SiMon Har_

Choosing A Car For Your Child

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:17:00 +0000

Most of the parents in this world have to go through a similar phase: buying a car for their son or daughter who just got their driving license. Choosing a car for yourself is as easy as ABC, but choosing a car for someone who is inexperience in driving might be as hard as trying to figure out the temperature of the sun without the help of Google or Wikipedia.

I've been through a phase as well (as a son, of course), which is trying to buy a used car myself. Since I'm not from a rich family, I surveyed in some used car websites before I settle down on deciding which used car suits me the best. As a teenager, I want something fast and sporty so that I can show it off in front of my friend (too bad there isn't many attractive but also affordable used cars!). Most of the teenage girls would opt for smaller, city car which is easier to be manoeuvred than sedan or SUV. However, as a parent, would you approve your precious prince and princess to get a car like what I've described above?

I'm sure most of the parents out there hope to get a car which is as safe as a World War II bunker for their teenage son or daughter. They would also want a car that can protect each and every possible body parts of their precious ones if something unfortunate happens. Best if the airbags can fill the whole cabin without leaving any empty space, leaving no room for 'error'.

And do you even feel confident with a small car? Eventhough small cars are getting better in terms of safety, we still can't fight the law of physics. Small cars just looks too vulnerable, you can imagine them being flashed from the back by bigger cars on the highway or being flipped over by cross-wind when a bus passes by them. A Hummer would be the perfect candidate then!

Parents would also want their son or daughter's car to be slow, I mean snail slow. Getting a car with rocket acceleration is a no-no, and 0-100km/h should take more time than a secondary school student needed to calculate a complicated calculus question. A 2250cc engine with a maximum top speed of 60km/h would be ideal for the car. This will ensure that the car won't be exceeding any speed that could be fatal to the occupants, and fuel saving too!

Still, choosing a car for your child is one of the toughest assignments that you'll face in your parenthood. Your decision might determine how their lives would be in the future. Your child might not be happy with your choice of car, but you'll know it's for your child's own good.

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Is This The Rear-End of P3-21A ?

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:37:00 +0000

Behold, the rear end of the upcoming Proton P3-21A is exposed, is it? The picture above was posted in Funtasticko and many believe that it's the rear end of P3-21A. There is still no source confirming whether it belongs to the P3-21A or not, but based on the quarter side view and rear window design, I would say it is.

The taillights are resemblance of Volvo S60 and Jaguar XF's. But still, based on the photo above, the lines doesn't flow as smooth as the S60 and the design doesn't look as elegant as the XF. It looks a bit boxy to me, hopefully seeing the car in its full glory would change my opinion.

Someone did this illustration of how the P3-21A looks like. It should be pretty close to the actual product which will be launched in March this year, if no delay on the launch date occurs. Initial information about the P3-21A is promising. It’s going to be the first Proton to be equipped with 6 airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

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Social Media Award 2012 - Best Auto Blog Nominee !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:43:00 +0000

World Blogger and Social Media Award 2012 is coming and will be held in PWTC next month! You can nominate and also vote for your favourite blogs/websites in its website. Guess what? I'm one of the nominees in the Best Auto Blog category and I hope that you will support me k??!!

Head to Social Media Award website now to vote for me ya!!! As you can see right now I'm in the middle of the pack. Of course I won't be getting more votes than Paultan or some other more famous blogs, but I don't want to be the last in the list too! Haha!

Thanks in advance :P

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DRIVEN: Proton Saga FLX 1.3 !!!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:19:00 +0000

Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) is something yours truly is still new with. In fact, driving the Proton Saga FLX 1.3 is the first time I've ever driven a CVT equipped car. CVT is becoming more popular these days thanks to its smooth operation, lower cost structure, lighter and also more fuel efficient.

The Saga FLX my dad just got from his company was the low-end variant, where the Executive variant will get extras such as Dual SRS airbags, ABS, EBD, alloy wheel, fog lights, coloured wing mirrors and door handle, steering wheel with audio switches and other amenities with just an extra of RM3.5k. I still don't understand why Proton doesn't equipped the entry level Saga with at least a driver airbag, does it really affect the selling cost so much?

Proton's attention to details are awesome!

While the exterior looks contemporary with the chrome grille and LED taillights, the cabin is a sad scene. For a RM41,798k car, the plastic used is dreadful, worse than the plastic used in some of the car in the same price range. The plastic parts are rough, hard and hollow to fingertip knocks. The driver and front passenger seat's backrest were slightly loose at every inclination angle.

Some places of the steering wheel are hard and uncomfortable to the touch due to poor fit and finishing. The driver's exterior door handle is difficult to be operated too. The saddest thing is that we are in the 21st century, but the rear seat can't be folded!

The Saga FLX 1.3 unit I drove just clocked 50km in the odometer. While on the go, the steering column also felt slightly loosen, it vibrated (but not apparent) while going on rough grade road and bumps, hopefully the service centre can solve this in the first service. The car was jerky at low speed, not sure whether it's caused by the CVT or the still-tight engine. Road noise and compressor noise intruded greatly, but it's forgivable since it's an entry level car.

