Next generation Audi R8 is expected to be launched in 2014 and details about it are already emerged.
Lotus chose to launch the machine in an online broadcast from its factory. The E20 name is to commemorate the 20th F1 chassis designed at Enstone which is the base for its HQ,
Home of the largest theme park which is known as the Ferrari Theme Park, Abu Dhabi has another landmark to be proud of, introducing the world’s largest BMW Showroom covering an area of 35,000 square meters and housing three premium brands from the BMW Group which are the MINI, Rolls Royce and BMW itself while not forgetting the BMW’s motorcycle line.
Regarding 2012 Geneva Motor Show is just weeks from now, Peugeot is confirmed (almost) to reveal a new sporty GTi version of recently launched latest generation of 208 hatchback.
Jaguar has recently announced a new XK and XKR Special Editionthat feature hand crafted “Artisan” interior and only be available for European market.
Previously featured on Paultan , the upcoming Proton’s brainchild is a no secret anymore. Fully naked and undisguised, several photos managed to snapped featuring the car in some kind of turquoise livery. There is also a shot of the silver coloured one but the car was blocked by a human shield avoiding a clean shot of the car itself.
All these 3 snapshots confirm the design of the new Proton as previously seen
The Vantage rang has been refreshed by Aston Martin which is believed to be more enhanced in terms of style, dynamics and beauty. It is said to be the most comprehensive enhancements for the V8 Vantage since 4 years ago.
The new updates includes the ability for the V8 engine in producing up to 420 bhp resulted in nearly 290 km/h of top speed.
A seven-speed Sportshift II which provide a more refined shift quality thanks to the closer ratios and lower final drive.
Aston is also generous in giving upgrades to a more refined chasis, two-piece ventilated front discs and six-piston calipers, along with a new upgraded power-steering pump and a quicker steering ratio. The new Vantage also features a lowered front bumper, newly designed rear diffuser and re-shaped sculpted side skirts.
source: AutoGuide
A new concept from MINI called The Clubvan has been announced and the concept is described as a compact lifestyle van for business and leisure purposes.
It uses the MINI Clubman as a base model but the rear passenger seats have been removed as well as the opaque polycarbonate panels located at the rear window. Hence, highlighting a flat floor in order to maximize cargo capacity while still maintaining the five-door layout. Notable to say, a stainless steel separator with honeycomb design is located behind the seats to avoid any loose cargo objects from hitting both the passenger and the driver.
This concept also features side-hinged rear doors for easy cargo access.
This Clubvan concept is just one of the three new models reportedly MINI is considering besides a rumored wagon and sedan that are also in MINI’s planning for 2020 launch.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE MINI CLUBVAN PHOTOS
source: TheMotorReport
Jaguar has recently announced a new XK and XKR Special Editionthat feature hand crafted “Artisan” interior and only be available for European market.
“Every Jaguar XK represents a compelling combination of advanced engineering and cosseting luxury, yet the latest additions to the evolving range – the XK and XKR Special Edition models – further enhance that luxury quality through the introduction of hand-crafted ‘Artisan’ interiors”, as the automaker is saying in its official press release.
Being available in both coupe and convertible version, the special edition will features luxurious interior as well as exclusive paint.
They will still be powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine capable of producing 380 horsepower in the XK and 503 horsepower in the XKR.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THE JAGUAR XK AND XKR CONCEPT
Regarding 2012 Geneva Motor Show is just weeks from now, Peugeot is confirmed (almost) to reveal a new sporty GTi version of recently launched latest generation of 208 hatchback.
The new GTi concept will be powered by a 1.6 liter turbocharged power plant with the ability of producing 197 bhp and 275 Nm of torque resulting in 0 to 100 km/h acceleration timing of just under 7 seconds. The engine is matched with a six speed manual transmission.
The GTi Concept is actually 36 mm wider than the normal version of the 208. It is also well equipped with full bodykit, rear spoiler, chromed tailpipes and the most important features of all.. shiny GTi emblems!
