NEW AVEO NOTCHBACK

This is the new Chevy Aveo Notchback. It was launched by the newly established joint venture company between DRB-Hicom and GM Asia Pacific recently.

Having priced it at between RM71,000 and RM75,000, this car isn't any better than the Aveo Hatchback, that was quite popular several years ago.

But this new joint venture company believes it can capitalise in the small car segment with this 1.4-litre car.

The Notchback isn't exactly a pretty car. The front looks identical to the earlier model, with the only difference being the sedan rear. There is also a sports package that consists of full leather seats including door trims and steering wrap, bodykit, 14-inch alloy wheels and V-Kool, which would put you back by between RM6,000 and RM7,680, depending on trim level of the car. There are two trim levels.

But I still find it hard to accept that this car would in fact make it in the Malaysian market, especially when there are so many choices in that segment now. There is just nothing to really excite Malaysians. A Toyota Vios or Honda City would undoubtedly be a lot better to drive and own.

Unless, of course, the new company springs a surprise and brings in far better products into the market. -- Dinesh Kumar

IT ISN'T ALL THAT BAD

The M3, dare I say, isn't all that bad. What we need to analyse here is the market it has begun to appeal. In the 'old days' when an M car was appealing to European drivers, it has now captured the hearts of the yankees. They have finally liked something like an M3, which is why this car is rather different from its predecessor.

According to BMW engineers, the six-speed manual gearbox is one dearly loved by the Americans. Unlike the predecessing model, this one sounds far more refined and ably handles as well.

Just because it doesn't have that brute sound and characteristics, doesn't mean the car isn't equally as good. What would expect from a V8 motor from BMW? Obviously refinement. Its not just about the sound and all, but more to sheer belief of achieving a 50:50 weight distribution, getting the more than 400bhp on the road without much hassle, unlike those blokes at AMG who make perfectly good 'sports' cars. But they seem to have forgotten the mechanics of getting that power to stick on the road at corners.

The M3, I would think, is different. Drive it sanely and it rewards with a comfortable and pleasant drive. Jam the accelerator pedal down the metal, above 4,000 revs, and it becomes a a fire-breathing beast.

This means that the new M3 can be driven by practically any kind of driver. The husband, who makes the millions, can drive it, and so can his midlife-crisis-struck wife. Hell, even his old-age mother could and still look good at it.

Thus, the only worry now would be the price. The M3 is supposed to be a borderline supercar, performance of a supercar but with the humble pricing of a normal, premium car. But whatever said and done, the M3 has made its mark and still, pretty much one of the most desirable sports cars around, even if one can't exactly afford one. Cheers!

The M3 is dead. No, really.

How do you write about the BMW M3 without gushing at the mouth? For much of the later part of the last three decades, this was, nay, is the car that has epitomised affordable (relatively) supercar-baiting performance for the common man.

Light, athletic, powerful (towards the end) were the keywords on its CV. As were hooligan, juvenile, and rebellious. This was the car for the kid in all of us, the kind of car that makes you take a corner hard, turn around, and do it all over again.


Today, it's still light (alu-this, carbon-that); it's definitely athletic (EDC, M-Diff, MDM); and no one doubts that it's powerful (420bhp Bi-VANOS, 4000cc V8). That's the letter of the law obeyed, but what about the spirit?

Hints of it still exist. You can still go silly quick or stupid fast in this, if you're feeling frisky. In fact, with the new electronic safety net, more people will finally get a chance of pretending to be Sultans of Slide than ever before.

But once you're done melting rubber, the sense of drama goes back down with the tyre temperature. You feel no different than if you were in just another E92 coupe, or any other BMW, for that matter. Sure there's all the M-branding, but you find just as much, if not more, in any 325i Sport, so what's the big deal?

If anything, the upcoming 135i Coupe looks like being the true heir to the throne. As with all the growing up that BMW have been doing recently, the M3 as we know it is no more. Instead, they've given us the M5-Lite. For something so special to become so... sane really breaks my heart, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. ~ Ray Singh

Holly cow! This Touareg rocks!

