12 October 2012

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Mitsubishi Mirage compact car now open for booking from RM56,000

MITSUBISHI MOTORS MALAYSIA has announced the arrival of an all-new Mitsubishi Mirage. The Mirage is open for booking immediately at Mitsubishi showrooms nationwide. This all-new Mitsubishi Mirage is available in three vari-

ants, starting from RM56,000 for the 1.2 M/T to RM64,000 for the 1.2 CVT on-the-road without insurance. (Prices are quoted based on Peninsular Malaysia, Individual Private) Powered by a 1.2-litre threecylinder MIVEC engine with 78

PS and 100 Nm of torque, the lightweight Mirage (850kg) boasts an impressively low fuel consumption figure of 21 km/l. (based on the New European Driving Cycle). Buyers can choose from a smooth and efficient INVECS-III Continuously

Variable Transmission (CVT) or a five-speed manual gearbox drivetrain.

The Mirage makes for a perfect urban runabout by having the best turning radius in its segment, a tight 4.4 metres.

The young, urban crowd will

also appreciate the Mirage’s sporty and aerodynamic styling with a co-efficient drag value of just 0.30 Cd. The Mirage is available in 5 colours — Lemonade Yellow Metallic, Eisen Gray Mica, Red Metallic, White Pearl and Cool Silver Metallic.

This new Mirage sits five and comes with an array of active and passive safety. ABS with EBD is standard, along with dual front airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners. For more information, visit www.mitsubishimotors.com.my.

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FRIDAY 12 octoBER 2012

CLUTCH

THE MALAY MAIL

TESTDRIVE PICTURES BY Richard Augustin

Meet the new city

By Richard Augustin

We know what you’re thinking, what’s exactly new about the new Honda City. Well, judging by the images you see here you’re right. The new City isn’t exactly all that ‘new’, it’s actually received more of a tweak and a cosmetic makeover. Underneath its slightly more updated exterior however remain the same elements of power, fuel efficiency and practicality that made the City such a hit among consumers.

Like the previous model, the New City relies on the very same powerplant, the ever-reliable all-aluminum1.5L i-VTEC rated with 120Ps and 145Nm of torque. Mated to a 5-speed auto gearbox with Drive-By-

Honda CITY SPECIFICATIONS 4 Cylinders, 16 Valve, SOHC i-VTEC Capacity: 1,497cc Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic

with Shift Hold Control Power: 120hp @ 6,600RPM Torque: 145Nm @ 4,800RPM Steering: Rack & Pinion with

(Electric Power Assist)

Engine:

Wire technology, this new City benefits from more responsive throttle-power delivery. Gear changes as before are also adequately smooth.

It’s pretty much the same issues on the inside as well, with nary any major upgrades except for some minor colour accents on the centre console and dash.

Sit in the driver’s seat how-

ever and you’ll notice the most prominent change with the new City’s cabin, the sportier meter cluster. Now in blue, the speedometer also benefits from an ECO indicator lamp that informs the driver when the car is driven efficiently.

The exterior of the New City is where most of the new upgrades are located. There’s the redesigned rear lights and modified bumper as well as grille, which signals this is an all-together different kind of City. And if that’s not enough, there’s a Modulo Kit option drivers can purchase for just under RM3000, which will add further enhancements such as a front lip, moded grille and rear spoiler for that sportier appeal.

In the safety department, the new City rocks a list of passive and active safety features such

as dual SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ISOFIX, Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist

(BA). Stopping power comes in the form of front and rear discs.

Despite the similar specifications and the new trim, the New City, is only marginally more expensive than its predecessor.

The model is currently available in two variants, the entry level S Grade which is priced from RM85,980 and the premium E Grade, which sports a sticker price of RM98,980. The latter comes with added knick-knacks such as paddle shifters, chrome tail pipes, foldable side mirrors with integrated signal lights.

The City is available in a choice of five colours at the moment — Sparkling Brown Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Taffeta White. Each model also comes with a five-

year warranty with unlimited mileage.

For all its intent and purposes, the new City is purely a vehicle that’s been given a slight makeover. It could be viewed as pure window dressing in order to shift more cars but on a larger scale of things, its just good business. The Honda City is still a relevant vehicle, which benefits from practicality, frugality as well as a proven reliability record. It’s also got a good badge, impeccable after sales and most importantly a healthy resale value. It might be a while before we see an all-together new Honda City, but for now this one will suffice in maintaining the streak of being Honda’s best-selling CKD sedan for the foreseeable future.