Moving into the cabin, the steering wheel gets a nice sporty leather stitching alongside a matching gear lever. Other notable characteristics including LED backlight for the instrument gauges and Nappa leather trimmed seats with cloth in the center section as well as a leather head restraint.
For the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot is acting interestingly enough to reveal not only the GTi concept, but also the XY concept for 208 hatchback. The XY concept which is described as “Urban Chic” is believed to be more efficient in fuel consumption and is aimed for city dwellers.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THIS 208 GTi CONCEPT
source: WorldCarFans
Abu Dhabi Motors, BWM’s importer for the region invested nearly USD 81 million (roughly RM 247 million) in this new showroom that took 3 years to be completed. . More than 70 cars and 10 motorcycles will find a permanent place in the showroom allowing customers to view the group's entire lineup in different colors and option packages. The showroom will also feature a pre-owned cars section and an aftersales and service center. The company claims that the service workshop will be able to work on 120 vehicles simultaneously.
"The Middle East is an important region for the BMW Group. We sold more vehicles here in 2011 than ever before. There is tremendous future growth potential in many countries in this region and in the United Arab Emirates in particular.” Ian Robertson, member of the board of management of BMW AG said.
The BMW Group sold a total of 18,657 BMW and MINI brand vehicles in the Middle East last year, marking an increase of more than 9 percent in the region’s 14 import markets.
source: OnCars
Honda motorcycle distributor Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd will build a one-stop motorcycle production facility in Batu Kawan here to replace the existing Mak Mandin plant in Butterworth.
Contruction of the new facility on a 23.3ha site began at the end of last year and is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2013.
Company managing director and chief executive officer Satoshi Okada said the new plant will be five times larger than the existing plant with an annual production capacity of 350,000 units.
"We will build our new plant under the concept of an environmentally-responsible and people-friendly plant.
"It will deploy various advanced technologies such as a solar photovoltaic system, high coating efficiency technologies and a highly efficient electrodeposition coating line for volatile organic compounds (VOCs)," he said after the ground-breaking ceremony here today.
Also present were Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) director Zabidah Daud, Honda Motor Co. Ltd managing officer Hiroshi Kobayashi, and Oriental Holdings and Boon Siew Honda chairman Datuk Loh Cheng Yean.
The current plant manufactures six motorcycle models -- the EX5 Dream, Wave 100, Wave Dash, Wave 110, Wave 125 and the Icon -- for the local market.
Production of the six models will continue at the new RM200 million facility and there are plans to produce models with medium-sized engines as well as high-value-added models to meet the needs of more customers.
"Several operations such as head office, parts centre, safety riding centre and motorsports department, located in different locations in Penang, will be transferred to this new facility," he said.
He said Malaysia is among the top Asean nations in terms of gross domestic product, with approximately one out of every three people owning a motorcycle.
"Industry-wide motorcycle sales have been steady at a level of approximately 500,000 units a year. We strongly believe that we can improve our performance effectiveness and operational efficiency and thus provide higher level products and services all under one roof," he said.
Boon Siew Honda, a joint venture between Oriental Holdings Bhd and Honda Motor Co Ltd, is the market leader for motorcycles with a 45 per cent share. It sold some 220,000 units in 2010.
Since local production of Honda motorcycles started in 1969, a total of 4.23 million units have been manufactured.
"We are disappointed as road users are flouting the traffic light rules," he said after a traffic operation at the Bukit Besi JPJ Station here today.
Another rampant case detected was the use of tinted glass on cars, which was forbidden by law, he said.
He also said that 86 cases were recorded, mostly involving tinted glasses and unauthorised number plates, during the one-hour operation.
Some 41 summonses were issued while three motorcycles and two lorries were seized, he said.
A total 1,211 traffic offences were recorded in the state during the recent Chinese New Year festive season, he said.
original post: Bernama Auto
"Last year, we sold over 200 units, with our Ducati Monster 795 being the most successful model," he said after the media launch of the Ducati Diavel AMG here today.
The Ducati Diavel AMG, the result of a collaboration between Ducati and Mercedes AMG, is a limited edition of the Ducati range and only five units are available in Malaysia.
Juan said the special edition of the bike would retail at RM193,999 per unit, and three units had been booked.
