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Audi RS5 Cabriolet For 2013 THIS is the new Audi RS5 Cabriolet and it comes with a high-revving V8 FSI that develops 450hp from its 4.2 liters of displacement. This Audi RS5 Cabriolet will go from zero to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. As an option, Audi can increase the top speed from 250 to 280km/h. The combined fuel consumption of the powerful V8 is 10.7 liters
per 100km. Thanks to the long ratio of its highest gear, the 7-speed S tronic makes a substantial contribution to efficiency. Drivers can employ the automatic dual-clutch transmission for instantaneous and smooth shifts in the D and S programs, or they can shift manually using the paddles on the steering wheel.
The interior of the fourseat convertible is finished entirely in sporty black; the inner soft top liner can be ordered in an optional star silver color. Carbon inlays are standard; optional alternatives include two different aluminum versions, a black piano finish and stainless steel mesh. Fine chrome accents and highgloss black trim highlight
the car’s exclusivity. The leather-covered multifunction sports steering wheel in the Audi RS5 Cabriolet has a flat bottom; the black dials contrast with white numerals. The driver information system can display a menu with lap timer and an oil temperature gauge. The S sports seats with integrated head restraints feature power
adjustment; they are upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara, with Fine Nappa leather also available as an option. The leather is pigmented to inhibit heating by sunlight. All of the display elements and controls in the Audi RS5 Cabriolet, including the monitor of the optional MMI navigation plus system, boast outstand-
ing ergonomics. Exclusive optional equipment, advanced driver assistance systems and state-of-theart infotainment modules round out the user control strategy. The lineup ranges from three-stage headlevel heating and adaptive cruise control to Bluetooth car phone online, which integrates Audi connect services in the vehicle.
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THE MALAY MAIL
Testdrive
PICTURES BY Daniel Fernandez
Not Your Average Luxury SUV By Daniel Fernandez clutcheditorial@gmail.com
The INFINITI FX37 was created to keep up with the other premium manufacturers who have managed to convince car consumers that they need a luxury 4x4 for pure city commuting. SUVs are not known for their handling strengths especially in high speed situations and this is where some SUV manufacturers have infused sports car handling into their SUV’s to keep buyers keen. It has worked well and so now you see many more sport SUV buyers. Compared to the rest of the SUV offerings in the luxury SUV segment, the INFINITI FX37’s lines are almost alien in its execution but very handsome and well-sorted in a way. It stands out in a sea of boxy, squared jaw’d offerings that have little design influences and yet it needs time to absorb as it’s a little too far forward into the future.
FX37 Looks It comes with curvy lines seen on the Infiniti M sedan with a series of complex creases and curves. There’s good reason for that too. As a volume-seller and an important part of INFINITI's stable, the designers have worked hard to create a SUV with appeal to a new generation of buyers but one that The Infiniti cabin is feature filled and has a great combination of high quality materials to pamper
also catches upwardly-mobile aspirationtional family buyers that want to be noticed more than anything else. The result is a car with appeal and we have to say that only a few would be deterred by the styling of the INFINITI FX37. Our test car came fully-optioned. It sat high and tough on massive 19-inch alloys. A glance along the body from the front or rear three-quarter view shows just how much metal bending has been put to use in the INFINITI FX37’s flanks. There are wide curves employed around the wheel arches, a heavy crease though the top quarter of the doors and an ever-changing play of light between these surfaces. A long, sweeping curved bonnet hints at the power lurking
beneath and incorporates a chunky interpretation of INFINITI’s chrome grille. At the rear, wide haunches blend into cleverly-formed rear lights which illuminate in an almost neon-billboard style.
Infiniti FX37 Specification Engine DOHC V6 24-valve Capacity 3696cc Max power 320hp @ 7000rpm Max torque 360Nm @ 5200rpm
FX37 Cabin
Top Speed 235km/h as tested
Climb aboard the INFINITI FX37 and from the driver’s seat. The outlook is much the same as any other modern INFINITI. The layout is simple and airy. The textures and finishes are modern and elegant. The sports bolstered front seats offer firm comfort and the incar entertainment is great with the standard on board BOSE system. Rear passengers can easily find comfort as the INFINITI FX37 becomes an enjoyable place to be on journeys
Transmission 7-speed auto with
0-100km/h 6.8 seconds Adaptive Shift Control
Price RM435,000.00
long and short.