WHEN the Japs do a facelift, it will prolly mean a change of the bumper and the lights, plus different interior colours. The Koreans might think a change of body sticker will suffice.

The Germans however think otherwise. Their facelift can be considered an overhaul, though exterior changes might be minimal. For instance is the latest Touareg.

The 2007 Touareg looks as identical as the previous version, but underneath the exo-skeleton (too much Transformers, sorry) you will find over 2,300 new parts. Of course it would be impossible to list down all, but I can start of with its new front facia and a redesigned taillight.

The new nose looks sharper and less boring, inline with the current stable of VW cars. The grilled has a chrome frame that is bold and imposing. The taillight however is just a change in the lens as the shape is still the same.

The interior remains the same, filled with arrays of buttons that can even make the control panel of U-boat looks simpler. My girlfriend who had a short drive in the Touareg was still impressed with the Touareg, even after a month. Among the adjectives that she used (and she used many creative ones, as she is one word smith) was solid and SOLID.

I have to agree, the Touareg has an interior that makes you believe you are cocooned in a brick. Being assembled in its motherland, quality is far superior than the ones assembled in South Africa.

First time users will definitely need the manual. Even an Auto Lord like me succumbed to the manual as there are simply too many buttons. Thankfully the air-cond and audio volume remain as knobs. Its easier playing with knobs rather than buttons (hmmm...somehow this sentence sounds funny).

Under the hood you get a stonking 3.6L V6 engine that is coupled to a six-speed transmission, with Tiptronic. Cool.

Keeping the 18-inch wheels on the ground will be independent suspension on double wishbone for both front and rear. No air suspension system but I think its ok as it does a good job of soaking the bumps and handling the bends.

As usual, Vokswagen insists that the Touareg will be a proper SUV, hence the four-wheel drive driveline or what VW will call the 4XMotion permanent all wheel drive. For enthusiastic drivers, this one comes with a Tiptronic function, a low range transfer case and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL). The latter improves traction in off-road conditions by braking individual wheels.

It also has ABSplus, and the "plus" monicker differentiates it from the normal ABS because this one has the ability to make the new Touareg stop shorter on loose terrain (by 20 per cent). Do remember that ABSplus only works if you are tracking straight. If the front wheels are turned, normal ABS kicks in.

Driving wise, it sits nicely between the Merc's ML and BMW's X5. It can outhandle the porky ML but it the ride is not as harsh as the X5. Looks can be sunjective, and I think the VW looks handsome. In fact, I look better driving this than my Austin Healey.

As for me, I'll buy it simply because my girlfriend says it has a solid interior. Just like me.

By Hazman Hamzah

Specifications

Make and model: Volkswagen Touareg 3.5L V6 (2007)

Engine: 3597cc V6 FSI 24-valve with variable valve timing and innovative direct injection technology

Max power: 274hp @ 6250rpm

Max torque: 360Nm @ 2500-5000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed Tiptronic 4XMotion with low range gears

Safety features: 2-stage driver and front airbags, airbag curtain for front and rear, side airbags for front and rear, ABSplus, EBD, EDL, EBC, hillascent/descent, TCS, ARP, roll-over sensors, pretensioners

Price: RM437,283.20 OTR

Mama-Mia Mitsubishi

Just take a look at that picture. Isn't that one hell of an agressive looking car? It makes a Civic look almost apologetic, while an Altis or a Focus is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Based on looks alone, this Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT will sell by the container load. But are these people making a wise move? That depends.






When it comes to driving enjoyment, the Lancer 2.0 GT is the best there is right now in the class. When driven hard, it responds like no other and the pace it generates will see the competitors falling into ditches or crashing due to terminal understeer. Only the Focus comes close, though the Ford does not have the novelty factor of six virtual gear ratios. Selected, by magnesium steering column mounted shifters no less.

But there are some major problems. Leave that CVT gearbox in auto and the car sounds like an industrial sized blender mated to a vacuum cleaner so you need to really get used to the gearbox to remain sane. On top of that, there is the interior quality. I'm sorry Mitsubishi, but I expect more than Proton Saga plastic quality and panel fit. Any Honda, Toyota or Nissan has better quality interior and from what I hear, the new Proton Pesona is a million times better.

