MNM Issue no.3 by Stanley Ho

Sports Car Award COTY 2011

Small Coupe/Convertible of The Year

YOUR DRIVING MANUAL

MOTOR NEWS MALAYSIA

PP 17036/09/2012 (030770)

ISSUE 3, 2013 RM8.80

WHAT WOMEN KNOW ABOUT CARS

MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS

PURE CLASS ROADSTER RAMPAGE

THE 83RD GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR LP 700-4 ROADSTER

THIS ISSUE

STRAIGHT TORQUIN’ FEEDBACK BUZZWORTHY

4 6

• 6X6: The G63 AMG grows another pair

MNM TOP 10

• Hybrid hotties: Look who’s driving cociously

FEATURE

• China Rising: Powerhouse nation making strides

MARKET WATCH

• Car prices: a storm in a teacup

8 10 14 16

GLOBAL SPINS

• Merc W212: New E set for class honours • Subaru’s crossover impresses • Ballistic Beef: Bologna’s alfresco Aventador

COMPARO

• 3-way tussle: Swift, Fiesta and Rio lock horns

LOCAL SPINS

• Kia’s rivetting little Rio • Tax incentive makes Audi A6 Hybrid a tantalising prospect • BMW 320i: Bavarian still the benchmark • 6 packed: Mazda’s executive sedan steals thunder • Riding the Japanese tour de force • New 636 returns with Ninja punch

22 28 32 38 44 48 52 56 60 62

AUTO SHOW • Geneva 2013: Car candy from the land of cheese and chocolate 64

ROAD TRIP • Skipping town: Touring Tanjung Malim in a Touareg

TRACK DAY • Jaguar Live: Coventry’s cats get a circuit workout

FEATURES • Golf TSI: Still swinging, still winning

• Ducati After Sales: Ongoing support for your Italian steed

STRANGER THAN FICTION MOD CAR WORKSHOP PRODUCTS PRICE LIST EDITOR

Yamin Vong yamin@cbt.com.my

PRODUCTION EDITOR Chris Prasad chris@cbt.com.my

ACTING NEWS EDITOR COORDINATOR Gokul Kandiah gokul@cbt.com.my

83 86 88 92 96 CREATIVE DIRECTOR

HEAD OF SALES

CIRCULATION

SALES MANAGER

Irwan Ismail xcreativeservices@gmail.com

Albakry Salehuddin Alauddin Maiden Albakry7@cbt.com.my alauddin@cbt.com.my

Joseph Raj joeraj@cbt.com.my R.S. Jeff jeff@cbt.com.my

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

PUBLISHER / MAILING ADDRESS

Cars, Bikes, Trucks Media Sdn Bhd 12A, Jalan Rimba Riang (9/5A) Section 9, Kota Damansara 47810 Petaling Jaya Selangor, Malaysia Tel : 603-2056 9298 Fax : 603-2282 1841

PRINTING

Times Offset (M) Sdn Bhd (194695-W)

(KKDN: PQ1780/2639) Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

GLOBAL SPINS

issue 5  MNM 2012

STRAIGHT TORQUIN’

YAMIN VONG

EDITOR | yamin@cbt.com.my

FOR A HASSLE FREE RIDE

THE SOLUTION: USE TAXI APPS, ONE OF THE SAFEST AND MOST RELIABLE WAYS TO BOOK A CAB or the many tourists that visited Malaysia during with the recent Formula One Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, there should have been a travel advisory warning them that using taxis in Kuala Lumpur could well be more dangerous than the motorsport itself. Recent crimes against taxi passengers include Regardless of whether rape and robbery by you are a tourist or a criminals driving around MyTeksi native, so far it’s the in stolen taxis. There safest and most reliable are also unscrupulous it processes way to book a taxi. taxi drivers who refuse 2,000 A taxi app is to use the meters. taxi bookings something that you Avoid the taxi ranks at per day download from the KLCC and the Pasar internet onto your Seni because the taxi 300 smart phone and use drivers who wait there people use myteksi to the to book a taxi. It’s are united against using airport every day smart because it uses meters. the GPS chip that’s in While I would say 40,000 your android-based that most of the taxi people have Samsung or Apple drivers who cruise downloaded its i-Phone to locate where around are professional ios and android you are and where you drivers, that’s because apps. want to go. I’m a native Malaysian Visit http://goo. Summonsing the 3G who speaks Bahasa gl/GJwod for in your smartphone, it Malaysia, Cantonese more details. uses the WiFi-enabled and English, I wonder downloading phone to communicate how the taxi driver myTeksi’s your location to the treats his foreign tourist app (for smartphones service provider, in this customer who is and tablet case MyTeksi, the first clueless about direction users): Visit mover in Malaysia. and distance. http://myteksi. MyTeksi then seeks If the letters to the com out the 1,000 taxis that editors tell a story, are in its network and there are more knocks prompts those that than praises regarding are within a 15km radius of your Malaysian taxi services. pick-up location. Simultaneously, One solution that has the system will tell you the presented itself is the use taxi approximate distance of your apps, the most popular and journey and the estimated cost user-friendly of which is MyTeksi.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

of the trip. When a taxi driver decides that he wants the job, he’ll respond to the MyTeksi prompt. The automated system will then update your smartphone with the following information: “Taxi HWD6977 is on its way & it is 2.9km away from you. Please contact your driver @ 01077319xx. Thank you for using MyTeksi.” In a newer version of the MyTeksi app, the information is displayed in a more user friendly way with the following information displayed in a table format: “Your taxi will arrive in approximately: 7 minutes Plate Number: HWE82XX* Driver: M. Maulana Telephone: 01077319XX* Type: Budget From: 23, Persiaran Mahagoni, Petaling Jaya To: Jaya33 The fare for your ride (15km) is estimated to be between RM18 and RM22.” (* Numbers have been changed to protect identities.)

Taxi apps represent the congruence of smartphone and GPS technologies. We talk about how GPS will revolutionise the world, how it will make directories obsolete. MyTeksi has competitors too. Taximonger is one, and the latest is Unicablink which needs the taxi driver to pay a monthly RM180 rental for the enabled Garmin GPS. As taxi driver Mohamad noted, “The MyTeksi app is with me, on my smartphone. It’s not stuck in the car. “I’ll wake up at 4am and switch on the phone. As I’m brushing my teeth, I’ll check MyTeksi for those who want rides to KLIA. “The driver who’s using the Unicablink must be in the car to use the Garmin which is fixed to the car’s dashboard; with my smart phone I can start work even when I’m in the house. “There are other taxi apps in Malaysia, but I like MyTeksi best because I don’t have to pay RM180 a month. I only pay a prepaid amount which is deducted when I accept a job. “Now most of my trips are booked with MyTeksi. Then, when there is nothing suitable for me, I’ll go back to my base at the Curve.” One advantage of the Unicablink system is its dedicated GPS. This directs the way to a location in a clearer manner than the small China-made smartphone that Mohamad used. MyTeksi was started with a mission to revolutionise the taxi industry. The runner-up in the 2011 Harvard Business School Business Plan Contest, one of the founders of MyTeksi is Anthony Tan. “Our great-grandfather was a taxi driver and we appreciate our family’s humble beginnings. I’m fascinated about the taxi industry,” said Tan, a Harvard MBA graduate, and a respected member of the Tan Chong family.

FEEDBACK IT’S ABOUT TIME

TAKE IT EASY PROF!

PICK OF THE MONTH

Sometime last year, you received a letter from a lady asking when you were going to feature female test drivers. Back then, MNM said that this was something you were working on and that it would happen soon. I was eager to this see happen; for the same reasons that were brought up in that lady’s letter (sorry, I can’t recall her name). Women make up 50 per cent, or more, of the drivers in this country, and yet their views are poorly represented in motoring publications. Well, months went by and there was still no development on this front from MNM. And then, finally, you ran the Heels & Wheels story in your Issue 2, with a lady test driver. You really took your time, but I applaud the effort nonetheless. I sincerely hope that this isn’t a one-off event and that you’re planning for a regular column

by women (although I’m not so sure if “Heels&Wheels” is entirely flattering to women). For what it is worth, good job. Celia K. MNM: Finding the right candidate to do the job right took some time, but better late than never, right? We’re happy with Ms Aeria, her column will be a regular feature. And there’s more good news on the way as we’ve recently added a full-time lady test driver to our team. Look out for her test drives in the next issue.

Wow! Your tech specialist, Horizon Gitano, really goes into the “fine” details of things doesn’t he? I had to read his story on dynamometers about four times before I could grasp the essence of it. Can I suggest that you use more visuals the next time you run a story from him, it will help with those of us that don’t digest wordheavy articles as easily as others. Overall, I have to say that I find Horizon to be very informative though. But, more “visual examples” of what he’s talking about, please. - D. Tan MNM: Yes, Prof Horizon’s articles target the “heavy readers” among us, and he really knows what he’s talking about... that’s why there’s just so much to say. But you’re right; we should work on producing better visuals. Thanks.

A DARNED SHAME

I’ve caught a couple of issues of your MNM magazine, and so far I think it’s an “ok” magazine. If I could point out one area where there is room for improvement, it would the quality of pictures used in some of your stories – especially when you test drive white cars. Most of these shots need to be toned down a little because it is much too bright and burnt out, which makes it difficult to make out some of the exterior features of the car. This is a pity, because many of the other shots you use are actually quite nice. Just wanted to point that out. - K. Jaabar MNM: After a quick review, we agree with your comment. Thank you for your valued input and we will do our best to rectify the situation.

WHOOPSIE DAISY

We’d like to apologise to our contributor Alex Foo for unintentionally omitting his byline on his wonderful story on the Heinkel Tourist in our last issue. There was also a typo on the lovely Anne Aeria’s byline in the Heels&Wheels column. Sorry guys.

EASY MONEY | 6

Give us your valued feedback and if your comment is our “Pick of the month”, you win an easy RM50! Yup, it’s as simple as that. Send your comments to mnm@cbt.com.my

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

BUZZWORTHY

BEHOLD THE

GELANDEWAGEN

Here’s wHat Happens wHen you pump tHe G-waGen witH steroids ercedes-Benz’s G-wagen has been around for several decades now, and by doing so the German workhorse has established itself as a bit of an icon. However if you are a fan of the Gelandewagen and you’re obscenely rich, and you think that the G-wagen could do with some updating, then Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance division might have the right model that’ll fulfil your desire. Called the G63 AMG 6x6, this six-wheeled off-roader is merely a mild version of the six-wheeled G320 CDI that is being built for the Australian military, with a big 536hp 5.5-litre turbocharged V8 engine squeezed up front. But it’s not just all show and

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

no go. The G63 AMG 6x6 has six-driven wheels, low range gearing and five differential locks which offer 100 per cent lockup on all six wheels, with a nominal 30:40:30 power split between the three wheel axles. The six-wheeled pickup now sports a ground clearance that is 250mm higher, with a fording depth that is 400mm more than the standard G63. Its approach and departure angles have been increased by 16 degrees and 27 degrees respectively, to 52 degrees and 54 degrees. Though the price has not yet been confirmed, AMG says that the production G63 6x6 will become the brand’s second most expensive model behind the €350,000 (RM1.4 million) SLS Electric Drive when it goes into production later this year.

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

TOP 10 HYBRID FEMMES BY FATIHAH RASHID

e here at MNM are big supporters of green technology, so we’re naturally big fans of hybrids. Also, to the surprise of absolutely nobody, we’re also big fans of celebrity hotties.

So you can imagine the general ecstasy we felt when we suddenly realised we could fuse both our favourite things on a single Top 10 list... a true light bulb moment! Stars are irrefutably the most influential trend-setters in the world. Fans tend to emulate

testosterone-fuelled guys at the office), we put together this Top 10 list of celebrity femmes and their hybrid rides. I was told that the ratings were based on the combination beauty and the calibre of car... yeah, I don’t really believe that either.

DEMI MOORE – LEXUS LS600H 10

ELIZA DUSHKU – TOYOTA PRIUS 8

LEA MICHELE – TOYOTA PRIUS 9

KRISTEN BELL – CHEVY VOLT 7

Despite a long stint at the pinnacle of hot-babery, these days Demi has been sadly relegated to “aunty” status and is better known as Ashton Kutcher’s ex-wife. But many agree she hasn’t lost that inherent aura of sexiness. Helping that image is her environmentally-friendly Lexus LS600h, which proves that even aunties can save the planet in style.

Best known for her role as Rachel Berry in the hit series “Glee”, Lea Michele may be a little low in the curves department, but she still manages to look sexy on the red carpet. A supporter of animal rights, she has performed for several charities and also supports the environment in her own way by driving a Toyota Prius.

their lifestyle, the products they use, the cars they drive and the causes they stand up for. So it’s good to see that many of these popular celebs are jumping on the green bandwagon and doing their bit to save the world. With the help of expert judges (read: the deprived,

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Dollhouse star Eliza Dushku loves to go off-road, but she also wants to take care of the environment. So, the middle ground for her is a Toyota Prius fitted with all-terrain tyres. According to her Twitter feed, she could stand the stock tyres of the Prius for a week before substituting them for off-road all-terrain tyres. We’d certainly like to see her go offroading her Prius.

This blonde American sweetheart is not only an ardent supporter of many charities, she’s an animal rights activist. She does her bit to preserve the global ecosystem driving a black Chevy Volt, in spite of her wealth and status. PETA voted her “The World’s Sexiest Vegetarian” in 2006, and rightly so!

JESSICA ALBA – GMC YUKON HYBRID 6

ELIN NORDEGEN – CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID 3

MIRANDA KERR – TOYOTA PRIUS 5

EVA MENDES – LEXUS RX400h 2

JENNIFER LAWRENCE – CHEVY VOLT 4

ADRIANA LIMA – PORSCHE CAYENNE HYBRID 1

We know she’s been in our Top 10 list many times before, but you can never have too much of Jessica Alba. This Dark Angel is still sexy after two children, and her maternal instincts take over in her choice of a vehicle, with the environment-friendly, practical and safe GMC Yukon Hybrid. Nothing’s sexier than a woman with a big machine.

The only reason this sizzling supermodel isn’t higher up on our list is because she drives a Toyota Prius, which is an awesome car, but very generic. About 95 per cent of green-friendly celebrities have one. But she gets extra points for not trying too hard to stand out and she’ll always be number one (or at least number two) in our hearts. There’s no denying her hot-ness. (Rawr!)

The 23-year old may be young, but she displays mature environmental awareness by choosing to drive a matte black Chevy Volt – unlike many of her famous peers who prefer to drink and drive in speedy sports cars. Her example will definitely motivate young girls around the world (and maybe men too) to go green.

Elin may be number three on our list, but that’s still a shorter list than the one she was on when she was married to Tiger Woods. This supermodel unexpectedly drives a practical and green Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, more conservative than we’d expect from such a hot celebrity.

This Cuban-born starlet’s talents aren’t just limited to making pulses race, she’s also one of the most talented entrepreneurs in Tinsel Town. Aside from her acting and modelling careers, she also has a fashionable line of home décor, dinnerware and linens. Add that to the tag of environment lover, with her suave Lexus RX400h, and she gets number two on the list.

You’ve seen this babe-licious Brazilian supermodel on the biggest catwalks across the globe, and probably more than once in your dreams. But not many know that this hot mamma is a mother of two and her choice ride of a Porsche Cayenne Hybrid shows she can be fashionable as well as down-to-earth and practical too. This divine combination of virtues is why the Victoria’s Secret Angel takes the top spot on our list.

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

AUTOWHIRL The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.

Renault F1 team drivers Valtteri Bottas (left) and Pastor Maldonado with the new Renault Clio RS 200 EDC which made its Asian debut in Kuala Lumpur last month.

From L-R: Directors of SAG Star (Chan Sow Lin) Adam Khan, Zulkifli, Mr. Justin See and CEO of MMM Tetsuya Oda charging the i-MiEV during the official launch.

The new Citroen DS5 that was launched last month.

A pretty model next to the sexy Jaguar F-Type that was unveiled here in Kuala Lumpur.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

The newly launched Mazda6 2.5 Skyactiv Touring Wagon.

FEATURE

CHINA RISING

2013:

THE YEAR THE DRAGON STRETCHED ITS WINGS 14

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

this year could be a landmark for China’s automotive industry, staking its claim on a larger piece of the global pie n early 2012, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) warned business leaders that Chinese car makers will take a more assertive stance, clamouring for a bigger share of the 62 million plus cars sold globally. The year ended with China’s vehicle exports crossing the one million cars mark for the first time, with 1,056,100 Chinese cars shipped overseas, up 29.7 per cent

from 2011. Forty five per cent of the exports are passenger cars. On average, Chinese vehicle exports have been increasing by nearly 50 per cent every year over the past decade. In 2001, China exported a measly 19,000 vehicles overseas. The top Chinese car exporters are Chery and Geely, followed by Great Wall and SAIC. Chery is currently China’s top vehicle exporter. Within China’s political pecking

In Australia, Great Wall Wingle has overtaken the Isuzu D-Max in the pick-up truck segment, while the Haval is an increasingly common sight, usually driven by tradesmen.

order, the rural Anhui based Chery ranks quite low. While the more established stateowned FAW and SAIC enjoy favourable ties with the Chinese central government and partnership with major global brands like GM and VW, with much of China’s domestic market closed to Chery. As local governments of economic centres such as Beijing, Shanghai and Changchun have direct ownership in BAIC, SAIC and FAW respectively, independent car makers like Chery have to expand to markets outside of China. Without the privilege that some of the bigger Chinese

players enjoy, Chery has been focusing on growing the export market since the early days of its inception in 1997. The company is headed by Yin Tongyue, who grew up in a poor farming village in Anhui before working for FAW and VW as an engineer. In 1995, he returned to his birth place of Anhui to setup Chery and turned it into an exporter of 200,000 plus cars last year. Chery’s exports have surged by an average of 163 per cent annually since 2001. Like Chery, Geely is privately owned. The company

recently made headlines by acquiring ailing Swedish car maker Volvo Cars from Ford. Last year, Geely exported 100,300 cars, mainly to Russia, Algeria, Iraq, Iran and Chile. Meanwhile, 4x4 specialist Great Wall Motors is making inroads into the Asia Pacific region. In Australia, Great Wall Wingle has overtaken the Isuzu D-Max in the pick-up truck segment, while the Haval is an increasingly common sight, usually driven by tradesmen. In terms of total vehicle

sales in Australia, Great Wall ended 2012 just 5,000 cars shy from Suzuki, but ahead of Jeep. In February last year, Great Wall Motor (GWM) became the first Chinese car maker to open a plant in Europe. GWM’s plant in Lovech, Bulgaria has the capacity to supply up to 50,000 cars per year to the European market. The Bulgarian plant is currently producing Wingle (Steed) pick-up, Hover H5 SUV and C10 hatchback. The C20R crossover, and Haval H6 SUV will follow in the future.

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

MARKET WATCH

ALL ABUZZ ABOUT NOTHING talk of reduced car prices and tax becoming political ammo for debate, but nothing has really hit the target for consumers yet

The endearing Kancil was in production from 1994 until 2009. A total of 722,223 Kancils were produced by Perodua.

By HanS CHEOng alaysia is probably the only country in the world where the subject of car prices can become a topic of debate for politicians in order fish for votes. In a country where public transport is in a dismal state, cars, despite their inflated prices, remain a necessary inconvenience. Even in neighbourhoods that are connected by KTM Komuter trains and RapidKL LRTs, the quality of service in terms of feeder buses, parking facilities as well as the issue of safety and security of commuters still leaves much to be desired. In July last year, Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s strategy director Rafizi Ramli fired the first salvo when it promised the public that the party will slash car prices by reducing import, excise and sales tax, should it come to power in the next

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

general election. Rafizi was quoted as saying that a RM40,000 Perodua actually costs RM23,500 before a 60 per cent excise duty and 10 per cent sales tax is levied on it. One online news media portal mentioned Rafizi’s example refers to a 1.5 litre Perodua while another says it is a Perodua Kancil. Perodua declined to comment on the matter but pointed out that the difference in prices between a Labuan duty free zone Perodua model from one sold in Kota Kinabalu is only about RM 7,000. MNM would like to point out that contrary to the reports made by the two said online news portals, a 1.5 litre Perodua Myvi starts from RM50,913.50, while the Perodua Kancil has been discontinued since July 2009. It should be pointed out that since the 2006 National Automotive Policy came into

effect on 1-January 2006, excise duties for passenger cars below 1,800cc is 75 per cent and not 60 per cent as claimed. Putting aside the question of Rafizi being misquoted, or whether his promises are realistic or not, the only barometer in the game of politics is public support and Rafizi’s rhetoric has struck a deep chord in the hearts of many voters. As far as garnering public support goes, the public voted Rafizi Ramli into second place on Malaysiakini’s list of Top 10 Newsmakers of 2012, behind S. Ambiga. In August, an English daily ran a report quoting an industry source saying that the revised National Automotive Policy will address the gradual reduction of car prices. Rafizi would again hit out at his political rivals, demanding a clear message be sent out on what the government’s plan is

on reducing car prices, adding that it was Pakatan Rakyat who first publicly mooted such an idea. The topic would lay quiet for a few more months until February this year, when Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed announced in a press conference that car prices of cars imported from Japan and Australia will be gradually reduced. A day before the press conference, the local media was abuzz, informing their readers that there will reduction in import duties for vehicles from Japan and Australia. When the actual announcement was made the next day, news media, bloggers and the general public alike were busy regurgitating the same public relations fluff without conducting the necessary due diligence. The headlines and news reports that came out gave the impression that a new round of tax reductions was underway. This was despite the fact that the minister himself, had in a post-event briefing said very clearly that there are no new changes in the duty structure. Car companies were confused with the hype, and were calling us up for answers. It was a proverbial stirring a storm in a tea cup. In truth, reduction in import duties for CBU (completely built-up) imported cars from Japan has been in place since 13 December 2005. The Malaysia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (MJEPA) came into force in 13 July 2006. Under MJEPA, import duty for CBU Japan vehicles have been reduced gradually for the past eight years already, with the savings transferred to customers in the form of more model choices at lower prices. The schedule of import duty reduction is categorised by vehicle type and engine capacity. To minimise shock permeating through the car financing business and used car trade, reduction in import duties began with a top to bottom approach, starting from luxury, high engine capacity vehicles. Between 2006 to 2007, import duty for CBU Japan vehicles above 3,000cc were

