2011 Nissan Almera Eco-Car Launched in Thailand

Nissan Motor Thailand has just introduced their first ever eco-car with the all-new Almera. The sedan is meant to fall under the Thai government’s new green automotive program, and follows from the Nissan March as the first hatchback eco-car.

According to the automaker, “this model was developed under Thailand’s eco-car program that was initiated by the Thai Ministry of Industry’s Board of Investment and meets all the requirements necessary to receive the “eco-car” designation.”

The Almera is powered by a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine that puts out 79 horsepower. It’s available with either a manual or the XTRONIC-CVT. Thanks to the use of the standard start-stop system, CO2 have been reduced to 120 grams per km, while fuel consumption sits at 20 km/l (which is 5 liters per 100 km). The all-new Almera is produced at NMT’s plant in Samutprakarn, Thailand, and is available in six grades, six different colors, and is already available for purchase.

F10 BMW M5

At our session of the the F10 BMW M5 press launch last night, BMW rolled out an M5 in a special matte black paint job. The F10 M5 will be available in this colour as an expensive BMW Individual option.

BMW has been dabbling with all sorts of matte paints these days. Their range of matte paint jobs are available as BMW Individual colours, and they’re prefixed with the word “Frozen”, so we’ve got Frozen Gray, Frozen Silver and of course Frozen Black, which is this colour.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen Frozen Black on a BMW, as the E92 M3 Coupe was available earlier this year as a limited edition 20 unit Frozen Black Edition in the US.

Subaru XV

This is the production version of the Subaru XV that made its debut at IAA Frankfurt. It’s also the model that Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) will assemble in Malaysia for ASEAN, to be done at Tan Chong’s Segambut plant in KL.

Production will start in October 2012 at 5,000 units per year, to be divided between Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. More about that and Subaru’s plans for Malaysia in our interview with Glenn Tan, CEO of Motor Image.


Let’s take a closer look. It appears that the production XV is pretty much the same car as the bright green coloured concept car that debut at this year’s Shanghai show. Subaru calls the exterior design concept “Protren”, derived from “professional tool” and “trendy design”.

The C-segment crossover wears Subaru’s new grille with the hexagonal design, flanked by headlamps inspired by the eyes of a hawk. The rear gets a diffuser style rear bumper with a central lamp. Unusually, it’s painted n body colour. Speaking of that, the “Tangerine Orange Pearl” we see here is the XV’s signature colour.


The XV is a raised hatchback with subtle body cladding and generous ground clearance for that tough look. It was a conscious decision to not put full body cladding around the car as before to “enhance the sensation of dynamism and comfort”. The aluminum wheels on the showcar look rather unique with their silver spokes and black surrounds. No roof rack, but I’m sure we’ll be getting it here.

For the first time in 21 years, Subaru has developed a new engine, codenamed “FB”, to replace the long-serving “EJ” engine. In Europe, Subaru offers a new 1.6-litre petrol boxer (replaces the old 1.5), a 2.0L boxer tuned for grunt in low to mid engine speeds, and a 2.0 Boxer Diesel.

We will get a 2.0L engine, from the new gen, and not the one presently in service in the Impreza and Legacy. It will be paired to Subaru’s new Lineartronic CVT gearbox. The brand’s famous Symmetrical AWD system is of course present in the XV.

Inside, the XV is standard Subaru, which means it’s not the most funky or modern, but inoffensive, clearly laid out and easy to use. The centre stack gets brushed aluminium trim and a 4.3-inch colour multi function display with Eco-driving display at the top; the latter comes with the High Grade version, no colour for Standard. The dials (red for Standard, white for High Grade) do a full sweep at start up.

Subaru wants to highlight the XV’s easy entry and exit. They’ve not only made the door openings larger, but also raised the angle at the top of the front door sash, thereby providing more space between the sash top and body.

The distance between the floor and the top of the side sill has also been reduced, meaning that occupants do not have to stretch their legs as widely as before when getting in and out.

New Kia Optima spotted being tested by JPJ officers

The new Kia Optima is currently on test with JPJ, and it seems it’s being driven quite frequently as well, as it’s been spotted twice by two different readers in the span of a week. Reader Adrian Yong snapped the Optima parked at an undisclosed location, while Khairil got his opportunity to snap photos at the Tapah R&R, north-bound. Perhaps we could see the Optima launched before the end of the year, or in the first half of next year? We’ve already driven the Kia Optima during an international press drive event in Australia, so you can read our first impression test drive review story posted earlier this year. The model we tested had a 2.4 liter GDI engine.






Source
paultan.org

Peugeot 4008

Remember last week’s post on the Citroen C4 Aircross? That French take on the Mitsubishi ASX is part of a collaboration between Mitsubishi and PSA Peugeot Citroen, where the former provides its models for the French to restyle and sell under their own brands. Such an arrangement is also in place for Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric car and Outlander SUV. This is “Peugeot’s ASX”, named 4008.

Like the Citroen C4 Aircross, the 4008 wears distinct Peugeot styling. But this isn’t the “big mouth” look of 308 era, but the sleeker look of the 508, which was first previewed by the SR1 showcar from Geneva 2010. Present are the floating grille, feline design of the lamp units and three red claws in the rear lamps.

The off roader image is emphasised by a vertical grille design and the inclusion of sill protectors and wheel arch protection trim. The almost-horizontal bonnet grooves and the ASX style line – which extends to the rear wing where it descends again crossing the lamp – are distinctive features.

Petrol engine options include a 116 hp/152 Nm 1.6L (5-speed manual) and a 2.0L engine with 150 hp and 198 Nm. The latter can be had with a CVT, from Mitsubishi. The diesels will be more popular, and there are two choices – 1.6L HDi FAP with 112 hp/ 270-280 Nm with overboost, or a 1.8L HDi FAP with 150 hp and 300 Nm. The diesels will be mated to a six-speed manual.