In the first week of August 2010, the sole distributor of Nissan cars – Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) in Malaysia officially launched the 2011 Nissan X-Trail.

This soft-roader is fully imported from Indonesia and powered by MR20DE 2.0L All Aluminium 4-cylinder in-line 16V DOHC engine with CVTC (Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System). The engine outputs 102kW (139ps) @ 5,200rpm with a torque of 198Nm @ 4,400rpm.  Instead of traditional automatic transmission, the new X-Trail is mated with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT gearbox (w/ 6-speed virtual gear ratio in manual mode) and running on 2WD configuration. Simple, it means you can’t switch over to 4WD mode when you stuck on a muddy road. The off-road capabilities for this SUV is limited. However, the Xtronic CVT are designed to delivers smooth acceleration while enhancing responsiveness and fuel economy.

The new X-Trail is slightly upsized! It is wider and longer than the outgoing model by 175mm. Thanks to the longer body which makes the SUV come with a larger boot space.

The boot designed with a double floor configuration with 2 drawers. The floor board is washable too which is ideal for Mountain bikers!

The dashboard and interior is in black colour. The pros…. the fitting, finishing and materials quality is now better than the previous model. The steering wheel for this SUV is updated like the latest line-up. The front gets the adjustable seats (6-way for Driver, 4-way for Passenger), Push-Start button with Keyless Entry, Audio Head-unit (w/ MP3, USB, AUX-IN, SD Card and Bluetooth Capability), Fog Lamps, High Mount LED Stop Lamp, and Bi-Xenon Headlamp with auto-levelling and washer. However, the cons will be…. The car doesn’t have a digital climate control and steering wheel without leather wrap or buttons which makes it looks plain!

Safety wise, 2011 Nissan X-Trail awarded with 6 stars JNCAP crash tests. It comes standard with Dual Airbags, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Pre-Tensioner seatbelts with load limiters and active head restraints.

Price List: Nissan X-Trail 2.0L X-CVT

RM149,500 Peninsular Malaysia

RM149,500 Sabah

RM149,500 Sarawak

RM104,500 Langkawi

RM104,500 Labuan

Photo Gallery: 2011 Nissan X-Trail SUV

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Hyundai Motor America has been leading in terms of fuel economy of vehicles manufacturer in the US since 2008.  This is by averaging out all the fuel consumption of vehicles that wears the Hyundai brand. With this, the Hyundai has also increased their market share up to 50% in the automotive industry.

Hyundai lately has announced it’s next goal in fuel efficient, and consumption – the target is to get at least 50 miles per gallon by 2025 ( in our case 4.7 Liter every 100km) across the average of all it’s vehicles.  In a more descriptive context by year 2025, vehicles ranging from the hybrids to the more gas guzzling Hyundai Genesis Coupe to commercial trucks will be totalled and averaged to have a fuel consumption of  today’s Toyota Prius. While this may seen not so hard to achieve in 25 years, people in the automotive industry will see it as a huge challenge.

Hyundai will utilize it’s innovative Blue Drive™ technology to accomplish their goal. Of course, Blue Drive™  technology will continuously improved in Hyundai’s Research & Development centers across the world ( California, Michigan, Korea, India and Germany). Various types of powertrains will be researched such as, gasoline direct injection, turbocharging, electric hybrids, plug-in hybrids. The research also includes reducing weight by using light-weight materials and design, aerodynamics and more.

Environmental Protection Agency Fuel Economy Reports

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has set a standard for automakers to achieve an average rating of fuel consumption for 35.5mpg by year 2016. As for Hyundai before this requirement took place, Hyundai has already announced it’s own plans to deliver a minimum of 35mpg by year 2015.

Lotus has unveiled the ultimate track-day car – a Formula One-inspired racer called the Exos Type 125. This F1 replica will cost $1million.

Lotus will show its consumer-focused F1 Replica at this weekend’s annual Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance in the United States. The British Sports Car Company plans to build only 25 examples from next April.

A Cosworth 3.5-litre V8 mated with a sequential semi-automatic gearbox with paddle-shift levers. The V8 engine produces 477kW and capable to rev as high as 10,800rpm.

As the result of using carbon-fibre construction for the 125’s monocoque chassis, the car only weight 650kg!