SCHEDULE OF IMPORT DUTY REDUCTION UNDER MALAYSIA-JAPAN FTA Vehicle type

Engine capacity

Passenger cars

MPV

4x4

reduced from 50 per cent to 35 per cent. By 2010, the rate has been reduced to zero per cent. The reduction in import duties coincided with introduction of Japanese luxury brands like Lexus and Infiniti. Lexus’ official presence in Malaysia began in 2006 with a single outlet in Mutiara Damansara. In parallel with reduction in import duties, Lexus expanded its network and today there are five Lexus Centres in Malaysia, three in Klang Valley, one in Johor and one in Penang. Vehicles below 2,000cc will take a more gradual reduction rate. In 2006, the rate was 50 per cent. This year it came down to 15 per cent and by 2016, import duties will be eliminated completely. Malaysia negotiated free trade agreements (FTA) with Australia in March 2012, with the FTA coming into effect this year. Although it is a commendable move to expand Malaysia’s trade, the FTA has little effect (if any) on our automotive industry. Australia has little interest in vehicle manufacturing and only three brands. Only GMHolden, Ford and Toyota have manufacturing facilities in the country. Australia’s only export to the Asean region is the Ford Territory SUV to Thailand, which is limited to a few hundred units a year. Holden also exports several left hand drive sedan models under the Chevrolet badge to the Middle East while Toyota exports a different variant of the Camry sedan that is unsuitable for our local demands, also in left hand drive configuration to the Middle East. Even with duties reduced to zero, there is little that

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

22.7

18.2

Below 2,000cc

45.5

40.9

36.4

31.8

27.3

2,000cc to 3,000cc

41.7

33.3

25.0

16.7

8.3

Above 3,000cc

35.0

20.0

5.0

Below 2,000cc

45.5

40.9

36.4

31.8

27.3

2,000cc to 3,000cc

41.7

33.3

25.0

16.7

8.3

Above 3,000cc

41.7

33.3

25.0

16.7

8.3

Below 2,000cc

45.5

40.9

36.4

31.8

27.3

2,000cc to 3,000cc

41.7

33.3

25.0

16.7

8.3

Above 3,000cc

35.0

20.0

5.0

CHANGES IN EXCISE DUTY OVER THE YEARS Vehicle type

Passenger cars

MPV

4x4

Engine capacity

2004

2006

2007 - present

Below 1,800cc

1,800 - 1,999cc

2,000 - 2,499cc

2,500 - 3,000cc

105

Above 3,000cc

100

125

105

Below 1,500cc

1,500 - 1,799cc

1,800 - 1,999cc

2,000 - 2,499cc

2,500 - 3,000cc

105

Above 3,000cc

125

105

Below 1,800cc

1,800 - 1,999cc

2,000 - 2,499cc

2,500 - 3,000cc

105

Above 3,000cc

125

105

Australia has to offer to our market. To say that there will be a reduction in prices of cars imported from Australia is... well, meaningless. Fans of Holden V8 sedans should also note that large, rear wheel drive fuel guzzling sedans are a dying species even in Australia. A Thailand made Toyota Hilux is Australia’s top selling model while a Japan made Mazda 3 is the top selling private car. The only tangible benefit from the Malaysia-Australia FTA is the export of the Australian-made 2.5 litre AR series Toyota engines for our locally made Camry sedans. Australia will now join Thailand as part of Toyota’s multisourcing network strategy in the region. After spending half a day or more trying to get to the bottom of the hype, car

companies found themselves asking, what was the point of announcing something that everyone in the industry should have already known? If the point was to return fire to the shrewd Rafizi Ramli’s populist message, it only goes to show how little is achieved when leaders lose sight of the bigger picture. While we applaud any move to promote competition and deliver better value to consumers, the correct question that everyone should be asking is how will clean, sustainable mobility for Malaysians be promoted. There is no country in the world that is able to build roads at a faster rate than the increase of vehicle population. It doesn’t matter how much your car is valued at, a car’s practical value becomes naught if you are unable to get anywhere when roads become

2013

2014

2015

13.6

9.1

4.6

9.1

4.6

9.1

4.6

Abolished

22.7

18.2

13.6 Abolished

22.7

18.2

13.6 Abolished

While reduction in import duties are addressed by FTAs with their respective country of origin, excise duties and sales tax however, are not. Judging by movements in excise duty structure in the past, we have little reason to believe that car prices as a whole, will be reduced in sufficiently large quantum to deliver any real meaning to a consumer. While import duties are being reduced, there has been a corresponding increase in excise duties over the past decade. Excise duties are levied on goods or services produced or consumed within the country. Presently, MITI’s official stance is that the government is conducting a study on excise duty, adding that any reduction in excise duty must not adversely affect industry stakeholders. gridlocked. A long term sustainable land transport road map involves curbing private car usage and promoting public transport. In all internationally recognised metrics to measure quality of living, be it the United Nations Human Development Index or the Mercer Quality of Living Survey, ownership of cars is not even a factor for consideration. The quality of air and public transport service however, is. The cars that we drive have no direct relation to our personal wellbeing. Whichever party comes into power, they should be reminded that Malaysia is a signatory to the UN Decade of Action Road Safety plan, which aims to halve road fatalities by 2020. Among the key performance indicators Malaysia will be measured is use of public transport. ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

MOTORSPORTS

SNF 2013

Fiery start for Saturday Night Fever

he opening round of the 2013 Saturday Night Fever series (SNF) was indeed a night to remember, thanks to the newly introduced SNF Moto categories and the unfortunate incident of a race car catching fire on the front straight. A total of 22 motorcycles of 135cc and

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

150cc also took part in the inaugural SNF Moto race, which was a new challenge for the motorcycle racers as SNF is held at night at the Sepang Circuit North track. Two heats of the five-lap event provided a short but exciting race with plenty of thrills and spills. Veteran motorcycle racer Kenny Lee

made a comeback from a fall in Lap 3 of the Qualifying Heat to win the 150cc category final. A hot race literally turned into a fiery one for Team Kazzen, competing in Race Cars Class 2 in their Toyota Levin AE111. The team’s second driver Ghazi Fawwaz, who was at fourth position said that a small fire started in the engine bay as he was exiting turn six. By the time he made it to the flag, the “little fire” had turned into a huge flame, resulting in the car crossing the line with the nose ablaze. It was later said the fire was caused when the fuel line to the fuel regulator burst. The second leg of SNF 2013 will take place on May 4, and for the first time in three years, the event will head to Sepang’s South Circuit for a change of scenery and a new challenge. Hopefully it will be a hot night with plenty of hot action – with or without a burning car. Don’t miss it! Full race results and the latest updates are available on http://SNF.my

Results â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all categories SNF Moto 135 1st 2nd 3rd

mohd Fazreel razali amir Zafry yaacob muhammad Fairuz nasir

SNF Moto 150

1st 2nd 3rd

Kenny Lee Chun Ching mohd edzwan mohd esa muhd Fazli mansuar

LC 135 LC 135 suzuki

pjohn motor pjohn motor sne msport

Kips rr 7:06.189 Krr 150 stuntroopers msport 7:11.754 ninja 150 rr mm Bike Centre 7:14.025

Mini Classic 1st 2nd 3rd

Syafiq Ali / Haziq Ali Mini 1.3 Ali SNF Mini Hairani Mohd. Ariffin Mini Cooper Md Hamdan/Ahmad Hamidi Mini Cooper

Super1500 1st 2nd 3rd

Aril Hamka / Norhadiman Starlet EP82 EA Technic muhd nazif Bin othman starlet ep82 tasek autospeed ahmad ezani Bin mohd isha starlet ep71 motor addict

Special Kei

1st 2nd 3rd

Logesvaran Kaliaperumal muhd tarmizi abd aziz syazril amri abd rahman

Campro Chase 1st 2nd 3rd

roland ooi Izwan Bahrom/Azlan Rabu ifwat ataa bin abd razak

7:29.246 7:29.709 7:36.079

11:08.096 12:23.683 12:33.921 11:05.049 11:42.944 11:50.533

Kancil turbo Kancil turbo Kancil turbo

dt tuner racing nusa indah

11:07.991 11:21.281 11:38.376

waja Gen2 satria neo

matspeed 11:13.832 DNT Tune 11:19.043 dnt tune 11:37.455

Race Cars Class 1 1st 2nd 3rd

mohd Faizal mohd Hassim Joshua thiran Hafidz Fahro Rozi

Race Cars Class 2 1st 2nd 3rd

soh Kee Koon abd razak Hamdi winson eu tuc meng

Civic eK9 integra dC5 Civic EP3

dnt tune millennium msports

10:18.921 10:40.953 11:48.194

Civic eK9 sentra 1.6 Civic eK9

type-r racing a-two auto

10:40.598 11:11.247 11:16.837

sFnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d workshop asri performance

10:54.427 11:03.867 11:08.455

10:35.999 10:42.191 10:42.532

Street 1.8 NA 1st 2nd 3rd

Gan Kim Koa/Lai Chee Kwin Civic EF9 shahrulnizam md sain sentra 1.6 nasrul azizi nasaaruddin satria Gti

Street 1.8 VTEC / Turbo 1st 2nd 3rd

philip tang peng ngiap Afiq Afifi Francis ng Goon Kwong

SuperStreet 1st 2nd 3rd

Civic eF9 Civic EK9 Civic eK9

Badrul Hisham/Keifli Othman Evo 8 N1 Racing desmond yee Civic type-r n1 racing alif Hamdan evo 6 millennium msports

10:09.130 10:17.461 10:21.164

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

MNM SURVEY WHAT WOMEN KNOW ABOUT CARS THE TERMINOLOGY TEST

BY FATIHAH RASHID or the longest time, women have been branded with the stigma of being horrible drivers. So much so that if a male driver is a bad driver, he’d probably

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

be labelled a “lady driver” too. Now many of us find this rather unfair (to say the least), because in this day and age there are female rally and race drivers, and there are many good lady drivers on our roads too; some drive even better than the so-called macho men.

Another common misconception about women is that they don’t know “nuts” about cars. A woman who is capable of changing her own tyres and motor oil is considered to be an amazing anomaly. So do women really know more about cars than people tend

to think? To answer that question, MNM conducted a quick survey with everyday female motorists asking them to define some terms that are very commonly used in motoring articles. You be the judge.

HERE ARE THE TERMS AND THE ANSWERS WE GOT: Iffah Hazrina Zamri, 29

Nur Asyikin Md Isa, 25

Body roll: How a car curves as it turns corners. Torque: I somehow think it’s a car that is going in a circle, but it has something to do with speed, right? A-frame: The body shape of a car. Kerb weight: Weight of the car. Fhisker Karma: Luck? I don’t know, it makes me think of fate. ABS: Air brake system... a system that uses air rather than fluid. Turbo blow-off: How fast the car shifts speeds to the next level.

Body roll: Turning the body. Torque: Torch+que? A-frame: A frame... shaped like an A. Kerb weight: Weight of the kerb? Fhisker Karma: This sounds like a kind of fish food. ABS: Air Bag System. Turbo blow-off: Blowing the turbo.

Executive

Tursina Abd Rashid, 30 Project manager

Body roll: Yoga. Torque: Force of rotation, like an axle. A-frame: A beam to support load. Kerb weight: Sounds like crustacean animal weight. Fhisker Karma: Bad karma? ABS: Air bag system. Turbo blow-off: Off the turbo... there’s a valve, I think.

Sarah Hardie Augustine, 34 Housewife

Body roll: Hinges of the cars? Torque: Exhaust thingy. A-frame: Body kit at the front of the car. Kerb weight: Balances the car movement. Fhisker Karma: Suspension thingy. ABS: Emergency brake doing something with swerving. Turbo blow-off: Controls turbo.

Student

Wan nur azafira Wan ariffin, 25 Student

Body roll: What’s that? Torque: I know that, it’s the measurement of rotation. A-frame: The car’s frame...the moulding. Kerb weight: Weight of the car with standard equipment, not including passengers or cargo. Fhisker Karma: A Fhisker Karma is my car. Well, I wish it was anyway. ABS: A classification survey for the marines... but for cars it can be for brakes or airbags. Turbo blow-off: Turbo’s compressor (BOV).

Erna Reedfrost, 26

Assistant Producer Body roll: It sounds like an exercise tool. Torque: Torque sounds like something to do with buildings. Is it a term in building design? A-frame: That’s a frame for the rooftop. Kerb weight: Is that a term in physics? Fhisker Karma: That’s the punishment for cats if they steal fish during the day. ABS: Oh, that’s my favourite! That’s where the six-pack is on a muscular man. Turbo blow-off: Turbo. Makes

the car go faster.

with cars. Torque: Something used to tighten and loosen bolts. A-frame: Something that holds the

Surinah Mat, 41 Insurance agent

Body roll: Deodorant. Torque: Something to do with the car... how fast the car accelerates from the idle position to the desired speed? A-frame: A frame? Kerb weight: Someone named Kerb who discovered some kind of weight? Fhisker Karma: Fat Whisker Karma. ABS: The anti-braking system in a car. Turbo blow-off: Does it have something to do with a new hairdryer?

Safwah Balqis, 24 Student

Body roll: Balancing. Torque: Spanner. A-frame: House. Kerb weight: Total weight

of the car. Fhisker Karma: I think this has something to do with a John Fhisker? ABS: Air bags. Turbo blow-off: A car’s turbo.

Suza Yusoff, 32

Finance Executive Body roll: The steel that supports the car. Torque: Like horse power. A-frame: A kind of frame. Kerb weight: Related to cornering... something near the tire, I guess. Fhisker Karma: Related to the engine. ABS: Anti-lock brake system. Turbo blow-off: For turbo power.

Lavanya Jeyulatham, 22

Radiographer Body roll: Something to do

vehicle’s tires. Kerb weight: Weight of the vehicle including the engine. Fhisker Karma: I think it’s a hybrid sports car. ABS: a sort of chemical for the car. Turbo blow-off: something for. the engine

Fiona Zuzartee, 25 Baker

Body roll: Something to do with the structure of the car. Torque: Perpendicular distance multiplied by

force. A-frame: A frame that holds a moving part in place. Kerb weight: A counter weight? Fhisker Karma: A gear ratio? ABS: Anti-lock Braking System. Turbo blow-off: A cut-off for the turbo

Based on this small survey, we can conclude that it might be true women really don’t know that much about cars. Some know more than others, some... well, much less (sigh). In their defence, at least most of them knew these words were in some way related to motoring, right? And who’s to say the average man knows more? That’s another survey for another time, I guess. ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

GLOBAL SPINS

MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS

In a class The E-Class gets a new power train, a fresher look and topnotch safety features By gOKUL KanDiaH hile some manufacturers do nothing more than change the bumpers and the headlamps when “facelifting” an existing model, some go the extra mile and put in a great effort. A good example would be MercedesBenz and what they’ve done to the eighth generation E-Class. Introduced in 2009 and already facelifted once in 2011, many guessed that the W212 will remain as it is until the next expected full model change in 2015. The folks at Stuttgart however have decided to take the model back to the drawing board, and give it a fresh look, new engines, and a range of new technology and safety features that has resulted in a car that can pretty much drive itself. Thanks to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, we had the opportunity to get our hands on the new E-Class last month in Barcelona, Spain, and put the car and its new features to the test along the beautiful coastal roads of Catalonia.

Design

For the first time, the E-Class is available with two different front ends. While the basic Elegance trim comes with the classic threedimensional Saloon grille with the MercedesBenz star on the hood, the Avantgarde equipment line features a sporty front end with the brand emblem integrated on the grille. According to Kai Schlickum, MercedesBenz Malaysia’s sales and marketing vicepresident, the Malaysian market will only be

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

of its own

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

GLOBAL SPINS

MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS

getting the Avantgarde trim, as the demand is higher compared with the Elegance variant. He added that the Avantgarde variant is not only becoming more popular in Malaysia, but also in the entire Asian region. Gone are the boring twin headlamps, replaced by sleeker ones. While it still retains the model’s typical “four-eyed” look, the SpECifiCaTiOnS E-Class’ headlamps Mercedes- now look much Benz E 250 better in our opinion. Avantgarde With LED low-beam lamps and daytime Engine running lamps fitted 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol as standard now, full LED lamps are Displacement also available as an 1,991cc option for the first Transmission time in this class. seven-speed The bonnet and automatic front bumper have max power: 211hp been redesigned to Max power look sportier, with a 350nm @ 1,200 – new character line as 4,000rpm well. Running below Acceleration the belt line from the 0 – 100km/h rear door to the tail 7.4 seconds light, the E-Class Fuel now looks like it’s consumption longer than the 5.8l/100km outgoing model. The Carbon rear has also been emissions tweaked, featuring a 135g/km redesigned bumper Price and new horizontal rm420,000 LED tail lights. The cabin has gone through major overhauling as well. New features include a two-part trim which stretches across the dashboard regardless of which variant it is. Also new are the air vent design, the analogue clock, the redesigned centre console and the multi-function steering wheel. Although the E-Class’ interior looks more modern and sporty now, it offers a heightened sense of fit-and-finish, nearly matching what is offered in an S-Class.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Top Notch Safety

The new E-Class offers state-of-the-art safety features, with most of the technology taken from the upcoming S-Class. Available as standard now is a stereo multi-purpose camera which replaces the mono multipurpose camera. Positioned behind the rear-view mirror, it delivers three-dimensional vision of up to 50 metres in front of the car, and a total of 500 metres around it. The data provided by the camera is used by the assistance systems to detect and alert the driver on vehicles and objects approaching the car from any direction. To help the driver keep the car in the lane, there is the Distronic Plus with Steering Assist. If an object or a pedestrian happens to end up in front of the car out of no where, the Pre-Safe Brake feature will automatically apply the brake and save the day and the object in front of you (as long as the car is kept within 60km/h). And then there are the optional features Brake Assist system with Junction Assist for hidden pedestrians and cars in low visibility situations, Pre-Safe Plus for reducing the

the cabin has gone through major overhauling as well. new features include a two-part trim which stretches across the dashboard regardless of what the variant is. also new are the air vent design, the analogue clock, the redesigned centre console and the multi-function steering wheel.

chances of injury from a collision from the rear, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus that allows high beams to stay on while not dazzling oncoming traffic, Active Parking Assist with perpendicular parking, and even a Traffic Sign Assist.

Malaysian Market Updates

According to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia,

the new E-Class will only be available in the E200 and E250 variants, and only in the Avantgarde equipment line. Both E200 and E250 will come with a new four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine, replacing the previous 1.8-litre CGI power train. For the E200, output remains the same as the outgoing model at 184hp but the new version is capable of churning out 300Nm, 30Nm more torque than the current model. The E250 on the other hand now produces 211 horsepower and 350Nm of

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

GLOBAL SPINS

MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS

torque, compared with the outgoing E250’s 204 horsepower and 310Nm. Acceleration times of 0 to 100km/h are equal for the E200 but for the E250, it has improved from 7.7 seconds to 7.4 seconds. The 2.0-litre engine will be paired with a seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission with direct select paddle shifters. MBM said that it will be taking orders for the new E Class from April onwards, and that the expected price for the new E200 and E250 will be RM380,000 and RM420,000 respectively.

Driving The New E250

There are many noticeable changes in the new E250. Obviously it looks much sportier and youthful with the exterior design updates. The cabin is much more pleasant to the eye and feels plusher now. In fact, we feel that the level of luxury and comfort offered is not that far behind what is offered in the current S-Class. In terms of performance, the new E250 is a livelier car, thanks to the new and more powerful engine. Throttle response seems to

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

be better, and there is more torque as well. Fuel economy is also better now, standing at 5.8 litres per 100km, making it the best in class. Since the model we drove was an Elegance variant, the Direct Control suspension with selective damping system was configured more towards comfort, making it rather soft. However, Mercedes-Benz said that the Avantgarde line’s Direct Control suspension

is positioned 15mm lower, making it a much more exciting car around bends. Thanks to the new electromechanical Direct-Steer system, steering responds better now as well, improving the E 250’s agility. It feels heavier and much more firm as well. As far as driving dynamics is concerned, the new E 250 is without doubt a fun car to drive. Mercedes-Benz has done a brilliant job in making this car sportier without compromising on the level of luxury and comfort offered.

w w w.ultraracing.com.my ISO 9001:2008 Reg.No. 85Q11624

Malaysia

st Multipoint Strut Bar

We do not use anything else other than our logo with full company name stated below in all types of appearance at all time.

BEWARE OF COPYCATS

For more information, please follow us:

www.facebook.com/ultraracing We never use anything separated which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t symbolize Ultra Racing.