The five units of Ducati Diavel AMG are expected to arrive in Malaysia in May.
original post: Bernama Auto
"I've got in my mind the formation of the new management (for Proton) but for the time being I can't revealed because I've got no access," he said.
Hence, Mohd Khamil said he was surprised when a certain name was highlighted through the media as the person to be appointed as CEO and had been endorsed by DRB Hicom.
"I'm not endorsing anybody as CEO yet," he told reporters at the signing of an international collaborative agreement between Liverpool John Moores University and International College of Automotive here today.
Last month, DRB Hicom announced a proposed acquisition of 42.74 per cent equity interest in Proton from Khazanah Nasional Bhd for RM1.3 billion cash and a mandatory general offer for the remaining Proton shares for RM5.50 a piece.
Mohd Khamil said he had yet to see Proton management officially to discuss the future of the national car manufacturer.
He said DRB Hicom would need to complete the acquisition process before going into the details in terms of its future direction.
Asked whether the shareholders would respond positively to the deal, Mohd Khamil said they have been accommodative.
"They've expressed their support to our decision to take over Proton and I hope they would also endorse and agree with our decision at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting," he said.
On whether DRB-Hicom would dispose Proton's loss-making unit, Lotus Group, he said, the company needs to have access and has to look at Lotus because it was one of Proton's important element.
"We've to make calculations and make an evaluated decision," he said, adding that he could not dispose Lotus Group without knowing the details of what Lotus was all about and how it could fit into DRB-Hicom's future plans.
On DRB-Hicom's plans for Proton's under-capacity Tanjung Malim plant, Mohd Khamil said there must be a rasionalisation instead of maximisation
.
"It's easy to maximise the capacity like how we did at our automotive plant in Pekan, Pahang.
"But as a car manufacturer, we must not only look into maximising capacity, but also look at production and manufacturing cars to fit proton's DNA," he added.
original post: Bernama Auto
Next generation Audi R8 is expected to be launched in 2014 and details about it are already emerged.
Developed alongside the next generation of Lamborghini Gallardo, the new R8 is expected to have an advanced carbon fiber and aluminum monocoque that weighs just 198 kg (437 lbs). This will reportedly enable the R8 to weigh 60 kg (132 lbs) less than the current model with a targeted curb weight of 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs).
There will be minor modifications for the engine improving its performance and increased efficiency. These changes should enable the 4.2-liter V8 to produce approximately 450 hp (336 kW / 456 PS), while the 5.2-liter V10 churns out roughly 550 hp (410 kW / 558 PS). There's also word of a GT variant which could be launched in 2016 with 580 hp (432 kW / 588 PS).
source: WorldCarFans
Lotus chose to launch the machine in an online broadcast from its factory. The E20 name is to commemorate the 20th F1 chassis designed at Enstone which is the base for its HQ,
“Our naming of the chassis to recognise Enstone’s importance to the team’s evolution highlights our recognition of the contribution of the facility and the personnel who work tirelessly every year to produce the very best car possible. We certainly hope that this is the case with the E20 and we are looking forward to revealing the car to the world and seeing it out on track for the first time,” said team boss Eric Boullier.
Thanks to the end of branding dispute with Tony Fernandes, the owner of the team rival, which will be called Caterham F1, E20 will be driven under the name Lotus F1 Team and not Lotus-Renault GP.
The E20 keeps the traditional black and gold colours used by the original Lotus F1 team in the 1970s and 80s, and features prominent new sponsorship from Unilever brands Rexona and Clear.
Lotus has brought 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen back into F1 to drive one of the cars, with '11 GP2 champion Romain Grosjean as his team-mate and ex-Virgin race driver Jerome D'Ambrosio acting as reserve.
The target for the duo is fourth in the Constructors’ championship this year, set by team owner Gerard Lopez of Genii Capital. Last year, the Lotus sponsored Renault team started strongly with two podiums in the first two races, but eventually finished a distant fifth, just six points ahead of Force India.