I understand the Saga is an entry level car, but take a look at the key/remote control. Do Proton really has to save cost by putting the same size/colour buttons? At least put a red button for the alarm like for the Wira. You'll won't be able to feel the tiny little dot on the door lock button too. The similar buttons cost me accidentally pressing on the wrong button at night, causing the alarm to sound off! Hopefully I didn't wake any of my neighbours up!

A power socket above the cup holder, genius...

Another cost cutting measure, wiper reservoir cap is not attached together with the reservoir. Even my dad's old Kenari is attached... RM41k is not exactly cheap to me as an entry level car! Proton has done right with its Exora but too bad it's a different case for the Saga. With such quality, I'm glad that the Proton Saga is not sold in UK because it might suffer the same fate of the Perodua Kelisa which is 'tortured' by a British automotive TV programme presenter, if you know what I mean. Thankfully the negatives end here.

It is very generous of Proton to provide such a nice carpet! There is also a first aid kit, luggage mat and trunk lid cover (the insulator under the trunk lid) for the trunk. Too bad I would rather save on all these extras to get more features! There is also ample space for 2 adults to fit at the back comfortably, with more than enough legroom and headroom for a 175cm occupant like me.

The CVT was lively and gave a smooth ride at high speed. There's a SAT button beside the gear level that will imitade the behavior of a normal automatic gearbox. My recommendation is to stick with the normal CVT as the SAT doesn't provide more power, but also consumes slightly more fuel and makes the engine sounds rougher. The 1.3litre IAFM engine produces 94bhp and 120Nm at 4000rpm, mated to a 6-speed CVT gearbox, sounded a bit like a diesel engine when you turn the ignition on, but it was relatively quiet when the speed increase, thanks to CVT which brought the rpm down for about 500rpm compared to Saga FL at 80km/h. The powerplant also felt like willing to be pushed too!

Revised suspension for the FLX include thicker anti-roll bar at the front, from 19mm in the FL to 21mm in the FLX, stiffer springs and revised rebound rate which offers 20% to 30% more stiffness. The result, a well-controlled body when going through a corner. While the body roll is still apparent, it shouldn't make the occupants uncomfortable. However, occupants' comfort is sacrifice since the suspension setup is stiffer now, especially for the rear passengers. I love the well-weighted steering wheel, but my dad who are used to city cars with lighter steering wheel said the steering setup is a bit too tight for him.

Based on first impression, the CVT looks promising and the revised suspension is welcomed. The major letdown is the hugh quality problem. If you really want to get a Saga FLX, get the Executive variant as the features it has worth every of your extra penny.

Verdict:
+ CVT, handling.
- Fit and finishing, cabin plastic, lack of safety features for a RM40k car.

One of the best angles of Saga FLX

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DRIVEN: Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSi !!!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:49:00 +0000

Writing a car review is never as hard as calculating the force of a jet water when it hits an inclined plane, for yours truly. However, this case is exceptional. After driving the Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSi, I found it tough on describing the places where the Jetta stands out nor its weaknesses. Don't get me wrong, the Jetta is never a bad choice. It's a well balanced car in most of the aspects, and I guess you'll have to continue reading this post to understand what I'm trying to describe here.

People will call the Jetta as plain vanilla (coincidently the test drive unit is white-in-colour), simple design which doesn't help make it a head turner like some other C-segments such as Honda Civic. However, the design is uncluttered and it even brings along a tad of elegance. All in all, the Jetta is beautiful in its own way by being simple.

For your information, Jetta is built based on an extended platform of Golf. Don't jump into conclusion by saying that Jetta is just a Golf with a boot strapped on! Volkswagen announced that the Jetta is an entirely new product, meaning no parts are shared with the Golf. Therefore the Jetta is lucky not to have a disproportioned body from the usual hatchback-to-sedan transformation. I would appreciate if the Jetta has chrome finishing on the window line, or at least on the door handles to give the Jetta a more upmarket feel.

The similar design theme is also applied for the cabin. Minimalist dashboard design in black gave the cabin a gloomy environment. Thankfully, there are few chromes in the cabin to cheer things up. On the bright side, the simple design of the instrument panel and center console are easy to look at and everything is well within reach, sign of good ergonomics. Not to mention the excellent build quality of the cabin.

The powerhouse of the Jetta is the 1.4 TSi which produces 160bhp and 240Nm of torque from as low as 1750rpm. It is the same engine found in the Mk6 Golf, and this engine (brief explanation of the engine can be found in my Golf 1.4 TSi review) is capable of producing fun and be economical at the same time! Volkswagen claimed that the Jetta is the most powerful car in its segment, and I have to agree on this. I remember reading an article about Jetta achieving a range of 350km by using only half a tank of fuel, so I believe the fuel consumption of the Jetta should be quite satisfying as well.

