The all-new Honda City unveiled

Honda Malaysia today unveiled the third-generation Honda City compact sedan in Kuala Lumpur.

The all-new City comes with numerous firsts in its class, combining style, performance and practicality, but more on that as you read on.

There are two variants available, these being tagged Grade E and Grade S. The Grade E comes with additional paddle shifters, rear reclining seats with an underseat tray and 16-inch sport alloy wheels.

Exterior style-wise, the City adopts what Honda calls an ‘Arrowshot Form’ design outlook from end-to-end. Strikingly, the front end resembles a transformable robot from an animated movie, whilst the tail lamps look very much like those found on the BMW 3-Series.

The i-DSI block is history, so the new City goes about its business with a single powerplant choice, this being a newly-developed four-cylinder 1.5l i-VTEC engine which pushes out 120bhp at 6,000rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4,800rpm. Compliant with Euro 4 level emission standards, the City is deemed the most powerful compact sedan in the market to date.
The advanced i-VTEC engine is now mated with a five-speed automatic transmission with Shift Hold Control and is the first in its class. Gone too is the CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) gearbox, an omission brought about by the rougher style of driving encountered here, according to surveys carried out by Honda Japan’s R&D division.

Compensating for the absence of a manual transmission gearbox (a five-speed manual is available in both Thailand and Singapore) are the paddle shifters in the Grade E, which provides the driver with a sportier means of changing gears.

The steering wheel is now of the tilt and telescopic type, and the footrest is now wider as the accelerator and brake pedals have been shifted more to the right. The car comes with EPS (Electric Power Steering), and safety comes in the form of dual SRS airbags and front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Stopping power is reinforced with ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), while BA (Brake Assist) amplifies the driver’s foot force with minimal pedal input.

Entertainment for the occupants inside the City is provided by an advanced audio system that is compatible with MP3 players, iPod, USB memory or a mobile hard disk drive. In the Grade E variant, you get a six-speaker system with steering wheel audio controls, while the Grade S makes do with a four-speaker arrangement.

The all-new City does not compromise in rear passenger convenience with a fold-down armrest that also houses integrated cup holders.

Another first in its class, the City’s rear trunk is able to contain a whopping 506l of cargo, which is equivalent to being able to store four nine-inch-wide golf bags.

As mentioned, the Grade E’s rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split configuration for extended luggage carrying capacity, and is fitted with an underseat tray to stow away wet umbrellas or footwear.

There are a total of five colours to choose from – Alabaster Silver Metallic, Bold Beige Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, and new colours Crystal Black Pearl and Deep Lapis Blue Metallic. Unfortunately, a striking signature colour called Habanero Red Pearl, as well as a very pretty Tafetta White, is not available.

The Honda City is manufactured in Malaysia, with 30% of the parts sourced locally, including the seats and instrument panel, while the rest are from Japan.

According to Atsushi Fujimoto, managing director of Honda Malaysia, the previous City was still doing quite well into the end of its run, having registered a total sales volume of 8,000 units from Jan to Nov this year. With the arrival of the new one, Honda Malaysia is targeting to sell about 1,500 units of the new City on a monthly basis, and pre-launch bookings have been brisk, with more than 1,500 orders to date - as of launch time, the waiting period is a month, though that is surely to change if more orders come about.

The City rolls in at RM84,980 for the Grade S and RM89,980 for the Grade E (both on the road, with insurance) and comes with a three-year warranty or 100,000km and six months free service or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

A Modulo accessories package is available to spruce up the City’s exterior, and this consists of front, side, rear and trunk spoilers, all for an additional RM4,750.

Source : Star-motoring.com [Read more!]

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Fusion Hybrid uses an evolution of the powertrain in the Escape Hybrid, and it promises to be the most fuel-efficient mid-size hybrid sedan, besting the hybrid versions of the Chevy Malibu, Saturn Aura, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry, while falling short of smaller fuel-sippers like the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius.

