CLOSE
Page 1012

by -

The Volvo stand at the Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow 2000 which ended on December 4th won the most votes in the poll run by AUTOWORLD.COM.MY.

Over 400 AW visitors cast their votes through this website’s polling system and the Volvo stand got the highest score of 23% of votes. However, a close runner-up was Ford which received 22.03% of votes, while Proton was third places with 14.53% of votes.

The Volvo stand could have appealed to visitors most due to its spacious layout and ‘open door policy’ for virtually all its cars displayed. Such a policy was not the case at a number of stands and the exhibitors were criticised for it. However, their reluctance to allow people to freely enter the cars was understandable as there had been cases of cars being vandalised and some items stolen.

“The battery on our Peugeot 607 went completely flat during the first day as visitors kept pressing the various switches to operate the power windows and sunroof. The car’s glovebox was also damaged during the second day of the show,” revealed an executive at the MBf-Peugeot stand.

At another stand, the senior manager of the company said he was disgusted by the attitude of many visitors who not only caused damage to some cars but also allowed their children to jump about on the seats with their shoes on and spilling drinks. “Under such circumstances, can you blame us for locking up our cars?” he asked.

But Volvo Car Malaysia’s Managing Director Lena Olving did not make a big fuss about the potential damage to the company’s cars. “I think people come to a motorshow to have a chance to sit in the cars and yes, there is the possibility of some damage but it is something that has to be accepted by exhibitors,” she told AUTOWORLD.COM.MY.

According to Aishah Ahmad, President of the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) which was responsible for organising the motorshow, another survey involving 1,000 visitors saw the BMW stand getting the highest score, followed by Mercedes-Benz and Ford.

She told AUTOWORLD.COM.MY that there was a lot of feedback on improvements and enhancements needed for the event, adding that there was no decision yet when the next one would be held. “We are going to ask our members for their views and it could be either in two years or three years but not as long as four years’ time,” she said. “We also hope that another venue would be available but right now, Putra World Trade Centre is the most suited for a motorshow.”

by -

Although the Kenari was Perodua’s new model for 2000, visitors to the Perodua stand were drawn to another model which is expected to be launched next year. Presently going under the internal codename of ‘X690′, this model was displayed on a rotating platform.

Those who have seen the ‘spy photos’ circulating on the Net not so long ago may believe this to be the model. However, apart from the difference in the codename – the prototype in the spy photo was ‘XA02′ – the styling of the X690 is also slightly different. Perodua says the X690 will be an additional model in its line-up so it is possible the XA02 will be the Kancil replacement, rumoured to be out by 2002.

Anyway, the X690 will come out during the first quarter of 2001 and at this time, Perodua has revealed that it will have a 1000 cc DOHC 12-valve EFI engine,most likely the same one as that in the Kenari.

Malaysians are being invited to give this new Perodua a name as well as an advertising tagline (like the Kancil’s ‘Smart Like You’). The winner gets a unit of the X690 after it is launched. The contest will run till Monday, December 4th 2000 and all entries must reach Perodua by 10 pm that day. Entry forms are available at Perodua’s stand at the KL International Motorshow in Putra World Trade Centre, KL, and entries can also be submitted via Perodua’s website (www.perodua.com.my).

Besides the X690, Perodua also displayed a Kenari with a body kit and some minor internal enhancements, notably the trim on the dashboard centre console. The body kit gives the Kenari a visually lower look and is quite eye-catching.

Also at the stand was a rugged-looking Kembara in a jungle setting. With its full-time 4WD, the Kembara can certainly venture into the jungle (but get the right tyres!) and AW’s Jaime and friends proved that on the Perodua Kembara Expedition. In fact, Jaime recognises the unit on display as the one her team used…

For those who wanted a ‘feel’ of what it’s like rallying, Perodua set up a simulator of sorts with a flat screen mounted on the bonnet of one of their rally Kancils. Visitors had an opportunity to try their hand at driving a tricky rally course from inside the Kancil – better than Sega Rally!