I'm not a 6-foot British automotive TV programme host but the engine is strong enough to satisfy the inner racer boy of me. Under the humble and modest skin is a beast soul, mated to a 7-speed DSG gearbox which shifts gear as fast as lightning (almost). A tap on the accelerator will activate the 240Nm of torque when the engine reaches around 1700rpm, making it hard to believe that it is only a 1.4litre engine fixed under the hood. Handling wise, I would say the Jetta falls between the engaging Honda Civic and the comfort-oriented Toyota Altis. The Jetta is composed and planted on the road when making turns at high speed. The steering was direct and well weighted. The seats are also supportive, capable of holding you in place when you decide to get things a little bit rough.

In terms of comfort, I dare to comment that it is on par with Toyota Altis and Nissan Sylphy, if not better. The suspension was able to absorb humps and bumps well while remain composed on the road. Refinement is one of the best in its class, I barely can hear any noise that intruded the cabin other than the engine when I step on the pedal hard.

Selling at RM150,000, it is priced about RM20k more than its closest Japanese competitors. However, it should be justified that Volkswagen is a more premium brand and the Jetta comes with more features than its competitors, for instance 6 airbags, hill-hold control, dual-zone air conditioning and auto dimming interior mirror. There are explanation for most of the cons, and I had a tough time trying to find any major fault in the Jetta, which there isn't any.

+ Build quality, comfort, refinement.
- No real negatives!

Photos credit to Jayren!

Check out my other reviews on Volkswagen:
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSi

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Cobra @ TTDI !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:19:00 +0000

I was there in TTDI's Cobra office to repair my car remote control after Toyota SC diverted me to Cobra. It is an admin block with a shoplot to accomodate about 6 customers' car. After parking my car in the empty shoplot, I headed to the admin block and greeted by the friendly customer service representative.

It only took them 10mins to get the job done while you wait in the air-conditioned lounge. Quite efficient job I would say!

While waiting for my remote control to be fixed, I saw Cobra also produces products like siren, reverse sensor and even GPS-integrated vehicle recovery system.

Some of you might realize that your Honda, Toyota and even more premium manufacturers like Audi uses Cobra security system! Just pay a visit if you have any technical difficulties with your car's security.

Address:
Cobra Auto (M) Sdn Bhd
118-120, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan
Tel: 03-7729 7540

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Maruti Swift Dzire - Sedan Version of Swift !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:57:00 +0000

Ah... the latest generation Suzuki Swift hatchback. WAIT! Is it what I think it is? At the back?

Oh no! It's a boot (I wouldn't want call it a boot since it's SO short!) strapped on a Swift hatchback! Maruti Suzuki in India had done it again in designing a sedan version for the popular Swift hatchback, in a bad way.

Remember the 1st generation Swift Dzire? No, this is not a photoshop gone wrong. Measuring at 4160mm, the Swift Dzire above looks disproportioned with such a long-ish rear overhang. Maruti also did a cost cutting measure by using back the same taillights of the hatchback on the sedan, where the end result is not so great...

Now, Maruti Suzuki had done it right by redesigning the rear end of the Swift Dzire. Frankly, it's a bit of a looker from the back, ala Suzuki Kizashi! However, it is the boot length which destroyed the whole design. Maruti Suzuki kept the overall length under 4m to enjoy some benefits by Indian government for small cars. The result - the shortest boot that I had ever seen. It's so short that it won't make a difference in terms of boot space, literally.

Thankfully the cabin of the all-new Swift Dzire looks great. The two-tone dashboard, wood trim and silver finishing on the steering wheel doesn't reflect its low price tag. Moreover, the instrument panel look like it came from a C-segment car!

Pics source

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DRIVEN: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSi !!!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:35:00 +0000

Sometimes looks can be deceiving. I remember vividly when the latest generation Volkswagen Golf is launched in Malaysia, my first thought was "Is it a facelift?".The Mk6 Golf looks almost identical from far, spotted only the headlights as the biggest changes in terms of design compared to Mk5 Golf. Although the Mk6 uses the same platform as the Mk5, the Mk6 is a new beast compared to its predecessor...

The critically acclaimed Volkswagen Golf had reached its 6th generation. It came to Malaysia last year with a selling price of RM158,888 for the 1.4 TSi variant, while the GTi is going for slightly over RM200k. The Volkswagen Golf has sold more than 25 millions worldwide since 1974! Of course this happened for reasons. I was eager to test drive the Car Of The Year 2009, which is the Golf in this case, to find out what's with the Golf that makes people go gaga about it.

Our test drive course was located in a residential area, but comfort and handling can be tested thanks to the humps (a lot of it!) and roundabouts. My first impression on the Golf Mk6 is like a Mk5 with make-up, more contemporary styled than the latter to keep up with the rapidly changing market. The headlights are elegantly designed, comprised of chrome, boat-like shape which houses the projectors. Although the exterior design looks simple, it is not boring to look at either.

