2009/10 Mercedes-Benz (W212) E-Class undisguised!

Spotted over at paultan.org are a few of the latest leaked images of the upcoming 2009/10 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a full replacement model due for next year's Geneva debut. At the front (in E500 guise) , it appeared decently refreshed and stately - as an E-Class should rightfully be - though somewhat Lexus GS300-ish, if not for the trademark Benz grille.

The side profile cuts a swage line to be in tune with the rest of the M-B saloons i.e. the W204 C-Class and of course, the W221 S-Class.



Coming to the rear is where For Wheels reckon that Daimler AG designers lost their plot or fell asleep at their respective workstations! Or did the Computer Aided Design (CAD) software failed them? I could recall that I was awed with the new W211 when M-B refined it into something modern yet classy in 2003, versus the clunky W210. Remember that sleek W211 E-Class in 'Men In Black II'? So desirable that I eventually committed to hire purchasing one in 2006.

All hope may not be lost though, I am pretty sure it will look more convincing in the metal come Q3/Q4 2009 when launched in Malaysia. Knowing how some Conti designs do look better with age, with conditioned acceptance as we see more of them on the road. But does Mercedes-Benz have to relive its W124 era so much - applying much retro cues for the W212's butt - as it boasted returning to the E's solid-built state of the 1980s?

Will the M271 (E18) of the E200 get a turbocharger instead of the trusty but 'over-worked' Kompressor? Anyone for a brand new W212 E200T with direct fuel injection pushing higher torque and more power output?

Forget the fancy Park Assist, Panoramic Roof, Keyless Go et al, the new W212 E200 deserves both DFI/GDI plus modern turbocharging! Errr...maybe even a more flexible 7-G Tronic 'box to go with it?

Topless Driving: Peugeot 207cc

Click on all images to enlarge
Cabriolets and roadsters were pretty much like Caviars to me. Yes, they are an acquired taste and a premium one at that. Unnecessarily pricey, in a smaller package (read: less value-for-money) and representing a lifestyle statement to the elite-strata of the society (locally at least). This breed of automobiles is also mostly unpractical in our tropical, equatorial heat and hardly blends well with our sticky, humid climate.

My perception of things (not of the rising crime rates in Malaysia though) has changed when I took home the VW Eos a few months ago. Strangely, I enjoyed drop-top motoring very much since then but I have ransacked my clinic's stock of sunblock more than a couple of times! Just for the record, anything with SPF 30+ or 35+ will do, no need to splurge extra cash on the heavy duty stuffs, unless you are into surfing off the coast of Port Dickson, Langkawi or Bagan Lalang for that matter.


Which brings us to this petite topless feline called the 207cc. I have always fancied the slanty eyed Pugs ever since the 206, 307, 407 et al. This trademark design gets carried over here with even sharper accentuation, paired with an even more gaping mouth diplaying a wide (friendly? or is it feisty?) grin. It's a happy Peugeot alright. The driver is mostly happy too with the tight feel of the car on the road. The 207cc simply felt very solidly bolted together, even with the top down. Decent road manners, great ride pliancy despite a short wheelbase, comfy seats and minimal rolling noise from those grippy premium Conti rubbers. However, the 207cc' Archilles heel has to be its drivetrain. Dont' get me wrong, it's responsive and ever trying to please. But with only 4 'auto' gears, mostly shifted into cog '2' manually, I was yearning for more grunt. Its lovely chassis - which was superbly Conti-esque stable at its triple digits Vmax - simply deserved more horses and torque. The turbocharged lump from the 308GT THP175 (and new New Mini Cooper S) would do nicely here, I reckoned.



Now comes the dicey part: overtaking in a 207cc. It's a daunting task really, waiting for ages for pace to built up and securely pass the car up front. With oncoming traffic on the opposite looking more menacing more often than it should, I guess this is indeed as a local Peugeot (and a close friend) guy puts it: " A lovely boulevardier of a coupe-cabriolet". MidValley Boulevard anyone? Bintang Walk? Heritage Row? Bangsar, Hartamas, Mont Kiara? Now I get it. Serious.