Other motorshow stories


by -

TATA – to most Malaysians, that’s the name of a manufacturer of buses and lorries. But while TATA, which is the largest conglomerate in India, has been making heavy commercial vehicles for decades, it is actually a full-range automaker with cars and 4WDs. Though sales of its products in India are substantial, the company is looking more towards exports in coming years and has begun to offer other types of vehicles in Malaysia through its distributor/importer Scott & English (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, (part of the DRB-HICOM Group).

The first of these models was the Telcoline 4×4 Pickup which was launched a couple of months ago. Assembled at the MTB plant in Pekan, Pahang, the Telcoline is an affordable vehicle and the timing for its introduction is just right as demand for pick-ups is soaring. In fact, Scott & English now experiences the unusual situation of having customers waiting for its vehicles.

Next year, the company will also introduce the Safari, a 4WD sport-utility vehicle (SUV) with styling that reminds one of the Land Rover Discovery. To be assembled locally and sold at around RM120,000, the Safari has a 4-cylinder 1948 cc turbodiesel engine said to be developed by TATA itself. The transmission is a manual 5-speeder with dual ranges so it is more of a ‘serious 4WD’ than a competitor for the new generation of lightweight 4WDs like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Its dimensions are also comparable to the bigger 4WDs – an overall length of 4650 mm on a wheelbase of 2650 mm.

The suspension has double wishbones in front and coil springs at the rear with 5-link location so it should ride fairly comfortably. There’s also power-assisted steering and the brakes are a disc/drum combination. Standard wheels are 15-inch steel wheels with 235/75×15 tyres.

A look inside revealed that the Safari is certainly a well-equipped vehicle with high-quality trim. It is spacious with quite a lot of headroom. At the rear, like the 1st generation Discovery, there are extra seats that fold into the side panels.

The other attention-getter was the TATA Indica, a small passenger hatchback which is promoted as an “all-Indian” car. Its styling was suggested by IDEA, a design house in Italy, and from some angles, it has the looks of a Peugeot. The model on display had a 1.4-litre MPI engine which develops 75 ps of power at 5500 rpm. The Indica rides on 4-wheel independent suspension with semi-trailing arms at the rear.

It comes with very high equipment levels and is clearly a car that is intended for the world market. It’s not surprising that TATA has a very long waiting list for this car in India, given the fact that a number of the more affordable Indian cars have designs that are quite old (although there are also recent entries from Ford and Daewoo which are a bit more expensive).

Scott & English has no plans to sell the Indica in Malaysia for at least two more years. Part of the reason is said to be the inability of the factory in India to supply cars but the other reason would be that it wants to avoid bringing extra competition to the national cars. But it is likely that in the post-AFTA era, TATA may assemble the Indica in Malaysia for regional distribution. In fact, the company is already discussing that approach on the Telcoline and some units have already been exported to Australia on a trial basis.

Other motorshow stories

by -

Want an easier way to get a new car than spending your hard-earned money? Try the many contests that are currently running and you could get lucky! Or see what special offers and gifts are available this month. AUTOWORLD.COM.MY has compiled a list which will be constantly updated so take your pick…

Buy a redeemable MAB-MRCA Charity Voucher and you could win a Proton Wira 1.3(M) which is the second prize in the lucky draw which will be on June 16th 2001.

The AAM is having a membership drive contest and the top prizes are a Kia Carnival and Kia Sephias. Consolation prizes include engine oil, tyres, batteries and wiper blades. To obtain more information on the contest, click on the AAM link on Autoworld.com.my‘s main page.

Brand new Peugeot 405 Automatic engine for RM8,800(RM8,300 for 405 Manual), plus 6 months/12,000 kms warranty. Offer is based on exchange of old engine. Available at MBf-Peugeot Service Centres nationwide.