One of the highlights of the latest generation Golf 1.4 TSi is the dual force inducted engine. The automotive industry currently prefer to downside the displacement of the engine but adding in turbo-charger to increase the engine's power. Volvo and Volkswagen, to name a few, followed the pattern and Volkswagen gave the 1.4 TSi engine two force induction system to increase the power output to 160bhp and 240Nm of torque in the small-ish 1.4litre powerplant. Mated to the engine is a 7-speed dual clutch DSG transmission with smooth gear change.

The Golf is not a good car to mess with at a traffic light junction! The 240Nm of torque is available from as low as 1750rpm, and this enables the Golf to triumph some normally aspired 2.0litre engine cars in a drag race! The figures proved itself true when the car surged forward as I accelerated the car until around 1700rpm. It gave a brisk acceleration and knot to 100km/h can be achieved in less than 10 seconds! No turbo lag was experienced as Volkswagen solved the problem which is usually found in a force inducted engine by adding a second force induction device.

Although the ride was a bit on the firm side, the Golf was still able to isolate most of the road imperfection, giving a composed and comfortable ride to the passengers. Drivers who prefer to have some enjoyment in driving can step the pedal to the metal, and feel yourself getting shoved into the seat as the twin force inducted engine launches itself into the air. Okay I was exaggerating, but you should get my message,right? Bear in mind that this is just a Golf 1.4 TSi, I'm sure the Golf GTi will be much more powerful than this! I brought the Golf to 100km/h in no time and it felt stable, composed with engine and wind noise well compressed, the road noise was a bit over my liking though.

Three alphabetical acronyms like ABS, EBD, ESP, TCS and 7 airbags (including knee airbag) are some standard equipments in the Golf to provide a peace of mind and safe handling. The Volkswagen Golf is no doubt a safe but also an enjoying car to drive. It has adequate space for 5 adults in the cabin and a well-sized boot for a weekend shopping spree. No wonder some family guy even opted the Golf as his family car!

+ Strong engine, handling, spacious cabin.
- Road noise.

Check out my other reviews on Volkswagen:
Volkswagen Jetta

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INFO: Disc Brake

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:13:00 +0000

Almost every modern cars are equipped with 4 disc brake, but some car manufacturers will still opt for drum brake for the two rear wheels to lower down the cost as drum brake is cheaper compared to disc brake. Although a disc brake cost more than a drum brake, the former is more effective while braking. Sometimes safety does come with a price.

Let me share a brief explanation on how the braking system works. Disc brake, which usually made out of cast iron, is clamped by brake pads and the pads will be forced hydraulically onto the disc brake when force is applied on the brake pedal. This action will causes friction between the brake pads and disc brake, slowing down or bringing the car to a halt.

Can you spot the new ones and old one?

Some common problem on brake are brake squeal and vibration. I'm sure you guys had experienced or at least heard the pain-in-the-ear squealing sound when a car applies its brake. It is often caused by brake pads wearing off, signalling its time to change new brake pads! Sometimes vibration which is sent into the cabin while braking is caused by crooked or deformed disc brake. If your front disc brakes are crooked, it will send minor to severe vibration to the steering wheel, depending on braking speed.

So, are your brakes in tip-top condition? Visit your trusted or nearest mechanics if it's not because safety comes first!!

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Volkswagen Test Drive Event !!!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:05:00 +0000

Not everyone will get the chance to test drive six Volkswagen models in one day - but a group of bloggers had! Thanks to Nuffnang and Volkswagen, a bunch of bloggers had fun trying out six Volkswagen models available - Polo, Polo GTi, Jetta, Golf, Passat and Passat CC in Desa Park City.

The event started from 11am to 2pm but I was located into the 2nd session, which started at 12.30pm. I arrived at 12.30pm sharp but saw 1st session participants were still trying out the cars... In the end, I drove only 3 models - the Jetta, Golf and Passat CC (detailed review for each of them will be posted in the near future!) just in time before the end of the event.

Let's take a look on some of the Volkswagen models available on that day:

The red hot ~~chilli pepper~~ Volkswagen Polo! Its good handling, fuel efficiency and compact size make it the perfect urban roundabout vehicle. Although it's the smallest (and cheapest in Malaysia) model in Volkswagen's product lineup, the cabin does not feel low-end at all. The dashboard is covered with soft-touch material and everything feels built to last, a typical Volkswagen.

Then it was the Polo GTi which was in the limelight. Bloggers were swarming the car to get a chance to play with its horses, horsepower I mean!

A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSi was there (different variant than the Golf above) but too bad the Golf GTi was not available. I drove the Golf 1.4 TSi and I got to say I'm impressed! Selling at RM158,888, the Golf 1.4 TSi worth every of your penny, and I bet the Golf GTi will be even more awesome! Like I said, a more detailed review on the Golf 1.4 TSi will be coming!

Before the event, we were asked to choose one out of six Volkswagen models to be test driven, and I chose the Volkswagen Passat CC. Yes, I drove it too! It's such a cool car which can turn heads around when you drive pass people!

Didn't get to take a picture of the Volkswagen Jetta, which I also drove it in the event. My short verdict for the Jetta is it's a strong contender in the C-segment dominated by many Japanese car models. The Jetta is one of the best, but too bad it's price is also higher than its competitors.