Coming Up: Honda Jazz vs Mitsubishi Colt (Turbo) Ralliart?

"What?" Another mismatched madness you may say. Well, truth be told...the 2005 Colt Ralliart you see above was priced (at least in Wald form via USF-Hicom) at almost the same level as the new Honda Jazz 1.5 V-Grade with Modulo kit.

I reckon it makes an interesting comparo, no? Psst! Let's just not call it a shootout...

Driven: Honda Jazz 1.5V Modulo

Honda's most successful supermini, the Jazz/Fit has grown taller, bigger and more chunky into its 2nd generation. It looks more like a ultra-compact minivan/MPV and would have been one if it has third row seatings. In fact, it is more akin to a monoblock hatch now, rather than the 2-box design of its predecessor.

What's new to this Jazz replacement model is the updated 1.5L motor which currently beats with Honda's famed i-VTEC variable cam-lift-and-timing trickery. In Malaysia, and much of ASEAN market - the JDM Fit still has CVT - its driveline is now a more conventional 5-speed A/T torque converter 'box. Honda claims that the local motoring crowd prefers a more 'exhilarating' aka 'sportier' drive (feel) associated with regular auto tranny. I leave it to you to be the judge of character here, because I definitely missed the smoothness of the previous CVT.



Though the uprated engine has higher output of 120ps enabling reasonable zippiness on the go, the 'new' 5 A/T was a tad too busy hunting gears, constantly wanting to get into the L15's powerband. And I have to say the exhaust ding of hollow notes and the booming engine as it gets past 5,000rpm were quite atypical of a modern Honda motor. One my close motoring pal (an editor) attribute this to the new catalytic converters in the exhaust system (meeting stricter emissions standards) "gagging" the powerplant but whatever it is, it was sensed to have lower NVH after I pumped up the volume of the audio system. Yes, with louder music cancelling or drowning out the nasty (somewhat Korean-ish and Toyota Vios-esque) hoarseness and roughness of its drivetrain, the Jazz was indeed sweeter to drive. And I dare say this has nothing to do with any particular song or upbeat audio soundtrack!



In all fairness, the Jazz has pretty decent handling and is sure footed around bends. Ride comfort is also good with predictable body roll. Interior space is wonderful and there are plenty of cubbyholes. Practical and versatile, no doubt about that. Boot space is very decent for a B-segment hatch (vs my wife's Mitsu Colt). While the interior plastics are nothing to shout about, especially in contrast to the almost similar-priced Civic 1.8S (CKD), Honda still has got the touch to making its textured plastic trims looked soft and thus, deceptively more premium than it really is.



Like I have said before in the teaser post earlier, this new Jazz will pretty much sums up (read: a preview) how the all-new City would behave on our roads come 2009. The Jazz' new 1.5 i-VTEC lump seemed lethargic and is caught easily breathless in 'D' mode. Flick the gear lever into 'S', the drivetrain gets a tad too highly strung, and can be heard protesting quite a bit as you stretch it to the redline, though palpably quicker getting there in this sportier shift program.

Get this only if you want the rarity of owning a piece of a fashion/lifestyle statement from Honda. Otherwise, wait for the new City. Here's hoping that the lengthier exhaust system (piping, mufflers et al) in the 3rd generation Honda City will smoothen things out a little bit.



Mini pictures gallery: click on pictures to enlarge

Proton Chief is 'Automotive Man of the Year 2008'

Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin receiving the Award from Tan Sri Mohamed Nor Yackob, Second Finance Minister of Malaysia.


Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin bin Syed Mohamed Tahir, the Managing Director of Proton Holdings Berhad, was awarded the “Automotive Man of the Year 2008” Award in recognition of his leadership at the helm of Proton and turning around an ailing domestic giant into a genuine global challenger.

To achieve this, his focus switched back to core competencies and profitability. This culminated in the long term strategy which is now known as the Asian Multi-Local OEM (AMLO) strategy. The AMLO strategy is Proton’s export thrust into ASEAN, China, India, Middle East – North Africa in collaboration with local partners.