While stocks last, Petronas is giving away a free convection cooker with every purchase of a 4-litre pack of Petronas Syntium and a food container set with every purchase of a 4-litre pack of Petronas Mach 5.

Fancy a S2000, SLK, Boxster or TT Roadster? You can get one just by buying a clusterpack of Redbull and adding RM8 for the car. Offer valid while stocks last and no licence needed to own the cars.

While stocks last, purchases of two pieces of Silverstone utility/novelty tyres will get you a free umbrella. With two pieces of Silverstone FTZ, SSV, STZ or 4WD tyre, you get a free Beverly Hills Polo Club backpack.

While stocks last. a free mug with every purchase of the Century Maintenance-Free battery.

While stocks last, purchase of every two Dunlop tyres will get buyer a ‘Scratch & Win’ card. Prize include Panasonic TVs, VCD players and other electronic items.

Free gifts are being given with purchases of BP, Castrol, and Esso engine oils during the festive season and subject to stock availbility.

Free gifts ranging from a Caltex watch to tissue pads with all Caltex Havoline 4-litre packs. Offer valid while stocks last.

Want a Fiat Coupe 20V, Punto, Marea 1.6 ELX or Brava ELX but can’t afford them? You could get one free when you spend RM30 at a Parkson Store in a single day as the company is having a celebration contest. Other prizes include Gilera Runner SP180 scooters. Contest period ends on January 28th 2001.

Spend RM8.80 at a Caltex StarMart and you can enter a contest to win your child a mini-Jeep in the ‘Jeeps for Keeps’ Contest. Closing date is January 31st 2001.

Digi’s ‘Go-Mobile’ Contest has a Ford Focus as the 1st prize and a Peugeot 206 1.4 as the 2nd prize. Purchase of Digi PrePaid Plus SIMPack necessary to participate in the contest which ends of February 28th 2001.

Order a Ford Ranger from Ford Concessionaires between now and February 28th 2001 and you can get an imported mountain bike for just RM100. Those who made confirmed orders on December 23rd 2000 and after are also eligible for this offer which is in conjunction with the company’s 19th anniversary celebration.

A Proton Waja for free if you win the 1st prize in the ‘Health is Wealth’ contest. Purchase of Taj Mahal Faiza Herbal Ponni Organic Rice necessary to participate. Other prizes in the contest which ends on February 28th 2001 include a Perodua Kancil and Modenas Jaguh.

New subscribers (who registered from December 15th 2000 to February 28th 2001) can enter the Astro contest which has a TD2000 as the first prize. The contest is only for those who get their DMS at the full price of RM499 and not through special offers or as complimentary sets.

Buy all six issues of the new EON&U magazine between September 2000 and February 2001 and you can enter a contest which has the first prize of a Proton Waja.

Buy RM250 worth of diamonds or gems from Poh Kong before March 29th 2001 and you can enter a contest which has a Lotus Elise as the first prize.

Another chance to win a Lotus Elise – Diners Club Malaysia cardholders can enter a contest which requires spending at least RM50 using the card. Contest ends on March 31st 2000.

Until March 31st 2001, Canon is running a ‘Facts about Faxes’ contest. The first prize is a Toyota Corolla 1.6SE-G Automatic with ABS.


by -

In a departure from past practice of leaving promotional activities to its distributors, Proton itself took a large area at the motorshow to showcase its products and its core values of Innovation, Technological Capability and Quality.

Though a small exhibit, the Proton engine – codenamed S-ENG – during the past year of its development at Lotus UK as well as Proton’s R&D division at Shah Alam, attracted a lot of attention. The company has now revealed that it will be named the “Campro” engine and confirmed that it will be in production in 2002.

The engine, initially with a 1.6 litre 4-cylinder configuration, is claimed to offer world-class power, torque and fuel economy with low emissions. It incorporates many advanced technologies such as a sinter-forged fracture-split conrod for precision and superior finish; cam-profile switching; variable valve timing; and cylinder de-activation.