Bmw 5 Series F10

Bmw X6

Audi A1

Audi S8

A u t h o r i z e d KLANG VALLEY

Kakimotor Sdn Bhd (distributor)

Eneos Kepong UH Car Setapak Max Automart Zhapalang Yew Exhaust Kegani Autotech Hugo Car Auto Street Car Acc Kaitenaz Racing After 12 Motorsport FT Innovative Sdn Bhd Eneos One Utama Wan Hing Automotive Momentom Motorsport KF Motorsport Duke Motorsport Naga Motorsport Racing Fit Motorsport Hokomoto Racing Sound City EA Autoworks TT Performance Auto Parts P Power (M) Sdn Bhd

Midvalley Sunway, PJS 11 Tmn.Maluri Shah Alam Kepong Setapak Gombak Kepong Shah Alam Puchong Kajang Sungai Besah Sunway Sunway Sunway, PJS 11 Damansara Bangi Seksyen 4 Shah Alam Kuchai Lama Kepong Klang Sunway, PJS 11 Batu Caves Klang Bukit Jalil Banting Sungai Besi / Permaisuri

03-2201 7121 03-5635 7762 03-9283 7121 012-687 7121 03-6250 8831 012-223 4224 012-629 4281 016-337 3368 03-5518 1011 03-8075 7411 016-323 8438 012-339 2167 03-5635 5351 012-312 7113 012-272 0601 03-7710 6277 03-8925 7393 03-5124 9728 012-320 0302 012-379 2237 013-323 6161 03-5636 9063 03-6188 8917 019-665 9960 03-899 39330 012-669 4022 03-905 46133

CK Perniagaan Ekzos

Melaka

012-681 2298

Perniagaan Auto Hock Ming Target Motorsport Sdn Bhd

Seremban Seremban

06-601 2380 06-763 1326

MELAKA

NEGERI SEMBILAN

D e a l e r

JOHOR TRC Motorsport VIS Works Auto Lab Moffiz Motorsport Yoong Hwa Auto Soon Seng Car Auto Acc PINANG Kiong Lee Enterprise Kiong Lee Performance FT Zone Kok Haw Exhaust PERAK ZERO 4 Auto Part HB Auto Vong Auto KEDAH BKM Auto Service Smart Auto Accesories Mont Garage YhYeongAuto Spider Auto TERENGGANU G-Tech Autosport Centre Roong Motorsport PAHANG P1 Motorsport SARAWAK Loh Motorsport Proride Motorsports TY Trading SABAH New Dimension Auto New Evolution Xiang Car Accessories L.B. Performance

Tmn.Melodies Permas Jaya Johor Bharu Batu Pahat Kota Tinggi

07-335 0423 07-388 0602 07-331 1818 07-335 0818 07-434 1195 019-770 3908

Bukit Jambul Relau Seberang Jaya Sungai Jawi

019-525 6510 019-416 9916 016-4786 000 013-466 6668

Ipoh Sitiawan Ipoh

016-555 2588 012-591 8775 019-557 8489

Sg.Petani Langkawi Changlun Alor Star Kulim

012-475 3868 012-504 1424 012-888 3469 012 410 8430 016-428 0024

Terengganu Terengganu

012-988 6565 012 - 582 1848

Kuantan

012-988 7676

Kuching Kuching Bintulu

013-802 2220 016-888 6395 086-312 188

Tawau Kota Kinabalu Sandakan Kota Kinabalu

089-768 909 016-812 1172 016-810 0011 016-841 7327

GLOBAL SPINS

SUBARU XV

XV revives subaru the badge may be unfamiliar to some, but the crossover deserves a top spot in your consideration list By HanS CHEOng fter lying dormant for many years, the Subaru brand is experiencing a strong revival of fortune, thanks to the XV crossover. In Thailand, the sales of the Segambut assembled XV exceeded the company’s projections by three times. Although gaining traction, Subaru is not relaxing as the XV competes in a segment where the Honda CR-V reigns supreme, almost unchallenged.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

To convince us of the XV’s worth, Subaru’s Asia region distributor Motor Image brought us to one of the most challenging locations in the region to drive in – Bali in Indonesia – where the weather, traffic and road conditions are extremely unpredictable and in

fortune some instances, just downright dangerous for the inexperienced. Over in Indonesia, poor road conditions and regular flash floods mean that tough, high ground clearance multi-purpose or sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are preferred over lower riding passenger cars. “I have nothing to hide with the XV, this is exactly how the car will be used by customers and I want you to experience it in its elements,” said Glenn Tan, executive director of Tan Chong International Limited, which owns Motor Image. Subaru doesn’t like to call its permanent all SpECifiCaTiOnS wheel drive (AWD) XV Subaru an SUV but a crossover XV 2.0i instead, reserving the (Malaysia former for its higher market model) range Tribeca and Engine Forester models. 2-litre, doHC The loosely defined 16-valve fourcrossover term is a cylinder horizontally bit of a misnomer, an opposed amalgamation of a 4x4, Max power hatchback and estate 148hp @ 6,200rpm car. Max torque Chrysler says its 196nm @ defunct AMC brand’s 4,200rpm 1972 Eagle created Transmission the crossover genre. all wheel drive, The fact is that seven CVt years earlier, Subaru Fuel was the first to install all consumption wheel drive capability 7.9 litres/100 km on a passenger car, a (manufacturer’s high ground clearance figure, combined Subaru Leone estate. cycle) Engineering centric and Safety less marketing savvy, dual front airbags, Subaru was an often driver’s knee airbag, aBs with forgotten progenitor of EBD and BA, Isofix the crossover genre, a fact that the XV will Price correct. rm145,070 (otr with insurance) With 220mm of air beneath its undercarriage, the XV crossover actually clears dirt trails better than many so-called SUVs, as it is 50mm higher than the next nearest competing SUV model. As for concerns on the tall ride height compromising ride and handling, a testament of the XV’s ride comfort is when rear passengers were soundly asleep when this writer was at the wheel negotiating Ubud’s ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

GLOBAL SPINS

SUBARU XV

twisty undulating roads, dodging road hazards. How did Subaru dodge the negatives associated with a high ground clearance car? The answer lies under the hood. Unlike conventional cars, Subaru’s trademark “boxer” engine configuration has two pairs of pistons firing away from each other, length wise rather than vertically. This allows the 2-litre naturally aspirated FB series engine to be mounted lower, granting the XV a lower centre gravity, which pays dividends in greatly improved handling and stability. Tight roads and heavy traffic limited our driving speed but in between short spurts of acceleration, with four adults on board, the XV gave us enough confidence that it could bring us through any power demanding situations. The Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, like all

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

CVTs, requires some getting used to. Shifting was smooth with some of the characteristic rubber band effect noted, but it didn’t respond very well in throttle over-runs, even on a flat surface. Coming off a descent, lifting off the throttle to moderate speed, there was a tendency for the transmission to hold its ratio a little longer than necessary, resulting in some jerking. At one point, our group stopped at Sanur beach. Save for a small group of surfers at another end, the volcanic black sand covered beach looked inviting for some adolescent hooligan driving, made under the pretext of a photo opportunity shoot. Looking at the tarmac biased 225/55 R17 Continental Conti Max Contact MC5 tyres fitted to our test cars, we weren’t too sure about climbing ourselves down the steep incline leading to the beach, but one group was brave enough to try it anyway. A few sprints up and down the beach later, it was time to return to the tarmac. Climbing up the exit stretch, one of the cars had its front wheels dug deep into the soft hand. The vehicle was quickly freed by momentarily rocking the car into reverse, mashing the throttle and letting the Subaru Symmetrical AWD system sort the traction out. Power was transferred away from the offending wheel to the rear that still had traction, some manly clanking mechanical noise from the locking differential later and the XV was roaring up the sandy incline. It was not the drama that we had hoped for but unless you are planning an assault on the Rainforest Challenge, using the system is a no-brainer, but is more than capable to deal with

light off-roading. Inside, our Indonesian specifications car comes with headrest mounted rear entertainment system that is not available in the Malaysian market models. The reason for the omission is because cars in this category are typically chauffeur driven in Indonesia. The feature is less appreciated by Malaysian customers and frankly, we think customers are better off saving on the extra cost and buying themselves a pair of iPads and a set of mounting accessories instead, which are far more flexible and practical. Inside the cabin, there is a good mixture of soft-touch materials lining the dashboard and upper door panels, and durable harder resistance plastics at the lower sections. It is a good combination that would survive many years of abuse by irritable pre-schoolers. Other minor attention to details like dampened action

glovebox release and a very well put together interior lend it a hint of upper-class ambitions to the XV. Our only major gripe is the relatively small boot space, however Motor Image assured that Malaysian models will come with a slightly bigger boot, courtesy of a space saver spare wheel. Our test cars were retrofitted with a higher boot floor to accommodate a full size spare wheel, in anticipation of the poor road conditions that we were likely to encounter. Kitted with an extensive list of features, excellent cabin space and ride comfort, with a price tag that undercuts many other traditional favourites, the XV deserves to be at the top of your consideration list. The Subaru badge may need a little bit of convincing to buy into, but rest be assured that it is a very well established Japanese brand with over 55 years of history.

CONGRATULATION

TEAM FX PRIMUS AYLEZO

ON 1 RUNNER UP PLACING IN MMER 2012

GLOBAL SPINS

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR LP 700-4 ROADSTER

BULL WITH NO By anDRE LaM in MiaMi, fLORiDa | pHOTOS By TOM SaLT, WOLfangOSpaCCaRELLi

he last time Lamborghini released the Murcielago Roadster was at the tail end of the Murcielago’s life cycle in 2007. It looked brilliant, but it was a flawed diamond and Lamborghini was keen not to repeat past mistakes.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Firstly they did not want the Roadster to have such a short life span, and so they introduced the new Aventador Roadster just two years after the Aventador coupe, ensuring a longer existence. Secondly the roof was now not an afterthought, unlike the previous canvas

one which was so fiddly to put on that it would take 20 minutes to achieve. Of course Lamborghini’s intention was to keep the perfectly sculptured Roadster shape intact with the roof on or off, but the canvas top also came with an official speed restriction of 200km/h for fear it would be ripped off while

LIMITS on the move. Lamborghini was also keen to point out that their tradition of roadsters dates back to 1968 when they made a special one-off Muira Roadster that still exists today in the hands of a Swiss collector and would possibly be released in exchange for a

controlling stake at Lamborghini. Recently, Lamborghini has invested heavily on its future and it is in Carbon Fibre (CF). Its collaboration with Boeing Aerospace has put them in the forefront of CF construction. Unlike the competition, Lamborghini does not farm out their CF

production to suppliers and has expanded their factory at Santâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Agata to accommodate this. We were introduced to terms as yet unfamiliar to us in CF parlance; like forged Composite CF, CF monocoque and Resin Transfer Moulded CF.

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

GLOBAL SPINS

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR LP 700-4 ROADSTER

Chief executive officer Stephan Winklemann’s product brief to his director of styling Filippo Perini said that the Roadster needs to look as good if not better than the coupe. First they awed the world with the Aventador J in 2012, an outrageous

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Speedster-like concept with barely any windscreen. The effect on the audience was calculated, to whet our collective appetite for the Roadster’s appearance. While the Aventador J could be driven, it would be impossible for it to pass today’s stringent regulations.

The aim then became: maintain the performance of the Aventador; provide extreme open top motoring; and make it look sexier. The new Aventador is unlike the other CF designs, in that it is a CF monocoque rather than a tub design – providing extremely high strength to the closed coupe shell as the roof is a structural component. The Roadster without the roof may lose a third of its rigidity but at 22,000Nm per degree, it is still extremely rigid and surpasses many current closed coupe offerings. To aid matters, the unique CF roof, when locked in place, is so strong that it behaves like a structural component, adding another 10 per cent to rigidity. It is not a motorised roof, it takes over a minute to remove and store away in the front of the Roadster, reducing the already meagre luggage space to a a compartment that can fit pair of modest sized backpacks. Otherwise, it would easily fit a pair of overnighters. The decision not to motorise the roof was one driven purely by a focus on aesthetics. The folding roof and its mechanisms would require a compromise to the shape of the

Aventador, and that’s something Lamborghini just would not accept. Would this be a deal-breaker for potential buyers? Looking at the topless Aventador we can almost certainly say no. The visual impact of this Aventador Roadster is just stunning, especially in the setting of sunny Miami, as there is no better place to be in the dead of winter. The Roadster is without a doubt better looking than the coupe, even with the roof in place. With 700bhp on tap from the glorious V12 – its capacity and vocals not muzzled by the need for turbochargers – the all-wheel drive Aventador Roadster launches to 100km/h in a thunderous 3.0 seconds. That figure may not match the coupe’s 2.9 seconds, but it is still enough to hold off Maranello’s best challenge. The slight difference in performance is due to 50kgs of extra weight because of Roadster’s reinforced monocoque. This includes more forged CF components and the mandatory pop-up roll over protection device that deploys a pair of 350mm steel shaft upwards when the sensors detect a impending roll over condition. The removable hood itself comes in two 6kg halves, which helps with the ease of installation or storage. Sticking to natural aspirated V12 engines is the more difficult route, but it is part of Lambo’s DNA, so they have voluntarily developed strategies to lower their fuel consumption and CO2 levels by 25 per cent to meet the target of 30 per cent reduction by 2015. This includes a cylinder deactivation program that can switch seamlessly between the two V banks or alternate cylinders. It works so well that it is genuinely difficult to detect its operation. Lamborghini engineers have also developed the world’s quickest V12 startstop system by using a super-capacitor to increase cranking power allowing the engine to start in just 180ms, instead of the 250-

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

GLOBAL SPINS

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR LP 700-4 ROADSTER

400ms of other V12s. These technical improvements will find its way into 2013 Aventador coupes as well. This Roadster is really outspoken as the V12 wolfs and snarls even as one is negotiating city streets. There is a “Strada” mode which keeps things a little more civilised, but one does not buy this RM3.9 million (based on Singapore’s S$1.6 million price tag) car to shy away from attention. Lamborghini has deliberately become the more overt and extreme of the two Italian supercar competitors to ensure their clients are in no doubt of the product and lifestyle they are buying into. There are just three settings to consider once you start the Roadster: “Strada” is a general purpose program that is good for sedate city and inter-city journeys; “Sport” mode makes the Roadster feel more like a rear driven supercar with a constant 90 per cent of the engines torque sent to the rears and the electronic stability is relaxed to allow some oversteer (not to mention the louder exhaust bark); and “Corsa” which is meant for track or fast mountain road driving. On the track, the Sport mode is the most entertaining of the three, as the Aventador behaves like a rear driven supercar, often moving into oversteer and providing more “action” for the driver. The car becomes highly dependent on the smoothness of the driver’s inputs. It is also the last of the settings that allow automatic gear selection, which

SpECifiCaTiOnS

Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster Engine

V12, 48-valves, doHC, VVt naturally aspirated

Capacity 6498cc

Max Power

700 bhp at 8250rpm

Max Torque

690 nm at 5500rpm

Gearbox

7-speed isr automated manual

Driven Wheels

0-100KM/H 3.0 seconds

Top Speed 350km/h

Consumption

16 l/100 km/L (combined) 370 gm CO2/km SUSpEnSiOn

Front

double wishbones, with in-board springs and dampers, anti-roll bar

Rear

double wishbones, with in-board springs and dampers, anti-roll bar

Brakes

FRONT / REARVentilated CCm discs all round TYRES

Type

pirelli p-Zero Corsa

Size

front: 255/35 ZR 19 rear: 335/30 ZR 20

Features

six airbags, aBs with esC

Price in 2013

rm3.9 million (approx.)

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

is often better in choosing the gear ratios than the driver. The big change when the Corsa mode is selected, apart from the thumping gear shifts, is the continuously variable torque split and vectoring between front and rear wheels, where up to more than a third of the torque can be applied to the front wheels to suit the situation. There is no automatic gear selection in Corsa but the car is far more composed on the track with the computer constantly shuffling torque between the wheels for the best traction and balance. Indeed, this is the setting for the most stability and consequently the fastest lap times if one is up to the task. Surprisingly, the suspension setting, while firmer than Strada, is not that punishing on the open roads making this a setting one could select for the open roads or mountain passes without the need for a kidney brace. Being an open top car its entry easy as one can step into the cockpit and then just sit down. It might not be as easy to stand up after sitting down, but with some accurate shifting you’ll be able to slide yourself out. Fast and agile as this supercar may be, it is still a very wide vehicle that needs a little more circumspect in tight confines. While the Roadster is claimed to be a quarter less thirsty in the NEDC cycle – with the clever cylinder deactivation and stop-start systems – we have doubts about anyone wanting to buy it for its efficiency. The new Aventador Roadster may not be the easiest car to

drive around, and it certainly isn’t the easiest to get in or out of, but it wasn’t made for the bashful or faint of heart. It is for those special few extroverts with deep pockets (very deep pockets, because it costs 20 per cent more than the coupe). With its sexy looks, eye-popping styling, and the way it belows, snarls and grunts as it threads through city streets, the Aventador Roadster isn’t a car that you fall in love with... no, this is pure unabated lust!

COMPARO

THREE-CAR SHOOTOUT

BACK-TO-BASICS CAN THE NEW SUZUKI SWIFT AND KIA RIO MEETS UP AGAINST THE BENCHMARK, THE FIESTA? DANIEL WONG INVIGILATES.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

THRILLERS

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

COMPARO

THREE-CAR SHOOTOUT

o Malaysians, the traditional three-box sedan is still the car of choice. Hatchbacks, as popular as they are elsewhere, are still more of an indulgence rather than a practical necessity. Before this, brands were wary about the acceptance of small little hatchback here in Malaysia. Boot capacity was of higher priority than outright appearance or manoeuvrability, and their expectations of a small volume for models, like the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris, resulted in many wearing big price tags. In a market where the brands with plenty of loyal traditionalists feared to thread, other brands shoehorned in their sloped back models in an attempt SpECifiCaTiOnS to find Suzuki a niche Swift 1.4L audience. GLX Luckily for them Engine that small 1,372cc 4-cylinder K14B shoehorn has cracked Max power open the 94hp (70kw) @ 6,000rpm shell to reveal a Max torque rich yolk of 130nm @ demand for 4,000rpm hatchbacks Transmission from a new 4-speed automatic, generation front-wheel drive of urbanSafety dwellers features with small dual airbags, aBs families. with eBd and brake assist The latest two Price hatchbacks rm77,888 otr to make with insurance their appearance on the stage is the newgeneration Suzuki Swift and the Kia Rio, both of which are lined up against the Ford Fiesta, which has become taken the hatchback spotlight since its introduction two years ago. All three models we have lined up here are entry-level variants, powered by a simple 1.4-litre engine, and all priced within RM8,000 of each other. At RM69,999 the Fiesta 1.4 LX is the cheapest of the lot, with the RM77,888 Swift GLX bookmarking the other end of

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

the price gap, and the Rio EX sitting neatly in the middle at RM73,888. While all three fall neatly into the same price gap, with the same performance levels, and roughly equal in dimensions, we couldn’t have pick a more diverse group of cars.

Appearance and looks

Though it has been on the market for two years on the trot, the Fiesta looks like a space-age egg of the future. Its crisp lines of Ford’s Kinetic design still looks as fresh as the day it was penned, with more apparent masculine elements to its looks.

In contrast, the subtle lines and pert body of the Rio looks as breath-taking as an Italian model. Not an Italian model in the runway fashion model sense, but its rear three quarter is a clear nod to the sumptuous shape of the Fiat Bravo, which is no insult to Kia’s designers by any wide margin. We can’t give much praise to the designers of the Swift, who went down the course of evolutionary instead of revolutionary, as its two peers here did. That said, looking at how its predecessor reinvigorated the model range, it is a good call to pull off a “Porsche 911” in terms of design and keep that old

familiar shape around. Not that we have much to complain about with regard to its clean and simple shape. Unlike its exterior, the Swift’s cabin receives a major overhaul with features that are clearly inspired by the Kizashi. Among the three, the Swift’s interior is the best with its simple and elegant layout, well-built, and feels great, everything you run your finger over feels more substantial and well thought out as compared to its competitors here. While the Fiesta cabin is as forward-thinking as its exterior design might suggest, there are some ergonomic oversights, and it could do with an extra effort

in the area of finish, though the materials used in the cabin feel as tough as nails. There is nothing wrong with the Rio’s cabin, its driver centric design looks good, while its fitand-finish may not feel as topdrawer as the Swift’s, but its level of fit-and-finish is commendable. The only criticism we can level against its interior that the plastic bits and switches feel insubstantial.

Performance and handling

If you ever need a refresher course on the charms of driving a hatchback, you only need to drive the Suzuki Swift for a few hundred meters, and if you aren’t

charmed by its enthusiastic engine and absorbing chassis you may need to check your pulse as you might already be dead inside. Among the three the Swift’s 1.4-litre engine stands out with a brimful of character, like it is impatient to get to the 4,000rpm mark where it can open its valves and kick you onward. It may be the least powerful of the lot here, but you wouldn’t care when the engine gets into its stride with its sharp responses and accompanying growling sound track. Pitch the Swift into the corner, keep the throttle open, and the front wheels hang on like a puppy to its master, clinging on

gamely to the road. If we are honest, the Swift is a junior league Renault Clio RS, that same level of enthusiasm by how the engine carries itself and how the front end just bites into the road, and also the sheer amount of fun it delivers. The Fiesta is equally compelling in this area as well, and if anything its chassis setup is a more superior technical achievement than its Japanese peer. Bumps, ruts, and lumps that would otherwise upset and interrupt the Swift’s composure and pace are smoothened by the Fiesta’s well-tuned absorbers. Furthermore its suspension tuning cleverly avoids turning

the Fiesta’s ride into a tossing jaunt worthy of the high seas, as it doesn’t lean excessively in the bends and maintains a level ride on poorly surfaced roads. Not only does the Fiesta’s suspension setup keep your head level over any road conditions you care to point it at, but it also manages to keep all four wheels tied to the road like its riding on an imaginary rail drawn by the course of your steering inputs. Yes, it is the only model here without a self-shifting transmission, limiting it to an enthusiast-only choice, but the gear changes are smooth, easy, and slick making it a breeze to operate through traffic. However if we are SpECifiCaTiOnS honest the Ford Fiesta’s Fiesta technical 1.4LX superiority does rob Engine 1,388cc 4-cylinder a certain element Max power of rough95hp (71kw) @ and-tumble 6,000rpm excitement Max torque that the 128nm @ Suzuki 4,050rpm serves up Transmission so ably. 5-speed manual, It isn’t front-wheel drive helped by Safety its engine, features which seven airbags, needs to aBs with eBd be worked and brake assist, isoFiX child seat to and it mounting points doesn’t sparkle with Price rm69,999 otr the same with insurance bright-eyed enthusiasm of the Swift. So too does the Rio’s engine fail to garner any praise, though it is the most powerful unit between the trio, it doesn’t rev with much enthusiasm or character. Neither did any driver warm up to the Rio’s driving dynamics, whilst the Rio rolls with plenty of lean in the bends, its shock absorbers have an annoying habit of picking up any little nubs and pockmarks on the road and spoil an otherwise smooth ride. Where the Fiesta would glide and the Swift would swoop on by without a batter of the driver’s eyelid, the Rio seems to be transmitting all the wrong sensations a driver would ask for. Furthermore the Rio doesn’t

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

COMPARO

legroom for lanky individuals, with enough space in the boot to swallow weekend away luggage for everyone on board. Though in retrospect, it does help that the Rio is the longest in this company, nearly 20cm longer than the Swift and 10cm longer than the Fiesta.

THREE-CAR SHOOTOUT

have the consistency and alacrity of the steering that is found on the Fiesta and Swift. The Rio isn’t a bad car to drive, but in this company the driving experience it delivers is nowhere as good or as delectable as what is served up from the other two.