Lastly will be the Passat 1.8 TSi. Also a strong contender in the D-segment, thanks to its technological advanced powertrain and classy design.

It was a pity that Golf GTi and Scirocco were not there for the event. Otherwise our test drive session will be much more enjoying! So, which is your ideal car? Das Auto, The car.

Follow me via Blogger, @simon_har or subscribe to SiMon HaR_ so that you'll be informed when I posted reviews on the Volkswagen I drove!

COMING UP:
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSi review
Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSi review
Volkswagen Passat CC review

Detroit Motor Show 2012 !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:36:00 +0000

Detroit Motor Show 2012 has debuted a lot of cool looking cars from the big manufacturers around the world. Below are some new production/concept cars which I think deserve the Top 10 best looking debutants of Detroit Motor Show 2012 (in no particular order):

Honda Accord Concept, a 'concept' which shows you how the new generation Accord will look like. Looks sporty, but unfortunately it still doesn't stand out of the crowd. Honda still opted the conservative side like the 2012 Civic in terms of design...

2013 Cadillac ATS. Love the red hot paint and the headlights which flows far back from the front end!

2013 Dodge Dart. Dodge certainly has improved in designing its cars these days. C-segment will have another tough competitor now! One word for the Dart: hot!

2013 Lexus LX570. It bears some resemblance of the 2012 Lexus GS 300's grille, adding uniqueness to the rather ordinary looking exterior.

Honda/Acura NSX Concept. Good news, Honda/Acura will put the NSX into production! You'll also get to see Tony Stark/Iron Man driving it in the upcoming movie 'The Avengers' first!

2013 Ford Fusion/Mondeo. It is the spice among the bland looking D-segments. Expect good performance, handling and safety from it too!

Lexus LF-LC, one of the highlights of Detroit Motor Show 2012. Take a look at the lines of the LF-LC, all of them are telling you "look at me, I'm sexy!".

Volkswagen E-Bugster, EV version of the Beetle. Packed with 114bhp and 199 pound-feet of torque! This is not an EV to mess with!

Chevrolet Tru 140S. Apart from the name, everything else will turn you on! One hot hatch it is!

I will personally give the Chrysler 700C Minivan the 'Wackiest Design Award'! The window lines are simply wacky without looking disporportioned. Look closer and you'll see the windows, headlights and fog lights have the same design theme.

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Toyota 'Trio' Are Coming!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:24:00 +0000

Toyota is starting its year 2012 with a 'bang'! The all-new Toyota Avanza (above) is launching this week, expect it to be a hot selling model from Toyota again, thanks to its affordable price. A 1.3litre engine with 91bhp and a 1.5litre engine with 103bhp will be offered to customers to choose from. The price starts from RM63,864 for the entry-line 1.3E to RM78,864 for the high-end 1.5S.

It is a surprise that UMW Toyota decided to bring the Prius C, which is a hatchback, to Malaysia. Estimated price for the Prius C is RM103,990, priced slightly higher than Malaysia's current cheapest hybrid, which is the Honda Insight. However, the list of equipment and safety are impressive. A push-start button, 3.5inch full colour multi-information display, cruise control, steering wheel with tilt and telescoping adjustment, automatic air-cond, seven airbags (with knee airbag) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) as standard!

The Prius C uses a 1NZ-FXE 1.5litre Atkinson cycle engine, which produces 73bhp at 4,800 rpm and 111Nm at 3,600-4,400 rpm together with an electric motor of 61bhp and 169Nm, combining them are capable of producing 101bhp output. The powerplant is mated to an E-CVT gearbox and have fuel efficiency of 40km/l!

Lastly will be the facelifted Prius. The price of it, unfortunately, has bumped up to RM143,000 from RM139,000. But the price bump doesn't come without reason. The facelifted Toyota Prius spotted with a sportier looking front bumper integrated with LED running light, and also new rear light clusters. An additional RM 5,000 at RM148,000 you can get the Prius Luxury, which gives you leather seats, auto-dimming rear view mirror and LED projector headlamps.

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Info on Proton's P3-21A !!!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:17:00 +0000

Great news for those who are anticipating the launch of Proton's P3-21A on March this year. More info were announced by Funtasticko who attended 'Proton Sales Conference & Introductions P3-21A'. Those who attended the conference get to see the real thing in person!

The P3-21A is said to be Proton's global car, Proton listened to critics and comments from around the world and correcting them in the P3-21A. Thus, Proton had made a lot of improvement for the P3-21A in terms of safety. First of all, the P3-21A will be able to achieve 5-star EuroNCAP rating, thanks to the fitting of 2 front airbags and first time in Proton, side airbags (should have curtain airbags too) as standard.

Other than that, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) will be introduced in the P3-21A, another first in Proton! Lotus Ride & Handling also contribute to the safety of the car, and Proton claimed that the P3-21A is the best handling car in its segment! This is made possible by fitting multi-link rear suspension, which is not found in its close competitors, into P3-21A that promotes good ride & handling.