Besides the various production Proton sedans and hatchbacks, there was also a Satria Convertible which was last seen at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 1997. Back then, Proton said it was developed to test consumer reaction in Germany to see if it would be viable to make and sell. But the economic recession saw the project shelved as more important matters needed attention (and funding) and nothing more was heard of it.

It still looks good three years later, and a look at the interior shows that a lot of work went into creating a luxurious cockpit area. Not many details were available about the car and it remains to be seen if Proton will actually produce it for sale in the near future.

Proton’s Lotus Asia-Pacific division also got to showcase its cars and drew lots of enthusiasts. There were Elises in various forms but it was the Lotus 340R which got the most attention. This is a limited production model which takes the Elise concept to the extreme and only two units are said to be in Malaysia.

Weighing just over 500 kgs, thanks to its lightweight structure and composite bodywork, the 340R has an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 340 hp per ton… and just from using a 1.8-litre 125 kW (170 bhp) K-series engine. Its concept combines the advanced thinking behind the single-seat racing cars which Lotus has been developing for F1 racing with the purity of a superbike.

Also on display was the basis of the Elise and a number of other sportscars which Lotus makes and will make in future – the exceptionally stiff and light chassis of extruded and bonded aluminium which also forms the load-bearing structure for the car. This chassis will also serve as the basis for Proton’s Malaysia Sports Car (MSC) which is expected to be introduced in 2003. By sharing components from Proton’s other production models but using advanced structural technology, the MSC is to be an affordable sportscar that will offer superior driving dynamics.

Other motorshow stories

by -

Without a doubt, one of the big attractions of the motorshow was the Audi TT Roadster at the Auto Dunia stand which also had the Audi A4 1.8T Avant (a stationwagon version of the locally-assembled A4 1.8 Turbo) and the Audi A6.

The Audi TT Roadster is a follow-up to the TT Coupe which Auto Dunia had earlier introduced. The version offered for sale in Malaysia at around RM372,100 (excluding insurance/roadtax) is a top-of-the-range model with a quattro (full-time 4WD) drivetrain. It has a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which produces 165 kW (225 bhp) with a maximum boost pressure of 1.8 bar. This makes it capable of rocketing to 100 km/h from standstill in a claimed 6.9 second and then on to a top speed of 237 km/h.

The design of the TT Roadster is a ‘no-compromises’ functional one which has been styled to look very appealing with the top down. Though it seems like just the TT Coupe with the hardtop removed, development of the TT Roadster was actually more extensive and additional structural engineering was needed to ensure that the bodywork stiffness was maintained.

A sturdy windscreen frame with double anchorage inside the A-pillars, additionally reinforced by a high-strength steel tube-in-tube system is incorporated for that purpose. There are also extra reinforcements in many areas of the bodywork to give the TT Roadster torsional rigidity that, only a few years ago, would have earned high praise even for a sedan body.

All the extra strengthening also increases the safety levels of the TT Roadster, a major consideration with its exposed cabin area. Making open-topped cars in modern times is something that Audi has had a lot of experience with and the company was, in fact, one of the first ones to offer convertibles when regulations and safety provisions allowed them to be re-introduced in the late 1980s.

With the TT Roadster, Audi has opened a new chapter in open-top car safety. This is evident in the two roll-over bars which are more than just striking features with the satin gleam: they contribute significantly to passive safety of the car. There are also crumple zones front and rear plus large-volume sill sections and thicker metal in many areas. The TT Roadster is able to satisfy prevailing safety requirements in Europe for side impact collisions and already meets future standards for frontal impacts. Needless to say, there are frontal and side airbags for the two front occupants which work with the pyrotechnic seatbelt tensioners and belt-force limiters.

The TT Roadster also has high levels of active safety, one of which is the full-time 4-wheel drive system Audi calls ‘quattro’. It is the only other volume-produced roadster (the other being the much more expensive Lamborghini Diablo Roadster) with such a drivetrain that won Audi many world tally championships in the 1980s.