FX37 Drive This INFINITI FX37 absolutely moves with ease and allows the driver to get a real sporty experience with the throttle in full use. The soundtrack is entertaining with a deep-bass soundtrack. Steering is not pin-
sharp but responsive to inputs. Feedback through the wheel is a little light but certainly not to the point where it is numb. The brakes in the INFINITI FX37 are truly commendable too. Pedal travel is shorter than expected but well-modulated and smooth. For the driver, the INFINITI FX37 is a luxury cruiser.
FX37 Conclusion This INFINITI FX37 has made its presence felt with us and our neighbours. It is an ‘upwardly-mobile’, upper class SUV, however its badge branding and high asking price makes it less desirable among Malaysians for now.
THE MALAY MAIL
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WORLDNEWS
Lexus Growth Plan For 2013 THE Lexus 552-hp V-10 halo car, the LFA sports car has just ended its production run of a limited edition 500 hand-built units. All 500 units were sold out even before production began in December 2010.
But as Lexus works to reinvent itself as an emotional, excitingbrand, their product line up loses the head-turning speed demon that spurred the image makeover in the first place. Lexus executives
concede they need a new halo. But don't expect another rarefied super car at least not with the same out of reach asking price. In the post-LFA era, Lexus has different ideas for generating youthful excite-
Dacia A Cash Cow For Renault In Europe ONCE considered a risky bet, Romanian automaker Dacia has become Renault's global profit machine. Europeans think of Renault's Dacia lineup as cheap, entrylevel models that compete
with used cars for sales. But Dacias are built and sold around the world, often badged as Renaults and sold for handsome profits. For 2012, Renault expected that sales of its low-cost
M0 platform would total 950,000 to 1 million units, up from 813,000 in 2011. Of those, nearly two-thirds will carry Renault badges, while the rest will sell as Dacias.
ment from the traditionally staid premium marque. And a big part of that means winning ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from non halo cars that are within the reach of mere mortals cars that can actually be spotted
on city streets, not simply preserved in climate-controlled garages by uber rich collectors. The Lexus 4-point plan will be a ‘more impassioned design’, ‘new drivetrains’, ‘better customer service’ and
most important will be ‘sexier marketing’. The change has only begun, starting with the redesigned GS sedan that debuted in early 2012. Lexus impact will be felt across the market for sure in 2013.
Next Ferrari California Gets A Turbocharged V8 NEWS has emerged that Ferrari will be installing a turbocharged engine in the next generation Ferrari California. There is already a test mule testing the pow-
ertrain and running gear for this next-generation model. The engine is likely to be a version of a new V8 family now in production at Maranello. The raised bonnet
line and extra cooling vents could also be a sign that the turbo engine has a taller package height that needs more under-bonnet space and heat management.
New Datsun Cars To Use Lada Platforms NISSAN'S new low-cost Datsun cars that will soon be released in the ASEAN market will be based on Lada platforms. The first revived Datsun car will be built off the new Lada Kalina platform. The cars will use a modular platform with
shared elements such as braking and fuel systems as well as steering mechanicals. However the Datsun version would differ visually from the Russian compact Lada. The upper body and interior will be completely different. Nissan will sell its revived Datsun brand in Russia, In-
dia and Indonesia and then Malaysia starting in 2014. The Japanese manufacturer considers Datsun key to its expansion into emerging markets (Malaysia will be used as a dumping ground for 3rd world low cost cars as we have seen in the past 7-8 years.