If you can afford to own one, Lotus (which is owned by Proton) says it will help owners get the most out of the 125 by offering driving clinics. According to Kevin Smith (Lotus Cars USA spokesman), Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli will participate at an undisclosed number of the five total track days planned for Type 125 owners, which will be hosted primarily in Europe.

Photo Gallery: Lotus Exos Type 125

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In last April 2010, Honda Japan announced on discontinuing the legendary Honda Civic FD2 Type-R due to the gas-guzzling sports car which is difficult to respond to the emission regulation in Japan. A couple of days later after Honda Japan announcement, Honda Malaysia announced the same thing to the local media since the local Type-R is fully-imported from Japan.

Yesterday, Honda Europe has announced that sales of the Civic FN2 Type-R throughout most of the Continent will cease by the end of 2010. The K20A engine that fitted on the FN2 Type-R doesn’t meet the new Euro-5 emissions standards which apply throughout the European Union.

The FN2 Type-R is only produced at Honda’s Swindon factory in the UK and production will continue for other markets including Japan. After discontinued the JDM FD2 Type-R in Japan, the FN2 Type-R went on sale earlier this year in Japan as replacement. Likely, the Type-R with K20A engine will be a legendary collection in near future.

In Australia, due to local lax emissions laws the Honda Civic Type R has been given the all clear to be sold in Australia as currently remained at the Euro-4 emissions standards.

Photo Gallery: Honda Civic FN2 Type R 

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Toyota Australia announced to add the Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV into its model offering by Quarter-1 2011. This retro-styled SUV from Toyota will be revealing at Sydney International Motor Show in coming 15 October 2010.

“FJ Cruiser has loads of character that isn’t found in any other SUV, let alone one that is built for off-road terrain,” said Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner. “It will be a lot of fun to own and drive, satisfying those who want a modern vehicle with the boulder-crawling spirit of Toyota’s legendary off-roaders,” he added.

No specific details were given about the FJ Cruiser’s power train options, but Toyota said the Australian market models, which will be imported from Japan, will come with “a powerful engine and dual-range 4WD”. Most likely, this Retro-SUV will come with 4.0-litre V6 that churns out 258HP.

Besides, Toyota Australia recently began a branding campaign to improve its standing amongst younger buyers with the launch of the Toyota Rukus.

Previously, there is some article mentioning about the acquisition of one Italian design firm by Volkswagen. For now, the German automaker has completed the acquisition of Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. (IDG) on last Monday. Volkswagen Group now holds a 90.1 percent stake in the Italian design and engineering firm as well as the company’s brand name rights and patents. Volkswagen Group spokesman said the shareholding has been purchased by Audi’s Italian subsidiary Lamborghini with the remaining stake held by present owner family Giugiaro.

The Italian design consultancy was established in 1968 by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani. This great company has created a great number of vehicles for the VW Group over the years including the Golf Mk1 and many concept models such as the first Volkswagen Passat, Scirocco and the Audi 80. Besides, Italdesign was also responsible the design of many Fiat models as well as Alfa Romeo. The Proton Emas Hybrid Concept that revealed in Geneva early this year is also design by Italdesign-Giugiaro.

The long-awaited standard model of Golf, Scirocco and Polo have just make available by Volkswagen Group Malaysia. The Golf and Scirocco are fitted with the award-winning 1.4 TSI 4-cylinder direct injection twin-charged engine, while the new Polo is fitted with the 1.2 TSI 4-cylinder direct injection turbo-charged engine.

The Golf and Scirocco 1.4 TSI…

The 1.4 TSI direct-injection twin-charger engine mated 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) are fitted to Golf and Scirocco, the engine produces with 160PS (108kW) and 240Nm of torque. The Volkswagen’s  flagship engine uses the combination of supercharger to boost the engine at low-rpm and the turbocharger works at the higher-rpm. Both cars manage to clock 8 seconds from 0-100km/h and an approximate top speed of 220km/h. Both car are fairly good performance as street cars.

Both younger siblings of the Golf GTI and Scirocco 2.0 TSI are fitted with 1-inch smaller wheels. The Golf 1.4 TSI fitted with 16-inch wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres, while the Scirocco 1.4 TSI fitted with 17-inch wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres.

Somehow, the 1.4 TSI models have slightly less feature comparing to the 2.0 TSI or the GTI models. We will cover this in coming in-depth review!

Price factors for Golf & Scirocco:-

Golf 1.4 TSI – RM 155,888.00* in Peninsular Malaysia (with Light & Sound Package) ; Without Light & Sound Package at the price of RM 148,888.00*.