There you go.. latest sneak peak of upcoming Proton’s sedan.. From the photos, we can conclude that Proton doesn’t take the Legacy-like rear lamp design (which previously highlighted by Proton’s Tuah Concept) seriously. Instead, a more contemporary look will be the chosen.
Other than that, there is a chrome bar like what Exora had also being featured.
Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (MODENAS), the national motorcycle maker, wants to increase its market share in Sarawak to 15 per cent this year, with the sale of its latest edition, Motosikal Rakyat 1 (MR1), and another new model to be launched next month.
Chief Executive Officer Abdul Halim Ismail said MODENAS' current market share in the state was 12 per cent, placing the company in third spot after two japanese makes.
"Our ultimate target is to achieve 20 per cent market share in the next three years," he told BERNAMA at the state-level MR1 launch.
The MR1 received 13,700 bookings at its national-level launch in Gurun in December last year.
Abdul Halim said MODENAS has been delivering the MR1 motorcycles in phases since January and expects to honour the bookings by next month.
"Our plant in Gurun has the capacity to produce 10,000 motorcycles a month. We will produce at least 6,000 MR1s and another 2,000 units of the current models.
"We intend to sell 200 to 300 MR1s a month in Sarawak via our 125 sub-dealers statewide.
"Our main dealer, Ghee Hua Sdn Bhd, sold about 100 units last month. The feedback from dealers and buyers is encouraging. We're bringing in another 100 MR1s this month.
"We're also looking at sending 1,000 MR1s to Sabah in the next three months," he said.
Abdul Halim said he believed the MR1 would sell well in Sarawak as the motorbike was sold at an affordable price of RM3,588 a unit.
"Moreover, motorcycles are a popular mode of transport in Sarawak's rural and interior areas.
"Our price will be a very attractive consideration for people looking for second-hand motorbikes. Why buy a used motorbike when you can get a brand new one for only a slightly higher price?
"There will be no problems with spare parts as the MR1 is a domestic product and will be cheaper as well," he said.
Assuring buyers of the MR1s uncompromising quality, Abdul Halim said the motorcycle has been subjected to stringent road tests, covering 20,000km instead of 10,000km previously.
"It also underwent 300-hour tests for its dynamometer instead of 200 hours before.
The MR1s 100cc engine is developed in collaboration with Kawasaki, a Japanese motorcycle giant, to conform with the Japanese Industrial Standard, he said.
Abdul Halim hoped Malaysians would support the MR1, saying this would spur more Malaysian engineers to come up with new motorcycle designs.
"As a matter of fact, MODENAS is the only motorcycle company that has its own research and development facility in the country.
"We sent our engineers overseas and to local universities to come up with new designs and new concepts to benefit Malaysians.
"We also planned to export the MR1s to Indonesia and Laos," he added.
originally posted: Bernama Auto by Edward Subeng Stephen
Investment holding company Allianz Malaysia Berhad will continue to work with the Road Safety
Department (RSD) in organising the road safety advocacy campaign to reduce accident fatality rates in the country.
Central regional manager of Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad (AGIC), Kok Tak Weng, said the company believes that through the campaign it can play a role in bringing down the road fatality rate in Malaysia to zero, which is in line with RSD's Zero Fatality vision.
"Last year, Allianz Malaysia held 11 road safety advocacy campaigns and distributed 550 helmets across Malaysia in collaboration with RSD, while a total of 132,000 reflective stickers were distributed.
"The company also participated in eight road safety advocacy campaigns organised by RSD'S head office in Putrajaya and their respective state offices in various locations.
"Road safety is of great importance for Allianz, as it affects everyone," he told reporters after attending the road safety advocacy campaign held in collaboration with RSD at the Sungai Rasau Toll Plaza, here today.
The campaign today is the second in a series of road safety advocacy campaigns to be held nationwide this year by Allianz Malaysia.
Some 600 specially-designed reflective stickers and 200 buckle-up reminder stickers were distributed to motorcyclists in the campaign.
The company also sponsored the exchange of 50 old and unsafe helmets for Sirim-approved helmets, and distributed 20 child safety booster seats for motorists.
Kok said the company distributed the child safety booster seats for the first time to ensure that children will be buckled up in the back seats.