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CLUTCH
MOVINGFORWARD
The Philosophy of
A COMPANY can only be as successful as the people that make it. Crucial to a company’s success are the mind set and attitude of its people from the top all the way down. A positive culture that promotes enthusiasm and goodwill does wonders for productivity and helps to ensure long-term and sustainable success. Cultivation of positive governing philosophies is
therefore important, and Hyundai is driven to provide products and services that help build a better future for humanity. Although long-term profitability is a definite requirement to ensure business sustainability, it is just as important that the money flowing into the company’s coffers are being earned on a clear conscience. The genuine desire to contribute
is important, and when efforts yield results that serve to improve people’s lives and wellbeing, profit inevitably follows. Indeed, Hyundai aspires to help raise the quality of life with improved product offerings to more people, and delivered at a faster rate. The right motivation then needs to meet the driving ambition needed to propel a company to pur-
sue new challenges and push its boundaries without fear of failure. In its relatively short history, Hyundai has built a lengthy track record of achieving the seemingly impossible, consistently shrugging off criticism and ridicule to emerge triumphant against challenges. The realization of possibilities ensures that the company always strive for the better and continu-
ously improve. Whilst the Hyundai name is associated primarily with automobiles, the Group’s business also extends to ventures such as steel, construction, and finances. Indeed, Hyundai was founded as a construction company in 1947, and it was through the enterprising efforts of its founder Chung Ju-yung that the company’s business scope
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HYUNDAIONTRACK
Success
expanded substantially. The current business entity known as the Hyundai Motor Group was founded in 1998, and is the third largest conglomerate of companies currently operating in South Korea. To ensure sustained success, it is important to keep malaises such as complacency and irresponsibility in check. Temptations to cut corners or to make illicit gains never
cease to present themselves, and this makes the need for a strong set of core values for people in the organization to fall back to as a moral compass. In its day-to-day business, Hyundai’s employees are driven to prioritize customers and embrace challenges. They operate within the framework of a corporate culture that encourages communication and collaboration that
empowers individuals to achieve their full potential. In its automotive business that majority of our readers are most familiar with; Hyundai has seemingly pulled off miracle after miracle, rising from the shadows of obscurity to now rank among the world’s top automotive manufacturers. Yet, when one examines the secrets behind Hyundai’s success,
one discovers that it really has little to deal with magic or luck, but rather a tale of perseverance, determination, and a dedication to its core principles driving it towards success. A far cry from its humble beginnings, Hyundai has grown from being a value brand to being a valuable brand, worth some US$ 7.5 billion. The company’s network of
plants worldwide boasts a combined annual capacity of 4.5 million units sold to 190 countries through a global network consisting of 6,000 dealers. As the company’s slogan goes, with new thinking, comes new possibilities, and Hyundai has certainly ventured far beyond what most people would have deemed possible at the company’s infancy.
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motorsports
Great Wall Motors Looking For 2013 Dakar Glory The 35th Dakar Rally started on the 5th of January 2013 and it is set to thrill over 500 million viewers right up to its final round on the 20th of January 2013. The GWM’s Haval Racing Team has started the race with a good run. Last year, the GWM team finished in sixth overall position, becoming the first Chinese
competitor to do so. Starting in Lima (Peru) and finishing in Santiago (Chile), the 2013 event was the first ever Dakar Rally to feature a dune stage on the opening day. The gruelling Rally features three categories namely: motorcycle, car and truck. Drivers have to overcome rugged terrain fraught with dunes, mud, grass, rocks and desert.
GWM is no newcomer to the Dakar, having made its debut in 2010. The team has steadily gone from strength to strength each year, with the GWM Haval (H5) SUV continuously proving its worth. Led by esteemed professional racing driver Zhou Yong, and nine-time Top 10 finisher Carlos Sousa, the GWM Haval contingent promises another riveting performance in this year’s Rally.
Once again the GWM Haval Racing Team will receive support en route from a dedicated GWM H5 SUV and Steed pick-up convoy, providing an excellent opportunity for GWM to evaluate these vehicles’ performance on the most testing course known to man. GWM’s Haval Racing Team started in Lima with one goal in mind: to achieve even better results than its’ powerful performance in 2012!
