FastMotoring Motor News In Speed

This week is a special week for MINI Malaysia as MINI have reintroduced the new MINI One for the Malaysian market.

Introducing the new MINI, Dr. Gerhard Pils, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group Malaysia said, “MINI has always been a symbol of urban driving fun. Its indispensable element of EXCITEMENT promised in each model combined with its agile ‘go-kart’ handling and its most natural characteristic with cutting-edge efficiency have led to a very successful MINI story to date. From the very beginning, the MINI One’s success story has always been linked with cheekiness and performance; and the new MINI One has all this and more!”

With MINI’s authentic exterior design features and contemporary character, the new MINI One is also powered by a 1.6 litre 4-cylinder in-line engine with 6-speed automatic transmission, capable of delivering 72kW/ 98hp with 150Nm of torque. The new MINI also records a remarkable fuel efficiency reading with an average fuel consumption rate of 6.7 litres per 100km with CO2 emissions of only 156 grams per km.

The MINI One is available in Chilli Red or Pepper White colour. In addition, the car is equipped with 15” light alloy wheels with 5-Star Twin Spoke rims, the multifunction buttons, sport steering wheel, rain sensor and automatic lights control, radio MINI Boost and Bluetooth hands free kit with USB interface as standard.

The MINI Tender Loving Care (TLC) service package is available as an optional upgrade for RM4,088.00 which takes care of the MINI in terms of inspection and wear and tear repairs for 3 years or 50,000 KM, whichever comes first.  MINI TLC covers work such as engine oil changes; servicing of the air filter, micro filter, spark plugs and brake fluid; maintenance and servicing of brake pads and brake discs; maintenance and servicing of clutch in the event of wear and tear as well as replacement of windscreen wiper rubbers and blades. 

Lastly and most importantly, the new Mini One is selling at RM 146,888.00 on-the-road (w/o insurance) in Peninsular Malaysia. Are you tempted to buy this over the VW Beetle 1.2 TSI?

In particular, BMW Group took four out of the eight award categories at the recent 2012 International Engine of the Year Awards. This year’s international panel of judges were made up of 76 motoring journalists from 36 countries, once again making the Awards the most sought after by automakers for its depth of view, professional standards and impartiality. Of course, we are definitely not one of those judges.

2012 International Engine of the Year Awards Results

1. Ford 999cc three-cylinder turbo (Ford Focus) – 401 Points

2. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (VW Polo, Beetle, Golf, Golf Plus, Golf Cabriolet, Scirocco, Eos, Jetta, Tiguan, Sharan, Touran/Cross Touran, Passat CNG, Touran/Cross Touran CNG, Audi A1, Audi A3, Seat Ibiza FR, Alhambra, Cupra, Škoda Fabia RS) – 288 Points

3. Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 (Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider) – 224 Points

4. GM 1.4-litre range extender (Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera) – 212 Points

5. BMW 2-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder petrol (BMW 125i, 320i, 328i, 520i, 528i, Z4 20i, Z4 sDrive 28i, X1 20i, X3 20i, X1 28i) – 199 Points

6. BMW/PSA 1.6-litre turbo petrol (Mini Cooper S, Clubman Cooper S, Countryman Cooper S, Coupe/Roadster Cooper S, Mini Cooper Works, Clubman Cooper Works, Coupe/Roadster Cooper Works, Peugeot 207, 207cc, 208, 308, 308cc, 3008, 508, 5008, 308 GTI, RCZ, Citroën DS3, C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso, C5, DS5, DS5, DS3 Racing, DS4, DS4 Racing) – 162 Points

7. BMW 3-litre turbo six-cylinder gasoline (BMW 1 Series, M Coupe, 335is, Z4 35is) – 160 Points

8. BMW M 4-litre V8 (BMW M3 Coupe & M3 Convertible) – 128 Points

9. Audi 2.5–litre five–cylinder turbo (Audi TT RS, RS3 Sportback) – 126 Points

With the latest great compliments, BMW Group continue its winning streak in what is widely regarded as the world’s foremost engine competition with wins in more than 50 classes and the overall winner title since 1999. And so, we are here to share more about the award winning engines from BMW Group.

The 2012 competition saw the prize in the 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre displacement class handed to the engine that drives the MINI Cooper S, in a reprise of its success last year. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder develops peak output of 135kW/184hp with the help of a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct petrol injection and variable valve control based on the BMW-patented VALVETRONIC technology. Among the key attributes of this unit is not only its eager power delivery but also exemplary efficiency for its class.

Likewise, providing enhanced driving pleasure coupled with extremely low fuel consumption and emission figures is the new 2.0-litre engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The 180kW/245hp four-cylinder turbocharged unit with High Precision Direct Injection and VALVETRONIC instantly won over the judges to capture the trophy in the 1.8-litre to 2.0-litre category. This engine is currently powering the new BMW 328i, BMW 528i and BMW Z4 sDrive28i in the country.

The top accolade in the 2.5-litre to 3.0-litre class went to a six-cylinder in-line engine whose technology has already wowed the judges several times previously. Both in 2007 and in 2008, this 3.0-litre powerplant with twin turbochargers, High Precision Injection and Double-VANOS took the overall prize in the Engine of the Year Awards. It serves as the basis for both the M TwinPower Turbo unit inside the BMW 1 Series M Coupe and the BMW TwinPower Turbo engine of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is. Delivering 250kW/340hp, this thrillingly high-revving straight-six has reached its highest output level. The upshot is truly outstanding performance that has garnered it a further Engine of the Year Award.