RSD Projects and Programmes Implementation Division director Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said some 15 RSD personnel, with the cooperation of Road Transport Department and traffic police officers, were involved in the campaign.
Allianz Malaysia's collaboration with RSD began on July 18 2011, when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between its general insurance arm, AGIC, and RSD, with their first joint campaign held at Kuala Lumpur Sentral.
originally posted: bernama
In a statement, Partner & Head of the Automotive & Transportation Practice for Asia Pacific, Kavan Mukhtyar, said to be competitive, Proton needs economies of scale, high levels of capacity utilisation and access to technology and markets.
"DRB-Hicom can leverage its global distribution and assembling alliances to achieve this.
"It could potentially do contract assembling for other global partners in Malaysia and increase capacity utilisation of Proton's assembling units. This may open assembling opportunities not just in Malaysia but the regional markets.
"Proton may also potentially get access to other developing markets through the global partners," he said.
Mukhtyar said if Proton turns private, the automotive market will gain the most as it will be further liberalised in the medium term.
He said if managed correctly, the national auto maker could unlock its full potential in the regional automotive market.
"Liberalisation will also attract more interest in the Malaysian market from global automotive majors. This will enable Malaysia to attract further investments in the automotive sector.
"In the medium to longer term, vehicle prices in the mass market segment will go down. This will expand the market potential and eventually benefit the consumers," he said.
He said a privately-owned entity that is independent of the government and the public will have much greater flexibility in making difficult decisions based on business rationale.
Turning Proton private will also enable the DRB-Hicom group to streamline its own automotive assets in the context of Proton being part of the group, he added.
originally posted: Bernama Auto
Khazanah Nasional Bhd has announced that it will divest its 42.74 per cent stake in Proton Holdings Bhd to DRB-Hicom Bhd via a conditional sale with a price consideration of RM5.50 per share or RM1.291 billion.
In a statement today, Khazanah said the decision was made following due deliberation and detailed evaluation of various proposals to ensure that due process was observed, proper financial value was received and that the new shareholder would be able to bring the national auto maker to the next level of strategic growth in line with the aspirations of the industrial development of the national automotive sector.
The divestment is still subject to, among others, the approval of the shareholders of DRB-Hicom.
"Upon completion of the sale and purchase agreement, DRB-Hicom will be obliged to undertake a mandatory general offer on the remaining Proton shares," the government's investment arm said.
Khazanah Managing Director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar said pursuant to a thorough assessment of its proposal, which offered a defined and executable business strategy, DRB-Hicom was identified as the appropriate party to acquire the interest in Proton.
"DRB-Hicom's proposal also demonstrated the company's extensive involvement in the automotive sector and its network of strategic partnerships, both local and international.
"DRB-Hicom's proposed strategy and business plan provides an effective platform to enhance Proton's sustainability and meet its long-term growth needs.
"It also submitted an offer price that was acceptable to Khazanah," he said.
The announcement by the government's investment arm answers a long-standing question on which party will acquire the substantial stake in the national auto maker to drive the company to greater success.
For the past months, many parties have directly or indirectly declared interest to acquire a stake in Proton.
Other than DRB-Hicom, Proton Holdings Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Salleh has also come forward to declare his interest in the shares.
Trading in the shares of Proton Holdings and conglomerate DRB-Hicom Bhd were suspended from 9am to 5pm today pending an announcement.
Proton shares closed at RM5.18 on Friday while DRB-Hicom at RM2.17.
Meanwhile in a filing to Bursa Malaysia, DRB-Hicom which is linked to tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary, said the proposed acquisition was expected to create business synergies and opportunities for DRB-Hicom group and Proton to augment the localisation and local vendor programmes.
It added that DRB-Hicom would maintain its intention and interest to safeguard the national car company while at the same time encourage, facilitate, grow and enhance Malaysia's national automotive industry, hence making Malaysia a preferred automotive hub capable of rivalling its neighbours.
"DRB-Hicom Group is one of the major players in the automotive industry in Malaysia, being involved in the whole integrated chain of the automotive ecosystem such as manufacturing and supply of automotive components, assembly, distribution and sales of motorcycles and commercial vehicles as well as the distribution and sales of passenger cars.