In the cockpit area, the attention to detail and the styling flair complement the exterior looks. Unlike roadsters of the 1950s and 1960s, the TT Roadster has as much comfort and convenience as an Audi sedan with high-grade leather upholstery and top-notch audio system. The soft top is easily lowered for stowage and for extra money, the owner can get an electrically-operated system. Turbulence, which is inevitable at high speeds, can be moderated by an electrically-operated glass windbreaker which is installed adjacent to the roll bars (it can be lowered when not required).

According to Tan Chee Keong, Auto Dunia’s Executive Director, response to the TT Roadster has been very good and rides on the success of the TT Coupe, of which 20 units have ben sold by the company in the past year.

“We expect to sell 20 units of the TT Roadster this year and at least half of them have already been ordered at the motorshow,” he revealed. “For people living in Penang who could not come to the motorshow, we will be bringing one unit up for The Women’s Show 2000 at Island Plaza shortly.”

As a special motorshow promotion, Auto Dunia is giving three lucky visitors to its stand at the KLIMS 2000 a chance to spend a week with the Audi A4 1.8T sedan (with RM300 of Shell petrol and a RM100 toll card thrown in!). All they have to do is fill in an entry form there and sign ‘AUDI’ in the most creative manner. The contest is open to Malaysian residents aged 18 and above and who have a valid driving licence.

THE NEW BEETLE
Just round the corner from the Auto TT Roadster, Auto Dunia’s VW division had a crowd-stopping yellow car on display – the New Beetle. Priced at RM199,100 (without insurance and roadtax), this modern reincarnation of the much-loved VW has a 2-litre 4-cylinder engine which is at the front and not the rear like its predecessor. In fact, other than the name and profile, the New Beetle is really a different car altogether.

At least 15 units have already been ordered through Auto Dunia, according to a company source, with eight now going to customers. The second batch will be available towards the end of the year. At the end of 2001, it is likely that the company will also bring in the high-performance Beetle 1.8 Turbo. The version presently offered has a 4-speed automatic and fabric upholstery but customers can also order leather upholstery at extra cost.

The New Beetle is a cute car that makes you smile, and really defies elaboration so it is best that you go see it at the motorshow or visit an Auto Dunia/VW showroom!

Other motorshow stories


by -

UMW Toyota Motor’s stand at the motorshow has the theme of ‘Young, Energetic, Fun & Contemporary’ and the vibrant atmosphere certainly reflects it well. At periodic intervals, there are dancers on stage and at one end is a climbing wall where the public can have a go and make like the Eco-Challenge team which was sponsored by the company.

Four imported models are being displayed, one of which is a concept model – the Celica Cruising Deck based on the latest Toyota Celica. To create the Celica Cruising deck, the designers cut away the rear liftback section and put in a flat deck. This area is separated from the front seats by a movable partition which can be configured in two ways. The rear window can be rolled down for storage, creating an extra-long and flat deck which is ideal for surfboards, fishing poles or other long gear. Alternatively, the area can be used to seat passengers by raising part of the deck to form a backrest below the spoiler.

The idea of an open seating area in the back of the car mimics the ‘rumble-seat’ of some American models produced in the 1920s. It was an ingenious method of converting the rear section into a semi-convertible and enjoyed a revival in the 1970s. Some Toyota concept cars have had this idea before and the engineers decided to use it again.

Another interesting design element is the rear tailgate which opens sideways instead of downwards. This makes for easier loading of heavy or large items. If the owner needs to tow a trailer at the back, a tow hitch is also incorporated for the purpose.

For power, the Celica Cruising Deck has one of the new-generation Toyota Z-series engines with a displacement of 1.8 litres. This powerful 4-cylinder DOHC all-aluminium engine – capable of producing 187 bhp at 7600 rpm – has a variable valve timing mechanism (VVTL-i) which was developed by Toyota engineers. VVTL-i combines continuously-variable valve timing with valve lift that adjusts in two stages, depending on engine speed. The result is not only more torque but also a much broader torque band to give strong response at all speeds.