Conclusion and verdict

Practicality and value for money

For all its fun and character, the Swift stumbles as the first hurdle of practicality and value for money. Our industry standard rugby playing writer, Mick found the rear quarters of the Swift to be a tight fit for his near-six feet tall frame, and boot SpECifiCaTiOnS space is pathetic for Kia Rio a weekend 1.4EX away Engine luggage, 1,396cc 4-cylinder while Gamma another of Max power our writers 107hp (80kw) @ found the 6,300rpm boot to Max torque be a tight 137nm @ squeeze for 4,200rpm a medium Transmission sized 4-speed automatic, luggage. front-wheel drive Though Safety it is the features most six airbags, aBs, expensive Vsm with esC, car in this Led daytime category running lights, isoFiX child seat the Swift mounting points doesn’t score Price that many rm73,888 otr with insurance points in terms of equipment count and refinement. For its price the only thing the Swift offers over its competitors here is the addition of front fog lights and keyless ignition. Winding the Swift up to 80km/h feels fun and engaging, but pushing onwards from that point feels like you are wringing the engine for scraps of power it can’t cash at speed. Furthermore there doesn’t seem to be much sound insulation in its wheel arches as there is a fair amount of tyre

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

roar seeping through. The Rio fares better in terms of sound insulation, with wind noise cut to a bare minimum, while the tyre noise noticeable but sounds less intrusive. When it comes to high speed refinement however, it is the cheapest car of the lot that excelled. Not only is exterior noises muted in the Fiesta, but its fifth extra gear allow eased the loads on the engine on long distance cruising. Unlike the Swift it isn’t for the driver alone to enjoy as there is enough space for rear seat passengers to get

comfortable and just enough boot space behind for a pair of luggage bags. Though the basic model in the Fiesta range, the 1.4-litre LX variant already comes fitted with the most airbags here, seven. But in terms of equipment and interior space, the Rio trumps its competitors by a wide margin. Of the three it is the only one with cornering lights, LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth connectivity, and automatic headlights. Pop round to the back seats and you would find plenty of

For all its infectious charm, the Swift is a hard car to dismiss, but it doesn’t live up to expectations on a practical standpoint. Yes, any driving enthusiast who hoons the car down any tight switchback roads, or throws it through a few corners, will find it hard to part ways with it, but a month’s grocery list would be able to flummox it. However if you have to use one of these cars for interstate travel often, we cannot recommend the Swift as it is more of an urban-dwelling city car, one for individuals who enjoy a good laugh rather than doing serious things, like transporting people around. It may be the oldest model here but the Fiesta still holds its own with its endearing ride and handling. The Fiesta is equally as loveable when you want to go for a drive and if you really do like the engaging drive to be had from a proper stick shift, it is really the only choice for you in this company. Its high levels of interior refinement and comfort also makes it an ideal long distance companion, and the breath of its dynamic abilities is peerless in its category. Yet, all things considered we have to give the crown here to the Rio. It ticks nearly all the right boxes, it looks plump like a bulldog from the front yet elegant like an evening dress from behind, even in basic spec it comes brimmed with features that you wouldn’t expect on such a price point, and there is plenty of space for a family and their belongings. It might not excite or get you involved in the driving experience as its peers do, but its near European levels of refinement and features bundled together with a very Asian price tag makes it the irresistible pick here.

LOCAL SPINS

KIA RIO

Fully loaded Rio impResses 44

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

a serious player in the well populated hatchback market BY MICK CHAN iaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2012 best seller has arrived in Malaysia. Last month, Naza Kia provided a media preview of Kiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest B-segment entrant, the Rio, ahead of its official Malaysian launch. Priced within the RM70,000 to RM80,000 bracket, the 1.4-litre Rio plays in the same ball park as the Suzuki Swift, Chevrolet Sonic and the Ford Fiesta. Like the Rio, the Swift, Fiesta and Sonic are all powered by 1.4-litre naturally aspirated engines, with suspension duties assumed by MacPherson struts and coil springs

up front, and a torsion beam with coil springs at the rear. As standard, the Rio 1.4 EX comes with LED daytime running lights, power folding mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a six-speaker audio system with MP3 and auxiliary audio inputs. The pricier SX variant adds 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, sunroof, backlit instrument cluster, automatic air conditioning and defogger, rain sensing wipers and a smart entry system which includes an engine starter button. Swathes of grey in the interior meet the eye at first, punctuated by slivers of metal-look trim on the dashboard fascia

and steering wheel. Perceived quality is satisfactory to the touch, although the in-dash head unit leaves quite a bit of unused space and could possibly accommodate more compartments for added storage space. The main instruments are clear to these eyes, although subjectively a different typeface may provide improved clarity. The steering column adjusts for reach and rake, while the steering wheel itself features additional controls for the infotainment system. The front seats in the Rio use manual adjustment, while the rear, Isofix-equipped seats feature 60:40 split

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

LOCAL SPINS

KIA RIO

folding for added load carrying flexibility. With the rear seats in place, the Rio’s 288-litre luggage capacity is an 18-litre gain over the preceding model. Moving off from a standstill, the Rio is as driveable as can be expected of a mainstream hatchback. Gear selection and gear changes on the go from the four-speed automatic are fuss-free and smooth, while the electrically assisted steering varies its weight according to vehicle speed - light during low speeds for easy urban driving manoeuvres, and slightly heftier during higher motorway speeds. At a rated 109hp and 140Nm of torque, the 1.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder is on par with its competitors in terms of output. The powerplant moves the Rio along briskly enough, though not exactly tarmac-

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

scorching. In the upper reaches of its rev range however, the engine drones rather than sings, and its best work is done well below the top end. Even though the Gamma powerplant won’t be cutting record deals soon, noise, vibration and harshness are otherwise impressively well suppressed in this new Rio. At a steady highway cruise on various surfaces, conversations can be kept to a relaxed volume, while the mostly absent din also allows a good level of detail from the sound system to be heard without requiring a significant increase in output. The fine insulation extends to the roof too, as was demonstrated during moderate to heavy rainfall which did not inundate

the cabin with the pebblesagainst-tin cans noise. SpECifiCaTiOnS Surface imperfections are Kia rio dealt with quite well in the Rio, Engine even in SX trim with its 17-inch, 1,396cc inline-four, 40-series tyres. That comfort naturally aspirated from bump absorption comes Max power at a price, however. Body roll is 107hp @ 6,300rpm well contained to an extent, but vertical control is less convincing Max torque 140nm @ as the body rebounds back from 4,200rpm dips and humps more than it should; it feels as if it is slightly Fuel consumption under-damped. 16.6km/litre The front perches in the Rio provide acceptable comfort CO2 during steady-state driving. emissions Lateral support, however, leaves 130g/km some room for improvement as Features occupants tend to be pushed six airbags (front, out of their seats as cornering side, curtain), eBd, forces grow. Rear passenger aBs, tCs, Ba, accomodation is somewhat okay, esC, active head but headroom for taller occupants restraints is compromised due to the Price sloping roof. 1.4 eX - rm73,888 Having reached over 460,000 otr with units in sales last year, the Kia Rio insurance, 1.4 sX - rm79,888 otr is already well received worldwide with insurance and the Korean manufacturer is pitching it into the increasingly well populated hatchback market. Naza Kia will surely want to repeat that success in this region, and how much of it is achieved will depend on the company’s ability to raise the brand’s perception in the eyes of its target market.

www.nazakia.com.my

MALAYSIANS

Dynamic design. Diverse features. And great value for money. The Kia Forte is Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite choice. Experience it first hand. Visit the nearest Kia showroom for a test drive today.

FORTE

Rear View Camera Display

Paddle Shifter

Push Start Button

Images shown are based on 2.0 SX Variant. * Terms and conditions apply.

NAZA KIA MALAYSIA

KIA CARELINE: 1-800-888-KIA (542)

I S S UFind E 6 and | Mfollow N M 2us: 012 kiamalaysia

Family Car of The Year

93 kia_malaysia

LOCAL SPINS

AUDI A6

ELECTRIFYINGLY

GOOD A6 HYBRID

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

By HanS CHEOng

BUYERS IN THE LUXURY CAR SEGMENT HAVE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD

ith less than a year or two to go before the import and excise duty exemptions for hybrid vehicles below 2,000cc expire, Euromobil is a “Johnny come lately” that is threatening to spoil the luxury car party with its Audi A6 Hybrid. Entering the market at just RM288,000, this 245hp petrol-electric tax exempted hybrid contender from Ingolstadt is RM20,000 cheaper than a 211hp Audi A4 2.0 TFSI. To put the prices in perspective, a fully taxed Audi A6 2.0 TFSI will set you back RM345,000,

excluding insurance. Optional extras like comfort key and full LED headlamps are a RM18,000 extra. In the A6 Hybrid, full LED headlamps are included as a standard item. For bargain hunters, the choice is obvious. Audi hasn’t scrimped on the equipment list either. On top of the standard items mentioned, the A6 Hybrid comes with sunroof, memory function driver’s seat, leather trimmed cabin with Milano leather seats, four-zone climate control, MMI navigation plus with an eight-inch electrically retractably TFT colour display and 18-inch “Turbine” design wheels. Nestled behind the rear seats is a 1.3kWh

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

LOCAL SPINS

lithium-ion battery that is capable of driving the 1,845kg sedan solely on electric power, making it a full hybrid. Inside the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, the conventional torque converter has been replaced with a 54hp, 210Nm electric motor. In a controlled environment, the motor is powerful enough to propel the A6 Hybrid up to 100km/h or cover a distance of 3km at a constant 60km/h. Out in the real world, this translates to a smooth transition between electric and petrol power. In peak hour traffic, the A6 Hybrid silently carves its way through the maze of metal. Prod the throttle harder, the engine is awakened but the driver won’t notice it without looking at the change in graphics on the seveninch driver information system on the instrument panel. The transition from regenerative braking, electric mode driving to petrol mode driving is hardly noticeable. An electrically operated airconditioning compressor keeps the cabin cool irrespective of whether the engine is running or not. When inching along in traffic or idling, the 2-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol is put to sleep. The “Powermeter,” which sits in place of the conventional tachometer gauge, is the only indication of the vehicle’s ignition status. Instead of displaying the engine revolutions per minute, the Powermeter displays the percentage of the hybrid drivetrain’s total output that is being sent to the front wheels. Keep it below 40 per cent and you will have no problem exceeding Audi’s indicated combined driving

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

like any other Audi, has the best interior in its class. Cabin trim is beautifully textured and styled. Contours, separator panels and switches flow harmoniously from the doors to the dashboard to the centre console. Audis of yore were not known for their prowess in ride and handling. While we won’t go as far as to say this A6 Hybrid matches the best of Bavaria and Stuttgart, the gap is now a lot closer than before. Over bumps and ruts, the A6 Hybrid remains pliant, despite additional weight penalty from the traction battery in the rear. Body roll resistance remains good without making the ride harsh. There’s also an Audi Drive Select function which allows drivers to customise the damper setting and power steering assistance. Setting the steering to Dynamic makes the steering wheel heavier, but the extra heft pays little dividends in terms of steering feedback. A typical Audi owner is not bothered with “peasantry” details such as fuel consumption, but if you have to know, the trip computer returned an average figure of 7.8 litres per 100km, with most of our driving done in heavy urban traffic. In summary, buyers in the luxury car segment never had it so good. Audi rivals, on the other hand, never had their products undermined this much.

AUDI A6

fuel consumption of 6.2 litres per 100km. Exceed the 100 per cent mark, the electric motor goes into a “boost” mode and switches from keeping the polar ice caps from melting to melting the tarmac. With five adults on board, the A6 Hybrid never left us wanting for more performance. The engine alone produces 350Nm from 1,500rpm while the electric motor provides another 210Nm from just over zero rpm. As both drive systems peak at different speeds, total system

SpECifiCaTiOnS

Audi A6 Hybrid Engine

2-litre, 4-cylinder 16-valve, direct injection, turbocharged

Power (total system) 245hp

Torque (total system) 480nm

Transmission eight speed tiptronic

Safety

six airbags, esp, aBs with eBd and BA, EDL, Isofix

Price

rm 288,000 excluding insurance

torque is slightly less than a sum of the two, at 480Nm, which is still 80Nm more than a 3.6-litre Porsche Cayenne. Rear occupants, however, may find legroom much less than expected. Despite being a front wheel drive, the A6 Hybrid retains the same floorpan shared with its all-wheel drive “quattro” siblings. Running across the entire length of the cabin is a large transmission tunnel. Comfort of the middle rear passenger aside, the A6 Hybrid,

Sole Distributor :

TRI AUTOMAXX SDN BHD

26, Jalan P10/19, Selaman Industrial Park, Bandar Baru Bangi 43650, Selangor. Tel : 603-82116676 H/P 012-7203199 email : tjmmalaysia@yahoo.com

LOCAL SPINS

BMW 328i

BENCHMARK

BEEMER STILL ON POLE 52

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

the standard bearer for compact executives, the 3-series somehow just gets better and better

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

LOCAL SPINS

BMW 328i

BY CHRIS PRASAD e could start by telling you that the new 320i handles exceptionally well, offers great driving dynamics and gives you thrilling throttle response... but that’s like saying there’s plenty of ice where Eskimos live. You already know that. Widely proclaimed to be the benchmark to which all compact executive cars are compared, the 3-Series sits so comfortably ahead of the curve that there would probably be more of a unique story to tell if the famed German marque failed to deliver on this expectation. Not surprisingly, the 320i (or F30) does not fail, but fortunately for motoring journalists everywhere BMW isn’t one to rest on its laurels and this new 3-Series offers enough noteworthy enhancements to ensure we aren’t just wasting paper on the obvious. To start with, the new 320i adopts a look SpECifiCaTiOnS that combines modern BMW 320i aerodynamics with more traditional features such Engine in-line 4, as the distinctive kidney turbocharged grille. Overall, it comes Displacement off looking a little more curvaceous, dynamic 1,997cc and aggressive than its Transmission predecessor, the E90. 8-speed automatic The updated shape steptronic has also resulted in an Max power improved drag coefficient 184hp at 5,000rpm of 0.28Cd. Max torque There’s more space, 270nm at 1,500 with greater cabin 4,500rpm dimensions resulting in Fuel passengers enjoying 15mm more legroom and consumption 8mm more headroom. 6/100km Two adults and three Price mid-sized children can fit (OTR with comfortably, and they’ll insurance) Gs – rm238,800 be appreciative of the fact that the fresh design also offers larger doors and easier entry. The driver can spare a giggle too, as the cockpit layout is angled to give the person at the helm absolute control with dials, buttons and various other touchy-feely things well within hassle-free reach. The list of standard bells and whistles include premium leather seats, a retractable front armrest for extra driver comfort, electric seat adjustments, automatic climate control, an on board computer with 8.8” colour monitor as well as Bluetooth compatibility and a voice recognition system. Once the engine is ignited via the push star/stop button, the 320i goes about delivering the zest and athleticism promised by its looks. The 2-litre in-line 4 turbocharged engine,

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

overall, it could be argued that the F30 doesn’t handle as sharply as its predecessor, but that argument is moot when you consider that the target buyers for the 3-series are likely to face pothole-ridden malaysian roads on a more regular basis than finely laid out racing tracks.

mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, is said to be capable of achieving 0 to 100km/h in just 7.6 second; and while we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite achieve that, we do not deny that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly plausible. The 320i has a vigourous top speed of 235km/h and puts out some 184hp with a maximum torque of 270Nm kicking in between 1,250rpm and 4,500rpm. Five driving modes are made available by onboard electronics, spanning from the fuel saving Eco Pro mode to Comfort, Comfort+ Spot and Sport+. As with most other cars that offer it, the Eco Pro mode makes the engine feel typically strained. There is marginal sensation deference between the comfort modes, but the jump from Sport to Sport+ is exhilaratingly pronounced. Unlike some of the higher calibre BMWs, the 320i does not come with adaptive dampers and fiddling between modes only alters throttle response and transmission settings. Additionally, the Sports+ mode activates a more aggressive setup for traction and stability control. Despite the absence of adaptive dampers, it must be said that the fixed suspension settings selected for the 320i is still highly acceptable; though a tad more floaty than the E90, it also comes off as more composed. The introduction of electronic steering in this model also means that there is less steering feedback than some hard driving fans might be used to, but other than that, the steering response remains outstandingly quick and precise. Overall, it could be argued that the F30 doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t handle as sharply as its predecessor, but that argument is moot when you consider that the target buyers for the 3-Series are likely to face pothole-ridden Malaysian roads on a more regular basis than finely laid out racing tracks. Better composure and comfort is a fair trade off, we say. Adding to its appeal, the 320i boasts a laudable fuel consumption figure of 6-litres per 100km and coughs out 141g/ km of C02, which highlights BMWs steady improvements with regards to reducing emissions and conserving fuel. Safety is another area that has benefitted from improvements in the F30, with the standard DataDot technology complemented by ABS, dynamic brake control, cornering brake control, automatic stability control plus traction and dynamic stability control. There are also airbags located in the front and rear, all seats are fitted with three-point seat belts, and night driving has been made that little bit safer with an anti-dazzle mirror. For an on-the-road price tag of RM238,800, BMW delivers a very wellbalanced package that deserves the attention of potential upgraders seeking a classy drive with a state-of-the-art driving experience. The fact that the 320i provides the most affordable window into the 3-Series shed, offers better fuel saving measures and drive dynamics that are not inferior to its brethren perched higher up in the series spectrum makes this proposition all the more compelling. ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

LOCAL SPINS

MAZDA 6

SKYACTIV TWINS BY MICK CHAN

I 56

t was a short test drive, the 150odd kilometres we traversed from Kuala Lumpur to Sepang via Bukit Tinggi and back again. Short, but it was enough to give us a measure of what the

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Mazda 6 SkyActiv twins could do. The 6 is Mazda’s latest take on the D-segment and our day-long drive gave us the opportunity to amply sample both the SkyActiv variants – the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre. Equipment levels are generous in Mazda’s latest large sedan. Both variants offer i-stop

(automatic stop-start), while the 2.5-litre model includes keyless entry, brake energy regeneration and the i-Activsense package which includes adaptive headlights, rear vehicle monitoring (blind spot alert), lane departure warning, high beam control and the Smart City Braking System, which is a

IMPRESS low-speed collision avoidance system that stops the car from speeds between 4 to 30km/h. It is the wheels that most obviously set the two variants apart at first sight, with the 2.0 riding on 17-inch wheels and the 2.5 featuring 19-inch items, which make a bit of a

visual impression. Both engine variants are paired to a sixspeed automatic, with a torque converter that is claimed to fully lock up at speeds above 8km/h for optimum efficiency. Inside, the 6 feels as spacious as other main D-segment contenders and it can fit

five comfortably. In the hot seat, the driver is greeted by a steering wheel familiar to those who have driven the CX-5, accompanied by other main controls that are well placed and intuitive to use. On the move, the user-friendliness continues. Even with its gearbox that is

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

LOCAL SPINS

MAZDA 6

claimed to lock up early for efficiency, its low-speed manners are most acceptable and gear changes are smooth as befitting an executive car of this size. Ride comfort overall is on par for this category, feeling slightly stiffer than the Toyota Camry. Perhaps the only disruption to its low-speed serenity are the slightly lumpy ride from the 19-inch wheel and tyre combo specified on the 2.5, and some faintly audible engine rattling when idling from cold. However, this disappears once on the move. Both 2.0 and 2.5-litre variants are equipped with automatic stop-start, both of which work smoothly in traffic with minimal intrusion upon the cars’ smooth progress. According to Mazda this is enabled by keeping the engines’ combustion chambers loaded in their respective cycles whilst stopped, and then re-igniting them upon restarting as opposed to using the starter motor. The 2.5-litre variant includes i-ELOOP, an energy recuperation system that works during braking or coasting to recharge the car’s main battery. In 2.0-litre guise, the 6 has decent straight-line performance once wound up with some numbers on the rev counter, while the 2.5-litre model’s extra engine capacity gives that car a healthy dose of lower-midrange punch, with 250Nm of torque arriving at 3,250rpm. Both Mazda 6 engines rev keenly, and emit an enthusiastic timbre on an open throttle, albeit without sounding quite as racy as the Honda and Toyota counterparts. Nonetheless, both Mazda 6 powerplants offer a wide band of accessible thrust. The Mazda 6 does well on highways thanks to a high level of refinement offered by the drivetrain, along with insulation that offers a pleasing sense of peace and quiet at a steady cruise. The more amply shod 2.5 variant emits marginally more road noise than the 2.0 does with its 225/55/R17 contact patches, but not enough to detract from the overall experience on the go. Electric power-assisted steering systems are sometimes a hit-or-miss affair in terms of

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

SpECifiCaTiOnS

Mazda 6 2.0 Skyactiv Sedan Engine

1,998cc inline-four cylinder, naturally aspirated

Power

153hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque

200nm @ 4,000rpm

0-100km/h (seconds) 10.5 (claimed)

Transmission six-speed automatic

Safety features

aBs; eBd; Ba; dsC; tCs; front, side and curtain airbags

Price

rm159,440.20 otr with insurance

Mazda 6 2.5 Skyactiv Sedan Engine

2,488cc inline-four cylinder, naturally aspirated

Power

185hp @ 5,700rpm

Torque

250nm @ 3,250rpm

0-100km/h (seconds) 8.1 (claimed)

Transmission six-speed automatic

Safety features

aBs; eBd; Ba; dsC; tCs; front, side and curtain airbags, rear vehicle monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive front lighting system

Price

rm187,659.30 otr with insurance

feel, but the unit employed on the Mazda 6 appears to be one of the better systems. It enables the driver to place the car on the road with accuracy, inspiring confidence especially for its size. The 6 is remarkably enjoyable to drive along twisty roads. It turns in well, considering it measures

4,865mm long with a wheelbase of 2,830mm. The gearbox, which is smooth and refined in urban traffic, is also responsive when left to its own devices, and quickwitted with manual inputs. As with any large front-wheel-drive car the 6 eventually understeers when it reaches the limit of grip, but that limit is very high in both variants and is unlikely to be breached in the

course of normal driving. The interior is well appointed, and both variants comes with leather upholstery and a multi-function steering wheel as standard, along with front, side and curtain airbags. The six-speaker standard sound system on the 2.0-litre model sounds good, while 2.5-litre variant includes Tom Tom GPS navigation in the infotainment unit plus

the 11-speaker Bose setup which sounds impressive and better to the class norm to these ears. At just under RM160,000 for the 2.0-litre and RM190,000 for the 2.5-litre, the Mazda 6 is slightly pricier than the competition from Toyota, Nissan and Honda. But it makes up for the price difference with the inclusion of automatic stop-start and brake

energy regeneration, features that were not previously available in this segment. At press time, Honda is on the cusp of releasing the new Accord locally and the Nissan Teanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s replacement is due soon too. For the time being, at least, the Mazda 6 tops the Japanese lot with a compelling blend of comfort, performance and featurerich packaging.

