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Malaysian Best Car On The Road

noreply@blogger.com (Ajey Nall) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:40:00 +0000

PROTON ECOLOGIC SPECIFICATION - DUAL FUEL GEN2 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS LPG CAR

By kdi • Oct 3rd, 2009 • Category: ! DAILY LATEST INFO, PROTON

Here we share the full specification of Proton Ecologic which has been in Europe market especially in UK which is actually based on Gen2 and Persona with the extra features of alternative fuel, the LPG.

Proton has expanded its GEN-2 range with the addition of two dual fuel models, ‘ecoLogic’ is able to run on either LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or petrol, offering customers significant savings on their fuel costs as a result.

PROTON ECOLOGIC SPECIFICATION - GEN2 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS LPG CAR AUTOGAS

LPG has become an increasingly attractive alternative following the huge increase in the cost of petrol and diesel. What’s more, unlike other manufacturers, Proton ecoLogic models cost exactly the same price as their petrol-only equivalent, so you can reap the benefits of cheaper motoring straight away.

In addition to cheaper fuel, the Proton ecoLogic comes with the same 3 year/60,000 mile total vehicle warranty and three year RAC cover that is offered on all Proton vehicles.

What is LPG ?

LPG is a by-product of the extraction and refining of crude oil and is therefore a plentiful supply in the UK. In fact, 45% of LPG produced in the UK is currently exported. LPG combustion also produces fewest exhaust pollutants, so as a fuel source it also reduces the car’s impact on the environment and qualifies for lower road tax.

With over 140,000 LPG-converted vehicles already in use, the UK has a well-developed refuelling infrastructure. In fact, there are over 1,400 public access refuelling stations UK nationwide. If you do happen to run out of LPG, the Proton ecoLogic will run on petrol at the flick of a switch, which, with two tanks, considerably extends the range of the GEN-2.

The ecoLogic is built to last, with a high quality finish inside and out. Thanks to Low Gap Technology, panels fit snugly to reduce wind noise inside the cabin. And modern, lightweight materials have diminished vibration levels making the ecoLogic an exciting drive and a comfortable ride.

Special ecologic Specification:

Halogen headlamps with semi-automatic levelling
Reverse distance sensors take the guesswork out of parking
15″ alloy wheels as standard
Striking range of colour and metallic paint options across the range
Proton’s warranty package includes 6 years bodywork and 3 years paintwork warranty

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The ecoLogic’s spacious interior comfortably accommodates five adults and the versatile rear seats fold flat for extra boot space. Inside the car, you can’t miss the influence of the Lotus Design Studio in the styling of the controls and the quality finishing touches that make driving the ecoLogic a real pleasure.

The GEN-2 ecoLogic is refuelled via a special filler cap which feeds into a 66 litre LPG tank, located in the spare wheel well. The only addition inside the cabin is a fuel switch that allows the driver to easily select either LPG or petrol operation. Located on the central console, a series of LED lights on the switch show the amount of LPG stored.

Interior Specification of Ecologic:

Practical, versatile interior with 60:40 split rear seats
Height and tilt adjustable driver’s seat
Integrated Blaupunkt radio/CD system with four speakers and steering wheel audio controls
Audio system is Bluetooth capable and CDRW/MP3 CD compatible
Air conditioning with pollen filter across the range

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The driving force behind the GEN-2 ecoLogic is the 110 bhp CamPro engine, giving satisfying acceleration with ample torque for safe overtaking. The Lotus-developed suspension effortlessly flattens out uneven roads, giving you superb control and a safer, more responsive drive.

There is nothing complicated about dual fuel operation. The GEN-2 ecoLogic starts on petrol and switches automatically to LPG once it becomes most efficient to do so, after about 20 seconds. Any very slight difference in performance between petrol and LPG will go virtually unnoticed, although LPG combustion is slightly quieter.

There are no additional maintenance requirements other than a system check and filter change when the car goes in for its normal service.

1.6 litre 16V CamPro engine delivers a maximum power of 110bhp and top speed of 124milesph
Power assisted steering is fine tuned to deliver precision handling
Anti-lock Brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution

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Impact protection and safety are paramount to the ecoLogic’s design. You have the reassurance of twin air bags, side impact bars, crumple zones and a host of other safety features such as child locks. Left unattended, the ecoLogic is equally well equipped to deter break-ins and theft.

All LPG tanks are rigorously tested and are considerably stronger than conventional fuel tanks. Indeed, test have shown that LPG is safer because its more robust fuel tank is more resistant to impact damage. This technology is tried and tested. Humberside Police have over 300 LPG-converted Proton vehicles on their fleet, which has cleaner environment.