Engine wise, same 1.6litre powerplant from Exora CFE which produces 140bhp and 205Nm of torque, mated with a 7-speed CVT gearbox! Compared with a Honda Civic 1.8l, the P3-21A has similar amount of horsepower but a whooping 31Nm more amount of torque! Manual transmission will be getting the less powerful IAFM powerplant but with 6-speed! Equipments like push-start button, light and rain sensor, paddle shift, built-in GPS (no more attaching GPS on the windscreen!) and front daytime running LED lights are installed in the P3-21A.

It looks like Proton listened to me critics by putting a chrome badge on the P3-21A's steering! I'm sure the cabin will look nice with it! Same steering wheel which is found in Exora is brought over into the P3-21A, not a bad thing considering it's a nice design and comfortable to hold too.

No doubt a great product created by Proton is coming soon! If it's priced right, it will be selling like hot cake and give its competitors a run of their money, a lot! Hope the cheapest variant will be priced starting from RM70k while the most expensive variant is priced under RM90k!

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Naza World CNY Promo‏ !!!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:37:00 +0000

Naza World is not an unfamiliar name these days. It is known for selling high quality imported cars of some high-end and exotic brands like Mercedes- Benz, BMW and Porsche, to name a few. In conjunction to Chinese New Year, Naza World cordially invites you to its Naza World Chinese New Year Promotion!

Details of the Naza World CNY Promotion as per below:
Venue: Naza Auto Mall PJ

Date: 6th to 8th January 2012

Naza World is generous enough to provide 20% off on selected models, but this weekend only! The featured models at Naza World Chinese New Year Promotion are:

BMW 335
BMW 525
Honda Stream
Lexus IS250
Mercedes Benz C200
Mercedes Benz CLS 350 CGI
Porsche Cayenne
Toyota Alphard 2.4
Toyota Estima 2.4
Toyota Harrier
Toyota Velfire 3.5 Z
Toyota Wish

You'll get a myriad of benefits for getting high quality imported cars from Naza World such as lower price for a quality car (perfect example for this CNY promo!), long waiting list will be avoided, unique models that are not usually sold in the local market can be found in Naza World and good performance and reliability because every car is inspected thoroughly beforehand.

Other than that, quality after-sales service will also be assured after your purchase, giving you a peace of mind!

Make sure you pay a visit to Naza World this weekend for the CNY promo!

Address:
Naza Auto Mall,

Lot 1, Jalan 51A/221.
46100 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-7953 2888
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Bajaj RE60 - Cheaper Than Tata Nano !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:40:00 +0000

Baja Auto, which is the world largest threewheelers manufacturer in the world, announced that it will introduce a fourwheeler named 'RE60'. Well, it's not tagged as a car because it's considered as an upgrade for threewheeler owners who want better performance, comfort and safety.

Design-wise, the RE60 is not ugly, but not attractive as well. But what to complain about for a car which will be cheaper than the world cheapest car Tata Nano when it is introduced into the market! However, it won't be grabbing Tata Nano's title since the RE60 is a fourwheeler, not a car.

The RE60 is powered by a 200cc engine with 20bhp which is capable of bringing the car to a top speed of 70km/h. The powerplant only produces 60gms/km of carbon dioxide emission. Acceleration shouldn't be like a snail since it only weighs 400kg, and the lightness contributes to a 35km/litre fuel efficiency.

Inside, expect the equipment to be basic but has adequate space for 4 adults, thanks to the tall-ish structure. When the 4-seater RE60 is introduced, it will be priced at 140,880 rupees or RM 8,300. This will benefit those owning motorcycles who wants to upgrade to a 'family car'.

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Used Sedan Cars under RM50k !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:39:00 +0000

It's 2012 now, a new year! Some will buy new cars for the new year but there are still people who want to purchase used cars. Below are some of the best buy used sedan cars that I can think of around RM50k:

You can easily get a 2000 Nissan Sentra for around RM30k now. Nissan cars are well built, so reliability should be ok after minor fixing. Some wears and tears for a cars older than 10 years are inevitable though.

If you have more cash, go for newer, facelfited Sentra. A facelifted Sentra 1.6 of year 2005 can easily be found under RM50k. Year 2004 facelifted Sentra 1.6 under RM40k is possible too!

Next up is the popular 1st generation Toyota Vios, where it is known for its fuel efficient and performance. Abundant of them are selling in the RM40k to RM45k range. If you are lucky, you can even find a facelifted Vios just under RM50k price tag!

The 2nd generation Honda City is also a worthy purchase if you are looking for a used car. No doubt that it sips fuel slowly and it is considered practical for a small sedan. The earliest batch can be found just under RM40k.

The facelifted City will come to your mind if you are not a fan of the bulbous-looking pre-facelift City. Featuring sportier and more proportional styling, the facelifted City can be found in the RM45k to RM50k price range.

Lastly will be the C-segment Toyota Corolla Altis, where the oldest batch (year 2001) can be found from RM40k to RM45k. For those who are looking for a comfortable and reliable car can go for Altis.