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

LOCAL SPINS

HONDA GOLDWING

SHIMMERING LIKE

THE GOLDWING WITH A HISTORY SPANNING MORE THAN 30 YEARS, THIS TOURER IS A TEMPTING PROPOSITION BY ALBAKRY SALEHUDDIN onda came up with a few bikes in their line-up in the ‘60s and ‘70s that have endured until today. Most people are acquainted with the Cub, the bike that never dies. Then there is the CB750 which revolutionised the biking world, and it’s the same story with the Goldwing. There is no way of not calling this highway behemoth anything but “a really big bike”. Half of it will stick out if you park it in a motorcycle parking spot; even then you’ll be using up two spots. Not something you want to ride in town – you can but it will be cumbersome, for the Goldwing is more at home on the open road. Heavy and bulky (mostly while at standstill), this is one of those bikes that evolved over time to become what it is today. The bike started its history in 1974; at that time it was already marketed as a touring bike though it came without fairings. Not long after it was launched, there was market demand for fairings and bags for bikes. Not long after that, Honda responded and the Goldwing came with fairing and bags from the factory. With that, the Goldwing started to grow from a flat-four 1,000cc to a flat-six 1,800cc with self leveling suspension with anti-diving forks, radio, intercom and more. That brings us to this, the current Goldwing, for the first time officially brought

60 60

MM NN MM 22 00 1 1 33 | | I I SS SS UU EE 33

in by the manufacturer. The weight you feel getting it off the sidestand immediately fades away as you roll off. There is lots of torque, from down low the rpm range, matched by a smooth six-speed transmission. The seat is wide and very supportive, making an eight-hour journey possible in the most luxurious and comfortable seat we have put our bottom on. Even better, we think, is the passenger seat, or the throne as some might call it. A large front and huge windscreen protects the rider from the wind and elements. On chilly evenings, you can get some heat to your feet, which gets the most flow of air by opening the vent at the bottom of the engine cover to leak out a bit of hot air that flows over your legs. The controls are glove-friendly, big and chunky. While being easy to operate, it’s also starting to feel dated with buttons and levers everywhere. And of course, how can we not talk about the built-in boot space. It’s huge, with the large portion of it making up the rear of the bike. Two side pods can carry a good weekend worth of light luggage for two while the top box is able to swallow two full face helmets and a bit more stuff on the side. There is also a USB/iPod connector in the top box. All are

lockable, including a key only accessible on the centre console. The only one that can’t be locked is a small box-sized “cubby” hole that can fit two Redbull drinks which come with a 3.5mm jack to connect to your audio player. Music can be piped through the onboard radio unit, blasting on four waterproof speakers. All in all, with a 25-litre fuel tank, this is a tourer you have to consider. While there are other tourers in the market, it’s hard to beat what Honda had done with the Goldwing with over 30 years of work.

SpECifiCaTiOnS

Honda Goldwing Engine

1,832cc liquidcooled 4-stroke 12-valve soHC fl at-6

Transmission 5-speed (including overdrive, plus electric reverse) shaft drive

Seat height 740mm

Ground clearance 125mm

Fuel capacity 25 litres

Weight 421kg

Front tyre

130/70 18-inch

Rear tyre

180/60 16-inch

Front suspension

45mm telescopic fork with anti-dive, 140mm stroke

Rear

pro-link pro-arm with electronicallycontrolled spring preload adjustment, 105mm axle travel

Front brakes

296 x 4.5mm dual hydraulic disc with combined 3-piston callipers, aBs, fl oating rotors and sintered metal pads

Rear brake

316 x 11mm ventilated disc with 3-piston callipers, CBs, aBs

Price

rm174,900

I I SS SS UU EE 33 | | MM NN MM 22 00 1 1 33

6161

LOCAL SPINS

KAWASAKI NINJA ZX 6R

SHADOW OF THE NINJA

IT’S DEFINITELY FASTER AND MORE AGILE THAN ITS COUSINS, THE ER-6N AND THE NAKED SPORTS Z800 By pHiLip CHOng ehold the 2013 edition of the famed Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. It’s also known by its other name, the Ninja 636, due to its higher engine capacity as opposed to the 599cc used by Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha for their respective Supersports category of sportsbikes. The additional 37cc is made possible by the use of a bigger bore in the engine design. However, despite being a middleweight sportsbike, the Ninja looks huge, akin to a 1,000cc bike from rival makes. Despite the large fuel tank appearance, it is designed to accommodate 17 litres of petrol (RON95 or 97 is OK) only. Kawasaki introduced the ZX-6R in 1995, sharing very similar looks and features to the ZX-9R which was introduced in 1994 as well as the ram-air intake found on the 1990 edition of the ZX-11. The first ZX-6R had a dry weight of 182kg, a wet weight of 206 kg, and was capable of accelerating 0 to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds. One of the advantages offered by the new Ninja ZX-6R’s 37cc displacement increase is significant real world riding exhilaration, which makes it ideal to ride around even in the city’s traffic. With its enhanced engine performance across the rpm range, the Ninja is well mannered when it comes to leisure sport riding, whether in the city, suburbs, hilly terrain (like going up to Genting Highlands) or on the racetrack. The Ninja’s revised low and mid-range torque also offers the rider increased usability in daily street riding, thanks to its aerodynamic design, which appears to flow from front to rear. Its revised front cowl with its dragon-like sharp nose, coupled with the new fairings with large openings, provide increased airflow for a well-balanced ride. And the new headlamps and LED tail-light contribute to the Ninja ZX-6R’s aggressive image. However, at 192kg and with an overall length that rivals the Honda CBR1000RR, the new Ninja is a bit off the scale despite its 636cc package. It is definitely faster and more agile than its own cousins, the ER-6N and the naked sports Z800, and holds a slight advantage over the CBR600RR and Yamaha’s YZR-R6, but it will

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Riding the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R.

SpECifiCaTiOnS

2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

struggle against the CBR1000RR, handling. which is lighter at 172kg and has The larger volume silencer helps an additional 363cc of engine to reduce the noise levels, producing Engine capacity! a super smooth sound. Its triangular 636cc Liquidcooled, 4-stroke, No one is expecting the cross section enables the requisite doHC, 4-valve per Ninja ZX-6R to be able to beat volume while ensuring a high lean cylinder, in-line 4 the CBR1000RR at all, so the angle and a compact image. Exhaust Transmission limitations of the former are not pre-chamber helps minimise silencer 6-speed factors an owner should worry volume, contributing to mass about. Bore & Stroke centralisation. Performance wise, the Ninja The Kawasaki Traction Control 67.0 x 45.1mm ZX-6R gets up to speed very (KTRC) system on the new Ninja ZXCompression easily from 0-100km/h in less than 6R combines the best elements of ratio 3.5 seconds and shortly after that, the company’s two traction control 12.9:1 you will be travelling at 168km/h systems, S-KTRC and KTRC. Three Fuel system effortlessly! modes cover a wide range of riding dFi, 38mm x 4 Getting up to speed along the conditions, offering either enhanced (Keihin) throttle Karak Highway towards the hilly sport riding performance or the bodies and oval sub-throttles roads of Genting Highlands was peace of mind to negotiate slippery a breeze with the Ninja ZX-6R. surfaces with confidence. Max Fuel consumption is a respectable A choice of Full Power or Low horsepower 131PS/13,500rpm 325km on a full tank of RON95 Power modes allows riders to set when it is set on Low power mode power delivery to suit their preference Maximum and approximately 295km when it and conditions. While output at lower torque is set on Full power mode. rpm is the same, Low power mode 7.2kgf*m/11,500rpm The riding position is ideal limits output to approximately 80 per Fuel capacity for sport riding as it puts the cent of Full Power and uses a milder 17 litres rider instantly at ease. The fuel throttle response. Combining KTRC Suspension tank, seat and rear frame offer and Power mode options, the rider Front - 41mm good contact with the bike for has eight combinations from which inverted fork; rear enhanced rider feedback. Seat is to choose from. Like KTRC, Power Botto-Link uni-trak short front-to-back, allowing the Mode can also be controlled from the Brakes rider to rest his tailbone on the left grip. dual 310mm petal rear seat step, further contributing The new FCC Assist & Slipper discs (front); single to the excellent feedback the rider clutch employed on the Ninja ZX-6R 220mm petal disc gets from the chassis. was developed based on feedback (rear) However, the pillion seat, is from the racetracks. The new clutch Dry weight much too small for this writer’s uses two types of cams, an assist 192kg taste, especially if you have a cam and a slipper cam. An analoguePrice passenger with large hips. And style tachometer is complemented by rm69,900 the idea of going long distance a multi-function LCD screen. A large with the rider in “crouching” numerical gear position indicator position on the Ninja ZX-6R can gives instant information to the rider – be quite stressful to the back, especially with especially useful should a mis-shift occur. a backpack attached. For suspensions, the Ninja ZX-6R The race developed perimeter frame is the combines the concepts of Showa SFF and key to the Ninja ZX-6R’s superb balance of BPF – the next-generation front fork which flick-able handling, mid-corner stability and offers both racetrack performance and daily an ability to change lines on demand. usability. Preload and damping (rebound Frame, rear frame and swingarm provide a and compression) are separated, facilitating highly balanced chassis package. Its revised easier set-up. All the adjusters are located at caster angle and fork tube height, and a new the top of the fork tubes – preload on the left; steering stem oil seal, all contribute to lighter compression and rebound dumping on the

right. Spring rates and damping settings chosen maximise performance on winding roads, enabling riders to enjoy the Ninja ZX6R’s sporty performance in a wide range of situations. Its superior control as the fork begins to compress and very calm attitude as the vehicle weight shifts forward when reducing speed, offers greater chassis stability on corner entry. For the brakes, the Ninja uses highly rigid, radial-mount mono-bloc callipers which deliver a firmer feel at the lever for enhanced control. The larger 310mm petal disc brakes and a radial-pump front brake master cylinder complete the front brake package, ensuring powerful braking with excellent feel, while 220mm petal disc brake and lighter calliper slow the rear.

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

AUTO SHOW

THE 83RD GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

All the glitter

VW XL1

Despite its overly futuristic look, this is actually a production VW model. With a drag coefficient of

just 0.189Cd, the XL1 is touted to be the world’s most aerodynamic production car. The plug-in diesel-electric 47hp

By HanS CHEOng he Geneva Motor Show, now in its 83rd year, is one of the oldest events of its kind. Organised each year in early springtime, the start of Europe’s new car sales season and hosted in neutral Geneva, it is a favourite location for car makers clamouring for attention. This year’s event saw a massive 104 new models making their world premier and another 35 models debuting in Europe for the first time. Beyond new model launches, the bigger highlight of the show was the Car of the Year award. As Switzerland has no direct interest in automotive manufacturing, the Geneva Motor Show’s Car of the Year title is said to be the most prestigious.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

two-cylinder TDI diesel engine and a 20kW electric motor hybrid powertrain consumes just 0.9 litres/100km.

Vw Golf bags Car of the year title while 104 new models made their global debut This year, 58 automotive journalists from 22 countries nominated eight finalists for the 2013 title - Ford B-Max, Hyundai i30, Mercedes Benz A-Class, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Toyota GT86/Subaru BR-Z, Volvo V40 and Volkswagen Golf. After months of evaluation on various criteria such as fuel efficiency, comfort, safety, driving properties, functionality, design and technological progress, the VW won the title. Scoring 414 points, the Golf was a clear favourite, scoring well ahead of the second place Toyota GT86/Subaru BR-Z with 202

points and third place Volvo V40 with 189 points. The Car of the Year VW Golf has recently made its Malaysian debut. The Golf aside, were many other important highlights from Geneva that are worth your attention. Sustainable mobility’s the overriding theme of the show. Even high performance brands such as Ferrari and McLaren showcased their latest hybrid supercars. Indeed, 10 per cent of all models on display emit less than 100 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

in Geneva LaFerrari

Eschewing the typical alphanumeric name, the new image is Ferrari’s expression for excellence. Limited to just 399 units, this Enzo successor is Ferrari’s first production hybrid. Its 6.3-litre 789hp V12 engine is aided by a 120kW electric motor, culminating in a system total of 949hp and more than 900Nm of torque. 0-100km/h sprint is under 3 seconds, while 200km/h is reached in under 7 seconds before topping out at over 350km/h. Put together, the LaFerrari’s mind-boggling numbers lap the Fiorano circuit in under 1 minute 20 seconds, five seconds faster than the Enzo and over 3 seconds faster than the F12berlinetta.

Chevrolet Corvette Stringray Convertible

McLaren P1

A successor to the legendary F1, the 375 units of the P1 uses a hybridised version of the MP4-12C’s 3.8 litre V8 turbocharged engine to deliver a combined 903hp and 900Nm of torque. Clever active aerodynamic aids allow the road legal P1 to generate similar downforce to a GT3 class racing car.

Making its world premiere in Europe, the heartland of sports cars, the topless Corvette Stingray features an electrically operated soft top, without the compromises in driving dynamics commonly associated with convertible variants. Traditionally, lobbing the roof off a coupe necessitated structural reinforcements which add weight. In this model, the only structural differences are the folding top and repositioned safety belt mounts. The convertible Stingray possesses all the performance and dynamic abilities of its coupe twin. ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

AUTO SHOW

THE 83RD GENEVA MOTOR SHOW Lamborghini Veneno

The Veneno is a road legal racing prototype built to celebrate Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary. Only three units are available on sale. The test car shown here, designated “Car 0”, will remain with Lamborghini and is the only Veneno to feature all three colours of the Italian flag. Each of the three customer cars will feature a single colour of the Italian national flag.

Porsche 911 GT3

The fifth generation 911 GT3 is the 911’s 50th anniversary model. It is also the first production Porsche model to feature active rear wheel steering steers. Depending on speed, the rear wheels will turn either in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels for improved lateral dynamics.

Kia Provo

The Provo is a B-segment concept sports for the enthusiast. Under the hood is a 201hp 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine paired to a 4WD-hybrid powertrain via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Mitsubishi GR-HEV

This is Mitsubishi’s vision for a futuristic Triton. Under the hood is a 2.5-litre diesel hybrid that emits just 149 grammes of CO2 per kilometre and a next-generation 4WD drivetrain.

Rolls-Royce Wraith

Hyundai Grand Santa Fe

For this generation, the Santa Fe will be split into two body size options. In Europe, a 100mm longer wheelbase Grand Santa Fe can be specified either as a six-seater or a sevenseater.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Promising to be the most dynamic and powerful Rolls-Royce in history, the Wraith is what Rolls-Royce calls a gentleman’s gran turismo. The V12 engine produces 780Nm from just 1,500rpm, giving it an effortless magic carpet-like smooth power delivery. In keeping with the brand’s tradition, Rolls-Royce stresses that the Wraith is no GT bruiser, with the suspension tuned to improve agility while at the same time giving the sensation of riding on a bed of air.

MNM TIPS

PHOTOGRAPHY

HOW TO SHOOT EVENT GIRLS WITH CARS Story and photos by pHiLip CHOng irls and cars, they go hand-in-hand don’t they? Well, before we get bombarded by letters from left wing feminists for that statement, we had best qualify that it is in particular reference to automotive trade shows, where it cannot be denied that the ladies do much to colour the metal dominated landscape. When it comes to promoting new cars during regional or international auto shows, having glamorous girls at the events is a guaranteed crowd puller. And the advent of digital cameras over the past 12 years has made it much easier for people to get snap happy and save momentos of their favourite “auto babes”. Of course, you don’t actually need a digital camera to shoot such photos these days, as smartphones and tablets now have built-in cameras that can get the job done. However, if

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

This roadshow of the Hyundai Veloster was shot using fill-in flash from the Speedlite 270EX II on the EOS 5D Mark II. The two event girls were requested to stand on both sides of the car. Fill-in flash allows the background to be brighter with background details visible

The new Honda CR-Z launch was photographed in available lighting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; without flash. New DSLR cameras like the EOS 650D, EOS 6D and the EOS 5D Mark III allows handheld shooting with an ISO speed of 6400 without any digital noise visible. This scene was shot at ISO 2000 only.

Either the Speedlite 320EX (left) or the Speedlite 270EX II is great as a companion when fill-in flash is needed.

A direct, fill-in flash with the Speedlite 270EX II made this shot possible while retaining the projected words in the background visible. ISO 2000 speed was used. youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re serious about honing your picture taking skills and want the best photos from such occasions, it is best to stick with a digital camera that lets you set the aperture, shutter speed and focus manually with options for fully automatic operation.

The photos you see here were shot with an EOS DSLR fitted with only one lens, the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. Some of the photos were achieved with a little assistance from a compact flash, the Canon Speedlite 270EX II.

The difference in using a flash or without to shoot the same scene - the first photo has a darker background while the second has a clearer type; the former was shot with the flash head tilted to a 90-degree horizontal position and the latter was snapped without flash being used. ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

ROAD TRIP

TOUAREG 3.0 V6TDI

A TASTE OF TANJUNG MALIM WITH THE TOUAREG MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

BY MICK CHAN eeks and months, if not years, of staying within the urban sprawl is by no means ideal for the adventurous at heart. But more often than not, once caught up in the hustle and bustle of city living, the opportunities for an adventure (no matter how small), become painfully scarce. So when opportunity knocked, in the form of an athletic SUV that looked as keen as I felt about getting out of the concrete jungle, it was only natural to feel the urge to steer off well-trodden paths. It was the weekend, I had a group

of like-minded friends and the general consensus was to stray and explore a little. It was a plan that involved a spot of camping, and along with it came the requisite equipment. Compact cars may be user-friendly in the confines of a city, but clever packaging can only go so far – profuse luggage calls for generous accommodation, for occupants and baggage.

A large wagon is in order With 580 litres of boot space and a spacious cabin, the Volkswagen Touareg seemed like just the right device with which to escape the city limits. A total of

1,642 litres can be liberated with the rear seats folded, but even with them in place it was more than capable of taking two rucksacks, a tent and all manner of smaller bags (hurriedly filled plastic bags included). Diesel is the fuel of choice for this particular Touareg, the 3.0-litre V6 TDI. With considerable mass to lug around, this engine felt like a more natural partner to the vehicle compared to its petrol drinking sibling. An abundance of low end torque propels the Touareg with dignified conviction, whilst managing to be refined at the same time. Once loaded up, we hit the road. Spanning approximately 82km, the journey began at Subang Jaya, headed towards the North-South Highway and then threaded along until we hit the Tanjung Malim toll exit. Situated in the southern end of Perak, Tanjung Malim is approximately 70km north of Kuala Lumpur. Sungai Bernam, with its origins in the Titiwangsa range, flows through Tanjung Malim on its way to the Malaccan Straits, and it also borders Perak and Selangor. This town of 60,000 is also nicknamed the “Town of Education”, thanks to the presence of a number of universities and colleges in the area. In contrast with the nearby national capital, where its population is numbered well into seven figures and bubbles with energy around the clock, Tanjung Malim is the definitive “laid back” town… a welcomed change of pace. Just the evening before, the big VeeDub had already proved itself to be more than capable of handling the rigours of the city, but it continued to impress along ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

ROAD TRIP

TOUAREG 3.0 V6TDI

the way northwards. The German SUV is a fine highway companion, and once the pavements disappeared the Touareg displayed a nice duality of character; while it was refined and smooth in the city, it was also adept and capable on the ruts and loose gravel. That duality is further enhanced by Area View, the Touareg’s external camera system which turned out to be just as useful for negotiating unpaved terrain as it was for sighting kerbs and walls in parking lots. The camera system came into its own particularly when we encountered oncoming vehicles on a road that was barely wide enough for the Touareg, let alone accommodate two-way traffic. With both left-hand-side wheels well off the tarmac, the wing mirror-mounted camera proved to be an invaluable extra eye. I was pleasantly surprised by how precisely the Touareg can be placed on the road, though for some reason, squeezing past a Hilux with an inch or so between tyre and drain caused a bit of pointing and shouting from my passengers. But the danger of dealing with multiple cardiac arrests in the back seat soon passed, and the rest of the crew who were otherwise happily basking in the Touareg, settled in and were looking forward to the campsite once again. Situated approximately 10 minutes from the Tanjung Malim town centre, Kalumpang is home to a number of campsites. Our site was a private one which Sungai Inki flows through, and it served well as our retreat for the weekend. Bags in tow, we walked approximately two minutes from where we parked to the

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

campsite. Access is strictly by foot and includes a river crossing. Tents pitched, there really wasn’t much on the agenda apart from just chilling out. A dip in the river certainly helped, and according to some locals familiar with the geography, a small amount of sulfur in the river’s water helps to soothe and relax the body. Local lore proved to be correct. Heading back into Tanjung Malim for some takeaway dinner, the laid-back vibe

was tangible, yet it isn’t the easiest thing to pinpoint and deconstruct. Whilst on the lookout for local fare at the evening market (I chickened out of trying the beef lung – so much for adventure) you can still expect to jostle for space as your dinner sways and bumps around in their plastic bags, but there is no stress in making your way through it all. By the way, the pisang goreng is marvelous; we went back for seconds –

the first pack was finished before we made it to the market’s exit. Carrying food and beverage in any car is a challenge most of the time, and while the Touareg’s cabin isn’t exactly a sealed picnic basket in standard form, I was pleased to find that my 1.5-litre bottles of water fit in the door pockets easily. At a glance, it might be easy to dismiss the Touareg as an extravagant irrelevance, especially in light of the trend towards ever more parsimonious vehicles. But the V6 TDI held its own rather well in the fuel consumption stakes; an estimated 720 kilometres was available from a full tank of diesel. In our time with it, the Touareg also turned out to be a convincing device to use and live with on a daily basis, with commendable refinement and a generous level of equipment. Considered as a multi-purpose tool with a dose of luxury, the Touareg makes sense for the urbanite who likes to go exploring every now and then.

That duality is further enhanced by Area View, the Touareg’s external camera system which turned out to be just as useful for negotiating unpaved terrain as it was for sighting kerbs and walls in parking lots. ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

TRACK DAY

JAGUAR LIVE

JAGUARS ROAR AT SEPANG

By DaniEL WOng

n this day and age many can’t seem to draw the line between the words “Jaguar” and “trackside”. To many, the image of Jaguar is that it is for people who still want to live in the 1960s. Yet, delve into its history and you would find that Jaguar forged its name on many renowned racing circuits around the world. Recently, Jaguar brought over 22 models worth over RM13 million to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), not to conquer it for competition sake, but to give prospective clients and members of the media a taste of their latest offerings at the “Jaguar Live” track day event. Besides a pair of Jaguar XKR-S coupes, which are said to be the company’s fastest series production cars in its history, Jaguar also introduced attendees to the 2013 model year XF and XJL, which now come

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

with a 2-litre turbocharged engine and 3-litre supercharged engine. Needless to say the new 2-litre petrol engine variants would be leading Sisma Auto’s charge into the executive car market, bringing down the entry price for the fullyimported XF and XJL to RM388,888 and RM598,888 respectively.

