With accidents said to cause by the Toyota Prius being too quiet that pedestrians are not aware of there is actually a car near them. Toyota has come out with a solution for it. Yesterday, Toyota announced in Toyota City, Japan that from 30th August, Prius owner are able to purchase a device that stimulate the engine sound outside the car.

The device will automatically emits a sound of an electric motor when the Prius is about 25km/h and above, the sound is aim to alert pedestrians that there’s a vehicle nearby. The sound will falls and rises in pitch depending on the Toyota Prius Speed thus help to stimulate a more “real” engine sound. This simple device with a speaker inside the Prius front bumper will be also equipped in other hybrids or electric cars that Toyota will launch in future. The device is currently applicable to the Third-generation Toyota Prius and is selling at 12,600 yen in Japan ( excluding installation and other fees) and in today’s exchange rate would be RM475.52 . Check out the video of the demonstration below, as part of the video – Toyota trying to prove  the sound does not add much noise to the cabin and it can be switch on or off. I wish they could allow us to select what type of engine sound too..Lexus LFA engine sound perhaps?

The new Nissan Murano facelift has officially revealed by Nissan. The 2nd Generation of of Nissan Murano is launched in 2008 and 2 years later a facelift for a year 2011 model Nissan Murano facelift. This facelift will firstly apply to the North American markets.

It is still powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 250 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque and is still mated with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) gearbox.

The new Murano Facelift gets a more aggressive front. With a slight tweak on the grille design and a more sporty front bumper ( mainly around the fog lights area).

From the rear, the most significant changes would definitely be the rear lights. The rear lights is surrounded by transparent design and center red braking LED lights. Other optional variant available is with 20-inch wheels, a dual-panel moonroof and more optional goodies,  as well as a AWD and FWD too. The current Nissan Murano is priced RM330,000 in Malaysia. US is getting the facelift by October in their Nissan Showrooms, we shall see whether our version gets a facelift later too.

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This is Citroen’s answer to the Mini John Cooper Works. The Citroën DS3 Racing Edition. Only a limited of 1,000 unit to be built. The attractive Citreon DS3 racing edition it’s a modded version of a standard DS3 which is done by the same team of people in-charge of Citreon’s WRC cars.

The awesome looking little DS3 racing hot hatch has upgrades inside, out and within. The 1.6L THP engine ( similar to the one in Peugeot 308 GT and Mini Cooper S)  has been tuned to push 57hp more from the standard 150hp, making it to 207hp. Some other numbers to shout about are 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 235km/h.

In terms of styling the Citreon DS3 racing is fitted a new bodykit and a few carbon fibre play such as the front bumper area, the rear diffuser and the wheel arch. Interior wise is a mixture of orange and black and with some carbon fiber trims.

Citroen Racing division  has also reconfigure the suspension setting and give it a set of new dampers. The DS3 Racing is lowered by 15mm and has been widen by 30mm. The car is also given a upgrade to the braking system with a 4 piston caliper and a better discs brakes and 18″ orange or carbon wheels for this little thing to complete the upgrades.

The Citroen DS3 Racing is priced between a Honda Civic Type R (FN2 Version) and a Golf GTI – £23,100. There will be 2 colour themes to choose from, one with an Obsidian Black (pearlescent) body and the other one with a Polar White body and a Carbon Grey roof. Both colour packages will match with the rims, door mirrors, grille, spoiler and interior dashboard. Only 200 right hand edition will be make from the 1000 units and it’s all for UK.  Given a choice i’ll take this over a VW Golf Gti anytime. The lucky English men can order from 1st of September 2010 and will get their ride in early next year.

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Hyundai Malaysia or rather known as Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd has launch a special promotion for Hyundai owners in conjunction of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Hyundai customers will benefit up 20% discount on selected car parts and 10 to 15% on labour charge.  Hyundai car will be service and inspected by certified Hyundai technicians using the latest diagnostic and service tools. All certified Hyundai service center will be using only genuine parts.

“Hyundai car owners should take advantage of this promotion as it does not only mean savings on selected parts and labour, but also a better and safer drive home,” said Mr Dennis Ho, Managing Director of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd.

Like last year, customers that take advantage to service their cars during  20th August to 9th September, 2010 will receive a free mystery gifts. To avoid long waiting hours in service centers, customers are advised to make appointment with their preferred Hyundai service centers.