Focus visuals and performances

noreply@blogger.com (Ajey Nall) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:42:00 +0000

Road Test: 2010 BMW 550i

Sports car in sedan clothing

John and Sandra Turley-Ewart, Canwest News Service

Published: Friday, October 02, 2009

Heidelberg, Germany: What does $11,500 buy? We asked this question when we looked at the base price for the 2010 BMW 550i - $80,400 - versus that of the BMW 535i xDrive, which starts at $68,900. Sure, the 360 horses that come with the 550i's big V8 compared with the 300 generated by the 535i's twin-turbocharged V6 hint at better performance. And there is a host of standard amenities on the 550i, such as BMW's M Sport suspension and M Sport's sweet-sounding exhaust that you won't see on the 535i.

BMW 550i at Hirschhorn Castle overlooking the Neckar in Baden Wurttemberg, Germany.

Photograph by : Sandra Turley-Ewart

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Yet, the only way to truly answer this question succinctly is to put the 550i through its paces over a week's worth of driving. And what better place to do that than in the south-western German state of Baden-Wurttemberg, where, near Heidelberg, the autobahn leads to narrow, winding country roads that reach down into the valleys surrounding the Neckar River and up into the hills where ancient castles, cloisters, cathedrals and wineries are ready to be explored?

This part of Germany is known for its old wealth and culture. Here, the BMW 5 Series sedan with its classic BMW grille and sweeping xenon headlights is at home. More precisely, the 550i is a four-door sedan with graceful lines that tone down the "Hey, look at me in my BMW" sentiment some other models project.

The interior, however, gives the first hint that the 550i may be a sports car in a sedan's clothing. Fine Dakota leather covers the seats. In front they are large, and the 10-way power adjust ensures that once in them you can tailor them to your liking and, just in case you have to make some tight turns, you can adjust the seats to ensure you are held firmly in place. In back there is room for two adults (three if all are friends) to sit comfortably.

Much has been written about BMW's iDrive, the electronic system that integrates the GPS, audio and other functions in a one large button control system. Without doubt it can be complicated, but with a little patience we learned to use it effectively and were repaid in saved time when the GPS system warned us about traffic jams and road work and directed us around them.

On the autobahn, the 550i proved to be a quiet ride. More importantly, it handled less like an 1,815-kilogram car and more like the lighter 3 Series,

giving excellent road feel through the steering wheel and the suspension, particularly in sport mode. On the country roads, where the turns were often tight and the lanes narrow, this car felt exceptionally stable. In the towns and small cities where we drove the 550i, parking proved a breeze largely because the steering did not stiffen up and, of course, the parking assist system made fitting into tiny European parking spots easy.

We were surprised that a car in this bracket did not come with xDrive, which is available on the 535i. On the dry roads we faced in our week of driving in Germany, the xDrive would have made little difference, but we wonder what difference it would have made in the snow.

Speed is the first thing many people think of on Germany's no-speed-limit autobahn; but we think first about braking. The 550i comes with huge front and rear vented disc brakes that have a mighty grip - a feature that is a must on a highway where at one moment you are clocking 180 kilometres an hour in the passing lane and the next rapidly decelerating to avoid a collision because someone doing 100 (typically driving a camper) has pulled into the lane without looking.

This car's power did shine on open stretches of the autobahn where it comfortably cruised at 160 km/h and easily transitioned to speeds of 200 km/h in the passing lane without effort. In Canada, that sort of speed will land one in serious trouble with the law, but one can take comfort knowing that when driving a 550i in Canada the want of power will never be a problem.

Where this car really impressed, however - let's be honest here, there are many sport sedans on the market that can exceed 200 klicks - was at lower speeds, in the country and on steep, narrow roads originally used by horses pulling buggies to the castles overlooking the Neckar. The 550i with all its amenities and comforts made for worry-free driving in tight spots and on the highway.

So, what do you get for the extra $11,500 tacked on to the base price of the 550i over the 535i xDrive? A completely decked-out luxury sedan with all the bells and whistles that handles like a smaller sports car, has enough power to stir the adrenalin when desired and makes driving a pleasure.

THE SPECS

Type of vehicle: Rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan

Engine: 4.8L DOHC V8

Power: 360 hp @ 6,300 rpm; 360 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manumatic

Brakes: Four-wheel ventilated disc with ABS

Tires: P245/35R19 front, P275/30R19 rear

Price: base/as tested: $80,400/$83,700

Destination charge: $1,995

Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 13.9 city, 9.1 hwy.

Standard features: Auto-dimming power exterior mirrors, auto-dimming interior mirror, BMW ambiance lighting, central lock switch, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, electrically adjustable seats with driver memory, power glass sunroof, power tilt and telescopic steering column, M Sport edition package (includes manual side sunshades, electric rear sunshade, comfort seats, rear heated seats, head-up display, Sirius satellite radio, USB audio integration, BMW Individual Audio System, piano black trim), M Sport suspension and exhaust, Dakota leather, xenon headlights