Sigh, so in the long run, this car has a few too many foibles for me to say "GO AND BUY ONE NOW!" It may drive like magic (until you have to change the RM1200 each tyres that is) and it may look like a Fast & Furious refugee, but the interior quality is unforgivable for half the price. Still, it will scare the hell out of the competition. Especially at just over RM115,000 and that includes 3-years servicing, insurance and a 5-year warranty.

By Dirk Diggler



Note:
I have driven this car and I have to agree with Dirk. Now I know why Proton used to have such crappy interior. But then again, if performance is high on your wish list, nothing beats the Lancer at its price.
This Lancer-lot also makes me wonder why the Civic, which is a CKD from Melaka, is so expensive (the Lancer is a CBU from Japan).
Whatever it is, let the price war begin!
- Hazman Hamzah


Drives like a weekend racer. Comes with an interior to match. Buy it, strip it, and enjoy. ~ Ray Singh

Petronas will have their guns blazing for the upcoming Merdeka Millennium Endurance race with the announcement that it would enter the car from their Petronas Syntium Team (PST), a BMW Z4 M Coupe.

The car is currently being raced in Japan's Super Taikyu race series.

The 400bhp car was unveiled yesterday, together with the announcement of the team line-up. The PST Super Taikyu driver, Farique Hairuman, will be there. But what would catch everyone in the racing fraternity by surprise are the other two drivers, Hans Joachim Stuck and his son, Johannes.

This car, together with these three drivers, are surely set to impress and give Proton and their Lotus 300R a run for their money. Should be entertaining, this coming MME, especially when ticket prices are a mere RM0.50.

This year's race will see some interesting competition from drivers and team throughout the region, especially with the country's 50th anniversary celebrations. So look out for some interesting news on the race soon....

Chancellor - the stretched Waja

THIS will be short.

Proton says they engineered the chassis, hence I cannot say they chop it off and add a foot of metal in the
middle to turn it into this car.

Fine with that. But it looks like a stretched Waja and with that ridiculous pricing, I think nobody, except GLC and government agencies will be buying it.

I mean from a marketing point of view, this car does not make any sense at all. If I drive the Waja, I am
expected to upgrade to the ageing Perdana V6 (which Malaysians still think is a valid executive car, even without airbags).

And so if I am iffy enough to have one Perdana V6, am I supposed to 'upgrade' back to a Chancellor, which looks like my previous car ?

I don't think so.

But if you really must have a stretched Waja that seats only four, then this is the car. You get the V6 2.0L
engine with a 4-speed gearbox, same as the ones

in the Perdana BUT with a tranny oil cooler.

Interior wise, everything is covered with leather

but the stitching job must be improved if Proton

wants this as their flagship car. The test car even

had problems popping out the DVD screen, which

looks VERY aftermarket. When the mat saleh has

the word 'hand-built' in their brochures, they

usually mean artisans, not Ahmad or Ah Chong

or Samy from your local accessory shops.

Handling wise, it is quite stiff and corners as well as the shorter Waja. Good, but since when you want a
chauffer to drive you as if he is racing with the car on the next lane?

As you can see, there is hardly a Chancellor on the road, which explains why I can safely say that this car is a
waste of time.

By Hazman Hamzah

Specifications

Make and model: Proton Chancellor

Engine: 2.0L V6 D4 MPI

Max power: 150hp @ 6750rpm

Max torque: 179Nm @ 4000rpm

Transmission: 4-speed auto with Fuzzy Logic

Max speed: 205kmh (claimed)

The exotic skinned English cat

APART from tin cans and food wrappers, aluminium has found a new home, the automotive industry. Audi for example has been banking into this technology for quite sometime. Lightweight, non corrosive and recycle friendly, this alloy has also attracted Jaguar.

The XJ Series which is now the bread and butter car for our local Jaguar dealer is the first aluminium bodied car to come out from Abbey Road.