"The proposed MGO (mandatory general offer) provides an opportunity for DRB-Hicom to further increase its shareholding in Proton after the acquisition, thereby resulting in Proton becoming a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM in the event that the proposed MGO is successful," the company said.
DRB-Hicom said the proposals WEre not expected to have any effect on the earnings and earnings per share of DRB-Hicom Group for the financial year ending March 31, 2012 since the proposals were only expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2012.
It added that the proposals were expected to contribute positively to the future earnings of the group since Proton was already income-generating.
originally posted: Bernama Auto
![Proton GM[3]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqtWqt_dVXKdHJMKuS2hZdFk6H9Hfq2FePLo2rO0x298B8RL39l-nWMJ3wLuCFTArT9aM0fdRHPsqkdgNbXc5QsSg-svpsk9Gs3UFMKUfuZ0USC_YwjfQ89R2mGJS59lqR6HnQTfgTXk/s1600-h/Proton%252520GM%25255B3%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "Proton GM[3]")
Proton Holdings Bhd today confirmed that talks with General Motors Corp (GM) are only at a preliminary stage but did not reveal further details.
In a filing to Bursa Malaysia Friday, the national car maker said should there be further developments that warrant an announcement, Proton would make the necessary disclosure accordingly.
The company was responding to a query by the local bourse operator over a news report that Proton is in talks with GM to sell up to 50 per cent stake in its Tanjung Malim plant.
Meanwhile, Proton also maintained that Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh's bid for Proton is a bid in his own personal capacity as an individual.
originally posted: Barnama Auto
Introducing the Avanti, a new creation by DC Design which is revealed at the New Delhi Auto Expo this week following a teaser image few days ago.
Featuring sleek streamline design cues, the Avanti is equipped with Ford’s 360 Nm 2 liter mid mounted EcoBoost engine capable of producing 265 hp with a rear wheel drive layout. The car weighs1560 kg which is almost identical to the weight of an Gallardo but for sure, the driving capabilities are far from matching the Italian bull.
If ever you feel the figures just isn’t enough for you, don’t worry though. According to DC, a turbocharged Honda V6 is ready to be unveiled soon which is capable of producing 400 hp (135 horsepower more compared to the Ford’s powerplant).
DC is expected to sell 200 Avantis upon 2013 and it will be priced at 30 lahk rupees (RM 175,082), which is not bad considering DC intends that the Avanti will be a reasonable priced supercar.
Bajaj Auto, an Indian company best known for making motorcycle has unveiled its latest creation called the four wheeler RE60.
The RE60 is considered as a direct rival to the Nano, the small priced car launched by Tata. This creation is the result of 4-year hardwork done by Bajaj in collaboration with Nissan-Renault.
Bajaj insisted not to call RE60 as a car, instead it would use the term “four wheeler”. It is because that RE60 is aimed for the driver of motorcycle engine powered rickshaws which are commonly used as a short distance taxis in India. Hence, Bajaj has no plan to market it to average consumers and rejecting the idea of a Tata Nano killer.
This four wheeler measures 2.75 meter long, 1.31 meter wide and 1.65 meter tall. It weighs as light as 880 pounds thanks to its lightweight metal-polymer monocoque. Notable to say, even the most basic features such as roll-down windows and headliner is absence.
RE60 is powered by a rear-mounted 2 liter single cylinder engine capable of producing 20 hp that would boost this car to a top speed of 70 km/h. The fuel economy is quite good with a figure of 35 km per liter.
Bajaj will offer a couple of RE60 ranges which are a passenger and commercial version with 2+2 and 1+3 seating layout.
Although the details are still limited for now, a heavily camouflaged Lotus-Youngman SUV prototype has been spotted driven in China giving as a clue or two about what this future SUV would look like.
Analyzing the spy photos, we can conclude this SUV features two tone interior colour and not forgetting about the multifunction steering wheel. It is believed that this SUV will be launched anytime in the second half of 2012.
source: China Car Times