Supercharged cats

With an output of 335hp and 450Nm of torque, the 3-litre supercharged V6 engine is a new addition to the XJL range, and a replacement to the 3-litre naturally aspirated V6 variant that was included in the XF’s model line-up. Sisma Auto prepared both the XF and XJL with the 3-litre supercharged engine, but instead we tried our hand with the big limousine to get a comfortable feel and view of the circuit first. It may have been on the market for the better part of the past three years, but its interior is still among the best we have ever

same supercharged V6 engine, and it really does feel that we have tumbled down the rabbit hole, and emerged in a Jaguar from the last century. SpECifiCaTiOnS The simple dashboard and Jaguar XF 2.0Ti instruments does feel plain and dated, not only in stark contrast Engine to the newer XJL, but also to its 1,999cc 4-cylinder Germanic competitors. Its thicker direct-injection and smaller diameter steering does turbocharged give the XF a more intimate feel Max power than the XJL with its larger wooden 237hp (177kw) @ trimmed steering wheel, and all 5,500rpm the more better suited for the car’s Max torque smaller dimensions. 340nm According to Jaguar’s official statistics, both the XF and XJL with Transmission eight-speed the same engine and transmission automatic, rearwould be able to accelerate in 5.9 wheel drive seconds. A further study into the specifications of both cars reveals Acceleration (0-100km/h) that they weigh nearly the same 7.9 seconds despite the 300mm difference in body length. Top speed 240km/h Out on the circuit however, even though both cars deliver roughly Fuel the same accelerative hit, the XF consumption (combined) convoy easily left the XJL in its 8.9L/100km dust, thanks to smaller dimensions that make it easier to carve the CO2 emissions perfect racing line through the 207g/km corners. Like the XJL, the XF’s Price suspension system feels soft and rm388,888 nett compliant on the corners, and like the big limousine, keeps its tyres clawed onto the road. SpECifiCaTiOnS Though the XF isn’t the Jaguar sharpest tool we have taken on XF 3.0SC the track, with its body lean and Engine cosseting ride, the grip and poise 2,995cc V6 from the chassis does show that supercharged the XF still has some real talent max power: underneath the more you dig into 335hp (250kw) @ 6,500rpm it. Max power

seen. Yes, you can’t escape the thicklyglazed wood trim that wraps around the cabin, the touch screen isn’t the pretties or most intuitive unit around, and I’m still not convinced that the use of a TFT screen in place of physical instrument dials is good idea when all it is displaying is a rendition of a physical instrument dial in the first place. Yet you won’t even notice those things once you gaze upon those giant air conditioning vents, the polished chrome gear dial, and the curvaceous dashboard that is simply imaginative and spellbinding to behold. Wake the supercharged V6 from its slumber and you are treated to a delicious rumble with a creamy smooth power delivery. Slam on the throttle and the XJL simply wafts away on a torrent of torque, and the new eight-speed ZF transmission keeps the flow of power to the rear wheel uninterrupted. The tight downhill left-hander of turn two looks especially imposing as you exit turn

Tiny heart, one from the perch of a limousine, Transmission big ambitions but the XJL changes direction with eight-speed Taking a break from the sublime ease. automatic, reartrackside activities, we stepped Even with the “Dynamic” mode wheel drive into an XF 2.0Ti fitted with selected, the suspension does allow Acceleration the new 2-litre direct-injection for a whole lot of body lean, yet the (0-100km/h) turbocharged petrol engines for a XJ’s lighter aluminium body doesn’t 5.9 seconds short gymkhana session in the SIC seem to pull and unstick the tyres Top speed car park. from the tarmac. 250km/h While we are certainly no Unlike its Germanic strangers to the new engine – as Fuel contemporaries, the XJL doesn’t consumption it is the same powerful engine feel unwieldy like a sledgehammer (combined) derived from the Ford Mondeo and in a knife fight, it flows easily with 9.6L/100km Volvo S6 – we weren’t impressed the smooth flowing technical CO2 with the unit found on board the corners. For its imposing bulk and emissions XF. Not to say that it was unrefined size, the XJL is surprisingly lithe, 224g/km or underpowered but the turbolag and quick on its feet. If it weren’t for Price feels more apparent, especially the acres of cabin space, we would rm588,888 nett when tasked with handling a tight have thought that it was a 5-series course, which requires quick or E-class competitor, which bodes acceleration off the line. well for the actual 5-series or If you need a quick getaway, E-class competitor when it was time it is best to keep the needle from pointing to step into the XF. anywhere below the 2,000rpm mark on the Out of the XJL and into the XF with the 450nm

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

TRACK DAY

JAGUAR LIVE SpECifiCaTiOnS

Jaguar XJL 2.0Ti Engine

1,999cc 4-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged

Max power

237hp (177kw) @ 5,500rpm

Max torque 340nm

Transmission eight-speed automatic, rearwheel drive

Acceleration (0-100km/h) 7.5 seconds

Top speed 241km/h

rev counter. Below that point and the XF crawls and feels limp before the turbochargers spool up and catapult you forward with such sudden urgency you feel as though its rump was prodded by a nail. Hard figures from Jaguar say that the 237hp and 340Nm of torque from the engine enables the XF 2.0Ti to go from 0 to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds, the lag certainly seems hinder its initial progress and experience. We suspect that this handicap has something to do with the eight-speed torque converter automatic the XF comes fitted with, which dampens the engine’s responsiveness. While the drivetrain left much to be desired, exploiting the XF’s inherent balance meant that we could carry more speeds through the slalom section of the circuit and keep the engine speed up. Undoubtedly, once the XF 2.0Ti gets up to speed it is a sharp and very entertaining drive, but we wonder how it will perform in real life situations such as junctions and traffic. Speaking of getting up to speed, we were ushered from the gymkhana course and onto the main circuit to try out the same 2-litre turbocharged engines again, this time on the 2.0 variant of XJL. With plenty of fast flowing corners we could keep the engine speeds above the 2,000rpm mark, and the engines does feel the best part of its 237hp claim. That said, the drive around the SIC was

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Fuel consumption (combined) 9.3L/100km

CO2 emissions 216g/km

Price

rm598,888 nett

SpECifiCaTiOnS

Jaguar XJL 3.0SC Engine

2,995cc V6 supercharged

Max power

335hp (250kw) @ 6,500rpm

Max torque 450nm

Transmission eight-speed automatic, rearwheel drive

Acceleration (0-100km/h) 5.9 seconds

Top speed 250km/h

Fuel consumption (combined) 9.6L/100km

CO2 emissions 224g/km

Price

rm838,888 nett

more sedate than exciting as there units at the event, we were only offered taxi wasn’t enough muscle from the rides with the help of trained professionals. tiny engine to fully exploit the XJL’s A slightly disappointing turn of fortune for deft handling characteristics. us, but we still did manage to find out how Ideally, the supercharged V6 the 542hp XKR-S performs on the circuit. we tested earlier would have been Despite its savage engine note at full sufficient to explore the XJL’s chat and its title as the fastest production breath of abilities, but we model from the company’s can say that at speed, the long history, it doesn’t feel SpECifiCaTiOnS relatively tiny 4-cylinder like a hardcore race car with Jaguar engine is a refined gem numberplates. XKR-S that is suited for the XJL’s Trimmed in black leather and luxurious intent. contrasting red stitching the Engine Push the small cabin feels almost luxurious by 5,000cc V8 supercharged 4-cylinder engine performance car standards, and however and it delivers the seats are comfortable with Max power a rough engine note that the right amount of support that 542hp (404kw) @ is uncharacteristic of the it does hinder access into the low 6,000 – 6,500rpm gruff engine notes you slung cabin. Max torque get from the bigger petrol After a very brief and very fast 680nm @ 2,500 – engines and even the big lap of the SIC, we didn’t feel as 5,500rpm 3-litre diesel variant. though we needed a quick trip to Transmission Performance the chiropractor as it felt pretty six-speed expectations aside the relaxing for the pace we were transmission, rearXJL 2.0Ti has enough doing. wheel drive power to move itself, The ride wasn’t totally boring Acceleration the engine’s 340Nm of as the tail did come into play a (0-100km/h) torque goes a long way number of times, and judging from 4.4 seconds in offsetting the XJL’s the precise inputs the professional Top speed claimed 1,765kg kerb drivers were dialling in at every 300km/h weight, and as long as corner the XKR-S, it does have an Fuel you aren’t charging from attentive front end. consumption a standstill too often, But like its big four-door (combined) doesn’t feel insufficient cousins, the XKR-S doesn’t forgo 12.3L/100km for the big Jag. every bit of comfort to extract CO2 every bit of performance. emissions Thinking about it further, the 292g/km The top cat XKR-S (and indeed the other Price models) does carry forward the prowls rm1,288,888 heritage of the company quite well; An opportunity to (coupe), by building cars that are fast yet drive the Jaguar XKR-S is rm1,348,888 comfortable and capable. (convertible) a tantalising one indeed, A car for the “gentleman racer”. however having just two

The best thing about arriving at me. your destination...is the ride ho

"NIRVANA ON TWO WHEELS"

Harley-Davidson速 of Kuala Lumpur Naza Prestige Bikes Sdn. Bhd. (558055-A) Lot 1480, Jalan 51A/221, 46100, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

603 - 7968 7777

at www.harleykualalumpur.com

FEATURE

THE ALL-NEW VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

impressiVe swinG oF CHaraCter

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

The Volkswagen Golf has everything you need of a car in its class, with qualities that are not easily quantifiable, qualities that are not just evergreen but highly desirable

on a lone turbocharger to boost engine outputs. No surprises then that the power hen you think about it, output of the new Golf has dropped by winning the European Car of 20hp, though it delivers an extra serving the Year (ECOTY) title is of 10Nm of torque to increase its total quite a feat. torque output to 250Nm. Convincing 58 Before critics start wailing about the automotive journalists from 22 countries lack of horses, we never really did miss in Europe, each of whom will add to the the missing stallions once on our highdiverse set of ideas of what an ideal car speed interstate jaunt between Kuala should be and filled with nationalistic Lumpur to Penang and back. pride for their home grown brands, has In fact, we found the horsepower to be more labourous than levels to be sufficient for a choosing a new Pope. long distance cruiser, yet the SpECifiCaTiOnS And rarely in the award’s extra 10Nm of muscle it gained Volkswagen made the new Golf feel more 49-year history has lightning Golf 1.4 TSI effortless in picking up the ever struck twice – only once has a model line won the pace. Engine 1,395cc 4-cylinder award twice. Mind you, the missing direct-injection Last week, the supercharger does make turbocharged Volkswagen Golf Mk7 the turbocharger lag more became the second model apparent, but it is something Max power 138hp @ 4,500 – name to receive a second that owners will get used to 6,000rpm ECOTY award (the Mk3 Golf over time. was awarded the ECOTY in Thankfully, the seven-speed Max Torque 1992), when it clinched the 250nm @ 1,500 – dual-clutch transmission has 3,500rpm 2013 title. been refined in its engagement The new Golf is so good in stop-go traffic, with little Transmission that it convinced a group of juddering off the line and a seven-speed dualclutch, front-wheel drive people from several different smooth take-up in power. nations that it is the best car Not only is the newer, Acceleration this year. And this is a group less complicated engine (0-100km/h) of nations that normally can’t 8.4 seconds more useable than its agree on national matters. predecessor, it is a good 40kg Top speed But what works in Europe lighter, and the addition of 212km/h doesn’t necessarily work start-stop and brake energy Fuel here, several thousand regeneration helps to trim its consumption kilometres away on the other fuel consumption figures by (combined) side of the world. 1L/100km to 5L/100km. 5L/100km Maintaining its price tag Its improved fuel efficiency CO2 emissions of RM157,888, the Mk7 Golf is also thanks to improved 116g/km is, on paper, largely the same aerodynamics; the underside Safety car that came before, it even of the engine is covered by features looks the same if you aren’t a plastic cover and the Golf seven airbags, concentrating hard enough now sits lower to the ground, electronic stabilisation to spot its sharper lights, along with a total weight loss of programme (esp) with aBs, extended creases and leaner looking 80kg from its Malaysian-spec electronic differential body. predecessor. lock (Xds), multiUnfortunately, to keep There is another advantage collision brake, Led the new Golf’s price within to shaving weight, particularly daytime running lights its predecessor’s range, the on the engine, and that is to be Price new model doesn’t come found when you stretch its legs rm157,888 nett with any new fangled safety and take it for a drive. features such as adaptive Shuffle the steering and cruise control, automated the Golf darts from corner to braking, automated parking or blind spot corner with ease, the lack of weight from assistance. the new chassis does show with the Volkswagen Group Malaysia is Golf’s immediate compliance in changing studying the possibility of introducing direction. them on a higher-spec model in the near Complementing its new found vivacity, future, but that is for another day. its new electric power steering system Don’t mistake its evolutionary looks as too manages to be sharp and quick in simply a facelifted model, the Golf Mk7 its response, without being too overly is the first model in Volkswagen’s model assisted. line-up to use its all new MQB platform. But the best bit of the Golf’s ride and With the new platform comes a handling is the resulting ride quality. new 1.4-litre engine, and even though The suspension set-up comes with it has the same displacement as its that rare quality of being absorbent, yet twincharged predecessor, it doesn’t delivers a firm and secure road-holding have the complicated supercharger and even as we sail across the hideously poor turbocharger mechanicals, relying instead roads of Bukit Beruntung.

By DaniEL WOng

The conditions we experienced would have easily shaken and spat out cars with stiff suspension set-ups, or throw and churn the stomachs of passengers of softly-sprung cars, yet the Golf Mk7 takes it all in its stride without losing its firm hold on the road or flustering its occupants. The resulting ride is one that allows the car to breathE with the ebb and flow of the road surface, allowing the ride to maintain a comfortable environment without upsetting the car’s composure. Of course the Golf isn’t complete without giving it a try at “unrestricted autobahn” speeds and we were duly impressed by its refinement and stability with only a moderate amount of wind noise seeping into the cabin, almost matching that of bigger premium brands we dare say. That said, the bit that surprised us about the Golf isn’t the ride or the handling, but its attention to detail, subtle engineering improvements that we didn’t think anybody would ask in the first place. For instance, the new and improved 5.8-inch multimedia head unit not only comes with beautiful and well-thought out graphics, the front panel comes with a proximity sensor which expands the screen’s icon descriptions if your hand hovers near it. And then there are its doors, which no longer have mechanical preset positions to hold it open, instead the door can be held open at whichever angle you want it to. If we are honest, the new Golf doesn’t bring much headline making power with its figures and price tag. Yet it has everything you need of a car of its class, with qualities that are not easily quantifiable, qualities that are not just evergreen but highly desirable even if you are on the other side of the globe. ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

FEATURE

DUCATI AFTER SALES DIVISION

AFTER SALES AT ITS BEST The heart.

Serviced Ducatis waiting to have a bath.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Life is good for this Multistrada with an air-conditioning service bay. Just name the part you want. They’re all here.

“regardless of whether a ducati motorcycle is maintained in italy, malaysia, or any other part of the world, the quality of service provided must be equally good, as it will keep our customers worldwide equally happy.” Eugene

ucati Malaysia is not just about selling state-ofthe-art motorcycles; it also puts a strong focus on providing extensive aftersales services for its customers. According to Eugene Teo of Ducati Asia Pacific, Ducati Malaysia’s after sales service division covers everything, from picking up faulty bikes and completing basic tasks such as tyre changes to doing a complete engine overhaul. Teo, whose primary function at the company is to observe Ducati Malaysia’s daily operations from time to time and develop new strategies to improve services wherever necessary, said that Ducati Malaysia’s ultimate priority is to ensure that the quality of work provided by technicians here meet the brand’s rigid global standards. “Regardless of whether a Ducati motorcycle is maintained in Italy, Malaysia, or any other part of the world, the quality of service provided must be equally good, as it will keep our customers worldwide

equally happy,” said Teo. With seven technicians that were fully trained in Italy at your service, Ducati Malaysia’s after sales division located beside their main showroom in Naza World, Petaling Jaya, currently boasts a fully air-conditioned service area fitted with six service bays, an extensive spare parts warehouse, a tyre warehouse, an also an engine room. Amrick Singh Randhawa, the head of Ducati Malaysia’s after sales division said that all Ducati owners nationwide can get their bikes serviced at Ducati Malaysia, regardless of where or when they bought their Ducati. He added that all models can be serviced and maintained by Ducati Malaysia, as the technicians are well-versed with all the Ducatis available.

Amrick said with six authorised dealers available nationwide in Kota Baru, Kuantan, Penang, Johor, and Kota Kinabalu, Ducati Malaysia’s customers are well taken care of, as they don’t have to find their way to the headquarters in Petaling Jaya. “Our customers don’t have to worry about the level of services provided at our authorised dealers as all our technicians have gone through the same high level of training, and are guaranteed to offer the same level of expertise. In fact, we even have a new batch of dealer mechanics that recently completed their training programme in Singapore in December 2012,” he added Amrick. As an effort to boost interaction with customers and increase transparency, Ducati Malaysia announced that it will be introducing

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

FEATURE

DUCATI AFTER SALES DIVISION

Amtick (left) and Eugene are doing their best to offer world class services.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Any Ducati can be serviced at Ducati KL, regardless of where it was bought.

a “post-service questionnaire” programme, where a set of questions will be given to each customer after their visit to the dealership so that they can give their honest feedback on the services provided. It is said that the set of questions will get the customers to comment about their service experience from the moment their bike is picked up, until they ride back home. “Through this programme, we can give our customers a sense of trust and reliability on the Ducati brand,” said Amrick, adding that a monthly “action plan” will be executed based on customer feedback to further improve the services. “To ensure that a Ducati can run at the optimal condition, owners must first familiarise themselves with their machine’s service interval. If they don’t send their bikes in for servicing on time, it can affect the bike’s engine lifecycle and its performance. Besides servicing on time, it is best that owners prevent unauthorised modifications.” “Unauthorised modifications on parts not only results in the bike’s warranty becoming void, but also reduces the engine’s life. Besides that, it is most likely that technicians outside Ducati lack the knowledge and expertise in modifying them. Therefore, it is best that a Ducati owner consults us first before modifying their motorcycles, because mishaps Amrick caused by unauthorised modifications can also complicate the warranty claim process,” he said. On another note, Ducati Malaysia said that it is currently recruiting after-sales staff as a part of its strategy to further expand on ability to serve customers.

“to ensure that a ducati can run at the optimal condition, owners must first familiarise themselves with their machine’s service interval. if they don’t send their bikes in for servicing on time, it can affect the bike’s engine lifecycle and its performance.

For more information, call Ducati Malaysia at 03-7956 7799, log on to www.ducati.com.my, or visit Ducati Malaysia’s social media pages at www. facebook.com/ducatimy(Facebook) or www.twitter.com/ducati_my

STRANGER THAN FICTION oes anyone else think it’s hilarious that the first concept car to ever roll into public view, way back in 1938, was called the Buick Y-Job? Apparently nobody in the 1930s found it funny. In fact, the Y-Job was such a crowd pleaser that automakers latched on to the notion of showcasing concept creations. Today, concept cars are a staple at major motor shows around the world. Whether the aim is to show off a car company’s new design direction, preview upcoming models or simply serve as a wheeled flight of fancy, concept cars never fail to draw massive amounts of attention. Not always positive attention, though. While it is completely understandable that some designers see it as an opportunity to exercise artistic liberty, others have sadly failed to realise that “art” isn’t spelled with an “f” in front of it. Here are just a handful of atrocities that never should have made it to the spotlight:

1950 Martin Stationette

In the 1950s, wood-based cars were a common trend; they were affectionately called “woodies” (if you didn’t smirk at that, there’s something wrong with you). These cars went hand-in-hand with sunshine, sand, surfboards and bikini-clad beach bunnies. However, the 1950 Martin Stationette looked more like it would go hand-in-hand with a horse, a whip, a cowboy hat and a little house on the prairie. It is best described as an aerodynamic carriage from Wild Wild West. Ridiculously, its designer James V. Martin billed it as the “commuter car of the future”! It won’t come as a surprise to say that the idea that never took off because no investors were forthcoming. Had Martin launched the concept a century earlier, we suspect he might have had better luck.

CALAMITY CONCEPTS Changfeng Rhombus R-6

doozy must have been designer Frank Rinderknecht’s need to fulfil the fanciful wishes of every five-year-old. Why else would you build a yellow tugboat-looking pick-up truck with… wait for it… a matching hovercraft that fits in the back? Rinderknecht, for one, thought it was so cool that he saw fit to host a grand unveiling at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. When the very large cover came off the X-Trem, the crowd gasped (in horror) and then gagged. “But it’s got a freaking hovercraft!” you could almost hear him say.

Changfeng Rhombus R-6

If your first reaction to this car isn’t “what-

1999 Rinspeed X-Trem

We can only speculate, but it is highly likely that the inspiration behind this

1999 Rinspeed X-Trem

1950 Martin Stationette the-heck-is-that”, then there is a future for you in China’s burgeoning auto industry. While the Asian economic powerhouse is fast becoming the world’s number one factory for consumer goods, the world may not be ready for some of its “cuttingedge” car design concepts just yet. Like, for example, this four-door sedan that rides atop one wheel at each of its tapered ends and two larger wheels located midway down the sides. There’s more: its interior features material that contains hemp fibres – and for the uninitiated, “hemp” is another word for cannabis. Knowing this, we’re not sure which is more shocking; the fact that someone thought actually thought the R-6 was a good idea, or the fact that no one attempted to smoke it during its premier at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

ON AND OFF DILEMMA MY wife owns a 2008 Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC. Recently, the ABS, VSA and brake indicators have been lighting up whenever she restarts the engine after a 10 to 15-minute stop. These indicators will go off after a while of driving. It doesn’t happen if the engine is switched off for a few hours. I’ve noticed that it happens frequently during a hot day compared with driving at night or on a rainy

day. According to the Honda service centre, we have to change the ABS modulator which costs RM8,000 plus but they’re unable to diagnose why it only happens occasionally. They have reset the system twice but to no avail. Some other mechanics have advised that I send in the car for thorough wiring diagnostics as they assume it’s only a minor wiring issue. Have you come across

this problem before? - Luke Dinessh Reply: Frankly, I am not too sure of what your problem may be, except that it looks like a harness or connector problem as it is intermittent and there has not been a complete failure. I do not know where you live but I would

suggest that you contact the Honda Customer Service Department and get them to have a look at your car. Sometimes dealer service departments may not be up to the mark with peculiar problems and it is best to go back to the franchise holders for their expertise.