Toyota Motor Corporation has no plans at this time to make the Celica Cruising Deck a production model although positive responses from enthusiasts may persuade the company to consider the idea!

The new generation of car buyers has entirely different tastes and expectations, making it a new challenge for all carmakers. Toyota’s offering to such customers is the bB, a boxy compact model which allows extensive customization to satisfy the requirement for greater individuality.

The name is short for ‘Black Box’ and is meant to convey the concept of ‘unlimited possibilities’; with this car, Toyota has adopted a design which has never been used for any other model. The bB has many options which can be easily installed or attached to the car and these have been specially designed to take full advantage of the wide exterior surface areas and the straight lines of the interior.

The boxy silhouette offers a unique look while giving a large and spacious cabin comparable to larger vehicles. Measuring 3845 mm long and 1690 mm wide, the bB has large and wide doors while interior headroom is more generous as a result of a height of 1640 mm.

The innovative interior features a column-shift and pedal-type parking brake which liberates lots of space for the legs and feet. The simple dashboard has a prominent individualistically-styled round “pressure gauge motif” centre with all elements clustered in the middle section.

Its 1.5-litre engine features VVT-i, Toyota’s own variable valve timing mechanism, for good performance over a broad engine speed range. The all-aluminium engine is among the lightest in its class, weighing just 78 kgs.

Ride comfort is also of a high quality with the subframe-mounted strut front suspension and an Eta beam axle at the rear which is equipped with toe-correcting functions. Optimal geometry ensures outstanding manoeuverability and stability at all speeds.

Opa is the name of one of Toyota’s latest models and the name comes from the Portuguese expression which means ‘surprise’. The 4250 mm long Opa is styled with dynamic dimensional shapes and raised character lines along the sides that give it distinctiveness. A panoramic window arrangement encapsulating the front pillars suggests plenty of interior room, which is indeed the case. A ‘one-piece look’ with solid exterior surfaces adds to the sense of stability.

Various seating arrangements provide plenty of flexibility and even with the rear seats in use, four full golfbags can be carried in the boot area. For maximum cargo capacity, the back seats can be folded into the floor, creating a length of 1700 mm. A Toyota-first is an electric switch for the rear door lock which operates from the outside. This makes opening the door more convenient.

Powering the Opa is a newly-developed 2.0-litre engine which has stratified Direct Fuel Injection and VVT-i to improve combustion and reduce toxic gases in the exhaust fumes. The engine employs a new airflow-independent combustion concept as well as a wide lean-burn strategy for superior fuel efficiency. It produces an impressive 152 bhp of power at 6000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm.

The Opa has a choice of two transmissions – the sporty 6-range Steer Shiftmatic System or the advanced Super CVT which is Toyota’s first continuously-variable transmission.

Independent front suspension matched with a torsion beam rear axle gives nimble handling with a comfortable ride. The sharp handling provides higher active safety which is further enhanced by ABS brakes that also have Electronic Brake Force distribution.

An interesting safety feature is found in each door mirror which has a hydrophilic effect that makes the water droplets cling to the surface like a film, minimising degradation of visibility. The mirrors also have a photocatalytic effect that breaks up organic matter to prevent surface dirt from building up.

When the first generation of the Toyota RAV4 was introduced in 1994, it started a new trend for small 4WD sport-utility vehicles (SUVs). It was a smart-looking urban SUV which offered good handling, ride comfort and performance. Now comes the second generation which continues the original concept with ‘Stylish and Rugged’ as the key theme.

The platform is entirely new and as before 3-door (display model) and 5-door versions are available. A new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder DOHC Direct-Injection engine with VVT-i is under the bonnet and offers higher performance levels with its output of 152 bhp at 6000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. Unlike most of its competitors, the RAV4 has full-time 4WD with a standard viscous-coupling limited-slip differential (LSD).

