Posted on June 25, 2010 by admin
As said, this is a video to find the champion among the cheapest cars in Europe. The cars involves are Proton Savvy, Hyundai Atos and a French manufacturer of microcar (name MC2). Take a look and see who will win the race to the top of the hill.
Posted on June 25, 2010 by admin
Few years ago, some said the Koreans were coming. They were right, because the Hyundais and Kias of one generation ago weren’t good enough to have arrived – coming yes, arrived no. But if you haven’t noticed, things have changed over the past few years – Hyundai-Kia is now the fourth largest carmaker in the world, ahead of all Japanese rivals except for Toyota, and is clearly on the up.
Products like this sixth-generation Hyundai Sonata (codenamed YF) reflect the brand’s current standing. Still good value, still has that long warranty, but now with attributes that appeal not only to the value conscious. Things like quality, class leading figures and design flair were almost never spoken in the same sentence as “Hyundai”, but the YF changes this. We drive Hyundai’s eye opener in Muscat, Oman.
Posted on June 25, 2010 by admin
I just got back from the special preview of the sixth generation Hyundai Sonata, where the media and soon to be owners of the YF got to have a closer look at the latest D-segment car to hit our market. At the event, Hyundai-Sime Darby revealed the only figure yet to be announced about the new Sonata – the price.
Much speculation has been made about the price, with some claiming that the range will start at RM148K. No such thing of course, and the 2.0 Standard is priced closer to RM130K than RM150K. Here you go:
2.0 Standard – RM135,888
2.0 High Spec – RM143,888
2.4 High Spec – RM163,888
The Sonata uses the new Theta II family of engines paired with a self-developed 6-speed auto ‘box. The 2.0 pushes out 164 bhp and 197 Nm of torque while the 2.4 has 175 bhp/227 Nm – figures that match (or better) those of its rivals. Combined fuel economy is rated at 13.2 km/l for the 2.0 and 12.5 km/l for the 2.4.
Spec wise, the High Spec cars get the panoramic roof, ESP with Hill Assist, leather seats and keyless entry with push start. The difference between the 2.4 HS and the 2.0 HS is that the bigger engined car gets a front passenger powered seat (as opposed to driver only), HID headlamps and climate control. Standard equipment across the range include ABS, dual airbags, 17-inch alloys, cruise control, factory stereo with iPod/AUX in and rear air-con vents. Five colours are available, which are white, silver, black, red and blue.
The car will have its official launch on the 2nd of July. But from tomorrow till next Tuesday (25-29 June) everyone is invited to Hyundai’s showroom at Glenmarie to view the car from 2pm to 7pm. From the 30th, the Sonata will be displayed at One Utama.
Posted on June 08, 2010 by admin
in some markets, including the United Kingdom.Posted on June 07, 2010 by admin
The Hyundai i10 now has an additional variant in Malaysia equipped with the more modern and powerful twin cam 1.25 liter Kappa family engine, which supplements the 1.1 liter SOHC and does not replace it in the Malaysian line-up.
This engine complies with Euro 4 emissions regulations and produces 80 PS and 112Nm of torque compared to the 1.1 liter Epsilon single cam engine’s 66 PS.
There are actually two versions of the new aluminum alloy Kappa engine. One is a lower powered 1,197cc with a shorter stroke, but we are getting the European spec 1,248cc version, hence the 1.25 liter displacement instead of just 1.2 liter.
All Kappa engines are twin cam, 16 valve, use distributorless ignition, lightweight ECOFORM pistons, and feature an EPS power steering system. The engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The i10 (1.25l Kappa) is CKD assembled and is priced at RM49,688 (OTR) for the standard spec and RM52,688 (OTR) for the high spec (adds 2 airbags and ABS brakes) in West Malaysia and comes with a 5 years warranty or 300,000km extended warranty.
The Kappa model also has two exclusive colours not available on the 1.1 liter – Oyster Grey and Deepsea Blue.
Posted on May 05, 2010 by admin
Had trouble renewing your third party motor insurance? Premiums too much of a burden? Here’s a chance for your views to be heard. Bank Negara Malaysia is seeking public feedback on basic motor insurance coverage for third-party bodily injury and death. Our central bank recently placed ads in newspapers, urging readers to download a copy of the consultation paper on the proposed policy at www.bnm.gov.my. Here’s the invite:
Following the Government’s announcement in Budget 2010 on the need to provide adequate access to reasonably priced basic motor insurance coverage, Bank Negara Malaysia is currently working with the relevant authorities in formulating a scheme to provide basic third party bodily injury and death cover at an appropriate level of protection to the public.
