Japanese could be probably bored with FR Coupe like Nissan Silvia S15, Nissan 350z or maybe Honda S-2000. Now, they going drifting with Suzuki or Daihatsu Kei Trucks (Mini Truck).

Now, what it appears here is a team of mini trucks sliding around a track in Japan. Yes, is a mini truck that uses as transport by farmers or traders.

Enjoy the video of Japanese niche-racing with mini trucks from YouTube.

Porsche has officially unveiled its 2011 Cayenne SUV at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The second-generation Porsche Cayenne preserve its authentic look in the luxury SUV segment. This time, the German automaker had fuel-efficient hybrid and diesel version.

As part of VW Group family, the new Cayenne received a set of LED daytime running lights and more aerodynamic side mirrors. Overall, the new SUV wheelbase length longer by 40mm compare to the previous model.

The interior of the new Cayenne looks better as the designed received some influences from the Porsche Panamera like the centre console housing various functions. Like in the previous Cayenne, there are the signature triangular hand grips up front.

All the model of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne having eight-speed automatic from the VW Group that also supplies it to Volkswagen and Audi and four-wheel-drive. The variants debuts as below:-

- Cayenne Diesel – 240hp 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel

- Cayenne – 300hp 3.6-litre V6 petrol

- Cayenne Hybrid – 380hp 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol and two electric motors backed by lithium-ion batteries

- Cayenne S – 400hp 4.8-litre V8 petrol

- Cayenne Turbo – 500hp 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol

Although the S Hybrid can achieve 12.1 km per litre on fuel economy, the Diesel is the most frugal at 13.5 km per litre. All motors are claimed to be more efficient than ever, thanks to the availability of automatic stop-start feature. Further to reduce its weight and fuel consumption, the weight of the car is reduced by an average of 180kg with lighter materials.

Check out the Photo Gallery.

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The Honda CR-Z is basic hot compact coupe that runs on Hybird Technology. But now, the japanese aftermarket tuner have make it hotter than ever.

Spoon fitted the new CR-Z with its CR93 wheels along with upgraded calipers clamping onto 15-inch slotted discs. A ride height lowered by 50mm with a set of suspension upgrade, while the exterior parts has been replace with the addition of a carbon fiber hood, mirrors and front lip spoiler.

More importantly, a new N1 exhaust has been fitted and Spoon modded the ECU to churn out a few extra horsepower. There’s no word on what the rejiggered computer and exhaust is good for power-wise or how Spoon is manipulating the hybrid drive system to boost performance, but considering the track record of Spoon. We can expect some good results after tuning up.

[View with PicLens]

 

Toyota FT-86 which was designed at Toyota’s ED2 studio in Nice, France, had its European premier this week at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

The compact sized coupe measures that 4,160mm long, 1,760mm wide and 1,260mm tall, with a 2,570mm wheelbase, is being co-developed with Subaru that will also present its own variant of the 2+2 seater sports model.

As a reminder of Subaru’s involvement in the project, the near production-ready FT-86 prototype uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine from the Impreza while power is sent to the rear-wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. The demo rides was fitted with 19-inch wheels with 225/40R19 tyres.

According to Toyota, the FT-86 is scheduled to be launched into the market towards the end of 2011 with Subaru’s variant to follow later on.

[View with PicLens]

 

Proton (Malaysia National Car Maker) will be premiering its concept car at the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva on 2 March 2010. The car maker advisor - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be joining the event and launch the Proton Concept Car.

The concept car is a creative collaboration between Proton, Lotus Engineering and Italdesign Giugiaro. Moreover, the concept car is based on a hybrid propulsion system. The specially designed chassis also features a raised floor that can accommodate the conventional engine as well as the hybrid system’s batteries in the rear. The concept car leverages on maximising space, while maintaining the overall dimensions of a compact car.

The five-door, four-seater hatchback concept car has a total length of 3550mm and features a front-mounted endothermic engine for recharging the lithium ion batteries with a fully electric drive-train.

The car was conceived with the aim of maximising the interior roominess and improving access to the vehicle. The high position of the four independently-adjustable and sliding seats, allows passengers to fully enjoy the spacious interior. Thanks to the combination of these two technical specifications the car is easier to enter, as the seats’ H-points (or the position of an occupant’s hip) are at the same height as in an SUV.