STARTING HASSLE I USE a 2002 1.6 Proton Waja manual. I find that it’s difficult to start the engine when it is cold, requiring two or three turns of the key, or I would have to press the gas pedal, only then will the engine start running. When the engine is warmed up, driving will be normal. However, if I start driving before the engine warms up, it will die easily. So I have to warm up the engine before I start driving. I’ve referred the problem to the EON service centre and they did engine tuning, and also cleaned out the throttle body. Even then, the problem still occurred. The workshop people said my choke has a problem. Should I change a complete unit of the throttle body or is there another part that I missed? If I change the original cam pulley to racing, will it affect the power of my engine, and should I do tuning again? What will happen if the car gets extractor damage? I have raised the clutch from a 1.6 to a 1.8 (different vehicle). Will this damage the clutch and in the long run damage my engine as well? - acesaixxx@yahoo.com Reply: Sounds like a faulty cold start valve or cold start circuit. Normally when the engine is cold, the cold start valve will be giving a richer mixture until the engine warms up. It operates very much like an automatic choke in a carburetted engine.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

TURBO ADDITION I HAVE a Proton Satria Neo CPS. Is it possible for me to add a turbo system to my car’s engine? Will it result in any side effects to the engine? What brand of turbocharger is suitable for my car’s engine?- 0132740xxx Reply: There are many turbo specialists around who would be able to give you a quote and explain in detail what the job entails. However, you must be aware that with any system of forced induction, you are making the engine to work harder to produce more power and the result will be higher engine wear and higher fuel consumption. You cannot get something for nothing! Also, when you have all that additional performance, will your standard suspension, tyres and brakes be able to cope with it? Going faster in a straight line does not necessarily mean that you will be driving safer.

MOD CAR

TURBO 2JZ-POWERED HONDA S600

THE TURBO WITH A

CAR ATTACHED TO IT pHOTOS fROM BRyn MUSSELWHiTE / SpEEDHUnTERS.COM

n the import tuning scene, boost is best in the quest for straight-line performance gains. Many a modified Japanese car will have had an exhaust-driven turbocharger installed where there wasn’t one before, or an existing unit replaced by a larger

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

one. Phil Penny’s Honda S600 project is right up there with the most radical engine conversions. To say it runs a turbocharged engine is a bit of an understatement; protruding out of its bonnet is a turbine slightly larger than each of the S600’s headlights.

Weighing 1,000kg all in, the little Honda produces roughly 870bhp at the wheels from 28psi of boost according to Phil, and there is room for boost to be wound up to 35psi. In its current guise it can produce 1,650bhp. Put together by engine builder Dave Stevens, the powerplant has propelled the

car to a quarter-mile time of under nine seconds. Drag racers may never have enough horsepower. “My goal is to run in the low seven seconds at 185-plus mph. It’s a reality; the power is there… It’s still very early days,” Phil told United Kingdom-based speedhunters.com.

SpECifiCaTiOnS

Engine

Here’s what’s under the bonnet: 3.2 stroker 2J inline six, resin-fi lled to core plugs, Grp aluminium rods, Arias ceramic/thermal coated pistons, piston pins 22mm and 8mm thick, factory 3ltr crank offset ground, hardened steel main caps, arp stud kit, line bored, ati balancer, 3mm Chromoly fl ex plate, Dave Stevens modifi ed standard oil pump, 2JZ turbo head, fl owed, Ferrara valves, titanium retainers, collets and springs, sure Cams (nsw) with dave stevens grind, head machined for lobe clearance, L19 head studs, titan front pulley wheels, Hypertune manifold (sydney), twin fuel rails, 12x1500cc methanol injectors, 102mm throttle body, engle 110 mechanical fuel pump, custom high rise inlet manifold, 60mm turbosmart wastegate off the manifold plus another from the turbine housing, Billet turbo (Gold Coast) 88mm front, 94mm rear, rear housing .96 Air ratio, 5in/120mm dump pipe, turbo to intercooler is four inches, turbine, manifold, exhaust is coated by competition coatings in Brisbane ceramic chrome, pwr water to air intercooler, runs 18 litre water and ice tank inside the car which is pumped through with -16 lines, pwr radiator, Haltech sport 2000 eCu, pro 16 m&w Cdi box, racepack data iQ3 dash including Gps! measures G-force, Haltech exhaust gas temp sensors, factory coil packs, factory timing belt and factory turbo multi-layered head gasket, eboost 2 race control.

weighing 1,000kg all in, the little Honda produces roughly 870bhp at the wheels from 28psi of boost according to phil, and there is room for boost to be wound up to 35psi.

Transmission

Ford C4 automatic box, als raceglide (nsw), custom-built 1350 series shaft, Ford nine-inch, strange 33 spline shafts and spool, mark williams nine-inch alloy carrier.

Suspension

torsion bar front, Koni adjustable shocks, rear four link, panhard rod, strange coilovers, adjustable rebound and compression, single wheelie bar with single shock.

Brakes

wilwood four-pot callipers, 260mm vented disc, ap two pot rear callipers, 1999 BtCC mondeo (paul radisich) discs and bells, wilwood twin circuit master cylinder, bias to rear wheels.

Wheels & Tyres

e45 polished simmons, 10x15in, 4x15in, 22inx15, 28×11.5×15 mickey thompson et.

Bodywork

1965 Honda S600, stainless fl utes in front guards, fi ve-inch fuel cap on passenger side wing, rear wing, parachute, aero on rear window, stretched rear arch aperture, bumpers and grille original, voodoo metallic blue.

Interior

Kirkey aluminium seats, erG fi ve-point harness, OMP steering wheel, standard door trims, factory dash, carbon fi bre fascia housing Racepack dash, fi rewall and tunnel 3mm steel, 1in 5/8 Chromoly cage, strengthened standard box chassis.

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

WORKSHOP

TOYO TIRES PREMIUM AUTO CENTRE

TOYO INTRODUCES PREMIUM AUTOCARE CENTRE s part of it plan to expand its market presence in Malaysia, Toyo Tires recently launched the first Premium Auto Centre in Malacca. Officially launched by Kanji Kasai, managing director of Toyo Tyre Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the Premium Auto Centre in the historical state is the first of a host of such service centres to be opened across the country during in the course of the year. According to Toyo, the new 7,000 squarefoot facility in Taman Teknologi Cheng is equipped with the latest automotive servicing equipment and provides services for wheel alignment, tyre balancing, engine tune-up and suspension. The facility has 12 service bays, while the showroom is air-conditioned with WiFi connectivity for customers. Along with the services provided by a

Hock Tyre Services & Batteries in Malacca is the first Toyo premium Centre in Malaysia and in Asia.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

From left: Tan Heong Thong, president of Malaysian Association of Tyre Retreaders & Dealers Societies; Kimiaki Hideshima, general manager of sales, Toyo Tyre Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Kanji Kasai, managing director of Toyo Tyre Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Lim Choo Hock, managing director of Hock Tyre Services & Batteries Sdn Bhd; and Mrs Lim Choo Hock. team of knowledgeable and well-trained technicians, the auto centre also offers a comprehensive range of Toyo tyres for MPVs, SUVs and 4X4s as well as high performance and ultra-high performance tyres, including the Toyo R888 track day tyre. A selection of wheel rims is also available for sale at the facility. The launch of this facility is part of Toyo Tyre Malaysia’s retail marketing strategy for expanding its distribution network nationwide to meet the increasing demand for high performance and ultra-high performance tyres. “Our goal is to grow the Toyo brand and develop modern and upscale Toyo Premium Auto Centres and Toyo Auto Centres which will be more accessible and convenient to our motorists,” said Kasai. Lim Choo Hock, managing director of Hock Tyre Services & Batteries Sdn Bhd said, “We have great confidence in promoting the Toyo brand in this market and look forward to increasing sales and market share in this area.”

Kasai speaking at the launch of the centre.

WORKSHOP

SMS AUTOWORLD 3S CENTRE

EXCITING YEAR AHEAD FOR MOTO GUZZI

sms autoworld sdn Bhd’s 3S centre is fully equipped with merchandise as well as a service centre with two bays

irst introduced in 1928 by two pilots, Giovanni Ravelli and Giorgio Parodi, and a mechanic, Carlo Guzzi, Moto Guzzi is a motorcycle brand that is rich in

heritage. Although it only made its official debut here two months ago, the brand is considered to be legendary among classic motorcycle enthusiasts, alongside brands such as Norton and Triumph. Now that it has been introduced here, represented by SMS Autoworld Sdn Bhd, those who have been drooling over Moto Guzzis can visit the brand’s 3S centre located at Lot 6A, Jalan Pensyarah U1/28, Glenmarie, Shah Alam. The three-storey 3S centre comprises a showroom, a service centre, merchandise corner, discussion rooms and even a fully air-conditioned waiting lounge with light refreshments and LCD TV. According to president and CEO of SMS Autoworld Sdn Bhd, Datuk Sheikh Mohamed

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Zulkifli SM Amin, the brand currently offers 10 Moto Guzzi models — V7 Stone, V7 Classic, V7 Special, V7 Racer, Nevada Classic 750, Griso 1200 8V SE, 1200 Sport 8V, Stelvio 1200 NTX 8V and California Aniversario 90 (Moto Guzzi’s 90th anniversary special). As classy and stylish as these bikes look, they are relatively affordable compared with other Italian brands. The price for Moto Guzzi models start from RM71,925 to RM121,025 (on the road without insurance). Since the brand’s debut, SMS Autoworld announced that it has received more than 30 bookings for Moto Guzzi motorcycles. When asked about the popular choice among customers, Zulkifli said that there

is a good balance between the models customers chose, and that all models are equally popular. As an effort to offer its owners the best aftersales services, SMS Autoworld said that it has four engineers, who had been trained in Italy, to service Malaysian customers’ motorcycles. The company added that this is also to give Moto Guzzi owners a sense of trust in the company, and let them know that their motorcycles are in good hands. Besides Moto Guzzi, SMS Autoworld also has other brands under its wings. One floor at the Bike World in Glenmarie is dedicated to Harley Davidsons. It is said that most of the Harleys are imported from the United States. Harley Davidsons aside, SMS Autoworld is also the official distributor of Avanti bicycles, with a dedicated area at the Bike World showroom. There is also a wide range of motorcycle and bicycle riding gear and merchandise available at the showroom. On future activities, Zulkifli said that there will be numerous activities involving Moto Guzzi owners and other customers such as gatherings, charity rides as well as regional rides to neighbouring nations. These activities aside, the company also announced that it is planning to widen its range of products and brands offered currently, in order to offer its potential customers more choices.

PRODUCTS

BUGATTI WATCHES

BUGATTI LAUNCHES SUPER SPORT COLLECTION By pHiLip CHOng

hree years after Bugatti launched its first Super Sport watches, which was available in white gold, at Pebble Beach, alongside the car which has inspired its design, it has now unveiled its latest collection – with the much-anticipated new models made available in rose gold. The Bugatti Super Sport movement is a collection that embodies the expression of Parmigiani Fleurier’s fine watch making craftsmanship. The manually wound Calibre Parmigiani 372 (with power reserves that last for 10 days) was designed in two planes in order to match the contours of the new Bugatti watch. On the wrist, the movement of the watch is presented at a 90° angle. On the upside, the balance and escape wheel bridges form an arc, reminiscent of the Bugatti oval. The balance is entirely visible, as is the circular bridge of the power reserve, calibrated to 10 days and placed in the centre. The exceptionally slender profile of the Bugatti Super Sport might evoke the fuselage of a wing, but it was actually designed to reference the emblematic form of the case lugs of a Parmigiani Fleurier watch. Bugatti hence becomes the unmistakable signature of the Parmigiani Fleurier style, adorned with the symbolic curves of the brand. The retail price of a Parmigiani Fleurier watch is a cool RM1,052,500 million and it is available exclusively at The Hour Glass, one of Asia’s leading luxury watch retailers with a major outlet located at Lot 2.41.00 on the second level of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

For more information, visit www. thehourglass.com, or call 017-8020 085.

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

PRODUCTS

BELGIUM’S ICE-WATCH

ICE-WATCH PARTNERS BMW MOTORSPORT

By pHiLip CHOng elgium’s Ice-Watch, a leading European brand of fine watches, has announced the start of an original, two-fold collaboration with BMW. A new collection of watches is to be unveiled comes May 2013, with Ice-Watch sponsoring BMW Motorsport at the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), the internationally renowned touring car series. Ice-Watch’s partnership with BMW combines sport, design and passion with the following premium products:

An accessible “racing” watch

This is a new Ice-Watch

collection inspired directly by BMW Motorsport graphic. This collection is to be unveiled in May 2013. Faithful to the identity of the Ice-Watch brand, these new sporty chic creations will be available in the classic or chrono version, and in various sizes and colour combinations.

Premium partnership for the DTM

In its capacity as a Premium Partner, Ice-Watch will be alongside BMW as it heads into 2013 DTM season, a legendary touring car series. The Ice-Watch colours will, among other things, be proudly displayed on the Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM taking part in this competition, covering ten rounds from May 5 to October 20, 2013.

Young gun Marco Wittmann will be at the wheel. Ice-Watch’s CEO JeanPierre Lutgen said: “Ice-Watch embodies innovation, design, cutting-edge performance and robustness, as well as excellent after sales service and accessibility. This partnership is further proof that the Ice-Watch brand is seen as a sound and credible partner. It offers the brand the chance to further consolidate its position among the leading names in ‘fashion watches’, acquired thanks to a new vision of watches, affordable prices, a wide range of colours and models, and constant innovation.” Created in Bastogne, Belgium in 2007, the Ice-Watch timepieces are today sold in over a hundred countries. With some 500 references, the unique

Other designs from Ice-Watch. design is available in a wide range of models and colours, offering something to suit every taste, every style, every desire. In six years, nearly ten million watches have been sold throughout the world. To find out more, visit www. ice-watch.com and www. facebook.com/ice.watch ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

Subscription Form

MY DETAILS Mr / Ms / Mrs / Mdm : _____________________________________________ I.C. No. : _____________________________________

Gender c Male c Female c Race: c Malay c Chinese c Indian c Others Address :_____________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Postcode :____________ State :__________________ Email :_______________________________________

YES ! I would like to subscribe to:

S4M

MNM

A&M

Magazine

(please circle) S4M c 12 issues 1 year subscription -..RM117.60 S4M c 24 issues 2 years subscription - RM235.20 MNM c 12 ..............................................RM105.60 MNM c 24 ..............................................RM211.20 A&M c 12 ..............................................RM67.20

Telephone / Mobile:_____________________________

A&M c 24 ..............................................RM134.40

Fax :_________________________________________

c - Renewal

Signature : _____________________________________________

For every 2 Magazine subscriptions, get a FREE limited edition Peugeot Sports Backpack (while stocks last).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery of your first issue upon receipt of your cheque and order form. Subscription orders are non-refundable. Replacement of lost or damaged magazine will be posted within 7 working days. Details provided may be used by BIG FISH Publishing Sdn Bhd for marketing purposes.

Please fax this form to : 03 - 2282 0840 or e-mail to - nigel@cbt.com.my - Tel : 012-356 0183

PRICELIST

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED WITHOUT INSURANCE UNLESS STATED

ALFA ROMEO (without insurance) 159 3.2 V6 Ti 159 2.2JTS Selespeed Giulietta 1.4T

RM298,888 RM195,888 RM178,888

AUDI (without insurance) A1 1.4 TFSI A1 1.4 TFSI S line A4 1.8 TFSI A4 2.0 TFSI quattro A5 2.0 TFSI quattro A6 2.0 TFSI A6 3.0 TFSI quattro A6 hybrid A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro A8 L 3.0 TFSI quattro Q3 2.0 TFSI quattro Q5 2.0 TFSI quattro Q7 3.0 TFSI quattro TT 2.0 TFSI R8 5.2 FSI quattro

RM179,900 RM209,000 RM235,000 RM309,800 RM399,000 RM345,000 RM515,000 RM280,000 RM599,000 RM658,800 RM258,000 RM325,000 RM550,000 RM355,000 RM1,250,000

BUFORI (without insurance) Bufori La Joya

CHERY (with insurance) RM498,516

BMW (without insurance) 135i Coupe M Sport 120i Convertible 320i 320d 328i 335i ActiveHybrid 3 320i Coupe 325i Coupe 335i Coupe M Sport 325i Convertible M3 Coupe M3 Coupe Competition Edition 520d 520i 528i M Sport 535i ActiveHybrid 5 535i Gran Turismo M5 640i Coupe 650i Coupe 640i Convertible 640i Gran Coupe M6 Coupe 730Li 740Li ActiveHybrid 7L X1 sDrive20i X3 xDrive20i X3 xDrive20d X5 xDrive35i X5 xDrive30d X6 xDrive35i Z4 sDrive20i Z4 sDrive28i M Sport Z4 sDrive35is

RM423,800 RM319,800 RM241,800 RM248,800 RM293,800 RM488,800 RM398,800 RM289,800 RM378,800 RM498,800 RM439,800 RM728,800 RM758,800 RM338,800 RM363,800 RM415,800 RM598,800 RM498,800 RM678,800 RM898,800 RM768,800 RM888,800 RM868,800 RM788,800 RM988,800 RM648,800 RM818,800 RM938,800 RM238,800 RM323,800 RM348,800 RM588,800 RM578,800 RM698,800 RM358,800 RM488,800 RM598,800

CHANA (with insurance) Era CV6

RM41,364

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

Honda CR-V.

Eastar 2.0 Standard Eastar 2.0 Full Spec Tiggo 1.6 (MT) Tiggo 2.0 (AT) Transcom 2.0 TCi

GREAT WALL MOTOR (with insurance) RM89,900 RM97,108 RM79,800 RM93,800 RM89,900

CHEVROLET (without insurance) Cruze 1.8 LT Captiva 2.4 LT Gasoline Captiva 2.0 LT Diesel Captiva 2.0 LTZ Diesel Colorado 2.8 LTZ Diesel (4x4 AT) Colorado 2.8 LT Diesel (4x4 MT) Colorado 2.5 LT Diesel (4x4 MT) Sonic 1.4 LTZ Sedan Sonic 1.4 LTZ H/Back Orlando 1.8 LT

RM104,716 RM160,185 RM166,877 RM169,877 RM106,008 RM96,008 RM90,267 RM77,508 RM79,508 RM119,766

CITROEN (with insurance) DS4 1.6 THP DS5 1.6 THP

RM165,000 RM195,000

FORD (with insurance) Fiesta 1.6 Sport Ti-VCT Fiesta 1.6 Sedan LX Ti-VCT Fiesta 1.4 Sport LX Focus 2.0 Ti-VCT Titanium Focus 2.0 Ti-VCT Titanium + Focus 2.0 Ti-VCT Sport Focus 2.0 Ti-VCT Sport + Focus ST Focus TDCi Sedan Focus TDCi Sport Mondeo 2.0 EcoBoost S-Max 2.0 EcoBoost Escape XLT 2.3 4x4 Escape XLS 2.3 4x2 Everest XLT 3.0 TDCi 4x4 (AT) Everest XLT 2.5 TDCi 4x4 (MT) Ranger XLT 2.2 4x4 (MT) Ranger XLT 2.2 4x4 (AT) Ranger 3.2 WILDTRAK 4x4 (AT)

RM84,888 RM83,388 RM69,999 RM115,888 RM128,888 RM115,888 RM128,888 RM208,888 RM128,903 RM128,903 RM193,888 RM198,888 RM139,905 RM118,905 RM176,808 RM151,484 RM89,888 RM96,888 RM116,888

Haval H5 4WD 2.0 Wingle 4x2

RM120,020 RM61,905

HONDA (with insurance) Jazz Grade S Jazz Hybrid 1.3 (CBU) Jazz Hybrid 1.3 (CKD) Insight 1.3 CR-Z 1.5 (AT) CR-Z 1.5 (MT) City Grade E City Grade S City 1.5L VA Civic 1.8S Civic 2.0S Civic 2.0 Navi Civic Hybrid 1.5 Accord 2.0 VTi Accord 2.0 VTi-L Accord 2.4 VTi-L Freed Grade E Freed Grade S CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC Stream RSZ 1.8 i-VTEC

RM99,800 RM94,800 RM89,900 RM99,800 RM123,000 RM119,000 RM90,980 RM85,980 RM93,480 RM115,980 RM131,980 RM136,980 RM119,980 RM142,815 RM149,815 RM172,817 RM113,500 RM99,800 RM148,800 RM158,995

HYUNDAI (with insurance) i10 Epsilon 1.1 (AT) i10 Kappa 1.25 D-CVVT (AT) Elantra Gamma 1.6 D-CVVT (MT) Std Spec Elantra Gamma 1.6 D-CVVT (AT) Std Spec Elantra Gamma 1.6 D-CVVT (AT) High Spec Elantra nu 1.8 D-CVVT (AT) Premium Veloster Gamma 1.6 D-CVVT (MT) Veloster Gamma 1.6 D-CVVT (AT) Veloster Gamma 1.6 D-CVVT (AT) Premium Sonata FL nu 2.0 (AT) Elegance Sonata FL nu 2.0 (AT) Executive Sonata FL nu 2.0 (AT) Executive Plus Sonata FL nu 2.0 (AT) Sport Sonata FL Theta II 2.4 (AT) Premium Sonata FL Theta II 2.4 (AT) Sport Santa Fe Theta II 2.4 (AT) Premium Santa Fe 2.2 CRDI (AT) Premium Tucson Theta II 2.0 (AT) Elegance

RM51,400 RM56,012 RM88,901 RM93,901 RM98,901 RM114,903 RM116,901 RM121,901 RM132,901 RM137,903 RM145,903 RM149,403 RM151,903 RM173,905 RM176,405 RM161,922 RM173,918 RM131,903

Tucson Theta II 2.0 (AT) Executive Plus Tucson Theta II 2.0 (AT) Premium Tucson Theta II 2.4 (AT) Executive Plus Tucson Theta II 2.4 (AT) Premium Grand Starex 2.5 CRDI VGT (AT) Royale Grand Starex 2.5 CRDI VGT (AT) Royale Premium

RM141,903 RM144,903 RM155,905 RM158,905 RM153,922 RM165,922

INFINITI (without insurance) G37 Coupe M37 M25 M35 Hybrid EX37 GT EX37 EX25 FX37

RM415,000 RM425,000 RM350,000 RM499,000 RM395,000 RM380,000 RM325,000 RM435,000

ISUZU (with insurance) D-Max Double Cab 3.0 (4x4 MT) D-Max Double Cab 3.0 (4x4 AT) D-Max Double Cab 3.0 (4x2 AT) D-Max Single Cab 3.0 (4x4 MT) D-Max Double Cab 2.5 (4x4 MT) D-Max Double Cab 2.5 (4x2 MT)

RM94,366 RM99,296 RM90,462 RM73,390 RM89,963 RM74,273

JAGUAR (without insurance) F-TYPE 3.0L V6 Supercharged Indicative Selling Price F-TYPE S 3.0L V6 Supercharged Indicative Selling Price F-TYPE V8 S 5.0L V8 Supercharged Indicative Selling Price XJL 2.0 Ti Luxury XJL 3.0 Td Prem Luxury XJL 3.0 SC Prem Luxury XJL 5.0 SC Supersport XKR 5.0 V8 S/C Coupe XKR 5.0 V8 S/C Convertible XKR-S 5.0 V8 S/C Coupe XKR-S 5.0 V8 S/C Convertible XF 2.0 Ti Luxury XF 2.2 Td Luxury XFS 3.0 Td Luxury XFS 3.0 SC Prem Luxury XFS 5.0 R-Spec

MINI One.

