Hyundai Tucson Awarded 5-Star EURO NCAP Rating

Euro NCAP, the independent vehicle safety organization, has announced that Hyundai’s new ix35 (also known as Tucson) compact SUV has been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating in its rigorous crash-test assessment program. The result places the ix35 (Tucson) as one of the safest vehicles in its class, and included a segment-best score for the ‘child occupant protection’ category.

The ix35 (Tucson) is the third Hyundai vehicle in a row to achieve a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, following on from the top ratings achieved by i20 supermini and i30 hatchback.

The C-segment SUV received a class-leading score of 88% for child occupants, scoring well in tests with both 18-month-old and three–year-old dummies. The test score for adult occupants was 90%, and the safety assist features earned a score of 71%.

Electronic stability control, which is standard on all models, and a seatbelt reminder system played a key role in the ix35’s (Tucson) score in the safety assist category. Hyundai’s focus on occupant safety was highlighted with high scores in the front and rear impact tests, with a stable compartment providing good protection in the event of a crash.

Allan Rushforth, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Europe said, “Receiving a five star crash test rating is testament to our commitment to providing customers with vehicles of superior quality and top-class safety. European drivers have very high demands, and our design and engineering teams at our European R&D centre have created a car, which matches such expectations.

Special Hari Raya Service Promotion for Hyundai car owners in Malaysia

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd (HSDM) is offering its customers a “Special Hari Raya Service Promotion” in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. This service promotion is available at participating Hyundai service centers from 20^th August to 9^th September, 2010.

With an emphasis on “safety first” for the ‘balik kampung’ rush this Hari Raya festivity, Hyundai wants to ensure Hyundai car owners a peace of mind during their long drive home. The promotion is also part of Hyundai’s commitment in providing value for money after-sales service to its valued customers. Customers can enjoy up to 20% discount on selected parts with 10% to 15% discount on labour depending on amount spent on parts purchase.

“Hyundai cars will be serviced by certified Hyundai technicians who use the latest diagnostic and service equipment. They also have immediate access to up-to-date technical and repair information which allows quicker diagnosis and repairs to any problem,” said Mr Dennis Ho, Managing Director of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd.

He added that all certified Hyundai service outlets use only genuine parts manufactured according to Hyundai specifications. This is to ensure top performance and a maximum life span of Hyundai cars.

“Hyundai car owners should take advantage of this promotion as it does not only mean savings on selected parts and labour, but also a better and safer drive home,” said Mr Ho.

Customers who participate in this campaign will also receive free mystery gifts. For their own convenience, customers are advised to make prior appointments with the respective service centers or dealers.

All-new Porsche Cayenne previewed: price starts from RM550k in Malaysia!

This is the first new Porsche model to be unveiled under Porsche's new distributor in Malaysia, Sime Darby Auto Performance. Indeed, it has been quite a stellar performance under this new franchise holder's helmship, as reflected in its price tags, which have been revised to the tune of RM100,000 to RM150,000 downwards across the model range.

In a sneak preview of Porsche's all-new Cayenne for Porsche Club Malaysia (PCM) members, the 2nd generation Cayenne has been revealed to be priced as follows:

Cayenne 3.6 V6 - RM550,000
Cayenne S 4.8 V8 - RM680,000
Cayenne S Hybrid - RM720,000
Cayenne Turbo - RM940,000

All models come with 4-years free service + 4-years warranty.
Still want that BMW X5, X6 or even the Audi Q7?

All-new Peugeot 508

The all-new Peugeot 508 - successor to both Peugeot 407 and 607 - looks rather breathtakingly Germanic. Not to be undone by its brethren camp's Citroen C5, the body lines and contours are very teutonic versus its predecessors.

As the numbering nomenclature suggests, the new 507 will be bigger than the outgoing 407 in all dimensions. No engine sizes are confirmed at this moment but there will be a 200 hp-capable hybrid in the mix, available in both sedan and station-wagon (SW) guise. Expect a good range of turbodiesels and petrol units as the singular (fuel) power options.

The new 508 will go on sale sometime Q1 2011 in European markets, following a debut at the Paris Motor Show 2010 this October.