Sticking to its traditonal design, you do not need to look at the badge to know what car this is. Long and flat boot, circular lights and small glass area spells out Jaguar very well.

Jaguar is all about stateliness. It gives you the feeling of sitting inside something created not by robots, but by artisans. For instance, the pull-type door handle feels very assuring, and will send you back in the golden years of motoring where cars are built to be as solid as a tank. It even emits the right "click" sound, which sounds very metallic and very assuring. reminds me of a bank's vault actually.

Then there is the dashboard. Keeping inline with its tradition, the only LCD panel we have here will be for the stereo and the controls for the HVAC (Heating, ventilation, Air-con and Cooling), which also looks very eighties.

But again, this is what Jaguar is all about, keeping in with the tradition. If you want something modern and funky, go for the German makes.

The foot pedals can be adjusted via electric motor to suit your driving position. This I am happy with as it customises to my driving position better. In fact I wonder why most German cars don't come with this feature.

The famous J-gate gear is there, more for the looks since I think the gate makes it quite notchy to shift about. If one decides to race this car against a Proton Wiralution, which I very much doubt, just press that big S button which sits next to the gear lever. The gear stays longer and that makes the engine growl (really sexy) louder.

The XJ is not over-endowed with gadgets. A lot of things are missing, like reclining rear seats, DVD player or even a multimedia screen. What you get is a seat covered with smooth supple leather, huge legroom and a very English ambiance. The latter is what many want, but I think since we are all gung-ho about being English here, Jaguar might as well make a small table to place a cup of English tea for the boss at the back.

Unlike the hi-tech bodyshell, the engine is very plain. It makes do with a Ford sourced 3.0-litre V6 engine that gives you enough grunt to get the cat pouncing.

The 6-speed gearbox from ZF that shifts via electro-hydraulic mechanism which I think is really smooth but slow if you force it manually (no thanks to again, the J gate).

The suspension is Jaguar's air suspension system (CATS - Computer Active Technology Suspension). It lowers automatically when you start cruising and it stiffens up a bit when there is extra load or when the road starts to zig-zag. Being a revised version, this works marvelously compared to the previous XJ.

You know Dr Who who has a telephone booth that expands into a huge lab once you step inside it? Well, this Jaguar has the same magic, except it is reversed. Though this is a long car, it shrinks once you start driving it. Why? It must be that aluminium skin which makes the car 40 per cent lighter than a steel bodied version, and this spells out agility.

Agility is later translated into the century dash performance in 8.1 seconds and a good fuel economy, despite that old tech Ford engine inside.

How about handling? Can this cat beats the Bangleised cookie cutters from Bavaria?

No, and I believe the owners will not mind either. It is set more for comfort rather than a Lotus Elise kind of performance. I had a good back-seat time when I got the car and I believe Jaguar engineers have sublty put some attention to the VIPs who will be seated there.

Though there are no reclining or massaging seat, it is still a very comfortable place to sit in. Soft leather and plush cushion, I was snoring in a ten minutes, or perhaps five if the car comes with more air-con vents to the rear area and also more HVAC control.

To golfers, the boot will swallow two golf bags rather easily. To the rest of the normal human beings, the boot is enough for at least four duffle bags and a few kampits of Beras Siam Wangi Gred A. For my friend Mr JO, you can stuff in two dead alsations and a few chihuahas.

The local Jaguar fellas now might be in a stiff as DaimlerChyrsler has decided to price their Pekan-assembled S- Class at a lower price, which might make the S-Class as popular as the Kancil or the Avanza.

I think there is still hope though. If you want to be different from the Joneses and make a grand entrance at the hotel lobby, the XJ is the answer.

Since Jaguar will retain the shape of the XJ for a long time, your XJ will not be obsolete even after ten years.

By Hazman Hamzah

Specifications

Make and model: Jaguar XJ6 3.0L V6 LWB

Engine: V6 2,967cc 24V

Max power: 240hp @ 6,800rpm

Max torque: 300Nm @ 4,100rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Safety features: Jaguars Adaptive Restraint Technology System (ARTS), ABS, EBA, front and side airbags.