THE MALAY MAIL
THE MALAY MAIL
FRIDAY 11 JANUARY 2013
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VII
LOCALNEWS
GOODYEAR’S Quietest SUV Tire Ever, EFFICIENTGRIP SUV ENGINEERED with QuietTred Technology, this tire is designed to let SUV drivers “control the noise” and “command the road”. Building on the technology from its successful and award-winning tire for luxury passenger cars, the Eagle EfficientGrip, Goodyear has broken new ground again with the introduction of Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV, Goodyear’s quietest SUV tire ever. Strong and
robust, Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV is engineered for an exceptionally quiet ride without compromising grip and handling capabilities. In addition, Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV’s shockabsorbing carcass features a high steel belt angle construction that allows for more structural flexibility to reduce vibrations from road impact. All these work together to create an excep-
tionally quiet and comfortable ride in any SUV. Based on instrumented interior noise tests conducted by Goodyear Innovation Center in Luxembourg under coast down conditions on smooth roads, Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV outperformed its predecessor in both noise and driving comfort. Even when worn, the Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV tire is as quiet as a brand new tire of its predecessor.
Bosch Portable Battery Charger To The Rescue You just flew back home after a 2 week Christmas break. You decide to go to the corner shop to get some immediate groceries. You car won’t start. The battery is weak. Sigh. Well, if you had a Bosch C3 portable battery charger you could charge up your battery in a couple of hours and get going. The Bosch C3 portable battery char-
ger is for home and maybe even professional use. It avoids damage to the electronics in modern vehicles from voltage peaks when recharging batteries. Modern cars are equipped with a lot of electronic systems that actually stay awake and work silently when you turn of your ignition and sleep. These systems use up your battery power
while the car is switched off. This charger is easy to use and operate. Just unplug your battery’s positive and negative leads. Plug in the Bosch leads and turn on the power. The battery will not be overcharged and once done it will stop and a green light will come on. Easy and simple. Now on sale at all Bosch outlets for RM238.00 only.
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THE MALAY MAIL
MODERNCLASSIC
Lancia Delta THIS is probably the most successful product From Lancia. The Delta was produced from 1979 to 1994 for many different road and track applications. The car debuted at the Frankfurt motor show as a Giorgio Guigaro design based on family hatch Fiat Ritmo components as Lancia was at the time owned by Fiat. Surprisingly, this Delta would lead Lancia into its most successful rally program. By 1985, Lancia prepared a prototype Delta for Group B rally racing. The resulting car, called the Delta S4, was a hot hatch of extreme specification that hardly resembled the product it shared its name with. It had a 480
EDITORIAL NOTE
horsepower engine nestled in the centre of a space frame chassis. Unfortunately, the S4 raced very briefly as a result of FISA cancelling the unlimited Group B racing in 1986. Thus, the S4 was prematurely withdrawn from racing. Fortunately, Lancia had the foresight to develop a 4WD, road-going Delta years before Group B was abandoned. For the 1987 rally season, Abarth prepared a version of this car, the Delta HF 4WD, for rally racing. It was much more civilized than S4, having production based aerodynamics and construction materials, but featured a potent four
wheel drive system. With the Delta HF 4WD, Lancia captured the 1987 manufacturer's title with Juha Kankkunen taking the driver's championship. From 1987 to 1992, Lancia consecutively won the Group A manufacturers championship, a record which holds to this day. With these results, Lancia have made the Integrale one of the most successful rally cars ever, a legendary car of our time and a true modern classic.
by Daniel Fernandez
|
Consultant Motoring Editor
ADVERTISING SALES
A motoring pullout is a common feature with most newspapers… but Clutch has been different. How different? Well just like the rest of the all new The Malay Mail, Clutch has been informative and true to its editorial integrity. Clutch is a bi-monthly (every other Friday of the month) motoring pullout that provides straight-to-the-point car reviews and relevant motoring information for the Malaysian car enthusiast in a simple language. We have not confused you or given you a ‘smoke screen’ using technical terms and instead offered our views on each and every test drive. We at Clutch hope that the car reviews presented will be able to move you to personally take a test drive of the cars reviewed at the nearest showrooms and see for yourself what we experience in each and every test drive. Your feedback is needed for us to improve in every area. Email us at clutcheditorial@gmail.com
Please watch out for our next issue on the 25th of January 2013
Joel Miranda
Lim Ee Mae
General Manager
Manager
012-2337394 joel.miranda@redberry.com.my
012-2073241 eemae@mmail.com.my