FastMotoring Motor News In Speed

Congratulation to Toyota for retaining its position as the world’s top-rated automotive brand in the 2011 global brand value report from Interbrand (More details can be found at http://www.interbrand.com).

Improving its performance by 6% on 2010, Toyota commands 11th place overall in the annual study. Moreover, Interbrand named Toyota as the world’s greenest brand, based on a global survey in August 2011.

Interbrand, one of the world’s leading branding consultancies, highlighted Toyota’s achievement in meeting challenges, including the impact of the Japan earthquake and tsunami earlier this year.

“Even though Toyota faced both an internal crisis and an external crisis, the company forged ahead by focusing on safety and quality, modifying its leadership structure and capitalising on its world-renown green efforts,” it said.

In addition, UMW Toyota Motor will be introducing the next generation of the locally-assembled Toyota Camry by mid 2012 in Malaysia.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Toyota Camry, Ukraine

Yesterday, Toyota announced that the global vehicle production of Toyota has recovered to pre-tsunami levels as of last month.

The massive Japan earthquake and tsunami on March 11 in northeastern Japan disrupted production of Toyota and other automakers because parts suppliers in northeastern Japan were damaged.

Toyota initially said it didn’t expect production to return to normal until late this year.

It said in June that production would be nearly back to normal in July. In August, it said it would be completely recovered in September. The latest confirmation highlights Toyota’s ability to bounce back.

Furthermore, Toyota workers will be racking up overtime and doing extra shifts in coming months to make up for lost production from the disaster. 

Today, Mazda Motor Corporation announced the last revision plus special edition version of its four-door, four-seat rotary engine sports car for Japanese Domestic Market (JDM). The RX-8 SPIRIT R will go on sale from November 24, 2011 in Japan. Since, the Mazda RX-8 production will extended to June 2012 and SPIRIT R will be the final special edition model. Mazda expects to sell 1,000 units.

The RX-8 SPIRIT R is based on the RX-8 Type RS (with six-speed manual transmission) and Type E (with six-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission). It is named after the final limited edition Mazda RX-7, and this pedigree is reflected in stylish features that include exclusive seat design and coloured alloy wheels. Additionally, Mazda’s curtain and front side SRS airbag system, which is available as a factory-installed option on the base models, will be offered as standard equipment. Following the launch, the Mazda RX-8 line-up will consist of the SPIRIT R and the Type G (with six-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission) model grades only.

Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda’s Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, said, “Mazda’s iconic rotary engine recorded its famous victory in the Le Mans 24-Hour endurance race 20 years ago. Throughout 2011, we have been celebrating the 20th anniversary of that victory by demonstrating the winning 787B racecar at Le Mans’ Circuit de La Sarthe and various other events around the world. At each one, the screaming rotary engine and the sight of the 787B have enthralled everyone from young children to race fans who witnessed its victory in 1991. These events have been a powerful reminder of the widespread passion for the rotary engine. Although RX-8 production is ending, the rotary engine will always represent the spirit of Mazda and Mazda remains committed to its ongoing development.”

Main features of the limited Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R series

Base models

RX-8 Type RS (with six-speed manual transmission) and RX-8 Type E (with six-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission)

Special equipment

For both manual and automatic transmission models

•Exclusive SPIRIT R badge

•Front headlights, front fog lights and rear combination lights (with black bezels)

•Front and rear brake calipers (red)

•Transmission tunnel trim (piano-black)

•Curtain and front side SRS airbag system

Exclusive to the manual transmission model

•Specially-made SPIRIT R bucket seats from RECARO

•225/40R19 89W tires and 19-inch alloy wheels (bronze)

Exclusive to the automatic transmission model

•Leather seats (black with red stitching)

•Leather-wrapped steering wheel (black with red stitching)

•Parking brake lever (with red stitching)

•Center console box front seat armrest and rear console box lid covered with synthetic leather (with red stitching)

•Sports suspension, larger brakes

•225/45R18 91W tires and 18-inch alloy wheels (gun metallic)

Exterior body colors

•Aluminium Metallic

•Sparkling Black Mica

•Crystal White Pearl Mica

Photo Gallery: Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R

In early September 2011, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd. (ETCM) introduced the all-new Nissan Livina X-Gear in Malaysia. The new Livina X-Gear is apparently designed to be a fun and practical crossover vehicle with 5-seat. Still, the price tag is appealing for a Japanese car with 1.6-litre engine displacement. Due to the facts, our team are devoted to review this car as our first priority.

The initial version of the Livina X-Gear was introduced in Indonesia in 2008 and followed in Brazil in 2009.

Ultimately, the 5-seat Livina X-Gear is modified from the 7-seat Grand Livina compact MPV. The platform is the identical but the outer shell is shorter with a complete redesigned front grille, SUV-inspired bumpers with silver sump guards, muscular over-fenders, side mouldings with silver finishers and roof rails that hold up to 25kg in weight.