For more information Hyundai owners may contact  Hyundai Sime Darby Motors’s Customer Careline at 1-300-13-2000 or log in to www.hyundai.com.my

* The above graphic is actually Hyundai last year’s promotion, please do not refer. *

There’s been leak of brochure of the 2011 Merc CLS , the actual car taken as we reported earlier. Now, there’s a some studio Photos of the Mercedes CLS 2011 seem to be appear online. Before the new Mercedes Benz CLS reaches our shores these materials continues teases us.

The new Mercedes Benz CLS shots are much clearer inside out, the studio shots taken making the Merc CLS looks stunning in every single angle. Need not to be mention the new CLS headlights and rear lights are – Awesome !

The front and back of the definitely defines what a four-door sport saloon should be. The photos shown here is the 265hp Mercedes Benz CLS 350 model. The fierce and muscular looking 2011 CLS redefines Mercedes Benz 4 seater coupe.

The interior looks much sportier compare to the previous CLS with some of the carbon fiber touch and a redesign steering. The all new 2011 Mercedes Benz CLS will be a rival to Porche Panamera, Maserati Quattroporte in our land. Check out more photos below, and i’m sure you will agree with me that the new CLS looks good in every angle.

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The All-new Mercedes-Benz CLS 2011 will make its official appearance in the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October. Although we have previously reported some of the spyshot of the upcoming all new Mercedes CLS 2011 . It is never enough too see more and more photos of any new upcoming cars. These sets of photos here are actually a scan-in leaked brochure of the new upcoming Mercedes Benz Cls 2011 for Germany.

As we reported earlier on this New Mercedes CLS, there will be daylight LED on the fogs light as well as the 2 bar of LED lights across the headlights. There’s also rumored that there’s an option of  all-LED headlights.

The interior was not spied earlier and this is our 1st time looking at in from these leaked brochure. The interior of the New CLS is retains the curvy line from the previous CLS but this time with abit more modern and executive look.

The rear lights are bigger and wider now, and the rear integrated exhaust simply makes the rear look stunning. You might want to check out the spied shot earlier we posted earlier for a clearer view.

Looking it from the side view, the Mercedes-Benz CLS looks very much alike with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. There will be a number of variant available for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS 2011. Listed below. The new CLS will go on sale in January next year, and later of the year – the top of the range CLS AMG model.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 2011 Variant

CLS 250 CDI (204 hp / 500 nm)
CLS 350 CDI (265 hp / 620 NM)
CLS 350 CDI 4Matic (265 hp / 620 NM)
CLS 350 CGI (306 hp / 370 NM)
CLS 500 BE (435 hp / 700 NM)
CLS 500 BE 4matic (435 PS / 700 NM)
CLS 63 AMG (544 hp / 800 NM)

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BHPetrol Malaysia has come out with 2 new petrol variant, and obviously claims to be better. Both petrol as sold as the same price as of the Malaysia’s market rate which, Rm1.85/litre for the Ron 95 version and Rm2.10/litre for the Ron 97 version. BHPetrol has added a new formulation, which they would like to call it Advanced Additive Compound(AAC) which is by adding a maximum additive volume of 800 parts per million (ppm).  Now, BHP Petrol actually bought the additive from a German company, and it was said that BHPetrol is giving us double of what the German Additive company recommended them. I guess that’s why BHPetrol is dare enough to put 3 big words to brand their product “Infiniti – Advanced – 2times”.

The added additive its a fully synthetic type, and other mixtures making it a engine cleaning, and minimizing friction inside your engine combustion area thus this brings better protection for your engine, better performance and most of all better fuel economy.

In order to see how much does all these mixture improved over a normal petrol. BHPetrol actually sends its new fuel with the new additive back to Germany for an independent Fuel testing company which follows the strict European standards. The new BHPetrol Infiniti Advanced2X fuels are tested for it’s cleaning performance using a Mercedes-Benz engine. With the result back from Germany shows ( refer the above chart),  when compare to a non additive petrol it is 94% “cleaner” with only 3mg/valve of deposits. To tell you in normal terms, a normal car engine tends to lose power gradually as we drive, one of the reason to this is actually the “dirts” left inside your engine after the combustion. With this greater cleaning power in BHPetrol’s fuel, this will help to clean the engine throughout the engine’s lifespan. Again, on top of that, other functions with the combination of this brilliant recipe, the new fuel should give you improve fuel efficiency and improve performance.