An achievement of this calibre is only exceeded by the string of successes claimed by the fourth BMW Group award-winner in 2012. For the fifth time in a row, the V8 engine of the BMW M3 high-performance sports car provides the measure of all things in the 3.0-litre to 4.0-litre displacement class. Bolstering the undiminished appeal of the 4.0-litre naturally aspirated engine are its hallmark M high-revving concept, peak output of 309kW/420hp and outstanding thrust. Beyond this, the eight-cylinder is compelling for its remarkable efficiency thanks to the Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration and other Efficient Dynamics technologies.

Photo Gallery: BMW Group’s Products with 2012 International Engine of the Year

Based on the survey conducted in UK, Honda cars are found to be the best-equipped to deal with potholes on “UK roads” (Please note: Not Malaysian road. Anyway, we expect the rate will be higher if the survey is conducted in Malaysia).

In the details of the survey, only 1.4% of Honda owners emerged to have to make a claim due to suspension or axle damage, which is the lowest follow by Toyota and Hyundai.

The survey results:-

Most resilient brands
1. Honda
2. Toyota
3. Hyundai
4. Nissan
5. Kia
6. Mitsubishi
7. Mini
8. Suzuki
9. Ford
10. Mazda

Least resilient brands
1. Chrysler
2. Smart
3. Mercedes-Benz
4. Land Rover
5. Jaguar
6. Saab
7. Fiat
8. BMW
9. Seat
10. Vauxhall

According to Duncan McClure Fisher of WarrantyDirect.co.uk, for luxury brands, such as Jaguar, Mercedes and Land Rover all featured in the least-resilient list. He expressed that surprisingly the high-end manufacturers are just as vulnerable, if not more so, than ‘value’ manufacturers.

Back to us, what you think about your Honda? Is it pothole-proof as describe as comparing to other manufacturers?

BMW Group Asia has reported a rise of 14.5% in its first half of 2011 sales volume compared to last year, increasing from 3,716 to 4,255 sales of BMW and MINI vehicles. The BMW and MINI brands saw an increase in sales volume of 12.9% and 36.4% respectively, in the South East Asia and Pacific Islands regions.

Mr. Neil Fiorentinos, Managing Director, BMW Group Asia said: We are pleased to have retained our position as the leading premium automotive brand in Singapore and further extended market segment leadership position in several other markets in the East Asia region like the Philippines, Bangladesh and the Pacific Islands. This result is a strong testament to the increasing popularity of BMW vehicles, and our customers’ appreciation of the premium quality of our cars and the sheer driving pleasure that they provide. We would like to credit this unique success to the immensely popular new BMW 5 Series Sedan, the updated BMW 3 Series, and our flagship model, the BMW 7 Series.

Other models meant for the niche markets such as the BMW Gran Turismo, BMW X1, the newly launched BMW X3 and BMW 6 Series Convertible, as well as the BMW 1 Series M Coupe and the limited edition BMW M3 GTS, have also been well-received.

Additionally, MINI also experienced significant growth with a total of 341 vehicles registered from January to June 2011, representing a 36.4% growth for the same period in 2010.

The popularity of MINI has been tremendous in Singapore with an impressive growth rate of 79.1%.  We would like to credit this success to the arrival of the MINI Countryman, as well as the ever-popular MINI Hatch, Convertible and Clubman, added Mr Fiorentinos.

At the 2011 Melbourne Motor Show, many exhibitors have exhibited their future products and concept cars. In total, there are no less than 14 concept cars. Thank you, John (our mate) from Down Under for passing some photos taken at the Motor Show to us. 

Toyota Motor Corp., Japan’s biggest automaker had showcased its FT-86 II and Prius C City Car concepts. For its luxury brand – Lexus, the LF-Gh concept was there.

Mazda set in the Minagi at the show. The car looks like production ready and Mazda will make use of this model with minor changes to become the new CX-5. Besides, Mazda also showcase the rear-wheel-drive Shinari at Melbourne Motor Show. Sadly, the Mazda Shinari will not be in production but purely to showcase the Mazda new design styling – Kodo – Soul of Motion.

What’s more, Mitsubishi show-off its plug-in hybrid SUV – PX-MiEV. This vehicle is powered by 70kW/125Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors, one each for the front and rear axle.

Suzuki exhibits its Suzuki Swift S-Concept. It is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine, the S-Concept has bigger wheel arches, more antagonistic bumpers, a large wing spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Subaru revealed their compact SUV concept and presented it as Subaru Impreza XV at the motor show. Do you think this could be the model that will be local assembly in Malaysia by Tan Chong Group?

For the Korean marquee, Hyundai presented a fuel cell electric drive train vehicle – Blue2. The electric motor delivers 90kW of power.

For the German automakers, BMW displayed its concept super car – Vision EfficientDynamics. Basically, it’s a hybrid car with an electric motor and a 3-cylinder turbo-diesel will together produce 241kW of power, and take the car from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds.

 Audi presented their e-tron which powered by four electric motors over each wheel with a total of 230kW.

It seems like most of the automakers are firm with the Hybrid or Electric Motors technology besides Mazda. The Swedish Volvo presented its V60 Plug-in hybrid. The drive train features a 150kW/440Nm 2.4-litre five-cylinder diesel engine and a 50kW/200Nm electric motor located at the back and powering the rear wheels. Electric-only range is 50km, fuel consumption is rated at 1.9L/100km and zero to 100km/h can be done in 6.9 seconds.

The Australian automaker, Holden showcased its new 2012 Holden Colorado UTE. Although the production model due on sale in 2012 but the options are expected not be as extreme as the car display at the show. Above and beyond, the production version of its Australian designed Holden Cruze Hatchback is displayed as show-car as well.

If you missed out the 2011 Melbourne Motor Show like us, you can now check out the photo gallery below.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Melbourne Motor Show 1-10 July 2011

[Show as slideshow]