*Every analysis is done on January 2012 in Carlist.my website. Prices are vary according to the grades or variants of the model.

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Wrapping Up 2011 and Hello 2012 !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:30:00 +0000

Finally 2011 came to an end and we are now in 2012! (world apocalyptic coming?) Like every year, 2011 was filled with ups and downs in my life. but we have to go against all odds to make our life a better place, right?

So without further ado, here's a recap of what happened (happy stuff) in my life in 2011:

First food review at Sunway Hotel - Atrium Cafe!

Like always, my blogger friends are awesome!

Then here comes concerts! Went to 3 concerts in 2011: Show Luo, Justin Bieber O_O and David Archuleta!!

My first concert in my life: Show Luo!

Went to Justin Bieber's concert for free! Thanks to Nuffnang and TuneTalk!

Lastly, David Archuleta's concert! Courtesy of Digi!

In terms of car, a lot of great things happened!

I have a car now! It's mine (for now)!

Went to Proton Exora VIP test drive session with a friend, invited by Merryn!

Invited by Nuffnang to Volkswagen Das Auto KL autoshow pre-event! Get to attend the event few days before the public does!

Left my one year working life and back to college! Awesome group of colleagues!

Attended my Diploma graduation ceremony! Studying Advanced Diploma now.

I hereby announce that I'm closing one chapter of my life and opening a new one! All the best to everyone in the year 2012!

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Honda Scrapping Flooded Cars !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:11:00 +0000

Public can now let out a sigh of relieve after Honda announced that it is going to scrap the Honda cars claimed by Thai flooding! Honda, along with some other manufacturers' plants in Thailand has suffered great losses in terms of cars. Thailand's worst flood in 50 years has claimed 1055 Honda cars, including a Freed MPV, 30 CR-V SUVs, 91 Accord sedans, 150 Civic sedans, 213 Jazz hatchbacks, 217 Biro hatchbacks and 353 City sedans.

Honda Thailand invited media to witness the scrapping of the flood damaged vehicles. No cars or parts from the flood damaged cars will be sold. So, the unfortunate 1055 cars will have to experience the end of their 'lives'.

As a guarantee to the buyers, Honda Thailand also will post the chassis and engine number of the destroyed cars in their website. Hopefully Honda Thailand will be able to resume their production as soon as possible because many in the ASEAN countries are waiting for their new Honda cars!

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Kia Optima K5 is here at RM143,888 !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 07:41:00 +0000

The Kia Optima K5 is launched in Malaysia, selling at RM143,888 on the road. It gives other D-segment competitors a run for their money with its comprehensive list of equipment and bold styling.

Only one engine variant is available at this moment though, which is the 2.0litre Theta II MPI engine. Fret not! The power that this powerplant able to churn out 165bhp and 198Nm of torque at 4600rpm is more than its 2.0litre competitors like Teana, Accord and Camry!

No doubt that this Optima K5 is a head turner. Daytime LED running lights, HID auto levelling headlights, flush 18-inch alloys, rear lip spoiler and blacked three-piece panoramic roof (all as standard) make the Optima K5 looks grand at day, stylish at night.

Photos from Paultan.org

Inside, paddle shift, leather seats, dual-zone air-conditioner and cruise control are standard equipments for the Optima K5. Other items include reverse camera integrated to the rear-view mirror, push-start button, 8-way electronic controlled driver seat with memory to mention a few.

In terms of safety, the Kia Optima offers 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, TCS and hill-start assist. No close competitors of Optima's offer side and curtain airbags and also hill-start assist as standard in the similar price range and engine displacement. Kudos to Kia for providing these extensive safety features.

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Drive Your Honda Through Potholes Without Worries - Litterally!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 07:24:00 +0000

Owners of Honda cars should let out a sigh of relieve after reading this post. According to a road maintenance campaign website, potholes.co.uk, Honda cars are the most resilient to potholes damage. In other word, Honda cars' suspension is the most durable compared to other manufacturers' cars if all are subjected in a same condition of going through potholes.

Second in the list is Toyota while third is, surprisingly, Hyundai. Clearly, Hyundai is stepping up in the game and making better and more durable cars nowadays. What's even more surprising is manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover couldn't make it into the top 10 list. Both car manufacturers should have durable and high quality suspension, but still, they couldn't grab a seat in the list.

Potholes, which are found everywhere in the world, is one of the main reason of damaged car suspension. Drivers who drove frequently over potholes will notice their car's suspension and interior parts start to creaks, and even worse, has to replace damaged suspension parts.

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Audi Q3 Preview in KL!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:35:00 +0000

After Santa Claus came to town, Euromobil brings the Audi Q3 which is going to be launched in Malaysia next year to town! The Audi Q3 is here due to its ASEAN preview tour and a unit of Q3 will be available for viewing in two of Audi's showrooms in the Klang Valley, as stated in the picture above. (I would prefer they show the Q3 in public places like shopping centres)

The compact SUV (rivals are eg. BMW X1 and Volkswagen Tiguan) will have a 2.0-litre TFSI 4-cylinder engine which can churn out 170bhp and 280Nm of torque from as low as 1700rpm, and mated with a 7-speed S-tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. Official price list is not announced yet, but expect it to be competitive.