Like the hybrid Escape, the Fusion uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, modified to run on the more efficient-but somewhat less powerful-Atkinson cycle. The Fusion, however, has its own specific continuously variable automatic transmission, its own electric motor, and its own lithium ion battery pack. The system's total combined power output is 191 hp, which is enough to provide decent acceleration. Ford says the Fusion Hybrid is able to run in engine-off, pure-EV mode at speeds up to 47 mph, but that doesn't mean the engine only starts up once you reach 48 mph. Trying to accelerate to 47 mph in EV mode would take an eternity (and likely enrage the line of drivers behind you). In truth, engine assistance is needed for all but the most glacial acceleration. But the fuel frugal needn't worry too much that they're slurping the world's oil reserves, since Ford's hybrid system engineers advise that the most economical driving is done by accelerating normally-using the gasoline engine-then backing out of the throttle, getting the car quickly into EV mode. Under those circumstances, yes, you can go as fast as 47 mph without aid of the gasoline engine, depending on the batteries' state of charge. That is, until you encounter an uphill grade.

In order to help would-be hyper-milers, the Fusion Hybrid has its own unique instrument cluster, in which the speedometer is flanked with several LCD color displays that help the driver keep tabs on the unique powertrain and monitor his all-important mpg. One can select from four different settings (called inform, enlighten, engage, and empower) to choose how much info is displayed. The most advanced setting not only shows when you're in EV mode but also how close you are to the threshold, whereby you'll slip out of it and wake the engine. This works far better than a simple EV indicator to help you maximize EV time (and hence fuel economy). For those who do well, another part of the display shows an image of a vine, which grows a bit larger after every three-minute segment in which you're driving efficiently. Stomping on the gas should cause it to wither and die, but that doesn't happen.

Within the Fusion family the Hybrid is its own trim level, perched just above the SEL. Pricing is not yet available, but we expect that the hybrid premium over a four-cylinder SEL will be roughly the same as that of the hybrid Escape, which should put a Fusion Hybrid in the mid-$25,000 range. Sure, at the moment, gas is cheap again, but does anyone think it will stay that way? When prices shoot back up, the $3000 or so extra you'd spend on a hybrid Fusion will likely seem well worth it for this combination of exceptional economy, acceptable performance, and a high degree of livability.

Source : automobilemag.com

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

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Proton PERDANA Replacement Model (PRM)

Words are spreading around about the new Perdana replacement model. Most likely the new perdana will be based on the Australian made Mitsubishi 380.

The mitsubishi 380 based perdana will be most likely to be a replacement to the current Perdana which is based on the Mitsubishi Eterna. However the Mitsubishi 380,as the name implies, uses a 3.8 liter v6 engine. This is a big no no for malaysian market. With fuel prices shooting up like rockets, it is most likely to be replaced with a smaller engine.

The current perdana uses a 6a12 v6 engine from mitsubishi which produces around 150hp which is suitable for platform which weight only 1300kg. But this engine is not suitable for the new perdana as it weight over 1600kg. Expect a 2.2 or 2.4 with at least 160hp engine to be fitted on this 380 based platform.

However this new model can be quite dissapointing for proton fans as proton start to do rebadging again despite of the few successful,proton made model such as the gen 2,satria neo,persona and the new blm.

Whatever it is,lets cross our finger and hope to see an outstanding new perdana which can outperform most of its competitor such as the Mitsubishi Lancer GT and Honda Civic.

Source : Kereta.info
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2008 Acura TL Summary

After three generations, the current model is the sportiest and most desirable yet, with chiseled exterior styling, firm suspension tuning, a powerful V6 and an impressive level of standard equipment. The Acura TL underwent a midlife freshening for 2007, with minor exterior and interior styling tweaks and an upgraded optional navigation system. The TL Type-S also returned to the lineup that year with a 286-horsepower V6, various performance upgrades and few styling enhancements.

The current Acura TL receives a midlife freshening, but the big news is that the TL Type-S returns to the lineup after a three-year hiatus. Equipped with a 286-hp 3.5-liter V6, the Type-S also features a sport-tuned suspension, Brembo high-performance brakes and unique styling elements that include quad tailpipes. A six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with automanual shift paddles are no-cost options. The upgraded touchscreen and voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic reporting is standard equipment on the Type-S, as is the rest of the TL's lengthy features list.

