Hyundai Elantra Coupe 2012

Hyundai has introduced its new two-door Elantra Coupe at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Designed at Hyundai’s North American Design Center in Irvine, California, the car continues on the company’s dynamic “Fluidic Sculpture” design principles, with a signature hexagonal front fascia opening and jewelled swept-back headlights giving it a lean, aggressive demeanour.
Other design cues include a blacked-out diffuser valance, dual chrome-tipped exhaust tips and a boot lid incorporating a lip spoiler design element at the rear. On the SE version, the car rides on five-spoke 17-inch alloys.

The car is equipped with a 1.8 litre Nu D-CVVT petrol engine, offering 148 hp at 6,500 rpm and 178Nm of torque at 4,700 rpm, with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions to be had.
Standard kit includes Vehicle Stability Management, ESC, TCS, ABS with brake assist and EBD, as well as six airbags (front, front side and side curtain), and features on the Coupe include a 7-inch touchscreen navigation system with rearview camera and iPod/USB inputs, Bluetooth and push-button ignition.

SPYSHOT: Proton P3-21A Persona R rear uncovered

Here’s another leaked shot of the soon to be launched Proton P3-21A, posted over at funtasticko. Don’t mind the slightly misaligned bootlid, it’s probably because the boot was not shut properly. The horizontal strip running across the bootlid is similiar to the one found on the Proton Exora – although it’s body coloured here, perhaps like the Exora it will be finished in chrome on high end models. What do you think of the design so far? It’s quite a departure from the Proton Tuah Concept eh?

Source : Paultan.org

Honda Integra 2012 - Motorcycle

Honda is bringing back the name Honda Integra to one of its products, but unfortunately it’s not the sports coupe with the screaming high-revving engine that we used to know and love. The 2012 Honda Integra is actually a motorcycle with a scooter-ish riding position which puts the rider’s feet further forward than a motorcycle.
The new Honda Integra uses a 51 hp water-cooled 700cc inline-two engine, which Honda says offers the compact dimensions of an inline engine and the character of a V-twin thanks to a 270 degree throw crankshaft. It’s a long-stroke engine, with a 73 mm x 80 mm bore-stroke ratio for its cylinders, so this should generally mean an engine designed to provide lots of low to mid end torque instead of being a screamer, which should suit this kind of bike.

The Integra also gets a second-generation Dual Clutch Transmission which is lighter and more compact than the version first used in the VFR1200F. It has a simplified hydraulic circuit, among other design enhancements. A learning function has been added to each selected running mode to detect a variety of riding environments from city streets to mountain passes and automatically performs the most suitable shift logic. You can also stick to a 6-speed manual if you want.
Honda estimates a fuel economy of 27 km/L for the Integra. Being a bike instead of a car, the new Honda Integra will debut at the 69th EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition instead of the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

2012 Honda VFR800

Honda's profilation of this bike
Highly evolved from a sports bike heritage, the VFR800 is possibly the most refined balance of explosive sports tourer performance, superb comfort and agile manoeuvrability on European roads today. Its powered by a screaming fuel-injected engine whose 2-stage valve actuation system rewards every riding style with gratifying rushes of strong, accessible power.

General information
Model: Honda VFR 800
Year: 2012
Category: Sport touring
Rating: 67.3 out of 100. Show full rating and compare with other bikes
Engine and transmission
Displacement: 782.00 ccm (47.72 cubic inches)
Engine type: V4, four-stroke
Engine details: 90 degree V-4
Power: 107.00 HP (78.1 kW)) @ 10500 RPM
Torque: 80.00 Nm (8.2 kgf-m or 59.0 ft.lbs) @ 8750 RPM
Compression: 11.6:1
Bore x stroke: 72.0 x 48.0 mm (2.8 x 1.9 inches)
Valves per cylinder: 4
Fuel system: Injection. PGM-FI
Fuel control: DOHC
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance
Cooling system: Liquid
Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type,
final drive: Chain
Driveline: O-Ring sealed chain
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
Front suspension: 43mm HMAS cartridge-type telescopic fork with stepless pre-load adjustment, 109mm axle travel
Rear suspension: Pro-link with gas-charged HMAS damper, 7-step preload and stepless rebound adjustment, 120mm axle travel
Front tyre dimensions: 120/70-ZR17
Rear tyre dimensions: 180/55-ZR17
Front brakes: Double disc. Combined 3-piston calliper (ABS) and sintered metal pads
Front brakes diameter: 296 mm (11.7 inches)
Rear brakes: Single disc. Combined 3-piston callipers (ABS) and sintered metal pads
Rear brakes diameter: 256 mm (10.1 inches)
Wheels: Spoke cast aluminium
Physical measures and capacities
Dry weight: 218.0 kg (480.6 pounds)
Power/weight ratio: 0.4908 HP/kg
Seat height: 805 mm (31.7 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Overall height: 1,195 mm (47.0 inches)
Overall length: 2,120 mm (83.5 inches)
Overall width: 735 mm (28.9 inches)
Ground clearance: 130 mm (5.1 inches)
Wheelbase: 1,460 mm (57.5 inches)
Fuel capacity: 22.00 litres (5.81 gallons)
Other specifications
Starter: Electric
Color options: Red, white, silver
Further information
Parts and accessories Our partner CMSNL ships low cost OEM motorcycle parts to Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, The United States and more. Or check out parts and accessories from our other partners.
Ask questions Join the 12 Honda VFR 800 discussion group.
Insurance, loans, tests Check out insurance here. Search the web for dealers, loan costs, tests, customizing, etc.
Related bikes List related bikes for comparison of specs

New Ford Ranger

Yours truly was in Shah Alam yesterday when this camouflaged truck came into sight. It was heading towards the Guthrie Expressway, so I stopped at a petrol station to swap seats with my passenger. Camera out and ready, I realised that the “mystery truck” in question is the new Ford Ranger.
Covered in black and white swirl patterns to confuse and distract, we can still see the outline of the Blue Oval logo on the tailgate. In any case, the three square tail lamp design is a giveaway, and looking at the large size of the thing, it can’t possibly be any of the one-tonne pick-up trucks on sale today.

