Thursday, February 11, 2010
Kia Ray plug-in hybrid concept to debut in Chicago
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Peugeot RCZ wins the most beautiful car of the year award 2009
Monday, February 8, 2010
Toyota Land Cruiser 2010 replaces V8 engine
The new Japan-spec 4.6-litre V8 dual VVT-i engine produces 318 hp at 5600 rpm and 460 Nm at 3400 rpm, mated to a new 6-speed automatic. The previous 4.7-litre made 288 hp and 445 Nm of torque, with a 5-speed auto. It is assumed that the 4WD system and other mechanicals remain the same.
It is unknown at this time whether the 2010 Land Cruiser for the UAE market will be receiving a similar engine change. Regardless of any changes, the big 4×4 will continue to be popular in Cruiser-crazy markets such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Renault Wind to be revealed at Geneva
On February 2nd, 2010, Renault announced that the Wind would enter production. It is set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2nd, 2010. The production version will be a 2 seater, as opposed to the 2+1 seating of the concept car [1].
The concept uses a inline-4 engine that gives 136 horsepower (101 kW) and 141ft-lb (191 N·m) of torque. Other performance specifications of the wind, such as its top speed and its zero to sixty mph time, are unknown to the public.
Renault has not confirmed that this engine will be in the production version of the car
The concept Wind's design is like other Renault vehicles such as the performance versions of the Renault Clio and Mégane. The steering wheel and pedal assemblies in the concept are adjustable and fold away automatically when the door is opened for easier access. Producer is Erdenechulun.
The production version is styled very similarly to the concept car, however some changes have been made, such as a roll bar behind the seats, a spoiler, and other minor changes. The Wind will feature a one piece metal roof, that rotates 180° backwards (much like the Ferrari 575M Maranello Superamerica), as opposed to being made of several pieces like many other metal roof convertibles. Renault claims that it takes 12 seconds to fold the roof away, which is quite quick compared to most convertibles.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Proton Comes to Thailand
Managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, noting that last year’s export sales numbered 23,000, said today that its overseas markets are growing fast, especially in Iran where sales could reach 16,000 this year, with a 15 to 20 percent growth in 2008.
Syed Zainal attributed the anticipated increase in exports to its expansion into the Chinese market by the end of the year, with Proton expected to ship at least 30,000 cars to its authorised dealer, Jinhua Youngman Automobile Manufacturing Co Ltd, and re-badged under the “Europestar” brand.
“China and Thailand are our new exciting markets. We are also talking to several parties in India and hope to establish our footing there, but not in this calendar year,” he told a press conference after announcing Proton’s entry into Thailand today through Phranakorn Auto Sales Co.
The agreement to appoint Phranakorn as Proton’s authorised dealer for an initial five years was signed by Syed Zainal and the company’s managing director, Thawatchai Jungsanguanpornsuk.
It was witnessed by Malaysia’s Deputy Chief of Mission to Thailand, Umardin Mutalib. Over 100 media personnel attended the ceremony, which marks Proton’s debut in the Kingdom after being in existence since the 1980s.
The first Proton model will be launched at the Thailand Motor Show at the end of November.
Syed Zainal said the company will use Iran as a base to move aggressively into the Middle East market.
He pointed out that Proton is in a better position to move overseas now with its product pipeline stretching to five years, adding that domestic sales have also been improving by 20 percent every month.
“Our target is to export 100,000 cars in a few years’ time, and at the same time we can compete with Perodua and other OEM (original equipment manufacturing) companies in Malaysia. We are not happy at being overtaken by Perodua but we are on track to regain the number one spot,” he said when asked about the competition from Perodua, Malaysia’s second national car maker.
He said testing on the much improved Campro engine has been completed and it will go into new cars in the near future.
On talks with German carmaker Volkswagen regarding a possible strategic partnership with Proton, Syed Zainal shed no new light, only reiterating that VW’s talks with Proton’s controlling stake holder, the government, are ongoing.
On Proton’s entry into Thailand, Syed Zainal sees good sales prospects despite the economic slowdown here, and he stressed on a long term commitment by Proton, especially with the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) opening the door to Malaysian-made vehicles.
“I am so proud to say that finally, Proton is in Thailand,” he said.
According to Syed Zainal, Phranakorn Auto Sales will open 20 outlets initially and double this in the next four years, with anticipated first year sales of 3,000 cars of yet to be announced models.
He felt that the Thai auto market is recovering, with total auto sales expected to be between 620,000 and 650,000 units by the end of this year.
Phranakorn auto sales general manager (operations) Apichart Wangsatorntanakhun said the company will focus on a 3S strategy (sales, service and spare parts) as well as an additional 3S promotion – savings, safety and style.
“We are going to have in our line-up a model with a price that is the lowest and with the most value for money in Thailand for at least the past 10 years,” he said.