The all-new Nissan Livina X-Gear and the Grand Livina 1.6-litre variant are both sharing the same 1.6-litre HR16DE all-aluminium engine and 4-speed auto transmission. The drivetrain is driving the front wheels with 105PS and 150Nm of max torque. The gearshift is impressively smooth for an auto gearbox but truthfully is not comparable to Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) or Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG). Yet, it is still a good point.

The features of the Livina X-Gear on performance, handling and braking are amazingly better than its other sibling – Grand Livina. Thanks to the shorter and lighter tail. Likewise, the car turns to be more fun to drive, zippier with less weight and more responsive.

Based on the Malaysian road quality as a benchmark, the ride is comfortable and well tailored for the all-new Nissan Livina X-Gear as a crossover vehicle.

Inside the car, you will find the same dashboard as the Grand Livina. Although the interior might looks rather dull, but the car is practically designed and provides great cabin ergonomics. It comes with total 4-cup holders and the middle one is transformable from 1-cup holder to 2-cup holders. It is spacious with ample legroom for 5 adult passengers. The glovebox offers 7-litre of storage space which you can store many things inside (e.g. GPS navigator, books and more…).

The Livina X-Gear is factory fitted with 15-inch wheels (similar to Grand Livina) wrapped in Continental Comfort Contact-1 185/65 R15 tyres. We reckon that a slightly wider tyre (e.g. 195) will be an added advantage to further improve the cornering capabilities. However, I believe this is one of the factors that contribute to the fuel efficiency by the Japanese engineers. Based on the factory specification, the X-Gear delivers a commendable 13.8km/litre.

The presence of the new Livina X-Gear is directly competing with Suzuki SX-4 and indirectly with the discontinued Hyundai Matrix. I suppose the Livina X-Gear is the most economical in price for a Japanese breed with a 1.6-litre engine. Our verdict, the Livina X-Gear remained the best value and versatile choice, especially to the folks with an active lifestyle and without the need of the third row seats.

Though, the Livina X-Gear is well position on its price and is a most sensible car to buy now but I found there are a few minor weakness. Firstly, the side mirrors are small. Secondly, the no fancy features like audio controller on steering wheel, audio headunit with USB and MP3 playback, cruise control, auto headlamp sensor, and auto climate control. Lastly, I think it will be an added advantage if there is a front reading lamp and the rear seats can be flat folded.

Five (5) Available Body Colours for Nissan Livina X-Gear:- 

- Tungsten Silver
- Twilight Grey
- Brilliant White
- Supreme Black
- Sunburst Orange

There is only one variant available, the Livina X-Gear 1.6-litre Auto is now selling at RM 82,800.00 OTR (inclusive of insurance, road tax, registration fee and ownership claim fee) in Peninsular Malaysia with a 3-year or 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first).

Believe it or not, the all-new Livina X-Gear is now one of the popular models. If you are tend to buy one, kindly don’t miss the special promotion of low hire purchase interest rates starting from 0.88% p.a. and free SolarGard Armorcoat tinting package worth RM1,400.00 (from now till 30th October 2011).

Photo Gallery: Nissan Livina X-Gear – DriveView 

Many of us probably knew that the all-new 2012 Lexus GS 450h made its world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. However, our focus had been all diverted to the debut of the new Porsche 911 (991 series). Accordingly, let us show you the latest Lexus GS 450h now which will be official revealed by second half of 2012.

The all-new 2012 GS 450h will be capable of running in electric-only, petrol-only and combined hybrid modes. The 3.5-litre V6 engine is mated with an electric motor, with the powerplants powering the rear wheels. The combined power of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system is unchanged from the current model at 254kW of power.

The fuel consumption and emissions data are yet to be discloses by Lexus. However, Lexus’s engineers say the engine’s high 13:1 compression ratio, new mid-port intake tumble generator, and the implementation of the brand’s latest D-4S direct-injection technology all lead to improved efficiency. Revisions to the hybrid system’s Power Control Unit, the range of the regenerative brakes, and the electric motor’s lighter mounts and reduced friction also contribute to better figures.

Lexus says refinement work on the engine has lead to obvious reductions in NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels. The new GS 450h has a larger boot space than its predecessor with a new stacked battery configuration.

From the exterior, the GS 450h can be easily identified by its unique three-lamp headlight assembly, concealed exhaust pipes and signature Lexus blue hybrid emblem.

The 2012 Lexus GS 450h will be available with the new Dynamic Handling system, which includes four-wheel steering. At speeds below 80km/h, the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions to improve turn-in response, rear grip, vehicle stability and overall cornering agility. At speeds over 80km/h, the wheels turn in the same direction.

On the safety aspect, the new GS 450h includes 10 airbags, head-up display, blind-spot monitor, lane departure warning and other preventative features.

Meantime, check out the photo gallery after the jump.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Lexus GS 450h hybrid