Bank Negara Malaysia has undertaken consultations with consumer and transport associations, the Malaysian Bar Council as well as the insurance industry to obtain the first round of feedback on the guiding principles, objectives and proposed features under consideration. We would also like to seek similar feedback from members of the public.
A PDF file which has presentation slides and FAQs are available for download. Feedback can be submitted to BNM via email, post or fax. “Feedback received from all stakeholders will be taken into consideration towards further refining the proposals under consideration,” Bank Negara says.
The insurance industry claims to have lost RM1 billion since 2008 as premiums have not changed for the past 30 years, leading insurers to be very selective in providing TPBID coverage. Owners of old cars are now forced to take up the last resort Malaysian Motor Insurance Pool (very expensive!) or buy comprehensive cover – I chose the latter. The issue caught the attention of the Prime Minister, who last month directed BNM to take into consideration the people’s plight when proposing the new basic motor insurance coverage.
Posted on May 01, 2010 by admin
Just days after launching the brand new Accent in Beijing Hyundai has now unveiled the latest generation Avante or Elantra at the Busan International Motor Show in Korea. Just like other latest offerings from Hyundai the Avante has received the company's "fluidic sculpture" design language and it looks very good! Definitely much better than the outgoing one.
Among others the new Avante comes with features such as HID headlights, LED taillights along with a TFT LCD information display screen in the instrument panel. It even has heated rear seats.
According to the rather short press release power comes from the company's latest 1.6 liter Gamma gasoline engine with direct injection. Power output is figured at 138hp while offering 166Nm of torque. This engine also features Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing and a Variable Induction System.
It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission which makes this Hyundai's first GDI engine that is paired with a 6-speeder on a compact sedan. Continue reading to check out some launch photos. Unfortunately there are no images of the interior at the moment.
There is also a short preview animation of the new Avante.
Posted on April 28, 2010 by admin
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has announced that the new Tucson will be launched next month with prices starting from RM126,888 OTR for the base 2.0 Low Spec. This model features a petrol Theta-II engine with dual continuously variable valve timing and makes 164hp. There is also High Spec version of the 2.0 liter that costs RM136,888 OTR.
Compared to the Low Spec this version comes standard with ESP with HAC and DBC, semi leather seats, panorama sunroof as well as smart key with engine start stop button. Other standard features available on both models includes 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, dual airbags, roof rack and iPod connectivity.
For those of you who are willing to spend more you can opt for the range-topping 2.4 High Spec which comes with a 175hp 2.4 liter Theta-II engine. In addition to the equipment list on the 2.0 High Spec this 2.4 variant has power front seat (driver only), automatic air-conditioning with Cluster Ionizer and a luggage net.
This version costs RM152,888 OTR. All variants are offered standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Body colour options that are available include Vanilla White, Sleek Silver, Hyper Metallic, Grey Titanium, Phantom Black and Blue Ice. The Tucson comes with a 5-year warranty or 300,000 kilometers extended warranty and is now available for booking
Posted on April 26, 2010 by admin
Other than the new Verna, Hyundai has a few other interesting announcements made at Auto China 2010. First is a new 1.6 liter engine packed full with tech such as direct injection, dual continuously variable valve timing, and a variable induction system.
Everything is in including efficiency tech such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating, Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating and water jacket inserts to enable a stable temp balance between the upper and lower blocks. The only thing missing is turbocharging. But thanks to all of this technology the engine manages to make 140 PS (138 horsepower) while keeping to the latest emission standards. That’s just about 22 horses short of 100 horsepower per liter of displacement.
Next is a direct injection version of its Lambda V6 engine of 3.3 liter displacement – as a result peak output is 300 PS (296 hp), also from a normally aspirated engine. GDI will later also be added to the 3.8 liter Lambda model. Hyundai also reveals that it will be adding a third variant to the Lambda family – not sure if it will be smaller than 3.3 liters or larger than 3.8 liters. Hyundai also displayed a self-developed 8-speed automatic transmission.
Look after the jump for a video presentation of the new 1.6L GDI.