On the Guthrie, we overtook the truck for the side profile and front views you see here. And the front shots confirm that it is indeed the Ranger T6.
Recently, we saw a video of a blue new Ranger towing all its rivals, and now this. Looks like the second quarter 2012 local launch of the new truck is right on track. We will be getting the new 150 hp/375 Nm 2.2-litre engine, paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.

The range topping 3.2-litre Wildtrack model is not yet confirmed for now, but we think it’s a matter of time before the fully decked out “ultimate Ranger” hits town.
We have been previously told that the 2.2L Ranger will be competitively priced against rivals, and not far away from the outgoing Ranger. At launch, only the dual-cab XLT will be offered; other cab styles and the XL will come later. The Wildtrak model, if brought in, will be priced to match the Hilux 3.0 and Triton 3.2, despite boasting a longer kit list

Source : Paultan.org

New Perodua Alza 2012

Perodua has introduced a new variant of its MPV called Alza SR. SR stands for “Smart Ride” and this is an entry level variant positioned below the Standard and Advanced spec. It is available for viewing and booking at all 178 Perodua showrooms nationwide now.
Selling for between RM53,013.50 and RM56,513.50 on-the-road with insurance in Peninsular Malaysia, the new variant, available in BX Manual and BZ Auto spec, is Myvi SE priced. Previously, the cheapest Alza was the Alza GX Manual at 55,503.50, so this new one lowers the entry price by about RM2,500.


“The introduction of the Alza SR variant will make it even more affordable for Malaysian consumers looking to upgrade to a more spacious vehicle. Our customers like the versatility and functionality that Alza offers and do not mind having less features available compared with the standard and other variants. However, it does not mean we have compromised on the safety and the aesthetics of the Alza SR,” Perodua MD Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said.
Under the hood, nothing has changed, but what’s the difference is spec? The Alza SR makes do with “UV protected glass” on the windscreen only, as opposed to on all glass panels, and there’s no rear wiper. The wing mirrors are manually operated. Fog lamps, airbags, ABS, EBD and BA are unavailable, but that’s the case for the 1.5 SX and EZ as well, so it’s expected.


Note that in the Alza SR automatic, the parking brake has been moved to between the front seats (it’s foot operated in other auto Alzas), and the front seats are separated, not bench style. For the manual variant, there’s no change in layout.
The Alza SR comes in three colours: Glittering Silver, Ivory White and a new hue, Mystical Purple. Perodua targets to sell about 400 units of the Alza SR monthly, which will take up around 13% of Alza’s monthly sales.
Alza 1.5 BX Manual (Solid) – RM53,013.50
Alza 1.5 BX Manual (Metallic) – RM53,513.50
Alza 1.5 BZ Auto (Solid) – RM56,013.50
Alza 1.5 BZ Auto (Metallic) – RM56,513.50

New Lexus GS

Lexus Malaysia has opened order books for the all new Lexus GS, which means you can now put your name down to be one of the first owners of the GS when it arrives soon.
First unveiled at last year’s Pebble Beach show in the US, Lexus’ challenger to the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6 is a huge departure from the car it replaces, looking more dynamic and sporty than its German classmates, something it has never been before this generation.


Click to enlarge
There are quite a few variants to choose from. Lexus Malaysia will import in the GS 250, GS 250 Luxury and GS 350 Luxury. By the way, this is the first time Lexus is putting an engine below 3.0L in the GS, allowing it to better match German rivals, who all have lower entry points. F-Sport variants for both engines will also be available.
The GS 250 is powered by a 2.5-litre V6 with D-4S direct port injection and Dual VVT-i. Maximum output is 206 hp at 6,400rpm and peak torque of 253 Nm is delivered at 4,800 rpm. 0-100 km/h is done in 8.6 seconds on to a top speed of 228 km/h. The V6 is matched to a Super ECT-i close-ratio intelligent six-speed automatic transmission, with sequential manual shift function. It’s likely that most GS buyers will opt for this engine.


Click to enlarge
There’s also a good selection of colours available, both for the exterior and cabin. Prices range from RM370k to RM488k OTR excluding insurance. We’ve seen it in the metal and sat in it before, at motor shows, and can say that the GS has never been more desirable.

Fiat 500L

These are the first shots of the new Fiat 500L, the newest member of the Fiat 500 family, with the L in its name meaning “Large”.
The 500L is bigger and has 5-doors instead of 3, with a cab forward cabin design. Fiat says the 500L has MPV passenger space combined with the feel of a small SUV on the road, along with the dimensions and efficiency of a B segment car.


I’m thinking – doesn’t Fiat already sort of have a product like this in its range called the Fiat Panda? I suppose the 500L is an Italian take on large versions of modern incarnations of retro classics, like the Mini Countryman.
The Fiat 500L will make its public debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, with an initial engine range consisting of two petrol engines – TwinAir and 1.4L as well as a 1.3 liter Multijet diesel.