Honda Malaysia launches the Stream RSZ

Honda Stream RSZ

Honda Malaysia today introduced the Stream RSZ, and the vehicle replaces the current bog-standard version that was launched in Nov 2007.

Mechanically, everything's all but the same in the 1.8 i-VTEC-powered seven-seater, but the updated variant - which has been selling in Singapore for a good bit now - features more in the way of bling, with a full bodykit, a redesigned RSZ front grille and new 17-inch alloys wheels leading the way.

Elsewhere, the front end lights get a reworking too, and the new lamps are auto HID (high intensity discharge) units with smoke-finish covers. Also new, the fog lamps, and let's not forget the inclusion of a sunroof on this one.

Inside, you now have a more refined interior in the way of material, paddle shifters, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a seat-side armrest for the driver and for added convenience, a passenger seat under-seat storage tray as new items on the list.

Atsushi Fujimoto, managing director and chief executive officer of Honda Malaysia said that ''the refinements accomplished in the Stream RSZ show that we are on the pulse of the current lifestyle trend, where style and practicality in an automobile are expected to come hand in hand.''

The Stream RSZ comes in four colours - besides the Premium White Pearl, Honda Malaysia is introducing three new colours with the vehicle, and they are Crystal Black Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic and New Red Pearl.

The outgoing standard Stream managed to sell just over 1,600 units up until Jan from the time it was launched, but Honda Malaysia is being a little more conservative with this one, given the market conditions - the company has targeted a modest sales figure of 350 units for the vehicle this year.

The Stream RSZ is priced at RM155,980, on-the-road, with insurance. Oh, and before you rush out to the showrooms, you might want to know that the Stream RSZ will be available at all authorised Honda showrooms nationwide only from Feb 26 onwards.

Honda Stream RSZ [Read more!]

Proton first MPV 2009 - Spy Photos

2009 Proton MPV
It’s the new year for 2009, and seems like local car manufacturer, Proton has started their development for a new market, the MPV segment.

The photos below reveal what seems like the upcoming new MPV car from Proton, which share almost the same exterior with Taiwanese Luxgen MPV.

The new Proton MPV are rumored to be equiped with a 1.6 CamPro engine, with the price range of not exceding RM75,000, excluding road tax and insurance. This will be fitted with 15″ rim as standard, with either manual and auto transmission.

Looking at a Toyota Avanza 1.5 (A) selling at RM 75,600, Proton needs to set a competitive pricing to compete with existing MPV manufacturers.

The speed cluster looks futuristic and sporty with its red colour background.

Center console looks pretty standard with minimum buttons. Radio player comes with red/orange theme which complements the speed cluster very well.

Steering has a strong Honda Civic design in it, and volume up/down, track fwd/rwd button are well within reach. A phone button were spotted also, this might suggest the car comes with bluetooth support?

Overall this car comes with a sporty look in terms of exterior and interior, until we have more pictures and the specs, we will be able to give you a better coverage on this.

Source : MaxSpeed.us
2009 Proton MPV [Read more!]

Nissan GRAND LIVINA Get Tuned By IMPUL

Impul Grand Livina Nissan is spicing up the popular Nissan Grand Livina 7-seater MPV with this new edition that features accessories from Impul. Called the Nissan Grand Livina Tuned by Impul, it is fitted with a bodykit comprising of a new front grille, lips for the front and rear, side skirts, and an Impul rear wing spoiler.

The Impul Blast II exhaust muffler system is also available and this is made of high-quality stainless steel with a polished finish. It is said to improve engine response and emits a sporty note which should delight the driver.

Like the Impul Latio, the Impul Grand Livina can also be ordered with Impul alloy wheels (Aura SX-10) with locally-sourced Dunlop Formula D1 205/45R17 tyres. Mr Khoo, Operations Manager for the Impul business at ETCM, said that quite a number of Impul Latio buyers opt to take the wheels as the design is quite exclusive and appealing.

As with the Impul Latio, the accessories for the Impul Grand Livina can be ordered at the time of purchase of a new vehicle. This means that the entire cost – RM10,500 more than a standard Grand Livina – can be included in the H-P loan. That adds a bit more to the instalment each month, of course, but would be a lot easier than having to come out with that much money as a lump sum, which is what you would have to do if you bought from an accessories shop.

IMPUL GRAND LIVINA Photos

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Mazda Biante special editions launched in Japan

Japan must be rather big on year-end specials, or is it because of the need to clear stocks? Another Mazda vehicle that gets a limited/special/etc edition treatment is the Mazda Biante, which has two special editions - a Mazda Biante Limited Edition and a Mazda Biante NAVI Special.

The Mazda Biante 20S Limited Edition is based on the 20S but gets extra equipment such as leather on the steering wheel, dual power sliding doors and a keyless entry and start system. The Mazda Biante 20CS Limited Edition is based on the 20CS grade and gets HID headlamps, cleanable seats and leather on the steering wheel.