Proton Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director, Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamad Tahir, said that the collaboration is part of its long-term strategy to match global automotive standards and expand its footprint worldwide.

BMW has release a free application that can measure your car and your driving performance – BMW M Power Meter. Based on the Apple iPhone 3Gs, *sorry for the others iphones* BMW has make use of the built-in accelerometer in the iphone that does a good job in motion sensor. Those who are into this has probably come across similar application like this but with a cost from Apple Appstore.

In general, this application allows users to measure the g-force and 0-100 times from their iphones. The BMW M Power Meter does most of the paid application do. In fact, in my opinion it is quite complete. Just dock the iphone in your M-car, hit start and you’re good to go. Kids, please do not hold the iphone and drive with 1 hand.The BMW M Power Meter defaults the timing from 0-50 km/h, but you can change that by clicking on settings and choosing from several acceleration options up to 200 km/h or distances ranging from 100 meters to 2,000 meters. Continue Reading the BMW M Power Meter

Volkswagen Group Malaysia has terminated VW Cars Sdn Bhd’s dealership of its vehicles with immediate effect.
 

Volkswagen dealerships operated by VW Cars at The Curve and Jalan 219, both in Petaling Jaya would cease immediately, the German carmaker said in a statement yesterday.
 

Its existing dealers in the country include Euromobil Sdn Bhd, Veemer Motor, Wearnes VW, Ismaco Automotive Sdn Bhd, Goh Brothers Motor Sdn Bhd.
 

In a separate announcement, VW Cars said it would stop the Volkswagen business due to an on-going dispute between the company and Volkswagen Group Malaysia. VW Cars, a unit of Cartrade Group and the first dealer appointed by Volkswagen Group Malaysia, contributes more than 50% of Volkswagen sales in the country.
 

After revealed Malaysia Budget 2010 on last Friday. Yesterday, MITI revealed it’s revised of National Automotive Policy (NAP). The revision of NAP has addressed most of its business opportunity, bumiputera privilege, protection, proton, surprises and policy that might attract to foreign investor in Automobile industry to Malaysia.

Basically, there aren’t any changes to the structure of neither import duty nor excise duty in Malaysia (except duty-free area like Langkawi and Labuan). From us, it will be a go ahead and buy whatever car that you like since everything virtually remained or even no good.

Down to the highlights of the new revision of NAP, as a chief editor of Fastmotoring.com and readers of my personal blog. I would like to pin point a few of my comments to our fellows’ automotive fans and owners.

Open AP – In this review, the current government have taken a good move and step to counter those dishonour Open AP holders that under-declare the value of the used vehicles that imported to Malaysia and making profits out from consumers. On the down side, the open AP announced to be stepped by 31st Dec 2015 and a large chunk of the RM300 million expected to be collected from the RM10,000 per Open AP fee. Which the fund will be used to develop the auto industry and further increase Bumiputra entrepreneurship participation in the auto industry.

Gradual introduction of Vehicle End of Life Policy – The current government stated that the vehicles that above 15 years will required performing inspection during renewal of road tax to ensure road worthiness. On this clause, the most important thing that addressing is road safety and emission. In the other words, the government wants the vehicles to upkeep to fit to be on the road and reducing CO2 emissions which is not a really bad thing.

Import of used parts/components - By June 2011, vehicle half-cut, second hand parts/components and reconditioned will be prohibited from importation to Malaysia. For this clause, I will this relates to the current Prime Minister move on Budget 2010 which so called ‘high-income’ country. Mainly, this helps to boost the sales of local parts vendors and authorised service dealer with new parts which is not good news for car owners. From what I can forecast, the business of used car parts will be sunset unless they starts to scrap local cars by turning to be the source of used parts instead of import from Japan, Singapore or Europe.

Again for the ‘malaysia baby’ proton – Well again, the entire revision mainly designed to preserving low-mid market segment to stick with Proton which making an illusion of automotive eco-system. From the policy of introduction of Vehicle End of Life Policy, phasing out of imported used parts and components are mainly pinned point the owners of national car. In the other hand, I can’t deny that most of us may have experience of getting used car parts. Since there isn’t any supplies of used parts in very near future, I will foreseeing Proton will triple on their sales forecast for minor cases with replacement parts and expect new car order for major cases from the consumers.