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER 2012

CLUTCH

III

TESTDRIVE

Pace Setting Pickup

By KON WAI LUEN

THE king of pick-up trucks has returned. Ford launched its allnew Ranger in Malaysia earlier this year, and even before its arrival, there was plenty of hype being drummed up by the company’s enthusiastic marketing team as they gear up to take on established opposition in a market segment which they themselves pioneered and subsequently lost out to the Japanese.

A glance at the Ranger’s specifications sheet shows how much Ford means business this time round. Despite a price tag that is no more expensive than the segment’s average players, the new Ranger arrives bristling with class-leading equipment and technology. Prices of the three-variant line-up range from RM89,888 to RM116,888, and the expected top seller should be the RM95,888 2.2 XLT automatic which we are reviewing this week.

Ford’s 2,198cc four-pot is currently the smallest engine in the pick-up market, but it hardly is the weakest.

Equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger, the Ranger 2.2 pushes out an impressive 150PS and 375Nm — enough to cause a lot of problems for even 3.0-litre engines. These numbers are not empty boasts, as we discovered on the road that the Ranger does have an impressive turn of speed.

That the engine is up to the task of hauling our test car’s 2,010kg kerb weight was never

in doubt, but there is a need to account slight turbo lag when accelerating out of corners and junctions. The lag is hardly severe, but it is noticeable. This is an unavoidable side effect of getting a 2.2 to perform like a 2.5 — it can be done, but higher boost levels are needed, and the result is a bit more lag as the turbo takes more time to spool up.

On the whole, however, it is an engine

of few vices, and it certainly is one of the most refined units we have tested on a pick-up truck. Noise levels are impressively low even at speed, although this can also be attributed to the impressive sound insulation levels

that Ford has employed to quieten the Ranger’s cabin. The Chevrolet Colorado has comparable levels of silence when cruising, but Chevy’s new pickup can’t match the comfort levels that the Ranger provides.

The Ranger also sets new standards in its cabin quality.

Unlike in passenger cars, one does not expect soft touch plastics in a pick-up truck, and Ford did not change that.

Unlike its rivals, however, the Ranger’s cabin materials do not feel like they belong to a commercial vehicle, although there remains an unmistakable sense of durability. They feel like expensive high-grade plastics made to look and feel good for a long time.

Such good words on its comfort and refinement might lead one to expect compromises to the Ranger’s off-road prowess, but the good news is that there isn’t. There is the much-publicized 800mm wading depth that will allow you to not worry too much about flash-floods, but a word of warning is that if you want to take your new Ranger out on a swim, don’t dive into the water at excessive speeds. Components in the engine bay are designed for you to gently ease the vehicle into the stream.

With the new Ranger, Ford has effectively re-written the rules of the pick-up truck market. Those migrating from passenger cars to pick-ups will find

the Ranger’s civility especially appealing, though its gargantuan proportions will take some getting used to. Pick-up old-

timers will find a lot of things to like about the new Ranger too, as Ford did not forget the model’s ‘built tough’ origins.

The bar is officially raised.

PICTURES BY DANIEL FERNANDEZ

FORD RANGER SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE: Inline-4, DOHC, 16V, Turbo CAPACITY: 2,198cc TRANSMISSION: 6 A/T, 4×4 MAX POWER: 150PS @ 3,700rpm MAX TORQUE: 375Nm @ 2,500rpm PRICE: RM95,888 with Insurance

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CLUTCH

MOVINGFORWARD

2001 - Hyundai begins loca assembly in Malaysia HYUNDAI began selling cars in Malaysia in 1992. Nine years down the road in 2001, it became the first Korean manufacturer to assemble vehicles in the ASEAN region, establishing CKD operations in Johor Bahru.

The first model to roll out was the third-generation XD Elantra in August that year, which was then quickly followed by the fourth-generation EF Sonata in February 2002.

The popularity of these two models was largely responsible for finally giving Hyundai its much-needed breakthrough in becoming a Malaysian household name. As the Hyundai range grew, they were subsequently joined by models such as the Matrix and the Getz.

A separate joint-venture was signed with Inokom to roll out the Atoz from Kulim, and giving the line-up a sportier touch was the GK Coupe which offered buyers a sporty yet affordable option.

2004 was another significant year in Hyundai’s Malaysian operations. Besides introducing the Tucson SUV and Trajet MPV to the market for the first time, it also marked the start of Hyundai’s relationship with Sime Darby, which culminated in the formation of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd (HSDM) that remains in operation today.

For a long time, however, there were three entities in the market that represented the Hyundai brand, and it wasn’t until 2009 when HSDM fully acquired Oriental-Hyundai Sdn

Bhd (OHSB) that Hyundai’s operations in Malaysia were unified under one company. Prior to that, OHSB, a joint-venture with the Oriental Group, was responsible for selling Hyundai’s fullyimported models.

Consolidation of Hyundai’s business under HSDM also meant that local assembly of Hyundai models became centralized in one location — Inokom’s plant in Kulim, Butterworth, which is today responsible for producing the i10, the all-new MD Elantra, and the Santa Fe. These three models are comple-

mented in the Hyundai line-up by the fully-imported YF Sonata, LM Tucson, and Grand Starex Royale.

Indeed, HSDM’s complete control of the Hyundai franchise has come at a brilliant timing, coinciding with Hyundai’s latest surge of amazing models that has propelled the company to stand head and shoulders with the world’s biggest manufacturers. More is still to come from Hyundai in the upcoming months, with the exciting Veloster coupe already confirmed for launch, and next generation

models of the i30 and Santa Fe similarly waiting at the wings.

As interest and demand in the Hyundai brand continues to grow, HSDM has been continuously investing in various initiatives to cater for the increasing demand in both sales and after sales. Recent launches of new dealerships in Johor Bahru, Prai, and Shah Alam has boosted Hyundai’s sales and service network in Malaysia to 65 outlets.

In addition to providing a lengthy 5-year / 300,000km warranty, Hyundai has gone the extra mile to offer unparalleled peace of mind for its customers. Such initiatives include the Hyundai Safe Drive Programme has roadside assistance standing by round the clock to assist all Hyundai vehicles at just a phone call away.

For busy urban dwellers, selected outlets offer Quick Service and 24-hour key drop facilities.

HSDM’s ability to provide innovative services and creative marketing activities leading to rapidly increasing market share was named as a key reason why the company was named as Hyundai Motor Company’s Dis-

tributor of the Year in 2010. More than 10,000 Hyundai vehicles were sold the whole of 2011, a significant increase compared to 2001 when the brand barely featured in sales charts. More is still to come.

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FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

V

HYUNDAIINMALAYSIA

VI

FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER 2012

More Power, More Fun

THE MALAY MAIL

welcome to the beginning of your actyon-packed life

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THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER 2012

CLUTCH

VII

GLOBALNEWS

Volkswagen Shows The World The Golf GTI Mk7 THIS is what the all new Volkswagen Golf MK7 GTI will look like. At 4,255 mm long, the new Golf is 56 mm longer than its predecessor, with a 59 mm longer wheelbase of 2,637 mm.

The front wheels are 43 mm further forward, helping to generate more interior space, while the Golf is also 13 mm wider, at 1,799 mm, and 28 mm lower, at 1,452 mm. This helps to create a 10 per cent improvement in the drag co-efficient, which is now 0.27 Cd. It will come with the well known honeycomb grille featuring red and black colours, with a new front bumper, new side sills, a new rear roof spoiler and a redesigned rear apron with integrated air diffuser and exhaust system. This new GTI will also carry a brand new set of alloy wheels to fill in the larger fenders. Under the hood, you will find the familiar 2.0-liter TSI engine, but in this new GTI it will be delivering a more powerful

220 hp, but for those who want more, a performance package will be made available, offering 10 more hp and a lightweight version will also be introduced for enthusiasts. This will come before the new ‘R’ version is introduced.

Inside the Golf there is more room than ever. Rear legroom is improved by 15 mm, and the front seats have been moved 20 mm further back, benefiting taller drivers. Front shoulder room is improved by 31 mm to 1,420 mm (at the rear it is 30 mm wider) and elbow room by 22 mm to 1,469 mm (20 mm wider at the rear). There is more room for luggage, too: the boot is 30 litres larger, at 380 litres, with a low 685 mm sill to make loading effortless. The front passenger seat can also optionally fold fully forward, creating a load space which is up to 2,412 mm long. More details to be revealed in coming weeks.