Datuk Zainal’s philosophy of “the right car at the right price at the right time and market” saw the rebirth of the new Proton Saga which is today a top seller. The Proton Persona, another successful model, also reflects Proton’s revival, and the MPV that will be launched next year promises to be Malaysia’s preferred vehicle.

The winners for the New Straits Times/Maybank COTY 2008 Awards were announced at a gala dinner in Kuala Lumpur hosted by the New Straits Times and title sponsor Maybank Berhad.

The premier Car of the Year Awards was first organised in 2002 by Cars, Bikes & Trucks, the motoring section of the New Straits Times, to recognise the efforts of all car manufacturers as well as serve as a guide to car buyers.

The event is endorsed by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

Nasim and Peugeot win Smart Partnership Award from MFCCI

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin greeted by Mr Samson Anand George.

The MFCCI (Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce & Industry) on Saturday awarded Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official franchise holder for Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia and Automobiles Peugeot ASEAN Regional Office (APARO) the Smart Partnership Award for 2008. The award is given to companies that had significantly enhanced economic relations between France and Malaysia. MFCCI also gave out two other awards at the function, the Corporate Responsibility Award and also the Commitment to Malaysia Award. The awards were presented by Minister of International Trade and Industry, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Dominique Dourouze, General Director of Automobiles Peugeot ASEAN Regional Office said that he was very pleased that Nasim Sdn Bhd is the official franchise holder for Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia. With the vast experience and reach that the Naza Group of Companies has in retailing high-end luxury marques, the Nasim team is well positioned to push Peugeot to greater heights in Malaysia.

Mr Samson Anand George, General Manager of Nasim Sdn Bhd who jointly accepted the award with Mr Dourouze said that Nasim is fully committed to the Peugeot business and to date has invested a sum of almost RM10 million to build the Peugeot brand. It had also been Nasim’s key strategy from the start to build the Peugeot brand through proper positioning, having the right products for the market at all times. Nasim has been strengthening the professionalism of its sales and service chain to provide excellent service to all customers at all times while at the same time rationalizing parts and service prices. These key strategies he added would continuously promote Peugeot in Malaysia and help to maintain Malaysia’s position as France’s second largest trading partner among ASEAN economies.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin giving the locally-assembled Peugeot 407 thumbs up.

Nasim had gained much through the close working relationship that it had established with Automobiles Peugeot since 2004. This is mainly through the CKD programmes that began with the Peugeot 206, currently the Peugeot 407 and soon in early 2009, the Peugeot 308. Through the CKD programmes, Nasim is also able to provide for many jobs at its vehicle assembly plant in Gurun, Kedah.

NST- Maybank CBT COTY 2008: Special Mention Awards

This year’s NST-CBT 2008 COTY Awards has the addition of five Special Mention Awards introduced to recognise outstanding achievement and advances in the local automotive sector. These awards include:

The Safety Award: Jaguar XF
The winner of the Safety Award is the Jaguar XF, also the top choice in the Premium Executive Car (above RM200,000) category. One of its primary winning points is the pedestrian airbag that sets new standards for automotive safety. This award recognises excellence in effort, design, construction or engineering within the environment and a major contribution towards road and vehicular safety.


The Innovation Award: Honda Civic Hybrid
The Innovation Award goes to the Honda Civic Hybrid. It is the first hybrid vehicle in the market to spur a greener path towards a more environmentally friendly automotive sector. It takes a lot of boldness for Honda Malaysia to sell a very niche model which they possibly didn't make profits (or perhaps even at a marginal loss).


The Good Design Award: Volvo C30
The Volvo C30 received the Good Design Award for leaving a lasting impression and emotional attachment to the driver while having all the sophistication without the complications to the end-user.


The Top Selling Car Award (national-car category): Perodua Myvi
Malaysia’s Top Selling Car 2006-2008 Award was aptly won by the Perodua Myvi which has notched up sales of 277,993 units since its launch in late 2005.


The Top Selling Car (non-national category) Award: Toyota Avanza
Malaysia’s Top Selling Non-National Car 2005-2008 Award was taken home by the Toyota Avanza. To date, over 110,000 units have been sold.