BMW 320d Sports

If the BMW 320d that you see above epitomizes the dawn of the modern turbo-diesel passenger cars in Malaysia, it is very promising indeed. Promising because it sips a maximum of only 8.1l/100km even with my persistent ('DS' mode) and absolutely maniacal highway blasts - with a power delivery that is absolutely intoxicating albeit churned out from a narrower powerband than a petrol motor. Even more promising is that it will beat the petrol-powered 320i hands down and renders it irrelevant. Most promising when the newer 'facelift' 320d will boast even higher outputs come year end (?) versus the current stock state-of-tune's 177 bhp + 350 Nm combo.




Needless to say, the E90's handling dynamics and steering's ability to convey agility/confident feel/feedback are one of the best in business. However, this is one selfish car. It will make the driver very happy, but less so the other occupants. Okay, perhaps the babe (or as the case may be: guy) riding along side will still be quite alright. Unlike the Mercedes W204 C-Class the rear seats are quite useless. They are cramped - with high central transmission tunnel not helping things and awkward curving side bolsters at the lateral shoulder level - ouch!

On rough and bad road surfaces, it just gets too jarring for the rear occupants . This sports suspension equipped E90 will easily induce car-sickness for back passengers, especially on B-roads as attested by my young ones. The other turn-off - for me at least least - is the gruffy idling (read: loud) and the incessant idling vibrations transmitted through the steering column, seat bottom and door trim which makes the 320d rather unbecoming for a premium Conti junior executive.

So in conclusion, if you love the drive of say, a Mk6 Golf GTI but would like something with a proper boot, a 'classier' badge and something that returns way higher kilometers to the litre of fuel, this should be top in your list. There is no other diesel-powered saloon like this at this price point, with such engaging and sporting intent. Just make sure you are a single yuppie - and loving it - or if you are married (without kids) you have a mother-in-law whom you would like to shake off from following you on roadtrips!











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Is this the all-new Porsche 998 slated for 2011/2012?

Well...at least according to German car mag 'Auto Bild'. Their renderings of the all-new Porsche 911 seem the brightest of em all - among all the grey/black spy shots thus far. On thing is clear though: the return of the new 998 series to the roots of the 993 - the stalked wing mirrors being a very prominent feature - with more upright headlamps versus the outgoing 997. However unlike the 993, the new 998 test mules have been spotted to have longer wheelbase, a more sloping rear screen and wider tracks too. Expect further power output hikes with probably even the base Carrera 3.6 with maximum punch of closer to perhaps 390 hp (currently 355 hp).

Volkswagen Golf Mk 7 due in 2012?

If at all that is true, then the current Mk 6 model cycle would be the shortest among all Golf generations. The Mk 5 was after all running from 2003 to 2009 while the preceding Mk 4 Golf production has equal longevity from 1997 to 2003.

Could it be that the current generation of Golf Mk 6 uses a slightly modified platform of the Golf Mk 5? And that the overall dimensions and silhouette shadows much of its predecessor? Perhaps in German automotive application just a major facelift of the Mk 5?

As such, the Golf Mk 7 will be a completely new model. To be built on a new platform known as MQB - which will have a longer wheelbase yet lighter - the all-new 2012 Golf will allow the introduction of hybrid powertrains which include petrol-electric and diesel-electric combos. The Mk 7 Golf will probably sport a full-EV variant rumoured to debut a year later in 2013.

Expect the following pure internal combustion range of 1.2-litre TSI engine (86 and 105 hp), 1.4-litre TSI engine (122 hp and 160 hp), 1.6-litre TDI engine (90 hp and 105 hp), 2.0-litre TDI engine (140 hp, 170 hp and 220 hp). The Mk 7 Golf GTI and Golf R versions are likely still powered by top-range 2.0-litre TSI engine (220 hp and 300 hp).

The all-new Mk 7 Golf is expected to be unveiled by end 2012, with production target for the Mk 6 to be around 1.6 millions units. In contrast, the Mk 5 with its good-and-ripe 6-years production run had clocked up some 2.3 million units.