Reconditioned Used Car - For fellow readers that is unsure about the rules of importation of used car to Malaysia. The cars have to be less than 5 years old when the car reaches Port. For the Vehicle End of Life Policy, I foreseeing there isn’t any impact since normally we won’t own the same car for more than 10 years. For the new banned on imported used parts that will be introduce, it won’t affect much too as for example, Toyota Vellfire owners will not go for used parts for their luxury ride and of course same goes to Ferrari, Aston Martin, Audi, Porsche, Lexus and etc… Moreover, there are many parallel new genuine parts importer in the market to supply the demand of parts of imported cars.

Imports of used cars are very common in other developed countries like Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and United Kingdom. Mainly, car models that are dedicated for Japanese Domestic Market are very popular and demanding. With the chances of demolishment of Open AP and no conflict of interest against the National Car. From my wild opinion, I will be pleased that the current government will consider opening the market for certain car models that is not available in Malaysia automotive industry. Think! Do you want a Nissan GTR?

Pros and Cons of these policy revisions – To make things sexier, I got a very simple question, are all Malaysian ready and accept all this preservation? For the mid-high market segment, I reckon there won’t be much impact comparing to the low-mid market segment. It just matter of the limited choice of cars that they can choose from the rack. In other hand, what will happen to the low-mid market? Are they keep repairing cars with new parts, send cars for inspection every year after their cars aged 15 and above or even work harder to depreciate their car value?

Writer: Edvin Teo – 29 Oct 2009

BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd says the government’s decision to implement EURO 4M specification for petrol and diesel by 2011 is “encouraging and proactive” to further promote clean and sustainable TECHNOLOGY in the Malaysian automotive industry.

Its managing director Geoffrey Briscoe said BMW Malaysia welcomed the decision to implement the specification, which was highlighted in the latest review of the National Automotive Policy (NAP).

“We see this move as an encouraging and proactive measure by the government to further promote clean and sustainable technology in the Malaysian automotive industry,” he said in a statement released on Wednesday, Oct 28.

The revised NAP, announced on Wednesday, set a clear roadmap for implementing fuel standards. Since September 2009, EURO 2M specification for petrol and diesel has been implemented and this was the latest step to implement the specification by 2011.

Following the announcement, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will establish a roadmap for fuel standards and quality, under the NAP.

Commenting on the latest development in the NAP, Briscoe said the perspective clean and sustainable technology was very much shared by BMW Malaysia and this was demonstrated when it introduced BMW EfficientDynamics to Malaysian market.

“As a way of firmly localising efficient dynamics in Malaysia, BMW is paying particular attention to diesel technology. Diesel technology provide 75% more power  but what is more impressive is that diesel Technology utilises 25% less fuel and emits 20% less carbon dioxide (CO2) which is better for the environment,” he said.  

This was demonstrated by the latest BMW EfficientDynamics cars which were able to travel more than 1,000km on a single tank of fuel with an average CO2 emission rate of 170g per kilometre.

For the everyday person, this means that for every six days of travel time to their work place, two days can be considered free of fuel cost. More importantly, however, is the break the environment is getting.

Briscoe said in support of the government’s effort to offer higher grade fuels, BMW would continue to introduce more efficient dynamics offering to Malaysian customers.

Source: TheEdge

Below are the highlights of the new National Automotive Policy announced on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2009

1. Local assembly of luxury passenger above 1,800cc and priced above RM150,000 on-the-road fully liberalised. Foreigners can own 100% of assembly operations.

2. APs to be stopped by Dec 2015.Audit on AP recipients ongoing and checks to be done. Those flouting will be removed from list.

3. Gradual introduction of Vehicle End of Life Policy. For starters vehicles above 15 yrs will have to undergo mandatory inspection during renewal of road tax.

4. Import Duty structure maintained at 0% for CKD and 5% for CBU for AFTA.

5. Excise duty structure remains. No changes.

6. All imported used vehicles prices will be gazetted to prevent under-declaration.

7. Manufacturing of critical components for cars such as brake system and transmission to get incentives such as Pioneer Status/Investment Tax Allowance.

8. The import of used parts/components will be prohibited from June 2011.

9. Proton to establish strategic partnership with global OEM.

10. The current policy on the freeze of manufacturing licence for reconditioning and reassembling (rebuilt) activities is maintained.

Written by The Edge FinancialDaily

Click here to read the statement issued by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry