FastMotoring Motor News In Speed

Chevrolet Sonic was launched recently in here Malaysia at National Aquatic Centre Bukit Jalil. Naza  Quest Sdn Bhd. brought in both the Sonic Sedan and the Sonice Hatchback. The sonic is targeted to the “Generation Y” Malaysian that is young and trendy. The Chevrolet Sonic is said to be developed with a proven global platform that delivers precision handling and performance. The Chevrolet Sonic is a B-segment car which direct competes with Toyota Vios, Mazda 2, Honda City or recently launched Nissan Almera. Naza Group aims to grab part of the pie with the Chevrolet Sonic, as the B-segment vehicles are the largest market in Malaysia.

Both Chevrolet Sonic Sedan & Hatchback has an identical front fascia. Both feature the chrome dual-port grille at the front. As the side the obvious shape of the hatchback and sedan is noticeable  The Sonic 5-door hatch has a rear door to access the boot and fold-able rear seats if you need to transport bigger objects. The Sonic 4-door sedan will have a separate boot just like any sedan car.

The Chevrolet Sonic features the 1.4L Ecotec DOHC 16-Valve engine that produces a humble 74hp with a 6 speed automatic gearbox.  On paper it will go from 0-100 in 12.9 seconds and it is possible to achieve 8.1 L/100km fuel efficiency. Standard safety features such as air bags, ABS & EBD are all in.

The interior design of the Chevrolet Sonic favours me, it’s modern, simple yet futuristic. The blue luminescence interior lights reminds of the movie – Tron. The digital speedometer and rpm meter is one of its kind and never been seen in other vehicles in this segment. Noticing the interior details carefully, the futuristic ”Tron” theme is more and more recognizable.  The dashboard materials are somewhat like Chevrolet Cruze’s, in fact this Chevrolet Sonic looks and feels like a modern baby Chevrolet Cruze.

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Peugeot 308 GTi has arrived in the UK but rebadged as the 308 GT THP 200. Available only as a five-door model, the hot hatch priced at £21,995 OTR in Britain.

Powered by Peugeot’s 1.6-liter turbocharged 200-horsepower THP petrol engine mated to a six-speed gearbox, the new 308 GT THP 200 can get from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 7.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 140mph (225km/h).

Peugeot 308 GT THP 200 gets a revised suspension and steering wheel system as well as bigger brakes and 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/40 R18 tyres. For interior wise, there are sports seats, aluminium pedals & gear lever knob, a leather steering wheel and a black lacquer fascia front panel.

I suppose this car will be coming to be feature in the coming Top Gear UK series and review by Jeremy Clarkson, James May or Richard Hammond. Therefore, I genuinely looking forward on how they going to power slide this 308 GT THP 200, which is a hot hatch powered by front wheel drive. Maybe they use other ways to…. :)

Photo Gallery: Peugeot 308 GT THP 200

Naza Kia is having a special offer for the Kia Rondo ( known as Naza Citra II Rondo here in Malaysia) with 13 additional accessory to upgrade the Rondo to have a more sporty yet exclusive version. only 300 units of Kia Rondo will be available with this offer.

Naza Kia has as given the Citra II Rondo with the below 13 items,

1) front bodykit

2) side skirt

3) rear skirt

4) rear spoiler

5) door visor

6) wheel arch moulding

7) rear bumper pad

8) chrome tailpipe

9) 9.5-inch overhead screen with DVD player

10) leather seats

11) solar tinting film

12) first aid kit

13) tyre inflator

The Naza Kia Rondo is equipped with 2.0 litre engine and is having the same platform with Kia Optima. The 2.0 litre DOHC CVVT engine produces 147ps with 189 Nm of toque. Only a 4-speed automatic transmission is available either you choose the Naza Citra II Rondo EX or EXS. Should a higher acceleration is required there is a sport mode to be activated to change the characteristic of the gear shift logic.

The difference with the two Rondo variant would be – Rondo EX is equipped with a 15″ rim awhile the Rondo EXS is equppied with 16″ rim. The Naza Kia Rondo EXS also comes with a roof rack. The prices of Rondo EX and EXS are retained at RM86,088 and RM90,088.

To know more about the Naza Citra II Rondo otherwise known as Kia Rondo – take a glance of some photos below before heading to the showroom.

* Peugeot 308 GT Photo

After Peugeot dumped the 207 GTI, Peugeot finally seems ready to complete the range of 308 to a variant with a GTI Badge. The new 308 GTI is expected to get a reworked the engine to increased power output to 150kW (equal to 201hp) from the French PSA 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine (shared with sister company Citroen and Mini). The similar 308 GTI’s engine is also expected to make an appearance in the upcoming Peugeot RCZ two-seater coupe.

The French automaker plans to enlarge the compact’s range with a sporty version for their fans that are long awaited for the release of 308 GTI. This car is scheduled to officially debut during 2010 Paris Motor Show which will be held from 2 to 17 October 2010. Moreover, the new 308 GTI will be available only in the five-door version due to financially viable reasons.

The above image of a 308 GTI spotted and captured at speed on a French motorway shows a neat dual-exhaust treatment and spoiler visible from the back.

By time, I foresee we shall be able to see head-to-head competition between VW’s Golf GTI and the 308 GTI.

Peugeot reveal photos of its face lifted 207 for 2010. The 207 will be in three body shapes, three and five door hatchback, Station Wagon and the hardtop convertible. All variants of the 207 feature a redesigned front end with a new grille, as well as LED tail lamps.

The introduction of the facelift model 207 also sees a range of new standard equipment like a head unit with Bluetooth connectivity. Peugeot also spiffed up the interior with fresh trims, new instrument panel designs and the introduction of other new equipment features.

Furthermore, Peugeot claims that the 207′s range will be gradually updated with the introduction of engines meeting the Euro5 emission standard. Prices and full details will be revealing at their showrooms this August in Europe.

For the Malaysia market, I have no clue when the 207 will be introducing locally since the 206 Bestari are still suffering on poor sales results by Naza. We visited a peugeot showroom awhile ago and the peugeot sales man indicated that there’s rumours to have Peugeot 206+ coming soon. In the other hand, the Peugeot 308 are doing pretty well in Malaysia as I think the car priced just right.

Click here to view 5 photos of 2010 Peugeot 207