Optima K5 2.0 Forte 1.6 EX Forte 1.6 SX Forte 2.0 SX Forte KOUP 2.0 Rio 1.4 EX Rio 1.4 SX Sportage 2.0 Sorento 2.4 Pregio

Range Rover Evoque 2.0 Petrol Coupe Dynamic Plus Range Rover Evoque 2.0 Petrol 5 Door Prestige Range Rover Evoque 2.2 Diesel 5 Door Prestige Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Diesel Vogue Range Rover Sport TDV6 3.0 Diesel HSE Range Rover Sport V8 5.0 Petrol HSE Range Rover Sport V8 5.0 Supercharged Petrol Discovery 4 TDV6 3.0 HSE Diesel Freelander 2 SD4 HSE 2.2 Diesel Defender 2.4 110 High capacity pick up Defender 2.4 110 Double cab Defender 2.4 110 Station wagon

LEXUS (without insurance)

RM988,888

GS 250 GS 250 Luxury GS 350 Luxury GS 250 F Sport GS 350 F Sport GS 450h LS 460 LS 460L LS 460 F Sport LS 600h L RX 350 RX 350 F Sport RX 270 RX 450h IS 250 IS 250 Luxury CT 200h

RM598,888 RM748,888 RM838,888 RM1,158,888 RM1,088,888 RM1,158,888 RM1,288,888 RM1,348,888 RM388,888 RM398,888 RM528,888 RM588,888 RM888,888

RM143,888 RM78,800 RM85,800 RM97,800 RM115,800 RM73,888 RM79,888 RM138,888 RM158,888 RM77,867

LAND ROVER (without insurance)

RM888,888

RM1,098,888

CT 200h Luxury CT 200h F Sport

KIA (with insurance)

RM197,500 RM201,400

LOTUS (without insurance) Elise 1.6 Elise 1.6 CR Elise 1.8 Supercharger Evora Evora IPS Evora S Evora S IPS Exige S Base

RM238,600 RM230,600 RM278,600 RM443,800 RM460,800 RM513,800 RM530,800 RM416,200

MAHINDRA (with insurance) RM393,888 RM363,888 RM353,888 RM730,000 RM568,888 RM588,888 RM728,888 RM423,888 RM271,388 RM105,888 RM148,888 RM190,888

RM366,200 RM398,660 RM456,800 RM400,600 RM464,800 RM576,800 RM769,448 RM859,448 RM799,448 RM1,046,199 RM399,800 RM409,800 RM359,800 RM525,000 RM275,000 RM305,000 RM168,000

Mahindra Scorpio 2.0

RM99,462

MAZDA (without insurance) Mazda2 1.5 Sedan V-Spec Mazda2 1.5 Sedan VR-Spec Mazda2 1.5 H/Back VR-Spec Mazda3 MPS 2.3 Mazda3 1.6 Sedan GL Metallic Mazda3 1.6 Sedan GL Solid Mazda3 1.6 H/Back GL Metallic Mazda3 1.6 H/Back GL Solid Mazda3 2.0 Sedan GLS Metallic Mazda3 2.0 Sedan GLS Solid Mazda3 2.0 H/Back GLS Metallic Mazda3 2.0 H/Back GLS Solid Mazda5 2.0 MPV Mazda6 2.0 Sedan SKYACTIV Mazda6 2.5 Sedan SKYACTIV Mazda6 2.5 Touring SKYACTIV Mazda8 2.3 MPV RX-8 1.3 (M) RX-8 1.3 (A) MX-5 2.0 CX-5 2WD (4x2) CX-5 4WD (4x4) CX-7 2WD (4x2) CX-7 4WD (4x4) CX-9 4WD (4x4) CX-9 2WD (4x2) BT-50 2.2 Commonrail (4x4 MT) BT-50 2.2 Commonrail (4x4 AT) BT-50 3.2 Commonrail (4x4 AT)

RM76,622 RM78,157 RM82,322 RM175,109 RM101,074 RM100,674 RM106,353 RM105,953 RM121,074 RM120,674 RM126,399 RM125,999 RM153,019 RM155,159 RM184,648 RM188,648 RM191,928 RM226,699 RM236,699 RM220,000 RM155,219 RM165,219 RM258,008 RM268,015 RM322,404 RM282,404 RM87,328 RM92,883 RM104,066

MERCEDES-BENZ (without insurance) B200 BlueEFFICIENCY Sports Tourer C180 BlueEFFICIENCY C200 CGI Elegance with Audio 20 & ECO start/stop C200 CGI Avantgarde with Audio 20 & ECO start/stop C250 CGI Avantgarde with COMAND Online C300 with AMG Sports Package C180 Coupe with AMG Sports Package C250 Coupe with AMG Sports Package C63 AMG Coupe SLK 200 Roadster SLK 55 AMG Roadster E200 CGI Elegance (7G TRONIC) New OMV E250 CGI Avantgarde (7G TRONIC) New OMV E300 Avantgarde with AMG Sports Package CLS 350 Coupe E250 CGI Coupe E250 CGI Cabriolet S300 L with Rear Seat Entertainment S350 CGI L S500 CGI L with AMG Sports Package SL 300 Roadster

RM220,888 RM227,888 RM262,888 RM272,888 RM295,888 RM325,888 RM305,888 RM388,888 RM781,888 RM460,888 RM857,888 RM363,888 RM403,888 RM473,888 RM760,888 RM493,888 RM535,888 RM659,888 RM840,888 RM1,056,888 RM806,888

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

PRICELIST New SL 350 Roadster SLS AMG Roadster ML 300 The New ML 350 with AMG Wheels R 300 L with AMG Wheels

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED WITHOUT INSURANCE UNLESS STATED RM898,888 RM1,838,888 RM480,888 RM570,888 RM478,888

MINI (without insurance) Cooper Cooper S Cooper Cabrio Cooper S Clubman Cooper S JCW Cooper Countryman Cooper S Countryman Cooper S Coupe Cooper Baker Street Cooper S Bayswater

RM195,888 RM239,888 RM235,888 RM259,888 RM275,888 RM248,888 RM285,888 RM249,888 RM198,888 RM248,888

MITSUBISHI (with insurance) Mirage GS Mirage GL Mirage GL (5MT) Lancer Evolution 2.0 Lancer 2.4 Sportback Lancer 2.0 GT ASX 2.0 Pajero 3.8 (4WD) Pajero Sports 2.5 GL (2WD) Pajero Sport VGT (4WD) Triton 2.5 Double cab (AT) Triton 2.5 Double cab (MT) Triton 2.5 Double cab (MT) std Triton VGT 2.5 Double cab Triton Lite Turbo 2.5 Double cab

RM64,962 RM61,992 RM56,992 RM338,903 RM135,034 RM129,010 RM142,010 RM299,016 RM152,534 RM176,014 RM97,014 RM92,014 RM83,614 RM106,014 RM67,515

NISSAN (with insurance) Almera 1.5 E (MT) Almera 1.5 E (AT) Almera 1.5 V (AT) Almera 1.5 VL (AT) Sentra Sport 1.6 (MT) Sentra Sport 1.6 (AT) Sentra Sport Luxury 1.6 (MT) Sentra Sport Luxury 1.6 (AT) Latio Sedan 1.6 (AT) Latio Hatchback 1.8 (AT) Sylphy 2.0 (X-CVT) Sylphy Luxury Navi Package 2.0 (X-CVT) Sylphy Premium 2.0 (X-CVT) Teana 2.0 Comfort Teana 2.0 Luxury Teana V6 2.5 Premium Teana V6 3.5 Exquisite Grand Livina 1.6 (MT) Grand Livina 1.6 (AT) Grand Livina 1.8 (AT) Grand Livina AUTECH 1.8 (AT) Livina X-Gear 1.6 (AT) Serena MPV 2.0 (AT) Comfort Serena MPV 2.0 (AT) Highway Star Frontier 4WD 2.5 (MT) Spirit Navara 4WD 2.5 (MT) Comfort Navara 4WD 2.5 (MT) SE Navara 4WD 2.5 (AT) Comfort Navara King Cab 4WD 2.5 (MT) Navara 2WD 2.5 (AT) Calibre X-Trail 4WD 2.0 (AT) X-Trail 4WD 2.5 (AT) X-Trail 2WD 2.0 (X-CVT)

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3

RM66,813 RM69,813 RM76,813 RM79,813 RM85,777 RM89,827 RM89,777 RM93,827 RM89,827 RM99,830 RM114,895 RM119,895 RM124,895 RM141,815 RM145,815 RM173,100 RM248,536 RM86,827 RM89,827 RM98,830 RM105,815 RM84,813 RM136,530 RM146,980 RM82,720 RM89,834 RM94,834 RM105,834 RM82,817 RM89,934 RM133,834 RM144,817 RM149,530

Mitsubishi I-Miev. 370Z Coupe 3.7 (AT) 370Z Roadster 3.7 (AT) Elgrand 3.5 (CVT) Murano 3.5 (X-CVT) Urvan Panel Van 3.0 (MT) Urvan Semi Panel Van 3.0 (MT) Urvan Microbus 14 seater 3.0 (MT) NV200 Vanette Panel Van 1.6 (MT) NV200 Semi Panel Van 1.6 (MT)

RM370,036 RM399,936 RM398,361 RM330,644 RM79,888 RM85,440 RM100,355 RM65,923 RM69,923

IMPUL (with insurance) Grand Livina Tuned By Impul 1.6 (AT) RM100,527 Grand Livina Tuned By Impul 1.6 (MT) RM97,527 Grand Livina Tuned By Impul 1.8 (AT) RM109,530 Latio Hatchback Tuned By Impul 1.8 (AT) RM110,830 Latio Sedan Tuned By Impul 1.6 (AT) RM100,827 Sentra Tuned By Impul 1.6 (AT) Comfort RM98,627 Sentra Tuned By Impul 1.6 (AT) Luxury RM102,627 Sentra Tuned By Impul 1.6 (MT) Comfort RM94,527 Sentra Tuned By Impul 1.6 (MT) Luxury RM98,527 Sylphy Tuned By Impul 2.0 (X-CVT) RM126,003 Sylphy Navi Package Tuned By Impul 2.0 (X-CVT) Luxury RM131,003 Sylphy Tuned By Impul 2.0 (X-CVT) Premium RM136,003 X-Gear Tuned By Impul 1.6 (AT) RM92,813

PERODUA (with insurance) Alza 1.5 S GHB Solid Alza 1.5 S GHB Metallic Alza 1.5 S EZB Solid Alza 1.5 S EZB Metallic Alza 1.5 GHA Solid Alza 1.5 GHA Metallic Alza 1.5 ZHA Solid Alza 1.5 ZHA Metallic Alza 1.5 ZHV Solid Alza 1.5 ZHV Metallic Myvi 1.3 SX Solid Myvi 1.3 SX Metallic Myvi 1.3 EZ Solid Myvi 1.3 EZ Metallic Myvi SE 1.3 GHS Solid Myvi SE 1.3 GHS Metallic Myvi SE 1.3 ZHS Solid Myvi SE 1.3 ZHS Metallic Myvi SE 1.5 GHM Solid Myvi SE 1.5 GHM Metallic Myvi SE 1.5 ZHM Solid Myvi SE 1.5 ZHM Metallic Myvi Extreme 1.5 GHX Solid Myvi Extreme 1.5 GHX Metallic Myvi Extreme 1.5 ZHX Solid

RM53,517 RM54,017 RM56,517 RM57,017 RM60,517 RM61,017 RM63,517 RM64,017 RM69,517 RM70,017 RM41,924 RM42,424 RM44,924 RM45,424 RM44,924 RM45,424 RM47,924 RM48,424 RM53,027 RM53,527 RM56,027 RM56,527 RM58,227 RM58,727 RM61,227

Myvi Extreme 1.5 ZHX Metallic ViVA 660 BX Solid ViVA 660 BX Metallic ViVA 850 Solid ViVA 850 Metallic ViVA S Solid ViVA S Metallic ViVA ELITE (MT) Solid ViVA ELITE (MT) Metallic ViVA ELITE (AT) Solid ViVA ELITE (AT) Metallic

RM61,727 RM24,924 RM25,324 RM32,744 RM33,144 RM34,744 RM35,174 RM37,874 RM38,274 RM40,874 RM41,274

PEUGEOT (with insurance) 207 1.6 207 SV 308 VTi 1.6 308 Turbo 1.6 408 Turbo 1.6 408 2.0 508 Turbo S 508 Premium 508SW 508 GT 508SW GT 3008 5008

RM72,888 RM76,888 RM102,888 RM121,888 RM125,888 RM109,888 RM155,888 RM169,888 RM179,888 RM199,888 RM209,888 RM146,888 RM159,888

PROTON (with insurance) Exora 1.6 (MT) Metallic Exora 1.6 (MT) Solid Exora Bold 1.6 (MT) Metallic Exora Bold 1.6 (MT) Solid Exora Bold 1.6 (AT) Metallic Exora Bold 1.6 (AT) Solid Exora Bold 1.6 Standard (CVT) Metallic Exora Bold 1.6 Standard (CVT) Solid Exora Bold 1.6 Premium (CVT) Metallic Exora Bold 1.6 Premium (CVT) Solid Exora Prime 1.6 (CVT) Metallic Inspira 1.8 (MT) Metallic Inspira 1.8 (MT) Solid Inspira 2.0E (CVT) Metallic Inspira 2.0E (CVT) Solid Inspira 2.0P (CVT) Metallic Inspira 2.0P (CVT) Solid Persona 1.6 Standard (MT) Metallic Persona 1.6 Standard (AT) Metallic Preve 1.6 Executive (MT) Solid Preve 1.6 Executive (MT) Metallic Preve 1.6 Executive (CVT) Solid Preve 1.6 Executive (CVT) Metallic Preve 1.6 Premium (CVT) Solid

RM60,012 RM59,562 RM67,212 RM66,762 RM72,212 RM71,762 RM69,000 RM68,550 RM80,012 RM79,562 RM89,012 RM79,015 RM78,565 RM86,900 RM86,450 RM92,900 RM92,450 RM48,113 RM51,113 RM59,540 RM59,990 RM62,540 RM62,990 RM72,540

Preve 1.6 Premium (CVT) Metallic Saga FLX 1.3 Standard (MT) Solid Saga FLX 1.3 Standard (MT) Metallic Saga FLX 1.3 Standard (CVT) Solid Saga FLX 1.3 Standard (CVT) Metallic Saga FLX 1.3 Executive (MT) Solid Saga FLX 1.3 Executive (MT) Metallic Saga FLX 1.3 Executive (CVT) Solid Saga FLX 1.3 Executive (CVT) Metallic Saga FLX 1.6 Executive (AT) Solid Saga FLX 1.6 Executive (CVT) Metallic Saga FLX 1.6 Executive (CVT) Solid Satria Neo R3 1.6 (MT) Metallic Satria Neo R3 1.6 (MT) Solid Satria Neo R3 1.6 (AT) Metallic Satria Neo R3 1.6 (AT) Solid

RM72,990 RM38,361 RM38,811 RM41,361 RM41,811 RM42,161 RM42,611 RM44,761 RM45,211 RM46,563 RM49,913 RM47,992 RM61,250 RM60,800 RM64,250 RM63,800

PORSCHE (without insurance) Boxster Boxster S 911 C2 911 C2S 911 C2 Cab 911 C2 S Cab 911 C4S Cayenne Cayenne Diesel Cayenne S Cayenne GTS Cayenne S Hybrid Cayenne Turbo Panamera Panamera 4 Panamera Diesel

RM450,000 RM550,000 RM800,000 RM900,000 RM900,000 RM1,000,000 RM970,000 RM570,000 RM580,000 RM700,000 RM800,000 RM740,000 RM970,000 RM740,000 RM770,000 RM740,000

RENAULT (without insurance) Koleos 2.5 CLIO RS 200 CUP Megane Sport 250 CUP Megane Sport 250 CUP Alpine Edition

RM223,810 RM199,462 RM230,568 RM245,178

SKODA (without insurance) Octavia RS 2.0 TSI Superb 1.8 TSI

RM190,040 RM201,058

SSANGYONG (without insurance) Actyon Sports 2WD Actyon Sports 4WD Actyon e-XDi 200 XVT AWD Actyon e-XDi 200 XVT 2WD

RM86,077 RM91,077 RM129,977 RM119,977

SUBARU (with insurance) XV 2.0i

RM150,735

Forester 2.0X Forester 2.5XT Turbocharged Impreza WRX 2.5 STI Legacy Outback 2.5i CVT Legacy 2.5GT Sedan AWD Turbo Legacy 2.5GT Wagon AWD Turbo

RM154,339 RM185,514 RM257,366 RM206,066 RM226,586 RM236,846

SUZUKI (with insurance) Kizashi 2.4 CVT SDLX Kizashi 2.4 CVT Sport Swift 1.4 GLX Swift 1.4 GLX-S Grand Vitara 4x2 2.0 SX4 Crossover 1.6 SX4 Crossover 1.6 Premier Alto 1.0 GA Alto 1.0 GLX Alto 1.0 GXS

RM147,888 RM158,188 RM77,888 RM83,318 RM121,100 RM91,888 RM96,888 RM46,253 RM51,383 RM56,513

TOYOTA (with insurance) 86 (AT) 86 (MT) Camry 2.5V Camry 2.0G Camry 2.0E Corolla Altis 2.0V Corolla Altis 1.8G Corolla Altis 1.8E Corolla Altis 1.6E Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo Metallic Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo Non-Metallic Vios 1.5G Limited Metallic Vios 1.5G Limited Non-Metallic Vios 1.5G Metallic Vios 1.5G Non-Metallic Vios 1.5E Metallic Vios 1.5E Non-Metallic Vios 1.5J Metallic Vios 1.5J Non-Metallic Vios 1.5J (MT) Metallic Vios 1.5J (MT) Non-Metallic Avanza 1.5S Metallic Avanza 1.5S Non-Metallic Avanza 1.5G Metallic Avanza 1.5G Non-Metallic Avanza 1.5E Metallic Avanza 1.5E Non-Metallic Avanza 1.3E (MT) Metallic Avanza 1.3E (MT) Non-Metallic Innova 2.0G Metallic Innova 2.0G Non-Metallic Innova 2.0E Metallic Innova 2.0E Non-Metallic Innova 2.0E (MT) Metallic Innova 2.0E (MT) Non-Metallic

RM249,015 RM243,015 RM180,917 RM157,915 RM149,915 RM132,020 RM123,020 RM113,020 RM106,617 RM92,027 RM91,231 RM89,627 RM88,831 RM87,327 RM86,557 RM82,331 RM81,517 RM77,313 RM76,517 RM73,213 RM72,417 RM79,617 RM78,891 RM77,317 RM76,617 RM73,617 RM72,891 RM66,614 RM65,888 RM110,630 RM109,834 RM103,530 RM102,734 RM98,530 RM97,734

Rush 1.5S Metallic Rush 1.5S Non-Metallic Rush 1.5G Metallic Rush 1.5G Non-Metallic Rush 1.5G (MT) Metallic Rush 1.5G (MT) Non-Metallic Fortuner 2.7V TRD Sportivo Metallic Fortuner 2.7V TRD Sportivo Non-Metallic Fortuner 2.7V Metallic Fortuner 2.7V Non-Metallic Fortuner 2.5G TRD Sportivo Metallic Fortuner 2.5G TRD Sportivo Non-Metallic Fortuner 2.5G Metallic Fortuner 2.5G Non-Metallic Hilux Double Cab 3.0G Metallic Hilux Double Cab 2.5G Metallic Hilux Double Cab 2.5G Non-Metallic Hilux Double Cab 2.5G (MT) Metallic Hilux Double Cab 2.5G (MT) Non-Metallic Hilux Double Cab 2.5STD (MT) Metallic Hilux Double Cab 2.5STD (MT) Non-Metallic Hilux Single Cab 2.5 (MT) Non-Metallic Prius C Prius C TRD Sportivo Prius Prius Luxury Hiace Window Van 2.7 Petrol Hiace Window Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel Hiace Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel

RM97,017 RM96,219 RM92,217 RM91,491 RM89,217 RM88,491 RM182,482 RM181,554 RM179,024 RM178,096 RM174,789 RM173,927 RM171,305 RM170,443 RM107,284 RM100,005 RM99,319 RM95,005 RM94,319 RM86,805 RM86,119 RM76,305 RM97,313 RM104,003 RM139,915 RM145,515 RM97,136 RM104,127 RM83,069

VOLKSWAGEN (without insurance) Beetle 1.2 TSI Polo 1.2 TSI Polo GTI 1.4 TSI (3-door) Polo GTI 1.4 TSI (5-door) Polo Sedan 1.6 Golf 1.4 TSI Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo TSI Golf R 2.0 Scirocco 1.4 TSI Scirocco 2.0 TSI Scirocco R 2.0 Eos 2.0 TSI Jetta 1.4 TSI Cross Touran 1.4 TSI Passat 1.8 TSI Sport (CBU) Passat 1.8 TSI (CKD) CC Comfortline CC Sport CC 3.6 V6 Tiguan 2.0 TSI Sharan 2.0 TSI Sharan 2.0 TSI (Tech Package) Touareg 3.6 V6 FSI Touareg Hybrid 3.0 V6 TSI Touareg TDI

RM139,888 RM113,888 RM166,888 RM169,888 RM99,888 RM157,888 RM209,888 RM268,888 RM188,888 RM243,888 RM279,888 RM257,888 RM149,888 RM166,888 RM189,888 RM170,888 RM225,888 RM243,888 RM373,888 RM236,888 RM245,888 RM265,888 RM428,888 RM616,888 RM488,888

VOLVO (without insurance)

Renault Megane RS265.

V50 2.0 V60 T4 V60 T5 S40 2.0 S60 T4 S60 T5 S80 T5 S80 T5 Exclusive XC60 T5 XC90 T5 XC90 D5

RM185,950 RM230,000 RM269,000 RM169,950 RM220,000 RM259,000 RM268,000 RM295,000 RM299,950 RM355,000 RM355,000

ISSUE 3 | MNM 2013

NEXT ISSUE

COMING UP IN ISSUE 4 OF MNM

THE E63 AMG TESTED IN BARCELONA

BMW 3GT FIRST DRIVE

BATTLE OF THE CLASSICS

OTHER EXCITING TITLES FROM THE PUBLISHER

100

MNM 2013 | ISSUE 3