Scirocco 1.4 TSI – RM 188,888.00* in Peninsular Malaysia

The Light & Sound Package for the Golf 1.4 TSI is basically come with Bi-xenon headlights for high and
low beam with integrated turn signal indicator that similar with the GTI, front fog light, headlight cleaning system and MEDIA-IN USB/iPod media interface.

If you love the Golf or the Scirocco appearance and you don’t fancy about the little more powerful engine. You got to trust me, the 1.4 TSI model is ideal! Both car support minimum RON 95 Unleaded Fuel. The fuel consumption for the Golf at Urban drive only 7.5 litres per 100 km^ , but the Scirocco is a little higher at 8.0 litres per 100 km^.

The Polo 1.2 TSI…

Moving over to the smaller passenger car – Polo 1.2 TSI, I think the new Polo looks much better and stunning compare to the outgoing model. The front façade shares the similar outlook like Golf, Scirocco and other VW new line-up.

This 4 door hatchback fitted with 1.2 TSI direct-injection turbo-charged engine that churn-out 105PS (77kW) and 175 Nm of torque. Besides, this car also comes with 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) too. Over on performance wise, the car clock 9.7 seconds from 0-100km/h and a top speed of 190km/h. This tiny hatch fitted with 15-inch wheels with 195/55 R15 tyres.

I would say this Polo is something sexy and zippy like the Honda Jazz. The price is reasonable par with the Honda Jazz. You can get yourself a German 4-door hatchback at only RM 108,888.00* in Peninsular Malaysia. This car is also compatible with RON95 Unleaded Fuel and the fuel consumption only 7.0 litres per 100km^ at Urban drive condition.

Anyway, stay with us and we will keep you posted with the in-depth review and photos of the 3 new Volkswagen models.

* Price excluding registration and inspection fees, road tax, number plate and insurance.
^ Average Fuel Consumption based on specification provided

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI

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Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI

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Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI

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Volkswagen Scirocco has been in the market since 2008, which just two years ago. Volkswagen AG has reached to assemble more than 100,000 units of third-generation Scirocco. The car number ‘100,000’ came off the production line at Volkswagen’s Autoeuropa plant in Portugal. The ’100,000′ is a Scirocco R 2.0 TSI, in a Rising Blue Metallic exterior finish, with a Titan Black interior.

The new Scirocco is offered with a variety of diesel and petrol engines ranging in output from 122HP (1.4 TSI) to 265HP (‘R’ 2.0 TSI). In Malaysia, Volkswagen Malaysia only offers the 2.0 TSI for now. There is rumour speculating the 1.4 TSI will be coming in Q3, 2010 together with Golf 1.4 TSI.

Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari was unveiled almost a year ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  This special edition of 500 comes with 180-horsepower 1.4-liter 16-valve turbocharged engine, stiffer suspension, 17″ Corsa Greyz wheels, Xenon headlights, 5 airbags, ESP, TTC, Sport button, ‘Record Monza’ dual-mode exhaust, Abarth Corsa by Sabelt seats, Brembo calipers. Furthermore, this exclusive car is painted similar as Ferrari 430 Scuderia.

According to our source, there will be 152 units of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari in right hand drive form in Britain and priced at £29,600. Moreover, the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is available to special order only in UK.

Photo Gallery: Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

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While Ford Malaysia is busy having road show across Malaysia to promote the Ford Fiesta. Ford US has made collaboration with the Ken Block (famous for his Gymkhana drifting session with his old sponsor- Subaru) to promote the Ford Fiesta in Ken Block’s way.

The Fiesta, tuned with rally specification and with Ken Block is set to challenge  the ESPN X Games. The Official debut of the rally ready Fiesta was actually last week – 29 July. With that, Ford Rally America and Ken Block came up with a new video advertisement to promote their rally Fiesta. Instead of the usual boring commercial, Ford with Ken’s help uses his Ford Fiesta WRC rally car to do some sideways and did some household chores. It is Ford’s hope to let consumer to experience the Fiesta and let the consumer feel what can the little Fiesta can do.  Enjoy the the video and some photos of the Ford Fiesta WRC Ken Block Edition.

I sure hope that some hardcore Malaysian Ford Fiesta enthusiasts do up their Ford Fiesta, maybe not the performance, for the looks perhaps ? – love the huge spoiler and the wide bodykit!

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