Personally I'm not a fan of the Audi Q3's design. Yes, it looks rugged and solid, but it lacks of emotion and excitement. From far I might think that the Q3 is a Q5! Both design is just a tad too similar. But I'm sure it's still a great car with above average quality and drivability.

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Kia Ray EV's Korea First Production EV !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:19:00 +0000

After the debut of Kia Ray's gasoline version, Kia produced the Ray EV, which is a zero emission vehicle with a range up to 139km on a single charge. Although the Ray EV weighs 187kg more than its gasoline counterpart, it still able to produce adequate performance with a strong electric motor. 50kW and 167Nm of torque is available this time, about 77% increase in torque compared to gasoline version. This will ensure a strong takeoff from idle.

Recharging time for the Ray EV is six hours if a 220V household supply is used. However, it only need 25 minutes in fast-charge mode for the 16.4 kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack.

Like the Mitsubishi MiEV, Ray EV also comes with options while driving in 'D' (Drive) mode. 'E’ (‘eco’) mode optimizes the motor’s torque to achieve low battery consumption. ‘B’ (brake) mode is to maximize braking power while driving down hill and optimizes regenerative braking.

Kia fitted the Ray EV with Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS) which emits a recorded sound of gasoline engine. This is to prevent accidents with pedestrian because unlike gasoline engine, EV emits (almost) no noise. It will only be emitted when the speed is under 20km/h and reversing the Ray EV.

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TEASED: Volvo V60 Is Coming Next Month!

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:59:00 +0000

Volvo Malaysia teased us with the image above in their Facebook page, stating that the 'wicked' one is coming to malaysia next month! If you take a closer look at the silhouette, you'll notice that it is similar to Volvo S60. Yes, that's right, it's the V60 that you are looking at, the wagon/estate form of the S60!

The V60 proves that wagons doesn't have to look boxy and boring. It has the sleek lines of S60 until the rear of the V60. Sloping roofline and curvy window line help in creating a lower visual of the car.

While there is no extra information on the wicked V60 which is bound to hit our shore soon, it should come with the same engine choices found in the naughty S60. The T4 has a 1.6litre engine capable of producing 180bhp and 240Nm while the T5 has a 2.0litre engine with 240bhp and 320Nm.

Too bad not many in Malaysia appreciate cars in wagon form, albeit wagons provide more flexible and larger cargo space than sedan. Hope the V60 will be the exceptional one with its sporty styling!

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Intermark Mall !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:49:00 +0000

If you are searching for a haven in the middle of the hectic KL city, look no further. Intermark Mall, which located along Jalan Tun Razak, will give you a relaxing and upper class experience that you'll appreciate much. To me, Intermark Mall is similar to Starhill Gallery which offers some fine dinings and specialised retail outlets.

Since Christmas is just around the corner, Intermark Mall is well decorated with plenty of Christmas trees and ornaments. This beautify the already elegant looking interior! Walk around and you'll see many visitors and also people who are working there dress appropriately and nicely, adding class to the place. This makes you feel different, important to be exact!

The Doubletree by Hilton is integrated with the Intermark Mall. I'm sure the hotel offers good hospitality and comfortable suites! Security personnels were everywhere, giving a peace of mind to the visitors and guests.

'Class' and 'comfort' are among the few words that you can think of while visiting the Intermark Mall. Comfortable and nicely decorated lounge, bar and artistic decorations are found in the building itself.

There was a Christmas tree in the middle of the food court! People can enjoy the Christmas feel while having their meals over there.

My only quetch is the autopay machine which doesn't drop the change to ease collection. My change was stuck in the outlet and I spent quite some time twisting and turning my hands to get it. The glass added difficulty for me to collect it too! Luckily there was no one waiting behind me at that very moment!

The Intermark is easily accessible through public transport, where it is not far from Ampang Park LRT station. Integrated with office buildings, hotel and retail podium, The Intermark demonstrates new standard for quality, class and vision. Drop by The Intermark if you have a chance, it will be an eye-opener experience for you.

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Touch-up Paint !

noreply@blogger.com (SiMon Har) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:01:00 +0000

There was an unfortunate rainy day where the rear bumper of my car was hit by a taxi. The result, although my bumper is not dented, a part of its paint came off, the left side of it was dislocated and has some scratch marks.

The peel-off paint part was slightly bigger and in the shape of a bird poo. Since my car is black-in-colour, the contrast is much larger as that part was in white! So, I ended up going to the supermarket looking for touch-up paint. At last, I found the above which comes in different colours for different manufacturers such as Proton, Perodua, Honda and Toyota.

Instruction on how to use it!

Before...

After!

Well, at least the marks are not so apparent now! I don't have polish sand, so I didn't make the surface even first before I apply the paint. At least you won't notice the imperfection from far now!

*This is NOT an advertorial*

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