Launch of the Perodua Bezza
Live coverage of the launch on the 21st of July 2016 was provided by Paul Tan on their You Tube page:
Besides Perodua's good reputation among Malaysians, the Bezza also has achieved five stars in the ASEAN NCAP safety assessment for the 1.3L Advance variant (first Perodua car to get 5 stars) and four stars for the other variants.
No wonder Perodua has reportedly received more than 4000 orders in first five days.
Besides Perodua's good reputation among Malaysians, the Bezza also has achieved five stars in the ASEAN NCAP safety assessment for the 1.3L Advance variant (first Perodua car to get 5 stars) and four stars for the other variants.
No wonder Perodua has reportedly received more than 4000 orders in first five days.
Kia Optima Sportswagon
The all-new Kia Optima Sportswagon, Kia's first ever D-segment tourer, will make its global premiere at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show (86th Salon International de l'Automobile) on 1 March. The car is inspired by the 2015 SPORTSPACE concept which was shown for the first time at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The Optima Sportswagon offers the striking exterior design and high quality interior of the 2016 Optima sedan, with the added practicality and appeal of a tourer bodystyle. According to Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe: 
The Optima Sportswagon is due to go on sale across Europe in Q4 2016.
"The Optima has come to define Kia globally, and is credited with kick-starting the brand's design-led transformation. The SPORTSPACE concept from 2015 was a clear intention of where we wanted to take the Optima next, and the Sportswagon adds an extra level of style and practicality to the well-received sedan."It should be noted that in Europe, two thirds of all sales are in the D-segment, and three quarters of all fleet sales in this class, are made up of tourers The car will be available with a choice of efficient and responsive gasoline and diesel powertrains, including a high-powered GT model.
The Subaru Levorg debuts in Southeast Asia
Subaru has launched the Levorg for the Southeast Asian market in Taipei this week. The launched featured world renowned precision driver Russ Swift and Subaru Ambassadors Natalie Pickles and Monika Sta. Maria from Asia's Next Top Model. 
Not sure whether the specs are the same between the UK and Asian models. In the UK, the 1.6i GT is available in three colours Crystal White Pearl, Lapis Blue Pearl and Steel Blue Metallic. It costs £27,495 (OTR White colour).
The new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer
BMW is set to launch their new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer this summer.
This spacious seven seater is clearly targeted at families and features large windscreen, optional panoramic roof and intelligently redesigned pillars to provide superior all-round vision. You can create even more space by folding down the third and seconds rows.
This extra efficient car has Auto Start-Stop (as standard) which reduces emissions when stopping temporarily at lights or in traffic. BMW also claims that their Aero Curtain provides optimised aerodynamics, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel consumption.
There will be a range of preferences and driving styles to choose from including a range of petrol and diesel engines. Extra options include the xDrive 4 wheel drive and the latest generation BMW TwinPower Turbo engines which offer enhanced performance and efficiency.
Proton Surprima S Standard launched
Proton Holdings Bhd today unveiled the Suprima S Standard model and made it more affordable with prices starting at RM69,438 for solid colour and RM69,888 for metallic painted cars. That's nearly RM7000 cheaper than the executive version which cost RM76,760.05 (Metalic) and RM76,410.05 (Solid) respectively.
However, in making this car more affordable, a number of safety features present in the Executive variant have been removed. The new car model has only 2 air bags - the side and curtain airbags have been removed. It also loses the TC (Traction Control), ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and hill hold features.
I wonder whether their ad may be misleading as removal of all these safety features may result in different NCAP ratings. Fortunately ABS With EBD is still present. The touch screen and GPS are gone as well and the steering wheel does not have paddle shifters or radio controls.
The headlights are no longers LEDs but the normal bulbs and you would have to adjust the side mirrors manually. Sometimes I am amazed when I remember that these features were standard on my old Volvo S40 which was more than 10 years old.
What message is Proton trying to tell its customers?
This will definitely not improve the perception that most consumers have about the national car brand.
Don't get me wrong. I have been a long time supporter of Proton and I even did my MBA dissertation on the national car. They have come a long way but is still in no position to compete with other brands if the Government policies were removed.
The new car is still not which I call "affordable"cheap and we recently bought the Proton Preve Premium version with all the features - all the bells and whistles - at almost the same price. With the cars getting cheaper and the variety of choices in the market, I forsee Proton coming up with a number of promotions to try and get rid of unsold stock in the near future.
The engine is still the same CamPro 1.6 Turbo engine with 7-speed ProTronic CVT. The car runs on 16" alloy wheels fitted with 205/55 tyres.
This new variant is available in five colours: Tranquility Black, Solid White, Genetic Silver, Atlantic Blue and Fire Red.
However, in making this car more affordable, a number of safety features present in the Executive variant have been removed. The new car model has only 2 air bags - the side and curtain airbags have been removed. It also loses the TC (Traction Control), ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and hill hold features.
I wonder whether their ad may be misleading as removal of all these safety features may result in different NCAP ratings. Fortunately ABS With EBD is still present. The touch screen and GPS are gone as well and the steering wheel does not have paddle shifters or radio controls.
The headlights are no longers LEDs but the normal bulbs and you would have to adjust the side mirrors manually. Sometimes I am amazed when I remember that these features were standard on my old Volvo S40 which was more than 10 years old.
What message is Proton trying to tell its customers?
This will definitely not improve the perception that most consumers have about the national car brand.
Don't get me wrong. I have been a long time supporter of Proton and I even did my MBA dissertation on the national car. They have come a long way but is still in no position to compete with other brands if the Government policies were removed.
The new car is still not which I call "affordable"
The engine is still the same CamPro 1.6 Turbo engine with 7-speed ProTronic CVT. The car runs on 16" alloy wheels fitted with 205/55 tyres.
