored by Nissan's proven QR25DE 4-cylinder and VQ35DE V6 engines paired with Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and rigid D-platform. The QR25DE engine achieves improved output and fuel-efficiency through reduced friction. Torque and output are also enhanced throughout a wide speed range by enlarging the radius of intake and exhaust ports and an increased compression ratio.

The Xtronic CVT includes a new Adaptive Shift Control which controls the shift timing according to the driver's personal driving style and the driving environment in order to optimize both performance and fuel economy. With the advanced ALL MODE 4×4-i all-wheel drive system, superior grip is provided on slippery roads by monitoring wheel spin and adjusting front/rear torque split accordingly.

2009 Nissan MURANO

[Read more!]

New Proton MPV Coming Soon

New Proton MPV

The first production batch of the new multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) by Proton Holdings Bhd is set to roll out of the factory on Sept. 12, said managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir yesterday evening at an analysts' briefing.

The first units of the MPV would be used for safety testing and road durability for certification purposes ahead of the model's scheduled launch in March next year.

While the exact specifications have yet to be disclosed, it is understood that Proton is aiming to price its latest model around the RM75,000 range, excluding accessories, road tax and insurance.

The chassis for the MPV is a new platform that would be used for variants to be developed over the next few years but the engine will be the 1.6-litre CamPro that is currently fitted into the Gen-2 models. The seven-seater will have 15-inch tyres as a standard fit, with either automatic or manual transmissions.

The public would be invited to submit possible names for the MPV in a contest that Proton intends to launch next month. During testing over the next few months, alert members of the public could probably spot the new MPV being driven on the roads around the country.

On other models, Syed Zainal said the new Saga has become the fastest selling Proton model ever, chalking up over 80,000 bookings since its official launch in January this year.

He admitted that the overwhelming response has caused some delays in deliveries, with only some 40,000 cars registered so far. However, Proton has ramped up its production lines to output 7,500 cars from next month compared to 4,500 units originally produced on a monthly basis.

On the Persona model launched last August, he said that over 55,000 units had been booked so far.

Looking forward, Syed Zainal said that Proton would be looking to develop a CamPro turbo engine and also a diesel engine by next year to provide more alternatives to customers.
With this range of model options, Proton aims to boost its exports such that about 70 per cent of its revenue would come from overseas sales by 2016.

New Proton MPV

[Read more!]

New Perodua MPV coming in Q3 of 2009 - Rendered Speculation

2009 New Perodua MPV

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.

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

2009 New Perodua MPV

Source : paultan.org

[Read more!]

2008 Toyota Corolla Altis

2008 Toyota Corolla Altis

Toyota is hoping the all-new, 10th-generation model will also appeal to the increasing number of small-car buyers who like the finer things in motoring, such as attractive styling. Toyota have worked hard on the new six-speed box, with the clutch supporting a new clutch plate structure to enhance wear resistance and reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH levels).

Similar to Camry, the new Altis features elegant, sharper style. At 4,540mm long, 1,760mm wide, and 1,470mm high, the New Toyota Altis will be 10mm longer, 60mm wider and 20mm lower than the current model. The wheelbase will be unchanged at 2,600mm, but with the wider track and lower center of gravity.

Main Features in New Toyota Altis:

• Wider and lower front character line.
• A distinctive exterior flow lining.
• Wing mirror with turn indicator.
• Super Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT).
• Front and rear parking sensors.
• Plush and soft touch interior paneling.
• Auto climate controlled air conditioning.
• Fully integrated audio system.
• Tilt & telescopic steering control with switch control.
• 8 way power front seat.

Toyota engines have been leading the way in terms of refinement and efficiency of late, and this is set to continue with the use of new dual VVT-i engines in the new model. The Altis has the same 1.8L VVT-i engine as that of an existing Corolla model, tweaked ECU and fuel injection system, improved emission conformity and better fuel efficiency.

The dual VVT-i engines take Toyota's cam shaft variation one step further, allowing independent cam shaft variation for both intake and exhaust timing using one electro-hydraulic variation system for each of the cam shafts. Toyota says that the new clutch-facing material was designed with the environment in mind.

2008 Toyota Corolla Altis

[Read more!]