The regular TL receives minor styling tweaks and interior changes, including a sporty new three-spoke steering wheel. The updated navigation system is the only option, while the five-speed automatic becomes the only available transmission. The 258-hp 3.2-liter V6 remains unchanged.

The Acura TL comes in two distinct models to deliver a mix of practicality and driving enjoyment to a broad range of drivers. The standard TL delivers style, safety, electronic convenience features in a package that offers the all-weather, town-and-country capability that most Americans prefer. It's a great car. The Acura TL Type-S, on the other hand, is a real sports sedan, with power, performance, and sophisticated dynamics that enable it to match up against the finest European sedans. At the same time, the TL manages to deliver a measure of practical efficiency that distinguishes it among its competitors, a unique personality that relates well to the things that Americans want from a luxury car.

Image : Edmund.com

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2009 Mitsubishi Galant Overview

2009 Mitsubishi Galant

The Mitsubishi Galant represents a viable option when considering mid-size sedans. It does everything reasonably well and is enjoyable to drive.

The Galant is a front-wheel drive sedan that comes in four trims: ES, Sport Edition, Sport V6, and Ralliart. The ES and Sport Edition models are powered by a 160 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed Sportronic automatic transmission. The Sport V6 and Ralliart trims both use a 3.8-liter V6 engine teamed with five-speed Sportronic automatic transmission, with the Sport V6 producing 230 horsepower and the Ralliart 258 horsepower. A number of package options are available to add more first-rate features to the Galant.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant receives new interior stylings on all levels, and new exterior stylings such as color-keyed side mirrors, door handles, and rear spoiler (excluding ES trim).

Article Source : autos.aol.com
Image Source : Mitsubishicars.com

2009 Mitsubishi Galant
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Nissan Sylphy - Review

Nissan Sylphy

Nissan has been pretty active lately. With the latest being the Grand Livina and the Latio, Nissan recently launched the Sylphy. Seen as the successor of the Altima instead of the Cefiro, the 2.0 engine that comes with the new model boosts a new product line up for Edaran Tan Chong Motor, the Malaysian distributor of Nissan cars.

The name is known to have come from the workd ‘Sylph' and has not been exported much to many countries from Japan , which makes Malaysia the only country assembling the model here. one of the spokesman for Edaran Tan Chong announced that “Normally, a CKD model will have differences from the Japanese Domestic Model (JDM) to suit local requirements and also to cater for localization. With the Sylphy, this approach was not taken at the outset because of the limited volume. It also helps a lot that the Free Trade Agreement with Japan was signed in time for us to get the CKD parts much cheaper since the import duties have been virtually abolished. Nevertheless, we do intend to localize certain parts as time goes on since it can cut costs further,”

The engine power of the Sylphy is boosted by the CVT (Continously Variable Transmission) which comes with the XTRONIC which is an automatic transmission without gears. This computes to a very efficient fuel consumption which as rpoerted claims that the Sylphy drinks 16 kilometers per litre. Standard equipments include the ABS +EBD+Brake Assist, where ventilated brake discs are used at the front while in the read are drum breaks in within some 15 inch allow rims in a 195/65 tyres.

Interior wise, the Sylphy provides an ambience alike the ‘living room'. It is larger than Teana and definitely impress those who are impressed with the Latio. There are two main packages provided for by Tan Chong Motors, namely the Comfort and Luxury Packages respectively which costs RM112,800 and RM116,800 respectively, with the latter coming with leather upholstery, MP3 and a 6-CD audio changer.

Nissan Sylphy

Source : auto.com.my [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

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2009 Nissan Altima Summary

2009 Nissan Altima

The 2009 Nissan Altima is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in 4 trims, ranging from the 2.5 to the 3.5 SL.

Upon introduction, the 2.5 is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I4, 175-horsepower engine that achieves 23-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. The 3.5 SL is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 270-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims. The 2009 Nissan Altima is a carryover from 2008.

2009 Nissan Altima

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