The Mazda Biante 20 NAVI Special is limited to 800 units and as you can probably guess from its name, adds a navigation system. This takes the previously mentioned Biante 20S Limited Edition with the power doors and etc and adds a Mazda G-BOOK Alpha-compatible HDD navigation system, that also has features such as parking assist with front, side and rear guide monitors, a DVD and CD player, an analog TV tuner with printed antenna, Bluetooth hands-free, and steering-wheel audio controls.

Has anyone seen the Biante in grey import showrooms in Malaysia yet? Given the popularity of the Toyota Alphard, it would seem Malaysians like tall roof MPVs as well.

Source : Paultan.org [Read more!]

Avanza gets cosmetic changes

HAVING become the most popular multi-purpose vehicle in Malaysia since its launch in 2004, the Toyota Avanza (right) has been given a fresh new look. In addition, the Avanza also comes in two new automatic variants – the 1.5S and 1.5E to broaden its appeal.

The 1.5S variant comes with an exclusive front grille and bumper design with integrated fog lights.

The side skirts visually make the car look lower than it is to project a sporty appearance.

The interior upholstery of the Avanza has been changed from beige to a mixed colour known as Greige (mixture of grey and beige).

Prices start from RM62,000 for the 1.3-litre variant and RM69,900 for the 1.5-litre version.

Article source : star-motoring.com [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

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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

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Japan: New Honda Odyssey

New Honda Odyssey
TOKYO — Honda has released an all-new fourth-generation Odyssey in Japan. The new model — a completely different model from the one sold in the United States — is altogether lower and sleeker and has a hard-earned reputation for being Japan's best-handling minivan.

The new Odyssey builds on the success of the low-rider minivan Honda introduced for Japan in 2003. It's the same basic formula but with a redesign that has a much "greener" attitude. Styling includes a front-end design clearly inspired by Honda's FCX Clarity fuel-cell sedan. Underneath, the Odyssey sits on an evolved platform with updated four-wheel double wishbone suspension and optional four-wheel drive. Honda added about an inch to overall length and stretched the three-row cabin to create more space. As before, the Odyssey's dazzling, sci-fi dashboard is a techno freak's delight.

Honda's 2.4-liter, four cylinder i-VTEC unit is the only engine choice. True to Honda form, although it's a carryover, it has more power and better economy than the version it replaces at 171 horsepower — or as much as 203 hp in the sportier top-of-the-line Odyssey Absolute. Honda claims fuel economy that leads the class in Japan, at the equivalent of 31.1 mpg. The Odyssey also has a new Econ mode that increases fuel mileage through combined control of the air-conditioner and continuously variable transmission to reduce engine load.

The new Odyssey also gets an array of high-tech goodies including a new multi-view surround camera system that lets you see all around, and over, the car from the driver seat.

Article source : edmunds.com

New Honda Odyssey

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2007 All New Honda Stream - Review The Performances

2007 All New Honda Stream

The new Honda Stream (body codes: RN6/RN8) is offered internationally in two specification levels. The lower-end spec will feature the R18A 1.8 liter SOHC i-VTEC (2-stage) engine with a 5-speed automatic gearbox (and a 5-speed manual transmission in some countries). The higher-end spec called the Stream RS-Z will feature the R20A 2.0 liter DOHC i-VTEC (3-stage) engine equipped with a CVT transmission and 7 speeds paddle shift function (tiptronic).

The new Honda Stream MPV, which replaces the older homonymous model since July 14 in Japan, has been at last officially announced. The restyled version features much more aggressive and mature appearance and also makes some family resemblance with current Honda Odyssey JDM.

The 1.8-liter engine's maximum power output reaches 140 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The power is being transferred to the wheels via a five-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.0-liter engine features up to 150 hp and maximum torque of 140 lb-ft and is mated to a CVT transmission with torque converter in FWD configuration, or a five-speed automatic on 4WD vehicles.

2007 All New Honda Stream

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New generation Toyota Alphard

Toyota Alphard

The new Toyota Alphard (shown at right) is longer, wider and roomier than the outgoing version. Its slightly lower roofline (by 45mm) is offset by a cabin floor that's been lowered 55 mm, so the new van actually boasts more cabin height even though it's not quite as tall as its predecessor. Power comes from either a 170 PS (167 hp) 2.4L four or a 280 PS (276 hp) 3.5L V6 driving the front wheels. In August, a 4WD variant will join the lineup.

While Toyota's press release acknowledges that the new models are a bit spacier and safer than the old one, it neatly ignores the fact that the Alphard Hybrid has been quietly dropped. This could well be the first such occurrence for the company and given the number of eggs Toyota currently has in the hybrid basket, its no surprise that its PR department is doing its best to gloss over the retirement.

Toyota Alphard

More pictures Toyota Alphard

2009 TOYOTA ALPHARD PICTURES (for info)

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