Jaguar F-Type Will Come To Malaysia THIS is the new Jaguar F-Type which is based on the C-X16 Concept and will be available in three variants at launch: The F-Type, F-Type S and F-Type V8 S. Each model is distinguished by the power output of its supercharged petrol engine with all engines featuring stop/start technology to maximize efficiency. The base version, F-Type will be powered by the 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 340 PS and capable to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 260km/h.

The F-Type S will be powered by the same 3.0-liter V6 engine delivering 380 PS and capable to sprint from 0 to 60 mpg in 4.8 seconds, while the top speed

will be electronically limited to 275km/h. The F-Type V8 S model will use the acclaimed 5.0-litre V8 engine delivering 495PS and 625Nm of torque. With these numbers, the F-Type V8 S will go from naught to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 300km/h. The F-Type S and V8 S will feature an active exhaust system capable to open its valves from 3000rpm allowing the car to build a thrilling crescendo at the redline. The FType will come with a set of eight closely-spaced, sporting ratios in its Quickshift transmission, giving greater driver control. The interior will be inspired by fighter airplanes. More information to come in weeks.

VIII CLUTCH

FRIDAY 12 octoBER 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

LOCALNEWS RM28.5 Million Honda 4s Centre In Seksyen 51 Pj Tenaga Setia Resources Sdn. Bhd., a Honda 3S dealership established in 2002 and previously located at Jalan 222 has upgraded to a full-fledge 4S Centre offering Sales, Services, Spare Parts and Spray Painting under one roof. Tenaga Setia Resources invested RM28.5 million into its expansion and relocation at Seksyen 51 along the Federal Highway in PJ with the aim to continue providing more efficient and effective services to its customers.

With this new 115,853 square feet 4S Centre, customers can look forward to an improved Honda experience.

The 4S concept is an essential component of Honda Malaysia’s policy of prioritising customer satisfaction while creating an enjoyable ownership experience for customers.

Honda believes that a life-long relationship with the customer is forged when a purchase is made. Hence, it is of utmost importance for Honda to de-

velop these relationships by consistently providing excellent services that are of the highest quality.

For appointment and operating hours, customers can contact Tenaga Setia Resources at 03-7784 8211 (Sales), 037784 8311 (Service) and 037784 8511 (Body and Painting) or log on to www.honda. com.my for more information.

Chevrolet Colorado now comes with Adventure Accessories Chevrolet’s tough looking Colorado pickup now comes with a new set of accessories. The Adventure Accessory package worth over RM6,000 for both the 2.5 or 2.8 LT trucks include a durable powder coated front nudge bar, rugged rear yak bar,

a full size sports bar, custom built side step, a multipurpose 10.0L jerry can , spare wheel carrier and a tough all weather canvas spare wheel cover.

“Inspired through Chevrolet rich heritage and vast engineering experience over a 100 years,

Chevrolet has achieved another breakthrough in the Chevrolet Colorado — a perfect harmony of power, performance, durability, comfort and fuel economy which offers our customers the best value in its class. Thoroughly tested in the toughest condi-

EDITORIAL NOTE

tions around the world, you can be totally assured this hardy midsize pick-up has the ability to take on terrains across a wide range of operating conditions.

Through this exceptional valuefor-money offer of complimentary Adventure Accessories, NAZA

by Daniel Fernandez

Quest ensures that our customers will enjoy an enhanced look which compliments their active lifestyle,” stated Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman of NAZA Group of Companies.

The all-new Colorado range is |

Consultant Motoring Editor

the product of a five-year, USD 2 billion vehicle program developed across five continents for customers in more than 60 markets around the world. For more information about the new Chevrolet Colorado visit www. chevrolet.com.my

ADVERTISING SALES

A motoring pullout is a common feature with most newspapers… but Clutch will be different. How different? Well just like the rest of the all new The Malay Mail, Clutch will be informative and true to its editorial integrity. Clutch will be a bi-monthly (every other Friday of the month) motoring pullout that will give straight-to-the-point car reviews and relevant motoring information for the Malaysian car enthusiast

Joel Miranda

Lim Ee Mae

in a simple language. We will not confuse you or ‘smoke screen’ you with technical terms and instead offer our views on each and every test drive. We at Clutch hope that the car reviews presented will be able to

General Manager

Manager

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.

012-2337394 joel.miranda@redberry.com.my

012-2073241 eemae@mmail.com.my

Email us at clutcheditorial@gmail.com.

Please watch out for our next issue on the 26th of October 2012.