The fuel also serve as a anti-rust function for your fuel pipes and tanks so that the rust particles will not be deliver to your engine.  How will this compare to the Shell V-Power 97 fuel launch 2 months back? We will leave it to you to be BHPetrol’s final and most crucial testers – the consumers. There’s also a promotion going on for those who like to try out the new BHPetorl Infiniti Advanced2x Ron95 and 97 fuels. With a minimum purchase or RM30 of BHPetrol Ron95 or Ron97 will be entitle to have a chance to win a all-new Mercedes-Benz C200 CGI Elegance and other over 700 prizes.

Hyundai with it’s continuous improving in their product has reach another milestone yet again. Recently, a well-known German Automotive Magazine ( Auto Bild) has voted and awarded Hyundai as the top position in their quality report in Germany for the year 2010. The big deal of this part is, Hyundai has overtaken other well known car makers in Germany such as, BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz and others.

Hyundai took this honor is based on it’s effort in analyzing it’s cars reliability, durability and most of all customer’s satisfaction. Taken into consideration as this report is one of those which is highly respected report from Auto Bild. This has further strengthen Hyundai as a automotive market player who has been consistently improving it’s products.

Hyundai is also the top three non-premium brand in J.D. Power and Associates’ Initial Quality Study.

In May, we reported some spyshot over the Honda Civic Euro edition being spied. The hot hatch that is said to be rival VW’s Golf and Scirocco. Recently some fellas in Germany manage to caught the below spy shot video and upload it to Youtube outside Honda’s Germany Office. No one is sure about what is hidden beneath the heavily disguise vehicle. It could be a entirely new model from Honda, or it could be a version of Honda Civic Euro to replace the 5-door hatch since what we reported earlier was a 3 door version.

This also reminded me that it was awhile ago, in a Japanese magazine that illustrated what could be the next generation of Honda Civic. Looking at the illustration of the next generation of Honda Civic and the spyshot video, i’m suspected it this could apply to JDM Honda Civic as well. We’ll just have to wait for more spyshot or some official teaser till’ then. While this is rumored to be new Civic for us and it is some what like Proton Wira Aeroback type, i’m not too sure this version of Civic will be favorable in our market. Hopefully we will able to see some high performance ECO-friendly engine developed by Honda as a variant to replace the Civic Type R that has been continued in Euro as well as Japan as the K20A engine does not meet the emission standards. Honda also confirmed that there’s a new/updated gasoline-electric hybrid engine being developed for the Civic. Enjoy the Honda Civic Spyshot Video Below !

Volkswagen to have Complete Knock Down (CKD) units by March next year,  however it’s partner in Malaysia is not Proton. It’s DRB-HICOM. Surprise, surprise. It made me feel like the movie -  Stars Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Some of our hopes were called off since Volkswagen made an announcement 2 months back calling off talks with Proton about the possible collaboration , but a New Hope arise. It was last Friday, DRB-HICOM Berhad & Volkswagen AG signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on assembling and manufacturing Volkswagen vehicles in Malaysia.

The agreement will make Volkswagen existing sales activities and becoming a more competitive automotive brand in Malaysia market. Volkswagen cars will be built in Pekan, Pahang. DRB-Hicom will also look into local automotive component manufacturing companies, this is also in line with the National Automotive Policy (NAP). We do hope with this act we can buy Volkswagen vehicles in a more affordable price.

It was also announced by our Prime Minister,Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that the first batch of Malaysia built Volkswagen vehicles will be roll out by 1st quarter next year. 3  Volkswagen Models is expected to built for the 1st batch. No official announcement on which VW cars yet, but our guess would be the Volkswagen Jetta as shown above and another possibile popular model would be the VW Passat.

The possible 3rd model in could be the Volkswagen Touran which is actually already being assemble in Indonesia. The Touran is a entry level MPV from Volkswagen.

It is a truly exciting news for us, however depending on how DRB-Hicom and Volkswagen handle the situation, 1st quarter next year might seem pretty quick. There could be possibility too DRB-Hicom will do this 1st few batch of Volkswagen vehicles in  a SKD( Semi Knock Down)  which means it’s partially imported, for example it’s body works is welded before bringing it in instead of importing in pieces by pieces (the like how Naza did with the recent launched Peugeot 3008). More VW cars on the roads next year !