The engineers revised the 4-wheel independent suspension system to complement the more rigid body and create outstanding handling with high-speed stability. At the same time, careful tuning of the dampers has endowed the RAV4 with a more comfortable ride.

Other motorshow stories


by -

Remember the ‘spy’ photos that had been circulating on the Net a month or two back? Some people got it right and some were wrong but whatever it is, Perodua has decided to let the public see a prototype which is going under the internal code name of ‘X690′. It’s slightly different from the one in the spy photos which seemed to be coded ‘XA02′ and was more angular.

Malaysians are invited to propose a name for the model which is expected to go on sale next year. Described as an additional model to Perodua’s line-up – which means it is not a replacement for the Kancil (perhaps the XA02 is?) – the X690 will have a 1000 cc DOHC 12-valve engine (most likely the same one as that in the Kenari).

The contest to name this new Perodua will run till December 4th 2000 and all entries must reach Perodua by 10 pm that day. Entry forms are available at Perodua’s stand at the KL International Motorshow in Putra World Trade Centre, KL, and entries can also be submitted via Perodua’s website (www.perodua.com.my). Besides submitting a name, participants must also propose a tagline to go with the model name – something like ‘Smart Like You’.

The winning entry will be announced sometime in mid-January 2001 and the winner will be rewarded with… yes, you guessed it… one unit of the X690.

by -

Proton has today announced the offer of a ‘free pre-holiday inspection’ for all Wajas. The campaign, details of which are in newspaper advertisements, asks owners to bring their cars to EON or USPD or even to the Proton factory in Shah Alam for the inspection “to ensure that your Waja is running in tip-top condition”. It runs from November 27th till December 7th 2000.

Also mentioned in the advertisement is a ‘Thank You’ to the 105 Waja owners who were at the first “Meet-the-Waja owners” gathering on November 19th. “This was the first time we interacted with our customers in this way… your feedback was invaluable,” the advertisement noted.

It also mentioned that [during the event], there were ‘some reports of isolated incidences of condensation, loose fittings and the phenomena of engines stalling’ which were addressed immediately.

No press statement has been issued by Proton concerning this exercise, nor has there been any official clarification on concerns raised by Waja owners over the fuel tank issue.

by -

With one of the largest stands at the KL International Motorshow, Ford Malaysia displayed no less than 14 vehicles, ranging from US-only models to models that will only be on sale next year. The number of new models that are due to be introduced is impressive and 2001 is certainly a year which will see Ford figuring prominently in the sales charts among the non-national makes.

“We’ve seen our sales improving this year and have overtaken Honda to be in third position among the non-national makes, after Toyota and Nissan,” said a proud Richard Canny, Managing Director of Ford Malaysia, during a special preview for the press. Unusual for the top executive of a motor company in Malaysia, Mr Canny practically managed the session himself, and personally introduced the models on display to the press.

LYNX LS
It’s hard to say which model was the ‘star Ford’ but the new Ford Lynx LS is likely to attract a lot of attention because it is not on sale yet – and won’t be till March 2001. According to Mr Canny, there are still some things to be sorted out with the model and the company was using the motorshow as an opportunity to get customer feedback on matters like equipment.

The car is unlike the Lynx sedans you may have seen from Singapore and is a more upmarket design, albeit using the same new platform as the Lynx S which goes on sale from this weekend. It has prominent jewel-like headlights which are said to be the first of their type in the country.

Mr Canny explained that the development of the Lynx LS was done in collaboration with Ford’s Taiwanese unit which had successfully developed a Lynx variant on its own. “It’s not the same as what they have and can be regarded as an ‘evolution’ of their model,” he explained. The Lynx LS is likely to become an additional model which Ford will sell in Asian countries.

RANGER EXTREME
With the Ford Ranger having been largely responsible for Ford’s surge in sales locally, it’s not surprising that the company is giving a lot of attention to its future and looking at variants. One concept which the public can see at the motorshow is the Ranger Extreme jointly developed with Tickford Asia-Pacific, Ford’s tuning and performance partners.