This new variant is available in five colours: Tranquility Black, Solid White, Genetic Silver, Atlantic Blue and Fire Red.
Launch of the Proton's compact car - Proton Iriz in Malaysia
Malaysian car company is launching their new compact car the Proton Iriz today. Blogger Paul Tan is streaming the launch live.
Even before the launch of the car, it has received five-star rating in Adult Occupant Protection and four-star rating in Child Occupant Protection by the New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (Asean NCAP).
The car will come in 3 Trim lines and 8 variants and in 7 colours.
Prices of the car (on-the-road) will be between RM42,438 and RM62,888.
Even before the launch of the car, it has received five-star rating in Adult Occupant Protection and four-star rating in Child Occupant Protection by the New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (Asean NCAP).
The car will come in 3 Trim lines and 8 variants and in 7 colours.
Prices of the car (on-the-road) will be between RM42,438 and RM62,888.
Jaguar XE S Sports Saloon launch
The new Jaguar XE S sports saloon was launched in a big way all over London last night.
Powered by a supercharged 3.0 litre V6 with 8-speed automatic transmission, this sports saloon accelerates from 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds.
Prices of the XE range start from £27,000.
Watch the launch here.
Powered by a supercharged 3.0 litre V6 with 8-speed automatic transmission, this sports saloon accelerates from 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds.
Prices of the XE range start from £27,000.
Watch the launch here.
The new BMW X4
A fusion of the power of the X model with the design of their classic coupe, the X4 is BMW's latest crossover vehicle.
3 different types of twin power turbo engines powering the X4:
BMW X4 xDrive35d
- 6 cylinder in-line diesel engine with 313hp and 630Nm of torque
- Goes from 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds
- It has a top speed of 153mph (247km/h)
- Fuel consumption: 47.1mpg
- CO2 emissions of 157g/km
BMW X4 xDrive30d
Others options include a full-colour Head-up display, surround-view which offers the driver a bird's eye view of the area around the vehicle as well as reversing assist camera which shows the area behind the vehicle.
Bentley launches new models, to build SUVs
According to a press release, Bentley Motors UK has confirmed that it will build the world’s fastest and most luxurious SUV - the first off-road vehicle in the marque’s history.
This was announced at the launch at its Crewe HQs, of three new Bentley models, namely, the Flying Spur sedan, the Continental 4.0 litre GT V8 S and the 6.0 litre Continental GT Speed Convertible. The later is considered the world’s fastest four-seat production convertible.
Bentley Flying Spur
Continental GT V8 S
Continental GT Speed Convertible
The production of the new model will create new 1,000 jobs at Bentley and its suppliers.
The company recorded strong sales increases through the first three quarters of 2013 (delivering a total of 6,516 cars against 5,969 in 2012) and opening of 23 international dealerships in locations from Bucharest, Lyon and Minsk through to Hanoi (Vietnam) and the famous Silk Road city of Urumqi.
This was announced at the launch at its Crewe HQs, of three new Bentley models, namely, the Flying Spur sedan, the Continental 4.0 litre GT V8 S and the 6.0 litre Continental GT Speed Convertible. The later is considered the world’s fastest four-seat production convertible.
The production of the new model will create new 1,000 jobs at Bentley and its suppliers.
The company recorded strong sales increases through the first three quarters of 2013 (delivering a total of 6,516 cars against 5,969 in 2012) and opening of 23 international dealerships in locations from Bucharest, Lyon and Minsk through to Hanoi (Vietnam) and the famous Silk Road city of Urumqi.
Jaguar unveils the F-TYPE Coupé at the LA Auto Show
The F-TYPE Coupé made its global debut on 19 November in Los Angeles.
The all-aluminium F-TYPE Coupé is available in three versions: F-TYPE R, F-TYPE S and the F-TYPE. All engines drive the rear wheels through an eight-speed 'Quickshift' transmission with full manual sequential control via steering wheel-mounted paddles or the central SportShift lever.
The F-TYPE R Coupé is powered by Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, delivering acceleration to 60 mph in 4 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph (electronically limited). The F-TYPE R delivers enhanced agility and handling via Jaguar’s second-generation Electronic Active Differential, Jaguar’s new Torque Vectoring by braking system and a Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) braking system.
The all-aluminium F-TYPE Coupé is available in three versions: F-TYPE R, F-TYPE S and the F-TYPE. All engines drive the rear wheels through an eight-speed 'Quickshift' transmission with full manual sequential control via steering wheel-mounted paddles or the central SportShift lever.
The F-TYPE R Coupé is powered by Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, delivering acceleration to 60 mph in 4 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph (electronically limited). The F-TYPE R delivers enhanced agility and handling via Jaguar’s second-generation Electronic Active Differential, Jaguar’s new Torque Vectoring by braking system and a Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) braking system.
The new Peugeot 308
Peugeot's new model, the Peugeot 308 will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow next week.
World Premiere of the BMW i3
The BMW i3 was launched today simultaneously in New York City, London and Beijing.
It is the first purpose-built plug-in electric production vehicle to be made primarily from carbon fiber.
Watch it here:
http://www.live.bmwgroup.com
It is the first purpose-built plug-in electric production vehicle to be made primarily from carbon fiber.
Watch it here:
http://www.live.bmwgroup.com
Volvo unveils 6 new models
The New V60
Volvo has had their most significant product launch ever. 6 new models were unveiled at an exclusive event in Gothenburg, Sweden. These are the new S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 models - all with updates based on feedback from customers. They will be officially revealed to the public at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
The New S602013 Beetle Convertible
Here are some pics of the new 2013 Beetle Convertible just launched at the LA Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
50's Heritage model
60's Heritage model
70's Heritage model