The Ranger Extreme has a unique front-end appearance – a unique front grille, dual front lamps, huge bonnet scoop and distinctive skidplate. At the back, there’s a sports-bar, new rear bumper, and a radical new feature – a lockable hard tonneau cover that keeps your gear safe and secure. The tonneau cover, constructed entirely from composite materials, is integrated with the rear sports-bar and features dual telescopic gas struts, along with a secure locking mechanism. If required, it can also be removed and re-fitted by the owner.

Living up to its suffix, the Ranger Extreme is fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, shod with Goodyear 265/70 R16 tyres. This has necessitated larger wheel-arch flares that fully cover the wheels and tyres. The lower edges of the doors and rocker panel are protected with Reaction Injection Moulded (RIM) Polyurethane mouldings.

Interior treatment has not yet been decided although it may be equally bold. There are no plans to replace the proven Ford 2.5 litre WLT turbodiesel which is presently the most powerful diesel engine in its class.

Mr Canny seemed quite optimistic about offering this variant in future and even went to the extent of suggesting that it could cost around RM87,000. “We would very much like to hear from the public about this concept and also what sort of colours they would like to see it in.”

FORD TRADER
Over the past 17 years, more than 6,000 Ford Traders have been sold, and it is estimated that the vehicles have been driven more than 900 million kilometres and carried 12 million tonnes. Clearly, this Ford has been one of the workhorses of the nation.

Now comes a new generation with updated looks and stronger capabilities. The new Trader range features three models – a 3-tonne (payload) model tagged as Ford Trader 3T that is rated at 5,000 Kg GVW, a Trader 3TL, also rated at 5,000 Kg and a Trader 4T, rated at 7,100 Kg GVW.

The 3T Trader has a 4.27-metre tray length, while the 3TL models also have the same tray length but with a stronger, heavier chassis and a 4.0 litre engine. Powertrains are a 3.0 litre for the 3T and a 4.0 litre diesel for the 3TL and 4T models. All engines are “green engines” which means they qualify for a 50% rebate on roadtax.

Inside, the cabin is more like that of a modern passenger car than a workhorse truck. For the first time, the Trader will include integrated factory installed air-conditioning as standard. With its commanding forward view, and special safety side glass doors to see nearby objects, the new cabin dramatically improves visibility for the driver.

The Trader range also features a power clutch – sure to be much appreciated by drivers operating the Trader in the busy urban areas. This feature dramatically reduces the effort for the driver when changing gears.

The all-new Trader goes on sale in February 2001, and pricing will be announced in January.

RANGER UiTM
Demonstrating its commitment to be a good corporate citizen in the country it does business in, Ford Malaysia has given students at UiTM (Universiti Teknologi MARA) an opportunity to develop a concept truck for the company. The vehicle was developed using a Ford Ranger supplied by Ford Malaysia.

Fifteen third-year UiTM students doing an Industrial Design course participated in the project and worked with Ford engineers. They were chosen for the project after Ford Malaysia had been impressed by their potential from the entries they submitted for the ‘Ford of the Next Millennium Design’ held last year.

Explaining the work done on the concept truck, Mohd Hariri Abdullah, the project coordinator at UiTM said that the students had done a lot of research on the Ranger as well as its competitors. From the information they gained and from talking to customers, they incorporated many ideas they felt customers would want.

Other models being displayed at the Ford stand are the SVT150 Lightning, Explorer Sport-Trac, Escape, Focus, New Lynx S, New Econovan, New Spectron, Mustang GT, Ranger Splash and a special ‘Sony’ Ranger. Information on these models has already been presented earlier in our Emzine (click on link to get there).

Other motorshow stories


Prev1...1,0001,0111,0121,013...1,033Next Page 1,012 of 1,033
-->

NEW CAR LAUNCHES

TEST DRIVES & REVIEWS

Automotive News